I Believe that the locked door? The really, REALLY HEAVY TIGHT Locked and blocked door? Is actually THE GOOD ENDING JAX. Like Jax fully accepting Herself, transitioning even, and who knows? Maybe even getting together with Ribbit and making the BEST out of it on the Circus. Letting herself heal and be incredibly happy and loved.
Hence why all the other Jaxs reacted SO VIOLENTLY over the door, which implied that she was speaking, cause they are ALL PUSHING AWAY on being helped and of course being herself. Jax just CANT see that happening or even REMOTELY considering a possibility.
u kno, i really love the idea of the lans having difficulties with their romantic lives not bc i like a tragic love story, but the juxtaposition is so interesting. u have these uptight lans w rigid rules and regulations— they are righteous in every sense and are full of self-restrain. the only thing their cloud etched ribbon can’t restrain is their heart. there’s just smthn so sad n romantic about it. on one hand, if u wanna be happy, then the heart is the one thing you shouldn’t restrain— yet at the same time, the same idea can cause so much pain. not keeping your emotions in check can lead you to do impulsive things. but in the end, the ribbon comes off around the person you love so i guess it was never meant to restrain ur heart anyways. wwx was right, for a bunch of monks, they sure r romantic.
Soooooo! I got thoughts about The Amazing Digital Circus! Gonna make more of an elaborate and analysis ramble and yapping about it! For now tho! I wanna give in my takes in a short list! And each point I will talk about!
-The Opening was pretty sick! And a good call and nod on how much Caine being gone did affect the circus.
-Digital or Brainscanner copies theories were right! And good for them! Makes sense and is a good balance for both having an outside ending and Staying at the circus! I liked it a lot!
-Jax being asshole. As always.
-Jax's abstraction. Not exactly surprised but also not feeling bad! Its an ending and consequence that She played into it. Play stupid games and win stupid prizes. Rip bozo.
-Ragatha and Pomni moment was AMAZING! My only wish tho? Is that I wish we get to see more moments between Ragatha and Pomni just to make it feel more satisfying. Trying to tell Us their relationship is not exactly the best pay off for that moment and is a clear lackluster of Show, Dont tell. Oh Ragatha, I wanna save You so bad from the writing.
-Pomni's characters once again... being slandered as hell by making her a therapy dog and "I can fix Her" situation which is toxic as fuck and also doesnt work considering future points. Again too. Oh Pomni, how much I want to save you too.
-Abstraction hug ex machina out of nowhere. So damn? Kinger never hugged His Wife? And or knew about this?? Oof on that.
-The entire plot being "This is why Jax is a horrible person". Gurl. We knew this and has been planted the ideas ever since on episode 2. Gardening the sympathy just makes it worse. I wish it was the entire cast going into Her conscious tbh. It would felt more closure and complete.
-"Isnt she lovely?" No. Good for her transition, but she isn't lovely.
-Gangle SHOULDNT cry for Jax.
-Caine's subplot really came out of nowhere. Happy that he is okie dokie! I think his segment was done well and it was beautifully written and composed even in such a short time. But wish the finale lead more to that rather than the Jax show. Caine, if anything, feels and is written to be a character that will be shown and explored more. But that would only happen if it was THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS.
-And thus, We get the happy endings and the writing of all characters in a montage! Nothing wrong with that, but damn, we really just do be having Hype moments, auras and montages rather than actual storytelling writing and Show, Dont tell.
Suffice to say? I got a lot to say about this Series finale. I dont think by all means is the worst thing ever, but its a kind of finale that You expect from how The Amazing Digital Circus's clickbait story telling feels like. You expect something there, but arguably thats NOT what the story's direction goes despite the set up telling you otherwise.
I will elaborate more in the next post all of my summarized points here and Thank you all for reading!
What's there not to speak about Jax? We all know about Jax in the Amazing Digital Circus. A character that certainly has many pointss of views, opinions, and differing views as well. a character that is really popular and not only that! A character that is a massive jerk (and thats putting it lightly), yet a character that also seems to have went through a lot too. However? Does this justify her actions? Not really. She is just a character that as her role is suppose to be and meant? Fills it pretty well and actually does it in a unique and intriguing way.
So why do I believe that Herself is the WEAKEST aspect of the writing of The Amazing Digital Circus? To me? Even the worst aspect of the writing as a whole.
DISCLAIMER!! This isnt me trying to throw shade and just say that the entire story of The Amazing Digital Circus is RUINED thanks to Jax. This isnt either a post to just bash on Jax. This is all more an analysis and a take I noticed as I rewatched lots of the episodes lots of times and what I believe the biggest flaw of the story is.
So that being said? Lets begin!
I had stated many times that I believe that Jax is a character that for his role and all? Doess indeed fulfill the role.
Said role being a character that is: "Unredeemable, or DOESN'T want to be saved."
Thats the key thing. The story ITSELF doesn't want to go or do anything with that. Or present consequences even. Hell, if anything? The story BENDS itself in favor or trying to favor Jax despite EVERY consequence that she receives beiing rightfully deserved. The story itself does gymnastics to make sure that Jax doesn't FULLY FULL receive the entire weight of what he does wrongs or the flaws in general.
This is WAY more apparent in Episode 5....onwards. Yup. Beginning Episode 5? Jax just in a sense becomes a half Maey Sue. I am saying Half Mary Sue, because at the very least the show doesn't hide thaat she has issues and the is FAR from being perfect. However? The story feels that it doesn't have the guts to show or make Jax face entirely said "find out" phases, because either the writing wants to make us kinda feel bad for him? Or try to like? Be lke "okay but chill" all in favor of her.
Granted, take this with a grain of salt. Maybe the writing didn't wanted to evoke that, but it still came across with it, and that kinda shows in how there's still room to iimprove or at least correct it. I genuienly felt that Episode 5, 6 and ESPECIALLY 8!! It feels tht the story wants Us to feel bad for her when in reality? I feel that She didn't earn that kind of empathy or feeling to say the least.
Speaking of thoses episodes? I'm saying all these too due to the fact with the story bending in favor of She? It kindaa slanders as well characters like Pomni, Zooble and Gangle and of course, Ragatha.
The biggest example being how much Episode 5's Softball adventure? Had POMNI, tell Ragatha? That she should calm down or RELAX. DESPITE Pomni, A FEW MOMENTS AGO? Tellingn her that ITS MORE THAN OKAAY TO CRASH OUT??
And even BEFOREE that? Pomni was scolding BOTH Jax and Ragatha in trying to tell Her how she feels. That she has her own agency, and all. Take note of this too by the way.
Yet, despite, Ragatha, VERY VERY UNDERSTANDIBLY AND RIGHTHFULLY STILL Crashing out and calling out Pomni on her hypocrite moment? Pomni STILL wanted to be with Jax? Ask how She feels?
The thing that stings the most in Pomni's character? Is that she knows how to handle and or avoid conflicts. Her most reasonable choice honestly on the matter would've been to get out from the turmoil. Just telling them that She prefers not to be innvolved in ssaid bullshit. Or at the very least? Tell BOTH Jax and Ragatha to calm down (not the best, but still at least SOMETHIING).
Episode 6 to me? Despite how hyped up it was and all for the matter? The more I look back at it? It had such a weird regression or slander on Pomni's character. Across the past episodes before the sixth? Pomni was a character that had a steady and really determeined and stable outlook on being empathetic and kind towards many. Including both Humans and NPCs.
So to see her just? Mirror Jax's personality or even traits?? IIt feels so out of character. I am aware that she said to screw with anything and just that she will be chaotic evil.
THATS the whole point though! I feel that She shouldn't even go with that. That entire talk with Jax? About aarchetypes? In other words, that was Jax telling her to give up on trying to be human and just? Do stuff for the lols and NOT be empathetic.
Pomni, a character that WANTSS to cling on to her agency, just decided to follow Jax? Just like that? Not even like??? At least have her have some doubt in shooting either Kinger or Ragatha? I don't know, but if You ask me? If I had to shoot the PERSON (Kinger) THAT HELPED ME AT MY LOWEST (in Episosde 3) I WOULD HAVE DOUBTS BEYOND DOUBTS AND HUGE HESITATION. Honestly not even having the guts to try and shoot them. Pomni STILL believes they are humans CAUSE THEY ARE Humans.
And in my opinion? I think this way more decreasing Pomni's character of being a "Leader, emotional stable that holds into the Little agency she has over herself and also a person that can lend an ear to hear and be there for others!" Basically like an unstoppable force when You put her against Caine's unmovable object.
To now just a "I can fix her" type of character. Which to me? It feels like that thanks to how much the story is pushing Pomni to be that. Which is such a HUGE GLOSS over her character and how she is.
This is a showcase in how the story wanting to favorite Jax's entire being is what I mean that its a bad aspect. The favoritism BLEEDS to the story and makes the characters not be themselves from what have been estipulated or shown.
EVEN if, its not favoritism? Its still not exactly the best showcase of Writing cause its regressing and or changing Pomni's character just like that.
Alright, now lets go with Zooble. Zooble isn't afraid to show that They DISLIKE Jax. We know this. We seen this. Despite it all? They still are human. They still at least won't try to want Jax to be dead or sosmething.
My problem is? Is that They were TOO lenient with just having Jax press the red button and screwing them off.
Even if the arguement of the blue button NOT making them escape? It felt real. And that was enough for all of them. ESPECIALLY Zooble who wants to get out just as bad. THEY WANT to have a time and a mark outsside the world.
Yet? What does Jax do? Justs be like "I told you so." WHICH AT THAT MOMENT? ISS THE WORST. But she doesn't care. She doesn't care, she didn't care nor will, and yet? No fight back from Zooble.
The least that could've be done from Jax? Is to apologize or somethig, but we KNOW that he will never do that, yet the story is afraid to do somethinig about it. LIke haave them be more pissed with her or just frustrated or aanything! Emotions runs high and I think a crashout was deserved. The story is afraid to have her face that. Its afraid of letting the character genuienly BE PISSED at her. Which in turns just make said characters feel way off.
Again, the Digital Circus isn't exactly the heaven or secure place either. Jax suffered alot yes. But liike I had saidd plenty of times.
Two things can be true aat the same time. Jax has suffered, but that doesn't mean that she has the right to make others suffer just cause he suffered. Everyone in the circus is in the trenches and this isn't to powerscale trauma or anything, far from it, itis more so to show that the last thing to do? IS TO ADD MORE to it. Copium or not. Reminder that he is hte MAIN reason why Gangle feels liike she isn't human anymore at this point, and just feels like a toy. Which is way fucked up.
And Jax? Takes pleasure in HURTING AND KILLIING all of them just to entertain himself. REMINDER TOO that the Pain feeling? Is stilil there. THEY CAN STILL feel pain.
Like I had said, I feel that the biggest flaw is how much the favoritismm bleeds or if not? How much the story itself is afraid to have Jax face a lot of what rightfully is crashes out against her.
To wrap this analysis? I wanted to talk about this in terms of bring up an aspect that per say could be improved for the writing or at least something that perhaps Episode 9 could tie or wrap it a much better light to all the characters and all despite the overarching favoritism flaw. Rather than just saying all this to throw shade. The crew behind TADC are all talented people, but they are all still humans and they can make mistakes. Not every story is flawless or perfect and thats okay! Hell! Many stories have different flaws that one cant ignore or have the same kind of flaw like I believe Jax being for this particularly story.
I sincerely want nothing but the best for the team behind TADC and said if any of them wanna do any future stories? To see the flaws as a way to improve and see what can be better. To NOT let something that is personal to you (whether You love or hate a character that it bleeds into the story and thus change it for the bad cause its affecting how You feel).
Thank You everyone for reading my analysis!! I hope yall are having a great day and night!!
This is still SO CUTE TO ME. THEY ARE LIVING TOGETHER, HAVING BREAKFAST TOGETHER, sleeping definitely on the same Bed too, THERE IS LITERALLY NO HETEROSEXUAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS.
THEY MAKE ME SO SICK (positive) GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
I really wanna bring Some AMAZING And GREAT AWESOME Appreciation for Hero Mode 2!!
Despite being like at it's core a repeat of Splatoon's Hero Mode, Splatoon 2's Hero Mode 2 was pretty Great in telling And showing Us in like The consequences of the Squid Sisters Last Splatfest! Callie vs Marie!!
Mostly in showing Us a side of Callie that is mostly overlooked and such, And still IS to This point!
Genuinely, Callie has been a Character that is ALWAYS SO MUCH PEPPY AND ABSOLUTELY CHEERFUL AND SMILING EVERYTIME! BEING FILL WITH FUN AND SO MUCH GREAT TIMES!!
But then it makes You wonder. Does She feel ANYTHING else? Callie has let out Some frustrating moments that She needed to vent. Like Naughty vs Nice where She called out How Marie would insult or make Fun of Her despite Marie being Team Nice.
Not Only That But also relationship charts showcasing a break or strain in Their relationship around The aftermath of Their last Splatfest.
She Only was seen and heard by The Octarians. Callie willingly came out to vent Her frustrations and actually be Herself Around Her and They all listened to Her. Callie felt seen. Lets not forget that She was willingly to hear out the Octarians too in the first Splatoon, But y'know, The whole GREAT ZAPFISH being Squidnapped didnt help that moment.
And genuinely? I think Splatoon 2 really did INCREDIBLE into That. Throughout the entire Hero Mode 2 campaign We hear Marie's side of this coin. How much She misses Callie and how stressed out She is Not only by The attention and all the publicity But also not knowing where Her cousin was And Why She was acting so distant. Through The Scrolls and ALL, Hero Mode 2 definitely focused on The Squid Sisters to wrap out Their story.
Is Hero Mode 2 like THE BEST Story of Splatoon? Nah, I don't think so. BUT!!! Does it deserve to be seen as Bad or that it's not really important? Not really. I genuinely believe that it is a Very important part of The Story of Splatoon in general And That it Made an INCREDIBLE exploration And show of The relationship of The Squid Sisters and it had an AMAZING theme about what Stress can do to You AND that taking a Break is more than INCREDIBLE!!! WOOOOOOO!!!
ANd We see The fruits of that in Splatoon 3 as an INCREDIBLE PAY OFF for Squid Sisters.
Seeing that not only Marie is genuinely having fun and SMILING AGAIN, but also Callie!! A Great AND truthful Smile!
So I really Love SO MUCH what Hero Mode 2 did and brought to Us. It's a payoff And resolution for the Squid Sisters and I appreciate and love That so much!! Thank Y'All SO MUCH for reading!! Stay Fresh!! 🦑🦑
I wanna dig in as well in how Side Order is also an AWESOME Payoff for Marina as a whole And how Important Her being selfish was And That is more than Okie-dokiely Great! To Just follow Your heart and WHAT You want!
Can we take a moment to like, appreciate SO MUCH and just like see how AWESOME AND COOL AND BADASSS this moment was
This was the moment where Bowser got CRUSHED entirely by His own castle. Everything went silent...
Mario and Luigi could only stare and see that Everything was red. That is until the Vital Globus finally got activated. Explaining that They only activate when Bowser is in life threatening situations. In other words, Bowser was about to die.
But OF COURSE! Mario and Luigi help And save Bowser, But How? He is still under The castle. Thats when Bowser began to GROW.
Just seeing Him grow into a Giant and ready to face off against His own castle And ITS A BATTLE?! A BOSS BATTLE THAT WE CAN CONTROL BOWSER!? THAT MOMENT BLEW MY MIND THE VERY FIRST TIME I PLAYED! AND LIKE??? DOES THAT MEAN THAT BOWSER CAN JUST SURVIVE ANYTHING AND TURN INTO A GIANT?!
That is The Kooopa defense mechanism for ya XDDDDDDDD
