The World We Deserve – 301 & 302 – The Great War and Modern Memory & Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

We’ve checked out the first two episodes of HBO’s True Detective season three, and there is so much to talk about! Reliable unreliable narrators, parallel time structures, two macho, damaged cops who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get hands on with crime, and in the center, a missing persons case with strange, unexplained details. It feels a lot like season one, but Mahershala Ali brings a stellar performance to a character that is dealing with post-war trauma and racism in middle America. And don’t get us started on moon phases!

The World We Deserve – Season 3 Preview!

After three long years off the air, True Detective makes a season three comeback on the backs of Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff. We talk about the show’s premise and leads, our feelings about the franchise in general, thoughts on the promotional material and interviews we’ve read so far, reasons to hope that season three is a return to form after an arguable stumble in season two, and where things might go wrong. See you back here next Tuesday!

Game of Thrones – 310 – Mhysa

And just like that, we put HBO’s Game of Thrones season three into the Bald Move history books. Again. “Mhysa” is an excellent way to wrap up the season and set the table for season four, as we get great work out of all our star-crossed lovers; Tyrion, Shae, Sansa, Jon, and Ygritte. Arya has some fine work servicing the fan’s desire to see her be the terrifying little murder beast we know she can be while simultaneously making us feel really, really bad for her lot in life. Ramsay might be a total and complete bastard, but he does know how to work a pork sausage to get some laughs in an other wise pitch black scene. Finally, Dany attempts to end her season three arc on a note of triumph, but is hampered by the racial tone deafness of the show runners. Thanks for joining us on this ride! We’ll be back in November to discuss Martin’s new book on Targaryen history, Fire and Blood, as well as Anthony and I’s new book, Gods of Thrones. 

Game of Thrones – 309 – The Rains of Castamere

This week we have the pleasure of talking about one of the best, and most gut wrenching episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones, “The Rains of Castamere”. The Lannisters score a decisive victory against the Starks in surprising and brutal fashion. Particularly rough is Arya, who is forced to witness the destruction of her family when she was oh so close to being reunited with them. Over in Essos, Dany provides a lone bright point as her captains’ valor and her reputation as Breaker of Chains lays the slave city of Yunkai at her feet. We’ll be back next week to wrap this season up. See you then!

Game of Thrones – 308 – Second Sons

Jim and A.Ron consider the latest episode in our summer re-watch of season three of HBO’s Game of Thrones. “Second Sons” features the second happiest wedding we’ve ever seen on Westeros (which is damning with non-existent praise), Arya swinging from utter despair to something approaching optimism in her captivity with the Hound (the sweet, summer child), as newcomer Daario Naharis steals into Dany’s camp attempts to steal Dany’s heart. We discuss all this and more!

Game of Thrones – 307 – The Bear and the Maiden Fair

On this week’s episode of our summer Game of Thrones rewatch, “The Bear and the Maiden Fair”, Brienne picks on someone her own size, Joffery tries talking politics with his grandpa, Robb YOLOs his way through a fraught political position to buy some extra time to consort with his queen, and Sansa and Tyrion lament their respective fates. For feedback we discuss the relative intelligence of wights, debate the apparent height of the Wall, and consider people’s pet theories on what things will look like post series-finale of Thrones. See you back here next week!