Sarah Belmont: Apparently I'm at peak energy, according to Will

Sarah: Greetings, Nerds. This is Scene N Nerd I'm your host, Sarah Belmont. With me, and with me, as always, is our Mr producer, Will Polk. How are you doing tonight, Will?

Will: Doing very well, Sarah. Hope you're doing well this evening. Looking forward to chatting some penultimate episodes with you tonight.

Sarah: Yeah, well, apparently I'm at peak energy, according to you, which I was I was surprised by, considering how I feel like I just am drained. however, it's so funny to me because I still feel like I've been more drained in the past, due to my job, because I was doing an extrovert job for years, which requires a lot more energy for little old introvert, me. So now that I'm in an introvert job, the long days are long and I'm drained, but I'm not nearly that same level. but I did watch one piece and ahsoka, this week and have some thoughts that I can remember. and things that, you know, we don't have to talk about those things because I try to do a good job about blocking out what I don't like. No, I'm just joking.

Will: What bullshit are you like?

Sarah: I'm only human. Humans are naturally more inclined to remember what they don't like than what they like. Okay.

Will: Oh, God. If anyone has listened to, more than, like, 30 seconds to, our podcast, they know you're never shy about giving your honest opinions, which is why we have been able to sustain this for so long. Because when we like something, we like something, when we don't, we don't. And we are not afraid to say it.

Sarah: No, I mean, we are definitely shills, but not to the overtly extent.

Will: we didn't cross any lines at all during at least for either of the strikes, which, I'm happy to, and we don't have to go too much into it.

The Writers Guild has reached a tentative deal with studios; it's out to vote

Will: But, for folks who, know, the WGA did finally end their strike, they managed to get an agreement with the AMPTP to studios and, unanimously approved a deal as far as the leadership. And it's out to the membership now to vote. I guess between now and I think next Monday, following Monday, I want to say maybe the 9th. but yeah, I posted on our socials, if you want to look at the, new contract that goes through May 1 of 2026, some of the details, but, they definitely got, kudos to them for holding out for the best deal possible. And, looks like overall, people are very pleased with it.

Sarah: Yeah, I've heard nothing but good things about this deal. and this is just like, I'm glad we're finally getting movement here. And now we got the Actors Guild to go, and I'm sure that by the looks of it, they're probably going to end up with a good deal as well. And then we can just wrap up 2023. Every deal is in place and then bring on the content.

Will: Yeah, I know that almost sank the deal, with the writers, where I think they still wanted know, of course, show solidarity with the SAG Guild because they were out there picketing together and stuff and apparently Bob Iker like, got up and walked out of the room. But cooler has prevailed. They were able to get back to work, they could start writing again. Got great protections for AI, as far as just making sure that AI can't write or rewrite material. writer could choose when to use it, whenever given their services, company has to disclose, big wins there. And also on the residuals, which I know is another big point that, the Writers Guild was wanting to make sure that they had adequate compensation for residuals, especially in the streaming era that we're in now. And so that was another big plus. And also just transparency and streaming numbers too, which I think was another big sticking point. I mean, if Netflix can show, oh, this is the number one show on their platform, whenever we turn it on, then surely they can share with the writers and actors what the numbers are because they know it. So that was a bunch of BS that the, studios were trying to say, oh, no, we didn't have those numbers. But yeah, really, but I won't take up too much time on the, details of the agreement. I did post it on our socials and I'll post a link here, in our show notes for this podcast, if you're interested in seeing more details of the, agreement that, the Writers Guild was able to come up with. And let's close out by saying, I know the Screen Actors Guild, has mentioned that they'll start their negotiations up again next week. and only trust things that come directly from them because of course, everybody and their brother will say, oh, I heard it, got this, and this is going this way or that way. But the screen actress guild was very clear. The only trust things that come from their various accounts and not from other sources. Hopefully they'll get it worked out soon and everybody can get back to work. And looks like at least a fall season for broadcast television has been saved. And yeah, movies and other shows can get back to production as well.

Sarah: Yeah, but not heels.

Will: No, sorry.

Sarah: I had to came in my mind and I was like, you just will open the door. Open the door. shout out to Stephen Amal, who such a polarizing figure. man, the good old essay. But anyways, well, progress.

We have a plan for what we're going to cover in January

Sarah: It's interesting because whenever there are these known breaks, you immediately get this sense of, oh my god, what are we going to talk about for X amount of shows? And we were feeling that way, but thankfully, one piece came out and, ahsoka, so we've been having that. And we know shows are coming, so we have a plan. We're going to get to all of the big ones that listeners who know us would expect us to cover. and then we're going to do our end of the year wrap up and start off January talking about God knows what. the last two years between Peacemaker and Last of US, we've had some pretty good content roll out in January. I'm not expecting that for 2024.

Will: Hey, you never know, we may find our next one piece.

Sarah: Exactly.

We have two episodes left in the series, including its penultimate episode

Sarah: Our next one piece, which, we have two episodes to talk about, including its penultimate episode, the Girl with the Sawfish Tattoo. But before that we had the episode six, which was the Chef and the Chore Boy and Will. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the other night I believe you texted me when you watched this episode and said that you teared up a little.

Will: I did.

Sarah: Not surprising.

Will: as I get older, the more sentimental I get.

Sarah: At what part did you tear up? Was it just the beginning?

Will: The end. The.

Sarah: End. The end. Okay.

This episode really sets up Sanji and Zeph's relationship well

Sarah: Do you want to elaborate on what?

Will: Yeah, I think, whenever Sanji and Zeph, whenever he finally leaves and he joins Luffy's crew and this whole break, just how they really set things up as far as their relationship and really did a great job of just showing why things are the way they are at the barrity as far as no waste and following your dreams. And it was just so many things that, this episode I think this season each episode gets better and better for me, and I get more drawn in to the point where I'm like, shoot, I got to wait. For God knows how long before we get season two because I didn't anticipate, getting so invested into the story and these characters, but I really have. And showing Sanji and Zeph how they met and their backstory in this episode. So whenever we did get to that ending and when Zeph, ah, encouraged Sanji to follow the dream that they both mutually had, it resonated with me. And I did get choked up, when Sanji was saying goodbye.

Sarah: Yeah, no, that's a fair point. And I was listening to Christian Harolov's reaction to this episode right before we started recording tonight, and he felt similarly about how this episode really fleshed out that dynamic between Zeph and Sanji. Sangi. Sangi. Sangi. Whatever. Saji.

Will: Saji.

Sarah: Yeah, I felt it four different ways on here, so there's that. but I was also thinking about how this whole season has just done a good job of really having an overall through line while setting up a world, while giving backstories to, the important characters. And not like this is the first episode where I will be honest, I think they could have made some different choices with the editing of the flashbacks, just because I'm very used to, okay, we're going to spend a little time in the past and then bring to the present a little time in the past. But, man, I felt like I was on that island thing with them, for 30 minutes. Okay, get going now.

Will: For me, that made the payoff, because that editing choice in this episode, it worked, right?

Sarah: Which I guess it did in the long run. It just took a moment for me to adjust to it, I should say. but I like how the flashbacks it's not just that they mirror what's going on in the present, and they don't even do that, which is a classic DC TV thing that we got used to with a lot of the Arrowverse shows. But it's more that we're going to show you the past of these characters so that you are more informed about their present behavior, which is such a smart writing choice, because you need to understand why these characters are like, the choices and the rationale, behind them, while at the same time maintaining some mystery. Like, you're just seeing a specific moment that informed who they are at the moment, but you're not seeing everything necessarily. There's a lot of gaps that are still to explore, especially with good old Grandpa Garpin. And think I think that in terms of this episode and the next episode, we're talking about, their penultimate episode. I liked how we didn't just leave. Zeth is still around, and actually, his interaction with Garp in the next episode, the penultimate episode, they earned it, because you really did feel like you got two father figures talking about their sons, who they wanted certain things for. so it was really smart. and I liked, I think do you think I like the penultimate better than Chef and the Choreboy? But we'll get there.

Will: We'll get there. Yeah, we'll get, but but to your point, that's the other thing. that the way they have structured their backstories and the color present day events, you're right. Whenever we do get various moments in this show, most of the time they are earned moments, and it's not just a plot contrivance. I think that's why, as I said, I did not anticipate that I would get so invested in this series, whenever we first started. But with the exception of maybe episode four, where I think both of us were kind of like, not so, down with the Black Cat Pirates and, I can't even remember their lead, korami or whatever, character. Yeah, he's so forgettable. That was the only time I actually maybe picked up my phone watching while watching this series, because he was such a forgettable guy. But otherwise I'm like locked. But and I think you're on whenever Zephyr and Sanji are on that island after getting, shipwrecked there and they do spend a lot of time there, but it does color. At the time, they sold a limited amount of stores as far as food and all. And of course, he sends them to the other side of the rock. And then whenever we do find out what truly does happen, it makes sense now for like, when we are introduced to these characters at the Barty in episode five, why there's no waste as far as everything is used. And also, again, those moments are like, earned. And it also explains why characters are the way they ah, it's from at the very beginning of the episode where Zeph is helping to stitch up Zorro. And at first, this was like, when I first happened, I was like.

Sarah: Why.

Will: Is he agreeing to do mean he has no interest in helping these folks out? especially given what we saw before with If he found out, like, if Sanji had fed that one guy the mill, he would lose it. And how he made Luffy earn his keep as far back pay off his debt and stuff. But then when things happen later, you're like, oh, I understand why he was willing to use the old pirate sailor trip to help Zoro out, keep him alive. This was a good, solid episode in that it was a lot of world building and character exploration with these folks. but also just some good adventure as.

The Black Cat pirates are fun and interesting, and the actors are having fun

Sarah: We got. We got Arlong and the first showdown between Arlong and, just this character of, He he has a big presence in the penultimate episode because he's like the big bad of this season. And the actor playing him, is having so much fun. Yeah, he's in all this makeup, but man, he is having fun. You could really tell that between the first time we see him in this most recent episode, that he was like, oh, you're giving me all these lines. I'm going to eat it all, up. I'm going to go all in on this and match the energy of some of the other actors in the main cast. and I think, like, Arlong and then, of course, Buggy head comes back up again.

Will: Let me in here.

Sarah: Oh my God. Buggy. Like, both of those actors are clearly having fun and clearly exuding this confidence of owning their character actions. And, just eating up the script where I think the Black Cat pirates, it felt too much like a caricature. It wasn't fun. It was stuff we have seen a million times, the whole ploy of it. And it's night and day difference, where Arlong is somewhat something we have seen before, too, because he talks a lot about fisherman rights and how he wants to overthrow the humans. And he's basically a gangster. I don't know how else to pull it. He's paying off the cops who are mouse. And then, he's taking over villages and getting payments for, quote, unquote, protection and doing all those stuff. So he's a gangster. but it's fun and it's interesting, and the actors portraying it are really owning it. great. I don't mind the few things where I'm like, I've seen that before.

Will: Yeah, you're right. A lot of times with prosthetics people, it doesn't work. But you're right. He is using the prosthetics to his benefit. And just the presence and, like you said, the voice and everything. You're mean I can't say anything more that you haven't said about, Arlong.

When did Zoro see the tattoo? Okay, I just want to know

Will: But one thing about Arlong, especially we do get the reveal in this episode that we find out that Nami, is is working for him. and I think back to was it the second episode where they were on their little ship? Where the first ship they had or was it another yeah. Where she contacted him. When I was watching that, I was like, did Sarah call Arlong and Nami? Did you call that okay. For some reason, I thought you I.

Sarah: Had, i, think that was at the very end of the first yeah, yeah. Where we hear her call someone.

Will: Right.

Sarah: And at that point, I don't even know. Arlong was a.

Will: But I didn't know. Especially after we saw Arlong get introduced in the second episode whenever in Buggy circus buggy.

Sarah: No, I wasn't even thinking about that. They did a very good job about not picking, that up. I think they purposely we didn't see the tattoo until this episode. No, we which which okay. I didn't see the tattoo. When the heck did Zoro see the tattoo? Okay, I just want to know because she clearly left while he was still okay, so so when did Zoro see the and yes. Yes. People, there better be this love triangle brewing between Sanji, Zoro, and Nami. Okay?

Will: Oh, yeah.

Sarah: I'm calling this stuff. And personally, I'm on Team Zoro, but Sanji is sanji, so who knows? Who knows? But it's not going to be Luffy. Luffy and Nami are like brother sister. Brother, sister. No, but no, I didn't call it. I wish I had. but like I said, they just did a very good job about that, and I like it. I don't feel like they're wasting my time. They're not introducing anyone, necessarily. That doesn't allow Luffy and crew to get something or to grow in an area where they're lacking, or to add another member of the crew. Even though the Black Cat Pirates were our least favorite episodes, they still allowed us to get the ship. They still allowed us to get, like, things were happening.

We have a major B storyline that I am shocked by how much I enjoy

Sarah: And on top of that, we have a major B storyline here that I am shocked by how much I really enjoy. The like. I'm not mad when we go back and forth because the dynamics between not just Garp and Colby, but I'm going to give a shout out to Haircut because Haircut has grown and, he's still very similar to when we first met him, but they've allowed him to also be viewed as he's not wrong, he's not right. He has a very interesting way to communicate things, and he does have this entitlement thing, but none of these characters are perfect. And in the penultimate episode, when they were at Bartide, I was just thinking about how much I really like Colby and Haircut conversations. Like, it's older brother, little brother type thing going on here. And I'm enjoying, so, like I said, I hate it when I feel as though they are wasting time with storylines that don't go anywhere that are kind of useless or not adding more or dealing with characters I don't like, but I like pretty much everyone. I will be honest, my least favorite character is Yusuf, but that's a whole nother conversation.

Will: Yeah, he's there, but I just feel like I don't know. We'll talk about that in a bit. but, yeah, as far as other things for episode six, before we move to seven, you're thinking about the dynamic with Cole, the Marines. You're right. And, of course, we get Mihawk reporting back to Garp after he lets Luffy go.

Garp and Kobe discuss letting Luffy be a pirate in this episode

Will: And also thinking of that, moving it forward to Kobe and, garp's discussion about changing tactics and allowing let Luffy be a pirate. And you see that you see, like, the, you know, after we learned that reveal, and we and we see the start of Garp trying to teach Luffy how to be a Marine, and it becoming very clear that the tactics that Garp continues to use, it's just not working. So it was very interesting when Kobe suggested that to him to let him be a pirate and treat him like but Garp took that as a way, like, okay, well, if he's going to be a pirate, then we're going to treat him like a pirate and not stop pulling my punches. which, you know, I don't know if Kobe was like, again, like you said, with Haircut. Haircut would not have been surprised to hear that, whereas Kobe was like, oh, I didn't mean for it to be that way. Kobe's a lot like Luffy, and he wants to aspire to be different from the.

Sarah: Yeah, Colby knows that Luffy is a good pirate, but Garp does not view it in that way, and it's not because he views it as all pirates are bad. He doesn't want Luffy to be a pirate because he always wanted Luffy to be a Marine, and he's not. I think it's a good conflict because I haven't seen one of these in a while. and I think it's in a relatable, conflict between a parental figure and a kid. And you're right. It's also at the same time, it mirrors Colby, having Luffy be a good pirate and having Colby be a good marine allows both sides to be gray. And for us to recognize that in this world, there's not necessarily bad guys and good guys. They are just, you're my enemy and you're my friend. however, this world wants to put people in those boxes, which causes divisiveness. but at the end of the day, we do learn about with Mihawk about the Marines getting, pirates to do their dirty work. And then we also see Arlong use the Marines to, not catch him and get paid. They're they're building a world that is relatable, but at the same time, just very fantasy. it's really well done.

This week's episode was heavy with flashbacks about Nami

Sarah: but yeah, that takes us do the girl with the sawfish tattoo, where we get our Nami flashback episode in Cocoa Village.

Will: Cocoa Village.

Sarah: very heavy with the flashbacks, rightfully so. This has been arguably the biggest mystery of the season is who is Nami? Where did she come from? And we get shown how she becomes part of Arlong's crew. And again, she's another one who we're dealing with a person who she's always been a that I like. That where we're introduced way before. Well, before Arlong gets there, she's already stealing, which which allows another mystery, like, why did she want that book? What is with her in maps? She always says she hates pirates. She's been on a crew, she clearly understands them. like I said, I think I said this before, even though we're getting flashbacks, they're still not enough to say, like, I know everything about this character, which is great. but what are some of your takeaways from the girl with the selfish tattoo?

Will: Yeah, to my point earlier about wishing there were more episodes this season, this one, this was the one where I was just like, man, I need more. I know we got one left, but I need more. Because yeah, they really did open the door to NAMI's background. Like you said, she's always been a thief, but it was in a furtherance of something. she was a navigator, and we see why she was a navigator. I mean, from a very early age, she was drawing maps and seems like she was the one who drew the map to the grand line from her stealing the books and stuff. this episode, it was definitely very heavy, and especially very heartbreaking on the one hand. especially once we see, how Nami and her adopted sister were, paired together and how Arlong has this history with this village. And then, of course, the sadness of it is Nami was doing all these know, she put that cold, hard exterior because of what happened to her adopted mother, because and her mean whenever people that were close to her, she lost them. I guess her defense mechanism with the straw hats was to try not to get too close because she didn't want to have a repeat of what she witnessed whenever she was a little girl. Happened to.

Will: m.

Sarah: ah

Sarah: have this great change of character and also who she becomes by the end of the series. So I think they are doing a good job with thrawn is exactly how I expect him to be. So that's why I'm not gushing over him. Because, again, just like I said last week, he has yet to do anything that really surprises me.

Will: Yeah.

Sarah: And I'm not saying that to be like a negative.

Will: No.

Sarah: It's more like just meeting my expectations.

Will: And I think that's totally even though there was one line where I did kind of like, wait a minute, now you're saying whenever he was talking about when he found out about Anakin being Ahsoka's master yeah. And he was like, so, yeah, just like your master, you're unpredictable, but then he goes and contradicts it because he says, well, maybe he didn't contradict it himself. I think the writing contradicts it by him being able to predict someone's actions who's supposed to be unpredictable.

Sarah: Yeah, I honestly don't remember that, but the way you're explaining it to me, that sounds a bit contradictory. I was too much like, you.

Will: Know.

Sarah: You know that.

Will: Again, having he's being totally consistent with the character that we saw in Rebels, not wasted resources, doing what he's letting sort of things play out. as far as, as we saw it in this episode, as far as breaking off pursuits, because he's always thinking two steps ahead of everybody else.

Sarah: But he's exuding what Balin told Shiv.

Will: Yeah. And that's the beautiful thing about.

Sarah: And that's another thing about Thrawn, is I love how much he does not like down. And that must what happened to him. He's all given Elsby, like the eye. I'm like, dude, your competition so interesting.

Will: Which is funny too, given that he's familiar with Balin, but I guess maybe he is familiar with the General Balin from back in the Clone War days versus this current Balin who is know, fuck the Order, I'm going to do my own thing. Fuck the Sith, I'm doing my own know that's something that he can't anticipate.

Sarah: Well, I think now, having not known Thrawn that long, but what I understand, especially his dynamic with doesn't trust he doesn't trust Jedi. And in his mind, you were a Jedi. Even though you claim not to be anymore, you're still a Jedi. He doesn't think people can change. so he doesn't trust so I think Balin by proxy for Anakin, you're able to see that more that distrust for fallen Jedi.

Will: You totally see that. Yeah, that's a very good point. That's a very good point. Especially, yeah, because I know that there's the whole legend story where Thrawn and Vader do interact and they're doing a nice job, like you said, using Bailen as the proxy there for.

Sarah: He, and even though he's patient and getting things in order, he's still like, I want the fuck off this planet. I am ready to go.

Will: Let's go. I got the hold. The cargo hold is about full.

One thing that bothers me about this episode is the title

Sarah: now as we wrap up, I think another thing that bothers me about this episode is, they've been very good about Titling, the episodes. And so when I see dreams and madness appear and then I watch this episode, still very questioning why the heck they chose that.

Will: Yeah.

Sarah: Don't get it.

Will: Yeah, that's a good point. I was thinking that too, especially when I watched it again last night and saw the title and I'm like, yeah, I'm trying to see whose dreams, whose madness. Yeah, maybe.

Sarah: They tell us now after the opening credit scene. This is what the episode is called because it's supposed to give you an idea of, okay, this is what the episode is going to be about. And yet with all the fighting and action stuff, I'm like, where's the madness? Where's dream madness?

Will: Maybe it's a little bit of foreshadowing because as much as about what's going on here. Because there's the dreams know, we haven't talked about hera and her court martial at the beginning of the episode, but, the dreams of the New Republic being, we're a peaceful society now and we can sand down the arms and stuff. And I will say, I was glad that three PO did show up. And M again tie all of this back to sort of ground us in the pre existing universe stories. as far know, having Leia being Leia's proxy, and then also even Carson Tiva sharing that the incidental, Mandalore, which again helps us establish where we are as far as time period now that we're after season three of Mandalorian. So, I did like those moments. And even Chopper ready to throw hands whenever the mere droid line was thrown out there. Those are some of the highlight. Other, I like the start of the episode. And also Mon Motha being like, okay, what's the real story here? Is a threat really as bad as you are making it out to? like, that was a good tying back. It's a little small piece of the episode, but it was good sort of tying everything back to the Star Wars home galaxy. as far as the looming threat, which could get to a little into. So I don't know if it fits into what you're saying as far as the title, but no, they should have.

Sarah: Named it it's complicated.

Will: Yeah.

Sarah: Which is how I feel about this entire season. Which shouldn't be surprising to anybody, where I do honestly want to like this show. And I did for about two episodes. And then I have some issues, especially with Sabine, where I feel like there's a lot of planting of seeds and not enough actual growth, actually moving these characters to unexpected places, and also just to have insight, or self realization.

Will: It'S funny you say that, because one of the things, when I was watching it, I even mentioned to my wife, I was this there's a lot of set up here for season two. They're either a season two or they're going to carry some of these story threads into Mandalorian season four, or eventually into the Filoni movie. and I can understand why for, someone who hasn't who didn't watch Rebels or Clone Wars, how that can be frustrating. Because I think for me, I'm enjoying it because I have that, I guess, emotional, that connection of it being like a continuation of a story that I've been entered, you know, that I've known these characters from before. Whereas I think for casual viewers like you, who didn't watch the animated stuff, I can see where it would be frustrating to hear. It's complicated.

Sarah: Right. Well, you just heard me talk during one piece. I don't like feeling as though things are wasting time.

Will: Yeah.

Sarah: I like movement. And I'm not saying we're not having movement. Clearly, we are. Everyone's on Paridia, but at the same time, it's at such a slow pace, and they're not spending nearly enough time on the Not Turtle people, because that should be at least an entire episode of just chilling with those guys. Those guys seem awesome. I just adore them. I will give them this. I have adored a lot of the creatures that they've introduced, especially within the last two episodes.

Will: Yeah.

Sarah: And there's something about Paridia that I just, from a cinematography perspective, really enjoy it. visually, there's a mix of Lord of the Rings, there's a mix of Dune. There's just this epicness about that. it's a perfect setting for especially the Balon storyline. I'm not hate watching this.

Will: Oh, I know. When you're hate watch.

Sarah: Yeah. I get frustrated by things when I'm like I want to like this more than it's actually than I actually do. I want to like it. Really like it.

Will: I hear you. Over the time we've both been in those shoes with respective shows that we've watched together. you're right. I completely get where you're coming from for the reasons that I stated before.

Sarah: With the not turtle people.

Will: With the not turtle people.

Sarah: Get grogu in there, it'd be a whole picnic. Do a musical episode. Not turtle people with grogu. Please make that happen. And I think that is it for me tonight.

You can find Will and Polk on X and Twitter, respectively

Sarah: So, on that note, Will, why don't you tell our listeners where they can find you?

Will: Yes, you, can find me. On X or Twitter at ah, Will and Polk willmmpolk and you can find me at SJ.

Sarah: Belmont. S-J-B-L-M-O-N-T. Please follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter at Senard. Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Threads at Scene, underscore N, underscore Nerd, and visit our website, WW sceneandnerdpodcast.com. But most importantly, rate follow and comment on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Good night. Geek out. You're welcome