It’s been quite the week — if you only have time for one thing, I hope it’s this newsletter!
What I’m watching
If you’re subscribed to Bill and Robs: An Excellent Adventure, you’ll know we’re wrapping up our first season of 2024 and preparing for season two this April.
I’m in charge of season two and I’ve chosen the RoboCop franchise! This week, I rewatched RoboCop (1987) and I loved it just as much as the first time. It’s about the Reagan era, it’s about the future, it’s about how easy it is to slip into an authoritarian regime. Look, I’m not going to write anything that hasn’t already been said in many college film papers, but I’ll say this: Watch the film and watch the 30-minute documentary Flesh + Steel.
What I’m playing
Last week, you read about my continued chronological journey through the Metal Gear series on Twitch. I’ve now completed two more games (Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake) that were released on the MSX and MSX2 in 1987 and 1990, respectively.
In 1995, Metal Gear begins with the discovery that the group of soldiers outside of any government control (“Outer Heaven”) is constructing its own Metal Gear, a formidable weapon of mass destruction. In response, the U.S dispatches FOXHOUND to dismantle this threat. Initially, Big Boss, the leader of FOXHOUND, entrusts Frank Jaeger (“Grey Fox”) with this mission, but Grey Fox is captured in the attempt. A rookie named Solid Snake is sent in to rescue Grey Fox and complete his mission. As Solid Snake progresses, he uncovers Big Boss’ true allegiance as the leader of Outer Heaven, manipulating FOXHOUND to stall the mission while the Metal Gear’s construction is completed. Solid Snake defeats both Big Boss and the Metal Gear while setting the facility to self-destruct. However, Big Boss manages an evacuation of his forces to the Middle East before the destruction of Outer Heaven.
In 1999, the crisis of dwindling oil reserves grips the world, prompting Dr. Kio Marv to develop synthetic oil. However, soldiers from Zanzibar Land abduct him. They aim to leverage control over the world’s oil supply. Using Metal Gears as their guardians, Zanzibar Land holds Dr. Marv captive. Colonel Roy Campbell enlists Solid Snake once again, this time to rescue Dr. Marv. During the mission, Solid Snake discovers that Big Boss survived their previous encounter. Despite failing to save Dr. Marv, Solid Snake secures synthetic oil formula. His path crosses with Grey Fox, now piloting Metal Gear D, leading to a confrontation in which Solid Snake emerges victorious and kills Grey Fox. Solid Snake confronts Big Boss and defeats him in a blaze of glory. As Big Boss lies dying, he discloses the startling truth that he is Solid Snake’s father.
If you want the backstory to all the games I’ve completed so far, please revisit my newsletters from January 13, 2024, January 27, 2024, and February 24, 2024.
Click the button below to view my progress live or see any videos of my espionage journey.
Metal Gear Solid - 2005 [Currently Playing]
Up next:
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - 2007/2009 [Playstation 2]
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - 2014 [Playstation 3]
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - 2018 [Playstation 3]
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What I’m making
If you follow Vanderpump Rules news, you may have heard that former cast member Rachel Leviss is suing current cast members Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix. Just yesterday, I sat down with law professor Leah Litman from Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny to walk through and break down Leviss’ claim.
Don’t forget: If you live near Los Angeles, Molly McAleer and I have a live show on Saturday, March 30! If you buy the meet and greet tickets, we’ll even throw in some fun gifts.
A photo of Elvis
Thanks for reading!