#poppy playtime opinion

[alegitdumbass]

Unpopular opinion: People only make CatNap Valentino because both of them have red smoke and DogDay Angel Dust because of that one drawing or whatever. It makes me feel gross. CatNap isn't a gross disgusting creep and DogDay isn't like Angel at all.

[xx-sketchy-xx]

Can we have Poppy switch with Wally?

*wink wink there wink wink*

Wally doesn’t mind this one, and Poppy has no idea what’s going on.

[rt-closetcryptic]

Got asked to do the rest of the smiling critters on my Twitter! Unsure if I’ll keep these designs.

[cupophrogs]

I know it's random as hell, but I gotta ask, does drew listen to lady gaga on his phone? I was listening and he have the chaotic vibe of her songs

Yes actually! However

The Doobie Brothers are far better to boogie to!

[puttersmile]

Why I like Dogday x Bobby Bearhug

Working off of my last Crittertember post, posting the shipping manifesto for the four of you who are just dying to know, lol.

Part 1 of Post: Here. Just a lot of pictures.

I guess I should start with how I started liking the ship in the first place. As best as I can remember it started with a mildly intense obsession with the Smiling Critters after seeing them in Poppy Playtime Chapter 3. Their carboard soundboards specifically intrigued me. As a fandom we really had ziltch to work with so maybe I was hyper-analyzing their phrases to see if anything could be gleamed from them.

There isn't much unless we are meant to believe Picky is literally a cannibal. I don't think so? I think the voice lines have been corrupted by the metric ton of death that happened within the factory. Be it as it may, what little we fanon-ize about the critters, a lot of it is probably coming from those soundboards.

A post about this already exists on tumblr but at some random point I thought, "Weird Bobby Bearhug and Dogday's cut outs sound like they are talking to one another." Not sure how my brain jumped to that conclusion but it did. As seen in this post with some old oogly art I drew.

And then @meowcola made my dream come true by editing the two voices together. Yhaass! For this I am forever grateful to my fellow shipper.

I don't think any of the other critter's voice lines bounce off of each other as well as these two do (admittedly with slight editing), or even at all. But Bobby and Dogday's cutouts almost seem to have a conversation that don't work played against any of the others. Dogday trying to push someone away that he cares for and Bobby desperately trying to stay with someone she cares for.

Dogday's fall is he cares too much.

Bobby's fall is she doesn't care enough. For herself.

Obviously they are talking to the player actually but my fanon ship brain interpreted it differently. I guess from there, albeit a doomed one, I shipped this ship fairly hard.

The rest of this rambling essay under the cut:

Why I think they work:

Dogday and Bobby’s relationship is mostly about balance. While Dogday’s the brave and daring leader of the group (except when there's a thunderstorm—he tries), Bobby’s the physically strong yet practical one. She’s a total powerhouse,(literal mama bear energy) ready to protect when needed, but only as a last resort. Dogday loves how protective she is, and Bobby really appreciates his loyalty, especially since it helps with her self-worth issues.

One of Bobby’s biggest insecurities is that she believes she’s annoying to her friends. Even though it’s clear she’s not, in the back of her mind, she constantly second-guesses her actions. She’ll wonder if hugging someone is the right move in the moment or if she’s overstepping. Dogday, on the other hand, is someone who thrives on affection and would never get tired of Bobby’s hugs, making him the perfect counter to her uncertainty.

Both of them would share a strong sense of humor, which helps them face life’s challenges with optimism. Dogday is especially good at this.  They know how to lighten the mood and bring joy to each other’s lives, even when the weight of everything starts to creep in.

Bobby’s also got a knack for stepping in when Dogday forgets to take care of himself. She’s nurturing, and in return, Dogday reminds her she’s worth it, which she sometimes forgets. Though Bobby’s not Dogday’s second-in-command (that’s usually Bubba Bubbaphant), she’s the one Dogday confides in emotionally when leadership wears him down.

Over time, Bobby finds herself leaning on Dogday, too, sharing her deepest insecurities and struggles with him.

What really makes them work is how much everyone trusts Bobby. She’s the keeper of everyone’s secrets because they just naturally open up to her. And eventually, Dogday becomes her rock, giving them this deep emotional connection where they’re both vulnerable and open with each other.

Bobby’s practicality also helps balance out Dogday’s crazier ideas. She rarely says “no” outright, but she’s good at restructuring them to make things safer or less chaotic. If safety’s not the issue, then they’re often the ones mediating when their friends have disagreements. They’ve both learned the importance of compromise and work together to bring peace to any tense situation.

I feel like their brief character descriptions show how good they would both be at this.

They’re known as the “mom and dad” of the group, always looking out for everyone’s physical and emotional well-being.

It’s funny how differently they approach things, like planning events—Dogday’s spontaneous energy versus Bobby’s structured organization—but they still make a great team.

In public, they’ve got this super cute Barbie/Ken - Mickey&Minnie vibe, showing their love for each other without hesitation. It’s strong, proud, and they never shy away from letting everyone know how much they mean to each other!

Character flaws/dark side of the ship:

At their darkest, Bobby and Dogday have some pretty complex flaws. Bobby, when she’s at her worst, can be manipulative. She’s got this way of playing on people’s emotions, sometimes twisting things to suit her needs, all while wearing a caring face. It’s like she knows people trust her and she uses that to her advantage, especially if she’s feeling insecure or threatened.

On the flip side, Dogday’s biggest weakness is his fear of hurting others. He’ll go to great lengths to avoid conflict, even if it means letting himself be hurt. He’s so afraid of causing pain or upsetting someone that he’ll bottle up his own feelings or allow himself to be taken advantage of.

This combination can be dangerous when their issues align, with Bobby’s manipulation and Dogday’s passive acceptance creating a pretty toxic dynamic in their worst moments. Thankfully this outcome is incredibly hard for me to see happening. It is still a possibility though.

(In some messed up but interesting fanfiction)

Other Stuff:

On the wiki I saw something incredibly minute but decided to go ahead and make something of it.  There is the idea, at least, that Dogday is named after “Dogstar” aka Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. If you think about Dogday being associated with Sirius, the Dog Star, and Bobby representing Ursa Major aka The Big Dipper, in my mind it symbolizes how their relationship works.

Sirius is the brightest star, leading the way, just like Dogday, who's bold, full of energy, and always guiding others. Bobby, on the other hand, is like Ursa Major—steady, reliable, and always there to support.

Their relationship reflects that balance: Dogday’s light and leadership are complemented by Bobby’s protective, grounding nature. Together, they’re like two guiding forces—he lights the way, and she provides the strength and stability needed to stay on course.

It’s almost like he can shine brighter because he knows she’s there, holding things together.

And for Bobby, Dogday is the spark that keeps her moving forward, even when she feels uncertain.

It’s also cool how Ursa Major is used for navigation, like Bobby helps Dogday find his way emotionally. Meanwhile, Sirius has been a marker of important times like the "dog days" of summer or the flooding of the Nile river, (The flooding of the Nile is celebrated btw, it's a good thing) just as Dogday marks big changes in Bobby’s life.

They balance each other out like the constellations they represent: one a guiding light, the other a steady, protective force in the background.

I think about the cardboard cutout order. Bobby and Dogday are among the last supposedly, holding out even longer than the athletic Hoppy. I interpret that to mean Bobby on her own has a strong will and some amount of bravery.

Not to throw shade at the others who fell before, as it could have all come down to bad luck.(or bad platforming skills--burn.)  But I bring the “possible” death order up as some might say Bobby’s sweet and caring nature means she is weak or useless. I don’t think so.

This is also why I characterize Bobby as sort of a lady-like yet cute bruiser. Dogday is brave but not the strongest critter by far.  Dogday is  Zelda and Bobby is Link lol.  Bobby Bearhug is his knight in fluffy armor, and Dogday is Bobby’s warm home.

There is a tragedy to this. If Bobby was one of the last two  with Dogday in the game. (Going by the order the cardboard cutouts are seen.) I imagine she was doing her best to support him, only for Dogday to abandon Bobby near the end. As the leader, Dogday did what he thought was best and it broke her, ultimately ending them both.

How the relationship Helps them grow:

Not wanting to end this on a down note I’ll speak a bit more on how the relationship enhances both of them.

Bobby’s practical, more thoughtful approach doesn’t just temper Dogday’s adventurous spirit as what may be expected from a dynamic like this. In fact it enhances his daring. 

Yes, it'll ease him off riskier behavior but it enables him to be a more successful leader with her providing safety nets and or foundations for him to be confident. It's not just him willing confidence from within, there's another external pillar to  bolster his confidence. That pillar being her secret knowledge of their friends. While Bobby won't be spilling secrets, she'd certainly know how to guide Dogday in the right direction when it comes to helping the others.

She helps ensure that his ideas are successful and safe, so he'll not only be able to focus his energy on particulars but he'll have the confidence to be the best leader he can be, knowing he won't just come crashing down to earth.  

In turn Dogday's boundless energy, brings joy and spontaneity to Bobby’s more grounded maybe reserved, structured world.  Though she is strong she likely tends to fall back to what's familiar, to what's safe. There is strength in the familiar in the sense of you know for sure you are strong here, but out there things may be more uncertain. 

Out there you can feel weak. At least that's the perception for some with issues of self worth. But now with his energy, his enthusiasm, his optimism, and his light, she'll have the freedom to step out of her usual comfort zones and perhaps be more than she may have imagined. 

Sooo yeah. This ship is not bad. Nor is it boring. I'll never understand how this sentiment came about. Opposites attract isn't the only way a relationship can be interesting. Okay people?

 And that is all that I have to say! Thanks for listening to my CritterTalk.

[justmi1000]

Doesn't it happen to them that they want to give their opinion about a ship but they don't do it because no one asked them?

and since I want to waste my time..

here I ask you

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION (NEGATIVE OR GOOD)

OF THESE SHIPS:

1) DOGDAY X CATNAP

2) BUBBA X BOBBY

3) BOBBY X HOPPY

4) CATNAP X HOPPY

5) HOPPY X KICKENCHIKEN

6) BUBBA X KICKENCHIKEN

7) BOBBY X CATNAP

8) PICKYPIGGY X CATNAP

9) PICKYPIGGY X BUBBA

It doesn't matter if it's negative or positive.

shout how much you love a ship or how much you hate a ship!!

[badberry123]

Hey everybody,

Just thought I’d post my version of the Smiling Critters relationship chart.😊

Feel free to question me about any head cannons that I might have about these guys. 🌈

The original template is from @the-smiling-doodler. 😊

[sonicasura]

I got done watching playthroughs of Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 from EmotionalMarcus and Superhorrorbro. Highly suggest the latter if you want to check it out as he found all the hidden tapes. Man was this chapter insane so here's my take on it with obvious massive spoilers.

Edit: For those who need a refresher, Ch 1 +2 VHS tapes, Chapter 3 Analog Trailers, Project Playtime VHS, Interactive ARG, and In-game Documents.

First off, Deep Sleep definitely answered a lot of questions but also left more too. The important ones revolving around the Prototype and the toys themselves. Here's a summarized version.

CatNap ran a cult worshipping the Prototype as his god. Toys were forced to follow him to survive in Playcare including the other Bigger Bodies Smiling Critters. However the food issue led to not only infighting but also cannibalism.

Picky Piggy ate Bubba Bubbaphant, KickinChickin and Craftycorn. Dog Day was labeled a heretic thus was slowly eaten by the smaller Critters until only his upper torso left. The horrific thing is he been left alive to suffer. At least until the smaller Critters' puppeted his body to chase after the Player.

Poppy and Kissy Missy wants to kill the Prototype. There's a possibility Kissy cared about a child in Playcare before she became a toy. Part of this being the theory that the Bigger Body was once a worker.

There were toys who served as teachers in the schoolhouse. Due to the Hour of Joy, one toy called Ms Delight gone insane and killed all her fellow teachers to survive. CatNap avoids her haunt for an unknown reason. Maybe because she's an ally or someone he once cared about.

CatNap had been a tool to the Prototype as he's killed for his failure. This might've not been a case once upon a time due to a theory about him used to being Elliot Ludwig. Apparently the Prototype acts as a hivemind with him assimilating and copying others.

Tom Sawyer/The Doctor gotten killed sometime before the Hour of Joy. It might've been the Prototype due to an interview tape between the two prior to Leith Pierre interview with CatNap. The abuse done to the toys might've spurred on the takeover.

Hour of Joy was a massive slaughter where every human been killed no matter who they were. CatNap might be responding for the kids death with Ollie being a possible toy survivor. Kissy Missy was taken over and been a participant as well. She might've gotten captured or killed at the end of the chapter.

Now onto my personal theories starting with the Prototype.

He is a hivemind based organism most likely made from Elliot Ludwig. The Prototype could've gone insane as he kept assimilating others. Possible breaking point that led to the Hour of Joy being the Doctor since he been studying him too than it being one sided.

The slaughter had an massive ulterior goal. Prototype doesn't require food and the shrine CatNap made of him has multiple human bodies in it. Ollie also confirmed that the shrine is nothing compared to the real deal.

The Prototype might've assimilated most of the victims before moving onto the other toys. Further proof is CatNap's state once you fully see him. He's so thin that you can his bones and ribcage. The employees were their only food provider which led to this post apocalyptic style cannibalism.

If the Prototype was benevolent then a lot of strings could be pulled where the corrupt humans perish and they puppet Playtime Co in the shadows. No more experiments as the company would function under them. Clueless employees delivering a constant food supply and the kids could actually see the real world. Maybe the toys follow them out as no one is aware.

Poppy even mentioned the Player running the company so she knew there was a better way to handle things. The Prototype locked her up to prevent this foil in his plans. Hour of Joy was a purposely planned slaughter.

Second theory involves Huggy Wuggy and the Player. Throughout the chapter, our first Bigger Body had been a major constant element. He is the first and last one we see through CatNap's nightmares. There's a hidden important connection which involves the Prototype too.

I think the hivemind spared him as it's clear they were more of a victim than foe. CatNap would've spare him if he left this all behind. Huggy Wuggy might've attacked the Player near the entrance during the Hour of Joy before leaving.

Final theory revolves around the toys. Dog Day and CatNap are further evidence that the Bigger Bodies can have diverse bodies. Mommy Longlegs died when she cut in half but the canine Smiling Critter didn't. Boxy Boxy devours people whole hinting at very strong stomach acid despite his small body while CatNap has an expanded ribcage and can breathe gas.

There is one common similarity amongst all the toys except for Poppy. All of them can be affected by the Prototype. My theory involves their brain containing an actual fragment from him. The Doctor constantly dissected the Prototype and might've added portions to the other toys as a key material in their creation.

It also explains why Mommy alongside Kissy aren't on his side. The Prototype's influence acts sorta like a suggestion meaning they can resist him. Mommy Longlegs was left alone as the more hostile Bigger Bodies look over their own territories. Huggy Wuggy is an exception since he acts more like a puppet until the Prototype activates him.

Things are heating up as Chapter Four might be the last one for Poppy Playtime since CatNap was the Prototype's final key player. I won't say there could be complications on the way as more experiments were mentioned in Chapter 3 specifically Experiment 'Void'.

For now, this is all we got.

[amethyst-draws09]

Chapter 3 of poppy playtime and the smiling critters saved poppy playtime (SPOILERS FOR CHAPTER 3!!!)

I know that’s a big statement but hear me out.

Poppy playtime before chapter 3 had a bit of a bad rep. It was basically the punching bag of mascot horror. And can you really blame them? Hell even I thought it was bad in chapter 1.

Chapter 2 came round and it was definitely good! But the horror aspect weren’t on full play and if I recall there was a lot of controversy about it when chapter 2 came out.

But chapter 3? Oh my goodness it’s incredible. And is what really hooked me and a lot of other people in to poppy playtime. And the smiling critter’s basically branched off into there own fandom. (I’m apart of by the way)

I mean for starters gameplay. They balanced horror,gameplay,puzzles and story so bloody well in this chapter it’s unbelievable,and the pacing is brilliant!

And the horror 😨. It would be an understatement to say this was horrifying. First of all nightmare huggy wuggy just in general also we get a glimpse into the orphan experimenting in chapter 2 but chapter 3 really just goes all out on it. I mean home sweet home has some DARK connotations if you look into it and it’s terrifying how people as young as 5! We’re experimented on. I mean the main villain of this chapter catnap. Is literally an 7 or 8 year old child. And you are told constantly To AVOID playcare at all cost’s now imagine how I and basically everyone felt when at the end of the cave segment you see a Sign welcoming you into playcare 😨. And then dogday. Holy fu##ing sh#t was that so dark and brutal. HE’S BEEN CHOPPED IN HALF AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE HE DIES BY BASICALLY BEING EATEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT BY THE SMALLER CRITTERS?!?! NOT TO MENTION YOU CAN HEAR HIM CHOKING ON THEM IN THE CHASE?!?! That is GENIUELY  such a brutal and dark thing I’ve ever seen come out of a horror game. And wow did mob have some balls to do that when they KNOW they’ve got a massive child audience. Props to them.

The final boss is such a refreshing breath of fresh air with it not being a chase segment. The boss is GENIUELY thought out well. And catnaps and dogdays death actually made me a bit sad especially with dogday.

The characters designs are So Bloody good. Examples being literally any of the smiling critters. Miss joy and so on. They fit the theme and game so well

Now I could mention other things like the cardboard cutouts of the critters or the dark implications of what happened to the bigger body critters during the hour of joy but that would make this post go on for to long.

To end it off. The artist who made the animation for the start of chapter 3 of the smiling critters and just designing them in genreal and there art should be really proud of themselves. They started such a big fandom it’s unbelievable and I couldn’t be more grateful for what they did.

Chapter 3 was such a joy ride and such a surprise to me and loads of people. When I weren’t scared or sad I was grinning ear to ear with how good this chapter was. And I’m not the only one who thinks this. Search up on YouTube Twitter Reddit etc and you’ll see so many people praising this chapter with how good It was. Not saying it’s perfect it def has it flaws like me personally thinking the other critters were criminally underused. But it was such a big step up and made poppy playtime from a mid game to an exceptional game. I and so many others are happy this exists. This chapter was such a joy ride and I personally LOVED IT. Let’s hope that they make the future chapters as good if not better than this one (and hopefully bring back the smiling critters there such good characters)

And that’s why i think chapter 3 (and the smiling critters) SAVED poppy playtime

[bluekat12345]

Smiling Critters vs Nightmare Critters

While I don't personally play the game, I like the watch other people on YouTube playing, and I also like seeing fanwork relating to the Smiling Critters. And with the release of the Nightmare Critters, one of the first things I thought that these were supposed to be counterparts to the Smiling Critters. I wanted to share my thoughts on which Nightmare Critter counters which Smiling Critter.

DogDay vs Simon Smoke

I made this choice because DogDay is the leader of the Smiling Critters, and Simon 'knows' he's cool and popular and knows how to almost win popularity contests, so I imagine he would be the self-appointed leader of the Nightmare Critters. But while DogDay is friendly, warm, and encouraging to his friends, Simon is an absolute jerk who always brags about his popularity and accomplishments, making it clear he's better than others.

CatNap vs Baba Chops

This was the toughest, but ultimately, I thought these two would be counterparts to each other. Because with CatNap gives introvert vibes, being quiet, calm, but still tries to be there for his friends, Baba prefers to be alone, far away from others, locked away in her house, and has to practically be forced to join her friends. (Plus, CatNap helps his friends sleep, and a classic way to fall asleep is by counting sheep...)

Bubba Bubbaphant vs Touille

I thought this appropriate because Bubba is the brains of the Smiling Critters while Touille might be kinda stupid. Bubb is attentive and tries to get all the facts and most likely has a wide range of knowledge and interests while Touille only talks about trash yet isn't exactly informative or helpful despite talking a lot.

Bobby BearHug vs Rabie Baby

Ultimately, I think these two would counterparts since Bobby is a caring soul who is loving and compassionate to her friends while Rabie seems like she has no respect for her friends since she doesn't respect privacy, loves gossiping and spreading rumors and lies, and isn't afraid to share other people's secrets, while Bobby would never dream of hurting her friends like that.

Picky Piggy vs Maggie Mako

I felt this was an obvious one since they are big eaters within their respective groups, but while Picky encourages a balanced diet and eating healthy, Maggie eats anything except vegetables and basically laughs at the idea of eating healthy.

Kickin Chicken vs Icky Licky

While Kickin is considered the cool kid of the Smiling Critters, Icky Licky gives the impression of someone who tries to act cool but fails. Kickin also doesn't give up and even if he doesn't succeed, he'll be cool and try again, Icky is a poor sport who always has an excuse for why he didn't succeed, and would most likely lose his cool and give up in anger.

CraftyCorn vs Poe

They both seem to be the most creative of their groups, since Crafty likes to draw and paint and Poe likes listening to music, but Crafty is on the lighter side of art while Poe would be on the darker side. While Crafty is colorful, sees the beauty in things and likes to share her art, even if she's shy, and uses art to make herself and others happy Poe is dark, angry and gloomy, prefers to hangout in graveyards alone, and hates brightness and sunlight, and he seems to see the negative in things.

Hoppy Hopscotch vs Allister Gator

This is another one that I felt is obvious since Hoppy is energetic and Allister is lazy, so they are natural opposites. She puts all her effort into whatever and is a team player, Allister doesn't like to put the effort in anything, would rather wait for good things to happen to him while letting others do the work for him.

This is just a personal opinion so do not consider this as canon. As I'm sure you noticed, not all the critters are exact opposites of each other, but I made this list based on which the Nightmare Critters could possibly be rivals/archenemies with which Smiling Critter, if the two groups ever met, each would have their own rival. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions!

[witch-in-woods15]

I don't hate them per se, but it's going to take a lot for me to like them

[alegitdumbass]

Kickin would just send memes and videos

[the-smiling-doodler]

Let's do a nice and simple one

Dogday x Catnap? :3

HEAHAHAGAHAGSHA :3 OK LETS SEE

Ship It

What made you ship it? tragic yaoi and sun and moon themes. i'm the most predictable person ever

What are your favorite things about the ship? UHMMMMM I LIKE EVERYTHING MAN IDK. this is what happens when the hsip you like has nearly 0 canon content...... big fan of when people make nap jealous and day oblivious tho ^_^

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? sleepyday is at its peakest when its a queer platonic relationship ❤️

[my-name-is-bunnyfoxy]

I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion but I am probably the only one who DESPISES the idea that Catnap would be an abusive parent towards his own child.

He literally went thru abuse himself. The toys were cannonly treated like crap by the Playtime CO workers, including Catnap. Now we don't know what kind of abuse exactly (if I recall correctly), but whatever kind of abuse they dealt with, I doubt Catnap would ever wanna do the same thing to his own child.

Also, Catnap takes his role as Playcare's security guard, guardian, protector whatever seriously. Not to mention he literally protected the children at Playtime CO. He has a pet the dog moment where he doesn't tell Miss Delight where the kids are because he knew she'd try and kill them. While there aren't any details as to why he did this, it seems to me he genuinely does care about them. For crying out loud dude he was also a kid who got his childhood ripped away. Like seriously.

Now, I will agree that he would definettelly try to convert his child to the Prototype, but I doubt he'd have intentions of harming or killing them if they don't. I don't think he'd have the heart to do so. I can also agree and see Catnap being a bit more strict and harsher parent towards his child, but still love them regardless. Also probably be an overprotective and bearing parent. I feel like he has his own way of showing his love to his child.

This is just a completely random opinion because I've been dead for a hot minute. I don't really count me reblogging though-

[violetisderp]

HOLY MOLY WITH QUCKAMOLY AND CHEESE?!?

A PROPER DOODLE PAGE THST ISNT JUST 5 DRAWINGS?? 1 IN EACH CORNER AND 1 IN THE MIDDLE?!?

Anyways, wanted to draw the sweater AU cause- I can tbh.

I find this AU kinda amusing but also dumb lolol. Also made a new AU cause again- I can-

Yes I changed DogDays sweater design slightly.

Basically it's just CatNap dosnt really feel bad or care that he hurts DogDay and hurts him alot cause- idk he wants to ig- Anyways Bobby is like; "Nuh Uh" and gets him to stop- sorta, so he randomly hit him still but that's all he dose ig, but at first it's just very aggressive 👍

(Also yes he likes pain, not for any like- other reason aside from haha it funni)

(Also Forgerts everyones necklace)

THIS IS NOT A SHIP

[crackedegotheories]

soooo.......

thoughts on the poppy playtime pt. 3?

I'm so proud that Mark is learning to read. It's tough to struggle through words you don't know, but the more you try the more you learn and the more you know...something about half the battle I think?

Sorry, couldn't help it. I'm guessing this is a follow-up on the last ask about the ego hints, in which case: I thought it was interesting.

I guess the big thing was about 7 minutes into the video, where Mark tells Ollie/Gregory "Things are just happening a little out of order for me at the moment, I'm kind of experiencing multiple realities all overlapping." (Sounds like a typical Thursday to me.)

More under the cut which I had to move up to here because Tumblr keeps rearranging all the photos and putting them one by one instead of a cluster like in the draft. It also keeps moving the read more link around, so who knows if it'll actually be here.

And then we get several cuts, each about a frame each, all from ISWM:

In order, we've got the guy in the woods from the Hee Hoo universe, Cecil H. H. Mills, Cryptid!Mark from the timeline where you mocked him for crying (how could you, Captain?), Abe, Chef, Old Man Mark at the restaurant at the end of the universe, Dorene Whitacre in the void, the campfire scene, Lady aiming a gun in your face, and the Invincible II seen from the outside.

I think the reasonable response would be to assume this is one of the editors slipping in a bunch of ISWM references after an off-the-cuff remark. After all, the second year anniversary is coming up in a little over a month, and Mark's been known to drop hints to go back and watch his larger projects before ("When's the last time you visited Yancy? He misses you, you know" or something similar.)

But eh, let's have fun with it and keep going.

Because I think we could tease out some more (very probably unplanned) references to ego stuff.

Take the very beginning of the video, during the elevator bug that started Mark's spin off into other realities. While Poppy and Kissy Missy have trouble with gravity, Poppy continues to speak to Mark--her voice seemingly coming out of nowhere as he gets farther and farther away. Cue Mark begging her to "Get out of my head!"

A similar scenario actually happens in Wilford Motherlovin' Warfstache, where Abe is monologuing to himself while driving and Wilford, in the backseat, intrudes on his thoughts. Abe tells Wilford to get out of his head and Wilford tells him to stop shouting without either one actually saying a word out loud, then Abe almost runs into a truck. During a series of red gas induced hallucinations about 11 minutes in, Mark responds to "Poppy's" question and says, "I don't know, how am I alive?"--something Abe also questions during WMLW, until Wilford snaps him out of it.

During the multiple realities reference, Mark mentions not being able to separate fact from fiction, something that comes up again later during a second round of hallucinations when "Poppy" asks, "Do you even know what's real?"

Difficulty separating fact from fiction is a recurring problem for Wilford, and even makes up a central theme when the WAIA is speaking to the viewer during The Warfstache Automated Interview Automaton video.

About an hour and a half into the video, after Mark, eh, successfully defeats Catnap, he says, "Remind me why I was doing this in the first place, because I don't recall," slipping into the Warfstache voice as he does so. Wilford doesn't exactly have the greatest memory, or really know why he does most things it seems like.

(He also slips into the Warfstache voice after he gets the finger gun, but that's par for the course every time Mark gets a surprise gun in a video game and starts getting shooty.)

Back to ISWM, we have the Catnap fight. Or more specifically, Mark's unfortunate choice of words, "And I wait to do it all over again." Cue it becoming the recurring phrase during a montage of Mark's failed attempts to beat the boss until, after an unknown number of retries, finally succeeding.

What is that, if not the exact same thing that the Captain goes through In Space? Whether it's the ultimately futile attempts to save the ship in Part 1, or your choice in the warp core that sends you all the way back to the beginning to try again?

When Mark is greeted by Ollie/Gregory who has the audacity to say things like, "Wow...you did it," "You must feel pretty good," and "This win is yours," he immediately breaks out into a storm of cursing.

Very much the same reaction we see in the Captain after failing and being sent back early in Part 1, but especially after obtaining an "ending" only to go into the light and find themselves right back in the cryopod again.

This is the hand gesture of someone (silently) cursing their existence.

Mark slowly turning to stare into the camera while going through the vents (twice) and suggesting he could come crawling out of the screen is just normal Mark behavior though, not sure what else to say about that.