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Help MuggleCast grow! Join us at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including bonus episodes, recording studio access, ad-free episodes, and much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, get ready to apparate to the charming village of Budleigh Babberton - but keep your wands at the ready because something is afoot! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they attempt to find... and recruit an old friend out of retirement! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 4: Horace Slughorn The MuggleCast Pensieve segment, highlighting our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #381, features some raspberry jam analysis! Why don't Dumbledore and Harry simply Apparate into Slughorn's home? Should Harry have so willingly trusted that Dumbledore was, in fact, Dumbledore, given the danger and uncertainty of the times? What do we think of Dumbledore's plan to use Harry to lure Slughorn back to Hogwarts—is it clever strategy or subtle manipulation? What does it say about Slughorn that he isn't aligned with Voldemort, yet refuses to take a stand against him? Slughorn “The Collector” is one of the most morally gray Slytherins of the series How does Slughorn's casual bigotry—his need to say “You musn't think I'm prejudiced!”—reveal a subtler form of bias in the wizarding world? Does Slughorn's “collector” mentality mirror real-world networking culture? Isn't the Slug Club just Hogwarts' version of a professional society? MVP: What's the best perk Slughorn gets from his Slug Club alumni? Lynx Line: Patreons tell us about a talent/accomplishment that would get them recruited to the Slug Club! Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From Mormon mom, to the “Bachelor” mansion, only ET is with Taylor Frankie Paul before her first night as “The Bachelorette”. The mom of three's biggest fear, opening up about PDA, her past, and the possible return of an ex. Then, Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau…the new power pair in Paris. How the pop star turned her birthday into a romantic reveal. Plus, Hugh Jackman makes his red carpet debut with new love Sutton Foster before FaceTiming a music icon with ET. And, the real life drama of a “Stranger Things” star's marriage laid out in song. Lily Allen's lyrics ignite shockwaves about life and love with David Harbour. Then, film and fashion collide. A newly single Nicole Kidman kicks off ‘Vogue: World'. We take you inside the spectacle that shut down Paramount Studios. Plus, it's ET's Halloween Week so get ready for some tricks and treats. And, Dylan Efron's dance rehearsal takes a painful turn. What it means for his spot in the competition. Then, ET takes “Dancing” pair Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten through a haunted maze. Plus, only ET is with Rob Lowe. Why a “St. Elmo's Fire” sequel is closer to happening than you might think. And, behind the screams of Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried's new thriller. Only we're with director Paul Feig. Then, the “Harry Potter” TV series gearing up to cast a spell on audiences. We have your first look at the new Dumbledore. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nick and John have posted eight Hallmarked Man conversations since its publication last month and, as interesting as their back-and-forth talks have been, South Wales to American Fly Over Country, Lake to Shed, much of the best theorizing and interpreting of Strike 8 has been happening in the comment threads beneath those posts and in email messaging with John. Determined that these insights wouldn't be lost or invisible to Serious Strikers, they chose ten of the most challenging for a fun introduction to the fandom conversations readers not privy to the backchannel moderators network or who neglect the comment threads are missing.In addition, Nick shares the credible speculation that Rowling's weeklong absence from tweeting has been because she is on her Samsara yacht in the South Pacific, circling Bora Bora, believe it or don't. John quizzes Nick, too, about the election in South Wales, Caerphilly to be exact, and the reason the results in that dependably Labour area have the UK buzzing (and why Strike readers might expect the populist party victories will color Strikes 9 and 10).A quick ‘table of contents' for their hasty review, then, followed by links and transcripts! Enjoy — and, yes, have at in the comment threads, please, the locus of Strike fandom conversations.* Ed Shardlow: Gorilla Ryan* Vicky: Boxes and Plush Toys* Sandra Hope: Traditional Symbolism* Justin Clavet: Only Fans Gaffe (Ed Shardlow -- ‘Not Proven' error)* Bora Bora* Justin Clavet: On Manhood* Ed Shardlow: Ickabog Parallel Book Theory* Sandra Hope: Hallmarked Man as Rowling's ‘Greatest Hits' allusion collection* LC - Dorothy Sayers* Kathleen O'Connor -- Alternative Incest* Caerphilly elections -- UK meaning* Ring Composition ProjectPromised Links and Transcripts:* Ed Shardlow's ‘Gorilla Ryan' TheoryThe Ryan the Gorilla theory came to me at the point in the book where Robin has an epiphany following an impulse to look up the meaning of a name. I think this was the Jolanda-Violet realisation, but I thought she'd suddenly realised the full extent of Ryan's dark side, with the significance being the previously noted meaning of his name “Sea King” suggesting a connection between him and Wade King.That theory seemed very flimsy at first, but on further examination it might have some mileage. There are some notable differences between the attack in the Land Rover and the previous ones. Although we imagine the attacker wearing a gorilla mask, there's no mention of it, and in fact it says she can see his face. Also the Land Rover attacker makes no demands that she, “Stop” or, “Leave it”. She hits Wade with the pepper spray, which of course, would be difficult for Ryan to cover up, but she didn't inflict any such injuries on the gorilla attacker. Wade clearly intends to hurt her, whereas the other attacks had no physical violence and look very much like they were just intended to scare her.1) It's hinted that Branfoot knows about Robin's rape, and she says it's on the internet, but we never get any indication that King or Griffiths know about it. Strike and Robin never consider that the attacker might be someone who knows about it because they're close to Robin. That seems like an oversight.2) The gorilla attacker never refers to a specific case. Murphy may be scaring her into quitting the job and getting away from Strike, whereas a suspect would want her to stop investigating their specific case.3) The police don't take the rubber gorilla and dagger for DNA testing. That's pretty strange, unless there's someone on the inside blocking the investigation.There's a bit of an issue with the guy in the green jacket, who presumably Robin can see isn't Ryan when he's on the industrial estate and outside her flat. Presumably that was Wade.So, there would need to be some explanation for how or why Murphy is wearing the same jacket when he accosts her with the ceremonial dagger. But that's not insurmountable.Murphy would have been very surprised to encounter Matthew (sic, he means ‘Martin' -ed.), who he knows from Masham, outside Robin's flat. The narrative very much prompts us to think there's something going on with Murphy, but then we put this down to his work issues and associated relapse, but perhaps that blinds us (and Robin) to another possibility. And if it is the case, then Strike hasn't just let Robin go to dinner with his romantic rival, but she's heading into mortal danger. Were his instincts subconsciously alerting him to the threat? Did he leave it too late to shout, “Brake!” again?Nicola Reed's Objection to ‘Gorilla Ryan' (Sandy Hope, too)Kathleen O'Connor's Cogent Counterpoint to John's Incredulity about No One Noticing How Short Faux-Wright was in the Ramsay Silver footageVicky on the Interpretation of Robin's “Stuffed Toy” DreamBrenna Hill asks ‘Why is the New Ellacott Puppy Named Betty?'Sandra Hope Jumpstarts Conversation about Traditional Symbolism in Hallmarked Man* Masonic Orb Pendant for sale on Etsy ($795)* Jacob's Ladder Mosaic in Masonic Hall, London (Alamy)* The Bohun Swan (‘Chained Swan') (Wikipedia)Justin Clavet: The ‘Only Fans' Gaffe· I commented on the Hogwarts Professor gaffes pillar [Placeholder, ed.] post about the OnlyFans error - that the OnlyFans website was launched in November 2016, but in the book, the murdered Sofia is said to be a prolific OnlyFans poster before her disappearance in June of that same year. The OnlyFans account is only a small point in this large plot, but one that is repeatedly referred to, and Sofia's OnlyFans account is what ultimately brought her to the attention of her killer. For such a meticulous plotter and, as John would say, “OCD” author as Rowling is, does this real-world chronological impossibility give you pause? What other big historical error like this can be found in her books?· Did you notice that the interview with the pornstar occurs in chapter 69? I think Rowling was having a bit of (structural) fun and winking at the observant reader with that one.* Justin Clavet's 3 September ‘Gaffes' posting about ‘Only Fans'The reference to OnlyFans in chapter 33 (p. 269) felt anachronistic to me, as I don't remember ever hearing about the website before the pandemic era. And sure enough, according to Wikipedia (citing a New York Times article), the website didn't launch until November 2016. Therefore, Sofia – who was murdered in June 2016 – could not have been a prolific OnlyFans poster. Sofia's supposed OnlyFans account is referenced several further times throughout the book. Based on data from Google Trends, it seems incredibly unlikely that Strike and Robin would have readily known what OnlyFans was in late 2016/early 2017. So Where is Bora Bora?The Caerphilly 2025 Election: Victories for Left and Right Wing Populist Parties* 2025 Caerphilly Bi-Election (Wikipedia!)* UK's Ruling Labour Suffer Crushing Defeat Against Political Insurgents at Ballot Box (Breitbart)Justin Clavet ‘On Manhood in Hallmarked Man'The biggest thing that struck me in this book was the persistent themes of manhood woven throughout: the responsibilities, relationships, and hardships of men. * The central crime is linked with a secretive fraternal organization. * It opens with the death of Strike's father figure Ted, a “proper man” (p. 38), by whose maxims Strike is newly resolved to live. * We learn that Ted would've murdered (or been murdered by) his father Trevik if he hadn't left home and joined the army (p. 39), just like Strike would have come to blows (or worse) with his step-father Whittaker if he hadn't left home and joined the army. * While he loses the man he called his dad, he has a real meeting with his natural father for the first time. Rokeby shares that, in Strike, he had produced a proper man” (p. 747). * Strike celebrates not having fathered a child (while Robin is distraught in the wake of her own lost child, and devastated that the option to be a mother may no longer be hers to choose).* Richard de Leon says that his brother Danny was made the way he is because of his father's mistreatment. * Strike is bewildered that Danny (who integrates his brother's Christian name into his porn name, Dick de Lion) and Richard could be so close and share so much with each other, contrasting this with his own relationship with Al. * Leda and Rena are both shown to have suffered because of the absence of their more stable brothers. * Strike observes that “men are seen as disposable in certain contexts” (pp. 107f).* Wardle, who is shown to be a caring and dedicated father to his young child, opens up to Strike about his depression and his marriage troubles. * Strike reflects on the shallow friendships he has with other men, and later sees how this kind of friendship can be toxic with the wrong personalities (in Powell, Pratt, and Jones, p. 860). * Strike fears Wardle may be at risk of suicide. Niall is found to have committed suicide after his brother in arms was horrifically executed by Islamist combatants. The public can't be bothered to care about the tragic loss of this man who heroically put his life on the line for his country - preferring instead to lend their attention to the spectacle of another man, Branfoot, who went to extreme lengths to indulge his basest and most perverse desires (p. 873).Like many events in this book, this theme - with characters showing genuine concern and thoughtful consideration of complex men's issues - is a mirror image of one presented in Troubled Blood with the character of Carl Oakden and his cynical men's rights grift.This barely scratches the surface of the notes that I took on this theme, which I saw running deep through the whole book. I wondered if I was just seeing this in the text because of my own perspective as a man, or if it really was there. Indeed, you could find hints of this theme in each of the preceding seven books. But the structural clues left me convinced it was intentional. And when I watched this video (https://robert-galbraith.com/robert-galbraith-discusses-the-case-in-the-hallmarked-man/) the day after finishing the book, there was no doubt.Justin Clavet on the Hallmarked Man Dedication and Rokeby's Gratitude· I connected the book's dedication to Sean and Nadine Harris with Rokeby's statement on p. 748, “Not everyone's got a mate called Leo ‘oo stops ‘em livin' rough” and that he attributes his artistic and financial success to his friend's generosity and charity.Ed Shardlow on The Ickabog as Hallmarked Man's Parallel BookConscious of the links between the first 7 books of the series and the Potter books, and with three books purportedly remaining in the series, I was primed to see a connection between The Hallmarked Man and one of Casual Vacancy, Christmas Pig or the Ickabog. I didn't have any predisposition to it being any of those. Even if Rowling is taking them in some sort of chronological order, there's reason to believe the orders of conception, writing and publishing may differ.At the end of Part One, I thought the Ickabog looked like the best fit based on the fact that the central mystery of who the body in the vault was has a certain similarity to the mystery of the Ickabog itself and whether it was real or a myth. The importance of the truth and the damage done by lies are fundamental to the Ickabog story, and I thought from the start those were major themes in THM.The other correspondences I've spotted:* The police, in various guises, like the royal guard play an important part, largely inept, self-serving, and perpetrators of miscarriages of justice.* The aristocrats - Lord Branfoot, Lady Jenson, Dino Longcaster - lie and deceive to protect their own interests, causing untold damage in the process.* There's terrorism, and terrorism being used to spread fear and division.* Ultimately Rupert and Decima, two sexes but one entity, produce an offspring that may have been defective or corrupted by the state of the world he was born into, but seems to have emerged happy and healthy. Daisy Dovetail having persuaded Rupert the Ickabog that humanity was worth making compromises for.* The main antagonist traps a woman in his house. I thought their names were Esmeralda and Sapphire, but it's Lady Eslanda not Esmeralda… But apparently Eslanda can mean emerald, or VIOLET, or truth… So Eslanda corresponds to both Sapphire and Jolanda!* We visit a feudal state* Ben Liddell – the soldier killed in an incident in a land where there shouldn't have been any military conflict happening and it being covered up by the government* Sandra Hope: The Footprint!Ed Shardlow, I can't wait for your show on the parallels between THM and the Ickabog!!! I just finished rereading both of them and I'm losing my mind! Omg, the footprint: “The Flaw in the Plan (ch32) is that the footprint is hopping (not so much terrifying as ludicrously funny) and Strike noting that the bearer of the footprint in the vault has a limp!! Please let this conversation happen soon!!Sandra Hope: Strike 8 as a ‘Rowling's Greatest Hits Album' of Allusions:Allusions that took my breath away:* Ectopic pregnancy- TB* Schadenfreude- CC* “So many babies”- not just born, but what they're born into- Ickabog borndings* Human trafficking ring- RG* Woman buried in/under concrete- TB* Staged murder involving mutilation- Silkworm* Violent attacks & subsequent PTSD- a Rowling theme in every book, but especially CE & LW* DNA testing & fatherhood- CV, TB* Guys trying to find right time to ask a potential partner a question- GOF lol* Valentine's Day mishaps- CS, TB* Behavior of abandoned mothers-Silkworm (& HBP), specifically Merope, Leonora, Decima (also Leda)* Journalism as a weapon- GOF, OOP, Silkworm, RG* Potential ill usage of mirrors- SSNot a complete list by any means lolLC – Dorothy Sayers Connection?I don't know if there is anything in my seeing parallels between Cormoran and Robin and Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vance (Dorothy Sayers): Peter and Harriet had a very long acquaintance before they finally got engaged, with lots of twists and turns. Peter goes deep undercover in an ad agency in one novel; the feel of it was very similar to Robin going deep undercover in Lethal White. Also, the Sayers novel “Five Red Herrings” also features five men--in this case, five men who could have been the murderer (instead of the victim). Sayers also had very intricate plots that were puzzles--and was a Dante scholar. I believe Jo has mentioned that she admired Sayers. I don't know if these are just interesting parallels that Jo is having fun with or not, but they certainly seem to be more than coincidences. Thanks!Kathleen O'Connor – Alternative Incest Big Twist IdeasI'm impressed by your arguments that we will see some shocking twists – in addition to the shocking twist that Rokeby is actually, in his old age, a good father to his mature son, Cormoran, and not at all the image-focused a*****e we have seen through Strike's eyes up to now. I don't think, however, we will find that Rokeby is not Strike's father. That revelation would dilute Strike's growth in terms of his realizations that he has been mistaken about many things that he has taken for granted in his life. Instead, I think instead we will see a continuation of Robeby's rehabilitation until eventually, like Snape, Rokeby makes some kind of big sacrifice to aid Cormoran or someone/something else important to Cormoran. Also, even though Strike does not physically resemble Rokeby, he does resemble Prudence: * “Seeing them face to face, Robin spotted her partner's resemblance to Jonny Rokeby for the first time. He and his half-sister shared the same defined jaw, the same spacing of the eyes. She wondered – she who had three brothers, all of the same parentage – what it felt like, to make a first acquaintance with a blood relative in your forties. But there was something more there than a faint physical resemblance between brother and sister: they appeared, already, to have established an unspoken understanding.” - The Running Grave And: * “In youth, Strike knew, Rokeby had been exactly as tall as his oldest son, though he was now a little shorter.” - The Hallmarked Man Maybe the big twist and incest plot is connected to either Switch or Whittaker. As we learn from Wikipedia in Career of Evil, Jeff Whittaker never knew who his father was. A strong possibility could be that Patricia Whittaker's own father, Sir Randolph, had gotten her pregnant with Jeff. In that case, keeping that secret – as well as simply keeping the baby away from Leda – could have been the motive for a Whittaker family member to have killed Leda. An even bigger twist might be that Leda did commit suicide, using exactly the method of Krystal Weedon, after she realized that she was Whittaker's sister. Would it be possible for Trevik to have met up with Patricia Whitaker in London and gotten her pregnant? Regardless of the incest angle, I do think we might find that Leda, whose life choices have not allowed her to develop the strength or discipline to face hard truths, may have committed suicide rather than cope with some kind of guilt (maybe she found out what happened to Lucy?). There are multiple examples that foreshadow these possibilities – off the top of my head, there are “naughty boy” wealthy aristos (Freddy Chiswell, Alexander Graves, Will Edensor, Jago Ross) who might parallel Sir Randolph or Jeff Whittaker, and multiple characters who confuse suicide with sacrifice or who simply cannot face what they have done (Cherie Gittins, Krystal Weedon, Yasmin Weatherhead). Rhiannon Winn and Ellie Fancourt both commit suicide because they cannot cope with the shame they feel as a result of others' cruelty.Also, I can think of two points that support your idea that we will find out some bad things about Ted. Number one, the revelations that Dumbledore was extremely flawed are crucial to Harry's story. In fact, I suggest that writing characters who are not merely “gray” but who are simultaneously really good and really bad is a “golden thread” of Rowling's work. And, number two, we hear multiple times that Ted taught Strike, “There's no pride in having what you never worked for” while Rokeby says “I don't wanna die wivvout knowin' ya. You fink I 'aven't got the right to be proud, maybe, but I am. I'm proud of ya.” I don't think it is an accident that Rowling sets up this opposition, and I also think she wants us to admire Rokey's desire to know his son. Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe
Book 6, Chapter 30: The White Tomb. Dan and Jess also discuss the book vs. the movie!
Special guest Grace Candido-Beecher joins Aureo, Sam, and Sierra to discuss the 15th chapter of the Harry Potter series: The Forbidden Forest. We talk about unreasonable detentions, the centaurs, and other creatures in the Forbidden Forest. Join the discussion on our website In this episode: The betting tails of Minerva McGonagall “But all my fwiends are angry with me!” Once again, Quidditch confuses us Dumbledore's master plan is the reason for this detention Filch is a poltergeist McGonagall's woo-woo meditations Do we want to fix Draco or make him worse? What do you think are the effects of the cursed life from drinking unicorn blood? Resources: Voldemort: The Definitive Study of Tom Riddle by Grace Candido-Beecher Contact: Website: https://threebroomstickspod.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threebroomstickspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threebroomstickspodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/threebroompod Email: 3broomstickspod@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/3broomsticks
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Closure in Chapter 28 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Aberforth's advice, the real story of the Dumbledore family, and the portrait! Throughout the episode we consider the question: when do we gain a sense of closure?Thank you to Elizabeth for this week's voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 29, The Lost Diadem, through the theme of Growth with Jolie Doggett.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It's two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Help MuggleCast grow! Join us as our patron at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including more than 60 hours of bonus episodes, 30 hours of chapter readings, and much, much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, join us as we witness Albus Dumbledore welcoming himself into the Dursley's perfect kept home. It's the depants-ing we've been waiting for! Plus, we look at why Dumbledore decided to take care of the Kreacher business in front of the Dursleys, if Albus had any right criticizing the parenting of Dudley, and more. Welcome back to the show, Meg! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 3: Will and Won't The MuggleCast Pensieve segment, highlighting our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #380, features a Kreacher possibility. Harry's back! And he's ever more undignified than ever. From flower beds to pigstys, is our hero losing his cool factor? What's the beef between Albus Dumbledore and Rufus Scrimgeour that the Prophet is eluding to? It may have been hinted at already. Do we approve of the Ministry's guidebook for protecting oneself during the current era? Why didn't Harry believe Dumbledore was going to show? Does this has to do with Dumbledore's treatment of Harry in the last book? Why are the Dursleys awake and cleaning at 11pm? Dumbledore goes hard against the Dursleys. Finally! But why did it take this long for them to meet, and for Albus to depants them? MVP: What is the most effective guideline from the Ministry? Lynx Line: If Dumbledore could've left a Yelp review for the Dursleys, what would it say? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 29 - Phoenix Lament, covered by Sarah!Shocked from Dumbledore's death and Harry and the Order grapple with grief, betrayal, and the truth about Snape. Fleur's fierce loyalty and Tonks's confession — reminding us that even in darkness, there's still light.⚡️
"Ich schwöre feierlich, dass ich ein Tunichtgut bin!" - so leiten wir die Folge zu den Rumtreibern und ihrer Karte über Hogwarts ein. Wir besprechen die Dynamiken untereinander, die Entstehung der Karte, die Dynamik mit Snape, die Probleme der Karte und noch ein paar Dynamiken! "Unheil angerichtet!" Hier gibt es Schokofrösche Merch: https://www.seedshirt.de/shop/schokofroescheshopIhr wollt uns FanArt schicken oder Sticker von uns bekommen?Schreibt uns an:Postfach 71053281455 München
Vi er nået til kulminationen på endeløse samtaler om horcruxer - endelig bliver Schnobbevoms minde vist for Harry og Dumbledore, og Dumbledore får dermed bekræftet sin teori om Voldemorts horcrux-mania. Afsnittet handler næsten ikke om andet, da vi går totalt i dybden med fænomenet. Hvis du ligesom os er fascineret af horcruxer, er dette afsnittet for dig! Mørk magi fylder også, da vi i anden del af afsnittet dykker ned i Sectum Sempra besværgelsen, og taler om dens virkning og oprindelse. Sidst men ikke mindst, er der også lidt kærlighed på menuen, da Harry endelig får givet Ginny et kys og dermed erklærer sin kærlighed. Det har vi ventet på!
Nick Jeffery and John Granger continue their Q&A conversations about Rowling-Galbraith's Hallmarked Man (if you missed the first discussion, click here to catch up). As usual, the pair promised to send links and notes along with their recorded back and forth for anyone wanting to read more about the subjects they discussed. Scroll down for their seven plus one questions and a bevy of bonus material they trust will add to your appreciation of Rowling's Strike 8 artistry and meaning. Cheers!Q1: What is the meaning of or artistry involved with Pat Chauncey's three fish in the Agency's fish tank, ‘Robin,' ‘Cormoran,' and ‘Travolta/Elton'?Mise en Abyme (Wikipedia)In Western art history, mise en abyme (French pronunciation: [miz ɑ̃n‿abim]; also mise en abîme) is the technique of placing a copy of an image within itself, often in a way that suggests an infinitely recurring sequence. In film theory and literary theory, it refers to the story within a story technique.The term is derived from heraldry, and means placed into abyss (exact middle of a shield). It was first appropriated for modern criticism by the French author André Gide. A common sense of the phrase is the visual experience of standing between two mirrors and seeing an infinite reproduction of one's image. Another is the Droste effect, in which a picture appears within itself, in a place where a similar picture would realistically be expected to appearSnargaloff pods (Harry Potter Wiki)“It sprang to life at once; long, prickly, bramble-like vines flew out of the top and whipped through the air... Harry succeeded in trapping a couple of vines and knotting them together; a hole opened in the middle of all the tentacle-like branches... Hermione snatched her arm free, clutching in her fingers a pod... At once, the prickly vines shot back inside and the gnarled stump sat there looking like an innocently dead lump of wood“— The trio dealing with the Snargaluff plant in sixth year Herbology classSnargaluff was a magical plant with the appearance of a gnarled stump, but had dangerous hidden thorn-covered vines that attacked when provoked, and was usually best handled by more than one person.Juliana's Question about the Oranda Goldfish:did anyone else notice - I confess to only noticing this on my second re-read of THM- that Travolta, Pat's third fish, dies?What do we think about this? Could this mean Mr. Ryan F. Murphy dies…? Or could it just be foreshadowing of the fact that him and Robin don't end up together? I think the fish symbolism was quite humorous and delightful paralleling such a deep and intricate plot. Just wanted to know if anyone noticed this tinge of humor towards the end of the book… As for the fish theory, Pat's three fish in the tank: Strike, Robin and the third, she calls, Travolta — ironically, named after a “handsome” man. I'm thinking JKR meant Travolta, the fish to symbolize Murphy…What I was referring to in my original comment: the three fish = the love triangle between Ellacott/Murphy/Strike. I was asking: since Travolta died in Chapter 113, do we think this foreshadows Murphy either dying physically, or just that Robin and Murphy do not end up together?John's ‘Fish and Peas' Response:It's a relief to learn that Travolta's most famous role wasn't a character named Ryan Murphy that everyone in the world except myself knows very well. Thank you for this explanation!There's more to your idea, though, I think, then you have shared. Forgive me if you were already aware of this textual argument that suggests very strongly that these Oranda goldfish have been an important part of Rowling's plan from the series from the start. In brief, it's about the peas.In Part 2, Chapter 3, of ‘Cuckoo's Calling,' Robin and Matt are having their first fight about Strike and the Agency. The chapter ends with an odd note that this disagreement has blemished the Cunliffe couple's engagement.“She waited until he had walked away into the sitting room before turning off the tap. There was, she noticed, a fragment of frozen pea caught in the setting of her engagement ring.” (73)Your theory that the fish bowl is an embedded picture of the state of Robin's feelings for Murphy and Strike, a Mise en abyme of sorts, is given credibility in the eyes of this reader by the appearance of frozen peas as the cure for the dying Cormoran goldfish. It is hard for a Rowling Reader to believe that these two mentions of frozen pea fragments were coincidental or unrelated, which means that (a) Rowling had the office Oranda goldfish scene-within-the-scene in Strike 8 foreshadowed by the Strike 1 tiff, and (b) therefore of real significance.There is another pea bit, of course, in ‘Troubled Blood' at Skegness, a passage that links Robin's heart or essence with peas.Strike was still watching the starlings when Robin set down two polystyrene trays, two small wooden forks and two cans of Coke on the table.“Mushy peas,” said Strike, looking at Robin's tray, where a hefty dollop of what looked like green porridge sat alongside her fish and chips.“Yorkshire caviar,” said Robin, sitting down. “I didn't think you'd want any.”“You were right,” said Strike, picking up a sachet of tomato sauce while watching with something like revulsion as Robin dipped a chip into the green sludge and ate it.“Soft Southerner, you are,” she said, and Strike laughed. (807-808)If you tie this in with the fish symbolism embedded in Rowling's favorite paintings and the meaning of ‘Oranda,' this is quite a bit of depth in that fish bowl -- and in your argument that the death of Travolta signifies Murphy is out of consideration.You're probably to young to remember this but Travolta's most famous role will always be Tony Manero in ‘Saturday Night Fever,' the breakout event of his acting career. Manero longs for a woman way out of his league, attempts to rape her after they win a dance contest, she naturally rejects him, but they wind up as friends.Or in a book so heavy in the cultish beliefs and practices of Freemasonry, especially with respect to policemen that are also “on the square,” maybe the Travolta-Murphy link is just that the actor is, with Tom Cruise, as famous (well...) for his beliefs in Scientology as for his acting ability.So, yes, it's fun, your ‘Peas and Fish' theory, but there's something to it.Check out this note on ‘Peas' in the Strike novels from Renee over at the weblog: https://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/hallmarked-man-placeholder-post-index/comment-page-1/#comment-1699017 The fish symbolism embedded in Rowling's favorite painting: https://hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/p/rowlings-favorite-painting-and-what And the meaning of ‘Oranda:' https://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/rowling-twixter-fish-and-strike-update/Follow-Up by Julianna:I'm not sure what exact chapter this is in, but let's also not forget that on Sark, Strike procures a bag of frozen peas to soothe the spade to his face injury. I also want to add that he has used frozen peas before, to soothe his aching leg too, but I could be wrong about that…I cant remember where I've read that, so it might not be true….Lastly, after reading Renee's comment, I have to say, that now I do believe that the peas might have been an ongoing symbol for Strike (a la…the pea in the engagement ring) and…stay with me here….peas are potentially, what save Cormoran, the goldfish, from dying.“The black fish called Cormoran was again flailing helplessly at the top of the tank. ‘Stupid a*****e, you've done it to your f*cking self'.” And the very last line of the book being: “Then pushed himself into a standing position ear and knee both throbbing. In the absence of anything else he could do to improve his present situation, he set off for the attic to fetch the empty margerine tub…and some peas.” (Chapter 127).My point being: this could be a way of Rowling saying, that Strike saves himself from himself…another psychological undertone in her stories. (Lake reference: Rowling has pulled herself up out of poverty ‘by her own bootstraps' we say.) Thoughts? Thanks for induldging me here, John! I am enjoying this conversation. Apologies for the grammar and potentially confusing train of thoughts.And from Vicky:Loving the theories and symbolism around the peas and fish! Just had a thought too re John quoting the Troubled blood scene. Robin calls mushy peas by a familiar term “Yorkshire caviar”. Caviar is of course fish eggs, and poor Robin, Yorkshire born, spends much of THM agonising over the thought and pressure of freezing her eggs. Giuliana mentioned the frozen peas Strike puts on his swollen face after the spade hit...maybe this is foreshadowing to their intimate and honest dinner conversation later with Robin baring her heart to Strike about her ectopic pregnancy griefQ2: Why didn't the Strike-Ellacott Agency or the Metropolitan Police figure out how the murderer entered the Ramsay Silver vault to kill William Wright the first time they saw the grainy surveillance film of the auction house crate deliveries?Tweet UrlFrom ‘The Locked Room Lecture' (John Dickson Carr) It's silly to be disappointed in a border-line absurd Locked Room Mystery such as Hallmarked Man because improbability is close to a requirement in such stories:“But this point must be made, because a few people who do not like the slightly lurid insist on treating their preferences as rules. They use, as a stamp of condemnation, the word ‘improbable.' And thereby they gull the unwary into their own belief that ‘improbable' simply means ‘bad.'“Now, it seems reasonable to point out that the word improbable is the very last which should ever be used to curse detective fiction in any case. A great part of our liking fofr detective fiction is based on a liking for improbability. When A is murdered, and B and C are under strong suspicion, it is improbably that the innocent-looking D can be guilty. But he is. If G has a perfect alibi, sworn to at every point by every other letter in the alphabet, it is improbable that G can have committed the crime. But he has. When the detective picks up a fleck of coal dust at the seashore, it is improbable that such an insignificant thing can have any importance. But it will. In short, you come to a point where the word improbable grows meaningless as a jeer. There can be no such thing as any probability until the end of the story. And then, if you wish the murder to be fastened on an unlikely person (as some of us old fogies do), you can hardly complain because he acted from motives less likely or necessarily less apparent than those of the person first suspected.“When the cry of ‘This-sort-of-thing-wouldn't-happen!' goes up, when you complain about half-faced fiends and hooded phantoms and blond hypnotic sirens, you are merely saying, ‘I don't like this sort of story.' That's fair enough. If you do not like it, you are howlingly right to say so. But when you twist this matter of taste into a rule for judging the merit or even the probability of the story, you are merely saying, ‘This series of events couldn't happen, because I shouldn't enjoy it if it did.'“What would seem to be the truth of the matter? We might test it out by taking the hermetically sealed chamber as an example, because this situation has been under a hotter fire than any other on the grounds of being unconvincing.“Most people, I am delighted to say, are fond of the locked room. But – here's the damned rub – even its friends are often dubious. I cheerfully admit that I frequently am. So, for the moment, we'll all side together on this score and see what we can discover. Why are we dubious when we hear the explanation of the locked room? Not in the least because we are incredulous, but simply because in some vague way we are disappointed. And from that feeling it is only natural to take an unfair step farther, and call the whole business incredible or impossible or flatly ridiculous.” (reprinted in The Art of the Mystery Story [Howard Haycraft] 273-286)Q3: Hallmarked Man is all about silver and Freemasonry. What is the historical connection between South American silver (‘Argentina' means ‘Land of Silver'), the end of European feudalism, and the secret brotherhood of the Masons?How Silver Flooded the World: And how that Replaced Feudalism and the Church with Capitalism and Nation-States (‘Uncharted Territories,' Tomas Pueyo) In Europe, silver also triggered the discovery of America, a technological explosion, and a runaway chain of events that replaced feudalism with capitalism and nation-states. If you understand this, you'll be able to understand why nation-states are threatened by cryptocurrencies today, and how their inevitable success will weaken nation-states. In this premium article, we're going to explore how Europe starved for silver, and how the reaction to this flooded the world with silver. ,See also Never Bet Against America and Argentina Could be a Superpower, both by Pueyo.‘Conspiracy Theories associated with Freemasonry' (Wikipedia)* That Freemasonry is a Jewish front for world domination or is at least controlled by Jews for this goal. An example of this is the anti-Semitic literary forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Adolf Hitler believed that Freemasonry was a tool of Jewish influence,[12] and outlawed Freemasonry and persecuted Freemasons partially for this reason.[13] The covenant of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas claims that Freemasonry is a “secret society” founded as part of a Zionist plot to control the world.[14] Hilaire Belloc thought Jews had “inaugurated” freemasonry “as a bridge between themselves and their hosts”[15]* That Freemasonry is tied to or behind Communism. The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco had often associated his opposition with both Freemasonry and Communism, and saw the latter as a conspiracy of the former; as he put it, “The whole secret of the campaigns unleashed against Spain can be explained in two words: masonry and communism”.[16] In 1950, Irish Roman Catholic priest Denis Fahey republished a work by George F. Dillon under the title Grand Orient Freemasonry Unmasked as the Secret Power Behind Communism. Modern conspiracy theorists such as Henry Makow have also claimed that Freemasonry intends the triumph of Communism[17]* That Freemasons are behind income taxes in the US. One convicted tax protester has charged that law enforcement officials who surrounded his property in a standoff over his refusal to surrender after his conviction were part of a “Zionist, Illuminati, Free Mason [sic] movement”.[18] The New Hampshire Union Leader also reported that “the Browns believe the IRS and the federal income tax are part of a deliberate plot perpetrated by Freemasons to control the American people and eventually the world”[19]Umberto Eco's The Prague Cemetery, a Freemasonry Novel (Wikipedia)So much for the link between Freemasonry and Baphomet worship!‘The Desacralization of Work' (Roger Sworder, Mining, Metallurgy, and the Meaning of Life)Q4: Ian Griffiths is the Bad Guy of Hallmarked Man. His name has definite Christian overtones (a ‘Griffin,' being half-eagle, half-lion, King of Heaven and Earth, is a symbol of Christ); could it also be another pointer to Rowling's mysterious ‘Back Door Man,' Harry Bingham, author of the Fiona Griffiths series?Troubled Blood: The Acknowledgments (Nick Jeffery, November 2020)In both Silkworm and Career Rowling/Galbraith's military advisors are thanked as SOBE (Sean Harris OBE?) Deeby (Di Brookes?) and the Back Door Man. Professor Granger has identified the Back Door Man as a southern US slang term for a man having an illicit relationship, but beyond this is so far unidentified.Any thoughts on her dedications or acknowledgements? Any new leads for the elusive Back Door Man? Please comment down below.Harry Bingham's website, June 2012“My path into TALKING TO THE DEAD was a curious one. I was approached by a well-known figure who was contemplating working with a ghostwriter on a crime thriller. I hadn't read any crime for a long time, but was intrigued by the project. So I went out and bought about two dozen crime novels, then read them back-to-back over about two weeks.”Could Rowling have hired a (gasp) “ghost writer”? Or was it just “expert editorial assistance” she was looking for, what Bingham offers today?Author's Notes in The Strange Death of Fiona Grifiths (Publication date 29th January 2015, before Career of Evil):“If you want to buy a voice activated bugging device that looks like (and is) an ordinary power socket, it'll set you back about fifty pounds (about eighty bucks).”This is the same surveillance device used in Lethal White, but interestingly is not used in Bingham's book. (Nick Jeffery)Moderators Backchannel List of Correspondences between Cormoran Strike series and Bingham's Fiona Griffiths mystery-thrillers (John Granger):(1) A series that has an overarching mystery about which we get clues in every story, one linked to a secret involving a parent who is well known but whose real life is a mystery even to their families;(2) A series that is preoccupied with psychological issues, especially those of the brilliant woman protagonist who suffers from a mental illness and who is a student of psychology;(3) A series that is absorbed with death and populated by the dead who have not yet passed on and who influence the direction of the investigation more or less covertly (”I think we have just one world, a continuum, one populated by living and dead alike,” 92, This Thing of Darkness), a psychic and spiritual realm book that rarely touches on formal religion (Dead House and Deepest Grave excepted, sort of);(4) A series that, while being a police procedural because the detective is a police officer, is largely about how said sergeant works around, even against the hierarchy of department authority and decision makers, “with police help but largely as an independent agent;”(5) A series that makes glancing references to texts that will jar Rowling Readers: “All shall be well” (284, Love Story with Murders), she drives a high heel into a creepy guy's foot when he comes up to her from behind (75, This Thing of Darkness), Clerkenwell! (103, The Dead House), a cave opening cathedral-like onto a lake, the heroine enters with a mentor, blood spilled at the entrance, and featuring a remarkable escape (chapter 34, The Dead House), etc, especially the Robin-Fiona parallels....(6) A series starring a female protagonist who works brilliantly undercover, whose story is about recovery from a trauma experienced when she was a college student, who struggles mostly with her romantic relationships with men, a struggle that is a combination of her mental health-recovery progress (or lack of same) and her vocation as a detective, who is skilled in the martial art of self-defense, and who is from a world outside London, an ethnicity and home fostering, of all things, a love of sheep;(7) A series with a love of the mythological or at least the non-modern (King Arthur! Anchorites!)Q5: Can you help us out with some UK inside jokes or cultural references of which we colonists can only guess the meaning? Start with Gateshead, Pit Ponies, and Council Flats and Bed-Sits!* Gateshead (Wikipedia)J. B. Priestley, writing of Gateshead in his 1934 travelogue English Journey, said that “no true civilisation could have produced such a town”, adding that it appeared to have been designed “by an enemy of the human race”.* Pit Ponies (Wikipedia)Larger horses, such as varieties of Cleveland Bay, could be used on higher underground roadways, but on many duties small ponies no more than 12 hands (48 inches, 122 cm) high were needed. Shetlands were a breed commonly used because of their small size, but Welsh, Russian, Devonshire (Dartmoor) and Cornish ponies also saw extensive use in England.[2] In the interwar period, ponies were imported into Britain from the Faroe Islands, Iceland and the United States. Geldings and stallions only were used. Donkeys were also used in the late 19th century, and in the United States, large numbers of mules were used.[6] Regardless of breed, typical mining ponies were low set, heavy bodied and heavy limbed with plenty of bone and substance, low-headed and sure-footed. Under the British Coal Mines Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 50), ponies had to be four years old and work ready (shod and vet checked) before going underground.[15] They could work until their twenties.At the peak of this practice in 1913, there were 70,000 ponies underground in Britain.In shaft mines, ponies were normally stabled underground[16] and fed on a diet with a high proportion of chopped hay and maize, coming to the surface only during the colliery's annual holiday.* Council Flats (Wikipedia)Q6: What are Rowling Readers to think of Robin's dream in chapter 22 (174 )when she's sleeping next to Murphy but dreaming of being at Ramsay's Silver with Strike and the showroom is filled with “cuddly toys instead of masonic swords and aprons”?* ‘Harry's Dreams:' Steve Vander Ark, Harry Potter LexiconQ7: The first bad news phone call that Robin takes from her mother Linda in Hallmarked Man is about the death of Rowntree. What is the connection between Robin's beloved Chocolate Labrador, Quakers, and Rowling's Golden Thread about ‘What is Real'?‘Troubled Blood: Poisoned Chocolates' (John Granger, 2021)‘Troubled Blood: The Secret of Rowntree' (John Granger, 2021)I explained in ‘Deathly Hallows and Penn's Fruits of Solitude‘ why Penn's quotation is a key to the Hogwarts Saga finale, how, in brief, the “inner light” doctrines of the Quakers and of non-conformist esoteric Christianity in general inform the story of Harry's ultimate victory in Dobby's grave over doubt and his subsequent ‘win' in his battle against death and the Dark Lord. I urge you to read that long post, one of the most important, I think, ever posted at HogwartsProfessor, for an idea of how central to Rowling's Christian faith the tenets of Quakerism really are as well as how this shows itself in Deathly Hallows.What makes the historical chocolate connection with the Quakers, one strongly affirmed in naming the Ellacott dog ‘Rowntree,' that much more interesting then is the easy segue from the “inner light” beliefs of the Christian non-conformists to the effect of chocolate on characters in Rowling and Galbraith novels. The conscience of man per the Quakers are our logos within that is continuous with the Logos fabric of reality, the Word that brings all things into existence and the light that is in every man (cf., the Prologue to St John's Gospel). Our inner peace and fellowship, in this view, depend on our identification with this transpersonal “inner light” rather than our ephemeral ego concerns.What is the sure way to recover from a Dementor attack, in which your worst nightmares are revisited? How does Robin deal with stress and the blues? Eat some chocolate, preferably a huge bar from Honeydukes or a chocolate brownie if you cannot get to Hogsmead.Access, in other words, the Quaker spiritual magic, the “inner light” peace of communion with what is Absolute and transcendent, a psychological effect exteriorized in story form by Rowling as the good feeling we have in eating chocolate. Or in the companionship and unconditional love of a beloved Labrador, preferably a chocolate Lab.Christmas Pig: The Blue Bunny' (John Granger, 2021)“Do you just want to live in nice houses?” asked Blue Bunny. “Or is there another reason you want to get in?”“Yes,” said Jack, before the Christmas Pig could stop him. “Somebody I need's in there. He's called DP and he's my favorite cuddly toy.”For a long moment, Jack and Blue Bunny stared into each other's eyes and then Blue Bunny let out a long sigh of amazement.“You're a boy,” he whispered. “You're real.”“He isn't,” said the panic-stricken Christmas Pig. “He's an action figure called—”“It's all right, Pig,” said Blue Bunny, “I won't tell anybody, I promise. You really came all the way into the Land of the Lost to find your favorite toy?” he asked Jack, who nodded.“Then I'll be your decoy,” said Blue Bunny. “It would be an honor” (169).The Bunny's recognition here of Jack as a messiah, sacrificial love incarnate, having descended into existence as a Thing himself from Up There where he was a source of the love that “alivens” objects, is one of, if not the most moving event in Christmas Pig. Note the words he uses: “You're real.”Rowling has used the word “real” twice before as a marker of reality transcending what we experience in conventional time and space, the sensible world. The first was in what she described as the “key” to the Harry Potter series, “lines I waited seventeen years to write” (Cruz), the end of the Potter-Dumbledore dialogue at King's Cross….In a Troubled Blood passage meant to echo that dialogue, with “head” and “backside” reflecting the characters inverted grasp of “reality,” Robin and Strike talk astrology:“You're being affected!” she said. “Everyone knows their star sign. Don't pretend to be above it.”Strike grinned reluctantly, took a large drag on his cigarette, exhaled, then said, “Sagittarius, Scorpio rising, with the sun in the first house.”“You're –” Robin began to laugh. “Did you just pull that out of your backside, or is it real?”“Of course, it's not f*****g real,” said Strike. “None of it's real, is it?” (Blood 242, highlighting in original).The Bunny's simple declaration, “You're real,” i.e., “from Up There,” the greater reality of the Land of the Living in which Things have their awakening in the love of their owners, clarifies these other usages. Dumbledore shares his wisdom with Harry that the maternal love which saved him, first at Godric's Hollow and then in the Forest, is the metaphysical sub-stance beneath, behind, and within all other reality. Strike gives Robin a dose of his skeptical ignorance and nominalist first principle that nothing is real but surface appearance subject to measurement and physical sensation, mental grasp of all things being consequent to that.Christmas Pig‘s “real” moment acts as a key to these others, one evident in the Bunny's response to the revelation of Jack's greater ontological status. He does a Dobby, offering to die for Jack as Jack has done in his descent into the Land of the Lost for DP, a surrender of self to near certain death in being given to the Loser he considers an “honor.” He acts spontaneously and selflessly as a “decoy,” a saving replacement in other words, for the “living boy” as Dobby did for the “Boy Who Lived.” The pathetic distraction that saved the DP rescue mission in Mislaid despite himself, crying out in desperation for his own existence, has metamorphized consequent to his experience with Broken Angel and in Jack's example, into a heroic decoy that allows Jack and CP to enter the City of the Missed.The Blue Bunny makes out better than the House-elf, too, and this is the key event of the book and the best evidence since the death of Lily Potter, Harry's defeat of Quirrell, and the demise of the Dark Lord that mother's love is Rowling's default symbolism for Christian love in her writing. The Bunny's choice to act as decoy, his decision to die to his ego-self, generates the life saving appearance of maternal love and its equivalent in the transference attachment a child feels for a beloved toy. The Johannine quality of the light that shines down on him from the Finding Hole and his Elijah-esque elevation nails down the Logos-love correspondence.EC: All through Hallmarked Man Robin is saying to herself, “I think I love Ryan, no, really, I know I love him…,” which of course is Rowling's way of signaling the conflict this character has in her feelings for Strike and for Murphy. What is that about?* See ‘The Hallmarked Man's Mythological Template' for discussion of the Anteros/Eros distinction in the myth of Cupid and Psyche as well as the Strike-Ellacott novels Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe
Join me for a break down of Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 'The Mirror of Erised', in which Dumbledore is a perv, no one can read backwards, and Voldemort gets in a snowball fight... 'Breaking Down Bad Books' is a podcast analysing trashy bestsellers from a literary perspective.Sign up to be a patron at www.patreon.com/breakingdownbadbooks for access to exclusive bonus episodes breaking down Midnight Sun, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.Read along with me and let me know your thoughts on Instagram @breakingdownbadbooks or email me at breakingdownpod@gmail.com.Hosted by Nathan Brown, who you can find on Instagram @nathanbrown90 or YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@nathanpatrickbrown. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/breaking-down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Help MuggleCast grow! Join us as our patron at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including more than 60 hours of bonus recordings, 30 hours of chapter readings, and much, much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! This week, join us as we wind our way to Spinner's End and throw ourselves at the mercy of everyone's (least) favorite Potions Master. Grab a tall glass of elf-made bloodred wine and toast the Dark Lord because its unlikely you'll make it out of this chapter without making an Unbreakable Vow. Welcome back, Irvin! Check out his new book Malfoy: The Most Treacherous Family, which is available now! Potter TV Show News: Our first look at John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 2: Spinner's End We analyze Snape's decision to remain in his childhood home. Could it be because of Lily? And why is it such bad shape? The Sisterhood of Bellatrix and Narcissa: do the two actually care for each other? Would Bellatrix rather be right or wrong about Snape's loyalty? Snape vs. Bellatrix: we're here for snarky, sassy Severus Snape! Snape's allegiance: do we recall how we felt when first reading this chapter? Could there be trouble in paradise with Voldemort and Bellatrix? Did Narcissa manipulate Snape during the final step of the Unbreakable Vow? MVP: Who's the better chess master - Snape or Dumbledore? Lynx Line: Snape's childhood home is clearly a little drab - if Snape's home were the subject of a home makeover show, what would it be called? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Endlich gehts weiter bei Spion der Nächte! Diesmal treffen wir auf Grindelwald! Noch verrückter als diese Tatsache ist nur noch, die Anzahl seiner Sofas und Sessel! Nächste Woche kommt wieder eine normale Schokofroschkarte - hoffen wir. Danke für euer Verständnis
A new Harry Potter set leak just dropped — and it finally explains why Dumbledore was spotted on a beach in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series.In this video, we break down everything we know about the leaked scene, what it could mean for the show's timeline, and the wild theories fans are debating — including the possibility of Nicolas Flamel's appearance and even an early Horcrux hunt teaser.Could HBO be blending events from later books, or is this an all-new moment created to expand Dumbledore's story beyond the original books?We'll also look at other recent leaks — including the new Harry and Hagrid London scene, the Vernon Dursley redesign, and how the costumes perfectly capture the early 1990s setting J.K. Rowling originally described.
In Episode 357 of the Monkey Nut Punch Podcast, we're covering the latest in sci-fi, superhero, and streaming news — from Hogwarts to Hollywood! News Highlights: First look: John Lithgow is spotted as Dumbledore on the set of HBO's Harry Potter series. Fans are already buzzing about the casting and his impressive wizard beard. Sigourney Weaver reveals she's met with Disney about returning to Alien after reading “quite extraordinary” script pages. Could Ripley be back in the fight? James Gunn explains how the Peacemaker finale changes the DCU's direction forever, reveals Deadpool nearly had a cameo, and confirms no plans yet for Season 3. Former Doctor Who writer shares a bleak outlook on the show's future, questioning its creative direction and staying power. Trailer Talk: Marvel Television's Wonder Man trailer drops on Disney+, giving us a glimpse of Marvel's most meta superhero yet. Reviews: Slow Horses — Apple TV's sharp, sardonic spy drama keeps the tension and wit alive. Tulsa King — Sylvester Stallone's mob series continues to pack a punch in Season 2. Join us for all the news, laughs, and reviews — and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! Visit www.mnp.ninja for more.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/super to get 10% off your first month. What if one of Newt Scamander's own children has been hiding in plain sight this whole time?! In today's theory, we dive deep into the Fantastic Beasts lore, trace the Scamander family tree, and uncover how a familiar face from Privet Drive might secretly be Newt's long-lost daughter.
Did Superman Lose Money At The Box Office?! | The Kristian Harloff Show On today's episode of The Kristian Harloff Show, we dive into the big question — did Superman actually lose money at the box office? A new report might finally clear up whether the first DC Studios movie under James Gunn and Peter Safran was a hit or a flop. We also cover the latest headlines in the world of movies and entertainment, including: George Miller says AI is here to stay and will change filmmaking forever. Stranger Things final season rumored to cost a massive $480 million. Warner Bros. renews Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy after major box office success. John Lithgow spotted on set as Dumbledore. Ocean's 14 reportedly gearing up to film next year. Kristian breaks it all down with his signature insight and humor — don't miss this episode of The Kristian Harloff Show! SPONSORS: FACTOR: Eat smart at https://www.FactorMeals.com/kristian5... and use code kristian50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Get delicious, ready-to-eat meals delivered—with Factor. *Offer only valid for new Factor customers with code and qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase. BRUNT: Get $10 Off at BRUNT with code KRISTIAN at https://www.bruntworkwear.com/KRISTIAN #Bruntpod RAYCON: Go to https://www.BUYRAYCON.com/KRISTIAN to get 20% off the Everyday Earbuds Classic.
The Geek Buddies with John Rocha, Michael Vogel and Shannon McClung
On this episode of THE GEEK BUDDIES Happy Hour, John Rocha and Shannon McClung go LIVE to talk about the MCU issues that Spider-Man 4 will need to solve. Plus, they talk the Heat 2 news ramping up, Jonathan Majors teasing a Kang return, Oceans 14 sequel is on tap, Tron: Ares is getting destroyed by critics, Ridley Scott just wants to watch his own movies, new animated TMNT clip, that Predators: Badlands trailer and more! Remember to Like and Share this episode on your social media and to Subscribe to The Outlaw Nation YouTube channel below. #DC #Marvel #spiderman #avengers #tronares #TMNT #thegeekbuddies ____________________________________________________________________________________ Chapters: 0:00 Intro and Rundown 2:16 First Look at John Lithgow as Dumbledore in Harry Potter Series 10:42 Forbes Comes for SUPERMAN'S Box Office Numbers 17:45 Heat 2 is a Go at Amazon MGM, But Will DiCaprio Star In It? 30:18 George Clooney Says WB Greenlit New Ocean's Eleven Movie 41:48 Jonathan Majors Hints at a Kang Return Thru a Multiverse Route 49:30 TRON: ARES First Reviews are Mixed, Praise Visuals and Bash Story 53:41 Predator: Badlands Final Trailer and Playdate Trailer Discussions 1:02:35 TMNT Clip Teases TMNT: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey Short 1:05:53 Does Spider-Man: Brand New Day Need to Fix Spider-Man AND MCU Issues? 1:24:06 STREAMLABS AND SUPERCHAT QUESTIONS FOLLOW THE GEEK BUDDIES: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Geek_Buddies Follow John Rocha: https://twitter.com/TheRochaSays Follow Michael Vogel: https://twitter.com/mktoon Follow Shannon McClung: https://twitter.com/Shannon_McClung Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donna watched the new Ozzy Osbourne documentary No Escape from Now on Paramount+, Shailene Woodley is for sure going to play Janis Joplin in an upcoming biopic and we find out the Soup of the Day! and we got our first look at John Lithgow as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter HBO series.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapter 27 - The Lightning-Struck Tower, covered by Sarah!TBH, we didn't know Dumbledore could ride a broomstick. And how's Rosmerta doing these days....⚡️
The Potter Discussion: Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World Fandom
Send us a textIn this episode, we begin a new series called Tea Leaves where we will design each and every episode of the Harry Potter TV before they are announced. Enjoy!Topics/Summary:· 3:06 We open in Hogwarts. But not in Harry's time, but Lily and James'. We will get to see the Marauders, Snape, and Lily and James in their youth and watch them go through their drama and different relationship. Lily and James find each other and get married, and we get a glimpse of what life was like before Harry and the fight against evil.· 10:47 The years before Hogwarts and their death. Lily and James had friends over a bunch, and Snape and Sirius were big parts of their lives. We can watch as the dynamic shifts in their group as Voldemort rises to power and Peter Pettigrew betrays them.· 15:43 The buildup to their death. We can't forget that this is in the middle of the first wizarding war with Voldemort. Perhaps it starts with whispers of Voldemort's power, and how people are going missing and turning up dead. Lily and James are in the Order, and they are fighting to keep the world safe for Harry. Dumbledore is ordering them around to find and kill Death Eaters. I want to feel afraid when we watch Voldemort creep into their house in Godric's Hallow and kill them.· 23:24 After they are killed, there is panic. The rest of the Death Eaters try to pass as normal people and rejoin society. The Order has to round everyone up. Then we move to the end of the episode, where Dumbledore orders Hagrid to Godric's Hallow to get Harry from the rubble of the house. Hagrid sees Sirius and how distraught he is, which he mistakes for guilt. Hagrid delivers Harry to Dumbledore on Privet Drive, and Dumbledore places Harry on the Dursley's doorstep with the words: “Good luck, Harry Potter.”Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text. ThePotterDiscussion@gmail.comthepotterdiscussion.comNox
In dieser langen Folge widmen wir uns dem 6. Film "und der Halbblutprinz". Bei unserem Film Ranking hat er bisher nicht so gut abgeschnitten aber diesmal haben wir ihn mit ganz anderen Augen gesehen (und sogar ein paar Tränchen verdrückt!). Hier gibt es Schokofrösche Merch: https://www.seedshirt.de/shop/schokofroescheshopIhr wollt uns FanArt schicken oder Sticker von uns bekommen?Schreibt uns an:Postfach 71053281455 München
Da sind wir wieder, bei "ein Buch - eine Folge" mit Albus Dumbledore! Dieses Mal besprechen wir ihn aus dem 3. Buch "und der Gefangene von Askaban". Es wird wieder jede Handlung von ihm auseinander genommen, überlegt ob er jetzt zu viel oder zu wenig unternimmt und ob er überhaupt jemals an Sirius Unschuld gezweifelt hat! Was meint ihr? Hier gibt es Schokofrösche Merch: https://www.seedshirt.de/shop/schokofroescheshopIhr wollt uns FanArt schicken oder Sticker von uns bekommen?Schreibt uns an:Postfach 71053281455 München
Book 6, Chapter 29: The Phoenix Lament
Severus Snape is one of the most divisive figures in the Wizarding World—part villain, part hero, and wholly complicated. In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble dives into the contradictions that define Snape: his courage and cruelty, his sacrifice and selfishness, his brilliance as a potioneer and his failures as a teacher. Drawing on over 500 listener responses, Julian explores the big questions at the heart of the Snape debate: Does doing good things make someone a good person? Can you be a great teacher if your methods traumatize your students? And was Snape ever truly loyal to Voldemort—or just loyal to Dumbledore? With honesty, humor, and community insights, this first installment of a three-part series on Snape wrestles with his legacy as one of the most polarizing characters in Harry Potter.
Help MuggleCast grow! You have until September 18 to become a member at the Slug Club level to receive this year's incredible physical gift: The MuggleCast 20th Anniversary Yearbook! Pledge now at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of other great benefits instantly! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! Another book, gone! This week we're wrapping up our Chapter by Chapter re-read of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It's a feel-good chapter that ties up a lot of loose ends and teases what's to come in the final two Harry Potter books! To celebrate the end of this re-read, we'll be hosting a Quizzitch LIVE themed around Order of the Phoenix this Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 PM ET! Don't miss it! A link will be available on social media. Welcome Slug Club guest Ivana! In the news: Harry Potter production designer Stuart Craig has passed away, so we look at the legacy he left on the franchise. Meanwhile, the upcoming Harry Potter audiobooks have announced several more big name starts joining its ranks. Game of Thrones fans will be pleased! Chapter by Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix Chapter 38: The Second War Begins. Tying up loose ends: Fudge immediately fumbles how the Ministry is handling the return of Voldemort. What could they have done differently? We're impressed by how Dumbledore got Umbridge out of the forest, but how exactly did he do it? And should Ron have responded to Umbridge's attack in the way that he did? Harry is looking for some Sirius comfort, and finds some in Hagrid and Luna. There's also one line from Harry that is extremely relatable, especially as we age: “Whenever he was in company he wanted to get away, and whenever he was alone he wanted company.” Nearly-Headless Nick offers Harry some disappointing information, but it has us wondering why wizards choose not to return as a ghost after they pass. The Order decides to greet Harry at King's Cross... but why haven't they been there for Harry's previous journeys to and from Hogwarts? MVP of the Week: Who had the most meaningful moment with Harry in this chapter? Lynx Line: What would happen if the Order had to pay a visit the Dursleys because Vernon and Petunia were mistreating Harry? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! On Bonus MuggleCast, we celebrate Back to Hogwarts season by creating our OWN Hogwarts Houses! Let us know which of these new five are your favorite! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Weil wir der professionelle Podcast sind, muss unsere ursprünglich geplante Folge noch warten und wir spielen in dieser Folge erstmal eine neue Runde Stadt/Land/Harry mit und für euch. Danke für eure Kategorien und viel Spaß beim Mitspielen! Hier gibt es Schokofrösche Merch: https://www.seedshirt.de/shop/schokofroescheshopIhr wollt uns FanArt schicken oder Sticker von uns bekommen?Schreibt uns an:Postfach 71053281455 München
The Potter Discussion: Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World Fandom
Send us a textIn this episode, we talk about why Jude Law should play young Dumbledore in the new TV show. Enjoy!Topics/Summary:· Listen to episode 298 called “Warwick Davis is returning as Flitwick? Who else should reprise their role?” here!· 2:14 Why two actors? Well, Dumbledore has a complex past. He feels like he was a different person back in his Grindelwald days, and a different person warrants a different actor. Choosing another actor to play a younger version of himself would show us that he is truly a three-dimensional character.· 13:27 Why Jude Law? In Fantastic Beasts, he was fantastic. When interacting with Creedence we saw that Creedence's pain was his own, and that Dumbledore truly regrets the difficult like that Creedence had. He also showed Jacob a huge amount of respect for diving into battle with no way of protecting himself.· 21:13 What if there was only one actor? If Jonathan Lithgow was the only actor, we would lose the perspective of Dumbledore's past. He would become a one-sided character, and we can't have that.· 25:24 Who else should have multiple actors? Dumbledore was one of the only flashback characters that didn't have multiple actors. Voldemort had something like four actors. I think Aberforth deserves multiple actors, as well as McGonagall they play important behind the scenes roles that should be explored.Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text. ThePotterDiscussion@gmail.comthepotterdiscussion.comNox
On Episode 469 we discuss...→ Dumbledore's Funeral: A Reflection→ Seamus' Growth and Defiance→ The Value of Knowledge Over Wealth→ The Political Undertones of Dumbledore's Funeral→ Intersection of Humor and Children's Media→ Theories of ResurrectionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/alohomora-the-original-harry-potter-book-club--5016402/support.
In this Prof Responds finale on the Hogwarts houses, we wrestle with the lion's legacy: is Gryffindor bravery actually just recklessness in disguise? From Harry's headlong heroics to Neville's considered courage, we explore how Gryffindors embody bravery differently—and why the house so often gets rewarded for dangerous choices. We also dig into Hogwarts itself: the adults who encourage risk, the point system that prizes peril, and Dumbledore's constant appeals to the “greater good.” Finally, Peter Pettigrew becomes our cautionary tale of sorting too soon and valuing potential over reality. Together, these threads show Gryffindor courage as both luminous and perilous, a gamble for the greater good that doesn't always pay off.
Help MuggleCast grow! Our 2025 physical gift is here! The MuggleCast Yearbook includes writing by each of the four hosts, telling the story of the podcast across the last 20 years, and featuring tons of colorful images and jam-packed with enough nostalgia to make your eyes water. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge at the Slug Club level by September 15 to get yours! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! Grab the nearest expensive-looking trinket and hurl it at Dumbledore because Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah are treating the headmaster's office like a modern-day rage room! On this week's episode, all the feelings are bubbling up to the surface as Albus finally comes clean with Harry! Casting news abounds for the new Harry Potter TV Show, including one character never cast before and the return of Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 37: The Lost Prophecy. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 473 - There's Something About Harry. Should Harry feel guilty about what's happened to Sirius? The hosts grade Dumbledore's handling of Harry using the O.W.L. system Does the loss of his sister Ariana inform Dumbledore's overall treatment of Harry? “Old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young” hits home! Dumbledore is exhausted and frankly, we don't blame him! YOU LIAR! Dumbledore claims he is going to tell Harry "everything"! Connecting The Threads between Trelawney's prophecies MVP: What was the most damning Dumbledore quote from this chapter? Over on our Lynx Line, our patrons answer this week's question: At what moment in the series should Dumbledore actually have told Harry everything? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! On Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss the possibility of a Harry Potter Hotel. Does Disney's recent Star Wars flop have Universal rethinking the idea? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Potter Discussion: Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World Fandom
Send us a textIn this episode, we discuss which actors should reprise their roles in the new Harry Potter TV show. Enjoy!Topics/Summary:· Listen to episode 287, “Tom Felton is returning to Broadway. Who should return to the TV show?” Here!· 4:10 Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy. He was the perfect blend of haughty, rude, and fearful. He portrayed a fantastic arc, and really showed us what it means to be afraid. Without a doubt, he would be a great addition. · 10:21 Alan Rickman as Snape. He shouldn't return. His performance was too perfect. There are no changes I can think to make to it, and so I don't think Alan Rickman should change that. Getting another actor puts a stopper in the bottle of his performance and really immortalizes it.· 18:25 Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom. This is an interesting case, because there's no chance for him to return as Neville, but there are other possibilities. Perhaps, he can be a herbology professor who watches over himself in a way, and sees just how much he grows.· 24:41 Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange. I don't think she should return, because she absolutely crushed it. We should get some new blood in there to preserve the performance.· 27:00 Jude Law as Dumbledore. I know, he doesn't really count, but the Fantastic Beasts Dumbledore is pretty close to the same time as some of the flashbacks we got in the films. It would be super cool if Jude Law played the younger version of him. It would put in a natural separation that Dumbledore himself wants between who he was, and who he wants to be.Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text. ThePotterDiscussion@gmail.comthepotterdiscussion.comNox
Hosted by Ellen, Abigail, and Max, we embark on a magical journey through the pages and frames of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this episode we cover the second half of Chapter Two: In Memoriam and a corresponding film scene that we actually already talked about last week. While we love Harry Potter, we do not condone or agree with its creator's ignorant opinions. We stand with the trans community. We post weekly podcast episodes comparing and contrasting the Harry Potter books to the movies. Please subscribe and join us as we delve into our favorite book series and the films that brought them to life. Follow us on Podbean: https://fawkessakepod.podbean.com/ to get the episodes as early as possible and get a leg up on answering the trivia question! Check out our website at ForFawkesSakePodcast.com for all of our latest news, blogs, and more! Find us at the handles below: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @FawkesSakePod and Reddit @ r/forfawkessakepodcast Join us on TikTok to stitch Potter Pondering responses and see other random videos! If you would like to share your own Sorting Hat Story with us to read on a future episode or have any other questions, email us at FawkesSakePod@gmail.com. Don't forget to subscribe so you can get the episodes sooner! If you have Apple, please Rate and Review us! (send us an email to let us know you did and we will also send you a sticker!) If you don't have Apple, you can leave us a recommendation on our Facebook page to get a sticker. We also have a Patreon Program. Become a patron for extra podcast perks, including swag, monthly Potterheads, A History episodes, access to our Discord Channel, and more! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/fawkessakepod. As always, any support you can give is greatly appreciated!
In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble turns to the final Hogwarts house: Gryffindor. Often celebrated as the house of heroes, Gryffindor's signature trait of bravery carries both brilliance and danger. Julian digs into how courage so often slides into recklessness, how Hogwarts rewards children for risk-taking, and how the Gryffindor ethos of leaping before looking has shaped Harry and others we've grown up with. Alongside reflections on Neville, Hermione, Harry, and even Dumbledore, this episode invites us to question whether bravery without foresight is truly noble — or whether it exacts costs others are forced to pay. As always, we turn the familiar into the critical, asking what it means to admire Gryffindor's daring spirit while also recognizing its shadows.
In this episode of the Wise_N_Nerdy podcast, Joe is joined by the one and only Devocite for a fun, thoughtful, and laugh-filled journey through fandom, family, and fatherhood.The adventure kicks off with the Question of the Week: “What fan theory do you secretly wish was canon?” Together, the hosts explore wild and entertaining fan theories like Darth Jar Jar, Ferris Bueller being stuck in a time loop, and even the idea that Dumbledore conspired with Snape to fake his death. It's a conversation that every nerd at heart will appreciate.With a roll of the dice, the show moves into the “Daddy, Tell Me A Story” segment, where Devocite shares a touching story about his daughter's rescue dog—while cleverly avoiding its actual name. This sparks a heartfelt discussion on the art of naming pets, and the many creative (and funny) ways families come up with names for their furry friends.Next up is the “How Do I…?” segment, where the focus turns to creating family traditions that last a lifetime. From yearly vacations to meaningful holiday rituals, the hosts share practical wisdom on building traditions that kids will cherish forever. The moral of the story? Use traditions to craft unforgettable family memories.The dice then guide us to the “What Are You Nerding Out About?” segment. Joe shares highlights from his family vacation to Wilderness at the Smokies, complete with waterparks and an unforgettable dinner show called Pirate's Voyage. Devocite looks ahead with excitement as he prepares for his first Dragon Con, planning a nostalgic road trip to see old friends and fun destinations along the way. It's the perfect example of how you can Find your FAMdom—blending family adventures with nerdy passions.The show then dives into the “Parliament of Papas” segment, where the topic shifts to car buying. A scenario about a wife pushing for a car nearly three times the husband's budget leads to practical advice for listeners. From understanding the importance of asking for the “out the door” price to being cautious about hidden dealership tactics, the discussion is equal parts useful and entertaining.Finally, the episode wraps with some hilarious bad dad jokes about cars and car salesmen—the perfect way to end on a laugh.Whether you're here for the fandom theories, the family wisdom, or just the dad jokes, this episode has something for everyone.Wise_N_Nerdy: Where Fatherhood Meets Fandom
We have finally made it to the end of series 6! Does Rob understand anything? Will he ever believe that Dumbledore is dead? Are we ever going to finish all the books?!
Help MuggleCast grow during our birthday month! Our 2025 physical gift is here! The MuggleCast Yearbook includes writing by each of the four hosts, telling the story of the podcast across the last 20 years, and featuring tons of colorful images and jam-packed with enough nostalgia to make your eyes water. It's got personal reflections, anecdotes, never-before-seen photos and even a full compendium of British Jokes as told only on MuggleCast. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! To celebrate MuggleCast turning 20 this month, listeners can get 20% off an annual subscription to our Patreon with promo code 20YEARS. We've never offered this large a discount before, but this large of an anniversary calls for a very special deal. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! Patrons can also get a 20% discount on official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com! Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, we're lifting Bellatrix off her feet both romantically and murderously! Is Voldemort revealing more about his affectionate side? Is Dumbledore again letting Harry put himself in danger and doing nothing to prevent serious injury? Does the M.O.M. have accessibility features or is Harry super powerful? All that and more. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36: The Only One He Ever Feared. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 473 of MuggleCast, lazily titled “Dumbledore v Voldemort” Harry asks the rotunda a question and it answers him. Could anyone have done this the whole time? A moment of consideration for Lupin's loss and how well he handles it by protecting Harry. Would Harry be forgiven and not prosecuted for using an Unforgivable Curse successfully under these circumstances? Just HOW does Harry get up to the atrium before Dumbledore? Did Voldemort tutor Bellatrix “personally” like her statement would seem to indicate? Why does Voldy call Bellatrix “Bella,” and is it a term of endearment? Noting that the only reason Voldemort is seen by the Minister is because he shows up to rescue Bellatrix at the end and take her with him. AN ACT OF LOVE?!?!?! Laura takes us through some symbolism with the fountain of magical brethren, and what happens to its members. Do the statues have a bit of Dumbledore's personality in them? They certainly approve of Dumbledore. Apologies to Pokemon enthusiasts for our criticism, it turns out the fight scene in the book is just like in the movie after all. I choose you, Blastoise! We praise Dumbledore for mastering Fudge. MVP: Who is the most valuable player during the Dumbledore/Voldemort fight in the atrium? Over on our Lynx Line, our patrons answer this week's question: What is the most MAX THAT moment in the chapter? Ie, which scene do you most want to see adapted for TV that wasn't done justice in the movie? Quizzitch: In this chapter, the statues of the Fountain of Magical Brethren spring to life to help save the day. But in the summer of 1985, widespread panic occurred when statues in County Cork, Ireland began to seemingly move on their own. What were they statues of? Send us your answers at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Potter Discussion: Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World Fandom
Send us a textIn this episode, we analyze the Malfoy family and discuss what should be carried over into the TV show. Enjoy!Topics/Summary:· 1:53 Something has to change. I'm not saying something is wrong, that's just a fact. The books are the books and the films are the films. The TV has to show us something new, and that will mean they have to change something. They can either put in more, or less. More would make them worse and more potent, and less would draw the curtain back a little and show us a softer side to them.· 11:03 Lucius is terrible. Should we keep that? I think we should, but not for the reason you might expect. We saw enough in the films to understand that there is so much more under the surface than we might imagine. I want to see more of that.· 14:53 Narissa is the good guy. Should we keep that? For her, it might be worth a change. We don't know her as well because she was introduced later in the story, so if we can change some moments around to gain more perspective on her sooner, that might be more valuable. · 19:41 Draco is the victim. Keep that? For sure. There isn't much wrong with how he was portrayed. We got more of those deep, vulnerable scenes from him that really show us who he is. Draco is under immense pressure when Voldemort orders him to kill Dumbledore, and that should be preserved.· 25:17 More Malfoy inner workings. We didn't get many scenes where the three Malfoys were interacting with each other outside of other company, and those kinds of scenes might be the most important in terms of understanding who they are as a family.Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text. ThePotterDiscussion@gmail.comthepotterdiscussion.comNox
Send us a textFlorida trees knit their root system into sub-sea-level sands across the state. Dripping with Spanish moss, or what Australians call, 'Grandpa's Beard' that tricks the eye in the moonlight, making it seem the trees are emitting a smoky aura. It takes little imagination to recognize Gandolph, Dumbledore, Merlin, Green Man or Mother Earth while dwelling among Florida's trees.I've gathered together stories of trees you must know. Some have become crossroads where hope lies in a handshake with a demon, another that became the final resting place for murder victims, and one manmade tree has become an anchor of a fantasy land visited by millions annually.Enough teasing, let's get into it!Show Source - What to read, watch, listen to NEXT!The Goethe Giant at Goethe State ForestEverything Is TOUR-able blog, Goethe State ForestWeird Florida, Charlie CarlsonFreaky Florida, Mark Muncy and Kari SchultzEerie Florida, Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys, Mark Muncy and Kari SchultzRound Cypress Demon, QuoteV.com, Daddy BassyI don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTokArt Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!
In this episode of Critical Magic Theory, Professor Julian Wamble turns his critical gaze toward his own house—Slytherin. Long framed as the villains of the wizarding world, Slytherins are often reduced to ambition gone wrong, but this conversation flips that script. Drawing on survey results and listener insights, Prof. W. interrogates why ambition is so problematized in the Harry Potter narrative and asks: what could Slytherin be if ambition weren't treated as corruption, but as vision and possibility? From the showmanship of the Chamber of Secrets to the overlooked communal nature of Slytherins, the episode challenges assumptions about cunning, ambition, and resourcefulness—traits shared across all Hogwarts houses but condemned only in one. With examples ranging from Draco Malfoy's vanishing cabinet scheme to Dumbledore's manipulations and Fred and George's entrepreneurial empire, Prof. W exposes how ambition is reframed depending on who embodies it.The result is a provocative rethinking of Slytherin as not a house of villains, but a house of transformation, creativity, and possibility—if only Hogwarts had let it be.
Help MuggleCast grow during our birthday month! Our 2025 physical gift is here! The MuggleCast Yearbook includes writing by each of the four hosts, telling the story of the podcast across the last 20 years, and featuring tons of colorful images and jam-packed with enough nostalgia to make your eyes water. It's got personal reflections, anecdotes, never-before-seen photos and even a full compendium of British Jokes as told only on MuggleCast. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! To celebrate MuggleCast turning 20 this month, listeners can get 20% off an annual subscription to our Patreon with promo code 20YEARS. We've never offered this large a discount before, but this large of an anniversary calls for a very special deal. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! Patrons can also get a 20% discount on official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com! Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, draw your wand and get ready to battle some Death Eaters, because it's ON inside the Department of Mysteries. Just be sure to mind the brains, the baby-headed Death Eater and don't drop that proph...e...cy. Oh no! Welcome Slug Club Member, Shelby! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 35: Beyond The Veil. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 472 of MuggleCast, titled “DUBBLEDORE!” Harry has been duped! He incessantly asks Lucius Malfoy about Sirius, only to come to the stark realization that he's nowhere to be found. Could this whole situation have been avoided if Dumbledore just let Harry in on the prophecy? Despite his major misstep, Harry remains calm and is able to match wit-for-wit with the Death Eaters. Ex: Voldemort is a half-blood, didn't ya know? The fact that Dumbledore's Army can work their way through the Department of Mysteries battle with spells like Stupefy is hard for some of us to swallow. Why do the Death Eaters hold back? Were they not anticipating Harry & company fighting back? The members of Dumbledore's Army are thrown into a real battle for the first time. How do we think their performances reflect their strengths and weaknesses that we've seen throughout the year? The Evolution of Neville Longbottom The Order is here! How does the shift in battle highlight the gap between student-level dueling and experienced adult combat? Do we think if Sirius didn't taunt his cousin Bellatrix, the outcome would have been different? We try our best to decipher the "Summer Solstice" and "None will come after" prophecies! MVP: What's Dumbledore's entrance music to the Department of Mysteries? Over on our Lynx Line, our patrons answer this week's question: Which Death Eater would you most like to team up with for this battle and why? Quizzitch: In this chapter, Ron gets up close and personal with a human brain when he catches one in his hands. How much does the human brain weigh, on average, in pounds? Is it a) seven pounds, b) five pounds, c) three pounds, d) one pound? Send us your answers at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Help MuggleCast grow during our birthday month! To celebrate MuggleCast turning 20 years old (!!!) listeners can get 20% off an annual subscription to our Patreon with promo code 20YEARS. We've never offered this large a discount before, but this large of an anniversary calls for a very special deal. So visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast and pledge today! Patrons can also get a 20% discount on official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com! Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this special edition of MuggleCast, we look back at twenty years of Harry Potter podcasting, revisit some of our earliest book predictions, and look ahead to the next two decades in the Wizarding World! Happy 20th Birthday, MuggleCast! Let's settle once and for all the pressing question on everyone's mind: what do we talk about after all this time?! Audible's Harry Potter audiobooks with a full cast have revealed their seven release dates and some casting! The hosts weigh in. Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger) is pulling double duty between this and the upcoming HBO series. There is another Dumbledore, and he's the old pal of UK audiobook narrator Stephen Fry. Listen as we break down Hugh Laurie's statement on accepting the role. To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we look back over the earliest episodes at predictions made by the hosts which later came true! Thanks to listener Kim for compiling. Are there things we would change about MuggleCast's earliest days or in general? The hosts reflect. This week's Lynx Line: “What long-dormant MuggleCast topics would you like to see revisited?” Predicting the future: what will MuggleCast be talking about 20 years from NOW? It's a triple serving of Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul! We are always moved by hearing from listeners on the topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 11-17: Windows 95 starts up, Hugh Grant makes a bit of a mistake, Frank Oz adapts a classic, weddings are crashed, San Andreas spills its coffee, Johnny Depp's got a golden ticket, Snape kills Dumbledore on page 574, Ian McKellen's game is afoot, Amy Schumer is a trainwreck, Andy Samberg plays tennis and Bojack's back. All that and more from 30, 20, and 10 years ago!
This week, Casper and Vanessa explore the theme of Redemption in Chapter 18 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Hermione's tea offering, Harry's broken wand, and young Dumbledore's politics! Throughout the episode we consider the question: what are our less visible acts of redemption?Thank you to Koto for this week's voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 19, The Silver Doe, through the theme of Peace.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It's two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alice and Martha discuss the 597th page of Goblet of Fire, where Dumbledore makes his first significant appearance of the One Page at a Time series as he explains a world which is entirely his own to Harry and Fawkes's presence is heavily implied. Please consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/realweirdsisters New episodes are released every Monday and special topics shows are released periodically. Don't forget to subscribe to our show to make sure you never miss an episode!
Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, news continues to roll in on the new Harry Potter TV Show. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they talk the latest casting news and first looks before busting open the MuggleMail bag to take your feedback on the last few chapters of Order of the Phoenix! News: Our first look at Dominic McLaughlin as The Boy Who Lived and Nick Frost as Hagrid! Plus, four new casting announcements: Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. And those Dursleys are looking mighty 90s in these behind-the-scenes photos! Voicemails cover Snape's Worst Memory, Harry's Career Aspirations, Grawp and how the Pensieve could have altered the end of Order of the Phoenix! Why is Harry so obsessed with Dumbledore? He barely knows the guy! How exactly did Tom Riddle's curse on the Defense Against The Darks Arts position work? Old habits die hard! Did Rita Skeeter actually turn over a new leaf? One listener questions if there really was a binding magical contract with the Goblet of Fire or if it was all secretly part of Dumbledore's larger plan! Put your memories away! Did Snape bait Harry to look in the Pensieve? Were Hermione's comments about Firenze really a commentary on Lavender and Parvati's fawning over their new Divination teacher? Comparing the Marauder's treatment of Snape to the Death Eaters treatment of the Roberts family Reducto! Why couldn't Voldemort just shrink himself to gain access to the Ministry and get the prophecy himself? Chicken Soup For The MuggleCast Soul Chapter-by-Chapter returns next week with Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 33: Fight and Flight Quizzitch: In this chapter Umbridge placed Stealth Sensor Spells around her office door. Founded by Edward Calahan over 150 years ago, the company which currently holds at least 15% of the market share for home security systems, is called ADT. What does ADT stand for? Join in on the fun! In this week's Bonus MuggleCast, we look back at the Summer of Potter - 2007 saw the release of both Deathly Hallows and the Order of the Phoenix movie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, we discuss the events of Chapter 32 of Order of the Phoenix, "Out of the Fire." Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Pam as they cover the second attempted break-in to Professor Umbridge's office, and the fallout. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 32: Out of the Fire Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 470 of MuggleCast, titled “Silky Smooth Snape.” Should Harry have known that his vision was a ruse? The hosts go all-in on listing several signs, and whether they alone reveal the truth. Micah connects the threads between Sirius and Harry in books 3 and 5. What is Hermione getting at by mentioning Harry's 'saving people thing'? Often times, Harry has legitimately been left to fix the Hogwarts problem and save people. Can we blame him? We discuss the power lust present in both Umbridge and Draco, and how they need each other at this time. Umbridge's treatment of Snape is interesting, since she does trust he's as horrible as she is. What Hermione does works perfectly on Umbridge. Why? Why aren't the two other heads of House, Flitwick and Sprout, also members of the Order? Is Dumbledore skeptical of their loyalty, or is he just giving them a break?? The hosts have differing ideas about what being a 'bad mofo' means, when rating who the baddest was in this chapter. Our Lynx Line patrons answer the question, when was a time that you successfully thought on your feet the way Hermione does with Umbridge? Quizzitch: In this chapter Umbridge placed Stealth Sensor Spells around her office door. Founded by Edward Calahan over 150 years ago, the company which currently holds at least 15% of the market share for home security systems, is called ADT. What does ADT stand for? Join in on the fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices