The Endgame is You

Or read: genericwonderf...
Twitter: / harrisonchute
Special thanks to Sarah K., Rebecca Milnes, Louey Stockfeld, Emily H., Danni S., Rachel, Kayleigh W., Tamanna Das, M. Travis, Heather, Kelly Letourneau, Jamie Lee: (@JackalopeJamie, jamieleecortese...) and everyone else who contributed!

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

Looking for more? Be sure to check out Kenzie's contribution (which due to an error on my part was omitted): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmnMip13bd6maqM

[@boricuabinks217]

The way I hope and wish this series would end: Fast forward a few years to see Rebecca as well-adjusted, happy, and most importantly healthy woman running the law firm as a partner to Daryl and Nathaniel. She goes home after a day's work, slips into comfy clothes, pours some wine, and just as she is about to turn on the tv, her doorbell rings. She answers the door with a smile and says, "Hey you." Then the screen cuts to black. I wouldn't mind if they show the person on the other side (Greg would be really nice) but I think the importance here is that we can leave it up to our imagination. As long as there is SOMEONE who makes her smile like that. As long as they are a positive force in her life. That's all that matters. It could even be Paula. No man necessary.

[@Jellybeansatdusk]

Are you happy with the final ending? I quite like how it turned out :)

[@bk138gt6]

Here's the most soul crushing ending i imagined: cut back to Rebecca in the alley from ep 1. She stands up, stops crying, dusts herself off and goes back upstairs to accept junior partner position

[@bgraziano6867]

bk138 ST that would kill me

[@ALu-nq8rf]

That would majorly suck.

[@janet-granite7175]

That would be soul crushing, but i dont think it would happen, as while she wouldnt chase josh in her current state, and even though she now tries to put herself first emotionally, i think (as silly as it sounds) her real change was the friends she made along the way, not her job, and certainly not josh

[@ALu-nq8rf]

@@janet-granite7175 Not to mention, they promised they wouldn't have an ending where none of it was real.

[@bk138gt6]

@@ALu-nq8rf i heard that too, and i'm glad they aren't going that route. What is so incredible about the show is how it humanizes EVERYONE. I'm excited to see who rebecca becomes at the end of this journey

[@inasaira8380]

its crazy. this show would get sooo much better ratings if they hadnt named it crazy ex girlfriend and yet its the most appropriate title for the show. i remember exiting the subway train to school and seeing the picture of rachel bloom holding the pink heart shaped balloon with her crazy eyes next to the words "crazy ex girlfriend" and i remember rolling my eyes and thinking "ugh really? in 2015?!" and walking away. i wouldve sworn that this show was centered around some male protagonist who cant seem to escape his axe crazy ex girlfriend and "hilarity ensues". boy was i surprised when my bra burning uber feminist friend was like "omg i love that show!" and i was like whaaaat?! i immediately went on netflix and watched it. it was NOT what i thought it would be. they really shouldve considered a different title.

[@hepaliens]

I was too embarrassed to record my face or voice so as to include my story in this beautiful video, but being able to watch the stories of others--and of you, Harrison--really helped me realize how silly I was being. This show means everything to me--as a bisexual, jewish woman diagnosed with BPD--and I am so deeply glad that it's touched so many others. You all are beautiful, amazing souls. I'm forever grateful to this show for helping me see things about myself I was too afraid to face, and showing me them through a rose-colored mirror with a character I empathized with, related to, and--most importantly--adored. Loving Rebecca Bunch helped me learn to love myself, and I can see in all your beautiful faces that you all love her as much as I. Thank you Harrison for all you've done to explore this perfect little show, and thank you to Aline & Rachel for showing me that it's all right to love myself--illness, flaws and all.

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

Thank you so much, Windy!

[@racheldoesstuff]

Wow Harrison, thank you for making this and collecting all of these amazing testimonials.

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

racheldoesstuff thank you so much for watching!

[@FoxEagle993]

Making music to represent mindsets and lessons has been amazing to follow! Here's hoping no one misses the point 😬

[@TamannaDas]

Rachel, we love your work. Keep doing what you do!

[@TheTekinha15]

We love you SO much. Thank you for being a huge part of making the best show ever come to life.

[@queenanacaona8531]

I rewatch your videos so much it’s surreal to listen to new material

[@sarahisatitagain]

When the app showed there was a new video I thought it was a mistake. I am amazed how this chanel grow and made analyzes so amazing...

[@corngreaterthanwheat]

WHERE IS THE WOMAN WITH THE "BLAM" SHIRT'S ETSY??? I MUST BUY THIS.

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

Comments on this video may be more moderated than usual. Thank you for watching!

[@Sganarell]

Hey I have an idea to throw at you, is Heather Asperger, look up videos of autism in girl, (like the one by tony atwood) it fits so well and it would be amazing representation ! And thank you for doing what you're doing, I love it :)

[@roxasxiii4823]

I hope by the last episode Rebecca finds a place within herself to feel belonged and important in the world and I hope she finds true happiness in her life

[@JoedotPadilla]

It's my favorite show. I'm hosting a trivia night next month, first prize is an autographed pilot script. I'm... adorably obsessed.

[@ALu-nq8rf]

As much as I know it ain't gonna happen for various reasons, I really want a crossover with The Good Place. Or at least for Kristen Bell to make an appearance on CXG.

[@colinneagle4495]

Thank you so much to Bagels After Midnight for the always insightful analysis. I found that the inclusion of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fans honest stories made this especially powerful. I also want to thank all of you who submitted and were brave enough to be vulnerable about what makes you connect to this show so much. This video shows why representation in all its forms is so powerful and validating. True representation shows us not only who we are but who we could be. Thanks again to Bagels for all your hard work, I hope that this isn't the last we see of you!

[@AlvaSudden]

"I'm still a student at the criminally underfunded School of Women's Interiority for Men." There are men enrolled there, I have noticed. There didn't used to be any. Seems like a good thing.

[@CanaAlyce]

I love the clip you picked from orange is the new black has gabirel Ruiz in it that scene.

[@kurbaga6041]

I would never watch a 40 minute video about a show except Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Also Fleabag is an incredible show and you really should watch it if you haven't already.

[@gigi3843]

To bagels after midnight: thank you for making me understand the genius of this show When the show started, I watched a few episodes and, though I found it intriguing, I quit because the show was too peppy and light for my taste. Then, a few months ater, I got a little too obsessed with video essays about film and tv and happened to stumble on to your channel. Hearing your personal attachment to this show lead me to give it another chance and thankfully it got much darker as the season went on. So, I guess thank you. I'm not the biggest fan of the show in the way you or the other people in the video are, but I think I did learn to look beneath the surface, because hidden treasures can be found anywhere. That's why they're hidden. Thanks.

[@Nothing_Israel]

People need to Tweet this at the show’s creators.

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

Thanks! But I'm gonna put out an edit of this video tomorrow that's entirely the fan contributions -- and then I'll tweet that @abmck and @rachel

[@itzelgc4637]

I loved season 3! It really shows that our actions have consequences but actually nothing is ever anyone’s fault. Kidding, she is facing the consequences of her actions but she keeps rushing into stuff without thinking. That’s the relatable and somehow frustrating core of season 3. At the end she finally accepts she needs help and season 4 will be a rollercoaster no matter the result. She will either learn or not and that’s just how people are.

[@rainbowjo78]

What an amazing bunch of people you found for this video. I loved them all. It’s the bravest thing in the world to be that open on KZbin. If you can do that, you can do anything. Best of luck to those who are in the process of getting the help they need. I’ve no doubt that you’ll be able to do it. Although the cat doesn’t seem that friendly. Have you considered getting a dog?

[@EmilyExplosion27]

As much as the show makes me feel less alone, this video did far more of that for me. Because I really do feel super messed up most of the time. Like, such a bizarre intertwining of issues and disorders that are all my own. But I guess we're all a little quirky. This show has 100% changed my life, both through the ways I identify with Rebecca and the ways I 100% do not (example: my mom is basically my reason for living and the thought of her alone has stopped some permanent "solutions" to temporary problems.) I mean, there's also things I love that have nothing to do with my laundry list of problems. I love musicals. I have basically spent my entire life humming and speaking in a sing-song voice. I love dark comedy. I love progressive shows. I also loved Rachel before I ever watched CXG. I love shining light on characters that are usually relegated to the background (I took a Scandinavian lit course back in college and I can't help thinking about a paper I wrote on The Little Mermaid that discussed how it was a horribly depressing story and yet also game-changing in the way it took the magical helper character, which exists only to aid the classical main characters, and gave her agency and a story.) Anyway, great video. I honestly don't know how I want this all to end. Obviously I want it to never end. And in some ways, it's going to cause ripples that go on forever. (omg so corny)

[@auldthymer]

This BAM video and your comments really shake me up: I get to feeling so bad sometimes that I do not think that other people might sympathize if not identify with what I feel. To read these comments and see these video segments make me realize that I'm not alone and that a future is possible. I wish I had understood that thirty years ago. But, here I am now. Thank you, all.

[@frannie1902]

My king is back! You make some killer video essays, very important to the experience of watching Crazy Ex-Girl Friend. It's important to dig deep into this show as it has these amazing layers. Thank You so much!

[@xiomaruugh]

I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder almost 2 years ago. I struggled with my identity due to my mental illness(es). I found that this show helped me deal with my past. My irrationality, my need to have control, me living my life trying to make my mother happy and not myself. I saw soooooo much of myself and what I had felt albeit in an exaggerated manner. Had it not been so light hearted, it could have triggered some awful memories. It validated what I felt and the rollercoaster of “my” life. I say “my” life because upon finding videos like these it helped me accept that my struggles aren’t just mine, so many people experience them as well. I got my boyfriend into it and it really opened up discussions and in some ways helped us as a couple navigate bpd and healthy relationships. I’m very excited for this season and very sad for it to be over.

[@WaddleAway]

Thank you so much for putting this together. I can't imagine it was easy splicing everything together, giving it a kind of narrative, and taking the time to listen to fellow fans' intense and beautiful stories. It really makes me so happy to know there are people like you, the people featured in the video, and the people behind the scenes of this show we love because sometimes it can be so hard to think that there could be so many like-minded people out there. Oddly enough, the tipping point that encouraged me to watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was the music video for "Tell Me I'm Okay(Patrick)" because I have so often felt that desperate need for someone else to see your supposed sanity and validate it to you. From there, this show changed my life and taught me that maybe that's not actually what we all need. I will surely rewatch this soon, and I'm so excited to watch this final season with everyone.

[@beautyinsteadofashes1781]

Your videos were the reason I started watching the show so thank you

[@zyxwut321]

Deep insightful analysis as usual. I actually really liked the first episode of the season I saw this past weekend. Last season seemed to sprawl out in too many different directions and this episode helped to reel it back in. As you mention during your essay the key isn't that Rebecca is "crazy", it's that she's wounded (as we all are) but is still working and trying to be better. Since this is the last season hopefully they'll keep with that story arc. I find it so rewarding seeing Rebecca becoming more noble by connecting with those outside of herself. In a way, it's a salvation story, salvation of the self through reaching out to others.

[@zyxwut321]

Oh, on another note, did you get a chance to catch the live travelling show the cast had during the offseason? I tried to get tickets to a show in my area but of course it was sold out insanely fast. It seemed like trying to get Hamilton tickets. Speaking of which, have you considered entering into the Hamilton universe for critiques and analysis? Seems like another channel waiting to happen for you. LOL ;)

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

I did luck into the live show -- it was great! I'm still a Hamilton outsider though!

[@aljosathewise]

i looove seeing how many people love the show and just how much it means to them. i loove you, guys

[@j.simonedowns7658]

I recently re-watched the series for the 3rd time, having now been in therapy, I truly have been able to provide myself more comfort in understanding how my mind works and that because of this show. Thank you soo much for your readings--I am watching your videos and they are so insightful--to some many degrees. Truly this show will continue to provide, humor, BOPS, and humanized radical love. In a state of gratitude for the source material and the scholarship generated from it--many blessings

[@RuailleBuaille]

I'm so glad you decided to continue your video essay series on CxG. You are absolutely brilliant at illustrating topics from the show that may not be obvious to viewers, and I could watch your videos for hours - on any topic, I suspect. Thank you for being our companion throughout our journey with Rachel and Aline.

[@AndromedaChace]

Faceless pretzel and bagel eating should be a confessional standard

[@decomposingmatters3927]

I get so excited every time you post a video! Honestly, you do such a great job analyzing this show and your videos always put a smile on my face!

[@qmechanic]

Thanks again for another great video. What a wonderful idea to ask fans to contribute their personal reflections on the show. It perfectly tied in with the theme of the video "The Endgame is You". I enjoyed your observation that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a form of science fiction, or maybe as I would call it, an alternate reality. Unfortunately, science fiction is very expensive to produce and doesn't sell very well (except for the occasional Star Wars / Star Trek), so we hardly get to see it on TV. I hope there will be more TV shows that push this alternative reality angle in a contemporary context. Any show that engages the audience and pushes them to ask questions about themselves and society is well-worth watching.

[@skaidrank92]

Thank you, Bagels! So happy you're back making these amazingly insightful videos and thank you to all the amazing contributors. CXGF has meant so much to me as a Jewish woman, as a bisexual "slut", as someone who struggles with mental health issues. Seeing that others connect so deeply is such a validating experience. Seeing a main character who reflects myself so much, even (no-ESPECIALLY) the ugly, has helped me to accept that I am deserving of the love I receive. I love Rebecca Bunch, flaws and all, as cliché as it sounds, which means that those who love me do so not because I'm "tricking" them as my disorder would have me believe. Watching this fictitious character face similar trials and tribulations made me feel more "real" than I ever have. We're not alone

[@SebWhitaker]

One of my best friends recommended the show to me a year or two ago, and after running out of things to watch the past holidays I thought I'd give it a shot. Flash forward like 3 months, and it's literally my life. I listen to the songs every day, I make at least 10 references to it, I even run an 'out of context' style instagram account (@nocontextcrazyexgirlfriend follow me #spon). I came to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fresh out of a relationship and beginning a depressive spiral that was unlike any other I'd experienced. I'm still trying to figure out just what the heck happened, and is happening. But Crazy Ex-Girlfriend gave me so much: language to describe what I experience, the notion that there are other people like/similar to me, and numerous other things. Most importantly it got my ass out of bed and into therapy, which is benefitting me in so many ways already. The show's also reinvigorated my love for musical theatre and acting, and is the reason why I'm switching to a theatre major next year to become the ultimate Sunil. Anyway. This show means a lot to me, and it was so good watching this to see how it's impacted a lot of people and that there's a little community who all just love the show and who'd be willing to just talk about it for 9 hours straight, which some of my friends think is weird. Idk why. But yeah. This show is perfectly imperfect, but more closer to perfect than imperfect. It gives me the tools to face my own romantic obsessions and underlying issues that I haven't been addressing, and at the very least gives me good music about penises to listen to as I power walk somewhere, imagining I'm in a music video. Anyway. Love this show, love this channel, and love this community.

[@SebWhitaker]

Also: THREE BISEXUALS!!! My little bi heart is living omg

[@SebWhitaker]

Honestly I relate to so many songs but probably Love Kernels, You Stupid Bitch, I’m Just A Girl In Love, I’m The Villain In My Own Story and The Math of Love Triangles are literally me on a plate

[@SebWhitaker]

(Don’t mind me just live replying as I watch this blessing of a video and adding my responses lmao)

[@SebWhitaker]

This show honestly is so confronting, but in the best way. It takes tropes, things we’ve taken for granted, and delves deeper, which not many other shows do. I completely agree with having your flaws be on screen be so confronting, and I’m so grateful for it. Rebecca entering her plea in the season 3 finale made me realise that I’d sponged a lot of people off, and that I wasn’t such a great person, and it motivated me to apologise and be truly held accountable for my actions. And yes I did have the I’m A Good Person underscore playing in my mind that whole time lmao

[@SebWhitaker]

Omg yesss the ensemble is SO DARN TALENTED on this show. My personal faves: Karen and Angelique. I hope they both return in s4

[@jamieriley9410]

I love your video essays so much. Please keep going

[@bk138gt6]

Season 4 has tremendous potential. I hope it avoids some of the missteps of season 3.

[@chloeleadbetter6770]

This! The first two seasons were so good, and I was disappointed by much of season 3. Here is hoping the final season is as amazing as we all want it to be.

[@bk138gt6]

@@chloeleadbetter6770 season 3 missteps imo: 1) Josh chan goes from affable bro to downright pathetic 2) hector is inexplicably fine with his newish gf having someone else's baby. 3) When did Valencia discover her gay/bi identity? Why was this not explored? Without that exploration it just seemed needlessly tacked on.

[@chloeleadbetter6770]

@@bk138gt6 Exactly! Valencia's newfound sexual identity didn't feel like an earned storyline, because she never gets enough established characterization to make anything feel earned. I agree on your Josh commentary too. The whole season felt rushed, and underdeveloped. I am hoping that with the extra episodes, the final season will feel more fleshed out while also providing necessary closure.

[@nadiamir-montazeri3898]

@@chloeleadbetter6770 it's not sexual identity, it's sexual orientation

[@chloeleadbetter6770]

@@nadiamir-montazeri3898 Identity: "the act of being or what a person or thing is". Valencia identifies as bi. But now I am just being pedantic b*tch because I really don't like being corrected for something I am not wrong about. As far as I am concerned orientation and identity in this case, are interchangeable words.

[@edenrome2245]

I admire you a lot. You're smart, do thorough work, and you really put your money where your mouth is when it comes to intersectional Feminism (I'd like to remind anybody reading this with an air of antagonism that we still have to call Feminism that specifically, rather than something like Humanism because the structures in power are *still* specifically anti-woman/anti-feminine/anti-person-who-has-a-uterus, in exactly the same way we call it BLM because those are the lives being *especially* and *specifically* oppressed by systemic violence. Humanism & kindness toward all people is the goal- that we would each like to believe that every life matters including our own, and the problem that we're trying to identify is that specific lives are snuffed out at greater rates. miss me with any stupid shit about abortion, we've covered that too- The person whose body is carrying the potential child SHOULD ALSO MATTER that's LITERALLY WHY WE FIGHT FOR THOSE RIGHTS. NOBODY HAS AN ABORTION OUT OF A CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR LIFE. They fully understand the gravity of the choice to have one, in a way that you cannot because you aren't bearing the fetus, so you might as well listen to their experiences)

[@emilysydes199]

i cried at so many episodes because of how relatable rebecca is and it brought up memories of the exact same types of scinareos

[@weesalikesmilktea4829]

…so what you're saying is… I am the endgame, the endgame is me?

[@jennastannard7085]

Thank you so much for creating these videos that give so much insight to an amazing show that is honestly my most favorite show.

[@MusicMeg2012]

WAIT WAS HE EATING A PRETZEL OR A BAGEL

[@mollypocrass4562]

I think a pretzel

[@jadewong9853]

Great video! Love the title

[@hettyfox]

i love your videos, so much!!

[@MsOopsiDaisy]

cutest real life tracer in video, adorbs

[@Nothing_Israel]

Thank you for this .

[@cypresswillow3]

I missed you!!

[@boba_rhett_4749]

FINALLY YES

[@zyxwut321]

So, Harrison, are we getting one last video summing up the final season and is it coming anytime soon? I think the final season deserves one last good long analysis video. It's really the end of an era.

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

No, no plans for more videos. Honestly, I'm still sorting out my feelings about Season 4!

[@zyxwut321]

@@BagelsAfterMidnight Fair enough. Personally, I found the last season to be the strongest one of the series since the first, and my second favorite one as well. I look forward to seeing any additional analysis you might have about the season, if and/or whenever it might come. In the meantime, I (and many others of us who have followed this channel) truly appreciate all your work and efforts. A series as deep, thoughtful and groundbreaking as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend deserved as thoughtful and insightful a criticism as possible and you provided that and more. You're really a very intelligent and talented writer and vlogger with a big heart and I hope you find your muse in other worthwhile endeavors to come. :)

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

Aww, thank you so much! :')

[@lisaperez8276]

Amazing. Thank you.💖

[@nocturnalya7562]

I need friends like these girls :')

[@markgirard5871]

Jesus I never considered the line "but I like penises but who doesn't" to be taken as seriously as some people obviously did and I love this show and think it is amazing but some of these fans are seem way too attached.

[@readysetflyyx]

Wait okay is that clip from Master of None? And why is something about Fleabag superimposed over it? (I love Fleabag and agree with the statement, just don't know if there's something I'm missing about that clip lol)

[@83croissant]

Abigail C first text superimposed says "there's a better example but I especially don't want to show his face" which I took to mean Louis C K ? I think? but also the use of the Master Of None was simultaneously an apology and justification of showing Aziz Ansari's face, dimly. He's also kind of in the doghouse of public opinion right now sincevthe babe.net debacle, but at least he's not Louis C K

[@gonniez4854]

I HAVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS ON SEASON 4

[@83croissant]

Gonnie Z it's probably going to be a series wrap-up video essay when its all done

[@Sonder88]

I have bad. I relate to Rebecca nearly 100% She must actually have bpd...... From the diagnosis... omg.. I had been explaining to my friends how empowering it was... A lifetime of being judged.. told to act like someone else...speak slower, act calmer, etc. My mother who tells me I exhaust her. Being dismissed. I find men I give my whole self to only to be abused.... my mental state being fully taken advantage of.. knowingly breaking my heart because they can.. I will get over it.. And surprise.. they are like my super fucked up sociopathic father. N E way.. I was brought to tears to see myself represented so humanely... accurately.. I'm not a narcissist... which so many lamens love to the to bpd.. they are wrong. It can be there for some as well.. but bpd is not the same thing. I relate to Rebecca .. even I in the interview... I have no boundaries.. and I love seeing I'm not alone.

[@operaticmickey8309]

okay time to throw my hat in the ring...I had seen your video after watching this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGKqqHihhpqGqNE on the side bar saying Up Next always loved musicals especially from the mgm days. first musical tv series was glee (from season 1 to 3) had a love/hate with it like one song is cut in half & unnecessary key change in for good at the end of S2! by the start of S4 I left, last episode i'd watched was tribute to cory (the actor who played on the show) for i was kept in loop by Mr.Shaun42088 (Shoutout - Hey buddy!) moved onto Smash only lasting two seasons:( in 2016/17 how i found out about crazy ex girlfriend was through a musical theater podcast (no longer in business) called Patty & Emily. looked it up on yt listened to one of the songs being You stupid bitch! i was instantly impressed & got hooked. What i'll miss about Crazy ex girlfriend is people trying to guess and coming up with the songs they were based on. just can't believe it's gonna be over soon as well as gen 4 of mlp: friendship is magic ending next year. p.s: don't watch tv that much anymore cause i was never interested in what others were watching. guess i'll write stories (for various sites) collect DVDs of nostalgic value & buy rare/hard to find musical cast recordings.

[@douglashenrique188]

18:37 noelle stevenson???????? The creator of the new she-ra??????