Join the Geek Girls as we revisit the pilot episode of HBO's critically acclaimed series "The Leftovers" on its 10th anniversary. Susan, Kelly, and Cort dive deep into the haunting first installment that introduced viewers to the mysterious world of Mapleton, where 2% of the global population suddenly vanished without a trace.

Highlights:

- Reflections on our initial reactions to the pilot 10 years ago

- Analysis of key characters and performances, including our man Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey

- Discussion of the show's unique tone, symbolism, and use of music

- Examination of changes from the original novel by Tom Perrotta

- Appreciation for the series' exploration of grief, faith, and human resilience

- Speculation on unanswered questions and interpretations of the Sudden Departure

We also touch on recent entertainment news, including the box office success of "Inside Out 2" and actor Billy Zane's comments on the emotional toll of intense roles.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this nostalgic look back offers fascinating insights into one of television's most thought-provoking shows. Let the mystery be!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

03:00 - Entertainment news

13:40 - The Leftovers pilot discussion begins

56:00 - What we're watching this week

01:04:00 - House of the Dragon S2E2 reactions (spoilers)

Check out our original take on episode 1, from 2014!

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

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For this episode in our Hidden Gems series, Susan found a fabulous series on Max called “Sort Of.” We happily anticipate the return of “House of the Dragon,” also on Max/HBO. We share what we watched so the you don’t have to, give some recommendations, and discuss what’s coming out this next week.

We don’t really spoil anything for any of the movies/show we discuss. So, feel free to hit “play” and let it roll! But, if you want to pick and choose your segments, check out this rough rundown of our discussion points:

[00:00:00] - Introduction

[00:01:00] - House of the Dragon and Succession

- Debate on royal inheritance and gender roles

- Comparison with the Roy family from Succession

More stuff!

[00:08:00] - Entertainment News

[00:11:00] - Crazy Rich Asians Sequel and Spin-off

- Update on the sequel and a new TV show focusing on Gemma Chan's character

[00:13:00] - Current Shows

- Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+ featuring Jake and Ruth Negga

- Speculation on how it compares to the original movie

[00:14:00] - Movie Review: Monkey Man

[00:16:00] - Reality TV and Comedy Specials

- Susan’s reality TV binge while packing

- Review of Marlon Wayans' comedy special Good Grief

[00:18:00] - Documentary Review: Six Schizophrenic Brothers

- Kelly’s review of the Max documentary

- Critique on the portrayal of mental illness

More stuff!

[00:24:00] - The Boys Season Four

- Cort's excitement for the new season on Amazon Prime

- Discussion on the show's themes and recent controversies

[00:26:00] - Stand-up Special: Hannah Einbinder

[00:27:00] - MAIN THEME: Hidden Gem: Sort Of

- Overview of the Canadian show Sort Of on Max

- Discussion on the representation of gender fluidity and trans characters

[00:39:00] - Upcoming Documentaries

[00:51:00] - Juneteenth Recommendations

- Cort's recommendation of The Blackening for Juneteenth

[00:52:00] - Next Week: The 10th Anniversary of the pilot episode of “The Leftovers”

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

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You’re watching House of the Dragon, right? Let’s compare your first take to ours!

The Geek Girls are chatting about our immediate reactions to season 2 episode 1 of HOTD, baby! Check it!

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

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This week, the Soup ladies are dishing on the latest Bad Boys movie, “Ride or Die”! Join us as we break down all the explosive action, bromance, and some surprising antics.

Topics:

Bad Boys Box Office Success [00:03:00]

Will Smith Surprises Theater Audience [00:04:00]

MoviePass Documentary Review [00:16:00]

Deadpool 3 Trailer Reaction [00:08:00]

Colorized Hitler Footage Discussion [00:45:00]

Other Watchables Mentioned:

• Clipped Docudrama on Donald Sterling [00:29:00]
• Shogun TV Series on Hulu [00:41:00]
• Kennedy Ryan Book Recs [00:42:00]

Spoiler-Filled Bad Boys Discussion: Approximate [1:22:00 - end]

Next Week: Hidden Gems with “Sort Of” on max. Three seasons, so watch as much as you want!

Links:

MoviePass

Hamish Linklater (“Midnight Mass”) joins cast of Gen V for second season

Elle Fanning in talks to star in “Badlands,” expansion of Predator franchise

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

Geek on!

It's hurricane season, y'all, but we're riding out the storms with a piping hot bowl of Geek Girl Soup! This week, we dive deep into the Netflix docuseries "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult," as well as the twisty true crime saga of Robert Durst in HBO's "The Jinx" season 2.

Susan arranged to see the Reality Gays (podcast), Mattie and Poodle, perform live in Houston. They were totally hilarious, and Kelly is officially a fangirl.

We discuss the invasion of AI in filmmaking. Despite AI being a focus of the writers and actors strike in 2023, Sony Pictures Entertainment is moving quickly ahead to full-on adopt AI features.

We share what new releases we're excited to see this week, including "Under Paris" (Netflix) and "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" (cinema).

Next week: The Bad Boys franchise!

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End song, "Whispered Crimes," created with suno.ai.

Check out our Suno account for all songs created for the podcast!

https://suno.com/@geekgirlsoup

Referenced articles:

• From The Wrap

https://www.thewrap.com/the-jinx-season-2-episode-6-ending-explained-andrew-jarecki-interview/

• From IndieWire

https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/sony-pictures-will-cut-film-costs-using-ai-1235010605/

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

Geek on!

WARNING: This episode spoils "The Sixth Sense," and it contains a bit more cussing than usual! Giving notice about "The Sixth Sense" because we have encountered people who still haven't seen the film or been spoiled about it. If you have not seen this film, please don't listen to this episode until after you've watched. The films that we spoil just aren't important enough to warn you about spoilage, ha ha!

Join Susan, Kelly, and Cort as we take a nostalgic dive into the "cinematic treasures" of 1999. We discuss a rang of films, from the cult classic "Deep Blue Sea" to the quirky "Being John Malkovich," all to celebrate the 25th anniversary of these iconic movies.

Highlights:

• Deep Blue Sea: We "dissect" this action-packed shark thriller, discussing its blend of horror and science fiction. We dive into the film's plot, the memorable death scenes, and the surprising twists that keep viewers "on the edge of their seats." Special attention is given to Samuel L. Jackson's shocking demise and LL Cool J's unexpected survival.
• South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut: Kelly shares her experience rewatching this irreverent animated comedy, reflecting on its humor and cultural impact. The hosts discuss the film's satirical take on censorship and its enduring relevance.
• The Sixth Sense: A deep dive into M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller, exploring the film's iconic twist and its impact on the genre. We share their initial reactions and how the film holds up 25 years later.
• Practical Magic: Cort revisits this beloved witchy tale, highlighting its themes of sisterhood and empowerment.
• Stir of Echoes: A look at this underrated horror gem starring Kevin Bacon. We compare it to "The Sixth Sense" and discuss its eerie atmosphere and compelling narrative.
• Other 1999 Films: We also touches on other notable films from 1999, including "The Limey," "Mystery Men," "The Audition," and more.

Memorable Quotes:

- "Deep Blue Sea is like Jaws meets Sharknado, but with a lot more surprises and over-the-top moments."

- "The Sixth Sense still gives me chills, even though I know the twist."

- "Being John Malkovich is one of the weirdest and most original films I've ever seen."

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

Geek on!

In this fourth and final installment of the May of Thrones series, we dive deep into the penultimate and final seasons of "Game of Thrones" and the first season of "House of the Dragon." We also discuss that infamous coffee cup in season 8!

Season 7 Highlights:

• Stark Reunions: The emotional reunions of Jon and Arya, and Arya's interactions with Sansa and Brienne.
• The Downfall of Littlefinger: The manipulation and ultimate execution of Petyr Baelish by the Stark siblings.
• Daenerys Arrives in Westeros: Daenerys' arrival in Westeros, her strategic moves, and the significant battles.
• The Bro Trip Beyond the Wall: Jon Snow's mission to capture a wight and the dramatic rescue by Daenerys, leading to the Night King reanimating Viserion.
• The Wall Comes Down: The Night King's assault on the Wall, setting the stage for the final season.

Season 8 Highlights:

• A Woman Becomes a Knight: The gathering of forces at Winterfell and the knighting of Brienne of Tarth.
• Brown Eyes, Green Eyes, Blue Eyes: The intense and controversial battle against the Night King, culminating in Arya's pivotal role in his defeat.
• The Downfall of Daenerys: The "shift" in Daenerys' character, leading to her devastating attack on King's Landing.
• The Downfall of the Iron Throne: Jon Snow's heartbreaking decision and the destruction of the Iron Throne.
• The Rise of Bran the Broken: The surprising choice of Bran Stark as the new king of Westeros and the fates of the remaining characters.

Next week: Watch like it's 1999! We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of films released in 1999.

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

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This week in “May of Thrones,” we’re discussing seasons 5 and 6 of “Game Of Thrones.” At one point, one of us notes that everything went downhill after season 4. Oh, no, because two of us love these seasons.

What’s your take?

Season 5 Highlights:

- Arya's training with the Faceless Men in Braavos

- Cersei's creation of and downfall orchestrated by the High Sparrow and Faith Militant

- Hardhome battle and introduction of the Night King (as well as the electrifying Kari, played by Birgitte Hjort Sørensen)

Season 6 Highlights:

- Jon Snow's resurrection (whaaat?! and whyyyy?!)

- The emotional reunion of Sansa and Jon at Winterfell

- No one deciding to be Arya Stark of Winterfell

- Cersei's wildfire explosion at the Sept of Baelor

- Bran's visions reveal Jon's true parentage

- Hodor's tragic origin story: "Hold the door"

Other Discussion Points:

- Favorite moments and characters like Lyanna Mormont

- Cersei and Daenerys' obsession with "bending the knee"

- Maisie Williams' performance as Arya and her new show “The New Look”

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Original music by Garrett Thompson

Follow us on Instagram @GeekGirlSoup

Continue the conversation on Facebook

Listen to Cort's podcast with Brad at PureFandom.com

Check out Susan’s movie stats on Letterboxd

Email your questions and comments to GeekGirlSoup@gmail.com

Geek on!