The Banshee's Redemption : Sylvanas's Choice Trilogy Cinematic Analysis

World of Warcraft Shadowlands gives us another clue as to the fate of Sylvanas Windrunner with another new cinematic also featuring the Jailer, Anduin and a mourneblade Shalamayne! Much speculation that this could be the beginning of Sylvanas's redemption arc in the story... but how? Join us for a cinematic analysis of No More Secrets and Sylvanas's Choice as Taliesin tries to get to the bottom of it.
No More Lies Cinematic:
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Sylvanas's Choice Cinematic:
• Sylvanas' Choice Cinem...
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[@swordmonkey6635]

Those facial animations on Sylvanas are A+ considering the limitations of the models.

[@Eucep]

They use special models for those which have far more bones to work with. They are far more detailed then the in game models.

[@ShadowedEyedClan]

those are not in game models

[@thetomcat_dude1588]

is it me or, is she in the verge of crying at the ending ?

[@christianziphone]

Omg I literally thought they just rendered the in game models and a background in wow 🥲

[@senbonzakurakageyoshi662]

@@thetomcat_dude1588 How could she? She's dead! Like litteraly!

[@joshsinger7827]

Just waiting for Lilian voss to roll up with “did you think we had forgotten.... did you think we had forgiven...”

[@grumpydinosaur2347]

Why tho? Yess, in Voss and Lorthemar opinion Sylvanas and Nathanos was cruel but none of they realy was disloyal to her anyway. Thats not a Hellscream who turned everyone against him.

[@balazsszucs7055]

Funny thing is after she betrayed and left behind her own people and called them now, she could totally get it: Behold now the terrible vengeance of the Forsaken.

[@CueCN]

I think souls are immune to the blight......

[@jaspet75]

yea when is Nathanos going to reappear?

[@ohinianahiuhki9088]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Brooke-rw8rc]

You missed one thing: Sylvanas doesn't react at all when Anduin suggests the Jailer is using her. That's not a new thought. She KNOWS! She's always known. Remember her response when Vol'jin named her warchief? THAT was her going "oh fuck, he's still using/manipulating me!" The reason she wants Anduin to join willingly is because she wants him to have his will. She doesn't want him to be the Jailer's puppet. She wants him to join her. She wants his help Snoking the Jailer. Also, I think it's "we couldn't even choose who we SERVE." But she couldn't say that because she knew the Jailer was watching, and also that Anduin would turn that against her in a way that would completely lay out her plan. She never got to choose to serve the Jailer. She KNOWS he was the hand guiding Arthas' actions. All her hatred of Arthas has transferred to him. She always planned to betray him. She never says that the Jailer will make everything fair. What she says at the end of BfA is "all will serve death". She only says that "through him [the Jailer], control of our [mortals] fate will at last be possible".

[@ZedOfOld]

this, one hundred percent this! So glad i'm not the only one with this opinion XD

[@cd4185]

very important point. there would be no lich king arthas or scourge who took everything from sylvanas without the jailer. The idea that the jailer is the hidden recipient of all her hatred is powerful and prescient, i think

[@kingcole5977]

"Snoking the Jailer" - what an amazing phrase

[@Montenegro651]

Well shit, my eyes are now open 0.0

[@vladimirseven777]

I guess at the end of WotLK she saw the Maw and she doesn't want to go there because some arbiter's decision. And she want to broke it either way.

[@TheRelease182]

You can see her struggle at the end. The twitching of her arm and face. The very small lip twitches at the end, is the such an amazing detail of struggle. It is so, so good.

[@belegl.7721]

I noticed that too and was a bit surprised Tali didn't comment on it. She's literally shivering, the animation has become so sublime in these.

[@VoiceOfTheEmperor]

@@belegl.7721 She's scared. Of becoming that which she hates. It terrifies her. More than death, undeath and even an eternity in The Maw, becoming the next Arthas scares her the most.

[@morcossthegreat7960]

I've seen better on pornhub

[@AddamSolo]

@@morcossthegreat7960 As pornhub devours your soul, bit by bit, the energy of every nut dispersed into the soullless maw of the actors, the humor of the irrelevance that you believe it has, will eclipse you at the end. Only then will you truly know what it means, to suffer.

[@LuckySmurf]

@@VoiceOfTheEmperor She's been Arthas 2.0 since cata....

[@belhavon]

I really like the subtle detail of Anduin noticing the now-changed Shalamayne at 25:40. He looks almost saddened for a brief moment before returning his full attention to Sylvanas.

[@Puddingskin01]

"Whelp, there goes any chance of getting my dad's sword back, now some adventurer is going to own it..."

[@alexsadowski3188]

"The sword! It calls to you champion!"

[@markjones6059]

It was so subtle and I hadn't seen anyone mention it in any video I figured I was imagining it. I felt he was more curious, like he figured out in what way they intended to use him; by making him wield a new "frostmourn" ... but they couldn't force Bolvar to serve them, even with the helm on his head... ... so... there must be more. Some references to the rising shadows book... Anduin is at least touched by the void... when it happened who knows (azurite dropped into his hand?)... but maybe that will be relevant as well

[@dtulip1]

Shalamawne

[@markjones6059]

@@dtulip1 lol, perfect

[@Saimeren]

I love Sylvanas' eye animations. Even just the subtle twitches as she looks around the room.

[@TheAkashachi]

I'm still convinced that what Sylvanas meant when she stops during the "we can't even choose who we" is "who we serve". Sylvanas has always been a servant to someone, first Quel'thalas, then the Lich King, and now the Jailor. My personal theory to try to make sense of the current Sylvanas and her actions from before is that she was trying to find a way to avoid serving the Jailor, with the pact to the Valkyr, finding the Lantern and enslaving Eyr to avoid dying and ending in the Maw, but since every action she tried failed after Legion she just gave up and decided the second best alternative and working with the Jailor to eventually try to betray him and find a way to escape from the machinery of death.

[@jacobadams6277]

Which would make a lot of sense as to why she stopped herself since she is about to tell Anduin that he must serve, this makes so much sense and I love it ty

[@Dergo666]

I think you might be right about what she meant to say, at least it should not be love. I mean does she not want to love Nathanos? The sentiment of the sentence make it sound like she didn't want to love Nathanos and that there is no way of ever stopping to love someone. Maybe that's how love works, (fated) but that sounds seriously stupid. So why would she insinuate that she doesn't want to love Nathanos? I don't read the books but seen some videos about them so I may have missed something that explains why she wouldn't want to love Nathanos. If anyone could mention a reason for this then please enlighten me. I do think your theory is kinda cool but I also think then that Blizz failed at setting all that up enough for non-simps to engage with her character.

[@markjones6059]

@@Dergo666 i think the reason people think she was going to say love is because, after becoming undead she is supposedly unable to love Nathanos as she wishes she could, not that she wishes to not love him... Regardless, I think she stopped herself from saying "become" as she has been forced into being undead, forced to murder the people she was trying to save, etc etc. Tin foil hat theory: the system she is talking about breaking is the fact they are all actually in a video game at the mercy of writers and as such are the playthings of us, the players... maybe like West World, or Undertale, or Star Ocean 3, or The Neverending Story? I mean, hard to zoom out more than to our own reality, right Ion?

[@dabbie2700]

@@Dergo666 she wasn't allowed to love Nathanos in life, because she was an elf and he was a human, and elves did not see humans well ( since humans used them and left them to die when they needed their help the most) , she barely managed to keep him in their ranger troops even as Ranged General. and now she's not able to love Nathanos in death either, because they are undead and they don't have any feelings, they can't feel love anymore, they just remember via brain that they once were in love and just stick to each other, the actual feeling we humans have isnt there anymore, which believe it or not can be extremely painful to someone that has true feelings for another being.

[@ronibopshop]

Didn't they say she was in league with the jailer since she threw herself off of icecrown?

[@UltimateSoulX]

Anduin unlocked anothe Priest specialization: Psychologist.

[@JoshSweetvale]

Anduin's zen certainty leading into deduction was very Doctor Who. Specifically Ten or Eleven talking to a villain.

[@TheWideMurloc]

I love how sylvanas’s voice is literally faltering while she delivers the line that she’s “come too far to falter now”. I’m betting that’s very intentional

[@michaelcampbell8102]

Totally came here to say this too! Beautiful how she says she's not going to falter, while her face and actions speak otherwise.

[@joaneviemarus663]

Also the fact that she seems to be shaking at the very end, is an interesting touch. 🤔

[@innadbrot840]

Thats why i'm wondering if she actually stands there willingly or if she actually doesnt have a choice with the jailor in the background

[@KatreenaVanTassal]

@@innadbrot840 she's realizing (because it's thrown in her face by Anduin) that she's put herself back into subservience.

[@vlaandhael]

sparing sylvannas will be Tyrande's test to resist the dark side of the force, I mean moon

[@ymir6286]

Oh fuuuuuuuuuuuck that noise.

[@ronibopshop]

@@ymir6286 I'm with you. Maybe Tyrande would hesitate, but I know plenty of Kaldorei, myself included, who would not. There must be an accounting for Teldrassil, whether she gets redeemed or not.

[@camsmyth101]

@@ronibopshop I love it when people are this much into their race 💜

[@austinm5630]

@@ronibopshop Hell, I'm a Forsaken Warlock and I'm with you. I want pre-BFA Sylvanas back. Burning your tree was 100% out of character. I want the new Sylvanas 2.0 dead and gone just as badly as you do. Honestly idc if it's goblin engineering or if it's Chromie. Some serious time travel needs to happen here, somehow. This all needs to just be undone. I absolutely hate what Blizzard has done to her. This isn't 5d chess. It's barely checkers.

[@nephy_9]

Tyrande kills/attacks a redeemed sylvanas while anduins like "no stop" and then tyrande is a baddie

[@bryanheart6149]

Can't choose who we "serve". If you listen to the ambient sound at the cut off of the phrase you hear her screaming echo from when Arthas turned her into service. Watch both her banshee cutscene and then listen to this one again. This is for example how the different alignments are all very forceful in their cause. Example Illidan going to fel, Sylvanus into death, Illeria into the void, Calia Menethil into the light borne. Point is that all of the elements have the ability to force souls into their service. Be it by offering power or by corruption. There has always been a higher power forcing our hand. Sylvanas is a strong independent woman who dont need no man. She simply wants to make her own choices.

[@stevehess1000]

Illidan straight up chose tho to take on the fel

[@bryanheart6149]

@@stevehess1000 yes he was offered power however his path was engineered. Furthermore Xera didn't want to let him be his scars.

[@MultiLetz]

What an underrated comment, i love how in depth and analytical you went with all of it... and that last line part you dropped, it really made me laugh

[@bryanheart6149]

@Ale Alejandro No I don't think she wants to be the person with the most power. I think she wants to break the chains that bind us all. Sometimes you have to do bad things to get good results. Let me let you in my head. By demographical data alone I'm supposed to be a Democrat. Despite not being in complete agreement with republican views I can't commit to being a Democrat either. That being said I'm tired of being part of a system that doesn't work. I support breaking the system and bringing it all down to support the third party. The free agents, the independents, the people able to see both sides and make choices not bound by affiliation or party. If I feel like that as an American, then you are darn right I support that kind of change in wow. Why am I forced to fight the alliance as horde. Why can't I make my own choices. Why can't I play a blood elf on the alliance side or a human for the horde. Why was my choice taken from me. I am for the people. All of them even the ones who don't think what I do. I want everyone to have the freedom to fight, love, and die as they see fit. #breakthemachine

[@JakO_Ob]

I still hope she wanted to say "we can't even decide who we spend it with (the eternity) and that she is really talking about her family, mom, brother, father and sisters and that she sees anduin as kind of her little brother (always loving, caring and having everyone's best interest at heart)

[@SuperGamefreak18]

The best written villains see themselves as heroes and having audin being her foil is almost perfect

[@markjones6059]

Agreed. The best villains are always the hero of their own story.

[@joxerd]

I don't know Darkseid never saw himself as a hero and Galactus is a force of nature in every universe in Marvel.

[@confidential5743]

The best written villains are also relatable, which sylvanus is not for most people

[@crazzluz1702]

@@confidential5743 How is Sylvanas not relatable? Fantasy things happen in fantasy all the time, so "lol she died and got rezzed and she's mad about it" isn't a reasonable answer. She's had all her choices stripped away from her from a young age, there's tons of people that can relate to that. From people that have super forceful parents that make them pick a certain career/extracurricular activites/etc. to people in oppressed groups in actual oppressed countries that aren't allowed to vote, drive, choose who they marry, work, etc. And then there's people that are ruled by fascist governments that get jailed/killed for having dissenting opinions. Sylvanas is an extremely relatable character in modern times. Her entire character motivation is that she has never had the power to make her own decisions in life. Her job as a Ranger General was chosen for her. She was brutally murdered and then resurrected as an Undead with no choice. Said death and resurrection also condemned her to an eternity in the Maw when she dies (again) because of Frostmourne. She got made Warchief of the Horde because Mueh'zala and the Jailer manipulated Vol'jin while he was dying with no chance to object. And then, when the Jailer said it was time, she didn't have a choice but to come and serve him.

[@undeathmetal1717]

Not even going to mention that the side-shot of Anduin's face when he's on his knees in chains reminds us of the Legion cinematic of Varian Wrynn brought before Gul'dan before his death.

[@Ordo1980]

I just realized that Sylvanas is really a gray character. I mean literally.

[@fraggle9337]

Ohhh. Good spot. And the only thing really colorful on her is her eyes and that wound saurfang gave her. Her ire, ambition, passion. Hope. Heh. All in those eyes.

[@HeiggwinieHalberstadt]

better than the blue.

[@roflstompin]

"Morally Gray (tm)" - Blizzard

[@greatbrae302]

I'm sorry, but any character that performs genocide, is no longer a grey character.

[@roflstompin]

@@greatbrae302 agreed.

[@Bryndela]

Sylvanas is chill watching a mournblade be forged, and even holds it for a bit. Meanwhile in Revendreth my Venthyr character has to hold Kael'thas back by his cloak when the word "lich" sends him into a vengeance fueled rage. Clearly these two handle trama different.

[@elrilmoonweaver4723]

Offf nice. Thats sounds interesting.

[@brandonallen5109]

How do you make a 38 minute video seem so short!!! I love your insight and analysis of these.. thank you for your time and effort, we love you for it!!

[@hackysax0079]

Hear me out... Jailor’s “plan” is to turn sargeras’ sword in Silithus into a mournblade and use it to soul-reap Azeroth’s world soul

[@MrSanctuarys]

That would be cool.

[@russ_t_blade]

Danuser did say the sword wasn't forgotten and would be addressed this expansion.

[@ulgenrabishlave4645]

I like that idea

[@russ_t_blade]

The more I think about it this might just be it. I mean, all these cosmic forces keep descending upon Azeroth because she's supposed to be the most powerful Titan ever. And all this bullshit is what caused the Scourge, Legion Invasion, Old Gods. That's probably why Sylvanas joined with him. He probably convinced her that if he claims Azeroth that the planet will be empty and the cosmic forces will ignore it. Then they can just all live normal lives.

[@BearPawSwipe]

This is good....maybe too good for blizz.

[@tinywolf7]

WINDOWS NOTIFICATION SOUND

[@JB-ex8ko]

THANK YOU I was looking everywhere for that notification and you made me realize, it's in the video.

[@NinjaFlibble]

I had to rewind to make sure it wasn't my computer...

[@rickh852]

@@JB-ex8ko Lol same here!

[@GhostCastle88]

I went back too. #literallyunwatchable

[@fave525]

oh my godddd it was from the video????

[@Dorten]

"There's always have to be a Jailer." "It has to be ME" "LEAVE THIS PLACE, AND NEVER RETURN!"

[@jaydub8576]

Sylvanas is never leaving the shadowlands. She's gonna take over as the next Jailor. Same rules as the "there must always be a lich king" thing. People at BlizzCon thought she was gonna put on the helmet, remember. Nah, she's going for that death CEO position.

[@irethcoisss]

That would line up with "In the end they will all serve death, they will serve me."

[@ddenozor]

The way her face coils in pain at the last second when Anduin calls him Sylvanas Windrunner.

[@star_etraWrites]

I don't think it is from calling her by her name. I think it is because he gave her choice. The reality is she does have a choice. He isn't going to play her game and she has a choice between forcing him or walking away. It's a choice.

[@macinboss2159]

I absolutely love where they’re taking Sylvanas’s story. Such good writing, and I’d honestly be happy with any of the endings you propose

[@jesrl2000]

The Jailer needs Anduin to accompany him all the time in Torghast and use his light shiny powers to light the way since its always dark in Torghast. The Jailer always snubs his toes there.

[@darth-imperius]

🤣😂😅

[@siegwardinspirit]

Huge twist at the end: The Jailer turns out to be a moth.

[@stealthington]

Feeling a lot of Return of the Jedi in there. Darth Sylvanas, Anduin Skywalker. "I sense the good in you, let go of your hate!" "It's too late for me now, Anduin..."

[@JoshSweetvale]

Teldrassil

[@wacojitsu]

I think this has affected me emotionally, far more then I would have expected. The lack of choice has always been something humans have waged wars, killed, and died for.

[@bubblemist1786]

As always, I absolutely loved this video! About Sylvanas' Tell (where she's clenching her fist) she's doing it too in the comic "Three Sisters" when Vereesa is apologizing to her.

[@JoshSweetvale]

She also did it with her bow when Greymane was mocking her.

[@eafesaf6934]

@@JoshSweetvale "you took my sons Futur... And now.. Iam taking yours..." basically implying he stole her chance.

[@PhoenE]

The expression on her faces, little subtle movements of her lips, pretty impressive.

[@konakoffee5262]

lol at the random dude dropping in at 15:44

[@amirforoughi5766]

LOL ... Good catch!

[@BobaZombie13]

Freaked me out lmao

[@maeseandy]

Blizzard scritp: Oh my, Sylvanas hesitates! Maybe there's redemption for her! All the elves killed in Teldrassil: Awwww

[@RedwoodRogers]

So what you're saying is that even her victims want to jump her bones? That's what I initially took the "Awwww" to imply, as if they're happy for her.

[@maeseandy]

@@RedwoodRogers I was being ironic. How could someone posibly think about her redemption after what she did in Teldrassil? But coming from Blizzard Sylvanas being redeemed is something posible. Be dignified, Sylvanas, accept you're just evil!

[@RedwoodRogers]

@@maeseandy Like I said, that was what I _initially_ took the "Awwww" as implying. I realized that's not what you were necessarily going for, and feel a flat "what?" would have been more appropriate. My response was also intentionally misssing the point.

[@jmiller6066]

Yeah... As a Tauren player, I'm done with the Horde if Blizzard seriously tries to force a redemption arc for her. She was at best morally gray even in the original WoW, what she did in BfA is straight up evil and unforgivable.

[@maeseandy]

@@jmiller6066 Agreed! To be honest, when played my dwarf shaman I loved that Moira Thaurissan was such a twisted and complex character, craving for power and hating her father. And in Pandaria they made her all good and lighthearted, because she "learned her lesson". Just another plain character. Let's keep Sylvannas this evil!

[@andrewpaul8732]

"ENOUGH!!" Aaaand in walks the Night Warrior Also.. Not even accolonn has done this well of a deep dive. Pulling up the voice line, addressing the significance of the camera angles. Just amazing work guys

[@joshuamiller8533]

This has been, quite possibly, your best analysis yet. Many of my own views are ones that you seem to share. Though, I do feel that Zovaal accessed a personal Maw vault, to acquire a fragment of his own soul. He stated that every soul has a purpose, even his own. By infusing the blade with a portion of his soul, he can bind Anduin to his will. Anduin has shown to be a powerful conduit; able to call upon a vast amount of energy, anywhere. If Zovaal enslaves him, then allows him to be rescued from the Maw (by the Maw Walker), then Anduin can open a portal in Oribis, to the Maw, allowing Zovaal the chance to leave his domain. The Primus states that Zovaal has found a way to forge a weapon out of his chains. His soul is bound to the Maw. He keeps forging fragments of it into weapons, which are able to leave the Maw. And this could very well be why Zovaal seems to lack any indication of a soul (referring to people as instruments and objects, rather than individuals). He has shattered himself, and we may need to use his creations against him, at some point (imagine reforging the Helm of Domination for a different purpose, as a tool against the Jailer, or protection from him).

[@TheAshleybruno]

Her face riggings really sell the conflict; the shake in her voice at the end of sentences as they trail. A+

[@Jangles_]

Tali: "Windrunner is guilty of unforgivable crimes in *life*..." Me: Well, actually...

[@ttpbroadcastingcompany.4460]

She's still alive. So, she needs to die and go to the SUPER MAW! Where an actually likeable Jailer of the Damned resides.

[@martov4330]

I honestly thought you were going to say "Is this the start of a beautiful friendship?"

[@dvklaveren]

What I really like about this scene is how handedly it explains how Sylvanas flipped on the free will thing. It's still her core belief that fairness would include free will, but that, after Icecrown, she stopped believing that anyone had free will, so that there's really no difference between being controlled by Sylvanas and being controlled by fate. I just wish that this was emphasized more in BFA. It would make sense; Sylvanas did not choose to become Warchief. She explicitly disavowed wanting to be Warchief and I stand by it that she didn't want to be when Vol'jin asked her the first time. So having her say something along the lines of "free will doesn't exist. I didn't choose to be Warchief. The weak suffer what they must and the powerful do as they please. All we have is rage" would have illuminated a lot more about her character. It would have made it look like Sylvanas had become defeatist about the idea of free will and that no steps she has taken, from Ranger General to Warchief, has given her the freedom she idealized. It would make Sylvanas seem that much more dangerous and villainous.

[@The_Dark_Brother_Pierre]

This is one of the best conversations that ever happened in wow.

[@MrBlancify]

I think the Jailer's quick dismissal of Denathrius's fate is because he knows the Sire (As the Sire hints to himself in the last cutscene of the levelling campaign) only wants to be on the winning side. If the Sire had believed in the Jailer's plans all along he would have been jsaailed in the Maw aswell when they first went to war against eachother. The Sire knew the Jailer couldn't win then and so he chose to side with the other Covenants but later he realized that the Jailer had the means to overthrow the Arbiter and only then did he betray his brother and sisters. Therefore, Zovaal doesn't spare any resources to save him from his fate. He was a tool, only in it for power and was treated as such.

[@dzbanke.]

23:04 that change of color from fire to cold blue on this smith guy tho, same as Bolvar in the Shadowlands cinematic trailer

[@raymondward2035]

Notice too that Sylvanas changes from the washed out grey palate she has in SL (what happened to her?) to a more lively blue hue similar to BFA once she activates the sword (from the sword's light, so still no blonde hair)

[@hootyhoop]

The Jailer keeps his soul stones in his void bank.

[@morcossthegreat7960]

Void sack

[@badwolf1490]

The Jailer is a Janet, confirmed

[@chellegoesmoo]

The snappy way you package character analyses and possibilities (eg "throwing good money after bad like a poker player on tilt") is a master class, dude. I love Sylvanas and I love this direction. I think the doubt is genuine and Anduin can't get full credit for that - she was hesitating already. That meddling piece of her mortality! Stirs in the depths of her carcass saying "yopp!" like the little speck in Horton Hears a Who.

[@DrYesterday]

you ever think that Sylvanas clinches her fist when someone is bothering her, because she's sub-consciously trying to grab her bow...?

[@destrarion]

"I, for one, do not trust her. her heart is still elven. She will never side with us." - Balnazzar in Warcraft 3 Also to note that when Sylvanas is transformed into banshee, she didn't got a switch death and was merely transformed directly. That confirm that her heart is still elven since it's her body into banshee and not her spirit into banshee. That why the body of Sylvanas keep the memory of the ranger general. Seems like the dreadlord already seen that Sylvanas still got her second mind. That the Jailer forgot. Also we can remember the fact that Frostmourn and the Lich King Crown as been given by dreadlord. And then given to Kil'jaeden to make Nerzul the servant of the Jailer. That the dreadlord is master of Strategie, they got a lot of knowledge upon death. Maybe they have saw thing in Sylvanas that the Jailer didn't taken in consideration and use now Sylvanas as Denathrius as served as a weapon. Also When Anduin remind of Sylvanas past as Ranger-General, Sylvanas react to it to make it stop. The reference is to Warcraft 3 too when Arthas push into the gate of Silvermoon, Kel'tuzad say that Sylvanas windrunner is persistent like Arthas was versus Kel'tuzad, and Arthas react and ask to stop to keltuzad too. To end that comment. Let's remember of of the famous quote of Sylvanas after Arthas leaving to Northrend, when she talk with her sister (banshee) : "What joy there's is in this curse ? " "What are we if not slave to this torment ?" Is she accepted the torment ( The Maw) or still question it and fight against it ? I'm so hyped for the future !

[@gilbertmunch2432]

I’m pretty sure she reclaimed her body when Arthas left for Kalimdor. In the wc3 mission the Sunwell, her model is a banshee. The first time we see her dark ranger model is when she is spying on the dreadlords as Arthas returns to Lordaeron with news of the Burning Legions defeat at the world tree.

[@gilbertmunch2432]

Or do you mean she just wasn’t reanimated?

[@JFHardman]

The Night Elves deserve some justice here, I don't buy into any redemption for literal genocide and I'd be disappointed if they go there tbh. Ty for vid (thumbs)

[@gaigeiris9632]

playing through the ardenweald covenant then seeing this makes me feel like tyrande is gonna kill me specifically (im a vulpera shaman)

[@Dergo666]

Play through the Ardenweald campaign, there are nightelf NPCs that kinda foreshadow something happening with all the dead nelves. Don't want to spoil anything but I do feel like there's going to be some sort of vengeance rather than justice coming.

[@MrVlad12340]

@@Dergo666 vengeance and justice are the same for the most part. Soft-shelled westerners just separated the two to avoid justice.

[@AddamSolo]

Her eyes burn in fierce intensity, but her mouth is in sadness, in that last shot. Just exquisite.

[@bub64882]

"Can't even choose who we love"...not just Nathanos, but her sisters as well.

[@MrLightlike78]

Ooo, I like that.

[@Wyrmshield]

What do you mean? The Windrunners have all had lovers outside of their race so it's not like there have been any restrictions put on them. Even before Shadowlands Sylvanas could have absolutely retired with Nathanos whom she chose and go live in relative peace. Love being the thing she's upset about just doesn't work

[@bub64882]

@@Wyrmshield well, I think that although all three Windrunners had relationships with human men, they likely paid a price in social standing, rumors, trash talk, or whatever in their society. Particularly Sylvannas, who had her human lover actually reporting to her, which likely caused HR issues for her. But I was actually referring to Sylvannas' love for her sisters, which she has likely buried but may still feel deeply. I think she would like to "turn off" that love for her sisters, given that they hate her and what she has become.

[@horukye]

ALL your videos should be this long or longer. This was one of the most enjoyable things I've watched in months. Rock on!

[@JesterPrivileges]

Na we are just out of range of their aggro range. You can also see the pain in her eye's at the end.

[@Alex-zc3bj]

20:12 I had to double check.....

[@codrutl]

Been scrolling for a while for this 😂

[@xanderellem3646]

I think sylvanas is fenuine in her desire to create a fair system, she's experienced hell or what we now know was probably revendreth but also in the opening cinematic when she breaks the helm of domination she says "and I, will set us all, free". She had no audience to hear her words, so unless she is literally lying to herself...

[@williampaulsinghharika2627]

Sylvanas slowly realizes the Jailer lied to her the moment he simply dropped his oldest ally and friend Denathrius like some piece of trash.

[@markjones6059]

I like my tinfoil hat theory that Sylvanas is a breaker of the 4th wall, and knows about us as players manipulating the reality she exists in

[@LightsFuzzy]

I think she fell into the Maw, the river of souls to be exact. Considering she finds the soul of Arthas during wandering around.

[@vladimirseven777]

@@williampaulsinghharika2627 I don't think thousands years old experienced general (Sylvanas) are so dumb to trust somebody. Most likely she still playing her games.

[@Kit_Kat_Catastrophe]

@@vladimirseven777 She has made some dumb mistakes in her past, she is seeing how expendable she is and if it suits him he will dump her too...he'd gladly dump her for Anduin's servitude and she knows if Anduin turns then she is next on the chopping block. She has always been about numero uno and if Anduin turns she knows she is another disposable hero.

[@Kalysta]

I was SO hoping that Tali would cover this. THANK YOU TALI!!!!!!

[@Metsa25]

"Banshee Queen, you're trying to seduce me."

[@TreacherousTetrisTerrorist]

"What are you doing, step-warchief?"

[@andrewpaul8732]

@@TreacherousTetrisTerrorist baka 😖

[@Wolfstorm701]

I'd lowkey be fine with an Anduin/Sylvanas ship

[@nicholaskinkaid]

What I like about your comment is how it highlights a banshee as seducing when that's actually not what they do. They possess (which is also it's own little porn quirk). So maybe that's why Sylvanas is not doing a good job of seducing him lol. She's like 'How the fk do I get him to bang me willingly?'. I'd assume her next attempt will be getting her head stuck in a dryer and needing him to help get her out. /giggity

[@JoshSweetvale]

@@Wolfstorm701 SHE'S A CORPSE.

[@ABKMorgan]

When Anduin mentions hope, and Sylvanas cuts him off, it could be bringing back memories of Saurfang and the pain of his betrayal coming to a head at the gates of Orgrimmar, Saurfang gives a speech about her failing to kill hope and now she is asking Anduin to give up hope.

[@TheSpoegefugl]

In the first of the 3 cutscenes, how funny would it be if Blizzard had rogue characters simply stand still and stealth instead of hiding

[@XeroMaverick]

I wish they did this....it was so awkward to watch my Rogue sit there hugging a wall instead of just going Stealth. Shit all Night Elves should use Shadowmeld.

[@Insertnamesz]

@@XeroMaverick I was in cat form stealth on my druid when the cutscene triggered. Boom. Fat shirtless Kul Tiran dude form was more stealthy apparently. lmao

[@CoGregoire]

I already can't wait for the next cinematic just for your analysis! You are really good at this.

[@AnubisRazael]

I love these vids, they always show me something I missed or an angle I didn't think of, keep up the great work!

[@sturmunit]

Still loving the “Primus sorry meant rune carver”jokes

[@john-morton]

Il'gynoth whispered "The golden one claims a vacant throne. The crown of light will bring only darkness". Golden One is Turalion and Crown of Light is Anduin?

[@TheAwesomeCouch]

Who knows, we have came too far to falter now

[@john-morton]

@@TheAwesomeCouch It was Tali mentioning this voiceline that Turalion shares that reminded me of him and this whisper

[@patrykpryce]

The metaphorical crown Turalyon bears as he claims the throne is my guess.. I can bet on Anduin coming out unharmed by some rescue mission. He won't go full lich king 2.0 imo.

[@elrilmoonweaver4723]

I had someone say to me, when I went on about an unconfirmed theory that, I quote: "The Old Gods LIE! I wouldn't give too much thought to what they say if I were you."

[@HavocHounds1988]

Patty Matson when she says "don't" is just incredibly done. You can hear the disgust and anger in her voice, and how she really wants Anduin to just stop talking.

[@dantepeterson556]

I was a bit thrown off you didn’t use the music on the “gogogo”

[@katrinbecher4908]

For me the most important evidence, that Sylvanas is truly shook to the core, is to see her whole body trembling when she says "I did not come this far to falter now" (29:54).

[@CureforPain]

Just realized, the loop sound you have running in the back, it´s "Should have known better" by Sufjan Stevens. You are a man of taste Tali.

[@NocticonPlays]

I am so glad you mentioned Tyrande. I was literally thinking Tyrande could just show up and kill her rofl.

[@andrewdunlap2034]

Tali, you're such a lore nerd. I love it!

[@sarahbilling1669]

I don't know if i'm imagining this but when Anduin says at the end 'Right now, you hold all the power' his lips tremble a tiny bit. Love it :D

[@ChicagoPaul2020]

Seeing "Sylvanas" and "Redemption" makes my fucking piss red. Jesus Christ, I haven't even seen the video yet and i'm already full on fuckin mad.

[@The_Shan96]

watch the video then???

[@thenerdykilt6431]

honestly I'm in love with the Sylvanas plot lines stretching as far back as warcraft. I really enjoy these video break downs and want to thank you for them.

[@devonsenpai7907]

Sylvanus: "I genocided a bunch of Night Elf, burned down their home a world tree and gaslit the entire horde to murdering tons of innocents and Alliance" Anduin: "I forgive you."

[@Lestca1]

Simpin' for Sylvanas!

[@tzoanast1061]

Maybe bother to ask why. Why someone does something matters, yes even when it comes to her actions in a universe like this where the cosmological forces constantly break the balance trying to be dominant.

[@belegl.7721]

I mean he doesn't.

[@andreaMmondello]

OUTSTANDING - thanks Tali, been waiting for a cinematic analysis and this deliver over 9000.

[@KibblesDoesStuff]

I've been trying so hard to avoid watching this but dang it you dragged me in

[@ScorpionP2C]

I loved the length and it was fitting! Brilliant indepth analysis good sir (and madam with the baby somewhere in the background) as always!

[@ardentdfender4116]

Next scene, Jailer comes in and says Enough! Spares Sylvanas from making any choice at that point.

[@Xiteri]

I like how using an Inky Black Potion inside Torghast, makes the place looks like those cinematics, with the flames and darker background.

[@designerwookiee]

Now imagine a combination of all the speculated outcomes of Sylvanas's story and the potential endings of The Shadowlands... Compelled by Anduin's compassion, Sylvanas embraces that final shred of hope within her. She becomes a double-agent of sorts, her outward actions supporting The Jailer, but secretly feeding critical information to The Maw Walker(s) and their allies. More and more, she is tormented by her sins as she does what she must to maintain appearances for The Jailer. In the final battle, Sylvanas turns against The Jailer at a critical moment, like Darth Vader against The Emperor, but in a scene more akin to Tirion Fordragon atop ICC when The Lich King is on the cusp of victory. Much like the events that transpired atop ICC, it is revealed that there must always be a Jailer of The Maw. Having experienced the torment of The Jailer and The Maw, and feeling guilty for playing his role as a pawn of The Jailer, Anduin offers to be the next Jailer. But at the same time, the wounded Sylvanas who has sacrificed everything up to this point has also realized that she is the only one present who truly deserves such a fate. At last she would possess power over Death itself, but at the cost of free will as she would be forever bound to The Maw. The victorious parties clamor over what must be done, while The Maw and the very essence of The Shadowlands crumbles, Sylvanas cries out from atop The Jailer's throne a set of dialogue that is also reminiscent of Bolvar's own speech, "ENOUGH! You think you have a choice in choosing this grim destiny, but it was never yours. My actions have sealed my fate. The Shadowlands was meant to be a place of peace and rest for the souls of the fallen, but there is no comfort for me. Be it in this Afterlife... or any other." She turns to the rescued "Runecarver," . . . "Primus! Engrave the runes upon me! Forevermore, I... will be The Jailer of The Damned. Anduin cries out, (while simultaneously just crying and somehow looking even more beautiful than when he isn't crying), "Sylvanas! You don't have to do this!" Sylvanas clenches her fist... and then relaxes her hand. Turning to The Primus once again. "Do it! You all have your own destinies to fulfill. This act of repentance, will be mine." WHEN SUDDENLY~ "You can repent by paying with your LIFE!" - Howls the shadow of Vengeance, the Night Warrior Tyrande, as an arrow of elven craftmanship whistles through the air, pinning Sylvanas upon the Jailer's Throne. The onlookers are aghast, staring in shock as Tyrande bolts forward, emerging from dark, swirling mists to rest her blade against Sylvanas's throat. "Vengrance..." Tyrande whispers, shaking, "Is served." As Tyrande begins to wind up to deliver the killing blow, Anduin cries out once more, "Tyrande! No! You don't have to do this. This is not the way to avenge your people." Humoring Anduin, she turns her head ever so slightly to address him in a mocking tone, "And how, little lion, do you propose that my people be avenged? She must pay for her crimes, and now... she will." Without further hesitation, she delivers the final blow. With her final breath, Sylvanas seems almost happy. At least now there is only oblivion to go to. No life. No Death. No Afterlife. No Eternity serving as The Jailer. Just sweet, blissful, nothingness. But she knows what the rest of creation now faces, and cannot resist giving them one last warning. "Beware, little lion. I do not envy you. You are blind... to the true... darkness closing in around you." With this, she has said her final piece. Her form disintegrates away like Stygia in the harsh winds of The Maw. And with the target of her vengeance dead by her own hands, the power of The Nightwarrior begins to dissipate. Anduin and present company ponder the grim warning for but a moment, before The Primus stirs them from their thoughts. "Foolish Child of Elune! Your vengeance has cost us a crucial key in saving all The Shadowlands, and the realms beyond! Including your precious Azeroth! Now... You must serve as The Jailer in her stead." Anduin begins to reach out towards Tyrande, but it is too late. The practiced hands of The Primus are far too familiar with Runecarving. In but a single breath, Tyrande cries out in pain both from the emotional realization of the death and destruction she has wrought as The Nightwarrior, and from the physical Runecarving process. Now, she will have eternity to ponder her actions... Was Vengeance worth the cost... of Everything?

[@star_etraWrites]

Believable!

[@MrVlad12340]

Sounds like bullshit. Tyrande is morally right in this. She has nothing to be ashamed of or atone for if she kills Sylvanas.

[@saulomendes2039]

You can see that Sylvanas' motivations are not necessarily in favor of the Jailer, but rather against all that the Arbiter and the cycle of life and death stands for. This has never been good versus evil, but instead "fate" versus freedom of choice. Lawful versus Chaotic. This is ultimately what Anduin is exploring. He is giving her the choice she never had. All along, she believed siding with the Jailer was that choice, but she just became a puppet to the hands of another master. Very interesting cinematic and great analysis, tali! Really anxious to see what will happen next :))

[@hirumaredx]

Sylvanas will save us all!

[@CrystalPrincess45]

And if not my character has a sword with her name on it and her head to Bwonsandi

[@Dionyboz]

Sylvanas is a benevolent leader

[@Sindragozer]

True

[@jimdandytheboss]

#ImWithHer

[@tristanreyes9781]

Watch Illidan fly down as a champion of the big bois.

[@Boredonthejob]

Great analysis. Really appreciate the leg-work done here. Upvoted.

[@Neal_YouTube]

"NOTHING ESCAPES THE MAW!" Except the jailer's hand.

[@andrewpaul8732]

Jailer doesnt have binding runes on his hands

[@Wyrmshield]

Which means the place that he's reaching into is just some other place in the Maw, most likely where they store all the ice

[@jedijeffp85]

These cinematics really reminded me of the Siege Of Lordaeron Alliance cinematic and how Anduin's entrance into the throne room was almost a shot for shot recreation of Arthas in Warcraft III.

[@LordWalrusXV]

If a redemption arc is really going to happen, my gut feeling is that Blizz is probably going to do something like a Darth Vader redemption arc. Anduin seems to be filling that Luke role right now

[@morcossthegreat7960]

So hes going to lose his hand in a lazer sword fight and become a space wizard

[@EleTV347]

Tali: "Sylvanas is at a bit of a crossroads". Me: "Crossroads... It's a small town in Barrens... Who are the most notable characters of Crossroads? Of course, it must be Mankrik and his wife! But his wife is dead. But so is Sylvanas! We did it, boys. After all these years, we've finally found Mankrik's wife!"

[@incapableunicorn8252]

Surely it must run cold down Sylvanas spine, when she sees the forging of a runeblade. She does have some history with atleast one of them... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@kubi0461]

I'm 99% certain the "can't even choose who we.." is "serve," because it relates to her banshee time serving the lich king. It also leads right into the theme of the Sylvanas' choice cinematic. It also relates to her Warbringers video which strongly implies her death to the LK and rebirth as a banshee as being her loss of hope. That circles back to some of Anduin's lines in these new videos.

[@bethbearmacethatguy]

I don't know, everyone seems to enjoy their lot in the Shadowlands. Everyone seems to thrive in their covenant. It just seems like she didn't like what was waiting for her so she's taking her ball and going home, wrecking the game for everyone.

[@rccobbe]

I'm not really sure the souls in Revendreth (as distinct from the Venthyr) are really happy about their lot, never mind the souls condemned to the Maw. The souls sent there before the Arbiter broke may well deserve their fates, but I strongly doubt they enjoy them.

[@bethbearmacethatguy]

@@rccobbe Shouldn't have evil gits then. As for the ones in the Venthyr's loving care, they eventually find peace and purpose.

[@JoshSweetvale]

Uhh, Bastion is one giant brainwashing cult. Uncooperative souls are passive-aggressively 'encouraged' to 'repent' until they break.

[@asmrtpop2676]

dude bastion sucks!!

[@baal5242]

Totally love in the last part of the 3rd cinematic when you goes along Shalamayne, you can hear her hand grasping the mournblade even tighter, like he is really touching a nerve.

[@DirtCheapFU]

"Got to the bottom of her and unlocked her". Giggity

[@repopk7385]

Great video Tali. Solid write up!

[@austinparker9238]

"We can't even choose who we... "are." "spend the rest of our afterlives with." "love." "serve." Whatever it is it's the most regretful thing she desires the most to change. "We can't even choose who we get in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate: R.I.P. Geno from Super Mario RPG."

[@JSicking]

Taliesin - "You see, the camera angle is lower, creating more of a close up, personal tone in their conversation which is very important and a clever choice by Blizzard here!" Animator who worked on the scene - "...It was just a spot where I could fit both the characters into the scene so...that's what I did." Joking aside, love the vids. Keep up the great work!

[@ProfessorThursday]

Taliesin, we love you. Please turn off your notifications when recording. Some of us work while listening to you, and I've just spent the last 15 minutes trying to figure out who is trying to message me. Please and Thank You.

[@HalikBun]

After seeing this, I can only imagine the story playing out with her pressing on with the jailer (where we fight mind controlled Anduin) until the guilt of becoming that which she loathed gets to her, initiating her heel-face turn at the last minute that ends in her sacrificing herself to save everyone. Blizz loves doing these big moments and these seem to set it up so well.

[@heli0ns]

Ever since like Legion I've been telling everyone who would listen that Blizzard is going to do a Sylvanas redemption plot twist and it's going to be painful and I hate it.

[@MegaChickenfish]

Somewhere deep in Revendreth's dungeons, a lone orc sits, having his infinite smugness at being right harvested for anima. "What difference is there between you and the Lich King now?!"

[@SunniestAutumn]

Sylvanas: Tokyo Drift

[@lucassegura3460]

HAHAHHAAHHAH

[@morcossthegreat7960]

Teen tofu delivery guy > all the fast and the wornout movies

[@snootyabodi]

Oh man was really looking forward to a T&E video but at the same time, I really don't wanna be spoiled for this! Catch you guys on the next video! :)

[@emcosh]

The boy-king serves at the master's table. Three lies will he offer you.

[@georgimihaylov5432]

So basically Anduin will be turned to a Lich King and will lie to the playerbase somehow in a future patch.

[@SuicidalSheep]

Didn't know Il'gynoth serves the jailor.

[@Schilani]

@@SuicidalSheep Il'gynoth speaks in a way, that is understandable for the player. Also it's not "my master" but just "the master (of the afterlive)"

[@SuicidalSheep]

@@Schilani hmm but why do they tease him using void at the end of bfa? Bit confusing to me haha

[@Armodullahan]

It bugs me that Il'gynoth could see so far ahead but N'zoth failed nonetheless. Or did he?

[@toothyhoofy]

Just thought I'd mentioned that Sylvanas also tightens her first while holding her bow during the Stormheim cinematic after Greymane destroyed the lantern. Seems it's a reaction to suppressing rage when her plans go awry.

[@jamesrideout123]

aT 28:40 YOU CAN SEE SADNESS IN SylvanAS EYES, WHICH IS DELIBERATELY DONE AND WELL DONE BY THE ARTISTS

[@VioKeyTae]

holy shit i was waiting for this one. I've been refreshing your channel every day multiple times. Gimme more content - please i love this shit so much. (Although i fully understand having a child, just starting into a new year, having a shitload of stuff you probably working on and trying to live the family life all at the same time is probably a lot on it's own - just saying i enjoy this very much). MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE

[@WolfRaynor]

Happy New Year everyone!

[@wdbland0820]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Great analysis Tally.