The episode treats Memento as a near-masterpiece that is both hard to follow and highly rewatchable because its backward structure reveals new details on every viewing. The hosts frame it as a key early Nolan film that established his career-long obsession with time, memory, and disorientation.
Based only on this episode’s transcriptTimes approximateSome speakers unidentifiedExplore the connections
01Each rewatch reveals new plot connections because the chronology is inverted and the audience gradually reassembles the story. Opening minutes
02The film's structure is essentially one-of-one and impossible to rip off, making it memorable as a formal experiment. Opening minutes
03The final stretch explains earlier scenes in a way that rewards repeated viewing. About 8 min
04The movie is disorienting by design, keeping the viewer in the same confused state as Leonard. About 32 min
WHAT DID NOT WORK
Their main criticisms
minorThe film is less pleasant as a hangout rewatch than other Rewatchables favorites. Opening minutes
moderateIts impact depends heavily on a first-time reveal, which can never be fully repeated. About 32 min
minorGuy Pearce's career did not fully capitalize on his early success, which they discuss as a disappointment relative to the performance. About 16 min · medium confidence
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Standout moments
Favorite
Opening reverse-chronology murder
The opening kill of Teddy is treated as an immediate hook and one of the most rewatchable parts.
About 32 min Favorite
Carrie-Anne Moss diner scene
A key scene where Natalie explains their shared pain and manipulates Leonard with information.
About 32 min Favorite
Natalie's confrontation and abuse reveal
The scene where Natalie engineers Leonard into hitting her and then weaponizes his condition is highlighted as brutal and clever.
About 56 min positive
Leonard finds the guy in the closet
One of the more suspenseful recurring action beats, showing Leonard in mid-crisis without context.
About 48 min · medium confidenceFavorite
The black-and-white to color transition / Jimmy reveal
The transition into color and the killing of Jimmy is described as the most rewatchable stretch.
About 56 min
WHERE THEY DISAGREED
The biggest debates
They partly agreed About 32 min
Whether Teddy is telling the truth at the end
Bill Simmons
He is probably telling the truth, though the movie leaves room for alternate readings.
Chris Ryan
He thinks Teddy's account is mostly true and notes Leonard repeatedly lies to himself.
They partly agreed About 40 min
Whether Leonard is actually Sammy Jankis
Bill Simmons
Leans toward yes, or at least says the movie supports that reading.
Chris Ryan
Treats the possibility as one of the film's great ambiguities.
No final agreement About 48 min · medium confidence
Would the movie work as a Netflix series
Bill Simmons
Thinks the gimmick could be hard to sustain on TV and might be too confusing.
Chris Ryan
Thinks it could work in short, kinetic half-hour episodes.
19 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers
very favorableCarrie-Anne MossBill Simmons: Praised as terrifying and crucial to the film, especially in scenes where her character turns on Leonard. About 16 min
