On today’s episode of Take the Black, Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman review The Hedge Knight, the beloved Game of Thrones novella that will soon be adapted into the HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. What makes this Dunk & Egg tale so special — and how might HBO bring it to life?

They also dive into the latest House of the Dragon leaks, including a mysterious set photo of a shipwrecked “Queen Who Never Was” and a controversial image of Rhaena Targaryen that suggests a major change from the books. Plus, what’s going on with Aegon’s arc in Season 3?

In other fantasy news, The Wheel of Time may be done for good as Rosamund Pike shares a farewell message. Meanwhile, The Witcher gets recast, and the showrunners have a wild explanation for it. Sophie Okonedo earns an award nomination, and author Andrzej Sapkowski throws shade at George R.R. Martin — but also offers some surprising support.

In What Are We Watching/Reading, the hosts share thoughts on the final season of Cobra Kai and the latest Murderbot episodes.

And stick around for the WiC News Lightning Round, featuring rapid-fire takes on Interview With the Vampire, the future of Rey in Star Wars, Rowling vs. Pedro Pascal, the Highlander reboot, and much more from across the fantasy and sci-fi landscape.

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Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

On this week’s episode of Take the Black, Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman break down some of the wildest stories in sci-fi and fantasy!

First, they dive into the passionate fan campaign to save The Wheel of Time, including sky banners, Sao Paulo billboards, and emotional IG posts from Rosamund Pike. Then, they explore the future of Dune, and whether Jason Momoa’s son is about to become a giant worm god.

Later, the hosts tackle a major question: how do franchises become boring? James Gunn’s recent comments about Marvel and DC offer some insight, but is overexposure the real villain?

Plus: what we’re watching and reading, and the always-chaotic WiC News Lightning Round!

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Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we stop by Westeros for some House of the Dragon season 3 casting updates and to react to the new video game Game of Thrones: War for Westeros. PLUS, we check in on the The Wheel of Time cancellation situation, including comments from Rafe Judkins, updates on the petition to save the show, and other efforts to save the show. Lastly, some What Are We Watching/Reading with Predator: Killer of Killers and Dark Winds, plus the infamous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: the big-budget sci-fi fantasy boom is dead, so what is the future of fantasy onscreen? Can Joe Abercrombie save it alongside James Cameron with an adaptation of The Devils? Also, our reactions to filming updates from the set of House of the Dragon season 3 showcasing some potential action scenes. Plus, the biggest news to come out of Netflix's 2025 TUDUM event including Stranger Thing's final season, The Sandman season 2, and the upcoming season of The Witcher. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with Predator: Killer of Killers and Murderbot, as well as the infamous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we vent our frustration at Amazon Studio's decision to cancel The Wheel of Time after it just had its best season yet - is there a chance the fans can save this show? Also, HBO announces the three main actors to portray Harry, Ron & Hermione in the Harry Potter tv show - what do we think of these casting choices? The Last of Us season 2 has come to an end as well and we give our reactions & takeaways on this controversial new season. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with Dark Winds & Murderbot, plus some quick news bits in the infamous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: we stop over to Westeros for some Emmy news regarding House of the Dragon season 2, set photos for Season 3, and updates from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In our main segment, we go in-depth with our interview with author Brandon Sanderson including the direction of the Cosmere and the future of the Mistborn series. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with The Last of Us, Murderbot and The Studio, AND quick news bites in the WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet

Winter Is Coming's Daniel Roman sits down for a far-ranging interview with Brandon Sanderson, the New York Times bestselling author of The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn, Skyward, Elantris, and a number of other books, including the final three novels of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time.

In December of 2024, Sanderson released Wind and Truth, the fifth novel of The Stormlight Archive. This was a major culmination for the series, capping off its first arc before Sanderson takes a hiatus to focus on other stories for the next few years, like his third era of Mistborn books, titled Ghostbloods.

Now that Wind and Truth has been out for a few months, we dive deep into how Sanderson approached writing this crucial book, its biggest plot twists, and some of the daring risks he took with its storytelling. We also discuss his work on Ghostbloods, the future of the Cosmere, his upcoming short fiction collection Tailored Realities, how he's relying on a few tricks from his early career with Mistborn Era 3, and more.

Join Dan Selcke and Daniel Roman for another week of Take The Black LIVE! In this week's show: updates from Westeros as we react to rumors of who might compose A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and news of the release date. PLUS, it's the Week of Brandon Sanderson as we hype up our soon-to-be-released interview with the author, and talk everything Cosmere, Wind and Truth, and more! In our main segment, our early review for Apple TV+'s newest sci-fi/comedy Murderbot starting Alexander Skarsgård. Lastly, more What Are We Watching/Reading with The Last of Us Season 2 episode 5 and the season finale of Andor season 2, as well as the intergalactically famous WiC News Lightning Round!

Want to join us for our live show? We record every Wednesday at 3pm EST/12pm PST at https://www.youtube.com/user/WiCnet