PODCAST · tv
Nerd Legion
by Last Free Nation
Nerd Legion is a weekly podcast exploring science fiction and fantasy TV shows and films as well as other aspects of nerd culture. Featuring long-time esports casting duo Erik "DoA" Lonnquist and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles, the show highlights their years of established synergy and banter to lend humor and insight into the latest pop culture trends.
Episodes
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Resident Evil Is the Best Reviewed Video Game Movie Ever
Resident Evil is a horror movie where the scariest thing is a padlock. Shoot it twice with a shotgun, ram it with a car, and it holds, because you never found the key with the matching symbol on it. That is the joke, and the whole film is built out of jokes like it. PrizePicks: Visit...
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Why House Of The Dragon Season 3 Finale Surprised Us
House of the Dragon season 3 is the best season yet, and it is also the one that proves the show has a structural problem it cannot fix. MonteCristo and DoA break down a finale that delivered the battle everyone wanted, then ask why a series this good is allowed to disappear for two years at a...
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The Original Transformers Movie Is MUCH Darker Than You Think... (40 Year Anniversary)
Forty years ago this month, a movie made to sell toys killed Optimus Prime twenty minutes in, traumatized a generation of children, bombed at the box office, and turned out to be Orson Welles' final film role. Hasbro is now touring it as an official Apology Tour. Hims: Access to FDA approved…
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Why Star Trek Is The MOST Confusing Show On TV Right Now... (Strange New Worlds)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds might be the most confusing show on television. Not confusing to follow. Confusing to rate. It has been an Aliens clone, a musical, a 1960s parody, and now a horror show, and there is no way to know before pressing play whether the next episode will be one of the…
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35 Years Later... Why The Rocketeer Became A Cult Classic
The Rocketeer came out in 1991, flopped at the box office, and has quietly become one of the best superhero movies ever made. MonteCristo and DoA revisit the 35th anniversary of a diesel punk cult classic that's aged better than almost everything the MCU has produced since Endgame, and make the...
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House Of The Dragon Is FINALLY Getting The Recognition It Deserves
Game of Thrones sabotaged its own fan base worse than any franchise in television history. And then HBO did the impossible: they actually fixed it. MonteCristo and DoA break down the first three episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3, why the Battle of the Gullet is the second-best battle in…
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Is Spider-Noir ACTUALLY Good?...
MonteCristo and DoA are on opposite sides of Spider-Noir, and the gap between them is wider than a Prohibition-era speakeasy. DoA loved it. MonteCristo thinks you should watch something else. Raycon: quality wireless earbuds with open-ear and noise-cancelling models for every listening style…
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Steven Spielberg Made His Worst Movie and Nobody Will Say It
The critic reviews are a lie. Disclosure Day is sitting at 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and it is terrible. MonteCristo and DoA break down how Steven Spielberg, John Williams, David Koepp, and Janusz Kamiński, four of the most accomplished filmmakers alive, collectively produced a movie where nothing...
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Who Is Masters of the Universe REALLY For?
Masters of the Universe cost $200 million and it's probably the best He-Man movie anyone could have made. That's a compliment to the filmmakers and a ceiling on the IP. MonteCristo and DoA break down why this is a genuinely fun popcorn flick, why Jared Leto's Skeletor is the single best thing in...
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Star Wars Fans Waited 7 Years For A Bad Movie... (The Mandalorian and Grogu)
The Mandalorian & Grogu is not a good movie. It has a James Bond cold open that made both hosts genuinely excited, and then it spends two hours systematically destroying that goodwill with flat performances, cartoon-level writing, and a villain nobody asked for. MonteCristo and DoA break down how...
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The Boys Finale Is Worse Than Game of Thrones. Here's Why.
We watched every episode of The Boys so you don't have to. The verdict on the series finale: it's worse than Game of Thrones Season 8, and unlike Game of Thrones, nobody will ever rewatch it. PrizePicks — Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NERD and use code NERD and get $50 in lineups when...
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Mortal Kombat 2 Has No Right Being This Good
Mortal Kombat is a meme franchise built on Bloodsport, Big Trouble in Little China, and Monty Python-level gore. It has never been serious. So why is this movie better-crafted than most $200 million blockbusters? MonteCristo and DoA break down why Mortal Kombat 2 is the best video game movie ever...
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Disney Is Quietly Erasing the Sequel Trilogy. Here's the Evidence.
The decanonization rumors are back, Kathleen Kennedy is out, Dave Filoni is running Lucasfilm, and Galaxy's Edge is finally putting Darth Vader back in the theme park. MonteCristo and DoA catalogue the evidence that Disney is soft-erasing the sequel trilogy and debate whether Filoni is the right...
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EX MACHINA Is More Relevant Than Ever
Ex Machina came out in 2014. It feels like it was made yesterday. MonteCristo and DoA revisit Alex Garland's directorial debut a $15 million chamber piece about a tech billionaire, a coder, and the AI that outsmarts them both and break down why it's only gotten sharper in the age of AGI…
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We Used To Love The Boys. Here's What Happened.
We were fans of The Boys. Seasons one and two were genuinely great television: it was a cynical, funny deconstruction of corporate superhero culture that understood how Vought International would actually operate in a modern media landscape. That show is dead now. Three episodes into its final...
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After 35 Years, Is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze Still Good?
MonteCristo and DoA celebrate the 35th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze: the 1991 Golden Harvest sequel that traded the original film's dark, gritty tone for full-on cartoon commitment, and made itself a cultural artifact in the process. DoA has watched this...
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Is Project Hail Mary A Money Grab? Or Is It ACTUALLY Good?
Project Hail Mary is a massive box office hit, a visually stunning sci-fi spectacle, and genuinely well-crafted filmmaking, so why did one of its reviewers spend nearly three hours waiting for it to be over? DoA and MonteCristo land on opposite sides of a movie they both agree is good but can't...
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One Piece Season 2 Is the Best Live-Action Anime Ever Made
Netflix's One Piece might be the most ambitious live-action anime adaptation ever attempted and, somehow, it works. Season 2 takes Eiichiro Oda's gloriously absurd world of devil fruit powers, talking snail phones, and pirates who commit zero acts of piracy, and translates it into eight episodes…
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the Blueprint Every Franchise Needs
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms just wrapped its first season on HBO, and it might be the most important template for franchise storytelling in years. Six episodes. Thirty minutes each. No world-ending stakes. No required homework from other series. Just a tight, character-driven story set in the...
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Sean Connery as a Glittering Green Knight?! | SWORD OF THE VALIANT (1984)
What happens when you take the legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight… and turn it into an 80s fantasy fever dream starring a glitter-covered Sean Connery? In this episode of Nerd Legion, we dive into Sword of the Valiant (1984): one of the strangest fantasy adaptations ever made. Featuring...
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Wonder Man is the Marvel Show That Shouldn't Work
Wonder Man is the rare MCU project that feels like it was written by people who actually understand character, comedy, and theme. It succeeds without leaning on CGI sludge, multiverse homework, or the usual “you must watch 14 other things first” burden. In this episode of Nerd Legion, we break…
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Feels Just Like Game of Thrones?!
In this episode of Nerd Legion, MonteCristo and DoA break down HBO’s latest Westeros spinoff and ask the core question every fan is wondering: does this series understand what made Game of Thrones work in the first place? Secure your online data TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/NERDLEGION...
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Star Trek for Gen Z Doesn’t Work (Here’s Why) | STARFLEET ACADEMY
Starfleet Academy should have been an easy win for modern Star Trek: it's a smaller, character-driven series about young cadets learning what it means to serve in a post-scarcity utopia. Instead, it’s a massively expensive show that seems unsure who it’s even for. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with...
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Avatar: Fire and Ash Is a Spectacle With Nothing to Say
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash is an undeniable technical marvel, but does groundbreaking spectacle excuse shallow storytelling? Raycon's Essential Open Earbuds are here to help you crush your new year goals. Go to https://buyraycon.com/NERDLEGIONOPEN to get 20% off sitewide. Hosted by...
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The Forgotten Kids Movie of the 90s | SUBURBAN COMMANDO
SUBURBAN COMMANDO is one of the strangest artifacts of 1990s Hollywood: a kids’ movie starring Hulk Hogan as an intergalactic bounty hunter who crash-lands in suburbia, rents a converted toolshed, and solves neighborhood problems with raw strength and alien technology. Turn your expensive…
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The Movie Nintendo Tried to Erase | SUPER MARIO BROS (1993)
The movie Nintendo wants you to forget is somehow even weirder than you remember. In this episode of Nerd Legion, MonteCristo and DoA dive headfirst into the 1993 live-action SUPER MARIO BROS: a film so chaotic, so baffling, and so aggressively not Mario that it took Nintendo over 30 years to try…
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Star Wars Visions Vol. 3 Misses the Mark: But One Episode Shines
Star Wars Visions Volume 3 is here and, unfortunately, it might be the weakest entry yet. In this episode of Nerd Legion, MonteCristo and DoA break down all nine anime shorts and ask the big question: Why does Star Wars keep returning to the same tired ideas? From endless Tatooine stories to...
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What Happens When ALL Humans Merge Into One Mind? | PLURIBUS Review
In this episode of Nerd Legion, MonteCristo and DoA dive into PLURIBUS (aka PLUR1BUS), the new Apple TV+ sci-fi series where a mysterious pathogen slowly fuses all humans into a single, global hive mind. They break down the show’s philosophy, dark comedy, and unsettling medical horror along with...
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Predator: Badlands Is Shockingly Good
Predator: Badlands shouldn’t be this good. MonteCristo and DoA went in expecting another forgettable franchise sequel and came out calling it the best Predator film since 1987. In this episode of Nerd Legion, the hosts break down how Dan Trachtenberg turned a dormant IP into a bold, emotional…
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What Went Wrong With The Witcher? | SEASON 4 REVIEW
MonteCristo and DoA return to dissect Netflix’s latest fantasy implosion, where Liam Hemsworth steps into the role of Geralt and discovers that charisma and coherent writing have both been exhumed. From botched tone and nonsense plotting to uneven VFX and dialogue that feels AI-generated, The...
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Reviving The Original Series... But Is It Good? | SPLINTER CELL: DEATHWATCH
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch might be the most unexpected comeback in gaming history: an animated Netflix series based on a franchise that’s been dormant for a decade. MonteCristo and DoA dive deep into Ubisoft’s strange revival of Sam Fisher, the stealth-action legend who’s now older, grizzled, and...
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The Funniest Terrible Fantasy Movie Ever Made | ATOR 2: THE BLADE MASTER
There’s bad. There’s so bad it’s good. And then there’s Ator 2: The Blade Master: a sword-and-sorcery disasterpiece that transcends failure and becomes pure comedy gold. MonteCristo and DoA continue Nerd Legion’s 1980s fantasy marathon with the most unintentionally hilarious movie ever filmed.…
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The Most Hardcore Samurai Film Ever? | Lone Wolf and Cub
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (1972) might be the most outrageous and hardcore samurai film we’ve covered yet. Former shogunate executioner Ogami Ittō becomes a disgraced wanderer, pushing his infant son through Edo-period Japan in a baby cart full of hidden weapons. Along the way, he…
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Is Samurai Champloo A Masterpiece OR Incredibly Frustrating?
Samurai Champloo is one of the most stylish anime ever made: hip hop, samurai, and pure visual flair. But does the second half of the series actually collapse under its own weight? In Part Two of our Ghost of Yōtei Inspirations series, MonteCristo and DoA cover episodes 14–26 and debate whether...
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How Watanabe's SAMURAI CHAMPLOO Continues To Inspire
What happens when samurai sword fights meet hip hop beats? In 2004, director Shinichirō Watanabe followed up Cowboy Bebop with Samurai Champloo: a wild mashup of Edo-era Japan, breakdance-inspired swordplay, and lo-fi counterculture. Two decades later, Champloo still feels fresh, and its…
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LADY SNOWBLOOD (1973): The Ultimate Samurai Revenge Story
Before Kill Bill, there was Lady Snowblood (1973): a dazzling, hyper-stylized tale of tragedy and vengeance that changed samurai cinema forever. With unforgettable visuals, outrageous martial arts training sequences, and a performance by Meiko Kaji that blends icy assassin and deeply human, this...
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GHOST OF YŌTEI Inspirations: 13 ASSASSINS (2010) — The Most Brutal Samurai Film
Takashi Miike’s 13 ASSASSINS (2010) delivers one of the longest, bloodiest action sequences ever put to film: 45 minutes of nonstop samurai carnage. Some call it a masterpiece of brutality, others say it drags on forever. But there’s no denying its influence on the combat design and cinematic…
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GHOST OF YŌTEI Inspirations: THRONE OF BLOOD (1957) — Samurai Ghosts & Cursed Destiny
With Ghost of Yōtei launching October 2nd, Nerd Legion is diving into the films and anime that inspired the game’s haunted world. We begin with Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood (1957), a chilling reimagining of Macbeth that blends Noh theatre, samurai tragedy, and supernatural ghosts. In this...
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DEATHSTALKER (1983): The Sleaziest Fantasy Film Ever?
Welcome back to Nerd Legion’s 1980s Fantasy Marathon! This week we tackle one of the most infamous sword-and-sorcery B-movies ever made: Deathstalker (1983). Produced by Roger Corman and loaded with bizarre editing, random plot “twists,” and way too much sleazy exploitation, Deathstalker has gone...
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ALIEN EARTH: First Impressions & Peter Pan Parallels
Join us for our first impressions and review of Alien Earth as we dive into the show’s opening two episodes! Created by Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion), this new sci-fi series expands the Alien universe with an intriguing premise: synthetics, creepy new alien species, and surprisingly heavy-handed...
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STRANGE NEW WORLDS (SEASON 3): Is Star Trek Now An Inside Joke?
In this episode of Nerd Legion, we grapple with the first four episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3. After a long two-year hiatus, the show has returned, but has it lived up to expectations? We discuss the highs and lows, such as the Gorn plotline wrapping up, thematic episodes like...
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FANTASTIC FOUR FIRST STEPS: A Glorious New Beginning or Another Failure?
Nerd Legion breaks down Fantastic Four First Steps, critiquing its flawed storyline, sometimes questionable CGI, and underwhelming writing. They discuss the film's failed promise and compare it to other Marvel and non-Marvel films, highlighting both the good and the not-so-good aspects. The film...
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KRULL: The 80s Fantasy Cult Film That Was ALMOST An All-Time Classic
In this episode of Nerd Legion, we dive deep into the retrospective analysis of Krull, a polarizing cult classic of 1980s fantasy cinema. We break down the highs and lows, discussing everything from the film's impressive visuals, soundtrack by James Horner, and a strong ensemble cast including...
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SUPERMAN (2025): How Good is James Gunn's New Take on The Man of Steel?
In this episode of Nerd Legion, Monte and DoA dive into the latest Superman reboot directed by James Gunn. The hosts discuss the film's light-hearted tone, its departure from traditional Superman lore, and the new interpretations of characters like Lex Luthor and Jor-El. They debate the merits of...
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THE DARK CRYSTAL: Puppetry Masterpiece or Childhood Relic?
In this episode of Nerd Legion, we conclude the first three years of our 1980s fantasy film marathon by discussing and ranking the best and worst films from 1980 through 1982. We delve into titles like Dragon Slayer, Excalibur, and Conan the Barbarian, while also debating the merits of cult...
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FIRE AND ICE: The Lost Animated Cult Classic
This week, we dive into the 1983 animated fantasy film 'Fire and Ice'. Join us as we explore the unique rotoscoping animation technique used in the film, the notable artists involved like Frank Frazetta and James Gurney, and the film's place in 1980s fantasy cinema. We also discuss the film's...
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THE LAST UNICORN: Does This Dark Fantasy Deserve to Be a Cult Classic?
In this episode of Nerd Legion, the hosts dive deep into the 1982 Rankin/Bass animated film 'The Last Unicorn.' They discuss the movie's memorable characters, voice acting, animation style, musical contributions by the band America, and the profound themes that blend with some truly bizarre...
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SORCERESS (1982): The Worst Fantasy Movie of ALL-TIME?
Join us on Nerd Legion as we dive into the 1982 fantasy film 'Sorceress'—a movie so bad, it's good! From bizarre plot twists to unforgettable characters, this review covers the hilarious production history, the highly questionable special effects, and snippets of insane dialogue. Whether you're...
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THE BEASTMASTER (1982): Hilariously Bad Barbarian Stereotypes & Tropes
Join us as we explore the 1982 fantasy movie, The Beastmaster, as part of the Nerd Legion 1980's fantasy film marathon. We discuss its quirky plot, memorable scenes, and the characters involved. From Rip Torn’s villainous role to a tiger painted black, and even touch upon the influences of other...
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ANDOR: The BEST Star Wars Content Since The Original Trilogy
In this episode of Nerd Legion, we dive into a detailed discussion about Season 2 of the Star Wars series 'Andor.' Filmed together in person (or is it just green screen magic?), Monte and DoA analyze the show's characters, themes, and its impact on the Star Wars universe. Hear our thoughts on why...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Nerd Legion is a weekly podcast exploring science fiction and fantasy TV shows and films as well as other aspects of nerd culture. Featuring long-time esports casting duo Erik "DoA" Lonnquist and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles, the show highlights their years of established synergy and banter to lend humor and insight into the latest pop culture trends.
HOSTED BY
Last Free Nation
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Nerd Legion have?
Nerd Legion currently has 116 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Nerd Legion about?
Nerd Legion is a weekly podcast exploring science fiction and fantasy TV shows and films as well as other aspects of nerd culture. Featuring long-time esports casting duo Erik "DoA" Lonnquist and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles, the show highlights their years of established synergy and banter to...
How often does Nerd Legion release new episodes?
Nerd Legion publishes regularly with 116 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Nerd Legion?
You can listen to Nerd Legion 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 Nerd Legion?
Nerd Legion is created and hosted by Last Free Nation.
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