Take the Black Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Wheel of Time fans fight / Dune eyes the future / How do franchises become boring? Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Take the Black, Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman break down some of the wildest stories in sci-fi and fantasy!

First, they dive into the passionate fan campaign to save The Wheel of Time, including sky banners, Sao Paulo billboards, and emotional IG posts from Rosamund Pike. Then, they explore the future of Dune, and whether Jason Momoa’s son is about to become a giant worm god.

Later, the hosts tackle a major question: how do franchises become boring? James Gunn’s recent comments about Marvel and DC offer some insight, but is overexposure the real villain?

Plus: what we’re watching and reading, and the always-chaotic WiC News Lightning Round!

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Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

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The fight to save The Wheel of Time continues, Game of Thrones: War for Westeros Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we stop by Westeros for some House of the Dragon season 3 casting updates and to react to the new video game Game of Thrones: War for Westeros. PLUS, we check in on the The Wheel of Time cancellation situation, including comments from Rafe Judkins, updates on the petition to save the show, and other efforts to save the show. Lastly, some What Are We Watching/Reading with Predator: Killer of Killers and Dark Winds, plus the infamous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

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Can author Joe Abercrombie point the way forward for fantasy? Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: the big-budget sci-fi fantasy boom is dead, so what is the future of fantasy onscreen? Can Joe Abercrombie save it alongside James Cameron with an adaptation of The Devils? Also, our reactions to filming updates from the set of House of the Dragon season 3 showcasing some potential action scenes. Plus, the biggest news to come out of Netflix's 2025 TUDUM event including Stranger Thing's final season, The Sandman season 2, and the upcoming season of The Witcher. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with Predator: Killer of Killers and Murderbot, as well as the infamous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Wheel of Time canceled, The Last of Us finale reviewed May 28, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we vent our frustration at Amazon Studio's decision to cancel The Wheel of Time after it just had its best season yet - is there a chance the fans can save this show? Also, HBO announces the three main actors to portray Harry, Ron & Hermione in the Harry Potter tv show - what do we think of these casting choices? The Last of Us season 2 has come to an end as well and we give our reactions & takeaways on this controversial new season. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with Dark Winds & Murderbot, plus some quick news bits in the infamous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Inside our exclusive Brandon Sanderson interview, giant fantasy sets rise May 21, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we stop over to Westeros for some Emmy news regarding House of the Dragon season 2, set photos for Season 3, and updates from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In our main segment, we go in-depth with our interview with author Brandon Sanderson including the direction of the Cosmere and the future of the Mistborn series. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with The Last of Us, Murderbot and The Studio, AND quick news bites in the WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

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The Brandon Sanderson interview: Wind and Truth, Ghostbloods, and the space age of the Cosmere May 17, 2025

Show notes

Winter Is Coming's Daniel Roman sits down for a far-ranging interview with Brandon Sanderson, the New York Times bestselling author of The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn, Skyward, Elantris, and a number of other books, including the final three novels of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time.

In December of 2024, Sanderson released Wind and Truth, the fifth novel of The Stormlight Archive. This was a major culmination for the series, capping off its first arc before Sanderson takes a hiatus to focus on other stories for the next few years, like his third era of Mistborn books, titled Ghostbloods.

Now that Wind and Truth has been out for a few months, we dive deep into how Sanderson approached writing this crucial book, its biggest plot twists, and some of the daring risks he took with its storytelling. We also discuss his work on Ghostbloods, the future of the Cosmere, his upcoming short fiction collection Tailored Realities, how he's relying on a few tricks from his early career with Mistborn Era 3, and more.

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Game of Thrones prequel delayed, Murderbot early review May 14, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: updates from Westeros as we react to rumors of who might compose A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and news of the release date. PLUS, it's the Week of Brandon Sanderson as we hype up our soon-to-be-released interview with the author, and talk everything Cosmere, Wind and Truth, and more! In our main segment, our early review for Apple TV+'s newest sci-fi/comedy Murderbot starting Alexander Skarsgård. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with The Last of Us Season 2 episode 5 and the season finale of Andor season 2, as well as the intergalactically famous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Andor makes Star Wars history, House of the Dragon tries to make TV history May 07, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: updates from Westeros as we react to comments from Ryan Condal, Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon) and production designer Jim Clay who all seem to be hyping season 3 of House of the Dragon. Also, we discuss the most recent episode of Andor season 2 that's got the internet abuzz! Lastly, some What Are We Watching/Reading with The Last of Us season 2, Daredevil: Born Again, and Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, and the world-famous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Waiting on The Wheel of Time season 4, Sinners and Andor Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: updates from Westeros as we take a look at some behind the scenes photos for House of the Dragon season 3, and updates on the upcoming Game of Thrones: Kingsroad game coming out in May! In our main segment, The Wheel of Time hasn't been renewed yet - should we be concern? Lastly, more What are We Watching & Reading with Andor season 2, Sinners, and The Last of Us season 2; plus the galaxy-wide hit segment aptly named the WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did The Last of Us and The Wheel of Time pull it off? Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we give our reactions to episode 2 of The Last of Us season 2, and the season finale of The Wheel of Time season 3 - what did we think of these important episodes of TV? Lastly, some What Are We Watching/Reading with Andor and Murderbot on Apple TV, and the world-famous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy