Breakfast in Beauclair Podcast

Abbe from Sweden, Daniel from the Netherlands, and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: the epic conclusion to the book at the Battle of the Bridge, Witch-dudes and Witch-lads, CD Projekt Red’s ‘Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales’, druidic time scales, framing narratives as foreshadowing, Vampiric tropes, identity and redemption, fantasy as satire, the meandering nature of the book (and what it provides to readers), turning Milva’s pregnancy into a group project, and the ironic origin of ‘Geralt of Rivia’.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [0:55] Introduction
• [2:35] Guest Introductions
• [13:14] Chapter Recap
• [15:56] Overall Thoughts
• [26:18] Striborg’s Framing Scene
• [35:39] Breaking Vampiric Tropes
• [42:39] Milva’s Pregnancy
• [1:02:59] Identity and Redemption
• [1:07:39] Baptisms of Fire
• [1:15:01] Closing Thoughts
• [1:22:01] Outro
• [1:22:37] End Credits

Kitty from the US and Tracie aka Miss Magitek join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 6. Very important bits include: international ‘Baptism of Fire’ editions, Peter Kenny’s triumph, excitement for The Witcher 4, how Ciri fights for herself, the legend of Lara Dorren, our best Yzma impressions, perfect 10-year plans, parallels between the Lodge of Sorceresses and Dune’s Bene Gesserit, the mustache-twirling kind of evil, the absence of good, and Hannibal Lecter, gynecologist.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [0:48] Introduction
• [2:46] Guest Introductions
• [11:51] Chapter Recap
• [14:25] Overall Thoughts
• [23:36] The Legend of Lara Dorren
• [28:06] Ciri’s Isolation
• [36:48] Yennefer’s Choice
• [43:16] The Lodge’s Ends and Means
• [53:13] The Villains
• [1:00:01] Good v. Evil
• [1:07:45] Closing Thoughts
• [1:14:03] Outro
• [1:16:18] End Credits

Bo from the US and Gaby from Guatemala join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 5, Part 2. Very important bits include: the classic fish soup scene, being bratty about who you share destinies with, Geralt’s motivations, togetherness and camaraderie, and Therapy with a Vampire.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:30] Introduction
• [2:58] Guest Introductions
• [9:37] Chapter Recap
• [11:54] Overall Thoughts
• [16:53] Geralt’s Hesitancy to Kill
• [22:28] Ciri’s Cold-Blooded Killing
• [28:21] Shared Prophetic Dreams
• [34:43] Accepting Regis
• [41:14] Geralt’s Protectiveness
• [47:46] The Fish Soup Scene
• [53:44] Baptisms of Fire
• [1:05:54] Closing Thoughts
• [1:10:43] Outro
• [1:11:04] End Credits

Nicola 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

The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakfastinbeauclair.com.

Christiaan from Canada and South Africa and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 4 (Part 2). Very important bits include: the trial by ordeal, the stupidest D&D group, the threshold that one needs to achieve to drop a hot horseshoe down a priest’s pants, the Nilfgaardian Cavalry workplace comedy we’ve been waiting for, The Filthy Pelican, morality's role in bravery, the definition of justice, and a bold assertion or a defense? You decide.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [5:05] Introduction
• [6:57] Chapter Recap
• [8:37] The Trial By Ordeal
• [17:31] Vampires in the Witcher
• [23:36] Humor in the Background
• [33:47] Marshal Vissegerd’s Prejudice
• [44:53] Bravery and Morality
• [47:16] Justice and It’s Enforcers
• [58:04] Closing thoughts
• [1:01:17] Sophia’s Predictions
• [1:11:30] Outro
• [1:16:48] End Credits

The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakfastinbeauclair.com.