Ep. 79 — Chapter 3 from "Time of Contempt"
Alycia from France and Sarah A. from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Geralt and Yennefer’s atypical relationship, the role of sorcerers on the Continent, Sapkowski’s framing narratives, and Watership Down.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[00:00] Cold Open
[00:51] Introduction
[1:59] Guest Introduction
[5:32] Chapter 3 Recap
[7:25] Overall Thoughts
[22:44] Chapter Preface
[26:27] About the Mages’ Class
[39:14] Geralt and Yennefer
[49:15] Sapkowski’s Framing Narrative
[53:55] Geralt and Vilgefortz
[1:06:48] Geralt’s Neutrality
[1:18:07] Wrap-up
[1:23:47] Outro
[1:26:11] 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, Alycia from France and Sarah A. from the UK call in for Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 3. Join us as we discuss Geralt and Yennefer’s atypical relationship, the role of sorcerers on the Continent, Sapkowski’s framing narratives, and Watership Down.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Time of Contempt, Chapter 3.
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 3, Geralt accompanies Yennefer to the conclave of mages on the Isle of Thanedd. There, they attend a banquet and socialize with various members of the fraternity in addition to important non-magical figures, such as Dijkstra, head of the Redanian Secret Service, who predicts that Vilgefortz will proposition Geralt and places a wager on it.
Geralt meets mages such as Marti Sodergren, Sabrina Glevissig, and Kiera Metz and reunites with Triss Merigold, Philippa Eilhart, and Dorregaray of Vole.
Geralt and Yen sleep together after the ball and Geralt tells the sorceress the details of his conversation with Vilgefortz in the Gallery of Glory, which shows the history of magic on the Continent from the first landing through Falka’s rebellion.
One of the paintings depicts the meeting of Cregennan of Lod and Lara Dorren aep Shiadhal, legendary lovers torn apart and destroyed by the time of contempt. He was a sorcerer and she was an elf, one of the elite of Aen Saevherne, or the Knowing Ones. Lydia, Vilgefortz’s assistant and a talented painter, hangs a new portrait of Lara from an ancient miniature; she has Ciri’s eyes
We learn that a sorceress (Nina Fioravanti) reinforced the walls of Garstang with a powerful aura and anti-magic blockade… no spells have worked in Garstang and discussions between mages have been peaceful since. Above, Tor Lara, the Tower of Gulls is supposedly connected to the undiscovered Tor Zireael, the Tower of Swallows.
Vilgefortz tries to convince Geralt to join the ranks of mages and to side with him in the upcoming war. The mage shares his history as an abandoned orphan adopted by druids, Later, he became a mercenary, then a fugitive. At the end of the world, he met a sorceress and then became a sorcerer out of hate and spite for her.
Toward the end of his conversation with the witcher, Vilgefortz threatens Ciri. Yennefer tries to quell Geralt’s fears for Ciri, insisting that the girl will be safe in Aretuza with her. They make love again; and, afterward, Geralt thinks of lovely scenery while Yennefer’s telepathic abilities are sharpened.
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 Alycia and Sarah A. for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil