It's the summer of super-heroes! And a great one, at that. Daryl, Nick, Lauren, & Betsy talk about Fantastic Four: First Steps. From design, to character, to comics influences, to...more infant car seat talk than you'd expect from discussion of a super-hero movie. Take a listen, and see what they thought. (Spoiler alert: They liked it.)

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 03:34 Non-spoiler discussion begins
 * 29:06 Spoiler discussion begins



Fantastic Four: First Steps

Look up! That's where the real punk rock is. Daryl & Nick are joined by Betsy & Stephanie to talk 2025's Superman, directed by James Gunn - the first big screen entry in the new DCU franchise. There will be spoilers to be had after a warning. No spoiler here: we all loved it. Listen to us talk about why.

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 03:18 Non-spoiler discussion begins
 * 21:51 Spoiler discussion begins

Superman (2025)

Things are less weird (well...for Star Wars) this time, as Daryl, Nick, and Lauren take a look at the Citadel arc. Things are a little more back to normal for our heroes as they have to mount a rescue from a Jedi-proof prison.

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 08:25 The Citadel
 * 25:33 Counterattack
 * 34:59 Citadel Rescue

To follow along with your viewing, you can find the Clone Wars chronological viewing list at:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episodeorder

Clone Watch - Episode 15

We've got a long one this time, as Daryl, Nick, Lauren, and Betsy tackle the Mortis arc. There's a lot to unpack, and we dive right into that task. So quickly, in fact, that we forget to explain the Clone Watch concept for new listeners. Short version: Lauren's never watched Clone Wars before, while the rest of us have, so we gather first impressions and observations as we watch in chronological order.

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 03:27 Overlords
 * 1:07:50 Altar of Mortis
 * 1:42:10 Ghosts of Mortis

To follow along with your viewing, you can find the Clone Wars chronological viewing list at:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episodeorder

Clone Watch - Episode 14

The comics industry lost a legend recently, with the passing of self-described Writer of Stuff, Peter David after a long series of medical troubles. Daryl and Nick, along with our friend Brev from The Movie Defenders podcast, discuss David's work, the legacy that he left behind touching not just a broad tapestry of characters, but the readers of his work.

If you've been moved by Peter's work, and are so inclined to help his family with the burden of the medical costs that remain, please support the GoFundMe established by a family friend:

https://gofund.me/f17de806

You can find Brev and The Movie Defenders at:

https://moviedefenders.libsyn.com/

Peter David In Memoriam

Betsy's back, because she definitely has thoughts to share with Daryl, Nick, & Lauren about the first Dathomir arc of Clone Wars. Dooku throwing away Ventress, the introduction of Savage Opress (or is that Maul X-TREME!!), and the perpetuation of cycles of abuse. It's like poetry...they rhyme.

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 12:03 Nightsisters
 * 44:08 Monster
 * 1:16:52 Witches of the Mist

To follow along with your viewing, you can find the Clone Wars chronological viewing list at:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episodeorder

We touch on some heavy topics in our discussion this time around. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or sexual abuse, please take advantage of the following resources.

RAINN - The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization [https://rainn.org]

National Domestic Violence Hotline [https://www.thehotline.org/]

Clone Watch - Episode 13

Daryl & Nick talk about the latest Marvel movie, Thunderbolts*. What's that asterisk mean? Who are these characters, anyway? And who would have expected an emotional exploration of mental health out of an MCU action movie?

 * 00:00 Non-spoiler discussion
 * 41:11 Spoiler discussion

Thunderbolts*

Daryl, Nick, and Lauren take a look at three Republic Senate-focused episodes that bear no resemblance whatsoever to real world events, confirming once and for all that Star Wars is absolutely not political.

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 05:10 Heroes on Both Sides
 * 30:14 Pursuit of Peace
 * 45:04 Senate Murders

To follow along with your viewing, you can find the Clone Wars chronological viewing list at:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episodeorder

Clone Watch - Episode 12

Daryl, Nick, & Lauren are back, discussing the next episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Along the way, they pinpoint exactly what killed Star Wars. This time. (/end sarcasm)

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 04:44 Sphere of Influence
 * 24:43 Evil Plans
 * 36:20 Hostage Crisis
 * 46:09 The Hunt for Ziro

To follow along with your viewing, you can find the Clone Wars chronological viewing list at:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episodeorder

Clone Watch - Episode 11

Daryl, Nick, & Lauren are joined by Betsy again to discuss the first Mandalorian Arc. Some important characters and concepts are introduced here that will carry through Star Wars for many years to follow.

 * 00:00 Introduction
 * 04:50 The Mandalore Plot
 * 29:26 Voyage of Temptation
 * 50:46 Duchess of Mandalore

To follow along with your viewing, you can find the Clone Wars chronological viewing list at:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episodeorder



Clone Watch - Episode 10

A celebration of pop culture, discussing and exploring the TV, movies, comics, books, and anything else we enjoy, with an eye towards the positive.

Casual Nerdity: The Podcast