prophecy

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Posted on February 21, 2017 Updated on February 21, 2017

Novel Ideas, in a completionist turn, brings you Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling (but really by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany). In this episode we discuss insane bestselling sales, the nature of long delayed sequels, time travel plots, and how plays differ from novels. We also talk about the influence of cocaine (probably none), that Voldemort is likely a virgin, alternate Ron, and the inadequacy of riddle based security measures. And much, much more.

The music bump is “Sybilla Delphica” by Orlando di Lassus in honor of <spoiler of gobsmackingly stupid plot twist redacted>, Delphi.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – A Thing That Doesn’t Need To Exist

Our recommendation: This sequel was a smashing (financial) success. Otherwise, it doesn’t really feel that much like Harry Potter.

Ben: 4/10. I’ve never been a fan of unnecessary sequels. This falls into that category for me.

Gabs: 4/10 faulty Time Turners. Because it failed to turn back the clock and recapture the magic.

Also, if you have suggestions for future episodes, please share them with us! We’re trying to be a bit more responsive to our six or so listeners this year.

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged Albus Severus/Scorpio/ASS, alternate Ron, bestseller?, cash grab, cocaine likely not involved, conflict, cross media adaptations, daddy issues, dark magic fuck cult, defending Ron, distant sequels, family, fan fiction, feminism, foreshadowing, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hermione doesn't need a man, Hillary Clinton's open invite, J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, mischaracterization, Mrs. Weasley is awesome, no magic HP, no soulmates, nostalgia remakes, play writing, prophecy, reading plays, riddle based security, Ron is not a doofus, secret pregnancy, Snape riff, suggestions, theater, time travel plots, Voldemort is a virgin.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Posted on July 26, 2013

The Harry Poddercast Extravaganza is back with an extra long episode for the longest book in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. Holy cow, everything happens in this book. We talk about abuse of authority, thoroughly hateable characters, bullying, feminism, education, and standing up for the truth. We also discuss awkward teenage dating, the wizarding constitution, Neville’s transformation from bumbler into badass, and WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ARCH!? And many, many other things. I feel like I’ve edited two episodes, I can’t even remember how this one started. Our guest star for this episode was recorded over Skype, so there are occasional echoes in the audio, but I think I managed to get enough of it out to not be distracting.

The music bump is Umbridge’s theme from the movie, composed by Nicholas Hooper.

Recommendations:

On a scale of “treacle tart” to “puking pastile,” we give this book a canary cream.

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged abuse of authority, arch to oblivion, awkward teenage dating, bad teachers, badass Neville, being 15, bullying, communication, cultural context, Department of Mysteries, echoes, education, emo or trauma Harry?, facism, father figure fatality, feisty Ginny, femininity is bad, guest star, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, hated characters, Hermione the terrifying, in all seriousness what is up with that arch, J.K. Rowling, magical mechanics, Neville's the tank, O.W.L.S, prophecy, right v. legal, sad girl is sad, school isn't for everyone, SHOUTY CAPITALS, teenagers are idiots, thestrals, this book is long, umbrage with Umbridge, weirdly charming, what hit Sirius?, WHAT IS THAT ARCH!?, where are the Lady Death Eaters?, wizard constitution, wizard racism, wizard telly, wizards are crappy journalists.