The Biollywood Podcast

28 Days Later (2003)

n this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, and Policy Principal Robert Bradley, discuss the iconic 2003 film, 28 Days Later
Premise: 28 Days Later is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a highly contagious virus, known as the Rage Virus, has decimated the population of the United Kingdom. The story follows a group of survivors as they navigate the dangers of this new world, including infected individuals and other hostile survivors. The film explores themes of survival, humanity, and the impact of a viral outbreak.
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Mission Impossible 2 (2000)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, and Policy Principal Robert Bradley, discuss the second film in the Mission Impossible franchise.
Premise: Mission: Impossible 2 follows IMF agent Ethan Hunt as he is tasked with recovering a deadly virus known as Chimera and its cure, Bellerophon. The virus has been stolen by a rogue IMF agent, Sean Ambrose, who plans to release it and profit from the sale of the cure. The film explores themes of espionage, betrayal, and the race against time to prevent a global pandemic.
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The Last of Us: Season 1 (2023)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, and Policy Principal Robert Bradley, discuss the first season of the HBO show, The Last of Us (2023), based on the hit video game.
Premise: "The Last of Us" is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection, known as the Cordyceps Brain Infection (CBI), has decimated humanity. The story follows Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a young girl who may hold the key to curing the infection. Together, they navigate the dangers of this new world while forming a deep bond.
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Vikings: Valhalla - Honor and Dishonor (2024)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss Season 3 Episode 2 of Vikings: Valhalla - Honor and Dishonor (2024).
In this episode, the Vikings face numerous challenges as they navigate their way through political intrigue and warfare. One of the key plot points involves the use of a biological weapon—fungi—to attack the stronghold of Jomsburg. This tactic showcases the strategic and ruthless nature of Viking warfare.
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Dune: Prophecy (2024)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss the TV Series Dune: Prophecy (2024).
The series is set 10,000 years before the events of Dune, following the aftermath of the Battle of Corrin. It focuses on the origins of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful social, religious, and political force. The story follows sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen as they combat forces that threaten the future of humanity, including a mysterious fear-based virus.
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The 100, S1E10: I Am Become Death (2014)

Premise: The series is set 97 years after a devastating nuclear war wiped out almost all life on Earth. The only known survivors are the residents of twelve space stations in Earth's orbit prior to the war. The space stations banded together to form a single massive station named "The Ark", where about 2,400 people live. Resources are scarce and all crimes no matter their nature or severity are punishable by death ("floating") unless the perpetrator is under 18 years of age. After the Ark's life support systems are found to be critically failing, one hundred juvenile prisoners are declared "expendable" and sent to the surface in a last ditch attempt to determine if Earth is habitable again. The teens arrive on a beautiful planet they have only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. However they discover that not all humanity was wiped out. There are people on Earth who survived the war, called "grounders" by the 100. The Ark consists of the space stations previously representing the nations of the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, India, Russia, Venezuela, France, Brazil, and Uganda.
 
In this episode: Murphy returns to the camp carrying a horrific virus created by the Grounders to weaken the camp. After learning the Grounders plan to attack the next day, Bellamy, Finn and Raven come up with a plan to delay them.
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Life (2017)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss the film Life (2017).
In the film, a six-member crew of the International Space Station uncovers the first evidence of extraterrestrial life on Mars. When members of the crew conduct their research, the rapidly evolving life-form proves to be far more intelligent and dangerous than expected.
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Project Hail Mary (2021)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss the novel Project Hail Mary (2021) by Andy Weir.
Premise:
Set in the near future, it centers on school-teacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes up from a coma afflicted with amnesia. He gradually remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to find a means of reversing a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity. The story follows two storylines, each told chronologically, starting with the story on board the spacecraft Hail Mary where Ryland Grace regains his memory in bursts. This story is frequently intercut with flashbacks revealing earlier events leading up to the launch of the Hail Mary
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Project Hail Mary Ratings:
Relevance to Commission Recs: 4.5/5
Scientific Accuracy: 4.5/5
Scenario Development: 5/5
Entertainment Value: 4.5/5
Success of the Imagination or Creativity: 5/5
Shock/Surprise Value: 4/5
Government Policy: 3.5/5
Portrayal by Actors: 4.5/5
Direction: 4.5/5
Production: 4/5
Overall Average Score: 4.4/5
 
 

The West Wing S05E20: No Exit (2004)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, and Policy Principal Robert Bradley, discuss The West Wing S05E20: No Exit (2004).
Premise: After a black-tie dinner, the President and his staff are locked down inside the White House when a foreign substance is detected inside.
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The West Wing S05E20: No Exit Ratings:
Relevance to Commission Recs: 4/5
Scientific Accuracy: 3/5
Scenario Development: 4.5/5
Entertainment Value: 5/5
Success of the Imagination or Creativity: 3.5/5
Shock/Surprise Value: 2/5
Government Policy: 4/5
Portrayal by Actors: 5/5
Direction: 5/5
Production: 3.5/5
Overall Average Score: 4.05/5
 

Alien: Romulus (2024)

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss Alien: Romulus (2024).
Premise: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. Romulus takes place after the events of Alien (1979) and before the events of Aliens (1986). The film was written and directed by Fede Alvarez and produced by Ridley Scott.
Learn more about the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense here.
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Alien: Romulus Ratings:
Relevance to Commission Recs: 4/5
Scientific Accuracy: 4/5
Scenario Development: 5/5
Entertainment Value: 5/5
Success of the Imagination or Creativity: 4/5
Shock/Surprise Value: 4/5
Government Policy: 1/5
Portrayal by Actors: 4/5
Direction: 5/5
Production: 5/5
Overall Average Score: 4.1/5