Stories Across Borders

Daniel and Jon break down the different types of sequel, prequel and spin-off that can be found in media and discuss what makes a sequel good or bad.

Jon reads Risk and Reward, Daniel’s prequel to Raising the Stakes that introduces a pivotal character to his cast of criminals. They discuss the circumstances required to make moral characters decide a life of crime is more ethical than obeying the letter of the law.

Daniel and Jon continue their cycle on crime stories with Leverage. They talk about the circumstances that make criminals the good guys, the pros and cons of the heist format and how a crew of charismatic crooks can be engaging protagonists.

Daniel and Jon discuss Japanese series Erased in both its live action and animated forms. They talk about how Erased combines a story about crime with supernatural elements to great effect and how it uses character drama to fuel its criminal plotline. Content Warning: Erased’s story is based around crimes against children. Discretion is advised.

Daniel and Jon embark on a discussion of one of the most popular topics in fiction: crime. They discuss why this subject is so paradoxically popular and the many different ways crime is approached as the basis for stories.

Jon reads Turing, Daniel’s twisty take on the sci-fi genre. Then, the pair discuss the scale and mechanics of the story, its characters and themes and how all four things relate back to the strengths of the genre discussed earlier in the cycle.

Daniel is joined by Keith and Andy from The Brockton Bay Chronicles, to geek out about The Expanse. They talk about the complicated social and political narratives expressed through the show as well as the fascinating use of both hard and soft science fiction elements.

Daniel and Jon visit the world of Cyberpunk, focusing on Edgerunners while also touching on 2077 and Red. They discuss how how the series embodies the prominent themes of its namesake genre and what it does to stand apart from other science fiction.

Daniel and Jon discuss Science Fiction. They explore the many different forms the genre can take, the misconceptions about it and what it’s like when it is at its best.

Jon reads Daniel’s short story, Blackest Blue. Then, the two of them discuss how Blackest Blue attempts to portray the more mundane horrors of the ocean without resorting to mysticism or anthropomorphising it.

Daniel and Jon are joined by streamer and ocean lover, ghoulshark, to talk about A Lull in the Sea from the studio P.A. Works. They discuss how the sea is used as a metaphor throughout the show, representing both the complex emotions and relationships of the characters as well as its multitude of overarching themes.

Much to Daniel’s immense joy, he and Jon revisit Frank Schatzing’s The Swarm. They discuss how it combines theoretical science with thematics to explore philosophical ideas and make a point about humanity’s relationship with the ocean. Background clip from your_photo.

Daniel and Jon discuss the ocean in fiction and how the integral place it has in human history has influenced the roles it can play in our stories.

Listen to Jon read Daniel’s short story, The Watcher, in which a young man is quite literally haunted by the mistakes of his past. Then, Daniel and Jon discuss the thematics of the story and its particular style of horror. Content Warning: The Watcher contains content relating to suicide.

Daniel and Jon continue to explore the symbolism of ghosts and their thematic link to the concept of memory. This time, they take a look at The Haunting of Bly Manor, a show that exemplifies these concepts. Content Warning: This episode contains topics that might be disturbing to some members of our audience.

Daniel and Jon dive into AnoHana. They continue to explore the thematic link between ghosts and memory in fiction and examine how ghost stories can be used to explore the concepts of grief, regret, longing and isolation and how they effect people. Content Warning: This episode discussing ideas that may be distressful to some viewers.

Daniel is joined by new guest, Eva Langston, to discuss ghost stories. They talk about the origins of ghost stories and break down the many different forms ghosts and ghost stories can take. Why is ghost fiction still so popular? Why has this concept endured for hundreds of years?

Listen to Jon read Daniel’s short story, Playing Games, in which a group of friends on the cusp of achieving their dreams may well see themselves lose everything because of one night’s foolishness. Then, Daniel and Jon discuss how Daniel crafted believable human drama and how even low-stakes conflict can be compelling.

Daniel and Jon take a surprising swerve in their cycle on drama stories to examine the behemoth of a multi-media franchise that is the Witcher. How do the various flavours of drama in the Witcher add extra layers to its dark fantasy world and stories of monster slaying?

Daniel and Jon pick apart Designated Survivor. How does it use human drama to enhance its political story? How does it combine different types of drama to create a singular story?

To close off SAB's second season, Daniel and Jon take some time to discuss some favourite books, games, shows and films that didn't get to appear in their themed cycles. Features: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Swarm, The Blacklist, Man on Fire, The Owl House, Serial Experiments Lain, The Legend of Zelda and Orwell.

Jon reads Daniel's short story A Vampire's Treatise on Vampirism. Then, the two discuss how Daniel made his protagonist stand out from other vampiric characters and why he chose to write him in the way he did. Is there a way for a vampiric character to stay true to being a vampire and also be a net positive for the world?

Daniel and Jon discuss John Ajvide Lindqvist and Tomas Alfredson's unique vampire film, Let The Right One In, based on Lindqvist's book of the same name. How does the story use vampirism to explore complex moral grey-areas and relationships? Does the American version of the movie have a place in media?

Monsters in the dark, metaphors or objects of lust - vampires have been all that and more. Daniel and Jon break down the history of the vampire story and explore the different types of vampire we've ended up with and why. Just how versatile a narrative element are vampires?

Listen to Daniel's short story, Run and then a follow-up discussion on the story and how it focuses on movement and action outside the context of combat or survival. Why are focus and perspective so important in action scenes?