Mismatched Texts

Hosted by two popular culture superfan-scholars, Mismatched Texts is a show that brings together novels, films, games, and narratives of all kinds into seemingly odd pairings and reveals the ways in which they address similar themes.

Short # 60 - Shatner on Kirk's Death 09/30/2024

Short # 60 - Shatner on Kirk's Death Wherein Andy and Justice exhume Captain Kirk because of William Shatner's recently proclaimed dissatisfaction with the legendary figure's death. We revisit that scene in Star Trek: Generations and discuss whether or not his opinion holds up. Would Kirk have appeared in NuTrek if he had not died? Would we have even wanted that? Was this an apporpriate end for him and a way to effectively pass the torch to Picard? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/33267477

Short # 59 - Alien: Romulus Review 09/13/2024

Short # 59 - Alien: Romulus Review Wherein Justice and Andy run screaming from the theater to produce this review of the newest entry in the Aliens franchise, Alien: Romulus. Fede Alvarez daringly returns to the original films' timeline and style, setting it between the first and second films. What do we see in this new entry that distinguishes it from the others? Where does this film hit, and where does it miss? What did you think of the Ian Holmes digital recreation as Rook? (we did not care for it). As a mostly impressive film, we discuss the possible implications for the future of the franchise. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/33045627

Episode 35 - Deadpool & Wolverine & Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 08/31/2024

Episode 35 - Deadpool & Wolverine & Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Wherein Andy and Justice slice into the question of whether or not Deadpool & Wolverine and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes can or have revitalized their respective franchises. TLDL: No. But seriously, both movies are worthwhile and Deadpool & Wolverine borders on excellence. Fight us. While Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes made some questionable narrative decisions and Deadpool & Wolverine purposefully criticized and tried to reboot the MCU, neither accomplished their goal of franchise revitalization. In the end, more attention is clearly needed to resuscitate these narrative universes. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/32820437

Short # 58 - Star Trek: Discovery Post-Mortem 07/25/2024

Short # 58 - Star Trek: Discovery Post-Mortem Wherein Justice and Andy burn down the final season and really the entire series Star Trek: Discovery. What once sounded promising turned into a catastrophe. From initially placing it just before the original series time and then spore-driving it nearly a millenium into the future where the Federation no longer existed, this show has made an unprecedented series of mistakes in the franchise: focusing too heavily on inner turmoil and questions of trauma, foreclosing on any other possible additions to the intervening time , and basically making pointless the contributions of TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, and ENT. Needless to say, we're glad it's finally over. And we're dreading Star Trek: Academy. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/32292192

Short # 57 - Hades Games 06/29/2024

Short # 57 - Hades Games Wherein Andy and Justice run the guantlet of Supergiant's Hades franchise of games. While this episode mostly looks at The Hugo Award winning first game, we also talk about Hades 2 which is currently in early access. What makes these games so compelling, even for newcomers to the rougelike genre? For starters, its engagement with Greek mythology makes it attractive to those who encountered those stories early in life. Secondly, this isn't a traditional rougelike, but one that unfolds its story even through failure. Have a listen and get ready to die a thousand horrible deaths. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/31939657

Short # 56 - Fallout Show Review 05/30/2024

Short # 56 - Fallout Show Review Wherein Justice and Andy dust themselves off after a trip through the wasteland in the new Amazon Prime series Fallout. How does the franchise adapt itself to this new medium? What is familiar from the games and what is original to the show? Where do we see this series going? And who keeps hiring Kyle MacLachlan? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/31539062

Episode 34 - Hyperion & Rebel Moon 05/03/2024

Episode 34 - Hyperion & Rebel Moon Wherein Andy and Justice welcome Tony Hoffmann, the man responsible for forcing us to watch Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon (2023) from beginning to end. Together we complain about Snyder's professional cannibalization of Star Wars, Dune, The Lord of the Rings, and so many more superior texts into the cinematic casserole that is Rebel Moon. By way of comparison, we also look at Dan Simmons' novel Hyperion (1989), which pays proper homage to literary texts of the past in a way that results in a science fiction masterpiece. What constitutes copyright violation? We get it, we've all seen 300. How does Snyder keep getting work? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/31104468

Short # 55 - No More D&D for Larian Studios 03/31/2024

Short # 55 - No More D&D for Larian Studios Wherein Justice and Andy lament the news of Larian Studios decision to not pursue a sequel to Baldur's Gate 3. And futher, that they have decided to leave the Dungeons & Dragons setting entirely. Is this a good business decision for the studio? Why leave when you've perfected the formula for a D&D rpg? We're sure their next project will meet the same standard of quality, but why don't they love us anymore? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/30611138

Short # 54 - Akira Toriyama (In Memoriam) 03/09/2024

Short # 54 - Akira Toriyama (In Memoriam) Wherein Andy and Justice memorialize Akira Toriyama, best known as the creator of the Dragonball franchise. One of his other masterworks is the video game Chrono Trigger, the SNES RPG from 1995. We also mention the recently deceased musical genius Neil Peart, drummer and lyricist from Rush and accomplished author. We look back with some nostalgia on their works and what their deaths mean for their art. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/30303118

Short # 53 - The Monster Draft 02/24/2024

Short # 53 - The Monster Draft Wherein Justice and Andy draft a roster of monsters to pit against one another. The rules: Only two titans and the human-sized-ish monsters must have a semi-Earth origin. Crystal clear. We each pick five and debate their battles. Come and see who wins! /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/30092133

Episode 33 - The Monsterverse & The Dark Universe 01/19/2024

Episode 33 - The Monsterverse & The Dark Universe Wherein Andy and Justice bite into the drama surrounding the cancellation of the Dark Universe franchise and the monstrous success of the Monsterverse franchise. What makes Godzilla and King Kong compelling both individually and together? At the same time, what makes Dracula compelling by himself but not when paired with the wolf man, Frankenstein's monster, or other Victorian/Romantic horrors? Why was the Dark Universe unable to replicate the success of the early MCU when they had at least as many bankable stars already signed? How is it that Tom Cruise signed on to The Mummy and turned down the role of Tony Stark? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/29565663

Short # 52 - Spinoff, Reboot, or What? 12/17/2023

Short # 52 - Spinoff, Reboot, or What? Wherein Justice and Andy get turned around in their attempts to define what distinguishes a spinoff from a reboot and whether or not such things are worth the risk to the original work. As ubiquitous as spinoffs have been, how many can compare to the source material? And why do we think of spinoffs mostly in terms of television and not other textual forms? After Mash? Who greenlit that? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/29116418

Short # 51 - The GTA 6 Trailer... Controversy? 12/10/2023

Short # 51 - The GTA 6 Trailer... Controversy? Wherein Andy and Justice aim their sights on the right-wing talking point that the upcoming GTA 6 game from Rockstar has "gone woke." That was an excruciating sentence for the two of us to write because the very idea of it is ridiculous. What does the GTA franchise seek to accomplish beyond making money? What do its many entries say about the American story? And wouldn't gendered and racial diversity be expected in a game set in 2025 Miami? Of course it would! /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/29006768

Short # 50 - Very Short Treks 11/30/2023

Short # 50 - Very Short Treks Wherein Justice and Andy endure the agony of the Very Short Treks series on YouTube. Why do these exist? What niche are they trying to fill? Clearly they shouldn't exist and aren't filling any niche. I mean, these are just an embarassment to the Star Trek franchise, and a slap in the face to all True Trek fans. Actors from previous and current shows are participating in this travesty. How could they? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/28875108

Episode 32 - The Legend of Zelda & Baldur's Gate 3 10/31/2023

Episode 32 - The Legend of Zelda & Baldur's Gate 3 Wherein Andy and Justice embark on a discussion of worldbuilding across the genres of written and nonwritten texts. What is the difference between a top-down and bottom-up approach to worldbuilding and what makes each world feel alive and complete? Is it the landscape? Is it the history? Is it the characters? Who is the player or the audience in the world? Topics range from J. R. R. Tolkien to China Mieville to Stephen R. Donaldson (perhaps the most underrated SF author) to Bethesda's latest miserable failure, Starfield. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/28475741

Short # 49 - Mission Impossible: Headed Toward Retirement? 09/27/2023

Short # 49 - Mission Impossible: Headed Toward Retirement? Wherein Justice and Andy sneak into the scuttlebut about the end of the Mission Impossible franchise. Is it in fact coming to an end? The lead actor and the studio seem to have different plans in mind. What do you think about a secret agent who can almost collect social security? Does the agency supplement Medicare... or provide supplements? But seriously, what do we think about Tom Cruise as an action star in his 60s? Should the series come to an end or should they James Bond it? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/28162568

Short # 48 - The Star Trek Musical 08/31/2023

Short # 48 - The Star Trek Musical Wherein Andy and Justice harmonize in opposition to the Strange New Worlds episode "Subspace Rhapsody." The first Star Trek episode in history to be framed as a musical, fans around the world were devastated by its departure from fifty-eight years of their expectations. Why was this done? Why such a marked departure from a proven formula? And can we expect more episodes that abandon a serious exploration of cultural issues? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/27902163

Short # 47 - Country Music Controversy 07/31/2023

Short # 47 - Country Music Controversy Wherein Justice and Andy stroll into the recent controversy in country music with the release of Jason Aldean's "Try That In a Small Town." Pulled from circulation on CMT, it has ignited a veritable molotov cocktail of protest. What is this song about, really? Do political messages deserve to be treated politically? And does the small town that he imagines in the song really exist? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/27613023

Short # 46 - Why Is There an Avatar Franchise? 07/25/2023

Short # 46 - Why Is There an Avatar Franchise? Wherein Andy and Justice call into question the wisdom and timeliness of continuing the seemingly unending Avatar franchise. Given that there was 14 years between the first and second film, we were hoping that it was finished. Why does there need to be more when the first film told a complete story? And will the next three entries be as predictable as the second film was? Yes they will be. Please make it stop. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/27565182

Episode 31 - STNG "Forces of Nature" & The Core 06/30/2023

Episode 31 - STNG "Forces of Nature" & The Core Wherein Justice and Andy drill into the anthropocene by way of 2003's The Core and the 1993 episode "Forces of Nature" from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Given that we're confronted with the awesome problem of the climate crisis, we've decided to rewind the clock to look at two early versions of impending ecological disaster. Despite the radically different solutions in each of these stories, both demonstrate a shocking amount of American military hubris. How do these texts envision solutions and have we reimagined those solutions in the last thirty years? And what the hell is a laser impeller? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/27335181

Short # 45 - What Happened to Wesley Crusher? 05/31/2023

Short # 45 - What Happened to Wesley Crusher? Wherein Andy and Justice navigate the uneven chracter arc of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher. From a whining beneficiary of nepotism to a valuable member of the bridge crew to an interdimensional cosmic entity and winding up as Wil Wheaton playing himself, we chart the many successes and failures of this character. If the enire bridge crew can endlessly play themselves in the franchise, why can't Wil Wheaton? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/27003909

Short # 44 - There are No Zombies in The Walking Dead? 05/19/2023

Short # 44 - There are No Zombies in The Walking Dead? Wherein Justice and Andy shuffle into the disappointing realization that there is no history of or cultural references to zombies in the universe of The Walking Dead. And why have the creators of the franchise chosen to do this? For the least interesting reason possible. With centuries of zombie and other undead stories woven into human culture and history and religion, are we supposed to believe that the rest of popular literature and fine arts are exactly the same as ours? I guess so... /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26894670

Short # 43 - Mario the Exterminator 05/07/2023

Short # 43 - Mario the Exterminator Wherein Andy and Justice stomp into the world of Nintendo's Mario. The success of the recent film got us thinking about Mario's character arc, such as it is. Why is he popularly understood to be a plumber when he has never plumbed anything in any game? Isn't he rather an exterminator of various pests and populations? Topics range from the Mario films to the recent open world entries to Hernán Cortés. Why is this man a hero? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26768514

Episode 30 - Yellowstone & McLintock! 04/29/2023

Episode 30 - Yellowstone & McLintock! Wherein Justice and Andy mosey down the trail of the western genre in film and television. We look at Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone franchise alongside the 1963 John Wayne film McLintock! How has the westen genre evolved in the last sixty years and why have we seen a sudden resurgence of it in popular television? Given that Yellowstone has taken the screen by storm, it seems appropriate to discuss what it's achieving, if anything at all. Topics range from land ownership to settler colonialism to the unfortunate permanence of Westen masculinity. Also, it seems like there's a whole lot of spanking going on... /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26691921

Episode 29 - Edge of Tomorrow & Groundhog Day 03/30/2023

Episode 29 - Edge of Tomorrow & Groundhog Day Wherein Andy and Justice turn back the clock to 2014's Edge of Tomorrow and 1993's Groundhog Day. Why do we keep watching timeloop movies over and over again? What is compelling about the opportunity - or the curse - to relive the same day for years, decades, or centuries? How long could you do it before losing your mind, or is there something to be learned from the journey? Topics range from eastern religions to alien invasions to screaming into the void at the end of your experience. Also, is this Bill Murray's best film? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26396067

Short # 42 - The Antihero 03/19/2023

Short # 42 - The Antihero Wherein Justice and Andy creep into the conversation of the antihero in popular culture. What do you think accounts for the recent explosion of the antihero in film and television? Why are we drawn to characters of evil and violence? Does it reflect our own anxieties of morality, or is the depravity real? Subjects range from The Joker to Superman to Deadpool and Wolverine, and of course The Boys. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26271669

Short # 41 - The Cancellation of Dilbert 03/12/2023

Short # 41 - The Cancellation of Dilbert Wherein Andy and Justice sketch out a short discussion of the pulling of Scott Adams' Dilbert comic strip from newspapers across the country. This happened as a result of Adams' recent podcast episode in which he ranted about a Rasmussen poll that asked the question "Do you agree with this statement: 'It's OK to be white.'" Following Adams' misunderstanding of the question, he commenced a racist self-immolation that ended his professional career as he knew it. Topics range from how unfunny Dilbert is to the level of racism inherent in the former author's remarks. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26201931

Episode 28 - Jurassic World: Dominion & See 02/26/2023

Episode 28 - Jurassic World: Dominion & See Wherein Justice and Andy create a new conversation around the ideas of recycled and fresh intellectual property. We take a look at the (hopefully) final Jurassic World film and the Apple TV series See in an effort to demonstrate that there are still fresh ideas out there. Why are the legacy characters present in Dominion other than to enrich the production company? Meanwhile, in See, we are being introduced to new archetypes of characters in each season. From the cramped velociraptor chase scene in Malta to the wide vistas of northwest Pennslyvania, this episode seeks to suggest that a new way of exploring things can be more substantive than returning again and again to the same tired world. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/26050710

Episode 27 - Falling Down & Grand Theft Auto 5 (Part 2) 01/30/2023

Episode 27 - Falling Down & Grand Theft Auto 5 (Part 2) Wherein Andy and Justice march through a conversation about race, urban spaces, and violence in 1993's Falling Down and Rockstar's 2013 modern classic Grand Theft Auto 5. In this second look at GTA5, we focus more on a racialized breakdown of the fictional version of Los Angeles, Los Santos, and read that against "D-Fens" journey through Los Angeles. Why does "D-Fens" think of himself as the victim when he is the agent of violence? What are the racial representations depicted in Los Santos and how do they compare to director Joel Schumacher's version of Los Angeles? How do we identify as the characters from these stories and how are we implicated in their narratives? /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/25777722

Short # 40 - Batman vs. The Punisher 01/15/2023

Short # 40 - Batman vs. The Punisher Wherein Justice and Andy ambush the argument about who would win in a fight between two of the best sneak attackers in comic books, The Punisher or Batman. While Batman is probably the most popular character in DC comics and Marvel's The Punisher flies mostly under the radar, they have remarkably similar styles (and costumes). It's in their methodology and intent where things get a little different. Who wins? Listen and see. /episode/index/show/mismatchedtexts/id/25612290

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