Raven On Podcast

Can you believe it's finale time?! The eighth and final episode of House of the Dragon is here, and Nat and Tom are ready to deep dive like a dragon off the cliffs of Dragonstone. Yeah, that's a metaphor that kind of works. Everyone had something going on in this episode: Rhaena's chasing a mangy feral; Tyland meets a gender-bending admiral; Aegon takes his bad leg (and sizzled wang) on the run; Aemond goes nuts; Helaena seems to be able to drop in on Daemon's dreams; and Rhaenyra and Alicent have a final epic confrontation. Thank you so much for listening to us this season; particularly as we navigate podcasting without the massive talent and presence of the one and only Stuart Layt. He would have loved this season so much.

Tom is in Edinburgh prepping a show, and Natalie is also in a very glamourous location (her couch), but nothing can stop them talking all things HotD penultimate episode! Rhaenyra's dragonriding auditions hit full swing with more misses than hits, but still, hits that count. Oscar Tully is everyone's new favourite Daemon-slapping young leader, Ser Larys is shenanigan-ing in the capital, and Alicent has gone bush. One more episode to go! Eeek!

Lordy lordy, quite a saucy moment at the, ahem, climax of this week's episode of House of the Dragon. Nat & Tom break down the magic moment between Rhaenyra and Mysaria; Alicent's terrible relationships with her sons; Daemon's psychological breakthrough at Harrenhal; and the continuing effects of all this on the "Smallfolk" of the title. Plus dragon riding is tougher than you might think; unless you're the right person, of course. Enjoy!

Nat and Tom are back to deconstruct Daemon's dodgy dream in this week's House of the Dragon. The Harrenhal ergot is wild, man. It's a slower episode after the fire and blood of last time, but there's still a lot of great moments and characters wallowing in frustration to make for excellent discussions: Alicent getting mansplained out of a job; Rhaenyra and Jace hoping to plant some new seeds; Aegon's crispy dilemma; the Riverlords getting hella mad. Enjoy!

NO NO NO NO NO WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING Sigh. You watch Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon for a decade and yet you STILL don't think you're going to have your heart broken. We sweet summer children. Tom's in France, but has found an hour away from the champagne and fromage to chat to Natalie about the epic Battle of Rooks Rest, and its terrible climax. Plus - Aegon really wants to matter, Alicent's starting to give no f***s, and Daemon is going slightly mad. Also, at one point, Natalie references a weird-ass thumping dance track from the 90s called "Dead Eyes Opened". It looks as it was originally from an Australian band in 1983, but then it was pumped up in '94, and that's the one Natalie remembers. It's here if you want to take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJJ5WEmW5OI

As Tom says to Nat in this episode re: nudity: "ask and ye shall receive". There's a lot to this week's HotD, but surely Hot D itself is a... well.... large part of it. Join Nat and Tom as they deep dive into Alicent and Rhaenyra's reunion, the arrival of Sir Simon as Ser Simon, Ser Gwayne the Green Knight and more. There's also updates on the impending British election, AND a tangent about why Nat's brain might not be functioning properly. Enjoy!

Nat and Tom are back for more Hot D, and it's all go go go as King Aegon seeks revenge for a little dynastic trouble he's had imposed on him. There's a focus on what the role the smallfolk will play in the battles ahead, as well as some proper acting, tantrums, twin talk, and more. There's also a little Doctor Who season finale wrap-up, plus a bit of chatter about the bonkers British election, or "gennie lec" as the kids might say. Natalie also forgets to do the regular "where you can find us" should out, so just in case - it's @girlclumsy and @tomsalinsky on Twitter/X, www.patreon.com/girlclumsy and www.facebook.com/nataliesthrone. Enjoy!

By the Old Gods and new, this is a very strange thing - to be delighted to be back in Westeros, but still so sad our wonderful friend and bloodrider Stuart Layt isn't here to lead the way with his booming laugh and unparalled knowledge of all things House of the Dragon. While of course Stu is irreplaceable, it's wonderful to welcome podcast regular Tom Salinsky onboard to help steer the dragon through Season 2 of HotD. There's lots to chew over in this first instalment, including the return (briefly) of the Starks, Alicent and Cristan Cole-dancing, Rhaenyra's grief, Aegon's magnanimity, and a terrible crime to wrap it all up.

Singing! Goblins! Singing Goblins! New Doctor! New Companion! It's all happening in Ncuti Gatwa's first full episode as The Doctor in The Church on Ruby Road. John and Tom from the Best Pick Pod join Natalie to recap this Christmas episode, complete with babe left outside a church on Christmas Eve, goblin karaoke, mysterious set-ups for future episodes, and Davina McCall (who is a big deal in the UK, apparently).

The trio of Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials concludes with "The Giggle", in which Neil Patrick Harris has the time of his life with a dance number to a song very close to Natalie's heart. Once again she's joined by Tom and John from the Best Pick Pod to deep dive into David Tennant's last(?) outing as the Fourteenth Doctor and (spoiler!) Ncuti Gatwa's first appearance as the Fifteenth. Thanks for listening to these podcast specials, which of course have been our first since losing the lion-hearted, Doctor Who-loving genius that was Stuart Layt. We know he would have loved them.

It's the second 60th anniversary special, and Natalie is joined once more by Tom and John from the Best Pick Pod to discuss "Wild Blue Yonder". It turns out you can have a slightly-too-cutesy-and-quite-naff pre-credit sequence and then switch things up for a fabulously creepy episode set at the edge of the universe. Enjoy!

Kittens! This is WEIRD. It is WEIRD to podcast without the genius that is Stuart Layt. WEIRD, and NOT RIGHT. Sadly Stu passed away three months ago, and boy am I still mad about it. Particularly since he LOVED Doctor Who with his whole soul. But I am so glad that Tom Salinsky from the brilliant Best Pick Pod reached out about joining forces to recap the David Tennant 60th anniversary specials. And so here it is - Who's Raven On with Tom and John from the Best Pick Pod, chatting all things Star Beast. This same podcast will appear on their feed (albeit with a different top and tail!). I hope you enjoy it. Much love, wonderful listeners.

Hello, my friends. I'm sorry it's been so long. I've recorded a little chat just about Stu, and what it's been like without him, and what might happen next with the podcast. I hope you can take a listen if/when you're up to it. I hope you are all well and happy, wonderful listeners. Much love. xoxo MoK.

Lookout! Natalie's got herself a soundboard and isn't afraid to use it. Will this be enough to alienate Stu? Probably not, because he loves these dang movies too much. When Agent Hobbes needs to take down a car-based baddie, of course he turns to Dom's car-based superhero crew. They hit London to make those stupid Brits look even stupider, and track down the badass Owen Shaw. There's a chase through the Monopoly board, Rita Ora in hot pants, and Letty's back from the dead. Enjoy!

Well HELLO sunshine! Nat & Stu head to Rio de Janeiro for the most ridiculous - and dare we say - most fun instalment of the Fast & Furious franchise so far. Your intrepid hosts are joined by the uber-clever Tom Salinsky from London, a PROPER critic who's ready to throw down in support of the franchise and all it stands for. There's The Rock's beefiness, Vin Diesel's meatiness, Gal Gadot's butt and so much more in this super fun heist caper that features a Scooby gang of car-based criminals. Enjoy!

In an eclectic turn, this podcast features all manner of pop culture subjects including the classic Australian series "Underbelly", the classic English detective series "Vera", and the classic time Nat & Stu watched a porno. That might give you an indication of how much the fourth instalment of the Fast & Furious franchise - conveniently called "Fast & Furious" - held the attention of your erstwhile hosts. Still, there's a bit to dive into about the film, including its somewhat familiar plot, obsession with tunnels, and big twist reveal. Enjoy!

With Vin Diesel and Paul Walker seemingly gone for good, The Fast & The Furious franchise tries to reboot, Tokyo-style, with a whole new cast of racing identities across the Pacific. The kid from American Gothic gets sent to Japan as punishment for illegal street racing, and immediately gets caught up in a whole new set of illegal street races. Nat & Stu dissect it all, including the creepy relationship between the "Drift King" and his girlfriend, the girlfriend's weird Australian accent, and how Han was so cool they go on to bend time around him. Also, Natalie stuns Stu with the revelation that she once dragged race at an official raceway outside venue. Stu cannot believe she would bury this on a podcast he doesn't believe many people will listen to - so prove him wrong! Enjoy.

Nat and Stu re-start their engines for the second instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise: 2 Fast 2 Furious. Brian O'Connor is back - no longer a cop, he makes his money from what else, illegal street racing. But he's given a chance to clear his records by what else, going undercover to run cash for a drug baron. There's no Vin Diesel, but there is Tyrese. Also Ludacris. It's a rappers' delight. Together they WILL jump a car onto a boat. This ep also sees the introduction of commentary by Natalie's brother and F&F fanatic, Simon. Enjoy!

Happy 2023! Nat & Stu return for the new year with a new podcast subsection analytical thingy - it's Revvin' On! Your hosts are beginning their road trip with 2001's franchise origin story "The Fast and the Furious". It's Paul Walker as an undercover cop infiltrating Vin Diesel's street-racing crew. There's cars! Nitrous! Absolutely no bras whatsoever! And a sweaty film of grease covering everyone! Enjoy!

One year and two months after seeing the film in the cinema, Nat & Stu finally return to do their long-promised (or long-threatened?) deep dive into the 25th Bond movie, No Time To Die. It turns out not being furious about the film's big plot twist makes the viewing experience more pleasant, as both hosts are more receptive to this film second time around. There's still a bit of confusion over the plot, but hey, when you're working with NANOBOTS! anything can happen. This is the last podcast for 2022 - have a safe and happy New Year and we'll see you in 2023 for more vocal shenanigans!