EpisodeController.php

        $rules = [
            'message' => 'required|max_length[500]',
        ];

        if (! $this->validate($rules)) {
            return redirect()
                ->back()
                ->withInput()
                ->with('errors', $this->validator->getErrors());
        }

        $message = $this->request->getPost('message');

        $newReply = new EpisodeComment([
            'actor_id' => interact_as_actor_id(),
            'episode_id' => $this->episode->id,
            'message' => $message,
            'in_reply_to_id' => $commentId,
            'created_at' => new Time('now'),
            'created_by' => user_id(),
        ]);

        $commentModel = new EpisodeCommentModel();
        if (
            ! $commentModel->addComment($newReply, true)
        ) {
            return redirect()
                ->back()
                ->withInput()
                ->with('errors', $commentModel->errors());
        }

        // Reply has been successfully created
        return redirect()->back();
    }
}