Conversate with Akeem D. Earle

Akeem is joined by Conversate cohosts LaToya Archibald and Tonee Earle for a double feature discussion of The Odyssey and Spider Man.

First, the crew heads to Ithaca to debate one deceptively difficult question: Is Odysseus actually a hero?

They unpack Odysseus' leadership, ego and responsibility for the men who followed him, Christopher Nolan's decision not to physically depict the gods, the line between fate and the consequences of our own choices, Penelope's nearly two decades of waiting, and whether any of them would have continued following Odysseus after everything went wrong.

Then it's time for Spider Man.

The conversation turns to where the latest film ranks among Tom Holland's Spider Man movies, whether introducing this version of Peter Parker through Iron Man and the Avengers ultimately hurt his development, Jean Grey's arrival, Sadie Sink's performance and Peter Parker's continued struggle to accept responsibility, loss and adulthood.

Plus: Would Spider Man survive the Power universe? Did Peter Parker need therapy more than another villain? And if you could only watch The Odyssey or Spider Man for the rest of your life, which are you choosing?

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains full spoilers for both movies.

00:00 Welcome to Conversate
01:49 Ithaca or MCU New York?
05:24 Rating The Odyssey
10:40 The IMAX experience
14:20 Rating Spider Man
18:10 Reading The Odyssey before watching
21:04 Is Odysseus actually a hero?
25:56 Nolan's depiction of the gods
31:50 Would you follow Odysseus?
34:31 Would you wait 20 years for your husband?
38:36 Penelope, Telemachus and the throne
43:18 Agamemnon's unforgivable decision
44:45 Best scenes and performances in The Odyssey
51:17 Let's talk Spider Man
51:35 Ranking Tom Holland's Spider Man movies
53:38 Has Marvel failed Tom Holland's Spider Man?
56:19 Spider Man enters the Power universe
57:48 Jean Grey and Sadie Sink
01:01:40 Peter Parker's pain and loss
01:04:17 Why hasn't Peter Parker matured?
01:06:37 Peter Parker needs therapy
01:08:37 Best Spider Man scenes and performances
01:12:12 Which movie could you watch forever?
01:14:11 Was Travis Scott the right choice?
01:17:25 Final thoughts