The Lorehounds

Welcome to the Lorehounds! We're David, John, and Elysia — proud independent podcasters who dig deep into the shows and movies you love. We go beyond recaps to explore the storytelling, the lore, the themes, and everything in between, bringing genuine passion and thoughtful analysis to every episode.

Right now we're breaking down The Vampire Lestat and House of the Dragon with Ted Lasso, The Bear, Ahsoka, and plenty more on the horizon.

The Lorehounds sit at the heart of a growing network of affiliated podcasts and a thriving Discord community where the conversation never stops. Find links to all of our shows, subscriber feeds, and community spaces at linktr.ee/thelorehounds.

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638 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes638

Newest first

February 12 · 1 hr 9 min
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - S01E04 - Seven
John, Elysia, and Anthony from Properly Howard Movie Review recap the fourth episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They discuss the excuses of Targaryens, the layering of prophecies, and their dream draft team of 7. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: smallcouncil@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
February 6 · 1 hr 1 min
The Pitt - S02E05 - 11:00 A.M.
David and John watch the doctors take each other to task in a contentious episode of The Pitt. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
February 6 · 1 hr 34 min
Oscars 2026 – Animated, Documentary, & Live-Action Shorts
Elysia is joined by Brandon from ShortStick blog and podcast for a look at the five nominees for each of the three short-film Oscar categories: Animated Shorts (00:08:29), Documentary Shorts (00:29:07), and Live-Action Shorts (00:54:48). They lay out what each short film is, what makes it stand out, and where you can see them (when possible), as they discuss how short films works differently from feature films and the more difficult path to nomination, and also call out other top shorts from this awards season that they think Lorehounds listeners will also love. Find Brandon at: Shortstick Films blog & podcast (on Spotify) ShortStick's Top 75 Short Films of 2025 Nominated Shorts: Animated Shorts Butterfly – trailer, info, full film* Forevergreen – trailer, info, full film* The Girl Who Cried Pearls – trailer, info, full film* (in French), full film* (English dub) Retirement Plan – trailer, info The Three Sisters – trailer, info Other shorts mentioned: Snow Bear (full film*), Playing God, The Night Boots, Hurikán, The Shyness of Trees (full film*), Autokar (to rent*), Two Ships, Ovary-Acting (previous film: Night of the Living Dread; full film) Note: All nominated (and shortlisted) animated films are available on Animation Showcase, available to (free) members of DeathRaceTracking.com Documentary Shorts All the Empty Rooms – trailer, info (Netflix) Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud – trailer, info (HBO Max) Children No More: Were and Are Gone – trailer, info The Devil Is Busy – trailer, info (HBO Max) Perfectly a Strangeness – trailer, info Other shorts mentioned: Bad Hostage, All the Walls Came Down (LA Times Docs), Classroom 4 (PBS, US only), We Were the Scenery (on FestivalScope until Feb 22), Neil Armstrong and the Langholmites, Shanti Rides Shotgun (Vimeo) Confession Live-Action Shorts Butcher's Stain – trailer, info A Friend of Dorothy – trailer, info (Disney+) Jane Austen's Period Drama – trailer, info, full film* (new!) The Singers – trailer, info (Netflix, from Feb 13) Two People Exchanging Saliva – trailer, info, full film* Other shorts mentioned: Beyond Silence, Dad’s Not Home, Extremist (full film*), The Pearl Comb (Disney+), Pantyhose, Blondi, Wonderwall, One Day This Kid (Criterion), A Bear Remembers, Nervous Energy, The Second Time Around *Watch quickly! May be taken offline without warning. The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world (last year's link) Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts (this episode) Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features Documentary Features Animated Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, Editing, Sound, VFX Director, Original & Adapted Screenplay Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, and Arco) Additional awards coverage BAFTA longlisted shorts Independent Spirit Awards preview BAFTAs preview Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
February 5 · 1 hr 57 min
Wonder Man - Episodes 1-4 - Part 1 of 2 (MCUniverse)
David, Jean, and Elysia discuss the first four episodes of Marvel's Wonder Man, exploring the show's unique approach to superhero storytelling through the lens of Hollywood industry satire. The conversation examines how the series balances meta-commentary on franchise fatigue with genuine character development, questioning whether its self-aware critique of Marvel's own practices serves the narrative or undermines it. They also analyze the show's tonal shifts, standout performances, and whether Wonder Man successfully carves out its own identity within the increasingly crowded MCU landscape. Episode Discussion Time Codes: Ep 1 - 00:32:10 Ep 2 - 01:00:30 Ep 3 - 01:18:26 Ep 4 - 01:37:50 Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: comicsvs@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
February 3 · 1 hr 24 min
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - S01E03 - The Squire
John, Elysia, and Anthony from Properly Howard Movie Review recap the third episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They talk about the Dunk & Egg relationship, the implications of book changes, and the tough spot Dunk has found himself in. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: smallcouncil@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
February 1 · 2 hr 40 min
Percy Jackson and the Olympians S01&02 – Oneshot
Book-reader Marilyn and show-and-movies-only Elysia and Jean gather to tell Rick Riordan's stories of the gods and their children in their deep dive into the seas of seasons 1 and 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+. After some background and spoiler-free thoughts on the series overall, they talk through the major character arcs across both seasons, comparing the show to the books and films and questioning what role they would play in this world. (Note: There are NO future spoilers, beyond the two seasons aired.) Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 30 · 56 min
The Pitt - S02E04 - 10:00 A.M.
David and John try to put a finger in - I mean on - what makes the Pitt special. They discuss the flirtatious doctors, the mistakes of students, and the show's approach to real-world issues. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 28 · 53 min
The evolution of practical VFX – An interview w/ Lee Romaire
Elysia talks to practical VFX artist Lee Romaire about everything he's learned from a 25-year career covering everything from Emmy-winning special-effects makeup and Frankenstein animal gore to Disney park animatronics and robotic red-carpet accessories. Links from the discussion: Romaire Studios website Keke Palmer interviews Frank Ocean & the animatronic baby Socks recreates the Five Nights at Freddy's experience Cajun Christmas reingators Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 26 · 58 min
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - S01E02 - Hard Salt Beef
John, Elysia, and Steve from Properly Howard Movie Review recap the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They talk about lances of all kind, tugs of war, and the meaning of being a knight. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: smallcouncil@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 25 · 2 hr 11 min
Oscars 2026 – Nominations: the Best Picture 10, surprises, & stats
David and Elysia officially kick of this year's awards-season coverage with their reactions to the 2026 Oscar nominees, including all the new records set by this year's crop. After talking through the headlines (00:11:40), they preview this year's 10 Best Picture nominees (00:30:30) before discussing the biggest surprises and snubs (01:29:19) and the four acting categories (01:49:33). Stick around until the end for a preview of the rest of the coverage plans. The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world (last year's link) Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview (this episode) Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features Animated Features Documentary Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, Editing, Sound, VFX Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting Director, Original & Adapted Screenplay Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, and Arco) Additional awards coverage BAFTA longlisted shorts Independent Spirit Awards preview BAFTAs preview Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 24 · 57 min
The Pitt - S02E03 - 9:00 A.M.
David and John buckle up for the beginning of the action in this episode of The Pitt. They discuss fireworks and PTSD, fatherhood, and bedside manner. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 22 · 15 min
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Quick Reaction from the Captain's Pod
Captain’s Pod: Warp 9! Star Trek Starfleet Academy: Kids These Days S1E1 Join Ian and Deneé as they invade the Lorehounds feed and provide a warp speed recap of the latest episode of Starfleet Academy! 00:1:10 - Spoiler free thoughts 00:02:51 - Spoiler thoughts Find Captain’s Pod: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/captains-pod-a-star-trek-companion/id1594652949 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71L5tu5ALuMq0PFMy1Q6TH?si=838316a20a0d4e06 For early and ad-free access to the show PLUS other perks: Join the Tea-Flingers at the Ian and Deneé Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/iananddenee Connect with us! Email: iananddenee@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/cm4nxyKd2S Lorehounds and Prosper! Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 20 · 1 hr 15 min
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - S01E01 - The Hedge Knight
John, Elysia, and Anthony from Properly Howard Movie Review recap the premiere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They discuss the drama and the moisture surrounding the most earnest man in Westeros. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: smallcouncil@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 20 · 2 hr 5 min
MCU vs. DCU – Which will rule 2026 (and beyond)?
Jean and Elysia convene to assess the states of both the MCU and DCU going into 2026, pitting them head-to-head across 4 categories. What upcoming projects get them (and you) most excited, and when the votes are tallied, which franchise will they crown the current winner? Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Questions, comments, thoughts to share? Send us an email at comicsvs@thelorehounds.com Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 16 · 42 min
The Pitt - S02E02 - 8:00 A.M.
David and John settle in for a pretty hilarious episode of The Pitt. They discuss the growing tension between the attending doctors, the character arcs they expect to see, and the level of medical gore in the show. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 16 · 47 min
BAFTA 2026: Longlisted Shorts – Britain's best cinema snacks
The awards season is also heating up in Europe, with Round Two of BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) voting underway. With the longlists announced, Elysia takes you on a tour of the 16 short films longlisted in two categories – what makes each special, which can you find where to watch yourself, which might you have already seen, and which short has turned up in a Lorehounds episode again, for the third time? Previous episode: 2026 Oscar-Qualified Shorts – Top 20 for Lorehounds Films discussed this episode: British Short Animation Brain Space – trailer – info Cardboard – trailer – info Death’s Peak – trailer – info Ovary-Acting – trailer – info Solstice – trailer – info – making of Two Black Boys in Paradise – trailer – info – making of British Short Film Documentaries: Neil Armstrong and the Langholmites – trailer & info This Is Endometriosis – trailer – info – full film* Welcome Home Freckles – trailer – info Fiction: 22+1 – trailer – info – full film* Blondi – trailer – info Magid / Zafar – trailer – info – full film* Nostalgie – trailer – info The Pearl Comb – trailer – info – available on Disney+ Terence – Letterboxd – Shortverse info Wonderwall – clip – Letterboxd – interview (spoilers) *May be taken down (e.g., if nominated). Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 13 · 36 min
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Captain's Pod Season Preview
David is joined by Ian and Deneé from The Captain's Pod to discuss the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, premiering January 15th. The conversation explores the show's premise, its place in the modern Trek landscape, and The Captain's Pod's plans for comprehensive season coverage. Ian and Deneé share their excitement for returning to the optimistic heart of Starfleet through the eyes of a new generation of cadets. Contact the Captain's Pod: Email: ian@iananddenee.com Discord: https://discord.gg/cm4nxyKd2S The Show: @captainspod.bsky.social Ian: @whittsinned.bsky.social Deneé: @deneesays.bsky.social Contact The Lorehounds Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 12 · 43 min
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - Season 1 Preview
David, John, and Elysia join Anthony from Properly Howard Movie Review to discuss their shared coverage plans and hype levels for Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: smallcouncil@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 10 · 1 hr 40 min
Pluribus - Season 1 Wrap-Up
David, Nichole, and John wrap up season one by exploring Carol and Manusos as parallel characters—one testing the plurbs' capacity for love, the other willing to kill to save. They debate whether Carol was seduced or strategic during her 40-day temptation, discuss Manusos as ham radio expert unlocking hive mysteries through frequency scanning, and theorize about season two solutions including signal jamming and Faraday cages. The conversation concludes with the philosophical question: are the plurbs evil or simply amoral like cordyceps, driven by biological imperative rather than malice—not harm reduction but harm avoidance. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: pluribus@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
January 9 · 43 min
The Pitt - S02E01 - 7:00 A.M.
David and John are ready for a new shift in in The Pitt. They discuss the parallels between characters, the lack of character growth of Robby, and their expectations of the new cast. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy