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.

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 1). Very important bits include: how character beliefs contribute to world building, the objectively worst 24 hours, Sapkowski’s favorite foreshadowing tactics, human susceptibility to superstition and the danger of contradicting it, the role of religion in this chapter, swanlike necks, southern hemisphere Christmases, Geralt’s voicemail, and a thrilling guest reveal.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:55] Introduction
• [3:48] Guest Introductions
• [17:58] Chapter Recap
• [19:42] Overall Thoughts
• [39:47] Superstition
• [44:06] Religion
• [57:50] Ep. 100 Teaser
• [58:41] End Credits

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

Charli from Austria, Gintare from the UK, and Gosia from Ronin of Rivia join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Ronin of Rivia, the combined analysis of Japanese studies and the Witcher; the appearance of a fan-favorite character whose increasingly absurd qualities create tension that, ultimately, goes nowhere; the right time to wallow; the best drunk intentions; family lore; flipping Arthurian legends, ‘love eggplants’, and the Smelly, Farting Elder of Mahakam.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:28] Introduction
• [2:49] Guest Introductions
• [13:05] Chapter Recap
• [14:55] Overall Thoughts
• [20:35] How Perspective Influences Approach
• [25:20] Tensions at Fen Carn
• [30:47] Geralt’s Pain and Struggles
• [37:03] Folk Tales and Magic
• [45:38] Cultural Integration
• [50:05] Geralt’s Outburst
• [57:03] Ciri’s Loss of Innocence
• [1:04:43] Closing Thoughts
• [1:11:26] Outro
• [1:12:44] End Credits

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

Bolo from Poland and Sophie from Morocco join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 2. Very important bits include: examining different aspects of war, judging Geralt’s actions as admirable or reckless, inverting circumstances for the next phase of life, Sapkowski’s masterful dialogue, doing specific good, an enjoyable parade of nothing really, and the big pile of poop jokes we missed.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [0:47] Introduction
• [2:05] Guest Introductions
• [8:32] Chapter Recap
• [10:21] Overall Thoughts
• [12:42] ‘Half Century of Poetry’ Opening
• [17:39] Geralt’s New Stage of Life
• [21:47] Geralt’s Goals and Milva’s Skepticism
• [28:03] Indifference to War
• [32:47] Rebuilding After Hardship
• [37:06] Unbridled Altruism and ‘Specific Good’
• [40:52] Humor and Levity
• [48:47] Closing Thoughts
• [52:36] Outro
• [53:15] End Credits

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

Elisabeth from Norway and Štěpán from the Czech Republic join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 1 (Part 2). Very important bits include: the rhythm of Sapkowski’s writing, translations and the application of foreign languages, wartime propaganda, the inclusion of Nilfgaard and the exclusion of men in the Lodge of Sorceresses. Dijkstra and Philippa’s Mean Girls Tea Time, and Sea Madam™.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:16] Introduction
• [3:15] Guest Introductions
• [14:59] Chapter Recap
• [17:37] Overall Thoughts
• [24:55] Stakes in the War
• [31:56] Dijkstra, Political Strategy, and Social Commentary
• [40:09] Wartime Propaganda
• [45:13] Unity within the Lodge
• [52:05] The Lodge’s Exclusion of Men
• [1:02:35] Acting Upon Instinct, Ambition, and Self-Interest
• [1:10:03] Outro
• [1:13:22] End Credits

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

Tim and Val from Whiskey with Witcher join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 1 (Part 1). Very important bits include: the origins of Whiskey with Witcher, Sapkowski’s beloved framing narratives, odd things that become our whole personalities, book-inspired tattoos, baptisms of fire, catching up with Ciri and the Rats, and the introduction of a fan-favorite character, Milva.

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [0:52] Introduction
• [3:06] Guest Introductions
• [13:58] Chapter Recap
• [16:57] Overall Thoughts
• [22:16] Milva and the Framing Narrative
• [32:20] Milva’s Loyalty
• [43:21] The Scoia’tael’s Role
• [49:52] “A baptism of fire”
• [58:56] Ciri’s Character Arc
• [1:08:19] The Rats’ Impact
• [1:15:52] Final Thoughts
• [1:19:05] Outro
• [1:21:24] End Credits

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