And someone finally asks the one question that Westward readers themselves would most like to ask. Thank goodness for that magnificent, soul-patched bastid!

Of course, getting a straight answer to that question is probably too much to hope for.

I think there are many other questions that Westward readers are much more likely to ask. "Oh god, oh god, when will it end?" for example.

Yeah, "I'm just a girl". A girl who can stop time, who talks to ghosts and devils and knows exactly when the world will end, thanks to a (now smashed) talking cow's skull.

I had always assumed all this was normal for girls -- are you trying to say it isn't?. And I was wondering why Westward had turned into a fairly mundane slice-of-life strip...

As for "oh god when will it end"... Well, I am honestly having trouble staying excited for these particular characters. :P I mean, their story is interesting, but Alice is just angry and broody all the time (not that she doesn't have good reasons, but it doesn't make her easy to relate to or be interested in), and I don't like Sam, though I'm mildly interested in discovering what his deal is (unless it's fated to remain a mystery). The most interesting parts of the chapter were still the bits with Phobos, Rex, and Alternate!Carter in 'em. :P

Westward was a mundane slice-of-life strip until Episode Three, when it abruptly became a slice-of-knife strip.

I appreciate your honesty regarding the current plot, Meh.Aloe. I was fairly uncertain how the jarring break in setting would be received by the readers, but ultimately decided that I felt strongly enough about this sequence to take the risk. As "Purgatory" continues, you'll continue to see more ties into the Westward universe you're familiar with, and of course Episode Four will see a return to Lamont and the gang. But Westward is and will continue to be multifaceted.

I like Westward complicated and multi-faced. :) I do want to clarify that I wasn't criticising the change of setting, though I guess I did make it seem that way in my comment; it's just these two focal characters who I have trouble relating to and what-not. I guess I did like Alice's dad, too. :P

I actually quite enjoy the complexity added to the story by this leap to another universe; I just happen to have trouble with the characters this leap is done through. But I certainly don't want to criticise the broader plot twist itself. Anyway, I like Westward as a whole in part because of its complexity and the multifaceted nature you speak of, so I'm perfectly happy to accept there will be bits I as a member of the audience will like more and bits I'll like less, because I love the entire work as a whole. :)