Ep. 89 — 304 "The Invitation" from Netflix's The Witcher
Bo from the US and Elora from the Netherlands join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 304 “The Invitation". Very important bits include: Emperor Emhyr’s beliefs, Yennefer’s place within the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, a short return to ‘monster of the week’, the search for self-worth, and the heightening of conflict before the end of Season 3, Part 1.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:02] Introduction
[3:19] Guest Introductions
[7:59] Episode Recap
[11:32] Overall Thoughts
[15:48] Easter Eggs
[17:13] The Reconciliation Scene
[21:19] A Little Sacrifice & Adapting Short Stories
[25:58] The Seasons: Length and Subjects
[29:18] Emhyr’s Morals & Cahir’s Isolation
[37:22] Yennefer’s Role in the Brotherhood
[46:11] Monster of the Week
[52:08] Worthiness
[53:43] Valdo Marx
[57:54] Worthiness (Continued)
[1:04:49] Final Thoughts
[1:11:32] Outro
[1:13:38] End Credits
Relevant Links
Transcript
Cold Open
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): This discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Season 3 was recorded in July 2023 prior to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes.
[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]
Dark Horse announced The Edge of the World will be the next installment in their Witcher comic adaptations—coming December 2024.
Peculiar Radio is officially an award-winning show! We took home the top prize of the 2024 Audio Critics’ Choice Award at the Atlanta Fringe Festival in addition to Best Sound and Musical Effects, Best Writing, and Best Mixing! You can binge Season 1 of Peculiar Radio right after this episode :)
[Patron Announcements]
Thanks as always to our patrons and our producer-level patrons: Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
[Episode Details]
As for this episode, Bo from the US and Elora from the Netherlands call in for Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 304 “The Invitation". Join us as we discuss Emperor Emhyr’s beliefs, Yennefer’s place within the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, a short return to ‘monster of the week’, the search for self-worth, and the heightening of conflict before the end of Season 3, Part 1.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 304 “The Invitation".
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): In Episode 304 "The Invitation", Cahir dreams about Ciri, before being awoken by Emperor Emhyr, who praises him for killing Gallatin. Unbeknownst to the emperor, Cahir begins to question his loyalty to Nilfgaard.
Yennefer proposes a conclave of Northern mages to encourage unification against Nilfgaard and invitations are sent across the Continent. Triss is alarmed that another novice has disappeared, but Tissaia brushes her aside. Triss tells Istredd about the missing novices and discovers they’re all half-elven. Istredd shares that he’s looking for the Book of Monoliths to help elves escape to a sphere of their own, but the book had been found by someone in Aretuza. He theorizes that the person who kidnapped the girls and recovered the book may be one and the same.
Geralt, Ciri, and Jaskier take a ferry to Gors Velen, with the intention of enrolling Ciri in Aretuza. They secure passage in return for fighting a bothersome sea monster. Jaskier’s nemesis, Valdo Marx, joins them on his way to the conclave. Ciri believes that mastery of magic will ultimately make her a better leader on the Continent. Geralt warns her about losing her humanity, but still encourages her to become a queen if that’s what she desires. The aeschna attacks the troubadors and Ciri kills it by stabbing the monster in the head from above. Geralt praises her efforts.
Vilgefortz opens a portal for Yennefer to Redania, and the sorceress arrives during Queen Hedwig’s funeral services. Philippa and Dijkstra have successfully positioned the Queen’s death into an outpouring of Northern sympathy. While speaking to the king, Yennefer preys on Vizimir’s grief and he subsequently demands that Philippa, Dijkstra, and Radovid attend the conclave of mages. Yennefer returns through a corrupted portal and an illusion of Geralt suddenly attacks her. She narrowly escapes to Aretuza and Triss and Sabrina find her, she cites a black sea and stellacite ruins. Triss warns Yennefer against bringing Ciri to Aretuza, but Yennefer claims that she’ll protect Ciri. Triss tells Istredd that Yennefer was attacked in the portal. She shares that Yen had stellacite dust on her and they use the stellacite dust and a spell to locate the Book of Monoliths within Aretuza.
Geralt tells Ciri what he found in Vulpanne castle: horrific experiments on women and Teryn, who believes that she’s the princess of Cintra. He knows that Rience’s benefactor must be planning to manipulate Ciri, and those women were test subjects. Upon hearing this, Ciri agrees to go to Aretuza.
Geralt, Ciri, and Jaskier reunite with Yennefer. Ciri and Jaskier spy on Geralt and Yennefer as they make amends. Jaskier watches Ciri in a protected hut, the bard hears a noise outside and discovers Radovid… the prince admits his fears, as well as his affection for Jaskier. They spend the night together outside the hut.
Fringilla, free from her imprisonment in Nilfgaard, overhears details about the mage’s conclave and finds passage to Thanedd. Cahir brings Nilfgaardian support to the elves, claiming that Gallatin was killed when he attempted a coup against Francesca. Cahir and Francesca align on their desire to find Ciri for their own ends, and the fallen general hands Francesca their first mission as allies.
Applgatt recites Dijkstra’s request for reinforcements at Aretuza at dawn, but he’s killed on the road and the message never arrives.
Yennefer tells Geralt about the illusion of him that appeared in the portal. They know that the person is at Aretuza and suspect Stregobor… they make a plan to out Stregobor as a traitor to the Brotherhood. Across Aretuza, the mages prepare for the conclave, with their own agendas and alliances among them.
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. The show is edited by Alyssa and Sherry Guo with music by Alex Berner.
Breakfast in Beauclair is produced by Alyssa in New York City with Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
Special thanks to Bo and Elora for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil