Just two hyper-critical English majors talking some pretty big game about The Wheel of Time. Co-hosts Emily and Sally gather around their kitchen table each week to serve you up a full fantasy feast of oft-misremembered summary, hot analysis, scraps of literary theory, and a whole lot of hating Rand.
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Who's Bulen? Who cares? For ch. 9–10, we talk about Helvetica Lord of the Rings, the Epic Highs and Lows of Warfare, Citing Scripture ("Artemis Fowl"), Captain Planet Narishma, Lan's End, Basement Time with Androl, and French Mime War Profiteering.
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Ch. 7–8 take us into the next stage of this book: prolonged warfare. We talk about Rebel With Claws, UN Meeting Bouncer, a Damocles' Sword but Positive, the Bond of Brotherhood, the Horn of Valere Heist, and our Upcoming Bones Podcast. Transcript
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Ch. 5–6 take us to the fantasy U.N. summit, and it could only be more Jordan-ish if there were nude women for no reason. We talk about Official Court Spankings, the Aiel as Cops, Rand's Unrealistic Goals, Egg Throwing Shoes, and the Literal Four Horsemen. Transcript
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Chapters 3–4 are here! We talk about Sports Polyamory (the ideal polyamory), "Frankenskank," Characters' Wild Priorities, Rand and Moridin Touching "Balefire," Checking Off Romance Boxes, and Women's Piss Mazes. Transcript
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We're off to a pretty slow start with ch. 1–2. We get more of Rand's Weird Era, not to mention his Deadbeat Dad Era (the cat's in the cradle ...), plus the Arousal/Anger Constant, Black Tower Propaganda, Androl Is Bella Swan, and a whole lot of Genre Confusion. Transcript
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We read the prologue (yes, the entire prologue) of AMoL and talk about pacing and heroism, plus Sally's Psychic Powers, Rand's Tibetan Sky Burial, New Sword Move: Piss Your Pants, the Sequel to "The Village," and the Myrddraal Breakroom. Transcript
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We finish up ToM with celebrations of Gawyn's Puka Shell Necklace, Pevara's Hut, the Tower of Ghenjei Locksmith, Graendal's Turbo Hell, and Olver's Mail Fraud, while condemning how ultimately pointless Moiraine's "death" was.
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Welcome to the Tower of Ghenjei! Is that David Bowie? For ch. 53–55, we talk about the Need to Be Told "No," Gay Old Dens, Helm's Deep Recruitment, the Finn Serving You-Know-What, Dune Box Mist, and Melodramatic Screaming. Transcript
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For ch. 50–52, we talk about Elayne's Bobby Fischer Political Move, her Pet Frenchmen, Libel/Slander Against Lews Therin, the Little Sun Tzu in Emily's Brain, Uber Driver Perrin, and B. Sanderson's Inversion of Terry Pratchett's "Boots Theory."
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You know, like balefire, from their eyeballs? Like laser vision? Anyway. For ch. 48–49 we discuss how Everything is the Aiel's Fault, Rand's Mega Sperm, Asmodean Moiraine, and the Cowboy Lightbringers. Transcript
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Ch. 45–47 are great for representation: representation of insufferable politicians (Elayne), men who wear unnecessary disguises (Galad), "cool" nerds (Androl), men who hate the club (Perrin), and people who should just be murdered (Mazrim Taim, Tuon). Transcript
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Who wants to bet on whether this title ends up censored? For ch. 42–44, we talk about Feelings Impermanence, Marriage Bumpers, Prince Loser, the New Kardashians, and Failed Nostalgia. Transcript
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Despite the title, ch. 39–41 are action-packed (though sadly there is no battlefield kissing). Discussion includes: We Need More Explosions, Getting Right with God, IKEA Pack-It-Up Forges, Galad's Deprogramming, and Who Is Nakomi Plaza? Transcript
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RIP to a (arguably the only) real one. For ch. 36–38, we talk about how Perrin Is a Mary Sue; we accompany Egg to a Work Meeting; someone floats on the ceiling Mary Winchester-Style; and we discuss the fantasy Ethics of Killing. Transcript
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This isn't the trial of the century, the year, or even the minute, but it's a trial. For ch. 34–35, we talk about Dannil the Danimal, Mr. Integrity, "Bad Apple" Byar, the False Good/Evil Dichotomy, and ask: Where Are the Lawyers?
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Discussion topics for ch. 31–33 include: Chekhov's Abyss, Final Girl Ituralde, Respawning Trollocs, the Dragon Reborn's Walk with Christ, Our Favorite Monarch, and Gawyn and Elayne's Folgers Commercial (you know the one). Transcript
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Welcome to 2024! For ch. 28–30, we're talking about Big Boy Vitamins, how Telepathy Is the Obvious Answer, Rhyming Perrin, Letting Galad Be a Side Character, and the Most Bizarre Scene of All Time. Also, are Grady and Neald, like, SO hot now? Transcript
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Ch. 25–27 are disappointing to say the least. First, Rand faces no consequences for his crimes, but don't worry; according to Min, he's done nothing wrong. Then Perrin has the same epiphany for the 98th time. Berelain's boobs corrupt Galad. And the Hall of the Tower, as usual, is swooning. Transcript…
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You want to know about ch. 22–24, you say? Well, they're all about Sally's Exploding Bones, Good Old Chub, Chance Boy Himself, Weird Uncle Mat, and Hysteria in Tel'aran'rhiod. Also: What About the Sheep? Transcript
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There's a lot to discuss in ch. 20–21, including Vagina Mirrors, Ethics Boards, the Slippery Slope of Magic Nukes, how Single Women Are an Invasive Species, and, hey, Whoa, Balwer Isn't Just a Secretary? Transcript
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"Some of you may die, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make." Ch. 17–19 get us talking about Code Brando, Berelain Said Boobily, Something That Is Nothing, OUR Amyrlin Seat, and Brandon Sanderson's straight guy heroism. Transcript
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For ch. 14–16, we talk about Three Girlbosses and their Psychological Warfare, Flat Characters, Black Tower Volleyball, the Horror Story that is Rand's Brain, Forsaken Trading Cards, and Anything for Hubby. Transcript
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Ch. 11–13 are short, but we find a way to work in all the following discussion topics: Magicians, how Elayne's Pregnancy Was Written by Men, Rand's Jesus Robe, Appropriate Public vs. Private Behavior, Darkfriend Vision, and Min's Birdbrain. Transcript
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For ch. 7–10, we talk about Lan's Minion, Buford; Neald's Queer-Coded Joie de Vivre; and Grady's Denied Time Off Request; and we bid farewell to a real one, Lopin. Also, welcome to Sedona, Arizona. Transcript
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For ch. 4–6, we have problems with fictional men, including Gawyn's Incel Behavior and reboot of CSI: Tar Valon; Galad's KKK Era; and Perrin's Leadership Hypocrisy. We also have problems with the real men doing construction outside our house: apologies for the noise! Transcript
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In ch. 1–3, Rand enters his Wellness Influencer era. We also talk about getting Bubbled of Eviled, Perrin's Pointless Crossroads (a recurring theme), Torture Junior's Throuple, and Double Shielding. Transcript
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Welcome to Towers of Midnight! Don't worry, Emily references the Da Vinci Code for the second week in a row. We talk about the cover and prologue, including how Mat Has Never Held a Bag Before, Lan Rhymes with "Man," There's Warging Now??, and Toilet Spoon. Transcript
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We finish The Gathering Storm by talking about Rand stumbling his way through enlightenment. We discuss how Everyone Is Happy Under Fascism, the Most Fridged Woman Ever (Ilyena), Privileged Enlightenment, and how you should just Watch the Da Vinci Code. Transcript
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Here's how Callandor can still win. For ch. 47–48, we talk about Guarding Empty Rooms and Empty Tables, Verbally Hugging, Self-Contained Enlightenment, and the dream scenario in which Mat Is Empress. Transcript
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In ch. 45–46, Egg consolidates power in the White Tower, and we talk about the important things: Monsieur Michelin, the Bloodest Reddest Gown, Only Boobs Allowed, the White Cavern, and our Patented Easiest Way to Get Babes. Transcript
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The tagline for ch. 43–44 should be: Pwease, No Bombs. We also talk about Gawyn's Imagined Chivalric Romance, Sittergate, Hurin's Cameo Appearance, Rand's Box Obsession, and Tam's Two (2) Parenting Failures. Transcript
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What if the young pope was younger? For ch. 41–42, we ask this vital question and discuss these topics: Charlz and Chubain OTP, Gawyn Winning the Partnership, Dubcon Romance Tropes, and the Return of the King. Transcript
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With ch. 39–40, we talk about Verin's "galactic"-level slay (or is it?), the most compelling Warder (Tomas), Egwene's virgin procession, and Siuan and Gareth's terminal heterosexuality. Plus, what if Elayne was a secret Darkfriend? Transcript
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For ch. 37–38, we, ahem, define crimes against humanity. We also talk about Sammael's Cube Con 2000, EnlightenmentGate, how Needing Therapy Doesn't Make Up for the Atrocities, and Rand's Legal Abyss. Transcript
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For ch. 35–36, we talk about (really): Appropriate Wonka Sociopathy, Gender Reveal Magic, how Icarus Got Stabbed by Padan Fain, Bad Dramatic Irony, and Losing Trickster Points. Transcript
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Really, you won't. For ch. 32–34, we talk about Improving Nynaeve, Making Excuses for Rand, Consequence-Free Tyranny, Redemption Arcs, and Star Wars Spoilers. Transcript
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You shouldn't trust the ho's in ch. 29–30, which is ... every woman. We talk about Our Bestie, Colonialism; Rand's Dead Fish Eyes; Titty Redistribution; Not-Chili's; and the Nuclear Fanny Pack, and we Send in the Clowns. Transcript
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Okay, okay, it's actually ch. 27–28 of the Gathering Storm. We talk about Busty Beauties, the Romantic Poets, Repeat Plots, Wescuing Women, and the various Flavors of Misogynist Humor. Transcript
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In ch. 24–26, Gawyn is here to teach these betas a lesson about MANHOOD. Too bad Gareth Bryne won't spank him. We also talk about the Shape of Bubbles, Vegan Aes Sedai, and Chivalric Knights, and ask: Where Is All the Multicultural Curiosity? Transcript
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Ch. 22–23 are all about Rand's feelings, because men's feelings are WAY more important than women's. We talk about how He Needs to Be Harder, Daddy; Egregious Deus Ex Machina, the Scientific Method, and give a Shoutout to Martha. Transcript
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Well, well, if it isn't the infamous "women are like goats" speech. For ch. 20–21, we'll talk about goat pride; the difference between tricksters, fools, and comic relief; and the world's weirdest to-do list. Transcript
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For ch. 17–19, we talk about the Plot Twist of the Century, how Siuan Is an Army Wife, the Cult Besties, Gambit from X-Men's Appearance, Court Jester Mat, and the Pariah Parade. Transcript
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There's an unbelievable amount of stupidity in ch. 15–16, and it's not just us mispronouncing Moridin's real name. We also talk about Balefire Life Hacks, Katerine's Evil Laugh, and Laras's Underground Railroad. Transcript
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In our discussion of ch. 12–14, we talk about the (Nonexistent) Peer-Reviewed Forkroot Study, Seeing the Blueprint, Gawyn's Purity Ring, how Cadsuane Has the Nuclear Launch Codes, and Elaida Unshived. Transcript
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For ch. 9–11, we talk about Grady's One-Punch Kill, Matching Form and Content, Enjoying the Mat Pedestal While We Still Can, Tylee's Motorola Razor, Ituralde's Character Assassination, and Brian?? Transcript
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Pedron Niall is left on read, obviously. For ch. 6–8, we ask: Why So Insular? and discuss Lanfear's Best Disguise, Two Short Kings, Beloved Point of View Characters, and the Introverted Route. Transcript
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For ch. 3–5, we talk about Eating Tums Like Candy, White Man Names, this brand new thing (Character Arcs), the Final Evolution of Girlboss, Brandon Sanderson's Blorbo, and a potential Asha'man PR Campaign. Transcript
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In chapters 1–2, we take a close look at the Brobert Janderson style and talk about Increased Mediation, the Perfect Wifey, Two Ways to Get a Doctorate, and how Women Be Crying. Transcript
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Welcome to the dawn of Brando Sando! After reading this blissfully short prologue, we discuss Aviendha's Six Pounds of Mascara, Rand's Jeans, the Seanchan Political Spectrum, a Trolloc Reminder, and Zaddy Ituralde. Transcript
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We finish our coverage of Knife of Dreams with discussion of '07 Throwbacks, how Gremlin Vibes Are Sexy, Fainting Goats, Embodied Empire, Red Flag City, and Narrative Delaying Tactics. On to the Era of Branderson! Transcript
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