The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

Latest Episodes:

Episode 210 "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) is an ambitious film depicting a galactic pilgrimage in search of God. But is Spock's half-brother, Sybok, a true ambassador of God? A miracle healer? Or is he a cult leader? Or a delusional dreamer? Listen now to find out!

Episode 209 "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) doesn't take itself too seriously, but it humbles us by asking us to de-center the human culture and the things we over-value, to recognize the triviality of some of our human norms and the way we alienate those who are different, and to stretch our minds to be open and accepting of the unknown.

This episode was recorded in front of our live Discord audience. To join our Discord channel, click here.

Episode 208 "SDCC 2023 - The Psychology of Star Trek: Picard" Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

In this special episode of the podcast, we take a look at the spectacular third season of Star Trek: Picard with two of its writer/producers, Christopher Monfette and Matt Okumura. This episode was recorded as a panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 and doesn't have the best audio, but we want to thank Garrard Whatley for working his magic and getting it to where it is.

Episode 207 "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), though not as well executed as Star Trek II, successfully carries its big emotional moments, from the shocking murder of Kirk's son to the heart-crushing destruction of the Enterprise. Loss after loss, the story weighs heavily on anyone rooting for Kirk. Here, Dr. Drea describes the risks he faces psychologically, due to the shock and suddenness of his personal losses and explains the differences between typical grief and traumatic grief.

Episode 206 "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

In our analysis of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, we join Admiral James T. Kirk and his Starfleet friends as they are once again pulled into a risky adventure. Since his infamous attempted coup on the Enterprise 15 years ago, Khan Noonien Singh is noticeably more emotional, ragged from years of hard survivorship on an inhospitable planet, but he's also deeply preoccupied with revenge. But as both the film and science can attest, achieving revenge is rarely as satisfying or as personally rewarding as we hope it will be.

Episode 205 "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

When the survival of the whole planet is at stake, how much do purpose, logic, wisdom, and emotion matter? Do we rely on gut instincts or unfiltered logic to make critical decisions? The original cast of Star Trek reunite to represent the voyages of the Starship Enterprise in their first film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). Dr. Drea especially observes the internal struggle building within Spock, who is recently rejected by his Vulcan community due to his inability to suppress emotions to an extreme degree as his culture dictates; his elders chastise him for allowing feelings like yearning, friendship, and exhilaration to distract or break his mental discipline.

Episode 204 "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" May 15, 2023

Show notes

The last film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker (2019), seems to ret-con or reduce plot points in the previous film; and serves insights about the core theme of intergenerational trauma!

Episode 203 "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

In one of the most divisive Star Wars films to date, The Last Jedi (2017) serves an unapologetic tale of the embittering consequences and casualties of perpetual war, reminding audiences that there are no true winners; just power grabs. Those who are truly liberated are the elite, the profiteers, and the arms dealers who benefit from people stuck in their ideologies. In totality, the film's messages become enticing, if not exhilarating: Find true peace by shifting the power dynamics. Abandon traditions, ties, legacies, and all the harms that come with them. Burn it down. Burn it all down.

Episode 202 "WonderCon 2023: Mask of the Phantasm with Eric Radomski & Ashley V. Robinson" Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm with its co-director, Eric Radomski; and our very special guest, podcaster and comic writer Ashley Victoria Robinson (Geek History Lesson)!

To vote on what we're covering after the nine Star Wars films, join our Patreon here!

You can find Ashley on social media as @AshleyVRobinson on Twitter and Instagram!

You can find her podcast here!

Episode 201 "Star Wars: The Force Awakens Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) resurrects a familiar uphill battle against the merciless and oppressive power of the second uprising of the Empire, the First Order. However, as Star Wars is more about relationships than politics, The Force Awakens focuses on the psychological struggles of its young warriors: Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren. Join the conversation on The Arkham Sessions discord: https://discord.gg/kX228AS2cW

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected