Crossing Streams

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 Intro4:00 quick housekeeping5:30 Episodes 4-6 had a theme: discovery for Carol10:00 Rhea Seehorn is carrying the rock for Pluribus, but we will meet Manousos14:30 Jeff Hiller appearance!18:00 Carol’s diabolical plot to learn the truth in episode 423:00 Manousos can’t get here from there27:45 The crazy visuals and methodical montages of episode 534:00 The Hamlin-Phone36:00 transitioning to episode 6 and Empty Las Vegas38:45 Pluribus as an allegory for AI re: Diabate in Vegas44:15 you down with HDP?48:15 The Others are colonizers and consent hypocrites54:00 circling back to Koumba’s role and viewpoint59:45 What We’re Watching

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/housekeepingNON-SPOILER ZONE3:40 Opening thoughts on Pluribus from both hosts10:15 Vince Gilligan is in his bag and a master of his craftSPOILER ZONE13:15 The first episode of Pluribus is an all-timer15:15 The art of “show don’t tell”19:00 Rhea Seehorn’s performance as Carol24:00 Does Carol have a drinking problem? Is she a reliable narrator?29:00 The surprising humor of Pluribus37:00 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 device55:30 What We’re WatchingIf 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!

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, housekeepingNON-SPOILER ZONE3:30 why do we like The Diplomat generally?8:00 Keri Russell keeps bringing you back9:45 the show reflects a different era of politics12:30 Would The Diplomat be better served by a weekly release instead of binge schedule?16:15 a very strong bench of supporting charactersSPOILER ZONE18:55 amazing political drama in season three, but the romance wasn’t as strong22:30 episode six, our favorite of the season25:30 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 season44:00 in praise of Rory Kinnear as Trowbridge47:45 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 WatchingIf 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 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/housekeeping3:00 Initial thoughts on The Lowdown5:00 Ethan Hawke star turn as Lee Raybon9:00 getting into the mysteries of the show14:00 An all-star supporting cast17:30 the many influences of The Lowdown22:30 guessing where we are headed in the last episodes26:15 Peter Dinklage shows up in ep5 to win an Emmy32:45 Platonic season two finale review35:45 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 performances52:30 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 IntroNON-SPOILER ZONE3:00 Initial thoughts on Task as a whole so far6:00 Showrunner Brad Ingelsby, comps to Mare of Easttown10:00 An appreciation of the consequences of action in Task2:00 Basic show set-up 16:00 Exploring the secondary characters18:45 Chris’ thoughts on the portrayal of the biker gang Dark Hearts22:00 Is Maeve the show’s emotional center?SPOILER ZONE26:30 Talking about episode five27:45 Where the Heat-to-Task comparison fails32:30 Discussion of the mole within the task force37:00 the use of religion in Task42:00 Is Task a little too writer-y, or just right for HBO Sunday night?45:00 predictions for the final two episodes51:00 Is the Sam storyline over with? 52:45 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-up1:45 initial thoughts from everyone on where Alien:Earth stands right now5:30 getting into episode 310:00 Sydney’s brand-new power of Alien language15:00 The Eye is the smartest character on the show?18:00 Episode 4, the Nibs situation—and the question of humanity24:00 Episode 5, Noah Hawley’s take on the OG Alien movie36:00 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 act44:30 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 people54:30 Craig’s guess on how the show will end1:08:30 What’s Ken 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 Gartin2:00 Chris is an Alien newbie, Ken’s seen it all6:15 Broad thoughts on Alien Earth so far12:30 Alien Earth plot overview as set-up19:30 Noah Hawley puts his stamp on iconic IP, does it work? 25:00 Performance of Sydney Chandler as Wendy29:30 Quibbles: plot armor and a Xenomorph problem37:00 Morrow is a badass, and the rest of main characters41:30 Where do we see Alien Earth going the rest of the season47:45 Smoke Finale opening thoughts: this show should be better-rated than it is52:15 Jurnee Smollett’s performance as Detective Calderone55:30 Calderone breaking bad1:00:00 This was a REALLY satisfying season finale1:09:45 What We’re Watching

SHOW NOTES:30--intro2:00--housekeeping/listener e-mail5:00--the decades-long history of The Eternaut in Argentina10:00--The Eternaut NON-SPOILER review begins18:00--the excellent Ricardo Darín in the lead role26:45--SPOILER review