Andrew, Micah, and Eric discuss the major plot points in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. MAJOR SPOILER WARNING! For a spoiler-free review, please listen to Episode 294.
– Our SPOILER-FILLED thoughts on The Cursed Child
– We discuss this damn story. What the heck is this?
– The way the play starts off gets you ready for the big twist at the end. But it doesn’t help.
– Why are so many old plot devices used to tell the eighth story?
– Someone on Reddit figured out how the big Cursed Child twist can fit into canon — nine months ago.
– Andrew highlights his favorite parts of the plot, including the Trolley Lady’s secret.
– Why Micah and Eric chose to read the spoilers.
– Can this truly be considered the eighth story, given its problems? It’s not moving the overall story forward.
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Running time: 1:15:58, 45.7 MB
I’m a long-time Mugglecast fan and adore all of you guys, but…okay, please don’t hate me: I don’t feel it’s quite right that Eric and Micah are giving such opinionated reviews of Cursed Child without having seen it or read it. I think this is a bit like bringing someone onto the show who has never read the Harry Potter series or seen the films, but is basing their opinion off trivial summaries and Tumblr spoilers devoid of crucial context.
This discussion felt like it was chiefly led by a very upset Eric and Micah, with Andrew lending some insight now and then…but not a great deal. Even Andrew himself admitted that he might have had a few too many drinks, as he couldn’t recall certain plot points that were (in my own personal opinion) portrayed with perfect clarity in the context of the play. There were so many ‘plot holes’ Eric was lamenting that aren’t actually plot holes at all, and so many scenes he was deeming ‘stupid’ or ‘out of character’ without Andrew offering any kind of insight as to dialogue, stage direction, character interaction etc.
I completely respect that Andrew may have disliked the show: but I always look to Mugglecast for highly informed discussion of all things Harry Potter, and…well, I love Eric and Micah to bits, but I don’t feel that their perspectives were very well informed. I’d love to hear more discussion from Andrew/Selina/anyone else who’s seen the play!
(P.S. Just to provide an alternative perspective, I saw the second preview and adored the show in spite of its flaws. I though the performances were stunning, the special effects pure magic and the key themes beautifully put across. The Albus/Scorpius dynamic was phenomenal. I laughed, I cried, I can’t wait to go again. I’m so sorry Andrew didn’t enjoy it as much as I did!)
(P.S. Just to provide an alternative perspective, I saw the second preview and adored the show in spite of its flaws. I though the performances were stunning, the special effects pure magic and the key themes beautifully put across. The Albus/Scorpius dynamic was phenomenal. I laughed, I cried, I can’t wait to go again. I’m so sorry Andrew didn’t enjoy it as much as I did!)
I’m a long-time Mugglecast fan and adore all of you guys, but…okay, please don’t hate me: I don’t feel it’s quite right that Eric and Micah are giving such opinionated reviews of Cursed Child without having seen it or read it. I think this is a bit like bringing someone onto the show who has never read the Harry Potter series or seen the films, but is basing their opinion off trivial summaries and Tumblr spoilers devoid of crucial context.
This discussion felt like it was chiefly led by a very upset Eric and Micah, with Andrew lending some insight now and then…but not a great deal. Even Andrew himself admitted that he might have had a few too many drinks, as he couldn’t recall certain plot points that were (in my own personal opinion) portrayed with perfect clarity in the context of the play. There were so many ‘plot holes’ Eric was lamenting that aren’t actually plot holes at all, and so many scenes he was deeming ‘stupid’ or ‘out of character’ without Andrew offering any kind of insight as to dialogue, stage direction, character interaction etc.
I completely respect that Andrew may have disliked the show: but I always look to Mugglecast for highly informed discussion of all things Harry Potter, and…well, I love Eric and Micah to bits, but I don’t feel that their perspectives were very well informed. I’d love to hear more discussion from Andrew/Selina/anyone else who’s seen the play!
They should add a scene at the very end of the play where we see Rita Skeeter, now “successful” playwright putting the final touches on her latest work. She stands up with the paper in hand and proclaims to the audience. “It’s finished! The critics are going to love it. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has quite a ring to it, doesn’t it?” *curtain*
The only thing preventing me from canceling my pre-order of the book is the upcoming Mugglecast review of it. Eric’s point that the play retreads old ground is important in putting me off the story. Ironically, what I really hate is the new addition of an “X-Men” character (trying to avoid being Wormtailly there.) What were they smoking???
SPOILERS AHEAD: I personally wasn’t that surprised Voldemort would have sex. JKR had already used the asexual card with Dumbledore so it’s not like she could make Volders asexual as well (or people would wonder what’s up with powerful wizards not having sex). You don’t really need to be capable of love in order to be capable of lust.
Speaking of people who predicted this twist: here’s an essay from Mugglenet with the same theory as the Reddit user had: http://www.mugglenet.com/2012/03/bellatrixs-secret/
perhaps they are the same person, who knows?
Let’s just hope the plot to Fantastic Beasts is better =/
I saw the play last night, and they seemed to have cleared up some confusion of Delphy’s parentage. Delphy tells us that she was born at Malfoy Manor before the Battle of Hogwarts and that Bellatrix’s husband was the one to inform her of her parentage. I strongly disliked the actress who played Delphy, and the over dramatic super villain aspect of it. She wore a costume and had face paint–seriously, wtf?!
I also didn’t really like the trolley witch scene. Maybe it’s just me being overly critical or I saw a bad performance but I thought it was done poorly for what couldn’t been the best comedic relief of the night.
I loved the relationship between Albus and Scorpius. I’d say my favorite character was Scorpius. I wish, like you guys, that they had spent more time developing the characters who are alive and present and maybe introducing new characters. Disappointed not to see Professor Longbottom, as well. Overall, I think I’ll have to read the script to properly judge it but I thought the whole play was just…off.
Gentlemen – thank you for saving me $15. I could have dealt with everything you described, EXCEPT for Harry telling Albus that he sometimes wished Albus wasn’t his son. After all he experienced at the hands of the Dursley’s? Absolutely no way. If Harry’s family is not the most important part of his life, then he learned nothing.
Interesting point!
*Spoiler*
One (of the many) parts I don’t understand is how Albus, Scorpius and Delphi were able to go back in time to the night Harry’s parents died. Didn’t she destroy the time turner before they went back? Maybe I’m missing something…
Finished reading the script this weekend. It felt like being in middle school – awkward and exciting. Sometimes fan-fictionny, sometimes mysterious and intriguing. Today I listened to the spoiler episode and laughed awkwardly all the way through. You guys are so upset by the play and the summary of the play! Reading the script wasn’t THAT bad. And as to moving the story forward – I think Harry learned something about himself as a father – to stop talking so much about himself and his own experiences and take a moment to listen to his troubled child. Everything else was convoluted and whimsical and and I think Scorpius and Albus acted just like Harry and Ron – jumping to conclusions, assuming they knew more than the adults around them. I especially enjoyed the biting quips between Herimone and Snape in the alternate universe of underground rebels – only J.K. Rowling could have nailed the underlying sarcasm of two former enemies forced to cooperate.
I hate HP (“then why are you here?!”) but your podcast says it all about the Cursed Child.