Harry Potter | breakdown of the darkest scene

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Let me know if you want that video on the Half Blood Prince as a whole!

[@mattbrodersen1051]

I think your video is amazing. I think all of your videos are really refreshing and deep… Will you mention or talk about the new TV show called as we see it? It’s about three autistic people in their 20s trying as hard as they can to be normal and getting ready to live life without their parents who are either passing away are moving away… It’s also about the people who make so many sacrifices helping people with autism. Love you bro!

[@nicks_destiny]

Yes please

[@trinaq]

Yes, please, I'd love to hear your take on the entire film!

[@jeremytherien5766]

DEFINITELY, has been my favorite one for long

[@suzannax]

Yeah, that'd be cool

[@hgman3920]

One of the things I love about all of the adult characters in HP, not just Dumbledore, is that they are complex people, not just black & white archetypes. In the later books, we learn that Harry's father and some of his classmates were sort of jerks when they were at Hogwarts, that the Dursleys, especially Petunia, still felt a sense of obligation to Harry even if they didn't treat him well, etc., etc.

[@JC622Kilo57J]

I think that the set-up illustrates that Dumbledore knows that he's using children as de-facto intelligence agents, and that the guilt of responsibility weighs heavily on him, even knowing that there really is no other way because Voldemort didn't hesitate to do the same.

[@maxmaan2181]

One of my favorite lines from the series comes from this scene. While leaving the cave, harry tells Dumbledore to not be afraid and Dumbledore answers with. “I’m not afraid Harry, for I am with you” Awesome video like always.

[@cherusiderea1330]

"Happines can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

[@DelphineTheWorstBladeEver]

My mind every time I see Malfoy: "Scared, Potter?" "You. Wish." *Commence toy commercial of plastic, light up wand magic*

[@tamarabedic9601]

"Did it ever occur to you that you ask too much?" TRUE! And apt, given your Nov '21 analysis of HP1 opening scenes. Dumbledore nearly asked too much of Petunia. Petunia who pleaded with him via letter as a 13-year old girl; whose Hogwart's application he rejected; whose envy of Lily poisoned her life and fueled her hatred of Harry. Now, with a toddler of her own, Petunia finds her nephew on her doorstep, along with Dumbledore's letter. And with him, the need to do an awful LOT of explaining to husband, Vernon.

[@ktsn4505]

You say that the cave is not intended to be a journey into the Underworld in that the journey is futile... But I don't agree. I think Rowling references a lot of mythology in her work, and the course of this scene parallels Orpheus going into the Underworld to retrieve Eurydice. Orpheus enters the Underworld only due to the protection of the gods, just as Harry can only enter with Dumbledore's blood. And just Voldemort, in some sense, sets the conditions of the game, so too does Hades. And both protagonists lose in the last minute of a great quest and fail so completely that there is almost no recourse (Orpheus cannot enter back into the Underworld, Harry loses a mentor).

[@gracehaven5459]

I remember watching this scene for the first time as a teenager and oddly the word that came to mind was actually "perverse". Like, yes, Harry is a young man by this point but the "too early" role reversal felt inappropriate and grotesque in my mind. Further highlighted by the inferi. As an adult in school now it also feels mildly symbolic of parentification and paternal figures forcing their children to take care of them or responsibilities beyond their years too soon. Which in many ways felt exactly what Dumbledore did. I think another reason I had that feeling of perversion is it kind of reflects those same feelings you have as a teenager or similar when you see your parents as human for the first time. The extremism is exaggerated and you feel kind of disgusted by them and their faults to counter the perfect image you had before because it is very shocking to really see their more human elements for the first time. In some ways it feels like a first betrayal. Often made worse for those who come from difficult backgrounds and had more ethically questionable parents. ANYWAYS, good video! Really enjoyed it.

[@DawnDavidson]

You have some excellent points.

[@gracehaven5459]

@@DawnDavidson thank you Dawn!

[@idontevenknow628]

It’s sad how, at this point, Harry has lost so many people (His parents, Sirius, Dumbledore) that he no longer, in his mind, has no way out and I almost get the feeling that he feels that he has to see it to the end because the people who have died for him deserve it

[@williammueller6639]

The reaction between Harry and the Ring with the "leaves traces..." statement is foreshadowing that Harry is also a Horcrux, hence his neck movement showing him returning to his own control.

[@denizkenger52]

harry is not a horcrux.

[@williammueller6639]

@@denizkenger52 “You were the seventh Horcrux, Harry, the Horcrux he never meant to make. He had rendered his soul so unstable that it broke apart when he committed those acts of unspeakable evil, the murder of your parents, the attempted killing of a child. But what escaped from that room was even less than he knew. He left more than his body behind. He left part of himself latched to you, the would-be victim who had survived.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

[@denizkenger52]

@@williammueller6639 “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real? ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows So was it really Dumbledore who said that since it was all happening inside of Harry's head? Or was it Harry's interpretation of Dumbledore in his mind. Like when we have dreams, the people we see arent actually those people, but our interpretations of them. This would mean it was all an analysis by Harry and considering he himself is not very knowledgeable on horcruxes, it would mean his analysis is not a trustable source on the topic. The qualities given about horcruxes in the book also prove differences between Harry and Horcruxes.

[@williammueller6639]

@@denizkenger52 But Harry already saw this scene from Snape's memories: Professor Albus Dumbledore: There will come a time when Harry Potter must be told something. But you must wait until Voldemort is at his most vulnerable. Professor Severus Snape: Must be told what? Professor Albus Dumbledore: On the night Lord Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow to kill Harry, and Lily Potter cast herself between them, the curse rebounded. When that happened, a part of Voldemort's soul lached itself onto the only living thing it could find. Harry himself. There's a reason Harry can speak with snakes. There's a reason he can look into Lord Voldemort's mind. A part of Voldemort lives inside him.

[@denizkenger52]

@@williammueller6639 yes i dont deny this last comment. Harry contains a bit of Voldemort but this doesnt make him a horcrux and the text you gave doesnt identify him as a horcrux in this memory either.

[@McLovinPopeIII]

I would love videos of the entire Harry Potter series.

[@Hera4]

ok, you're in my mind.. I was thinking about this scene the other day... how Dumbledore has to face his darkest fears and needs redemption (water), but he can't get it ( there's no water for him). I go through something similar and I thought how much the symbolism is spot on...

[@matthewflynn5458]

I would have loved if Harry had tried to help draco in the bathroom after he cursed him, before Snape came in. Like he called for help and was putting pressure on the cuts when Snape came in.

[@matthewflynn5458]

@@JinroTheCorpse sorry. I mean the bathroom scene. Not the end

[@matthewflynn5458]

@@JinroTheCorpse fair enough. Just think it would have added to the horror of the scene if it had gone on a little longer and there was a bit more blood and fear.

[@denizkenger52]

harry should have been expelled for that but mcgonagall broke the rules by letting snape decide that he wasnt expelled even though, in the second year, it is made clear that the punishment is left with the head of year and mcgonagall clearly says if it was up to her, he would be expelled. she broke the rules to not be forced to expel Harry.

[@ness4life]

You doing Harry Potter break downs are the best thing ever, please do the slughorn confession scene 😮‍💨❤️

[@JabRok86]

Absolutely one of my 'favourite' scenes in the books too, powerful stuff

[@marvelsandals4228]

You mentioned how Dumbledore asks Harry to trust him & how Harry agrees to obey his wishes no matter what, even if Dumbledore's life is at risk, but one aspect you didn't highlight much is Harry's active role BEFORE Dumbledore's death. When you look beyond the details of the plot & really focus on this one scene, the visuals, the atmosphere...it is profoundly unsettling. Harry Potter, the chosen one, the noble heroic protagonist is force feeding poison to an old man against his will. Yes, it makes sense within the plot, we know that in the scenes that proceeded it, when Dumbledore had clarity, he made Harry swear that he would do this. Nevertheless, anyone in this position would be tempted to assert themselves & say "this is too much, I know you asked me to do this, but this is crazy, I can't do this to you." He didn't have to go through with this. Nobody would have seriously blamed him for faltering. Harry surely feels this way, but ultimately he steels himself & commits to the task at hand in a very cold blooded manner. He reveals that he is capable of bullying & torturing the man he admires the most, his father figure (or grandfather perhaps) while he is helpless, scared, & in pain. Prior to this scene I don't think we (or even Harry for that matter) knew Harry was capable of this level of darkness, of completely ignoring his own conscience & the suffering of his mentor at his own hands. Maybe that is the link between the main characters in this movie. Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, even Voldemort himself...they're may appear to be simple, but each of them has the capacity for both good & evil deep down, humanity, fallibility, & cruelty. Snape in particular knows exactly what Harry is going through: Dumbledore has ordered him to turn off his conscience & commit unspeakable crimes including murdering him in cold blood. Like Harry, in the end he trusts Dumbledore. Was that the right choice? That's unclear. In Harry's case, it was all for nothing. Maybe it was the wrong choice.

[@cherusiderea1330]

I have no idea where you take the "bullying" and "coldblooded manner" from?

[@maikenlsten]

Totally agree with you - both that it's one of the best of the films, and that the cave scene is the darkest. And that goes for the books as well. Enjoyed your analysis!

[@robertmatthews9650]

The scene was Dark AND scary.

[@Mr8bitaddict]

I've grown with the harry potter movies and life took quite a few turns since the last time I watched them, I feel like the cave scene and the later movies will probably hit a lot harder or in different ways than they did previously, it's almost a little frightening

[@SnailHatan]

“Breaking canon is never a good thing” Hard disagree. In Fellowship of the Ring, the movies have Arwen ride with the poisoned Frodo to Rivendell, building the audience’s connection to the character who will have more screen time in the films. In the books, Glordindel is the one who takes Frodo. And then we never see or hear of him again. Just a one-off nothing character we never care about.

[@BY-bj6ic]

i really liked this film and the further exposition of Snape. i think i agree that this scene i this darkest in the film series.

[@trinaq]

I love your Analysis videos, they're very thought provoking, and I always come away from your content feeling very enlightened.

[@veggiechip]

what an amazing analysis, i’ve never appreciated a breakdown more. i’m very glad i came across the video, thank you.

[@timy9197]

I support you making a video on half blood prince as a whole. Also great video.

[@Sandra-hc4vo]

this is one of the scenes that truly makes me feel and and feel sad. i always felt that way and probably even more so now. though i generally don't watch harry potter films anymore, it was nice to remember this scene and i thought you did an excellent job of analyzing it. what you said about this being a journey into emptiness seems like a really interesting and thoughtful way to look at it. I loved the visuals that went with it, like having the scene go into being drained of color. Harry thinking he could be helpful at least at the end by getting him water, and it fails. I didn't connect the issues of trust that you pointed out, much more so the feeling that Harry had to do something that he knew was causing Dumbledore immense pain. And also how much worse this scene was, then simply a character dying. This was Dumbledore's unraveling and suffering in front of Harry.

[@brilyngrace3647]

A lot of the content here just numbs my mind, which I need sometimes, but when I want to learn I watch your vids. Your videos feel academic thank you very much for doing them!

[@brilyngrace3647]

Academic while also feeling relaxing and entertaining as well. For free!

[@MaximusOfTheMeadow]

I empathies with Harry Hell, I'm a decade older and still not ready to face that my parents often just don't better then me. It's so much easier this way. This way I don't have to make any choices, and I get to be angry at them when things go wrong, even small things. But more then that, mam & dad worry so much about me, and they have had much reason to. So everyone is scared that I'd make a big dumb decision. But mostly I'd be angry. Angry that they don't always have the answers, angry that they pretended, angry that they had to pretend for me. Angry at myself for needing to believe that, angry at myself for needing that. Angry that the world is so unjust in so many small everyday ways, angry that I was born this way by random chance, angry that it's just pure chance and there is no one to be angry at. As long I believe my parents are infallible, that keeps the anger, the injustice at bay. As long as I believe that lie....

[@nicks_destiny]

I’m doing film studies a level and this channel is my home work love your videos.

[@enjoySalem]

Amazing video as always!

[@DawnDavidson]

Thank you. Things are very different for me now, than when I watched this movie (only the once, in the theater, though I also read all the books.) Then, I had a child in school. Now, that child is an adult, and I am caring for two parents who have, each in their own ways, lost their minds - my dad from necessary brain surgery, and my mom gradually to dementia. That scene was, indeed, very dark, and represents the bitter role reversal that happens with dementia. Thank you for your careful analysis. I don’t know if I could have borne the scene now without being a bit forewarned. I don’t know if I’ll ever watch it again - let alone read the sequel books - because as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am appalled by much of what Rowling has said and done in recent years. But if I do, I’ll at least have had this moment to explore it more slowly, and to ready myself for it in context. Thank you.

[@alierk542]

Damn I love this scene. Amazing work as always ♥️

[@BY-bj6ic]

great way to start the morning, breakfast cigar, coffee, and good video. thanks

[@wellingtonsboots4074]

Thank you. I had forgotten about this scene.

[@lesserson2311]

The Half Blood Prince is my fav H.P. film.

[@jilliank6379]

Off topic, but have you ever done a video about Harold and Maude?

[@user-qf6xn7rj5y]

Omg that would be a great video

[@distantsails]

Loved this video.

[@catcat4697]

Never thought about this scene like this

[@suzannax]

Yeah. It's always good to have added dimensions to it.

[@catcat4697]

@@suzannax I always adore learning about new perspectives

[@corbyn4101]

Been excited for this one

[@trinity3272]

Have you ever considered looking at the characters from shameless? It's a super long show though so if you havent seen it yet you probably wont want to watch the whole thing for a video lol

[@dannyblade6824]

I loved your Shawshank video

[@badraster7909]

Hi there, thank you for posting these excellent analyses! I know it’s a heavy subject and don’t know if you have professional experience in this specifically, but I would like to hear your take on domestic abuse/IPV if that is something you’d want to cover. The way you communicate complicated psychosocial concepts is really effective and it’s a dangerously misunderstood topic that’s very hard to recognize in your own life sometimes. I think getting as much info out there about it as possible is really important. Thank you!

[@Alex-hx5xf]

Great video again keep it up :)

[@sirbillypetteway8609]

Do one on "A Teacher" series.

[@SirBenez]

I don't know why you would think that all of the viewers would disagree with your choice for the darkest scene in all of Harry Potter. I always found it to be the darkest scene as well, hands down. The first time In saw it it legitimately scared the shit out of me. Great video still :)

[@BrianaLynn7]

I’ve watched every movie but barely know the plots after the first two. How is that

[@ayior]

Most people I know including myself cut off after the 5th By which I mean we've watched all multiple times but can only ever remember the first 5. I wonder why!

[@BrianaLynn7]

@@ayior i never read the books. I think the plot gets kind of mushy without the books after the first few lighter movies.

[@DimitarStanev]

@@BrianaLynn7 Yes I think that is because the films miss out on a ton of the story's depth and character backgrounds. That's why even major plot points (like Snape admitting to being the Half-Blood Prince) feel hollow and forgettable. If you have the time and are interested in the story I would highly recommend reading the books.

[@BrianaLynn7]

@@DimitarStanev its like i dont really care anymore now that im 30 lol. But it is interesting how important the books are.

[@snowgello]

i think this is great, there are many dark moments in this serise of films some of them just walking through the woods being mentally tortured by a horrorclux (excuse the spelling) and war. just want to add that if i remember correctly each horrorclux requires a "sacrifice" besides the spliting of a soul. it was briefly mentioned then kind of quietly looked over the rest of the serise.

[@cherusiderea1330]

Why don't you just look up the correct spelling of Horcrux if you know yours is wrong?

[@snowgello]

@@cherusiderea1330 because on mobile it was either eliminate my comment and lose my train of thought or continue with my train of thought and acknowledge that the spelling is incorrect, but the concepts being passed will still get through

[@igorthadeu6094]

I hate this movie with passion. The worst One. This scene is Soooooooo much better in the books. Like theres not even comparisson. As the whole movie itself. Sad but true.

[@BruceWayneBatfleck]

Can you do a breakdown on Wolverine/logan ?

[@jeremytherien5766]

Your videos absolutely passion me, but sometimes mid-video I lose focus (a bit like reading a book at school). Do you think it's because I'm not interested enough? Because I love the videos but often I have to watch them 3-4 times before gaining what I wish from them. Anyways great analysis!

[@DichotomousRex]

It's not just you, it's great content but the flow/pacing of his speaking is hypnotic and sleep-inducing. He trails off at the end of every sentence as if we should stop listening.

[@jeremytherien5766]

@@DichotomousRex Ahh good point, I did, of course, notice the way he talks. And now that you mention it, I think that's probably a reason why

[@cherusiderea1330]

@@DichotomousRex That's exactly what I love about these videos :'D

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Well I also get bored listening back, but that's probably because I already know what the video says 😂 I think that point about my sentences trailing off is a good one

[@DichotomousRex]

@@mylittlethoughttree I certainly didn't mean it as an insult, just an observation. I speak on a microphone for a living, I've grown very aware of my cadence by speaking in front of people often. You can absolutely keep and control attention by altering your cadence.

[@apatternedhorizon]

I don't think he shouldn't have trusted him.

[@CigaretteCrayon]

Double negatives are confusing. Did you mean "I think he shouldn't have mistrusted (or distrusted) him."

[@apatternedhorizon]

@@CigaretteCrayon he said "he shouldn't have trusted Dumbledore" and I was saying i don't think that's necessarily true. Lol

[@googleuser5062]

i dont't thinkn't he shouldn't have not have trusted him either

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Ooh no, he should've trusted him, however I meant that, in Harry's position, you can understand why he'd doubt it

[@apatternedhorizon]

@@googleuser5062 exactly.