In this episode, we launch into our retrospective on Resident Evil 2. We discuss the game’s development, commercial reception, and cast of characters. In our next two episodes of the pod, we’ll talk replaying RE2 itself.

Other topics that come up throughout our conversation include: Disney adults; Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty; Sinbad, the comedian; Gran Turismo / Torino; Al Pacino’s 2024 Oscar flub; and being reincarnated as a Resident Evil memo. Keith also asks if ponytails were sleaze-coded in the late 90s, and Logan issues an apology to Bradley Cooper.

Content warning: Mention of celebrity grooming allegations (22:18-22:40); mentions of pedophilia and rape in Resident Evil 2 (specifically in the context of Brian Irons, Chief of Raccoon City Police Department; 1:03:05-1:05:35)

**

Time Stamps:

0:00-2:38 – Intro banter

2:39-18:38 – Game development, including the scrapped “Resident Evil 1.5”

18:39-23:53 – Getting way off topic (AKA pop culture interlude)

23:54-30:11 – Reception and sales

30:12-1:19:05 – The characters of Resident Evil 2

1:19:06-1:20:52 - Wrap-up and outro

1:20:53-End - Post-episode riffing

**

Shoutout to Alex Aniel, whose book Itchy, Tasty: An Unofficial History of Resident Evil, we consulted during this podcast. Another shoutout to Michael Everette Hensley, the composer of our podcast theme music.

This is our first of three episodes centering on Resident Evil 2. New episodes will be released Wednesdays—every two weeks.

Thanks for listening!

We conclude our discussion of Resident Evil: Director's Cut, including the final areas and bosses of the game and our overall thoughts. We also talk about interventions, the upcoming Street Fighter movie, office politics, Chris' real greatest nemesis, Austin Powers, and perform a dramatic re-enactment of our favorite RE scene.

Time Stamps:

0:00-1:28 – Intro and recap

1:29-10:20 – Return to Spencer Mansion

10:21-12:24 – Stunt casting in the upcoming 2026 Street Fighter movie

12:25-23:09 – Descending into the caves

23:10-29:58 – The laboratory

29:59-37:17 – Researcher’s Memo: A stealth retconned introduction to Ada Wong

37:18-41:33 – Back to the lab again (yo, this whole rhapsody)

41:34-48:38 – Reenacting end-of-game Chris Redfield and Albert Wesker dialogue

48:39-1:00:54 – Endgame and Tyrant boss fight

1:00:55-End – Wrap-up, superlatives, and final reflections on Resident Evil: Director’s Cut

Shoutout to Alex Aniel, whose book Itchy, Tasty: An Unofficial History of Resident Evil, we consulted during this podcast. Another shoutout to Michael Everette Hensley, the composer of our podcast theme music.

We continue our playthrough and discussion of Resident Evil: Director’s Cut. We explore the mansion and guardhouse, do battle with a few bosses, and discuss some interesting memos. We also discuss metaphysics, Benjamin Button, algebra, cowardly pilots, and why the end of the world would be sad.

This is the second of three episodes on Resident Evil: Director’s Cut. New episodes will be released every two weeks. We had a lot of fun and hope you do, too!

Time Stamps:

0:00-10:34 - Intro banter and getting scammed

10:34-16:34 - Begin exploring the mansion

16:34-18:20 - Interlude to discuss Schrödinger’s Cat

18:20-32:47 - Continue exploring the mansion and initial puzzles

32:47-35:44 - Yawn boss fight

35:44-43:17 - Mansion and Garden area

43:17-1:02:34 - Guardhouse

1:02:34-1:08:40 - Plant 42 boss fight

1:08:40-End - Return to the Mansion

Shoutout to Alex Aniel, whose book Itchy, Tasty: An Unofficial History of Resident Evil, we consulted during this podcast. Another shoutout to Michael Everette Hensley, the composer of our podcast theme music.