Tag: The Ballad of Bonaduke Page 1 of 6

On April 16, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 51: Come AroundAround

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #51
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: April 16, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s Come Around About?

So, we start off wrapping up the big action stuff from the last episode and then we rejoin things sometime later as Bonaduke regains consciousness (if you needed a hint how that action ended up). A good deal happened while he was unconscious and Om is not in good shape.

But the rest have come up with a solution so crazy that it…just…might…work. I’m not going to pretend it makes sense to me, but maybe when I see it in action. It involves a strange machine powered in part by Bonaduke on a bike. No, really.

So, what did I think about Come Around?

Is it too late to buy Slaywood a Grammarly subscription?

There’s some fun stuff here—I’m really not sure where he’s going with a lot of this, but whatever. The ride will keep us guessing.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 50: What Goes Around by R. T. Slaywood: Magical Attack Dogs Would Make Lousy Pets

On March 28, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 50: What Goes Around

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #50
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: March 28, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s What Goes Around About?

The things that were going wrong with the heist continue to go wrong–this episode picks up with the dog attack and then things get worse. For all their power and ruthlessness, these dogs overwhelm them. (well, come close to it–the fact that the series has several episodes to go, you know this isn’t the end)

Things get worse, only for a quick reprieve. The group tries to make the best of the reprieve, but remember I used the word “quick” there. They’re out of the proverbial fire pan, but..

So, what did I think about What Goes Around?

You know, this wasn’t bad. Lots and lots of action. Not a whole lot of plot development–just a lot of magic and mayhem (and vicious dogs) flying around. Sometimes that’s enough.

It also means I don’t have a lot to say about this. Slaywood amped up the pace and the adrenaline and rode it well.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 49: Light and Shadow by R. T. Slaywood: Well, that could’ve gone better

On March 15, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 49: Light and Shadow

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #49
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: March 14, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s Light and Shadow About?

Whatever plan that Bonaduke’s compatriots might have had fell apart before they really got it started–it’s like Tyson said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” But I’m not sure this plan even lasted that long.

Regardless, it falls apart dramatically–since I already mentioned Tyson, think of poor Peter McNeeley’s encounter with the boxer. It makes for some exciting reading.

So, what did I think about Light and Shadow?

The editing on this episode was either poor or non-existent. I’m hoping that Slaywood just skipped the step this time, but it really needed some. I can’t tell you how many things I had to read a few times before I was pretty sure (not necessarily confident) before I understood what he was trying to say. That’s never a good thing, but in the middle of an action scene, taking the time to suss out what the author was trying to say really kills momentum.

Beyond that, I think Slaywood could’ve done a better job describing what was happening–he’s got the pacing of a huge action scene down, but he doesn’t do a great job conveying what’s going on.

There’s plenty of good ideas floating around this episode, but the delivery was wanting. Still curious about how they get out of this mess.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 48: Setup by R. T. Slaywood: The Providence of the Unseen Path

On February 23, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 48: Setup

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #47
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: February 23, 2024

My fear was rising quickly.

It started with the sensation of my stomach being empty. Then the nerves in my entire body switched on, ready to run or fight.

My money was on run.

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them).

What’s Setup About?

We come In medias res, Bonaduke and the rest are starting some sort of heist of a book. It becomes clear pretty soon that the member of the team who knew the most about the book and the security around it (and therefore came up with the plan) was less than forthcoming about the details surrounding the book’s security and who was transporiting it. I’m not sure if that’ll be addressed in the future, but I’m pretty curious about why.

Anyway, they’re committed now and have to move—the big question is: will the plan still work, or are they well over their heads?

So, what did I think about Setup?

There’s at least two meanings to the title of this episode—it may not be the first time Slaywood’s done that in this series, but it’s probably the most effective (I honestly don’t remember that). And that was only the first thing he did right with this.

Good rising tension, some good character moments from several of the characters, we see some new abilities from Bonaduke’s allies (for lack of a better term), and we start to see some of what the Omnicrats are capable of—which seems like a lot.

I don’t think I really have much to complain about—and I’m very glad about that. This was good build-up for the next episode or two, and I’m eager to read on. It’s not a complaint or a quibble, but I am very curious about what “two small silver guns without barrels” would really look like. I’m sure they’re magical and don’t need barrels, but my imagination is having a hard time conjuring this image. Still—bring on episode 49.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 47: Coming Clean by R. T. Slaywood: Some Progress

On February 16, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 47: Coming Clean

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #47
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: February 15, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them).

What’s Coming Clean About?

His experiment continues, but as he tries to get some equipment to help him understand what he’s doing, he ends up having to tell Alan what he’s up to. This results in–you’ll never believe this–the two of them having a conversation, Alan helping Bonaduke understand what he’s doing and how to improve things. Then they go to involve the others.

So, what did I think about Coming Clean?

I actually grinned at one point where Bonaduke’s cleverness came back to bite him a little. But more importantly, wow…a conversation, coming clean about something–treating each other like people. It’s about bleeping time. And the way this episode resolved–both in terms of plot and character? I really, really liked it.

I have some measured optimism for the next episode or two…

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 46: Fake by R. T. Slaywood: Trial Run

On February 9, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 46: Fake

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #46
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: February 8, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them).

What’s Fake About?

Bonaduke has a notion or two from what he learned in the last episode and does some experimenting with his abilities using these notions. And something happens. I’m not exactly sure what, but something.

So, what did I think about Fake?

Insert default complaint about grammar and spelling, again. There’s a pretty big point made about contracts here. Well, actually it’s about “contacts.” But I think he meant the other one. If you’re going to make a significant point about something, you should probably get the word right.

The last few paragraphs restored a bit of confidence in where this is going. It wasn’t that long ago that I was feeling excited about this series, but the last couple of episodes have poured cold water on that. But maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel?

2 Stars

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 45: Implications by R. T. Slaywood: Maybe I’m the Problem…

On January 25, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 45: Implications

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #45
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: January 25, 2023

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them).

What’s Implications About?

Bonaduke and Alan are wandering around the Northern Occult Expo looking for ways to test his abilities to get a better understanding of how they work. There’s some interesting back and forth with a couple of exhibitors, and we see how Om makes some money. Then Bonaduke does something that his associates don’t apprehend–we’ll have to wait to see if he explains it to them.

So, what did I think about Implications?

Insert default complaint about grammar and spelling. It’d be great to know Slaywood was trying to say and compare it to what he actually communicated.

He’s also back to that game where he’s trying to be coy and mysterious–but all that comes across to me is obfuscation.

Here’s me hoping the next episode is better.

2 Stars

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 44: Bound in Darkness by R. T. Slaywood: What Did You Say?

On January 19, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 44: Bound in Darkness

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #44
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: January 19, 2023

“You should probably explain what the æthocite is and why it’s important.” Om said.

“I was getting there.” Alan said.

“Doubt it.” I said.

Zero chuckled.

“I really was.” Alan said.

“Just keep going.” Om said.

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ.

What’s Bound in Darkness About?

Bonaduke is drying out–not necessarily by his own choice. He’s getting the messed up dreams that come from an alcohol-starved brain and years of truama, and wakes to another day without drink. It’s a great advertisement against alcoholism (not that there are many pro-alcoholism advertisments). Then Zero, Om, Alan, and he have a planning meeting–an Alan drops a pretty big bomb for the readers. And it’s news to some of this colleagues, too.

So, what did I think about Bound in Darkness?

With the last episode, I said “A couple more dialogue tags would’ve been helpful here.” As the above quotation shows, Slaywood isn’t always guilty of that.

Dream sequences don’t do much for me, but this dangled some interesting threads. But it’s Alan’s discussion at the end of the episode that made me sit up and take notice–and need to know more. I’m not sure I’ve ever been as curious to click the “Next Expisode” button as I am now.

3 Stars

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 43: Missing Things by R. T. Slaywood: A New Home

On January 12, 2024

I’ve got to get more regular in reading/posting these again. I started late, but I’m now 42 behind. Cool number, but…ack.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 43: Missing Things