So, what's up with Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared? | An Analysis

[@pancarialice]

i feel like a lot of people sort of overlook how amazing the show _looks._ the sets, the designs, the costumes, the puppets are all so masterfully created and animated that we don’t even notice, because it just looks… like that! i don’t know how to explain it. but it’s absolutely mesmerizing.

[@moomooojoos]

Flawless.

[@sirrealism7300]

Its a shame everyone has a disgusting british accent

[@garrettford4523]

Love how everything that CAN be made of Felt, IS made if Felt

[@jmurray1110]

It’s a masterpiece in immersion

[@KulaGGin]

I noticed it.

[@thedocblock6421]

Ah yes, the two most important foundations of a found family trope: -We live together -We have the same lawyer

[@fishmaels]

I mean is he wrong?

[@werttrichen]

It seems like you´ve forgot the most important principal: "You´re not a real family unless you have a landline"

[@squirtkipfan0136]

Well said brother

[@leightonpetty4817]

You forgot the third foundation, the fact that they will all die on the same day in the same style of accident but in different locations

[@Mauripsu]

As someone already said, the landline Also you have to follow their advice, no matter what (get that fucking nosering)

[@isaacdeyoung7399]

I had some friends in middle school that showed me dhmis and they thought it was so funny, but I was always terrified. I didn’t find out until later that it’s actually supposed to be psychological horror not just comedy.

[@happystoryfamily4830]

I like your story, people in your spot would have told this story as if they were the one who found it funny, and theyre so edgy and cool. Youre honest. I like that.

[@littleleah310]

@@happystoryfamily4830 fr

[@lambybunny7173]

@@happystoryfamily4830 i mean some of it was definitely meant to be taken as comedy, specifically the time episode has quite a few little jokes. But like... yeah. it's a bit freaky, especially the food episode. Even then though a lot of that has jokes. I think it's good to acknowledge that it's both psychological horror and comedy. Doesn't mean you're edgy.

[@happystoryfamily4830]

@@lambybunny7173 i mean framing it like: "Everyone in my WHOLE school found this Soooso scarwy but me? I just found it so funny because of my dark sense of humar" 😎 That to me screams "i'm so edgy" You can find it funny but if you critize others for being "Softies who were all so scared" just to make yourself seem cooler makes you a cringe edgelord Edit:i myself found it funny sometimes.

[@FilthyTea]

@@happystoryfamily4830 I was under the impression that most of it was meant to be funny. That’s not to put down anyone scared by it, but a lot of it to me seems like absurdist humor.

[@TheBenjamin109]

My only problem with the DHMIS theories especially the one for David in the TV show is that it really underplays Duck and Red. Where do they fit in? And I love how the TV show made Duck an important character (honestly he has some of the funniest lines every episode) so it sucks that he’s still treated like a footnote by theorists:

[@anonymouslucario285]

Well, maybe we'll find out in later episodes

[@ornaterope8319]

Duck was my favorite character, so funny

[@dirtylittlesecretman08]

it’s also kinda simple, i don’t think they’d make the plot so simple and straightforward so let’s hope there’s more than just that

[@areallycoolhat5427]

The machine, too. Like... Is no one gonna talk about how Red appears with the teachers?

[@donkus8926]

Duck is my fave ❤

[@lilylohmann614]

The notebook opening at the end always seemed like PTSD to me. Like they may be out and safe and okay, but none of them will be able to look at a notebook or a clock the same way again. Like when Red jokes about the folder coming to life: he may be laughing about it, and to a certain extent he may miss it despite the trauma, but he’s been conditioned to expect that to happen, which is the only reason he brings it up in the first place.

[@thecatherd]

It also ties back into the cult idea. Many people who escape cults (and other kinds of abuse) without the proper deprogramming and therapy, will return because they struggle to fit back in to the outside world and instead return to the devil they know.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

This is honestly the sanest comment I've seen.

[@BurnDoubt]

"You killed us!" Yellow Guy, to a clock (Because he now relates death to time to clocks)

[@dekuloveshair5667]

Idk if maybe im reading it wrong but yellow dose seem aprahensive towards the land in the clip form the death episode, which would make sense after the dreams episode

[@BurnDoubt]

​@@thecatherd duck was instructed to speak his traumas directly into the mouth of the Care Hound, then he just ended up in a uniform and going to work like everybody else

[@mildcartoonviolence]

I love how they included the part of Red Guy's family most likely because they had a shit ton of extra red guy costumes after episode 6 of the web show

[@IzzyRoseDoesArt]

Never even thought about that, that's fucking hilarious lmao.

[@irregularstuff5290]

I adore that you keep calling butterfly "the little pigeon". As it should be.

[@luci_datum]

What butterfly, I only see bees and pigeons here

[@G0rlicbred]

But not the eagle :(

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

You guys aren't trying to use green creatively, are you? Because it never has been, not ever will be, a creative color. You'll piss off the little pigeon if you try to make green a creative color...

[@sarahzaporta125]

Pesky bee!!!

[@Everettalla]

Make sure to specify its a baby pidgin

[@sidasterdisaster]

I always found it really annoying that people seem to either go full MatPat “the TRUE STORY” with the web episodes, or full “it doesn’t mean anything you idiots the creators said so,” when there’s obvious symbolism and meaning even when you consider the episodes individually.

[@KalinTheZola]

Yeah I notice people tend to be super hard in one direction or the other. I think it's a series that has no *major* overarching lore or story other than the really basic obvious stuff they give us for lore bait (David and Leslie, that kind of stuff) and I think that the creators intentionally throw random stuff with no inherent meaning in order to encourage people to come up with theories and lore. Whether or not all the lore and theorycrafting is real or not is irrelevant. The creators clearly WANT people to think about the series like that. It's just obvious they like having multiple ideas and theories rather than one big "THIS IS THE TRUE MEANING" theory. So let people have fun with it whether or not there's a lot of major lore stuff at its core.

[@WobblesandBean]

Obviously there are some jabs against things like organized religion and establishment art. But no, there's no "time loop" ffs 🙄 There's no plot thread or metaphorical meaning, no hidden secrets to unlock, it's just Becky and Joseph making weird art for its own sake. It's arrogant of you to hear the creators say so themselves, and go "no they're lying, I know better than they do about their own art".

[@KalinTheZola]

@@WobblesandBean I feel like you're not understanding them. An artist does not have to go in with specific intent for people to come up with lore and theories based on what is presented. What's actually arrogant is to ignore them encouraging people to theorize. You as the creator don't have to choose any one of them as correct. That's why they say they're all correct. But the whole point is to encourage creativity. Why would they encourage creativity and then shut down the creativity of theorists? Oh, wait. They don't do that. Only people like you trying to speak on their behalf.

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

@@WobblesandBean that's...not how art works...

[@maninthemask6275]

Except the creator of salad fingers has said something similar and people still sniff their own farts about how they see the hidden meaning, not everything has some grand purpose.

[@alice-oz6kc]

a thing you mentioned briefly is how each episode lines up between seasons, and even if that doesn't mean much, it is cool to think about; creativity being blocked by having to work abusive jobs, time is limited because we die, love is not only romantic but found in other types of relationships, the computer/internet prompting the fight between friends, red guy having connection with the outside world in health and transport, and, in the last episode, yellow guy being the main character and the loop starting all over again

[@cupcakehips9236]

It's so cool

[@Ranixo286]

The thing that feels hopeful about the last webisode, is how they are all their favorite colors from the first episode. So they get to choose. And I feel that therapy bit pokes fun at HR. They try to tell you they have all these tools and are on your side when really they're just there to shut you up and make sure you don't cause a fuss because that would be bad for business.

[@ultimaoportunidadVEVO]

imo i see the therapy bit as poking fun at the vague idea of therapy itself. There's been a lot of talk abt how a lot (or all) of therapy is used to "fix" certain problems that prevent us from being "productive members of society". Nowadays more and more people seem to go to therapy because they can't "focus" or "be productive enough". It seems that everywhere we look somebody is worried they might be too lazy. HR sends you to therapy because whatever your problems might be are interfering with their profit, instead of being because they actually worry about your wellbeing. it is also seen sometimes as a fix all for mental illness which it really can't be. I'm not against therapy AT ALL i want to say im very pro-therapy but I've always thought it's an interesting conversation to have. Which model of a human being is the ideal one ? Are we really healing or just being fit into a mold ? Well that was my takeaway at least. But yours is very valid too

[@comyuse9103]

having a sleep cycle that puts you to sleep between 10am-8pm(-ish) is considered a disorder. i think it is a commentary on how mental health in the modern age isn't what is healthy for the person, but to make that person conform to a pretty busted society.

[@JaxxMCC]

another hint of hope is that the jingle at the start of the episode is played again, but this time without getting deeper (sadder, if you will)

[@xylophenia]

I agree! It screamed HR to me.

[@danielgaming2223]

As I have gotten older, DHMIS went from being like watching gore videos on the dark web to express the angsty teenage phase I went through, to becoming a genuinely interesting, intelligent, and subversive piece of true art. I don't say this lightly, but DHMIS is one of the most unabashedly raw bits of artistic expression I have ever come across, and I absolutely love it.

[@technopoptart]

you might be interested in bryan lewis saunders if you want raw unabashed honest art. he drew himself every day for years both sober and on drugs, mentally well and mentally distressed, with and without direction. it is fascinating and worth a look into

[@kingbash6466]

At this point in time, I haven't seen the new episodes that were released. However, I still love the original videos for how well they blend in psychological, macabre horror with dark humor and satire.

[@apophisrising6154]

The new series feels a lot more comedic. Still has the strange messages and macabre imagery, but the jokes feel more frequent and overt. Not a bad thing by any means, just something to note before watching

[@umcThunder72]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmxYoWEr9OZgdE

[@kingbash6466]

@@apophisrising6154 From the clips I've seen, they definitely seem to lean on more on the humor side that the horror side. But, I will say that Red Guy smashing Yellow Guy with a bottle as a way to de-escalate the fighting had me crying real good.

[@MattSumGuy]

@@kingbash6466 There are still a good few creepy/disturbing/gross moments and IMO some funnier jokes than the original, with a small handful of blunders. Not every joke lands, but by all means still a good follow up to the original, and the changes made were all made with purpose.

[@luci_datum]

I've watched the new episodes a few times, and I think you'll enjoy them when you decide to watch them. Like the others here mentioned it definitely leans on witty writing and dark humor more than genuine horror, and I personally loved that it took that direction. It's a very good adaptation imo

[@grimace9670]

I love how much cuter duck looks in the tv show, his eyes were higher in the yt series and it made him look creepy to me at many times

[@dawg988]

don’t hug me i’m scared is just british peoples vent art

[@erinjkrizakk]

STOP

[@mokarran1912]

you could release a 3 hour video essay on street cones and id watch the shit out of it man you expose information in such a great way

[@azalea-P]

this is so real

[@exotic1405]

There just so pointy

[@aiuwapi]

This comment made me realise just how many videos I’ve seen from this guys ! He’s really good indeed.

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

Yes! I've watched or listened to his Five Nights documentary at least 5 times. It's like having a friend over who finds the weirdest shit online and just tells you story after story on this whole bizarre world they've discovered.

[@mokarran1912]

@@ChristopherSadlowski yes exactly! i've watched it several times too

[@leightonpetty4817]

I am very firmly of the belief that DHMIS works better without a *”LORE”* element. It tells this incredible metaphorical message on elements of teaching, and I think it works much better as something that doesn’t “Make sense” While a story like Fnaf works better with a “timeline”, I think trying to break down and analyze things like “Is the Yellow Guy the robo-soul reincarnation of Lesley’s secretly dead son?” focuses so much on understanding what the story _is_ that it ignores the much more interesting question of what the story _means_

[@adams.1404]

Bingo. It's like everyone wants this perfect bullet list of things that are true about the "lore", but to me it's clearly intentionally created amorphously to let you draw your own conclusions about much broader topics. Honestly it feels like sometimes people miss what the episodes are actually about because they're so obsessed with freeze framing and dissecting every time Roy sneezes.

[@JaxonElzinga]

@@adams.1404 As much as I appreciate a good mystery and speculation about what a series could mean, at some point, I want definitive answers. I want to see what's beyond the final set of stairs, I want to know who Lesley is and why she's there. At some point, I want the definite truth.

[@ExValeFor]

100%. Trying to game theory this show is to completely misunderstand it. A lot of the theory videos I've seen are straight up mad ramblings

[@leightonpetty4817]

@@JaxonElzinga The thing is-I could not agree less. I _don’t_ want a scene where Joe and Becky tell us everything. What the top floor _is_ is so much less interesting than what the top floor _means._ I don’t really care about speculation on how the top floor secretly holds Roy’s private strip club, I want speculation on things like: _Why_ didn’t they show us what was up there? What does it mean, within my interpretation of the greater meaning, that there is more we don’t know? Because I don’t think, in a series as high-quality as DHMIS, they’d drop the ball on their storytelling for a cheap sequel hook

[@abeluli89]

SAME the first episode is so surreal and i feel like the rest lore filled ones take me out of the message it's trying to communicate

[@KalinTheZola]

I feel like you maybe missed on some of the potential messaging of the Friends episode. I think that happens a lot actually which is definitely part of why I think people chalk it up as their least favorite episode, but I loved it. It isn't really just about bad friends like Warren. I feel like, due in part to my personal experiences with mental health issues and in part due to the song at the end about the "worm in your brain that tells you things about yourself that may or may not be true", Warren is also representative of mental health symptoms such as severe anxiety. I've struggled with generalized anxiety for quite a long time and it almost feels like a "worm in my brain" that tells me how all the people I love and care for the most secretly all hate me and wish me harm. I logically understand that isn't the case, but between trauma from the past and just generally being this way, it's a feeling I have at all times. I think that's why it was Warren's influence on Yellow Guy that lead him to believe his friends didn't care about him. They weren't being very good friends mind you, but it's clear they care about him because they spent all their internet time trying to look up a solution to his problem. I think Yellow Guy going into his mind to cope is either potentially a sign of disassociation, or just a statement on how we use our creativity and imagination to cope with stressful situations. But with anxieties constantly plaguing you, you may find that safe space ends up becoming hostile and cold. In the end due to his "anxieties" (Warren) even his imaginary friends end up wanting nothing to do with him and Yellow has to disassociate even further just to try and get away, but it doesn't work. The only things that actually helped was his friends being there to support him (assuring him that they care about him and don't think he's stupid in the head) and medical intervention when it became necessary.

[@aylenpons6682]

I allways fell like it talked more about scapism and self hate speech than only toxic friendships. Even tought is a valid lecture for me what others sees ccose atracting manipulative or passive-agressive people is a common symphtom of having this problems. It touchs you diferent depending on what you had more problems with. This is the magic of this series.

[@KalinTheZola]

@@aylenpons6682 yeah I agree! I don't think you can boil down the episodes as one singular thing (he viewed the first ep in part a critique on self help while I more specifically see the care hound segments as a critique of Cognitive behavioral therapy, though honestly there's a lot of overlap in those subjects.) My point is that you can't sum up the episodes as one thing, but sadly it feels like Friends gets overlooked in that department by too many people.

[@luci_datum]

Wait, this isn't a common conception of the episode? It was more text than subtext, imo. Like it was made to be about mental health issues and not bad friends. What Red and Duck did to Yellow didn't mean they were bad friends, and the name calling wasn't what hurt yellow to begin with (which he said.) He only became upset after learning nobody had emailed him which lead him to disassociate, believing nobody liked him or wanted to talk to him. It felt obvious, so it's a little shocking to hear people didn't immediately see it as such

[@aiuwapi]

I love the way you worded it, you put my exact thoughts (and more) into words ! I honestly think it might just be my favourite episode

[@KalinTheZola]

@@luci_datum Some people definitely took this away from the episode, but I've seen quite a few people kind of miss that aspect. I don't want to say it's because they haven't had mental health struggles because i'm positive that's not the case, but I just think some people don't view media from certain angles or maybe there's just things some people overlook sometimes. Not a bad thing on their part, just maybe how different people perceive media.

[@SwaggyG_2102]

I like how in the TV series, the teachers from the webseries come back, but are much more friendlier in this iteration.

[@hotmanngrayman9059]

Yeah, alot of the og characters are alot more presentable and they have more personality

[@ashley4269]

Or they're dead

[@JaxxMCC]

it's funny because, as a consequence of the show being character-based instead of situational like the webseries, the main three guys appear to be more unhinged and dangerous in the end than most of the new teachers

[@funifrog6524]

Something I also find is interesting to mention about the love episode is how it starts off explaining love as something you can give to basically anything, but shifts it to be solely romantic. I find this to also be an interesting message on how people view love as something that can’t be platonic or must lead to something romantic

[@LunarShimmer]

So glad you covered this. The original series came out while I was in high school, and I got all swept up in the "Game/Film Theory is right about everything" mindset. I feel lucky that the TV show is out, now that I'm old enough to step back and think -creatively- critically, and look at this for what it is; art. It's also way funnier. Back in the day I probably would've thought it was creepy or smth when Roy busted in and single-handedly destroyed a whole Texas Chainsaw family while screaming "YUM YUM YUM"

[@pkrum]

something i've always liked to question is the 19th loop. The fact that they are on June 19th always. And yes the clock episode shows that but at the same time troughout the show we see the day go from morning to night, like just 1 day has passed, ep 1 is breakfast, ep2 is relaxing, ep 3 is a picnic at mid-day, ep 4 playing board game near night, ep 5 dinner time, ep 6 sleeping. It feels like its just 1 day trough 6 episodes.

[@frayedcircus]

ohhhhh this is so neat I love this idea. just one really weird day

[@SquirrelKilnBTS]

A current fixation covered by one of my favorite KZbinrs?? Hell yes, so excited for this one. Post watching edit: Great video as always! I really appreciate how you don't take the show deathly seriously. In the end it's not supposed to be but many analysts fall into that trap. As always the commentary and humor work well together to create a great watching experience.

[@MMumbles]

Pass the popcorn, bro!

[@exotic1405]

Comedy horror is my favorite genre. Something really stupid made scary and you have no idea when you should be scared or be laughing

[@KikiCatMeow]

As someone with Autism, the whole series has a sort’ve neurodivergent undertone to it. Like there’s so many things (especially with Yellow Guy during the lessons or Red Guy in the real world) that feel exactly like what me and many other nd people experience all the time. Obviously I’m not saying the whole series is exclusively about that, but still something to point out

[@couchpotato2222]

I can see it A desire to know things in a world full of unhelpful information Zoning out in the mundane stuff and suddenly 3 years have passed **DEATH** Constant self judgement in the form of a "worm in your brain" Feeling like your father is secretly controlling everything in your life in the background

[@Luxlude444]

Y’all seriously gotta stop talking about having autism it’s getting really old

[@KikiCatMeow]

@@Luxlude444 cope harder 💜

[@peedrinker5000]

@@Luxlude444 autism

[@explosivebadger1453]

Patricia taxxon has a good video focusing on the autistic themes of dhmis

[@dmkq9554]

This needs a second season so bad i swear to God im so in love with this series

[@maddiek1314]

Definitely!! The news six episodes were really good, the ending definitely made it seem like another season is planned, or at least plausible!

[@cupcakehips9236]

"Dont worry, im sure you'll be fine. But eventually everyone runs out of time" always leave a chiil down my spine. Because its true

[@jasperwisecarver]

I remember in the film theory video about DHMIS, it was mentioned how the foods that are shown to be "good" and "healthy" are foods that Roy produces. it sort of reminds me of how the dairy industry got milk to be put into everything and started the "got milk?" campaign about how good for you it is to drive sales

[@MCDreng]

The "plain foods" bit also reminded me of the health nonsense that 19th century cults were spewing about "moral" eating habits - such as the nonsense that John Kellogg believed about sugar causing you to become promiscuous.

[@Buggolious]

One of the best youtube series of all time for sure!

[@chellastation]

I love the dark humor of the 4 channel series. The way that the coffin greets the guys, and the job song is so catchy. The introduction of Lesley was insane for me. I know she would not be expanded on, but for the one episode she was in, she was fun to watch.

[@AnvilPro100]

I love how hard you go on the presentation for your videos. Like great analysis, but the presentation really makes you stand out

[@Shaaake]

Thx Sagan, this channel always covers some of my favorite topics, genres, and series.

[@Brawl-eg1kz]

DHMIS has always been one of the strangest, yet most interesting KZbin series' out there. It's awesome that this series is still getting the love it deserves! Fantastic video man!

[@terryflopycow2231]

29:46 I've always interpreted this moment as intentional mockery, the wonky cross eyed expression as notepad teacher plays the exact same audio as the first lesson. Just after everything is finally okay.

[@Radikitty]

This is going straight on the Comfort media playlist. I love Sagan's analysis style and voice and I adore DHMIS

[@alice-oz6kc]

7:00 this is something i think about a lot when it comes to dhmis. though, obviously, a story exists in both seasons, dhmis focuses more on individual themes and ideas, and i think sometimes, when searching for an underlaying plot or trying to figure out what the hidden plot is, these interesting explorations and critiques get a little lost with the audience. overall, these two approaches walk together and i like that as community we can do both things (trying to find narratives and analysing themes).

[@aurel8872]

Thank you for mentioning the neurodivergent angle. Not many people relate it to this show even though there is a lot to be said abt learning and traditional learning. Also it is good you mentioned all current mainstream theories becyuse it is a battleground sometimes.

[@allthatjazza451]

Always in awe of the effort you put into making these videos and fitting the aesthetic of each topic you cover, plus your music is great! Thanks for another awesome video, Sagan!

[@CherryAnime203]

I had such a blast watching both the web series and the tv show. I’m glad that you’re analyzing this!

[@BasementTermites]

Absolutely stellar interpretation, for starters. You managed to avoid the very generic interpretations, but also didn't fall into "Urgh! I despise this common interpretation! Instead, you should view this media MY way!" - it was a really wise and well thought out interpretation of DHMIS, that didn't lean annoyingly hard in any one direction. Lovely job, mon ami.

[@literally_a_crow]

17:20 Love that he just avoids the actual last few seconds of the video.

[@amandastill5124]

He didnt wanna see, he was probably nauseated.

[@TDOTCRFH4]

I subscribe to the idea that there is no actual "plot" to DHMIS and that youtube lore/theory video nerd brain struggles with art that exists purely within the metaphorical

[@KalinTheZola]

At the same time it's clear the creators of the series WANT audience to actively theorize and craft ideas (ie being creative) so it seems silly to malign people for enjoying that aspect of the work.

[@demetriam2408]

@@KalinTheZola yeah, it's obvious they have a story in their head, maybe even multiple. They also blatantly have messages they are trying to get across. There's just such a thing as leaving it open for interpretation.

[@coranbaker6401]

Calling it metaphorical doesn't necessarily mean it has no plot

[@luci_datum]

I believe the creatirs outright said that they love seeing people's theories about their creation and that technically all theories are true. Including that silly sandwich one that took off for whatever reason

[@Kyumifun]

Yeah, after how some other channel explained it, the show as a whole is basically the first episode being embraced into a whole series where everything doesn't have to make sense but grants ppl a safe place for their creativity to flow. To me the characters live in a fictional replica of our world - the show. It's where they relive their lifes to perform on a stage, entertaining real humans by being funny or saying/doing something that sounds like a "clue" to a new creative theory and other concept. They sometimes go out of their boundaries and "unintentionally" (it's technically intended cause y'know, script writing and stuff...) slip into reality, realizing that there's something else other than their world. But they aren't really meant to live otherwise so even if they know something isn't right, they are stuck in the house forever. Notice how no matter what, the episodes never have a fully happy ending. Something always isn't that great. One character dies, others are traumatised or injuried or it's the trio being reset back to the start point which is both good and bad. The book being shredded symbolises how there isn't any lore (well, not anymore) and that DHMIS stays "lore-fluid" since otherwise it would contradict the message of the very first episode about creativity. There's nothing wrong with making theories too and it's even encouraged at this point by the show itself.

[@YovanyTthatsMe]

Ngl your starting to become my favorite KZbin analyst. I really look forward to seeing what kinda filter or film style your uses to fit with the theme of the product.

[@ranchustars3050]

my personal interpretation wasn't based off of matt patt theories, my personal interpretation is just that the web series shows how children are treated, specifically neurodivergent children, i always interpreted red leaving as showing how these children grow up, not as "he made TV show with roy and so and so" (oh also i guess it would also be important to mention roy a representation of the treatment too). the TV series has more tangible lore though, so my theory is the general one, yellow is somehow connected to david, and lesly is the "god" of this purgatory.

[@KrisBREAD]

The "Roy is the mean big bad of yt series." theory always rubbed me the wrong way, cuz he's clearly helping red in the 6th episode. Like he could've attacked red, but instead he pointed at the pulg so red could unplug the machine.

[@TheAdarkerglow]

Well, it came from Quinton Reviews, and knowing who he is and his views, I'm not at all surprised that he takes everything as literal and interprets it as purely an 'oppressive patriarchy'. Feels a little reductive to me.

[@davidci]

Finally, someone who also saw Roy as helping Red Guy in that episode. I'm comprehending why so many people thought he was 'stopping' Red Guy when he was clearly pointing towards the plug outlet to stop it.

[@fletcherrenn1]

@@TheAdarkerglow did he ever relate it to patriarchy or do you just not like him

[@MayvaAva]

@@TheAdarkerglow lmao what

[@viktor8986z7o]

@@fletcherrenn1 I mean, he is kinda unlikable, so I wouldn't blame him.

[@florb0413]

I have to say, DHMIS does meta commentary, meta narrative elements, and meta humor better than most media I’ve seen involving meta elements. It never feels forced or frustrating.

[@dippitydip4559]

I always felt insane for being uncomfortable with these videos - but realizing now that its psychological horror, i feel much better

[@konnorvurtikal1297]

An hour long video on something I've never heard about? Let's go!

[@trashfire1025]

53:32 i like that for duck the qualifications for being a family is living together and having the same lawyer

[@erinhateley2039]

Literally the best timing ever!! Love your longer videos man!

[@caramel9154]

idk bout you but this series always activated my asd childhood memories in terms of like 'teachers saying shit that makes no sense, expect you to follow along, and randomly pick out things as wrong with no logical explanation'

[@sunniwithani]

I’m so excited, you always put so much heart into your work Sagan, I could watch you analyze pretty much anything!

[@marsfeathers]

The Safeway fading into the background very briefly at 6:02 made me giggle

[@niallc.7612]

my older sister gave me my first hint of existentialism when she showed me the clock episode of dhmis as a child. Terrified me.

[@TheGhostInYourAttic]

I remember the first time I ever watched DHMIS. I was between the ages of 11 and 15, I happened across the love episode one night. I just remember feeling so sick to my stomach after finishing the episode, the little flesh kid that comes from the egg really stuck with me. I didn’t sleep well that night. It came back more recently on the feed of my TikTok account and going back and watching it, I adore it. It’s such a weird and disturbing show with really interesting themes and characters.

[@AnvilPro100]

I think Film Theory got it right with their take on the original series, that it's all literally a kids show made by Red Guy with funding from Roy that goes off the rails b/c of Roy's greed. Episode 4 having Red Guy's mind be blown at the vision of a cheap but still creatable version of the show, Episode 5 spiraling even further off course than ever before and shilling Roy's products now that Red Guy isn't around to fight him on it, and especially the very end of the series where they're in a cheaper looking version of Episode 1 to show they're gonna do it on their own without corporate over sight. It all just works. Every other theory I've seen for the original series seems plausible, and I definitely cop that I doubt this whole thing was planned from when they made the original video, but they seem like an attempt to argue for the sake of arguing when compared to the hard evidence for the children's show theory.

[@WD_RatLad]

Everyone got it right. Every theory is true. Everyone thought creatively.

[@jimshotfirst4887]

This also offers the most straightforward explanation for the plug scene. Red Guy is trying to change the show back to his original vision free of Roy’s meddling, but Roy stops him and by pointing at the plug basically says “No. Either we do it my way, or we cancel the show.” So Red Guy chooses to pull the plug, and you know the rest. Other theories about the specifics of Roy being evil tend to gloss over the fact that he points Red Guy to the plug instead of trying to stop him from pulling it, hence why I think the Children's Show theory makes the most sense

[@exotic1405]

@@WD_RatLad except the green one

[@415-k1ub]

Another point about the Job episode of the TV series is how the Briefcase's lesson of everyone can pursue whatever job they want is wrong. Duck is clearly not fit to work in the factory, both in a social and skill aspect. He's awful at making parts and he doesn't get along with the culture there. Since he's stuck at the factory, he can't find another job that fits him so he's stuck eating literal garbage soup and being treated differently by everyone else (well, he did call them all freaks and was arrogant towards them)

[@LylasFightclub]

One of my favourite aspects of the show despite its commentary is the massive variety in the media and animation types they use

[@alextheferret5674]

I just realized that TomSka is one of the executive producers! That is so awesome!!

[@melasnexperience]

I stayed for the analysis (and the glimpses of the Channel 4 series, since I'm not British & bad at tech), but the song at the end is perfection. Bravo, good sir!

[@noriakikakyoin8587]

It's on yt bro!!

[@melasnexperience]

@@noriakikakyoin8587 Aw sweet, thanks!

[@bigg4342]

intriguing and complex analysis as always! i am thoroughly enjoying this! the malcolm meme made me laugh really hard. great video!!!! :D

[@Mr._Dan]

Sagan back at it with another lovely video

[@Wheatbreadsauce]

I remember first hearing about dhmis at Boy Scout camp and everybody was saying that it was “the scariest thing they’ve ever seen” so I was always too scared to watch for a really long time. Turns out it isn’t super scary but it’s nonetheless a fantastic and charming art piece with plenty of disturbing elements.

[@mxjuno1998]

jesus christ the moment this released i clicked on it instantly DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I NEVER KNEW I NEEDED THIS

[@Lootron]

This show scarred my childhood. Now one of my favorite KZbinrs is here to explain it to me.

[@ferortega4627]

As always, I love the way the information is shown and how the video overall connects to the content its referring to in the subtle and fun ways Sagan shows them. Incredible video!

[@ThatReplyGuy]

Despite using KZbin since 2006, I've never seen or heard of this series. It's fascinating.

[@daniele.h7697]

Earlier in the death episode, they show that Duck doesn't have blood anymore. Therefore the original killed the fake because there was blood after the murder.

[@rhysbando]

Hearing the phrase “Tumblr Sexyman” caught me off guard. The memories…😶 Great video as always!!

[@firewalkwithjuno5421]

This series is hardly known even skindeep outside of it's audience, ty for the explanation

[@thanatoast]

I think there's no need to choose between the thematic interpretation and the more straightforward story/lore interpretation. The very first episode is all about how restricted creativity is by teaching institutions, so I would argue that applying that creativity in different and sometimes conflicting directions is keeping with the message of the show.

[@sistersamich2075]

I’m super late to this, but what I also find interesting about the jobs episode is the fact that when they are snapped back to the kitchen, yellow guy’s first instincts are to check on his own health, and express grief over not being able to see his child again Not about the card or the retirement party. It’s as if he- in an older now retired mindset- is looking around and going “where did my health go? I slaved away all those years and now I can’t do anything. And my child, I worked so much I missed her grow up…”

[@lauralulu4444]

Great video as always! :D It's been so long since I've seen this series, it's cool to see it again!

[@scootie_scoot]

I appreciate you understanding that not everything in this weird and surreal series should be taken literally. There are things happening on both the surface of the narrative and metaphorically, and I feel more analysis pieces need to address that! Great work as always!

[@Snakepit_Media]

THE HOMOPHOBIC MALCOM MEME HAD ME ROLLING ON THE FUCKING FLOOR YO THIS IS BEAUTIFUL

[@pteroid11]

Something about the TV show I enjoy even more than the examination of its themes is...the show is just plain hilarious. Mostly whatever quips come out of that damn Duck's mouth.

[@socksinsoda9517]

Ah, the Knowledge Lion! My favorite Sagan Hawkes character, I sure hope we see more of them in the Sagan Hawkes Cinematic Universe!

[@thebirdsnatcher4384]

i like the allegory for students, teachers, and creativity you mentioned talking about the first episode. never realized that before. i can relate to that a ton, especially being neurodivergent myself

[@Arexion5293]

To me the web series' end seems like both a case of breaking free from a cycle, but also falling into the next one right afterwards. Just because you find the end of one doesn't mean you've escaped all of them. Heck, you might still be stuck in the same one, having mistaken a more sober feeling viewpoint as the solution when in actuality it was only the first step towards freedom. You're not gone from the cycle until you truly understand it, and these characters never get the full picture. And in worse cases, knowing the cycle does nothing to help anyway. The knowledge of it just creates more misery, but can at least help one come in terms with it too. There are certain cycles one can never escape, like certain forms of depression for example if I were to give an example of what cycle can apply here. For some depression is temporal, while for others it's more of something that you treat to make it quiet down until it comes back again. It never truly goes away, you just grow more adjusted to it, and the therapy and medication lower it but cannot erase it.

[@jesusvice6664]

Maybe its the story of the 3 guys. the first series Focuses on red's realisation of what's going on. then the tv series Focuses on yellow guys experience of figuring everything out. so maybe for season 2 it's going to focus on duck's perspective

[@updownstranger564]

Matpat’s theory was always my favorite because it ended in the most hopeful way. DHMIS, through this angle, inspired in me a lifelong career passion for children’s education and ethics in children’s entertainment. I’d like to think that the actual TV series even carries on that hopeful ending - Roy is no longer punishing his son, but protecting him as he and his friends find their own way. :)

[@SpecialInterestShow]

I think that in the TV show, Yellow Guy/Dennis must have gone through this cycle many times. First hint: on the window in the car in the previous episode, it shows what he looks like in his fully charged mode. Secondly, the weird "dream" he was on about in the intro. And thirdly, the "nonsense" he answers for the crossword initially. And Leslie even acts like he's done all this before. Seeming to know that he wants the book and what he's gonna ask. Encouraging him to go show his friends. But Leslie is the puppeteer, supposedly. So she might even know that his friends are going to jump him for the batteries. Yet she sends him back. It really ties into the theme or cycles in DHMIS

[@itsflappletime]

Roy actually scares me shitless and I have zero idea why

[@FoxyGuyHere]

Yaaasss! Thank you for making video about this series.

[@guardianeris]

I don't have enough to say about this series, besides that its metaness and how its characters become self-aware of their nonreality and also may either try to move on from said nonreality or fall into it, and even its insanity rampup to reveal the very break from reality, actually reminds me of how Sophie's World discusses philosophy and reality and all. I haven't read it in years, as a matter of fact I read it back when I was a kid and a lot of the deeper parts flew past my head, but I still remember how the ending had the MC get out of her reality to realize she's just as much fiction as the fairy tales she was told as a child to the "real world" but even this "real world" is questionable in its reality. It's a really fascinating aspect this series has that parallels that book.

[@Retr0ReeF]

I still haven’t watched the new show but the clips I’ve seen from this video is hilarious man they’re like totally different characters.

[@Icantdothisanymoreplskillme]

I love red guy so much like he loves his friends and protects them like when he saw yellow guy in the dream episode and desperately tried to turn the machine off 🥺🥺🥺

[@ApprenticeNick]

I like your videos a lot but I think this one is my favorite. It's so comprehensive and analyzes a lot but still leaves room for viewers to make their own opinions. It also doesn't require watching a bunch of other videos as part of a series.

[@XxXShevampXxX]

Okay, I love red guy. There's a few moments where he's such a vibe.

[@ossa.mortua]

These videos have given me a feeling I haven’t felt in a very long time, the feeling being to want to cover yourself with your blanket to protect yourself from whatever looms in the dark. These videos are very well done and just wanted to share how immersed and amazing I thought these videos were. Great work seriously, you deserve more attention and I’ll be sure to share these with my friends! Love your videos, keep it up!

[@plushtrap_zegeek]

Theres a theory that Patricia Taxxon made a vid about on season 1 and it's about how it's an allegory for being neurodivergent in a neurotypical/ableist world that also holds lots of good points and evidence in it

[@goldenhand9107]

this was actually a great video, I've been meaning to get around to the tv show but I haven't had the time. thank you for covering it!

[@chriswilson2891]

I watched this video on lsd when I was 18. The whole situation entirely was fucked. Someone put this on and just dipped out on me and I was tripping balls man. I watched the whole series of videos which is like 30 minutes or something and it literally felt like 30 seconds once it was over, I cannot explain how fucking insane it was. I clicked on the video but I can’t watch it😂

[@marsfeathers]

This video was wonderful and you articulated so many points I had never even considered before but they make so much sense!!

[@PR0MAN01]

I think the last episode is a commentary on the theory community and the disection of art and "solving" it. The yellow guy is literally given a master Cypher that will answer all the questions he has by his creator. And instead of getting said answers, he destroys them and laughs. To me that reads that all these theories are just that THEORIES. There is no one right meaning to a piece of art, not even from the creator. Art is something we all impose our experiences on and we all bring something unique to it. The theories are fun thought experiment, but they're by no means an answer to what the show is. The last door is the LITERAL creators of the show

[@happystoryfamily4830]

21:18 Holy fuck red guy was the first person to see the big boys.

[@etasjo]

thank you for producing high quality slop

[@X-SPONGED]

[44:50|48:19] "I'm not stressed. I'm unemployed..." hits too close to home to today's generation. With so much emphasis on mental health and shit, people overcomplicate stuff into something they aren't. Somebody feels bad, is it because they're stressed or depressed somehow? No, it's because they just lost their jobs. Also, the care hound is most likely a metaphor for HR or a workplace therapist. Someone not designed to "care for you" instead trying to fix you up back into a productive mindset to continue working. Really highlights the predatory nature of jobs.

[@ecksdee8129]

I’ve been following you since your fnaf retrospectives started, and your creativity and presentation only get better and better, Sagan. Just from the intro I’m hooked. Okay, time to watch!

[@thylawhiskers8003]

Tbh i can just see the nerodivergency in this series that i can relate to, and others too

[@SpellboundWolf]

It's probably a little thing, but I like how the actors sometimes will genuinely scream. The Red Monster & Leslie's actors, for example. I don't ever hear that kind of performance in other shows I've seen. It's startling & funny upon rewatches. (I call him Red Monster instead of Red Guy because it sounds better to me. 'Guy' is too plain & he technically is a monster, like Sweetums or the Gorgs from Muppets)

[@NukedKnight]

I'VE WANTED TO SEE YOU COVER THIS IM SO EXCITED MAN!!!!!!!!!!!