Serial Box’s weekly audio production, Ninth Step Station is now nearing the end of its run. If you are into podcasts or audible then Serial Box’s productions are up your alley. The stories I’ve been listening to weekly remind me of the sort of audio content put out by GraphicAudio. Much like GraphicAudio, the stories here aren’t just narrated. I know sometimes those things can be a chore to listen to. Thankfully Serial Box’s Ninth Step Station fully creates a scene using superb voice narration, courtesy of Emilly Woo Zeller. Of course, the story also features dramatic sound effects that elevate the reading.

Ninth Step Station is set in a drab futuristic Tokyo whose populace are mashed together as wealth disparities run as rampant as the black-market technology. Our way into this world comes via two recently partnered female detectives. Emma Higashi and Miyako Koreda must learn to trust one another even as political factions seem eager to pull them apart. Emma is the American transplant partnered with Miyako the anxious and weary officer. The review for this week’s episode is of Ninth Step Station’s episode nine titled “The Assassins Net”.

It certainly feels like elements introduced in earlier episodes are finally coalescing as we rocket towards a fiery finally. Literally since this episode involves bomber drones and assassins using RFD chips to paint targets from godawful distances. Episode nine was a quick paced thriller. The city has been turned into a powder keg as the public demands retribution for the assassination of a beloved figure. Here’s the logline – A deadly attack threatens to tear Tokyo’s fragile peace to shreds.

RELATED – Ninth Step Station Episode 8 Review: The Clawed Limb

It all starts out at an uneasy banquet designed to be a step towards healing the fractured populace. Things get jumpy quick when a swarm of drones nearly materializes into the air. To complicate matters even more are the angry mob of protesting voices that seem to surround the banquets elite. Before we know it, Emma and Miyako spring into action. Unfortunately, it’s too late for them to stop the assassin. With both parties in attendance slinging accusations at the other, pressure mounts for rapid closure to the case. It leads to a pivotal moment where Miyako’s integrity is put into direct conflict with her better instincts.

Episode nine does not squelch the momentum this series has been picking up. As mentioned earlier several elements and characters from episodes past are here but it all works. Emma and Miyako are joined once again by the Beavis and Butthead of law enforcement in the form of the Chinese detectives Liu and Wong. Here the comedic timing of these guys lewd jokes lands and sticks to on Emma and Miyako, lingering with a repulsive but lovable machismo.

Episode nine packs a wallop of an ending. I’m looking forward to seeing how all the chaos is sorted out. Will Emma and Miyako solve the case and restore a sense of ease amongst the city? Or will the city continue to plummet into a freefall of fear and hate?

Grade: A

+ Brisk narrative
+ Compelling characters
+ Intriguing plot
+ Narration by Emily Woo Zeller
+ Law enforcement bureaucracy
+ Strong villain
+ Technological aspects

To check out the series for yourself, go ahead and CLICK HERE!

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