Podcast Summary: The Watch (The Ringer)
Episode: Oscars Recap, ‘White Lotus’ S3E3, and ‘Severance’ S2E7
Date: March 3, 2025
Hosts: Andy Greenwald & Chris Ryan
Episode Overview
This episode of The Watch features Andy Greenwald returning from abroad, joining Chris Ryan for a wide-ranging discussion covering:
- A recap and analysis of Hollywood’s biggest night, the Oscars
- A breakdown of White Lotus Season 3 Episode 3
- An in-depth look at Severance Season 2 Episode 7
The conversation stays true to the pair’s signature blend of sharp cultural insight, self-deprecating humor, and friendly banter.
Oscars 2025: Recap & Analysis
(Conversation begins ~03:25)
General Takeaways & Show Vibe
- Chris and Andy reflect on the Oscars telecast as television more than ceremony.
- Andy, who hadn't seen most nominees, admits he represents the average viewer this year more than usual.
- “This is the first time I've ever been the late... I have seen three of the ten nominated: Conclave, Brutalist, and Dune Two.” (05:52, Andy)
- Chris jokes that Andy is “more representative of the larger audience than we’d like to admit.” (05:16, Chris)
Tone and Set Design Critique
- Andy felt the ceremony’s physical set and atmosphere carried a “very, very, very Third Reichi” vibe, which he found overly formal and too intense. (07:49)
- “Everything felt so overly overwrought and formal. It didn’t match with the scrappy, ‘just come watch movies’ vibe.” (08:07, Andy)
- Instead of showbiz self-congratulation, there was humility—artists pleaded for sustaining theaters and a communal moviegoing experience amidst industry/gigacity instability. (12:50, Chris)
Memorable Moments
- Conan O’Brien’s presence: “I thought Conan was good... His jokes mostly landed, he had a good winning spirit, and I loved the blue tuxedo.” (07:00, Andy)
- Cinema Streams parody: The set as “a thousand smartphones stitched together” got laughs. (07:24, Andy)
- Emotional In Memoriam acknowledged as “very overwrought” with odd choral music. (07:55, Andy and Chris)
Notable Speeches & Historic Wins
- Sean Baker’s “charm and authenticity” invigorated the show—he “won more Oscars than Steven Spielberg.” (09:18, Chris / 08:58, Andy)
- Chris: “It is crazy. I think he has more Oscars now than Steven Spielberg.”
- Baker won for editing, directing, writing, and producing Anora.
Audience Experience & Winning Films
- Andy hadn’t seen Anora, though he tried (“...realized it would just be Naked Ladies...did a politeness check on the airplane...but stopped it. Doesn’t feel awesome.” (10:33, Andy)
- Conversation around the divide between films with real Oscar chances versus "big movies that had no shot...Wicked and Dune...outsiders like Conclave." (14:10, Chris)
- “Only a certain number of the nominees were relevant on the awards campaign. Most...were not going to win anything. And that was very clear from the beginning.” (15:26, Andy)
On Oscar Industry Trends
- Studios spent big on Dune 2 and Wicked, but “no real chance at major awards; the entire middle of an industry has been hollowed out.” (16:18, Andy)
- Chris reflects how cycles, COVID, and strikes contributed to fewer movie trailers and industry “entropy.” (11:22, Chris)
Notable Quotes
- On the No Other Land victory and Ukraine moment:
- “Who spoke first, who spoke second...was beautifully choreographed and very effective in the moment.” (14:10, Andy)
- On Amazon/James Bond: “The weird juxtaposition of celebrating James Bond that had just been basically like taken over by Amazon while also making Amazon jokes.” (12:50, Chris)
- On Oscar humility: “It definitely seemed to be a show with a little bit more of a raised middle finger this year...not an overtly political or grandstandy night.” (13:51, Chris)
Deep Dive: White Lotus Season 3, Episode 3
(Begins ~28:01)
Early Season Pacing & Character Threads
- Both agree the season has been “a slow but incredibly pleasant start,” with narrative momentum picking up at the end of episode three. (28:31, Chris)
- Chris: “A couple of balls are rolling downhill now, narrative-wise. I'm here for the hang...But I do think the information we got...could have been in an episode and a half.” (28:31, Chris)
- Andy: “Haven’t been bored once, but three hours have elapsed and no variation in conflicts since the pilot.” (29:23, Andy)
- The Ratliff family’s narrative inertia noted; character journeys playing out with “no variation in conflict.” (29:43, Andy)
Thematic Motifs & Character Performances
- Chris points out themes of “trying to pay to heal” and performative wellness. (31:08, Chris)
- Andy draws attention to “capitalist malaise”—rich men “taking no pleasure in anything, living life on defense.” (33:21, Andy)
- Walton Goggins’ performance is “God tier as always.” (33:06, Andy)
- Standout scene: the “Trump conversation between Jacqueline, Kate, and Lori” is called one of the best in the series.
- “The way she nailed, ‘I’m an Independent’ was so good.” (36:25, Chris)
- Friendship fault lines: Female trio “are best friends but kind of loathe each other; don’t want to know or don’t like what they discover.” (34:32, Andy)
Overlap & Interconnectedness Across Seasons
- Mike White’s “entertaining, not overbearing” approach to overlapping characters (Belinda, Greg/Gary) is lauded—“it’s icing, not the cake.” (43:39, Andy)
- “Maybe at some point there will be some grand connected narrative...but for now, the overlaps are fun.” (45:30, Andy)
Quips & Notable Banter
- Posture jokes, White Lotus boat plot (“things go really well when characters go on boats”), and a running bar/bat mitzvah anecdote about “short kings” and slow dances to ‘Stairway to Heaven’. (32:12–42:00)
- Return of the “CR Bucks” crypto bit and the idea of a “Chris, Goggins, and Drake” trinity on the mythical currency. (40:37, Chris & Andy)
In-Depth: Severance Season 2, Episode 7
(Begins ~47:43)
Authorship and Direction
- Chris opens by highlighting Jessica Lee Gagné’s “virtuoso” direction and cinematography in the episode, especially the practical, non-CGI visual effects.
- “One of the more virtuoso directorial performances you will see...in the last couple of years.” (49:43, Chris)
- Andy: “The star of the show is the camera...there is a consistent visual language...a real inspiration.” (50:23, Andy)
- “A celebration for that kind of work...the possibility and the potential of that kind of work on the small screen.” (54:23, Andy)
Visual & Thematic Influences
- Connection drawn to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: “One of the most influential films of the 21st century...the idea you could play within your own mind.” (54:34, Chris)
- Stiller’s “clinical, precise” direction is contrasted with Michel Gondry’s “messy, handmade” filmmaking. (56:32, Andy)
- Chris and Andy riff on how Severance is about not just delving into but actively severing memory, trauma, and loss.
Narrative Structure and Emotional Backfilling
- Both scrutinize the episode's heavy narrative lift: revealing Mark and Gemma’s history for the first time, requiring Adam Scott/Dichen Lachman to evoke a deep relationship in only a few pages of script.
- “Can you retroactively inject a relationship with enough emotional juice to earn what you’re going to do with them? I think for the most part, they succeeded.” (66:05–66:48, Andy)
- Andy, self-professedly uninvested emotionally in Severance, nonetheless praises the acting and aesthetic achievement.
- Chris notes emotional complexity:
- “The entire time we’re watching this very heartbreaking story of a relationship, I was also thinking about the fact that this dude is in love with Heli...One soul can love two people.” (68:28, Chris)
Critiques & Standout Moments
- Both hosts disliked the Devin–Rigabi scene (“neither of you are making any sense in this scene...just a very disorienting scene.” (63:40, Chris))
- Chris wanted the show to “go up a level” and show who is really in charge of Lumen, asking, “Who is the governor of the state where Lumen is? Does anybody give a shit?” (62:12, Chris)
- Warmly-lit past scenes (“a breath of fresh air”), clarifying that the “grey” world isn’t literal reality but a stylistic choice. (61:01, Chris/Andy)
- Andy: “I don’t understand the playing field of the game we’re playing—the parameters of the stadium...I need that stuff to ground myself.” (61:52, Andy)
Notable Quotes
On Oscars Telecast:
- “Sean Baker is an unnaturally charismatic and talented and funny guy...he has more Oscars now than Steven Spielberg.” (09:18, Chris)
- “Everything felt so overwrought and formal...didn't match with the sort of scrappy, we’re kind of the independent spirit now.” (08:07, Andy)
On White Lotus:
- “Walton Goggins is doing God tier work as always.” (33:06, Andy)
- “The Trump conversation...the way she nailed ‘I’m an Independent’ was so good.” (36:25, Chris)
On Severance:
- “The star of the show is the camera...there is a consistent visual language that is really nice.” (50:23, Andy)
- “Eternal Sunshine...I feel like the way Gondry brought that to life...is a huge influence on this show.” (54:34, Chris)
- “I don’t understand the playing field of the game we’re playing...I need that stuff to ground myself.” (61:52, Andy)
On Industry Trends:
- “The entire middle of an industry has been hollowed out. The big studios are proud...then they go to these awards and they win the technical awards and they sit there being like, ‘what do we have to do?’” (16:18, Andy)
Segment Timestamps (Approximate)
- 01:16 – 28:00 | Oscars Recap & Analysis
- 28:01 – 47:43 | White Lotus S3E3 Breakdown
- 47:43 – 74:07 | Severance S2E7 Deep Dive
Final Thoughts
Chris and Andy maintain their familiar, candid dynamic as they oscillate between critical analysis and personal anecdotes (midnight tortilla chips, bar mitzvahs, and posture anxiety). The discussions are framed with humility—especially regarding the Oscars—and keen to highlight the evolving power dynamics in film and TV, the achievements (and failings) of contemporary storytelling, and the subtle threads connecting ambitious shows like White Lotus and Severance. Their playful, occasionally digressive energy ensures the podcast remains entertaining and illuminating throughout.