Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast
42 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 7 years ago - ★★★★ - 22 ratingsWelcome to Decrypted, Ars Technica's weekly podcast that follows TV shows like Mr. Robot and Westworld. We'll be diving into the shows in a way only Ars can—which is to say it'll be thorough, we'll talk with experts, and no detail is too minute or nerdy.
Mr. Robot S2 starts 7/13/16. Westworld starts 10/2/16.
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Episodes
You might say that you know me. (S01E07)
June 13, 2017 03:17 - 48 minutesIn this week's podcast host Annalee Newitz talks with fantasy author Claire Light about this week's unusual subjects: Irish folklore, Mad Sweeney and historical figure (and possible ancestor of Laura Moon), Essie. Also in this podcast, Ars features editor Nathan Mattise interviews actor Bruce Langley about his character Technical Boy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
You could use a blood sacrifice. (American Gods S01E06)
June 06, 2017 14:22 - 1 hourIn this week's double-mega-sized podcast, host Annalee Newitz first recaps episode six with Ars senior editor and gun enthusiast Lee Hutchinson. Then we join writer Genevieve Valentine in New York City for her interviews with actors Orlando Jones (Mr. Nancy) and Ricky Whittle (Shadow Moon) as they discuss all things American Gods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Drengr! (American Gods S01E05)
May 30, 2017 20:39 - 41 minutesIn this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with author and UC Berkeley / U. Colorado at Boulder professor Jackson Crawford, who writes, translates (e.g. "drengr" = "badass") and teaches old Norse. They talk viking lore, Odin and the gods, and how the show depicts (or deviates from) old Norse mythology and poetry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Definitely not light as a feather. (American Gods S01E04)
May 22, 2017 21:01 - 38 minutesIn this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with Paula Gaetos, author at The Tokusatsu Network, about American Gods episode 4. Subjects discussed: Laura's backstory and resurrection, her awful personality, her relationship with Shadow, the insane blood-fight, and how she and her story differ from the book (hint: lots). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
I do not grant wishes. (American Gods S01E03)
May 16, 2017 14:48 - 46 minutesIn this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with Locus and Rhysling award-winning writer and critic Amal El-Mohtar about episode 3 of American Gods. They also discuss the portrayal of middle-eastern characters in fiction/tv, and the integration of fantasy elements in narrative storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A man was f**ked. (American Gods S01E02)
May 09, 2017 00:10 - 38 minutesOn this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with io9.com critic and comic book writer Evan Narcisse about how American Gods fits into a comic book tradition. Also discussed: Orlando Jones' incredible performance in this week's intro; the importance of Shadow's race; the identities of all the gods so far; and of course, the art of the slaughterhouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
I don’t believe in anything I can’t see. (American Gods S01E01)
May 02, 2017 02:05 - 37 minutesThe Ars Decrypted podcast continues with the new Starz series American Gods, based on Neil Gaiman's popular novel. In this week’s show, Ars Technica's tech culture editor/host Annalee Newitz talks with Ars culture reporter Sam Machkovech about how the show compares to the novel: the characters, the tone, and what the showrunners got right, or not-so-right, in the adaptation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It's part of the equation now. (The Expanse S02E13)
April 22, 2017 16:27 - 36 minutesIn this week's podcast, Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Techinca culture editor Annalee Newitz about this season's finale: how the future of the series will relate to the books; what will Fred Johnson's next move be; what is Avasarala's fate on Mao's ship; and what in the universe is Project Caliban up to? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Just get to the f***ing point. (The Expanse S02E12)
April 14, 2017 13:46 - 33 minutesIn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Video Producer Jennifer Hahn about episode 12, "The Monster and the Rocket": Errinwright makes a bold move that can't be taken back; Avasarala tries diplomacy on Mao's fancy yacht-ship; Naomi tries to help refugees off Ganymede with tragic consequences; and Holden-as-Ahab continues his mission to kill the humanoid protomolecule. Our hosts also discuss classic and obscure sci-fi television that influenced them to become fans...
Here there be dragons. (The Expanse S02E11)
April 06, 2017 15:35 - 37 minutesOn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps The Expanse S02 Episode 11: things go from bad to worse for the Roci crew on Ganymede, Bobbi Draper takes a stand against Mars by defecting to Earth, as things heat up in the Mars/Earth conflict. Then Ars Technica science editor John Timmer talks with authors Amanda Hendrix and Charles Wohlforth about their new book Beyond Earth, which details the challenges of space colonization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi...
We can not afford to be enemies anymore. (The Expanse S02E10)
March 30, 2017 16:21 - 46 minutesOn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Business Editor Cyrus Farivar, who is a huge fan of the show. Last year, Cyrus held a live talk with Nick Farmer, the linguist who invented the Belter language for the TV show and became intrigued. Cyrus talks about how his interest grew out of being a fan of shows like BSG, and how he's impressed with the tech, culture and science of The Expanse. Later in the show, Ars Technica's John Timmer sits down with actress Frankie ...
Well, this is off to a good start. (The Expanse S02E09)
March 23, 2017 17:09 - 28 minutesOn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin talks with actor Wes Chatham about his character Amos on The Expanse. Wes talks about being a fan of the books before being offered the role on the show, how he approaches this unusual character, and the discussion veers off into Blade Runner territory (which version is Wes' favorite?). Jonathan also recaps season 2, episode 9: the Roci crew commandeer a ship to Ganymede, Bobbi Draper takes her first trip to Earth to be grilled during the...
The shout came from Ganymede. (The Expanse S02E08)
March 16, 2017 18:57 - 32 minutesIn this week's podcast, Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Technica's space editor Eric Berger about NASA and the possibilities of space travel and colonization. Jonathan also recaps this week's episode: we meet Praxideke Meng, a refugee scientist from Ganymede who becomes key to finding out what happened there; the Belters rebel against Fred Johnson after Anderson Dawes kidnaps his "secret" (Cortizar, the scientist working on the protomolecule). Later on in the podcast, Ars Technica's science ed...
The truth is never what you expect it to be. (The Expanse S02E07)
March 10, 2017 03:14 - 28 minutesOn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin is joined by linguist Nick Farmer who created the spoken language of Belter for The Expanse. Last year, Nick was our first Ars Live guest at Oakland's Longitude bar, and he's back to speak with us one-on-one. Jonathan also recaps season 2, episode 7: as the UN leaders argue about what to do about Mars, the Roci crew helps refugees from Ganymede on Ceres, Bobbi Draper tries to recall what happened to her crew, and Anderson Dawes challenges...
You have to pick a side. (The Expanse S02E06)
March 03, 2017 18:36 - 32 minutesOn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin is joined by Ars' very own science editor John Timmer, as we discuss a particular science fiction trope he can't stand, and recap the latest goings-on with Eros, the UN on Earth, and the Mars soldiers on Ganymede. John also speaks with Dominique Tipper, who plays Naomi Nagata, whom he interviewed at NBC/30 Rock before the season started, about her overall thoughts on her character. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...
Ok, so we broke a few laws of physics. (The Expanse S02E05)
February 23, 2017 22:30 - 39 minutesIn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps season 2, episode 5 of The Expanse, as we follow Miller on his journey to stop Eros from hitting Earth with the help of an old "friend"; the UN puts their plan into action to stop Eros, as the powerless Roci crew does what they can to support Miller, the UN and Fred Johnson's plans to save Earth. Jonathan also talks with geophysicist and sci-fi TV consultant Mika McKinnon about her possible 'Sharknado' connection, the wonderful wo...
Oi, pampaw! You starting to like space now? (The Expanse S02E04)
February 17, 2017 03:01 - 29 minutesIn this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps season 2, episode 4 of The Expanse, as we join the crew as they commence their plan to take the Nauvoo on its mission to Eros, and the noose tightens on Protogen and its allies back on Earth, thanks to everyone's favorite UN badass, Avasarala. Jonathan also talks with award-winning sci-fi author Kameron Hurley about space opera in general, biotech in science fiction, and some of the politics in The Expanse. Learn more about your a...
Miller finds his groove. (The Expanse S02E03)
February 08, 2017 22:26 - 35 minutesIn this episode of Decrypted: The Expanse, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps season 2 episode 3: The Rocinante crew and Fred Johnson deal with the aftermath of Miller's decision, Mars soldiers gear up for a fight, and Earth's government tries to figure out the OPA's motives. Jonathan also talks with showrunner Naren Shankar about creating the show, his studies to be a PHD-level engineer, and why he decided to take the Hollywood career route. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
They gave the g*damn thing a name. (The Expanse S02E01-2)
February 01, 2017 15:22 - 43 minutesIn this episode of Decrypted: The Expanse, we join the Syfy show in its second season. Ars Technica's Annalee Newitz and Jonathan Gitlin talk about the show's many layers, themes and the adaptation from the books. Jonathan also talks to Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, the authors of the books (under the pen name James SA Corey), about the challenges of adapting for the screen. NOTE: there is a minor spoiler from one of the later books in this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
You really do make a terrible human being. (Westworld S01E10)
December 06, 2016 22:06 - 44 minutesTopics discussed: We just don't care that William and MIB are the same person (seriously why is this such a big deal); how Maeve's final revelation completely sold her character short (and also made no sense given her past actions); why Bernard why (you were our favorite character and now you're a blob); the differences between Arnold and Ford's ideas about consciousness (or lack thereof); W.E.B. Dubois' idea of double consciousness (and why it completely fits robot consciousness in this stor...
With all due respect sir, you broke into my mind. (Westworld S01E09)
November 29, 2016 21:32 - 41 minutesThis week's guest is Norman Chan, co-founder of Tested, where he writes and makes videos about science, technology, and pop culture. He is a huge fan of Westworld, and has some fascinating observations about which robot characters are the most realistic. Topics discussed: The big reveal about Arnold (and what this says about Ford's plans); timeframes and robot memory (this is a lot more complex than a "dual timeline" theory); long loops and short loops (and OMG we are starting to think a lot...
I can change the rules of this world. (Westworld S01E08)
November 22, 2016 20:51 - 40 minutesTopics discussed: Why the MIB is really looking for the maze (he wants a game with consequences), what makes the gameplay in Westworld so unsatisfying (there's no Minecraft element to it), Jane's so-crazy-it-just-might-work theory about who the MIB really is (and what the maze really is too!), how many timelines are floating around inside Dolores' head (yes we are finally coming around to the multiple timeline idea), whether it's cheating on your partner if you have sex with a robot (it's mor...
There has to be a blood sacrifice. (Westworld S01E07)
November 15, 2016 22:27 - 32 minutesTopics discussed: Metafiction (AKA fiction about fiction), what the hell with the Bernard reveal (really, what the hell), the challenge of telling a story that feels familiar yet surprising (and how Westworld did it), whether the robots are just like humans or radically different (yes and no), Ford's real motivations (it's complicated), how intellectual property might be the enemy of storytelling (or maybe not), whether stories can be dangerous (sometimes), what characters and ideas got Yu ex...
We're going to have some fun, aren't we? (Westworld S01E06)
November 08, 2016 15:08 - 40 minutesTopics discussed: The unregistered robots (Ford's robot family is seriously creepy), the true meaning of the maze (and why Teddy has gotten so boring), Maeve's attribute matrix (and the greatest scene in the entire show), what it means to be trapped in a narrative (male and female roles for robots are both terrible), when will a guy have sex with a male robot (it can't happen soon enough), why the park offers no romance stories or female-centric adventures (what? ladies don't want sex?), and ...
Perhaps you are unraveling. (Westworld S01E05)
November 01, 2016 19:22 - 47 minutesTopics discussed: The state of Dolores' mind (Arnold and a bunch of other things are in her head), Ford's freaky conversation with the MIB (a treat to watch), the economics of Westworld (it's hemorrhaging cash), the economics of the real world (MIB says it's peachy, but the poor med tech Felix is terrified he'll lose his job), the two faces of Lawrence (El Lazo!), what's going on in Pariah (and are the Confederados linked to Wyatt?), how guns work in Westworld (here's what we've figured out s...
Go blackhat with me. (Westworld S01E04)
October 25, 2016 21:44 - 39 minutesIn this episode, our guest is combat tech expert Peter W. Singer, author of Wired for War and strategist at the New America Foundation. Topics discussed: Whether it's inevitable that humans will use robots for violence as Ford says (a philosophy question that goes back centuries), how the robots in Westworld are like military robots in the real world (creepy parallels abound), how you program a robot to be ethical in war (it's much harder than you think), why it matters that Westworld's war ...
Don't forget, the hosts are not real. (Westworld S01E03)
October 18, 2016 00:17 - 39 minutesThis week, we explore episode 3 of Westworld with guest Kyle Orland, Ars Technica's games editor. Topics discussed include: Julian Jaynes' theory of the bicameral mind (you must do LSD to fully understand it), robot consciousness (it ain't your grandmother's three laws of robotics), Teddy's new backstory with Wyatt (holy crap Wyatt's gang is scary and confusing), Ford's anti-robot racism (he's got issues), the Westworld gameplay (why are there no consequences to getting shot?), the kinds of ...
Step into analysis mode, please. (Westworld S01E02)
October 11, 2016 22:41 - 40 minutesOn this episode, I'm joined by Ars Technica's video editor Jennifer Hahn, who is a documentary filmmaker and editor. We talk about the recent episode, as well as how it fits into the world established in the original Westworld movie, its sequel Futureworld, and the short-lived 1980 TV series Westworld. Jen also talks to us about Westworld's cinematography and design. Topics discussed: Whether the Westworld theme park is underground (maybe?), William's white hat status (dubious), the robot UX...
All the devils are here. (Westworld S01E01)
October 04, 2016 00:09 - 30 minutesIn our debut episode of Decrypted: Westworld, we talk about the show's many layers of conspiracies, and its overarching themes. We're joined by award-winning science fiction author Charlie Jane Anders, who talks to us about how the series grapples with the idea that memory is key to identity, and wonders whether Westworld can achieve the same mainstream popularity as Game of Thrones. Other topics discussed include: Anthony Hopkins (annoying or not?), Ed Harris (holy crap scary), the big reve...
Ars Decrypted continues with HBO's Westworld
October 03, 2016 23:33 - 49 secondsArs Technica continues our Decrypted podcast with the first season HBO's Westworld created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan. Based on Michael Crichton's novel and the 1973 film with Yul Brynner of the same name, this drama about robots in a wild west theme park will fascinate, make you (extremely) uncomfortable, and generally creep you out. Join us each week as we explore the latest episode with colleagues, writers, and technology experts to discover and decrypt this complex, psychological worl...
Final finale thoughts and Joanna Wellick's meanest line ever (Mr. Robot S2)
September 28, 2016 16:18 - 40 minutes"As I was preparing to utter the first part of the sentence I just stopped," says Stephanie Corneliussen, aka Joanna Wellick. "I looked across the table at Sam Esmail and gave him that kind of 'What did you do? I can’t say this' look. And he just gives me one of those famous Sam scowls that’s like 'Go ahead, do it.' I said it, and everyone is reading along but hearing it out loud... we just burst out laughing because it’s so over the limit, so over the top.” Mr. Robot S2 ended with its share...
Intermission inquiries (Mr. Robot S2)
September 17, 2016 19:46 - 23 minutesOnly one hour of Mr. Robot S2 remains, but many questions do. Before the second half of season two's finale, GQ's entertainment and culture critic Scott Meslow helps us take stock of what answers we can expect and what's likely to linger into S3. "I have such a hard time getting mad at a show for being ambitious," Meslow says. "And they are really swinging for the fences. It's been a lot of fun, but ultimately it's a season that doesn't know which cards it should be playing at which times. ...
Inside Darlene's drama and Elliot's mind (Mr. Robot S2)
September 11, 2016 21:02 - 24 minutesIt's penultimate episode time for S2, and in the classic style of The Wire we may have a death or two on this week's Mr. Robot. "h1dden-pr0cess.axx" ends on a cliffhanger with possibly tremendous repercussions, so this week we start by examining the possibilities and evidence surrounding Darlene's drama. Then, professional psychologist and TV writer Cameron Brown (@couchpotpsych) joins the podcast to dive deep into the mind of Elliot... because even within an episode that ends on such an act...
How do you write answers for Mr. Robot's big questions? (Mr. Robot S2)
September 03, 2016 16:28 - 43 minutes"Who was behind the door? We already knew that," Mr. Robot staff writer Lucy Teitler told us this week. "I think it happens a lot with the show, the big questions the fans are obsessed with are things we all decide. They’re foundational. So the individual pressure is on with the way scenes are written.” Teitler is a new staffer for Mr. Robot S2 and, no pressure, her first episode assignment happened to include the fallout from that big Elliot reveal. She co-wrote "init_5.fve" with colleague ...
Even Kor Adana was surprised there was no Elliot this week (Mr. Robot S2)
August 29, 2016 17:16 - 39 minutes"succ3ss0r" (S2E8) did the unthinkable—an entire episode of Mr. Robot *without* Elliot. Even show staff writer/head technical producer Kor Adana didn't see that coming. "I had a lot of anxiety and I know the other writers in the room had a lot of anxiety, because we weren’t sure how it was going to be received," he told us on this week's pod. "The question was: did we do enough work early in S2 laying the groundwork for our supporting cast to carry an episode?" This week, we finally got the ...
Looking forward after the "h4ndshake" shake-up (Mr. Robot S2)
August 20, 2016 14:25 - 15 minutes"h4ndshake" (S2E7) shook up Mr. Robot like few previous episodes have. While the critical opinion seems split on how the show handled its latest reveal, one thing rings a bit false—the notion this was some unexpected "twist." This week we *had* to break down the big news, which raises more question than it answers (that's a good thing, btw). Looking forward, two of the show's tech advisors—Tanium's Andre McGregor and Ryan Kazanciyan—presented a webinar this week with plenty of behind the sc...
The best and worst of Mr. Robot S2 (so far)
August 12, 2016 22:44 - 25 minutesWith m4ster-s1ave (S2E6), Mr. Robot S2 is officially at the halfway point. That means now is the perfect time to look at the series at-large with Ars Technica's reviewer, Jonathan Gitlin. We break down what's happened thus far in five categories: our favorite sequences, biggest surprises, largest disappointments, most lingering questions, and craziest fan theories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mr. Robot's logic_b0mb shakes up S2 (Mr. Robot S2)
August 06, 2016 13:22 - 13 minutesWith "logic_b0mb" (S2E5), Mr. Robot's second season reached another level. From the FBI's tragedy to the reunion of our main characters, the episode seemed to address any lingering concerns fans may have from the slower pace of S2 thus far. Given how significant the happenings were this week, we devoted the entire pod to breaking down what made logic_b0mb so effective. Touching on everything from Ray to Joanna Wellick, fsociety to Whiterose, there are clearly spoilers ahead. Learn more abou...
Overcoming TV's sophomore slump and how Netflix may have led to Mr. Robot S2
July 28, 2016 18:59 - 23 minutesThis week on Decrypted, "init1.asec" (S2E4) hammers home just how different Mr. Robot S2 is compared to the series' original 10 episodes. To better understand what's happening both on- and off-screen, preeminent TV mind Andy Greenwald (formerly of Grantland, now of The Watch podcast and After The Thrones/Hacking Robot) joins the podcast for a long discussion. We start by talking about some of the season's biggest surprises thus far before transitioning into how the Netflix TV revolution has b...
The best sounding (and most fan-theory friendly) show on television (Mr. Robot S2)
July 21, 2016 13:01 - 24 minutesOn this week's Decrypted, Mr. Robot's "k3rnel-pan1c.ksd' (S2E3) quickly flipped the script on S2. With the show's higher profile, there's more theorizing than ever despite the show's intent on subverting our expectations. The most popular fan theory seems kaputt after this week, so we offer three pie-in-the-sky conspiracies that will hopefully have more legs. We also talk about the show's sound this week. From Phil Collins to the Pixies, Dusty Springfield to FKA Twigs, soundtrack is as impor...
This is how you pen test for Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot S2)
July 14, 2016 17:30 - 24 minutesAfter Mr. Robot S2 returned with "unm4sk" (S2E1), we offer an appreciation of our new favorite character and chat with the show's FBI Consultant, Andre McGregor (@AndreOnCyber). A full review of this week's two-part episode can be found at arstechnica.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our crash course to the world of Mr. Robot (Mr. Robot S2)
July 08, 2016 17:13 - 24 minutesOn the debut episode, we look back to season one exclusively through the eyes (err, words) of main character Elliot Alderson (played by Rami Malek). Despite the Internet's (justified) obsession with the show's realistic depiction of tech, Ars reviewer Jonathan Gitlin said the characters and especially how "they break down and experience their delusions" is what made Mr. Robot compelling. So if break downs and delusions are what you're after, no one is better to relive S1 with than Elliot. We...