Andor Season 2 cements its legacy as the most critically acclaimed Star Wars series to date, delivering a gripping and emotionally charged conclusion to Cassian Andor’s journey.

In this episode, Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch breaks down why the show’s mature storytelling, exceptional performances, and sharp writing set a new standard for the franchise.

Neal dives into how Season 2 ambitiously spans four years across twelve episodes, seamlessly bridging the gap between Season 1 and Rogue One.

He also explores the show’s improved pacing, deep character arcs—especially for Cassian, Mon Mothma, Bix, and Dedra—and the way it tackles themes of love, loss, sacrifice, and resistance with genuine gravitas.

TV Show Reactions from Giant Mess Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNWtgwQsK8-iLVzE7p4cPf_K1KziiiSY

Highlights include:

The season’s tight, purposeful structure and standout episodes

How the series avoids nostalgia traps, focusing instead on the real cost of rebellion

The seamless, essential connection to Rogue One and what it means for the larger saga

Why critics and fans alike call this the best Star Wars since The Empire Strikes Back

This is an in-depth, spoiler-filled discussion of the show’s triumphs, minor missteps, and lasting impact. This is the Star Wars storytelling we’ve been waiting for.

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch unpacks why "The Minecraft Movie" dominated the box office and reviews the "Y2K" movie, highlighting its struggles. This episode brings sharp insights and honest takes on what’s hot—and what’s not—in movies.

Movie Reviews from Giant Mess Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNWtgwQsK89Y8uJzWWmFdSDhpcP8giUN

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch reviews Season 2 of HBO’s "The Last of Us", which delivers a visually stunning, emotionally charged continuation, but does it live up to the hype? In this episode, Neal breaks down every major plot twist, from Joel and Ellie’s fractured relationship to Abby’s quest for vengeance and the divisive moments that left fans split. Lynch explores standout performances by Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and Kaitlyn Dever, and examines why the season’s ambition and production values sometimes clash with uneven pacing, softened character arcs, and an incomplete narrative.

You’ll hear a detailed episode-by-episode analysis, insight into the show’s strengths and weaknesses, and a look at how audience and critical reception compares to the first season.

Plus, Neal discusses the cultural ripple effects—like the surge in “zombie fungus” searches and the revival of classic songs—while comparing "The Last of Us" to other post-apocalyptic hits and games.

Whether you loved or loathed Season 2, this is your essential guide to what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next for this groundbreaking series

TV Show Reactions from Giant Mess Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNWtgwQsK8-iLVzE7p4cPf_K1KziiiSY

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch reacts to the top-searched walk-up and walk-out songs in baseball and softball.

Every spring, “walk-up song” searches hit a fever pitch—and 2025 is no exception, with interest at an all-time high. In this episode, Neal breaks down why Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos became the most-searched athlete for walk-up songs after choosing Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and ¥$’s “BACK TO ME” as his entrance anthem.

Neal also spotlights the hottest trending walk-up and walk-out songs in baseball and softball this season, from Eminem and AC/DC to Queen and T.I. Tune in for a deep dive on how music, culture, and sports collide every April and May—and why the right song can turn a player’s at-bat into a viral moment.

NY Mets Fan Rants & Analysis from Giant Mess - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNWtgwQsK8-aJeS7kn8g5Gwo8JjvQY3I

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host and movie lover Neal Lynch reviews Marvel's Thunderbolts* movie, the 36th film in the MCU and final movie of Phase 5.

After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

Thunderbolts* is a Marvel Studios ensemble film following a team of reformed villains and morally gray operatives sent on covert government missions. As the group is tasked with a dangerous black-ops assignment, tensions rise among the unstable team members, revealing conflicting loyalties and buried traumas. The film serves as a continuation of storylines from Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, with a darker tone and grounded action set pieces.

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

Eric Pearson

Joanna Calo

CAST

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova

Sebastian Stan as Congressman Bucky Barnes

Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds / Sentry / The Void

David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian

Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent

Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost

Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster

00:00 - Intro

02:40 - All the versions of the Thunderbolts teams in the comics

08:50 - How the MCU’s Thunderbolts movie was developed

17:48 - MCU’s Phase 5 Review

25:00 - Thunderbolts Synopsis, Director, Writers

41:33 - Thunderbolts Cast Performance Review

1:18:42 - Thunderbolts Movie Plot Review

2:38:44 - Did Thunderbolts Post-Credits Scene Spoil Future Release?

2:41:30 - Thunderbolts Movie Opening Weekend Box Office

2:42:28 - Is Thunderbolts Best MCU Movie Since Avengers: Endgame (2019)?

2:44:58 - Previewing MCU Phase 6 Movies

2:53:00 - Final Thoughts / Outro / What’s Coming Up

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch breaks down the New York Giants' 2025 NFL Draft including Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter, trading up for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, passing on Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders, taking Toledo Rockets defensive lineman Darius Alexander, Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo, Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone III, and Oklahoma State cornerback Korrie Black. Plus, a look at draft grades, draft rankings, and how the rest of the NFC East fared.

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Shedeur Sanders’ Historic Drop Down Draft Board

25:50 - Did Giants address positions of need in 2025 NFL Draft?

30:14 - Next Gen Stats Rankings for Giants 2025 Draft

33:34 - Penn State EDGE rusher Abdul Carter & Jersey Numbers

48:44 - Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

1:07:45 - Toledo Rockets DT Darius Alexander

1:15:35 - Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo

1:30:35 - Purdue Boilermakers Guard / Tackle Marcus Mbow

1:36:54 - Nebraska Cornhuskers TE Thomas Fidone II

1:42:56 - Oklahoma State CB Korrie Black

1:47:13 - Final Thoughts & Reactions, Draft Grades for Giants, Draft Rankings for NFC East teams, Predictions, and Outlook

1:57:15 - Episodes coming up… Record-setting Mets, Thunderbolts movie review, April month in review + Spring Break recap, and Giants Schedule Release.

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

New York Giants Fan Rants & Analysis from Giant Mess Podcast - https://bit.ly/NYGiantsYTPlaylist

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch learns about aura farming, floodlighting, and cozymaxxing, reviews Severance S2's most searched terms, trending Irish dishes, the newest MLB City Connect uniforms, top ballpark foods, Anora, and the Invincible Season 3 finale.

00:00 - Intro

02:33 - Oscars review

10:20 - what is aura farming?

16:49 - the meaning of aura colors

26:50 - dad’s birthday cake and home videos

37:04 - Severance tv show trending searches

54:13 - Most searched pies for Pi Day

58:00 - interview with the New York Giants

1:00:00 - what animal would you be and why?

1:05:58 - how to make a leprechaun trap

1:10:05 - trending Irish dishes and green foods for st. patrick’s day

1:20:40 - cozymaxxing

1:31:06 - do cats fast during ramadan

1:34:04 - floodlighting dating trend

1:41:08- red balloon theory for grief

1:47:40 - top spring break destinations

1:53:10 - bacon egg and cheese the ocky way

1:58:57 - parent-teacher conference

2:03:53 - reviewing new MLB city connect uniforms for 2025

2:15:34 - top searched ballpark foods

2:28:09 - torpedo bats

2:30:52 - RIP George Foreman and the George Foreman grill

2:34:30 - Anora movie mini-review

2:39:30 - Invincible season 3 finale

2:44:43 - water bears and tardigrades lifespan

Funny Stories from Giant Mess Podcast - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessFunnyStories⁠⁠

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch reacts to the New York Giants' key signings in free agency (CB Paulson Adebo, S Jevon Holland, QBs Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson) and previews the 2025 NFL Draft (addressing positions of need, top prospects like Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and a AI mock draft).

00:00 - Intro

00:46 - Catching Up on Giants News Since John Mara Retained Schoen & Daboll

2:13 - East-West Shrine Bowl, Mike Kafka at The Senior Bowl, Pro Bowl Idea

10:38 - Micah Parsons on not being drafted by Giants

12:54 - Eagles GM Howie Roseman vs Giants GM Joe Schoen and Saquon Barkley’s contract negotiations

30:40 - Giants’ player grades from annual NFLPA Report Card

33:05 - Eli Manning snubbed for first ballot Hall of Fame

36:43 - Matthew Stafford Trade Fail and Aaron Rodgers Enigma

45:08 - Key free agent signings on defense

55:00 - offensive free agent additions

1:19:35 - Clearing salary cap space for draft picks

1:23:12 - NFL Draft Preview, top positions of need

1:30:40 - Top College QB Prospects Since 2003

1:40:23 - Top prospect grades and pro player comparisons

2:20:35 - Gen AI’s 7-Round Mock Draft

New York Giants Fan Rants & Analysis from Giant Mess Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNWtgwQsK89IiNDQNEpkuBYRMmnTBu27

ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:

I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.

ABOUT "GIANT MESS":

"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.

Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠⁠

Follow me on:

* Link Tree - ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠⁠

* My Official Blog - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠⁠

* Twitter - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠⁠

* Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠⁠

* Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠⁠

* Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠⁠