It’s a bike-flying, Reese’s Pieces-eating, tear-jerking kind of week as we beam ourselves back to 1982 for Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial! As part of our Super Summer Spielberg Spectacular, we revisit the beloved sci-fi classic that defined a generation, and sparked some deep childhood trauma for one of us.

We talk all things E.T., from the film’s surprisingly spooky opening, to John Williams’ celestial score, to how Spielberg somehow turned a wrinkly little alien into the ultimate symbol of love and loneliness. There’s behind-the-scenes trivia, some personal horror stories involving hidden plushies and haunted puzzles, and plenty of admiration for the film’s emotional depth, visual magic, and dysfunctional family dynamics.

Grab your red hoodie, phone home, and join us for a heartfelt (and slightly haunted) ride through Spielberg’s timeless tale of friendship, fear, and glowing fingers.