

Decoding TV
Decoding TV
David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything going on in the world of TV, with recaps and reviews of the most interesting shows on the air. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 6, 2023 • 49min
Justified: City Primeval Post-Mortem
In this Decoding TV bonus episode about Justified: City Primeval, Sarah Marrs and David Chen discuss all the things we didn’t get to in our season final recap. This includes topics such as:Did the finale drop the ball this season?Listener reactions to the season as a wholeWas it really a big mistake to bring back [REDACTED]?The biggest differences between the book and the showWhat happened during the time jump in the finale?And much more!Thanks for a great season of TV recapping. Decoding TV will be back in the near future to cover How To with John Wilson, The Continental, and much much more, so be sure to keep subscribed to get all our latest episodes.Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comRead more of Sarah’s work at Lainey GossipFollow Sarah on TwitterFollow David Chen on ThreadsSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 1, 2023 • 1h 6min
This Week In Streaming: Telemarketers
Support this podcast by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com.This Week In Streaming is a show on the Decoding TV podcast feed that covers the most interesting shows available on streaming each week. This week, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the three-part HBO docuseries Telemarketers, which is streaming right now on Max.Telemarketers is about two former telemarketers who witness the corruption and exploitation of one telemarketing firm in particular, Civic Development Group (CDG), and make it their life’s mission to try and take the company—and the industry—down. Its sprawling narrative eventually becomes about the making of the documentary itself. Its appeal is largely driven by the two personalities at its center. But did this format work for us? What does Telemarketers have to say about the telemarketing industry and about our society’s ability to change it? And how does it fit in with the current documentary environment overall? Listen to us discuss all this and more!Next week, Patrick and David will discuss How To With John Wilson Season 3. When possible, we will broadcast the episode live on YouTube, so be sure to follow us there. Thanks for being a paid subscriber!Links:Email us and let us know what you think at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 31, 2023 • 1h 14min
Justified: City Primeval Ep 8 - The Question
In this edition of Decoding TV, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss the eighth and final episode of Justified: City Primeval, “The Question.”In the season (series?) finale, characters make baffling decisions left and right. What happened to the deadly Albanians? How did we feel about the ultimate fate of Clement Mansell? Did Raylan’s arc prove to be a worthwhile one? And what did we make of the shocking cameo at the end of the episode? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Thanks to Sarah Marrs for joining us for this season of coverage! We’ll be doing one additional bonus episode to discuss City Primeval so send us your questions/thoughts/responses at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com. Thanks for listening!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comRead more of Sarah’s work at Lainey GossipFollow Sarah on TwitterFollow David Chen on ThreadsSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 25, 2023 • 1h 19min
This Week in Streaming: Ahsoka Eps 1-2
If you enjoy this podcast, consider supporting us by becoming a paid subscriber at DecodingTV.comThis Week In Streaming is a show on the Decoding TV podcast feed that covers the most interesting shows available on streaming each week. This week, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the first two episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+:Episode 1 - Master and ApprenticeEpisode 2 - Toil and TroubleWe begin by discussing our relationship to Star Wars at this point, plus our overall thoughts on Ahsoka. Then we dive into full spoilers starting at around 25:50 into the podcast. How did the show manage the task of catching people up with the history of the animated shows while also welcoming in new viewers? Does Ahsoka do a good job of capturing the “feeling” of Star Wars? Shouldn’t catching a light saber through the torso be enough to kill someone? And is it just David, or does everyone in this show talk extremely slowly? Listen to us discuss all this and more!Next week, Patrick and David will discuss Telemarketers, the docuseries streaming on Max. When possible, we will broadcast the episode live on YouTube, so be sure to follow us there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 24, 2023 • 1h 12min
Justified: City Primeval Ep 7 - The Smoking Gun
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at DecodingTV.com. Thanks!In this edition of Decoding TV, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss the seventh episode of Justified: City Primeval, “The Smoking Gun”In the penultimate episode of the season, plotlines start colliding left and right and a major character is revealed to have ulterior motives. How did we feel about that reveal? Will we ever see Willa again? Taking into account the original Justified, what is the grand arc of Raylan Givens character? What are our predictions for how this season will wrap up? And why are sex scenes important for storytelling? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comRead more of Sarah’s work at Lainey GossipFollow Sarah on TwitterFollow David Chen on ThreadsSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 19, 2023 • 45min
Bonus Ep. - MovieTok and the Future of Criticism (feat. Myles McNutt)
Today we're launching a new series of bonus episodes where Patrick Klepek and I talk about a topic that’s in the news or something that’s caught our attention recently. Assuming folks enjoy these (if you do, let us know via email at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com!), we’ll keep doing them. The first few of these will be free but eventually they will be exclusive to paid Decoding TV subscribers. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to get the best Decoding TV experience.Today we welcome Myles McNutt from the Episodic Medium Substack who joins me and Patrick Klepek to discuss this article in The New York Times about MovieTok (and David Chen’s Tiktok response). What are the differences between traditional critics and MovieTok content creators? How have these differences informed each of our career paths? And what did The New York Times get right and wrong about how it framed this issue? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Email us and let us know what you think at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comSubscribe to Myles McNutt’s newsletter, Episodic MediumListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 18, 2023 • 59min
This Week In Streaming: Twisted Metal Season 1
Thanks to our paid subscribers at DecodingTV.com for making this podcast possible.This Week In Streaming is a show on the Decoding TV podcast feed that covers the most interesting shows available on streaming each week.This week, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the final five episodes of Twisted Metal, now streaming on Peacock.Episode 6 - DRVTHRUEpisode 7 - NUTH0UZEpisode 8 - EV3L1NEpisode 9 - R04DK11Episode 10 - SHNGRLAWe begin by discussing our overall thoughts, then dive into full spoilers starting at around 16:07 into the podcast. What did we make of how this show handled lore (and what lore did we miss in our last recap episodes)? Did we really need backstories for Officer Stone, Quiet, and Sweet Tooth? What exactly was Raven trying to accomplish in the final episode of the show? Did this season end where it should’ve began? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Next week, Patrick and David will discuss the first two episodes of Ahsoka, the new Star Wars series on Disney+. When possible, we will broadcast the episode live on YouTube, so be sure to follow us there. Thanks for being a paid subscriber!Links:Email us and let us know what you think at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 17, 2023 • 54min
Justified: City Primeval Ep 6 - Adios
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at DecodingTV.com. Thanks!In this edition of Decoding TV, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss the sixth episode of Justified: City Primeval, “Adios.”This episode brings one major character’s arc to a startling conclusion. How did we feel about how that character’s storyline resolved? Is there really a mole tipping off Clement Mansell? Is Willa really gone from this show until the final episode? Does Clement do a good cover of “Seven Nation Army” or is it only okay? And how much better would society be if all mediocre dudes got a chance to go into the arts? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comRead more of Sarah’s work at Lainey GossipFollow Sarah on TwitterFollow David Chen on ThreadsSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeEmail us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 11, 2023 • 1h 6min
This Week In Streaming: Twisted Metal Eps 1-5
This Week In Streaming is a show on the Decoding TV podcast feed that covers the most interesting shows available on streaming each week. This week, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the first five episodes of Twisted Metal, which is streaming right now on Peacock:Episode 1 - WLUDRVEpisode 2 - 3RNCRCSEpisode 3 - NTHLAW1Episode 4 - WHZDAREEpisode 5 - CRZSRDSWe begin by discussing our overall thoughts, then dive into full spoilers starting at around 22:00 into the podcast. What makes Anthony Mackie so compelling in this show? Does Will Arnett doing a good job of voicing a killer clown (whose body is played by Samoa Joe)? Why did they make Quiet someone who’s not, well, quiet? And why can’t videogames about tournaments spawn TV/movies that are about tournaments? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!Next week, Patrick and David will discuss the rest of the season of Twisted Metal. When possible, we will broadcast the episode live on YouTube, so be sure to follow us there. Thanks for being a paid subscriber!Links:Email us and let us know what you think at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 10, 2023 • 1h 2min
Justified: City Primeval Ep 5 - You Good?
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid supporter at Decodingtv.com. Thanks!In this edition of Decoding TV, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss the fifth episode of Justified: City Primeval, “You Good?”This episode puts the focus on Carolyn, played by Aunjanue Ellis. How well did this show build up the backstory of Carolyn? What do we make of her decisionmaking this episode? Are Clement Mansell’s machinations getting more or less compelling over time? And are we ever going to see the character of Willa return in a significant way? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comRead more of Sarah’s work at Lainey GossipFollow Sarah on TwitterFollow David Chen on ThreadsSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeEmail us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


