Dueling Genre Productions

The Protagonist Podcast

Arts EN ↓ 606 episodes

Each week we discuss a great character in a great story. Hosted by Joseph J. Darowski.

Author

Dueling Genre Productions

Episodes

The Protagonist Podcast #156: Kris Kringle and Susan in Miracle on 34th Street (Film 1947) “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” 12.12.2017 1:12:11

Description Joe and Todd are tackling a Christmas classic as they discuss a Miracle on 34th Street. They discuss the weird history behind it’s release date, talk about faith and belief, and dig into Todd’s unexpected (for Joe) response to … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #155: Christmas Special 2017 “That is like bringing a bazooka to a knife fight.” 05.12.2017 1:08:13

Description It’s The Protagonist Podcast Christmas Special 2017! Producer Andrew sent Joe and Todd the titles to 8 holiday specials they’ve never seen, and they each made up a plot summary (though Joe went overboard and shot well past a … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #154: Dave in “Dave Cooks the Turkey” and “Turkeys are Terrific” from The Vinyl Cafe (Radio 1994-2015) “Sir, are you looking for trouble?” 28.11.2017 58:56

Description Todd and Joe talk about Dave from “The Dave and Morley Stories” on the Canadian radio show Vinyl Cafe. They talk about the holidays, the creation of traditions, and tweaking what could be cliched character roles in just the … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #153: The Gilmore Family in Friday Nights Alright for Fighting: S06 E13 of Gilmore Girls (TV 2006) “Dinner with Rory! How delightful! Well, spit-spot. Alert the corgis’.” 21.11.2017 1:11:00

Description Joe and Todd are joined by guest Kate Darowski to discuss Gilmore Girls. We talk about the charms of the show, the intergenerational family dynamics, and debate the merits of various boyfriends. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #152: Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban (Novel 1999) “I solemnly swear I am up to no good.” 14.11.2017 1:16:52

Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Amy Champion to discuss Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Topics of discussion include character growth, the logic of the Time Turner and the Marauder’s Map, and … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #151: The Vision Family in The Vision (Comic 2015) “They seemed nice.” 07.11.2017 1:21:19

Description Joe and Todd are joined by returning guest Todd Petersen to discuss the Marvel comic book series The Vision. They touch on an awful lot of topics, because this is one of the most thought-provoking texts they’ve covered. Topics … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #150: Halloween Special 2017 “Whatever you were thinking, throw it out the window.” 31.10.2017 1:12:28

Description For our special 150th episode we’re joined by returning guest Todd Petersen! First, we reveal our ten most downloaded episodes, then with some prompts from producer Andrew we work together to make up some Halloween themed stories. Support the … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #149: The Entire Cast in Hocus Pocus (Film 1993) “I’ll put a spell on you!” 24.10.2017 1:08:31

Description Todd and Joe are tackling a Halloween classic as they discuss the characters from a Hocus Pocus. They talk about the importance of tone for a children’s scary movie, the villains motivations, and where the film feels a bit … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #148: Jonathan Strange and Gilbert Norrell in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (TV 2015) “Magic is not ended in England.” 17.10.2017 1:08:54

Description Todd and Joe rare discussing Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange from the television mini-series Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. We talk about what drives each character, the different styles of magic on display, and how everything about this adaptation … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #147: Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (Novel 1934) “The impossible must be possible in spite of appearances.” 10.10.2017 1:06:59

Description Joe and Todd tackle a true classic, discussing Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie’s novel, Murder on the Orient Express (just in time for the upcoming film). They talk about Christie’s reputation, mystery genre conventions, and what sets Poirot apart … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #146: Cady Heron in Mean Girls (Film 2004) “Well, this has been sufficiently awkward.” 03.10.2017 1:18:00

Description Joe and a Todd are joined by special guests Lena English and Tayler Iversen to discuss Cady Heron from the film Mean Girls. We talk about accurate exaggerations, high school drama, and how important the resolution is for the … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #145: The entire cast in Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan (Comic 2003) “Our parents are super-villains!” 26.09.2017 1:16:53

Description Joe and Todd are joined by Scott Carelli to talk about the Marvel comic book series Runaways. They talk about villainous parents, creating fully-formed characters, and surprise twists. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #144: Hittokiri Battosai/Himura Kenshin in Rurouni Kenshin (TV 1996) “A sword is a weapon.” 19.09.2017 1:27:17

Description Todd and Joe are joined by Norman Mitchell and Producer Andrew to discuss Hittokiri Battosai/Himura Kenshin from the anime series Rurouni Kenshin. They talk about expectations and conventions of certain art forms, the characters that feel fully formed, and … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #143: Flavia de Luce in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Novel 2009) “I was me, I was Flavia. And I loved myself, even if no one else did.” 12.09.2017 1:02:47

Description Joe and Todd talk about Flavia de Luce from the novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. They talk about young protagonists in grown up situations, the balance of a sad story and a … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #142: Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Film 1989) “Don’t call me Junior!” 05.09.2017 1:11:17

Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Pete Mummert from The Indiana Jones Minute Podcast to talk about Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They talk about the logical problems but perfect tone of the film, the amazing … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #141: Nimona in Nimona (Comic 2015) “I’m a shark!” 29.08.2017 59:48

Description Joe and Todd are joined by John Darowski to talk about Nimona from the graphic novel Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. They talk about trauma, disruption versus maintaining the status quo, and shape shifters. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #140: River Song in Dr. Who “Silence in the Library” (S04E08) and “Forest of the Dead” (S04E09) (TV 2008) “I trust that man to the end of the Universe. And, actually, we’ve been.” 22.08.2017 1:18:59

Description Podcaster extraordinaire Crystal Beth joins Todd and Joe for a great discussion about River Song from two amazing episodes of the TV show Dr. Who. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #139: Stanley Yelnats in Holes (Novel 1998) “It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig stealing-great-great-grandfather!” 16.08.2017 52:18

Description Joe and Todd discuss Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni from the novel Holes. They talk about the structural perfection of the plot and the character arcs. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #138: Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep (Film 1946) “I’m getting cuter every minute.” 08.08.2017 1:10:01

Description Todd finally gets to talk about film noir! Joe and Todd are talking about Phillip Marlowe from the classic 1946 film The Big Sleep. They wonder if the plot makes any sense, praise the atmosphere of the film, and … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #137: Squirrel Girl/Doreen Green in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1 (Comic 2015) “We’re here to kick butts and eat nuts!” 01.08.2017 1:00:25

Description Todd and Joe discuss The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, one of the happiest comics they’ve read in a long time. They talk about subverting superhero tropes, the whimsy in the series, and the motivations for the character. Support the Show … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #136: Chuck Bartowski in Chuck (TV 2007) “Chuck is the computer.” 25.07.2017 1:10:11

Description Joe and Todd talk about Chuck Bartowski from the TV show Chuck. They discuss the spy genre, issues of technology as explored in pop culture, and the overall charm of the show. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #135: Ged/Sparrowhawk in A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (Novel 1968) “Infinite are the arguments of mages.” 18.07.2017 1:14:41

Description Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss Ged from A Wizard of Earthsea. They talk about the novel’s place as a foundational text in the fantasy genre, what Le Guin did to make her … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #134: Conor Lawlor in Sing Street (Film 2016) “For brothers everywhere” 11.07.2017 1:07:49

  Description Joe and Todd talk about Conor from the film Sing Street. Topics of discussion include the role of brothers in the story, the nature of inspirational films, the delicate balance of pessimistic realism and optimistic wish fulfillment. Support … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #133: Benjamin Franklin Gates in National Treasure (Film 2004) “I’m going to steal the Declaration of Independence.” 03.07.2017 1:14:50

Description Todd and Joe are joined by Ben Phillips to discuss Benjamin Gates in National Treasure. We delight in the implausibilities of the plot, talk about plot versus character, and discuss judging a film based on what it’s trying to … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #132: The Entire Cast in Battlestar Galactica (TV 2004) “So say we all!” 26.06.2017 1:20:56

Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Virginia McAlister to discuss the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series. Topics of discussion include paranoia, identity, and leadership. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →