Thank you and Goodbye.
Challenge Accepted
In this final episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what’s next for the network. Thomas also shares where Sick Burn is headed, why the message matters more than the metrics, and how storytelling and vulnerability have become a core part of the work. Timestamps and Topics 00:06...
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2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey)
Challenge Accepted
Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel’s three-film run landed with Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and Captain America: Brave New World. They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it “won” this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry, Alien: Earth, and Andor. To close it out, they shift into 2026 mode: what’s got them genuinely excited again, which upcoming releases feel like “event” movies, and how they want to evolve Challenge...
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Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook
Challenge Accepted
Frank revisits Night of the Living Dead (1968) and breaks down why it still feels ahead of its time, even with a shoestring budget and simple setup. He walks through the full plot from the cemetery opening to the brutal ending, calls out the movie’s “proto zombie rules” (headshots, fire, escalating panic), and digs into the constant clash between Ben and Harry Cooper over how to survive. Frank also shares a handful of behind-the-scenes trivia, then closes by asking listeners to help pick the next holiday movie review. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:05 Welcome to Challenge Accepted and why...
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Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper
Challenge Accepted
In this single-player episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank bundles up with the winter classic Fargo and breaks down why this 1996 Coen Brothers film still hits so hard. From Jerry’s desperate spiral and Gaear’s cold brutality to Marge Gunderson’s calm, quietly heroic presence, Frank walks through the story, performances, music, and snow-covered Midwest setting that make the movie timeless. He also talks about how the Fargo TV series connects back to the film, why the woodchipper scene has become legend, and how the Coens turn empty white fields into one of the most effective...
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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic
Challenge Accepted
In this solo episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank finally sits down with the iconic animated film Batman Mask of the Phantasm after years of calling it a major Batman blind spot. He shares his deep love for Batman The Animated Series, breaks down Bruce Timm’s distinctive art style, and explores why Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s performances still define Batman and Joker for entire generations. After watching the movie for the first time, Frank gives his immediate reaction, digging into Gotham’s timeless look, the horror-inspired presentation of the Phantasm, and the emotional core of...
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Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes
Challenge Accepted
In this Thanksgiving special of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Jonathan celebrate the Belchers by ranking their top Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving episodes and crowning a definitive winner. They break down why the holiday episodes hit so hard, talk about the emotional gut punches hidden inside the jokes, and revisit the wild chaos of turkeys, hoarding, broken ovens, and cursed outdoor cooking. The guys also reveal the results of their “Turkey Brawl” social media tournament and wrap up with a few extra Thanksgiving watch recommendations to keep your holiday cozy and geeky. Bob's Burgers...
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Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle
Challenge Accepted
On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank Lourence (@franklourence79) teams up with Jonathan to walk through Stranger Things seasons 1 through 4 so you are fully refreshed before season 5 lands. The two revisit the early days in Hawkins, the rise of the Mind Flayer, the Starcourt Mall showdown, and Vecna’s terrifying curse, mixing clean plot recaps with personal memories and reactions. Along the way they talk about why the show’s ’80s nostalgia still works, how characters like Hopper, Billy, Max, and Eddie evolved, and what they hope to see in the final season. They close by sharing...
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The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends
Challenge Accepted
In this solo Thanksgiving episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank breaks down The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers’ Netflix Western anthology that has quietly become one of his holiday staples. Story by story, he digs into how each vignette wrestles with death, chance, and human nature, from Tim Blake Nelson’s singing gunslinger to Tom Waits’ stubborn prospector and that iconic “First time?” hanging meme. Along the way, Frank talks about why the film feels so cozy despite its bleak themes, how the Coens use digital cinematography to shape tone, and what these stories say...
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Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next
Challenge Accepted
On Challenge Accepted, we break down the Gen V Season 2 finale and how it tees up the last chapter of The Boys. We talk about the big reveal around Cipher, the season’s mid-section slowdown, and why Godolkin works best when the story actually stays on campus. We dig into standout arcs for Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Sage, the villain’s core weakness, and why those Starlight and A-Train beats matter. We also highlight the effects work, tributes woven into the story, and what we expect to carry over into The Boys. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 — Welcome and gut reactions to the finale 00:37...
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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson
Challenge Accepted
On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas welcomes critic and lifelong Ranger fan Becca Peterson (The Critic Buffet) for a fast-paced, fun deep dive into the 1995 feature film. We cover why this movie still hits for ‘90s kids, the charm of Ivan Ooze, the switch to ninja powers and new Zords, and how the film fits into the broader multiverse of Power Rangers stories. Becca brings great trivia, from casting changes to Sentai influences, and shares why the movie’s core message still lands. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – 01:10 | Cold open, show intro, and guest welcome; Becca’s...
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Frank breaks down the Season 2 premiere of Peacemaker with a clear eye on tone, pacing, and character arcs. He digs into how the show turns a once unlikable lead into someone worth rooting for, why the loneliness under the jokes hits harder this year, and how the new multiverse twist sets up real emotional stakes. You will hear thoughts on the Justice Gang cameo, the revamped intro, and the visual style of the folding door chamber. There is praise for John Cena’s performance, predictions for where the 11th Street Kids are headed, and a quick show update while Thomas focuses on family.
Timestamps and Topics
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00:00 Welcome and show update for Challenge Accepted
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00:52 What to expect while Thomas is on dad duty and how the show will roll
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01:29 Spoiler alert and the review plan for this episode
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02:06 Tone and pacing compared to Season 1
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02:59 Why Peacemaker is now easy to root for
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03:44 Loneliness balanced with humor and how the show pulls it off
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04:34 Justice Gang interview gag with Maxwell Lord, Hawkgirl, and Guy Gardner
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06:16 Harcourt at the bar and what that fight says about her headspace
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07:04 Faster cross cutting and more time with the full crew
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07:49 The 99 doors concept and Chris seeing Keith again
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10:24 Reading the alt world and the darker subtext behind it
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11:29 John Cena’s quiet beats and why they land
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12:06 Adebayo with Chris and Economos watching for Rick Flag Sr
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13:33 Vigilante and Economos calls and why they still click
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14:17 New intro song and dance and why it works
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15:11 Folding chamber visuals and how the world multiplies
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15:50 Justice Gang line up and a clean DCU reset inside the recap
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18:13 Big moments to watch and a look ahead at the multiverse thread
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19:27 Final thoughts and excitement for the season
Key Takeaways
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Peacemaker’s path from jerk to vulnerable lead keeps paying off because the show lets humor sit on top of real hurt.
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Season 2 spreads focus across the team which helps flesh out Harcourt, Adebayo, Economos, and Vigilante.
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The 99 doors device is more than a visual trick. It puts Chris face to face with the life he wished he had and tests his growth.
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Harcourt’s bar scene shows a trained fighter chasing pain to feel anything at all.
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The Justice Gang cameo quietly resets the DCU context without getting lost in lore.
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John Cena’s small moments carry as much weight as the big jokes.
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Expect a reckoning with Rick Flag Sr and a deeper look at guilt, forgiveness, and chosen family.
Quotes
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“It is amazing how DC took a character like Peacemaker and now I am rooting for him in every way.”
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“These outsiders are going to reunite again.”
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“There are 99 doors in this folding chamber and each one asks who Chris wants to be.”
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“Sometimes we do not need to make it complicated. The reset is right there in front of us.”
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“John Cena is a fantastic actor and the quiet beats prove it.”
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, tap subscribe, and leave a rating and review. Share the episode with a friend and post your take with the hashtag #ChallengeAccepted.
Follow Us
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Instagram: @challengeacceptedlive
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TikTok: @challengeacceptedlive
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Twitter: @CAPodcastLive
Listener Questions
Send your questions, hot takes, or challenges to ChallengeAcceptedGFX@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram or TikTok. Tell us your favorite moment from Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1 and we may feature it in the next episode.
Apple Podcast Tags
Peacemaker, Peacemaker Season 2, Peacemaker review, DCU, James Gunn, John Cena, Vigilante, Harcourt, Adebayo, Rick Flag, Challenge Accepted podcast, TV review, superhero TV, Geek Freaks Network