Olivia Rodrigo, theater kid
Or: Why Olivia Rodrigo was voted most likely pop star to write a musical in her 40s.
Latest
Community is a sitcom about dissociating
Is that why I liked it so much?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 4, "Seven"
Whither Tanselle?
Episodes Monday Rundown June 8–14 2026
This week: the new Olivia Rodrigo, Ragtime at Lincoln Center, and an exceptional novel.
Happy Pride! Take 20% off a subscription with our Pride sale
Hello, loyal Episodes readers! Happy summer, and happy Pride! Episodes is proud to be a queer-owned and -operated publication, and for the last few years, we've run a sale at the end of June to celebrate that. Until the end of the month, you can take 20
June mailbag!
This month: historical TV shows we want to see, procedurals for the whole family, and how to hide an ET.
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.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 3, "The Squire"
In which Lily finally learns how to spell "Targaryen"
Episodes Monday Rundown June 1–7 2026
This week: Boosters, Boroughs, and Buffalo Bill Cody.
Submit your June mailbag questions!
It's that time again!
In Widow's Bay, life doesn't stop just because the town is cursed
If the townies all believe in the curse, why don't they act like it's real? If you've had to live through Very Interesting Times, you might know the answer.
The only thing Mad Men's Don Draper can't escape is himself
The show's Season 3 finale captures a nation dealing with massive change, both on the air and in real life.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 2, "Hard Salt Beef"
Anxious boys and tall, tall girls: The people of Westeros are just like us!
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown May 25–31 2026
This week: Backrooms! Backrooms!! Backrooms!!
Margo's Got Money Troubles
In Margo's Got Money Troubles, your parents are just some guys
It's great to get an apology from your parents. But the real work is in what happens after.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 1, "The Hedge Knight"
In the first edition of our new recap series, Westeros' tallest, most anxious knight decides to make a name for himself.
The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai is about so much more than education
Helen DeWitt's modern classic is as much about things that can't be taught as it is about Ancient Greek.
Mailbag
Woodworking mailbag!
Emily celebrates the paperback release of her novel Woodworking by answering your many burning questions!
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown May 18–24 2026
This week: the Colbert finale, Olivia Rodrigo, and a triptych of heterosexuality.
Submit your questions for a special Woodworking mailbag!
Hello beloved subscribers! Emily's first novel, Woodworking, is out in paperback on Tuesday, May 26. It's an exciting occasion, and, to celebrate, we've got a special Episodes mailbag lined up for that day. All questions about Woodworking — the creative process, the book tour, whether
Off Campus
One big thing hockey romance Off Campus and horror movie Obsession have in common
Which way, lonely man?
26 Episodes
How The Office made cringe comedy appeal to almost everybody
Could you make this show today? No. But not for the reasons you assume.
pluribus
Pluribus is a masterclass in how to write loneliness
There's no moment of human connection that will save Carol Sturka from herself.