Total Party Kill 571: If Clippy Was a Sword

After a strong opening couple of episodes Lanterns takes us back in time a little to see how wee John Stewart grew up. We do not, in any way, support this method of raising a child. Even one destined to do goofy things with a fancy alient ring. With that behind us we’re back in 2016 as John & Hal close in on the Manhunter and find themselves in a sketchy situation. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Jaee decides whether she should stay or she should go. K’ronng leaves the murder corner. Levithia is convinced by a rope. Tink gets giggly-excited by danger. Cherish smashes a Ding Dong. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Kat Griffiths, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

The Summer of Sundance continues with the paranoid thriller, “Three Days of the Condor.” A devastatingly handsome nerd goes out to buy sandwiches for the office, and the next thing he knows he’s on the run and kidnapping Faye Dunaway… Jason Snell with David J. Loehr, Shelly Brisbin, Paul Weimer, Glenn Fleishman and Dan Moren.

In this fantastic episode, a “badmiral” takes control of the Enterprise and teaches (randomly on the ship) Jim Kirk some important what-not-to-do lessons about command. Jim and Sam Kirk have a surprising, emotionally resonant conversation about their father. A coffee fetish meets Chekov’s Cordrazine*! And in the B plot: caves! (Which, for the record, we also like very much.) Pop pop! * Ask your doctor if cordrazine is right for you. Side effects include paranoia, accidentally bringing Hitler to power, and serious cardiovascular complications. Do not take if you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or are allergic to cordrazine. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

It’s New Year’s Eve! Ted Lasso the Show commits possibly the best pre-titles sequence in its history. Ted Lasso the character commits to something new after a heart-to-heart. Alice Chilton commits to party clothes, eventually. Coach Beard commits a party foul. Roy Kent and a special guest star commit to an explosive bit that panelist Chip’s Roy Kent Blind Spot (TM) totally didn’t see coming. Panelist Kathy commits a shady no-shade, and returning panelist Erika commits the worst pun in Football is Life history. Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell and Erika Ensign.

Tink carries a rope. Cherish misty steps. K’ronng stabs a cloud. Jaee(’s player) reads her character sheet. Levithia punches the air. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Kat Griffiths, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

After weeks of superhero cartoons we’ve moved on to HBO’s Lanterns series. A couple of space-cops with a magic ring that can make anything they imagine manifest before them in physical form set out to solve the mystery behind a mass shooting at football stadium in Nebraska. That’s the pitch. Is it a good show? Yes. You should watch it. But also listen to us talk about it. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Don’t catch the Space Madness, because it’s time to talk about the latest episode of “Strange New Worlds,” in which Trelane puts the Enterprise (except Pike) into a soap opera! Once again, we’re genre hopping—but is “Q episode” not a tried-and-true Trek genre? And does this not emotionally serve Pike, who recently survived a “life-in-a-day” episode of his own? Get your popcorn ready and watch out for evil twins. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Now the curtain is going up, “The Sting” is starting the show! Snappy patter and jokes, along with the star power of Robert Redford and Paul Newman, drive this story of an elaborate con that goes right—or does it?! Also there’s a lot of Scott Joplin music. Jason Snell with Micheline Maynard, Dr. Drang, Monty Ashley and David J. Loehr.

Are you ready for some football? Football is Life is back and your friends Chip, Brian, and Kathy are excited to see some actual football in this show. The Greyhounds are up against Chelsea in the FA Cup, which is certainly exciting; but, there’s also a fair bit of quality time spent with the many relationships on the show. Tune in for some predictions from Chip and Kathy on where things might end up by the season’s end! Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell.