Trial by Content

In the last ‘Trial by Content’ episode of the year, Dave, Neil, and Joanna hold a debate over the worst things they watched in 2022. They first discuss the unique format of this week’s listener-submission-heavy episode (1:56). Later, each of them explain their personal criteria for what makes something the “worst” (2:47). After that, they kick off a gauntlet consisting of the 15 worst things they...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss cinema’s best non-Batman detective. First, they get into ‘Glass Onion’ and the recent resurgence of whodunits (4:42). Then, before getting into the debate, they talk about some of the best candidates they had to leave out—including Sherlock Holmes (29:07). Later, they reveal their picks for cinema’s best non-Batman detective (40:06) before reading some lis...

This week, Dave and Neil start the pod by trying to explain to Joanna what ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is about (4:10). Then, they discuss the history of motion capture in film (29:20) and, the king of motion capture, Andy Serkis (49:57). Later, they reveal their picks for the best motion capture performance ever (59:07) before reading some listener submissions and choosing one to be added to the f...

This week, instead of a debate, Dave, Neil, and Joanna draft their ultimate fantasy fellowship! First, they get into the inspiration for the draft, ‘Willow.’ They discuss the 1988 fantasy film and the new show on Disney+ (2:40). After that, they get into the draft, each of them picking a leader, a fighter, a magic user, and a wild card (26:55). Later, they go through some listener-submitted fellow...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss the best TV holiday specials. First, they get into the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ (3:41). Then, before talking about the best, they recall some of the most disappointing TV holiday specials (27:44). Later, they reveal their picks (50:50) before reading some listener submissions and choosing one to be added to the final poll (1:02:47). Now it...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna hold a debate over the best movie about making movies. They first discuss the results of last week’s poll before discussing the film that inspired their debate, ‘The Fablemans’ (1:33). Later, they share their favorite Spielberg films, documentaries about filmmaking, and a handful of pre-trial dismissals (26:40). After that, they present their choices for the best...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna debate what is the most important Marvel movie. But first, they discuss ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ in spoiler-filled detail (3:09). Later, they warm up for the debate with some further Marvel movie discussion and pre-trial dismissals (35:32). After that, they present their choices for the most important Marvel movie (54:27) and read some listener submissions...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 1 in full and look ahead to Season 2 (1:38). They answer some listener questions about dragons, magic, and humor in Westeros (3:13). After that, they hand out the “Georgie” Awards for some of the best—and sometimes worst—parts of the season (17:03). Later, they discuss this week’s poll: What is the best episode of ‘House of the...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 10, “The Black Queen.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode (3:18). Then, they answer some listener questions about dragons, characters' decisions in the episode, and if they should have combined episodes 9 and 10 (11:21). Later, they discuss this week’s poll: Who is the most villainous character...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 9, “The Green Council.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode (2:11). Then, they answer some listener questions about the episode and some of the changes from the book (15:40). Later, they discuss this week’s poll: Which Westerosi child would you bet on to win in the fighting pit? (54:06) Finally,...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 8, “The Lord of the Tides.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode (1:36). Then, they answer some listener questions (12:19) before talking about this week’s poll: Which character would you least want to make your enemy (42:52)? Later they head into The Storm, where they discuss—in book-spoiling de...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 7, “Driftmark.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode (2:17). Then, they discuss the lighting controversy and the TV settings you should use to have the best viewing experience (15:44). Later, they answer some listener questions (28:18) before talking about this week’s poll: How would you fake you...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 6, “The Princess and the Queen.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode (1:27). Then, they answer some listener questions about the show and this episode (10:45). Later, they talk about this week’s poll: Which character’s life during the 10-year time jump do you wish you could see? (30:22) After ma...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 5, “We Light the Way.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode (3:33). Then, they answer some listener questions about the show and this episode (12:51). Later, they talk about this week’s poll: What is the worst job in Westeros? (36:33) After making their choices for the poll and giving out some ot...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 4, “King of the Narrow Sea.” They start by talking through their overall thoughts on the episode and going over the named hours of Westeros (3:01). Then, they answer some listener questions about the show and this episode (12:52). Later, they talk about this week’s poll: Who would you have chosen if you were Rhaenyra (37:27)?...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 3, “Second of His Name.” They start by discussing their overall thoughts on the episode (2:15), before answering some listener questions about the show (15:05). Later, they ask the important question: Who is the king of Westerosi f---bois (37:00)? After making their choices for the poll and giving out some other awards (48:45)...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 2, “The Rogue Prince.” They start by giving out some awards for the episode, and react to the news that Miguel Sapochnik is stepping down as showrunner for Season 2 (7:26). Then, they answer some listener questions about what happened in the episode (21:26). Later, inspired by Mysaria’s performance in this episode, they ask th...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna discuss ‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 1, “The Heirs of the Dragon.” They start by giving out some awards for the episode (5:56), before answering some listener questions about what happened (21:12). Later, they ask the important question: What do dragons actually smell like? (45:46) After making their choices for the poll, they head into The Storm, where they disc...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna debate what is the best episode of ‘Game of Thrones’. But first, they talk about what they are expecting from ‘House of the Dragon' (5:09). Then, they discuss some of the ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes that just missed the cut for the debate (22:30). They begin the debate by making their pitch for the best episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ and hearing a clip from each choi...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna debate what is the best TV series finale. But first, they discuss the results of last week’s poll before discussing the inspiration for the debate, 'Better Call Saul' (2:55). Then, they begin the debate by revealing their choices for the best TV series finale (18:08). Later, they hear some listener submissions before choosing one to be added to this week’s poll (4...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna debate what is the best TV series adapted from a comic book. But first, they discuss the results of last week’s poll and talk about the shows that inspired this debate (1:34). Then, they begin the debate by revealing their choices for the best TV series adapted from a comic book (24:33). Later, they hear some listener submissions before choosing one to be added to...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna debate what is the worst decision ever made by a character in a horror movie. But first, they discuss the listeners' third win in a row on last episode’s poll (1:42). After that, they talk about Jordan Peele’s latest movie ‘Nope’, and if they would survive a horror movie (4:10). Then, they begin the debate by revealing their choices for the worst character decisio...

This week, Dave, Neil, and Joanna debate what is the best summer movie year ever. First, they discuss what the summer movie season is and how it has changed over time (3:56). Then, they begin the debate with each host making their pitch for the best summer movie year ever (32:47). Later, they hear some listener submissions before choosing one to be added to the final poll (49:34). Now it’s up to y...

Inspired by the introduction of the Mighty Thor in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder', Dave, Joanna, and Neil debate the best superhero introduction in film or television. First, they share their thoughts on the newest ‘Thor’ movie (3:22). Then, Neil goes over the rules of the debate and reveals some pre-trial dismissals that just missed the cut (13:10). Later, they each reveal their choice for the best sup...

This week, Dave, Joanna, and Neil debate what is the best needle drop in TV history. First, they discuss the recent needle drops on ‘Stranger Things' and ‘The Umbrella Academy’ that inspired this debate (3:14), before going through a long list of pre-trial dismissals that just missed the cut (20:37). Then, the debate begins with arguments for their choices for best needle drop in TV history (31:42...