Escape into Period Pieces

Escape into the gothic world of Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein that came out on Netflix in the fall of 2025 with Stephanie and returning guest Pileigh Shahinian who requested to discuss this film on the podcast!
Del Toro takes a new approach to Mary Shelley's novel that creates an ongoing conversation with the original source text. Check out the film before the Oscars as it is up for NINE awards. Listen to Stephanie and Pileigh discuss their predictions on what the movie will win, consider if the film is too long, and debate the Netflix vs. theaters new "trend"; plus talk about the film. Buckle up for some gore and two English teachers really putting on their analytical brains and nerding out.
References:
Netflix's Frankenstein (2025)
Guillermo del Toro
Pileigh's Poetry Collection is available now: Nostalgia Itches Like a Bug Bite--Buy it on Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon!
Go follow Pileigh over on Instagram: @sincerelypileigh
Alexandre Desplat (score)
Oscars: March 15, 2026
Regency Rumors YT video: "Is Frankenstein Proof Netflix is Dumbing Down its Content?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5stEKE-tmf4
Oscar Issac
The Nativity Story (2006)
The Promise (2016)
Moon knight
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (Broadway)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley
Frankenweenie
Young Frankenstein
The Great Gatsby
Jacob Elordi
Adaptation: Frankenstein vs. Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Percy Jackson TV series (Disney+)
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Thanks for listening and consider subscribing!
Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces
Email: [email protected]
Merch (2 places!):
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Support your local library and PBS station!
Stay well!

Escape into 1964 and watch the success of the fictional band The Wonders (or is it the Oneders) as Stephanie discusses the 1996 film That Thing You Do! This film is one of Stephanie's all-time favorites, so get ready to hear her nerd out in this solo episode as she discusses how many times the iconic song gets played as well as a review of the film and deep dive into behind the scenes stories!
That Thing You Do! is available for purchase and to rent. Don't forget to also check your local library for the DVD or Blu-ray.
Note: This is episode 3 not 4.

REFERENCES:
The Favorites by Layne Fargo (great audiobook)
Miracle (2004)
School of Rock
Bandstand: The Musical
That Thing You Do!
Steven Tyler--Aerosmith
Theatrical vs. Extended versions
Playtone Records
Tom Hanks
The Beatles
The Monkees
2020 Reunion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5iQambZAfk&t=3s
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Thanks for listening and consider subscribing!
Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces
Email: [email protected]
Merch (2 places!):
Search: Escape into Period Pieces on Spreadshirt.com
Spreadshop: https://escape-into-period-pieces.myspreadshop.com/
Support your local library and PBS station!
Stay safe and warm!

Return to the upside down in today's episode as Stephanie and returning guest Drea Mayer break down everything Stranger Things from their overall love of the show to the various plot holes of season 5 and their thoughts on the series finale. Is this show a "period piece?" You will just have to tune in to find out. Also in this episode, a PSA to go to your local movie theater and Stephanie finds it a safe place to share one of her nightmares.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their thoughts on the show as you might get a shout out in today's episode! Buckle up for the longest episode of season 3 so far, but bound to be a lot of fun nerding out as usual!
References:
Stranger Things (Netflix)
Call the Midwife
Downton Abbey
Stranger Things documentary (Netflix)
Back to the Future
The Way Home (Netflix/Hallmark)
John Hughes
Inside Out 2
Stranger Things: Rebel Robin (book)
Black Widow
The First Shadow (The Stranger Things Play)
Grantchester
Bridgerton (new season Jan 29th)
The Buccanneers
The Gilded Age (HBO)
Game of Thrones
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games)
Miracle (2004)
Netflix's Wayward
The Pitt
ANOTHER REC: "Dark" on Netflix (German speaking) This is the one Stephanie was trying to reference.
Behind Your Touch K-Drama (Netflix)
The Artful Dodger (new season Feb 10th)
Agatha Christie's The Seven Dials (Netflix)
Queen Charlotte
The Count of Monte Cristo (PBS Passport March 1st)
The Forsytes
Next time: That Thing You Do! (1996)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for listening and please consider subscribing!
Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces
Email: [email protected]
Merch (2 places!):
Search: Escape into Period Pieces on Spreadshirt.com
Spreadshop: https://escape-into-period-pieces.myspreadshop.com/
Support your local library and PBS station!
Stay safe and warm!

Happy New Year and welcome to SEASON 3! Would you like to turn back the clock because you don't feel ready for a new year? Then how about you time travel with Stephanie in this episode?
In today's episode, Stephanie expands what we think about when we think about "period pieces" by including some time travel TV shows and films (and a few books). They could also be some good recommendations for someone who is unsure if they would like historically set content. Hopefully you'll find something new to watch after listening to today's episode :)
References:
Great or Nothing by McCullough, Tung Richmond, Sharpe, Spotswood
Little Women (2019)
Call the Midwife
Doctor Who
A Biltmore Christmas
Providence Falls
The Way Home
Lost in Austen
An American in Austen
BBC Atlantis
HBO's The Nevers
Pride & Prejudice 1995
Austenland
Northanger Abbey 2007
The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
Love Across Time
The Spirit of Christmas
Inkwell Threads
Ghosts (UK, US)
All 6 Ghosts TV Shows article referenced: https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/ghosts-international-adaptations-compared-differences/
School Spirits (Season 3 premiering Jan 28th)
From Time to Time
The Secrets of Sulphur Springs
House of Anubis
The Librarians
The Librarians: The Next Chapter
Warehouse 13
The Legends of Tomorrow
Midnight at the Pera Place
Britbox--Is it worth the subscription?
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Thank you for listening and please consider subscribing!
Send your thoughts on Stranger Things via
Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces
Email: [email protected]
Merch (2 places!):
Search: Escape into Period Pieces on Spreadshirt.com
Spreadshop: https://escape-into-period-pieces.myspreadshop.com/
Support your local library and PBS station!
Till next time!

Welcome to the last episode of the year and the last episode of season 2! Can you believe it? Join Stephanie as she gets retrospective and reflects on everything that was accomplished in season 2, discuss some TV shows and movies Stephanie watched, but didn't get a chance to talk about this season, and a look ahead to season 3 goals as well as 2026 releases! Lastly, the episode ends with some awards for season 2.

Editing Note: The Way Home season 4 will be its last and currently does not have a premiere date according to Hallmark. IMDB’s date is incorrect :(

Thank you to everyone who joined this season. The podcast could not function without you :)

References:
"The Empress" (Netflix)
"The Lady's Companion" (Netflix)
Grantchester
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
Queen Charlotte (Netflix)
Bridgerton
Jane Austen
Hamilton
Victoria (PBS/BBC) now on Netflix
Eternity
Bandstand the Musical
Hallmark channel/Hallmark+
Providence Falls (Hallmark)
Outlander
The Way Home (Hallmark)
American Girl Caroline
Sherlock & Daughter
The Artful Dodger
Under the Greenwood Tree (Prime Video; novel by Thomas Hardy)
House of Guinness (Netflix)
Merrily We Roll Along
Ms. Fisher's Modern Mysteries
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
The Law According to Lidia Poet
Fetch the Smelling Salts podcast (Lidia Poet episode)
Ida regenye (The Courtship on Prime Video) or The Romance of Ida
Sliver Skates (Netflix)
The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
A Night Divided by Jennifer A Nielsen
Midnight at the Pera Place (Netflix)
The New Force (Swedish) also on Netflix
The Leopard (Netflix)
Cable Girls (Netflix)
Shogun (Hulu)
All Creatures Great & Small
Wuthering Heights (2026)
The Forsytes
The Count of Monte Cristo
Young Sherlock (Prime Video)
Sense & Sensibility (2026)
Netflix Pride & Prejudice mini-series
The Other Bennet Sister
The Choral
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Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!
Please consider subscribing!
Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces
Email: [email protected]
Merch (2 places!):
Search: Escape into Period Pieces on Spreadshirt.com
Spreadshop: https://escape-into-period-pieces.myspreadshop.com/
Remember to support your local library and PBS station!
See you for season 3!