MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast
Episode: Weasley Gossip Hour (HBP Chapter 5, An Excess of Phlegm)
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Harry Potter | Co-hosts: Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura | Guest: Kathlyn

Episode Overview

In this episode, the MuggleCast crew dives into Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 5: "An Excess of Phlegm." The discussion covers the chapter’s plot developments, especially the Weasley family’s dynamic with Fleur Delacour and the tensions her presence brings. The team also shares their first impressions of the full cast Harry Potter audiobooks, and explores themes of family, prejudice, and relationships in the wizarding world. Slug Club guest Kathlyn joins to provide insights from a UK perspective.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. First Impressions: Full Cast Audiobooks

[03:33–09:41]

• The hosts share enthusiastic reactions towards the newly released full-cast Harry Potter audiobooks.
  • Micah: Describes the experience as “immersive”—not just narration, but a “movie for your ears” ([03:46]).
  • Andrew: Praises the sound design, music, and subtle background character reactions. Notably, Arabella Stanton voices Hermione and is also cast in the HBO Max TV show ([04:32], [05:12]).
  • Eric & Laura: Discuss casting choices; some find Hugh Laurie’s Dumbledore “too young-sounding.”
    • Andrew: "He just sounds too Hugh Laurie to me. I'm not hearing Dumbledore in his portrayal" ([06:14]).
    • Eric: Points out the challenge of adjusting expectations from previous Dumbledore actors ([06:38]).
  • General agreement that expectations can interfere with enjoying new interpretations, but everyone’s excited for the format.

Memorable Quote:

"It really feels like you’re listening to a movie. You just can’t see it. It blew past my expectations."
— Andrew ([04:32])

2. At the Burrow: Dumbledore’s Unannounced Visits and Security Concerns

[11:30–18:20]

• The group revisits the recurring motif of Dumbledore dropping by unannounced and the comedic confusion about Harry’s early arrival.
  • Eric: “Dumbledore just drops in on people unannounced. I think this is extremely rude.” ([16:40])
  • Kathlyn raises a plot hole: the family is hyper-alert to security threats, yet they fail to verify Dumbledore and Harry’s identities upon arrival.
  • Eric & Andrew: Note Arthur Weasley is the only one meticulously following Ministry security guidelines, likely due to his promotion and large family ([18:20]).

Memorable Quote:

“Them showing up is literally what the Ministry is warning about. If anybody had read these pamphlets...they would have probed Harry and Dumbledore.”
— Eric ([17:36])

3. Fleur Delacour and Molly Weasley: In-Law Tension and Prejudice

[21:30–33:36]

• Central to the chapter is the Weasley family’s reaction to Bill’s engagement to Fleur. The hosts analyze the underlying biases and stereotypes at play.
  • Laura: “Molly, Hermione and Ginny are being really unfair towards her. She should just want him to be happy.” ([22:32])
  • Andrew: Defends Molly’s priorities when Harry arrived—stress and security overshadow engagement news ([23:33]).
  • Eric: Explains the real-world parallel—families may not like new in-laws for non-rational reasons.
  • The crew discusses how the war accelerates relationships (“life’s too short, just do it” – Kathlyn [26:11]).
  • The lack of female camaraderie is noted, with Fleur being "set up to fail" due to culture and language barriers:
    • Kathlyn: “She’s not being rude, she’s just being her. If that makes sense.” ([31:56])

Memorable Quote:

“It feels like there can be a lot of women tearing down women in the series…a limitation of the storytelling.”
— Laura ([35:04])

4. Female Relationships & Representation

[33:36–37:30]

• The lack of meaningful, supportive female friendships in the series is highlighted.
  • Laura & Kathlyn: Bring up the catty, competitive dynamic between female characters, wishing for more depth in their relationships.
  • Listeners on Discord chime in, suggesting Hermione-Ginny and Ginny-Luna as exceptions, but noting Ginny lacks adequate book representation.

5. Ginny & Fleur: Missed Opportunities for Sisterhood

[37:31–40:05]

• The hosts analyze Ginny’s possible feelings—she’s never competed with another girl for family attention, and Fleur’s arrival is both jarring and an opportunity.
  • Kathlyn: Notes the significant age gap as a likely source of friction.
  • Micah: Suggests that if not for the war, Ginny and Fleur could have bonded over shared strengths.

6. Fleur as the Outsider: Cultural Clashes

[40:05–42:12]

• Discussion moves to Fleur’s status as a foreigner in both country and family culture.
  • Eric and Kathlyn: Compare Fleur’s experience to real UK/Europe cultural differences and share anecdotes about differing school exam systems.

7. Harry’s O.W.L. Results: Surprises and Reactions

[43:08–45:28]

• The crew reviews which of Harry’s O.W.L. grades was most surprising:
  • Andrew: "History of Magic. He got a D for dreadful. He should have done better."
  • Micah: “I’m surprised Harry eked out an E in Potions.”
  • Laura: Picks Divination, expecting Harry could have ‘phoned in’ a pass.
  • Kathlyn: Flags Harry’s strong Herbology score as unexpected.

8. Pet Names & Listener Engagement: The Mollywobbles Segment

[45:55–49:06]

• Listeners share endearing pet names (“Buddy Boy,” “Bean,” “City Mouse”) in response to the chapter’s password scene.
• Lighthearted banter about hosts' nicknames wraps up the section.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Audiobook:
  “Maybe he’ll become more tired... a tired Dumbledore because he’s reading... six and a half Harry Potter books.” — Eric ([08:42])

• On Molly’s Reactions:
  "At the end of the day, Bill's the one who has to live with his chosen spouse." — Laura ([22:32])

• On Fleur Being an Outsider:
  “Harry is the only person that she feels that she knows... It must have been such a relief for her.” — Micah ([27:30])

• On Missed Opportunities for Female Bonds:
  “This could be the first week that they're in each other's company... On paper, Ginny and Fleur should absolutely get along.” — Eric ([40:05])

• On O.W.L. Results:
  “He got a D for dreadful. I know class is really boring, but he should have done better in that.” — Andrew ([44:35])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Full Cast Audiobook Reactions: [03:33–09:41]
• Dumbledore’s Unannounced Visits: [11:30–18:20]
• Weasley-Fleur Tensions & Family Politics: [21:39–33:36]
• Female Representation & Friendships: [35:04–37:30]
• Ginny & Fleur Dynamic: [37:31–40:05]
• O.W.L. Results Discussion: [43:08–45:28]
• Listener Pet Names (Mollywobbles): [45:55–49:06]

Tone and Atmosphere

• The episode is lighthearted, familial, and gently teasing, echoing the atmosphere of the Burrow itself.
• The crew mixes earnest analysis with personal anecdotes, humor, and occasional friendly roasting—just like the Weasleys.
• British vs. English cultural distinctions are discussed in good spirits, enhanced by Kathlyn’s guest perspective.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a blend of thoughtful thematic discussion (culture clash, prejudice, gender roles) and classic MuggleCast camaraderie. Essential topics include Fleur’s outsider status, family politics in times of crisis, and the struggles of integrating new identities (both in families and in franchise content, like the audiobooks).

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away understanding not just the plot of “An Excess of Phlegm,” but also its larger relevance to issues of inclusivity, adaptation, and the sometimes awkward process of blending new personalities into tight-knit groups.

Next Week

Half-Blood Prince Chapter 6: “Draco’s Detour”