Toy Story 5
How the Toy Story toys are a little like vampires
Both the venerable Pixar franchise and Interview with the Vampire use immortality to explore personhood.
Emily St. James
Emily St. James is a writer and critic whose work has appeared in Vox, The A.V. Club, and the New York Times. She is the co-creator of the podcast Arden and a writer on the TV series Yellowjackets.
preview
Is Friday Night Lights TV’s greatest show about everyday sacrifice? (preview)
A special look at this week's installment of Emily's ongoing look at the best TV of the 21st century.
26 Episodes
Is Friday Night Lights TV’s greatest show about everyday sacrifice?
It's a show about marriage, yes. But also a show about giving things up in hope of a better future.
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown June 22–28 2026
This week: Supergirl, Toy Story 5, and a different take on Disclosure Day.
sale
A heartfelt plea for your support during our Pride sale
It's a great time to subscribe to Episodes. Our sale runs through Tuesday.
trans
What's the matter with trans panic media?
Scholar Katherine Alejandra Cross on why it's so profitable to "sell panic to trans people."
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown June 15–21 2026
This week: The Death of Robin Hood, The Furious, and two different takes on Anne Rice's Immortal Universe.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo, theater kid
Or: Why Olivia Rodrigo was voted most likely pop star to write a musical in her 40s.
community
Community is a sitcom about dissociating
Is that why I liked it so much?
Olivia Rodrigo
Episodes Monday Rundown June 8–14 2026
This week: the new Olivia Rodrigo, Ragtime at Lincoln Center, and an exceptional novel.
Mailbag
June mailbag!
This month: historical TV shows we want to see, procedurals for the whole family, and how to hide an ET.
movies
People don't want YouTube movies. They want something new.
The considerable success of Backrooms and Obsession might lead Hollywood to learn all the wrong lessons. Again.