Analyzing Evil: Senator Armstrong From Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

[@aydenbonnet9630]

My only disagreement with this video is that I dont think Armstrong is looking to prop up people who were born in priviliged positions, and allow them to freely opress those born with nothing with no consequence. His system could absolutely result in that kind of thing happening by virtue of money equating to power, but its not what he wants out of his endgame. Armstrong knows that he's a hypocrite within the context of his own philosophy, and I think achieving such power, and influence without having to earn it is precisely what makes him so angry about the present system, and why he fashions his public persona into a caricature of everything he despises. Armstrongs counter for Raidens accusation about the "strong, and weak." Is that in that comparison Raiden counts himself among the weak for having been born with nothing, and having to struggle to survive while Armstrong in fact counts Raiden among the strong, not the weak for those very reasons, and its the weak buerecrats, and politicians who abuse the power they havent earned that he considers weak. This is why Armstrong considers Raiden to be his successor even if their views are polar opposite.

[@UmbraBree]

This. This is literally how he thinks lol

[@Jamushu]

I don't think this is gonna be pinned, but it absolutely should.

[@Burned-Legate]

Yeah, this is more in-line with Armstrong's actual thinking. The conclusion of this entry seems to be a bit too bias, which hey, it happens. It's the classic equity versus equality, Armstrong does not favor a particular person or group to rise above. He seeks for the potential to be the king of the hill to be present for everybody.

[@Heroofselene]

This should absolutely be a pinned comment.

[@MrTaylorlawson]

Well said!

[@yourexistencehasexpired9545]

Memes aside, it crazy how, outside of one scene, he shows up at the end and completely steals the show

[@davidmcneely2207]

Yeah he's the shit. No matter how much subtle left-sided slights this guy tries to slip in this video.

[@grawlix-man463]

​@@davidmcneely2207Bro, he's a caricature of right-wing Americans, by predominantly leftist writers, I'd be disappointed if he DIDN'T put some leftist jabs in this video.

[@PlebNC]

It's probably the one time a bad guy showing up only at the end actually works out well, partly from the writing and partly from his fight lasting long enough for an arc to develop as he steadily drops his various facades until he's straight honest with Raiden about his goals.

[@hjfs8906]

@@PlebNCWondering if you include movies or are just talking VGs. I was immediately thinking of Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now.

[@yourdad5799]

​@@davidmcneely2207 Yikes

[@michaeloverton04]

Everyone references "Nanomachines, son." but I'm more of a "Don't fuck with THIS senator!" kind of guy.

[@daysand123]

I'm more of an "everything this guy says is peak whether it's smart, dumb, in, or out of context "

[@KingSlayer_.]

Funny because he looks identical to the "then why didn't you stay in mexico." guy😂😂

[@BrandonScott-mi5pz]

EXCELLENT WORK. THE VILE EYE 👁‍🗨 THE MOST EVIL 😈 CHARACTER IN METAL GEAR RISING SENATOR ARMSTRONG HAPPY FOUR JULY,

[@PlebNC]

Making the mother of all memes, SoyJack! Can't fret over every Bottom Text

[@BlindBosnian]

Any "Played college ball you know" chads here?

[@gaelofariandel6747]

Armstrong summed up in one phrase: "I completely disagree with everything you think say & do, but you're a badass & I respect that--now get the fkk out of my way before I break you in half."

[@enomisv9830]

But he'll happily accept you if you agree with him. Heck, he'll straight up embrace you.

[@mr.monkey354]

@@enomisv9830 he'd accept you if you disagreed too, because you are likely thinking for yourself

[@rawreviews4733]

This character aged fairly well all things considered. Armstrong would not only be very popular in the real world, he'd probably get elected

[@PeanutStrawberry]

Dude just shouted he'll wipe the slate clean and make America great again... Aged well? He's at his peak once you open tv and watch the news 💀

[@InquisitorXarius]

@@PeanutStrawberryUnlike the fat orange caterpillar Armstrong is A: Competent, and B: Backs it up with tangible points. I would still say Armstrong is a villain, he is just a compelling Villian who does make some, albeit few, good points.

[@thebigboss2233]

​@@PeanutStrawberry And that's scary to think about.

[@soviettoaster8202]

He could have gone pro if he didn’t join the navy

[@striker2999]

Are you saying Biden is competent and backs up what he says? Lmao. Just curious since you left out the guy who showers with his daughter

[@Tommy9834]

Remember, Nanomachines only react to physical trauma. So all his other abilities, they come from playing College Ball.

[@frank8917]

At some cushy ivy league

[@supersaiyanlegend4728]

@@frank8917Try the University of Texas. Coulda gone pro if he hadn’t joined the navy.

[@flashdr1ve]

@@supersaiyanlegend4728 He’s not one of those beltway pansies

[@SHIESTY...]

@@frank8917texas is currently ranked #3 in the nation so no, its not a cushy ivy league school

[@frank8917]

@@SHIESTY... oh shit, so it isnt some cushy ivy league I wonder why Armstrong didnt go pro, besides joining the army

[@NotAGoodUsername360]

How could he be evil? He played college ball, you know!

[@seansilv25]

At some cushy Ivy League school

[@sean7221]

Try university of Texas!

[@Dice_roller]

​@@sean7221Could have gone pro if he hadn't joined the Navy.

[@judeconnor-macintyre9874]

Could have gone pro if he hadn't joined the Naaavy!

[@Scarlettspider-h4v]

​@Dice_roller He's not one of those belt way pansies, he could break the president in two with his BARE HANDS!!!!

[@ChiKindaTown]

Psychics, vampires, ghosts, giant robots? sure. A US politician with a spine? Ok, this is where metal gear did a full pivot into the fantasy genre

[@mattmetawolf8634]

You forgot to also mention God because God exist in this universe as well

[@sirkylelennify]

​@@mattmetawolf8634 But he exists in THIS one too :^)

[@foxshoot3138]

Teddy Roosevelt entered the chat

[@darthrevan454]

​@@sirkylelennify proof?

[@alispeed5095]

@@darthrevan454 you are the proof

[@scottbuck1572]

"I played college ball" is NOT an acceptable explanation for superhuman abilities, Senator

[@parkerwebb3470]

"NANO MACHINES SON" is that a good answer?

[@Tortuga2223a]

This game is fucking gold bro

[@LitmusPapyrus]

Blame the Navy

[@rarescevei8268]

​@@parkerwebb3470When be beats up Raiden at the start, he isnt using nanomachines.

[@parkerwebb3470]

@@rarescevei8268 so not a good answer?

[@otterfire4712]

If you ever see this, Funny Valentine would be another fantastic villain for Independence Day. Civil War vet who became president and was so faithful to making America great it goes beyond his mortal life.

[@kiddextersgodlyadventure129]

Yeah, the two main Americans to get holiday videos: Armstrong and Valentine. Keen for any other Metal gear and Jojo villains

[@alexnunn2161]

Funny Valentine: a villain written so well that Araki had to write a scene of him trying to struggle snuggle lucy steel to get his readers to stop siding with him

[@yakthekuza7296]

@@alexnunn2161Glad I wasn’t the only who caught how random that was. Araki didn’t even have to do that, Valentine’s whole plan of America prospering at the expense of literally every other country is already evil enough

[@remixtheidiot5771]

he was too charismatic, it worked even beyond the 4th wall and into the readers, Araki had to 'subtly' r​emind us he was the main villain.@@yakthekuza7296

[@otterfire4712]

@@yakthekuza7296 Valentine was on a power high. He effectively had almost all of the corpse parts within his reach and was catching on to Lucy's disguise. This ironically dropped his guard enough for him to be mortally wounded by Lucy and tip the audience off to his stand ability.

[@officialvernonbrose]

You compared Armstrong to Stone Cold and Dick Cheney when Vince McMahon alone was right there.

[@christopherstafford6442]

Irwin R Shyster too

[@damnitsrj]

“Well, if it isn’t Sussy Jack”

[@herbalyzoltan409]

"Are you high?"

[@brainrotofchoice6244]

"You always were the Family Guy"

[@Blendervidoes]

@@herbalyzoltan409”let me check… y e s”

[@mostcertainlyben]

@@Blendervidoes HIGH ON AMERICAN SPIRIT

[@rustkarl]

@@mostcertainlyben “And there’s nothing more american than- *suffers a mental breakdown*- nothing more american than shooting a man in this Walmart of a world.”

[@Jormara3475]

Armstrong is almost the complete opposite of INGSOC. As from what I understand INGSOC want’s to eliminate free will, individualism, and anarchy entirely, while centralizing on one its main propaganda objectives that “war is freedom.” Armstrong promotes individualism it to it’s fullest extent to such as dangerous degree that people who are “strong take from the weak.” Armstrong is different yet similar to INGSOC where Armstrong is disgusted by war’s being fought without any of the people fighting for it believing in it, and he himself wanting to eliminate that practice entirely once he becomes president. While simultaneously believing that the “true freedom” is the belief that people should fight for their own war’s without being told to.

[@Amsel_616]

And after beating him, Raiden becomes his succesor "I have my own war to fight..."

[@mojokharma]

Except he's full of shit, just like Big Boss. By this point, Armstrong already has an army of indentured child brains that have no choice but to serve in his army. Just like Big Boss, who intentionally orphaned children, only to "save" them so they'd fight for him in the next war. Big Boss himself admits he was wrong, Armstrong wasn't nearly wise enough.

[@ThePlatinumBlade]

Damn I never realised that George Orwell predicted the future of how corrupt military governments would work really well, huh

[@maniacalmatt917]

"I'm making the mother of all omelets here Jack, can't fret over every egg!"

[@griff1286]

Not when you’re purging the weak right? What do you know about the weak? You weren’t born poor.

[@yourcordialvermillionchapw2398]

"Well, regardless of how cornered it is, there are still even more ways to make omelets guys... I would know, I've been through a bunch of them..." *(Both Raiden and Armstrong start looking around in regards to... Whoever said that)* "Oh um, I said that out loud... Carry on, I was never here... (Vanishes. After Armstrong was finished off, Raiden finally notices some small graffiti in his body... For however innocent it seemed at a first glance, he couldn't help but be put on edge... Like many before him)"

[@Randomdelfia]

Perfect Choice for the 4th of July.

[@DHGxMcFlurry]

How so

[@a_man_with_a_plan]

​@@DHGxMcFlurry ...

[@DHGxMcFlurry]

@@a_man_with_a_plan Yeah doesn't answer my question, you're so helpful buddy

[@revengance4149]

@@DHGxMcFlurry It's Independance Day, where the Americans celebrate that they are controlled by other Americans, instead of Brits.

[@DHGxMcFlurry]

@@revengance4149 Do you live in the US?

[@littykitty040]

"Are you high?" "Let me check... yes. High on American Spirit!"

[@FinallyAlone]

"And there's nothing more American... *Laughter* and there's nothing more American than shooting a man in this Walmart if a world"

[@grubyslaw]

@raiden1766 It's Heaven, Raiden!

[@FinallyAlone]

@@grubyslaw "Check the internet lately?"

[@FinallyAlone]

@raiden1766 "It's just fucking weeb shit raiden. They are being distracted by utter nonsense"

[@ProBoltForever456]

​@raiden1766 "IT'S ALL FUCKING WEEB SHIT, RAIDEN. They're being distracted by utter nonsense."

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Don't fuck with this senator!- Senator Armstrong.

[@jpowe2822]

(crowd roars) awesome game 😂😂

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

Jack did more than f*ck with him for he down right destroyed him in the end.

[@gs4011]

4:05 I love that this sound effect isn't edited in, it's just a part of the game, suggesting Armstrong has speakers on his Metal Gear just for that occasion.

[@bigg1637]

I don't think so. In the 3rd Kizumonogatari movie, 2 characters are fighting in a baseball stadium, and like this fight, at some point, you hear the crowd cheering. Both are Japanese, and I haven't heard of other cultures doing this in their mediums.

[@ghoulbuster1]

@@bigg1637 🤓 ☝

[@bigg1637]

@@ghoulbuster1 Yep

[@gs4011]

@@bigg1637 what does any of that have to do with what I said?

[@bigg1637]

@gs4011 The sound effect of the people cheering. That might be a little quirk of the culture.

[@existingperson]

can't believe how they balanced a character who has actual beliefs and motivations and is also fucking ridiculous at the same time

[@Destroyah5000]

I've waited years to see a video of Armstrong getting picked apart and have his moral and historical faults made clear. As for any hope for Raiden's continuation on these themes, that's never happening since Metal Gear is dead.

[@theblocksays]

It had one last hurrah as a shambling corpse called "Survive" that Konami tried charging micro-transactoins for save slots iirc.

[@LJK69420]

I didnt even know that existed until I saw the Dunkey Vid​

[@Destroyah5000]

@@theblocksays kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYPWnpdsbs6Nf6csi=Eg7eUKDDJ__xhfoH

[@mr.monkey354]

delta

[@Vejitatheouji]

22:54 "Because a lot of people don't really care if you can fulfill your promises. They only care that you're making them in the first place." Oof. I never really thought about that before.

[@GhostRydr1172]

Which is why more than one POS grifter got as far as they did, unfortunately.

[@ChaosAngel9151]

Democrats in a nutshell

[@e69alpha]

Nah man. All politicians. We never did get that wall from trump or obama. ​@ChaosAngel9151

[@Lazare7782]

@@ChaosAngel9151republicans in a nutshell

[@ChaosAngel9151]

@@Lazare7782 very smart

[@jamesquiggins]

I'm not saying he's right, I'm saying I understand

[@rafoxd666]

So happy to see you analysing videogame characters now. There is quite a few characters that I would love to see in this channel. Vergil from DMC series, Kazuya Mishima from Tekken, Adachi from Persona 4, Miquella from Elden ring... just to name a few. Amazing content as always!

[@ados1280]

"That's a nice argument, Senator... Why don't you back it up with a source?"

[@albert_obey3151]

“my source is that I made it the fuck up”

[@derekfray2027]

I'm pretty sure every war casualty from Korea to Ukraine is a source.

[@redjirachi1]

Another politician I would love to see on Analyzing Evil is Fuhrer King Bradley/Wrath from the FMA manga/Brotherhood

[@irystocrattakodachithatmooms]

This franchise has great villains throughout it, save for whatever there is in Survive.

[@wielderofthetriforce1934]

There is no Metal Gear Survive

[@irystocrattakodachithatmooms]

@@wielderofthetriforce1934 Hey, at least it wasn't influenced by a company like SBI. At least I don't think it was influenced by such a company.

[@lazaroskarmaniolas7410]

​@irystocrattakodachithatmooms "Hey, this game is conplete dogshit, but at least it's not WOKE" Please outgrow these meaningless buzzwords before you end up like the Starfield pronouns guy.

[@irystocrattakodachithatmooms]

@@lazaroskarmaniolas7410 Says the one using a meaningless buzzword. I was talking about corrupt companies that charge absurd amounts of money for their "services".

[@irystocrattakodachithatmooms]

@@lazaroskarmaniolas7410 Actually, if SBI or any of their kind got involved it would be beyond dogshit. They make games become so bad you wonder how it could even be humanly possible.

[@Blackness101]

A boss from a spinoff ended up being one of the most iconic ones

[@raielle]

A character from a flashback became one of the all time favorites of the world too! (Zack Fair)

[@joshshrum2764]

It’s literally not a spinoff it’s the end of the mgs timeline.

[@Blackness101]

@joshshrum2764 I'm not saying it's not canon, or anything. It has a different name, with a different playstyle

[@Loot_Bugs]

I humbly request that Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series be placed on the Analyzing Evil shopping list.

[@jackstefan8639]

Yes just yes we NEED a video on the pink horror.

[@HeDoMo3r]

I don't think she is evil. She is just unbearable, especially when she tries to discipline teens her way. The one and only "correct" way.

[@leafzz-v7]

Oh god YES, dolores is unbearable

[@justsomekid2839]

The fact you're releasing this on July 4th.

[@jeremiahmorris1852]

Name a more jingoistic villain

[@fellascallmethedrink]

That's kind of the point.....?

[@justsomekid2839]

@@fellascallmethedrink exactly

[@AC-hj9tv]

​@@jeremiahmorris1852Jingo Starr

[@darthrevan454]

Almost as if he planned it

[@quincysavala1297]

As a Texan I can confirm…. Everything is bigger In Texas

[@HowIin]

The only thing bigger in Texas is the book ban list lmao

[@Sharkdude4858]

Armstrong is essentially AMERICA THE MAN

[@lazaroskarmaniolas7410]

With all the good and the bad that entails.

[@DeadSpaceWing]

​@@lazaroskarmaniolas7410No, it's all just bad.

[@cheesecake6945]

@DeadSpaceWing Is either stupid or is just mad in some 2nd world country.

[@ves5932]

@@DeadSpaceWingyoure weak

[@DeadSpaceWing]

@@ves5932 You're simple

[@thomasrose4523]

With Armstrong, he's taking Frank Jaeger's final words (fighting was the only thing I was good at, but at least I always fought for what I believed in), and thoroughly bastardizing and tainting the meaning behind them.

[@BlindBosnian]

I don't think Armstrong ever knew Gray Fox. If anything, Armstrong is more like Solidus

[@mr.monkey354]

@@BlindBosnian he's exactly like solidus, he's a parallel

[@blueblaze5160]

One of my favorite details of this fight (particularly its extensive cutscenes), is that the philosophical arguments between Raiden and Armstrong is played out through physical violence, when Armstrong is asserting his position and making point after point to support his ideology, he’s beating the hell out of Raiden. When Raiden is actively making counter arguments, he’s landing hits on Armstrong. In the end, the only way that Raiden can defeat Armstrong is by accepting that he’s a representation of the very philosophy he’s trying to stop Armstrong to enforce upon “the weak”, and this is symbolized by Raiden using Jetstream Sam’s sword instead of his, which the game has already established are wielded with different philosophies and purposes.

[@andrewgardiner1077]

I have a few ideas: Kane - Command & Conquer Trevor Phillips - Grand Theft Auto V The Viltrum Empire - Invincible Dukat - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Mark Hoffman - Saw Caesar - Fallout: New Vegas The Illusive Man/Cerberus - Mass Effect Soul Edge - Soul Series The Combine - Half-Life Series Jabba the Hutt - Star Wars

[@johnvortecho8034]

We should have more villains like Armstrong, a campy kind-of-goofy charismatic yet psychotic stereotype with an actual message and an interesting and valid view points on how the world works beneath its surface

[@caldw615]

He speaks from a position of privilege though. It's easy to argue about wanting a country ruled by the people based on strength when he was born into a well off family and had the resources available to buy both his political power and physical power (the nanomachines). He wouldn't actually give power to the people, he'd just be maintaining that the rich are the ones who rule everyone else, because money is still the most powerful asset. Even if you are weak, if you have money tou can just buy others who are strong. He thinks Raiden is proof his ideology would work because Raiden was a poor child soldier who managed to fight his way into being a strong individual but he has sacrificed so much more, from a starting position of much less. Raiden being the exception doesn't prove anything, 99% of people in similar positions to Raiden would still be hungry, sick or simply die out. Armstrong talks a big game but nothing major would really change, which is part of the point.

[@foxalpha3203]

​@@caldw615 he still had valid points like every man being free to fight their own wars a trait that raiden takes to heart after the fight he definitely passed on some of he's ideologies on raiden

[@caldw615]

@@foxalpha3203 That's not really a thing his ideology actually provided though.

[@ottsel]

The fact that he's one of the most memorable parts of the game goes to show that he would be an amazing politician if he were real. So many people love this guy at face value just because he's bold and fun to watch. That alone makes him scary.

[@Kohth_0]

I really hate how thats just modern politics now, don't matter how abhorrent the guy is under the surface if they look cool they got my vote.

[@RoguSpanish]

Just like poor people vote for politicians who only want to help the rich get richer because they think they will be rich one day, a lot of weak people would vote for him cause they see themselves as strong. But as soon as he got elected, the leopards would be on a face eating frenzy.

[@Cool-Vest]

*cough cough * orange man *cough *.

[@Feber2001]

This guy is responsible for enslaving children and using their organs for experimentation/making new cyborgs.

[@b1tchb4by3]

​@@Cool-Vest you bring up another good point. Trump easily fits the bill, but there's also Biden to consider. Using the explanations listed above, choosing between a confident and bold man (whose secretly war-hungry), or a man who stumbles his words and is incompetent with funds (who may also be a pedophile). I'll say this: Trump did a good job on cooling tensions between U.S. and North Korea, but he did skirt on the edge of triggering war. Biden has done a good job on keeping us out of war, and has even sent funds to countries suffering in war, like Russia vs. Ukraine. Unfortunately, it has raised prices on the American people. Most notably, gas prices

[@jtfbreedlove]

Senator Armstrong is a bad bad man by multiple definitions of the term, but you can't say he's not entertaining.

[@RelentlessSketchStudios]

I posted a drawing I made of Armstrong on my channel's community page for the 4th of July, and then I see this pop-up in my recommended! Talk about perfect timing! The fact that this man just showed up in the final hour of the game and made a name for himself as not just being one of the best characters in the Metal Gear series, the most quotable, the aspect that elevated Rising to go from pretty cool and fun to iconic, but also one of the greatest final bosses in videogame history speaks volumes as to how well Platinum made this senator.

[@Zigzigmao]

Could we get a Analyzing Evil for Big Boss ? ❤

[@taiteraide]

big boss did nothing wrong though

[@plaguedoctorjamespainshe6009]

Hell yeah

[@tairenk.3996]

The entire world of Metal Gear could be its own Analyzing Evil video honestly.

[@FookMi69]

*Invisible by Duran Duran plays*

[@Animebryan2]

Solidus, Ocelot & Zero deserve one too.

[@ManiaMac1613]

The Most American American to ever America

[@Gallalad1]

One little note on the spending numbers. It would have been worth bringing up how much these were as a percentage of the national GDP and federal Budget. Because compared to the Cold War the US spends proportionally far less and the USSR/China spent far more. Yes it sounds horrible to say the US spent 700 billion. But when you put it in perspective as about 3% of GDP (putting it outside the top 5 globally) or that it’s about 15% of the federal budget (the 50% number you hear comes from the fact that there’s two parts of the budget, the mandatory and discretionary budget making up 66% and 33% respectively. You are usually only shown the latter so it looks far larger as a percentage) US spending looks a lot less intense. Equally while PMCs and Arms companies definitely make money off the US they’re actually not making as much when you realise post 1990 most of them either had to merge or went under. Hence why there’s only about 5-10 major arms manufacturers left in the US/EU compared to the dozens of the Cold War. Just some useful context

[@diablo595]

It’s impossible for me to not hear Mimir every time he speaks. All I hear is “brother”.

[@caprakiwi6201]

"Why won't you die!?" "Senator Armstrong is blessed with invulnerability to all threats, physcial and magical!"

[@tarikR.R.5120]

I’m mesmerized by the character just because he looks like pro wrestling manager Jim Cornette on steroids lol

[@kevinvogler2380]

I looked thru the comments just to see if anyone else thought that!

[@thegrimharvest]

Haha! Woe betide the poor fast food employees who mess up his cheeseburger order now! Corny is hulk smashing through the wall and grabbing them.

[@marioargiropoulos7555]

@@kevinvogler2380Same! 😂

[@fadilfawzi7879]

He will cut a promo on all of us like Cornette does and times that by a 100 😂

[@Cerise__]

I'll continue to say this. Armstrong is the GREATEST final boss in gaming history. Nothing will ever top this.

[@plugshirt1762]

I’d say slave knight Gael does but Armstrong is really top tier. Upon thinking about it though it’s crazy how many games with amazing bosses have mediocre final bosses

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Nanomachines, son. They harden in response to physical trauma.

[@Discount_Jesus]

Not the only thing

[@fbussier80]

Masochists, son. They harden in response to physical trauma.

[@mycelia_ow]

@@fbussier80 Tek Knight

[@alexandermccabe429]

Great work on this one, I think it would be interesting to see you cover The version of the character Shockwave from the IDW Transformers comics. Particularly the continuity running from 2005-2018

[@leafzz-v7]

Fuck yeah he's evil.

[@IronicalChronical]

If you’re planning to stick around for another 4th of July another good pick would be General Shepherd from Call of Duty MW2. “Tomorrow they’ll be no shortage of patriots, no shortage of volunteers. I know you understand.”

[@bodieshofner8566]

My favourite games, favourite villian and favourite channel damn, thank you for this one!!!

[@mrc7226]

Shout-out from the Lone Star State

[@ihvojd]

Armstrong makes me proud to be a Texan/American

[@actualamateur149]

Hell yeah brother

[@MrHousecup]

Ah, Texas...The #1 reason why there will never be world peace; especially in the Metal Gear Universe.

[@Jaime_garcia-]

​@@MrHousecup I love me my beautful Texas 🤠🇺🇲🦅

[@timwin8194]

Here too bro

[@elliotfong8794]

I love how when you study things complex like poltics, wars, and so on and use it to write a story and execute it well, you get a masterpiece. I love it how the game maker decided to study American poltics to help create the game as well as create the character. This goes to show that any of us create great stories and characters like this. Bravo! 🎉

[@joseph8298]

Armstrong is the Japanese perception of a 21st century MacArthur

[@jessehutchings]

This is a fantastic analysis of Armstrong and his ideals. You really laid it all out better than I could in my own mind after watching his battle drama a dozen times. Another great one!

[@CDio-vr3bx]

Suggestions for videos - cersei lannister (GOT) - megatron (transformers) - Dr Hammond (Crighton's jurrasic park) - Queen Marika (elden ring) - Perturabo (warhammer 40k) - the world of Conan the barbarian - king of midland (berserk)

[@seangplays4473]

You should do all the metal gear antagonist. They’re all complicated characters with a lot of different motivations. Big Boss, Major Zero, Skull Face, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake to name a few

[@hominisdeusrex2944]

A great character is Mrs Carmody from Stephen King's 'The Mist' 2007 film.

[@warmeggtm]

You weren't expecting- A SENATOR

[@stevemustang7102]

Jesus, look at his biceps! 😨

[@timothytzovolos153]

Lyle?

[@DEFxRECON]

@@timothytzovolos153the one eyed guy?

[@timothytzovolos153]

@@DEFxRECON cyclops lyle

[@find2hard]

Nice, you should do a video about the Patriots AI and Solidus. "Make X Great Again": Trump got it from Reagan, Reagan got it from Thatcher.

[@RoguSpanish]

The Klan used it before any of them.

[@A_Salted_Fishe]

Please do more videos on characters from the Metal Gear franchise! Would love to see your take on Big Boss

[@whosasking8839]

I think a follow up to this going over Sam, Sundowner and the rest of Desperado would be cool, breaking down their respective ideologies and how they could clash/mesh with Armstrong's had their plan been successful.

[@Somebodystill205]

Characters I love to see get an analysis soon 1: Tbag from Prison break 2: Leigh Teabing from The Da Vinci Code 3: Kyung-Chul from I Saw The Devil 4: Tozawa from Tokyo Vice 5: Nate Jacobs from Euphoria

[@RamosTheSlamos]

This video is probably longer than Armstrongs screen time in the actual game

[@lukethecreator1927]

You’re always killin it on new episodes! also my opinion on Armstrong is that I hate how I want to agree with him, but the idea of everyone doing what they want is saddening. Only because it can show how many things mean nothing to anyone, and the lack of understanding is severe. It would make the world only better for the inexperienced, heartless, and potentially selfish people. Which unfortunately isn’t much of a change if you think about it.

[@lukethecreator1927]

Also again, thank you for the good content.

[@RenanL.S.]

19:11 that is actually a very good thing Armstrong's goal is good, the problem are his methods.

[@limptoast]

I was actualy looking if you covered him in your playlist earlier today Nice!

[@bengonzalez5215]

I like how social darwinism somehow is worse than social neoptism and monopoly

[@oscarwarren9709]

Well, with social darwinism, the powerful feel they have the right to flat out kill people they feel are inferior to make a stronger society. That's bad.

[@Sunznt-fp5ub]

Social Darwinism is often criticized for being selfish and fundamentally flawed.

[@bengonzalez5215]

@@Sunznt-fp5ub thats nature baby

[@Gluppp-o2u]

@@bengonzalez5215 That's not nature. more like mess up.

[@nathanmalik7056]

This video was just fantastic in presentation, style and analysis.

[@DrWifePipe]

Armstrong is the most based villain

[@error-4269]

Villain?

[@RoguSpanish]

Yeah, based on dumbass bullshit.

[@Spinner891]

It's interesting to consider Armstrong's position when considering humanity as a whole. Yes, Armstrong's dream would likely result in many deaths, but that cannot be attributed to his dream on its face, but rather attributed to human nature. After all, what is a government but a ruling power (the strong) enforcing its will (the law) onto its citizens (the weak)? It could be said that the strong abusing and sacrificing the weak for their own gain is not only human nature, but is present all throughout human history, including within the 'status quo' of modern America, as well as many other modern nations. Revolution is what happens when a country or ruling power becomes tired and old. Many deaths occur, but there is a chance for a new attempt at society in its wake. However, just as the cycle of history shows us, that new society will ultimately fail. This failure will result in many lives destroyed, whether through death or not. Ultimately, Armstrong's dream is nothing new. It is the will of revolution and the uprooting of a stale society, coalesced into a single man. Furthermore, while we see death and murder as often the height of evil... is the death of millions comparable to the enslavement of millions and generations of their children, under a political regime that treats them like livestock? Feeding them just enough luxury and 'purpose' to keep them satiated, so that they can take advantage of them and harvest them for the resources that they produce? This gets into a huge discussion about human nature. After all, it doesn't seem to matter what we do. Human society fails, usually due to the faults and eventual abuse of the positive merits a given society constructs itself upon. It is easy for the weak to blame the strong, the poor to blame the rich, the unfortunate to blame the privileged. But hierarchy has been a consistent truth throughout human society, which only becomes more pronounced as populations increase. There will always be hierarchy, and even if the weak, the poor, the unfortunate were to not be those things, somebody else would be... and they would suddenly be the strong, the rich, the privileged. If equality is achieved, it will almost immediately fall prey to division and hierarchy. The strong will overtake and rule over the weak. Then the weak will curse their fates for essentially being unlucky, but if they were the ones in power... they more than likely would not do the altruistic things which they call the strong evil for not doing. The moral advantage that the weak have is not a kinder heart or empathetic mind, but the lack of opportunity to screw people over for their own gain, just as the strong screw them over. Yes, there might be people in this world who are kind and empathetic, but this only goes so far, both in their personal life and the world at large. Humanity is, by and large, selfish and greedy, down to the individual. Some just have more opportunity to exercise their greed than others. We see 'goodness' in a person not objectively, but subjectively when compared to others we deem to be evil. But ultimately, even small amounts of goodness within people does not change human nature, nor does it change society as a whole. We simply adopt new ideologies according to our desires, and justify our rejection of other ideologies as moral and righteous as a result. But no matter how 'lofty' a person or group's ideology allegedly is, it doesn't change the cycle of history. If there is a 'utopia' someday in the future, it will look a lot like Armstrong's dream. A place for one group, where those not in the group are 'removed', and where those in the group who change are also removed. A place not where the system is as inclusive as possible, but rather exclusive as possible. A system tailored to be hyper specific, to fully satisfy those with the exact right views, and to 'remove' anyone who doesn't fit those views. That way, everyone will be satisfied and happy, and only at the cost of everyone who doesn't toe the line. If you dissent against the 'correct' views, then you are wrong and will be removed. Nobody will disagree. Nobody will hate. Nobody will be bigoted. A society of tolerance. Tolerance towards all the things the correct people want to tolerate, and not towards anything that the correct people don't want to tolerate.

[@deadbrother5355]

Simce we're doing MGS universe, lets get Revolver Ocelot, Zero, The Patriots, Elgin, and Big Boss. Big Boss would be particularly interesting because he becomes a tragic villain from a hero like his mentor.

[@NICE-EYES]

Armstrong’s written dialog is perfect, it couldn’t be done better. To have a character do what he does and legitimately have you swung by his charisma when he shows up is a masterful thing.

[@quindariousgooch1962]

He’s got my vote!

[@mrdogeguy7299]

The characters I want to see in this series the most: 1. Othinus (Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index) 2. Kirei Kotomine (Fate/Stay Night) 3. Funny Valentine (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) 4. Aleister Crowley (Toaru Majutsu no Index) 5. Michael Roa Valdamjong (Tsukihime) 6. Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen) 7. Reze (Chainsaw Man) 8. Ulquiorra Cifer (Bleach) 9. Fiamma of the Right (Toaru Majutsu no Index) 10. Risotto Nero (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

[@XKTUSX]

4:08 i mean he’s not wrong though 😂

[@filipvadas7602]

I think an important factor of why Armstrong has aged so well is the fact that he genuinely believes in what he's selling. He wants to empower the masses and create a country where regardless of status, anyone is given the opportunity to change the world if their will is strong enough, but he either doesn't see or doesn't care that, even if he does succeed, his ideal world will turn into a capitalist dystopia even worse than the real world *the moment* he dies. Since, unfortunately, money usually equates to power, especially in a world like that of Metal Gear where it can buy you advanced cybernetic enhancements. So those born into wealth and privilege will ALWAYS be at an inherent advantage.

[@vinter9935]

"I hope you can provide healthcare because taxpayer can't!" ~ Senator Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

[@gamerr123]

I was waiting for you to do a Metal Gear villain, did not expect this one but I’m pleased 😂

[@GOWvMatchstick]

Damn dude you blew up congratulations

[@ShiKeikiHaniYamaxanadu]

gotta say, I really appreciate how you try to link the evils of fictional charcters to the evils in the real world to the real world

[@Malshiina]

Day 30 of asking you to please make a video analyzing leo kasper/daniel lamb/the project from the game manhunt 2. Also, great video, my man, keep up the good work!

[@kiddextersgodlyadventure129]

Heck yeah, another personal request answered and another great villain looked at. Also, good idea timing the video for the July 4th holiday 👍

[@stanislasbolling1643]

My first suggestion for future analysis: Fang Yuan from Reverend Insanity

[@damianstarks3338]

This video/character analysis is perfect for Fourth of July. You are spot on as always

[@kainslegacy78618]

The way i see it, the "greatness" that is referred to in that popular saying was spawned from Europe and their massive colonial power being destroyed by two world wars. America was not great because it is America. It became "great" due to being in the right spot at the right time and being opportunistic enough to profit from the devastation of the world. It is especially flagrant if we think of American Greatness era to peak in the "50s. There was, from the foundation, some things that made the USA special like the freedom of opportunity and being "welcoming" of anyone willing to work hard. But, the "greatness" that is often yelled out about was nothing but a comforting propaganda at best or some of history's greatest feats of profiteering at worse. Either way it was bound to not last and, as we know, it crashed hard. And the symptoms are still visible to this day.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Amazing work as always! The character has aged very well. Armstrong would definitely be elected IRL

[@tikizyra3808]

Here are some suggestions. -Emperor of Mankind (?) from Warhammer 40K, this would be more of a debate if he is even evil or not but I like to hear what you would say about him -Archaon the thirteenth Everchosen of Chaos from Warhammer fantasy -Cyrus from Pokemon -Akira Nishikiyama from Yakuza -Gwyn Lord of Cinder from Dark Souls

[@evanfish4505]

That's "The God-Emperor of Mankind" to you heretic

[@metroid1859]

What's fascinating to me Is he's one of the few villains in such an over the top piece of media that you can actually see why he's reached his views. You have to remember that the song's.Each villain has describes one of their core beliefs or backstories, and in the world of metal gear.War is on a whole other level of awful. Machines like metal gear ray Are basically walking nuclear arsenals And it's like the cold war has been cracked up to 11. So in that sense, I can see why he would settle upon such an extremist view and why that view changes raiden in the end, Because in the universe he is found in. He really does have a point that things have become so terrible and so diseased that action Is worse than in action.... Just a fascinating character all around even if he is a bit one note.. In fact I think I would enjoy seeing your analysis of each of the desperado members in the future As it is interesting , how he essentially appealed to an aspect of each of them despite Some of the most diverse backgrounds of any PMC in the series.

[@enomisv9830]

26:37 I don't think your view of only the privileged thrive in Armstrong's America is accurate. In the clip, you can see Raiden call Armstrong a hypocrite stating he was never weak, born poor, etc. But Armstrong says that despite those shortcomings, Raiden came out strong, and he achieved strength by his own set of rules in the face of the establishment Armstrong wants to pull down. Plus, Armstrong sees strength as strength, which is why he offered Sam a position in his group. That's also why when Raiden says he may have misjudged him, Armstrong is happy to accept him, even going so far as to brush him off and embrace him. Armstrong truly believes in survival of the fittest, even if the fittest happens to be someone else. The entire time, he never criticizes Raiden for fighting and being strong, only asking him if he's fighting for what he believes in. Heck, when Raiden beat Monsoon, monsoon wasn't angry. He believed in survival of the fittesest, and clearly, Raiden was more fit than he was. Monsoon accepted the result of the battle and praised Raiden for his strength. When Sam duels Raiden for the last time, he basically says, "Whoever wins is correct" or in other words, the strongest dictate what is right. He stands by that too, going so far as to gift his families heirloom sword to Raiden after his death. With other people who spin the "survival of the fittest" logic, they always consider themselves the strongest and scramble to ensure they stay on top. But with Armstrong, he sees past the selfishness of it and embodies the belief fully. If someone else is stronger than Armstrong then he can't be angry, they won in his system fair and square. Now I'm not agreeing with his logic, but his logic is fundamentally unflawed when it comes to the rules he's setting up. There are no exceptions or special privileges.

[@Norfnorfnwo248]

Would awesome to see other Metal gear Villains featured on this channel! Big Boss, Ocelot Colonel Volgin, Liquid Snake Skull face ect.

[@disgoop]

His ideology has nothing to do with anarchy. Anarchy is the opposition of hierarchy, not law. His aspirations, sttaight out of black metal statements, are the opposite.

[@dalkflamemastel4542]

Armstrong has some ancap vibes. While ancaps aren't really anarchist they have it in their name. It's same thing with CCP while they have communist in their name, they really aren't it.

[@xitywampas]

Great 4th themed video. Murica! I love how the comments haven't devolved into what you'd expect. That shows the level of restraint and possible intelligence your viewers have.

[@BartholomewChinen]

I’m Got Some Ideas You Can Use For The Next Few Analysing Evils First Pagan Min (Far Cry 4), Higgs Monaghan (Death Stranding), Count Orlok (Nosferatu) Before The Robert Eggers’ Remake Comes Out In December Or Early January, Rose The Hat (Doctor Sleep), Jessica (Dune: Part Two), Scytale (Dune: Messiah) & Frankenstein (Frankenstein) Before Guillermo Del Toro’s Remake Comes Out Next Year Also If You Want Do Anything From Television Alistair (Supernatural), Sam (Van Helsing), Daemon Targaryen (House of The Dragon), Rhaenyra Targaryen (House of The Dragon) Also Not From Television But You Could Do An Analysing Evil On The Game Disco Elysium & Also Wyald (Berserk), Bondrewd (Made In Abyss), Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou (Hunter x Hunter) & Metal Knight (One Punch Man).

[@Yeagerbomb_XD]

I'd kill for a Megatron video at this point

[@lavarns2948]

I enjoy this video, you should do next MGS Patriots, Liquid Snake, Big Boss

[@fishbot9]

I love how they made a character so layered and complex with so much happening through subtext and he only appears as the final two bosses in the base game with one small scene before that

[@evanfish4505]

The God-Emperor of Mankind From Warhammer 40k

[@007kingifrit]

but this series only analyzes evil

[@christopherwall2121]

​@@007kingifrit It's his philosophy and his actions, and the effects his words and deeds had on others, that directly led to the Imperium's state in the 41st Millennium: A decaying empire ruled by fear, distrust, hatred, greed, zealotry, that transforms its citizens into monsters in mind and/or body. Even his belief in the power of humanity and love for them came from the view of a distant parent who saw himself above humans, and whose beliefs came at the expense of all other beings in the universe. Even if you don't believe that, take a good look at his Fantasy counterpart, Sigmar. You may find some surprising differences.

[@007kingifrit]

@@christopherwall2121 you don't know what evil is, you confuse power with evil, i bet you think all the downtroden weak people of the world are the good guys

[@christopherwall2121]

@@007kingifrit They are, and the only reason you are saying otherwise is you seem to think that you can become powerful too.

[@007kingifrit]

@@christopherwall2121 weakness is not a virtue, being weak is not a measure of if you are a good person or not, you are deeply mentally ill the reason all powerful people seem bad to you is because your values are incompatible with doing anything in the real world, your values are wrong.

[@greg21331]

What I really liked about Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is that even though the game is over the top and extreme, it still contains themes and philosophies that are somewhat grounded in reality. Senator Armstrong and his ideas are definitely one of them. Also, here are a few other suggestions. 1. Joe Goldberg - You 2. Alice Morgan - Luther 3. Henry Creel/Vecna - Stranger Things 4. Baron Zemo and Ultron - MCU 5. Sephiroth - Final Fantasy VII 6. Odin - God of War: Ragnorok 7. Oswell E. Spencer, Alexia and Alfred Ashford, Alex Wesker, The Umbrella Corporation, and Los Illuminados - Resident Evil series 8. Roose Bolton, Peter Baelish, and Cersei Lannister - Game of Thrones 9. Marty and Wendy Byrde - Ozark 10. Catherine Trammel - Basic Instinct 11. Emily Nelson - A Simple Plan 12. Simon Gruber - Die Hard with a Vengeance 13. Scarecrow - Batman Arkham trilogy 14. Edwin Epps - 12 Years a Slave 15. Andrea Greene - Swarm 16. The Puppet Master - Ghost in the Shell (1995 version) 17. Jimmy Shaker - Ransom 18. The Seed Family - Far Cry 5 19. Magneto, Colonel William Stryker, Bolivar Trask, and Apocalypse - X-Men movie series 20. Dr. Mann - Interstellar 21. Peter Isherwell - Don’t Look Up 22. Saruman and Gollum - The Lord of the Rings trilogy 23. Smaug - The Hobbit trilogy 24. The characters and themes of House of the Dragon 25. Ruvik - The Evil Within

[@UseTheLess00]

The most American character of all time was made by Japanese people. The irony

[@mycelia_ow]

This comment has a ton of downvotes apparently lol, idk why because you're spot on.

[@AC-hj9tv]

​@@mycelia_owhow to see?

[@DeadSpaceWing]

​@@mycelia_owWho wants to be compared to this....thing?

[@DemiCape]

@@mycelia_owyou can see comment downvotes? Downvotes has been removed for many many years way earlier than the dislike button on video, so how does that work?

[@mycelia_ow]

​@@DemiCape it still exists, they just stopped displaying them. By default "top comment" is the sorting for comments, goes by likes and replies. so whenever you see a comment at the very bottom despite it having some likes and replies, it's been downvoted a lot. There's many comments above it with no likes or replies, like here. The downvote button affects the hidden comment rankings, but it really only does something when the downvotes outnumber likes and comments.

[@JohnLover1179]

A video on Revolver Ocelot or Liquid Snake would be cool

[@empmarioplushbros2389]

I expected Homelander Did not expect Senator Armstrong 😐 But It Make sense as well Also Happy Forth of July

[@oceanman1687]

Absolutely nailed this. You captured the Senator to a complete T. I’d love to see your takes on other Revengeance Characters, especially Sundowner and Jetstream Sam. I think you’d get quite the interesting dissection looking at Sundowner.