I made one of the first comments on this story, which everyone appears to have then ignored, in order to go on with the most ridiculous reasons for disliking this story. After reading all that nonsense, I reviewed the episode again, and guess what? it's still good! I may put this one up with the best that Podcastle has put forth!
Listening to this story is like reading a graphic novel sized origin story of some new hero. Sure it's bloody and mature rated, but so are a lot of comics these days. Anyone ever read Preacher and the blood and guts without consequences in that comic, for example?
It is also clearly not a Hitler, but some supernatural enemy, which is why her own supernatural powers are the only thing that could oppose him. So the magic spell the people were under had little if any relation to non magical despots who only use their own charisma.
I am also fascinated by the possibilities inherent in the end of the story, wherein the next obvious step is to go searching for the origin of herself, her hope chest, and how it all connects to that enemy she faced in her hometown.
You know, this story actually gets better for me with a relisten.