Episode 293 - Patrick Stewart Tribute + VisionQuest Debate + A Story of Derry

This week on All Pop, No Culture, Kevin and Andrew open by remembering Sir Patrick Stewart — Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Professor Charles Xavier, Shakespearean actor, convention legend, and one of the performers who helped elevate genre acting for an entire generation. PATRICK STEWART Patrick Stewart died on October 28, 2026 at age 86, following a brief illness involving Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Kevin and Andrew look back at: • discovering Stewart through Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men • Picard vs. Kirk • First Contact • Professor Xavier • Picard Season 3 • Stewart’s Shakespearean background • his famously close relationship with the TNG cast • Marina Sirtis’ emotional reaction to his death • Star Trek conventions and meeting the cast • the Picard Maneuver • Ian McKellen officiating Stewart’s wedding • his hilarious ALS Ice Bucket Challenge • the poop emoji • and some of the quotes and moments that made Patrick Stewart unforgettable They also reflect on how rare it is for an actor to become so closely identified with two enormous genre characters while still remaining respected as a serious stage performer. VISIONQUEST Then it’s time to check in on Marvel Television’s VisionQuest. Kevin and Andrew both want to love the series — and there’s plenty they do like — but six episodes in, the big question is: Where exactly is this story going? The discussion covers: • Paul Bettany as Vision • James Spader’s return as Ultron • Tommy Maximoff • Vision’s struggle with identity • the AI personalities inside his mind • E.D.I.T.H., F.R.I.D.A.Y., J.A.R.V.I.S. and Ultron • Terry Matalas’ highly stylized approach • parallels with WandaVision • Jocasta and Ultron • whether the show is spending enough time on Vision himself • the mystery of “the client” • theories involving Justin Hammer and Billy Maximoff • and whether the final two episodes can pull everything together James Spader may be the MVP so far, but the show still has work to do before the finale. AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY THEORIES Naturally, that turns into Marvel speculation. Kevin and Andrew talk about: • Doctor Doom • whether the trailer is trying too hard • theories about Doom’s origin • Steve Rogers • Sam Wilson as Captain America • Hulk • Thor • Captain Marvel • the MCU’s multiverse • and whether Doomsday and Secret Wars are ultimately going to clear the board for Marvel’s next era A STORY OF DERRY HBO also dropped a surprise 30-minute Welcome to Derry special, A Story of Derry, and both Kevin and Andrew loved it. Set hundreds of years before the main series, the episode digs deeper into the mythology surrounding Derry, Pennywise, the Deadlights, Maturin, and the Native American history behind the forces attempting to contain It. The conversation gets into: • the episode’s Native American cast • Zahn McClarnon • Maturin • the 13 shards • the Deadlights • Stephen King’s larger mythology • connections to The Dark Tower • why Pennywise is much more than “a scary clown” • and why this little surprise episode makes the next season of Welcome to Derry even more exciting CUpertino Kevin also gives a quick recommendation for CBS’ Cupertino, starring Mike Colter — a character-driven legal drama about a small law firm taking on Silicon Valley’s tech giants. PLUS: • Walter Koenig • William Shatner • Star Trek conventions • Dropping Names with Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes • Agatha All Along • Young Avengers / Champions possibilities • Mike Colter and Luke Cage • Daredevil and the Defenders • and a truly unreasonable amount of Marvel theory crafting Question of the week: What Patrick Stewart performance means the most to you — Picard, Professor X, or something completely different? #PatrickStewart #StarTrek #Picard #ProfessorX #VisionQuest #Marvel #Ultron #WelcomeToDerry #StephenKing #AStoryOfDerry #AllPopNoCulture