The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

After more than 20 years since the film was released in theaters, LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) remains one of the most beloved Christmas movies out there. Some may consider the film at the top of the holiday movie list, while others have noted it did not age well. With a stellar cast line-up and interconnected storylines, LOVE ACTUALLY set the bar for early 2000's holiday rom-coms with catchy one-liners and festive cliches. 

Even as survivors of medieval wars, religious persecution, and a thousand-year cement coma, the Gargoyles are still not yet ready to face the perils of modern-day New York City. Their "fish out of water" story highlights many challenges they face as they encounter discrepancies between their historical origins and their new home atop a towering skyscraper. The Gargoyles, despite their collective wisdom, must now start from a "blank slate" and acclimate to an advanced society that fears their monstrous appearances. 

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025) is a visually stunning adaptation of the original novel by Mary Shelley. Del Toro turns the well known horror story of Frankenstein into a romantic, emotionally absorbing fairy tale. He softens the grotesqueness of The Creature by giving him tenderness and benevolence, angling the perspective to heighten audiences' sense of compassion and even relatability toward an individual who does not earn the abandonment and cruelty given to him. 

The beloved, darkly themed animated series, GARGOYLES (1994), features a supernatural species of nocturnal beasts who turn to stone during the day and confront dangers in the dark of night. Winged, fanged, and clawed, the Gargoyles stand out as monsters amidst people, but their intelligence, wit, charm, and value system humanize them.  Watch the reaction on YouTube! https://youtu.be/nuIt-9P1hbM Follow us on Instagram!  Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Brian Ward - @b_ward028 The Arkham Sessions - @thearkhamsessions Join our Patreon!  Patreon.com/ArkhamSessions  

A crew of ambitious astronauts and scientists are sent on a dangerous mission to reignite the dying sun. Things are going well for the crew until they stumble upon the distress signal of Icarus I, the first mission to the sun that mysteriously failed. Members of the Icarus II crew become overwhelmed by their sense of wonder and awe toward the sun's growing presence, and as the ship travels nearer to this cosmic miracle, the psych officer descends into an unhealthy obsession with the celestial body.  Watch the reaction on YouTube! https://youtu.be/8-RvrOh-eFk Follow us on Instagram!  Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Brian Ward - @b_ward028 The Arkham Sessions - @thearkhamsessions Join us on Patreon! Patreon.com/ArkhamSessions

The story of Event Horizon (1997) is disturbing as a concept. The crew of space travelers face off with harrowing and grotesque interactions that they first interpret as hallucinations but come to learn that the ship itself has probed their psyche to produce personalized living nightmares. Upsetting flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and triggers can be seen as the ghosts or remnants of trauma.    To see the video reaction, join us on YouTube! https://youtu.be/B0-4SU0Urbw   Follow us on Instagram!   Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Brian Ward - @b_ward028 The Arkham Sessions - @thearkhamsessions   Join us on Patreon! Patreon.com/ArkhamSessions

Marty McFly, a typical teen living in the 1980's, accidentally travels 30 years into the past and inadvertently disrupts the timeline of his very existence! Luckily, he can depend on his genius friend and mentor, Doc Brown, to get back to his own timeline safely.  Follow us on Instagram! Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Brian Ward - @b_ward028 The Arkham Sessions - @thearkhamsessions Join us on Patreon! Patreon.com/ArkhamSessions

In the science fiction film Solaris (1972), a psychologist is sent to a space station hovering a distant planet to evaluate a crew of scientists suffering from serious emotional disturbances. But when he arrives, he finds the station in disarray and the crew members seemingly disoriented, obstinate, and psychotic.   See the full watch along! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG0szTOgxKS4vRzOoQg8PeLVOyakpSG-a   Follow us on Instagram! Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Brian Ward - @b_ward028 The Arkham Sessions - @thearkhamsessions   Join our Patreon! Patreon.com/ArkhamSessions

This is not your typical space battle! Turbocharged with brain science and fun facts, this discussion will explore, explain, and celebrate the "psy" in sci-fi! Squaring off are pop culture psychologists Dr. Drea Letamendi (UCLA, The Arkham Sessions) and Dr. Ali Mattu (YouTube's Dr. Ali), who will team up with the persuasive viewpoints of guests Ronald D. Moore (writer, Star Trek: The Next Generation; Deep Space Nine) and Diana Lee Inosanto (actress, Ahsoka; Star Wars: Tales of the Empire). Impartially moderated by Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions).   Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Dr. Ali Mattu - @alimattu Diana Lee Inosanto - @therealDianaLeeInosanto Brian Ward - @B_ward028   Join our Patreon! Patreon.com/ArkhamSessions

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is a cerebral, atmospheric, slow-paced and largely non-verbal spaceflight film thematically narrated by the musical backdrop of classical waltzes, creating strange sensations and uplifting novel psychological questions about human evolution, artificial intelligence, and alien interventions.    To see the full REACT video version of this episode, you can visit our YouTube channel!

In his wildest move yet, the Joker seizes control of Gotham City, militarizes the government, and holds Batman captive in his headquarters. Despite these achievements, Joker confesses that he still feels "bored," dissatisfied and anhedonic, amidst the chaos and violence that he created. 

Just when Harley begins to repair her relationship with BFF Poison Ivy, the city of Gotham is attacked by an army of murderous anthropomorphized trees. And Ivy can't control them! Or Harley's narcissim! 

Harley Quinn's chronic flightiness, selfishness, and impulsivity catch up with her when her best friend Poison Ivy is kidnapped by one of Batman's most sinister rogues: The Scarecrow.

Taking a minor step away from HARLEY QUINN to check out Marvel's THE THUNDERBOLTS*, which is in theatres now!  They're argumentative. Disorganized. Unhinged. But the group of superhero rejects known as the Thunderbolts prove to be more than mere moody assassins. 

Feeling abandoned by her friends, Harley Quinn decides to visit her parents in her hometown. Though Harley's mom and dad seem welcoming and loving, glimpses into her childhood memories reveal a highly stressful upbringing and a toxic home environment.

Is the Joker actually "insane"? Does Two-Face have "multiple personality disorder" by today's standards? From an ethical perspective, do Gotham's rogues belong in prison or in rehab? In works like The Penguin, Joker: Folie a Deux, and Batman: White Knight, DC villains have brought "main character energy" to life, proving themselves as enduring figures in media storytelling—but just how well do these baddies depict the mental health landscape of today, and is there anything wrong with celebrating villain vibes? Media psychologist Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics), screenwriter Ernie Altbacker (Batman: Hush Animated), and comics writer Kyle Higgins (Nightwing, Batman Beyond 2.0, Batman: Gate of Gotham) deconstruct, decriminalize, and debunk Gotham City's most notorious institution and the stories behind it. Moderated by Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions Podcast).

Harley's psychological safety is thwarted, by none other than her abusive ex, the Joker.

Harley Quinn is finally asked to attend a "Prospective Member's Party" at the Legion of Doom's headquarters. Poison Ivy, however, worries that her best friend's fixation on Gotham City's villainous social group is misguided.

As Harley Quinn masterminds strategies to get the attention of the Legion of Doom, Commissioner Jim Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department shows signs of mental exhaustion.  To help the people and animals displaced by the wildfires in California, please donate to the American Red Cross and Pasadena Humane by joining our Patreon or by purchasing merchandise from our Tee Public store. All proceeds between the publishing of this podcast and the end of February 2025 will go directly to those organizations.