Breakfast in Beauclair

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Ep. 116 — Chapter 10 from "Tower of Swallows" Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Nicola from Italy joins Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 10. Very important bits include: the pancake treatment, the pursuit of democracy, Italian references in Tower of Swallows, fulfilling the promise of foreshadowing, the ethics of retribution, death and the value of life, and the coming of 'Ciri of Kaer Morhen'.

[0:00] Cold Open
[0:51] Introduction
[2:12] Guest Introductions
[6:41] Chapter Recap
[8:28] Overall Thoughts
[12:57] Italian References
[17:17] Fulfilled Foreshadowing
[23:11] Retribution and Justice
[29:56] Ciri's Purpose
[34:59] Kenna and Ciri's Connection
[41:49] Death and the Value of Life
[53:22] "Ciri of Kaer Morhen"
[58:44] Closing Thoughts
[1:01:15] Outro
[1:02:57] End Credits

Ep. 115 — Chapter 9 from "Tower of Swallows" Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Kitty from the US and Michelle from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 9. Very important bits include: Norse and Inuit mythology, Mean Girls Continent, modern magic, sources of power, being consistent in ideals but flexible in methods, sacrifice, cynicism, and repentance in the face of death.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:04] Introduction
[2:35] Guest Introductions
[7:00] Chapter Recap
[8:58] Overall Thoughts
[12:14] Power in Spirituality and Rationality
[19:49] Yennefer's Cynicism
[26:21] Suffering and Sacrifice
[31:49] Yennefer's Repentance
[35:03] The Impact of the Lodge
[41:46] Yennefer Sails into the Sednya Abyss
[50:52] Paths to the Tower of the Swallow
[59:26] Closing Thoughts
[1:06:25] Outro
[1:06:46] End Credits

Ep. 114 — Chapter 8 from "Tower of Swallows" Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Daniel from the Netherlands and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 8. Very important bits include: Kovir's "armed neutrality," whoresons of upright character, the wisdom of 'The Good Book', royal marriages and moral compromises, political doublespeak, espionage, Sheala de Tancarville conspiracy theories, the unseen consequences of power, and "A million bizants?!"

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:06] Introduction
[2:25] Guest Introductions
[8:12] Chapter Recap
[9:50] Overall Thoughts
[19:30] The Illusion of Virtue
[29:31] The Queen's Moral Compass
[40:24] Marriage (and the Lodge)
[47:54] Dijkstra's Mission and Cantarella's Espionage
[57:15] The Far Future
[1:10:44] Closing Thoughts
[1:13:32] Outro
[1:13:55] End Credits

Ep. 113 — Chapter 7 (Part 2) from "Tower of Swallows" Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

Madi from the US and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 7 (Part 2). Very important bits include: Avallach's warning and more series predictions from a first-time reader, "The Fastball Special", a knocker's dreams and aspirations, the hypocrisy of retribution, and toddler thoughts. Plus, Sophia wins the podcast.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:17] Introduction
[3:23] Avallac'h's Warning & Sophia's Predicions
[6:48] Geralt and the Knocker
[14:50] The Morality of the Wicker Cage
[25:15] The Loss of Geralt's Medallion
[31:50] Closing Thoughts
[39:12] Outro
[39:33] End Credits

Ep. 112 — Chapter 7 (Part 1) from "Tower of Swallows" Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

Madi from the US and Sophia from Australia join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 7. Very important bits include: a first timer's thoughts on the book series, parallels to previous guest appearances, doing "too good of a job" on the Witcher audiobooks, the flaminika's request, Geralt's humility, first impressions of Avallac'h, being on your "Aragorn bullshit", Avallac'h's… fascinations and centuries-long grudges.

[0:00] Cold Open
[0:46] Introduction
[3:11] Guest Introductions
[13:38] Chapter Recap
[16:00] Overall Thoughts
[20:53] Geralt's Humility
[24:31] Avallac'h's First Impression
[29:43] Avallac'h's Cave Paintings
[34:00] Avallac'h, Lara, and Ciri
[43:16] End Credits
[43:59] Bonus: Booth Guests

Ep. 111 — Chapter 6 from "Tower of Swallows" Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

Bolo from Poland and Kitty from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 6. Very important bits include: the chapter's epigraph, unhinged D&D tactics, Angoulême's backstory, Geralt and Cahir's evolving relationship, Cahir's motivations, and the burden of hope.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:03] Introduction
[2:03] Guest Introductions
[8:01] Chapter Recap
[9:35] Overall Thoughts
[19:13] Monstrum
[23:44] Angoulême's Backstory
[26:26] Geralt and Cahir's Role Reversal
[35:42] Cahir's Motives
[48:19] Regis' Reunions
[51:54] Translation Questions
[54:20] Closing Thoughts
[1:02:11] Outro
[1:02:51] End Credits

Ep. 110 — Chapter 5 from "Tower of Swallows" Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Brett from the US and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 5. Very important bits include: lawful cruelty and corruption, Angoulême's arrival, the making of the hanza, courage and bravery, blind revenge, and prophetic dreams.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:33] Introduction
[3:32] Guest Introductions
[10:28] Chapter Recap
[12:13] Overall Thoughts
[18:32] Vengeance v. Justice
[32:42] Angoulême's Arrival
[41:56] The Hanza's Dynamics
[49:51] Courage and Bravery
[54:58] A Witcher's Revenge
[1:02:23] Ciri's Dream
[1:03:40] Closing Thoughts
[1:07:14] Outro
[1:09:36] End Credits

Ep. 109 — Chapter 4 from "Tower of Swallows" Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Charli from Austria and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 4. Very important bits include: Season premiere rituals, unreliable narrators, nesting dolls of perspectives, progressive ideas in The Witcher, the literal sword of destiny, how Ciri's weaponization complicates her victimization, and how each chapter antagonist embodies a different kind of cruelty.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:01] Introduction
[2:40] Guest Introductions
[8:16] Chapter Recap
[9:49] Overall Thoughts
[17:18] Alternate Perspectives
[22:57] Kenna's Psionic Torture
[26:14] Progressive Ideas in The Witcher
[28:39] Swallow & Destiny
[33:49] Ciri's Victimization v. Weaponization
[39:14] Ciri's Attempt & Bonhart's Cruelty
[43:32] "Would Ciri return home?"
[46:12] The Villains and Systemic Cruelty
[58:27] Closing Thoughts
[1:02:59] Outro
[1:03:26] End Credits

Ep. 108 — Chapter 3 from "Tower of Swallows" Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage and loss of pregnancy. Listener discretion is advised.

Kitty from the US and Kyle R. from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Sirens of the Deep/raunchy Little Mermaid retellings, the framing narrative and Half a Century of Poetry, Milva's grief following her miscarriage, Cahir's trustworthiness (and positive reinforcement over survival), "the waist is as low as we go," Gwent and the sprawling Nilfgaardian spy network, and Hannibal Lector, gynocologist.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:16] Introduction
[3:11] Guest Introductions
[16:46] Chapter Recap
[18:39] Overall Thoughts
[24:22] Memoir Framing Narrative
[32:44] Milva's Miscarriage and Grief
[42:06] Geralt's Doubt and Cahir's Loyalty
[48::20] Yennefer's Fate
[53:24] Nilfgaardian Intelligence
[1:01:13] The Beekeepers and the Hanza
[1:06:23] Closing Thoughts
[1:10:58] Outro
[1:12:09] End Credits

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Ep. 107 — Chapter 2 (Part 2) from "Tower of Swallows" Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Abbe from Sweden and Softie from the UK join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 2 (Part 2). Very important bits include: Nilfgaardian amnesty, the yuckiest single serving character, Bonhart's brutal slaughter, Ciri's journey, and Vysogota's role in it.

[0:00] Cold Open
[1:10] Introduction
[2:57] Chapter Recap
[4:29] Hotspurn & Nilfgaardian Amnesty
[16:07] Bonhart v. The Rats
[17:52] Bonhart's "Art"
[23:54] The Villagers' Perspective (from Abbe ~23 min)
[27:29] Ciri's Journey
[32:53] Closing Thoughts
[38:17] Outro
[38:50] End Credits

The full episode transcript, show notes, merchandise store, and access to our social platforms are available at breakfastinbeauclair.com.

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