Episode 11: AUBERON, an Expanse novella

Welcome to the Mercy of Pods, a podcast that is normally about The Captive's War by James S.A. Corey, but today we are covering Auberon, a novella in the Expanse series, also by James S.A. Corey. This episode is spoilers for the entire Expansiverse!   

In this episode:

• We meet everyone's favorite fascists, Biryar and Mona Rittenour, and cover what hijinks ensue when they try to rule over the unruliest planet in the gate network.
• Your hosts pose the question that everyone else is afraid to ask: WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH LACONIAN BASKETBALL???
• Brigid talks themes and symbols, such as fig trees, grass, light and dark, and big reporter naturals.
• Clint gets way too personal about what Erich's final speech means to him, and makes the case for Erich as the Greatest Hero in Science Fiction.
• There is a far ranging discussion about the least subtle metaphor in literature: the fact that the air on Auberon smells like poop. 
• Mona Rittenour and Veronica Deetz are compared with their counterparts from The Captive's War, Tonner and Rickar. 
• We talk about the story's messages of choice, the power of impurity, and moral flexibility. 
• The podcast checks in with Jacob Mundell, who rules and should be in more things.

Join us next time when we cover the very first and fastest story in the Expanse universe, DRIVE. Follow the Mercy of Pods on social media at themercyofpods, or email us at themercyofpods@gmail.com. Logo by Matt Howse. Music is Push The Button by Sid Luscious and the Pants. 

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