The Podcast of Surprise (The Witcher)
By AzizAhai
The Podcast of Surprise (The Witcher)Jul 27, 2023
Season 3: Episode 1 - Shaerrawedd
Dear Friends, it's time for our season 3 coverage to begin!
Questions, comments or want to support?
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Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
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Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
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Blood of Elves: Chapter 4
Triss becomes ill as the gang hits the road, but they encounter old (and fun) friends along the way. Ciri learns more about neutrality, racism, Sherawedd and the Scoia'tael... up close and personal. A chapter of depth, delight and death.
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Blood of Elves: Chapter 3
The training of Ciri takes a twist or two, and as winter comes, decisions must be made about the future. They can no longer stay hidden at Kaer Morhen, if they ever could.
Questions, comments or want to support?
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Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
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Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Blood of Elves: Chapter 2
Triss, Kaer Morhen, witchers, salads, special mushrooms, natural and supernatural debates... and the curious case of how to care for Ciri.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Blood of Elves: Chapter 1
(As usual, every episode begins with a synopsis). Under the first oak, the story begins! We discuss the setup, make a few comparisons to other stories, and do our usual lore and funny moments-gathering.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The History of Nilfgaard
Our first fully scripted episode! Culture, history, language, military, religion, connection to the Elves... Everything we could think of to mention about Nilfgaard is here, with plenty of quotes (and music) included.
Sections: The City of Golden Towers, The Eternal Empire, War & Expansion, Assimilation.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 8 - Family
Everyone just wants to go home... and to capture Ciri. Anyone who didn't know they wanted her, does now. There's a Witcher Infinity War and much groundwork laid for future seasons as we try to figure out what's up with that jasper. Not to be confused with that Jaskier.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 7 - Voleth Meir
The Deathless Mother loves it when a plan comes together. An episode with an extra helping of Jaskier humor.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 6 - Dear Friend
Several showdowns at the Temple of Melitele, many dashed hopes, missing swords and quite a reunion...
This episode is sponsored by Manscaped: get 20% off at manscaped.com with the code "surprise"
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 5 - Turn Your Back
Jaskier meets Rience, Rience Meets Yennefer, and Cahir returns to his command. Geralt and Istredd investigate a crevasse and chat monoliths while Vesemir, Tris and Ciri almost bring back the Trial of Grasses.
This episode is sponsored by Manscaped: get 20% off at manscaped.com with the code "surprise"
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 4 - Redanian Intelligence
It was only a matter of time before others came sniffing after the throne of Cintra. And Burn, Butcher, Burn!
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 3 - What Is Lost
Scheming amongst the Brotherhood, and Yennefer's escape w/Cahir and a funeral for a witcher-turned-leshy.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 2 - Kaer Morhen
Sometimes, even home is not a safe place.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 2: Episode 1 - A Grain of Truth
Season 2 kicks off with an adaptation of the second-ever short story of the same name and the aftermath of the Battle of Sodden.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Nightmare of the Wolf
An episode all about the animated Witcher prequel featuring Vesemir and the destruction of Kaer Morhen.
4:46 - Synopsis
10:50 - Reactions
20:10 - IRL
31:24 - Lesser Evil Vibes
41:12 - Lore
51:35 - Funny, Future & Feminism
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Season 1: Recap
A rundown intended for book readers but fit for anyone!
14:40 - The End's Beginning
24:19 - Four Marks
38:56 - Betrayer Moon
51:27 - Of Banquets, Bastards and Burials
1:04:31 - Bottled Appetites
1:14:24 - Rare Species
1:23:15 - Before a Fall
1:31:45 - Much More
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Something More (Sword of Destiny)
The final short story, one full of memory and mystery. The the transition is marked by many style and structure changes, but the same Witchery goodness.
00:00 - Intro & Synopsis
13:09 - Reactions
18:54 - Craft
36:00 - Characters (Visenna, Vesemir, others)
56:50 - Themes & Lore
1:08:58 - Destiny, Calanthe & The Trial of Grasses
1:18:10 - Herblore
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Sword of Destiny
A fantastic and deep story that acts as a prequel to the main series. We have a lot to say about this one!
00:00 - Intro & Synopsis
22:50 - Reactions
32:15 - "Sword of Destiny"?
51:15 - Story & Themes
57:44 - Little Red Riding Hood & The Wild Swans
1:04:36 - Reynard the Fox & Other Influences
1:22:11 - Lore
1:29:00 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
A Little Sacrifice (Sword of Destiny)
A beloved tail-err, tale of love, growth, relationships and vast unsolved mysteries of the deep that slaughter boats full of people.
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Synopsis
18:05 - Reactions
29:40 - Craft & Analysis
33:00 - Themes & Title
52:20 - Lore
58:46 - Influences & The Little Mermaid
1:07:10 - Characters
1:18:45 - Herblore
1:26:50 - Funniest Moments
(note, Aziz's hard drive crashed after the recording of this episode so we had to use the YouTube rip. The recording quality is a little bit lower due to that)
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Eternal Flame (Sword of Destiny)
Last time we had ice, now we have flame. Is this a silly story with serious themes or a serious story with silly themes? Either way, it's great.
00:00 - Synopsis
15:33 - Reactions
22:55 - Themes & Characters
43:48 - Lore/Herblore
51:55 - Eternal Flames: Interpretation & Real World Examples
1:01:00 - Polish Influences & Easter Eggs
1:03:00 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
A Shard of Ice (Sword of Destiny)
Geralt is quite literally down in the dumps. He's not in much danger, but he's rarely felt worse. A powerful story that proves witchers have emotions after all, as Yennefer has been saying all along, though Istredd would disagree. Dark kestrels, dark words.
01:30 - Synopsis
12:26 - Reactions
19:00 - Themes
24:15 - What's the Shard of Ice?
37:02 - Interpretations & Analysis
56:20 - Lore
1:00:37 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Bounds of Reason (Sword of Destiny)
Also known as "The Limits of the Possible", this one starts off the 2nd book of short stories leading up to the main series. An excellent tail, err, tale full of surprises featuring the largest mix of characters yet, many with conflicting goals.
02:20 - Synopsis
20:02 - Reactions
25:44 - Themes & Analysis
41:04 - Characters
56:25 - Lore & Influences
1:11:54 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Voice of Reason (The Last Wish)
A story that ties together The Last Wish while setting the table for the rest of the cycle. Highlights include Mother Nenneke, faith vs. reason, fertility and lots of laughs (of course).
01:14 - Synopsis
13:00 - Reactions
15:30 - Themes/Plot
30:38 - Herblore
35:30 - Lore
47:02 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Last Wish
Of the stories in the first book, this one likely has the most important character developments. It is, after all, the title story... and the longest! After our usual synopsis and reactions, Michal, Kyle & Aziz discuss everything from the symbol on the amphora, the history of djinn, consent, magic, you name it.
1:17 - Synopsis
16:39 - Reactions
25:05 - Themes & Craft
41:01 - Influences & Herblore (Lilac & Gooseberries!)
49:05 - Characters
55:48 - Lore
1:09:54 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Edge of the World (The Last Wish)
The introduction of Dandelion/Jaskier finds us in a hilarious and seemingly simple situation that quickly becomes anything but...
1:15 - Synopsis
12:18 - Reactions
17:53 - Plot & Craft
36:40 - Influences
44:45 - Characters
57:55 - Lore
1:04:17 - Themes & Symbols
1:16:37 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Chasing the Elder Blood (Spoilers All Books)
SPOILERS! A short follow up to "Tracing the Elder Blood". A look at all the various people and factions who want to control the Elder Blood, and why...
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Tracing the Elder Blood (Spoilers All Books)
SPOILERS aplenty in this one. Let us journey deep into, as Sabrina put it, the "jungle of genetic genealogy". With the Tale of Lara Dorren as our guide we follow the path of the Elder Blood through the generations, focusing on the Cintran dynasty, especially the Daughters of Raven.
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
A Question of Fates (Spoilers All Books)
SPOILERS aplenty in this one. A look at the fates of all the characters seen in A Question of Price, including: Pavetta, Duny, Vissegerd, Windhalm of Attre, and others.
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
A Question of Price (The Last Wish)
A common pick for the best of the short stories, we sure do love this one! Though there's no monster for once, there are some fearsome sounds worthy of one. This one is packed with references and fun influences.
00:00 - Synopsis
10:15 - Reaction
14:47 - Plot & Craft & Themes
32:53 - Influences (Hans My Hedgehog, Cinderella, Sir Gawain & the Green Knight)
46:44 - Characters
50:00 - Lore
1:05:57 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Lesser Evil (The Last Wish)
This one goes from Snow White to Black Sun as quick as a sword deflecting a crossbow bolt. It's a story that presents funundrums... questions that are impossible to answer but make for great entertainment and fodder for discussion. But don't forget the kikimora, we surely did not.
00:00 - Synopsis Part 1
8:06 - Reaction
13:35 - Synopsis Part 2
21:02 - Reaction
33:36 - Craft & Themes & Characters
50:45 - Influences (inc. Snow White synopsis)
57:50 - Lore
1:08:15 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3c4Us02
Michal: inkasrain@twitter.com
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
A Grain of Truth (The Last Wish)
In this homage to Beauty & the Beast, Roach is the real star. We explore bruxae, Devil's Rings, the Lion-Headed Spider god, responsibility, second chances and of course, blood & love.
00:00 - Synopsis
10:58 - Reactions
18:15 - Craft
32:35 - Themes & Characters
49:15 - Influences (inc. Beauty & the Beast synopsis)
54:45 - Lore
1:05:15 - Funniest Moments
Questions, comments or want to support?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
The Witcher (The Last Wish)
In "The Witcher", Geralt is presented as an inversion of Dracula. Instead of a cursed monster biting girls to enslave them, he's a monster trying to free a girl from a curse. Kyle, Michal & Aziz take on the first story from the first novel!
00:00 - Synopsis
09:58 - Reactions
16:09 - Themes
36:08 - Characters
45:21 - Influences
59:57 - Lore
1:09:21 - Funniest Moments
1:15:11 - Outro & Thanks
Questions or comments?
Twitter: @podsurprise
Email: thepodcastofsurprise@gmail.com
Michal's Twitter: @inkasrain
Our YouTube/Kyle's channel: https://bit.ly/3DaewMB
Introducing: The Podcast of Surprise
Kyle, Michal & Aziz bring you The Podcast of Surprise. Join us as we delve into Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher book series. Themes, influences, lore, worldbuilding and more... We're here to be fully immersed.