The Watership Down Podcast

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Chapter 26. Fiver Beyond

Fiver slips into what might be called just a dream in which he follows the ghostly rabbit he saw disappear on WD into the landscape below. You can clearly see how this description inspired the sequence in the 1978 film. The similarity with that scene ends with the appearance of the disturbing human who gives Fiver all the clues he needs about where to find Hazel. He finds himself at the place where the notice board was that warned of the destruction of the Sandleford Warren. The black stick shapes on the board seem to chatter to Fiver of a memorial to Hazel-rah. But the man says he cannot get to Hazel to hang him up on the board. Because he's gone down the "bloody hole". Fiver wakes up to a shower of earth from the roof of his burrow having landed on him due to the hot weather. Blackberry has come to check on him. He was crying out Hazel's name in his sleep. Fiver asks if Blackberry knows exactly where Hazel was shot. Blackberry confirms he does and Fiver cuts short his objections to Hazel still being alive by saying they have to go and save Hazel right away. On reaching the site of Hazel's shooting, Fiver notices the dried trail of blood coming out of the culvert. He has found the Bloody Hole. And in that hole...is Hazel. Who is alive.

Chapter 27. 'You Can't Imagine it Unless You've been There' This chapter mainly consists of Holly speaking as he recounts the experiences of the expedition to the other warren to try to get some Does for the WD warren. Holly gives an excellent account of a seasoned Owsla officer's tracking across open country. Then they meet a hare, who can obviously communicate with them easily. As soon as the hare realises where they are going, he recommends they run away very fast. Three large Efrafan rabbits appear and one of them asks to see the expedition rabbits' "marks". And so they arrive at Efrafa. Efrafa is a big warren. The entire warren is designed to conceal its existence. As well as the Owsla, there is a Council, each member of which is responsible for things such as feeding, breeding and concealment. The Efrafan Owsla is terrifying and the chief of the warren is General Woundwort. Under him are multiple captains of the Owsla, rather than the usual single captain. Each of them responsible for a mark. Holly and his companions are then taken to see the Council. They meet General Woundwort, who has no interest in why they have travelled to Efrafa. He simply explains the rules under which they will live there. The expedition are told they will join the Right Flank Mark under Captain Bugloss. It occurs to him that Captain Bugloss is a bit overstretched in his role, so Holly decides to adopt the role of a messenger from the Council, just as his mark are going on silflay. The WD rabbits immediately escape. Just as Holly thinks they will have to turn and fight, they come to a steep bank, which they climb. This is a railway embankment. They fall down the other side of the embankment and then experience the passing of a train as a visitation from one of Lord Frith's messengers, which overwhelms Holly. It would be far more frightening than just a car. Next day Holly finds a tunnel under the track and they begin the journey north back to WD. It is a very difficult journey and only Silver makes it back in a healthy condition. But they meet no Efrafans. It takes a day and a night and they do not rest. They return to the news of Hazel's death, though this low point for them isn't quite as bad for us as readers, as we know that he is alive. Were it not for what we know as readers, this would truly be the lowest point in the story. 25.5 Next Episode Next time, Hazel returns to WD...and hatches a plan that will make the raid on Nuthanger Farm seem like a walk in the park.

Vocab:

Hyzenthlay: Shine-Dew-Fur (Fur that shines like the dew)

Crixa: a crossroad between two human tracks.

Owslafa: Efrafan Council Police

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23: Chapter 25. The Raid

23.1 Burrowkeeping Returning to the Lost Paragraph, I have now found two places in the book where Bigwig calls Hazel 'Hazel-rah' before the ending, where, in an edition with the Lost Paragraph, he does not. In the puffin edition, these occur on pages 225, at Nuthanger Farm, and 374, on the River Test. Thank you to Amber Rizzi for helping me find that second example. This means that the manuscript that omits the Lost Paragraph was also edited in detail in order to ensure that Bigwig does use Hazel's title, more than once, before the end.

23.2 Chapter 25. The Raid

23.3 Next episode Next time, Fiver has a vision...and we learn about the other Warren.

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22: Chapter 24. Nuthanger Farm

0:40​

22.2 Nuthanger Farm

2:30​

22.3 Chapter 24. Nuthanger Farm

7:45​

22.4 Next Episode Thank you to John Ruths for his notes on this chapter, which were useful as always. Next time, the rabbits of WD raid Nuthanger Farm, with horrific consequences. And the expedition returns empty handed.

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15: Bigwig's Character and the Lost Paragraph

15.1 Burrowkeeping

I made my favourite mistake yet last week, when I referred to 'The Warren of the Snares' as 'The Warren of the Swears' That would make for a completely different story. One where they have to leave Cowslip's Warren because Fiver has an issue with all the bad language. Which is a bit rich for a rabbit who comes out with such potty-mouthed stuff as "embleer Frith".

0:47​

15.2: Bigwig's Character and the Lost Paragraph revisited.

7:35​

15.3 The Lost Paragraph analysed

13:03​

15.4 Next episode

Next week I return to going through the book and we begin Part Two with perhaps the pivotal Chapter of the entire story. A chapter with the title...Watership Down.

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13: Chapter 17. The Shining Wire

13.1 Snares Before I researched this episode, I vaguely assumed that the use of snares was now illegal in the UK. It isn't. And I am embarrassed not to have already realised this. There is no excuse for using such a cruel and fundamentally lazy method as snaring. There is a campaign to ban the use of snares in the UK that I fully support. They can be found at antisnaring.org.uk.

13.2 Chapter 17. The Shining Wire

13.3 Part One of Watership Down

13.4 Next Episode I am going to pause from going through the book for one, maybe two, episodes, so that I can discuss wider subjects around the book and its portrayals.

Vocab:

Silf: Outside (as in 'silflay')

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8: Chapters 10 and 11: The Road and the Common and Hard Going

8.1 Housekeeping: I referred briefly to Speedwell waking up Acorn It was Hawkbit waking up Speedwell only. Bigwig's phrase "u embleer rah" suggests a more complex meaning of "u", possibly meaning "you" as well as "the" depending on context. Interesting discussion of the book in the latest episode of the 'Read it twice' podcast on spotify. Episode 2. There is now a link in the description if you would like to leave a voice message for possible use in the podcast. The link is https://anchor.fm/wate...​

3:36​

8.2 Chapter 10. The Road and the Common.

9:08​

8.3 Chapter 11. Hard Going and The Lost Paragraph.

18:22​

8.4 Next Episode The next episode covers the beginning of the last 6 chapters of the end of Part One of the book. These chapters cover that metaphorical mist that Fiver spoke of in trance when he first saw the distant Watership Down.

Vocab: Embleer: Stinking (missed in last episode) Hrududu: a car or other human vehicle Yona: Hedgehog

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6.1 Chapter 8: The Crossing A shorter episode this time. Possibly pushed my luck with 3 chapters at one go. There is a possibility of an episode in the near future in which I discuss the two most recent audiobooks of WD with another fan of the book, comparing Ralph Cosham’s interpretation with that of Peter Capaldi.

On to Chapter 8: Opens with the first biblical quotation, from the Acts of the Apostles, which basically gives the game away as to what happens in this chapter. This is the first chapter in which all three of this group of rabbits advantages come in to play. First there is the basic advantage of physical strength, as characterised by Bigwig. Then there are the psychic abilities of Fiver, which have started the whole adventure. And lastly there is rationalism and the ability to innovate, as demonstrated best by Blackberry. Hazel, as leader, is properly tested for the first time, as he has to reconcile the input of all three. The scene is described in Adam’s usual brilliant way, making clear that the rabbits are taking in some of the details. Then they move upstream to feed. Hazel asks Fiver why they need to cross the river, rather than just move along it. His explanation might be a mixture of actual knowledge of landscape and a more mystical sense of the kind of place they need to find. In any case, it amounts to needing to cross so the ground will start to rise again to a high lonely place with dry soil. However Fiver and Pipkin are too tired to swim yet and must rest. Bigwig comes along and asks if they are ready to move on. Hazel says no firmly and Blackberry diffuses tension by suggesting Bigwig swim the river to scout out the other side. As soon as Bigwig has gone he’s back with the news there’s a dog loose in the wood, trailing its chain. Bigwig’s approach is for those who can to swim and the others to manage as best they can. They hear the dog yelp nearby. Hazel rejects this and says he will stay with those who cannot swim. Bigwig loses his temper. Not through fear though, Hazel notices. Simply because he cannot see another way. This is where the innovation of Blackberry comes in. He has found a piece of wood on the bank and understands that it can be used to float Fiver and Pipkin across to the other side. He is clearly extremely intelligent for a rabbit, as none of the others even understand what he is going on about. Except Fiver. Again, is this also intelligence or something else? As soon a Fiver gets it the plan comes into play. Bigwig and Silver push the piece of wood out, once Pipkin has been made to get on it as well. When the two small rabbits rotate on the wood, the sight makes no sense to most of them. But Blackberry asks Hazel to take the lead. As soon as he does, the rest of them start across. Pushing the little raft is obviously not easy for Bigwig, but he understands what he needs to do once he can see it will work. They all reach the other side safely and make for a hedgerow. Fiver makes it clear to Blackberry that he knows he saved him and Pipkin. Blackberry comments that it was a good idea that they should bear in mind for the future. He doesn’t seem boastful. Just objective. And his idea to bear it in mind will prove crucial later in the book.

Next episode: The rabbits make their way across new open countryside. What will they find?

Vocab:

Embleer: Stinking

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5.1: Housekeeping re. Blackberry and Dandelion and the first conversation: I didn't actually say it. Also must say "geek" less. First shout outs to Nati Plavin and Will Fuller. Thank you for your lovely comments. Also a comment, from Nathan Holec that the podcast is a bit quiet. I only record it on my smartphone, so I can believe that. The working title for WD was 'Hazel and Fiver' apparently. There seem to be two Facebook groups called 'Watership Down Fans'. I will be posting on, both. Editorial decisions: I will be dealing with versions of WD in chronological order. This means the 1978 film before the sequel 'Tales from Watership Down' (1996). Then the 1999 TV series. I have also decided that my site visits will follow the numerical order on the map at the start of the book. Today I will cover 3 chapters. Two short and one long, sandwiched between the other two.

5:13​

5.2 Chapter 5. In The Woods

9:00​

5.3 Chapter 6. The Story of the Blessing of El-ahrairah

18:25​

5.4 Chapter 7. The Lendri and the River

22:13​

5.5 Next Episode: Chapter 8. The Crossing. Which should give a clue what happens next.

Vocab: El-ahrairah: The Prince with a thousand enemies (Elil-Hrair-Rah). Frith: God. Also the Sun. Lendri: Badger Tharn: a state of paralysis in rabbits brought on by fear.

The Watership Down Podcast is intended for listeners who are familiar with the plot. There will be spoilers.

This episode is scripted, narrated, recorded and edited by Newell Fisher.

RELEVANT LINKS:

With thanks to Andrew Stevens:

'Understanding Comics: The Hidden Art' by Scott McCloud:

https://www.scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/

Bob Cropman's website:

https://watershipdownonline.co.uk/

Awards for the graphic novel:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C97CumNRDA7/?igsh=dzJvZWtqN2oyOHdz

https://www.instagram.com/p/DO5P__NjWTM/?igsh=MWdrb3o2bGs3emJ3cA==

CONTACTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA:

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/thewatershipdownpodcast

The Watership Down Podcast Honeycomb on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/468458781496287/?ref=share

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thewatershipdownpodcast?igsh=MWtlNjR5MDNrNGZzdw==

Threads:

https://www.threads.net/@thewatershipdownpodcast

Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/watershipdpodcast.bsky.social

YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@thewatershipdownpodcast1300?si=NWMmo3D2mVdLn-25

Past charity appeals:

Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SOME DISTRESSING DETAILS ON THE USE OF SNARES

The Watership Down Podcast is intended for listeners who are familiar with the plot. There will be spoilers.

This episode is scripted, narrated, recorded and edited by Newell Fisher.

EPISODE SPECIFIC LINKS:

National Anti Snaring Campaign:

https://www.antisnaring.org.uk/

Link to DEFRA report on snaring (WARNING: Distressing content):

DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF USE AND HUMANENESS OF SNARES IN

ENGLAND AND WALES

Section 9.6 Appendix F

https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2012-0577/Document.pdf

OTHER RELEVANT LINKS:

With thanks to Andrew Stevens:

'Understanding Comics: The Hidden Art' by Scott McCloud:

https://www.scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/

Bob Cropman's website:

https://watershipdownonline.co.uk/

Awards for the graphic novel:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C97CumNRDA7/?igsh=dzJvZWtqN2oyOHdz

https://www.instagram.com/p/DO5P__NjWTM/?igsh=MWdrb3o2bGs3emJ3cA==

CONTACTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA:

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/thewatershipdownpodcast

The Watership Down Podcast Honeycomb on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/468458781496287/?ref=share

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thewatershipdownpodcast?igsh=MWtlNjR5MDNrNGZzdw==

Threads:

https://www.threads.net/@thewatershipdownpodcast

Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/watershipdpodcast.bsky.social

YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@thewatershipdownpodcast1300?si=NWMmo3D2mVdLn-25

Past charity appeals:

Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/