Episodes

  • 813: Spiritual Sequel

    813: Spiritual Sequel
    Apr 17 2026
    We complete our run through blades with “Blade Runner 2049,” a late sequel in which Ryan Gosling plays a replicant detective searching for an explosive secret that could change everything… and is unsurprisingly tied to characters from “Blade Runner.” We discuss why a replicant might need a holographic girlfriend, Jared Leto’s eyes, and once again, if Deckard is a replicant or not and why that really doesn’t matter.

    Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Erika Ensign, Dan Moren and Monty Ashley.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • 812: Ridley Scott Just Can't Stop

    812: Ridley Scott Just Can't Stop
    Apr 10 2026
    No voiceovers! More unicorns! Our journey deep into the futuristic world of 2019 Los Angeles continues with another look at “Blade Runner” — this time, it’s “The Final Cut” edition. Deckard’s identity revealed, sort of? Voiceovers removed! Superfans and sort-of-fans compare, contrast, and discuss.

    Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign and Moisés Chiullán.
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    2 hrs
  • 811: Have You Considered More Voiceovers?

    811: Have You Considered More Voiceovers?
    Apr 3 2026
    These movie producers really did a job on “Blade Runner.” They don’t advertise for narrations in the newspaper, every good writer knows that. But when you’re trying to sell a narratively dense piece of visual art to 1982 audiences who just want to see a Harrison Ford movie, that’s the sort of compromise you make. All we could do is sit there and watch it play.

    Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz, Kelly Guimont and Dan Moren.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • 810: Cheated Out of Glitter Vomit

    810: Cheated Out of Glitter Vomit
    Mar 27 2026
    Hit the books and polish up your comm badges, because it’s time to go to school—“Starfleet Academy,” that is. We check in on the first season of Star Trek’s latest (and last, for now?) TV series, and find that despite the YA focus, it’s still just really good “Star Trek” that’s worth your attention.

    Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán and Tony Sindelar.
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • 809: Triple J on 'Jeopardy!' with Jennings

    809: Triple J on 'Jeopardy!' with Jennings
    Mar 20 2026
    Jason was on “Jeopardy!” Now he breaks the experience down with the help of two former “Jeopardy!” champions, Glenn Fleishman and Dan Moren.

    Jason Snell with Dan Moren and Glenn Fleishman.
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • 808: Growing Up Targaryen

    808: Growing Up Targaryen
    Mar 14 2026
    Have your squire put on your best (and only) set of armor and be sure to re-paint your shield! We’re here to discuss the surprisingly delightful “Game of Thrones” spin-off “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” which features characters to root for, humor, and other things in short supply in other installments of the franchise.

    Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Erika Ensign and John Moltz.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 807: Assassin As a Service

    807: Assassin As a Service
    Mar 6 2026
    Charge up your cyberspace deck and avoid all slamhounds! It’s time for us to discuss the second book in William Gibson’s famed Sprawl trilogy, “Count Zero.” Of course, Count Zero is the name of a great hacker… wait, it’s this kid? This is a book that defies audience expectations, from the title character to the way it follows up—or doesn’t, really—the events and characters in its famous predecessor. But, as our veteran Gibson readers note, it sets the template for his career to come.

    Jason Snell with Lisa Schmeiser, Antony Johnston, Glenn Fleishman and Erika Ensign.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • 806: Demon in a Photocopier

    806: Demon in a Photocopier
    Feb 27 2026
    Our Book Club reconvenes to discuss Emily Tesh’s “The Incandescent,” which offers a teacher’s perspective on a magical school (that’s mostly not magical, but infested by demons), an interesting story structure, and some very well-drawn characters. Plus: What else are we reading?

    Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Joe Rosensteel, Heather Berberet, Paul Weimer and Scott McNulty.
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    1 hr and 13 mins