Assume It Will Be Brilliant

In this episode, Portia and Nomsa say goodbye as Season Five of the podcast comes to an end. From the surprise success of "Paradise" to the gripping themes in "The Bear," in a lively discussion they reflect on the season's highlights and share their thoughts on all the shows they wish they could have discussed with you this year. These include HBO MAX's riveting medical drama 'The Pit', Apple TV's Seth Rogen led satrical comedy 'The Studio', the second season of the ever popular video game based 'The Last of Us', and just to sprinkle in a little reality mess...Netflix's 'The Ultimatum Queer Love'. They share their insights on the realism of medical dramas, the humor in comedies, and the emotional depth of post-apocalyptic narratives, while also leaving room to critique the current state of their podcasting inspiration, the long-running Shonda Rhimes offering 'Grey's Anatomy'.

00:00 Season Five Reflections
04:28 Exploring 'The Pit'
12:35 'The Studio' on Apple TV
19:49 'The Last of Us' Season Two
26:44 Reality TV: 'The Ultimatum Queer Love' Discussion
32:46 Final Thoughts on 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21

#TheLastOfUs #ParadiseShow #TheBear #ThePit #TheStudio #UltimatumQueerLove #FourSeasonsShow #GreysAnatomy

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram at @assumeitwillbebrilliantpod and email us at [email protected] with your thoughts!

Music: Humblux - S.H.E. Cali Greens - Artillery (Extended Clip) 8, 14, and 18

This week Nomsa and Portia make it a double feature! They discuss the third and final season of Hwang Dong-hyuk's mega hit Netflix show Squid Game alongside Apple TV's Jon Hamm led dark comedyYour Friends and Neighbors in order to tease out what both show have to say about the effects of capitalism society and the individual. They contrast and compare the different struggles of the characters in 'Squid Game' against those of the affluent but trapped lives in 'Your Friends and Neighbors'; consider the role of capitalism in shaping societal values and individual choices; and offer reflections on the power of spectacle and the human condition in a capitalist world.

00:00 - Introduction
05:30 - The global impact and themes of 'Squid Game'.
15:45 - Your Friends and Neighbors: Commentary on American capitalist culture.
25:00 - Juxtaposition of Wealth and Desperation: The two shows' portrayal of capitalism.
35:20 - The Power of Spectacle: How both shows reflect on societal values and human nature.
45:00 - Gender and Choices: The different choices faced by men and women in both shows.
55:30 - Final thoughts 

#SquidGame #Capitalism #TVShows #PodcastDiscussion

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram at @assumeitwillbebrilliantpod and email us at [email protected] with your thoughts!

In this episode, Nomsa and Portia delve into a Pod favorite - the fourth and fantastic season of FX's hit fine dining Chicago based dramedy - 'The Bear'. They explore the shows main characters' development and emotional self-actualization arcs, as well as the show's brilliant balance of humor and gravity. Nomsa and Portia also touch upon the importance of specificity in cultural representation and the depth of relationship and conflict among characters. The conversation highlights key episodes and concludes with reflections on the finale, and how it potentially sets the stage for future character growth and narrative direction.

00:00 Introduction and Empowerment
01:52 Exploring Season Four of The Bear
07:50 Character Development and Emotional Journeys
12:07 Realistic Conversations and Monologues
16:38 Family Dynamics and Vulnerability
22:03 Cultural Representation and Personal Growth
25:41 Mentorship and Cultural Connections
28:53 Exploring Bicultural Experiences
31:54 Family Dynamics and Emotional Labor
36:05 Navigating Relationships and Vulnerability
40:39 The Finale: Growth and New Beginnings

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram at @assumeitwillbebrilliantpod and email us at [email protected] with your thoughts!

Music: Humblux - S.H.E. Cali Greens - Artillery (Extended Clip) 8, 14, and 18

In this episode, Nomsa and Portia discuss the sixth and final season of Hulu's TV adaptation of the classic text by Margaret Atwood eponymously named The Handmaid's Tale. In this conversations, as usual, they delve into the themes and character dynamics of the show, exploring it's relevant and dystopian world of Gilead where the roles of women are strictly and opressively prescribed, and where those without power are constantly navigating the complexities of acting ethically and morally within, outside and against an oppressive regime. Nomsa and Portia discuss all the main characters and how their journeys reflect broader societal issues. The conversation highlights the show's critique of patriarchy, the struggle for identity, and the consequences of compliance and resistance, culminating in reflections on the series finale, its lasting impact, and speculation on whether further adaptations of Margret Atwood's work to continue the story are forthcoming.

CW: Mentions of sexual assault and violence

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Show
01:56 Dystopian Themes and Women's Subjugation
06:28 Character Arcs and Emotional Struggles
10:24 Resistance and the Fight for Freedom
17:48 Complex Relationships and Betrayals
24:36 Closure and Reconciliation
31:40 The Future of Gilead and the Ongoing Struggle

Instagram: @assumeitwillbebrilliantpod 
Music: Humblux - S.H.E. Cali Greens - Artillery (Extended Clip) 8, 14, and 18

In this episode, Nomsa and Portia discuss the series finale, season 5 of Netflix's 'You'. They focus on the character of Joe Goldberg and the themes of trauma, wealth, power, and accountability, as well as the show's dark humor and societal commentary and reflections. They explore Joe's relationships, his relationship tp those relationships, and the delusions that both he and the women around him experience. Overall, they highlight the show's ability to provoke thought about the nature of evil, the consequences of actions, and the societal structures that enable and hide such behaviors, allowing them to persist.

00:00 Introduction to the Series Finale of 'You'
01:29 Character Analysis: Joe Goldberg's Journey
04:51 The Complexity of Joe's Relationships
09:16 The Show's Dark Humor and Themes
10:41 Casting and Performance Highlights
12:34 The Delusion of Joe Goldberg
17:17 Societal Reflections on Wealth and Power
22:28 The Impact of Wealth on Accountability
26:33 Character Dynamics and Family Rivalries
29:45 The Illusion of Change in Abusive Relationships
34:50 Concluding Thoughts on the Series and Its Themes

Instagram: @assumeitwillbebrilliantpod 
Music: Humblux - S.H.E. Cali Greens - Artillery (Extended Clip) 8, 14, and 18