Podcast
Mismatched Texts
Hosted by Justice Hagan & Andrew Hoffmann · EN
Hosted by two popular culture superfan-scholars, Mismatched Texts is a show that brings together novels, films, games, and narratives of all kinds into seemingly odd pairings and reveals the ways in which they address similar themes.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Short # 78 - Starfleet Academy Pre-Post-Mortem
May 100:50:14Tap to summarizeWherein Andy and Justice flunk the class of 3196 and pick through the carcass of an unfinished yet canceled show, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. This show is terrible all around: plot, check - setting, check - tone, check - theme, check. Why did the studio greenlight a show they had no confidence in? Is this the end of the Kurtzman era Star Trek? Will this finally make them put the franchise on ice for a generation? If Discovery was bad, and Section 31 was worse, then this one reads like fan fiction.
Transcribe →
Episode 38 - Vox Machina & Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Apr 500:32:49Tap to summarizeWherein Justice and Andy amuse themselves with an investigation into the comedic impulses and necessities of televised or filmed representations of the popular tabletop rpg Dungeons & Dragons. Which mediums demand more humor to be successful and why? How low can humor go before it turns off an adult audience? Why does humor seem to be more important when introducing new audiences to the setting and genre? We discuss the idea of how laughter and play are essential to childrens' games and remind ourselves that these media installments are another version of that.
Transcribe →
Short # 77 - ST Next Gen 2.10: Contagion
Feb 2800:31:29Tap to summarizeWherein Andy and Justice debride the tenth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation season two. The initial introduction to the Iconian race, the episode captures some of the same ominous energy of season one's "Conspiracy." This one continues in the tradition of "A Matter of Honor" and "The Child" as episodes where the character development seems out of place. Why does Picard leave the ship in a time of peril? Why is diplomacy immediately thrown out of the airlock? Why can't Riker manage his temper on the bridge? Why does the consummate archaeologist Picard decide to destroy the Iconion remnants rather than find a way to preserve and study them? Because we're still in season two!
Transcribe →
Short # 76 - ST Next Gen 2.9: The Measure of a Man
Jan 1900:39:10Tap to summarizeWherein Justice and Andy pass judgement on "The Measure of a Man," the ninth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation season two. In this episode, Data is on trial for his rights and existence, with Picard acting as his defense and Riker as (forced) prosecution. This episode is an analog for many of the differnet kinds of rights under threat today, such as civil rights, trans rights, and the rights of the differently abled. All can be read at least partially through Starfleet's pursecution of Data. Why does Riker feel the need to so flagrantly violate Data's person in his prosecution? Why is this an exclusively military matter rather than a civil one? Why does Picard act like a quitter so early? And why is Captain Louvois stupified by everything that happens in her courtroom?
Transcribe →
Short # 76 - ST Next Gen 2.8: A Matter of Honor
Dec 3100:37:46Tap to summarizeWherein Andy and Justice exchange ideas about the events of the eighth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation season two. An exchange program in Starfleet sounds like a positive thing, however, it takes a special kind of confused writing to muddle things up this badly. Why does Riker choose to participate in the program? Why does Worf have so little screen time in a Klingon-centric episode? Who nominated Wesley to be part of the welcoming committee? Why is it okay for Worf to openly bully subordinates? Why does Riker imply that Earth's cultural values are superior? Unfortunately, none of the answers to these questions will satisfy. But listen anyway!
Transcribe →
Short # 75 - Predator: Badlands Film Review
Nov 2100:31:46Tap to summarizeWherein Justice and Andy hunt down the impact of Predator: Badlands, the newest entry in the Predator franchise from Dan Trachtenberg. As the first film in the franchise to feature the Predator as the protagonist, how does it shift the narrative direction for the franchise for the future? And as the first PG-13 film in the franchise, does it imply a softening or Disneyfication for the films foing forward? Are we about to see plush Predator toys? Are we about to see Yautja halloween costumes for young children? We understand the tensions between a monster film and the need to market it, but at what cost?
Transcribe →
Short # 74 - ST Next Gen 2.7: Unnatural Selection
Oct 3000:31:36Tap to summarizeWherein Andy and Justice innoculate the wider Trek fandom against the notion that the seventh episode of the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation consulted with any medical professional in the screenplay's assessment of how to properly handle an unknown pathogen. Not only do we get more of Pulaski's bigotry in this episode, but we learn that her academic experience as a virologist has zero bearing on the decisions she makes for the wellbeing of the crew. From usurping the chain of command to not understanding how either a shuttle or a force field work, we question her enrollment and graduation from Starfleet Academy. But hey, the makeup and special effects team really pulled off a stunner here.
Transcribe →
Short # 73 - ST Next Gen 2.6: The Schizoid Man
Sep 3000:37:56Tap to summarizeWherein Justice and Andy hijack the discussion of Ira Graves and his violation of Data's body and mind. In this review of Star Trek: The Next Generation's sixth episode of the second season, we encounter the man described by Dr. Pulaski as "the greatest human mind in the universe." He does not live up to this description. What is the nature of bodily autonomy and does Data have the right to his own body and mind? And how do we account for the godlike levels of tolerance the crew affords Graves? Is to know him to love him? It is not.
Transcribe →
Short # 72 - ST Next Gen 2.5: Loud as a Whisper
Aug 2300:27:47Tap to summarizeWherein Andy and Justice interpret the events of "Loud as a Whisper" in their review of the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season. In an episode produced and aired during the debate around the Americans With Disabilities Act, Star Trek portrayes a protagonist with different abilities. How is the deafness of Riva shown on screen? How does the crew react to his unique form of telepathic communication? And what happens when those lines of communication break down? First, Riva flips over the chessboard and then, as usual, it's Data to the rescue.
Transcribe →
Short # 71 - Superman Film Review
Jul 2300:43:51Tap to summarizeWherein Justice and Andy swoop into the fray of the controversial new Superman film. It's the first of James Gunn's new DCU and takes a very different approach than the MCU's established pattern of success. How believable does a Superman movie have to be? Why is this movie so crowded? Will there ever be standalone origin stories in this new DCU? And will we ever see a mature Lex Luthor again? Leaping over narratives in a single bound, it's a bird, its a plane, its James Gunn's first bad movie.
Transcribe →