I was not familiar with Soder until I saw this on TV, and having seen other HBO stand-up specials, I wasn't expecting too much. I was pleasantly surprised by how real the stories felt, and how well they were woven together. At the end of the show it felt like I had experienced an integrated and organic event, rather than a haphazard mashup of stories and jokes, some of which may have been funny. Mushrooms and edibles did feature in more than one story, but not to the extent that this non stoner could not relate to the underlying truths of the stories.

I would say Soder has levelled up here, found a new maturity and bold honesty, along with a witty outrageousness that takes him into the territory of the best I've encountered. Looking forward to what comes next for him.

Dan just might be my new favorite comic, awesome special.