FROM Theories: DONNA RAINES - Sinner or Saint?

[@lonothechamp]

man, that bus was just going to make the same circles everyone else makes and then they were all going to die. she saved them all from themselves. DDF for life!

[@rootypoots]

Donna’s one of my favorite portrayals of a strong woman on television. So many strong women characters-especially on more action-heavy shows like this-feel written by and for men. Donna’s complex, motherly, fierce, at her wit’s end while somehow managing to just keep it together. So many kudos to the writers and Elizabeth Saunders’ brilliant portrayal.

[@Ash.Crow.Goddess]

Yes, exactly!

[@jimmoriarty4530]

So many strong woman characters are written for feminists not for men. For men they make virtuous sweet submissive and feminine women

[@jimmoriarty4530]

Even though strong woman characters written for women in general. when it's written by men - they are more realistic (like Sarah Cornor in Terminatior ) but when it's written by activists or feminists they make Mary Sue charectors like Captain Marvel. So don't blame it on men

[@pressed-flowers]

​@@jimmoriarty4530you're so completely wrong lol I'm sure men can write really good characters but to say that they're better at it *because* they're men it's wild

[@jimmoriarty4530]

@@pressed-flowers I have shown you proof , what do you have? Men write better female character whether it be in Indian movies (heroines of Maniratnam, Padmarajan , Sathyan Anthikad etc) or Hollywood . Maybe it's because men visualise thier best female fantasies through these characters. My favourite is heroines of Sathyan Anthikad (like Samyuktha Varma in Veendum chila Veetukaryangal and others) because they are matured class women who could also be an inspiration for other men too, their charector has depth. But when women write female characters they are mostly shallow.

[@aroha9090]

Oh God, I hope not. That would be massively disappointing. Her interaction with Ethan about bravery was so special. & I love how much Donna has cared for Fatima & the people at Colony House, even if she has butted heads with Boyd every now & then. She's tough, headstrong, sometimes stubborn, but so far she has seemed to be trying to do her best for the town. It'd feel like lazy writing if they took a character who frequently disagreed with our hero (Boyd) & slapped 'bad guy' on her. Crossing my fingers for Donna.

[@imogenx9145]

I don't think she's the villain, I think she's just guilt ridden over something like the rest of them.

[@bigfootwalker5399]

Pure Evil

[@derekfnord]

In a show like this, I think we have to assume that *_everyone_* is hiding something, so no one is ever 100% above suspicion. Having said that, I don't think Donna is that much more suspicious than anyone else. I've always taken her lack of support for escape attempts as being rooted in the pain of having seen too many attempts fail and too many friends die. If you try to live day by day and you have a bad day, well, tomorrow's another day and hopefully it will be better. But if you try to survive on hope for the future, then when something happens to shatter that hope, it's all the more devastating. I think Donna would just rather "be" than "hope."

[@Ash.Crow.Goddess]

In a show like this or in everyday life?

[@LolaC.1908]

kzbin.info/door/IZ_D5EZUa-RuQpIag0o1aA

[@derekfnord]

@@Ash.Crow.Goddess Fair point! 😂

[@endor8witch]

i always see her as someone who is aggressive in mothering those around her, not by showering them by affection but bulldozing her way to stop them from putting themselves in danger. she wraps you in her protection and that may come at the expense of her being seen as controlling. i think her intentions are well because her default mode is: protect and survive. that's it.

[@petraleopold2713]

agree w this, i think ppl mistake her roughness and boldness and see that as something suspicious, only sus thing she did was tellin Jim to keep quiet about voice on radio but again i can understand that too, she doesn't want ppl to panic and to be afraid (although thats pretty hard in their circumstances) but she is deff good leader

[@herexcellencyru]

i feel like she doesn't want to leave because either because her sister is dead she doesn't have a home to go to anymore or she knows she's changed too much and isnt too upset if she's stuck

[@reillylong589]

My friends and I say Donna is like a middle management character. She's good in a crisis because she has a procedure to follow like the escape from colony house. But once she loses procedure and clear plan of action, she falters. As tough and gritty as she is, she isn't a leader. Throughout the show, although she vocally disagrees with Boyd and calls him out, she follows his lead and trusts his decisions even if she doesn't like them. Thats why we call her middle management. She can direct and follow through on orders, but isn't necessarily the one that can actually make them like Boyd does. Clearly her sister was the more strong headed(the leader) of the two, given that Donna says her sister was making the decisions on whether or not to turn back, and when she confronted the creatures. I think there is definitely more to Donna as a character, but I don't know if it's necessarily sinister. She strikes me as someone who is scared and wants to be helpful, but doesn't want to rock the boat in fear of making things worse. I saw someone in the comments say "she prefers to be rather than hope" Which I think is a great way of putting it. She's seen so many people die and suffer trying to escape, it's not hard to believe she's too traumatized to want to actively help other people try. I think that was the initial description in season 1 of colony house vs. town. Town people are actively trying to leave and working towards that goal, where as colony house people have accepted their fate of being trapped and want to make the most of the closest thing to a life they can make in Fromville.

[@petraleopold2713]

@@reillylong589 disagree, i think she is good leader and keeps colony house in check which is filled w bunch of people, yes she has outbursts but thats bcuz she is human, u can't expect she will be cool as cucumber in this situation, also Boyd had moments of crisis also, he is more calmer I'll give u that but for leader u don't have to be perfect, just do your best and it will be how it will be, both are good leaders in my opinion,they have differences but they learned how to cooperate together

[@reillylong589]

@@petraleopold2713 I think you're right in that, in colony house she is head honcho. But on major decisions, she looks to Boyd. And ofc everyone has their moments. I just think that as a character, I think Donna prefers a bit of direction rather than having to make the directions.

[@AlB1974]

It's very interesting that the name Donna translates to "Lady of the House" and she's the BOSS at Colony House. But Donna is also a derivative of the name "Madonna" which also applies to "The Blessed Virgin Mary" mother of Jesus Christ and people looking up towards Donna as a "Mother" figure. Don't forget about Fr. Kathari mentioning about NO BIBLES in town and Book 74 and the Bible still being written according to Fr. K. But also, a lot of the characters names have Religious meanings and other aspects of rituals and magic.

[@tjk3430]

I just hope by the end all questions are answered and this intriguing show doesn't go beyond 4 seasons.

[@kampy19]

I really think that her defeatist attitude comes from a place of attempting something in the past. She clearly has an idea of what it's like to lose something, aside from her sister, within Fromville. She's not willing to shoot down anyone else's hopeful idea, but she is well aware of what happens when people are giving hope that is dashed. I think that'll be explored later

[@b4ph0m3tdk9]

She is the voice of reason. That is why she show up when there is those moments.

[@sifuweber1478]

I really like Donna hiding something. Something definitely more to her character. Maybe the Momma monster and her kid is the monster that’s outta hand. I/k but would be wild!

[@jessferatu671]

Interesting theories! I love this show, can't wait for the next season. I think maybe Donna doesn't want to leave because she has nothing to go back to. Just a thought. Loving your videos.

[@nautilusfiles]

"...she has nothing to go back to." - Certainly, something to consider.

[@lyricbot8513]

No way I checked your channel like 3 hours ago and then the next time I logged into youtube there was a new vid! nice!

[@nautilusfiles]

Nice! Hope you enjoyed it!

[@tiveautbmc]

Barely no one is talking about the dog in the serie. I really want to know what the dog is all about

[@lamebot651]

I think the dog might belong to the boy in white and he’s using it to help the people in fromville (assuming the boy in white has good intentions)

[@falkovon9135]

I believe Randall, Donna's habit of showing up at key moments in other people's conversations is suspect.

[@michaelsmith9102]

Ohhhh, YES!!! This is the KZbin deep dive I had no idea I wanted and needed so badly. This channel ROCKS! Thank you so much for your hard work. You are GREAT at this!

[@carlie-10]

Maybe Donna killed her sister not the monsters, or they both killed someone else and was on the run. And that’s why she doesn’t want to leave.

[@nikopolkarhangelsk]

Interesting topic! I did see a lot of theories about Donna but I must admit that none of them was convincing to me. Me personaly, I see Donna as a no bs tough lady who after three years just lost enthusiasm for trying. And I love the creativity behind some theories and attention to detail but they all seem a bit circumstential. There is just too much of ifs and maybes, there is very little there. That being said I would not be disappointed if a twist happens in season three and we see she had a hidden agenda, but for now...I am not convinced.

[@robertbaconii]

@11:19 a mole makes perfect sense because the FROM evil entities may know what's going on, but keeping the subjects on track could use a gentle human hand as opposed to visions and the freaks at night.

[@imagomonkei]

I suspect there's something about Donna's life outside the village that she doesn't want to return to, so she's content to play this role of matriarch for Colony House.

[@blessedlife8687]

Excellent analysis! I agree that a mole wouldn’t be necessary; however, it would be devastating to the townspeople. The town seems to feed off fear, and if they find out that not everyone is who they claim to be, then who can they trust? Thus, more chaos and terror ensue. I think some people of the town, like Donna, might be day walking monsters. Imagine finding out that the person you’ve grown to love and trust was a monster with evil intentions the entire time? Now that would be terrifying!!

[@PaganSkye]

No I would be surprised if she was I think she just cares about her ppl. Although she has been there for a long time before the talisman and she just told her story we never saw a back story on her I wish they would show how they survived before Boyd found all the animals and the talisman

[@wintertrooper7918]

We know that for all long time the cupboards and pantries were either seriously full or continually restocked and we know that there are loads of hiding places scattered around town from previous cycles

[@sinisterai]

I suspect that Donna is the mother/keeper of the kid in white, who keeps people there to appease his "Anthony Freemont" nature and stopping a larger carnage in the 'real' world lol

[@luckyowl6432]

I'm still wondering about that ripped corner in the picture of Donna and sister. Makes me suspicious but watch it turn out to be nothing 😅

[@nautilusfiles]

In light of everything else we know; I think you are probably right.

[@nanasomy6236]

Donna is Bobby from supernatural

[@alexpowers5117]

She is there for a very long time and she knows what happens if people would fight back against the town also I think she just adapted to the whole situation also I don’t think this place needs a mole the cowboy said this place couldn’t break you to Boyd That’s what Boyd said to the music box with no creatures around

[@volkrart]

I'd really like to learn more about what the dog's business is in 3rd season.

[@thisisjeannie4723]

always enjoy your videos! you know exactly what I'm watching at all times.

[@eva_marie633]

Hey @nautilusfiles ! Always good to get a notification from you! I wish you did audiobooks! 😅 Thank you for the great work! Take care!!

[@nautilusfiles]

Thanks, Eva! As we get closer to the new seasons, I'm planning on trying out a long form podcast. It's either that or short stories.

[@eva_marie633]

@@nautilusfiles Yayyy!!🥳

[@jasoncaldwell5627]

Donna was in some bad relationship before her sister came to get her (shotgun in hand) for a "hunting trip" when she came to Fromville. Like everyone else, she was going through a life changing time when she arrived. When she breaks down at the end of Season One, she blurts out "At least here you know who the monsters are!" which, to me, says she was dealing with a real world "monster" and went from being a victim in the real world to having respect and authority in Fromville. Like Victor, Fromville has become her home... She doesn't want to leave.

[@qlg8574]

I don't think Donna is evil. I really don't pay attention to Randall. His theories seem to feed on division and people fighting one another. I think Donna practices radical acceptance about how she got to Fromville and she may never leave.

[@lbradley5264]

The Martin clip 😂

[@anakiyacreates]

Man idec, I love Donna. Lol I’ve been rooting for her. Especially when the colony house got hit. She was really down after that.

[@Bumper1869]

With most people stuck there they show snippets on their arrival. Notice how Donna and the priest as main characters talk about their arrival, but it isn't shown? makes me wonder. Also why do three of the characters have seizures but the rest do not?

[@drakewinwest9888]

Great video as always

[@2CSST2]

The idea that convinces me the "mole" could be true is simply that it's just another way for it to f--k with people. It seems to constantly come up with creepier stuff for them to deal with, it would make sense that at some point that becomes having to deal with even an intimate friendly relationship being a lie. So not really a "mole" per say, that does seem too weak a means for From Ville to exert its power and manipulate, but more like another deeper form of bait-and-switch. The typical monsters they act nice only to show their true form when they got you, but maybe some monsters are much deeper into that game of acting nice, even making their way into you giving them your deepest trust, only to f--k you up in the end.

[@qi_kayon]

yo yo you should do Outer Range analyses, would love to see/hear your take - just finished Season 1 and was like "let's see what Nautilus thinks..."

[@Heyithinkhejust]

“Shoulders carry the weight of a thousand unseen horrors.” Them shoulders be shouldering 💪 she’s my favorite lmfao

[@French_sultana]

I love Donna ❤ she is my favorite character ❤

[@EatTheMarxists]

In season two Donna says that she survived for about, or slightly over, a year before Boyd found the talismans. Is a year a long time to survive by hiding every night? Sure, but it is possible even if not all that plausible. We’ve seen no evidence that she’s another Sara and acting on behalf of ‘Cthulhu’ or that she’s an antagonist. It is possible of course, but I don’t think we’ll find out in season three. It looks like my Jade theory is correct as the creatures are shown in the trailer walking through the resident’s houses, meaning that someone (Jade, being driven mad by the twisted roots like Christopher was in 1978) stole and possibly even destroyed all of the talismans. It’s about to get wild!

[@EatTheMarxists]

Oh, and Tabitha is Victor’s sister. In 1978 the Boy in White pushed her out of the lighthouse for the first time, and she suffered a traumatic brain injury in the fall, leading to total amnesia and her regularly-occurring headaches. She was pushed into a later year than 1978 though, most likely 1985-1990 so that she would meet Jim and have Julie, Ethan, and Thomas. Ethan is this cycle’s Victor, the designated survivor of the massacre at the end of the cycle.

[@wintertrooper7918]

​@EatTheMarxists the only problem is that Victor's family is white while Tabitha is Hispanic

[@cutietae247]

She could just be a criminal of sorts.. maybe she did something before she got stuck and doesn’t want to go back out? I think it’s also a good example of Stockholm syndrome/trauma bond with the place

[@GrannyGamer1]

Writers have a great opportunity here to explore coalition building in face of common adversary. They keep going for squabble fests, instt, until I just wanna wring necks and scream, shut up and get back to work! They seem to have too much food and stuff, like there's a Walmart nearby.. I think people just wanna hate on Donna cuz they have mother issues. If she were a man, nobody would whine

[@nautilusfiles]

The popularity of this theory is such that I couldn't ignore it. Besides, I like picking these things apart to see if there is anything there. All it took was for "Randall" (a character we have no reason to trust) to make a baseless claim and it's off to the races lol. I certainly think there is more to her story, (origin) but the idea that she's up to no good seems like a reach. She's pulled more asses out of the fire than anyone so far.

[@EJaramillo]

She’s definitely not evil lol. I think she’s just been around long enough to know that so many have tried and failed to leave and that their efforts could be best used elsewhere.

[@ills.6]

she is a sweet sweet person. tough love

[@jaclynortiz3863]

Hey!! Did you see the Severance S2 snips from Apple TV? Would love to see your theories and thoughts

[@HiGhWaYmAn4.2.0]

I put my money on the dog saving everyone 👍 I reckon the dog isn't from the town/woods, I think he belongs to the hikers that find Tabitha at the end of season 2, they take regular hikes through the same woods and the dog hops in and out through a tree or other entry/exit. He will show the way! 😂

[@jayfromcali7091]

PPL see what they want.. Donna is the type of character that will turn villain a you look bach a say the writing was ALWAYS ON THE WALL

[@Sonicspeedboyz]

I feel like it’s an experiment like Jim i think his name was said, and I think Donna is in on it. Let me explain on Season 1 Episode 1 when the family just escaped the monsters and they were being interrogated by Donna, Donna then said she was gonna tell them a story of when they arrived and in that story Donna said the monster “Ripped her sisters face off” and when watching through the seasons no monster ever made contact with a victims face they all attacked the chest/Stomach meaning Donna most likely made up her story. Meaning there’s a high chance Jim’s theory is correct and donna’s in on the experiment.

[@AaronEarnest-h7y]

Everyone's face is always intact. And maybe even with their eyes open as well.

[@wintertrooper7918]

We've seen that the monsters don't always kill in the same way

[@debrawilson9364]

I’m really curious if anyone has ever tried to use a saw or something to cut the tree laying across the road and what would happen if so

[@wintertrooper7918]

It wouldn't matter, as has been very well established the moment you see the tree you're already trapped

[@23SquareHead]

You have to break down the new season 3 teaser, whatever is going to happen next is going to be bad

[@milkybalance342]

HI!!!!! Are you making a severance video right now???????? I think you are! I need it

[@DermotBrophy]

how sad you are

[@KassieP-sf6nz]

What about the new old lady she weird she said she had 4 kids and 7 grandchildren the kids that was died on the rocks was 7

[@97lynds21]

Did Donna ever have a flashback . . .?

[@nautilusfiles]

No, she only has that one expository conversation with Tabitha when they first come to Colony House. We don't know much about her life before her arrrival.

[@LoveLeigh313]

Team Donna 🫶🏼

[@drizzya.c8262]

Donna my favorite character. she dont play fucking games

[@jbhk7977]

Are adults really having this conversation? Bread and games comes to mind . . . my dear God, our world is breaking down and people debate whether 'Donna is good or bad'.

[@user-jf4if6vx9e]

Man i freakin love donna , i dont think she is a mole as her sister was butchered by the creatures too could be a set up but i dont think so , i do have my eye on eljin , dude knows something and he has a crow on hes shirt also the old lady is kinda wierd vibes

[@Laz2erK]

Something I have noticed is that we have never seen the monsters rip someones face off on the show. So her story is suspicious!

[@KeemJL]

bro what🤦🏿‍♂️

[@gndora7]

I like her character 👌🏻❤️

[@tonydye9491]

Feel like Donna knows vics sister and she had to fabricate her story and make vic forget what actually happened so the from cycle wouldn't repeat.

[@BillyBong]

People are grasping at straws.

[@Atlanta83]

I think shes both

[@Rondman]

After watching the Movie The Watchers I know exactly what the monster are in From.

[@DermotBrophy]

The Watchers was terrible

[@Rondman]

I didn't say that the movie was good. But those were the monsters 😂😂😂

[@petraleopold2713]

​@@Rondmani was thinkin the same, it would be f*cked up if monsters learn how to shapeshift into town's people😳

[@nocontextwhatever]

She's a badass

[@hotcrazycatladyme168]

She's not "the longest lasting survivor". Victor is.

[@derekfnord]

The video literally says, "...making her the longest running survivor over everyone in town but Victor."

[@skankhunt3443]

@@derekfnord😂

[@IGotYourReviews]

I think it's Kenny

[@Zak-tk8wv]

She’s an anti hero

[@noturmum7967]

She's definetly evil, the writings all over the wall. She hates something or doesn't have a full understanding of the real world, hence why she is advocating so hard for staying where they are. She's hiding alot. I dont think she wants anyone hurt or dead. But she forsure wants everyone stuck there

[@hicktoter]

Donna is a tough dude

[@oddeye9640]

If it was only Victor when she arrived, why would they have sent in a mole? Although, maybe they saw Victor as someone special, who needed an adult to help guide him, so they sent in one.

[@seensublime]

Annod

[@josep9564]

😂

[@Siouxdudelift]

Not evil but she bad fo sho fo sho

[@angelapalmer3464]

I think that Tabitha quantum leaped into Eloise. Also, why is no one talking about Victor's drawing of a snow globe. If they are in an experiment where people are watching. It's not a stretch to think that Fromville is set in a giant snow globe.

[@wintertrooper7918]

Nah i think that the snow globe is a representation of the 'bubble' or whatever you want to call it, they are trapped in there with clearly defined borders

[@MzShaybutta]

Naw its not Donna. Its definitely Victor.

[@evarosario5497]

I think Victor was the voice in the radio,

[@chasteriachasteria3629]

I think she does what needs to be done and that can come off as evil to some people who arent strong enough to do the hard things that need to be done, even if it's not the right thing. That said, I also think she's the mole, lol. Why? Mainly because I don't believe she hid from the creatures in the forest all night, and made it.

[@AlmosTxxx]

Look idk if she’s evil or not but damn she can tell a story