MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

Latest Episodes:

561: Why Did the Qilin Bow to Dumbledore? Listeners React to 'Fantastic Beasts 3' May 03, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode, we bust open our Muggle Mailbag to answer your burning questions and take your feedback on Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore!

Twitter Polls Galore! Which host would the Qilin bow to? What was the best Secrets of Dumbledore ship? And overall, what did listeners think of the movie?
What did Yusuf Kama have to help fight Grindelwald?
The hosts celebrate Eulalie Hicks after leaving her hanging in our initial review!
Why did Grindelwald's followers not kill Theseus when they captured him?
Why did Theseus not question Queenie after her return to the good side?
Did Dumbledore and Grindelwald's fight scene fail to deliver?
Why did the Qilin bow to Dumbledore? Why not Newt? Or Jacob?
Did the producers tie up loose ends enough so that this could be the last film?
Where are Graves and Nagini?
How did Jacob and Queenie get permission to marry?
Prediction Time: Which host was closest to the box office number and what does this number mean for the future of the franchise?
On next week's episode: What questions should’ve Secrets of Dumbledore answered, and what questions must Fantastic Beasts 4 answer?
Quizzitch: What book hits Lucius Malloy in the eye during his tussle with Arthur Weasley in Flourish and Blotts?
Later this week on Bonus MuggleCast: Why has J.K. Rowling been completely silent about Fantastic Beasts 3? You can get Bonus MuggleCast and other great benefits by becoming a patron at Patreon.com/MuggleCast!
This week's episode is brought to you by Framebridge (visit Framebridge.com and use promo code MUGGLE to save an additional 15% off your first order) and BetterHelp (MuggleCast listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

560: The Best Characters, Scenes, and Beasts of 'Secrets of Dumbledore' Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

This week, we continue our review of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, this time focusing on the various odds and ends of the film! Plus, we hand out our "Bunty Awards," which are accolades for several aspects of the movie! Stay tuned for many, many more thoughts on the weeks and months ahead!

The "Bunty" award for our Favorite New Character, Favorite New Beast, etc
What was the one stand-out scene of the film?
Was the movie poster for the film misleading? (YES)
Eric took a stopwatch into his Secrets of Dumbledore screening... for a very specific experiment.
We, like Jacob, were confused by the plot to confuse Grindelwald.
What about Grindelwald's visions in the puddles and mirrors, what do they mean?
Was Credence made to sound more like Aberforth at the start of the film? And was anyone else thinking he would have a romance with Queenie from their early interaction?
The re-use of classic Harry Potter lines is scrutinized by Micah.
Was the Anton Vogel actor too similar in appearance to Mads as Grindelwald, and did that lead to confusion about the plot and characters?
Could Credence be conceivably written out of the franchise at this point? And why can't the phoenix intervene to save him from his condition? It's... right there.
How do we feel about all the Aberforth and goat stuff now after seeing this movie?
Why doesn't anyone in the film call the head of the International Confederation of Wizards by its book-given title?
Revisiting some 'Crackpot Theories,' could Leta still live?
Quizzitch: According to The Secrets of Dumbledore, What is Bunty’s given surname? Submit your answer!
This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) and Masterclass (get 15% off an annual membership at Masterclass.com/mugglecast!)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

559: 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' Review! Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode, it's all about reviewing Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore! It's finally here, so just how many secrets were there, and did they live up to expectations? We touch on some of the film's biggest moments and discuss whether or not this could be the last installment in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

Welcome Slug Club member, Jemima!
Main Discussion: Our review of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
The hosts given their spoiler-free initial reactions to the third Fantastic Beasts film before jumping into all the details and spoilers
Did this movie course-correct like we hoped it would?
The Top 7 Moments from The Secrets of Dumbledore...
Say what, kid?!? Aurelius is Aberforth's lovechild?!?
Ariana WAS an obscurus! Were we satisfied with the reveal?
Tea time with Albus and Gellert
Is Mads the Grindelwald we've been waiting for?
The Brothers Scamander take on the Manticore
Could any of us make sense of The Election?
The Blood Pact: Explained & Destroyed
Queenie & Jacob: Going to the bakery andddd gonna get marrrried!
Next week: More on The Secrets of Dumbledore, including our favorite characters, scenes, and beasts
Be sure to check out Micah on Everyone's A Reel Critic (where they discuss movies with at least a 20% differential between the critic and audience rating) to talk about Crimes of Grindelwald!
This week's episode is brought to you by AMC Shudder (stream your first 30 days of Shudder for FREE by going to Shudder.com and using code mugglecast) & MeUndies (get 25% off your first Membership item or 15% off your first order and a 100% satisfaction guarantee by visiting MeUndies.com/MuggleCast)!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

558: Play Our 'Fantastic Beasts' Trivia Game! Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

With just a few days before the release of Secrets of Dumbledore, we host our 7th installment of Quizzitch Live to test your knowledge to-date on the Fantastic Beasts series. Are you up on your fantastic casting? Can you guess who said these memorable quotes? Is your knowledge of beasts at the Magizoologist level? Just how well do you know Gellert Grindelwald ? Join us for Quizzitch Live: Fantastics Beasts and the Suitcase of Fun! Prizes benefit Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline and GLSEN!
Next week will be part 1 of our big Secrets of Dumbledore review! After you see the movie, be sure to send in your feedback and theories, and we may include it on air!
This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp (Go to BetterHelp.com/mugglecast and get 10% off your first month) and HelloFresh (Go to HelloFresh.com/muggle16 and use code muggle16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts!)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

557: Let's Lock-In Our Final 'Secrets of Dumbledore' Theories! Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

With this being our final episode before The Secrets of Dumbledore hits theaters (in the U.K., at least), we set our predictions and theories for the third Fantastic Beasts movie in stone. Plus, one of us has already seen the movie and offers a positive spoiler-free review!

Are you new to MuggleCast? Be sure to subscribe to us on your favorite podcast app, and check out our Patreon for additional benefits!
Our next Quizzitch Live is Saturday, April 9th, at 11 AM ET! Winners will receive $40 to a charity of their choice and tickets to see the next Beasts film.
Main Discussion: The hosts make their final predictions and theories about The Secrets of Dumbledore
...but Eric has just come back from an early screening! He gives a quick, spoiler-free review of the movie.
What will the film's Tomatometer score end up being? How much money will it gross on opening weekend in the U.S.?
Andrew, Micah and Laura guess how gay the Dumbledore and Grindelwald relationship will be?
On the subject of relationships, will Queenie and Jacob get back together in this movie? Will Newt and Tina finally start dating by its end?
Will we hear about other characters from Potter history? Will the Order of the Phoenix get a shout-out?
How many times will Harry Potter soundtrack music play during the movie?
About Ariana, will we get a full flashback to the day she died? And does she share an Obscurus with Credence?
Will this be the last movie for "the Scamander Six"? How about for Credence? Who will be the MVP of the movie, and what's the deal with Jacob's wand?
Finally, the hosts share their thoughts on the blood pact, Credence's origins and any additional crackpot theories.
Patrons weigh in with their predictions, as we close the box of guesses with a lock and key.
Quizzitch: James Newton Howard, composer of the Fantastic Beasts series, also composed the music for the film adaptations of THIS, young-adult post-apocalyptic fiction book series, once marketed as "The Next Harry Potter." Submit your answer!
This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) and Framebridge (Get 15% off your first order by going to Framebridge.com and using promo code MUGGLE)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

556: Dumbledore Confesses Love for Grindelwald in New 'Fantastic Beasts 3' Previews Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

With just a few weeks to go until the release of The Secrets of Dumbledore, the hosts review some recently released clips and featurettes. Why did Dumbledore create the blood pact and what happens if he tries to destroy it? Will Dumbledore's love for Grindelwald continue to cloud his judgment? And, are the Fantastic Beasts producers relying too much on Harry Potter nostalgia? Plus next week, don't miss our Secrets of Dumbledore predictions episode!

News roundup covers Hogwarts Legacy for Nintendo Switch, early Fantastic Beasts fan screenings and The Secrets of Dumbledore screenplay
Main Discussion: The Latest Secrets of Dumbledore Clips & Featurettes
Dumbledore attempts to destroy the blood pact! Why does this scene feel oddly familiar?
Dumbledore confesses his love for Grindelwald!
How will Newt and team bring down Grindelwald... it's all about CONFUSION?!?!
Does David Heyman's Dean Thomas reference seem out of place?
Are the Fantastic Beasts producers relying too heavily on Harry Potter nostalgia?
Magic upgrade: How will Secrets of Dumbledore improve upon battle magic?
Aberforth and His Mirror: who is he trying to communicate with?
All aboard, The Great Wizarding Express!
SAY WHAT, Dumbledore? “The fact that that everything didn’t go precisely to plan was precisely the plan!”
Quizzitch: Why doesn't Bellatrix intervene in Dumbledore's fight against Voldemort in the Ministry? Submit your answer!
This week's episode is sponsored by Nord VPN. Exclusive! Grab the NordVPN deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/muggle. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
This week's episode is sponsored by AMC Shudder. Stream your first 30 days of Shudder for FREE! Visit Shudder.com and enter CODE mugglecast!
Next week's episode: We'll lock in our Secrets of Dumbledore predictions!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

555: 'Hogwarts Legacy' Reveals Huge Sneak Peek, '98-'99 Hogwarts School Year Deep Dive Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

On this week's MuggleCast, we return to an e-mail that we received that asks us what the 1998-1999 Hogwarts school year would have been like, when Hermione returned to complete her Hogwarts education and when Ginny and Luna were her classmates. The hosts think critically and speculate which accommodations might be made in wake of the destruction of the school and considering the mental health and well-being of students and staff! Plus, a recent Hogwarts Legacy trailer gives us the first real look inside the much-anticipated Wizarding World game. All this and more can be found inside the episode!

Playstation's 'State of Play' event gives Potter fans an in-depth look at Hogwarts Legacy. The hosts discuss what interests them about it as gamers.
Main Discussion: Annette asks us, what do we think the 1998/1999 school year would have looked like at Hogwarts?
September 1 is only 4 months after the Battle of Hogwarts! Is that enough time to repair the school and memorialize the fallen?
What would the Sorting Hat's song be like? More calls for unity, amid Slytherin's recent walkout?
If McGonagall was now headmistress, who would take her spot as head of Gryffindor House and professor of Transfiguration? Is Oliver Wood too young / too obvious?
What would Hogwarts' graduation ceremony look like, and why did we never see one?
Would Ron and Harry pop by on the weekends to visit their girlfriends Hermione and Ginny?
Will Hogwarts FINALLY, finally, get some grief counselors? And did Dumbledore put an unnecessary target on Hogwarts when he was headmaster?
The hosts discuss tributes that occurred to students who died during their own educational history.
Listeners provide their questions, such as: will rebuilding Hogwarts add elevators and unisex bathrooms? What happens to the statues of the knights that defended the school?
Quizzitch: This Week's CURRENT Quizzitch Question: Finish this line: "Minister, the evidence of the Dark Lord's return is _______." A) Incomparable B) Inconvenient C) Inconceivable! D) Incontrovertible Submit your answer!
This week's episode is sponsored by MasterClass (go to Masterclass.com/mugglecast for 15% off an annual membership) and BetterHelp (go to BetterHelp.com/mugglecast for 10% off your first month)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

554: Analyzing Newt Through His Relationships with Theseus, Leta, Tina, Dumbledore Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode, our Fantastic Beasts character discussions return to focus on the one-and-only Newt Scamander. With about a month to go before the release of Secrets of Dumbledore, we analyze all of Newt's relationships from the last film and debate what the future holds for our favorite magizoologist. Plus, its Newt's birthday, so just will the hosts gift him? A niffler fanny pack may be in his future!

Welcome to our social media manager, Chloe!
The cover of the Order of the Phoenix Illustrated Edition has been revealed!
Fantastic Beasts Character Discussion: Newt Scamander
We last talked about Newt back on Episode 326 with Evanna Lynch!
Horoscope Check: Newt is the perfect Pisces!
The hosts break down Newt's relationships in Crimes of Grindelwald
What exactly is the dynamic between the brothers Scamander?
Does Newt still love Leta?
Why does Dumbledore trust Newt so much?
Are there more comparisons between Newt and Snape than meet the eye?
The Newt and Jacob BROMANCE continues!
Did the writers do the Newt & Tina relationship an injustice?
What does the future hold for Newt in Secrets of Dumbledore?
Given we recorded on Newt's birthday, the hosts share what presents they would get him.
Quizzitch: What is Yusuf Kama’s mother’s name? Submit your answer!
On Bonus MuggleCast (available on our Patreon), we discuss the recently revealed Alternative Titles for Crimes of Grindelwald. Yes, Fantastic Beasts: The Statute of Secrecy was an option...
This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and Indeed (Go to Indeed.com/mugglecast to claim your $75 job credit before March 31st!)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

553: The New and Improved 'Cursed Child' Reviewed, Yet Another 'Secrets of Dumbledore' Trailer Reveals Exciting Footage Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we break down new scenes from the recently released Japanese Secrets of Dumbledore trailer, take listener feedback and talk about the 18 new character posters. Plus, we're joined by a very special guest to review Cursed Child in San Francisco!

#Millennial co-host Pam joins the show to review the new-and-improved one-part Cursed Child in San Francisco! Check out new episodes of Andrew, Laura, and Pam's #Millennial every Wednesday. Subscribe via Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen!
The hosts analyze the new Japanese Secrets of Dumbledore trailer, which includes even more exciting footage!
Oh brother! Did Theseus and Newt successfully defeat the Manticore?
Professor McGonagall namedrop!
Dumbledore comes face-to-face with the portrait of Ariana
Newt: “To save our world, each of us has a role to play." What exactly are the roles that Theseus, Eulalie, Jacob, Yusuf and Bunty will play in the third Fantastic Beasts film?
Tina is inside Newt's suitcase (kind of)!
Dumbledore: “I drew my wand, which was even more foolish.” Will this be how we’re going to get Ariana's backstory? Not via flashback, but from Dumbledore himself?
Listener feedback covers Tina as Bunty, Dumbledore and Grindelwald's duel, Tina possibly being pregnant and more!
We analyze The Secrets of Dumbledore character posters (Dumbledore's First Army, Grindelwald's Followers, and Global Wizards).
The Secrets of Dumbledore screenplay will be published July 19. We debate whether or not this big gap between the film and the screenplay is to push fans to go to theaters?
This week's episode is brought to you by HelloFresh (visit HelloFresh.com/Muggle16 and use code "muggle16" for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts) and BetterHelp (MuggleCast listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast)!
On next week's episode, we bring back our Fantastic Beasts character discussions featuring the one-and-only Newt Scamander!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

552: 'Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore' Trailer 2 Deep Dive! Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

The latest (and final?) trailer for Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore is here! Overall the trailer is very Dumbledore-and Grindelwald-focused and we are here to pick it apart, scene by scene! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss that interesting Michael Gambon cameo, long-haired Credence, Jacob's wand, Dark Queenie, and more. Plus, is Theseus in trouble? Do we know some of the "new" beasts? And did Bunty get a promotion? Listen now!

First, we stand with the people of Ukraine and encourage everyone to keep an eye on the news coming out of the country.
It's time to talk about the new Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore trailer! This time the hosts will all be on the same page... YouTube page, that is! We use this video when referencing all timestamps during our discussion.
Laura is optimistic that the Michael Gambon Pensieve appearance foreshadows memory being a crucial part of the plot for this film...
...and Eric thinks it's another desperate attempt to market the film to old-school Potter fans. Fan-service, if you will!
The Blood Pact is shown prominently and the hosts discuss similarities with the Unbreakable Vow in visual style.
Is that McGonagall visiting Dumbledore at the Hog's Head?!
Grindelwald declares war, Credence has longer hair, and Eulally Hicks apparates around Jacob's shop -- and we love it.
An important title card which has been missing from some marketing materials is back in the trailer, and the hosts discuss.
What is with this mysterious message on the back of Aberforth's bar? We use our Wordle experience to try and figure it out.
Are Albus and Gellert meeting in person? Is this an Applebees? Or merely a memory?
Micah thinks he can identify several of the beasts shown throughout the trailer, and Theseus does some interesting magic.
Is Theseus doomed? Some sleuthing reveals it may be his tie and wand that are shown with Teddy and Pickett.
Is Tina Polyjuiced into someone else, like Bunty? Does that explain why Katherine Waterston is missing from all promotional material in this film?
The Deluminator is back! And who's that group resting on the stairs at the theorized end of the movie?
Next week, we'll be reading YOUR submissions on theories and trailer thoughts. Be sure to send us an e-mail or voicemail using our regular channels for inclusion on the show!
This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected