The Podcast Maneuver - S03E05 – Imposter

The quality of Star Trek: Picard is holding on this season. There are more conspiracy theories that go right to the top. Jack Crusher turns into John Wick. And A.Ron would like the record to reflect that he called the appearance of Ro Laren. Utopia doesn’t exist in this iteration of Star Trek, but at least this season is decent despite some odd dialogue.

Cape Fear (1991)

Martin Scorsese, one of the most influential living directors, guides Robert DeNiro through a creepy performance. Even though these two are reliable artists of the silver screen, this movie is a miss. It’s a vaguely Hitchcockian movie with a whole list of “wtf?” moments. Who is this movie made for? Not sure. Who is A.Ron’s ‘Nick Nolte’ impression for? Everyone.

Growth Decay Transformation - Bonus Episode 2 – “Coin Flips and Choices”  

Courtney explores the significance of coin flips and choices and considers to what extent they are catalysts for Walt’s transformation. Was it a random act of fate that the task of killing Krazy-8 fell to him? When Skyler flips a coin in “Cornered,” why doesn’t she follow it across the Colorado border? The decisions the characters make can sometimes put them on bad choice roads.

Why is Mr. Feeny a Car? - S02E02 – Airwolf (1984) Pilot: “Shadow of the Hawke”

Boy, these shows really loved their feature length pilots, didn’t they? This week’s shadowy flight takes Jay and A.Ron into the world of a real man’s: Stringfellow Hawke. Stoic, heroic, traumatized war vet, appreciator of fine wine and finer art, musically gifted, philosophically complicated, mysterious and irresistible to women, stunt pilot by day and mercenary pilot by night. It’s A LOT. Airwolf is still badass, the villain is campy fun, Archangel is cool as coolwhip in his ice cream suit and patchglasses, but nearly every scene without a helicopter is deader than Gaddafi, who may or may not appear in this episode. Btw, did you know you can like, die, just by staying outside too long? It’s TRUE!

Growth Decay Transformation - S01E02 – “So There’s That”

Ever decide something with a coin flip? Walt and Jesse did. And that brings us to question the role of fate in the lives of these characters: Was Walt always Heisenberg? Or did he have to become Heisenberg? Looking back, there’s a lot bubbling under the surface of these characters. Now, go watch No Country for Old Men if you haven’t seen it yet.

Growth Decay Transformation - Bonus Episode 1 – “Why the Breaking Bad Pilot Still Rules”

Pete goes back to revisit the Pilot episode one more time to examine why it’s one of the best ever made. In 58 minutes it tells us everything we need to know about Walter White and is extremely effective at making us root for him. This is a great set up for Vince Gilligan’s larger plan to deliver a story about change.