Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and the Illusion of Choice

January 3, 2019 Emily

Even if you’ve never before in your life watched a Black Mirror episode (WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? GET ON THAT IMMEDIATELY… AHEM… back to our regularly scheduled blog post), you’ve likely heard of the latest Black Mirror “movie” on Netflix titled Bandersnatch, a Choose Your Own Adventure-style psychological thriller (?) that feels slightly different in tone than the rest of Black Mirror until you realize… you’re literally part of the episode and the jokes on you.

Perhaps that’s why so many people seem irritated about the whole experiment. Many reviews have labeled the latest Black Mirror a failure, accusing the show of focusing more on form than it does on content. And that’s fine. I understand. And maybe that’s true. Or maybe you just don’t like what the content of this particular episode is telling you about yourself.

Spoilers to follow after the cut, so please check out Bandersnatch on Netflix before reading on.

BSG #23: Banana Word Cloud / Girls Burn Brighter

December 31, 2018 The Squad

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So Did Susan and Emily Get #FitForTheHolidays with Coach Krystal?

December 29, 2018 Susan & Emily

If you’re a true Bachelor fan, you probably already know that villain/fan favorite from Arie’s season Krystal Nielsen has her own Online Fitness Program. If not, then Susan and Emily question your commitment to stalking these contestants post-show. How dare you. Not only have Susan and Emily closely been following Krystal’s Insta and Twitter (oh how we hate Chris R. but also… they look so happy together? The world is a confusing place), but they have been considering attempting her fitness and meal plan.

So When Krystal’s special Fit For The Holidays plan was announced, Susan and Emily, two Bachelor fans who are also super enthusiastic about their health and fitness, had to try it out. How did it go, you ask? Well. We are here to give you the rundown. Illustrated with Bachelor gifs, of course.

Reflecting on Pop Culture Comfort Food and Defending "Elf" for Personal Reasons

December 24, 2018 Kelli

When I was in the 8th grade, I suffered through my very first depressive episode.

I was 14, and after watching a little bit too much Six Feet Under for a person already terrified of death, I found myself spinning out, constantly plagued by thoughts of the afterlife — or the lack thereof. I couldn’t tell you now how long it lasted — at the time, it felt like three months, but in reality the worst of it was probably a couple of weeks. What I can tell you for certain is that every night during that period of my life, I fell asleep to the movie Elf.

Recently on Twitter, I saw someone tweet about how “bad” the movie Elf “actually” “is.” Reading through the replies, I saw a lot of people responding to brag about how they “never liked it” and/or “have never and will never see it.” I love Twitter, but I find that often, it’s a place where the things I love go to die. Brutally. I’m not here to make a case for Elf as a cinematic masterpiece, but I think it’s important to acknowledge it for what it is: a fucking Christmas movie that brings people joy. You assholes.

Do I sound like I’m taking this personally?

Lessons in Compassion from The Trauma Cleaner

December 21, 2018 Susan

Sandra Pankhurst, subject of The Trauma Cleaner Photo by David Caird — Sandra Pankhurst, subject of *The Trauma Cleaner*
Photo by David Caird

Sarah Krasnostein’s The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman’s Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay and Destruction is a biographical portrait of a complicated woman. Sandra Pankhurst runs a trauma cleaning service in suburban Melbourne. She and her crew clean up bloody crime scenes, death scenes and cases of extreme squalor (think A&E’s Hoarders). While Sandra’s life in this business is interesting material in and of itself, the book is really about who Sandra is and has been throughout her often pain-filled life. The thread that runs through the book is compassion, both for others and for ourselves, even when compassion is difficult to give.

Riverdale Recap! S3E08: Outbreak

December 17, 2018 Mary, Kelli, & Gabriella

Apparently, Christmas is cancelled in Riverdale this year.

Unlike Season 2’s “Silent Night, Deadly Night” (which featured the Black Hood as Santa, in case you forgot), this past week’s midseason finale saw no mention of the holidays, leaving us to wonder: is it still pre-winter in Riverdale, or is everyone so high on fizzle rocks and obsessed with Gryphons & Gargoyles that they forgot about the festivities altogether?

Othersode #22: Drink Every Time We’re Self-Congratulatory / Favorites of 2018

December 17, 2018 The Squad

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What I Learned From Watching Survivor While Thinking About The Bachelor

December 12, 2018 Mary

Yes, this was their real logo. They used Papyrus font.

A couple of years ago when Emily tried to get me to watch The Bachelor, ABC’s trashy reality dating show, I scoffed, but today I gleefully await the announcement of the new contestants, the limo reveals, and the house drama. Recently, I watched an old episode of Survivor on a whim. And then another. And then a few more. And then an entire season.

The Bachelor First Impressions: Time To Judge A Bunch of Blonde Instagram Models

December 10, 2018 The Squad

He’s the Bachelor no one asked for! These women all look the same!

And yet… here we are. Still excited to watch Colton’s journey to love, so excited that we are SORT OF tolerating all of these bad puns about Colton’s virginity. But not really though. Quick soapbox: VIRGINITY ISN’T A REAL THING. It’s almost 2019, ABC. I know y’all just recently had your first black bachelorette and you feel really proud of yourselves and all. But, like… don’t. You have a lot of work left to do. Like, a lot.

But anyway. That’s enough feminism for today. Let’s judge these women based on their looks and a few superficial details about their lives. And we’re joined by special guest and friend of the pod Bonnie Asato. Let’s do this!

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