Decoding TV

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TV & Film
**Decoding TV**

David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything going on in the world of TV, with recaps and reviews of the most interesting shows on the air.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

Bonus Ep: Andor Season 2 Eps 4-6 (with Patrick Willems) Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick Willems discuss the next three episodes of Andor Season 2:

Ep 4 - Ever Been to Ghorman?
Ep 5 - I Have Friends Everywhere
Ep 6 - What a Festive Evening

We’ll be doing a podcast episode for each of the four Andor drops.

This batch introduces us to the world of Ghorman. What parallels is the show trying to draw between the Ghormans and our world? Have we ever seen Luthen more light-hearted than in these episodes? And how do we feel about the state of the Karn/Meero #karntent at this point? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 65 - 'The Last of Us' S2E03 Is the Calm Before the Storm Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of television, then dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.

Is Max a streaming service that is impossible to cancel? Why is Netflix so opposed to theatrical filmgoing? And what responsibility do actors have in accepting roles for shows with controversial figures involved? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

The Last of Us Season 2 episode 4(HBO)
The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 3 (HBO)

Shownotes:

01:30 - TV News
Max prepares to crack down on password sharing
Bill Hader to Co-Write, Potentially Star in Jonestown Series in Development at HBO
60 Minutes explains the resignation of Bill Owens
Ted Sarandos says stuff
John Lithgow Didn’t Expect Backlash
35:30 - The Last of Us Season 2
Ep 3 - The Path
1:08:00 - The Rehearsal Season 2
Ep 2 - Star Potential

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Ep: Our Favorite Characters and Subplots in 'The Pitt' Season 1 Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and Patrick discuss what they thought of The Pitt’s debut season, what their favorite subplots were, and what they’d like to see in a second season of the show (which has already been renewed).

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Ep: Andor Season 2 Eps 1-3 (with Patrick Willems) Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, Patrick Willems returns to the podcast to discuss the first three episodes of Andor Season 2. We’ll be doing an episode for each of the four Andor drops.

This season has a much different feel than the first season. What are our thoughts on the structure of the show so far? What did we think of each of the separate plotlines? How do we feel about Disney’s release strategy for the season? And most importantly: Is the Karntent this season any good? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 64 - Is 'The Rehearsal' Season 2 Another Masterpiece? (Also: Reacting to This Week's 'The Last of Us' Ep) Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Stay tuned for a spoiler-filled bonus episode later this week where we compare The Last of Us videogame with the show.

David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of television, then dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.

Does a Pacific Rim TV show sound like a good idea?Do we think Ryan Coogler will do a good job rebooting The X-Files? And what do we make of the unfolding situation with Harry Potter casting? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

The Last of Us Season 2 episode 3(HBO)
The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 2 (HBO)
Bonus Ep: The Pitt Season 1 (Max)

Shownotes:

01:30 - Checking in on Daredevil: Born Again and The Pitt
06:46 - TV News
‘Pacific Rim’ Series Lands at Amazon
Ryan Coogler’s X-Files series appears to still be happening
New Harry Potter cast revealed
27:30 - The Last of Us Season 2
Ep 2 - Through the Valley
1:09:30 - The Rehearsal Season 2
Ep 1 - Gotta Have Fun

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Ep: Ranking Every Episode of 'Black Mirror' Season 7 (with Jessie Earl) Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, David is joined by Jessie Earl to discuss the latest season of Black Mirror on Netflix. Did we think this season was a solid one? What were our favorite episodes? What were our least favorite? And does Black Mirror still have something new to say given how society’s views on technology have evolved? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Ep: Comparing 'The Last of Us' Season 2 Premiere With The Videogame Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

NOTE: This episode contains massive SPOILERS for The Last of Us Part II videogame, which you should assume will also spoil the TV show. Listener beware.

In this bonus episode, David, Patrick, and Christian Spicer discuss how the season 2 premiere of The Last of Us compares with The Last of Us Part II videogame. What were some of the biggest changes they made? How effective do we think those changes were? And what are some of the predictions we have for how this season will play out? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 63 - 'The Last of Us' Season 2 Premiere Presents Intriguing Storytelling Possibilities Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Stay tuned for a spoiler-filled bonus episode later this week where we compare The Last of Us videogame with the show.

David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of television, then Christian Spicer joins us for a dive into The Last of Us season 2 premiere.

Are we excited about the possibility of another season of Adolescence? What do we think of how The Last of Us is pacing its story? And why is The White Lotus pissing so many people off? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

The Last of Us Season 2 episode 2(HBO)
Bonus Ep: Black Mirror Season 7 (Netflix)

Shownotes:

03:30 - TV News

Last of Us Renewed for season 3
Adolescence ratings and season 2 possibilities
The White Lotus is pissing off all kinds of people:
Pina Colada collab
Duke wants no part of White Lotus
Composer backlash

23:00 - The Last of Us Season 2

Ep 1 - Future Days

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Ep: The White Lotus S3E08 - "Amor Fati" Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Sarah Marrs (film critic and deputy editor at LaineyGossip.com) joins David to discuss episode 8 of The White Lotus season 3.

How do we rank this season of The White Lotus compared to the others? What did we make of who ends up dying and who ends up making it all the way to the end? And which storylines this season were most satisfying? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Ep: Seth Rogen's 'The Studio' Is a Blast (Plus: A Look Back at Robert Altman's 'The Player') Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, David and Patrick chat about Seth Rogen’s hilarious new show on Apple TV+, The Studio. Then, Matt Goldberg from

Commentary Track joins to discuss Robert Altman’s 1992 films The Player and how it compares with how Hollywood sees itself today.Links:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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