December 7, 1978. As one of the most masterful writer-directors to break out of American independent cinema in the last decade, Jeff Nichols adapts genre filmmaking for arthouse audiences. On the Season 2 debut, Michelle & Jeremy discuss two efforts from his small yet substantial filmography, 2011's "Take Shelter" and 2016's "Loving," as their humanist tales of familial strife and iron-willed fathers overcoming tragedies beyond their control, point right back to Nichols' fire-dominant Sag-heavy chart.Nichols places his stories in rural settings or Southern states to convey a pastoral, yet damaged, vision of Americana. With that, the failings of American institutions, specifically the public health and judicial systems, exacerbate the incredibly personal conflicts at the core of "Take Shelter" and "Loving." Was Season 2 really impromptu? Is David Byrne gonna sue us? Will Jeff Nichols' mom please tell us when her son was born?Join us on a brand new season of MTTS!Artwork by Sara Helm / Music by Jacob Anstey. Like: https://www.facebook.com/maptothestarspodcastFollow: https://www.instagram.com/maptothestarspodcastQuestions, concerns, Michael Shannon or Joel Edgerton?Email us! maptothestarspodcast@gmail.com