*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)
Stand-Alone 8: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
Interview 5: JP Jackson, Part 1 of 2
Series 8, Episode 4: The Will of the Empress - Tamora Pierce
Series 8, Episode 3: Battle Magic - Tamora Pierce
Series 8, Episode 2: Shatterglass - Tamora Pierce
Series 8, Episode 1: Daja's Book - Tamora Pierce
Highlight 5: Ender's Game/Shadow - Orson Scott Card
Stand-Alone 7: The Raven Tower - Ann Leckie
Interview 4: Aurora Lee Thornton, Part 1 of 2
Series 7, Episode 3: Destiny - Elizabeth Haydon
Series 7, Episode 2: Prophecy - Elizabeth Haydon
Trailer - Author Interviews 1
Series 7, Episode 1: Rhapsody - Elizabeth Haydon
Highlight 4: A Spell for Chameleon - Piers Anthony
Bonus; Patron Series A, Episode 1: The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan
Stand-Alone 6: NOS4A2 - Joe Hill
Bonus: One Year Anniversary
Series 6, Episode 4: Extras - Scott Westerfeld
Series 6, Episode 3: Specials - Scott Westerfeld
Interview 3: Hannah Abigail Clarke, Part 1 of 2 (August Clarke)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Anne of Green Gables
Black Beauty
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends