Themes of Future Episodes
One thing I have been loving about this game is the idea each episode revolves around some key themes. Maybe I am reading too deeply into it, but it really helps me feel invested in Lee's personal arc along with the base story. Here's how I have seen it:
EPISODE 1
The Foundation of Character- How does Lee define himself in the new world? How do his past actions affect his views? How do the people he surrounds himself with alter his views? It truly is about being A New Day.
Trust- This became more significant after episode 3. There are other examples, but ultimately the decision of Doug or Carley is the defining point. Who do you feel is most trustworthy? What information do you trust them with? How do you reward that trust? It really pays off with the first third or so of episode 3.
EPISODE 2
Morality of killing/stealing- The majority of the biggest choices centered on killing. Is it right to leave David to die to save the group? Is it right to kill Jolene because she threatened you? Is it right to kill the St. John's for trying to kill you? And biggest of all, is it right to murder someone out of fear of knowing if they're dead or not? Because Clem is a factor here and with the stealing, it makes the consequence feel more important.
Understanding the people you are with- Somewhat a stretch, but it's something I took note on. Throughout the first episode, we thought we knew exactly how people in our group would behave. Then we learn Larry's reasons for his attitude, Kenny's impulsive tendencies and of course the St. John's true nature. Are you sure you know the people you associate with?
EPISODE 3
Suffering- The woman by the store, Lilly's deteriorating sanity, reacting to Doug/Carley's death, Kenny's family, etc. How do we handle suffering from many angles? Is it better to show mercy for people who suffer? Do you know how to handle your own suffering? Can you sympathize with the suffering if others? It's the thing that was most on my mind that episode.
Responsibility- Do you step up to help Kenny's family make the hard choice? Do you step up to become a leader when people falter? Do you step up to ensure the safety of Clementine and the rest of your people? This was the episode Lee began to define what kind of leader he wants to be and who he wants to lead.
Again maybe I'm thinking too hard, but I see a lot of compelling themes here. So my question is WHAT OTHER THEMES DO YOU SEE COMING TO PLAY NEXT EPISODE? I am sure there is still plenty of moral quandaries and survival issues to address.
EPISODE 1
The Foundation of Character- How does Lee define himself in the new world? How do his past actions affect his views? How do the people he surrounds himself with alter his views? It truly is about being A New Day.
Trust- This became more significant after episode 3. There are other examples, but ultimately the decision of Doug or Carley is the defining point. Who do you feel is most trustworthy? What information do you trust them with? How do you reward that trust? It really pays off with the first third or so of episode 3.
EPISODE 2
Morality of killing/stealing- The majority of the biggest choices centered on killing. Is it right to leave David to die to save the group? Is it right to kill Jolene because she threatened you? Is it right to kill the St. John's for trying to kill you? And biggest of all, is it right to murder someone out of fear of knowing if they're dead or not? Because Clem is a factor here and with the stealing, it makes the consequence feel more important.
Understanding the people you are with- Somewhat a stretch, but it's something I took note on. Throughout the first episode, we thought we knew exactly how people in our group would behave. Then we learn Larry's reasons for his attitude, Kenny's impulsive tendencies and of course the St. John's true nature. Are you sure you know the people you associate with?
EPISODE 3
Suffering- The woman by the store, Lilly's deteriorating sanity, reacting to Doug/Carley's death, Kenny's family, etc. How do we handle suffering from many angles? Is it better to show mercy for people who suffer? Do you know how to handle your own suffering? Can you sympathize with the suffering if others? It's the thing that was most on my mind that episode.
Responsibility- Do you step up to help Kenny's family make the hard choice? Do you step up to become a leader when people falter? Do you step up to ensure the safety of Clementine and the rest of your people? This was the episode Lee began to define what kind of leader he wants to be and who he wants to lead.
Again maybe I'm thinking too hard, but I see a lot of compelling themes here. So my question is WHAT OTHER THEMES DO YOU SEE COMING TO PLAY NEXT EPISODE? I am sure there is still plenty of moral quandaries and survival issues to address.
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
- We're screwed....
Episode 5 Theme
- ...and more screwed.
This really. I think the themes in ep 4 will be family and betrayal.
Also sorry to derail thread but does anyone remember Clem talking about how the walkie-talkie broke at the end of ep 1. Was that all an act?! 0_0
Maybe there were no batteries in the thing, and the batteries Doug or Carley give to Clem made it start working again?
About the thread... man, that is some deep analysis on the episodes, I would never be able to do that ._.
My guess is betrayal and seeing if the player is able to trust his teammates (maybe something including Kenny and/or Ben?) will be part of episode 4. It's still a bit too early to try and guess stuff about episode 5.
It's possible it was someone in Macon. Clem told them her story while you were saving Larry and doing the motel. They said they had her parents.. etc... etc....
Haha! Like I said. I could be totally reading deeper than what is there. I have just that since Episode 2, themes have been manifesting themselves more fully into the plot. And of course, almost all of it focuses around Clem. My biggest dream is that the very end of the story actually offers various ways Clem will turn out based on the decisions you make towards these themes.
And I feel betrayal is a good theme to cover in the next episode. Some good opportunities to see how trust is tested and what are you willing to forgive versus what you feel should be punished. Plus, since we are approaching the crisis/climax of the plot, this seems like the right place narratively for that theme to come into play.
I have a feeling episode 5 will focus a lot more on sacrifice. Aside from obvious speculation (Lee's fate...), what are we willing to sacrifice to reach an end goal? Any shortcomings I have criticized the game for would be totally overlooked if the themes and resolution of the ending really pay off. Give me a strong ending over a lot of action any day!
I....I cant believe she would straight up lie to Lee and be such a good actor.
My hearts broken ):
Also I think another theme would be revenge and second chances, after what happened with Ben.
You don't interact with a lot of kids do you?
If the "voice" was someone in Macon, they would have to travel to Savannah and considering the direct highway was blocked by a train... how would he have gotten ahead of the group? I don't think Clem's been lying, because I don't think she's been talking to him intentionally.
Perhaps the next episodes will deal more with perspective and judgment.