The Potter Discussion: Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World Fandom

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In this episode we discuss cameos that should appear in the new Harry Potter TV show. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:14 Tom Felton as Lucius Malfoy. If we have a reminder of all Draco went through in the films, we could understand his character earlier on. Perhaps we could make deeper revelations on his character by the end of the TV show compared to the film. 

·      11:38 Harry Melling as a background wizard. Dudley’s arc is one of the most heartwarming in the story, despite the fact that he starts as a...

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In this episode, we flip the script and discuss how the story would change if Harry was sorted into Slytherin. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      Listen to episode 285 about the new cast for the trio here!

·      2:13 Harry and Draco are going to become friends. They both have difficult families, and are somewhat alone in the world. They can connect with each other, because the one thing they both want more than anything is a relationship. Harry has no friends or family, and Draco’s family doesn’t care for him. This wo...

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In this episode, we discuss the recent casting of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and who should be cast next. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:36 The Deadline article said Malfoy, Cho Chang, and Cedric Diggory were more prized roles. Really? Chang and Diggory cover only a few books. Malfoy is an important casting, however. The actor has to understand how little Malfoy understands about himself.

·      10:19 Neville has a long arc, and one that should be thoroughly explored. We need an actor who can show just how much Neville learns, but also how...

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In this episode, we analyze the larger implications of Fred's death. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:14 Fred is killed in the Battle of Hogwarts in the seventh book. It really represents the death of Harry’s past, and puts into starker contrast the fact that he can never go back. Of course, Harry can’t go back to events that have already happened, but this is just a symbolic death that more absolutely illustrates the finality of this battle.

·      12:34 This is not a game. Fred is light-hearted and full of life and...

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In this episode, we discuss the Battle of Hogwarts in the TV show. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:09 The charge of the houselves. This moment is only in the book, but is impactful. Kreacher has finally found something that he believes in, and it would be a shame if his arc ends without that final resolution of charging into battle. This shows us that everyone is involved. 

·      10:21 Fred’s death. This is one of the most shocking deaths in the battle because it represents the death of Harry’s past. Fred wa...

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In this episode, we discuss characters that don't deserve a second chance. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:30 Umbridge. She will never deserve a second chance. She was an evil toad in the books and and an even worse person in the books. She likely didn’t have a good time of it when she was carried away by the centaurs, but it’s hard to feel bad for someone who was as horrible as her.

·      7:37 Bellatrix. She’s a hotshot in the death eater business ladder, and she is making her way...

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In this episode, we talk about moments in the films that should be in the TV show. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:10 Harry breaking the elder wand. In the book, Harry simply repairs his own wand then returns the elder wand to Dumbledore’s grave. It’s a nice message, but the film does this much better. Harry snapping the wand and throwing it off the bridge shows a much more powerful ending and a more finite ending to a painful journey. 

·      10:04 McGonagall teaching the students to dance. This is a really f...

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In this episode, we discuss places we need to see more of in the TV show. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:37 Diagon Alley. In the book, this is the meeting point of the Muggle and magical worlds. It is the first place Harry sees that is truly magical, and also acts as a sanctuary for him later on. When it is taken over, that should mean something for the larger state of the wizarding world.

·      10:29 The Burrow. We get a lot of the Burrow in the film, but it’s not exac...

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In this episode, we discuss some of the major castings that HBO recently confirmed. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:17 Still nothing on the trio? We’ve already heard a lot surrounding other characters, and now we have confirmed other casting. But the series revolves around Harry, Ron, and Hermione, not these others. They are still important, but why would HBO cast the trio last? Perhaps they are going to dive into the past more…

·      9:38 More past? If we have castings of characters that have an important role in the past events...

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In this episode, we discuss scenes that should never change. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:37 Ollivander’s wand shop. This scene sets up the conflict between Voldemort and Harry, and without the careful assembly of this scene, the effect is lost. There’s wind and light when Harry finds his wand, and Ollivander tells him of the twin cores and the greatness and terribleness that awaits him.

·      8:41 Ron leaving the tent. This scene is really hard to watch, and that is because of the intensity of it. Harry and Ron exchange...

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In this episode, we discuss why certain scenes shouldn't have been from Harry's perspective. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:50 James and Lily’s murder. This scene is pretty blurry and vague because it’s from Harry’s perspective. Now that we know what’s going, seeing what Voldemort is feeling and how he is defeated would mean more than shots of a baby. This scene from Lily or James would show us how they stood fast and fought for their family and gave their lives so Harry could go on.

·      11...

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In this episode, we discuss the core trait of certain characters in Harry Potter. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:23 Dumbledore – Wisdom. He had lived through a lot. Wars, duels, deaths, and so much more. The lessons he has learned are infinite, and can be synthesized into some pretty potent knowledge bombs. Those lessons he teaches Harry are some of the most valuable Harry ever learns.

·      8:39 Harry – courage. When it comes to his friends, he never shies away from a challenge. In the Deathly Hallows, Voldemort make it clear that if Harry did...

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In this episode, we design what the first episode of the Harry Potter TV show should be. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:33 We open in Godric’s Hallow. It’s important that we see the Potters as one big happy family so we can better understand the conflict of their death. For a good few minutes they’re living their lives; perhaps Sirius is there too.

·      9:14 Voldemort arrives and kills them. This should be more than a few flashes of light and some long, dark cloaks. Not as scary as a horror mo...

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In this episode, we discuss the casting annoucement of John Lithgow as Dumbledore and what we can expect. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      2:00 What did we get in the book versus the film? In the book, Dumbledore is very wise and much more chill than the film. In the film, Dumbledore has a much more intense way about him. Especially when Michael Gambon took the part, Dumbledore became an intense guy with a lot of energy.

·      12:51 How will he be translated? In an ideal world, it will be in the smal...

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In this episode, we discuss how certain things give the wizarding world its magic. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:38 Owls. Owls are closely tied to the story because they are symbols for magic. In the beginning, owls are the first introduction we have to the wizarding world. Later, Hedwig’s death represents the beginning of a new era for Harry and the difficulty of the path ahead.

·      7:34 Moving portraits. They aren’t at the very core of the story, but they are integral for the overall feel of the castle. The...

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In this episode, we discuss characters we should have known better. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:34 Luna. We hear something of her backstory, but we don’t have the chance to truly understand who she is and where she came from. We did get to meet her father, but only for a moment.

·      6:31 Lupin. He has only a few moments of venerability, but those give us such a sophisticated perspective of who he is. More of those would go a long way.

·      11:47 Dumbledore. It’s pretty obvious why we need more...

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In this episode, we break down Nymphadora Tonks. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:40 What role does she play? This is a difficult question because we see her in many different settings despite her short time in the story. She begins as a way for Harry to share his grief about Sirius. But in the end, she becomes a representation of all the sacrifices that have been made so Harry can win.

·      10:12 Strengths and weaknesses. For strengths, Tonks is very positive. She always has a good outlook and doesn’t let what o...

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In this episode, we discuss how I would take over the world as Voldemort. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:59 Start with Hogwarts. Voldemort should have focused on Hogwarts more intensely early on, because most of his greatest enemies are there. He has to start planting spies much earlier if he wants to turn it into a more valuable asset of information. 

·      9:50 Take control of Gringotts and Olivander’s.  These two are the most important shops in the wizarding world. If Voldemort could take control of the wand production, he could influe...

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In this episode, we discuss how the story would change if Harry were more like James. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:56 Why are these episodes are important? Well, it isn’t too early to start discussing possibilities for the show. He probably won’t turn out exactly the same in the TV show than in the book or the film, so we should use the time we have to examine all outcomes and possibilities for the story.

·      6:00 He wouldn’t be as close with Ron and Hermione. The trio is a classic g...

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In this episode, we discuss the most important side characters from each book. Enjoy!

Listen to episode 267, QuizMaster: Potions here!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:23 Challenge Question

·      2:25 Professor Quirrell. Quirrell drives the story forward with a masterful hand, and we wouldn’t have the same conflict without him. Snape is also a good option for this, but it is the contrast between Quirrell and he that makes the first book so interesting.

·      7:25 Professor Lockhart. He is an absolute idiot, but an important idiot in the second book. Lockhart allow...

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In this episode, we test our knowledge on potions. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:55 Warm Up Round

·      4:22 Question #1

·      9:07 Question #2

·      14:21 Question #3  

·      18:25 Question #4

·      22:19 Question #5

·      25:26 Question #6

·      27:50 Question #7

·      29:36 Challenge Question

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In this episode, we discuss what the story would be like if we swapped some character's roles. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      2:07 Harry and Dumbledore. With this dynamic, it is possible that Voldemort would win. Dumbledore is naturally a smart and all-knowing kind of guy. Harry certainly has enough experience to make good judgment calls, but Dumbledore just has that perspective that gives him the skills to plot Voldemort’s downfall.

·      9:00 Draco and Hagrid. These two are polar opposite and enemies throughout the story. All Draco wants is to get Hagrid fir...

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Thanks for a fantastic year! I hope it has been a good one for you, and that there are many great things to look forward to in the coming months. We'll certainly be busy over here in the studio as the TV show releases more info. Happy holidays and new year!

Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text.
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In this episode, we discuss the perfect Harry Potter Christmas. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:22 Opening presents. The rest of the day would feel off if the day didn’t begin with a mountain of magical goodies at the foot of Harry’s best. Seeing all the things he gets is flooring, considering how few friends he has made.

·      7:50 Christmas breakfast. After waking up and opening presents, a good Christmas breakfast is a great way to kick off the festivities. Without a good first meal, the tone for the rest of the day w...

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In this episode, we flip the script and discuss what would happen if Harry grew up with Sirius. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:22 The story wouldn’t be as good. It sounds strange to say, but it is true. The magic of the story comes from Harry’s ignorance for the first 11 years of his life, then the spark that comes from his realization that there is so much more to his life and an explanation why strange things happen around him.

·      7:29 He would be more powerful. It took just a few years...

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In this episode, we discuss some major updates for the Harry Potter TV show from an interview with some of the executives. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      Read the article here

·      1:18 The first season will be eight hours long. That is a heck of a lot longer than the few hours we had for the first film, so what might this mean? The hope is they won’t face problems of time. If the season comes out and they make some excuse about cutting something for time, we will know something...

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In this episode, we discuss new magical holidays to add to the calendar. Enjoy!

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·      1:31 Magical Veteran’s Day. A ton of people fought in the Battle of Hogwarts! And that wasn’t even the first time Voldemort was a serious adversary. We should create a holiday that celebrates those who fought, living and dead, to protect the forces of good and their triumph over evil. It is better to celebrate Harry’s victory than Voldemort’s loss.

·      9:09 Harry Potter Day. This is along the same lines as the previous...

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In this episode, we discuss who could have been a spy in Harry Potter. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:52 Professor McGonagall. She is of the utmost moral fiber in the series. You really want to have McGonagall on your side, and we are lucky that she was fighting for us. If she were a spy, it would be because she genuinely thought Voldemort’s world would be for the greater good. 

·      8:20 Ron Weasley. This one is a bit of a curve ball, but it still fits. Ron is probably the least likel...

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In this episode, we discuss what would be on a hypothetical Fantastic Beasts TV show. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:52 Dumbledore’s past. He is such a deep character, and the struggles of his childhood are a big part of who he is and why he is so committed to defeating Grindelwald. If we could understand just a little bit more about his past, we might be able to appreciate his character more.

·      7:49 Newt’s Childhood. We catch just a sneak peak of this in the Crimes of Grindelwald, and it is gold t...

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In this episode, we discuss who would win between Harry and Umbridge. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:38 Why them? I made this choice because Harry and Umbridge have been at each other’s throats forever. It isn’t very hard to believe that they might have an altercation that would lead to a duel. They are two different people that support very different things, and a disagreement would lead to something less than civil.

·      6:53 Harry’s strengths and weaknesses. He is a good wizard to start. He can think on his feet and u...

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In this episode, we discuss the scariest characters in Harry Potter. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:34 Tom Riddle. He is such a terrifying character because we know what his future is. He causes mass panic and killing, and it all starts at an unassuming orphanage. With every glint of red in his eye and every sly trick he plays, we are only reminded that his past present and future (get it?) is Voldemort.

·      7:58 Bellatrix Lestrange. She is literally insane, and that is why she is so terrifying. She is a big part...

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In this episode, we discuss some of my least favorite quotes. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      2:00 “There is no good and evil, only power, and those too weak to seek it.” How Voldemort is this one, huh? I can appreciate this quote as the very least. It is well written and reflects the values that Voldemort has. However, he is wrong. If this quote was instead something like: “In the world, there is more than good and evil. There is power, and those too weak to seek it” it might have rung true. Unfort...

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In this episode, we discuss the best superhero moments in Harry Potter. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:35 Harry and Hermione Rescuing Sirius. They had just executed Dumbledore’s well thought out plan perfectly. However, they aren’t exactly heroes which is why this moment is number one, but it is still Harry and Hermione coming to the rescue.

·      6:18 Harry returns to the DA in Deathly Hallows. Harry is the founder of the DA and he represents the resistance against Voldemort, so why he returns, the moment means so much because it spells ou...

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In this episode, we discuss how Draco should have killed Dumbledore. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      2:04 Don’t think about it. Dumbledore is a whole lot smarter than Draco, yet he still insists on trying to think out some elaborate plan to outsmart Dumbledore. That will never work because Dumbledore is too intelligent for that. Draco has to find a way to make a plan Dumbledore can’t foresee or block.

·      11:08 Accept Snape’s help. Snape is ready to help Draco with his task, but he refused. That may be because when S...

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In this episode, we discuss the most iconic groups in Harry Potter. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      Listen to episode 252 about McGonagall’s Best Moments here!

·      1:45 Dumbledore’s Army. This is a very well known group, but there are a few things that really make them stand out. The first is when a selection goes to the Ministry to free Sirius. It turns out to be a trap, but the DA stands up to the Death Eaters and actually manage to hold them off for long enough. The second is in the final...

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In this episode, we honor the late Maggie Smith by discussing some of Professor McGonagall's best moments. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      Listen to QuizMaster: Hermione here!

·      1:30 “Fifty points…each!”. This first moment shows how fair McGonagall is. She does with a heavy heart, but she takes away 150 points away from her own house. In addition to that, she also takes points away from and gives detention to Malfoy who found them out of bed, McGonagall has the stomach to do what is right even if it hurts herself, and she refuses to...

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In this episode, we test out knowledge about Hermione Granger. Enjoy!

Topics./Summary:
Episode 251:

·      1:30 Warm Up Round

·      3:48 Question 1: What is Hermione’s patronus?

·      8:36 Question 2: What did Hermione receive from Dumbledore’s will?

·      13:27 Question 3: What did Hermione place at Harry’s parents’ grave at Godric’s Hallow?

·      16:48 Question 4: Did Hermione ever walk out of a class?

·      19:07 Question 5: Did Hermione ever destroy any horcruxes?

·      23:13 Question 6: What was the first spell we saw Hermione cast?

·      26:26 Question 7: When is Hermione’s birthday?

·      28:15...

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In this episode, we discuss what actors could play different characters in the upcoming TV show. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      Listen to episode 245 about the pitfalls of the TV show!

·      3:46 Adam Driver plays Snape. Adam is younger than Alan, and that could be a closer representation of Snape because he isn’t actually that old in the books. Additionally, Adam can portray a character of great emotional depth very well, and that is of course who Snape is.

·      12:08 Ian McKellen plays Dumbledore. As Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings...

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In this episode, we discuss what would happen if Newt and Jacob never meet. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      1:58 Dumbledore would be introduced in the first film. We need a set number of core characters, and if Jacob isn’t there we need another. It’s a little strange that he is introduced so late in the story anyway, so it would make a lot of sense for him to take Jacob’s place in the beginning.

·      8:57 They wouldn’t break apart. The first loose thread is Queenie when she leaves to join G...

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In this episode, we discuss what a modern back to Hogwarts would look like. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:
·      2:19 Self-stirring cauldrons. Potions class is a staple of Hogwarts, so why should wizards and witches have to stir their own cauldrons? The value of the class is gaining an understanding of what potions do and which ones to use in different situations. It is that knowledge that gave Harry the best help, not actually how to make them. And if you find yourself in a situation in which you need to make a poti...