Inspired by an O.G. paragon of male toxicity — Odysseus — this week we confront the meaning of our obligations, the phenomenon of gaslighting, and a certain typified masculinity near-feral in its ineptitude and shimmering in its self-denial. All in the space of a Homeric reverie. Special thanks to Sir Ian McKellan. SOURCES: Homer, The Odyssey, 12.30-200; 23.231-288 (tr. Fagles, read by Sir Ian) ; "Some Clinical Consequences of Introjection: Gaslighting" by Victor Calef, M.D. & Edward M. Weinshel, M.D., Psychoanalytic Quarterly 50:44-66 (1981) ; Three reddit tales from Keith Calder's tweet: "A weird part of toxic masculinity is not knowing how to poop properly." (https://twitter.com/keithcalder/status/918598272243126272) ; "From Theater to Therapy to Twitter, the Eerie History of Gaslighting," by Katy Waldman (Apr. '16): http://slate.me/1SV4KiE ; Episode photo by Hugh Holland ; Music playlist: http://bit.ly/2yJ6BJu .