Episode 153: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road | The Wizard of Oz, Mythology & Americana

I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. Skip with us down the Yellow Brick Road in this long-overdue discussion of the 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz. As the concluding subject of our five-part series on nostalgic films, we’ll explore the template Wizard sets out for the other films in our series—Back to the Future, Hook, Beetlejuice, and E.T. Why is The Wizard of Oz so baked into the collective unconscious? Does it earn a place among Classical mythology and folklore? Can it be read as a feminist text, or does it perpetuate the tragic messaging that girls and women should eschew ambition and adventure? All these questions, plus Dorothy as the existential hero and the influence of Shakespearean drama. Let’s go over the rainbow!

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The Midnight Myth stands with Black Lives Matter and those protesting social injustice across our country. Please join us in supporting those who will not stay silent.

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Episode 126: Remember Remember | V for Vendetta, Shakespeare, History & Politics

Remember, remember the Fifth of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot. I know of no reason the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot. This week on the Midnight Myth, we’re exploring the 2005 film V for Vendetta—and what a treasure trove of theme, history, literature, and philosophy it is! We’ll unpack connections between the 1605 Gunpowder Plot and similar historical attempts at rebuilding society through destruction of the status quo. We’ll explain why V quotes so much Shakespeare, and why he makes Evey sit through The Count of Monte Cristo. We’ll discuss the implications of the troubling torture sequence and celebrate the film’s emotional impact.

Episode 98: The Masked Menace

When the troubling chaos of life presents you with unprecedented power from a random radioactive spider bite, what do you do? In a sweeping study of one of the most popular superheroes ever (and his iconic alter ego, Peter Parker), Derek and Laurel draw on mythological and Shakespearean sources to understand the enduring appeal of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. At the core of this conversation is an unconventional coming-of-age narrative, a character who resonates with baby boomers and millennials alike, and a powerful meditation on the mantra: With great power, comes great responsibility.

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Episode 93: I Defy You, Stars

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us! To celebrate the spirit of the day of love, The Midnight Myth goes back to the middle ages and the Renaissance. That’s right, it’s a Shakespeare episode. We’re dishing up historical context and analysis for one of the most important pieces of literature ever written: Romeo & Juliet. An early work in the bard’s long line of tragedies, comedies, and histories, Romeo & Juliet can be viewed as the work that invented our modern understanding of love. And the poet himself may be the man who invented modern man. All this and more in a very special Midnight Myth episode for lovers, fools, poets, and madmen.

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Episode 55: Problem-Free Philosophy

Last week we began a conversation about what makes a good king. To continue probing the possible answers, we had to go back to one of our favorite monarchs in storytelling, The Lion King. In this episode, Derek and Laurel explore the connections (and departures) of the Lion King and Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the historical roots of the political systems laid out in the animated classic, and the ultimate philosophical messages it leaves us with. It may seem easy and ideal to say “no worries” for the rest of your days, but of course, we know there is no problem-free philosophy. Be prepared for a sensational podcast.

Episode 27: All Roads Lead to Rome

From the winding streets of Rome to the cobbled alleys of Philadelphia, our histories are always just beneath our feet as we follow the well-worn tread of those generations that came before us. This week, Derek & Laurel explore the most powerful historical narratives of Western culture and their inextricable ties. In the end, all roads truly do lead to Rome and two monolithic figures: Jesus Christ and Julius Caesar, whose archetypes continue to resonate throughout Western storytelling. Untangling some of the powerful mysteries of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, we also turn our eyes to what we can learn about ourselves in the stories we’ve always told.

Episode 8: Destiny's Child

Ever wonder if your choices are your own or if you are caught in the web of destiny? Listen to Derek and Laurel break down stories that deal with prophecy, fate, and free will and the evolution of narrative relationships to fate. We look at Oedipus in the ancient world, Macbeth in the Renaissance, and the Boy Who Lived in the modern day—all grappling with their own choices and the cruel hand of fate. Enjoy this episode, and don’t forget to play along with the game at the end!