While a rogue bear is possibly munching down on a lost reporter, Mark spends quality time with his pals. The criticisms today are just too obvious:

1) Exactly how did Andy help Mark and Sharp? He seems more intent on doing an imitation of Little Orphan Annie’s dog, Sandy.

2) How is Sharp able to even stand up with his compound fracture?

3) As Sharp warned of impending shock (something we remarked on two days ago), why did Mark put him in the back, sitting up, rather than lowering the back seat so he could lie down with his legs elevated?

4) Is Rivera ill-informed, indifferent, or vengeful?

Okay, that’s all I can write. I know it’s lame, but I’m dreadfully behind in my Italian homework, which is not a good thing. I have an exam on Monday, an oral presentation the next day, and a trans-Atlantic conversation with my Italian TANDEM partner later. Oh, and I forgot about the meeting with our tax preparer before the exam. Hell, I wonder if Andy will help me!?

Well. WTF is Andy supposed to do, pull the day bed!? This is mostly Mark’s own fault, since he could have loaded Sharp into his station wagon when they first got back to the retreat. Talk about a contrived situation.  What’s with this “we” business, Mark? And why are you still concerned? Call the bloody paramedics. Then find the bear and lost reporter. Just do the job you were hired to do, Mark!!!

<Sigh!> Yes, I know, another story gone off the rails. This could have been an interesting adventure of investigation, hidden agendas, and drama. Instead, it is once again Mark wasting time with the same people he’s dealt with before (except for the cargo ship owner and his assistant, who appear to have disappeared).

A few days ago commenter Downpuppy brought up a salient point about the missing reporter. My hypothesis is that he got fed up with these whackjobs and just ran away. But at least Sharp has a sense of humor.

Craziness ensues, as does Rivera’s continued slagging of tech nerds. With regard to panel 4, why didn’t Mark just put Sharp in the back of his station wagon and take him to the hospital to begin with? Did he even call for an ambulance? Hard to believe this nature retreat would have been erected in a location with no cell service. But frankly, I’m also surprised that Mark did not position Sharp in anticipation of oncoming shock. Definitely don’t want the head raised.

Side Note: It seems that most of Mark’s nemeses are involved in technology. If this is going to be a continual source of threats to nature and the environment in the Trailverse, then I think Mark could use some help, such as a partner well versed in technology. This could also open up move avenues for better story development! But who would be that person? Somebody completely new? Certainly, not any of the current stable of misfits. Kelly Welly? Haven’t seen enough to know. But Diana Daggers has some tech skills, as well as the ability to handle rough stuff. Sure, she can be a thorn in Mark’s side, but partners-in-tension is a popular TV and movie meme. It worked for Peanuts, so it should work for Mark Trail.

Wait. I recall from my boy scout training that a compound fracture indicates a bone brake that pierces the skin, causing real pain and sometimes extensive bleeding. I don’t think we saw any of that, did we? Major incidents like that are not handled in the casual manner we saw. So, either Jules Rivera doesn’t understand the seriousness of the term or Mark overstated the break for dramatic effect.

As for Stump’s erratic reaction, this seems to follow Rivera’s usual characterization of tech nerds (think Cricket Bro and Professor Bee Sharp) as unhinged or even bipolar. One has only to compare today with Stump’s polite and seemingly sincere welcome to Mark when they first met (see Feb 28 – Mar 4).

This sequence just looks so out of place, as I noted earlier. This confab should have taken place before Mark went to the rescue. But we’re not surprised to find no medical resources on site, are we? If there are any state or federal requirements about how private camps must be managed, Sid sure doesn’t act like he’s aware of them. So far, this follows Rivera’s typical take on tech-nerds. In short, how does this rescue mini adventure support the storyline?

On the other hand, kudos to Rivera for not including redundant narration boxes today.

Not to be too snarky, but shouldn’t Mark have warned Sid before rescuing the guys? Maybe Stump actually does have an emergency plan in place, and maybe a medic on staff, as well. Wait, when did any operation Mark dealt with have any semblance of actual organization or logistics? So, we’re not breaking new ground here, as Jules Rivera continues her ongoing beat-down of tech nerds. Maybe they are a favorite target of disdain in California, but this is at least the third story to feature clueless-in-life tech nerds. Mark needs new enemies!

Today’s strip would have been a decent cliff hanger for the week when Mark first heard about the accident. But that crisis is apparently past, so this week could turn into a Mark Trail PSA on safety preparations and training. Oh joy.