Fire Escape Cast #104 Summary

Episode Overview

In Episode #104 of Fire Escape Cast, released on April 7, 2025, hosts Mike Mahardy, Mary Kish, and guest Drew Scanlon delve into a variety of topics encompassing personal updates, video games, film critiques, and listener interactions. The episode is a dynamic blend of insightful discussions, humorous banter, and engaging storytelling, offering both regular listeners and newcomers a comprehensive look into the hosts' interests and experiences.

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction

[00:13] The episode kicks off with Mike Mahardy welcoming listeners back to Fire Escape Cast. He introduces his co-host, Mary Kish, and their guest, Drew Scanlon.

Mike Mahardy: "Hello, everybody. Welcome back to the Fire Escape cast. It is episode 104. I'm Mike Mahardy. As always, here with Mary Kish."

Drew Scanlon: "That's me."

Mike provides a brief background on Drew, highlighting his history with Giant Bomb, the founding of Clothmap on Patreon, and his engaging video content focused on video games and travel. He humorously references Drew as the “blinking white guy from the gif,” clarifying with Drew about a potential on-air appearance.

2. Personal Updates and Life Changes

[01:43] Mike shares that Dan Reichert was traveling in New York, causing him to miss the recording. Mary Kish reveals a recent mishap with her home’s electrical system due to new solar panel installations, resulting in a temporary shift to a less equipped recording setup.

Mary Kish:
"We got solar panels on the roof, which is good. Should be really helpful for the environment and our bills. But the final step is that they have to reset all of the electricity in the house so that they can switch it on. In the process, it might have short-circuited my computer, which I usually record on."

Mary humorously likens the situation to typical E3 broadcasts, emphasizing her mistake in attempting to reset her system during a live recording.

Mike Mahardy:
"And so the idea that I thought that today was the day that I could reset my computer during recording is like a slap on my face. I am so silly for doing. I know better. I know better than to do this."

3. Drew Scanlon’s Professional Journey

[08:38] Drew discusses his professional trajectory post-Giant Bomb, including his venture into travel shows with Clothmap and his tenure at Digital Eclipse, a video game developer known for interactive documentaries like "Atari 50" and the "Karateka Collection." Drew shares his transition to working with Mary Kish’s team, appreciating the collaborative environment and the blend of former game press and TV professionals.

Drew Reichert:
"Real talk, Mary has created a really incredible team and it's great to work there."

Mary elaborates on building a team with a strong background in game media, highlighting their shared understanding of live production dynamics and the ability to handle diverse meetings and partnerships.

4. Mike’s Milestones: Irish Citizenship and Wine Studies

[04:08] Mike announces his recent approval for Irish citizenship, a significant personal milestone connected to his heritage through his grandfather from County Mayo. He humorously remarks on the bureaucratic challenges faced during the application process, including discovering discrepancies in his grandfather’s birth records.

Mike Mahardy:
"I have to say, though, we all know this, especially anyone who's ever done... you never update your system before a major event... I just know better than to do this."

He reflects on the benefits of Irish citizenship, particularly the advantage of EU citizenship, which allows for work and travel flexibility within Europe. Mike also shares his ongoing pursuit of wine education through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 course, discussing its relevance to potential future endeavors in wine importing, sales, or academia.

Mike Mahardy:
"Alright. I'll be done in a... We're recording this. On the 4th. I'll be done May 1st. I'll take my test and then I'll find out whether I pass like a month after that."

5. Exploring Ham Radio and Licenses

[24:11] The conversation shifts to ham radio, with Drew revealing that he holds a ham radio license up to Level 2. The hosts discuss the technicalities and applications of ham radio, including its use in emergency responses and the challenges associated with transmitting legally. Mary shares her playful experiences with walkie-talkies, highlighting the nostalgic and practical aspects of short-range communication.

Mary Kish:
"But, you should not drink and fly."

The trio humorously debates the practicality and potential risks of unauthorized transmissions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulations to avoid legal repercussions.

6. In-Depth Video Game Discussions

6.1. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

[38:11] Mike Mahardy shares his enthusiasm for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, contrasting it with his lukewarm reception of Valhalla. He praises the game’s aesthetic, color palette, and character design, particularly enjoying the new ninja character, Naoe.

Mike Mahardy:
"I really enjoy this game. It's the most excited I've been to get back to playing in Assassin's Creed since Origins."

Mary Kish:
"They found a good way to put it in the story so that it feels real."

6.2. Forever Winter

[50:38] Drew introduces Forever Winter, an extraction shooter in Early Access, likening its tense, punishing gameplay to titles like Helldivers and PUBG. He describes the game's setting inspired by The Terminator’s future war scenes, emphasizing its challenging mechanics and community-driven development.

Drew Reichert:
"They overhauled the way that the water system works. It used to deplete even when you weren't playing the game. That was really divisive. They just updated that. To not do that."

6.3. Blueprints

[58:05] Mary introduces Blueprints, a narrative-driven exploration game likened to Gone Home and What Remains of Edith Finch. She details the game's intricate mechanics involving room combinations, item management, and environmental storytelling. Mary expresses deep engagement with the game’s puzzles, lore, and the rewarding nature of self-discovery within the game world.

Mary Kish:
"One of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. I figured it out, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had."

She marvels at the game's design, noting its unique blend of roguelike elements and rich narrative, making it a standout title she plans to discuss extensively in future episodes.

7. Listener Emails and Debates

7.1. Mario 64 vs. Diablo 2 Debate

[95:00] The hosts address an email from Darian of Toronto, who argues that Diablo 2 holds more historical importance in gaming than Mario 64. Darian praises Diablo 2 for its influence on loot systems, skill trees, and replayability across genres.

Darian from Toronto:
"What's 64's legacy? More Marios and 3D platformers become a niche genre for dinosaurs. Meanwhile, Diablo has infected every game of every genre with its randomly generated loot, skill trees, and repeatable, endless gameplay."

Mary defends her stance on Diablo 2, highlighting its innovative systems and enduring impact on the gaming industry. The discussion becomes lively as Mike humorously dismisses Mary’s preference for Mario 64, maintaining his position but acknowledging the validity of Darian’s points.

Mary Kish:
"I think like there was these monumental things that Diablo did ahead of its time that everybody was like, write that down, write that down. And now we all do it. And that's why I feel like it really was a contender."

8. Film Critiques and Discussions

8.1. M. Night Shyamalan’s Filmography

The conversation shifts to film, specifically critiquing director M. Night Shyamalan’s body of work. Mary Kish praises his earlier films like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, while expressing disappointment with later projects like The Happening. The hosts debate the merits and shortcomings of his storytelling and directorial choices, reflecting on personal experiences and iconic scenes.

Mary Kish:
"I find all of his late stage movies to be bad in the best way possible. He kind of plays a game of if this, then what?"

Mike Mahardy:
"Unbreakable was the peak. That was it. And then it was all downhill after that, I think."

8.2. Other Directors and Films

Drew adds his perspective on directors like Paul Verhoeven and Roland Emmerich, recognizing their contributions to both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. The hosts exchange favorite and least favorite movies, sharing nostalgic memories and humorous anecdotes about iconic film moments.

9. Promotions and Upcoming Projects

[118:09] Drew highlights his Formula One podcast, now renamed "Shift F1," discussing the intense drama and competitive nature of the sport. He encourages listeners interested in motorsports to check out their inaugural episode, which serves as an onboarding session for newcomers.

Drew Reichert:
"It's like a soap opera. That's why we love it."

Mary Kish mentions her ongoing Twitch streams, where she often plays games prior to discussing them on the podcast, creating a synergistic relationship between her streaming and podcasting activities.

[121:38] Mike promotes the podcast’s Patreon, emphasizing benefits such as ad-free audio, video episodes, and exclusive bonus content. He also teases upcoming content, including co-op gameplay sessions and collaborations.

Mike Mahardy:
"If you're not a patron and you want to be, you can go get ad-free versions of the audio episodes. You can go get video versions of all the episodes. You can also get access to our bonus videos."

10. Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts thank Drew Scanlon for his participation and recap the highlights of the discussion. They encourage listeners to subscribe to the Patreon for additional content and tease future episodes featuring more in-depth discussions on video games, films, and other interests.

Mike Mahardy:
"We will be back in two weeks with our 105th episode. Thanks, everybody, for joining. Until then, have a good time."

Notable Quotes:

• Mary Kish [02:02]:
  "It's just like, this is like... this is a slap on my face. I am so silly for doing."

• Mike Mahardy [04:05]:
  "Maybe, maybe somewhere way down there."

• Drew Reichert [10:14]:
  "Mary has created a really incredible team and it's great to work there."

• Mary Kish [58:30]:
  "They found a good way to put it in the story so that it feels real."

• Darian from Toronto [95:00]:
  "What's 64's legacy? More Marios and 3D platformers become a niche genre for dinosaurs. Meanwhile, Diablo has infected every game of every genre with its randomly generated loot, skill trees, and repeatable, endless gameplay."

• Mary Kish [108:35]:
  "Rob Zombie's House of a Thousand Corpses is brilliant. It's so good."

Conclusion

Episode #104 of Fire Escape Cast offers a rich tapestry of personal updates, in-depth discussions on emerging and classic video games, passionate debates on film and game legacy, and engaging interactions with listeners. The hosts' camaraderie and diverse interests create an inviting atmosphere, making the episode both informative and entertaining. Whether you're a long-time follower or a newcomer, this episode provides valuable insights and plenty of engaging content to explore.