Episodes

  • #264: Interview with Amelia Campbell from The Chair Company

    #264: Interview with Amelia Campbell from The Chair Company
    Dec 22 2025
    Craig and Chris are joined from New York by Amelia Campbell, who plays Amanda on The Chair Company. Chris and Amelia are old friends from a Shakespeare production in San Diego, and the podcast gets into her casting process for The Chair Company, working with Tim Robinson and much more!
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • #263: The Chair Company & Stranger Things 5 Part One

    #263: The Chair Company & Stranger Things 5 Part One
    Dec 20 2025
    this is a rarity: Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are out of alignment on this episode of Crossing Streams! One host really likes one of the two shows covered and kind of tolerated the other, while the other host REALLY didn't like one of the two shows, and truly enjoyed the other. Who's who, and which is which? Listen and find out, as we cover HBO's The Chair Company, and Netflix's tentpole teen drama Stranger Things 5 (Part One)!

    :30 Intro
    2:00 a quick note on the Oscars moving to YouTube
    9:30 The Chair Company discussion
    36:25 Stranger Things 5 discussion
    1:06:30 What We’re Watching
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 21 mins
  • #262: Pluribus Episodes 4-6 Review

    #262: Pluribus Episodes 4-6 Review
    Dec 9 2025
    Vince Gilligan's new show Pluribus is looking like it might just be a masterpiece. On this episode of Crossing Streams, Craig Elsten and Chris Reed take a look at the big themes and moments from episodes 4-6 of the first season. The show contains spoilers for all six episodes of the series to date.

    SHOW TIME CODES

    :30 Intro
    4:00 quick housekeeping
    5:30 Episodes 4-6 had a theme: discovery for Carol
    10:00 Rhea Seehorn is carrying the rock for Pluribus, but we will meet Manousos
    14:30 Jeff Hiller appearance!
    18:00 Carol’s diabolical plot to learn the truth in episode 4
    23:00 Manousos can’t get here from there
    27:45 The crazy visuals and methodical montages of episode 5
    34:00 The Hamlin-Phone
    36:00 transitioning to episode 6 and Empty Las Vegas
    38:45 Pluribus as an allegory for AI re: Diabate in Vegas
    44:15 you down with HDP?
    48:15 The Others are colonizers and consent hypocrites
    54:00 circling back to Koumba’s role and viewpoint
    59:45 What We’re Watching
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 18 mins
  • #261: Is Death By Lightning Shockingly Good? (Full Review)

    #261: Is Death By Lightning Shockingly Good? (Full Review)
    Nov 28 2025
    Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together on the eve of Thanksgiving to go over Netflix's historical drama Death By Lightning. One of the hosts liked it a little bit more than the other, but there's a lot to unpack with an All-Star cast and a fascinating look at a less-known time in American history.

    SHOW TIME CODES

    :30 Intro, giving thanks to our audience and co-host
    5:00 Getting into Death By Lightning
    8:30 over-arching thoughts on the limited series
    14:00 appreciating the four-episode run time
    16:30 who had the most dynamic performance in the series?
    21:45 Matthew McFadyen’s performance as Giteau
    25:00 the crazy lax security around Garfield
    28:15 the best wig of 2025
    31:30 did Death By Lightning take liberties with history?
    35:00 a slow finish—reflecting on Garfield’s legacy
    40:00 Giteau’s final moments
    44:15 What We’re Watching
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • #260: Pluribus Episodes 1-3 Review

    #260: Pluribus Episodes 1-3 Review
    Nov 15 2025
    Craig Elsten and Chris Reed return for episode #260 of Crossing Streams, taking on perhaps the TV event of 2025 in Vince Gilligan's new series, Pluribus, for Apple TV. In the (short) non-spoiler zone the guys offer their general thoughts on the series and on Gilligan's talent. Then in the spoiler zone, a look at everything which has made the first three episodes of Pluribus so riveting, thought-provoking and funny. Both guys said after recording this was their favorite podcast of the year, so please enjoy!

    SUBJECT TIME CODE MENU

    :30 Intro/housekeeping
    NON-SPOILER ZONE
    3:40 Opening thoughts on Pluribus from both hosts
    10:15 Vince Gilligan is in his bag and a master of his craft
    SPOILER ZONE
    13:15 The first episode of Pluribus is an all-timer
    15:15 The art of “show don’t tell”
    19:00 Rhea Seehorn’s performance as Carol
    24:00 Does Carol have a drinking problem? Is she a reliable narrator?
    29:00 The surprising humor of Pluribus
    37:00 Is The Joining a metaphor for Heaven?
    41:30 Is The Joining a utopia or are The Others concealing a lot still?
    45:00 the use of the countdown/count-up clock as a storytelling device
    55:30 What We’re Watching

    If you like this podcast, please give us a five-star review and/or kind written review on your podcast platform of choice, and thanks as always for your time and support!
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • #259: The Lowdown Season Finale Review + Interview with Actor Eric Edelstein

    #259: The Lowdown Season Finale Review + Interview with Actor Eric Edelstein
    Nov 12 2025
    Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get back together to talk about the finish of The Lowdown, a show that was beloved by both. The guys get into the storylines from the final three episodes, before welcoming on actor Eric Edelstein, who played Blackie on the show. Longtime friends with Chris, Eric gets into the magic of Sterlin Harjo's set, working in Tulsa, the process of getting the gig and much, much more!

    :30 Intro/housekeeping/spoiler warning
    5:00 narrative momentum of the final three episodes
    8:00 a show made with a lot of love
    11:00 creating a well-rounded character in Lee Raybon
    17:00 episode 8 brought Lee and Marty together
    21:00 directorial flourishes and one-shots
    27:00 the relationship between Lee and his daughter
    36:30 Eric Edelstein interview
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 21 mins
  • #258: The Diplomat Season 3 Full Review (Non-Spoiler and Spoiler)

    #258: The Diplomat Season 3 Full Review (Non-Spoiler and Spoiler)
    Oct 30 2025
    Craig Elsten is joined by one of the patrons from the Padres Hot Tub discord, Oliver the Baseball Nihilist, to discuss a series near and dear to both of their hearts, The Diplomat on Netflix. In the non-spoiler zone of the show, the hosts discuss why they like The Diplomat and what makes it such a compelling watch. In the spoiler zone, the guys go all the way in on the big moments of the third season, the wild plot twists in the finale, and what it means for a season four.

    SHOW NOTES/TIMES

    :30 Intro, welcome Oliver, housekeeping
    NON-SPOILER ZONE
    3:30 why do we like The Diplomat generally?
    8:00 Keri Russell keeps bringing you back
    9:45 the show reflects a different era of politics
    12:30 Would The Diplomat be better served by a weekly release instead of binge schedule?
    16:15 a very strong bench of supporting characters
    SPOILER ZONE
    18:55 amazing political drama in season three, but the romance wasn’t as strong
    22:30 episode six, our favorite of the season
    25:30 did The Diplomat try to cram too much plot into season three?
    30:00 the big season finale twist between Kate and Hal, was it earned?
    35:00 Rufus Sewell had an amazing season
    44:00 in praise of Rory Kinnear as Trowbridge
    47:45 do we buy all of Kate’s decisions this season?
    52:30 how can The Diplomat keep Kate in London for a fourth season?
    56:30 What We’re Watching

    If you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a five-star rating on your podcast platform of choice! Feel free to email us with your thoughts on The Diplomat at: crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • #257: "Task" Comes To A Redeeming Finish (Season Finale Review)

    #257: "Task" Comes To A Redeeming Finish (Season Finale Review)
    Oct 26 2025
    Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back to share their thoughts on the final two episodes of Task, where Brad Ingelsby has grown as a showrunner, the themes of redemption that ran through the series, and whether or not there should be a second season. What did YOU think about Task? Email the show at: crossingstreamstvpodcast@gmail.com and we'll read your replies on a future show!

    SHOW NOTES/TIMES

    :30 intro/housekeeping
    2:45 overall thoughts on the full season of Task
    11:00 themes of redemption
    14:30 is Grasso going to jail or was he redeemed too?
    19:00 Would Tom have really let Maeve keep the money?
    22:00 Episode Six was a BANGER
    29:30 should there be a second season of Task?
    34:00 What We’re Watching
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins