Ep. 135 - Is ‘Nocturne’ Worth Staying Up For? (Plus: ‘VisionQuest’ Ep 7 Has Some of Paul Bettany’s Best Work)

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then check out 12 12 12 and the season finale of VisionQuest.What is our reaction to this week’s big James Gunn news? Are we optimistic for the state of the DC Universe? And did we think 12 12 12 on Apple TV makes for a decent heist thriller? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:It Gets Worse (Paramount+)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):01:30 - Show of the Week: 12 12 1226:00 - TV NewsJAMES GUNN OUT!Gunn statementVariety storyTHR Story1:04:30 - VisionQuestEpisode 8 - ForeverLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episodes of VisionQuest.Can Apple TV’s Nocturne transcend the normal trappings of police procedurals? Is Druski set to become the next content creator that crosses over to traditional media? Are The Pitt and ER really that similar? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:VisionQuest episode 8 (Disney+)12 12 12 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):01:30 - Reacting to the US Midterm Elections20:00 - Show of the Week: Nocturne36:54 - TV NewsStranger Things spin-off‘The Pitt’ and ‘ER’ Are Similar Enough to Allow Crichton Suit, Appeals Court RulesHBO Renews Sharon Horgan Comedy ‘Youth’ For a Season 2Druski Sets Netflix Series ‘Collect & Praise’ Based on Megachurch Sketch, Signs Multi-Year Deal With Streamer37:39 - VisionQuestEpisode 7 - ImmolationLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episodes of VisionQuest and Dark Matter.We’ve been covering Dark Matter for months now. Was the conclusion of season 2 worth the journey? Why does the loss of Patrick Stewart hit so hard? And what will a PUBG TV show even look like? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:VisionQuest episode 7 (Disney+)Nocturne (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):01:30 - TV NewsPatrick Stewart, ‘Star Trek’s’ Captain Picard and ‘X-Men’s’ Charles Xavier, Dies at 86‘PUBG’ Live-Action Series From Donald Glover, Stephen Glover in Development at NetflixMatthew Weiner exits the ChairmanTubi Partners with Tiktok to create 10 Original Long-form SeriesNoah Wyle named people’s 2026 Sexiest Man Alive37:39 - VisionQuestEpisode 5 - FirewallEpisode 6 - Deadlock1:02:15 - Dark Matter Season 2Episode 10 - No Quiet LifeLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episodes of VisionQuest and Dark Matter.Are we ready to return to the world of The Lowdown (Season 2 premiere)? Are we excited for a Carrie season 2? What do we think of the idea to play Heated Rivalry episodes in theaters? And WTF is the state of the DC Universe right now? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:VisionQuest episodes 5-6 (Disney+)Dark Matter season 2 episode 10 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):02:00 - The Lowdown Season 2 premiere13:55 - TV NewsFollow-ups from last week:More reporting on Netflix’s big moves‘Carrie’ Renewed for Season 2 at Amazon‘Heated Rivalry’ to Relexase in Movie Theaters, Two Episodes at a TimePoison Ivy TV Series In Development at HBO With ‘The Penguin’ Showrunner54:00 - VisionQuestEpisode 3 - RebootEpisode 4 - Malware1:16:15 - Dark Matter Season 2Episode 9 - How To Build The BoxLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave and @joyonapping have a spoiler-filled discussion about season 6 of Slow Horses. What did we think of the season overall? What were some of the most memorable moments and character developments? How did this season compare with what happened in the books? And how does this season stack up against all the others? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episodes of VisionQuest and Dark Matter.What did we think of Mike Flanagan’s take on Carrie? What is going to happen when Netflix can’t lay people off anymore? What is the future of Marvel’s TV strategy? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:The Lowdown season premiere (Hulu)VisionQuest episode 3 (Disney+)Dark Matter season 2 episode 9 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):04:30 - Carrie (2026)29:00 - TV NewsNetflix Lays Off 6% of Employees, Elimination About 1,000 Jobs in Biggest Cutbacks to Date‘Zodiac’ Will Be a “Globetrotting” Spy Adventure, Says Marvel’s Brad WinderbaumRyan Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ Update Scores Hulu Series Order47:15 - VisionQuestEpisode 1 - No StringEpisode 2 - Theseus1:18:35 - Dark Matter Season 2Episode 8 - The Basic Oneness of EverythingLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, Patrick and David discuss the latest episode of Dark Matter.What is this show trying to say about our relationship with technology? Is it still possible for season 2 to focus and become a great seaosn of TV? And what do we make of the presence of acclaimed character actress Margo Martindale? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episode of Lanterns and Dark Matter.Now that the Skydance merger is complete, what do we think will happen with the new mega company? Was the Lanterns finale a sublime end, or a storytelling disaster? And where do we think Dark Matter is really heading this season. Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Carrie season premiere (Prime Video)VisionQuest season premiere (Disney+)Dark Matter season 2 episode 7 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):00:30 - TV NewsSkydance/Warner mergerDavid Ellison Names Skydance Corp.’s New Leadership Team for Movies, TV, Streaming and MoreDavid Zaslav says goobye (motherfucker)US Film and TV production is in a terrible declineBoth Paramount and HBO brands will still existDisney Licenses Slew of Titles to Netflix, Including All Five ‘Ice Age’ Movies, ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ ‘Felicity,’ ‘Will Trent,’ ‘Elio’ and MoreEddie Murphy to Star in First Scripted Series ‘The Chairman’ at Peacock31:00 - LanternsEpisode 8 - Dirt and Stars1:07:35 - Dark Matter Season 2Episode 6 - What the Universe Is Made ofLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episode of Lanterns and Dark Matter.What does Youth have to say about life in your 50s? What did we think about The New York Times’ list of the top 100 TV shows o the 21st century? And was Dark Matter season 2 episode 5 a masterpiece? Listen to hear us discuss all of these topics and more.Homework for next week:Lanterns episode 8 (HBO Max)Dark Matter season 2 episode 6 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):00:30 - Show of the WeekYouth19:10 - TV NewsThe New York Times top 100 TV Shows of the 21st CenturyBeast In Me Renewed for Season 248:30 - LanternsEpisode 7 - The Jordan Boys’ Legacy1:14:33 - Dark Matter Season 2Episode 5 - Love and Be LovedLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then watch the latest episode of Lanterns and Dark Matter.Are Netflix’s viewership woes reversible? What are our thoughts on the latest news about the Paramount/Warner merger? And are we excited to finally see Apple’s The Savant when it premieres next year? Listen to hear us discuss all of these topics and more.Homework for next week:Show of the Week: Youth (HBO Max)Lanterns episode 7 (HBO Max)Dark Matter season 2 episode 5 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):00:30 - TV NewsNetflix is in bad shapeParamount Settles Antitrust Case With State AGsMajor TV Networks Suspend White House Pool Coverage of Trump in Protest of His CNN BanApple TV Finally Schedules Jessica Chastain-Led Thriller ‘The Savant’‘Daredevil: Born Again’ to End With Season 3Older News: Neil Druckmann and Frank Miller1:01:53 - LanternsEpisode 6 - Bad Optics1:01:53 - Dark Matter Season 2Episode 4 - Stars Hide Your FiresLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.