Overview of The Watch (The Ringer)
This episode of The Watch (hosts Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald) covers recent pop-culture trailers and TV/movie news, deep-dives into three TV shows (The Pit S2E11, The Madison premiere, Top Chef S23E2), and reactions to major trailers (Dune: Part Three; Spider-Man: Brand New Day). The conversation mixes synopsis, criticism, casting/creative context, and the hosts’ takes on tone, execution, and industry implications.
Hosts & episode format
- Hosts: Chris Ryan (editor, The Ringer) and Andy Greenwald (co-host).
- Structure: Quick hits (trailers/news) → show-by-show breakdowns (The Pit, The Madison, Top Chef) → listener mail and tangents (mask/toy nostalgia, Paradise references).
- Tone: Conversational, opinion-forward, industry-aware.
Key topics discussed
Dune: Part Three (trailer)
- Reaction: Hosts loved the trailer—calls it a palate cleanser and “seatting” material.
- Creative/production notes:
- New cinematographer: Linus Sandgren replaces Greig Fraser.
- Anya Taylor‑Joy has a larger role (appeared in Part Two’s end).
- Brian K. Vaughan co-wrote the screenplay with Denis Villeneuve.
- Quick turnaround: trailer/release cycle felt fast (film set for December); competing release date with an Avengers film noted.
- Tone expectations: Expect darker, epic conclusion; many notable actors have small but high-profile parts.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (trailer)
- Director: Destin Daniel Cretton (replaces Jon Watts).
- Returning cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya; Michael Mando returns (previous role referenced).
- Creative notes & concerns:
- Trailer teases “The Other”/spider-avatar/organic-web-storyline (controversial comic arc) and possible “spider adolescence.”
- Rumored voice/character Ezekiel (Keith David) heard in trailer.
- Online reaction about some VFX shots and muted color palette — could be unfinished shots or stylistic choice.
- Hosts are cautiously optimistic: strong leads (Holland/Zendaya) are big assets; concerns about darker tone and over-reliance on heavy VFX/action.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot (Hulu pilot not moving forward)
- Reported developments:
- Chloe Zhao directed the pilot; Ryan Kiera Armstrong cast as the new Slayer.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar publicly criticized an unnamed Hulu executive for not supporting the project; Variety reported Hulu was disappointed in the pilot (coverage/style/late cameo by Gellar).
- Creative friction: Feature auteur (Zhao) stepping into TV pilot format may have caused tonal/coverage issues; balancing legacy Buffy presence with a new lead proved difficult.
- Takeaway: Reboots with legacy anchors are hard to balance; execution matters more than attachment of high-profile names.
The Pit — Season 2, Episode 11 (discussion)
- General reaction: Strong episode that leans into characters’ deterioration under systemic stress; season darker and more character-wearied than first season’s adrenaline.
- Key beats:
- ICE agents scene (masked enforcement figures entering emergency room) — effective direction and tense staging; the sequence is controversial and was reportedly discussed with Warner Bros. Discovery execs during production.
- Nurse Jesse gets handcuffed—raises stakes (and open questions about legal/future implications).
- Roxy’s death handled off-screen; emotional resonance explored via characters’ reactions.
- Langdon/Santos confrontation advances simmering tension (Langdon’s past misconduct/recovery).
- Characters shown as fallible: exhaustion, side gigs, and decisions bleeding into care quality.
- Production/industry note: John Wells (EP) reportedly consulted parent company about portrayal of politically charged content (immigration/ICE).
The Madison — Series premiere
- Creators: Taylor Sheridan (known for Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown).
- Cast/highlights: Kurt Russell, Matthew Fox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams.
- Tone: Described as Sheridan’s gentlest, most romantic show; cinematic production values (Montana locations, fly-fishing setup).
- Format observation: Hosts note story could have worked as a feature given its tone and contained premise; Sheridan’s TV style is “featurey” and often expands into serialized arcs.
- Pilot notes: Opening rapport between Russell and Fox praised; pilot quickly moves to tragedy (plane crash) setting up grief/reinvention for Pfeiffer’s character.
Top Chef — Season 23, Episode 2
- Quickfire: Talenti-sponsored quickfire; surprisingly compelling — savory focus and a sorbet interlock requirement made it substantive.
- Elimination challenge: Extreme pepper progression (very spicy pepper test) — producers/chefs took risk; cooking quality across contestants is high.
- Results: Chef Jossie eliminated for (per hosts) failing the hottest pepper challenge and serving improperly cooked protein; Nana’s mixed performance debated but not eliminated.
- Overall: Hosts impressed by higher caliber of contestants and production choices this season.
Main takeaways
- Dune Part Three trailer generated strong excitement — creative team changes and Brian K. Vaughan’s involvement seen as wins; fast turnaround signals confidence.
- Spider-Man trailer is commercially promising but raises creative questions (tone shift, adaptation of a divisive comic arc, VFX work).
- Rebooting legacy IP (Buffy) is delicate: auteur sensibilities + TV pilot constraints can clash; network/studio gatekeeping and fan expectations complicate outcomes.
- The Pit continues to be compelling TV by exploring the wear-and-tear of medical work; politically charged scenes (ICE agents) add risk and narrative weight.
- The Madison stands out visually and emotionally; Sheridan’s approach feels cinematic/feature-ready, which can be a strength or create serialized padding.
- Top Chef’s new season shows stronger cooking and bolder challenge design — early episodes already feel elevated.
Notable quotes & insights
- On Dune trailer: “Consider me fucking seated.” (strong positive reaction)
- On Spider-Man: “Spider-Man is maybe the most perfect superhero idea” — caution against turning him too dark/brooding.
- On survival in Paradise (tangent): “The most crucial aspect to survival is unlimited access to econo-sized cans of beans. And Sterno.”
- On TV vs feature directing: Feature auteurs can struggle with TV pilot coverage and episodic demands; sometimes a safer TV hand for pilots + guest auteur episodes mid-season is a better model.
Recommendations / what to watch next
- Watch: Dune: Part Three trailer (and follow release updates—December slated), Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer (and judge VFX once final shots/release version arrives).
- TV to preview: Continue The Pit (current season), check out The Madison (pilot), follow Top Chef Season 23.
- For fans of Brian K. Vaughan: Revisit his comics (Saga, Y: The Last Man, Paper Girls) to see how his voice might influence Dune Part Three.
Sponsors & promotional notes (from the episode)
- Pharmaceutical ad: Tremfaya — treatment messaging (Crohn’s/ulcerative colitis).
- Streaming ad: Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (Netflix) — in select theaters March 6, Netflix March 20.
- Other paid messages: Volkswagen (encouragement to be an outcast/veer off course); Apple Card (daily cash back/promotional).
Quick final verdicts from the hosts
- Dune: Part Three — high excitement, strong confidence.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day — commercially secure but creatively cautious; strong leads buy audience goodwill.
- Buffy reboot — messy, example of the peril in mixing auteur film director + franchise pilot demands.
- The Pit — continuing must-watch; season grows darker and more character-driven.
- The Madison — visually sumptuous, emotionally poised; could have been a feature but TV affords long-form grief exploration.
- Top Chef S23 — elevated roster and bold challenges make the season promising.
(Hosts sign off with typical episode housekeeping: listener emails, social links, and preview for next episode topics.)