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In this episode of Geek Freaks, we get you ready for Stranger Things season 5 with a full recap of seasons 1 through 4, plus a review of Wicked For Good and reactions to the new Hunger Games prequel trailer, Sunrise on the Reaping. We also break down the new live action TMNT reboot news and what that means for The Last Ronin, along with George R. R. Martin's latest Game of Thrones spinoff teases. Frank and Jonathan kick things off with some Thanksgiving week chatter, holiday prep, and a quick update on the redesigned GeekFreaksPodcast.com and this year's Patreon holiday swag bundles. From there, they talk about Sunrise on the Reaping, why the Hunger Games world still works, and why Wicked For Good might actually top the first film for musical fans. The bulk of the episode is a big Stranger Things refresher. The guys walk through seasons 1 through 4, season by season, covering major story beats, character arcs, and the emotional moments that still hit, while calling out why Vecna, Max, Eddie, and the Starcourt Mall finale matter so much as we head into season 5. They wrap with current watch recommendations and a Thanksgiving thank you to the Geek Freaks community. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Thanksgiving Week Check-In & Housekeeping Holiday plans, cleaning for family visits, and trying (and failing) to start Christmas decorating early. 00:59 – New Website & Patreon Holiday Bundles Frank explains the revamped GeekFreaksPodcast.com and reminds Patreon members to update their addresses for the holiday swag packs. 02:06 – TMNT Live Action Reboot & The Last Ronin Delay Reactions to a new live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, practical suits vs CGI, and frustration that The Last Ronin adaptation is being paused. 04:31 – Game of Thrones / Westeros Spinoffs Talk George R. R. Martin's sequel teases, who deserves a spinoff (Arya, Davos, the Manderlys, Dorne), and what corners of Westeros and Essos they most want to see. 13:06 – Sunrise on the Reaping Trailer & Hunger Games Worldbuilding First impressions of the new Hunger Games prequel trailer, why the tech vs poverty contrast in Panem still works, and how closely the films stick to Suzanne Collins' books. 18:30 – Roofman Ad Read Frank drops a mid-episode spot for Roofman and why the premise stands out. 18:30 – Wicked For Good Review (Spoilers Light) Why Frank loved Wicked For Good, how it runs alongside The Wizard of Oz, character growth for Glinda and Elphaba, and thoughts on musicals in general. 26:15 – What Did Not Work In Wicked For Good Some middle-act clutter, narrative complexity around Elphaba's sister, and how the dual narratives can get a little dense. 32:16 – Setting Up the Stranger Things Season 5 Rewatch Prep Explaining the plan to recap seasons 1–4 as a full refresher to get ready for Stranger Things season 5. 32:29 – Stranger Things Season 1 Recap & Reactions The disappearance of Will, the first trip to the Upside Down, meeting Eleven, and why the show's early mystery and 80s vibes hit so hard. 36:02 – Stranger Things Season 2 Recap & The Lost Test Subjects The Mind Flayer's first move, Max and Billy's introduction, Eleven's "sister" detour, and how fan reactions may have changed the direction of the show. 40:07 – Stranger Things Season 3 Recap & Starcourt Mall Finale Rats, Russians, mall culture nostalgia, the Billy redemption, and Hopper's "death" in the gate machine. 46:33 – Stranger Things Season 4 Recap: Vecna's Curse Chrissy's death, Max's "Running Up That Hill" escape, the Creel House, Hopper in Russia, Eddie's hero moment, and Hawkins merging with the Upside Down, setting the stage for season 5. 52:35 – Nostalgia Done Right: Stranger Things, Stephen King, Welcome to Derry Comparing Stranger Things' style of nostalgia to cheap reboots, thoughts on Welcome to Derry and Pluribus, and why good worldbuilding feels fresh even when it looks retro. 58:18 – Weekly Recommendations Jonathan: Rewatch Stranger Things as season 5 approaches, and check out Pluribus on Apple TV. Frank: Make Some Noise on Dropout and why good improv feels like magic. 59:52 – Thanksgiving Wrap-Up & Five-Star Reminder Thanking the Geek Freaks community and reminding listeners to drop those five stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Key Takeaways The new GeekFreaksPodcast.com is live with a cleaner layout that makes it easier to share news and highlight shows across the network. Patreon holiday bundles are going out soon, so supporters need to confirm or add their mailing addresses to actually receive the swag. The new live action TMNT film has fans worried that The Last Ronin adaptation is getting shoved aside, and there is a strong preference for practical suits over full CGI turtles. George R. R. Martin continues to develop Westeros spinoffs, and there is a lot of interest in stories about Arya's travels, Dorne, the Manderlys, and Davos rather than revisiting the same old angles. Sunrise on the Reaping, the new Hunger Games prequel, looks like classic Hunger Games with the same sharp contrast between Capitol excess and district poverty that made the original films land. Wicked For Good nails its character work, deepens Glinda and Elphaba, and cleverly runs parallel to The Wizard of Oz, even if the middle stretch gets a bit tangled. The Stranger Things recap walks through all four seasons to give listeners a full refresher before Stranger Things season 5, hitting major character arcs, big deaths, and how the Upside Down threat has evolved. Season 4's Vecna twist, Max's near death, and Eddie's "Master of Puppets" distraction set up a darker, more apocalyptic final season, with Hawkins literally merging with the Upside Down. Stranger Things is praised for doing nostalgia the right way, feeling familiar without just copying older stories, similar to the best of Stephen King adaptations. Memorable Quotes "If this looks at all good, I know I'll be seeing it." – Frank on the new live action Ninja Turtles movie. "Just stop doing these retellings of the same story and continue to make us fresh content that just happens to be related to the things we already like." – Jonathan on constant reboots. "Northern mermaid folk with tridents on their banners? Come on, man, how are we not doing a show about them?" – Frank on the Manderlys. "That 'Running Up That Hill' scene basically broke the internet." – Jonathan on Stranger Things season 4. "It is not the same song, but it sounds familiar. That is what good nostalgia should feel like." – Frank on Stranger Things and Goonies-style stories. "I officially give you permission to yell at people who sing full volume in the theater." – Frank on musical movie etiquette. Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you follow or subscribe to Geek Freaks on your favorite podcast app so you do not miss our Stranger Things season 5 coverage. Drop a 5-star rating and a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more geeks find the show. Share the episode with a friend who is rewatching Stranger Things, and use #GeekFreaksPodcast when you post your reactions online. Links & Resources Geek Freaks – news source for everything we talk about: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Follow Us Stay connected with Geek Freaks across the web: Website: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions Have thoughts on Wicked For Good, the TMNT reboot, or your own Stranger Things season 5 theories? Send your questions, hot takes, or predictions to us on Twitter, Instagram, or Threads at @geekfreakspod / @geekfreakspodcast and we may feature them in a future episode. Apple Podcast tags stranger things, stranger things recap, stranger things season 5, wicked for good, wicked movie review, teenage mutant ninja turtles, tmnt reboot, hunger games, sunrise on the reaping, geek culture podcast, tv review podcast, movie review podcast
The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)
Send us a textDavos isn't dead. The Manderlys' animosity was all for show. They know the Freys lie. But they're not ready to join Stannis yet. However, if Davos can find and return Rickon Stark, then that would seal the deal. Mackelly and Simon debate who that might be.Chapter Review:Davos Seaworth is kept waiting for his execution. The gaoler refers to him as “The Dead Man,” but he's fed and has more than decent accommodation. After several days Robett Glover comes and takes him through secret and circuitous means to a chamber within earshot of obvious festivities.They're joined by Lord Wyman Manderly. He apologizes for the disrespect that Davos was shown. But while the Lannister, Frey, and Bolton alliance held his remaining son Wylis, he was forced to play along. But the feast that can be heard is to welcome the heir home - and Lord Wyman can let the mask slip a little. A ruse was pulled, a criminal was made to look like Davos and executed - his head and hands were displayed above the walls, heavily tarred and distorted with an onion in the mouth.Davos is ready to seal the alliance between Stannis and the Manderlys. But lord Wyman's not there yet - the Bolton's are cementing their claim to the North by marrying Arya Stark, but courtesy of Theon's former squire Wex, they know where Rickon Stark is. If Davos can return their rightful liege lord to them, then Stannis will have his ally. Cannibal-island is the destination - sounds fun!Characters/Places/Names/Events:Davos Seaworth - Hand of the King to King Stannis Baratheon.Stannis Baratheon - King of the Seven Kingdoms.Wyman Manderly - Lord of White Harbor.Wylis Manderly - Heir to White Harbor, former captive of the Lannisters.Wynafryd Manderly - Elder daughter of Wylis and Leona.Wylla Manderly - Younger daughter of Wylis and Leona.Rhaegar Frey - A Frey.Jared Frey - Another Frey.Robett Glover - Brother of Galbart Glover, Master of Deepwood Motte.Rickon Stark - Youngest son of Ned and Catelyn Stark.Wex - Former squire of Theon Greyjoy, one of the few survivors of the Sack of Winterfell.White Harbor - Only city in the North and its chief port.White Knife - Major river in the North that empties into the Bite at White Harbor. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Boltons, Freys, Manderlys and more all packed into a snowbound Winterfell is a recipe for more than cannibal pies. It seems half the inhabitants of the castle hate each other, while the other half are probably just better at hiding it. Either way, there have been several murders. The collective rage and paranoia of the inhabitants increases with each successive death, increasing the odds of another killing. We'll look into each murder to find the culprits and their motives. Is someone trying to set these houses against each other? Is there more to it?Bonus Eps & More - www.patreon.com/historyofwesterosShirts & Stickers - historyofwesteros.threadless.comwww.historyofwesteros.comIntro/Maps - https://klaradox.deFacebook Group - https://bit.ly/howfbDiscord - https://bit.ly/howdiscordNina - goodqueenaly.tumblr.com/
The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)
Send us a textDavos meets with Lord Wyman in front of a packed court. The Freys blame a most unlikely culprit for the Red Wedding. Davos' arguments for the Manderlys backing King Stannis fall on deaf ears, minus one. Ultimately, Lord Wyman makes his final decision; off with his head (and hands). Mackelly and Simon light a candle to the Father.Chapter Review:Davos Seaworth is brought before the Merman's Court. He'd hoped for a private audience with Lord Wyman Manderly, but the hall is packed with a host of people and a mischief of Freys. Davos makes his pitch for why the Manderlys should side with Stannis, but it doesn't go well. Wyllis Manderly (the heir) is a captive of the Lannisters and the family don't want to risk his life.The Freys spin an incredible yarn of their version of the Red Wedding: Robb Stark and his men turned into wolves and attacked everyone. Wendel Manderly died defending the Lord Walder Frey. Davos would use an exploding head emoji. Only Wyllis' daughter Wylla sides with Davos: they killed the Starks, they killed my uncle, how could we side with them?Rhaegar Frey argues that Robb abandoned the North, then abandoned the Riverlands. Lord Wyman agrees but not before a flash of disgust registers on his face. He orders that Davos be taken away and executed.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Davos Seaworth - Hand of the King to King Stannis Baratheon.Stannis Baratheon - King of the Seven Kingdoms.Wyman Manderly - Lord of White Harbor.Lady Leona Manderly - Wife of Wylis Manderly.Wylis Manderly - Heir to White Harbor, captive of the Lannisters.Wynafryd Manderly - Elder daughter of Wylis and Leona.Wylla Manderly - Younger daughter of Wylis and Leona.Rhaegar Frey - A Frey.Jared Frey - Another Frey.White Harbor - Only city in the North and its chief port.White Knife - Major river in the North that empties into the Bite at White Harbor. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)
Send us a textDavos is marooned on Sweetsister, Salladhor Saan has lost patience with his unpaid service to Stannis. The local lord is sorely tempted to sell his guest to Queen Cersei. But tradition dictates that he aids a rebel. Mackelly and Simon assume Davos will be OK, at least until he gets to White Harbor.Chapter Review:Davos Seaworth is brought before Lord Godric Borrell. The onion knight has rowed to Sweetsister after being abandoned by Salladhor Saan. The Lyseni pirate has given up following orders after half his ships were lost to storms on the journey south from Eastwatch. That is the final straw after Stannis has shown no sign of rewarding anyone for their service. Instead he intends to sail to the Stepstones for some more profitable piracy.Lord Godric ponders selling Davos to Cersei - who is in charge again after the death of Tywin, which is news to Davos. Godric won't allow a bird to be sent to Castle Black - he won't take sides in the Game of Thrones.But he does recall his father aiding Ned Stark in a similar fashion at the start of Robert's Rebellion. Ned got away, leaving a fisherman's daughter pregnant - she called the child Jon. Davos can go to White Harbor but the Manderlys have thrown their lot in with the Freys. And if Stannis loses, Davos was never here.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Davos Seaworth - Hand of the King to King Stannis Baratheon.Lord Godric Borrell - Lord of Sweetsister.Stannis Baratheon - King of the Seven Kingdoms.Ned Stark - Deceased patriarch of House Stark.Wyman Manderly - Lord of White Harbor.Sweetsister - One of the Three Sisters, islands in the Bite between the Vale and the North. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)
Bran and the Reeds exchange dreams after Bran accepts that Jojen really can dream of the future. None of the dreams portend good news for Bran and Winterfell. Meanwhile, the fracas between the Boltons and the Manderlys worsens and Lady Hornwood is killed. Mackelly and Simon discuss whether fate is immutable. Chapter Review: Maester Luwin has news of the King in the North's victory at Oxcross, but the Frey's uncle's demise. Brandon Stark should be happy, but Osha's warning that Robb is marching south when he should be marching north continues to unsettle him. The Walders seem far more comfortable with the bad news they received, bickering playfully over the complexities of the Frey succession. It dawns on Bran that this very much fulfills Jojen Reed's dream that the Frey's would be fed worse meat but seem to enjoy it more. Later, Jojen tells Bran that he is a warg. Someone able to enter the mind of an animal and control it. His dreams of Summer aren't dreams at all. Jojen reveals his other “green-dream” - the ones that he reckons are pure prophecy. The sea will come to Winterfell and drown the people within. He had the dream before he arrived but now he's able to name some of the people he saw drowned. Bran tries to warn these people but most aren't concerned, and the one who does listen (Alebelly) simply stops bathing. Ser Rodrik arrives back from the Hornwood lands. Quite the mess. Roose Bolton's bastard has coerced Lady Hornwood to marry him and name him as her heir. He's abused and murdered her. Ser Rodrik has killed the bastard, and captured his malodorous sidekick Reek who he intends to keep around to testify when Robb returns. In the meantime, houses Manderly and Bolton are fighting in the Hornwood lands and Rodrik doesn't have the men to put a stop to it. Characters/Places/Names/Events: Brandon (Bran) Stark - Middle son of Eddard (Ned) and Catelyn (Cat) Stark. He was pushed from a tower by Jamie Lannister and lost the use of his legs. Maester Luwin - A maester in the service of house Stark at Winterfell. Big Walder Frey - Grandson of Lord Walder Frey. Ward of Winterfell. Little Walder Frey - Grandson of Lord Walder Frey. Ward of Winterfell. Lady Donella Hornwood - Lost her son and husband in the Riverlands fighting for Robb. Forced to marry Roose Bolton's bastard and name him her heir. Killed by her new husband. Reek - Accomplice to Roose Bolton's bastard son. Captured by Rodrik Cassel and held at Winterfell. Bolton's Bastard - Illegitimate son of Roose Bolton. Husband of the unwilling Donella Hornwood. Killed by Ser Rodrik Cassel. Meera Reed - Sixteen-year-old daughter of Howland Reed. Jojen Reed - Thirteen-year-old son of Howland Reed. Check out our merchandise store: https://ghostsofharrenhal.threadless.com/If you like what we're doing, please consider rating and reviewing us at Apple Podcasts, podchaser.com, and anywhere else you can leave a rate and review.We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email at ghosts.harrenhal@gmail.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.Join the discussion on our Discord server! https://discord.com/invite/FTy7BExyBQAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M Support the show
Close the Door: Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast
Spoilers, profanity, Jaime x Brienne. Are the Manderlys really just wielding fancy pitchforks? Is tuna really the chicken of the sea? We meet the Supreme Creepster himself: Roose Bolton while Cat & Robb make all sorts of plans that we're sure are going to work just fine. Nothing to worry about here, kids. Game of Thrones. A Song of Ice and Fire. A Game of Thrones - Catelyn VIII. Encore of Episode 143 - originally recorded in 2016. Close The Door And Come Here - Episode 358
Hello and welcome back to the NotACast, the one true chapter-by-chapter podcast going through A Song of Ice and Fire one chapter a week! In this episode, Catelyn Stark reunites with her firstborn child Robb at Moat Cailin; she still thinks of him fondly as her squalling infant son, but he's all grown up now and leading men to war. This week, we: -Ponder the fate of Ashara Dayne -Welcome the Manderlys of "the north remembers" fame to the story -Lay out the Young Wolf's plan of attack as he marches against the merciless Lannisters -Discuss the one major mistake (or is it??) he makes in that plan: giving Roose Bolton command of his infantry -Wipe "dust" (totally not tears!) from our manly eyes while discussing the rich, moving relationship between Cat and Robb Next week: a *much* less moving parent-child reunion. That's right, we're finally getting to Tywin, it's time for AGOT Tyrion VII! Our patreon: www.patreon.com/NotACastASOIAF Our twitter: twitter.com/NotACastASOIAF Our facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/289889118235797/ Our youtube page: www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmDfPdG…iew_as=subscriber Emmett's twitter: twitter.com/PoorQuentyn Jeff's twitter: twitter.com/BryndenBFish
Just a few days ago, George dropped an excerpt from the upcoming Fire & Blood, Volume One. Join us as we analyze whether George is throwing some shade toward HBO, Jaehaerys is worthy of the title Conciliator, Alysanne can melt any icy heart, Silverwing don't go that direction, Alaric Stark = Stannis Baratheon, and the Manderlys know how to work it. Planetos Podcast Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetosPodcast Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-2-blackwaters-last-gleaming/id1410513116?i=1000415736621&mt=2 Googleplay: https://play.google.com/music/m/Ipspehzfo3knzs3dz5vpzyrtvki?t=Planetos_Podcast Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh0H9SSRAr6r8BCbS84eFDA?view_as=subscriber Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetosPodcast/ Gmail: planetospodcast@gmail.com Intro Song was by Dylan Revihs and Brett. You can find Dylan's work here: https://www.facebook.com/BeggarsChoiceATL The Outro song was by Bleach Garden and you can find these guys here. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BleachGarden94/ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bleach-garden
Close the Door: Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast
Spoilers, profanity, Jaime x Brienne. Are the Manderlys really just wielding fancy pitchforks? Is tuna really the chicken of the sea? We meet the Supreme Creepster himself: Roose Bolton while Cat & Robb make all sorts of plans that we're sure are going to work just fine. Nothing to worry about here, kids. Game of Thrones. A Song of Ice and Fire. A Game of Thrones - Catelyn VIII Close The Door And Come Here - Episode143
'Talk Sex w/ Podrick Payne' - your one-stop Luckswing destination for everything Game of Thrones. Season 6.05 "The Door" T_T (00:52) Joey and Stephen do a recap of this weeks episode, book spoiler free! LittleFinger's plan always = Teferi's puzzle box? Episode titles are important? HOLY CRAP TIME TRAVEL?! MANDERLYS!! Pissing contest on the Iron Islands, F**k R'hllor, WESTEROSI BARBARIANS, children vs men, playing tag...and more!!! (1:00:44) Here is Rogue Maester land: TIME TRAVEL WTF CONTINUES, Jorah to Asshai? Victarion Greyjoy, COLDHANDS AND MORE!!! Notes: On-time two weeks in a row!! Happy Tuesday Everyone! Apologies Stephen is recovering from bronchitis and there is coughing episode pause somewhere in the middle. There are a lot of weird bits of useless trivia this episode... Bonus points to those who get the Magic The Gathering reference. Feel free to comment in with questions, or alternate theories. We would be happy to discuss the on the next episode! Make sure to subscribe to us on I-Tunes!! Send in your own episode #s.