Game of Thrones S4E8 "The Mountain and the Viper": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush June 3, 2014

In an episode featuring the amazing showdown between Oberyn and the Mountain its disappointing that the rest of the episode didn't live up to those heights. Full points go to the big fight with Tyrion's life in the balance, meanwhile Littlefinger continues to scheme, Sansa grows up, Arya reaches the Eyrie and Daenerys looses an adviser.

Game of Thrones S4E7 "Mockingbird": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush May 20, 2014

Tyrion finds a champion, Aria gets more revenge, Jon suggests a radical plan and Littlefinger uses the Moon Door.

Game of Thrones S4E6 "The Laws of Gods and Men": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush May 13, 2014

As is typically the case with Game of Thrones, they followed last weeks plotting episode with one that marks another change to the status quo . Tyrion's trial is really the show stopper this week but we also get some great scenes with Danny, Stannis and finally catch up with Yarra and her attempt to save Theon/Reek.

Game of Thrones S4E5 "First of His Name": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush May 6, 2014

This weeks episode didnt have a lot of plot development but we did get some great character work. Tommen gets crowned, Cersei pines for her daughter, Aria water dances, Sansa meets her aunt and Jon takes on the mutineers.

Game of Thrones S4E4 "Oathkeeper": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush April 29, 2014

Jaime pays his brother a visit, Margaery learns the truth of Joffrey's murder, Brienne is given a new mission, Jon recruits a ranging party and Craster's final son is born.

Game of Thrones S4E3 "Breaker of Chains": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush April 22, 2014

One week after the royal murder we aren't much closer to finding the truth. Margery laments her luck with husbands, Tywin gets his hooks in Tommen, Oberyn is brought into the fold, the Hound is still a bad guy and the Nights Watch get a new mission. Everything is discussed in this weeks Tower of Babble Game of Thrones breakdown.

Game of Thrones S4E2 "A Lion and the Rose": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush April 14, 2014

Any fears of season 4 being slow were quickly put to rest after this weeks episode of everyone's favorite wedding show: Game of Thrones. "A Lion and the Rose" didn't waste any time getting us back into the throw of things in Westeros. We catch up with those we missed last week and watch as a mystery unfolded before us. Game of Thrones might have returned to HBO last week but now its officially back!

Game of Thrones: S4E1 "Two Swords": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush April 9, 2014

The return of Game of Thrones for its fourth season brings with it the latest Tower of Babble Breakdown. Daniel D'Souza and Julian Meush sit down to discuss the latest from Westeros and beyond. While we catch up with most of the major players, we also mourn Ice, sympathize with Jamie and root for Aria to retrieve something she lost.

Oct 19, 2025

Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - Kingpin (1996)

Before Matt officially joined the show as a co-host he was invited on as guest to talk about one of his favourite movies of all time, ‘Swingers’. Now returning in an official capacity to the ToB Film Club, he brings with him another film from his top-3, another comedy, ‘Kingpin’. A Farrelly brothers film that followed up their smash hit breakout, ‘Dumb and Dumber’, and you can see the through lines. Like ‘Dumb and Dumber’ we follow two guys who are down on their luck as they head out on the road where chaos and hilarity ensue. Unfortunately it wasn’t the hit they hoped despite a killer cast, including legends Bill Murray, Randy Quaid and Woody Harrelson and as a result it didn't leave as large of a cultural footprint as some of the other Farrelly brothers films from this era. It's been nearly 30 years so now seems as good a time as any to revisit this sleeper and see what everyone was missing back then.

Oct 9, 2025

Episode 200 - Meet Matt!

After an extended hiatus, ToB returns with a fresh voice on the second chair. Julian is joined by long-time friend of the show, Matt Tworek. We spend this first episode of the "new" ToB getting to know him and setting up what else is to come.

Jun 5, 2025

SSSW - Tales of the Underworld

Lucasfilm Animation has been hard at work on their next major project, 'Maul: Shadow Lord', but they've found the time to deliver another installment in their "Tales of" anthology series. The first ones covering the Jedi and the Empire, they now turn their focus towards the Underworld. However, be warned, this is a bit of a misnomer. Don't expect any crime syndicates or really any large scale criminality here. These 2 mini-arcs instead focus on Asajj Ventress (I know, not the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions the Underworld) as she assists a young Jedi on the run from the Empire, and the origin story of Cad Bane. Which admittedly is closer in line with the criminal underworld concept, but is really more interested in telling a western style revenge story instead. All in all, despite the always great visuals and sound/music design, and few interesting ideas, there's not enough meat on the bone here to satisfy most viewers. But most disappointing is its failure to capitalize on the potential of the Underworld concept.

May 22, 2025

SSSW/ToB Film Club - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

It's hard to believe that 'Rogue One' premiered nearly a decade ago. At the time, it was fairly well received, considered to be a decent first step into the standalone Star Wars movies, if not a bit messy. As the years passed, we learned more about the production. Gareth Edwards, who retained sole directing credit, was assisted by Tony Gilroy to "fix" the project. Tony went so far as to call it a "corpse" when he came aboard for rewrites and reshoots. It was Tony's inclusion that brought us some of the movies most memorable moments, and ultimately led him to leading the charge on 'Andor', a prequel project that flew under the radar as hits like 'The Mandalorian' hogged the spotlight. With 'Andor' now complete, considered by many to be a masterpiece in storytelling, not just in Star Wars but on television in general, now is the most appropriate time to reexamine the movie that spawned the Cassian-centered prequel series with fresh eyes. 'Andor', which leads directly into the events of 'Rogue One' recontextualizes much of the film, creating a unique viewing experience that pays off a multitude of threads that are brilliantly laid over the two seasons of 'Andor'. It takes the movie, which was already pretty good, and makes it great. Now existing as part of a whole that weaves a cohesive narrative from the nascent moments of the Rebellion all the way through to the destruction of the Death Star in 1977 (the seed that begat ALL Star Wars, and what we appropriately align our Star Wars BBY calendars to). It all feels wholistic and considered when viewed from the broader perspective - an accomplishment that should set a shining example of what Star Wars can and should aspire to.