That's not the Guybrush you're looking for...

I knew it was going to happen. After the delicious Episode 3, the next chapter just couldn't hold up. And, it didn't.

After arriving on Flotsam Island, a nicely named island that is very boring, Guybrush is immediately arrested for various crimes. It's all very fun, and calling yourself as a witness while acting as your own lawyer is great. However, while Stan is in the chapter, it isn't Stan. Sure, he looks great, with the coat being perfectly recreated in 3D, but the voice is garbage. Stan talks way too slow, and his inflections aren't manic enough. I guess the voice actor is a staple of TellTale and was used previously in the Sam and Max games, but considering the voice is so underwhelming and bland, I don't remember who he played. This was a huge disappointment, especially since they got Murray for Episode Three and a certain big name for the end of this chapter. But, despite this being a huge letdown, it wasn't the biggest disappointment.

That dubious distinction goes to the handling of the Threepwood-Marley-LeFlay love triangle. Elaine is on the verge of insanity thanks to the Pox of LeChuck, and Morgan is justifiably morose for her betrayal of Guybrush. But, rather than explore this in greater depth, Morgan is killed off by some unknown assailant offscreen. Now, the circumstances of her death are purposefully murky, with the supposed killer not quite denying it, and the body of Morgan disappearing. However, it is still treated as a serious moment. A serious moment in a Monkey Island game. No. No. No. No. No. No.

As soon as this cutscene occurs, Guybrush is back to cracking jokes. His biggest fan just died in front of his very eyes, and he's making jokes about the doors in the room. That's jarring and wrong. You can't have a serious moment in the midst of an irreverent comedy, or at least without seriously altering the mood. Brutal Legend, for recent thought, has some great tragic elements in the midst of a comedy adventure, but Eddie Riggs isn't making jokes immediately after the sorrow. The death of Morgan, which shouldn't have been done, especially since it is a red herring and while be fully explained in the next episode, is a waste and a black mark on the series.

But the drama continues, as LaSinge is killed along with... Guybrush. Yes, Guybrush dies. Not fake dies. Not dies in a funny way. No "goodbye cruel adventure game!" He really dies. LeChuck stabs him, and he breaths his last breath while in the arms of Elaine. No No No No No No No.

The chapter, The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood, certainly keeps to its name. The puzzles are a trial to finish due to their confusing and obtuse nature, and the series is prematurely executed with the clumsily handled drama. Chapter Three made me want to play the next chapter right away to see what is next. This chapter makes me want to play the next one just to get it over with.

Sure, the handling of Big Whoop in Curse of Monkey Island wasn't that great, and the "Toothrot is Elaine's father" nonsense in Escape From Monkey Island was garbage, but this was worse. The story handling in this chapter is the lowest the series has ever been. It'll take all of the Voodoo Lady's magic to save this.

Oh, and did I mention that the Voodoo Lady is now supposed to be a bad guy? Seriously, what the fuck?