Anyone else listen to this podcast? The premise is that the host is a snarky grown man who reads a children’s book series for the first time and talks about it with people who are fans. He makes predictions, points out plot holes, etc.
I really wanted to like this podcast but it’s got some glaring issues and I’m not sure I want to continue. For reference, I’m on the episode where he begins Goblet of Fire. The main thing is that he reads a number of chapters and then goes on to discuss them but can’t recall basic facts from the book. Two examples, he calls Bertha Jorkins “Bertha Jockins” and also says he can’t remember if the room Voldemort is in is on fire or if there’s just a fire in it. He does this in other episodes too where there’s a tidbit from the chapter that he just read and gets it completely wrong. He’s also got some pretty bad analysis, which I guess he’s sacrificing in favor of just trying to be snarky (hate this word, by the way).
For example, he talks about how Voldemort is trying to be all secretive but completely disregards that the gardener is there and might find him. It’s pretty obvious that he knows Frank lives there because he lives there when Voldemort killed the Riddles, he also knows about Frank not having a wife, being an outcast, etc. The host also interprets Voldemort as being insecure by saying to Wormtail “oh, you just want me to be healthy to be rid of me!” Maybe this is coming from hindsight, but it seems pretty clear that this is Voldemort being manipulative to Wormtail, not stemming from some sort of loneliness complex.
Other things that are irritating:
Everything that happens is “convenient.” AAny sort of plot point, character development, anything to drive the story forward is seen as “convenient” to the point that I don’t even know what he means anymore.
“I figured out a plot point and felt proud but then remembered I’m a 24 year old man reading a book meant for children!” - said at least once per episode.
The guests he has on to talk about the books are supposed to be fans but I get the feeling the majority of them maybe read the series one time or just saw the movies because they don’t offer much insight, get facts wrong, don’t correct him when he gets stuff wrong, etc. There is one woman on there who does a very good job but the guests change so she’s not always there.
It’s not a bad podcast, but I get the feeling it’s just not what I would look for in a podcast about HP. I don’t mind talking about plot holes or riffing on some of the goody stuff but for me it just lacks substance about the story itself.
Anyone who’s read this far. I would ask what are some good podcasts that I should look into for my next re-read? I already subscribe to Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. Anything that looks at the growth of the characters and discusses the plot would be great.