Episodes
Writings on culture, identity, and a bunch of other things from Emily St. James.

Latest

Jun
27
A boy and a man, both holding bows, crash through shin-deep water, running away from something. It's nighttime.

28 Years Later imagines a strange and beautiful apocalypse

7 min read
Jun
25
A small creature in a white, horned helmet stands in a large, mostly blue video game level. It is empty but for them.

On having a body in Hollow Knight

How video games like Hollow Knight make movement central to their storytelling.
7 min read
Jun
23
Dionne and Cher walk down a hallway in Clueless. They're both clad in varying shades of plaid.

Episodes Monday Rundown June 16 - 22 2025

5 min read
Jun
20
The characters of Final Destination: Bloodlines stand in a cemetery. They are dressed in black and overlook a casket.

Final Destination: Bloodlines and the great American death cult

9 min read
Jun
16
Furiosa, as portrayed by Anya Taylor Joy, looms over the camera. She has a shaved head and a prosthetic arm.

Episodes Monday Rundown June 9 - 15 2025

6 min read
Jun
13
Christina Aguilera leans back toward the camera, smiling as she sings "Genie in a Bottle."

June mailbag

9 min read
Jun
12
The Killers perform Mr. Brightside in the music video. They are wearing dapper suits. Behind them is a sparkly backdrop.

All my favorite indie bands of the 2000s, re-reviewed for today

Sure, Emily loved Arcade Fire, Death Cab, and The Shins in 2005, but how does she feel NOW?
12 min read
Jun
10

Submit your June mailbag questions!

1 min read
Jun
09
A humanoid chimpanzee clutching a microphone sneers at the camera in extreme close-up.

Episodes Monday Rundown June 2 - 8 2025

7 min read
Jun
06
Tim Robinson, clad in a deeply tan suit, sits behind a sweet drum set.

Friendship perfectly captures the crisis of modern masculinity

4 min read