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jo-clovery · 9 days ago

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So. Season 4 episode 1 huh

Giving Fan, one of the most obsessive characters, main control to moderate the new season of his FAVOURITE show, and then expect him NOT to become obsessive over it? This will be so so entertaining to watch unfold, and Fan is so beautifully written in this new episode I am overjoyed

I'm gonna go through the entire episode to try and analyze all the Fan-ness that's been constantly appearing in my face and killing me there's so much Fan. There's alot to talk about- his state in the start of the episode, his motivations, his observations of the community, and then his biased conclusion. I'm going over whatever thoughts I have as it comes into my brain bear with me. There's too much Fan in this episode to process

(really long)

(will add updated screenshots when subtitles are added to the episode sorry sorry)

As shown in the episode, Fan seems to mostly be lazing around and barely even doing the job he was assigned, considering what it is. He's incredibly unhappy and understimulated in this community. The moment he sees the other characters, he lights up- because it's related to Mephone, related to Inanimate Insanity. He sparks to life again, completely unlike him rotting in bed just a second before.

While he's not visible, he still does "tag along", but instead he's following close behind. Sneaking away from his job like this really shows how disinterested he is in his job, but also how he's probably never even doing it right, having to be yelled at to do it by Salt. When following the tour, he observes how the arrivals react, being so excited that things related to inanimate insanity in some way is happening. He's taking anything at this point. It's safe to say he's been on the tour the entire time, but not shown on screen until this point.

Now the thing is, Fan brings up a lot of good points. There are flaws in the community, there are so many people who struggle with their jobs, and every one of the arrivals are completely disinterested in it. It's no wonder this has happened before, Fan even mentions it- also implying that he's been following every tour he could, being observant of each and every newcomer. He has also observed how others have adapted to the new community, making good points how some of them do actually struggle, especially having been around Pepper who seems to struggle a lot with her job.

However, with his good points, Fan is also projecting again. Most things he says here on out is based on himself, as Fan hides what he feels through projection instead of saying it outright which he's notoriously known for, most notable in his tone; "...or even like them very much," showing his displeasure clearly. He speaks from the point of the community rather than himself, as it makes him feel more secure but also is a tactic to have the OSC consider his words as he phrases it as concerning everyone.

Instead of finding something else to do in the community for himself since he's clearly unhappy with his 'job', he's trying to return to the show, since he's certain it'll make him happy. He observes others feeling the same way as him to validate this, and then decides the show is the solution. It feels like he doesn't even give the community a chance since he hates adapting to it. He struggles with it possibly more than anyone, it's no wonder he can't handle his job or being in this society, and trying to convince everyone else that you shouldn't be "getting used" to things, and instead should focus on what you are used to. But the reason he's saying this is obvious. He specifically misses Inanimate Insanity and is struggling to move on, basically saying that everyone is used to the game, so that's why it's good!! He's doing his i hate change bleh shit again

Fan consistently talks about the community rather than himself to distract from the fact that he is for the most part talking about himself here, his own perception of the show. Of course. Fan, the guy obsessed with Inanimate Insanity, is begging for the show to come back deep in his heart. Of course he tries to argue over why it would be beneficial to everybody, because it hurts him so much that it's gone. He's trying to find ways to excuse it, by analyzing how miserable the arrivals are, and claiming the competition is some kind of necesity for happiness, because it makes him happy.

This is a competition that has hurt them, hurt many others, it's insulting he claims it was better. The OSC's reaction to Fan's arguments are directly calling him out. Fan really does want things to go back to the way they were before, but he doesn't want it to be percieved in that way to feel better about his longing for it. He really is having difficulties adjusting, being so dependant on the show since it's his main intrest in life, what he was coded to attach to. It's painful for him to have them spell out his worries like this in his face.

Once again, he's heavily projecting onto other people. Fan feels miserable, and doesn't want to be in the community, at least for how it is now. He struggles to adapt to it, so he blames it. He's desperate for any kind of escape back to how it was, since he feels like nothing is happening around him. The game constantly threw things at you, having the kind of structure Fan enjoys, so he seeks out a similar thrill- without it, he's in this "state of stasis". He's grown so used and attached to the way the game was that he can't cope with being in an average life.

Especially with the lines he says here, it's clear that he's the one who can't 'break free', or use his free will properly, adapting to a life outside the show. At the end of the day, he's still relying on the game for all of his happiness, and doing anything to get it back. He keeps framing it as "we" it's crazy. No this is about YOU boy.

He is so incredibly desperate here. He's trying so hard to convince them why the game will be beneficial because he needs it. Getting so energetic and passionate about it- it's clear he's doing it out of his own intrest. I need to add this here he literally perks up like a fucking dog at hearing vote it's like a goddam keyword boy calm down

I find it so amusing how much he tries to charm the OSC, highlighting their capabilities to win them over using praise, showing them how the game has had a positive effect on them. Really trying to be appealing to them and propose his idea in a good light, by swaying them- but he does also believe it's genuinely positive exprience worth having the game around for. He has learnt to trust Test Tube and rely on her thanks to the game and its challenges, but also... that wasn't really even part of the game now was it?

Fan explaining the teaching qualities of the game is a genuinely good point. Experiences in the game have helped them and their growth, but- bringing back the GAME is the solution he goes for because he's Fan and its a very limited view of possiblities. Everyone has a drive to bring it back, but esepecially him, taking any chance for it. Like he really could have suggested anything else, a competition is really not always the solution here- one that is in the fashion of the original show, at least. But no, Fan wants Inanimate Insanity back. That is his goal, subconiously, always. No matter how much he appears to be prioritizing others happiness and the betterment of their society, he's clouded by his own intrest. He ignores the extreme pain they've dealt with because of the game, because it's all they've ever known. Nobody here knows what an "average" life is. Fan really only thinks development can happen within his favourite show, because he can't handle himself living without it.

Not to mention, in the scene where he fully proposes the idea- he is SO VERBOSE. He wants to be charming in front of the OSC, articulating himself in a professional way to seem appealing. It is delightful to watch.

I feel like Cabby's line here is straightup foreshadowing. Fan will most definitely become obsessed with it, and I'm sure some of the contestants would start becoming obsessed with it as well and letting it define them. I CANNOT see Fan maintaing any casual or professional attitude towards the competition, unless they're constantly keeping check of him but I doubt that would stop him, especially when he was able to sway them to let him have the competition in the first place.

As if Fan isnt being incredibly exploitative right now... it wouldn't surprise me if Fan was hoping to get to be the "host" of sorts, and if he'll start leaning into a more host-y role later on... he constantly phrases things in a good light, like oh, it's not a HOST it's a moderator, it's not a SHOW its just a silly little game. "Just a game, it's not even real." He just wants an excuse for it to come back and make his life meaningful again.... and then it wont be this theraputic helpful experience, it'll be his life.

Disregarding every one of his arguments made for the OSC, this was decided in a day. When they've all agreed to his idea that he's so charmingly swayed them into, he has the game back! Inanimate Insanity is back! His favourite thing! Now he wont be staying in bed all day doing nothing but being a replacement for an AC he will actually have something to live for everyday! It's so obvious how this decision is actually grounded in his own intrests instead of how he plays it up to be a betterment of society to bring back what initally has traumatized MANY in this crowd, and those to be traumatized by his instinctive need of repetitiveness and entertainment.

He's using the community to justify it. Bringing back the show is very rooted in his own bias and interests. You know. Given he’s the guy who likes the show? He misses it PAINFULLY, and it's understandable given his character, yearning for that daily challenge structure. Yet again, Fan cannot handle reality, and has to cope with it. He has to return to his habits, drifting towards a fantasy where the game will start back up again, giving him that purpose, thinking that it’ll help him. He’s relied on the game so much in his entire life, and knowing that he even bonded with his closest friend on the show, of course he would rely on it. He thinks bringing it back is the only way he can process anything anymore. AND HE'LL GET IT!

This game will make him relapse. It'll make him disconnect. It'll reverse so much development from him, thrusting him back into the competition he's constantly relying his entire life in. He thinks he can't exist without it normally. He can't adapt to a normal society. He can't handle having a job. How can he handle not giving in to his instincts when he's left in control of the thing he's obsessed with?

There is no way he wont be biased about his moderating. He will use this game for his own entertainment, as he can control it and make excuses for it. He'll put people in danger. He'll encourage the drama despite claiming he wont. Fan is a hypocrite. He is impulsive. He couldn't even properly plan anything with Test Tube about when they'll speak up about the issues in society- he just did it without her. This season will be so fucking fun with this guy hosting it i am so so excited for him to bring back things from the other seasons and excuse it as "nostalgia", and just for fun, as if he's not desperate for the continuation of his favourite show. I am Hyped

Thanks for reading i hope he gets worse. wow Fan I can't believe We can All be Happy. whys he convinced inanimate insanity will save lives