Breakfast in Beauclair

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.

John aka Softie from the UK joins Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 1. Very important bits include: the life and times of a royal messenger, sly historical references, and the correct way to wear a squirrel’s tail.

• [00:00] Cold Open[01:23] Introduction
• [03:20] Guest Introduction
• [08:47] Chapter 1 Recap
• [11:53] Overall Thoughts
• [23:13] Transitioning between Books
• [28:26] On Aplegatt’s Role
• [41:39] On “Modern Witchers”
• [45:18] Codringer’s False Ciri
• [49:59] The Scoia’tael Fight for Freedom
• [1:01:14] Wrap-up
• [1:14:30] Outro
• [1:19:04] End Credits

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

Due to the emerging guidelines for creators and influencers about the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes,I am making the decision to pause on any active promotion of the Netflix show on the podcast feed and social media channels until the strike is over.

Breakfast in Beauclair will release episodes on Netflix's The Witcher Season 3 after the strike. In the meantime, the podcast will take a brief break for August and return on Thursday, September 7, 2023 with Andrzej Sapkowski's Time of Contempt or The Hexer TV series (2002).

If you'd like to read more about creator guidelines for the strike, you can do so here:https://www.sagaftrastrike.org/influencer-faqs

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

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
• [01:24] Introduction
• [04:37] Guest Introductions
• [10:40] Standout Moments from S1 & S2
• [16:12] S3 of The Witcher
• [30:21] Characters to Watch
• [40:31] ‘Tidings from Toussaint’, Mid-Episode News Segment
• [44:41] ‘Dear Friend’, Listener Call-in Segment
• [46:03] Wildest S3 Predictions
• [51:54] Easter Eggs
• [58:01] Why You Should Watch S3
• [1:02:27] Outro & Credits

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

This episode of ‘Breakfast in Beauclair’ is sponsored by Lengthy Tangent and our debut audio fiction series, ‘Peculiar Radio.’ Support the ‘Peculiar Radio’ crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo now through May 2023 and listen to the podcast when it premieres this year.

Doug Cockle from CD Projekt Red’s ‘The Witcher’ video games and Peter Kenny from ‘The Witcher’ audiobooks join Alyssa for a conversation on their careers, voice acting, and The Witcher, and the actor’s endless search for emotional truth. Very important bits include: a masterclass worth of materials for voice actors, sending your best people on the hardest jobs, trading stories about our favorite author, what Geralt says to Doug around the house, and Dandilion, Dandelion, and Dandelion.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [01:33] Introduction
• [04:12] How did you get into the Witcher?
• [12:33] Preparing Scripts & Materials
• [19:09] Caring For Your Voice
• [23:55] Vocal Combat v. On-Screen Combat
• [28:22] Recording for User Choice in Games
• [38:19] Episode Sponsor: Lengthy Tangent & Peculiar Radio
• [40:32] Regional Accents for Audiobooks
• [47:38] Dandilion, Dandelion, Dandelion
• [51:17] The Making of the Lodge of Sorceresses
• [55:55] Handling Emotional Content
• [1:01:32] Geralt of Rivia & Parenthood
• [1:08:24] Singing in Audiobooks
• [1:11:43] Skills Development
• [1:14:42] The Witcher Community
• [1:21:59] Book Recommendations
• [1:26:40] Takeaways from The Witcher
• [1:31:19] Video Preview: Witcher Improv with Doug Cockle & Peter Kenny
• [1:31:52] Outro & Credits

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

Danny from the US and Lucie from London join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher: Blood Origin Episode 104 "Of Mages, Malice, and Monstrous Mayhem". Very important bits include: the thesis of ‘Blood Origin’, the public reception to the show, how Ithlinne’s prophecy has come to pass, how ‘Blood Origin’ expands the Witcher Universe, and the limited series’ impact on our bridge characters, Jaskier and Avallac'h.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [00:44] Introduction
• [00:56] Doug Cockle and Peter Kenny are coming to the podcast!
• [05:00] Guest Introductions
• [17:02] Episode Highlights & Lowlights
• [31:19] ‘Tidings from Toussaint’, Mid-Episode News Segment
• [36:48] How has Ithlinne’s prophecy come to pass?
• [40:46] What is the thesis of ‘Blood Origin’?
• [45:46] How do ‘Blood Origin’’s elves differ from contemporary humans?
• [57:19] Can ‘Blood Origin’ stand on its own?
• [01:01:47] How does ‘Blood Origin’ expand the Witcher Universe?
• [01:07:17] How might this affect Jaskier in Season 3?
• [01:10:22] What are the implications of Avallac'h’s mid-credits scene?
• [01:18:49] Closing Thoughts
• [01:21:15] Outro & Credits

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

Michelle from Mexico and Vang from Denmark join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher: Blood Origin Episode 103 "Of Warriors, Wakes, and Wondrous Worlds". Very important bits include: our episode highlights and critiques, whether or not history is destined to repeat itself, pre-Conjunction magic versus Chaos magic, how ‘Blood Origin’s’ proto-witcher compares to the contemporary ones of Geralt’s time, Scían’s secret plan, representations of Irish culture and folklore in the show, and cross-over production details from ‘Blood Origin’ to ‘The Witcher’. Plus, stick around until the end as Michelle and Vang cut onions for Alyssa.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [01:04] Introduction
• [10:04] Episode Highlights & Lowlights
• [13:30] Do you agree that history repeats itself?
• [19:55] How does the proto-Trial inform our understanding of pre-Conjunction magic?
• [23:38] How does Fjall compare to contemporary witchers?
• [27:12] What does Scían’s storyline tell us about her character?
• [34:26] What elements of Irish or Celtic culture, heritage, or folklore do we see in Blood Origin?
• [37:50] A Discussion of Production Details
• [40:43] Final Thoughts on ‘Blood Origin’ 103
• [57:10] Guest Wrap-Up
• [59:24] Who’s Cutting Onions?
• [01:01:16] Outro & Credits

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

Merete from the US and Mindy from the StoryTinker join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher: Blood Origin Episode 102 "Of Dreams, Defiance, and Desperate Deeds". Very important bits include: How the worldview of each character affects their actions and decisions, the elven social hierarchy, symbolism within costuming and visuals, and our very best understanding of Celestial siblings.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [01:06] Introduction
• [14:55] Episode Highlights & Lowlights
• [18:10] How do their worldviews affect the characters’ actions?
• [35:26] What do we learn about Meldorf?
• [39:00] What do the visions in the Marsh of the Mists show us?
• [45:51] How do Celestial siblings expand magic on the Continent?
• [50:24] How does the costuming reflect our characters?
• [57:27] What themes did you identify in Ep. 102?
• [1:02:49] Outro & Credits

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

Ben from the US and John aka Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher: Blood Origin Episode 101 “Of Ballads, Brawlers, and Bloodied Blades”. Very important bits include: our standouts and critiques, how the framing narrative eases the viewer into the prequel, pre-Conjunction Elven architecture, the early journey of our protagonists and how their internal conflicts are illustrated in combat, and whether or not the betrayal of the monarchies was justified. Plus, Softie brings a revelation of monolithic proportions.

• [00:00] Cold Open
• [01:07] Introduction
• [08:58] Episode Highlights & Lowlights
• [15:30] “How does the framing narrative ease the viewer into ‘Blood Origin’?”
• [22:29] “How is the Elven aesthetic realized?”
• [34:14] “How do Fjall and Éile cope with their losses?”
• [39:03] ‘Tidings from Toussaint’, Mid-Episode News Segment
• [43:56] “How does the show further contextualize the monoliths?”
• [52:59] “Do you believe the betrayal of the kingdoms was justified?”
• [1:03:47] “How are the fight scenes representative the characters’ internal conflicts?”
• [1:17:56] Outro & Credits

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

In this special conversation, Lars from WitcherFlix joins Alyssa to discuss ‘The Witcher’ Seasons 2 and 3, ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’, and the future of the Witcher at Netflix. Very important bits include: the highs and lows of Season 2 and look ahead to Season 3; our predictions and questions for the upcoming limited series, ‘Blood Origin’; the spin-off stories we’d green-light; the elephant in the room; and Lars’ Prophecy.

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