Honesty Optional: The Walking Dead's Take on Truth

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Wow, this blew up beyond my wildest expectations! Thank you all so much for the support and the kindness. I'm excited for the community we're going to build together. God bless, my friends. Work is already underway for the next one!

[@Truzzler]

great video man

[@nikolaimartir3113]

great content man. Litallery had this turned on for background sound and ended up having to restart the vid and pay attention lol. cheers and easy sub

[@AwesomerArtie]

you deserve it!

[@DontPretendtoCare]

Tell-Tale games have never been high quality 😂 😂 even their best game Poker Night at the Inventory 2 was a buggy trashy mess and I love that game.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@DontPretendtoCare From a technical standpoint, you're right. Even in the footage I used for this video, you can see technical issues. But TellTale's greatest strength is their writing, which is what most of their audience has clung to. There are an infinite amount of games that have more compelling technical aspects and more exciting moment-to-moment gameplay. However, very few stories manage to resonate with people the way TT games do, and that has to speak to a high level of quality in some regard.

[@ShadnicThe]

Duck's ending is even more haunting when you realise that his final moments are watching his mother kill herself, his father distraught over the loss, and (depending on your choice) having to experience being killed by your father, his friend, or being left to die and turn.

[@ssgoko88]

Duck was my favorite character, Katja was another loved one in the group. Per usual, they suffer because Kenny can't man up and think straight. If Kenny took duck with Katja, especially if he kept the gun from her (SINCE BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM ONE WAS A HUNTER, THE OTHER A VETERINARIAN) Duck could have died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Duck would have been fine as well if Kenny didn't constantly distract and fight with Lee, the entire timetable of the game changes if Kenny doesn't insist on being some fucking Danzo-esque shadow leader trying to make you do what he wants.

[@Cheezy_Bunz]

@@ssgoko88 Duck getting bit wasnt on Kenny. Its on the robbers and the shootout which took place.

[@Darwin-sama]

@@ssgoko88I hate the term man up, just say take responsibility

[@theodore961]

You make a really good point but it wasn’t Kenny’s fault he had enough to deal with as it is wife shooting herself and his son is turning into a walker WHAT COULD OF KENNY

[@playerback7722]

It was the guilt

[@thethunderspirt87]

Quoting an old tumblr post "In a game without consequences. Why are you still doing the right thing?" "Because being mean makes me feel bad." "My ultimate power fantasy is being able to help everyone." People don't want to be evil, at least, not on a first run through. They want to do the right thing. They wanna help and make people smile and protect things. Being an asshole and seeing the people your hurting, be it real or fiction, doesn't feel good, if you even have an ounce of empathy.

[@aweirdoandaphone4135]

Dude, I know that post it fits *so well* with the vid

[@HellishSpoon]

I agree with this except when im playing skyrim, all my empathy leaves my body when i have a quick save button and the entirety of whiterun

[@cate01a]

very tricky for games to make you care, to have empathy

[@DontPretendtoCare]

Tell-Tale games have never been high quality 😂 😂 even their best game Poker Night at the Inventory 2 was a buggy trashy mess and I love that game.

[@Snowmaninadesert]

even if you dont have empathy (like me) your still gonna find it hard to do bad, especially when you know better and that you are better then to do evil.

[@Ocelot1211]

Some blocked "choices" like the "option" of telling everyone that the pharmacy was owned by his family greatly shows that we ARE NOT Lee

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Exactly. He's his own character, even using his agency to defy some of your choices (like the conversation with the cop in the beginning or telling Clem outright about killing in the pharmacy).

[@onyx_risen6843]

@@LawrenceInArabiaWe aren’t Lee, we’re the thoughts in his head fighting to be the one to prevail

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@onyx_risen6843 Eloquently stated

[@ernieboy456]

I’ve always played an honest Lee and always done an honorable Arthur Morgan. I just can’t bring myself to play them any other way

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@ernieboy456 Same!

[@MichaelJohnson-tm5ch]

I always deliberately play a more cruel Arthur until about a third through the game. Always feels a bit more concrete if he is a bit of a villian at first so that he has something to regret by the end of the game

[@cdubsb3831]

I always liked to play him as middle of the road. He sees himself as a bad man but with some convictions really grappling with everything. I'll tie jerks to train tracks and won't actively grind good boy points by greeting everyone. I just kinda make do. Sides, if the game's gonna make me feel bad for my supposed actions I'm going to be annoyed at the lecture if I've been nothing but cuddles and charity.

[@PROPAINZERO]

That proper way to play him​@@MichaelJohnson-tm5ch

[@Felix-xw6du]

I remember reading about someone who played dishonorable but switched to honorable after Arthur finds out about his TB, which is a neat detail for me because it kinda is adding to Arthur’s character because the played begins to change his ways after being told about the TB

[@yolomcschwegg]

“i was on my way to prison 3 months ago.” “it wasn’t for touching kids, was it?” “jesus kenny come on man”

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I'm convinced Kenny has never heard the word "filter"

[@dillydraws]

@@LawrenceInArabia I mean he did call Lee "Urban"

[@joshuavillagomez8369]

​@@LawrenceInArabiaHe's Local Florida Kenny! :D

[@pugtie4695]

Crazy shit just comes out of his mouth sometimes

[@McKennaBates]

@@dillydraws At least Kenny calling Lee "urban" means he has some filter.

[@error4v0r47]

Kenny is one of the most…just painful characters to watch. And you see him devolve even more in Season 2. He’s literally lost everything, and he doesn’t know who to blame. So he gets angry and tries to find some other reason for his loss. And he goes absolute batshit when Ben reveals it was him. Kenny’s actor fucking nailed it.

[@Frost_Winterfall]

and yet, despite all that, Kenny always comes back to trying his best to save those he cares about. The world shoves him down at every turn, but he will still get back up to keep the people he cares about safe to the very end

[@xephronzz9585]

@@Frost_Winterfall and even despite what you say, Kenny is incredibly stubborn. Kenny makes terrible decisions as he descends into grief. He becomes a ticking time bomb, and the slightest inconvenience will set him off. Which eventually gets him killed. In his dying moments in season 2, he realized that he was a monster that needed to be put down. He is finally able to rest.

[@Frost_Winterfall]

@ it really depends on view and choices, in my playthrough, he sacrifices himself so Clem and AJ could escape the car crash

[@spencerbowden2979]

He only really seemed stable in season 3 because they were isolated from others. He can not disagree on anything peacefully.

[@levidinh29]

This vid will hit thousands of viewers for sure.. The dedication and love for the game is clear. TWD moved us like no others.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@levidinh29 Absolutely. I'll have to check out the rest of the series some day.

[@CatLover-lk9gz]

The rest is pretty nice, although most people tend to favor the first season far more than the rest of it.

[@DontPretendtoCare]

Tell-Tale games have never been high quality 😂 😂 even their best game Poker Night at the Inventory 2 was a buggy trashy mess and I love that game.

[@zerotwo6814]

They managed to create my favorite fictional character of all time (Clementine), so they must have done at least something right!

[@sakaiclips]

Truth

[@evilmerv4645]

It’s been 12yrs and I still cry when I see clips of when the train stopped for Duck.

[@Breeze45-s4h]

😂

[@Candice-San]

people respect honesty because its hard, its hard to be honest and even harder to accept that honesty. Thats a really beautiful message tbh, even in a life or death situation the most important thing you can do is be honest

[@lifeisgood5619]

Unless you're autistic like me. In which case honesty is your problem

[@squiggledick5934]

when you said “one of whom is a child resigned to a fate of slowly devolving into a mindless husk..." 20:43 I was anticipating that you were referring to Ben and how dishonesty can eat you up inside with guilt. I enjoyed how this video strings the theme of honesty

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Certainly applicable, and that's a great observation. Ben's most tragic moment is when he asks Lee to drop him and says something to the tune of "We know it has to be this way." It just goes to show how guilt causes an essential loss of soul.

[@gateboy9]

He later on said how Ben got eaten alive by guilt. While that was his actual fate (sometimes), it happened to him twice.

[@squiggledick5934]

@@gateboy9 yeah lol, I was going to come back and edit that I jumped the gun, but it's kind of a parallel, both in the video and in the game as you pointed out

[@SirBigSmoke589]

Holy shit, I’ve played this game countless times, and I just realized while in the cop car at the very beginning, Lee drives past the stranger that kidnaps Clem. Nuts.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I HAVE NEVER NOTICED THAT! That's crazy. I'm glad TellTale is back

[@Faiths123]

its not actually in the original, only the definitive edition

[@zombiekiller7243]

Actually he’s in every vehicle that passes by, I guess to make sure you notice him?

[@liltone829]

​@@zombiekiller7243 Just a reused asset to use as an NPC I think.

[@VioIetteMolotov]

@@liltone829 Yup, reused assets. It wasn't the kidnapper.

[@kanewilson8624]

29:26 real chads know that the true playable fantasy is to make a positive difference in the world you play.

[@JarlBalin]

Really? I think chads commit atrocities and leave devastation in their wake

[@kanewilson8624]

@ sounds something a virgin would say to work off their angst

[@CJFroggzy]

@@kanewilson8624 real chads have multiple saves and have different playstyles on each

[@kanewilson8624]

@ real chads remember to delete the evil playthrough saves after playing

[@Officer_Balls999]

@@kanewilson8624 Define what a Chad is, because all I see is a joke gone horribly wrong and is known to ruin people's lives.

[@anastasialovesoranges]

You made me think about Ben. I found him annoying during my first playthrough. I was about 19 at the time, probably close to Ben's age. Now, 10 years later all I see is a scared kid in the extreme circumstances. Great video, and good luck on the channel! I look forward to future videos.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

It's amazing how much perspective changes over time, isn't it? Thank you for the encouragement!

[@StephonZeno]

Ben just didn't have his own Lee. Still, I did want him to piss off when he said "You may be able live with blood on your hands, but I can't" (or something like that), even after agreeing that he should confess. Like, really man? I was honest with you, and you guilt trip me?

[@Lucifronz]

It was extremely frustrating to see him constantly fuck up even when you choose to defend and save him. Frankly, despite usually choosing to help Ben in the past, these days I don't see Ben's age being a great excuse for his incompetence. At the end of the day, he just keeps getting people killed or worse. He's not just a kid, he's a dumbass kid. In the zombie apocalypse that's a serious liability. The series has a tendency to lean into the whole "matters of survival" concept and what makes you any better than the monsters if you'll kill someone over something like that, but truthfully, there _is_ a limit to patience and understanding. Had Ben been dealt with sooner, a lot less people would have died. I don't want to live in a utilitarian world where everyone has to contribute in order to live their lives, but neither do I want to live in a world where it's just a bunch of Bens selfishly fucking over other people because of their cowardice and weakness.

[@FullMoonDeria]

​@@StephonZeno You're not wrong. We don't see much of Ben's actual role in the group, but between the jokes Keeny makes at his expense and the fact that he has no composure or survival skills it feels like they accepted him and then immediately wrote him off. Instead, someone should have probably helped teach him to cope, contribute, and trust them. Or even to check in on him. Not saying that to pass the blame, but I can at least imagine a different path for Ben if Lee or Kenny or Carly had taken him under their wing to teach him how to survive in that new normal. I'm not going to recommend Lily because I doubt she would have had the patience and wasn't the most sound.

[@freezasama5802]

The walking dead is such a beautiful game about redemption and Lee redeeming himself for his past actions it's such a beautiful story and the message is true like you said the group constantly either suffers when someone betrays them or succeeds when trust is equally shared it's a powerful message and really goes to show how great this game is such a masterpiece

[@tuttiman55]

My favourite game in the franchise was season two, people have their issues with it and so do I, but the reason I love it so much is because Clem isn’t as strong as Lee, you feel less safe, the characters around you seem stupid and unreliable because you compare them to Lee, it’s a game that is mediocre on its own but it’s held up by how great the first game is

[@cormac7884]

@@tuttiman55 well tbf it does its job, its a 10/10 sequel to the first

[@PixelatedManiac]

I think Shepard said it best. It was something like “you can’t control how other people act, but you can control how you respond.” And that’ll never not be good advice.

[@AwesomerArtie]

Really really great work! Makes me so happy seeing someone do a concise thematic analysis on a game like this. It's night and day from most of what you'll find here on youtube. To add to what you've said, though, I'm surprised you didn't bring up how The Stranger fits into all this. Remember in the first scene, when the cop asks Lee about his wife, and all three dialogue prompts lead to grumbling and silence? Lee, regardless of player choice, will spend the entire length of the game skirting around the subject of his wife and what exactly happened with the senator until you get the prompt about people you've hurt at the very end. It takes until that last interaction with a guy he's never met before for him to finally open up about his guilt to someone. He spares no details about how the murder went down, what motivated him, how culpable he is. And that's the most powerful thing *about* The Stranger as a villain, I think, because he's just as upfront to Lee about his own story. It's taking Hershel's line about relying on the honesty of strangers and making it literal! To me it really solidifies Lee's character arc as well as your theme of honesty.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@AwesomerArtie Well said, friend. Originally, I was going to bring in The Stranger as an example of a man incapable of being honest with himself, but I couldn't quite make it fit. Basically, while Lee struggles with honesty to others, the Stranger struggles being honest with himself. He can't be honest about the state of his wife, or about the fault of his shortcomings, or even about his "redemption" with Clementine. It ultimately didn't fit in the video, largely because I struggled to make it work. But you raise an excellent point! Especially tying it back into Hershel's advice. I'd never even considered that!

[@AwesomerArtie]

@LawrenceInArabia4 That's exactly right! In an exchange where The Stranger leverages all of Lee's mistakes against him, what ultimately proves Lee as the better person is the fact that he's willing to actually take responsibility for what he did and admit that he was wrong, rather than shift the blame or delude himself into justifying his actions (which is a recurring thing characters like Kenny and Lilly will do, versus someone like Ben who inspires change in the former through honesty and owning up to his mistakes).

[@Lucas61616]

I've always been frustrated by how the Stranger will always react in this really angry and unconvinced way no matter how upfront and honest and incredibly painfully *raw* your choices of dialogue are, but this helps me put together *why* that might be the case. The Stranger is incapable of being honest with himself, about the circumstances he's in, or the fate of his family, or his supposed "redemption" with Clementine. So Lee choosing to be upfront and honest about who *he's* hurt ticks off the Stranger. Here he wants to lambast Lee for all the tough choices he's made, criticize every shortcoming that came from Lee's unsurety, and yet instead? Lee just speaks from the heart, takes it all on the chin and *admits* that he's hurt people, even when he didn't want to. And for the Stranger, who can't even be honest with himself? That sort of sheer honesty can't be appreciated or even fully comprehended.

[@FishesFlyTillTheWorldDies]

All of that happened because of Kenny and Lily, and Ben is just the fuse. He is directly responsible, but the two who are indirectly responsible are the real cause of what went down at the motor inn.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@FishesFlyTillTheWorldDies Certainly a compelling case to be made. I'm sure seeing the two of them constantly go to war didn't exactly fill him with confidence in their compassion.

[@FishesFlyTillTheWorldDies]

@@LawrenceInArabia And all he talked about was confidence towards the end too Sorta funny, but sorta sad, I liked Ben.

[@dash9641]

​@@FishesFlyTillTheWorldDiesI agree that Kenny and Lily aren't screaming levelheaded here. If I were Ben I wouldn't even look at them so much as talk to them if I could help it. But Lee was right there. He has some level of repor with both of them and he's taking care of a little girl whom isn't related to him so his patients and understanding should be obvious to a scared teen like Ben. It was just odd how he never thought to tell Lee at least about the bandits.

[@malachiatkinson7245]

​@@dash9641I imagine Ben would expect Lee to tell the group

[@TheBenjamin109]

Hard for me to blame Ben when we know WHY he was doing it (He had explicit history with the bandits and it’s why there were only three people left from his HS) and we know Lily/Kenny reaction would have been hostile. The one person he trusted with the information, Carly, was gunned down.

[@Vickernator27]

I will never forget being 14 and watching TheRadBrad playing it and I bought it as soon as I could afford it. You have worded the intro perfectly, I will always remember the first season as the game that made me care about the story of any game.

[@AlessaBaker]

As a game developer in the industry it genuinely never occurred to me that some players see "Story as window dressing for the mechanics." That has blown my mind a little, but then I am a player who really enjoys a game's storyline specifically. Telltale's Walking Dead Series is definitely up there in my top 5 of all time games.

[@decliningship4208]

Games don't even need a breakthrough mechanic to be fun, games don't even need a story to BE fun (Tetris, Wii Sports, etc)

[@m3sake]

That conversation with Carley stuck with me ever since I played the walking dead the first time when it came out. I always think about how the truth no matter how bad it is always sounds better coming from you than from other people. I’ve always followed that mentality ever since. One of the big reasons why this is one of my favorite games.

[@cheapyxousaa]

carley is the queen omg

[@Treason756]

I think outside of the big 3 (Lee, Clem, and Kenny) Ben is my favorite character in the game. Most people seem to think that they would be the badass main character if they were in a zombie apocalypse, but I feel most of us would end up acting like Ben. Not the best character of the group, but did what he thought was right. In the end, he did what he thought was right to protect the group, but it ended up backfiring on him big time and ultimately ruined the remainder of the group. He also has my favorite lines of dialogue when Kenny is yelling at him after the boat was stolen. "FUCK YOU, KENNY! I am so, so, SO sorry about Katjaa and Duck, I AM. And I know I fucked up, but STOP pushing me around and STOP wishing I was dead. NO! You know how they died. You've said GOODBYE. I never got to see my family, my parents, my little sister... do you get that? Your family is gone but at least you had them to lose. I never made it home. They could be alive or dead or walkers or WORSE and I DON'T KNOW, SO GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK!" Makes me feel for him everytime i do a playthrough.

[@47-00]

Nah Ben was useless

[@Zeroshiki]

I've hated Ben with such a passion since playing the game for the first time. He's definitely a realistic character, but I can't stand him. He goes beyond incompetence and gets so many people needlessly killed. His inaction would've kept people safer than anything he actually chose to do. You'd think a cowardly person would be good at inaction, but not Ben. He _has_ to do something and that something is usually not good.

[@homelessalcoholic2716]

​@@ZeroshikiGood to know you would 100% for sure be the main character and act accordingly at all times after seeing everything you've ever known get torn to shreds, if we're being fair.

[@homelessalcoholic2716]

​@@47-00Bro if you were too slow to get invested in the story just say so

[@Zeroshiki]

@@homelessalcoholic2716 I literally didn't say any of that, so why are you being so weirdly passive aggressive about it and putting words in my mouth? I'm literally physically disabled, I'd be one of the first to die and I never said otherwise. How does my opinion on a fictional charcater and his lack of common sense have any bearing on my place in an apocalypse? Be serious.

[@dio7238]

Telltale TWD is one of my favorite games of all time and I’ve replayed it countless times and some how it’s theme of honesty has escaped me. Great video man I really hope this blows up.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Your kindness means a lot to me, I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@Mia-nu6ev]

I loved this video a lot I’ve never really thought about this concept before. I think it would be interesting if you looked at the impacts of “ truth “ and “honesty “ that clementine has with AJ and other characters in season 4 and how Lee impacts clementines honesty.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Mia-nu6ev I've actually never played any of the other seasons! But now, I own all of them, and I'd love to give them a look in the future. Maybe make a mini-series on the remainder of the saga.

[@vegetableman3911]

@@LawrenceInArabiathe rest are phenomenal. Season 4 is by far the best out of 3 you haven’t tried and season 3 is, in my opinion, the weakest (but still gripping). Season 2 is incredibly dark and definitely worth your time

[@Mia-nu6ev]

@ yes that would be great although you can see the decline though the saga due to the studio’s drama mistreatment and eventual downfall clementines story is the best thing that they created and season four is such a good season because it makes a point to show lee’s impact on clementine. I think it would be interesting to see a series where you go over the topics as I think season four has the most complex characters and although it’s not the same it kinda brings honesty and the importance of it all back into the fold .

[@fpshightide]

Lee was just such a great character I remember literally crying when he died sure I was a kid but I’ve never had a game fill me with such emotions even my child brain could understand the impact it would leave on me for years to come

[@rex74t]

The saddest part about duck too is that if you wait a bit before pulling the trigger you see him close his eyes and stop breathing, I found this out on my second playthrough cuz I still couldn’t pull the trigger right away and seeing the poor little guy closing his eyes shattered me even more

[@FU20]

Masterclass of a video, my friend! I recently finished my first playthrough of Season 1, and it was an amazing experience. Your passion and enthusiasm truly captivated me. Well done! 32:31

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mate-vg2ft]

Looking back, I never realized how easy it was to lie and deceive in this game. Sometimes it catches up with Lee, sometimes it doesn’t. But overall being truthful seems to be the “proper” (for lack of a better word) way to go about this game.

[@Lucifronz]

I remember in the sequel I spent less time being truthful and survivor-focused and it really felt like it all came back to bite me in the ass over and over. I know on a future playthrough I'll try differently, but I wonder if it'll actually be an different. Telltale's not horrible about choices, but they do kinda railroad you into certain choices because branching decisions can be hard to develop for the longer a series goes on (and this one goes on for a while).

[@DD-ko1nn]

I never really thought about this story through the lens of honesty (and I LOVE this game). Thanks for opening my eyes to this way of viewing this story. I know these sorts of vids can take a lot of time to make, so thanks for spending it to share this with us.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@DD-ko1nn I actually hadn't thought about the story that way either until recently. I was playing through the game for a different video when it hit me! Thank you so much for your kind words

[@The_Gamebuster]

Damn. You definitely deserve more attention! This put a new light on the first season that I've never really thought about before, truly unique takes from all the other summary videos that are being made right now on this series. Much love :D

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@The_Gamebuster Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad the video was able to help you see the first season in a new light, that's awesome.

[@mari-xr7qj]

one of my favourite aspects of this video is your ending: "time is a precious thing and i'm appreciative that you spent some of it with me". thank you for this ❤

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gamerkid725]

i almost wanted to cry. being honest is important but like real life and in the game it doesn't always work out or it does. either way, damn.

[@terion-kun]

“My dad was Air Forces, I got this.” head ah

[@bendavenport4136]

Special Forces

[@terion-kun]

@ thank you ben.

[@blacklight683]

4:32 first option and am already off track because I thought "well, her parents aren't here so we are babysitting her so we are a baby sitter" not to lie, that's just where my train of thought lead me to

[@redundantfridge9764]

Watching this video made me think you were an experienced video essayist who just went under the radar for a long time. Seeing your catalog, I see that this is your 2nd(?), 3rd(?) essay. Honestly, that makes this video even more impressive. You have a great way of expressing yourself, your ideas and I didn't realize that 30 minutes had passed. Nothing short of immaculate.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@redundantfridge9764 Thank you, that's such a huge compliment! It's definitely a new space for me, but I really enjoy it, and I hope you continue to as well.

[@Seagull077]

Kenny's son getting bit was probably the hardest part of any of the games for me, Kenny reminds me of my dad and it hit my heart a different way.

[@blacklight683]

14:16 this line hits insanely deep. Almost like it's a massage sent to me at this specific time.

[@akifujimotoijoshi3645]

Your video essay about the idea of truth and being truth in the Telltales The Walking Dead is beautiful~

[@greenlanternneco-arc2863]

I know they probably did it for a reason. But i wish there was a way to tell the truth about what lee did before the outbreak without carly even if they made it harder to obtain that option. I just want to save doug without losing that option.

[@kingdevin_]

I was just recommended this video and you explained the complexity of choices and honestly in this awesome game series beautifully!

[@HeyThereKurt_]

Excellent video! Season 1 of Telltales The Walking Dead is one of my favorite games ever. You did a really good job threading the needle and tying everything thematically around Lee and his honesty. I haven't played the game since I was a teenager, (This was actually one of my favorite games as a child. I played it much earlier than I should have lol) but this inspired me to go back and relive it!

[@spaceacess1]

I've been a fan of telltale games for a long time, just before walking dead, and its really nice to see someone talk about the story in terms of how you the player are playing a character rather than what happens in the story. its surprisingly not often you see someone talk about the choices you make in the smaller aspects even if it's a "choices matter" type game. this is just a really beautiful video

[@LaughinggCattGiggles]

This is a really incredible video. The Walking Dead is such a unique and special game, and you've detailed something that after almost ten playthroughs I've never quite been able to put into words. In my own videos on Telltale/The Walking Dead I've often tried to articulate these things, but I tend to overlook or just can't find these little flourishes that make this game come together so well, like this concept of desiring to be truthful. It seems so obvious now, and you really opened my eyes when talking about the parallels between Lee telling the group his truth and Ben refusing to share his truth, even after several instances of Lee trying to get it out of him. And all that spirals into every part of the remainder of the game in a way I never was conscious of. I saw this video recommended to me and a day later it's gotten double the views it had then, and it's no wonder why. I noticed in another comment that you're yet to play the other games(?), so I'd love to see what you think of them, especially season two. I've always found that game jarring and cruel compared to season one, it always had a really mean-spirited feel to it that may relate to this idea of honesty, season two feels lacking in that way. Really good job, I'm so happy that after twelve years people are still making videos about this game and it feels like there's still so much to share and discuss!

[@reubenthompson2854]

This was the best walking dead video and one of the best YT vids in general ive seen in a long time, I hope this video blows up but even if it doesn't quality and insight like this will be recognised in time. Keep it up mate 👍🏼

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement, it really means a lot. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Roxas1412]

Something I saw someone say was "Lee would have lived if he found a way to tell Clem her parents were dead early on" And holy crap they are kinda right, A lie is what lets clem fall for the lie that her parents are inside the city, and that lie gets lee bitten.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Roxas1412 Great point!

[@eclipsedboii]

I liked this, it was in depth and it was a great way to analyze the take of 'truth' in video games. It's insane how powerful that one word is when it comes to video games after TT's TWD.

[@ShadowCritias]

Like the man once said honesty is the best policy. Telltale TWD S1 has been the BEST game cuz it felt more well written beautiful & yet tragic and redemption that people are still talking about it to this day, when every person is still talking about this game, there being up Lee, the best character, fan favorite, & beloved character in TWD game.

[@Zeroshiki]

I was always 100% honest with Clem because I think telling kids the reality of most situations is safer than shetering them. Especially in the apocalypse, where survival is paramount. The series as a whole (the comics, show, and games) goes out of it's way to show us that. But I was always skeptical about what to say and not say to the people we met along the way. Like not telling the St Johns how many people we had, what our defenses were like, etc. One of the main reasons I never liked Mark, bro was always talking too much.

[@masterjackson536]

Man I remember waiting for episodes to drop on the Xbox 360 and good times

[@sakaiclips]

2:58 “…second chances…” Sadly Ben didn’t get much of that, wish he wasn’t killed off.

[@Rnb602]

I love your narration style. You sound so sincere I love this video.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Rnb602 Wow, that's very kind of you. Thank you!

[@taylorcrawford4387]

This was the first video of yours that I've ever seen. And I have to say, it was well thought out and well spoken. The moments brought up and how you talked about them, hurt my heart. Lee is such a good character, a good man who went through a lot and it hurt seeing the choices you the player had to make for him. Killing Duck was always hard for me because the game didn't make it into a cut scene like when you kill a walker or a bad guy in any other game. It made you aim, and pull the trigger. And later on? You have to either do it to another child walker, or have encourage Kenny to do it so he can resolve his guilt with Duck and Kat. It's wonderfully done if it didn't make me sad but that was the beauty of The Walking Dead series.

[@Armorion]

I don't have very much to add but I believe this video was well made and you deserve the viewership. Good luck with the algorithm and thanks for the video.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Armorion Thank you, friend. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@chadxox3]

This video was so well made I expected it to have 10 times the amount of attention it's getting, you're doing some good stuff, good luck out there brotha

[@lululucylovely]

this is the best youtube video ive ever seen on the walking dead ever! i really hope you keep talking more about this game!

[@majorleaguegames9129]

aint now way you only have 204 subs, im less than a minute in and the quality is 100% there. earned a sub keep it up brother

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@majorleaguegames9129 Thank you, I really appreciate that! Means a lot to me.

[@Adrian-uq4yb]

An excellent video. There are a lot of games that have stuck with me long after playing them, and TWD is high on that list. There’s so much to be learned from its storytelling, and you’ve done a tremendous job showing why.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Adrian-uq4yb Thank you!

[@matttale7918]

Honestly, my version of Lee was a man haunted by his past while the thing that brought his life apart, his anger, was still prevalent and a dominant force that guided his actions. His first choice throughout my playthrough was to lie, but over the course of the game I admitted Lee’s secrets and tried my best not to lie as the game went closer to concluding, in which once the stranger comes around he fully unravels about his own life and his uncertainties and doesn’t sugar coat the truth.

[@billybobgates5433]

Always love seeing new twd essay videos

[@Ze_dummkopf]

I loved this video! I think the way you expressed your idea and the meaning of honesty in the game is honestly really good. You used attractive language and made a good use of witt and timing to express ideas; I would definitely recommend it if I had somebody to do so. Nontheless, good video!

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Ze_dummkopf Thank you so much!

[@KeepYourHairShort]

Amazing video! PLEASE consider making one on season 2 as well once you get around to it

[@rubytanc6370]

Honestly, in my decade of being on KZbin I think I’ve wrote around 5 comments. This video has blew my mind, I have played the game countless times and never really thought about how prominent the theme of honesty is throughout the game. I cried multiple times watching this, it really reminded me how much this game has truly left an impact on my mind. Really enjoyed listening to your analysis, one of the best I’ve listened too. Keep up the good work :))) Edit - went to check your channel to see if there’s any more videos, I’m sad there’s only 3 more!!! Can’t wait for future uploads

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Oh wow, thank you so much!

[@weeshooting0978]

This game is so amazing, i always end up replaying it every few years. Amazing video

[@Onyx-tx1gq]

Ive been stumbling on channels like this that are so good. Keep it up man.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Onyx-tx1gq Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@chaoticfell]

amazing video, i am glad to see a sensible person playing this game, whenever i watch other people it brings out the worst in them and they defend their actions, i am glad you brought up the dilemma of honesty as i feel it is something overlooked in telltale's the walking dead

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@chaoticfell Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@simondoe2772]

Fantastic video! 💯 Telltale's Walking Dead is my favorite fictional story of all time and I'm glad that you did justice to this Masterpiece of a game. The story, characters, art design, pacing, atmosphere, locations, side characters, villains, emotions, beautiful soundtrack, and character relationships are all absolutely phenomenal in this game. 🔥

[@therevx5225]

Dude, this was an amazing watch, I’d really like to see more TWD content from you. Hearing your thoughts on different characters and the intrapersonal aspects of the story is really captivating.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I'd love to revisit the series for a future video. I'm working on something a bit different right now, but if you liked this, I think you'll enjoy it.

[@its_nhoj]

Great video. This game and ultimately this series has brought us here, and in my opinion you've eloquently put our experiences and (wrecked) emotions into a beautiful message.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I appreciate that, it really means a lot to me.

[@zqtherebel348]

This was one of the best explained detail videos I ever saw, good work.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I really appreciate that, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheYoungOldMan58008]

The themes and consequences of season 1 I feel are something seasons 3 and 4 didn't even get close to coming back to. This game was genuinely a masterpiece and I'm glad there's still a community for it

[@ZoeKennedysmith]

This was the best game review I have ever seen please keep it up and uploading consistently

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@ZoeKennedysmith Thank you so much, definitely have more on the way

[@gustavobalobi3525]

This video was so insanely good that I was honestly surprised to see how little other video are here. Not saying this as a bad rhing mind you. I'm so excited to see what else there will be in store for us here, this was amazing, thank you.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I'm glad you liked it! I'm excited to make more.

[@Felix-xw6du]

I didn’t even realize this was a small channel, I will be watching your career with great interest

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Felix-xw6du I appreciate you coming along for the ride

[@gaterboy125]

What a great video! Well edited, with perfect focus on specific moments, and great commentary.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@gaterboy125 Thank you!

[@rya3190]

I remember playing this when I was 13/14, and looking back, I wonder if it's why I try to be honest, regardless of the situation. I may joke around and I'm not always blasting out judgement, but I value honesty over anything else. Shoot, even with Larry. I tolerated his BS for the simple fact that he was honest. I also had no hesitation to show the bite mark at the end. Going forward I try to be honest with the same merit as Lee. Even if he didn't say anything at the drug store, Imma argue that wasn't the best time to bring up the fact that you could murder all of them. At least at the Motor Inn, people had room and time to process it, and perhaps there's a lesson in that.

[@swan_does_stuff]

this video is something that has been jn the back of my head but never came out, you explained everything so effectively that someone who doesnt even know what the walking dead is can get your point and even elaborate on it. well done :)

[@ConcraftFTW]

great vid, real jaw drops rewatching those scenes and being reminded of those characters. Great vid! :D

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Thank you!

[@Lauriestrode1978]

You really hit me in the heart with this video, keep videos like this up please, I really enjoyed this.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Lauriestrode1978 I'm glad you enjoyed, friend. Don't worry, there's more on the way!

[@iatearat816]

I already know this vids and channel gonna pop off rn. Congrats bro, glad to say I’ve been here since 350.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@iatearat816 Wow, that's so kind! Thanks for joining, the ride's gonna be fun.

[@emanuelev11]

Hi Lawrence, i was really happy to watch your video: TWD saga is one of my most favourite games of all times, and it means a lot to me. I have known these games for more than 10 years now, and I think about them very often. Many thanks for the nice words you used to describe the game.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@emanuelev11 Grazie mille, friend. I appreciate your support!

[@itshorizontal]

this was a genuinely amazing video perfectly paced and very impactful excited to see more!

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@itshorizontal Thank you so much. Can't wait to make more!

[@KonelioArchie24]

this is beautiful bro. (edit: everything in here was so well said and put together every emotion i had playing you said truly one of the best video game franchises )

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Wow, thank you

[@Ralfy_fig]

Incredible video as always, Would love to see you cover cyberpunk, Night City is chock full of complex narratives that draw all sorts of parallels between a ton of different media!

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@Ralfy_fig I'll add it to my list! I was never able to get into Cyberpunk because I bought the PS4 version on release. But now that it's fixed and I have a PC, it's definitely worth revisiting.

[@TheKaramelka29]

Thank you for your time too! Such a great vid, so much love to one of my favorite games. I wish you grow on KZbin, good luck man!

[@Alex_Goode]

This is truly one of my most favorite games ever made. It has a place in my heart that I will never forget about

[@lexisloan405]

this was one of the best videos ive watched on the walking dead. the way you explained everything js itched my head right 😭😭. thank you for taking time to make this🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@lexisloan405 I'm glad you were able to enjoy it so much!

[@sirvalhart7464]

you deserve far more subs than you have, this was a refreshingly great video essay and a satisfying quality too!! could watch you for hours :)

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Thank you friend, your kindness means a lot to me. More on the way!

[@Rando68]

Fantastic video. I played this before and during my last year of high school, and it's stuck with me for years since. Holds a special place in my heart and I like to think I learned a lot from playing it, even if I didn't recognize it at the time.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Thanks for sharing, that's really special!

[@jayclark7678]

@2:36 - This quote hits so hard for me. The voice acting was peak. I feel for anyone who’s never played or seen this game.

[@carbrand109]

thank you for making this video, it was a great watch and i shed a tear here and there.

[@LawrenceInArabia]

I'm glad it was so moving.

[@littlebugguy]

Thank you so much for this video. I love these Telltale Walking Dead games so damn much -- they have such an incredibly special place in my heart, and as beloved as they are, I wish there were more in-depth conversations about them for what they do on a narrative level, because the way they tell stories has been formative for me as a creative. What's crazy is that, until this video, I hadn't interrogated this theme either! Which is so wild! I mean, it seems so *obvious* now, this is what it's *about.* Perhaps that's partially because, and this is intriguing to me, most of the playthroughs I've watched have chosen to lie in some of the same areas. They weren't on the whole playing the game as a liar, but they were certainly not telling the truth at every chance they got. Some of the clips in this video are unseen for me, and I *love* the perspective they gave me! I never imagined that telling Lily the truth about your past would go well, or in fact be sort of tender? Ben too. And to then have a fuller picture of what Ben's betrayal really means, the damage that *his lack of honesty specifically* caused -- that makes the whole subplot so much more crushing. With how much I love this game, I shouldn't be surprised at the care taken in crafting this message that I somehow completely missed (in my defense, I was quite young when I started engaging in this franchise, certainly young enough to not know a THING about really analyzing media, lol). Fantastic video. I have a newfound appreciation for these games now, can't thank you enough for that.

[@jaydenbrown6290]

KEEP UP THIS HARD WORK BRO THIS IS AWESOME VIDEO ESSAY QUALITY. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR WORK

[@Shortshotwipes]

This video is absolutely amazing. Continue working hard and you’ll do amazing on this platform

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Thank you so much, I appreciate that. The next one is already under way.

[@honeybee6606]

i havent watched the video yet but man i love video commentaries on twd! especially new takes and things to say so im excited to see this

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@honeybee6606 I hope it lives up to the expectations!

[@jamie0731]

i’m a simple man, i see an essay style video on the walking dead, i click

[@darthyolk4589]

One of the best video essays I've seen recently, Telltales TWD was one of my favorite games when I got my first computer all the way back in 2011. This video makes me wanna reinstall and play through (once again :3) and see if, now that I'm older, the themes land harder than when I was a kid

[@LawrenceInArabia]

Thank you for the kindness

[@TheCrowReviewer]

I believe we've found our new walker alpha. Keep making videos sir, this is a darn fine script 🎉🎉

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@TheCrowReviewer Thank you so much, that's very kind

[@Mixkx]

I'm playing and recording the series right now, and you can feel the impact of your personality with each choice. Even after hopping off to take a break, I still can feel the weight of the decision I made. It sounds weird, but it makes me question myself if I had to make that choice or tell the truth about how or what might happen next. I feel like that is what makes these games the most impactful.

[@Nytmare]

2 mins in and i already want to replay these masterpiece’s... man i loved these as a kid i feel like i grew up with alot of lees motives

[@BrakkInBrakkIn]

I enjoy seeing these TWD Telltale videos, they're very soothing. You deserve more subs and views. Nice video man

[@LawrenceInArabia]

@@BrakkInBrakkIn Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!