Geek Between the Lines

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...

This week we enjoy diving into all kinds of friendships in the Harry Potter books and look at Luna, Hermione, Harry, Dobby, 'The Marauders', and even Fleur! From powerful to disappointing, adorable, enabling, and life-saving, we praise and critique so many kinds of HP friendships. And while Chris misinterprets Brittany's words to mean she likes James Potter, she ultimately sets Chris right during...

This week, we touch on the originals, prequels, sequels, and even the Solo movie! We discuss Luke's use of (and failure at) nonviolence to defy Palpatine, ponder the difference between defiance and rebellion, wish the series went more into defiance among the Sith, and basically find that everything comes a bit up short in comparison with the brilliance of Princess Leia. If you enjoy this episode,...

This week we're celebrating Geek Critique Pod's 1-year anniversary! Hurrah! In this episode, we not only enjoy a wonderful conversation with the creator of our logo, we also discuss the future of our podcast and the ways we can take it to the next level. Find all of the geeky goodies you can get by joining us at: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines It would mean the world to us to have you...

This week, we look at ATLA and LOK through the theme of fear. We think about how the nature of fear as a motivator changes each season in Korra, wonder if the Avatar state renders its user fearless, discuss how the rulers and the ruled in ALTA experience fear, and make up a great new hashtag. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https:...

This week, we look at nationalism in The Hunger Games trilogy, and of course Brittany brings up how the old white male president is the perfect symbol for nationalism and imperialism. We also think a lot about what made certain districts exhibit nationalism vs revolution, and wish the books addressed international applications a little more overtly. (Let's face it, the U.S. is the Capitol after al...

This week, we finally get to analyze LOTR through the theme of gender! We obviously talk about Éowyn a whole lot, geekily critique representation, look at Sam and Frodo's relationship, and realize that a character is essentially #killedbytoxicmasculinity. Unsurprisingly, Chris makes use of his grad school classes yet again while Brittany uses host of sarcastic tones and air-quotes. You can find th...

In this week’s episode, we look at how several beloved characters interact with shame very differently - from Neville Longbottom to Severus Snape, Ron Weasley, Book 5 CAPS LOCK Harry, and the most admirable Luna Lovegood. We also analyze the function of shame in House Elf culture and wish an element of shame had been integrated into the concept of Dementors. You can find this episode’s show notes...

In celebration of this most foolish of days, we are releasing our special blooper reel episode! Including flubbed words, forgetting to prepare questions, and Brittany being mean to Chris, enjoy this peak behind the podcast curtain. If you want to enjoy more bloopers, become a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great w...

This week we look at the theme of pride in our Star Wars podcast episode. We oh-so-shockingly talk a lot of about Anakin, Darth Vader, and the Sith, but look at where pride becomes a problem for the Jedi, too. Also, get ready for a mention of Boba Fett’s sick Mandalorian armor, the new trending #rhythmofpride, and Chris being too Ravenclaw to let Brittany’s jokes be jokes. If you enjoy this episod...