ka-tet – Church of the Cosmic Turtle

The Worst Part Of The Dark Tower

In fact, I hate it so much, it feels like my brain won’t allow me to actually process the words…

Ka-Shume: TFW The End Is Nigh

I believe that King knew his readers would be feeling this way—he was almost certainly feeling it himself, knowing what he had to write next—and decided to address it directly, to give it a name in the high speech and share it with his characters as they share khef, so we wouldn’t have to feel it alone…

Who You Gonna Cal?

So what is the difference between these two men? These two “Cals”? Why does the ka-tet embrace one and have contempt for the other when they have so much in common?

Second Guessing Stephen King: Getting To The Bottom Of Roland’s Grow-Bag

King’s liberal use of ambiguity is one of my favorite things about this series, especially when it comes to the lingering magic in Roland’s world. But for some reason, this particular piece of gunna always stuck out to me as half-baked and shoe-horned in…

The Key To Ka-Tet: Diversity

I don’t just mean that in terms of race or gender—although those things are part of it—but also in terms of experience, skill and ethics. Roland’s ka-tet is a great example, with each member bringing a completely unique perspective and breadth of knowledge to any given problem…

How to Survive A Starkblast

Every time we’re driven inside by a storm and are enjoying the advantages of forced relaxation, there are always people who aren’t able to take shelter…

Could Flagg Actually Be A Good Guy?

Now that we are halfway through the series, let’s change our perception—just as an experiment—of who the villains and good guys really are…

Blaine The Mono: Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity

This isn’t a #ThanosIsRight argument; I’m not saying that Blaine’s actions aren’t villainous, because they obviously are. But can we truly hold him responsible for them?

Stephen King’s Problem With Authority

Jake is far from the only evidence that King is dubious of authority. The entire city of Lud has completely cast aside any semblance of law and order; Mercy disobeys her orders to stay away from the palaver in River Crossing, to the benefit of the Ka-Tet; even Blaine is a rebel, turning on his creators, driven mad by the prison of his own programming…

How The Waste Lands Puts The Ka-Tet To Shame

t least, that’s what they would have each other believe. But as the inner conflict brewing within each character is revealed, it becomes clear that they are using this newfound happiness to mask a secret shame.