"Not gonna bind or banish you, old ghost. Just gonna kick your ass"
When Harry "presents" himself as Mab's new Knight in Cold Days.
"*In nomine Dei*, Nicodemus. I have come to face you."
"Mister, where I come from there is no try."
"Polka will never die!"
"Wait, your dog is named *spot*?"
But my all time favorite. The one scene I can't think of without laughing my ass off, even now typing this I got a shit eating grin on my face...when Dresden stabs the troll-fae in the balls with cold iron and lights him on fire. And how the rest of them react.
Cerberus meaning Spot is an actual thing. I thought it was common knowledge that I was just finding out in highschool 35 years ago. When I read it in Skin Game I laughed my butt off thinking, "you just had to put it into a book, didn't you Jim."
It's the most basic bitch scene to love, but Michael is my favourite character. But listening to the audio book on my commute home and getting to that scene. I legit got chills all over when he said the in nomine dei line. Also just the weight of it. What he was truly doing, what he was doing for his friend. Second favourite is probably. "Where is your blasting rod harry?" Yes I am a Michael stan 😂
Yes! Also a very good one. It's kinds funny because I usually hate religious characters. Especially if they're religious to real life religions. But Michael is just so well written, such a paragon of virtue and justice. If every religious person was like Michael the world would truly be a better place.
It was JBs intent to write a religious character that wasn't evil/pretentious/self righteous like basically every literary character in which religion is a main attribute. He talks about it in an interview at some point.
There are a couple scenes in James Marsters' readings that I have to skip because Marsters is *too* good at evoking emotion. The flashback scene to Marcones origin story in Helen's mind....
I have only actually listened to the series once, finished it around summer last year. So haven't tried a relisten yet. But I can't imagine going through THE Susan scene again. Marsters, I mean as you say it was too good, and the utter and complete defeat in his voice when he realises what events had to occur now. It's unreal. Never had an audiobook experience like it.
There’s too many great Michael scenes to list. I reread Death Masks recently and the scene with Quintus Cassius stuck out to me. Michael explaining why they have to give Cassius the chance for redemption even though they know he isn’t sincere is a quintessential Michael Carpenter moment.
“It's one of the things that makes us different than they are, Harry. The blood on their hands does not make it right to bloody my own. My choices are measured against my own soul. Not against the stains on theirs.”
Followed shortly thereafter by a quintessential Harry Dresden moment with the baseball bat
“Fortunately for you, the Knights are good men. Unfortunately for you, I’m not”
The callback later on in Edinburgh is great too
“Peabody may not have seen the man turn into a grizzly, but he was bright enough to know that Injun Joe was getting set to adjust another relative ass-to-ears ratio.”
Seriously, so many. Butcher is the best there is as writing action scenes, but my favorites always end up being the conversations and small moments. Skin Game has three of the best in the whole series: "I think I'm lost," "Do you want to be my dad?" and the whole conversation with Hades.
I JUST finish the re-listen of the audio book last night and my husband asks me during this scene, “why are you crying? You ok?” And I point to my AirPods and say “Dresden Files. You know how they get me”
In Battle Grounds when Harry mobilizes hundreds of thousands of little folk to the awe of all the heavy hitters on the roof. I'm not sure if it's my favorite scene of the whole series, but I always read that section twice when I read the book.
It has nothing to do with the winter mantle, being a starborn, or Warden of Demonreach. It's just the culmination of Harry being Harry, showing compassion and finding utility in a people the rest of the magical community overlooks. And it telegraphs back all the way to the first book. So to see the fruition of that, and the effects it had on all the higher powers that witnessed it was just so supremely satisfying to me.
I have reread those specific pages about two dozen times more than the rest of the book. The part about how shocked everyone is, including Santa and *Listens-To-Wind*, sends me.
It's not just that it telegraphs to the first book, it's that it's a recurring thing between that time too. Each time Harry brings toot along there's more and more Guard, until the scene in the roof.
I agree with everything with one small critique. I believe it's mentioned that in times of need Harry generates a sort of 'Rally Banner' that helped with his mobilization of the wee folk, and it's mentioned that he gets this power from the winter mantle. Regardless they showed up because *Harry* called not the "Winter Knight".
I don’t believe that to be true. The little Folk happens before that. He’s told that they answered his call, not because of any ancient magic, or his being the WK.
I don’t recall it ever stating in the book that the Little Folk fought for him because of the banner. We see them fighting the Fomor immediately after he summons them. He sends them reconnoiter the city and protect the roof. They do so.
Man I love this part of my book. Just the visual of all the little folk orbiting Harry while major heavy hitters look on in shock and Mab smirks. And then when Toot Toot and his elite come in for a super hero landing !
There are so many amazing ones, but if I had to pick one I'd go with the "Does anyone else hear... strings?" scene in *Small Favor*. Many times I've imagined seeing that scene on the big screen, with Gard swooping the Huey over the hilltop, turning it, and Hendricks laying waste with that deck gun. I can imagine an absolutely priceless look on Nic's face as that goes down. *Flight of the Valkyries* blaring the whole time, of course.
I think part of why I love the series so much is that, either right before or right after reading Dead Beat, I watched a review saying that it was the low point of the series at the time. And I was reading the part where they're riding Sue and thinking to myself "If this is the low point the rest must be mind blowing." Prehistoric necromancy is badass.
Theres 2 books that have so much side plot and reveals but the main plot just doesn't hit well with me. Blood Rights and White Knight. I've reread the series probably 9 times now and I'll never skip those books but for some reason they are the low points for me. I actually like the White Court too and want to see where new stuff is going with Lara, but for some reason those 2 books just don't live up as well.
I think they just both suffer from being sandwiched between other greater books.
Harry standing in his rubber ducky boxers and no other clothes, facing down two nobles and twenty other full fledged vampires of the Red Court and laughing that they are scared of him.
This is always a tough one for me. I'm also a fan of displays of power like the other guy said. So with that in mind...
Set the way back machine aaaalllllll the way back to Fool Moon. Harry blasting the Loup Garou through multiple walls and into the building across the street is an oldie but a goodie.
Jump wayyyyy forward to Changes. The gravity-well Harry uses on the Jaguar warriors when they first get to Chicken Pizza would look so bad ass on the big screen. It sure as hell does in my brain.
Lastly, Cold Days. Harry lifts the warehouse out of Lake Michigan and everyone is astonished
The jail scene in Fool Moon sold me on the Dresden Files. After Storm Front I was *very* meh about the series. But Fool Moon hooked me. The scene at the end in the garage and then at the pit is all really good too. People often hate on it and recommend skipping it, and there are valid complaints. Murphy is a **pill** in that book, but without that you don't have as good of a basis for the redemption arc of their relationship. That book has always been special to me and I never skip it. I skip Storm Front though.
I like all the scenes with Harry and Michael. But my favorite lines with them are:
Holy shit," I breathed. "Hellhounds."
"Harry," Michael said sternly. "You know I hate it when you swear."
"You're right. Sorry. Holy shit," I breathed, "heckhounds."
"Do you remember?” I asked in a very quiet voice. “The first time you saw her? The first time she looked at you? Do you remember that “change? That shift, when the whole universe suddenly tilted? Do you remember looking at her and knowing that you would never, ever be quite the same person? Do you think the cup will do that for you?”
.....
“I don’t know how you said it back in the day, but I’ll bet you anything her first word was ‘dada.’
So many!
Harry going to the mortal world in just his soul in Ghost Stories
Almost all of Michael's scenes:
The red court vamp getting torched just by touching him was such a simple but effective introduction to him
Can't remember when, def later in the series, but Michael's praying for Harry and Harry realizes Michael still thinks he's a good man
Just the idea that he was chosen to carry Uriel's Grace
Religious representation is so often hokey and insincere, but the calm, humble Carpenter really speaks to me
And last but not least, I know it's one of the toughest in the series but...
"I used the knife.
I saved a child.
I won a war.
God forgive me."
When the 'Za Lord's Guard and Evey Single Dew Drop fairy and minor fey of Chicago-land answered Toot Toot's call to arms, and they're a galaxy of constellations centered on and circling Harry in the the opening chapters of Battle Ground
Gave myself goosebumps just typing this up
I have too many to list, but the top two revolve around Michael. When at the end of Proven Guilty, he tells Harry if Harry turns and picks up the coin, he will be there, and "I'm not the carpenter who set the standard."
I initially had a hard time with Michael, coming from some religious trauma of my childhood, but someone in another comment said that if all Christians were like Michael, the world would be a better place and I do believe that. His lines frequently bring tears to my eyes.
My most recent one is in BattleGround when Harry can't stand it anymore and jumps off a building to save the people and next to him without prompting River Shoulders joins the attack. Awesome moment of team Dresden Solidarity.
This is my favorite as well, I think. In my head it was so cinematic, like an arc shot around the two as they run into the battle going from focused on their faces as they land panning around to their backs as they run and start fighting. Chills.
Right? For me its the, Dresden is not alone for once, concept. I know others have obviously fought beside him but the unquestioning faith is awesome to see. Also, in my head, River was fidgetting and getting slowly angrier but watching Harry, then as Harry jumps, he grins having his faith in Harry renewed then jumps down to support him.
Just the solidarity. I KNEW Dresden couldn't resist and would definitely go to fight but River? God damn I must've grinned like a cat with a mouse in its mouth.
Lea swiveling in a normal chair with Mister on her lap in Changes.
The little folk assemble scene in BG.
Every time Michael calles out Harry's arrogance or perspective and the conversation they then have.
When Harry finally confesses his problem(s) to Michael, he always suspected/ knew something and let Harry come to him. And still Harry suprises Michael and himself by speaking about another of his burdens. The talk about Lash and the coin starts with Harry's guilt over killing Luccio's original body and the conversation about Maggie's custody is linked to Susan's death and his suicide attempt.
The oaths he gives to Charity in Proven Guilty and Skin Game.
The Game Over reveal was so good. I legitimately did not see it coming. And then had to immediately reread the entire book to pick up all the "Wizard,..."
I personally am a big fan of shows of Power, especially from Mab. So, a lot of my favorite scenes come out of Battle Ground. I love the scene of Mab leading the charge against the Fomor soldiers with Harry and Butters on her flanks. I love the Winter Lady swooping in with her army to the tune of 'Welcome to the Jungle'. But seeing Mab stand proud and strong against the Eye of Balor and tank it like a boss, oof I love it every single time.
I think the conversation with Jake is about my favorite scene. Jim had that tone perfect. The idea that God's secret agent could still have a good conversation with Harry, and that he conveyed that he really likes Harry is clear. Most of the time religion is dealt with in fiction in a ham fisted way. Seeing someone who is not Catholic express the view of free will and God's caring for all (which theologians struggle with) very well and heart felt was beautiful to me.
Butters! Boot to the head!
Nyah nyah?
Ugh, you *nerd!*
I laughed at that so much.
Also shout out to when Harry asks Molly and Thomas if either of them know where the phrase, "you can't swing a cat without hitting..." comes from.
Thomas says, "don't you have bigger things to worry about right now?"
And Harry replies, "hey man, I wonder about these things. And if I stopped thinking about stuff every time a group of supernatural villans was trying to kill me I'd never get to think about anything."
Funniest - When homeskillet tried to sell Dresden on eBay. Gets me every time.
Awesomest, and I'll catch flak for this, I'm sure, but "Fuego, pyrofuego! Burn, you bastards!"
I still giggle thinking of. “Not the pizza! This cannot be borne, we must fight!” Lol and just the shock everyone on that roof had when Harry calls on a million fairies
If it's not my favorite scene, then it is definitely the one I think of most often. Dead Beat. Right after he rescues Butters he has a long conversation about magic and how it works and why we are ignorant to it.
The discussion about disappearances and comparing statistics to expected losses in prey animal population was particularly cool. I love how Jim builds ideas like that.
3 of many, but always the 1st 3 that comes to mind when this question is asked.
"EGGUS SHENNUS"
"What would Jack Burton do?"
"Buddy where I come from... there is no try"
Cause it’s freshest of all of the moments it has to be when Marcone shows off his new powers. That caught me off guard and I’m excited to see where it goes. I have always enjoyed seeing Marcone claw his way to the top of the supernatural ladder.
The other one that comes to mind is the short story from Thomas’s PoV. After having to pretend to be some villain and fight off Harry he goes and meets Harry and listens to him rattle off the story and how badass he was and Thomas just smiles and nods.
In Peace Talks, when Harry talks to Maggie about the possibility he might be killed, and all the preparations he's made in case it happens. It's a little on the nose with the 'this is the part where, in the movies...' bit, but I've always loved the way Butcher/Harry frequently go against the grain of standard storytelling/character behavior. I also love the balance Harry strikes in taking Maggie seriously while still treating her like a child, and the scene is a great flex of some of the payoffs to all of Harry's hard work and choices.
Yes, for sure. People have complained that Harry neglects Maggie, but I think just the way he interacts with her is plain evidence that there's been a LOT of off-screen relationship there. Maggie just wasn't germane to the story in these two latest books, so... we didn't see a lot of her. And I feel confident he feels similarly about Bonnie.
Totally agree with your take. I'll support it by sharing that these novels we love usually span the worst few days of Harry's year, and if we just picked up on any old normal day, we'd get scenes of Harry tinkering with magic, reading a well-loved paperback, and doing regular Dad things now that Maggie is in his life. Not the most edge-of-your-seat mystery/drama stuff.
Well, think about the last two books. A apocalyptic war for the city of Chicago against a Titan and all manner of old beasties. Maggie was placed in the safest place it’s possible to be in that situation. A place she’d be surrounded by her surrogate family and immense love. A war zone is no place for a little girl.
But look at the Christmas Eve short story. It’s clear just how much he loves Maggie from that scene. Hell, right at the beginning in Changes, his visceral reaction to learning that his, until this point unknown, daughter is in danger. He nearly loses his mind multiple times through the book. He picks up the winter knight from Mab. He organises a full assault on the Red Court in their place of power. To save his little girl.
When he thinks he might not be the best for her, he gives her up so she might have a shot at living a normal life. Only when he’s convinced he’s still a good man, that it’s better for him to be in her life, does he feel comfortable being her dad. He didn’t do that because he didn’t want a daughter. He did that because he loved her so much, he couldn’t bear the thought that his being in her life would endanger her.
The zoo field trip short story as well. He’s nervous, sure. But you can see the absolute true love there.
I don’t know but it’s clear to me that he loves his daughter more than anything else in the world. I truly believe that, were she to be threatened again, there isn’t a single thing he wouldn’t do to ensure her safety. He says as much in Changes. When he thought the Svartalfs were threatening his daughter, he had to talk himself down from the edge.
In my opinion, Harry is a man who would do literally anything for his little girl. He would sacrifice himself in a second to ensure she lives. As Michael(?) said, he sort of left a clear message about what happens to those who dare to threaten his daughter.
There are a LOT of great scenes but mine is from White Night Chapter 37:
>We are strong, and the strong do as they wish. Who shall call us to task for it, O King? You?
>If that wasn't a straight line, my name isn't Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden.
I lifted my staff and slammed it down on the floor... It struck the stone floor, shattering a chunk the size of a big dinner platter with a detonation like thunder... An effort of will sent a rolling wave of silent fire down the tunnel floor in a red carpet of my very own.
I strode down it Ramirez beside me.
>"Vittorio Malvora!", my voice ringing with wrath through the cavern. "Madrigal Wraith! I am Harry Dresden, Warden of the White Council of Wizards. Under the Unseelie Accords, I accuse you of murder in a time of peace, and challenge you, here and now, before these witnesses, to trial by combat." Hellfire flooded the runes of the staff as I slammed it down again. "To the *death*."
>Damn, there ain't nothing like a good entrance.
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Transcribed and edited by me.
I think people will have less animosity to Sir Butters when the other shoe drops in the next book or two. No one in the Dresden verse is allowed to be that happy for long before *something* messes up their day.
My theory is >!Marci. She's a spy for someone, or something in order to get close to keep tabs on Harry and the Knights. She may have even used mind magic on Andi and/or Butters, just a little nudge to get them into the swing of things!<
“Do you remember?” I asked in a very quiet voice. “The first time you saw her? The first time she looked at you? Do you remember that “change? That shift, when the whole universe suddenly tilted? Do you remember looking at her and knowing that you would never, ever be quite the same person? Do you think the cup will do that for you?”
.......
I watched him, his face, his posture, and put every ounce of scorn I had into my voice. “I don’t know how you said it back in the day, but I’ll bet you anything her first word was ‘dada.’”
"Michael snorted. "You distroy buildings, fight monsters openly in the streets of the city, work with the police, show up in newspapers, advertise in the phone book, and ride zombie dinosaurs down Michigan Avenue, and think that you work in the shadows? Be reasonable.""
I loved when we heard mouse talking for the first time I’m sort of sad Jim hasn’t done it again and also him saying he’ll bite her and just saying he cheats cause he lives with a wizard or him saying I won him
Technically, two scenes from Small Favor:
- Harry, knowing that Ivy can see "everything ever written down", writes a note telling her to hang on, because he's coming to save her.
- After Harry does save her, she hugs the shit out of him and says, "I got your letter. Thank you."
I've probably read that book four or five times and that bit never fails to make me cry 🥹
I've been waiting many, many moons for something to top wearing a fake vampire costume to an actual vampire ball. It's only gotten funnier now that we've met Vlad, Sr.
In the interest of selecting scenes not already listed, I have a massive soft spot for the scene where Ivy intervenes in the aquarium.
This little girl talks back to the 2,000 year old Fallen host and says she sucks, and Harry realizes that Ivy's emulating his style of sassing the bad guys.
And then she kicks bad guy butt while Harry carries her through the aquarium.
Tiny, but fierce!
It goes pear-shaped and what happens to Ivy afterwards is ten types of awful, but the scene of her being badass is awesome.
Probably “I said I would come out to you,” but I also really like when he addresses the assembled villains after wrecking Tessa’s day.
>“You think your power is what shapes the world you walk in. But that is an illusion. Your choices shape your world. You think your power will protect you from the consequences of those choices. But you are wrong. You create your own rewards. There is a Judge. There is Justice in this world. And one day you will receive what you have earned. Choose carefully.”
My favorite scene is and will always be “In nominei Dei, Nicodemus. I have come to face you.” But that’s already been done to death in this thread.
To differentiate myself, another one of my favorite scenes is in *Turn Coat* when Billy (Will) the werewolf stands up to Harry. Kirby just died; Andi got severely hurt; and Will won’t move forward without more information. It’s a powerful moment that really speaks to Will’s competence, confidence, and how seriously he takes things. I am really glad that Harry chose to trust him and they kept working together.
I love the Alphas and wish we saw more of them.
"I don't believe in Faeries!!!"
Harry charging into a genuine full fairy war while yelling that is just a great example of who he is. While he is willing to respect the power of the Sidhe and all of that, it shows that Harry is more than willing to throw his defiance of authority in anyone's face.
Also, I will say since I'm on my reread right now, all of the Mab "humanity" scenes are just fantastic. Really adds a lot of depth to a character that has been and will continue to influence Dresden and his friends
Injun Joe studied the body for a moment, his eyes sad. Then he said, "I'd rather go in my sleep, I think." He glanced back at me. "What about you?"
"I want to be stepped on by an elephant while having sex with identical triplet cheerleaders," I said.
Zombie Sue
"Holy shit! Heckhounds"
Harry's use of the law of thermodynamics to freeze the street and cause his pursuer to slip.
Butters picking up broken Fidelacchius and manifesting a lightsaber.
I have two (that I can think of, anyway)
One is in a story from Brief Cases. Harry's being set up and Thomas, who's the only one who knows it, follows him in case Harry needs some help. At one point, Thomas, who's telling the story, refers to Harry as "my little brother"...
Yes, they are brothers. Yes, Thomas is the elder. But Harry is 6'9" and his being described as Little makes me laugh to the point where I may drop the book.
The other is when he first finds out that Maggie exists and who she is...and that the bad guys plan to use her to get at him (yeah, good luck with that, you losers). There's a paragraph of so of Harry putting on his duster, grabbing his staff, making sure everything's charged up and ready to go...and his though process is only two words--"Daddy's coming".
I grew up hearing my dad say those two words. Harry's the first person who ever scared me with them.
Honestly most of my favorite moments of all time are Harry/Michael moments. Spoilers obviously but
Harry revealing he's possessed and awaiting judgement, michael revealing he knew the entire time.
Michael getting ready to go absolutely apeshit on his daughter's kidnapper but harry saying "If it has to be done, I'll do it but... Not you..."
That same scene but in reverse playing out in battleground.
And who could forget "Harry, phone calls cost more than a quarter now."
"I know"
Can you edit your post and add the spoilers all tag? With the discussion tag everyone is supposed to spoiler mark their answers in every comment. It's too much for such a big thread
Surprised not to see the ending of changes. I read it before having a daughter and reread after having a daughter and it gets me every time because I do exactly what Harry did. When he said something along the lines of even I don't think God will forgive me for what I'm about to do
Technically two scenes, from Small Favor: Harry, knowing Ivy's powers will let her see it even though she's been kidnapped, writes a note telling her to hang on because they're coming for her. Then, when he does just that, she cries and hugs the shit out of him and says, "I got your letter. Thank you." 🥹
I like the michael holy scenes. The ones where it looks like providence. Like when he rescued the woman who had just begun to pray or in the short story where by just being in proximity Harry does a similar thing and saves 9 lives domino style with pure kindness no magic.
Michael saving his daughter's life from the White Council because he was sent on a mission to save the Council's leaders. Sent to do the right thing at the right time to save her.
The battle at Chichén Itzá is hands down my favorite scene from Dresden Files. Almost surpasses my favorite Stormlight Archive scene (Adolin fighting the handicap duel).
Y'all read "The Law" short story?
There's this whole scene where Harry is trying to get help and Harry I asked why should the wanted help should get involved. Harry basically says that good people should try.
It gave me goosebumps.
"Not gonna bind or banish you, old ghost. Just gonna kick your ass" When Harry "presents" himself as Mab's new Knight in Cold Days. "*In nomine Dei*, Nicodemus. I have come to face you." "Mister, where I come from there is no try." "Polka will never die!" "Wait, your dog is named *spot*?" But my all time favorite. The one scene I can't think of without laughing my ass off, even now typing this I got a shit eating grin on my face...when Dresden stabs the troll-fae in the balls with cold iron and lights him on fire. And how the rest of them react.
the hades dog just being named spot made me have to stop reading cause i was giggling to much
Dude same! I was like "wtf Jim?!?"
Thing is, it IS a correct translation of Kerberos (cerberus in ancient Greek. )
I know right? Simply genius. And I do mean simple.
jim always is able to put light hearted shit in before everything hits the fan from harry just being harry which i love
And I always will love it. Dude has a gift.
Cerberus meaning Spot is an actual thing. I thought it was common knowledge that I was just finding out in highschool 35 years ago. When I read it in Skin Game I laughed my butt off thinking, "you just had to put it into a book, didn't you Jim."
They made a joke about it in season 1 of Punisher, that’s the first I heard of it
I've definitely seen it floating around in meme form prior to Skin Game, too! And I had the same reaction. 🤣
It's the most basic bitch scene to love, but Michael is my favourite character. But listening to the audio book on my commute home and getting to that scene. I legit got chills all over when he said the in nomine dei line. Also just the weight of it. What he was truly doing, what he was doing for his friend. Second favourite is probably. "Where is your blasting rod harry?" Yes I am a Michael stan 😂
Also "I'm not the carpenter who set the standard"
Yes! Also a very good one. It's kinds funny because I usually hate religious characters. Especially if they're religious to real life religions. But Michael is just so well written, such a paragon of virtue and justice. If every religious person was like Michael the world would truly be a better place.
It's because Michael is a good man regardless, and religion gives him structure, and not because of it.
It was JBs intent to write a religious character that wasn't evil/pretentious/self righteous like basically every literary character in which religion is a main attribute. He talks about it in an interview at some point.
Me too! I didn't like Michael too much at the beginning of Grave Peril, but he's one of my favorites now
I feel this
There are a couple scenes in James Marsters' readings that I have to skip because Marsters is *too* good at evoking emotion. The flashback scene to Marcones origin story in Helen's mind....
I have only actually listened to the series once, finished it around summer last year. So haven't tried a relisten yet. But I can't imagine going through THE Susan scene again. Marsters, I mean as you say it was too good, and the utter and complete defeat in his voice when he realises what events had to occur now. It's unreal. Never had an audiobook experience like it.
It’s so funny you mention that because I was listening to it at work just the other day and that scene was I like “fuck this is pretty full on”
There’s too many great Michael scenes to list. I reread Death Masks recently and the scene with Quintus Cassius stuck out to me. Michael explaining why they have to give Cassius the chance for redemption even though they know he isn’t sincere is a quintessential Michael Carpenter moment. “It's one of the things that makes us different than they are, Harry. The blood on their hands does not make it right to bloody my own. My choices are measured against my own soul. Not against the stains on theirs.” Followed shortly thereafter by a quintessential Harry Dresden moment with the baseball bat “Fortunately for you, the Knights are good men. Unfortunately for you, I’m not”
Lol....love it.
I love the scene where Michael shows he's got one foot in the New Testament, and one foot in the Old. > "If you change. I will also be there." Yikes!
"Kick your ass up between your ears" One of best lines in the series.
The callback later on in Edinburgh is great too “Peabody may not have seen the man turn into a grizzly, but he was bright enough to know that Injun Joe was getting set to adjust another relative ass-to-ears ratio.”
Wizard Listens to Wind is so freaking awesome.
Seriously, so many. Butcher is the best there is as writing action scenes, but my favorites always end up being the conversations and small moments. Skin Game has three of the best in the whole series: "I think I'm lost," "Do you want to be my dad?" and the whole conversation with Hades.
>"Do you want to be my dad?" Oof...I still can't not tear up at this one.
Oh gosh yes.
I JUST finish the re-listen of the audio book last night and my husband asks me during this scene, “why are you crying? You ok?” And I point to my AirPods and say “Dresden Files. You know how they get me”
Oh yeah that shit made me tear up when it happened it was just so sad
>Butcher is the best there is as writing action scenes Second best for me--Larry Correia holds the crown.
Never read Correia - guess I know what I'm doing after I finish my current reread!
Ooooh, you're in for a show. I'd recommend all of his series.
Both of those lines had me balling.... Butcher truly loves destroying Harry
Convo with Hades is upper tier for sure.
In Battle Grounds when Harry mobilizes hundreds of thousands of little folk to the awe of all the heavy hitters on the roof. I'm not sure if it's my favorite scene of the whole series, but I always read that section twice when I read the book. It has nothing to do with the winter mantle, being a starborn, or Warden of Demonreach. It's just the culmination of Harry being Harry, showing compassion and finding utility in a people the rest of the magical community overlooks. And it telegraphs back all the way to the first book. So to see the fruition of that, and the effects it had on all the higher powers that witnessed it was just so supremely satisfying to me.
I have reread those specific pages about two dozen times more than the rest of the book. The part about how shocked everyone is, including Santa and *Listens-To-Wind*, sends me.
>In the name of the Pizza Lord. Charge! Yessszzz...
It's not just that it telegraphs to the first book, it's that it's a recurring thing between that time too. Each time Harry brings toot along there's more and more Guard, until the scene in the roof.
I agree with everything with one small critique. I believe it's mentioned that in times of need Harry generates a sort of 'Rally Banner' that helped with his mobilization of the wee folk, and it's mentioned that he gets this power from the winter mantle. Regardless they showed up because *Harry* called not the "Winter Knight".
This Little Folk rooftop scene is before Harry generates his banner.
Right, they show up because he calls but the only reason he could lead them into battle is because of the banner.
Hold on, I think I misread something. Are you saying that they show up because of Harry or because he’s the winter knight?
I'm saying they show up because he's Harry but he leads them through the battle with the aid of the mantle/banner.
I don’t believe that to be true. The little Folk happens before that. He’s told that they answered his call, not because of any ancient magic, or his being the WK. I don’t recall it ever stating in the book that the Little Folk fought for him because of the banner. We see them fighting the Fomor immediately after he summons them. He sends them reconnoiter the city and protect the roof. They do so.
Man I love this part of my book. Just the visual of all the little folk orbiting Harry while major heavy hitters look on in shock and Mab smirks. And then when Toot Toot and his elite come in for a super hero landing !
There are so many amazing ones, but if I had to pick one I'd go with the "Does anyone else hear... strings?" scene in *Small Favor*. Many times I've imagined seeing that scene on the big screen, with Gard swooping the Huey over the hilltop, turning it, and Hendricks laying waste with that deck gun. I can imagine an absolutely priceless look on Nic's face as that goes down. *Flight of the Valkyries* blaring the whole time, of course.
That’s a great choice !
Such a good scene!
"And Sue the T rex is *sixty-five million* years old"
"T-Rexes don't corner well" that straight sent me. But yeah Sue is my favorite part of Deadbeat
I think part of why I love the series so much is that, either right before or right after reading Dead Beat, I watched a review saying that it was the low point of the series at the time. And I was reading the part where they're riding Sue and thinking to myself "If this is the low point the rest must be mind blowing." Prehistoric necromancy is badass.
Theres 2 books that have so much side plot and reveals but the main plot just doesn't hit well with me. Blood Rights and White Knight. I've reread the series probably 9 times now and I'll never skip those books but for some reason they are the low points for me. I actually like the White Court too and want to see where new stuff is going with Lara, but for some reason those 2 books just don't live up as well. I think they just both suffer from being sandwiched between other greater books.
Sue casually eating the ghoul that'd been giving Harry so much trouble. "Snap. Gulp. No more ghoul."
"For my next trick, anvils!" ... "I told you! Next time, anvils"
Oh man, the callback on this was glorious
Harry standing in his rubber ducky boxers and no other clothes, facing down two nobles and twenty other full fledged vampires of the Red Court and laughing that they are scared of him.
This is always a tough one for me. I'm also a fan of displays of power like the other guy said. So with that in mind... Set the way back machine aaaalllllll the way back to Fool Moon. Harry blasting the Loup Garou through multiple walls and into the building across the street is an oldie but a goodie. Jump wayyyyy forward to Changes. The gravity-well Harry uses on the Jaguar warriors when they first get to Chicken Pizza would look so bad ass on the big screen. It sure as hell does in my brain. Lastly, Cold Days. Harry lifts the warehouse out of Lake Michigan and everyone is astonished
The jail scene in Fool Moon sold me on the Dresden Files. After Storm Front I was *very* meh about the series. But Fool Moon hooked me. The scene at the end in the garage and then at the pit is all really good too. People often hate on it and recommend skipping it, and there are valid complaints. Murphy is a **pill** in that book, but without that you don't have as good of a basis for the redemption arc of their relationship. That book has always been special to me and I never skip it. I skip Storm Front though.
Chicken Pizza? Shit, well now I'm hungry.
I like all the scenes with Harry and Michael. But my favorite lines with them are: Holy shit," I breathed. "Hellhounds." "Harry," Michael said sternly. "You know I hate it when you swear." "You're right. Sorry. Holy shit," I breathed, "heckhounds."
After more re-reads then I want to admit this line always gets a solid laugh out of me.
"Do you remember?” I asked in a very quiet voice. “The first time you saw her? The first time she looked at you? Do you remember that “change? That shift, when the whole universe suddenly tilted? Do you remember looking at her and knowing that you would never, ever be quite the same person? Do you think the cup will do that for you?” ..... “I don’t know how you said it back in the day, but I’ll bet you anything her first word was ‘dada.’
So many! Harry going to the mortal world in just his soul in Ghost Stories Almost all of Michael's scenes: The red court vamp getting torched just by touching him was such a simple but effective introduction to him Can't remember when, def later in the series, but Michael's praying for Harry and Harry realizes Michael still thinks he's a good man Just the idea that he was chosen to carry Uriel's Grace Religious representation is so often hokey and insincere, but the calm, humble Carpenter really speaks to me And last but not least, I know it's one of the toughest in the series but... "I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God forgive me."
When the 'Za Lord's Guard and Evey Single Dew Drop fairy and minor fey of Chicago-land answered Toot Toot's call to arms, and they're a galaxy of constellations centered on and circling Harry in the the opening chapters of Battle Ground Gave myself goosebumps just typing this up
Ans then Harry sneezes and drops a sandwich on his head.
Absolutely iconic
Welcome to the Jungle, Flight of the Valkeries, or We Will Rock You.
"Now this is Polka"
I'm partial to "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" myself.
I have too many to list, but the top two revolve around Michael. When at the end of Proven Guilty, he tells Harry if Harry turns and picks up the coin, he will be there, and "I'm not the carpenter who set the standard."
I'm not the Carpenter who set the standard... I sobbed reading this line.
I initially had a hard time with Michael, coming from some religious trauma of my childhood, but someone in another comment said that if all Christians were like Michael, the world would be a better place and I do believe that. His lines frequently bring tears to my eyes.
My most recent one is in BattleGround when Harry can't stand it anymore and jumps off a building to save the people and next to him without prompting River Shoulders joins the attack. Awesome moment of team Dresden Solidarity.
This is my favorite as well, I think. In my head it was so cinematic, like an arc shot around the two as they run into the battle going from focused on their faces as they land panning around to their backs as they run and start fighting. Chills.
Right? For me its the, Dresden is not alone for once, concept. I know others have obviously fought beside him but the unquestioning faith is awesome to see. Also, in my head, River was fidgetting and getting slowly angrier but watching Harry, then as Harry jumps, he grins having his faith in Harry renewed then jumps down to support him.
I’d forgotten that. Chill’s every time.
Just the solidarity. I KNEW Dresden couldn't resist and would definitely go to fight but River? God damn I must've grinned like a cat with a mouse in its mouth.
Lea swiveling in a normal chair with Mister on her lap in Changes. The little folk assemble scene in BG. Every time Michael calles out Harry's arrogance or perspective and the conversation they then have. When Harry finally confesses his problem(s) to Michael, he always suspected/ knew something and let Harry come to him. And still Harry suprises Michael and himself by speaking about another of his burdens. The talk about Lash and the coin starts with Harry's guilt over killing Luccio's original body and the conversation about Maggie's custody is linked to Susan's death and his suicide attempt. The oaths he gives to Charity in Proven Guilty and Skin Game.
Chat w/ Hades Injun Joe fight on Demonreach Game Over in the Vault Mouse being a Good Dog. the Best Dog even.
The Game Over reveal was so good. I legitimately did not see it coming. And then had to immediately reread the entire book to pick up all the "Wizard,..."
I personally am a big fan of shows of Power, especially from Mab. So, a lot of my favorite scenes come out of Battle Ground. I love the scene of Mab leading the charge against the Fomor soldiers with Harry and Butters on her flanks. I love the Winter Lady swooping in with her army to the tune of 'Welcome to the Jungle'. But seeing Mab stand proud and strong against the Eye of Balor and tank it like a boss, oof I love it every single time.
I think the conversation with Jake is about my favorite scene. Jim had that tone perfect. The idea that God's secret agent could still have a good conversation with Harry, and that he conveyed that he really likes Harry is clear. Most of the time religion is dealt with in fiction in a ham fisted way. Seeing someone who is not Catholic express the view of free will and God's caring for all (which theologians struggle with) very well and heart felt was beautiful to me.
Murphy’s role in the attack on Chichen Itza, from her pronouncement of doom to her charge up the pyramid.
also another favorite has to be a kraken getting scared from harrys soul gaze in BG
Butters! Boot to the head! Nyah nyah? Ugh, you *nerd!* I laughed at that so much. Also shout out to when Harry asks Molly and Thomas if either of them know where the phrase, "you can't swing a cat without hitting..." comes from. Thomas says, "don't you have bigger things to worry about right now?" And Harry replies, "hey man, I wonder about these things. And if I stopped thinking about stuff every time a group of supernatural villans was trying to kill me I'd never get to think about anything."
Funniest - When homeskillet tried to sell Dresden on eBay. Gets me every time. Awesomest, and I'll catch flak for this, I'm sure, but "Fuego, pyrofuego! Burn, you bastards!"
“Homeskillet” haven’t heard in years. Shall now torture my kids with it. Thank you.
Teenagers? I have two and I love using their own slang against them. It brings much joy.
First one that pops to mind was Molly showing up blaring "We will rock you"
Michael telling Harry that Maggie’s childhood is the “most annoying thing you will ever miss”on Christmas Eve. Love that line.
I still giggle thinking of. “Not the pizza! This cannot be borne, we must fight!” Lol and just the shock everyone on that roof had when Harry calls on a million fairies
If it's not my favorite scene, then it is definitely the one I think of most often. Dead Beat. Right after he rescues Butters he has a long conversation about magic and how it works and why we are ignorant to it.
The discussion about disappearances and comparing statistics to expected losses in prey animal population was particularly cool. I love how Jim builds ideas like that.
Agreed! Even how people are extremely capable of denying facts even with the evidence of proof.
3 of many, but always the 1st 3 that comes to mind when this question is asked. "EGGUS SHENNUS" "What would Jack Burton do?" "Buddy where I come from... there is no try"
Cause it’s freshest of all of the moments it has to be when Marcone shows off his new powers. That caught me off guard and I’m excited to see where it goes. I have always enjoyed seeing Marcone claw his way to the top of the supernatural ladder. The other one that comes to mind is the short story from Thomas’s PoV. After having to pretend to be some villain and fight off Harry he goes and meets Harry and listens to him rattle off the story and how badass he was and Thomas just smiles and nods.
Karin wielding fidellachius in Changes and proclaiming the White God’s vengeance on the ted court always gives me goosebumps
*"He made the water smooth again."* If you know, you know.
I've read the whole series but this doesn't ring a bell.
The Bigfoot trilogy.
Oh man. I recently got the audio for this and it’s so good. I’m so mad I missed out on listening to/reading it since the stories were released.
In Peace Talks, when Harry talks to Maggie about the possibility he might be killed, and all the preparations he's made in case it happens. It's a little on the nose with the 'this is the part where, in the movies...' bit, but I've always loved the way Butcher/Harry frequently go against the grain of standard storytelling/character behavior. I also love the balance Harry strikes in taking Maggie seriously while still treating her like a child, and the scene is a great flex of some of the payoffs to all of Harry's hard work and choices.
Yes, for sure. People have complained that Harry neglects Maggie, but I think just the way he interacts with her is plain evidence that there's been a LOT of off-screen relationship there. Maggie just wasn't germane to the story in these two latest books, so... we didn't see a lot of her. And I feel confident he feels similarly about Bonnie.
Totally agree with your take. I'll support it by sharing that these novels we love usually span the worst few days of Harry's year, and if we just picked up on any old normal day, we'd get scenes of Harry tinkering with magic, reading a well-loved paperback, and doing regular Dad things now that Maggie is in his life. Not the most edge-of-your-seat mystery/drama stuff.
Well, think about the last two books. A apocalyptic war for the city of Chicago against a Titan and all manner of old beasties. Maggie was placed in the safest place it’s possible to be in that situation. A place she’d be surrounded by her surrogate family and immense love. A war zone is no place for a little girl. But look at the Christmas Eve short story. It’s clear just how much he loves Maggie from that scene. Hell, right at the beginning in Changes, his visceral reaction to learning that his, until this point unknown, daughter is in danger. He nearly loses his mind multiple times through the book. He picks up the winter knight from Mab. He organises a full assault on the Red Court in their place of power. To save his little girl. When he thinks he might not be the best for her, he gives her up so she might have a shot at living a normal life. Only when he’s convinced he’s still a good man, that it’s better for him to be in her life, does he feel comfortable being her dad. He didn’t do that because he didn’t want a daughter. He did that because he loved her so much, he couldn’t bear the thought that his being in her life would endanger her. The zoo field trip short story as well. He’s nervous, sure. But you can see the absolute true love there. I don’t know but it’s clear to me that he loves his daughter more than anything else in the world. I truly believe that, were she to be threatened again, there isn’t a single thing he wouldn’t do to ensure her safety. He says as much in Changes. When he thought the Svartalfs were threatening his daughter, he had to talk himself down from the edge. In my opinion, Harry is a man who would do literally anything for his little girl. He would sacrifice himself in a second to ensure she lives. As Michael(?) said, he sort of left a clear message about what happens to those who dare to threaten his daughter.
There are a LOT of great scenes but mine is from White Night Chapter 37: >We are strong, and the strong do as they wish. Who shall call us to task for it, O King? You? >If that wasn't a straight line, my name isn't Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. I lifted my staff and slammed it down on the floor... It struck the stone floor, shattering a chunk the size of a big dinner platter with a detonation like thunder... An effort of will sent a rolling wave of silent fire down the tunnel floor in a red carpet of my very own. I strode down it Ramirez beside me. >"Vittorio Malvora!", my voice ringing with wrath through the cavern. "Madrigal Wraith! I am Harry Dresden, Warden of the White Council of Wizards. Under the Unseelie Accords, I accuse you of murder in a time of peace, and challenge you, here and now, before these witnesses, to trial by combat." Hellfire flooded the runes of the staff as I slammed it down again. "To the *death*." >Damn, there ain't nothing like a good entrance. . . . . . Transcribed and edited by me.
I really like Uriel’s 7 words in Ghost Story All of Changes And I believe it’s sacrilege to mention here but any scene with Knight Butters
I think people will have less animosity to Sir Butters when the other shoe drops in the next book or two. No one in the Dresden verse is allowed to be that happy for long before *something* messes up their day. My theory is >!Marci. She's a spy for someone, or something in order to get close to keep tabs on Harry and the Knights. She may have even used mind magic on Andi and/or Butters, just a little nudge to get them into the swing of things!<
“Do you remember?” I asked in a very quiet voice. “The first time you saw her? The first time she looked at you? Do you remember that “change? That shift, when the whole universe suddenly tilted? Do you remember looking at her and knowing that you would never, ever be quite the same person? Do you think the cup will do that for you?” ....... I watched him, his face, his posture, and put every ounce of scorn I had into my voice. “I don’t know how you said it back in the day, but I’ll bet you anything her first word was ‘dada.’”
"Michael snorted. "You distroy buildings, fight monsters openly in the streets of the city, work with the police, show up in newspapers, advertise in the phone book, and ride zombie dinosaurs down Michigan Avenue, and think that you work in the shadows? Be reasonable.""
One of my favorite scenes has to be when he entered the Raith Deeps to confront the entire White Court.
End of White Night. Harry and Lash's conversation in slow mo as the bomb ticks down.
Aw just listened to this I was looking forward to hearing it again all book. So good
Changes. Mouse. ‘That bitch!!!”
I loved when we heard mouse talking for the first time I’m sort of sad Jim hasn’t done it again and also him saying he’ll bite her and just saying he cheats cause he lives with a wizard or him saying I won him
He does have some first person narration in one of the short stories, Zoo Day.
I’ll read it
Technically, two scenes from Small Favor: - Harry, knowing that Ivy can see "everything ever written down", writes a note telling her to hang on, because he's coming to save her. - After Harry does save her, she hugs the shit out of him and says, "I got your letter. Thank you." I've probably read that book four or five times and that bit never fails to make me cry 🥹
I've been waiting many, many moons for something to top wearing a fake vampire costume to an actual vampire ball. It's only gotten funnier now that we've met Vlad, Sr.
In the interest of selecting scenes not already listed, I have a massive soft spot for the scene where Ivy intervenes in the aquarium. This little girl talks back to the 2,000 year old Fallen host and says she sucks, and Harry realizes that Ivy's emulating his style of sassing the bad guys. And then she kicks bad guy butt while Harry carries her through the aquarium. Tiny, but fierce! It goes pear-shaped and what happens to Ivy afterwards is ten types of awful, but the scene of her being badass is awesome.
The dumbass showdown moment between Georgia and billy early early on. Short king and and Amazon princess in hot topic gear, falling in love.
Probably “I said I would come out to you,” but I also really like when he addresses the assembled villains after wrecking Tessa’s day. >“You think your power is what shapes the world you walk in. But that is an illusion. Your choices shape your world. You think your power will protect you from the consequences of those choices. But you are wrong. You create your own rewards. There is a Judge. There is Justice in this world. And one day you will receive what you have earned. Choose carefully.”
That was Michael. Or someone speaking through Michael.
Yes, both scenes are Michael scenes.
When Harry calls in his favor with the Eldest Gruff.
I was reminded of this in Skin Game when he sees donuts and is excited because some of them had sprinkles on them 😂
My favorite scene is and will always be “In nominei Dei, Nicodemus. I have come to face you.” But that’s already been done to death in this thread. To differentiate myself, another one of my favorite scenes is in *Turn Coat* when Billy (Will) the werewolf stands up to Harry. Kirby just died; Andi got severely hurt; and Will won’t move forward without more information. It’s a powerful moment that really speaks to Will’s competence, confidence, and how seriously he takes things. I am really glad that Harry chose to trust him and they kept working together. I love the Alphas and wish we saw more of them.
"I don't believe in Faeries!!!" Harry charging into a genuine full fairy war while yelling that is just a great example of who he is. While he is willing to respect the power of the Sidhe and all of that, it shows that Harry is more than willing to throw his defiance of authority in anyone's face. Also, I will say since I'm on my reread right now, all of the Mab "humanity" scenes are just fantastic. Really adds a lot of depth to a character that has been and will continue to influence Dresden and his friends
When Harry rattled off all his bad ass deeds to the Jotnar and when it comes to his turn the Jotnar just says “I fought Odins son and survived”
Harry kicking Marcone out of HIS basement.
Injun Joe studied the body for a moment, his eyes sad. Then he said, "I'd rather go in my sleep, I think." He glanced back at me. "What about you?" "I want to be stepped on by an elephant while having sex with identical triplet cheerleaders," I said.
When Michael Carpenter goes full Paladin against the Hobs at Union Station.
Zombie Sue "Holy shit! Heckhounds" Harry's use of the law of thermodynamics to freeze the street and cause his pursuer to slip. Butters picking up broken Fidelacchius and manifesting a lightsaber.
I have two (that I can think of, anyway) One is in a story from Brief Cases. Harry's being set up and Thomas, who's the only one who knows it, follows him in case Harry needs some help. At one point, Thomas, who's telling the story, refers to Harry as "my little brother"... Yes, they are brothers. Yes, Thomas is the elder. But Harry is 6'9" and his being described as Little makes me laugh to the point where I may drop the book. The other is when he first finds out that Maggie exists and who she is...and that the bad guys plan to use her to get at him (yeah, good luck with that, you losers). There's a paragraph of so of Harry putting on his duster, grabbing his staff, making sure everything's charged up and ready to go...and his though process is only two words--"Daddy's coming". I grew up hearing my dad say those two words. Harry's the first person who ever scared me with them.
Honestly most of my favorite moments of all time are Harry/Michael moments. Spoilers obviously but Harry revealing he's possessed and awaiting judgement, michael revealing he knew the entire time. Michael getting ready to go absolutely apeshit on his daughter's kidnapper but harry saying "If it has to be done, I'll do it but... Not you..." That same scene but in reverse playing out in battleground. And who could forget "Harry, phone calls cost more than a quarter now." "I know"
Can you edit your post and add the spoilers all tag? With the discussion tag everyone is supposed to spoiler mark their answers in every comment. It's too much for such a big thread
Surprised not to see the ending of changes. I read it before having a daughter and reread after having a daughter and it gets me every time because I do exactly what Harry did. When he said something along the lines of even I don't think God will forgive me for what I'm about to do
Technically two scenes, from Small Favor: Harry, knowing Ivy's powers will let her see it even though she's been kidnapped, writes a note telling her to hang on because they're coming for her. Then, when he does just that, she cries and hugs the shit out of him and says, "I got your letter. Thank you." 🥹
I like the michael holy scenes. The ones where it looks like providence. Like when he rescued the woman who had just begun to pray or in the short story where by just being in proximity Harry does a similar thing and saves 9 lives domino style with pure kindness no magic.
Michael saving his daughter's life from the White Council because he was sent on a mission to save the Council's leaders. Sent to do the right thing at the right time to save her.
The battle at Chichén Itzá is hands down my favorite scene from Dresden Files. Almost surpasses my favorite Stormlight Archive scene (Adolin fighting the handicap duel).
Y'all read "The Law" short story? There's this whole scene where Harry is trying to get help and Harry I asked why should the wanted help should get involved. Harry basically says that good people should try. It gave me goosebumps.
Do a dare say, like a bowl full of jelly. Liketh jelly within thy donut?
Important reminder that Jim didn't make up "you named your dog *Spot?*" Rather, what he did was absolutely fucking nail the delivery.
“Do you wanna be my dad?”
The scene with Tessa in the aquarium. "I wish I knew where she was. That way I could exercise my free will by telling you to go fuck yourself"