Total Party Kill 497: Kreeeee! (Blood)

Huff some ether, dress for an ORTBO, and always keep an eye out for a private place beneath a tarp—we’re here to discuss the second season of “Severance,” a story that goes beyond the first season with some twists and turns that might be Kafkaesque, but are definitely Kafka-ish. Jason Snell with Brian Hamilton, Brian Warren, Dan Moren, Glenn Fleishman and Heather Berberet.

Casey and Dan can’t get over a bomb threat. Jeremy breaks up with Natalie, but it doesn’t take. And Dana gets pushed around by the suits in Isaac’s absence. Casey and Dan may be rattled, but Lex and Brian aren’t worried. We are here for you, dear listener, in your time of need. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Everyone has difficulties this week as things come to a head. Guy is on vacation and suffers an almost fatal audio loss while in the show our characters come together for a striking dance number. We’re treated to a big reveal for a mystery that was right in front of us but one we’d assumed wasn’t even a mystery. Matt spirals as his relationships with both Heather and Fisk collide at the Black & White ball. Like Matt taking a brutal beating and getting up to keep fighting we bring you our chat about “Isle of Joy”. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

The Last of Us is back with Season Two, and so is The Cast of Us! Despite how much we want to talk about the entire second game, Tiff, Ben, and Brian will keep each episode spoiler free for those who haven’t played The Last of Us Part II. How faithful is this first episode to the video game? How are they going to deal with the non-chronological nature of the story? How many White Stripes songs exist in the apocalypse? Tune in to find out! Ben Rice McCarthy, Brian Hamilton and Tiff Arment.

In this episode, Naiasa does some John Woo action film moves, Hermioneigh makes a carbon copy of herself, Lonewalker approaches the grick, Frittat’ha is careful not to set her friends on fire, and Lovyn wants to know if there are still cupcakes. Oh, and Tony makes bird noises. Tony Sindelar with Erika Ensign, James Thomson, Kathy Campbell, Mikah Sargent and Sebastian Runnings.

“Doctor Who” is back, and you know what that means: Russell T Davies has once again built a story designed to re-introduce the show and introduce a new companion. Oh, and also this podcast has returned! We discuss Miss Belinda Chandra in all her forms—all hail the queen. Chip Sudderth and Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra.

This George Stevens (best director Oscar) epic looms large. It’s a classic “roadshow” film of the 1950s, complete with West Texas vistas, Technicolor, big stars like Rock (Hudson), Liz (Taylor) and Jimmy (Dean), but no intermission, even though it’s three hours long! It also looms large in the history of the Texas towns (Marfa and Valentine) where it was filmed. I’ve grown up with stories of people tangentially touched by the production, and there are songs that celebrate, or sometimes give the side eye to, the whole thing. Shelly Brisbin with Laura Rice, Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr and Randy Dotinga.

Spray on some insect repellant and don your hazmat suit, because Del Toro Club has re-formed to discuss a gigantic layer cake of infinite bugs, 1997’s “Mimic.” Parts of it are very Del Toro indeed, while other parts leave us scratching our heads about why something that had a whole lot of potential ended up playing as a pretty good B (not bee!) Movie instead. Are the Weinsteins to blame? (Yes.) Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Steve Lutz and Tony Sindelar.

We are here in praise of Austen’s Pride & Prejudice but also for wet shirts, poorly executed proposals, and good face acting. Join our much overdue mission about BBC’s 1995 Pride & Prejudice. Since this mission was as fun as a ball at Netherfield, it may lead to more infatuated missions about other Austen adaptations. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk, Erika Ensign and Katie Mack.

The team is covering the sweet 16 and Bobbi Bernstein returns. She’s not the only one, because Rebecca’s “ex,” Steve Sisco, makes a surprise visit. The team is eagerly anticipating Isaac’s return, but they’re going to have to wait a little bit longer. Finally, Casey has some very particular thoughts regarding cake, and your pals Lex and Brian don’t agree. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.