Geek Between the Lines

This week we look at the theme of Defiance in Harry Potter and have so much to talk about, we decided to make our very first 2-part episode! In Part I, we shockingly talk about Mr. Potter a whole lot and ponder why Voldemort didn't practice open defiance while at Hogwarts and before officially returning to the world. We also discuss so many things in Book 5 that we might as well have analyzed the...

This week we look at Trust in the Star Wars movies and a bit of The Clone Wars (don't worry - we don't give away big spoilers). While we both find Luke Skywalker to be a bit gullible at times, we find his multi-triology character arch an interesting one. We also think about Kylo, look forward to The Rise of Skywalker, and ponder what it means to trust the Force and how much it overlaps with religi...

This week we discuss Despair in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, including how despair affects an optimistic character like Aang, when incarceration leads to despair, and how the existence and disappearance of the Avatar might have caused despair in his 100 year absence. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://w...

This week we discuss Identity in the Hunger Games, analyzing the tributes' chariot costumes, Katniss' changing identities, and the difference between chosen identities and those forced upon you. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another gr...

This week we have a special Sorting Chat where we place characters we get to know in the second book of the Hunger Games into their Hogwarts Houses! We discuss whether Haymitch's drinking is brave or cowardly, Finnick's loyalty, and how Beetee shows some of the negative aspects of Ravenclaw and Slytherin houses. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 pe...

This week we discuss Agency in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, asking how much agency Bilbo and the Army of the Dead have, whether the One Ring should be considered a character, and the lack of economic systems in the narrative of Tolkien's stories. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Ev...

This week we discuss Belief in Harry Potter, analyzing the difference between Dumbledore believing in and trusting others, whether Harry could have trusted Snape if he knew the truth, and how the lack of a religious or spiritual belief system leaves out rich context from the lives of the magical world. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month he...

This week Chris and Brittany discuss Compassion in Star Wars, interrogating just how compassionate the Jedi really are, extolling the virtues of Rose Tico, and delving into the deeper motivations behind Anakin's actions. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every dollar helps keep the podca...

This week we will have our first ever Sorting Chat about characters from Harry Potter, for this first time re-sorting Harry, Ron, and Hermione into houses other than Gryffindor. We discuss how Harry's relationship with Draco would change were he in Slytherin, how Ron is NOT the best boy, and ask if politician Hermione would be like Elizabeth Warren. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one...

This week we have a Sorting Chat about the heroes from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. We discuss Anakin as a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff gone bad, Qui-Gon Junn as the bad boy of the galaxy, and how Jar Jar Binks fits into Helga Hufflepuff's ideology. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every...

This week, we look at ATLA and LOK through the theme of Bias. Since there are so many different types of bias interwoven into each series, we got to cover everything from Fire Nation characters, to the Spirit World, to questionable timelines (and questionable enunciations by Chris). If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patr...

This week, we look at The Hunger Games through the theme of "friendship." We discuss Peeta's work to be friends with Katniss, how the concept of debt plays into friendships, and we ask if having friends in the Hunger Games would be an advantage or disadvantage. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthe...

This week, we look at LOTR through the theme of Violence and (unsurprisingly) there's a lot to talk about. We analyze both the Steward of Gondor and Gandalf, think about how violence impacts character development, and see where the books and movies diverge. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweentheline...

In this episode we look at the strengths and weaknesses of ability representation in Harry Potter. We explore ideas surrounding Neville and his parents, Lupin, and several characters that don't have access to magic. We also critique the Wizarding World for how they allocate resources and find other cases of ableism in and outside of the books. (Oh, and here is fair warning that we don't talk about...

In this week's episode, we explore the theme of Play in Star Wars. We talk about Han and Lando, consider if Droids can play, and wish those on the Dark Side had a more playful side. If you haven't read Chris’ new blog post about his experience as a presenter at San Diego Comic-Con yet, you can read it and even watch his presentation here: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast/post/san-di...

This week we discuss Compassion in ATLA and LOK! We talk a lot about Katara and Aang, consider if taking bending away is a compassionate act, think about Iroh and Zuko’s relationship, and wonder if Avatars feel compassion while in the Avatar State. We also announce that Chris’ new blog post about his experience as a presenter at San Diego Comic-Con is now up! You can read it and even watch his pre...

This week, we look at The Hunger Games through the theme of Despair. We oh-so-shockingly look at Katniss, think about if generational despair can be a thing, and wonder if certain characters have defiance in the face of despair or if they aren't truly in despair if they still have fight in them. Basically, we go a bit back and forth on if we see despair everywhere or only in a few specific moments...

In this very special episode, we interview some of the wonderful attendees at San Diego Comic-Con about their love for Harry Potter, Avatar, and Star Wars! From a professor who sends Hogwarts letters to his students to a number of amazing cosplayers, we hear lots of great perspectives on what they love about these series and what they'd like to see more of. Spoiler warning for each of these series...

In this week's episode, we analyze LOTR (and a bit of The Hobbit) through the theme of Loneliness. We look at several characters, including Treebeard, Gollum, Gandalf, Éowyn, and Aragorn. We also consider how the ring diminishes or extenuates loneliness, how certain hobbits help break through its hold, and how Sauron would have been more interesting if he was lonely without his best bud blood ring...

This week, we tackle the theme of courage in Harry Potter (although there is so much in the series, it's more like we just graze the surface). We discuss the Battle of Hogwarts, ponder if Dumbledore is actually very brave at all, and re-sort some characters. In the end, Brittany gushes about Harry while Chris finds himself falling in love with that green-eyed, messy-haired boy. If you enjoy this e...

This week, we look at war in Star Wars. We examine Padme Amidala's efforts to avoid war, think about how war does and doesn't impact relationships in the series, critique the absence of significant elements of warfare, and wonder about underlying causes of Star Wars conflicts. While this week's theme sounds overly apparent, we actually find that SW isn't as good at war as it really should be - com...

This week, we dive into the theme of leadership in ATLA and LOK. We have a fun discussion on Katara, the Earth Kingdom, non-powered character tropes, missed opportunities in the Northern Water Tribe, and even come up with a new fossil fuel company. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every...

It's been a while since we last sorted any beloved characters into Hogwarts Houses, so we decided to have a go at LOK this week! While we really don't find a plethora of Ravenclaws, the other 3 Houses abound. In an uncharacteristic manner, Chris wants to force characters into neat little boxes while Brittany enjoys being more open. (Yes, we can still surprise you after all these months.) If you en...

This week we look at privilege in The Hunger Games, while trying not to step too far into our future themes like race, gender, and ability. We discuss Finnick Odair, the full Prep Team, missed opportunities for intersectionalality, and even areas that Katniss has privilege compared to many others. You can find this episode’s show notes here: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast/post/hun...

In this week's episode, we look to the hobbits for beautiful examples of courage. We also spend time discussing smaller acts of courage throughout the series and don't quite agree on if Gollum showed courage by leaving the Misty Mountains to seek the Ring that Bilbo took. It's good to note that by the end of the episode, Chris admits that he's a coward and wishes that the epic warriors in the Fell...