SHOW NOTES :30--intro 2:00--housekeeping/listener e-mail 5:00--the decades-long history of The Eternaut in Argentina 10:00--The Eternaut NON-SPOILER review begins 18:00--the excellent Ricardo Darín in the lead role 26:45--SPOILER review

We're back, baby! Crossing Streams has returned as your weekly home for streaming TV talk! Join co-hosts Craig Elsten and Chris Reed, they begin the show by explaining why the podcast has been gone for almost 18 months, why it's returned, and what we aim to accomplish. Then in this "episode zero" style show, the guys discuss the best shows they have watched so far in 2025, plus Craig's Top-10 shows from 2024, and what Craig and Chris are watching for future episodes. 

Vince Gilligan's new show Pluribus is looking like it might just be a masterpiece. On this episode of Crossing Streams, Craig Elsten and Chris Reed take a look at the big themes and moments from episodes 4-6 of the first season. The show contains spoilers for all six episodes of the series to date.  SHOW TIME CODES :30 Intro 4:00 quick housekeeping 5:30 Episodes 4-6 had a theme: discovery for Carol 10:00 Rhea Seehorn is carrying the rock for Pluribus, but we will meet Manousos 14:30 Jeff Hiller appearance! 18:00 Carol’s diabolical plot to learn the truth in episode 4 23:00 Manousos can’t get here from there 27:45 The crazy visuals and methodical montages of episode 5 34:00 The Hamlin-Phone 36:00 transitioning to episode 6 and Empty Las Vegas 38:45 Pluribus as an allegory for AI re: Diabate in Vegas 44:15 you down with HDP? 48:15 The Others are colonizers and consent hypocrites 54:00 circling back to Koumba’s role and viewpoint 59:45 What We’re Watching

this is a rarity: Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are out of alignment on this episode of Crossing Streams! One host really likes one of the two shows covered and kind of tolerated the other, while the other host REALLY didn't like one of the two shows, and truly enjoyed the other. Who's who, and which is which? Listen and find out, as we cover HBO's The Chair Company, and Netflix's tentpole teen drama Stranger Things 5 (Part One)! :30 Intro 2:00 a quick note on the Oscars moving to YouTube 9:30 The Chair Company discussion 36:25 Stranger Things 5 discussion 1:06:30 What We’re Watching

Ken Gartin returns to join Craig and Chris and review the middle portion (episodes 3-6) of FX's Alien:Earth. The guys thought it would be a shorter episode, but nope! Too much fun breaking down all the plot twists and possibilities for the endgame.  SHOW NOTES/TIME CODES :30 Intro, show set-up 1:45 initial thoughts from everyone on where Alien:Earth stands right now 5:30 getting into episode 3 10:00 Sydney’s brand-new power of Alien language 15:00 The Eye is the smartest character on the show? 18:00 Episode 4, the Nibs situation—and the question of humanity 24:00 Episode 5, Noah Hawley’s take on the OG Alien movie 36:00 Episode 6, key plot points, who will the Eye jump into next? 40:00 the endgame of season one kicks off in episode 6’s final act 44:30 what is Kirsh up to and why is he letting things happen? 47:30 Is this Alien:Earth, or Alien:Island? There are too few people 54:30 Craig’s guess on how the show will end 1:08:30 What’s Ken Watching?

Craig and Chris are again joined by Ken Gartin to go through the finale of Alien: Earth. Two of our three panelists were really let down by the finale, while one saw the promise for future seasons. What did you think? Email the show at crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com!  SHOW NOTES :30 Intro 3:00 Initial thoughts on the season one finale 10:30 The deathpool that wasn’t 14:45 how does a season finale wind up so static? 20:00 Is Sydney overpowered? 26:00 What is the extent of the Eyeball’s abilities? 31:30 Has Alien: Earth made the Xenomorph too tame? 39:30 Has the finale changed your opinion of the season as a whole? 51:30 What We’re Watching

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Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together for a full review of Netflix's breakout detective hit, Dept Q. The guys begin with a fulsome no-spoilers review and recommendation segment, then get into the meat of the story with full spoilers (31:45). Later (56:15). they look back at Season Three of The Bear and early impressions of what's coming in Season Four, ahead of next week's full season review. 

Craig and Chris turn the stove all the way up for a complete Season 4 review of The Bear on FX! First, the guys do a non-spoiler look at the season and the series as a whole, including the news of a fifth season on order. Then (32:30), a spoiler-filled look at the fourth season, standout episodes and performances, whether or not we buy the conclusion as presented, and what the show could still do with a fifth season.  Write the show! Our email address is crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com 

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back with the penultimate podcast of 2025, as they take on the final three episodes of the first season of Pluribus, on AppleTV. This is one of the most thought-provoking series of the year, and Craig and Chris spend a large portion of the show analyzing the key themes we've learned about over the course of the season, especially as we learn more about The Others, how they operate and what they are ultimately on Earth to do. One of the best shows of the year! Email us at: crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com with your thoughts! TIME CODES :30 Intro/housekeeping 3:15 Big thoughts on the hive mind 9:00 Vince Gilligan trusting and challenging his audience 15:45 Humanity put into servitude for a future invader 25:00 Carol as an avatar for white entitlement 32:30 Manousos is an avatar for…? The classic mythical hero? 39:30 Isolation took a real toll on Carol 44:45 thoughts on the ATOM BOMB 50:45 do they need an atom bomb or just some screaming? 54:45 Carol under the mist of Zosia post-kiss 1:01:45 Final thoughts on the season as a whole 1:05:30 What We’re Watching

Ken Gartin makes his triumphant return to the Crossing Streams feed to lead our discussion of the brand-new FX series, "Alien: Earth". Chris Reed had NEVER watched any Alien content, so he's in for a spooky surprise! Later in the show, Craig and Chris go through the explosive finale of Smoke (on AppleTV+) and talk about how the show has gone under the radar of a lot of fans and reviewers.  SHOW NOTES - :30 Intro, welcome Ken Gartin - 2:00 Chris is an Alien newbie, Ken’s seen it all - 6:15 Broad thoughts on Alien Earth so far - 12:30 Alien Earth plot overview as set-up - 19:30 Noah Hawley puts his stamp on iconic IP, does it work?  - 25:00 Performance of Sydney Chandler as Wendy - 29:30 Quibbles: plot armor and a Xenomorph problem - 37:00 Morrow is a badass, and the rest of main characters - 41:30 Where do we see Alien Earth going the rest of the season - 47:45 Smoke Finale opening thoughts: this show should be better-rated than it is - 52:15 Jurnee Smollett’s performance as Detective Calderone - 55:30 Calderone breaking bad - 1:00:00 This was a REALLY satisfying season finale - 1:09:45 What We’re Watching

Industry has long been one of Craig's favorite shows, but over the past three weeks, Chris binged the program from the start of season one until now! The guys start off by discussing the show as a whole and the themes of the first three seasons, then they get into the fourth season in detail (with spoilers). Dive in! 

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed talk about the changing state of streaming television, and how "thing of the week" shows are regaining their niche in the contentverse. Two current examples are both in play, "Poker Face" on Peacock, and "Duster" on Max. Hear reviews of both series without spoilers! Send the show an email: crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com 

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back to share their thoughts on the final two episodes of Task, where Brad Ingelsby has grown as a showrunner, the themes of redemption that ran through the series, and whether or not there should be a second season. What did YOU think about Task? Email the show at: crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com and we'll read your replies on a future show!  SHOW NOTES/TIMES :30 intro/housekeeping 2:45 overall thoughts on the full season of Task 11:00 themes of redemption 14:30 is Grasso going to jail or was he redeemed too? 19:00 Would Tom have really let Maeve keep the money? 22:00 Episode Six was a BANGER 29:30 should there be a second season of Task? 34:00 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed review and compare a couple of summer mystery series: "Untamed" from Netflix, and "Smoke" on AppleTV+. The guys do non-spoiler reviews and recommendations before doing brief spoiler sections for both shows. They wrap up with "What We're Watching" with some more recommendations and a setup for episode #250 TIME CODES :30  Intro 5:30 Untamed non-spoiler review 26:00 Untamed mini-spoiler section 40:00 Smoke non-spoiler review 49:00  Smoke mini-spoiler section (only spoiling through three episodes) 57:30 What We’re Watching, next episode preview

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed return for episode #260 of Crossing Streams, taking on perhaps the TV event of 2025 in Vince Gilligan's new series, Pluribus, for Apple TV. In the (short) non-spoiler zone the guys offer their general thoughts on the series and on Gilligan's talent. Then in the spoiler zone, a look at everything which has made the first three episodes of Pluribus so riveting, thought-provoking and funny. Both guys said after recording this was their favorite podcast of the year, so please enjoy! SUBJECT TIME CODE MENU :30 Intro/housekeeping NON-SPOILER ZONE 3:40 Opening thoughts on Pluribus from both hosts 10:15 Vince Gilligan is in his bag and a master of his craft SPOILER ZONE 13:15 The first episode of Pluribus is an all-timer 15:15 The art of “show don’t tell” 19:00 Rhea Seehorn’s performance as Carol 24:00 Does Carol have a drinking problem? Is she a reliable narrator? 29:00 The surprising humor of Pluribus 37:00 Is The Joining a metaphor for Heaven? 41:30 Is The Joining a utopia or are The Others concealing a lot still? 45:00 the use of the countdown/count-up clock as a storytelling device 55:30 What We’re Watching If you like this podcast, please give us a five-star review and/or kind written review on your podcast platform of choice, and thanks as always for your time and support! 

In a bonus edition on this week's Crossing Streams feed, Craig Elsten is joined by Danny Deskjob to review season two of Peacemaker, on HBO Max. The guys start with a 15-minute non-spoiler zone, to generally discuss the show. Then they get into all the spoilers from season two, including some controversial decisions made in the season finale, and the announcement from James Gunn on Friday that Peacemaker would likely not come back for a third season, but instead have its characters folded into other DCU properties.  SHOW NOTES :30 Intro/housekeeping NON-SPOILER ZONE 4:15 thoughts on Peacemaker the series as a whole 9:00 Peacemaker succeeds as an R-rated comedy 11:00 the best intro on TV 13:00 going through the cast of Peacemaker 17:45 a multiverse story that actually works SPOILER ZONE 19:30 Was this a seven-episode season and a one-episode DCU set-up for the future? 24:30 going through the major plot points of season two 27:30 the use of Earth-X as Peacemaker’s alternate universe 32:30 the best parts of the finale 36:30 critiques of the finale  38:30 incepting Foxy Shazam into all of our lives 44:00 using the *series* finale of Peacemaker as a set-up for future DCU properties 53:00 What’s Danny Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together to discuss a show that each believes will be in their respective Top-10 lists by the end of the year, The Lowdown on FX (and Hulu/Disney+). The guys go through the incredible cast and performances, the overall vibe of the show and where they think the first season might wind up. Then, a look at how Platonic wrapped up its second season, what the creators have left for a third season, and if lower stakes might actually help the show's longevity.  Don't forget, you can email the show at crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com with your thoughts on this show, or any of the others we've covered! We'll read your emails on a future podcast.  SHOW TIMING NOTES :30 Intro/housekeeping 3:00 Initial thoughts on The Lowdown 5:00 Ethan Hawke star turn as Lee Raybon 9:00 getting into the mysteries of the show 14:00 An all-star supporting cast 17:30 the many influences of The Lowdown 22:30 guessing where we are headed in the last episodes 26:15 Peter Dinklage shows up in ep5 to win an Emmy 32:45 Platonic season two finale review 35:45 How many times can Will and Sylvia fight and get back together as friends? 42:30 Who had the worse fictional novel, Platonic or Smoke? 44:00 Could Platonic last longer with smaller stakes? 48:30 Flowers for supporting cast performances 52:30 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are most of the way down the tracks on the riveting HBO Sunday night drama, Task. In this episode, the guys begin with non-spoiler thoughts on the show for anyone who may not have watched yet or gotten up-to-date. Then, they go through the key storylines through the first five episodes of the show, and offer thoughts on the final two episodes to come.  SHOW RUNDOWN :30 Intro NON-SPOILER ZONE 3:00 Initial thoughts on Task as a whole so far 6:00 Showrunner Brad Ingelsby, comps to Mare of Easttown 10:00 An appreciation of the consequences of action in Task 2:00 Basic show set-up 16:00 Exploring the secondary characters 18:45 Chris’ thoughts on the portrayal of the biker gang Dark Hearts 22:00 Is Maeve the show’s emotional center? SPOILER ZONE 26:30 Talking about episode five 27:45 Where the Heat-to-Task comparison fails 32:30 Discussion of the mole within the task force 37:00 the use of religion in Task 42:00 Is Task a little too writer-y, or just right for HBO Sunday night? 45:00 predictions for the final two episodes 51:00 Is the Sam storyline over with?  52:45 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten is joined by one of the patrons from the Padres Hot Tub discord, Oliver the Baseball Nihilist, to discuss a series near and dear to both of their hearts, The Diplomat on Netflix. In the non-spoiler zone of the show, the hosts discuss why they like The Diplomat and what makes it such a compelling watch. In the spoiler zone, the guys go all the way in on the big moments of the third season, the wild plot twists in the finale, and what it means for a season four.  SHOW NOTES/TIMES :30 Intro, welcome Oliver, housekeeping NON-SPOILER ZONE 3:30 why do we like The Diplomat generally? 8:00 Keri Russell keeps bringing you back 9:45 the show reflects a different era of politics 12:30 Would The Diplomat be better served by a weekly release instead of binge schedule? 16:15 a very strong bench of supporting characters SPOILER ZONE 18:55 amazing political drama in season three, but the romance wasn’t as strong 22:30 episode six, our favorite of the season 25:30 did The Diplomat try to cram too much plot into season three? 30:00 the big season finale twist between Kate and Hal, was it earned? 35:00 Rufus Sewell had an amazing season 44:00 in praise of Rory Kinnear as Trowbridge 47:45 do we buy all of Kate’s decisions this season? 52:30 how can The Diplomat keep Kate in London for a fourth season? 56:30 What We’re Watching If you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a five-star rating on your podcast platform of choice! Feel free to email us with your thoughts on The Diplomat at: crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com

Craig and Chris have two episodes to bring you on the Crossing Streams feed this week! First up, a look at two comedies in full swing, Platonic (season two now on AppleTV+) and The Paper (all episodes streaming on Peacock). Chris appears on episode 6 of Platonic season two and tells the story of his day on set, plus much more!  TIME CUES :30 Intro 3:00 housekeeping/show set-up 5:30 Platonic—premise of the show 6:30 Opening thoughts on Platonic 13:30 season two storylines 19:00 Chris’ story of his day on Platonic (S2E6) 21:30 Did it make sense for Will to back out of his marriage to Jenna? 26:15 the very-funny Jeopardy arc, and great guest casting 31:30 The Paper, why dropped as a binge model? 34:00 Playing off & recycling the model of The Office 39:00 Do we like The Paper so far? 42:30 Thoughts on Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore 48:00 is the mockumentary format overplayed? 52:45 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back with one of the longer episodes in show history, because they've got a LOT to say about Squid Game Season 3!  SHOW NOTES Welcome/housekeeping/email/5-star reviews SQUID GAME 3 - Why is Squid Game the most popular IP in Netflix history? (8:30) - From original to franchise to game/video game, Squid Game loses its meaning as a thing of horror - What did we like about Squid Game 2/3? - Was the final season (split in two) too long of a slog? (29:00) - Specific show critiques of Season 3 (42:00) - Setting up a US spin-off of Squid Game, do we need this? (56:30) DUSTER CANCELED AFTER ONE SEASON (1:07:30) - Finale thoughts - Canceled by HBO Max…(it might have been for the best) WHAT WE'RE WATCHING - A recommendation of Netflix's Argentinian sci-fi show The Eternaut (1:19:00)