Flights of Fantasy – S5 Episode 36: ACOWAR Revisited – Part 2
Release Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Anna, Kim, Christina

Overview

In this episode, Anna, Kim, and Christina reunite for Part 2 of their A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) reread and breakdown. The trio tackles some of the book’s most harrowing and triumphant moments, diving deep into Feyre’s dramatic escape from the Spring Court, her harrowing journey home, emotional reunions with her found family, and the evolving dynamics among the Inner Circle and Archeron sisters. As always, the hosts mix detailed literary analysis with passionate, often hilarious banter—and wrap up with their signature "Mastermind" segment, tying together foreshadowing and Easter eggs across SJM's multiverse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aftermath of Tamlin's Downfall & Feyre’s Escape

[02:48–03:44]

• Recap of last episode: Tamlin’s explosive behavior, Feyre engineering her own rescue by exposing his instability.
• The hosts emphasize that while Feyre manipulated events, Tamlin’s actions are his own—"He’s kind of going against his people, his court. And that is what Feyre is, of course, hoping would happen." (Christina, 02:46)
• Shift toward this episode’s main event: Feyre’s carefully orchestrated escape from the Spring Court.

The Ianthe & Lucien Scene

Trigger Warning: sexual assault (03:23–06:26)

• Ianthe attempts to force herself on Lucien in the woods, magically restraining him.
• Feyre, torn between escape and helping Lucien, ultimately intervenes—commanding Ianthe to injure herself and cursing her further.
  • Standout quote:
    "I debated slitting your throat this morning... but I think this is a better punishment. And I hope you live a long, long life, Ianthe, and never know a moment’s peace." (Feyre, read by Kim, 06:03)
• The hosts rejoice in Feyre’s justice: “‘We are reputation-ing Era out of town!’" (Kim, 06:26)

2. Feyre & Lucien's Flight Through Prythian

[06:44–14:14]

• Feyre and Lucien flee, discovering the Hybern twins have been poisoning the Spring Court’s food—explaining Feyre’s weakened powers.
  • "This is a perfect example of how Feyre’s being blinded by revenge absolutely let this happen to her." (Kim, 07:07)
• Kim and Christina debate whether Feyre’s lack of Fae knowledge mitigates her oversight.

Emotional Complexity of the Mate Bond

• During their journey, Lucien confides in Feyre about wanting to see Elain, referencing the pain of mates being apart.
  • "I’ll ask your mate how he survived it—knowing you were engaged to someone else, sharing another male’s bed." (Lucien, read by Christina, 09:34)

The Attack on the Ice—Cassian & Azriel’s Return

[11:01–14:14]

• Eris (Lucien’s brother) and his brothers attack Feyre and Lucien in the Winter Court. Eris is especially violent towards Feyre.

• The moment Cassian and Azriel arrive is described as electric:

  • "A shadow slammed into the earth before us... Not a shadow. An Illyrian warrior. Seven red siphons glinted over his scale-black armor as Cassian tucked in his wings and snarled at Eris with five centuries’ worth of rage." (Christina, 12:42)
  • Their presence overwhelms the hosts:
    "Goosebumps, chills, chills. I’m so obsessed with that line. Tattoo it on my body." (Kim, 13:51)

• Feyre asserts her title before Eris and his brothers, dropping her glamour:

  • “‘I am High Lady of the Night Court,’... There’s no such thing as a High Lady! ... ‘There is now.’ Boom.” (Christina, 16:11)

3. Reunions, Recovery, and the Velaris Homecoming

[17:57–23:33]

• Emotional homecoming as Feyre sees Mor, the townhouse, children laughing in Velaris—a symbol of peace.
  • "There are children laughing," Lucien whispers, echoing Feyre’s own earlier realization. (18:38)
• Rhysand’s reunion with Feyre is tender and deeply emotional.
  • "Rhys knelt before me, knee to knee... He murmured, 'my love,' and kissed me." (Read by Kim, 20:09)

Contrast with Tamlin

• Rhysand’s focus is on Feyre’s well-being, not extracting information—a powerful contrast to Tamlin.
  • "He just wanted to know the inner workings of the Night Court. But Rhys here wants to check on her." (Kim, 21:03)
• Rhysand insists on caring for Feyre—to bathe, to recover—rather than immediate intimacy.

Rhysand’s Devotion

• Rhys: “I missed you every second, every breath. Not just this—but talking to you, laughing with you. I missed having you in my bed, but missed having you as my friend even more.” (Kim, 22:50)
  • The hosts exclaim: "That encapsulates everything that is different about Rhysand and Tamlin." (Christina, 23:11)

4. New Dynamics in the Inner Circle

[23:40–33:54]

• Lucien witnesses the true bond between Feyre and Rhysand, provoking jealousy and confusion; Rhys warns Lucien to respect Feyre.
  • "The next time you look at my mate with that disdain and disgust, I won’t bother to explain it again. And I will rip out your fucking throat." (Rhys, read by Kim, 24:24)
• Kim and Christina delight in Rhys’s protective Mama Bear energy for Feyre.

Archeron Sisters' Struggles

• Nesta and Elain remain deeply traumatized post-Cauldron; Elain is almost catatonic, not eating or leaving her room.
  • "Elain’s light... Perhaps that was why she now kept all the curtains open. To fill the void that existed where all of that light had once been. And now nothing remains." (Kim, 27:41)
• Cassian’s lingering guilt over failing to protect Nesta is highlighted.
  • “Because I can’t stay away.” (Cassian, read by Kim, 31:00)
  • "That’s a direct parallel to what Rhys says in chapter 54." (Kim, 31:22)
• The beginnings of the Cassian/Nesta dynamic (“Mate Watch!”) are burgeoning.

Lucien’s First Inner Circle Dinner

• Discussion turns lighthearted as the hosts imagine Lucien overdressed, nervous, and out of place amid the Night Court’s casual style.
  • "I would pay so much money to be a fly on the wall for this." (Kim, 31:33)

Upcoming Plot Points

• Plans to visit the Court of Nightmares and gain Kier’s Darkbringer army; foreshadowing the impact on Mor.
  • Emphasis on more’s emotional response: “You could truly wound Mor if you don’t play it right.” (Christina, 32:36)

Feyre Learning to Fly

• Azriel volunteers to teach her—set up for later plot relevance. Rhys gives her every advantage Tamlin never did.

5. Mastermind Segment: SJM Multiverse Connections

[34:05–44:47]

• Parallels in Romantic Bonds Across Series:
  • The “You’re mine/I’m yours” refrain recurs with Rhys/Feyre, Rowan/Aelin, and Ruhn/Day.
    • “It’s so beautiful. And then in Crescent City, we get Ruhn and Day... ‘I’m fucking yours.” (Kim, 35:00)
• Seers Across the MassVerse:
  • Elain is a Seer; references to seers (oracles, witches) in Throne of Glass and Crescent City.
  • “Sears had once used Blood Bane as a drug to view spirits from other worlds.” (Christina, 36:28)
• Illyrians as Prototypes for Crescent City Angels:
  • Discussion on the shared origin of Illyrians, Malakim, Seraphim across series.
    • "Many in the fandom also take these prototypes to include the Seraphim as well, which are the winged Fae warriors of Prince Drakon." (Kim, 38:45)
• Dread Trove & Cauldron-Made Resurrection Item:
  • Hosts debate the mysterious item Drakon used to resurrect Miriam, its possible connection to the Dread Trove, and the inconsistencies in SJM’s resurrection magic.
    • “Is it a Dread Trove item that nobody knows about? Like, not even Amren?” (Christina, 41:34)
  • Hilarious theorizing ensues about the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Mask."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Feyre’s Justice on Ianthe:
  "I hope you live a long, long life, Ianthe, and never know a moment’s peace." (Kim, 06:03)
• Cassian and Azriel’s Arrival:
  "Not a shadow. An Illyrian warrior." (Christina, 13:51)
• Feyre Declares Herself High Lady:
  "There is now. Boom." (Christina, 16:39)
• Rhysand & Feyre’s Reunion:
  “‘My love,’ he murmured and kissed me.” (Kim, 20:09)
• Rhysand’s Devotion:
  “I missed having you as my friend even more.” (Kim, 22:50)
• Rhysand to Lucien:
  "I will rip out your fucking throat." (Kim, 24:24)
• Cassian on Nesta:
  "Because I can’t stay away." (Kim, 31:00)
• Lucien at Inner Circle Dinner:
  "I would pay so much money to be a fly on the wall for this." (Kim, 31:33)
• Mastermind Segment on Dread Trove:
  "Is it a Dread Trove item that nobody knows about?" (Christina, 41:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:23 – 06:26: Ianthe assaults Lucien; Feyre’s intervention
• 06:44 – 14:14: Feyre & Lucien’s escape, Hybern twins’ poisoning, Cassian & Azriel’s rescue
• 16:11 – 16:53: Feyre declares herself High Lady
• 18:31 – 20:29: Feyre and Rhysand’s emotional reunion
• 23:24 – 24:24: Rhysand reads Lucien the riot act
• 25:20 – 28:08: Archeron sisters' trauma, Elain's condition
• 31:00 – 31:22: Cassian discusses his feelings for Nesta
• 34:13 – 44:47: Mastermind segment: parallels, SJM-verse connections, Dread Trove theories

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a love letter to ACOWAR’s most electric scenes—full of heated debate, emotional breakdowns, and deep cross-series connections. The hosts bring the story to vivid life, highlight the rich characterization and meta-layering of the SJM universe, and never shy from juicy analysis or their own infectious bookish enthusiasm.

For more ACOWAR goodness and wild multiverse conjecture, tune in next week!