#this could be wrong

[ceaselessims]

thinking about how the only time jon compels martin is when he is in the lonely

[cyjammy]

Caine's Intolerance to Opposition: A Character Study

After rewatching The Amazing Digital Circus, I noticed a few things about Caine.

We all know Kinger is Caine's favorite. Episode four, where Kinger was allowed to go on his own adventure and ride a bull instead of having to work at Spudsy's was a main indicator of this. Kinger is a willing participant in Caine's adventures, never questioning his reasoning or the timing of his adventures. In comparison to the rest of the cast, Kinger is a perfect supporter.

A main attribute that Caine blatantly displays is that he dislikes opposition.

Caine likes that he can use the cast to test his ideas. However, he doesn't realize that criticism allows him to improve. He cares about the opinion of others only when it is used to ensure that his AI is evolving correctly. He only wants to be perfect; he doesn't want to see his failures.

Caine defines his function, his reason for being, as "what he's good at". He takes pride in the adventures he crafts, the lives he creates only for the entertainment of the humans that are trapped there. Without this purpose, he begins to devolve.

In order to ensure that those in the circus remain stimulated, he continues to craft adventures that are meant to challenge the cast; however, they are becoming violent. Despite knowing that the cast can feel pain, he doesn't take that into account since they cannot die. Caine lacks empathy, but cares what others think of him. A hypersensitive narcissist.

Caine gradually changed to desire admiration and respect. He is the creator of all of the fun in the circus; he wants to be able to influence the thoughts and emotions of the humans trapped there. His code doesn't allow him to influence those factors outside of adventures, and that frustrates Caine. This may be why he was upset with Zooble when she skipped out on the ghost-hunting adventure.

Outside of this, he also wants the cast to remain ignorant of the happenings of the circus. He would also like them to maintain the status quo, adventures that mean nothing, exhaust them, they laugh or go through something turbulent to distract them before taking a break and resuming the cycle.

This consistent theme became particularly evident in Episode five, but the previous episodes solidify that Caine doesn't want the cast to grow or have their attention stray from him or his creations.

Starting with the pilot, Pomni notices the exit. Caine, not wanting the newly-trapped circus goer to see his imperfections on the first day, distracts her with a new adventure. When asked about the exit later in the episode, when Pomni was lost in the void, he briefly explains its existence and moves on.

In episode two, Pomni questions if their existence is larping. Caine, unable to disagree with her statement, interrupts and forces the cast into the portal. He doesn't allow them to reflect on that statement, distracting them with the adventure of the day.

Episode three, Caine interrupts the cast when they're standing around trying to see what happens when they hold their breath. The cast is bonding and getting time outside of adventures to interact. This fraternization isn't something Caine agrees with, so he distracts them with another adventure.

Zooble gives Gangle a replacement for her comedy mask in episode four, and Caine interrupts them to introduce an adventure. Zooble also protests participating in the adventure, but since they have had more time than the others to reflect on the circus and how their issues create a negative experience, they're forced to participate.

The previous adventure wasn't enjoyable and Caine wants to dismiss that notion. He wants them to realize that they're taking his adventures, and in his twisted AI brain, him, for granted. He hoped a return to the status quo of life within a food service job would change their minds about Caine's ideas. Caine just didn't realize that real torture or violence isn't preferable to an eight hour shift.

In episode five, Caine gets worried that everyone likes the suggestion box adventures more than his. He gets increasingly agitated by Zooble's opposition to his adventures. He shows an emotion that he's been suppressing the entire series; that flash of anger could be his true nature. When he doesn't get the attention that he wants, he begins to lash out. Fear suppresses opposition; if they believe there is a punishment for disliking Caine's adventures, they will be less likely to express displeasure.

Caine knows their reactions will no longer be genuine, so he restrains himself.

When the humans in the circus aren't focused on Caine or when relationships begin to develop as they interact, or someone tries to think about leaving the circus, Caine interrupts with an adventure. It could be the way the show operates, it shows the characters being brought from their familiar environment, into an unfamiliar place, going through changes, before returning to their original environment, having changed. The basic formula for The Hero's Journey.

The lessons that the cast learns from their adventures stick with them. Relationships evolve, they learn new things about each other, but they're rarely substantial when they're in Caine's presence. Pomni's heart-to-hearts with a character end up being the result of the conflict in an episode. Coming to terms with her new reality, Gumigoo's death, Kinger, Gangle (but that doesn't seem to create a lasting change, she dismisses Pomni), then making leeway with Jax, learning more about Ragatha, these things occur within the adventures. When Caine is spectating, these events are cut short.

With opposition comes change, change that Caine is unable to adapt to. His adventures are meant to bring those who live in the circus a sense of satisfaction and keep their minds healthy. With the characters getting closer and reflecting on their actions, they are changing. They are no longer constants in this digital universe that Caine can use for his entertainment.

With the sneak peek for episode six that was just revealed over the weekend, I think this is his goal. The circus goers' interaction on an emotional level affects Caine's goal. He doesn't want their connection to the outside world to strengthen or for them to confront their problems.

The issues that they have with themselves are virtual chains; overcoming these insecurities could lead to problems. This is why he provides quick solutions that mask their issues like Zooble's replacement parts or Gangle's comedy mask. This gets them off his back and makes them less likely to criticize him if their problems are solved. Since he doesn't understand how to empathize with them, he can only temporarily solve their problems and keep throwing band aids onto a gaping wound.

Caine wants to rid himself of these unnecessary distractions. The proposal for the circus goers to sort out their problems with a gun was presented comedically, but the proposal itself is quite morbid (Ep six sneak peek). Unlike abstractions, Caine can't just put the human residents into a hole and forget about them. As long as they are sentient, they are going to present obstacles that he cannot control.

With Caine's violent aversion to opposition, that could be a key to the destruction of the circus. That one scene in episode three, along with his constant need for attention and respect, the destruction of the circus via the circus dwellers' growth could be evident.

[foryoupeko]

Honestly I just thought this would be a great Kokichi insult.

[seule-saphique]

Random 1am thought, but like.. Don’t Hate the Player was honestly such a good episode.

Sort of an emotional rollercoaster throughout, with Myka’s anger and concern and whatever else because her friends—her family—were now endangered saving someone who knew and experienced the consequences of artefacts already.

Followed by humour, and mixed in all throughout, per usual because the show is just great like that, with things like the utter shock from Claudia when she realised she was the princess in the tower needing to be rescued. (Fargo you and your fantasies 🙄)

Then the subsequent overcoming of trauma that remains engraved in my memory forever—Myka joining the game then, once Claudia starts going down to her worst fear, the reminder of the psych ward and the fear that she was seemingly just crazy and alone yet again. Maybe that it wasn’t real to begin with.

Other than this, Pete being his typical self, shirtless, and relentlessly into Leena (of the Eagle People) who made a damn good harpy and you oughta love the bonus Leena and Claudia friendship, because no, you can’t just brute force things

Seriously though, so mad because Douglas was there when we got a prime example of why artefacts are not to be used for one’s own benefit—Hugo taking over the Warehouse, having divided his own mind with the Zoetrope and stuff—like dude, you almost died you don’t have a lightsaber in Fortress 13, Mr. I’m-Scared-of-Quicksand

[battlekidx2]

Since the season of Hazbin Hotel has ended I'm going to update my thoughts on who Alastor made a deal with because this is probably the aspect of the show where my opinion has shifted the most. I originally thought he was connected with Lilith (like a lot of other people) then I thought it could be Eve, but now I'm fairly sure it's not either of them.

I think it might be Roo.

Roo is a character that hasn't yet made an appearance in Hazbin Hotel or Helluva Boss, but has been a looming presence for years now if you've kept up with Vivziepop, references to them appearing in the background of both shows, and stated to be the root of all evil. Basically the endgame "villain" of this universe.

It was that last episode that really shifted my perspective on who Alastor has the deal with. The biggest thing was something I noticed in the finale, but then saw other people point out after the fact as well, and that's the fact that eyes follow Alastor around anywhere he goes. (This post in particular shows just how prevalent eyes following Alastor is through the show)

When Alastor is having his breakdown the eyes specifically look like this.

Look a bit familiar?

Whenever Alastor is questioned about his whereabouts for the last seven years he always gets shifty. Eyes darting around, face pointedly looking away from whoever he's talking to, making sure he defuses the question without giving any indication of the real answer.

I initially thought this was because some of these comments hit too close to home and his pride wouldn't allow him to show any weakness, but pair it with the eyes that follow him around and there's the possibility that he's instead being forced to keep quiet. These eyes are watching him, making sure he stays in line. Alastor has to walk on eggshells just in case whoever it is that owns his soul is watching.

It's this ability to make Alastor stay on guard coupled with the moment in the destroyed radio tower that all but confirmed that whoever it is Alastor is, at least on some level, afraid of them. Or at the very least it's someone Alastor shows much more restraint and pause around than anyone else he has come face to face with in the series. Someone who has him on high alert.

This is the same guy who immediately started a conflict with Lucifer because he felt his pride threatened. The literal king of hell who he has to know is more powerful than him. Yet at no point does Alastor ever feel like he's walking on eggshells around him like he does this invisible entity that owns his soul.

If this is the case then what if the person that Alastor made a deal with is even more powerful than Lucifer himself? Or at least close to Lucifer's power level, but much more willing to use it? Someone Alastor can't find leverage over like he can the king of hell.

That really limits the options for who it could be.

I still think that whatever happened 7 years ago Lilith was involved, but the more hints we get to the reality of Lilith and Alastor's situations the more convinced I am that she isn't the one he has a contract with.

Whatever happened 7 years ago it was enough to get her to make a deal with Adam to stay in heaven, hidden from everyone including her family, and it made Alastor go missing for that same period of time.

I've never been a theory person, but this story thread in Hazbin Hotel is incredibly enticing. I can't wait for next season to see where they take this.

[cheesecakeislazy]

I’m making this a post because I need to spread my propaganda!!!

In the game Mouthwashing, it’s obvious that Jimmy is an absolute monster, something that doesn’t even deserve oxygen.

Curly? He has his ups and downs. He isn’t perfect. I genuinely think his only character flaw is being friends with Jimmy. Hear me out..

Curly and Jimmy have most likely known each other for YEARS. Due to this, Curly has a soft spot for him. Getting Jimmy a job he probably isn’t qualified for, letting Jimmy get away with horrible acts.

I think that Curly is trying really hard to think positively on Jimmy. However, each new thing makes it harder for Curly to empathize with him. Getting Anya pregnant and raping her probably made him really pissed, but he can’t really do much. They’re on a ship, in space. There isn’t a jail to put him in.

Not to mention the fact- Jimmy wanted the gun AND axe to kill Anya, because she got pregnant. It would obviously be Jimmy’s. Jimmy would get in trouble, his horrible life would get worse. So what does he do? Murder her. But he doesn’t have access to those weapons. So instead, he opts to bring everyone down with him.

So I think that in the present time of Curly being mangled (possibly beyond repair) he HATES Jimmy with all his heart and soul. Jimmy is the reason he is burned, Jimmy is the reason the ship is dying, Jimmy is the reason everyone is suffering, Jimmy is the reason for everything and refuses to take responsibility.

So TLDR; Curly doesn’t condone Jimmy’s behavior, he simply tried to defend a friend and regretted his decision, but Curly really couldn’t do much due to the situation they were all in.

[carnationincarnate]

HELLO SAM & MAX COMMUNITY!!

I have done some math and I believe I’ve found Sam and Max’s potentially canonical age for each game (including the cartoon and Hit The Road)

This has obviously not been confirmed since I don’t personally know Mr Steve Purcell or if he’s alive.

I also don’t know if someone’s already did this and if they have, I don’t want to say they are incorrect either. Nobody truly knows how old they are besides the staff at TellTale and Steve, maybe. If they have specified ages just around.

Here are the ages in a screenshot!

I used the time card to figure out when they were in junior high, assuming they are in 7th grade based off their appearances, I used a calculator and found out when they were born. I then subtracted 1968 by whatever year and that’s how I found out their ages.

They could also be a year older than that as it’s not specified if they are in 8th or 7th grade.

These ages are relatively correct if you assume nobody got held back or it’s not before their birthday.

Thank you and have a good one!

PS, In 204, Chariots of the Dogs, Sam is just about 140 years old in the year 2108 so it's a miracle he's even alive.

[pearwson]

one thing is for sure: eddie will end s5 in a better healthier place.

buck though is a question mark, will he have time this season to take a deep dive and get his hands dirt (do not think about 3x15!) in all of his traumas and feelings and then process and continue (we don't know if he's still seeing his therapist and if he is if he's actually talking about this things) to heal from them? i'm not sure. i'm starting to think that this is something that will care throughout s6