#this was my productivity for the day a;slkdj

[deceit-official]

Janus Playlist Analysis

Here’s my final analysis of every song, more thought was put into some than others based purely on how much I had to say. I honestly loved them all.

“Black Hole Sun”: Snake imagery  👀  “In disguises no one knows Hides the face, lies the snake” is such a perfect description of Janus it’s a great opener for the playlist.

“It Seemed the Better Way”: Chalk full of religious references, a definite reference to how much Catholicism has formed Thomas’s worldview. The truth isn’t always what it seems

“Anywhere”: “It’s a beautiful world if you’ve been lied to” Really shows how little Janus trusts the world and how he wants to make Thomas aware so he can protect himself. In other words, the blindfold off.

“Talking at the Same Time”: The world is great for the rich and sucks for everyone else and thems the facts of life. Janus wants Thomas to stop lying to himself about how the world really is.

“all the good girls go to hell”: First of all, THE RELIGIOUS IMAGERY IS BACK. Second of all, works perfectly with Janus’s view of “sometimes you have to do bad things to do what’s best for yourself”.

“Denial”: This song ties right into Janus telling Thomas he’s making decisions with a blindfold on.“Don’t just shut your eyes closed”: OPEN YOUR EYES THOMAS.“Don’t just shut your eyes closed. Not until I get it off my chest”: He just want’s to be heard, which makes sense why he was so happy that he didn’t get pushed away in this latest video by Thomas and Patton

“Trust in Me”: First of all, snake imagery obviously. Second of all, Janus feels like he needs to trick and convince people to listen and trust him, otherwise nobody would ever listen to him. Thus, why he constantly disguises himself in order to give his opinion.

“Razzle Dazzle”: Perfect explanation for Janus’s whole “extra aesthetic”. If he’s grandiose, nobody will pay attention to what he’s really saying and whether it’s true or not. I love this song and I can’t believe how well it works for Janus.

“When the Chips Are Down”:  A song all about how, at the end of the day, it’s every person for themselves and everyone will act in their own self-interest. The perfect embodiment of Janus’s character and if his character had to be narrowed down to just one song, it would be this one

“Mandy Goes to Med School”: here’s my full post. In short, Janus knows that sometimes you have to hide what you’re doing to help yourself, just like Mandy does.

“I Put a Spell on You”: Janus just wants Thomas to believe he wants what’s best for him.“I can’t stand it cause you put me down” It hurts to constantly get pushed from the discussion and be constantly portrayed as the villain.

“Evil Night Together”: Honestly this is just a very sexy song and made me fall a little bit more in love with Janus. This could, perhaps, be about Janus wanting the other “dark sides” to not leave him and stick with him (specifically Virgil). Fits perfectly with his “villain” persona.

“Cabaret: Don’t Tell Mama”: I have two interpretations of this song. First, Patton is Mama. Patton doesn’t know everything he’s doing to help Thomas, but knows he won’t approve if he does. So “don’t tell mama.” Alternatively: Thomas is Mama. This song is pre-CLBG. Deceit is keeping himself and all the “dark” sides from him and won’t let any of the other sides reveal them.

“You’re a Cad”: I feel like this is Janus @ Virgil. He “knows the truth”. “What’s the point pretending that you could be a better man. Just give in, since you always end up right back where you began” and “You’re a rascal and a rove, a villain and a crook”. This is a very similar train of thought to Remus telling Virgil he can never stop being the bad guy. Virigl will always be one of the “dark” sides and he can’t escape it just by pretending to be a light side. Janus just wants him to come back and be who he truly is.

“As Far as I Can See”: Pure angst, ya’ll. “As far as I can see, nobody loves me.” “As far as I can see, nobody’s listening,” “…when I’m crying out nobody cries back for me.” Deep down, he just wants people to listen to him and love him.

“Criminal”: Janus acceptance arc! “Cause I’m feelin’ like a criminal and I need to be redeemed” He wants to “be redeemed.” “I’ve got to cleanse myself of all these lies til I’m good enough for him.” He’s willing to tell the truth, something he never does, if it makes Thomas accept him so that he’ll actually listen to his advice.

“Change”: Now we’re getting into Janus’s mindset for his acceptance arc. He can feel the dynamic is shifting and he has to change with it.“Change is a powerful thing. I feel it coming in me. Maybe by the time this song is done I’ll be able to be honest.” That is the biggest sign of change. He’s willing to go against his very purpose and be honest. Things are changing and if it means he can keep Thomas safe, he’s willing to change with it.

“Devil in the Details”: Janus is torn. Does he trust the “light” sides and Thomas? Should he be vulnerable? Or keep protecting himself with lies? “Well I made amends in the general sense, but the devils in the details.” Sure, they said they’d listen to him, but they didn’t really get to have a deep talk because Thomas’s mental health was so poor. Will the trust hold up when he’s not so urgently needed? “I am the first one I deceive, if I can make myself believe the rest is easy” He can convince the others to trust him easily. The first step is convincing himself. Once he himself believes he can trust each other, then they can move forward. But he’s not quite sure yet, especially after Roman broke his trust by laughing at his name. Maybe it would be easier to just go back?

“Come Little Children”: A couple interpretations here. One is he’s trying to bring Virgil back to the “dark side”. The second is this is to Character Thomas and the other sides. “I'll show thee the way through all the pain and the sorrows.” If they just listened to him, he could do his best to protect them as much as he can.

“Into the Unknown”: This is the one I’m probably the most unsure about. It seems like Janus is very unsure about what is to come. He wants to be accepted, but he doesn’t know what will happen next. Thomas needs him, though. “If dreams can't come true then why not pretend?” “Of golden  memories the loveliest lies of all.” The song is laced with mentions of lying. He is a a part of Thomas in every way, from being able to act and “pretend” to perhaps making past memories better than they actually were. Thomas needs him, but the future remains uncertain for Janus’s place in the system.