These are good takes. I didn't even finish S2. I felt like I knew everything I ever wanted to know about Bergdahl after about five episodes. What I liked most about that season, though, was how much perspective I gained on what the Afghan desert must really be like. My father in law spends a lot of time there throughout the year and it's actually helped me understand him a little more.

I'm two episodes into S3 and I really like the approach and structure of the season. I don't think I share Koenig's sympathy with the defendants in the first two episodes, but I'm not 100% disagreeing with her either. She's empathizing too much with the defendants and (especially in the Gaul episode) seems to almost brush off the idea that personal responsibility plays a part in any run-in with the law. Maybe it's the Texan in me, but I think Gaul sounds like the kind of tough love judge the community needs, not the heel that Koenig's tone makes him out to be in that story.

Yeah, Koenig's constant insertion of her viewpoints in her stories is what gets me occasionally riled up, because her viewpoints aren't particularly interesting or compelling, and it seems like she just can't help herself from playing the role of SJW with a microphone. Her coverage would be more impactful for me if she made more of an effort to remove her viewpoint from the story, which she actually does a fair bit more in S3.

The coverage absolutely exposes negligence and haste on the part of the court system, and that really sucks for the defendants, but yeah, you nailed it. She steers the narrative that direction a bit too much at times.

Both times I've spent nights in jail, I came away from it very annoyed at the process but ultimately mad at myself for getting into the mess in the first place.

I feel like you guys have Serial on while you're doing other things.

Nope! We listened to S3 Eps 1-4 on the drive to/from SLC last week. Have LITERALLY been sitting on the couch and listening to the rest of S3 after dinner the last couple nights, trying to watch less TV.

Okay good. Then I can respect your stupid opinion.

All snark aside, I can see where you're coming from re: Koenig, I just disagree. But I totally get where you're coming from and I've heard plenty of other people voice similar opinions. I completely disagree with Reid's specific points, however. It was those comments that made me wonder if people listening to this in the background.

I listen mostly while I'm walking my dog or washing dishes. I retain more on the dog walk than I do when washing the dishes or folding the clothes, fwiw.

Podcasts and dog walking were made for each other.

If I had a dog to walk, I would walk that dog whilst podcasting, for sure.

I listen to all sorts of podcasts while i do other things too, i wasn't trying to give the impression that i hadn't. but for Serial S3, i truly and coincidentally have just been listening and not doing anything else

Exactly. Doing other things during other pods is totally fine. Serial S3 benefits from undivided attention.

yeah i agree with this. of course there are others like it, but most of the ones i listen to i can tune in and out of and not really miss anything

I'm saving S3 for the Christmas drive to Nebraska and back. My wife and I really enjoyed listening to S1 this way.

S3 is outstanding.

Beastie Boys albums are great for dog walking too.

Can confirm.

Cast that pod to the wind.