The Big Stream: Recent Episodes
The Big Stream
The Big Stream is The Big Lead's home for all things pop culture. Kyle Koster, Ryan Phillips, Stephen Douglas, and Liam McKeone discuss what they are watching and plan to watch. Regular reviews, recaps and breakdowns of current and past television shows and movies and whatever else they find interesting at the intersection of the Internet and pop culture. The Big Stream will cover it all.
One of the best parts of last year was getting in on the ground floor of 'The Bear' an truly underdog show that ascended to the top of the streaming mountain. There were all kinds of questions surrounding how they would cook up season two, and we now have some answers. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas discuss the first five episodes, which reveal a much different recipe but some of the familiar beats that made us so hungry for more.
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The Succession finale lived up to insane expectations and ushered in a new era for Waystar. Ol' Tommy did it. The son of a gun actually did it. Kendall Roy has a promise he's chased since he was 7 ripped away. His brother Roman has a new casual shirt and deep wisdom. Shiv pulled the ultimate Shiv. Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas discuss it all one last time.
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It's Succession's penultimate episode and it's set at Logan Roy's funeral in a gridlocked and tense Manhattan. He's still dead and nothing can get him out of the coffin, no matter how hard Roman would want that. There's an entire pew devoted to wives and mistresses. The future president/dictator is there and everyone wants a piece of him. Hell, everyone is there except trust ol' Tom because he has to work. Breaking down the second-to-last masterpiece this series will ever give us, and how it elevated an all-time great character even higher.
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Unrest in Portland. Burned ballots in Milwaukee. It's Jimenez vs. Mencken for all the marbles in what could be the last free and fair American election. And the narrative will be shaped by Disgusting Brothers doing coke behind a whiteboard, troll-in-human form Roman Roy, and a wide-eyed Kendall who can't find him own backboard. Inside a biting and hilarious Succession episode with dire consequences and some top-level physical comedy.
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Forty thought leaders, polls, and deranged billionaires gathered for the worst tailgate party a person could ever imagine to wait until they could wait for the election results to come in. Lukas Matsson does some transatlantic crashing because a dad man technically invited him and employs a charm offensive that was more offensive than charming with a crew every bit as deranged as the Roys. Shiv and Tom's sexting turns into something darker and final. Kendall gives another good speech and has plans to run a Reverse Viking, which sounds illegal. Gerri solidifies her future will be bankrolled by Roman. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas break down the
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A Hail Mary effort to juice the Waystar stock price gets tipped around in the end zone before landing in Kendall's hands. For perhaps the first time in Succession history, a public speaking endeavor goes well. Roman goes full George Steinbrenner, firing people as though it were a bodily function. Shiv and Tom rekindle the magic by turning up the insults. Matsson sends a terrible tweet. Karl finds his voice. All that and more on The Big Stream's recap.
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It's off to Norway for the still-grieving Roy family, which rolls extremely deep. There are fjords and scenic views and not a single wam welcome. Chairman Lukas Matsson's re-eduction camp ends with a deal because he wrote down the biggest number, but it almost feels like a $197-per-share troll. Those aloof billionaires can be such scamps. This was a Succession episode about the art of the deal and weighty issues like if France is going to make it or if they will pull a Greece. Plus, there's a kill list and all sorts of weird blood sex stuff. We discuss it all.
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Waystar and the Roy children must move forward following the shocking death of L to the OG and one way to do that is to find a piece of paper in a safe representing his last wishes. Or his wishes before he changed his mind and either underlined or crossed it out. Just speculating comically here, but it might be better if something like that were to be, say, accidentally blown by the wind into a toilet and flushed. A week after an episode unlike any other, Succession returned to what it does best: put everyone together in room resembling a wake or sad sex party and let them cook. Also, Marcia is back and making big-time moves like moving real estate and humiliating wanna be television presenters.
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Well, Succession went and did it. They did the thing teased in the very first scene of the entire series, but not in the way or on the timeline anyone expected. Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster of The Big Lead go through the stages of grief while on the air and arrive at a place of acceptance: that this was a remarkable and perhaps unprecedented television moment.
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The second episode of Succession's final season featured the Roy children going through the motions of taking Connor out for a sad bachelor party out in "Real America," a halfhearted but long-awaited apology, a harrowing look at the world of high-priced divorce attorneys, and a prospective ATN host who is just not ready for primetime.
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Succession's final season premiere was well worth the wait as Logan Roy pondered his own existence and had sad, sneaky dinners with his only friend Colin. Meanwhile, the Roy children are thriving and keeping it The Hundred — until something more off-the-shelf comes along in the form of Pierce. What comes after nine billion? Will the Disgusting Brothers go down thanks to CCTV footage? Can Connor maintain his one percent of the conversation? It's a little dry in here so let the joking begin.
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It's a damn shame more people aren't talking about 'Vengeance', a thinking person's modern Western from the brain of B.J. Novak that aims to tell the story of a dead white girl through the lens of 'Merica. Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster of The Big Lead do their part by breaking down the 2022 title, which features some incredible work by Ashton Kutcher and a deep bench of memorable characters. 'Vengeance' manages to be funny, suspenseful and cram a tremendous amount of inside into the world into its runtime. Perhaps one of the finest Podcast Movies ever made.
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The Menu is now available on HBO Max and open for reservations. It's a dining experience unlike any other and is perhaps the most stylish of the demented concept genre. Ralph Fiennes leads a descent into madness that is both meta and masterfully dark while retaining trenchant comedic notes. You will not leave unsatisfied. If you leave at all.
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In November, A Christmas Story Christmas was released on HBO Max. The true sequel to A Christmas Story (because we'd all be better off pretending 2012's A Christmas Story 2 doesn't exist) follows Ralphie as an adult with his own wife and family coping with the death of his father. Ralphie scrambles to make Christmas as perfect for his own kids as his dad made for him while attempting to make it as a writer. Shenanigans ensue in great quantity. Many beloved characters from the first movie make appearances with the original actors playing the parts.
Liam McKeone and Ryan Phillips both grew up watching A Christmas Story and got together to discuss the sequel. It can't capture the magic of the first but comes as close as possible. Most importantly, it is not your typical transparent Hollywood attempt at a moneygrab by making a sequel to a beloved film.
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Jingle All The Way had enormous plans to ride on the heels of Toy Story with a story centered around pure, unabashed commercialism. Somewhere along the way of mashing Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, and a super-sexy Phil Hartman together, things went off the rails. The result was a testament to the weird 1990s and the value of mediocrity.
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There has been no fresh Ted Lasso in our lives for over a year now. This is sad. You know what's not sad? The Ted Lasso Christmas episode from Season 2, "Carol of the Bells." Stephen Douglas and Liam McKeone got into the spirit of the holidays and rewatched the episode to discuss as part of The Big Lead's Big Stream Holiday Podtacular.
Highlights include: wondering why there was not a Ted Lasso Christmas special this year and the fact that there is not is a huge missed opportunity; the Love Actually scene with Phoebe was actually more meaningful than the original Love Actually scene; stunning and saddening that Roy, Keely, and Phoebe did not end up caroling with Ted, Rebecca, and the players; the Higgins househould is the purest part of the episode and needs to be recognized as such; and what we would give for fresh Ted Lasso and how sad we'll be when it's over.
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Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster of The Big Lead follow up on their hit Home Alone podcast by diving into its worthy New York-based sequel. They have different levels of respect for ol' Mr. Duncan, some questions about the Bird Lady, and plenty of other observations about the holiday staple.
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The Big Stream's Holiday Podtacular breaks down classic "Community" episode "Regional Holiday Music." Oh yeah, Britta is in this one.
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Home Alone is one of the best Christmas movies of all time. No one denies this! So how do you even talk about it? Well, be attempting to power-rank the characters. Can Kevin McAllister capture the crown? How about the immensely creepy Uncle Frank? And which Wet Bandit is more essential. Can you have a Mount Rushmore without John Candy? The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster discuss the 1990 classic.
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Love Actually celebrates its 19th anniversary this holiday season. To celebrate the occasion Stephen Douglas and Liam McKeone rewatched the Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightly, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Martine McCutcheon, Elisha Cuthbert, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thomas Sangster classic. And then they talked about it on The Big Lead Big Stream Holiday podtacular.
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Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds got together and made a Christmas movie musical for Apple TV. On this edition of The Big Lead Big Stream Holiday Podtacular we watched and discussed the first and only modern adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Spirited. And in addition to that we discussed another Christmas movie from one of the stars that was originally released in the early 2000's. That's right, we took a look back at Just Friends.
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The Big Lead Big Stream Holiday Podtacular continues today with Son-in-Law, the most 1993 Thanksgiving movie ever made. Starring Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Patrick Renna, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better 90's movie about a city slicker pretending to be engaged to a farmer's daughter than Son-in-Law.
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The One with the Footballis the ninth episode of Friends‘ third season and aired on November 21, 1996. It is one of the series’ Thanksgiving episodes although it aired a week ahead of the actual holiday. It went up against Diagnosis Murder, Martin and High Incident at 8 p.m. NBC would air Home Alone during primetime the following Thursday.
It is a beloved episode currently available on Netflix. Gawker ranked it the 12th best out of 236, an impressive feat considering there is no major plot reveal, memorable gimmick or marquee guest appearance. In many ways it’s the perfect 90s sitcom installment: moderately funny with relatable people in relatable situations completely bereft of any meaningful stakes.
That’s the point — to be light, carefree, to not accidentally elicit any higher thinking. To walk away with no takeaways, no concerns. And I wish I could do that. But I can’t. You see, there’s something entirely disturbing about The One with the Football.
The football.
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Lindsay Lohan makes her triumphant return to the screen in Falling For Christmas, a charming is not entirely unnecessary story about losing one's taste for the silver spoon and what not to do when someone has a head injury.
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Office Christmas Party is not a classic in anyone's personal record book but that doesn't mean the 2016 ensemble comedy doesn't have anything to offer. In fact, some would argue it has everything to offer. Too much to offer. Jason Bateman and Olivia Munn in a will-they-or-won't-they-relationship. T.J. Miller before he was canceled. Courtney B. Vance taking a blast of cocaine to the nostrils. Kate McKinnon driving a KIA, much like God would. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas reflect on an effort that will satisfy your raunchy yuletide desires.
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Anna and the Apocalypse has it all. Zombies. Singing. Teenagers struggling with so many emotions. Slightly-dated pop culture references. But is it a holiday movie? Does that even matter. Come with us as we make history as the first podcast to dissect this unique offering.
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Liam McKeone and Ryan Phillips discuss everything right with Andor. Someone has a new favorite Star Wars show.
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Previewing The Big Lead Big Stream Holiday Podtacular. A discussion of what makes Christmas movies so great and when you should allow the holiday spirit to take over your home.
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The Patient just wrapped up its first and only season on Hulu and after a somewhat pedestrian start managed to stick the landing. Steve Carell plays a therapist chained against his will in a serial killer's basement, which is not recommended. The series is quick, digestible and feels like a play with thoughtful dialogue and more than a few chilling moments.
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Rhaenyra learns of her father's passing and everything that has happened at King's Landing as she tries to keep the Seven Kingdoms from plunging into a war she cannot stop. Extended family members reunite with various results.
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Queen Alicent and the rest of the Small Council deal with the aftermath of the death of King Viserys. Two parties search for Prince Aegon with the fate of Princess Rhaenyra in the balance. A new king is crowned and Rhaenys is reunited with her dragon.
The new Jeremy Lin documentary on HBO Max takes a unique approach, devoting one minute per point scored by the New York Knicks phenom during the peak of Linsanity against the Los Angeles Lakers. It's an extremely tight and entertaining work that chronicles Lin's basketball journey, but is at its most interesting when it dives into what representation meant to Asian-Americans experiencing the breakout season of 2011-2012. The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster discuss a different kind of doc and why it worked so well.
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Adam Sandler's Hubie Halloween has become an annual tradition around The Big Lead headquarters. Is it kind of stupid? Yes. Is it funny? Unquestionably. That's why it's spawned a cult following destined to grow in future years. The dozens of us already on the bandwagon cannot wait.
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Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas convene for their weekly House Of The Dragon discussion. The two break down the happenings of a rather eventful seventh episode that leaves them feeling as hopeful as they've been yet that the HBO series will be able to stick the landing. Other topics include the narrowing of the scope, the value of getting an entourage cast on-screen together, the tremendous casting of the younger characters, and the looming time jump déjà vu.
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Andor is the latest Star Wars project to come from Disney+. The first three episodes became available to stream last week, so Liam McKeone and Ryan Phillips decided to dive headfirst into the familiar universe with a show that follows a familiar character-- Cassian Andor, he of Rogue One fame. Liam and Ryan discuss the gritty feel of the show and the way it breaks away from the standard Star Wars plot outline of good vs. evil with no gray in between. The pair also discuss various directorial and production decisions made in the first three episodes, who will play a larger role going forward, and who might be the big bad villain who will pursue our hero.
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Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas team up yet again to break down this week's episode of House Of The Dragon on HBO. The showrunners boldly decided to put a 10-year time jump in the middle of the first season, marking a mini reset of sorts for all the characters and the audience. Liam and Stephen break down what they liked and did not like about the time jump, as well as the various new threads that it created in Westeros. The two worry the show is on the fast track to mediocrity and hope to be proven wrong sooner rather than later.
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HBO's Industry just wrapped its second season and if you haven't watched this frenetic look at the high-stakes world of finance, then you're missing out on a lucrative opportunity. The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster tick through all the things this show does well with one eye on the market. Buy! Buy! Buy!
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HBO's House Of The Dragon has reached its midseason point. Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas get together and instantly react to yet another violent wedding in the GoT universe and everything else that happened in a rather eventful fifth episode. The two also take stock about where the show is right now and where it could go in the last half, along with some pointed criticism and praise about what's happened so far. And, as always, several minutes are dedicated to wondering what Prince Daemon is up to.
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For the latest episode of The Big Stream, Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas talk about the best sports documentary on streaming right now: Welcome to Wrexham. It follows the journey of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after they purchased AFC Wrexham in Wales and the various challenges that come with owning a sports club. The documentary covers all the bases of a good sports doc-- inspiring underdog stories, human interest tales that feel like they're made for television, tremendous shots of soccer being played, and plenty of doses of humor from the main men themselves. The series is halfway done and will release weekly until October 5. Don't wait till it's over. Run to Hulu and give it a watch. You won't regret it.
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House Of The Dragon is nearing its midway point. Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas are still watching. They aren't exactly enthralled but there are pieces to work with here. Reviewing the fourth episode of the series, which eliminates what appeared to be a central conflict, and anticipating where the show will go next. More importantly, why did Prince Daemon go from his flowing locks to an emo haircut better suited for a mid-2000s punk rock show?
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Last week, Amazon debuted their most ambitious non-football-related streaming project to date in the form of Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power. The quasi-prequel takes places long before the events of both The Hobbit and the original Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Ryan Phillips and Liam McKeone teamed up to discuss their initial impressions of the first two episodes, whether the show accurately captures the grandiose LOTR feeling, and how the early plotlines are developing.
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The battle for the Iron Throne is starting to heat up. We think? It's hard to tell with all the time passing. Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas took time out of their holiday weekend to zero in on House Of The Dragon Episode 3 and discussed it on Monday. Topics include the (few) pros and (many) cons of aggressively utilizing time jumps between episodes to accelerate plot development, how this week's big hunt compared to the first way back in Season 1 of GoT, and who Rhaenyra could end up marrying to strengthen her claim to the throne. Also, we need more seafood-based enemies. In everything.
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There's a lot of quality content out there right now, so Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas get together to make the most of your time. The two review the second season of Only Murders In The Building, the brilliant mystery comedy show from Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Then Liam and Stephen dive into Day Shift, the Jamie Foxx-led vampire hunting movie from Netflix. Two very different viewing experiences, rolled into one podcast.
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Liam McKeone and Ryan Phillips get together to discuss the thickening plot of House Of The Dragon after Episode 2. They explore just how different the show has been so far compared to its predecessor after two episodes, from pacing to characters. Additional topics include breaking down the finer aspects of the developing storylines, the introduction of an other-worldly villain by the name of Crabfeeder, praise for Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, and the new opening sequence of the show that didn't stray far from its roots.
The final episode of The Rehearsal was unexpectedly one of the most affecting pictures of parenting you'll see on television, but was not without its fair share of awkward moments. This grand experiment flew close to the sun — sometimes too close — and exits as a one-of-a-kind viewing experience. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas try to unpack some of the mysteries and come up with a plan to tackle the post-Rehearsal world, forever changed by the experience.
HBO premiered House of the Dragon on Sunday night. The first Game of Thrones spin-off show arrived with some fanfare and the first episode was viewed with much scrutiny. Liam McKeone and Stephen Douglas both begrudgingly watched it and got together to talk about the foundation laid in the series premiere, the return of classic GoT violence, seeing Matt Smith with shocking blonde hair, how measuring memes is a good indicator of audience engagement, and whether the show will ever be able to stand on its own two (four?) legs without constant comparisons to its predecessor.
The Manti Te'o scandal remains one of the most shocking sports stories of the century, even as the real details have remained a bit of a mystery. All of those questions are answered in Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist, a two-hour Netflix documentary featuring interviews with all of the primaries. It pains a complete and heartbreaking picture of the impossible situation the star linebacker found himself in and is cause for reflection on what the media ecosystem can do to human beings at the center of a story.
Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal featured a penultimate episode full of loss, hope, and standing up for one's values. Plus a lot of controversy and the funniest favorite movie anyone's ever had. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas continue to pour over the details. Then, Black Bird is stylish and driven by two massive and memorable performances. So why then did it have trouble sticking the landing? And finally, do we actually miss the old-school television schedule?
When one lives long enough, they see some incredible things. Like a Predator movie that receives critical acclaim. Only this one is set way back in time. That's right, we're talking analog Predator. The Big Lead's Liam McKeone and Ryan Phillips share their thoughts on the film, which is currently streaming on Hulu.
Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal is dependent on scores of actors who must tailor their performances to the show's specifications. So how does he get all of those people ready? By establishing his own acting discipline, which he humbly named the Nathan Fielder method. Episode four of HBO's incredibly weird, challenging, and totally unique show is up for inspection as The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas try to make sense of it.
Everyone remembers Fargo. But do you remember a movie that came two years later that was similar and every bit as good? Somehow, A Simple Plan got lost to time. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Stephen Douglas attempt to fix this by revisiting the perfectly-paced, carefully measured morality play. A star-studded cast includes Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Bridget Fonda. Come with them to a remote area of the Minnesota wilderness. What could possibly go wrong with such a straightforward plan?
The weird world of Nathan Fielder continued to get weirder in the third episode of The Rehearsal, as he attempted to juggle his newfound fatherly duties with other projects he set up. How can he possibly manage to care for one of the many Adams under his watch while managing the unmanageable Patrick, a Punisher fan who wants his share of an inheritance and is not dating a gold digger? Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster try to make sense of the Inception inside of an Inception and grapple with the complicated ethics on both side of the camera.
Nathan Fielder is up to some new tricks in the second episode of "The Rehearsal" and things are only getting weirder. Stephen Douglas endeavors a solo pod to try to make sense of the situation. Also addressed: the blandness of "The Gray Man" and the economy of "The Rental."
Season 3 of The Boys wrapped up earlier this month. After taking some time to digest the hilarity, goriness, and weird superhero sex acts that every season of the show brings (but especially this season), Ryan Phillips and Liam McKeone gathered to review Season 3, look back at how far The Boys themselves have come, and attempt to predict what the future holds despite the endless possibilities in the hands of the showrunners. How did Season 3 stack up to Season 2? What did this season do really well? Was the ending a bit of a letdown? Where does young Ryan (the character, not the writer) fit into all this?
In September, the 22nd season of Law & Order: SVU will air. It is the longest-running live action TV series in American history. Liam McKeone and Kyle Koster got together to discuss the show from two very different perspectives and marvel over the historic run of the show while breaking down exactly what it is about the formula that makes it work. Other subjects include the ensemble cast, the value of commercials, and reflection on SVU's place in the television industry at large.
Nathan Fielder's new show, The Rehearsal, arrived on HBO Max on Friday night. The follow-up to Nathan For You takes Fielder's unique brand of comedy and life advice and applies it to people instead of businesses. The results of the first episode are cringe-worthy, hilarious and memorable.
Stranger Things, the most popular Netflix show to ever be produced, released its fourth season this summer. The final episodes dropped on July 1. Stephen Douglas and Liam McKeone gathered to discuss the happenings of Season 4. What worked? What didn't? How does it compare to previous seasons? What's going to happen to these traumatized Hawkins kids? Was Eddie Munson's Metallica scene the most epic on-screen shredding we've seen in a long time? And, most importantly, does Nancy end up with Steve or Jonathan?
The Bear, Hulu's indie-rock offering about a down-on-its-luck Chicago eatery, has been collecting critical praise and spreading through word of mouth. And everything you've heard about it is true. Not only is it an excellent, easily digestible series that will tickle the binging mode, it's a working testament to the joy of work and finding family. Star performances from Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach mix together to create a dish that will remind you of all the times you've dove into a plate of television and been delighted by the notes. The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas and Kyle Koster break down a minor miracle, one that will have you going along with a simple "yes, chef."
Spiderhead, currently available on Netflix, is everything you want in a streaming movie. It has big stars in Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller. It has a unique and straightforward story. It will make you think, but not think too much. Its people and setting is gorgeous to look at. The meme potential is off-the-charts and a cool Yacht Rock soundtrack will transport you to another dimension. Not unlike all the experimental drugs coursing through everyone's veins at all time. So why aren't more people talking about it? Let's fix that right now.