LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City

Episode 27: "You wanna fight me, fishass?"
Hosts: Natalie Jean & Jackie Zebrowski
Release Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues LPN Deep Dives’ thorough and humorous breakdown of Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series, specifically focusing on the events after the "submarine adventure" and exploring the political, magical, and deeply personal drama unfolding among Tharion, the River Queen, Hypaxia, Ruhn, Hunt, Bryce, Ethan, and others. Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski maintain a witty, irreverent tone while unraveling chapter 52 and onward of House of Sky and Breath (HOSAB), blending character analysis, recap, and comedic tangents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter: Wigs, Accessories, and Dating Tactics

• [03:50–09:18]
  • Natalie and Jackie riff about ill-fitting wigs, "head shrunky disease", and accessories as fashion statements.
  • Tangents on monocles, top hats on a date, and the ethics of using disability aides as fashion accessories.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • "Are you into, like. Is that something where you're like, oh, very Dickensian. Ooh, interesting." – Jackie ([06:12])

2. Tharion and the River Queen: Intrigue Under the Sea

• [09:27–15:33]
  • Recap resumes: Tharion returns to the River Queen post-submarine escapade, reporting some—but not all—intel.
  • River Queen’s throne imagery (“seat of river oysters”) discussed with aquatic/Medusa-associated speculation.
  • River Queen is incredulous her Ocean Queen sister shared secrets with Tharion and feels threatened about the river's status.
  • Discussion of court politics, sibling rivalry, and the vast difference in power between river and ocean.
  • Notable Moment:
    • Tharion worries about River Queen’s reaction and internally doubts the ocean would care about her “dumb little river.” ([14:14])
  • Leads to Tharion’s exit and set up for a tense meeting with Hunt Athelar.

3. Hypaxia’s Awkward Arrival: Witch Coven Drama

• [15:53–24:43]
  • Cut to Ruhn, reeling with the appearance of Hypaxia (his betrothed) at his frat-house-turned-strategic-hub.
  • Jackie and Natalie joke about kinder, less enthusiastic smiles and the state of Ruhn’s garbage frat house.
  • Details Hypaxia’s unexpectedly isolated upbringing—homeschooled by ghosts due to her necromantic talent—and her lack of socialization.
  • Hypaxia requests Ruhn act as her bodyguard/escort during the archangels’ equinox ball, expressing distrust of her own coven.
  • Exploration of succession politics, favoring the Hind (her pale, blonde half-sister), and the coven’s prejudices.
  • Quotes:
    • “She was homeschooled by ghosts, which seems like a lot.” — Natalie ([29:37])
    • "Everything is just another box. Check, check, check. Yes. Want, want, want. Super cool." — Jackie on Hypaxia ([29:52])

4. Ruhn’s Bro Squad and the Gross House

• [22:01–24:43]
  • Humorous examination of the state of Ruhn’s residence and how his lifestyle might reflect internal turmoil.
  • Jokes around the etiquette (and subterfuge) of hiding a “mirth root blunt” in front of a queen.
  • Ethan’s role as comic relief and muscle.

5. Necromancy, Trauma, and Emotional Boundaries

• [41:33–46:46]
  • Hypaxia, Ruhn, and Ethan discuss Ethan’s desire to contact his late brother Connor via necromancy (seen as traumatic, risky, and emotionally fraught).
  • Natalie and Jackie lampoon Ethan’s obsession and imagine putting Flynn in a bedsheet to convince Ethan he’s seeing Connor.
  • Quotes:
    • "Raise the dead. Never mind. Raise the dead. I don't care what. It does raise the dead for me." – Jackie ([46:58])
    • "We all have to live in his delusion to keep him from going insane." – Natalie ([47:33])

6. Tharion & Hunt: “You wanna fight me, fishass?” & Dangerous Secrets

• [33:33–40:43]
  • Hunt approaches Tharion, discusses Deathstalker demons and the state of Emil.
  • Hunt warns Tharion to make up excuses for the River Queen, drop the search for Emil, and reveals the boy has no Thunderbird powers.
  • Classic LPN banter:
    • "You want to fight me? Fish ass." – Natalie ([37:00])
  • Tharion contemplates how to keep up this charade for as long as possible—enjoying “freedom”.

7. Bryce & Hunt: Jake Ryan Vibes, Seduction & Reconciliation

• [49:23–63:12]
  • Bryce returns home after work, dreading facing Hunt after a heated argument.
  • Hunt waits for her outside with “Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles” energy (extended riff on iconic teen heartthrobs and their actors).
  • Inside the archives, Hunt and Bryce’s prolonged make-up scene is both emotionally revealing and sexually charged.
  • They tentatively resolve their issues—though listeners and hosts agree Bryce should apologize first for keeping secrets.
  • Quotes:
    • “He tells her he loves her even though she’s crazy and, quote, shady as hell.” — Natalie ([62:49])
    • “Give me it. Give me it. Give me that dick.” – Jackie (Dudes Grappling With Erotica) ([62:56])

8. Ruhn & Day: Anger, Vulnerability, and Self-Worth

• [63:13–71:44]
  • Ruhn dreams of a meeting with mysterious Day; their relationship is tense after an intimate encounter.
  • Day warns about Pippa Spetsos’s imminent, violent plan.
  • Emotional blow-up: Day accuses Ruhn of never experiencing real sacrifice; Ruhn expresses feelings of inadequacy due to his accidental birthright.
  • Reflection on “Nepo babies” and the struggle for personal worth.
  • Quotes:
    • “Not a king. His father wasn’t a fucking king either. Not in the way that mattered. Message received…Prince of Nothing.” — Ruhn’s inner monologue, read by Jackie ([70:39])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Witch Upbringing:

  • “She was homeschooled by ghosts, which seems like a lot.” ([29:37], Natalie)

• On Personal Worth:

  • “Not a king. His father wasn’t a fucking king either. Not in the way that mattered. Message received…Prince of Nothing.” ([70:39], Inner monologue read by Jackie)

• On Banter and Seduction:

  • "He tells her he loves her even though she’s crazy and, quote, shady as hell." ([62:49], Natalie)
  • “Give me it. Give me it. Give me that dick.” ([62:56], Jackie as Dudes Grappling With Erotica)

• On Crescent City’s Bro Culture:

  • “Humorous examination of the state of Ruhn’s residence and how his lifestyle might reflect internal turmoil.” ([22:01–24:43])

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 03:50-09:18 | Opening banter: wig, hats, accessory tangents | | 09:27-15:33 | Tharion & River Queen: secrets, family drama | | 15:53-24:43 | Hypaxia's arrival, coven politics, ghost tutors | | 33:33-40:43 | Hunt & Tharion discuss Emil, Deathstalkers | | 41:33-46:46 | Ethan’s demands, necromancy, trauma humor | | 49:23-63:12 | Bryce & Hunt’s make-up, relationship dynamics | | 63:13-71:44 | Ruhn & Day confrontation; self-worth issues |

Episode Tone & Style

Natalie and Jackie maintain their signature irreverence, constantly weaving humorous asides, raunchy interjections, and pop culture references (from Sixteen Candles to Prince Harry and woodworkers) throughout their recap. Their intimate knowledge of the Crescent City universe pairs with a casual, freewheeling conversational style—making the deep dive both insightful and entertaining. The duo frequently steps into the characters’ voices for improv, jokes, or re-imaginings of scenes, adding meta-commentary on everything from Fae housecleaning to interspecies politics.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode continues to build LPN Deep Dives’ reputation for balancing detailed Crescent City recaps with sharp, comedic analysis. Fans of the series—and even newcomers—will appreciate the clear breakdown of recent chapters, the hosts' empathy for struggling characters like Ruhn and Hypaxia, the meta-humor around fantasy tropes, and the very real emotional stakes hiding beneath all the banter and nonsense. If you need to catch up on the “rabbit warren” of Crescent City plotlines and want to laugh about it, this episode delivers.

Next Reading Assignment:
Read up until Chapter 56 for next week’s episode!