Watching Dead - A Walking Dead Podcast - 706 – Swear

Jim and A.Ron wonder if it’s all worth it anymore after seeing a historically bad episode of AMC’s The Walking Dead, number 706, “Swear”. Aside from being the dreaded single POV focus episode featuring a second-tier character, so much of this made no sense and seemed pointless. From the zombie action sequences involving improbable combinations of dump trucks and sand, to the 538th, 539th, and 540th time we’ve heard one character bemoan the degradation of humanity to another, to questionable directorial and editing decisions, a lot of time and effort was spent to tell us of the existence of a community with an axe to grind against the Saviors that is heavily armed but suffering a shortage of effective warriors. Gee, where ever could we find a place that is disarmed with a crew of killers with itchy trigger fingers? We’re just one broken promise away from getting that creamy peanut butter inside that chocolate folks. Oh, and Heath has gone missing. “PPP” is somehow involved. And Tara has some weird tattoo. And we have feedback! Is this thing on? Is anyone still listening?! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE OUT THERE! THEY AIN’T US! HERE’S NOT HERE!

Bald Move Prestige - The Voices (2014)

Julie Webster of “Teeth” commissioning fame/infamy is back again with another movie to bend our noodles. This one a criminally overlooked Ryan Reynolds movie, “The Voices”. Under the direction of Academy Award winner Marjane Satrapi, and joined by co-star Anna Kendrick, Reynolds really comes out swinging as a poorly understood young man with non-existant social skills just trying to find happiness in life. Unfortunately, for reasons both nature and nurture, his search is in vain, and the movie spirals down an ever increasing dark path. An impressive movie, and one worth watching if you don’t think Ryan Reynolds is capable of any kind of nuanced, interesting work. Just be warned, this movie is pitch black, and very uncomfortable in places.

Watching Westworld - 108 – Trace Decay

Jim and A.Ron take in the latest episode of HBO’s Westworld, “Trace Decay”. Timelines are continuing to proliferate (we’re up to four now, in case you’re keeping score at home), everybody is still potentially a host, and William is probably the MiB after all. But there’s a lot of nice stuff here, from the increasingly evident narcisism and nihilism of Dr. Ford to Bernard struggling to cope with his new station in life. And hooboy, is this “upload 35 years worth of Westworld madness into this Abernathy guy’s head” plan of Hale’s going to be a glorious trainwreck or what? Lots of stuff to look forward to, and keep in mind we’ve got just two short weeks before god knows how long of a hiatus. So savor all the timelines, hosts, and idiot techs while you can.

Watching Dead - A Walking Dead Podcast - 705 – Go Getters

Carl and Enid rolling down the street! S-K-A-T-I-N-G! Sure, we all loved Richonne, but step aside, there’s a new hot apocalyptic romance in Alexandria: Carnid. Or Earl? Whatever, it was cute, and fun, and gives Carl a new angle to work besides the increasingly silly hair and hat routine. What else? Oh, Maggie is a boss, of course, tractors are employed in unusual circumstances, Gregory is literally The Worst, Michonne struggles to adapt to a post-Negan world, and the biggest surprise of them all; The Walking Dead writer’s staff deftly juggling no less than three separate plots in a single episode! All of this and more are discussed, including emails from your fellow fans.