The Struggles of Masking: Digital Circus Episode 4 Review

[@SarcasticChorus]

Thoughts on the episode? And should I make a Pomni x Gummigoo vid Reaction Video is now UP! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWaZfaSpnJxgfpY

[@bruuuuuuuuhhhh]

Rage

[@crimsonsolaris2140]

Yus

[@LowQualityStuffzies]

gummigoo x pomni is so underrated pls make a video

[@natashahaley9637]

you should make a zooble x gangle vid lol

[@Crowgod06]

Yes

[@phantomgamer3898]

The creator confirmed that the characters only forgot their names when entering the circus, so yeah, even if they might have forgotten something else, they still have most of their memories

[@samkelly5045]

Yeah, if they did forget then it wouldn’t have made sense for Kinger to mention doing computer science or his wife being an entomologist. So I figured that they do remember most of their memories, it’s mainly their names that they forget.

[@MannequinMonarch]

@@samkelly5045 I wonder if they remember what they looked like or not, or to what degree they remember and forget stuff. Can’t wait for them to explore this more anyhow!

[@barbararab6390]

​@@MannequinMonarch I think they only remember the core aspects of who they are, but not their appearance or name.

[@wooperdatrooper9171]

Based pfp

[@Silentgrace11]

@MannequinMonarch: I think they may have at least some idea of what they’re “supposed” to look like at least, given Pomni’s existential crisis upon seeing herself in a mirror in the first episode and Zooble having body dysphoria. Even if they don’t remember their exact appearances, they no doubt are under the impression that something is completely and utterly wrong with their appearances now

[@njivwathomassilavwe2056]

"This is a manic episode and we've got three more seasons!" Never before has something so funny scared me. The implications of that truck scare me

[@thesandwich5321]

Gal likes anime and that was a clear isekai reference. I hope. I really hope that's all it was.

[@Rodrigo_Vega]

ngl, I'm low key waiting for a chance to use that line.

[@CrowCoded]

We've got three seasons, and this is how the first few ones are??? It's gonna be ride! 😂🩷

[@skytheemperor]

The future will be horrid I fear. I hope it won’t be too dark imo. But I think the show becomes better as the more it goes on.

[@alliliciousanimations8727]

I actually believe jax in the beginning of the episode when he hits the ball into gangles mask. His voice sounded genuine to me, and in other episodes when denying doing the same thing, his tone is sarcastic.

[@TransDrummer1312]

You can see him react in shock when it nails her too, he genuinely didn't mean to 360 no-scope the poor girl.

[@rxndomfxndom7405]

SAME! So it isn't just me!

[@StegoAqua]

Dude got a collateral home run

[@nathanblackburn1193]

Yeah Jax never really denies being a jerk, it's always obvious with his tone of voice and smirk when his laying about his intentions

[@phantom-ri2tg]

Pretty certain it was an accident. That said he was still smiling after showing he wasn't upset over it.

[@bdletoast09]

I just love how "getting hit by a truck" is now commonly referred as "isekai'd". Like, try to explain that to someone without any context, as to how the transcription of the japanese word for "New world" became linked to the very specific concept of being ran over by a heavy weight vehicle.

[@swingusinners6001]

As a person who is not familiar with anime too much, I don't get it 😂

[@untitled-gv3qp]

​@@swingusinners6001 There's a trope in anime called isekai. That basically means someone being transported to or reborn into a fantasy world, usually becoming overpowered and ending up being a hero. It's an escapist fantasy. The reason we associate it with getting hit by a truck is because most of them happen when the MC dies after they get hit by a truck or train. There's even a comic about a guy who's job it is to run over people in a truck so they can be sent to different fantasy worlds so they can become heroes and save the world they get sent to.

[@untitled-gv3qp]

​@@swingusinners6001 There's a trope in anime called isekai. That basically means someone being transported to or reborn into a fantasy world, usually becoming overpowered and ending up being a hero. It's an escapist fantasy. The reason we associate it with getting hit by a truck is because a lot of them happen when the MC dies. Usually after they get hit by a truck or train. There's even a comic about a guy who's job it is to run over people in a truck so they can be sent to different fantasy worlds so they can become heroes and save the world they get sent to.

[@tropicaldisaster8135]

Truck-kun made its mark

[@theonegoldengryphon]

@@swingusinners6001Basically, in isekai stories, people from our world are transported to a fantasy world. Now there are basically limitless ways to actually make that happen- but in stories where “returning to our world” isn’t really supposed to be the protagonist’s goal, the easiest way for an author to do it is to have the main character die, and then be re-incarnated in the new world. Since motor vehicle accidents are the largest non-sickness cause of premature death around most of the world, it kind of turned into the default way to fast-track reincarnate your Isekai main character, to the point where it’s the vast majority of them. Thus, getting hit by a truck becomes “getting isekai’d”!

[@black-shadow-eclipse]

I love how this ep showed that Jax is still human. He is in *sshole and traits everybody like trash, and we know he's going to get worse. BUT, this could be his persona, how he copes with the situation being trapped in the virtual world. If nothing is real, he can cause chaos for not going crazy. But still he has split seconds where he's more genuine.

[@gameb9oy]

I am worried about his episode though, as we’ve been told he’s the one person who deserves to be in the digital circus

[@ez9566]

well, maybe his problem is having been through all this before? Just a theory when looking at his jax.001 sign or the entire i dont care facade or the how he only sees people as their characters (caine/npcs/gangle). But yeah, nothing matters to him except getting a thrill out of the experience for some reason

[@Broomer52]

Theirs a fan song called “Knock Knock, who cares?” That I think is pretty accurate to Jax because I get the impression he’s burying all his fear and sadness under anger and hurting others. Because he won’t feel bad for losing people if he refuses to let himself feel bad and if they hate you for the way you treat them then that’s even better. Hurt others do you can ignore your hurt. If they hate you then you don’t need to form a connection to them.

[@RootOfAllEvil-666]

That’s what I’ve been saying! He seemed way more human here!

[@HyperSpeed657]

Thats what I been think he acts this way to cope in somewhat heck he could been like this when he was human as well which understand able I don't' mined Jax being like this really.

[@austinobambino1360]

I don't work in fast food, I work in an office, but this episode captured the mental anguish of watching the clock count down until I can walk out to my car just to go home and do it all again the next day incredibly well. I'm probably going to rewatch the episode just for how well it depicts the crushing dread of work you hate.

[@VreenAlien]

May God bless you in your future.

[@cow1816]

Same here, work at Fedex stuffing trucks with boxes. Watched the episode and just realizing how perfectly it captures work. The episode captured just how *slow* work is and even when something interesting does happen, you just have to kinda work around it and not really care/notice like how Ragatha becomes a liability and the others just have to continue working. I especially related to Jax just slowly walking to his car and just collapsing in it essentially, full on mood.

[@lifeisadrag7705]

Or Gangle stepping out of the building during closing time and taking off the mask. Reminds me of when I was working at retail, being able to stop pretending to be appealing for other people, where I felt free of the weight of expectations.

[@dandelion_fritters]

And I hope you NEVER have to ever! You get reeeeally nihilistic working food/retail. This episode just gave me flashbacks…. I wish I could have gotten away with being high on the job….

[@pyerack]

I work at a coffee shop so close enough. Watching this episode after getting off work really just hit different. Especially the bit about "You probably want a career as a comic book/manga artist but that goal is unrealistic & unobtainable so you should stop trying" cuz that's literally what I been trying to achieve 💀 Best part was seeing how Jax hated every minute of it and looked at the clock with hatred. I felt that in my soul.

[@remonssi6997]

I appreciated how there was a cracking sound when Gangle heard Ragatha call her happy face annoying because later, Gangle tells Pomni that her happy mask is usually broken before they reach near endgame of the adventure. I feel like it shows that (ignoring how Jaz already broke it in the very beginning before the adventure even starts) Ragatha's comment would've been the point where the happy mask broke, but because the new mask is plastic, it didn't and Gangle is just forced to continue masking.

[@Euphoriaaaaaaa-l7z]

Damn this room is full of onions

[@norsehorse84]

Multiple times you hear cracking throughout the episode. I assumed each time was the moment the normal mask would've cracked, but since the plastic mask kept on, it was just another soul splitting blow Gangle had to keep bottled in instead of her just being sad, but in a freeing way. God, I could write an essay on how many ways this episode pierces my soul as a neurodivergent dude who has had unmedicated ADHD for almost all his life.

[@lxshseaaa]

Gangle was really going through it this time 😭😭

[@vickypedia1308]

There's the obvious metaphor for masking going on with Gangle, but I interpret the particular thing of her getting a new, less destructable mask as also a metaphor for being medicated. It's the process of trying out a new medication that's supposed to fix the mood swings, thinking it's working, only for it to push her straight into a manic episode. Going so far as to make her jump into traffic without even realizing it when she finally abandons the mask.

[@Creatorsan]

I like to think the mask is an allegory for anti depressants and well if you put someone with bipolar ll on anti depressants (like myself) that could actually have the opposite effect than intended. Gangle couldve went into a manic episode cause of said mask which is not what was initually intended to happen. Near the end of the episode with the truck scene, I believe her shocked reaction is her realizing what she did and regretted it only to end up in Caine's office later. Overall, I believe this episode made Gangle relive her days as a shift manager and the increasing psychological impact it had on her. 1. Had dreams of being a manga inspired comic artist but was crushed by reality to go get a real job. 2. Thanks to her good work ethic in a fast food joint, she was promoted to shift manager. 3. The stress/psychological pressure from said job broke her, and attempted to commit suicide regretting it the moment she realized what she did. (like the truck scene in the episode could've referenced her real life.) 4. She presumably survived as somehow she was able to put the headset on to enter the circus.

[@jackleanimations8382]

I think its simpler imo, Gangle as a character would just be easily become sad because she's sensitive (or have underlying conditions mentally). I believe that her comedy mask is her genuine happy counterpart and the new mask represents her actually masking her sadness. Zooble tells Gangle that the mask is more durable but over the course of the episode, we see that it only affects the outside like it's only for aesthetic reasons. Even if Gangle still shows being happy, we can hear her slowly break inside (glass break sound effects every time someone says something mean). I want to suggest this theory because I experienced it way before. I tried being happy just to keep up with my fiends because my problems are inherently unfixable (against my power to fix) so I try not being sad by masking. It backfires horribly as I suppress the sad emotions, later being diagnosed with depression.

[@manlymug]

i'm pretty sure Gangle ran into traffic on purpose, but no one wanted it to age restricted or warned or anything like that, so they just made it look like she ran into traffic accidentally. Honestly, it's up to interpretation, really.

[@vickypedia1308]

@@jackleanimations8382 I like that we can have so many interpretations about what the more durable mask means

[@nonspiderweb]

Also, the mask is made out of plastic, which has over the years become a word associated with “fake”

[@SoulHero7]

I think an overlooked line from Caine this episode was him saying: "I don't know what's normal to you people!" Of course he wouldn't, he's not human.

[@DaroTheDragon]

Hes a AI

[@firelordeliteast6750]

He's trying his best.

[@reinbew62]

people figured that out in the pilot, that's probably why

[@nmr7203]

They said he was an AI in the pilot, wtf

[@reinbew62]

@@nmr7203 they did not directly say it but it was obvious

[@neonstarch3210]

I really like how Pomni takes more of a backseat role this episode. She's still there but it's nice that not every episode has to revolve around her. Seeing her take a more supporting role and trying to help Gangle like Kinger did for her was nice to see. Also, loved Zooble this episode. Seeing them in the adventure was fun to see and their interactions with Gangle were sweet. Also, I definitely don't see this episode as filler. I feel like that word gets thrown around too much. I consider a filler episode something that doesn't affect the story and/or the characters (i.e. Great Divide from Avatar for example). Here, however, it's clear this is focused on the rest of the cast. Pomni already had three episodes for her and Kinger had his time to shine (pun intended), so it's cool to see the mental state of everyone else. (Gangle's mental state/backstory, Ragatha's unfiltered thoughts, etc.)

[@noobmasterruben5167]

This is something that Amphibia also does best, when the mc takes a back seat and we focus on the other main characters like Sasha. Gooseworx showed us more lore about Kinger, Zooble and Gangle. I cant w8 for Ragatha's episode and why she misses her horses

[@pyerack]

Zooble is so kind, chill and just honest about her opinions that I think this episode made her my favorite character.

[@chaotixthefox]

Objectively, filler is non-canon content added to an adaptation. Thus, the term cannot be applied to source material.

[@kenzieham]

As a girlie with a dual diagnosis of autism and bipolar, Gangle is a really awesome and relatable character. I completely understanding masking especially at work and it’s very hurtful when you think you are doing “good” (manic) and people say they missed how you were before even though “before” usually means when you were depressed and exhausted.

[@tpfoxCastro]

Hey, don't get near any headset if you see one, just to be sure.

[@always_luminous]

Oh I can definitely relate. When I am manic, I am sent to the hospital. When I am super depressed, I am told to control it. I feel you.

[@catdogmousecheese]

I'm autistic too and I use to work at a fast food place and what helped me when I was at my mental breaking point was I would go in this storage closet we had then turn the lights off and just lean against the door for a few minutes. It just really helped me calm down to be some place quiet and dark with no other people for a few minutes.

[@kiwiscananimate]

Real.

[@BriPhelps]

Honestly same, I found this episode to be way to relatable.

[@UnmeiNoFukushu]

I feel bad for Pomni in this episode Gummigoo, was very clearly uncomfortable with everything she was doing. He didn't remember her, she was just a random woman who happened to know his name. It was nice to see her finally process that grief for him though.

[@SammyRobinson62232]

Based on his facial expression it does seem that Gummi Goo remembers her.

[@Oushino]

@@SammyRobinson62232 more like feeling that it's similiar but not remembering. Like Pomni says his name then tells Gangle that "it's not like any of this is real" definitely makes him feel similiar. He still asks do I know you

[@synderthmc]

His expression at the end tho has an implication that there might be something, because its not the same akward or weirded out expressions

[@RinLockhart]

@@SammyRobinson62232 There was _something_ but I'm definitely reading too into it.

[@taddad2641]

i think he'll be more important later too. he is a near sentient ai... and a part of me....... wonders.

[@rachelmariecaberapacheco7942]

..."Is good to have dreams, just remember they are completely unrealistic!" ...dear gosh, I felt the blade of that sentence bro...

[@TamWam_]

my dream career is in animation but i'm scared of ai art making it impossible 😭

[@AmazingEmerald]

@@TamWam_ there’s still a chance. Don’t give up.

[@waterhell16]

You know, it's even funnier and more painful, when you realize it in 1 grade (grave, lol. "Dying is fun") 🫀 /sigh/ I was a very impressionable, trusting and believing in goodness child and when teacher told to me that it was impossible to have magic, I broke down a little. I still want to be artist, even if not a fairy, and I try to do something in that way, but I see, that trying will never be enough. And... I don't know. I just feeling me like Jax in machine after job and Gangle in the job-video at one time. Sorry for burning you with my emotions. I... just want to be heard

[@cashmerewatkins5091]

Tbh Gangle is my new favorite character, I geeked out when she pulled out her cute pink flip phone! But I related to that feeling of others preferring a side of you that makes you feel even worse on the inside. I'm happy Gangle got this time to shine! Edit: Also I'm under the impression that Ragatha came from an affluent family where she had high expectations and tried her best to be the "good girl".

[@-Alari-]

I agree with that! She had horses with implies that her family was able to buy a lot of land. She also said "tea parties" and "dance lessons" like she was tired of them. Maybe she does feel a lot of pressure to be seen as a good girl?

[@justwolf3937]

Honestly that works too with her digital form being a ragdoll, something seen as older and more fragile, yet also something to be controlled and used as a punching bag/doormat, the idea that Ragatha was potentially an heiress under controlling parents works really well.

[@Isuream6331]

⁠@@justwolf3937 I don’t know if this is an actual fact or not, but I feel like that the characters “models” were probably customised by themselves before they entered the circus. Ragatha - old doll like what she might have had when young Gangle - mask to as a self-reference to how she feels Kinger and his wife(Queener?) - both clever people, so they chose to resemble chest pieces

[@Silentgrace11]

Some of the references she makes kind of calls back to Raggedy Anne and Andy, so it may be sort of a reflection of her past as well as a cheeky nod to the toy she has been modeled into

[@SolunaStarlight]

Yeah. That's spot on for Ragatha.I definitely relate to her the most, and I am also from an affluent family (though I didn't make that connection to her until reading this comment), but also potentially just a like... I'm not gonna say my family is abusive because their not, but my mom and stepdad are constantly at each others' throats and I'm stuck trying to mediate that and get them to calm down. And I also read some of that into her character, just like... I hate yelling and arguments and shit, and I just want everyone to get along. And I keep thoughts to myself which come out if I get drunk or high which is EXACTLY what happens in the episode and its like... omg the character work is just so damn good

[@GeForce_Productions]

I think this episode was actually my favorite, I like the high tension, but generally laid back feel of the episode because it actually manages to slow down sometimes and not feel like a pace issue. The Episode having actually relatable comedy and characters having openly emotional moments . It just creates the perfect vibe in my opinion.

[@KopyErr]

I agree

[@amethyst_cat9532]

The high-tension/laid-back combo is also super accurate to service work like retail and food service, nothing happens for significant periods but you always have to be ready for action because you never know when that quiet period will end

[@TamWam_]

fr, i saw a comment saying how everything went wrong bc the cast has been stuck in a crazy digital world for ages. pomni, meanwhile, managed it better than anyone (despite her slacking off to talk to gummigoo), since she's new and still is used to "normal". also saw another comment suggesting she could've been a therapist when alive bc she's really good at consoling others

[@Silvertardis]

9:55 Actually I'd say it's more Gangle putting her foot down in response to Jax immediately causing chaos when they first open the restaurant. For once, she actually has the power to stop him from making an adventure even more unbearable.

[@szweetsztuff]

ALSO zooble being the one to come in clutch at the end feels so so perfect because-as speaking from experience as a neurodivergent person myself-if i find a person who’s both willing to be friends with me AND willing to be blunt about how they feel I WILL hold onto that person so tight there will be nail marks in their arms. zooble and ragatha are foils because zooble is apathetic but they never hide how they truly feel. they don’t always talk about it but they don’t activity try to mask it either. ragatha is the complete opposite-she literally had to get HIGH to reveal her true feelings. it makes sense that gangle would gravitate towards zooble because when zooble tries to lift her up she has more confidence that zooble is actually being sincere and not just saying out of pity. i love them so much AUGH

[@TamWam_]

no fr, i have a blunt/honest friend like zooble and shes my ride or die bestie. now to be fair, i am _sorta_ like ragatha, but thankfully not as much as i used to be back then. i still do tend to sugarcoat and i get anxious about saying smth wrong or offensive, but it's not overbearingly nice like ragatha is

[@AmazingEmerald]

Wonder if they’re going to talk about Zooble more in episode five or six…

[@teddieprox2307]

putting gummigoo in there and not giving his presence any mind in the plot of the episode makes so much sense but also pisses me off

[@demonicthan742]

Huh? He was literally a part of Pomni's plot this episode, and how she needed to realize that it wasn't the Gumigoo she once knew, and that she needed to let him go to help the people she REALLY knows

[@maximoarana5549]

​@@demonicthan742 i think he refers to him feeling like an actual NPC in the whole episode.

[@demonicthan742]

@@maximoarana5549 because he was a NPC. Again, that wasn't the Gumigoo we all know and love.

[@cakewak]

@@maximoarana5549well he is an npc

[@RootOfAllEvil-666]

@@maximoarana5549 That’s exactly what he is, Ragatha mentioned that Caine reuses NPC’S

[@luckyfunky1178]

"I don't deserve a friend as good as you" And the reponse being "It is how it is" is literally- I'm stealing that if I ever have a moment like that with someone Its such a fire line, and this episode might be my favorite of all past and future episodes

[@TamWam_]

nah fr, moments like these are a lifesaver as a therapy friend

[@shaylenwayne9284]

As someone who works in retail/ food service and doesn't really have any dreams, this episode hit pretty hard. Figured the idea was trauma won't always come from something big like the other quests; it can come from working retail for so long you lose yourself, numb your feelings, and aren't sure what you want anymore.

[@TamWam_]

idk who you are but i wish you luck in life, you deserve more than having to work at a crappy retail

[@AzraelSoulHunter]

I feel like that moment when she "trips" was in fact intentional. It was not a dance. She turned around and she closed her eyes. She jumped as Caine said himself. Her shock I say was not about this being accident and more of a "View from Halfway Down" sudden fear and regret when you are about to die. And as someone who goes through quite a bit of struggles I can relate to Gangle immensely. Those moments of joy and excitement are not long, they are not signs you are "fixed". It's a burst of emotion like those bursts of sadness. But when sad bursts leave you exhausted, happy ones leave you hurt and you want to die. That's how I see that moment and it probably was that kind of moment given that Goose said this episode would touch upon "suicide". Also I love Polish Dub Gangle. Her VA does a GREAT job. And they also sneaked in a reference to "Dzień Świra". A polish movie about a poet who hates everything and everyone around them over their failure of a life. Topical.

[@pipaliveshere]

exactly. people don't realize how manic episodes where you're just ready to unalive yourself are. how your just accept it as your fate. but once u get life sip out of you, once u realize what you've done. u feel regret and fear.

[@pipaliveshere]

also, she literally said to caine "I guess I cracked under pressure". it was intentional.

[@NOTaSquirrel_inaTrenchCoat]

I personally believe that the seen near the end were Gangle was hit by the truck was meant to be symbolic. As someone who strongly relates to Gangle it can really feel that way. You can finally let your mask down and emotions out until something slips and all the emotions you let out come rushing back hitting you like a truck.

[@galacticglamourgirl]

3:00 Whoever said that straight up doesn't know what filler is. This episode gives insight into the mind and motivation of one the main characters, if anything, that's the OPPOSITE of filler. The main characters are literally the most important part of any show! Character-driven low stakes plots aren't filler, nothingburger anime episodes made only to give their manga more time to release chapters are filler (although the term can also apply to nothingburger episodes of any show).

[@fmor2779]

Most people who don't know how to review a show will call an episode "filler" as one where there is no action or ,to their judgement, boring. But that is not the case, an episode is filler when nothing substantially important happens, which means there is no progression in any way whatsoever, including character development, that enriches the show. This one centers on Gangle's character and tells us more about her problems, insecurities and coping mechanisms, the latter being an important theme in the show. So, technically, not a filler episode.

[@galacticglamourgirl]

@@fmor2779 Right! The only thing I slightly disagree with is the use of the word "technically", the episode just straight up ISN'T filler.

[@fmor2779]

@@galacticglamourgirl "Technically" means: "According to the facts or exact meaning of something."

[@BrandonJames2016]

Gangle’s episode was so good. Using such a simple premise but giving us complex character dive into Gangle was perfect. Like it makes sense why gangle came into the digital circus looking like that since she had to put on a mask everyday like every employee in fast food industry. It just made me feel bad for her now she had dreams she gave up on bc she thought it was unrealistic. I loved getting to see Zooble on an adventure it gives us more of her dynamics with these characters. I’m convinced that scene with the tv changing into the sad/happy masks was a reference to the commercial in Halloween 3 that was used to activate the masks.

[@SallyBMcgill]

I love that we see behind Jax's persona. We see he's not just a dick, he's putting on a mask just as much as everyone else. Behind his way of coping by bullying everyone else, he's just as depressed and stressed as everyone else. He takes comfort in the others and the adventures, but in a negative and hurtful way so as to deny that he feels vulnerability and that he needs to act that way to keep himself guarded and probably stop himself from abstracting, something he's clearly afraid of and hates. I know that we'll find out more about him in episode 6, but right now, the fact that once he was too tired and depressed to actually keep up the persona, he was able to have a normal conversation with Pomni makes me wonder if his episode will let him finally show the others why he needs to be that way to survive or if he'll push the others away and double down on his destructive and self-destructive attitude. I don't expect him to change even if he does show his vulnerabilities, but I hope that he can at least gets some comfort. He's a jerk, but he's still a human being stuck like the rest of them. All I'll say for now is that he's still my favorite character, and I can't wait to find out more about him.

[@tpfoxCastro]

Call it masking and coping, but he is still an asshole. It's funny because, Gooserworxs herself said he was the only one that deserved to be in the Circus

[@noobmasterruben5167]

I kinda relate to Jax more than Gangle in this episode, that feeling of just bothering people other than working and looking at the clock w8 for things to be over

[@universalpower419]

​@@noobmasterruben5167 Damn You must be insuferable

[@tpfoxCastro]

@@noobmasterruben5167 But like, I don't know if you've noticed, but through the series including this episode Jax has been what we in the business call "an asshole"

[@JoeBroGaming21]

Gooseworx said he’s only gonna get worse each episode, but I hope he gets a chance to redeem himself in some way. Or maybe he’ll just be one of those characters that will always stay an asshole

[@theevildalek5425]

I’m autistic & neurodivergent, & seeing Gangle in this episode was almost like seeing a reflection of me. It kind of scared me, but it also kind of comforted me. Ragatha as well with her blunt true statements. She’s not trying to be rude, she does care, but the end result can be a 1000 times more painful for the ones at the receiving blow (Gangle). I can imagine there will be an attempt apology from Ragatha to Gangle in the next episode. How that’ll go through I feel will not be what Ragatha wants. Overall, I really enjoyed with this episode. It’s nice not to feel like you’re the only one who feels this…

[@Sh1penfire]

I vibe with this version of ragatha when im myself in the morning without much sleep it feels like people might mistake me for being stoned cause the unfiltered thoughts will come and they will flow, it's kinda fun process the reactions later, flop back onto a soft surface/nearest table-like object and tell friends the exact thoughts and things which come up when they're discussing things and I happen to snap sharply onto a bit of the topic they have despite running on 3 hours of sleep

[@selinawalsh9075]

God, mood. It kinda annoys me when people say Ragatha was "showing her true colours" or was a horrible person the whole time, because like, everyone thinks terrible shit sometimes, whether it be intrusive thoughts, genuinely not vibing with someone's actions, etc. but everyone also filters that. Ragatha just filters way more than the others in the Circus.

[@LisaVGG]

I liked seeing Gangle wipe her tears away, i thought that those tears were attached to the mask this whole time. I also liked the little cracking sounds heard throughout the episode, as they can be combined with what Zooble said about Gangle’s new mask being harder to break to create a truly devastating effect of mental breaking. This episode didn’t hit me as hard as Kinger’s, nor did it hit for me immediately, but it makes me hope that we see Gangle without a Comedy Mask at the start next time

[@GwenS320]

"Its called a Manic episode and you're gettin' 3 more Seasons " Best line in the episode

[@lulu7.765]

Caine was...weirdly calm during this episode, not as fast and frantic as usual

[@bryanthernandez9769]

He was glitching

[@derpiedoxie]

16:22 help after I heard Ragatha say horses all I could her was "this has been sarcastic horse"

[@snoooooooooot]

I had to double check what channel I was watching

[@Corvidiot_YT]

Tbh gangle leaving the restaurant was by far my favorite scene out of everything on this show. Maybe it’s because I relate to it personally (having autism and having worked retail), but that surge of freedom she feels is so real. Just stepping outside and seeing the entire world after being trapped inside all day putting up a facade, it feels really freeing, and sometimes I wished I could just run out and be emotional without worrying about other people like gangle did. (Not the truck thing, please don’t get that idea). I don’t feel like this as much now thankfully, but I used to feel trapped everywhere I went. Trapped in my job, in my schoolwork, even in my mind as I covered who I was to be likable. I also love the scene where Zooble is completely honest with gangle, because as nice as the friends I’ve had are, it’s hard to know if they actually want to be around you. The hardest part is being able to ask them that, so having someone like Zooble, who can be that honest, is so important.

[@Corvidiot_YT]

Damn didn’t realize how much I ranted here but you know what, it felt good.

[@TamWam_]

i so agree w your last point, so many of my friends just go or even change so bad that i have to cut them off. but having a real one like zooble, someone who speaks their mind and always remains their authentic self, i genuinely do admire. bc i'm more of a ragatha due to my social anxiety, so i always try to maintain my reputation, always try to be well liked, never speak my true thoughts if i fear it'll offend anyone. but my best friend is a zooble, doesn't care about what anyone thinks or says and keeps it real.

[@girl2ninja]

As an aspiring managa artist. Kinda funny how she got Isekai'd and hit by truck-kun

[@deandredukes95]

Comedy can be a cathartic way to deal with personal trauma.

[@ThisBeEv]

Put Zooble and Gangle together and you got me to a T. I got more emotional watching this episode because I relate so much to Gangle. Being a heavily masking person in a retail job has been one of the most stressful things to deal with in my life and the scene of her going outside, taking off her mask and screaming into her hands then when she leaves work to throw her mask and run was the most relatable thing I've seen in animation media. I love how the series is bringing to light so many real struggles people face in this bizarre and unreal place.

[@sofichu_gamer655]

11:32 I feel like everytime we get a close look on her mask and does a lil **crack** its actually the comedy mask breaking from behind the plastic mask

[@DanniNyan]

Her comedy mask already broke at the start of the episode, I think it's more of a creative choice

[@sofichu_gamer655]

@@DanniNyan The mask slowly regenerates I believe, but most of the time jax comes in and breaks it before it can fully regenerate

[@DanniNyan]

@@sofichu_gamer655 I mean fair, but still doesn't explain how when she takes off the plastic mask her tragedy mask is still there. I think if her c mask does regenerate it probably takes around an in game day, if her c mask regenerated so quickly she wouldn't need to go to Zooble for a replacement and thus the ep wouldn't rlly make sense.

[@sofichu_gamer655]

@@DanniNyan No but mental breakdowns are “fun” to watch so

[@DanniNyan]

@@sofichu_gamer655 I mean I don't disagree

[@michaelrhodes3285]

Don’t forget gangle’s new mask was a manic mask.

[@bloomins8088]

I'm sorry that the knife didn't twist enough for you! It did work for me, reason being that i could definitely empathize not only with trying to keep it together in a group, but also the soul crushing feeling of everything happening is your decision and *no one* is enjoying it. Like that thing you're sharing/experiencing with others is an extension of you, and their dislike/boredom/flippant attitudes reflects back to you and who you are. It's small, but i remember showing a group one of my favorite movies, only for the group to either be dismissive or say awful comments like "I think I need to watch football to get my masculinity back." Or showing someone a game trailer you're SO excited about, only for the person to go "WoW did it better." That feeling makes my heart shrivel every time. Anyway, i always love your analyses! i'll watch your live reaction next. :)

[@ruven300]

So the thing for me with this episode is that I've kinda been where Gangle is. I worked retail as management even and it's... sometimes it feels like it would entirely be an accident if you were slipping on the curb and falling into traffic. Sure you aren't going to do it but if it happened... maybe you would just accept what comes next. It hit me in an existential sorta way that's really familiar is what I mean, so I actually rated this episode very high in a mundane horror sorta way. I got out of retail for all the reasons she might have jumped in traffic 10/10

[@SammyRobinson62232]

4:06 I actually believe that GummiGoo does remember based on his facial expression. As they’re less “wow this is akward and I’m weirded out” And more of “I’m so sorry but we need to go our separate way” As he probably doesn’t want to experience what happened last time

[@Oushino]

What if he is just a chill guy

[@KMocha_]

I heard a theory wondering if he does but can't show he remembers because he'd get erased. Also, when pomni said his name, he reached out to her with a certain look on his face

[@midnights2631]

​@@KMocha_that's interesting

[@armoredman10]

@@KMocha_he was confused that a random women knew his name and wanted to ask her

[@MetaGiga]

@armoredman10 If someone knew my name before I’ve ever met them, I’d either run or ask how they knew my name. Gummigoo was friendly the moment he heard Pomni say his name even though she was creeping him out beforehand

[@teriyakifoot2168]

Loved this episode a lot, I think the environment the characters were placed in really highlights each character at least to some degree

[@Silentgrace11]

I really didn’t see the Pomni and Gummigoo interaction as ship bait, but I suppose I’m also aroace af and it’s rarely my first thought lol. To me it just felt like fondness. Happy to see him again, hanging out with his brothers, safe and sound. Happy to see the person she lost (who was also going through a severe existential crisis right before he died) is happy again, even if he doesn’t remember her or the experiences they had.

[@icarue993]

I think you might be up to something when you mention the "isekai". I think its foreshadowing. Rarely does Gooseworks puts something and not pay it off in some way or form. I think the people in the digital circus might be dead, and C&A is probably experimenting with their bodies and putting them inside the circus, with Caine being the care taker. Like, from a meta/thematic perspective what would be more horrifying that discovering that there is actually no exit. Essentially the exit would be ending is all, non existence, and the circus is the only way of continuing it. Would you stay or would you leave?

[@YTLaviCrystal]

idk, because Pomni and the rest of the crew remember putting a headset on, so how would they be dead

[@icarue993]

@YTLaviCrystal Hmm... what if somone put the headset on? Like they are in a hospital, and C&A either tell a lie or truth. Lie: we are going to operate on you, put on the headset so you can entertain yourself Truth: hey, you are on your last legs, we will upload your consciousness and you can continue living there... but not here. OR The feeling of dying might be close to the feeling of pressure of putting on some goggles and the players interpret it as such. I dunno specifics, but I would imagine the truck -> unalive might play a role later on, and this is foreshadowing of sorts

[@cannabishornliu6119]

​@YTLaviCrystal Well ask this some Sword Art Online characters...

[@k1ng_chicken]

Interesting theory!

[@umamifan]

@YTLaviCrystal Yeah, the theory is a huge stretch considering they remember putting a headset on, the "exit" being followed up by a corridor of computers, and Kinger being the oldest circus member + knowing compsci, which is very convenient considering his position there.

[@DesoloZantas]

To add on, she didn’t have the time to pursue her dreams because she was always stuck at work, leaving her exhausted and unable to focus on things like her web series. There's never enough time when you're caught up in a job. But now that she’s able to get home earlier, she has a chance to chase that dream, even if it’s just in small moments. It’s a feeling of hope. I think getting hit by the truck serves as a metaphor for how everything was going smoothly until she got trapped in the digital circus-like an isekai, where she’s pulled from the real world into a alternate one.

[@Marik4295]

As someone with bipolar disorder Gangle makes me so happy to see I feel understood by her depiction of a manic and depressive episode I feel seen by this episode and i love it

[@66decker]

I came here specifically to say exactly the same thing. I've never felt more connected to a character than in this episode.

[@Raziel312]

I never worked retail, but I did spend a larger chunk of my life than I care to contemplate work as a security guard. Low pay, usually at night with only your intrusive thoughts for company. Your job is basically to rain on other people's parade. "Hey you! Stop hanging out your friends and enjoying yourselves. No loitering!" Haunted by the knowledge that most of the time, nothing is expected of you, the site owners just want a warm body on-site at night to get a break on their insurance.

[@danielferrieri7434]

Pomni: Tries to flirt with Gummigoo Gummigoo: What’s the attitude with this lost Child?

[@vibrantglitch5722]

pomni is not a child..😭

[@kingdragoonmk10]

Jax actually seemed like he was not being outright hostile, even confessing he actually didn't intend to hit her with the ball (but no one believing him cause of his jerky history) Worst he seemed to do was the boiler with ragatha

[@BitBlush]

absolutely jax move for the worst thing he does being "throwing a coworker into the deep fryer"

[@AmazingEmerald]

@@BitBlush hasn’t he done more than that?

[@selinawalsh9075]

​@AmazingEmerald In this episode, they mean.

[@BitBlush]

@AmazingEmerald yeah i meant this episode

[@LowQualityStuffzies]

i would honestly be really sad if gangle abstracted. her character keeps getting better and better so watching her go would be sad

[@musalediju8142]

Your reviews make each episode 10 times better

[@Silvertardis]

0:12 Jax Suffering, TOTALLY DESERVED!

[@RookieMistakes]

I actually liked this episode alot. As someone who works fast food I could relate to the characters stress alot. And Jax's overall mood walking back to his car was very relatable.

[@zaq12777]

I still really liked that, for the most part, Zooble and Pomni played along with the scenario. It was also nice that they were the two that reached out to Gangle in verious parts of the episode.

[@blipblop8391]

Your commentary made me realized that episode was more fucked up and relateable! Great analysis as always!

[@SleepyCrumpet]

15:28 I think, as an autistic person, this scene hit the hardest. Iv had friends like Ragatha, who, in trying to keep everything going smoothly in a friend group, unintentionally encourage me to mask for the convenience of the group At the end of the day, just another person who is neurodivergent legitimising your feelings and needs and being them selves makes a lot more space for you to be your self too.

[@doethundermelon]

I've been excited for Gangle to get some of the spotlight and she's just so relatable. This episode perfectly captures how it feels to be neurodivergent and trying to be "normal" around other people. The experience of giving up on a creative dream to work a monotonous but more stable job you loathe hits close to home so I think this is the episode that will stick with me the most. Seeing Zooble being kind to Gangle at the end warmed my heart, it was so sweet and just what she needed. ❤

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Goos: I don't want any shipping! Also Goos: Makes Ragatha jealous of Pomni not "flirting" with her.

[@RapCattiez]

She never said she didn’t want shipping she just doesn’t care at all lol Edit- guys what I meant is that she said no ships are canon but she doesn’t care if you ship any characters with each other at all

[@ChocomelJuice]

​@@RapCattiez She said there won't be any romantic relationships between anyone in the show. So no canon couples, she doesn't care about shipping tho

[@ellaartenstein853]

That’s not what Ragatha said though

[@myrla9745]

Ragatha wasn't jealous that Pomni was flirting with Gummigoo and not with her. She was upset nobody ever flirted with her

[@AvaK-w2q]

Nah, idk where you got that but Ragatha never said she was jealous of Pomni not flirting with her, she just wished someone would flirt with her

[@reinbew62]

I already loved Gangle, but this episode made her my favorite character. And that final scene of her throwing the mask away was ASCENDING also one thing I like about this episode is that there's barely any music for most of the thing. The fast food restaurant ambiance and the really good voice acting from the VAs makes this feel a lot more real.

[@reicho3034]

Based on Gumigoo’s reactions, I do think that this IS still our Gummigoo, but his memories have been erased. Gummigoo clearly has this strange reaction to Pomni knowing his name despite not giving it to her this episode. He has moments where he has these troubled looks, like he’s almost remembering something, something painful. I think Pomni might have known this based on his facial expressions that he actually might remember everything if she did try to remind him somehow… but she doesn’t want that, not anymore. Remember, when Gummigoo found out about his existence as an NPC, he was devastated to know that his whole life was a fabrication. Sure he found a friend and new hope in Pomni, and she found a friend in him too, but knowing that his life was a lie is still a very tough thing to live with. When Gummigoo became self-aware, he no longer fit in with his candy-themed friends and left them behind. Now that Gummigoo is back to his old self, no longer remembering his painful discovery of being an AI, he is happy and back with his gang, and Pomni doesn’t want to take that away from him. If Pomni did remind him, he’d go through that trauma all over again. It might be a little selfish, but she’d rather let him live happily this time. So Pomni decides to let him go, letting him live a happy life as an NPC still in character.

[@ZombiedWolf]

Gummigoo most likely doesnt remember i agree, but it did look like he recognized something. When Pomni says his name, he looks confused, maybe a bit worried, then sad and then he physically reaches out to her. He has that same worried look when he is leaving but that could be read a few ways. My cope is that he remembers something and now wants to keep a low profile to avoid full deletion.

[@samuelo5052]

My theory is that him gaining self awareness last episode caused some sort of ‘memory shift’ storing some of his memories outside of Caines control. They may be hidden but given the right prompts they can come back

[@norsehorse84]

The worried face he said when she said his name was pretty obviously not him remembering something about her, but far simpler; he never introduced himself by his name once in the restaurant, yet this random worker lady knew his name. I'd be freaked out too.

[@Hat_Man494]

Thank you for explaining perfectly why Gangle is my favorite character and why I relate to her so much this episode (coming from a person who is currently working in a restaurant)

[@meh-o1n]

Gonna be honest, this episode made me become a fan of the show. It was such a perfect blend of comedy and gangles traumas, almost teared up during the last retail scene, and then burst out laughing as gangle got isekaid 😭

[@thenerdbeast7375]

I loved how stable Pomni was this episode, going to show she can be a rock to the others too.

[@deandredukes95]

Delusional pain hurts just as much as pain from actual trauma. So what if it's all in your head?

[@EleonorFerret-oc7zx]

7:08 bro I felt the dread in that episode so hard I thought I was gonna have a heart attack,not the dread she was gonna abstract just the dread in general 😭

[@GreenGuest23]

This episode somehow hits harder when you actually feel and understand what they meant to do with. The experssion of "Using a happy mask but behind having a sad one" just never felt so relatable to me. In my school, i would try to stay happy and funny but there was always the classmates that either were mean to me or just straight up said just because im not their friend means that i shouldnt to them, and the feeling was the same as something "breaking" inside of you. And the fact that when she's alone she takes off the mask and unleashes all her rage and sadness never felt SO relatable when im alone. This episode overall was great and i have found a new conform character because of it.

[@greysock5311]

ive been *waiting* for ragatha to break, and i am very excited to see the next episode

[@sophieamandaleitontoomey9343]

As a person who has battled chronic depression since I was 14 and has spent the majority of my life absolutely despising myself as a result… The things said and done in this episode really just hit way too hard.

[@nestendoiguess]

I just thought of this, but Pomni really is the only person in the circus to not mask how they feel in the circus. Everybody else tends to hide their true feelings, but Pomni always tends to express how she really feels, ESPECIALLY in episode 3

[@jeneehaviland5661]

Watching this you could tell that it was written by someone who has worked in customer service for a long time. As a retail worker I felt this episode

[@Omnywrench]

I doubt it's intentional but I find it interesting that Zooble, the character with the most complex and colorful design of the bunch, is becoming close friends with Gangle, who has perhaps the simplest character design, being just a monochrome mask and a few red ribbons.

[@Skizzo321]

I *DO* want to believe that Gummigoo remembers Pomni, but like got a serious kind of "deprogramming" from Caine to make sure he doesn't mention it or else he get permanently deleted like a very stern father to a boyfriend dating his daughter. That being said...perfectly satisfied if he never shows back up. Pomni getting to say goodbye and knowing some form of Gummigoo is still out there is good enough for me. Also Ragatha owned horses confirmed by Gooseworx.

[@justice8718]

He’ll be back, and you will see.

[@tpfoxCastro]

I was scared Gangle was going to abstract the whole episode, especially the clock part where she questions if she will ever leace and how time works. Remember that realising that you'lll never leace and losing hope is how one gets abstracted

[@EleonorFerret-oc7zx]

0:44 wait autistic? Like me 🥺🥺🥺 on a more serious note,did the creator say she was autistic or something? Or is it just cuz of the masking?

[@ConfusedYharnamite]

That's what I was gonna say, how does this guy know she's autistic?

[@pagionthevoiceless3682]

I'm pretty sure goose has said that gangle has/represents bipolar disorder

[@SomeF3lla]

Probably just a headcanon, kinda like how a lot of people think SpongeBob is autistic or how I think SD-N is autistic.

[@Sapph1c_Mo0n]

Exactly what I thought, is she autistic or is it just head cannon? If she is it’ll be nice to have more rep I can relate to.

[@Darwin-sama]

@@SomeF3llaSpongeBob isn’t?

[@vinndiggs100]

1:23 DAMN IT! Truck kun strikes again...

[@poenpotzu2865]

Makes sense, Gangle talks about making a Manga inspired Web comic.

[@rainbowtoyfunrandomess1982]

This episode is now my new favorite and I really love seeing Gummigoo again because he's one of my favorite characters, it's a little sad that he doesn't remember Pomni now. Also I love how relatable Jax is and that he's weirded out with Gangle's behavior. I just hope Gangle is not getting abstracted after the way she was behaving, I feel bad for her.🤩🥺🍔🍟🎭💔

[@Ixarus6713]

My thoughts on this episode were pretty simple: I loved it. Just as much as the previous ones. It's deliberate in not chasing the same high-octane energy and that makes sense, this is our time to breath imbetween the horror of the regular adventures, and our chance to see into the genuine aspects of everyone on the cast. Essentially, this is us seeing who everyone is when they're in the dark. Gangle has anxiety/depression (probably both tbh, they have a high comorbidity) and never fulfilled their dreams, being lonely and unfulfilled their entire life. - Jax is deep down, just as hurt as all of the others and he just needs a big genuine moment where he finally drops the act. - Ragatha is secretly not literally perfect. And hates being a people pleaser. (Big shocker there!) - I'm guessing she had some kind of manipulator in her life, maybe an ex, and learn to just bend over backwards to accommodate for them. (A terrible idea btw.) - Pomni is... still just Pomni. Our girl just wants to be a good person and make sure everyone is happy. And maybe she'll somehow change Caine and finally keep an AI companion.... I reckon she's the Eleanor Shellstrop of this 'Good Place', she'll break it and rebuild it by Caine's side. Maybe. And if I'm right on this then I want a super rad trophy, with.. blackjack! And.. h**kers! - We already know Kinger's deal because he was forthcoming with it unlike literally everyone else. Poor guy deserved better, though to be fair I guess they all did. - Zooble is going through some sh*t. Fair enough they're struggling with positivity right now. Deep down they're obviously a great person though, they just need the right moment to be capable of expressing that. What I'm really interested in though is Bubble. Seriously, what's the deal with them? I bet they're the secret boss or something. Or like on of the devs who got trapped and went insane.. Hey, maybe that's what Caine is!

[@pedanticat9479]

This episode was more unnerving and arguably more horrific then the actual horror episode!

[@babyleafsaladd5322]

This episode really got to me. I’m autistic and recently took a shift manager job at a cinema/restaurant that I absolutely hate, because working in the arts was too unstable. Gangle’s anxieties and desperate need to do a good job and be liked by her coworkers while also being in a position of responsibility felt way too real.

[@Kar-underwater2009]

I dead ass thought gangle was going to abstract

[@BlazeNStar]

The hysteria and torpor that comes with masking is so much fun. I love spiraling. Really embodies "the string wants to fall, but the constant stress won't allow that." except for this episode the personification of it is wearing a managers' shirt in Hell. God, making yourself appear to be allistic, and neurotypical, and "cheery" hurts. It's demented that falling apart and constantly crying feels better. I was shocked at how accurate it was at the end. Like you just had a chance to breath, to relax and unmask for like 10 seconds, then it feels like you get hit by a truck. You suddenly find yourself in another social interaction, having to perform "normalcy" for others again in some way, being judged the whole time. I hate having firsthand experience here... ASD, Bipolar (II), several other neurodivergencies.

[@_shadow_3103]

the thing you mentioned with Gangle seemingly remembering more than the others, is false, since as far as I'm aware everyone remembers their WHOLE life. The only thing they forgot is their name

[@gameb9oy]

Well their names, and possibly details of how they all ended up in the digital circus.

[@elplaceholder]

Pom I mentioned that she was wearing VR goggles when she entered, so the DO remember how they got in​@@gameb9oy

[@_shadow_3103]

@@gameb9oy Well, they do remember putting on the headset, but you're completely right, they probably also forgot if they had any connections/knowledge of the C&A (Personally I like the theory of some of them being employes or maybe volunteer test subjects of this new program/game, especially since king used to work in computer science)

[@airforcegame]

when pomni said gummigoo's name it almost seemed like he remembered something. it was around the 8:49 mark his facial expression changed and was about to ask something. that could just be me though. ALSO what if cain killed another AI called abel, c and a company was angry and banned cain to this realm to forever trying to run this program but slowy losing his mind

[@Sin_Lord]

I def noticed Gummigoo's expression too. Good to know I'm not the only one who thinks the same :D

[@ZaneHummel]

Same

[@Boxytablet]

I think he was just confused how she knew his name

[@adrianfridge]

You touched upon all my thoughts about this episode. I *like* that it changes up the formula. I *like* that the stakes are more low key. I *like* that it explores a different kind of horror. Gangle was a background character who's finally been fleshed out more, and it's done in a way that resonates with people who can relate. Jax is over here suffering instead of causing suffering, which is peak. Ragatha is spilling her real thoughts, and Zooble is finally putting in the work to roleplay through this hell. Meanwhile Pomni's moments are more to the side, showing she's not the center of the world. And Kinger was the king last episode, so he's earned a vacation. Whoever is calling this a filler is probably reacting to the lack of action sequences, which is a terrible way to gauge whether something is good or not because the episode is extremely strong in character building. It's like not every song in an album is supposed to blast your brain. Some of them need to be softer, and that doesn't mean they're worse for it. "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica is a classic in spite of being a ballad from a metal band. So while this episode doesn't punch, it still hits.

[@cyberwolf5896]

During Gangle’s talk with Pomni I find it interesting how she mentions that usually her comedy mask is broken by that point. I like how it implies that she hasn’t had to pretend to be happy for this long because something or someone like Jax would usually end up breaking it meaning she can just be herself without worrying about hiding behind a mask cause she wouldn’t have one to hide behind by that point.

[@jhonny_loves_you]

my guy - you post your polished assessment before your raw reaction? ... neat! I wonder if that says something about stuff... Big fan! Love your work!

[@kid14346]

As far as the intentionality of the truck scene... A lot of people who do attempt to make the pain go away will actually be scared/shocked when they actually go through with it. I have had a few friends attempt and every time when they hit the 'go time' their animalistic instinct kicks in and suddenly drags them kicking and screaming back to wanting to live. This is why fast methods like firearms are so dangerous as the time between "I'm gonna do it." and "Holy shit I just did that." is so fast there is no time to undo or try to save yourself.

[@Mikach066]

I recently noticed that Gangles approach to "managing" the others are different. She acted strict with pomni. She acted energetic and goofy (and slightly sadistic) with Jax. She acted calm and reasonable with Ragatha. Like she was always trying her best to fit in, and when it failed she would try a different approach to try and fit in with the "friend" group. And no matter what she tried didnt seem to work. And if anything only made her feel worse.

[@MamaBearKS]

Gangle struggling with the extensionalism of being a wage slave at a fast food chain is something I'd come to expect from the show that's made me cry over a chess piece accepting the loss of a loved one

[@burger_lady]

I never realized how much I relate to gangle UNTIL this episode. This explains masking so well and the spiral of faking for too long.

[@ElusiveMysteryMan]

Ragatha needs a Ragatha. She clearly is emotionally drained and stressed from trying to take care of everybody else, but no one has even attempted to figure out if she's ok.

[@barhoque]

Even tho the episode didn't hit hard like Kinger's episode, this episode really spoke to me. I really empathize with gangle, as a bipolar and autistic person, where I've been in her shoes many times. The masking, giving up on dreams for a secure future, a "friend" being too "loose lipped" and confirm your paranoia, etc. Eerriely similar as when I started taking treatment for my depression, before realizing I had bipolar and I was having contant manic episodes that leads to too many extreme mood swings and getting my "friends" to like me less. It really made me appreciate gangle more, being so awkward with rules towards her peers and "high" in positive energy. I FEEL THE SAME

[@manuelsantiago1323]

This for me is less filler ep. more "God I hate that this made me feel I was back in retail" ep.

[@kylelunarioum4197]

This episode feels more like a set-up episode for future episodes as we see how thing are progressing with each character

[@geardog24]

“I wish someone would flirt with me.” At the same time wanting Jax to like her. Coincidence?

[@lotusbloom6800]

HOL’ UP- 😳

[@DanniNyan]

Yes

[@SolunaStarlight]

I don't think so because I feel like she is lesbian. Like idk but I don't buy that she'd be straight.

[@MarianneYsabelleAlfante]

​@@SolunaStarlightOr maybe it's just you since no one is replying to you

[@tacenda3250]

I dunno, nothing tips me off that she's not straight

[@ANewShadeOfBlue]

I’ve been waiting for your input on this episode. It looks like you’ve become my go to source for Digital Circus Analysis.

[@singletona082]

I so want to hug Gangle. Poor anxiety ball of sadness.

[@66decker]

They did a fantastic job demonstrating what being in a bipolar manic phase is like. It's not being happy! It's magnifying all emotions and all reactions. I was fairly stunned by the representation. I honestly really connected there. I also see the mask as a representation of medication and treatment... And the fear of losing one's true self when medicating. This one hit deep and I really appreciate it.

[@ShadyRK9]

I'm pretty sure that's what everyone said about Ragitha. Is she REALLY happy and trying to comfort people or is she those "fake happy" people whos putting put a font. (Kinda like what Ellen Degreneres did before finally getting exposed!), And also like what Pomni said in episode 2 when she kinda talked down to her when meeting the candy princess with excitement: "I'M not a Child you don't have to hype things up for me all the time" Honestly I can't wait to see her episode next! (And Jax!)

[@TamWam_]

some people think she's from a rich family bc of her horses (theyre expensive as hell), so maybe she was raised as a good kid and to maintain reputation. so naturally she developed people pleasing tendencies where she walks on eggshells around others, which is why she puts up that happy front

[@selinawalsh9075]

I think it's both. She genuinely wants to comfort people, but she's not as happy as she presents. We already had hints of this when she spiralled in the pilot while describing the Circus to Pomni, and then how her immediate worry in episode 2 wasn't Pomni leaving her to suffer and was more worrying she'd upset her. I don't think she's a horrible person deep down or anything, just has a massive filter and worries more about what others think than what she thinks.

[@ririchi6062]

Seems like both to me, tries to keep those around her happy for the peace, at the same time fearing of being disliked. Though while she tries to be nice she isnt always good at it or comes off super earnest, often being the nice wallflower instead.

[@beaiglesias347]

Honestly this episode hit me like that truck hit Gangle lol… It was like watching myself. The retail bs, the masking. The pain that comes from feeling like I need to be something else, but being that happy person puts people off… so you just feel alone constantly. Getting frustrated because it’s like everyone else got instructions on how to be “normal”, but you didn’t and people can tell. I’ve never felt so seen.