The Podcast of Surprise (The Witcher)

Dear Friends, it's time for our season 3 coverage to begin! Questions, comments or want to support?Twitter: @podsurpriseEmail: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.comFacebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02Michal's Twitter: @inkasrainOur YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB

Triss becomes ill as the gang hits the road, but they encounter old (and fun) friends along the way. Ciri learns more about neutrality, racism, Sherawedd and the Scoia'tael... up close and personal. A chapter of depth, delight and death. Twitter: @podsurpriseEmail: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.comFacebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/azizahai/support

The training of Ciri takes a twist or two, and as winter comes, decisions must be made about the future. They can no longer stay hidden at Kaer Morhen, if they ever could. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Triss, Kaer Morhen, witchers, salads, special mushrooms, natural and supernatural debates... and the curious case of how to care for Ciri. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

(As usual, every episode begins with a synopsis). Under the first oak, the story begins! We discuss the setup, make a few comparisons to other stories, and do our usual lore and funny moments-gathering. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Our first fully scripted episode! Culture, history, language, military, religion, connection to the Elves... Everything we could think of to mention about Nilfgaard is here, with plenty of quotes (and music) included. Sections: The City of Golden Towers, The Eternal Empire, War & Expansion, Assimilation. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Everyone just wants to go home... and to capture Ciri. Anyone who didn't know they wanted her, does now. There's a Witcher Infinity War and much groundwork laid for future seasons as we try to figure out what's up with that jasper. Not to be confused with that Jaskier. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

The Deathless Mother loves it when a plan comes together. An episode with an extra helping of Jaskier humor. This episode is sponsored by Manscaped: get 20% off at manscaped.com with the code "surprise" Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Several showdowns at the Temple of Melitele, many dashed hopes, missing swords and quite a reunion... This episode is sponsored by Manscaped: get 20% off at manscaped.com with the code "surprise" Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Jaskier meets Rience, Rience Meets Yennefer, and Cahir returns to his command. Geralt and Istredd investigate a crevasse and chat monoliths while Vesemir, Tris and Ciri almost bring back the Trial of Grasses. This episode is sponsored by Manscaped: get 20% off at manscaped.com with the code "surprise" Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

It was only a matter of time before others came sniffing after the throne of Cintra. And Burn, Butcher, Burn! Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Scheming amongst the Brotherhood, and Yennefer's escape w/Cahir and a funeral for a witcher-turned-leshy. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

An episode all about the animated Witcher prequel featuring Vesemir and the destruction of Kaer Morhen. 4:46 - Synopsis 10:50 - Reactions 20:10 - IRL 31:24 - Lesser Evil Vibes 41:12 - Lore 51:35 - Funny, Future & Feminism Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Sometimes, even home is not a safe place. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Season 2 kicks off with an adaptation of the second-ever short story of the same name and the aftermath of the Battle of Sodden. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

A rundown intended for book readers but fit for anyone! 14:40 - The End's Beginning 24:19 - Four Marks 38:56 - Betrayer Moon 51:27 - Of Banquets, Bastards and Burials 1:04:31 - Bottled Appetites 1:14:24 - Rare Species 1:23:15 - Before a Fall 1:31:45 - Much More Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

The final short story, one full of memory and mystery. The the transition is marked by many style and structure changes, but the same Witchery goodness. 00:00 - Intro & Synopsis 13:09 - Reactions 18:54 - Craft 36:00 - Characters (Visenna, Vesemir, others) 56:50 - Themes & Lore 1:08:58 - Destiny, Calanthe & The Trial of Grasses 1:18:10 - Herblore Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

A fantastic and deep story that acts as a prequel to the main series. We have a lot to say about this one! 00:00 - Intro & Synopsis 22:50 - Reactions 32:15 - "Sword of Destiny"? 51:15 - Story & Themes 57:44 - Little Red Riding Hood & The Wild Swans 1:04:36 - Reynard the Fox & Other Influences 1:22:11 - Lore 1:29:00 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

A beloved tail-err, tale of love, growth, relationships and vast unsolved mysteries of the deep that slaughter boats full of people. 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - Synopsis 18:05 - Reactions 29:40 - Craft & Analysis 33:00 - Themes & Title 52:20 - Lore 58:46 - Influences & The Little Mermaid 1:07:10 - Characters 1:18:45 - Herblore 1:26:50 - Funniest Moments (note, Aziz's hard drive crashed after the recording of this episode so we had to use the YouTube rip. The recording quality is a little bit lower due to that) Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Last time we had ice, now we have flame. Is this a silly story with serious themes or a serious story with silly themes? Either way, it's great. 00:00 - Synopsis 15:33 - Reactions 22:55 - Themes & Characters 43:48 - Lore/Herblore 51:55 - Eternal Flames: Interpretation & Real World Examples 1:01:00 - Polish Influences & Easter Eggs 1:03:00 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Geralt is quite literally down in the dumps. He's not in much danger, but he's rarely felt worse. A powerful story that proves witchers have emotions after all, as Yennefer has been saying all along, though Istredd would disagree. Dark kestrels, dark words. 01:30 - Synopsis 12:26 - Reactions 19:00 - Themes 24:15 - What's the Shard of Ice? 37:02 - Interpretations & Analysis 56:20 - Lore 1:00:37 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Also known as "The Limits of the Possible", this one starts off the 2nd book of short stories leading up to the main series. An excellent tail, err, tale full of surprises featuring the largest mix of characters yet, many with conflicting goals. 02:20 - Synopsis 20:02 - Reactions 25:44 - Themes & Analysis 41:04 - Characters 56:25 - Lore & Influences 1:11:54 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

A story that ties together The Last Wish while setting the table for the rest of the cycle. Highlights include Mother Nenneke, faith vs. reason, fertility and lots of laughs (of course). 01:14 - Synopsis 13:00 - Reactions 15:30 - Themes/Plot 30:38 - Herblore 35:30 - Lore 47:02 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Of the stories in the first book, this one likely has the most important character developments. It is, after all, the title story... and the longest! After our usual synopsis and reactions, Michal, Kyle & Aziz discuss everything from the symbol on the amphora, the history of djinn, consent, magic, you name it. 1:17 - Synopsis 16:39 - Reactions 25:05 - Themes & Craft 41:01 - Influences & Herblore (Lilac & Gooseberries!) 49:05 - Characters 55:48 - Lore 1:09:54 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

The introduction of Dandelion/Jaskier finds us in a hilarious and seemingly simple situation that quickly becomes anything but... 1:15 - Synopsis 12:18 - Reactions 17:53 - Plot & Craft 36:40 - Influences 44:45 - Characters 57:55 - Lore 1:04:17 - Themes & Symbols 1:16:37 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

SPOILERS! A short follow up to "Tracing the Elder Blood". A look at all the various people and factions who want to control the Elder Blood, and why... Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

SPOILERS aplenty in this one. Let us journey deep into, as Sabrina put it, the "jungle of genetic genealogy". With the Tale of Lara Dorren as our guide we follow the path of the Elder Blood through the generations, focusing on the Cintran dynasty, especially the Daughters of Raven. Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

SPOILERS aplenty in this one. A look at the fates of all the characters seen in A Question of Price, including: Pavetta, Duny, Vissegerd, Windhalm of Attre, and others. Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

A common pick for the best of the short stories, we sure do love this one! Though there's no monster for once, there are some fearsome sounds worthy of one. This one is packed with references and fun influences. 00:00 - Synopsis 10:15 - Reaction 14:47 - Plot & Craft & Themes 32:53 - Influences (Hans My Hedgehog, Cinderella, Sir Gawain & the Green Knight) 46:44 - Characters 50:00 - Lore 1:05:57 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

This one goes from Snow White to Black Sun as quick as a sword deflecting a crossbow bolt. It's a story that presents funundrums... questions that are impossible to answer but make for great entertainment and fodder for discussion. But don't forget the kikimora, we surely did not. 00:00 - Synopsis Part 1 8:06 - Reaction 13:35 - Synopsis Part 2 21:02 - Reaction 33:36 - Craft & Themes & Characters 50:45 - Influences (inc. Snow White synopsis) 57:50 - Lore 1:08:15 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02 Michal: inkasrain@twitter.com Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

In this homage to Beauty & the Beast, Roach is the real star. We explore bruxae, Devil's Rings, the Lion-Headed Spider god, responsibility, second chances and of course, blood & love. 00:00 - Synopsis 10:58 - Reactions 18:15 - Craft 32:35 - Themes & Characters 49:15 - Influences (inc. Beauty & the Beast synopsis) 54:45 - Lore 1:05:15 - Funniest Moments Questions, comments or want to support? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

In "The Witcher", Geralt is presented as an inversion of Dracula. Instead of a cursed monster biting girls to enslave them, he's a monster trying to free a girl from a curse. Kyle, Michal & Aziz take on the first story from the first novel! 00:00 - Synopsis 09:58 - Reactions 16:09 - Themes 36:08 - Characters 45:21 - Influences 59:57 - Lore 1:09:21 - Funniest Moments 1:15:11 - Outro & Thanks Questions or comments? Twitter: @podsurprise Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support

Kyle, Michal & Aziz bring you The Podcast of Surprise. Join us as we delve into Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher book series. Themes, influences, lore, worldbuilding and more... We're here to be fully immersed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/azizahai/support