I was already in love just a few minutes in to this episode, and while my initial plan was to catch up and then leave a review, this episode honestly meant a lot to me and I couldn't wait to talk about it! First - the writing is fantastic so far, I love how well-rounded and multidimensional Bee already is in the first episode, she really feels like a whole person. The sound design is simple but effective and the premise is really compelling. I love how recordings are used in the story and how it really leverages the audio drama format. The thing that really touched me about this episode though and which I couldn't wait to say something about was that it speaks to a fear and feeling of insecurity that I think is really pervasive for marginalized people - the idea that you're vulnerable and there isn't really much that you can do about it. The way Bee experiences that fear in this episode is so realistic and relatable - I feel so vulnerable so much of the time, like in certain situations I could face harm and not be able to stop it - but what's really cathartic is the way the episode gives Bee a tool that lets her do just that. At the last second, for some inexplicable reason, the ability to protect herself and fight back comes bursting forth. I felt myself sharing in her surprise and her delight - honestly for someone with the specific fears I have, this is maybe one of the most significant and hard-hitting fantasies. It meant a lot to hear this as a marginalized person - I really felt understood and seen, and the way that experience is conveyed through the story made me feel connected to Bee and what was happening to her faster than I ever have to any other character probably. Great work all around, I'm so excited to keep listening!!

Listened to this episode through the PodTales Showcase feed and it was super intriguing! The sound design is phenomenal, it has an almost three dimensional effect, and I loved the way past and present were demarcated by using different sound design for certain elements like the actors' voices. The storytelling was also fantastic, I really admire the way tension was built throughout the episode. The characters' emotions are palpable and the entire episode is framed in a way that is mysterious in nature, leaving you wondering if this is a doctor's room conversation, an interrogation, or something more sinister yet.

It's hard to think of a better word to describe this show than "lovely"! I love the commentary that Sidequesting provides right from the title on storytelling conventions and the kinds of stories that are "worth telling," eschewing these ideas by pulling into focus the ordinary and mundane of a fantasy setting. This is a show that's playful and doesn't take itself too seriously, which hits exactly the right spot on days where a heavy and complicated plot would feel overwhelming. Sidequesting is a story about fun that knows how to have fun. The cast is charming and diverse without being obnoxious, and Tal's writing does a fantastic job of simultaneously capturing your attention and making you feel invested in the story while also being tongue-in-cheek about how things don't always have to be that serious.