Episodes
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The Great Animorphs Reread #46: The Deception
The secret alien war is starting to seep into the geopolitical conflicts of a pre-9/11 America! Visser Three is in charge now, and all hell is breaking loose. We talk about Ax's impossible choices as an alienated Andalite, the sudden presence of the American military, and the ongoing...
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Animorphs Chat: KA vs. JK, The Himbo Discourse
Given the recent hateful spouting of a once-beloved children's author, the Animorphs series is getting some attention recently as a better alternative. We discuss the differences between the Harry Potter and Animorphs series, J.K. Rowling and K.A. Applegate, and, just for fun, toss in some…
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The Great Animorphs Reread #45: The Revelation
WELCOME TO THE BEGINNING OF THE END. ...to clarify, we're talking about the events in the Animorphs series, not the current global pandemic. :/ Join us as we connect during self-isolation to talk about this book's journey for Marco and his family, plus the Big Changes that unravel the core…
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The Rise of Skywalker: Movie Review
Two Star Wars hermits come out of hiding to review the latest movie on opening weekend, having read no reviews online, then wait one month to post it. We talk about how everything is basically fine, the challenges of talking about Star Wars with other fans, and oh yes, the New Force Rules. [TRT...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #44: The Unexpected
Join us to talk about Cassie being an earth goddess, moral philosopher, and bonafide action hero! Cassie's Australian Adventure shows there's no limit to our girl's potential, as she battles aliens, performs surgery, and quick-thinks her way to the outback... and back. [TRT 59:15 We do not own...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #43: The Test
This Tobias book brings us back to Taylor, the Yeerk-infested teen villainess who returns with an unbelievable proposition - truly. Listen in as we talk about the suspension of disbelief required for this plot, how well Taylor was handled the second time around, and which characterizations got...
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The Matrix and 10 Things I Hate About You: movie reviews
On March 31, 1999, both The Matrix and 10 Things I Hate About You hit theaters and entered the cultural consciousness. Naturally, we wanted to explore the ways these movies reflected where we'd been, where we were headed, and how they affected popular culture, in similar and different ways. It's…
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The Great Animorphs Reread #42: The Journey
Rachel, or The Friz? The gang's journey through Marco's body systems brings up questions of visual storytelling, so we tackle the events of the book plus the tough questions in bringing the Animorphs series to a screen, big or small. [TRT 57:14. We do not own the Magic School Bus Theme Song.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #41: The Familiar
Let's talk about another hypothetical timeline, this time when Jake wakes up 10 years older and the Yeerks are in power! We delve into the plausibility of these future-projections, who's pulling the strings, and what any of this means if it's not even real. BONUS GAME: count the references to…
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The Great Animorphs Reread Megamorphs #4: Back to Before
WHAT IF. We discuss the parallel timeline where the Animorphs never met Elfangor and never banded together to fight the Yeerks: the ins and outs of this particular sci-fi/fantasy trope, comparing and contrasting each character's story and arc, and the ways in which the two realities diverge and...
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From the Cutting Room Floor: #40
In discussing Gafinilan, Mertil, and Ax in #40 The Other, we took a slight detour to focus broadly on the Andalites: drawing comparisons to Americans, imagining their home world, and asking questions about their culture, military, and societal structure. Y'know, softball investigations of…
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Solo: Movie Review
We're a bit late on this one, but hopefully by now the hot takes have died down and we can mostly just revel in Han Solo being the most capable hapless dweeb. [TRT 01:06:47. We do not own John Williams's "The Asteroid Field," although it was my ringtone in college and scared the crap out of me...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #40: The Other
We discuss the "Gay Andalite" book - more specifically, how well it handles social issues in a sci-fi package, the importance of Marco as narrator, and Gafinilan and Mertil's love story. [TRT 35:02. We do not own any of Frank Ocean's "Forrest Gump."]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #39: The Hidden
Join us as we discuss the ups and downs of the high-stakes "car chase" book and whether or not it was an effective use of narrator, plotting, and ethical exploration! [TRT 40:11. We do not own Buffalo Springfield's "Go and Say Goodbye."]
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The Last Jedi: movie review
Who wants to hear more Star Wars opinions? We delve into our own thoughts - what worked for us in The Last Jedi, and what didn't - as well as some of the takes we've seen and heard out in the world. [TRT 01:30:07. We do not own Binary Sunset by John Williams.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #38: The Arrival
Part bildungsroman, part bizarro Marvel movie, and part Twilight Zone episode, this Ax-centric installment is still squarely an Animorphs foray into the gray area. We take on the heavy #38 dealing with antiheroes, cultural identity, and disillusionment. [TRT 44:03. We do not own any part of…
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The Great Animorphs Reread #37: The Weakness
Join us for a lengthy discussion on Yeerk politics, Rachel's leadership skills, and the kinds of foreshadowing taking shape with her character. [TRT 57:45. We do not own Joan Jett's Bad Reputation, the song or otherwise.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #36: The Mutation
This one-off goes deeper and deeper with its truly bizarre premise, and leaves us wondering: what makes this an Animorphs book, then? Tune in as we discuss our kids getting immersed in a classic sci-fi narrative and decide if it holds any - well, water. [TRT 25:08. We don't own The 5th…
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The Great Animorphs Reread: Visser
Step right up to the hazy line between Yeerk and host, good and evil, and of course, right and wrong! We talk about the rise and fall of Visser One, gender politics, effective villains, and the relevance of this chronicle today. [TRT 47:56 We do not own Bohemian Rhapsody.]
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Rogue One: movie review
As an apology for our long hiatus, we're coming at you with our thoughts on Rogue One! Spoilers: we loved it. Hear us rhapsodize about the story of many vs. one, the ingloriousness of rebellion, and our one true love, Princess Leia of Alderaan. Please note: we recorded this two weeks ago. RIP,...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #35: The Proposal
Who let the poo-bear out? Marco did, because he's having emotional issues and it's affecting his morphing. Join us to talk about Marco's coping skills, the 90s-tastic nature of this book, and how to take down a celebrity. [TRT 31:33. We do not own the classic hit "Who Let the Dogs Out?" by the…
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The Great Animorphs Reread #34: The Prophecy
We have the distinct joy of podcasting TOGETHER for this book! The downside: we realized we sound virtually identical when we're in the same room. So, please enjoy listening to us talk about Cassie's awesome morphing powers, alien ethics and history, and the confluence of everything we've ever...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #33
New year, new returns to sadness! The Illusion finds us chatting about Tobias's connection to his ancestry, the concept of his and Rachel's dualities, and the (successful?) inclusion of Taylor as a Rachel-foil and villain. [TRT 33:21. We do not own "Somewhere Out There," or the tears you might...
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From the Cutting Room Floor: #32
Unable to fit it in an already-overstuffed discussion about #32, we bring you the extended conversation. Topics include the Warrior Girl archetype, antiheroines and subversions, women leads and ensembles, and the changing dialogue surrounding lady characters as we march forward and outward in...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #32: The Separation
Join us, at the tipping point. We discuss the horror beneath the hijinks: what Rachel's duality and separation means for herself, the Animorphs, the series, and female characters in YA fiction as a whole. Oh yeah. It's a doozy. [TRT 35:56. We do not own Nicki Minaj's "Dear Old Nicki." In fact, it...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #31: The Conspiracy
We return to you with talks about Jake's tragic family conflicts, the emotional burden of war, and the scope of Yeerk HR and their invasion strategy. [TRT 29:21. We do not own the fantastic song "Mon Frère" from the French stage musical "Les Dix Commandements" but we highly recommend you check it...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #30: The Reunion
We're back! Talkin' bout Marco's ruthlessness, the sad situation he's in, and the terrible idea to let him make all the decisions in it. [TRT 20:41. We do not own Kanye West's 'Hey Mama.' But we love it.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread: Megamorphs #3, "Elfangor's Secret"
It's been awhile, but we return with a big one! Join us as we parse the complications of time travel and the implications of big events and small choices in history. That's right. We are CHANGING THE PAST. And it's messy. [TRT 52:53. We sadly do not own Cher's masterpiece classic "If I Could Turn...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #29: The Sickness
WE'RE BACK. And talking about The Sickness, wherein Cassie saves the day in a very big way. Twice. [TRT 23:28. We do not own the song "Get Down With the Sickness. We also apologize for implying we don't like it.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #28: The Experiment
We got cows! Topics of discussion: Ax's hilarious affinity for television, the concept of free will, and Marco's driving. [We don't own Twister, unfortunately. TRT 22:50]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #27: The Exposed
Talkin' bout the Chee Net, weird plot structure, and the all-consuming glory sadness of Rachel's darkness arc. [TRT 34:32. We do not own "Deep Sea Diver" by Bat For Lashes, but we do suggest you check it out because it's pretty Rachel-appropriate.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #26: The Attack
THE ELLIMIST V. CRAYAK ft. killing machines and middle schoolers. We discuss the meaty details of ants on a chessboard and the triumph of imperfect humanity! [TRT 29:18: We don't own any fragment of the Harry Potter franchise. We're just dummies who thought using it in this instance would be funny.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #25: The Extreme
Fittingly to this week's weather, the Animorphs get stranded in the arctic. [TRT 31:09. We don't claim to own Ice Ice Baby.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #24: The Suspicion
Helmacrons. The science of shrink rays. Misandry alien societies. So, this isn't the most content-heavy book. But it's a fun one. [TRT 18:56; we don't own anything by David Bowie. We are not worthy.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #23: The Pretender
We're back! We talk about Tobias' dilemma in "The Pretender." [TRT 23:05. We don't own "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread: The Hork-Bajir Chronicles
We discuss the tragic circumstances of the Hork-Bajir and Dak Hamee, complicated ethical choices for Dak and Aldrea, and the subverted trope of "star-cross'd lovers." [TRT 43:16]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #20-22: The David Trilogy
We discuss The Discovery, The Threat, and The Solution, and the turning point they represent for the series and its protagonists. Focus on David (the newest member of the Animorphs) - and how awful he is - as well as the moral repercussions of difficult choices for Rachel, Jake, and Cassie. We do...
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The Great Animorphs Reread #19: The Departure
This book's heavy, surreal, and abstract. We discuss the moral dialogues, the collision of ideologies, and Cassie's choices. [TRT 32:57. We don't own Crazy Town's "Butterfly."]
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The Great Animorphs Reread Megamorphs #2: In the Time of the Dinosaurs
We're a little bit rusty. On the plus side: dinosaurs! [TRT 25:04. Would that we have any ownership over the brilliance of John William's theme. Alas, we borrow... and grovel.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #18: The Decision
This is a weird book. But it had cinnamon buns, so there's that. Bunzzzzz. [TRT 31:01. Unfortunately, we do not own the Muppets nor have anything to do with the Jim Henson Company. It's regrettable, really.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #17: The Underground
The Animorphs must decide if they should wield their greatest weapon against the Yeerks... Oatmeal. [TRT 28:07. We do not own the Batman Theme Song.]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #1: The Invasion
The Invasion goes hard. K.A.’s not messing around. [TRT 10:44] (Sorry about the fuzzy quality!)
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The Great Animorphs Reread #2: The Visitor
Forget the aliens, The Visitor is actually a little character piece. [TRT 10:39]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #5: The Predator
Inside Marco’s head is a very dark and tragic place. [TRT 10:20]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #6: The Capture
Diana has deep thoughts about The Capture. She Bloggo just makes puns using Billy Joel song titles. [TRT 10:00]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #3: The Encounter
The Encounter is full of unexpected choices. [TRT 10:22]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #4: The Message
Cassie talks to whales. [TRT 10:18]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #7: The Stranger
Rachel makes choices. We worry about Rachel’s future. [TRT 09:45]
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The Great Animorphs Reread Megamorphs #1: The Andalite's Gift
Cassie and Ax are badasses. We wonder about the crazy lady in the woods, and what exactly Rachel was planning on doing with her weekend. Y’know, before the amnesia. [TRT 09:56]
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The Great Animorphs Reread #8: The Alien
Ax has decisions to make. Andalites have secrets. [TRT 10:25 - sorry about the poor quality, too!]
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