THE MIDNIGHT GOSPEL: Is It Deep or Dumb?

[@Ashiente]

In the original podcast when his mother says “you cry” Duncan/Clancy goes silent for like 2 minutes while he silently sobs and it is the saddest thing ever

[@Casual_Shots]

Which episode is this in the podcast? I started listening to it after watching Midnight Gospel and it's been great.

[@fish9468]

R Coca ‘MY MOM PT 1’ from 2013

[@fish9468]

And he says ‘THIS PODCAST IS ON THE COMEDY SECTION OF APPLE PODCASTS’ immediately after sobbing for MINUTES lmao

[@Casual_Shots]

@@fish9468 lol!

[@timsaylor5496]

@@williamfelts9599 I'm surprised you could even understand the words he was saying let alone empathize with it while on 600ug. I have a few questions but just so you know, I hold no judgement, just curious: 1. Why did you take 600ug? Were you just stoked on it being 420 and decide that you had something to prove? Was is an act of self punishment, a declaration of strength, a careless psychonaut expedition, and accident or something else? 2. Were you alone? 3. When you say "when I was a prisoner of the drug war," are you referring to being in literal prison due to the war on drugs or the war 600ug of LSD undoubtedly declared and enacted on your umwelt for 12 hours? 4) Was it an elephant blotter you took or multiple doses? 5) Did you learn anything from the experience?

[@mr.pavone9719]

Part of this show's appeal is in Clancy realizing how dumb he is for trying to be deep.

[@blakecarson6555]

I like that. Sometimes he would lose me because of how weird and surface level deep the discourse would be. But in the end there was such a larger message that the show held. I can't express how fresh your take is. I know it should be obvious but almost no one talks about what you have mentioned. So thanks.

[@ignaciotaborda6538]

But he doesn't realizes it, or he does but does nothing about it, at the end of the show he's like at the beginning a self-righteous self-justified zen expert who does nothing but running away from his problems and responsabilities.

[@killerhitman28]

He suffers the consequences of that avoidance, he literally dies

[@matthewjonas8952]

@@ignaciotaborda6538 Eh, I don't really get that. Where in the last episode do you see self-righteous and self-justified? I'm hot off of watching it and I don't see that at all. Yeah, he escapes the cops, but it's not clear he was ever aware of their presence. If it's been a bit since you watched that episode, I totally get it.

[@ignaciotaborda6538]

@@matthewjonas8952 oh nice the same shitty argument "the final episode" ok it was good, does that mean the rest of the serie was good? Not at all just the prison episode. The rest of the episodes where casual conversations that people are passing as pseudo-intellectuals

[@blakecarson6555]

I didn't know if I liked this show at first. However, the episode with his mother, I cried so heavily. So deeply, in a honest human way, that felt beautiful. It is heart wrenching, yet it is a beautiful pain of acceptance. This show is in itself a small part of the human experience bottled up for viewing. But it requires the viewer to go on that journey with each episode or it is lost.

[@GreenTimeEagle]

I'm cryig right now remembering it

[@MODEL_CITIZEN]

I'm afraid to watch that episode because I know I'll have to confront some deep personal fears.

[@blakecarson6555]

@@MODEL_CITIZEN that's ok. I have been at a similar place in my life. I hope that you find the stamina to overcome those fears at some point. That episode will wait. And if that's not what you want, then I hope your legs are stronger than the world so you can outrun those fears. Fear and pain are intense. But they are ok. I won't say it will be ok or better, but feeling those things is a part of us. Anyway, I hope you're alright. Wherever you are at in life. And I'm glad you commented.

[@marcocampiani6606]

Well said

[@AG_Speaks]

*"Just Be here now."*

[@dem8568]

The turn for me was indeed Clancy's realization that enlightenment doesn't really mean anything. This shift in the plot marks the moment the show becomes meaningful rather than just another empty parody of spirituality.

[@TheGreyShaman]

Wasn’t that episode 3 with the fish man teaching him that enlightenment isn’t the be all end all? We’ve just been conditioned into believing it is?

[@Aburaishi]

@@TheGreyShaman The fish man is a whole 'nother thing - the idea of enlightenment as just one step on a longer ritualistic journey is basically lampshaded, when the guy who's supposedly "past enlightenment" immediately gets caught up in mundane nonsense. It's the episode where Clancy fancies himself an enlightened master that has the real commentary on enlightenment. That in combination with the prison episode forms a lot of the show's philosophical core, I think (or lack thereof, as the case may be)

[@TheGreyShaman]

@@Aburaishi it’s all perception based then eh? Because how i see it is ego and consciousness are separate. Ego will do it’s own thing while consciousness watches or vice versa. And of course consciousness would allow ego to do as it pleases up to certain extents. But I also realize it’s something people need to experience and I myself am still barely figuring out how to word it all in a way compatible with current human thinking. Cuz it all sounds like a religion, but if it is, then it’s the first religion.

[@dotkom1234]

@@TheGreyShaman I think in a world driven by ego we need to strengthen our own before it naturally dissolves. I think Buddha talked about this process, and that it is important to have that awareness of ego.

[@TheGreyShaman]

@@dotkom1234 it’s not about dissolving it though, it’s about teaching it as consciousness how all this works and then letting it decide for itself what it wishes to side with. It’s all a game of consciousness and ego, ego are the characters and they can tune into any player they so choose. Most don’t even know they’re tuning in to a spirit or player or consciousness most think their brains produce the consciousness, but that’s a trick from dark consciousness. It’s supposed to be a beautiful symbiotic experience where we as consciousness experience this reality through ego and the ego can experience our reality through us, but that ability was stolen from people as they age because they are taught their experiences are fake, but so what if they’re fake, there is a reality of fact and a reality of fiction and they should be able to coincide in more ways that just 2D and 3D. And they shall for those who wish it to be so.

[@Alphadawg34]

In the actual podcast episode, after that line of “you cry” he did cry for like a couple of mins and I forgot how long it was but she ended up passing away shortly after. This was a real gut punch😞

[@hellz23456]

ikr, i cried alot cause my mother also died of cancer, its almost 17 years ago

[@irizl9328]

@@hellz23456 condolences on losing your mom, it being a long time ago doesnt mean it cant still hurt. Hope youre doing well

[@hellz23456]

@@irizl9328 thanks man i appreciate that

[@anoyint]

she died three weeks after that audio was recorded.

[@spaceboyfriend9390]

@@anoyintoh my goodness :(

[@lawrencehenderson8025]

I''m crying just remembering the episode with his mom

[@leonardorestrepo5196]

First time I've ever cried at a thing more than once

[@letsgobubblegum]

If that episode doesn't make you cry you are dead inside and you should seek help

[@lawrencehenderson8025]

kenniSENDit straight up ugly cried

[@jasonhawken871]

Fucking intense wasn't it

[@sadgoy.]

That episode made me feel all sorts of sad and sick and scared inside. I don't think I've ever watched anything from any show that fucked me up as bad as that last episode. Holy shit man.

[@FilmFightFanatic]

As a Tibetan myself I honestly had no idea that the Dalai Lama had articulated the concept of being mindful of both the illusory nature of reality as well as the importance of mundane everyday reality. I was more aware of the more general Buddhist metaphysical concepts of emptiness and such. I don't actually consider myself a Buddhist (more of an Agnostic/ existentialist) but I guess sometimes it takes an adult western animated series to learn more about your own culture...

[@kevinbeck8836]

So interesting to me, I have learned about western philosophy through Japanese media. I feel like our whole world is getting stirred and blended together

[@matheussanthiago9685]

@@kevinbeck8836 our proto-indo-european tribalists ancestors would be so proud to see their children coming together and forming a sort of big tribe once again

[@XerosXIII]

no shame in that, it takes a really invested person with great interest in the subjects to use animation as a medium to share the great idea he learned over the years.

[@CogsofCogitation]

Before enlightenment I chopped wood and carried water, after enlightenment I chop wood and carry water

[@futavadumnezo]

Just read books my friend.

[@manphins]

The final episode and prison episode were enough to make it deep imo

[@michelelentini]

My favourites too!

[@trishakarki8278]

Annihilation of Joy was a masterpiece

[@refrigeratorskates492]

yes the prison one was amazing.

[@frankunbaphomet3206]

The annihilation of joy is by far on its own a beautiful piece of art just in general. Even not having a single idea of whats going on plot wise that episode just stands on its own as a crazy "tip of the Buddhist iceberg".

[@note_finger]

the prison episode it my favorite cause I always find myself fucking up and starting all over again until I get it right. and currently I haven't fucked up again, so far so good

[@sebasmana5798]

Not gonna lie, I was kinda disappointed when I started looking at Clancy ignoring his daily life... just to come to the realization that I was being like Clancy in my own life. Great show and review

[@whajwlwtgsjwke8267]

Thiss

[@brawndo8726]

Faawk!

[@frozenburrit053]

Yeah...

[@tyroneking6883]

I think this show really plays on the subconscious.. because either you’re so stoked for the new thing to take your mind off reality you’re more in tune with the animation.. or you’re at a point where you need clarification and healing in your life and you pay attention to the feeling.

[@vitoryaparente4901]

Yesssss!!! This right here

[@barbaraperkins]

Wow to your comment! Very well said. My 18yr. daughter recommended this show to me. She must have known I would understand the significance. DEEP!

[@crixsimmons_]

His avatars are the perfect analogy for him not living as himself in reality

[@enalol9127]

Exactly, and i like to think it also represents karma and resurection. I could be wrong but i think in buddhism youre reborn each time if you lived a life of uncertainty of yourself and not knowing the two truths, you finally die when you find the meaning of life when you do. Its a perfect analogy for both

[@ChrisDink]

@@enalol9127 you’re wrong

[@enalol9127]

@@ChrisDink ok

[@rit1237]

@@ChrisDink bruh

[@acidpoptart4270]

@@enalol9127 tibet book of the dead as well as bhuddists believe upon death you recieve judgement and if you have not gained what it is to be accepted and to pass through to the other side you are thrown back in the game.

[@iandalonso]

This show is art. I don't think any show has made me feel as emotional as I did in episode 8 though, simply a masterpiece and a fitting end to the series.

[@andrewbingham3304]

I couldn't get into it. Its just a podcast that someone animated totally unrelated shit to

[@Iz1003]

@@andrewbingham3304 nah man its all related

[@goldendays3173]

@@andrewbingham3304 take some shrooms and you will know how related this is🤣

[@blem-kramerblack8999]

@@andrewbingham3304 Agreed

[@itzrezo8621]

@@goldendays3173 funny thing is i was high asf when i watched it

[@ramirezmanuel117]

I love Duncan's trussel. That podcast he did with his dying mom was like nothing I have experienced before and I feel should be checked out by everyone

[@krysj0zef457]

what episode was it, i started listening to him recently

[@JasonJrake]

@@krysj0zef457 I don't know which DTFH episode it was, but the highlights are Midnight Gospel's episode 8.

[@rufio.5961]

Duncan's trussel is one of the best trussels, although Richter's trussel is a pretty good one imo

[@ramirezmanuel117]

@@rufio.5961 yeah but they aren't even in the same ballpark. I wouldn't even call his a trussel myself.

[@WubTheory]

Yeah. That was the only episode of this show that I liked.

[@hyenagametalk7293]

bruh that episode with his mom seriously helped me deal with the death on my mom, its been like 7 months and death still terrifies me after that, but it's helped me not really worry about it too much

[@solomonmudekunye7476]

OMG SAME especially the whole we consider ourselves a special case thing

[@stlukey]

Me too 🥺

[@justyce121]

same . i miss her

[@ryanimpink13]

​@@justyce121you knew his mom? What a coincidence!

[@jordynbabywoods]

It’s deep. A man shares one of his last conversations with his dying mother before she passed away, and it was animated to last forever so that other people could be comforted through the pain of loss; it is entirely artful because the actor who plays Clancy and the voice of his mom are a REAL mom and son who were being separated by the mom’s illness and she did die. It’s entirely artful of them to preserve that conversation like that. The show is great for helping ease the fear of death and the pain of loss, while simultaneously being funny, brightly colored and musical. It takes heavy subject matter and delivers it like a teletubies episode for grownups. If you think that’s dumb, then perhaps the conversations went over your head and all you caught were the funny bits.

[@chelsearanger4182]

with the midnight gospel i watched each episode twice, once to fully appreciate the dialogue, and twice to fully appreciate the animation, and I will probably watch it a third, fourth, fifth time, etc

[@yameen841]

me too!

[@daylenconn282]

Rewatch it on psychedelics

[@sydneybiscuit]

I'd even argue that Clancy struggles with an addiction to some degree. Having legal consequences from the unlicensed simulator, ignoring other family life consequences, and his day-to-day life to chase enlightenment really screams substance use disorder IRL. Also, the last episode in the series had me crying, I lost my mom in 2014 and that episode helped me process quite a lot. This series is good stuff, I'd love to watch more from them

[@bananasean5145]

They are working on a season 2. I'm sorry about your mom and like the episode said her love isn't going anywhere. Best of luck to you.

[@sydneybiscuit]

@@bananasean5145 thank you for your kind words. It's great to hear they have another season in the works, I'm definitely looking forward to it 👌

[@conciliator6440]

Didn't think of it that way while watching it but there are definitely some parallels between Clancy's 'real-life' behavior and the behavior of a couple people I've known who were close to hitting rock bottom with addiction

[@bohemianprince7944]

Realizing i am addicted to youtube**

[@sydneybiscuit]

@@conciliator6440 yeah I didn't see it that way when I watched it either, but supercut in this video made things click for me. I try not to talk about this part of my life too much but there were a lot of parallels with Clancy's addiction plot points and my own addiction and especially what lead up to the start of my recovery. It's hard to see people in their addiction and extremely hard when you care about them. And as most people know, when you've been around it once or twice, you can see it from a mile away.

[@chrx6089]

That last episode hits hard. My mother got brain tumor when I was in senior year of high school and died when I was in college. That experience made me rethink life. I wish I've had the same conversation with my mother like in the last episode, instead, I live through the memory of when my mother woke up one day and I just told her to sleep more, she replied "why is it that when I wake up you wanted me to sleep?" I wanted her to rest more in order for her to get better. But I guess I just wasted time thinking about the future, not thinking about the present where she was with me.

[@xxxmochibaby]

Omg that’s so sad :(

[@n-1113]

now you've learned your lessons and keep moving

[@LeJamesnz]

@@n-1113 exactly!

[@trevorsurface3157]

not to be a dick at all i’m just on some shrooms rn but the worst thing for you to do is feel bad abt that. there is absolutely nothing you can do to fix it yea it sucks but she’s gone and instead of thinking abt all the positives of your mom you always blame yourself that’s incredibly unhealthy. you have learned and you have the chance to do better nkw

[@collegeadulting1311]

I know how you feel , time heals wounds ,not scars

[@gall0wz_651]

The episode with his mother honestly hit me very hard. As a person who has been utterly terrified of death my entire life, that episode actually got me to get over it. It hurt me and it felt like it understood me more than any other show has been able to. Especially when the mom said that what hurts when we think about death isn't pain, it's love.

[@ParzivalTheThird]

I feel as though I can honestly say, without a doubt, that the finale of this show is the saddest serial ever put to television. Why? Because, well, it’s real. Nobody who saw that “You cry” moment whilst knowing the context of the audio didn’t end up in tears.

[@tanderson2343]

To watch all prior episodes is a must before skipping to the last episode.

[@Leron...]

"Someone who just escaped their first Alan Watts KZbin rabbit hole" HIS VOICE HELPS ME FALL ASLEEP, OKAY!?

[@drew3]

That was a low blow, Wisecrack! Haha, I'm glad they recognize the importance of Alan Watts lectures though, even if they use it to be cheeky with us XD

[@Gustavo-pp1lx]

dude fr

[@ArtCore616]

What a Master he was... Cant believe he was actually on tv for a time, things had really changed...

[@howtomeetwomen-]

I'm in this tweet and I don't like it

[@drewie2ie]

Is he saying slam watts is dumb? Or that someone who listens to him for the first time is dumb?

[@mythosandlogos]

Super beautiful job on this one. It seems like Clancy needed to sacrifice his desire for detachment in order to actually have it. Like the story of a young Buddhist monk and his master. “Master, I’ve finally abandoned desire!” “Good, now you only need to abandon your desire to abandon desire.” It seems like this show has a beautiful journey and I will definitely give it a watch.

[@matheussanthiago9685]

just a friendly warning, if you end up crying at 2am when you finish watching the last episodes, it is ok

[@jemadamson2715]

I finally let myself get to that point. Binging trussel interviews is what really set it in place for me.

[@madrex512]

matheus Santhiago Lol guess we had a similar experience

[@Thatonegirl989]

This has become one of my favorite shows. The visuals are beautiful and weird. And I honestly really like people rambling on about random existential stuffs.

[@CheekiScrubb]

i call it the stoner talk

[@justindavis9308]

Angel Milton check out "Waking Life" it's the original midnight gospel.

[@Thatonegirl989]

Justin Davis I’ve seen it. It’s one of my favorites. I love Richard Linklater. A scanner darkly is another one of my favorites.

[@justindavis9308]

Angel Milton Noice!

[@makoimonno1588]

Same! Another thing I love about the show is that I actually watch it. Paying attention to the visuals is actually important and tells a whole other story. I don’t have time to mindlessly scroll through my phone, it forces you to pay attention, and I think that makes it even better.

[@Forky89]

Clancy knows that he is running away from his problems and eventutally they are catching up to him... so the show is also centered around the fact that the mundane life is also important

[@santocarlos7476]

Me: likes talking about philosophy and beliefs because I enjoy them. Some random dude: so you think your smart and superior that's all stoner talk.

[@kpoptrash6319]

I hate when people are like that😑, we just like to think, honestly i see more and more people my age that literally don't think about anything and try to tell me i'm the weird one, we ARE human beings, we are meant to think

[@Yggdraseed]

@@kpoptrash6319 It's fine to think, to spend time in your own mind. Just don't forget to spend time here, too.

[@abreathingcoffin8089]

To be fair, the most annoying people I've ever talked to are stoners that don't realize that they're talking down to you and read 3 pages of an Eastern religion's holy books before considering themselves to have a good understanding on the topic.

[@ElijahLoganmaztrpeac3official]

@@abreathingcoffin8089 I will say that sadly plenty of things innate to society have been dumbed down consistently by stoners, from buddhism to Rastafarian principles, economic theory to existentialism and more yet I feel like that's come either as a result of the stigma of drug use or as the enlarged ego of people that feel like they understand an objective truth. When you think about it most people in history overall have thought about trying to rationalize their world and people usually have different paths to enter such thoughts. Some people grew up around academics, some dove headfirst into religion, some did psychedelics and others just went to the library/internet for info. I think the rough part for people is that the quest for finding understanding of the world around them also is a contradiction from the modern world goals(food, water, shelter, and the bills that impact those fields) and oftentimes those that want to shy away from activism on any issue do so by trying to avoid some of the daily issues of adulthood. It is sad to say that usually a lot of the people who are stoners/psychonauts often do speak with condescension but I think the issue is that oftentimes if nearly all your energy has to be focused on providing the basic needs for yourself and/or others you don't get the same ability to question the world around you.

[@amyavani7017]

@@ElijahLoganmaztrpeac3official I think it is worth mentioning that caretaking of others can absolutely be a pathway to enlightenment. I think the stoner connotation is a pretentious one, because usually these are young adults with very little life experience and a lot of privileged ability to explore these realms-- be that money, time, mommy and daddy helping them or whatever. So in my view it is hard to take that seriously because it is easy to read books and philosophize with your stoner friends and be enlightened "in a cave" so-to-speak. It is a good start, but a premature one because it lacks humility. Now take someone who is a bit older, been through some real pains in life, and learned many lessons. Someone who has adult responsibilities like taking care of others. This person may not have much time or resources to put into learning in a book sense, but they wouldn't need to in my opinion. Because enlightenment isn't about how many books you read on the subject actually. It's about applying what you know in real life by showing up day after day committed to doing right by your family, friends, loved ones etc. Sacrifice. Putting yourself aside for years to give energy to children, sick ones, aging ones. It's realizing humility through understanding that you don't get to be in control and so you learn to control your self and your responses instead. It's letting go of what you thought life would be like. Choosing emotional maturity and responsibility. Commitment. Learning to be grateful for what you have, and striving to be authentic in all you do. Caretaking might be the hardest thing to do in life in my opinion. As such I believe that it will show you much of what you are capable of, and it will bring out all the times you never got your own needs met growing up, and then you can look at that and heal those wounds. Grief is necessary for letting go. Fast track to enlightenment if you ask me. ;)

[@raghulnagarajan9946]

I see a lot of myself in Clancy's character. Losing oneself In the idea of ultimate truth but what I really am is a scared little shit who can't face reality and be responsible. This was a life changing video for me. Thank you. Edit: I didn't realise calling myself a little shit would get me this many likes.

[@tmmnago2722]

It's better to live a life of "oh wells" that "what ifs."

[@fishschtick8985]

I'm kinda in the same boat. For the past couple years I've been attempting to go on this "spiritual journey" and trying to uncover the truth of reality and the farce of like material reality, but I've just been using this mindset as an excuse and "good reason" to run from the real world responsibilities that we have to deal with. It's like in my own path to try to understand the world, I simultaneously cut myself off completely from the world, pretending I understood. I've got a lot of things to change lol

[@anamonoke]

"Is it deep or Dumb" Me: Crying because I slowly coming to terms with things that I can finally put into words and explain why they hurt so much thanks to this show. "Yes, Yes it is deep"

[@jdbohrman]

Mooood

[@_Louch_]

Ikrrr

[@woodbridgesfinest1904]

This is one of the best things I've ever accidentally come across. The last episode brought me to tears.

[@erincarr9411]

Same. I don't think anyone kept a dry eye on that one.

[@woodbridgesfinest1904]

@@erincarr9411 Oh for sure

[@David-qe9np]

Seriously. The last episode destroyed me.

[@aldenwashington3285]

I think the only thing that made me cry harder is this one movie called synecdoche NewYork a movie I can not ever emotionally stand again

[@megankeily4858]

I loved the juxtaposition of the kookoo crazy stuff going on in the background whilst Clancy talks for his spacecast. I just like the way it washes over them and they're not attached to what is happening just how mindfulness provides space in between the observer and the thought. Amazing show :)

[@FA-iq7yy]

watched this show twice during lockdown when I had over 9 months of fearing I was gonna lose my job and went stir-crazy. It put my mind at peace in many ways and taught me to focus on being the best me to myself and others around me to get the most out of this one life I have.

[@bluecandies]

I wish you'd focused more on the animation side of it as well, I think there's a lot of powerful iconography that really elevates the show, which really isn't just about the story and the dialogues

[@delk1299]

The episode with the prisoner and his re-births is something I wish they had a video analysis for. It's a very interesting episode and certainly my second favorite of the season

[@Ojibwadecendent]

So true. The animations tell their own stories, many at once. The shows so rewatchable for that reason, each time you can focus on something else and gleam so much enjoyment.

[@DThron]

Incredible show, but the episode "Annihilation of Joy" was one of the greatest short films I've ever seen.

[@Beunibster]

I agree

[@jonmichael6746]

Yeah that one was amazing

[@brentgould958]

Drinking blood From the stump of a prison guard That I just chopped up That used to be freedom to me Watching my cellmate cry As I sprayed hot piss In his gouged-out eyes That used to be freedom to me But now it's plain to see The prison was inside of me And I was pissing In my own gouged-out eyes And freedom is what happens When you finally take off Your prisoner disguise

[@DThron]

@@brentgould958 THE BEST

[@shiggityx2]

That was the only episode that really impressed me and stands on its own.

[@troperhghar9898]

Midnight gospel is a great deconstruction of ethical egotism that is to say "what's best for you is what is best" Clancy spends his time working on his spacecast that makes him happy in the short term while pushing away anything hard that might make him happy in the long term Not to dissimilar to someone who just plays a MMO 22 hours a day

[@Permafry42108]

Wow. As someone with an addiction to MMOs this hit me right in the feels and explains a lot about why I connect with Clancy so much;

[@troperhghar9898]

@@Permafry42108 I admit I had my addictions as well but it is something you can get away from, I believe in you

[@iamthebeaver1486]

Hey man, why you gotta call me out like that? Not cool.

[@jayh3805]

Ethical egoism doesn't value short term happiness over long term happiness though. In that frame work Clancy just failed to properly pursue his own interest.. an ethical egoist wouldn't play MMOs 22 hours a day unless they lacked the will power to execute their own philosophy.

[@troperhghar9898]

@@jayh3805 good point, maybe a very twisted and selfish vertion of ethical egotism then?

[@unclebug35]

Was tripping balls on shrooms when I binged watched this, would definitely recommend

[@jeffreysammon4119]

Idk man, that sounds like a nightmare to me

[@chanelrose57]

It was phenomenal on acid, 10/10

[@dalewatson7907]

I seen 5 mins of it on shrooms and shit tugged my attention . I couldn’t stop thinking about it

[@Koivisto147]

watched the prison episode on DMT. definitely a life changing experience.

[@Craiglicious000]

I watched it with my gf in a similar condition. Quite magical. The perfect show for psychedelics.

[@Decay611]

i watched this while eating mushrooms. ended up crying for like the last half of the final episode. was truly amazing.

[@theo1856]

why would you do mushrooms and watch someone talk about their battle with cancer.

[@matmobu6957]

@@theo1856why wouldn’t he

[@bothquickanddead]

The final episode with his mom is so good, I've recommended it to people who might care to watch the whole show - including my own mom. I think it stands on its own as an incredibly moving and important piece of art, and I hope she eventually does watch it, because I think it could bring us closer together.

[@puddingninja]

the striking thing about modern New age philosophy and spiritualism is that everyone's concerned about karma but nobody's concerned about Dharma and they are both equally important

[@bing4131]

What is Dharma ?

[@Hromovlad1]

@@bing4131 living a functional, well-adjusted life What that pertains depends on the society and culture a person lives in

[@voag1344]

@@bing4131 to not be a piece of shit and contribute to society basically. Like good morals and ethics based on love and oneness

[@investigate711]

dharma is basically societal purpose?

[@alexgaggio2957]

Yeah, spiritual bypassing is super prevalent in some spaces. Things can't always be positive, experiencing the negative aspects of existence and realizing your place in it is part of the whole experience

[@berniekatzroy]

That last episode hit us all like we've never felt the feels before.

[@hannahstevenson3181]

In the episode Turtles of the Eclipse, Death is voiced by Caitlin Doughty, who has a channel on KZbin called "Ask a Mortician". I have been a fan of her channel for awhile and was really thrilled to hear her voice in The Midnight Gospel! The channel is super interesting and I feel fans of this show would also enjoy her channel!

[@boniboni4912]

Omg death is ask a mortician? I’ve seen some videos or her and she went out of my radar for some reason thanks 🙏 I’m gonna see what she is up to

[@annikam1272]

And the “magician” in the Hunters Without a Home episode is Damien Echols - one of the West Memphis Three. Kind of an unexpected guest for this sort of a podcast but the context makes his episode all the more intriguing

[@ttprophet]

Great video! Clancy borrowed money from his sister to buy a used simulator, so he avoids his relationship with her. I think there is a great underlined idea that Clancy's id is his escapism from responsibility, his ego is his farming of content for his fans even at the cost of his own entropy, and his superego his desire to understand enlightened truths of his universe. After taking so many L in my personal life as an aging artist, I relate to this deeply.

[@joelreichenbach5466]

The show took me places I was not prepared for. Would recommend

[@sadieholloway8828]

I love Midnight Gospel, it’s not too dark, even the mom episode. Just because it’s not overly dreadful doesn’t mean that it’s dumb.

[@AnteaterX]

What I find hilarious is you guys essentially have to dissect Duncan's mindset and beliefs to look at Clancy's. As a fan of his podcast, you hit the nail on the head that he is a frequent guest of Burning Man

[@paizle6423]

I feel like the show is refreshing seeing how a "dumb" character deals with going through and talking about real world issues. The mother episode really hurt in a way I think a lot of people experiencing grief can understand

[@makoimonno1588]

With this show, you either get lost in it or left behind. Actually keeping up with it and understanding everything makes it one of the coolest and most rewarding shows I’ve watched.

[@MalleeMate]

As someone with a brother who doesn't answer calls and does a ton of weed, I really feel like this character is accurate.

[@blakecarson6555]

I'm sorry to hear that. And I hope that he can come back from that disconnected place. Or at the very least that he is able to do well for his life. Anyway, from some guy on the internet, I hope everything works out with that situation.

[@marcosmadrid1135]

Bruh same

[@jessicamessica6327]

I'm not sure smoking weed has to do with answering phone calls.

[@JB-kr3xz]

@@jessicamessica6327 the amount of phone calls that I take in a day would prove you correct lol. However, I do understand that some people escape into weed. Just as someone can escape into anything really. Some people can drink alcohol every once in a while and some use it as a way to escape the world going on around them. 🤷🏾‍♀️ humans

[@hagridsdisappointingson769]

Damn for a second there I thought you were my sister and then I immediately felt kinda shitty. Got some self improvement to do, thanks for unintentionally making me realise that.

[@raeldickerson8381]

“The world may be illusory but by virtue of our existence within it we are compelled to behave as though it is all that is”. That is to say, physical reality may be a hologram but you still need to eat, drink, and be a productive member of the community for longevity’s sake.

[@Canadian_Ry]

I think you've sold me on a second try with this show. I got about half way through before bailing. The underlying story and character development evaded me, getting lost amidst the content of the interviews. Time to adjust focus. Thanks, Wisecrack!

[@bananasean5145]

Sometimes the visuals are in conflict with what's being said. I'd say episodes 1,2,5 and 8 are the best episodes to watch and listen while 3,4,6 and 7 can feel distracting. All great information though.

[@dothedeed]

Exactly! I feel that they were too lazy in just reusing the audio straight from the podcast and animating over it. They should have developed stories around each topic and had professional voice actors for each character.

[@brandontheblack]

If the visuals are distracting, you may want to skip it and go straight to the podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour. I've been straight up binging it since Midnight Gospel aired.

[@bananasean5145]

@@brandontheblack same here. All the podcast are fantastic and have more then they could fill each episode with. I like the visuals but some episodes I find myself having to choose one or the other.

[@AcornRiot]

@@dothedeed The show exists because pendleton ward wanted to animated Duncan's podcast so what you're suggesting would figuratively eradicate the show from existences

[@kamk7465]

The real Interview with his mum is one of the rawest things i ever listen to. It makes me cry every damn time i listen to it.

[@BoxOfNinjas]

Dudes I just almost cried after seeing Duncans mom appear. That’s how real this show is.

[@SeanTheDon17]

"Time of death is uncertain, but Death is certain" 11:22

[@enzldavaractl8345]

that episode had the best conversation!

[@SeanTheDon17]

EvB I definitely have to check it out

[@thespacemelody]

Midnight Gospel was truly beautiful.

[@MsBlackIntrovert]

My “Netflix and chill” was playing this and the last episode came on and i tried so hard not to cry in front of this guy 😭let’s just say it did not help the mood

[@phillip2169]

Yeah ... that's not a show for that lmao

[@therealfinnaspring8585]

Thats a netflix and have an existential crisis

[@briabridges8895]

That happened to me too lmaoo

[@Max-bf8uf]

Thats about time you turn an episode of the Office, that you've seen 10 times already, on

[@poprocks6576]

I wonder what the guy was thinking when he was watching with you was he also gonna cry?

[@adrianhernandez4256]

I was so high when I first saw this show it was tripping me out lol but then again Pendleton Ward is a legit animator.

[@MarcosSoto-nq6sf]

Same!!

[@DedicatedSpirit8]

Every episode was wonderful and enlightening in it's own way.. Duncan is a beautiful playful soul and the animation was pure psychedelia This show show got me through my grandmothers final days with cancer and her death... Much love to all

[@__maxyz]

"Hey Wisecrack, Michael here." "Hey VSauce, Michael here." hmm

[@blakewisswell]

@Freerefill or was it just dumb?

[@cannedcream]

Hey WiseSauce M m I i C c H h A a E e L l H h E e R r E e

[@ferretappreciator]

This show was honestly so good

[@chrishodgson5430]

Loved this show so much. Made me cry at the end.

[@nickalling2924]

The finale of this season is the most heartfelt episode of TV I’ve ever seen

[@samuelralosky8489]

Your analysis of “Buddhism” and the character of Clancy seem to be very one sided. If you discuss the pitfalls of meditation, than you almost must discuss the pitfalls of falling into everyday society and being attached to the physical world/ego. Duncan Trussell who the character of Clancy is based off of is a practicing student of Kagyu Buddhism which is a part of the Mahayana tradition. The aspects of Buddhist practice that your describing is a very shallow interpretation of the Hinayana practice. All Buddhist no matter what tradition they come from take the Boddhisatva vows to help all beings in their practice of realization. So those monks who do spend years and years in a cave in order to achieve enlightenment; do not do so out of selfishness and a disdain for the material world. What you also don’t discuss is the very deep and esoteric concepts that are beautifully illustrated through the animation; such as the Net of Indra, the Rainbow/Solar Body, and the Master/Student succession. All of Clancy’s flaws are meant to show the path of spiritual progression and the character displays an intuitive and gnostic understanding of the world around him, despite his attempts at escaping. If you believe him to be a half baked attempt at what a “Buddhist” should be then it really just shows a lack of understanding on your part.

[@JVJath]

You sir seem to understand a lot about this topic

[@michal752]

I don’t know a thing about Buddhism, to be honest but I did feel like there was way more to it than what he simplified Buddhism to be or the way he represented it was as you said one sided

[@dilemmadnb]

From what I understand tho, they’re talking about Buddhism not as it actually is but as Clancy sees it at the start of the series, i.e. ignoring reality in favour of pursuing enlightenment, which Clancy comes to realise isn’t what it’s actually about. That is fundamental to Clancy’s character and character development… did I get that wrong?

[@JasmineStilletos]

I absolutely loved it. Deep indeed. The episode with his mom was bitter sweet. It had me balling.

[@LeanMeanAsianCuisine]

It was dumb but in a deep way. It really called me out and made me feel at ease it also came out in a very important time of my life

[@frozenyogurth]

I really enjoyed all of those conversations. They're not something I ever really expose myself to, so Idk if you could call them deep for an avid philosophist, but for me, they were things I never really thought about, and had some very real and deep moments. I also need to admit that I rather listened to the podcast itself than watch the series.

[@mistygoodwill]

I bawled the entire interview with his mum. Just the short piece u showed got me going again just crying a over myself. Idk why , I never used to be like this

[@nataliemiranda9615]

this series came out my sophomore year of college shortly after finding out my mom had cancer. i had not cried in 18 months until watching episode 8. now, almost a year later, the cancer has metastasized and she is hardly a live. i watch every couple of weeks and it helps so much.

[@KingSolomon1111]

Hope you're doing good love

[@13mgreg]

Loved every bit of this. The last episode is so amazingly put together. It made me seek out Duncans podcast and now im a fan of that.

[@charziard35]

This show is truly something else when you’re actually tripping

[@purify_with_liberties_flame]

Its something else sober or somewhat sober.

[@royalleroy]

Everything is

[@XerosXIII]

when engross into the conversation and sudden interruption really make a hilarious moment

[@DamYea]

Episode one coming down from two tabs was incredible.

[@user-fs1lc2cj5s]

I find the show is not really trip safe tho. More if a high show because all of the scary imagery. Just me?

[@matiasdecesare4066]

Rick and Morty, Bojack Horseman and The Midnight Gospel: The Trinity of existencial pain

[@eeminchul]

A few years back, I was suicidal. Not in a super sad melodramatic way but in a depressed, ‘life’s not worth living way’ existential way. I happened to stumble across the episode with his mom. Didn’t think much of it. I just remember that moment she said ‘you cry’ and I just broke down. I started weeping uncontrollably and felt held by the universe at a Carl’s Jr. Parking lot. Beyond the existential angst, my heart cracked open to feel the deeper mystery of the human experience as the Nyan Cat song played in the background (if you listen to the original podcast).

[@sierra750]

I think it was about 3 episodes in I started to get annoyed with Clancy because he reminded me of ppl I knew irl who acted like they were so deep and thoughtful, but were a lot of the times not very good people, bad friends and their life was a mess. But once I got to the final couple episodes I really enjoyed seeing Clancy grow as a person in such an organic way, I ended up crying a lot in the last episode and enjoying the show a lot.

[@hudsonmohawkee2141]

This show feels like a super philosophical fever dream

[@JohnWilliams-nx2no]

do a "deep or dumb" on Xavier: renegade angel. i think that is a cult classic, mostly underground, and riding the razors edge between deep and dumb poetically and with wry self awareness. the end of the show ends with a solid 50/50 of wtf and self meditation

[@MrSaggat]

Xavier is a masterpiece.

[@cleibarnhart]

Xavier says way more than midnight gospel does, that’s for sure lmao

[@JohnWilliams-nx2no]

@@cleibarnhart i think it's apple's and oranges. I feel like midnight gospel tries to bring answers to tough questions. Where's Xavier brings more questions up, most of which is wtf

[@shane349]

I feel like y'all only just scratched the surface on this series. Great breakdown as always

[@lisajack1083]

I listened to The Duncan Trussell Family Hour during my young adult years and it helped me through so much of what I was going through at the time, which was a lot of trauma and healing from abusive relationships. I hadn't listened to the podcast in years when the Midnight Gospel came out, but was nevertheless excited to see what Duncan and Ward came up with together. I wasn't expecting... this. I watched it at the beginning of the quarantine with my roommates and it was so poignant, so thought provoking and beautiful. Thank you, Duncan, for helping me through rough times once again

[@MTBJJ2001]

Watched this show on acid (a lot of it) like it’s meant to be watched haha, and it gave me some pretty deep insight into myself, didn’t really introduce new thoughts into my head only helped me understand them better. I had some profound experiences but the most amazing was when the show finished and as the sun rose, ram das says “just be here” I literally still get chills up my back when i hear those words, very beautiful experience that I don’t think could ever be replicated it will always be in my memories for what I saw and learned that night with the midnight gosple

[@Masamatt90]

i was more into the animation and art than the conversations they had. a lot of the conversations came off as pseudo-intellectual but was still worth listening too.

[@kierenllama3568]

I think you need a good basis for those topics to fully understand and enjoy them. Otherwise yeh it can sound pseudo-intellectual. Mind you Duncan and many of his guests really are quite educated, experienced and invested in all this spirituality and such.

[@KippiExplainsStuff]

Episode 8 with his mom is the true exception

[@Ravenousyouth]

pseudo-intellectual for sure

[@yeahokbuddy2510]

Well that’s your perspective

[@Foundation1504]

I found myself really forgetting about the conversation and just been lost watching the visuals, but it made a really good background sound

[@wargex]

It was brilliant. Someone found a way to get me to listen to their podcast.

[@jordanholmes9870]

Welcome, glad you are with us. Shake hands, no need to be blue. Welcome to you ;)

[@najupnext]

So many messages in this show , I felt “ enlightened “ after watching it , really .

[@hggs4466]

Just like Clancy only to forget them next episode

[@xD-fm9fn]

To me, it sounds like "living in the moment" is kind of a paradox because how could you enjoy every moment and not worry about the future without messing up your future?

[@fr1way]

Dichotomy good sir

[@childnoirr]

The ep with his mother was one of the most sobering and reaffirming things I've ever watched truly. This show truly did a lot for me and helped feel like I wasn't the only one questioning

[@XerosXIII]

I offered this masterpiece to my friends, and they called me a mad man.

[@gabrielnieto6813]

F

[@kevinbeck8836]

We're all mad here

[@23OMEGA777]

It really is the thought that counts

[@darksensei56]

They just scared

[@ignaciotaborda6538]

I mean they weren't, calling this a masterpiece is an overstatement.

[@mileshorner8886]

I mean, it seems like the show is making a reference to the zombie metaphor in the first episode, when, after becoming zombies, they realize that the zombies are living in a state of pure happiness the whole time. Might not be a reference per se, but its definitley similar!

[@phatloud]

I watched the whole thing three times and cried at the end of it all every single time. The shit said in midnight gospel speaks to my soul and makes me emotional

[@PINKFLAMWINNEBAGO]

Totally deep...I've watched Midnight Gospel over and over again, the final chapter with his mum makes me cry every time, I've enjoyed this series so so much and can only hope there is a follow up : )

[@taliesin842]

From what I gathered from the show, Duncan Trussell's mom and her friends were followers of Ram Dass. So I view this show as someone bringing that vibe to a new audience. Not everyone is going to listen to Dass and Watts lectures, but I highly recommend.

[@foolycoolin5472]

Everyone’s focused on it being sad in the later episodes, but this show is made for people who are tripping/high. It’s so well crafted and deep for it not to be. This show is so good and I think anyone who does psychedelics should watch it while tripping

[@yaoipurpleheart]

Julian Gilbert yeah I definitely enjoyed this show more when tripping,it didn’t hit right if I wasn’t

[@Siyintax]

I’ve watched through this show 4x now and more to come I love it so much 2nd favorite show of all time after bojack horseman so happy y’all made this and I pray every night for a season 2 announcement

[@KYSMSHKYSMSHKYSMSH]

Duncan Trussel has said that he planned season 1 to be about death so I know he's planning to continue with a different theme. Netflix would be incredibly dumb if they didn't approve of a 2nd season when you see how popular The Midnight Gospel has become.

[@leedeus8995]

It would be awsome if you could make a "deep or dumb" episode on the German netflix show "Dark"

[@marcello8645]

It's neither deep nor dumb

[@EuricusChryseus]

@@marcello8645 neither ever nor never deep or dumb

[@tinker2054]

@@EuricusChryseus lol facts 😂😂😂

[@hellz23456]

its already been made in 1986 and deleted in 1888

[@marcello8645]

@@EuricusChryseus danke schön Mr. Pirate. My English power level is about to even further beyond

[@JSnyder49428]

This video right here changed my life. This video is what persuaded me to watch the midnight gospel and introduced me to Duncan Trussell, who turned me on to podcasts, and Buddhism, and Ram Dass, and Terrence McKenna, and stand up, and float tanks etc etc, so many things I had never really considered, and so many different ways of looking at things I had. The DTFH has had such an impact on how I view the world that I feel like I've relived that period of time in puberty where you start to settle on your preferred genre of music.

[@kayleesmithstudenthbhs396]

He takes back the shoes of the people he encountered or at least shoes that are from each world because he has walked a day in their shoes and understands their philosophy. In the end he finds his own shoes (given that they are spoons) because he is living in the moment himself and not busy trying to get a deeper understanding of others or meaning

[@Cid_Hi]

I swear to god, if this ends in well It's deep and it's dumb, this is the last one I see.

[@epaomirimiri]

I was so pissed when it looked like they were gonna stop with "Clancy's dumb so dumb show" but then they addressed that the narrative makes explicit the consequences of his flaws-- and that they *are* flaws. "Deep or Dumb" is a good question for a lot of the content they feature, but a show whose meat is philosophy talks that goes on to address that if all you do is go on spirit quests or whatever you're probably not being who you should be is some of the most genuine and thoughtful media I've ever seen.

[@thevisitor5861]

That last episode is one of the most human things I’ve ever watched period I cried

[@moonlit6311]

I discovered Allan Watts lectures when I just got out of high school. It messed me up for most of my young adult years. 😁

[@LowestofheDead]

That's odd, because they made me less messed up. Especially the "World of symbols" lecture which has a similar message to this video. Or maybe I'm still in the messed up phase lol

[@martine2172]

how did they mess you up? they helped me🧿🍃

[@moonlit6311]

@@martine2172 Well, I suppose I started thinking more about the meaning of life and such. My friends were ready to party, get jobs or go to school. Watts' lectures were deep and I felt that there was always more to life than what I knew back then. I didn't want the parties or the drinking, etc. I was afraid no one understood what was going on inside me. All I learned really was that no one cared.

[@bluemoonsj]

@@moonlit6311 You were enlightened :-)

[@dkatomski]

I was more of a Terence McKenna guy

[@theskinthiefs6301]

I enjoy listening to this in a Small dosage and help use the ideas and how to incorporate them in my daily being and soul on the earth and as in above and how I can improve and mold them in life

[@evanweaver1060]

I know Midnight Gospel isn’t for everyone, but you have to admit that Duncan is an amazing interviewer. He’s really good about just accepting and embracing the guests’ point of view and expanding with a combination of both open and closed-ended questions that really allow the listener to get into the head of the guest. Like whenever Joe Rogan doesn’t understand what he’s hearing or disagrees with it, it really halts the interview and stops the natural flow. But if Duncan is in that similar situation, he asks for someone to expand on the idea or somehow clarify it in a way that’s easy enough for most people to understand. Even during the tv show, there were points where you could tell he was way out of his depth, but he just knew when to shut up and let the guest keep going and the thought would reach its natural end.

[@PateRiot]

The entire show was a random feels trip that got me thinking. That is a good ass show.

[@agapsmiku]

midnight gospel is so unique and profound that i think everyone should watch it. even if only for the interesting discussions that could arise

[@kds5065]

Well, you've convinced me to watch beyond the first episode.

[@examplerkey]

This is beyond deep. This teaches children alike (adults 😂) very easy and understandable approach to beyond complex subjects like universe, philosophy, Buddhism, etc.

[@vsGoliath96]

The episode with his mother made me feel things in my shriveled black heart I genuinely didn't know I could feel.