#473: Dumbledore v Voldemort (OOTP 36, The Only One He Ever Feared)

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, listen during Chapter-by-Chapter as the MuggleCasters discuss Harry juggling TWO dates in Hogsmeade. One which may have been doomed from the start (with Cho), and another which likely changes the course of Wizarding history (with Rita). Andrew, Eric, Laura, Micah, and Slug Club guest Katie dig in, because it's time for Chapter 25 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Welcome Slug Club member, Katie! The hosts wish to reassert their disavowal of J.K. Rowling for her role in making women less safe in the U.K. Please visit GLAAD's amazing page for links including FAQs, resources, and tips for allies. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 25: The Beetle at Bay. MuggleCast last discussed this chapter on Episode 462! Harry's feelings toward his fellow students in light of the Azkaban breakout headlines have us once more feeling like we are living in the books today. The Ministry's control of information and issuance of propaganda, the extent which is confirmed in this chapter, is massive but not perfect. Some who look deeper are beginning to see the cracks in the facade. Umbridge's power grabs are becoming unenforceable. The hosts discuss how her main goal appears to be to frighten and dissuade dissenters, even among the staff. Harry and students are impressed by Neville's recent hard work in the D.A. This reminds us about when we made the "Neville Gets Swole" Spotify playlist, perfect for your summertime runs and workouts! Is Hermione single-handedly changing the course of the Wizarding world? We think so. Is there anything the students can/should be doing about Hagrid and his probation? Or is his behavior just too weird, and the students too buried in coursework? Ron has a fair idea, but Hermione shuts him down cold. We hold a memorial service for Ron's strategical aptitude subplot from Book 1. In what ways was "Madame Puddifoot's" NOT the perfect Valentine's spot, and whose fault is it that Harry and Cho's date is a disaster? Was it doomed from the start? Is Rita Skeeter looking for redemption, or just some hot goss? Odds & Ends asks why Ron, Fred or George do not seem to know about Antonin Dolohov's connection with their uncles, nor do they mention it. Most #RealTalk moment of the week? Hosts weigh in. Lynx Line: we asked our Patrons to submit a one-sentence headline sure to grab all of the attention. Quizzitch: What prison was the site of the largest jailbreak in British history - when 38 inmates, members of the Irish Republican Army, overpowered guards in 1983? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Mai 1h 18min

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, clear your minds because you don't want Professor Snape seeing *that* memory! Am I right? Join Andrew, Micah, Laura and Nicole as they say goodbye to Sirius, ride The Knight Bus back to Hogwarts and endure one of Harry's most grueling lessons in the entire Potter series. Welcome Slug Club member, Nicole! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 24: Occlumency. MuggleCast last discussed this chapter on Episode 461! For the first time ever, Harry is not looking forward to going back to Hogwarts. And he’s about to get another reason to dread it even more! Harry seems to have a sixth sense as it relates to Kreacher. Should he have shared his suspicions with someone else in the Order? Showdown at Grimmauld Place: Snape and Sirius are bickering like exes! Why does Sirius refer to Snape as Lucius’ lapdog? Foreshadow Alert: Sirius' Grim Goodbye & The Two-Way Mirror We discuss how there is SO MUCH wrong with Harry's Occlumency lessons! Given that Snape has spent years closing off his mind to Voldemort, is he the most qualified to teach Harry Occlumency? Should there have been a third party mediator? Ruh Roh! What if Voldemort penetrated Harry’s mind and saw Snape teaching him Occlumency? Exactly which memories does Snape removing from his mind? Do these lessons actually weaken Harry's mental and physical state of being? We compare the mental capacity needed to cast a Patronus to that required to perform Occlumency The Big Snape Reveal: did he just show the reader his true colors? What does Voldemort actually know about his connection Harry? Odds & Ends cover Connecting The Threads between Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix, The Knight Bus, Madam Marsh, the Department of Mysteries and more! Most Impressive Dig of the Week: Snape or Sirius? Lynx Line: What could possibly make Voldemort the happiest he’s ever been? Wrong answers only. Quizzitch: What part of the human brain, in addition to aiding cognitive functions like attention and planning, is also involved with the storing of long-term memories?  On Bonus MuggleCast, it's time to MAX THAT! The hosts deep dive into some of the scenes they'd most like to see adapted for the new TV show that didn't make it into the Order of the Phoenix movie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Apr 1h 10min

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, we're trying our best to keep morale high as Harry is having a complete meltdown! Join Andrew, Eric and Micah as they debate Dumbledore's hands-off approach and navigate the highs and lows of Christmas on The Closed Ward. News: Warner Bros. finally confirms six actors for the new Harry Potter TV series Chapter by Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23: Christmas on The Closed Ward. MuggleCast last discussed this chapter on Episode 460! Harry feels violated and is completely spiraling! Who is going to save him? Why should Harry listen to or even trust Phineas Nigellus Black? The Power of Connection: Hermione & Ginny's Breakthrough Do we feel Harry is even capable of asking for help given his upbringing? Buckbeak: The Emotional Support Hippogriff The Lighter Side of Remus Lupin Santa Sirius has forgotten all about his Christmas elf Kreacher Should we feel sorry for Lockhart? The Longbottoms & The Harsh Realities of War Bubblegum Wrapper Theories Galore! Most Valuable Gift: What was the best Christmas gift someone received in this chapter? Lynx Line: What is something someone gave you that has no (or little) monetary value, but which you hold absolutely dear and would be devastated to part with? What’s the story associated with it? Quizzitch: What actor/comedian once eschewed autographs in favor handing out cards reading “This certifies that you have had a personal encounter with me and that you found me warm, polite, intelligent, and funny”? On Bonus MuggleCast, the hosts try their hands (literally) at a game of Skribbl! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Apr 1h 18min

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week’s episode of MuggleCast, Chapter by Chapter returns as the hosts discuss Order of the Phoenix Chapter 22, “St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.” Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they bring their particular brand of magic to your ears. This chapter was last discussed on two MuggleCast episodes! Episode 458 and Episode 459. OOTP Chapter 22 was almost entirely omitted from the fifth movie. We want the MAX show to cover all of it! How much does Dumbledore already know about Harry and Voldemort’s connection, and what does his mysterious silver instrument tell him? Did the Order of the Phoenix have the same tools for communication at their disposal during the first Wizarding War? In order for Arthur to live in this book, another character had to die in Book 7. Hosts discuss. What is Ron feeling during this entire chapter? Why isn’t Sirius able to comfort Harry correctly? Are wizards able to heal most their problems without visiting St Mungo’s? Is every maledictus venomous? Or is nagini a special case? Harry receives some unpleasant news while eavesdropping. Our Lynx Line question: if you were a Healer at St Mungo’s, which department would you work in? Our patrons respond. Quizzitch: The London entrance to St. Mungo’s features a mannequin that moves and articulates. What is the name given to the ambulatory mannequins in the first episode of the 2005 “Doctor Who” revival? (That episode is called “Rose”)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Apr 1h 18min

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we celebrate 700 episodes of Potter podcasting! Thanks to everyone who has been with us on this magical journey! Having recently finished the Harry Potter series herself, we welcome back friend of the show, Kierra Lewis! Plus, we bust open the Muggle Mailbag to hear directly from you on all things Order of the Phoenix! We're older than Nicolas Flamel! Cheers to 700 episodes of MuggleCast! Who Said It?! How good are the hosts at recalling the things they've said over the last 699 episodes? Welcome back, Kierra Lewis! Having recently finished the Harry Potter series, Kierra joins MuggleCast to discuss her favorite Potter book, if her perspective has changed on characters like Dumbledore and Snape, what it was like visiting the Wizarding World in Orlando and if she's ever gotten a noise complaint! You can find Kierra on TikTok at @kierralewis75 and on Instagram at @kierra_lewis1. MuggleMail covers Being Too Hard on Draco, Hermione The Ravenclaw, The Floo Network And How To Use It, Alternate Professions for Professor Snape, Pumping the Breaks on All The Hogwarts Professor Hate and more! Chicken Soup For The MuggleCast Soul returns with a special note from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Our patrons chimed in on the Lynx Line to answer the question: How  should MuggleCast celebrate 700 episodes in the Wizarding World? Quizzitch: What is the nearest prime number to 700? Don't forget you can help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past, including the most recently added Nineteen Years Later t-shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Apr 1h 31min

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, grab your tissues because we're discussing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 21: The Eye of the Snake. And speaking of Hagrid-centric chapters, it looks like the Harry Potter TV Show has found its Rubeus!  Harry Potter TV Show News: Nick Frost is reportedly up for the role of Hagrid! We discuss if he can pull off this pivotal role and what we know him from. Chapter by Chapter resumes with Order of the Phoenix Chapter 21, The Eye of the Snake (gulp). Despite Hermione's best efforts, Hagrid decides to teach a class on Thestrals. We break down the pro's and con's of this decision. If most of the class can't see a creature, does that make it a bad lesson? Not necessarily! But Hagrid could've designed this class better. What did Hagrid's 'shrieking cry' sound like? Shouldn't there be some magic that allows those who haven't seen death to be able to see Thestrals? At least for research purposes it would make sense! Speaking of seeing death, is it strange that Umbridge herself can't see Thestrals?  Should Dumbledore have warned Hagrid about what Umbridge has been up to at the school? Or DID they talk once Hagrid returned? The second half of this chapter has a big Life Moment for Harry: His first kiss! Was it Cho or Harry who made the first move? And how should Harry have reacted when she was crying? We recount our First Kiss stories, and this week's Lynx Line asks Patrons if they had a bad first kiss themselves! Quizzitch: Capable of reaching a length of roughly 19 feet and weighing around 28 lbs, what is the largest known venomous snake species in the world? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Apr 1h 28min

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, don't forget when sneaking out of the house to cover your footprints in the snow!  We're getting the lowdown from Hagrid on what he's been up to for the last few months, until, of course, we're interrupted by one, giant b*tch! Chapter by Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 20: Hagrid's Tale. MuggleCast last discussed the chapter on Episode 456! Upon his return to Hogwarts, do readers and the trio experience a different side to Hagrid? Honestly, can Harry, Ron and Hermione give Hagrid a minute to get settled in? It seems like Hagrid is simultaneously annoyed and proud of the trio for being able to put two and two together about his journey. Could Umbridge have been responsible for putting a tail on Hagrid and Maxime? Our first and only real exposure to Giant Culture in the Wizarding world: a fascinating dynamic to another marginalized community. How is Dumbledore recruiting the giants any different than Voldemort? Did Hagrid and Maxime's gifts to Karkus ultimately get him killed? What does it say about the giants that some are closed off to new ideas, but others can be open to them? Mommy Issues: Hagrid doesn't speak too kindly about his mother. Fridwulfa Does Umbridge spend all her time spying? Is this what Petunia would have been like at Hogwarts? Did Harry, Ron and Hermione visiting Hagrid open the door for Umbridge's visit? The hosts share their Best Hagrid Moment from this chapter they want to see get the MAX treatment! Lynx Line: If you could go on a magical adventure with any wizarding world character to do Dumbledore’s bidding, who would it be and why? Quizzitch:  In the English fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Jack, who later meets a husband and wife that are giants, trades WHAT to obtain a handful of magic beans? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Mar 1h 11min

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com This week, Draco goes so hard against the Gryffindor Team, and Umbridge awards herself total control over student lives in our latest Chapter by Chapter series. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they discuss the line between bullying and fair play, and analyze whether Umbridge is making enemies of the whole school. News: The Harry Potter TV show on HBO has cast its Snape and McGonagall, and the HP illustrated editions now have their new illustrator. Chapter by Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 19: The Lion and the Serpent. MuggleCast last discussed the chapter on Episode 455! Hermione reveals the dark origins of her idea for the enchanted Galleons. Why wasn’t she sorted into Ravenclaw, we also wonder? Andrew says coins are easy to lose, and the other hosts weigh in. Where is the line between sportsmanship and bullying? We feel for Ron, but wonder if any of the Slytherins’ behavior is okay. What makes Draco SO extra? Is he compensating for being an unskilled Quidditch player? Did Umbridge put Draco up to the taunting, in order to get Harry & co. expelled?? is McGonagall’s punishment more fitting than Umbridge’s? And hey! It looks like Dumbledore has been doing something after all! in banning Harry from Quidditch, does she give Harry more free time to plot against her? Lynx Line: If you had to chant something at Malfoy to distract him while playing Quidditch, what would it be? Quizzitch: What ice hockey player had a rule named after him after he displayed unsportsmanlike tactics in an attempt to intimidate goalie Martin Brodeur, by waving his hands and hockey stick in his face? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Mar 1h 24min