By QCODE, Wood Elf & Mythical
A Review
After being introduced to the world of podcast stories (I don't know if there's an actual name for them) through The Edge of Sleep (read my review HERE) I instantly wanted to listen to more.
In the Spotify playlist of The Edge of Sleep, there were two extra 'episodes'. These were both first episodes to two different podcasts. Episode one of Ronstadt was one of them. So, I clicked it, started listening, and the rest is history!
I'll introduce the podcast, and then we'll get into the review!
RONSTADT, starring Rhett & Link, is a supernatural noir comedy set on the mean streets of LA about a 9-1-1 phone jockey whose night job, along with a self-described “Craydar,” leads him deep into Side B - a world filled with magic, monsters, and all things Mythical. RONSTADT was created by Jonathan Strailey & Brandon Bestenheider and produced by QCODE, Wood Elf, and Mythical.
And now, my review...
Ronstadt's life has been a whirlwind, going from a job putting cherries on top of ice-creams to seeing supernatural creatures that no one else can see. With no doctor able to diagnose him, Ronstadt eventually gives up, and lets his ability to see the supernatural, and the voice talking in his head, land him a job that no one wants – to be given all the 9-1-1 calls that involve something freaky, strange, or simply unbelievable.
Amidst an onslaught of calls that do not involve actual danger, supernatural creatures, or any kind of emergency at all, Ronstadt finds himself on the phone with a young girl who is clearly terrified of something. Somehow, Ronstadt knows what the thing is the girl is describing, and tells her how to stay safe, how to stay alive. After saving the girl, it becomes clear that something is going on, and somehow, Ronstadt is mixed up in everything.
Ronstadt is the kind of character that you can't help but like. He's sarcastic, funny, and kind of strange at times, but overall he seems like a good guy. As he finally starts to make some friends, including Estevez, the new guy at work, and Faye, a girl who seems to be able to look past his weirdness, Ronstadt starts to get some answers – and they come in the form of Hattie Honeybutter, a witch who takes Ronstadt under her wing. Hattie may be the only mentor that Ronstadt has, but that doesn't stop her from holding him back at times. Ronstadt is powerful, clearly, and why his powers only recently started to show themselves is a mystery that they both must try to figure out.
As Ronstadt tries to learn everything he needs to know about Side B, the supernatural world hidden from the everyday lives of everyone without a connection to the supernatural, evil lurks around the corner. In particular, a dark corner. The Shadows are collecting people, marking them, and warding them off with light only keeps them away for so long. As Ronstadt tries to figure out how to keep the Shadows away from both himself and the people who are in danger, the Shadows seem to be one step ahead of everyone else.
The world that has been created is one that is both fun and intense at the same time. Ronstadt isn't an automatic hero, he's the kind of person who instantly gets the urge to do something as soon as he has been told not to. He is both relatable and entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his story. The world presented gives a glimpse into a world hidden, that normal people aren't meant to know about, much less learn about. Through Ronstadt's fumbling discoveries, and Hattie's guidance, we learn alongside Ronstadt about the world and the creatures inhabiting it.
There are certainly a few loose ends in the story, such as characters who come and go without a conclusion and scenes that could do with more explanation. Ronstadt seems to have forgotten his past, and there was never a true conclusion to the how and why of this. However, the ending was very open, with the introduction of a new character and a cliffhanger, opening a wide door for a second season to swoop in and pick up where Ronstadt left off. I must say, I hope there will be a second season, as I am excited to see where Ronstadt will end up next!
Finished!
I will add, I mentioned that I did some colouring while listening to The Edge of Sleep. I continued this, as I never finished the whole picture, some fantasy world autumn trees, and even after listening to this podcast as well, which, according to my addition of the episode lengths, is about 6 and a half hours long, I am still not done. Granted, I spent one episode out walking, another doing household chores...
I guess I'll just have to find another podcast so I can finish my colouring!
That's all I have to say for now...
Bye!
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