Hello Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke! Make the 10 year jump with us into a Red Keep where there is a new batch of royal kids aka war-fodder. The Alicent and the Ser Crispy clique spells trouble as Rhaenyra (such a badass) wakes up to the dangers at court and takes a play from Daemon’s book. And did you watch the intro? Did you?? It’s different.
Should epic fantasy shows have required homework? Well, not homework exactly, but should you need to do research to understand what’s going on? Is TROP suffering from the kind of writing that is coming for straight-to-streaming? Are we sure that there was only ONE meteor? And get an impromptu Age of Sail lesson from A.Ron.
Here’s what’s happening at Bald Move this week.
We’re rereleasing our episode on The Princess Bride (1987) in honor of the movie’s 35th anniversary!
This was a long time coming. Jim has avoided seeing this movie for going on 30 years. Today, he has no where to run, no where to hide. He’s locked in a steel cage match with “The Princess Bride”, directed by Rob Reiner and based on the novel of the same name by William Goldman. Confronted by the beautiful faces of Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, the absurdist comedy of Miracle Max, how will he react to this crazy mashup of farce, swashbuckling, and heart?
John was joined by Jim from Bald Move to discuss Elrond’s father Eärendil the Mariner, the origins of Mithril, and John’s beef about the status of the Silmarils. John received a surprise audio diary from David with some thoughts on this episode. Then, Tolkien scholar Marilyn R. Pukkila and John discussed the Palantíri and their role in Tolkien’s legendarium. Finally, Jim and John took on some listener feedback before John hosted the “Spoilore” feedback segment of the Lorecast.
Premium
The kids are not alright, not with parents like these. Join us as we welcome the new players in the cast and buy a ticket for the Queen Alicent hate-train. What’s up with the Targaryen genetics? How many hands and “hands” can Vicerys lose before we lose him? And will no one think of the children?!
NFL analyst Fran Duffy joins Double Dragon to breakdown House of the Dragon. Power rankings. MVPs. Hot takes. Then medievalist Iain MacInnes explains marriage alliances and castle siege tactics.
A.Rondork and Jimbella are here to tell you about the good moments and a few moments to grumble about. Some speeches come a bit short of Independence Day level of inspiration, but nothing comes close to the magic of the relationship between Elrond and Durin. When Galadriel isn’t writing checks she can’t cash, she and the other Elves seem to be operating in stark black and white. So where does that leave the characters? Find out in this episode of Dug Too Deep.
Premium
Lunchtime! Want to build upon your already intense paranoia? Bring along your favorite conspiracy theory and join in the chat about the football-Bezos, British Rock Culture, and U.A.P. conspiracies. Are you aware of the cost of living in the 1960s? But more importantly, are you aware that Jim EATS the skin off of the kiwi?! And you’re not alone on the daily quest for a healthy sense of self. Join us at the table for this episode of Lunch.
Westeros Punnett squares might not actually be squares? Maybe more like circles because of the incest? What exactly is Daemon up to? We can’t be sure, and the show is doing that on purpose. Tensions run high when spurned lovers reach a breaking point and we get a Red-ish Wedding. Maybe an orange wedding? Explore these questions and more in this episode of feedback.
Start your road trip in the great plains state of Nebraska and join Bruce Dern, Will Forte, and Bob Odenkirk as they navigate tough family ties. Directed by Alexander Payne comes some of his signature directorial details, humor drier than the plains in the summer heat and characters that are almost larger than life. In this epically-slow burn, you’ll find yourself or your family in this story.
Comic Steve Ausburne explains the difference between “duty babies” and “romance babies” in Westeros. He shares why he loves vomit but hates metal detectors. Also, the guys cover the best episode of HOTD yet.
Harwin stans unite! On an episode that’s even better with a second watch, there’s plenty to unpack. We get to see that Mushroom’s tales contain more truth than expected. Spurned lovers, bereft royalty, and ineffective runic armor all spell trouble in Westeros. Clutch your pearls like Alicent and hold on tight.
Feedback is coming in from all ends of the spectrum. Is Galadriel just a hot-headed teen who needs to cool off with 1,000 years of jail time? Or is this a good portrayal of a young Galadriel who will become the powerful and wise Galadriel in the movies? And if you watch picture-in-picture, don’t do it around Jim and A.Ron. They may go feral.
