Parallel Quest: Recent Episodes
Steel Lake Studio
Parallel Quest is a podcast that talks about the stories we love and shares our personal stories of how they have impacted our lives. The discussions cover all sorts of stories from a variety of different media forms such as books, movies, and video games. Put on your nostalgia goggles and join the journey of Parallel Quest.
Cody and Zach have been close friends since high school, who love stories and the craft of storytelling. Parallel Quest is their journey in sharing personal stories from the first, fifth, or 100th time they have absorbed a particular story. Rather than a traditional "review" of the variety of different stories and their media formats, Parallel Quest focuses to discuss "how it is remembered" instead of "why it is good."
In this latest episode of Parallel Quest the guys share their thoughts on what is going on in the DC film universe and whether or not they are looking forward to the newest Avatar film.
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guys (Zach and Cody) talk about the film 300. This testosterone filled film of men willing to sacrifice everything in order to protect their land and way of life is one that the guys really enjoyed when it first came out. But does the highly choreographed action and rather over the top perspective on heroism stand the test of time?
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guys (Zach and Cody) talk about their thoughts on review bombing, and have a retrospective discussion on the amazing 2002 super-hero film, Spider-Man.
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guy’s review Lightyear and Uncharted, now that they are both available to stream. They were our most anticipated movies of the year, how did they live up to expectations?
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guy’s talk about National Treasure, the 2004 adventure film starring Nicholas Cage. This is actually Cody’s first time watching the film, with Zach coming in as the seasoned viewing veteran, which makes for a very interesting perspective from each on this film.
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! This week the guys share their thoughts on the various different reveals at San Diego Comic Con. Topics including:
- A National Treasure series and the discussion around strong female leads
- DC’s upcoming movies and how they can capitalize on a weak phase 4 from Marvel
- Will A Dungeons and Dragons movie with the tone of Guardians of the Galaxy work?
- House of the Dragon: will it be good and have people completely lost interest in the GoT brand?
- The Rings of Power and Cody’s change of heart
- Should Marvel have recast Black Panther?
- Marvel’s future: Quantity reigns supreme.
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to a Parallel Quest Fantasy Fix. In this short episode Cody goes over why he is still excited about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in the midst of his tempered expectations.
Check out our YouTube channel.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch:
http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach discuss a classic tale of summer, The Sandlot. This is a movie that is a staple to many a childhood of the millennial generation. The Sandlot came out at a time where baseball was beginning to get to its highest point of popularity while also highlighting the summer shenanigans that so many kids get themselves into. Does the Sandlot pass the test of time though? As we have gotten older is this still a movie that we could sit down and watch anytime? As the guys discuss in the show, they do not have nearly as much nostalgia for this movie as many people who grew up with it will have. However, there are a lot of things within this movie that the guys still find really enjoyable.
Stick around all the way to the end to hear the guys thoughts on a possible Brandon Sanderson on screen adaptation that sounds like it is in the works.
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach give their in-depth review on the new Disney’s latest adventure in the Star Wars saga, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Does this show put Star Wars back in a place that it deserves to be in? Or is this yet another squandered opportunity from the new era of Lucasfilm? There are elements in the show that are both worthy of praise, but there are matters that also deserve to be highly scrutinized. With the importance of legacy characters in the Star Wars universe, the guys had hoped that Obi-Wan’s adventure would turn out more interesting and entertaining than the one that we most recently went on with Boba Fett. While there are definitely some highs in the show’s 6 episode run, there are just a ton of issues with the story, causing it to struggle in attaining a spot in the upper echelon of Star Wars films.
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach talk about the one rather good film of George Lucas’s Star Wars prequels: Revenge of the Sith. The Star Wars prequel films are most definitely a mixed bag amongst fans of the franchise. With a little bit of time though, it seems like these have aged much better with fans than the initial reception of their release in the early 2000s. While Revenge of the Sith is the highlight of the film trilogy, it still does not reach the same heights that were attained in the original run of Star Wars films. It is a film that gets rather bogged down by poor dialogue and direction, which lives in a rather compelling narrative. Anakin’s turn to the dark side plays out in very traditional fashion, following many of the tried and true methods of the tragic hero, and giving audiences a rather satisfying bridge to the Darth Vader that many grew up with. But how do the guys feel about this film many years after its release? With so many movies in the Star Wars universe at this point, how does it compare to the rest?
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach talk about one of their favorite adventure movies ever made: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Between Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Lucasfilm delivered some of the most fun filled films for the better part of a decade. Currently the film studio seems a bit lost in their identity as they have tried to bring Star Wars back, but in 1981 with the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise, we got to witness Lucasfilm when it was at its best. In this episode the guys discuss their first experiences with Dr. Jones, point out the parts in the film that are exceptional, examine why McGuffins work for the entirety of the series, and share a unique perspective on what they believe to be the narrative tone of the film. We hope you enjoy this episode and be sure to let us know what you think!
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
In this week’s episode Cody and Zach discuss their thoughts on a couple of shows and movies that they were excited about at the beginning of the year, providing their thoughts now that said projects are out. With the release of Kenobi, Cody shares his initial impressions of the first couple of episodes and his general concerns. This leads to a discussion between the guys of how “good” Star Wars actually is. Despite modern pessimism towards the franchise, it is important to remember that it has roots in greatness.
For the main topic of this week’s episode, Cody and Zach discuss the Action-Horror hit of 1999, The Mummy. While this movie might be standard action material, it does quite a few good things within the story that make it a very easy and enjoyable watch. The world was a different place in 1999 and our standards for a blockbuster were much different, but this is one that the guys believe has stood the test of time. The modern blockbuster really could learn a lot from the success of films like the Mummy and late 90’s and early 2000’s mega hits, especially if there is going to be success in the cinema outside of massive superhero franchises.
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Cody and Zach decide to share an update on some of the things that they have been watching recently and give their recommendations on whether or not they are worth your time. With Halo being one of Zach’s most anticipated releases of the year, he gives some interesting insight on what he thinks of how the show starts off. This leads to a discussion on the importance of the man behind the mask in storytelling. Is it important to keep the man’s identity secret for a longer period of time, or do we connect with the character more when we are able to see his face? The guys both have different opinions on what they think about the first three episodes of the show.
Moon Knight is one of the latest heroes to be added into the pantheon of MCU protagonists, and the show starts off by giving us a very interesting premise. Listen in as Zach begins to convince Cody of potentially starting to dive into an MCU show, seeing as Cody hasn’t had much interest in any of the MCU Disney+ projects.
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
When we sat down and started to review the Book of Boba Fett, one episode at a time, we thought that we were in for a treat. In spite of the fact that the season started off slow, Cody and Zach believed that the show was in good hands with John Favreau at the helm. However, the guys came to the conclusion that the show did not live up to the expectations that they had for it. That doesn't mean that the show was an absolute travesty, but rather that it just wasn't what they were looking for, nor what many Star Wars fans were looking for. In this episode of Parallel Quest, Cody and Zach give their final thoughts on the Book of Boba Fett, hoping that after the release of this show, we will experience something better with Obi-Wan Kenobi now that it is released.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Podcast Edited by Jake Butler
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
The long awaited sequel to Dr. Strange has been released and the guys at Parallel quest, sit down to give their spoiler-filled review. While this is a highly anticipated summer blockbuster and delivers a lot of fun, it is fair to say that this installment within the MCU is a bit of a mixed bag. There are strong elements that make the movie a joy to watch, but weak elements that take away from the plot and storytelling which is a bit disappointing. Zach as a longtime fan of horror, likes a lot of what is delivered upon in Multiverse of Madness but offers fair critiques. Cody, who tends to not veer towards this type of film, found himself liking it quite a bit more than he probably would have expected. The guys come together to try to give a fair assessment of the second Dr. Strange film in this latest episode of Parallel Quest, but we would love to know more about what you think about the movie. Did you love it or hate it? Did the superhero/horror crossover work for you? How important will this movie be down the line as we continue on in phase 4 of the MCU?
Let us know what you think at https://www.steellakestudio.com/community
Also be sure to check out our YouTube page.
Timestamps
0:00- Intro
0:40- First Impressions about MOM
5:27- Overview & Plot Summary
9:30- Dissecting plot and marketing plan
16:00- Dr Strange movie or SW Movie
23:15- Sub Plot critique
26:00- What we liked about MOM
37:25: Complaints on the film
51:45- Critique of SW
53:40 Closing Thoughts
58:36- Outro
Shout out to our new editor, Jake Butler! We are excited to have him taking part in Parallel Quest.
Intro/Outro Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch:
http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Dumb and Dumber is one of the best comedies of the slapstick variety. Before it ever hit the screen it was a movie that no production company wanted to back, but after its wild success it goes to show that executives aren’t always right on what people are going to like. While Dumb and Dumber is a film that Cody and Zach think is hilarious now, their first impression of it was not nearly as high as it has become. Listen in to this episode to see what it is about the movie and the guys that changed their perspective after their first viewing of it. Also listen in for facts and stories about how this movie got to the screen and who the original cast members were desired to be. While Dumb and Dumber is crammed with hilarious moments, the guys will share with you their personal favorites and we would love to hear your favorites as well.
Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:20 Zach Saves a Man
5:20 The Northman Review
17:20 Road Trip Stories
35:35 1994: The Year Dumb and Dumber Released
43:14 Fun Facts and Background
54:20 Plot Summary
57:00 Initial Impressions and Changed Perspectives
1:08:00 Is Slapstick Comedy Still Relevant?
1:16:45 The Guys Favorite Scenes
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
The Batman released at the beginning of March to positive reviews from critics and mostly good reception from fans. The success of the film shows that reboots and remakes still are not going to disappear anytime soon in the foreseeable future. While The Batman can definitely be recognized as a success, it is not a flawless movie, in fact it has quite a few of them. Some of the early hype around the film had some people coming out and saying that this is the best Batman ever to release, which Cody and Zach have some thoughts about. The guys share their initial reviews in a spoiler free manner, followed by an in depth discussion of deeper analysis on the storytelling and character journeys in the latest adventure of the World’s greatest detective. Timestamps for all discussion points can be found below.
Check out our YouTube Channel!
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Spoiler Free Reviews
7:59 Reboots/Remakes are Here to Stay
10:50 Is this the Darkest Gotham
13:30 The Controversial Wayne Family Legacy
23:00 Character Analysis
52:30 How was Pattinson as Batman?
1:07:00 The Greatest Strengths
1:16:00 A Critique of the Ending
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Braveheart was a huge release in the mid-90’s with great staying power and influence. Proving that you can have an epic tale that can attain box office success, critical acclaim, and audience adoration. In this episode of Parallel Quest, the guys share their most anticipated films that are yet to be released in 2022 and cover Braheart in the Retrospective segment.
Check out our YouTube Channel.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Zach’s Snowboarding Adventure
9:47 Shoveling Snow is No Fun
17:40 State of the Podcast
21:11 Most Antcipated for 2022
33:00 Braveheart Retrospective — The Year 1995
41:32 Plot Summary
42:51 Film Background/Historical Inaccuracies
55:00 Initial Impressions
1:00:00 What Makes William Wallace a Hero?
1:04:00 The Lasting Appeal
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
WheelOfTime #Season1 #Review
Our journey with the first season of Amazon’s The Wheel of Time has come to its end as we put together our overarching review for our general perspective on season 1. This review contains SPOILERS and seeks to be a reflection on both the good and bad, as well as give some feedback on how the show can improve going forward. Even though there were some moments and episodes we liked quite a bit and others that we thought were rather disappointing, the journey of reviewing and analyzing the show has been a fun one. Let us know what you think about the Wheel of Time. Do you love it? Hate it? Indifferent?
Watch on YouTube
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:02 Good, Bad, or Meh?
3:08 The Strengths
7:38 The Weaknesses
11:44 Improvements We Want
18:19 Excited for Season 2?
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
Book of Boba Fett episode 3 was what the guys were asking for in concept, but the execution of it was not nearly as rewarding as what they hoped for. In this week’s review the guys break down the various different things in the episode that either didn’t work well or just turned out to be underwhelming.
SPOILERS.
Fighting a wookie, bringing in a rancor, and a “speeder chase,” were not enough to make this episode hit the level of entertainment that this show should be able to achieve. In its 38 minute run time, chapter 3 of the Book of Boba Fett is not atrocious but rather just average. However, there are certain intellectual properties that should never settle for average and Star Wars is one such property.
Let us know what you think of the Book of Boba Fett in the comments and let us know how we are doing on our reviews and analysis.
Watch Ep. 2 Review on YouTube HERE
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:47 General Impressions
4:25 What We Wanted?
7:43 Tatooine's Water Supply Solved
10:28 Hipster Android Friends
13:31 The Rancor…
15:49 What is the Show’s Identity?
19:00 The Worst Scene in the Show so Far
23:27 War is Coming
28:46 Final Score and Conclusion
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism
Watch: http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k
The first season of The Book of Boba Fett is here! In chapter (episode 1) we are given the answer to the great mystery of “What happened to Boba Fett after Return of the Jedi?” As we know from the existence of the show he is clearly alive and well, but what type of man does Boba Fett become after having such a close brush with death? We believe that is the story that will unfold throughout the first season, and the first chapter, “Stranger in a Strange Land” gives us a small glimpse of what this series is going to be all about. Follow along with Cody and Zach as they review and analyze here on Parallel Quest.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:41 General Impressions
4:00 Is The Show in Good Hands?
6:39 A Nod to Classic Sci-Fi
7:34 The Sand People Story
9:23 A New Type of Boba Fett
12:09 The Purpose of the Episode
13:20 The Direction of the Show
15:42 Conclusion and Score
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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The first season of Amazon Prime’s, The Wheel of Time, has come to its end. Cody and Zach give their final review of the season, until the show returns in the future. Did Moiraine and the Emond’s Field five go out with a bang, or was the finale more of a disappointing bust? Perhaps neither extreme is true and the finale was good enough but ultimately could have been a little bit better. The guys discuss all their thoughts on the final episode of season 1 in this week’s review.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:28 General Impressions
3:50 Perrin Problems Continue
7:10 What Characters Were We Supposed to Care About?
10:00 Delivering on the Dark One? Did the Show Need More Episodes?
13:30 Was the Dragon Reborn’s Power Properly Displayed?
17:10 The Battle was Decent… Just Decent
19:00 False Tension
22:25 Rand’s Arc Displayed
25:35 How Faithful was the Adaptation?
28:15 Score and Conclusion
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS
Season 1 of The Wheel of Time has reached its penultimate episode, and it is one that has been worth the wait. We begin to see storylines come to satisfying milestones, even though there are some that still have issues. Episode 7 is not perfect but it does a lot more good than bad, and puts the show in a much stronger place then it was a few weeks ago. Cody and Zach enjoyed it and look forward to the final episode next week. Check out the chapters below to see the topics discussed.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Suspension of Disbelief & General Impressions
4:30 The Opening: Good, Bad, or Awkward?
7:00 A Potential Improvement
9:30 Starting in the Ways… Good Enough
12:00 How to Critique Mat
12:50 Perrin: What’s Going On? (The Love Triangle)
15:45 Different Perspectives on Rand Vs. Perrin
20:20 Different Perspective on Lan & Nynaeve
27:00 The Dragon Reborn
30:20 Conclusion and Score
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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Brandon Sanderson is a much talked about storyteller on this podcast, and this week the guys finally do a retrospective on one of his early breakthroughs, Mistborn: The Final Empire. After catching everyone up on the books they are currently watching, the guys take it back to 2006, discussing the state of the world when we were all first introduced to the magical system of Allomancy. There is lots of praise to go around when talking about Mistborn but it is not a perfect work, and there are definitely critiques of Sanderson’s early work. Cody and Zach talk about it all in the latest episode of Parallel Quest
Check out our YouTube Channel for the Podcast highlights
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 People Who Chew Toothpicks
6:12 Christmas Shopping Early
10:00 Judging Books by Cover
14:20 What we are Reading/Watching
24:20 MAIN TOPIC: Mistborn. What was 2006 Like?
29:00 Critical Reception
31:30 Plot Summary
39:30 The Book Feels Like a Movie
43:00 Background on the Book
54:30 Initial/First Impressions
1:10:00 Is the Magic Writing always Good?
1:18:00 Are the Characters too Tropey?
1:22:45 Is it the Best Entry Point for High Fantasy?
1:26:15 Lasting Impact
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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The Wheel of Time’s first season is drawing near to its conclusion, and bounces back into the main plot with both strengths and weaknesses. As the final stretch of episodes falls before us, the guys’ conclusion with episode 6 is one of hope for the series and where it can go moving forward. Episode 6 in the Wheel of Time is not perfect but one that finally delivers on the potential of this cast, showcasing a true strength in the show. Watch and listen to this week’s review to hear all that Zach and Cody enjoyed about this episode as well as the elements that they did not consider to be quite as good. Thank you so much for checking it out!
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome [SPOILERS]
0:20 General Thoughts and Impressions
4:20 Reuniting the Characters: Critiques and Praises
8:45 Perrin and Egwene’s Arrival in Tar Valon
11:10 Mat and Rand: What do We Think
15:40 Moiraine’s Emotional Arc (Some of the Series’ Best Dialogue)
22:20 A Good Full Circle Narrative
24:27 Final Thoughts and Score
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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Every good season of a television series is going to have an episode that is widely enjoyed, while there is often an episode that stinks out for being subpar. In The Wheel of Time’s first season, episode 5 comes across as the latter. While this is by no means an atrocity, it did not build upon the excitement that was introduced in episode 4. The guys talk about the strengths and weaknesses in this week’s episode review and discuss their optimism for the series nonetheless.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:10 Starting with the Good
7:00 Criticisms, Problems, and What Isn’t Working
12:30 Character Development Struggles
17:00 Skeptical of Changes from the Book
20:20 Concluding Thoughts and Score
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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The Wheel of Time Season 1 is already halfway to the finish line with the release of episode 4. In this week’s review the guys discuss the trajectory of the show and the potential effects the series might have on hardcore fans of the book series. Do the guys enjoy the direction of the show? Which group of characters has the most interesting plot line to this point? Was this episode too heavy on exposition in comparison to the first three? Zach and Cody discuss all of that and more on this week’s Wheel of Time episode review.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:58 SPOILER WARNING
1:30 Strongest Group of Characters
4:45 Bringing In Logain/Giving Us Villain
8:45 The Strength of Dialogue and Exposition
12:00 Parallel Storytelling and Worldbuilding
16:30 The Surprising Conclusion. Did it Work?
18:25 Is this Working as an Adaptation?
21:00 Final Verdicts
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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The Wheel of Time has finally arrived on Amazon Prime! The guys discuss their thoughts on the first 3 episodes of season 1. Did it come out making a huge statement or did it stumble out of the gate a bit? Are we excited for every single Friday going forward or is it something we aren’t as excited for going forward? We discuss all of these topics and more in our review and initial impressions of the show.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Our Background with The Wheel of Time
7:30 Story/Storytelling and Scores out of 10
24:45 The Show Release Formula
28:45 The Characters
42:30 How Excited are We Going Forward?
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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Within the Fantasy genre there are many tried and true tropes, such as slaying dragons, rescuing princesses, fighting dark lords, brave warriors, mysterious wizards, etc. Name of the Wind is a novel that seeks to bring some of these tropes into a story that feels more grounded and mundane than the typical epic fantastical journey. In this retrospective, the guys discuss the popular novel by Patrick Rothfuss, sharing their perspective on the story as newcomers to the series.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Zach Survived the Virus
2:30 Timestamps Reminder
3:30 Stories from the Guys
8:45 What We are Reading/Watching
18:00 Name of the Wind (State of the World 2007)
30:00 Stats and Facts
39:45 Plot Summary
1:02:45 Initial Impressions
1:17:00 The Lasting Appeal
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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We went to see Dune! Here is our longform review and discussion about the film, enjoy! Zach, a seasoned veteran of the the Dune franchise, and Cody, a fresh face to the world of Arrakis, discuss the brand new film, its strengths, critiques, and some of their favorite scenes. The review is mostly spoiler free, with spoilers discussed at the end. Let us know what you thought about the movie.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:00 Why We Wanted to See Dune
11:00 [No Spoilers] What the Movie is about
21:00 The Strengths
34:30 Critiques
55:00 Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
57:30 The Experience
1:13:00 SPOILERS -- Our Favorite Scenes
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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Back from a long hiatus, the guys are back to discuss the future of publishing with an emphasis on the impact of audiobooks. The perfect storm for the rise in audiobooks has arisen. They are less expensive to make than ever before, easier to attain than ever before, and as time goes on there are more and more affordable options in acquiring audiobooks. But can listening to a story on your headphones rival the experience or adventuring through the pages of a book? Listen to this episode of Parallel Quest to find out what the guys think and let us know what you think as well.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Zach is Back and Discusses New Fatherhood
10:30 Our Thoughts on the Future of Publishing
11:42 History of the Self-publishing Boom
16:30 The New Wave of Self-publishing=Audiobooks
20:00 Auditory Storytelling is the Future as well as the Past
24:00 Writing to be Heard and the Importance of Performance
30:00 Does an Audio focus Impact Characters in Stories?
33:30 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest, the guys are doing a bit of a different show as they talk about the future of cinema. Listen in as they discuss their own movie going processes and share what they think the theater is going to be like in the future.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Zach’s Latest Trip to the Movie Theater
4:00 What is the Movie Theater Like Now
9:00 Our Thoughts on Going to the Movies
13:00 Are the Types of Movies in the Theater going to Change?
18:00 Cody’s Grocery Shopping Rant
22:30 A Question about being Patient
43:00 Discussing the Future of Cinema and Movies
45:00 The Experience of Community while Viewing
50:00 Streaming vs Theater
1:00:00 Convenience Always Wins
1:10:00 How many Times do we go to the Movies a Year
1:14:00 The Impact of Affordable Home Theaters
1:18:00 Quantity over Quality
1:36:00 The Theater in 2019 vs 2021
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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There are many great storytellers in the world. However, just because one may be considered a great storyteller does not mean that everything that they create falls under an equal caliber of greatness. In today’s episode of Parallel Quest, the guys discuss Stephen King’s, The Tommyknockers and how it under delivers, but how ultimately that was a good thing.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Paperback Copies of Terror Town Available!
2:23 What to Order at a Restaurant
16:00 Cody Getting back into Final Fantasy XIV
31:00 What are we Watching and Reading
43:00 1987 State of the World and Interesting Facts
53:20 Main Topic: THE TOMMYKNOCKERS Stats and Summary
58:00 Why we wanted to Talk about it
1:00:00 The Importance of Knowing Why Something is Made
1:03:00 The Story Summary
1:10:00 Strengths and Weaknesses of The Tommyknockers
1:16:00 Our Opinion on Goodreads and Book Reviews
1:23:00 How a Bad Book was Made into a Miniseries
1:27:00 Stephen King’s only Time Making an Alien Encounter Story
1:35:00 The Problem with Book Length
1:45:00 The Use of Gruesome Scenes
1:52:00 Favorite Scenes and Characters
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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One of the greatest short story collections to ever be written, The Martian Chronicles, still holds up as one of the guys’ favorites to this day. While going through school, we are forced to read a lot of books and do a lot of assignments that are not necessarily exciting, but this was not so when Cody and Zach read through Ray Bradbury’s iconic short story collection. In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys look back on and continue to praise this classic.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 Graphic T Shirts and Drawstrings
10:00 The Normal People Olympics
18:00 The Death of Storytelling
30:30 What are we Reading
39:30 State of the World 1950
52:50 MAIN TOPIC: Martian Chronicles Story Summary
56:00 What is the Martian Chronicles?
59:00 Fun Facts
1:07:00 Initial Impact
1:21:00 Our Top 3 Stories from Martian Chronicles
1:59:00 Lasting Appeal and Conclusion
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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A lively Mariachi band can make for great entertainment at a wedding, young Pokemon trainers are being raised within Cody’s House, and a discussion of one of the most underappreciated sci-fi films to have come out in the last 20 years; these are the contents of this week’s episode of Parallel Quest. Listen in as Cody and Zach share about the time they saw the movie Super 8 and how it became an instant classic for each one of them. Seeing this movie did not come without a little bit of drama beforehand, though, for Cody and Zach have a history of not-so-great movie theater experiences together. Super 8, definitely delivered in spite of skepticism going in. The film combines nostalgia, tried and true storytelling methods, and a heavy handed theme, which all comes together to make a fun film for people of all ages.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:30 First Time Mariachi Experience
10:30 Not Knowing anyone at a Wedding
16:00 Cody’s Kids getting into Pokemon
29:18 What the Guys are Reading
40:00 A Question about the Potential Shortcomings of Horror
45:45 2011 State of the World
56:21 MAIN TOPIC: SUPER 8 // Summary and Stats
1:04:00 How they Approached Filming Child Actors
1:10:00 A Film that Connected us with the Previous Generation.
1:19:20 Zach’s Redemption Story
1:23:00 The Importance of the Monster Makeup and Models
1:27:00 This Movie Reminds us of our Own Childhood
1:32:00 The Importance of Keeping the Alien Off-Screen
1:36:11 One of Our Favorite Abrams Films but…
1:48:40 There aren’t a lot of Movies Like this Anymore.
1:56:40 Lasting Appeal and Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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In the mid-late 90’s something that was on the minds of many was whether or not our planet and civilization was going to make it into the next millennium. With that came an increasing popularity in disaster films. What better plot line than to have the entire human race threatened by Alien invaders, whose sole purpose is to destroy humanity as we knew it. However, these aliens would run into the stopping power of the United States Air Force and their uncanny ability to string together a plan to save the planet in a mere 48 hours. Not only is it the most efficient use of government time and resources imaginable, all of this is accomplished on the very day that the United States forefathers decided to declare their independence from the rule of Great Britain, hence the title INDEPENDENCE DAY. Listen or watch along in this episode as Cody and Zach discuss this popular 90’s film and begin their next series of discussing through stories that deal with alien encounters.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:00 Grass Cutting Catastrophe
11:00 How Many Animals Survive a Litter?
18:00 The Independent League Baseball Game
31:00 What We are Reading and Watching
49:40 1996 State of the World
1:04:00 INDEPENDENCE DAY Summary and Stats
1:12:30 The Most Efficient the Government has ever been
1:14:00 Independence Day was the movie that was always on.
1:17:30 The Aliens are not in the Movie all that much
1:23:00 The Independence Day Action Figures
1:27:50 How Zach Watched it in the Car
1:33:34 What do we Think about UFO Sightings
1:43:00 Something to Think about with Aliens
1:50:00 Why do Aliens always Want to Destroy in Storytelling?
1:53:00 What Makes Independence Day Standout?
2:06:00 Lasting Appeal
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Wedding Crashers introduced us to the memorable duo of John and Jeremy through the journey of party crashing playboys to men who find their true loves. However, before seeing Wedding Crashers, we were not even familiar with the concept of wedding crashing in our adolescent lives. As we each stumbled upon this movie for the first time in our mid-teens, we were introduced to a different brand of comedy that would come to influence the next decade of the genre. While everyone gets a happy (and rather cliche) end when this story finally wraps, the laughs and the character arcs make this film worth the time, even to this day.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:00 The Baby Whisperer
13:00 The Common Ground of Board Games and Podcasts
23:00 A Quick Discussion on Learning
28:50 What are We Reading
39:20 2005 State of the World
54:33 Wedding Crashers Summary and Stats
1:02:50 Zach’s Initial Impact
1:06:00 Adoration for Characters with Bombastic Struggles
1:10:00 Cody’s Initial Impact [Awkward Watching with Dad]
1:16:00 The Film’s Potentially Questionable Theme
1:23:00 Surprisingly Good Character Arcs
1:37:00 The Influence on Comedy Films
1:44:00 Why we don’t like Bridesmaids but love Wedding Crashers and the Hangover
1:55:00 The Lasting Appeal
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy that both of the guys were surprised to like quite a bit. It tells the story of two young professionals who both bring something great to a relationship, but in the end, for somewhat unexplained reasons, the relationship did not work out for them. However, 500 Days of Summer is not a story focused simply on the love between the two main characters, but rather how each person develops into the man or woman they were meant to become in the midst of their rollercoaster ride of a relationship. Listen in to this week’s episode of Parallel Quest as the guys discuss this movie and the way in which it has influenced and informed their own perspective on the dating life of young professionals looking for love.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
5:00 The Sauna
17:30 Brawlhalla Addiction
31:15 Update on SLS Publications
35:40 The Books We are Reading
48:10 2009 State of the World
1:01:50 500 Days of Summer (Summary and Stats)
1:11:10 Initial Impact / Relating to the Brokenhearted
1:16:00 A Young Married Couple’s Perspective
1:25:00 Hope for the Hopeless Romantic
1:31:00 Is it a Coming of Age Story?
1:39:50 Is there an Antagonist in the Story?
1:50:00 Lasting Appeal
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
There is one thing true to all relationships… Breakups are never fun when they occur. Even the most amicable of severed ties can be stressful and depressing for all parties involved. Through the avenue of storytelling breakups can be made a little bit easier when we can laugh at someone else’s misery. That is the main topic of this episode of Parallel Quest through discussing the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The guys talk about this 2008 film as well as the challenge of home repairs, smoothies we don’t like, the challenge of trying to sleep, and other interesting things that happened in the year 2008.
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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:48 Quick Audio Disclaimer
2:56 Home Repair Struggles
10:00 Indian Food and Smoothies
15:00 “Sleeping In” on Weekends
24:00 Hard Copies of Terror Town (Link in Description)
29:00 New Show Coming Soon for Steel Lake Studio
32:30 Main Topic: Forgetting Sarah Marshall
34:00 2008 State of the World
39:45 The Housing Crisis and The Big Short
46:00 Interesting Stats from 2008
49:50 Why Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a Great Breakup Film
51:45 Plot Summary
59:00 Critical Reception
1:02:00 The Impact on the Stars’ Careers
1:06:00 Aldous Snow/Russel Brand
1:12:00 Appreciating the Main Character
1:18:00 A “Fun” Way to Process through a Breakup
1:21:00 Our Two Favorite Quotes
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
In the guys’ journey through Parallel Quest, they have not ventured into the realm of romance at this point in the podcast’s life. While Cody and Zach are more interested in adventure and high concept storytelling, there is something to be said about the tried and true success of the romantic comedy. Romcoms are oftentimes predictable with overly recycled plotlines and tropes, but continue on in spite of their flaws, mainly because of the date night potential. However, every once in a while, we encounter a romantic comedy that transcends expectation, entering into a different tier of quality. 10 Things I Hate about You is one such film. A mix of Shakespearean influence with a touch of hyperbolic high school tropes, and topped off with a lot of good laughs throughout, this movie is one that can be enjoyed by people of many different tastes and generations. Sit back, relax and feel free to engage as the Parallel Quest team examines the impact of 10 Things I Hate about You.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
3:21 Zach’s Lake Day Realization
15:00 The Cool Stuff Shirt Story
29:25 Updates from Steel Lake Studio
32:50 Books We’re Reading: Name of the Wind
38:50 Books We’re Reading: Guns, Germs and Steel
40:45 Books We’re Reading: Mistborn Series
50:54 1999 State of the World
1:12:00 Main Topic: Ten Things I Hate About You
1:18:00 The Shakespearean Influence
1:24:00 Critical Reception and Review
1:30:00 The Impact on the Careers of the Stars
1:37:00 The Initial Impact of 10 Things
1:57:00 Why The Guys Decided to Talk Romcoms
2:03:00 What Makes This Movie Work Better than other Romcoms
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
A story about espionage is a great avenue to get an audience member engaged in a tale. The story can either add to their own conspiracies about how the world of secret intelligence works or begin to deconstruct them. The Bourne Identity is a story that puts us in the shoes of an amnesiac assassin who is trying to figure out who he is, all while surviving against the world’s most adept assets. In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest, the guys discuss drive-in theaters, reaction videos, generational gaps, amnesia, free cam, James Bond, and of course this is all done with the backdrop of the main topic: The Bourne Identity.
Watch the show on YouTube
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:25 Unexpected Upside of the Vaccine
7:30 Drive-In Movie Adventure
17:30 Zach Watching Reaction Videos
20:30 GPS Generational Gap
27:30 Being Resourceful vs. Being Knowledgeable
32:30 News from Steel Lake Studio
36:00 Main Topic: The Bourne Identity
40:41 Did this Story Inspire the Bourne Series?
46:49 Other Guys Who Could Have Played Jason Bourne
55:00 Stats and Reception
1:00:26 The Aesthetic of The Bourne Identity
1:09:00 A Little bit about the Novel
1:11:42 Seeing the Last film Before any Others
1:19:45 Initially Underappreciating the Film
1:33:55 Preference: James Bond or Jason Bourne
1:37:49 Lasting Appeal
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
While there may be no perfect ending for a story, one of the most important components of a good story is that the conclusion is satisfactory. However, that does not mean the most talented storytellers are great at sticking the landing. The guys share the components of what makes a strong ending, and examine what it looks like when a story falls flat in its final moments. This is all centered around the main topic for discussion, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, where both the book and the film have fantastic endings to an epic tale.
Watch the show on YouTube
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:25 Sauce Conspiracy
10:45 A Surprisingly Good Chicken Sandwich
14:30 Getting Back to Board Games
25:00 Our Favorite and Least Favorite Endings
56:40 MAIN TOPIC: Return of the King
57:30 2003 State of the World
1:08:00 Ditching Friends to see Return of the King
1:17:07 Bringing together Multiple Generations
1:24:00 The Masterful Dialogue
1:26:00 Plot Refresh
1:39:00 The Success of the Movie
1:42:15 How did the Books become Films?
1:45:00 Did the Films “Ruin” the Books?
1:57:00 The Attitude of Adaptation
2:04:00 Why the Lord of the Rings is Special to Us
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
50 episodes into Parallel Quest felt like a good point to discuss some of our favorite television programs as kids. From Boy Meets World to Courage the Cowardly Dog, there were many shows we enjoyed within the first 12 years of our lives that left a lasting impact. Since we were inspired to talk about these shows, we also got into a very long conversation on Cody’s impressions on Game of Thrones, as he spent the last 2 months watching it. We hope you enjoy this episode of Parallel Quest, and let us know what some of your favorite childhood shows are.
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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:35 Grilling Season
3:50 The Beekeeper
15:28 The Phantom Bike Rider
28:00 Game of Thrones series review/discussion
1:13:00 Favorite TV Shows from Childhood
1:15:00 Are you Afraid of the Dark?
1:24:25 Boy Meets World
1:30:42 Smallville
1:33:18 Full House
1:37:24 Ed, Edd, and Eddy
1:46:10 Pokemon
1:51:00 Hey Arnold!
1:59:20 Batman: The Animated Series
2:06:34 Courage the Cowardly Dog
2:15:00 Dragon Ball Z
2:21:42 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Trilogies make up some of the greatest stories that we get to experience. The second installment in a trilogy has the challenging task of improving on the work of its predecessor but setting up the final part to give great payoff. In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys talk about trilogies and how good the second part of well-known trilogies rank. In the second half of the show, the guys discuss the second installment in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers.
Watch the show on YOUTUBE
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:54 Movie Trailer Voice
4:00 Resident FDA expert
11:00 Eating Rotten Food
15:00 The Library
31:00 SLS News update
33:00 Best Part of Trilogies
1:05:00 Featured Story: The Two Towers
1:10:00 State of the World in 2002
1:16:00 Stats and Summary
1:26:00 Book to Film Differences
1:28:00 History and Fun Facts
1:37:00 Experiencing the Great Writing
1:40:00 Getting the 2nd DVD before the 1st
1:44:30 Seeing it with a Random Friend of a Sibling
1:51:00 The Many Attempts of Trying to Read the Book
1:53:20 Is it One of the Best Battle Scenes Still?
2:07:00 The Impact Two Towers had on LotR
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Some might say that The Patriot could simply be boiled down to a basic revenge tale, while others may claim it to be a great story on the American Revolution. Either way one may look at this film, it was a big deal when it was released in the summer of 2000. Join in on this week’s episode of Parallel Quest as the guys discuss the simple things, journaling, seafood, patriotic films, and the epic film starring Mel Gibson, The Patriot
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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
PQ 48 Timestamps
0:00 Welcome
0:40 Thankful for the Little Things
5:00 Keeping a Journal
14:15 Do Midwesterners Appreciate Seafood?
32:30 Patriotic Films
42:00 MAIN TOPIC: THE PATRIOT
42:00 State of the World in 2000
52:00 Plot Summary
59:00 Is The Patriot too Cliche
1:06:00 The Great Scenes
1:09:20 The Jason Isaacs Story... Again
1:13:00 Fun Facts about the Patriot
1:17:00 Didn't Understand the Hype
1:27:00 The Tomahawk Scene
1:31:00 American Revolution Films in the Future?
1:35:00 Romanticizing the Past
1:38:00 Unlikely Plot Points
1:43:00 The Power of Fantasy over History
1:47:00 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
In 2000, the new Millennia brought one of the teams favorite movies, Ridley Scott's Gladiator, starring Russel Crowe. Growing up this was an important movie in the lives of our teenage selves, from the great battle scenes to the script full of one-liners. Even though the final product is something that the guys love, that doesn't mean the production was without its fair share of hiccups. The script full of quotable lines was anything but easy to work with. The relationship with Proximo (Oliver Reed) and Maximus (Russel Crowe) on screen was somewhat reflective of the difficult relationship that these two had off-screen. Historical accuracy was something that the film strived for but it was not accurate enough to satisfy everyone.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
0:32 New Topic
1:30 Runaway Dog
12:20 Game of Thrones and Shock Value
24:30 SLS/Podcast News
30:00 Best Picture (Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down)
1:00:00 The Gladiator
1:07:30 Our Favorite Quotes from Gladiator
1:11:00 Inspiration for the Film
1:16:00 Fun Facts about Gladiator
1:22:00 How Important is Historical Accuracy
1:30:45 Rising Tension Perfected
1:38:00 A Role Model Hero
1:45:00 Influencing Zach's Writing
1:50:00 How Well We Know this Film
1:53:00 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
The journey through all of the Marvel films had to go on hiatus due to Cody's family coming down with illness, but upon recovery, the Steel Lake Studio team has returned to cover the final 6 films in the MCU. The ride through all of these was wild and the guys are very excited to discuss some of the best ones in all the MCU in this episode of Parallel Quest.
Watch it on YouTube
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:37 Talking Baseball
3:30 Snowing in the Spring
8:30 The Long Hiatus Explained Out Sick
11:00 Zach's Upcoming Trip
15:00 Infinity War
40:45 Ant-Man and the Wasp
54:00 Captain Marvel
1:12:00 Giveaway Opportunity!
1:13:30 Endgame
1:35:00 Spider-Man: Far From Home
1:40:00 WandaVision
1:51:00 Ranking the Final 6
1:57:21 Goodbye, It is Finished
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe made a lot of money. However, that does not mean that much had changed for the MCU in phase 3; the general approach was to slightly expand the storylines and introduce new faces using tried and true formulaic tactics. In this episode of Parallel Quest the guys discuss the first 6 films of phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Watch the Show on YouTube
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:20 The Worst Voiceover
6:27 A Story About GPS
15:00 Franchise Fatigue
33:00 MCU Phase 3 Trivia
47:00 Captain America: Civil War
1:07:00 Doctor Strange
1:18:00 Guardians of the Galaxy 2
1:30:00 Spider-Man Homecoming
1:37:00 Thor: Ragnarok
1:48:00 Black Panther
1:59:00 Ranking Phase 3 (First Half)
2:04:35 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
In Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe it had become quite clear that the MCU was here to stay. In our second part of our extended coverage of the MCU the guys discuss the six movies of Phase 2. Was it an improvement over the first phase? How do these movies rank up against each other? Did the guys fully buy-in to phase 2 or observe from the sideline?
Watch the show on YouTube
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome
1:00 Driving with Foot out of the car
8:00 Girl Scout Cookies
17:10 Would You Rather (MCU vs. Star Wars)
27:00 MCU Phase 2 Trivia
38:00 Anticipation for Phase 2
44:00 Iron Man 3
1:03:00 Thor: The Dark World
1:19:20 Captain America: The Winter Soldier
1:33:00 Guardians of the Galaxy
1:49:20 Avengers: Age of Ultron
2:06:13 Ant-Man
2:16:30 Ranking Phase 2 Films
2:20:10 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
This is the beginning of our biggest podcasting endeavor to date: Covering the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. We kick things off by covering Phase 1 of the MCU. In our following episodes we will be covering an entire phase or a portion of a phase, rather than giving each film its own episode. We are sharing our parallel experiences in our lives and impressions of these films as they were coming out, as well as the lasting appeal of each installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stick around until the end of the episode where we rank the movies in phase 1.
Watch the show on YouTube.
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 Welcome/New Series
0:01:35 Collector's Cards
0:15:30 Almost Going to the Movies
0:20:00 The State of the Movie Theater
0:30:00 The Best and Worst Superpowers
0:44:00 A Introductory History to the MCU
0:57:00 The State of 2008 (The MCU's Beginnings)
1:13:50 Iron Man
1:29:30 The Incredible Hulk
1:41:50 Iron Man 2
1:55:00 Thor
2:12:45 Captain America: The First Avenger
2:27:40 The Avengers
2:41:00 Ranking Phase 1
2:47:20 Conclusion and Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, is a great game that gets overshadowed by a variety of different things. It came out at a time where the world was becoming more and more enthralled with Sony and what they were doing with the Playstation 2. Even though the game was very good, it did not have the impact on fans in the same way that its older brother, Ocarina of Time, did. With those two obstacles in its way, Majora's Mask seems to have aged like that of a fine wine, more special with each passing year.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 Introduction and Setting the Bar
0:08:00 What is a Wedding Critic?
0:14:00 General Thoughts on Critique
0:21:00 Rewatching Marvel Movies
0:24:00 Superhero Movies Coming to PQ
0:30:00 Video Game Movies We Want
0:49:10 News and Zach's New Book
0:55:00 MAIN TOPIC — Majora's Mask
0:56:00 Basic Concept of the Game
1:02:00 Gameplay Concepts/Philosophy
1:06:00 History/Plot/Skull Kid
1:10:00 Is Majora's Mask the Darkest Zelda?
1:16:00 Gameplay and Technological Advancements
1:21:00 Commercial and Critical Reception
1:28:00 Overshadowed by the release of PS2
1:35:40 Gaming for an Audience
1:43:30 Lasting Appeal/Themes
1:54:30 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Ready Player One was an explosive success both in written form and on the silver screen. The story of Wade Watts and his journey through the Oasis of James Halliday is one that is filled with charm and jam packed with 80’s nostalgia. While it might not be the most beloved work by literary critics, it is a joy to experience for anyone looking for a fun trip in a world enveloped with pop culture obsession.
Watch the show on YouTube
Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 Introduction and Welcome
0:01:05 Zach shares his excitement about writing his 2nd book
0:02:55 Getting kids to like Lord of the Rings
0:05:45 Cody talks about turning 30
0:07:40 Cody’s tips for people in their 20’s or just those who don’t have kids
0:12:20 Zach’s perspective on meditation
0:23:30 Cody’s story about the “healing” of meditation
0:29:15 Zach’s 2nd book is OUT NOW!
0:32:50 Do readers need to read the Terror Town series in order?
0:34:03 MAIN TOPIC: READY PLAYER ONE
0:36:40 The purpose of Ready Player One and the impact of 80’s culture
0:39:20 History and background of Earnest Cline and Ready Player One
0:43:20 The guys’ thoughts on the critical reception of Ready Player One
0:50:45 Plot Synopsis of Ready Player One
0:58:04 Fun facts associated with Ready Player One
1:03:00 The main differences between the book and the film
1:09:00 Earnest Cline’s other works and Ready Player Two
1:18:25 Earnerst Cline’s characters were based on real life people
1:21:00 Bought the book on a date night, read it in an auto shop
1:27:20 Receiving the book as a gift
1:33:30 Lasting Appeal
1:44:49 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Supporting/secondary characters serve many functions within the realm of storytelling. At times they are used to drive the plot, other times they are the voice of reason, or maybe the voice of temptation. Oftentimes a story gives us a main character that we are supposed to admire or respect, but in this episode of Parallel Quest the guys shed the spotlight on those in the second chair by listing 10 of their favorite supporting characters and why they like them.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 Introduction and welcome
0:03:08 Zach’s home renovations
0:16:22 Cody might have ruined his favorite movie
0:29:24 SLS news, Zach’s book and Newsletter update
0:34:27 MAIN TOPIC Favorite Supporting Characters and the rules of the list
0:37:13 Falco Lombardi (Star Fox 64)
0:40:58 Rocket Raccoon (Guardians of the Galaxy)
0:43:32 Duncan Idaho (Dune)
0:48:00 Alan Garner (The Hangover)
0:54:11 Larry Underwood (The Stand)
0:58:50 Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy VII)
1:04:00 AJ Frost (Armageddon)
1:10:10 Ian Malcolm (Jurassic Park)
1:15:43 Proximo (Gladiator)
1:21:58 Ben Linus (Lost)
1:28:00 Schmidt (New Girl)
1:35:00 Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)
1:40:24 Tok the Watchdog (The Phantom Tollbooth)
1:44:24 Hermione Granger (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
1:49:50 Richie Tozier (It)
1:55:45 The Joker (The Dark Knight)
2:00:15 Lando Calrissian (Star Wars)
2:04:50 The Old Man (In God We Trust All others Pay Cash)
2:08:25 Boromir (The Lord of the Rings)
2:16:15 Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)
2:22:30 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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Super Mario 64 accompanied by a Nintendo 64 was every young kid’s dream Christmas gift in the mid-90’s. In this week’s episode the guys discuss Super Mario 64, their favorite characters to use in Nintendo games, gamer rage, the rumble pack, and how video games allow us to play a part in crafting our own stories.
If you would like to watch the podcast check it out on YouTube
TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 Introduction and welcome to our first video podcast.
0:03:27 The Sleepy Drive-Tru Guy
0:11:28 Kids breaking all the headphones
0:18:18 Steel Lake Studio news and Zach’s new book announcement
0:22:56 CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER; Cody’s choice — Donkey Kong
0:28:08 CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER; Zach’s choice — Kirby
0:33:00 MAIN TOPIC Super Mario 64. Our experience with Mario games.
0:37:25 History of Nintendo and Super Mario franchise
0:50:28 What was the inspiration for the Boo ghosts in SM64?
0:52:37 SM64 has more puzzles than any other Mario before it… Why is that?
0:56:49 The initial reception of SM64
0:59:49 Why Cody can sympathize with the Nintendo 64 kid
1:04:32 Playing the first Bowser level over and over again
1:06:51 SM64 was Zach’s introduction into the video gaming world
1:08:34 The most exciting gift for Christmas of ‘96 before opening the N64
1:10:40 First experience playing SM64
1:14:07 The most impactful game of our youth?
1:15:27 The unique type of storytelling that is experienced with video games
1:17:03 The legacy of Mario continues on
1:21:59 The special place that SM64 will have for us
1:27:06 Goodbye
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
A bad experience with leftovers, our favorite mega monsters, and a terrible plot summary of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is what you have too on this 39th episode of parallel quest.
STORIES FROM THE GUYS
Zach: The quest for the best salad dressing on planet Earth
Cody: When leftovers decide to attack.
OUR FAVORITE MEGA MONSTERS
Something that is not talked about enough when the second Harry Potter is discussed is the fact that it includes a handful of large and terrifying creatures. The Whomping Willow, Aragog, and the Basilisk are all iconically terrifying in their own way and add to the tension of the story. In this segment, each of the guys shares one of their favorite mega monsters.
Zach: Shares about his love for the world’s largest reptilian god of destruction
Cody: A fire drake from the north that is a physical force as well as an intellectual one turns out to be the kind of monster that no one would want to sneak around.
MAIN TOPIC: HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
The guys have quite a bit to talk about when it comes to the second Harry Potter story, and not all of it is in the form of a glowing review. They kick things off by giving a plot summary which they will need to apologize to all of the most hardcore Harry Potter fans for. Sure, the summary does suffice but there are many important details that each host remembered far later in the show. However, there are some fascinating nuggets of information that shed light on how The Chamber of Secrets is connected with later Harry Potter installments. The guys end up having a discussion about how much they actually think that JK Rowling had planned when she sat down and started clacking keys. Was Tom Riddle’s diary always supposed to be a horcrux or is that just a retroactive convenience? Cody shares the story about how this installment was initially hard for him to get through, while Zach was about to give up on the stories at Hogwarts after this one. There are many stories and discussions had throughout the episode, we hope you enjoy and would love to hear your stories too.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Velveeta Cheese, Italian authors, lifestyles of the rich and dysfunctional, men in grocery stores, and the question of are there any heroes in The Great Gatsby. All of this and more is discussed in this week’s episode of Parallel Quest.
STORIES FROM THE GUYS
Zach shares with us about his latest road trip and literature that he is reading. The most surprising takeaway is his opinion on where the best Barbecue in the United States can be found.
Cody went on a journey for liquid gold at the most inopportune time. He shares about the stress, challenge, and frustrations of a last minute grocery run.
BROUGHT TO TEARS
In this segment the guys decide to get a little vulnerable. It isn’t every episode that Zach and Cody allow the listeners to peer into that which makes them cry. However, after an amazing sports season that has come to an end, the guys decide to share some moments when they were brought to tears. However, these are not situations in life that actually matter that bring them to tears, but rather movies that they have watched that have either brought them to the verge of tears or completely opened up the valves to their personal waterworks.
They also discuss their general thoughts on movies that are intentionally made to be tear jerkers. While neither of the guys actively seeks out opportunities to watch these types of films, they have each seen their fair share of them.
MAIN TOPIC: THE GREAT GATSBY
As the guys discuss what has been labeled “The Great American Novel” they share their thoughts, lessons and memories of The Great Gatsby. Topics that they explore are: The history and influences of F. Scott Fitzgerald; the initial success (or lack thereof) The Great Gatsby had early on; is this book just your typical tropey summer romance story?; Why are we drawn to the lifestyle of the rich and famous while despising it at the same time?; Who is the real hero in The Great Gatsby?
Enjoy as the guys discuss one of their favorite required reads from their youth!
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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This week’s episode of Parallel Quest discusses many things such as conspiracies about coffee shops, why it would be terrible to be a mermaid, and wrapping up with the main discussion about Treasure Island.
STORIES FROM THE GUYS
Zach shares with us his thoughts on how a large chain of coffee shops may be pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. To make it even more egregious, this is something happening during the holiday season!
Cody brings up something that he feels not enough people in the world are discussing, the reality that dry cereal is far superior to cereal with milk in it.
WORLDS WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO LIVE IN
Many people have discussions around what fictional worlds that they would like to experience in real life. While that is fun to imagine, the guys decide to flip that topic of discussion on its head. Each host shares a fictional world that they would absolutely not want to be part of.
MAIN TOPIC: TREASURE ISLAND
In the main topic of discussion, the guys discuss one of the most iconic adventure stories ever written, Treasure Island. They discuss the history of how the work was made and adapted into many different forms.The guys discuss how they first found out about the story as well as some of their favorite adaptations. They also have a discussion on what they think the proper age is to read the book as well as pondering if target-audiences have gotten older as time has gone by and why. Treasure Island also supplies us with one of the greatest villains in the history of storytelling. What is it about Long John Silver that makes him such a great villain? Finally, the guys share what they feel will be the lasting cultural impact of Treasure Island as time goes by.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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The guys are starting off 2021 with a bang! Kicking off the year by discussing one of their least favorite literary works that they were obligated to read during their tenure in high school, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Even though this was not their favorite read, it turned out to be a rather fun episode for the guys. Zach tells about his latest battle with a random pedestrian. Not a battle of physicality or dominance, but rather a civil sparring of cordiality and polite behavior. While the competition was fierce, we can safely conclude that each of the opponents came out with something to take pride in. Speaking of competition, Cody shares why he loves sports. While this is not a sports podcast, the guys like to sneak in a little sports talk here and there because they are big fans of their hometown teams. Competition is a great thing to witness but once the competition is over, what makes the world of highly competitive sports interesting are the variety of different stories that come out of it.The guys eagerly await as their favorite team gets ready to play in the NFL playoffs for the first time since they had to memorize all of their prepositions. Cody, has a scandal of his own that he must bring up before they discuss the rather scandalous Scarlet Letter. The stakes in the scandal going on within the life of Mr. Haggard is nowhere near as dramatic or traumatic as the one Hester Prynne had to go through but still very frustrating.
The Scarlet Letter is a work that is known by many people around the world. Most of this is probably accredited to the fact that it is required reading for most us who have gone through the educational system in the United States. With this being a truth, the guys decide to share some of their favorite stories that are not as well known or popular that they think deserve a little bit more love.
In the main topic discussing The Scarlet Letter the guys discuss many interesting things about the history of the book as well as share their opinions on it. From how Nathaniel Hawthorne decided to change the spelling of his name to the very mysterious case of who should get credit for the work’s publication, there are some rather interesting historical facts that accompany this historical “masterpiece.” The guys discuss their initial impact of the book while also sharing that they read it at a time that was completely irrelevant to the stage of life they were at. Is it worth taking the time within a literature class to examine a book like this, when many students find it somewhere on the spectrum of “not very interesting” to “downright boring.” The formative years should be those that are used to create interest in reading for students, not putting books in front of them that will make them want to run away from it.
Even though neither of the guys initially liked the Scarlet Letter they can appreciate the story’s accomplishments and literary power. It was a book that challenged the status quo which is a common attribute of the stories we remember the most. Listen in as the guys discuss whether this is a book that they will ever want to revisit or one that they think should just be left for the annals of history.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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2020 is almost over and the guys decide to have a discussion that is all over the place to end the year. Listen in as Zach shares about his potential future as a craftsman, now that he is the proud owner of his very own workbench. But, not only is he a future artist in the technique of lumber-slinging, he shares tales of his inner competitive nature. A simple board game of Ticket to Ride might seem like a casual family fun day, however, Zach competes at everything as if it were a championship match.
Have you ever randomly found a slight error in the construction of your home? Not the kind that are detrimental to the safety of your house, but the kind where a small mistake can cause a big headache far into the future. Well, if you haven't, you are extremely blessed, unfortunately for Cody that blessing has not been extended towards him. As a collector of books, every once in a while you decide to gift yourself a new book shelf in order to expand future works to your collection. The main problem with collecting books, though, is that they take up a rather large amount of physical space as the years go by. Cody and his wife thought that they found a perfect spot to add more shelves, purchased the shelves, put them together, but late in the fourth quarter ran into a little bit of trouble.
This week the guys devote more time to the stories that they have been taking in. Zach has finally wrapped up his reading of The Stand by Stephen King. As he has mentioned many times over, it is a rather long book and he has been working on it for a while, but finishing something that long brings with it a level of satisfaction and accomplishment. Coming in at roughly 500,000 words, this book is a heavy one, only slightly short than Leo Tolstoy's notoriously long War and Peace.
The story that Cody listened to over the last week was one that he enjoyed so little that he nearly forgot about it. Upon remembering what it was it spurred on a critique/review that was not very flattering of this disappointing sequel. That story in question is Ready Player Two, the sequel to the beloved Ready Player One. Not everything needs or should have a sequel. The saddest part about any sequel is when you can obviously tell that they were set out to be cash grabs from the very beginning. All of this and more is discussed between the guys as they have a rather long discussion about Ready Player Two.
After calming down the guys finally get into their wrap up of 2020. They talk about their favorite moments and their largest difficulties. More exciting then just recapping what already has been, the guys share a few little teasers about the work that they are excited to be sharing in 2021. The team at Steel Lake Studio is so excited about a new year and very thankful for everyone who has joined them to this point.
To you, the listener and reader of these show notes, we thank you for all of your support to this point and look forward to continuing this quest on into the future.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
INTRODUCTION
In today’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys start off by having a discussion of bedside manner. Is it better for a doctor or nurse to be completely silent during an exam or are a few words of assurance that “everything looks good” a little better? One thing leads to another and Zach ends up telling a story about a time that he had swollen lymph nodes or, according to his doctor, “possibly cancer.”
2020 has definitely been the year of strange things and the changing of traditions. Weddings have been one thing that have been quite different in 2020. With canceled and postponed weddings becoming rather popular, somehow, Cody still found himself officiating two of them under expedited circumstances. There is a possibility that his calling in life is to be a professional wedding officiant? Maybe. But more importantly, the guys discuss how people should really approach weddings in the midst of a global pandemic.
THE RANDOM DISCUSSION TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Zach and Cody agree on a lot of things but not always everything. A recent topic that they found themselves in disagreement over was “which storytelling medium has the largest market size.” Zach thinks that the literary fiction market is larger than that of films. Cody believes the opposite, thinking the the market for films is quite a bit larger than that of literary fiction. Listen in as the guys discuss and let us know what you think about it as well. Write into the show here (https://www.steellakestudio.com/community) to let the guys know what you think about the topic.
MAIN TOPIC: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000 film) 01:00:30
How the Grinch Stole Christmas was a highly anticipated film for the guys in the year 2000, but it was not a movie that came to life in the easiest of ways. After a crazy agreement to attain the rights to Dr. Seuss’s work, the Grinch was released with a big name star (Jim Carrey) leading the performance and a successful director (Ron Howard) commanding the team that brought Dr. Seuss’s imagination to the live-action screen. The film received rather lukewarm reception by critics upon its release but has gone on to be a classic played around many television sets in the years to follow.
Even though the film wasn’t the best, it captured the imagination of Dr. Seuss’s world in a rather impressive way. The team that brought the film to life was full of talent from people who were formerly writers for Seinfeld to the greatest makeup artist in modern film, Rick Baker. This episode of Parallel Quest digs in to the talent that is, Rick Baker. Cody shares exactly how and why this is a household name in the Haggard house, even though most casual film viewers probably have no idea who he is.
There are many stories from the guys attached to this film that will allow you to laugh along and hopefully share your own as well.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
INTRODUCTION
In the first part of today’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys start by discussing Zach’s new-found joy in jumpstarting people’s vehicles. He also shares that it is one of the few skills that he can bring to the table in the realm of “car issues.” He uses this introductory story as motivation to continue to improve his handiness.
The guys also discuss the one thing that will make Cody not want to follow someone in social media. We guarantee it is not what you think, but would love to hear your thoughts. Is it too harsh? Too judgmental?
Somehow or another this leads into a discussion on whether or not the rock band is dead? In a time where solo accolades, achievements, and careers is collaborative creativity seeing a slow death?
MAIN TOPIC: A CHRISTMAS STORY 00:55:00
In our main topic of discussion this episode we discuss the very popular AChristmas Story. The guys give a little bit of history on the driving force behind the story, the one and only, Jean Shepherd. Shepherd took classic storytelling methods and brought them to the screen in such a way that serves well as both a movie and narrative voice. Many people probably would not even be able to attach the name Jean Shepherd and A Christmas Story but the guys hope that more and more people can become familiar with this iconic figure.
The guys discuss the storytelling device used within the film. What they think about the sense of humor that is utilized within the film, and try to come to an understanding of how some people may not like it very much. In spite of the film’s average reception when it first came out, the guys share how it exploded to its current status as cultural mainstay.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION
In part 1 of this episode the guys talk about their beloved Cleveland Browns and how they are actually doing pretty good this year. In spite of that Zach, still has to deal with the constant reminders from Steelers fans (since he lives in Pittsburgh) about how they are still better.
Is it possible that a more expensive air filter can improve your quality of life? Can it prevent you from getting things, such as influenza? Can it provide you with a better night's sleep? These are all questions that the guys explore as Zach shares about having spent a little bit more than he normally does on a new air filter.
While air filters can provide an exciting topic of conversation, the guys pivot and Cody begins to share about his newfound fascination with Formula 1. Competition is something that is fun to participate in, and those who compete at extremely high levels are wondrous to observe. Through watching a documentary, Cody has been introduced to the fast moving world of Formula 1 driving and is hooked, at least for now.
There was a scary moment that happened in the recent past where Cody thought that he had lost all of the files that make up Steel Lake Studio because of come computer hardware issues. Fortunately, it was something that he was capable of fixing, but SLS had its first near-death experience.
MAIN TOPIC: THE PRINCESS BRIDE 00:39:00
There is so much to be said about the wonderful story that is, The Princess Bride. However, even though many people are familiar with the film, the guys are pretty sure that many are not quite as familiar with how the film came to be. From its creation as a novel, to the long process it went through before ever hitting the screen. And the fact that the book is kind of a story within a story.
The guys share as much as they were able to learn about William Goldman and his classic tale. Along the way they will share about the importance that this story had for the growing up as well as the continual impact and influence that it has over them today. The guys would also be failing if they didn't go over some of their favorite quotes from the movie as well.
CLOSING: QUESTION FROM THE AUDIENCE.
The guys answer a question from a faithful Parallel Quest listener, discussing what types of stories work best with certain types of mediums and why.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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Every ten episodes, the guys try to shake up the formula a little bit to Parallel Quest, trying to keep it as fun as they possibly can. Rather than a "Genre Crush" the guys have decided to use episode 30 to talk about 10 of their favorite comedies. Each host takes a little bit of a different approach in how they present their list, but provide a good variety in the types of comedies they enjoy. The lists have a good range in the type of comedy they are as well as what medium they appear in. If you love the lists give us a shout out and let us know what some of your favorite comedies are. While if you hate the lists, reply to us telling us how we know absolutely nothing about what makes a good comedy. However you feel about this episode, we appreciate you for taking the time to listen and look forward to hearing from our audience what some of their favorite comedies are.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
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In this week's episode the guys go back in time to discuss one of the most iconic children's series of their upbringing, Goosebumps. R.L Stine was able to successfully churn out book after book, and consistently gave kids all over with a story to be spooked by.
The guys take time to share the history of how Goosebumps came about and grew in popularity. A series with dozens of books that drew the guys in because of their intriguing cover art. Not only was Goosebumps a successful children's horror series, a few of the stories were adapted for television but definitely feel quite inferior to their written counterparts.
In the guys initial impressions Zach and Cody share the stories of how they each got into the series. Memories of enjoying the books whether they were read to them by their parents or late into the evening while hiding under the covers with a flashlight. One thing both guys agree on is that Goosebumps was an integral part in their enjoyment of reading at a young age.
It wouldn't be an episode of Parallel Quest if it did not have lasting appeal, so stick around til the end to hear how Zach and Cody still value these books.
As Zach is a new author in the genre of children's horror, the guys at Parallel Quest have decided to take the next couple episodes and talk about some horror themed stories. If you have any interest in checking out Zach's book, Nightmare at the Fair, you can find it here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books
As the two guys approach this episode discussing the film, Get Out, the come from the angle of long time fan and long time observer. Zach is a fan of horror stories, while horror is not one of Cody's genres of choice. However, you will find in this episode that each host has a lot of respect for the story telling and the theme that is being introduced within Jordan Peele's directorial debut.
In the episode, the guys discuss the history of the film, its initial impact, and whether or not it has lasting appeal. While Get Out is a movie that has contemporary topics that it seeks to address, the storytelling is something that can be respected for many generations to come.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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In this episode, Cody has prepared a list of questions for Zach about the process in writing Nightmare at the Fair. If you would like to skip straight to the interview, jump to 00:43:00.
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Fair-Terror-Town-Book-ebook/dp/B08M9KM1ZV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=nightmare+at+the+fair&qid=1604268607&sr=8-2
Introduction
- Stories from the guys
- Zach: surprise parties - what’s your take?
- Cody: the battle of political signs.
- “Terribly Terrific”
- Each host shares about a story that they admit is kind of terrible, but for some reason they really enjoyed it.
- Cody: Nicholas Cage action films such as Con Air, Gone in 60 seconds, and Face Off.
- Zach: Will Ferril movies -- some are really bad (Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, even some parts of The Other Guys) and I don’t think people want to admit that
- Each host shares about a story that they admit is kind of terrible, but for some reason they really enjoyed it.
Nightmare at the Fair Questions (MAIN TOPIC)
- What is it that made you decide that you wanted to write in this particular genre (Children’s Horror) and what was some of your inspiration for the book?
- Share with me some of the process from the conception of your idea, to outlining, to writing. How long was the process for you?
- Was there ever a point in this particular project where you felt like it wasn’t coming together the way that you wanted it to? Did you ever have a moment where you weren’t sure if you were going to finish it?
- Since, you were a young lad, you have wanted to write a book. The day has come! Share with our audience ultimately why you decided to go the route of independent/self publishing instead of traditional.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
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https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Most people who have heard of Big Fish are probably familiar with the film by Tim Burton, however, before it hit the big screen, it was written as a short novel by Daniel Wallace.
Leading up to the guy's conversation about Big Fish, Zach shares about his experience rewatching the Star Wars prequel films. Is Phantom Menace dreadful or does it have some redeeming qualities? Were midichlorians the death of Star Wars? What does the future hold for the infamous "broom boy" in the stories about a galaxy far, far away?
Cody shares a story about how his son was unable to successfully pull off a birthday prank. A father who seeks to raise his sons to be honest must wrestle with the reality that pulling a prank is not the most honest of activities.
Since, Big Fish is a story about a man's tall tale life the guys decide to share some of their favorite real-world tall tales that they bought into at one point or another. Zach shares about the elusive secret star from Super Mario 64. Cody tells the tale of how he bought into an internet rumor of a celebrity's death during the early years of the internet.
Finally, getting to the main topic, the guy's share their favorite scenes and moments from Big Fish. They both share the best moments from the film, while Cody gives some examples of where the book really shines. The storytelling power that these tall tales have provide us with moments in a grander story that can be retold for their morale appeal.
While it is great to summarize some of the best moments and the history of how the book and film were made, the guy's truly love this story because of their personal experience with it. Zach was first drawn into it as he was trying to build up a "sophisticated" collection of films from the $5 dollar movie bin. Cody was drawn to it from the initial trailers of the film, but did not actually get to watch it for many months after its release. This is a movie that both the guys have seen many times over. The visuals and film work are some of their favorite. As for the book, the bite size chapters serve as the perfect book to pick up and read before going to bed at night.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
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Everyone is entitled to their own opinions on how they feel about stories. Many have created lists of how they rank the Star Wars films, most will put Episode I at the bottom of that list. While we don't claim that Phantom Menace is a great film, we believe that Attack of the Clones is a misstep for Star Wars, and a missed opportunity with the lead up to the era of the Clone Wars. The storytelling is what we have the largest critique for in this particular entry. While we have our own opinions, we share them knowing that many will not agree with us, and that is completely okay, just sit back and enjoy this journey of Parallel Quest. If you think we are totally off-base with our assessment, we'd love to hear from you :)
Intro
- Stories From the Guys:
- A Conversation about Cuties on Netflix and Storytelling
- A well-intended theme but maybe not the right way to go about telling this type of story.
MAIN TOPIC: Attack of the Clones (Timestamp - 00:48:00)
History
- Attack of the Clones was released May 16th 2002
- Was one of the first movies shot on a high-definition digital 24-frame system (aka, not film stock)
- The first Star Wars film to be outgrossed the year it was released, finishing 4th at the box office
- As a joke, the working title of the film was called Jar Jar’s Great Adventure
- Lucas originally wanted the clones to be Lando Calrissian, but later changed it to Jengo Fett (although, in A New Hope it’s alluded that Lando is a clone)
- Lucas added the droid factory scene after the initial shooting due to a lack of pacing. They shot it in four and a half hours--which is why it’s terrible
- Despite negative reception, it still kept with the SW theme of pushing technology in film. The new way of filming digitally is pretty much the standard now
- Received a 65% on RT and Ebert gave it a 2 out of 5
- Did win two awards at the Golden Raspberries: Worst Screenplay (George Lucas) and Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen)
Plot
- Oh boy….
- Three plot lines (sort of) happening at once:
- Anikin and Padme hiding out on Naboo because of an assassination attempt
- Obi-wan trying to piece together who tried to kill Padme and uncovering a larger plot for a clone/droid army
- The senate voting Palpatine into ULTIMATE POWER!!!!
- Dude, honestly, this one is so convoluted I thought we just might talk it through
Initial Impressions
Zach:
- The only SW film I’ve ever seen on DVD first. I had no interest in seeing it after Phantom Menace
- Glad I didn’t
- This one was so bad that I completely forgot how it ended because I don’t think I ever finished it
- I remembered all the Legos coming out
- My friends all said SW was dead
Cody:
- Disappointing! I was hoping for more war, less romance.
- Master Sifo-Dyas is one of the most confusing things in all of Star Wars
- From the earliest days of watching it (typical Haggard house rewatching), I would fast forward to all the best parts.
- Watching Yoda is the highlight of this film.
- As a kid I really liked the increased action over Phantom Menace.
Lasting Impressions
Zach:
- Still THE worst Star Wars movie and one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen
- Even John Williams didn’t seem to know where to throw in his music
- BUT, there are some redeeming qualities I can appreciate as I’ve gotten older
- The relationship between Obi-wan and Anikin is important now that I’m older because I have kids that are just like Annie at work
- Also, think the theme of democracy versus dictatorship is always going to a pertinent discussion in America
Cody:
- As time has gone by, this one has fallen to the bottom of my list of Star Wars Films.
- I still get a good laugh every time I watch the beginning when Anakin is getting shocked.
- My wife actually really liked this movie when I was introducing her to Star Wars.
Final Thoughts/Closing
Zach:
- DUNE!
Cody:
- Finished Big Fish
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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In today's episode of Parallel Quest we discuss the children's book Holes by Louis Sachar. This served as a book that opened our eyes that not all of the books that you have to read for school are dreadfully boring.
Stanley Yelnats adventure to and survival in Camp Green Lake is one that covers many important concepts for children and adolescents, while doing so in a fun and entertaining way. The guys discuss how they initially experienced this book for the first time. Cody saw this as a highlight of the fifth grade, an otherwise terrible school year, while Zach was so excited about the book that he read it before all of his other classmates were even through the first couple of chapters.
The guys enjoy the lighthearted nature in which Sachar talks about important issues. Going through the synopsis of the story and giving their lasting appeal, Cody and Zach believe that this is a book that should be enjoyed by many.
Unfortunately, the movie of the same name and inspiration did not drive home quite as well with the guys. While it is passable for a younger audience, it does not live up to the classic standard that the novel does.
We hope you enjoy this discussion of Parallel Quest.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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- A Review of the Social Dilemma — Interesting info/stories from the documentary and any criticisms we might have
- A brief summary of the concept and subject matter within the documentary
- Cody
- The way in which Google autofill works based on region. It truly does develop regional narratives
- The notification system is completely aware of how much time you spend on the applications, and I never gave much thought to how it prompts us, just passively gave into the loop.
- Targeted advertising. On a device that tracks everything you observe that also has your credit card information stored in it seems to be a dangerous recipe.
- The bias in the documentary was actually handled quite well. Even though they were raising awareness of the social media pitfalls, it did so from the position that recognized how useful of a tool it has become.
- The story of our lives is probably better catalogued within our social media profiles, search data, email inbox, etc., than anywhere else on the planet.
- Zach
- News sites prompting headlines
- Curated content on Facebook (I see it with the tea company I buy from and I hate it). YouTube does this do.
- Josh
- Found the conversation shift to focus on how these companies aren’t necessarily trying to sell our data to advertisers, but more use the data to help advertisers get what they are selling in front of you.
- One of the interviews talked about how our phones have become what essentially are adult pacifiers. People who are alone, anxious, or afraid, will look at their phone.
- The discussion about regulation of the platform was a section interesting because it very much hits the nail on the head on the head
- Our personal stories, experiences, and thoughts about social media
- Will the message within this documentary be something that can be a catalyst for change?
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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Introduction
- Stories from the week
- Cody: My wife discovers YouTube
- Zach: How to properly interact with neighbors; Faking a building plan
- Intro topic of discussion: Weird Fantasies. Each host names a weird fantasy they would have liked to be a reality.
- Cody: stranded on an island.
- Zach: professional theme park YELP reviewer
Main Topic — Lost
- Initial Impact
We figure the best way to start talking about LOST is by discussing the elements that made us interested in watching the show in the first place.
- History.
- Lloyd Braun’s idea… survivor meets cast away meets Gilligans Island with a Lord of the Flies element.
- The Show Creators
- Jeffrey Lieber: In Name Only (changed the name to Nowhere, which really made Lloyd Braun mad.)
- JJ Abrams: The Big Name (People loved his work on Alias)
- Damon Lindelof: The Protege
- Would end up being the primary show runner alongside Carlton Cuse.
- Together they wrote over ⅓ of the episodes for the series.
- They served as the overall creatives behind the vision and overall story.
- They constructed a “Bible” of sorts that contained all of the mythology behind the show Lost.
- They are still credited as writing one of the best TV episodes of a show… “The Variable”
- Would end up being the primary show runner alongside Carlton Cuse.
- Fun Facts — Many people laughed this idea out of the room when it was originally being pitched.
- However, it ended up being the most expensive Pilot ever made for TV at the time… $14mil
- Abrams and Lindelof “promised” ABC that it would not be a serialized drama, but that each episode would stand on its own…. They lied.
- Abrams was often asked questions about the show because many people thought he was more involved with the shows creation than he was. He dropped out to work on films halfway through the first season.
- Twilight Zone Influences — The Theme song and the Pilot.
- For a period of time, it was the highest-rated TV show on IMDB and is still critically recognized for being one of the best TV shows ever.
- Nominated for many awards throughout its run, having won a total of 12 awards during that time.
- Plot synopsis and our favorite episodes and characters.
Conclusion
- Cody
- Currently reading Range by David Epstein
Zach
- Watching High Score before bed
The guys start off the episode with a returning segment, "10 questions." This time Cody answers 10 questions from Zach that range from whether Rambo would win in a fighter over the Terminator, to what movie he would completely erase from existence.
In our MAIN TOPIC we discuss the TWILIGHT ZONE, it's history, plot, and impact.
- History
- Was first aired in 1959 and ran for five seasons
- Rodman Serling, or just Rod Serling, was a man before his time. Fascinated with pulp magazines as well as culturally relevant issues such as race, war, government and society. Wanted to combine the two in story form
- Rod Serling was a prominant figure in television by the 1950s though was very frustrated by the changes and edits to many of his television plays
- In his play Requiem for a Heavyweight the line “Got a match?” had to be taken out because the company sold lighters
- Wanted to take the genre of sci-fi and tell moral stories. Thought he could get away with some of the more taboo subjects of the time
- First pilot pitch to CBS was “The Time Element”
- About a man who dreams of returning to Honolulu in 1941 and trying to warn people of the impending Pearl Harbor attack
- Was rejected and shelved until 1958 when it was aired, giving Serling the go-ahead for his anthology series, The Twilight Zone
- Serling wrote many of the episodes himself and is famous for introducing and closing each one
- Originally didn’t want to do it and had to be coaxed into it
- The series has run on and off-air since ‘59, with Jordan Peele recently taking the helm and trying to restart the franchise in 2019. Has had multiple seasons, one movie (controversial), and one television film
- Many famous writers, actors and directors got their start on The Twilight Zone, such as Richard Matheson (I Am Legend), Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Robert Duvall (Apocolypse Now), Robert Redford (The Sting), Ron Howard (Arrested Development), William Shatner
- Plot Synopsis.
- Anthology series that usually dealt in the world of science-fiction where characters found themselves in weird, unusual situations. They would often have a surprise ending and moral.
- Serling mastered the art of ironic fate and poetic justice. Many times his characters would meet an end that would be satisfying, but oftentimes ironic.
- Example: “Time Enough at Last” - story about a man who works for a bank and wants nothing more than just to sit at home and read.
- Some of my favorite episodes:
- “Time Enough at Last”
- “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” - literally the best one
- “Where is Everybody?” - about going to the moon. Is also a recurring theme in the TZ, being the last person on earth, city, town
- “The After Hours” - made me afraid of mannequins
- “Eye of the Beholder” - easiest moral to understand
- “Little Lost Girl” - showed how tension could build to incredible heights with such a short, simple story
- “It’s a Good Life” - so scary
Initial Impact: Zach has a history watching this show with his dad while growing up. Cody has never seen an episode before but really appreciates all that he has learned about it.
Lasting Appeal: For Zach, this is a series that he enjoys coming back to time and time again. He especially likes watching it during the scy-fy channel's marathon. For Cody, this is a show that he wants to learn more about and research.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
In this week's episode the guys share their experiences with the world famous story, The Hobbit. This is one of the guys' favorites and they look forward to sharing what they love about it with you.
INTRODUCTION: In this episode's introduction the guys share about a variety of their different interests from pickling to board games. They wind up talking about strange injuries through all of this as well. Take a look back behind the curtain as the guys talk about going "Under the Influence," sharing what helps get them in the groove for their creative processes.
THE HOBBIT: The Hobbit is one of the greatest children's stories ever told and there are many different reasons as to how the guys go about sharing this. INITIAL IMPACT: Zach and Cody begin their discussion of the Hobbit sharing about what initially got them into the story when they were young. The film success of the Lord of the Rings was a contributing factor in getting them to pick up the book, but the fast-paced and relatable storytelling is what got their 10-year-old-selves to stick with the story.
STORY SUMMARY AND THEMES: Going through the summary of the story the guys share what some of their favorite components are to the Hobbit. The relatability that the average person has to Bilbo Baggins is what makes this story so intriguing. Unlock Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit does not have stakes of world shattering proportions. Even though the quest is dangerous, the Dwarves go on their journey to get rich and they need someone who can sneak them the treasure out from the mountain. Bilbo does not need to get involved in the quest in order to save the world, but rather to test the waters and find out if there is a different type of life that he would like to have for himself.
HISTORY OF THE HOBBIT: The guys share some knowledge about the history of the Hobbit that might not be common knowledge to the average person. Examples of this are that Tolkien's epic was originally written for his Children, never really meant to be published across the world. Tolkien was a man who loved to escape into his writing and he was not highly concerned with becoming famous in the world of Academia. There is much to be learned about the history of the Hobbit which is equally as interesting as the tale itself.
LASTING APPEAL: Timeless is the easiest way to describe the guys' feelings towards this children's tale. It's a book that both Zach and Cody feel like they can pick up and read at any time and it doesn't necessarily have to be begun right at the beginning. Some books are just stories but, to Cody specifically, this book feels like a companion to life.
THE HOBBIT FILM CRITIQUE: While The Hobbit is one of the greatest children's stories, the love of this story ends with the book and does not carry over into the film adaptations. From not clearly defining who they wanted the audience to be to dealing with overwhelming deadlines, the film series was setup to be a disaster. While the movies did well at the box office, they were unable to capture they same allure that Middle Earth brought us in its sibling series, The Lord of the Rings.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
Opening Conversation: Disastrous water stories.
Podcast Friends: In this episode we introduce you to another podcast you may want to check out PETRI DISH, listen to their promo, and you can find them at https://anchor.fm/petridish
A conversation that has nothing to do with science fiction: Zach's review of the docuseries THE LAST DANCE. This documentary series reminded us all of how great Michael Jordan really was at the game of basketball. As natives to the wondrous land of Cleveland, Ohio, Zach and Cody have there biases to claim LeBron is the best. However, after being exposed to the true greatness of MJ, the guys call that assessment into question.
MAIN TOPIC 00:23:00
Science fiction is a genre that has a longer history than we might initial think. Many will date it back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction in the late 50s and early 60s, but the realm of sci-fi was being dabbled with a little bit before that. In this main topic expect conversations on the debate on whether or not Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is qualified as science fiction. Hear the breakdown of what actually constitutes something to be science fiction. There are certain elements that need to appear within a work in order for us to be able to qualify it as sci-fi and the guys will introduce you to that.
The early writers of sci-fi were very much focused on the hard science that went into creating these works of literature, but it began to morph into more story first, science second, around the time a certain intellectual property took the world by storm.
The guys share their favorite works of science fiction and one of the hosts thinks that a couple of the works another really likes, and considers sci-fi, don't actually belong to the science fiction genre.
The guys have a discussion on whether or not superhero movies are considered science fiction and the impact of the word "elements" on storytelling.
The guys wrap up their conversation sharing the importance and the impact that the genre has.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
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The Most Dangerous Game may be one of the most influential short stories of all time, and gives us reason to admire and respect the power of the short story.
PART 1: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE NEVER SHOULDA HAPPENED
The guys kick off the podcast with one of their favorite introductory games to play. This time they are discussing, good, bad, and never should happened within the realm of villains. Many stories that have memorable conflict contain a villain who is able to make that conflict feel even more insurmountable with their presence in the story. Each one of the guys gives an example of a good and memorable villain, followed up by two examples of less overwhelming villains. This is a fun discussion to have within the context of this episode for the very reason that The Most Dangerous Game has a very well executed villain within its story.
PART 2 (00:40:00): THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME
In the second part of the podcast the guys discuss the main topic of the week. In the discussion of this short story, they give a plot synopsis as well as story analysis. Each of the guys shares their initial impressions of this story as well as how it has influenced their own storytelling today. They discuss the stories future influences within storytelling and within its wider cultural influence. The exhilaration of survival and dominance is something that many of us are uncomfortable with how satisfying it actually can be, what are some modern day examples of this?
The Most Dangerous Game has influenced many media properties, but there is currently a series on the new streaming platform Quibi. Neither one of the guys has seen it, but they discuss whether or not this is a viable medium for storytelling. While there is power in the written short story, they are not so sure that Quibi is going to be able to grasp that same magnitude.
As school is getting back in session, we hope that teachers continue to teach and discuss this story in the classroom. For the guys on Parallel Quest it allowed them to have more interest in a school topic. The story itself can be relatable today, in fact, regularly kids are living out this fantasy through the ever popular battle royale genre of video games.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
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The Matrix was a cinematic marvel when it was first released in 1999, how well did it hold up over time?
The guys open up the podcast with some fast firing questions in order to help you get to know Zach a little bit better. Although, there are a couple of intellectual properties that he decides to eliminate from existence for the rest of time.
In the conversation about the Matrix the guys start off with some history in how the film was made, but very quickly find themselves in a conversation about simulation theory. The Matrix helped remind us that philosophical ideas can be fun to experience through the art of a good story, but are also not the best places to express every component of that philosophy. Philosophy and the Matrix go hand-in-hand but so does the ridiculous amount of leather that is worn in the movie, so the guys ask, is wearing leather fashionable anymore... or comfortable?
In the discussion there are many things to be found out such as the many different influences of the film outside that of philosophy. The unique style of the Matrix was unprecedented for its time, which is partly accredited to the fact that the film makers were influenced by media that most of mainstream movies were not drawing on for inspiration.
As is usual with Parallel Quest the guys share their personal stories surrounding the experience they had with this film. This week you can expect to hear stories about Y2K, other stories we thought were confusing, and the 18th birthday party where the entire Matrix trilogy was watched but only one person was actually enjoying it.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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In this episode, the guys devote the main topic to one of Cody's favorite films, The Prestige. Before preparing for this episode, neither of the guys knew that is was based on a novel by Christopher Priest (which is worth a read, even if you have seen the movie).
Before getting into the main topic, the guys talk about some of the media that they are taking in as well as update you all on the interesting stories going on in their lives. If you have anything interesting yourself you would like to add, feel free to contact the team and we will read your questions and stories within the podcast.
As the main topic of discussion shifts over to the Prestige, the guys share that this is one of Christopher Nolan's films that truly made them large fans of the filmmaker. It is a story told in such a way that is both perfect for film and the overall theme of the story.
The Nolan brothers chose a great cast for this film, making it hard to imagine any other actors being able to portray the leading roles. In the midst of their discussion on the casting for the Prestige, the guys head down a rabbit trail that reveals to you, one of Zach's favorite actors, whom we are quite sure, you will not be able to guess who it is.
Being the first blu ray disc that Cody ever had, it is something that he watched over and over again, getting to a point where he used to nearly mandate his friends watch it anytime they came over. However, with the high number of times Cody has seen the film, he still does not tire of watching it from time-to-time because of how well the movie is written and how the story is told. This is the first film that he credits, making him pay attention to the writers of films, and not just the big names who make the poster.
Zach wraps up the podcast sharing some funny stories of his younger years when he gave a crack at the illusionist trade. It's definitely worth hanging around for, although, he did not reveal his magician's stage name, which is disappointing.
Thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy(ed)!
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:
https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
The Harry Potter phenomenon is something that the guys have referenced before and now it is time to have our first discussion centered around it.
The guys warm up by telling stories from the week and catching up with what is going on in life. Zach shares an interesting story about a time that he was robbed while Cody shares about his most recent trip to Florida (disclaimer: Cody traveled before the recent spike in virus cases).
The guys jump into the main topic of discussion without any other segments. In this episode we go over the history of how the story of Harry Potter came to be and its initial struggle to get published. Many of us probably just assume that Harry Potter was an instant phenomenon, but it actually took a little bit of time before it had the explosive success that we are all now very familiar with.
Being somewhat of a misfit as a children's book, there was much difficulty in getting publishers on board with wanting to bring this book to market. But, as we have all come to find out, Harry Potter was the type of book that the world was starving for. A fast moving story about friendship set in a fantastical world, that is both believable and inspiring to the imagination.
Harry Potter is what made many kids at the turn of the century want to pick up books and read. In fact, many members of the family were getting on board the Hogwarts express, meaning it was not uncommon at all for children's parents to love reading the books as well. The initial impact was strong and gave the guys a love for storytelling and truly is an inspiration for why they want to tell stories as well.
Hang on until the end to hear their discussion of how their Harry Potter fandom has followed them into adulthood. Are they still regularly entering into the hallways of moving staircases, or are the adventures of Hogwarts experiences that they leave locked in the past.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
Sign up for our E-MAIL LIST: https://www.steellakestudio.com/email
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
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PART 1: OPENING DISCUSSION
In this first part of the episode, the guys catch up with what's going on in life before getting into the main topic discussions. Zach begins by sharing his recent adventure back into the world of Terraria.
The video rental store is something that was so important in our lives as kids, and the guys discuss their thoughts on the all-but-dead industry.
We introduce a new segment called "Retry" where we talk about a story that we did not like at first, but after another chance ended up changing our minds. Zach discusses his difficulty in picking up the Lord of the Rings books, and Cody shares how he was not a fan of the Incredibles initially.
PART 2 MAIN TOPIC: (00:44:00) HALO
In our discussion of HALO, we span our experiences with the series as a whole. From first exposure, Zach was a huge fan while Cody did not share the same feelings toward the series. Zach shares an epic tale of conning a friend to purchase a game and how the HALO games spawned a love of a video game franchise. We discuss the story of the universe as well as how HALO captivated the competitive spirit of teenage and pre-ten boys around the country. Cody concludes by sharing that he did not like HALO at first for a very illogical reason.
We follow up by discussing the legacy that HALO has had on the gaming industry and some of the games we enjoy that it has inspired. Eventually, like all things, the game did not have nearly as much of an impact on Zach's life as he got older, but he will always cherish the memory of trying so hard to convince his parents to get him the game, put internet in his room, and supply him with an xbox live account.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
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MUSIC AND BEATS provided by JAKE BUTLER, check him out on Instagram @j_the_butler33
Casino Royale is our main topic of conversation but before we get to that point we have many fun segments in this episode.
- Stories from the guys: Zach tells a story about the most epic hand in poker that he has ever had, while Cody shares about the experience of witnessing his kids skateboard for the first time.
- Question from our listeners: This week's podcast is blessed with a question of discussion from one of our wonderful listeners. The guys talk about which fictional world they would like to have the privilege to transport back and forth from. The only rules: You are susceptible to all dangers of that world and you are not aloud to bring anything back with you.
- A fan favorite bonus segment: "The Good, the Bad, and the Never Shoulda Happened." In this segment of the show each host picks a good sequel, a bad sequel, and a sequel that has no logical explanation for its existence. This is always a fun one and the guys went all out to make this segment as fun as possible for the listeners.
- The discussion of Casino Royale. In this segment we discuss the history of the film as well as the novel of the same name written by Ian Fleming. The guys share all sorts of interesting facts about the character and inspiration for James Bond. Cody shares about how this film blew him away the first time he saw, giving him a new respect for the Bond franchise. What do we think of Daniel Craig as James Bond? The movie made a single game of poker into an entertaining adventure full of twists and turns that will surely surprise first time viewers.
- To end the conversation on Casino Royale, the guys share some of their favorite stories about playing poker.
Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/
I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio
If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed merchandise:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch
This episode marks one of our longest discussions. Pokémon is a phenomenon that impacted many. Young and old, many were familiar with the new craze of “pocket monsters” created in Japan. A video game, card game, television series, and a feature length film were all created within the intellectual properties infancy, but all went on to be commercially successful.
The charm and cuteness of Pokémon were always a draw, but the first movie tells a much darker tale. A tale with deep themes of scientific manipulation and the question of, “what is life?”
The guys conversation starts with a discussion of strange video game crossovers, and why games that simulate “work” are so addicting to us as people.
The main topic in the Pokémon movie goes beyond just the film and into Pokémon as a whole. The guys discuss which color gameboy game they had, and how important the video and card games were in them wanting to see the movie.
Zach tells an epic tale at the end of the episode that you are going to want to hang on for. A tale of how Pokémon unexpected led him to a decent sum of money $$
It would be near impossible to grow up through the 90's and never have heard of Jurassic Park. Whether you were a fan or not, the franchise had a domination and prehistoric footprint on American culture. Even though this film frightened us as children, it was a terror that we willingly and excitingly went back to, time and time again.
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TIME STAMPS
—00:02:30— Stories from the week, Zach's great idea.
—00:10:00— Beer cans in Cody's tree lawn.
—00:15:52— Jurassic Park discussion begins
—00:16:00— A brief introduction to Michael Crichton's work, the author of Jurassic Park.
—00:18:00— Jurassic Park was a highly sought after film adaptation, the book and the film both had commercial and critical success
—00:24:00— The beginning of the film opens up in the same way that many horror films do. Jurassic Park is a type of horror.
—00:28:30— The dinner between Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton. Spielberg's motivations for making the movie.
—00:29:40— Jurassic Park was a staple in Cody's household growing up.
—00:31:30— Jurassic Park shaped the way in which we envisioned dinosaurs within our imagination for the rest of our lives.
—00:39:00— Some differences between the Jurassic Park film and book.
—00:44:30— Some of our favorite quotes from the movie.
—00:48:00— Understanding the character of Dennis Nedry.
—00:53:00— Jurassic Park is in a museum!
—00:55:00— Discussing the Jurassic World movies and how modern technology and the use of CGI doesn't feel as scary as the old practical effects did.
—00:57:30— More differences between the book and the movie. John Hammond is definitely a villain, the books theme is centralized around his character arc: the danger of playing God and manipulating nature. Dr. Wu is not as sinister as he is portrayed in the Jurassic World movies. More on Dennis Nedry's motivations to sabotage the park.
—01:11:00—Zach's Impressions of the movie Us
—01:16:00—Cody's Impressions of the Waco TV series.
00:05:45 — A quick discussion of Joe Hill's book Heart Shaped Box
00:10:45 — Finishing up Lord of the Flies on audio book and really thinking about the darker side of our human nature. Cody doesn't think that the part most people talk about (Piggy's death) is even the worst part of the story.
00:14:00 — How the theme within Lord of the Flies is scarily related to things going on in the world today.
00:15:10 — Community question of the week and discussion. Why is it that covers are so common in music and remakes in films? Why does this not happen as frequently in literature? We have a discussion of the works we would like to see jump genres.
00:30:00 — Speculation on how Ray Bradbury and George Orwell would interact with social media.
00:31:30 — Discussion on the Tiger King Begins.
00:32:40 — The film that the team set out to make isn't necessarily what was made. The exotic things that happen throughout the show is more interesting than the original pitch was.
00:34:11 — From the beginning it seems that the documentary crew was on the side of Carol Baskin, but then the story started to get a little different.
00:39:00 — The Tiger King's success and people's draw to it, is definitely due to the fact that the team making the documentary understands storytelling.
00:43:00 — Once the show started, it had a magnetic and addictive draw to it. Just like reality TV.
0047:40 — The way that the story panned out made it feel like fiction... but it wasn't
00:52:00 — Examining what it is that draws us in to reality TV. The Tiger King seems a lot more like a reality TV show rather than a legitimate documentary.
00:57:00 — If you are interested in understanding the point of the documentary, but don't want to watch all 6 episodes, the whole documentary and its purpose can be found in episode 1 and episode 6.
01:03:00 — Nobody that the documentary focused on could really be considered a very good person.
The Parallel Quest team has decided to use their tenth episode to have what they call a "Genre Crush." This is where the guys discuss a particular genre, a little bit about its history and influence, and finish up with their favorite components and stories within it.
—A quick discussion of the Tiger King and how it was taking the world by storm as the guys were recording this episode. As we have now come to find out, its influence only grew from here. There might be an episode in the future that discusses it more in depth...
—During the pandemic, Cody has taken listening to quite a lot of audiobooks. One of his favorites that he has listened to during this time is The Neverending Story. It is quite different than the movie, and would definitely be worth checking out.
—The Epic of Gilgamesh is where many of the roots of the fantasy genre lie, and this is a work that is nearly as old as any other document, dating back to early written history.
—The guys discuss the importance of mythology and its influence on western fantasy. One of the most influential figures on western fantasy epics has to be JRR Tolkien. So many fantasy stories follow a lot of the same methods of adventure and attempt similar types of world building.
—The many different stories discussed in this podcast: Lord of the Rings, Dragon Lance, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Dungeons and Dragons, The Sword of Truth, the Wheel of Time, and quite a few more.
Smallville was a smart combination of teen drama, coming of age, and action. It was regularly enjoyed by many during its 11 year run.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Cody and Zach start off the show by going through their different approaches to creating their projects.
-Zach discusses how he goes about planning and making a schedule for writing
-Cody shares how he plans for public speaking and podcasting, and how he comfortably does it without notes.
-The guys discuss why people may struggle with coming up with a meaningful conclusion for their stories.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SMALLVILLE
-"Somebody save me!"
-The shows basic philosophy: "No tights and no flights." Meant to be an exploration into the life of Clark Kent before becoming Superman. The shows original plan was to not even use the name Superman at all in the series.
INITIAL IMPACT of SMALLVILLE
-The guys had differing experiences with the show: Zach grew up alongside it, while Cody binged it about 7 years after its was finished.
-For those who watched Smallville during its initial run, especially those younger, there was a sense that you grew up with Clark Kent. It was fun to watch him struggle with the same things that your average teen battles, while typically making the best choices for his loved ones.
-The guys both believe that this is the best portrayal of Lex Luthor that has ever been done on screen.
LASTING APPEAL
-Even though he grew up loving it, Zach never finished the series. It served as a connecting point for he and his dad though, since his father continued to watch the show and fill him in on what happened.
-Cody, having watched the show far later after its run will always cherish it. It was a big connecting point for he and his wife after an important event in both of their lives.
This episode of Parallel Quest is special because one of the show hosts, Zach, gets to talk about his favorite book of all-time. The Phantom Tollbooth is not the most popular novel in the realm of children's literature but has a timeless value to it, making it one of the best ones that we could read with our children.
-Terribly Terrific: This is a new introductory segment for the guys, where they have to come up with a terrible story pitch that might be secretly terrific. In this episode, Cody, stumbles through an idea he has for a crossover film between Rocky and Rambo. After the pitch, you be the judge, and let us know if this idea is completely terrible, or if it might just be terrific?
-The Phantom Tollbooth: The guys discuss one of Zach's favorite books. This book is a journey and exploration into the world of learning, and the reality that at some point or another every kid has to wrestle with the fact that they don't like it very much. In this story, Milo, goes on a journey through a magical land that enlightens him to his own love of learning. We also see from Zach's own story, the power a favorite book has on our lives and why it is important for us to connect with stories.
In the main topic, the guys have a full discussion on Final Fantasy 7, the 1997 Playstation classic. They go over the history of the franchise, an outline of the story, and Cody shares why it is one of the most important stories in his life.
SHOW ORDER
-The impromptu wedding
-Trashed creative Ideas: The Once Upon a Time rip-off; the skate video that never was.
-MAIN TOPIC: Final Fantasy 7
-An interjection about Legend of Dragoon; the game that Zach played instead of Final Fantasy 7
-Getting into HP Lovecraft
-Tropic Thunder may be one of the greatest comedies ever made.
There are only a handful of video games in the world in which most people have heard of, or have familiarity with, and the Legend of Zelda is one of those few series. From the first time we picked up the controller to present day, journeying as the green-clad hero has always been a joy. The guys talk about their experiences with the famous video game franchise in this episode of Parallel Quest.
SHOW ORDER
-A brief discussion over our intrigue with murder mysterious and stories that center around deplorable crimes
-The origins of the Legend of Zelda Franchise
-First experiences with the Legend of Zelda
-The massive impact of Ocarina of Time
-Majora's Mask, the one that was unfortunately overshadowed.
-Wind Waker, the hidden gem
-Breath of the Wild, the game that reinvigorated Nintendo
Sometimes it is good to like things that are not unanimously considered to be great. The inverse can also be true: it can be a good thing to dislike something that everyone else loves. As long as the feeling for that particular thing is genuine, it adds a level of nuance and perspective to it. This is the case with Michael Bay's movie, Armageddon. The guys discuss how they remember growing up and loving the tale of oil riggers who saved planet earth.
-A discussion on snowboarding.
-Cody's watching Parks and Recreation, while Zach is watching QB1
-A story from Zach and Cody's high school football days... "Everything is gonna be alright." And Cody shares that he is a great cheerleader.
-MAIN TOPIC: Armageddon. This movie seemed to be the after school/before dinner special for many years, one which always drew Zach to the television. The explosive action/adventure with one of the most convoluted plot lines is one of his personal favorites. Many people would consider Bruce Willis to be the star of this particular film, but if you were to ask Cody, he would tell you that there is no bigger star in this movie than Jason Isaacs.
-A discussion on movie rewatching
-A tangent about the show/book that doesn't make any realistic sense: You
-An obligatory "Thank you" to all the oil riggers out there who keep our planet safe.
-Talking about our hobbies and the need to narrow them down to the most important ones
-Playing guitar. For some this is an interest that passes a quickly as junior high is over, for others it is an instrument they enjoy playing for their entire lives. Cody and Zach discuss their thoughts on sticking with the instrument.
-"The Good, the Bad, and the Never Should've Happened." This is a segment where the guys each point out one good sequel, one bad sequel, and one sequel that never should have even happened.
-MAIN TOPIC: DRAGON BALL Z. DBZ is an iconic anime. For many of us, it was our introduction to Japanese animation, and if you were a kid during the "Toonami Block" era, there is a good chance you couldn't get enough of the Z fighters. With such a memorable intellectual property, it is fitting that the guys have many thoughts and memories tied to the incredible Dragon Ball Z.
-Zach and Cody talk about the board games that they recently got a chance to get to the table: Spirit Island and Terra Mystica.
-The team closes out by talking about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and their general thoughts on Quentin Tarantino movies.
Star Wars is one of the most iconic intellectual properties of all time, but since the debut of the original trilogy in 1976 the films have not always delivered to the high hopes and expectations that fans have set. This is a trend that began with Episode 1: The Phantom Menace with its release in 1999. Even though this movie does not have the same greatness as its predecessors (which are also, oddly, sequels), the summer of 1999 brought back Star Wars hype for a new generation.
The main topic discussion begins @18:29
SHOW ORDER
-Zach's road trip
-Wrapping up the holiday's
-A brief discussion on the first impressions of Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker
-Main Topic; Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Even though this film has been panned from many fans and critics, the kickoff to the prequel trilogy was still able to reel-in a younger generation to new Star Wars hype. Even though the original trilogy has phenomenal longevity, Episode 1 brought with it the excitement of seeing that galaxy far, far away brought back to the big screen.
-Zach's impressions on Dune by Frank Herbert
-The flaws in long running television series and why Cody has a hard time getting into many television dramas
Cody and Zach talk about one of their favorite stories ever, The Fellowship of the Ring. While, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings can be tied to an older generation, Peter Jackson's films were released at the perfect time in life to connect two generations. The book always tends to be better than the film, but it is also important to remember that there are so many films that get people to pick up a book, which is most definitely true for the guys when it comes to Fellowship of the Ring.
SHOW ORDER
-Zach's Playing Dungeons and Dragons
-The Mandalorian family nights.
-Cody paid $300 dollars for a pizza and Zach calls the worst pizza place on the planet
-A discussion on audio books; as demand grows, we hope for a more competitive market
-Fellowship of the Ring. 26:34. This is one of the greatest stories ever told and the resurgence of Lord of the Rings in the early 2000's is one of the best things that has ever happened to nerd culture and lovers of fantasy. The guys share their first experiences with the intellectual property as well as its lasting impact. While the book may be better than the movie, the guys both recognize that it was in fact the movie that got them to pick up the book.
-Half-Life: Alyx and the lack of desire to play VR video games.
-Audio dramas vs. narrated stories.
The team kicks of the first episode by introducing themselves (Cody and Zach) as well as sharing why they want to create Parallel Quest: To discuss our favorite stories and share the memories we have from the first, fifth or 100th time we have absorbed them.
Cody and Zach alternate by going through a list of some of the most influential stories they have enjoyed in their life, as well as discuss the media format they belong to.
Zach's List
-The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (Book)
-The Legend of Zelda (Video Game Series)
-Memento (Film)
-Star Wars (Film Series)
Cody's List
-The Lord of the Rings (Books and Film Series)
-Metal Gear Solid (Video Game)
-Fahrenheit 451by Ray Bradbury (Book)
-Lost (Television Series)
This is not an exhaustive list of the guy's favorite stories but a brief overview of some of the most influential works that have inspired them to do this podcast and create their own stories.