It’s a Brand New Day! That’s not just the title of the most recent Spider-Man movie, but what we hope is a new emphasis in the world of Marvel films—less planetary peril and more inter- and intra-personal conflict. (Thunderbolts would be a great double feature with this one.)
We do a little 9/11 reflection in light of the pop culture shoot-em-ups from the last 25 years, and why more modest stories with lower stakes feel refreshing right now. We get into the dangers of isolation; discuss the burdens of leadership, so often self-imposed; and reflect on spidey-sense as a parable for neurodivergence.
Links inspired by this episode:
God Loves Man Kills—the X-Men Series Ed mentioned
Tom Holland dances, which is part of what makes his Spidey so good, and he’ll be playing Fred Astaire soon. (Yes this clip wasn’t mentioned specifically, has nothing to do with Spider-Man, and is nothing like Astaire’s style of dancing. But who cares. You need it.)
Coming up on PCPH: Ted Lasso S04E06, “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore,” Monday 9/14 at 1 p.m. EDT, and Coyote v. Acme Wednesday 9/16 at 10 a.m. EDT.
