“Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?”

Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation

The dBs — “Black and White” (Repercussion, 1982)

Don Dixon — “Girls L.T.D.” — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M.

Sneakers (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous

Movies with Mikey — “But, did you knowwww?”

Richard Hugo — “Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg”

Candide — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde

Claudine Longet — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams

“Spicks and Specks” — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written”

“You Give a Little Love” — These crazy kids and their pies. From Bugsy Malone (1976)

Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity

Groundhog Day (1993) — “what a fucking great movie”; Ned Ryerson as “one of the all time great character actor appearances”

Nut Tree (Vacaville, CA) — roadside attraction with amusement park and small airport; Roderick and his dad flew there in a small plane

Roderick on the Line

Episodes