In the sixth part of Soul Music, Imp makes music. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Discworld.Â
Well, now I know how those two storylines converge. DAMN.
Forgetting
I don’t know that I’ve ever felt more like I was missing the obvious than with Death’s subplot. Why does he want to forget so badly? So that he can pass the job on to Susan? Something else? WHAT AM I NOT GETTING, Y’ALL?
Reaping Imp
“I suppose it’s legal for me to go in licensed premises?” said Susan, as Ankh-Morpork appeared on the horizon.
I LOVE SUSAN BECAUSE WE BOTH FOCUS ON UNNECESSARY LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME. Is there inflation in the currency in Harry Potter? Are there vegans in His Dark Materials? WHERE ARE ALL THE GAY AND QUEER FOLKS IN STAR TREK? But I noticed that she’s doing this while she drifts further and further from her previous understanding of the world. Like, she can’t deny that she’s Death and must do Death’s job anymore. She can’t! So this feels more like a defensive gesture than anything else.
Of course, Pratchett confuses Susan even further when she goes to help Imp as he dies. Well, I’m confused, too. I DON’T GET IT. Susan knows how Imp is going to die, and by all rights, he should have died, and yet? What happens?
The guitar happens.
That’s probably the best summary of the events here, but I also love that in this, Pratchett paints a lovely portrait of the beauty of the electric guitar and rock n’ roll. I was lucky enough to be introduced to a lot of the pioneers of rock n’ roll (most of whom were black, for the record) when I was a kid, and was introduced to punk rock, hardcore, and metal at age eight. Eight!!! It’s why it all means so much to me, and thus, I understood this bit with every ounce of my own spirit:
It made you want to kick down walls and ascend the sky on steps of fire. It made you want to pull all the switches and throw all the levers and stick your fingers in the electric socket of the Universe to see what happened next. It made you want to paint your bedroom wall black and cover it with posters.
At the same time, there’s something insidious and sinister here because Imp’s act set free… I don’t know. A force? A being? An entity? Something got free in Ankh-Morpork, and it is “infecting” the minds of those that heard it. (“Infect” is the best I can come up with.) We get a scene where The Librarian sits before the organ in Unseen University, so possessed by the inspiration of music that he creates an unholy symphony of his own. One that attracts all the wizards to the Great Hall, I might add! AND THEN THE ORGAN SHOOTS INTO SKY BECAUSE RIDCULLY FIRES A CROSSBOW BOLT INTO IT. Look, how do you critically engage with such absurdity? How is The Librarian even alive? WHO CARES?
Let’s talk about names, though. You know, since I grew up on all sorts of bands who had thematic stage names, I dearly relate to what the group does here. Buddy and Cliff are fantastic names! Buddy has got to be a reference to Buddy Holly, I’m guessing. (Still gonna assume it’s a reference to Cliff Burton based not on canon evidence, but because it fills me with joy.) So what’s next for the band, aside from another show? Well, it’s time for the unnamed band to expand by getting a piano player, and given what we’d already seen at this point, I think the Librarian seems perfect for that.
It’s weird saying that, though, because I still don’t know what made that possible. Imp – er, Buddy is still alive when he absolutely shouldn’t be. As Susan later states in her narration, “Something else had saved [Imp’s] life first.” What is that something? Should I be excited about this band or am I cheering on something evil? WHO KNOWS???
All of you know, of course. DAMN IT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEHMce5QDLE
Mark Links Stuff
– I am now on Patreon!!! MANY SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT ME.
– IÂ will be at numerous conventions in 2016! Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches will be Death Note and Neon Genesis Evangelion. On Mark Reads, Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series will replace the Emelan books.
- Mark Does Stuff is on Facebook! I’ve got a community page up that I’m running. Guaranteed shenanigans!
