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

#031: Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Novel 1847) “Whatever our souls are made of …” 28.07.2015 56:31

Description This week, Todd and Joe tackle a classic of Gothic Romantic literature as they discuss Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Todd gives perhaps the greatest recap in our podcast’s history, and Joe has a special bonus treat for the listeners … Continue reading →

#030: Special: Draft of Weird Children’s Films and TV Shows “I am so lost …” 21.07.2015 55:20

Description Special draft episode! Joe and Todd each try to select the most bizarre collection of children’s shows and movies that have ever been made. Please let us know about any strange kid’s shows we missed. Show Notes Super Mario … Continue reading →

#029: Chihiro Ogino in Spirited Away (Film 2004) “None of these pigs are my parents!” 14.07.2015 58:48

Summary Todd and Joe discuss Chihiro from Spirited Away (2001). Along with special guest John Darowski they tackle Chihiro’s evolution, director Hayao Miyazaki’s animation style, and the surreal imagery of the film. There is plenty to discuss about this modern … Continue reading →

#028: Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15 (Comic 1962) “With great power comes great responsibility.” 07.07.2015 59:34

Joe and Todd discuss one of the most perfectly crafted superhero origin stories ever told. Peter Parker/Spider-Man first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15, drawn by Steve Ditko and written by Stan Lee. Enjoy a discussion about Parker’s darker side, mechanical … Continue reading →

#027: Henry Bemis in The Twilight Zone Season 01 Episode 08: “Time Enough at Last” (TV 1959) “That’s Not Fair!” 30.06.2015 50:28

This week, Joe and Todd look at a classic episode from The Twilight Zone. In “Time Enough at Last” Burgess Meredith played Henry Bemis, an anti-social man who just wanted enough time to read the books he loved. Show Notes … Continue reading →

#026: Special: Listener Feedback “Much more entertaining than the radio.” 23.06.2015 46:03

A glimpse into the magnificent Protagonist Podcast studios. Listener feedback! We respond to the emails, comments, and verbal feedback we’ve received from you, our loyal listeners. Contact us @toddkmack @jdarowski @andrew_darowski

#025: Ender Wiggins in Ender’s Game by Orison Scott Card (Novel 1985) “The enemy’s gate is down.” 16.06.2015 1:00:41

Joe and Todd discuss Ender Wiggins from the 1985 novel, Ender’s Game. Child soldiers, adolescent politicians, and the truthfulness of history are all topics of discussion. Show Notes Wikipedia: Ender’s Game Wikipedia: Orson Scott Card Amazon: Ender’s Game novel Amazon: Ender’s … Continue reading →

#024: Buttercup, Wesley and the rest of the characters in The Princess Bride (Film 1987) “As You Wish” 09.06.2015 57:14

Todd and Joe talk about several of the characters from The Princess Bride (they couldn’t pick one, so they talk about a bunch). After failing at the box office in 1987, The Princess Bride found new life in homes that had both … Continue reading →

#023: Vladek in Maus (Comic 1991) “I was, at that time, young, and really a nice, handsome boy.” 02.06.2015 59:41

This week, Todd and Joe talk about one of the most acclaimed graphic novels ever published. Vladek in Maus is a complex character in a complex work. Listen to a discussion about a harrowing account of the Holocaust told through cartoon … Continue reading →

#022: Special: The Hero’s Journey “Follow your bliss.” 26.05.2015 56:52

This week, Todd and Joe talk about all the characters in all the stories as they discuss Joseph Campbell’s breakdown of the Hero’s Journey. In a departure from the usual routine, the monomyth is the subject of discussion rather than … Continue reading →

#021: Lucy Ricardo in “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” Season 01 Episode 30 of I Love Lucy (TV 1952) “Hello friends! I’m your Vitameatavegamin girl.” 19.05.2015 51:43

Joe and Todd tackle a television classic as they discuss Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy. “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” is one of the most famous episodes from the iconic series, and Lucille Ball’s performance in the commercial for … Continue reading →

#020: Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Novel 2008) “May the odds be ever in your favor!” 12.05.2015 1:01:56

This week Todd and Joe hunt down the motivations of Katniss Everdeen, from Suzanne Collins’ 2008 novel The Hunger Games. Join them as they track down her interesting characteristics and pursue insights into one of the most popular protagonists of … Continue reading →

#019: Princess Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope (Film 1977) “May the force be with you.” 05.05.2015 1:07:35

May the Force be with you as Todd, Joe, and special guest Alex Robinson of the Star Wars Minute podcast talk about Princess Leia. We discuss how to properly grieve a destroyed planet and also touch on subjects such as … Continue reading →

#018: Special: Marvel Cinematic Universe Draft “We are all risk averse.” 28.04.2015 1:06:41

It’s a special draft episode! This week, Todd, Joe, and special guest Todd Petersen try to draft the best teams of heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’re each allowed five picks, and their philosophies could not have been more … Continue reading →

#017: Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel (Film 1982) “Sink me!” 21.04.2015 1:08:40

This week Joe and Todd are joined by BYU librarian Kjerste Christensen to discuss one of the earliest proto-superheroes (one near and dear to our hearts), Sir Percy Blakeney, from the 1982 film version of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Show Notes … Continue reading →

#016: Superman/Clark Kent in All Star Superman (Comic 2005-08) “Last hope.” 14.04.2015 1:06:36

This week, Joe and Todd talk about Clark Kent/Superman in All-Star Superman (well, most of it, they run through the Bizarro issues pretty quickly). The mini-series by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely was an instantly classic take on an iconic … Continue reading →

#015: Richard Castle in “The Wrong Stuff” Season 07 Episode 16 of Castle (TV 2015)“Best case ever!” 07.04.2015 57:53

This week, Todd and Joe are joined by Angela Vidergar to discuss Richard Castle, the titular character of the TV series Castle. How do you balance such an exuberantly immature character with a serious subject like murder, even if the … Continue reading →

#014: Nobody Owens in The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Novel 2008) “All of my best friends are dead.” 31.03.2015 57:07

This week, Joe and Todd talk about Nobody Owens from Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, a delightful children’s novel that opens with the murder of Nobody’s family. Despite what that sentence makes you think, it is great and you should tell all children … Continue reading →

#013: Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher in The Quiet Man (Film 1952) “No patty-fingers if ya please.” 24.03.2015 1:01:03

This week, Joe and Todd discuss TWO great characters because they couldn’t find a way to separate Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher in The Quiet Man, a classic film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen … Continue reading →

#012: Lieam in Mouse Guard by David Petersen (Comic 2007) “It matters not what you fight but what you fight for.” 17.03.2015 1:02:30

This week, Todd and Joe discuss Lieam from the comic book series Mouse Guard. But wait, there’s more! Special guest: David Petersen, the creator of Mouse Guard, joins us. Show Notes Mouse Guard : Fall 1152 on Amazon.com mouseguard.net David … Continue reading →

#011: Listener Feedback “Even Superman puts his tights on one leg at a time.” 11.03.2015 1:05:00

Our super professional setup 🙂 This week Todd and Joe take a break from great characters in great stories and respond to listener mail. Thanks for your feedback. ¡Help support us on Patreon!

#010: Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV 1992) “We are Hugh.” 03.03.2015 1:00:55

This week, Todd and Joe boldly go where no one has gone before (except many, many Trekkies) as they discuss Geordi LaForge in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “I, Borg.” Support us on Patreon Show Notes I, Borg … Continue reading →

#009: Esperanza Cordero in The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (Novel 1984) “In English my name means hope.” 24.02.2015 1:10:49

In the ninth episode of The Protagonist Podcast, Todd and Joe tackle a classic of Latina literature as they discuss Esperanza Cordero from 1984’s The House on Mango Street, written by Sandra Cisneros. Show Notes The House on Mango Street on … Continue reading →

#008: Rapunzel in Tangled (Film 2010) “Her hair glows. I didn’t see that coming.” 17.02.2015 1:23:44

In an episode nearly as long as the film itself, Joseph and Todd discuss Rapunzel in the 2010 Disney Classic Tangled. Topics of discussion include the emotional effects of living your life locked in a tower, the actual length of … Continue reading →

#007: Special: Valentine’s Day Draft: Great Characters in Great Love Stories “I’m so ashamed that I even care about this!” 10.02.2015 1:10:40

In this episode Todd and Joe set aside discussion of one great character in a great story and instead participate in their first Incomparable-inspired draft — each picking their fantasy team of great characters in great love stories. Show notes The … Continue reading →