Finishing TGWDLM!! | America is Great Again + Let it Out + Inevitable
Added 2025-05-03 21:28:09 +0000 UTCMY ANXIETY LEVELS
Comments
I was thinking while watching this, that this ending is a lot like Little Shop of Horrors.
BronzeDionysus
2025-11-29 02:07:00 +0000 UTCSaw a community production of this last week and called the meteor climax from Act 1 like as soon as Ted said “Cut off the head and the whole thing goes down” I was like “AHT that’s definitely gonna come back later”
Sarah Rodrigues
2025-10-09 23:40:51 +0000 UTCThe fact that you're all fancy-dressed on camera but apparently wearing pajama pants is the BIGGEST DAMN MOOD omg, my hero
Robin
2025-06-16 13:30:34 +0000 UTCEmma doesn't really get terrified (those screams) until Paul sings 'Show stoppin' number' reprise as he wasn't there when that song got sung - the only way he'd know that song was if he was truely infected.
Bree
2025-06-01 00:36:30 +0000 UTCThe end of this really got me the first time I watched it. The "Emma" at the beginning of inevitable is so close to a spoken word that (since I didn't have captions on) I didn't realise he was singing until a beat later. Emma's screams throughout Inevitable, especially the one just before the Kickline lyrics, was harrowing, honestly. TGWDLM is such a good horror musical, it's unreal how well they pulled it off.
Moony Star
2025-05-27 19:24:09 +0000 UTCOmg podcast yes please!
Elizabeth Deprey
2025-05-26 22:36:56 +0000 UTCComing back to this to say that the only reason 16:00 still works in a show where people only pay attention to the clothes to distinguish between characters is because: the characters in the world don't know until Zoe lifts the goggles towards them. We are SUPPOSED to be fooled by this one character not adhering to general meta rules of the clothing because the characters also fooled by the disguise!
Chris
2025-05-25 07:04:49 +0000 UTCBlack Friday is my favourite as well. I’m so excited to see him react to it. I feel like he’s gonna get really invested in Tom.
EepLeep
2025-05-24 08:56:29 +0000 UTCThe more invested you got the more I was like: “oh he’s gonna HATE the ending to this show” I genuinely cannot wait for you to react to Black Friday, it’s easily my favourite starkid show (TGWDLM is a very close second)
Star ⭐️
2025-05-23 13:04:06 +0000 UTCSo, the Hatchetfield musicals all take place in the same universe, and even the same town with the same cast of characters, just across different timelines. Each show is independent of the last, happening in a different timeline. There are some things that tie all the timelines together, but in most factors, the stories of each show and Nightmare Time episode don't impact each other!
Paradoxgavel
2025-05-20 20:09:38 +0000 UTCWith TGWDLM Reprised coming soon, I would recommend getting through Hatchetfield (stage shows and nightmare time episodes) before moving on to Cinderellas Castle.
Mikayla Prushik
2025-05-19 15:27:15 +0000 UTCi feel like black friday is a The Purge riff....?
Sal Operator
2025-05-19 03:08:22 +0000 UTCthe amazing thing of hatchetfield is how many horrific scenarios they can put them in and never give happy endings to... Tho I think TGWDLM has the worst ending as in 'The most horrific and tragic' not 'bad' out of the 3...
Backpack_Hermit
2025-05-18 04:57:08 +0000 UTCI wouldn't say they all take place in the same universe. They all take place in the same town/island.
squirrel apocalypse
2025-05-15 21:38:14 +0000 UTCI never realized till now, that Emma is the reason the aliens got Paul. He refused to give them the typical protagonist's "i want"-song in the beginning, but tells the general towards the end, that he wants a future with Emma. And because he now has a "want", he's vulnerable
Liaht
2025-05-13 22:55:52 +0000 UTC....well that was depressing. And bleak. And I now don't actually want to watch the other two hatchetfield shows. :c Or ever watch this one again.
Magnus Taliesin
2025-05-13 06:29:44 +0000 UTCI never caught that that's when she screams and the implications of him knowing that song... I didn't think about the implications!
Sterling Klein
2025-05-13 01:50:12 +0000 UTCThis was so fun! And knowing you’re in communication with Jon makes my heart smile. I’ve seen him in the comments of a couple of different people reacting to Starkid stuff and he always brings good vibes. I love the enthusiasm from the fans too, but I wish people would stop talking about the messages or future shows, or saying things like “you think x, wait til y!” It kind of spoils stuff even if it’s not direct plot. Regardless, I’ll be locked in for whatever Starkid stuff you might do in the future, and entertain myself with some of your other stuff in the mean time. 😁 Thanks again, Mortius!
SnowMart
2025-05-11 19:13:56 +0000 UTCYou thought the ‘final solution’ line was too bold? Spies are Forever pushed that topic so far the line becomes an arch 🤣
B Barnesy
2025-05-11 10:40:25 +0000 UTC2 very important notes, but they will make you more angry😂 1. If you look back at the first song, Emma is among the people who sing about Paul (she sings, "and he pines after cute little barista") -she is actually talking herself! 2. The true reason as to why Emma screams at the end there is because until "The show stopping number" she is holding onto hope that Paul is pranking her, but at that song she realizes he has been infected for real because every other song Paul was there to hear it. For Paul to know "a show stopping number" - there is no way, because it was played for Ted and Emma only.
Phoenix S
2025-05-10 22:08:08 +0000 UTCI learned how to say it right at the beginning of Heathers. Thank goodness.
Kory Misun
2025-05-09 03:51:20 +0000 UTCThat would be an absolutely incredible twist and lift me out of the despair I feel when this show ends. Paul could be the one who takes Emma's hand and leads her backstage, then they frickin' book it. The only problem is that the Hive might be able to tell they're missing two people they had been trying so hard to infect. Maybe they value how many they've got, and not who they used to be/the people they're missing. Yep, sounds like a musicult to me!
Kory Misun
2025-05-09 03:48:07 +0000 UTCWhen he was talking about how Starkid loves to rip it away just to give it back I was cackling like a mad woman.
Cecilia Yus-Cornejo
2025-05-08 06:43:14 +0000 UTCSorry Mortius but yes. Hatchetfield is lovecraft adjacent horror ><
Fitator Quatschfeder
2025-05-07 12:37:43 +0000 UTCWouldn't it be diabolical if the Hive used PEIP's technology to make more meteor brains around the world?
Kory Misun
2025-05-07 11:21:28 +0000 UTCI thought Emma was infected for the whole show because she was in the opening title number singing about her 'cute lil barista' self. The screams were probably what she did before they infected her, and the hive mind decided that would be a darkly humorous bit at the end. This is all my brain's idea though.
Kory Misun
2025-05-07 11:20:05 +0000 UTCThe idea that keeps sticking in my brain is that this is a bunch of aliens gloating about how they got Paul. They brought the meteor-brain to many venues to infect more people with the spores (us ravenous fans), and to just brag about how they won. :P
Kory Misun
2025-05-07 11:03:58 +0000 UTCI need a Black Friday reaction yesterday unfortunately so Cinderella might need to wait
Carter Dunn
2025-05-07 09:27:39 +0000 UTCThe thing you might have missed in 'Great Again' and the reason it had an impact is because it's less about what's happening in the show and more about the state of America with how people have been voting and what it could lead to. This and Black Friday does have an undercurrent of reflecting on the state of America. I'm not American myself but keeping up with the news, I can really see what they were doing here
Rebecca Carter
2025-05-06 22:26:56 +0000 UTCOne thing I find funny is that Hatchetfield’s ABSOLUTE DISDAIN for Clivesdale isn’t reciprocated! Clivesdale held candlelight vigils for all of Hatchetfield lol
Peyton McLaughlin
2025-05-06 17:46:08 +0000 UTCooh yes, "the final solution to the Jewish question" was the full revolting phrase used by the Nazis to describe the Holocaust. Putting it in a song that very clearly refers to Trump's America is a bold move but a valid reminder of where fascism leads.
Smee
2025-05-06 08:51:48 +0000 UTCI know exactly which character(s) make it easier to cope with which character, and I couldn't agree more.
Smee
2025-05-06 08:46:17 +0000 UTCI love how over the course of "Let It Out" the Hive and Paul swap lines.
tkay-0
2025-05-06 00:25:03 +0000 UTCWelcome to hatchetfield where no ending is a good ending (for hatchetfield and the characters).
Mackenzie Bourdage
2025-05-05 17:34:59 +0000 UTCI’ve always loved how the audience starts laughing there and then goes dead silent as soon as they realize what’s happening
Lindsey Freeman
2025-05-05 16:35:18 +0000 UTC40:56 'is this a fucking loop??' is meant to be a joke about Emma running off one of the stage wings just to come back on through the other. it's essentially the world around Emma slowly turning into a theater (ex. stage with a connected backstage). This can also be another reason for why Emma screams during show stopping number; she's seeing the audience for the first time
Chris
2025-05-05 14:13:26 +0000 UTCnow THIS is the exact reaction i like to see to inevitable lol (i had the same speedrun of all the stages of grief)
madde
2025-05-05 14:08:53 +0000 UTCOh boy, I'm imagining you and I might have similar feel on Cinderella.... can't wait 😏 I've been watching out of context stuff and 1 character specific videos to cope with a different character
Seraphina Stardust
2025-05-05 09:47:03 +0000 UTCFun show details I haven't seen mentions. 1-when Ted says he "bleeds red white and -- " the background turns blue to finish the lines. 2-That high note you couldn't figure out was Emma screaming. 3-Speaking of Emma, during Inevitable Emma doesn't start screaming till reprise of Show Stopping Number cause Paul wasn't there for that number.
Ashley Ongsarte
2025-05-05 08:52:40 +0000 UTCI love that detail because it’s her SCREAM blending in with the music.
Ink Inc
2025-05-05 05:31:34 +0000 UTCHELL YEAH!! Torture Tango my beloved.
Ink Inc
2025-05-05 05:25:45 +0000 UTCThe emotions you go through at 38:20 are so absolutely perfect. The “he’s gonna sing 🥹?” Ready for a heartwarming end song like Twisted. To “he’s gonna sing? 😬” to “oh GOD I just registered the lyrics” to “I understand & I’m in abject misery and pain”
Ink Inc
2025-05-05 05:19:15 +0000 UTCI really really wanna see you react to Trail to Oregon
Liz Massie
2025-05-05 05:13:48 +0000 UTCI learned something new today, I guess! When you were aghast at "the final solution" I was sort of perplexed, and then typed it into my search bar... didn't even have to hit enter to find out what it was. I'd never heard that phrase before re: WWII.
Bennett
2025-05-05 04:55:21 +0000 UTCI will never tire of watching people react to the last song of this musical and realizing that the show is called the guy who didn’t like musicals for a reason. It’s past tense and the audience acts as its own character in the ending narrative. It (the meteor alien thing) has already won and is preforming for other undead (idk what the zombies here are called) before they kill emma.
Reader Minion
2025-05-05 04:17:33 +0000 UTCMusicals - Oregon (light hearted and fun) -Black Friday -Cinderella -Nerdy Prides
Nicholas & Heather
2025-05-05 03:35:28 +0000 UTCI’m hoping to see Oregon Trail
Nicholas & Heather
2025-05-05 02:56:59 +0000 UTCI’ll be happy with whatever you react to next. But I do want to cast my vote that you watch Nightmare Time before NPMD. As someone who did it the other way around, I regret that. I missed so many little things.
Mikayla Prushik
2025-05-05 02:26:41 +0000 UTCSeeing Mortius almost cry made me cry bro ;-;
Kally
2025-05-05 02:09:05 +0000 UTCEach of the Hatchetfield shows parody different horror genres. So this one was zombies/aliens (more specifically Invasion of the Body Snatchers) Obviously this one also did a parody of musicals too lol The other two musicals in the trilogy do different sub genres. Spoiler below for what those two sub genres are: • • • • Cults and Teen Slasher
Lauren Groen
2025-05-05 00:49:49 +0000 UTCJust to help you with an informed spoiler-free decision... TGWDLM is the least intense of the Hatchetfield trilogy. However, Cinderella's Castle is more intense than Black Friday (in terms of horror). From what I've seen, I think other reacters found Black Friday more emotionally taxing. Maybe because it's part of a trilogy, which meant more theory crafting and trying to connect dots.
Sunayama
2025-05-04 20:54:00 +0000 UTCI think the "We're great again no answers to be found" line is so soft because some reminiscence of the general is still in there who is despairing over what he's become. He believed in the power of the human heart, and yet they still lost. Kinda like the moment Paul himself has while the real him fights back against the takeover, you can hear sadness in the voice of the real Paul singling, while the hivemind smiles, and the sort of dichotomy between the two fighting over his body. I think some piece of the real them lingers around for awhile after the assimilation happens and that real part of them can act in a manner closer to free will in those moments. That's what I took from the moment anyway.
Sardonicus S
2025-05-04 19:58:00 +0000 UTC*SPOILERS* I think one of the most sickening parts of all of this is how easy it was for the hive to get Paul and Emma in the end. You realize Pokey was just toying with them for his own amusement. Killing them quickly isn't as fun; drawing it out heightens the terror he inflicts on the characters. He lets Paul make it all the way to the meteor with a false hope, knowing the spores would infect him regardless. He lets Emma get to Clivesdale first because that's "worse than dying in Hatchetfield." And then the IMPLICATION that the audience was also infected the whole time and the entire show was a cruel spectacle with an "inevitable" ending orchestrated by Pokey....gosh it hurts so much. Love this show.
Jael Guest
2025-05-04 19:53:41 +0000 UTCYeah, I think it'd be hard viewing her as a teen again after being introduced as the stepmother. Props to costuming/make up and her acting for making her be able to pass for someone in their late 40s who's had work done
Allison Watts
2025-05-04 18:43:54 +0000 UTCI would 100% suggest Cinderella's Castle first. Black Friday is good and it's my favorite of the recent Starkid musicals, but sitting the trilogy through one after another is a lot since all of them are horror. You don't really get the happy ending you're used to for a musical with any of them. I think you'll still pick up on most of the references. They're pretty blatant because there was about 2 years between each of the showings and the audience laughs hard enough that it draws your attention to the. PS Completely forgot about Zoey being the one in the chopper. I think that's the only time a character changes outfits within a show. I remember it wasn't until I saw a video talking about the body count in TGWDLM that I found out it was supposed to be the same character since I missed Emma saying her name. Didn't add anything that it was her imo, and I still don't know how she could drive a chopper
Allison Watts
2025-05-04 18:38:50 +0000 UTCIt hurts more when you realize the hive let Emma get to Clivesdale. Cause you know what’s worse than dying in Hatchetfield? Dying in Clivesdale.
Dae
2025-05-04 17:37:14 +0000 UTCI'm also for Black Friday, because the lore gets thicc™!! My personal favourite is Nerdy Prudes Must Die and that has even MORE happening! I guess either way, whether you pick Cinderella's Castle or Black Friday.... Look what happens, nightmare time 🎶 (Seriously though, remember the melody of this line, it'll come back SO often in Hatchetfield!)
EngelDraws
2025-05-04 17:15:37 +0000 UTCIt’s not a Starkid show, but I think you’d like Spies Are Forever, it’s made by an adjacent group with some of the same cast (Ted - Joey Richter, and Emma - Lauren Lopez)
erce
2025-05-04 16:33:28 +0000 UTCOmg, Trail to Oregon is one of my fav Starkid musical
Shidawaki Mia
2025-05-04 15:33:58 +0000 UTCI need to give Lauren so many props for her acting during Inevitable and the bows, she portrays the crash from hope into pure terror and heartbreak so well I always feel genuinely distressed for Emma
XanEcho
2025-05-04 14:41:34 +0000 UTCI believe it’s Lauren singing that end note with Jeff, I may be wrong but it sounds like her High Soprano voice
Dave Ballinger
2025-05-04 13:03:47 +0000 UTCidk whether anyone else has suggested it but another starkid recommendation would be the trail to oregon! it's fun but still emotional at times, it has a cast of 6 with the audience choosing the characters' names, the songs are awesome, and it's just really good. i'd highly recommend this one after you finish the hatchetfield series because while those shows are quite dark (not that that's a bad thing at all), it's much lighter and is just a fun time. also i'd defo say watch black friday next bc you'll appreciate the show and its references more coming out of tgwdlm!
milo is here
2025-05-04 12:44:36 +0000 UTCDefo do Black Friday next! Angela is a big actor in Cinderella’s castle, and she appears first in Black Friday!
Matt Mayhem
2025-05-04 12:32:20 +0000 UTCI'm completely the opposite, I adopted Cinderella's castle. But... How was it any more graphic than tgwdlm?
Wolfan Terror
2025-05-04 11:47:20 +0000 UTCWelcome to hatchetfield! The world of tricky unhappy endings 🤩
Amanda Askin
2025-05-04 11:39:39 +0000 UTCTo be honest, I wasn't that fond of Cinderella's Castle. Storywise it was ok and I loved the characters, but it didn't really do it musically for me and yeah, it was a bit too graphic for me. So I would really recommend Black Friday. But CC does have some really fun characters and amazing visuals. And the dialog is great too, so if you ever get to it, I think you'll enjoy it (and I will forever be begging for Spies Are Forever)
Jay Gardos
2025-05-04 11:33:31 +0000 UTCDefinitely Black Friday next because you'll forget all the Hatchet field lore and references otherwise!!
Zoe Winton
2025-05-04 09:25:15 +0000 UTCI personally enjoyed CC more than BF. I love that Starkid has something for everyone to enjoy
Olivia Sophia
2025-05-04 08:33:46 +0000 UTC"what am I supposed to be feeling right now?!" from the looks of it you got it pretty down pat
Sapph1cSph1nx
2025-05-04 07:50:08 +0000 UTCThe pain that is watching Mortius get so excited/delighted over the Ben Bridges reveal...
Sapph1cSph1nx
2025-05-04 07:35:15 +0000 UTCI love the reaction of the audience at the end when Paul starts singing. Everybody starts giggling. "Haha he’s singing“ "…""…" "Oh SHIT he’s singing" and from then on dead silence.
Iris Schnabel
2025-05-04 07:21:32 +0000 UTCCan't wait for Black Friday! Cinderella's Castle wasn't too good for me actually, I even paid the early access and it was like meh, but Black Friday has one of Dylan's more heartbreaking songs (he's so good at making us cry), and you'll love the social criticism of the musical. And npmd is just perfection, it has one of my favorite moments of all the Hatchetverse (Nightmare Time included).
Lex Villagrán
2025-05-04 07:21:14 +0000 UTCI stand by the little bits in Inevitable are Paul trying to tell Emma to play along so she can survive. “I’m still the man you trust.” “what if the only choice is, you have to sing to survive?”
Robin A-Bear
2025-05-04 07:04:34 +0000 UTCI also think Lex is a better role for you to meet Angela compared to the stepmother.
Laney
2025-05-04 06:47:01 +0000 UTCI am team Black Friday first! It’s my personal favorite out of the trilogy. Cinderella’s Castle just wasn’t really my thing, unfortunately. The performances are great, but I feel like the material didn’t do the actors justice. It just seemed scattered, and some of the dialogue was a little too graphic for me. It’s for sure worth watching because Bryce Charles is an absolute star, but I’m worried that it might lower your StarKid hype a little bit, and I want you to be fully jazzed for Black Friday and Nerdy Prudes!
Laney
2025-05-04 06:45:57 +0000 UTCFor Great Again, I’ve always taken it to be how the hive mind of fascism has taken over the country. How all this has been done and all this violence has been enacted, but there are “no answers to be found” as in there is nothing that was gained in the takeover. There is nothing to be gained, there is no power to be had at the destruction of humanity. There’s only death and loss
Robin A-Bear
2025-05-04 06:39:19 +0000 UTCOh mortius. Welcome to heartbreak. Truly a beloved and amazing show. You can go either way with continuing through to Black Friday or go to Cinderellas Castle. Both are amazing shows. Cinderella castle You dont need to know too much going in. Black Friday the only thing to really remember (and im sure people told you and is not a terribly big spoiler) that Hatchedfield has many different timelines but are vaguely connected in some way (you will see why in the shows). Either way, excited for what's next. Great work!
Rebecca
2025-05-04 06:31:52 +0000 UTCCongratulations gang. We did our job
Rebecca
2025-05-04 06:20:48 +0000 UTCThe problem there is that he sings Show Stopping Number - the one song that Emma was there for that he wasn’t. And that’s when Emma screams. Because he can’t be pretending at that point.
Theo Sloan
2025-05-04 06:08:47 +0000 UTCYay we did it. We traumatised him 😃😃😃
EepLeep
2025-05-04 05:47:26 +0000 UTCYes! Thank you. I loved the breakdown of the song.
Shantel Lipscomb
2025-05-04 05:47:04 +0000 UTCI feel bad now for giggling at that utter look of horror over those starting notes of “Inevitable”. (Also love that you’re off to yell at Jon for breaking your heart. No higher compliment as an artist.) Cinderella’s Castle is dark, but not this dark at least. And Joey gets to be some likeable characters.
Jennee
2025-05-04 04:53:00 +0000 UTCThis. I debated mentioning this because it confused me a ton at first but also could be spoiler-y. The shows do all have some continuity so it's not like everything you loved about this one will just disappear when you start Black Friday, but, for example, singing isn't inherently villainous outside of this show.
Mike K
2025-05-04 04:15:14 +0000 UTCI love how they talk about how they contained the infection in Hatchetfield island and then Paul’s cover name was Ben BRIDGES.
Kate Murphy
2025-05-04 04:04:20 +0000 UTCThe clearest way to explain the Hatchetfield trilogy without spoilers is they are all set in Hatchetfield but are different timelines, so each is it's own story
Axel Flynn
2025-05-04 03:11:42 +0000 UTCWelp Mortius. Welcome to Hatchetfeild. XD
Thistle
2025-05-04 03:03:53 +0000 UTCAs much as I'll enjoy seeing you react to the rest of the Hatchetfield trilogy, I like your idea of taking a quick break to watch Cinderella's Castle. It's a lot of fun and cool to see what they were able to do with a bit of a bigger budget.
Erica C
2025-05-04 02:42:00 +0000 UTCI think my favorite thing in this is how he keeps saying McNamara is wrong but differently every single time
Danielle Lockwood
2025-05-04 02:38:33 +0000 UTC"America is Great Again" really pulls no punches on making Trump's fascism explicit while also working incredibly well in the context of the musical. It's sung by a military character--who at one point in time was explicitly a hero who defies orders to kill, instead following his own personal, higher law, of the "love and strength of the human heart"--that has now become a character "just following orders" of the Hive, while also representing fascists' obsession with military strength. As a member of the Hive, MacNamara is now part of the majority in-group ("The loudest become the strong") which everyone should must be part of ("Americans should fit a mould") or be targeted. The Hive takes particular issue with people defying its will ("There's a war to be fought in this country against those that are far too bold.") and it wants to eradicate everyone outside of the Hive in-group, just like fascists. ("You're staring down the gun...'Cause you're easily disposed...The final solution!"). There is also the implication that the Hive believes this is the natural course because of its inherent superiority / a eugenics metaphor. ("It's a charted course at the whim of our own evolution!") Just like in fascism, the Hive is arguing that the destruction of its enemies, the outgroup, will allow them to build a 'better' society ("Singularity had through a pre-destined self-destruction! So that we may rebuild and experience a new construction!") in which everyone is exactly the same. IMO - I think the last lines are a sort of last lament from the man MacNamara was, and also a declaration of the end result of what the Hive /fascism wants: There are "no answers to be found" because by the end, no one left is asking questions, only obeying the will of a single dictator. Truly, the song is an incredible commentary on American politics at the time, and an important reminder of what we're fighting today.
Coleybug
2025-05-04 02:30:26 +0000 UTCMy favorite part of showing this show to people is the absolute horror and dread that everyone goes through when we hear Paul, our main character in a musical, sing for the first time.
Geus, God of Geese
2025-05-04 02:16:36 +0000 UTCpointing this out because you've finished watching the musical. But this musical lacked something. Something every good musical has. The "I want" song. Several times throughout the musical, the zombies try to get Paul involved into the show. Actually, they try to recruit everyone. And their primary way to do this is to get someone to have a 'want' and then give it to them in a twisted, messed up way. Mr Davidson wanted to be more open with his sexual desires towards his wife. Greenpeace Girl wanted to 'save the planet'. Alice wanted to be with Deb. Bill wanted to find Alice. Charlotte wanted to reconnect with her husband and then directly indicated she wanted her husband to 'come back to life' during that specific song. She wanted her husband to be more supportive, and he wanted to get revenge on the dude that's been fucking his wife, ted. (that's why they beat ted up during Join Us And Die) and the Professor wanted to reconnect with his college friends and perform his musical. Notably, the zombies participated in 'show stopping number' instead of killing him outright, because he was MAKING a musical, which they like. Of course, several people were just killed outright and resurrected, but there's no showmanship in that. They'd rather make a performance. During "La Dee Dah Dah Day", they try to ask Paul "Do you want to save the planet" which he didn't particularly care about. Perhaps thats how so many people got caught. By tricking them into stating they wanted to save the planet? It just didn't work on Paul. During "What Do You Want, Paul?" the infection directly tries to ask Paul what he wants, but he can't give an answer. During "Cup of Roasted Coffee" Paul walks into beanies shouting "I JUST WANT A BLACK COFFEE". Notably, everyone there wanted a coffee. That's how the nameless business side characters got caught. During "Show Me Your Hands" Charlotte calls her husband, because she wants him to save her. The infection repeatedly tries to find out what Paul wants, so he can be the main character. So he can be THE Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals. And even during the start of "Let It Out" they say "You'll die too, is that what you want?" and when Paul finally sings, he declares that he wants to just be happy. For once. He doesn't know what that means, or what it entails. He doesn't know what he's looking for, but he wants something that makes him happy. And in Inevitable, he's finally smiling and singing along, enjoying the musical completely. A twisted version of what he wanted. The infection forced him to be happy, even doing something that he loathed.
[Reacted]
2025-05-04 02:11:57 +0000 UTCJon is SO good in Let It Out. Can't wait to see Mortius react to THAT song with Jon in Nerdy Prudes Must Die!
Coleybug
2025-05-04 01:56:34 +0000 UTCSo to further explain the ending a little (no spoilers): one interpretation of it is that you, the audience, are one of the singing zombies and the actors are putting on a musical to others of their species. Remember, it's the guy who *didn't* like musicals. The humans were never supposed to win, this is supposed to be a musical celebrating the aliens' victory over the one person who could resist them
morhido
2025-05-04 01:39:19 +0000 UTCLet It Out and Inevitable are really so messed up in how they could turn Paul and Emma quickly but because the hive is already sure of its victory, it takes its time toying with them
fea in space
2025-05-04 01:38:35 +0000 UTCYou had a pretty similar reaction to me (Though I still would've recommended it). And maybe this is copeium but, I sort of theorize this is him either a mix of 'half gone, half there' or the 'bathe yourself in blood' kind of thing some zombie series or movies do. Where the character covers themselves in blood and acts like a zombie to fit in and go unnoticed. So I took this as the second personally. He's trying to convince Emma here to pretend with him, so that they can get out. But he can't say anything without singing since the others are there. Notice how it got more toward other songs in the show rather than him talking to her directly once the other 'zombies' came on screen. I don't think it's an entirely sound theory, but it's one I like to pretend is true.
Daisy whatzittoyou
2025-05-04 01:37:29 +0000 UTCalways sickening when paul starts singing in inevitable
ash
2025-05-04 01:31:16 +0000 UTCMy favorite bit is when Mortius gets so distressed he can’t focus on the music, and then completely flips by getting so impressed by the vocals for 5 minutes he momentarily forgets how horrible everything is.
Ink Inc
2025-05-04 01:24:54 +0000 UTCI love Inevitable so much, It is my favorite song in the musical because is it so heart breaking. The moment that Paul sings that Emma "lost" just kills me every time, and I love John's voice so much. It also finally makes the title of the show make sense, the guy who DIDNT like musicals. Its past tense if Paul survived the show would be called the guy why doesn't like musicals.
Licoryce
2025-05-04 01:17:44 +0000 UTCI'm curious if you can explain the meaning of the lights? I did a bit of googling but didn't find anything.
David Page
2025-05-04 01:06:36 +0000 UTCI wish I could watch this for the first time again because that ending just hits so hard the first watch. glad you enjoyed it! can't wait for you to eventually get to Nerdy prudes must die!! that's my personal fave starkid show so im excited to hear your thoughts about it!!!
Alistair Wilstrup
2025-05-04 01:03:33 +0000 UTCAlso, The people playing Emma and Ted are married in real life.
Corvacks
2025-05-04 00:40:14 +0000 UTCSo glad you let the bows play, lotta people pause on the title card and miss that masterpiece by Lauren.
Xeph
2025-05-04 00:25:00 +0000 UTCHatchetfield will play on your emotions for sure. You will find that out. There is a sense of dread in even the happiest of moments so never let your guard down (especially with Hatchetfield). Just remember that when watching these stories unfold.
Kris Shepard
2025-05-04 00:24:46 +0000 UTCWant some nightmare fuel? Here’s some anyway: According to Nick Lang, Emma was ripped limb from limb after the curtain call. Have fun falling asleep tonight
Andrew Levin
2025-05-04 00:20:33 +0000 UTCI don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but the mixing for Black Friday is a bit off, plus everyone was sick during the run of the show. So take the vocals with a grain of salt!
Ash
2025-05-04 00:03:20 +0000 UTCWelcome to the ending of your first HF musical where ripping out your heart and serving it on a silver platter is the norm. Also, I like to think that 'Inevitable' could be played off as Paul pretending to be infected...at least up until they bring back 'Show Stopping Number' which is a song that Paul was not there for. That's why when Emma screams during that part, it is her realizing that Paul is gone and she truely is alone. Man, I love the HF shows so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the show. Can't wait to see what's next.
Lizzy C-Drake
2025-05-03 23:49:19 +0000 UTCIt's been a wonderful journey enjoying these reactions with all the theories and analysis for The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals! This show is definitely my all time favorite of StarKid's productions as it's incredible how cohesive and seamless everything comes together from the characters, writing, music, and more! Love the implications of a theory in the StarKid community that Paul is still split in two having to be 'undercover' fighting off the musical virus at the end of the show based on the beginning lyrics of "Inevitable" and Paul's body language interacting with Emma at the start of the song, since he had regained control at the last moment in "Let It Out" for exploding the meteor yet the infection still impacted him. Then as the rest of the hivemind arrives once more, is more drawn into their wavelengths losing that individuality where it's left up in the air if he's truly gone. Namely, with the lines about "What if I told you I made it? And this is the life that I chose. Would you even believe it, Emma? Do you believe in ghosts?", "What if I told you a story that settled all the dust? I'm still the man you trust." with his tense expression in waving Emma closer and "What if the only choice is, you had to sing to survive? We must go on with the show!"
Sorventisnoctis
2025-05-03 23:47:39 +0000 UTCThe Hatchetfield shows are indeed in the same town, but in different alternate universes/timelines. However, there IS a red thread of mainstory that explains why there are different timelines. You can watch all the shows without picking up on the larger plot, but for the nerds there is a LOT to piece together and theorize on. Immensely satisfying!
TiaMattia2
2025-05-03 23:46:49 +0000 UTCBlack Friday is a good one to end the year on if you want it to be thematic because as the name suggests it takes place on Black Friday and is actually kinda Christmas-y
Makayla
2025-05-03 23:38:49 +0000 UTCMan. I knew how this show ended so I could never bring myself to finish it alone. Watching you watch it helped me feel like a 'friend' was watching it with me. Ugh... that ending. Also, Cinderella's Castle is AMAZING and my current special interest. It's less 'comedic' than many other StarKid shows but it's so good. I strongly advise taking a break for it. (Partially because I'm SUPER INTO seeing you watch it!)
Bethany S
2025-05-03 23:36:55 +0000 UTCThe last high note was actually Emma aka Lauren Lopez I think! She’s so GOOD istg (she’s a high soprano)
Martina (Mars)
2025-05-03 23:36:36 +0000 UTCThe real despair comes from knowing 2 things: the colours of the lights especially in showstopping number and inevitable (if you know what those colours mean then you know why it's fucked) The second thing that messes you up is knowing that the meteor isn't the hive's mind, the reason everything was inevitable is because the true mind of the hive wasn't on earth the entire time so no matter what anyone did, humanity was doomed the moment it entered that theatre! Cannot wait for you to see Black Friday thogh because there's one specific moment in that musical i truly cannot wait to see your mind go crazy over.
saffron
2025-05-03 23:34:35 +0000 UTCOh since you asked who wrote the lyrics, it's Jeff Blim. Welcome to Hatchetfield, Mortius.
Brittany Shaw
2025-05-03 23:21:45 +0000 UTCI remember reading that Emma still had hope that Paul was still Paul because of his line "what if your only choice is, you have to sing to survive" and when she heard him singing showstopping number, she screamed because he wasn't there when the professor sang it. Because it would mean that he really is part of the hive mind and know exactly what happened at the professors house because Ted got taken
Valentina Garcia
2025-05-03 23:17:06 +0000 UTCDon't get me wrong I hate the tragedy of the ending too. But I love watching other people experience the horror too, it gives me company to be miserable about it with. T-T
Hubris
2025-05-03 23:14:11 +0000 UTCThe initial cringe at paul's singing to horrified face drop once you realized the implications is sending me
LunarFellidae
2025-05-03 23:09:19 +0000 UTCHonestly, i really want to see Jon do Jekyll and Hyde just from this performance alone. He is such a good actor and i love his voice which only improves with each show he's in. I remember when they announced Black Friday we were all so confused because Hatchetfield is literally gone and the virus reached the mainland meaning it can spread world wide. There is no way for them to continue. Everyone is dead.
Shay-Thelogicaldreamer
2025-05-03 23:07:07 +0000 UTCI'm so happy you're reacting to the Hatchetfield trilogy! All of the musicals and shorts are basically alternate realities all set within the same town. If you want more Paul and Emma and more Hatchetfield lore after Black Friday, I highly recommend Nightmare Time, which are a series of zoom call readings of short stories from lockdown. If you just want an episode with more Paul and Emma, watch Forever and Always! And you would also probably have fun with Ted in Time Bastard.
LilLadbug
2025-05-03 23:01:00 +0000 UTCWelcome after to the cult. We all have had years to come to terms with the fact that they just did that in this show. And we're happy you now know what its like <3 (jk we're also still salty) ((Jk again, we love this show too obviously)) And yes black friday is the same universe kind of, but itll be a spoiler to explain more. so watch it (before or after CC thats up to you) and youll see. (and or we can explain it if its confusing still after you have seen it)
Reidun Eriksen
2025-05-03 22:59:23 +0000 UTCI think it’s worth doing Black Friday next while you have the energy and feelings! Continuing in that universe should lessen the sting a little
H
2025-05-03 22:57:51 +0000 UTCIt's a "Horror Comedy Musical". Starkid is really good at making you forget one of those three words, then shoving it in your face, which makes you forget one of the others...
Jacob Smith
2025-05-03 22:56:38 +0000 UTCone of my favorite things about reactions to this show is watching the reactor(s) get so excited to see paul show back up at the end and then watching the joy leave them as paul starts singing :)
oh no elizabeth
2025-05-03 22:54:38 +0000 UTCSo I think I read somewhere that Lauren is uncomfortable kissing people in front of an audience so that's why Emma and Paul don't kiss Also Emma and Paul's outfits start to reflect each other as they get closer in the show - Paul loses his jacket and Emma's bow comes undone so they are both essentially wearing white button ups and black ties - until the end when his jacket is back of course I also think it's really fun that almost the entire musical centers about what Paul wants, mimicking the "I Want" song in musicals. And the first time you ever find out what he wants is when Paul says to MacNamara that he wants there to be more than friendship with Emma. This was John's first Starkid musical so everyone was wondering if he would or could sing and I think Starkid used that really well as a twist for the end of the show. Also Emma only starts screaming when Paul sings the song he wasn't there for so should have no knowledge of. Love your reactions for this show and can't wait to see which one you choose next!
Alexandra
2025-05-03 22:48:06 +0000 UTCI've been so hyped for you to react to Let It Out since you first started reacting to Starkid since its one of my favourite starkid songs and i just knew you would be horrified. Can't wait for you to react to the other musicals, especially Nerdy Prudes Must Die
Shana-Marie Jones
2025-05-03 22:44:44 +0000 UTCFun Fact! The reason that gets passed around that the blood moment happens during the kiss was the actors weren't 100% comforting kissing on stage, so that got written in as a fun way to have a romance moment but also interrupt it. (I don't know if this has been 100% confirmed)
Ashley Steinbrecher
2025-05-03 22:40:33 +0000 UTCYeah, much as I want to see him go back to Hatchetfield I think mentally he needs a break 😂
Trash Goblin
2025-05-03 22:36:39 +0000 UTCNot me watching you have a breakdown during inevitable with evil glee
Trash Goblin
2025-05-03 22:35:44 +0000 UTCHehehe, the absolute horror on your face during Inevitable was great
Marideth
2025-05-03 22:33:57 +0000 UTCFirst stage is denial
Bretton B
2025-05-03 22:32:55 +0000 UTCThank you for giving us this so soon!! I'm so happy. And yes, Cinderella's Castle next, you need a break after this haha
LettyStar
2025-05-03 22:28:04 +0000 UTCI love that they start with this in the trilogy because it sort of sets up a meta reason for why everyone sings which is pretty funky
Cas Howl
2025-05-03 22:26:25 +0000 UTCI’m sorry you lost 😃
champagnia
2025-05-03 22:22:17 +0000 UTCThis is one of the only musicals where hearing a main character start to sing is horrifying and heartbreaking
Cadence
2025-05-03 22:21:34 +0000 UTCIt took someone else pointing it out for me to realize, but it’s called The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals because by the end he loves them…
Cadence
2025-05-03 22:13:51 +0000 UTCI love America is great again but maybe that's because I'm Canadian and am not living in modern day America. (Never 51st)
Bretton B
2025-05-03 22:08:37 +0000 UTCJust finished watching act2 part one, and during that part 2 got posted! It's my lucky day!
Raih Darkwhil
2025-05-03 22:08:32 +0000 UTCBro was in denial the whole time 🤣
angelvin937
2025-05-03 22:03:59 +0000 UTCthe hatchetfield series is SOOO good at being genuinely horrifying at points, like they’re so good at building up characters and arcs that leave you absolutely stunned and horrified at scenes and it always leaves you sitting there wondering how they managed to gut you so well. all starkid shows are capable of that, honestly—every starkid show is capable of making me cry—but the hatchetfield series specifically has that impactful capability while also carrying a lot of genuinely incredible horror elements!! i’ve been in love with starkid musicals since the very potter musicals and it’s SO incredible seeing you experience them for the first time. i’m so excited to see you continue to watch more, and i am SO hyped for you to get to nerdy prudes must die!!
ariona leilani
2025-05-03 21:55:51 +0000 UTCJon Matteson is such a kind and fun human being, I'm so dang happy for you! I also promise that this will not be the first time you're impressed by the versatility of Joey Richter (Ted's actor). America's Great Again has grown on me and scared me on a deep level. I think that someone John loved, perhaps his spouse, infected him. The last line of his song might be his original personality coming through, one last time. Everyone we lose has a moment like that to make us all so much sadder. I want you to think about the implications that Emma was in the starting number. The infected have put on a play for us. We might have inhaled some spores while sitting in the audience...? I mean, the meteor was right there on stage. Even while Emma was dramatically screaming during the bows, everyone we've seen on stage was part of the Hive. This trilogy doesn't need to be watched in order to 'get' everything, but I recommend Guy, which you've finished, Black Friday and then Nerdy Prudes Must Die. Of course there are Pandemic Time things where there's more acting, less songs but more Starkid is always better than less Starkid. Cinderella's Castle is a masterpiece, so I hope you enjoy it!
Kory Misun
2025-05-03 21:54:54 +0000 UTCwhoever said that the hatchetfield trilogy takes place "in the same universe" is not entirely correct. they all take place in hatchetfield, and you may recognize some characters between the shows.
whisp-error
2025-05-03 21:53:59 +0000 UTCFun fact: the blood stuff wasn’t part of the regular stage production, and was added just for the proshot.
Billie Turner
2025-05-03 21:48:38 +0000 UTCDisaster intro >> normal intros. They got funk
Bretton B
2025-05-03 21:46:54 +0000 UTCYeah, welcome to the Hatchetfield series where endings fuck you up
FrankieLacrimae
2025-05-03 21:45:28 +0000 UTCYEEEEEESS I just ended the 4 hs live of starkid and I was ready to take a break but this cannot wait... Lets gooo!!!! PD: pleae tell me you saw the "postcredits" bit, its awesome
Luna Ainara Korol
2025-05-03 21:31:42 +0000 UTCHOLY CRAP I WASNT EXPECTING IT SO SOON YESSS
Michelle Stewart
2025-05-03 21:29:03 +0000 UTCAlso, Morti-o
Pyr0t3chn1x
2025-05-03 21:28:53 +0000 UTCF I R S T
Pyr0t3chn1x
2025-05-03 21:28:30 +0000 UTC
