*This essay contains moderate spoilers for the first sixteen October Daye books, major spoilers for SLEEP NO MORE and THE INNOCENT SLEEP, and minor spoilers for Babylon 5 (S3 E4 "Passing Through Gethsemane").
Link to the original essay.
INTRO (00:36)
When reading SLEEP NO MORE and THE INNOCENT SLEEP by Seanan McGuire (the newest October Daye books), I was struck by similarities in the ethical framework of these two books and certain aspects of the 1990's sci-fi show Babylon 5, particularly the way that changes in personality or memories are treated with relation to assumptions of personhood. I am certain that Seanan McGuire is also very familiar with Babylon 5 because one of her telepathic characters in the Incryptid series uses specific aspects of Babylon 5 as a framework for ethical telepathy.
THE DEATH OF PERSONALITY IN BABYLON 5 (01:12)
UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS (04:46)
MAJOR CHARACTERS (06:45)
Toby - Nickname for Sir October Daye, titular character of the series, changeling (fae mother, human father)
October - Toby’s current personality in SLEEP NO MORE and THE INNOCENT SLEEP, remembers a different history from Toby of the first sixteen books
Tybalt - Cait Sidhe (cat fae), Toby’s husband (October doesn’t remember him)
Amandine - October’s mother
Simon Torquill - Daoine Sidhe, Amandine’s husband, October’s father (not by blood)
Titania - One of the queens of Faerie, cast the illusion which created October from Toby and distorted many people’s memories
Quentin - Daoine Sidhe, Toby’s squire in the previous books, currently squire to someone else
August - October’s sister, daughter of Amandine and Simon
Stacy - Toby’s friend from childhood, recently removed by Titania
PLOT HIGHLIGHTS (07:47)
TOBY VS. OCTOBER (09:57)
WHY TITANIA DOESN'T THINK THIS IS HARM (11:17)
WHY OCTOBER WANTS TO REMAIN (13:06)
THE RIDE AND TITANIA’S ALTERATIONS (14:04)
TITANIA'S TRAP ON THE RIDE (16:19)
ETHICAL PARADOXES - PERHAPS UNSOLVABLE (17:42)
THE RESOLUTION (22:00)
A MASSACRE OF MINDS (25:00)
Interview 3: Hannah Abigail Clarke, Part 1 of 2 (August Clarke)
Series 6, Episode 2: Pretties - Scott Westerfeld
Series 6, Episode 1: Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Highlight 3: Virtual Vandals - Diane Duane
Interview 2: Shaina Krevat, Part 1 of 2
Stand-Alone 5: Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds
Discussion 1: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Series 5, Episode 3: The Kingdom of Gods - N. K. Jemisin
Series 5, Episode 2: The Broken Kingdoms - N. K. Jemisin
Series 5, Episode 1: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - N. K. Jemisin
Interview 1: M. D. Neu, Part 1 of 2
Highlight 2: Salamandastron - Brian Jacques
Stand-Alone 4: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert A. Heinlein
Series 4, Episode 3: Oath of Gold - Elizabeth Moon
Series 4, Episode 2: Divided Allegiance - Elizabeth Moon
Trailer - Everything Is Awesome Podcast
Series 4, Episode 1: The Sheepfarmer's Daughter - Elizabeth Moon
Highlight 1: The Hork-Bajir Chronicles - K. A. Applegate (Updated)
Stand-Alone 3: In Fury Born - David Weber
Series 3, Episode 3: Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Turn of the Screw
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends