Ep. 118 — "Crossroads of Ravens"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Bolo from Poland, Gosia from Poland, and Štěpán from the Czech Republic join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Crossroads of Ravens. Very important bits include: Preston Holt, Witcher mentor and New York accountant; Latin and the lingering influence of The Hussite Trilogy; mythological and historical deep cuts; regret and gray morals; Roach’s many names; and the narrative power of less. Plus, our definitive opinion on whether Crossroads of Ravens is actually a new entry point to the Witcher. [0:00] Cold Open [1:20] Introduction [2:58] Guest Introductions [9:09] Book...
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Ep. 117 — Chapter 11 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Kitty from the US and Softie from the UK take over from Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 11. Very important bits include: being on the other side of our protagonists, the parallels between horror and comedy, one-line bangers, fate and destiny, divine intervention, Norse mythology, cherry-flavored numbing liquid, and the close of the penultimate Witcher novel. [0:00] Cold Open [0:49] Introduction and Guest Introductions [4:49] Chapter Recap [6:32] Overall Thoughts [7:29] The Pursuit of Vengeance [24:21] The Wild Hunt’s Intervention [41:49] “What...
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Ep. 116 — Chapter 10 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Nicola from Italy joins Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 10. Very important bits include: the pancake treatment, the pursuit of democracy, Italian references in Tower of Swallows, fulfilling the promise of foreshadowing, the ethics of retribution, death and the value of life, and the coming of ‘Ciri of Kaer Morhen’. [0:00] Cold Open [0:51] Introduction [2:12] Guest Introductions [6:41] Chapter Recap [8:28] Overall Thoughts [12:57] Italian References [17:17] Fulfilled Foreshadowing [23:11] Retribution and Justice [29:56] Ciri’s Purpose [34:59]...
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Ep. 115 — Chapter 9 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Kitty from the US and Michelle from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 9. Very important bits include: Norse and Inuit mythology, Mean Girls Continent, modern magic, sources of power, being consistent in ideals but flexible in methods, sacrifice, cynicism, and repentance in the face of death. [0:00] Cold Open [1:04] Introduction [2:35] Guest Introductions [7:00] Chapter Recap [8:58] Overall Thoughts [12:14] Power in Spirituality and Rationality [19:49] Yennefer’s Cynicism [26:21] Suffering and Sacrifice [31:49] Yennefer’s...
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Ep. 114 — Chapter 8 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Daniel from the Netherlands and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 8. Very important bits include: Kovir’s “armed neutrality,” whoresons of upright character, the wisdom of ‘The Good Book’, royal marriages and moral compromises, political doublespeak, espionage, Sheala de Tancarville conspiracy theories, the unseen consequences of power, and “A million bizants?!” [0:00] Cold Open [1:06] Introduction [2:25] Guest Introductions [8:12] Chapter Recap [9:50] Overall Thoughts [19:30] The Illusion of Virtue [29:31] The...
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Ep. 113 — Chapter 7 (Part 2) from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Madi from the US and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 7 (Part 2). Very important bits include: Avallach’s warning and more series predictions from a first-time reader, “The Fastball Special”, a knocker’s dreams and aspirations, the hypocrisy of retribution, and toddler thoughts. Plus, Sophia wins the podcast. [0:00] Cold Open [1:17] Introduction [3:23] Avallac’h’s Warning & Sophia’s Predicions [6:48] Geralt and the Knocker [14:50] The Morality of the Wicker Cage [25:15] The Loss of Geralt’s Medallion...
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Ep. 112 — Chapter 7 (Part 1) from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Madi from the US and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: a first timer’s thoughts on the book series, parallels to previous guest appearances, doing “too good of a job” on the Witcher audiobooks, the flaminika’s request, Geralt’s humility, first impressions of Avallac’h, being on your “Aragorn bullshit”, Avallac’h’s… fascinations and centuries-long grudges. [0:00] Cold Open [0:46] Introduction [3:11] Guest Introductions [13:38] Chapter Recap [16:00] Overall Thoughts...
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Ep. 111 — Chapter 6 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Bolo from Poland and Kitty from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 6. Very important bits include: the chapter’s epigraph, unhinged D&D tactics, Angoulême’s backstory, Geralt and Cahir’s evolving relationship, Cahir’s motivations, and the burden of hope. [0:00] Cold Open [1:03] Introduction [2:03] Guest Introductions [8:01] Chapter Recap [9:35] Overall Thoughts [19:13] Monstrum [23:44] Angoulême’s Backstory [26:26] Geralt and Cahir’s Role Reversal [35:42] Cahir’s Motives [48:19] Regis’ Reunions [51:54] Translation...
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Ep. 110 — Chapter 5 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Brett from the US and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 5. Very important bits include: lawful cruelty and corruption, Angoulême’s arrival, the making of the hanza, courage and bravery, blind revenge, and prophetic dreams. [0:00] Cold Open [1:33] Introduction [3:32] Guest Introductions [10:28] Chapter Recap [12:13] Overall Thoughts [18:32] Vengeance v. Justice [32:42] Angoulême’s Arrival [41:56] The Hanza’s Dynamics [49:51] Courage and Bravery [54:58] A Witcher’s Revenge [1:02:23] Ciri’s Dream [1:03:40] Closing...
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Ep. 109 — Chapter 4 from "Tower of Swallows"
Breakfast in Beauclair
Charli from Austria and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 4. Very important bits include: Season premiere rituals, unreliable narrators, nesting dolls of perspectives, progressive ideas in The Witcher, the literal sword of destiny, how Ciri’s weaponization complicates her victimization, and how each chapter antagonist embodies a different kind of cruelty. [0:00] Cold Open [1:01] Introduction [2:40] Guest Introductions [8:16] Chapter Recap [9:49] Overall Thoughts [17:18] Alternate Perspectives [22:57] Kenna’s Psionic...
info_outlineNicola from Italy and Pauline from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: the German and Italian translations, analyzing Sapkowski’s swordfighting through an experienced lens, his use of cutaways, the trustworthiness of Nilfgaardians, the ethics of violence and torture, first reactions to the Crossroads of Ravens teaser, the Everyman perspective in a supernatural world, contrasting views on executions, and killing with “mercy.”
- [0:00] Cold Open
- [1:08] Introduction
- [2:20] Guest Introductions
- [9:10] Chapter Recap
- [11:26] Overall Thoughts
- [18:08] Sapkowski’s ‘Crossroads of Ravens’ Sidebar
- [24:55] Milva’s Use of Violence
- [28:50] Cahir’s Trustworthiness
- [34:51] Faoiltiarna’s Torture Tactics
- [42:25] Nilfgaard’s Inclusion in the Lodge
- [46:02] Geralt’s Killings and Traditional heroism
- [55:23] Dandelion’s ‘Everyman’ Perspective
- [1:01:37] Dijkstra vs Vissegerd’s Executions
- [1:08:37] Closing Thoughts
- [1:12:10] Outro
- [1:13:25] End Credits
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