I saw a theory that this was a prequel, which explains why none of the newer designs have stuck, and also explains where the mask came from out of nowhere.
Could be a possibility but considering Moony's wish was to be thinner she could have regained the weight somehow. Ena's wish to be happy (a speculated wish not yet confirmed) may have developed into an obsession resulting in the third mask appearing.
I thought the exact opposite, that Power of Potluck began with the strong sense of continuity with the previous episode, Temptation Stairway, than any other short. We saw at the end of TS that ENA’s face became all yellow, removing the sadness from her personality as part of her wish. I think this manifested as keeping her sad side separate from her body as a floating mask, always cheerful even as her yellow side expressed confused or frustrated lucidity throughout the acts. Ulysses said that desires are never fulfilled nor quenched, suggesting that Moony and ENA’s wishes to change themselves ultimately wouldn’t bring lasting satisfaction, as by the end of PoP both main characters have returned to their original forms, though Moony has kept the dexterity of having an arm (unless she always had that trait).
I don't know if anyone has pointed this out before, but Yellow ENA talks in a peculiar way. It's difficult to explain, but she speaks in the way a bilingual Spanish speaker might speak English by seamlessly translating phrases that don't necessairly make sense in English but do in Spanish like "without your permission". I don't think this is an accident since Joel is bilingual (trilingual?) and loves playing with languages in his work. I don't have any immediate insight, besides my own as a spanish/english speaker. To me this sort of speech feels like someone trying very hard to be understood, to the point of going word for word with that you feel in your mother tongue (spanish) and put it into words in the most common language of the internet (english). It's hard to explain, but I immediately recognized the feeling when I read her dialogue...
This may not be entirely relevant but if happy ENA is hispanohablante that would be kind of cool considering the history of surrealism in Spanish-speaking countries 😁 esp w her design being inspired by a Picasso
I interpreted as a girl trying too hard to find and be happy, putting on a mask to attempt to emulate this feel. When spoken with death, the mask comes off is a symbolic representation of realizing, the happy moments comes from the present moment. The mask breaking off is an example of ego death where she doesn’t even know who she is as a person, so obsessed and blinded by the idea of happiness here true personality stayed in their safe house, never coming out as there is a mask to substitute it. When the mask is broken, she expresses feelings of vulnerability and “incomprehensible feelings” which causes her to instinctively try and run back behind the mask; however there is no mask and she is forced to face her true feelings
I love how many different interpretations you can get out of the series so far. The internet is a valid one, and I'm sure the creator himself has gone through similar emotions as ENA in acts III and IV at least, as he has expressed that he doesn't like social situations and yet is a very popular animator on UA-cam. I'm sure he often feels like he's putting on a show for the world. I personally think this series is simply meant to tell the story of human struggles, whether it be the wish for change within ourselves (temptation stairway) or hiding our true emotions for the validation of others/promise of joy if we keep "acting" happy for long enough (potluck). The internet promises both of these things, and the style is very digital, so I can see how you can reach that conclusion. I can't wait to see what happens in dream BBQ!!!
Was going to describe how the zipper reflects on the fact that regardless of our digital or real life identities we will still have a hidden side to ourselves. I removed this part of the video since I felt like it wasn't explained well enough. Good catch though!
I've heard that this episode might be a prequel but I feel like the mask is something that came from her wish, which made her sad side happy with some sort of external tool, like an antidepressant.
@@darkbrumoment yes exactly I felt like it would at least take 3 years but no I mean there’s the game and one new ena video so I thought he would wait for a long time for more content to talk about
I feel like the game might be commentary on toxic workplace environments. 1.) ENA is consistently portrayed to be some sort of salesperson or errand girl 2.) The grey side is portrayed as opinionated and negative, often traits frowned upon in specific jobs 3.) The grey side is seen to be punished, showing how some jobs just want their workers to act like their slaves. I am probably not wording this well but OH WELL I'm sure SOMEONE will at least get the gist of what I'm saying
i believe the 3 Dream BBQ personalities of ENA represent the id, ego, and superego theory. The ena with a hole is the Id (desire) as they crawls towards the dancer with a look of desperation. The superego (conscience) represented by the green cracked ena as they don’t do anything at ALL with the idea that the desires of the id are wrong or unjustified. While the normal split ena with the meanie and salesperson side are the ego (judgement) who decides between id and superego. Maybe that’s why they all seem to be separated and the ego is following orders instead of trusting their judgement as they cannot determine their id/superego
i like how you're able to take deep dives and find deep meaning on stuff ppl just let fly over their heads. like that third creature that appears at the end, I just thought it was a crazy and nonse person-thing Joel put there just for funzies, then you started to make up an analogy of it and damn it was very good, props to you. perhaps that's why ENA is so fascinating, things that appear random and just dumb may have these kind of connections.
Interesting... as an Ena theorist myself, I have to say your conclusions are a really interesting lense to view the series. I should keep this in mind for future installments. Great video!
At 9:53, the figures that are sunken onto the ground upside down could be another reference to Dante's Inferno, the 3rd circle where the"simonists" (those who abuse church power) are buried upside down and their feet are burned!
I haven't dug deeper into the subject yet, but if there is information that I have missed I'd like the addition of them! For know that I know this is the circle of hell where gluttonous people are punished in the similar fashion
First of all, it was a pleasure to hear your take on the series. I was thoroughly hooked! Very entertaining 😌✨ Now imo, I kind of feel like dream BBQ is going to show the deterioration of ENA. Something about the world itself, how the characters interact with her and other things I’ve heard from other theories makes me believe that she’s actually a sinner. That she did something terrible and was sent to this place with no memory. However, even though she looks the part, she’s not yet able to blend in until she fully ‘forgets her past’. Like say for instance: Temptation stairway. Temptation. Greed. The mannequins we see grasping at a chance to reach the great Runas are operating on greed and selfishness. A caricature of mankind’s sinners. Those who long for power, etc. etc. Even in Extinction Party, the true translations of the characters we meet keep warning ENA to stay away. To not be corrupted by the sins of the corridor inhabitants. The idea of sin comes up a lot in this series, which I’ve noted that ENA is oblivious to. She either has no clue or purposefully ignores it. Blissful ignorance. It would make sense given that she tends to gravitate towards concepts of ‘finding happiness’. I’ve strayed a little but given all these points, it feels like through her naivety/loss of memories, she’s painstakingly going to grasp for happiness that cannot have due to her past. Whatever sin that she has committed. And maybe that decaying green form is when she finally realises that she’s doomed. A damned soul. And the three versions we see of her are just different stages of deterioration. But that’s just my opinion. It’s really fun to theorise! 🤩✨✨
Funny you say this. Initially upon viewing the series I also theorised that the story was taking place in a form of purgatory. It was only after looking at the latest episode did I change my mind. Watching the Dream BBQ Trailers nearly made me go in that direction as I think it has some of the most shocking imagery in the series
Yeah I agree that her wish was to be happy or something similar and that's why her blue side started becoming yellow. I think though that the whole idea of "desires are never fulfilled" or whatever that character said about being careful of wishes is probably how her new double yellow side became a mask, as her mask was only pretending to be happy and only satisfying the desire for a moment until she realized that she didn't understand the happiness being presented to her at all
Idk, I'm kina unsure if it takes place over the internet since some stuff just really does not add up. I hope dream bbq clears everything up about the series.
I agree. watching this episode I really got the feeling like it went so much deeper than some shallow “internet is bad” message. Especially when the therapy guy talks about coming here over and over- I took that as a real person, hiding their true feelings and struggling with either some sort of bipolar disorder or just hiding their struggles from those around them, going to actual therapy over and over and not ever finding true happiness.
I agree with you on everything here except this part 9:03 Because I think there is two story Lines are happening at same time one about what just you said Ena goal in exploring the internet and other moony mystery Because come on moony is very suspicious through out the whole series and and Ena think so to her weird house location and how fast she gotten to end on race in temptation stairs way and now this come on she got someone in her suit case and she tried to hide it
Honestly I agree with that theory about this video somewhat. Another person also posited that it's about depression. Anyways I think that your theory could also apply to Mooney too since they are technically hiding behind a mask.
1:12 moony won the bet and was obligated to pay ENA sins is why ena was slowly become filled with joy. Ena made a wish because she didn't get one. She'd arrived too late
Wait! What about moonys figure design? Can you please explain the square hole on the other side of her face, is it her mouth? Or just like to take her hand out from her original form arm..?
question, what is ENAS graphic choice? like what is it based on with all the early graphical choices, and please send me videos on the videos after you have told me what the graphic choice is, thanks
MS DoS and windows 98 graphics using CLUT tables and TIF images In other words, graphics from a time when displaying 3D objects was taxing, so they took pictures of them and reduced the colors and angles displayed to make it all fit in a regular person's computer.
yes... well WHEN someone asks you that... DON'T answear... you may start to cry and cry and never stop and you can't stop to cry nor the oversharing :D :D :D
if you really want true happiness then go for either minecraft or garry’s mod if you just want true entertainment though, go for either fallout: new vegas or barotrauma especially barotrauma, there have been a lot of good moments where me and a few other people shared a good laugh and its even where i met one of my best friends to this day
The one question i have, is, and will always be, why is Ena's name ALWAYS mirrored. It's not reversed, it's completely mirrored, and it's only her name, and it's a thing that is in every video
Well... bright and collorfull world might give joy to guests , but not its inhibitances. The world is nothing new to them , if we belive that the state of the world is consistent.
Ok i ll stop i guess , because i do not belive that you established good enough base , that would convince me in the internet theory , and everything you say in this video builds upon it. I am sorry , but its just jarring. I cannot see this as anything but empty speculations without good basis. And you do not connect it particulary well with part one.
I watched an entire 11 hour livestream just for this.
For context I made this video in an entire day whilst livestreaming myself... It was certainly... an interesting experience!
so,... is the livestream worth watching? i'm not sure i want to spend this much time but i'm so into everything ENA related right now
What livestream?@@arnauwd1
@@arnauwd1I guess it's just the same video but way longer. If you like the dude watch it but not for more ena content
I saw a theory that this was a prequel, which explains why none of the newer designs have stuck, and also explains where the mask came from out of nowhere.
What do you mean newer designs? Also I assumed she got the mask after entering the house in the beginning.
@@flipflop3953at the end of the original series. Ena turned all yellow (losing her blue side), and Mooney "lost weight".
Could be a possibility but considering Moony's wish was to be thinner she could have regained the weight somehow. Ena's wish to be happy (a speculated wish not yet confirmed) may have developed into an obsession resulting in the third mask appearing.
I thought the exact opposite, that Power of Potluck began with the strong sense of continuity with the previous episode, Temptation Stairway, than any other short. We saw at the end of TS that ENA’s face became all yellow, removing the sadness from her personality as part of her wish. I think this manifested as keeping her sad side separate from her body as a floating mask, always cheerful even as her yellow side expressed confused or frustrated lucidity throughout the acts.
Ulysses said that desires are never fulfilled nor quenched, suggesting that Moony and ENA’s wishes to change themselves ultimately wouldn’t bring lasting satisfaction, as by the end of PoP both main characters have returned to their original forms, though Moony has kept the dexterity of having an arm (unless she always had that trait).
AYYO DID YOU SEE MY EX’S THEORY?
7:01 so basicaly the guy's tellin us to touch grass
I don't know if anyone has pointed this out before, but Yellow ENA talks in a peculiar way. It's difficult to explain, but she speaks in the way a bilingual Spanish speaker might speak English by seamlessly translating phrases that don't necessairly make sense in English but do in Spanish like "without your permission".
I don't think this is an accident since Joel is bilingual (trilingual?) and loves playing with languages in his work.
I don't have any immediate insight, besides my own as a spanish/english speaker. To me this sort of speech feels like someone trying very hard to be understood, to the point of going word for word with that you feel in your mother tongue (spanish) and put it into words in the most common language of the internet (english).
It's hard to explain, but I immediately recognized the feeling when I read her dialogue...
It kind of reminds me of some of the dialogue you'd hear in VLIF's other work.
This may not be entirely relevant but if happy ENA is hispanohablante that would be kind of cool considering the history of surrealism in Spanish-speaking countries 😁 esp w her design being inspired by a Picasso
Mix in a bit of autism and you have a perfect representation of my speech patterns
Ohhh, super interesting!
@@gmir1397 it's also inspired by Romero brito
I interpreted as a girl trying too hard to find and be happy, putting on a mask to attempt to emulate this feel. When spoken with death, the mask comes off is a symbolic representation of realizing, the happy moments comes from the present moment. The mask breaking off is an example of ego death where she doesn’t even know who she is as a person, so obsessed and blinded by the idea of happiness here true personality stayed in their safe house, never coming out as there is a mask to substitute it. When the mask is broken, she expresses feelings of vulnerability and “incomprehensible feelings” which causes her to instinctively try and run back behind the mask; however there is no mask and she is forced to face her true feelings
I really like this explanation
The real meaning of the newest episode is that there is no power in potluck
Bad ending
Tea pot
The choice of meanie and salesperson ENA is also very internet relevant as there are ads(salesperson) and cyberbullying(meanie)
I love how many different interpretations you can get out of the series so far. The internet is a valid one, and I'm sure the creator himself has gone through similar emotions as ENA in acts III and IV at least, as he has expressed that he doesn't like social situations and yet is a very popular animator on UA-cam. I'm sure he often feels like he's putting on a show for the world.
I personally think this series is simply meant to tell the story of human struggles, whether it be the wish for change within ourselves (temptation stairway) or hiding our true emotions for the validation of others/promise of joy if we keep "acting" happy for long enough (potluck). The internet promises both of these things, and the style is very digital, so I can see how you can reach that conclusion.
I can't wait to see what happens in dream BBQ!!!
The person that came out of the zipper also has a zipper
Was going to describe how the zipper reflects on the fact that regardless of our digital or real life identities we will still have a hidden side to ourselves. I removed this part of the video since I felt like it wasn't explained well enough. Good catch though!
@@WildCard203 It’s all good! Great vid!
@@WildCard203 SHOULD'VE LEFT iT iN
& U KAN B COMPLETELY AUTHENTiC, TRY SOME HONEZTY MOTHER FUCKERZ !
[NOT YELLiNG, JUZT LiKE TYPiNG iN CAPZ]
@@WildCard203 SHOULD'VE LEFT iT iN
[NOT YELLiNG, JUZT LiKE TYPiNG iN CAPZ]
@@WildCard203& U KAN B COMPLETELY AUTHENTiC, TRY SOME HONEZTY MOTHER FUCKERZ !
[NOT YELLiNG, JUZT LiKE TYPiNG iN CAPZ]
I've heard that this episode might be a prequel but I feel like the mask is something that came from her wish, which made her sad side happy with some sort of external tool, like an antidepressant.
I love your analysis. I really hope you analyze the ena bbq game once it comes out
Certainly plan on it haha
Oooh I did not expect a part two that fast I can’t wait so see ur explanation
You should have been there for the stream…
wdym so fast its been a year
@@darkbrumoment yes exactly I felt like it would at least take 3 years but no I mean there’s the game and one new ena video so I thought he would wait for a long time for more content to talk about
I feel like the game might be commentary on toxic workplace environments. 1.) ENA is consistently portrayed to be some sort of salesperson or errand girl 2.) The grey side is portrayed as opinionated and negative, often traits frowned upon in specific jobs 3.) The grey side is seen to be punished, showing how some jobs just want their workers to act like their slaves.
I am probably not wording this well but OH WELL I'm sure SOMEONE will at least get the gist of what I'm saying
Also... Dream BBQ, Power of Potluck, what's with the food names? And specifically food-based events where one brings their own dish?
at 5:15 i noticed something. the little vein things between seemingly the mask and ENA disconnect.
12:43 I think that BBQ Ena is the same as Classic Ena but after an arch.
i believe the 3 Dream BBQ personalities of ENA represent the id, ego, and superego theory. The ena with a hole is the Id (desire) as they crawls towards the dancer with a look of desperation. The superego (conscience) represented by the green cracked ena as they don’t do anything at ALL with the idea that the desires of the id are wrong or unjustified. While the normal split ena with the meanie and salesperson side are the ego (judgement) who decides between id and superego. Maybe that’s why they all seem to be separated and the ego is following orders instead of trusting their judgement as they cannot determine their id/superego
i like how you're able to take deep dives and find deep meaning on stuff ppl just let fly over their heads.
like that third creature that appears at the end, I just thought it was a crazy and nonse person-thing Joel put there just for funzies, then you started to make up an analogy of it and damn it was very good, props to you.
perhaps that's why ENA is so fascinating, things that appear random and just dumb may have these kind of connections.
Interesting... as an Ena theorist myself, I have to say your conclusions are a really interesting lense to view the series. I should keep this in mind for future installments. Great video!
At 9:53, the figures that are sunken onto the ground upside down could be another reference to Dante's Inferno, the 3rd circle where the"simonists" (those who abuse church power) are buried upside down and their feet are burned!
I haven't dug deeper into the subject yet, but if there is information that I have missed I'd like the addition of them! For know that I know this is the circle of hell where gluttonous people are punished in the similar fashion
0:47 jokes on you, ive already seen it twice!.
Watched it 13 times…..
First of all, it was a pleasure to hear your take on the series. I was thoroughly hooked! Very entertaining 😌✨
Now imo, I kind of feel like dream BBQ is going to show the deterioration of ENA. Something about the world itself, how the characters interact with her and other things I’ve heard from other theories makes me believe that she’s actually a sinner. That she did something terrible and was sent to this place with no memory. However, even though she looks the part, she’s not yet able to blend in until she fully ‘forgets her past’.
Like say for instance: Temptation stairway. Temptation. Greed. The mannequins we see grasping at a chance to reach the great Runas are operating on greed and selfishness. A caricature of mankind’s sinners. Those who long for power, etc. etc. Even in Extinction Party, the true translations of the characters we meet keep warning ENA to stay away. To not be corrupted by the sins of the corridor inhabitants.
The idea of sin comes up a lot in this series, which I’ve noted that ENA is oblivious to. She either has no clue or purposefully ignores it. Blissful ignorance. It would make sense given that she tends to gravitate towards concepts of ‘finding happiness’.
I’ve strayed a little but given all these points, it feels like through her naivety/loss of memories, she’s painstakingly going to grasp for happiness that cannot have due to her past. Whatever sin that she has committed. And maybe that decaying green form is when she finally realises that she’s doomed. A damned soul. And the three versions we see of her are just different stages of deterioration.
But that’s just my opinion. It’s really fun to theorise! 🤩✨✨
Funny you say this. Initially upon viewing the series I also theorised that the story was taking place in a form of purgatory. It was only after looking at the latest episode did I change my mind.
Watching the Dream BBQ Trailers nearly made me go in that direction as I think it has some of the most shocking imagery in the series
This might seem weird but I swear that each episode after Auction Day is a prequel to each other 😅
homeboy who popped out of the horse is VILF! theyre a musician/artist whos working on dream bbq with Joel! i love that dude.
Yeah I agree that her wish was to be happy or something similar and that's why her blue side started becoming yellow. I think though that the whole idea of "desires are never fulfilled" or whatever that character said about being careful of wishes is probably how her new double yellow side became a mask, as her mask was only pretending to be happy and only satisfying the desire for a moment until she realized that she didn't understand the happiness being presented to her at all
The audio quality of your vids has def gone up a lot since your days of doing the first Spooky Month lore vid. Keep it up chief
My interpretation is that there is no hidden meaning behind ENA and everything that happens is quite literal.
Joel seems to have already given an answer to what dream BBQ will be focused about, that being nightmares.
I still dont get the series, but now its i understand it a bit more
Ena designs costumes for the incredibles
Idk, I'm kina unsure if it takes place over the internet since some stuff just really does not add up. I hope dream bbq clears everything up about the series.
I agree. watching this episode I really got the feeling like it went so much deeper than some shallow “internet is bad” message. Especially when the therapy guy talks about coming here over and over- I took that as a real person, hiding their true feelings and struggling with either some sort of bipolar disorder or just hiding their struggles from those around them, going to actual therapy over and over and not ever finding true happiness.
And at the end Ena still hides the true nature of the place she went to from her friends, so this ending is depressing imo.
serial experiments lain reference, probably
I think ena can take different forms depending on their surroundings
I agree with you on everything here except this part 9:03
Because I think there is two story Lines are happening at same time one about what just you said Ena goal in exploring the internet and other moony mystery Because come on moony is very suspicious through out the whole series and and Ena think so to her weird house location and how fast she gotten to end on race in temptation stairs way and now this come on she got someone in her suit case and she tried to hide it
Ena lore ❌
Ena analysis ✅
WHO ELSE IS EXCITED
This wntire video feels like this man finds connections where none are hiding, lol
wait, why is the others ena is geomatry shaped except for the ena that got shot in the trailer?
LETS GOOOO ❤❤❤ THANK YOU SO MUCH
I love ENA, it’s one pf my favourite web series!
Honestly I agree with that theory about this video somewhat. Another person also posited that it's about depression. Anyways I think that your theory could also apply to Mooney too since they are technically hiding behind a mask.
Is it okay if you do a lore video on Hands up, another Joel G. Series?
1:12 moony won the bet and was obligated to pay ENA sins is why ena was slowly become filled with joy. Ena made a wish because she didn't get one. She'd arrived too late
Ena also was surprised moony made it to the great runas when she missed him completely
Has anyone noticed how Moony always needs something in her face hole around ENA? (even grabbing a rock at 7:44)
Wait! What about moonys figure design? Can you please explain the square hole on the other side of her face, is it her mouth? Or just like to take her hand out from her original form arm..?
The white and red Ina gives me kohaku vibes.
question, what is ENAS graphic choice? like what is it based on with all the early graphical choices, and please send me videos on the videos after you have told me what the graphic choice is, thanks
MS DoS and windows 98 graphics using CLUT tables and TIF images
In other words, graphics from a time when displaying 3D objects was taxing, so they took pictures of them and reduced the colors and angles displayed to make it all fit in a regular person's computer.
nice job .
0:03 confusion and delay
Nooooo i dont have steam
its been so long yet still no dream bbq
if you put like that, ENA is a modern take on Lain, which makes sense actually
Will there be a summary of the new Ultrakill act? I really enjoyed your previous videos about them ^^
yes... well WHEN someone asks you that... DON'T answear... you may start to cry and cry and never stop and you can't stop to cry nor the oversharing :D :D :D
I hope you get to analyze the game once it comes out. The vibes of it gives me LSD and Yuumi Nikki feels.
Damn this is already 7 months ago
I like cheese, do y’all also like it?
I LOVE cheese
With ham and mayo and bread goes crazy
@@mregg5312 realest
if you really want true happiness then go for either minecraft or garry’s mod
if you just want true entertainment though, go for either fallout: new vegas or barotrauma
especially barotrauma, there have been a lot of good moments where me and a few other people shared a good laugh and its even where i met one of my best friends to this day
You're smart
The one question i have, is, and will always be, why is Ena's name ALWAYS mirrored. It's not reversed, it's completely mirrored, and it's only her name, and it's a thing that is in every video
ena gets therapy for freee
W
Ultrakill lore
I'm sorry but this isn't about the "lore", this is just a personal analysis and speculation.
Well... bright and collorfull world might give joy to guests , but not its inhibitances.
The world is nothing new to them , if we belive that the state of the world is consistent.
def reaching with this one
Or... It's just about how stuffy, stogy and boring live theater is.
:- D
wut?
Just waiting for the episode Ena discovers rule 34
W h a t ?
@@ponikoTV I know 😨
@@ponikoTV (I'm joking btw)
:D
Ok i ll stop i guess , because i do not belive that you established good enough base , that would convince me in the internet theory , and everything you say in this video builds upon it.
I am sorry , but its just jarring.
I cannot see this as anything but empty speculations without good basis.
And you do not connect it particulary well with part one.
I find the ENA guy voice annoying like he’s trying too hard to
no one asked
@@srharpoonidk8625 meat rider
Ena lore 🤑🤑🤑🤑 more like lore
Ena lore, more like