As a huge, huge Alan Wake fan, I have to personally thank you for for saying Mr. Scratch appropriately by using the sound effect. I've never seen/heard another video that has done that when talking about that particular character. Bravo sir! It's the details.
I also wanted to commend you for this detail. Glad others had noticed it as well. I'm going through your Control lecture playlist, and I'm very highly enjoying it! It inspired me to start a new playthrough of both Alan Wake and Control.
If you want to be whole, you have to acknowledge those things about yourself you'd rather not think about. Shadow work is hard but necessary. Otherwise, those things you hide will lash out, uncontrollable, when you least expect it. You have to accept and absorb who you are and move forward, making new choices now that you are fully aware of yourself. You cannot change the past, you cannot change who you were, but you can understand why you were that person. There is a place for negative emotions, rage, fear but they must be tempered and focused so they do not rule you. Rage spurs people to action, fear prevents foolish actions but either can easily become all you think about. Either of them can be addictive because they provide a sense of power and control over our uncertain world. Being a human is complicated.
Being human is absolutely complicated. I think a great example is Kratos in the original God of War trilogy versus him in the new game. Possessed by fury and wrath but learns to control it. That's the lesson he teaches Atreus at the beginning. It is the difference between Fury and Rage. Rage consumes us until we lose ourselves. Fury is righteous and can be used/controlled for a purpose. Shadow Work is not for everyone as it is a painful experience. I am working on something diving into that topic in more detail. I can't wait to share it.
"Beyond the shadow you settle for, there is a miracle illuminated." -Thomas Zane I had some ideas about it, but I never fully understood this verse until now. This video is just brilliant!
It shows up on the sun dial in the courtyard of the Cauldron Lake lodge and attributed to Zane. Also in This House of Dreams, one of the pages with Zane's poetry has this line on it. Jesse mentions it as written by Zane as well.
Wow these latest couple of videos have both been amazing. great job! I still get major goosebumps when I hear how Alan imagines Alice blames all of this on him. No matter how absurd they are, sometimes our minds just want to believe the worst case scenario and just give in.
After my most recent replay of the dlc I realized just how harsh Alan was on himself in that scene. We all have the instinct to surrender that we overcome every day. Luckily, Alan uses these illusions to motivate him not to give in. Even as a kid I noticed how in the Python's Song from Disney's Jungle Book spoke of this in 'Trust in Me'. Kaa hypnotizing Mowgli into relaxing and allowing himself to almost be eaten.
Balance really does slay the demon! And I guess until you learn to live with both sides to yourself in harmony then you will never find peace of mind. We're often afraid of taking a good look at our own shadow for the shame and embarrassment that might come along with our own mistakes. But the only thing we should fear is not looking at it, for our denial of the shadow is exactly what fuels it. I've wondered if the whole story really is a elaborate metaphor for Alans writers block. I'm expecting him to Wake up on the boat having never left his car!
Well considering the entire point of the story was to give him a reason to write Departure when he refused to do it for so long I'd think your assessment is accurate that it is a metaphore to have him get over his block. And yes you understand it perfectly. Frankly looking into our own Shadow can be terrifying. One of the hardest thing to do in life is accept responsibility for our shortcomings and actions. It Is so much easier to project that blame onto others. In our heart of hearts we know the truth but reject it, leading to cognitive dissonance. Sometimes we construct falsehoods in our mind to avoid accepting aspects of our Shadow. If anyone challenges these falsehoods we lash out, defending the, 'Hall of Mirrors built by liars.' The Demons/Dragons we slay in the great stories represent finding balance between our two halves. Absolutely, "When Balance Slays the Demon, we'll find peace."
@@GamingUniversityUoG well the rewriting reality and this video spoke to me in a sense I understand all too well, I've been plagued the last 5-6 years with a form of my own creation, I'm also a writer. I've countless ideas and a few manuscripts in some form or another but in terrified of approaching Publishers with my work as it feels like ive put my life force into some of this work. So naturally ive held off and found a haven with no danger, stable job, replaying video games for the nostalgia watching old movies and at the same time watching others in my field of view move forward. I need to stop been afraid to take the next step, one dream may falter but the only way to fail is to abandon them entirely. Studying this topic has been a type of therapy! So thank you for the videos!
I'm really glad I could help in a small way. Once you hit up a publisher let me know how it turns out! I'm rooting for you! But yeah, Refusal of the Call to Adventure allows us to stay in a place of familiarity and safety but we'll never know what better things are out there unless we brave the dangers of the unknown. As Thomas Zane put it perfectly, "Beyond the Shadow you Settle for, there is a Miracle Illuminated." I'd recommend hitting up the bookstore and getting a copy of Joseph Campbell's, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." It directly addresses this topic and helped me out a lot. Be well friend!
Great work fellas! Glad to see you two working together on a collab. It's cool to see these themes echo across Remedy's games even as far back as Max Payne 1, laying the thematic groundwork for the future shared universe. If I remember right, even back in MP1 during one of the dream sequences Max ends up shooting a version of himself as well. Remedy do love their doppelgangers
It is everywhere in these games lol. You can definitely tell they had something in mind when writing this. And yeah it was fun to collaborate with Max on this one!
I kinda wish the games played more with the shadow being kinda-good, or having aspects that are useful. In a place where everything is trying to crush your spirit, your individual self, that anger could be honed into a weapon to defend yourself. Just knowing there is something inside you that is driven to Fight Back, can be enough to move forward. Also knowing where that shadow comes from isn't fully explored either. Alot our shadows is from an inner child that got beaten down and hurt. Some part of yourself that just wanted love, and didn't get it.
With AWE expansion of Control, we see signs of a Third Aspect of Alan Wake's Shadow... a Thomas Zane, not the poet, an New? Thomas Zane, just as eager to escape the Dark Place... but while Alan KNEW Mr. Scratch needed to be stopped/destroyed, Thomas Zane makes Alan upset, violently upset, when he reveals he was "dealing with" Mr. Scratch. Alan doesn't destroy "Thomas Zane" in AWE, but what does he represent that Alan dislikes but otherwise doesn't destroy about himself? Compromise perhaps?
That is an interesting thought I hadn't considered. Frankly I have been trying to figure out how this 'Zane' fits in. I never believed he was the real one. More something created by the Threshold in some way. But the idea he is the desperation to escape would suggest Alan has to reel in those emotions. In the ending of Inception, the protagonist was so desperate to be back with his children he didn't care if the world was real or not. Alan has to care so he must recognize this desperation but keep it under control. Nice thought thanks!
That was a brilliant presentation between you and Max. I hope if Sam Lake ever sees one of your videos, that it's this one. I think he would be flattered. To add to what you discussed, in Quantum Break, I found Paul Serene to be an excellent example of a man who surrendered to his own "John Mirra" or "Mr. Scratch". Speaking of Mirra, the debut song for Poets of the Fall, "Late Goodbye", mentions him near the end, and earlier in the song the words "staring wild eyes" (inspiration for Essej's personality?).
Honestly if Sam ever saw this stuff I'd be really curious to know if I'm looking too far into it or am on the right track. I'm still playing Max Payne 2 for the first time and haven't finished it, but I have already heard Late Goodbye twice. I need to do a deep dive on the lyrics. And yeah Paul i see as having lost Hope in trying to fix things. His entire being is different because of the loss of it.
Do you think the mirrors in Alan Wake 2 have a less clear reflection on purpose, or do you think this is a technical issue remedy hasn’t been able to fully hash out with today’s tech?
Needs more attention. It's better than other so called game theory videos because here we are talking about facts and diving deeper. Most other channels talk hogwash for views and their theories never become real.
It is something I try to keep in mind. I've never wanted to take intentional controversial takes for clicks. And where I can, provide content that people can find useful outside of the context of game lore. This one in particular really showcases my style.
Dear Dean, thank you for all your Videos. I played Control the last days and just needed some extra input and watched your videos in one go on this topic. Alan Wake is one of my most loved games. AND I can't say how much I appreciate your videos with this in depth analysis. And also thanks to Max Derrat for this amazing insight! Just a big thank you Gaming University and keep on with your good work! A new Fan.
Glad to have you in the community! I'm happy I could help provide some additional enjoyment for this amazing game. I'll make sure to let Max know! Have a great day!
So Alan Wake 2. That's a thing now! It's taken 12 years but we finally are getting it. Look forward to watching some of your videos on that game when it comes out. That said I think you have some of the best videos about the lore it's about the lore of Alan wade that I've seen on UA-cam.
Hello, I am obsessed with your control coverage! If you could possibly do some videos deep diving into the different world altering events I would really enjoy it! Also quick 2 minute videos for each object of power explaining their backgrounds and powers would be great binge watching content! Looking forward for the future of this channel!
@@GamingUniversityUoG The game literally is about your supressed shadow, a lot of the symbolism you explain on this playlist are there too! check out when you have the chance! Cheers from Brazil I love your Channel!
Put control and the games asside this is a very powerfull and a very good life lesson and a kind of motivational video, if we want succes first we gotta understand ourselves to be able to pull the maximum in whatever we are doing, i love your videos keep the good work up.
That is absolutely something I strive for. Not only discuss the story but find a way to talk the lessons learned in the story and apply it to daily life. Literature has always been a fascination of mine for that very reason.
@@GamingUniversityUoG Of course man amazing videos, ive just finished the control lecture, i cant wait to start the alan wake lecture, you earned a sub for me , keep the amazing work up.
I believe Control was also heavily inspired by Stephen King's writing as well, particularly the Dark Tower series. The Dark Tower is located in End World, a location that exists outside of space and time (Similar to the dark place) and has many floors which are essentially doorways into alternate realities. Similarly, the Dark Tower reveals that almost all of Stephen King's books are connected through the tower. The Oceanview motel is essentially Remedy's version of the Dark Tower.
These Remedy verse explained videos are ones of your best , Excellent video ... Now if i may suggest a good game which you can eventually play and maybe do some videos on , it'd be Death Stranding ,the game is full of symbolism and philosophical ; psychological references which may be very interesting to analyze
I do really want to check out Death Stranding! I know it has a divided set of opinions about It but I'm really curious to see what craziness it has to offer. And thank you very much!
It can be a dark topic to discuss. I'd recommend checking out Max's channel. He discuss this stuff more than I. I'd recommend his series on Jung's Aion.
I didn't know about Mirra, I probably saw that message and didn't think anything of it, when I played Alan Wake earlier this year. Although does this mean that in the Remedyverse there's a John Mirra running around during the events of Control? Alongside other supernatural entities like Chester Bless and the Blessed Group? And the Taken/Shaded around Cauldron Lake and if Quantum Break is confirmed as being in this shared universe, we've got anomalous individuals that can mess with Time, like Paul Serene and Martin Hatch? (I highly suspect Paul isn't truly dead, but who knows what getting close to the Countermeasure could have done to him. I mean the man sprang back to life once, I'm not ruling it out.) I eagerly look forward to your video on Emil Hartman and his transformation and the events of Expansion 2: AWE
Moat likely this is just an easter egg but I'd say it's hard to predict exactly what Mirra's relationship to the story is until we establish Max Payne and by extension Address Unknown's connection. Alex Casey was created to find Alan so it's possible I suppose. It was the Dark Place so that represents the Collective Unconscious. But does the collective unconscious encompass all tiers of reality too? I don't think MP and Address Unknown exist in the same world as AW/Control. Linked yes but not the same.
Love your work, and this is so trippy. Mind how poor my writing was (I wrote this when I was 15 for an English task) but this was a poem I wrote years ago. Essentially a piece based on Jekyll and Hyde. If you get a chance let me know what you think. Don't think it's aged very well. Haha Everyday I see it. The mirror. The unconsciousness sitting, planting in my mind. If I were asleep, will it run rampant? Does it run rampant? Would I know? Does it matter. Does it scare you? I scare myself sometimes. Is it strange that I notice? You look back, same me, same guy. But no, it's unconscious. Your not there, but you wanna be. You see the conscious me, the normal me. The me that takes control. You wanna ride? Take the reigns, be in charge? Sick of the backseat, want to feel alive, just the thought suduces you right? Maybe while I sleep, shifting, thinking of you, what you might do to me, the real me. Me. They'll think you're me. We know that's not true. Your reflection will be muddy. You're like the ocean. It looks pretty, reflections of a sky, perfect blue. But we all know, draining the water would show the true unrelenting you. Empty, dark, murky. Unconscious me. Part of me? Yes, but you can't be seen, not by this world. It's not ready, neither am I. My lover, my partner, my new world you wouldn't understand. The unconscious me must stay that way, blind, unnoticed, trivial. You wouldn't lie to me right? You stay put, like the seeds in a garden nobody sees grow. I'm the finished product, the produce she bought. The roots never leave the garden, they stay put. In the soil, deep, dark, burried. That's why you're the unconscious mind, your my ticket to unholy depths, you'll stay there, never be heard, I won't let you be heard. She deserves better, I am better, she won't know. No one will. You died with her. Not listening, I'm done listening. I can't hear you anymore.. The other side of the mirror, is it dark? Does it scare you? Are there cracks? Let me see. One more time, just one more, let me touch it. Let me.......................... Is it dark?
Beautiful. It is certainly a universal concept that you put words to. Questions like this are the reason Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde resonated with readers in such a visceral level.
In further conclusion: While both Freud's triune brain and Jung's archetypes are a good, fun, and interesting way of analysing media, they are not at all accurate to our modern understanding of psychology and the brain, and you shouldn't take them seriously in that regard.
I think mr scratch is mixtures of all the antagonists that Alex Casey have fought and alan wake darker side which gave birth to serial killer which easily explains why mr scratch uses tools like hammer and knifes and not too much his superpowers
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain..." - Alan Wake, probably 😅
An issue with this overarching theory, and with Max Derrat's frequent application of Jungian theory in his own videos, is that Jungian theory is frequently used as the "superimposed and self-referential image of man over the vast and terribly defined reality beyond our categorical understanding" - Control and media like it are better representations of the futility of Jungian thought than they are examples of it. The characters in such media, as in Control and Alan Wake, believe in and apply Jungian analysis even while the world defies their full comprehension or categorization - with some standout characters pushing back against the common canon and fan analysis, such as Emily Pope's own rejection of such antiquated and myopic definition.
I would have to go through the script string to confirm. But I don't recall Emily specifically discussing these psychological ideas. She does specify some government practices as antiquated. Putting Jung aside, I have studied Joeseph Campbell for a while. It can be argued that the Monomyth is superimposed over the story much like you state that Jungian philosophy is used in storytelling. I see them more as patterns the characters experience that can be used to further define the nature of that experience. More often than naught the writer may not intend it. But the patterns are there regardless. Kind of like how we compare one movie to another because they have the same tropes. Since Control specifically mentions Jung by name I feel it is fair to discuss it. But applying the trope of jungian philosophy to a story is no different than any other trope out there like the rebellious princess or the hero coming from humble beginnings.
@@GamingUniversityUoG I don't believe Emily specifically pushes against Jung either, merely that she's an example of characters in media ultimately pushing against the humanization and thus 'dumbing down' of larger concepts - a point to my larger notion boiling down to hubris and its connection to Jungian application. By no means do I think it is 'wrong' to use Jung, Campbell, et al.: I think what a lot of characters in canon fail to recognize, as well as analysts of that canon*, is that Jungian analysis (or any human archetypal function) is a stopgap. Darling, Trench, and many of the old guard in Remedy canon have issues seeing beyond the narrative devices they've internalized as explanation and excuse for framework, while characters like Ash and Pope (and to a lesser degree the blustering of Wake as he develops) are seeing that the patterns and categories are self-inflicted. The qualitative Jungian versus the quantitative Real, and the interplay between the two. That's why I say it's an issue with the theory, rather than a rebuttal - a focus and scope of narrative over author over character. *present company, and Max Derrat himself, excluded, despite my framing. There's just frequently a preference for brevity for simplicity.
What do you think about a theory that Dylan is actually Jesse's animus that has been made into a real person by the power of the slide projector? He mentioned that he had a dream where he relived the events of the Ordinary AWE, but in this dream he was the only child, a girl named Jesse Dylan Faden.
I think there is merit to that theory. It goes thematically too considering her indecisiveness, refusal to assume a leadership position, overall lack of Animus traits up until the point right before she cleanses him. But he is also in a coma now and clearly separate from her. So whi knows what he evolved into.
@@GamingUniversityUoG also animus and anima are Jung's concepts as well. I personally think they were actually siblings and both existed before the AWE, but I can't rule out the possibility
This comment made my day! I was so excited to discover both Max and Paul's channels after I started mine and both have been an inspiration for me. Stay tuned for more collaborations down the line!
Haha well we do possibly see them sitting together in a surveillance photo. Check the White Board in the P7 room in the Prime Candidates area. You may recognize Beth's Beanie.
The reason I censor out Mr. Scratchs name is because in the game itself they do the same thing. The developers stated that the name 'Scratch' is supposed to be unpronounceable to humans and therefore we cant understand it.
I think in QB it is a little more complex. There was no direct parallels to confronting the shadow as far as I could tell. There are comparisons for Paul before the End of Time and after but he never had to confront himself. Just got taken over by a feeling of hopelessness.
I could be wrong here but I don't think Sam Lake was a writer on Quantum Break - so it doesn't convey a lot of the same ideas that run through his other work. It does feel more like its own thing.
It didn't. Microsoft had a lot of creative license on how QB turned out. I don't recall exactly how hands on Sam was for this one but I know he was involved. Frankly the most Remedy thing in it was probably Martin Hatch.
@@GamingUniversityUoG Sam did all the Alan Wake easter eggs :-). I do like QB, I enjoyed playing the game (and watching the show) but I didn't love it quite like the other Remedy titles.
This would wrap around and suggest that Sam Lake (actor) in Alan Wake II is the same actor from the Night Springs Episode, and the FBI version we meet is a reforged version of that character based on that broadcast. :3 It ALL wraps around, over and over.
Well Dylan did say that in one world there was a Writer/Alan who wrote a story about a cop. In another world, that Cop/Max was real. So these types of fictional realities may already be established. Payne did realize he existed in a Video Game when he was injected with the drug Valkyr.
@@GamingUniversityUoG I reccomend going with persona 4 if you're looking for heavier jungian influences, 5 has them but only one character directly faces there own shadow. that's mainly due to the games themes of rebellion and self assertion over persona 4's brutal truth vs lies you want to believe ideas.
Ayyyyyyyy! It was a pleasure guesting for this video, talking about my bread and butter.
It was amazing working with you on this one! I hope to do more collaborations in the future.
2020 still has its rays of sunlight, and this is one of them
Hope ya’ll keep working together. Love both of your channels
Hey I posted on here that was also for you.
Nice Max. 😉👍
Holly shit, the john mira thing is basically the plot for alan’s story in AWII
Like noir york city👀
No joke I felt the whole time that Alan was in Noir York in this game
As a huge, huge Alan Wake fan, I have to personally thank you for for saying Mr. Scratch appropriately by using the sound effect. I've never seen/heard another video that has done that when talking about that particular character. Bravo sir! It's the details.
I very much appreciate your comment. I've had so many comments asking why I do it in the first place. You're the first to get it!
I also wanted to commend you for this detail. Glad others had noticed it as well. I'm going through your Control lecture playlist, and I'm very highly enjoying it! It inspired me to start a new playthrough of both Alan Wake and Control.
If you want to be whole, you have to acknowledge those things about yourself you'd rather not think about. Shadow work is hard but necessary. Otherwise, those things you hide will lash out, uncontrollable, when you least expect it. You have to accept and absorb who you are and move forward, making new choices now that you are fully aware of yourself. You cannot change the past, you cannot change who you were, but you can understand why you were that person. There is a place for negative emotions, rage, fear but they must be tempered and focused so they do not rule you. Rage spurs people to action, fear prevents foolish actions but either can easily become all you think about. Either of them can be addictive because they provide a sense of power and control over our uncertain world. Being a human is complicated.
Being human is absolutely complicated. I think a great example is Kratos in the original God of War trilogy versus him in the new game. Possessed by fury and wrath but learns to control it. That's the lesson he teaches Atreus at the beginning. It is the difference between Fury and Rage. Rage consumes us until we lose ourselves. Fury is righteous and can be used/controlled for a purpose.
Shadow Work is not for everyone as it is a painful experience. I am working on something diving into that topic in more detail. I can't wait to share it.
You mean, person, right?
It is hard to be a person, but being a Homosapien animal isn't a requirement to have bodily autonomy.
"Beyond the shadow you settle for, there is a miracle illuminated." -Thomas Zane
I had some ideas about it, but I never fully understood this verse until now. This video is just brilliant!
Thanks buddy!
When did Thomas Zane said that? I heard in Old God of Asgard song 'Balance Slays The Demon' in American Nightmare.
It shows up on the sun dial in the courtyard of the Cauldron Lake lodge and attributed to Zane. Also in This House of Dreams, one of the pages with Zane's poetry has this line on it. Jesse mentions it as written by Zane as well.
@@GamingUniversityUoG Darn I've forgotten about that dial. Need to replay AW. Thanks
Wow these latest couple of videos have both been amazing. great job! I still get major goosebumps when I hear how Alan imagines Alice blames all of this on him. No matter how absurd they are, sometimes our minds just want to believe the worst case scenario and just give in.
After my most recent replay of the dlc I realized just how harsh Alan was on himself in that scene. We all have the instinct to surrender that we overcome every day. Luckily, Alan uses these illusions to motivate him not to give in.
Even as a kid I noticed how in the Python's Song from Disney's Jungle Book spoke of this in 'Trust in Me'. Kaa hypnotizing Mowgli into relaxing and allowing himself to almost be eaten.
Ah, a sneaky colab. Wasn't expecting this today.
Glad we could surprise you! It is something we have been discussing for a while but needed the right script for it.
Pool is loop backwards. I see some meaning there.
I didn't look at it that way. I'll have to think about it. Nice catch.
Balance really does slay the demon! And I guess until you learn to live with both sides to yourself in harmony then you will never find peace of mind. We're often afraid of taking a good look at our own shadow for the shame and embarrassment that might come along with our own mistakes. But the only thing we should fear is not looking at it, for our denial of the shadow is exactly what fuels it.
I've wondered if the whole story really is a elaborate metaphor for Alans writers block. I'm expecting him to Wake up on the boat having never left his car!
Well considering the entire point of the story was to give him a reason to write Departure when he refused to do it for so long I'd think your assessment is accurate that it is a metaphore to have him get over his block.
And yes you understand it perfectly. Frankly looking into our own Shadow can be terrifying. One of the hardest thing to do in life is accept responsibility for our shortcomings and actions. It Is so much easier to project that blame onto others. In our heart of hearts we know the truth but reject it, leading to cognitive dissonance. Sometimes we construct falsehoods in our mind to avoid accepting aspects of our Shadow. If anyone challenges these falsehoods we lash out, defending the, 'Hall of Mirrors built by liars.'
The Demons/Dragons we slay in the great stories represent finding balance between our two halves. Absolutely, "When Balance Slays the Demon, we'll find peace."
@@GamingUniversityUoG well the rewriting reality and this video spoke to me in a sense I understand all too well, I've been plagued the last 5-6 years with a form of my own creation, I'm also a writer. I've countless ideas and a few manuscripts in some form or another but in terrified of approaching Publishers with my work as it feels like ive put my life force into some of this work. So naturally ive held off and found a haven with no danger, stable job, replaying video games for the nostalgia watching old movies and at the same time watching others in my field of view move forward. I need to stop been afraid to take the next step, one dream may falter but the only way to fail is to abandon them entirely. Studying this topic has been a type of therapy! So thank you for the videos!
I'm really glad I could help in a small way. Once you hit up a publisher let me know how it turns out! I'm rooting for you!
But yeah, Refusal of the Call to Adventure allows us to stay in a place of familiarity and safety but we'll never know what better things are out there unless we brave the dangers of the unknown. As Thomas Zane put it perfectly, "Beyond the Shadow you Settle for, there is a Miracle Illuminated."
I'd recommend hitting up the bookstore and getting a copy of Joseph Campbell's, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." It directly addresses this topic and helped me out a lot. Be well friend!
Great work fellas! Glad to see you two working together on a collab. It's cool to see these themes echo across Remedy's games even as far back as Max Payne 1, laying the thematic groundwork for the future shared universe. If I remember right, even back in MP1 during one of the dream sequences Max ends up shooting a version of himself as well. Remedy do love their doppelgangers
It is everywhere in these games lol. You can definitely tell they had something in mind when writing this.
And yeah it was fun to collaborate with Max on this one!
This channel is criminally under rated.
Thank you so much for the comment!
I kinda wish the games played more with the shadow being kinda-good, or having aspects that are useful.
In a place where everything is trying to crush your spirit, your individual self, that anger could be honed into a weapon to defend yourself. Just knowing there is something inside you that is driven to Fight Back, can be enough to move forward.
Also knowing where that shadow comes from isn't fully explored either. Alot our shadows is from an inner child that got beaten down and hurt. Some part of yourself that just wanted love, and didn't get it.
With AWE expansion of Control, we see signs of a Third Aspect of Alan Wake's Shadow... a Thomas Zane, not the poet, an New? Thomas Zane, just as eager to escape the Dark Place... but while Alan KNEW Mr. Scratch needed to be stopped/destroyed, Thomas Zane makes Alan upset, violently upset, when he reveals he was "dealing with" Mr. Scratch.
Alan doesn't destroy "Thomas Zane" in AWE, but what does he represent that Alan dislikes but otherwise doesn't destroy about himself? Compromise perhaps?
That is an interesting thought I hadn't considered. Frankly I have been trying to figure out how this 'Zane' fits in. I never believed he was the real one. More something created by the Threshold in some way. But the idea he is the desperation to escape would suggest Alan has to reel in those emotions. In the ending of Inception, the protagonist was so desperate to be back with his children he didn't care if the world was real or not. Alan has to care so he must recognize this desperation but keep it under control.
Nice thought thanks!
Top notch content, as always! And thank you for introducing me to Max's work, I'll suscribe to his channel now!
You'll love his stuff. He taught me a lot of things that you'll enjoy too.
Alan Wake 2 actually made Alan's story a lot more similar to Address Unknown
My two favorite theory youtubers, in one video!? Hearing Max was a total surprise!
Haha in glad we were able to take you by surprise on this. Happy you enjoyed the collaboration.
That was a brilliant presentation between you and Max. I hope if Sam Lake ever sees one of your videos, that it's this one. I think he would be flattered. To add to what you discussed, in Quantum Break, I found Paul Serene to be an excellent example of a man who surrendered to his own "John Mirra" or "Mr. Scratch". Speaking of Mirra, the debut song for Poets of the Fall, "Late Goodbye", mentions him near the end, and earlier in the song the words "staring wild eyes" (inspiration for Essej's personality?).
Honestly if Sam ever saw this stuff I'd be really curious to know if I'm looking too far into it or am on the right track.
I'm still playing Max Payne 2 for the first time and haven't finished it, but I have already heard Late Goodbye twice. I need to do a deep dive on the lyrics. And yeah Paul i see as having lost Hope in trying to fix things. His entire being is different because of the loss of it.
Do you think the mirrors in Alan Wake 2 have a less clear reflection on purpose, or do you think this is a technical issue remedy hasn’t been able to fully hash out with today’s tech?
Honestly I'd have to check other games they did for mirrors. If they did them right in those it means it is intentional.
Is Max Derrat your shadow persona? You both seem like 2 sides of the same coin, keep up the awesome content!
Haha if that's true we'll have to find out lol. Thanks and I absolutely will do!
Needs more attention. It's better than other so called game theory videos because here we are talking about facts and diving deeper. Most other channels talk hogwash for views and their theories never become real.
It is something I try to keep in mind. I've never wanted to take intentional controversial takes for clicks. And where I can, provide content that people can find useful outside of the context of game lore. This one in particular really showcases my style.
yesss YESSSSS MAX DERRAT AND GAMING UNIVERSITY IN ONE VIDEO AND ITS ON CONTROL!!!!!!I AMMMM INNNN HEAVENNNNNNNNN
Haha buckle up. This won't be the last Crossover event 😎
A fascinating video as always. I'll definitely check out Max Derrat. Thanks for the knowledge :)
I appreciate it & you're welcome! Yeah Max inspired me on a lot. His work on the Silent Hill series is incredible.
Dear Dean,
thank you for all your Videos. I played Control the last days and just needed some extra input and watched your videos in one go on this topic. Alan Wake is one of my most loved games. AND I can't say how much I appreciate your videos with this in depth analysis. And also thanks to Max Derrat for this amazing insight!
Just a big thank you Gaming University and keep on with your good work!
A new Fan.
Glad to have you in the community! I'm happy I could help provide some additional enjoyment for this amazing game. I'll make sure to let Max know!
Have a great day!
So Alan Wake 2. That's a thing now! It's taken 12 years but we finally are getting it. Look forward to watching some of your videos on that game when it comes out. That said I think you have some of the best videos about the lore it's about the lore of Alan wade that I've seen on UA-cam.
I very much appreciate it! I'm really excited to dive into the sequel and do a whole new line of videos. 2023 is too long though! I need it now
@@GamingUniversityUoG Turns out this was one of the major themes of Alan Wake 2.
This is so well done! Deserves a lot more praise.
I really appreciate it! I'm glad you enjoyed
Hello, I am obsessed with your control coverage! If you could possibly do some videos deep diving into the different world altering events I would really enjoy it! Also quick 2 minute videos for each object of power explaining their backgrounds and powers would be great binge watching content! Looking forward for the future of this channel!
That's a good idea. Quick and easy to produce and will allow content to be uploaded between the big lectures. I'll look into it.
You just perfectly explain Persona 4 with this video as well!
Lol I really need to play that! I keep hearing how similar the themes are.
@@GamingUniversityUoG The game literally is about your supressed shadow, a lot of the symbolism you explain on this playlist are there too! check out when you have the chance! Cheers from Brazil I love your Channel!
Omg awesomest collaboration 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Haha thank you! this one was a lot of fun to collaborate with Max on!
Put control and the games asside this is a very powerfull and a very good life lesson and a kind of motivational video, if we want succes first we gotta understand ourselves to be able to pull the maximum in whatever we are doing, i love your videos keep the good work up.
That is absolutely something I strive for. Not only discuss the story but find a way to talk the lessons learned in the story and apply it to daily life. Literature has always been a fascination of mine for that very reason.
@@GamingUniversityUoG Of course man amazing videos, ive just finished the control lecture, i cant wait to start the alan wake lecture, you earned a sub for me , keep the amazing work up.
I believe Control was also heavily inspired by Stephen King's writing as well, particularly the Dark Tower series.
The Dark Tower is located in End World, a location that exists outside of space and time (Similar to the dark place) and has many floors which are essentially doorways into alternate realities.
Similarly, the Dark Tower reveals that almost all of Stephen King's books are connected through the tower. The Oceanview motel is essentially Remedy's version of the Dark Tower.
The next thing you know, Mira shows up in Vanguard, fighting off aliens by destroying hollow stone spheres.
And I love Remedy for it.
If aliens show up or we see a return of Mirra I would flip out.
Literally just started watching Twin Peaks today, so I was NOT expecting spoilers for the show lol
I'll come back and watch it another time
I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Dean. I look forward to your future work! Have a great one.
Thank you so much! I'm glad this one turned out okay.
This was a great analysis keep up the good work 100%
Thank you a bunch! Definitely have more coming.
Love these videos! And the lil chrono trigger call back, at the end, got me to subscribe 😁 nicely played
Lmao objective achieved with the Chrono Trigger tune! Thanks!
These Remedy verse explained videos are ones of your best , Excellent video ...
Now if i may suggest a good game which you can eventually play and maybe do some videos on , it'd be Death Stranding ,the game is full of symbolism and philosophical ; psychological references which may be very interesting to analyze
I do really want to check out Death Stranding! I know it has a divided set of opinions about It but I'm really curious to see what craziness it has to offer.
And thank you very much!
@@GamingUniversityUoG Great ,keep up the good work ,and thank you too
The mountains reflection in the lake also looks like an upside down black pyramid. Don’t that is relevant but cool I’m my mind
Probably just sort of the artwork. Really cool though.
This scared the shit out of me but I have to know more about the shadow
It can be a dark topic to discuss. I'd recommend checking out Max's channel. He discuss this stuff more than I. I'd recommend his series on Jung's Aion.
I didn't know about Mirra, I probably saw that message and didn't think anything of it, when I played Alan Wake earlier this year. Although does this mean that in the Remedyverse there's a John Mirra running around during the events of Control? Alongside other supernatural entities like Chester Bless and the Blessed Group? And the Taken/Shaded around Cauldron Lake and if Quantum Break is confirmed as being in this shared universe, we've got anomalous individuals that can mess with Time, like Paul Serene and Martin Hatch? (I highly suspect Paul isn't truly dead, but who knows what getting close to the Countermeasure could have done to him. I mean the man sprang back to life once, I'm not ruling it out.)
I eagerly look forward to your video on Emil Hartman and his transformation and the events of Expansion 2: AWE
Moat likely this is just an easter egg but I'd say it's hard to predict exactly what Mirra's relationship to the story is until we establish Max Payne and by extension Address Unknown's connection.
Alex Casey was created to find Alan so it's possible I suppose. It was the Dark Place so that represents the Collective Unconscious. But does the collective unconscious encompass all tiers of reality too?
I don't think MP and Address Unknown exist in the same world as AW/Control. Linked yes but not the same.
Thanks/gratitude for/because the video/work.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
The second I saw a new video I got my notebook and pen ready
Haha I hope the study session went well 😁
9:37 John Mirra in SlideScape36
Definitely see an echo of him in the Dark Place.
Love your work, and this is so trippy. Mind how poor my writing was (I wrote this when I was 15 for an English task) but this was a poem I wrote years ago. Essentially a piece based on Jekyll and Hyde. If you get a chance let me know what you think. Don't think it's aged very well. Haha
Everyday I see it. The mirror. The unconsciousness sitting, planting in my mind. If I were asleep, will it run rampant? Does it run rampant? Would I know? Does it matter. Does it scare you? I scare myself sometimes. Is it strange that I notice? You look back, same me, same guy. But no, it's unconscious. Your not there, but you wanna be. You see the conscious me, the normal me. The me that takes control. You wanna ride? Take the reigns, be in charge? Sick of the backseat, want to feel alive, just the thought suduces you right? Maybe while I sleep, shifting, thinking of you, what you might do to me, the real me. Me. They'll think you're me. We know that's not true. Your reflection will be muddy. You're like the ocean. It looks pretty, reflections of a sky, perfect blue. But we all know, draining the water would show the true unrelenting you. Empty, dark, murky. Unconscious me. Part of me? Yes, but you can't be seen, not by this world. It's not ready, neither am I. My lover, my partner, my new world you wouldn't understand. The unconscious me must stay that way, blind, unnoticed, trivial. You wouldn't lie to me right? You stay put, like the seeds in a garden nobody sees grow. I'm the finished product, the produce she bought. The roots never leave the garden, they stay put. In the soil, deep, dark, burried. That's why you're the unconscious mind, your my ticket to unholy depths, you'll stay there, never be heard, I won't let you be heard. She deserves better, I am better, she won't know. No one will. You died with her. Not listening, I'm done listening. I can't hear you anymore.. The other side of the mirror, is it dark? Does it scare you? Are there cracks? Let me see. One more time, just one more, let me touch it. Let me.......................... Is it dark?
Beautiful. It is certainly a universal concept that you put words to. Questions like this are the reason Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde resonated with readers in such a visceral level.
Thanks for this.
You got it!
Great job
I appreciate it! Thanks
In further conclusion:
While both Freud's triune brain and Jung's archetypes are a good, fun, and interesting way of analysing media, they are not at all accurate to our modern understanding of psychology and the brain, and you shouldn't take them seriously in that regard.
I think mr scratch is mixtures of all the antagonists that Alex Casey have fought and alan wake darker side which gave birth to serial killer which easily explains why mr scratch uses tools like hammer and knifes and not too much his superpowers
"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain..."
- Alan Wake, probably 😅
An issue with this overarching theory, and with Max Derrat's frequent application of Jungian theory in his own videos, is that Jungian theory is frequently used as the "superimposed and self-referential image of man over the vast and terribly defined reality beyond our categorical understanding" - Control and media like it are better representations of the futility of Jungian thought than they are examples of it. The characters in such media, as in Control and Alan Wake, believe in and apply Jungian analysis even while the world defies their full comprehension or categorization - with some standout characters pushing back against the common canon and fan analysis, such as Emily Pope's own rejection of such antiquated and myopic definition.
I would have to go through the script string to confirm. But I don't recall Emily specifically discussing these psychological ideas. She does specify some government practices as antiquated.
Putting Jung aside, I have studied Joeseph Campbell for a while. It can be argued that the Monomyth is superimposed over the story much like you state that Jungian philosophy is used in storytelling. I see them more as patterns the characters experience that can be used to further define the nature of that experience. More often than naught the writer may not intend it. But the patterns are there regardless. Kind of like how we compare one movie to another because they have the same tropes.
Since Control specifically mentions Jung by name I feel it is fair to discuss it. But applying the trope of jungian philosophy to a story is no different than any other trope out there like the rebellious princess or the hero coming from humble beginnings.
@@GamingUniversityUoG I don't believe Emily specifically pushes against Jung either, merely that she's an example of characters in media ultimately pushing against the humanization and thus 'dumbing down' of larger concepts - a point to my larger notion boiling down to hubris and its connection to Jungian application.
By no means do I think it is 'wrong' to use Jung, Campbell, et al.: I think what a lot of characters in canon fail to recognize, as well as analysts of that canon*, is that Jungian analysis (or any human archetypal function) is a stopgap. Darling, Trench, and many of the old guard in Remedy canon have issues seeing beyond the narrative devices they've internalized as explanation and excuse for framework, while characters like Ash and Pope (and to a lesser degree the blustering of Wake as he develops) are seeing that the patterns and categories are self-inflicted. The qualitative Jungian versus the quantitative Real, and the interplay between the two.
That's why I say it's an issue with the theory, rather than a rebuttal - a focus and scope of narrative over author over character.
*present company, and Max Derrat himself, excluded, despite my framing. There's just frequently a preference for brevity for simplicity.
Mirrors are more fun than television!
Haha that they are! actually replaying Max Payne today and just got to that TV show.
What do you think about a theory that Dylan is actually Jesse's animus that has been made into a real person by the power of the slide projector? He mentioned that he had a dream where he relived the events of the Ordinary AWE, but in this dream he was the only child, a girl named Jesse Dylan Faden.
I think there is merit to that theory. It goes thematically too considering her indecisiveness, refusal to assume a leadership position, overall lack of Animus traits up until the point right before she cleanses him. But he is also in a coma now and clearly separate from her. So whi knows what he evolved into.
@@GamingUniversityUoG also animus and anima are Jung's concepts as well. I personally think they were actually siblings and both existed before the AWE, but I can't rule out the possibility
Reinstall Paul Gaming University and Max Derrat , you guys took gaming theory to another level !
This comment made my day! I was so excited to discover both Max and Paul's channels after I started mine and both have been an inspiration for me. Stay tuned for more collaborations down the line!
@@GamingUniversityUoG Of course I am gonna stay tuned , btw I am still waiting for the Jesse Faden / Beth Wilder theory ^^
Haha well we do possibly see them sitting together in a surveillance photo. Check the White Board in the P7 room in the Prime Candidates area. You may recognize Beth's Beanie.
You really should do videos like these on the Persona series.
I have been asked about that before. I'm actually trying to get my hands on a copy of Persona 4 Golden. Never played that series.
Oh hey Max Derrat
It was a privilege to collaborate with him here.
That intro ;D
Pretty cool right lol. We'll have to thank a member of the community TheYellowBat for making the intros. He does awesome work!
LOL im a derp, i played every remedy game, love alan wake and only now realize A.WAKE = AWAKE.... wow i feel stupid.
Lol it's one of those things you never unsee after noticing.
Then Saga Anderson confronts his own darkness when he looks at the photo of other Saga?
If you can explain whos the mister that when you say the name the sound goes to static, ps great videos.
The reason I censor out Mr. Scratchs name is because in the game itself they do the same thing. The developers stated that the name 'Scratch' is supposed to be unpronounceable to humans and therefore we cant understand it.
If I had a doppelganger he/it might be named, nitsua.
Just googled that and... oh dear
I wonder where these concepts come up in Quantum Break?
I think in QB it is a little more complex. There was no direct parallels to confronting the shadow as far as I could tell. There are comparisons for Paul before the End of Time and after but he never had to confront himself. Just got taken over by a feeling of hopelessness.
@@GamingUniversityUoG ah ok that makes sense. The connection ain’t that game are looser in certain aspects. I love the remedy verse though
I could be wrong here but I don't think Sam Lake was a writer on Quantum Break - so it doesn't convey a lot of the same ideas that run through his other work. It does feel more like its own thing.
It didn't. Microsoft had a lot of creative license on how QB turned out. I don't recall exactly how hands on Sam was for this one but I know he was involved. Frankly the most Remedy thing in it was probably Martin Hatch.
@@GamingUniversityUoG Sam did all the Alan Wake easter eggs :-). I do like QB, I enjoyed playing the game (and watching the show) but I didn't love it quite like the other Remedy titles.
Wait, does Sam play Mira? This makes.. a lot of sense.
This would wrap around and suggest that Sam Lake (actor) in Alan Wake II is the same actor from the Night Springs Episode, and the FBI version we meet is a reforged version of that character based on that broadcast. :3 It ALL wraps around, over and over.
If the events of Cauldron Lake were cyclical, wonder what would happen if the likes of say David Goggins were to enter?
Maligula: Hi, I'm SpongeBob!
"When you gaze into that abyss, it gazes back" Nietsche
Kinda cool)
Haha thanks Duck
What if John and John Mira exist in another universe where the tv show is real? 🧐
Well Dylan did say that in one world there was a Writer/Alan who wrote a story about a cop. In another world, that Cop/Max was real. So these types of fictional realities may already be established. Payne did realize he existed in a Video Game when he was injected with the drug Valkyr.
I see, for I am (A)lan WAKE. Haha.
Alan, Wake up.
Welp.
well isnt that funny, remedy made thr story of address unkwon into an entire game (aw 2)
2:54: "the prime example of Jungian influence has to be the games produced by remedy"
*Laughs in persona fan*
Lmao yeah Persona is definitely a game we have both talked about getting into, knowing how far it dives into these topics.
@@GamingUniversityUoG I reccomend going with persona 4 if you're looking for heavier jungian influences, 5 has them but only one character directly faces there own shadow.
that's mainly due to the games themes of rebellion and self assertion over persona 4's brutal truth vs lies you want to believe ideas.
Gotcha. It is definitely something on my list.
God dammit. Jordan fucking Peterson? I'm out.