This four-part audio drama from Secret Handshake Productions combines theology with psychoanalysis. Two ways of looking at the world with some elements in common. Similar to how people often conflate communism with marxism. Contrary to the title of the audio drama “The Soul that is Bewildered” is anything but perplexing. It doesn’t wear its heart on its sleeve, but by the end it’s on full display.

Psychoanalysis: A Literal Demon on the Shoulder

While the story is told from the demonic point of view, it wasn’t until the end that it became clear what Bartruckle was. There’s roughly one mention of the word “demon” in episode one, but for most of my first listen I assumed the protagonist was a personification of Sigmund Freud’s id. In more visual stories like cartoons, an angel and demon appear on the character’s shoulder, to show how torn he is about doing something wrong. Though I didn’t catch the whole heaven and hell the first time around, the idea behind it isn’t bashing recognizable church doctrine down your ears.

In cartoons, the character with the angel and demon on their shoulder will hear them. For comedy, they might flick the angel off the shoulder or the devil might attack their counterpart and emerge the victor. Either way, the writer and animator illustrate the idea of evil winning over good.

Psychology of Experience and Post-Academic Character Arc

Hell having a university is an interesting worldbuilding choice for the story. I enjoyed the lecture scenes the most. The tact for the idea of book smart vs street smart isn’t smacking you across the head. It’s clear this is a theme that interests the writer. Elliot Brotherhood who wrote and directed this story, makes that clear with Barktruckle’s interactions with those who’ve been tested in the field. The element I wished had the same amount of attention is the salvation ending. Again, on first listen, the whole heaven vs hell battle isn’t as explicit. Nowhere near the amount needed for the ending to work.

Something I did enjoy was the believability of Barktruckle’s character arc. He goes from a mouthpiece and someone who doesn’t deviate from the textbooks. When he does, it’s for what he considers an emergency. A bit more background is that each demon is partnered with is obviously by the end an angel. In Barktruckle’s case, her name is Gwyndilake and their subject’s name is Henry.

Without going full psychoanalysis on the protagonist, let’s just say Barktruckle’s achilles heel is he wants to win no matter the cost. The story’s plot, though predictable in a lot of ways, has a three-act structure that’s less obvious. Overall the characters both personified and human make the whole piece feel real.

8.5-/10 Stars