215 - Sarah Sultan, Explained

The University of What It Is takes a special interest in a certain community college dean.
Weather: "Gone" by Dymer dymerband.band...
Original episode art by Jessica Hayworth www.jessica-hay...
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Written by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
Narrated by Cecil Baldwin
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[@akitsurov]

R E V E N G E The description of how a rock will dissipate in the river got me

[@klltsun_2576]

Cecil: you hear this everyday *plays sound while I stare horrified at the darkness of my room* Cecil: lets listen again Me: wait pls no- *horrifying sound plays again* In a more serious note, wtf so she knows and acknowledges that the rock has sentience, but still basically grabbed her to be studied. I thought she was just oblivious and thought it was a normal rock, but no, she knowingly kidnapped a thinking being!!! Edit: looking at the other comments while listening to the weather and they’re going rip...uh. Im scared Edit: no... no.. Edit: *R E V E N G E*

[@Kobayne91]

What's funny is that I actually guessed the Faceless Old Woman (just not the hungry partl

[@EdenHellCipher]

Damn. Don’t let the University hear about the readings Carlos got from the microphone at the radio station. This could be the biggest threat to Cecil’s existence we’ve had, well… since a couple months ago, really, but you get what I mean. Explaining how the radio station works, how Cecil *knows* things it doesn’t seem like he should know, what exactly it means to be the Voice of Night Vale, not to mention all the bizarre goings on in the building generally… that somehow is a more terrifying prospect to me now than the idea of never getting concrete answers to my theories. On an analytical level, this makes a great statement on series like Twin Peaks or Lost, when thrive off mystery and do well by “answering” questions with clues and subtle background info, but once they tell you exactly what’s going on, the magic and the wonder we felt for it dies. P.S.: Also, as someone still grieving over the death of a Sarah, this episode gave me a particularly personal sense of melancholy.

[@TomMcMorrow]

I like that they're going back (hopefully) to the magic that made the first seasons so great with a "big bad" to conquer and whose presence is felt throughout the episodes. Personally, my heart will always feel the show would have been best wrapped up with Ep 112 but hey, as long as they keep making them I'll keep listening!

[@Jacksiloution]

Thats what i miss, i prefer gradual build rather then dedicated episodes or other people talking😊

[@entrancedsnow7076]

How dare the first episode I get to watch when it comes out because I finally caught up be sad. How dare

[@JohannesVIII]

This turned tragic very fast. This arc is great so far. Very good weather, by the way.

[@Dawnslight16]

R.I.P Sarah

[@Nyexcellente]

The University of What it is has gone too far

[@werenotacouple]

OOOOH you guys still got it. Even after all these years you can still make me hold my breath with anticipation as I wait to hear what happened to a sentient river rock… I have never felt as seen or understood as when I listen to Welcome to Night Vale. Thank you for giving me, as well as countless other weird kids who grew up with this podcast, a weird desert home that’s just a listening away 💜

[@jenniferfinlayson1512]

I cried.

[@alexanderking8336]

Rest in Pebbles, Sarah Sultan. A beautiful heart, in a beautiful fist-sized river rock. Really makes me think about the harms of antitheism for the sake of "truth".

[@cryandvibe]

I started listening to this in 2014 when it first started and I was in highschool. My friends and I were obsessed, but somewhere in Year 3 I fell off. I randomly thought about this podcast about a month ago and thought "there's no way its still going, is it?" And thus I began my binge through this series. I'm only on episode 83, but I'm SO excited to keep listening! I was a little shocked, but ultimately not surprised that it fell in views. Which is such a shame. I really really love this series, and I'm so glad you guys are still going! I hope you love creating it still and much I love to listen still.

[@maximilliontimes816]

Out of all Night Vale episodes, I think this one is one of the saddest ones to me, or at least with one of the saddest events narrated so far. It's almost like scrutinizing a complex, magical phenomenon and reducing it to facts kills the life in it, isn't it? :c

[@lesliepauline]

Why did this episode make me cry so much? Such wonderful acting by Cecil!

[@dracorex426]

Send them to the Dog Park!

[@unlikelyspore1406]

Yaaaay!, perfect for my birthday.😎

[@tefmiles]

happy birthday!

[@crosshachii2659]

happy birthdayy! 🎉

[@tierrajohnson1068]

The Dog Park Wheat and Wheat By-Products Barks Ennui Huntokar The Trial of Hiram McDaniels Whatever mystery may reach our town next I will look on fondly imagining a fist sized river rock with lovely tones. You are Nightvale's, Sarah. You are ours.

[@MacTechG4]

As a native of New England, I can vouch for the accuracy of that Dunkin’ Donuts sponsor ad… That’s why I prefer Aroma Joe’s far less Eldritch horrors in the coffee…

[@LordDarkrai2000]

that poor rock

[@lilaboxx]

Time for REVENGE

[@CrozoeTriLegacy]

I wasn’t prepared for heartache

[@spud_dles]

Oh, so the uowii can straight up... undo the mysterys of night vale by explaining it. Wow. Hate that.

[@0therun1t21]

I wonder how rocks perceive time, they must be very wise.

[@Amizare1]

What the almighty hell? RIP Sarah. You will be missed.

[@SongbirdAlom]

Oh no 😢

[@C0SM1CPR1NC3]

I'm so sad I'm sos o sad no one touch me

[@KaxxxE]

Such a sad episode

[@SirSadness]

This new arc is gonna kill me.

[@jakebenedict6864]

*Sad fist sized river rock noises*

[@dracorex426]

I'm very worried.

[@peebeejay8213]

Oh my Huntokar,,, she just murdered a Night Vale resident I hope that the librarians get her honestly if Cecil and the town doesnt first

[@izme1000]

Can we skip straight to the revenge?

[@galladegamerletsplays]

and my dumbass was over here thinking the university of what it is wasn't a threat, they fuckin killed her!

[@Faith_Soprano]

I don't know what it says about me that I actually guessed the third sound. o_0;

[@di3538]

unrelated but for the longest time I have thought she was Sarah Salton because of Cecil's pronunciation of sultan..

[@0therun1t21]

I would like to read your book, thanks!

[@kaybreen3209]

WAS EVERYONE PROJECTING A PERSONALITY ONTO HER?? DID THE ~ m a g i c ~ GET STRIPPED AWAY THAT EASILY??!?!

[@felixcosm]

SARAH NOOOOOO 😭😭

[@SeptemberStranger28]

The University of What It Is seems like they'd also be transphobic, and I don't know why I feel this way, but I do-

[@Jay-ho9io]

Anybody listening to this episode that takes it as a condemnation of science, or description of what science is, understands very little about science, or most scientists. Our whole world is "built upon mystery and shadow." Science isn't a story told by mostly men seeking mostly power or the comfort that comes from simple explanations that closed doors so that you can't hear all the questions pounding on the other side. Science is walking into a series of rooms asking questions about the rooms every question a small candlelight, illuminating all those other doors in the room that you have to keep asking questions as you poke your nose into them. Science is wonder as a verb and a noun, transmitted across time. The question isn't "what it is." That's authoritarianism, whether it's wearing a military uniform, a Brooks Brothers suit or a lab coat. The question is "why"and "how". ❤️

[@likopinina6803]

This quickly went from funny to tragic. Revenge!!!

[@hawk222]

She's actually gone, wtf 😢

[@thistlefield24]

Sarah 😭😭😭😭😭

[@bubbleshock14]

How dare you do this to me

[@han1151]

THEY FUCKING KILLED HER????

[@noahg6024]

Elmo Vs. Rocko: Night Vale edition.

[@moniker4008]

I can't belive this guy was a Tumblr sexyman

[@j.jnerdamy320]

It's the voice

[@lilaboxx]

What do you mean "was"? Once a Tumblr sexyman ALWAYS a Tumblr sexyman

[@janosrock]

are they..... are they gonna kill the show???

[@sleepyselkiesiren]

Any other disabled peeps out there feel like this one hit a bit too close to home?

[@DaddyIsntDoneSpeaking]

How so if you don't mind explaining?

[@sleepyselkiesiren]

@@DaddyIsntDoneSpeaking to put it very simply, being in a wheelchair for example means sometimes you can be moved around when you don't want to be, like a rock. And some people would rather Erase you than Accomodate

[@gamingvampireking1704]

ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY GLOW CLOUD R.I.P. Sarah

[@izme1000]

Do not tell her about the glow cloud!

[@Matheus-ql7mn]

ALL HAIL And also REVENGE

[@flareinc7413]

Oh no :'( RIP. Amazing depth and philosophy from Night Vale,as always. Hope the U gets tf out of NV.

[@BlueNoiseTai]

Awesome! Wonderful way to start the spooky season! And right in time for night shift.

[@user-garnet]

I am actually in distraught over Sarahs death. Like, she rarely was on the podcast, but i found her just really interesting. Like the time she passed her driving test with flying colours...

[@sillym3xican]

Damnnnn 7 Years of stories? I'm about to start episode 1 (just found out about this) but surprised it's still going!

[@Nicole-ll6wk]

Its actually ten years!! They just had their ten year anniversary a few episodes ago!!

[@sillym3xican]

@@Nicole-ll6wk is it? They must have re-upload it or somethin the dates on KZbin say upload in 2k15

[@izme1000]

Enjoy!

[@sillym3xican]

@@izme1000 it's hilarious 🤣 they deserve more views

[@izme1000]

@@sillym3xican I agree completely 😀

[@Matheus-ql7mn]

The menace on Cecil's voice He's summoning an uprising And I felt that REVENGE

[@dahliazaylinsage]

You are appreciated!!

[@tyronedavies8680]

R.I.P Sarah Sultan, the most accomplished smooth fist sized river rock that Night Vale has known.

[@Kobayne91]

This one got me fucked up. Like, I was actually mourning a fist-sized river rock.

[@tricyclemishap]

Some mysteries should stay a mystery unless it's an unsolved mystery then why not.

[@rebeccalambert3240]

I nearly cried and was whisper screaming so much that a family member asked what was going on XD. And the GASP I made when Cecil said "Revenge". I am so ready for them to get taken down xD

[@lh776]

o7 to Sarah, truly one of nightvale's best

[@zarryis3365]

They straight-up scp-3488'd Sarah Sultan.

[@XerxesTexasToast]

HER FAVORITE RIVER NOOOOOOO

[@mezz09smezzanine]

I thought of three words, and they are Buffalo, buffalo, buffalo.

[@Earthboundwhisper]

I am not crying it is just raining inside...

[@thepresence365]

Sarah!!!! 😭

[@Sardonic_Cynic]

*REVENGE*

[@MySerpentine]

For gods' sake leave a little mystery in the world.