
House of R
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.
Latest episodes

May 5, 2025 • 2h 36min
'The Last of Us' Season 2, Episode 4 Deep Dive
Dive deep into the latest narrative twists in 'The Last of Us' as Ellie and Dina navigate the dangers of Seattle. Discover the complexities surrounding the new WLF member, Isaac, and his moral dilemmas. Explore the show's portrayal of survival and character dynamics, alongside the emotional weight of relationships. Reflect on the impact of music and shared memories amidst chaos. The discussion also touches on belief systems, vengeance, and the representation of queer identities, adding layers to the post-apocalyptic storytelling.

10 snips
May 2, 2025 • 2h 9min
‘Thunderbolts*’ Deep Dive
Dive into the latest Marvel film as the hosts dissect the intricacies of character arcs and action sequences. They evaluate Yelena's poignant emotional journey and Bucky's comedic transition to congressman. Discover the thrilling dynamics of the Thunderbolts team and the film's reception. Listen as they balance humor with deeper themes like redemption and personal growth, while also highlighting memorable moments like Valentina's political flair and iconic fight scenes. Get ready for an entertaining exploration of the Marvel universe!

12 snips
May 2, 2025 • 2h 58min
‘Andor’ Season 2, Episodes 4-6 Deep Dive
The storm on Ghorman intensifies with a thrilling heist and espionage elements that reveal the darker sides of rebellion. Key character dynamics come to light, like Cassian's evolution and Cyril's struggle for identity amidst oppressive forces. Saw Gerrera makes a compelling return, showcasing the heavy cost of his extremist choices. The hosts delve into emotional trauma, complex relationships, and the moral ambiguities each character faces as they navigate their paths in an ever-complicated fight against the Empire.

Apr 29, 2025 • 2h 45min
'The Last of Us' Season 2, Episode 3 Deep Dive
The hosts dive deep into the aftermath of a devastating attack on Jackson, exploring Ellie's journey towards justice. They discuss the emotional implications of loss and community dynamics amid a post-apocalyptic backdrop. Intriguingly, they analyze the role of propofol in a collapsed society and the stark beauty juxtaposed with death in the series. Character motivations and the weight of grief are dissected, while nostalgic elements richly enhance the narrative. Humor finds its way into the weighty themes, making for a captivating discussion.

Apr 25, 2025 • 2h 55min
'Andor' Season 2, Episodes 1-3 Deep Dive
'Andor' is back, and so are Mal and Jo! These rebels break down everything in the first three episodes, from Cassian's mission, to a wedding on Chandrila to Syril and Dedra's relationship.(00:00) Intro(05:33) Opening Snapshot(17:05) Theft of the TIE Avenger(37:48) Cassian Meets the Maya Pei Brigade(46:44) The Brigade Fractures(51:30) Hiding Out with Our Ferrix Found Family(01:02:10) The Empire Arrives(01:12:10) Fleeing Mina-Rau(01:30:14) A Chandi Wedding: Day One(01:50:45) A Chandi Wedding: Day Two(02:12:02) A Chandi Wedding: Day Three(02:27:19) Krennic’s Secret Meeting at the Maltheen Divide(02:37:40) Back at the ISB and the Bureau of Standards(02:40:42) The Spinoff We Need: Eedy, Dedra, and Syril(02:49:08) Easter EggsHosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna RobinsonProducer: Steve AhlmanEditor: Cameron DinwiddieVideo Supervision: John RichterSocial: Jomi AdeniranAddition Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 snips
Apr 22, 2025 • 2h 59min
'The Last of Us' Season 2, Episode 2 Deep Dive
The hosts delve into the shocking character death and its implications for the future of the story. They explore Abby's emotional dream sequence, unpacking her grief and identity crisis. The intense Battle of Jackson is analyzed, highlighting its impact on character dynamics. The conversation also touches on survival strategies in a zombie-infested world, juxtaposed with humorous culinary anecdotes. Listeners are taken on an emotional journey through trauma, loss, and the complex relationships that define this gripping narrative.

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 35min
'Daredevil: Born Again' Episode 9 Deep Dive
Dive into the thrilling finale of 'Daredevil: Born Again' as the hosts highlight pivotal character arcs, including the return of Frank Castle and the spark brought by Karen. They humorously critique the season's graphic violence and explore the complex moral dilemmas faced by characters. Expect lively banter on future season hopes, character dynamics, and emotional reunions, all while teasing exciting crossovers in the Marvel universe. With a mix of humor and insightful analysis, this discussion promises to keep fans engaged and entertained!

18 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 2h 27min
'Yellowjackets' Episode 10 Deep Dive
Dive into the thrilling Season 3 finale as characters grapple with survival and complex dynamics. Mari's journey as 'Pit Girl' is a highlight, showcasing her struggle amidst brutal circumstances. The hosts also unveil themes of memory and perception, questioning the reliability of characters' recollections. With humorous anecdotes about air travel and an insightful look at the dark sides of Ty and Shauna, this discussion balances deep emotional exploration with entertaining commentary on character arcs and pivotal moments.

15 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 2h 3min
'The Last of Us' Season 2 Episode 1 Deep Dive
Dive into the intense world of 'The Last of Us' Season 2, where emotional complexity reigns. Explore Joel's struggles with therapy and the introduction of new characters like Abby. The significance of music adds depth to the narrative while themes of loyalty and community play a central role. A fresh fear emerges with a new infected creature, and our hosts engage in lively banter about mushroom recipes and college football. Get ready for a suspenseful journey full of character evolution and moral dilemmas in a post-apocalyptic landscape!

16 snips
Apr 12, 2025 • 2h 18min
‘Black Mirror’ Season 7 and ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 8
Join Ben Lindbergh, a pop culture savant and writer, alongside Daniel Chin, a sharp-eyed editor from The Ringer, as they dissect the complexities of 'Black Mirror' Season 7 and 'Daredevil: Born Again.' They reflect on the emotional weight and innovative storytelling of 'Black Mirror,' while debating the show's nostalgia factor and standout performances. The duo also deep dives into the latest 'Daredevil' offering, analyzing character dynamics and emotional stakes, particularly a pivotal dance floor moment that hints at deeper relationship themes.
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