Get bonus episodes on Patreon! Furiosa is massively different than Fury Road. The tone, the pacing, the style of characterization — our first viewing was largely a process of adjustment and recalibration. But on after seeing it a SECOND time, the movie really opened up for us. This episode chronicles the journeys we went on through the Wasteland, our experience watching the very first Mad Max, and the avalanche of echoes that revealed themselves on a titanic IMAX screen. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! The question that hung over Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was simple. What can this film offer that is different or better than Fury Road? As it turns out, the answer is Chris Hemsworth’s performance as Dementus - a bonkers, fearless villain who somehow simultaneously evokes Charles Dickens, Jack Sparrow, Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, and the great Ian McShane. This is one for the ages, and we’ve got LOTS to say about Hemsworth’s work in this movie. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! Ned Stark may already be dead. In this chapter, Littlefinger eulogizes him to his face, capping off a series of three failed initiations into the world of liars and crooks that is King’s Landing. Cam’s diving into unseen spymasters and unnoticed liars, while also keeping an eye out for Bran Atreides the God Emperor and the conspicuously absent white walkers. Maggie examines the suffocating falsities present here, both on the page and throughout the Red Keep. Pour yourself a glass of iced honey milk, and try not to gag! PS: can you imagine if Ned had a direwolf? LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! Oh it feels so good to say this: Diablo IV has never been better than it is in Season 4. Loot Reborn is a full-scale reworking of the game’s core systems. The gameplay loop and recurring activities are stronger than ever, and for once in this live game, all of these great new additions are here to stay. The campaign is short and sweet – incredibly rewarding while trimming the fat of everything we have disliked in the past. The Necromancer has become one of the best classes in the game with multiple viable builds and an electric mix of close- and long-range combat. After doing a power ranking for all the classes, we discuss the ideal time investment for seasonal content, and debate the lifespan of this new and improved Diablo IV. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! In his own words, this chapter had Cam feeling “puckish”. Forgoing all the traditional ambiguities and symbols, he focuses on the character trend that quietly runs through these pages: a devastating comedy of manners and pretense that crushes the spirits of all our major players. Meanwhile, Maggie dives headfirst into the mythology, the metaphors, the dreams, and the complicated relationship between stories and memories. We close by revisiting last week’s Faustian dragons and the ongoing narrative resurgence of the white walkers. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! The Fall Guy feels like a passion project about passion -- it's a love letter to stuntmen, artistic craft, and the fading genre of romantic action comedies. It's also the best movie of director David Leitch's career. So why is the entire discourse surrounding the film about box office receipts? Join us for a little 'state of the union' about online film discussion, barometers of success, and the rip-roaring good time that is The Fall Guy. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! This third 'Targaryen Checkpoint' delivers a whole new level of prophetic, high-concept imagery for us to discuss. Maggie focuses in on Dany and Viserys as avatars of the House of the Dragon's simultaneous rise and fall, before diving deeper into Viserys' ghostly, almost undead turn in these pages. Cam finds a corollary for all the White Walker breadcrumbs we've been chasing in Dany's fiery dragon dream, which he analyzes through the lens of his beloved 'Doctor Faustus'. We close with an unexpected, possible Dune crossover as GRRM seems to tip his hat to Frank Herbert -- and remind us to always be on the lookout for aspiring tyrants. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   600 pages of expertly dramatized philosophy and theology, starring a giant worm with a human face – this book was written for Cam. Our discussion starts with the compounding, echoing relationship between all of the Dune books, before settling on the unexpected Nietzschean flair of Frank Herbert’s God Emperor. Alongside the ghola, he’s one of the central walking thought experiments that plays out the intellectual curiosities of this world and their underlying and emotional agonies. This series remains a thought provoking and devastating character study. Herbert has managed to pull a fourth rabbit out of the same sandy hat. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! Every Arya chapter is Valjean screaming “Who am I?” at the audience, but this one in particular really is a carousel of futures. Cam examines the half dozen personas explored in these pages and the constant refinements of that central question. Are you your circumstances? Are you your defining characteristics? Are you your vocation? Maggie revisits the Stark children / direwolf relationship for all its prophetic implications. Together, we take a closer look at the Stark family mantras, grappling with the survivability of the lone wolf vs the pack, and debating the utility of “winter is coming”. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Grab your Leviathan Axe and hop in the boat: we’re heading to the Lake of Nine today to discuss Maggie’s experience playing (and not playing) the masterful 2018 God of War. Maggie has been going further and further out of her comfort zone with games, and God of War was no exception. But the world and the story gripped her so much that by golly she was going to make it work for her. Join us as we discuss Maggie’s unique journey of playing through the game (with a big helping hand), her increasing interest in story-focused games, hopes for accessibility in games, and questions about where to go from here. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! This week we’re all the way at the edge of the world, and what do we find? Shakespeare! More specifically, Cam gets to talk about the Old Man archetype, which crops up here thanks to Lord Commander Mormont. The conversation spirals into a theory about omens, ignored warnings, and narrative vindication. Cam presents a relay race theory about Tyrion’s role as the bridge between ice and fire, which Maggie reinforces with a callback to Bran’s prophetic and ambiguous dreams. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! The Tortured Poets Department isn’t “about” anyone. This episode is an interrogation of that painfully wrong-headed way we talk about the biggest artist in the world. It represents an incurious tabloid toxicity and a strange rejection of creativity. An artist’s experience CAN inspire their work, but that observation should be the tip of the analytical iceberg, not the entirety of our public discourse. This is an episode about artist’s intent and unknowability, the beautiful mystery of imagination, and the humility required to discuss and interpret a work of art. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! Ned just made it to King’s Landing, and it’s already a disaster. Maggie investigates Ned’s first day as Hand of the King, wondering how out of his depth he truly is, and if he has the capacity to learn. Cam leads a close reading that compares the series-long arcs of the Stark clan and the white walkers, illuminates the ice and fire imagery we keep noticing, and reveals the beating heart of the Lord of Winterfell.   LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Let’s keep it brief: this season is as bad as the last season was good. On the menu we have ugly robots, boring traps, and a surprisingly long commute. As always, we’re not just here to mindlessly praise or bash this game; we love the series and believe this discussion is both constructive and fun. We discuss the state of the game, the seasonal campaign, some class updates (boo sorcerer), and close with some wrap-up questions looking ahead to the future of this consistently inconsistent live game. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon! Since Jon doesn't like the 'Lord Snow' nickname, let's just call him the Direwolf of Wall Street instead. Jon's arrival to Castle Black brings with it three subtle narrative interventions. Cam leads us through the quiet parade of second chances given to Jon, some unwelcome Sansa echoes, and a few ghostly glimpses of the White Walkers. Maggie examines the ice and fire dichotomy as it relates to Jon's dual identities. Finally, we trade dueling couplet echoes to help make sense of last week's Catelyn discussion. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   “The entire universe with all of its Time is within me.” The third Dune novel is not messing around. Herbert dives fearlessly into the further reaches of his creation and consecrates his central critique. The dehumanizing effect of absolute power is made literal. Monsters and gods take the places of previous meddlers. Recurring plot beats speak to an inevitable cycle of power and corruption. All of the time jumps finally pay off as idealistic returning characters move up the generational ladder, only to entrench themselves in a self-serving aristocracy. Finally, Herbert’s fascination with ghosts and echoes and gholas reaches horrifying new heights.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   If there’s any justice in the world, Monkey Man will be the next big thing in action movies. Dev Patel’s directorial debut is an unflinching, crunchy, gnarly, creative step forward for a genre still largely living in the shadows of John Wick, Jason Bourne, and Tom Cruise. In this episode we explore that lineage and celebrate the innovations that Monkey Man brings to the table. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Next stop, King’s Landing! George R. R. Martin’s most curious and contradictory character returns as an appropriate guide through the lions’ den. Cam takes look at Catelyn’s larger role in the story, tracing all the echoes of her previous chapters and the ways that they shape her dual Tully and Stark identities. Maggie questions Catelyn’s instincts. We return to last week’s anthropomorphized crow, closing the couplet with a theory about in absentia spymasters and unknowable power. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   We got to watch the extended editions of all three Lord of the Rings movies in theaters after not touching the franchise for years (since we finished our chapter-by-chapter readthrough). 12 hours later, after a lot of tears and popcorn, we have thoughts. Cam thinks he spotted a clue supporting his long-standing theory that Gandalf the White is a reanimated corpse. Maggie’s relationship with Rohan (and Two Towers) has completely changed, and we have an extended discussion about courage, hesitation, and hope in the battle sequences across this story. We didn’t expect to return to Middle Earth, but we’re so glad we did.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   It’s Maggie’s time to shine: this entire chapter is a dream sequence, and in the grand tradition of True Detective, time truly is a flat circle, and everything we see has happened and will happen again. Cam chimes in to this dream discussion with a note on prophecy that ropes in our old pal Paul Atreides as a point of contrast. Is Bran doomed to become a dead-eyed robot god emperor? We compare Paul’s subjective prophecies with the objective truths that Bran is being exposed to, to examine Bran’s overall arc. Just three chapters in, his individualism and humanity may already be slipping away. We close with a discussion of possible identities of the star of this dream: the crow. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Another Dune book discussion means another joyful Shakespeare recalibration. This time, Cam is delighted to find Frank Herbert swerving into Julius Caesar mode, with a renewed focus on history that extends beyond Shakespeare into the modern era. We consider the scope of these points of reference and their effect on Herbert’s larger critique within the series. Without spoiling anything, Cam considers the idea of the ghola as an escalation of our long-standing echoes and ghosts theories into a walking and talking thought experiment. We close with a deep dive into prophecy, free will, religious justification, and messianic culpability – and we ponder the future of our Dune coverage.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   This chapter effectively retires two of our ongoing theories: Maggie’s seen & unseen theory undergoes a full reversal in the wake of a quiet Lannister coup, and Cam’s dog/wolf dichotomy meets the harsh self-interested reality of a world without truth or fairness. This is the archetypical Game of Thrones chapter – full of intricate character work, scheming, dishonesty, betrayal, direwolves, and lots of blood. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   The day has finally arrived. After months of hints, tangents, and mini rants, Cam’s finally doing a full episode about Destiny 2. This one is about the complicated, difficult relationship that all hardcore Destiny players have with the game – but more importantly, it’s about the game’s future. Cam walks through a whole history of the game’s release and expansions in parallel with the trajectory of the Halo series to make a passionate case against the ongoing travesty that is the Destiny content vault.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Watch the trailer for Invader here   We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for an emergency indie horror recommendation. Invader (2024) isn’t just another home invasion slasher; it’s The Strangers by way of Terrifier with a found footage ferocity. Writer/Director Mickey Keating creates an unbelievable amount of tension with his intimate and unexpected camera movements. The 70-minute runtime complements the film’s nerve-shredding simplicity. Invader is lean and mean. It’s grounded and tactile. It’s possible. It’s complete. And even days later, it’s unshakeable.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Ah, to be young and in love. JK, we finally get to meet the true Joffrey in this chapter – and he represents the shattering of Sansa’s idealized future. Cam explores the endearing clumsiness of Sansa’s classism and aristocracy worship in terms of dogs and wolves. George RR Martin both introduces and explodes this contradictory dichotomy in the same chapter. Maggie seeks to understand Sansa’s simultaneous foolish naivete and savvy survival skills through the lens of sight and blindness. RIP to all the characters who are introduced in this chapter who are all going to die horribly!   LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Cam read Book 3 of Dune in one sitting. This episode is a passionate, spoiler-free whirlwind of reactions, theories, and questions. Our Shakespeare conversation has evolved drastically, moving past Henry IV to welcome back our friends Macbeth, Hamlet, and Richard III. Because of all these pesky prophecies and religious rhetoric, Cam also gets to shoehorn some Problem of Evil into the discussion. But we’re also asking questions with the benefit of hindsight: about Frank Herbert’s dialogue focus at the expense of traditional set pieces, and about Dune’s paradoxical status as both a complete trilogy and the first of six novels. We close with a bit of reflection on the escalating challenge nested within Herbert’s decision to make Paul both narratively irresistible and ethically irredeemable.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   This chapter is 8 pages long, but it somehow manages to move almost all the pieces on the chessboard and quietly advance every major storyline since the last Targaryen checkpoint – while also being a one-act medieval hospital drama. Echoes abound through this efficient chapter, ranging from the assassins and meddling witches of Macbeth to the hollow dread of The Godfather. Cam takes us on a detour about the expanded role of the direwolves and their apparent narrative interventions. Maggie draws comparisons between Catelyn and Ned, identifying the ways in which they speak up or remain silent in their respective circumstances – and it’s not looking good for our boy Ned! LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Dune: Part Two was an overwhelming work of art. The visuals are relentless and innovative, the script is efficient and reverential – but there are downsides for any overstuffed turkey. Vital character arcs (and entire characters themselves) have to be cut, and even some of our returning favorites have lost some of their intoxicating texture. This extra long discussion investigates the world of Dune with one eye to this adaptation and another to its source material, spiraling through temptation, revenge, color theory, Shakespeare, religion, and the corrosive unknowability of prophecy.   00:00 - The IMAX Experience 03:50 - Overwhelmed & Underwhelmed 07:42 - Oversimplified Returning Characters 22:44 - Herbert's Revolving Door 26:56 - Dazzling Images & Reinventions 35:07 - Color Theory: Harkonnen vs. Fremen 40:21 - When Does Paul Turn? 52:58 - Prophecy as Forbidden Knowledge 58:43 - Adaptation Roundup! 01:05:22 - The Quiet Corruption of Leto Atreides 01:13:14 - Tangible Time & Dramatic Pacing 01:21:46 - Dune Messiah & Closing Questions LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   “A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.” Our favorite dwarf is back, and brings with him centuries of history, paragraphs of wisdom, and lots of Targaryen foreshadowing. Cam examines Tyrion and Jon’s growing relationship in this chapter, particularly as a model of true male friendship. We both spotted some exciting Dany parallels, and Maggie breaks down a prophetic line in Tyrion’s memory of the dragon skulls in the crypt at King’s Landing: leading us to ask ourselves who the “last of the Targaryen dragons” truly are. We examine Tyrion’s place in the narrative, where Cam positions the dwarf as a kind of “bridge”: between characters, histories, places, and future generations.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   When we tell you that the first book was about sand worms and this book was about water, and that this one was somehow more interesting - you gotta believe us. This episode continues our crash course through Frank Herbert’s Dune. We discuss the evolution of dialogue-first genre fiction into a wold of fractal observations and stolen glances, the dreadful shadow that’s falling over Paul, and the effect of Herbert’s compounding Shakespearean feints.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   We’ve officially left Winterfell, and the road to King’s Landing is full of key character moments. Maggie breaks down a new literary device that encourages a deeper look at the relationship between Ned and Robert. Cam sparks a discussion about change, prophecy, and defining character moments that take place in adolescence. We move to a conversation about the gods, inevitability, and the harshness of GRRM’s world. Cam also makes an important connection across the Narrow Sea between Ned and Dany – and we’re left pondering the fates of both.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Remember when we were trying to decide if we were going to read Game of Thrones or Dune? Welcome to our healthy compromise! This discussion covers the first third of Frank Herbert’s Dune, which is, paradoxically, also called Dune. We’ve got lots to discuss as we settle into our new home of Arrakis, including: the Lovecraftian grandeur of the sandworms, the dialogue-first approach to epic storytelling, the irresistible framework of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, and the strange, scandalized feeling of discovering 1965’s Dune long after 1977’s “revolutionary” Star Wars.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Our second Targaryen checkpoint gives us fascinating insight into the past and future of this story. Maggie explores Dany’s prophetic multilayered dream, and Cam tracks the unexpected echoes between this wedding ceremony and our previous POV characters. We come together for another discussion of age, courage, and resilience, and close with a theory about an unexpected spell-caster.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Volume 5 of the Breakfast Buffet brings us four fascinatingly different works of art. We begin with The Zone of Interest and a discussion of disturbing restraint. Next up we have All of Us Strangers, a beautifully intimate indie drama that reinvents the genre with some high concepts and Dickensian surrealism. Then we move on to Anyone But You, the delightful and Shakespeare-indebted romcom that inspires a conversation about comedic set pieces and the lineage of beloved plot structures. Last (but certainly not least) we have The Beekeeper, with its relentless, absurdist escalation and undying dedication to its titular theme. To hear the full episode, subscribe to our Patreon HERE. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Hi I’m Guy (Jon) Fieri and we’re roooollin out (of Winterfell)! Maggie’s got a theory about Dany chapters acting as structural checkpoints that makes this chapter something of a “season finale”. Some of our long-standing theories are getting wrapped up with a bow, including death and prophecy, seen and unseen, and the remixed Macbeth. We also take a moment to discuss the tragic ages of so many of these characters and the respect that George R. R. Martin shows them even in the worst moments.   LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   There’s a proud lineage of deceptive, murderous, homoerotic schemers that goes all the way back through Shakespeare to the best Greek drama. Saltburn reinvigorated this type of story, and today we’re looking at another fabulous incarnation from 1999. The Talented Mr. Ripley is a fascinating point of reference for our favorite movie of 2023. In this episode, we chart the remixes, influences, recalibrations, and callbacks connecting these two thrilling works of art. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Join us in the Winterfell library this week – Tyrion’s here to distill some echoes, complicate some theories, and spark a whole new wave of Macbeth analysis. Shout out to Peregrine and Brother Sameron for their fantastic contributions to this episode. We come together to make sense of this ultimate gargoyle’s long-awaited introduction, and by the end of it, find ourselves wondering if he’s got some vulture in him too.   Batman Gargoyle reference: https://www.fascinationst.com/artwork/sku26832 LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   What makes a work of art ‘good’ or ‘bad’? Is it possible to define these terms? Are they purely subjective preferences or is there some objective standard for art? In this episode, we dive into all these questions and more, considering and challenging the answers that crop up so frequently in our modern discourse. Related: Cam offers a spirited defense of the Fifty Shades of Grey. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   We’ve been dreading this chapter. It’s the most memorable, shocking, and tone-setting twist in modern fantasy. As it turns out, it’s also the culmination of our ongoing discussions about animal prophecies, seen & unseen, and gargoyle characters. The whole world is being turned upside down in these pages, and we’re left with a new, revealing perspective. Consider this the unofficial return of Maggie’s Bird Corner. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Heading out to the Blood Harvest, do you need anything? Season 2 of Diablo 4 is not only the best the game has ever been, but it’s up there with our favorite experiences from our beloved Diablo 3. The story campaign is great, the challenges keep us engaged, and the end game is thrilling. Oh and it’s all free! But the real headline here is that we finally took Tristan’s recommendation and tried out the exhilarating rogue class. The game’s never been in a better spot, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate that in this episode.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   This chapter is a cacophony of distillation echoes. In this episode, we're tracking the reverberations of Jon, Ned, Tyrion, and Catelyn across Arya's unfolding journey. We've got quiet couplets, structural secrets, unanswered prayers, and unwanted bastards. Our discussion of prophecy continues to evolve into the cultural / sociological realm, and Cam makes his very first contribution to Maggie's landmark 'seen and unseen' theory. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

The Buffet is back in town, and our January round-up is a doozy! We begin with Poor Things and a discussion about scale, scene-stealers, and the relationship between plot and dialogue. From there, we move to Godzilla: Minus One for a chat about blockbusters, character work, and budgetary priorities. After that, we take a pitstop with Ferrari and consider the power of Adam Driver's physicality and Michael Mann's ethos of bluntness. Finally, we close out the episode with a dedicated conversation about The Iron Claw that spirals through several unusual comparisons to It's A Wonderful Life and the psychology of grief horror. To hear the full episode, subscribe to our Patreon HERE. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Things are heating up at Winterfell. George is carefully restaging – and then pointedly pivoting from – the sexless murder plots of Macbeth. In this chapter, Catelyn and Ned officially evolve past their Scottish counterparts. The Jon and Ned echoes pay off in a tragic structural reenactment of Jon’s birth and Catelyn’s rejection of him. Ned’s blindness stands in stark (teehee) contrast to Jon’s gargoyle perception. Death and prophecy grow ever more intertwined.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Fallout 3 released in the autumn of 2008, just as Cam’s life completely exploded. 15 years later, he replayed a game he thought hated. Fallout 3 is a masterpiece, and this episode tracks the journey of revisiting such a time capsule so many years later. Memories, revelations, sledgehammer metaphors – wandering through the Wasteland again was a fascinating, powerful experience. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Today we’re tucking into a welcome feast – the Great Hall of Winterfell. On the menu: bread crusts, bacon grease, and possibly a brand-new literary device. Cam thinks he’s discovered a new type of echo that uses repetition to boil down imagery and spark revelation. We also celebrate the introduction of Tyrion Lannister by attempting to label the ongoing trend of perceptive outsiders at the margins of this story. We’re breaking out the red string and corkboard for this one to connect characters and themes – and maybe even the odd prophecy. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Who doesn’t love a little pomp and circumstance? Some glitz and glamour to close out a wonderful year of art? 2023 was chock-full of movies, books, comics, games, and shows that we loved (and loved talking to you about). In this episode, the fourth annual Brekkie Awards, we start with a big ole year in review segment before handing out awards in the following categories: best surprises of the year, best horror movie, best comic, best book, best discoveries from the past, and the big one — our three very favorite releases of 2023. Thank you for joining us on this roller coaster of a year!   LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   Down into the crypt we go! After three chapters on the periphery, we finally dive into the mind of Ned Stark, the daddy of Winterfell. Cam continues chasing death prophecies across three lightning-bolt moments from this chapter, while Maggie resurrects an old, classic theory to better understand the series’ approach to fate and omens. We close by evolving our Macbeth comparison – George is throwing curveballs about Ned and Robert that will blow your mind.  LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Get bonus episodes on Patreon!   You guys weren’t kidding, Path of Exile is ENORMOUS. The locations are boundless, the enemy variety is staggering, and the character customization is nothing short of incredible. But the bigger this game gets, the more there is to miss out on. In this episode we consider the idea that there is no one right way to play a game. It’s all up to you – how much you engage with the story, the choice to use build guides, the decision to play end game content at all – these sprawling ARPGs can be whatever you want them to be. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Cam’s stories Feedback & Theories: [email protected]