(MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR CH 4 of DELTARUNE and UNDERTALE)
If you haven't found this scene, go back to the room where you have to avoid a bunch of Shadow Blobs shortly after reaching the Third Sanctuary. Find a way into the hidden room on the bottom right-side of the room (follow the broken path) and you'll see this at the right side of the hall.
This string of dialogue, especially Susie's uneasy reaction, creeps the hell out of me.
Whatever the Angel's identity is, its physical form is something so terrifying and beyond comprehension that even in the minimalistic style the Prophecy normally uses, Susie is stunned by the implications of just looking at it.
One brilliant theory that I've heard a couple of people mention already is that the empty space is meant to reflect our screens like a black mirror. We are The Angel in this interpretation.
That's just crazy, and I'm very into it.
I'd like to delve a little further into this train of thought that may or may not confirm this theory further.
Remember what the Titan looks like right before we fight it?
BALD
It's a human skull. Maybe even what the Titan's skeleton looks like underneath its divine angelic flesh.
When I first got to this section, I almost thought that the Titan would just be a full on human JPEG like Photoshop Flowey was in Undertale.
Speaking of which...
What... is this even supposed to be?
This is one facet of Undertale that's always been neglected because we've never found any concrete answers for what it could be.
For all we're concerned, it's just part of the absurd horror imagery that Toby is trying to invoke during this section, and we're not meant to think too hard on it.
Except...
Toby used this face as his pfp on Twitter until the release of Deltarune Ch 1. So either he's really proud of the damn face or there's something more to it.
I don't really have an answer for this, but what I will guess right now is:
I think this is what the Angel looks like.
Not the Omega Flowey face specifically, but it's likely a pixelated human face.
Consider the similarities between these examples. This distorted human imagery has been used twice to depict divine beings.
One showing Flowey ascending to a higher state of existence.
The other shows a nigh-unstoppable world-ending monster only depicted in legend.
And The Angel is something akin to Deltarune's Abrahamic God or The Savior. Churches and an entire religion are dedicated to The Angel, yet we only see it depicted as the symbol of the Deltarune.
Let's take a few steps back and return to the "The Angel is The Player" theory.
There's actually one big piece of evidence for this theory in Undertale:
Ominous how early Toby planted these seeds huh?
In Undertale, The Angel is 100% meant to be You on each of the 3 playable routes. Now "You" is a bit subjective because that noun could be applied to 3 candidates:
You "The Player"
Frisk the MC you control
Chara, the true identity of the red SOUL
Regardless of who The Angel refers to in this messed-up trio, one very bold statement is conveyed.
The Angel decides the ending of the story.
And we, as The Player, get to decide how this ending plays out.
To the characters of Undertale and Deltarune, yeah, that's divine power alright. A power that Spamton considered his ticket to [Heaven].
If this theory holds true, then that means a person behind the screen is the image of divine power. In Undertale/Deltarune The image of God is...
The setting for Knights of Guinevere is fascinating, and what I am particularly interested in is their strange robotics. Its made explicitly clear that Princess Guinevere and all her variants have strange blue blood and blue organs in them.
But... why?
Organs are not exactly easy to manufacture, nor are they 100% predictable like circuitry. Unless Gwen runs off calories, these blue intestines don't add to her functionality. But of course that's assuming they are intestines, Its very possible they aren't and serve some other function. After all, Gwen isn't the only machine we see with this blue stuff.
This busted head starts leaking the stuff after it glitches out, and it can be assumed other machines and robots also utilize it. Likely a lot of machines considering how much of the stuff the factories pump out
But the bigger issue is the nature of the organic parts. Living things require several key ingredients to persist. A machine can provide some of these necessities, like injecting oxygen, climate control, and blood circulation. However, nutrition and water are non negotiable factors in a living organs continued survival.
So what if they aren't living?
The severed head and Gwen were left alone with no effect to their functionality. Well, outside of their existing damage. These "organs" may not require food or water to live, they may not even be "alive" in the typical sense.
This blue stuff, whatever it is, seems to be the key to making Synthetic Organs for use in robotics. When Gwen is hooked up to this machine, a brain scan is shown. If a brain, even a synthetic one, is inside Gwen then that explains a lot of her behavior.
Gwen is explicitly shown to be robotic, and the blue stuff is explicitly shown to negatively affect humans. Therefor, she cannot have a human brain inside of her. That means that the brain in her is some kind of artificial replication, designed to help her and other Guineveres act as lifelike as possible. Enough so that they can do things no machine can.
They can feel pain.
They can feel fear and rage.
They aren't just robots, they're artificial life. Programmed life made of metal and blood, designed for specific purposes. Whether it's for performance or protection, they are built to serve. Not surprising a corporation like Park Planet would do something as unethical as making life just to subjugate it.
Their programming must be pretty iron clad. Even one of their own engineers can't believe one could do something outside of it. Their "brains" are likely some kind of semi-organic computer, and should act like one. They should do exactly as programmed and nothing more.
However, our Gwen seems to be the exception to the rule. It could be from Olivia's constant attempts to "fix" her, or it could be something special with her specifically. We don't currently have enough information to know for sure.
But, for now, we can determine that while Gwen may not be human, they are very much alive. Not only is she able to defy her programming to escape the park, she is able to even want to do that. Gwen has wants, she has desires beyond her code. To escape the park and to be free from Olivia's control.
That desire is what allows her to scream.
That desire allows her to kill.
Whats interesting about that kill in particular is that Gwen only did it to protect Frankie and Andi, a selfless action. There is no way she has anything in her programming to allow this act, so this is completely her own choice.
But this makes me wonder, how many other machines are like this? Is Gwen a one of a kind, or are the more sapient robots that can act on their own?
Robots that can defend.
Robots that can kill.
Whatever these organs are, they make the park robots far more than mere machines. And I can't wait to see where this goes next episode.
during the possession scene in 02x08, joyce, jonathan, and mike all manage to break will out (sort of) so he can use morse code. HOWEVER, throughout the show afterwards, everything they said was all broken.
“you know what march 22nd is? its your birthday.” - everyone forgot will’s birthday
“remember when we stayed up all night building castle byers?” - will destroyed it
“it was the best thing I’ve ever done.” - mike tells el meeting her is when his life started
i think this is so significant for season 5 as every time will has been in danger, love is what saves him. however, i don’t think it will work out this time. i think thats what the show has been building towards in seasons 3 and 4. vecna will definitely use this against him.
Sbas might actually convince me to watch the cuphead show
FINALLY READ @showbiz-and-souls BY @biposi SOOOOOOO HEREEEESSS
MY THOUGHTS ON SBAS!!!!
=======EXTREMELY LONG YAP AHEAD!======
Of course we must start at the very beginning!
I absolutely adore how they were introduced, it didn't take long and we got a bunch of their personalities already!
Cuphead betting on his skills, being somewhat cocky with his achievement (as he should), being an extremely caring person (shown with how willing he was to meet w/ Saltbaker for chalice and him throwing himself in front of Mugman during attacks)
Mugman being logical, reading his book but still enjoys showing off! He's a serious guy but obviously knows how have fun. It's clear this guy is extra careful but not so much he's eye darting and shaking (I hate it when ppl chalk characters up to that) and ofc their brotherly bond. Mugman willingly giving his armor pin to cuphead and keeping an eye on him the entire time they were with Saltbaker. Literally was never a FOOT apart aside from the wash up 😭😭😭
Chalice is impulsive and thrill seeking, pulling pranks and looking for excitement, yet obviously desperately yearns for her life. Oh sweet silly characters with a deep sad dark desire that would eat anyone whole how i love you. Oh and did I mention impulsive? The way her ass so excitedly told the cupbros about Saltbaker and was surprised with their reactions 😭 I can't fully blame her of course! He was one of their best chances to give her a permanent body!
I find it hilarious how Elder Kettle still fusses over them at their Big Adult Age™️ 😭. Like yeah that's his babies, don't mind the fact they have 21 years of life up their ass they're his children. Grown ass chud babies . And how in turn these grown ass adults keep secrets about where they're going/doing and start sweating like Waterboy from Dispatch the moment it's mentioned from another's mouth while ELDER KETTLE IS SEVERAL ARCHIPELAGOS AWAY.
I'd give my inner organs to see Elder Kettle's reaction to all the bullshit the cupbros have done. Like yeah pops dw we're just here dying, reviving, fighting several HIGH powered ppl, yk like the devil, the salt shaker guy that bakes, a dice head. Oh and did we mention we're friends with a SEA MONSTER? she's gorgeous btw. Oh yeah and this is our new found sister who's a ghost from heavens know what century. I think there's things worth far more concern than a crisp burnt fence, could j be me though
I'm sure all the callbacks to past bosses/enemies sent cuphead show fans to the sky
Back on to Chalice's fucking impulsivity 😭😭😭 this girl finna be the death of me. She planned a whole prank where she DIES at the hand of SALTBAKER of all people. She had good intentions yes but mind U she tried so hard to convince the cupbros to visit Saltbaker despite what happened 😭. And then runs off to find the guard with a soul helmet disregarding the fact she's a ghost. Poor guy. And her constantly getting stuck in moselaeums idk how to spell that shit.
Saltbaker is an ABSOLUTE NERD 🫵🫵🫵. Literally cannot convince me otherwise. All his theories were on point and even drafted up a method to bring a centure old woman back to life that even the cupbros didn't know about. And mind you these guys have been fighting people with soul-imbued weapons for YEARS. Not only that but he was also determined to sacrifice someone to complete his new project??? My guy bakes more than pastries I tell ya.
I love how Mugman was absolutely READY to throw hands the MILLISECOND something was off. Buddy holds a grudge and SHOWBIZZES it. Pulled out the old sparker when he saw Chalice's head and I swear his hand was on cuphead 80% of the time. My man's FIGHT or flight was clockin in 😭.
But at the same I love the fact that despite having a vendetta reservations against Saltbaker he entrusted the decision to Cuphead instead. He was the most affected by the ordeal and instead of trying to get him as far away as possible, he let Cuphead decide. He knows Cuphead's an idiot (I mean going into a temple drunk??? Cmon man) despite that, he still trusts that he'll make the right decision and treats him like an adult.
And just the way Mugman literally folds the minute puppy eyes are in his face 😭😭😭 and his pure unadultered excitement when a lil sing n dance is mentioned, he's so real for that
RAHHAHAGGAHAGAHAGHAGAHAGHA OH MY GOD I COULD NOT STOP GIGGLING KICKING MY FEET AND HIGH PITCHED SCREAMING THE ENTIRE TIME I WATCHED THE VIDEO HELLLO???? I still do every rewatch
Alice's voice? Her eyes? Her hair?? Mugman CANNOT handle ALLAT. Godbless whoever voiced her YOU'RE DOING AMAZING SWEETIE!!! IM ADDICTED TO HER VOICE 😭😭 the way it's deep and so alluring oh my god HELLLOOOOOO. And Bendy well-... I'm joking I'm joking I loved how his voice sounded at the end, the accent and how high it was. He sounds exactly like how he looks and I couldn't imagine a better voice for him. I rlly wanna hear what a duet with em sounds like
And the music oh my lord the music. I randomly sing last call now. I need to lyrics INJECTED into my vocal cords and that melody and instrumental forever in my eardrums. The way it's starts is slow and relaxing at first and then two sudden louder parts that has quieter parts in between and then ITS TIME FOR LAST CALL 💃💃💃 AND ITS SOO UPBEAT HALLELUJAH 😭😭😭 and the crowd "Last call"? OH IVE GOTTA KNOW HOW IT WAS DONE IT SOUNDS SO REAL
Oh my lord the animation? I've mentioned that right? I've mentioned the animation yes? OH MY GOD 😭😭😭😭 I absolutely LOVED the close up on Alice's lips, they way theyre animated and drawn MOVE MUGMAN MOVE. In all seriousness I love how bouncy??? Flowy??? The movements are hello??? And oh my god when she first opens her eyes HELLO ANGEL. And the initial dance was beautiful on god the way their feet moved, the constant side to side GORGEOUS. I finna be dunkin donuts the way I'm glazing the living shit out of this video but EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON IT DESERVES EVERY BIT. And I know this is gonna sound so weird but when Bendy and Alice put their foot down and it went from front to side view? CLEAN absolutely CLEAN that shit was SMOOTH. The spin around they did looked like so much fun holy shitttt 😭😭😭 probably one of the hardest things to animate but by god 👏👏👏 I can't believe I'm getting this for FREE. The way Bendy and cuphead were staring at each other? Analyzation aside the FRAME BY FRAME ANIMATION ON THAT BITCH theres smthn special in there I swear, throw me into a wall if I'm wrong but everything else was mostly tweened. It's gonna came back to slap us in the face methinks.
Obviously these people were hired by the Devil and Dice as we did see Alice answering the phone. Now I'd like to think that the Darling Duo like to play with their food and they pick who gets who.
Bit of a sidenote here but I do think this'll lead to the Cupbros thinking Saltbaker had a hand on this considering that they were present during HIS party giving them the CHANCE to meet the cupbros
They both seem like they like to play mind games with their victims; Alice going the alluring route, being the siren to sailors on sea, and Bendy using banter and ragebait, taking a more arrogant trait of the two.
This is based off of the scene where Alice went towards Mugman and kissed him. (MOVE YOU PATHETIC PORCELAIN.) She knows what she has and knows how to use it -- the way she blinks her eyes, the way her lips move, everything! So she most definitely knew what she was doing and the effects she had on him. She's trying to ALLURE him to her instead of her having to chase him down. Meanwhile Bendy was definitely trying to bait Cups, not by flirting like Alice does, but by making him suspicious. It's highly likely the duo are aware of the Cupbros past with the devil and Bendy knows how obvious his demon self is. But we can very clearly see him staring down at Cups and holding it when Cups glares back. Like Alice, he's also aware of the effects he has on people and they're PERFORMERS, CHAT!!! PERFORMERS!!! They know how to act! They know how to get a certain reaction out of people! Knowing how to make your audience think a certain way is also a part of the art!
I think the matchup is perfect! It was mentioned in a character card that despite being overly paranoid, Mugman can be surprisingly naive; this strengthens Alice's hold on him even more since the bias adds to the naivety! Cups meanwhile already has a vendetta/grudge against demons with a very straightforward thinking: "they're demons, demons are evil." Which again *taps sign* MAKES IT EASIER FOR BENDY TO RAGEBAIT HIM
They've just met, but the game has already started and the Darling Duo are taking the lead of this dance!
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Now the opposing ways of manipulation/methods are actually genius! Mugs is now hypnotized by Alice while Cups is wary of Bendy. This has the potential of creating a divide between the two! While sure Mugs would trust what Cups says, the leverage Alice has with him is STILL THERE. This may be a stretch but this could lead to a PHYSICAL seperation between the Cupbros, if one isn't present then the other can't be revived, leaving the soul exposed. Can't wait to see how this'll play out 👀👀
Which actually we can already see in the animatic! Cuphead trying to tell Mugman about Bendy being a demon but can't bc he's too enamoured by Alice, then Cuphead's attention turns back to Bendy!
Thank you so much to Biposi and everyone else working on this comic it was an absolute joy to read! And *scrolls through yap* holy fucking shit did this comic make me THINK. Props to y'all and again thank you so much for the top tier food, will be dining again:}
