The Kingswood Amelioration - Chapter 23
Added 2025-12-19 17:00:02 +0000 UTCComments
Caught up on the chapters now - and during moments where my internet cooperated since last Friday, I began re-reading the entire series from the very beginning again. I think it might be for the fifth time - a little vague on the exact number. It has consumed most of my spare time, but it's been well worth it to see the boys growing up all over again. At this point, I have completed all the way from the very first day at Kingswood up to Chapter 26 of The Kingswood Complication, where Brian has surprised Joseph with the trip to see Wicked with Danny and Chris. Another few days should get me back to these latest chapters. Even having read the series so many times before, I was still amazed at how difficult it was to read certain sections. Even knowing how things would eventually work out, it was tough. I've been enjoying reading everyone's comments these last few chapters. I'm actually pro- Finn/Beth. Beth really is a female version of Danny - from the temper to deeply caring about those close to her. As long as Finn doesn't see her just as a "female Danny" it's fine with me. I also hope that Josh forms some sort of relationship with his mother again. Also, that Mark gets a little closure on what happened with Tate because of saving Mrs. Williams's life.
Rich
2025-12-26 01:34:33 +0000 UTCI think the sister thing wouldn't have hit Danny that much if it wasn't happening on top of the dads thing. But I agree, he's being shitty towards Chris.
Davide
2025-12-20 20:33:21 +0000 UTCI agree, I hope Mark can move forward. In a bad situation he was forced to take a life. But as Levi made him realized, he saved a life. I think Mark was taken by surprise with Levi’s words as Mark states I SAVED A LIFE. (Hope I got that quote right)
BayAreaSooner
2025-12-20 16:21:48 +0000 UTCDanny is being a little shit toward Chris. He needs to trust and confide in Chris as to what is going on in his scrambled up brain. It’s not just Danny’s sister, Chris has a brother involved as well and has a right. Plus he needs to let Chris in on what is going on with their respective dads.
BayAreaSooner
2025-12-20 16:17:52 +0000 UTCI think it makes sense if Kingswood offers some courses about CPR to older boys. I was wondering how Melanie committed suicide… and was possible to be saved by CPR. It doesn't look like (self-) taking poison. (But I've never learned CPR… 😅)
Johnny Kape
2025-12-20 15:43:55 +0000 UTCStrangely, perhaps, the line that spoke to me the most was Mikey's lament: “I hate my brain. I hate it so much!” It's hard to know what to comment on with such a kaleidoscopic chapter. I have little patience with Danny's snit. It reflects a staggering amount of self-centeredness. He needs to grow up and recognize that the universe does not revolve around him. I look forward to seeing a more mature Danny in due course. In some ways this was the parenting chapter, as we see the unfolding of events with Josh's mom, Mikey's parents, references to Mark's parents, Gray's dad, and Chris's parents. (Did I miss any?) Every day that passes makes me more grateful for my own family experience. I've mentioned in the past that Josh needs to reclaim the childhood he was denied by his brothers' actions and other circumstances, in order to be able to enter into a mature relationship with Mark (and deal with the world generally). The fact that Josh and Mark are tentatively connecting again as friends was always going to help, but if Josh can open up his heart to his mom, I think that would supply another important missing piece. He needs to find a way to live without the constant shadow of a large shoe waiting to drop. I have to take CPR training regularly as part of my work, and it's not simple to get it right. Congrats to Mark for being successful with it. For me the most challenging part is how hard you have to press down over the heart to be effective -- it seems like too much. (They have you hum the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" to pace the tempo of the presses.) I wonder if Kingswood offered this training? Finally, it seems like maybe Tyler needs to help David organize a Viking burial for that hard drive, putting it on a little boat, lighting it on fire, and shoving it out to sea. I think rituals of that kind can be important.
Rutabaga
2025-12-20 15:09:20 +0000 UTCMelanie went through a lot after Ryan and Tate's actions were found out. After how much they made Josh suffer, I'm glad to hear they suffered too as the result of their actions, but I still wouldn't have wishes for their deaths. The worst part is how much Melanie also suffered because of that, she didn't deserve it. Maybe now Josh can be in her life in some form, although obviously while living with Max, and have her feel like she didn't lose everything. Mark has been dealing with killing Tate, to the point where the night terrors made him attack Chris without realising it. Maybe saving Melanie can help him keep his guilty feelings under control, he now saved a life after taking a life. And this one is more deserving of living. Meanwhile, Chris forgiving Mark and making a point to mention what he's dealing with seems to have placated Danny's anger, I hope that sticks. I'm not worried about Danny and Chris arguing with each other, that's a result of what Danny's dealing with and Chris will understand once he knows. Danny normally uses his workout to deal with bad thoughts, it worked after saving Josh and during his depression. Now he can't do that because he wants to avoid Finn, and sex are the replacement, but it's too much even for Chris. Chris is Danny's boyfriend and best friend, he's supposed to talk to him with about his worries. Even when they involve his family, that actually means Chris also has a personal interest in knowing. But it does make it harder to tell him and he also can't talk about it with Finn, another common confidant. Maybe he could call Joseph to vent, having him be mentor for a bit again. That stuff with Mikey is complicated. I'm glad Rob told Mikey the truth and that part went well. But interpreting his parents considering taking him out of Kingswood as siding with Todd is obviously very much not true, but it's a though that can make an annoying amount of sense in his mind. Let's hope the conversation helped and Mikey leans in on his belief in his friends. Gray is crazy for what he did. It's very romantic that he would do all that out of love and even accept Nicky back without asking for an explanation. But he's going to be in so much trouble because his father must have been scared. Meanwhile, David is starting to be proactive in trying to deal with their withdrawal, I hope that helps.
Davide
2025-12-20 10:11:33 +0000 UTCWow. It's a lot in this chapter. As I have said, I'm not surprised at Melanie's action. Hope things can get better between her and Josh, which means Josh can deal with his insecurity and be back with Mark! I still don't quite get why Rob is being selfish. What did he want (for himself) from staying with Mikey? I guess it will need more time to reveal. Danny… I didn't expect him being so… inconsiderate with all those things going on. It's not like him, is it? Finally, I'm surprised at Gray!
Johnny Kape
2025-12-19 23:40:37 +0000 UTCInternet issues here - just in case anyone was wondering why I've been silent. I will be able to catch up and comment by late next week, I hope. Looking forward to everyone's comments on these last few chapters.
Rich
2025-12-19 23:19:27 +0000 UTC
