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PODCAST

Alienating the Audience

Andrew Heaton and an army of nerds plunge deep, deep into films, books, and TV shows to ask: what"s science fiction really about? What is The Twilight Zone really exploring? What are the underlying themes of Star Trek? What is the worldview of Star Wars? Also sometimes Heaton performs comedy on other planets.

fiction science fiction

All Episodes

01:24:20

The Fifth Element Is Teenage Scifi

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/06/08

"The Fifth Element" starring Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich is a cult classic. But... does it hold up? Did it ever? To answer that question, we turn to Scottish scifi twins Dickie and Stone Lynch.

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01:03:20

Irritating Vulcans in "Enterprise"

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/05/31

"Enterprise" is the prequel of Star Trek, exploring the foundation of the Federation of Planets, and the bump, suspicious period when Vulcans and humans get to know one another. Scottish science fiction twins Dickie & Stone Lynch return to discuss.

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01:16:22

Lady Terror in "Don't Worry, Darling"

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/05/18

There's a subgenre of science fiction we might call "femme fear," exemplified by writers like Margaret Atwood. Olivia Wilde's "Don't Worry Darling" is the latest example. And while it was mostly panned by critics, Heaton enjoyed it. Ashland Viscosi joins to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating

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01:03:34

Jesuits in Space!

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/05/12

In "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell, life is discovered on an alien planet, and the first humans to arrive are... Jesuits. The book explores the terrifying consequences of missionaries on a new world, who are there for good reasons--with good intentions--but don't know what they've got themselves into. Richard Amiro joins to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi

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59:45

The Sith are Emo Fascists

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/05/04

The Sith are the dark lords of Star Wars. But what do they want? Are they logically consistent antagonists, with clear rationales for their goals and methods, or just mustache-twirling villains with no depth? Stephen Kent and Mike TV join to discuss

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58:18

“They Live” is fear of Reagonomics

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/04/13

John Carpenter’s “They Live” is a cult classic about seeing through societal mirage to glimpse the strings of the puppet masters. It’s also a specific and intentional “primal scream” against Reagonomics. Ron Hayden joins to discuss.

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45:00

If Sociopaths Had Super Powers: The Boys

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/04/11

In "The Boys" super heroes superficially fight crime, but are really corporate pawns and predators, ranging from ladder-climbing reality show scumbags to full-blown Nietzschean demigods. What happens when super powers are not always entrusted in the super moral? Andrew Young joins to discuss.

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01:25:33

But What if We Swapped Brains?

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/04/05

Brain swaps are a beloved sci-fi trope, but how feasible are they? Dr. John-Paul Kolsun is a brain doctor, and host of "The Neurosurgery Podcast" He joins to discuss the feasibility of brain transplants.

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01:36:29

Only You Can Save JFK - Stephen King's "11/22/63"

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/03/28

In Stephen King's finest work, protagonist Jake Epping discovers a time portal which allows him to go back to the late 50s and then stick around long enough to stop Lee Harvey Oswald from killing President Kennedy. . . But should he interfere with the timeline, however good his intentions? Josh Jennings and Tim Silfies join to discuss

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01:37:40

How Time Travel Works in "Interstellar"

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/03/20

Jay Mutzafi rejoins the show to discuss the many elements of "Interstellar," from gravity to parenting to gut feelings. Jay's notes on the various forms of time travel here: https://jaymutzafi.com/time-travel-movies-tv-shows/

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01:22:35

Every Single Star Trek Android, in Erratic, Sloppy Order

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/03/16

Dickie and Stone Lynch rejoin the show to discuss the entire panoply of androids in Star Trek, from Ruk, to Lore, to Automated Personnel Unit 3947. With special attention paid to "Requiem for Methuselah." Warning: slightly raunchy episode

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01:21:07

Dark Side of "Moon"

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/03/06

The film "Moon," starring Sam Rockwell, follows the lonely exploits of a solo worker on a moon base, and the unfolding mystery and terror of what his life actually entails. Scottish scifi twins Stone and Dickie Lynch join to discuss SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.mightyheaton.com/ata

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01:10:23

Why the Jedi Order Failed

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/02/27

What ultimately brought down the Jedi Order, and was it actually worth saving? Kevin Delano and Mike TV join to discuss SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.mightyheaton.com/ata

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01:08:23

Maoists and Space Aliens

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/02/20

“The Three Body Problem”, by Chinese author Liu Cixin, explores Maoism, how mankind reacts to imminent alien invasion, and asks the big question: is humanity worth saving? Andrea Jones-Rooy jones to discuss. Support the show! www.mightyheaton.com/ata Books mentioned on the show at: www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi

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01:10:19

The Mirror Universe in Star Trek

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/02/13

From Kirk and Spock through Deep Space Nine, the world of Star Trek has a shadowy alternate universe where mankind is alternately evil or oppressed. Andrew Young joins to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.mightyheaton.com/ata

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01:19:40

“Her” is the Ultimate Breakup Film

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/02/06

Spike Jonze’s “Her”, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson, follows the story of a lonely man who falls in love with a sentient operating system. The film explores AI and romance in the not-too-distant-future, isolation and alienation, and the emotional resolution of relationships ending. Henrique Couto joins to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.mightyheaton.com/ata

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01:10:28

Dilbert Meets Orwell in "Severance"

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/01/31

In "Severance" employees of the Lumen corporation undergo a surgery which separates their mind into two distinct personalities--one who works inside the company, and one on the outside oblivious to it. Brian Brushwood and Andrew Young join to discuss.

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01:15:51

Only Watch "Flash Gordon" on Acid

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/01/23

Dickie and Stone join to discuss the overwhelming camp and pulp of "Flash Gordon," a big costume budget and excellent soundtrack which also sorta has a plot.

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01:15:28

Hollywood Sermonizing vs. Good Storytelling

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/01/19

When does science fiction get "too political"? What separates a film with a strong point of view from stale publum or Woke pulpitry? Josh Jennings joins to discuss how political messaging can derail or suffocate scifi.

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01:25:31

Andor Loves Public Choice Theory

Alienating the Audience ·

2023/01/09

Andor is one of the best Star Wars properties ever devised; a television program explicitly for adults! Beyond excellent storytelling, Andor highlights the problems which bedevil any organization: pettiness, career aspirations, incompetency, and zealotry. David Bizarro and Brian Brushwood join to discuss.

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169 results

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