Podcast
The Incomparable Mothership
Hosted by Jason Snell · EN
The Incomparable Mothership is the flagship of the Incomparable podcast network. It’s all about geeky media we love, including movies, books, TV, and more, featuring a rotating panel of guests and hosted by Jason Snell and friends.
39episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
819: All the Babus Frik
5d ago01:20:17Tap to summarizeWe went out to the movies to see “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first “Star Wars” film this decade. We had a really good time, thanks in large part to the charisma of many different puppets. (This is “Star Wars,” after all.) We aren’t without our criticisms—Is there ever really any danger? What is Sigourney Weaver doing?—but all in all, this film filled a Star Wars-shaped hole in our hearts. "The Mandalorian and Grogu" Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Helene Wecker, Moisés Chiullán, Dan Moren and Brian Warren Referenced Works Star Wars (franchise) The Mandalorian and Grogu Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →
818: Ferris is Magic
2w ago01:19:48Tap to summarizeLet’s travel 40 years back in time, to Chicago in 1986, where on one legendary day, a high school student named Ferris Bueller bends time and space, all in service of cheering up his best friend. We break down what makes “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” still work after all these years. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" Jason Snell with Cicero Holmes, Quinn Rose, Deborah Stanish, Erika Ensign and John Siracusa Referenced Works Ferris Bueller's Day Off Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →
817: A Found Family of Monsters
3w ago01:15:07Tap to summarizeAwards Book Club reconvenes for 2026, as we discuss Nebula-nominated novels “Katabasis” by R.F. Kuang, “Wearing the Lion” by John Wiswell, and “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor. The mood of the panel is… cautious. Also: What else are we reading? 2026 Awards Book Club, Part 1 Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Heather Berberet, Scott McNulty and Paul Weimer Referenced Works Katabasis [Amazon] [Apple] Death of the Author [Amazon] [Apple] Wearing the Lion [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links Next Awards Book Club: “When We Were Real” by Daryl Gregory, “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones, and “Sour Cherry” by Natalia Theodoridou. What are we reading? Paul: The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome by Guy de la Bedoyere Aleen: The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Heather: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey Erika: Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher Scott: Outlaw Planet by M.R. Carey Jason: Children of Strife by Adrian Tchaikovsky, In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan, and Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →
816: Fascism for Algernon
4w ago01:27:18Tap to summarizePut on your eye phones and jack in to the cyberscape! Rocket Surgery comes for 1996’s cyberpunk epic “Lawnmower Man 2.” (Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the original “Lawnmower Man,” half of us didn’t either.) Matt Frewer is Max Headrooming it up! A bunch of urchins populate a rainy L.A. that’s straight out of “Blade Runner,” but, you know—cheaper. There’s a brilliant doctor in charge of virtual-reality research, and also there’s Jennifer! And everything in the future is hackable! Rocket Surgery: "Lawnmower Man 2" Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Tony Sindelar and Annette Wierstra Referenced Works Lawnmower Man 2 Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →815: I Guess I Gotta Kill All These Klan Guys
May 101:12:54Tap to summarizeNot now, Klansmen, I’m killing vampires! “Sinners” got nominated for all the awards, and it’s also a vampire (with a hint of zombie?) movie. We love it when genre movies get attention, and Ryan Coogler keeps putting out bangers, so we’re all in on the story of magical music opening the door to eldrich horror—oh, and also it’s the deep south in the 1930s so there’s some horrendous racism too! "Sinners" Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Brian Hamilton, Monty Ashley, Tony Sindelar and Steve Lutz Referenced Works Sinners Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →814: Demons are People Too
Apr 2401:07:57Tap to summarizeA special Book Club panel provides an overview of Lois McMaster Bujold’s excellent Penric & Desdemona series of fantasy novellas (plus one novel). This series gives its characters time to learn, grow, and age. It’s got some perspectives you don’t see very often in fantasy fiction. We love it and think you will, too. Penric & Desdemona Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Kat Benesh and Dan Moren Referenced Works Penric and Desdemona series Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →813: Spiritual Sequel
Apr 1701:23:53Tap to summarizeWe complete our run through blades with “Blade Runner 2049,” a late sequel in which Ryan Gosling plays a replicant detective searching for an explosive secret that could change everything… and is unsurprisingly tied to characters from “Blade Runner.” We discuss why a replicant might need a holographic girlfriend, Jared Leto’s eyes, and once again, if Deckard is a replicant or not and why that really doesn’t matter. "Blade Runner 2049" Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Erika Ensign, Dan Moren and Monty Ashley Referenced Works Blade Runner 2049 Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →812: Ridley Scott Just Can't Stop
Apr 1002:00:05Tap to summarizeNo voiceovers! More unicorns! Our journey deep into the futuristic world of 2019 Los Angeles continues with another look at “Blade Runner” — this time, it’s “The Final Cut” edition. Deckard’s identity revealed, sort of? Voiceovers removed! Superfans and sort-of-fans compare, contrast, and discuss. "Blade Runner" (The Final Cut) Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign and Moisés Chiullán Referenced Works Blade Runner [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →811: Have You Considered More Voiceovers?
Apr 301:19:36Tap to summarizeThese movie producers really did a job on “Blade Runner.” They don’t advertise for narrations in the newspaper, every good writer knows that. But when you’re trying to sell a narratively dense piece of visual art to 1982 audiences who just want to see a Harrison Ford movie, that’s the sort of compromise you make. All we could do is sit there and watch it play. Blade Runner (Theatrical Edition) Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz, Kelly Guimont and Dan Moren Referenced Works Blade Runner [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →810: Cheated Out of Glitter Vomit
Mar 2701:35:32Tap to summarizeHit the books and polish up your comm badges, because it’s time to go to school—“Starfleet Academy,” that is. We check in on the first season of Star Trek’s latest (and last, for now?) TV series, and find that despite the YA focus, it’s still just really good “Star Trek” that’s worth your attention. "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán and Tony Sindelar Referenced Works Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Star Trek (franchise) Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.
Transcribe →