Ep. 121 — Netflix's 'The Rats: A Witcher Tale'

Kitty from the US and Sara from the Moxie Pod join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 407 "What I Love I Do Not Carry". Very important bits include: Sara's journey to podcasting with The Moxie Pod; raising strong, nerdy daughters; Teryn's changing motivations; how Milva's pregnancy impacts her self-identity; how the rusalkas reflect a key relationship; and Emhyr's nasty end goal, but also… "Good girl". [0:00] Announcement [0:36] Cold Open [1:36] Introduction [3:58] Guest Introductions [13:45] Episode Recap [16:13] Discussion [54:24] Outro [55:13] End Credits

Brett from the US joins Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 406 "Twilight of the Wolf". Very important bits include: Brett Meets Romantasy, shadow daddies and Alyssa's reading renaissance, the gap between incredible action and shaky dialogue, Vilgefortz as a standout villain and the brutality of his fighting in the Battle of Montecalvo, why Istredd's death is earned and Vesemir's isn't, Ciri and Mistle's roles in their relationship, and the return of monoliths! [0:00] Cold Open [0:58] Introduction [3:20] Guest Introductions [8:36] Episode Recap [10:18] Discussion [52:29] Outro [55:33] End Credits

Tim and Val from Whiskey with Witcher join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 405 "The Joy of Cooking". Very important bits include: slowing down for the Hanza, the Hanza as a D&D party, Zoltan's search for community, the opportunities in Jaskier's musical memoir, Geralt's stripper pants, Milva as the smartest person in the room, Regis's animated origin story, why Skellen finally feels dangerous, rather mild spicy takes, and we cast ourselves in a self-produced 'The Witcher: The Musical'. [0:00] Cold Open [1:05] Introduction [3:48] Guest Introductions [9:22] Episode Recap [11:09] Discussion [1:08:02] Outro [1:09:41] End Credits

Elsa from France & the UK and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 404 "A Sermon of Survival" (Part 2). Very important bits include: whether or not the sorceress plot works, physical strength versus political power, what the show loses without the Lodge's infighting, "Daddy Uncool", and why beautiful male villains still suck. [0:00] Cold Open [1:24] Introduction [2:48] Discussion [46:46] Outro [47:42] End Credits

Elsa from France & the UK and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 404 "A Sermon of Survival" (Part 1). Very important bits include: villain monologues, Freya Allen's fight sequences, Geralt as everyone else's political symbol, endearingly breasting boobily, "the Gwendolyn Christie of it all", joining a gang instead of having a goth phase, and Radovid's "Sad Little Gay King" Era (affectionate) v. "Bad King Shit" Era (derogatory). [0:00] Cold Open [2:34] Introduction [4:00] Guest Introductions [10:43] Episode Recap [12:40] Discussion [52:25] Outro [52:40] End Credits

Michelle from the US and Patrick from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 403 "Trial by Ordeal". Very important bits include: The witch trial at the refugee camp, Lawrence Fishburne's gravitas as Regis, Beata's cruel fate, the Lodge's formation, teenagers with too much power, Emhyr's horrifying endgame, Leo Bonhart's brutal introduction, villains as heroes of their own stories, and how this episode prepares us for what comes next. [0:00] Cold Open [0:42] Introduction [2:52] Guest Introductions [9:54] Episode Recap [11:58] Discussion [1:07:58] Outro [1:10:12] End Credits

Danny from the US joins Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 402 "Dream of a Wish Fulfilled". Very important bits include: Changes in Hollywood and tech; the wraith fight; special effects from particle simulations to contortionists; seeing signs and magic on screen; the Rats' heist sequences; Ciri and Geralt's needs; Emhyr's (gross) goals; Vilgefortz's illusions; Philippa's network; and Laurence Fishburne's debut as Regis. [0:00] Cold Open [1:05] Introduction [2:45] Guest Introductions [9:53] Episode Recap [12:11] Discussion [1:09:25] Outro [1:10:50] End Credits

Elaine from the US and Marie from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's The Witcher Episode 401 "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger". Very important bits include: Liam Hemsworth's Geralt debut; American history; "focusing on your immediate circle"; whether the Rats are freedom, danger, or both; Yennefer's grief; Vilgefortz's reach; Geralt's code; and Ciri's symbolic baptism and rebirth as Falka. Plus, Joey Batey being "always a little confused in a way that serves his character." [0:00] Cold Open [1:01] Introduction [2:26] Guest Introductions [12:52] Episode Recap [14:41] Discussion [57:01] Outro [57:29] End Credits

Henry from the US and Kerri from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's 'The Rats: A Witcher Tale'. Very important bits include: The humanization of morally messy characters; our unexpected, possibly unreliable, narrator; the meaning of loyalty; the weight of grief; Dolph Lungren lore; and how the 'death of the mentor' sets up their fate in The Witcher Season 4. [0:00] Cold Open [1:02] Introduction [2:17] Guest Introductions [12:22] Film Recap [14:14] Discussion [1:03:37] Outro [1:04:50] End Credits

Emily R. from the US and Kyle R. from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix's 'Sirens of the Deep'. Very important bits include: adapting the Witcher for animation, Melusina's fairytale roots, Geralt's dalliances, how the film fits into Season 1, (Jaskier's Version) of events, and which 'Little Mermaid' 'Sirens of the Deep' may really reference? [0:00] Cold Open [0:48] Introduction [3:24] Guest Introductions [9:28] Film Recap [11:13] Discussion [1:15:06] Outro [1:16:27] End Credits