Danielle and John are joined by one of John’s best friends, Jordan Cass, to chat all things The Americans 4x11, “Dinner for Seven.” Jordan proves himself to be an impressively prepared co-host, and helps guide us through the key points in this episode around various characters’ experiences of guilt. Together, your three hosts consider how guilt informs Elizabeth’s decisions, relationships with Pastor Tim and Alice, as well as the interaction between Stan and Oleg. In the Dossier, Danielle touches on Gabriel’s sex life, and Jordan and John ask a few leading questions. Jordan offers his insights about Paige’s character development in Glas before your hosts run through some silly stuff and camera angles. PLATO SZN returns to the Republic before a solid set of TheoryShips from all three co-hosts. Come for Jordan’s awesome insights, stay for Danielle’s complaints about how Pastor Tim is still not a ghost. Enjoy! -- Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Despite its name, this is not an episode about the Lollipop guild - it's The Americans 4x10, “Munchkins.” John and Danielle work through the different plot elements through the lens of entrapment: Stan & Aderholt, Alice & the Jennings, Elizabeth & Don, Gaad & the Munchkins. Danielle laments how Pastor Tim was snatched from his impending death and your hosts laud Keri Russel’s ‘are you kidding me’ face, which makes many-an-appearance this week. In Glas, they chat about Oleg and Tatiana (after Danielle makes a Dossier prediction), and touch on the significance of Kimmy’s return. In Borrowed Nostalgia, they analyze Alice’s fashion choices, Henry’s walkman, and Paige’s coffee choices. It’s still PLATO SZN, but this time your hosts turn to the Phaedo for some fitting insights about death from our favorite Platonic main character, Socrates. Come to this ep for the discussion of the bumbling Russian trio, stay for John’s TheoryShip of Honig to both Paige and Reagan! -- Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Danielle and John are back to discuss The Americans 4x9, “The Day After.” They call on their Gen-X expert, Jon Keller, to weigh in on the titular TV special and its general significance. They dig into the challenges posed by obligation, thinking about obligations to self, others, and the nation as they structure the lives and decisions of Elizabeth, William, Philip, and Paige throughout the ep. In the Dossier, Danielle claims victory about some of her latest predictions. In Glas, your hosts are excited that racquetball has finally returned to the screen. They also evaluate Elizabeth’s spycraft techniques while on her babysitting adventure, and rate the best outfits of the episode. Danielle forces some variety into PLATO SZN, which leads your hosts to dive into the Laws before offering some solid TheoryShips to close out the episode. --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Buckle up, folks! This week, John and Danielle dig into The Americans S4E8, “The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears.” Through the lens of consolidation, they consider the beautiful, silent opening scene of the episode, Martha’s departure, and the ensuing inner turmoil for Philip, challenges for Elizabeth (including an EST visit), and the clash with Paige. They also tackle Gabriel’s course-correct, TV magic, and EST as an MLM. With Martha gone, it’s time to turn to a new subject in the Dossier: Oleg and Tatiana! In Borrowed Nostalgia, your hosts call out the beer bottles, needle drops, and movie theater antics. Back to PLATO SZN in the Cave, but this time with a new dialogue: Plato’s Euthyphro (otherwise known as Danielle’s least favorite dialogue even though she suggested it!). Come for their serious look at the aftermath of the Martha mission, but stay for their chatter about fashion, movies, and of course, the FBI’s favorite sad boi, Stan and his beer run. --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

In their discussion of The Americans 4x7, “Travel Agents,” John and Danielle come face-to-face with the age-old question (at least for this show…) is the FBI good or bad at its job? And, on top of that, what about the KGB? They marvel at the parallel searches for Martha following her escape, happenings at the respective home bases, as well as the tensions between Philip and his two (?) leading ladies. Danielle reveals a new suspicion and a new worry in the Dossier, and in Borrowed Nostalgia, your hosts shut up and play the hits when they remark on phone booths and how this wouldn’t be possible today (if it ain’t broke and whatnot). They don’t miss the opportunity to chat about the freezer rat or Borscht, and they crown Joan their Minor Character of the Week. PLATO SZN is in full swing in the Cave, including a bonus Theataetus TheoryShip from Danielle. Come for the deep dive into this missing persons search, stay for the demands to show Hans onscreen! --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Ohhh wow. Things finally come to a head as Danielle and John discuss The Americans S4E6, “The Rat.” They follow the arc of the episode, remarking on Martha’s farewell to her apartment, the tension at the safe house, the FBI discovery, the literal rat, and Martha’s escape. Don’t worry, your hosts don’t miss a chance to draw parallels between the sex scenes between Martha and Philip and Philip and Elizabeth, nor does Danielle miss a chance to lament the continued survival of Martha. They express some Borrowed Nostalgia for the TODAY show, tofu, broaches, and sexism at the FBI. They crown the titular Rat this ep’s Minor Character of the Week before another installment of PLATO SZN. There is some intense rat theorizing, questions about Elizabeth’s cooking, the inspired development of a new NQGB business idea, and even a reappraisal of William in light of recent developments. -- Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

John and Danielle are joined once again by the incomparable Lilly Goren to dig into The Americans 4x5, “Clark’s Place.” Together, they talk about the table-setting that happens throughout this episode, considering the emotional turmoil of Paige, Martha, and Philip. They take stock of Martha’s pill-popping, Philip’s conversation with Stan, and of course, the “priest” they bring to Pastor Tim. Don’t worry, your hosts also dissect the intense sex scene that closes the ep before heading into the segments. In the Dossier, Danielle voices some skepticism about Elizabeth’s promise to Philip, and in Glas, your hosts gush over Noah Emmerich’s directing and Gabriel’s weird behavior, among other juicy tidbits. Lilly joins in for a rousing rendition of PLATO SZN, and all three offer some TheoryShips to close out the ep. Enjoy! --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

We're receiving a transmission [static] The Americans podcasting interrupted [static] some heptapods have arrived for this hepta-pod(cast) [static] our favorite political-science-fiction enthusiasts Desiree Weber and Sid Simpson join John to break down this developing story.  Join us as we discuss the 1998 novella "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang and the 2016 film Arrival (dir. Denis Villeneuve) that is based on the novel. After a genre-defining consideration of sci fi and politics, we turn to the novella and film to consider their engagement with language, the impossibility of storytelling, tragedy, free will and determinism, causality, teleology, time, the adaptation choices from novella to film, and much more. Many of our usual segments return, replete with Christopher Nolan gags, jokes about being very on brand, cinematic shout-outs, and the most literal Cave we have yet encountered.  Spoilers for both the novella the film in this episode.  --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Reeling from the Glanders exposure, your hosts are quarantined and tackle The Americans 4x4, “Chloramphenicol.” Together, after addressing Nina’s shocking demise, John and Danielle question what happens when Philip and Elizabeth are stuck - physically and emotionally -  in quarantine. They take on Elizabeth’s hallucinatory dreams, the conversations between Philip and William, and then turn to consider what happens to others, like Paige and Martha, when they are absent. Danielle contemplates Paige’s loose lips and Martha’s always already impending death in the Dossier. It’s not all heavy - William’s got jokes, Philip’s got scruff, and there is some serious 80s nostalgia with answering machines, pay phones, and office romances. It’s still PLATO SZN here, and no ep of NQGB is complete without some solid TheoryShips: Berlant, Agamben and Honig all make an appearance before the episode comes to a close. Come for the quarantine, stay for the theory connections! --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Back for another unhinged journey into the world of The Americans, John and Danielle take on Season 4 Episode 3, “Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow,” which Danielle only just now learned is what the acronym EPCOT stands for - oof. Your hosts consider the link between spying and MLMs (multi-level marketing schemes), with a few (just a few) digressions for good measure. John offers a Galaxy-brain EPCOT take that is sure to make your head spin while Danielle reverse-laments the non-death of Pastor Tim, who has evolved from Victorian ghost to Victorian ghost cockroach. There is yet another weird dream sequence in this episode, and not only is Claudia back, but so is Mail Robot! Your hosts leave no proverbial stone unturned with this one. They return to the Cave for the next installment of PLATO SZN as well as a surprise TheoryShip from John.  --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

It’s a Christmas miracle of abundance and debauchery! Danielle joins John and Regan Levitte (of NQGB Young Pope podcasting fame) to dig into the aesthetic feast contained in Emerald Fennel’s Saltburn. In this spoiler-filled episode, your three hosts traverse the labyrinth-like film in all of its absurdity, nostalgia-bombs, and bathtub antics. They contemplate what this movie is about, consider the beautiful cinematography and the tremendous acting, and of course, rank the most sicko mode scenes before recommending some double features. They cap off their discussion with a trip into the Cave, where it is still PLATO SZN, and a few banger TheoryShips before heading out. This episode is equal parts Danielle finally embracing her inner hater, John waxing poetically about aesthetic choices, and Regan basking in the millennial nostalgia that is this film.  --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Uh-oh. An entire episode named after Pastor Tim? Is this Danielle’s literal nightmare? Maybe. Oh well, back at it, Danielle (begrudgingly) and John dig into The Americans Season 4 Episode 2, “Pastor Tim.” Framing their discussion around truth-telling, they consider Nina’s arc, Paige’s honesty, and Philip’s own moments of clarity. In the Dossier, Danielle introduces her conspiracy theory about Glanders, which John (as usual) ‘no-comments’ - stay tuned for Glanders check-ins in later episodes. We are treated to our second weird dream sequence of the season, and it’s the return of PLATO SZN in the Cave, with the added bonus of some creative TheoryShips too. Don’t worry, it’s not ALL business - this ep has an extensive digression about the ‘Tainted Love’ needle drop (spoilers for the movie Coneheads - a classic!), among (many) other rabbit holes. Enjoy! --  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Back from Athens and Pope-cast respectively, Danielle and John dive into Season 4 of The Americans! They tackle Season 4 Episode 1, “Glanders,” by asking about the emotional and narrative choices that structure the episode. Together, they consider what it means to pick up right after the events of Season 3, the introduction of biological weapons, and of course Philip’s EST-situation and the confrontation with Stan. Their antics have also returned, alongside these cutting analyses: Danielle doubles down on her Martha-theorizing, and likens Pastor Tim to a Victorian ghost, while John attempts a joke about an all-Plato all-the-time Cave that is subsequently taken way too seriously. Don’t worry, there’s also plenty of chat about spycraft, bad 80s fits, and Philip’s general mental state. Come for the fit-checks, stay for the deep-dive into Philip and Elizabeth’s relationship! -- This podcast was recorded during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn’t exist.  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Hot Confessor Summer comes to a close as Regan joins John for her final (or not final, Lenny willing?) popely appearance on NQGB. Not only do they discuss the plot and character apotheoses in the finale, they also ask the divine questions of the series as a whole. Did Lenny experience character growth? Is this show a melodrama? What is Paolo Sorrentino doing with the final flourish of the show? What is the show saying about its characters and our relationship to them? What is the show's perspective on Cathlolicism? Did Regan make a good life decision when agreeing to embark on YP podcasting this summer?!  There is still plenty (seriously, a lot) of time for commending the acting of Diane Keaton and Javier Camarra, bonus saint names and trivia, the Popes of Xmas Past, Andrew Bird (and, oddly, The Fray), Regan's The New Pope predictions, Papal underwear, and a Proustian-Aquinas blowout in The Cave.  *podcast app slowly zooms out to encompass the whole earth, fin* -- This podcast was recorded during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn’t exist.  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Regan and John return for a truly remarkable episode of TV, The Young Pope episode nine. A long conversation about Gutierrez and Kurtweil discusses how the show is using but reworking conventional TV genres and tropes, Gutierrez's ministry, how the superb one-episode characters of David, Rose (the fan 'kiss'!), Freddy, and Pete shed light on Bernardo and on the show as a whole. There's much more to think and feel (so many feelings about this ep) through: the Spencer-Lenny abortion debate, Young Lenny's literal miracle, beautiful camerawork in the final Lenny-Spencer scene, and, of course, the revelation of Young Lenny's love letters. The show's ability to pull all these together and run tried and oft-melodramtic tropes through its weirdness gives us Regan and John a chance to talk about their emotional responses to the show and praise its abilities.  Phew. Still plenty of time for multiple confirmation name proffers, bonus Hot Priest Rating, discussion of the music in the episode, Regan's finale predictions, and some extra-shipping of multiple forms! CW for this episode for discussions of abuse.  This podcast was recorded during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn’t exist.  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Is Episode Eight of The Young Pope indulging in or satirizing colonialism? Your trusty shepherds Regan and John think it is (way more) the former and explain why as they discuss this extra-strange episode. They also talk through Lenny's grief-filled ennui jag -- complete with submerged pool prayer -- and smiting down of Sister Antonia in one of the show's most affecting scenes. There is still plenty of time to cover FEMEN, the looming Kurtwell investigation, kangaroos (RIP), nude mom visions, and yet another apex of Lenny's hot priest rating. Sex and death, eros and thanatos, name a more iconic duo (you can't).  This podcast was recorded during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn’t exist.  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Regan and John continue #HotConfessorSummer with episode 7 of The Young Pope. [Important character's] death leads the show and this podcast to consider how the show engages both the finitude and fragility of human existence, from Andrew's guilt to Lenny's Parent Quest to the scheming of Mary and the wannabe Lenny replacements. We also have football jerseys, spicy saints, a new pinnacle in Hot Priest Rating,  Did Regan also manage to lead us to consider the mysteries of Faygo and John also manage to shoehorn yet another Vertigo reference? Listeners, they did. All this and more when you give this ol' podcast a listen.  This podcast was recorded during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn’t exist.  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Gird yourself for miracles as John and Regan are joined by their colleague (and Italian politics expert, among many other skills) Lucia Manzi to discuss The Young Pope, Episode Six. Lucia's knowledge illumines the (Holy or not) spirit of the pod by putting Lenny's meeting with the Italian Prime Minister in the context of the Church's relationship to Italian politics and culture. Is Lenny an effective political actor and what is the show expressing through Lenny's political machinations?  Lucia also joins to discuss Saints and Hot Priests, while Regan and John cover Andrew's dalliances, the tragedy of Angelo, and oh yeah a miracle immaculate birth?  Don't drop the baby, listen to this podcast instead.  This podcast was recorded during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn’t exist.  Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Put on your finest tiara and reddest gloves and join Regan and John as they discuss The Young Pope Episode Five. They rightfully focus on what one of your hosts (guess who) calls one of the greatest TV scenes ever with Lenny's address to the cardinals, as Lenny would have it no other way. Can the audience both identify with Lenny's existential sadness and despise his speech? How do Esther and Voiello draw out different emotional registers of the show?  Also covered: the weirdest and saddest seduction, visual flourishes and visual gags, papal athleisure, and feet talk. If fanaticism is love as Pope Pius XIII insists, show yours by listening to this NQGB ep.    Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Amy and John are back with the next installment of The One Percent series here on the NQGB, covering Billions Season 4, Episode 1. After dispensing with the villain origin story of this episode, they figure out whether this shallow show has anything interesting to say about capitalism, power, and gender. From the favors money can't buy to the worst dialogue written to an inexplicable John Malkovich performance to the NYC 1% core of the show, this episode has it all.  Is Chuck Rhoades the Carrie Bradshaw of finance bros? Is he basically Amy Schiller? Tune in and find out.   Music by Lesfm from Pixabay