LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City

Episode 28: Queen Doctor Witch: Medicine Woman
Hosted by Natalie Jean & Jackie Zebrowski
Original Air Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this highly animated episode, Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski continue their in-depth and irreverent trek through Sarah J. Maas’s “Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath.” The hosts don their best deathstalker attire—complete with chaotic wigs and questionable masks—to dissect chapters 54–58, focusing on evolving power dynamics, character development, and the ever-growing political and magical threats haunting Bryce and her friends. As the title suggests, themes of identity, royalty, and the double-edged nature of “being chosen” or “forced into greatness” hover over the discussion, especially as Queen Doctor Witch Hypaxia enters the spotlight. The episode fizzes with witty banter, cultural detours, and heartfelt moments as the hosts explore both plot and subtext.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Aftermath of Rune’s Confrontation and Bryce's Burden

• [10:29] Natalie and Jackie pick up after Rune's humbling confrontation with Zay, riffing on the term “chopped” and its generational/language gap, and what this says about Rune’s privilege and self-awareness.

  • “He got nipped. And he agrees, actually, but is quite butthurt about it, because that’s mean. It hurts.” — Natalie Jean [11:22]

• [11:58] The story shifts focus onto Bryce in her office, grappling with emotional fallout regarding her friend Connor/Emil and Ethan’s spiraling character arc. Natalie highlights the emotional layering:

  • “He’s been through a lot of drama, and now he’s been given a new family without his consent. It’s fine.” — Natalie Jean [14:10]

• [15:40] Bryce is interrupted by the sudden, intimidating arrival of her estranged fae father, the Autumn King, signaling a confrontation that further complicates her identity and allegiances.

2. Royal Power Plays: The Autumn King’s Machinations

• [16:01] The Autumn King's interrogation centers on Bryce's mating bond with Hunt and her use of the family name to gain leverage, ultimately resulting in her being “officially” renamed as a princess. This sparks an impassioned exchange about control, legacy, and entrapment:

  • “While obviously changing her name is disgusting, I do think she should not have used his name for leverage.” — Natalie Jean [22:04]
  • “Change my name and I will kill you.” — Bryce (as recounted by Natalie) [22:56]

• [24:07] The Autumn King’s threats and hidden motivations come into question. Natalie and Jackie dissect whether his gestures of protection are self-serving, manipulative, or if there’s any kernel of redemption.

  • “He’s trying to say, ‘I didn’t like seeing Micah hurt you and that he loved your mother deeply.’ Is this going to be some kind of magic switch him up?” — Natalie Jean [20:56]

3. Secrets, Numbers, and the Truth

• [24:39] The Autumn King pauses over mysterious numbers found on Sophie’s body, refusing to explain but implying a connection to the Asteri and “the truth” with a dramatic exit.
  • “I know what it is you’re searching for. I’ve been seeking it for a long, long time.” — the Autumn King via Natalie [25:30]
  • “The truth.” — Autumn King [25:41]

4. Bryce’s Isolation and Search for Comfort

• Bryce faces layer upon layer of rejection—from her father, ballet class peers, and even herself. A low point arrives as she’s shunned at ballet, her solace shattered by community gossip.

  • “That’s rough though… Like, I know she did this, but that sucks.” — Natalie Jean [27:32]
  • “That was her solace. Like, it was her ballet class was the thing.” — Jackie Zebrowski [27:44]

• She reaches out to Hypaxia, the Witch Queen, seeking not only comfort but also a practical model for coping with unwanted royalty.

5. Queen Doctor Witch: Hypaxia’s Perspective

• [29:50] The hosts delight in Hypaxia’s entrance, with Jackie drawing out themes of found family, duty, and power. Hypaxia’s backstory as a healer emerges, and her struggles with family and political expectation parallel Bryce’s own.

  • “She tries to just be a normal person herself. And it’s partly why she came to Lunathian to be a Medwich for the first time.” — Natalie Jean [35:13]

• Delving into the witches' internal politics, Hypaxia shares the burden of leadership, loss, and secrecy regarding the Asteri’s use of souls (Second Light).

  • “She had to make a bargain to make it so that her mother wouldn’t end up there in death.” — Natalie Jean [55:07]
  • “Where did the dead go before the Asteri arrived?” — Bryce [56:35]
  • “No, but they told me it was good. Peaceful.” — Hypaxia [56:44]

• The meeting cements a bond between Bryce and Hypaxia as two “not like the other girls,” forced into (and chafing against) roles of power.

6. Deathstalkers Attack: Chaos and Teleportation

• As Bryce, Hypaxia, and Ethan leave, they’re ambushed by Deathstalkers—dangerous demonic beasts not seen in Lunathian for centuries.

  • “The beast. The demon ripped out Ethan’s throat, tipped back its broad, flat head and swallowed the chunk of flesh between black, curved fangs.” — Jackie Zebrowski [61:03]

• Quick thinking leads Bryce to request Hypaxia’s magic; under duress, they discover Bryce can teleport via magical power transfer.

  • “She says to Hi, Baxia, try it with your healing power now... That bitch done teleported.” — Natalie Jean & Jackie Zebrowski [65:34]

• Teamwork prevails as Hypaxia finishes off a demon with a knife to the skull, and Ethan is rescued—though, not without injury.

7. Aftermath: Blame, Theories, and Friendship

• Hunt arrives to survey the carnage, and the group untangles possible culprits:

  • Was the attack another test from the Prince of the Pit (Apollyon)?
  • Could Hypaxia’s own coven be targeting her for being too progressive?
  • “A wolf and shield.” — Jackie Zebrowski re: Ethan’s accidental usefulness [70:57]

• The group learns of Bryce’s new teleporting ability, leading to a lighthearted but poignant argument about protection, autonomy, and the absurdity of Bryce’s new “princess” status.

  • “You’re now officially a princess.” — Natalie Jean [73:15]
  • “She’s just a cute girl. Just a cute girl. Don’t you just a cute girl at me, bitch.” — Jackie Zebrowski [73:22]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Method Acting:
  “Why doesn’t anybody ever method act being a nice person? It’s always... to be a huge piece of shit.” — Natalie Jean quoting Robert Pattinson [08:20]

• On Parental Gifting:
  “Surprise, there’s a thing you take care of for the rest of your life.” — Jackie Zebrowski (re: Bryce’s family adopting Connor) [15:33]

• On Witch Lore:
  “Queen Doctor Witch Medicine Woman. God, that’s awesome. But that’s like a lot of schooling, right?” — Jackie Zebrowski [35:19]

• On Banter:
  “We would make such a crazy kill team. We would have so many laughs though.” — Jackie Zebrowski [60:01]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [11:58] — Bryce’s call with her mother about new family dynamics
• [15:40] — The Autumn King confronts Bryce; name change
• [24:07] — The Autumn King’s motivations & mysterious numbers
• [27:32] — Bryce’s isolation at ballet class
• [29:50] — Bryce meets Hypaxia; “Queen Doctor Witch” discussion
• [35:13] — Hypaxia’s background as healer and new queen
• [55:07] — Revelation about the afterlife, Bone Quarter, and “Second Light”
• [61:03] — Deathstalker attack; Ethan is seriously hurt
• [65:34] — Bryce teleports with Hypaxia’s magical help
• [70:57] — Aftermath: Hunt arrives, theories about the attack
• [73:15] — Revelation of Bryce’s official princess status

Tone, Style & Takeaways

Jackie and Natalie bring signature irreverence, dark humor, and a blend of critique and empathy to their analysis. The conversation is peppered with digressions—ranging from medical drama puns to Skarsgård thirsting to references about adulting and changing one’s name at the DMV. Despite all the snark and zany sidebars, the hosts underscore the emotional reality of isolation, forced leadership, and the cost of secrets in “Crescent City.”

Key Themes Highlighted

• The loneliness and stress of leadership (for both Bryce and Hypaxia)
• The weight of legacy and the manipulations of elder figures
• The struggle to do the right thing amidst social pressure and dangerous secrets
• Resilience, found family, and learning to trust unexpected allies
• The show's running fascination with trauma, recovery, and irreverent support

Next Week

Cliffhanger / Assignment:
“Please read up until chapter 59 for next week.” — Jackie Zebrowski [73:35]

A quintessential LPN Deep Dives episode—chaotic, thoughtful, messy, and very, very funny.