loader from loading.io

Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next

Challenge Accepted

Release Date: 10/24/2025

Thank you and Goodbye. show art 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...

info_outline
2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey) show art 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...

info_outline
Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook show art 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...

info_outline
Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper show art 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...

info_outline
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic show art 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...

info_outline
Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes show art 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...

info_outline
Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle show art 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...

info_outline
The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends show art 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...

info_outline
Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next show art 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...

info_outline
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson show art 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...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

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 — How Gen V strengthens The Boys without losing its own identity

  • 01:14 — Cipher reveal and why the mystery felt obvious but still worked

  • 03:10 — The villain’s plan, limits, and the Homelander ceiling

  • 08:31 — Character arcs: Marie’s shift from guilt to healer, power ceilings, and “Odessa”

  • 14:39 — Jordan’s dual-performance growth and the breakup that actually lands

  • 16:11 — Effects and fight design that make the powers feel dangerous

  • 18:59 — Emma’s healing, leadership, and that meaningful Polarity moment

  • 21:07 — Sam as wild card, where he works and where he doesn’t

  • 27:19 — Finale tie-ins: who returns, who levels up, and what it signals for The Boys

Key Takeaways

  • Gen V continues to be a smart spinoff that supports The Boys while standing on its own.

  • The mid-season drags when the story strays from Godolkin. Keeping it on campus would have helped.

  • Cipher’s reveal is predictable, but the character’s obsession is the real weakness and pays off thematically.

  • Marie’s arc lands: from self-blame to a confident healer positioned near the top tier of Supes.

  • Jordan’s two-actor portrayal reads as one cohesive character with real growth and independence.

  • Emma’s journey embraces the “cracks with gold” idea and includes a touching tribute beat with Polarity.

  • The show dials back gross-out for purposeful impact while keeping visceral, readable action.

  • Starlight and A-Train moments are not cameos for fun. They set the board for The Boys in a clear way.

Quotes

  • “It actually makes me more excited for The Boys now.”

  • “My only real negative for the season is the middle slowed down. They should have stayed at Godolkin.”

  • “She’s not a murderer. She’s a healer. Maybe one of the best.”

  • “The effects sell the powers. If we had these in real life, they’d be terrifying.”

  • “A-Train showing up with Starlight was a fist-pump moment.”

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe, then drop a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Share the episode with a friend and tag us with #ChallengeAcceptedPod so we can shout you out next week.

Links and Resources

  • GeekFreaksPodcast.com — our home base and the source of all news discussed during our podcast

Follow Us

  • Instagram: @challengeacceptedlive

  • TikTok: @challengeacceptedlive

  • Twitter: @CAPodcastLive

  • Email your thoughts or challenges: challengeacceptedgefx@gmail.com

Listener Questions

What worked best for you in the Gen V finale, and what do you want to see carry into The Boys? Send your take to challengeacceptedgefx@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram. We’ll feature our favorites on a future episode.

Apple Podcast Tags

Gen V Season 2, The Boys, Godolkin University, Jaz Sinclair, Maddie Phillips, Lizze Broadway, Hamish Linklater, Chance Perdomo, A-Train, Starlight, Amazon Prime Video, Superhero TV, TV Review, Challenge Accepted Podcast