Emma and Winston discuss one of their all-time favorite Star Wars films, The Last Jedi. They try to play Devil's Advocate and understand why people would not like this movie, but mostly focus on its strengths as the most spiritually challenging of these films. Plus: Rey: unfined & unfiltered, changing opinions and changing palates, sacrifice, corruption, and moral ambiguity, Italian wine (for some reason), funny puppets, and the cruel tutelage of Luke Skywalker.
Episode 67: Star Wars Episode VII- The Force Awakens (with Chad Ellis)
Emma is joined by podcasting extraordinaire Chad Ellis to discuss the first film in the most recent of Star Wars trilogies, The Force Awakens. We share our love for this movie, and our stories of first seeing it (Chad's is way cooler). Plus: characters and world-building, Kylo & wine bros, Byronic heroes, sacred texts, appreciation of Adam Driver, the superiority of practical effects, shipping Poe and Finn, and Droids for millennials.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadManic, and make sure to check out their podcast Station Blue (@StationBluePod), as well as Hit The Bricks (@HitTheBricksPod) and Arden (@ArdenPod).
Episode 66: Avatar: The Last Airbender
"There can be no peace without justice." -Avatar Kyoshi knew what was up, and there's a lot we all can learn from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Winston and Emma discuss what they love from this show, why it's important, and also the problematic cultural appropriation involved in making it. Plus: Zuko & rosé's parallel redemption arcs, wine in China, martial arts and bending styles, alternative ships, winebending, and the importance of representation.
Episode 65: Star Wars Episode VI- The Return of the Jedi (with Anthony Pinggera)
Anthony Pinggera returns to Pairing to discuss Episode VI of Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi. We agree that this movie somehow holds itself together despite having many moving parts, but we disagree on Jedi Rock. Plus: Harrison Ford's deathwish for Han, possible other directors, C-3PO: sommelier, the racism of the ewoks, Aaron Sorkin-style walk and talks, Roman Emperors, and a heartwarming story about Warwick Davis.
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Episode 64: Star Wars Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back (with Christopher Dole)
Happy 40 Years of The Empire Strikes Back! Christopher Dole returns to Pairing to discuss the sequel that redefined sequels, Episode V of the Star Wars saga. We talk about why this is our favorite Star Wars movie, how it was received at the time, and the difficulties they faced in making it. Plus: the great Frank Oz, deleted music, wines in balance, Han & Leia, the importance of taking risks, iconic lines, and incredible production design.
Episode 63: Star Wars Episode IV- A New Hope (with Sarah Shachat)
The great Sarah Shachat returns to Pairing to discuss the film that started it all: Episode IV- A New Hope (aka, the original Star Wars). Sarah, Emma, and Winston share their thoughts, love, and occasional criticism of this iconic film, and talk about how it came to be, and the alternative universe we would be in if Bill Murray had been cast as Han Solo. Plus: Wookiepedia, hot takes on Joseph Cambell, intellectual zeniths, inevitable Lord of the Rings references, and the wines of Tunisia (or Tatooine).
Episode 62: The Witcher
It has happened: Emma has started playing video games! So, we decided to take this opportunity to talk about the Witcher Game and Television Series. Hear some stories about Emma's journey so far, learn a little bit about Czech wine, and hear a preview of Winston's version of "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher." Plus: gruff voices, Winston's History corner, Video Game Shoulder, nonlinear storytelling, Slavic fantasy, and Henry Cavill's abs.
Episode 61: Your Wine Questions II: Quarantine Edition
Emma and Winston talk about what they've been drinking while they practice social distancing in quarantine, and answer some of your wine questions! Listen to find out what it is that makes a wine not vegan, the difference in the fermentation processes between wine, beer, and spirits, and the Legend of the Black Rooster. Plus: tequila is an essential employee, finding love through a bacon, egg & cheese sandwich, Ales vs. Lagers 2020, the Pope's New Crib, a Hamm's family, and wine for the different DnD classes.