Darren and I recap Paradise Season 2, Episode 7 (“The Final Countdown”), focusing on the reunion between Terry and Xavier, the detour back to Gary the mailman and Bean, and escalating tensions inside Paradise as Presley and Hadley break into Sinatra’s computer with Dylan’s birthday as the password and head toward the underground prison.

We discuss flashbacks with Cal touring systems, Robbie’s erratic moves against Sinatra and Jane, Jane being stabbed, repeated nosebleeds and “glitching,” and the reveal that Link is Dylan, along with questions about Alex, Link’s true motives, the stolen presidential pen, and a looming nuclear meltdown/lockdown collision. We also talk Project Hail Mary’s box-office success and practical effects, Pixar’s Hoppers, a Duffer Brothers Netflix series, and other upcoming releases.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:33 Movies Are Not Dead

01:17 Pixar Hoppers Surprise

01:54 Project Hail Mary Reactions

05:00 Spoilers and Critiques

07:58 Analog Effects and Puppetry

12:38 Cast Highlights and Gripes

14:45 Greg Fraser Filmography

16:25 Netflix Horror Teaser

18:20 Paradise Episode Seven

22:20 Reunion and Baby Confusion

23:24 Gary the Mailman Debate

24:51 Back in Paradise Plotlines

26:42 Link Reveal Speculation

28:11 Flashback Tour and Empire Talk

30:05 Jane and Sinatra Power Play

31:17 Jane Stalks Tara

32:39 Shower Trick Stabbing

34:29 Sinatra Glitches Nosebleeds

36:33 Tara Confronts Everyone

38:13 Link Is Dylan Reveal

39:28 Air Force One Pen

43:23 Did Humans Cause Caldera

44:44 Dome Doors Meltdown

47:17 Finale Predictions Fears

53:49 Streaming Picks Roundup

57:37 Nirvana Band Movie Hype

01:02:54 Wrap Up Farewell