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A GUIDE TO THE WARREN1: SECONDARY CONTENTSUMMARIES OF THE NOVELPart One summarised13 (11:35)Part Two16 (6:45)Review of Part Two27 (7:40)Part Three30 (0:50)Part Four41 (3:20)WIDER ISSUESLapine grammar and Bigwig's poem: 7 (8:30) 8 (0:35)196 (3:30)Initial and post discussion on the Lost Paragraph:8 (12:15)9 (1:30)10 (0:35)23 (0:20)52 (0:45)99 (1:00)110 (0:40)197 (0:40)Cowslip's Warren 197 (1:45)The Doe problem21 (2:50)Hazel's Vision during the Battle of Watership Down (John Ruths)46 (8:10)Is Watership Down an allegory? (by John Ruths)54 (3:50)THE 1978 FILMThe Trial of Watership Down (1978) on charges of Abuse of Geography (Holly's impossible journey)72 (9:00)73 (1:10)Change of the film's rating in the UK from U to PG82 (0:40)The recollections of Michelle Price, who played Lucy in the 1978 film85 (1:25)The song 'Bright Eyes'76 (9:25)The film's soundtrack 135 (1:15)The 1978 film and the Watership Down 'Canon'90 (15:30)103 (1:25)BFI Re-release179 (0:55)TALES FROM WATERSHIP DOWN The Watership Down 'Canon'115 (10:40)THE 1999-2001 WATERSHIP DOWN TV SERIESPreview118 (8:15) Bunnies and Burrows and the TV series140 (0:50)The lost episode 'Dandelion's Big Story'150 (1:20)151 (0:50)THE BBC RADIO PLAYSAudio-drama and the BBC in context167 (0:55)THE NETFLIX MINISERIES 'Fire on Fire' by Sam Smith176 (13:00)Clarification on identity of Does in Episodes 185, 186 and 189 (by Grace Liu)194 (0:45)THE WATERSHIP DOWN GRAPHIC NOVEL Thoughts after first reading138 (1:45)CHARACTER STUDIESStrawberry 18 (0:35)Acorn Remembered112 (8:50)Flyairth and Spartina (by Leea Mäkelä)113 (9:55)SCIENCEChalk Downland16 (1:40)Chroicocephalus ridibundus or the Black-headed Gull (Kehaar)21 (0:50)26 (1:45)POLITICS AND CAUSESThe use of snares in the UK 13 (0:00)123 (0:50)Introduction to Efrafa 25 (7:25)Political aspects of the death of Blackavar in the 1978 film87 (9:00)88 (0:40)Feminism and Watership Down 113 (8:40)The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/114 (0:40)127 (1:00)134 (0:40) Frithmas or the Festival of Frith 146 (1:20)War, defeat and reconciliation.173 (1:10)LOCATIONSNuthanger Farm - the real place22 (0:40)Reflections on visit to Watership Down 109 (0:40)Erik Steps' tour of Watership Down locations: Introduction 125 (1:10)Note from Lauri Peper on Richard Adam's grave 126 (3:50)Day 2: Watership Down and Nuthanger Farm128 (1:50)Day 2 part 2: A walk to Nuthanger Farm 129 (5:20)Day 3, part 1: Sandleford Warren130 (3:10)Day 3, part 2: The road, Newtown Churchyard and the Warren of the Snares 131 (1:10)Day 4: Efrafa, Kehaar Bridge, the River Test, Watership Down Inn and Whitchurch132 (2:20)Reflections on visit to Efrafa138 (0:50)A Kingsclere local on Watership Down 149 (0:45)THE APPEAL OF WATERSHIP DOWNWatership Down as a Special Interest and the autistic spectrum28 (0:55)90 (2:45)The Watership Down Aesthetic 28 (3:45)Reflections on the interview with Dr. Katherine Lester in Episode 121122 (1:50)Representation of rabbits on film130 (1:00)The appeal of Watership Down to members of the military163 (0:35)THE WATERSHIP DOWN VIDEO GAMEFirst mention113 (1:15)Gameplay on YouTube - Part 1https://youtu.be/0eDtf-T2grw 114 (2:45)Commentary on Part 1115 (1:00)Gameplay on YouTube - Part 2https://youtu.be/KXYFVpJ-4OQ Commentary on Part 2116 (1:10)Gameplay on YouTube - Part 3https://youtu.be/MkGZRJVlF2Q Commentary on Part 3117 (1:45)PODCAST ADMINThis podcast and Copyright 4 (1:00)17 (0:55)70 (1:10)Giving credit to other contributors 95 (8:00)The Inauguration of the Watership Down Podcast Owsla41 (1:35)42 (0:30)Analysis of the Podcast's audience 9/9/21 28 (5:45)2/9/22 79 (0:50)3/5/24 166 (2:15)Using AI Art118 (1:20)Use of Fan Art118 (2:10)120 (1:25)Review of the podcast after the TV Series166 (18:10)
While Hazel attempts to find new does for Watership Down, another group investigates another warren and find themselves prisoners of the horrific tyranny of Efrafa. Director Noam Murro Writers Tom BidwellRichard Adams Stars James McAvoyNicholas HoultJohn Boyega
This episode is scripted, narrated, recorded and edited by Newell Fisher. BFI re-release of the 1978 film: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/bfi-distribution-announces-re-release-of-classic-british-animation-watership-down/ Joe Sutphin's award for the graphic novel: https://www.instagram.com/p/C97CumNRDA7/?igsh=dzJvZWtqN2oyOHdz The Netflix miniseries of Watership Down is available on Netflix. Subscription required. Trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jq73sIty43k?si=EFsQ3AiHa9-0ROX6 Trailer 2 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/w3gQ117IKkM?si=cpSLpGGysQZSiDfa Watership Down music playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOzizcmtJScABzFA52snD9cmsgd1zvOkq&si=QscIc0T4uaFvILAO Social media: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thewatershipdownpodcast The Watership Down Podcast Honeycomb on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/468458781496287/?ref=share Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewatershipdownpodcast?igsh=MWtlNjR5MDNrNGZzdw== Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewatershipdownpodcast Twitter: x.com @thewatershipdo1 YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@thewatershipdownpodcast1300?si=NWMmo3D2mVdLn-25 Past charity appeals: Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am still showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com
Album Club toasts 20 years of AFI's goth punk masterpiece Sing the Sorrow, revisits one of the last big supergroups and the era it ended with Axewound's Vultures, and celebrates two underground punk and grind gems with Fall of Efrafa's Owsla and Genghis Tron's Dead Mountain Mouth.This episode was originally published March 2023 on patreon.com/thatsnotmetal.
This episode is scripte, narrated, recorded and edited by Newell Fisher. TV Series Season 2 Episode 1: Prisoner of Efrafa on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DzkesL2o5P0?feature=shared Playlist for all episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLngOT-ZivRlBfCPYMLfb5ndJWaAUpQdQK&si=z2yaW2p2pCFgHX99 Full version of reading from 'Watership Down' at the Crixa. 11th October 2023: https://youtu.be/dtzplUfBIaA?si=ChIIayJZxt28vObS Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am still showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/watershipdown/message
This episode is scripted by Erik Steps, John Ruths and Newell Fisher and is recorded, edited and narrated by Newell Fisher. Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am still showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/watershipdown/message
This episode is scripted recorded, edited and narrated by Newell Fisher. Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am still showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com This week's featured image is by Nina Pokoiewski and was created especially for this episode. Nina says: "It was my favourite episode as a child since I loved Hazel and Campion in the series and in episode 12 we witness how Hazel sneakily and kindly shows Campion that Woundworts way really is not the right one and that there is a free life outside of Efrafa. I loved how the two „enemies“ have to work together to survive and when they make it outside, maybe aren't even enemies anymore... My love for Watership Down started with this series, then came the film and the book. So in my heart the series will always have a special place, but I like to hear your more mature view on it and understand that it might be difficult to deal with the differences and even errors the series has in comparison to the book. But it made me fall in love with it and I think especially the „funny“ new additions to the storyline turned the severe content into an actually nice-to-watch programme for kids unlike the film, which might be closer to the book but hence is much more bloody. Thank you again so much for still sticking to the podcast format, I honestly enjoy every episode! Greetings from Germany, Nina Pokoiewski" Season 1 Episode 12: Friend and Enemy on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AhmhGfStlks?feature=shared --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/watershipdown/message
This episode is recorded, edited and narrated by Newell Fisher. It is scripted by Newell Fisher, Erik Steps and Lundy Johnson. Please give what you can to our appeal to raise funds for the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund via justgiving.com. Just Giving appeal: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thewatershipdownpodcast Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am now showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com Season 1 Episode 8: Escape from Efrafa on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eTycODGHubk --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/watershipdown/message
This episode is recorded, edited and narrated by Newell Fisher. It is scripted by Newell Fisher, Erik Steps and Dalibar. Watership Down locations map on Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=13rvLA-0vQ5pfBiRjzbRWO2NjCFY&ll=51.25521941946216%2C-1.3026921183235296&z=15 Please give what you can to our appeal to raise funds for the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund via justgiving.com. Just Giving appeal: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thewatershipdownpodcast Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am now showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com Season 1 Episode 7: Challenge to Efrafa on YouTube: https://youtu.be/95-0KrlXNjQ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/watershipdown/message
This episode is recorded, edited and narrated by Newell Fisher. It is scripted by Newell Fisher and Alan and Ros from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund. Please give what you can to our appeal to raise funds for the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund via justgiving.com. Just Giving appeal: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thewatershipdownpodcast Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ I am now showcasing WD fan art, by posting any that is submitted as the podcast title image on YouTube and posting the art on the podcast Instagram feed with no podcast title getting in the way. All, of course, with full credit given. I am not actively canvassing for contributions, so if you want to showcase your WD themed art, or know of someone elses art that you think should be, please get in touch with me either by social media or by emailing me at thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com Season 1 Episode 5: The Shadow of Efrafa on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zpLb-SvGMLs --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/watershipdown/message
Notes to follow... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Notes to follow... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Notes to follow... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
This is the link to Camping with Steve, as mentioned in the episode: https://youtube.com/c/thestevewallis --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Notes to follow... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Sorry for the wait on this, but daddy has been very busy. Decided to forego the normal weekly episode so I could finally make the time to get these last two Hell Week episodes out to you. You're WELCOME. Intro Music: Postmodern Jukebox- Santeria Submit music to demolistenpodcast@gmail.com. Become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/demolistenpodcast. Leave us a message at (260)222-8341 https://wednesdayband.bandcamp.com/album/twin-plagues-2 https://narcoticvoid.bandcamp.com/releases https://warttmanninc.bandcamp.com/album/3d-the-holograms-promo https://ironlungrecords.bandcamp.com/album/brain-tourniquet-lungs-184 https://staticshockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/amuo https://rade801.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-a-riot https://g0nk.bandcamp.com/album/gonk https://specialsomeones.bandcamp.com/album/creative-ways-to-make-yourself-feel-bad https://fazefazefaze.bandcamp.com/album/content https://liveitdownhc.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-judgement https://threarut.bandcamp.com/album/demo-tape-21 https://axilax.bandcamp.com/releases https://scienceman.bandcamp.com/album/nines-mecca https://turbodiscos.bandcamp.com/album/lafff-box-s-t
62: Watership Down (1978) Section 4: The Chief Rabbit Scripted by Newell Fisher, with script assistance by John Ruths This section covers from 9 minutes 30 to 11 minutes 50 and the equivalent Chapter from the book is Chapter 2. The Chief Rabbit As the music dies away Hazel and Fiver approach a rabbit we immediately recognise as Bigwig. A shortened version of their first conversation from the book follows, in which we learn that Bigwig seems not to know Hazel well enough to immediately recognise him. In the background Blackberry and friends appear as they try to listen in on the conversation. Another change from the book is the interruption of Captain Holly, whose manner is very harsh compared to the way he acts in the book. After being easily persuaded to let them see the Chief, and telling them to wait, Bigwig dives down a hole and we hear his voice muffled saying: "Excuse me sir. These two outskirters have asked permission to see you. Is it alright if I bring them down?" He reappears in the hole and tells them to come with him. Hazel and Fiver go down the hole after him. And now we hear the Chief Rabbit's voice for the first time, echoing in his burrow, as the camera zooms in on the hole. We are being taken underground as viewers for the first time in the film and this is done very effectively using a detailed background painting that is used for zooming and panning. At first we see Hazel and Fiver from the side, with Bigwig nervously listening as they talk to the out of view Chief. And then we see him clearly. An effective portrayal of the rabbit version of an elder statesman. As soon as he hears what Fiver has to say, he calmly turns his back on them, though still supposedly involved in the conversation. This action is accompanied by what I'm going to call an Oboe-based theme that seems to reduce the gravitas of the Chief by emphasising his ponderous physicality. Basically it emphasises how he is old and a little past it. Their conversation is, again, faithful to the book but truncated. The shot of the Chief's foot stretching that I have used as the image for this episode also seems to be a subtle expression of his power. The Chief of the film, as in the book, has already dismissed these two upstarts, but his intentions in the film are even less friendly. We see Bigwig, realising how this conversation is going, shaking his head and turning away as he realises how much trouble he may be in. We cut away briefly to a curious Blackberry being warned off listening at the entrance to the burrow by an angry Holly. In the book, the Threarah gives a lengthy explanation as to why leaving the warren is impossible. Here it is truncated. Fiver's panicked reaction causes him to have a kind of fit in the book. Here he just runs away crying "We can't wait". Then we see the subtle annoyance of Hazel at being mis-named 'Walnut' by the Chief again. As Hazel follows Fiver out, we get one of the bonus scenes of the film only hinted at in the book, as the clearly embarrassed Bigwig tries to creep away...but it is too late. The Chief wants a word, knowing full well that Bigwig is trying to creep away, and in the film we get to hear what he has to say to him, after he has to call him back a second time: "What was that all about? Your duty, as an officer, is to protect this burrow. Those two lunatics had better be watched" This is a good example of the difference in Owlsa culture in the Sandleford Warren between the book and film. In the book Hazel and Fiver are of no consequence, as mere outskirters. And they are free to leave for all the Chief cares. It is only the Owsla members who get into trouble. But here the two brothers are a security concern. This is our first clue that the Sandleford of the film is a little more Efrafa like than in the book. Hazel and Fiver are now in the sights of the Sandleford Owsla. What will the --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
56: Owsla Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher. What is an Owsla? Without an Owsla, the ONLY structure in a warren would be the Chief Rabbit. Hazel became Chief Rabbit simply based on his personality. Woundwort got to be a Chief by killing the previous one, so by a hostile takeover. Who knows how Cowslip got to be a Chief but one might guess it was simply because he was the most 'in charge'. The Chief can't do everything. And here is how the Owlsa is born. It'll be made up of rabbits who are strong enough, maybe big enough, maybe fast enough, and very likely brave enough to do what needs to be done. Adam's mentions, in his footnotes, that a good storyteller might find a place in an Owsla in some warrens. And definitely a seer such as Fiver. Anytime a group of rabbits form, an Owsla would probably more or less work themselves out. The four Owsla's of WD in order. Sandleford's Owsla The Sandleford Owsla seems to be one that tolerates petty privileges for Owsla members. And this is what gives Hazel the notion of leaving even before Fiver's premonition. It also seems to help drive Bigwig away, an Owsla member. And, for that matter, Silver. But this Owsla is nowhere near as bad as that of Efrafa. This changes in the 1978 film. When Captain Holly catches the group trying to leave Sandleford, it is worth paying attention to what he actually says. In the book, Holly is only concerned with the Owsla members Bigwig and Silver. He doesn't seem to be concerned with the rest of the group at all. But in the 1978 film the actions of the Owsla are far harsher. The group that tries to leave is larger than in the novel, seemingly including does and maybe even some kittens, and most of them are immediately rounded up. Captain Holly then intercepts the remaining bucks and tells them they are ALL under arrest. This is at 13:20. So the Sandleford Owsla of the film seems to be far more like that of Efrafa. The Warren of the Snares Owsla It seems that an ad hoc posse-like Owsla can be raised fairly effectively when needed in this warren, as in when Holly's party, escaping from Sandleford, have the bad luck to bump into them. It is this Owsla that is the only one in the book that kills a rabbit from Sandleford: the already sick Pimpernel. This is a warren where leadership and discipline has ceased to matter a long time ago and even their most dangerous actions are more motivated by their mass suicidal-delusion than any desire for self-protection. WD's Owsla Bigwig was the Chief of a "very free and easy Owsla" at the end of WD. The Owsla formed pretty early, with Bigwig as the charter member. Silver and Buckthorn were the next members. In "Tales from WD" Hazel comments, at one point, "We're all in the Owsla, really". By the end of the novel we see that the elderly chief, Hazel-rah, has a sentry outside his burrow. This may indicate that the WD Owsla has become a little more formalised. Efrafa's Owsla This is the only Owsla in the book with more than one Captain, each in charge of a Mark, or wide-patrols. The implication of the name of the chief rabbit, GENERAL Woundwort, seems to be that he is also the head of the Owsla. Efrafa has another structure that is unique in the book: the Council and their 'Owslafa' or 'Council Police'. The Council take on some of the Chief Rabbit's roles. The differences between the two security bodies are that the Owslafa is mostly concerned with internal security. The Owsla is mainly concerned with their own rabbits within each of the four marks. So an Owslafa member would never have to worry about going on Wide Patrol. On the other hand, a member of the Owsla would not be given prisoner escort duty. The council is not a representative body of each mark. In fact you could say it is more of a Civil Service. Conclusion The Owslas of WD run a spectrum of formality, from least to most formal, as follows: Snares Watership Down Sandleford Efrafa --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
55: Does Scripted by Newell Fisher. The does of WD in order of appearance: Nildro-hain : Song of the blackbird Clover: A hutch-doe. The first doe to speak directly in the book Haystack: a hutch-doe Hyzenthlay: Fur-shining-like-dew Thethuthinnang: Movement of Leaves Nelthilta Thrayonlosa Vilthuril A summary of the plot of the novel from a purely female perspective: Watership Down: The Does' Tale Nildro-hain, along with her mate, meets the leader of a group of buck Hlessil. The next day, she dies in a snare. A few days later, the hutch-does Clover and Haystack, and their mates, are visited by two bucks at Nuthanger Farm. Meanwhile, in Efrafa, Hyzenthlay meets a buck who has attempted to act as an emissary from another warren, only to be told he cannot leave. Three nights later, several bucks return to Nuthanger Farm. They free the hutch-rabbits. But their leader is shot. Later that day, a group of bucks arrive back from an expedition in an awful state. Then a buck arrives with the good news that the chief is alive but wounded. The chief returns to WD a few days later. He outlines his plan to rescue does from Efrafa. The next day, all of the bucks bar four leave. A few days later, in Efrafa, the young doe Nelthilta speaks to her mark captain. She asks if some does could be allowed to go on wide-patrol, knowing it will never happen. Hyzenthlay, Thethuthinang, Nelthilta and another doe are interrupted by a large Owlsa officer with a strange fur cap on his head. He seems to know something about Hyzenthlay, who has never met him before. The buck tells her his real reason for being in Efrafa. He knows the bucks who escaped a few days earlier and is there to help does to escape. He asks her to pick the does who will escape herself. The next day thunder is approaching. That evening the escape does not go ahead. At morning Silflay Nelthilta is unable to resist making unwise remarks to the Mark Captain. Later Nelthilta is arrested. Hyzenthlay wakes the buck up to warn him and her tells her to gather the does immediately. The escape begins! The escaping does are told that the bird will help them soon. And then they see the chief approaching from the railway arch. Then the promised bird attacks! The does are guided by friends of the buck to a river and onto a wooden object. The buck says this is the promised trick. And suddenly, miraculously, the Chief is...gone. There is a scraping sound and darkness. Thrayonlosa is struck hard in the back. Then it is light again. Then, some time later there is a jolt. Hyzenthlay and the other efrafans are told to jump off the wooden object and swim, finding themselves in a tunnel filled with water, before ending up back on land. During the night, Thrayonlosa dies. The group set off north to their new home on WD. One of the efrafans is taken by a fox without warning. Then an efrafan wide-patrol appears. The rest of the group arrive This is enough to put the wide-patrol off causing any trouble and they leave. They arrive at their new home. Clover is pregnant. One evening there is a blind-panic. The efrafans have found them and there is a large group of bucks nearby! Everyone gets underground and holes start to be filled in. A short time later a small buck has a kind of fit. This seems to give the chief an idea. Soon the terrifying chief of Efrafa breaks through into the run, where there is a vicious fight between him and the concealed buck. And then, suddenly, it is over. The efrafan chief is gone. After some time, the chief arrives back with an incredible tale of having ridden in a hrududu. Amazed, Hyzenthlay recalls her vision in Efrafa. Six weeks later, Vilthuril has taken the small buck as her mate. Both her and Hyzenthlay have had litters, while Clover's kittens are already in training for the owsla, courtesy of the buck who go --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
53: Epilogue Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher. Adams speaks to us directly as readers in the opening sentence. It has a similar effect as when an actor breaks the 'fourth wall' and speaks directly to the camera. "The wise Mr. Lockley" is referenced and we learn that wild rabbits don't live very long. Hazel did as it turns out. We don't even get to know how long he lived and the narrative is better for it. Might we venture a guess that the meaning of a "tidy few" here could be around five years? The ambiguity certainly implies 'hrair', or any number above 4. WD prospered and so did the warren that he envisioned that Groundsel started out leading. He was the "first Chief Rabbit" and this implies that he is no more. We then hear about Woundwort. He's never seen again and even high (and low) flying Kehaar never sees him, and doesn't want to anyway! This is where we hear the last quote from Kehaar in the book . It is good to know he came back. It is overwhelmingly likely that the farm dog killed Woundwort. However, because of his legendary status in Efrafa, why should a former Efrafan such as Groundsel NOT think that he's still out there? In WD, he becomes a bogeyman of sorts. We know that, as a warren, Watership Down did quite well. We don't know how long Fiver lived, or Bigwig, or really anyone else. If Hazel had a mate at this point, she was not in the burrow so I'd guess this probably means that he lived alone. That probably means that Hyzenthlay has also left the world of the living some time before this. We're now with Hazel during a cool and windy March morning when a rabbit comes to see him. Hazel had been dreaming about the smell of rain and elder bloom. Well, it is springtime after all but rain does represent cleansing and renewal. Elder bloom can be medicinal but that may be a stretch here. Hazel wakes to find a rabbit lying quietly beside him, who seems to have shown himself in. The on-duty sentry should really have notified Hazel, however, he does not really mind. Adams is telling us some things here. The Chief Rabbit of WD has a sentry just like the Threarah did at Sandleford and Hazel still acts with the kind of humility that endeared all of us to him many chapters ago. Hazel does another humble thing by initiating the conversation. In the limited light of Hazel's burrow, we learn that there is a slight silver light coming from this rabbit's ears. Hazel, realising instantly the significance, wisely addresses this rabbit as "lord" and knows that it is El-ahrairah. El-ahrairah coming to get you in person must be a rare honour. They pass by the sentry who does not see Hazel's visitor. As they get above ground, other members of the warren are out at morning silflay. In one of the most moving moments in the book, Hazel realises that he'll no longer be needing his body so he simply leaves it behind. Hazel was clearly dying but death comes to him in an easy way. If this is the Black Rabbit, it is his gentler face. Departing his body, Hazel's soul feels powerful and an energy flows from him that even passes into the rabbits that are out feeding. El-ahrairah tell him not to worry about the others and that they'll be fine, like thousands like them. He invites Hazel to come with him, so he can show him what he means. The chapter, and book, closes with Hazel and El-ahrairah running away from the warren on WD through the woods. Primroses are beginning to bloom and this contrasts with the primroses that were ending at the very beginning of the book. Adams neatly used primroses as bookends. "The primroses were over" at the beginning marks the season at that point, but the fact that they were "over" is not an encouraging mataphor, as the Sandleford warren soon will be as well. This ending, where primroses are blooming, is a positive and upbeat contrast to Hazel's death. And so the 1972 Novel, Watership Down, ends. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
52: Chapter 50. And Last Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher. Dedicated to the people of Ukraine and of Russia. The Lost Paragraph resolved Before going through this week's chapter, I need to apologise for completely missing a crucial moment in Chapter 49 last week, especially given all the time I spent on the Lost Paragraph in episodes 7 to 10, 15 and 23. The last words of Chapter 49, spoken by Bigwig, are: "And if he'll believe you, Hazel-rah, then I will.” In editions of the book that include the Lost Paragraph, this is the moment Bigwig fulfills his statement at the end of Chapter 11. Chapter 50. And Last We are told it is now six weeks later. The Efrafans who were trapped when they were defeated stayed and joined WD. This happened largely due to Hazel's civility and determination. Fiver seems to have a sense of detachment that seems permanent. This seems sad in a way but it is possibly how Fiver was eventually meant to be. Bigwig mentions the price that Fiver has also paid for the warren's victory over Efrafa. We know that he has a doe, Vilthuril, who he is devoted to. Hyzenthlay has a litter who are out silflaying but who Hyzenthlay's buck is is not mentioned. We know by reading ‘Tales From Watership Down' that her buck is Hazel, however, we're not told this here. The conversation turns to General Woundwort. Groundsel, the former Efrafan, now a member of WD, says that Woundwort is not dead and has likely founded a new warren someplace else. Silver, whom we know is a very tough fighter but also speaks with wisdom, is about to strongly debate Groundsel's assertions. However, Hazel prevents this, as an argument, even an amicable one, will really do no good at this point. We next learn that Campion is now the 'rah' of the Woundwort-free Efrafa and this makes sense. Hazel has the idea of Groundsel taking some rabbits out of the soon-to-be slightly overcrowded WD, combining them with some rabbits from Efrafa, and starting a new warren geographically between the two warrens. Kehaar will be able to help. The mere mention of our favorite gull has Silver mention that someone at the warren will be happy to see him. We of course know that this is Bigwig and now the story turns to him as he is training members of Clover's litter. These young rabbits are more interested in hearing about his experiences and we can understand that. We now hear a bit about changes to the warren in the form of a "winter burrow" and how the roof of the Honeycomb will eventually be healed by the combination of nature and the passage of time. An idea forms for the rabbits to go over to the evening side of the wood. They soon come upon Vilthuril and her (and Fiver's) litter of four rabbits. They are listening to their mother tell a story. This story sounds like it is about El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle but we readers recognise it as being strongly interlaced with WD's own story. In particular the encounter with the Warren of the Snares. The young litter see Hazel-rah and more or less mob him in a good-natured way. After all, he's also their uncle! And then one of these young rabbits, young Threar, has a vision of a man approaching the Down on a horse. This of course proves to be true. Vilthuril announces that this is because of "Fiver's blood" and this makes sense. The chapter concludes with Hazel proposing that it's time for all to get back underground again. Fiver is seen not far away towards one of the holes and soon all the rabbits are underground for the evening. And, all too soon, the main interactive narrative of the characters of the novel ‘Watership Down' is suddenly over. Adams describes dusk and the coming of the autumn night sky, with the constellations seen in Britain at that time of year. We have now heard all but three of our lapine, and avine, friends, speak for the last time in the novel. The chapter ends with the hopeful words "Underground, the story continued”. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
51: Chapter 49. Hazel Comes Home The Watership Down Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/468458781496287/?ref=share This episode is scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher. The pre-chapter quote is military in nature and is surely about the First World War. But it can really apply to any armed conflict. It's clear that the two folks that the poem is about have survived their war. To have been "lucky devils" not everyone made it. It's clearly a reference to Hazel and Bigwig. They 'made it' and no one in the warren had come as close to death as they each had. A "fusil" is an old flintlock rifle. So, typically, a fusilier is a rifleman and riflemen are infantrymen, even to this day. The chapter opens with some general comments about Woundwort...pun intended. We'll never know if Wouldwort 'made it' or not. The dog certainly got more resistance than he'd likely bargained for. Reading this passage closely, I have also realised that I missed another death in Episode 29, on death in WD, as the dog kills another Efrafan, beside the sentry it killed straight away and, presumably, Woundwort. Before it leaves the Down it finds an Efrafan who was injured by glass on the way to WD and kills him. You could surmise that Woundwort either made it or was wounded (almost a pun!) badly enough to have died somewhere a distance away. When Woundwort is no longer there to lead, the Efrafans basically fall apart. Most of the Efrafans manage to get away. This effort is led by Campion who seems to be the 'Holly of Efrafa.' He's the only reason why any of the Efrafans made it back and the going was not easy. Rabbits basically disappear unaccounted for on the way back to Efrafa. Unsurprisingly, this includes the dreaded Vervain. All in all, only seven or eight rabbits make it back; a bit under one-third of the number that left Efrafa. Some stay at WD and they immediately, and smartly, surrender. Having successfully made it back to the warren after leading the farm dog there, Blackberry and Dandelion tell their version of events and let everyone else know what happened at Nuthanger Farm. Being very loyal to Hazel, Pipkin wants to immediately head towards the farm and Fiver goes with him. They soon see Hazel. Naturally, Fiver stays with him while Pipkin goes back to WD to spread the happy news. Hazel makes it back and immediately starts to gather information in order to size things up. Once again, we see that Hazel possesses a kind of prudence that is a part of the way he leads. He goes to see a very wounded Bigwig. While Bigwig is hurt very badly, he does show enough humor to imitate Kehaar while asking if Woundwort "is finish". Richard Adams is letting us know that he'll be okay. Bigwig gets up and moves into the now "devastated Honeycomb" and aren't those words hard to bear? The warren succeeded brilliantly and has not only survived but defeated Efrafa. But even winning has its price. It serves as a kind of 'great hall' for this warren. So, it naturally stings a bit to hear about it being effectively destroyed as a sheltered large underground space. The image used for this episode is supposed to reflect that devastation. Hazel and Bigwig continue to talk and the latter gets caught up on the result of the second and final 'raid' on Nuthanger Farm. He also learns how Hazel got back. Hyzenthlay is nearby, hears this, and is suddenly reminded that she saw this in a very Fiver-like vision while she was still an Efrafan. At the time a rabbit in a hrududu made no sense to her. Now it does. We're very near the end of this book now. Just a chapter and the epilogue away from the end. Any closure that takes place can simply be enjoyed by the reader. It's also somewhat bittersweet as the end of the story is just around the next bend in the run. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
VIN AND SORI GEAR www.teespring.com/stores/the-village-market PAYPAL vinandsorimerch@gmail.com Patreon https://www.patreon.com/Vinandsori MAIL US SOMETHING AT Vin and Sori P.O. Box 7024 Lewiston, Maine 04243 EMAIL US vinandsori@gmail.com MIDDLE AMERICA WITH VIN AND SORI https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCojH... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VinAndSori/ Twitter https://twitter.com/VinAndSori Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vinsoriseven/ Website~ Vinandsori.com Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/Vinandsori Facebook~ Facebook.com/vinandsori Twitter~ @vinandsori Instagram~ vinsoriseven --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/conversations-with-vin-and-sori/support
VIN AND SORI GEAR www.teespring.com/stores/the-village-market PAYPAL vinandsorimerch@gmail.com Patreon https://www.patreon.com/Vinandsori MAIL US SOMETHING AT Vin and Sori P.O. Box 7024 Lewiston, Maine 04243 EMAIL US vinandsori@gmail.com MIDDLE AMERICA WITH VIN AND SORI https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCojH... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VinAndSori/ Twitter https://twitter.com/VinAndSori Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vinsoriseven/ Website~ Vinandsori.com Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/Vinandsori Facebook~ Facebook.com/vinandsori Twitter~ @vinandsori Instagram~ vinsoriseven --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/conversations-with-vin-and-sori/support
VIN AND SORI GEAR www.teespring.com/stores/the-village-market PAYPAL vinandsorimerch@gmail.com Patreon https://www.patreon.com/Vinandsori MAIL US SOMETHING AT Vin and Sori P.O. Box 7024 Lewiston, Maine 04243 EMAIL US vinandsori@gmail.com MIDDLE AMERICA WITH VIN AND SORI https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCojH... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VinAndSori/ Twitter https://twitter.com/VinAndSori Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vinsoriseven/ Website~ Vinandsori.com Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/Vinandsori Facebook~ Facebook.com/vinandsori Twitter~ @vinandsori Instagram~ vinsoriseven --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/conversations-with-vin-and-sori/support
45: Chapter 43. The Great Patrol This episode is dedicated to Samantha the Wonder Dog, who John Ruths sadly lost this week. John Ruth's notes on this chapter are really good and for this episode I have decided not to edit them at all. The removed cultural perspective of this chapter makes this seem appropriate. Chapter 43. The Great Patrol The pre-chapter quote is from Napoleon by Walter de la Mare. It's clearly about the French Army in Russia. This was as much a disaster for Napoleon and his Army as it was for the German Army many years later. In this case, I'd compare the French Army to the Efrafans. This chapter also tells the Efrafan side of things from the moment that the little punt floated down the Test and concludes when the Efrafans are ready to begin their attack on WD. The successful escape made the Efrafan Owsla look stupid and its success may be giving other frustrated Efrafan rank and file rabbits hope. Woundwort stayed up most of that night devising his own plans. So, while our heroes floated to freedom, Woundwort was already preparing a counterstroke! Woundwort makes an interesting comment about Vervain knowing what the marks are saying about the escape. Vervain is in charge of the Owslafa. We get to see how Woundwort is among his rabbits within the systems that he devised. He's pretty civil overall but does use his influence to get his way. Woundwort decides to pick his best rabbits and conduct some reconnaissance. Campion and his patrol come back now knowing where WD is. Woundwort is not one to rush to failure. Rather, the Efrafans will train for this mission, even taking on volunteers from the rank and file. This is smart and prevents Efrafa from emptying out too many valued Owsla members. Woundwort even makes a more full reconnaissance trip near WD with Campion and two other Owsla. - 26 or 27 rabbits are chosen. Interesting because we know that there are a total of 26 rabbits in WD. This very large Wide Patrol heads to WD. Woundwort's personal touch is seen everywhere. He leads personally, decisively deals with a couple of stoats, and just seems to know what to do in every situation. At one point, the large group are broken down into smaller parts for more effective command and control. We've seen this before and this is much like the WD rabbits when they were en route to Efrafa. After they'd more or less made the trip, Woundwort orders his large group of rabbits to take rest until sunset. So far, all has gone well. Then something serious slips. Local mice and yellowhammers see the rabbits. We, of course, know that this word gets to Hazel and this leads to the quick scouting by Holly and Blackavar. Suddenly, the rabbits of WD know about the Efrafans and there will be no surprise attack as previously planned. This does not deter Woundwort. Woundwort and his Efrafans have crossed their own Rubicon. The attack will happen soon. As the Efrafans are preparing for this, we now intersect the ending of the last chapter when Hazel was above ground looking for them. Hazel is nearby and makes his way to a group that Woundwort himself is with. - Hazel and Woundwort talk. It's clear that Woundwort thinks that Bigwig is the Chief Rabbit and that Hazel must be some trusted messenger. Woundwort drives the conversation and makes his inevitable judgment error when Hazel proposes something that sets these two apart as warren leaders. Woundwort will not be seen to cooperate with the same warren that essentially stole from him. After this conversation, Campion offers to kill Hazel, however, Woundwort will use Hazel in his own brand of psychological warfare. Hazel heads back to WD. Woundwort chooses to make Hazel his 'fear messenger' having no idea that he has made another critical error. He let live his adversary who is better at leading a warren than Woundwort was ever capable of. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
43: Chapter 41. The Story of Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wogdog Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher The pre-chapter quote is a Psalm of David and is about delivering him from his enemies and their actions against David. It's interesting that Richard Adams choose a psalm snippet that contains the word "dog" and this makes it quite fitting. And then the chapter opens with "Now came the dog days—day after day of hot, still summer". It's almost as if there is a theme here... Then comes a section of the main narrative that has a feeling of relief and bliss that you'd expect all WD rabbits to have due to the success of the mission at Efrafa. The warren is now 26 rabbits made up of 16 bucks and 10 does. The two bards of the warren, Dandelion and Bluebell, discuss the idea of a story. That story is, of course, 'Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wogdog.' Dandelion starts to tell the story. It's another story of El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle; it also sounds like it's a cold-weather story and that food was scarce. There is a man with a garden bigger than any other around. The man also had a dog named Rowsby Woof who sounds possibly like a sheepdog. Dandelion describes RW as a subservient dog, to the man, who not only won't let any animal ever get a vegetable but also that he'll kill any intruders that he can get to. El-ahrairah comments that they'll just have to watch and wait for a chance to get some food. The following afternoon, Rabscuttle notices a bag fall off a hrududu as it passes by. He's disappointed to see that it contains meat. They then find a discarded tyre. Rabscuttle nibbles off a bit of rubber as instructed by El-ahrairah. After El-ahrairah spends the night nibbling at it, ir looks like a dog's nose. They try to transfer as many smells into the piece of rubber as they can. They also dig up the meat that sounds like linked sausages and drag it through a part of the garden. The rabbits move to the front of the man's house. El-ahrairah role plays the Fairy Wogdog. RW smells the rubber nose and all the smells it has picked up and this stimulates his suspension of disbelief. The Fairy Wogdog is a messenger of Queen Dripslobber and it turns out that the queen has heard of RW. The Fairy Wogdog offers the sausages to RW who hesitates as it would mean that he'd have to essentially leave his post. However, when the Fairy Wogdog threatens to leave, RW is ready to do anything. RW goes after the sausages that the rabbits had hidden earlier. He then comes back and is told to await the return Fairy Wogdog; and that this will lead to a meeting with the Queen, who is sort of like a dog El-ahrairah. The Fairy Wogdog tells RW of a particular crossroads. In other words, they trick RW into leaving the house undefended again. The rabbits now get into the farmhouse and have their fill of flayrah. In the meantime, poor old RW is waiting at the crossroads for a meeting with the Queen that will never happen. RW hears footsteps, however, they are those of his returning master who, of course, is wondering what his dog is doing here and away from his home. Man and dog get back to the house. The rabbits will slip away in a small hole above a drain that they've been using for access but the man has plugged it more securely. El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle are trapped! The Fairy Wogdog talks to RW from behind some items. El-ahrairah spins yet another yarn, this one involving a plot by the great rat spirit being aided by his rat goblins. They will attempt to slay RW's master via a spell. The story even mentions Hamelin, of Pied Piper fame. To break it, RW must apparently run barking around the house four times. To get out, RW has to raise enough of a ruckus for his master to let him out. This happens. In the ensuing chaos, El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle naturally get away. And RW spends the rest of his days convinced he did the right thing. And is, as all dogs surely aim --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
42: Chapter 40. The Way Back Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher A late promotion to the podcast's Owsla. Welcome to the Owsla Nati Plavin. Please consider yourself very much a part of the inaugural membership. Chapter 40. The Way Back The pre-chapter quote is from English poet Walter de la Mare. Most of Adams' selected quotes have an element of foreshadowing and this one certainly has. It's all about a grinning wolf being outside of the door of Dame Hickory. This Chapter open with the sad news that the Efrafan doe Thrayonlosa, has died in the night. She's the rabbit who, beside Speedwell, was wounded when the boat hit the first of the two bridges in Chapter 39. As is the case with many animals, Thrayonlosa went to be by herself as she died. In his notes on this chapter, John Ruths told me about a cat he once lived with who did this, having first been very affectionate. It is such a poignant behaviour among animals. Hazel consults with Blackberry and determines that it is time to continue to head towards WD, as the other does are getting preoccupied with the body of Thrayonlossa. This is also the moment when Kehaar announces that he will soon depart for the "Peeg Vater." When Kehaar flies away, it's very nice that he makes it a point to swoop down over the rabbits. Then Hazel and Bigwig see a man in his garden looking at them. Knowing that it'll be tough keeping their rabbits away from it, they decide to leave. Adams uses this chapter to tell us more about Blackavar. who is proving himself to Hazel and the group. He's a Wide Patrol veteran and seems quite comfortable out in the wilderness. They are now close to a copse near Caesar's Belt, west of where they crosses it on the way to Efrafa. Blackavar and our trusty Dandelion come back from a sort of mini patrol. Blackavar argues against the idea of stopping here, stating that this area is fox country. Bigwig and Blackavar argue but Blackavar is on the defensive. Bigwig is being a bit petty towards him. And then, just as Hazel and Bigwig are talking about how well things are going, a fox appears out of nowhere and quickly swoops off with a doe. When I recorded Episode 29, on death in WD, I completely missed the death of this doe, even though the place where it happens is the last location marked on the map at the front of the book. So the revised book death-toll, including Woundwort, is 12, with 2 being killed by a fox rather than one. So Blackavar's warning was not heeded and a doe paid with her life. Hazel suggests that the matter of the loss of the doe is closed and accepts equal responsibility as Bigwig. However, this is soon interrupted by other visitors: Four large rabbits and we already know that they're Efrafans. Campion, probably General Woundwort's most capable and trusted subordinate, has managed to catch up with and intercept the group. Hazel points out that Campion really has no chance of success and is badly outnumbered. Campion himself seems to realize that he's acted rashly. Campion's common sense wins out and the small Efrafan group departs. The movement of the group continues and soon they know they're close to WD. Buckthorn is the first WD rabbit to see members of the group and happily greets Hazel-rah and Dandelion. We also learn that Clover will "kindle" meaning that she's pregnant. It is Strawberry who delivers this news so this may mean that he is the father. We learn that a total of 20 rabbits have returned from this expedition, those being all 11 WD bucks who set off, the 8 surviving Efrafan does and the Efrafan buck Blackavar. The chapter closes with an account of Campion and his wide-patrol. Yes, they departed when Hazel told them to, but they also shadowed the large group heading toward WD. So, they learned the location of where Thlayli came from. They'll return to Efrafa with this knowledge and the pre-chapter quote now takes on a dee --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
40: Fu Inlé Scripted by Newell Fisher and John Ruths In this episode we will be exploring the Lapine phrase 'Fu Inlé', or 'After moonrise', which is used in WD as a very rough method of timekeeping. How Fu Inlé would work At the Full Moon "after moonrise" would be roughly the period after sunset. It would be a useful way of timing Evening Silflay. At the Waning Half Moon "after moonrise" would be the period after midnight. It would be a way of referring to the time between Evening and Morning Silflay. At the New Moon it would be meaningless as there is no visible moonrise. At the Waxing Half Moon, "after moonrise" would refer to the early afternoon, when the Moon is not really very visible as it rises. So we have a problem. Fu Inlé means the evening, then after midnight, then...basically nothing until the approach of the next Full Moon. So what was Richard Adams thinking? Bearing in mind his military experience, it is difficult to believe that Richard Adams was not aware of exactly how the Moon varies each month. The Moon and the Military To the military, at least to an Army which is mostly on the ground, the moon and how much light it provides is very important. In ancient times, fighting was rare at night. Even today, the moon still means a great deal. Most night vision devices simply amplify available light. So, a moonless night is still not a lot of fun even with night vision. We can now easily track the moon with computers and smartphones. Even an adversary that lacks significant night vision capability will still use the moon and the light it provides. So, moonlight can be dangerous but at the same time, you can also predict some of what an adversary can do and prepare for it. For the rabbits of Watership Down at least having some moon to see by is safer for them. Having little or no light to see by when at least some elil can see quite effectively would place our rabbit heroes at a significant disadvantage. So, having some moonlight would seem to put them in a less disadvantageous position. I also would guess that a Richard Adams' rabbit would have current moon information in their heads. What the moon does each night changes in small increments. For example, at any given time, I'd guess that they'll generally track the moon rise, moon set, and about how much light the moon provides. An analysis of actual uses of Fu inlé in WD So how many times in WD are events actually timed by this method? First, the departure from Sandleford is, timed this way. In Chapter 4. The Departure, they are described as starting to gather "an hour after moonrise and a good while before midnight". Then, in Chapter 5 we are told "It was getting on toward moonset when they left the fields and entered the wood". I do have to question the timings here a little. In Chapter 30. A New Journey, Hazel decides to skirt Efrafa to get to the River Test Fu Inlé. This journey is described as happening 5 weeks after the departure from Sandleford, which implies a waning half moon. This makes sense. In Chapter 35 Captain Campion refers to "ni-Frith and fu-inlè Silflay" How would that work? Or is this just a lazy shorthand for Noon and Midnight? In Chapter 39 there is a reference to Bigwig swimming through the bridge fu inlè. The events of Bigwig's incursion into Efrafa have happened during the week after a waning Half Moon. This means that Moonrise has been moving from midnight to sunrise. Yet the escape from Efrafa took place at evening silflay. Is it feasible that it took 6 hours between the escape from Efrafa and Bigwig swimming under the bridge? This simply doesn't work. Adam's mention of fu inlè here, according to the evidence, means that Bigwig swam under the bridge at approaching sunrise the following day...as it was growing dark. With great regret, I have to conclude that Richard Adams was using the phrase fu inlè, here, without really thinking it through. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
38: Chapter 38. The Thunder Breaks Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher This is one of the most military chapters in character in WD. The pre-chapter quote is spoken by Cassius in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. The chapter opens along the riverbank of the Test. Hazel is nervous. Kehaar is letting him know what we just heard in Chapter 37, namely the part about tonight being the night. The weather is continuing to build. We now cut to Efrafa. Hyzenthlay says that Nelthilta has been arrested. Bigwig keeps his cool, telling Hyzenthlay to gather all the escaping does to his burrow and to stay quiet. He soon encounters Captain Chervil. Bigwig's orders are to keep the mark underground. The paranoia of Efrafa is actually working in his favour and he's in a unique position! Chervil's off to see the dreaded Council. Anything Bigwig decides to do will seem legitimate. Bigwig engages with Marjoram. At this point Bigwig commits to the escape happening there and then, as he issues orders that go directly against what he was ordered to do. He says that silflay is early, rather than cancelled. He immediately goes to link up with Hyzelthlay, who has wasted no time in gathering the does. He issues instructions to the hrair does to get moving and then does so himself. Bigwig then closes on Blackavar, slips in between him and the unsuspecting Bartsia, and then viciously attacks Bartsia. Bigwig takes his ragtag group and heads above ground. He feels that the weather is his and that it will aid him and go against Efrafa. As he races away and leads the others, he can feel the first alert stampings but he sees no adversaries just yet. We are now back in Efrafa at the interrogation of Nelthilta. Avens crashes in and tells everyone the news about Bigwig. The chase is on as Avens leads the group out. We're now back with the escapees and doubt is growing in Bigwig. One of the worst things possible happens with the appearance of Campion and a small patrol. Soon after this Woundwort arrives along with others. Blackavar speaks up in a conciliatory way and addresses Bigwig as sir. Bigwig acknowledges Blackavar and simply waits for Woundwort's arrival. No more running for Bigwig and, psychologically, this seems like a smart move. Bigwig and Woundwort exchange words. We get some of Bigwig's best dialogue here and Woundwort calls him a "dirty little beast." Bigwig says one of the very best lines of the book: " “Frith sees you! You're not fit to be called a rabbit! May Frith blast you and your foul Owsla full of bullies!” Seemingly, the storm reacts with a great "dazzling claw" of lightning. It is then that Bigwig hears a voice. "Your storm, Thlayli-rah. Use it." Things move quickly again. Kehaar attacks the Efrafans, seemingly out of nowhere. Soon we see more of our heroes. Silver smartly has rabbits set up that will operate much like military checkpoints. Slowly the WD rabbits get the does moving while the Efrafans are readying themselves for an attack. Terrifyingly, it becomes obvious that Woundwort has improvised a plan to continue the pursuit under cover. Bigwig is needed closer to the boat. The does are asking for him, as you might expect. He is the only leader from WD anyone in Efrafa has known. Hazel has the rope bitten, probably more than in half. In the end, the appearance of Woundwort gets all the does into the boat more quickly than anything else could have! And now Dandelion is separated from his comrades on the riverbank. As Woundwort is about to signal his attack, Bigwig cries "There it is!" referring to Kehaar. This works, Dandelion dashes out with Dandelion speed, gets on the boat, the rope breaks, and this amphibious operation is underway! Our heroes, now with a host of does, get away. Bigwig sees the face of a defeated Woundwort as the little punt floats away and so closes Part III of WD. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
37: Chapter 37. The Thunder Builds Up Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher This is the second of the thunder chapters and has a lot of back and forth setting changes, which keep the reader well informed and stimulate the building tension. The pre-chapter quote is from Uncle Remus. It is spoken in Joel Chandler Harris's portrayal of African-American Vernacular English. The proverb, in standard American and British English, says "You can hide the fire, but what are you going to do with the smoke?" The quote is a clear reference to the secretive activities of Bigwig, the does, and eventually Blackavar who are also in the know. Chapter 36 ends with Woundwort interrupting Bigwig just as the escape is about to begin. Bigwig controls his emotions as he is asked many questions. The nature of these tell us that information is being brought to Woundwort. Woundwort is starting to add things up. Bigwig was the rabbit who, albeit accidentally, got Mallow killed by a fox. He was recognised by Groundsel. The fact that Bigwig didn't mention this is clearly suspicious to Woundwort. Woundwort shares that he is aware of a band of rabbits on the far side of the Iron Road. He directly asks if Bigwig was with this group, forcing Bigwig to deny it. Then he is quizzed about the 'white bird' he was seen near, who was Kehaar, and simply says he's never been harmed by one of them before. As a parting shot, Woundwort asks about his meeting with Hyzenthlay ask him to keep an eye on her. It is intriguing to wonder if there is any chance that Woundwort might have put them all these pieces together eventually to guess their plan. Given the way he is fooled in the next chapter, it is easy to think not. This, for Bigwig, is a very dangerous moment but, overall, Bigwig gets through yet another social encounter in Efrafa. At this point, he must feel somewhat emboldened. But the escape is over for now. He checks on Blackavar and deliberately knocks into one of the guards and even verbally dresses him down. The scene now moves to the little patrol-base like location where the rest of our heroes are, near the river, and opens with Hazel. Kehaar flies in and Hazel questions him about some important details that he's apparently repeated before. Hazel is nervous. What is certain is that the escape attempt is off for now and that their escape plan location at the railway arch, which is far nearer Efrafa, needs to change back to the river right away. We now cut back to Bigwig who is with Hyzenthlay. The signs of the stress he's been carrying is really starting to show and he's shaking. Hyzenthlay makes Bigwig even more nervous when she asks if it's possible to get away that evening. She then relates that it's even possible that there could be a doe spy amongst the group she's spoken to. If he lost his nerve and made a quick escape with just the ringleaders he would be seen as having failed, no matter what he had been through. It is now the next morning and Bigwig's own common sense keeps him from panicking when he finds that Hyzenthlay is not there. It's quiet right now due to the building weather system overhead. He hears Blackavar being brought up the run, who looks more pitiful than before if that's possible. Chervil arrives and even he, as the mark's captain, seems subdued. Nelthilta makes an unwise comment to him about a possible "surprise" coming up and that rabbits might be able to fly away. Soon after they're outside, Bigwig plays a trick that El-ahrairah would really approve of. Bigwig cleverly fools Chervil with a fake charm, consisting of a dance and a poem, while simultaneously giving Kehaar vital information about returning that night. Some time later, Bigwig chances upon Blackavar. He uses this private moment to tell Blackavar the plan. This chapter reminds us just how intelligent and brave Bigwig can be under pressure. He goes to his burrow and sleeps. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
36: Chapter 36. Approaching Thunder Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher The quotation at the start of the chapter is from a british music hall song, probably 19th Century in origin. This is a fairly short chapter but one in which a lot happens. This is the first of the three "thunder" chapters, in which the weather and the escape from Efrafa parallel one another. Right in the beginning, Bigwig is woken up for duty by Avens. A reminder of the structure in Efrafa and that the rabbits in the Owsla tend to follow this structure. We learn, at least in moments of stress, that Bigwig talks in his sleep and mentioned Fiver by name. It is a tense moment but no more comes of it and the conversation between him and Avens quickly takes another tone. The weather seems a more up to the moment topic. Unless the weather has actually turned bad, there's no sense in trying to deviate from Efrafan ways. Thundery weather is approaching but Chervil thinks it'll be some time before it breaks. When Bigwig is together with both Avens and Chervil, Avens makes a somewhat backhanded comment about Bigwig having to be woken up. Bigwig is then questioned about Hyzenthlay being in his burrow during the previous evening. During this conversation we also learn the Lapine word for a doe: Marli, as Hyzenthlay is described as the "Marli tharn", a term Adams translates, in this context, as meaning "forlorn maiden". Once he's outside, Bigwig immediately takes to looking at the terrain, routes to take, how to get Blackavar out, and he wonders if he is in a place where Kehaar can observe him. Bigwig certainly has a presence of mind! As it turns out, Kehaar is already on station and was ready to see Bigwig at the earliest possibility. Thick as thieves, they work their way towards one another. This is like two Soldiers that know what to do and just immediately go about it as if it were rehearsed. Bigwig and Kehaar have an effective exchange. Bigwig can now relay instructions of their still developing plan and all of these modifications are Bigwig's. He tells Kehaar that they will escape at silflay that evening. Bigwig will lead the does to the archway on the Iron Road, where he wants to meet up with the WD rabbits. He also gives Kehaar clear instructions about attacking the sentries as soon as he sees Bigwig go back underground. This, we know, will be to rescue Blackavar. Soon, Chervil heads their way and Kehaar flies away. Bigwig must once again play his espionage role. He tells Chervil that, no, he's not afraid of birds like this and then cuffs Chervil as a part of his answer why. An amazing thing for a rabbit to do to his Owsla Captain but this is Bigwig that we are talking about. Chervil makes it clear that this little incident with the white bird will be reported and he leaves Bigwig and Avens to handle the Mark. Bigwig is able to get over to Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang and provides updates, following up his instruction to Kehaar about attacking the sentries with one to them to run as soon as they see him bring Blackavar out, as the sentries will be running for cover. He shows them the distant railway arch and reassures them of his ability to deal with Captain Campion, should they meet him. The Mark go back inside and Blackavar is also taken underground. Bigwig gets around the warren and once again shows his presence of mind by asking Chervil if it's okay to visit another Mark. He listens to officers of the Left Flank Mark and sees that, in this area, this group shares a larger single burrow. He departs after hearing some stories, goes back to his burrow, and rests until it's time to silflay again. Bigwig sees Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang go above ground, sees Blackavar, and also observes Kehaar flying. Everything is in place. And then, just as he's ready to start the escape, he hears a voice behind him. It is General Woundwort, who wants a word with him. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
35: Chapter 35. Groping Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher. The pre-chapter quote is interesting and taken from a much longer Samuel Johnson quote that is really a prayer. Later on, Bigwig does hear from a supernatural voice that is either El-ahrairah or, possibly, Frith. This chapter opens with Bigwig and some on-the-job training being administered by Chervil and Avens. Even burying hraka is mandatory. Hraka is typically buried by rabbits being punished. You can always find those and this comment by Chervil gives you an idea of just what this place is like. From Avens he also hears an account, from an Efrafan point of view, of the escape of a group of "hlessil". We know these rabbits to have been Holly and his fellow emissaries. Avens also lets Bigwig know that the General is likely to want to take him out on Wide Patrol in person before too long. And good luck to him. He soon encounters Blackavar for the first time and we also see the word "Owslafa", a word meaning an elite section of an Owsla. Bigwig's logic tells him that this must be some scarred veteran which has earned him an escort. How wrong he is. The escort is simply because poor Blackavar is basically just a prisoner and no more. Blackberry had advised Bigwig to be on the lookout for any signs of disaffection and soon he encounters some of the insurgency, or discontented does, in this mark. We learn that Owsla members can have does whenever they like. It seems that issues of consent do not matter when it comes to the Owsla. Bigwig decides that if he escapes, Blackavar will come along. He notices that among a group of does, one of them has the attention of the others. She is reciting a very depressing poem about never being to be go outside, choosing a mate, or feeling the wind blow again. We are introduced to Hyzenthlay at last. The doe who explained Efrafa to Holly before he escaped. We learn, from Marjoram, what happened with Blackavar that got his ears all torn up as they are. Marjoram doesn't even seem to realise that Bigwig is a newcomer. This could work to his advantage. He also learns, from Captain Campion, that the Efrafans, indeed, do not like to go beyond the Iron Road and that he will be going on Wide Patrol as soon as his Mark are off Dawn and Evening silflay. Bigwig feigns enthusiasm. Soon Bigwig thinks about sharing some information with Hyzelthlay. He has her summoned to his burrow, on a pretext of wanting to mate with her. She's naturally hesitant to trust Bigwig. We soon learn that she has visions like Fiver's. It is because of this ability that she soon knows to trust Bigwig. Soon we learn that the violent escape attempt that earned Blackavar his punishment ties right in with Hyzenthlay and their recent attempts to leave Efrafa. The does who asked to leave Efrafa were split up between marks. But Hyzenthlay and Thethutinnang, the two main ringleaders, were kept together, which made little sense. But in Efrafa that doesn't matter, as long as the order was fulfilled. Bigwig and Hyzenthlay begin to plan their future escape. Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang will select the does who will escape, while Bigwig will focus on the actual mechanics of that escape. Bigwig explains that the best time for the escape to happen would be at sunset and that this should happen as soon as possible. He also tells Hyzenthlay about Kehaar. Their Mark is due to lose evening silflay in a couple of days time. This gives the plan far more urgency. Bigwig decides that they must therefore escape on the following evening. And that Blackavar will be coming with them. It's clear that Bigwig has serendipitously happened upon someone he can work with. Once Hyzenthlay departs, Bigwig manages to doze and has some menacing dreams before drifting off into a deep sleep. Vocab: Owslafa: An elite section of an Owsla, as opposed to simply the Captain, or captains. A term we only encounter in Efrafa. Thethuthinnang: Movement-of-leaves. A name for a doe. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
34: Chapter 34. General Woundwort The opening quotation is by the Prussian military tactician Carl von Clausewitz. It refers to the importance of a strong leader in any military enterprise. Because that is exactly what Efrafa is really. For the first time, we join General Woundwort in the present. We learn, almost straight away, about how hard Woundwort's life has been. Having seen his mother killed by a weasel in front of him, his rescue by the schoolmaster results in his almost killing his cat, when it tries tormenting him. Soon Woundwort escapes from the hutch he is kept in, survives on his own in the wild with no apparent problems, then forces his way into a warren, taking it over and killing the former Chief Rabbit and another rival. He departs the warren that he took over and already recognizes that he needs a bigger, better place to grow his powerbase. Wouldwort basically founded Efrafa with pretty minimal experience. He turns out to be a leader to be both feared and looked up to. He believes in the strength of numbers, forcing those attempting to leave to come back, which is seemingly unusual in the world of rabbits. He is intelligent, cunning, determined, and recognises talent. He exploits all of these things and selects rabbits for the Council based on what they can do for the warren. And he's also created a tiered social system where the best rabbits will likely be motivated for some upward mobility. Good ideas continue to surface and this is how Wide Patrols come into being. You could say that loyalty and fear are his main two methods. But where loyalty ends, fear will also do the job. Really, Woundwort's and the Council's initial ideas worked well and helped lead them to where they are now. But Efrafa is now overcrowded, as a result of his obsession with strength in numbers. Individual freedoms are traded for security, as happens in human societies all the time. This does nothing good for morale among the rank and file, and especially the does, who don't really get the social benefits that the Owsla, Council, and Owslafa, or Council Police, benefit from. Additionally, the Owsla are not, now, enjoying their normal prestige and there is a shortage of rabbits who might fill in. This is primarily because the tiered social system of Efrafa is also breaking down. Lack of freedom tends not to produce people with initiative. Yet this is exactly the trait that is needed for new recruits capable of getting into the Owsla. To make things even worse, the getaway of the WD Party, and the recent death of an Owsla Captain, due to Bigwig's actions with a fox, have made things worse. Woundwort knows that there is a large band of rabbits out there but beyond the Iron Road. So, our heroes are now a big issue for Woundwort and he has very limited information on them. He's not used to this. And then a stranger arrives, who we know to be Bigwig. Interestingly, I think that, in all his dealings with Efrafa, he is referred to as Thlayli, his name in Lapine. To rabbits in the story, this distinction would not exist, but it is an interesting subtlety for the reader. We are now well into the chapter, and we ended the last one with Bigwig heading out, so his re-introduction to the reader in this way is nicely done. During this chapter we are told none of Bigwig's internal monologue, Only Woundwort's. Bigwig is allowed to remain a mystery for just this one chapter. The Efrafans are somewhat, almost comically, taken aback. Here comes this sizable buck with a few battle scars who WANTS to join Efrafa. Bigwig almost has the Efrafans over a barrel. Of course they're going to take him! What they don't know yet is that Thlayli is here to work from the inside and take away as many does as he can. He's not only a spy, but a spy on a mission! The chapter ends with Bigwig having just received his scratch to join him to the Near Hind Mark within the warren. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
33: Chapter 33. The Great River This episode is scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher. The pre-chapter quote, from 'The Wind in the Willows', is all about a river as a living, moving thing, almost talking about it as if it's a living animal. Pipkin sees Hazel and states that his leg is dragging. We now see that what Hazel said earlier about his permanently wounded leg is holding true. It will never be what it once was. The WD rabbits find the river in a few paragraphs every bit as descriptive as something written by JRR Tolkien. References are made to arriving in an alien place, where you, the stranger, are of no importance. If Hazel earlier paid for not listening to Fiver, we see that this will never happen again. He confers with Fiver who gets him to settle down a bit. At this point, Hazel truly needs Fiver. They all also need Kehaar who is trying to get them to recognise a bridge. However, neither Hazel nor Fiver knows what a "pridge" is. Fiver has a great idea to get the rabbits moving along the bridge by acting in a way that will make them curious. A fish is seen and Fiver's description of this as a "water hawk" is fascinating. It's tough for the rabbits to move. They are very unfamiliar with these surroundings and even Bigwig moves hesitantly. Kehaar is putting a bit of pressure on Hazel to get this operation going. Hazel seems to agree with Kehaar's point though. The river becomes a major topic as Hazel discusses how they can all get away. Reconnaissance saves the day at Blackberry's suggestion. They find a wooden footbridge and then, the real discovery, a boat! Hazel is completely out of this. While the solution to their getaway is being solved in front of him, he's asking Kehaar if he can delay going by another day. Hazel is the leader but he's not the smartest or toughest etc. One of his talents is recognising the skills he does not have in others, and putting those to best use. In any case, Blackberry reacts to Bluebell's "water rabbit" comment with the phrases "Great golden Frith on a hill!" and "Great jumping Rabscuttle!" and gives Fiver a friendly cuff. This is his eureka moment. Blackberry is truly excited! Intelligence-wise, Blackberry and Fiver are in their own category. Once explained, the idea comes to light in the minds of the other rabbits. Hazel quickly identifies that their plan will now fulfill all three of the criteria that he spelled out to Blackberry back in Chapter 28. His words to the small group are really inspiring. There's no reason to wait and he verbally identifies Bigwig as "the leader now." Bigwig's reaction is him at his very best and bravest. In this chapter, Adams' has again shown us readers that Blackberry and Fiver are the smartest. He also shows us that Hazel and Bigwig are the bravest and possess the most leadership qualities. Hazel gives instructions to Bigwig and he accepts them. The tension of the Lost Paragraph is gone for now. The touching of Hazel's and Bigwig's noses reads like it has special significance. This is two leaders, one in charge and the other a subordinate, sharing their last moment together for the time being. Bigwig touching Hazel's nose is military in nature and is the equivalent of a salute, something certainly not lost on Richard Adams and his war service. Bigwig, without further delay, heads towards Efrafa... Next Episode: Many thanks, again, to John Ruths for basically saving this episode, as well as the next few. Next time, we meet General Woundwort in person...and a stranger arrives at Efrafa. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
32: Chapter 32. Across the Iron Road The opening quote is another one in French. John Ruths has helped me out here. He says the translation is: "Spirit of rivalry and misunderstanding which more than once preserved the English army from defeat." The person quoted is General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, a French officer in the revolution and Napoleonic Wars. The backhanded compliment towards their historical enemy, the English, is both funny and interesting. Basically implying that an army where there is a little chaos and dissent can have an advantage. During the last chapter, Pipkin excused himself because he found the story of the Black Rabbit too frightening. Because he excused himself he was able to spot the Fox approaching them at the end of the Chapter. This chapter opens with an explanation of how rare encounters between rabbits and foxes are. The only hope a fox has is to sneak up on them downwind. So Pipkins spotting this fox is very lucky. Hazel also realises that Fiver probably used Pipkin's fear as an excuse to act as a sentry. Yet again his instincts preserve the group. Hazel sensibly observes the Fox, while planning what to do next. Suddenly a rabbit pushes past him out into the open. Fiver says it was Bigwig, who they then watch deliberately draw the fox away from the group by pretending to limp away from them. This was completely unnecessary and Hazel feels very angry. As Bigwig and the Fox disappear into undergrowth, they hear the squeal of a rabbit and immediately conclude that Bigwig has been killed by it. Suddenly he reappears and runs towards them fast. He is unharmed. A very angry Hazel begins to round on Bigwig before Fiver points out that the group are very stressed and need to get away. Hazel takes his advice. They cross the road into more open farmland beyond, where they make good progress. As soon as they stop, Hazel has a conversation with Bigwig. Hazel tells Bigwig how angry he is and asks him to explain himself. Bigwig says that he was feeling tense, though the source of his tension is kept from the reader for now, and felt he had to do something such as run a risk. And it worked. He explains the rabbit that cried out by saying that, as he made away from the fox, he bumped into a group of large rabbits, who tried to stop him going any further. As he broke free he heard squealing and concluded that the Fox must have got one of them. This is the death of Mallow, member of the Efrafan Owsla, that we learn about in chapter 37. For Bigwig had bumped into a wide Patrol. How much more luck are the rabbits of Watership Down going to have to rely on? First they narrowly avoid an encounter with a fox, then that same Fox saves them from an Efrafan Wide-Patrol that was tracking them. And that only happens because one of the group does something stupid. Maybe they ARE under the protection of Frith? Silver comes up to Bigwig and Hazel to say that he's realised are closer to Efrafa than he thought. They need to go. Hazel says he wants to skirt around Efrafa and cross the Iron Road. This next part of the journey takes place during a moonlit night, and Adams embellishes it's description with the sounds downland Birds that they Encounter during it. Eventually, as morning approaches, Silver thinks they are near the Iron Road. Here, rather than being at the top of a bank it is in a cutting. They cross it and rest in the field beyond where they are met by Kehaar. They are exhausted but he warns them that another Wide-Patrol is tracking them and they need to go immediately. Again, having aerial reconnaissance proves crucial for the group. They take cover among some trees. Kehaar says that they moved just in time, as the Wide Patrol turned back as it reached the Iron Road. He keeps watch as the rabbits sleep and the day grows hot. 32.3 Next Episode Next time the rabbits reach the River Test, where they have an idea...and Bigwig goes to Efrafa --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
30: Part Three: Efrafa. Chapter 30 A New Journey 30.1 Burrowkeeping From now on I will very strictly deal with one chapter per episode, especially during the events of Part Three. 30.2 Introduction to Part Three Parts 1 and 3 of WD are basically not set on the Down at all. The only part of Part 3 set on WD comes right at the start of its first chapter, with the departure of the Great Raid on Efrafa. The Great Raid is, arguably, an antagonistic act of interference in another culture. On the other hand, Efrafa is, as it is described, blatantly a "failing state" in which its own citizens, in private, say that the system is breaking down. On a similar vein, a while ago I started benefitting from the assistance of John Ruths, who is in the US military. It was he who emphasised to me just how much Richard Adam's military experience seems to have influenced the book. The majority of being a soldier in an active war-zone seems to be not about fighting, but about staying concealed and safe until you are ready to do what you need to get done. In this sense, the life of a rabbit can be compared to life in an active war-zone. And there is no part of WD that is more military in character than Part Three. 30.3 Chapter 30. A New Journey Adams succinctly describes the group that sets off for Efrafa as being the same as that which left Sandleford Warren 5 weeks earlier, minus Buckthorn and plus Bluebell. The progress of this larger party on open downland is slower than Holly's small mission and Hazel uses the sensible tactic of dividing them into 3 separate groups. Sometime before Ni-frith (or noon) they reach Caesar's Belt. It is mentioned that Bigwig has seemed preoccupied during the morning. Bluebell has overheard him talking to Hazel Fiver and Blackberry, and it sounded as if he was being reassured. They are now likely to be within the range of Efrafan wide-patrols. Hazel makes it clear that he has brought this many rabbits because not one member of a wide-patrol must make it back to Efrafa if they meet one. They are going to use Caesars Belt to avoid Efrafan wide-patrols and find somewhere near Efrafa to hide. Silver says that this will not be easy and warns that wide-patrols that spot them may not make themselves known but just report back to Efrafa. The group move along Caesars Belt for about half a mile to the west. There, before sunset, Kehaar meets them. Hazel makes it clear to Kehaar that they need him to find somewhere for them to hide. Kehaar suggests crossing the river to the south of Efrafa, using a bridge, and Fiver comments that they should get there as quickly as possible. Hazel says they will travel at night, starting Fu-inlè, or after moonrise. He decides some entertainment would be in order. A couple of light-hearted stories are suggested , but Bigwig interrupts. There is only one story he wants to hear. When it is pointed out to him that it might not be appropriate he reacted angrily towards Hazel, saying that if anyone has the right to choose the story that is told it is him. After an awkward pause, Dandelion begins. 30.4 Next Episode Next time we hear the story of El-ahrairah and the Black Rabbit of Inlè. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Myself and my co-host Howard were absolutely delighted to welcome Alex CF to the Metal Cell Podcast. Alex is a London based illustrator, author, and vocalist, who has been most notably known for his highly influential work with crust/dark post metal act FALL OF EFRAFA whose lyrical content was built around the mythology created by Richard Adams in his 1972 adventure novel Watership Down. Alex has been involved in lots of music projects and is currently the vocalist in MORROW, WORST WITCH and shares vocal duties in ARCHIVIST. Alex's rich artworks revolve around the world of “The Orata”, an incredible encyclopedia of animal mythology that defined the depths of the world created in his first book, ‘Seek The Throat From Which We Sing‘ and he is currently waiting on his second book ‘Wretched is the Husk” to be published. He is also the curator and custodian of the Merrylin Cryptid Museum, a fantastical unique cryptozoological of specimens and owner of his own DIY clothing project called Animal Allies. He has illustrated numerous records, created engaging, poetic lyrics, and created a plethora of adventurous drawings and illustrations that could be easily revered as remarkable and spine-chilling masterpieces. Songs featured and permission granted: Fall of Efrafa - Pity the Weak (c) all rights reserved. Morrow - A City Of Gristle (c) all rights reserved. Links: https://www.facebook.com/artofalexcf https://haloofflies.bandcamp.com
25.2 Chapter 26. Fiver Beyond Fiver slips into what might be called just a dream in which he follows the ghostly rabbit he saw disappear on WD into the landscape below. You can clearly see how this description inspired the sequence in the 1978 film. The similarity with that scene ends with the appearance of the disturbing human who gives Fiver all the clues he needs about where to find Hazel. He finds himself at the place where the notice board was that warned of the destruction of the Sandleford Warren. The black stick shapes on the board seem to chatter to Fiver of a memorial to Hazel-rah. But the man says he cannot get to Hazel to hang him up on the board. Because he's gone down the "bloody hole". Fiver wakes up to a shower of earth from the roof of his burrow having landed on him due to the hot weather. Blackberry has come to check on him. He was crying out Hazel's name in his sleep. Fiver asks if Blackberry knows exactly where Hazel was shot. Blackberry confirms he does and Fiver cuts short his objections to Hazel still being alive by saying they have to go and save Hazel right away. On reaching the site of Hazel's shooting, Fiver notices the dried trail of blood coming out of the culvert. He has found the Bloody Hole. And in that hole...is Hazel. Who is alive. 25.4: Chapter 27. 'You Can't Imagine it Unless You've been There' This chapter mainly consists of Holly speaking as he recounts the experiences of the expedition to the other warren to try to get some Does for the WD warren. Holly gives an excellent account of a seasoned Owsla officer's tracking across open country. Then they meet a hare, who can obviously communicate with them easily. As soon as the hare realises where they are going, he recommends they run away very fast. Three large Efrafan rabbits appear and one of them asks to see the expedition rabbits' "marks". And so they arrive at Efrafa. Efrafa is a big warren. The entire warren is designed to conceal its existence. As well as the Owsla, there is a Council, each member of which is responsible for things such as feeding, breeding and concealment. The Efrafan Owsla is terrifying and the chief of the warren is General Woundwort. Under him are multiple captains of the Owsla, rather than the usual single captain. Each of them responsible for a mark. Holly and his companions are then taken to see the Council. They meet General Woundwort, who has no interest in why they have travelled to Efrafa. He simply explains the rules under which they will live there. The expedition are told they will join the Right Flank Mark under Captain Bugloss. It occurs to him that Captain Bugloss is a bit overstretched in his role, so Holly decides to adopt the role of a messenger from the Council, just as his mark are going on silflay. The WD rabbits immediately escape. Just as Holly thinks they will have to turn and fight, they come to a steep bank, which they climb. This is a railway embankment. They fall down the other side of the embankment and then experience the passing of a train as a visitation from one of Lord Frith's messengers, which overwhelms Holly. It would be far more frightening than just a car. Next day Holly finds a tunnel under the track and they begin the journey north back to WD. It is a very difficult journey and only Silver makes it back in a healthy condition. But they meet no Efrafans. It takes a day and a night and they do not rest. They return to the news of Hazel's death, though this low point for them isn't quite as bad for us as readers, as we know that he is alive. Were it not for what we know as readers, this would truly be the lowest point in the story. 25.5 Next Episode Next time, Hazel returns to WD...and hatches a plan that will make the raid on Nuthanger Farm seem like a walk in the park. Vocab: Hyzenthlay: Shine-Dew-Fur (Fur that shines like the dew) Crixa: a crossroad between two human tracks. Owslafa: Efrafan Council Police --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Episode 14: Originalism and Revisionism plus early reviews of the original book. One day I will finish going through the original book and will embark upon a discussion of the portrayals of the book on film and TV. At that point I am going to have to address the tension between the originalist approach to the story and the revisionist approach. Basically this is the tension between the view that the original book is Canon and should never be changed in any portrayal of it and the view that the original source material is there to be played with, changed and expanded. The 1978 film, at a running time of 102 minutes, obviously had to summarise the story heavily. This is surely forgiveable. However it did not just summarise the story. There were places where it changed it. Yet the 1978 film, and its telling of the story, is much loved by many in it's own right, independently of the original book. And this leads us to an awkward possibility that I am going to introduce into the debate at this point: When it comes to WD there are actually TWO originalist positions. One treats the original book as Canon in any analysis of subsequent versions. However another treats the 1978 film as Canon in any analysis of film or TV versions that came after it. In fact I'll go even further: The addition of a female character to those who leave Sandleford in the film was, perhaps, an implied criticism of the sexism of the original book. I'm going to introduce the idea that the 1978 film clearly has such a following, in it's own right, that it has earned a Canon status all of its own. I'm well aware that this may annoy devotees of the book. But it is so clearly the main reason for love of WD in so many of its devotees that it is, arguably, pointless to deny it this status. When it comes to analysing the 1978 film I do plan to fairly ruthlessly compare it to the original book, and will not hold back on criticising it from a Book originalist perspective. However, the 1978 film set up conventions, when it comes to telling the story on screen, that subsequent versions have felt the need to acknowledge, for example the opening of the story with a stylised version of the story of the Blessing of El-ahrairah. In any case, my analysis of film and TV versions of the book is going to throw up some surprising examples of much loved portrayals being ridiculously inaccurate, while far less admired versions get some very specific elements of the story surprisingly right. To this end, there will be a theme of 'Crimes against Watership Down'. Specific charges including abuse of geology and geography. Coming across Efrafa on the way to WD from Sandleford is an example of the latter, that I regret to say the 1978 film is guilty of. This would involve a ridiculous journey on the part of Captain Holly. As for geology...the 1999 tv series has too many offences to name. But they will be named. As an interesting aside, the portrayal of the stories of El-ahrairah in the Canadian TV series are worthy of credit as it is the only version that includes more than one of them. Let me sum the above up as follows: there is no version of WD, including the original book, that should be free from criticism or from praise. I will respect originalist perspectives completely. But I will also give a full and fair hearing to any revisionist portrayals of the story. 14.3: Early reviews of WD Courtesy of Ric Morris. A short 1974 review of WD from the Daily Mail. A longer 1974 review from the Liverpool Daily Post. A 1976 article, again from the Daily Mail, abourt the first audiobook of WD, read by Roy Dotrice, which was heavily abridged, and advance information on the 1978 film, that was being made at the time. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Episode 2: Introduction and Part One: The Journey. Chapter One: The Notice Board First I talk about my battered old copy of Watership Down from 1978. Childish 11 year old's signature inside the front cover. Cost 90p. Must have got it after seeing the film. No introduction in my copy so I relistened to the audiobook reading of it. The plausibility of the entire book coming from car journeys. Amazing if true. What a memory! Adam's goes through the origins of characters. Many derived from wartime experiences. After the car stories he was urged to write it down by his daughters and went through each section with them. His love of the countryside where the book is set is obvious. The origins of lapine is explained. Needing words for things only rabbits would say. Arabic influence and onomatopoeia. Draft was rejected 7 times. Too babyish but with adult language. Rex Collings was the small publisher who took it on and gave the title in 1972. Were there working titles before then? Was popularised in the UK via America. Deluxe illustrated version appeared in 1976. I've never seen this. I'm curious about it. Thr book has never been out of print since. Adams didn't quite understand the popularity of the book and asserted it was never meant to be an allegory. When looking at such features as Efrafa, I am sceptical. Maybe he just didn't want to get drawn into such discussions? Just said it was a story about rabbits told in a car. Oh to have been able to listen in... On to Chapter One: I recorded this section without notes. Won't be doing that again! The book opens with the beautiful book ending of the primroses being over, which contrasts with its last line. An entirely human description of nature leads us into the Sandleford Warren, where we are then directed to a group of holes where Hazel and Fiver are sitting. They are described. Fover small and nervous. Hazel larger. The episode with the cowslip demonstrates the nature of the Owsla at this warren. A bit authoritarian. Then they come across the notice-board. Fiver realises why he is feeling so nervous. A bad thing is coming to the Warren. In the sunset, the fields seem covered in blood. As human readers we get to know what is on the notice board: houses are going to be built right where the Warren is. For rabbits, that is only going to end one way. Vocab: Hrair: more than four U Hrair: The Thousand Owsla: The elite group of rabbits who help with the running of a Warren. Elil: Enemies. Any animal that hunt or kill rabbits. Hrairoo: Little Thousand. Fiver's name in Lapine. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/watershipdown/message
Monográfico sobre la escena neocrust - crust melódico de los 2000s con grupos como Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Ekkaia o Fall of Efrafa.Monographic on the neocrust - melodic crust scene of the 2000s, with bands like Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Ekkaia or Fall of Efrafa.Tracklist: TRAGEDY “No words” TRAGEDY “The day after” FROM ASHES RISE “The Final Goodbye” EKKAIA “Sombras del progreso” EKKAIA “Arrastrad@s” EKKAIA “Mientras dormimos” MADAME GERMEN “Que A Fame De Xustiza Acorde A Nosa Sede De Vinganza”DOWN TO AGONY “Dibujando imposibles” FALL OF EFRAFA “Pity the Weak” FALL OF EFRAFA “Last but not least” ICTVS “Los restos de la esfera” Downfall of Gaia “Der letzte Atemzug”
The Rabb-olution will not be televised! Whether a month late or 11 months early, Future Easter is here in the form of the Revival League’s latest original radio play, “Do Rabbots Dream of Electric Cheepz?" The planet Efrafa (formerly Earth) is now a futuristic dystopia populated by highly-intelligent Easter Bunnies, who build a despised underclass of cybernetic chocolate rabbits to use as forced labor. When the chocolate rabbots (or rabb-licants) rise up against their furry oppressors, a Blade Hopper named Periwinkle must quell the violence before it ignites into a full-blown Rabb-olution. STARRING: Tim Blaney - Mr. Marigold Frank Dietz - Roy Bunny Deanna Dolphin – Madame Marbles/ Agent Skedaddle / Cheepz / “Salt Peter Rabbit” Shill / Rabbocop’s Wife Jaime Flowers - Ms. Honeydew Ben Haslar – Rabbocop Carolina Hidalgo - Inspector Tophat Jackey Neyman Jones - Zinnia Quinn Keating – Cricket / “Paws of a Stranger” Shill / “Buck Up” Shill Conor Lastowka - Cinnamon Robb Maynard – Narrator / Periwinkle / Wigwam / Agent Mosey/ Krix Cereal Kid 1/ Jimmy Stewrabbot 3/ Gene Celery / Rabbocop’s Chief Ian Morrison - Pansy the Cook Ron McAdams - Fourleaf / Krix Rabbot / Jimmy Stewrabbot 1/ Candy Rooney / “3 Foot” Spokesbunny Kate Page - Blimp Voice James Rohling – Buttercup / Gingersnaps/ Krix Cereal Kid 2 Natalie Ryan - Pickle Dylan J. Schlender – Doctor Fluffernutter Ryan Smith – “Memory Implants R Us” Shill / Jimmy Stewrabbot 2 / Dr. Rabbit T. Buckhare / Roger Eggplant / Heath Ledg-hare/ Charlton Hareston / Greg Tally - Cornflake / IBS News Reel Announce-hare / “FUR-Vitalizer Bunny” Shill / Jimmy Stewrabbot 4 / Jake Byllenhaal / Rab Rein-hare/ “Who Frames” Shill This original sci-fi comedy is a work of satire based upon or inspired by Ridley Scott's motion picture “Blade Runner,” Phillip K. Dick's novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” Karel Čapek's 1920 stage play “Rossum's Universal Robots,” and Richard Adam's novel “Watership Down.” Written by Robb Maynard and featuring the vocal talents of Tim Blaney (“Men In Black,” “Short Circuit”), Frank Dietz (“Zombie Nightmare”), Carolina Hidalgo (“The Mads Are Back! Podcast,” “SiriusXM”), Jackey Raye Neyman Jones (“Manos: The Hands of Fate”), and all the rest of your favorite Revival League Podcast Players (if any).
Time for your just desserts! The thrilling conclusion of the Revival League’s latest original radio play, “Do Rabbots Dream of Electric Cheepz?" The futuristic rabbit dystopia of Efrafa is plunged into complete anarchy as its underclass of chocolate workers stages a violent Rabb-olution against their flesh and blood masters. Blade Hopper Periwinkle must use his wits (and his sweet tooth) to overcome his dangerous adversaries and foil their fiendish schemes. STARRING: Tim Blaney - Mr. Marigold Frank Dietz - Roy Bunny Deanna Dolphin – Madame Marbles/ Agent Skedaddle / Cheepz / “Salt Peter Rabbit” Shill / Rabbocop’s Wife Jaime Flowers - Ms. Honeydew Ben Haslar – Rabbocop Carolina Hidalgo - Inspector Tophat Jackey Neyman Jones - Zinnia Quinn Keating – Cricket / “Paws of a Stranger” Shill / “Buck Up” Shill Conor Lastowka - Cinnamon Robb Maynard – Narrator / Periwinkle / Wigwam / Agent Mosey/ Krix Cereal Kid 1/ Jimmy Stewrabbot 3/ Gene Celery / Rabbocop’s Chief Ian Morrison - Pansy the Cook Ron McAdams - Fourleaf / Krix Rabbot / Jimmy Stewrabbot 1/ Candy Rooney / “3 Foot” Spokesbunny Kate Page - Blimp Voice James Rohling – Buttercup / Gingersnaps/ Krix Cereal Kid 2 Natalie Ryan - Pickle Dylan J. Schlender – Doctor Fluffernutter Ryan Smith – “Memory Implants R Us” Shill / Jimmy Stewrabbot 2 / Dr. Rabbit T. Buckhare / Roger Eggplant / Heath Ledg-hare/ Charlton Hareston / Greg Tally - Cornflake / IBS News Reel Announce-hare / “FUR-Vitalizer Bunny” Shill / Jimmy Stewrabbot 4 / Jake Byllenhaal / Rab Rein-hare/ “Who Frames” Shill This original sci-fi comedy is a work of satire based upon or inspired by Ridley Scott's motion picture “Blade Runner,” Phillip K. Dick's novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” Karel Čapek's 1920 stage play “Rossum's Universal Robots,” and Richard Adam's novel “Watership Down.” Written by Robb Maynard and featuring the vocal talents of Tim Blaney (“Men In Black,” “Short Circuit”), Frank Dietz (“Zombie Nightmare”), Carolina Hidalgo (“The Mads Are Back! Podcast,” “SiriusXM”), Jackey Raye Neyman Jones (“Manos: The Hands of Fate”), and all the rest of your favorite Revival League Podcast Players (if any).
Time for your just desserts! The thrilling conclusion of the Revival League’s latest original radio play, “Do Rabbots Dream of Electric Cheepz?" The futuristic rabbit dystopia of Efrafa is plunged into complete anarchy as its underclass of chocolate workers stages a violent Rabb-olution against their flesh and blood masters. Blade Hopper Periwinkle must use his wits (and his sweet tooth) to overcome his dangerous adversaries and foil their fiendish schemes. This original sci-fi comedy is a work of satire based upon or inspired by Ridley Scott's motion picture “Blade Runner,” Phillip K. Dick's novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” Karel Čapek's 1920 stage play “Rossum's Universal Robots,” and Richard Adam's novel “Watership Down.” Written by Robb Maynard and featuring the vocal talents of Tim Blaney (“Men In Black,” “Short Circuit”), Frank Dietz (“Zombie Nightmare”), Carolina Hidalgo (“The Mads Are Back! Podcast,” “SiriusXM”), Jackey Raye Neyman Jones (“Manos: The Hands of Fate”), and all the rest of your favorite Revival League Podcast Players (if any). (This podcast does not represent Alternaversal, Shout Factory or the Kickstarter campaign in any official capacity). EDITOR’S NOTE: In June 2019, this podcast merged with the Damn Dirty Geeks Podcast and became The Damn Dirty Drive-in. These are our classic back catalog episodes, dating back to March 2016. Please enjoy! The new Drive-In podcast opens for business with original sketches, movie discussions, interviews, weird food tastings and more at Episode 168.
The Rabb-olution will not be televised! Whether a month late or 11 months early, Future Easter is here in the form of the Revival League’s latest original radio play, “Do Rabbots Dream of Electric Cheepz?" The planet Efrafa (formerly Earth) is now a futuristic dystopia populated by highly-intelligent Easter Bunnies, who build a despised underclass of cybernetic chocolate rabbits to use as forced labor. When the chocolate rabbots (or rabb-licants) rise up against their furry oppressors, a Blade Hopper named Periwinkle must quell the violence before it ignites into a full-blown Rabb-olution. This original sci-fi comedy is a work of satire based upon or inspired by Ridley Scott's motion picture “Blade Runner,” Phillip K. Dick's novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” Karel Čapek's 1920 stage play “Rossum's Universal Robots,” and Richard Adam's novel “Watership Down.” Written by Robb Maynard and featuring the vocal talents of Tim Blaney (“Men In Black,” “Short Circuit”), Frank Dietz (“Zombie Nightmare”), Carolina Hidalgo (“The Mads Are Back! Podcast,” “SiriusXM”), Jackey Raye Neyman Jones (“Manos: The Hands of Fate”), and all the rest of your favorite Revival League Podcast Players (if any). (This podcast does not represent Alternaversal, Shout Factory or the Kickstarter campaign in any official capacity). EDITOR’S NOTE: In June 2019, this podcast merged with the Damn Dirty Geeks Podcast and became The Damn Dirty Drive-in. These are our classic back catalog episodes, dating back to March 2016. Please enjoy! The new Drive-In podcast opens for business with original sketches, movie discussions, interviews, weird food tastings and more at Episode 168.
PARAKEET WARNING:Don's normally silent birds had a lot to say for the first third of the episode. you will hear some bird sounds. If it bothers you, they calm down about 30 minutes in, and are completely absent after the first hour. Skip ahead or check out an earlier episode. Birds will be banished next week. Nothing but fan service as we dig into 11 albums recommended to us by friends and each recommend 1 of our own albums discussed are:You'll Live - Moving Past This (Mike Mojecki)KISS - Destroyer (Bryan McMinn)Behemoth - Demigod (Jesse Keiser)Axis of Peridition - urfe (Måne Skyggens)Death -Symbolic (Andy Sheaffer)Judas priest - painkiller (Jason Brathuhn)Morbid - December Moon Demo (Joe Bruzga)Grim reaper - see you in hell (Mad-Dog Matt Jackson)Coroner - grin (Tony Grottola)And Hell Followed With - Proprioception (Hunter Heilig)Fall of Efrafa - owlus (Malice Phallus) RecommendationsZach: Sam Black Church - Let In LifeDon: Nile - Annihilation of the WickedIain: Akercocke -Words the Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone **Music By** Gravehuffergravehuffer.bandcamp.com/ Thousand Pound Destructionthousandpounddestruction.bandcamp.com/ Flesh of the Lotusfleshofthelotus.bandcamp.com Human Collateralhumancollateral.bandcamp.com The Beyondthebeyond666.bandcamp.com/
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