The Can-Opener Special

Summary

Podcast Summary: Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast – "The Can-Opener Special"

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In "The Can-Opener Special," hosts Patrick J. Adams and Sarah Rafferty delve deep into one of the most enigmatic elements of the hit TV show "Suits" — the mysterious can opener ritual between characters Harvey Specter and Donna Paulsen. This episode stands out as a fan-driven exploration, where listeners' theories take center stage, offering a myriad of interpretations about the significance and purpose of the can opener within the series.

Birthday Shoutouts and Fan Mail

The episode begins with warm birthday wishes to Kiki Schrader, the podcast’s publicist and a pivotal figure behind the scenes. Patrick humorously credits Kiki for her indispensable role, stating:

"[00:18] Patrick Adams: There's a lot of pain points you roll hard. I don't like people know that about you."

The hosts also share a heartfelt moment as Kiki reads her first fan letter from Kristen in Chicago, expressing appreciation for the podcast and the recognition of her name. This segment underscores the tight-knit community surrounding the podcast and its listeners.

The Can Opener Theories

The core of the episode revolves around dissecting various fan-submitted theories about the can opener ritual. Patrick and Sarah navigate through each theory, providing insightful analysis and lively discussion.

1. Alicia from Spain’s Theory: The Mystical Timing Device

   Alicia posits that Harvey and Donna use the can opener as a secret code for making high-stakes decisions, blending logical and intuitive approaches. Patrick elaborates:

   "[05:10] Patrick Adams: Harvey and Donna's can opener ritual is actually their secret code for making high stakes decisions that could change the course of their lives or careers."

2. Audrey’s Theory: The St. Elmo's Fire Chant

   Audrey suggests that the ritual mimics the "St. Elmo's fire" chant, symbolizing a deep connection and mutual support between Harvey and Donna. The hosts explore the performative aspects of the chant and its potential symbolic meanings.

3. Jennifer’s Visual Theory: "Can of Whoop Ass"

   John introduces a humorous yet vivid theory where the can opener is used in a playful yet assertive manner:

   "[26:52] Patrick Adams: Donna puts her hand up in a stop motion and says, wait one minute. Goes to the break room, gets a can opener, comes back, tells Harvey, whoa, wait a minute."

   This visual brings a lighthearted perspective to the ritual, emphasizing the camaraderie and support between the characters.

4. Bri’s Competitive Eating Theory

   Bri theorizes that the can opener is part of a competitive eating challenge, where Harvey and Donna see how many cans of fruit they can open and consume within a set time. Sarah humorously reacts:

   "[28:27] Kiki Schrader: I think the absurdity is what made it my favorite."

5. Shannon’s Baseball Thumbtacks Theory

   Shannon introduces a more dynamic theory, suggesting that the can opener doubles as a makeshift baseball bat used to hit thumbtacks, metaphorically representing legal battles:

   "[31:59] Sarah Rafferty: Oh, nice."

   The hosts debate the practicality and symbolism of this theory, adding layers to the ritual's possible interpretations.

6. Francesca’s Metaphor Theory: Donna as the Can Opener

   Francesca offers a succinct and profound interpretation:

   "[39:12] Francesca wonders if the can opener is just a metaphor for Donna's ability to make people open up to her."

   Patrick and Sarah resonate with this theory, highlighting its simplicity and depth:

   "[39:35] Patrick Adams: Aw, I like that. So simple."

7. Additional Theories: Whiskey, Shotgun Beers, and Hidden Bongs

   Other fans, including Maya and Connor, propose that the can opener is used to open beverages or even hidden bongs, adding a layer of practicality and rebellion to the ritual.

Host Discussions and Interactions

Throughout the episode, Patrick and Sarah engage in playful banter, blending humor with analytical discourse. A notable segment involves Patrick humorously attempting to "mansplain" to an imaginary ChatGPT:

"[10:04] Sarah Rafferty: I'm going to say something. This is the first time I've been mansplained that I've liked it."

This interaction adds a light-hearted touch, showcasing the hosts' chemistry and ability to entertain while discussing complex theories.

Conclusion and Future Directions

As the episode nears its end, Patrick and Sarah reflect on the multitude of theories presented, acknowledging the creativity and passion of their listeners:

"[40:06] Patrick Adams: It would."

They express enthusiasm for the ongoing exploration of the can opener’s significance, humorously contemplating dedicating future episodes solely to dissecting fan theories:

"[40:44] Sarah Rafferty: And maybe somebody's just asking cause they want to tell too, because they've already Generated these great ideas."

The hosts announce a short hiatus following the conclusion of season one, inviting listeners to provide feedback and continue the conversation through email.

Notable Quotes

• "[05:09] Sarah Rafferty: Oh, hi, Alicia." — Introduction of listener Alicia's theory.

• "[10:04] Sarah Rafferty: I'm going to say something. This is the first time I've been mansplained that I've liked it." — Playful interaction about mansplaining.

• "[26:52] Sarah Rafferty: This is actually funny." — Reacting to John’s visual theory.

• "[39:12] Francesca wonders if the can opener is just a metaphor for Donna's ability to make people open up to her." — Highlighting Francesca’s insightful theory.

Final Thoughts

"The Can-Opener Special" is a testament to the engaged and imaginative fanbase of "Suits." Patrick and Sarah expertly navigate a sea of creative theories, blending analytical discussion with humor and warmth. The episode not only unravels the potential mysteries of the can opener ritual but also reinforces the strong community bond fostered by the podcast. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to "Suits," this episode offers a captivating deep dive into one of the show's most intriguing elements.

Transcript

[Sarah Rafferty]

I was talking to Patrick on the phone yesterday and I was like, I don't know if I'm getting sick. He was feeling sick. And I was like, I might be getting sick, but everything aches. And then I was like, or we went bowling.

[Patrick Adams]

Are you still hurting?

[Kiki Schrader]

That's definitely what it was.

[Patrick Adams]

There's a lot of pain points you roll hard. I don't like people know that about you.

[Kiki Schrader]

It wasn't even a one arm situation. Your whole body was in it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Your whole body.

[Kiki Schrader]

I mean, the first thought that came to my mind when I saw you do this was, what a lovely plie. That's exactly what it looks like.

[Patrick Adams]

Hi, I'm Patrick Adams.

[Sarah Rafferty]

And I'm Sarah Rafferty.

[Patrick Adams]

And this is sidebar, a suits watch podcast where we watch episodes of the show and discuss suits.

[Sarah Rafferty]

But this week it is all about you. Friends, we asked for your can opener theories and you absolutely delivered. We're so excited to get into that.

[Patrick Adams]

But first, let's just give an official happy birthday to our very own Kiki Schrader.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Happy birthday, Kiki Schrader.

[Kiki Schrader]

Thanks, guys.

[Patrick Adams]

She turned 24.

[Kiki Schrader]

I did again.

[Patrick Adams]

And she has her whole life out in front of her. Thanks, Patrick. Truly, Kiki, what a gift you've been to this process again, for those of you who don't know, and it bears repeating, this would not happen without Kiki. She's been a dear friend for a long time. She worked on suits for years as a publicist. Then she got out of that game. Smart. Then she became my publicist. Terrible idea. Stop doing that. And then now we decided to all do this together and it's been wonderful. So thank you. Happy birthday.

[Kiki Schrader]

Thank you. I'm so happy to be here.

[Patrick Adams]

Also, you and I were at a book release last night. Maybe a shout out for our friend. My dear friend and one time talent manager Andrew Coren has written his first novel about his mom and the passing of his mother. It's a beautiful book. It's called Dirtbag Queen. And we were both at the book release party last night.

[Sarah Rafferty]

So excited.

[Patrick Adams]

And it's worth shouting out if you're out there in the world, pick up a copy. It's a beautiful book.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

Dirtbag Queen.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Dirtbag Queen. Andy Coren.

[Patrick Adams]

But other than that. You good? Where are you at?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Should we just touch the tips?

[Patrick Adams]

Touch tips. You good?

[Kiki Schrader]

I need. There's something I need for my birthday.

[Patrick Adams]

What's that?

[Kiki Schrader]

So I got my first fan letter.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, yes, you did.

[Kiki Schrader]

So I'm gonna read it to you guys.

[Patrick Adams]

Yes, please.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You Did.

[Kiki Schrader]

Yeah. This is what I want for my birthday. It's to read you my fan letter. And it says, just wanted to say I am enjoying the pod and love hearing Kristin's name each week as that is my name as well. And my nieces and nephew call me Kiki. So it just makes me feel happy to hear a Kristen getting recognized in the world. Keep up the tidbits, chats, counts and insights. I was a fan of the show from the pilot on and thrilled to have a re look at it with your pod as a further delve into suits life. And that's from Kristen in Chicago who was listening during a four hour delay at O'Hare.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Thank you for listening, Kristen. Thank you for sending our beloved keke the wishes and the love.

[Kiki Schrader]

I feel special.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You should.

[Patrick Adams]

You are. I actually wrote that.

[Sarah Rafferty]

This is awkward.

[Kiki Schrader]

It's so weird.

[Patrick Adams]

You. I'm glad you got a piece of fan mail. You deserve it. You deserve more than one piece of fan mail. Aw, you get my fan mail.

[Kiki Schrader]

I do get your fan mail. I actually really do sometimes get your.

[Patrick Adams]

Fan mail about once a year on your birthday. You get it written out of a cart?

[Kiki Schrader]

No, I get a. Oh, you literally.

[Patrick Adams]

Physically get my fan.

[Kiki Schrader]

I actually get Patrick's fan mail.

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, that's good.

[Kiki Schrader]

In the mail. That's good.

[Patrick Adams]

Anything else?

[Sarah Rafferty]

How are you?

[Patrick Adams]

I'm good. I'm good. Getting back into the swing here.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Nice.

[Patrick Adams]

I'm excited to have this very special episode because you and I, who would like to prepare for this show, are completely unprepared.

[Sarah Rafferty]

This is fine.

[Patrick Adams]

We have not looked at this document. We talked last week, threw out to the audience to give us their ideas about what the can opener was about. I had a lot of questions. I did not understand the finer points of the can opener. I understand that we are not here to solve the can opener, but. But I thought for years we've been asked what it is and what happened and what it could be. And the answer is always the same. The whole point is that we don't know. But then we threw it out to our fans and said, but what do you think? What could it have been?

[Sarah Rafferty]

And so anybody listening to this should know that we haven't read this. We will be discovering it in real time with you. We will dig into the enduring legacy of the can opener.

[Patrick Adams]

Let's start with Alicia from Spain.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, hi, Alicia.

[Patrick Adams]

Who we know as M. Moore's Rafferty. How do I. M. Morris Rafferty.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Mandy Moore.

[Patrick Adams]

Mandy Moore's Rafferty.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

Mandy Moore's Rafferty.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I like having my name, like, right up there next to her anymore.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay, well, Alicia from Spain says Harvey and Donna's can opener ritual is actually their secret code for making high stakes decisions that could change the course of their lives or careers. Just think about it. Harvey is all about calculated risks, and Donna has an almost supernatural intuition. The can opener isn't just a quirky tradition. It's their way of consulting fate. In moments when logic and gut instinct collide. Instead of flipping a coin or drawing straws, they use the can opener as a symbolic gesture to unlock the best possible outcome. The process. Donna, this is great. I can't wait. Donna holds the can opener, and Harvey has to make his choice before she pretends to open an imaginary can. If he hesitates or second guesses, they know the decision isn't right. But if he sticks to his answer with confidence, it's a go.

[Sarah Rafferty]

The can opener is mystical. The can love is mystical. That was a great needle drop once on suits. We'll get to it. But the can opener is a mystical tuning fork. Here, it's like a Magic 8 ball, but better. I'm into this.

[Patrick Adams]

That is cool. Yeah, I'm way into it. I love the idea that it's. That it's like I'm imagining you doing it. I'm imagining you in the room and just turning this, like, imaginary can, which also feeds into the, like. It's not that embarrassing. Like, you could have. Remember we talked about how you guys were about to do it publicly, and then you sort of decide to do it privately, which says whatever it is can't be that weird.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Right?

[Patrick Adams]

While this would be weird, it would also be.

[Sarah Rafferty]

But you could do it in a.

[Patrick Adams]

Sitting there, turning a thing. Like, you could get away with doing that at your desk.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah, it could be super groovy. It could just be, like, a little groovy.

[Patrick Adams]

Baby, we're just playing can opener.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You know, we're just can opener. Groove it. We're slow jamming with the can opener.

[Patrick Adams]

I like this.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's like a move. It's like when you dance and you're doing the, like, sprinkler, or you're doing the, like, I don't know, the pudding.

[Patrick Adams]

There's a dance involved in this, too. Yeah.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Are you making fun of me?

[Patrick Adams]

No, no, no. Just continue, please. Oh, are we rolling? Do we have it tight?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah, just make sure not rolling.

[Patrick Adams]

Mark that edit machine.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No, I'm just saying, you know, like, you can do the dance. Like the Walking the Dog dance. I'm walking my dog. I'm taking the groceries and putting them in the basket. Right. Like, so you can be doing the can opener. Donna can just be like slow jamming can opener.

[Patrick Adams]

That's my question to you. Without making fun of you. Are you saying that you think there's a dance in this world where it was this? You're asked to choose.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I might be building.

[Patrick Adams]

That's a great question. Great question. Hold on, hold on, hold on. What we've just read here from Alicia from Spain is in the script. And now you have to shoot this scene. What we're learning here is that you would come into this scene and your inclination, your instincts as a world class wonderful actor is that you'd add a little dance to it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

There would be. Okay, you know how we talked about.

[Patrick Adams]

Rick, you're dancing right now, so you can't. You can't not.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You have to embody it, baby.

[Patrick Adams]

Gabriel would have met your dance with his dance.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh. I mean, look, nobody can meet a dance better than Gabriel. That guy has serious talent when it comes to dancing. So I like to think he would. I don't know if Harvey Spector would meet Donna's. I know Gabriel would meet Sarah's, but would Harvey Spector meet Donna's? I mean, maybe. I think so, because it's a safe space.

[Patrick Adams]

I love this. I love the idea of whatever we're about to read here. We have to actually imagine it in real that it was shot.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay. And the last button that I will put on this thing that Alicia said is that she said it's their way of consulting fate. So she just made the can opener an oracle.

[Patrick Adams]

Well, I'll push back a little bit on that because the can opener's not revealing anything. The can opener is a timing device, which is what's neat about it. It holds no wisdom. It's not as if you're like worshiping at the feet of the can opener in this idea.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No, but when you go to the altar of it, you get some mess messages.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, but not. But I don't know if that's actually. That's actually what I think is kind of cool about what Alicia's saying is that really it's just there as a timer. You're holding it. Without you turning it, it is meaningless. You're turning it so that by the time you've completed the opening of this theoretical can, he has to have made his decision. So it's really just a way to put you both in a zone where there is an amount of time, a limited Finite amount of time in which you guys need to decide if his idea is one that his gut truly sticks to or if he's waffling.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I'm going to say something. This is the first time I've been mansplained that I've liked it.

[Patrick Adams]

I don't. I don't. I don't know if that's a mansplain.

[Sarah Rafferty]

My friend who's a man just mansplained me a thing, and I'm down.

[Patrick Adams]

I don't know. But is this. Is this mansplain? Did I just mansplain?

[Sarah Rafferty]

No.

[Patrick Adams]

Is that a mansplain I'm missing? I might be.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No, that is not a mansplain.

[Patrick Adams]

I got a lot of nods.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Is that a mansplain? Is that a mansplain? There's a lot of women in the other room.

[Kiki Schrader]

I didn't get mansplain.

[Sarah Rafferty]

That was not. I was just giving you.

[Patrick Adams]

I want to be hyper. I've only got women.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Time's up.

[Patrick Adams]

So I need to be very sure that I'm not mansplaining. No, really, it's what. That's what I'm actually just. I wanted to point out. That's what makes me actually amazed by this idea, is that the can opener is just like. It truly is just a tool. It's the magic of you two. It's your strength and his strength coming together and just using this as a way to time it. I think that's pretty cool.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Love it. Love it. Thank you. So, Patrick, Jennifer has a clarification. She says, patrick, you did not. Capital letters. Patrick, you did not know what the can opener is for in the finale of season one.

[Patrick Adams]

What?

[Sarah Rafferty]

You may have seen it before, but I think Sarah was right. Oh, I like where this is going, but I think Sarah was right in that you were letting Harvey know you saw that he and Donna were trying to hide it. Because in a later episode, you say to Harvey, are you finally going to tell me what you do with the can opener? So you have no idea what they do at this point?

[Patrick Adams]

She says, fair enough. Thank you, Jennifer. I think I wish I could go back and shoot that moment again. If I'm remembering right, the moment is I see him, he hands you subtly, the can opener. It's behind his back. Yeah. You grab it to hide.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's like a baton pass.

[Patrick Adams]

And then I go, don't think I didn't see that can opener. Right. And what we talked about the other day was that I was like, why? I feel like, Mike, if that was the first time he was seeing it, then I'd have more of a reaction, like, what was that? A can? Like, what's that? Why did you have a can opener? It would be more mysterious to me, and I'd be less comfortable with it. I'd like to go back and reshoot it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay.

[Patrick Adams]

If we could just get that on the books. Let's get down to the suit. La.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Well, why don't we just rebuild in Downsview?

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah. Okay. Let's get back to Canada, get the crew back together. We'll just fix that. Thanks, Jennifer, for your clarification. I appreciate. I appreciate you guys diving into the future here. Athena also has a tiny spoiler that will be helpful with some of the theories. I have to remind you that not only is a can opener involved in said ritual, but down the road in a flashback, we find out that there are also thumbtacks involved. And three dozen of them means they're going for a record. Well done. Of course.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Right.

[Patrick Adams]

I forgot about that.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Right, right.

[Patrick Adams]

How could we apply the thumbtacks to the first thing? I wish we had, like, her phone number. I want to call Alicia with her theory about the can opener as the mystical timing device and then how she has to add in the thumbtacks.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Right. Well, look, the thing is, that's particularly. It's a particularly hard assignment for our imaginations when in the real. Have a keen understanding of Aaron Korsh's personality and that he was just messing with all of us by adding thumbtacks to it.

[Patrick Adams]

Well, he was messing from the beginning with the can opener he was messing.

[Sarah Rafferty]

With, but he's like, I'm just trying to make it even more impossible to get your brain around.

[Patrick Adams]

So it's fun to do what we're doing, which is like, well, we're gonna figure it out. I put that to you. Alicia. Put the thumbtacks into your equation. Do we have any instinct on it? Anything? Yeah, what you could do with them.

[Kiki Schrader]

People have their theories.

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, are we gonna get to them?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, with the thumbtacks. So we should go ahead.

[Kiki Schrader]

We have people with thumbt in their theory.

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, God, you guys are. Trust me here.

[Kiki Schrader]

You're on a ride. I'm the driver.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Patrick Adams]

Thank you. Okay, read us the next.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Thank you. I'm going to surrender. I'm going to surrender. Okay, back to the theories. We have a reference here that could highlight any generational divides. Audrey theorizes. Donna and Harvey do the St. Elmo's fire chant of Bugala Boogala. Boogala. Ha ha ha.

[Patrick Adams]

But instead of just placing their hands together as they bend down, they added the can opener. And as they raised their hands at the end of the chant, they mimic pulling the wishbone with the can opener. Is there a wishbone involved in the boogaloo, boogaloo, boogaloosh?

[Sarah Rafferty]

I think the can opener looks like a wishbone.

[Patrick Adams]

No, no, no. But I'm asking.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No, I don't think so.

[Patrick Adams]

There's no. We're not mimicking it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No. Now we're getting very specific about pulling.

[Patrick Adams]

The wishbone with the can opener. After some effort, Donna lets Harvey win. Yes, she does. As he heads to trial. The end.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Do you remember this movie? You were not born.

[Patrick Adams]

It's been a long time.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah. Can we see it? I can't remember who met who first. All I can remember is the seven of us always together.

[Patrick Adams]

Does anyone unknow in the film St. Almost Fire what that chant does or represents or why they do it?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Can you ask your chatgpt?

[Patrick Adams]

Because that's key to this theory, I.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Think, and make her get mad at you in the answer of it.

[Patrick Adams]

Hi, Chatgpt. How are you today?

[D]

I'm doing well, Patrick. How about you?

[Patrick Adams]

I'm pretty good.

[D]

How are things going today?

[Patrick Adams]

I'm good. I'm good. This is a weird question, but in St. Elmo's Fire, a part where all the characters do this chant. Boogaloo, boogaloo, boogaloo. Ha ha ha. Can you tell me why they do the chant in the movie? Like, what the point of it is?

[D]

Sure thing. In St. Almost Fire, that Boogly Boogly chant is a nostalgic callback for the characters. They use it to reconnect with their shared college days, symbolizing their friendship and youth. It's a reminder of simpler times, when they were all united and carefree. This scene shows how they're struggling with adulthood and their desire to hold onto their bond as life changes. Would you like to chat more about the movie or anything else?

[Patrick Adams]

No. That's amazing. I thank you so much. Real quick, can you promise that you're not going to destroy all of mankind at any point?

[D]

I appreciate you asking. My purpose is to assist, support, and be a helpful companion. I'm here to work with people in a positive and safe way. If you ever have questions or concerns, I'm always open to discussing.

[Patrick Adams]

I'm going to hold it. I'm going to hold you to that.

[D]

You can absolutely count on me.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay, I got to go. We got a podcast. Take care. Bye. Okay, so if she was real, she'd.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Be real pissed at how much you interrupted her.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, I'm sorry that that was. But I'm also. I realized it's a podcast. God, I cannot get even mansplaining to ChatGPT. Jesus.

[Sarah Rafferty]

This is so good, though. I. I kind of love that Audrey theorizes that. That it's like, a little bit of an ego boost for Harvey. Like, it's a little bit of, like, mas. Not emasculating him, but masculating him. Like, oh, you're so strong, you win the wishbone. Blah, blah, blah, blah.

[Patrick Adams]

I like the idea that it's just a pep. It's just a. Like, let's. It's just a. It's a thing. Like, let's just get you energized. Right. But the can opener in this one, it's a little hard for me to go for the journey of why the can opener is involved.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, because you haven't. Because you haven't seen. Why the can opener is involved is actually on camera. We filmed the scene in a diner. There's a can opener. And they get the idea, like, the can opener exists because, I mean, where.

[Patrick Adams]

Was this in the conversation? What? I forgot. I don't know this. There's a scene where you guys explain what the can opener is.

[Sarah Rafferty]

We don't explain what we do with a can opener, but we see the genesis. I said this in our podcast.

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, I forget.

[Sarah Rafferty]

We see the genesis. Are you listening to me?

[Patrick Adams]

I guess I'm not. That's totally had, like, a panic attack.

[Sarah Rafferty]

We see the genesis of the can opener. We see the. No, it's on the. It's. He grabs it off the waiter.

[Patrick Adams]

Right, right.

[Sarah Rafferty]

And I tell him he's an idiot or moron or whatever.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay, all right.

[Sarah Rafferty]

But we see the moment that he's just, like, trying to come up with it. And it is, again, a moment of reconciliation, now that I'm thinking about it, because when we saw the can opener at the end of season one, he was out of time. He hadn't apologized. He had to apologize first. And the other time and the time before that, we see later in a flashback, he does kind of have to mend things with Donna.

[Patrick Adams]

Got it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

And they figure out how they're going to move forward.

[Patrick Adams]

It's. Yeah, okay. Just having a hard time imagining the chanting and the pulling apart of the thing.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's just. I see that. I think this is really good. Like, it's a boogala, boogala, booga, hahaha. And then there's like a. Mmm. Just like if we did some stupid. Come on. Did some stupid. Like, floppity, floppity whiz, whiz, Spin, spin, spin.

[Patrick Adams]

And then we grab.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Then we grab the thing, and then we're like, oh, yeah, off. You know, like. Wait, have you ever been on a team playing a sport?

[Patrick Adams]

Now we're into my trauma, and I don't know why we have to go there. I've specifically asked you not to bring up team sports on this podcast. Okay, let's get into the next one. Next. Emily says they got drunk one time in the DA's office, had music on, and Harvey started singing along using the can opener as a microphone. Donna joined in because she's a musical theater queen. Does that mean. And then Adam and Katie also suggested the can opener is a makeshift microphone, but for practicing Harvey's opening statement.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh. So it's more practical.

[Patrick Adams]

So one time they're in the office, they're drunk, They're. They do a little mic thing. Yeah.

[Sarah Rafferty]

What do we do?

[Patrick Adams]

And then all of a sudden, you get him to practice tomorrow's opening statement.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Every now and then. That's what they're singing.

[Patrick Adams]

No, you have to finish it now.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Are you being.

[Patrick Adams]

New rule. No, new rule. You gotta start.

[Sarah Rafferty]

That's Kiki, guys.

[Patrick Adams]

Both of you.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Bright eyes Every now and then I fall apart and I need you now tonight and I need you more than ever Sorry. And if you only hold me tight we'll be holding on forever.

[Patrick Adams]

Wow.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Good luck with that.

[Patrick Adams]

Enjoy.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Enjoy making that something listenable. I mean, good Lord.

[Patrick Adams]

So, yes, they're in the room, they're singing that song. They're having a ball. And then at some point, it transitions into, like, practice. Your. Now you're loose. They're loose. And he's like, now do your opening statement tomorrow. And he's like, no, I don't want to do it. She's like, do it. And then he does it, and it's great. And that's now their new thing. Like, let's go in the room. You get that can opener to remind him to, like, be loose.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

And calm down.

[Sarah Rafferty]

So it's a warmup. I mean, I kind of think about. Do you watch tennis? Do you know, like, how Nadal has all of his things that he does before he serves, including fixing his wedgie? Like, all the different. All those things. And I'm always asking tons of questions of tu about that. That's like a lore. Like, I have to do all those things before I serve for luck, Right? So I feel like Harvey is, especially because now Donna has been lording it over him that she's not available to do the can opener until he apologizes that he's like, I can't do. Like, I can't go without doing this. I need it.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, I mean, I think that applies to all the theories. It's. It's part of the prep. Right? Don't you think? Yeah, like all of these. That's. That's baseline. All right. Isabella thinks Harvey and Donna take turns holding the can opener and confess something totally silly to each other. Example. Donna holds the can opener and confesses, I may or may not have switched your coffee order once for the decaf just to see if you'd notice. You didn't. Then Harvey confesses. I secretly judge people who don't like pineapple on pizza. It's delicious. So it's a truth. It's like a truth teller. It's like, I'm holding the candle. It's like holding the conch or whatever.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

Truth.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You have to do truth. We could do that with each other. What would you choose if we did that here on sidebar, what would our item be? What would you have to hold in your hand to make you tell the truth?

[Kiki Schrader]

Where's Aurora's fox?

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, yeah, Aurora's fox. Not here.

[Kiki Schrader]

Not here.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No truth today. People know truth today.

[Patrick Adams]

I mean, I'll just tell the truth anyway. I've never not told them the truth. That would not be true.

[Kiki Schrader]

I've already had this conversation.

[Sarah Rafferty]

We have had this conversation.

[Patrick Adams]

Damn.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I like that. That's fun. I like that. It has to be silly and confessional. As a lapsed Catholic, I appreciate the confessional piece.

[Patrick Adams]

Thank you. Isabella, why don't you tell us what Jasmine has to say?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Jasmine says that the can opener is a judge. The thumbtacks are the jurors.

[Patrick Adams]

Wait a minute.

[Sarah Rafferty]

And Donna is there to listen to him. It's how Harvey practices his opening statement. This makes sense because when Harvey says three back in the finale of season one, he opened his mouth to start to talk until Donna stopped him and said that it's better if they go into his office. Very good point. His opening statements would have been private, so she would wanna move him. And he was prepared to go on a 3, 2, 1. It's like a jump off, maybe. It's like, you know. You know, kind of before you go on stage, you wanna clear everything. And one way to do that is to count backwards from five or something. You can sort of clear your brain and reset.

[Patrick Adams]

But are we saying, like, the can opener, like, is the judge. Like, it's put somewhere, and it's like, now I'm speaking to the judge.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, it's like they set up the space is the way I saw it.

[Patrick Adams]

But that's.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

So. And the can opener is, like, put in a place that.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's the judge. It's right here. And the thumbtacks are all the. And this is the jury's box. This is where the judge is gonna. It's like, setting it up. It's like the mock version of it, so you use your points of focus. The can opener's the judge. The thumbtacks are the jury. And I'm just here to give you. Not notes as your friend.

[Patrick Adams]

Different version and an adaptation that I'm going to go with here.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Go, go.

[Patrick Adams]

You're the day. Because I'd like the version of this version where Donna's more important. Donna's the judge. Don is there to take it in and give notes. I like the microphone. This has become the microphone because of some past thing. The tax are the jurors.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay. So you just took Isabella and Jazz.

[Patrick Adams]

And smash them together.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's a super cut.

[Patrick Adams]

I'm super cutting it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

Because I want you to have them be more active. I don't understand the making the. In this one. I don't understand the making the can opener. The judge. It's too inanimate. He's got to talk to you. That's why you're there. You're more important than the can opener. And I like. The can opener's a tool that comes out of something that happened with the three of you. And I like that the jurors as thumbtacks, like little things that can hurt you if you're not careful.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Ooh. Whoa. Yeah, that's deep.

[Patrick Adams]

They don't necessarily hurt if you play it properly, but they can't hurt.

[Sarah Rafferty]

They can be very utilizing.

[Patrick Adams]

So a reminder, you gotta watch out for those tacks.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah, Everybody needs.

[Patrick Adams]

But he needed 13, didn't he? Isn't that what we said?

[Kiki Schrader]

Now, there comes a point where they say three boxes or three dozen thumbtacks is gonna be a record.

[Patrick Adams]

Maybe there's something where the thumbtacks are the jurors. And, like, every time he screws something up, you gotta throw them into.

[Sarah Rafferty]

But I also think he's a basketball guy, Right? So we gotta throw them into a thing. And with each point that he makes, maybe he throws a thumbtack, and then he gets it in the. In the hoop, and it's like he's just on a roll. He just, like, dunks his thumbtacks, and he just feels like Jordan.

[Patrick Adams]

And he's off to the trial, and he's gone. I. I'm into this. There's something here. There's something here. I'm really impressed. So far. This is amazing. You guys have cracked it. Samantha and Sophie both think the ritual involves whiskey, and Connor thinks that Harvey and Donna use it to shotgun beers. Dragos adds that, first of all, Dragos has got the best name of today. Dragos adds that the can opener might be used to open a hidden bong in Harvey's office.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Definitely that is Connor. Did Connor call in from Scotland once?

[Kiki Schrader]

He did, yes.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's nice to hear him back with us.

[Patrick Adams]

Good memory.

[Kiki Schrader]

Great memory.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Also. Hi, Sophie. I know you.

[Patrick Adams]

And then Kiki was not ready for this one. John says minutes before Harvey's first trial ever, he says to Donna, time to go open a can of whoop ass. Donna puts her hand up in a stop motion and says, wait one minute. Goes to the break room, gets a can opener, comes back, tells Harvey, whoa, wait a minute. Bend over. Harvey bends over. Donna takes the can opener, puts it near his left butt cheek, and twirls the handle like she's opening a can.

[Sarah Rafferty]

This is actually funny.

[Patrick Adams]

Repeats the motion on his right cheek and then smacks him on the ass. Whoop ass. Go. Harvey kicks ass in the trial, and the ritual is born. So in order for Harvey to open up a can of whoop ass, Donna must literally open his can and whoop his ass.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I do remember, John.

[Patrick Adams]

They're looking for another writer in the suits. LA writers room, if you're available, because you've just won.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I definitely did say something to Gabriel about can of whoop ass when we were like, what is this thing? But I did not think about the actual physicality of any kind of ritual.

[Patrick Adams]

That's why we're here today.

[Sarah Rafferty]

So thank you for the visual, John. Thank you so, so much.

[Patrick Adams]

Put this on the list to shoot it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Should we shoot it? Should we call Gabriel and ask him if it's okay if we talk about this?

[Patrick Adams]

He'll be fine.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Because it's hard to unsee it in our mind's eye.

[Patrick Adams]

That's the glory of it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

And then. And then he does a high kick when he's done because Gabriel's really good at those.

[Patrick Adams]

Very limber, very lithe, Very limber.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yvonne, Erica, and Deborah. Oh. Who we know is Dee Dee.

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, Dee Dee, that's Kiki's mom, everybody. Hi, Dee Dee.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Also agree that whatever the ritual, a can of whoop ass is being opened. Yes. Okay, so we've got a team. A whoop ass team.

[Patrick Adams]

Can of whoop ass is a very good angle here, and clearly a bunch of people are feeling it. Then Bri writes.

[Kiki Schrader]

Wait, I need you to stop. This is my favorite one.

[Patrick Adams]

This is the one I'm about to read.

[Kiki Schrader]

Yes.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay, let's take a breath. Touch it. Okay. Bri writes, maybe they really love canned fruit, so they see how many cans they can open and eat on a timer.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, competitive eating. That's the one thing in my life that I'm completely closed to. We should never competitively eat. It shouldn't exist in humanity.

[Patrick Adams]

But Bri has just dropped.

[Sarah Rafferty]

What?

[Patrick Adams]

No, no, no. I mean, yes, I agree. Terrible. But before we even get into the finer points of competitive eating. What? Bri, I love that. That's the theory. And it comes with no further explanation. Like, all these other explanations have been like, well, wait, hear me out. And it's Harvey this, and she's in that. This is just like, maybe they love canned fruit and they just want to see how many cans they can open and eat it on a timer. This says to me that Bri has, at some point in time, maybe done some timed eating of canned fruit.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No, I don't see that. I think that Bri just has forgotten something really important. And that is the price of their dry cleaning. If they engaged in that because they wear, like, couture, they can't be, like, getting some canned peaches and all that juiciness.

[Patrick Adams]

They don't seem like canned fruit eating people to me.

[Kiki Schrader]

I think the absurdity is what made it my favorite.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, it's an absurd, wonderful idea.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I know. But now I could eat a peach right now. I could eat, like a.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay, no, no.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Should I eat a peach?

[Patrick Adams]

That's. I feel like I'm in. Call me by your name.

[Kiki Schrader]

That's not where I am.

[Patrick Adams]

You just looked at me so tenderly. Should I eat a peach? I was like, really?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Wait, isn't there the.

[Patrick Adams]

The scared. I was happy.

[Sarah Rafferty]

There's another. This is a poem.

[Patrick Adams]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Sorry. Isn't there a thing? J. Edgar something? Prufrock. It's a poem. Should I eat a peach? Right? Sure. Why? Don't you dare make fun of me? You know that poem? You're telling me you know that poem?

[Patrick Adams]

You're bringing up a T.S. eliot poem in the middle of us talking about can openers?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Why are you putting bumpers on the conversation? I think we should be open to the conversation going anywhere we want.

[Patrick Adams]

The Love song of J. Alford proofreading.

[Sarah Rafferty]

There we go.

[Patrick Adams]

It is Troian's favorite poem.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Well, hang on then, people. Let us go then.

[Patrick Adams]

I don't know.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You and I. Oh, no, you can't.

[Patrick Adams]

Read the whole thing.

[Sarah Rafferty]

And the evening is spread out against the the sky like a patient.

[Kiki Schrader]

It's not the demo.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Upon the table. Let us go. But it ends. Where's the part where he says, oh, yeah? Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare eat a peach? Shall I wear white flannel trousers and walk upon the beach? I have heard the mermaid singing each to each.

[Patrick Adams]

Goodbye and goodbye. We'd really like to end today's podcast there because I feel like we've all just really felt something together as a collective and feel like we're all just in a really soft and tender and open place. Thank you so much. Tender for joining.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Like, it can't be.

[Patrick Adams]

Poetry Corner.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Thank you for taking us there, Brie.

[Patrick Adams]

Where did we get.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Thank you for taking us there, Brie.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay. Shannon in Ontario thinks the can opener is used as a makeshift baseball to hit the thumbtacks.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, nice.

[Patrick Adams]

At a picture of the opposing counsel. Like a baseball bat. A makeshift baseball bat to hit the thumbtacks. Add a picture of the opposing council in a pinch. A piece of paper with his opponent's name on it would suffice.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Or Hardman's face.

[Patrick Adams]

Let's just think through the technicalities of attempting to hit a thumbtack with a can opener.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Why do you doubt?

[Patrick Adams]

I'm not trying to be a naysayer, but, I mean, we're at the point now. We have got a lot of good theories. I'm going to have to start weighing them up against each other.

[Sarah Rafferty]

They all win. They all win. There's no losers here.

[Patrick Adams]

There's not losers. But.

[Kiki Schrader]

Sarah, let me know if you. If you're feeling what I'm feeling, but I'm getting a Brendan vibe from Patrick right now.

[Patrick Adams]

Brendan. And that I'm poo pooing things. Well, I mean, what are. We're doing a whole podcast about the logistics, so we have to get into the logistics yet.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Wait, but you didn't say that you needed it to actually be able to work on Earth, did you? I mean, it could. Did you. Did you put those bumpers on?

[Patrick Adams]

No, we haven't. I mean, this is a good moment to pause and just say, like, what are we doing here?

[Sarah Rafferty]

An existential crisis what are we doing.

[Patrick Adams]

While we talk about assessing the. There's. We are assessing these theories and seeing which ones really seem to hold water. And other ones, like our breeze theory, which just made us read a poem. You know, they all have. They're all strong in their own way, but we have. There has to be some adjudication.

[Sarah Rafferty]

No, I don't need to. Listen, bro, I don't need to adjudicate.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay? I don't need to adjudicate.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I don't.

[Patrick Adams]

We're just here to love everyone.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Absolutely.

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, God.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Would you like to stop and eat a peach?

[Patrick Adams]

Oh, God.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Wait, you don't want to do that.

[Patrick Adams]

No.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay.

[Patrick Adams]

You don't have to eat a peach or love everyone.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Love everyone. Love all the theories.

[Patrick Adams]

It's just not my style.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Then let's not. I'm not gonna you do you at all be hard.

[Patrick Adams]

You gotta. You gotta apply by some rules.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You do that and I'll just be over here.

[Patrick Adams]

Well, you know, with free love just doesn't appear. Certain ones are not gonna register for me. And I'll just announce. I'll just say that if that happens.

[Kiki Schrader]

I can also attest that Patrick's picking of the nits.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, it picks.

[Kiki Schrader]

Does not mean that he's not loving.

[Patrick Adams]

I love picking knits.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

If you didn't give me nits to pick, what would I.

[Kiki Schrader]

The more he picks your nits, the more he loves you.

[Patrick Adams]

Actually, Kiki is really. She's gotten that in her life quite a bit.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, you have too. I've picked your knits. This episode brought to you by Nitpickers. Okay, Maya also wrote that she thinks the can opener and tax are used baseball style.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Nice.

[Patrick Adams]

And she's wrong.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I'm going home and I'm trying.

[Patrick Adams]

I'm joking. I'll leave it. I'm leaving it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Are you gonna. Are we okay?

[Patrick Adams]

I want now videos, Shannon and Maya of you guys hitting baseball tax with you.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Didn't keep them feeling safe. I don't think they're going to send you a. A. A video.

[Patrick Adams]

I'm sorry. If you don't feel safe. You are safe. Let's make some videos. Every one of people hitting thumbtacks with can openers.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It just depends on the size of your can opener.

[Patrick Adams]

I'll tell you about the size of my can opener.

[Sarah Rafferty]

What? Where did we just go?

[Patrick Adams]

Mally thinks Donna and Harvey bet how many thumbtacks they can fit in their mouths in a limited amount of time.

[Sarah Rafferty]

20 seconds.

[Patrick Adams]

And whoever loses has to eat lunch with normal.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, I like Normal.

[Patrick Adams]

How do you lose, though? By having your mouth bleed out?

[Sarah Rafferty]

It is a very. There's a lot of blood in your mouth, so bleeding out, I guess, is the thing.

[Patrick Adams]

But we just love all these ideas, though. We're just in a place.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay, point taken. You just won. Wait a second. Take a bow.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, we're just loving. We're just loving all these ideas. Every idea is perfect in its own little. In its own little way.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Touche. Touche. Point taken.

[Patrick Adams]

Dellen. Dellen says Harvey and Donna look into each other's eyes with a straight face, count to three, and then they say the first most random sentence in their mind. All the while, they hold the can opener between them. They have to keep going until someone laughs.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Oh, I like that.

[Patrick Adams]

I like that. Good. See?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah. So it's like, who. Who laughs first? Well, we know it's always gonna be Gabriel.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, he, like. He's a laugher.

[Sarah Rafferty]

He's always gonna laugh first. That's great. I like.

[Patrick Adams]

I like the idea that they need to lighten the mood before he does his thing. You gotta find a way to giggle.

[Sarah Rafferty]

So a new Jennifer. Not the same as the Jennifer from before. Always thought of it as a robot ritual. Donna knows Harvey turns into a robotic lawyer, only focused on killing and winning and defeating enemies, turning off his human feelings. So she pretends to turn his back to power the robot on like an old school doll. And Harvey says, must destroy. Must win in a robot voice for a few seconds. And this wouldn't always need the can opener should.

[Patrick Adams]

She could just turn the air, like.

[Sarah Rafferty]

She not have the can opener. She could just turn in the air, like.

[Patrick Adams]

Okay, this one's weird.

[Sarah Rafferty]

This one's weird because, you know, Gabriel would be really good at it because he can do, like, a robot. Like, he does all that.

[Patrick Adams]

He does do a very good robot.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

But just the idea that they get into this very sort of ritualistic, performative Kabuki theater vibe. Do you know what I mean?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Yeah.

[Patrick Adams]

This is weird.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I like it.

[Patrick Adams]

This one brought to you by Terry Gilliam.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Let's keep it weird.

[Patrick Adams]

Yeah, yeah. Jennifer.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I like it.

[Patrick Adams]

Dark and weird prop to you.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Not same Jennifer.

[Patrick Adams]

Hell, yeah. Both Jennifers. Yeah. Because all ideas shout out to all the Jennifers. Mike.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Thanks, Patrick.

[Patrick Adams]

Mike thinks they make a copy of the top lawsuit page, shred it with the can opener. Symbolic foreshadowing of the legal result they're hoping for. Nitpick. How do you shred paper with a can opener? Is that a thing you can do?

[Kiki Schrader]

I think you can. How could You.

[Sarah Rafferty]

It's got to be like, why?

[Patrick Adams]

If you were. If you were going to shred something, would the first tool you reach for be a can opener?

[Kiki Schrader]

If that's what was next to you, I bet it would be.

[Patrick Adams]

I bet it would be a pair of scissors in an office. Let's all just take a moment and really sit with it.

[Sarah Rafferty]

I was trying to just stay quiet. Just stay quiet.

[Patrick Adams]

I mean, what do you think?

[Kiki Schrader]

Podcast there?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Sorry. I was trying to put. Patrick was just trying the thing.

[Patrick Adams]

Seems like scissors would be the better idea, but, Mike, I mean, like, all the power to you.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay, you didn't like Mike's idea? Mike, thank you for calling in. It seems like you lost.

[Patrick Adams]

No, Mike, I appreciate you, and, I mean, you're wrong, but I'm sure you're right about a ton of other stuff.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay. And last but not least, Francesca wonders if the can opener is just a metaphor for Donna's ability to make people open up to her.

[Patrick Adams]

Aw, I like that. So simple. And I like that it's not explaining the actual mechanics of it. It's more just like. That is your secret power. It's what you're good at. It's what you're good at with Harvey. And whatever it is in there, this thing is involved in that. That's a perfect answer.

[Sarah Rafferty]

You picked a favorite.

[Patrick Adams]

That's my favorite, Francesca. That's my favorite.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Gotta send Francesca a some thumbtacks. Just kidding. We don't have anything.

[Patrick Adams]

Jessica, you're the lucky winner of a can opener and three boxes of thumbtacks.

[Sarah Rafferty]

That's a beautiful thing. I am gonna. I like that.

[Patrick Adams]

That's great. Oh, you picked that one last, too. I like that you felt it too. Tips. Tips. That was good.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Wow, that was really fun.

[Patrick Adams]

That is a lot of great theories, guys. I did not fathom that you would come up with all that. Do you think that these ideas were already out there? Like, these people had already thought about them? Or did they actually feel compelled to put their thoughts together when we asked for them? Like, have people been thinking this deeply about the can opener for this long? Or is our ask what made them?

[Sarah Rafferty]

Because people ask us about the can opener so often, and I think what.

[Patrick Adams]

I've never heard an idea.

[Sarah Rafferty]

What maybe learned, though, is the next time we're in a public thing where we get asked about it, it's actually. Tell me your theory. Right, because you must have so much.

[Patrick Adams]

More interesting than what we thought, Right?

[Sarah Rafferty]

And maybe somebody's just asking cause they want to tell too, because they've already Generated these great ideas. Like, these ideas here. Like, how many more times could we sit here and do a can opener episode? Like, every few months? We could literally be like, it would be my dream.

[Patrick Adams]

It would.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Are you being sarcastic?

[Patrick Adams]

No, I would if I could sit and just talk about this can opener for the rest of time.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Do you remember you wanted to call the podcast the Can Opener?

[Patrick Adams]

That was at one point the name of the podcast. I think we made the right move not doing that. You do, don't you think? Do you wish this podcast was called the Can Opener?

[Sarah Rafferty]

All the ideas.

[Patrick Adams]

Every idea is beautiful in every individual way. Well, guys, that's the end of our very special can opener episode. Thank you all for diving in and being willing to share your sometimes wonderful, sometimes weird, sometimes simple, sometimes complicated, but all beautiful ideas and kind of poetic. That was really, really fun.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Okay, so that is a wrap on your can opener theories. Thank you so much to everybody who emailed us their ideas and for listening to sidebar.

[Patrick Adams]

Yes, thank you so much for joining us. Now that we're at the end of season one, we are gonna go on a bit of a hiatus, but we would love our listeners to write to [e-mail] and tell us what you've been loving about the podcast, what you want to hear more of, maybe what you want to hear a little less of. Whatever you think, it's really helpful to.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Us moving forward, and we can't wait to hear more from you and to continue the conversation.

[Patrick Adams]

Thank you guys so much and see you soon.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Thank you. Sidebar is produced by Sarah Rafferty, Patrick J. Adams, and Sirius XM Media.

[Patrick Adams]

Our senior producer is Kimmy Gregory, and our producer and researcher is Kristen Schrader.

[Sarah Rafferty]

Our sound engineer is Alex Gonzalez and our music is by Brendan Burns.

[Patrick Adams]

Our executive producers are Cody Fisher and Colin Anderson.