Episode 514 – A Fistful of Daddy Issues

A packed week of revenge plots, power struggles, monster drama, and emotionally compromised men punching their way through their feelings. This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl dive into the first two episodes of Maul: Shadow Lord, break down Invincible Season 4 Episode 6, review Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 Episode 6 and Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episode 4, and kick off The Boys Season 5 with its bloody first two episodes. Episode Index Intro: 0:07 Maul Shadow Lord: 6:31 Invincible: 14:20 Monarch: 24:11 Daredevil: 32:13 The Boys: 46:20 Maul: Shadow Lord (Disney+) Maul: Shadow Lord, Episode 1 Title: Chapter 1: The Dark Revenge Air date: April 6, 2026 Director: Steward Lee, Saul Ruiz, and Nathaniel Villanueva Writer: Matt Michnovetz Summary: After the rise of the Empire, Maul begins hunting the members of the Shadow Collective who betrayed him. On Janix, his followers rob a bank tied to crime lord Nico Deemis, drawing the attention of tactical officer Brander Lawson. As rival gang tensions rise, Maul storms the precinct to seize Looti Vario, who offers intel on Pyke leader Marg Krim. Maul also frees fugitive Jedi Devon Izara, seeing her as a possible apprentice, Maul: Shadow Lord, Episode 2 Title: Chapter 2: Sinister Schemes Air date: April 6, 2026 Director: Saul Ruiz Writer: Matt Michnovetz Summary: Lawson and the TDF chase Maul’s crew through Janix, while Jedi master Eeko-Dio Daki tries to save Devon. Maul escapes to his hideout, imprisons Vario and Devon, and starts working Devon psychologically, arguing that the Jedi failed her and the galaxy has changed. Lawson, stretched thin and pressured from above, digs for intel through criminal contacts. At the same time, Vario suggests hitting a Pyke shipment to bait out Marg Krim, and Maul carries out the attack himself. Rating Out of 10, Everything I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Want Brian: 5/10 Darryl: 7/10 Invincible (Amazon Prime) Season 4, Episode 6 Title: You Look Horrible Air date: April 8, 2026 Director: Jason Zurek Writer: Amber Dupre Summary: Open war erupts between the Coalition and the Viltrum Empire, with Battle Beast and formerly enslaved worlds joining the fight. Nolan and Oliver help Mark recover over two months after Conquest’s death, while Allen and Zoe are rescued by Space Racer. Thragg responds by launching a direct assault on Talescria, aided by a traitor inside the planet’s defenses. Mark returns in time to help repel the attack, and the episode ends with Thaedus planning a strike on Viltrum before the scattered Viltrumites can regroup. Rating Out of 5 Healing is Slow Going Brian: 3.38/5 Darryl: 3.5/5 Monarch Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV) Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Season 2, Episode 6 Title: Requiem Air date: April 3, 2026 Director: Jeff F. King Writer: Maria Melnik Summary: The episode fills in key timeline gaps around Hiroshi and Kentaro’s time at the Apex station on Skull Island. Hiroshi explains how his 2014 trip to Alaska led him through Axis Mundi and out into Africa in 2015. In the present, Hiroshi’s funeral brings the family together, though Kentaro lashes out at Cate over his father’s death. Shaw, Keiko, and Cate reconnect with Dr. Suzuki, who explains the rebuilt Titan lure, and Shaw begins plotting to summon Godzilla to take on Titan X. Kentaro, shaken and drifting, accepts a job offer from Apex. Ratings Out of 5 Talking to Your Past in the Present Brian: 4.11/5 Darryl: 3.7/5 Daredevil: Born Again (Disney +) Daredevil: Born Again, Season 2, Episode 4 Title: Gloves Off Air date: April 7, 2026 Director: Solvan “Slick” Naim Writer: Chantelle M. Wells Summary: Dex targets AVTF officers and sets his sights on Fisk, hoping to make up for killing Foggy Nelson. Matt investigates the diner killings, tracks Dex to his apartment, and tries to stop him from turning Fisk into a martyr. Meanwhile, Fisk’s political and criminal worlds tighten together as Vanessa works the governor, Page and McDuffie chase testimony tied to the Northern Star, and Buck Cashman kills a key witness. The episode builds to a violent showdown at Fogwell’s Gym, where Vanessa shoots Dex, Daredevil intervenes, and a shard from a shattered ornament leaves Vanessa bleeding and collapsing. Out of 5 Poindexters Are Always on Target Brian: 3.98/5 Darryl: 6.3/5 The Boys (Amazon Prime) The Boys, Season 5, Episode 1 Title: Fifteen Inches of Sheer Dynamite Air date: April 8, 2026 Director: Phil Sgriccia Writer: Paul Grellong Summary: A year after Homelander cements his control, Annie leaks the Flight 37 video at a Vought shareholder meeting, undercutting public trust in him. Sage and Ashley move quickly to spin the fallout while Hughie, M.M., and Frenchie face execution in a prison camp. Butcher reunites with Annie and Kimiko to mount a rescue, eventually escaping through a tunnel created by a Supe called The Worm. The episode ends with A-Train saving Hughie, only to be hunted down and killed by Homelander. The Boys, Season 5, Episode 2 ...