Trivially Crucial: Recent Episodes
Trivially Crucial
A show about the importance of stories in all mediums, how they're constructed, how they're told, and how they enhance our lives. We love and care about books, movies, comics, games, television, and any other medium through which stories can be told. We're willing to dissect the stories we love and laud the stories we don't. Because stories matter.
Michael has been binge-watching a lot of Star Trek, so Mandy and Michael chat about it! Almost everything before the Kelvin-verse movie trilogy is covered (turns out there was so much to talk about that the TNG movies didn’t get much of an explicit mention).
The topics in order are:
The Original Series
The Animated Series
The Original Series Movies
The Next Generation
Deep Space Nine
Voyager
Enterprise
The Kelvin movie trilogy and new Trek beginning with Discovery is not discussed in detail, though the show does end with some high level thoughts of what really defines Star Trek and some opinions on what Michael and Mandy have seen of it so far seems to be missing. The topic is reserved for a possible future episode!
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted.
In this episode the Superman run continues with a single episode for the 3rd and 4th Christopher Reeve Superman films. It’s a severe understatement to say these movies were found to be absolutely ridiculous.
Years ago Mandy got Michael to start watching Supernatural, a show with plenty of horror-esque content in its first couple of seasons (Michael doesn't do horror). 15 seasons later it's time to bid adieu to the Winchesters and their 1967 Chevy Impala.
In this episode you’ll hear about the finale, sure, but before that you’ll hear much more:
Recommendations of what to watch after the first 5 seasons if you don’t want to watch everything in the rough seasons.
Opinions on exactly how bad some of the seasons get.
Some love for many characters and individual episodes even through the show’s darkest times.
Respect for truly experimental, in the best of ways, episodes strewn throughout the series.
Strong feelings about the show’s return to form as it marched towards its end.
Yes, there are definitely some problems with the ending too.
Supernatural is over, but the Winchesters, Baby, Cas, and so much more of the cast will remain with us forever. There’s no better way to say farewell than:
🎵 Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more 🎵
Follow us on twitter:
@TrivCrucial (The show)
@Auhim (Michael)
@Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted.
For 49 episodes, Mandy and Michael have discussed how important stories are. They reflect the world, they help breed empathy, they help shape world views, and which stories resonate with a person in youth can help explain who a person is in adulthood. This 50th episode is about exploring works with great personal impact across all types of media. It’s about as much a meta episode as this show can really get.
Follow us on twitter:
@TrivCrucial (The show)
@Auhim (Michael)
@Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted.
Michael and Mandy spend some time chatting about Zatanna as written by Paul Dini, an author also known for his work on Batman: The Animated Series, Tiny Toons Adventures, and a whole lot of comic book writing.
Amazon links to works recommended in this episode:
Young Avengers Vol. 2
Angela: Asgard’s Assassin Vol. 1
Angela: Queen of Hel: Journey to the Funderworld
Dark Knight: A True Batman Story
Batman: Mad Love
Follow us on twitter:
@TrivCrucial (The show)
@Auhim (Michael)
@Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted.
In this episode Michael and Mandy the power and utility of different storytelling mediums. What they’re good for, how they’ve been used well, and more.
Follow us on twitter:
@TrivCrucial (The show)
@Auhim (Michael)
@Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
Michael and Mandy discuss Avengers: Endgame, everything it means, its emotional impact, its plot issues, and hopes for the MCU moving forward.
As we continue catching up, this episode is about Spider-Man: Homecoming. There's a lot of Spider-Man background and MCU meta-commentary before discussion of the film even begins, followed by plenty of Spoiler-free content.
This episode covers Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 and how it signals odd views on parenthood, redemption, adorable baby tree goofiness, and everything the group of misfits gets up to.
Mandy and Michael discuss Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi bout 3 hours after Michael finished watching it on opening weekend. Listen to them working through initial thoughts even as they inevitably would change (and have changed) over the course of the next few days.
We're finally back with a much delayed live recording from Dragon*Con 2017. We go through the con day by day!
The only appropriate thing to talk about for our 42nd episode is Hitchhiker's Guide. So we did. Bring your towel, sit back, and Don't Panic!
Mandy and Michael discuss Wonder Woman, which you should go see, intentionally making this a very quick turnaround–having seen the film then recorded, edited, and published this podcast episode all on release weekend.
Mandy and Michael discuss Isaac Asmivo's "Nightfall" (1941), "The Dead Past" (1956), and "The Last Question" (1956)
Mandy and Michael break down and discuss the first two Superman films in great detail, continuing their dive into the DC film archives. These movies are quite different from more modern depictions and neither had seen the movies in quite some time, making them pretty fresh experiences.
Mandy and Michael continue the read through of Wheel of Time with books 4 and 5 in the series: The Shadow Rising and The Fires of Heaven.
Mandy and Michael aren't done talking Batman, so they break down feelings on the Schumacher films, Batman Forever from 1995 and Batman & Robin from 1997.
Mandy and Michael discuss the two Tim Burton directed Batman films, 1989's Batman and 1992's Batman Returns. Feelings are very different across these two films, their characters, and the interesting choices made by a director who has a very distinct style and no loyalty to the source material.
Mandy and Michael discuss one of Mandy's long-time favorite series, The Wheel of Time. Michael's first exposure is this journey into the first three novels, so two totally different perspectives make for a great conversation.
In this episode Mandy and Michael discuss their thoughts and feelings on the first Star Wars anthology film, Rogue One, and what it means for Star Wars at large.
Mandy and Michael chat about the first movie in the Harry Potter universe without a book predecessor. There's a lot to unwrap for the movie and the universe as a whole!
For Christmas, Mandy and Michael synchronized a viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol and chatted at the same time. To listen to this, get the Theatrical release of the movie (iTunes, DVD, etc.) and sync up your viewing according to instructions spoken aloud. Warning Make sure any features of your podcast application that affect playback speed are disabled!
Netflix's third Marvel show, Luke Cage, is the topic du jour. It's a powerful show relevant to modern race discussions with an unapologetic focus on Harlem as representation of Black America. Come for the superficial superhero discussion, stay for the intense social themes, and enjoy Michael and Mandy disagreeing at length on the nature of evil. This first season of Luke Cage comes highly recommended, so go watch it if you haven't yet.
Magic and Sorcery makes its biggest impact in the MCU yet with Doctor Strange, and Michael and Mandy talk all about it. The film did a lot right while missing some major opportunities at the same time. It has plenty of material to talk about.
Mandy and Michael have a fun discussion in which they draft their favorite villains from all sorts of movies, games, television shows, book series, and comics. It's fun and kind of random!
Mandy and Michael talk about the first season of CBS's Supergirl just before the start of Season 2. They talk about aliens, love triangles, awkward production approaches, silly plot points, questionable writer decisions, and the most lovable pair of cross-universe superheroes this side of… anywhere!
Mandy and Michael discuss Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, its joys and flaws, the implications it has for characters, and the nature of author control and canon.
Mandy and Michael talk about their love of all the various Marvel MCU TV shows, especially Agent Carter, and prep for the upcoming TV season.
Dragon*Con 2016 is over and our fantastic nerdy duo chat all about it. They meander, ride high on caffeine, and talk all about hilarious wedding happenings and nerd convention shenanigans
Mandy and Michael chat about Ghostbusters, the 80s' various pieces of baggage, and the female star powered relaunch of the series.
Mandy and Michael talk about all 11 seasons of Supernatural, what it does well, where it goes wrong, and how much it salvages. If you haven't seen it all, that's ok! Let us guide you to the worthwhile bits!
The Wicked + The Divine is a wonderful, musically-charged, multicultural, supernatural, modern-day comic. There's a lot to discuss in it.
Mandy and Michael talk about Matt Fraction's Hawkeye, which is hilarious and well worth a read. The whole thing is covered, so brush up and then listen in!
Mandy and Michael chat about the best space western ever shown, Joss Whedon's Firefly. They could both rematch the show infinitely, so there's a lot of passion here!
Mandy and Michael discuss Captain America: Civil War. Spoiler heavy for the entire MCU up to this point.
Mandy and Michael talk at remarkable length about the latest mainline entry in the Star Wars saga, with nitpicks and fangirl/fanboying galore.
Mandy and Michael get very invested in Benedict Cumberbund's 3rd series as Sherlock Holmes
Mandy and Michael ran an experiment this time around, recording a commentary audio track to be listend to while you watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. Make sure to watch the movie normally first!
Mandy and Michael talk nearly endlessly to wrap up Book 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Mandy and Michael talk for an extended period of time on just the first 8 episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Tons of spoilers! Fans only!
The second "meta" episode, there's talk about general thought, thought in fandom, why conventions matter, and the podcast's future
Mandy and Michael discuss the ending of the series: Books 5-7 (movies 5-8). There's a lot of death, a lot of emotion, a lot of growth, and the world changes. Join the end of this ride!
This week, Mandy and Michael spend the entire episode continuing the Harry Potter discussion, this time sticking to just the 4th entry in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
This week Mandy and Michael discuss their feelings on Harry Potter as a whole, then go in depth on the first three entries in the series: Sorceror's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban
This week Mandy and Michael discuss things that get in the way of appreciating, or learning to appreciate, different mediums or types of stories in mediums. Try not to take things for granted!
Mandy and Michael talk nigh endlesslessly about Time Travel in media. Over and over, round and round. The stories just keep going.
This week Mandy and Michael discuss continuity and its negative effects on story, how to do it well, and tons of examples of continuity gone wrong and right.
This week Mandy and Michael talk about sympathetic villains, by which they mean villains with which we can sympathize. In this episode, the pair discuss Star Wars, Thor, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Mass Effect, Wheel of Time, Dune, and more!
The very first episode! All about us, how we think how important we believe stories to be, and not enough Thor for Mandy.