Breaking Bad's clockwork universe seems almost comforting in 2026 (preview)
In Vince Gilligan's world, a rise must always precede a fall. Is that true anymore in our world?
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Breaking Bad's clockwork universe seems almost comforting in 2026
In Vince Gilligan's world, a rise must always precede a fall. Is that true anymore in our world?
Coming July 28: Our first Episodes Book Club!
Read along with us, won't you?
Episodes Monday Rundown July 6–12 2026
This week: Excalibur, Supergirl, and a David Lynch double feature.
Submit your July mailbag questions!
It's that time again!
Why The Amazing Digital Circus could have used better worldbuilding
"Worldbuilding" isn't a dirty word; it's how you make a story feel emotionally real.
The new Great American Novels: 9 books from the Trump era that earn the title
Some great reads that will help you understand America at 250.
Four reasons A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was a great adaptation
And one way it could have been EVEN BETTER.
Episodes Monday Rundown June 29–July 5 2026
This week: Interview with the Vampire, The Quarry Girls, and fireworks.
Check out what premium Episodes subscribers were reading in June!
Here's what our premium subscribers were reading in June.
How the Toy Story toys are a little like vampires (preview)
A special look at this week's premium Friday newsletter!
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.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 6, "The Morrow"
"A true knight always finishes a story."
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.
Disclosure Day
Disclosure Day is about what we refuse to know
Spielberg's latest is oddly naïve, except when it's about me, specifically.
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."
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 5, "In the Name of the Mother"
"What if this is the best there is?"
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?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Episode 4, "Seven"
Whither Tanselle?