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In this episode, we discuss if the first book of the Harry Potter was a fitting beginning to the series. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:38 Did Dumbledore make the right choice? This is a big topic and it is difficult to pin down a single answer. This was one of the only options because if he brought Harry to an orphanage, he might have become the new Voldemort. Luckily, he didn’t bring Harry to an orphanage, but the choice then becomes which family does he bring him to. But if McGonagall told him horror stories about the Dursleys, why would Dumbledore send him there? Well, his mother’s protection applies at 4 Privet Drive. And for that reason, we can say that Dumbledore made the right decision.

·      8:01 Do we get properly introduced to the characters? This is a much easier decision. We get a great introduction to all of the characters and though we don’t get to see all that much of each one, but despite that we get a window into each of the people that will become main characters later in the story. Harry is the only characters that we don’t fully meet in my opinion. We don’t see his bravery or any of the other traits that make him the person we later get to know.

·      13:13 It would have been great to see Harry to more magic. I know he did vanish the glass, but its more difficult to make the connection that its Harry. We don’t know Harry’s a wizard and it would be difficult to put two and two together. The vanishing spell is pretty advanced, and we’re basing our entire knowledge of the wizarding world on this one interaction.

·      17:34 It was a good choice to begin the story with Mr. Dursley instead of Harry. He knows the same amount about magic than us, so it is a great contrast between  the muggle world and the magical one. He sees owls and wizards in the streets, and we can appreciate how strange it is along with him. Magic stands out much more when looking through Mr. Dursley’s eyes that Harry. Of course, it is a strange thing, but Mr. Dursley finds it even more alien. 

·      21:29 Hagrid was a good liaison into the magical world. Hagrid is close enough to a normal person that muggles would look twice, but he is still a bit odd. He also knows how to talk to muggles and there’s nothing terribly magical about him so he can blend in. If Dumbledore apparated into the middle of the cottage and starts pulling out his magical watches and maps and all that stuff, the Dursleys would have a heart attack. Hagrid is also a good person and Dumbledore knew that he would become good friends with the trio.

·      26:58 Was the first book a fitting beginning to Harry Potter? Absolutely! It may not be 100% perfect, but this book is a positively fantastic entry to the story beyond.  

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