The Incomparable Mothership

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727: Ride Him Like a Horse Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

Have you been watching Prime Video’s “My Lady Jane?” Our panel is so sure you will like this alternate history show that there’s been a minor coup to take over the Mothership. Join us for a spoiler-free opening pitch to entice you into watching this show, then come for the full spoilery episode.

"My Lady Jane"

Host Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Kirsten Goruk.

Referenced Works

My Lady Jane

Show Notes & Links

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726: Too Many Books in This Book Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Our Book Club convenes for its final set of shortlisted novels, including “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi,” “The Water Outlaws,” and the Nebula-winning “Saint of Bright Doors.” Plus: What are we reading?

2024 Awards Book Club, Part 3

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, and Heather Berberet.

Referenced Works

Saint of Bright Doors

[Amazon] [Apple]

Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

[Amazon] [Apple]

The Water Outlaws

[Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

What are we reading?

Scott:

The Guards by Ken Bruen
Wicked Problems by Max Gladstone

Erika:

The Worms that Ate the Universe by Megan Chee
Book Clubs with My Imaginary Friends by Marissa Lingen

Heather:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Aleen:

Still the Sun by Charlie N. Holmberg
The Prince & The Apocalypse by Kara McDowell

Jason:

Mélusine by Katherine Addison/Sarah Monette

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

725: Most Valuable Ape Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

Our Summer of the Planet of the Apes reaches its exciting conclusion with “War for the Planet of the Apes,” which starts out as a war movie but continues mutating into different genres as it goes. We really enjoyed our walk through this underrated trilogy of 2010s action movies, and we hope you did too!

"War for the Planet of the Apes"

Host Jason Snell with Brian Warren, John Moltz, Annette Wierstra, and David J. Loehr.

Referenced Works

Planet of the Apes (franchise)

War for the Planet of the Apes

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

724: Treacherous Bonobo Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

The Summer of the Planet of the Apes continues with 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” It’s a sequel that’s superior in almost every way, but somehow seems a little less fun, since we can no longer root for the apes. Now there are bad guys on both sides, as Gary Oldman and a chimpanzee named Caesar act out a tragedy of Shakespearean levels.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"

Host Jason Snell with Brian Warren, Annette Wierstra, David J. Loehr, and John Moltz.

Referenced Works

Planet of the Apes (franchise)

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

723: We Bought an Ape Prison Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

You did it, you blew it all up! And now it’s… the Summer of the Planet of the Apes! Our own troop of hairless apes tackles the well-regarded modern “Apes” trilogy this month, beginning with 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” James Franco is a scientist? Brian Cox runs a sketchy ape facility? Tom Felton thinks his dates want to see caged primates? Just when you think this movie has it all backward, that’s when you realize: we’re actually all rooting for the apes.

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

Host Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, John Moltz, and David J. Loehr.

Referenced Works

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes (franchise)

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

722: There Isn't a Twist at the End Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

Boot up the Time Window and prepare your memory palace! A full season of the new, Disneyfied version of “Doctor Who” has gone by, and we’ve convened a panel of time experts to discuss the highs and lows, and where the series goes next.

Doctor Who Season 1 Wrap

Host Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign, Chip Sudderth, and Annette Wierstra.

Referenced Works

Doctor Who

[Amazon]

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

721: It's a Triangle! Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

“Star Trek: Discovery” opened a new era in Star Trek TV, but now the series has reached its end. How did the new, slimmed-down season 5 storyline work? Were we happy with the series-ending payoff? How were the show’s many interesting characters served in their final go-round? We break it all down.

"Star Trek: Discovery" season 5/series wrap

Host Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Jean MacDonald, Joe Rosensteel, and Erika Ensign.

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek (franchise)

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

720: Law of Conservation of Boots Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

With “Furiosa: A Mad Max Story” in theaters, we thought we would dip back to the original (aka, the fourth) Mad Max movie, “Mad Max: Fury Road” from 2015. It’s a big car chase followed by a race, it’s two hours long, and it’s considered one of the greatest films of all time. Witness us!

"Mad Max: Fury Road"

Host Steven Schapansky with Erika Ensign, Merlin Mann, Brian Warren, and Kelly Guimont.

Referenced Works

Mad Max: Fury Road

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

719: Three Novellas in a Trench Coat Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Our 2024 book club shortlist read continues with “Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon”, “The Terraformers,” and “Some Desperate Glory.” We enjoyed them all, to varying degrees! Plus: What else are we reading?

2024 Awards Shortlist, part 2

Host Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, and Heather Berberet.

Referenced Works

Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon

[Amazon] [Apple]

Some Desperate Glory

[Amazon] [Apple]

The Terraformers

[Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

Next books: “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi”, “The Saint of Bright Doors”, and “The Water Outlaws.”

What else are we reading?

Erika:

Aleen:

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Scott:

Twilight Falls by Juneau Black
Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway

Heather:

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoiki
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros

Jason:

Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

718: Starfighters in Their Office Chairs May 31, 2024

Show notes

It’s been 40 years since the release of 1984’s “The Last Starfighter,” so we finally give this visually groundbreaking film its due. Did we find the early CGI effects as charming as the plot of a small town kid becoming a galactic hero in the distant reaches of space?

"The Last Starfighter" (1984)

Host Steven Schapansky with Joe Rosensteel, Cicero Holmes, David J. Loehr, and Erika Ensign.

Referenced Works

The Last Starfighter

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.