Superhero Ethics

The game is at an end, but the debates are just beginning! What aspects did we love, and which ones left us perplexed? What are the implications when vanquishing the villain doesn’t alter the course of events? Did Tony Stark receive the narrative arc he deserved? What about Thor, or Natasha? And in the realm of time travel, who did it better—The Avengers or Marty McFly?

In Season 1, Punisher raised hard questions about vengeance, justice, and why audiences enjoy revenge fantasies. How did Season 2 measure up? Does Frank have any accountability for the people he puts in danger? And did the world need another plot akin to Harley Quinn, where a therapist becomes romantically involved with her dangerous patient, and the writers attempt to make it seem appealing?

What does co-dependence manifest as in a superhero’s life? Is it ethical for heroes to compromise their own principles for those they cherish?

How can a society that includes both the superpowered and the powerless uphold the rights of all? Another car talk episode!

What set the Netflix MCU apart from the myriad other methods of superhero storytelling? Which thought-provoking questions emerged from Daredevil Season 3 and Iron Fist Season 2? Plus, find out what transpires when Jacob and Matthew are explicitly tasked with discussing the Netflix MCU, rather than veering into it during tangents as usual.

Is anger a righteous attribute in a hero, or is it a perilous one? Who is granted the privilege to express anger, and how do race and gender factor into that equation? Where does one draw the line between anger and hatred, and what is the relationship between anger and power? Jacob and Matthew explore these questions and more in this thought-provoking episode.

Are the Sith merely mustache-twirling villains, or is there a method to their madness? Where did the Jedi go astray? Should emotions be restrained or fully embraced by a space wizard, and how did the Jedi and Sith codes shape one another? Jacob and Matthew dive into these questions with the assistance of friend and Star Wars Nerd Extraordinaire, Jonah Kellman.

Jacob and Matthew examine “Mad Idolatry,” the season finale of The Orville Season 1, and delve into the broader questions it raises.

Order or chaos—or is that a false dichotomy? We tackle these questions and more as we examine the Vorlons and the Shadows from Babylon 5.

2018 was one heck of a year, and Jacob and Matthew delve into their favorite characters, ethical questions, and moments from the year that was. They revisit old topics, discuss their learnings, and share their enthusiasm for what’s coming in 2019.