Infinity Train Review: S2E1 - The Black Market Car

Book 2 of Infinity Train was absolutely awesome, and I'll be reviewing each episode! I hope I manage to stay focused and motivated to churn these reviews out, lest I end up on the Infinity Train. Then again, I could really use its aggressive form of self-therapy. Worst case is I’d get horribly murdered by something, which would still be an absolute win in my eyes.
My reviews of Book 2: Cracked Reflection will be done in a retrospective manner, meaning I may discuss events that occur in future episodes, and I will not be calling the main character Mirror Tulip or MT, but rather the name she picks for herself in the final episode: Lake.
Despite the episode being called “The Black Market Car,” most of it takes place in the canopy of the the Family Tree Car. The day after a magical deer saves Lake from the Mirror Police, Jesse shows up and the Travel Friends gang is assembled, whether Lake likes it or not. Only for Alan Dracula to peace out due to either ulterior motives or a distatse for yelling (or both). Who knows what goes through the mind of this wacky deer.
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[@usernameandpassword1460]

Someone has said this before, but it feels like the reason Amelia used the pod to make her mech was to show that she was so against the Infinity Train and moving on from Alrick that she couldn't even be bothered to get out of her pod to start her journey.

[@uncivilizedelk]

Gah that's such a defiant statement of rebellion against the train! This show is so darn great.

[@a-shanda-productions]

I really think this season established how much of a machine one-one is. One-one was clearly built to run the train and can’t think outside of those boundaries. I mean it’s possible that’s the reason Amelia was able to rip one-one from the control panel in the first place, why the apex go unchecked, and why one-one goes full paradox about Lake and Jesse. The idea that passengers wouldn’t want to better themselves and residents want to leave just isn’t in their programming.

[@SuperDuperJamer]

I think to say "he can't think outside those boundaries" is a bit much, considering how Tulip was able to successfully convince One-One in the Unfinished Car to stop his efforts. I think it's also evident in the fact that he does, through a technicality, let Lake leave. What you're saying is still valid, of course! He is very sturdy in his thinking. I think the way he is designed, is as a robot that is *almost* a machine, but has just a slither of... humanity (for lack of a better word), which allows him to at times, do things that need that slither. (Shown again in not finishing, uh, finishing, the Unfinished Car, Lake leaving, and the little documentary videos he makes!) Speaking of the documentary videos, I think One-One had documentaries made before he was taken out of the console, as shown in the IT Documentaries series, but that's unclear. Haha, but it still establishes that can think a little out of the boundaries... although maybe not much!

[@jaredhall5169]

@@SuperDuperJamer I wonder though, was One-One ever supposed to leave the console at all? Like he's the conductor of the train, but physically he's a pretty weak and defenseless robot, it seems like using stewards from the safety of his console, would be way more effective. It might even be what he was designed to do to begin with. This is all speculation, but I wonder if Amelia ripping One-One out of his console was a sort of awakening for him. Then spending all that time with Tulip made him deviate from his programming even more, care more for the residents and want to explore.

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

@@jaredhall5169 I mean for all we know there's only the 1 Steward used to carry him, which was probably a reason he thought of the Steward as his mother at 1 point because the Steward carried him like his little port in the Engine

[@cooperkane4077]

a tip: you can watch series at Flixzone. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies lately.

[@carterazariah4000]

@Cooper Kane yup, I've been watching on flixzone for years myself :D

[@jaredhall5169]

I love the repeated visual of Lake looking at her hand, because the meaning of it grows and changes as the story goes on. First, it hints at her desire be treated like her own person. Her hand is the only way that she can look at her own reflection, without alerting the cops. To her, it's proof that she's her own person and doesn't reflect anyone but herself. However, it also proves that she's not a "person" by the train's standards, because she lacks a number. Later on, that visual represents her desire to leave train, as having a number is the only way out. THEEEN, it all ties back together at the end when her hand reflects Jesse's. Her proof of personhood, as well as what sets her apart from them, was the key all along.

[@jaredhall5169]

@@audioknight6513 Woah fascinating

[@novidsjustposts]

I loved A.D. Sweet Pea-ing his way down the tree

[@-spinel-7257]

*Pipes break in the distances.*

[@fffernsw4dl539]

"I too am doom"

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

Lmao that was one of the first things I thought of when he did that

[@FelipeKana1]

????

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

@@FelipeKana1 Have you watched the Adventure Time episode "Whispers" if not you wouldn't understand

[@andrewmichael9201]

Couple nice touches with Jessie’s number: his problem is less severe than Tulip’s, thus leading to him having a far smaller number. His number climbs up and down in a realistic manner showing how often times change goes “2 steps forward, 1 step back”.

[@Kingkent1207]

This will be fun. Especially given that that Allan Dracula is the most civilized elk I've ever seen... I'm sorry someone had to comment on it.

[@DecafInvidia]

I find the black market car, though largely unexplored, incredibly unsettling. It's a car where for the right price you can get anything you want. Including other people's tapes. Addiction to an emotion like sadness as entertainment or euphoria is a real thing, and it no doubt has led to many passengers extending their stay. Why would a black market car exist on the infinity train? Is it similar to the chrome car in that it reflects a negative perspective, in this case greed? Or could there be more to it?

[@tibot4228]

My headcanon was that it allows one to come in contact with other passengers' experiences. Neither Tulip nor Jessie ever came across anyone else on the train, so if genuine emotional connection or seeing another person's struggle (perhaps because it mirrors your own) can help, I could see One-One going along with it. It is a bit voyeuristic, but One-One will stop at nothing to ensure that passengers get off the train (e.g. planting parasites inside denizens).

[@rompevuevitos222]

@@tibot4228 Not sure if One one would really go that far with his child like logic, but was mostly just a random car like all the others, he doesn't really seem to care as much for what the cars contain as long as it doesn't blow up the train

[@rubenssilveira5765]

I like the way you care about every single detail... i wish i were like you

[@tibot4228]

@@rompevuevitos222 I wonder about that. Everything on the train exists to help passengers, and the order of the cars itself could be significant (I'm thinking about the parasite episode, Jesse finds a food car and says he was getting hungry). But, sure, it could be just a shot in the dark on his part, or even AI gone haywire like the denizens of the lucky cat car (I'm really looking forward to Elk's commentary of that one, the circus setting is definitely not a coincidence).

[@rompevuevitos222]

@@tibot4228 Well, she got in a car with food and got an apetite, it's not uncommon to feel extra hungry when there's food present (and the trope less so) One one is clearly not paying attention at passengers success rate and merely doing what he was programmed to do (mantain the train) Also, the creators themselves stated that trains are not made for specific passengers, but rather mass produced randomly in the hopes that they help someone.

[@rigzmoviediaries654]

I greatly appreciate how you analyze these deeper children's shows. It's so soothing.

[@whyaminotsleepyet8377]

Me: Haha I relate to Jesse but idk why Elk: A lot of people do tend their problems away from the world and do a great job of putting on a persona- Me: Hey wait a minute

[@MattLuceen]

Great analysis! I missed so many details... Lake’s bracelet! Tulip’s pod, too.

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

I actually just had an idea as to why Alandracula is Alandracula, since it's revealed in the final episode with 1-1's lines of 'I really broke the mold with you, Alandracula' that he had all these abilities on purpose. Perhaps 1-1 can only deviate from his programming to a certain degree, since he's clearly made to be a binary robot, only glad, but also only sad, and he's programmed that way so he doesn't have any moral problems when creating train cars. Perhaps 1-1 wanted to make Alandracula as a momento of when he 1st deviated his programming, the day he stopped 'fixing' the Unfinished Car. Even though the car was not finished nor was it properly made to begin with, in the end it still functioned like any other car with any other residents, a place where people get over a few of their problems with the help of the environment and the residents within the car. Perhaps Alandracula was the 1st ever resident created with specific intentions considering 1-1's previous binary persona was specifically made to stop him from making specific things. Alandracula was created to be a living representation of the Unfinished Car, something that doesn't function as it should, yet still gets the job done perfectly in the end

[@noelle3780]

I liked the first season, but I love this one way more to be honest. It felt like this time around they really pushed the characterization and world building, and I appreciate that so much. And I can also relate to both Lake and Jesse at the same time, which helps lol

[@SonaLovesick]

I really broke the mold with you Allen drakula - one/one

[@pentrium9310]

3:04 Chrome Canyon is Vangelis for the 2020. Canyon's soundtrack captures the sci-fi mystery tone of Blade Runner so perfectly!!!

[@DaniAzakura]

The way Allan Dracula falls reminds me of Sweet P when he falls basically the same way in Adventure Time. xD Great review! I'm looking forward to what you have to say on the other episodes! :0

[@WillardWilliamss]

Yay new vid starting off the new year with a consistent upload schedule so happy to see your channel active again

[@iSmartMan1]

Fun fact: the woman who we see receiving One-One's video message is Jesse's lunch lady, the one who made him eat 30 sticks of celery

[@elbaby7]

I can´t choose between The Toad Car and The Number Car. I loved One-One on the last episode, every piece of dialogue was just perfect and hilarious and the finale was definitely better than Book 1´s

[@rubenssilveira5765]

The number car...?

[@ratdog4316]

Two years ago, I was recommended this video and it made me wanna watch this show. I can’t begin to explain how much this show means to me. Seriously, I can’t thank you enough. (Also, your vids are awesome and re watching them gives me a rush of early quarantine nostalgia.)

[@mothsolotl]

Usually, I go through one of your reviews, agreeing for the most part while picking up contrary opinions along the way. This time, everything you expressed was in sync with how I felt. The degree to which you agree with me does not mark the quality of a review, but I'm appreciative of how much we agreed about this episode. This was great, keep doing good work, and keep doing what you love! Peace ^^

[@KavinCatastrophe]

Love your videos. Didnt even know About the Pod Situation. 3:36

[@Frog_kaeru]

i ADORED Book 2 and i’m so excited for all your reviews!!!!

[@bogdandamaschin9381]

All really deadly situations came from exterior interfearence: The buggs, Emilia, The Stewart. No train denisen would harm a human, I think the train is designed that way.

[@enderwiggins8248]

The mold was definitely broken with Alan Dracula! I love hearing your voice and more importantly what you have to say again, so I’m excited for the upcoming reviews but no pressure!

[@qwertyqwerty-ek7dy]

YES!!! Awesome to see your videos again! :D

[@WeegeeSlayer123]

I gotta catch up with season 2 pronto. I sure am glad you're reviewing this show now.

[@blazers37]

I really like your adventure time videos and I want your channel to succeed so I am commenting and liking these Infinity Train videos. I have been meaning to watch Infinity Train but just haven't had time to yet. I also need to find a way to stream it online for cheap. Anyways, I love your video essays so thank you for doing that :)

[@SuperDuperJamer]

Been so excited for this review!! Can't wait!

[@shockingheaven]

Gosh, I was dying to watch your reviews and I finally watched book 2

[@claudiag.9307]

I love your reviews!

[@victorbeidiljohnsen5257]

You know you're late, when Uncivilized Elk's reveiev comes out before you've seen the episode.

[@gutsonthemic5261]

man ,this season was great. i even like it more than the first. the characterization, the story, the lore and the eps were better than season 1

[@markgaydosh4249]

Love it. Man this show was great!

[@Sir_Ninonino]

One-One is our chaotic neutral son/husbando!

[@thatnikkakris2339]

Sir Ninonino true neutral

[@tibot4228]

So happy you're back! It's so humbling to watch your reviews when I'm considering giving it a try myself, but at the same time, for me they're just part of experiencing the shows you cover. Adveture Time in particular would have been a completely different thing for me if not for you, and I am so happy I found your channel

[@uncivilizedelk]

Thank you. Which season of Infinity Train did I prefer? I can't actually have a really hard time deciding between them. They're both very different. I think that only makes the show more awesome, and I really hope more seasons get funded because the crew has shown they have what it takes to keep it awesome.

[@tibot4228]

@@uncivilizedelk You're welcome (sorry if you felt put on the spot)! Perhaps I found the first one more entertaining with its traditional story structure, but the second one was in some ways more original (and the Blame! feels of the penultimate episode)... ugh. I do expect that, like Lake, the Apex were set-up for the next season. Or will we see how the train came to be in the first place?! And what about lake in the "real" world?

[@VOLAIRE]

Glad to see our favorite elk has uploaded again :D

[@acidamigo4077]

HE RETURNS!

[@sersmiles1635]

toad car is my favorite so much, the wasteland was another great one and the final 2 were wtf by far

[@galgow]

Oh I just noticed in the little montage of lake walking through various cars she walks through the golden winged snaked car ( 2:37 ) that will be the focus of a yet unaired season 3 episode. The callbacks in this show man... Also even though the passangers can possibly die on the train from what I can remember there werent any outright hostile/dangerous denizens or cars. The biggest danger were the roach-dogs (gohms?) Which seem to be completely unrelated to the train. That also reminds me, the train had canons in the front (the ones that Amelia repurposed) which indicates there are probably even bigger creatures lurking in the wasteland (given that the roach dogs could be easily run over by the train without the need for canons)

[@casualbird7671]

Can't wait to see more ^v^

[@Brilchan]

I just watched book 2 I adore all those small easter eggs like the fact that Jessie's cafeteria cook got on the train as well and the fact that judging from his phone he just loves Dracula and calls EVERYBODY that xD

[@RomanDonut]

Woah I was just watching the second season of Infinity Train for the first time That’s a weird coincidence

[@byrontheusurper6505]

I LOVED agent mace in the wasteland, he was so sick!

[@rubenssilveira5765]

I love the way this serie creates infinite histories

[@rubenssilveira5765]

Dude i just love your voice

[@illanalevi6091]

Hmm, the idea of a conductor that is slightly off is an interesting idea to explore. A lot of ideas explore the train as a purgatory like place that can also fit into this idea too. Kind of like imperfect creatures create imperfect creations.

[@cya5983]

Catching up on these before episodes drop tonight! :)

[@jobisTheWorst]

If 1-1 made his intro video earlier grace would have never thought the higher number was a good thing meaning the apex would have never existed

[@garg4531]

"They don't really break the mold throughout the season, they mostly stick to their predefined roles." Well that's kinda the whole point of the mirror people's existence really so...

[@tibot4228]

I am sorry that I can't afford Patreon right now because, well, I'm a recent graduate, unemployed and depressed despite all the privileges I have, but I really want to get across just how much I - and other people - care about this channel. We don't really know you, but even parasocially, we do care, and wish you the best, and hope you are and will be feeling better. I apologize about th eunrequested sincerity, but it hurts to see you struggling :-I

[@misterodfox]

I hated the name Alan Dracula initially, but by the last few episodes on my first watch through, it was truly the only name for him

[@johnhayward998]

Yeah if anyone will agree with me that Steven is doing that go with the flow attitude that means he is in deep wub wubba lubba dub dub

[@tonjolley6422]

Thank you for the heads up for spoilers at the beginning. I shall return. Edit: I'm back!

[@Gooberwares]

The apex Aggravates me who else

[@AGrayPhantom]

I know the next book will focus on the denizens of the train, but I'm more interested in what happens to Lake after she escapes the train. What does she do with her life? Where does she go?

[@Exorsister]

9:33 looks like S.P from Adventure Time in the Litch's Room

[@brooklynelise5767]

I loved season 2

[@ALKATRAZGAMEPLAY]

Liked s2 more that the first one idk why. Maybe cause I just loved Jesse and Lake duo)

[@lyonsin2535]

I like the discussion about one one. It seems to be that he sorta lacks empathy alot of times. More on the sense that he a robot that was built be kind but not understand what it really means to be kind.

[@meluncholy]

Don't know if you say it in your other videos but fun fact Mace and Sevie are dating witch makes more sense when Sevive snaps after his loved ones death don't know how to spell Seives name lol

[@nziom]

Keep in mind what you said in review one about the hypocrisy of Amelia

[@slyfox7452]

Dogs lakes ‘hair’ grow

[@filledwithmaggots]

kinda unrelated to the video but my headcanon for lake is that she's non-binary :)

[@Rodoadrenalina]

my only big complain is that Lake harsh and mad personality got old by the end of the season, even thou we get why she was like that, but if anything I'm ready to go back to a chill Tulip or a new character for season 3

[@Rodoadrenalina]

@Ferd Ferd.D i saw, i mean when she was mad, she was annoying, but i guess you just have to be an asshole

[@irhaddedovic678]

I really like Lake and her personality she's just like that and when she was mad it wasn't without a good reason.And in my opinion she wasn't angry that much in the start she was angry with Jessy because she just didn't trust him yet and in the end she was just really hurt that train refused to give her a number like she was nothing, but that's just my opinion.

[@latioswarshowdown1202]

She was shittesting jesse since the beginning it just makes sense that she tried to be a brat with him

[@AliceJem]

This is how tomboyish punk characters act like they have to be aggressive and cool all the time.

[@alexiscastillo8728]

How long will your next video be?

[@Flyranitar]

Will you be covering Steven Universe Future?

[@uncivilizedelk]

I was planning on doing a video on the entire season (run?) of SU Future when it's over. Unless it turns out there's tons more episodes in distant development, then maybe I'll get around to it before it concludes.

[@bradyswanson2883]

@@uncivilizedelk I think there's only gonna be 20 episodes in future (that's at least what a lot of people are speculating)

[@CombatSportsNerd]

Still debating between whether or not I should give this series a try

[@majinniro4688]

You should it is worth it

[@majinniro4688]

But start at season 1

[@uncivilizedelk]

You better bloody watch it because I got 9 more reviews of Book 2 coming out! Although I'm gonna try extremely hard to buckle down and work my way through them at a rate that isn't glacial.

[@cripwalker665]

Honestly, unless you don't like Sci-Fi, there's no reason to not watch it. Short asf, art style lit asf, writing great asf. Idk what else ya need¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@CombatSportsNerd]

@@uncivilizedelk Quality content cannot be brushed! Take your time!

[@Ugo_Goglu]

thanks, I hate dental pads

[@nziom]

I think lake is her opposite but still her own person

[@WillardWilliamss]

Do you intend on reviving the uncivilized elk stream channel or will that remain dormant for a while?

[@cripwalker665]

I don't really like Lake as a name BUT if you shorten it to L. A, it sounds lit asf

[@kittybmob]

Gasp you did a swear

[@jakerodgers9146]

And there is nothing wrong with it, because KZbin has too by law, monetize, thus encourage swearing and other adult stuff (as long as it doesn't go too far) like it did in the old days. XD *said cheerfully*

[@l30pardfurypabelonia76]

I click because i thought this is demon slayer lol INFINITY TRAIN ahh im fooled by this

[@turkey5624]

Ok

[@christiansteger8041]

Have you been enjoying Steven Universe: Future?

[@tibot4228]

He replied to another comment saying he was htinking about covering the whole season once it's over, unless it turns out ot be longer than expected.

[@malefantasy4554]

i liked the second part of the series but i don’t like how MT just got her number for what ever reason

[@alfred4576]

Alex Fuentes what about episode 4? That was the best one in my opinion

[@malefantasy4554]

CitruSaurus i meant on the last episode because she was fighting with the last flec and then she got her number for whatever reason and then left with Jesse

[@alfred4576]

Alex Fuentes oh she didnt just get the number. She used her reflective body to mirror Jesse's. I just asked about your opinion on episode 4

[@sdft1138]

It was quite literally the only solution. One-one is a robot and as such it couldn't compute the paradox created by Jesse and Lake, so it jumped to the only available answer.

[@davidajayi6516]

She didn’t get her number tho she tricks one one to letting her leave

[@reynaaguilar2340]

There should be book 3 where. We get to see lake's new life

[@magiti3297]

you'r french accent is even worse that cat's accent.

[@garrettnewell]

This an't adventure time.

[@cripwalker665]

𝘼𝙣𝙙

[@alfred4576]

I thougt this episode was garbage and that the best episodes in Season 2 were 3, 4 and 8

[@sdft1138]

I dont really think it was garbage, it did a great job of reminding the viewer of the situation for Lake. It had been a long wait after all.

[@alfred4576]

sdft11 It was poor structure to have such a long mostly unimportant action scene in the beginning that only served to tell us what we already knew

[@sdft1138]

@@alfred4576 Again it served as a refresher of how things were going on. I think it was cool to see Lake change her look also it served as a way of telling the viewer how the flecks could move with reflective surfaces and stuff. Although I do agree the pacing felt a bit weird, I wouldn't call the episode garbage.

[@uncivilizedelk]

While most of that sequence turned into chasing for action's sake, the chase still clocked under 2 minutes. I wouldn't exactly call it excessive, all things considered. Structurally, I couldn't disagree more; think this episode was extremely solid. It established all the different components the rest of the season would be working with, and really let you feel what Lake's mental state is like. I also thought it pulled this off without feeling rushed at any point, despite that action sequence not contributing toward the 'meat' of the story.

[@alfred4576]

Uncivilized Elk I'm glad to see that you participate in discussion with your viewers. I get that a dip into the main characters psyche is important at the start of a new series but the first half of this episode doesn't tell us anything new or intriguing about the world or where the season will go - not until she meets the deer that is. The first half is just a reminder of what happened in episode 7 of season 1 and without any new info sprinkled in between. Some cuts to Jesse waking up would be a great way to transition more smoothly from "things we learned in season 1" to "what season 2 will be about"