Analyzing EPIC: The Musical Masterpiece You've Never Seen

[@Barbieronpa]

ADDENDUM: Firstly, thank you all so much for the support on this video! I admit I did not expect anyone to watch me ramble for almost 100 minutes about this show, so I’m so glad people enjoyed it! A couple quick things now that it’s been out for a week: -The title does NOT mean no one has ever heard of Epic, (Trust me, I know it’s taken off). It means no one has ever seen it performed in the completed state most musicals are (this is explicitly said in the video). I know most comments about this are lighthearted, don’t worry, just wanted to restate it 😅 -Thank you guys for the arguments in favor of the Circe Saga! As I said in the vid, I still enjoy it, but you’ve brought up some points I hadn’t considered before. I love encouraging discussion like this, and everyone has been very respectful about it which I greatly appreciate 🫶 -I’ve cut the wonky audio from the underworld segment as best I could. I believe this was a KZbin copyright thing. I’ll update this if anything else major comes up, but thanks again for the support!

[@Anonymous3152]

AIOLOS is a wind GOD. What Odysseus talks to on the floating island is the embodiment of the wind itself...which is female. She was being literal when she starts the song with "I am the wind" also Circe is a minor goddess, so the boss battle was a god song. Also in a clip on youtube, i think, Jorge addressed all the end songs saying that each boss battle is won with Oddy using something he learned earlier. in the cyclops saga he used the lotus to in the wine, in the ocean sage he used the wind bag, in the Circe saga he remembered the club the cyclops used.

[@norab5020]

(◕‿◕✿)👍

[@Aabicus]

Thank you for making this! There was so much fascinating information about cut songs, I'm amazed the musical originally included his raid on Ismarus, I'd have thought that sort of senseless violence against innocents would have never worked with Jorge's more merciful interpretation of Odysseus. It's so cool to see how the plot/songs/composition evolves over development, and I'm very excited for when you're able to release a Part 2 for the completed musical!

[@profmonkey0756]

is it confirmed that his creature in the circe done for fight is a cyclops or is that just something in the animatic

[@fourthleaf-clover]

God games hits jard there all so was a call back two warrior of the mind at the end

[@IcecreamCat23]

Never seen? Girl I’m pretty sure half my hours on KZbin is watching Epic animatics and reactions to Epic

[@Tioko]

But there’s no stage production and it’s incomplete, so technically yes, we haven’t *seen* it ;)

[@oklandon09]

Calling it now, I’mma be in Jorge’s top 5% on my Spotify wrapped

[@RayGainbows]

Shy Guy, Peter Barber and Jennifer Glatzhofer are my favorite epic reactions atm.

[@Tioko]

@@RayGainbows I love Peter Barber, he goes so in-depth. I just wish he’d go through the content faster 😅 My hands-down favorite though is Mortius :) He’s so genuine about everything! The fangirling, the emotions, just aaaaaah! I love him 🥰

[@IcecreamCat23]

@@RayGainbows don’t forget Mortius and Casper!!

[@Dwags789]

Disney’s Hercules, Percy Jackson, and Hamilton made me a prime candidate to be an Epic the Musical fan.

[@windjager2177]

@@Dwags789 never read percy jackson but fr

[@Icebuerger4016]

You are one of us 😊

[@joshuafrazier3904]

Same

[@abdelilhmanflores]

@@windjager2177 I read it a few times when i was a school-aged kid. I have never seen the movies tho. Id recomend it, fun read

[@SomonSally-he5qz]

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

[@chloehamilton9892]

I don't think it's talked enough about how impactful Polites' death is, not only as his friend, but as his first casualty. As Odysseus mentioned in "Luck Runs Out", he didn't lose any of his men in Troy, a 10-year war. The cyclops was, at least in the musical's iteration, the first time Odysseus' plan ever really went wrong. And beyond his friendship with Polites, I think that loss really shook Odysseus' leadership--leading to everything else in the musical.

[@Mellohi_wither]

I think that's because it's not a very explicit topic in the original text, there's ambiguity about when he dies (even though most believe it was in the fight with Polyphemus) and Jorge doesn't want to force the audience into one interpretation? Again I'm just speculating here

[@chloehamilton9892]

I get that, hence why I mentioned the musical iteration specifically. I just thought it was an interesting angle I hadn't really heard anyone else mention.

[@atheahatshizume658]

Wihtouth forgeting that Polities didn't die in one hit. He literaly got crushed to death, his blood staining Ody's face, right before Odysseus eyes. For the first time Ody lost a companion, and it happend to be his best friend, the godfather of his son, in the most painful and crushing (pun intended) way posible

[@revenile]

@@atheahatshizume658 Or as Polites' singer once said, he got a slappy ending.

[@zenthossohtnez8331]

I didn’t even know he died until everyone started talking about it XD

[@lovekittys1239]

i feel like its EVEN COOLER that his parents ended up being a part of his songs knowing that they were originally opposed to it. I you could say they ended up greeting the world with open arms and realizing that there were other ways of persuasion ;)

[@happyeevee4955]

*means (SORRY)

[@neonplural]

​@@happyeevee4955No. It's "ways". You're thinking of "there are other means of deceit."

[@happyeevee4955]

@@neonplural oh fuck im stupid t.t sorry my bad

[@ciphereal]

@@happyeevee4955 also, even if you were correct, they were referencing the name of some of the songs, that's why they said it that way.

[@freshcupofangst]

Yeah, they really abandoned their ruthlessness

[@itsblingblingpop8636]

"Wouldn't You Like" might not be the strongest/ most lyrically elaborate song of the whole saga but it sure is my favorite. TROY did such a good job and the giggles are iconic 😆

[@samura1s4m]

I could not agree with this more! Wouldn't You Like is one of my favorite songs in Epic, and though I agree that it definitely doesn't excel at some of the things a lot of the other songs do, the structure and instrumentation make it hit so hard! I especially like how it really feels like a powerup, as it builds and builds throughout the entire song without letting up until the very end. Oh, and Troy's voice is divine (pun intended)

[@Cillekat]

I'm also a big fan of Troy, and I can't wait for the other of his songs to be released. After listening to the snippet, I think it is very promising.

[@dorianw1810]

It's more powerful than people give it credit for when Hermes is THE god of exchange (of money/items) and the god of selling/sales, as well as the god of persuasion, and it gets a chef's kiss for the commercial nature of it, the catchiness, and repetitive nature of it that drives the /message/ home and does its job of convincing Odysseus to go through it and that this is will be his success

[@EpicRandomness555]

I probably has the most unique beat out of all of them. And a good beat too.

[@oliviaeh5553]

I really look forward to dangerous coming out

[@30092nana]

1:26:58 Here’s a (not so)fun fact about the infant in the Underworld. In the chorus (especially at the start of “Underworld”) if you listen to the music, you hear a bell or a type of gong sound off. It you speed it up, it’s the child’s theme from “Horse and the Infant” the music box theme. He keeps thinking of it cause he’s still haunted, he can’t forget especially now that he’s in the Underworld

[@crimsonmaverick8237]

NO. F***ING. WAY.

[@obiwankevuoi]

4:09 ok but why does Jorge’s story sound so much like the whole troy bolton’s arc in high school musical 😭

[@jackwriter1908]

I mean it's a pretty famous storyline, parents want their kids to do one thing, but kid wants to do something else (that is 95% of the time related to something creative, that doesn't give you a clear revenue every month) What was far more shocking to me that this actually happened to someone who I was a fan of 😂

[@Synthesyn342]

Never seen? Oh man, this musical infiltrated my life and hasn’t left for around 5 months, with about… 30-40 re-listens 😂

[@Dark_shadow4056]

8 for mine

[@blank-42]

Got into the fandom for a month… its stuck in my head and it won’t get out like every time I think its gone it just goes “No shes not a player shes a Puppeteer”

[@bearworks13]

Going on a year now, and not stopping anytime soon!

[@thatwhatifguy6078]

​@Dark_shadow4056 same but also kinda longer, I was bopping to Survive before I'd even heard an inkling of EPIC.

[@blossom6792]

That’s it..?

[@Lyriccenter1034]

I think the Circe saga is purposely less narratively impactful because it’s almost like a breath of air in between all of the bigger things that were happening. Also generally, nothing really happened while they were on Circe’s island since they were just regaining their strength and prepping for the underworld🤷🏽‍♀️ Amazing video though!!

[@Godofbeingasmartass]

Cough Cough Elpenor Cough Cough

[@Lyriccenter1034]

@@Godofbeingasmartass 😂😂

[@Victoria-_]

@@Godofbeingasmartasslmao-

[@theblaze5530]

​@@Godofbeingasmartass He died but nobody noticed...

[@Pleasecanwejustgohome]

😭

[@ceve]

The real boss battle against Circe wasn't the one in Done For in my opinion, but the one in There Are Other Ways. There, Odysseus defeats Circe by showing his loyalty to Penelope, refusing her "temptation" and proving himself as an "honorable man" or something akin to that in Circe's eyes. So yeah, not a battle of wits but maybe a trap defeated by the heart? I always saw There Are Other Ways as the Ruthlessness and Thunder Bringer equivalent instead of Done For. Thank you for your very in depht video! I didn't know Jorge's musical career caused a drift between his family and him, it makes his parents' cameos even more significant.

[@irinaluca6352]

An interesting fact on Odysseus and Telemachus being called wolves: I saw in the Overly Sarcastic Production video on Hermes (around 2:40 in that video if anyone is interested) that Odysseus's grandfather (and Hermes' son) Autolycus was called "The wolf itself". Not 100% sure if Jorge knew this, but I think it is a very cool connection to call his descendants wolves

[@Victoria-_]

I love that connection!! Especially since Telemachus is called “little wolf”

[@jackwriter1908]

...I wouldn't be surprised if he would have watched it I mean Red mentioned how the people who made a _Journey to the West_ show/movie (not sure what exactly it was) thanked her for being able to use her videos to prep 😂 So it's already happened before and well... it's OSP, who hasn't watched one or two of their videos by now?

[@crimsonmaverick8237]

Epic has got to be the coolest musical ever created. There’s just so much about it thats brilliant. -The wide spectrum of musical styles and genres it pastiches to tell its story. -The narrative language of characters having signature instruments. -The plethora of musical motifs weaving hidden stories of their own in plain sight. -The varying usage of electronic instruments the more magic or “godly” a situation is. -The absolute knockout cast of voices. wildly different, yet all incredible, and providing so many different flavors to the musical narrative. -The ingenious wordplay and rhyme structure; weaving in rhymes you won’t even catch until the tenth listen. -It’s fresh, philosophical commentary on ruthlessness and what it truly means to be a monster. -It’s episodic nature of being divided into sagas, making each part of the journey feel like its own micro story.

[@expressodepresso5909]

-Jorge

[@crimsonmaverick8237]

@@expressodepresso5909 ikr he gets just as excited- and he wrote it 😂

[@darkturtle9996]

-the little froggy on the windowwwww

[@Lack_Of_Interest]

-Mister Squirrel~

[@Jellie_Plays]

Also I like how he uses some part of the melodies in songs that are somewhat similar

[@Error403HRD]

No Longer You is my favorite song EVER, like, omg Jorge and the Cast COOKED with this musical! I'm so happy every time I see a movie length videos on this musical 😊

[@starking2162]

I love the animated version where the prophet looks just like Odysseus. It’s like he’s seeing a glimpse of his future manifested, not just told as a prophecy

[@dylanfooler]

It's not just the musical that has my heart, but the community that's grown around it, I love seeing the singers and their content, the fan animations that then become canon through Jay commissioning them, to the music analysts discussing it and breaking down each motif and instrument that makes me love it more. Everything about this has been incredible, and I love being able to see the growth its gone through

[@keziawowor5165]

I always knew Athena wanted Odysseus to be her perfect warrior of the mind, but I never knew the reason why, even when I already heard the my goodbye song. But when you point it out it made so much sense to me, it’s because if Odysseus became her perfect warrior of the mind then everyone will give her lots of credits and began to follow her more. Of course that’s so much like the Olympians, because in the myths they treat humans as nothing but a tool or a toy. And then we cut to the wisdom saga, with the song we’ll be fine. Athena explains to Telemachus how she feels guilty about leaving her “friend” and that made me realise that deep down she always liked her friendship with Odysseus. But she denied it in my goodbye because of her pride and ego, and then Telemachus encourages Athena to go help that friend who he doesn’t know is his own father. He tells her that he’s sure her friend would appreciate her help no matter what fallout they had in the past. And when they began to sing together, it was so identical to when Athena began to warm up to Odysseus. I really like that Athena’s character development turned her from a cold calculating goddess, to a goddess that began to embraced things that are human😊

[@ryanratchford2530]

Luck runs out is one of my favourite songs and it's sooooo underrated. Glad that Mutiny reprise is making more appreciate Luck runs out

[@Feuryy]

It really warmed my heart when you said that this needed to be documented because it’s really does. It truly is special. I think about the day that Epic will go on stage or come out as a film some day so often and knowing I was here to watch it grow and be discovered by everyone around me is such a wonderful gift.

[@Hadthese]

4:08 Having his dad sing in Wisdom wraps this up quite nicely

[@Nivvex91]

1:16:08 I believe that the fight scene between Ody and Circe was not fully in that “fight” as he didn’t fully defeat Circe, the true defeat happened in the next song when he resisted her charms. I picture it as a phase one and phase two boss battle.

[@crimsonmaverick8237]

My rage against Done For was crippling when it first came out. I wanted another vivid boss fight like Polyphemus and got so heated when I heard it at first- but upon seeing the “boss fight” in Mutiny- I realized that the boss fights in Epic all serve their own unique purpose. It’s a different kind of fight every time. I’m still salty the Circe fight isn’t longer but it’s functionally different.

[@kimicrewe4443]

@@crimsonmaverick8237 Its like Eurylochus said, "it's a battle of wits"

[@crimsonmaverick8237]

@@kimicrewe4443 still wish it was longer. A “game of wits” sounds like we’re about to go through an otherworldly funhouse of deception and outsmarting- when in reality it’s like “I’m a god” “nuh uh, Hermes” “damn it.”

[@redacted233]

The way I see Circe Saga, it's kind of tragically ironic. Ruthlessness introduces the them of... well, ruthlessness and sets up Odysseus' journey to becoming a monster but right now he's still clinging to the ideology of kindness and being open. He opens up to Circe, earns her respect by being a man who isn't a pig. Circe is a woman from the ancient times, we know what kind of shit she would have to deal with and especially from men. Seeing Odysseus, a man who isn't like that and doesn't just throw himself at a woman basically offering herself to him, is what makes her help. "Maybe showing one act of kindness leads to kinder souls down the road." But it doesn't, her act of kindness leads to forming yet another monster. Odysseus that comes from Monster would not hesitate to strike her head off the moment his Cyclops killed her Chymera. He wouldn't have a philosophical moment with himself about being just a man while she's trying to seduce him. He's ruthless and merciless, Circe and her nymphs would probably end up with the similar fate to the sirens in Different Beasts if we were dealing with post Underworld Ody. Another heavy loss because of men. What Odysseus had that made Circe want to help him is something he immediately loses in the next saga because of Circe's own act of kindness and sympathy, compassion and humanity.

[@Krionolic]

Oh my god I never realized that thats so freaking dark-

[@amw5288]

Oh no...

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

That is a fantastic analysis. xD

[@sailortomoonmx]

And I think this is what Circe's last lines in the song also refer, because she isn´t a prophet she cannot be sure of what would the outcome be so "maybe one day the world will need a puppeteer no more or maybe one day the world will need a puppeteer more"

[@redacted233]

@@sailortomoonmx Pretty much, yeah. Circe saga is in a way very intrinsically connected to the Underworld saga, Circe is not going to hit as hard without the hindsight of the Underworld and what's going to happen when they do leave for Hades

[@XulteS]

53:03 in his defense, Rick Riordan also portrayed Aeolus living in a palace that floats in the sky above the clouds LMAO

[@LillithIO]

something about fans of greek mythology and taking things literally (this is infact a double sided joke if you think had enough about it)

[@Eagledude131]

When the underworld saga released, my entire friend group pulled me into a discord call to force me to listen to the entire musical for the first time so they could hear my reaction I think very fondly about that

[@jackwriter1908]

...I just spam a playlist of it every other month to my friends... It worked with Bo Burnham, Hamilton and DnD Content pretty well, so I'll just wait till Halloween send them only the Vengence Saga and I will know with how they reacfed if they listened the rest or not 😂

[@Masmaina]

I love your analisys, and I agree on almost everything, but I have to add something about the Circe saga that I haven't seen coming up a lot and I think contextualizes it a lot better. It's very subtle, but it's important. Circe acts as a mirror to Odysseus on what I call the Mercy-Ruthlessness spectrum. She starts ruthless (turning men into pigs, fighting Ody, seducing him and generally doing everything she can to protect her nymphs through violence) but by the end of the saga she agrees on mercy and even helps Ody. This is the first time we see that happen, it's the first time Polytes' approach works better than the gods'. And it is subtle, because it is the only saga where mercy comes out victoriuos, so it kinda gets lost, but it's also incredibly important thematically, we don't see it anywhere else. As a matter of fact, even Odysseus looks over that, in Monster he remembers Circe as the one who turned his men into pigs, not as the one who helped them get to the Underworld. But it undenaibly says Mercy can work, and I think those three songs where we see this change in her attitude are really important narratively and thematically, because at the end of the day, when Odysseus will come back to Ithaca and his family, he will need to make a decision on the mercy-ruthless spectrum, and if he has no positive reinforcement that mercy can work, the finale might be very dark. So yeah, the Circe saga's biggest contribution is not Eurylochous or Hermes, it's a very different perspective on the show's theme that we never see anywhere else.

[@darvinherdegen]

I would argue that the exact opposite happens in the Circe fight. Circe's defending her nymphs from SA. They've seen men play this "nice guy" routine before. Circe isn't going to change her whole outlook on life based on one guy choosing to stay loyal to his wife on this one day. Even after he turns her down, she's still talking about "other means of persuasion [and] modes of control." I don't think she had any intent to help him out. In Done For, she failed to turn him into an animal, then she failed to kill him. You know what could kill him? A trip to the Underworld. So she picks up that he's trying to evade Poseidon and sends him on a mission to a place he's unlikely to return from. What actually happens is that she reaches her initial goal: showing Odysseus the true monster that she believes he truly is. Revealing men's' true selves is literally her whole shtick. She's not being helpful; she's only faking it. What's Circe's final line? What's the sentiment she's leaving us with? It's not the "Maybe one day the world will need a puppeteer no more" line that everyone keeps repeating. It's "Or maybe one day, the world will need a puppeteer more." She doesn't actually believe being kind is going to fix anything. She's prepared to double-down on being a better protector. She never backed down or gave up. Odysseus thinks she gave him mercy, but actually she was clever in her ruthlessness -- a ruse Odysseus may have been able to see through with Athena's help, but he didn't have that.

[@millenielsen147]

I’d also like to point out the reference to the Troy saga in the underworld saga, where Odysseus sings/says/yells/screams “And if if I gotta drop another infant from a wall, in an instant, so we all don’t die(!): Then I’ll become the monster” It’s one of the many lines that gives me chills whenever I hear it

[@Rabidchu]

The through-line between "Remember Them" and "Ruthlessness" is my favorite part of the show because it perfectly captures how the Greeks used acts of hubris to characterize their heros. Odysseus proclaims "I am your darkest moment" defiantly and proudly before shouting his name to Polyphemus and Poseidon throws it right back in is face before repeating another more ominous line back to Odysseus in the line "remember me"; that is the dictionary definition of understanding the assignment. And then the effect that "Ruthlessness" goes on to have on Odysseus later in the show just breaks my heart as he succumbs to the inner monster. Side note, I love the inclusion of Athena's piano when Poseidon talks about how he hates Odysseus' "false righteousness" and failure to follow through on taking a life when he should. All that, AND Steven Rodriguez' voice is perfect to deliver Poseidon's roiling fury. This song is Epic firing on all cylinders and I am one billion percent here for it. I pray this gets a stage adaptation or a proper final cut animated show. I will be there with bells on.

[@ChroDynasty]

“This Eagle’s cry will tell you exactly who it is” Oh my gosh! It’s Ezio Auditore! That joke aside, I’m so glad someone else has that Disney villain song comparison in their head. Ruthlessness was the first Epic song I heard before I knew anything about the musical and I keep on describing it to friends as “the best Disney song not made by Disney”. And I do want to agree that Poseidon seemingly never intended to allow the apology work. Namely that after Odysseus’ apology (in the classical sense rather than the modern one) at least in my eyes “the line between naïveté and hopefulness is almost invisible” seems to be directly pointing out that Odysseus is being hopeful, but it just seems naive to anyone else Oddly, in terms of the Circe saga i do agree it’s weaker, but all of its songs tend to be the ones I listen to the most just to enjoy individually other than the underworld saga or just a man… or the… okay perhaps I just want to find a way to defend it since it was the first saga that came out after I got into the musical xD On the note of the underworld… agreed, that titular song is exceptional, Odysseus’ mother’s appearance always gets some tears from me, but due to my foray into DnD I’ve listened to no longer you so much the whole thing is stuck in my head and I belt it every time. Monster, oddly I find the one that had to grow on me quite a bit, but hoo boy has it. The whole saga is great But yes! Great video! My friends consider me obsessed with the musical yet I didn’t know even close to as much, especially a lot of cut songs. Can’t wait for part 2, and not just because it will mean the last two sagas will have released

[@mihael5722]

Fascinated by what you had to say about Wouldn’t You Like because it’s actually my favorite song in the show, I think the lyricism is super clever and the repetition works for me

[@carpedm9846]

I think the big point of the circe saga is Odysseus's decision to decline circe, but not just for the reason you say(at least so far in the vid where Im at). Circe presents Odysseus with a choice, "betray your wife or doom your men to stay as pigs", and Odysseus gives up, and begs instead. He chooses his wife over his crew. This is the first time in the musical where Ody is forced to pick between the two, and in the most charitable reading he refuses to make the decision.

[@modernotaku1764]

Honestly the fact that we have reached the point where entire musicals can be built with a massive fan base entirely online is FASCINATING to me. Having been in theater for over half of my life, and a dramaturg for around half of that time, I’ve seen a LOT of the struggles of trying to sell theater in the modern age, having to deal with difficulties surrounding the National Endowment for the Arts and how funding for the arts is getting increasingly more and more sparse, and the general lack of motivation for newer generations to go to a theater in order to watch a play or musical, ESPECIALLY since the pandemic, everything has been a STRUGGLE. New plays and musicals really seem to bear the brunt, as broadway seems less apt to try new musicals, and instead are turning to broadway adaptations of more contemporary stories and movies; Great Gatsby, Moulin Rogue, Water for Elephants, and Death Becomes Her being BIG recent broadway shows to start. I’m sure they’re good, in fact I’ve heard some of both Gatsby and Water for Elephants and very much enjoy what I’ve heard, but these are still sort of “safe” musicals. More contemporary or even modern stories (hard to call Gatsby modern, but considering we’re talking about a 100 year old story vs an over 2000 year old one, it’s kinda hard to say otherwise lol) On the other hand, you have Epic, a musical adaptation of literally one of the oldest pieces of literature in the world, one that, by all means, really should kind of turn people away, because it’s based on such an old story that anyone who had to read the Odyssey in English class would probably groan thinking about. Despite that, Jorge absolutely DEFIED the odds with epic. The man’s compositional talent, and ability to tell an absolutely brilliant engaging story out of an epic poem that is literally older than Jesus is amazing, and I give absolute credit to his abilities. This would NOT have succeeded if it wasn’t for Jorge’s talent, and the fact that it is so massively successful can be attributed to both his talent as a writer, and as someone who managed to successfully use the ever fickle internet to spread his story. His success is well earned and I am 100% going to be here for it every step of the way until I get to go see Epic on Broadway itself.

[@djk1410]

So many of my friends who had to read The Odyssey in English absolutely LOVE Epic. If anything, I hear gripes about how they wished this had been present in that era because they would've been much more engaged with the writings. The same way much of the internet who wasn't the most familiar with the story has researched it to compare and contrast, it's really renewed the passion for the topic in a way I don't think I've seen since Percy Jackson was the hot thing. Even my friends (and some family) who weren't into The Odyssey have gained interest due to this amazing musical. My mom said she put the entire current album on repeat while working and lost track of time.

[@modernotaku1764]

@ ​​⁠yes! I’d say the closest thing I can compare it to is Percy Jackson. The great thing about these stories is that they’re based on Mythology, something a LOT of people absolutely eat up. (Myself included, I have a novel series I’ve wanted to write for YEARS that’s based heavily on mythology and this was started WELL before EPIC was a thing) Mythology is a fascinating topic and despite the historical texts that they’re based on being quite old and a little thick to read through by todays standards, people absolutely ADORE them still. I thank Percy Jackson and games like God of War for that, and it’s made me very happy to see so many taking interest in these things. These stories are PERFECT for modernizations and new adaptations, so it’s always shocking to me to not see more done, because I know people like your friends would likely eat them up. On a side note, but along the same lines, there’s a new film releasing this month called The Return that’s a film adaptation of Odysseus’s return to ithica that I’m VERY eager to see because it has a great cast, and with my current Odyssey obsession due to EPIC, I know it will be something I’ll enjoy. Will definitely be comparing the movie with the Ithica Saga once it releases

[@djk1410]

@modernotaku1764 Thank you for the movie rec! Definitely gonna have to check it out! I totally grok with the mythos vibe. My husband is native American and we've been working on a collaborative story involving "Three Moon": the spiritual connection between the world and the state of the moon within it. The concept follows the meanings of the moon 1) reflected in water, 2) seen in the horizon, 3) seen above in the sky (in our story, this is also specifically done from UNDER water). It follows a village that has a symbiotic relationship with a nearby reef and the sharks that frequent it. It's a story that bounces between the perspective of people in the village and sharks in the reef shiver. I'm very excited for it to come together.

[@lunarbl4de476]

While I do agree that the Circe fight was the weakest ‘boss fight’, I actually don’t think it’s as short or simple as many initially think. This is mainly because of There are Other Ways: despite technically being after the fight, I still consider this a key part of the conflict with Circe and a part of the overall story. Had Odysseus given in he would’ve been killed, while he technically would’ve won the ‘familiar fight’, Circe would’ve realistically won in the end. So while he didn’t purposely do it and it wasn’t on the same level as his cunning in other fights, the fight definitely isn’t just the 20 seconds of action that it seems.

[@Battleshipfan]

As a Greek, growing up with Mythology, craving these stories (AHEM AHEM, LEGENDARY: BUT INSTEAD OF TELEMACHUS WANTING TO SEE ODY IT'S ME TALKING ABOUT THE HEROES OF ANCIENT GREECE~) EPIC, is a very faithful adaptation and it makes me proud

[@kimicrewe4443]

Idk about faithful but it’s definitely a fantastic adaptation

[@jackwriter1908]

​@@kimicrewe4443 I mean mentioning him killing a baby is more then most Adaption would allow, even if other parts were altered and changed the cold and stupid moments (the important parts of the story) stayed the same... Odysseus invented doxxing yourself, 2000 years before the creation of the internet.

[@briannawhite9307]

The Circe Saga is my favorite 😆 I had heard other songs on tiktok and knew about it passively, but i fell in love with The Circe Saga, and it made me fall in love with the show as a whole.

[@lydiavalentino]

My best friend had been talking about EPIC for months, and I finally checked it out last week when the Wisdom Saga dropped. A musical hasn't hooked me this quickly since Hamilton. (Ntm on Cyclone tho, I did that in college and had the time of my life)

[@SugarSpice07]

Sideways mentioned?? Man, ever since I found his channel, he seems to just keep popping up in other people's videos. Which is deserved, of course. He's one of my favorite KZbinrs.

[@bonrick_0494]

right? i just wish he became active again, i miss his content man

[@SugarSpice07]

@@bonrick_0494 He made a community post recently saying he was working on some videos in case you didn't know :)

[@cartoongame5007]

​@@bonrick_0494 He's said he plans to be back!!

[@katj1296]

same here, i still watch his videos all the time

[@crimsonmaverick8237]

@@bonrick_0494he’s coming back! I hope he covers Epic

[@Omega_WoIf]

For Ruthlessness, even if Posidien never planned to let Ody and his crew go, Odysseus never apologized, he never said sorry, he only justified it.

[@Godofbeingasmartass]

In ancient times kings wouldnt apologize they justified their actions and Odysseus being a king did just that

[@chiisanaaa]

also! the greek word from which apology derives (apologia) literally means to logically speak in defense of (oneself)! he DID apologize, but not in the sense we understand it today.

[@cdbitesky]

> The History Saga Wait what?! Did I miss songs? 😭 ... Ohhh, I get it

[@moduIus]

Yeah, that happened to me too

[@danieldaza2141]

It's not only that Ody is not "able to bring himself to cheat on his loving wife", is the fact that he isn't "willing to burn" for his man if that means that it might break her heart. He will "sacrifice the world to see his son and wife", it is narrative rafirming of one of the most important plot points of the entire musical

[@jackwriter1908]

Hamilton: Oh another woman and my wife isn't around! Odysseus: Sorry guys you gotta die, I want back to my wife.

[@dinozero2]

I can't get "Monster" out of my head! Plus with Gigi animation too? Yeah I'm trapped in The Underworld.

[@Fli9457]

1:01:50 the slow fade into the ICONIC baseball security guest break down was PERFECTION 😂😂

[@JoeMama-sr5oz]

I dont know if it was intentional but I find it funny how you mentioned the "SIX" musical six minutes and (almost) six seconds in.

[@Devilspade]

1:16:13 i hate being those types of people but jj did confirm that the reason ody picked the cyclops was so he could surprise her with the club that made his range longer after giving her the confidence to fight and doing the final blow

[@TheSirlaughsalot12]

the point of the circe saga, as I saw it, was proof positive that mercy can be a viable option, and that Ody won't cheat on his wife....plus all the stuff you said

[@LillithIO]

I like how the songs that "died" (were scrapped) make an appearance in the UNDERWORLD saga. They're in a way, ghosts as well

[@cat_demon]

1:32:39 he really had his “SO WHAT IF IM THE MONSTERRRRRR THATS BEEN HERE ALL ALONG” arc

[@aaronsquarepants7378]

i hate that i get this reference… 😂

[@Moongirl12121]

I'm so sad lol, the Circe Saga is my absolute Favorite saga in EPIC. I just love the tone of it I guess? It's so different from what came before, but to kinda argue against your point that it was obvious Ody wasn't going to cheat on Penelope because he killed a baby for her... in the OG epic, he Did get w Circe, and I think he even got with Calypso as well? That one I'm less sure of, but also, like, he's a guy. A beautiful woman is throwing herself "at his mercy" (she isn't really, but he doesn't know that), I wasn't sure how he was going to be portrayed, and if that would mean that he would cheat on his wife. I like how the whole saga kinda feels like flies caught in a spider's web, but they don't know it. I do love this analysis though it's super awesome!! Now I'm gonna finish watching it, I just had to cry a bit bc I love this saga. (I also got into the fandom when Jorge was posting on his TikTok the progress updates for Dangerous, so i fell in love w this thing through Hermes, I am Definitely biased)

[@dragonstouch1042]

In fairness, the original was at best dubious consent (Circe held turning the men back over his head) to straight up assault (Calypso, be very careful which animatics of Love in Paradise you watch if you have tiggers)

[@windjager2177]

This musical has been in my brain for minimum 6 months, and longer occasionally.

[@jackr2287]

23:52 An important bit about this, is that later on you can hear these notes where Penelope is brought up or alluded to in Odysseus' thoughts. It's subtle, but take "Love in Paradise", when those notes play... you can hear the tears welling up in the char's eyes.

[@thedarklingsson4338]

She has summoned the EPIC community Lads and Lasses!!! Give her views and likes.

[@azri8799]

I'm never really one for musical but the first time i saw jorge clip on tiktok years ago when he first start making epic, i just got hooked. I remember the first snippet that really got me is the one from monster. And the fact that the community is soo strong with all the animator and tiktok edit just make it soo much fun to follow all the journey. Thanks jorge for making this masterpiece

[@1.21jiggawatts2]

This is an absolutely phenomenal video. You did such an incredible job of recapping everything, even the tiniest of details. Though there is one big thing I think you missed that has a massive impact on the end of Act 1, back up vocals. One of the rules of this musical is that mortals always has their back up vocals be real people singing while monsters and gods are able to magically create vocals. For example, during Ruthlessness when the Just a Man part plays, that is Poseidon creating those vocals and not Ody’s crew singing. It’s a really cool aspect of this world, but what makes it amazing is in Monster. Ody is alone singing, yet you can hear vocals in the background. Remember, mortals don’t get backup vocals… but monsters do!

[@lux_max.]

Fun fact Odysseus's family insignia is the Wolf So "the pack of wolves" and "Fight little wolf" reference that And the pack of wolves line is my favorite because it Posaidon stating You are formidable but now your in my domain now and your way out of your league

[@dragonstouch1042]

I believe that is due to Odysseus’s grandfather’s (Hermes’s son for a double) name meaning the wolf or something of the like

[@CapPotato388]

1:17:44 Nono, i absolutely adored that bit and it's funny that i haven't heard that take more commonly spread, since the venn diagram of the epic fandom and the hamilfam is just... almost a circle

[@cooky2991]

I feel like George teasing that polites would be asking about the deceased might not have been intended as a bait and switch, but was changed during the creative process. Of course unless he stated otherwise. Polites in the original epic by homer survived even until Circe. Having him die so horrifically right after following his approach of non-murder really highlighted the flaws with his philosophy considering the lives they lead, and game Odysseus a nice heap of trauma to continue carrying. Also just love how Eurylochus would have nearly gotten them killed with his approach too. If they all had charged the lotus eaters and killed them mercilessly, I could imagine that Odysseus wouldn't have looked upon the food with enough suspicion to see what it was and they all would have been trapped there. Then his plan to leave all their men behind on Circe's island really cements his character as someone who sees brashness and conflict as an easy out and cares most about his own hide, making him an awful leader for the short time he is one in the second act. I absolutely adore the Circe saga, because it really sets up Eurylochus's personality, introduces Hermes (I go insane over his song, really capturing the acid trip feel), and Circe being another person who is just looking out for those under her care and chose ruthlessness to protect. She is more human, so she brings the idea closer to Odysseus' chest and also again reinforces how much he just wants to be with his wife and son, which is what causes most of act 2 that's been released so far. Loved the video

[@eternalsummer8409]

what with pjo, hades the game, hadestown the musical, ac Odessey and now epic, the last 20 years have been a cultural explosion of Greek themes and I am living for it

[@Anonyomus_commenter]

1:31:40 I think that the fifth is actually “wrath of Poseidon” because that’s what actually happens. He doesn’t run from Poseidon- he can’t.

[@BepisQueen]

I love Puppeteer because eurylochus’ lines are so fun to sing.

[@Victoria-_]

Epic has really touched my heart, I love the cast, fan artists & everyone making it!

[@Vhouse5]

Thank you for this amazing video. I am fairly new to the Epic The Musical (as of: I listened to it for the first time yesterday) and your video helped me a lot to get into the story and to get a better understanding of the different parts. I can't wait for part two.

[@Cleves_]

Been in the fandom since the first God Games teaser in 2021, it’s so cool watching Epic finally gain a lot of traction

[@blossom6792]

“Never see” oh…oh…hun you don’t know my LOVE for this musical 😂

[@tidaloctoling715]

When I first heard Puppeteer: "Aw, is Eurylochus trying to confess his feelings?" When Scylla dropped: "Oh."

[@JamSpaceCloud]

Thanks for making this video! I’ve only discovered Epic this year, but I’m already in love with how incredible it is. I haven’t deep dive into the production yet (mostly cause I don’t have a Tic Tok) but this make me more interested in it as well. I was already aware of the main instruments, but that’s just because I heard each song way to many times…. You ain’t gonna like this, but I normally skip goodbye, but because it’s bad, but because it makes me feel bad… I love the emotion, but it’s to real, feels like a harsh breakup… The underworld saga is So good! I LOVE HOW IR CONNECTS WHAT HAPPENS TO WHATS TO COME!!! The their lasts thoughts is what we hear was heart breaking… Odysseus having very clear PTSD…. Ruthlessness is I think on my top 5 AT LEAST… I love not only the call backs on it, but the impact of it on Ody… The pack of wolves swimming with the shark was amazing! I could just yap about it for hours tbh…. And even Ody choosing a Cyclops to fight for him, and the impact that had for me

[@ericafh18]

Such a fantastic video! Loved your insights. I hope you do one for the other sagas because this was amazing!

[@rrs1576]

My Goodbye is my favorite song in EPIC too! It was a KZbin short of Teagan singing it that introduced me to the musical and before I knew any of the story it was the perfect anger song ❤

[@magenta5539]

I was speaking with a friend about Ruthlessness and she said Odysseus didn’t apologise: He made an excuse. And I also thought he lied at the ‘took no pleasure in his pain’ because why did he abandon saying he was ’Nobody’ and proclaim his real name afterwards and he was the one to harm him? He probably would’ve gotten further if he knew when to shut up.

[@cyankoopa8111]

Oooh, an hour and fourty minute video essay about my hyperfixation? Yeeeessss, ramble to me... I must know more about Epic 👁

[@MsBloodyHime]

Going from Doctor to Musicals. Mr Jalapeño is blessed by Apollo!!!

[@SharpScales]

I only recently got into EPIC from a friends reccomendation and a few other animatics that had EPIC songs in them, and MAN am I glad I did! Everything you pointed out and went over was almost exactly what I've been screeching at my family about, so now I can just send them this video instead of having to repeat myself over and over! New sub!

[@LittleSheepChan]

I've literally never heard of or seen your channel before, but I like this video so much you've got a subscribe from me. I LOVE this type of exposition!

[@neon_lights]

Im so glad you made this video and clearly explained all the creator lore behind epic!!

[@alexeysimushov4971]

Waiting for Thunder and Wisdom Saga analysis if would do them without waiting for the last two.

[@Wolfi_26]

15:00 i actually found it by similar circumstances. Someone on insta was gushing over "im just a man" and "When. Does a comet become a meteor? When ..." also really struck me. So I looked it up, and some time later the circe saga was released and been here ever since

[@bellahyhoang4363]

YESSSSS! Two underrated people in one video! I LOVE both CrazyCae and Jorge! Keep em coming! ❤😊

[@MisshapenPoet]

The underworld is my favorite saga. And Monster is my favorite in that saga. It’s so well sung and it’s so expressive. I also listened to the Troy saga NOT knowing whether Ody chose to kill the infant or not. I don’t know the Odyssey at all and I didn’t pick up on the context clues that he did drop the infant in later songs…so hearing that he did indeed kill the infant had some shock factor when I listened to Monster for the first time.

[@SeerOfTime577]

What an absolutely INCREDIBLE video essay. The amount of time, effort, and passion you have put into this truly shines. Epic has been a huge part of my life the past six months, and hearing people analyze the music and share easter eggs means the world to me. Just...stellar work. I can't wait to watch the next part in the future once all Sagas have released!

[@strawheartmila106]

Amazing input! I’m glad to have come across this video! I’ve been on the obsession train for the past few weeks. I’ve been listening to the songs over and over. I was hesitant at first, I encountered the No Longer You song first via a jjk clip and loved it. But I grew curious and later another song, Survive was shown w/ the aot vid in Tiktok and I was like ok this is a sign. And I fell in love with the songs. I then decided to purchase the books to read (they’ve been in my TBR for a WHILE). I’m not a poem type of gal but I already started reading the Iliad because of this. My siblings are annoyed of my singing (not the best) but what can I say, lol. Can’t wait for the next video because I’m so ready to know about the rest. Especially some of the songs that had me say WTF? 🫢.

[@VegaTheLyra]

1:32:13 This caught me so off guard lol. Can't say I blame you, it's hilarious

[@GLogg20]

The ocean saga is one of my favourite sagas (storm being one of my favs)

[@whattwowhat]

I think the Circe's saga sets up the bigger tragedy of the Calypso Saga. The gods constantly toy with Odysseus, and take away his autonomy. Circe didn't just try to seduce Ody, but coerce him to lay with her, saying he had to burn for his men. When Penelope is brought up, Circe backs up and reconsiders things. Calypso never does. Odysseus is just a man. Zeus, Poseidon, Calypso didn't care. Circe did.

[@gheromesilvestre7803]

I absolutely adore EPIC the musical. Thank you for making this video.

[@SeaStarStitch0]

YESS! My goodbye was the very first song from Epic that I've listened to and hooked me immediately! No longer you is now my top song but my goodbye was just stunning!

[@aw8885]

Very well done video!! :D I've been around since before the Troy Saga, and I remember when those first five demos (The Horse and the Infant, Just A Man, Full Speed Ahead, Ismarus and Your Light -- actually 6 if you count the WOTM My Goodbye Reprise thingy) were the only full songs we had!! hearing Ismarus mentioned in particular really excited me. I'm so glad all the new epic fans are being exposed to the cool repurposing of the harder-to-find cut content!! also "listen to this: **copyright noises**" made me chuckle

[@Harryourbuddy]

I only found EPIC a few days ago and I LOVE IT

[@akihikosakurai4013]

It's so crazy that I wasn't the only one who noticed that full speed ahead seems like it was supposed to be an opening song. My guess is Jorge originally wanted to start it at the beginning of the journey home but later decided to change it

[@thatonebread3585]

IIRC There was a cut version of Full Speed Ahead where Athena narrates on top of the beat, and FSA was going to be the intro song for the musical! I think you can find it on KZbin as well! It's in the video lmaooo

[@xXF4ND0M_FR34KXx]

NEVER SEEN? IVE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG FOR SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT IT

[@elizabethhill3179]

Okay but also about the end of ruthlessness: Poseidon says “Remember Me” which is also the last thing Odysseus says to Polyphemus. Just like a final reminder that Poseidon is not done with him.

[@KaiserinReine]

What a great breakdown of act one! I found Epic when the cyclops saga came out so like you I experienced a lot of waiting but it was all worth it as the subsequent sagas have all been so good. It’s obvious that you put a lot of time and work into this video and I thoroughly enjoyed your in depth analysis of each saga! I look forward to watching part two once act two is finished!

[@vinnymadelynelamata6255]

Personally, I feel like Epic is the nerdiest nerd music I've ever heard. 49:38 ALSO, Severing your head is also a reference to how they 're technically speaking in his head so he's cutting their connection of by severing his head--and is also way of showing Athena's self-importance as the goddess of wisdom as if she's saying now that he's cut her off, he's going to lose control of his sanity and start making irrational choices ("lose your head" as they say).

[@lilmsscarlett134]

I can't wait to see part 2 of the EPIC SAGA. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I really enjoyed your point of view on all the songs. Maybe do a ranking video of the songs when they're all out.

[@sofiathefirst8329]

AHHH I LOVE EPIC!! I watched the beginning before listening to the musical because I wanted and context, and I came back to hear your analyses! And WOW I was NOT disappointed! This musical has consumed my life. Can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts :D

[@Soleial]

storm is honestly my favorite song in the ocean saga, the instrumentation, vocals, and foreshadowing just bring me this kind of energy i cant find to come around with anything else

[@artloveranimation]

"No longer You" is one of my favorites. I am a sucker for melodrama and minor key stuff. I mean the background singers chanting?!

[@zolove_]

Epic definitely holds a special place in my heart. During the summer I worked at a camp where I did cleaning and maintenance. Epic was how I tracked time 😭 Anytime I was weed eating, staining, pressure washing, I would listen to the whole musical (or what was released then) and be like, “Oh! It fished, it’s been about an hour, time to restart it!”

[@mr.jeorgexiii1732]

I think another plus for thr Cersi saga is that it gives an extra point to Polite's worldview. An act of kindness could lead to kinder souls down the world. Her showing mercy to Ody. I feel like this saga showing that goodness and mercy can still be a strength was part of the importance of this saga.

[@ryoushimorino9436]

1:10:12 It is insane to me that puppeteer is one of your least favorites because it is one of my favorites by far. I am obsessed with Xerxes voice. I find the song really funny at the beginning and very emotional when I put myself into their shoes seeing between the men who see the woman after being at war and sea for over 10 years and just wanting a chance to relax and have fun and a full belly but also putting myself in the shoes of Odysseus having to go confront the thing that tricked his men and try to get them back

[@Cannotbetoucheddd]

Never seen? I live for Epic. I listen to it almost everyday, I follow most of the singers . I’m obsessed

[@shinraset]

1:02:22 I like the animatic that you play here because it shows my interpretation of what happens. I see similarities between polyphemus's wine and Poseidon's apology.

[@rebecarodriguez2681]

35:23 I always thought that Athena's boar hunt was a reference to the Calydonian boar hunt, even though Odysseus didn't participate in it. I didn't know about that bit with the scar - cool to know!

[@katiefox3259]

I just love the fact that you and I discovered Epic the EXACT same way! I came across a CrazyCae video with that snippet of Warrior of the Mind (albeit probably on Instagram not TikTok) just three days after you did!! I think when all is said and done with the concept album, the Epic fandom needs to do a poll asking “what was the first song you heard from Epic?” Cuz with the exception of maybe Horse and the Infant (for obvious reasons) I bet Warrior of the Mind would dominate that poll! 🙌