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 Queen's Moral Compass
• [40:24] Marriage (and the Lodge)
• [47:54] Dijkstra's Mission and Cantarella's Espionage
• [57:15] The Far Future
• [1:10:44] Closing Thoughts
• [1:13:32] Outro
• [1:13:55] End Credits

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
• [31:50] Closing Thoughts
• [39:12] Outro
• [39:33] End Credits

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
• [20:53] Geralt's Humility
• [24:31] Avallac'h's First Impression
• [29:43] Avallac'h's Cave Paintings
• [34:00] Avallac'h, Lara, and Ciri
• [43:16] End Credits
• [43:59] Bonus: Booth Guests

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 Questions
• [54:20] Closing Thoughts
• [1:02:11] Outro
• [1:02:51] End Credits

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 Thoughts
• [1:07:14] Outro
• [1:09:36] End Credits

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 Torture
• [26:14] Progressive Ideas in The Witcher
• [28:39] Swallow & Destiny
• [33:49] Ciri's Victimization v. Weaponization
• [39:14] Ciri's Attempt & Bonhart's Cruelty
• [43:32] "Would Ciri return home?"
• [46:12] The Villains and Systemic Cruelty
• [58:27] Closing Thoughts
• [1:02:59] Outro
• [1:03:26] End Credits

Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage and loss of pregnancy. Listener discretion is advised.

Kitty from the US and Kyle R. from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Sirens of the Deep/raunchy Little Mermaid retellings, the framing narrative and Half a Century of Poetry, Milva's grief following her miscarriage, Cahir's trustworthiness (and positive reinforcement over survival), "the waist is as low as we go," Gwent and the sprawling Nilfgaardian spy network, and Hannibal Lector, gynocologist.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:16] Introduction
• [3:11] Guest Introductions
• [16:46] Chapter Recap
• [18:39] Overall Thoughts
• [24:22] Memoir Framing Narrative
• [32:44] Milva's Miscarriage and Grief
• [42:06] Geralt's Doubt and Cahir's Loyalty
• [48::20] Yennefer's Fate
• [53:24] Nilfgaardian Intelligence
• [1:01:13] The Beekeepers and the Hanza
• [1:06:23] Closing Thoughts
• [1:10:58] Outro
• [1:12:09] End Credits

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Abbe from Sweden and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 2 (Part 2). Very important bits include: Nilfgaardian amnesty, the yuckiest single serving character, Bonhart's brutal slaughter, Ciri's journey, and Vysogota's role in it.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:10] Introduction
• [2:57] Chapter Recap
• [4:29] Hotspurn & Nilfgaardian Amnesty
• [16:07] Bonhart v. The Rats
• [17:52] Bonhart's "Art"
• [23:54] The Villagers' Perspective (from Abbe ~23 min)
• [27:29] Ciri's Journey
• [32:53] Closing Thoughts
• [38:17] Outro
• [38:50] End Credits

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

Abbe from Sweden and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 2 (Part 1). Very important bits include: ominous foreshadowing, groupthink and survival, transactions versus ideals, stolen identity, dreams of grandeur, and "that one little turd I have no feelings for, I'm afraid."

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:04] Introduction
• [3:23] Guest Introductions
• [11:08] Chapter Recap
• [12:51] Overall Thoughts
• [17:34] The Chapter Opening
• [21:27] Hotspurn, The Rats, & Group Think
• [28:54] Ciri's Imposter
• [34:28] CIri & Mistle's Farewell
• [39:23] Outro
• [39:38] End Credits

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

Ryan from the US and Sophie from Morocco join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 1. Very important bits include: 'The Moment You Knew The Witcher Was For You'; how legends are born; first chapters throughout the saga; Vysogota, the raven, and fictional mentors; and where morality ends and survival begins.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:18] Introduction
• [4:07] Guest Introductions
• [11:10] Chapter Recap
• [13:00] Overall Thoughts
• [15:37] The Beggar's Song and the Fable
• [19:59] First Chapters Across the Saga
• [29:32] Vysogota and Ciri
• [34:05] Ciri's Distrust
• [39:14] The Ethical Debate
• [45:03] The Cruelty of Destiny
• [53:18] The Book's Refrain
• [57:14] Closing Thoughts
• [1:01:28] Outro
• [1:02:35] End Credits

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