Systematic Geekology

TJ Blackwell and Jill Elizabeth dive into the complex world of Cable from X-Men: The Animated Series, a character that raises some heavy-duty philosophical questions about time travel and the weight of choices. Right off the bat, they ponder whether you’d go back in time to prevent a war if given the chance—classic Cable conundrum, right? As they reminisce about their first encounters with the cha...

Joshua Noel dives deep with TJ Blackwell to unpack the dynamic character of Kaladin Stormblessed from Brandon Sanderson's epic "The Stormlight Archives." Right off the bat, they explore what makes Kaladin such a compelling figure—his unwavering commitment to protect those who can't protect themselves, a mantra that resonates throughout the series. As they meander through the narrative, TJ shares i...

Kevin Schaefer, Andy Walsh, and Will Rose dive into the latest episode of What's News on Systematic Geekology, where they dissect the thrilling trailers that have just dropped and the highly anticipated film, "Project Hail Ma...

The discussion dives deep into the mystical afterlife of Middle Earth, exploring whether dwarves, elves, and men share the same fate after their epic adventures. For a very special bonus segment following our exclusive episode on our website , Will Rose, joined by our favortie Tolkien Heads Tripp Fuller and Nick Polk, tackle the intriguing questions about what lies beyond the Grey Havens, and whic...

Andy Walsh and Evan Garcia dive deep into the mind-bending world of "12 Monkeys," exploring the intricate themes of time travel and causality in this classic flick. Right out of the gate, they tackle the core idea that the future is a wild card, and sometimes we’re just along for the ride, caught in loops of our own making. It’s not just about the science fiction elements; they get into the psycho...

Joshua Noel and Christian Ashley dive deep into the complex character of Axel, also known as Lea, from the Kingdom Hearts series, exploring how this fiery figure resonates with themes of identity and sacrifice. They kick things off by reminiscing about Axel's journey, from being a thorn in Sora's side to a character that evokes both love and frustration. Their banter is filled with witty insights...

The discourse at hand delves into the intricate dynamics of church unity as illuminated by the multifaceted narratives of the gaming franchise "Mass Effect." The esteemed hosts, Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell, engage in a profound dialogue with Christian Ashley, wherein they explore the vital lessons that can be gleaned from the game's thematic elements. The central thesis posits that, akin to the d...

Tony Stark's complex journey as both hero and villain takes center stage as Christian Ashley and Kevin Schaefer dive deep into the MCU with their review of the first two Iron Man films and the Incredible Hulk. They kick things off by pondering whether Stark is truly the greatest hero or just a glorified villain, setting the tone for a lively discussion that blends nostalgia with critical analysis....

Will Rose and Andy Walsh dive into the mind-bending time loop of the 2014 cinematic gem "Interstellar" in this installment of the Spring Bonus series, "On Loop." The duo navigates the intricate layers of urgency and emotional weight that the film presents, all while tackling the complex relationship between love, science, and time. They ponder the film’s profound themes, from the gravity of famili...

Christian Ashley, Leah Robinson, and Andy Walsh dive deep into the realm of pop culture in this episode, spotlighting their top three unfinished or forgotten storylines. From cliffhangers that left fans hanging like a poorly executed punchline to narratives that just fizzled out, the trio reflects on why these unresolved plots still tug at their heartstrings. They explore the emotional weight behi...

Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell dive headfirst into the world of "in-game literature" on this episode of Systematic Geekology, part of our All Reading Counts initiative. Right off the bat, they highlight the significance of the written word found in beloved gaming franchises, featuring gems like Ansem's Reports from Kingdom Hearts, the cheeky Lusty Argonian Maid from the Elder Scrolls, Frank's poigna...

Joshua Noel and Evan Garcia are joined by former host of the show, Brandon Knight, to dive into the delightful chaos of Disney's "Darkwing Duck" in this episode, focusing on the time-looping antics of the episode titled "Paraducks." They kick things off by celebrating how this classic show perfectly embodies the quirky charm and clever humor of the '90s. With nostalgia on their side, the trio refl...

TJ Blackwell and Andy Walsh dive deep into the quirks and complexities of Michael Scott from "The Office", unveiling the layers behind this iconic character who often straddles the line between hilarity and cringe. They explore how Michael’s desperate need for friendship shapes his questionable management style, revealing that his antics stem from a tragic backstory filled with loneliness and a lo...

Kevin Schaefer, Christian Ashley, and Leah Robinson dive headfirst into the latest pop culture happenings that have everyone buzzing. Kicking things off, they tackle the intriguing film "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die," where time travel meets dark comedy in a world threatened by AI. They also chat about the latest season of "Bridgerton," where romance and societal norms collide in a visually stun...

Will Rose, Jill Elizabeth, and Kevin Schaefer kick off our Spring Bonus series, "On Loop," by diving into the time-travel classic, "Back to the Future." Right off the bat, they highlight how this iconic flick has left a lasting mark on pop culture and time travel narratives, serving as the gold standard for all time loop stories that followed. The trio chats about their personal connections to the...

Joshua Noel, Liz Clyde, and TJ Blackwell dive into the heartwarming world of Pixar's "Onward," the first film of three "COVID era" Disney / Pixar films that will be discussed in this series. Right off the bat, they highlight how this flick serves as a poignant exploration of family bonds, grief, and the notion of stepping up when it counts. With brothers Ian and Barley embarking on a magical adven...

Kevin Schaefer, Andy Walsh, and Christian Ashley dive deep into the mutant mayhem of the first three X-Men films in this episode of Systematic Geekology. Their mission? To prep for the upcoming X-Men appearance in Avengers: Doomsday later this year. They kick things off by reminiscing about their first impressions of the original X-Men movie, dissecting its impact on the superhero genre, and shari...

Will Rose, Jill Elizabeth, and Kevin Schaefer dive into a whirlwind of pop culture delights in this all lightning round episode of Systematic Geekology. They share what’s new and exciting in the geek world, from the thrilling highs of the Winter Olympics to the emotionally charged narrative of the medical drama "The Pit." The trio engages in light-hearted banter, discussing the ins and outs of the...

In this enlightening episode of Some Joyful Noises, we delve into the profound thematic interplay between music and visual storytelling, specifically focusing on the comic "Middlewest" by Skottie Young. Our esteemed colleague Josh Patterson presents an intriguing discussion, proposing a curated selection of six songs - five Midwest Emo songs and 1 extra - that he posits would serve as an evocative...

Joshua Noel and Josh Patterson dive deep into the emotional and visually stunning world of Skottie Young's graphic novel, "Middlewest." Right off the bat, they explore how the story beautifully encapsulates themes of trauma, generational conflict, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly through the lens of Abel and his father—a storm personified. With a blend of heartfelt reflect...

Will Rose and Christian Ashley dive headfirst into the cosmic whirlwind of Star Wars history, embarking on a journey to review every nook and cranny of this legendary franchise. They kick things off by reflecting on the rich tapestry of Star Wars, from its groundbreaking debut in 1977 with "A New Hope" to the dizzying ride of the prequels, sequels, and everything in between. With a blend of nostal...

Alex Matthews, TJ Blackwell, and Will Rose dive into the high seas of geekdom as they dissect Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece, focusing on the first season's adventures and their hopes for the upcoming season two. Right off the bat, they explore the essence of camaraderie that drives Luffy and his crew, emphasizing how each character brings their unique flair to the crew dynamic, mak...

Will Rose and TJ Blackwell dive deep into the epic clash between Autobots and Decepticons in the latest episode of Systematic Geekology, featuring their guest, Keno Canady, back in the mix. Right off the bat, they dive into what really shapes a hero or a villain, using the iconic faces of Optimus Prime and Megatron as prime examples. With their contrasting philosophies—freedom versus tyranny—this...

Kevin Schaefer and Evan Garcia dive into some seriously captivating conversations in the latest episode of the "What's News" series on Systematic Geekology. Kicking things off, they explore "28 Years Later: Bone Temple," a flick that adds a fresh twist to the zombie genre, followed by their take on "Fallout Season 2," which keeps the thrills coming in the post-apocalyptic landscape. The duo doesn'...

Big Mom from One Piece is on a rampage in Japan, and the only thing that can quell her fury is a very specific Japanese Christmas Cake. In this episode of Systematic Geekology's "Geeks on a Roll" series, our host Joshua Noel takes the reins as GM while Christian Ashley is joined by a special return guest, Mark Flower, to team up and tackle this outrageous mission together. Their eclectic squad, fe...