The Midnight Myth Podcast

It’s the Boomerangerang! A scorching pop culture debate tradition from the Midnight Myth. This time around, the theme is “Pitch the Script.” Derek & Laurel draw names of beloved film directors from a hat and fight to the death for their chosen iconoclast to direct… some pretty out-there movie concepts. Who would you rather see direct Rambo vs Bambi? Martin Scorsese or Peter Jackson? Who’s your pic...

The Wheel of Ka returns with Derek and Steve’s discussion on Book II of Stephen King’s the Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three. What can be learned from Roland’s trip up the beach, dodging lobstrosities and crossing a doorway into another dimension only to help a heroin addict cross NYC customs with large sums of cocaine? Derek and Steve breakdown the obstacles in the path of our unlikely three h...

In a new format of Game of Thrones analysis, this episode dives in to a relationship study of two characters from the HBO series: Ser Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth. Both raised to uphold a code of chivalry, with varying degrees of success, this pair constitutes a unique form of doubling within A Song of Ice and Fire. They represent two sides of an age-old argument—and they need one another...

This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for seasons 1-7 of Game of Thrones! In a new in-depth character study from the universe of A Song of Ice and Fire, Derek and Laurel explore the Red Woman: Melisandre. She made an explosive appearance in season two of the HBO series as the mouthpiece of a mysterious religion, and she whispered in the ears of kings, wielding her strange influence from one la...

What is the secret of the Grail? Who does it serve? In this long-awaited podcast, Derek and Laurel explore the legends surrounding King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. Tracking the legend from its inception in the early middle ages to the definitive Hollywood adaptation, John Boorman’s dreamy Excalibur, we’ll seek the answers to the most important questions in Arthuriana. What does it m...

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed…” A simple sentence used to kick start Stephen King’s series The Dark Tower. In this bonus episode of the Midnight Myth, Derek and new guest co-host Steve do a deep dive into book one, The Gunslinger. From the slow muties, to weigh stations, and old time saloons on the edge of apocalypse playing “Hey Jude”, you don’t want to mis...

The epic conclusion of our two-part podcast series on the legendary outlaw Robin Hood has arrived, and we’re picking up where we left off—with 1991’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner’s very American take on the beloved hero is only one of the many compelling aspects of the film, which embodies the progressive spirit that’s infused the legend for nearly a millennia. Derek and Laurel dis...

We have all heard the stories, seen the movies, read the children’s books, about Medieval England’s daring outlaw, who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Join us for part one of a two episode series, as we discuss the folk origins of Robin Hood. From the beer guzzling Friar Tuck to the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, Derek and Laurel explore the long history of this enigmatic folk hero. Ho...

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us! To celebrate the spirit of the day of love, The Midnight Myth goes back to the middle ages and the Renaissance. That’s right, it’s a Shakespeare episode. We’re dishing up historical context and analysis for one of the most important pieces of literature ever written: Romeo & Juliet. An early work in the bard’s long line of tragedies, comedies, and histories, Rome...

Winter is HERE, and we need a good laugh to get us through the long night. This week, on a special episode of the Midnight Myth, we’re hanging out in Westeros, pitting your favorite characters from Game ofThrones against each other in some surprising scenarios. Who will lead a better campaign for PTA president? Who will succeed at ASOIAF Jeopardy? These crazy questions and more as we get to the he...

Winter has finally come in the Northern United States, so what better time to revisit HBO’s Game of Thrones with a study of one of the most complex characters hailing from the North. This week, we’re talking about Ser Jorah Mormont, disgraced son of the Old Bear, advisor to the Dragon Queen, and a fascinating model for knightly codes of honor. We’ll go back to the history of chivalry, its imprint...

The door may have closed on Sterling Cooper and the glamorous look into 1960s America that came with AMC’s Mad Men, but the world we inhabit today remains heavily influenced by the images and events of that turbulent time. Advertising and media continue to shape our cultural viewpoints. Presidential politics and every day life still exist in the shadow of civil rights, the assassinations of John F...

Holy motherforking shirtballs! The Midnight Myth is finally taking on NBC’s The Good Place, one character at a time. This week, the question is: what does it mean to be an Eleanor? Following the central protagonist through the two and a half seasons of the Good Place (and through countless metaphysical realms), we’ll discover some surprising truths about morality, change, responsibility, and of co...

New Year, New Doctor! Derek and Laurel are here to explore some of the most consistent themes and arcs of season 11 of the BBC’s Doctor Who (and to celebrate the joyous spirit that is Jodie Whitaker’s Doctor!) Spoilers abound for the latest season, but we’ll focus most closely on two episodes: Demons of the Punjab and It Takes You Away to understand the poignant and powerful motifs of new show run...

As year two of the Midnight Myth Podcast comes to a close, we look back on the stories that shook us, made us laugh, cry, and cheer this year: Black Panther, Infinity War, Handmaid’s Tale, Game of Thrones, and so much more… Our first year-in-review looks back at every story we loved, looks at the patterns and universal themes in the stories that connect us, and how they shape our identities in an...

It’s the Eve of Christmas, and the Midnight Myth is here to bring you joy and cheer. With a Holiday Edition of our classic Boomerangerang, we’re swapping your favorite Christmas-y characters with non-holiday franchises to see who’d fare well in the “real world.” Who’d make a better Don Draper: Frosty the Snowman or George Bailey? All that and more. Watch our Twitter to vote for the winners, and of...

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year to all. It’s another Midnight Myth Christmas Special, and this time we’re breaking down one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time: Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. Derek and Laurel revisit flashbacks of the life of George Bailey, the caretaker of Bedford Falls, using his story to understand the greater themes of the season, and of Ame...

Winter has most certainly come, and it’s time to revisit Westeros on our mission to understand and analyze the major players in the Game of Thrones. This week, we’re looking at the eldest Stark daughter Sansa, who, against all predictions, has shown one of the most transformative and triumphant character arcs on the series. From a naive child to a Lannister hostage to the queen in the North, Sansa...

This week Derek and Laurel are back at it discussing the 1981 classic action adventure move, Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the movie retains its iconic classic feel, listen as your hosts discuss the real world implications of archaeology and ethics. As Indy always says, “It belongs in a museum” we ask, does it? What is the nature of an artifact and who really owns them? Tune...

We lost some legends in the past few weeks, and in the wake of the monumental loss of Stan Lee, Derek & Laurel now tip their hats to the legacy of Marvel and in particular, the X-Men. Created in 1963 with the intent of promoting diversity and anti-bigotry, the X-Men comics, cartoon series, and films now stand as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised. This episode focuses on 2011’s X-Men: First Cl...

Few movies have quite the nuanced take on life and death as those made for young audiences—and few with the deftness that Pixar’s Coco has. After returning from a honeymoon in Mexico, Derek & Laurel explore the traditions of Dia de los Muertos as they relate to Miguel Rivera’s journey in the 2017 film, all tied together through the power of love and music. Themes of memory, personal and universal...

Derek and Laurel are married! As they celebrate their nuptials, your hosts are back bringing the experience of getting married to their search for the perfect story. This week, they discuss the 1987 classic fairy tale/action adventure/true love story/satire/comedy/so many genres it’s inconceivable, The Princess Bride. Listen as Derek and Laurel struggle to stop endlessly quoting this timeless piec...

It’s a bonus Halloween episode, spooky scary! Derek and Laurel are back at gaming up magical characters in silly scenarios. In this Halloween flavored episode, Derek and Laurel sit around the cauldron stirring up magic potions while they battle for which witch would fare better in differing far away lands. Who will win this Boomerangerang? Be sure to visit our twitter and vote, and have a happy Ha...

Autumn is upon us, and as we wrap our sweaters around our shoulders, sip on warm cider, and spend our weekends apple- and pumpkin- picking, the chill in the air reminds us of the rich mythological and historical tradition that makes the Halloween season so spookily sweet. So for this year’s Halloween special, sit back with a candied apple and join us on a journey to ancient myth as we untangle a l...

It’s another Boomerangerang—because we felt the world needed some levity, some laughs, and a dash of cosmic nihilism. If nothing matters, we might as well fight to the death over the casts of Rick & Morty and Bojack Horseman, debating nonsense with your favorite cartoon existentialists. Listen and vote along on Twitter (@themidnightmyth) to determine which adult animated franchise takes the cake.