diff --git a/app/build.gradle.kts b/app/build.gradle.kts
index b3bd7a1..82edfcd 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ val projectNoticeText =
     rootProject.file("NOTICE").readText()
         .replace("https://g.sublogue.com/admin/memby", membySourceUrl)
 
-val defaultVersionName = "0.3.12"
+val defaultVersionName = "0.3.13"
 val membyVersionName: String =
     (project.findProperty("memby.versionName") as String?)
         ?.trim()
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHero.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHero.kt
index c1fb195..22a9e6a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHero.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHero.kt
@@ -289,6 +289,8 @@ internal fun HomeMovieHero(
 
     BoxWithConstraints(modifier.fillMaxWidth()) {
         val miniWidth = (maxWidth * 0.27f).coerceIn(184.dp, 326.dp)
+        val minis = movies.drop(1).take(3)
+        val firstMiniFocusRequester = remember { FocusRequester() }
         Row(
             modifier = Modifier
                 .fillMaxSize()
@@ -310,6 +312,7 @@ internal fun HomeMovieHero(
                 .fillMaxHeight()
                 .focusProperties {
                     left = navigationFocusRequester
+                    if (minis.isNotEmpty()) right = firstMiniFocusRequester
                     if (downFocusRequester != null) down = downFocusRequester
                 }
             if (contentEntryFocusRequester != null) {
@@ -330,9 +333,11 @@ internal fun HomeMovieHero(
                 modifier = Modifier.width(miniWidth).fillMaxHeight(),
                 verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
             ) {
-                val minis = movies.drop(1).take(3)
                 minis.forEachIndexed { index, pick ->
                     var miniModifier: Modifier = Modifier.weight(1f).fillMaxWidth()
+                    if (index == 0) {
+                        miniModifier = miniModifier.focusRequester(firstMiniFocusRequester)
+                    }
                     // Only the bottom mini leaves the hero by Down; the ones above it are
                     // still walking their own column.
                     if (downFocusRequester != null && index == minis.lastIndex) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeOverlays.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeOverlays.kt
index ea18c97..dd164fe 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeOverlays.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeOverlays.kt
@@ -279,14 +279,7 @@ internal fun HomeArtworkPreloader(
 
 @Composable
 internal fun FocusedHomeBackdrop(homeViewModel: HomeViewModel) {
-    val focusedItem by homeViewModel.focusedItem.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
-    var settledItem by remember { mutableStateOf(focusedItem) }
-    LaunchedEffect(focusedItem) {
-        // The backdrop is decorative. Debouncing it lets a held remote move through a row
-        // without starting a new hero transition for every intermediate card.
-        delay(HOME_HERO_UPDATE_DEBOUNCE_MS)
-        settledItem = focusedItem
-    }
+    val settledItem by homeViewModel.settledFocusedItem.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
     BackdropLayer(item = settledItem, modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize())
 }
 
@@ -298,12 +291,7 @@ internal fun FocusedHomeMetadata(
     isContinueWatchingItem: Boolean,
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
-    val focusedItem by homeViewModel.focusedItem.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
-    var settledItem by remember { mutableStateOf(focusedItem) }
-    LaunchedEffect(focusedItem) {
-        delay(HOME_HERO_UPDATE_DEBOUNCE_MS)
-        settledItem = focusedItem
-    }
+    val settledItem by homeViewModel.settledFocusedItem.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
     val loading by homeViewModel.loading.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
     MetadataHero(
         item = settledItem,
@@ -431,8 +419,6 @@ internal fun FocusedDetailsOverlay(
     }
 }
 
-private const val HOME_HERO_UPDATE_DEBOUNCE_MS = 120L
-
 /**
  * Combines the three owners involved in a detail page without confusing their lifetimes:
  * the selected route fixes identity, current focus contributes live user state only when
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeScreen.kt
index 7656d4f..8c9fbcf 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeScreen.kt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import androidx.activity.compose.rememberLauncherForActivityResult
 import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
 import androidx.activity.result.contract.ActivityResultContracts
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
+import androidx.compose.foundation.ExperimentalFoundationApi
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.BoxWithConstraints
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.offset
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.width
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.LazyColumn
+import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.LazyListPrefetchStrategy
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.LazyListState
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.items
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
@@ -177,6 +179,13 @@ internal fun homeHeaderHeight(viewportHeight: Dp, showHero: Boolean): Dp =
         (viewportHeight * 0.48f).coerceIn(250.dp, 330.dp)
     }
 
+@OptIn(ExperimentalFoundationApi::class)
+private val HomeLazyListPrefetchStrategy = LazyListPrefetchStrategy(
+    // A shelf is expensive enough to compose that preparing more than the next one makes
+    // rapid vertical movement compete with the frame that is currently being navigated.
+    nestedPrefetchItemCount = 1,
+)
+
 private val LazyListStateMapSaver: Saver<MutableMap<String, LazyListState>, Any> = listSaver(
     save = { states ->
         states.flatMap { (key, state) ->
@@ -188,13 +197,18 @@ private val LazyListStateMapSaver: Saver<MutableMap<String, LazyListState>, Any>
             values.chunked(3).forEach { saved ->
                 put(
                     saved[0] as String,
-                    LazyListState(saved[1] as Int, saved[2] as Int),
+                    LazyListState(
+                        firstVisibleItemIndex = saved[1] as Int,
+                        firstVisibleItemScrollOffset = saved[2] as Int,
+                        prefetchStrategy = HomeLazyListPrefetchStrategy,
+                    ),
                 )
             }
         }
     },
 )
 
+@OptIn(ExperimentalFoundationApi::class)
 @Composable
 internal fun HomeScreen(
     settings: Settings,
@@ -473,7 +487,10 @@ internal fun HomeScreen(
             requestFirstAvailableFocus(contentFocusRequester, navigationFocusRequester)
         }
     }
-    var initialFocusRequested by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    // Initial focus belongs to each destination, not to the launcher as a whole. Home can
+    // settle before Shows or Movies have returned their rows; sharing one latch meant the
+    // later page's only request happened while its first card was still absent.
+    var initialFocusDestination by remember { mutableStateOf<BrowseDestination?>(null) }
     // Incremented when a rail selection needs to restore a card in the lazy row list.
     // The list owns the scroll state, so it also owns the actual restoration below.
     var rowListFocusRestoreRequest by remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
@@ -916,10 +933,16 @@ internal fun HomeScreen(
         val firstItem = contextualHeroItems.firstOrNull()?.item
             ?: rows.firstNotNullOfOrNull { it.items.firstOrNull() }
         firstItem?.let(homeViewModel::focusItem)
-        if (firstItem != null && !initialFocusRequested) {
-            delay(16.milliseconds)
-            if (runCatching { contentFocusRequester.requestFocus() }.isSuccess) {
-                initialFocusRequested = true
+        if (firstItem != null && initialFocusDestination != selectedDestination) {
+            // A lazy row may still need one or two frames to attach its first card after the
+            // data arrives. Retry briefly rather than falling back to the rail and leaving the
+            // viewer unable to reach the page's rows with the remote.
+            repeat(8) {
+                delay(16.milliseconds)
+                if (runCatching { contentFocusRequester.requestFocus() }.isSuccess) {
+                    initialFocusDestination = selectedDestination
+                    return@LaunchedEffect
+                }
             }
         }
     }
@@ -1215,7 +1238,7 @@ internal fun HomeScreen(
 
                 FocusedHomeBackdrop(homeViewModel)
                 val verticalState = verticalStates.getOrPut(selectedDestination.name) {
-                    LazyListState()
+                    LazyListState(prefetchStrategy = HomeLazyListPrefetchStrategy)
                 }
                 val homeListAtTop by remember(verticalState) {
                     derivedStateOf {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeViewModel.kt
index d6b044f..acf372c 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeViewModel.kt
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.SharingStarted
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.StateFlow
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.asStateFlow
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.distinctUntilChanged
+import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.debounce
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.map
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.stateIn
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.update
@@ -165,6 +166,16 @@ class HomeViewModel(private val repository: EmbyRepository) : ViewModel() {
 
     private val _focusedItem = MutableStateFlow<BaseItem?>(initialFocusedItem(_state.value))
     val focusedItem: StateFlow<BaseItem?> = _focusedItem.asStateFlow()
+    /**
+     * The item whose expensive hero presentation is allowed to catch up with focus.
+     *
+     * [focusedItem] remains immediate so the cards and D-pad never wait for hero work. A
+     * single shared settled stream keeps the backdrop and metadata panel in step, while
+     * debounce cancels the pending emission whenever focus moves again.
+     */
+    val settledFocusedItem: StateFlow<BaseItem?> = _focusedItem
+        .debounce(HERO_UPDATE_DEBOUNCE_MS)
+        .stateIn(viewModelScope, SharingStarted.Eagerly, _focusedItem.value)
     // Genre pages own paged copies that do not live in HomeUiState. This small mutation
     // stream lets those copies reflect a heart press immediately, including a rollback
     // when the server rejects it, without refreshing or losing the active category.
@@ -911,6 +922,7 @@ class HomeViewModel(private val repository: EmbyRepository) : ViewModel() {
 
     companion object {
         private const val FOCUS_METADATA_DEBOUNCE_MS = 200L
+        private const val HERO_UPDATE_DEBOUNCE_MS = 120L
 
         /**
          * How long focus must rest on a card before lightweight detail work is warmed, measured
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/MyShowsNotifications.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/MyShowsNotifications.kt
index f94a7ad..d56c051 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/MyShowsNotifications.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/MyShowsNotifications.kt
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.onPreviewKeyEvent
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.type
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalDensity
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.font.FontWeight
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextOverflow
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.Dp
@@ -48,6 +50,7 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.zIndex
 import androidx.tv.material3.Button
 import androidx.tv.material3.Text
 import coil.compose.AsyncImage
+import coil.request.ImageRequest
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.data.EmbyRepository
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.data.model.MyShow
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.theme.MembyOnSurface
@@ -153,7 +156,11 @@ internal fun MyShowsStrip(
                 contentPadding = PaddingValues(horizontal = 36.dp, vertical = 10.dp),
                 horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(16.dp),
             ) {
-                items(shows, key = MyShow::itemId) { show ->
+                items(
+                    items = shows,
+                    key = MyShow::itemId,
+                    contentType = { "my-show" },
+                ) { show ->
                     MyShowCard(
                         show = show,
                         repository = repository,
@@ -209,10 +216,26 @@ private fun MyShowCard(
     onClick: () -> Unit,
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
+    val subtitle = remember(show) { myShowCardSubtitle(show) }
+    val badge = remember(show) { myShowBadge(show) }
+    val density = LocalDensity.current
+    val widthPx = with(density) { width.roundToPx() }.coerceIn(180, 720)
+    val heightPx = (widthPx * 3f / 2f).toInt().coerceAtLeast(1)
+    val context = LocalContext.current
+    val imageRequest = remember(show.itemId, show.imageTag, widthPx, heightPx, context) {
+        repository.myShowImageUrl(show.itemId, show.imageTag, widthPx)?.let { url ->
+            ImageRequest.Builder(context)
+                .data(url)
+                .size(widthPx, heightPx)
+                .allowHardware(true)
+                .crossfade(false)
+                .build()
+        }
+    }
     FocusScaleContainer(
         onFocused = {},
         onClick = onClick,
-        contentDescription = "${show.title}, ${myShowCardSubtitle(show)}",
+        contentDescription = "${show.title}, $subtitle",
         modifier = modifier.width(width),
     ) { focused ->
         Column {
@@ -231,12 +254,12 @@ private fun MyShowCard(
                 contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
             ) {
                 AsyncImage(
-                    model = repository.myShowImageUrl(show.itemId, show.imageTag),
+                    model = imageRequest,
                     contentDescription = null,
                     contentScale = ContentScale.Fit,
                     modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
                 )
-                myShowBadge(show)?.let { (status, label) ->
+                badge?.let { (status, label) ->
                     LifecycleBadge(
                         status = status,
                         label = label,
@@ -254,7 +277,7 @@ private fun MyShowCard(
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 7.dp).fillMaxWidth(),
             )
             Text(
-                myShowCardSubtitle(show),
+                subtitle,
                 color = MembyQuietText,
                 fontSize = 12.sp,
                 fontWeight = FontWeight.Medium,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/FocusScaleContainer.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/FocusScaleContainer.kt
index 4f47c2a..3905688 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/FocusScaleContainer.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/FocusScaleContainer.kt
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.border
 import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.focusGroup
+import androidx.compose.foundation.focusable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
@@ -76,6 +77,8 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalDensity
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.painterResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.contentDescription
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.onLongClick
+import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.Role
+import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.role
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.semantics
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.font.FontWeight
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextOverflow
@@ -127,6 +130,7 @@ fun FocusScaleContainer(
     contentDescription: String,
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
     onLongClick: (() -> Unit)? = null,
+    focusedContent: (@Composable BoxScope.() -> Unit)? = null,
     content: @Composable BoxScope.(focused: Boolean) -> Unit,
 ) {
     var focused by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
@@ -156,12 +160,14 @@ fun FocusScaleContainer(
                 focused = it.isFocused
                 if (it.isFocused) onFocused()
             }
+            .focusable()
             // The hold, the swallowed repeats and the cancel-on-focus-loss are
             // [Modifier.remoteLongPress]'s — shared with the rail's user item, so the length
             // of press that opens a menu is the same wherever a menu can be opened.
             .remoteLongPress(onClick = onClick, onLongClick = onLongClick)
             .semantics(mergeDescendants = true) {
                 this.contentDescription = contentDescription
+                this.role = Role.Button
                 if (onLongClick != null) {
                     onLongClick("Quick actions") {
                         onLongClick()
@@ -169,6 +175,35 @@ fun FocusScaleContainer(
                     }
                 }
             },
-        content = { content(focused) },
+        content = {
+            content(focused)
+            if (focused) focusedContent?.invoke(this)
+        },
     )
 }
+
+/**
+ * Focus container for content whose pixels do not depend on focus.
+ *
+ * Focus moves frequently on a TV. Keeping the poster body out of the focus-state lambda
+ * lets Compose skip it when only the scale or focus chrome changes.
+ */
+@Composable
+fun PosterFocusScaleContainer(
+    onFocused: () -> Unit,
+    onClick: () -> Unit,
+    contentDescription: String,
+    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
+    onLongClick: (() -> Unit)? = null,
+    focusedContent: (@Composable BoxScope.() -> Unit)? = null,
+    content: @Composable BoxScope.() -> Unit,
+) {
+    FocusScaleContainer(
+        onFocused = onFocused,
+        onClick = onClick,
+        contentDescription = contentDescription,
+        modifier = modifier,
+        onLongClick = onLongClick,
+        focusedContent = focusedContent,
+    ) { _ -> content() }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/MediaBadges.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/MediaBadges.kt
index 7e77974..ee8608b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/MediaBadges.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/MediaBadges.kt
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.border
 import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.focusGroup
-import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.BoxWithConstraints
@@ -64,7 +63,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Brush
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.graphicsLayer
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.vector.ImageVector
-import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import androidx.compose.ui.layout.layout
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.onPreviewKeyEvent
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.Key
@@ -73,7 +71,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.key
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.type
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalDensity
-import androidx.compose.ui.res.painterResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.contentDescription
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.onLongClick
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.semantics
@@ -89,7 +86,6 @@ import androidx.tv.material3.Text
 import coil.compose.AsyncImage
 import coil.request.ImageRequest
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ServiceLocator
-import com.ponzischeme89.memby.R
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.BuildConfig
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.data.EmbyProfile
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.data.model.BaseItem
@@ -142,35 +138,6 @@ fun MediaBadge(
     fontSize: TextUnit = 11.sp,
     lineHeight: TextUnit = TextUnit.Unspecified,
 ) {
-    if (label == "CC") {
-        Image(
-            painter = painterResource(R.drawable.icon_cc),
-            contentDescription = "Closed captions available",
-            contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
-            modifier = modifier
-                .height(18.dp)
-                .aspectRatio(1.5f),
-        )
-        return
-    }
-
-    val surroundSoundDescription = when (label) {
-        "5.1" -> "5.1 surround sound"
-        "7.1" -> "7.1 surround sound"
-        "DOLBY ATMOS" -> "Dolby Atmos surround sound"
-        else -> null
-    }
-    if (surroundSoundDescription != null) {
-        Image(
-            painter = painterResource(R.drawable.icon_surround_sound),
-            contentDescription = surroundSoundDescription,
-            modifier = modifier
-                .height(18.dp)
-                .aspectRatio(1.5f),
-        )
-        return
-    }
-
     Text(
         label,
         color = MembyOnSurface,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/PosterCard.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/PosterCard.kt
index 4a04c06..2e8fc69 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/PosterCard.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/components/media/PosterCard.kt
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
-import androidx.compose.ui.draw.shadow
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.vector.ImageVector
 import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
@@ -43,6 +42,7 @@ import coil.request.ImageRequest
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ServiceLocator
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.data.model.BaseItem
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.detail.formatRuntime
+import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.PosterFocusScaleContainer
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.theme.MembyAccent
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.theme.MembyCardCorner
 import com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.theme.MembyMutedText
@@ -271,33 +271,36 @@ internal fun MediaCard(
                 .build()
         }
     }
-    FocusScaleContainer(
+    val cardShape = remember { RoundedCornerShape(MembyCardCorner) }
+    PosterFocusScaleContainer(
         onFocused = onFocused,
         onClick = onClick,
         onLongClick = onLongClick,
         contentDescription = model.contentDescription,
         modifier = modifier.width(width),
-    ) { focused ->
+        focusedContent = {
+            Box(
+                Modifier
+                    .align(Alignment.TopCenter)
+                    .width(width)
+                    .aspectRatio(aspectRatio)
+                    .border(1.5.dp, Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.76f), cardShape),
+                contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+            ) {
+                MembyArtworkPlayCue()
+            }
+        },
+    ) {
         Column {
             Box(
                 Modifier
                     .width(width)
                     .aspectRatio(aspectRatio)
-                    // Keep the modifier node stable while focus changes. Adding/removing
-                    // the shadow node forces the poster subtree to be rebuilt exactly
-                    // when a row is moving into view, which shows up as a small hitch on
-                    // lower-powered TV hardware.
-                    .shadow(
-                        elevation = if (focused) 5.dp else 0.dp,
-                        shape = RoundedCornerShape(MembyCardCorner),
-                    )
-                    .clip(RoundedCornerShape(MembyCardCorner))
+                    .clip(cardShape)
                     .background(MembySurfaceRaised)
-                    .border(
-                        if (focused) 1.5.dp else 1.dp,
-                        if (focused) Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.76f) else Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.06f),
-                        RoundedCornerShape(MembyCardCorner),
-                    ),
+                    // The focus border is drawn by the overlay, so the poster body keeps a
+                    // stable modifier chain and focus does not rebuild its content.
+                    .border(1.dp, Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.06f), cardShape),
                 contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
             ) {
                 if (loading) {
@@ -382,15 +385,12 @@ internal fun MediaCard(
                         modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.TopStart).padding(8.dp),
                     )
                 }
-                if (focused) {
-                    MembyArtworkPlayCue(Modifier.align(Alignment.Center))
-                }
             }
             Text(
                 model.name,
-                color = if (focused) Color.White else MembyOnSurface,
+                color = MembyOnSurface,
                 fontSize = 14.sp,
-                fontWeight = if (focused) FontWeight.Bold else FontWeight.SemiBold,
+                fontWeight = FontWeight.SemiBold,
                 maxLines = 1,
                 overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 9.dp).fillMaxWidth(),
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/home/HomeRow.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/home/HomeRow.kt
index 85d708b..52f05ab 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/home/HomeRow.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/home/HomeRow.kt
@@ -190,7 +190,11 @@ internal fun MediaRow(
                     ),
                     horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(16.dp),
                 ) {
-                    items(count = 5) {
+                    items(
+                        count = 5,
+                        key = { index -> "loading-$index" },
+                        contentType = { "loading" },
+                    ) {
                         TvLoadingPlaceholder(
                             portrait = isPortrait,
                             availableWidth = availableWidth,
@@ -250,16 +254,22 @@ internal fun MediaRow(
                             }
                         }
 
-                        val focused = remember(item, index) {
+                        // Focus can enrich the same item with metadata. Key these handlers by
+                        // identity rather than the whole wire object so that an enrichment
+                        // update does not rebuild every callback in the visible row.
+                        val currentItem by rememberUpdatedState(item)
+                        val focused = remember(item.id, index) {
                             {
                                 currentOnContentFocused()
-                                currentOnItemFocused(item, index)
+                                currentOnItemFocused(currentItem, index)
                             }
                         }
-                        val onClick = remember(item) { { currentOnItemSelected(item) } }
-                        val onLongClick = remember(item) { { currentOnItemLongPressed(item) } }
+                        val onClick = remember(item.id) { { currentOnItemSelected(currentItem) } }
+                        val onLongClick = remember(item.id) {
+                            { currentOnItemLongPressed(currentItem) }
+                        }
 
-                        val format = remember(row.kind, item, artworkStyle) {
+                        val format = remember(row.kind, item.id, item.isEpisode, artworkStyle) {
                             cardFormat(row.kind, item, artworkStyle)
                         }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanel.kt
index 1995280..50f8ea0 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanel.kt
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.border
 import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.focusGroup
+import androidx.compose.foundation.focusable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
@@ -256,6 +257,7 @@ private fun CastMemberCard(
                 .fillMaxHeight()
                 .detailCardFocus(focused)
                 .onFocusChanged { focused = it.isFocused }
+                .focusable()
                 .clickable(onClick = onClick)
                 .testTag("guest-cast-${member.name}"),
             verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
@@ -282,6 +284,7 @@ private fun CastMemberCard(
                 .width(cardWidth)
                 .detailCardFocus(focused)
                 .onFocusChanged { focused = it.isFocused }
+                .focusable()
                 .clickable(onClick = onClick)
                 .testTag("cast-member-${member.name}"),
         ) {
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHeroScreenshotTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHeroScreenshotTest.kt
index d2d1e1e..61c9a07 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHeroScreenshotTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/HomeMovieHeroScreenshotTest.kt
@@ -72,15 +72,19 @@ class HomeMovieHeroScreenshotTest {
     @Test
     fun `hero focus treatment matches featured and mini cards`() {
         setHeroContent(movies)
+        compose.waitForIdle()
 
         compose.onNodeWithContentDescription("Featured, NEW RELEASE, The Last Horizon")
             .requestFocus()
+        compose.waitForIdle()
+        compose.onNodeWithContentDescription("Featured, NEW RELEASE, The Last Horizon")
             .assertIsFocused()
         compose.onRoot().captureRoboImage(
             "build/screenshots/home-movie-hero/featured-focused.png",
         )
 
         compose.onRoot().performKeyInput { pressKey(Key.DirectionRight) }
+        compose.waitForIdle()
         compose.onNodeWithContentDescription("POPULAR movie, Midnight Signal")
             .assertIsFocused()
         compose.onRoot().captureRoboImage(
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanelScreenshotTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanelScreenshotTest.kt
index 778dc35..ca450f5 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanelScreenshotTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/ui/player/CastPanelScreenshotTest.kt
@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@ package com.ponzischeme89.memby.ui.player
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.Key
-import androidx.compose.ui.test.assertDoesNotExist
+import androidx.compose.ui.test.assertCountEquals
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.assertIsFocused
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.junit4.v2.createComposeRule
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.onNodeWithTag
-import androidx.compose.ui.test.onNodeWithText
+import androidx.compose.ui.test.onAllNodesWithText
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.onRoot
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.performKeyInput
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.pressKey
@@ -49,10 +49,12 @@ class CastPanelScreenshotTest {
                 ),
             ),
         )
+        compose.waitForIdle()
 
         compose.onNodeWithTag("cast-member-Ulrich Mühe").assertIsFocused()
         compose.onRoot().captureRoboImage("build/screenshots/cast-panel/cast-panel-with-guests.png")
         compose.onRoot().performKeyInput { pressKey(Key.DirectionDown) }
+        compose.waitForIdle()
         compose.onNodeWithTag("guest-cast-Marie Gruber").assertIsFocused()
     }
 
@@ -69,7 +71,7 @@ class CastPanelScreenshotTest {
             ),
         )
 
-        compose.onNodeWithText("GUEST CAST").assertDoesNotExist()
+        compose.onAllNodesWithText("GUEST CAST").assertCountEquals(0)
         compose.onRoot().captureRoboImage("build/screenshots/cast-panel/cast-panel-regular.png")
     }
 
diff --git a/benchmark/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/benchmark/HomeBenchmark.kt b/benchmark/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/benchmark/HomeBenchmark.kt
index 13fb7b7..f936598 100644
--- a/benchmark/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/benchmark/HomeBenchmark.kt
+++ b/benchmark/src/main/java/com/ponzischeme89/memby/benchmark/HomeBenchmark.kt
@@ -63,6 +63,24 @@ class HomeBenchmark {
         measureBlock = { exerciseHome() },
     )
 
+    /**
+     * Keeps the remote moving long enough to expose allocation, image-cache and GC churn
+     * that a single trip through the first four shelves can hide. Run this on a constrained
+     * television as the sustained-navigation gate for Home, Shows and Movies rows.
+     */
+    @Test
+    fun sustainedHomeDpadNavigation() = benchmarkRule.measureRepeated(
+        packageName = PACKAGE_NAME,
+        metrics = listOf(FrameTimingMetric()),
+        compilationMode = CompilationMode.Partial(),
+        startupMode = StartupMode.WARM,
+        iterations = 3,
+        setupBlock = { startActivityAndWait() },
+        measureBlock = {
+            repeat(SUSTAINED_CYCLES) { exerciseHome() }
+        },
+    )
+
     private fun MacrobenchmarkScope.exerciseHome() {
         // Do not wait between presses: a real performance problem is most visible while a
         // viewer holds the remote and focus animations, lazy composition and image decode
@@ -91,5 +109,6 @@ class HomeBenchmark {
         const val HORIZONTAL_PRESSES = 12
         const val HORIZONTAL_PRESSES_PER_ROW = 6
         const val VERTICAL_PRESSES = 4
+        const val SUSTAINED_CYCLES = 8
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/internal/buildinfo/VERSION b/server/internal/buildinfo/VERSION
index 72052e2..9adbab1 100644
--- a/server/internal/buildinfo/VERSION
+++ b/server/internal/buildinfo/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.68
+0.1.69