This is kind of a no brainer idea for a topic, of course, but what are your guy’s favorite episodes of the podcast and why?
I’ve been a part of a bunch of them, so it’s harder for me to pick because they all kind of blur together. However, I’ve narrowed most of them down to my own personal Top 5, in no particular order, because why not?
1. Episode 76 - Antagonist of the Roller Coaster
This was the one with Nyra and the Church of Batman, where she spirals into a tirade about gun control. This is also the episode feature the first appearance of my hobo story, which happened in an old abandoned apartment building and is still one of my favorite stories that I’ve ever told. Ironically, it also starts with Var talking about GTA V, which is much more relevant nowadays.
2. Episode 90 - Glow in the Teeth Dark
I specifically like this one because it was the first episode where we used a new form of recording, and the podcast sounds so much better for it. I’ve listened to that intro about ten times, it’s just something about the way it’s layered that really stands out to me. It’s also the beginning of the Ninjago controversy, which would then see it’s triumphant conclusion in “The Glory of Mother China”.
3. Episode 92 - The Glory of Mother China
I don’t actually get to get into many honest discussions about being Asian, and controversy like this about Ninjago was something I could actually speak to from my experiences as an Asian American, and the whole “White Culture vs. Asian Culture” thing that overtook the forum at that time and place. It was nice being able to speak my mind about something from my own perspective. Social justice is kind of a double edged sword, so I thought addressing it was a good place to get some honest discussion going.
4. Episode 86 - Christmas Special 2013
We’ve had several Christmas specials in the past, but this one had a full house. The amount of cast members was overwhelming (Meso, Var, Eljay, me, Venom, Invi, Ian, Nyra, Viper and C4), but we had such a great time. It featured the debut of Viper as an actual cast member, and also gave way to the best joke about Ian ever that you will never hear because Meso edited it out (goshdangit, Meso). But man, was that episode great. Skip that stupid story of Eljay’s because it’s long and boring, but it’s worthwhile to just see the sparks fly in the interaction. Although, to be fair, that episode was nothing compared to the afterparty we had on webcam. Christmas is pretty great, y’all.
5. TTV Special Comic Maker Interview 1 - Kahinuva
Back when comics were basically my sole involvement with the Bionicle fandom, I asked for an interview from TTV in the hopes that it would boost publicity for my topic (they had just hit it big by interviewing Leigh Gallagher at the time). They were featured on the front page and all that, and eventually through scheduling I was able to get on an interview with Meso, Var, Eljay, and Tom. We had a great time, they let me hang out in the chat for a while, and eventually Var suggested I just be on the podcast because I was just there and was free. I didn’t have to do the whole application thing back in those days =P. Ever since then, it’s been a great ride, but I’ve got to pay homage to the episode that started it all.
BONUS: Whichever episode is Alena’s last episode. No wait, which ever episode is AFTER Alena’s last episode, since she’s not in that one. Yeah, that’s a good one just on principle.
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