On the subject of tides mentioned in this episode (during the discussion of the eclipse) I remembered this because I am a sailing geek, but I had to look it up to be sure.
When the sun and moon are aligned, there are exceptionally strong gravitational forces, causing very high and very low tides which are called spring tides, though they have nothing to do with the season. When the sun and moon are not aligned, the gravitational forces cancel each other out, and the tides are not as dramatically high and low. These are called neap tides.
hiwaay.net
Spring tides are the highest tides at the full and new moon phases. Neap tides (the phrase I did remember) are the most moderate tides, first and third quarters because the effects of the Sun and Moon are working perpendicular to each other.
Just a bit of sailing lore from a wannabe pirate & beach bum.
