Parallel Quest

Heroism in 300

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Mon, 7 Nov 2022 23:44:10 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guys (Zach and Cody) talk about the film 300. This testosterone filled film of men willing to sacrifice everything in order to protect their land and way of life is one that the guys really enjoyed when it first came out. But does the highly choreographed action and rather over the top perspective on heroism stand the test of time?

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Spider-Man was the Catalyst

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 21:47:02 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guys (Zach and Cody) talk about their thoughts on review bombing, and have a retrospective discussion on the amazing 2002 super-hero film, Spider-Man.

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Uncharted and Lightyear Reviews

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Mon, 5 Sep 2022 19:32:47 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guy’s review Lightyear and Uncharted, now that they are both available to stream. They were our most anticipated movies of the year, how did they live up to expectations?

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Nicolas Cage is a National Treasure

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 22:55:46 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode the guy’s talk about National Treasure, the 2004 adventure film starring Nicholas Cage. This is actually Cody’s first time watching the film, with Zach coming in as the seasoned viewing veteran, which makes for a very interesting perspective from each on this film.

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Discussion on a Bunch of Comic-Con Announcements

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 23:06:11 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! This week the guys share their thoughts on the various different reveals at San Diego Comic Con. Topics including:

A National Treasure series and the discussion around strong female leads
DC’s upcoming movies and how they can capitalize on a weak phase 4 from Marvel
Will A Dungeons and Dragons movie with the tone of Guardians of the Galaxy work?
House of the Dragon: will it be good and have people completely lost interest in the GoT brand?
The Rings of Power and Cody’s change of heart
Should Marvel have recast Black Panther?
Marvel’s future: Quantity reigns supreme.

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more Parallel Quest content.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k

Lord of the Rings Hype Check | Fantasy Fix #1

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard) — Fri, 5 Aug 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a Parallel Quest Fantasy Fix. In this short episode Cody goes over why he is still excited about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in the midst of his tempered expectations.

Check out our YouTube channel.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Watch:

The Sandlot and a Short Discussion on Sadnerson

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Tue, 2 Aug 2022 21:45:33 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach discuss a classic tale of summer, The Sandlot. This is a movie that is a staple to many a childhood of the millennial generation. The Sandlot came out at a time where baseball was beginning to get to its highest point of popularity while also highlighting the summer shenanigans that so many kids get themselves into. Does the Sandlot pass the test of time though? As we have gotten older is this still a movie that we could sit down and watch anytime? As the guys discuss in the show, they do not have nearly as much nostalgia for this movie as many people who grew up with it will have. However, there are a lot of things within this movie that the guys still find really enjoyable.

Stick around all the way to the end to hear the guys thoughts on a possible Brandon Sanderson on screen adaptation that sounds like it is in the works.

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Obi-Wan Kenobi Review | Deserved to be Better

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 20:57:52 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach give their in-depth review on the new Disney’s latest adventure in the Star Wars saga, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Does this show put Star Wars back in a place that it deserves to be in? Or is this yet another squandered opportunity from the new era of Lucasfilm? There are elements in the show that are both worthy of praise, but there are matters that also deserve to be highly scrutinized. With the importance of legacy characters in the Star Wars universe, the guys had hoped that Obi-Wan’s adventure would turn out more interesting and entertaining than the one that we most recently went on with Boba Fett. While there are definitely some highs in the show’s 6 episode run, there are just a ton of issues with the story, causing it to struggle in attaining a spot in the upper echelon of Star Wars films.

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Revenge of the Sith Retrospective

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:57:03 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach talk about the one rather good film of George Lucas’s Star Wars prequels: Revenge of the Sith. The Star Wars prequel films are most definitely a mixed bag amongst fans of the franchise. With a little bit of time though, it seems like these have aged much better with fans than the initial reception of their release in the early 2000s. While Revenge of the Sith is the highlight of the film trilogy, it still does not reach the same heights that were attained in the original run of Star Wars films. It is a film that gets rather bogged down by poor dialogue and direction, which lives in a rather compelling narrative. Anakin’s turn to the dark side plays out in very traditional fashion, following many of the tried and true methods of the tragic hero, and giving audiences a rather satisfying bridge to the Darth Vader that many grew up with. But how do the guys feel about this film many years after its release? With so many movies in the Star Wars universe at this point, how does it compare to the rest?

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

What Adventure Looks and Sounds Like — Raiders of the Lost Ark

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 21:32:22 +0000

Welcome to Parallel Quest! In this week’s episode Cody and Zach talk about one of their favorite adventure movies ever made: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Between Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Lucasfilm delivered some of the most fun filled films for the better part of a decade. Currently the film studio seems a bit lost in their identity as they have tried to bring Star Wars back, but in 1981 with the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise, we got to witness Lucasfilm when it was at its best. In this episode the guys discuss their first experiences with Dr. Jones, point out the parts in the film that are exceptional, examine why McGuffins work for the entirety of the series, and share a unique perspective on what they believe to be the narrative tone of the film. We hope you enjoy this episode and be sure to let us know what you think!

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

The Mummy (1999) — Better than You would Think

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 22:00:00 +0000

In this week’s episode Cody and Zach discuss their thoughts on a couple of shows and movies that they were excited about at the beginning of the year, providing their thoughts now that said projects are out. With the release of Kenobi, Cody shares his initial impressions of the first couple of episodes and his general concerns. This leads to a discussion between the guys of how “good” Star Wars actually is. Despite modern pessimism towards the franchise, it is important to remember that it has roots in greatness.

For the main topic of this week’s episode, Cody and Zach discuss the Action-Horror hit of 1999, The Mummy. While this movie might be standard action material, it does quite a few good things within the story that make it a very easy and enjoyable watch. The world was a different place in 1999 and our standards for a blockbuster were much different, but this is one that the guys believe has stood the test of time. The modern blockbuster really could learn a lot from the success of films like the Mummy and late 90’s and early 2000’s mega hits, especially if there is going to be success in the cinema outside of massive superhero franchises.

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Initial Impressions: Halo and Moon Knight

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 02:54:42 +0000

Cody and Zach decide to share an update on some of the things that they have been watching recently and give their recommendations on whether or not they are worth your time. With Halo being one of Zach’s most anticipated releases of the year, he gives some interesting insight on what he thinks of how the show starts off. This leads to a discussion on the importance of the man behind the mask in storytelling. Is it important to keep the man’s identity secret for a longer period of time, or do we connect with the character more when we are able to see his face? The guys both have different opinions on what they think about the first three episodes of the show.

Moon Knight is one of the latest heroes to be added into the pantheon of MCU protagonists, and the show starts off by giving us a very interesting premise. Listen in as Zach begins to convince Cody of potentially starting to dive into an MCU show, seeing as Cody hasn’t had much interest in any of the MCU Disney+ projects.

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Beast of Big Bear Forest: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

We were Wrong about The Book of Boba Fett

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Sun, 5 Jun 2022 18:17:30 +0000

When we sat down and started to review the Book of Boba Fett, one episode at a time, we thought that we were in for a treat. In spite of the fact that the season started off slow, Cody and Zach believed that the show was in good hands with John Favreau at the helm. However, the guys came to the conclusion that the show did not live up to the expectations that they had for it. That doesn't mean that the show was an absolute travesty, but rather that it just wasn't what they were looking for, nor what many Star Wars fans were looking for. In this episode of Parallel Quest, Cody and Zach give their final thoughts on the Book of Boba Fett, hoping that after the release of this show, we will experience something better with Obi-Wan Kenobi now that it is released.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

Podcast Edited by Jake Butler

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

http://youtu.be/__CRWE-L45k

Dr. Strange and The Multiverse of Madness — Fun and Flawed

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Tue, 17 May 2022 23:38:29 +0000

The long awaited sequel to Dr. Strange has been released and the guys at Parallel quest, sit down to give their spoiler-filled review. While this is a highly anticipated summer blockbuster and delivers a lot of fun, it is fair to say that this installment within the MCU is a bit of a mixed bag. There are strong elements that make the movie a joy to watch, but weak elements that take away from the plot and storytelling which is a bit disappointing. Zach as a longtime fan of horror, likes a lot of what is delivered upon in Multiverse of Madness but offers fair critiques. Cody, who tends to not veer towards this type of film, found himself liking it quite a bit more than he probably would have expected. The guys come together to try to give a fair assessment of the second Dr. Strange film in this latest episode of Parallel Quest, but we would love to know more about what you think about the movie. Did you love it or hate it? Did the superhero/horror crossover work for you? How important will this movie be down the line as we continue on in phase 4 of the MCU?

Let us know what you think at https://www.steellakestudio.com/community

Also be sure to check out our YouTube page.

Timestamps

0:00- Intro

0:40- First Impressions about MOM

5:27- Overview & Plot Summary

9:30- Dissecting plot and marketing plan

16:00- Dr Strange movie or SW Movie

23:15- Sub Plot critique

26:00- What we liked about MOM

37:25: Complaints on the film

51:45- Critique of SW

53:40 Closing Thoughts

58:36- Outro

Shout out to our new editor, Jake Butler! We are excited to have him taking part in Parallel Quest.

Intro/Outro Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Watch:

Dumb and Dumber — One of the Best Slapstick Comedies

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 11 May 2022 09:39:15 +0000

Dumb and Dumber is one of the best comedies of the slapstick variety. Before it ever hit the screen it was a movie that no production company wanted to back, but after its wild success it goes to show that executives aren’t always right on what people are going to like. While Dumb and Dumber is a film that Cody and Zach think is hilarious now, their first impression of it was not nearly as high as it has become. Listen in to this episode to see what it is about the movie and the guys that changed their perspective after their first viewing of it. Also listen in for facts and stories about how this movie got to the screen and who the original cast members were desired to be. While Dumb and Dumber is crammed with hilarious moments, the guys will share with you their personal favorites and we would love to hear your favorites as well.

Listen to the audio podcast of the show here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/parallelquest

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:20 Zach Saves a Man

5:20 The Northman Review

17:20 Road Trip Stories

35:35 1994: The Year Dumb and Dumber Released

43:14 Fun Facts and Background

54:20 Plot Summary

57:00 Initial Impressions and Changed Perspectives

1:08:00 Is Slapstick Comedy Still Relevant?

1:16:45 The Guys Favorite Scenes

If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

The Batman Review: Pretty Good, Almost Great

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 16:34:16 +0000

The Batman released at the beginning of March to positive reviews from critics and mostly good reception from fans. The success of the film shows that reboots and remakes still are not going to disappear anytime soon in the foreseeable future. While The Batman can definitely be recognized as a success, it is not a flawless movie, in fact it has quite a few of them. Some of the early hype around the film had some people coming out and saying that this is the best Batman ever to release, which Cody and Zach have some thoughts about. The guys share their initial reviews in a spoiler free manner, followed by an in depth discussion of deeper analysis on the storytelling and character journeys in the latest adventure of the World’s greatest detective. Timestamps for all discussion points can be found below.

Check out our YouTube Channel!

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Spoiler Free Reviews

7:59 Reboots/Remakes are Here to Stay

10:50 Is this the Darkest Gotham

13:30 The Controversial Wayne Family Legacy

23:00 Character Analysis

52:30 How was Pattinson as Batman?

1:07:00 The Greatest Strengths

1:16:00 A Critique of the Ending

If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Braveheart Retrospective & What We Look Forward to in 2022

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Braveheart was a huge release in the mid-90’s with great staying power and influence. Proving that you can have an epic tale that can attain box office success, critical acclaim, and audience adoration. In this episode of Parallel Quest, the guys share their most anticipated films that are yet to be released in 2022 and cover Braheart in the Retrospective segment.

Check out our YouTube Channel.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction

0:40 Zach’s Snowboarding Adventure

9:47 Shoveling Snow is No Fun

17:40 State of the Podcast

21:11 Most Antcipated for 2022

33:00 Braveheart Retrospective — The Year 1995

41:32 Plot Summary

42:51 Film Background/Historical Inaccuracies

55:00 Initial Impressions

1:00:00 What Makes William Wallace a Hero?

1:04:00 The Lasting Appeal

If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Wheel of Time Season 1 Review | A Decent Show that Needs Improvement | SPOILERS

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 13:00:00 +0000

#WheelOfTime #Season1 #Review

Our journey with the first season of Amazon’s The Wheel of Time has come to its end as we put together our overarching review for our general perspective on season 1. This review contains SPOILERS and seeks to be a reflection on both the good and bad, as well as give some feedback on how the show can improve going forward. Even though there were some moments and episodes we liked quite a bit and others that we thought were rather disappointing, the journey of reviewing and analyzing the show has been a fun one. Let us know what you think about the Wheel of Time. Do you love it? Hate it? Indifferent?

Watch on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:02 Good, Bad, or Meh?

3:08 The Strengths

7:38 The Weaknesses

11:44 Improvements We Want

18:19 Excited for Season 2?

If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

***

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Book of Boba Fett Ep.3 Review & Analysis | Contains SPOILERS

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Book of Boba Fett episode 3 was what the guys were asking for in concept, but the execution of it was not nearly as rewarding as what they hoped for. In this week’s review the guys break down the various different things in the episode that either didn’t work well or just turned out to be underwhelming.

SPOILERS.

Fighting a wookie, bringing in a rancor, and a “speeder chase,” were not enough to make this episode hit the level of entertainment that this show should be able to achieve. In its 38 minute run time, chapter 3 of the Book of Boba Fett is not atrocious but rather just average. However, there are certain intellectual properties that should never settle for average and Star Wars is one such property.

Let us know what you think of the Book of Boba Fett in the comments and let us know how we are doing on our reviews and analysis.

Watch Ep. 2 Review on YouTube HERE

Watch this Episode on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:47 General Impressions

4:25 What We Wanted?

7:43 Tatooine's Water Supply Solved

10:28 Hipster Android Friends

13:31 The Rancor…

15:49 What is the Show’s Identity?

19:00 The Worst Scene in the Show so Far

23:27 War is Coming

28:46 Final Score and Conclusion

If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

-----------------------------------------------

Song: Electro-Light - Symbolism [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/symbolism

Bringing Boba Back — Review & Analysis: The Book of Boba Fett Ch.1

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000

The first season of The Book of Boba Fett is here! In chapter (episode 1) we are given the answer to the great mystery of “What happened to Boba Fett after Return of the Jedi?” As we know from the existence of the show he is clearly alive and well, but what type of man does Boba Fett become after having such a close brush with death? We believe that is the story that will unfold throughout the first season, and the first chapter, “Stranger in a Strange Land” gives us a small glimpse of what this series is going to be all about. Follow along with Cody and Zach as they review and analyze here on Parallel Quest.

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:41 General Impressions

4:00 Is The Show in Good Hands?

6:39 A Nod to Classic Sci-Fi

7:34 The Sand People Story

9:23 A New Type of Boba Fett

12:09 The Purpose of the Episode

13:20 The Direction of the Show

15:42 Conclusion and Score

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Destined to Disappoint or Positioned for Promise? REVIEW Wheel of Time S1E8 (Season Finale)

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

The first season of Amazon Prime’s, The Wheel of Time, has come to its end. Cody and Zach give their final review of the season, until the show returns in the future. Did Moiraine and the Emond’s Field five go out with a bang, or was the finale more of a disappointing bust? Perhaps neither extreme is true and the finale was good enough but ultimately could have been a little bit better. The guys discuss all their thoughts on the final episode of season 1 in this week’s review.

Watch the show on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:28 General Impressions

3:50 Perrin Problems Continue

7:10 What Characters Were We Supposed to Care About?

10:00 Delivering on the Dark One? Did the Show Need More Episodes?

13:30 Was the Dragon Reborn’s Power Properly Displayed?

17:10 The Battle was Decent… Just Decent

19:00 False Tension

22:25 Rand’s Arc Displayed

25:35 How Faithful was the Adaptation?

28:15 Score and Conclusion

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

The One We've Been Waiting For | REVIEW The Wheel of Time S1E7

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS

Season 1 of The Wheel of Time has reached its penultimate episode, and it is one that has been worth the wait. We begin to see storylines come to satisfying milestones, even though there are some that still have issues. Episode 7 is not perfect but it does a lot more good than bad, and puts the show in a much stronger place then it was a few weeks ago. Cody and Zach enjoyed it and look forward to the final episode next week. Check out the chapters below to see the topics discussed.

Watch the Show on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Suspension of Disbelief & General Impressions

4:30 The Opening: Good, Bad, or Awkward?

7:00 A Potential Improvement

9:30 Starting in the Ways… Good Enough

12:00 How to Critique Mat

12:50 Perrin: What’s Going On? (The Love Triangle)

15:45 Different Perspectives on Rand Vs. Perrin

20:20 Different Perspective on Lan & Nynaeve

27:00 The Dragon Reborn

30:20 Conclusion and Score

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The Book that NEEDS to be a Movie | Mistborn Retrospective & Review

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Brandon Sanderson is a much talked about storyteller on this podcast, and this week the guys finally do a retrospective on one of his early breakthroughs, Mistborn: The Final Empire. After catching everyone up on the books they are currently watching, the guys take it back to 2006, discussing the state of the world when we were all first introduced to the magical system of Allomancy. There is lots of praise to go around when talking about Mistborn but it is not a perfect work, and there are definitely critiques of Sanderson’s early work. Cody and Zach talk about it all in the latest episode of Parallel Quest

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 People Who Chew Toothpicks

6:12 Christmas Shopping Early

10:00 Judging Books by Cover

14:20 What we are Reading/Watching

24:20 MAIN TOPIC: Mistborn. What was 2006 Like?

29:00 Critical Reception

31:30 Plot Summary

39:30 The Book Feels Like a Movie

43:00 Background on the Book

54:30 Initial/First Impressions

1:10:00 Is the Magic Writing always Good?

1:18:00 Are the Characters too Tropey?

1:22:45 Is it the Best Entry Point for High Fantasy?

1:26:15 Lasting Impact

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The Gate is Open—REVIEW Wheel of Time S1E6

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:34:57 +0000

The Wheel of Time’s first season is drawing near to its conclusion, and bounces back into the main plot with both strengths and weaknesses. As the final stretch of episodes falls before us, the guys’ conclusion with episode 6 is one of hope for the series and where it can go moving forward. Episode 6 in the Wheel of Time is not perfect but one that finally delivers on the potential of this cast, showcasing a true strength in the show. Watch and listen to this week’s review to hear all that Zach and Cody enjoyed about this episode as well as the elements that they did not consider to be quite as good. Thank you so much for checking it out!

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome [SPOILERS]

0:20 General Thoughts and Impressions

4:20 Reuniting the Characters: Critiques and Praises

8:45 Perrin and Egwene’s Arrival in Tar Valon

11:10 Mat and Rand: What do We Think

15:40 Moiraine’s Emotional Arc (Some of the Series’ Best Dialogue)

22:20 A Good Full Circle Narrative

24:27 Final Thoughts and Score

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Slowing Down the Adventure — REVIEW Wheel of Time S1E4

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Sun, 5 Dec 2021 23:51:55 +0000

Every good season of a television series is going to have an episode that is widely enjoyed, while there is often an episode that stinks out for being subpar. In The Wheel of Time’s first season, episode 5 comes across as the latter. While this is by no means an atrocity, it did not build upon the excitement that was introduced in episode 4. The guys talk about the strengths and weaknesses in this week’s episode review and discuss their optimism for the series nonetheless.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:10 Starting with the Good

7:00 Criticisms, Problems, and What Isn’t Working

12:30 Character Development Struggles

17:00 Skeptical of Changes from the Book

20:20 Concluding Thoughts and Score

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Is it Getting Better? S1E4 Review Wheel of Time

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 13:30:00 +0000

The Wheel of Time Season 1 is already halfway to the finish line with the release of episode 4. In this week’s review the guys discuss the trajectory of the show and the potential effects the series might have on hardcore fans of the book series. Do the guys enjoy the direction of the show? Which group of characters has the most interesting plot line to this point? Was this episode too heavy on exposition in comparison to the first three? Zach and Cody discuss all of that and more on this week’s Wheel of Time episode review.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:58 SPOILER WARNING

1:30 Strongest Group of Characters

4:45 Bringing In Logain/Giving Us Villain

8:45 The Strength of Dialogue and Exposition

12:00 Parallel Storytelling and Worldbuilding

16:30 The Surprising Conclusion. Did it Work?

18:25 Is this Working as an Adaptation?

21:00 Final Verdicts

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Review and Series Impressions—Wheel of Time S1E1-3

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0000

The Wheel of Time has finally arrived on Amazon Prime! The guys discuss their thoughts on the first 3 episodes of season 1. Did it come out making a huge statement or did it stumble out of the gate a bit? Are we excited for every single Friday going forward or is it something we aren’t as excited for going forward? We discuss all of these topics and more in our review and initial impressions of the show.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Our Background with The Wheel of Time

7:30 Story/Storytelling and Scores out of 10

24:45 The Show Release Formula

28:45 The Characters

42:30 How Excited are We Going Forward?

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Name of The Wind Retrospective

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Within the Fantasy genre there are many tried and true tropes, such as slaying dragons, rescuing princesses, fighting dark lords, brave warriors, mysterious wizards, etc. Name of the Wind is a novel that seeks to bring some of these tropes into a story that feels more grounded and mundane than the typical epic fantastical journey. In this retrospective, the guys discuss the popular novel by Patrick Rothfuss, sharing their perspective on the story as newcomers to the series.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Zach Survived the Virus

2:30 Timestamps Reminder

3:30 Stories from the Guys

8:45 What We are Reading/Watching

18:00 Name of the Wind (State of the World 2007)

30:00 Stats and Facts

39:45 Plot Summary

1:02:45 Initial Impressions

1:17:00 The Lasting Appeal

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Dune Review and Discussion

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 4 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000

We went to see Dune! Here is our longform review and discussion about the film, enjoy! Zach, a seasoned veteran of the the Dune franchise, and Cody, a fresh face to the world of Arrakis, discuss the brand new film, its strengths, critiques, and some of their favorite scenes. The review is mostly spoiler free, with spoilers discussed at the end. Let us know what you thought about the movie.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:00 Why We Wanted to See Dune

11:00 [No Spoilers] What the Movie is about

21:00 The Strengths

34:30 Critiques

55:00 Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

57:30 The Experience

1:13:00 SPOILERS -- Our Favorite Scenes

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The Rise of Audiobooks and the Impact on Publishing

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:19:10 +0000

Back from a long hiatus, the guys are back to discuss the future of publishing with an emphasis on the impact of audiobooks. The perfect storm for the rise in audiobooks has arisen. They are less expensive to make than ever before, easier to attain than ever before, and as time goes on there are more and more affordable options in acquiring audiobooks. But can listening to a story on your headphones rival the experience or adventuring through the pages of a book? Listen to this episode of Parallel Quest to find out what the guys think and let us know what you think as well.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Zach is Back and Discusses New Fatherhood

10:30 Our Thoughts on the Future of Publishing

11:42 History of the Self-publishing Boom

16:30 The New Wave of Self-publishing=Audiobooks

20:00 Auditory Storytelling is the Future as well as the Past

24:00 Writing to be Heard and the Importance of Performance

30:00 Does an Audio focus Impact Characters in Stories?

33:30 Goodbye

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What Will Cinema be Like Going Forward?

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Fri, 3 Sep 2021 01:20:34 +0000

In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest, the guys are doing a bit of a different show as they talk about the future of cinema. Listen in as they discuss their own movie going processes and share what they think the theater is going to be like in the future.

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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Zach’s Latest Trip to the Movie Theater

4:00 What is the Movie Theater Like Now

9:00 Our Thoughts on Going to the Movies

13:00 Are the Types of Movies in the Theater going to Change?

18:00 Cody’s Grocery Shopping Rant

22:30 A Question about being Patient

43:00 Discussing the Future of Cinema and Movies

45:00 The Experience of Community while Viewing

50:00 Streaming vs Theater

1:00:00 Convenience Always Wins

1:10:00 How many Times do we go to the Movies a Year

1:14:00 The Impact of Affordable Home Theaters

1:18:00 Quantity over Quality

1:36:00 The Theater in 2019 vs 2021

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What can we Yield from a Mediocre Story | The Tommyknockers

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +0000

There are many great storytellers in the world. However, just because one may be considered a great storyteller does not mean that everything that they create falls under an equal caliber of greatness. In today’s episode of Parallel Quest, the guys discuss Stephen King’s, The Tommyknockers and how it under delivers, but how ultimately that was a good thing.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Paperback Copies of Terror Town Available!

2:23 What to Order at a Restaurant

16:00 Cody Getting back into Final Fantasy XIV

31:00 What are we Watching and Reading

43:00 1987 State of the World and Interesting Facts

53:20 Main Topic: THE TOMMYKNOCKERS Stats and Summary

58:00 Why we wanted to Talk about it

1:00:00 The Importance of Knowing Why Something is Made

1:03:00 The Story Summary

1:10:00 Strengths and Weaknesses of The Tommyknockers

1:16:00 Our Opinion on Goodreads and Book Reviews

1:23:00 How a Bad Book was Made into a Miniseries

1:27:00 Stephen King’s only Time Making an Alien Encounter Story

1:35:00 The Problem with Book Length

1:45:00 The Use of Gruesome Scenes

1:52:00 Favorite Scenes and Characters

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A Classic Collection of Short Stories | The Martian Chronicles

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 21:34:18 +0000

One of the greatest short story collections to ever be written, The Martian Chronicles, still holds up as one of the guys’ favorites to this day. While going through school, we are forced to read a lot of books and do a lot of assignments that are not necessarily exciting, but this was not so when Cody and Zach read through Ray Bradbury’s iconic short story collection. In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys look back on and continue to praise this classic.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Graphic T Shirts and Drawstrings

10:00 The Normal People Olympics

18:00 The Death of Storytelling

30:30 What are we Reading

39:30 State of the World 1950

52:50 MAIN TOPIC: Martian Chronicles Story Summary

56:00 What is the Martian Chronicles?

59:00 Fun Facts

1:07:00 Initial Impact

1:21:00 Our Top 3 Stories from Martian Chronicles

1:59:00 Lasting Appeal and Conclusion

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This Movie isn't Talked about Enough | Super 8

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +0000

A lively Mariachi band can make for great entertainment at a wedding, young Pokemon trainers are being raised within Cody’s House, and a discussion of one of the most underappreciated sci-fi films to have come out in the last 20 years; these are the contents of this week’s episode of Parallel Quest. Listen in as Cody and Zach share about the time they saw the movie Super 8 and how it became an instant classic for each one of them. Seeing this movie did not come without a little bit of drama beforehand, though, for Cody and Zach have a history of not-so-great movie theater experiences together. Super 8, definitely delivered in spite of skepticism going in. The film combines nostalgia, tried and true storytelling methods, and a heavy handed theme, which all comes together to make a fun film for people of all ages.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:30 First Time Mariachi Experience

10:30 Not Knowing anyone at a Wedding

16:00 Cody’s Kids getting into Pokemon

29:18 What the Guys are Reading

40:00 A Question about the Potential Shortcomings of Horror

45:45 2011 State of the World

56:21 MAIN TOPIC: SUPER 8 // Summary and Stats

1:04:00 How they Approached Filming Child Actors

1:10:00 A Film that Connected us with the Previous Generation.

1:19:20 Zach’s Redemption Story

1:23:00 The Importance of the Monster Makeup and Models

1:27:00 This Movie Reminds us of our Own Childhood

1:32:00 The Importance of Keeping the Alien Off-Screen

1:36:11 One of Our Favorite Abrams Films but…

1:48:40 There aren’t a lot of Movies Like this Anymore.

1:56:40 Lasting Appeal and Goodbye

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A Disaster Film Everyone Loves | Independence Day

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 4 Aug 2021 14:00:00 +0000

In the mid-late 90’s something that was on the minds of many was whether or not our planet and civilization was going to make it into the next millennium. With that came an increasing popularity in disaster films. What better plot line than to have the entire human race threatened by Alien invaders, whose sole purpose is to destroy humanity as we knew it. However, these aliens would run into the stopping power of the United States Air Force and their uncanny ability to string together a plan to save the planet in a mere 48 hours. Not only is it the most efficient use of government time and resources imaginable, all of this is accomplished on the very day that the United States forefathers decided to declare their independence from the rule of Great Britain, hence the title INDEPENDENCE DAY. Listen or watch along in this episode as Cody and Zach discuss this popular 90’s film and begin their next series of discussing through stories that deal with alien encounters.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:00 Grass Cutting Catastrophe

11:00 How Many Animals Survive a Litter?

18:00 The Independent League Baseball Game

31:00 What We are Reading and Watching

49:40 1996 State of the World

1:04:00 INDEPENDENCE DAY Summary and Stats

1:12:30 The Most Efficient the Government has ever been

1:14:00 Independence Day was the movie that was always on.

1:17:30 The Aliens are not in the Movie all that much

1:23:00 The Independence Day Action Figures

1:27:50 How Zach Watched it in the Car

1:33:34 What do we Think about UFO Sightings

1:43:00 Something to Think about with Aliens

1:50:00 Why do Aliens always Want to Destroy in Storytelling?

1:53:00 What Makes Independence Day Standout?

2:06:00 Lasting Appeal

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Buddy Comedy and Romcom Collide

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 23:36:56 +0000

Wedding Crashers introduced us to the memorable duo of John and Jeremy through the journey of party crashing playboys to men who find their true loves. However, before seeing Wedding Crashers, we were not even familiar with the concept of wedding crashing in our adolescent lives. As we each stumbled upon this movie for the first time in our mid-teens, we were introduced to a different brand of comedy that would come to influence the next decade of the genre. While everyone gets a happy (and rather cliche) end when this story finally wraps, the laughs and the character arcs make this film worth the time, even to this day.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:00 The Baby Whisperer

13:00 The Common Ground of Board Games and Podcasts

23:00 A Quick Discussion on Learning

28:50 What are We Reading

39:20 2005 State of the World

54:33 Wedding Crashers Summary and Stats

1:02:50 Zach’s Initial Impact

1:06:00 Adoration for Characters with Bombastic Struggles

1:10:00 Cody’s Initial Impact [Awkward Watching with Dad]

1:16:00 The Film’s Potentially Questionable Theme

1:23:00 Surprisingly Good Character Arcs

1:37:00 The Influence on Comedy Films

1:44:00 Why we don’t like Bridesmaids but love Wedding Crashers and the Hangover

1:55:00 The Lasting Appeal

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Coming of Age through a Heartbreak | 500 Days of Summer

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 00:53:34 +0000

500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy that both of the guys were surprised to like quite a bit. It tells the story of two young professionals who both bring something great to a relationship, but in the end, for somewhat unexplained reasons, the relationship did not work out for them. However, 500 Days of Summer is not a story focused simply on the love between the two main characters, but rather how each person develops into the man or woman they were meant to become in the midst of their rollercoaster ride of a relationship. Listen in to this week’s episode of Parallel Quest as the guys discuss this movie and the way in which it has influenced and informed their own perspective on the dating life of young professionals looking for love.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

5:00 The Sauna

17:30 Brawlhalla Addiction

31:15 Update on SLS Publications

35:40 The Books We are Reading

48:10 2009 State of the World

1:01:50 500 Days of Summer (Summary and Stats)

1:11:10 Initial Impact / Relating to the Brokenhearted

1:16:00 A Young Married Couple’s Perspective

1:25:00 Hope for the Hopeless Romantic

1:31:00 Is it a Coming of Age Story?

1:39:50 Is there an Antagonist in the Story?

1:50:00 Lasting Appeal

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Laughing through a Breakup | Forgetting Sarah Marshall

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 23:35:40 +0000

There is one thing true to all relationships… Breakups are never fun when they occur. Even the most amicable of severed ties can be stressful and depressing for all parties involved. Through the avenue of storytelling breakups can be made a little bit easier when we can laugh at someone else’s misery. That is the main topic of this episode of Parallel Quest through discussing the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The guys talk about this 2008 film as well as the challenge of home repairs, smoothies we don’t like, the challenge of trying to sleep, and other interesting things that happened in the year 2008.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:48 Quick Audio Disclaimer

2:56 Home Repair Struggles

10:00 Indian Food and Smoothies

15:00 “Sleeping In” on Weekends

24:00 Hard Copies of Terror Town (Link in Description)

29:00 New Show Coming Soon for Steel Lake Studio

32:30 Main Topic: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

34:00 2008 State of the World

39:45 The Housing Crisis and The Big Short

46:00 Interesting Stats from 2008

49:50 Why Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a Great Breakup Film

51:45 Plot Summary

59:00 Critical Reception

1:02:00 The Impact on the Stars’ Careers

1:06:00 Aldous Snow/Russel Brand

1:12:00 Appreciating the Main Character

1:18:00 A “Fun” Way to Process through a Breakup

1:21:00 Our Two Favorite Quotes

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A Generally Beloved Romcom | 10 Things I Hate about You

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Fri, 9 Jul 2021 21:12:56 +0000

In the guys’ journey through Parallel Quest, they have not ventured into the realm of romance at this point in the podcast’s life. While Cody and Zach are more interested in adventure and high concept storytelling, there is something to be said about the tried and true success of the romantic comedy. Romcoms are oftentimes predictable with overly recycled plotlines and tropes, but continue on in spite of their flaws, mainly because of the date night potential. However, every once in a while, we encounter a romantic comedy that transcends expectation, entering into a different tier of quality. 10 Things I Hate about You is one such film. A mix of Shakespearean influence with a touch of hyperbolic high school tropes, and topped off with a lot of good laughs throughout, this movie is one that can be enjoyed by people of many different tastes and generations. Sit back, relax and feel free to engage as the Parallel Quest team examines the impact of 10 Things I Hate about You.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

3:21 Zach’s Lake Day Realization

15:00 The Cool Stuff Shirt Story

29:25 Updates from Steel Lake Studio

32:50 Books We’re Reading: Name of the Wind

38:50 Books We’re Reading: Guns, Germs and Steel

40:45 Books We’re Reading: Mistborn Series

50:54 1999 State of the World

1:12:00 Main Topic: Ten Things I Hate About You

1:18:00 The Shakespearean Influence

1:24:00 Critical Reception and Review

1:30:00 The Impact on the Careers of the Stars

1:37:00 The Initial Impact of 10 Things

1:57:00 Why The Guys Decided to Talk Romcoms

2:03:00 What Makes This Movie Work Better than other Romcoms

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Abandoned Amnesiac Assassin | The Bourne Identity

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 21:00:00 +0000

A story about espionage is a great avenue to get an audience member engaged in a tale. The story can either add to their own conspiracies about how the world of secret intelligence works or begin to deconstruct them. The Bourne Identity is a story that puts us in the shoes of an amnesiac assassin who is trying to figure out who he is, all while surviving against the world’s most adept assets. In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest, the guys discuss drive-in theaters, reaction videos, generational gaps, amnesia, free cam, James Bond, and of course this is all done with the backdrop of the main topic: The Bourne Identity.

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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:25 Unexpected Upside of the Vaccine

7:30 Drive-In Movie Adventure

17:30 Zach Watching Reaction Videos

20:30 GPS Generational Gap

27:30 Being Resourceful vs. Being Knowledgeable

32:30 News from Steel Lake Studio

36:00 Main Topic: The Bourne Identity

40:41 Did this Story Inspire the Bourne Series?

46:49 Other Guys Who Could Have Played Jason Bourne

55:00 Stats and Reception

1:00:26 The Aesthetic of The Bourne Identity

1:09:00 A Little bit about the Novel

1:11:42 Seeing the Last film Before any Others

1:19:45 Initially Underappreciating the Film

1:33:55 Preference: James Bond or Jason Bourne

1:37:49 Lasting Appeal

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Great and Terrible Endings | The Return of the King

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 21:00:00 +0000

While there may be no perfect ending for a story, one of the most important components of a good story is that the conclusion is satisfactory. However, that does not mean the most talented storytellers are great at sticking the landing. The guys share the components of what makes a strong ending, and examine what it looks like when a story falls flat in its final moments. This is all centered around the main topic for discussion, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, where both the book and the film have fantastic endings to an epic tale.

Watch the show on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:25 Sauce Conspiracy

10:45 A Surprisingly Good Chicken Sandwich

14:30 Getting Back to Board Games

25:00 Our Favorite and Least Favorite Endings

56:40 MAIN TOPIC: Return of the King

57:30 2003 State of the World

1:08:00 Ditching Friends to see Return of the King

1:17:07 Bringing together Multiple Generations

1:24:00 The Masterful Dialogue

1:26:00 Plot Refresh

1:39:00 The Success of the Movie

1:42:15 How did the Books become Films?

1:45:00 Did the Films “Ruin” the Books?

1:57:00 The Attitude of Adaptation

2:04:00 Why the Lord of the Rings is Special to Us

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Discussing Game of Thrones and Our Favorite Childhood Shows

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Mon, 31 May 2021 17:04:14 +0000

50 episodes into Parallel Quest felt like a good point to discuss some of our favorite television programs as kids. From Boy Meets World to Courage the Cowardly Dog, there were many shows we enjoyed within the first 12 years of our lives that left a lasting impact. Since we were inspired to talk about these shows, we also got into a very long conversation on Cody’s impressions on Game of Thrones, as he spent the last 2 months watching it. We hope you enjoy this episode of Parallel Quest, and let us know what some of your favorite childhood shows are.

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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:35 Grilling Season

3:50 The Beekeeper

15:28 The Phantom Bike Rider

28:00 Game of Thrones series review/discussion

1:13:00 Favorite TV Shows from Childhood

1:15:00 Are you Afraid of the Dark?

1:24:25 Boy Meets World

1:30:42 Smallville

1:33:18 Full House

1:37:24 Ed, Edd, and Eddy

1:46:10 Pokemon

1:51:00 Hey Arnold!

1:59:20 Batman: The Animated Series

2:06:34 Courage the Cowardly Dog

2:15:00 Dragon Ball Z

2:21:42 Goodbye

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The Importance of Part 2 in a Trilogy | The Two Towers

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Sun, 23 May 2021 16:42:57 +0000

Trilogies make up some of the greatest stories that we get to experience. The second installment in a trilogy has the challenging task of improving on the work of its predecessor but setting up the final part to give great payoff. In this week’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys talk about trilogies and how good the second part of well-known trilogies rank. In the second half of the show, the guys discuss the second installment in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers.

Watch the show on YOUTUBE

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:54 Movie Trailer Voice

4:00 Resident FDA expert

11:00 Eating Rotten Food

15:00 The Library

31:00 SLS News update

33:00 Best Part of Trilogies

1:05:00 Featured Story: The Two Towers

1:10:00 State of the World in 2002

1:16:00 Stats and Summary

1:26:00 Book to Film Differences

1:28:00 History and Fun Facts

1:37:00 Experiencing the Great Writing

1:40:00 Getting the 2nd DVD before the 1st

1:44:30 Seeing it with a Random Friend of a Sibling

1:51:00 The Many Attempts of Trying to Read the Book

1:53:20 Is it One of the Best Battle Scenes Still?

2:07:00 The Impact Two Towers had on LotR

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A Man Loses his Sons but Frees a Country | The Patriot

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Tue, 11 May 2021 23:31:14 +0000

Some might say that The Patriot could simply be boiled down to a basic revenge tale, while others may claim it to be a great story on the American Revolution. Either way one may look at this film, it was a big deal when it was released in the summer of 2000. Join in on this week’s episode of Parallel Quest as the guys discuss the simple things, journaling, seafood, patriotic films, and the epic film starring Mel Gibson, The Patriot

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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

PQ 48 Timestamps

0:00 Welcome

0:40 Thankful for the Little Things

5:00 Keeping a Journal

14:15 Do Midwesterners Appreciate Seafood?

32:30 Patriotic Films

42:00 MAIN TOPIC: THE PATRIOT

42:00 State of the World in 2000

52:00 Plot Summary

59:00 Is The Patriot too Cliche

1:06:00 The Great Scenes

1:09:20 The Jason Isaacs Story... Again

1:13:00 Fun Facts about the Patriot

1:17:00 Didn't Understand the Hype

1:27:00 The Tomahawk Scene

1:31:00 American Revolution Films in the Future?

1:35:00 Romanticizing the Past

1:38:00 Unlikely Plot Points

1:43:00 The Power of Fantasy over History

1:47:00 Goodbye

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When Award Winners were Great | Gladiator

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 5 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

In 2000, the new Millennia brought one of the teams favorite movies, Ridley Scott's Gladiator, starring Russel Crowe. Growing up this was an important movie in the lives of our teenage selves, from the great battle scenes to the script full of one-liners. Even though the final product is something that the guys love, that doesn't mean the production was without its fair share of hiccups. The script full of quotable lines was anything but easy to work with. The relationship with Proximo (Oliver Reed) and Maximus (Russel Crowe) on screen was somewhat reflective of the difficult relationship that these two had off-screen. Historical accuracy was something that the film strived for but it was not accurate enough to satisfy everyone.

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Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

0:32 New Topic

1:30 Runaway Dog

12:20 Game of Thrones and Shock Value

24:30 SLS/Podcast News

30:00 Best Picture (Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down)

1:00:00 The Gladiator

1:07:30 Our Favorite Quotes from Gladiator

1:11:00 Inspiration for the Film

1:16:00 Fun Facts about Gladiator

1:22:00 How Important is Historical Accuracy

1:30:45 Rising Tension Perfected

1:38:00 A Role Model Hero

1:45:00 Influencing Zach's Writing

1:50:00 How Well We Know this Film

1:53:00 Goodbye

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The Final MCU Podcast | MCU Phase 3 pt. 2

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 00:07:00 +0000

The journey through all of the Marvel films had to go on hiatus due to Cody's family coming down with illness, but upon recovery, the Steel Lake Studio team has returned to cover the final 6 films in the MCU. The ride through all of these was wild and the guys are very excited to discuss some of the best ones in all the MCU in this episode of Parallel Quest.

Watch it on YouTube

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction

0:37 Talking Baseball

3:30 Snowing in the Spring

8:30 The Long Hiatus Explained Out Sick

11:00 Zach's Upcoming Trip

15:00 Infinity War

40:45 Ant-Man and the Wasp

54:00 Captain Marvel

1:12:00 Giveaway Opportunity!

1:13:30 Endgame

1:35:00 Spider-Man: Far From Home

1:40:00 WandaVision

1:51:00 Ranking the Final 6

1:57:21 Goodbye, It is Finished

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

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New Faces, New Storylines and The Same Formula | Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3 (Part 1)

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe made a lot of money. However, that does not mean that much had changed for the MCU in phase 3; the general approach was to slightly expand the storylines and introduce new faces using tried and true formulaic tactics. In this episode of Parallel Quest the guys discuss the first 6 films of phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Watch the Show on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:20 The Worst Voiceover

6:27 A Story About GPS

15:00 Franchise Fatigue

33:00 MCU Phase 3 Trivia

47:00 Captain America: Civil War

1:07:00 Doctor Strange

1:18:00 Guardians of the Galaxy 2

1:30:00 Spider-Man Homecoming

1:37:00 Thor: Ragnarok

1:48:00 Black Panther

1:59:00 Ranking Phase 3 (First Half)

2:04:35 Goodbye

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Raising the Bar | Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 2

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 10:32:52 +0000

In Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe it had become quite clear that the MCU was here to stay. In our second part of our extended coverage of the MCU the guys discuss the six movies of Phase 2. Was it an improvement over the first phase? How do these movies rank up against each other? Did the guys fully buy-in to phase 2 or observe from the sideline?

Watch the show on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

1:00 Driving with Foot out of the car

8:00 Girl Scout Cookies

17:10 Would You Rather (MCU vs. Star Wars)

27:00 MCU Phase 2 Trivia

38:00 Anticipation for Phase 2

44:00 Iron Man 3

1:03:00 Thor: The Dark World

1:19:20 Captain America: The Winter Soldier

1:33:00 Guardians of the Galaxy

1:49:20 Avengers: Age of Ultron

2:06:13 Ant-Man

2:16:30 Ranking Phase 2 Films

2:20:10 Goodbye

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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Building a Cinematic Universe | Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 1

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 04:00:00 +0000

This is the beginning of our biggest podcasting endeavor to date: Covering the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. We kick things off by covering Phase 1 of the MCU. In our following episodes we will be covering an entire phase or a portion of a phase, rather than giving each film its own episode. We are sharing our parallel experiences in our lives and impressions of these films as they were coming out, as well as the lasting appeal of each installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stick around until the end of the episode where we rank the movies in phase 1.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Welcome/New Series

0:01:35 Collector's Cards

0:15:30 Almost Going to the Movies

0:20:00 The State of the Movie Theater

0:30:00 The Best and Worst Superpowers

0:44:00 A Introductory History to the MCU

0:57:00 The State of 2008 (The MCU's Beginnings)

1:13:50 Iron Man

1:29:30 The Incredible Hulk

1:41:50 Iron Man 2

1:55:00 Thor

2:12:45 Captain America: The First Avenger

2:27:40 The Avengers

2:41:00 Ranking Phase 1

2:47:20 Conclusion and Goodbye

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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The N64's Swan Song | The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, is a great game that gets overshadowed by a variety of different things. It came out at a time where the world was becoming more and more enthralled with Sony and what they were doing with the Playstation 2. Even though the game was very good, it did not have the impact on fans in the same way that its older brother, Ocarina of Time, did. With those two obstacles in its way, Majora's Mask seems to have aged like that of a fine wine, more special with each passing year.

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Introduction and Setting the Bar

0:08:00 What is a Wedding Critic?

0:14:00 General Thoughts on Critique

0:21:00 Rewatching Marvel Movies

0:24:00 Superhero Movies Coming to PQ

0:30:00 Video Game Movies We Want

0:49:10 News and Zach's New Book

0:55:00 MAIN TOPIC — Majora's Mask

0:56:00 Basic Concept of the Game

1:02:00 Gameplay Concepts/Philosophy

1:06:00 History/Plot/Skull Kid

1:10:00 Is Majora's Mask the Darkest Zelda?

1:16:00 Gameplay and Technological Advancements

1:21:00 Commercial and Critical Reception

1:28:00 Overshadowed by the release of PS2

1:35:40 Gaming for an Audience

1:43:30 Lasting Appeal/Themes

1:54:30 Goodbye

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When the Virtual Becomes Reality | Ready Player One

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Wed, 3 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Ready Player One was an explosive success both in written form and on the silver screen. The story of Wade Watts and his journey through the Oasis of James Halliday is one that is filled with charm and jam packed with 80’s nostalgia. While it might not be the most beloved work by literary critics, it is a joy to experience for anyone looking for a fun trip in a world enveloped with pop culture obsession.

Watch the show on YouTube

Buy Zach’s newest book, Something Strange at Grandma’s House: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Introduction and Welcome

0:01:05 Zach shares his excitement about writing his 2nd book

0:02:55 Getting kids to like Lord of the Rings

0:05:45 Cody talks about turning 30

0:07:40 Cody’s tips for people in their 20’s or just those who don’t have kids

0:12:20 Zach’s perspective on meditation

0:23:30 Cody’s story about the “healing” of meditation

0:29:15 Zach’s 2nd book is OUT NOW!

0:32:50 Do readers need to read the Terror Town series in order?

0:34:03 MAIN TOPIC: READY PLAYER ONE

0:36:40 The purpose of Ready Player One and the impact of 80’s culture

0:39:20 History and background of Earnest Cline and Ready Player One

0:43:20 The guys’ thoughts on the critical reception of Ready Player One

0:50:45 Plot Synopsis of Ready Player One

0:58:04 Fun facts associated with Ready Player One

1:03:00 The main differences between the book and the film

1:09:00 Earnest Cline’s other works and Ready Player Two

1:18:25 Earnerst Cline’s characters were based on real life people

1:21:00 Bought the book on a date night, read it in an auto shop

1:27:20 Receiving the book as a gift

1:33:30 Lasting Appeal

1:44:49 Goodbye

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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10 of our Favorite Supporting Characters

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Supporting/secondary characters serve many functions within the realm of storytelling. At times they are used to drive the plot, other times they are the voice of reason, or maybe the voice of temptation. Oftentimes a story gives us a main character that we are supposed to admire or respect, but in this episode of Parallel Quest the guys shed the spotlight on those in the second chair by listing 10 of their favorite supporting characters and why they like them.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Introduction and welcome

0:03:08 Zach’s home renovations

0:16:22 Cody might have ruined his favorite movie

0:29:24 SLS news, Zach’s book and Newsletter update

0:34:27 MAIN TOPIC Favorite Supporting Characters and the rules of the list

0:37:13 Falco Lombardi (Star Fox 64)

0:40:58 Rocket Raccoon (Guardians of the Galaxy)

0:43:32 Duncan Idaho (Dune)

0:48:00 Alan Garner (The Hangover)

0:54:11 Larry Underwood (The Stand)

0:58:50 Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy VII)

1:04:00 AJ Frost (Armageddon)

1:10:10 Ian Malcolm (Jurassic Park)

1:15:43 Proximo (Gladiator)

1:21:58 Ben Linus (Lost)

1:28:00 Schmidt (New Girl)

1:35:00 Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)

1:40:24 Tok the Watchdog (The Phantom Tollbooth)

1:44:24 Hermione Granger (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)

1:49:50 Richie Tozier (It)

1:55:45 The Joker (The Dark Knight)

2:00:15 Lando Calrissian (Star Wars)

2:04:50 The Old Man (In God We Trust All others Pay Cash)

2:08:25 Boromir (The Lord of the Rings)

2:16:15 Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)

2:22:30 Goodbye

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

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The Gift Every Kid Wanted | Super Mario 64

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:09:38 +0000

Super Mario 64 accompanied by a Nintendo 64 was every young kid’s dream Christmas gift in the mid-90’s. In this week’s episode the guys discuss Super Mario 64, their favorite characters to use in Nintendo games, gamer rage, the rumble pack, and how video games allow us to play a part in crafting our own stories.

If you would like to watch the podcast check it out on YouTube

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Introduction and welcome to our first video podcast.

0:03:27 The Sleepy Drive-Tru Guy

0:11:28 Kids breaking all the headphones

0:18:18 Steel Lake Studio news and Zach’s new book announcement

0:22:56 CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER; Cody’s choice — Donkey Kong

0:28:08 CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER; Zach’s choice — Kirby

0:33:00 MAIN TOPIC Super Mario 64. Our experience with Mario games.

0:37:25 History of Nintendo and Super Mario franchise

0:50:28 What was the inspiration for the Boo ghosts in SM64?

0:52:37 SM64 has more puzzles than any other Mario before it… Why is that?

0:56:49 The initial reception of SM64

0:59:49 Why Cody can sympathize with the Nintendo 64 kid

1:04:32 Playing the first Bowser level over and over again

1:06:51 SM64 was Zach’s introduction into the video gaming world

1:08:34 The most exciting gift for Christmas of ‘96 before opening the N64

1:10:40 First experience playing SM64

1:14:07 The most impactful game of our youth?

1:15:27 The unique type of storytelling that is experienced with video games

1:17:03 The legacy of Mario continues on

1:21:59 The special place that SM64 will have for us

1:27:06 Goodbye

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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A Good Sequel but the Worst Installment | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Wed, 3 Feb 2021 23:15:55 +0000

A bad experience with leftovers, our favorite mega monsters, and a terrible plot summary of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is what you have too on this 39th episode of parallel quest.

STORIES FROM THE GUYS

Zach: The quest for the best salad dressing on planet Earth

Cody: When leftovers decide to attack.

OUR FAVORITE MEGA MONSTERS

Something that is not talked about enough when the second Harry Potter is discussed is the fact that it includes a handful of large and terrifying creatures. The Whomping Willow, Aragog, and the Basilisk are all iconically terrifying in their own way and add to the tension of the story. In this segment, each of the guys shares one of their favorite mega monsters.

Zach: Shares about his love for the world’s largest reptilian god of destruction

Cody: A fire drake from the north that is a physical force as well as an intellectual one turns out to be the kind of monster that no one would want to sneak around.

MAIN TOPIC: HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

The guys have quite a bit to talk about when it comes to the second Harry Potter story, and not all of it is in the form of a glowing review. They kick things off by giving a plot summary which they will need to apologize to all of the most hardcore Harry Potter fans for. Sure, the summary does suffice but there are many important details that each host remembered far later in the show. However, there are some fascinating nuggets of information that shed light on how The Chamber of Secrets is connected with later Harry Potter installments. The guys end up having a discussion about how much they actually think that JK Rowling had planned when she sat down and started clacking keys. Was Tom Riddle’s diary always supposed to be a horcrux or is that just a retroactive convenience? Cody shares the story about how this installment was initially hard for him to get through, while Zach was about to give up on the stories at Hogwarts after this one. There are many stories and discussions had throughout the episode, we hope you enjoy and would love to hear your stories too.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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Is it really the "Great American Novel?" | The Great Gatsby

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 23:03:11 +0000

Velveeta Cheese, Italian authors, lifestyles of the rich and dysfunctional, men in grocery stores, and the question of are there any heroes in The Great Gatsby. All of this and more is discussed in this week’s episode of Parallel Quest.

STORIES FROM THE GUYS

Zach shares with us about his latest road trip and literature that he is reading. The most surprising takeaway is his opinion on where the best Barbecue in the United States can be found.

Cody went on a journey for liquid gold at the most inopportune time. He shares about the stress, challenge, and frustrations of a last minute grocery run.

BROUGHT TO TEARS

In this segment the guys decide to get a little vulnerable. It isn’t every episode that Zach and Cody allow the listeners to peer into that which makes them cry. However, after an amazing sports season that has come to an end, the guys decide to share some moments when they were brought to tears. However, these are not situations in life that actually matter that bring them to tears, but rather movies that they have watched that have either brought them to the verge of tears or completely opened up the valves to their personal waterworks.

They also discuss their general thoughts on movies that are intentionally made to be tear jerkers. While neither of the guys actively seeks out opportunities to watch these types of films, they have each seen their fair share of them.

MAIN TOPIC: THE GREAT GATSBY

As the guys discuss what has been labeled “The Great American Novel” they share their thoughts, lessons and memories of The Great Gatsby. Topics that they explore are: The history and influences of F. Scott Fitzgerald; the initial success (or lack thereof) The Great Gatsby had early on; is this book just your typical tropey summer romance story?; Why are we drawn to the lifestyle of the rich and famous while despising it at the same time?; Who is the real hero in The Great Gatsby?

Enjoy as the guys discuss one of their favorite required reads from their youth!

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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The Black Spot, Mermen, and Coffee Shop Conspiracies | Treasure Island

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 01:52:53 +0000

This week’s episode of Parallel Quest discusses many things such as conspiracies about coffee shops, why it would be terrible to be a mermaid, and wrapping up with the main discussion about Treasure Island.

STORIES FROM THE GUYS

Zach shares with us his thoughts on how a large chain of coffee shops may be pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. To make it even more egregious, this is something happening during the holiday season!

Cody brings up something that he feels not enough people in the world are discussing, the reality that dry cereal is far superior to cereal with milk in it.

WORLDS WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO LIVE IN

Many people have discussions around what fictional worlds that they would like to experience in real life. While that is fun to imagine, the guys decide to flip that topic of discussion on its head. Each host shares a fictional world that they would absolutely not want to be part of.

MAIN TOPIC: TREASURE ISLAND

In the main topic of discussion, the guys discuss one of the most iconic adventure stories ever written, Treasure Island. They discuss the history of how the work was made and adapted into many different forms.The guys discuss how they first found out about the story as well as some of their favorite adaptations. They also have a discussion on what they think the proper age is to read the book as well as pondering if target-audiences have gotten older as time has gone by and why. Treasure Island also supplies us with one of the greatest villains in the history of storytelling. What is it about Long John Silver that makes him such a great villain? Finally, the guys share what they feel will be the lasting cultural impact of Treasure Island as time goes by.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

We had to Read it but We didn't Love it | The Scarlet Letter

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Wed, 6 Jan 2021 01:42:16 +0000

The guys are starting off 2021 with a bang! Kicking off the year by discussing one of their least favorite literary works that they were obligated to read during their tenure in high school, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Even though this was not their favorite read, it turned out to be a rather fun episode for the guys. Zach tells about his latest battle with a random pedestrian. Not a battle of physicality or dominance, but rather a civil sparring of cordiality and polite behavior. While the competition was fierce, we can safely conclude that each of the opponents came out with something to take pride in. Speaking of competition, Cody shares why he loves sports. While this is not a sports podcast, the guys like to sneak in a little sports talk here and there because they are big fans of their hometown teams. Competition is a great thing to witness but once the competition is over, what makes the world of highly competitive sports interesting are the variety of different stories that come out of it.The guys eagerly await as their favorite team gets ready to play in the NFL playoffs for the first time since they had to memorize all of their prepositions. Cody, has a scandal of his own that he must bring up before they discuss the rather scandalous Scarlet Letter. The stakes in the scandal going on within the life of Mr. Haggard is nowhere near as dramatic or traumatic as the one Hester Prynne had to go through but still very frustrating.

The Scarlet Letter is a work that is known by many people around the world. Most of this is probably accredited to the fact that it is required reading for most us who have gone through the educational system in the United States. With this being a truth, the guys decide to share some of their favorite stories that are not as well known or popular that they think deserve a little bit more love.

In the main topic discussing The Scarlet Letter the guys discuss many interesting things about the history of the book as well as share their opinions on it. From how Nathaniel Hawthorne decided to change the spelling of his name to the very mysterious case of who should get credit for the work’s publication, there are some rather interesting historical facts that accompany this historical “masterpiece.” The guys discuss their initial impact of the book while also sharing that they read it at a time that was completely irrelevant to the stage of life they were at. Is it worth taking the time within a literature class to examine a book like this, when many students find it somewhere on the spectrum of “not very interesting” to “downright boring.” The formative years should be those that are used to create interest in reading for students, not putting books in front of them that will make them want to run away from it.

Even though neither of the guys initially liked the Scarlet Letter they can appreciate the story’s accomplishments and literary power. It was a book that challenged the status quo which is a common attribute of the stories we remember the most. Listen in as the guys discuss whether this is a book that they will ever want to revisit or one that they think should just be left for the annals of history.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

2020 was Okay but Ready Player Two was Truly Disappointing

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 16:40:34 +0000

2020 is almost over and the guys decide to have a discussion that is all over the place to end the year. Listen in as Zach shares about his potential future as a craftsman, now that he is the proud owner of his very own workbench. But, not only is he a future artist in the technique of lumber-slinging, he shares tales of his inner competitive nature. A simple board game of Ticket to Ride might seem like a casual family fun day, however, Zach competes at everything as if it were a championship match.

Have you ever randomly found a slight error in the construction of your home? Not the kind that are detrimental to the safety of your house, but the kind where a small mistake can cause a big headache far into the future. Well, if you haven't, you are extremely blessed, unfortunately for Cody that blessing has not been extended towards him. As a collector of books, every once in a while you decide to gift yourself a new book shelf in order to expand future works to your collection. The main problem with collecting books, though, is that they take up a rather large amount of physical space as the years go by. Cody and his wife thought that they found a perfect spot to add more shelves, purchased the shelves, put them together, but late in the fourth quarter ran into a little bit of trouble.

This week the guys devote more time to the stories that they have been taking in. Zach has finally wrapped up his reading of The Stand by Stephen King. As he has mentioned many times over, it is a rather long book and he has been working on it for a while, but finishing something that long brings with it a level of satisfaction and accomplishment. Coming in at roughly 500,000 words, this book is a heavy one, only slightly short than Leo Tolstoy's notoriously long War and Peace.

The story that Cody listened to over the last week was one that he enjoyed so little that he nearly forgot about it. Upon remembering what it was it spurred on a critique/review that was not very flattering of this disappointing sequel. That story in question is Ready Player Two, the sequel to the beloved Ready Player One. Not everything needs or should have a sequel. The saddest part about any sequel is when you can obviously tell that they were set out to be cash grabs from the very beginning. All of this and more is discussed between the guys as they have a rather long discussion about Ready Player Two.

After calming down the guys finally get into their wrap up of 2020. They talk about their favorite moments and their largest difficulties. More exciting then just recapping what already has been, the guys share a few little teasers about the work that they are excited to be sharing in 2021. The team at Steel Lake Studio is so excited about a new year and very thankful for everyone who has joined them to this point.

To you, the listener and reader of these show notes, we thank you for all of your support to this point and look forward to continuing this quest on into the future.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:

A Classic Storybook Brought to Life | How the Grinch Stole Christmas

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION

In today’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys start off by having a discussion of bedside manner. Is it better for a doctor or nurse to be completely silent during an exam or are a few words of assurance that “everything looks good” a little better? One thing leads to another and Zach ends up telling a story about a time that he had swollen lymph nodes or, according to his doctor, “possibly cancer.”

2020 has definitely been the year of strange things and the changing of traditions. Weddings have been one thing that have been quite different in 2020. With canceled and postponed weddings becoming rather popular, somehow, Cody still found himself officiating two of them under expedited circumstances. There is a possibility that his calling in life is to be a professional wedding officiant? Maybe. But more importantly, the guys discuss how people should really approach weddings in the midst of a global pandemic.

THE RANDOM DISCUSSION TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Zach and Cody agree on a lot of things but not always everything. A recent topic that they found themselves in disagreement over was “which storytelling medium has the largest market size.” Zach thinks that the literary fiction market is larger than that of films. Cody believes the opposite, thinking the the market for films is quite a bit larger than that of literary fiction. Listen in as the guys discuss and let us know what you think about it as well. Write into the show here (https://www.steellakestudio.com/community) to let the guys know what you think about the topic.

MAIN TOPIC: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000 film) 01:00:30

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was a highly anticipated film for the guys in the year 2000, but it was not a movie that came to life in the easiest of ways. After a crazy agreement to attain the rights to Dr. Seuss’s work, the Grinch was released with a big name star (Jim Carrey) leading the performance and a successful director (Ron Howard) commanding the team that brought Dr. Seuss’s imagination to the live-action screen. The film received rather lukewarm reception by critics upon its release but has gone on to be a classic played around many television sets in the years to follow.

Even though the film wasn’t the best, it captured the imagination of Dr. Seuss’s world in a rather impressive way. The team that brought the film to life was full of talent from people who were formerly writers for Seinfeld to the greatest makeup artist in modern film, Rick Baker. This episode of Parallel Quest digs in to the talent that is, Rick Baker. Cody shares exactly how and why this is a household name in the Haggard house, even though most casual film viewers probably have no idea who he is.

There are many stories from the guys attached to this film that will allow you to laugh along and hopefully share your own as well.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

A Story Synonymous with Americana

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Tue, 8 Dec 2020 22:52:42 +0000

INTRODUCTION

In the first part of today’s episode of Parallel Quest the guys start by discussing Zach’s new-found joy in jumpstarting people’s vehicles. He also shares that it is one of the few skills that he can bring to the table in the realm of “car issues.” He uses this introductory story as motivation to continue to improve his handiness.

The guys also discuss the one thing that will make Cody not want to follow someone in social media. We guarantee it is not what you think, but would love to hear your thoughts. Is it too harsh? Too judgmental?

Somehow or another this leads into a discussion on whether or not the rock band is dead? In a time where solo accolades, achievements, and careers is collaborative creativity seeing a slow death?

MAIN TOPIC: A CHRISTMAS STORY 00:55:00

In our main topic of discussion this episode we discuss the very popular AChristmas Story. The guys give a little bit of history on the driving force behind the story, the one and only, Jean Shepherd. Shepherd took classic storytelling methods and brought them to the screen in such a way that serves well as both a movie and narrative voice. Many people probably would not even be able to attach the name Jean Shepherd and A Christmas Story but the guys hope that more and more people can become familiar with this iconic figure.

The guys discuss the storytelling device used within the film. What they think about the sense of humor that is utilized within the film, and try to come to an understanding of how some people may not like it very much. In spite of the film’s average reception when it first came out, the guys share how it exploded to its current status as cultural mainstay.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

When Fantasy is Funny | The Princess Bride

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Tue, 1 Dec 2020 23:46:12 +0000

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION

In part 1 of this episode the guys talk about their beloved Cleveland Browns and how they are actually doing pretty good this year. In spite of that Zach, still has to deal with the constant reminders from Steelers fans (since he lives in Pittsburgh) about how they are still better.

Is it possible that a more expensive air filter can improve your quality of life? Can it prevent you from getting things, such as influenza? Can it provide you with a better night's sleep? These are all questions that the guys explore as Zach shares about having spent a little bit more than he normally does on a new air filter.

While air filters can provide an exciting topic of conversation, the guys pivot and Cody begins to share about his newfound fascination with Formula 1. Competition is something that is fun to participate in, and those who compete at extremely high levels are wondrous to observe. Through watching a documentary, Cody has been introduced to the fast moving world of Formula 1 driving and is hooked, at least for now.

There was a scary moment that happened in the recent past where Cody thought that he had lost all of the files that make up Steel Lake Studio because of come computer hardware issues. Fortunately, it was something that he was capable of fixing, but SLS had its first near-death experience.

MAIN TOPIC: THE PRINCESS BRIDE 00:39:00

There is so much to be said about the wonderful story that is, The Princess Bride. However, even though many people are familiar with the film, the guys are pretty sure that many are not quite as familiar with how the film came to be. From its creation as a novel, to the long process it went through before ever hitting the screen. And the fact that the book is kind of a story within a story.

The guys share as much as they were able to learn about William Goldman and his classic tale. Along the way they will share about the importance that this story had for the growing up as well as the continual impact and influence that it has over them today. The guys would also be failing if they didn't go over some of their favorite quotes from the movie as well.

CLOSING: QUESTION FROM THE AUDIENCE.

The guys answer a question from a faithful Parallel Quest listener, discussing what types of stories work best with certain types of mediums and why.

Thank you so much for checking out Parallel Quest. This is a production of Steel Lake Studio. We don't just have one podcast though, we are a team of storytellers trying to use a variety of different mediums to tell stories that we have been working on our whole lives. If you would like to check out more of what we do, check out https://www.steellakestudio.com/

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

20 Great Comedies | Each of the Guys Shares 10 of Their Favorite Comedies

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 01:34:27 +0000

Every ten episodes, the guys try to shake up the formula a little bit to Parallel Quest, trying to keep it as fun as they possibly can. Rather than a "Genre Crush" the guys have decided to use episode 30 to talk about 10 of their favorite comedies. Each host takes a little bit of a different approach in how they present their list, but provide a good variety in the types of comedies they enjoy. The lists have a good range in the type of comedy they are as well as what medium they appear in. If you love the lists give us a shout out and let us know what some of your favorite comedies are. While if you hate the lists, reply to us telling us how we know absolutely nothing about what makes a good comedy. However you feel about this episode, we appreciate you for taking the time to listen and look forward to hearing from our audience what some of their favorite comedies are.

Zach’s Book Nightmare at the Fair: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Remembering Some of our Favorite Scary Stories | Goosebumps

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 00:52:01 +0000

In this week's episode the guys go back in time to discuss one of the most iconic children's series of their upbringing, Goosebumps. R.L Stine was able to successfully churn out book after book, and consistently gave kids all over with a story to be spooked by.

The guys take time to share the history of how Goosebumps came about and grew in popularity. A series with dozens of books that drew the guys in because of their intriguing cover art. Not only was Goosebumps a successful children's horror series, a few of the stories were adapted for television but definitely feel quite inferior to their written counterparts.

In the guys initial impressions Zach and Cody share the stories of how they each got into the series. Memories of enjoying the books whether they were read to them by their parents or late into the evening while hiding under the covers with a flashlight. One thing both guys agree on is that Goosebumps was an integral part in their enjoyment of reading at a young age.

It wouldn't be an episode of Parallel Quest if it did not have lasting appeal, so stick around til the end to hear how Zach and Cody still value these books.

A New Age of Horror Influenced by Classics | Get Out

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

As Zach is a new author in the genre of children's horror, the guys at Parallel Quest have decided to take the next couple episodes and talk about some horror themed stories. If you have any interest in checking out Zach's book, Nightmare at the Fair, you can find it here: https://www.steellakestudio.com/books

As the two guys approach this episode discussing the film, Get Out, the come from the angle of long time fan and long time observer. Zach is a fan of horror stories, while horror is not one of Cody's genres of choice. However, you will find in this episode that each host has a lot of respect for the story telling and the theme that is being introduced within Jordan Peele's directorial debut.

In the episode, the guys discuss the history of the film, its initial impact, and whether or not it has lasting appeal. While Get Out is a movie that has contemporary topics that it seeks to address, the storytelling is something that can be respected for many generations to come.

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Zach's First Book | Discussing Nightmare at the Fair

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Sun, 1 Nov 2020 22:38:54 +0000

In this episode, Cody has prepared a list of questions for Zach about the process in writing Nightmare at the Fair. If you would like to skip straight to the interview, jump to 00:43:00.

Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Fair-Terror-Town-Book-ebook/dp/B08M9KM1ZV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=nightmare+at+the+fair&qid=1604268607&sr=8-2

Introduction

Stories from the guys
1. Zach: surprise parties - what’s your take?
2. Cody: the battle of political signs.
“Terribly Terrific”
1. Each host shares about a story that they admit is kind of terrible, but for some reason they really enjoyed it.
  1. Cody: Nicholas Cage action films such as Con Air, Gone in 60 seconds, and Face Off.
  2. Zach: Will Ferril movies -- some are really bad (Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, even some parts of The Other Guys) and I don’t think people want to admit that

Nightmare at the Fair Questions (MAIN TOPIC)

What is it that made you decide that you wanted to write in this particular genre (Children’s Horror) and what was some of your inspiration for the book?
Share with me some of the process from the conception of your idea, to outlining, to writing. How long was the process for you?
Was there ever a point in this particular project where you felt like it wasn’t coming together the way that you wanted it to? Did you ever have a moment where you weren’t sure if you were going to finish it?
Since, you were a young lad, you have wanted to write a book. The day has come! Share with our audience ultimately why you decided to go the route of independent/self publishing instead of traditional.

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:

A Mordern-Day Tall Tale | Big Fish

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Zach Butler, Cody Haggard) — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:15:26 +0000

Most people who have heard of Big Fish are probably familiar with the film by Tim Burton, however, before it hit the big screen, it was written as a short novel by Daniel Wallace.

Leading up to the guy's conversation about Big Fish, Zach shares about his experience rewatching the Star Wars prequel films. Is Phantom Menace dreadful or does it have some redeeming qualities? Were midichlorians the death of Star Wars? What does the future hold for the infamous "broom boy" in the stories about a galaxy far, far away?

Cody shares a story about how his son was unable to successfully pull off a birthday prank. A father who seeks to raise his sons to be honest must wrestle with the reality that pulling a prank is not the most honest of activities.

Since, Big Fish is a story about a man's tall tale life the guys decide to share some of their favorite real-world tall tales that they bought into at one point or another. Zach shares about the elusive secret star from Super Mario 64. Cody tells the tale of how he bought into an internet rumor of a celebrity's death during the early years of the internet.

Finally, getting to the main topic, the guy's share their favorite scenes and moments from Big Fish. They both share the best moments from the film, while Cody gives some examples of where the book really shines. The storytelling power that these tall tales have provide us with moments in a grander story that can be retold for their morale appeal.

While it is great to summarize some of the best moments and the history of how the book and film were made, the guy's truly love this story because of their personal experience with it. Zach was first drawn into it as he was trying to build up a "sophisticated" collection of films from the $5 dollar movie bin. Cody was drawn to it from the initial trailers of the film, but did not actually get to watch it for many months after its release. This is a movie that both the guys have seen many times over. The visuals and film work are some of their favorite. As for the book, the bite size chapters serve as the perfect book to pick up and read before going to bed at night.

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Our Least Favorite Star Wars Film | Attack of the Clones

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Cody Haggard, Zach Butler) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 02:29:51 +0000

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions on how they feel about stories. Many have created lists of how they rank the Star Wars films, most will put Episode I at the bottom of that list. While we don't claim that Phantom Menace is a great film, we believe that Attack of the Clones is a misstep for Star Wars, and a missed opportunity with the lead up to the era of the Clone Wars. The storytelling is what we have the largest critique for in this particular entry. While we have our own opinions, we share them knowing that many will not agree with us, and that is completely okay, just sit back and enjoy this journey of Parallel Quest. If you think we are totally off-base with our assessment, we'd love to hear from you :)

Intro

Stories From the Guys:
A Conversation about Cuties on Netflix and Storytelling
- A well-intended theme but maybe not the right way to go about telling this type of story.

MAIN TOPIC: Attack of the Clones (Timestamp - 00:48:00)

History

Attack of the Clones was released May 16th 2002
Was one of the first movies shot on a high-definition digital 24-frame system (aka, not film stock)
The first Star Wars film to be outgrossed the year it was released, finishing 4th at the box office
As a joke, the working title of the film was called Jar Jar’s Great Adventure
Lucas originally wanted the clones to be Lando Calrissian, but later changed it to Jengo Fett (although, in A New Hope it’s alluded that Lando is a clone)
Lucas added the droid factory scene after the initial shooting due to a lack of pacing. They shot it in four and a half hours--which is why it’s terrible
Despite negative reception, it still kept with the SW theme of pushing technology in film. The new way of filming digitally is pretty much the standard now
Received a 65% on RT and Ebert gave it a 2 out of 5
- Did win two awards at the Golden Raspberries: Worst Screenplay (George Lucas) and Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen)

Plot

Oh boy….
Three plot lines (sort of) happening at once:
- Anikin and Padme hiding out on Naboo because of an assassination attempt
- Obi-wan trying to piece together who tried to kill Padme and uncovering a larger plot for a clone/droid army
- The senate voting Palpatine into ULTIMATE POWER!!!!
Dude, honestly, this one is so convoluted I thought we just might talk it through

Initial Impressions

Zach:

The only SW film I’ve ever seen on DVD first. I had no interest in seeing it after Phantom Menace
- Glad I didn’t
This one was so bad that I completely forgot how it ended because I don’t think I ever finished it
I remembered all the Legos coming out
My friends all said SW was dead

Cody:

Disappointing! I was hoping for more war, less romance.
Master Sifo-Dyas is one of the most confusing things in all of Star Wars
From the earliest days of watching it (typical Haggard house rewatching), I would fast forward to all the best parts.
Watching Yoda is the highlight of this film.
As a kid I really liked the increased action over Phantom Menace.

Lasting Impressions

Zach:

Still THE worst Star Wars movie and one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen
- Even John Williams didn’t seem to know where to throw in his music
BUT, there are some redeeming qualities I can appreciate as I’ve gotten older
- The relationship between Obi-wan and Anikin is important now that I’m older because I have kids that are just like Annie at work
- Also, think the theme of democracy versus dictatorship is always going to a pertinent discussion in America

Cody:

As time has gone by, this one has fallen to the bottom of my list of Star Wars Films.
I still get a good laugh every time I watch the beginning when Anakin is getting shocked.
My wife actually really liked this movie when I was introducing her to Star Wars.

Final Thoughts/Closing

Zach:

DUNE!

Cody:

Finished Big Fish

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

If you REALLY like the show, consider rocking some Parallel Quest themed MERCHANDISE:https://www.steellakestudio.com/merch

Holes — When You Read Something Good for School

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Tue, 6 Oct 2020 23:00:37 +0000

In today's episode of Parallel Quest we discuss the children's book Holes by Louis Sachar. This served as a book that opened our eyes that not all of the books that you have to read for school are dreadfully boring.

Stanley Yelnats adventure to and survival in Camp Green Lake is one that covers many important concepts for children and adolescents, while doing so in a fun and entertaining way. The guys discuss how they initially experienced this book for the first time. Cody saw this as a highlight of the fifth grade, an otherwise terrible school year, while Zach was so excited about the book that he read it before all of his other classmates were even through the first couple of chapters.

The guys enjoy the lighthearted nature in which Sachar talks about important issues. Going through the synopsis of the story and giving their lasting appeal, Cody and Zach believe that this is a book that should be enjoyed by many.

Unfortunately, the movie of the same name and inspiration did not drive home quite as well with the guys. While it is passable for a younger audience, it does not live up to the classic standard that the novel does.

We hope you enjoy this discussion of Parallel Quest.

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I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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BONUS QUEST | The Social Dilemma — A Documentary You Need to See

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 22:01:59 +0000

A Review of the Social Dilemma — Interesting info/stories from the documentary and any criticisms we might have
1. A brief summary of the concept and subject matter within the documentary
2. Cody
  1. The way in which Google autofill works based on region. It truly does develop regional narratives
  2. The notification system is completely aware of how much time you spend on the applications, and I never gave much thought to how it prompts us, just passively gave into the loop.
  3. Targeted advertising. On a device that tracks everything you observe that also has your credit card information stored in it seems to be a dangerous recipe.
  4. The bias in the documentary was actually handled quite well. Even though they were raising awareness of the social media pitfalls, it did so from the position that recognized how useful of a tool it has become.
  5. The story of our lives is probably better catalogued within our social media profiles, search data, email inbox, etc., than anywhere else on the planet.
3. Zach
  1. News sites prompting headlines
  2. Curated content on Facebook (I see it with the tea company I buy from and I hate it). YouTube does this do.
4. Josh
  1. Found the conversation shift to focus on how these companies aren’t necessarily trying to sell our data to advertisers, but more use the data to help advertisers get what they are selling in front of you.
  2. One of the interviews talked about how our phones have become what essentially are adult pacifiers. People who are alone, anxious, or afraid, will look at their phone.
  3. The discussion about regulation of the platform was a section interesting because it very much hits the nail on the head on the head
Our personal stories, experiences, and thoughts about social media
Will the message within this documentary be something that can be a catalyst for change?

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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LOST — Cinema Quality Television

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 01:30:57 +0000

Introduction

Stories from the week
1. Cody: My wife discovers YouTube
2. Zach: How to properly interact with neighbors; Faking a building plan
Intro topic of discussion: Weird Fantasies. Each host names a weird fantasy they would have liked to be a reality.
1. Cody: stranded on an island.
2. Zach: professional theme park YELP reviewer

Main Topic — Lost

Initial Impact

We figure the best way to start talking about LOST is by discussing the elements that made us interested in watching the show in the first place.

History.
1. Lloyd Braun’s idea… survivor meets cast away meets Gilligans Island with a Lord of the Flies element.
2. The Show Creators
  1. Jeffrey Lieber: In Name Only (changed the name to Nowhere, which really made Lloyd Braun mad.)
  2. JJ Abrams: The Big Name (People loved his work on Alias)
  3. Damon Lindelof: The Protege
    1. Would end up being the primary show runner alongside Carlton Cuse.
      1. Together they wrote over ⅓ of the episodes for the series.
      2. They served as the overall creatives behind the vision and overall story.
      3. They constructed a “Bible” of sorts that contained all of the mythology behind the show Lost.
        They are still credited as writing one of the best TV episodes of a show… “The Variable”
  4. Fun Facts — Many people laughed this idea out of the room when it was originally being pitched.
    1. However, it ended up being the most expensive Pilot ever made for TV at the time… $14mil
    2. Abrams and Lindelof “promised” ABC that it would not be a serialized drama, but that each episode would stand on its own…. They lied.
    3. Abrams was often asked questions about the show because many people thought he was more involved with the shows creation than he was. He dropped out to work on films halfway through the first season.
    4. Twilight Zone Influences — The Theme song and the Pilot.
  5. For a period of time, it was the highest-rated TV show on IMDB and is still critically recognized for being one of the best TV shows ever.
  6. Nominated for many awards throughout its run, having won a total of 12 awards during that time.
3. Plot synopsis and our favorite episodes and characters.

Conclusion

Cody
1. Currently reading Range by David Epstein

Zach

Watching High Score before bed

The Twilight Zone — A Beloved Anthology

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 22:21:47 +0000

The guys start off the episode with a returning segment, "10 questions." This time Cody answers 10 questions from Zach that range from whether Rambo would win in a fighter over the Terminator, to what movie he would completely erase from existence.

In our MAIN TOPIC we discuss the TWILIGHT ZONE, it's history, plot, and impact.

History
1. Was first aired in 1959 and ran for five seasons
2. Rodman Serling, or just Rod Serling, was a man before his time. Fascinated with pulp magazines as well as culturally relevant issues such as race, war, government and society. Wanted to combine the two in story form
3. Rod Serling was a prominant figure in television by the 1950s though was very frustrated by the changes and edits to many of his television plays
  1. In his play Requiem for a Heavyweight the line “Got a match?” had to be taken out because the company sold lighters
4. Wanted to take the genre of sci-fi and tell moral stories. Thought he could get away with some of the more taboo subjects of the time
5. First pilot pitch to CBS was “The Time Element”
  1. About a man who dreams of returning to Honolulu in 1941 and trying to warn people of the impending Pearl Harbor attack
  2. Was rejected and shelved until 1958 when it was aired, giving Serling the go-ahead for his anthology series, The Twilight Zone
6. Serling wrote many of the episodes himself and is famous for introducing and closing each one
  1. Originally didn’t want to do it and had to be coaxed into it
7. The series has run on and off-air since ‘59, with Jordan Peele recently taking the helm and trying to restart the franchise in 2019. Has had multiple seasons, one movie (controversial), and one television film
8. Many famous writers, actors and directors got their start on The Twilight Zone, such as Richard Matheson (I Am Legend), Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Robert Duvall (Apocolypse Now), Robert Redford (The Sting), Ron Howard (Arrested Development), William Shatner
Plot Synopsis.
1. Anthology series that usually dealt in the world of science-fiction where characters found themselves in weird, unusual situations. They would often have a surprise ending and moral.
2. Serling mastered the art of ironic fate and poetic justice. Many times his characters would meet an end that would be satisfying, but oftentimes ironic.
  1. Example: “Time Enough at Last” - story about a man who works for a bank and wants nothing more than just to sit at home and read.
3. Some of my favorite episodes:
  1. “Time Enough at Last”
  2. “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” - literally the best one
  3. “Where is Everybody?” - about going to the moon. Is also a recurring theme in the TZ, being the last person on earth, city, town
  4. “The After Hours” - made me afraid of mannequins
  5. “Eye of the Beholder” - easiest moral to understand
  6. “Little Lost Girl” - showed how tension could build to incredible heights with such a short, simple story
  7. “It’s a Good Life” - so scary

Initial Impact: Zach has a history watching this show with his dad while growing up. Cody has never seen an episode before but really appreciates all that he has learned about it.

Lasting Appeal: For Zach, this is a series that he enjoys coming back to time and time again. He especially likes watching it during the scy-fy channel's marathon. For Cody, this is a show that he wants to learn more about and research.

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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The Hobbit — A Top Tier Children's Story

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Tue, 8 Sep 2020 01:35:42 +0000

In this week's episode the guys share their experiences with the world famous story, The Hobbit. This is one of the guys' favorites and they look forward to sharing what they love about it with you.

INTRODUCTION: In this episode's introduction the guys share about a variety of their different interests from pickling to board games. They wind up talking about strange injuries through all of this as well. Take a look back behind the curtain as the guys talk about going "Under the Influence," sharing what helps get them in the groove for their creative processes.

THE HOBBIT: The Hobbit is one of the greatest children's stories ever told and there are many different reasons as to how the guys go about sharing this. INITIAL IMPACT: Zach and Cody begin their discussion of the Hobbit sharing about what initially got them into the story when they were young. The film success of the Lord of the Rings was a contributing factor in getting them to pick up the book, but the fast-paced and relatable storytelling is what got their 10-year-old-selves to stick with the story.

STORY SUMMARY AND THEMES: Going through the summary of the story the guys share what some of their favorite components are to the Hobbit. The relatability that the average person has to Bilbo Baggins is what makes this story so intriguing. Unlock Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit does not have stakes of world shattering proportions. Even though the quest is dangerous, the Dwarves go on their journey to get rich and they need someone who can sneak them the treasure out from the mountain. Bilbo does not need to get involved in the quest in order to save the world, but rather to test the waters and find out if there is a different type of life that he would like to have for himself.

HISTORY OF THE HOBBIT: The guys share some knowledge about the history of the Hobbit that might not be common knowledge to the average person. Examples of this are that Tolkien's epic was originally written for his Children, never really meant to be published across the world. Tolkien was a man who loved to escape into his writing and he was not highly concerned with becoming famous in the world of Academia. There is much to be learned about the history of the Hobbit which is equally as interesting as the tale itself.

LASTING APPEAL: Timeless is the easiest way to describe the guys' feelings towards this children's tale. It's a book that both Zach and Cody feel like they can pick up and read at any time and it doesn't necessarily have to be begun right at the beginning. Some books are just stories but, to Cody specifically, this book feels like a companion to life.

THE HOBBIT FILM CRITIQUE: While The Hobbit is one of the greatest children's stories, the love of this story ends with the book and does not carry over into the film adaptations. From not clearly defining who they wanted the audience to be to dealing with overwhelming deadlines, the film series was setup to be a disaster. While the movies did well at the box office, they were unable to capture they same allure that Middle Earth brought us in its sibling series, The Lord of the Rings.

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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Genre Crush: Science Fiction

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 09:00:05 +0000

Opening Conversation: Disastrous water stories.

Podcast Friends: In this episode we introduce you to another podcast you may want to check out PETRI DISH, listen to their promo, and you can find them at https://anchor.fm/petridish

A conversation that has nothing to do with science fiction: Zach's review of the docuseries THE LAST DANCE. This documentary series reminded us all of how great Michael Jordan really was at the game of basketball. As natives to the wondrous land of Cleveland, Ohio, Zach and Cody have there biases to claim LeBron is the best. However, after being exposed to the true greatness of MJ, the guys call that assessment into question.

MAIN TOPIC 00:23:00

Science fiction is a genre that has a longer history than we might initial think. Many will date it back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction in the late 50s and early 60s, but the realm of sci-fi was being dabbled with a little bit before that. In this main topic expect conversations on the debate on whether or not Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is qualified as science fiction. Hear the breakdown of what actually constitutes something to be science fiction. There are certain elements that need to appear within a work in order for us to be able to qualify it as sci-fi and the guys will introduce you to that.

The early writers of sci-fi were very much focused on the hard science that went into creating these works of literature, but it began to morph into more story first, science second, around the time a certain intellectual property took the world by storm.

The guys share their favorite works of science fiction and one of the hosts thinks that a couple of the works another really likes, and considers sci-fi, don't actually belong to the science fiction genre.

The guys have a discussion on whether or not superhero movies are considered science fiction and the impact of the word "elements" on storytelling.

The guys wrap up their conversation sharing the importance and the impact that the genre has.

I you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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The Most Dangerous Game — Why You Should Read Short Stories

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 09:00:11 +0000

The Most Dangerous Game may be one of the most influential short stories of all time, and gives us reason to admire and respect the power of the short story.

PART 1: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE NEVER SHOULDA HAPPENED

The guys kick off the podcast with one of their favorite introductory games to play. This time they are discussing, good, bad, and never should happened within the realm of villains. Many stories that have memorable conflict contain a villain who is able to make that conflict feel even more insurmountable with their presence in the story. Each one of the guys gives an example of a good and memorable villain, followed up by two examples of less overwhelming villains. This is a fun discussion to have within the context of this episode for the very reason that The Most Dangerous Game has a very well executed villain within its story.

PART 2 (00:40:00): THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME

In the second part of the podcast the guys discuss the main topic of the week. In the discussion of this short story, they give a plot synopsis as well as story analysis. Each of the guys shares their initial impressions of this story as well as how it has influenced their own storytelling today. They discuss the stories future influences within storytelling and within its wider cultural influence. The exhilaration of survival and dominance is something that many of us are uncomfortable with how satisfying it actually can be, what are some modern day examples of this?

The Most Dangerous Game has influenced many media properties, but there is currently a series on the new streaming platform Quibi. Neither one of the guys has seen it, but they discuss whether or not this is a viable medium for storytelling. While there is power in the written short story, they are not so sure that Quibi is going to be able to grasp that same magnitude.

As school is getting back in session, we hope that teachers continue to teach and discuss this story in the classroom. For the guys on Parallel Quest it allowed them to have more interest in a school topic. The story itself can be relatable today, in fact, regularly kids are living out this fantasy through the ever popular battle royale genre of video games.

If you enjoy the show and would like to SUPPORT the show, you can do so on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/steellakestudio

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The Matrix — Philosophy. Sunglasses. Firearms. Leather

steellakestudio@gmail.com (cody haggard, zach butler) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:00:27 +0000

The Matrix was a cinematic marvel when it was first released in 1999, how well did it hold up over time?

The guys open up the podcast with some fast firing questions in order to help you get to know Zach a little bit better. Although, there are a couple of intellectual properties that he decides to eliminate from existence for the rest of time.

In the conversation about the Matrix the guys start off with some history in how the film was made, but very quickly find themselves in a conversation about simulation theory. The Matrix helped remind us that philosophical ideas can be fun to experience through the art of a good story, but are also not the best places to express every component of that philosophy. Philosophy and the Matrix go hand-in-hand but so does the ridiculous amount of leather that is worn in the movie, so the guys ask, is wearing leather fashionable anymore... or comfortable?

In the discussion there are many things to be found out such as the many different influences of the film outside that of philosophy. The unique style of the Matrix was unprecedented for its time, which is partly accredited to the fact that the film makers were influenced by media that most of mainstream movies were not drawing on for inspiration.

As is usual with Parallel Quest the guys share their personal stories surrounding the experience they had with this film. This week you can expect to hear stories about Y2K, other stories we thought were confusing, and the 18th birthday party where the entire Matrix trilogy was watched but only one person was actually enjoying it.

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The Prestige — Are you Watching Closely?

steellakestudio@gmail.com (Steel Lake Studio) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 09:00:32 +0000

In this episode, the guys devote the main topic to one of Cody's favorite films, The Prestige. Before preparing for this episode, neither of the guys knew that is was based on a novel by Christopher Priest (which is worth a read, even if you have seen the movie).

Before getting into the main topic, the guys talk about some of the media that they are taking in as well as update you all on the interesting stories going on in their lives. If you have anything interesting yourself you would like to add, feel free to contact the team and we will read your questions and stories within the podcast.

As the main topic of discussion shifts over to the Prestige, the guys share that this is one of Christopher Nolan's films that truly made them large fans of the filmmaker. It is a story told in such a way that is both perfect for film and the overall theme of the story.

The Nolan brothers chose a great cast for this film, making it hard to imagine any other actors being able to portray the leading roles. In the midst of their discussion on the casting for the Prestige, the guys head down a rabbit trail that reveals to you, one of Zach's favorite actors, whom we are quite sure, you will not be able to guess who it is.

Being the first blu ray disc that Cody ever had, it is something that he watched over and over again, getting to a point where he used to nearly mandate his friends watch it anytime they came over. However, with the high number of times Cody has seen the film, he still does not tire of watching it from time-to-time because of how well the movie is written and how the story is told. This is the first film that he credits, making him pay attention to the writers of films, and not just the big names who make the poster.

Zach wraps up the podcast sharing some funny stories of his younger years when he gave a crack at the illusionist trade. It's definitely worth hanging around for, although, he did not reveal his magician's stage name, which is disappointing.

Thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy(ed)!

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