Ep. 83 — Chapter 7 from "Time of Contempt"
Kade from the US and Matthew from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: the ominous close of the novel, the risk of loneliness, harmful stereotypes, Times of Contempt, and critical conversations around assault.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:32] Introduction
[4:28] Guest Introduction
[9:25] zrivie potions
[14:55] Chapter 7 Recap
[16:55] Overall Thoughts
[28:54] Attitude Toward the Rats
[29:43] Ciri x Mistle
[48:30] “Falka”
[53:15] The Risk of Loneliness
[57:34] “Contempt”
[1:03:39] Wrap-up
[1:07:00] Outro
[1:07:24] End Credits
Relevant Links
Matthew’s Witcher Potions Blog: zrivie potions (Tumblr)
Transcript
Cold Open
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): This chapter of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt and this episode of the podcast contain discussions of violence and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.
Transcript to come.
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
Introduction
ALYSSA: Welcome to Breakfast in Beauclair, a global Witcher Podcast. My name is Alyssa from GoodMorhen, and I’ll be your host as you, I, and our international hanza accompany Geralt of Rivia and his destiny, Cirilla of Cintra, across the Continent.
[Announcements]
Congratulations to the actor’s union on the close of their strike! After this season covering Time of Contempt ends on Thursday, December 14th, 2023, we’ll take a break and return for our lost The Witcher, Season 3 episodes on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
[Patron Announcements]
As we close out Time of Contempt, thank so much to our patrons for supporting this season of the podcast! Thanks to our producer-level patrons: Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Bee Haven of the Edge of the World, Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Codringher’s Cat, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
It’s thanks to our patrons that I’m able to pay for important tools and services to keep the podcast up and running such as podcast hosting, transcript services, domain and website resources, artwork, and more. I’ve got my fingers crossed for an editor’s budget next season! If you’d like to help support the show—and get a dedicated editor for the podcast!—visit Patreon.com for more details.
[Episode Details]
As for this episode, Kade and Matthew from the US call in for Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 7. Join us as we discuss the ominous close of the novel, the risk of loneliness, harmful stereotypes, Times of Contempt, and critical conversations around assault.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Time of Contempt, Chapter 7.
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA: Today, we’ll conclude our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt Chapter 7, in which Ciri navigates her captivity with Nilfgaardians and trappers, before falling into a mysterious gang.
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): In Chapter 7, Ciri is captured at the edge of the Korath Desert by a man named Skomlik and a group of trappers hired by a Nilfgaardian knight. She remains mute and they’re unable to question her, but over the course of a few days, Ciri gains her bearings and her sense.
Soon after, the group encounters another knight—the Blue Knight—who wants to capture Ciri for himself. The Nilfgaardian Knight and Blue Knight kill each other after a raging duel and Skomlik’s trappers kill the remaining witnesses and resolve to take Ciri’s bounty for themselves.
They arrive at an inn where the trappers encounter old acquaintances, the Nissirs, who have a catch of their own: Kayleigh, the leader of the youth gang, the Rats. While the trappers and the Nissirs busy themselves with food and drink, Kayleigh convinces Ciri to help him escape. Suddenly, the rest of the gang storm the inn to save their leader and kill every man standing. The Rats leave Skomlik for Ciri. While she dodges and parries the man easily, it’s clear that she won’t kill him and the Rats finish him off.
The gang makes a break for it, taking horses and riding hard. During their escape, Ciri stabs a man for the first time; a moment that will haunt her for a long while.
Once the group is safe, they begin to question Ciri. The Rats: Kayleigh, Reef, Giselher, Asse, Iskra, and Mistle. Ciri is hesitant to tell them anything, but after some pressure, she angrily reveals that she is alone. At this, the Rats initiate her into their group, each giving her a small gift and token. At the end of the impromptu ceremony, she chooses her own name: Falka.
During the night, Kayleigh joins Ciri in bed and attempts to seduce her. He’s interrupted by one of the girls, Mistle, who kicks Kayleigh out, but remains in bed with Ciri herself. They spend the night together.
The Rats came together through their loneliness and their desperation for survival during the Nilfgaardian war, gaining notoriety, infamy, and the attention of the law. The prefect of Amarillio and Stefan Skellan, also known as Tawny Owl, resolve to kill the seven Rats while hunting for the elusive girl on behalf of the Emperor.
Transcript to come.
Outro & Credits
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
ALYSSA: Thanks for joining us at the breakfast table! For show notes, transcripts of each episode, and a complete list of our social platforms and listening services, head over to breakfastinbeauclair.com.
Breakfast in Beauclair is created by Alyssa from GoodMorhen. It’s hosted by Alyssa with the “Tidings from Toussaint” News Segment by Lars from WitcherFlix. The show is edited by Alyssa with music by Alex Berner.
Breakfast in Beauclair is produced by Alyssa in New York City with Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Bee Haven of the Edge of the World, Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Codringher’s Cat, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
Special thanks to Kade and Matthew for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil