PODCAST · tv
Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast
by Ars Technica
Welcome to Decrypted, Ars Technica's weekly podcast that follows TV shows like Mr. Robot and Westworld. We'll be diving into the shows in a way only Ars can—which is to say it'll be thorough, we'll talk with experts, and no detail is too minute or nerdy. Mr. Robot S2 starts 7/13/16. Westworld starts 10/2/16.
Episodes
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You might say that you know me. (S01E07)
In this week's podcast host Annalee Newitz talks with fantasy author Claire Light about this week's unusual subjects: Irish folklore, Mad Sweeney and historical figure (and possible ancestor of Laura Moon), Essie. Also in this podcast, Ars features editor Nathan Mattise interviews actor Bruce...
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You could use a blood sacrifice. (American Gods S01E06)
In this week's double-mega-sized podcast, host Annalee Newitz first recaps episode six with Ars senior editor and gun enthusiast Lee Hutchinson. Then we join writer Genevieve Valentine in New York City for her interviews with actors Orlando Jones (Mr. Nancy) and Ricky Whittle (Shadow Moon) as…
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Drengr! (American Gods S01E05)
In this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with author and UC Berkeley / U. Colorado at Boulder professor Jackson Crawford, who writes, translates (e.g. "drengr" = "badass") and teaches old Norse. They talk viking lore, Odin and the gods, and how the show depicts (or deviates from) old…
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Definitely not light as a feather. (American Gods S01E04)
In this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with Paula Gaetos, author at The Tokusatsu Network, about American Gods episode 4. Subjects discussed: Laura's backstory and resurrection, her awful personality, her relationship with Shadow, the insane blood-fight, and how she and her story…
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I do not grant wishes. (American Gods S01E03)
In this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with Locus and Rhysling award-winning writer and critic Amal El-Mohtar about episode 3 of American Gods. They also discuss the portrayal of middle-eastern characters in fiction/tv, and the integration of fantasy elements in narrative storytelling....
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A man was f**ked. (American Gods S01E02)
On this week's podcast, host Annalee Newitz talks with io9.com critic and comic book writer Evan Narcisse about how American Gods fits into a comic book tradition. Also discussed: Orlando Jones' incredible performance in this week's intro; the importance of Shadow's race; the identities of all…
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I don’t believe in anything I can’t see. (American Gods S01E01)
The Ars Decrypted podcast continues with the new Starz series American Gods, based on Neil Gaiman's popular novel. In this week’s show, Ars Technica's tech culture editor/host Annalee Newitz talks with Ars culture reporter Sam Machkovech about how the show compares to the novel: the characters…
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It's part of the equation now. (The Expanse S02E13)
In this week's podcast, Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Techinca culture editor Annalee Newitz about this season's finale: how the future of the series will relate to the books; what will Fred Johnson's next move be; what is Avasarala's fate on Mao's ship; and what in the universe is Project…
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Just get to the f***ing point. (The Expanse S02E12)
In this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Video Producer Jennifer Hahn about episode 12, "The Monster and the Rocket": Errinwright makes a bold move that can't be taken back; Avasarala tries diplomacy on Mao's fancy yacht-ship; Naomi tries to help refugees off Ganymede...
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Here there be dragons. (The Expanse S02E11)
On this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps The Expanse S02 Episode 11: things go from bad to worse for the Roci crew on Ganymede, Bobbi Draper takes a stand against Mars by defecting to Earth, as things heat up in the Mars/Earth conflict. Then Ars Technica science editor John...
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We can not afford to be enemies anymore. (The Expanse S02E10)
On this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Business Editor Cyrus Farivar, who is a huge fan of the show. Last year, Cyrus held a live talk with Nick Farmer, the linguist who invented the Belter language for the TV show and became intrigued. Cyrus talks about how his...
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Well, this is off to a good start. (The Expanse S02E09)
On this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin talks with actor Wes Chatham about his character Amos on The Expanse. Wes talks about being a fan of the books before being offered the role on the show, how he approaches this unusual character, and the discussion veers off into Blade Runner...
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The shout came from Ganymede. (The Expanse S02E08)
In this week's podcast, Jonathan Gitlin talks with Ars Technica's space editor Eric Berger about NASA and the possibilities of space travel and colonization. Jonathan also recaps this week's episode: we meet Praxideke Meng, a refugee scientist from Ganymede who becomes key to finding out what...
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The truth is never what you expect it to be. (The Expanse S02E07)
On this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin is joined by linguist Nick Farmer who created the spoken language of Belter for The Expanse. Last year, Nick was our first Ars Live guest at Oakland's Longitude bar, and he's back to speak with us one-on-one. Jonathan also recaps season 2,...
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You have to pick a side. (The Expanse S02E06)
On this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin is joined by Ars' very own science editor John Timmer, as we discuss a particular science fiction trope he can't stand, and recap the latest goings-on with Eros, the UN on Earth, and the Mars soldiers on Ganymede. John also speaks with...
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Ok, so we broke a few laws of physics. (The Expanse S02E05)
In this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps season 2, episode 5 of The Expanse, as we follow Miller on his journey to stop Eros from hitting Earth with the help of an old "friend"; the UN puts their plan into action to stop Eros, as the powerless Roci crew does what they can to...
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Oi, pampaw! You starting to like space now? (The Expanse S02E04)
In this week's podcast, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps season 2, episode 4 of The Expanse, as we join the crew as they commence their plan to take the Nauvoo on its mission to Eros, and the noose tightens on Protogen and its allies back on Earth, thanks to everyone's favorite UN badass,...
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Miller finds his groove. (The Expanse S02E03)
In this episode of Decrypted: The Expanse, Ars Technica's Jonathan Gitlin recaps season 2 episode 3: The Rocinante crew and Fred Johnson deal with the aftermath of Miller's decision, Mars soldiers gear up for a fight, and Earth's government tries to figure out the OPA's motives. Jonathan also…
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They gave the g*damn thing a name. (The Expanse S02E01-2)
In this episode of Decrypted: The Expanse, we join the Syfy show in its second season. Ars Technica's Annalee Newitz and Jonathan Gitlin talk about the show's many layers, themes and the adaptation from the books. Jonathan also talks to Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, the authors of the books…
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You really do make a terrible human being. (Westworld S01E10)
Topics discussed: We just don't care that William and MIB are the same person (seriously why is this such a big deal); how Maeve's final revelation completely sold her character short (and also made no sense given her past actions); why Bernard why (you were our favorite character and now you're…
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With all due respect sir, you broke into my mind. (Westworld S01E09)
This week's guest is Norman Chan, co-founder of Tested, where he writes and makes videos about science, technology, and pop culture. He is a huge fan of Westworld, and has some fascinating observations about which robot characters are the most realistic. Topics discussed: The big reveal about...
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I can change the rules of this world. (Westworld S01E08)
Topics discussed: Why the MIB is really looking for the maze (he wants a game with consequences), what makes the gameplay in Westworld so unsatisfying (there's no Minecraft element to it), Jane's so-crazy-it-just-might-work theory about who the MIB really is (and what the maze really is too!)…
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There has to be a blood sacrifice. (Westworld S01E07)
Topics discussed: Metafiction (AKA fiction about fiction), what the hell with the Bernard reveal (really, what the hell), the challenge of telling a story that feels familiar yet surprising (and how Westworld did it), whether the robots are just like humans or radically different (yes and no),...
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We're going to have some fun, aren't we? (Westworld S01E06)
Topics discussed: The unregistered robots (Ford's robot family is seriously creepy), the true meaning of the maze (and why Teddy has gotten so boring), Maeve's attribute matrix (and the greatest scene in the entire show), what it means to be trapped in a narrative (male and female roles for…
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Perhaps you are unraveling. (Westworld S01E05)
Topics discussed: The state of Dolores' mind (Arnold and a bunch of other things are in her head), Ford's freaky conversation with the MIB (a treat to watch), the economics of Westworld (it's hemorrhaging cash), the economics of the real world (MIB says it's peachy, but the poor med tech Felix is...
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Go blackhat with me. (Westworld S01E04)
In this episode, our guest is combat tech expert Peter W. Singer, author of Wired for War and strategist at the New America Foundation. Topics discussed: Whether it's inevitable that humans will use robots for violence as Ford says (a philosophy question that goes back centuries), how the robots…
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Don't forget, the hosts are not real. (Westworld S01E03)
This week, we explore episode 3 of Westworld with guest Kyle Orland, Ars Technica's games editor. Topics discussed include: Julian Jaynes' theory of the bicameral mind (you must do LSD to fully understand it), robot consciousness (it ain't your grandmother's three laws of robotics), Teddy's new...
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Step into analysis mode, please. (Westworld S01E02)
On this episode, I'm joined by Ars Technica's video editor Jennifer Hahn, who is a documentary filmmaker and editor. We talk about the recent episode, as well as how it fits into the world established in the original Westworld movie, its sequel Futureworld, and the short-lived 1980 TV series...
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All the devils are here. (Westworld S01E01)
In our debut episode of Decrypted: Westworld, we talk about the show's many layers of conspiracies, and its overarching themes. We're joined by award-winning science fiction author Charlie Jane Anders, who talks to us about how the series grapples with the idea that memory is key to identity, and...
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Ars Decrypted continues with HBO's Westworld
Ars Technica continues our Decrypted podcast with the first season HBO's Westworld created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan. Based on Michael Crichton's novel and the 1973 film with Yul Brynner of the same name, this drama about robots in a wild west theme park will fascinate, make you (extremely)...
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Final finale thoughts and Joanna Wellick's meanest line ever (Mr. Robot S2)
"As I was preparing to utter the first part of the sentence I just stopped," says Stephanie Corneliussen, aka Joanna Wellick. "I looked across the table at Sam Esmail and gave him that kind of 'What did you do? I can’t say this' look. And he just gives me one of those famous Sam scowls that’s…
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Intermission inquiries (Mr. Robot S2)
Only one hour of Mr. Robot S2 remains, but many questions do. Before the second half of season two's finale, GQ's entertainment and culture critic Scott Meslow helps us take stock of what answers we can expect and what's likely to linger into S3. "I have such a hard time getting mad at a show for...
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Inside Darlene's drama and Elliot's mind (Mr. Robot S2)
It's penultimate episode time for S2, and in the classic style of The Wire we may have a death or two on this week's Mr. Robot. "h1dden-pr0cess.axx" ends on a cliffhanger with possibly tremendous repercussions, so this week we start by examining the possibilities and evidence surrounding…
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How do you write answers for Mr. Robot's big questions? (Mr. Robot S2)
"Who was behind the door? We already knew that," Mr. Robot staff writer Lucy Teitler told us this week. "I think it happens a lot with the show, the big questions the fans are obsessed with are things we all decide. They’re foundational. So the individual pressure is on with the way scenes are...
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Even Kor Adana was surprised there was no Elliot this week (Mr. Robot S2)
"succ3ss0r" (S2E8) did the unthinkable—an entire episode of Mr. Robot *without* Elliot. Even show staff writer/head technical producer Kor Adana didn't see that coming. "I had a lot of anxiety and I know the other writers in the room had a lot of anxiety, because we weren’t sure how it was going…
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Looking forward after the "h4ndshake" shake-up (Mr. Robot S2)
"h4ndshake" (S2E7) shook up Mr. Robot like few previous episodes have. While the critical opinion seems split on how the show handled its latest reveal, one thing rings a bit false—the notion this was some unexpected "twist." This week we *had* to break down the big news, which raises more…
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The best and worst of Mr. Robot S2 (so far)
With m4ster-s1ave (S2E6), Mr. Robot S2 is officially at the halfway point. That means now is the perfect time to look at the series at-large with Ars Technica's reviewer, Jonathan Gitlin. We break down what's happened thus far in five categories: our favorite sequences, biggest surprises, largest...
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Mr. Robot's logic_b0mb shakes up S2 (Mr. Robot S2)
With "logic_b0mb" (S2E5), Mr. Robot's second season reached another level. From the FBI's tragedy to the reunion of our main characters, the episode seemed to address any lingering concerns fans may have from the slower pace of S2 thus far. Given how significant the happenings were this week, we...
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Overcoming TV's sophomore slump and how Netflix may have led to Mr. Robot S2
This week on Decrypted, "init1.asec" (S2E4) hammers home just how different Mr. Robot S2 is compared to the series' original 10 episodes. To better understand what's happening both on- and off-screen, preeminent TV mind Andy Greenwald (formerly of Grantland, now of The Watch podcast and After The...
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The best sounding (and most fan-theory friendly) show on television (Mr. Robot S2)
On this week's Decrypted, Mr. Robot's "k3rnel-pan1c.ksd' (S2E3) quickly flipped the script on S2. With the show's higher profile, there's more theorizing than ever despite the show's intent on subverting our expectations. The most popular fan theory seems kaputt after this week, so we offer three...
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This is how you pen test for Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot S2)
After Mr. Robot S2 returned with "unm4sk" (S2E1), we offer an appreciation of our new favorite character and chat with the show's FBI Consultant, Andre McGregor (@AndreOnCyber). A full review of this week's two-part episode can be found at arstechnica.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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Our crash course to the world of Mr. Robot (Mr. Robot S2)
On the debut episode, we look back to season one exclusively through the eyes (err, words) of main character Elliot Alderson (played by Rami Malek). Despite the Internet's (justified) obsession with the show's realistic depiction of tech, Ars reviewer Jonathan Gitlin said the characters and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Decrypted, Ars Technica's weekly podcast that follows TV shows like Mr. Robot and Westworld. We'll be diving into the shows in a way only Ars can—which is to say it'll be thorough, we'll talk with experts, and no detail is too minute or nerdy. Mr. Robot S2 starts 7/13/16. Westworld starts 10/2/16.
HOSTED BY
Ars Technica
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How many episodes does Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast have?
Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast about?
Welcome to Decrypted, Ars Technica's weekly podcast that follows TV shows like Mr. Robot and Westworld. We'll be diving into the shows in a way only Ars can—which is to say it'll be thorough, we'll talk with experts, and no detail is too minute or nerdy. Mr. Robot S2 starts 7/13/16. Westworld...
How often does Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast release new episodes?
Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast?
Decrypted, Ars Technica's TV podcast is created and hosted by Ars Technica.
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