Through The Wind Door

Welcome to Season 4.

What was originally going to be four episodes delving into the two major components of the first fictional creation of Alexander Shaw has already sprawled, with Manifesto taking up three episodes total, over the course of two Skype sessions. And we'll see how long it takes us to discuss Dramatis Personae when it happens. But just as before, we find ourselves talking for a lot longer than expected about these books, even with a short book comprising a non-traditional narrative.

Before we start discussing where we're going, we start with where we've been. The conversation capping off with a more thorough year in review of Through The Wind Door itself, and how we have evolved since February of 2020. From there we start talking about the influences and context that brought about the structure of the Handbook, and get into an overall synopsis of its constituent parts. And finally from there, discussing the propagandistic components of the Handbook, and why we choose to label it Manifesto.

The Cartographer's Handbook is a blueprint and foundation for everything that came after, and pairs well as a prologue to the novel we will continue Season 4 with, Arlington. It's been talked about more than any other novel in the New Century oeuvre, but I hope over the course of the next month, we'll be able to come up with incisive thoughts and fresh takes on it, with the weight and context of the now twelve books that followed.

And so, let us begin.

 

The New Century Multiverse Website:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

The New Century Multiverse Podcast Feed:

https://newcenturyshow.podbean.com/

Fireside Alliance: https://firesidealliance.squarespace.com/

 

Intro is "One Person, Listening Now" by Doctor Turtle of FMA

Outro is "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox 20

This was normally going to wait till my new regular upload time of midnight, Saturday. But once more, I just couldn't hold back the signal.

Part 1 with Maureen was much more high energy in general, a bunch of dorks connecting over this piece of media we loved and participated in. Part 2 is more sobering, going to more difficult places. Talking about our experiences during the last year, and about the internal struggles since 2016 that led Maureen to start stepping back from being a regular cast member of New Century.

I do think we do a good job of rounding out our questions, and giving Maureen a chance to revisit her role in shaping New Century, as she ponders what is next for her. But more important is the surprise ending of this episode, and one that is resonant with the stories we have covered. The importance of finding hope in the storm, and holding fast to it.

We end as we mean to go on. Together.

 

The New Century Multiverse books and audio dramas can be found on:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

 

Intro is "The Avengers" by Alan Sylvestri

Midroll Music - "May It Be (instrumental)" by Enya

Outro is "Happy Ever After" by He Is We

"[Greta] was not of this world. But also, she was of this world. She was a grounded character, but there was something so... like you could feel her weight but you couldn't touch her. She was so real to me because she was so... like what I had imagined some things that I heard about from my ex and her family history. And I sort of brought that into Greta to give her some grounding in the reality of it. And then, bearing in mind that she was really untouchable. It's a hard way to describe it, but she was a hard character to describe. [laughs]" - Maureen

This is not quite us completing our set of interviews, because even now, Alex is adding more people to his indomitable voice cast. But Maureen is the last of the originals, and man, does she bring a powerful and varied story with her.

We make our way through the potent women that she gives voice to, starting with Tabitha Chorley, discovering the hidden depths of Greta. Touching on the importance of our purple tiger to Maureen (which she has already spoken most eloquently on in Episode 20A), and from there, diving into the yet undiscussed personal elements of voicing Sarah Arlington, and the way she struggled with Merlene.

As always, past is prologue, and we get into that too. You won't want to miss this one, Whitescarves.

 

The New Century Multiverse books and audio dramas can be found on:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

 

Intro is "The Avengers" by Alan Sylvestri

Outro is "Something Wild" by Lindsey Sterling ft. Andrew McMahon

And here come the rest of our thoughts on the epic journey through Rama, and all the New's that's fit to print.

Topics include a discussion of why understanding The Greatest - Muhammed Ali - is key to understanding our protagonist Kolo Nash. We unpack a lot of the motivating factors of our panther fella - including his sex appeal - and talk more on some of the big moments of the story, including the importance of our mentor Maximus and his part in the story.

We also discuss the differing nature of this story to others in the New Century ouvre, how that difference makes it stand out, and also contribute to making Rama a wider, more realized place in many respects. Panther Soul is it's own story, but the fact that it builds off what began with Tiger's Eye means that reading the first gives us a much more powerful experience overall. We discuss arcs, and feelings and themes, and end on a strong note of why we love this story, and much interest in what comes next.

Full spoilers for the novel: do not listen if you haven't read! (no outtakes this time around, it's all just part and parcel with the given episodes.)

 

For those that have not heard it, highly recommend watching the 2001 movie 'Ali', and then listening to the School of Movies podcast on it, because this movie impacted not only Panther Soul but many aspects of New Century:

https://schoolofmovies.podbean.com/e/ali-1613726520/

 

Intro is "Humanity" by Scott Holmes of FMA

Outro is "More (Red One Jimmy Jones Remix)" by Usher

"I wish I were like a rock

       sturdy and strong, enduring

       polished smooth by the forces that beat against me

       a safe resting place for storm tossed souls.

Sometimes, I am."

-Rev. Polly Guild, "Meditations from Star Island"

It's not easy to make yourself vulnerable. But inspired by Alex and Sharon, this is where my journey took me, following the path of three souls in Rama. Decent people that I found reflections of in myself.

I hope sharing my story means something to you as well.

 

Content Warning: Depression, Suicidal Ideation

Spoiler Warning: Episodes 1 and 21 of Season One of Star Trek :Deep Space Nine, Memento

 

The New Century Multiverse Website:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

The New Century Multiverse Podcast Feed:

https://newcenturyshow.podbean.com/

Fireside Alliance: https://firesidealliance.squarespace.com/

 

Intro is "Crucify" by Tori Amos

Outro is a reading of the poem "Meditations on Star Island" by the Rev. Polly Guild (backed by an instrumental of Enya's "On Your Shore")

Because you can't hold back the signal, our first hour discussing the newest New Century novel, Panther Soul. We jump in with both feet, discussion villians, heroes, a renewed discussion on the non-linear nature of the story, and how it feels to have this story build off Tiger's Eye.

Full spoilers for the novel: do not listen if you haven't read!

 

The New Century Multiverse books and audio dramas can be found on:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

 

Intro is "Humanity" by Scott Holmes of FMA

Outro is "Friction" by Imagine Dragons

"Nearly all the best Hero's Journey's are journey's within, absolutely right. It's a self examination even if it's not conscious." - Alex Shaw

So. We talked a lot about the story, deconstructing events and elements and thoughts galore. And it's up to every audience member on their own to decide what holds weight and what doesn't. What every piece means to them. But now we're going to take one last look at what it means to us.

By us, I include myself, Toby, and finally Maureen Foley herself, the voice of Hrao. Taking one last look, covering old ground and new. The journeys of three individuals tracing back along the path as we figure out why in the world we talked this much about one single story.

Maureen will eventually get to talk more about her experience. But for now, I give you the thoughts she recorded years back after the release of the Tiger's Eye audiodrama, along with a few topics of our own.

 

Opening includes clip from "The Hero's Journey" on the School of Movies Podcast:

https://www.podbean.com/site/EpisodeDownload/PB6AF304F5SE5

 

The New Century Multiverse Website:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

The New Century Multiverse Podcast Feed:

https://newcenturyshow.podbean.com/

Fireside Alliance: https://firesidealliance.squarespace.com/

 

Intro is "Home" by Vince Staples

Outro is "What Hrao Means to Maureen" by Maureen Foley (edited by Alex Shaw)

"Stories mean a lot to everyone. As Sharon and Alex and thier guests got into in the Hero's Journey podcast, they are how we make sense of the world. Is Tiger's Eye more powerful to some because it follows that monomyth path closer than others? Does it feel more primal, closer to the ancient mythologies that came before? Is that why I end up responding to it like I did? I don't know."

Part 5 to a very long episode. We finally tie it all together.

We visit the symbolism of Hakka at his lowest place. We see the final stage of the journey and journeys of all three of our protagonists, how they contribute and reflect on each other. We take a closer look at the Hero's Journey and how it contributes to the context and framing.  We talk about the importance of tools in storytelling, that you need more than one for a properly nuanced story, but that the oldest tools still have power when used right. All of it leading into how these storytelling tools will also become prominent when we use them on ourselves in the final episode of Tiger's Eye. Where Toby and I use it to talk about our own journeys as audience and and as people.

 

Suzanne Vega - Undertow: https://youtu.be/IiSFTA_qwaQ

 

The New Century Multiverse Website:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

The New Century Multiverse Podcast Feed:

https://newcenturyshow.podbean.com/

Fireside Alliance: https://firesidealliance.squarespace.com/

 

Intro is "The Legend of El Dorado" by Derek and Brandon Feitcher

Midroll music: Suzanne Vega - Undertow (guitar instrumental): https://youtu.be/a_ik3i0U1VI

Outro is "Brave" by Sara Bareillies

"...this is not the first time that we will see someone react harshly to what they percieve as a calamitous threat. Someone far more sympathetic, someone that has lots of evidence to hand as to how things could turn out if not addressed. In the case of Hakka, the situation is framed very differently, and his story comes back to us now at the end to give us context to make us sympathetic to his journey. For those of you that haven't read the other books of New Century, you'll have to imagine what it's like on the other foot. When we have a clear protagonist having these kinds of conflicts with other protagonists. Indeed, you already got a little taste of it back in Secret Rooms. Where Annie encouraged Abigail towards empathy in regards to other humans, and Frank had to talk James down when the doctor claimed that they might not be treating the *wendigo* with empathy. So keep all of that in the back of your mind when we move on to Arlington and other future books."

Part 4 of our analysis of the final chapters of Tiger's Eye, and what it has to say about Hakka's journey.

We stop talking about Yesterday and start discussing Today. Seeing Durga tribe  from Haka's perspective, discuss what Hakka might be like as a teacher and his understanding of his student. We dig deep on how Hakka feels about everything, how his anger and desperation grows as the events unfold, and his interaction with The Silent One as one firetalker encounters another, and they test each other. 

We come close to the end, of Hakka's journey as well as Hrao's and Miguel's, to be resolved... next time.

 

The New Century Multiverse Website:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

The New Century Multiverse Podcast Feed:

https://newcenturyshow.podbean.com/

Fireside Alliance: https://firesidealliance.squarespace.com/

 

Intro is "The Legend of El Dorado" by Derek and Brandon Feitcher

Outro is "I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin

"... okay, well, [Hakka and Hrao] are very much not aligned with one another. And yet, there is a familiarity there. And that just kind of gets the gears turning. But then, once the fight in the ruins happens, everything about the way Hakka speaks towards Hrao just feels exactly like an ex who still does care about you, but] is just so fundamentally not 'getting it'. The conversation on the surface is him trying to convey his goodwill towards her... it is very much a reminder of 'this is why we broke up'. It's kind of the energy of that fight scene."

Hope you love Hakka talk. Cause we gonna talk-a about Hakka.

This episode focuses of the revelation of Hrao and Hakka as mates. Both during their time together, and what it is for them now that they are apart with all of the baggage in play. How Hakka's insecurity and view of how the world should work spells doom for that relationship, and in the process, coming back to a serious discussion of how we relate to these stories and the people involved in their creation.

 

The New Century Multiverse Website:

https://www.newcenturymultiverse.com

The New Century Multiverse Podcast Feed:

https://newcenturyshow.podbean.com/

Fireside Alliance: https://firesidealliance.squarespace.com/

 

Intro is "The Legend of El Dorado" by Derek and Brandon Feitcher

Outro is "All Time Low" by Jon Bellion