94. The New Pope, Episode Nine

[spoilers ahead in episode description]

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It's the end of an era as Regan and John expire in their earthly Popecasting, even as they ascend into Popecasting heaven, hopefully on a beach with a Papal Speedo-ed Lenny Belardo. This is a revelation (or is Revelation...) filled episode, and we cover it all: the Catholic fanaticism and holy war discourse that are giving Crusades, John Brannox's surprising and maybe surprisingly touching Angelus address to the crowds, Lenny's own address to the crowds, the resolution (?) of the terrorism plotlines this season. What about that closing montage -- too easy? Just right? Who is or are the hero(es) and antihero(es) of this show? How did Lenny become a hostage negotiator? Is Bauer God? Is Voiello a true neutral? Can we have all of our intense conversations on the Sistine Chapel set? 

All your fave segments are back for one last rodeo, and because it's the last episode of the Popeverse, Regan and John also indulge in a one-time only End of an Era segment, featuring New/Young Pope coconut-pilled memes, a conversation about magical realism and genre, and a reflection on their relationships to Catholicism and to each other. 

Take us aloft as we proverbially crowdsurf the holy listenership of NQGB Popecasting. Set us down in the Pietà pose. Hot Confessor Summer is forever.  

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay