Avada Cow-Davra (OOTP Chapter 21, The Eye of the Snake)

Arriving with the foreign visitors to Hogwarts is a whole new set of cuisine options in the Great Hall, and - like some of the MuggleCast hosts - Ron is having none of it! Fred and George attempt to hoodwink a 700-year-old cup and a 150-year-old headmaster, failing spectacularly. And the trio learn that Hagrid has a crush! Join us as we deep dive into Chaper 16 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, "Goblet of Fire"! Welcome to our very special musical guest James Durbin, whose new single "Hallows" excites us in all the right ways! Also check out his website and follow him on Instagram Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 16: The Goblet of Fire 7-Word Summary: Poliakoff wants eternal wine because Krum’s better Mini Discussion #1: Cultural differences at Hogwarts While Ron turns his nose up at French cuisine, the hosts discuss which foreign foods they most enjoy since growing up. The Beauxbatons students are laughed at for standin when Madame Maxime does. But isn't it just showing respect and discipline? Mini Discussion #2: Karkaroff and his favoritism What exactly is headmaster Igor's game? Is he gunning for a career in the celebrity entourage industry? Why bring 19 other students to Hogwarts when it is so clear that Karkaroff detests the other kids? What is Karkaroff really thinking when he bumps into Harry Potter? Mini Discussion #3: Fred and George's whimsy Mini Discussion #4: Hagrid and His Crush Odds and Ends: Despite Ron feeling cheated by Harry later, Harry never says out loud that he would love to enter the Tournament. Quizzitch: What was the birthday present that Mad-Eye Moody received and smashed, thinking it was a basilisk egg? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode 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

20 Feb 20241h 9min

This week, we find out which of our co-hosts should switch to Divination as their primary hobby as we check back in on our predictions about one another. In Chapter-by-Chapter, Harry develops a resistance to the Imperius Curse cast upon him repeatedly by Mad-Eye Fakey, who is TOTALLY casting those curses with the full knowledge and approval of Dumbledore... right? And, everybody's getting ready for the arrival of more students! Listen as Andrew, Eric, Micah and special Slug Club guest Katie tackle Chapter 15 of Goblet of Fire, "Beauxbatons and Durmstrang" Welcome Slug Club guest Katie to the show! Did our host predictions from last week net any accurate results? We check in. Spotify now lets users review individual episodes! Be kind to us and let us know what you liked! Coming up in Bonus MuggleCast, we play MuggleCast's first ever edition of The Snogging Club! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang 7-Word Summary: Foreigners arrive at the clean, squeaky school Main Discussion #1: Mad-Eye Fakey's never-ending Imperius Curses Is there any way Dumbledore actually knows what's going on? Is Moody's lesson tailored for Harry and, thus, only for this one class of Fourth Years? Is Moody chewing with his food before he eats it, or is he actually helping Harry to resist Voldemort? Why do NONE of the students say anything to other professors about these illegal happenings? Inside Imperius: Does the description in the book meet what we would expect for such a curse? Is Harry's Horcrux helping him to do what no other student can, and resist? Main Discussion #2: Tournament Anticipation Ron insults Cedric Diggory. What's the beef? Teachers get the school in tip-top shape. But, it's a centuries-old castle. How successful are they? Odds and Ends touches on Hermione's continuing efforts with S.P.E.W., and Snape's threat to poison the students. Is Snape trying to out-do Mad-Eye Fakey? Quizzitch: Which Durmstrang student asks Igor karkaroff to have some wine? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode 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

13 Feb 20241h 8min

CONSTANT VIGILANCE! On this week's episode of MuggleCast, you must be prepared for what awaits outside the walls of Hogwarts! Join us as we level up by learning the Unforgiveable Curses from a Death Eater-in-disguise, try our hand at Divination homework, and debate the rights of House-Elves! News covers: Details about the third Wizarding World land coming to Epic Universe and and some updates to Hogwarts Legacy! Bonus MuggleCast Alert: In May 2023, we spoke about what major ride we can expect in the Epic Universe land. And last month, we shared what we want to see Hogwarts Legacy add to the game. So, be sure to check them out at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 14: The Unforgiveable Curses 7-Word Summary: Neville reacts in a panic .... Main Discussion #1: Mad-Eye Fakey's First Lesson  Do the hosts recall ever being so excited for a class because the professor’s reputation preceded them? We compare and constrast Mad-Eye and Umbridge's first lessons Does REAL Mad-Eye Moody know or suspect the Defense Against The Darks Arts post is cursed? What about Barty Crouch Jr.? Why is Barty Crouch Jr. so invested in teaching students how to recognize and combat dark curses?  Do we think that the real Moody would have been able to cast these curses so seamlessly? Imperio: Was this practical demonstration the best way to drive home the severity of mind control? Crucio: Neville's bravery, his parents and Moody's second attempt to build currency with Harry Only at Hogwarts, would something as dark as the Killing Curse be taught to a class of fourth-years in their first lesson! Main Discussion #2: The Aftermath Do we think Mad-Eye is grooming Neville? What can we learn from Harry and Ron's Divination homework? The hosts take a crack at predictions for each other! Did the author set Hermione up for success with a name like S.P.E.W.? What does Ron's reaction to S.P.E.W. say about his upbringing, his character and the wizarding world as a whole? Quizzitch: What are the first two words of Sirius’ second letter back to Harry this year? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode 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

6 Feb 20241h 25min

This week, it’s a competence competition between several Hogwarts professors. As Harry attends his first day of his fourth year, we follow along and rank each class and its teacher. Finally, Draco bites off more than he can chew, and we remember that we love Barty Crouch, Jr. when he cosplays an ex-Auror. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as Chapter-by-Chapter covers Chapter 13 from Goblet of Fire, “Mad-Eye Moody.” In this week’s news, Deadline reports that the Harry Potter TV series is looking for its head writers. The hosts briefly speculate - Stay tuned for a Bonus MuggleCast in which we take a closer look at the writers under consideration. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire Chapter 13: Mad-Eye Moody 7-Word Summary: Karma comes full ferret for Draco Malfoy Back in school, it’s time to rank the first lessons of the year and assess teachers’ competence! Micah asks: given the usefulness of Bubotuber pus, does Professor Sprout have a side hustle? What makes Sprout’s gross lesson soar, and Hagrid’s gross lesson fail? One of the teachers prepared the students better. Is it okay to ask “what is the point” when discussing magical Beasts? Would Hagrid be better off as a teacher’s assistant, or outside of teaching at all? Trelawney, the most competent Divination teacher Harry has had so far, gets his birthday wrong. Couldn’t she have looked it up? Rita Skeeter’s new article shades Mr. Weasley, but wasn’t he just doing his job? How was the event with Moody’s rubbish bins any different than his day-to-day? How is Rita getting her information? Does she have inside sources, or is she using her Animagus secret to its advantage this early? Draco can dish, but not take, criticism about mothers. Is it right for “Moody” to teach Draco a lesson? Laura points out that Barty Crouch Jr.’s comments about Lucius work on multiple levels. What would Barty Crouch, Jr. have to say to Snape? Andrew recaps Ron’s funniest moments of the chapter. Next week’s Quizzitch question: What is Lavender showing Parvati in DADA that gets her scolded by Mad-Eye? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode 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

30 Jan 20241h 18min

On this week's episode, the security nightmare meter is off the charts! Grab your galoshes and some treacle tart, and treat yourself to the rainy Sorting Ceremony of the 1994 school year at Hogwarts! Welcome back, Micah! We hear about his recent European travels to Paris and London, including a tease of an upcoming Bonus MuggleCast on the Harry Potter Studio Tour! Our official Etsy store now contains some special discount and bundled items, such as the Comfy Cozy Combo Pack! Fancy yourself some socks and a warm beanie? Check out the full assortment of items available now! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire Chapter 12: The Triwizard Tournament 7-Word Summary: Thunderstorms announce the arrival of Mad-Eye Fakey Main Discussion #1: The Teachers’ Precautions For The 1994 School Year Debating the First Years' arrival: safety vs. rite of passage Do we think the weather is foreshadowing the year ahead? If it weren’t for the intervention of The Giant Squid, would Dennis Creevey have drowned before Hagrid could reach him? Can Hagrid even swim? Does The Giant Squid serve any other purpose? Does Dumbledore let him stay as a safety measure? Peeves: The Indestructible Spirit of Chaos Can Peeves actually be removed from Hogwarts? Why does he even bother listening to The Ghost Council? Main Discussion #2: Excitement in the Great Hall We hear The Sorting Hat song for the first time since Sorcerer's Stone! What does The Sorting Hat do the rest of the year? Does he have a side hustle? Hermione's Hunger Strike: who does she think was making her food all of these years? The Triwizard Tournament is officially announced and Mad-Eye makes his grand entrance! Odds & Ends cover Natalie Macdonald, Cho Chang and the return of the Dumbledore Lie Count! Next week's Quizzitch question: What is the trio's first class of their 4th Hogwarts Year? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode 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

23 Jan 20241h 10min

Choo Choo! It's time to return to Hogwarts as our Chapter-by-Chapter series continues with Goblet of Fire Chapter 11, "Aboard the Hogwarts Express." Join Andrew, Laura, Eric and Slug Club member Ning Xi as they dive deep into the topics that stand out on our latest reread. Our official Etsy store now contains some special discount and bundled items, such as the Comfy Cozy Combo Pack! Fancy yourself some socks and a warm beanie? Check out the full assortment of items available now! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire Chapter 11: Aboard the Hogwarts Express 7-Word Summary: Traveling by train proves informative for Harry Amos Diggory appears at the Burrow! In... the fireplace? Why!? What makes (and doesn't make) the Floo Network a fitting medium for the equivalent of telephone communications? The hosts all examine. The toast Molly offers is Eric's "I love magic" moment. Mad-Eyes and misdirection abound. Does the fact that Arthur and Dumbledore like Alastor Moody make us more likely, or less, to believe that he is overly paranoid? What would the function of real Muggle "Please-men" actually be? We speculate. On the train to Hogwarts, Draco boasts that Durmstrang School does not let Muggleborns in. But, is that REALLY possible given the Statute of Secrecy? How would a school that teaches Dark Arts, not just Defense Against the Dark Arts, actually operate? Are the locations of the Wizarding schools hidden from the parents of the students who attend? Or just not known to Hermione in particular? Should Arthur have told Ron, Harry et al about the Triwizard Tournament, which would have prevented Draco from bullying them for not knowing? Shout-out to Barty Crouch Jr. who is actually pretty darn good at what he does. We'll... be keeping track of that. In Bonus MuggleCast this week over on MuggleCast's Patreon, we review the recently announced sales figures for Hogwarts Legacy and discusswhat the future for Wizarding world video games may be given the game's success. Next week's Quizzitch question: Name 2 of the 3 items that Filch has added to the list of forbidden objects (at the start of Harry's year 4) Visit MuggleCast.com for episode 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

16 Jan 20241h 9min

Happy New Year! It's our first episode of 2024 and we’ll be watching our words carefully, lest Rita Skeeter twists any of our statements to create some hot goss for The Daily Prophet! Welcome officially to MuggleCast: 19 years later! The MuggleCast Overstock Store is open again! This is where you can buy MuggleCast merch and help support the show! And we have an update: It’s cold in the Northern Hemisphere, so MuggleCast is helping you out this winter with the MuggleCast Beanie and Socks Comfy Cozy Combo Pack: Purchase this new combo set for $25 – it’s cheaper than buying the socks and beanie separate, and you’ll be warm on both ends of your muggle body for winter! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 10: Mayhem At The Ministry 7-Word Summary: Arthur laments over a problematic news cycle Main Discussion #1: The Aftermath Security Nightmare! Why did any witch or wizard hang around after the Death Eater attack? Evacuation plans should’ve been in place and activated! We examine the exploitation of Mr. Roberts by both the Death Eaters and The Ministry. Why was he not taken to St. Mungo's? Could they have used a Pensieve to remove the memory of the attack? Freaking Out Molly: Had the author not conceptualized Patronus messaging yet? And not ONE Weasley could have gone home early? Main Discussion #2: Rita Skeeter, Unethical Journalism & Ministry Blunders We discuss Rita’s ability to acquire information being aided significantly by her being an unregistered animagus Just WHAT do beetles represent? Does Rita’s journalism, unethical at times though it is, do an actual public service in the case of both of the Quidditch World Cup and the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins? Molly clearly recognizes that Rita is a hack, but later on in Goblet of Fire she laps up every lie printed about Hermione. Why? Obviously, we’re familiar with the real-world consequences of this brand of journalism. Have any of the hosts ever been caught up in following salacious, gossip-based reporting? Have we ever caught ourselves pulling a Mrs. Weasley: either dismissing or assigning merit to a piece of reporting based on whether it reinforced our personal beliefs? Odds & Ends cover Mundungus Fletcher, Ron's dress robes, Trelawney's prophecy and more! Quizzitch: What spell does Hermione start learning on the Hogwarts Express (in Harry's fourth year)? And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including early access to the show, Bonus MuggleCast, physical gifts and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Jan 20241h 25min

MuggleCast is your weekly ride into the Harry Potter fandom! Join us every Tuesday as we discuss each book in the series. We are currently hosting a fascinating Chapter-by-Chapter re-read in which we dive deep into the characters, plot, themes, and foreshadowing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Jan 20242min