Lore Actually

We’re talking Golden Son and why Darrow might be a little too perfect to care about. Does a main character need flaws to work? Or can being competent and “good” be enough? We get into why something isn’t fully clicking, even when everything else seems to be working. Ksenia talks Crescent City and tries to convince Paula to read it. Paula pushes back, questions everything, and somehow still ends up...

In this episode of Lore Actually, we’re talking Oscars: the ceremony, the winners, the pacing, and why the whole thing felt kind of off. We get into some of the performances, including Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, and a few others, and try to figure out what actually worked this year and what really didn’t. Basically, a very honest Oscars recap.

In this short episode of Lore Actually, we talk through a few recent pop culture stories and fiction news. We start with Good Omens and why the second season feels different from the original adaptation — from the shift in tone to the absence of Terry Pratchett’s influence. Did Good Omens lose some of its charm, or did the second season work for you? Then we move through a few other updates from t...

In this episode of Lore Actually, we dive into Bridgerton Season 4 and the question at the center of the show: what do we actually want from romance? We discuss Benedict and Sophie’s storyline, Francesca, John, and Michaela, why some romances feel intense while others feel quiet, and whether Bridgerton still understands the slow burn that made earlier seasons so compelling. Along the way, we talk...

In this episode we break down the ending of Red Rising and discuss the first half of Golden Son , focusing on Darrow as an unreliable narrator, the moral tension behind his choices, and whether his actions align with the ideals he says he believes in. We also talk Victra, Mustang, Sevro, the Jackal, Cassius, and why the writing in Golden Son feels more refined and urgent. If you’ve read Red Rising...

In this episode of Lore Actually , we’re talking about what we’ve been watching lately. We start with the Tell Me Lies finale, then move into adaptation and casting news, and share our thoughts on Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1, K-Pop Demon Hunters , and One Battle After Another . Thanks for listening - and tell us what you’re watching. Spoilers discussed: Tell Me Lies (finale), Bridgerton Season 4,...

In this book-focused bonus episode, we talk about  Red Rising  by Pierce Brown. Paula is about 85% through the first book and not fully convinced yet. We discuss pacing, the Institute, Darrow’s arc, Sevro and the Howlers, and whether the buildup feels intentional or frustrating. Is the ending strong enough to justify the slow burn? And does the series get better from here? We’ll revisit final rati...

In this episode of  Lore Actually , we catch up on recent fantasy and pop-culture news, talk about what we’ve been watching, and share a brief reading recap. We discuss  The White Lotus  casting updates,  Game of Thrones  rumors,  The Lord of the Rings  news, upcoming Brandon Sanderson adaptations, ongoing  Harry Potter  fatigue, and Greta Gerwig’s  Narnia . In the second half, we talk about  K-Po...

This bonus episode was pulled from Episode 3: a short, unplanned book tangent about Red Rising that we couldn’t cut.📚 Book discourse 🎧 Mini episode ⚠️ Mild spoilers for Red Rising (early books)

In this episode of  Lore Actually , we catch up on recent TV, film, and book news before diving into a longer discussion of  Tell Me Lies (Season 3, Episodes 1-3). We talk about why  Tell Me Lies  is so hard to watch and even harder to stop, unpack Steven DeMarco as a character and the damage he causes, and reflect on themes of self-destruction and trauma bonds. We also share early thoughts on the...

In this episode of  Lore Actually , we look at the current awards season, reboots, and the renewed fascination with morally complicated (and often toxic) characters and relationships. We discuss: What kinds of films and TV shows are being rewarded this awards season Reboots, revivals, and why familiar stories keep returning Tell Me Lies  and the appeal of a villain who never presents himself as on...

⚠️ Spoilers: Throne of Glass (major spoilers) and early Red Rising . In the first episode, we talk about why we started this podcast and move between books, TV, and movies, including Harry Potter , ACOTAR , Heated Rivalry, and upcoming releases. We’re also figuring out podcasting as we go. Paula starts Red Rising , Ksenia explains why she recommends it, and we outline what future episodes will foc...