Breakfast in Beauclair

Danny from the US joins Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 402 "Dream of a Wish Fulfilled". Very important bits include: Changes in Hollywood and tech; the wraith fight; special effects from particle simulations to contortionists; seeing signs and magic on screen; the Rats' heist sequences; Ciri and Geralt's needs; Emhyr's (gross) goals; Vilgefortz's illusions; Philippa's network; and Laurence Fishburne's debut as Regis.
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:05] Introduction
[2:45] Guest Introductions
[9:53] Episode Recap
[12:11] Discussion
[1:09:25] Outro
[1:10:50] End Credits

Elaine from the US and Marie from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 401 "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger". Very important bits include: Liam Hemsworth's Geralt debut; American history; "focusing on your immediate circle"; whether the Rats are freedom, danger, or both; Yennefer's grief; Vilgefortz's reach; Geralt's code; and Ciri's symbolic baptism and rebirth as Falka. Plus, Joey Batey being "always a little confused in a way that serves his character."
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:01] Introduction
[2:26] Guest Introductions
[12:52] Episode Recap
[14:41] Discussion
[57:01] Outro
[57:29] End Credits

Henry from the US and Kerri from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's 'The Rats: A Witcher Tale'. Very important bits include: The humanization of morally messy characters; our unexpected, possibly unreliable, narrator; the meaning of loyalty; the weight of grief; Dolph Lungren lore; and how the 'death of the mentor' sets up their fate in The Witcher Season 4.
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:02] Introduction
[2:17] Guest Introductions
[12:22] Film Recap
[14:14] Discussion
[1:03:37] Outro
[1:04:50] End Credits

Emily R. from the US and Kyle R. from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's 'Sirens of the Deep'. Very important bits include: adapting the Witcher for animation, Melusina's fairytale roots, Geralt's dalliances, how the film fits into Season 1, (Jaskier's Version) of events, and which 'Little Mermaid' 'Sirens of the Deep' may really reference?
[0:00] Cold Open
[0:48] Introduction
[3:24] Guest Introductions
[9:28] Film Recap
[11:13] Discussion
[1:15:06] Outro
[1:16:27] End Credits

Translator David French and narrator Peter Kenny join Alyssa for a conversation on translating the Witcher across language and medium. Very important bits include: the craft and care to bring the Witcher to English-speaking readers and listeners; Polish literary convention versus English prose; historical influences throughout Sapkowski's series; glowing reviews of the Hussite Trilogy; our own Sapkowski stories; the underappreciated weight of silence; and returning to Geralt of Rivia in Crossroads of Ravens.
[0:00] Cold Open
[0:55] Introduction
[3:31] Discussion
[1:05:39] Outro
[1:05:48] End Credits