2001: A Space Podyssey

2001: A Space Podyssey

Podcast dedicated to the history, science and legacy of the all-time classic film and one of the greatest works of art of the twentieth century, Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick’s ”2001: A Space Odyssey.” Featuring in-depth explorations into the films, books, and comics of the ”Odyssey” universe and the broader works of Clarke and Kubrick, along with the real-life science behind it and the latest developments in space exploration!

Episodes

December 24, 2025 57 mins

For this festive Patreon bonus, it's another first reaction commentary of a movie/TV show we've never seen. This month, we're not sure which it is. It's Rip Van Ronkle's "Destination Space!"  The effects look just about as real as that name but wow, are there some cool - and familiar - designs just waiting to be made into toys!

The cool footage may be from George Pal's "Conquest of Space," but this precursor to modern sci-fi has li...

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The party never stops at Clavius Base on Patreon, where we put out an extra hour + of extra episodes AND a community fanzine every month!

For this free holiday bonus, join us for the inaugural "2061" Book Club episode, co-hosted by our friend Cosmic Lion Comics publisher Eli Schwab!

We'll be almost nearing the end of the book this coming January, so here's your chance to start the journey and catch up with us so you can join in wit...

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We've finally reached the point where we have to address Max addressing TMA-2, preferably not claws-out with that crunchy pod.

The additional meanings of the Monolith in 2010, how it's activated, bu what (or whom)...and the additional mysteries of "Big Brother."

The massive differences between this part of the film and the book. And why Max was always going to be the one who had to take this mission.

Follow along as we take the mis...

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We're back from fall break to wrap up our discussion with film scholar R.H. Vatcher on the hidden numbers and meanings in Stanley Kubrick's films. (Apologies for the variable sound quality - the AE-35 unit was faulty.)

Robert defines model theory and the possible games Kubrick is playing, along with more instances of 42 in "The Shining" and 57 in "Full Metal Jacket."

The magic of connecting images and the power of editing, cinemati...

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We're back with Kubrick scholar R.H. Vatcher to conclude our discussion of 42, model theory, abstract math,  and dive into the occurences meaning of 57 in "Full Metal Jacket."

The concept of democide, and darkest tragedies, perversions and horrors of war encoded into "Full Metal Jacket."

Plus, cabin fever, Masks of Persona in myth, and counting the bullets.

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We know Stanley Kubrick was a chess player and logic puzzle fanatic. What conscious and subconscious meanings did he bury in his later films through numbers and patterns? What is the role of model theory?

Who better to lead us through the various bridges of this numbers maze tha...

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For July's first Patreon Bonus episode, we continue our conversation with Virginia Smith and try to determine if HAL gets to become "a real boy." 

The differences in how Kubrick and Hyams treat HAL and Discovery. How both directors deal with space and Space, and somehow create that Odyssey sense of wonder.

We discuss the broad range of science fiction and look at the differences between mystery vs. action, suspense vs. horror.

From...

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We're kicking off a summer of guests with our pal Virginia Smith, here to take on a very special subject: the father and son duo of Dr. Chandra and HAL!

How Dr. Chandra's relationship with SAL prefaces her brother's return and sets him up bibically & mythologically as both the chosen one and the prodigal son. Falling in love with the redeemed HAL 9000 before ever watching his original fall from grace. 

Comparing the relationshi...

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Looking intimately at the scenes of HAL's death and rebirth, one theme stands out above all others: purpose. We all need a purpose in life and so do Heuristic Algorithmic Learning machines. 

The more sentient we are, the more complex that purpose becomes. So it's no wonder our red-eyed amnesiac is eager to get back with his besties, Dave and Frank, and complete the mission. 

But what are the dangers to giving him a directive? Is HA...

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The sequel is written, the crew is hired, the red light is plugged in. To bring HAL back to life, they'll need that secret sauce: the Canadian theatre superstar that is Douglas Rain! But first, they have to find him.

Reshaping HAL's character and choices from the book to script of 2010, the differences between drama on the page vs. the screen, and the evolution of Dr. Chandra's change of heart.

The intimate highs and lows, inner co...

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In anticipation of Dr. Chandra reactivating everyone's favorite psychotic processing unit, we're reevaluating the story so far. Since we last saw HAL, we've read more Clarke, researched more on '2001' and '2010,' talked to more guests, and, of course, we've gotten to know SAL.

What we've learned has dramatically changed our perspective on his intentions onboard Discovery, his circumstances with Dave & Frank, and his eventual de...

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We're trying to keep it together on the solar system's most extreme theme park ride: the spaceship-coupling triangle Zip Line!

As we get set to board DISCOVERY, we're looking into LEONOV's mission directive and the humanitarian cooperation between Russian and American crews.

Bak on Earth, Victor Milson faces a dilemma, how to navigate the NCA around a hostile political landscape in order to advance science.

The beauty of synchroniz...

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This week in 2001 History!

Wondering what kind of goodies are available on Patreon? There's already an hour and a half of bonus audio up there, and here's a bonus fun-size freebie!

Check out a free taste of our occasional Patreon closeup on specific days when movie history was being made. 57 years ago today people in select cities were witnessing the monolith for the very first time. How would they react?

Stay tuned next wee...

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It's not an April Fool's Joke! We're on PATREON...seriously!

Check out the Luxury Pod to Clavius with nonstop service to the lunar base at two convenient subscription levels!

Find us at Patreon.com/spacepodyssey

HOT FRIES tier ($2 a month)

-bonus episodes

-access to the ship's commissary

-membership to the Clavius Discord server

KURITSA tier ($5 a month)

-bonus episodes

-access to the ship's commissary

-membership to the Clavius Di...

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Flash back 40 years to the Spring of 1985, when "2010" fever went worldwide and everyone was making contact!

Follow the pictures on the episode page for a few surprises!

From cereal to Crunch 'N Munch, from mail-in clothing to calendars, international posters and stickers!

From Ford concept cars to Domino's pizzas, and stickers!

Games, games, games! At the arcade at Aladdin's Castle or at home with Adam, Apple, and Coleco. And stic...

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Virginia Smith is taking us back to 1984 to explore the official “2010” studio marketing guide! Budweiser, Apple, J .C. Penney, Target, Walmart, Kinko’s, Sheraton, and B. Dalton are just a few of the many familiar brands clamoring for a piece of MGM/UA’s massive “Space Odyssey” campaign.

Follow the pictures on the episode page for a few surprises!

Books, magazines and games! T-shirts, jackets, hats, buttons, patches, posters and sh...

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For optimum silliness, follow along with the images!

When Dr. Kovalev threw his phone at us, we thought he was just sick and tired of following Brad around the ship translating all the Russian signage. Turns out, he installed Google Lens so we can finally figure it out for ourselves.

Learn Cyrillic for "pitching" and "rocking," and the difference between "striking" and "stroking" when it comes to spacecraft maneuvering.

Dave Bowman...

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An inspiring, surprising, and occasionally silly hour with four of the finest actors in film history.

Thanks to the Peter Hyams - Penny Perry secret sauce of perfect casting, we’re exploring the legacy and creative lives of four acting legends: Helen Mirren, Bob Balaban, James McEachin, and John Lithgow. What they each brought to 2010 and how they epitomize their roles of Captain Kirbuk, Dr. Chandra, NCA Chair Victor Milson, and ...

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SEE: Walter & Max, The Amazing Floating Chicken Tightrope Act!

LEONOV has reached DISCOVERY and is docked a safe distance away. Strap on your helmets as we join Drs. Curnow and Brailovsky outside the hatch on the ultimate thousand-yard trip through the void...

The similarities to real-life EVAs, the probability of vertigo for astronauts, and the dangers of hyperventilation and nausea in space.

The overall differences in tone an...

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