Psychonauts 2 and Addiction: Hollis Forsythe

[@hippiechik95]

Something I noticed about Hollis’s mind that I don’t see a lot of other people pointing out is the heart motif. In the Cardiology section, Raz takes the Heart Racer’s place, and there’s the heart being shocked by defibrillators where the bad thought pattern is that you mentioned. In the Pharmacy, the jackpot is blocked off by the piece of the machine that represents her heart, and Raz must put it back where it belongs by breaking another bad connection. And in the Maternity Ward, it’s more subtle than the other two, but the jackpot space on the roulette wheel contains a heart-shaped baby, which the rich couple wins after Raz breaks the bad connection there. Make of that what you will!

[@misterdonlon]

Interesting stuff! Definitely something there for both of those!

[@aurorathepuppymoth]

@@misterdonlon I think it might have to do with "putting her heart back in the right place"?

[@mastermage23]

​@@misterdonlon I mean look at it from this view: Before the changes Forsythe was focused entirely on the methodological aspects of most things, as seen with her strict mind with a purely "rational" structure. Dos and Don'ts, set expectations and regulations to follow even when the skill of her students was possibly greater than that already. Even her "addiction phase" was based entirely around the concept of "rationalization" and amplified her already "structured" mind's focus to a narrow extreme. We do learn though that under all this "logic" lies a lot of "emotion" and the reason it is buried under this pure methodology is because, as seen in her flashback, Forsythe's emotions bubbled over when she took revenge on Dr. Putz for stealing her work. In her guilt she strove to gain control over herself and restructured her mind as she explained herself...yet this only resulted in her neglecting her emotional side: Her "Heart" was suppressed. When you talked about the heart being shocked it was due to defibrillators being used on it...but that is a stealthy reference itself: Her heart is not "dead", defib units do not kickstart them (they are too weak for that IIRC). Instead they are meant to "re-regulate" the heartbeat if it's out of sync or similar, or in other words: She's "resetting" her heart (and by extension emotions) over and over to not get too emotional ("be still by beating heart" anyone?). She also displays signs of learned helplessness as she was unable to make herself heard due to being of "lower rank" than Putz and unable to directly challenge him. Even the actions we perform in the level, if you take out the psychological aspects, would "fly against logic" (like beating extreme odds) and cause her to re-think. It's a reminder of her feelings rather than the rationale she developed for herself. In the end she even forgives Raz despite breaking a "sacred" rule of the Psychonauts, to not directly alter others' minds. She's less focused on the entirely logical side of things, remembers her own (repressed) pain and past and can help herself forgive her student for nearly driving her mad by accident. This is why I love her case so much: It is a reminder that even under allegedly pure calculations and thought-out plans there may be heaps of desire and feelings underneath.

[@numatruehome100]

Do you think she either lost a child or perhaps failed to conceive one? A lot of people throw themselves into their work to bury feelings of loneliness.

[@hippiechik95]

@@numatruehome100 I’m not sure. It’s possible, but there isn’t much indication that that’s the case based solely on the information we’re given in-game. Her “all families are terrible” line and attempt to play it off after Raz tells her he does love his family makes me think she’s had issues with her own family in the past, but other than that I don’t recall anything that really hints towards her life outside work. The fact that a maternity ward is a part of her mindscape at all is certainly interesting, though, and I do wish we’d gotten to learn more about her.

[@thatkingdomheartsguy9615]

Something funny is that there is also a learning bubble as well. If Razz just connected risk and learning he would have been able to make her think "Hey maybe you can't learn if you don't take risks" thus she might have been willing to take the risk so the kids could learn. Just a funny way that Razz might have been able to get his way without completing fucking up Holis's mind.

[@misterdonlon]

My GUY, interesting detail. Could be the game hinting at patience being a better option.

[@thatkingdomheartsguy9615]

@@misterdonlon yeah I was actually trying to connect risk and learning at first

[@thatkingdomheartsguy9615]

@@misterdonlon okay so for some weird reason my brain completely made that up sorry for the confusion LOL

[@mariustan9275]

Yeah this also mirrors Hollis in a way. Hollis was trying to get back at her superior for plagraism, and in the flashback we see a bubble for plagiarism and one for bad. All she would have to do is to connect them and Dr. Putz would presumably feel guilty about said plagiarism. But she seemed more focus on revenge and messing him up than doing this.

[@somuchtocook9159]

The octopus represents influence, this represents just how all encompassing the addiction is attaching to every facet of Hollis mind just as how the British empire puts its influence onto every continent

[@swiatowidciesslak6249]

Number "gazylion" is actually an easter egg. It's a refference to book: "The thief of time" by Terry Pratchett.

[@lemuelamen3084]

Where in Psychonauts 1 was the line where Ford says he would rip out Raz’s intestines and make hashbrowns out of them? Sounded like Cafeteria Ford because of the music in the background but I’m not sure how to trigger the intestines voice clip- maybe pyrokinesis?

[@misterdonlon]

Yup! Pyrokinesis! Took some trial and error on my part.

[@nugget3687]

One of the aspects of this level that I found interesting was how easy it was to give Hollis a gambling addiction vs how hard it was to remove it. All it took is one mental connection that gambling could solve all of her current problems to make her an addict, but took 3 different mental connections as well as a battle with the bad idea itself to kick the addiction. Another point that may not have been intentional was that Raz giving her the addiction could be symbolism of peer pressure while him helping her kick it could be symbolism for either interventions or rehab. I'm not married to this idea though but felt it was interesting

[@Springtime562]

10:49 or my brain seeing a lottery machine "there's no way I'm winning that." Hell I've stopped competive when I felt like I was wasting time

[@misterdonlon]

You'd be surprised how often real machines can trick you into perceiving that you're winning!

[@Springtime562]

@@misterdonlon and you'd be surprised how many slot machines I've just walked past. I visited las Vegas to see family and saw 5 casinos and over a thousand different slot machines. Their was ones even in the airport. The only time a casino got me was not a slot machines It was a ring toss. And my dad won it for me

[@lelduck6388]

Not everyone falls for them, for some people that risk doesn’t seem alluring. But it works well enough for it to profit gambling companies.

[@Clans_Dynasties]

Your work never ceases to amaze me from the way you can convey such a deep topic into an easily digestible way to your editing.

[@misterdonlon]

Michael thank you my friend! Hope to get another podcast going soon!

[@Clans_Dynasties]

@@misterdonlonYes that is an absolute must, do you still have discord?

[@misterdonlon]

I'm mostly a twitter guy, but send me a link when you get the chance and I'll hop on!

[@Mr.Anderson9323]

0:39 Actual line from the first game, Chef Ford will say this when you try using pyrokinesis on him

[@rubyisalwayssleepy8775]

I liked this a lot!! Looking forward to part two!

[@misterdonlon]

Thanks! Hopefully it'll be up soon!

[@johnwelch7977]

Came here from psychonauts subreddit, damn what a great analysis! Time to go back and watch all your other video :)

[@misterdonlon]

Psychonauts Sub feels like my second home sometimes! Thanks for the love!

[@ramen4047]

I hope you show these videos to your students

[@misterdonlon]

Sometimes! I'd like to call these videos- "incredibly worth while easter eggs if they want to travel off the beaten path" ! lol

[@dragonempress8367]

You forgot to point out how lady luctapus looks like the lights of a casino and how you have to hit the heart in her head to stop her. As well as the words in her eyes being "Money" and "Risk". Risking her health for money.

[@misterdonlon]

Totally missed that one! Nice connection!

[@dragonempress8367]

@@misterdonlon thanks!

[@kleebeez]

you deserve algorithm attention honestly, great work! :)

[@benpowell-punmaster1214]

This is the first video of your I’ve watched and I love the analysis you gave for this level. I’m definitely going to check out more. Keep up the great work.

[@misterdonlon]

Thanks for the feedback! Should have a new one out... tomorrow actually lol much appreciated though my guy!

[@benpowell-punmaster1214]

@@misterdonlon no problem. I’m currently studying psychology and psychonauts is one of my favourite game series so it all works out in the end.

[@casey2146]

Wow what a well done video, and your whole channel. Glad I found you tonight!

[@misterdonlon]

*Blushinggg* Thanks! Hoping for more and better soon!

[@kian.l]

welcome back! great vid as always

[@misterdonlon]

Thanks!!

[@sabybeal]

just binged all these videos, this is my favorite game of all time and it was nice to see the insight you offer on all the levels. subscribed :)

[@misterdonlon]

Appreciate it my guy! More to come!

[@georgesbugs6664]

Could you please do a series of videos covering the level of Psychonauts one?

[@davidgomezgarachana2295]

Psychonauts is rated T

[@misterdonlon]

"Rated T for Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor, Language" ... I had to look it up to confirm this. Honestly pretty baffled that the ESRB rated this game T for Teens. If I had a 6 year old they would absolutely be playing this game. That's what I have to say about that. Thanks for pointing this out all the same! (still baffled)

[@owenliao]

good job donlon 😊😀😀😀😁😁😁😁😁👍keep make videos

[@misterdonlon]

👍👍

[@nathanwolf1989]

Amazing series, I request fords fragments. Could you put longer credits though? Interested in some of the clips.

[@misterdonlon]

Thanks my friend I appreciate the support! I'll have a longer citation list with some annotations in the next few!

[@chaheradoxon637]

What about Cassie Collections?! She seem to suffer personality disorder.

[@WarriorV8]

This game is a masterpiece

[@misterdonlon]

Couldn't agree more my friend!

[@WarriorV8]

@@misterdonlon And your videos made me love it even more . I always loved psychology

[@misterdonlon]

@@WarriorV8 Appreciate it, Psych is my passion! More to come hopefully soon!

[@sebinohoo2979]

Two really good videos thanks 🙏

[@misterdonlon]

Third should be out soon! Appreciate it!

[@crushersbutlessedgynow]

Psychonauts 2 and abandonment video?

[@Veia]

super video, super like

[@misterdonlon]

Ayyeee

[@moonlone1551]

very cool

[@misterdonlon]

:')

[@evindahood]

wow mr donlon 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

[@misterdonlon]

😳

[@Babbleplay]

Is Bipolar disorder an 'insanity'? Like, would therapy help? In my limited, non psychologist experience, it's a brain chemistry issue, and treated with drugs

[@misterdonlon]

Therapy is definitely a healthy option to consider! But I would steer away from thinking about any of the disorders in this game as "insanity". Addiction, to most psychologists, should be thought of a disease to be treated and helped to overcome!

[@Babbleplay]

@@misterdonlon Ouch, good point, that was a verbal error. Textual error. Either war, poor word choice on my part.

[@misterdonlon]

@@Babbleplay No worries my guy no offense was meant, none taken!

[@KyleKatarnBanthaHerder]

Something to also keep in mind is that therapy refers to a lot, rather than just the sort of stereotypical, outdated view of psychoanalysis, of laying on a couch and discussing your childhood. Therapy can involve learning about and practicing various coping strategies, for example, or help people fine resources and support that they need. Manic and hypomanic episodes that you see in BD, for example, can often be triggered or at least become more common when a person is experiencing significant levels of stress or various difficult/traumatic episodes in their life that they're struggling to cope with. And generally, with pretty much any disorder, the most effective forms of treatment tends to be a combination of medication and some sort of psychotherapy, whether it's those coping strategies I mentioned, or in cases like schizophrenia where a therapist can help make sure a patient is taking the medication they need to, or even for old-school psychoanalysis, having a person to talk and vent to. All of that can be very helpful, and comes with a lot less side-effects than some medications.

[@jennifermoy272]

I recommend Boyd Cooper, Gloria Von Gouten, Fred Bonaparte, and Edgar Teglee.

[@milesinwyatteandcora]

I know this video is old but imagine if pixar wanted to make another hit like inside out but want to explore human psychology , why not take the psychonauts route? Perhaps make a psychonauts movie? I know kids will enjoy the world and action , adults and teens will enjoy the visual "connections" 😉 😊

[@misterdonlon]

Aw man, if this video is old then I must be old :')

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

:D

[@misterdonlon]

=D

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

@@misterdonlon(=