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Canceled Jan 15, 2023

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#344: The crew talks about shows canceled too soon (or too late), the interplay of expectations, and the emotional impact of not getting a story conclusion. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network, here at Geek Therapy we believe the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Josué Cardona. And I’m joined by Marc Cuiriz. Marc Cuiriz 0:21Hello, Josué Cardona 0:22Link Keller. Link Keller 0:23Hi. Josué Cardona 0:25And Lara, I love clam-o-naise Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:31clam-o-naise. I will not eat the clam-o-naise But I did get the Cards Against Humanity pack for Hanukkah and had to fish it out of a jar of clam-o-naise. Josué Cardona 0:47Can confirm. And that’s why you were canceled. And so now today we’re talking about canceled shows, Lara Taylor 0:54cancelled shows cancelled shows Josué Cardona 0:56why Lara? Lara Taylor 0:57Well, I mean, I think a lot of shows have been cancelled in the fairly recent past. And I just saw an article quoting like the head of Netflix saying they’ve never canceled a successful show. Link Keller 1:13booo Lara Taylor 1:13And I kind of don’t, like their definition of success is probably way different than most people that enjoy the shows that got canceled. But I don’t know, we’ve talked before about, like, shows that we enjoy ending. And I think we touched on cancellation there too. But mostly it was like, the story gets to come to like this beautiful end. And you get to imagine what the characters are doing and they in like the epilogue of their lives. But at Thanksgiving, my niece’s boyfriend suggested I watch the Netflix show 1899. And I started watching like one episode. And then I heard it got canceled. I stopped watching it. I didn’t wanna get disappointed. I didn’t want to get fall in love with the story and then have it be like just this constant cliffhanger. And I think there’s, I don’t know, some stuff to dig into there. Like, I know people who with books will not read a series until the series is over. Because you never know you could end up in love with the Song of Ice and Fire and still waiting for the last two books. Never gonna happen. So I don’t know. I don’t know. I just It’s this feeling of I don’t want to get attached to something that’s going to be ripped away from me in a way. That’s not that doesn’t feel good. I don’t know. What do y’all think about canceled shows? Link Keller 3:01I mean, depending on the show? bad? Lara Taylor 3:05Yeah, yeah. Yeah, Link Keller 3:08I I made a list of canceled shows that I was disappointed that they got canceled and then had a real moment to myself realizing how many of them had queer main characters or queer storylines, and then getting really mad about that. Lara Taylor 3:30I agree. Almost every show now almost every show, but like there are at least three Shows that Kayla has, like recommended to me and told me you need to watch this. And I started watching and then it got canceled leaving some very serious cliffhangers at the end. So it doesn’t feel good. Like, I don’t know humans like a beginning middle and an end. And a lot of sometimes you get the beginning in the middle but a lot of these shows only get a beginning or sometimes not even that like discovery, Warner Brothers canceling movies that were completely made and not put on their on their streaming services. I’m talking about Batgirl. So yeah, I don’t know. The queer character thing is is also I think important, because representation. There’s more now but we need even more than the more that we have. Link Keller 4:40Yeah. Okay, I’m going to talk about Buffy adjacent things, but I don’t want to talk about Joss Whedon shows so I’m just putting that one out there. Last year, there were two shows about vampires featuring female main characters, queer storylines. First kiss on Netflix, Lara Taylor 5:06one of the ones Kayla suggested to me, Link Keller 5:09which, you know, it wasn’t amazing. But it Lara Taylor 5:12it was a good fun Link Keller 5:12felt the way that Buffy felt along the more dramatic romantic side of Buffy that I enjoyed when I was younger. And then the other show is called Astrid and Lilly save the world. And that was a Syfy show. And that was on like the other side of the like silly campy monster of the week side of Buffy. And I was so stoked that I was like, Oh my gosh, we’re getting two shows that are like scratching that Buffy itch. I’m loving it. The characters are fun and funny and cute and first kiss, but the main characters are both queer in Astrid and Lilly. Lilly is queer, and is just really great. Had a really fun time, both of those cancelled and I was so disappointed because I was like, I want that kind of like, more angled towards younger audiences, but still being like, fantasy vampire stuff. Like I like I like that. I liked that when I was younger. I wish that there was more stuff like that. And I really thought we were getting somewhere with it. And then they both got cancelled. I was like, wow, that. That sucks. I’m really disappointed. Yeah, that was that was a real bummer for me. Lara Taylor 6:29Yeah, there was another show that Kayla suggested to me warrior nun, I watched a couple episodes and then found out that was also cancelled. And that has more than one season. I didn’t even get to any queer stuff. Because I’m assuming there’s queer stuff because if Kayla is sending me recommendations. It’s gonna have queer storylines. And I thought it was cool. But again, I think I’ll finish a show. If it gets cancelled early if I’m far enough into it. But if I’m only an episode or two, and I really don’t want to go through that disappointment, Link Keller 7:01warrior nun was was okay, in that it did like get an ending, they left it open. So it’s like we could like there’s more story to tell. But like, this is a satisfying conclusion to the main story arc, we have setup, which was good. And I do appreciate when you can at least get that much. But then, like other shows, don’t don’t get any like cliffhanger like unresolved main setup stuff is like, that’s so disappointing is you get invested in the story. And then it’s just over and it’s like, Well, I gotta I gotta hope that someone’s writing good fanfiction out there. Or, I guess I’ll go write my own like, Oh, man. It’s like, I want to know, I want to know the story. These stories matter to me. I want to I want to hear it. I want to see it Lara Taylor 7:48well, and the way that they do, especially if we’re talking about Netflix shows getting cancelled the way that they’re done now is to I know we don’t want to talk too much about Joss Whedon shows but angel had enough time when it was canceled to try to scramble for something that might seem like an ending. But these shows they put out a whole season and if the wrong number of people watch it, it’s just gone. Link Keller 8:13Yeah, I think I think Sense8 is a good example of that, where it’s like, they absolutely should have had more seasons, but then it’s like, no, you’re getting axed, and they were like, Okay, well, let us try and finish up this story in a satisfying way. At least. Lara Taylor 8:28Got a movie. Yeah Link Keller 8:32Yeah, I’m I’m pretty bummed that raised by wolves got canceled because I was enjoying that meaty sci fi. Lara Taylor 8:43Yeah. And I was thinking about how one day the time was canceled, and people rallied and got it to get picked up by I can’t remember which one of the like, streaming like services that no one’s ever heard of it. Oh, it was on my TV at one point. They got renewed for a season on this smaller streaming service. And got one episode because COVID hit and it was the animated episode, which was really good. Or maybe it wasn’t, it was maybe three episodes. But whatever it it was good that it came back. People rallied we people were excited and then it fizzled out. And that was really sad. Link Keller 9:32We can maybe get into it more later but I do have a couple of examples of shows that got canceled and did end up coming back and I don’t know if I’m happy about it Lara Taylor 9:44mmhmm mmhmm Link Keller 9:47Yeah, no Netflix. I feel like Netflix is once they made their big transition to creating their own content. I feel like they’ve been really mean about canceling shows like you Get one season you get two seasons of his well received but like more than that, no, absolutely not. I’m thinking the OA got two seasons. I really liked that glow glow got a third season and then a got canceled because of COVID and they couldn’t figure out how to film contact sports in a safe way which I understand but it is a little disappointing. Lady dynamite I think that was on Netflix. I really liked that, that got canceled. Lara Taylor 10:38Someone suggested I watch the bastard son and the devil himself leading up to CASTT gamer starting up kids on brooms again, very like witchy vibe show and it only got one season. It did not get picked up for another season. So again, that one maybe I’ll watch it. I don’t know. I will have to ask if it kind of ended in a decent way. Link Keller 11:04Yeah, we didn’t end up talking about it during the spooky season. But the Midnight Club was by the same people as a Haunting of Hill Lara Taylor 11:21hill house and bly manor Link Keller 11:22manor house and midnight mass. And those were all single season stories Lara Taylor 11:28meant to be Link Keller 11:29meant to be that way. And Midnight Club really switched it up where it was like it was a season but they left a lot of stuff unsaid, undone. Not a lot of good conclusion there. And I really thought that the showrunner had like at that point earned from Netflix a little bit of trust in being able to continue and keeping people interested and watching and they were like, No, you only get the one sees you’re only allowed one seasons. I was I was pretty disappointed about that one. Mostly because it was a story about terminally ill kids and not enough of the kids died. Sounds terrible to say. But in the storytelling. I felt like it was really important that they did actually die. But nope, no, Lara Taylor 12:16no, you can imagine them either having a perfect life after maybe they they ended up I don’t know, one of them was misdiagnosed? I think. so. Or you can imagine their horrible deaths. I don’t know. Um, yeah, that one did like it wrapped up the main story of the like, the house or whatever, but also left a lot of other things unsaid and undone. Yeah. Which with the other shows in that like, I guess series of shows. Yeah, most things left it feeling like tied up with a little bow. A very creepy, sad bow. But a bow Link Keller 13:06Well, I mean in Bly Manor like they did like a fast forward so you got to see like later on. The way that Midnight Mass and ended was like very much like this is the end of this story. Lara Taylor 13:18but it’s hopeful for the future. Yeah Link Keller 13:21but Midnight Club is like they solved a part of the mystery. And then you never get to find out any of the other pieces of the mystery you don’t get to find out like the the stuff that they teased at the very end about characters. You don’t get to see how these tragic, terminally ill’s children’s stories and is is I was pretty disappointed that that got cancelled. I thought for sure. It’s like, oh, people are gonna love this. I can’t wait to see what happens. It’s like no, you’ll never know. Lara Taylor 13:53One of the things that I loved about that show is though, that there was the thing where I can’t remember the kid’s name, he would tell the story and be like you have to live till next time to hear the ending. And like yeah, you get left hanging if you don’t come back for more and so maybe that’s their way of like you got gotta wait till next time and then it’s just never gonna come. Link Keller 14:17We the audience died. So we’ll never hear the end of the story. Lara Taylor 14:22Yep, Link Keller 14:24ooOOooOo. Lara Taylor 14:25Yep. Josué Cardona 14:29So I’m hearing you talk about kind of like this attachment to a show that is already there. Then it’s taken away from you. Without you know, Link Keller 14:42or avoiding investment in a story at all because you know, it’s already been killed like I’ve been recommended 1899 by several people at this point, and I have not watched it. Because like I don’t want to get invested. It’s just gonna be disappointment. Josué Cardona 14:58Right. So So, so exactly So if I’m using this as an analogy for other things, I’m curious in your lives, like, for example, if you met somebody, do you go in thinking like, oh, we’ll never date I’ll never get married, or we’ll get never be best friends. So I’m not gonna bother. Or, you know, Link Keller 15:21I feel like Josué Cardona 15:21there’s other experiences too, right? It’s like, I’m gonna start this job. And if I’m not going to retire from it, why even start? No, these are very different things, right? Yeah, these are feelings that we, we can feel that way about multiple things. So I’m curious how that’s different. Link Keller 15:36I can see how like the analogy works. But I feel like my expectations for media storytelling is very different than my expectations for my lived experience on this mortal plane. I’ve talked about this on many episodes of this podcast, but real life is not narratively structured, we don’t get good storytelling in our lives, we get a lot of chaos. And we try and make good stories out of what we get. Which can be really fun, like, there is definitely something positive in that. Making a good life story out of chaos. But when you get a story crafted for you that hundreds of people have put 1000s of hours into crafting every little detail, the writing, the lighting, the sound design, the costumes, the setting, like every little piece has been put together to create this story. And then you don’t you don’t get it like that, that is more disappointing to me than the disappointment of making friends with somebody and then they just disappear and you never get a satisfying conclusion to your relationship. Lara Taylor 16:49And that doesn’t mean I don’t ever watch a show that has ended or gets canceled. It just depends on if they if I if I hear from other people that it has wrapped up in a way that kind of feels good. I started watching sense8, I think after it had been canceled. But I at that point, I knew they were going to do a movie. So I was able to get through that. I’m not the kind of person that I don’t think I don’t have that kind of avoidant attachment to things in my real life. I do like to meet new people and spend time with them. And it’s not this all in or nothing at all kind of experience. But maybe I get a little more invested in my stories than I do the people in my lives. In my life. I don’t know. Ah, I have probably spent more like I just told you guys, I spent all weekend playing The Last of Us and I’ve been watching the show. And I spent more time with that game this weekend than I spent with any of my friends or my wife. So and it’s that like kind of one way relationship like yes, I mean, parasocial relationships are real but also like, it’s all me projecting onto the, onto the characters onto the show and relating to those things and wanting good things for these characters or wanting bad things for some of them. And I don’t know I just want to I want to be able to see it’s also why I have a hard time saying goodbye when a show ends in a in a like nice little wrap up at the end. I want to know what happens I want to still be a part of their lives. And that’s why fanfic is great. But it just feels a little different when it’s like when you’re expecting to lose someone maybe and when someone is ripped away from you. It feels a little different. Sucks either way, but it’s different. Marc Cuiriz 19:03Yeah, I think when it comes to me, the reason why I haven’t watched a whole lot of TV especially like, in like recent times, I mean, I’m star…

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It’s a Mostly Wonderful Life Dec 25, 2022

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#343: Marc and the crew talk about It’s a Wonderful Life, and imagining a world without you in it. We discuss stories about removing yourself from the timeline and how and why it resonates with people. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network here at Geek Therapy, we believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Josué Cardona. And I’m joined by link Keller. Link Keller 0:21Hello, friends, Josué Cardona 0:23Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:24Hey, Josué Cardona 0:25the one and only Marc Cuiriz. Marc Cuiriz 0:27Hello, Josué Cardona 0:29Marc, it’s your turn. What are we talking about today? Marc Cuiriz 0:30All right. So it’s funny because I feel like I baited all of you guys, I was talking about how I recently went to go see, It’s a Wonderful Life. And yet, we thought we were gonna go Christmas movie type thing. And I was like, nope, let’s get deep in nitty gritty. And I wanted to talk more about the idea of exploring what life would be like, if you or if someone didn’t exist or was no longer around. So to kind of give a little context for that. For those that haven’t seen, It’s a Wonderful Life. It kind of talks a little bit about that without getting, I mean, I don’t know, I guess Lara Taylor 1:17spoiler alert for an eighty year old movie. Marc Cuiriz 1:20Exactly. I was like Josué Cardona 1:22It’s in the public domain at this point, like, yeah. Marc Cuiriz 1:25So it was was It’s A Wonderful Life. It talks about this guy named George Bailey and his life. And on Christmas Eve, He has this very like he’s reaching this very focal point in his life of deciding whether or not he should kill himself to sort of save his family’s business and save his family from potential, like fraud and whatever, and just basically getting destroyed. So he decides that maybe he’s better off dead than alive, because then at least people will be better off. And so then his guardian angel comes by, and sort of shows him a brief glimpse of what life would be like as if he had never existed. And he realizes, like, all the lives, he’s touched in the people he’s impacted, and all the good he’s done, despite giving up his own dreams, to travel the world and things like that. And ultimately, it’s he gains an appreciation for his life. And then when he kind of returns, he’s very grateful. And then everybody sort of comes together to sort of help him out because he’d spent his entire life helping out everybody else. Now, when he’s finally in trouble, everybody comes together to help him. So yeah, Josué Cardona 2:46so the bait and switch was, hey, let’s watch Christmas movies. Marc Cuiriz 2:50JK, let’s talk about some dark deep stuff. Lara Taylor 2:55AKA Mark wants therapy on the show. Marc Cuiriz 2:59That is, you know, that is one spin to it. Or it could just be I just like, a deep philosophical questions. And so then I like to hear your perspectives on it. Lara Taylor 3:12That’s true. Josué Cardona 3:13I’m curious, why. Why is this question on your mind? Marc Cuiriz 3:21So So here in Chicago, there is like a whole event thing with this movie, because it plays at the Music Box Theater. And when people go there, they have like, they go completely decked out with Christmas stuff. There’s like a Christmas sing along. And then it goes into the movie. And it’s like a, it’s a fun little show. So my first time going to one even see this movie and to experiencing the show was last year. And when I watched it last year, it got it. I left the movie sort of thinking, I was like, Oh, that’s a very interesting way to kind of view things. And I was thinking to myself, like, Oh, I wonder about the people maybe I’ve impacted or how do I want my legacy to sort of play out in life? You know, like, how do I want that to be carried? Or how do I want people to view me so then this time around? One I was very exhausted watching this movie, because he watched it a 9:45 at night. So I was already all sorts of crazy wonky. Josué Cardona 4:26at what speed did you watch it? Marc Cuiriz 4:27normal speed. So yeah, had I really slow myself down. But so when we when we left it, this time around, that’s when the idea of not being around or being better off dead was like something that I started thinking about because then I started thinking about other forms of media or other things that I’ve seen that I’ve touched on that this is kind of a throwback for me, but I the first thing that came to my head immediately It was this fairly oddparents episode where, where he makes the wish that he wishes he was never born. But instead of showing like how everyone’s life was worse, it shows that everybody’s life was in fact better because he wasn’t born. And then the whole episode is like, now we’re gonna throw you in this pit of children who wish they were never born and made the world a better place. But what ultimately saved him was, there was one person that was negatively impacted by him not being around, and I think that was 2d. And so because of her pain, he was unable to like, nope, see, look. And now I’m back at now back to making everybody’s life somewhat miserable again, but at least he’s back. And now he has a better appreciation for his life. But I’m curious as to if there’s anything you guys have seen or read, or, you know, anything like that, that has sort of touched on this topic? And what were your guys’s thoughts, feelings, opinions on these things? Marc Cuiriz 4:29So I think there’s two different versions that I was thinking about. Because there’s the one where you actually get to see the world without you or a different version of you. So like, back to the future. Right? Something changes come back. Things are different. But then there’s the other one, like, oh, Spider Man, no way home anywhere they just forget you completely. But your your the effects of your actions of your life before that moment are still there. Like, you saved them. MJ’s life MJ is still alive. Right? There’s a they don’t remember you, but Marc Cuiriz 6:05but the impact was still there. Yeah, Josué Cardona 6:05yeah. So I think there’s a big difference of you know, everybody would be better off if I wasn’t around anymore. Versus the, you know, everybody be better off if I was never born. so I’ve seen both types of stories. Yeah, so I just wanted to put that there. Can we talk about both of them? Or not? Marc Cuiriz 7:14Absolutely. Josué Cardona 7:15Okay. Okay. Am I missing any in listening? Anything, Lara? Link? Lara Taylor 7:21I was gonna say the interesting thing about this topic is that most of the time, and I can’t I I’m sure I’m gonna pull specific ones out of my brain, because I know, I’ve seen several forms of this kind of theme. But most of the time, the message is that like, people are better with you around and you don’t want to like the message is supposed to be most of the time that yeah, you should appreciate your life or appreciate being around because people are better off with you there than without you. But the first example that came to my mind was butterfly effect. And the Director’s Cut, where literally he Josué Cardona 8:06that’s an Ashton Kutcher joint, right? Lara Taylor 8:08That’s an Ashton Kutcher joint, and in the Director’s Cut the alternate ending, where he basically kills himself in the womb, and is not born ever. And apparently, everyone was better off without him. But, yeah, I think that it’s interesting to think about, it’s along the lines of like, the time travel stuff. And that’s usually where this these things kind of come up is. someone does something and you’re not in this person’s life or whatever. And then you see the effects of that. But that theme of like, usually, the story is about how, yeah, you should be around and you should be glad that you’re alive. Josué Cardona 8:57I know, we talked about the artists intention, right? Or if what they’re, like, are they trying to send a message? Are they trying to teach something? That’s not always the case. But I think I mean, obviously, and it’s a wonderful life. That’s, that seems to be very clearly the thing. You know, you’re spending an hour and a half just showing this guy’s life. And then suddenly, you know, he’s freaking out at one point. And he wants to end it. It’s like, nah, like, let me just show you real quick. The positive effect you’ve had like your your struggles, were not in vain. You actually helped a lot of people and they appreciate it. And it was a good reminder for him. Also, in that movie, it’s like if he would have waited 10 minutes, or 15, or a little bit right, like the whole town would have was coming over to help him anyway. Marc Cuiriz 9:52Or if he had learned how to effectively communicate his struggles and his own feelings and emotions instead of trying to do it all himself, things would have turned out a lot differently. Josué Cardona 10:04But then the movie will be longer because you’d have to go through therapy. Even a therapy montage would’ve just added viewing time. Marc Cuiriz 10:13Even if he was just like if he told him like, Hey, listen, this happened. I’m flipping out. I don’t know what to do. I’m scared. Hey, okay, let’s we’ll call everybody up. We’ll figure it out. Josué Cardona 10:28No, Okay. Look, this is this is a tangent. And I don’t mean to, I don’t want to go down this tangent. But the part that was relatable for me was that like, he kept when you start that, right, when it starts off, you know that he’s got big plans, he wants to leave that town. But things keep happening. And he keeps choosing to stay. Because for the sake of other people think he’s going to help other people. He’s going to help this father’s business he’s going to do and he never did on the day of his wedding, right? He’s like, again, he’s all excited. They’ve got all this money, they got all these plans. And once again, he, again, it’s still his choice, but he’s making the choice for other people. Actually, very selfless. And so right for it to come all crashing down. In in one moment like that. Yeah, like, I mean, that’s a lot of that’s decade’s worth of of stuff. Like even the first example that they show when he’s a kid. He saves his brother at the cost of losing his hearing and what in one ear, makes like, every time everything that they show, he always sacrifices something. And yeah, that’s like a huge buildup. So I don’t think he’d ever exploded that way. Now, I’m hoping he goes to therapy and learns, you know, some anger management, Lara Taylor 11:58it’s a wonderful life 2 coming to Disney plus, Josué Cardona 12:03it’s a wonderful session. it’s a wonderful treatment plan. Link Keller 12:09I appreciate that. In in. It’s a Wonderful Life. It is like flashbacks to things that have happened and reframing them and like, Hey, you were pretty focused on like your experience here. But like, here’s how it looked. Literally, like from the outside you’re standing over here, watching it. I think that that’s a fun reflection on Christmas Carol, which is a very popular story told over and over and over again, which does a flash forward and shows like a when you’re dead, everybody’s really stoked on it. And that is like a moment to be like I need to change. I like that. They’re both sort of reframing of like, get outside of your head and sort of see how other people are interacting with you and the actions you take and your intentions and how they come across to other people. And having that sort of reframe the protagonists viewpoint about their current situation. Lara Taylor 13:14Yeah, I like that idea that it’s reframing the things for you. I have conversations with clients all the time about like, you can’t read other people’s minds and know what they’re thinking or know how they see the situation. You have to have a conversation with them. Or try assuming like, best intentions or whatever. Not everyone is staring at you. Not everyone thinks you’re awkward or weird. Some people might, but some people might like that. So having that outside view, which a lot of the time we can’t get unless we are recording ourselves all the time. Having that depicted in the in movies is a good way to use that magic for good. Josué Cardona 14:07It’s hard work to reflect on your actions so quickly that that it’s almost like you’re observing your own behavior. That’s really hard. Lara Taylor 14:21Really hard. And it’s also really flawed. Because as we’ve talked about on this show several times human memory is garbage. Josué Cardona 14:28Well, right, right. But But I mean, like the idea of like as you’re doing things, right, like, I think that’s something that I’ve been working on for the past few years. Like noticing what I’m doing. Lara Taylor 14:39Yeah. Josué Cardona 14:40Not just reflecting on like, Oh, what did I do yesterday? That started getting shorter to what did I do 10 minutes ago. Now. It’s like, what did I just do or what am I doing? And to even watch yourself is exhausting. Link Keller 14:54that’s pretty resource intensive. Josué Cardona 14:56Yep, yep. Dual booting your computer Marc Cuiriz 15:10Well, I think I want to go back a little bit because you were talking, when you brought the spider man, no way home stuff, I didn’t even think about it in that sort of context of feeling like you, like the effects of your actions are still being felt despite you not being around, which I think is a bit of a different take on it. But I think the message itself is still kind of there. Except for in no way home because he is choosing to be forgotten. It’s not like, oh, you know, now I see that even with me forgotten, like, My impact is still there. And, you know, that’s just, you know, goes to show and maybe I want to be remembered again, it’s like, no, no, like, I see what my impact was. And that’s great. And I want to keep having that be felt. But I still want to be forgotten by these people. Because I feel like that’s what’s best for them. So even then, it’s still doing something in the service of other people, and sort of letting yourself just kind of be a forgotten figure. Josué Cardona 16:23I mean, that’s like the fact that his effects don’t go away or implied. That’s not really like part of the conversation in the movie. You know, it’s really just like gonna forget you that’s that’s it so I don’t know how much he thought about it. He really didn’t have a lot of time to think about it or know the specifics yet but the part of it being deliberate as well. I mean, this goes into more a deeper conversation on what suicidal ideation is and when suicidal acts are and how much you’re in control or not of that is not the conversation that we’re having but yeah, I My mind’s going in like a few different directions on this what other stories are there that do this that I can think of. Lara Taylor 17:34I’m vaguely remembering a Supergirl episode where she saw what the group would be like if she didn’t come to Earth. Josué Cardona 17:43Yep. that’s true Lara Taylor 17:47And again, it was a situation where yeah, maybe these big cosmic things weren’t happening, but their life wasn’t necessarily better without her. Josué Cardona 17:59Was that a Mr. mixup? Like? Lara Taylor 18:02I think it was, I think it was Josué Cardona 18:03sounds like something he would do. Lara Taylor 18:07Mmm hmm. Josué Cardona 18:11Yeah. Would Have you ever had that thought? Of like, you wish you wish you had never been born? Or do you think people would have been better off without you? Marc Cuiriz 18:25are you asking me? Josué Cardona 18:27everybody, Marc Cuiriz 18:28everybody to say I think when when I was younger when I was like a young Spry teenager, I think during those times, that’s when I would have had those thoughts of like, things that probably would be better off if I listened to around or, or especially when my parents were in the middle of their divorce. I definitely had thoughts like that. And never really got to, like, serious, li…

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Gone but not Forgotten Dec 11, 2022

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#342: The crew talks about some recent celebrity deaths and how we memorialize and pay tribute to meaningful people in our lives. We also discuss how we would like to be remembered. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network. Here at Geek Therapy, we believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Josué Cardona. I’m joined today by Marc Cuiriz. Marc Cuiriz 0:23Hey, Josué Cardona 0:24Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:25Hey. Josué Cardona 0:26And Link Keller. Link Keller 0:28‘ello, Josué Cardona 0:28Team. It’s my turn to pick today. And I was reflecting on the before I start, content warnings. We will be talking about people passing away. People dying of diseases, people dying of suicide. It’s a grief and loss episode, but maybe also a celebration of, of, of different lives. So not only how to grieve, but also how to celebrate people who pass and how, how we do that within the culture and different fandoms. So what sparked this for me, was the recent death of Jason David Frank who played the Green Ranger, the original, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. That show’s from the late 1900s Correct. Is that when it started? I believe so. Yeah. And he? I don’t know, I always it was cool that he was like such a beloved, I thought he was the coolest character. In the original show. I think he was. Lara Taylor 1:33Trini was my favorite. And then him but like, Yeah, Josué Cardona 1:38I think he was supposed to be the cool, the Cool kid. But then like, he was such a, I think, not only the fans love him, but I think he it always seemed like he loved the job a lot. I’ve seen a couple of the Power Rangers like a convention and stuff and they look they do not look happy. They were. But he just like, he just loved that he kept coming back to the show. He played, he played multiple Red Rangers. And he was like, every time there was a big event, he would always show up. He was even in the last movie that they made. He made a cameo at the end. And I don’t know, there was there was something about his death recently, that first of all, it was suicide. So that was, that’s sad, right? Because it’s like you see, again, I’ve always seen him as like, super excited and interacting with fans and super hyped about the just like being a Power Ranger. And being part of that band culture. Lara Taylor 2:37He had literally just posted his convention appearances Josué Cardona 2:40schedule Lara Taylor 2:41for the next few months. Josué Cardona 2:42Yeah, Lara Taylor 2:42before it happened. Yeah. Josué Cardona 2:44Yeah. Yeah. And, and so I’ve seen I remember when it happened, I immediately texted a friend of mine, who is a huge Power Rangers fan. And like he, like he rewatches the series, like every now and then all of them. He’s a pretty big fan. And, and, like, I wanted to let him know, like, from me, in case he wanted to talk because I figured it would hit him pretty hard. And yeah, I don’t have like, I don’t know too many people that are like that connected. I mean, of course, it happens, but like in my life, and they’re so connected to a character, or, and particularly to the character, I don’t think that he knew too much about like, you know, outside of the character, the actual actor’s life, but then to see his co stars, you know, putting out videos and then seeing all of the, like, tribute videos and photos and stuff. You know, it’s a reminder of how these relationships, how important they are, right? These parasocial relationships that we, that we have with with characters, they can inspire us, they can motivate us. And sometimes they just, I don’t know. Like, we know, they’re not our friends, but they they feel like some, like a part of our lives in some way. And they may be a part of, like, really good moments. And so when they pass, you feel it pretty hard. And of course, there’s something sad about it being a suicide that feels different than like Kevin Conroy has passed passing recently, which was from cancer, I believe right? is that right? Yeah, he died from cancer. And so you know, that was that was less sudden, because we knew he was sick, but then also like, just the celebration of like, so it always comes up right? Doesn’t matter who plays Batman? It’s like, no, Kevin Conroy is Batman. That’s the voice of Batman. That’s what a lot of people think about is Batman. And those, you know, like those losses, it’s like, Damn, it just, there’s something there’s something about them again, we don’t know them personally. But it’s pretty hard. And the other one I was thinking about recently, I have not seen Wakanda forever yet, but I assume, Lara Taylor 5:07i have Josué Cardona 5:07yeah, but I assume so don’t don’t spoil it for me. Or anyone listening. But there’s something I’m sure that the passing of Chadwick Boseman is felt in is an integral integral to the movie. Lara Taylor 5:21without, without spoiling anything. Josué Cardona 5:24Yes. Lara Taylor 5:25I cried at the beginning. I cried at the end. And this is not a spoiler, the the way they did for Stan Lee, the Marvel logo, it’s all Chad Chadwick Boseman. And it was that got me crying before the movie hit even started. Thank you marvel. Josué Cardona 5:44Yeah, I mean, I remember hearing hearing that he died. And it was, it was also like, very unbelievable. when it happened. And it’s funny because like, as a as a, I think, in all three of these cases, like to me there, I I don’t see them as actors as much like to me there the character, because I don’t really know chatter goes on from anything else. And I know he’s done other movies, but I don’t think I’ve seen any of them. And I don’t know. Jason David Frank is just like, Tommy to me. And Kevin Conroy is Batman. Like, I don’t know. I don’t know what else Kevin Conrad has done. I saw him in the one live action thing. I’ve seen him and he played Bruce Wayne. So like, they’re just they are those characters to me. Which is something? Yeah. Interesting. So. I mean, again, those are three characters that are that I felt. I keep saying characters. Those are three people who have who have passed. recently. I know we talked about when Chadwick Boseman died. But yeah, so I’d like to get your thoughts on those. And then also see, you know, what, any thoughts that you have on how, how people can cope with this, when you know, when they are feeling sad. And when they’re feeling? You know, they’re feeling like they’re feeling a loss, even if it’s someone that they haven’t met before? Lara Taylor 7:15I’m thinking I have thoughts Josué Cardona 7:16Yeah. Can I see your thinkin face Lara Taylor 7:18like there are? I think about that, and I actually, I’m in a lot of comic circles. And I’m seeing a lot of like artists and writers for comics who have passed away recently as well. I know it was earlier this year, but George Perez, there’s been a few other really famous I Josué Cardona 7:37know the George Perez had passed. Woah. Lara Taylor 7:40yeah. There’s another one that is not coming to the top of my mind. But there’s been a few even like friends in the comics industry who have passed. So I have a little more. And I know people who know some of the people who are have met some of the people who have passed both like this. I’m thinking especially if Kevin Conroy. But there’s so much these people touch more lives than any one of us usually touches in a lifetime. And so it can reverberate out. I’ve seen a lot of touching tributes to characters they’ve played and the or written or drawn or the person themself in art form. I mean, there’s like Disney had a Chadwick Boseman mural at Disneyland after he passed. I haven’t seen that much. I’ve seen a few fan art drawings for Jason David Frank. But I think that’s the biggest way I’ve seen people grieve, and process these things. But yeah, this time of year seems to be hitting a lot of people pretty hard. Marc Cuiriz 9:05Yeah, I was gonna say that, for me, a lot of what I’m seeing is really just a like a lot of like, tiktoks where it’s like showcasing like, you know, moments in the series or it’s like highlighting like these like very powerful moments and like, they’re, like, in their characters, like, you know, in their particular series or whatever. You know, a lot of it’s like, you know, like moments like that make the boys cry or things like that. But then it’s like showing like all like these great reels and stuff. And for me, you know, I grew up watching the original Power Rangers and stuff, but I don’t think I ever really kept up with it. I think as I got older, it kind of grew out of Power Rangers, but to me Tommy was always my Power Ranger because that’s when they introduced the Green Ranger and you know, Green was my favorite color. So I’m like oh naturally the best. So it’s, it’s been really nice to kind of go back and see these things and it kind of reminds me of like, the feelings that I had, you know, as a little kid watching, power rangers just for the first time, and sort of seeing all these things and also seeing like, like, whenever I see any of those videos sort of come up, I’m always like, going into the comments, and I’m scrolling through the comments and seeing like, all the things that people are writing, and you know, people sharing their own experiences or their own, you know, viewpoints and perspectives as to how these particular characters that these people have portrayed, and how it’s impacted them, or, you know, how greatly it’s affecting them, but also a chance for them to celebrate and remind themselves have all this amazing work that these people have done. Josué Cardona 10:39Yeah, and having, like, my first thought is sharing that grief with other people or sharing the celebration. Right? The remembering doing that alone is harder than doing with other people. And thanks to social media, thanks to the comments section in YouTube. Someone can make something and then you know, right there other people there as well. And you can share. You don’t feel as alone, you know, like, Oh, these people appreciated this persons too or like, Oh, this was a, this is a beautiful, you know, tribute to the character. I remember that. That part as well. Which, how did people do it back in the day? Lara Taylor 11:26Who knows? Josué Cardona 11:28who knows, nobody knows. Lara Taylor 11:30You talked about celebration and thinking about the amount of pressure that a lot of people felt, I’m sure, making Wakanda forever. That’s something I remember a lot of questions about what was going to happen in the story, but keeping it as a way to tribute a tribute to Chadwick, Boseman, and there were calls for some people to recast him. And I don’t know Ryan Coogler had a lot of pressure on him. And he did something amazing. It was really special. There are people that I know who are like, hands down. This is the best Marvel movie since Black Panther. It’s in my top set at this point, I can’t rank anything. But it was definitely felt in the care that they took. There’s costumes for mourning, in certain countries in Africa and tribes that they used in the movie, and just the amount of detail that they they brought to it. And I think there’s something about watching the people who are in the film, or the piece of media also mourning. I remember when Glee was filming the episode after Corey Montes died. Knowing that they the actors were actually also mourning their friend. While filming it, I think there’s a lot of rawness in Wakanda forever Josué Cardona 13:06does the movie does Wakanda Forever feel? Like, can you feel it? They’re mourning? Chadwick Boseman. Or as well, Lara Taylor 13:15I think both, I think both. Josué Cardona 13:17Yeah, feels that way? Lara Taylor 13:19Yeah. Marc Cuiriz 13:20I don’t think there was ever really a moment throughout that movie. Or I could not feel that raw emotion from any of the characters in the actors. Like it’s, it’s present throughout the entire thing. I it was definitely an experience, especially seeing it on the opening night like that, where everybody’s seeing it for the first time. And it’s just, it’s just right there. Josué Cardona 13:53Yeah. Lara Taylor 13:53Yeah, I mean, I went to see it in the drive-in. And so I didn’t necessarily get to hear cheers or anything. There were a few times where people were honking their horns. But watching people like posing with their car in their black panther outfits, and like someone had a shirt that had Chadwick Boseman face on it, like it was beautiful watching people really excited to see this film. Like I said, many many, many tears in the beginning and the end, Marc Cuiriz 14:26yeah, see that? I think that’s a difference like for for me, up until the end. It was silence like everybody was just taking it in at least in the theater that I was in everybody was just taking it all in up until you know, the very end and then you know, the the post credit scene and stuff, then the cheers and everything, but I I have to agree. I think the way that movie is done was it was executed very well. and kind of going back a little bit to kind of like what we were saying earlier, but like, wondering, like, how is it done back then? And it sort of brought up to me like, I remember when, when Robin Williams, you know, passed away or when Michael Jackson passed away and I know like those two people I know Michael Jackson is more than a musician and an artist, but he still had a very powerful impact on on in people’s lives and played an integral role for a lot of people. And just and I just remember, like, when Robin Williams passed, like, I just remember it was like, I don’t think there was like any part of the web, like the internet that I could go to that didn’t have something about him there. And I know like that was like still the beginnings of the internet. But I still think even then, people found a way to still share that grief. I say the beginnings of the internet, but it really wasn’t. Lara Taylor 15:58It really really wasn’t but it was beginning to go like beginnings of the internet. I’m thinking more like When Princess Diana died or something that’s on my mind, because I’ve been watching the crown. Josué Cardona 16:10That way more accurate. Yeah. Marc Cuiriz 16:11I don’t know why that came out of my mouth. It just did. But here we are. Josué Cardona 16:16Here we are. And it’s on tape. Marc Cuiriz 16:18Yep. Everybody can just, you know, make fun of me on the discord. Josué Cardona 16:23It’s up to you if you want to edit it out or not? Marc Cuiriz 16:25No, I’m gonna keep it in. Okay, that’s fine. I will. I will allow this. Josué Cardona 16:30Yeah, yeah. Ah, Robin Williams hit me hard. I remember. Link Keller 16:38Yeah, me too. Josué Cardona 16:40To it there. Right. That that’s, that’s someone like, to me. He’s Rob Robin Williams. Lara Taylor 16:48Because he’s been so many different things. Josué Cardona 16:50He’s not Mrs. Doubtfire. He’s not the genie. All of these other characters? Yeah, yeah. Marc Cuiriz 17:00But I still think even though like, yeah, we see him as Robin Williams, there’s usually a character or a few characters that he has played, that we’ve really connected with, and ones that we’ve like, just really enjoyed. And so obviously, when you think about that, a lot of the times you’re going to be more drawn to either rewatching that movie or whatever it might be. And remembering that as opposed to just oh, you know, it’s just, you know, as opposed to just the person, you’re drawn more to specific pieces of media. Like, for me, it was Aladdin Aladdin was my favorite Disney movie, aside from from Hercules. But that’s where I was particularly drawn to, and then it was Jumanji and stuff like that. And I remember for me, when, when Michael Jackson passed, I think that’s when I started having a newfound appreciation for music in general. Because for me, music was always there, but I didn’t really take the time to like, listen to music a…

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Heart of the Cards Dec 04, 2022

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#341: What starts as a conversation about YuGiOh and Pokemon turns into a discussion about passion, perseverance, frustration, and reflection on purpose and goals. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network here at Geek Therapy. We believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Josué Cardona. And I’m joined by Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:22Hey, Josué Cardona 0:24Link Keller, Link Keller 0:25what’s up? Josué Cardona 0:26and Marc Cuiriz Marc Cuiriz 0:27Yo, Josué Cardona 0:29Mark, you went last, because it’s your turn. What are we talking about today? Marc Cuiriz 0:32Oh, okay. So, you know, I feel like this is a trend now. Because I feel like in almost every episode, I’m saying that, Oh, I started rewatching this or I started replaying this. And Josué Cardona 0:43there’s new stuff, too, you know, there’s new stuff that comes out. Lara Taylor 0:46Yeah. Marc doesn’t like new things. Marc Cuiriz 0:47No, I like to live in the past. Thank you very much. So I started rewatching. Yu-Gi-Oh! but not the the original, because I’ve already rewatched all of that. And it’s actually my first time actually watch. I guess I shouldn’t say rewatch. I watched for the first time the entire first season like a long time ago. So this time, Josué Cardona 1:08before you continue, what is yugioh? And how many series are there of yugioh like, please give us context. Marc Cuiriz 1:15Okay, so for context, Yugioh is a card game where it has like a lot of monsters and stuff. And it’s basically like, kind of like, Pokemon Josué Cardona 1:26is this a real card game like, like a physical card, you can play? Marc Cuiriz 1:28it is a physical card game that you can play, Josué Cardona 1:30okay, Marc Cuiriz 1:30it’s got so many different sets. The rules are very complicated. And I know next to nothing about actual, the actual card game itself. But like with every card game, and with every toy, and everything, every franchise, there has to be a cartoon adaptation. So like Pokemon YuGiOh came along. And since then, there’s like, I don’t know, eight different subsequent series. Now. I’m actually not quite sure how many seasons or series there are of yugioh. But I started rewatching. The second one, which is YuGiOh. GX. So it’s like a, it was to, like, introduce, like the newer cards and sets and stuff that were being introduced into the game itself. And this is a you know, fun little episode, like, you know, fun little anime to, you know, watch along with. So I started rewatching it because I remember, in this series, there’s a specific set like the elemental heroes, and I always thought they were really cool. And they’re in the like, they’re like the primary set in this in this anime. So it’s been kind of nice. And then like, like, when I’m watching it, and I’m listening to kind of what they’re talking about. I’m watching the dubbed version. And just like some of the things that they’re talking about, really got me kind of thinking about kind of, like, following your passions and sort of persevering through all sorts of different challenges, and, you know, like adversity and stuff like that. And I also know that recently, because it’s a double whammy here. Recently, there was some major updates in the Pokemon anime. So I know some of you guys had opinions and thoughts on that. Plus, there’s Scarlet and violet. So yeah, Josué Cardona 3:25yes. What are you referring to? Could you possibly be referring to? Marc Cuiriz 3:29Okay, if you’re referring to Okay, well, sure. For this, I guess this is big spoilers for people. But Ash Ketchum has finally, a Pokemon champion, finally did it. After all these years Lara Taylor 3:47after years of being the same age for all these years, Marc Cuiriz 3:50after all these years, this 11 year old kid has finally won a Pokemon Championship. Josué Cardona 3:55The real spoiler for people is that now they know he had never won before. In the 25 years that the anime has been has been going Lara Taylor 4:05there are a lot of Pokemon championships throughout the years and he he loses them all. Marc Cuiriz 4:10He’s always a runner up. Josué Cardona 4:12Yeah, but but the reason I thought that that would be a cool thing to also bring up in the context of you know, of going deeper into yugioh because ready you talked about like, oh, this idea of perseverance and like you have this goal and you’re pushing through and immediately I felt like to have like the protagonist of the of the Pokemon anime we’re always following him and Pikachu from the very beginning. It’s been over 20 years and and but his he never wavered, right like that. That was the goal. That’s what he was working toward. And it’s a big deal for a lot of people to finally see that happen. And honestly, I don’t know how long they could have kept like, not letting him finally win, it’d be too depressing. But But yeah, yeah, like it’s I think, I can’t think of a Just to have that much content, you know, following one person for so long with that one goal that they’re trying to achieve. And then, you know, it’s a 25 years for us, but it happened he did it. So I thought that would be cool context to add to this as well. Two very different shows. Pokemon and yugioh Marc Cuiriz 5:23Yes, but I feel like they, there are two very different shows, but they’re also kind of the same. Josué Cardona 5:29Please elaborate? Marc Cuiriz 5:31Well, I mean, like in terms of like what they’re trying to Link Keller 5:34they’re made to sell cards. Marc Cuiriz 5:36Yes, they’re both made to sell cards. Lara Taylor 5:38and video games Link Keller 5:39they’re to introduce gambling to children. Marc Cuiriz 5:43But like, also, there’s monsters Josué Cardona 5:44who’s the Egyptian god that possesses someone in Pokemon? Marc Cuiriz 5:50I mean, you could argue that like, there’s this whole connection thing with ash and his Greninja. I mean, there’s getting there’s there’s there’s these types of things that they incorporate here. I mean, there’s ancient gods and pokemon. With the movies like you have Arceus Link Keller 6:06they’re not Egyptians, but Egypt doesn’t exist in pokemon. So that’s the loophole. Josué Cardona 6:13So Arceus isn’t a god, he’s the God. He’s the creator of everything. I believe Link Keller 6:17there are many God, God, Pokemon, Josué Cardona 6:20but he’s the right. Isn’t he the creator of everything? Link Keller 6:23I guess I haven’t played that one. Josué Cardona 6:26Yeah. Marc Cuiriz 6:30But I feel like in this sense, though, like, they’re kind of the same in terms of like, the lessons that they teach you at the end of every episode. Josué Cardona 6:40okay Marc Cuiriz 6:42And it’s like, again, like that idea of perseverance and stuff. Although I will say that the biggest difference is that, you know, ultimately, in the end, though, like, up until now, Ash has, always lost. And then he’s just been more determined, and he’ll come back. And then that’s when he starts in a new region. But in YuGiOh, the protagonist almost always wins. And he, they make in the show, they make him lose, to prove a point, or to further a plot point. But other than that Lara Taylor 7:15how do you not get tired of watching one kid lose all the time, and one guy win all the time. Josué Cardona 7:20Exactly. But you jump back and forth, you like when you’re sick of watching one person when you go to the other one. Marc Cuiriz 7:26Like, like in the original YuGiOh series, the biggest loss that happens in that, or there’s two major losses, but and one, that’s a duelist kingdom, when yugioh’s facing Kaiba. And Kaiba says, If you win, I’m going to basically throw myself off this wall. And so he purposely gives up, because he wants to, you know, save Kaiba make sure Kaiba but doesn’t do anything, you know, drastic. And then later on during the seal of Orichalcos arc, he chooses to not listen to his cards, and he gives into his rage and plays the card, which ultimately makes them lose and then he and then Yugi sacrifices themselves. So Atem can continue the fight. To stop the dude, I forget what his name is. But again, that’s to prove a point of like, you need to be like, you can’t let your emotions over, like, overwhelm you. In that sense, you can’t let them dictate you and you have to have some semblance of control, like self control and stuff like that. And then in GX right now, I’m in the second season. And it’s following this whole arc of like this society of light and everything. And they say that, like the main, the main character, Jaden, he’s like this, like, for whatever reason, this like, kid in a prophecy to bring balance to the world and stuff. And so the, the mastermind behind it forces him to fight against a guy knowing that he’ll lose and, and in order to like the wants to make him lose so he can capture his soul. So that way, he can continue his plans. And he loses. But because he’s so powerful, he gets to keep his he keeps his soul, but he loses his will to duel, like he lost. And now he’s like, Oh, I don’t want to duel anymore. And they symbolize that by like, he can’t see his cards. It’s like they’re just blank, white, like a completely blank white background. And then he goes on this self discovery journey, and then finds his passion for dueling again and then comes back and then he wins in a rematch duel. Josué Cardona 9:36How, like, what what significance did that have for you? Or like what kind of metaphor was it for you? Marc Cuiriz 9:42So for me that was kind of like, like that idea of like, you’re really into something and you think like, Oh, I’m gonna give this a try. And I’m gonna like I’ll use this for example, like artwork, like some people like really into art. They’re really Enjoy art. And then let’s say they want to go out on a limb and they post their art on like Reddit or something thinking that like, Oh, I really proud of this, and then they post it. And it gets completely torn to shreds by trolls and stuff. And for somebody that can be really disheartening, and then all of a sudden, they lose that passion to do their artwork again, because they forgot the reason why they wanted to create the art like why they even started creating art in the first place, which was to express themselves to have fun to create their own characters and their own designs, or whatever it is. And in this sense for yugioh, he realizes that the whole purpose for him and why he even started dueling to begin with was to have fun, and that’s ultimately his goal. In the end, it’s not always about winning. It’s about having fun, and dueling with everything that he’s got and trusting his deck. And so, for me, specifically, I can think back to you know, there’s multiple times when I would get into something think like, I’m ready to kind of take this on, like, like, when I was in high school, there was League of Legends thinking that I could try my hand at ranked, getting absolutely demolished being completely discouraged. And or even with Assassin’s Creed, like, there were times when like, I wanted to, like try and 100% the games, I wanted to try and find all this stuff. And it got to a point where I wasn’t playing the games to have fun, I was playing them to be a completionist, which just led to frustration. And that would make me want to like stop playing the games for a while. Kind of forgetting the reasoning, why even picked up the game to begin with. And then after a while going back and replaying it, and realizing, okay, I’m just doing this to have fun. Then it was like, Oh, now I remember why I even wanted to play this series in the first place. And then, you know, persevere through it. And now here I am with the Assassin’s Creed on virtually every platform I own. Marc Cuiriz 12:00What about destiny. Marc Cuiriz 12:06Destiny, I think that one’s more just like a hyper fixation. That one comes and goes that I don’t I don’t really know if that one’s like, Oh, I lost the passion for it. I think that’s just like I would play it because I have friends that got into it. And I would enjoy playing it with my friends. And then they would fall off, they would transition to a different game. So then I just fell off of it. And I mean, that was kind of like with Counter Strike too. Like I got into it because I saw people playing it. And then my friends got really into it. And then we all played together, I was trash at that game too. And then I because I kept trying so hard to try to be good. So I could play with my friends because they were better at the game, I would get so frustrated to the point where I didn’t want to play the game anymore, because it lost that meaning of having fun, or it lost whatever meaning it had to me. And so that I just gave up and just walked away from it. And ultimately, I think for me that in the end, that was probably the best because all it did was lead to a lot of frustration. And it I would usually walk away feeling more pent up and frustrated and angry than I was when I started up the game. And then I found joy in playing different games like Assassin’s Creed like Fallout, you know, and other things like like the Wolfenstein games like I started playing those. still need to finish Youngblood it’s staring at me on my screen right now. I’ll get to it. Josué Cardona 13:34So so this idea of the like, the perseverance and all that it are their passions. It’s like, what I hear you saying is how kind of we lose that along the way, and then maybe come back to it can have that relationship that we have with? Like the original, the original reason why we started doing something or maybe losing touch with what, what benefits it gave us at some point? Marc Cuiriz 14:06Yeah, I think it’s one of those things where you kind of have to be a little careful when it comes to pursuing your passions. Because a lot of it for a lot of people you can get caught up with the other things that come associated with it. Like some people might get caught up in the money part of it. Some people might get caught up in like, what image you’re going to be presenting. Like we know when it comes to like streaming, for example, you stream for fun, but then when you get a following that it becomes more of okay, how do I cater to the viewers? Like you know, I gotta make sure now I’m staying on top of things and I’m up to date on this or I’m up to date on that or I’m playing the latest game. And then you lose the reason it gets dangerous because then you could lose the like you can get lost in the whole sea of things trying to stay relevant or trying to stay on top of things or trying to make money. They you kind of forget the reason why you started the passion to begin with you And I feel like a lot of view, like a lot of creators out there, they eventually come and touch on this topic, but they have serious conversations like, I know that there’s a few times where like Markiplier has like, posted videos, having serious conversations of like, I need to take a break, because I’m losing the reasons why I am losing that passion that that joy that I feel when I’m making new content. And I want to find that again. And so I think it’s one of the one of the bigger things that like remembering like, even when you’re in the pursuit of pursuing your passions, and whatever it might be, to always try to carry with you that the original purpose as to why you started doing the thing in the first place, because that’s what makes it your passion. And that’s what makes it fun and worthwhile. And makes it feel like it’s not actually a job or a chore. Because if you lose it, then that’s virtually what it becomes is a chore or it just becomes all about winning in the Yugioh sense. Not having fun. Josué Cardona 16:05I’m curious how all of us would define passions. Because I’m, that’s not a word that I like to use. Much. I think I used to use it more. I think it’s dangerous for some of the for some of the reasons that you brought…

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Wendell and Wild Nov 20, 2022

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#340: Link and Josué discuss Wendell and Wild, covering topics like trauma, survivor’s guilt, family dynamics, and shadow integration. Plus, the power of good representation and stop motion animation. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network here Geek Therapy. We believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Cardona. And I’m joined by link Keller. Link Keller 0:21Hello, friends, Josué Cardona 0:24friend, its just me, Link Keller 0:26and the listeners Josué Cardona 0:27and the listeners. Yep. Just you and me today when we know, every every week we try to practice what we preach here at Geek Therapy. So we try to look at examples in media that we can dissect and see how we can connect them to basically overanalyze the hell out of them and pick them apart. It’s delicious. It’s so good Link Keller 0:50delicious. yumyumyum Josué Cardona 0:52So it was your turn to choose our our subject this week, and we’re going to talk about the film. Wendell and wild on Netflix. Link Keller 1:05Yes. Josué Cardona 1:06Which I described to someone earlier as Key and Peele. Spooky demon stuff. Stop Motion. Link Keller 1:14That’s basically it. We did it, good job, go us! Josué Cardona 1:17sold, right if it you like that. I mean, that’s all I needed to know. Link Keller 1:23Yeah. Josué Cardona 1:25Tell me more about Wendell and wild. Link Keller 1:28Wendell and wild is a stop motion animation. Horror comedy. It is directed by Henry Selick, who you may know from Coraline Corpse Bride Nightmare Before Christmas. Josué Cardona 1:47So I guess he’s the only one that does stop motion. Link Keller 1:50He’s, he’s the big guy. Yeah. And, and then written, in part by him and Jordan Peele. I watched a couple of behind the scenes stuff earlier today in preparation. And what I did not know is that this has been a project since like, 2015. This has been in the works for a long time. Jordan Peele started working on this before get out came out, which is honestly crazy for me to think about, because I feel like it fits in with his works really well. But yeah, it is a story about a young girl, Kat, who has dealt with some pretty heavy stuff. And she has personal demons named Wendell and wild, played by or voiced by Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael Key. And it is a really sweet story. And the animation is gorgeous. I had a really fun time watching it. And I have watched it a lot, because the child I care for really likes it. And so we have watched it many times. Josué Cardona 3:10I have a question. And you said it was in the works since 2015. Does that mean like it was in pre production in 2015? Or have they been? Link Keller 3:18I think this was like an idea that Henry had, that this is something that he wanted to do. And he said that he had been a huge fan of Key and Peele, like their comedy show. And he was basically like, I would like to work with them on this. And sort of sent out the feelers is like, it turns out, like they have, like totally meshing ideas about storytelling and characterization and what is funny, and what is scary, and so a good match, they came together, and they created this beautiful work of art that we get to enjoy now, like, seven years later. Josué Cardona 4:01I mean, it takes so long, right? To do stop motion. Link Keller 4:05Yes, it does. Josué Cardona 4:07It takes like, you do like a second a day or something depending on right, it’s a lot it can be because he had to reposition everything and move them and, Link Keller 4:15and they did some like really, technically impressive shots, like, doing stop motion in of itself is very intensive, but having the characters moving and also having the camera moving, and having background pieces moving. And, you know, all that stuff is it takes it takes a long time. You know, you spent a really long time doing character design, because that’s the heart of an animation. And so yeah, Josué Cardona 4:48yeah, I saw how things were rigged up. I had never seen a stop motion done that way. Yeah. Link Keller 4:54it’s so cool right? Josué Cardona 4:55Like all these cranes and stuff and moving things around, and I was like, oh, that’s and they’re pretty big too. There was one shot I remember towards the end, where I think it’s Raul is, is looking at the like a car that’s driving away, like the camera moves behind him. And then like, it focuses away from him. But yeah, he’s still there. And then you see the like, they just moved all that stuff like, like they move three different things simultaneously in you know, in micrometers over and over and over again and kept taking pictures until Yeah, now it’s visually really impressive. It looks really cool. Like it Ah, yeah. Other than being beautiful. What do you want to talk about? Link Keller 5:43Well, let’s get into some spoilers. Josué Cardona 5:47Yes. Link Keller 5:47So for our listeners, if you have not seen this movie, you can keep listening. That’s fine. I don’t mind. But if you want to watch it, you should. It’s really good. Josué Cardona 5:56Yes. Link Keller 5:58Basically, it opens with Kat and her parents, and they’re in this town and her parents are doing a special event to try and raise money for the town and to promote growth and all this stuff. And it’s very sweet. And they clearly care about the people that they are around. And then a terrible accident happens. And both of her parents die in a car crash. And she gets shipped off to foster care functionally. And she becomes a little delinquent and gets in trouble and all this stuff. And several years later ends up going back to this town to the Catholic girls school, which is doing a new program called ‘break the cycle’ where they are taking in delinquent children to give them a second chance to succeed. And she’s part of that program. But this town that she’s returning to is is destroyed her parents brewery has been burned down and it was like, bad, which she didn’t know about. And basically, everybody’s moved away. And it’s just the school and then a corporation that is trying to open a for profit prison. And Josué Cardona 7:32explicitly. It’s not like, it’s not like a metaphor for prison. It’s not like, you know, we’re, we’re trying to you know, it’s kind of a stretch now it’s, it’s an actual prison, and they lay out their business model, Link Keller 7:45which is, which is to get money for, quote, quote, marks help children, but to set them up for failure so that then they go to the prison and they have funds from they make money off of prisoners. Josué Cardona 8:03And there’s zero rehabilitation and low quality food, housing, and etc. Link Keller 8:11Yes, it is. It is the darkest version. I mean, prison in general is pretty fucking dark already. But that like they lean into is like this is we’re here to do evil and it’s fun. And we’re gonna get filthy, filthy rich off of it. Josué Cardona 8:29Yeah, you don’t know what the school to prison pipeline is. Let’s lay it out for step one. Link Keller 8:35Step one. Destroy town. Step two. Fuck them kids. Yeah, so it Kat is a hell Maiden, Josué Cardona 8:54what?! Link Keller 8:54which is she has a connection to demons. And her her two demons are Wendell and wild and she summons them because they lie to her and say we will resurrect your parents if you summon us. They want to escape the hell realm that they’re in so that they can build their own amusement park because they don’t like their dad’s amusement park. Josué Cardona 9:24There’s more metaphors here on this side of it. Link Keller 9:29But they have a magic cream that resurrects people for a short period of time. They call themselves mortician magicians, because they do like the makeup to make them look less obviously dead. It’s very funny. But they have some adventures basically. And she gets a moment to be reunited with her Her parents, which I think is really touching, especially when we get to the end, and she realizes like, they’re, they’re going to, they’re going to die again. And she asked to say goodbye to them. But not before they save the town. But yeah, I think I think talking about the family trauma and the way that the loss of her parents affected, not just her material existence of like, where she was living and who she was growing up around, but like literally how she saw herself and how she saw the world. And I think that’s really important to touch on that when terrible trauma happens to little kids, like the only way they can really conceptualize it is through their own personal lens. And so she feels very much that it was her fault that her parents died. And she could have saved them and failed to do so. And she carries all this guilt about it. And really lashes out at other people. And she specifically tells Raul who yay, trans character representation. I love Raul. He’s so cute. She tells him when she meets is like, Oh, I don’t have friends. Because people who get close to me bad things happen to them and Raul’s like What do you mean bad things and she’s like, they die. So she’s really isolated herself from everything because of this traumatic event that happened to her. And a lot of the adventures that they go through is her reconnecting with people. There are the other girls in the school. And I and I love that they they were so clearly set up to be the mean girls, like you have your, your protagonist goes to a new school and meets the clique of Mean Girls who then bully her. No, these are actually very sweet girls, they want to include her, they give her a nickname, which she hates. And it takes them a while to sort of come around on like, oh, I should respect that you don’t want that nickname. But they do. And I think it’s really sweet that they sort of twisted that stereotype of the Mean Girls clique is like, no, they’re actually really sweet. And they care about their classmates. And they click care about the town and they care about Kat even though they just met her. They’re like, we want you to do well and fit in and be a part of what we’re doing. Josué Cardona 12:35She calls them the poodles Link Keller 12:37prize poodles. Josué Cardona 12:41Yeah. They’re so nice and welcoming. But she is she’s not ready for that. Like she’s not opening up to anybody. So it’s not like she was it was even. In many situations, you’re you find yourself unable to even find someone, right? Who’s gonna be nice to you and kind and open to you. And they were but not yet. It’s not gonna happen. I don’t want that. Link Keller 13:11That’s repeated again, when she meets sister Heller, who is also a hell maiden, and is basically like, Hey, I know that this demon thing is happening to you, but like, don’t talk to anybody about it. And it’s like offering this connection with an adult. And she’s not ready for that. And she basically lashes out, like, you’re just doing this for your job. Like, I can’t. I’m not ready. I’m not ready to connect with people in that way. I can’t trust anybody. And also, I think to a certain extent, she feels that she doesn’t deserve those kinds of connections with people. And so it takes her a few scary events happening before she’s finally like, oh, like, No, you’re actually helping me and I can rely on you to be there. Josué Cardona 14:02Yeah, yeah. So her story is not explicit in the film, parts of it. So I just want to recap right and go a little deeper into some of the things so she like she screams in the car. And so her parents right like swerve off of the road and fall into the water. And so like she’s the only one who survived. So obviously she feels really guilty about that. And then Link Keller 14:26survivor’s guilt. Josué Cardona 14:27survivor’s guilt absolutely Link Keller 14:29for a nine year old no seven year old, Josué Cardona 14:32eight? Link Keller 14:33thirteen Josué Cardona 14:34She’s 13. Now eight. Link Keller 14:36Yes. Josué Cardona 14:37She was eight. Yeah, she was eight when that happened. Link Keller 14:39I gotta do a little math. Yeah. eight year old survivor’s guilt. Heavy stuff. Josué Cardona 14:44Yeah. But then she goes to what seems like a new school or or a foster care like I’m not sure what it is. If it’s if it’s like a center or if it’s just a school that we see. And they’re bullying her. And then she defends herself and somebody gets hurt. And that’s how she ends up in juvenile detention. And then, and then from there, right, so So first of all, like, she’s being bullied, right? She’s, she’s, she’s got this trauma, apparently, very little support. And then she stands up for herself. She defends herself. And once again, somebody gets hurt. i It doesn’t say it explicitly, but maybe that kid died, because he fell down the stairs. And she keeps saying, like, people around me die. Link Keller 15:30Yeah, it’s not explicit. But I absolutely Josué Cardona 15:33she ended up in jail Link Keller 15:34that reading of being like, the line of like, people around me die is like, yeah, that feels pretty pointed. Josué Cardona 15:43Yeah. Regardless, like, even if the kid got hurt, like, to go to jail feels. Again, I mean, it happens, for less. But, um, so she’s in jail. And then when she’s in this program, where, again, she’s just been, why should she trust them? I think she knows that they’re getting paid to take her in. And so that’s, that’s what the program is the break the cycle program. So it’s a pretty bad situation overall. And, you know, hard to trust. All of your who stood up for her, you know, when people were bullying her like, than anybody defend her, you know, is we don’t know, right? Like, all that stuff is kind of just implied. And that’s the way I read it. And, and so that stuff builds up. Right, so then we get to that point where it’s the was it the redemption room? Is that what it’s called? Link Keller 16:41Yeah, I think so. Josué Cardona 16:42I think so. Right? The Redemption room. So it’s when she goes through the adventure, the redemption room, right? At this one, she’s got like this, like her own. They don’t call it a demon. It’s like this monster inside of her. That is controlling her. Right? That is that is driving her actions. And only in this redemption room, is she able to see that monster. And this part is amazing. Because when she goes into the room, supported by an adult, by the way, right, like Sister Heller actually is supportive here helps her out because she can’t do this alone Link Keller 17:18both emotionally, but also, like physically, they tie their hands together. Josué Cardona 17:21Yeah, Link Keller 17:21it’s very symbolic. Josué Cardona 17:23Yeah. And so once she’s there, she sees this monster that is driving her behavior. And it is composed of all of these different pieces of her of her trauma. Right, so it’s like the car with her with her parents in it is like the main body of it. The top is like the music and the things that she does to kind of protect herself and create a barrier between herself and other people. There’s like these shackles and all this stuff, right? And this and this, and she has to this is very much you know, Shadow integration. This is, you know, becoming aware of your unconscious This is she didn’t even realize that these were the things this is where it came from. And sister Heller is like, it’s your memories, right? Your memories are here, you need to you need to you need to realize why. Why you feel the way you feel and why you’re acting the way you’re acting. Like it’s influenced by all these things that happened before. And she’s able to, first of all, battle it, and then go and embrace it. Right? And she’s like, Link Keller 18:20and that was such a moment Josué Cardona 18:21then she’s like, internalizing. Yeah. And when she breaks through the wall, she sees that it’s a baby, right? It’s like a little tiny. It’s like a kid. Right? And she and she reaches out to to, to help it and then the monster, what’s left of the monster, it comes to her. And then she…

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Taylor Swift Nov 13, 2022

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#339: Lara, Marc, Link, and special guest Kayla gush about the newest Taylor Swift album. They discuss favorite songs, the effectiveness of lyrics, and the terrifying power of fandom and parasocial relationships. Transcript Marc Cuiriz 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network. Here at Geek Therapy. We believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Marc Cuiriz and I am joined by Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:24Hey, Marc Cuiriz 0:25Link Keller. Link Keller 0:27Hi. Marc Cuiriz 0:28And our very special guest, Kayla. Kayla Devorak 0:32Hello. Marc Cuiriz 0:34So guys, what are we? What are we talking about this week? Lara Taylor 0:40well, Kayla Devorak 0:40that was a big sigh. Lara Taylor 0:42After the after the show last week, we signed off and in the after party, Marc and I started talking about Taylor Swift a lot cuz the album was just dropped, just dropped. And so I said, we should have Kayla on to talk about Taylor Swift and here we are. Marc Cuiriz 1:10It’s really funny because I’m actually joining, I’m actually doing this and I consider myself a very, very, very fresh Swifty. Admittedly, I was a person that never really listened to a whole lot of her music, obviously, whatever was popular at the time, like any of her like your top hits, I’ve listened to I’d hear it but I never like really got deep into her music. My wife, actually, she’s the Swifty in this relationship. And she’s been sort of broadening my horizons with music. She initially got me into country music or like country pop ish music. But it was always the Taylor Swift where I was like, nope, nope, putting up the walls, but not the resistance. I don’t want to I don’t want to get into that. Mainly just because I wanted to be edgy and cool. Like nah, I don’t want to be part of Taylor Swift. And then the more I was listening to her music The more I was like, You know what? I like Taylor Swift but like her early stuff like her country stuff. It was like what I initially liked. And then Midnight’s man, then Midnight’s and everything has changed everything’s changed Lara Taylor 2:29everything’s changed marc. You sound a lot like me when I used to be like, I I’m not gonna watch anime no anime in my house and then Sailor Moon and DBZ happened and then all the other anime that I’ve watched in my life. I’m a nerd but I won’t play WoW. And I was addicted to World of Warcraft for a decade of my life I don’t know it’s interesting because Taylor Swift started as country and I hate country music. I’m Kayla Devorak 3:04hard agree. Lara Taylor 3:06And that is actually what started me like I listened to her early stuff more than I listened to her middle stuff although at our wedding Nina and I had quite a few Taylor Swift songs on the playlist Kayla Devorak 3:19I’m gonna need that setlist Lara Taylor 3:21I will I have an entire playlist on my Spotify I’ll share it with you. Kayla Devorak 3:31So my friend so Taylor announced a tour and my friend who is a Tennessee born and raised Taylor fan since she was a child was like, Oh 12 year old me will be so happy if I get tickets to this concert and my response was 12 year old me would be appalled. Because I was a hardcore Taylor anti for a very long time. And then 2020 happen and then folklore came out and folklore is great. Everyone should listen to folklore. It was like she had stepped into high school me’s feelings and it was very upsetting and then I fell down a rabbit hole and I’ve been here ever since. So welcome to the T party because I’ve been here for like two years spinning in circles randomly telling Lara about random shit. Marc Cuiriz 4:45Oh and shake it off of course right Kayla Devorak 4:47and shaking it off Lara Taylor 4:48shaking off that was on the wedding playlist. For sure Kayla Devorak 4:50of course it was of course it was. Lara Taylor 4:53Yeah. Link let’s hear what you have to say about taylor swift Link Keller 5:00Taylor Swift’s first album Taylor Swift was one of the few CDs that I purchased with my own money in high school when it came out so 2006 I, I burned CDs from all of my friends, I didn’t have pocket money to spend on stuff. So it was very rare that I actually purchased albums with my own money. But that was one of them. I really liked that one. And then in her her next album, The Romeo and Juliet song Love Story. Mmm, loved that. But she I grew up listening to country music and so I do have a fondness for some country music. And going into my 20s I was very much of the Taylor Swift abandoned her country roots to become a pop star like it’s whatever, I don’t care. I didn’t listen to a lot of pop music except what was on the radio, which I don’t know if you guys know this includes Taylor Swift. Kayla Devorak 6:05So much taylor swift. Link Keller 6:07So much. It’s so I’ve never really considered myself a Taylor Swift, like a fan. past that initial like, I bought a CD. But she has always been around and she’s always been playing in the background of my life. This is the first time I have sat down and listened to a Taylor Swift album since probably 2007. So that’s been kind of exciting for me. I it’s it’s not it’s not my favorite thing. I’m not I’m not going to identify as a Swifty. Now, but I did like Midnight’s I thought it was a good album. I listened to the 3am version, because I’m not going to seven extra songs. Hell yeah, I gotta check that out. That’s exciting. Kayla Devorak 6:55The double album? Yeah. Link Keller 6:57And I enjoyed it. I liked the like, sort of more electronica taste to it. Yeah. A lot of it reminded me of Lorde’s first album, which I really liked. But yeah, I’m excited to talk about this. I think Taylor Swift is famous for a fucking reason people really resonate with her work. The music is consistently good. And the lyrics I think, is what most people are really connecting with. And yeah, Kayla Devorak 7:29she can write Link Keller 7:30she can. Especially at midnight. To 3am Kayla Devorak 7:37She’s she, she’s, she’s something man. Link Keller 7:43Yeah, that’s my that’s my, my swift background. Lara Taylor 7:48haha so good Marc Cuiriz 7:49Wow, All right, I’m gonna cut that out. Lara Taylor 7:57Seven minutes, seven and a half minutes in something like that. Marc Cuiriz 8:00Yeah. Okay, Link Keller 8:01so I haven’t um, there are two music videos out for this album. Kayla Devorak 8:07I haven’t watched the music videos yet. Link Keller 8:08I haven’t either of The music videos, Marc Cuiriz 8:10I watched the both of them like within hours after they dropped Lara Taylor 8:14I have only seen a tiktok that critiques the music videos. Link Keller 8:19Before we get into criticism. This is just for the one person who’s watched these music videos. How were they were they cool? enjoyable? Good production? Marc Cuiriz 8:27Yeah, antihero. Oh, yeah, they both had really great production. Like they were really well done. I liked the antihero one a lot. I thought that was like really cool how she was doing it. And the way it was like sort of portraying like these two different aspects of her Bejeweled. It was different. It was good. But it was different than what I was expecting. In terms of like, how this was how this like whole story was gonna get told out like, she is basically like, Cinderella, and it was like she had gotten married. And then the prince dumped her basically left her so she went back to her stepmom and evil stepsisters. And they’re pointing that out like yeah, you know, you got exiled like blah blah blah. And then they go back out to this but like go back to another ball. And then when she says the lyric like by the way, I’m going out tonight she like looks through the camera and then there’s like a an elevator that she steps into and then she like goes to like these couple different floors and in these couple different floors. There’s like it’s all like, glamorous, but I get it. It’s kind of like Bejeweled so like I understood it, but like I it was a little weird. Just see, Lara Taylor 9:51did the room shimmer? Marc Cuiriz 9:52They were already shimmering. That was the thing and then then she just says nice And then it just kind of goes in and then it goes to towards the end where now she’s actually at the ball. And then of course her stepsisters and everybody are all jealous and angry and whatnot but and then then the story ends like that. So like it’s the in between part that I was like, this is a little confusing to me. I get the creativity of where it’s going and I you know, it puts on a nice show. But yeah, that’s that’s my my honest opinions of the two music videos. Link Keller 10:32All right. Marc Cuiriz 10:38So, so, but I imagine we wanted to have you guys at least seen the antihero music video. Kayla Devorak 10:47I haven’t. Lara Taylor 10:48I watched like I said, the Tiktok that was critiquing it in in many different ways. Kayla Devorak 10:52I’ve listened to the song that I haven’t I haven’t watched the music video. I’m bad at watching music videos. Like really bad. I did watch the 10 minute all too well. Short film Marc Cuiriz 11:04that I haven’t seen actually Kayla Devorak 11:05What? Marc Cuiriz 11:06I’ve never seen the ten minute short film. Kayla Devorak 11:08Oh, no. You have? Have you listened to the 10 Minute version? Marc Cuiriz 11:12I’ve listened to it. I’ve listened to it extensively. Kayla Devorak 11:16Yeah, me too. Marc Cuiriz 11:18My, my, my wife would like, every time we were in the car, and I would let her take control the music. It was nonstop Taylor. When all these went all the Reds Taylor version came out? Kayla Devorak 11:33Oh, yeah, it was pretty good. Marc Cuiriz 11:36You know, honestly, I feel like, she probably would have been a better host or a better guest for this podcast. Kayla Devorak 11:43Well, we still have time. Lara Taylor 11:45Yeah. Go swap out Marc. Marc Cuiriz 11:49It Okay, so. So I guess like, like you said, you’ve only really seen the tik tok, sort of criticizing the music video for antihero. Lara Taylor 12:02well criticize and also talk about valid points of why she made the video the way she did. Marc Cuiriz 12:07Yeah. And I, when I heard about it, and I was reading up on it, and I saw a couple of tiktoks kind of talking about the criticisms and like her ultimate decision to remove a certain part of the music video, I was kind of careful to for myself to kind of voice an opinion, just because for me like kind of being someone who’s never really had those sorts of experiences or had a serious issue with my own body image. I mean, I’ve had body image issues, but nothing like that severe. To me, I was like, I don’t necessarily see the big deal about it. And because this is the music video is ultimately like her art, it’s her creations. So she should be able to make it however she wants. And if this is how she’s choosing to portray it, then she should be able to portray it this way. And yet at the same time, like I think I don’t know if you sent me that tiktok or if I just have seen other Tiktok sort of criticizing it. But I also do see the valid points and then plus working in a residential facility that treats eating disorders, I see the valid points as to why that’s something for someone as big as her to put something like that out there. It might send the wrong message or it might be perceived differently. So that’s just my little take on it. Link Keller 13:39For context for people who haven’t listened or watched, there is talk about fatness and equating that to her feeling very bad about herself, and almost villainous in her relationship with herself. And a lot of people want to push back against the idea of using though that is how a lot of people have a relationship with their bodies, it can be really harmful to continue to frame it that way and put it forward without sort of investigating it, which is not what music does, generally speaking. So that’s that’s sort of the hang up is people did the scene and the music video is she steps onto a scale and it slides over and it says fat. And so people were like, there are other ways you could have still framed it as like bad or too much and not had specifically the word fat. Which I get. Kayla Devorak 14:45I think that’s that’s interesting because she is on record as saying she has had an eating disorder. Lara Taylor 14:52The whole song is about her mental health Kayla Devorak 14:54right which she’s like notoriously bad at taking care of because in the documentary Miss Americana, she actively admits that she seeks out gratification from other people. And if she does not get positive recognition or positive responses, it destroys her, which is why during the rep tour, things got not great. And then that’s why she disappeared for a really long time. So that’s really interesting, because that’s like her lived experience, right? Like she probably very much that probably is very much how she has navigated it and has processed it. Whatever level of processing she’s done, I don’t know if she has a therapist, if she does not, I’m sure one of us would be happy to be her therapist Lara Taylor 15:44call me Call Me taylor. I’m cheap. Marc Cuiriz 15:49Yes, Taylor Swift, we all know you were actually listening to this podcast. So please, Kayla Devorak 15:53also, please don’t sue us. Link Keller 15:55I think that’s sort of the heart of the criticism around it is that it because it is so many people’s lived experience of fat phobia, and being so afraid of being perceived as fat, and how bad and evil that is, it’s not fat is fine, fat is great. Fat is good for your body. But when you have huge swaths of young people as your main audience, you know, they don’t necessarily have the space to sort of separate from like, this way of thinking, the way of thinking is bad, not being fat is bad. Lara Taylor 16:41And not everyone’s gonna go watch the documentary. Link Keller 16:43Yeah, and exactly. And just wanting, you know, the idea of wanting people in positions of power, who have huge platforms like Taylor Swift, to be able to express to young people that like that, that is that way of thinking is the problem. Being fat is not bad. Being afraid of being fat is bad. I can see where people are coming in, you know, wanting her to be able to fulfill this, like fantastical, maybe unreachable height of being able to express herself and her own lived experience and also do therapy for all of her listeners. That’s not really a reasonable request, but I don’t I do I do understand what people are, like, you know, you made this music video, you chose what gets shown in it, and you choose the lyrics. And so you, you know, this isn’t, this isn’t a post in, you know, in your diary that nobody’s gonna read you like you are producing this to be shown to people. So what are you saying? And what potential impacts can that have on people? We don’t want kids to be all like, wow, I really relate to Taylor, about how being fat is like the scariest thing that could happen to a person. Isn’t it? So cool. How I have that in common with Taylor. And it’s like, well, oh, that’s maybe that maybe not the takeaway we should have here. Yeah, so it’s, it is a nuanced conversation, as is most things to do with bodies, and the way that media treats them. Especially in the music industry, especially when you become a wildly famous when you’re like, 16. Yeah, so Lara Taylor 18:44that’s like half her life. Yeah. That she’s been this major figure. Link Keller 18:48Yeah, Kayla Devorak 18:49yeah. We’re the same Lara Taylor 18:51Yeah, that can warp somebody’s brain. a little bit Kayla Devorak 18:54And she’s like a billionaire. Lara Taylor 19:00Like a billionaire. Yeah, yeah. Kayla Devorak 19:04Yeah. Lara Taylor 19:08Yeah. I don’t know. I don’t know why I got back to to mean, kind of, Link Keller 19:16she’s not a billionaire Lara Taylor 19:18she’s not a billionaire. Kayla Devorak 19:18no She’s not I know. Link Keller 19:20She’s a 450 millionaire. Kayla…

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Halloween Season Oct 30, 2022

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#338: The crew talks about Halloween and what it means to them. We talk candies, costumes, and community participation. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network here at Geek Therapy. We believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Josué Cardona. Joined by Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:23Hey Josué Cardona 0:26Marc Cuiriz. Marc Cuiriz 0:28Hello, Josué Cardona 0:30and Link Keller. Link Keller 0:31Hiiii. Josué Cardona 0:33Welcome to our annual spooky spectacular Halloween episode. Link Keller 0:43spoooooky! Josué Cardona 0:43spooooky! Do we actually do annual? Is that a thing? Do we have an annual Halloween episode? Marc Cuiriz 0:47Yes, you do. Josué Cardona 0:48since I have joined. Marc Cuiriz 0:50Yes, yes, there has been. Link Keller 0:51I have made it my secret mission Lara Taylor 0:56is it though? Link Keller 0:57that the spookies are represented during the spooky season. Josué Cardona 1:02All right. So, favorite Halloween candy go? Link Keller 1:09uuuuhh, Josué Cardona 1:09I guess it’s favorite candy period. Like does it change? Link Keller 1:12Jolly Ranchers Josué Cardona 1:14Jolly Ranchers? Pumpkin Spice Jolly Ranchers. Lara Taylor 1:18What the fuck Josué Cardona 1:19is that a thing? Link Keller 1:19I don’t think that’s a thing. Lara Taylor 1:23I don’t think that’s the thing either. Marc Cuiriz 1:24Yeah. They’ve not been that bold. Link Keller 1:27There might there might be a pumpkin spice like Werther’s original, but I don’t think jolly ranchers Josué Cardona 1:32I’m sure that’s a real thing. Yeah. Marc Cuiriz 1:35I’d say mine is crunch. Josué Cardona 1:39Nestle Crunch? Link Keller 1:40do you prefer the crunch bars or the crunch bits? Marc Cuiriz 1:46ooh the buncha crunch? Oh, that’s a tough one. I think I’m gonna have to call it a buncha crunch. Honestly. Link Keller 1:53yeah me too Josué Cardona 1:54Back in my day, there wasn’t a buncha crunch. Lara Taylor 1:57They invented it back in our day. There was buncha crunch Josué Cardona 2:03or there was a time where there wasn’t a buncha crunch and Lara Taylor 2:06agreed Josué Cardona 2:06and then there was right so thank you. Yeah, I don’t know. Do I have a favorite? Halloween candy? I dunno, pumpkin, pumpkin shaped. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Lara Taylor 2:21Those are the best. The best the pumpkin paste and then and then when pumpkins are gone. Josué Cardona 2:27The eggs Lara Taylor 2:27well no we well. It used to be the originally we get the trees and then we get the hearts. Oh, and then we get the eggs and then there is no Lara Taylor 2:37pumpkins are the best one Lara Taylor 2:37no reeses anything from April the end of April till September. And it’s very saddening Josué Cardona 2:46there’s no fireworks. No. No Columbus ships. There is no Link Keller 2:54I like those caramel apple lollipops. I really only see those around Halloween time. They they do exist the rest of the year. I just don’t see them. Lara Taylor 3:05Ike’s place a sandwich place that started in San Francisco and has taken over a lot of the California and southwest United States. They give you a caramel apple lollipop with every sandwich purchase. Very delicious. Josué Cardona 3:22So many calories. So alright, so that was an icebreaker Halloween. What? Every year I know we touch on how on like the scary stuff and why it’s it feels good. And why so many people relate to it. I think I think you know what, what can we talk about this year as a focus for for the Halloween episode. If that topic is interesting, revisit some of one of our annual Halloween episodes from the past. Spoilers it’s a safe way to experience Marc Cuiriz 4:03I will say it was very much enjoyable to listen to all the spooky experiences without actually having to experience them because I do not like spooky things. Lara Taylor 4:13Get out Marc Josué Cardona 4:17Is it is it anyone’s favorite holiday? Link Keller 4:20me Lara Taylor 4:21It’s one of my favorites Josué Cardona 4:22why? Link Keller 4:24I like candy and I like dressing up in costumes and I like getting spooked and scared. I like the scary horror and then I also like the like cute and fun. Family Friendly Halloween stuff. Josué Cardona 4:43What about the campy horror? Link Keller 4:45Oh yeah, absolutely. Josué Cardona 4:47I was. I was watching Halloween kills yesterday. Link Keller 4:53Ooh. Josué Cardona 4:54And I didn’t remember. I watched the new Halloween Before a couple of years ago, I didn’t remember being campy, but this one’s super him it’s like I remembered it. Like a straight legit, you know, serious? Or if it’s not, it wasn’t. I guess it wasn’t. I just remember that way. Yeah, it’s a particular flavor of stuff. So where did that start? I’m curious. Where did it start? Being your favorite holiday? Link Keller 5:32I don’t know. It’s it’s always been one that I’ve enjoyed. Josué Cardona 5:40Is there a particular memory or, like something else tied to it. Friends, family experience. Link Keller 5:51I guess. I mean, I don’t I don’t know that I have like a when it started moment, but like when I was younger, my my grandmother was a good sewer. And so she would like help me make costumes. And so that was always really fun. She made me a swan Princess gown one year that was very cool. I loved the little triangle point sleeves. She helped me make a baby spice-esque. Vaguely cheerleader outfit one year that was fun. When I was in I must have been second or third grade because I was still pretty little. But I dressed up as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz and went to a local costume contest and I got a ribbon. But I think it was because I was the only kid in my age group anyways, yeah, I you know, I like I like carving pumpkins. There’s a lot of like, arts and crafts stuff around this time of year that I enjoy. I like I like silly costumes. One year. Early College, very broke. I I took a headband. And I taped poorly printed pictures of Michael Cera to the headband. And I was I was Triceratops. I had three Triceratops. That one was very funny. Lara Taylor 7:38That’s the best costume I’ve ever ever heard Link Keller 7:42this. This year. I I splurged and I actually bought a costume online. I got a pirate. I got a pirate costume. I dressed up as a pirate. Josué Cardona 7:50what kind of pirate? Link Keller 7:52Oh gosh. What does it say on the package? it’s right here Lara Taylor 7:56No, Josué Cardona 7:56gay pirate Lara Taylor 7:58you’re Stede bonnet. Link Keller 8:00It’s a gay pirate because I’ll be wearing it but I dropped my headphones. It says scallywag pirate Lara Taylor 8:11scallywag pirate Josué Cardona 8:15does it come with the boots? Marc Cuiriz 8:19I don’t think Link can hear you Link Keller 8:20I just put my earbud back in. Josué Cardona 8:22Oh, does it come with does it come with the boots? Link Keller 8:24It comes with boot covers like little leg sheathes. Yeah. And then I I purchased a very cheap fake beard. Which looks absolutely hilarious on me. So that’s pretty great. Josué Cardona 8:40That’s funny. Link Keller 8:41And then of course I’m, yeah, I’m living with the baby. Well, she’s two now. She just had her birthday. And she got a gift from one of her family members. A bunch of like, children’s costumes. And so we’ve been playing dress up and that’s very fun. It’s it’s fun to dress up little babies. Josué Cardona 9:06has, has Halloween changed? Like has it has its meaning changed for you over over time? Link Keller 9:13I mean, yeah, when I was a kid, it was more about candies and wearing a costume that would be recognizable by my peer groups. As I’ve gotten older, it’s been more about like watching spooky Halloween movies. I watch horror year round, but it feels like the time of year where it’s like we’re gonna watch one every night and more into dressing up just for my own enjoyment. And you know, I don’t who cares if anybody else gets it or even if other people see me as sometimes it’s just for me. Wear my silly little outfits? Yeah. Last Last year, we did a clown beam in the group of people who live up in Washington, because a friend came to visit and she had ordered, she was going to do a clown. And she had ordered the foam nose because she thought she was getting a pack of six. But what she got was six packs of six. Oh no, she just brought them all up and we were like, Oh, we’re all being clowns. And so I wore plaid PJ pants, and a plaid shirt and a plaid jacket, and I painted plaid. eye make up around my eyeballs. And I was I was a plaid little clown. Lara Taylor 10:42No, no clown please. Link Keller 10:45And then we and then we watched killer clowns from outer space, which is fun. It’s a fun movie I had not seen before Josué Cardona 10:54being adapted into a multiplayer shooter. Link Keller 10:58Of course, why not? Why wouldn’t that happen? Josué Cardona 11:01I know. Link Keller 11:02Sounds like a good time. Lara Taylor 11:05link’s here for it. Link is here for it. Josué Cardona 11:10Does it? Is Halloween more special for you? Because this is something that you don’t get to do. I’m assuming you don’t get to dress up. In in in costume. When it’s like culturally accepted on a regular basis you do you go to costume parties that are not during Halloween? Or do you like Halloween because you get to do that once a year. Link Keller 11:36I think there is something special about it. Like the season like it’s starting to get cold it finally started raining up here. It had been dry for a while so I love the rain it’s like we’re you know getting overcast and drizzly mornings and starting to bring out your sweaters the changing of the leaves all that stuff I feel like it all goes together very well I enjoy that a lot. I mean I’m all about summerween Lara Taylor 12:14you’re all about ‘ween all the time. Link Keller 12:18Yeah, I would be I would be happy with a quarter quarterween four ‘weens a year. Now there is something special about like the community engaging right it’s like I don’t go trick or treating house to house anymore but it is lovely to you know be driving around and seeing houses decorated and the spooky skeletons and the blow up guys, here’s a neighbor that’s got a Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. And and then a baby Yoda. They have two other ones, but those ones are next to each other. And it really, it makes you these like that’s a family. Right? That’s a family. It’s beautiful. Lara Taylor 13:09It’s a great family. Our family costume this year, the dog is going to be baby Yoda. And I’m going to be Ahsoka, and Nina is going to be mando and it’s going to be great. Link Keller 13:21I do also love pet costumes. Like that’s another thing where it’s like it can it can happen at any point during the year but it’s like this time of year everybody’s leaning into it and so I just get to enjoy the deluge, washing over me, all the cute cats and little hats and Marc Cuiriz 13:40I think next year I’m gonna definitely have to do some cat costumes. Lara Taylor 13:46yes! Josué Cardona 13:46why aren’t you doing cat costumes this year? Marc Cuiriz 13:48We’re not even really doing costumes this year, like the time just got away from us. Like we were thinking of potential ideas of things he wanted to do. And then next thing you know, it’s you know, it’s next Monday. Lara Taylor 13:59And the stores are emptied out like two weeks ago and they’re already moved on to Christmas. Marc Cuiriz 14:05Exactly Link Keller 14:05my Triceratops idea is just up for grabs Marc Cuiriz 14:09honestly, that sounds like a phenomenal idea. Just might take that might work Link Keller 14:15I’m also a fan of the you wear an orange shirts, and then you cut out the pie symbol and pin it on the front and you’re pumpkin pie. It’s very low effort but It’s cute. It’s a little it’s a little Halloween puns. that’s fun Marc Cuiriz 14:30That’s something I should definitely do for since I had to work on Halloween. That’s something I should definitely do. And everyone’s just gonna look at me and they’re just gonna shake their head. And everyone’s like yep Lara Taylor 14:40absolutely they are. Marc Cuiriz 14:42But when you were talking about like, like people decorating their houses that reminded me there’s actually a house in my area that went all out this year for Halloween and they made their whole house like stranger themes, and a Stranger Things themed Lara Taylor 14:59oh you’re by the stranger Things house? Marc Cuiriz 15:01mmhmm And they actually had like the, their neighbors actually were like contacting the authorities because they have like the whole setup with like them like them being like lifted into the air. And so they had to now make it like a show. Link Keller 15:18You gotta take down floating Max That’s too scary. Marc Cuiriz 15:22They’re like, this is too much because it was like it looked like pretty realistic. So now they had to they agreed, like they didn’t want to take it down, but they agreed to make it like a showing thing. So it’s like, like, kind of like with Christmas lights, but now it’s, you know, Stranger Things. So, yeah, it’s pretty cool. It’s, um, I think, like a couple minutes from my house. I haven’t gone and seen it yet, but it’s pretty cool. Lara Taylor 15:47We’ve got someone that did like full on animatronic like pirate skeletons with like scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean. Like a five minute drive from my house. sounds really cool. Lara Taylor 16:01Awesome. Marc Cuiriz 16:03When you said animatronics, I immediately thought five nights at Freddy’s? And I was like, Oh, great. Here we go. Lara Taylor 16:08no, no, No, I’m impressed that you thought Five Nights at Freddy’s Josué Cardona 16:14and not Chuck E Cheese Lara Taylor 16:15and not Chuck E Cheese or not Disney who invented animatronics. Marc Cuiriz 16:21You know, pop culture references. Link Keller 16:24Yeah, I think the the community aspect is definitely a part of my enjoyment. You know, I’m an indoor kid. I don’t do a lot of stuff in my community. But this is like a way to sort of feel connected to other people. Right? Like Christmas is a big one people decorate for Christmas. And that’s very cool. And I like seeing it but I don’t really relate to it on the same page. Because I’m not Christian. So Josué Cardona 16:55there’s more people who Lara Taylor 16:57are celebrate it. Yeah. Link Keller 17:01But yeah, Halloween is is great. I enjoy it. I enjoy that. I like seeing kids trick or treat and stuff like that. Josué Cardona 17:09So I’m I’m probably the opposite when it comes to Halloween. I don’t like, for you, It’s like a community thing where you feel like a part of a community or anything. Like everybody’s in the same thing. I feel more like alone during it. Because I don’t like people ringing my doorbell. I don’t like the expectation that I’m going to buy stuff for these kids that I don’t even know or you want if I do know them. It’s extra money. The the hassle of decorating. This applies to all holidays, but this one in particular I’m like, Ah, because it’s not even I guess technically it’s a season. I guess they’re all like Lara Taylor 17:53it’s a spooky season september 1st to October 31 Marc Cuiriz 18:00Oh man, you’re actually gonna get trick or treaters this year. Josué Cardona 18:04No, Link Keller 18:06see, I all I do I do like that. You just you don’t put out stuff or you just turn off your lights like people generally respect that is like they’re not participating and they will leave you alone Josué Cardona 18:19I’m going to bed at 5pm turning all the lights off. Link Keller 18:22I Like that Josué Cardona 18:23like I do every year. Lara Taylor 18:25First year we’re gonna get trick or treaters and I’m we’re very excited. But we don’t even know if we’re gonna get triggered for years. There’s a few. Like we’re in a neighborhood that you have to actually intentionally go to with like four culdesacs. But there’s some kids in the neighborhood. We’re hoping for at least one tr…

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She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Oct 16, 2022

Show notes

#337: The crew watched She-Hulk and loved how it centered a woman’s persepective and experience within the MCU. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network, here at Geek Therapy we believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about, my name is Josué Cardona. And I’m joined by Marc Cuiriz. Marc Cuiriz 0:22Hey, Josué Cardona 0:23Link. Keller. Link Keller 0:24Yo, Josué Cardona 0:26and Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:27Hey, Josué Cardona 0:29Lara, What are you talking about today? Lara Taylor 0:31We’re talking about she hulk Josué Cardona 0:34what is that? who is that? Lara Taylor 0:36Okay. Podcasts over, I can’t Josué Cardona 0:38why is that Lara Taylor 0:43Did you say? How was that? Josué Cardona 0:46I did? Yeah. also. Yep. Lara Taylor 0:47See, I can’t pay attention. Because I’m too obsessed with Tatiana Maslany playing She Hulk on Disney plus. And not just She Hulk She Hulk Attorney at Law. I mean, Josué Cardona 1:00yep, that’s a full title. I Marvel’s She Hulk Attorney at Law. Lara Taylor 1:05Very different from anything else. I think that Marvel’s put out on Disney plus, Josué Cardona 1:12yeah for a number of reasons. there’s a list Lara Taylor 1:18but I was very excited when they announced the show. Even more hyped when they cast Tatiana Maslany, who is a damn chameleon. i Okay, so I watched her an Orphan Black. And I was trying like, as she played Jen Walters, who is She Hulk, I was trying to figure out which clones from Orphan Black that she was acting like, and I could not, it was just a whole other character. She played like 10-15 characters on Orphan Black, and she just added another one. And wasn’t like it Josué Cardona 1:53I believe it was 17 Lara Taylor 1:54 Yeah. Yeah, but no, I love this show for so many reasons. I think they flipped a whole lot of things. They leaned into a lot of I don’t know, they said, FU to all of the bros that hated the fact that this was a show and hate all the changes and diversity in Marvel. They played on that a lot throughout the show. And just kept leaning into it the whole time. It was wonderful. As a woman watching the show, I was like, oh, yeah, that’s something that happens. Oh, yeah. That’s something that happens. Oh, yeah. That’s something that happens Josué Cardona 2:42men suck, they’re the worst. Lara Taylor 2:47So yeah, I don’t know, what did everyone else think about the show? Josué Cardona 2:51But just to what you were saying, right? I think part of the what makes the show special is that she’s, she’s breaking the fourth wall constantly. Lara Taylor 2:59That’s one of my favorites. Josué Cardona 3:00Yeah. And then And then within that, she’s like, acknowledging, she’s not only acknowledging us, as like, a part of like, experiencing it as the viewer, she she talks to us, but she also recognizes, or she’s, she’s acknowledging or the show acknowledges our world, which is what you were talking about, right? Which is yeah, not only the critiques of like the fan base, but also even critiques of the company itself. Lara Taylor 3:24Oh, yeah. Josué Cardona 3:24And and the Lara Taylor 3:26that last episode was great Josué Cardona 3:29Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And the formulaic nature of it and all these things, and it’s um, yeah, and yeah, so I just want to emphasize that right that that’s what makes it they took the opportunity that like you said, to just address address everything from our perspective that’s that’s true about their world. And she Yeah, I think all of it Yeah. Lara Taylor 3:51Yeah, one of the best lines in the show. Spoilers for sure. Last episode, we’re hulk’s. That’s what we do. We smash things. Bruce smashes buildings I smash fourth walls and bad endings. And sometimes Matt Murdock and I actually really appreciate I really appreciated them bringing him in and him getting like to be goofy and not broody. He smiled a whole lot it was it was nice. I want more Josué Cardona 4:21he was broody, but like, Lara Taylor 4:23but also like, Josué Cardona 4:24like, like there was Yeah, Lara Taylor 4:25his little like walk of shame with his shoes off in his Daredevil costume was amazing. Link Keller 4:31I don’t think you can call it that because there was no shame. No shame. Lara Taylor 4:36No somebody. I think somebody else called it something I can’t remember what I will think hopefully think of it by the end of this episode, but it was perfect. I just wish I remembered it. Josué Cardona 4:47He’s so brooding that like basically he that’s like skipping for him. I can’t how he was walking out. Yeah, yeah. Lara Taylor 4:55Yeah, yeah, Link Keller 4:56I you know, I watched Daredevil when it first came out, and I was into it, and it was fine is whatever it is this second third season, so I was very happy to see him. in she Hulk, I was like, Oh, I missed you. I didn’t. I didn’t think that I would. But here you are. And I’m so happy that you’re here. Josué Cardona 5:21I know that guy. Marc Cuiriz 5:24So I actually never watched Daredevil when, when it was coming out. So, for me, like, I was getting hyped, because I was seeing everybody else get hype. So I was just like, it was just caught up in that, that hype train Link Keller 5:40second hand hype Marc Cuiriz 5:41of seeing Daredevil, but then kind of seeing his character in this and then knowing what the future is going to, you know, hope you know what it’s going to do with his you know, series coming back, it makes me want to be able to go back and rewatch like, watch it. So that way, I can sort of see where everyone’s kind of coming from in terms of the show. But overall, She Hulk, I also really enjoyed it. I loved a lot of the jokes that they were making, I loved all the fourth wall breaking it. It wasn’t there was a lot of it, like I think even more than Deadpool at times. But I never felt like it was like, like too much like I always felt like it was it was always purposeful in some way shape, or form, which is what I loved, like it was there. And it was constant. But it was with a purpose. Not just, oh, here’s a funny gag. And we’re just gonna do this. I mean, yeah, there was a few of those. But I just liked the Lara Taylor 6:38it was mostly commentary, right? Marc Cuiriz 6:40Exactly. Like, it was almost like, they were addressing the things that are happening in the real like out here in the real world, like everyone’s reactions to the first couple of episodes would then get addressed in like the third and fourth episodes. And then Lara Taylor 6:54which blows your mind because they already made the show, they knew exactly how people were gonna respond. Marc Cuiriz 7:00Exactly. So the fact that it was like going like it, it was following basically how everyone was going to react with it. It was insane. And I thought that was really well done. I enjoyed how this went. And I’m really excited to see how this is gonna go moving forward with with she hulk Attorney at Law and I also liked how through like most of it, they would change the title. Like when it was the episode where like, they didn’t want her to transform. So it was like just Jen. I thought that I thought all that was like Lara Taylor 7:34and then there was Titania, like Marc Cuiriz 7:36Exactly, exactly. I just thought that was all just nice little touches and it was just it was just nice to see like all this like personalization and creativity just be really just poured out into this eight episode season. Lara Taylor 7:52It’s interesting, because there’s a lot of there was a lot of conversation online cuz I made the mistake of reading the comments about Yeah, I know link looked at me incredulous. Link Keller 8:02You should know better, Lara Taylor 8:03I should know better. But people were complaining about like, why does she have to break the fourth wall? That should just be Deadpool’s thing. And it’s like, she doesn’t like comics. It’s it’s her thing, too. But yeah, I thought it was amazing. That like it was following exactly that line of like when something happens in an episode, and then it seems like they directly addressed how the Internet responded. And then yeah, that that’s just how they knew people respond. Also, I remembered what Matt Murdock’s stride of pride. I think that’s a good one. Josué Cardona 8:44Yeah. So everything you’re saying about the reactions, right? The context of that is that you have a a female character who addresses everything from a female lens. And, and unapologetically, so right, starting with in the first episode of direct contrast with with Bruce Banner’s Hulk, right? It’s like, oh, like this The angry man. It’s like, read all those comments about how Oh, like, Lara Taylor 9:18she’s like, I’m fine Josué Cardona 9:19I do this all the time. Yeah. Lara Taylor 9:21I’m not angry. I’m fine. Josué Cardona 9:22Well, no, the idea that she’s controlling her anger all the time, right because the world fucking sucks for her because she’s a woman and she has experienced all this stuff. So she’s constantly controlling her anger. And I love the how, how casually they did that in the first episode, right where you take the Incredible Hulk and you reduce him right to in a way right like I see it as like, reducing him to like Yeah, but but like it’s different for me, right? Like I can, I can handle these powers differently I can do and just having that direct contrast. Those are the type of like it was bait right for the The Internet in a way, I don’t think deliberately as bait right, but like they knew. Link Keller 10:03I think it was deliberate Josué Cardona 10:05You think so? Yeah. But like the reaction was like obvious, right? Like, even if that was a story that if that was the first episode that they wrote, There must have been like, could you imagine what how the internet’s gonna respond? Lara Taylor 10:14Well, and then two episodes, I think I can’t remember exactly. But it’s a couple episodes later, we get a screen of her, like, look at seeing all these tweets and comments about how she like, what is with the She Hulk and what’s this? And like, all these trashy comments that men make on the internet. And those are all things that they threw out about the show, like beforehand, not just her. I think they I think they pulled direct quotes. Maybe not using obviously username. Yeah, like, Yeah, Josué Cardona 10:45but I mean, I bet they have years of those two from the comic books. And and right, like, that’s not new, you know, the angry letters. I’m sure they got, like, oh, you know? Lara Taylor 10:54Yeah, no, now we just have access to it. 24/7 Yeah, Josué Cardona 10:59faster. Lara Taylor 11:00Yeah, I thought it was interesting. I think, I can’t remember for sure. But I think there’s only like one time that she transforms without wanting to and that was when like, basically, the sex tape get shown. Josué Cardona 11:18yeah yeah Lara Taylor 11:18And that’s the only time Link Keller 11:19since the very first time when she gets infected. And then at Lara Taylor 11:23that time, and so that means like, that is the breaking point for her. For her. Marc Cuiriz 11:28I think I think there’s a third time I think there’s that one time when she’s like standing outside the bar, waiting. And then those those guys are just being insistent. And then she’s just like, freak. Like she’s like, understandably just like had a very long day. And so then she transforms. And I Link Keller 11:46I think that one was intentional Lara Taylor 11:47she intentionally transformed to scare them off. Marc Cuiriz 11:49I don’t necessarily know just because like, the next day she wakes up and she’s like, what happened? Because she didn’t fully understand she Lara Taylor 11:58might have been drunk, I think as well. Josué Cardona 12:03She can’t get drunk as She-Hulk Lara Taylor 12:04but she can as Jen. Josué Cardona 12:07But then turns off when she goes, may she drink afterwards when she got back. But I think that the other one at the end? I think she I don’t I don’t think that she she changed again. I may be completely wrong. Just guessing but to me, I read it as like she changed because she wanted to break the screen. Right? So like she couldn’t do it as Jen she had to change. But like I want to change that she lost control. Like more that more like Bruce right where it’s like, Bruce once he lets go, that’s it. He Marc Cuiriz 12:35but wasn’t she already she Hulk in that moment. So it was really just like she just kind of just snapped and just let she Lara Taylor 12:41snapped and became Yeah, she was Josué Cardona 12:43oh she was? Lara Taylor 12:43just, but she really just yeah, Marc Cuiriz 12:45she was because she was attending the awards as she Hulk because that’s what Josué Cardona 12:50was she? Link Keller 12:50that’s what her job made her do. Lara Taylor 12:52It was like an emotional transition. Right? Yeah, like, Josué Cardona 12:56I was completely wrong. I don’t even Yeah, no, she’s so she was already Yeah, Marc Cuiriz 13:00yeah. But like, it’s like Lara said. I think it’s more of like an emotional transition where it’s Josué Cardona 13:05she lost control Marc Cuiriz 13:06Yeah, it’s more. I wouldn’t say lost it. Lara Taylor 13:09But she almost completely lost it. Marc Cuiriz 13:11Yeah. Yeah. She’s almost there but like, this is where Lara Taylor 13:15like, the hulk does before he becomes like smart Hulk. Right. Josué Cardona 13:19And she, she seemed surprised when she and everybody was like, Link Keller 13:22scared. Lara Taylor 13:23Oh, yeah. I mean, she was like bustin. Yeah. Lara Taylor 13:26She’s throwing things and roaring and yeah, Marc Cuiriz 13:30and picked up the one dude who like was taking a video. Lara Taylor 13:35Yeah. Marc Cuiriz 13:39I was gonna say, like, I actually was talking about this with a co worker with a couple co workers today about this. And one of them. She was saying how she was so sick and tired of she was saying how she was so sick and tired of all like these female now, oh, like, now we’re making female this like she was like, I’m tired of female thors. Now, female hulk like, they should just like, stop trying to make it like this. And I’m like, if you if you watch the show, you’d understand. Like, that’s the exact point that they’re trying to make in the show that they’re critiquing this and saying that you know, like they’re there while Disney is trying to do like these sorts of things. And yeah, there’s female Thor and everything. The whole point is that Lara Taylor 14:27not female Thor Mighty Thor. Marc Cuiriz 14:30Exactly. But this is what like my coworker was saying she called it female Thor. And so I’m was like, telling her I’m like, It’s not that it’s is it like She Hulk? If you watched it is making the commentary that like, yeah, it’s not just female Thor. It’s the Mighty Thor. There’s different. Like there’s different characteristics to it and was she hulk like, she’s making it her like at the last episode, she’s like, I’m gonna make it my own thing. I’m not Listen to this stupid algorithm. Suppose that algorithm that is designed to bla bla bla bla bla, it’s no, this is my story. And I’m going to be the one to dictate how I want it to go and things like that. And, you know, it’s one of those things where I was like, when she was talking, I was like, huh, so you’d be part of intelligencia? Yeah, I see. Good for you. Link Keller 15:22Ooh, I think they did a good job setting that up in the earlier episodes where she does not name herself She Hulk. Other people name her that and she, she doesn’t like it. She doesn’t want that. And it sticks. And she’s just like, Well, fine, whatever. And that happens so frequently, within comics, where people who hate women will just put something on them, and then blame them for it. This is a moral failing that you’re called she hulk is just like, I didn’t pick that name, you picked that name. And I think that that was really good setup for that. That relationship between fans and the content that they consu…

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Just Order More Nachos Sep 18, 2022

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#336: Link wants to talk about trans characters in media, specifically Barney from Dead End: Paranormal Park. The crew discusses how trans characters get portrayed and the types of stories they generally exist in, and how the representation matters. Transcript Josué Cardona 0:11Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network. Here at Geek Therapy we believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves through the media we care about, my name is Josué Cardona. And I’m joined by Lara Taylor. Lara Taylor 0:21Hey, Josué Cardona 0:23you were taking a sip. So I thought I would catch you know, Lara Taylor 0:25nope, I took a small sip because I knew you were gonna do that Josué Cardona 0:30Marc Cuiriz Marc Cuiriz 0:31Hello, Josué Cardona 0:33And Link Keller Link Keller 0:36 Josué Cardona 0:36ew Link Keller 0:38just kidding. Hi. Hello. Welcome back. My friends, I have missed you. Josué Cardona 0:45All of us? Link Keller 0:46All of you Josué Cardona 0:49marc take a sip now. After them. Link, what? What are we talking about? Today, Link Keller 0:55we are talking about a show called Dead End paranormal Park, which is a cartoon available on Netflix. It is lightly spoopy. If you liked Gravity Falls, it has a lot of things in common with that. But mostly I wanted to talk about the trans character Barney and more specifically, Episode Seven, where Barney has a meet up with his family. And it’s very uncomfortable. But it is, I think, a really good conversation starter for talking about trans people and their family dynamics around that. young trans men in particular. And yeah, I just I thought it was a fun show to talk about. Now, I specified to you guys when I brought up this topic that episode seven was the one I wanted to talk about specifically, but I know some of you watched more than that. So anybody want to pipe in and talk about your experience watching dead end paranormal Park. Josué Cardona 2:12I had to renew my Netflix subscription which I wasn’t super happy about. But I did Lara Taylor 2:22anything for the podcast. Josué Cardona 2:24anything for the podcast Marc Cuiriz 2:24anything Josué Cardona 2:25Yep. I have a question link. Link Keller 2:28Yeah. Josué Cardona 2:29In that episode, which will we’ll get into more they reference a previous dinner with a grandmother. Link Keller 2:37mmhmm Josué Cardona 2:38Is that also shown in an episode? cuz that I did not see? Link Keller 2:41I think there is an earlier episode where they do like a quick little flashback. But they do not show the scene in its entirety. Just it’s like a spooky scary thing is happening to Barney. And it is shows that it’s a family dinner, and Grandma is very threatening and scary. And so you you get the setup early on as like that was a traumatic event that happened, which potentially assuredly is related to why Barney is now run away from home and is living in the park. Josué Cardona 3:19Yeah. Part of like a larger conversation are there. Are there other trans characters in animated shows that that come to mind that might be able to compare and contrast as you continue the conversation. Link Keller 3:41I wasn’t ready for that question. Oh, no. Lara Taylor 3:43Neither am I. Link Keller 3:44uhhh, Josué Cardona 3:47because I can’t think of any other characters that I’ve seen on any animated show. Link Keller 3:54Let me Google Josué Cardona 3:55got to Google something. Okay. Oh, pull up the Please hold. Lara Taylor 3:58I mean, they’re there. I don’t think explicitly trans characters, but there are allegories and like representations. Josué Cardona 4:05Yeah, yeah, we got tons. Yeah. 300 episodes of those. Lara Taylor 4:10Exactly. Josué Cardona 4:13Yeah. And again, because like Barney is explicitly trans. Like that’s, again, this episode that we’re that we want to talk about that. That’s it. That’s a big part of the conversation. See, I didn’t want to come in and be like, This is the first ever trans character animated show. I was like it is it is it is the first one for me. But Marc Cuiriz 4:42yeah, I was gonna say I was the first one for me because I don’t think I’ve ever really dealt with Oh, I really any form of media that I can think of off the top of my head where there’s like an explicitly like trans character. Josué Cardona 4:57We have talked a lot about like a live action trans representation. Lara Taylor 5:03absolutely Josué Cardona 5:03I can name a bunch. And we talked about those but never animated. Link Keller 5:08So there is a Wikipedia page list of fictional trans characters. And there are quite a few Josué Cardona 5:16in animation? Link Keller 5:16in animation Lara Taylor 5:16I tried to pull up and nothing and nothing came. It’s like a blank page for me. Link Keller 5:22You have to click the Show button where it says characters for it to drop it down. I had a moment to where I was like, but I know there’s at least two, three. There are definitely more trans women than trans men on this list. But um I just I had a moment just now oh where did it go? Lara Taylor 5:49Rachel’s bighead on Rocco’s modern life? Link Keller 5:52in the like remake version, that was like a subplot in it, which actually was pretty cool. Lara Taylor 6:01That’s That’s right. I do remember that Josué Cardona 6:03Rocco got a remake what? Link Keller 6:06There are several trans women characters in Bob’s Burgers. There’s a trans man in wonder Egg priority. Marc Cuiriz 6:15I actually remember there. There is a there is a trans woman and Family Guy actually. Link Keller 6:21There’s a couple of trans characters in Futurama. There’s a trans man and she RA and the princesses of power. Jewelstar Lara Taylor 6:30I don’t remember who Jewelstar is Marc Cuiriz 6:33Yeah, great. And I had to think about that. Lara Taylor 6:36But I’m like, did that person have any lines? I doubt it. Josué Cardona 6:42In wonder egg? who in wonder egg? Link Keller 6:46me scroll back down. Sorry, Kaoru Kurita. trans boy hatched from momos egg. Josué Cardona 6:58Oh! That’s true. That’s true. Link Keller 7:00It is designed with colors replicated the transgender flag. Josué Cardona 7:04Okay. Yeah. Yep. Link Keller 7:07Oh, oh, I should I wish I hadn’t read more of that. That’s a real bummer. Josué Cardona 7:12that show is a big bummer. Link Keller 7:13Anyway, Josué Cardona 7:14yeah. Don’t. big content warning for that show. From beginning to end. Link Keller 7:18For reals. But yeah, so there are definitely a few here. Okay. Okay. Notably, not a lot of main characters, right. Barney is absolutely main character. Yeah. Josué Cardona 7:34top Billing. Link Keller 7:37And I appreciate that. The way that they introduce Barney as being trans is like, not the defining feature of who he is. It is, I think, the second or third episode where he explicitly says it. Which I do appreciate the things that it is explicit, but it’s not. You know, episode one, you are introducing your characters. You’re trying to get people invested in them to watch the rest of the show. That’s not the main thing about Barney. I really appreciate that. Josué Cardona 8:16He leaves home but you don’t know explicitly know. Why. No? Link Keller 8:20Yeah. Josué Cardona 8:22Okay, well, thank you for answering my question, Wikipedia. Link Keller 8:28Make sure to donate to keep Wikipedia free. Josué Cardona 8:37Oh, Wikipedia. Okay, so Dead End Paranormal Park is is a it’s pretty fun show. So let’s let’s talk about Barney. Link Keller 8:51Yeah. So Barney, and Norma are our two main characters. And they are high school students on summer break and they are both applying for the same job at paranormal Park. Norma, who is 100% autistic coded? is obsessed with Pauline Phoenix who is the Mickey Mouse of this park. She’s seen every piece of media appalling Phoenix has been in she knows everything about the park. She’s this is her hyper fixation. 100% Barney is just like, I’m looking for a way out of my house. And this is a job that has a lot of places that I could potentially sleep in. Lara Taylor 9:42Yeah, I was gonna say most people that work at parks don’t live in them. Link Keller 9:46Most of the time. They don’t. I would maybe recommend especially not in a spooky theme park but Lara Taylor 9:55unless that’s your thing, Link Keller 9:56unless that’s your thing. But uh, yeah, they as they go to the job interview, it turns out that they are applying for the position of being possessed by it like a demon king. Who, through a series of high jinks ends up inside the body of Barney’s dog Pugsley it’s very silly and cute and funny. Pugsley ends up coming back into himself having control over his body with a special new power of being able to talk so we have our comedy relief, third character. They’re all funny. They’re all comedy relief. Um, but yeah, Barney. is so cute and so sweet. And he doesn’t. I like that how they introduce him. It’s especially compared to Norma Norma comes in. She’s like, I know everything about this park. I know everything about Pauline. I’m obviously the only choice to get a job here. And he’s like, Well, I’m, I’m nice. And I’m a good worker. I just really liked. Like, you don’t have to know everything to be good at a job. And I’m like, That’s right, Barney. You are correct. I’m very appreciative of that. Yeah, I like I like Barney a lot. I think he’s real cute. I like norma a lot too. I also like Courtney, the demon who eats a garbage Josué Cardona 11:38so it is a fun show. I would say. Pauline Phoenix is more like than the Dolly Parton of this of this part. Lara Taylor 11:45Ah, Josué Cardona 11:46than the mickey mouse Link Keller 11:48there’s definitely some Dolly Parton-esque-ness. Josué Cardona 11:53Dollywood Link Keller 11:54she She is voiced by Miss Coco Peru. It’s very giving very much drag queen is the vibe. Which I totally love. And there’s been like a long history of the relationship between drag queens and horror stuff. So I appreciate that aspect as well. Josué Cardona 12:17Yeah, yeah. Link Keller 12:18But yeah, so that they they managed to not be possessed by the demon guy. And they get they both get a job as security at the park. And then, you know, various high jinks ensue. It’s a it’s a cartoon. Each episode has its own little thing. They’re fun. Josué Cardona 12:37Yeah. And so and so what what? What is it about? Barney’s representation and kind of character development and all that that really stood out to you? Link Keller 12:51Well, like I said, I like that. To me, it was very obvious that Barney was trans from the beginning. Because I’m like, that’s that’s a queer character. Pointing at my TV screen like, hey, wait a second, I recognize you. But I like I said on the second or third episode, he explicitly says to Norma, like I’m, I’m a trans man. And everybody at school, knew who I was before. And everybody at my house knew who I was before. And here at the park. People just know me who like who I am right now. And I thought that that was really authentic and vulnerable for him to say that, because Norma supposedly went to school with him. They had classes together. But she’s so much in her own world. She’s like, she didn’t she never comments on it. It’s not a big deal to her at all, which I think is a very cute, she’s just like, Okay, thanks. But yeah, as we find out more about Barney’s relationship with his family. He has a younger brother, who he cares very much about. But he has an uncomfortable relationship with his parents and an antagonistic relationship with his grandmother who it’s unclear if she lives with his family or if she just comes over for a family, a weekly family dinner. But anyways, he felt very uncomfortable and not supported and loved for who he is at home. And so he felt that the only option available to him was to run away which is I think, very relatable for most teens in the world. Josué Cardona 14:52So many queer teens, right? Link Keller 14:53Yeah, definitely. Yeah, I think when Barney and his brother end up talking and his brother’s like, like, come come home like we miss you. And it’s revealed that like Barney just bounced he didn’t tell them that he was leaving or anything he just didn’t come home. And so it’s like everybody’s worried about him and and you can tell like this is stressful and upsetting for his little brother who is clearly close with him. And so when Barney finally gets up to the courage to meet up with his parents, they go to a restaurant that has a funny western theme. And they have a very awkward conversation that Josué Cardona 15:57very uncomfortable. Link Keller 16:00It’s very uncomfortable. I love the way that it’s it is framed where it’s so obvious to Barney and Barney’s parents and us the audience that they are talking about Barney’s transness, and the way that they treat him because of that, and his they are layering that with a metaphor about nachos and the little brother is just like you guys, we can order more nachos! and it’s so cute. I really love that he’s like, he’s he just wants his family back together. And he doesn’t really grasp the dynamics that are occurring around him. He just knows that is like it’s bad and uncomfortable. But he wants you know, he wants his big brother around. And Barney is clearly hurt by having to be like, I’m not coming back yet. Maybe not at all. But you know, I’m very proud of him for standing up and setting those boundaries. And being brave enough to finally talk to them about it, even if it is, you know, a little couched in metaphor, and Lara Taylor 17:11nachos, Link Keller 17:12nachos. Josué Cardona 17:14No. More when I watched it the first time, I felt I felt kind of like Patrick, which I was like, Whoa, how did we get from here to there? Like, even even as you’re following the nachos? Right? I think. Right? Like I think it was the mom, the first one who I mean, the dad is not is not even really making an effort. But the mom is making an effort. And, and so like, What mistakes did she make? or, Did she make any mistakes as she was, you know, getting started talking to him, because, you know, she started with the like, oh, we accept you as you are. And Barney wasn’t having it. Link Keller 17:51That’s sort of the main thrust of the conversation and what I think is really important that Barney explicitly says, his parents get, you know, upset, and they’re like, why are you more grateful we accept you for who you are. And he’s like, that is the bare minimum of what you should be doing as my parents. And when GrammyGrams I think is what they call her. Apparently, she said, some, I’m assuming incredibly transphobic things. Josué Cardona 18:20Right, right, Link Keller 18:21to Barney, and nobody stood up for him. And so he felt completely let down by his parents who are, you know, it’s one thing to be like, we accept you. But if you won’t stand up and say anything, Lara Taylor 18:35do you really accept them? Link Keller 18:37that acceptance doesn’t really mean anything. It’s it’s without action. The words don’t mean anything. And so they’re like, you know, they try and Josué Cardona 18:48then they go, oh she’s stuck in her ways. You know, it’s not worth it Link Keller 18:50she’s old, it’s not worth trying to explain it to her. She won’t understand. And he’s like, that’s not really the point. The point is, I was there getting harmed, and you did not you watched and did nothing. Yeah, I’m not gonna take that. I was like, hell yeah, dude, get em! But yeah, I think that that was really important that that was verbalized the idea of like, accepting a trans kid is bottom rung baseline thing. There’s so much more you should be doing to support trans kids. Lara Taylor 19:28But even then, I would argue that like that’s not fully accepting someone fully accepting someone who’s also offering if they are someone who is close in your life offering to stand up for them and help. It’s that I talk to clients all the time about action, behavior is communication, and so the words are saying one thing and the behavio…

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The Warm Fuzzies Sep 04, 2022

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#335: As we go into the cold season, Marc, Josué, and Link discuss their comfort media. They touch on how media fulfills different needs in different contexts, and how we choose to seek them out to fulfill those needs. Transcript Marc Cuiriz 0:12Welcome to GT radio on the Geek Therapy network. Here at Geek Therapy. We believe that the best way to understand each other and ourselves is through the media we care about. My name is Mark Cuiriz and I am joined by Josué Cardona. Josué Cardona 0:24Hello, Marc Cuiriz 0:26And Link Keller. Link Keller 0:27Hello. Marc Cuiriz 0:29hello, hi. So guys, I’m back. It was a wild first week of classes. Josué Cardona 0:37Welcome back. Marc Cuiriz 0:39I just actually had class yesterday, and I already fell asleep for about five minutes. So that was fun. Josué Cardona 0:47you are my son. Link Keller 0:48Uh Oh. Marc Cuiriz 0:51So this semester is already off to a great start. But, um, yeah, so considering I couldn’t, I couldn’t be here last week, just knowing about the topic, it kind of got me thinking a little bit. And with the beginning of September, now we’re kind of getting closer to the fall time that that cooling of the weather and we got hoodies and bonfires and the pumpkin spice everything now, I just started thinking about all the things that sort of kind of make, make you feel all like warm and fuzzy on the inside, you know, the things they just bring us like a sense of comfort and a sense of of, you know, just given the warmth, the warmth snuggles, basically. And so I was kind of curious as to sort of what are some of those things for you guys. Like, for instance, for me, what my my wife and I have been doing recently is like, we’ve been going back and we’ve been rewatching Pokemon. And so now we are almost done with the first season of Pokemon. And she busts Josué Cardona 2:03twenty three more to go Marc Cuiriz 2:0423 More there is I looked it up there are 24 seasons of Pokemon, and that’s not including the movies. But she also busted out her Gameboy and I busted out my old DS light, and she had FireRed and LeafGreen. So she’s playing fire red, and I started playing Leaf Green. So we’re sort of like playing together. Granted, she’s pretty much done with the game right at this point. And I kind of started tapering off just because I got more sucked into the show that was actually playing the game. But this is like, for me, this was one of those like nostalgia little bits that just like, just this idea of us, like we’re coming home from work, it’s a really long day. We’re both tired, we’re both fed up with children. And we just want to do nothing but just sit down in front of the TV, have some dinner, watching Pokemon and playing Pokemon. And just having that time together, we’re just kind of sitting on the couch doing these things. Josué Cardona 3:03I want to acknowledge that being a mental health professional, and a teacher is very hard work. So I’m glad that you all have things that help you. How would you say just like recharge kind of self soothe, Marc Cuiriz 3:18I think it’s very much more of a self soothe than it is a recharge. I think it might be a recharge for her. But for me, recharging just looks a little different. I don’t know, I feel like I need to be like fully engaged. And I feel like either playing Pokemon or watching Pokemon for me is very passive, just because it’s something that I’ve absorbed in it. I’ve had Pokemon with me, my entire life basically. So for me, it’s very, it’s more of a passive thing. So it’s more of just like, this is this is relaxing. This is comfort to me, this is something that’s familiar for me. But like to recharge myself, I do something that involves more of my attention. But it’s also fun, enjoyable. So like, playing Fallout for a little while was a way for me to recharge because it demanded all of my attention. So I’ve really physically cannot think about anything other than what was in front of me and what my next quest was because of the hyper that hyper focus, and now I’m back to destiny. And so now it’s back for me just just grinding it out and just shooting aliens basically. That’s my recharge. Josué Cardona 4:36So are we talking about both or only the The warm and fuzzy Snuggles? Marc Cuiriz 4:41I mean, we can honestly go both. I mean, if some of the warm fuzzy snuggles also serves as like a way to either self soothe or to recharge. We can definitely I am kind of open to all sorts of those different topics, but I was just I was just thinking that was just like how what kind of got me started and Josué Cardona 5:00Yeah, Marc Cuiriz 5:00I was kind of curious to see. What is it for you guys? Josué Cardona 5:04Yeah. This one’s hard for me to answer. Because I don’t like revisiting stuff. So I very, there are very few things that I go back to. So I’m gonna need some time to think. Marc Cuiriz 5:20Well, I think it could also be just like, what are activities that like, just for you is like, it doesn’t necessarily have to be like revisiting. So like, for me, for instance, like just simply sitting down and watching something and spending that time with my wife is something that does bring about that sense of comfort in the warm and fuzzy especially if it’s something that we’re both into. So like, when we were sitting down and watching the Marvel movies, we were we were all for it. And for her when there was like her first time seeing like the older ones, and then going into the newer ones and the shows like that’s kind of how like, That, for me was a sense of comfort and like given the warm fuzzy feelings for me. It’s just that for me specifically, it was Pokemon. But yeah, Josué Cardona 6:06yeah, because I didn’t want to go in this direction five minutes in. But everything that comes to mind is more of an avoidant behavior than a than a like a comfort thing, I don’t know why my mind is there. Right now, to come back to me. Well, Link Keller 6:30I’ll just hop in here talking about cozy comfort stuff. We are, in my opinion in the spooky season. And therefore we are quickly approaching my yearly rewatch of Over the Garden Wall which absolutely cozy comfort soothes me makes me laugh forces me to confront my inevitable mortality, you know, all my favorite things. And so I’m very excited that it’s it’s almost Over the Garden Wall time again. I’ll probably wait till closer to Halloween since it is a Halloween show. But I will probably be watching it with my friends over in their theater on the projector screen. Which is my favorite. So I’m pretty excited about that Josué Cardona 7:23will be the largest you’ve ever seen. Link Keller 7:26No, because I’ve I’ve watched it on the projector screen before. It’s been eight. I think this is eight years. I think it came out 2014 So I’ve watched it every year it’s come out so Josué Cardona 7:42did you hear about the live action version that they’re making? Link Keller 7:49oh the cozy and comfort is gone how could you do that. Josué Cardona 7:52I just wanted to see the look on your face Link Keller 7:54betrayal oh my god Josué Cardona 7:59I do apologize. Marc Cuiriz 8:01No, he doesn’t Link Keller 8:02stinker Josué Cardona 8:03it was not okay. I shouldn’t have done that. I regret it Marc Cuiriz 8:07I was funny though. Link Keller 8:09Yeah, so um, yeah, just like getting into the Halloween season and you guys know how much I love horror content so so it’s time of year to like go back and revisit some favorites. I do find comfort in returning to things that I enjoy. But I also like I also try and like watch lots of new things but I’m on this topic marc when you posted it in our Slack about cozy comfort stuff. I was just okay, context I have been playing cult of the lamb a lot. Great game loved it. I beat it just the other night rolled credits on it. Very fun. It is pretty buggy on the switch. So if people have PC I would probably recommend getting it on that instead of switch Josué Cardona 9:15I’ve been playing it on your recommendation. Link Keller 9:17Yeah it’s very cute I love it. But I wanted something on in the background while I played but I didn’t want you know I don’t I don’t want to miss like new stuff so like put on other stuff and instead of watching our flag means death for the bajillionth time. I decided I was like oh, you know, I saw like a tik tok of funny Chidi moments from the good place so all rewatch some good place episodes. i When the last season came out, I guess I was feeling a way about it ending and so I never watched the last episode. Josué Cardona 10:04what?! Link Keller 10:05So I have now watched the last episode. Josué Cardona 10:08Were you dehydrated? Link Keller 10:09No, I thought it was I thought it was perfect. I thought it was a great ending. I have been having ongoing conversations with some of my friends about how ending things is really hard, its really hard to pull off and ending in a way that I find like satisfying and interesting and good. I think the good place ended very well. And I liked that it ended, honestly, almost identically to how Six Feet Under ended, which I loved. But yeah, the good place is absolutely cozy comfort show. For me. It’s great background stuff. It’s funny, it’s touching. It’s got total cuties that I get to look at. God, I love D’Arcy Carden so much. But yeah, so Marc Cuiriz 11:15you know, now that you mentioned it, I think the good place is one of the few shows that I’ve actually rewatched in its entirety. And was not, did not get bored, like halfway through it or anything like that, like the good place was one of those shows where I watched it based on a friend’s recommendation. And just I fell in love with the show, like, by the end of the first episode, like it was, it was, I thought it was really nice and well written. And then watching all four seasons of it, I dehydrated by the end of the first first time, as Josué put it I was I was I very much enjoyed it. And then I got my wife to watch it with me, I think not even like a couple months after I finished it the first time like Alright, let’s do this, I’m gonna watch it again. And hearing like her, like seeing her reactions to it and like getting that it was almost like me watching it for the first time again, because like I was experiencing her reactions and everything to it. And I feed off of that energy. So all her energy was then making me have that energy and it was just like, it was almost like a way for me to experience it all over again. And I have to agree link I think the good place is one of those TV shows that like it’s always going to be there like I can go back and re watch it in its entirety right now too and I would love it just as much as if I was watching it for the very first time. It was also one of those shows where it really got me thinking a lot about my own mortality and death and did Josué Cardona 12:59you do love philosophy Marc Cuiriz 13:00Exactly. And it sparked a lot of questions for me and it sparked a lot of great insight into how I view what comes afterwards and what my own personal beliefs in that are and I don’t know I think it just it further solidified the fact that I’m okay I you know something I can go at any time and I’d be perfectly content but I think the good place is one of those shows where it’s it’s it brings the warm fuzzy feelings that and another you started you got now you got me thinking about all these shows that have watched that just bring me nothing but joy. It’s actually an anime and I have watched it I want to say I’ve watched it back to like, all the way through at least 12 to 13 times now Toradora it’s my it’s my rom com silly goofy, just absolutely cheesy anime, but I love it so much. The characters are so cute. And I like to think of myself as a Ryūji. Where I’m this rough and tough exterior looking boy but on the inside I’m just a housewife but I do not have that rough and tough exterior exterior. But I just I love the dynamic of the characters. I love the whole story. It’s It’s so cute. It’s it’s it just makes me feel it just it’s just fills me with with immense joy and makes me feel like the world isn’t actually that bad. It could be burning, it could be flooding, it could be running itself out a muck. Josué Cardona 14:59All those things are happening. Yes, Marc Cuiriz 15:01it is very much happening. However, when I watched Toradora it’s like, you know, it could be worse. It’s not that bad guys, at least I have this, at least the world produced this. Josué Cardona 15:17I haven’t finished watching Toradora. Marc Cuiriz 15:19I mean, Josué Cardona 15:20but I’ve enjoyed it a lot. But the reason I started watching it is because I saw a tik tok that basically showed a fight scene from from from there. And I thought I thought it was an action. And you know, it’s so violent. It was like, he was in a classroom and there Marc Cuiriz 15:38ah okay Josué Cardona 15:39you know what i’m talking about Marc Cuiriz 15:40now i know, it clicked. Josué Cardona 15:43when I saw that video, I was like, well, that actually, that’s a hell of a shonen. And it is not it is a, it is a slice of life. Rom Com. It’s, I’ve enjoyed it very much. Yeah. Marc Cuiriz 15:57That’s so good. It’s so good. You need to finish it, meaning that we need to talk about it after that. Josué Cardona 16:02Okay, I promise, I’ll go back to it. I think it’s so hard for me to think like, I can think of a lot of things that give me joy, but in like, in like a hype sense, right of like, like that they like recharge me. Um, and usually it’s watching newer stuff. I think the closest thing that I’ve ever had to know like, some people just watch the office nonstop over and over again or friends and you know, they do the start over from the beginning. The closest thing to me for that it has been the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. I just found that show. So funny that I, there was a time when I felt kind of down and Like, that would cheer me up. But it’s also just like, I find it so funny. It just makes me laugh. It’s ridiculous. But I wish I had I think music is mostly the kind of thing that would be like, like a balm. The different types of music depends on what mood I’m in. But that will that’s the closest thing to like, a warm blanket that I can. Because I feel, I feel like my, my stuff is usually like in my head. So I need to calm down my head. And music will like relax me and bring me down. When I need it. I listen to a lot of music, I think. I think that’s what does it for me mostly. Because I’ve been thinking about Link Keller 17:40I think music is probably a go to for most people because it’s it becomes so like, intrinsically linked to like, whenever you first started listening to it. Josué Cardona 17:53Yeah. But also just like the way it makes me feel, right. Link Keller 17:57Yeah. Josué Cardona 17:58It’s not when I’m watching, you’re playing something my attention has completely shifted. But when I’m when it’s music, it’s like, I’m still engaging with the world. But that’s like creating a little bubble that makes it easier to to move forward. And I was thinking of a lot of games that I I wish were more relaxing. Things like flow and flower those games are very frustrating. Like I like them, but like mechanically, they’re very frustrating. Journey less so. But also frustrating mechanically. Like, it’s almost like playing Sonic the Hedgehog, right? If Sonic the Hedgehog were perfectly you would never stop, you know, but you’re constantly you’re like, Whoa, yeah, I got this a BWONG and stop very suddenly. That’s how I feel about some of some of those games. And I started playing Cult of the lamb, because I wanted something more like that. I was like, I don’t want to start Stardew again, I don’t want to, you know, but I was like in the mood for something I didn’t know it was. It was a roguelike. But I do like roguelikes. So I started playing that because it has this. You’re building up this community and this town. So I’ve enjoyed Link Keller 19:13its cute. Jo…

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