I first heard about The Sword & The Stoner through another show by the same team, Super Ordinary. And let’s be honest, I immediately jumped into it because the artwork and basic premise are incredible. And there’s a pun in the title!
Arthur is a charismatic but lazy stoner in his mid-20s, coasting off of his father’s wealth and with no goals in life other than having a good time. His best friends, Kay and Gwen, enjoy the occasional joint as well, but they have their lives far more put together. And that guy Merlin? He’s a stage magician in Vegas with a penchant for tight leather pants.
The Sword and the Stoner falls into my favorite category of comedy, blending the funny with the profound. I certainly found myself laughing on multiple occasions, and the basic premise of a literal “High” King lends itself toward humor. At the same time, it stays true to many of the story beats from Arthurian legend that have made their way into pop culture and has some Things to Say about relationships, self-worth, and learning from one’s past.
The voice acting and sound design are excellent, which I’ve come to accept is just par for the course with Tandon Productions. They put so much thought into every level of the production process—just look at how brilliant these promotional photos of the voice actors are.
The Sword and the Stoner hooked me quickly. I went from downloading the first episode hoping for a good laugh to eagerly awaiting the start of season 2. If you’re a fan of Arthurian lore, comedy, or just well-made and easily bingeable audio, there’s so much to love in this show.
The Sword and the Stoner is a free comedic fantasy audio drama available through iTunes or wherever you find podcasts. Check out its website for more information or listen to this short trailer now:
