JJOCT7 R3M1 Jojolity

Judge Alexander The Terrible (Logic)

While I wasn’t on the R2M21 bench, I shared its criticism that Sonika’s solving of the crime was somewhat perfunctory, with little actual deduction (as in the act of making logical connections) of the perpetrator’s identity from the clues. Here, instead of a “whodunit,” Sonika solves a “whydunnit.”

I don’t quite follow Jones’s motive, not in the sense that his is an emotional decision, but in that I do not see how it brings about the stated result. I would understand sabotaging his businesses so his employees could go onto bigger things; I would understand being a harsh owner, but support it with his own funds; but as stated, the mystery does not cohere. Nonetheless, I see the vision: Sonika seeing herself in an individual who willfully and mistakenly takes on the role of villain and trying to talk them and herself out of it. While the execution is shaky, the Narrative and Jojolity are integral to and integrated through the strat: a low [7], but a [7] nonetheless.

Reese had a good time, making sure his animals had sufficient enrichment during the strat and pursuing his own activities during the sabotage. Nothing particularly blew me away narratively or mechanically, but the return of the documentary style narration is always a highlight: [7].

Judge Alexander The Horrible (Ceep)

Starting with Reese, I have a 7/10 here without too many notes. It’s solidly integrated and works well, and I have no complaints. Good job!

For Sonika, while overall the detective narrative was confusing with why Jones would sabotage himself, it was very well integrated and did pretty much what you wanted it to. Sonika got a strong core story through the strategy, and while the details of Jones’ own deal were muddled fundamentally you told a detective story here, and a pretty good one! If it was a bit tighter on Jones’ end I’d easily give a higher score, but for what it is I’ll give a strong 7/10!

Judge Alexander The Very Bad (Extra)

Reese once more - the animals get to have their fun. This is really the main point, not just Reese doing fun things but also letting the animals go be animals and wreak some fluffy havoc (and dance). I think it’s another solid 7.

For Sonika, I share some of the qualms about the narrative needing tightening up, but I also agree that the vision is pretty clear, which is definitely more important than the minutiae. The narrative of Sonika’s doubt of the path she chose and the parallels between detective and suspect are exceptionally compelling, to the point I think I can afford this a low 8 - with tightening up, this could’ve been an easy grand slam, but as it is it’s already a solid home run.