Will the Jason Universe sink or swim? Join BP, Coop and Justin as we take a deep dive into Crystal Lake, the 2026 American slasher television series developed by Brad Caleb Kane that is based on the Friday the 13th film franchise.
It is a prequel to the 1980 film and stars Linda Cardellini in the leading role of Pamela Voorhees, with Callum Vinson as a young Jason Voorhees, William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins and Gwendolyn Sundstrom.
Produced by A24, the series premiered on Peacock on October 15, 2026. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
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Chapters
00:00 Introducing Crystal Lake
00:32 Podcast Opening Sequence
01:12 Welcome to Crystal Lake: cast, premise and Friday the 13th’s return
02:25 Rapid-fire questions: does Crystal Lake need a pop soundtrack?
04:16 First impressions of the blood, gore and practical-style effects
06:06 Most disturbing moments: the face slash, blood-filled bag and Jason’s drowning
08:35 Period details: cars and the authenticity of the setting
09:33 Linda Cardellini’s performance as Pamela Voorhees
10:29 Sink or swim? First reactions to the pilot
12:50 Opening credits and revisiting Pamela and Jason’s origin story
14:25 A distracting wig and early production criticisms
15:12 BP’s overall thoughts: retro filmmaking and a convincing Pamela
18:00 American Horror Story detour
18:33 Coop’s overall thoughts: character development and respecting the source material
19:35 Jason X, camp humour and the franchise’s sillier side
20:48 Could Crystal Lake lead to another Friday the 13th film?
21:45 Horror reboots, sequels and the appetite for returning franchises
25:12 Why Thirteen Ghosts deserves a TV series
26:15 Favourite parts: Pamela and Jason’s relationship
27:01 Pamela’s grief and the overwhelming lakeside celebration
27:33 Jason’s bullying and the adults who ignore it
28:12 Inventive kills and the blood-filled bag
28:48 BP’s favourites: opening titles and creative choices
29:25 Following Pamela into the lake: the standout camera shot
30:06 Gore, abrupt editing and the visual style
31:26 Avoiding trailers and watching without spoilers
32:22 Coop’s favourites
38:04 Least favourite parts
40:56 BP’s criticisms
45:06 Coop’s criticisms
50:40 Riverdale or Not to Riverdale: lakes, grieving mothers and revenge
53:18 Ratings and Final Verdict
57:42 More horror reviews and closing remarks
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