Geek Between the Lines

This episode looks at the themes of bias and prejudice within Harry Potter, and wow, there are so many fascinating elements to discuss! We analyze everything from the views of the Weasley family, to the role of the slur 'mudblood', to the symbolism of the basilisk beneath Hogwarts. Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your podcast app! And, if you enjoy our content, consider b...

We're back this week with an episode analyzing gender in Star Wars. From Leia to Rose to Droids that should actually be nonbinary, there's a lot to talk about! Here is a link to the LA Times analysis of female characters' dialogue and the interactive function for matching up characters to see how often they say lines to each other: https://www.latimes.com/projects/star-wars-movies-female-character...

The Dragon Prince is such an awesome and delightful show, we just had to do a special episode covering the highs and lows of the first 3 seasons that are on Netflix thus far. We discuss what the series does really well, what they could do a bit better, and a little of what we hope to see in the coming seasons. Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your podcast app! And, if you...

This week, we discuss the theme of courage in ATLA and LOK! From Zuko standing up to the Fatherlord to Beifong protecting the last airbenders, there are so many powerful moments of courage that we love exploring in this episode. Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your podcast app! And, if you enjoy our content, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons and get even more o...

This week, we have a great conversation centering around the theme of beauty within The Hunger Games trilogy, and also touch on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Even in a series about violence, trauma, and toppling oppressive regimes, Suzanne Collins still wove so many poignant and powerful ideas of beauty throughout the books. From Stylists, to Finnick Odair, to Katniss' body hair, there is ju...

This week, we tackle the theme of greed in LOTR and the Hobbit and discover things we never realized about the series before! From Smaug, to Saruman, to industrialization, we find that Middle Earth is rife with ideas of greed and a countervailing force. Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your podcast app! And, if you enjoy our content, consider becoming one of our amazing pa...

This week, we look at the Harry Potter books through the theme of commitment. We discuss everything from the members of Order of the Phoenix, to McGonagall’s many commitments, to what Harry was committed to before Voldemort officially 'returned.' Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your podcast app! And, if you enjoy our content, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons a...

This week, we explore the theme of ability within the Star Wars movies. We look at everything from Padme Amidala's abilities in a triolgy full of Jedi, to the possibilites the Star Wars universe provides, to the vulnerabilities that droids face. We even discuess what should have happened with Darth Vader between Episode III and IV. Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your pod...

This week, we are back to our usual property rotation and are excited to dive into the theme of education and learning within the world of ATLA and LOK! We discuss everything from Katara fighting for her own education to culture being intertwined with learning. We also look at how some characters like Zuko, Iroh, and Korra are changed through learning from different types of bending. Please tell a...

After analyzing The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in our miniseries, we wanted to sort the characters we've spent the past 2.5 months with! Find out where we put eight characters - from Coriolanus, to Dr, Gaul, to Reaper. And, please leave us a review on your podcast app and tell a geeky friend about us! And, if you enjoy our content, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons and get even more...

This is the final episode of our Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes miniseries, and wow, there is so much to discuss! We don't only look specifically at Chapter 30 and the Epilogue, but also at the whole book and at its role as a companion to The Hunger Games trilogy. We analyze everything from character arcs, to mockingjays, to the message about the power of ideologies. We even somehow slip a Samwise...

This week, we dive into the intense chapters that cause Brittany to wallow in feelings for Sejanus and not share the angry PG-13 comments she wrote on her book margins, and cause Chris to accidentally make a ridiculous statement. We discuss how Snow remains a complex character even as he becomes a manipulative little monster and lies to everyone and even himself. We also talk about how differently...

This week, we have one of our most fun discussions yet as we take digs at Snow's false equivalencies and romanticization of himself and others (and even find an amusing way in which Chis and Snow are alike!). We also dive into a rich analysis of the function of the Victor's prize within the Hunger Games system and the differences between Lucy Gray's desire for freedom and creativity, Snow desires...

This week, we start "Part III: The Peacekeeper" of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. We have a great discussion about the Covey's songs, military conscription, Capitol attitudes on district poverty, and the US being little Capitols. We also wonder how Coriolanus' military service is going to take him further on the road to becoming President Snow, cringe at possible violent ends for Sejanus, and...

This week, we tackle Chapters 18-20 of Songbirds and Snakes, which close out the 10th Hunger Games. We analyze Reaper's actions and use of the Panem flag, look to the Kalbelia enthic group to understand Lucy Gray's dance in the arena, and think about how these Games are foundational for the type of Games we see in the original trilogy. We also look at the compelling ways Coriolanus, Lucy Gray, and...

This week, we have a lively discussion about Chapters 14-17 as the 10th Hunger Games begin. We think about Lucy Gray's handling of Jessup's death, get inspired by Sejanus' commitment to political dissent, and find meaningful connections to Peeta and mentors in the original trilogy. We also discover fascinating parallels between the book and our own world -from ancient Roman use of crucifixion to m...

In our 4th Songbirds and Snakes podcast episode, we have a lively discussion about Chapters 11-13. From ideas of human rights to perspectives on warfare, we find fascinating parallels between the world of the Hunger Games and our own world. We also analyze Lucy Gray's interview song and Coriolanus' reaction to it, talk about the first openly queer couple we've encountered in Panem, and share wonde...

This week, we discuss Chapters 7-10 of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. So very much happens in these 60 pages and we have a great time looking at everything from Snow’s privilege to poignant imagery, and even check in with how we’re liking the character arcs of Coriolanus, Lucy Gray, and Sejanus thus far. As we mention in the episode, we would love to have you join in on the Songbirds and Snak...

In this second podcast episode on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we have a great discussion on Chapters 4-6. We think about mentor mentalities, Sejanus' empathy, Lucy Gray and Romani representation, and even Roman imperial naming choices in the Capitol. [ While we normally post these miniseries episodes on Tuesdays, we wanted to participate in the intentional disruption of the week in support...

In this first episode of our podcast on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we dive into Chapters 1-3 of Suzanne Collins' new book! We analyze the start of this fascinating narrative by exploring our first impressions, what connects to the real world, what resonates with the original Hunger Games trilogy, and what the book is making us ruminate on moving forward. We would love to have you join in...

This week, we celebrate our 2nd anniversary of Geek Between the Lines and announce an exiciting 10-episode mini season that starts next week! (To be ready, you can read chapters 1-3 for episode #1.) Don't forget, you can become one of our amazing patrons and join in on our special book discussions and Zoom session for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every doll...

This week, we take a look at the theme of compassion within LOTR and a bit in The Hobbit. We discuss Aragorn and the difference between the Frodo-Gollum relationship and Bilbo-Gollum interactions. We also think about what could have been with Legolas and Gimli if they took an orc along on their friendship travels. Please tell a geeky friend about us and leave a review on your podcast app! And, if...

This week, we tackle the theme of loneliness in Harry Potter and instead of it being a bummer episode, we have a beautifully rich discussion! We look at many of the individual sources of loneliness for different characters - from Albus Dumbledore to Draco Malfoy. We even spend some time pondering the loneliness of ghosts as well as those in positions of power, and end with the discovery a powerful...

This week we look at the friendships people have in the Star Wars universe and even among Star Wars fans. We ponder some of the positive and negative elements found friendships between characters, look at inter-species friendships, and discuss C-3PO and R2-D2 and of course always-sacrificing-for-friends boy, Luke Skywalker. Please leave us a review on your podcast app and tell a geeky friend about...

In this episode, we look at the theme of identity in ATLA and LOK. We discuss how and why Amon took up the identity he did, which characters struggle with their identities in either series, and much, much more. Please leave us a review on your podcast app and tell a geeky friend about us! And, if you enjoy our content, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons and get even more of it for just $...