crazelord Reviews

Castlevania: You Don't Deserve My Blood (2021) Season 4, Episode 6

Incredible

[10/10 · 16 November 2023]

I truly hope this series isn't forgotten due to it being connected to an existing IP or the lackluster sequel show, because episodes like this are some of the best of anime style (east or western) I've ever seen.

The writing is top notch, which just so many memorable line (favorite being, "I am Carmila of Styria... And I win) and just a great closing to a great side arc and characters; Isaac may have been the best character in the series.

But truly what makes this stand out is the action. The choreography and direction is just incredible. The fight scene between Isaac and Carmila is one of the best put to screen. The way the characters move and dance around each other, the use of off model work and lighting, that armored Night Creature basically weaving in and out like he's Isaac's Stan, the terrifying bloodlust and aggression of Carmila against Isaac's graceful confidence... Just incredible.

The Simpsons: Pixelated and Afraid (2022) Season 33, Episode 12

Beautiful

[10/10 · 13 October 2023]

I am legitimately surprised how a modern day Simpsons episode could actually make me feel this much. It is one of the best Homer and Marge relationship episodes that we've ever gotten.

I think it's due to the writers not focusing on jokes but on the story and characters. There's a genuinely nerve wracking scene that I very much expected to be undercut by some stupid gag but they don't. It's played out entirely straight forward and it's great.

I definitely do agree that lately we've been having some of the best Simpsons episodes. It isn't the same as the old stuff but it's taking new directions that are really great when they're good.

Schitt's Creek (2015– )

Reversing the formula and an achievement in sentimentality

[8/10 · 25 July 2023]

Like many people I started the show and didn't get the hype. You have some of the most abnoxious and spoiled people as the main cast with humor that's more subtle and not laugh out loud, and I wasn't sure how I was supposed to enjoy that. Until I eventually realized that was the point.

Most shows end up either flanderizing the characters or have them becoming worse more exaggerated versions of themselves. But here they start off like that and you are watching them become actually good and lovable people.

The earlier episodes (or really first season) is harder to watch because they're supposed to be the worst versions of themselves so when they gradually change it feels organic and earned and you feel like you grew with them as well. You go from really being off-put by them to celebrating their successes later on.

It's a show that can show a brother and sister hugging and emotionally supporting each other and make you filled with emotion watching a crowing achievement of their growth.

This is also in part due to not just the great writing but the great performances. Every character is portrayed really well by their actors and they're all written and portrayed with depth and realism.

It especially resonated with me as it often feels like the world is burning around us or so much comedy these days is based in pessimistic or darker perspectives and it's fairly cathartic and comforting watching something that feels optimistic and loving and really earns it.

Definitely give it a chance if you don't like it at first as that is very intentional; it pays off not too much later down the line.

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

First season is a 10, the rest are a 7 or 6

[8/10 · 2 June 2023]

I'd describe season 1 of Ted Lasso as Friday Night Lights with antidepressants. There was such a beauty of watching Ted with his unwavering optimism clash with the English culture. Yet they also humanized him and showed his personal struggles with his family.

It was a rare occurrence of a series that could make you cry but wasn't depressing or about broken people. It was about how even when things are at their worst, those around us can help each other find hope and grow.

But I think the season finale kind of ruined it. If it just ended there it may have been just right, and it made sense narratively as Ted always said it's not about winning or losing. The experience and how everyone grew from it is what mattered.

But suddenly in season 2 you just had them further back than where they started but also with little conflict. And I think the writers not just wanting it to be a rehash of Ted leading the team to glory it lost all momentum.

All the main plot elements were basically settled as well. Ted had accepted his ex wife's need to move on, Rebecca learn to be vulnerable and let go of her hate, Roy and Keely got together, Higgins and Nate developed confidence, Jamie learned to pass, etc.

So there just wasn't much to go on afterwards. Unlike Friday Night Lights that was also really about football, Ted Lasso was never about football; so it couldn't really keep going on that (they have to basically shoehorn Roy and Jamie back into Richmond bc it couldn't keep going with new players).

So they just started making everything kind of episodic or throwing in random plot lines that didn't have a point (Sam and Rebecca for instance). There are some great moments later on but they're occasional in a sea of mediocrity and lukewarm narratives.

I kind of wish it was just a mini series, it be one of my favorites. But it's not and you basically have a third of it that felt like it had something to say and the rest just basically watching these characters lives after the glory.

Ted Lasso: Man City (2021) Season 2, Episode 8

Imagine it was reversed

[6/10 · 2 June 2023]

The positive aspects are based on the scene with Jamie's dad and Roy hugging him (love Roy, he's still the best character) and of Ted finally opening up about his past.

But the Sam and Rebecca relationship is just off-putting and I don't get why everyone is for it. Besides for a dating app not having ages on there (which is just inherintly creepy), if Rebecca was the 21 year old employee to Sam who's in his 40s (or 50s) would everyone be ok with it?

Her ex, Rupert, marrying a young girl was used as a way to show how much of a dbag he is, and now it's just ok because Rebecca is a woman I guess?

Yes they're both adults but it's such an unbalanced power dynamic and a huge age and life gap. It also just feels like a forced plot line to add something to a season that's struggling to find a plot.

It was an unexpected twist but there was nothing foreshadowing it imo. They had barely anything to do with each other before this outside of employment prior. Feels cheap and scandalous just to keep people watching.

The first season was brilliant and deep but no it's just watching really any other show at this point; it's almost episodic really. Hopefully they do dig deeper into this but it feels like whatever magic there was for the first run is gone and it continued just due to popularity.

I must teared up so many times then and now watch bc I'm invested and it's decent enough but I don't really care outside of the occasional moments (usually involving Roy).

Ted Lasso: Goodbye Earl (2021) Season 2, Episode 1

Woof...

[5/10 · 1 June 2023]

I heard that the show falls off for many people after the first season. This is my first watch through and I was hoping this wasn't true but if it continues like this episode I feel as though I may not even make it to season 3.

Where to start... The dog, the therapist who has the warmth of a frozen steak (apparently really great at her job while missing one of the most vital aspects of the profession), etc...

The down to earth dramedy that is kind of like a comedic Friday Night Lights (even more relevant if season two is bad) suddenly went for ridiculous plot lines and unlikable characters.

And everyone is just friends now, there's so little conflict and it feels like the show is just floundering. And now that everyone accepts Ted and his idiosyncrasies, he's more of a cartoon character than a fish out of water purposely contrasting the coldness of where he is.

Tbh I wonder if it was a mistake to end the previous season with a loss instead of a win. I got the point of it from a narrative perspective but I think there would be much more to do with Ted and Richmond trying to win the entire division than going backwards.

South Park: Spring Break (2023) Season 26, Episode 6

Wow Trump supports are butthurt by this episode? Shocker

[7/10 · 25 April 2023]

I thought the episode was pretty good. I didn't see the twist with Garrison at first, it's a classic South Park type of joke. And I liked that they used Randy for the toxic masculinity angle. I hate Tegridy Farms but this was more like how his role used to be in contrast to Stan than just jokes about him being the worst.

But you can see from all the reviews that somehow this is the episode when "South Park lost it". Kind of interesting they suddenly dislike it now. The show hasn't been as good as its prime in forever but this was definitely not bottom tier if you're not a snowflake who can laugh at everyone else except the thing you care about.

Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)

Still got it!

[8/10 · 8 March 2023]

His 2008 special was one of the defining comedic standup specials of my generation. The man is a comedy legend. He still has the same energy and skill he always had. This was some of the most I've laughed at a comedy special since Chapelle's return.

I'd say the only low point was the obligatory male comedian over 50 tired jokes about PC culture and social media. Not that I am bothered by the topic but everyone does the same jokes and many of his sounds like the basic crap your drunk uncle says at Thanksgiving.

But after that Rock gets back into his groove. He's one of the best at finding the humor in race and political divisiveness. And he now delivers it as someone with an illustrious career and celebrity; knowing he's untouchable.

Hell, he gets pretty real about jokes and situations in his own family and doesn't hold back. I don't know of many up and coming comedians who can take the mantle from some of these goats; but glad they still got it!

Snowfall: Other Lives (2019) Season 3, Episode 10

The negative reviews are outdated; it's brilliant.

[10/10 · 4 March 2023]

Reading through the negative reviews they're mostly immediate reactions to when the episode first aired. I completely get that after the cliffhangers from episode 9, to get a more off the beaten path episode dealing with an alternate timeline could have felt like a let down.

But now that the show has progressed a couple of seasons, in retrospect it's actually a brilliant episode. What it does is give so much more context to one of the biggest themes of the show.

How the world around you and moments in your life can lead you down different paths. That everything that happens and the choices you make are invariably effected by the small and big events. But also this is a story about America and how its history and sins shape its future.

Franklin's rise to drug kingpin isn't just a story about one kid in the hood being greedy, but the broken system that made becoming this monster the lesser of evils in his mind and how the country and government downright enabled it.

And seeing what could have happened, the things that changed for the better, worse, or even stayed the same gives us more context into who Franklin is and everything that happened. How much of this was a choice or an inevitability.

It's really some fantastic television that doesn't beat you over the head with clear answers or morals. Just another world of events that lead to their own issues and situations even with the same people.

And having a quick resolution of him being shot or not seeing what happened to Mel yet doesn't really matter. Not only because we know the story continues but obviously Franklin wasn't killed. If you thought that would happen you missed the point.

I do feel like older tv dramas and GOT have kind of ruined how we perceive certain scenes in shows now. The former abusing cop out "death" scenes to fabricate stakes and the latter making every character dispensable considered objective quality. But shows with plot armor or none are not inherintly good or bad.

It's all about context. If the show is using this to tell the story or just a cheap gimmick for viewers; and here's it's clearly the former. Franklin being at risk of dying isn't going to make the show better bc it isn't about him really. He's a necessary vehicle in the greater story being told.

And him getting shot is just another consequence and reaction of all these moving parts and another event that leads to a huge changes and new reactions and consequences. It changes Franklin, the game, and everyone around it. It's not a throw away.

A show that I often think about when watching this is The Wire. And that show pulled this stunt as well and no one got mad because the point was not survival of the character, but how an event like this invariable changes everything.

The alternate timeline story sets up the ending as well. That Franklin learning to give into what the system wants from him is the clear next step. Whatever the cause we know it will be good and bad for everyone involved and even the country itself.

Gerald's Game (2017)

The ending ruins it

[7/10 · 4 March 2023]

You'll see this a lot about this film but ironically what ruins the movie is the twist that it wasn't all a dream basically. That the Moonlight Man was actually real. Which kind of makes the story comical.

It's not even up to interpretation but makes it clear he's an actual person who showed up and decided not to kill her for some contrived reason. Would have been 100x better if it was never made clear.

It's just so unnecessary. Was there not enough to work with, with just the premise alone. I'm sure it's adapting the novel accurately but if that's true this is something that could change.

Another issue is the whole trauma storyline. Once again, was the premise not enough alone to make a compelling story. As it's something that seems horrific, regardless of what horrible things your family has done to you in the past.

Outside of these the acting is great and the tension is rightfully tense. It could have been a classic but it stands in my head more unintentionally goofy.

Funny Games (2007)

Most of the negative reviews are just people mad this is an English Language Remake

[10/10 · 3 March 2023]

Let's get this out of the way, ignore all the entitled watchers who think anything adapted away from its original language is inherintly bad. Personally, having to read subtitles distracts from the film and creates a dissonance between the dialogue and the acting for me.

And this is a horror film all about the acting and character interactions. It is surprisingly low key on a visual level, it's all about implied danger and unease until certain points.

On its own merits it's absolutely brilliant. You will fear and despise some of the characters and they gleefully toy with the others and you as the viewer at home. It is as disturbing as it is captivating. One of the best depictions of the depth of human sadism that can happen.

Nope (2022)

One incredible scene, the rest was decent

[6/10 · 1 March 2023]

You know exactly what scene I'm referring to if you've seen the movie. It was the most nail biting and anxiety provoking thing I've seen in a theater for years.

However, the rest was kind of boring. Which is something I'm surprised to say about A Jordan Peele production. I even loved US even if many people didn't, but this just kind of left me feeling bland.

It can also be how this is a film about film making and the industry, which in general leads to movies that no one really cares about besides people "in the biz".

But really it spends most of the time slowly building tension with a main character that has the personality of stale bread (something else I also never thought I'd say about a Jordan Peele production), without then delivering on that in the end.

The reveal of the threat is kind of cool but loses all tension, being in broad daylight and too clear what they're dealing with. Kind of the opposite of US which gets darker and more mysterious on the reveal.

Here's hoping this is a bump in Peele's filmography and he goes back to focusing more on consistent entertainment in the future.

Animal Control (2023– )

Has potential, too early to tell

[6/10 · 17 February 2023]

I assumed this would basically be "Brooklyn 99" but at an Animal Control group but really it's "Parks and Rec" without the interviews (it does feel like the pacing intends for them but just doesn't have the ). But it's too early to tell as there's only one episode so far.

It can turn out to be really good once they have their footing and especially as the first episode is very set up and character exposition heavy. It's a good cast and I hope the writers find ways to make things seem more naturally and come up with more interesting dynamics; establishing their own identity.

Right now the only thing distinct is the setting. Also Joel McHale is always great and playing his usual sarcastic dickish character.

That '90s Show (2023– )

Well... What did you expect?

[7/10 · 24 January 2023]

I'm not going to write a whole essay about the intricacies of made the original a classic and how that proves this is the worst thing ever. Just some bullet points of my thoughts:

• Red and Kitty are just as hilarious as ever. Best part of the show.

• I hope the cast grows into the roles, the chemistry feels less immediately cohesive than That 70s Show. That was lightning in a bottle.

• Love seeing the cameos from the original gang

• Don't expect it to be as good as 70s, that was made due to a production team with a vision and passion, this is intentionally pandering to millennials who grew up with that.

• Like the original it doesn't lean too heavy on decade references, which is good.

• Just enjoy it for what it is.

The Wire (2002–2008)

Fine... It lives up to the hype

[10/10 · 18 December 2022]

I really, really did not want to like this show. Most fans treat it like it's the only good piece of media ever made, and over analyze every small detail like any hand motion an actor makes must be a metaphor for the American Dream.

And the writers also are often unbearably pretensious especially regarding anyone trying to understand what's going on with her show. One actually got angry people watch it with subtitles bc they're apparently doing it wrong trying to understand the words in the often very time and area specific slang.

But that being said... It's an excellent show. Wouldn't say it's the best of all time but you'll understand from the beginning why it has garnered such a devoted fan base and lauded critical status.

What the show does best is nuance and intertwining numerous stories and characters together. I haven't seen many crime dramas that do such a great job making every situation and character a shade of grey instead of black and white.

The criminals are multi dimensional people, with good and bad aspects to who they are. Doing terrible things but also having their own sense of morality and loyalty. The cops are shown to be a mix of basically being a legal gang filled with corrupted and self serving people and ones that genuinely are trying to clean up their community.

The dialogue is also very well written. It's believable and interesting, it all feels very human. And due to how many characters and stories are happening and it's avoidance of spelling things out the show is consistently engaging, rarely ever feeling like anything is filler.

And it tackles its themes and situations with an often genius level of complexity. Handling the idea of police corruption, gang life, poverty, beurocracy, morality, etc with expertise.

You'll be loving a character one second, then hating them another, and then sympathizing with when right after as the balance of being human is done at a level that most series are unable to produce.

But I do think there are faults to the show. It's adherence to not spoon feeding or spelling out things is very admirable but also aggravating at times. I have no clue how people watched this on syndicated television, I need subtitles and a recap article often and I'm streaming the show.

Could have assumed not everyone would want to spend that much energy to enjoy an entertainment product; it's a show not a job. Especially when many viewers are not familiar with the type of city and situations the show is based on is recreating.

It can also kind of be really up its own butt when using metaphors and analogies. For writers who love to self congratulate on their subtly and lack of making things simple they really do love dedicating minutes of a scene for these.

Like someone explaining how to play chess as a metaphor for gang life; aren't the writers so smart for using the most cliche analog for violent hierarchies???

I don't know, maybe that wouldn't bother me if the show wasn't treated with pretension by many who view or worked on the show. There may be a reason it's still not as discussed as many of its contemporaries when everyone involved seems antagonist to general audiences enjoying the show.

But all that aside it's a brilliant piece of media and still holds up today. Definitely give it a watch.

Reboot (2022)

It's good. Expected a drama, got a lower key 30 Rock.

[7/10 · 3 December 2022]

It's a fun show that definitely made me laugh more than a few times. It really does feel like a modern sitcom about creating an old school sitcom. The dialogue is well written and the conflict about old vs new leads to interesting scenarios.

But I think what knocks it down a peg for me is that there was a chance for something more biting and edgy but leans more into comedy and positive conclusions (which maybe unintentionally fits the narrative bc the premise was Hannah trying to create a gritty reboot and Gordan coming in to make it more light hearted).

But it makes the dynamics and scenarios less interesting than they could have been because of it. I don't want to spoil anything but there are a few characters who are told to have a bad past but they act much more mature and caring than you'd expect to fit the tone.

And some aspects that seem like they'll be dramatic issues just kind of resolve quick. Maybe I was expecting this to be more Bojack Horseman instead of a straight forward comedy.

While it isn't as clever or unique as it, if you like 30 Rock I think you'll enjoy this. It's definitely much more grounded focusing on realistic characters and scenarios than 30 Rock's do anything for the joke mentality.

Inside Job: Rontagion (2022) Season 2, Episode 6

This is literally a Rick and Morty episode

[7/10 · 22 November 2022]

I really like this show but they were doing a decent job clearly being inspired by Rick and Morty and being their own thing but this seems like a blatant rip off.

It's almost beat for beat the love potion episode making people insanely obsessed at a party for the person except this time it's a friendship one for Ron.

Though it's still enjoyable, so not a big deal. But I can't imagine this wasn't purposely inspired. It's not like it's an obscure source and like I said this show always had Rick and Morty vibes.

Still, fun episode. They are distinctly their own thing to make it fun to watch regardless. Just found that interesting.

EuroTrip (2004)

Scotty doesn't know is the best thing from this

[5/10 · 12 November 2022]

I loved this movie as a teenager and some parts hold up, most don't. I don't care about all the sex jokes and nudity (and the gay jokes, but that's unfortunately most comedy from then), I know what I'm watching and it's shlock.

But what bothered me and something I'm noticing about of mid level comedies from them, so many of the jokes are based on sexual assault. A disturbing amount.

It's actually concerning how that's the majority of the humor. I'm still kind of surprised just how normalized this was and we laughed at it. But that's hindsight for you.

I remembered this movie being jokes about Europe from an American perspective, and when it does that it's fun (even if it's stupid), but that's not most of what's going on.

Still, Scotty Doesn't Know is a banger and it's really funny conceptually when Matt Damon just comes out and sings it to everyone in front of him.

The Rehearsal (2022– )

Christians are crazy

[10/10 · 26 August 2022]

I agree with everything all the other reviews are saying about this brilliant show. But the only thing I wanted to add how it unintentionally showcases the creepiness of fundemental Christians.

From the Scion guy, to Angela, to the mother of one of the kid actors, hearing them speak so frankly about their disdain for anyone who doesn't accept Jesus as their lord and savior and the vitriolic responses to anything outside their beliefs

Angela thinking everything is satanic that isn't Christian and that conversation with the mom especially how Nathan has to basically tell a kid Jews are all going to hell bc she was afraid he would be brainwashed learning anything besides Jesus are especially eerie.

I know this isn't the point of the show but it was definitely enlightening in a upsetting way.

The Rehearsal: Scion (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

Christians are weird, but that isn't the issue.

[7/10 · 26 August 2022]

Feels like I'm watching people in a cult. But even though I find it basically like the beginning of Get Out, I'm glad Nathan didn't take the easy route and just make an episode making fun of them.

But I do feel like the episode was kind of directionless, and didn't build on itself like Nathan usually is an expert at or the brilliant first episode. It's more just events that happen with the people in the premise. None of possible themes are actually explored.

The original point of this rehearsal is basically in the background as other things happen and I think it could have made for a much better episode if it focused on that aspect. And it kind of just falls apart without saying much.

Maybe the next episode continues it and turns out great.

TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons (2022– )

TMZ is garbage. Don't watch this.

[1/10 · 24 August 2022]

Can't believe I thought I might get a decent documentary about an interesting person. But it's filled with the trash of TMZ. The narrator and all the TMZ employees interviews sound like tabloids yelling at you about some shocking revelation or situation as they constantly repeat the same information that any 10 year old could figure out.

It's hard to enjoy any aspect of the special with all this and would have been better as a YouTube video compiling interviews of Richard as the answer is pretty clear why he stopped being public. (I'm not saying it bc I don't want to have to spoiler warn but it's exactly what you think it is).

TMZ is just once again suckling on the celebrity of someone else to get views while contributing absolutely nothing to society. Just read an article about it or go look up other restrospectives on him.

Waco (2018)

Stop trying to paint David sympathetically

[1/10 · 23 August 2022]

Waco is an interesting and heartbreaking story. As you look into it in many ways this was a government conspiracy to murder a group of people who were living under their own rules and society.

On the other hand it was also reminiscent of Jonestown beginnings and the paranoia wasn't completely unwarrented. But how the FBI and the ATF handled the wholesale slaughter of children and innocent people (regardless of your positioning, owning guns isn't technically illegal) it's sickening and depressing.

And from that aspect the mini series can be good. BUT it still plays into this narrative as old as time that defenders of David tried doing since the initial trials.

Just undermining the sexual assault of minors and sexual manipulation of adult women with the same trivial arguments they always had that "we don't have explicit evidence except for the testimonials of the victims".

There isn't a story outside of this and this series just glossing over those aspects is kind of disgusting. And anyone in cult who allowed or facilitated this was culpable as well. There is no Waco story without this aspect.

Not only as ignoring it makes the actual dangerous elements of the group seem unimportant, but it's ignoring a big factor in why the event even happened. This still happens now with documentaries like Tiger King glossing over cult sexual coercion for exaggerated murder drama.

But for Waco, one of the most unfortunate facts about the entire situation is the government treating this as fighting a growing army as there aren't enough laws to protect abuse victims, especially children, and the focus had to be made elsewhere (you can see this in the trial footage as well).

This entire mini series therefore seems made in really bad faith. It would have been better off being fictional if their goal was to focus more on how something like this could happen, but they're dealing with a real situation (though I haven't researched any real life cult that doesn't eventually fall into sexual misconduct).

Jackass Forever (2022)

Still funny

[8/10 · 22 August 2022]

I haven't seen the show or the other movies in a long time so I can't say how this stacks up comparitively, but I still found myself cracking up during this. And enjoying the comradery of all the guys involved.

Close Enough (2020–2022)

A surreal and hilarious satire of being a millennial parent

[9/10 · 9 August 2022]

There are a lot of cartoons portraying youth or being middle aged but not really any I can think of that show this time in people's lives. When you're still relatively young but the glory days of your youth are behind you. That transitioning period right before middle age.

You just started a family but you're still struggling to figure it all out. You have energy and but it's waining. You have it somewhat together but you still feel like you're figuring it out. And this show is a extremely fun and entertaining look at that.

Just like Regular Show, the zaniness and randomness is in full effect. Taking every situation to it's most exaggerated level. With a fun cast and relatable characters. And since it's aimed at adults the jokes can be much more "mature" than regular show.

It kind of reminds me of Man Seeking Woman but for a family and without as much emotional depth as that show. But stylistically taking mundane topics and using hyperbolic metaphors to portray them (and it's also a cartoon so the visuals go all out).

As it goes at a mile a minute. Bc everything is slotted into 15 minute stories (each episode is really 2 episodes) it goes at a break neck speed. The upside is that there isn't ever a dull moment, using the momentum to be hilarious and unpredictable.

But I do wonder if it would have been better as a 30 minute show. It does struggle with creating depth when you don't really get enough time to flesh out the characters and world since the plot needs to happen asap.

The Sandman: 24/7 (2022) Season 1, Episode 5

What if you couldn't lie?

[10/10 · 8 August 2022]

I can't praise this episode enough. It's like this brilliant short psychological horror film. I was surprised how deftly and quickly every new character and plot line was set up, and how invested I got with brand new characters, and all the acting was terrific.

And the number of times I was shocked by some unexpected twist was terrific. It's far from predictable (even if you read the comic as things are added and changed) and the building suspense into the climax is perfectly paced. It's all so unsettling but captivating.

And it really goes to show how dangerous John's world would be if he made it this way. John would say he's making a better world by not allowing people to lie but what he's really doing is forcing people to blurt out the truth and their base desires. Honesty may be the best policy but in reality it's more nuanced than that.

Sometimes having a filter is just how we need to interact. Maybe what you think doesn't need to be said, maybe you are in the heat of the moment and you need to calm down before you speak, maybe the timing is wrong for unsettling news, maybe you base desires shouldn't be acted upon so cavelier, maybe you feel like you want something in the moment but you really don't in the long run. Sometimes we even need to lie to ourselves for our own benefit.

So many situations requiring different approaches. In many ways it's pondering how our fear of our real selves being exposed will lead us to making bad choices and deception. As pretending everything is fine to maintain status quo while we do other things in secret feels safer than being upfront. But it's not all cut and dry.

Bc whether or not the truth was better in some in some these stories, what the themes seem to be saying is that not being in control of that choice will lead to chaos and pain. Or worse can bring out the darkest parts of what we're capable of reducing all actions to base impulsivity and emotion.

If all the cards are suddenly on the table everyone loses the hand. Lies, filters, and putting on a facade are part of the fabric of society for better or worse. True unabashed honesty and instinctual reactions to things is dangerous.

And this is told and directed in an amazingly compelling way with different stories unfolding simultaneously and connecting with each other, all within a single set.

---

Though this is probably an unpopular opinion but I personally think it's a lot better than the original comic story.

Going back to the comic after this episode feels more like reading some old school "house of secrets" horror comic story vs the study on human interaction the episode is.

More Dr Destiny just messing with people who are kind of unlikable from the get go. He genuinely looks like a monster and it doesn't take much power to push everyone over the edge.

He's a unabashedly evil presence influencing the worst parts of bad people and derives joy from their suffering. It's much more of its time than it seems in memory (much more of a "we live in a society" story), esp with it being less shocking compared to media these days than it was then.

Still a great piece of fiction but I think the episode takes the foundation and goes a lot deeper with it and not needing a narrator to spell things out for you and instead letting the story unfold through interactions (tbf the comic had to fit in one issue vs an almost hour long episode). But I prefer the more fleshed out episode.

There's a lot more added character and emotion to this story. For John and the rest of the cast. His motivations are much more built on personal childhood trauma and the people in the diner are more complex and relatable. And the show takes the time to build into something not just creepy and scary but profound as well.