Slate's Spoiler Specials
474 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★ - 689 ratingsOn Slate's Spoiler Specials, Slate critics, such as Dana Stevens and Willa Paskin, discuss new movies and TV shows in spoiler-filled detail. We dissect twist endings, plot holes, and other secrets you won't read in reviews. WARNING: This podcast contains spoilers (duh).
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Episodes
The Americans S:4 | E:5 Clark's Place | Slate TV Club
April 14, 2016 10:00 - 33 minutesNoah Emmerich (Stan Beeman) joins June Thomas and show runners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg to talk about the awkwardness of directing a steamy sex scene between co-stars (and real life couple) Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, plus the story of how he got a David Bowie song onto the show two days before Bowie passed away. Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Wednesdays at 10pm on FX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
The Americans S:4 | E:4 Chloramphenicol | Slate TV Club
April 07, 2016 10:00 - 30 minutesCosta Robin (Oleg) joins June and show runners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg to discuss last night's episode, plus what it's like auditioning for a bilingual role, and which language he prefers to act in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 11: Slate's Spoiler Special
April 01, 2016 03:59 - 32 minutesGabe and Katy, who were as surprised as you were that this turned out to be the finale of Serial's second season, reflect on the Bowe Bergdahl story and its implications, before turning their attention to the exciting possibilities for Season 3. Thanks to all of you for tuning in to our second season of the Spoiler Special! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Americans S:4 | E:3 Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow | Slate TV Club
March 31, 2016 10:00 - 33 minutesFormer FBI counter intelligence agent Richard Kollmar joins June and the J's to talk about what it's really like to try and turn KGB spies. Plus, line producer Mary Rae Thewlis and Sr. VP of Productions for Fox 21 Bob Lemchen stop by to discuss their roles in episode 403. Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Wednesdays at 10pm on FX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Americans S:4 | E:2 Pastor Tim | Slate TV Club
March 24, 2016 10:00 - 35 minutesFormer KGB secret agent Jack Barsky stops by to compare his own experiences as a spy with those of Phillip and Elizabeth, from recruitment and training, to having two different families while living next door to the FBI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 10: Slate’s Spoiler Special
March 18, 2016 01:52 - 26 minutesEpisode 10 of "Serial" finds the Bowe Bergdahl story zoomed out to its furthest point yet, and Gabe and Katy explain why they think that makes it the strongest part of Season 2 so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Americans S:4 | E:1 Glanders | Slate TV Club
March 17, 2016 13:49 - 25 minutesKeri Russell and Matthew Rhys stop by for a quick conversation with June about the beginning of the season. Writers and executive producers Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg share tricks for disguising Russell's baby bump on camera, the themes they hope to hit in season four, and the unique challenges of writing a season premiere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 9: Slate's Spoiler Special
March 04, 2016 01:15 - 23 minutesGabe and Katy struggle with the ever-shifting frame of season 2’s narrative. What is the real story Koenig and company are driving at? Is there any other way to approach a situation as complicated as Bowe Bergdahl’s? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 7-8: Slate's Spoiler Special
February 19, 2016 21:00 - 26 minutesGabe and Katy dive into this week's two-part episode of "Serial," in which a clearer - and somewhat depressing - picture of Bowe Bergdahl begins to emerge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 1 Update Bonus Episode
February 11, 2016 20:00 - 21 minutesGabe and Katy discuss the successes and failures of Serial's recent series of mini-episodes updating us on Adnan Syed's hearing in Baltimore. What, if anything, does the series add to our understanding of Season 1, and where does it leave us emotionally? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 6: Slate's Spoiler Special
February 05, 2016 01:00 - 34 minutesGabe and Katy are once again joined by former Army officer Adrian Bonenberger to discuss the realities of life on base in Afghanistan, and whether Bowe’s concerns were realistic or idealistic. Plus: fond memories of Season 1, as awakened by today’s surprise release of a mini-episode updating us on Adnan’s retrial hearings in Baltimore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 5: Slate's Spoiler Special
January 22, 2016 05:00 - 29 minutesGabe and Katy talk about the many appealing new characters introduced in this week's episode, and try to suss out the major themes of the season thus far. Plus: listener emails! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Downton Abbey TV Club | S6:E3
January 18, 2016 04:00 - 24 minutesThis is a free preview of Slate's Downton Abbey podcast, a TV Club series that’s just for Slate Plus members. If you are not yet a member and you'd like to listen along as we recap each episode of the show’s final season, learn more at slate.com/downton. In this edition of their members-only TV Club podcast, Outward Editor June Thomas and contributing writer Seth Stevenson discuss the third episode of Season 6 of Downton Abbey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 4: Slate’s Spoiler Special
January 07, 2016 05:00 - 27 minutesNew York Magazine’s Carl Swanson joins us to share behind-the-scenes insights on the making of Serial’s new season, gleaned from his recent interviews with Sarah Koenig and the production team. Plus: is Serial still appointment listening, or is this season’s narrative somehow less compelling, despite its broadened scope? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Downton Abbey TV Club | S6:E1
January 04, 2016 05:00 - 23 minutesCrack open some Veuve Clicquot and enjoy this free preview of Slate's Downton Abbey podcast, a TV club series that's just for Slate Plus members. If you are not yet a member and you'd like to listen along as we recap each episode of the show’s final season, learn more at Slate.com/Downton. In this edition of the podcast, Outward Editor June Thomas and contributing writer Seth Stevenson discuss the Season 6 premiere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 3: Slate’s Spoiler Special
December 25, 2015 05:00 - 30 minutesGabe is joined by Slate’s Jacob Brogan and June Thomas to examine the deepening question of whether or not Bowe Bergdahl is a trustworthy narrator. After an episode that sees him struggle mightily to survive at the hands of the Taliban, it’s becoming harder to doubt him. Plus: listener reactions to episode 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Slate’s Spoiler Special
December 18, 2015 05:00 - 39 minutesSlate's Dana Stevens, Forrest Wickman, and Jamelle Bouie dive into the latest film in the Star Wars saga --- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. WARNING: This podcast contains spoilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 2: Slate’s Spoiler Special
December 17, 2015 05:00 - 37 minutesGabe and Katy wrestle with their feelings of empathy for Bowe Bergdahl, despite the fact that he plainly endangered the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. The question, of course, is why? Author Brendan Koerner, who has written extensively on the phenomenon of military desertion, joins us to offer some theories. Plus: listener responses to last week’s show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Season 2, Ep. 1: Slate's Spoiler Special
December 11, 2015 23:00 - 35 minutesSlate's Gabriel Roth and Katy Waldman are joined by writer and Afghanistan war veteran Adrian Bonenberger to discuss the first episode of Serial's new season. Sarah Koenig and her team opened their new season by deploying a series of familiar narrative tricks, but the show's effect has the potential to be much more wide-ranging this time around. And what are we supposed to make of this Mark Boal guy - can we trust him? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
True Detective Season 2: Slate's Spoiler Special
August 11, 2015 21:00 - 41 minutesIn this Spoiler Special, Slate's Willa Paskin, Laura Bennett, and Ben Mathis-Lilley discuss season two of HBO's True Detective. WARNING: This podcast contains spoilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trainwreck: Slate’s Spoiler Special
July 17, 2015 19:00 - 26 minutesDana Stevens and BuzzFeed features writer Anne Helen-Petersen discuss the plot of Trainwreck, the new comedy starring Amy Schumer. Dana and Anne discuss their favorite moments, the distinctive touch of director Judd Apatow, and performances by Schumer, Bill Hader, John Cena, and LeBron James. Warning: This podcast contains spoilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside Out: Slate's Spoiler Special
June 23, 2015 03:26 - 28 minutesSlate film critic Dana Stevens and senior editor Dan Kois dive into Pixar's Inside Out, an animated film that goes inside the emotions of a young girl. It stars Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Bill Hader and Diane Lane. Dana and Dan discuss how a highly conceptual film about human emotions connects with kids as young as seven years old. Warning: This podcast contains spoilers. Read Dana's review of Inside Out in Slate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Dope: Slate's Spoiler Special
June 22, 2015 00:30 - 25 minutesIn this special podcast mash-up, Dana Stevens of Slate's Spoiler Special sits down with the hosts of Panoply's new show About Race: Baratunde Thurston, Raquel Cepeda, and Tanner Colby. The discuss Dope, filmmaker Rick Famuyiwa's sly new comedy about a young black man's coming of age. Read Dana's review of the film on Slate. Check out Baratunde, Raquel, and Tanner on the About Race podcast at ShowAboutRace.com or subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Learn more about your ad cho...
Spy: Slate's Spoiler Special
June 06, 2015 22:00 - 23 minutesSlate film critic Dana Stevens and senior editor Forrest Wickman discuss Spy, the new comedy starring Melissa McCarthy. The discuss McCarthy's performance in a top-billed role, the abundance of gore and violence, and why Forrest thinks it should have been called Miss Moneypenny Leans In. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tomorrowland: Slate's Spoiler Special
May 22, 2015 16:00 - 29 minutesIn this Spoiler Special, Slate film critic Dana Stevens and senior editor Forrest Wickman split on Tomorrowland, director and screenwriter Brad Bird's new Disney film about time travel, environmental disaster, and the power of utopian thinking to change the world. It stars George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Keegan-Michael Key, and Tim McGraw. Dana and Forrest discuss the performances, the ending, and the role of Walt Disney's idealistic vision for the future. Learn more about your ...
“Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” Companion Podcast
May 04, 2015 04:01 - 28 minutesSponsor Content: In this official companion podcast to the HBO Documentary film “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck,” host Hugo Lindgren talks with the documentary’s director Brett Morgen. “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” premieres on Monday, May 4th at 9 pm eastern on HBO and HBO NOW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Avengers: Age of Ultron
May 01, 2015 18:53 - 33 minutesIn this Spoiler Special, Slate film critic Dana Stevens and ScreenCrush's Matt Singer talk about Avengers: Age of Ultron, writer/director Joss Whedon's last project with Marvel Studios, and debate where this latest superhero blockbuster fits into the huge and ever-expanding Marvel canon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Tales of the Grim Sleeper" Companion Podcast
April 27, 2015 04:01 - 30 minutesSponsor Content: In this official companion podcast to the HBO Documentary film Tales of the Grim Sleeper, host Hugo Lindgren talks with the documentary’s director Nick Broomfield. Tales of the Grim Sleeper premieres Monday, April 27 at 9 pm eastern on HBO and HBO NOW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clouds of Sils Maria: Slate's Spoiler Special
April 11, 2015 20:44 - 29 minutesFilm critics Dana Stevens of Slate and Matt Prigge of Metro discuss the new Olivier Assayas film Clouds of Sils Maria, starring Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, and and Chloë Grace Moretz. WARNING: This podcast is meant to be heard AFTER you've seen the movie. Read Matt Prigge's interview with filmmaker Olivier Assayas in Metro. Read Sharan Shetty's review of the film on Slate: Read Will Di Novi's Slate piece on "The Binoche Effect." Love Slate podcasts? Get more with Slate Plus! Enjoy ex...
White God: Slate's Spoiler Special
March 28, 2015 21:00 - 27 minutesSlate's Dana Stevens and Forrest Wickman discuss White God. WARNING: This podcast is meant to be heard AFTER you've seen the movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s Me, Hilary: The Man Who Drew Eloise Companion Podcast
March 23, 2015 04:01 - 27 minutesSponsor Content: In this official companion to the HBO Documentary film It’s Me, Hilary, host Hugo Lindgren speaks with illustrator and author Hilary Knight, and the documentary’s director Matt Wolf. It’s Me, Hilary: The Man Who Drew Eloise debuts on HBO March 23 at 9 pm eastern. See HBO.com for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cinderella: Slate's Spoiler Special
March 14, 2015 11:00 - 33 minutesSlate's Dan Kois and Katy Waldman discuss Cinderella. WARNING: This podcast is meant to be heard AFTER you've seen the movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Americans S:3 | E:7 Walter Taffet | Slate TV Club
March 12, 2015 06:00 - 27 minutesEach week on Slate's TV Club Insider podcast, the creators, cast, and crew of The Americans reveal behind-the-scenes details about the making of the FX drama's third season. In this installment about the seventh episode, “Walter Taffet,” Noah Emmerich, who stars as FBI agent Stan Beeman, joins script coordinator Molly Nussbaum and executive producers Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg to discuss the trials and tribulations of a first time director. Plus: Fleetwood Mac and the song that didn’t make...
House of Cards S:3 | Full Season | Slate TV Club
March 05, 2015 19:00 - 38 minutesSlate's Willa Paskin, J. Bryan Lowder, Katy Waldman, and Miriam Krule discuss the entire third season of House of Cards, including the show's transitioning focus from political drama to relationship drama, Frank's sexuality, and whether or not that was the best mid-urination international diplomacy ever seen on TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 9 (Season 5)
March 03, 2015 03:00 - 25 minutesEach week, Slate culture critic and Outward editor June Thomas will join frequent contributor Seth Stevenson to dissect the latest developments on the new season of Downton Abbey. In this installment of the podcast, Thomas and Stevenson discuss the Dowager Countess’ romantic past with Prince Kuragin, how Rose’s quick thinking earned Lord Sinderby’s trust, and what lessons Downton Abbey has learned from reality TV. Note: As the name implies, this podcast contains spoilers, and is meant to be...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 8 (Season 5)
February 24, 2015 03:00 - 18 minutesEach week, Slate culture critic and Outward editor June Thomas will join frequent contributor Seth Stevenson to dissect the latest developments on the new season of Downton Abbey. In this installment of the podcast, Thomas and Stevenson discuss Lord Grantham’s feelings towards Marigold, poor Anna’s arrest, and what plotlines should be resolved in the Christmas episode. Note: As the name implies, this podcast contains spoilers, and is meant to be listened to after you watch each episode. Our...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 7 (Season 5)
February 17, 2015 03:00 - 21 minutesEach week, Slate’s culture critic and Outward editor June Thomas will chat with frequent contributor Seth Stevenson to dissect the latest developments on the new season of Downton Abbey. In this installment of the podcast, Thomas and Stevenson discuss Lord Grantham’s tearful farewell to Isis, Lady Edith’s short reign over the publishing house, and whether Atticus and Rose’s new engagement will really last. This podcast contains major spoilers, so listen after you watch each episode. Listen ...
Fifty Shades of Grey: Slate's Spoiler Special
February 14, 2015 10:00 - 27 minutesSlate's Dana Stevens, Amanda Hess and Dan Kois discuss Fifty Shades of Grey. WARNING: This podcast is meant to be heard AFTER you've seen the movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 6 (Season 5)
February 10, 2015 03:00 - 23 minutesAs a member of Slate Plus, you’ll get access to our Spoiler Special podcasts—including our newly launched series about Season 5 of PBS’s Downton Abbey! This Spoiler podcast will be available for Slate Plus members the moment each Downton episode ends, at 10 p.m. Eastern on Sunday nights. Each week, Slate’s culture critic and Outward editor June Thomas will chat with frequent contributor Seth Stevenson to dissect the latest developments on the new season of Downton Abbey. In this installment...
#WalkingDead Podcast: Season 5 Midseason Premiere
February 10, 2015 03:00 - 22 minutesWelcome back! With the return of Season 5, listen to a recap of the midseason premiere, "What Happened and What's Going On.” This is Slate's Walking Dead podcast recap and spoiler special, hosted by Mike Vuolo and Chris Wade. Mike is the host of Lexicon Valley and a senior producer for Slate podcasts. Chris is a producer for the Slate Video team. Be forewarned: We’ll do our best to make this a weekly recap, but we might miss a week or two. For the second half of Season 5, Slate Plus members w...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler Special, Ep. 5 (Season 5)
February 03, 2015 03:00 - 17 minutesEach week, Slate’s culture critic and Outward editor June Thomas will chat with frequent contributor Seth Stevenson to dissect the latest developments on the new season of Downton Abbey. In this installment of the podcast, Thomas and Stevenson discuss the tragedy among poor Edith’s shoulders, why Lord Merton and Isobel make a fine match, and whether Rose just might end up as Mrs. Atticus Aldridge. Spoilers for Episodes 4 to 9 will be made available to Slate Plus members on Sundays at 10 p.m...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 4 (Season 5)
January 27, 2015 03:00 - 26 minutesEach week, Slate culture critic and Outward editor June Thomas will join frequent contributor Seth Stevenson to dissect the latest developments on the new season of Downton Abbey. In this installment of the podcast, Thomas and Stevenson discuss Miss Bunting's lack of social grace, Lady Mary's trail of broken hearts, and how the Dowager Countess continues to surprise us this season. Spoilers for Episodes 4 to 9 will be made available to Slate Plus members on Sundays at 10 p.m. Eastern, at th...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 3 (Season 5)
January 19, 2015 02:45 - 18 minutesIn this installment of the podcast, Slate's June Thomas and Seth Stevenson discuss the best match for Lady Cora, the developing battle over Marigold, and what Thomas’ mysterious phone call could mean for this season. Slate Plus members get early access to our Downton Abbey spoiler specials this season, immediately following the broadcast. If you’re not a Slate Plus member, try out this early access for the first three Downtown spoilers. If you like it, sign up for Slate Plus! Learn more abou...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 2 (Season 5)
January 12, 2015 03:00 - 16 minutesSlate's culture editor June Thomas and senior writer Seth Stevenson react to Episode 2 of Downton Abbey's fifth season, including the war memorial and the lingering possibility of a Carson-Mrs. Hughes kiss. Slate Plus members get early access to our Downton Abbey spoiler specials this season, immediately following the broadcast. If you’re not a Slate Plus member, try out this early access for the first three Downtown spoilers. If you like it, sign up for Slate Plus! Learn more about your ad c...
The Downton Abbey Spoiler, Episode 1 (Season 5)
January 09, 2015 17:56 - 18 minutesSlate's culture editor June Thomas and contributor Seth Stevenson react to Episode 1 of Downton Abbey's fifth season, including vintage burns, whether anyone can truly make Lady Edith happy, and brewing class resentment. Slate Plus members get early access to our Downton Abbey spoiler specials this season, immediately following the broadcast. If you’re not a Slate Plus member, try out this early access for the first three Downtown spoilers. If you like it, sign up for Slate Plus here! Learn...
Serial Spoiler Special: Jay Talks (But Not To Sarah)
January 02, 2015 20:31 - 26 minutesIn the wake of Jay Wilds' exclusive interview with The Intercept, Slate reunites the Serial Spoiler gang for one more crazy caper. David Haglund and Katy Waldman discuss how Jay's Q-and-A might affect the case and Serial's first season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inherent Vice: Slate's Spoiler Special
December 20, 2014 22:00 - 44 minutesSlate's Dana Stevens, Aisha Harris and Chris Wade discuss Inherent Vice. WARNING: This podcast is meant to be heard AFTER you've seen the movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Ep. 12: Slate's Spoiler Special
December 18, 2014 19:20 - 34 minutesDavid Haglund, Katy Waldman, and The Gist's Mike Pesca discuss "What We Know" and whether Serial's first season ended up being "a contemplation on the nature of truth," as Mike once feared. NOTE: Listen to this podcast AFTER you listen to the Serial episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Ep. 11: Slate's Spoiler Special
December 12, 2014 00:14 - 42 minutesDavid Haglund, Katy Waldman, and Grantland's Wesley Morris react to "Rumors," the latest episode of Serial from This American Life. Plus, they talk with Mark Phillips, the musician and sound designer who composes most of the show's score. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial Ep. 10: Slate's Spoiler Special
December 04, 2014 22:45 - 27 minutesDavid Haglund, Katy Waldman, and Laura Anderson react to "The Best Defense Is a Good Defense," the latest episode of Serial from This American Life. They discuss possible religious bias in Adnan's trial, the defense attorney's behavior, and Jay's deal with prosecutors. NOTE: Listen to this spoiler AFTER you listen to the Serial episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices