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 at breakfastinbeauclair.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 at breakfastinbeauclair.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 at breakfastinbeauclair.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 at breakfastinbeauclair.com.

Mitch Fey from the US and Rob Pigott from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 208 “Family”. Very important bits include: the evolution of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri throughout the season, Yennefer’s ‘Spider-Man 2’ arc, our opinions on the Voleth Meir plotline and its purpose in the story, the changes we would have made to this season, successes and opportunities in the adaptation, and what we’re looking forward to in the future of the Witcher Universe.

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

Mitch Fey from the US and Rob Pigott from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 208 “Family”. Very important bits include: the challenges of translating from book to script to screen, how each faction across the Continent turns against Ciri, a punishment of biblical proportions, Yennefer’s willing sacrifice, speculation about the future of the elves, a waterfall of cliffhangers, and our reaction to Season 2 dropping The Biggest Honking Secret in the Witcher series.

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

Mitch Fey from the US and Rob Pigott from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 208 “Family”. Very important bits include: catching up on their work in the film and game industries since their appearances three years ago, Ciri confronting the loss of her home and family while trapped in a dreamscape, Ciri/Voleth Meir’s slaughter of the witchers and Geralt and Vesemir’s resulting conflict, Francesca on the edge of revenge, Yennefer and Jaskier taking things into their own hands, Nilfgaardian scheming, Cahir’s [redacted] arc, and unleashing Jurassic Park in Kaer Morhen.

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

Allison from the US and Bo from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 207 “Voleth Meir”. Very important bits include: Yennfer’s realization of Ciri’s potential and her change of heart, Vilgefortz’s unnerving personality change, Fingilla’s slow isolation and consequent outburst, using primordial magic for everyday productivity, a TED talk on Deadly Nightshade, Stormchasers: Nilfgaard, and how this episode in particular is an examination of hope.

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

Allison from the US and Bo from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 207 “Voleth Meir”. Very important bits include: Ciri’s deadly consequences for the people of the Continent, the willingness to hope, how Cahir’s return to Cintra and Francesca’s seeming abandonment change Fringilla, Voleth Meir’s hand in elven genetics, Geralt’s “special friends”, Vilgefortz and Tissaia?!???!?!?!??, and the definitely-probably-possibly-canonical first witchers, Phil and Gordon.

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