Robot or Not? 342: Superhero Naming Conventions

We complete our run through blades with “Blade Runner 2049,” a late sequel in which Ryan Gosling plays a replicant detective searching for an explosive secret that could change everything… and is unsurprisingly tied to characters from “Blade Runner.” We discuss why a replicant might need a holographic girlfriend, Jared Leto’s eyes, and once again, if Deckard is a replicant or not and why that really doesn’t matter. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Erika Ensign, Dan Moren and Monty Ashley.

It’s time for a new generation to take charge. Back on Earth, we meet a surprising new character with a deep “For All Mankind” lineage. On Mars, Dev gives Alex a pep talk that goes rapidly awry. Aleida deals with a serious Mars hangover. And when he discovers a nefarious plan that might change Mars forever, Alex puts his vending machine hacking skills to use. Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

Fritz Lang directed a pair of noirs in the mid-40s, starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett and Dan Duryea. The other is Woman in the Window. In Scarlet Street Eddie G. Is a mild-mannered cashier who meets Kitty, a beauty who might not mean him well. And then Dan Duryea gets involved. Like any self-respecting noir classic, this one is nice to look at, and even features twelve paintings created for the film. In real-life, Eddie collected art and Dan Duryea was a nice man. Shelly Brisbin with Philip Michaels, Dr. Drang, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard.

It’s space cops, Sith Lords, and shockball this week as your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony discuss the latest pair of Maul - Shadow Lord episodes. Plus, moral quandaries, a call for listener mail, and more than you wanted to know about copyright law. Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.

A new game! Each round, players are presented with an assortment of letters. They must retcon the best initialism for the round’s category and hope that everyone else votes for theirs. And since each round is drawn at random, host Lex gets to play, too! Will someone beat Lex at what is literally his own game? Lex Friedman with Kathy Campbell, Brian Warren, Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren and Brian Hamilton.

boss these podcasts are getting out of hand the other day i heard dan mccoy and his much older brother discussing archy and mehitabel by which i mean the column by don marquis that started in 1916 and then was collected into a book if you could call it that in 1927 John McCoy with Dan McCoy.

In this thrilling conclusion, someone unexpected pays a visit to the final battle, someone expected performs a ritual, and (almost) everyone gets nicknames. Tony Sindelar with Bryan Guffey, Erika Ensign, Jason Snell, Mikah Sargent and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.

The gloves come off this week as Fisk steps into the ring to do some heavy hitting charity work, Matt does some detective work to track down Dex, and Dex steals the show. Put on your bibs because this one we’re dining out on diner lobster. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Listener Joshua is really focused on the grammar of Superhero and Supervillain names. Is Batman a bat? Does Doctor Doom have an advanced degree? Can Rogue keep her name while joining the X-Men? Are there any rules at all? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony are back to cover a brand new show: Maul - Shadow Lord (not to be confused with other Mauls, accept no substitutes). We discuss the long strange charisma of this Sith Lord/crime boss/suspect mentor, mixing crime tropes with our sci-fi, and a frankly surprising amount about ska. Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.