Mark Reads ‘The Wizard’s Dilemma’: Chapter 3, Part I

In the first half of the third chapter of The Wizard’s Dilemma, Kit ponders whether or not he should talk to Nita, and Nita wonders the same, and IT’S SO ADORABLE, I SWEAR. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Young Wizards.

So, I’m not going to say that it’s impossible that Kit and Nita end up in a romantic relationship, but I wanted to open this by talking about how cool it is that Duane is having friends go through this experience. Miscommunication and misunderstandings are not in the world just for the romantic, and it’s something that everyone has to deal with at some point. It’s clear now that this is the very first big fight that these two have ever had, which explains why it feels so big to them. They might have been good at resolving arguments before, but this one? It’s the first of many to come.

More on that in a bit. I FINALLY GOT TO MEET THE RODRIGUEZ FAMILY! Oh gods, they’re already such a delight, and I like the ways in which Duane has chosen to make them differ from the Callahans. I sensed less anxiety from them about Kit’s wizardry, though that doesn’t mean they don’t care about it. Clearly, his dad is interested in learning what it is his son does!  There is a major similarity between the two families, though. Both have adjusted to what’s considered “normal” in their worlds:

“Hey, Mama,” Kit called, “what’s for dinner?”

“Spaghetti,” his mother called from somewhere at the back of the house. “It would have been meatballs as well, but we didn’t know which planet you were on.”

It’s almost like a line from a sitcom, except this is their life. Like we saw with the Callahan’s, conversations may be mundane to anyone participating in them, but they can also seem extraordinary to outsiders. Yet their lives are typical in many other ways. Both Kit’s parents are hard middle-class workers who don’t really benefit from their child’s magnificent abilities. There are still bills to pay and dogs to feed. (I LOVE PONCH SO MUCH.) And there are still friendships to mend.

OH, KIT. My favorite thing about this chapter so far is that at two different moments, both Kit and Nita expect to see the other. They want so badly to resolve this issue, but they don’t know how. Like I said, this  feels so much bigger than before! As Kit puts it:

In fact, Kit couldn’t remember a fight they’d had that hadn’t been over, and made up for, in a matter of minutes. This was hours, now, and it was getting uncomfortable.

So Kit lets Nita have her space. It’s not a bad idea, though I’m still amused that they both clearly want to have a conversation, but can’t figure out the best way to do so. There’s a value, sometimes, in letting things be for the moment. Of course, the silence allows each character to assemble a narrative that makes sense to them. Kit still thinks he didn’t do anything worthy of Nita’s response. (At least, he hopes so.) Nita, on the other hand, begins to categorize all of Kit’s behavior under the narrative that she’s been horribly wronged. Again, that’s not to say she hasn’t! It’s just that without any real conversation, it’s easier to assume the worst of others and one’s self, too.

I’m eagerly awaiting their first attempt to resolve this. I am also eager to find out WHAT THAT HOLE OF DARKNESS WAS THAT PONCH AND KIT DISAPPEARED INTO. Oh no, it’s starting already, isn’t it???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdoFPy0_ecE

Mark Links Stuff

– I am now on Patreon! There are various levels of support, from $1 up to whatever you want! You’ll get to read a private blog, extra reviews, and other such rewards. I POST A LOT OF CUTE PHOTOS, OKAY. Think of it like a private Tumblr blog that only SPECIAL PEOPLE get to read.
– I have updated my list of conventions and events for the remainder of the year and much of next year.  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 have been announced here.
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