Thank you so much to Jacob for commissioning this episode!
Here's the link for the document that Jacob thoughtfully made comparing the updated version of this section with the original. I hope that you all find it as helpful as I did! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tWAwmN8Tx7UQ85FK0d9ELafZK685leziizz14sGxJuA/edit?usp=sharing
I will let this episode speak for itself. See you soon with the final chapters!

Thank you to Joanna for commissioning this episode!
I manage to catch up on the last chapter, while deeply shipping Zoya and Nikolai and crossing my fingers that he doesn't cave to the proposed marriages. As all this is happening, he attacks her in his altered form after escaping from his bonds by picking the locks. OR DID HE????
This is when we find out that the Darkling now has a cult following that has declared him a saint. Nikolai wonders if they may have the key to purifying himself of this weird possession, and plans a trip.
Thanks for listening, and I will see you soon with a new episode!

Thank you so much to Gabriela for commissioning this episode, and for joining me for the discussion of these two very high-drama episodes.
The previous two eps started the saga of Nami's childhood and her deal with Arlong, and these episodes wrap up her history, the fate of Bell-mére, and the ultimate double-cross. Gabriela and I discuss whether Bell-mére actually needed to die, and the big moment where Luffy hands over his hat, which apparently failed to hit me with appropriate weight. Sorry, Gabriela! D:
Thank you all so much for listening, and I will see you again soon with a new episode!

Thank you to George for commissioning this episode!
I can't believe there's only one episode left after this. It caught me by surprise! We start here with the first time (I think) that Lucan Reads Shera's blade, and it's really interesting to learn about the origin of this metal and the various levels of intention and meddling it's gone through. This is all a prelude to the Emperor's big moment on the island, where shit goes very intensely left.
Meanwhile in the present day, Lucan has to figure out where Shera is and how to get out of his cell to deliver her newly Awakened weapon. As he's struggling to get out, Meia is in the midst of enjoying a fight with a Champion, and Shera is realizing that a Handmaiden has entered the chat.
Thanks for listening, and I will see you soon with a new episode!

Thank you so much to Heather for commissioning this episode!
So in these chapters we get to see Dr. Spears, who sucks, doing some experimenting from what is apparently a remote facility, located on perhaps a whole different continent from the test subjects themselves. He's trying to do the thing that Tretyak can apparently do with just a sip of blood; Awaken a normal, average human being.
However, there are some more exciting things afoot as Archie comes home and gets attacked. Tretyak's goons want info on Jordan, and he gives them everything to save his daughter....but then it turns out it's not his daughter that needs saving. RUN!
Thanks to all of you for listening, and I will see you again soon with a new episode!

Thank you so much to Joanna for commissioning this episode, and please accept my heartfelt apologies for not getting through the entire 6th chapter. I completely lost track of time and I will make up for it, I swear!
These chapters are really fun and interesting. There are so many wild projects that Nikolai is working on, and I love how he's using this guy Kirigin as a front for it all. I'm also delighted that Nikolai enjoys Zoya for exactly who she is and isn't captivated by some idea of her secret softness. Meanwhile, there's a whole thing happening at this factory where Nina et. al are doing recon, and she's stumbled on something clearly sinister.
Thanks so much for listening, and I will see you all again soon with a new episode!

Thank you to George for commissioning this episode!
So these chapters are the ones in which Calder shows up with the Emperor's crown on his head, and he's able to command everyone around him because they'd sworn oaths to obey the Emperor and apparently their bodies are just gonna....do that. But not Shera. Why not, though? Why can she resist him, and why was she able to resist the Emperor's commands when he was alive?
I have so many questions!
Thanks for listening!

Thank you very much to Heather for commissioning this episode!
I'm excited that we're getting further into this plotline, and I am really interested in what poor Jordan being a target of particular interest is going to look like. They don't want to kill her, they want to recruit her, which is so much worse.
But first, there's the fight on the Dunleavy which is very cinematic and really gave me a better understanding of a lot of members' skills, especially Douglas. And I'm not loving what the fucking shark men are capable of, at ALL.
Thanks for listening, and I will see you all again soon with a new episode!

Thank you to Jaime for commissioning this episode!
I'm delighted to be back in the Grisha universe that I grew to love in the Six Of Crows duology, versus the Shadow & Bone duology. And I'm especially happy that we're going to be spending so much more time with Nikolai, whom you all know I loved immediately and frankly was bewildered at the fact that Alina preferred Mal to him.
I'm very sad to find out that he's still suffering the fallout of the Darkling's attack on him, though. That blows. I don't know why it would be getting worse but I agree with him regarding his suspicions that the "miracles' occurring all over have got to be related.
Thanks for listening, and I will see you all again soon with a new episode!

Thank you very much to George for commissioning this episode!
In these chapters we get a return to the Grey Island, and Yala proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that she's not to be fucking trusted. And she's not even like, trying to be subtle, she's just straight-up suspect and expects Shera to go along with it? Bitch, do you know who Shera IS?
I guess she either doesn't know, or she's got some other plan up her sleeve. Either way, shit goes very left when the attempt to destroy the heart does NOT work and instead wakens the dead in the crypts.
Uh oh.