Geek Between the Lines

This week we look at the theme of greed in our ATLA and LOK podcast episode. We analyze the underlying greed that various villains manifest and think about how different governments systems in each nation may or may not foster greed, all while Chris puts his grad school fascism class to good use. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: ht...

This week we do a fun Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse podcast episode! We take a look at the cast of characters, laugh at the film’s cleverness, celebrate the phenomenal artwork, and analyze the multiplicities found in identities, relationships, and neighborhoods throughout the movie. We end the episode by discussing which Spider-Person we would want to save the world with and then sort Miles Mo...

In this week’s new podcast episode we discuss the theme of trust in The Hunger Games. Through a fun conversation, we analyze Haymitch, think about not lying to each other, wonder how Katniss and Peeta regained trust after so many breaches, and struggle a lot with words. #genuosity If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreo...

This week’s Sorting Chat covers some of the characters we get to know in first Hunger Games book. It is particularly difficult for our hosts to sort some of the characters into tidy boxes, so expect a lot of dual-house sortings...and also a ton of Slytherins (because, of any Hogwarts House, they would make it past the cornicopia). If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing pat...

This week, we discuss family in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. We analyze how much impact parents in Middle Earth have on their kids, conclude that Elves must be quite tired of their family after thousands of years together, and think symbolically about the handing down of family dysfunction. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here:...

This week, we look at race in our Harry Potter podcast episode, and - wow - there’s a lot to discuss! We look at Hagrid and Maxime’s relationship, analyze motivations of the so-called Half-Blood Prince, think on the intersectionality of Hermione as a young black girl, and unsurprisingly critique several things about representation throughout the series. #representationmatters There’s so much more...

After a long holiday break, we’re back with a new episode discussing loss in Star Wars! This week we look at how much Master Yoda lost, how many limbs everyone else lost, and how little loss of loved ones seems to effect characters long-term. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every dolla...

This week’s Sorting Chat is all about Team Avatar (and friends)! We note how Aang is a less sullen and pouty Harry (with a hint of Fred and George), Chris is hesitant to make Sokka the unpowered Hufflepuff of the team, and we see how the elements crossover with the Hogwarts Houses. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patre...

This week, we discuss ability in our The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra podcast episode. We explain our own personal background with ability and then take a look at what the series did well with Toph and Teo, ways they missed the mark in Legend of Korra, and how ideas from the show appear in real life. If you enjoy this episode, consider being as amazing as Sam by becoming a patron here: https...

This week we’re back on our normal rotation and discuss death in our Hunger Games episode (a topic we really had to wrack our brains to find). We touch on the different kinds of death Katniss experiences, which character death hit us the hardest, the multi-functional role of death in the games themselves, and – believe it or not - even find a couple missed opportunities. If you enjoy this episode,...

This week we take a break from our normal rotation and discuss our thoughts on the new Fantastic Beasts movie in a Crimes of Grindelwald podcast episode! We look at female representation, praise the design of Newt’s abode, appreciate the mention of colonial history, but ultimately bemoan the ending reveal. If you enjoy this episode, consider being as amazing as Sam by becoming a patron here: https...

This week we talk about trust in our Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit podcast episode. We look at how well Gandalf takes the betrayal of a thousand+ year Majar relationship, a plethora of Rohan trust issues, and the effect good hobbit/bad hobbit techniques have on Gollum. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every dollar helps keep...

“I think you’re really gonna dig it.” -Sauron, The Silmarillion pg. 28 (according to Chris…) This week we have another Sorting Chat, this time talking about the rulers of Middle-Earth! Saruman’s predilection for rainbows makes us think he’s a Ravenclaw, while Denethor is a corrupted Hufflepuff and Celeborn is a Squib. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just...

This week we discuss personhood in our Harry Potter podcast episode! We delve into the humanity of a range of magical creatures , discuss the treatment of Kreacher, wonder if there are any characters who speak Kittytongue, and decide that Aragog is a bad neighbor. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetween...

This week we discuss Star Wars through the lens of family. We look at how family attachments effect characters throughout the series, wonder if Darth Vader would have changed if he survived Episode VI, and even create our own fanfic plot. 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 he...

This week, we discuss love in our Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra podcast episode. We look at the amazing Uncle Iroh, how to be a good Avatar, the show's engagement with consent, and somehow fit in our thoughts on four different romantic relationships. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geek...

This week, we tackle defiance in The Hunger Games, looking at Katniss (gasp!), emotional vs. premeditated acts, gender norms, and a missed opportunity with Madge. 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 great way to help the podcast is b...

This week, we discuss hope in our Lord of the Rings episode. When we aren’t accidentally using each other’s talking points, we look at the impact the ring has on hope, take a critical eye to the Council of Elrond, and don’t bring the episode to a close before Chris accuses Brittany of being like Saruman. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month...

Now that Brittany is back in town, you finally get to hear about fear in our Harry Potter podcast episode. We discuss the Voldemort taboo, if Lupin is as wise as we’re meant to think he is, why boggarts should really be hiding in a closet, and ultimately conclude #fearcomplicated. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreo...

“I think you have to make a choice, at a certain point, of the man you want to be. And I tell you that at that time you need a parent or a friend. And if you’ve learnt to hate your parent by then and you have no friends, then you’re all alone. And being alone – that’s so hard. I was alone, and it sent me to a truly dark place, for a long time. Tom Riddle was also a lonely child. You may not unders...

This week, we discuss commitment in our Star Wars podcast episode. We look at the Galen Orso, the dueling commitments of some of the Jedi, and Chris and Brittany put their Political Science and Biblical Studies (respectively) degrees to work. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines . Every dolla...

This week we have another Sorting Chat episode, this time looking at the protagonists from the Original Star Wars Trilogy. A few of the characters would do well in multiple houses, and some of our sorting might surprise you, because we have a very brave, loyal, and resourceful bunch of rebels here. Disclaimer: The second half of this week’s show has some audio quality issues - sorry, and next week...

This week, we discuss community in our Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Kora podcast episode. We look at the growing pains of Team Avatar, think about how much individualism can exist in community, and unexpectedly consider wagging a finger at Tenzin. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweentheli...

This week, we discuss ignorance in our Hunger Games podcast episode. We dive into how ignorance is used by power structures, where the movies miss the point (basically, we're the Capitol), and the similarities and differences of the ignorance of the oppressed and oppressors. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/...

We don't have a full episode for you this week, but we have the first installment of our Sorting Chat a bonus series! This week, we sort the Fellowship of the Ring into their Hogwarts Houses, finding more Gryffindor/Slytherin hybrids than we expected along with the Hufflepuffiest Hufflepuff to ever Hufflepuff. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per...