The Mandalorian took a turn after episode 3 (err… chapter 3?), it went from the serialized storytelling that we’ve become accustomed to in modern television, and became much more “monster of the week” for lack of a better term. This is a change that some fans have appreciated, enjoying the shows willingness to subvert the expectations that it had setup at the beginning and take us on fun new adventures every week. Others, who hoped for a tight, concise, 8 episode story feel that the show has lost it's through-line and therefore feels directionless. All opinions are valid, however, I think most fans of this show will agree that Chapter 6 “The Prisoner”, regardless of it’s lack of connective tissue to the larger narrative, is nothing less than absolutely entertaining. This week’s installment is a mashup of part heist film, horror film and adventure film, and filled with great performances and juicy character moments. This week, The Mandalorian shows us that it’s capable of make exciting choices that go well beyond fan-service (but still willing of giving us some).
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Watchmen S1E8 "A God Walks into Abar": ToB Breakdown
With the season drawing to a close we finally get our first look at Dr. Manhattan, and get to spend some time in what we perceive as his past. Much like the Watchmaker chapter from the original comic, the episode attempts to translate Manhattan’s perception of time by exposing the audience to interconnected and overlapping periods in his life. A conversation over beers with Angela provides a through-line as the episode jumps between various events; including a young Jon Osterman having his first voyeuristic experience, Veidt explaining his first plan to neutralize Dr. Manhattan, Jon adopting Cal’s existence, and Veidt’s retirement to Europa.
Back in 2019 Angela is forced to sacrifice her husband’s demure, family man persona, in order to warn Manhattan of the impending attack. While Jon reconnects with Angela, he is having his first/last conversation with her grandfather in 2009, and the pitfalls of “time travel” are displayed. With the 7th Kavalry descending on them time is running out for the indestructible man; once again, the most powerful being in existence is the prisoner of providence, and once again he is too late. Always has been, always will be. Too late.
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SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E5 "The Gunslinger"
After suffering damage during a dogfight with a rival bounty hunter, The Mandalorian is forced to dock at the notorious backwater planet of tatooine. While grounded, Mando heads to the Mos Eisley Cantina expecting to find a nefarious den of scum and villainy, only to find a post-Empire, less-villainous, droid-operated dive bar. Luckily, Toro Calican; a prospective bounty hunter is onsite and recruits The Mandalorian for a high-risk, high-reward mission to capture a rival mercenary. Under The Mandalorian’s guidance, the rookie bounty hunter come close to success, but the avaricious nature of the profession wins out and Toro seizes an opportunity to make a name for himself.
Also, more baby Yoda memes are generated. Cool.
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Episode 145 - DC Check-In
The ToB Crew is back with another regular episode of the ToB Podcast. A lot has happened, especially at Warner Brothers, so the guys decide to do a recap of all things DC. Variety is reporting that DC brass don’t know how to make Superman relevant to modern audiences, all while Henry Cavil drops some Superman nuggets, Michael B Jordan is pitching Superman ideas, and Ben Affleck is stoking the flames of #ReleaseTheSynderCut with a tweet. Needless to say there’s a lot to talk about. The guys also touch on the new “Sonic the Hedgehog” trailer, Mark Wahlberg’s casting in the “Uncharted” movie and much more!
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Watchmen S1E7 "An Almost Religious Awe": ToB Breakdown
Dan and Jeremy are back to breakdown the latest episode of HBO’s Watchmen series; the most appropriately titled episode to date, this week left us all in feeling shock and “An Almost Religious Awe”.
Angela relives some of her own memories as she comes down from the Nostalgia trip; Petey stumbles into the aftermath of Looking Glass’ last stand; Lady Trieu takes advantage of an elephant that never forgets; Laurie overplays her hand; Veidt faces day 365 of his trial; Bian’s true lineage is revealed; Joe Keene explains his master (race) plan; and, with the Doomsday Clock close to midnight, the bell tolls for Cal and Angela’s secret.
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SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E4 "Sanctuary"
When Mando and Baby Yoda flew off into space at the end of Chapter 3, many people expected the show to take a turn and start driving toward a logical goal or destination. Unfortunately for those people, that wasn’t the in Chapter 4 “Sanctuary”. In many ways a filler episode, Mando makes a stop in a backwater world only to meet a former Rebel Shock Trooper, and a wholesome village before all havoc breaks loose. Filled with some cliched story beats and questionable direction and performances, it’s easily the worst installment of The Mandalorian so far. That doesn’t mean it didn’t still have it’s redeeming elements however, with Baby Yoda steeling the spotlight once again, as well as an exciting set-piece finale, it’s clear the show hasn’t completely lost it’s touch, and there’s still plenty to look forward to. Join Julian, Daniel, and Jeremy as they unpack the full episode and dive into the details.
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ToB Film Club - Watchmen (2009)
Zack Snyder is a polarizing figure, but regardless of what you think of him or his movies, he certainly knows how to draw a crowd. His movies are often over the top, action packed, and visually stunning. Which also happens to be a great way to describe one of the most polarizing films in his entire oeuvre; Watchmen. Based on the most critically acclaimed graphic novel of all time, one that was considered by many to be “un-adaptable”, Snyder certainly had a lot to live up to. Leaning on what he knew best, and in much the same way he approached 300, Snyder almost slavishly pasted the pages of the book onto the screen. In so doing he created a film that is adored by many for it’s unwavering adherence to the source materiel, and for others, they saw a disjointed tone piece, albeit gorgeous and well acted, but missing a coherent through-line. Something that was lost as it changed formats. Regardless, it’s a movie that can be dissected in million ways and will likely be talked about for decades, and the ToB Crew is here to do exactly that. Julian, Dan, and Jeremy unpack each glorious moment and misstep in this NON-exclusive version of the ToB Film Club. This one is for everyone!
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Watchmen S1E6 "This Extraordinary Being": ToB Breakdown
The full ToB crew is back to recap Watchmen’s 6th episode “This Extraordinary Being”. Juxtaposing a character reveal in the hagiographic “American Hero Story” with a deep dive into the true origin of Hooded Justice.
After ingesting a nearly lethal dose of Nostalgia Angela finds herself stuck in her grandfather’ memories. Both Angela and the audience experience the crippling injustice of 1940’s America, and the first vast and insidious conspiracy is revealed. As Angela struggles to retain her senses, we witness the first masked avenger’s origin, the inception of the Minutemen, and the degradation of Will Reeves. As with so much of the show, and original comic, the truth and public perception are two completely different things.
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SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E3 "The Sin"
With Chapter 3 of The Mandalorian we get the culmination of the beginning of what we expect to be an epic journey. Even if what journey will entail is still left unknown. As we watch the Razor Crest fly off into the depths of space at the end of this episode, we are left wondering where this adventure will go next. It can only be described as exciting as The Mandalorian leaves off the first, approximate, third of this season on such a mysterious note. Julian and Daniel, are joined by Jeremy Kozier to try to decipher that mystery as well as acknowledge and appreciate the amazing set pieces, and unbearable cuteness of Baby Yoda on this week’s episode of Small Screen Star Wars.
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Watchmen S1E5 "Little Fear of Lightning": ToB Breakdown
The ToB Crew returns to discuss the first episode of HBO’s Watchmen that actually starts to answer some questions as opposed to just asking them. This episode primarily follows Looking Glass as they lay out his “secret origin” as well as some answers to other pressing questions (like where the hell Veidt has been this whole time!). More importantly however, it’s another amazing hour of television and Daniel, Jeremy, and Julian and here to break it all down.
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