2026 has officially kicked off, and the Pop Docs are looking ahead to the movies and television shows they are most excited to see in the new year! In this episode, the Pop Docs begin with a brief discussion of the cancellation of the Wheel of Time television series (with a side of Joseph's mourning concerning the Chiefs' disappointing 2025 campaign). Afterwards, the Pop Docs run down their top five most anticipated movies and television shows set to debut in 2026. There will be talk of fashion, superheroes, and dragons! Mild spoilers may abound.

• Introduction: 0:00-2:05
• Wheel of Time Discussion: 2:06-6:09
• The Pop Docs' Top Five Lists: 6:10-40:18
• Books We Are Reading and Bookstore Shout-Out: 40:19-52:00

Bookstore shout-out!

Liberty Books
176 W Crogan St.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
https://www.libertybooks.us/

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The Wheel of Time season three has arrived, and the Pop Docs have thoughts on this new turning. Did Rhuidean meet Deni's expectations? Has Joseph enjoyed Mat's storyline? Listen to find out the answers to these questions and so much more! Book and show spoilers included--free of charge!

• Introduction: 0:00-6:17
• Episode One Discussion: 6:18-24:29
• Two Rivers Discussion: 24:30-45:34
• Proto-Tanchico Discussion: 45:35-59:20
• Aiel Waste Discussion: 59:21-1:10:32
• Books We Are Reading and Bookstore Shout-Out: 1:10:33-1:17:42

Bookstore shout-out!

Writer's Block Bookstore
316 N. Park Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
https://www.writersblockbookstore.com/

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The wheel has woven a new season for The Wheel of Time television show, and the marketing is furiously spinning out trailers, promos, and posters in anticipation. The Pop Docs are here to discuss the first full scene and trailer for the new season. Hear Joseph's eagerness to learn more about the past! Listen as Deni describes her excitement to see Perrin do something this season! As always, spoilers abound, particularly for the first two seasons of The Wheel of Time and books one through five in the series!

• Introduction: 0:00-7:50
• WoT Season 1 and 2 discussion: 7:51-15:14
• WoT preview discussion: 15:15-23:38
• WoT Season 3 trailer discussion: 23:39-58:00
• Books We Are Reading and Bookstore Shout-Out: 58:01-1:09:33

Bookstore shout-out!

Sunshine Book Co.
647 Lake Ave.
Clermont, FL 34711
https://www.sunshinebookco.com/

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Spooky season may have ended but its passing will not deter the Pop Docs from discussing their favorite monsters in media! Hear the Pop Docs list their top 5 monster-related media after a discussion of one of their new faves--What We Do in the Shadows! Listener beware, spoilers abound!

Introduction: 0:00-1:35
What We Do in the Shadows Discussion: 1:36-15:00
Monster Media Rankings: 15:01-1:02:00
Books We Are Reading and Bookstore Shout-Out: 1:02:01-1:11:26

Bookstore shout-out!

Wicked Good Books
260 Essex St.
Salem, MA 01970
https://sillybunnysalem.com/

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The Pop Docs have had a busy summer, headlined on the pop culture front by San Diego Comic Con and season 2 of House of the Dragon. In this episode, the Pop Docs recap the Con and review HotD's second season before diving into descriptions about the upcoming season of the Rings of Power. As always, spoilers abound!

Introduction: 0:00-2:45
San Diego Comic Con: 2:46-17:52
House of the Dragon-Season 2 Review: 17:53-50:56
Rings of Power Discussion: 50:57-1:20:32
Books We Are Reading and Bookstore Shout-Out: 1:20:33-1:28:44

Bookstore shout-out!

Mitzi's Books
510 Main Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
https://mitzisbooks.com/

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It must be trailer season because we have been blessed with a multitude of previews for upcoming movies and television shows. The Pop Docs use the release of recent trailers as a reason to dive into several franchises and share whether they are excited or indifferent for the upcoming offerings. Hear Deni's excitement for Bridgerton season 3 tempered by Netflix's two-part release! Share in Joseph's lamentations over the seeming demotion of novels in the greater Star Wars canon! As always, spoilers abound!

Introduction: 0:00-1:50
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: 1:51-8:43
The Penguin: 8:44-15:46
Alien: Romulus: 15:47-30:16
The Acolyte: 30:17-40:22
Bridgerton Season 3: 40:23-47:29
House of the Dragon Season 2: 47:30-59:33
Books we're reading and bookstore shout-out: 59:34-1:10:18

Bookstore shout-out!

The Strand
828 Broadway at 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
https://www.strandbooks.com/

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Dune: Part Two has arrived! Don your stillsuits and join The Pop Docs for a discussion of Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's saga. Caution: Spoilers ahead!

Introduction: 0:00-7:45
Talking Dune 1: 7:46-20:53
Talking Dune 2 (Spoiler free): 20:54-25:10
Talking Dune 2 (Spoilers): 25:11-1:14:32
Books we are reading: 1:14:33-1:17:16
Bookstore shout-out: 1:17:17-1:20:51

Bookstore shout-out!

Second Read Books
51 Cordova Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

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Recently, the Pop Docs attended an unexpected showing of The Fellowship of the Ring on a big screen, which they found to be as majestic and epic as it was when it debuted in theaters. Inspired by this opportunity, the Pop Docs decided to devote any entire episode to talking about Tolkien's world. Tune in to hear the Pop Docs wax poetically about The Lord of the Rings trilogy! Hear Joseph express his frustration that The Rings of Power diverts time and resources from The Wheel of Time! Listen as Deni discusses how The Hobbit trilogy is . . . ok! But be wary, dear listeners, for spoilers abound!

Introduction: 0:00-2:30
An Evening Watching The Fellowship of the Ring : 2:31-18:24
Discussing The Lord of the Rings trilogy: 18:25-42:01
Discussing The Hobbit trilogy: 42:02-58:12
Discussing The Rings of Power: 58:13-1:20:37
Books we are reading: 1:20:38-1:24:26
Indie bookstore shout-out: 1:24:27-1:27:09

Books we are currently reading:

Deni: The Fires of Heaven (Wheel of Time #5) by Robert Jordan

Joseph: Three Axes to Fall (The Grave of Empires #3) by Sam Sykes

Indie bookstore shout-out!

Barrel of Books and Games
403 N. Donnelly Street
Mt. Dora, Florida 32757
Website: https://barrelofbooksandgames.com/

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Ex-Twitter: @ThePopDocs
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