The Transition

In this bleak portrait of where modern societal structures might be steering us, Karl has been offered a chance at redemption after one of his gig-economy jobs tangled him up with a criminal enterprise. He can stay out of prison if he and his wife choose to be mentored by a couple working for the Transition, an organization with government funding and an armor-plated contract. For six months, they'll be coached by their mentors in the areas of employment, nutrition, responsibility, relationships, finances, and self-respect. What transpires is a life suddenly laden with paranoia and fear digging into the worst aspects of the digital age, mental illness, gaslighting, gentrification, wealth divisions, and uncaring corporate "help." Karl finds himself vacillating between trying to complete his time with the system and chasing the hints that all is not right with it. All the while he is watching as his wife is encouraged to go without the medication for her bipolar disorder and heads toward a breakdown that no one else is willing to see coming. Kennard does well at evoking a new, decentralized Big Brother The ever-present anxiety Karl feels is well conveyed by reader Joe Gaminara's understated performance.