I have not yet had a chance to watch this as it is almost 2 1/2 hours long and I am just too stressed with election coverage. I hope to get to this this weekend.

Spoilers

“The Paths Converge”

The penultimate episode of Bonus Action brought one of the greatest moments of the entire series run, where Josh (and clearly hints from Amanda) outsmarted David the DM. Josh’s character Todd was charmed and was being compelled to kill his friend Marlon. However, Todd, who was a barbarian, could not be charmed when in a rage. This is somewhere around the 1 hour nine minute mark. It is one of the most enjoyable moments that I can remember.

It is an awesome episode as well, but that Todd moment is a highlight.

Spoilers

“The Roads Diverge”

The saga of the Fey Wild continues with the group of heroes still split apart trying to find their way to the ruins, encountering conflict along the path.

Marlon got to the ruins first, and was forced into hiding in a tree shadow because of an exhaustion. In truth, Ja-Ron Young, the player whose character is Marlon, had real life interfere this week and had to leave early. I actually blurted out when the shadow engulfed the player and he disappeared in a cool editing trick.

A honest exchange between Bric and Victor was also a highlight of the week, as Bric spoke to Victor about his own guilt over being the reason that dragons have returned. Victor continues to be the conscience of the group and spoke, as only Victor could, to Bric.

This was not the most successful the group has been, most likely because they were split apart. DM David said that next week’s episode is the penultimate episode of the season, so things will pick up significantly moving forward. However, I have really enjoyed the character bits over the last few episodes as much as the combat.

Spoilers

“Welcome …to Fey Country”

A gigantic episode of Bonus Action this week… over 2 hours and 18 minutes worth of action. David the DM immediately split the six people of the group apart.

They spent most of the time one one one with David, playing all sorts of weird characters including a human faced bird, a disappointed marionette, and a not quite killed Minotaur.

David also left the group on several cliffhangers including Bar’B’s father about to reveal his deal.

So entertaining and exciting, these are some wonderful D&D players who understand that the key to the story are the characters, not just the power you can have.

Spoilers

“Battle in the Big Top”

More exciting battles with our D&D party. What is cool is that it seems as if every week another member of our party is doing something awesome.

This week it is Bric, who killed three of the giant villains with a single fireball. It was a huge swing in the combat and you could see how excited Jay was when it happened.

Lots of fun once again as this group has unbelievable chemistry together and are extremely funny.

Spoilers

“Mercy in the Mist”

What a wild adventure in Wild Country, plus some exceptional emotional acting from a clearly talented actor as Amanda brings the power to her backstory. Legit tough to watch as Bar’B recollects the flashback from earlier this season.

And the Mistwalker… shenanigans at a special level!

I was worried when Rory threw himself on that bomb… seems as if it did not even slow him down.

Spoilers

One of the best parts of this show is the time that the players get to develop their characters and to have silly moments of joy.

The interaction between Rory and Bric play-acting the whole “crush” thing was some of the best moments of the entire show. It was funny and wonderful.

Both flashbacks were emotional, especially Victor’s.

Bar’b and Todd are amazing comedic breaks.

Definitely a great show.

Spoilers

“Battle at the Parade of Celebrants”

The second episode of the second volume of Bonus Action was the combat that was set up last week. The parade that Bric was so looking forward to was attacked and danger was placed upon the heroes.

This was so awesome.

Bar’b was unbelievable.

Everyone had a remarkably awesome moment. Marlon was excellent. Rory pulled a remarkable retribution moment with a Nat 20. Bric and his boulders…

So much fun.

Spoilers

“A Spring’s Awakening”

Bonus Action returned to officially kickoff their second volume of D & D role-playing action with the wonderful cast of characters and a remarkably creative DM.

One of last year’s top surprises was the arrival of Bonus Action from the Preview’d guys, Adam lash and Jay Schmidt. They had decided to film their group’s gaming as a YouTube series and I found it to be very fun.

The cast returned this season with DM (Or as he says, friendly neighborhood campaign manager) David Armstrong as well as Jay and Adam (playing Bric and Victor respectively), Amanda Nicholas as Barb’E, Ja-Ron Young as Marlon, Josh Hurley as Todd, and Jason Spina as Rory. This only works because of these talented individuals with their acting, improv and interpersonal skills. They all have a total grasp on their characters and it makes it a total rush watching them play into the amazingly constructed and described world of Wild Country.

This episode kicked off with an unexpected one-on-one with David and Amanda, in a flashback for Barb’E, and it was tremendous, emotional and thrilling.

The rest of the episode was set up and character development, both important and silly in many manners. Making Todd’s 4th Wall Breaking a part of canon is truly a hoot.

I will say that the cliffhanger at the very end was fairly shaky. How could you?

This was a ton of fun and next week’s combat at the parade (or is it Pear-Raid?) will be something special. Glad this is back.

Spoilers

“A Homecoming Most Good”

Bonus Action’s first season ended tonight with a fantastic finale filled with some great character moments and some fun action.

This group of players worked so well together, and brought the emotion and humor throughout the eight episodes plus.

Tonight’s highlights:

• Clearly, the final justice for Victor. Delivered beautifully by Adam.
• Marlon hitting that 18 early on the jump on the volcano.
• Speaking of Marlon, finally getting that pocket picked…
• Bric’s pain and anguish over his perceived failure, his self-doubt felt real and his scene with Alistair was excellent.
• Adam and Jay having their own moment with their characters.
• David’s work weekly has been sensation, with his voices and descriptions.
• Paying off Jay’s use of Flame last week with …dragons?
• The Star Wars-like celebration at the end.
• Just everything about Rory.
• Bar’B and Todd adding so much color to the campaign.
• The map/board once again showing that extra step that made this so enjoyable. Cool volcano.

This is such a fun show with an amazing group of players and characters. Jay teased something with Bonus Action later in the week. Excellent.

Spoilers

“The Z Knights vs. The B Team”

The big battle over the Arcfire did not go very well at all.

In an epic encounter, our party battled through the combat doing what they could. The main antagonist was challenging and targeting Victor took our young hero down.

It felt tough for others in the group. Bric tried something desperate at the end that could have backfired, but Rory came up HUGE with a major Nat. 20 roll when he needed it.

I am avoiding too many details, because you should really watch the episode yourselves.

Spoilers

“Fates Worse Than Prison”

The sixth episode of the Dungeons & Dragons campaign from Bonus Action has the group moving through a dungeon for the first time.

Well, sort of a dungeon. It is actually a multiple level building, with stacked maps as well. This dungeon actually goes up instead of deeper into the ground.

The group all showed some wonderful ingenuity as they moved through the different levels, avoiding what they could. Jay’s use of his goggles to avoid the bright light was brilliant.

There were some mysteries dropped too, including the drawings that look like Victor.

It appears that they have reached the showdown as it was left as a cliffhanger.

Another fun week with some very creative people.