A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in January 2020, our panel of enthusiastic yet fixed carbon-based life forms – including moderator Spencer, Kels (fka Kelsey), Selene, Ben, new panelist Julianne, and Kylie – is Around the Water Cooler and discussing Season 1 of Netflix original series Altered Carbon. If you have not watched any of Altered Carbon, be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kels Rezmer Keyboard: Kels Rezmer Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Altered Carbon” is an American cyberpunk web television series based upon the 2002 novel of the same title by English author Richard K. Morgan, which premiered on streaming service Netflix in 2018 and which is available to Netflix subscribers exclusively, as it is Netflix produced original content.
What: “Altered Carbon,” created by Laeta Kalogridis, depicts a world where consciousness can be transferred to different bodies and where Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman), a former soldier turned investigator, must solve a murder.
When: Season 1 was released to the Netflix streaming library on February 2, 2018, with a total of ten episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in a fictional future metropolis known as Bay City, likely a future variant of San Francisco, California. Flashbacks and character travels sometimes take the action to other parts of this presumably future Earth and even off world to other planets.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the link below!
How – as in How Was It?
The pilot/premiere rating scale:
***** – I HAVE TO WATCH EVERYTHING. HOLY SMOKES!
**** – Well, it certainly seems intriguing. I’m going to keep watching, but I see possible pitfalls in the premise.
*** – I will give it six episodes and see what happens. There are things I like, and things I don’t. We’ll see which “things” are allowed to flourish.
** – I will give it three episodes. Chances are, I’m mainly bored, but there is some intrigue or fascination that could hold it together. No matter how unlikely.
* – Pass on this one, guys. It’s a snoozer/not funny/not interesting/not my cup of tea… there are too many options to waste time on this one.
Altered Carbon = 4.6, by average of the podcast panel.
SYNOPSIS
The series takes place over 360 years in the future, with most episodes set in the year 2384. In the future, a person’s memories and consciousness can be decanted into a disk-shaped device called a “cortical stack,” which is implanted in the vertebrae at the back of the neck. These storage devices are of alien design and have been reverse engineered and mass produced. Physical human or synthetic bodies are called “sleeves,” and stacks can be transferred to new bodies after death, but a person can still be killed if their stack is destroyed. While this theoretically means anyone that can live forever, only the wealthiest, known as “Meths” (in reference to Methuselah), have the means to do so through clones and remote storage of their consciousness in satellites.
Takeshi Kovacs (Kinnaman), a political operative with mercenary skills, is the sole surviving soldier of the Envoys, a rebel group defeated in an uprising against the new world order; 250 years after the Envoys are destroyed, his stack is pulled out of prison by 300-year-old Meth Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), one of the wealthiest men in the settled worlds. Bancroft offers “Tak” the chance to solve a murder—Bancroft’s own—to receive a new shot at life.
THOUGHTS
Frequent CPU! contributors and panelists often suggest shows for CPU! to cover in our podcast episodes – loyal listeners should have picked up on this particular trend by now. Well, when streaming service Netflix (they owe us free subscriptions, we think!) decided to adapt high concept cyberpunk science fiction vehicle Altered Carbon to the small screen, several frequent CPU!ers became decidedly atwitter and began encouraging Altered Carbon podcast coverage in short order.
In addition, though Chief CP Kylie finds the show fascinating, with a slow-burning if sometimes over-the-top mystery and a breathtaking visual pastiche, I think I lack some passion for this story, at least compared to tonight’s moderator. In fact, frequent contributor and panelist Spencer abounds in said passion. Thus, herein we offer our Season 1 recap, with the Chief CP stepping aside from the moderating microphone, so that Spencer may serve as main moderator with the kind of passion that changeable element number 6 deserves while I, instead, participate as a regular old panelist to remark upon the altered-ness of the whole affair. Spencer and I are, in turn, joined at the Water Cooler by requesting CPU! panelists Kels (fka Kelsey), who is currently active on our Supernatural and The Good Place panels and who has previously appeared on a hodgepodge of genre fare, like panels for A Series of Unfortunate Events (ASOUE) and The Vampire Diaries; Selene, who is active on our The Good Place panel but who has appeared with her wife Kels on the ASOUE episodes and who has Looked Back at properties like Marvel’s Agent Carter and Person of Interest; Ben, who is active on our Westworld panel; and a brand new panelist! Our newly constituted panel of potential Meths and probable Grounders, therefore, gathered “Around the Water Cooler” to take a “First Look” at this complex Streaming Original, and in so doing, ruminate in-depth upon the production values, performances, writing, and densely plotted mysteries of this show – and with mostly positive and praise-worthy results.
This episode was recorded in January 2020, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as the panelists cover key plot points – very key plot points – of the first season. Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
RECOMMENDATION
Altered Carbon is recommended by this latest CPU! panel to anyone who enjoys an intricate, delicately woven, and ultimately satisfying story, with exciting action coupled with a cerebral, intelligent mystery to titillate and to ponder; to fans of science fiction and/or of mysteries in general; and to anyone dazzled by a daring visual and auditory aesthetic. Indeed, the panel unanimously and effusively praised the visual presentation of this series, particularly the visual effects, cinematography, and sound design, as solidly representing the series’ crowning achievements. The panelists also credit the complex writing/adaptation of the source material as well as the performances of the ensemble cast, with particular praise for Kinnaman and for Chris Conner as Poe, a holographic and artificially intelligent proprietor of the hotel Raven, named for the poem composed by the proprietor’s namesake and inspiration for his programmed visage.
The panelists further proffer that while the story is told in an intentional and thoughtful way, the first half of the story, as depicted onscreen, can be confusing given the premise that people can transfer their consciousnesses into new bodies and can persevere for eons as long as their stacks survive. The Chief CP particularly regarded this presentation as initially convoluted but also believed it paid off in the end. Therefore, all of our panelists suggest that any would-be viewer should be prepared for an engaging puzzle of a tale that should be actively watched and processed without distraction, like the “multi-screen experience,” and with patience and commitment to the story. The mystery is densely plotted and is full of details large and small, which are additionally shuffled within an already jumbled chronology – and with several faces playing the same character – that both piques curiosity and bewilders if one is not paying adequate attention. In the end, though, and overall, the panelists laud this first season and prove eager to continue watching the second season, which releases tonight at 3:00 AM Eastern on Netflix.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Netflix renewed Altered Carbon for a second season, which will be released to the streaming service’s robust library on February 27, 2020 (tonight)! Our next Altered Carbon episode will, therefore, focus upon the second season of the show and will be published, re-sleeved stacks in tow, sometime in the near future. Like, follow, and/or subscribe to the website, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, Spotify, or our social media accounts to stay abreast of new episodes regarding Altered Carbon as well as new episodes for all of our podcast panels! And, if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review. Thank you!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, our panel of resident CPU! Trekkers – including moderator Chief Couch Potato Kylie, Nick, Sarah, Kyle, and Michael – reconvened Around the Water Cooler to Look Back at Season 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is the fifth part of a multi-part CPU! podcast series – the biggest multi-part series we have ever undertaken – in which we venture into space, the final frontier, by covering each season of each series of the entire Star Trek franchise (the movies too)! This fifth “Star Trek 50+ Series” episode was recorded in December 2019, and, as always, if you haven’t seen any of Star Trek, TNG or otherwise – if that is even possible – be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Rezmer Keyboard: Kelsey Rezmer Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” an American science fiction series created by Gene Roddenberry, which aired in syndication from 1987 to 1994 for seven seasons.
What: “Star Trek: The Next Generation” follows the adventures of the star ship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) and its crew. The third series in the Star Trek franchise, it is the second sequel to Star Trek: The Original Series.
SYNOPSIS
Set in the 24th century, when Earth is part of the United Federation of Planets, it follows the adventures of a Starfleet star-ship, the USS Enterprise-D, in its exploration of the Milky Way galaxy. The Next Generation features a new crew: Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker, Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data, Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Commander Worf, LeVar Burton as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi, and Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher, as well as Denise Crosby as Lieutenant Tasha Yar in Season 1 and Wil Wheaton as Ensign Wesley Crusher in Seasons 1-4.
When: The show aired in syndication from 1987-1994; Season 1 aired from September 28, 1987, to May 16, 1988, with a total of 26 episodes.
Where: The show is set in “space the final frontier,” in what is allegedly the 24th Century, though it should be noted that calculating star dates as quoted during “Captain’s Logs” on the show is an exercise that seems to be more logical in this series than in The Original Series but does not seem to correspond to our present-day time measurement system. Then again, there is probably an explanation in some fan encyclopedia somewhere. We’re not going to worry about that right now, though, gentle listener.
Why: Listen to this episode, linked below, for the panelists’ individual stories on how they found Star Trek: The Next Generation.
How – as in How Much Do We Love this Show?!
In 2017, Couch Potatoes Unite! appeared live at Grand Rapids Comic-Con in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we engaged in one of our spicy “Vs!” debates, specifically the debate entitled “Star Trek v. Star Wars: Battle of the Stars!” During that special, our second most involved panelist, the infamous Nick, gave an impassioned speech in favor of the Star Trek universe, of which he is undeniably a huge fan. In light of Nick’s passion, then, and of his subsequent repetitive bouts of subtle encouragement dedicated to starting this series, we here at CPU! triumphantly continue our biggest – no, really, this will be our biggest – Retrospective Looking Back series of podcast episodes to date. Listen to previous episodes in this series here:
The Original Series: Season 1
The Original Series: Season 2
The Original Series: Season 3
The Animated Series, Seasons 1-2
Our panel of CPU! super-regulars and resident Trekkers – specifically Nick, Sarah, Kyle, and Michael – continue our likely “five year mission” to boldly go where (probably) no one has gone before with this fifth episode of our “Star Trek 50+ Series.” In this feature, we are taking a critical Look Back at a franchise that, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, perseveres, despite occasional periods of dormant but simmering popularity and attempts to regroup in an effort to generate new entries in its over five-decade saga. In each episode of this multi-part series, our panel will Look Back at each season of each series of the Star Trek franchise and will consider how this universe has not only withstood the test of time, while simultaneously becoming timeless, but also continues to rank among the panelists’ personal favorites, not only as a series of television programs but as a favored fandom among many, while remaining one of the most nationally and internationally acclaimed series of television shows of all time.
In this fifth episode of CPU!’s “Star Trek 50+” series, our panel discusses Season 1 of The Next Generation (TNG). We discuss our favorite and least favorite episodes in Season 1 as well as our general impressions of the long-term success of the series as a whole.
Plus, Star Trek: The Next Generation constitutes another entry in our “Best Of!” series. To wit, herein be the list of TNG’s Best Of!:
#46 on TV Guide’s list of 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time
#37 on Empire‘s “50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” in 2008 and #30 in 2016
#55 on The Hollywood Reporter‘s “Hollywood’s 100 Favorite TV Shows”
In addition, Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most celebrated cult TV shows, as the show ranks at #8 on Entertainment Weekly’s Top Cult TV list from 2014. Plus, Star Trek: The Next Generationranked #79 on The Writer’s Guild of America’s Best Written TV list in 2013, as it is also considered one of the best written (scripted) television series of all time.
This particular CPU! episode was recorded in December 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as the panelists cover key plot points and episodic stories of Season 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation! Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next week, a new panel gathers at the CPU! Water Cooler to begin an ongoing series discussing high concept, mature audience, science fiction book-to-screen adaptation Altered Carbon, a highly requested show for Couch Potato-led discussion here at the podcast. Stay tuned!
RECOMMENDATION
Star Trek: The Next Generation – if you haven’t already watched it – is recommended to anyone who hasn’t somehow seen any portion of it in the over 30 years since it first premiered and who enjoys well-written science fiction stories because, as much as Star Trek: The Original Series pioneered good science fiction television in so many ways, not the least of which includes quality stories underlying each of the show’s imaginative episodes, TNG took that sensibility all that much further 20 years after TOS started the trends. As we discuss in this podcast episode, TNG, like its progenitor show, clearly influenced so many other science fiction and fantasy genre programs to follow, not to mention further spin-offs and sequels in the Star Trek universe. To wit, Star Trek: The Next Generation continues the Star Trek tradition of being a timeless, magical fusion of ensemble cast chemistry and out-of-the-box creativity. Indeed, TNG, like TOS, has a bit of everything, and, if you love the genre and/or if you love trying something new, and if you have somehow missed this series, you should make time for Star Trek: TNG. The panel universally agrees and predicts that even if a potential viewer estimated that they would struggle with the aged quality of special effects and performance/presentation of The Original Series, The Next Generation would allay those concerns and would become the gateway Star Trek series worth watching to experience the magic of the universe and the richness of characters and stories it produces. Though, as one of the actors of this particular cast is fond of saying, and to paraphrase, you don’t have to take our word for it!
All seven seasons of TNG are currently available to stream on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, CBS All Access, and maybe some other services of which we are not aware. In the meantime, the CPU! Star Trek 50+ Series panel will return later this spring with Episode 6 of this series, in which we talk Season 2 of TNG. Until then!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in December 2019, our otherworldly panel of CPU! regulars – moderator Kylie, Kristen, Kelsey, Selene, and Jenn – gathered together Around the Water Cooler to Look Back at the erstwhile TGIF sitcom featuring the fluffier, Melissa Joan Hart version of Archie Comics’ own Sabrina Spellman. If you have not watched any of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS. Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Sprague Keyboard: Kelsey Sprague Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” an American situation comedy that aired on ABC from 1996 to 2000 and, later, on the WB from 2000 to 2003.
What: Created by Nell Scovell, Sabrina the Teenage Witch is based upon the Archie Comics series of the same name and stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman, an American teenager who, on her sixteenth birthday, discovers she has magical powers (a departure from the comics, wherein she has known of her powers since an early age). She lives with her 500-year-old aunts, witches Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick), and their magical talking cat, Salem (voiced by Nick Bakay).
SYNOPSIS
As a novice witch, Sabrina’s spells often go awry. Her aunts Hilda and Zelda Spellman counsel her on the proper use of her magic and give her moral advice. Additionally, Hilda and Zelda must care for and monitor Salem Saberhagen, a witch turned into a cat for trying to take over the world.
When: The show aired for seven seasons, for four seasons from 1996 to 2000 on ABC and for three seasons from 2000 to 2003 on the WB.
Where: The show is primarily set in fictional Westbridge, Massachusetts, a purported suburb of Boston.
Why: Listen to the podcast episode for the panelists’ individual stories on how they found Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
How – as in How Much Nostalgia Do We Feel for this Show?!
Frequent CPU! contributors and panelists often suggest shows for CPU! to cover in our podcast episodes – loyal listeners should have picked up on this particular trend by now. Well, as CPU! prepares to chat about other Archie Comics television adaptations, notably Riverdale and the darker-themed The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, in the near future, several of our regular panelists also expressed interest in addressing Sabrina’s prior, fluffier depiction, i.e. the “Teenage Witch” played by Melissa Joan Hart. Thus, this desire produced a new Looking Back panel ready and eager for Water Cooler chitchat of said frothy sitcom, even if the enthusiasm for the show itself did not necessarily match the initial level of enthusiasm expressed about the idea of discussing it.
In this episode, your friendly, neighborhood Chief Couch Potato and main moderator is joined by four of our regular Potatoes, all of whom are much more Millennial and much more attuned to the otherworldly fascinations of Sabrina’s teenage witch-type persona than the Chief CP. To wit, at the Water Cooler, Kylie is joined by our most involved panelist, Kristen, who has participated in podcasts with the other three panelists on various panels; Kelsey, who is currently active on our Supernatural and The Good Place panels and who has previously appeared on a hodgepodge of genre fare, like panels for A Series of Unfortunate Events (ASOUE) and The Vampire Diaries; Selene, who is active on our The Good Place panel but who has appeared with her wife Kelsey on the ASOUE episodes and who has Looked Back at properties like Marvel’s Agent Carter and Person of Interest; and Jenn, who is active on our Supernatural and iZombie panels but who has also appeared with the other three ladies on the ASOUE panel.
This podcast was recorded in December 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the Sabrina the Teenage Witch series. Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, our “Star Trek 50+ Series” panel returns to the Water Cooler to continue CPU!’s awesomely large franchise Retrospective, during which we talk about the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation in a timely parallel to the Enterprise-D (and E!) captain’s latest adventures. Stay tuned!
RECOMMENDATION
Sabrina the Teenage Witch is not universally recommended by our panel. In fact, most of our intrepid panelists would not recommend the show, though one or two panelists, notably Jenn, suggested that a curious viewer could watch the first three seasons of this “genially goofy” comedy and then continue the viewing experience at one’s own magic-induced peril. Panelists Kristen, Kelsey, and Selene noted that nostalgia, if one watched the show back during its first run, could be a strong enough motivating factor to aid bemused enjoyment of this sitcom while consuming it as an adult but also warned that nostalgia would only get someone – and that someone is likely to be of a certain age and of the Millennial generation, as Chief CP Kylie opined – so far. Panelist Selene particularly expressed fondness for some of the Halloween episodes, while panelist Kristen suggested that Boy Meets World might be a better and more satisfying route by which to sample TGIF fare from the late 90s and early 2000s.
Ultimately, though, none of the panelists could endorse the college or “WB” years of this version of Sabrina, and all of the panelists believe, in hindsight, that Sabrina should have ended sooner, when the character graduated from high school, as the show worked best when Sabrina’s aunts could guide her novice witch-hood while Salem contributed sassy snark from his perch near food or a television set. In any event, should courageous and TGIF-loving viewers choose to embark upon the journey of watching this version of Sabrina, they will meet a light, fluffy, somewhat superficial, and entirely formulaic adventure that does not bear much similarity to the comic version of the character but still might tickle the funny bone or, at least, fill a household silence as easy-to-watch, easy-to-ignore background noise.
All seasons of Sabrina the Teenage Witch are currently available to stream on Hulu and at CBS All Access, or through an ancillary service like Amazon Prime with the All Access extension. In the meantime, stay tuned to Couch Potatoes Unite! as our podcast addresses other Archie Comics television adaptations in the near future, starting with the dark and soapy CW thriller Riverdale, to be published sometime this spring. Until then!
BONUS MATERIAL!
If you can believe it, there is a Sabrina the Teenage Witch soundtrack. The Mouse House – so synergistic. Here’s a link for your late 90s nostalgia needs:
In addition, yesterday, Buzzfeed posted a reunion article about the cast! What black magic is this? We did not plan it, but we’ll take the serendipity where we can get it.
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in January 2020, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 2, the now final season, of The Punisher, the first and only spin-off introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. We also process the series’ unfortunate subsequent cancellation with much sadness and grumpiness, given our panel’s universal lauds and accolades for this show. As always, if you have not watched any of the Defenders solo series to date (or the crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Rezmer Keyboard: Kelsey Rezmer Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Marvel’s The Punisher” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is also a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s The Punisher,” created by Steve Lightfoot, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The series revolves around Frank Castle, who uses lethal methods to fight crime as the vigilante “The Punisher,” with Jon Bernthal reprising the role from Marvel’s Daredevil. Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Revah, Jason R. Moore, and Deborah Ann Woll also star.
SYNOPSIS
Frank Castle (Bernthal), known throughout New York City as “the Punisher” after exacting revenge on those responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, uncovers a larger conspiracy beyond what was done to him and his family.
When: Season 2 of the series was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on January 18, 2019, with a total of thirteen episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in New York City, New York, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though this season also ventured to the Midwest, specifically Michigan and Ohio.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the Season 1 podcast episode via the link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases, including this first spin-off the series! As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the three available seasons of Daredevil, Seasons 1 and 2 of JessicaJones, the two available seasons of Luke Cage, the two available seasons of Iron Fist, and the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders. Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Nine, “Luke Cage,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Ten, “Iron Fist,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eleven, Canceled Corner: “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders”
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Twelve, “Daredevil,” Season 3
In this, the thirteenth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series, we revisit the first spin-off of Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows that led up to The Defenders miniseries, namely The Punisher, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. Herein, our panelists experience multiple “nerdgasms,” somewhat mitigated by the pall of the series cancellation, over a solid Season 2 of a spin-off that was not as universally appreciated by our panel following its first season. To wit, the panelists are, for the most part, highly complimentary of The Punisher solo series overall, with general enthusiasm by all panelists for Bernthal and his charismatic portrayal of Marvel’s consummate antihero as well as Barnes’ performance as villain Billy Russo/”Jigsaw.” In fact, all but one of the panel deemed the second season superior to the first, even as most of us also found some supporting characters off-putting, particularly Agent Dinah Madani (Revah) and psychiatrist Krista Dumont (Floriana Lima); in the latter instance, the panel reached consensus on the point that her character was not developed as well as it could have been, given the character’s comic roots. Additionally in this episode, we also process our feelings of grief and mourning over the cancellation of this series, for which we all, even panelist Kristen, offer unreserved lauds and accolades. To hear us hash out these thoughts further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was recorded in January 2020, and, there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the second season and really the entire series of The Punisher. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
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Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, a new panel magically appears at the CPU! Water Cooler, sans snarky black cats, comprised of mostly Millennial panelists (minus you’re very involved Gen X moderator) waxing wittily while Looking Back at Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Stay tuned for all the TGIF ham and cheesy goodness!
PARTING SHOTS
All of the Marvel’s Defenders Series panelists declare that The Punisher Season 2 is another masterful pinnacle of television excellence, with minor qualms and reservations that vary among the panelists about the second season and no lingering plot questions about which to ponder as the show faded to black. Even panelist Kristen, who struggled through the first season, finds love for the Marvel antihero, even if not as wholeheartedly as fellow panelists Kyle and Spencer, who loved him from the start. All of the panelists effusively gushed about Bernthal’s performance as Frank Castle/Punisher in addition to Barnes’ steady and consistent portrayal of Billy Russo/Jigsaw. The panel was more mixed about the supporting players’ performances; their reactions are sussed out in tonight’s episode.
In fact, the panel could only list pros when recommending this series, only two seasons that it is, including the show’s compelling main character (coupled with the actor playing him), the cinematography, the tensely choreographed fight scenes, the continuous improvement in quality, the unusual tone of what would normally be labeled a “superhero show,” and the self-contained quality of the show, with each season containing strong story arcs encapsulating definitive beginnings, middles, and ends. As it is, The Punisher is recommended overall by our CPU! panel to fans of comic books, particularly from the Marvel universe; fans of the various Defenders series; and fans of the Punisher character. The panel cautions that The Punisher is highly graphic and gory, featuring much violence and blood as befits a gun-toting antihero on various vendettas, so if you are an easily squeamish viewer, begin watching while prepared that you will see much in the way of blood and guts. The panel further generally and universally agrees that The Punisher is well-performed, well-written, and well-directed but for some qualms from some panelists about supporting characters, such as Revah’s Madani and Lima’s Krista. In any event, and despite the critiques described above, the panel almost universally had great fun watching this series and believes that anyone who considers themselves a fan of any or all of the individual Defenders would have fun watching it too.
Furthermore, all panelists remain greatly disappointed and angry when faced with the news that Netflix canceled, possibly involuntarily, the six Defenders series, including The Punisher. Several panelists ranked this series their favorite or second favorite among the five solo Defenders series, with only Chief CP Kylie deviating in favor of the more mysticism-heavy Iron Fist (repeated proclamations of Danny Rand being the “immortal Iron Fist” aside). In any event, we hope that once Marvel/Disney can utilize these characters again, contractually or otherwise, the companies see fit to revive The Punisher and really all of the Defenders properties, even if the main characters are combined into one or a few series, such as “Heroes for Hire” and/or another go-round featuring all of The Defenders characters. The cast seems publicly game to return, and the internet chatter echoed the raw disappointment in the idea that capitalism caused the series’ downfall, just like the other Netflix series, Daredevil especially. We can only hope that Disney, Marvel, Netflix, or some other creative business deal will make all right in the near future because something as good as The Punisher should not be left in the television vault for long. Our podcast panel – and, indeed, many of our listeners – implore anyone who can to #savethepunisher.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Canceled! Netflix canceled The Punisher on February 18, 2019, after two seasons.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES!
In tonight’s episode, panelist Kyle makes reference to photographs he showed the other panelists regarding the renderings of Jigsaw’s face in the comics. Here are those pictures:
A potential rendering of Ben Barnes with more comic-appropriate Jigsaw makeup
Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), fully embracing The Punisher mantle. This scene caused controversy with political undertones. What do you think?
LOOKING AHEAD
The CPU! Marvel’s Defenders Series panel will return to the Water Cooler – one final time – in short order to review the third and final season of Jessica Jones and to discuss our post-mortem reactions to the cancellation of that series as well as to wrap up our Marvel’s Defenders Series as a whole (for now). Until then!
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