Agents of SMOOCH

This episode of Agents of SMOOCH is a spoiler-light mission to convince you to watch the most Canadian of mystery shows: Murdoch Mysteries. This series, set in the 1890s to 1910s, is 18 seasons long and still going. We discuss the series’ ability to be serious and light-hearted, tackle social issues and zombies while staying true to itself. And - of course - we delve into the many romantic entanglements. We give no mysteries away and hope that by the end, you will be drawn into the world of Detective Murdoch with us. AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT! This is the last episode before we go into the summer break. We will be back in the fall. Until then, stay safe, Agents! Annette Wierstra with Amanda-Rae Prescott.

The Austenheads return. For today’s mission, we return to Austen with the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. This movie is packed with stars, beautiful scenery, and romance…and add in a flatulent horse. But we must also delve into inheritance laws and what is wrong with Mansfield Park. Annette Wierstra with Amanda-Rae Prescott, Sandra Wong, Shelly Brisbin and Moisés Chiullán.

We are not ready to part from Pride & Prejudice yet, so we have extended our mission to include the 2005 version. This beautifully shot film provides our agents with a sweeping romantic version of the story that we cannot resist. Annette Wierstra with Katie Mack, Sandra Wong and Moisés Chiullán.

We are here in praise of Austen’s Pride & Prejudice but also for wet shirts, poorly executed proposals, and good face acting. Join our much overdue mission about BBC’s 1995 Pride & Prejudice. Since this mission was as fun as a ball at Netherfield, it may lead to more infatuated missions about other Austen adaptations. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk, Erika Ensign and Katie Mack.

Today’s mission is a slight jump back in time to 2003 to learn How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Does this movie have a ridiculous premise? Oh yeah. Do our Agents care? Not really. We just want to wear some diamonds and find someone to take care of our love fern. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk.

Get your snacks ready and PJs on. Our Agents of SMOOCH have a mission to draft our favourite sleep-over movies. The Agents side-track into important sub-missions such as Instagram pyjamas and the weather and what is needed in an official SMOOCH cocktail and pirates and… This was recorded as a membership episode so it does have some NSFW language. Annette Wierstra with Shelly Brisbin, Amanda McTaggart, Moisés Chiullán, KatyBeth Schmid and Kathy Campbell.

In our last episode, we couldn’t get enough Star Trek in the Draft. So today’s mission is all about romance in Star Trek. The Agents gave their director some homework and she came prepared. es, this franchise is all about seeking out strange new worlds, but also sexy aliens. Really, a spaceship is just a locked room romance and we are all looking for love in confined spaces. Let’s meet on the holodeck and boldly go where no one has gone before. Annette Wierstra with Jean MacDonald and Shelly Brisbin.

Happy Valentine’s Day Agents! Today is OUR day. It is also our 5th anniversary and we are celebrating with not-a-draft of One True Pairings (OTPs). This is such a wide and encompassing topic and yet some Agents think that it includes all together too much Star Trek. But at the Agency we like a lotta things so in this not-a-draft there is an OTP for everyone. Annette Wierstra with Jean MacDonald, Sarah Murphy, Kathy Campbell, Shelly Brisbin and Moisés Chiullán.

It’s the Christmas tradition we created ourselves! We don our Santa hats, gather our Bingo cards, and surround ourselves with lots of snacks. It’s time for this year’s in-person Christmas movie marathon. This year we watched: Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story (Hallmark) The Merry Gentlemen (Netflix) ‘Tis the Season to Be Irish (Hallmark) Get on your pjs, make yourself comfy, and join us! Annette Wierstra with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign and Kirsten Goruk.

We are still in the season of the witch here at the Agency. Join our coven as we search for the Wtiches’ Road in Agatha All Along. We start with a quick spoiler-free pitch to watch this glorious show before getting into the vibes and feelings and wardrobe-we are suckers for a good coat. Take off your shoes and stay on the path witches. We might all make it to the end. Annette Wierstra with James Thomson and Heather Berberet.

If anyone thinks that Jane Austen is about sedate manners and social niceties, they ought to dive straight into this mission about Northanger Abbey. This novel is Austen’s version of Mean Girls and there is a lot of naughty business happening below the surface of polite society. Join our Agents as they discuss the novel and the 2007 movie adaptation with Felicity Jones and JJ Feild. Kirsten swore once and I am giving her a special exemption to keep it in. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk.

Is it a Gothic Romance series if we don’t wander the English moors? Of course not! Join our agents as they discuss Jane Eyre focusing on the 2011 movie and the book. While we like the moody story of Jane and her Mr. Rochester, we have a few suggestions for the next adaptation. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet and Moisés Chiullán.

We are back for Season 6 in time for the dark moody vibes of fall with a series of episodes on Gothic Romances. We begin with an episode about Kat Dunn’s sapphic witchy romance set in the most gothic of castles: Bitterthorn. Our agents get lost on side topics a few times as they wander through the woods to discuss other books and video games. In the end, they make it through just in the nick of time. Our Agents start with a non-spoiler pitch to convince you to read Bitterthorn, and then they go full spoilers with fair warning. Annette Wierstra with James Thomson.

For our last mission of Season 5, we are going back to the eighties with Desperately Seeking Susan. This is Madonna just being Madonna and adding her perfect fashion sense to this film. Add Rosanna Arquette and Aidan Quinn with a splash of amnesia and mistaken identities and it’s a delightful 80s romcom. Our agents were happy to revisit this movie and find that it reflects a more modern sensibility than we expected. Get out of the box and help us find the elusive Susan. Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign, Sandra Wong and Stacy Watnick.

It’s another Romance in Action mission with Argylle. Let’s be honest. Our Director mandated this mission purely for the cat content which she rates very highly. Follow cat-loving novelist Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) as she is pulled out of her fictional imaginings into the IRL world of spy craft with the mysterious stranger Aiden (Sam Rockwell). Warning: This mission will contain rainbow fog. Annette Wierstra with Sandra Wong and Moisés Chiullán.

We’ve got more Romance in Action with The Fall Guy movie. Get ready for comedy, stunt action, and romance from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Our Agents went on this mission to the theatre and later recorded this episode in person. The Agents thought the meta references to the movie industry, with the right dash of mystery and romance made for perfect escapism. Will we watch it again? Definitely. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk, Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

It’s our Director’s birthday! She is using her power to make the Agency do a mission about Aziraphale and Crowley in Good Omens. If you like seeing Angels and Demon romance each other in a gentle comedy about the end of the universe, this is the episode for you. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick.

Return to the Eighties’ version of the Sixties as we explore summer camp, first loves, progressive politics, and never putting Baby in a corner. After this week’s Dirty Dancing mission, we’re saying forget cop/not-a-cop pairings, let’s have more dancer/not-a-dancer matchups. Annette Wierstra with Stacy Watnick.

Our agents are kicking off their Sunday shoes for this mission. It’s time to fight for your prom and get Footloose. This mission explores how teenagers gonna teenage and whether Footloose still holds up 40 years later. Join our discussion of sex, religion, politics, and shaking your bootie in a rainfall of glitter. Back to the Future makes several surprising cameos, but it all makes sense—trust us. So get up off of your knees and everybody cut footloose. Annette Wierstra with Shelly Brisbin and Julia Skott.

Our Agents were so excited about Mr. & Mrs. Smith, that they just jumped right back in with the 2024 series. This is not a chronological episode but entirely based on what the Agents are excited about. This is another intense relationship in an intense fantastical situation and literal booms exploding. We dig deep into love and communication while making wild speculations about what could come next for John and Jane if we get a season 2. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet.

For today’s mission, our Agents take on The Buccaneers, an Apple TV series that is scandal-laden and somewhat historical. The modern sensibility and soundtrack laid over the historical invasion of rich American debutants into cash-strapped British upper-class society make for an energetic vibe. If you missed it, our Agents recommend catching up before joining us for a good gossip about the collection of characters. In lieu of research, these Agents have chosen to go for wild historical speculations. Warning! The Director permitted Agent Kirsten to swear and she took advantage so this episode is NSFW. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk.

Our Agents are back with another Romance in Action mission with Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Part 1). We are starting with the 2005 movie that shows Great Truths Hidden Under the Fantastical. On the surface, this is a movie about two married spies flirting by trying to kill each other. Underneath the fantasy, this movie is about the safety of expressing your feelings and true self to your partner. Grab your hidden stash of weapons, it’s about to get dangerous-metaphorically. Don’t blow up your house, Agents. This mission includes a bit of a discussion about the Mr. & Mrs. Smith TV show, but we hold on to those thoughts until Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Part 2) comes to a mission near you soon. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet.

We are back with a classic Romance in Action from 1986: The Big Easy. We have Dennis Quaid practicing the art of seduction with Ellen Barkin amid a murder investigation. With a seedy 80s vibe, they follow a trail of clues that lead them deeper into a corrupt mess in New Orleans. The investigation keeps pulling them apart making us wonder: Will they or won’t they? Annette Wierstra with Deborah Stanish and Shelly Brisbin.

Our Director Annette Wierstra interviews playwright and writer Reina Hardy in advance of the release of her Hallmark movie Paging Mr. Darcy. They discuss Jane Austen, conferences, Regency dancing, and casting Austen heroes. They also dive into how one gets into writing a Hallmark movie, the logistics of writing a screenplay, and the experience of having your script come to life. Annette Wierstra with Reina Hardy.

I’m freeing my squee about this new podcast on the Incomparable. Drs. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet asked me to join them on Free The Squee for their holiday episode about Round and Round, the time loop Hanukkah movie. We loved it. And we are sure you will too. To get more Free the Squee, subscribe on your favourite podcatcher, or find them on the Incomparable website: https://www.theincomparable.com/fts/ Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick with Annette Wierstra.

It’s time for our annual holiday movie marathon. Don your Christmas PJs, gather your festive snacks, and get out the Holiday Bingo Cards. Our Agents watched three Christmas movies of varying quality and enjoyed every minute of it. We watched: A Biltmore Christmas Christmas in Notting Hill Where Are You, Christmas? We also discuss other movies we have watched this holiday season: Must Love Christmas Checkin’ it Twice Fit for Christmas Ex-mas Mystery at Mistletoe Lane Merry Mystery Christmas Join us to find out who made “the stupidest peanut butter cookies I’ve ever seen” and a surprising amount of sports talk. *Note that we are ending Season 4 here and we will be back for Season 5 in time for Valentine’s Day. * Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign, Kirsten Goruk and Steven Schapansky.

It’s time for the holidays! And what better way to celebrate than with the Christmas action movie Long Kiss Goodnight with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson? You might think this movie is the antithesis of a Hallmark holiday movie, but it is the struggle between the two sides of amnesiac Samantha/Charlie. Will she stick with the idyllic small-town family life she created or return to the life of an international spy? Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Brian Warren.

For this mission, our Agents discuss Ocean’s 8 as part of our Romance in Action series. How much do we love this all-women heist movie cast? A lot. A lot a lot. Join us as we discuss a fantastic cast of characters, couture fashion, and safe spaces. And of course, we dive right into the romantic tension that underlays this entire film. Bring on the sequel, please. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk and Heather Berberet.

We are back with another Romance in Action with a mission in praise of fluff. Ghosted matches up Chris Evans and Ana de Armas again in a spy/not a spy action adventure. We don’t recommend it as a stalkering road map for finding love IRL, but it is full of chases, OTT villains, and a plot that takes us across the globe. If you want a fun escape with pretty people in nice clothes chasing MacGuffins, this movie is about as deep as you need it to be. Annette Wierstra with Deborah Stanish.

Surprise! We are dropping an extra special episode because we wanted to spend Halloween with you. We’ve got a wonderfully gothic romance for you to read from Uncanny Magazine which will set the perfect seasonal scene. So light some candles, close the doors and windows tight, and join us as we explore Radcliffe Hall by Miyuki Jane Pinckard. Annette Wierstra with James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin and Erika Ensign.

This week’s mission is all about time travel, romance, and saving the human race from destruction by our robot overlords. As we continue our Romance in Action series we chose a classic favourite: 1984’s The Terminator. We are going to talk about the tension, the murder, the time travel, and the naked men. But we are going to focus on Sarah Connor and how great she is as a character and her epic romance story. Come with us if you want to live! Annette Wierstra with Deborah Stanish and Erika Ensign.

Join us for a new series: Romance in Action. We are starting with one of our favourite actors Sandra Bullock in an Action RomCom Miss Congeniality (which definitely did not have a sequel). Over 20 years after it came out, Miss Congeniality still wins our hearts. Are we a Sandra Bullock podcast now? Maybe. Annette Wierstra with Jean MacDonald, Kirsten Goruk and Heather Berberet.

Our Agents did a double mission for this episode going to the Pretty Woman Musical and rewatching the Pretty Woman movie. They begin discussing how a 1990 romcom starring a sex worker held up much better than you might expect and they embrace being Julia Roberts stans. Then they discuss how the musical is good fan service and whether it can hold up to the source material. Put on your tallest boots and shortest skirt and join us! Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk.

Welcome to season 4 of Agents of SMOOCH! We are starting with Queen Charlotte with a very deep dive into the Great Experiment, love and mental health, and tending your garden at any age. The series gave our Agents more feelings than they expected, in the best way. Annette Wierstra with Amanda-Rae Prescott, Sandra Wong, Kathy Campbell and Heather Berberet.

It’s our 100th episode! It’s also our Director’s 50th birthday! That means this episode’s mission is a romantic trope draft. How else would the Agency celebrate? Our agents start by sharing their favourite memories from the past 100 episodes before diving into draft. Join the party and get ready to sniped. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell, James Thomson, Sarah Murphy, Erika Ensign, Shelly Brisbin and Moisés Chiullán.

Our Agents return to 10 Things I Hate About You but this mission investigates the 2009 television show. Director Annette and Agent Erika watch the first episode together for “a mere soupçon of crap.” This leaves the Director with a lot of questions which Erika tries to answer on this solo mission. Join us for 10 Things Erika Hates About 10 Things I Hate About You (the TV Show). For balance, she also lists 10 things she likes (hint: it’s Ethan Peck). Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign.

Our agents gather to discuss Shakespeare turned teen romcom 10 Things I Hate About You from 1999. This is movie beloved by many agents for many reasons such as the soundtrack, Julia Stiles, and improvements on Shakespeare’s original story. Come back to high school and find out why we don’t hate this movie. Not even a little bit. Annette Wierstra with Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Shelly Brisbin, Erika Ensign and Sarah Murphy.

Most of our Agents aren’t fans of Zombies or horror but somehow The Last of Us television series kept them tuning in each episode. If you’ve been with us for a while, you already know why: it was love. Join us as we explore the romantic love, platonic love, parental love, and twisted love that is motivating the action and the characters within this series. Annette Wierstra with Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Kelly Guimont and Christine Jansen.

It is time for our Agents to get into the inspiration for our Pirates series: Season 1 of Our Flag Means Death. This romantic comic pirate series has inspired a lot of feelings from our Agents - not just for our lead characters: Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Black Beard (Taika Watiki) but for the entire crew of misfit pirates. We are excited to bring you on board for this mission while we wait for Season 2 of this adventure on the sea. Annette Wierstra with Kelly Guimont, Quinn Rose and KatyBeth Schmid.

Our Agents continue their pirate mission with a review of all five Pirates of the Caribbean movies. They tackle important questions like: Can a fight scene be too long? What is an acceptable age gap between suitors? When should your Kraken be light and when should it be intense? Join us as we try to focus on the first movie but end up discussing the full series at length. Trigger warning: We talk about the allegations about Johnny Depp from 50 to 62 minutes so you can skip that part or you can skip this whole episode if you prefer. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell, Kirsten Goruk, Shelly Brisbin, James Thomson and Amanda McTaggart.

It’s time for more pirates and the beloved Princess Bride (1987) movie. This is a movie our agents know by heart but they are coming back to after a long period of absence. Does this change our perspective of the classic romantic adventure? We dive right in with a focus on the romance between Princess Buttercup and her Wesley. Is it a great epic romance? They also consider how this story might shift if anyone dared to give it a modern reboot (inconceivable!) or a sequel (looking at you Willow). Drop. Your. Sword. And get ready to skip straight to the kissing parts. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell, James Thomson and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.

Git out yer swords and oversized hats, mateys! It is time for our Falling for Pirates series. Our first swashbuckling mission begins with the romantic, fairytale adventure Stardust, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman. Our agents were happy to run through The Wall to follow this all-star cast in an epic chase with royal intrigue and magic with a side of sky pirates. Annette Wierstra with Quinn Rose, Julia Skott and James Thomson.

Our intrepid romancers are back with the continuation of our Valentine-themed romance RPG. While they literally try to herd cats, it becomes a romantic chase story. Who will find whom? What is happening with Magnus’ kids? Will this Valentine’s Day Dance ever happen? Tune in to join Betty (Kathy), Cameron (Will), Magnus (James), Mayor Miranda (Kirsten), Stella (Shelly), and Ms. Harper (Jean) in this rollicking romance. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell, Will Wagner, James Thomson, Kirsten Goruk, Shelly Brisbin and Jean MacDonald.

A long time ago, for our second anniversary, we recorded a Valentine-themed romance RPG. As we head back into the new year, with our third anniversary fast approaching, we are releasing part one of this delightful, cat-centric romance story. Join Betty (Kathy), Cameron (Will), Magnus (James), Mayor Miranda (Kirsten), Stella (Shelly), and Ms. Harper (Jean) as they try to plan the Valentine Dance of their dreams. This is our second romantic role-playing game using the Warmer in Winter game from Will Lentz. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell, Will Wagner, James Thomson, Kirsten Goruk, Shelly Brisbin and Jean MacDonald.

It’s that time of year again! We’ve got our ugly sweaters on and some of the agents who are all in the same city gathered for snacks, cocktails, and a daylong holiday movie marathon! We discuss the ineffable definition of chemistry and why some actors have it and some don’t. We also evaluate the quality of the movies we’ve been watching from a variety of criteria: Is it good/good? Is it bad in the best way? Was there chemistry? Did I have a good bingo card round? Does it remind us of Doctor Who? Were the musicians actually playing? Did it have the worst skating scene ever filmed? Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk, Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

We are back with Season 3 of Agents of SMOOCH. We couldn’t let prime romance movie season pass us by. So we are starting with Lindsay Lohan’s holiday offering: Falling for Christmas. Join our agents as they discuss what worked, what didn’t, which snow was fake, and what makes this a very good movie for our holiday bingo cards. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell and Erika Ensign.

Join our Incomprehensible Agents of SMOOCH for a special Halloween movie commentary. Cue up the 1991 version of The Addams Family and get ready for some serious romantic gazes with the Addams Family. This movie is a family classic but under the surface has a lot of simmering heat that makes it perfect for a romantic Halloween mission. Annette Wierstra with Kathy Campbell, Jean MacDonald and Moisés Chiullan.

A brief announcement from our Director and a preview of what is coming in Season 3 of Agents of SMOOCH on starting October 28. Annette Wierstra.

Join us for a mission of love of Ever After. Is it the perfect retelling of Cinderella? Possibly. For a movie that is 25 years old (seriously, we are all old), it generally holds up. All the Agents on this mission have been watching and rewatching Ever After for all those years and are prepared to pick apart what they like, what they would fix, and why they mute the credit. Get your apple throwing arm ready and join us for our happily ever after. Annette Wierstra with KatyBeth Schmid, Erika Ensign and Moisés Chiullan.

Our Agents revisit a modern classic or perhaps a cult favourite for many of us. A movie about books, authors, readers, and a cognizant watch that is, indeed, Stranger than Fiction. Some of our Agents have seen this movie repeatedly, but we have two Agents coming to it with completely fresh perspectives. We delve into the twists and turns of this movie to decide if this movie holds up and how we feel about Will Ferrell’s performance (variable). We’ve got romance, academics, and Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, and a very academic Dustin Hoffman. Grab a plate of warm cookies fresh out of the oven (trust us), and join us for love and death and taxes. Annette Wierstra with Brian Hamilton, Shelly Brisbin, Jean MacDonald and Moisés Chiullan.

By special Agent request, our Agents are discussing a 2022 independently-published book Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes by Travis Baldree which will be re-released this November through Tor. This warm bath of a book gave us all a warm glow and we just wanted to share that feeling with all of you. Take some DnD style characters in a setting reminiscent of the Forgotten Realms but (mostly) put down your weapons and pull up a chair for a latte and warm pastries. We have so much we want to share with you. Annette Wierstra with James Thomson, Sarah Hendrica Bickerton and Kathy Campbell.