The Fall of Shadowstone Park (S2 // Episode 8)

[@hbomberguy]

Can't believe how good this show is

[@pathall]

5 hour breakdown of shadowstone park when

[@SoranMBane]

FilmCow Is Genius, and Here's Why.

[@bruceusername]

crossover episode when

[@HardlegGaming]

It's got that same excellent mix of surrealist humor and high minded sci-fi that I loved in the Detective Heart of America movie. There's really nothing quite like it.

[@kida4313]

Right?

[@thatrandomman1381]

This episode is unreal. It's so confusing while simultaneously providing so much extra information. The way it stays with the ship's intelligence, and we never see the others is so eerie but amplifies the atmosphere and my investment. This show's plot is much more intriguing than I could have ever guessed. I'm so excited to see where this goes

[@spyrofan9681]

It's 2023 and the best way to make people empathize with an artificial intelligence/robot is still to make it like Birds.

[@hamishgiec2062]

"Acquiring birds..."

[@Gamingpandacat]

Bastion, the Iron Giant, Calibretto, the list is growing

[@Mae_Dastardly]

And also give it dementia apparently

[@monarchofshadows5536]

@@Gamingpandacat Android 16

[@pacotaco1246]

I wonder if the Shadowstone also wants to kill son goku

[@Pheonix1328]

So Nil sacrificed his entire crew to keep the evil one from using the ship? And Darius asking for a continuous supply of skulls kept the ship from gaining too much power too quickly keeping the others safe?

[@vampyrekyng_lex]

I didn’t even catch onto that. Thanks!

[@JohnSmith-bn5mi]

My guess is that it kept the power levels so low that it was incredibly difficult to detect.

[@genderender]

nil's species names their captains after the number of crew members aboard the ship 0% crew survival...

[@searedscallops318]

@@genderender good catch there.

[@psiseven]

If that alien is Nil then those moments must be flashbacks/memories. It's a possibility

[@dder04]

“Have the humans even stopped killing the humans?” “Its gotten better”

[@WelcomeToDERPLAND]

I'm not sure its gotten better to be honest, what with the never ending shitshow calvalcade of Africa and SA, Chinese Extermination camps and the Russian invasion of ukraine- and with constant posturing about nuclear strikes....

[@MrMegaManFan]

If only.

[@metaleater9]

Would they even still be human if they stopped?

[@paradoxlaboratories8005]

I feel like the population of every species on earth would Skyrocket if nothing killed anything anymore.

[@blenderbanana]

@@paradoxlaboratories8005 The First world and it's satelites in China, South Korea, etc; are providing some intrigueing perspectives Malthus never would have considered; Chileren are huge suck-holes. And if given the option between security, comfort, and "fufillment"; a not inconsiderable portion of people will choose the later: over a 20-year lottery-anchor they get to name

[@intrestsofthemind612]

So...Darius's skull fetish actually protected the park...it's perfect and horrifying.

[@brainflash1]

So he was a true King and he didn't even know it.

[@spyrofan9681]

If his "ghost" snaps out of the funk it's currently stuck in he's definitely gonna take credit.

[@npiper]

No Darius is the reason the killings started in the first place. The "Barrier" is the radius of influence of the ship and the animals going "Crazy" is just them returning to normal animal intelligence and instincts. I don't think the penguin is here to help in the way anybody else around here is going to appreciate.

[@CyberandPolar]

He didn’t SAVE anyone he’s the reason for the killings he made to many skulls and then the crew all died! The barrier broke and know the animals are turning back into normal animals!

[@MardukGodSlayer]

@@npiper Nice theory, but what about the rabbits?

[@witchhatter]

So having had some time to think over the cryptic hints, I have a new theory for what the story is. "Someone is here but it is only me." The computer makes many statements to this effect. In what seems to be the final memory the captain says "they're replacing you, but we can stop it for a time." I think the thing Ava calls "evil gaia" might be a computer virus. It knows it's receiving instructions and commands, but it can't tell where they're coming from. "Can you understand me?" may be the computer's response to the disorienting "feeling" of receiving instructions it can't "hear" as the virus exploits vulnerabilities to remain undetected while rewriting code. The computer also seems to be forgetting things, perhaps due to it's memory being rewritten.

[@terryflopycow2231]

And now we know who by lmao

[@DarkOmegaMK2]

Darius could've asked for anything. He asked for an unlimited supply of skulls.

[@mazgazine1]

end the world because of some skull fetish !

[@Rick_Steel]

@@mazgazine1 the odds of the world being saved or doomed by Darius' weird skull thing is 50/50 and I love it

[@Mae_Dastardly]

When he died Turns out he left behind A mansion full of other people's skulls The odd thing is they never found his own When he died

[@Rick_Steel]

@@Mae_Dastardly Well Crush kinda did go buck wild on Darius' body, I mean just look at him, good Lord he's just goo now!

[@arandomfox999]

@@Mae_Dastardly It is amazing how the YT algorithm funnels similar people together. Aimkid is back too.

[@leopardbunny]

I still find myself coming back to this episode in particular. The nonlinear perspective, the refusal to show the main cast, the heavy air of anxiety... immaculate storytelling.

[@cerberusmutt4252]

Hooooo man, this show truly is your magnum opus. The culmination of your genius, of your skills, of your dedication to your art. Each new episode tells so much, and asks even more. I can't wait to watch the whole thing, beginning to end, once a year for as long as I live.

[@Adrischa]

I read skulls

[@paradoxlaboratories8005]

Yes. “Hooooo”. Indeed.

[@KevinG3699]

I'll wind up watching it multiple times a year, this is captivating.

[@genderender]

I thought the charlie finale was jason's peak, but god damn this show is amazing me left and right

[@steveirwin3594]

Okay, this show just went from goofy cartoon animals to making me cling on to every word while chills ran down my back. Well done, Jason.

[@VerbiGereando]

I have never seen an AI so stressed goddam

[@oopsalldrip1376]

I guess you've never played Marathon then.

[@goldenyak629]

Yeah, the line "Someone is here but it is only me!" becomes increasingly horrific as we learn that some force is replacing the ship's AI. It can only detect itself as it's being overwritten, becoming something else.

[@miabullafaloni1312]

Actually kind of comforting to know that the skulls were artificial. Also this is such an amazing series FilmCow, some of the best work I've ever seen, not only from you, but from KZbin in general. I'm so glad I got to grow up watching your work become even more complex and beautiful. Thank you so much

[@isaacalien]

This is gonna be such a good damned RIDE when we can watch the entire thing in one sitting!

[@knifekitty_ls]

oh, it is

[@robertyang4365]

My theory is this, also accumulating ideas from some other comments: - The Nil shown here is fragment of the ship’s memory. - The evil one, perhaps a spirit or a computer virus is infecting the ship AI, slowly turning its functions towards evil. That’s why the ship AI keeps saying that there’s someone there, and also saying “but it’s only me.” The evil one is trying to take control by becoming one with the AI. - The ship AI has discharged its energy once before, and didn’t like it. I’m saying this because if we’re to believe that the Nil shown here is a fragment of the ship’s memory, then this has played out once before with Nil advising the AI to discharge the ship power to prevent the evil one from abusing its abilities. Perhaps this is the tragedy that finalized the alien captain’s name to be Nil (“zero percent crew survival”) - The discharge caused the ship to lose its memory and its crew, and may also be why the ship AI currently dislikes lightning; perhaps the AI faintly remembers the painful sensation of fully discharging its power. - Seeing as the ship can run off solar, perhaps the ship rebooted, and the cycle happens to be repeating itself, this time with the ship AI having only a fraction of its previous memory, and also dedicating 90% of ship power to mass producing skulls for Darius. - If it were not for Darius’ skull perversion buying this ship AI time to piece together its previous memory fragments/recordings (as energy was being diverted to skull production rather than satisfying the evil one’s machinations), then the evil one may have gotten the opportunity to take control of this ship. - Earth might not be so lucky next time when the ship AI has even less of its memories than it did this time.

[@DaxIsAName]

The loneliness and despair is palpable and I am here for it.

[@grasstoucher8503]

You can't expect humans to give up on all that... delicious crab meat...

[@Rick_Steel]

These aliens actually expect me to stop eating chicken nugs just because they gave the chickens the ability to talk 🤣

[@Waffletigercat]

@@Rick_Steel More like, they expected you to stop eating chicken nugs just because a glass of water was now exactly as nutritous.

[@starchcontrast4214]

Carcinization: A Crab is You.

[@judeymans]

oh yeah, you know. you definitely know.

[@johnnyhuynh9016]

Robert Mitchums head says I approve

[@danielhale1]

This episode is so alien, being viewed from the AI's perspective. It does such a good job of half-answering and then creating questions.

[@lanceyu4588]

The Year of Mysteries deepens further and further! Poor Nil…

[@selalewow]

I know right. The last episode when you realized why its name was Nil was heartbreaking.

[@lukerausch9308]

With each episode, an answer or two to very important and mesmerizing questions becomes clear, only for just as many questions to arise and confound me more. You do amazing work and I await the next questions to come!

[@mateuszles2306]

Now that's funny cuz I don't understand literally anything

[@Scypek]

And yet, when each episode asks and answers roughly the same amount of questions... the ratio of answered to unanswered questions keeps increasing.

[@somotomo2472]

I can really FEEL the confusion and loneliness of the ship😭 this is so good

[@createdenition]

Audibly screamed “noooo!” When I saw there was no Play Next option on the playlist, you’re animation and storytelling are marvelous and legitimately chilling!

[@thewhatever3565]

Can we just agree that Jason Steele is a phenomenal storyteller His work has always been linking to the prophecy of death and where we go. Yet I love how nearly every single character that believes they have the one true answer is merely creating the equivalent of that of a McDonalds on a freeway. Unicorn, marshmallow, shadowstone. Prove me wrong…please! But that’s how I’m see this.

[@JAcKyL6669]

"Can you understand me?" Lol, you forgot spatulas and llamas...with hats. 😁

[@genderender]

​@@JAcKyL6669 have you seen llamas with hats? cause it wasn't just a silly series also spatula series are usually about the mundane life of office work

[@JAcKyL6669]

@@genderender Yes, I have. Llamas with hats got me into filmcow, lol.

[@davidschaftenaar6530]

Yes, I think we can just agree. Prominent themes of his are death, meaning and meaning beyond death (hence the frequent depictions of ghosts as major characters)

[@morpho9989]

I've watch a movie about a porcelain eagle being shook around in front of a camera like 9 times. He's amazing.

[@risel56]

_"Can you understand me? Because I cannot understand myself..."_

[@fearofthechippan]

When treated as a soliloquy, this episode is utterly beautiful. I would love to see this performed

[@FreyaofCerberus]

I genuinely don't think i breathed during that entire episode. It was so tragic and beautiful and haunting. Bloody good job.

[@frylock6403]

Darius was truly a wise owl thats for sure, even without knowing it, he had kept the park safe

[@ThisIsNeccessary]

I've followed your work for a long time, and collectively I think Shadowstone Park is the best thing you've ever done.

[@NolanEgbert]

What a masterclass of storytelling. You aren’t spelling it out and it’s so much more rewarding that way. Even the humor ties perfectly in to the uneasy vibe

[@cthulhluftagn3812]

So, what have we learned. 1: this is not the first world they have altered. 2: this is the first world to refuse to change 3: humans where in some way responsible for or controled by Evil Gaia 4: being a pervert isnt a bad thing if no one gets hurt

[@DarkOmegaMK2]

5: The shadow stones are not rocks, they are spaceships.

[@blahthebiste7924]

@@DarkOmegaMK2 We knew that from a couple episodes ago

[@seanwood5724]

I thought this was implying that nil is the evil Gaia

[@credittome2732]

@@seanwood5724 No, One of the Earlier episodes said that he is the captain of the ship in shadow stone park

[@seanwood5724]

@@credittome2732 I know but I don’t think we’ve seen Eva meet nil yet maybe he’s the dark Gaia she’s been talking about. Eva said dark Gaia was here after nil told the computer to discharge all power.

[@AdjectiveObject]

This is some amazing storytelling. Filmcow never misses.

[@zieresXiii]

This is by far one the the best series you have ever produced dude.

[@JachymorDota]

There is always a theme in these series, about beings playing with powers they do not fully understand or with consequences they cannot fathom to anticipate. Wether with good or selfish intentions, innocents suffer from it and whole planets may crumble to fulfill the desires of those who think themselves god.

[@Talshiar28913]

I feel so invested in this show, I can't believe it; it's amazing. Shadowstone Park is becoming a FilmCow all-time great.

[@GurtMan100]

This episode was so damn good. 5 or so minutes of a talking orb and I was so captivated of what was being said and how it was presented. I have this very weak feeling of tears building up, this episode was just so beautifully crafted. This takes my top spot in something.

[@Khyrberos]

The way this is presented, and the way it just cuts off, are both so very compelling & masterful.

[@PandaGirl991]

Honestly can't wait to rewatch this episode 20 times so I can start to unravel some of the mysteries. Love this series!

[@Squizznot]

Evey time a new episode drops, I need to re-watch the series. I feel like I notice more and more each time and enjoy it more with every viewing. What an artist. Bravo, dude.

[@adonaihenderson6657]

This has me more at the edge of my seat than any other media I've consumed. It's wonderful, truly.

[@LunarMimzy]

That you can make something feel so foreboding and overwhelmingly full of dread without ever cutting away from a literally unmoving object is really something else. XD

[@4me1i3]

Can you understand me? This series is amazing, can you understand me?

[@tanukioh]

Can you understand me? I agree!

[@WorldofFood]

Wild how each episode adds so much more information, but the mystery only deepens. Going to be amazing to see how everything turns out. Filmcow really outdoing himself with this one.

[@TrackPadDad]

There's so much substance to the story I'm in awe

[@Cobatsart]

Oh shit, If Darius had been inside the rock, he probably could have probably seen ghosts too if he wasn't blind. That just occurred to me.

[@SnuuySnuuy]

lol yeah I was like “how come he can’t see ghosts” then I realised he can’t see anything. He could’ve heard them though but I doubt ghosts world try talking to people

[@Khrayfish]

Why the hell did it take 6 months for KZbin to recommend me this series when I've been subscribed to this channel for years and watched the first part of this series multiple times!? Well, at least I'm here now.

[@OrangeDog20]

KZbin doesn't usually recommend things you are already subscribed to because you're already subscribed to them. If you want to see all the videos from your subscriptions then go to the subscriptions tab.

[@MrDarthtelos]

This just gets wilder and wilder.

[@upmost2766]

Every time more questions then answers!

[@SteamPonyDesign]

I love this show. So glad to see FilmCow still doing awesome work after so many years.

[@VidGams]

Well this is bloody terrifying and I can't get enough of it.

[@TrashyBashy]

Thank you for continuing your craft, Jason. I’ve been watching your animations since I was in elementary school and have stayed loyal to your channel all the way up to my (current) young adult life. I’m glad to see you have progressed in developing your story telling abilities as well as maintain your unique sense of humor that punches me in the gut to this day. It’s been a privilege growing up with your cartoons, and I look forward to what comes out next 😁

[@jaesynn2015]

Here, here!

[@no-ic5gw]

I'm really happy you've continued this series

[@parkslog8975]

Man, after the conclusion to Charlie the Unicorn I thought I had seen the best conclusion to a KZbin series- but each episode of this blows me away. I cannot wait to see how this show moves forward.

[@Prisinence]

I only just found out that you continued working on this! Thank you so much, I am SO excited to see where this series goes!

[@ThomasSpettel]

This series is truly one of your best ones. So much mystery and character shenanigans.

[@Everfalling]

Ok so one little detail revealed here is why Darius laughed at Lark when Lark asked if there was anything he could do for him. Someone had already done something for him plenty.

[@SOF88]

Ooh, the "Can you understand-" and getting immediately cut off sounded like the lightning strike it had just described. Clever!

[@jasperzatch610]

You know i gotta stop what im doing to catch an episode of this

[@Lusus-zj9pt]

I'm so glad the series is still going on

[@e.richens3736]

This series has already been wonderfully eerie but this episode takes the cake, thank you for going back to it!

[@kunairuto]

This is a masterpiece.

[@TurbulentStars]

I ADORE how this episode was told, you're really taking this to the next level, great work!!!

[@Megara.x]

Thank you jason for making videos for the internet for all these years. Your persistence has brought truly inspired art into existence! It's a wonderful experience being a fan of yours. I love your writing style!

[@Step1adder]

glad you're still making stuff, shadowstone is criminally underrated

[@AnimusTheFox]

It's gonna be a good friday thanks to your episode!

[@NikkiLayne]

I love it when a medium exclusive to the internet sees an addition of profoundly good art.

[@brainflash1]

I wonder if the real Nil has any clue this is happening.

[@matthewcollins4773]

Well, he's nuts. All the death and shame (he is a fallen God, as he noted) has left him unhinged and detached from it all. Poor Nil.

[@brainflash1]

@@matthewcollins4773 He's a Nilhist.

[@jakeinator21]

I love this series so much. By far my favorite of your work.

[@barabajagal]

I get so excited for every episode in this series lol

[@chara5]

Got recommended this a couple days ago, instantly binged the full show, multiple times, this is brilliant, I hope this gets more popular.

[@TheNecromancress]

I cannot tell you how excited I am every time I see a new episode. And as always it didn't disappoint, but did leave me craving more. I love this so much.

[@convincingmountain]

god this goes so hard. doesn't matter how it all shakes out, this progression alone is fabulous. really really excellent work my guy

[@SaltyStrudel]

my second favorite AI death of all time, so wonderfully done. thank you!

[@cryptidrecording]

God that was so horrific and yet brutally disorienting. The fact that we can’t label what the Thing even Is truly but Understand what it’s done, what it had to do and what it’s thinking- Feeling- so viscerally is incredible.

[@Gordion111]

since this series resumed, nothing on youtube has come remotely close to making me as excited as each new episode

[@WhiteLusterChaos]

The spectrum of emotion and perspective this episodes unveils is special, it shows how broken things are from the top down, the limbo state in which the ships Ai is stuck in almost as if it has alzeimers with its memory reseting and hearing the past come up over and over, it's not an inherent evil that's causing dismay as we may have first thought, it was logical good intentions that were incompatible with the illogical, selfish, emotion driven populace that took a chance for world peace and ignored it.

[@Edmar_Fecler]

Well i’d hardly call “upheaving the global economy, leading to governmental collapse and untold chaos” as an opportunity at peace. What do I mean? *_what do you think would happen if the entire world’s food industry just vanished over night?_*

[@rileybooker9824]

This show literally keeps me up at night wondering wtf is going on I NEED ANSWERS please I’m so sleepy

[@KevinG3699]

Just rewatched all the episodes wishing for the next one.

[@johnlewan1114]

I still remember the first time, many years ago, someone showed me Llamas with hats. I thought it couldn't get better than that. But you keep proving me wrong, again and again. Can you understand me? You fill some of the emptiness in my soul. Thank you.

[@-sk8-437]

no idea what the fucks going on but I'm enjoying this

[@Mahoneyyay]

Glad I'm not alone on that haha

[@daytwaqua]

I somehow missed the release of the previous episode, which meant I got to watch both back-to-back. I thought I was getting a handle on things after episode 7, then after watching 8, I fear I may be more clueless than ever. Normally I don't enjoy experiencing a confused state, bur this one I don't mind so much. It has elements of anticipation & intrigue that I find pleasant, though I could do without the impatience inherent in awaiting the next installment. Oh, and the "Can you understand me?" hits me at the very core of my being, as feeling misunderstood has been my state of being for pretty much my entire existence. I've come to terms with it to an extent, or I suppose I've just finally accepted it as my lot in life. Basically what I'm trying to say is: great episode, can't wait for the next one.

[@snakeater_Oli]

it keeps getting better and better

[@eldabys]

this is the best thing i think you've ever done. shits actually crazy. long fall sladowstone

[@Imbtrtenu]

I can't believe these episodes aren't getting more views. This is my favorite series.

[@SickandRestless]

Really enjoyed this episode, especially the visuals. Can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

[@CTRLVCatMemes]

Honestly dude this is the best show you've ever written, and I liked your other stuff a lot. Can't believe the way this plot went.

[@Struikbeheerder]

I live for these.

[@DS10Sports]

The fact that he said are humans still killing humans is so true

[@creamgreg]

I really hope more people see this series, it's so good, this episode is genuinely haunting

[@tigrerojo9685]

God this is turning into such an amazing show...

[@quirkyc]

This is why shadowstone park is my favourite show these days

[@Vixin24]

This is so confusing but I love it! I can't wait to have everything unveiled and be able to watch the whole series together since I keep forgetting things between uploads.

[@Elementroar]

Nil decided to give animals the ability to talk and maybe intelligence, that’s what he means by maybe if the ‘fauna can advocate on their own behalf’. After they restructured the world, humans kept killing animals and eating meat and refused to stop, this was what Nil thought would help stop it.

[@exsanguinateds]

Partway through “Jessica the wizard eats a third horse” and I have to say I am loving it so far. Your humor and message rings true and comes through in the best way in your writing.

[@Walt117]

Such an interesting episode, can’t wait to see where this goes.

[@KevinG3699]

This story is so captivating.

[@KillerCaitie]

I too like the worlds with birds.

[@p-cam1584]

every episode makes me crave more, this is so good

[@cthulhluftagn3812]

This show is so well written and acted we feel sympathy for a circle

[@AIagremm]

Now that is very surreal in the best of ways. What a style.

[@bladedsilver2923]

I’m so glad the shows back!!! When I realised it was back I binged watched all the episodes. Can’t wait for the next one!!! I’ve turned notifications on specifically for this