Ep. 78 — Chapter 2 from "Time of Contempt"
Allison from the US and Liv from Brazil join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 2. Very important bits include: Ciri’s coming of age, some of the most memorable excerpts from the series, shades of femininity in The Witcher, and “Dolish Ponuts”.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[00:00] Cold Open
[1:46] Introduction
[3:38] Guest Introduction
[3:22] Chapter 2 Recap
[15:44] Overall Thoughts
[22:20] The Chapter Preface
[27:15] Our New Ciri
[36:34] Ciri’s Rebellion & Yennefer’s Intentions
[42:05] Margarita’s Quote
[49:25] Shades of Womanhood & Femininity in The Witcher
[1:02:13] The Role of Poetry
[1:13:48] Wrap-up
[1:19:39] Outro
[1:19:57] End Credits
Relevant Links
Transcript
Cold Open
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.
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[Episode Details]
As for this episode, Allison from the US and Liv from Brazil call in for Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 2. Join us as we discuss Ciri’s coming of age, some of the most memorable excerpts from the series, shades of femininity in The Witcher, and “Dolish Ponuts”.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Time of Contempt, Chapter 2.
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA: Today, we’ll continue our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt with Chapter 2, in which Yennefer takes Ciri to the city of Gors Velen, where the girl discovers the city with bank clerk, Fabio Sachs. After an enlightening evening with Aretuza rectoresses, Tissaia De Vries and Margarita Laux-Antille, Ciri runs away to Hirundum Farm to reunite with Geralt. Here’s a quick synopsis of the chapter from future Alyssa:
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): In Chapter 2, Yennefer and Ciri ride to the city of Gors Velen, where Yennefer’s status as a sorceress—with a little help of a special magic cream—immediately causes an awe-struck stir. They visit the bank of Molnar Giancardi, where Yennefer learns that someone has been attempting to track her letters and private financial transactions. Drawing conclusions from changes in tax code, Giancardi and Yennefer surmise that the dwarves and non-humans are financing the campaign being waged against the Scoia’tael in the North. There’s a demand for precious stones because people are preparing to flee due to war. Boats are being built on Foltest’s orders and transported to Sodden and Brugge along the Yaruga, where they’re being hidden on the east bank. Yennefer takes care of her finances: donations to the Temple of Melitele and to Aretuza, withdrawals for the conclave, and they discuss Geralt… We learn that Yennefer (and Giancardi) have secretly been helping Geralt earn his keep over the years.
While the two discuss private matters and the state of the world, they send Ciri off into the city with one of Giancardi’s clerks, Fabio Sachs. He gives her a tour of Gors Velen through its history, geography, and architecture and takes her to the most bustling markets the city has to offer. Notably, Ciri turns a sideshow upside down when she insults the barker and later accidentally provokes and kills a young wyvern.
Like Aplegatt in Chapter 1, Ciri prophesies Fabio’s life and death as well.
During her escape from the sideshow, Ciri uses an amulet to summon Yennefer, inadvertently drawing the attention of sorceresses Margarita Laux-Antille and Tissaia de Vries instead.
After clearing up the confusion, Yennefer, Margarita, and Tissaia relax in the baths of the Silver Heron with Ciri where the sorceresses languidly converse about their former and current lovers, the upcoming mages’ conclave, and the state of the world and war. During this conversation, Captain Rayla from King Demavend’s special units visits the bath house to chat with Tissaia.
Inspired by the captain and Margarita, Ciri runs away to Hirundum Farm to reunite with Geralt, encountering her memories of the Scoia’tael, the Black Knight, and Wild Hunt. On the way, Tor Lara, the Tower of Gulls, calls to her.
Meanwhile, Geralt and Dandelion are staying in Hirundum with Bernie and the Hofmeiers. Geralt intercepts Ciri on the causeway, Yennefer materializes, and, together, they save the girl from the spectral riders of the Wild Hunt.
Because of Ciri’s bold actions, Geralt and Yennefer finally reunite. The following day, while Geralt and Yennefer have a private conversation on the causeway, Ciri and Dandelion secretly watch from a distance and imagine how the witcher and enchantress are apologizing to each other.
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 Allison and Liv for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil