Decoding TV

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 77 - 'Alien: Earth' Is a Bold, Exciting Direction for the Franchise (with Matt Goldberg) Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Matt Goldberg discuss what we think of the Alien franchise is at this point in popular culture. Then, we review and recap the first two episodes of Alien: Earth on FX/Hulu.

What did we think of the bold new premise for the show? Does it look like they spent $250 million to bring this to life? (Yes). What did we make of the fact that the show splits its attention between two major plotlines? And what about all the information that’s revealed about the main characters in the first two episodes? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Be sure to check out Matt’s written review for Decoding TV.

Homework for next week:

Alien: Earth Episode 3 (FX/Hulu)

Shownotes:

01:30 - What we think of the state of the Alien franchise
15:00 - Alien: Earth
Episode 1 - Neverland
Episode 2 - Mr. October

Links:

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

Bonus Ep: Does 'Untamed' Have Anything Going For It Beyond Its Unique Setting? (with Sarah Marrs) Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss Untamed’s first season on Netflix. What did we think of how this show handled its central mystery? Were we captivated by any of the characters’ side plots? How did the show take advantage of its unique setting? And where do we think the second season of Untamed should be set? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next episode:

Alien: Earth season premiere (Hulu)

Links:

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

Ep. 76 - 'Twisted Metal' Season 2 Is One of the Most Juvenile, Goofy Things on TV (Complimentary) Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the first few episodes of Twisted Metal Season 2on Peacock.

What did we think of South Park’s provocative season 27 premiere? How excited are we for the possibility of a Wolfenstein TV show? And what do we make of the details about Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus that have dropped so far? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Homework for next week:

Untamed Season 1 (Netflix)

Shownotes:

10:00 - TV News
South Park Premiere puts Donald Trump in bed with Satan
Wolfenstein TV series in development
Rick and Morty spin-off resident Curtis spin-off announced at Comic-Con
Apple sets fall release for Pluribus
WBD announces the new (very silly) names for their companies
49:48 - Twisted Metal Season 2
Episode 1 - PRSRPNT
Episode 2 - DOLF4C3
Episode 3 - T3STDRV

Links:

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

Ep. 75 - 'Smoke' Is Pulpy Fun. Is It Anything More? Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

n this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the first five episodes of Smoke on Apple TV+.

Was the cancellation of the Late Show financially motivated or were political considerations involved? Are the price hikes at Peacock reasonable or out of control? And what do we think about how The Last of Us might wrap up? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

Twisted Metal Season 2 Premiere (Peacock)

Shownotes:

04:30 - TV News
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is cancelled
Peacock’s Biggest Price Increase Ever
The Last of US Season 3 will take place in 2027 and will probably be the end of the show
45:30 - Smoke
Episode 1 - Pilot
Episode 2 - Your Happy Makes Me Sad
Episode 3 - Weird Milk
Episode 4 - Strawberry
Episode 5 - Size Matters

Links:

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

Ep. 74 - 'The Bear' Season 4 Is a Return to Form Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the fourth season of The Bear.

What is behind the President’s hatred of Rosie O’Donnell? Is Squid Game: The Challenge as abominable as it sounds? What were the biggest streaming shows in the first half of 2025? And did The Bear season 4 improve upon what we saw in season 3? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

Smoke Season 1 eps 1-5 (Apple TV+)

Shownotes:

Links:

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

Bonus Ep: Breaking Down the 2025 Emmy Nominations (with Myles McNutt) Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, David and Myles McNutt from the Episodic Medium newsletter discuss the 2025 Emmy nominations (you can watch our live broadcast on YouTube here).

Which shows came away with some of the biggest nominations? Why do the “Guest Actor” categories continue to be a travesty? What were the biggest snubs? And was this overall a shameful year for the Emmys or did we experience less shame? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Links:

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

Ep. 73 - 'Squid Game' Season 3 Ends with a Whimper Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the final season of Squid Game.

How is Squid Game Season 3 performing on Netflix? What did we make of the fact that Neil Druckmann has left The Last of Us? What’s going on with the creators of South Park and Paramount/Skydance? And are we excited about another season of The Bear? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

The Bear Season 4 (Hulu)

Shownotes:

Links:

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

Bonus Ep: How 'Ironheart' Brings Marvel's Phase 5 to a Close (with Dan Gvozden) Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, Dan Gvozden joins the podcast to review and discuss the final three episodes of Ironheart on Disney+:

Episode 4 - Bad Magic
Episode 5 - Karma’s a Glitch
Episode 6 - The Past is the Past

How did the show handle the arc of Riri Williams? What did we make of that big cameo at the end? And what do we think is coming next for the MCU? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

Squid Game Season 3 (Netflix)

Links:

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

Ep. 72 - 'Ironheart' Is a Mess of Ideas That's (Probably) Not Gonna Come Together Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the first three episodes of Ironheart on Disney+.

Does the Showtime name still have any meaning in our current streaming environment? Did Andor season 2 get more viewers than season 1? And why did The Last of Us season 2 have fewer viewers? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

Ironheart Eps 4-6 (Disney+)

Shownotes:

07:30 - TV News
Paramount+ with Showtime is now Paramount Premium
‘Mindhunter’ May Return as Three Movies, Star Holt McCallany Reveals
Andor concludes with number 1 overall ranking on Nielsen
The Last of Us Ratings Declined During Season 2 but Why
35:02 - Ironheart Eps 1-3
Episode 1 - Take Me Home
Episode 2 - Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?
Episode 3 - We in Danger, Girl

Links:

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

Bonus Ep: Dept. Q Season 1 (with Sarah Marrs) Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss Dept. Q's first season on Netflix. What did we think of how this show handled its central mystery? Did any of the subplots work well for us? What about the red herrings? Was Matthew Goode, well, any good as the lead? How excited are we for the prospect of a second season of Dept. Q? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next episode:

Ironheart season premiere (Disney+)

Links:

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

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