Ep.3 Parallel Lines & Placebos

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Episode 3 — “Parallel Lines & Placebos”

On this mind-bending installment of Rectangles, Janackeh and Nick journey deep into Adult Swim’s animated thriller, Common Side Effects. Their discussion spirals around the mysterious Blue Angel Mushroom at the center of the show, diving into how it sparks conflicts across pharmaceutical giants, underground mycologists, and federal agents.

Key conversations include:

• Magic or medicine? The ongoing debate around psilocybin mushrooms and their potential as therapeutic wonders versus recreational hazards.
• The moral maze of big pharma: when does healing become a hostage to corporate greed?
• Animated realism: How the creators blend trippy visuals with grounded storytelling to capture both the wonder and anxiety of psychedelic experiences.

The hosts also ponder big questions:

• Is Frances the actual villain, or just misunderstood?
• What would their last meals be?
• If they took the Blue Angel Mushroom, what would their own psychedelic “trips” look like?
• Can too much of a good thing actually become harmful?

Plus, they explore the creative minds behind the series—comedy writer Steve Hely (Veep, 30 Rock), animator Joseph Bennett (Scavengers Reign), and executive producers Mike Judge (King of the Hill) and Greg Daniels (Parks and Recreation).

Tune in for insightful commentary, surprising mushroom facts, and reflections on how Common Side Effects illuminates the blurry line between perception and reality.

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