Infinity Train Review: S2E2 - The Family Tree Car

Lake and Jesse fight a bit, but also start to figure themselves out a bit. The second episode of Infinity Train Book Two is full of characterization that paves the way for the character development to come in future episodes.
I didn't care for the families that constitute the tree and their generational squabble, but that was mere background decor to the rather riveting drama happening between Lake and Jesse.
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[@_jagm_]

"Deeply rooted familial problem" You did that on purpose.

[@uncivilizedelk]

I forgot to place the text "tree pun" on-screen for that bit! Then again, it might be more fun if people notice dumb puns (be they intentional or not) on their own.

[@jakethedog8124]

Wait, are you the Jagm who wrote ATChronology? If you are, I really respect you, and you need more subscribers.

[@_jagm_]

@@jakethedog8124 Ha yeah that's me. I don't know why I have any subscribers at all given I've never uploaded anything.

[@lyonsin2535]

I like the idea that jessie was the perfect person to help her change while and find herself on the train and vice versa for jessie. The two have some very good parallel and it was fun rewatching book 2.

[@chaos4654]

Strangely, I don't think the "goal" of the Family Tree car is to get the families to get along, at least not for Jessie. It's possible the Family Tree car is meant for someone else who DOES have the skill set to eventually come along to solve and learn a deep personal message. Maybe some cars are literally just obstacles to pass through for the majority? Or were solved once and permenantly left open after that? Each car is basically their own world with their own continuous narrative that never seems to reset (with exceptions) per passenger.

[@rompevuevitos222]

The creators said the cars are completely random in the hopes that they will (also randomly) help someone Because eventually, someone is bound to find a car that will help them

[@chaos4654]

@@rompevuevitos222 that is both neat and supremely ...chaotic. XD

[@tibot4228]

It is interesting that you can "clear" the car in two opposite ways: pacifying the families (if possible at all) and ignoring the conflict altogether.

[@chicocabalatungan8831]

"This tree grows from F*cking and Fighting..." KZbin Flecs: *busts down the door* KZbin ADS BUREAU! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE EM!

[@DecafInvidia]

I want to say that I was completely focused on the analytical ... stuff. But while my mind was making the connection of the shorts to the second season, or theorizing on the intriguing nature of a denizen of the train being able to do things even more fantastically than usual, or trying to contemplate the length of the trains existance marked by the nature of this tree once being two seperate trees, which would take hundreds of years and is ultimately upside down, but then realizing the normal rules of nature don't apply so this tree could be centuries or days old if made artificially by one one. But my mind was almost completely preoccupied with shipping. This was the episode that got me reading way too hard into shared looks more than greater mysteries. The awkward compliments started feeling strangely sincere, even if they were poorly worded. I am shipping trash.

[@creditsunknown7974]

Traits can have possitive or negativo effect depending on the circustancems I think this explains one one greatly, his entire premie in book 1 was to act countet to tulip, by having two personalitys he could always play counter, a mentor or a pal It shows that depending when and how its good for the train to be negativo or happy

[@aruce9]

That being said the voice actor for both the antagonists from toy story 2 and Jurassic park will be in the next episode

[@redkraken6516]

Why this channel has only 133K subscribers? God, why?!

[@uncivilizedelk]

Thanks! I have more subs than I ever imagined to be honest, but apparently Infinity Train discourse isn't all that popular based on recent viewership (not even just on my channel, but in general). Why are more people not watching Infinity Train, god, why!?

[@deviantgazer4626]

I loved your analysis's of Adventure Time episodes, and I have a feeling I'm going to love these analysis's reviews even more so. I would like to see one thing, and I'm sure many people have actually noticed it by now as well, but all of the many episodes that infinity train put out before this series airedConnects a little bit. In the one documentary video comment they went over the "Cross-Eyed Duck Car". In a future episode, we learn that Jessie passed through that car, and already took a picture with a duck with sunglasses. In that documentary video, there was already a duck with a pair of sunglasses on, that One-One used to silence an annoying duck. There are other examples to these connections, some a lot more obvious than others, but I don't want to spoil too much

[@musalediju8142]

Cool transition 5:45

[@shockingheaven]

I hope Jesse had uploaded those amazing pics of the Draculas to the cloud

[@glassmunch]

the fact that you refer to her as Lake is something that makes my heart really shatter in a good way, you understand her choice and stick with it, you didnt refer to as her old way of being named because that wasn’t her. You really said trans and enby rights

[@sage4566]

Still hoping for that huntress wizard character analysis video

[@uncivilizedelk]

One day! I don't plan to die any time soon. I just hope people aren't overhyping that eventual video due to how many years it's been since I mentioned it, as there's still not that much material to draw from for her.

[@BlueEngland]

When the only reason we got a book 3 in because Jessie decided to help a deer is really scary

[@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 :)

[@babygorilla4233]

A friend of mine just showed me a great show called Kipo, and the age of wonder beasts. I was wondering if you've seen it and what you think?

[@ash64181]

Am I the only one who remembers that a part on the tree snapped off and a bit stuck to alan Dracula hoof

[@Taikeb0]

I also remember that, thought it was going to play a bigger role in later episodes

[@servoaugusta513]

On Jessie’s desire to be liked-when sides are more evenly distributed, he does seem to try to go both sides if there is a conflict. But when it comes to a larger group oppressing a minority in a situation, he does seem to side more with the majority. Case and point his seeming to join in with his “friends” mistreatments of his brother for not being “manly” enough. His desire to be liked, to be acceptable, makes him easily exploitable, by toxic groups, and their ways of thinking. If Jessie is a real man he’ll join in the bashing of males who aren’t manly. An example of toxic-masculinity. Jessie as a human should be happy to hurt/destroy the entities on the train for fun. After he’s a person. As a person it’s his right or perhaps even obligation to make non-humans know their place.

[@rompevuevitos222]

Being fair, his brother never objected, he saw encouraging his brother as a good way to balance contempt between his brother and his friends Seems like at the biggining he just brushes of the guilt as in being just an accident and to avoid any further displeasing of anyone else (he already "solidified a friendship" with the other kids so what would he gain from calling them out and destroying that progress?), until he realizes that it's indeed mostly his fault and that those friends aren't worth it It's one of those situations where you're with a person you don't like but you don't want any further issues with

[@servoaugusta513]

@NANKOK His brother did express doubts on going down the hill. I don’t think what Jessie did in response to his brother’s hesitance is really a compromise. More he joined in the bullying-literally telling his brother if he didn’t do this dangerous thing, he couldn’t be a man. I do think the fact his relationship is far more tenuous than the one with his brother. Though I also think Jessie would have opted to be more sympathetic towards his brother if the group currently surrounding him was more sympathetic towards his little brother.

[@servoaugusta513]

Ferd D I have to wonder about his supposed closeness with groups-is he really friends with any of them, or do many groups simply tolerate his presence out politeness or because he’s useful? And is he just interpreting that as friendship? Take his swim-team; it’s clear they see him as a tool, to which they could direct than a team member. I understand him desiring to be liked doesn't mean he agrees with all the people he's trying to get to like him. But in the end his desire to be like does make him easily exploitable. He may not agree with the rhetoric used by a majority of the population against a minority group-but him going with the majority’s abuse would still be bad.

[@servoaugusta513]

Also I myself am not saying Jessie isn't a real man if he doesn't bully males who supposedly don't live up to a masculine standard. I'm saying he's trying to appease is working off this logic.

[@servoaugusta513]

I'm not sure about that. How long do you have to act like something, before it stops being an act? And Jessie shows even when the group he's trying to appease is around, he can still try to act in ways that makes him acceptable. Hench going Butterfly swimming in the map car. He did purely on instinct. Even though he didn't like it, he acted in a way that was expected of him.

[@tibot4228]

The first time I watched this episode, my mind went straight to "Jesse's friendly to everyone, but because he can't commit, he has no real friends", and I assumed the phone with only animals in it was proof... but since all the animals had the same name, that meant absolutely nothing -.-"

[@buttonsfan]

I’m looking forward to the map car review I love the physics of that car.

[@UndefeatableKing]

This some good character analysis. Dope channel.

[@chistinelane]

Funnily enough, white tailed deer (Alan Dracula) evolved from smaller deer with no antlers and..... Fangs. Some species still have fangs!

[@jasonkeats931]

you could say jessie was barking up the wrong tree he needed to leaf them alone they were just sapping away his time he wouldn't have been able to get them to stop barking at each other ok i may be going out on a limb here with the tree puns i need to branch out to more forms of humor but i love puns so yeah your move Uncivilized Elm

[@HollyClementine]

When she first called herself “MT” I thought she was saying “Empty”.

[@eskiltheeskil851]

Well late but still great

[@popnpets8022]

He usually takes a while when he make his bideos

[@eskiltheeskil851]

@@popnpets8022 ha yes the bideos.

[@popnpets8022]

@@eskiltheeskil851 love them bideos

[@eskiltheeskil851]

@@popnpets8022 we all do.

[@babygorilla4233]

Fear is the mind killer. It is the little death that total oblivion follows. Great book just starting it.

[@datamancy138]

i can't be the only one who saw a lot of trans subtext in lake's character, right? your discussion of lake's resentment of being known long-term by an alias that calls to their former role that an oppressive system is trying to destroy them for not adhering to... very much reminds me of that. edit: i mean yes, it's broad, but the reservation about specifically a name, the change in presentation to something more traditionally masculine, all while struggling to escape a system that will not allow them to act outside of their assigned designation... all that together Smacks Of Gender and my personal reading of lake's story is a transmasc narrative

[@AlquimistEd]

That description is so generalized that it could be applied to pretty much anything.

[@KalinTheZola]

I think the beauty of it is that it can apply to many kinds of situations where someone may feel repressed and unable to truly be themselves. Trans people included! I was able to identify with Lake in this not because I'm trans (I'm not) but because of how hard it was to come out to my parents as bisexual (while dating the same sex so to my parents I might as well have been gay) and an atheist. In Alabama. Looots of fun lol

[@KalinTheZola]

@@datamancy138 That's valid and I don't think your wrong for getting that interpretation regardless of if it was the intention or not! I wouldn't be surprised if at least one person working on that scene had that in mind.

[@datamancy138]

@@KalinTheZola scene? i was talkin lake's arc as a whole

[@datamancy138]

@@magiti3297 GOD, RIGHT. MY NAME IS LITERALLY THISTLE. WE LOVE OUR NATURE WORDS AND TWO-TO-THREE-LETTER NAMES

[@tastemyfranks85]

I feel that you should do bojack horseman reviews

[@uncivilizedelk]

I have yet to watch it (I know, I know, I apologize, there's a few shows I want to give my full attention that I just take forever to get around to), but I was in fact planning on potentially doing season reviews if I end up digging the show.

[@tastemyfranks85]

Uncivilized Elk that’s great to hear and there’s no rush on when, I just wanna see your dissection on the show because I love your reviews on AT (and of course this review) so regardless just keep up the good work man😁

[@kermitlikesmemes3773]

Never noticed the fangs on Dracula

[@dotapazappy]

It's odd watching this after finishing the show and hearing you call her "Lake"

[@Qsalis]

The difference is that the tree only demanded civility, not rushed conflict resolution.

[@NoReplyAsset]

they love each other :)

[@AliceJem]

2:12 I like what you said in here 😍

[@hugoeshu]

looking back now, I was watching these first episodes all wrong, bc the promos made me think Alan Dracula would be the villain for the season, I didn't give up on the idea until the parasite car

[@revuman]

Could you do a video with cartoon recommendations, old and new? I watched this series cause you were making videos and it was awesome.

[@sersmiles1635]

waiting for ep 4 and 8, the best

[@tibot4228]

Spectacular analysis, as always! I was particularly impressed with the first two minutes, but your dissection of Lake's behavior is pure gold too. While I disagree with the reason Lake gave a throwaway name to the hosts (can't help thinking about Westworld), it being that she might have thought it necessary to go ahead, kind of like giving data to a machine, I definitely find yours so very interesting. Do you have any idea what the car is for? Because the family tree is quite hidden - Lake spent a full day in the car and found out nothing, and it took AD (intentionally?) breaking through the canopy to unveil it. Was it because the train knew about Jesse's desire to be liked, even though his journey was sort of hijacked by Lake? Is this the anti-"The Great Divide"?!

[@uncivilizedelk]

I'm of the view that train cars aren't specifically targeted for individual people at all. So many have been (and continue to be?) made en masse that statistically some will feel like they apply to the problems somebody may be dealing with. After all, passengers go through tons of train cars off-screen (in S1, we saw brief glimpses of just some of those cars for Tulip) that don't alter their number. I also think some cars are likely a result of One-One feeling silly at the time and coming up with a wacky idea, and some cars assuredly must be "duds" at achieving anything (on their own at least, dynamics certainly change when train denizens or additional passengers start mixing among different cars and altering the dynamics). Although it's certainly possible One-One may make train cars to target certain passengers and then insert them in the eventual pathway of said passenger, but we haven't seen that yet. It is really interesting how the Family Tree Car has so much that can be missed out on below the canopy, but it's also possible the door is locked until you venture below the canopy? Also the base lesson of "some fights aren't yours to win" seems to be the general point of the car. Heck, it's even possible Alan Dracula was originally in that car to help people go below the canopy if they didn't figure it out themselves, but One-One went overboard on giving the deer super powers because... well because One-One is a weirdo, lol.

[@tibot4228]

@@uncivilizedelk I agree that cars are not tailor-made, but I was thinking about the Conductor possibly ordering them in a way that has a high likelihood of helping the passenger, although many cars will still be duds. With Tulip it's not surprising because Amelia was the Conductor, but in other cases, what if a passenger does not encounter cars with food for a while, or can't get out? Is there food in every car? Or are those cars simply found at regular-ish intervals? I'm also wondering about the Circus Car's door opening precisely where the Apex wanted it to, although that one could have been special since the door itself can be moved around. Still, it is perfectly possible that I am overthinking it. I am definitely on board (pardon the pun) with your theories about the Family Tree car, and thank you for sharing them. Honestly, I like One-One so much even though he as the potential to be endlessly grating. I guess the fact that he's not is to the writers' credit. I am really looking forward to what you'll have to say about... it? him? them? in the final episode, with the split brains cretaing a loop and him possibly erring on the human side... or not? Enlighten us, Elk!!! Also, I appreciate you taking the time to answer, and actually engaging with what your viewers think. It doesn't go unnoticed. Though I understand perfectly well that you can't keep going too long, so don't worry about not replying :-) As always, thank you for your great work.

[@uncivilizedelk]

I'm curious if S3 (hopefully there is an S3) shows whether One-One actually intervenes when people get trapped in a single car (or a series of cars) to the point of dehydration or starvation, or whether the train has some kind of fail-safe mechanism to account for that. Assuming people need water/food in the train dimension, cause the whole thing is still "magic" at the end of the day. I am of the opinion that people die on the train though. There's way too many hazards and dangers that can easily end a person's life in a split second for there not to be regularly-occurring deaths.

[@tibot4228]

@@uncivilizedelk Yeah, it's absolutely possible that they don't have to eat, though due to Jessie getting hungry and Tulip brushing her teeth and sleeping I'm inclined to think that they do. I also wonder what happens if they die on the train. Do their corpses get thrown out Greed Island-style, or do the awaken in the real world without progress? And why would whoever created One-One prefer soemone to possibly die than let them not move on? Plus, with people ending up on the train even for kiling a pet, I wonder how well known its existence is... gosh, the more episodes we get, the larger the universe becomes! So much to love, and hopefully so much content on which we'll get your wonderful takes!

[@pepsibird2517]

You deserve more subs

[@chaos4654]

Ooh. I wonder if the Tree shrinking to even dishonest cooperation/tolerance is actually a social commentary about not voicing intolerance or particular greviences?

[@servoaugusta513]

How many points would Jessie lose or gain from if decided to just leave Lake and Alan to their fates. It would take him being ok with being disliked, the situation is deadly, and Lake appears to be capable enough to find Alan herself.

[@Marg_Sabl]

Never liked a video soooo fast

[@elbaby7]

I haven´t watch it and I already love it!

[@jonathanhall3640]

Lol are you talking about the show or the review

[@elbaby7]

@@jonathanhall3640 The review man, I love this guy´s style

[@jonathanhall3640]

@@elbaby7 it's a pretty great style made me re-watch adventure time

[@elbaby7]

@@jonathanhall3640 Me too bro

[@jonathanhall3640]

Honestly I would like to see a season of Jessie and Lake off the train After season 2 my interest in tulip has disappeared I just want to see more of those two

[@enderwiggins8248]

The tree is a fake beech

[@keithgabrielt.francisco3363]

You need to Review Star Vs The Forces of Evil man. But if you dont I just wna say your reviews makes the cartoon overall so much better for me, thanks for being who you are.

[@gullumking]

Can you do kipo

[@NestorCustodio]

I'd like to propose an alternate take on Jesse's personality, as he didn't come across (to me, at least) as someone who is "trying to be pals with literally everyone". I saw him more as someone who actively works to minimize conflict around him. That might be projecting my own traits/issues into the character, but he genuinely did not seem like someone who is overly concerned with people liking him as much as he is with trying to accommodate everyone.

[@uncivilizedelk]

It's true he wants to accommodate others, but he most definitely also wants to be liked by everyone; that's in Jesse's own dialogue. The traits are pretty much entwined with each other though. In addition to what Ferd already said, Jesse explains to Lake how he's able to be friends with everyone, then later adding in a sad voice except for her. He's clearly troubled by Lake not wanting to be around him.

[@chillinwithdolyn]

This is so late and no one's gonna see it lol but does anyone else notice that her "name" MT sounds like empty :( Might b another reason Lake doesn't resonate/wants to leave it behind, or symbolic of that fact

[@user-gd1yu5gx2l]

Not to annoy you but would you be interested in The Dragon King ? I've just watched the first three seasons and it honestly helped pulling me out of the hole of sadness that AT dug... Maybe it'll help you too

[@jamesgreene6113]

I've noticed you've been swearing a lot more recently. You're an adult and you can do what you want, but it was just a little jarring to have you suddenly drop the F-Bomb so much more often. Did something happen?

[@rompevuevitos222]

I'm glad honestly, i hate when adult content creators make videos like we where all 12 y/old I mean, this channel is clearly made for more mature minds who can take in more complex lore. Also youtube is severily penalizing kid's friendly channels with COPPA so making mature content is more encouraged now

[@darkmario720]

Gotta keep Coppa away from your vids now bro or else you wouldn't even be able to read this reply or any comment for that matter.

[@Carlosmoresqui]

New youtube politics

[@jamesgreene6113]

@@rompevuevitos222 I get that, but a little warning would have been great.

[@rompevuevitos222]

@@jamesgreene6113 Well now you know that unless the video is for kids there can be swearing, so if that puts you off, you should go there instead

[@galgow]

Oh this video reminds me I feel like lake's arc really gives some non binary vibes. I'm not saying she is nb obviously but I feel like this story might resonate with people that are. Also I hadn't thought about her agressive/pushy nature being a way her repressed physical intimacy comes out. Thats a really Good take I can relate lol

[@PossessedPotatoBird]

Second!

[@garrettnewell]

Sup

[@tipsy634]

cmon man.... just do a full series review instead of an episodic review.... the last thing i want is for you to give up on this before you finish

[@uncivilizedelk]

Eh, I tried that last time (and split it into 2 parts anyway) and it took forever to release the second part, so I'd prefer they be staggered out over time. I also realized if I'm primarily gonna be talking about events within individual episodes sequentially anyway, there's little reason to bundle it all up into a single video. If I was going to do a more generic overarching discussion of an entire season that's not as episode-focused, that would be the scenario to do a full-season review. I'm gonna finish off the whole season regardless, don't fret about that. I never made videos with the purpose of getting views (although it is really nice when that happens), so that's hardly gonna put me off now. What actually bums me out is that Infinity Train isn't as popular as it should be.

[@johnhayward998]

Please you a gravity falls review video