Geek Critique

This week we discuss Despair in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, including how despair affects an optimistic character like Aang, when incarceration leads to despair, and how the existence and disappearance of the Avatar might have caused despair in his 100 year absence. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week we discuss Identity in the Hunger Games, analyzing the tributes' chariot costumes, Katniss' changing identities, and the difference between chosen identities and those forced upon you. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week we have a special Sorting Chat where we place characters we get to know in the second book of the Hunger Games into their Hogwarts Houses! We discuss whether Haymitch's drinking is brave or cowardly, Finnick's loyalty, and how Beetee shows some of the negative aspects of Ravenclaw and Slytherin houses. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week we discuss Agency in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, asking how much agency Bilbo and the Army of the Dead have, whether the One Ring should be considered a character, and the lack of economic systems in the narrative of Tolkien's stories. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week we discuss Belief in Harry Potter, analyzing the difference between Dumbledore believing in and trusting others, whether Harry could have trusted Snape if he knew the truth, and how the lack of a religious or spiritual belief system leaves out rich context from the lives of the magical world. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week Chris and Brittany discuss Compassion in Star Wars, interrogating just how compassionate the Jedi really are, extolling the virtues of Rose Tico, and delving into the deeper motivations behind Anakin's actions. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week we will have our first ever Sorting Chat about characters from Harry Potter, for this first time re-sorting Harry, Ron, and Hermione into houses other than Gryffindor. We discuss how Harry's relationship with Draco would change were he in Slytherin, how Ron is NOT the best boy, and ask if politician Hermione would be like Elizabeth Warren. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is

This week we have a Sorting Chat about the heroes from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. We discuss Anakin as a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff gone bad, Qui-Gon Junn as the bad boy of the galaxy, and how Jar Jar Binks fits into Helga Hufflepuff's ideology. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

This week, we look at ATLA and LOK through the theme of Bias. Since there are so many different types of bias interwoven into each series, we got to cover everything from Fire Nation characters, to the Spirit World, to questionable timelines (and questionable enunciations by Chris). If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com

This week, we look at The Hunger Games through the theme of "friendship." We discuss Peeta's work to be friends with Katniss, how the concept of debt plays into friendships, and we ask if having friends in the Hunger Games would be an advantage or disadvantage. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com

This week, we look at LOTR through the theme of Violence and (unsurprisingly) there's a lot to talk about. We analyze both the Steward of Gondor and Gandalf, think about how violence impacts character development, and see where the books and movies diverge. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com

In this episode we look at the strengths and weaknesses of ability representation in Harry Potter. We explore ideas surrounding Neville and his parents, Lupin, and several characters that don't have access to magic. We also critique the Wizarding World for how they allocate resources and find other cases of ableism in and outside of the books. (Oh, and here is fair warning that we don't talk about PTSD at all this episode because trauma is one of our HP themes for a future episode!) If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https:

In this week's episode, we explore the theme of Play in Star Wars. We talk about Han and Lando, consider if Droids can play, and wish those on the Dark Side had a more playful side. If you haven't read Chris’ new blog post about his experience as a presenter at San Diego Comic-Con yet, you can read it and even watch his presentation here: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast/post/san-diego-comic-con If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com

This week we discuss Compassion in ATLA and LOK! We talk a lot about Katara and Aang, consider if taking bending away is a compassionate act, think about Iroh and Zuko’s relationship, and wonder if Avatars feel compassion while in the Avatar State. We also announce that Chris’ new blog post about his experience as a presenter at San Diego Comic-Con is now up! You can read it and even watch his presentation here: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast/post/san-diego-comic-con If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https

This week, we look at The Hunger Games through the theme of Despair. We oh-so-shockingly look at Katniss, think about if generational despair can be a thing, and wonder if certain characters have defiance in the face of despair or if they aren't truly in despair if they still have fight in them. Basically, we go a bit back and forth on if we see despair everywhere or only in a few specific moments, depending on how we define the term. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbe

In this very special episode, we interview some of the wonderful attendees at San Diego Comic-Con about their love for Harry Potter, Avatar, and Star Wars! From a professor who sends Hogwarts letters to his students to a number of amazing cosplayers, we hear lots of great perspectives on what they love about these series and what they'd like to see more of. Spoiler warning for each of these series: we discuss how they end at length! If you want to hear more about our San Diego Comic-Con experience (and watch a video of Chris as a presenter!) you can read Chris' blog about it here: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast/post/san-diego-comic-con Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com

In this week's episode, we analyze LOTR (and a bit of The Hobbit) through the theme of Loneliness. We look at several characters, including Treebeard, Gollum, Gandalf, Éowyn, and Aragorn. We also consider how the ring diminishes or extenuates loneliness, how certain hobbits help break through its hold, and how Sauron would have been more interesting if he was lonely without his best bud blood ring. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Log

This week, we tackle the theme of courage in Harry Potter (although there is so much in the series, it's more like we just graze the surface). We discuss the Battle of Hogwarts, ponder if Dumbledore is actually very brave at all, and re-sort some characters. In the end, Brittany gushes about Harry while Chris finds himself falling in love with that green-eyed, messy-haired boy. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www

This week, we look at war in Star Wars. We examine Padme Amidala's efforts to avoid war, think about how war does and doesn't impact relationships in the series, critique the absence of significant elements of warfare, and wonder about underlying causes of Star Wars conflicts. While this week's theme sounds overly apparent, we actually find that SW isn't as good at war as it really should be - come on, it's in the name, people! If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenth

This week, we dive into the theme of leadership in ATLA and LOK. We have a fun discussion on Katara, the Earth Kingdom, non-powered character tropes, missed opportunities in the Northern Water Tribe, and even come up with a new fossil fuel company. If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming one of our amazing patrons for just $1 per month here: https://www.patreon.com/geekbetweenthelines. Every dollar helps keep the podcast sustainable! Another great way to help the podcast is by leaving us a review on your podcast app and telling a friend about us. Please follow us on social media, too: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/geekbetweenthelines Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/geekbetweenthelines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/geekbetweenthelines Twitter : https://twitter.com/geekbetween Website: https://geekbetweenthelines.wixsite.com/podcast Logo artist: https://www.lacelit.com