a quaint little review

"Hey, you like rainbows, right? Well, you always see them best after a bit of rain." 

[virgilsjourney]

Logan in denial: analysis & season finale predictions

Or: why I think Logan is going to try (and fail) to deal with the Orange Side on his own.

I really loved this little hint towards Future Things in an otherwise fluffy episode. “Sometimes passion makes you act a little silly,” Patton says light-heartedly, but Logan might have made another Connection…

…and I think it’s about his strategy for how to suppress the Orange Side’s influence.

Firstly, let’s go back to the iconic “Stop ignoring me!” moment.

We can see that Logan’s own reaction almost immediately breaks through Orange’s amplification of his frustration, anger, bitterness etc: even before the orange eyes have faded away, Logan displays shock, fear, and remorse. So, Orange’s influence has (for now…) gone as quickly as it came; when Logan speaks to Thomas, the anger from a moment ago has evaporated, replaced instead with a subtle hurt. He’s non-confrontational, softly-spoken—as if hesitant to raise his voice too much after what has just happened.

Keep reading

[honorary-evil-genius]

yes 1000%! I think orange’s reveal is definitely going to be a situation where logan can’t help, simply because he was so useful (for lack of a better term) when janus and remus were introduced. you explained this very well

[virgilsjourney]

Oh yeah, definitely agree with the fact that he won't be able to be the source of explanations/solutions because how helpful he was when Janus and Remus were introduced! Because right now Logan almost acts like a 'safety net' when it comes to his explanations about the dark sides etc, so it'll be interesting to potentially see the tension of that being taken away. I can see that as another reason why he's keeping that orange eyes moment to himself: he's frightened because he doesn't know for certain why it's happening. And he'll need the others' insights to help guide him to an answer.

Also I'm going to quote amazing tags by the @thebrokengate 'cause they really tie into this idea, too:

#and honestly imo the orange side needs to be something Logan can't control or talk down or explain away like Remus and Janus#this one should be a side that everyone else has to pitch in to help Logan with#because Logan is isolating in a way and trying to manage things all on his own#'won't fix this guy all by yourself' as Remus said#might've been more foreshadowing there as well —tags by @thebrokengate

^Yeah, like it's been established that Logan is the 'go-to' guy for information, and he clearly takes pride in that role—plus there's the angle that he 'appreciates utility' because he himself feels useful when he's providing all the facts. And that's another reason why, in my opinion, "Stop ignoring me!" is emotionally impactful, because if he isn't being listened to; if he's unable to share his knowledge etc, he no longer feels 'useful.'

So the thought the of other sides seeing Logan at his lowest, when he doesn't have all the answers, and accepting that and helping him; it could be a cathartic moment. It would help Logan let go of the shame of not being the one with all the answers, of having to admit uncomfortable emotional truths, and understanding that despite his role as 'logic', he shouldn't bear the pressure of being the one who knows everything and 'must be heeded'; he can't do that alone.

[standingonborderline]

’’Into the Unknown’’ - Over The Garden Wall Cover | Sanders Sides

[virgilsjourney]

i'm never going to be over this. the fondness in that smile, the idea that janus had been waiting for this, the predictability, that of course, patton as the heart still has hope... and, for once, janus isn't cynical. he lets patton have that hope. 'yes. maybe.' because, deep down, janus admires the determination. no matter all his posturing, he needs hope, too. 'yes. maybe,' is almost like a thank you.

[standingonborderline]

I guess you’d like it. Everyone all dressed up disguised as someone else.

[virgilsjourney]

i love how the into the unknown cover works both as a stand-alone music video and imo still subtly ties into the storyline building up in sanders sides… patton and janus getting closer and finding common ground, and realising that their outlooks might not be so different from one another; the other sides on their own paths, alone; the idea of them getting along as a group being (for now) ‘the loveliest lie of all’; the thought that this moment of peace and reflection is temporary, can only exist in this little bubble (i also like the meta thought that the sides noticing that they’re in different outfits is them understanding that they’re taking part in the ‘autumnal fantasy’, but going along with it anyway cause it’s a nice reprieve)

in conclusion: EMOTIONS

[dragonsaphirareads]

There's also the symbolism of this little video taking place in autumn, and it being a soft little respite before the bitter cold of winter, when everything dies or goes into hibernation. Even the sun goes into hiding as the days become longer and darker, until you start to wonder if you'll ever see the light again.

This video feels like the last nice day of fall, before the days start to get just a bit too cold to be comfortable. When, at the end of the day, you watch the setting sun and can just tell there's a bite in the air, and your cheeks and fingertips tingle with the cold as darkness falls.

But maybe it's just a fun video with a very Janus-y song and I'm looking too deep into it.

[virgilsjourney]

I love that description of autumn and the symbolism omg. I think it'll be interesting to see if the finale takes place 'in universe' after a significant amount of time following wtit, implying that Thomas's issues have been building roughly from spring to autumn/winter-- either way, the atmosphere of the music vid works both as a literal autumn and a symbolic one <3

[virgilsjourney]

roleslaying with roman is quite the watching Experience 'cause one minute you're all highjinks and then there's a line like 'how long have i been subject to the rich? i can't remember' from the funny cartoon coin man

[virgilsjourney]

Janus during the 'Into the Unknown' music video: You see, my dear, I am an enigma. No-one can truly understand the complexity of my mind...

Patton, who has watched him re-do his introduction five times over because his silhouette didn't 'look dramatic enough': Of course, sweetie.

[virgilsjourney]

i love how the into the unknown cover works both as a stand-alone music video and imo still subtly ties into the storyline building up in sanders sides… patton and janus getting closer and finding common ground, and realising that their outlooks might not be so different from one another; the other sides on their own paths, alone; the idea of them getting along as a group being (for now) ‘the loveliest lie of all’; the thought that this moment of peace and reflection is temporary, can only exist in this little bubble (i also like the meta thought that the sides noticing that they’re in different outfits is them understanding that they’re taking part in the ‘autumnal fantasy’, but going along with it anyway cause it’s a nice reprieve)

in conclusion: EMOTIONS

[standingonborderline]

EMBARASSING PHASES: THE NIGHTMARE INSTEAD OF CHRISTMAS SANDERS SIDES | 2016 —

[virgilsjourney]

Just got struck with a bittersweet thought.

In the five years special, Patton saying about Virgil, 'I hope he knows how much we love him,' is Patton's way of trying to communicate that love and care without talking to Virgil directly.

And then in 'Can plushies improve our health?', Virgil asks 'Did you guys get that one?' (the relax-idermy pun) instead of directly looking for Patton's reaction. Plus, while we get an amused response from Thomas, it's interesting to note that we don't see a quick look at Patton smiling etc when he'd usually be jumping on any pun. Like I think his route right now is complete avoidance to try and avoid (ha) upsetting Virgil any more.

They're both tense and tiptoeing around each other; while still caring for each other, just silently.

[virgilsjourney]

happy six years, sanders sides <3

i think i'll forever associate the series with autumn & winter, and part of that's date-related: especially the moving on episodes; the first christmas special

but even that aside, there's just something so innately cosy about it

thank you for the continual comfort, joy, and love <3

[standingonborderline]

We could not function without him.

[standingonborderline]

selfishness vs. selflessness SANDERS SIDES | 2016  —

[virgilsjourney]

not to overanalyse some funny lines but yeah i’m about to

sometimes i think about how logan was genuinely hurt at the idea of patton not wanting him to be a part of the courtroom scenario, and now patton is deliberately making sure to address logan so he still feels included :’) <3

[thatsthat24]

NEW ROLESLAYING WITH ROMAN - Episode 6: “All That Glitters…” ⚡️ (Link in bio ☝️) Chapter 3 kicks off with our duo coming across a dazzling city… but where there’s light, there’s darkness… https://youtu.be/UnH9I3ZYQTo

[virgilsjourney]

See, the interesting thing for me about Janus is that despite acting like he’s Got A Plan All The Time, he’s quite impulsive and short-sighted.

Like he comes up with the courtroom scenario on the spot and it’s clear that he’s revelling in it—he’s enjoying himself, having fun with giving everyone their roles, showing off… And it’s precisely through being in a courtroom environment, plus his role as the ‘Honourable Justice Roman’, that inspires Roman to ‘do the honourable thing’ and give his sentence.

And Janus is completely caught unawares by this—but that’s not the only time!

When Logan talks about effective altruism in SVS Redux, Janus looks surprised by the fact that Logan’s points align with his own… it’s a cruel irony ‘cause you could look at it like: Janus. You didn’t even need to forcibly remove Logan from the conversation, he would have agreed with you lmao*

*That being said, obviously everything needed to happen as it did so that the whole conflict in the episodes was even possible. Plus, I love part of the pain being the idea that such things while technically preventable in hindsight, if they were avoided it would probably just delay the inevitable conflict. There’s also the angle of Janus evoking his Roman God namesake as “presiding over the beginning and ending of conflict,” (x) so in that sense he brings out things that might’ve otherwise remained buried.

But I am intrigued at the thought that Janus isn’t completely aware of the domino effect of consequences he sets in motion—I’m thinking especially of him replacing Logan while being focused on challenging Patton. And there’s been notable moments where he can’t predict others’ behaviour… so I wonder if he’ll be surprised again in the future… 👀

[virgilsjourney]

i finally noticed that janus while disguised as logan smirks... when roman starts questioning patton: “actually, i would like to know, patton. what should thomas do in that kind of situation?”

[virgilsjourney]

i can’t believe it’s taken me this long to notice that when logan says ‘however, i felt that it would behoove all parties involved’ patton starts smiling and glances to roman, and roman mouths ‘behoove.’

like bless... fond exasperation.jpg 

[virgilsjourney]

this is an appreciation post for the moving on episodes

i love them for many reasons, one being that i see them as The Blueprint* for the rest of the series.

(well actually, that’s a title partly shared with the accepting anxiety eps in my opinion—where the concepts in accepting anxiety are the ‘bridge’ in order to reach what’s explored in moving on.)

so accepting anxiety introduces the idea of ‘rooms’ and the effects they can have: virgil’s room accordingly heightens anxiety, and we see that in a visual representation with the increasing black eyeshadow. so, the audience is now on the lookout for what the effects in other rooms might look like.

except crucially the effect in patton’s room is not shown visually. yes, we’ve got the nostalgia haze throughout, but there isn’t a notable increase to clue us in on what’s happening the longer everyone stays in the room. this delays our realisation; we’re figuring it out roughly at the same time as logan does.

and the effect not being immediately obvious says so much! the theme of things being more than what their first appearances or impressions might suggest! and on a related note, these episodes are where we also have strong references to the idea of the characters embodying more than one aspect  “So I might not have had Roman create half as many as the stories and worlds as he did without Virgil giving me reason to,” Thomas observes, and then the camera later cuts right to virgil when he says there are “new things to write”, linking both roman and virgil to the creative process.

and of course, speaking of someone being more than what they first appear… patton. oh patton. oh god. this is where we see more of his complex characterisation—i’m still not over the cardigan weighing him down= a heavy heart metaphor—and it’s just so, so gutwrenching to see him trying to keep up the façade after the despondent “can they?” slip up. like there’s just multiple frames of heartbreak, and the way the smile doesn’t reach his eyes… :(

and then! when logan says, “All of this because Patton can’t let go of one person?” and patton returns with, “Logan, can you stop? please?” we see patton briefly holding onto the photo frame that represents thomas’s ex. he literally can’t let go.

and just… the delivery of that line. the pause before please. the raw grief, the vulnerability… and the desperation when he’s muttering ‘oh no no no no’ to himself! god!

and then, as if all of that wasn’t enough—his reaction to the “falsehood” after his insistence that he’s never sad, the way that fake smile just DROPS.

it’s the face of someone who knows they’ve truly been seen for all that they are.

and logan! foreshadowing galore! “but if you would only heed—” he insists before being cut off. that sentiment will later be echoed in ‘learning new things about ourselves’: “there will be times in which I must be heeded.” and look at where we are in the present storyline! not heeding him! and another piece of foreshadowing is Thomas insisting to logan that “it’s fine, it’s fine…”… kinda sounds like denial. kinda sounds like “yes. everything’s just… fine.” :)

on a lighter note, oh wow, that beautiful return to reality after nostalgia nirvana. logan and the cat hoodie. i love the idea of him leaving patton’s room and stewing a bit, but then thinking deeply and resolving to create that cat hoodie. i get so much joy out of imagining an alternative look at the episode where while Everything Else is going on, he’s just calmly making the hoodie, like bless. i love him.

plus him clearing his throat before revealing the gift to patton! he’s nervous! “it’s all purely for practical reasons.”

Logan.

Logan.

Look me in the eyes. Look me in the eyes and tell me that the decision to gift Patton that hoodie had absolutely nothing to do with HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT HIM—

before i forget, back to my starting point of these episodes being The Blueprint* for the rest of the series. so much is set up here, i adore it: the deeper take on the characters that’ll only continue; the realisations and build-up of tension and conflict before a release. and the ending. this is the first one where, even within the structure of a standard episode, there is no clear resolution, nothing is fully ‘solved.’ because that’s how life works, and it’s bittersweet, and it rings so true.

and finally, possibly one of my favourite things about the episodes is that i can read them both as patton representing the heart and as a representation of how someone could try and cope with heavy emotions by attempting to conceal them. i think that’s why logan’s question in the end card (“patton. how are you today?” asked so gently! so sincerely!) is so emotionally impactful for me: it’s analogous to someone checking in on a loved one suffering with depression and/or grief. patton struggling to leave his metaphorical room could equal someone isolating themselves in their literal bedroom, struggling to reach out for help. so logan reaches out to him! they all do! and the fact that patton says that when he leaves his room, he knows he’ll get to see them all and that is something to look forward to… basically saying that he knows more happy memories will be made by being in their company… :’)

there’s a catherine tate quote that i now forever associate with these episodes, and especially logan helping patton: “please don't ever sit in your room and lock yourself away because you don't think you're good enough.”

in conclusion: moving on has all my love <3