We Take the 15:17 All the Way to Pyeongchang

This week we're looking for a thread running through three seemingly disparate moments: the release of Clint Eastwood's new film "The 15:17 to Paris," the Olympics in South Korea, and the tragic death of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We use these events to discuss how culture can act as a smokescreen for reality and a way to avoid our fears. Plus: Jenna defends her surprising position that spoilers are actually good. Discussed this week: Queer Eye (Netflix) Alt.Latino (NPR) “Emma González Leads a Student Outcry on Guns: ‘This is the Way I Have to Grieve’” (Julie Turkewitz, Matt Stevens and Jason M. Bailey, The New York Times) “Whole Lot of BS” Funkadelic (Maggot Brain, 1971) "Fergie’s National Anthem Draws Criticism" (ESPN) “Letter of Recommendation: Spoilers” (Jenna Wortham, The New York Times Magazine) “The Sixth Sense” (Hollywood Pictures) “On the Evolution of Hollywood Films” (James Cutting, Cornell University, 2010) “Pulp Fiction” (Miramax) "The 15:17 to Paris" (Warner Bros. Pictures) “American Sniper” (Warner Bros. Pictures) “Sully” (Flashlight Films) GOP Rep. Brian Mast on Florida School Shooting (Rachel Martin, NPR) Andre Bauer on State of the Union (CNN)

Om Podcasten

Conversations about the culture that moves us – the good, the bad and whatever’s in between. Every week, critic Wesley Morris talks with writers and artists about the moment we’re in. Surprisingly personal and never obvious, new episodes drop Thursdays. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.