This episode of ‘Breakfast in Beauclair’ is sponsored by Lengthy Tangent and our debut audio fiction series, ‘Peculiar Radio.’ Support the ‘Peculiar Radio’ crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo now through May 2023 and listen to the podcast when it premieres this year. Doug Cockle from CD Projekt Red’s ‘The Witcher’ video games and Peter Kenny from ‘The Witcher’ audiobooks join Alyssa for a conversation on their careers, voice acting, and The Witcher, and the actor’s endless search for emotional tr...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 75
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 Ken...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 74
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...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 73
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 th...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 72
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, S...
Jan 05, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 71
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...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 70
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...
Dec 08, 2022•59 min•Ep. 69
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 serie...
Nov 24, 2022•54 min•Ep. 68
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 t...
Nov 10, 2022•51 min•Ep. 67
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 t...
Oct 27, 2022•54 min•Ep. 66
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....
Oct 13, 2022•54 min•Ep. 65
Charli from Austria and Kim from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 206 “Dear Friend”. Very important bits include: how the birth of the elven baby will change the alliance between the elves and Nilfgaard, how resentment poisons the self rather than harming the object of resentment, Lara Dorren—and consequently, Ciri—as genetic weapons, breaking down the fight between Geralt and the Michelet Brothers, and my take on the macro villain arc for Season 2. Plus: K...
Sep 29, 2022•49 min•Ep. 64
Charli from Austria and Kim from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 206 “Dear Friend”. Very important bits include: ‘The Aard Incident’, parallels to the 2001 Polish series, ‘The Hexer’, becoming the only human in a Muppet noir, what Cahir’s bathrobe tells us, the history of wooden training swords. and the proper etiquette for ‘Reuniting With The Ex Lover You Abandoned at the Top of a Mountain At Least 15 Years Ago, probably.’ The full episode transcript, sho...
Sep 15, 2022•51 min•Ep. 63
Charli from Austria and Kim from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 206 “Dear Friend”. Very important bits include: the fantasy books we’d like to see adapted, the religion and Temple of Melitele, Geralt’s (maybe unhelpful) words of affirmation, Rience’s cross-Continent zoomies, and this Roach’s probable age. Plus, help us name the Kaer Morhen wifi! The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at...
Sep 01, 2022•51 min•Ep. 62
In this bonus episode of Breakfast in Beauclair , Alex Berner from Pocket Bard, the composer of Breakfast in Beauclair, joins Alyssa to discuss the music behind the podcast—from corporate holiday to trap to beachy hippy camper van. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakfastinbeauclair.com .
Aug 18, 2022•43 min•Ep. 61
James from the US and Robin from the Netherlands join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 205 “Turn Your Back”. Very important bits include: An exploration of femininity and the breadth of women in the Witcher, how the score underlines the themes of the show, deconstructing both the narrative and character reasonings behind the Elder Blood plot line, Digimon-Bionicle-Transformers, tapping into the Continent’s boom box network, and sharing a brain cell at the bottom of a ca...
Aug 04, 2022•56 min•Ep. 60
James from the US and Robin from the Netherlands join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 205 “Turn Your Back”. Very important bits include: the introduction of new antagonists, flipped perspectives, fresh combinations of characters, the importance of building trust between actors, a deep dive into the Elder Blood plotline, splitting the party, how “Turn Your Back” is realized throughout the episode, and ‘Twisted Mermaids’. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchand...
Jul 21, 2022•58 min•Ep. 59
Dallas Wheatley from the US and Emma Sherr-Ziarko from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 204 “Redanian Intelligence”. Very important bits include: how cinematography enhances the storytelling, furthering the plot versus furthering the story, meta dialogue in both the show and books, deciphering the Continent’s prophecies, my best Vesemir impression, and ‘saying the quiet part out loud.’ The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to...
Jul 07, 2022•57 min•Ep. 58
Dallas Wheatley from the US and Emma Sherr-Ziarko from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 204 “Redanian Intelligence”. Very important bits include: story and character comparisons to Blood of Elves , the dynamic of Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship and the space between them, the expanding Witcher Universe, Cahir’s faith, Yennefer’s development, Jaskier’s breakup hair, and finding love in the frat house of the Continent. The full episode transcript, show note...
Jun 23, 2022•53 min•Ep. 57
Dallas Wheatley from the US and Emma Sherr-Ziarko from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 204 “Redanian Intelligence”. Very important bits include: Emma pairs the Witcher with wine, an introduction to the world of audio fiction, practical v. CGI effects, comparisons between the show and Chapter 2 of Blood of Elves, and a minor meltdown over how long it’s been since Lord of the Rings. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our...
Jun 09, 2022•59 min•Ep. 56
In this bonus episode of Breakfast in Beauclair , Elora from the Netherlands and Kyle from the US join Alyssa for The Quiz of Surprise, in which guests of the podcast go head-to-head in trivia on the episode we literally just discussed. Find out who wins in this bonus episode and catch other episodes on the Breakfast in Beauclair patreon! The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakfastinbeauclair.com ....
May 26, 2022•17 min•Ep. 55
Elora from the Netherlands and Kyle from the US, join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 203 “What is Lost”. Very important bits include: Yennefer’s stroll through the Tall Grass of Aretuza, parallels between Vesemir and Eskel and Tissaia and Yennefer, the most famous quality of trees, Face Acting!, and my secret conspiracy theory about this very episode. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakf...
May 12, 2022•55 min•Ep. 54
Elora from the Netherlands and Kyle from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 203 “What Is Lost”. Very important bits include: Elora’s Visual Analysis Corner, primal human fears, The Pendulum in the Netflix series versus our Pendulum in The Hanza Discord, how much Stregobor just sucks, what makes a good villain, and our best impressions of Scottish Ciri. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available ...
Apr 28, 2022•57 min•Ep. 53
David from WhibbsGames and Tracie, Miss Magitek, join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 202 “Kaer Morhen”. Very important bits include: Eskel and the infamous leshy fight; Baba Yaga and the magic number 3; successful examples of special effects, practical effects, and editing; themes of figures, dreams, longing, faith, devotion, and desperation; and how we would have changed this episode and this season. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and acc...
Apr 14, 2022•57 min•Ep. 52
David from WhibbsGames and Tracie, Miss Magitek, join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 202 "Kaer Morhen". Very important bits include: TTRPGs and card games, shared dreams, parallels from The Witcher to our own lived experiences, the history of elves on the Continent, Geralt’s approach to fatherhood, speculation as to why Ciri hadn’t had any fighting training so far, connections to Nightmare of the Wolf and “Blood Origin”, and wooden beasts and Eskel’s… bucket list. The...
Mar 31, 2022•51 min•Ep. 51
Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye and Elsa from France join Alyssa for Part 2 of our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 201 “A Grain of Truth”. Very important bits include: the connections Ciri makes to the “monsters” of the manor and monster as metaphor, Yennefer’s characterization in Season 2, foreshadowing with literal shadows and the mechanics of the Chinese Trotting Horse Lamp, echos from the Witcher games, “Tears of Fear”, and Heebie-Jeebies! The full episode transcript, show not...
Mar 17, 2022•59 min•Ep. 50
Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye and Elsa from France join Alyssa for Part 1 of our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 201 “A Grain of Truth”. Very important bits include: the role of a script editor, the parental relationships between Yennefer & Tissaia and Ciri & Geralt, comparisons to Sapkowski’s short story, “the ancient art of bucket swinging”, and Elsa breaks down the Big Question of The Witcher Season 2. The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and ac...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 49
Rob, TheUndeadGamr, and Piotr from Witcher School join Alyssa for Part 2 of our discussion of Netflix’s anime spin-off film, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf . Very important bits include: the depiction of The Trial of the Grasses in both the film as well as at Witcher School LARP in Poland, Tetra’s Mean Girls moment, the consequences of mutagenic alchemy, the fall of Kaer Morhen and the completion of Vesemir’s arc from a carefree and detached nature to acceptance of responsibility and his des...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 48
Rob, TheUndeadGamr, and Piotr from Witcher School join Alyssa for Part 1 of our discussion of Netflix’s anime spin-off film, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf . Very important bits include: The Witcher in animation, station and the desire for ‘something more’, changes from the existing lore of the Witcher, narrative storytelling in VR, Witcher Monster Slayer from Spokko and CD Projekt Red, Sapkowski Verbatim!, LARP 101: An Introduction to LARP with Witcher School in Poland, and Puppies of Surpr...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 47
Breakfast in Beauclair will return on Thursday, February 3, 2022! Sarah A. from the UK and Alycia from France join Alyssa for Part 2 of our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s first Witcher novel Blood of Elves , Chapter 7. Very important bits include: the strength and softness that Yennefer and Ciri bring out in each other; magic as chaos, art, and science; prophetic visions; lessons on intimacy and consent; Owls, Monkeys, and little Ugly Ones; Polish euphemisms; and—oh, yeah—the end of Blood of ...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 46
