Episodes
On this week's episode, Chris, Hillary, and Richard discuss the first three episodes of the new HBO mini-series The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Later in the episode, series star Hoa Xuande stops by to talk about what makes the show so special and how it feels to be in his first lead role. 
Published 04/29/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary didn't get a chance to analyze the sumptuous latest edition of FX's Feud episode by episode—so we're covering the whole series now, complete with an in-depth interview with showrunner and writer Jon Robin Baitz.
Published 04/22/24
Published 04/22/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary unwrap the final four episodes of Ripley, while Andrew Scott joins to explain how at his core, Tom Ripley is just "somebody who hasn't been given access to the beautiful things in life."
Published 04/15/24
Andrew Scott makes for a captivating killer in the first four episodes of Netflix's Ripley, streaming now. Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into the sumptuously shot series, while Dakota Fanning stops by to talk about her new spin on Marge Sherwood and the simply ghastly experience of filming for months in gorgeous Italy.
Published 04/10/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down The Regime’s final episode, and reveal which of them correctly guessed who would be leading Genovia by the end of the series. Later, VF correspondent Miriam Elder drops by to reveal what The Regime got right about despots, and what it didn’t.
Published 04/08/24
Terrible Christmas tidings hit Kate Winslet's autocracy in the penultimate episode of The Regime. Richard, Chris, and Hillary sift through the ashes, while Andrea Riseborough stops by to break down Agnes's tragic arc.
Published 04/01/24
The show finally introduces Grant's Ed Keplinger, a liberal ex-chancellor whose democratic leanings may be less progressive than they seem. Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down his introduction to The Regime and chat with Grant about reuniting with Kate Winslet and what Keplinger really believes.
Published 03/25/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary dissect Elena’s latest heal-turn, and what it means for Zuback's future. Plus, Guillaume Gallienne joins to discuss playing first husband Nicky: "He's a bit of a masochist. He likes to be her rug."
Published 03/18/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into how Zuback's quick ascent has affected Genovia. Plus, Matthias Schoenaerts stops by to chat about playing the Butcher of Site 5 and rubbing mustard on Kate Winslet.
Published 03/11/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary dive into The Regime, a satirical dramedy from the mind of Succession alum Will Tracey. Plus, star Kate Winslet joins to break down the similarities between her and autocratic chancellor Elena.
Published 03/04/24
Kate Winslet returns to HBO but this time tries her hand at comedy with The Regime. Chris, Hillary and Richard discuss what they’re looking forward to in this six part limited series.
Published 02/25/24
Night Country’s showrunner breaks down season four's most surprising Easter eggs, the backstories we didn't get to see, and what it's like to tangle online with passionate True Detective fans.
Published 02/22/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary discuss how Night Country reveals both what happened to the scientists and who really killed Annie K. Plus, Jodie Foster joins to dig into how the ending reinforces all of the show's themes, filming her big underwater scene, and why time, truly, is a flat circle.
Published 02/19/24
As episode five premieres early on Max to avoid the Super Bowl, Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down Night Country's biggest twist yet, while John Hawkes stops by to talk about writing Hank's unbelievably bleak song and staging a very tense standoff.
Published 02/10/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary discuss Ennis's incredibly depressing holiday, complete with death, breakdowns, and a heart-wrenching romantic diss. Plus, Kali Reis joins to talk all things Evangeline Navarro, and how this episode's major tragedy will drive her going forward
Published 02/05/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into the reason behind Danvers and Navarro's rift, Hank's hillibillies, and a theory that climate change could be responsible for the Tsalal deaths. Plus, Isabella LaBlanc joins to talk about bringing Leah Danvers to life.
Published 01/29/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary talk cliffhangers, Raymond Clark and Annie K's mysterious relationship, and season four's surprising connection to True Detective season one. Plus, Christopher Eccleston joins to chat about letting everything hang out in his sex scene with Jodie Foster.
Published 01/22/24
Richard, Chris, and Hillary head north to break down our introduction to Jodie Foster's Liz Danvers, the dual mysteries driving this season, and that mind-boggling final image. Plus, Finn Bennett joins to discuss playing naive young cop Peter Prior and how True Detective gave him Covid (twice!).
Published 01/15/24
Can a new showrunner and Jodie Foster reinvigorate one of prestige TV's most beloved franchises? Richard, Chris, and Hillary are about to find out with an all-new season of Still Watching dedicated to True Detective season four.
Published 01/08/24
In the highest-grossing movie of 2023, Barbie, a literal doll, leaves the comforts of Barbieland and ventures into real-world Los Angeles, where she discovers the myriad difficulties of modern womanhood. This arc from cosseted naïveté to feminist awakening is a narrative throughline that connects some of the biggest cultural products of the year. In this episode of Critics at Large, the staff writers Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss how 2023 became “the year of the...
Published 12/26/23
Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down the series finale of The Crown, while producer Suzanne Mackie goes deep on the scene that united Imelda Staunton, Olivia Colman, and Claire Foy for the first time.
Published 12/19/23
Richard, Chris, and Hillary go deep on episode 9 of The Crown season 6, "Hope Street," while VF staffer and royals expert Julie Miller stops by to explain whether Carole Middleton was as devious in real life as she is on the show.
Published 12/19/23
Richard, Chris, and Hillary discuss The Crown's farewell to Princess Margaret in season 6, episode 8, "The Ritz"—and later, the celebrated actor details how she prepared for her showcase episode, as well as her long friendship with fellow Crown star Imelda Staunton. 
Published 12/19/23
Still Watching goes back to college for season 6, episode 7 of The Crown, which introduces a young Kate Middleton—and details how her mother's machinations may have put her directly in the path of Prince William. Plus, Chris chats with Ed McVay, who plays William, about nabbing the role of a lifetime.
Published 12/14/23