The Incomparable Mothership

Miyazaki Club returns to discuss 2010’s “The Secret World of Arrietty,” a Studio Ghibli production with a screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki based on a series of children’s books. Why are we so unnerved by the linear storyline and lack of weirdness? Why does Jason have Bay Leaf head canon? And why is surface tension the true star of the show? "The Secret World of Arrietty" Jason Snell with Steve Lutz, Moisés Chiullán, John Siracusa and Aleen Simms Referenced Works Hayao Miyazaki The Secret World of Arrietty Studio Ghibli Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

“Warner Brothers called and they’re demanding that we do The Matrix IV, with or without you?” So motivated, Lilly Wachowski made a movie that revisits “The Matrix” that’s about revisiting “The Matrix.” Could it be that this 19-years-later sequel… is better than the other sequels? "The Matrix Resurrections" Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Erika Ensign and Kelly Guimont Referenced Works The Matrix Resurrections Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Matrix Trilogy ends with “The Matrix Revolutions.” There’s a big fight in Zion, a lot of stuff in the Matrix we didn’t actually remember, everyone becomes Agent Smith, Chip is devoured by thousands of mosquitos, and Kelly resists the bleakness. "The Matrix Revolutions" Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Joe Rosensteel Referenced Works The Matrix Revolutions Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Whoa. Years later, we’re back in the Matrix as we cover the sequels to the mind-blowing 1999 original. First up is “The Matrix Reloaded,” which features thrills, spills, underground orgies, and long philosophical monologues. How well does it hold up? What surprised us? Were we excited, or terrified, to see Zion and all those mech suits? Take the appropriately colored pill and join us. "The Matrix Reloaded" Jason Snell with Joe Rosensteel, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth Referenced Works The Matrix Reloaded [Amazon] Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We’ve reconvened Mad Max Club to come up with some word burgers about “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the 2024 prequel to the iconic 2015 film “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Does the prequel match up to the original (aka the fourth) film in the franchise? "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" Steven Schapansky with Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Brian Warren Referenced Works Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Our Ape Club returns to cover 2024’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Yes, it’s apes and humans again, but this is a new era with a lot to consider about how history is distorted to serve present-day politics, the value of saving or destroying past knowledge, and the best way to protect an eagle egg. "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, David J. Loehr and John Moltz Referenced Works Planet of the Apes (franchise) Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Our Book Club wraps up its 2024 walk through nine shortlisted SF/F novels with our overall rankings, some short fiction recommendations, and a quick dip into what we’ve read recently and really enjoyed. 2024 Shortlist Book Club: Rankings and Short Fiction Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet Show Notes & Links The Incomparable Book Club Consensus Translation State by Ann Leckie - 2.0 average rank (2 first-place votes) The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty - 2.6 (2) Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh - 2.8 (1) The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz - 4.4 Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi - 5.0 Witch King by Martha Wells - 5.6 The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera - 6.8 Starter Villain by John Scalzi - 7.8 The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang - 8.0 Novellas Seeds of Mercury by Wang Jinkang The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo Novelettes The Year Without Sunshine by Naomi Kritzer On the Fox Roads by Nghi Vo One Man’s Treasure by Sarah Pinsker Ivy, Angelica, Bay by C.L. Polk Short Stories The Sound of Chldren Screaming by Rachael K. Jones Better Living Through Algorithms by Naomi Kritzer How to Raise a Kraken in your Bathtub by P Djèlí Clark The Mausoleum’s Children by Aliette De Bodard What Are We Reading? Scott: Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry Heather: A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow Starling House by Alix E. Harrow The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Erika: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas Aleen: City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Jason: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey The Penric and Desdemona novellas by Lois McMaster Bujold Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We discuss the recently concluded (first?) season of the Star Wars series “The Acolyte.” The show offers a mix of stuff we like about “Star Wars”, but the panel’s split on whether it managed to do a good job executing its ambitious agenda. "The Acolyte" Jason Snell with Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren, Moisés Chiullán and Chip Sudderth Referenced Works The Acolyte Star Wars (franchise) Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Have you been watching Prime Video’s “My Lady Jane?” Our panel is so sure you will like this alternate history show that there’s been a minor coup to take over the Mothership. Join us for a spoiler-free opening pitch to entice you into watching this show, then come for the full spoilery episode. "My Lady Jane" Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Kirsten Goruk Referenced Works My Lady Jane Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Our Book Club convenes for its final set of shortlisted novels, including “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi,” “The Water Outlaws,” and the Nebula-winning “Saint of Bright Doors.” Plus: What are we reading? 2024 Awards Book Club, Part 3 Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet Referenced Works Saint of Bright Doors [Amazon] [Apple] Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi [Amazon] [Apple] The Water Outlaws [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links What are we reading? Scott: The Guards by Ken Bruen Wicked Problems by Max Gladstone Erika: The Worms that Ate the Universe by Megan Chee Book Clubs with My Imaginary Friends by Marissa Lingen Heather: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros Aleen: Still the Sun by Charlie N. Holmberg The Prince & The Apocalypse by Kara McDowell Jason: Mélusine by Katherine Addison/Sarah Monette Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.