MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

Episode: Why Didn't Voldemort Choose To Become a Ghost? And More MuggleMail

Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura

Episode Overview

This engaging MuggleCast episode centers on listener questions from the "MuggleMail" mailbag, with a particular focus on Voldemort’s fate: Why didn’t he choose to become a ghost? The hosts dive deep into various thoughtful and amusing HP fandom queries, including adaptation hopes for the upcoming Max TV series, lingering book mysteries, whimsical “what-ifs,” and listener impressions of Harry Potter characters. The tone is lively, humorous, and insightful, peppered with inside jokes and earnest gratitude to loyal listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Updates on the Harry Potter TV Show

[00:51–06:48]

• On-Set Leaks & Fan Excitement: The hosts discuss recent leakages of TV show filming, especially scenes around Little Whinging recreating moments like Vernon Dursley bumping into Daedalus Diggle, complete with visual details straight from the books (“He was still so worried that he walked straight into someone just outside the door…” [01:17]).
• Book Accuracy: Eric highlights, “This is another example of the TV show seemingly giving us more than we got from the movies.” [02:29]
• Casting Speculation: Hosts joke about “hot” versions of side characters and HBO’s reputation for attractive casting.

2. Comparing Movie vs. TV Adaptations

[06:49–17:12]

• Set Design Choices: The show seems to favor on-location shoots, adding authenticity, and allowing (sometimes unavoidable) public glimpses.
• Adaptation Potential: Responding to listener Daniel, the crew weighs in on how much book content the HBO series could realistically fit into each season, suggesting that longer or split seasons for later, lengthier books are likely.

3. MuggleMail Listeners’ Questions & Hosts’ Takes

Mrs. Black’s Portrait in the Films

[09:05–13:12]

• Listener Samantha suggests the portrait appears (albeit subtly) in the fifth film. Eric is skeptical: “If you didn’t cast someone in the role, it doesn’t count as an official appearance.” [11:54]
• The debate turns playful, with jokes about Laura hiding Mrs. Black behind her own curtain.

The Order of the Phoenix TV Adaptation & Bertie Bott’s Beans

[13:12–17:12]

• Daniel’s email leads to a fun detour about Bertie Bott flavors (“I really like the green apple one. But … booger … I don’t need to as an adult.” - Micah [14:46]), plus speculation that later seasons could be split for longer books.

Why Didn’t Voldemort Become a Ghost?

[18:17–21:53]

• Laura’s Key Argument [19:56]: “All the horcruxing probably damaged his soul too much for him to be able to become a ghost. … Was there enough left to even make a ghost?”
• Eric on Immortality Obsession: “He was searching for immortality in a different kind of way.” [21:38]
• Micah adds: “Tom Riddle strikes me as the type ... who would have explored and tried to research becoming a ghost. And I think he probably would have landed on not wanting to go that route.” [21:09]
• The crew also jokes about “ghosting” as a dating term: “Every time you ghost me there, you split your soul into multiple Horcruxes too.” – Andrew [22:05]

Crookshanks is the Potters’ Cat?

[22:24–23:37]

• Listener Kiri revives the theory that Hermione’s cat might be the Potters’ lost pet, which the crew enjoyably “declares canon.”

Thestrals & Non-Visual Witnessing of Death

[23:45–28:26]

• Blind listener Salome asks: “In order to see a Thestral, must you have visually seen death?”
  • Andrew reasons that witnessing (not seeing) death may suffice.
  • Eric agrees: “They are tangible creatures that take up space and interact with the world regardless of one person’s ability …” [26:00]
• Laura wonders if heightened senses could provide alternative means of perceiving Thestrals for those who are blind.

Arthur Weasley and the Imperius Curse

[28:26–32:28]

• Becky speculates Arthur Weasley’s career may have been derailed by being under the Imperius Curse during the First War.
• The hosts lean towards Arthur just following his passions, but Eric muses, “What if there was this mystery...? … it’s fun to think of these darker possibilities.” [32:03]

Bellatrix & Voldemort’s "Love Affair"

[33:15–39:02]

• Listener Bev strongly opposes the (Cursed Child-inspired) idea that Voldemort ever truly loved Bellatrix or intentionally sired a child.
• The hosts enjoyably debate whether Voldemort’s motivations could include lust or a desire for a legacy:
  • Laura: “I could just see Voldemort being, like, a lustful man and not being very careful…” [35:33]
  • Eric: “He absolutely is incapable of love ... but that doesn't mean he's not, as a human or former human, susceptible to lust.” [35:03]
  • Laura notes Bellatrix as a “groupie.”
  • Discord user Sam’s idea is cited: “Is it possible that Voldemort sees Delphi as a meat suit for his soul? Like another Horcrux, potentially?” [38:03]

Diary Horcrux & Chamber of Secrets Memory Link

[39:15–41:45]

• Lucy asks whether Voldemort "remembers" the events of Chamber through his diary’s experience. The hosts explain that the diary-horcrux is its own entity, gaining knowledge via Ginny's writing—not via a hive mind with Voldemort.

What Does the Basilisk Eat?

[42:06–45:37]

• The crew discusses the plot hole of the basilisk never eating its petrified (not killed) victims.
  • Eric jokes that the “pile of bones” Harry lands on means rats have long been its staple prey.
  • Micah proposes that, for plot darkness reasons, J.K. Rowling likely avoided actual on-page student deaths in Book 2.

Throwback: Bellatrix & Voldemort, Canon Hints

[45:44–48:53]

• Sarah’s 2007 email notes Bellatrix’s ambiguous line about being entrusted with Voldemort’s “most precious.” The hosts have fun with the theory that the “most precious” was not just the Hufflepuff Cup, but maybe a child as well.
• Eric: “He makes her feel more special than any other servant ever by saying, ‘Can you guard this for me?’ ... She would have been elated.” [47:12]

4. Listener Impressions: Character Voices!

[49:54–54:52]

• Fans submit audio impressions of Hermione, Snape, Lockhart, Umbridge, McGonagall, and Fudge, earning much praise and delight from the hosts.

Notable Quotes from Impression Segment:

• Eric (on Snape impression): “There’s a depth to the voice. There’s a dangerousness to the voice. And it’s not just doing an Alan Rickman impression.” [51:33]
• Laura: “Gave me goosebumps!” [51:30]
• Laura (on Fudge impression): “I actually shed a couple of tears. That was very. Was very good. Well done, Barry.” [54:29]

5. Kwizzitch Returns

[56:25–58:50]

• The trivia question returns, with fans competing and shout-outs to clever usernames.
• Next week’s quiz to focus on oldest London bridge, tying into the opening chapter of Half-Blood Prince.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On TV Show Adaptation:
  “I’m thrilled about this ... The first chapter of the first book is one of the best chapters of any of the books for this purpose.” – Eric [02:39]

• On Mrs. Black in the Movie:
  “They cast a curtain. That’s not Mrs. Black.” – Eric [12:16]

• On Ghosts and Horcruxes:
  “All the horcruxing probably damaged his soul too much for him to be able to become a ghost.” – Laura [19:56]

• On Cursed Child “Canon” Debate:
  “I declare canon. And just like that, it’s done. Somebody add it to the Wikipedia.” – Andrew on Crookshanks [23:37]

• On Arthur Weasley's Job:
  “Arthur traded money for happiness and following his passion and there's nothing wrong with that.” – Andrew [31:44]

• On Voldemort’s Possible Child:
  "He absolutely is incapable of love ... but that doesn't mean he's not, as a human or former human, susceptible to lust." – Eric [35:03]

• On Basilisk Diet:
  "It's a pile of bones." – Micah, referencing Harry's landing spot and the basilisk's rat feasts [43:32]

• On Listener Impressions:
  “There’s a depth to the voice…not just an Alan Rickman impression.” – Eric [51:33]
  “I actually shed a couple of tears. That was very…well done, Barry.” – Laura [54:29]

Notable Segment Timestamps

• TV Show Filming & Discussion: [00:51–06:48]
• MuggleMail Mrs. Black’s Portrait: [09:05–13:12]
• TV Adaptation & Bertie Bott Beans: [13:12–17:12]
• Voldemort as a Ghost Discussion: [18:17–21:53]
• Crookshanks Theory: [22:24–23:37]
• Thestrals & Accessibility: [23:45–28:26]
• Arthur Weasley Wonderings: [28:26–32:28]
• Bellatrix & Voldemort "Affair": [33:15–39:02]
• Diary Horcrux/Memory: [39:15–41:45]
• Basilisk Diet Plot Hole: [42:06–45:37]
• Throwback Bellatrix "Canon": [45:44–48:53]
• Listener Voice Impressions: [49:54–54:52]
• Kwizzitch Segment: [56:25–58:50]

Final Thoughts

This MuggleCast episode is a must-listen (or read!) for Harry Potter fans, mixing thoughtful lore debates, fandom theories, TV adaptation hopes, and plenty of humor. The lively MuggleMail session delivers both nostalgia and fresh perspectives—including sharp arguments about the metaphysics of ghosts and horcruxes, reader shout-outs, and delightful improv magic from the hosts and audience alike.

For new and returning listeners alike, this episode is a magical blend of re-read analysis, fandom celebration, and raucous speculation—with plenty of heart.