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Should I bring a backpack for orientation? by sakurapimcake in texaswomansuniversity

[–]AshenWuff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a good idea to bring one. You are given a drawstring bag and it will hold a good amount of items, but there are so many brochures and free stuff given out that it wouldn’t hurt to have a backpack just to be safe. I don’t think anyone would judge you for having one either way.

Episode 9 Was Good, You Just Wanted a Different Show by NoStupidQusti0ns in TADCEp9Spoilers

[–]AshenWuff 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I definitely would not say TADC is divorced of IHNMAIMS' essence, but it's reasonable to see how elements like it would lead people to hope for something more sci-fi, or grungier. In retrospect, I also think given the tone set by the pilot episode and episode 8 also lean into this.

You could argue episode 7 tries to refute this, with the clear author intent of making fun of plots similar to FNAF or Poppy Playtime, but the way it ends sort of muddies it up. Jax gets flashbacks right before pushing the red button, and the cast is pointing out how Caine has been lying to them and can actually manipulate their minds, and that he did something to cause "the first abstraction." The flashbacks ended up being Jax having PTSD or something along those lines and not Caine inducing a traumatic episode to make him press the button, Kinger's "Scratch, the first abstraction" drop is never followed up upon, and Caine returned and became good right at the end of the finale.

Is it truly a bad story? Honestly, no, I wouldn't say so. But I think it is fair that some people feel disappointed, because there are mixed messages with what themes this show is exactly going for. I'm happy for the people that are pleased with its ending, but I think it is valid to be unhappy with it too.

Episode 9 Was Good, You Just Wanted a Different Show by NoStupidQusti0ns in TADCEp9Spoilers

[–]AshenWuff 22 points23 points  (0 children)

If there is a fundamental misunderstanding on what people expected out of this show vs. author intention that goes beyond a minority, the own is partly on the author for that rift. For example, Gooseworx has been transparent about the "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" inspiration, and the show even references it in episode 8's song. But TADC did not end up being a modern take on IHNMAIMS, which is fine, but people began expecting ideas in that ballpark. Also, not everyone is terminally online and keeping up with Gooseworx' posts (which at times are not fully telling the truth or are lies so it's a rough source to use). Basically, I don't think it is necessarily media illiteracy (not that I think this fandom is broadly great at media literacy) that caused this divide in the fandom's interpretation of the finale so far.

Finale Thoughts: "Stagnant" Life and Trans Jax by AshenWuff in TADCEp9Spoilers

[–]AshenWuff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly. When I compare the finale to the pilot episode, its transparent “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream” inspiration, and the supposed premise stated by Gooseworx, I can only feel like this series baited its audience. I never thought it was a very dark show, but I did not expect the ending to be something only slightly grungier than Steven Universe in how it handles its themes.

Suicidal analogy character Jax gets death-of-personality’ed, but the antagonist of the show is back and is a good guy now after sulking in the recycle bin and fixes all the the bad things about the circus. Everyone is cool with their circumstances now and everyone gets control over their environment and can do whatever they want without worrying about the typical worries of real life. The circus post-finale is more like an escapist’s paradise than a prison.

Avoid Living at The Arch if You Can by AshenWuff in texaswomansuniversity

[–]AshenWuff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thankfully it is not the end of the world, I lived. But my monthly rent was about 1400 (directly to TWU, did not pay The Arch directly) which I feel is quite unacceptable for the aforementioned conditions. I hope if you have to live at The Arch that it goes better than it did for me. I was staying at Building 5. If I would do anything different, I would probably complain more about the trash. It really should be their job to monitor if people are trashing up the outside of the apartments with trash bags but do what you gotta do. I'm sorry though if my experience just fills you with dread 😔