Second Breakfast with Cam & Maggie
-- thoughts, theories, and literary analysis -- chapter-by-chapter fantasy discussions
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Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
08/07/2026
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
Jane Schoenbrun has done something absolutely extraordinary with their latest film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. This is a horror movie by horror fans for horror fans that is also about being a horror fan. The density, the efficiency, the provocation — there is so much to love here, and even more to discuss! This is a fantastic slasher movie just as much as it is a rigorous academic dissection of the slasher genre. It might even end up being our favorite “meta” horror movie ever made. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 VHS Worship 02:00 Fandom vs. Analysis 05:35 Text vs. Subtext 08:52 Fun Factor 11:15 Metatextual Storytelling 15:44 Curiosity in Horror 20:46 Gillian Anderson 23:00 Closing Thoughts
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Obsession
08/04/2026
Obsession
Horror has always been a philosophical genre. From Frankenstein and Faustus to The Thing and The Exorcist, the scariest stories have always explored questions of identity, consciousness, death, and the afterlife. Curry Barker’s Obsession is a proud addition to that canon. In this episode, we’re doing an extraordinarily deep dive into the philosophy of the movie. Specifically, we’re looking at the idea of the two Nikkis — the character as she was before Bear made his fateful wish, and whatever she became afterwards. We consider the relationship between Nikki and “Other Nikki” in terms of replacement and possession, with all sorts of clues and monkey wrenches from the text to make things difficult. Expect tangents about souls, teleportation, purgatory, Saw traps, and the off-screen but heavily implied One Wish Willow factory. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction / Thesis 05:11 The Two Nikkis 06:30 Replacement 17:23 Possession 30:46 Which Theory is Correct? 35:58 A Clue From the Text 41:25 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 13 [Theon 2 / Tyrion 6]
07/31/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 13 [Theon 2 / Tyrion 6]
King’s Landing is full of bad people. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most dangerous power players in the viper’s nest at the heart of Westeros. Is Tyrion becoming the villain of A Clash of Kings? Is Maester Pycelle the worst person in the history of the realm? Why is everyone so afraid of Robb Stark and treating him like a White-Walker-level threat? And why oh why do we hate the Greyjoys more than the rest of them put together? LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Hating the Greyjoys 02:08 Recap of Chapters 18:15 The Bloody Hand 27:43 A Couplet of Cruelty 32:06 The Stark Threat 46:12 Hierarchy of Evil 54:30 Closing Thoughts
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Jennifer's Body
07/28/2026
Jennifer's Body
Jennifer’s Body asks the moviegoing audience an important question: what if Regina George was a Deadite? In this episode, we explore the Mean Girls & Evil Dead roots of this movie, before going deeper into its clear influence on modern horror hits like Obsession. Cam makes a detour to investigate the Faustian lineage of most of these films. Maggie explores the innovations that Jennifer’s Body brings to half a dozen horror subgenres. We work together to analyze the fascinating choice to make a horror movie’s signature creature design just be Megan Fox, which leads us into a larger discussion about both the horror of beauty and even the (often queer) horror of female friendship. Finally, we consider the potential and pitfalls of legacy sequels. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction 03:35 Rewatch Impressions 08:17 Mean Girls Meets Evil Dead 10:24 Obsession 16:58 Doctor Faustus 21:58 Subgenre Innovations 32:38 Creature Design 34:45 The Horror of Beauty 43:23 Female Friendship & Queer Horror 01:02:09 Closing (Sequel) Thoughts
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Doom: Revelations
07/24/2026
Doom: Revelations
Doom: Revelations is so much more than an expansion. In this episode, we passionately argue that this is in fact the fifth modern Doom game in the last decade, an endlessly inventive, engaging, and replayable game in its own right that officially elevates the modern era of Doom into the same conversation as Halo during the Bungie years. Topics include: an ever-evolving endgame, signature weapons, the challenges of FPS boss fights, the secret to replayable campaigns, and how this game is a sequel to every single modern Doom game at the same time. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Thesis / Impressions 04:10 Late Stage God of War 07:13 Destiny 2 (Art Direction) 08:30 Dark Souls (Difficulty) 10:59 The Ethos of Modern Doom 14:02 Signature Weapons 17:03 Uniquely Good Boss Fights 18:51 The Secrets of Replayability 21:25 Endless Endgame 27:18 Sequel to Eternal / Ancient Gods 29:41 Sequel to The Dark Ages 33:47 The Elephant in the Room 37:09 The Successor to Halo 40:09 Episode 666 / Closing Thoughts
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Possum
07/21/2026
Possum
This episode is one of our ‘white whales’. Possum is a bonafide masterpiece of indie horror, one of the most haunting, symbolically-dense, and unnerving movies we’ve ever seen — and we think we’re finally up to the task of analyzing it properly. In this episode we’re diving deep into every single one of the film’s veiled metaphors: what is the puppet? who is the puppet? what does the title mean? We’re also exploring creature design, paradoxical runtimes, genre fusions, and a string of outlandish comparisons ranging from The Babadook to Wuthering Heights. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Intro / Outline 04:07 Second Impressions 11:56 Paradoxical Runtime 17:29 The Babadook 19:44 The Lighthouse 20:20 Hell House LLC 21:14 Wuthering Heights 23:25 Enemy 24:28 Grief Horror 27:00 Folk Horror 28:04 Classic Monster Movies 29:36 Creature Design 36:06 Who Kidnapped the Kid? 40:30 What is the Puppet? 51:44 What Does the Title Mean? 54:58 What is the Fox? 57:27 Punctum 01:01:47 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 12 [Catelyn 2 / Jon 3]
07/17/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 12 [Catelyn 2 / Jon 3]
We have argued for a number of months now that A Clash of Kings was written in thematic couplets, and that has never been more true than it is in this discussion, which juxtaposes Jon and Catelyn to reveal their striking similarities. GRRM also uses the repeated structure of these two chapters to draw out some shocking implications: equating Stannis with the White Walkers and interrogating Catelyn’s treatment of Jon. Maggie investigates the endless blame game that stretches across these pages alongside a worryingly widespread trend of deferred responsibility. Cam revisits our “living ghosts” theory to figure out why all of our would-be kings feel like they’ve already lost the war. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Dunk & Egg 02:20 Recap of Chapters 20:46 Combative Couplets 28:31 Implication & Accusation 35:13 Deferred Responsibility 42:21 A Parade of Dead Kings 45:11 Five Faustian Bargains 50:15 Closing Thoughts
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Evil Dead Burn
07/14/2026
Evil Dead Burn
Evil Dead Burn is one of the best directed horror movies of the year. It’s gnarly, it’s fast, and it feels like it has something to prove. In this episode, we’re exploring every aspect of the gloriously mean-spirited hunger at the heart of this movie, as well as some problems with runtime, fear factor, and creature design. We also work through some unorthodox comparisons, ranging all the way from Krampus to Succession, before forming some theories about “half deadites” and then zooming out to consider the past and future of this beloved franchise. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Intro / Outline 02:03 First Impressions 10:07 Horror Sequels 13:25 Fear Factor 13:57 Runtime Problems 20:53 Krampus 22:15 Final Destination Bloodlines 22:53 Ready Or Not 23:41 Succession 25:42 Passenger 26:51 Inside 28:33 Genre Fusion 30:38 Franchise Innovations 33:10 Creature Design Woes 36:26 Will’s Final Form 37:55 Theory: The Half Deadite 42:43 Theory: Victim Blaming 47:07 Post Credits Scene 50:05 The Future of the Franchise 52:44 Is This Movie Funny? 54:14 Punctum 58:36 Closing Thoughts
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Diablo IV [Season of Death Awakening]
07/10/2026
Diablo IV [Season of Death Awakening]
Live service games are finicky and inconsistent, almost by definition. Unfortunately, this fourteenth season of Diablo IV is a major disappointment that feels consistently underbaked. In this episode, we’re doing our full “State of the Game” check-in covering everything from fun factor to the reliquary system, discussing the Helltide-heavy and narrative-light seasonal campaign, revisiting the Barbarian and Spiritborn classes, and then spitballing some ways that Diablo 4 could improve its topsy turvy seasonal model. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Intro / Outline 02:28 State of the Game 14:50 Seasonal Campaign 26:41 Class Update: Barbarian 29:28 Class Update: Spiritborn 33:20 Fixing The Seasonal Model 39:08 Closing Thoughts
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Evil Dead
07/07/2026
Evil Dead
At one point during this episode, Maggie calls Evil Dead (2013) a miracle. It’s a remake of one of the best and most influential horror movies of all time that has somehow itself become one of the best and most influential horror movies of this century. Topics include: the film’s reverential remixes of the source material, the art of ninety minute horror movies, what makes gore memorable / effective, the best creature design since The Exorcist, provocative comparisons to a few modern classics, and some tricky theories about cursed families and talking metaphors. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Intro / Context 05:58 Second Impressions 22:55 Runtime 28:35 The Evil Dead 31:29 Terrifier 32:51 Obsession 34:52 Talk To Me / Bring Her Back 36:03 Subgenre Smoothie 38:34 Creature Design 47:34 Theory: Hereditary Possession 51:40 Theory: Addiction Personified 54:08 Punctum 01:01:42 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 11 [Tyrion 5, Bran 3]
07/03/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 11 [Tyrion 5, Bran 3]
Wildfire is the central, most consequential plot device of A Clash of Kings, a book that is primarily about death. Does that mean that wildfire is death incarnate? In this episode, we are continuing to evolve our running theories about the “God of Death” in Westeros, the ongoing riddles about real and metaphorical Stark werewolves, and the increasingly conflicted affection that we feel for Tyrion Lannister. Maggie takes a closer look at Howland Reed and discovers some long-buried secrets. Cam investigates the wild contrast between these chapters and uncovers some striking similarities. We work together to ponder the role of the supernatural in this world: how much is magic and how much is metaphor? LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 House of the Dragon 02:00 Recap of Chapters 16:07 The Quiet Couplet 23:08 Wargs & Weirwolves 26:28 The Magic of House Reed 32:31 Magic Or Metaphor? 40:04 Wildfire: Death Incarnate 47:14 Demystifying Tyrion 52:03 Closing Thoughts
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The House That Jack Built
06/30/2026
The House That Jack Built
The House That Jack Built is — by a country mile — the most messed up movie we’ve ever seen. Oddly, it might also be the funniest. In this long-gestating episode, we’re finally doing a deep dive investigation into one of the trickiest, densest, and most provocative movies ever made. It’s a crime thriller. It’s a black comedy. It’s an unbearably grisly horror movie. But then again, you could also argue that it’s the foremost (albeit nontraditional) adaptation of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Topics include: the rudest needle drop of all time, an uncomfortably apt comparison to It’s A Wonderful Life, the terror of temporary found footage, the potency of simplistic creature design in depicting pure evil, Lars Von Trier’s use of the color red, and the boundless talent of Matt Dillon. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction 05:26 Impressions 17:39 Runtime 27:26 Funny Games 29:07 American Psycho 32:02 It’s A Wonderful Life 35:37 Yorgos Lanthimos 37:01 Eugene Delacroix 40:24 True Crime 42:57 Crime Fiction 51:03 Horror 55:48 Comedy 01:02:28 Creature Design 01:11:18 Theory: The Color Red 01:18:14 Theory: Misdirection 01:26:00 Punctum 01:33:48 Closing Thoughts
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The Death of Robin Hood
06/26/2026
The Death of Robin Hood
The Death of Robin Hood is a stunning, hypnotic, and gruesome collage of some of our favorite works of art ever made. In this episode, we’re exploring in depth comparisons between Michael Sarnoski’s latest film and the work of Robert Eggers, From Software’s Elden Ring, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III, and Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Pattern Recognition 04:48 Impressions 06:42 Robert Eggers 21:04 Elden Ring 34:28 The Godfather: Part 3 38:26 The Witcher 47:14 Closing Thoughts
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Zodiac
06/23/2026
Zodiac
David Fincher’s Zodiac is a masterpiece, but it’s not that simple. This is more than just a perfect true crime movie. It’s also a horror movie that relentlessly denies the viewer any sense of closure or narrative satisfaction. As we argue in today’s episode, Zodiac is a spiraling mystery in conversation with everything from slashers and possession movies to journalism stories and the complicated idea of “the great American novel”. We also explore the film’s unorthodox creature design (handwriting analysis!), its place within the larger David Fincher canon, and the question of whether or not the ending really is “ambiguous” at all. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction 02:32 Impressions 22:17 Runtime 30:55 Genre Innovation 48:44 Creature Design 52:55 Comparisons 59:07 Theories 01:07:15 Punctum 01:15:05 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 10 [Sansa 2 / Arya 5]
06/19/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 10 [Sansa 2 / Arya 5]
What do we say to the god of death? Well, we say that there’s a whole book about him, and that book is A Clash of Kings. In this episode, we are finally able to crystalize all our ideas about ghosts and gods into one simple, overarching theory. Maggie also brings us back to the wide world of bird analysis with a spirited discussion of black swans, and we work together to question the narrative intention behind this book’s increasingly rigorous couplet structure. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 House of the Dragon 03:39 Recap of Chapters 12:40 Mythological Couplets 19:17 Weirwolf Theory 24:14 Maggie’s Bird Corner 32:00 Living Ghosts 37:33 The God of Death 44:04 Closing Thoughts
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Paranormal Activity
06/16/2026
Paranormal Activity
Summerween continues with an in-depth discussion of the very first Paranormal Activity. How did this landmark horror movie advance so many subgenres at the same time, from found footage to haunted house and horror romance? How does it weaponize almost every single seemingly innocent element of the setting and performances into becoming part of its creature design? And HOW does a movie that we’ve been watching and rewatching for almost twenty years still keep us up at night? Comparisons include: The Blair Witch Project, Midsommar, Tolkien’s fractal introduction of Shelob, The White Stripes song Ball and Biscuit, and maybe ten seconds of Doctor Faustus. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 A Tablespoon of Vomit 02:16 Second Impressions 10:07 Runtime / Pacing 18:58 Subgenre Innovation 30:52 Creature Design 42:35 Comparisons (Midsommar / Blair Witch) 51:57 Theory: Conspicuous Clues 55:12 Theory: Paranormal Jealousy 01:00:30 Theory: Possession Timeline 01:03:58 Punctum: Watchful Ironwork 01:07:52 Punctum: Unheroic Sacrifice 01:13:16 Closing Thoughts
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Destiny 2: Renegades
06/12/2026
Destiny 2: Renegades
This episode was supposed to be a glowing discussion of Destiny 2’s controversial Star Wars crossover expansion, but then Bungie announced that Destiny 2 itself is ending. Today’s episode is still a celebration and spirited analysis of Renegades, but it is also now a larger discussion about this franchise that has meant so much to Cam for the last decade. Part eulogy, part therapy session, part reflection on the industry, this is our bittersweet farewell to the glorious mess that was Destiny 2. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Campaign Impressions 10:13 The Praxic Blade 16:09 Villains 18:15 Story 21:02 Endgame 25:13 The Edge of Fate 26:41 Declining Franchises 32:26 The Future? 35:11 Destiny 3 43:04 Eulogy 44:51 Marathon 45:04 Diablo 4 47:13 Closing Thoughts
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The Blair Witch Project (Rewatch)
06/09/2026
The Blair Witch Project (Rewatch)
We’re kicking off our fifth annual Summerween celebration by taking a much closer look at one of Maggie’s all time favorites: The Blair Witch Project. In this episode, we’re starting with our impressions after seeing the film in theaters for a second time, analyzing the paradoxical urgency and breadth of the film’s 81 minute runtime, and unpacking the mysteries of its suggestive, restrained creature design. We’re also investigating some provocative comparisons with Backrooms, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Dante’s Inferno that help to elucidate the lethal ambiguity of the film’s final shot. In our final two segments, we’re exploring the unique genre fusion of Blair Witch and reflecting on the subtle creative choices that provoked the strongest emotional reaction from us. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Summerween 2026 03:26 Second Impressions 08:47 Runtime 12:28 Creature Design 17:02 Comparisons 28:27 Theories 49:55 Genre Innovation 57:51 Punctum 01:06:22 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 9 [Bran 2 / Tyrion 4]
06/05/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 9 [Bran 2 / Tyrion 4]
For all the debates we’ve had about the ‘true god of Westeros,’ the answer might just turn out to be — Bran Stark? In this episode, we’re updating some of our long-running theories as Maggie tackles agency, free will, and feudal objectification and Cam reconsiders concepts like narrative ghosts, puppeteer gods, and Martin’s couplet structure. Second Breakfast with Cam & Maggie: come for the nuanced literary analysis, stay for the four minute tangent about oatmeal, porridge, and cream of wheat. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Oatmeal Tangent 04:30 Recap of Chapters 21:23 Old Wounds 25:35 A Crisis of Agency 29:45 Is Bran a God? 31:28 Reclaimed Power 33:31 Wolf Dreams 36:29 Living Ghosts 38:38 Passive Gods 43:22 The Widow Hornwood 53:41 Closing Thoughts
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Backrooms
06/02/2026
Backrooms
Backrooms is a runaway indie horror sensation, but it is also a fascinating smoothie of influences. In this episode, we’re cataloguing every touchstone from Stranger Things and Skinamarink to Blair Witch and The Yellow Wallpaper in an effort to understand why this movie is so phenomenally effective. We also take a closer look at the relationship between set design and creature design, the art of subgenre crossovers, and restrained horror endings. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Stranger Things 01:30 Skinamarink 03:13 As Above So Below & Hell House 08:37 Terror vs. Boredom 11:33 Genre Hopping 15:49 Iron Lung 16:41 Performances / Writing / Directing 19:26 Creature Design 23:20 Set Design (as Creature Design) 25:12 The Blair Witch Project 27:00 Paranormal Activity 29:49 Goldilocks Endings 32:43 The Yellow Wallpaper 34:27 Closing Thoughts
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Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
05/29/2026
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
Lord of Hatred isn’t just the best Diablo IV expansion we’ve gotten so far, it might be the best story the franchise has ever told. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at every aspect of the magnificent new campaign and freshly overhauled endgame experience. We’re also exploring the lethal new Warlock class and performing an exhaustive ‘State of the Game’ update on all the reworked core systems that make Sanctuary tick. Finally, we zoom out to ask some larger questions about the (bright) future of this franchise. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction / Outline 02:52 Time Played 03:25 Overall Impressions 09:12 Campaign (Full Spoilers) 10:00 New Locations 16:17 Fantasy Aesthetics 17:53 Plot vs. Dialogue 20:44 Side Quests 22:12 Villains 28:03 Boss Fights 32:22 Major Deaths 37:51 Returning Characters 40:15 Story Reflections 41:26 Endgame: War Plans 47:20 Class Update: Warlock 57:24 Couch Co-Op Update 59:24 State of the Game 59:41 Skill Tree Update 01:02:08 Gear Stat Update 01:03:06 Horadric Cube 01:04:36 Quality of Life 01:05:07 Charms & Set Bonuses 01:07:52 Fishing 01:10:28 Technical Update 01:12:01 Difficulty 01:13:11 Reliquaries 01:14:02 Pets 01:15:23 Fun Factor 01:18:41 Comparing Expansions 01:23:41 Endgame Ambitions 01:27:19 Future of the Franchise 01:33:48 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 8 [Arya 4 / Tyrion 3]
05/22/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 8 [Arya 4 / Tyrion 3]
Tyrion Lannister might be the most consequential character in A Song of Ice And Fire, so what does it mean when GRRM writes a chapter from his perspective where almost nothing happens? In this episode we’re diving deep into the many misdirections of these apparently simple “set-up” chapters to find a litany of hidden prophecies and provocations. Maggie explores the contradictions of Tyrion’s dual identity as court jester and power player. Cam continues our couplet comparisons to analyze the nature of combat, the evolving power of sigils, and the recurrence of ghost towns. We work together to question the series’ unflinching commitment to side characters and reflect on GRRM’s increasing narrative interest in both collateral damage and, more broadly, consequences. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Introduction 02:19 Recap of Chapters 12:11 The Aging Fool 23:01 Couplet Curveballs 33:06 Against Narrativity 41:56 Growing Pains 45:05 Closing Thoughts
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Obsession
05/18/2026
Obsession
This is a clip from our latest Patreon-exclusive bonus episode about horror romance (Breakfast Buffet, Volume 46). Check out the link below to hear the rest of our discussion about Obsession, as well as our thoughts on fellow indie darlings Mermaid and Over Your Dead Body! LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Impressions 01:45 Who is the Monster? 05:06 Faustian Roots 07:06 (Self) Obsession 09:27 Conscious Cruelty 11:09 What’s In A Name? 13:20 Closing Thoughts
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Destiny 2: Edge of Fate
05/15/2026
Destiny 2: Edge of Fate
In this episode, we’re returning to the always unpredictable world of Destiny 2, now that Cam has finally played the game’s controversial Edge of Fate expansion. Let’s get into it! LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 State of the Game 03:26 First Impressions 06:04 Combat Puzzles 12:50 New & Old Characters 13:56 Environmental Design 15:55 Reinvestment 18:16 Character Questing 22:33 Comfort Food Loadouts 23:58 The Renegades Question 24:55 The Portal Revisited 27:36 Closing Thoughts
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 7 [Daenerys 1 / Jon 2]
05/08/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 7 [Daenerys 1 / Jon 2]
Every inch of Westeros is haunted, and the two chapters that we're analyzing today both tell stories about exiled Targaryens wandering through ghost towns. Maggie’s Comet Corner returns to make sense of Dany’s strangely personal identification with the omen. Cam grapples with ghosts (both literal and metaphorical) and considers the novel’s provocative navigation through the problem of evil, which includes a fascinating characterization of gods as evil ghosts. Fair warning, this episode contains more than one stupid tangent about camels. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Cold Open: Camels 03:48 Recap of Chapters 13:40 Couplet Structure 16:54 Ghosts: Literal or Metaphorical? 24:56 Dany’s Comet Corner 36:59 The Problem of Evil 43:59 Gods as Evil Ghosts 51:11 Closing Thoughts
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Hokum
05/05/2026
Hokum
Hokum is by far the scariest movie of 2026, a rapturously original story that also feels like a thoughtful, whip-smart meditation on the legacy of The Shining. In this episode, we’re exploring a dozen similarities and diversions between this modern classic and the most influential work in the genre. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories: 00:00 Intro / Impressions 01:00 Thesis: The Shining 01:55 Protagonist 03:38 Adaptation 05:37 Hotel Setting 06:24 Hedge Maze / Tie Pattern 07:56 Dick Halloran 10:23 Familial Implosion 11:38 Burial Ground 12:16 Doomed Bartender 12:38 Chatty Ghosts 13:04 Rabbit Suit 14:01 The Old Lady 14:29 Danny’s Tricycle 15:50 Closing Thoughts
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The Devil Wears Prada
05/01/2026
The Devil Wears Prada
In this episode, we argue that Miranda Priestly isn't actually the devil. With the help of the greatest play ever written, Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, we're taking a closer look at The Devil Wears Prada to better understand the movie's classic villain, as well as that strangely hopeful ending. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories:
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A Clash of Kings, Vol. 6 [Davos 1 / Theon 1]
04/24/2026
A Clash of Kings, Vol. 6 [Davos 1 / Theon 1]
With new perspective comes new insight, and we’ve got two brand new POV characters today! Maggie’s Comet Corner returns to help us make sense of Theon’s Freudian violence and Davos’ prophetic doubts. Cam takes a closer look at Martin’s narrative structure and stumbles upon an illuminating Tolkien comparison. We may have our first glimpse of Gondor and Rohan! Finally, we wrangle up all the creeping supernatural elements in this series and finally confront the many gods of Westeros. Are any of them real? How can we be sure? Does it even matter? Finally, we wrap up the discussion by revisiting and revising a few of our ongoing theories. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories:
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Evil West
04/17/2026
Evil West
What do you get when you combine the dark fantasy of Van Helsing with the horror of old school Universal monster movies — and then sprinkle a healthy dash of Red Dead Redemption on top? Well, you get Evil West, the outrageously fun fantasy horror western hidden gem that is the subject of this episode. Topics include: the ingenious gameplay hybrid of God of War 2018 and Doom Eternal, the power of contrast and saturation in art direction, puzzle piece enemy design, the restraint of a great fight, and the perfect “thrill ride” pacing of the Xbox 360 generation. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories:
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The Self-Immolation of Alamo Drafthouse
04/14/2026
The Self-Immolation of Alamo Drafthouse
This was a tough episode to record. Our beloved Alamo Drafthouse has spent the last few months systematically destroying everything we loved about it. In this fiery eulogy, we’re reminiscing about what the Drafthouse has meant to us over the years, condemning what it has become, and analyzing the vile new mobile ordering system within the larger trend of corporate enshittification. LINKS: , , , Feedback & Theories:
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