#dukeofasks

[dukeofonions]

(previous anon here) I am unsubbed from both of his channels..I keep up with the uploads/updates of the new vids from that one Tumblr account (@tstwitterupdates) ,bless their heart, they are underrated and deserve more appreciation🙏

They are amazing and I love them so much.

#dukeofasks

[dukeofonions]

Thomas really taking his sweet time with videos and I really can't understand why...I really miss when he uploaded 20 min videos and we got them more frequently..I hate these 50 min videos that we only get once a year..like ffs dude, we just want to see the Sides interact, not Hollywood productions🤦 YES the quality is pretty good but they lack something that the smaller videos have...they lack a certain warmth and the longer videos seem faceless somehow🤷

Same, like it's cool that they're able to experiment with all this stuff. But I think the problem is that Sanders Sides started out as a very simple idea, it works best when it's kept simple. Adding all this extra stuff just doesn't work when the focal point should be Thomas and how his thoughts and feelings are shown through the Sides.

Like, Cartoon Therapy uses a very simple format, it's just the characters talking to each other very much like the early Sanders Sides episodes did while occasionally showing clips from cartoons. It's a simple premise that tells its story in a simple way and it works.

Imagine if all of a sudden they started using a bunch of green screen effects and adding all this extra stuff to the Cartoon Therapy episodes, it would be very distracting for a series that relies mostly on telling its story through the dialogue between the characters.

I just wish that Thomas and his team would realize that we don't need a huge production every single episode. Every once in awhile? Sure, why not. But when it's every single time and we hear "We're trying something new!" Every time there's a new episode, it just gets exhausting because then we know it's going to take who knows how long for an episode that could get its message across through the dialogue and interactions between the characters.

#dukeofasks #like that's what i figured asides would be #simple #but just look at the one they've been working on #well i mean you can't because it's not done yet #but when it is done you'll see what i mean

[dukeofonions]

The fandom on Twitter is one of the scariest places to be (that can technically be said about all of Twitter but that’s not my point)

The fandom on Twitter bows down to Thomas like he’s their lord and saviour. They hold him on such a high pedestal that it’s hard to criticize him without getting at least one, “Well, at least he makes content.

The support is simply overwhelming. Listen, if I was constantly given praise by my audience and ignored criticisms, I’d probably also make extremely difficult content that takes up so much time which could’ve been used for shorter, more precise videos.

We all agree the videos have slowly gotten more messier, plot-wise, right?? Just me??

Anyways, the Twitter fandom desperately needs a revamp. Maybe we can teach them about business practices??? About the YouTube algorithm. About how to give constructive criticism and not idolize creators.

All good ideas.

Okay, this is getting quite over dramatic, so I’ll finish here. It is fun to write a mini-rant, however.

Sincerely,

A Tired Lesbian who keeps getting recommended Thomas Sanders posts on Twitter

Yeah I don't mess around with fander Twitter. That's a whole other realm that I'd rather not get into.

#dukeofasks #one of the main reasons why i haven't made a dukeofonions twitter #i aint got time for that #plus i just enjoy tumblrs format more

[dukeofonions]

Do you think that the rainbow side theory is true? That would mean the a orange and a violent/indigo will arrive (what color is Virgil I know he’s purple but what shade? Same with Logan and Patton). People think orange will be anger and apparently Virgil also represents depression (it was mention in the court episode) but what would the other purple side be?

I don't think it's true mostly since there's only been one last side hinted at that will most likely be orange. Having an indigo/violet colored side when we've already got purple for Virgil just seems a bit too much, that would be asking Thomas to play 9 characters if you're counting his characterized self. And is just unnecessary story wise.

I honestly have no clue what the last side will be. All we've gotten is a vague "He represents a side of Thomas we haven't seen yet." But I think at this point we've seen just about all there is to see? I can see anger/wrath being a good candidate but I see that falling under the emotions category and honestly, I think it'd be more interesting to explore that aspect of Thomas through Patton instead of bringing in a whole new character for it.

Also I don't think Virgil is also depression. In the courtroom episode all I can think of is Logan saying that Thomas attending the wedding would cause Thomas to be more depressed since he'd have to be reminded that he's still single, but it's never said that Virgil is also depression. So far he's only been anxiety and others might feel differently but I personally don't feel comfortable with the idea of anxiety and depression being meshed into one thing, ya know?

#dukeofasks #plus i just don't think they'd be able to handle more characters #they can barely handle the ones they have now

[dukeofonions]

Is it just me or do I feel like Thomas is shooting himself in the foot with these asides videos.

I mean when it comes to the season 2 finale how are you going to explain Roman's emotions post pof when its literally been retconed in FWSA with only a little bit of Roman angst that hes mostly happy after hes got Thomas something he wants.

To be honest FWSA felt like it should be the season 2 finale.

In my opinion the only option is to now retcon Roman to Be Janus Disgusted as Roman during FWSA or have it revealed he was only pretending.

I've actually made a whole post about this, but I'm gonna rant about it again anyway because I have a personal grudge against Asides and will take any opportunity I can to rant about it.

They're literally writing themselves into a dead end here with both Roman and Virgil, seeing as both recently had something big happen happen them. You got Roman's breakdown at the end of POF and then you have Virgil's confession at the end of DWIT.

It looks like they were setting up some scenario where it's Roman and Virgil vs everyone else (especially Thomas) but both of their big moments have been retconed by Asides.

Literally the first episode takes away any potential conflict between Virgil and Thomas over him being a former "dark side" because the two have made up in a pretty lack luster way. What was the point of building that dramatic reveal up only to brush it aside? (Haha, get it?)

Even if I have some issues with the whole "Virgil being a past dark side" I wouldn't have cared if it had a satisfying conclusion but I highly doubt that now. Especially since anything interesting that could have come from that is gone.

(Somewhat unrelated note we also don't get to see Virgil's reaction to Janus earning Thomas and Patton's trust because Thomas confirmed in a live stream that he already knows it happened so there goes any confrontation between Virgil and Thomas in the finale)

And then you got Roman in FWSA where he acts as if nothing happened in POF. I figured we wouldn't see Roman again until the finale (I had thought the same about Virgil) since he feels betrayed and hurt by Thomas and Patton and probably wouldn't want to see them but nope, there he is acting like his usual self. Cracking jokes and looking nothing like how he was at the end of POF.

How are they going to address what happened in POF if Roman is suddenly in such a good mood and happy about Thomas getting a boyfriend? In my opinion FWSA could have been the start of season three, and originally I thought the episode took place sometime after season two only for it to be confirmed that it happens right after POF which makes things even more confusing.

If you follow the episodes starting from Selfishness vs Selflessness and ignore Asides you've got a pretty solid story going and POF is clearly meant to lead right into the finale.

But instead we keep getting these Asides that keep adding on more and more to a story that already has a lot going on. There's a chance the finale will showcase all the characters, all of which have something going on with them that they somehow have to resolve with one more season (not to mention a whole new character is on the way) so why keep making things more complicated when everything was already set up for you?

Sorry to kinda derail your initial ask but the whole concept of Asides confuses me because it doesn't make any sense. The fact that it's it's a year since POF and we still don't have a conclusion to that episode and are instead focusing on whatever Asides is doing is just frustrating.

#dukeofasks #asides was meant to consist of shorter videos #to give us content during the long waits #and were not supposed to have anything to do with the main plot #and were supposed to be simple enough to where they wouldn't get in the way of filming the main series #yet here we are #one year later #and we're getting another asides #like why #i dont get it #what the heck happened

[dukeofonions]

Having so many special effects for episodes and each one having its own ‘thing’ kind of makes it choppy to me when it comes to cohesion between the episodes. Makes me think of when some youtubers are trying out new editors in the way that the episodes can feel sooo different from one another except that in the case of Sanders Sides it’s for no reason other than ‘we thought it looked good despite it not being necessary for the story uwu’ at this point if you forget the story they’re trying to tell each episode could be from a completely different thing.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Season two would have probably been finished by now if they didn't keep adding all this stuff in. Like it's okay to want to experiment but clearly there's more cons to pros when it comes to all these gimmicks.

#dukeofasks #like when was it made a law that each video had to have some kind of theme? #puppets #video games #why? #just why? #can't we just go back to seeing the characters talking to each other without all this extra stuff? #every once in awhile would be fine but it's every single video #its just getting old

[dukeofonions]

Just makes me really sad bc this series was one of my first serious hyperfixations and now with the fandom/Thomas's timing with the videos, I don't even get excited when he tweets about it anymore. Like I could honestly care less about this latest asides ep. Just...yeah

Yeah I'm still stuck here because I love the characters and I'm attached to the series despite its problems. But I'm not excited about this upcoming video, more like I'm just waiting for it to get over with which is sad because I want to be excited, but it's so weird because they're secretive and quiet about everything having to do with a video.

We used to get regular updates about what stage they were at, and even get little videos from the Sides in between filming, there was all this anticipation and excitement but i haven't felt any of that for this video.

Like these days we're not even told which characters are going to be in a video because that would be spoiling it for some reason??? The only reason I know who's gonna be there is because I'm a patreon but like; that shouldn't be info you have to pay for.

Nothing is going to be spoiled just from telling us who's gonna be in the dang episode. Like why all the secrecy? Things used to be so open and now it's like they're locking everything behind a door.

#dukeofasks #like i don't understand what changed #but something did

[dukeofonions]

Honestly, Logan is my favorite character but at the same time when I first heard of Sanders Sides I would’ve thought that Logic would know things that only Thomas knows, maybe including things that Thomas did learn but doesn’t fully remember but still. Now looking at the series part of me is just thinking ‘sooo... does character Thomas read a bunch of philosophy books and such in his nonexistent spare time or does Logan just have all the knowledge in the universe at his fingertips but can’t use it all?’

Honestly I don't think even the writers know. One minute it's "Oh we can't do this" and the next it's "What do you mean we could do this all along." As far as the characters abilities go.

When you're writing a series with characters like this you need to establish some basic rules as to how they work, and you can't explain all the changes outside the series either.

#dukeofasks #they really need to figure out exactly what these characters can and can't do

[dukeofonions]

unpopular opinion: the dnd roleplaying with roman is clearly a way to get views and Thomas literally used roman to get ppl to watch the series bc he knew that if he used an OC then the viewers would be considerably less...also to those out there who consider 'role-playing with roman' as sanders sides content, I wish you some rest and to find a content creator who actually listens to his fans✌

I kinda disagree on the first part, given that this series has been in the works for awhile I think it was just something fun they wanted to do.

I do sort of agree on using Roman when, to me, it feels odd that they kept referring to it as a "Roman series" even going as far as to have Roman himself react to the news in the update video he did with all the Sides. Only for the series to come out and throw up the disclaimer that the Roman in rswr isn't the same as the one from Sanders Sides, which if that's the case then why not just make up a new character? Why give the audience the impression that it was going to be a series about the Roman we're all familiar with when that wasn't the case?

Well at the end of the day it's not a huge deal for me because I do like the series regardless. I just find it odd that they went that route. Although if I had to guess it could be (like you said anon) they didn't think a lot of people would watch it unless they used Roman to draw Sanders Sides fans in. I mean we've already seen in the past that videos they make without the Sides aren't as popular (take Cartoon Therapy for example) people enjoy them sure but it's obvious that Sanders Sides is their most popular work so having a character from that series "star" in his own spin-off (even if it isn't actually a spin-off of that character since it's in a different universe I guess) would make sense if they were wanting to have people watch it.

#dukeofasks #and i mean hey it worked #people watched it #and like it #i was mostly drawn in due to roman and the d&d aspect #but yeah now that i have watched it i do kinda wish they could have just let it be its own thing #because seeing people constantly trying to bring sanders sides into it is kinda just #ehhhhhh #i mean I'm just hoping they don't feel pressured to force the other sides into the series just to make fans happy #like just let it be it's own thing #i mean they already kinda ruined that already by having a roman character in it #but hey maybe in the future they'll make more original stuff separate from the sides #even though that is difficult given that the majority of his fans are here for sanders sides #which is in a weird place right now #but I've rambled enough for now I'm done

[dukeofonions]

Oh god if Thomas is changing the canon because of fanart and fanfic than I’ve lost all hope for Sanders Sides. Literally, published authors legally CANNOT read fanfic of their own works because if they ever write something based off a fic is like, breaking intellectual property laws. My moral compass is spinning out of control over everything Thomas is doing right now

Well technically they can read fanfics, most are just advised not to in order to avoid messy legal issues, and those that choose to read it typically don't mention that they do. It really just depends on the creator.

Thomas is a little different in that he's a YouTuber that, honestly, isn't as well known as he used to be. He's got his one main series that has a following and has always been chill with people creating fan works for it. Heck, he's even bought some stuff made by fans so clearly he doesn't have a problem with people making money by selling things with his characters on them.

(Plus I don't think he or a majority of his fan base would ever take legal action against each other over something like this. Considering most of his fan base falls in the younger area)

Now as far as him using fandom ideas in the actual series, it's kinda in a Grey area since we as a fandom tend to share general ideas that we're not sure where they originated from. Like the imagination for example, or the idea that Janus is cold blooded, or even the Sides having movie nights in their onesies.

Ideas like that have been used so much in the fandom that it's nearly impossible to trace them back to the original source. Could anyone tell me who first came up with the idea for the "subconscious?" A place that does not exist in canon but is used in so many fan works that some people might think it is?

So basically what I'm getting at is, Thomas technically can interact with fan works (including fanfics) and use general ideas in his own series because, let's face it, how would we ever know where he got the idea to do a onesie movie night with the Sides?

Or if he does decide to change the Sides's outfits again, who can stop him from using the idea of Patton having round glasses when so many works portray him as having them? If he was outright copying someone's design on some art they made without permission than that would be a problem. But a general idea (like Roman getting a cape or crown) that's been used over and over again and no has a direct claim to it is completely fair game.

And fanfiction is kinda the same way seeing as there are so many common tropes used in Sanders Sides fics. The problem here would come from using specific plots of fics in the series without consulting the author first. But again, it's kinda tricky when so many fics have similar plots and ideas (just think about how many sick fics there are) that it'd be nearly impossible to track down the original creator of that idea.

If Thomas wanted to make an episode where a Side was sick and being taken care of, he couldn't really be accused of stealing an idea when it's such a common thing and has even been used in so many other shows over the years.

And honestly, I don't think Thomas is the type of guy to go running around reading fics and stealing their plots because he thinks it's a better story than his own, but he definitely spends enough time in the fandom looking at what they've made and gets inspired by the things they make.

The downside to that is now it feels like he's just trying to cater to the fandom and give them whatever they want to see regardless of whether or not it fits in the story or makes sense for the characters.

For all we know Janus and Remus's relationship could have originally planned to be something much different, but after it being so long and the fandom already getting their own idea about what the two are like, they decided to just go "Yes. This exactly how these two are in the series." Because they didn't want to upset any fans when their relationship was nothing like they imagined it would be.

Which, I dunno. Joan said at one point that (in regards to fan theories) they wouldn't change anything if someone got a theory right, so I'm hoping that the same attitude extends towards catering to fan ideas and expectations as well.

However now that Joan is gone Thomas may just completely resort to "keep the fans happy by doing what the majority wants even if it makes no sense they'll be too happy to notice."

But again, I don't know. It's not a bad thing if he slips some fan service in from time to time. But if that's all the series ends up being then I'm out.

#dukeofasks #now if ships suddenly start becoming canon im burning my blog #are there ideas the fandom has come up with that i think would be cool to see in the series? #absolutely #but at the same time I'd rather they just stick to the story they originally wanted to tell #even though im not entirely sure what that story is supposed to be #look dark side logan is an interesting concept #but given how logan is and that dark sides technically don't exist it just wouldn't make sense #but i don't even know what they ever plan on doing with logan so he knows if they just decide to do it since it's such a popular idea #long post

[dukeofonions]

Do you ever feel alone in your opinion? Like everyone else is like on board with a theory/headcanon/upcoming change and you’re sitting in your corner thinking “Nope, I don’t vibe w/that” but no one else seems to share the same sentiment as you?

(Doesn’t have to be for just SaSi; could be for any fandom you like)

Yeah, every once in awhile. Both with fandom and other things in life.

#dukeofasks #these days i just vibe alone in my corner #as y'all can probably tell from my inactivity #that and i just happen to have a new thing I'm fixating on so that's taken a lot of my attention #but yeah when it comes to this sort of thing you're bound to find at least one person who agrees with you #most just tend to stay quiet about it if it's not what the majority thinks #when it comes to theories and headcanons i don't mind hearing other people's takes #even if i don't agree or vibe with it #there's just so many ways people can interpret things #different ideas #i find it both fascinating and daunting at the same time

[dukeofonions]

I don’t even know what year we’re in during the TS Sides timeline. Send help and snacks

I can't help much but I do have one cosmic brownie left.

#dukeofasks #i demand a complete time line of events

[dukeofonions]

ngl that jab at Patton in the end card about him giving "permission" felt a lot like the team is leaning into fandom interpretation. Smh.

I think that was more of a call back to DWIT where Patton gives Thomaw "permission" to have intrusive thoughts.

But honestly I'm not sure why Virgil's still being a bitch to Patton. I mean, I'm sure it's because of what happened in POF with him accepting Janus and Roman getting hurt but nothing in the recent Asides episodes has shown that this is the case (Thomas did confirm in a live stream that Virgil knows about it) but if the show itself doesn't give out that info then it just makes Virgil look like he's being a jerk for no reason when it could actually be him just trying to stick up for Roman; even if it's not the best way to do it. It'd at least explain things.

All we'd need is one scene, or even an end card, that shows Roman telling Virgil what happened which is what causes them to partner up, and Virgil could be extra protective of Roman right now especially after he finally seems happy with Nico. Roman doesn't say anything to Patton, just kinda glares at him, but Virgil has no problem saying what's on his mind so the way he sees it he's just defending Roman when he won't defend himself. It's not the best way to go about it but what else do you expect from Anxiety?

But a scene like that doesn't exist and even in the end card Roman snaps at Virgil so I don't even know if they like each other right now. I guess whatever is happening to them is happening off screen so what do I know?

#dukeofasks #ts spoilers

[dukeofonions]

This tweet:

“I really wanna create more fun one-off funny scripted vids for the main channel… do a bit more experimenting… may be enlisting the help of the Patreon Writers’ Room a bit more soon.”

When the last actual episode of real Sanders Sides came out on May 1, 2020?

Like, dude…

Yeah I dunno anon...

I mean given that we hardly get scripted content and therefore hardly have any writer's rooms take place I guess that would at least make that perk on the patreon relevant but I dunno.

#dukeofasks #anytime these people have said they wanna do more nothing ever comes of it #I mean to be fair I've done the same thing #but in my defense this ain't my full time job #if i was getting paid to run a blog you'd better believe it'd be my first priority #but as it stands I'm shackled to the fast food chain #but back on topic like dude #at least finish season two before starting on a bunch of other projects #it's been four years #since season two started

[dukeofonions]

I just saw a post of someone ranting about how the keychains are so cheaply made that they can't be used as actual keychains, since the paint chips away super fast. This made me go check on my Patton keychain, which is on my everyday bag (along with all my other fan-made Patton keychains, all of which have not even a scratch) and they're right, the paint is chipping away and looks terrible now. I paid for the bundle. These keychains are not worth $8 a keychain. It feels dumb to get upset over, but I honestly want to cry. Patton is the only one I actually use on my bag because he's my favorite character, just, ever. This horrible quality merch happens EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. ESPECIALLY as a plus-sized fan (recently ordered 3 seperate 3x shirts only for them to BARELY fit my xl friend). I can't wear my Patton necklace because the chain broke, and I can't wear the Patton pin because the paint chipped. I just wish it was better - even the PATREON merch is like this. Sorry for rambling I'm just upset now :(

Oh no you have every right to rant. The fact that most who have bought the key chains are having the same problem is ridiculous. And of course nothing is being said or done about it.

Honestly whoever is providing or manufacturing (whatever the word is) Thomas's merch should not be worked with. Literally any time new merch drops I always see at least one person complain (and rightfully so) about the low quality of the merch, whether it breaks or doesn't fit.

And of course all these complaints are never addressed so there's probably no chance of things ever improving which is ridiculous for how expensive everything is, and the discounts the patrons get are a joke since once shipping comes into play you might as well be paying full price.

Now I did end up buying the key chains (I was going through a rough time and they looked cute so I bought them on an impulse) and currently have them put away and honestly I'm not sure how they're doing. Might check on them later.

But no don't apologize for being upset about this. It's ridiculous and you're right, not worth the money.

I know some people reached out to customer service or whatever it's called and were told they'd be replaced but what good will that do when they just receive another crappy key chain? Which it's a shame that this is happening because the designs really are cute and I feel bad for the artist.

#dukeofasks #sorry i got a little heated there #but it is upsetting #like how dare people buy key chains and want to use them as key chains #but can't because they're so cheaply made that the paint starts chipping almost immediately

[dukeofonions]

I screenshotted Thomas' Patreon for no particular reason back in December. From then until now, he's lost a total of 734 Patrons. I hope he realizes that his vids don't have to be perfect. If he keeps up this perfectionist attitude, he'll lose even more people. He could make an unedited video about a side's daily life and people would applaud. Heck, he could make a 5 minute vid about fart humour and people would enjoy it. Just give us anything.

I would literally watch a 5 minute video of Virgil eating a bowl of cereal in complete silence.

#dukeofasks #like i dont know why but the idea of virgil just enjoying a quiet morning by himself is something i need in my life #also i didnt know that about the patreon #dang #dude needs to do something if he wants to keep his fan base alive