Before reading anything, Jenny and Ted discuss Worm generally and introduce the podcast. NOTE: We had some technical issues with the audio in this one that should be resolved before the next episode.Episode Notes:What is Worm?Wait, Worm is HOW long?Ted’s pitch for why you should read Worm A quick introduction to WildbowCharacter-driven superpowersJenny introduces us to Taylor“Capes”Jenny imagines where the story will goThe 2011 superhero zeitgeistCreator Chose Not To Use Content WarningsWorm fic is like Avengers fic Should this story have been called Bug?Insect Aside vs. the Bug BearTed names a favorite cape and Jenny guesses her powerHow you can (optionally) read alongThere are 2+ fan audiobooks of Worm Links:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.1.Episode Notes:What does it mean to be a cape in this world?A close reading of the first two lines of WormA tiny scrap of cape lore and a big mass of bugsEveryone loves a powerful underdogTaylor’s power hasn’t solved her problemsThe theme of controlTaylor is that jaded, loner kid who is still insecureWill cape society be just like high school?Worm’s YA settingBug proprioceptionTaylor makes it worseCape justiceTaylor’s passivity: she feels she is moral for what she does not doJenny suggests how Taylor might retaliate against these awful bulliesPredictions cornerLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-01/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.2. NOTE: Sorry about the background noise in this one.Episode Notes:Ted is confidently wrong about the location of Brockton BayDoes Taylor enjoy bugs? (No)Does Taylor have a lot of bugs? (Yes)Is Taylor limited only by the number of bugs she can find, or also by the limits of her brain?How Taylor is like we were as teenagersDoes Taylor have a killer instinct? (Reply hazy)Speculation about how powers might make teenage violence and self-harm even worseIs Taylor underrating “control (all) bugs”?Taylor’s home and family and ex-best friendA future for Taylor as a weaverTaylor’s choicePredictions cornerNew segment: Cape Names!Links:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-02/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.3.Episode Notes:Jenny did her homeworkTed apologizes and corrects the record about Brockton Bay’s locationTaylor is JUDGY about the residents of the Docks(But it sounds so affordable!)The exaggeratedness of the settingTaylor sees … a gun!!!Are we down with ABB? Brockton Bay is a city in crisisIs the PHQ just security theater?Taylor’s finished costumeWhat makes a supervillainLung’s powers and (un)known unknownsWho are The Children?Links:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-03/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.4. Episode Notes: Lung’s dragon morph Would you rather fight one dragon-sized dragon or one hundred bug-sized bugs? Taylor’s battle plan and bloodlust Taylor’s inventory Nice to have our hero initiate the fight Taylor’s power came with an internal bug CPU Dick Corner Taylor’s rules of engagement Will Taylor eventually use up all of the bugs? Insects are ideal minions Judgy Taylor strikes again Predictions and names Links:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-04/ https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.5.Episode Notes:Taylor makes use of extremely limited resources……that aren’t even related to her power!Taylor can’t fly (yet)Why isn’t Lung known to be a stronger cape?Is there a Superman cape?Did Taylor almost beat Lung herself?We already have van sized monster dogs fighting an eight foot dragon man!!The “children” are cool and funGender theory of superpowersTed tries to get Jenny to power rank all the capes so far but c’mon she doesn’t know half their powers yetTaylor doesn’t have a cape name yet (placeholder: Bug)Taylor’s “shyness”How are heroes and villains delineated?Names and predictionsLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-05/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.6.Episode Notes:Ted’s Wildbow % completeTinker, TaylorArmsmaster’s first impressionUntoward to be a Ward“You’re telling the truth!”Meeting your heroIs Armsmaster secretly old or are all capes relatively young?Between the awe and the manipulation there is a genuine connection hereBetter to be a lone wormIs Taylor really going to side with Armsmaster over these cool and fun teens?Bakuda has joined the ABBTinkers are reconstructing a tropeHot or not: the top two thirds of Armsmaster’s facePredictions and namesBonus: Daedalus theoryLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-06/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Gestation 1.x.Episode Notes:Jenny is in uncharted terra-wormyBeing inside Danny’s headContrasting the two daddiesTaylor is heard but not seenThe mystery of Annette’s departureIs Danny over- or under- playing his temper?We count the ways a teenager might not want to tell her dad everythingHe has no healthy way to deal with reasonable angerThe mystery of Taylor’s hospitalizationTHEME ALERTScion’s origins are sus, as are the origins of all cape powersWorm Wednesdayswhereisscionnow.comScion’s nameOther cape namesLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-1-gestation/1-x-interlude/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.1.Episode Notes:Even normal teens have secret identities from their parentsTaylor hasn’t had an initiation into the cape worldReluctant about lying but not about heroicsJenny wants to be Taylor’s personal trainerSelf-discipline runs in the familyDanny pulls off some expert parenting maneuversDanny’s bug-eyed, wormy appearanceUber and LeetPredictions and nameLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-01/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.2.Episode Notes:We're nostalgic for Parahumans Online. But can we trust it?Nice of them to coin the term "tinfoil hats"Bitch and Grue are no Lung (who seems like a weird guy btw)Taylor's a savvy internet user and no one's doxxing her except TattletaleCan we imagine Bakuda as a sympathetic bomber? Do we want to?Are there ideological schisms among superheroes?Seems weird that the government doesn't want to register capesCan you dampen powers?Finally, validation for Taylor!Would the protectorate trust a fifteen year old under deep cover?Where are Bitch's fan sites and can we see them please thank youWhat does magic mean to Taylor?Jenny can't wait to read and write all the TattleTaylorLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-02/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.3.Episode Notes:Taylor’s power is acting up againCalculating bug densityTeenagers are so trappedMr Gladly’s hollow offerTaking credit from TaylorGreg Corner (ft. Sparky)Madison sucks at everything including bullyingHow have capes influenced society?PredictionsLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-03/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.4.Episode Notes:Power ranking the trio of bulliesWhy is Emma the worst, and is it because she has a power?The wily narrative and how it made us grieve Taylor's momRethinking Danny’s angerThe G in Mr. G stands for GutlessTaylor's analytical mindThe gender dynamics of battleThe cape in “escape”PredictionsLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-04/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.5.Episode Notes:Smashing a button that says “JENNY WAS RIGHT”A Tale of Two TaylorsTheories about red jacket lady and Arcadia HighWe love Tattletale’s tattle-tudeWho’s the leader of the teen villain crew?Extensive predictions about how the “insinuation” will play outHow Taylor’s intellect supports her emotional needsNamesLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-05/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.6.Episode Notes:Taylor rushes inBug scoutsShe’s got mailJenny accuses all Lisas and Brians of being oldWhat Lisa sees in TaylorSmart AlecTall BrianThe Undersiders’ ethos is disarming but their boss is intriguingOther teams and capesIs Taylor funny?This is an easy choice for TaylorDick Corner 2 (ft. Consequences)Friends-casting the UndersidersPredictions and namesLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-06/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.7.Episode Notes:The loft feels like (narrative) homeBrian’s conscientiousnessIs Lisa’s power finding “known unknowns”?Being undercover when dealing with LisaQuick poll: would you recognize a TiVo?Supervillainy as a teen jobThe undersides are pretty non-hierarchical?Puppet theoryTaylor gets the friend group she is so desperate to haveSeeing the good in the bad part of townConflicting needs for community and purposePassword CornerPredictionsLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-07/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.8.Episode Notes:Wildbow calls our bluff on a scary cliffhangerTaylor has hidden depths of protaggingIs Rachel just Mean Rachel from Animorphs, with a totally different sense of style?Rachel's sibling rivalry feelings are justifiedWe're so satisfied at seeing Taylor take her finger off the off-switch of her powerTaylor seems to be better at tactics than strategyPositive echoes of Brandon Sanderson and Naomi NovikTaylor finally gets her boy fightBrian: manipulative schemer or kind of okay?The Undersiders' dysfunction has excellent pacingCan't catch bug girl off guard with some measly darkness!To Taylor, Rachel is always BitchThese are Very Good Dogs (and Rachel is a very good dog trainer)We predict: a missing body part and a heistLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-08/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.9.Episode Notes:A narratively advisable detenteMaybe Rachel is only 67% likely to betray youIs violence good sometimes?Taylor’s power also involves trainingWhat’s behind Brian’s smile?Regent and Lisa explain his powerBug’s relationship to pillsDanny could be an asset to TaylorThe insinuation is going both ways, Taylor!!!A second gun has entered the chatThis arc, Taylor is a lying liar who liesThe reasons people lie about powersIt’s been… checks notes… 17 hours since chapter 3??? And she’s won two fights???Taking a step back, these first two arcs are totally copaceticBriefly, some factors that might go into whether Wildbow wants to revisit WormPredictions that include a boss-hero conspiracy!!Next interlude: Grace Lands?The name gameLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-09/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Insinuation 2.x.Episode Notes:The interlude formula is character work mixed with expositionWhy doesn’t Superman have bugs all over his face?Practice makes her appear perfectThink of the Brockton Bay Public Works budget, Glory Girl!!Glory Girl is a loaded gun with a hair trigger… but at least she’s crushing Nazi bones!Ted coins the phrase “cow down”Does the girl make the aura or the aura make the girl?Is it worse to compare Victoria to Donald Trump or to Emma?Victoria asks for a favor Amy can’t refuseA strong counterexample to the gendered powers theoryVictoria watched too much 24New Wave, new theoriesFinally, extensive details about crime and crime lords in Brockton BayWe're already seeing the ripple effects of Taylor's actionsOkay, maybe Armsmaster had a pointWhat would we do with the burden of Amy's power?Does Amy first do no harm?The dicks-destroyed-to-arcs ratio is surprisingly highDoes Amy want to be good or just better than her sister?Victoria as deconstruction/reconstructionJenny can't stop thinking about EmmaWe're hoping Taylor has to face off against the New Wave, but we're not liking her chancesWho would win in a fight: Glory Girl or Lung?Links:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-2-insinuation/2-x-interlude/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Agitation 3.1.Episode Notes:Crabs? Crabs???Taylor's quitting school… and Jenny’s opinion on that was a huge surprise to TedGeneral Sophia’s victoryThe Undersiders are so good at gang recruitment. Better than the ABB!Brockton Bay is a real mess. Taylor should revitalize it as a seafood hubTaylor's out there wooing Brian with her punctualityWe're so into this crush and all of Taylor's decisions which will definitely not come crashing down around her earsWe probably like Brian. MostlyWildbow is good at writing teen characters with teen-type flawsWhat Taylor sees as uglinessAre worms and crabs bugs? WHO CAN SAYPredictions about Danny and the bullies, and cape namesLinks:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-3-agitation/3-01/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow
Jenny and Ted discuss Agitation 3.2.Episode Notes:Putting this chapter through its pacingSharing Wildbow’s thoughts on writing early WormWorm’s medium can break both genres and writer’s blockTaylor’s gangdarThe heroes are allies of capitalismBrian pornWe're excited for how Wildbow writes fights, especially when there are skill mismatchesBrian just wants to teach (people to fight)!Alec, you're the dorkJenny's willing to lose at least two of the Undersiders at this pointEveryone thinks the boss thing is weird! It's not just us!What if Lisa's just really good at seeing the future and is pretending she can't?Taylor's cognitive dissonance mirrors our ownWhat if Taylor's dad is at the bank and it all gets very angsty??Names!Links:https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-3-agitation/3-02/https://www.patreon.com/Wildbow