Not Quite Great Books: a TV podcast
When you spend the bulk of your life reading, writing, and building lesson plans, sometimes your brain needs a break. Join two of your favorite political theory professors - Danielle Hanley and John McMahon - as they switch gears from the world’s so-called great books to break down some of your favorite TV shows. The twist? Only one of your hosts has seen the show before. First up? The Americans.
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
This week, John and Danielle tackle The Americans Season 1 Episode 5, “COMINT”. They marvel at how Elizabeth slithers between cars and get into questions of patriarchy, violence, and of course, all the relationship dynamics on display. The return of Dirtbag Philip inaugurates another round of wig talk, which is never boring!
Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Who is “In Control” this week? Your hosts, John and Danielle, of course, as they return to discuss Season 1 Episode 4 of The Americans. After a check-in on how this episode plays with scale in the series, they discuss the overwhelming presence of Reagan, cool spycraft moments, and reflect on the anxiety of scenes in the woods. Come for John’s takes on Russian translation, stay for this week’s trip into The Cave.
Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Danielle and John dive into The Americans Season 1 Episode 3, “Gregory”. They discuss the episode’s treatment of secrets and lies, consider the racial dynamics at play, marvel at some great camerawork, and offer their first impressions of Gregory and Claudia. Don’t worry, they make time to check in about bangs and 80s pop culture too! They also tap into their own lived experiences to evaluate how New York stands in for "Philadelphia".
Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
John and Danielle continue their exploration of The Americans with a rousing discussion of Season 1 Episode 2, “The Clock.” They generate a wide-ranging discussion that examines the role of the nuclear family and racial dynamics in the episode, while still making sure to carve out some time to gush about the 80’s nostalgia brought on by headphones and wigs in “The Clock”. “Minor Character of the Week” and “The Cave” also return!
Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
In their first (!) episode, John and Danielle start by laying out the motivations behind this podcast before diving into a lively discussion of the pilot episode of The Americans. Come for their careful consideration of nationalism, lies, and spycraft; stay for the segments on Soviet aesthetics, needle drops, and the award for ‘Minor Character of the Week’.
Join Danielle and John as they use their analytical skills to deep dive into The Americans this season on Not Quite Great Books: A TV Podcast.
Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
Danielle and John banter about the origins, schticks, plans and more for Not Quite Great Books: a TV podcast, which kicks of with a episode-by-episode review of The Americans.
First episode coming soon!