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The Ringer

Welcome to ‘House of R,’ where Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson explore your favorite fictional universes with their signature Deep Dives into everything from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to Marvel, and beyond. Whether they’re parsing mythology, story themes, and character arcs or tracing influences across decades of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Jo and Mal will be here weekly with Deep Dives into new nerd culture releases, nostalgic revisitations of their favorite tales in fandom, Tropes Course examinations, Hall of Fame inductions, Hype Meters, drafts, mailbags, watch lists, top moments countdowns, recommendations, and more.

House of R

Jo is joined by some of your favorite Ringer hosts to talk about Halloween, rules for picking a costume, and what pop culture–related costumes will be the most popular this year. From ‘Weapons’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ to ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and ‘Andor,’ this pod has a little bit of everything!

(00:00) Intro

(02:25) Van Lathan and Charles Holmes

(24:28) Chris Ryan

(34:40) Jodi Walker and Nora Princiotti

Host: Joanna Robinson

Guests: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Chris Ryan, Jodi Walker, and Nora Princiotti

Producers: Carlos Chiriboga and Jon Jones

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Check out our Ringer Movies channel: youtube.com/@ringermovies

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Shop: https://theringer.com/shop
Website: http://theringer.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ringer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ringer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ringer
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2025 Halloween Costume Recommendations

Mal and Jo are back in Hawkins to continue their rewatch of ‘Stranger Things’ in the run-up to the fifth and final season. Next up: revisiting Season 3! They talk about their original experience with this season and hand out some superlatives!

(00:00) Intro(03:57) Mailbag(08:36) Opening Snapshot(45:19) Best New Addition(51:00) Best Use of the Summer Setting(53:09) Most Important Relationship(01:00:23) Most Emotional Moment(01:13:49) Funniest Moment(01:23:11) Scariest Moment(01:31:01) Goopiest Moment(01:33:42) Best Coming-of-Age Moment(01:38:33) Award for Honoring the Nerds(01:43:51) Ship Wars(01:51:18) Best Quote(01:56:57) Most Memorable Visual(02:00:25) Favorite Pop Culture Influence(02:04:08) Most Potent Use of ‘80s Nostalgia(02:06:43) '80s Parenting: We Have Some Notes(02:10:47) Fit (or Hair) Lord(02:12:40) Shortest Shorts Lord(02:16:00) Best Needle Drop(02:18:43) Best Netflix Subtitles(02:21:28) Season 3 MVP(02:23:00) Season 5 Lookahead

Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and John RichterSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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‘Stranger Things’ Season 3 Revisited

There’s more to be hyped about than falling leaves and Halloween! Mal and Jo are here again to get you hyped for the things they are most looking forward to this fall season!

(0:00) Intro

(11:06) 'Predator: Badlands'

(14:20) 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'

(20:21) 'The Running Man'

(23:46) 'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 3

(26:44) 'Wicked: For Good'

(33:24) 'Fallout' Season 2

(38:05) 'The Everlasting'

(42:20) 'The Strength of the Few'

(46:00) 'Frankenstein'

(51:12) 'Bugonia'

(55:34) 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 2

(59:40) 'Pluribus'

(1:04:50) 'Stranger Things' Season 5

(1:10:08) Honorable mentions

Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson

Producers: Mike Wargon and John Richter

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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The 2025 Fall Hype Meter

Jo, Mal, and Rob are back together to dive deep into the final episode of ‘Alien: Earth’ Season 1! They talk about how the episode begins in contrast to how the previous episode ended, Morrow vs. Kirsh, looking ahead to a potential Season 2, and so much more! Also, the one and only Kirsh, Timothy Olyphant, joins Jo and Mal! Timothy discusses what he liked about portraying the synthetic character, working with Babou Ceesay, Kirsh’s relationship with Issac, and the "milking" process. 

(00:00) Intro
(08:08) Opening Snapshot
(37:11) Deep Dive
(37:45) Fill In the Gaps
(43:09) Kids In Cages … What Could Go Wrong?
(01:04:43) To Morrow and To Morrow and To Morrow
(01:14:02) Battle Bots: Morrow Vs. Kirsh
(01:21:05) Wendy, Too, Is Sick of This Peter Pan Bullshit
(01:29:27) Hide and Seek
(01:34:57) Joe Vs. the Volcan-Eye
(01:46:25) Adults In Cages … What Could Go Wrong?
(01:49:26) Oh Needle Drops
(01:53:29) Looking Ahead to Season 2 

(01:58:42) Timothy Olyphant / Is Kirsh OK?
(02:00:56) Will there be a new Kirsh hairstyle?
(02:02:26) What is the “milking” process like?
(02:06:00) What was it about working with Babou Ceesay?
(02:09:16) What is the Kirsh-Isaac relationship?
(02:14:59) What is the most helpful note a director can give?
(02:16:22) Does Kirsh know how to flirt?
(02:17:55) What led to giving Kirsh the signature hip waggle?
(02:20:51) What does Kirsh really think of Boy Kavalier?
(02:24:29) Are Givens and Kirsh connected by his daddy issues?
(02:25:30) Which of his characters would survive longest in the Alien universe? 

Hosts: Joanna Robinson, Mallory Rubin, and Rob MahoneyGuest: Timothy OlyphantProducers: Jessie Lopez and John RichterSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell 
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‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 8 Deep Dive. Plus: Timothy Olyphant!

Mal and Jo are here to react to the surprise first look at ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’! They talk about their initial reactions and where we left off in Season 3 of 'The Mandalorian' before they each give their five favorite moments from the trailer!

Intro (0:00:00)Opening Snapshot (4:09)Moment #1 (15:14)Moment #2 (31:30)Moment #3 (36:13)Moment #4 (40:37)Moment #5 (50:44)

Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna RobinsonProducers: Isaiah Blakely and Chris ThomasAdditional Production Supervision: Arjuna RamgopowellSocial: Jomi Adeniran
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'The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Trailer Reactions

They made a vow to pod, no matter how many realities they have to visit. Mallory Rubin is joined by Ben Lindbergh to hand out their midseason awards for 'Peacemaker' Season 2. Come for the Eagly talk, stay for the alternate-dimension takes. Later, James Gunn pops by for a chat with Mal on 'Peacemaker' Season 2, Episode 5; possible Season 3 theme song choices; the larger DCU; and more!

(00:00) Intro

(05:14) Opening snapshot

(13:13) Most Important Eagly Moment

(22:09) Best Fight Sequence

(24:22) Favorite New Character

(30:31) Most Compelling Relationship

(37:07) Most Amusing Sequence

(41:36) Most Touching Moment

(46:26) Most Creative Use of an Alternate Reality

(51:54) Most Innovative Use of a Gunnverse Regular

(01:04:22) James Gunn on Episode 5

(01:12:14) James Gunn on the 11th Street Kids

(01:19:02) James Gunn on the emotion of the story

(01:23:05) James Gunn on animals

(01:30:18) James Gunn on S3 theme song suggestions

(01:35:22) James Gunn on the DCU

(01:45:04) James Gunn on Lex Luthor

(01:48:01) James Gunn on Batman

Host: Mallory Rubin

Guests: Ben Lindbergh and James Gunn

Producers: Carlos Chiriboga, John Richter, Cameron Dinwiddie, Kevin Cureghian, and Belle Roman

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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'Peacemaker' Season 2 Midseason Awards. Plus: James Gunn!

Jo, Mal, and Rob are back together to dive deep into the penultimate episode of ‘Alien: Earth’ Season 1! They talk about the Isaac aftermath, Wendy as “Mother,” Kirsh vs. Morrow Round 2, and more!

(00:00) Intro

(06:34) Opening snapshot

(11:14) Mailbag

(22:13) Slightly, Smee, and poor Arthur

(01:09:56) The Isaac aftermath

(01:31:51) Escape from Witch Mountain

(01:46:29) Eyeballs and secret synths

(01:57:04) Morrow vs. Kirsh: the rematch

(02:01:17) Wendy/Marcy is Mother

Hosts: Joanna Robinson, Mallory Rubin, and Rob Mahoney

Producers: Carlos Chiriboga and John Richter

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 7 Deep Dive

Mal and Jo wrap up Hot Nolan Summer by revisiting Christopher Nolan’s 2006 movie, ‘The Prestige’! They discuss all the twists and turns of the movie and give out some superlatives!

(00:00) Intro

(05:13) 'The Prestige'

(01:12:00) Funniest Moment(

01:18:31) Sickest Set Piece

(01:25:11) Who Is the Real Villain?

(01:33:06) Most Exquisitely Gorgeous Shot

(01:35:08) The Scene You Think About the Most

(01:45:45) Where Would You Put the One F-Bomb?

(01:47:40) Most Baffling Accent

(01:48:58) Best Use of a Nolan-verse Regular

(01:51:17) Best Stunt

(01:54:31) Stealth MVP

(01:59:06) Best Dead-Wife Moment

(02:01:36) Clearest “Great Man” Moment

(02:07:41) Regrettably Miscast and How to Replace Them

(02:08:28) Most Satisfying Twist

(02:09:24) The Horniest Moment

(02:11:13) The Line That Hits Hardest

(02:13:04) Most Devastating Moment

(02:15:42) Most Unforgettable Sound Design

(02:19:29) Should Have Returned to the Nolan-verse

(02:20:26) Most Nolan Thing About This Movie

(02:22:14) What About ‘The Odyssey’ Are You Most Hyped About?

Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson 

Producers: Carlos Chiriboga and John Richter

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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‘The Prestige’ Revisited | Hot Nolan Summer

Jo and Rob dive deep into the sixth episode of ‘Alien: Earth’! They discuss some sad character deaths, the implications of resetting Nibs, what is actually canon in the ‘Alien’ universe, and more!

(00:00) Intro

(05:49) Opening Snapshot

(17:45) Mailbag

(33:39) The Peter Pan Question

(39:00) Hermit and Kirsch Watching Wendy With the Alien

(43:40) Resetting Nibs

(53:25) Hermit and Wendy

(01:01:52) Arbitration

(01:13:56) Morrow and Kirsch in the Elevator

(01:24:54) Slightly Gets an Upgrade in His Zoom Background

(01:30:04) Hermit Drawing a Map and on Patrol

(01:34:31) Fully Grown Alien

(01:36:46) Kirsch Tells Isaac/Tootles to Take Care of the Critters

(01:51:21) Wendy Confronts Dame about Nibs

(02:00:55) Arthur and Slightly at the Lab

Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney

Producers: Carlos Chiriboga and John Richter

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 6 Deep Dive

It’s finally time for Mal and Jo to venture into the Hellmouth! They start their ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ rewatch with Season 1! They talk about their favorite episodes, most dated moments, the best fits, how hot Giles is, and more!

(00:00) Intro

(08:15) Opening Snapshot

(49:33) Our Favorites

(01:36:02) Favorite Line

(01:42:21) Best Villain of the Week

(01:51:24) Best Fit

(01:55:28) Favorite Episode

(01:59:25) Best Coredlia-ism

(02:02:44) Best Guest Star

(02:06:41) When Willow Cries, We Cry

(02:14:02) Best Fight Scene

(02:18:44) Horniest Moment

(02:24:07) Most 1997 Thing

(02:27:26) Cringiest Low-Budget Moment

(02:31:13) Most Creative Dusting

(02:33:20) Funniest Moment

(02:36:25) Most Emotional Moment

Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson

Producers: Carlos Chiriboga, John Richter, and Chris Thomas

Social: Jomi Adeniran

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Season 1 Rewatch

When the Misty Mountains call, Jo and Mal answer. Join the 'House of R' as they look through the wonderful, magical world of J.R.R. Tolkien and the music that runs throughout it. They take a look at the themes of Sam and Frodo and other heroes and address the songs of elves and men. Later, they discuss what can be found from the worlds of 'The Rings of Power,' composer Bear McCreary, and so much more.

﻿Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson
Producer: Steve Ahlman
Video Editor: Cameron Dinwiddie
Additional Production: Arjuna Ramgopal and T Cruz
Social: Jomi Adeniran
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Tolkien's Music and Themes Across Middle-earth | House of R

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