The Incomparable Mothership

We begin our walk through the 2024 nominees for Best Novel from the Hugo and Nebula Awards. First up: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi, “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, and “Witch King” by Martha Wells. 2024 Awards Book Club part 1 Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty and Heather Berberet Referenced Works Translation State [Amazon] [Apple] Witch King [Amazon] [Apple] Starter Villain [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links Our next books, as the shortlist reading rolls on! Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi What are we reading? Aleen: Belladonna and Regency Faerie Tales Erika: Ruin and Rising and System Collapse Scott: Mal Goes to War Jason: Paladin of Souls 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.

Put on your mouse ears and step into the TARDIS! We’re discussing the return (rebirth? regeneration?) of “Doctor Who” in 2024, this time on Disney+ (and the BBC). It’s a new era with an old showrunner. How did the 2023 specials hit us, where should curious viewers start watching, and what are our hopes for the coming season? "Doctor Who" anticipation Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra and Kelly Guimont Referenced Works Doctor Who [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.

Why does discussing the overlooked 1991 classic “Dead Again” feel like we’re living a past life? Maybe it’s the shock of seeing young Sir Kenneth Branagh (attempting a weird American accent) and Dame Emma Thompson. Maybe it’s Sir Derek Jacobi making us wonder if that stutter is an “I, Claudius” reference. Maybe it’s the whole romantic fantasy thing, with a Hitchcockian past intruding on a 1990s present. "Dead Again" Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang and Shannon Sudderth 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.

Join Brian Hamilton, the episode editor and music enthusiast, alongside panelists James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont, and Andy Ihnatko as they dive into an engaging draft of their favorite 2000s albums. Discover why James's picks spark debate, Erika shares her Beat Saber favorites, and Kelly reveals how karaoke becomes her therapy. The group reflects on the emotional resonance of iconic albums, from The Postal Service to Lady Gaga, all while reminiscing about the profound connections music creates in their lives.

Our book club reconvenes to discuss the “Shades of Magic” series by V.E. Schwab, as well as the start of a second trilogy, “The Fragile Threads of Power.” Before the spoilers begin, we’ll explain the parallel fantasy world structure and explain why it’s such a great series. Then we’ll discuss the newest book in the series. Plus: What are we reading? "The Fragile Threads of Power" Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet Referenced Works The Fragile Threads of Power [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links Listener’s Note: Our annual shortlist tour begins in our next episode with “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, “Witch King” by Martha Wells, and “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi. What are we reading? Scott: The Corax Trilogy Trust by Hernan Diaz Aleen: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan Heather: The Red Scholar’s Wake by Aliette de Bodard Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel E. Gross How I Won a Nobel Prize by Julius Taranto Erika: Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher Jason: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway The Expert System’s Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky Shades of Magic series 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.

Just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in! Long after we recorded our first episodes about “The Godfather,” our panelists get back together to talk about the late-sequel “The Godfather Part III,” or is it “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” now? Only Francis knows for sure. "The Godfather III/Coda" Jason Snell with John Siracusa, John Gruber, Chip Sudderth and Moisés Chiullán Referenced Works The Godfather Part III (Coda) 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.

Get on your sandworm and head south! It’s time to discuss “Dune Part 2,” a sequel with more sand, more Fremen, and more time spent at the super weird planet of the villainous Harkonnen family. Is Paul the hero, or… something else? Dust off the family atomics and join us, won’t you? "Dune Part 2" Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Kelly Guimont, Guy English and Brian Warren Referenced Works Dune Part 2 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.

It’s the first-ever Reboot a Bad Movie draft! In which our stalwart panelists grab an intellectual-property loser off the shelf, dust it off, and re-envision it in a new way that could maybe, possibly be a hit with modern audiences. Moisés Chiullán with Lisa Schmeiser, David J. Loehr, Cicero Holmes and Monty Ashley Show Notes & Links Cicero: Madame Web! A New Jukebox Musical Monty: On Stranger Tides Minus Pirates of the Caribbean David: Doc Savage: Man of Bronze Lisa: The Eternals 11 Moisés: Howard: The Duck: The Series Monty: Cutthroat Island David: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Lisa: The New Mutants Go To Camp aka New Mutantballs aka Wet Hot Mutagenic Summer Cicero: Batman vs. Superman: Death of the Family Moisés: Masters of the Universe: Infinity Crisis Quest 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.

Nobody is more surprised than Antony Johnston to find he’s now a cozy crime author. Dan Moren sniffs out the secrets of his “Dog Sitter Detective” series. Dan Moren with Antony Johnston Referenced Works The Dog Sitter Detective 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 conclude our movie-by-movie review of the “Back to the Future” series with the western-themed third installment, which features less time travel shenanigans and more old-west shenanigans. "Back to the Future Part III" Jason Snell with Lex Friedman, John Siracusa, Brian Warren, Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán Sponsors Porkbun: Get $1 off your next domain name with the code THEINCOMPARABLE24. Referenced Works Back to the Future Part III Back to the Future (series) [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.