Breakfast in Beauclair

This discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Season 3 was recorded in June 2023 prior to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes.

Kyle from the US and Sam from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 302 “Unbound". Very important bits include: Yennefer’s evolving relationship with Ciri, a debate on which Nilfgaardian has the short stick, a truly horrific monster of the week, and the things men will do instead of going to therapy.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:11] Introduction
• [3:07] Guest Introductions
• [13:55] Episode Recap
• [16:56] Overall Thoughts
• [31:17] Yennefer and Ciri’s Relationship
• [38:21] Ciri’s Morality and Responsibility
• [43:57] Cahir and Fringilla
• [51:02] Nilfgaardian Emperor, Emhyr Var Emris
• [59:07] Geralt and the Fight at Vuilpanne Castle
• [1:05:30] Dijkstra’s “Therapy”
• [1:10:35] Final Thoughts
• [1:11:42] Outro
• [1:12:09] End Credits
• [1:12:52] Piper Visits the Sound Booth

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

This discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Season 3 was recorded in July 2023 prior to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes.

Gintare from the UK and Vang from Denmark join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 301 “Shaerrawedd". Very important bits include: Yennefer and Geralt’s evolving relationship, the newly abstract nature of Dol Blathanna, the development of Ciri’s morals and ideals, and dead devils.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:24] Introduction
• [3:05] Guest Introductions
• [7:44] Episode Recap
• [10:56] Overall Thoughts
• [16:03] Vang’s Artistic Inspiration
• [16:47] References and Easter Eggs
• [18:33] Francesca’s Song
• [20:56] Transition from S2 to S2
• [23:11] Yennefer & Geralt’s Relationship
• [28:40] Dol Blathanna
• [32:53] Ciri’s Morals and Ideals
• [38:22] Should Geralt have spared Rience?
• [43:58] Raising the Stakes After Shaerrawedd
• [51:53] Final Thoughts
• [53:58] Outro
• [55:58] End Credits

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

This discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Season 3 was recorded in June 2023 and originally released in July prior to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes.

Elsa from the UK and James from the US join Alyssa for our pre-premiere discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Season 3. Very important bits include: our standout moments from Season 1 and 2, our characters to watch, and our wildest Season 3 predictions.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [01:33] Introduction
• [04:48] Guest Introductions
• [09:34] S1 & S2 Recap
• [10:50] Standout Moments from S1 & S2
• [16:22] S3 of The Witcher
• [30:31] Characters to Watch
• [40:30] Wildest S3 Predictions
• [46:16] Easter Eggs
• [52:25] Why You Should Watch S3
• [55:55] Outro
• [56:55] End Credits

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

Anita Sarna and Karolina Krupecka from Witcher Kitchen join Alyssa to discuss their debut book, ‘The Witcher Official Cookbook: Provisions, Fare, and Culinary Tales from Travels Across the Continent’. Very important bits include: the origin of their new work, collaborating with CD Projeckt Red and their publisher, Ten Speed Press, the highs and lows of production, and a preview of what you can expect from this unique culinary take on the Witcher world.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [0:44] Introduction
• [4:46] Guest Introduction
• [5:44] Witcher Kitchen Origin Story
• [9:03] The Polish Fandom
• [15:20] Introducing the Cookbook
• [23:21] The Narrator & The Story
• [35:05] Highlights
• [41:28] Working Together
• [53:19] International Editions & Hopes
• [1:04:06] Favorite Recipes & Polish Cuisine
• [1:12:59] Wrap-up
• [1:16:20] Andrzej Sapkowski’s Foreword & Thanks
• [1:21:55] Outro
• [1:24:44] End Credits

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

This chapter of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt and this episode of the podcast contain discussions of violence and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.

Kade from the US and Matthew from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: the ominous close of the novel, the risk of loneliness, harmful stereotypes, Times of Contempt, and critical conversations around assault.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:32] Introduction
• [4:28] Guest Introduction
• [9:25] zrivie potions
• [14:55] Chapter 7 Recap
• [16:55] Overall Thoughts
• [28:54] Attitude Toward the Rats
• [29:43] Ciri x Mistle
• [48:30] “Falka”
• [53:15] The Risk of Loneliness
• [57:34] “Contempt”
• [1:03:39] Wrap-up
• [1:07:00] Outro
• [1:07:24] End Credits

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

Gabriela from Poland and Kája from the Czech Republic join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 6. Very important bits include: how Ciri’s trial in the desert transforms her, the importance of her loved ones, Little Horse, dialects in translations, and her Time of Contempt.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [0:21] Introduction
• [3:07] Guest Introduction
• [8:37] Chapter 6 Recap
• [9:44] Overall Thoughts
• [19:38] Translations
• [26:05] The Desert for Ciri
• [35:49] Ihuarraquax’s (Little Horse’s) Role
• [42:17] The Unicorn Dialect
• [51:38] Ciri’s Loss of Magic
• [1:13:11] Wrap-up
• [1:17:43] Outro
• [1:19:07] End Credits

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

Cyprian from Berlin and Štěpán from the Czech Republic join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 5. Very important bits include: new insight into the Czech translation of the Witcher, parallels between the second Nilfgaardian war and our modern military history, Geralt’s evolving perspective on neutrality, vignettes from the front, and someone throws down the gauntlet over the second best Witcher game.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [3:16] Introduction
• [4:55] Guest Introduction
• [10:18] Chapter 4 Recap
• [12:22] Overall Thoughts
• [19:55] Translations
• [26:15] Guest Historical Backgrounds
• [27:39] Historical Parallels in The Witcher
• [41:48] The Authorial Voce
• [50:27] Geralt’s Changing Neutrality
• [1:02:25] Margarita Laux Antille & Rayla
• [1:06:05] Contrasting Themes
• [1:10:48] Wrap-up
• [1:16:46] Outro
• [1:17:31] End Credits

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

Nicola from Italy and Ruark from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 4. Very important bits include: using action to tell a story, the reasons behind an act of mercy, the role of prophecy in the Witcher, and Geralt’s Himbo Origin Story.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:00] Introduction
• [2:11] Guest Introduction
• [5:09] Chapter 4 Recap
• [7:16] Overall Thoughts
• [15:28] Cahir v. Ciri
• [23:31] Geralt’s Act of Mercy
• [27:42] The Role of Prophecy
• [34:57] Sapkowski’s Writing Choices
• [52:36] Cahir, Himbos, and the Lone Brain Cell
• [57:03] Wrap-up
• [1:05:19] Outro
• [1:08:00] End Credits

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

Alycia from France and Sarah A. from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Geralt and Yennefer’s atypical relationship, the role of sorcerers on the Continent, Sapkowski’s framing narratives, and Watership Down.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [00:51] Introduction
• [1:59] Guest Introduction
• [5:32] Chapter 3 Recap
• [7:25] Overall Thoughts
• [22:44] Chapter Preface
• [26:27] About the Mages’ Class
• [39:14] Geralt and Yennefer
• [49:15] Sapkowski’s Framing Narrative
• [53:55] Geralt and Vilgefortz
• [1:07:23] Geralt’s Neutrality
• [1:18:43] Wrap-up
• [1:24:22] Outro
• [1:26:46] End Credits

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

Allison from the US and Liv from Brazil join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 2. Very important bits include: Ciri’s coming of age, some of the most memorable excerpts from the series, shades of femininity in The Witcher, and “Dolish Ponuts”.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [1:46] Introduction
• [3:38] Guest Introduction
• [3:22] Chapter 2 Recap
• [15:44] Overall Thoughts
• [22:20] The Chapter Preface
• [27:15] Our New Ciri
• [36:34] Ciri’s Rebellion & Yennefer’s Intentions
• [42:05] Margarita’s Quote
• [49:25] Shades of Womanhood & Femininity in The Witcher
• [1:02:13] The Role of Poetry
• [1:13:48] Wrap-up
• [1:19:39] Outro
• [1:19:57] End Credits

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