

House of R
The Ringer
Welcome to ‘House of R,’ where Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson explore your favorite fictional universes with their signature Deep Dives into everything from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to Marvel, and beyond. Whether they’re parsing mythology, story themes, and character arcs or tracing influences across decades of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Jo and Mal will be here weekly with Deep Dives into new nerd culture releases, nostalgic revisitations of their favorite tales in fandom, Tropes Course examinations, Hall of Fame inductions, Hype Meters, drafts, mailbags, watch lists, top moments countdowns, recommendations, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 9, 2026 • 2h 32min
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Season 3 Rewatch (Part 1)
Dive back into the Hellmouth as the hosts delve into the nostalgia of Season 3 of a beloved supernatural classic. They celebrate standout moments like the transformation of Giles into his Ripper persona and the humorous chaos of adults turning into teenagers in a chocolate-induced frenzy. Faith's captivating introduction sparks conversations about dark foils, while emotional confrontations between characters leave a lasting impact. Plus, engaging insights from listener mail and superlatives add extra spice to this trip down memory lane.

Jan 6, 2026 • 3h 47min
'Stranger Things' Season 5 Finale Deep Dive
Join a nostalgic trip back to Hawkins as hosts share heartfelt fan reactions and reflect on the show's decade-long impact. They dive into Operation Beanstalk, dissecting the lab infiltration and Joyce's heroic climb. The emotional weight of characters like Max and Hopper shines through, alongside critiques of military logic and Mike's friendship talk. The final battle against Vecna offers thrilling tactics, while Dustin's graduation speech encapsulates the essence of found family. As the series wraps, they invite listeners to reflect on belief and closure.

Dec 27, 2025 • 2h 30min
'Stranger Things' Season 5, Episode 7 Deep Dive
Delve into the emotional highs of Season 5 as the hosts explore Max and Lucas's touching reunion amidst the chaos. They dissect the pressing mysteries of Vecna, the haunting imagery of the 'pain tree,' and the implications of the characters' decisions. A lively theory corner sparks debates on potential outcomes, while fans chime in with Easter eggs and commercial nods. Plus, hear insights on the show's handling of parental figures and crucial lore connections, setting the stage for the thrilling finale.

9 snips
Dec 26, 2025 • 2h 57min
'Stranger Things' Season 5, Episodes 5 and 6 Deep Dive
Dive back into the Upside Down as Mal and Jo explore the emotional turmoil of Will and Lucas amid Vecna's manipulation. They dissect the eerie tranquility of Camazotz and its ominous Lotus Eater Machine. Parenting stakes soar with Hopper and Joyce, while Dustin grapples with grief following Eddie's legacy. The podcast also highlights shocking revelations from Brenner's notebooks, and the heartfelt moments between Nancy and Jonathan bring emotional clarity. Get ready for thrilling discussions of character arcs and high-stakes drama!

Dec 19, 2025 • 2h 7min
The Holiday Gift Swap: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ for ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Season 2
Join an entertaining holiday gift swap as two hosts exchange thoughts on 'Interview With the Vampire' Season 2 and 'Avatar: Fire and Ash.' They react to the nostalgic 'Avengers: Doomsday' teaser, discussing marketing strategies and expectations. Delve into the complex narratives of the vampire series, exploring multiple perspectives and standout episodes. Meanwhile, the critique of 'Avatar' covers everything from character dynamics to visual spectacle, with a sprinkling of humor from a unique viewing experience. It's a festive blend of insights and laughs!

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 52min
The Top 10 Moments of 2025!
Mal and Jo count down and relive their top moments of 2025! They talk about everything from ‘Andor’ and ‘Stranger Things’ to ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘Superman.’
(00:00) Intro(11:25) Jo’s no. 10(15:19) Mal’s no. 10(19:21) Jo’s no. 9(24:06) Mal’s no. 9(29:26) Jo’s no. 8 and Mal’s no. 7(38:11) Mal’s no. 8(42:23) Jo’s no. 7(45:00) Jo’s no. 6(50:51) Mal’s no. 6(57:20) Jo’s no. 5 and Mal’s no. 4(01:03:42) Mal’s no. 5(01:09:16) Jo’s no. 4(01:12:57) Mal’s no. 3(01:16:50) Jo’s no. 3 and Mal’s no. 2(01:26:17) Jo’s no. 2 and Mal’s no. 1(01:37:41) Jo’s no. 1
Prepare for one last adventure at Target. Visit target.com/StrangerThings
Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinProducer: Carlos ChiribogaSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell and John Richter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 2h 16min
Our 10 Favorite Fights of the Century (So Far)
Join the hosts as they dive into their top favorite fights of the century! They expertly dissect epic battles like Zuko's final duel in Avatar and the emotional weight behind Bane's brutal moment with Batman. From Scott Pilgrim's quirky comedic duels to the visually stunning intensity of Mad Max, each selection is packed with character and stakes. Don't miss their shared pick of Helm's Deep, hailed as the ultimate fight of the century. Plus, plenty of honorable mentions to keep the excitement rolling!

Dec 9, 2025 • 2h 9min
'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Final Trailer Breakdown
Dive back into Westeros as the hosts analyze the thrilling final trailer for the upcoming spinoff. They share their first impressions and delve deeper into the story's setting, highlighting the Targaryen timeline. Enjoy a unique frame-by-frame breakdown filled with insights on character pairings, Dunk's perspective, and the mysterious Egg. They even tease clues about identities and the implications of Baelor's choices. With a mix of serious themes and lighter moments, this discussion promises to excite fans old and new!

Dec 3, 2025 • 3h 21min
'Stranger Things' Season 5, Episodes 3-4 Deep Dive
Dive into the Upside Down as the hosts dissect the thrilling twists of the latest season of a beloved series. They explore everything from timeline inconsistencies and foreshadowing to the emotional arcs of friendship and self-acceptance. Expect insights on iconic film influences, character dynamics, and imaginative visuals. The discussion highlights moral ambiguity in villainy and celebrates the return of fan-favorite characters. Plus, they tackle unresolved fan theories and ponder potential redemption journeys.

Nov 27, 2025 • 2h 53min
'Stranger Things' Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2 Deep Dive
Dive deep into the latest adventures in the Upside Down! The hosts dissect Will's mysterious abduction and the implications of Eleven's enhanced powers. They debate the darker dynamics between Dustin and Steve after Eddie's loss while highlighting Mike's heartfelt D&D lesson with Holly. Expect a suspenseful analysis of crucial character moments, including Hopper and Joyce's parental struggles and Holly's shocking kidnapping. The conversation teases out intricate mythology and burgeoning tensions as they prepare for the ultimate showdown!


