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nemo-draco · 7 days

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Bendy: Secrets of the Machine Thoughts

Putting them under a spoiler cut for readability

So far, there is a lot of intrigue regarding GENT and their role, as well as the potential return of the Nightmare Run characters.

GENT's involvement so far as been more on the sidelines in the games. It's implied they have similar issues with the supernatural, and they are running experiments with the ink the Machine produces, the books also backing this up with the reappearance of Archie Carter. However, with the new character. Riley Wells, introduced, it creates a more interesting layer to this, in that it is implied that she was recruited by GENT shortly following her dismissal from JDS. Now, if she is a villain or a victim is up for debate. It could be that they hired her as a test subject similar to Archie Carter and her metamorphosis was just far more severe as a result of the traumatic experience in her childhood, or perhaps she provided the specs that ended up producing a real-life version of "Bloodwheel", the more monster-y version of Gaskette that even gets a whole song in Riley's flashback.

Riley's story is also interesting in that it provides a canon explanation for why the Nightmare Run toons are more monstrous, though it really only does so for Gaskette. She's never shown drawing any of the other bosses, just him. Which makes me wonder if maybe she was part of the character design for only him, and the others are all going to get their own stories later on in the game. I really do hope they go this route, mostly because it would be a nice callback to the no longer available Nightmare Run, and you could have some real fun with the bosses 'backstories', depending on how involved you want to be.

Can think of a few things immediately off the bat: Chester being another example of a childhood fear turned into a debilitating trauma, except involving someone who has thalassophobia strong enough to rival H.P. Lovecraft. Kind of paves the way for a lot of spooky imagery involving the ocean, ocean life, and ink.

Dewey at first seemed a little comical to think about in this context, after all, a fear of librarians seems extreme, though thinking more on it my thought is that he's the product of a different type of emotional stuckage. Instead of a fearful person, perhaps Dewey was created by a very angry person, someone who had a lot of trouble controlling their temper and would frequently blow up at seemingly minor issues. After all, Dewey's main character trait seems to be his temper, as we remember from his character card that he has a disproportionate reaction to Bendy knocking over some books. Granted, between the fact that the exact quantity of books is never mentioned, and a cartoon being a cartoon, it makes me wonder if Bendy might not have knocked over a few books, but more likely a few stacks or even whole shelves worth. I mean, what's funnier, a few books coming down or the library getting a spontaneous remodeling job thanks to a careless patron?

...It's probably not so fun for the librarian, but you get my point. So, potentially, we have someone who has a temper problem creating this character as a way to offset their issues. It might just be less helpful and creating a bit of a feedback loop, where they're constantly ruminating over their problems rather than addressing and moving on from them.

Canoodle was another one that eluded me a bit, though there are two potential driving forces that could have fueled his creation. On one front, junkyards aren't exactly friendly places sometimes, and it would be easy for some sort of accident to happen that could produce some sort of negative association, though there is also the fact that a sentient can being in a junkyard creates this almost weird mental image. You'd think that'd be a dangerous place for him, and this is somewhat proven true if you beat him in Nightmare Run, as he's promptly crushed and disposed of. So, perhaps a preoccupation with death, or a person who is constantly cheating bad or dangerous circumstances? It's something, and it could definitely be interesting played out if that's the direction they're planning on going with this.

There are also plenty of other fun moments and little easter eggs for fans, so either way, we do get something fun. I would honestly be over the moon if they did something for all of the Nightmare Run toons though. Gaskette is a good nod, and Riley's backstory intrigues me given the circumstances, and especially the apparent involvement with GENT. Kinda makes me wonder if they're, in a sense, keeping tabs on people who were associated with JDS, people who maybe would have some stronger ties to the art being produced there and potentially have a bigger reaction when the ink is used on them.

It's something to think about, for sure. If anything, I'll enjoy using these puzzle pieces in my own work.

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mickeys-malarkey · 6 days

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How I classify:

Headcanon: there's little to no reason for me to think this – at best I'm going off Vibes™ – but it sparks joy for me to think it, so I choose to think it.

Theory: I think this because I think it's the most logical interpretation of the subtext, even if I 10K% despise it.

Headcanon/theory line straddler: I have this gut feeling that's just. So intense that on the one hand I feel like maybe I'm just imagining things, but on the other hand I just can't shake the idea. It just makes so much sense. Is this intuition? Pareidolia? What's happening to m—?

Probably the most perfect example of this difference for me is: Bendy's identity.

Used to have a theory that he was alive the whole time, maybe from the very first time Henry drew him. Love the idea, my bestie & I are still writing a fanfic around it. But it's only a headcanon to me, now.

For those who don't know, my current theory is:

The Ink Demon is symbolic of Joey's toxic-because-of-trauma side that Nate Sr. abused and manipulated him into thinking = Helpful/Powerful/Desirable/etc., Bendy is symbolic of his good side that Nate Sr. abused and manipulated him into thinking = Helpless/Weak/Undesirable/etc., and Audrey's powers are symbolic of the maladaptive coping mechanisms she inherited from Joey through generational trauma (and a bit of the weirdness of her soul being made from a piece of his and a piece of Henry's).

“We’re ALWAYS free to choose. To believe what we want to believe. But when you step back, when you really look at where you’ve been, and the things you’ve done, your past will come… to devour you. *Bendy’s growl echoes in the backround, as if a memory*” ~ Audrey Drew, BATDR intro

“I believe there’s something special in all of us. With true inner strength, you can conquer even your biggest challenges. You just have to believe in yourself and remain honest, motivated, and above all, who you really are. Okay, let’s stop it right there. I can only do so many takes of this trash a day. And tell the guys in writing I want more use of the word ‘dreaming’ in every message. Keep railing on that, get it? Dreaming! Dreaming! Dreaming! People just eat up that kind of slop. Hmm, what? It’s still on? Well, turn it off, damn it!” ~ Joey Drew, BATIM Ch4 (emphasis added)

The Memory of Joey: Well, geez! You haven’t gotten far! Audrey: Don’t do that! Wait… how… how did you get in here? The Memory of Joey: Oh, I have my ways. So, tell me. How goes the journey? Audrey: Slow, but I’ll get through. The Memory of Joey: Ah! I see you have your father’s never quit, go-getter spirit. Audrey: Oh, now you knew my father. Well, news flash! I didn’t even know my father… or my mother. Or anyone else in my family. The Memory of Joey: I see then. You’ve chosen to forget the past. I can understand that. Audrey: What are you talking about? The Memory of Joey: Look, I don’t think you’re ready for this, *pats her hand* but hang on to your lunch money. There’s something I want to show you. *Starts using his teleportation powers* Audrey: Wait. What are you doing? The Memory of Joey: *Teleports her and himself to BATIM Chapter 1* Henry’s Voice (echoing like it’s supposed to be a memory): Alright, Joey. I’m here. Let’s see if we can find what you wanted me to see. … The Memory of Joey: …It was then, Joey decided to make something new. Something he had always wanted, but he could never have: a family. But not a cartoon one. Something real. And after many, many tries, he created something that made him happier than he ever could have imagined: a wonderful, loving daughter. Bright and kind. Almost human. He created you, Audrey. Audrey: What? Are you crazy? The Memory of Joey: Listen, I know it’s a lot— Audrey: —Who do you think you are? I wasn’t born from some… machine! I’m flesh and blood. I’m not some kind of ink monster. The Memory of Joey: Just because we’re born of darkness, doesn’t mean we belong to it. We’re always free to choose. To believe what we want to believe. Audrey: Take me back! Right now! I’m not listening to any more of your lies! The Memory of Joey: Remember who you are, Audrey. *Tries to take her hand again* Audrey: *Yanks her hand away* Leave me alone! The Memory of Joey: *Sighs and sends her back to the Downside Hotel*

“No need to struggle. My signal prevents you from using those devilish powers of yours… and more importantly, keeps the Ink Demon from getting in.” ~ Wilson Arch, BATDR Ch5 (emphasis added)

“…The only important question is this: Who are we, Henry? I thought I knew who I was… but… the success starved me. Nothing left but lines on a page. In the end, we followed two different roads of our own making. You, a lovely family… Me… a crooked empire. And my road burned. I let our creations become my life…” ~ Joey Drew, BATIM Ch5

“It’s time, Audrey. Your road is broken. Join the Dark Puddles and give in to your suffering. You have nothing. You are without purpose. Your very existence was a terrible lie. You’re a mistake. A monster. Like me. But I will make you strong. I will make you meaningful. It’s time… *Offers his hand, which Audrey accepts* We are one. The daughter of Drew. The power of the Demon.” ~ The Ink Demon, BATDR Ch5

Ink Demon can talk now because Real Joey's soul was tethered to the soulless Ink Bendy by a failed ritual and he was unable to go to the afterlife when he died.

The Keepers stole Bendy's voice, specifically, to symbolize how Nate Sr. silences & villainizes his victims.

“…the Ink Demon got in [the North Wing] a while ago and ever since we’ve had to keep [it] locked up tight I'm afraid it’s fallen into ruin by now. All those juicy, lovely books gone to waste. Only keepers go there [now], and they’ll tear you apart limb from limb if Wilson isn’t with you.” ~ Betty, BATDR Ch5

Nate Sr. is tryna use Wilson & Audrey as weapons to destroy Ink Demon/Bendy/Real Joey or, failing that, keep him trapped in a time loop, all without getting his own hands dirty nor besmirching his own reputation… If he can get rid of/silence them, too, that's a bonus!

Audrey: You did this to me. You brought me here. Turned me into this… this thing! This doesn’t make sense! I’ve never done anything to you! Wilson: Open your eyes and look around you! None of this “makes sense.” Drawn walls. Nightmarish creatures. An ancient studio that died out almost thirty years ago. It’s all fiction. Utter nonsense! And yet… in here, it exists. It breathes. It flourishes! Reality guided by its master’s pen. The foundation for a new reality we can bleed into our own. Just think of it. Anything we create in here, we can release out there. *Pours blob of ink into hand* But first, this world must be controlled. *Makes a mini Bendy out of the ink blob* Made safe. *Plops mini Bendy onto his suitcase and pokes it until it stands up* These… things. These angels and demons. *Mini Bendy waves at Audrey, she waves back* Are they really life? *Picks mini Bendy back up* Or are they just… *crushes mini Bendy* stains? Old mistakes ready to be cleansed away for newer, greater things?

“He once said I remind him of something he called his… ‘mother?’ Tell me, is that a good thing… where you two are from?” ~ Betty, BATDR Ch5

“It’s simply awe-inspiring what one can accomplish with their own hands! A lump of clay can turn to meaning… if you strangle it with enough enthusiasm. Look what we’ve built! We created life itself, Henry! Not just on the silver screen, but in the hearts of those we’ve entertained with our fancy moving pictures! But… when the tickets stopped selling, when the next big thing came along, only the monsters remained. Shadows of the past. But you can save them, Henry! You can peel it all away! You see, there’s only one thing Bendy has never known: He was there for his beginning, but he’s never seen… The End.” ~ (The Memory of??) Joey Drew, BATIM Ch5

“Reset the cycle? It turns out the Ink Demon himself is the key. This world is his, but even he must obey its rules. For now at least. If you can get him to look at something very specific, it will reset everything.” ~ Henry Stein, BATDR Ch4

Audrey: I’m scared. I don’t know what’s happening. The Memory of Joey: The past doesn’t define you, nor the present! In the end, all those years ago, Joey Drew finally succeeded! He created… life. But Audrey, you’re so much more than that. You were his family, his daughter. My daughter… and I love you so very much. The Ink Demon: Be quiet. The wretch is mine! The Memory of Joey: Remember who you are, Audrey. Remember! The Ink Demon: Your words are wasted! The failure of Joey Drew dies here! … The Ink Demon: *Crushes MoJ with their right hand* Audrey: Noooo! The Ink Demon: *Throws MoJ in the ink* The future is sealed. *Puts their right hand on the floor and does nothing else, as if he just wants to rest* Audrey: *Turns their head to look at the End Reel* The Ink Demon: What do you think you’re doing? Audrey: *Picks the End Reel up with their left hand* I’m starting over. The Ink Demon: What? Audrey: This… is the end.

Audrey merging with Ink Demon and then choosing to reset the time loop once she sees herself hurt someone who reminds of her dad is symbolic of her processing her memories of Joey/grief over his death, coming to terms with the fact she inherited his toxic traits, and deciding to follow in Joey's footsteps and continue trying to break the cycle of trauma/abuse.

“You must be really lost to be asking me for help.” ~ Henry Stein, BATDR Ch4

Audrey: Dead end! Now what? Henry: Need some help? Audrey: Henry! You came! Henry: Some battles are worth fighting for… Even a million times. Come on! I found a projector up ahead! Run for it! The Ink Demon: This realm is mine… and the cycle will continue! Audrey: Well then, we’ll just have to do better next time.

“My father once told me, that just because we’re born of darkness… doesn’t mean we belong to it. We’re always free to choose. And here, at the very beginning, there’s a choice to make.My father’s cartoon world was now mine.To rule, to watch over, and to protect. I can make the cycle more bearable for my friends inside. But as for me, I’m the first of my kind. Born of ink, but living in flesh. Joey’s world is escaping into ours. So, what’s next? Who can really say?” ~ Audrey Drew, BATDR outro

That's summing up the evidence big time and not getting into IRL book quotes that support things (nor, speaking of which, how my theories on The Mug and the Maiden, BATIM's invisible ink messages, etc. being correct, the fact I predicted most of the plot of FTB based on things repeated across BATIM, BATDR, & TIOL [note to myself to put a link there when I get my FTB analysis posted], and the fact they continue repeating info in BSOTM would mean that Mike's statement that any information repeated in the games is made canon would mean said IRL books have been declared simultaneously 0% and 100% canon which is really bizarre and potentially exciting), but it's enough of the gist to get to my point that:

You're allowed to like as many different interpretations of a story as you want and believe that the actual story means something entirely different.

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