Mostly Murder (But Sometimes Not)

New episode out now! We watched the 2022 film The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the title role. We discuss how Batman actually did detective work, and how his background and upbringing both helped and hindered his investigation among the dark corners of Gotham. We talk about the main villains in the film and their portrayals, debate the success of the movie toeing the line between serious and emo but also silly and funny, and appreciate the nods they gave to the world of Batman and comic books without making it feel overtly cartoonish. We love the cinematography and production design, think that this may have been a low-key anti-Batman film, and have a disagreement about the end message. Katy is not a big fan of the mob, Carrie does not like heavy breathing in her ear, Maddy enjoys boys running around, and Mack shares a story about being an accidental stalker. We also talk about the possible influence of Zodiac and Seven, touch on the homoerotic vibes of Batman and Jim Gordan, get confused by cling wrap, and lament growing older than our superheroes. Listen to hear more about the 1893 World's Fair, the brilliance of John Turturro, our childhood Disney bedsheets, and why Batman is a drag queen. Enjoy!TW:  Fat suits, serial killers, Zodiac, incels, domestic terrorism, classicism

New episode out now! We watched the first episode of the 2023 miniseries A Murder at the End of the World. We discuss the main character Darby, a “Gen Z Sherlock”, and get into her strengths and weaknesses as an investigator. We believe she is entirely too trusting of billionaires and their agendas, wonder if she is naive or just careless with her life, and appreciate the other realistic characters and their grey moral decision to seek shady money for admirable projects. We ponder the prevalence of the same older music in entertainment, get into the current culture surrounding tech billionaires and AI, and discuss the ramifications of no longer living in a monoculture. Katy forgot Dakotas were states, Carrie is a true genius and unrecognized in her time, Maddy has Annie Lennox stuck in her head, and Mack is ravaged by the weariness of his own bones. We also think ending a series with a cliffhanger should be illegal, hear an incredible Count Orlok impression, and discuss using iTunes shuffle to give meaning to your life. Listen to hear more about Jedi bombs, scumbag tattoos, St. Elsewhere, great music for mountain driving, rat guys, and the sounds of Saturn's rings. Enjoy!TW: Tech billionaires, AI, serial killers, domestic abuse, gaslighting, climate change

New episode out now! We watched an episode from the second season of Psych, titled “Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion”. We love how fun and quippy the show is, utilizing the familiar hyper-observant-detective trope in a new-ish way. We dig into the character relationships, discussing the balance and strength of Shawn and Gus' friendship as well as the father-son relationship of Shawn and Henry and how it evolves—although we do also believe everyone in the show needs therapy. We love Psych's early adoption of meta references, enjoy the consistent bits, wonder how Gus has time for his hobbies, and really appreciate the multiple homage episodes and their casting of ‘80s and ‘90s cult film guest stars. Katy is on crab TikTok, Carrie shares an excellent grilled cheese-based metaphor, Maddy would love an arcade birthday, and Mack tells a wild misheard lyrics story. We also do a collective Doofenshmirtz impression, decide who the least problematic Beatle is, appreciate Shawn's relationship advice, and list shows that were filmed in Vancouver. Listen to hear more about ephemeral fame, New Zealand accents, sexualized restaurant names, and ‘80s music. Enjoy! (You hear about Pluto? That's messed up.)TW: police, eating disordersShow Notes/References:Psych WikiPsych Pineapple websiteList of Pineapple AppearancesKaty meant Lesley Ann Warren, not Lesley Ann Howard

Bonjour! New episode out now! We watched the first episode of the French crime show Candice Renoir. We discuss our enjoyment of Candice and her approach to policing, drawing on her intuition and skills as both a professional and a mother, and how that causes strife within the team she is placed in charge of. We talk about the challenges in understanding some of the nuances in a different language and culture, but how that also made it fun. We touch on the somewhat mysterious and confusing hierarchy used by police and military units, discuss the pros and cons of doing procedural television for multiple seasons, and try to pronounce French names and terms with varying success. Katy sneaks in a Seinfeld reference, Carrie has read this whole show, Maddy tells a fun hospital story about weird brains, and Mack got Inception-ed by Aretha Franklin. We also believe being called “Barbie” is not an insult, wonder how much fandom can really influence media, enjoy foreign media's depiction of Americans, and discover Discord is amazing for pun-based comedy. We touch on gay Star Wars characters, Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 marking the passage of time, Columbo, and the marimba. Apprécier!TW: Child abuse, sex work, suicide, fatphobia, misogyny

New episode out now! We spent some time with the Belcher family and watched 2022's The Bob's Burgers Movie. We cover the dynamics of the Belchers and how Bob and Linda's relationship with each other and their children is so great, love the town they live in and how it is full of a community of weirdos who support each other, think that the children feel like real kids and they also make great detectives, and really enjoy the voice talent. We loved that although it felt very like the show in how it included asides, daydreams, and fun musical numbers, it had an elevated quality, a more involved plot with a mystery, and still utilized hand drawn animation. Katy got scared watching Jaws by herself in the dark, Carrie has many tickets to the orchestra, Maddy did not find cars important as a baby, and Mack is a ground down 30-year-old. We talk about being grossed out by skeleton teeth falling IN YOUR MOUTH, delve into the complexities of fantasies and daydreams, decide yet again Carrie should never watch The Thing, and share our favorite childhood toys we still have kicking around. We also cover rich people, Kurt Russell's hotness, nice teenage boys, the reality of Stars Hollow, and spear guns. (Also we have confirmed Hornsley's birthday is March 31st). Enjoy!TW: Capitalism, misogyny, economic disparity, animal harm depicted in film

New episode out now! We watched the first episode of the ‘90s British mystery series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, titled “The Bearded Lady”. We discuss the character of Hetty and how she feels a little bit different than other characters who fit the “older lady who solves mysteries” description, and have differing opinions on whether or not we even like her. We try to figure out what actually happened in the episode with varying success, wonder if audiences are treated more with kid gloves nowadays, get confused by science experiments, and disagree on whether Dominic Monaghan has an “English cheekiness” quality but enjoyed him as the teen sidekick anyway. Katy tries to make excuses for Hetty and fails, Carrie does not want anyone in her home, Maddy harkens back to MapQuest days, and Mack shares a childhood memory. We also make fun of our mental scripts for hosting, would not put anything past the ruling class, reminisce about watching LOST live on air, and love libraries. Listen to hear more about Bluey, children being used by detectives, shrimp paste, and Scooby-Doo. Enjoy!TW: Scientific experimentation without consent, hormonal changes, difficulties of being an unhoused person, censorship of trans people, mention of human sterilization

New episode out now! We have a slightly different encounter with the figure of Agatha Christie in the Doctor Who episode “The Unicorn and the Wasp”. We talk about the Doctor and his relationship with Donna, truly enjoy the actor's chemistry throughout the show, and uncover how much this episode utilized tropes that came directly from both Christie's books and the adaptations of her stories. We discuss the way Doctor Who depicts real people throughout history, and how well this depiction of Agatha Christie may have compared to the real person and her real-life struggles. We also debate insect anatomy when the insect is also an alien, have a discussion about the limitations and ability of the TARDIS for language translation, and discover we all stopped watching the show around the same time without realizing. Katy mixes up her Shakespeare plays, Carrie makes a Transformers reference, Maddy flashes back to her 2009 fashion choices, and Mack shares a fairly gross detail about facial hair. We experience in real time the drawbacks to using AI, ponder the goals of pants, have some light debates about what constitutes a monster for certain romance novels, and dislike how mysteries involving sci-fi or the supernatural put the viewer at a disadvantage as we lack the usual tools to follow along. We also touch on the Ghoul Boys, charming CGI, symmetrical white males, and TARDIS impersonations. Enjoy! PS there are some Doctor Who spoilers concerning more recent iterations so be warned!  TW: Racism, insects, unexpected loss of pregnancy  NOTES:  The podcast Katy mentioned is called The Swinging Christies, Spotify link here. Katy meant Much Ado About Nothing, not The Taming of the Shrew. David Tennant and Catherine Tate starred in a production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Wyndham's Theatre in 2011.  The house filming location was Llansannor Court in Wales but does not seem to have been used for any Jane Austen adaptations.

New episode out now! We revisit the world of Alfred Hitchcock with 1954's Dial M For Murder. We talk about the visual style of the film and how it was influenced by the decision to shoot with a new 3-D camera rig, are impressed by the use of shadows and score to increase the suspense, enjoyed watching Tony evolve his plan when things went wrong, and discuss the first appearance of both the stereotypical “Hitchcock blonde” and Grace Kelly in particular in his films. We touch on the similarities we see between the film and other Hitchcock movies as well as Columbo and Poirot, try to figure out where we've seen the actors before, and admit we kinda wanted to see the murder succeed just to see a satisfying plan come together. Katy cannot pronounce names or remember things, Carrie knows a real finger when she sees one, Maddy has to plan very carefully when going to a movie, and Mack is the Keymaster. We also discuss new terms for a secret male lover, ponder the ubiquity of a pencil-thin mustache in these noir films, and compare a scene from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh to one of an English judge ordering the death penalty . We touch on movie theater soda blends, Mouse Trap, auditing your keyring, and the evolution of the car selling process. Enjoy! And special thanks to Jason for compiling a very helpful dossier- find him on Letterboxd under JKHenson89 here! TW: Capital punishment, gaslighting

Extra special episode out now! For this year's holiday treat, Quizmaster Mack designed a whole game show for us to play - again! We play four different games, each one tied to our podcast in some way. We play Aside From That again to confront how often we veer off topic, make guesses about sequels to things we covered, see if we can tell what show a piece of generic background music came from, and learn about off-the-wall mystery media we probably will not be covering. Katy subsists on chemicals, Carrie only knows some Peanuts characters, Maddy gets upset again about medical misrepresentation, and Mack hates The Good Dinosaur. We also air a few grievances, learn what emesis means, reveal some embarrassing facts, and learn a super cool spy trick Carrie may or may not have done. Listen to hear Mack being a clever and delightful game show host, who has also created an incredible musical world- in more ways than one! And after the games, we have a familiar Casemas treat! Enjoy, and happy holidays! TW: Child death, modern day sex pests

New episode out now! We watched the pilot episode of the British mystery show The Last Detective, starring Peter Davison as DC “Dangerous” Davies. We talk about the main character and how his whole vibe seemed to be just “normal” and “nice”, and how he utilizes that vibe to get people to really talk to him. We have a discussion about the evolution of British vs American humor and debate whether this show can be labeled a comedy in any way or more a “dramatic cop show with small comedy elements”. We enjoy how it explored the real trauma a family goes through when the worst happens, and appreciated how it portrayed the messiness, randomness, and complexity implicit in human nature. Katy forgot about the Roman Empire, Carrie shares a fun fact about Mormans, Maddy was actually compelled, and Mack worries about remembering where he was at all times. We also talk about council estates (again), learn some Doctor Who family connections, wonder if you can eat fruit from a green burial, and get jealous at European transit. Listen to hear more about Madonna music rights, JSTOR, tithing, Carrie laughs, and gender swapping RPG campaigns. Enjoy!  TW: Chris Hardwick, generational trauma, sexual assault, cancer

New episode out now! We revisit the world of Thomas Harris with the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs. We get into the dynamics of Clarice and Hannibal and how their relationship is portrayed, commending both actors for their work, but wish we saw more of Clarice's internal journey. We admire the cinematography and sets, with the camera's POV of Clarice being both compelling and unnerving, and talk about the realities of the cells that were created to hold Hannibal. We again discuss how the depiction of Buffalo Bill explores fear mongering about trans people but is not a representation of actual trans people, think that Hannibal almost evolved into a caricature through pop culture, debate the genre of this film, and still hate Chilton. We touch on the rise of mainstream true crime, wonder if the growing prevalence of violence in media may explain how we responded differently to the film than our parents, and learn about various inspirations Anthony Hopkins used for his portrayal. Katy acted heroically by putting a package on the porch, Carrie paid close attention to details in Baldur's Gate 3, Maddy lives out a meme in real life, and Mack shares a fun fact about a Buzz Lightyear toy. We also get disappointed by the lack of flaying, wonder if bug enthusiasts can be endearing, and have a very long discussion about where Hannibal kept the pen. Listen to hear more about cornfields, Emperor Palpatine, bee unions, bald eagle noises, and practical advice to keep you out of the ER. Enjoy! TW: Serial killers, body mutilation, cannibalism, gender reaffirming surgery, outdated transgender terminology, misrepresentation of the transgender experience, fear mongering about trans people, misogyny, law enforcement power dynamics, mental institutions, insects Show Notes: CBS did produce a show about Clarice Starling, called Clarice. It ran for one season in 2021; there was an attempt to move to Paramount+ for a second season but it didn't happen. Katy meant she gets Jodie Foster confused with Holly Hunter, not Helen Hunt. She gets Holly Hunter confused with Helen Hunt. She does NOT get Jodie Foster confused with Helen Hunt. 

New episode out now! We watched the mystery-adjacent coming-of-age film Now and Then (1995). We discuss the more nuanced depiction of girlhood and the evolution of female friendships, talk about growing up in the 1970s and how the world has changed, lament how the film was not as popular with critics like similar films with boys, and discuss how it touches on the difficulties of confronting your younger self and coping mechanisms around those who knew you growing up. We also talk about our changing relationship with the film over the last few decades, are impressed by the big hitter ‘90s cast but especially the girls, cover the detective work they actually do, and reveal that the excellent soundtrack has burned itself into our subconscious. Katy got into Dave Matthews Band to be cool, Carrie really loves a drum, Maddy draws the line at dresses over pants, and Mack recites some poetry. We reminisce about our own childhoods, begrudgingly admit our dad has some good music taste, comment on fashion trends of the 1990s, and still don't understand some of the movie's references. We also talk about great swears, 1970s television, red rover, lesbians, pushing people into water, and Grinch 2000. And one of us has seen this film more than 30 times but missed that there's a whole ghost in it - give it a listen to learn who! Enjoy! TW: Anorexia, childhood trauma, fatphobia, diet culture, generational trauma, body dysmorphia, grief, faking an accidental drowning, Vietnam War, government misinformation, divorce  Show Notes: ‘Now and Then' at 25: Girlhood Finally Taken Seriously article (Unfortunately behind the NYT paywall but still good if you can read it)

New episode out now, and it's our 100th episode! We celebrate by finally playing a board game together, the 1975 game 221B Baker Street: The Master Detective Game. With a board similar to Clue, we read a mystery card at the start (in this instance, “The Adventure of the Unholy Man”) and then roll the die to travel throughout London's different locations and pick up clues. We did encounter some expected challenges turning a board game into an audio medium (we recorded this in person! All together! In a large room!), so please allow us some grace in departing from our normal superb audio quality. We did try to cover up the person reading their clue to the listener without the other three hearing by humming songs, and it mostly worked. Katy is statistically significant, Carrie tries and fails to be sincere, Maddy knows about Hamlet exclusively through The Lion King, and Mack needs to look out for Enrique Iglesias. We do not believe in the honor system among siblings, stress we don't cheat at Clue and are just very observant, think that Mom likes us all equally but for different reasons, and have a minor argument about who actually won. We also dig into our musical history by humming Vivaldi, Muppet songs, Chappell Roan, Star Wars, Beethoven, CCR, The Phantom of the Opera, and more. We do recommend listening with headphones as the audio quality is not our usual standard, but our goal was more to celebrate together and enjoy each other's company (ew). Have fun listening and being a fly on the wall at an O'Brien game night!  Show Notes: Spotify Playlist of the songs we hum! Board Game Geek entry for the game can be found here

New episode out now! We delve into the strange dreamscape of David Lynch's 1986 film Blue Velvet. We discuss how the movie was conceived mostly through thoughts and feelings, and while it feels like a somewhat creepy nostalgia-tinted stream of consciousness, it has a fairly straightforward mystery plot after it all plays out. We reaffirm that Lynch is “still weird” and has his subversive way of examining the world, wonder which drugs were involved in making the movie, enjoy the nebulous pocket universe of a 1950s/1980s time period, and really understand how it received a polarized reception from critics and movie fans alike. We were emotionally unprepared for the film but had a good discussion debating the themes of “traumatized innocence”, misogyny, perversion, generational trauma, and men being creeps. Katy tells a story about the first time she saw Top Gun, Carrie shares a fact about a pickled ear in a jar, Maddy is a connoisseur of cute butts, and Mack gives some important tips to keep in mind when visiting Bunker Hill. We also talk about weird de-aging CGI, speculate on a Lynchian Return of the Jedi, try impressions of a famous bird, and share our favorite cheap beers. We would like to give a special thank you to Jason Henson, a friend of Carrie's, for his dossier of great information on the movie! Thank you Jason! Enjoy the episode listeners! TW: Sexual assault, domestic abuse, rape, drug use, voyeurism, coerced sex work, trafficking, misogyny, stalking, body mutilation, bullying, police corruption  Show Notes and Sources: David Lynch Theater YouTube Laura Dern Song Video (the Laura Dern part begins 2:05):  Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Take The Stage | 2020 Spirit Awards Tumblr post Katy mentioned about the changes in film lighting techniques and practice: here “Blue Velvet: AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID LYNCH” by Laurent Bouzereau and David Lynch, from Cinéaste , 1987, Vol. 15, No. 3 (1987), p. 39. JSTOR link here Jason Henson's Letterboxd  Jason's Sources for Carrie's dossier: Wild Card with Rachel Martin from NPR: David Lynch says he 'died a death' over the way his 'Dune' film turned out "Eraserhead is my most Spiritual Film" - David Lynch Wikipedia for Ronnie Rocket IndieWire article by Jamie Righetti: “‘Blue Velvet' Remembered: Isabella Rossellini and Kyle MacLachlan Praise David Lynch's On-Set Environment” Wikipedia for Ingrid Bergman about her relationship with Roberto Rossellini here Interview Magazine Dennis Hopper Part Two By Peter M. Brant and Tony Shafrazi The News Observer New NC film grant program comes with strings attached By Colin Campbell NYT contemporary review by Janet Maslin Blue Velvet | Review by Pauline Kael Washington Post contemporary review By Paul Attanasio  The 2022 edition of Sight & Sound Magazine's Greatest Films of All Time poll Box Office Mojo info

New episode out now! We cover the season two episode of Elementary “Dead Clade Walking”, starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as a modern-day Holmes and Watson living in New York City. We talk about this version of the duo compared to the books, and how the characters and their dynamic were adapted to become a CBS procedural. We appreciate the show's treatment of addiction and how it affects the characters in short and long term ways, and discuss how in this particular episode the mystery was almost secondary to Sherlock's struggles and growth as a sponsor. We enjoy the realistic and thought-out mannerisms imbued into the characters, think the wardrobe choices are excellent, are relieved by the lack of romance, and love that Sherlock remains a drama queen. Katy brags again about her single semester of geology, Carrie thinks paleontologists can't be attractive or it's suspicious, Maddy makes a great Lord of the Rings joke no one catches, and Mack shares his fossilization grift. We also reveal our family's version of the Irish Goodbye, discuss the nonsense within but occasional necessity for academia, learn about dinosaurs and their relative time within the geological world, and get judgemental about shallot cutting techniques. Listen for more about learning languages, Sue the T. rex, trepanation as a metaphor, John Noble's filmography, cyclops myths, and the legacy of Styrofoam. Enjoy! TW: Drug addiction and recovery, autism spectrum, early taxidermy Show Notes: 2017 Scientific American article “Dinosaurs and the Anti-Shrink-Wrapping Revolution” 2013 Atlas Obscura article “An Overstuffed Taxidermy Walrus Comes Home” about the Horniman Walrus. The museum's object page is linked here. 2024 Discover Magazine Article “One-Eyed-Looking Mammoth Fossils May Have Inspired Origins of the Cyclops” From Wikipedia: “The Lion of Gripsholm Castle is a notable example of a poorly performed taxidermy located in Gripsholm Castle, Sweden. The lion is badly stuffed and is considered to have a comically deformed face”.  2011 Mental Floss article “The Lion of Gripsholm Castle” 2011 Buzzfeed article “Hilariously Bad Lion Taxidermy”

New episode out now! It's an epic one - we all played the entirety of Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, a 2021 update of the popular 2019 game where you play an amnesiac detective coming off a three-day bender trying to solve a murder in war-ravaged Revachol. We cover the gameplay and how you essentially had to embrace failure, and how the choices you make in the dialogue weave a tapestry of interactions and side quests that made us question our politics, morals, and even our existential existence. We talk about how all the characters were shades of gray and were not all morally bad or good, discuss the division between plot and story and the journey you went on as Harry, and thought that Kim Kitsuragi was the absolute best. We also compare our individual play strategies and what stats and trophies we ended up with, get surprised that our emotions could lie to us, and were ultimately frustrated with the eventual reveal of the killer even though that was also somewhat the point. Katy questioned her own reality, Carrie gets sad about a car, Maddy sings a number of times, and Mack doesn't want to live an examined life. We also play around with some voice acting, get excited about teleportation, question governmental power, and learn the class war is never over. Listen to hear more about smelling gum wrappers, cryptids, Maddy testing Tim, communism, cool swords, and doing drugs. HARDCORE! TW: Racism, homophobia, drug use, child abuse, fatphobia, rape, nuclear war, slurs, suicide, termination of pregnancy, communism, fascism, classism, alcoholism

Zoinks! There's a new episode out now! We revisit Mystery Inc. with the 2002 live-action film, Scooby-Doo. We learn about the original script and story and how much it differed from the final product, wonder if Scooby wasn't depicted well or just had bad CGI, love the real sets and production design, and again discuss the queer subtext of the gang. We get into the extreme 2000s of it all, including the push for hetero-normative relationships and capital F Feminism, the generic racism, the extreme gelled hair, and Sugar Ray. We commend the actors/casting and think they did an excellent job with a sub-par script, making the cartoon characters feel real but not too real, and again praise Matthew Lillard in particular. Katy shares a Bob's Burgers theory, Carrie adds a movie to her “Never” list, Maddy thought the music was banging, and Mack is confident he could make a disco skull. We also recover some repressed memories, try not to (and fail) to bring up Buffy, test out some impressions, and discuss the odd attention to wig and hair choices. Listen to hear more about Hot Dog Water, Canada's 2002 music charts, Greek mythology, Barbie, and Bones. Jinkies! TW: Homophobia, casual racism, generalized depiction of both “tiki” and voodoo culture SHOW NOTES:Canada's Top 200 Alternative Albums of 2002 from Jamshobiz

New episode out now! We delve into the world of Monk with the season 4 episode “Mr. Monk and the Astronaut”. We discuss the character of Adrian Monk, propose the idea that the show exists in a slightly different reality, debate how it balances representation vs accuracy vs commercialism, and believe the long-term success hinged on the incredible talents of Tony Shalhoub (and an excellent theme song). We get into how the show portrays living with OCD and the situational depiction of the disorder; we cover varied opinions from people who live with it and wonder at the intentions of the writers and the studio along with the acting and directing choices. We appreciate that Monk goes to therapy and like that we see him react and then reflect, think the villain Wagner has horrible taste in cocktails but a pretty great alibi, love Captain Stottlemeyer (and all his roles), and are unenthused by the character of Natalie. Katy coins a new word, Carrie dusts off her psychology degree, Maddy believes children are evil beasts, and Mack is a Spy Kids franchise connoisseur. We also wonder if we would recognize an astronaut out and about in the street, cannot imagine owning a house, get mad at the inaccurate use of barbiturates, and reflect on the majesty of 2000s children's movies. Give it a listen to hear about laser pointers, Daddy Captain, YouTube compilations, garage doors, and men failing upward. Enjoy! TW: Pop culture/ incomplete depictions of obsessive-compulsive disorder/OCD, mental health issues, suicide, domestic abuse, slave catching as the foundation for modern American policing, Henry Kissinger, 2008 economic crisis Show Notes: International OCD Foundation Educational Resources Centre for Addiction and Mental Health OCD Resources (Canada) OCD UK (UK) Anxiety & Depression Association of America Useful Online Resources from The Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt BeyondOCD.org  Behind the Police podcast from Robert Evans The Mary Sue article “As Someone With OCD, I Have Complicated Feelings About the Return of ‘Monk'” by Sarah Barrett Psychology Today article “Why "Monk" Stunk” by Fletcher Wortmann The Mighty article “What I Want to Tell Tony Shalhoub From 'Monk' as Someone With OCD” by Emily N.  Reddit thread “If you have OCD, what do you think Monk portrays well? What do you think they got wrong or left out?”

New episode out now! We cover the first episode of Prime Suspect 1973 (or Prime Suspect: Tennison if you're American), a 2017 prequel series about the early days of Jane Tennison's law enforcement career. We enjoyed the more nuanced take it had regarding many things, including how the detectives treated drug users, how they presented the autopsy scene, and the time the show spent on the grief of the family. We discuss the differences in how the women of the police force are treated versus the men, talk about how they establish “good cop” Len Bradfield and the “bad cops” of the other detectives, love the character of Morgan and how competent she is, and continue to not understand London police organization. We love the 1970s setting and think it really adds a whole other level to the show; the costumes, set decoration, and especially the excellent music selection really enhanced the vibe. Katy points out multiple obvious things, Carrie was not impressed by the wigs, Maddy leads a moment of silence, and Mack thought there were too many greasy white boys. We also discuss the trope of a quirky medical examiner and how shows try to deal with the reality of a dead body, get excited about radios and ticker tape, learn Carrie was right about London buildings being cleaner, and do not approve of puking on screen. Listen to hear more about bleached Henry Cavill, British accents, Scone Palace, Night Court, and more! Plus, try to figure out which one of us had Covid while recording, which one was hungover, and which one had a few audio dropouts fixed in post! Enjoy! TW: Drug addiction, sex work, sex work of a minor, murder of a sex worker, police abuse, misogyny, quality of low income housing, Grenfell Tower fire Show Notes: It should be noted that one theory as to why the police force seemed to be more delicate/nonchalant about the drug use and methadone clinic is that this does take place both in the UK and pre-Reagan and the “War On Drugs”, which very much criminalized and villainized drug use, especially in communities of lower income. The focus shifted to criminalization and prison rather than any sort of addiction treatment or rehabilitation.  One possible origin of the quirky coroner/medical examiner is the Canadian show Wojeck that aired from 1966-1968, about a “coroner who regularly fights moral injustices raised by the deaths he investigated”. According to Wikipedia this was the first Western TV series to feature forensic pathology as the main investigative resource for crime solving. This show then inspired Quincy, M.E., a popular American show that aired from 1976-1983 about a LA County medical examiner, who was more quirky than the coroner character in Wojeck. About the Grenfell Tower fire from Wikipedia: “On 14 June 2017, a high-rise fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of flats in North Kensington, West London, at 00:54 BST and burned for 60 hours. Seventy people died at the scene, and two people died later in hospital, with more than 70 injured and 223 escaping”. More details here from Wikipedia and here from the BBC. 

New episode out now! We watched the pilot episode of the 1980's dramedy Moonlighting, starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. We enjoy the chemistry and visual comedy work of the two leads and think they were both excellent, discuss the prevalence of the banter and how it dominates the dialogue of the show, learn a little bit about the production struggles, and call out the many recognizable guest stars who make an appearance. We talk about how this was “appointment TV” for so many people and how it remains a top show on many “Best Of” lists, absolutely love the ‘80s lifestyles and hair, and wonder if Bruce Willis' contemporary charm helped David seem not as creepy in his initial stalker-ish and pushy behavior. We also cover the somewhat confusing mystery plot, make guesses at what 1980s computers can do, and realize we cannot compare everything to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Katy misinterprets an apparently common phrase, Carrie tries to be cool with new lingo, Maddy fixates on the butts, and Mack finds certain driving practices unforgivable. We also discuss proper diamond storage, make many Friends and Murder She Wrote references, learn about Orson Welles' last role, and believe we should protect furries to save the internet. Listen to hear more about misunderstanding tax write-offs, barefoot running, ladder physics, confusing “Maddy” for “Maddy”, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Enjoy! TW: Nazis, Holocaust diamonds, Woody Allen, misogyny Show Notes: “Why Downtown Los Angeles's Architecture Is So Diverse | Walking Tour - Architectural Digest” Video IndieWire article “‘Moonlighting' Dangled Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd Off a Building for Its Very First Episode — Here's How”

New episode out now! We discuss the first episode of the Australian show Mystery Road, titled “Gone”. We talk about the familiar concept of “big city detective in small town” and how this show handled it, compare the town vibes and the inhabitants to others we are familiar with, and really enjoy how the cinematography highlights the vast otherness of the landscape. We admire the detective skills of Jay Swan, although we have reservations on how he gets his information and wonder if he is justified in withholding said information from the local police force. We also realize we are not that familiar with Australian media in general, and make a number of guesses regarding slang, geography, and how colonialism and racism shaped modern Australia differently than it shaped America. Katy is not familiar with meth, Carrie loses her breath over her own joke, Maddy is revisiting 2004 via an important historical record, and Mack calls out Minnesota in a harsh way. We also question why people live in harsh places, give suggestions on smooth brain content, learn how lucrative cattle rustling is, and wonder why How I Met Your Mother did not hold up as much as older sitcom shows. We touch on things like cowboy hats, Irish foreheads, adults watching children's programming, and Red Dead Redemption 2 yet again. Give it a listen!  TW: Colonialism, racism, pedophilia, drug use and addiction, cattle for food, brief mention of teen pregnancy and rape Show Notes: The animated children's shows Jason Mantzoukas recommended on TV, I Say w Ashley Ray were Hilda and City of Ghosts, both on Netflix

New episode out now! We are finally covering the original literary Sherlock Holmes, after reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book "The Valley of Fear". We discuss the textual characters of Holmes and Watson, and realize they are both very dramatic characters in their own ways. We analyze the way Sherlock investigates and how he shows his work, debate his ethical judgment and how his need to show off may have led to more death, and discuss the obsession with Moriarty compared to his presence in the books. We also talk about the contextual history of these stories concerning Victorian attitudes towards male relationships and how they were - or were not- allowed to bond, lament the way women are written about by Doyle and debate Holmes' attitude towards them, and wonder at the patriarchal male need to create opportunities to feel powerful and earn status. Katy pronounces denouement wrong yet again, Carrie gives some eyebrow waggles, Maddy deserves a large amount of credit and grace, and Mack does not care about being rude to us. We also cover the exceptional Knowledge of London cabbies and how it changes their brain, make guesses about what is in an almanac, and one of us even wrote a mysterious haiku. Listen to hear more about men-only clubs, “rubber ducking”, old shady banks, mob pensions, and sawed-off shotguns in Red Dead Redemption 2. And ONE of us quotes Brennan Lee Mulligan - but it's not Mack! Enjoy!  PS. Thank you to Maddy for completing the assignment on time - she deserves all the credit and the other three are horrible procrastinators.   TW: Misogyny, Victorian views on homosexuality, shotgun wounds, indigenous trauma concerning forced removal, union gangs 

New episode out now! We watched the first episode of Inspector Morse, a staple of British detective television and inspiration for two further series. We dig into the character of Morse and how he is presented in the show, discussing how his interests and flaws are weaved into the narrative and also how he goes about solving cases with “unorthodox” methods. We like Lewis and appreciate his agency, enjoy the music and choral singing, analyze the character's living spaces, and debate how the morality of the 1980s drove the motive. We also talk about how the mystery is not spoon fed to the audience; the story was complicated and Morse got things wrong which was a surprising but enjoyable aspect, even if it made us confused. Katy accidentally slighted Jeremy Sumpter, Carrie enjoys live music performed well, Maddy longs for a quaint life, and Mack has opinions about handwriting. We talk about annoying puzzles, guess what American crime procedurals are popular across the pond, share stories about empty restaurants that may be fronts, and ask the age old question - gay or Oxford student? We also touch on real ale, repointing, sacred harp singing, and fish smells. And something quite incredible happens for the first time in the podcast's history…give it a listen to find out what! Enjoy! TW: death by suicide, binge drinking, blackmail, classicism, drug addiction, suspected incest Show Notes: Batman sound effect we used Link to short YouTube video about sacred harp singing by Awake Productions The episode of Endeavour Katy was remembering is series 1, episode 3, titled “Rocket”.

New episode out now! We watched the 1980 mystery comedy The Private Eyes, starring Tim Conway and Don Knotts. We debate what the movie was aiming for between mystery and satire, wonder who the audience was intended to be, have issues figuring out if things were jokes or clues, and perhaps read too much into the actual plot. We learn the script was written in two days, and then subsequently wonder if the casting of two beloved comedy actors did a lot of the work in pumping up the humor of the film. We also feel that the Biltmore Estate lent a lot to the visuals, have issues with the casual '70s racism, think Mel Brooks was a big influence, and really like the Scooby-Doo of it all - with the epitome of a mysterious cloaked figure. Katy worried that ghosts were real, Carrie doesn't think Don Knotts is funny, Maddy has Biltmore blindness, and Mack knows who Richard Nixon is. We talk about Vulcan humor and what is unintentionally funny about old Star Trek, lament that it's difficult for kids today to learn about older pop culture, pitch The Carol Burnett Show TikTok, and channel The Mickey Mouse Club. We also cover castle architecture, funny pigeon bits, air quotes, Old Glory, and secret passages. Give it a listen and enjoy! TW: Racist stereotypes, tongue mutilation, Santa Claus mythology, harm to animals, sexism Show Notes: Link: The Dentist Sketch from The Carol Burnett Show  Link: Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on breaking up on-camera Link: Carol Burnett discusses Harvey Korman and Tim Conway 1:21 - “I think Conway's goal in life is to destroy Harvey.” TikTok link to the men reenacting the French taunter from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

New episode out now! We watched Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the 2005 black comedy from Shane Black, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer. We talk about the modernization of 1940's noir tropes and how the film both parodies and utilizes them, pick apart the astounding 2000s of it all via the weird misogyny and homophobia, touch on the theme of abuse fathers running throughout, and compare both main characters to Maddy's favorite detective, Philip Marlowe. We discuss the use of narration and fourth wall breaking in films, love the clever quippiness of the dialogue, and are a bit surprised by the number of both guns and deaths in the film. We also realize none of us really understood the whole plot but decide that doesn't matter as the movie was fun regardless. Katy was influenced by Empire magazine yet again, Carrie drops some quick book knowledge, Maddy shares a “deeply scarring” interaction, and Mack creates an interesting list. We also guess things about Val Kilmer, talk about how we deal with getting older, learn facts about director Shane Black, and discover that different platforms have different subtitles. Listen to hear more about biblical undergarments, favorite Batmans, Psych, and more!  And if you have any creative yet profane Lord of the Rings names, let us know! Enjoy! TW: Misogyny, homophobia, drugs, incest, sexual abuse of a child, severing of a finger

Extra special episode out now! For our holiday episode this year, the wonderful Mackenzie designed and ran a one session role playing mystery game - set in the North Pole! The premise imagines the world of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion 1970s Christmas specials if it persisted to this day. Santa has called upon three of the best detectives in the Tinkerton Detective Agency to help solve the disappearance / possible murder of Frosty the Snowman. They explore the world of the North Pole, including Christmastown, Frostburg, and more, while questioning suspects that may be familiar… and in the meantime, Katy cannot do math, Carrie has an excellent sense of smell, Maddy channels her inner Marlowe, and Mack shares his voice acting talent. Give it a listen to hear us all go on a wonderful holiday mystery adventure! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Show Notes: The game format Mack used is from Micro Mysteries! by Tom Gray. It can be found here.

New episode out now! We watched the pilot of The Pinkertons, a Canadian period procedural about the beginnings of the Pinkerton Agency in post-Civil War Missouri. We discuss the representation of both Allan Pinkerton and his son Will, as well as one of the earliest female detectives Kate Warne, and wonder how involved the actual Pinkerton agency was in their depiction. We decide it follows basic procedural rules, admire the costume design even if they are not dirty enough, try to diagnose our lackluster feelings about the episode, and talk at length about how it made us want to play Red Dead Redemption 2 instead. (Seriously, this episode is basically half advertisement for RDR2). Katy finds herself defending Canadian television again, Carrie busts out a high-point vocabulary word, Maddy reveals her feelings for bagpipes, and Mack raves about Allan Pinkerton. We talk about the true dangers of the Civil War, compare the weird commercials we saw while watching, share video game stories, and try to remember our confirmation names. We also learn many facts in real time, including why some movies are called spaghetti westerns, what bushwhackers are, and when sunscreen was invented. Listen to hear about wild unboxing stories, the Sultana steamboat, litigation, the sexual energy of Dulé Hill, and more! (Seriously Mack shares so many varied and interesting facts). Enjoy and yeehaw! TW: Anti-Union sentiment, strikebreaking, racism, Southern Confederacy  Show Notes: Wikipedia article about Adam Worth linked here. Wikipedia article about Allan Pinkerton linked here.  Mack meant the villain tried to poison the UK Parliament, not US Congress, in 2009's Sherlock Holmes Mack DOES know Wilson Fisk was Kingpin, not the Punisher, it was just a slip of the tongue. Rockstar Games Hits Back at Real Pinkertons Over ‘Red Dead Redemption 2' Lawsuit Re: The story Katy half remembered: The man who attacked the woman in the apartment was allegedly a Pinkerton employed security guard; the woman's name is Jennifer Morey and you can read about the story here. A YouTube link to the I Survived episode about her is here but be warned it is disturbing. Also, here is a link to the My Favorite Murder episode about it, released September 2016: Episode 33: What About Mimi? Clip from the Drunk History episode Katy mentioned: Drunk History - Allan Pinkerton Protects Abraham Lincoln (ft. Charlie Day and Paget Brewster) The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is in Frederick, Maryland.

New episode out now! We watched the first episode of Top of the Lake, a dark show about traumatic events in rural New Zealand. We discuss the bleakness that pervades the episode both in the subject matter and the cinematography, as well the difficulties we face in covering only the beginning of a story. We debate the need for modern-day detectives to have traumatic pasts in order to do their jobs, deplore the local police force and their apathetic attitudes towards trauma, and have concerns about the environmental setup GJ had planned for her cult of women. We also discuss whether investigators have to be cold or hardened to solve dark crimes, appreciate the subtle use of environmental storytelling, and mention the beauty of the mountains multiple times. Katy is a big supporter of backpacks for adults, Carrie shares facts about kiwi birds, Maddy poignantly quotes The Beatles, and Mack would like to reinvent how cars are sold. We also talk about the oddness of celebrities being in Michigan, think horses are beautiful, mispronounce Marcella again, and share some wild stories from our childhoods about property damage from sibling fights. Listen to hear about Target parking lot mountain vistas, dangerous megafauna, chimp names, and Pushing Daisies! For added fun, count how many times we mention Lord of the Rings! This episode has a lot of sibling energy- enjoy! TW:  Non-fatal suicide attempt, cancer, possible/probable statutory rape, dog death, making light of murder, child molestation, child pregnancy, suggestions of incest, gang rape Show Notes: Katy was incorrect about where Kristen Bell went to high school, it was not Roseville High School. When we say Helen Hunt, we mean Holly Hunter. Apologies to Ms. Hunter for the mistake. Thank you.

We're back with a new episode! We dove into Death on the Nile, the 2022 Kenneth Branagh adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel, and wow do we have thoughts. We get right into it, covering the character of Poirot and how we rank Branagh's version compared to the previous two we explored on the podcast. We talk about the fundamental elements of the detective, and consider why we felt this movie missed the mark. We discuss the lack of connection we had to varying degrees, and wonder how much of it had to do with the “style over substance” approach and how it seemed to cater to a general audience. We did, however, admire the costumes and production design (despite the terrible CGI), thought the actual mystery part was adapted well, and believe the attempts at color conscious casting were at least partially successful. We also agreed that the actors did great work with what they were given, but wish these production studios did more to vet the histories and behavior of who they cast. Katy gets her Marvel movies mixed up, Carrie quietly drops some Cleopatra facts, Maddy questions the historical accuracy of balloon releases, and Mack breaks down the patriarchy (it's not about horses). We wonder why every modern hero needs traumatic backstories, enjoy the addition of lesbians, discuss actors who feel weird in period pieces, and ask Mack to answer the age-old question, “Why do men suck so much?” We also cover bullet sizes, Jurassic Park, the Bryan Cranston Effect, dance floor humping, and unions. Listen to hear an incredible Branagh Poirot impression! “Every decision they made was the wrong decision.” - Carrie TW: Anti-vax views, cannibalism, colonialism, racism, appropriation of ancient and modern Egyptian culture, vore. Mentions of Armie Hammer, Russell Brand, Gal Gadot, Johnny Depp Show Notes: The Adam Sandler SNL vacation video Maddy mentioned can be found here. Carrie would like to apologize for calling Emma Mackey Emma Corey multiple times. The actress who played Jackie is definitely Emma Mackey and she is an incredible talent.

New episode out now! We watched the 1995 neo-noir film The Usual Suspects and got right into the storytelling of it all. We discussed how most of the movie is told from an unreliable narrator's perspective, and tried to decipher what was real and what perhaps wasn't, deciding how that plays into the “mystery” if we cannot know the truth. We also talked about the true goals of Keyser Söze, revealed what our preconceived expectations of the movie were, thought the cinematography was very well done, and dissected the multitude of accents in the film. We enjoyed that it was essentially a movie of great character actors, learned some fun facts about the infamous lineup scene, and realized the end has been spoofed multiple times. Katy needs to know things, Carrie hates littering, Maddy enjoys being right, and Mack shares facts about fresh picked coffee beans. We impart important lessons about Googling a movie while watching it, try to remember specifics about murderers, hear an anecdote about ancient Rome, and are grossed out at a specific moment from the beginning of the film. Give it a listen to hear about Howard the Duck, reusing body bags, Adam Sandler, and the difficulty of trying a Christopher Walken impression. Enjoy! (Disclaimer: There are some very small dropout issues in Mack's summary; we apologize for the quality but rest assured it does not happen the entire episode) TW: Homophobia, faking a disability, Kevin Spacey, Bryan Singer Show Notes: The murderer Mack brought up was indeed the one Katy was thinking of, John List. You can view the Wiki on him here and a Medium article about the aged-up bust used to catch him here.

New episode out now! We watched the first installment of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, “The Murder at Road Hill House”. We cover how this is a pretty faithful adaptation of a horrifying true story, discuss the character of Mr. Whicher and his real history as “the prince of detectives”, and talk about the nature and purpose of justice within flawed systems that are just made up. We also wonder what kind of forensic sciences existed in the 1860s, discuss the influence of class on how the big-city detective interacts with the countryside village and household, and think that the Kent family dynamics are toxic and weird. Katy tries to remember Victorian police facts, Carrie gets infuriated with smarminess, Maddy reveals herself to be anti-monarchy, and Mack wins some big vocabulary points. We also talk about Victorian child labor laws, pitch some new TV shows, lament the state of 1800s medicine, and think this would have benefited from the addition of Henry Cavill's Witcher. Listen now to hear more about studying dinosaurs, the lack of caveman mysteries, delivering bounties in Red Dead Redemption 2, and the perpetualness of boob sweat. Enjoy! TW: Murder of a young child, fratricide, historical high rates of child mortality, infidelity, antiquated medical attitudes towards women Show Notes/Sources:  My Favorite Murder Episode 299: London & England Wikipedia: Jack Whicher   Constance Kent  The Suspicions of Mr Whicher The book Carrie talked about was Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees Short video about jury nullification:  The Law You Won't Be Told (be careful about investigating this topic too much as it can give lawyers and judges the right to deny your place on a jury) TikTok link to Brennan Lee Mulligan telling the story Mack mentioned

New episode out now! We delve into the world of Booth and Brennan in the season 2 episode of Bones, “Spaceman in a Crater”. We talk about what feels different about this show as a procedural, with a focus on literal bones, as well as the tropes it shares with other similar shows. We discuss the possible portrayals of the autism spectrum, wonder who exactly funds the Jeffersonian Medico-Legal Lab, talk about Booth's loyalty to the US, and think that these coworkers are way too into each other's business. We also share our family history with the show, discuss the psychology of astronauts and the obsession with space, and believe that David Boreanaz is a Television Professional(™). Katy gets a common phrase wrong more than once, Carrie is the most competent person on the entire podcast, Maddy gives some great makeup tips, and Mack shares a compelling alien theory. We talk about annoying product placement, discuss whether all animals would eat people if given the chance, make deals regarding phone etiquette, and discover how long you need to polish rocks for. We also theorize about a new type of injury caused by a repetitive action, learn cool facts about coral, and reference at least two different ‘90s sitcoms. Give it a listen! (Also, this episode may not be for Mom. Sorry, Tander). Series spoilers TW: Cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, autistic representations in media, animals eating humans, billionaires  Show Notes: Weightless Cats - Do Space Cats Land On Their Feet? - Video Pentagon declassifies three UFO videos taken by Navy pilots - CNBC article and video from April 28, 2020 UFOs: Five revelations from Nasa's public meeting - BBC article June 1 2023

New episode out now! We played The Wolf Among Us from Telltale Games, a kind of choose-your-own-adventure video game where you solve a mystery set in a twisted underground world filled with characters from fairy tales, myths, and more. We discuss our strategies in making decisions, debate the moral and ethical values of our choices, and ultimately discover how those choices affected the kind of sheriff Bigby Wolf became. We talk about how the familiar characters were interpreted, discuss how poverty and corruption leads to desperate decisions, debate how cruel the villain ended up being, and love the art style and detailed design. We also reveal that ultimately we only cared about TJ, aka Toad Jr., and were more OK with murdering people than with disappointing him. Katy lived a meme in real life, Carrie felt constantly guilty being mean, Maddy gets shocked by a Cinderella translation, and Mack gives a sneak peek into future podcast possibilities. We get into the super dark original versions of fairy tales, talk about the differences between the game and the comics, were unnerved by some of the game prompts, and learn that we have all tried to find a playable online version of Barbie Detective without success. We also cover a new Untitled Goose Game pitch, getting surprised by nudity, the weird mix of character inspirations, and humidity. Give it a listen! And #JusticeForTJ TW: Exploitation and murder of sex workers, political corruption, torture, gore, dark original versions of fairy tales, rape Show Notes: The YouTube video Katy mentioned was “THIS ENDING IS CRAZY Wolf Among Us Episode 1” from RDCWorld Gaming, linked here. The reaction she was talking about starts at 1:51:20.

New episode out now! We watched the original Swedish film adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009), based on the 2005 book by Stieg Larsson. We talk about the extremely dark and jarring themes that are present throughout the story, praise the excellent acting, and discuss how the content is adapted from the book to the film. We compare the intentions, behaviors, and decisions of Mikael and Lisbeth, debate the socioeconomics of being a serial killer and how being a rich man helps one get away with it, and wonder how realistic the portrayal of hacking is. We also really, really abhor the patriarchy, and discuss the different levels of misogynist hate and how it manifests in the film. Katy was overjoyed by the amount of archives, Carrie loves an impressive eyebrow, Maddy is a sucker for a well-adapted book, and Mack gets disappointed by hacker names. We also talk about huge dips in the happiness index, fighting for depressing Oscar roles, and American vs. Swedish jail systems. We cover SpongeBob memes, dead face actors, American Girl dolls, and O'Brien family facts. There are multiple revelations within—This. Episode. Has. Everything! Listen wherever you get your podcasts! TW: Rape, incestual rape, rape by government appointed guardian, Nazis, antisemitism, serial killing of marginalized women, serial killing of Jewish women, corpse mutilation, domestic abuse, patricide, United States prison industrial complex, death by suicide, misogyny Show Notes: This is the video mentioned where Daniel Radcliffe has a roundtable discussion with trans and nonbinary young people: Sharing Space - Episode 1: Daniel Radcliffe Katy was thinking of I Am The Night, a TNT series about a journalist (Chris Pine) and a teen girl (India Eisley) in the 1960s looking for answers and being drawn into secrets surrounding the Black Dahlia cold case. The most recent additions to the American Girl historical collection: Isabel & Nicki Hoffman from 1999

New episode out now! We cover one of Hollywood's most famous noir films, Double Indemnity (1944). We pick apart the moral quandaries and decisions of the main characters, discuss the banter inherent in these types of films, and debate whether or not certain acts took place offscreen. We talk about how the people in these movies seem to fall in love extremely quickly, wonder exactly when Neff created the insurance fraud scheme in his mind, call out the racial stereotyping, and someone laments the continued presence of Raymond Chandler in our podcast. We compare this movie to a few other films we've covered, comment on the sheer amount of cigarette action, and reveal who the actual coolest person in the movie is. Katy is a big fan of a short tie with a high pant, Carrie loves a dictaphone, Maddy thinks that crab mouth parts are incredible, and Mack tells a story about searching for a house. We debate whether lighting a match is code for something, admire actuarial tables, try to decide if we would live in a house where we knew a death had just happened, and appreciate the loosening of relationship deal-breakers since the 1940s. We also talk about autocannibalism, how phone numbers worked, old Hollywood bloopers, and the price of real estate. Give it a listen to hear us all try at least one accent! TW: Death by suicide, age difference in ambiguous relationship, infidelity, racism Show Notes: Katy was thinking of the NATO phonetic alphabet YouTube Links to Old Hollywood Bloopers:  CLASSIC MOVIES Bloopers (1930-50), Old Hollywood Bloopers,  Vintage Hollywood BLOOPERS - Best Compilation  ”Why Did Old Phone Numbers Start With Letters?” - by Nick Greene for Mental Floss  ”The awakening of Norman Rockwell” by Tom Carson for Vox which includes the quote “The Post banned illustrations showing African Americans in anything other than menial roles” which is what Katy was thinking of

New episode out now! We cover Paul Feig's A Simple Favor (2018), a modern-day thriller starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. We dissect the wild twists and turns taken, think that the sapphic undertones were really not that “under,” debate the characters' shifting motivations and loyalties, and decide that no one in this film is all that healthy, mentally. We also talk about the depictions of modern motherhood and the stereotype of a “mommy” clique, delve into the characters' previous trauma, and get distracted by shoes. We think the costumes are essential (especially Blake Lively's), love an adaptive antagonist, get skeeved out by some choices, and discuss the bits of Paul Feig's vibe that appear in the film. Katy gets confused by symbology, Carrie sabotages herself, Maddy creates some cool and hip lyrics, and Mack makes an astute connection to a previous film we covered. We also clear up some misconceptions about the term “house poor,” get confused about names and cars, spot some convenient product placement, and reveal we all took very expressive notes. Listen to hear more of our thoughts about interior decorating, LEGO prices, repurposed Midwestern castles, toy storage, and more! Give it a listen wherever you get your podcasts! TW: Drowning murder, sororicide, incest, infant death in utero, motherhood discussions, religious upbringing trauma, vehicular fatalities, death by suicide

New episode out now! We watched Bong Joon Ho's Memories of Murder (2003), a cult crime movie often considered one of the best East Asian films ever made. We get right into the main characters, discussing how they are not good at their jobs and start out morally and ethically terrible, rightfully being called out by the community. We talk about the journeys the detectives go through and how their country and city cultures clash, discuss the aspects of masculinity the film depicts, hit on the many parallels we saw between Korean and American culture, and figure this is more a slice of life/culture of crime-solving film rather than a straight detective story. We also consider the fact that it is the first non-English language film we've covered, wonder if some of the aspects went over our heads because of an unfamiliarity with both Korean culture and 1980's Korean history, and talk about the visual style of the film such as desaturated colors and impactful composition. Katy severely misremembers Stand By Me, Carrie shares product placement theories, Maddy teaches us how the Swiss lightly curse, and Mack remembers a psychological study about bullying. We get terrified of killers in fields, believe America is a Western ideal but a bad reality, get infuriated by sexism in the police force, and wonder about the real life case this is based on. We also talk about getting old, medical consent, cool chase scenes, great adages, and generalizations about men. Listen to the very end for a post credit surprise! TW: Rape, murder, abuse of developmentally disabled individuals, police brutality both past and present, abuse, torture and coercion, militarization of police, school shootings, abuse by Christian leaders, emergency amputation, authoritarian military politics Show Notes: Guillermo del Toro on Bong Joon Ho's 'Memories of Murder' | Rotten Tomatoes 10 Things I Learned: Memories of Murder By Curtis Tsui for the Criterion Collection IndieWire article Carrie mentioned about the real life case finally being solved IMDB Trivia about the film BBC article Dec 2022 “As South Korea abolishes its gender ministry, women fight back” NYT article Jan 2023 “Women in South Korea Are on Strike Against Being ‘Baby-Making Machines” Third-Degree Wiki Here Appeal Article: Chicago Police Torture: Explained Book Carrie mentioned: Link The Color of the Third Degree: Racism, Police Torture, and Civil Rights in the American South, 1930–1955 by Silvan Niedermeier

New episode out now! We watched the season four episode of Inspector George Gently, “Gently Upside Down”. We discuss how this show feels a little different than other period British mystery shows, and how it handles tough subjects in what seems to be a more realistic manner. We talk about the differences between Gently and Bacchus, and how those different strengths and weaknesses allow them to work together successfully as a team while still clashing occasionally. We also cover the timeless quality of English architecture, discuss 1960s attitudes towards class, age, and gender, and wonder if Bacchus is a viewer substitute who jumps on all the red herrings. Katy brings up the Beatles twice, Carrie reminisces about school seating, Maddy thinks everyone should dance, and Mack brings up a disturbing detail from a Transformers movie. We spend some time debating if hiding a murder is prohibitively expensive, wonder if checking run time when someone confesses is cheating, and expound on the collective universal love for the Shrek franchise. We also cover multiple Mr. Rochesters, legal history, Gretna Green, and more! Give it a listen and you'll also learn who is really behind Batman's mask! TW: Inappropriate student/teacher relationships, statutory rape, teen pregnancy, domestic abuse, child abuse

New episode out now! We cover 1963's Charade and discuss this “absolute whirlwind” of a movie. We get right into the multiple mysteries and twists involved, and try to figure out the timelines of all the identity reveals. (So many identity reveals). We discuss our issues with the age gap between Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, and wonder if calling it out in the script was the right move even if they're both charming. We also discuss her character's levels of naivete, love the costumes and production design, marvel at the specific dialogue and banter, and think the ‘60s was just a wild time. Katy is bad at math, Carrie has Opinions about skincare, Maddy cannot trust her memory, and Mack is afraid of subway tunnels. We talk about volatile collector markets, forget that drugs exist, wonder if we would trick a child for $2 million dollars, and love us some built-in shelving. We also cover Batman facts, realistic fight scenes, eyebrow acting, and awkward elevators. Give it a listen! TW: Age gap romance, veteran amputee discussion, WWII prisoners of war, Nazis Show Notes: The movie Katy was thinking of was The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) and it's definitely worth watching.

New episode out now! We cover the complicated world of obsessive Victorian magicians in 2006's The Prestige, and beware–spoilers abound! This movie is wild and we get right into it by trying to unravel the many layers and timelines of this mystery-adjacent film. We talk about the themes of obsession, sacrifice, class, and of course magic while wondering if the addition of a sci-fi element muddles the mystery a little. We also try to decide if all of the main characters are sociopaths, mull over the concept of magic vs science, think the acting is appropriately intense, and get into a slight philosophical debate about the nature of cloning, souls, and consciousness. Katy squeezes in some London knowledge to the surprise of no one, Carrie gets jealous of handwriting, Maddy wants all the magic wands, and Mack has a get-rich plan for his clones. We also talk about other Victorian stage acts, wonder if we've ever been to Colorado Springs, agree that electricity is scary, and get surprised by Andy Serkis. Give it a go and remember, always listen to Michael Caine! Enjoy! TW: Racism, suicide, death by drowning, exploitation of disabled people including the blind, voluntary self-mutilation, sociopaths, classism, animal death Show Notes: Joseph Pujol, better known as Le Pétomane, was a famous Victorian stage performer who would use his incredible control of his anal and rectal muscles to imitate musical instruments, cannons, thunder, and more by farting. Wiki article here. Nicola Tesla did have an active Tesla Experimental Station in Colorado Springs from 1899-1900, and it was ultimately torn down in 1904. Wiki article here.

New episode out now! We're back to our regular schedule with a dive into the world of Disney animation, covering 1986's The Great Mouse Detective. We learn how it adapts a children's book which in turn mirrored Sherlock Holmes, wonder at the world-building of mice parallels to human monarchies and war, and don't really understand the rules concerning which animals get to talk. We also discuss the state of Disney animation in the ‘80s leading to the disjointed development of this movie in particular, as well as how the animators felt about it. Most of us agree that the songs don't really slap, but we all fully agree that Vincent Price gives a masterful villain performance. Katy makes guesses about the history of the British monarchy, Carrie establishes the roots of a childhood fear, Maddy is only interested in mouse capitalism, and Mack gives us all a passionate lecture. We also debate if this movie is the beginning of Skynet, discuss the awful ways cartoons villainize fat people, wonder why we assign gender to types of animals, and realize that taxes are a shortcut for evil in kids movies. Listen to hear us talk about drag queens, octopus eyes, harmful princess culture, and babysitter stories! Enjoy! TW: Monarchies, fatphobia, capitalist systems causing harm Show Notes Information about the Boston art installations Carrie was talking about can be found here in Boston Magazine and here in the Boston Globe. The Kate Beaton “The Case of the Two Watsons” comic can be found here. The leaked internal Disney memo Mack mentions can be seen here on Letters of Note.

Special episode out now! We watched the new Rian Johnson whodunit Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, starring Daniel Craig as the gentleman detective Benoit Blanc! We discuss how Johnson both pays homage to the Agatha Christie of it all while also making unconventional and surprising choices, as well as wonder whether it's really a sequel or if it was forced to be called so by Hollywood expectations. We talk about how the pattern you think you can see is not what unfolds, examine Blanc's relationship with the people he's helping, and debate whether he's become a bit manic in lockdown. We also discuss the depiction of the tech genius billionaire, how being rich does not equal being smart, how money influences choices for all the characters, and debate whether the comeuppance for the murderer was satisfying for all of us. We rave about the acting and how it felt like they were having a blast, praise the costuming choices, and just love the overall design of the movie. Katy shows off some Beatles knowledge, Carrie drops some amazing cameo facts, Maddy compares Blanc to a Muppet, and Mack is too immature for brussel sprouts. We also get into nightmare AI clowns, pandemic mask shorthand, and bathing suit inspirations. Spoilers abound, so we DO recommend you watch the movie before listening! Enjoy!

Extra special episode out now! For this year's holiday treat, Quizmaster Mack designed a whole game show for us to play! We play four different games, each one tied to our podcast in some way. We confront how often we veer off topic, test our knowledge of Florida Man, see if we can tell what's been subtly changed in a plot synopsis, and guess weird facts about properties we will probably never cover. Katy realizes she talks about the World's Fair a lot, Carrie got away with mispronunciation, Maddy is a dehydrated queen, and Mack airs some grievances. We also learn what is technically north of Florida, why paleontologists lick things, and how Mary-Kate and Ashley always travel. Listen to hear Mack being a clever (and tricksy) game-maker, who bet on the fact that we don't listen to each other well or retain information-and won! And after the games, we have a familiar Casemas treat! Enjoy, and happy holidays! . . . . . Show Notes: The music used within the games is all by Kevin MacLeod. Website YouTube Happy Happy Game Show, The Show Must Be Go, Corncob, Quirky Dog, Aunt Tagonist, Scheming Weasel, and Running Fanfare Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ (Spoiler alert!) Mack immediately forgot the last game was double points and only counted single ones. The outcome is the same either way, but the true point count is Maddy with 16, Carrie with 26, and Katy with 30.

New special episode out now! We enter the world of Victorian London yet again with the new Netflix film Enola Holmes 2. We get right into picking apart the multiple mysteries, discuss how our feelings compare to the original, debate how the film handled the balance between being an Enola vs a Sherlock movie, and wonder if we are just too old to care about young romance. We all liked the inclusion of true events and how it didn't shy away from portraying the real corruption in the police force, the industrial world, and in the government while maintaining the same Enola air of adventure. We also discuss how Sherlock needs constant care, think Grail felt like a Bond villain in his acting, and still get annoyed by the fourth wall breaking. And we of course all continue to find Henry Cavill and his hair very attractive. Katy got confused by dance and math, Carrie will not allow plagiarizing, Maddy is a wild wagon driver, and Mack finally gets to speak. We reveal a practice of sneaking into each other's rooms growing up, wonder if bulking up makes your hands look small, love the push for strike action, and lament our prior knowledge of Victorian industrial diseases. We also talk about Rube Goldberg machines, feeling like a mother bird, Victorian poop jokes, and good names for horses. Listen to find out which one of us tried to gather evidence showing why this movie was bad - and failed! Enjoy! TW: Government and corporate negligence/corruption, police corruption and violence, racism

New episode out now! We encounter another jewel-heist-in-London-involving-Muppets film with 2014's Muppets Most Wanted! We discuss the appeal of the Muppets and how the format they're in can really make or break the offbeat humor, and debate whether this movie accomplished that traditional zaniness. We talk about how we love the practical nature of the Muppets, wonder if we may have liked this movie a bit more if a few actors were replaced, and complain about the use of CGI. We also get into the fun cameos and how we recognized almost all of them, and confirm we loved all the songs - even the romantic one. Katy loves synchronized swimming and lists, Carrie does not enjoy a mirror mime gag, Maddy knows Josh Groban, and Mack goes on two separate rants but then does an incredible Doofenshmirtz impression. We also argue about the word of art thieves, think that freely dancing to the Macarena seems fun, yell at Mack twice, and some of us get weirded out by sexy Kermit (aka Constantine). Give it a listen to hear us talk about European employment laws, clown cars, the Tower of London, Labyrinth, and which one of us thought this movie was incredible. Enjoy! TW: Covid references, Russian gulag Show Notes/Corrections: Carrie's “Harvey” note was her noting the cameo of Ross Lynch, the man who played Harvey in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Katy had her details wrong but Thomas Blood did attempt to steal the Crown Jewels in 1671 and almost succeeded. More details here: The Theft of the Crown Jewels Here's an article about Adam Worth and the Boylston National Bank heist mack mentioned: Adam Worth, the Napoleon of Crime The Story of Hoggle: Labyrinth's Lost Puppet: Bizarre Story Of What Happened To Hoggle A bit about the restoration of Hoggle by Gary Sowatzka: Gary Restores Hoggle You can get married at the Tower of London and packages start at £7,600: check it out here or here! The TikTok of the man living at the Tower of London is @honourabletom and here is a link explaining why he lives there. Katy was wrong - Kermit bit Vincent price on The Muppet Show, not Sesame Street.

New episode out now! We dip back into the CBS procedural with a season one episode of The Mentalist, “Russet Potatoes”. We discuss the trope of “odd specialist consultant helps law enforcement” and how this show attempts to explore that idea, and debate whether or not it succeeds. We also have some difficulty accepting the premise of this particular episode, and try to get into the specifics of hypnotherapy vs hypnosis vs “neuro-linguistic programming” vs “mentalist” skills like body language and cold reading. Katy derails the conversation to talk about another podcast, Carrie was not wearing her glasses, Maddy wants to break into a new musical career, and Mack shares a desire to run through a glass wall. We also wonder if Hollywood casting agents have folders of day-player types for procedurals, wonder if TV writing is like being a Dungeon Master, pitch a number of new TV shows, and learn some disturbing things about Mack. Listen to hear us talk about senior all night parties, MLM vs cults, duct tape, and more! It's a real fun one, as we actually recorded while all physically together, so expect some more interrupting than usual and a bit of echo for ambiance! Plus, if you stick around until the end you'll hear a little BTS slice of the podcast! Enjoy! TW: Serial killers, MLM schemes

New episode out now! We cover a comic book for the first time on the podcast for our 69th episode! The four of us read Volume 1 of Wicked Things by John Allison and Max Sarin. We discuss the character of Charlotte Grote, the teen detective, and how her methods compare to other crime-solvers we've encountered. We love the visual art style and how it feels animated, get slightly confused by some of the plotlines, and wonder about the specific alternate reality of this world where everyone knows famous teen detectives. We also talk about the medium of comic books and how the storytelling is different, the uncertain nature of issue runs, and how we're talking about a very visual medium on a very auditory podcast. Katy cares about our social media, Carrie gets jealous of a blazer, Maddy gasped while reading, and Mack had to Google British slang. We also discuss the impermanence of our consumerism-driven world, confirm we don't feel bad when corporations are stolen from, debate what exactly constitutes an 18-bird roast, and learn what not to do when waking up in a hospital. Listen to hear about grocery store crushes, getting trapped in a skate bowl, childhood comic drawings, and a great Halloween witch impression. Plus one of us gets a Happy Meal delivery in the middle of recording! Enjoy! TW: Police SHOW NOTES / LINKS: Katy was half-right; there are multiple Nando's locations in the US but only in two areas; the Washington, D.C. region and Chicago respectively. Polygon article about Ryan North getting stuck in a skate pool and Tweeting about it : https://www.polygon.com/2015/8/18/9173621/ryan-north-stuck-hole-twitter Imgur Gallery of the Ryan North Stuck In A Skate Pool event as it unfolded: https://imgur.com/gallery/bKoO8 Recommended Comic Series/Runs We've Liked: The Sandman by Neil Gaiman, Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North and Erica Henderson, Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe, Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Wicked Things by John Allison and Max Sarin, Everything Kate Beaton has ever done, Ms Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, Captain America by Ed Brubaker, Lumberjanes by by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Gus Allen, and ND Stevenson, Reckless by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, Bloom by Kevin Panetta

New episode out now! We enter the quippy, extremely 2000's world of Veronica Mars right at the beginning with the pilot episode. We cover the “Nancy Drew meets Philip Marlowe” of it all, how the show utilizes PI tropes (or PI-ness, if you will) but gives them a fresher look with a cynical teenage protagonist in modern-day Southern California. We get into some of the more problematic storylines and decisions, and discuss some of the moral ambiguity this show presents. We also marvel at the list of pretty big guest stars, agree that Kristen Bell is great, and love the relationship between Veronica and her father. Katy is baffled by teenagers, Carrie spell checks hazing graffiti, Maddy misremembers mind-reading storylines, and Mack is apparently on a one-sided first-name basis with Joel McHale. We also praise Maddy's Snapchat skills and wonder if she could be a TikTok star, try to figure out if houseboats are a viable apocalypse option, wonder how so many teenagers can afford motorcycles, and Mack fully reads Maddy's mind. Listen to hear us talk about copyright law, three different Robs, haircuts, the Dance of the Seven Veils, and more! PS there are SERIES SPOILERS - timestamps below! TW: Sexual assault, date rape, dismissive and abusive police practices, teen drug use Spoiler Timestamps: 32:52-34:02, 34:21-37:04, and 39:41-41:26.

New episode out now! We watched the pilot episode of Ripper Street, “I Need Light”, and dig into the ins and outs of Victorian crime once again. We discuss the wonderfully detailed world-building, from the great costumes, to the period-specific dialogue and parlance, to the masses of set dressing that give a lived-in feeling. We talk about how it's interesting that the show begins in the aftermath of the Ripper murders, but then makes it clear they're not influencing the way the detectives run things. We also think the actors all do wonderful work with these seemingly archetypal yet complex characters, and debate whether the detective methods feel true to the period. Katy gets really into ephemera, Carrie loves Brendan Fraser, Maddy comes up with an amazing new name for a type of facial hair, and Mack gives a short lesson on early film—among other things. We also talk about the Tiffany Problem, wonder what laws undercover cops can get away with breaking, dunk on Thomas Edison, and decide which topics we could give a five minute speech on with no warning. Listen to hear us cover famous Homers, traumatically embarrassing school stories, Hussars, and frosted flakes. And remember - always turn down Turkish delight! Enjoy! TW: Corpse mutilation, snuff films, sex work, porn

New episode up now, man! We watched The Big Lebowski and started right in with quoting this cult classic. We discussed the character of The Dude and his place in the story, as well as examining the other very Coen-y characters that fill out The Dude's world. We get into the complications of Walter's personality and the military industrial complex, Donny's enigmatic qualities, and how framing the movie with The Stranger‘s voiceover allows this to be just one of many odd stories in The Dude's life. We also discover some surprising similarities with Phillip Marlowe, as well as try to follow the many different plotlines and mysteries that overlap while The Dude is along for the ride. Katy was again influenced by Empire Magazine, Carrie hates limo people, Maddy tells a story about a bath disaster, and Mack wants to assault a child. We also stress the importance of following the money to understand motivation, think The Dude would totally be into ASMR, come up with a cool business-type card idea, and fully agree that a good rug really ties a room together. Listen to hear us talk about marmots, sex robots, George Clooney, gross bathrooms, and more! Like, right on, man! TW: US Military industrial complex and recruitment, PTSD, Vietnam, porn industry, toe and ear harm

New episode out now! We watched the pilot episode/movie of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. We discuss the unique challenges Precious faces in opening her detective business, think that the characters all feel fleshed out despite some initial stereotyping, and love that the entire series was shot on location in Botswana. We get into how this is less a ‘murder mystery' series with a body-of-the-week and more of a detective helping the commity and cleverly taking advantage of being underestimated. We also praise the excellent costume design but share apprehensions about the fact that the writer/screenwriters/director are all white British men. Katy loves a school play, Carrie critiques typewriter practices, Maddy had nothing to roast, and Mack shares his struggles as a straight white man. We also discuss the different experiences one can have based on gender and age, postulate on what kind of national health services exist in Botswana, and love the delightful little touches of humor scattered throughout. Listen for our thoughts on cringy seduction attempts, buying perfume, and how 2008 it was! Enjoy! TW: Fatphobia, racism, homophobia, domestic abuse, pregnancy loss, discussion of the effects of colonization