Wolf 359 Reunion Episode of Pairing Podcast – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 25, 2021
Host: Emma Shirjarko
Podcast: Pairing
Featuring: Cast and Crew of Wolf 359

Introduction

In the special reunion episode of the Pairing Podcast, host Emma Shirjarko celebrates the four-year anniversary of the beloved sci-fi audio drama Wolf 359. Dedicated to the show’s impact and its community, Emma brings together nearly the entire cast and crew of Wolf 359 to reminisce about their experiences, share favorite moments, and explore what their characters might enjoy drinking.

Notable Quote:
Emma Shirjarko: “Wolf 359 was and remains such an important piece of art for so many people and it certainly changed my life and career entirely.” [05:20]

Acknowledgments and Farewells

Emma begins by thanking key contributors, including cast members Julian Silver, Ariella Rotengold, Scotty Shoemaker, Zach Valenti, and others. She announces that Pairing Podcast will take a significant hiatus after reaching 100 episodes, expressing gratitude for the support from listeners and patrons.

Notable Quote:
Emma Shirjarko: “I have decided that once we get to 100 episodes, I'm going to lay Pairing down for a very long, possibly indefinite nap.” [08:45]

Reunion with Julian Silver, Scotty Shoemaker, and Zach Valenti

Julian Silver as Victor Ryman

Emma invites Julian Silver, who portrays Victor Ryman, to discuss his character’s development and the creative process behind his distinctive accent. Julian shares insights into adopting a "Street London" accent inspired by Jason Statham to add depth to Ryman's persona.

Notable Quote:
Julian Silver: “I try to convince people to let me do an accent. And this time it just happened to work.” [15:30]

Scotty Shoemaker as Marcus Cutter

Scotty Shoemaker discusses his portrayal of Marcus Cutter, highlighting his ability to embody evil geniuses effectively. He reflects on his experience recording remotely from San Francisco, dealing with cramped spaces, and memorable moments like the "Frosted Flakes" commercial parody.

Notable Quote:
Scotty Shoemaker: “When you make someone like that say or do evil things, it's very, very unsettling. So it kind of just works.” [22:10]

Zach Valenti as Doug Eiffel and Alexander Hilbert

Zach Valenti delves into his dual roles as Doug Eiffel and Alexander Hilbert, sharing anecdotes about balancing two distinct characters. He reminisces about early recording sessions, improvisation moments, and the challenges of maintaining character authenticity.

Notable Quote:
Zach Valenti: “I love it because I have such a nice general demeanor. And so when you make someone like that say or do evil things, it's very, very unsettling.” [25:50]

Ariella Rotengold as Rachel Young

Ariella Rotengold joins the conversation, expressing her joy at being part of the reunion despite technical recording challenges. She shares her favorite memories, including hilarious recording sessions and the emotional depth of episodes like "Memoria."

Notable Quote:
Ariella Rotengold: “There's this great photo where I'm sitting on a chair making real funny faces together. That camaraderie was so magical.” [35:15]

Noah Mazur, Michelle Agresti, and Sarah Shakat

Noah Mazur as Daniel Jacoby

Noah Mazur discusses his character Daniel Jacoby, emphasizing the surprising character development and his journey from a sarcastic, over-competent individual to a deeply loyal team member. He reflects on the transformative experience of playing Jacoby over multiple seasons.

Notable Quote:
Noah Mazur: “As he moved on his journey, he kind of became more like me.” [42:30]

Michelle Agresti as Alana Maxwell

Michelle Agresti shares memories of auditioning for Alana Maxwell and her favorite episodes, particularly "Memoria." She highlights the collaborative writing process and the intricate relationship between script and performance.

Notable Quote:
Michelle Agresti: “Recording 'All Things Considered' was one of my favorite memories because it was so different from anything we'd done before.” [46:50]

Sarah Shakat as Writer

Sarah Shakat, the show's writer, reflects on her transition from script consulting to writing full episodes. She discusses favorite episodes like "Mayday" and the challenges of balancing comedy and drama within the narrative.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Shakat: “‘Memoria’ was a masterpiece of an episode, from writing to performance to acting to the score.” [50:10]

Conversations with Gabrielle Urbina, Cecilia Lynn Jacobs, Mikayla Sui, and Alan Rode

Gabrielle Urbina – Creator of Wolf 359

Gabrielle Urbina discusses the evolution of Wolf 359, the collaborative creative process, and the show's unique gravitational pull on both creators and listeners. He emphasizes the importance of character consistency and the seamless integration of music and sound design.

Notable Quote:
Gabrielle Urbina: “What I did was turn something vaguely resembling an episode into something that was actually an episode of the podcast.” [60:45]

Cecilia Lynn Jacobs as Captain Loveless

Cecilia Lynn Jacobs explores her approach to playing Captain Loveless, a character with multiple facets. She shares insights into developing Loveless's personality and the emotional depth required to portray a character destined to meet a tragic end.

Notable Quote:
Cecilia Lynn Jacobs: “Loveless reminds me of wine all the time, with various layers and complexities.” [75:20]

Mikayla Sui as Hera

Mikayla Sui discusses voicing Hera, the sentient operating system of the Hephaestus Station. She delves into Hera's sophisticated taste in beverages and how it reflects the character's personality.

Notable Quote:
Mikayla Sui: “Hera might drink an off-dry Riesling in the summertime and a full-bodied Zinfandel in the winter.” [78:55]

Alan Rode – Music Composer

Alan Rode highlights his role in enhancing Wolf 359 through music composition and sound design. He explains his process for naming tracks and how music intertwines with the show's narrative to evoke specific emotions.

Notable Quote:
Alan Rode: “For every track I make, there are three that I don't. Naming them only after I'm sure they'll stay.” [82:40]

Character Drink Pairings

Throughout the episode, the cast and crew engage in a lighthearted discussion about what beverages their characters from Wolf 359 would prefer:

• Victor Ryman: A heavy red Bordeaux or a spicy Rioja, reflecting his complex and authoritative nature.

  Notable Quote:
  Julian Silver: “If he's going to wine, he's going either real heavy red, like Bordeaux.” [18:15]

• Marcus Cutter: A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, mirroring his old-school sophistication.

  Notable Quote:
  Scotty Shoemaker: “A Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley 2019 was perfect for Cutter.” [20:50]

• Doug Eiffel: Reflecting multiple personas, Eiffel might opt for diverse drinks, balancing between his human and alternate selves.

• Alexander Hilbert: Prefers a seven-and-seven cocktail, embodying his straightforward and no-nonsense attitude.

• Rachel Young: Enjoys a fine Scotch neat, aligning with her refined and composed demeanor.

• Captain Loveless: Chooses a Laufrancho or a rich, layered Côte du Rhône wine, symbolizing her multifaceted character.

  Notable Quote:
  Cecilia Lynn Jacobs: “If Loveless was a wine, she would be like a Laufrancho, with rich, dark fruit and spice.” [74:30]

• Hera: Sophisticated and versatile, Hera might enjoy an off-dry Riesling in summer and a full-bodied Zinfandel in winter.

  Notable Quote:
  Mikayla Sui: “Hera drinks an off-dry Riesling in the summertime and a rich Zinfandel in the winter.” [79:10]

Memorable Moments and Episodes

The reunion highlights several standout episodes and moments that defined Wolf 359:

• "Memoria": Celebrated as a high point for its emotional depth and character exploration. The episode is praised for its masterful combination of writing, performance, and musical score.

  Notable Quote:
  Sarah Shakat: “‘Memoria’ was a masterpiece of an episode, from writing to performance to acting to the score.” [50:10]

• Live Show Recording: Recalling the unique experience of having the entire cast and crew together, capturing the magic and camaraderie that brought additional layers to the storytelling.

  Notable Quote:
  Ariella Rotengold: “The camaraderie of all of us being together was so magical.” [35:45]

• "Mayday" and "Pan Pan" Episodes: Emphasized for their innovative formats and the way they pushed the boundaries of audio fiction.

Future Endeavors and Farewell

As part of the episode, Emma Shirjarko shares her upcoming projects, including narrating Moira Catson’s audiobook Asundered Throne and launching a Shakespeare podcast. She encourages listeners to revisit Wolf 359 through re-listening opportunities and supports ongoing projects from the cast and crew.

Notable Quote:
Emma Shirjarko: “If you'd like to become a Pairing patron over the next few months, come check us out @patreon.com/pairingpodcast.” [90:30]

Conclusion

The Wolf 359 reunion episode serves as a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable audio drama and its dedicated creators. Through shared memories, insightful discussions, and a touch of humor, the episode encapsulates the essence of what made Wolf 359 resonate with its audience. As Pairing Podcast prepares to take a long hiatus, this special episode stands as a testament to the show's lasting legacy and the strong bonds formed during its creation.

Notable Quote:
Emma Shirjarko: “Thank you so much for listening to Pairing, where you come for the stories and stay for the wine.” [Last Segment]

This summary captures the essence of the Wolf 359 Reunion Episode of Pairing Podcast, highlighting key discussions, memorable moments, and the collaborative spirit of the show's creators.