MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Podcast - Episode Summary Episode Title: The Not-So-Chosen One (OOTP Chapter 9, The Woes of Mrs. Weasley) Release Date: December 10, 2024

Introduction

In this week's episode of MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Podcast, hosts Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura delve deep into Chapter 9 of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" titled "The Woes of Mrs. Weasley." Joined by guest Rex, a long-time supporter and former MuggleNet contributor, the panel explores the aftermath of Harry Potter's trial, the new prefects at Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley's struggles, and significant news surrounding the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

TV Show News Update

[07:37] Andrew: The episode kicks off with exciting news about the forthcoming Harry Potter TV show. The panel discusses the potential casting of Papa Esiadou for the role of Severus Snape, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. Esiadou, known for his roles in "The Lazarus Project," "I May Destroy You," and "Black Mirror," brings a diverse background to the iconic character.

[09:08] Laura: "Hey, you came prepared. Yeah, I had seen him in that episode of Black Mirror as well and he is incredible. He's got such range. I would be really excited to see his interpretation of Snape."

The hosts express mixed feelings about the casting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the British authenticity that gave the original films their unique charm. Concerns about diversity and the potential shift in character dynamics are also highlighted.

[10:20] Eric: "Yeah, I, I will say he is. I think he's actually 20 years younger than Alan Rickman was. He's age appropriate for Snape because he's 34."

The showrunners have confirmed that filming will begin in Summer 2025, with plans to expand the narrative to an eight-hour series for the first book, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of characters and Hogwarts itself.

[12:09] Eric: "Yeah."

Chapter 9 Overview and Analysis

Harry's Trial Aftermath

[16:55] Laura: "Picking up this week's chapter, we're right where we left off. Harry is still in the courtroom... he breaks into like a half dash to get out the door as quickly as he can."

The panel discusses the isolating experience Harry undergoes post-trial. Despite being cleared of all charges, Harry feels abandoned as Arthur Weasley and others neglect to acknowledge or support him.

[18:01] Eric: "You would think there was like an important name knitting show on TV or something and he's late for it."

[19:15] Micah: "He hasn't had that all along this has been the theme of this book thus far. Harry's isolated."

Sirius Black's Mood and Mrs. Weasley's Struggles

[38:02] Laura: "He's a presence in the house that is very welcomed... Sirius is being selfish here. He should be very excited that his best friend's son is going back to Hogwarts."

The hosts delve into Sirius Black's lingering trauma from his time in Azkaban and his complex relationship with Harry, who resembles his deceased brother, James Potter.

[43:44] Eric: "So I do think it's a failure of Sirius, but not for the reasons that Hermione states."

Mrs. Weasley's emotional turmoil is also a focal point, especially her encounter with a Boggart manifesting her fears of losing more family members.

[74:10] Andrew: "And I think it's also helpful that she is reminded that they're in a much better position this time around."

The Boggart Scene

[73:15] Andrew: "I think it's circumstantial now more than ever. ... losing a loved one would be one of your greatest fears."

The panel reflects on the Boggart scene, highlighting Molly Weasley's deep-seated fears intensified by the looming war. Remus Lupin plays a crucial role in helping her confront her fears, reinforcing his protective nature.

Prefect Discussion: Should Harry Be a Prefect Instead of Ron?

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to debating whether Dumbledore should have appointed Harry Potter as a prefect instead of Ron Weasley. The hosts and guest Rex compile a comprehensive pros and cons list to explore this intriguing dilemma.

Pros of Harry Being a Prefect

1. Leadership Potential:

   • Rex [56:35]: "Harry's very determined and he does want to do the right thing. So I do think if he was given that, he would have acted a little differently later on in the book."
   • Laura [57:14]: "Harry is a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. So there are definitely some transferable qualities in there."

2. Moral Compass:

   • Eric [56:53]: "He's got a good moral compass."

3. Support and Recognition:

   • Eric [57:09]: "If he had become a prefect it would give Harry the impression that Dumbledore cares about him."
   • Laura [57:09]: "Cares Enough about him to give him more work to do."

Cons of Harry Being a Prefect

1. Peer Perception:

   • Laura [58:41]: "Most of Harry's peers think he's crazy and they would not respect him."
   • Eric [58:41]: "Yep."

2. Additional Responsibility:

   • Laura [58:41]: "He doesn't need the additional responsibility."

3. Conflict Handling:

   • Laura [58:41]: "Harry does not handle conflict with his peers very well."

4. Public Image Post-Trial:

   • Laura [60:22]: "Harry just sat on trial... bringing him back to Hogwarts and give him a position of authority."

5. Potential for Favoritism:

   • Laura [61:53]: "Harry being a prefect could reinforce the idea that Dumbledore is favoring him."

[58:41] Laura: "Additionally, Harry does not handle conflict with his peers very well. We see that sprinkled throughout the series."

[59:15] Rex: "Most of Harry's peers think he's crazy and they would not respect him."

Audience Feedback and Opinions

[78:48] Carly (Patreon Listener): "I would have put Neville above Ron due to behavior, but maybe it's like Lupin's theory that Dumbledore had hoped he'd have some influence over James and Sirius."

[80:32] Laura: "Rex, I think you're gonna like this one from Eleanor. Eleanor says no, no, Dumbledore seems to pick his student ambassadors as much for what they will do for them as anything else."

[83:05] Eric: "Jiggly Jane says, 'Well, I'm seeing a lot of Harry haters here. I'm gonna go against the grain and say yes, Harry definitely deserved it more.'"

The panel acknowledges the diverse perspectives from their Patreon community, emphasizing that while Harry possesses strong leadership qualities, Ron's appointment as prefect serves as a crucial confidence boost for someone who has often been overlooked.

Boggart and Personal Fears Segment

[75:38] Laura: "So, I want to explore this idea of feeling giddy relief that Harry experiences post trial. He gets, he gets to go back to Hogwarts."

The hosts engage in a light-hearted segment where each discusses what their personal Boggarts would be within the context of Grimmauld Place:

• Andrew: "Fred and George popping in on me while trying to read."
• Eric: "Being confined in an antique roll-top desk."
• Micah: "Severed house elf heads mounted on the wall."
• Laura: "Persistent mold and a dank, grubby atmosphere."
• Rex: "A portrait that screams loudly."

This segment not only provides character insights but also adds a humorous break amidst the intense chapter discussions.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the emotional complexities presented in Chapter 9. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and supporting characters like Ron and Neville, who often operate in the shadows of Harry's spotlight.

[85:01] Eric: "This is a great insight. I really want to thank you Carly for putting that in as far as how do you really give something to a student and seeing that the results vary and that the goals are more like education over perfection is so excellent."

The panel also highlights upcoming content, including a bonus episode discussing whether the Harry Potter movies qualify as Christmas movies and encouraging listeners to engage with their Patreon for exclusive content and merchandise.

[87:54] Rex: "Thanks for having me. This was so much fun."

[88:16] Laura: "Bye."

Key Takeaways

• Harry's Isolation: Post-trial, Harry feels unsupported and isolated despite his innocence, highlighting his vulnerability.

• Ron as Prefect: Ron's appointment serves as a much-needed confidence boost, addressing his consistent oversight and undervaluation within the wizarding community.

• Sirius Black's Turmoil: Sirius grapples with his trauma and the burden of his past, affecting his relationship with Harry.

• Mrs. Weasley's Struggles: The Boggart scene underscores her deep fears and the immense pressure she faces amidst the impending war.

• Audience Engagement: Diverse opinions from the Patreon community enrich the discussion, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of character development in the series.

Notable Quotes

• Laura [17:51]: "It's Harry's news. It's about him."

• Andrew [27:39]: "I was just led to believe that that was the answer considering that Harry runs into these two talking."

• Eric [43:44]: "It's a failure of Sirius, but not for the reasons that Hermione states."

• Laura [57:14]: "Harry is a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. So there are definitely some transferable qualities in there."

• Rex [56:35]: "Harry's very determined and he does want to do the right thing."

MuggleCast continues to provide in-depth analysis and engaging discussions for Harry Potter fans, fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts eager to explore every facet of the wizarding world.