I was pretty happy with this week’s HAWP when I uploaded it, but I was also a little bit worried: the jokes made me laugh and everything, but would people resent a Papa Burch origin story? Was his hatred for Ash one of those fun, mysterious little things that you don’t ever want explained, or is it so random and silly that it never even feels like something that can be necessarily ruined?
Given the Metal Gear finale from last year, do people feel like we’re building canon, or are we being so consistently ludicrous and inconsistent that you can take each episode on its own merits without spending every subsequent Papa B episode thinking, “well, this is less interesting because I know he’s just trying to get back at some chick named Martha from his childhood?”
I mean, obviously that’s not the only reason the character hates Ash — given the way she acts, it’d be hard not to hate her — but I was worried that this episode might be a little to much like the Master hearing drums as a child, or something. Unneeded explanation, even though it’s all obviously in the service of the episode’s punchline.
Luckily, everyone seems to like it and I was worrying over nothing. Woo!
I thought it worked incredibly well. You guys seem to be creating a weird anti-canon that exists somewhere between Continuity and Random Weirdness. It doesn’t spawn out of the need for characterization, it seems to spawn out of character traits.
I was going to say something but… yeah, Bryy covered it pretty well
Well said, Bryy.
The episode was fantastic. Everyone I know who’s seen it thus far has laughed uncontrollably.
Hard to say, I loved the episode, but I may be blinded by the awesomeness that is Psychonauts.
I admit I used to like that Tarzan Boy song. Now I won’t be able to hear it without thinking of big oily muscle-men. *Deletes song from computer, with a vengeance*
Anyway. Super special awesome job! Pretty much what Bryy said, in a shell of nut.
Was the dog’s letter inspired by the letters the zombies in Plants vs. Zombies send to you?
You’re over-thinking it. With everything the series stands for I doubt we’re going to look into every little deal that’s been said. I mean look at the characterisation of Ash, some days she’s a dude others a girl.
Nothing in HAWP is consistent, well except how awesome it is.
thas my world bitch.
This is probably one of my favorite episodes so far. I loved Psychonauts and the application here, combined that everybody loves your dad just plain acting mean made for solid comedy gold!
I am more interested in the comment that Psychonauts was under-rated. Was it really? All the reviews I saw went mental (aha ha. Ha.) about how good the game was, and how every person in the world would need to experience it.
Which is probably why no one bought it. Wouldn’t be the first time. I swear, the worst portent of doom you can give a games developer is “I am terribly sorry. This is going to be critically acclaimed.”
Oleander can stuff his stupid rabbit, though.
Oh, sorry, episode. I personally didn’t think it was a true origin story until you mentioned it, as his last line in the dream was “and if I ever catch her trying to read my mind”, which made it seem like he was in control and messing with Ash.
I agree with this. It looks like he was in complete control and was just messing around with her. He is a Big Boss.
While reviewers did love(as it is an amazing game) Psychonauts unfortunately suffered very low sales and is generally not know of even among gamers.
See this review which talks more about it: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/2-Psychonauts
Wait, so now Ash and Anthony have a half-sister that looks exactly like Ash, but is about 50 years older?!
Sweet goodness you’re right! Hopefully Ash has to battle her older, bizarro half-sister self in the future. OR perhaps Ash will go back in time to stop Martha for picking on Papa B so that Papa B will love her in the present. It could even be incorporated into a game which contains time travel, like Day of the Tentacle!
AAAAAAH!!!
So many possibilities!
So wait is Anthony’s character actually gay or is that just what Ash’s character thinks Anthony is?
That’s actually what is in his head.
I agree with Darkandroid, you are overthinking it. Great episode, as usual.
Love it! But I love them all! I was thinking, you guys should totally do a Scribblenauts themed episode. The possibilities are endless…
Great episode! I’d argue it’s one of the best you’ve done.
Side note, the GT comments seem surprising tame this time around. Always interesting…
That was hilarious! Loved it. Continue to make great videos.
Words cannot describe how awesome that was… Except for ‘awesome’. Kinda made that statement redundant… Shit… Never mind.
If you ever read my mind, be ready for Jelly Baby Zombies… Bring a shotgun… Just saying.
Dont sweat it anthony, the episode was awesome. they all are!
Building canon? Come on, Anthony. We know better.
Also, episodes are consistently awesome and continually getting better. It’s easy to be self-conscious when your stuff’s out there for the world to see, but in this case it’s unwarranted.
The goggles kinda reminded me of Jet Set Radio, which seems ripe for a HAWPing.
great job once again
my only complaint is that it’s pretty short, you could post your rough cuts here since we all come for the hawp action anygay.
on the other hand i know your edits are necessary and i’m sure you’ve mulled over what should stay and go, still as a big fan i’d really appreciate it
also, does that tarzan boy song make anyone one think of tmnt 3?
You may have been too honest about what goes on in Ash’s mind.
That was great. What kind of dog is Dustee?
Maltese.
It worked and was good.
I like this episode alot, but I was sort of confused by the whole Papa Burch part. Can someone explain it a bit more for me please?
Not much to it. D. Burch was picked on by as a kid by a girl (Martha) who looks just liked Ash. He swore vengeance by knocking up her mom and having a daughter that looks like her (Martha), whom he’ll hate and punch in if she tried to read his mind. Cue Ashly realizing his plot. BAM.
Does sense make?
Or what Duncor says three posts down. I like his take on it.
The ending was great. I love that the reason he hate Ash so much is so ridiculous. It works out so much better then not every knowing.
Fantastic and excellent pacing. Got a genuine lol. Love the fact that you don’t drag out the vids.
I kind of thought Pappy B’s flash back was him messing with Ash. Clearly he is far to mentally strong to let the likes of Ash in his brain. He just constructed that memory as a mental black to keep her out.
This also would help explain why he looks the exact same 1959 as now in 2010.
Boo, I want an Ash half-sister. Since she’s clearly gogin to be much older than Ash, it could be a BioShock 2 episode where she is the Big Sister coming back to take revenge. DO IT!
It is interesting to know that Anthony is actually gay and that isn’t just an insult that Ash throws out there.
Maybe PapaB’s mind is powerful enough to influence the minds of others in short range…
It makes sense with Duncor’s theory.
I agree with Duncor. P. Burch’s mind is just too strong.
I spy with my little eye…..Super Munchkin!
Oh, and funny video as usual.
I think I’m going to agree with you guys and pretend Papa Burch was making up the memory, because I have no idea as to how the fuck I’d work in the Martha character.
Good choice Anthony.
awesome episode as usual
:D:D
thank you anthony for your superbrilliant work, you are a genius to me
and tnx for inspiring me and my sister with your creations, we are having huge fun in making our little HAWP episodes
(nothing compared to the original awesomeness)
-your greathest italian fan!!!
*punch*line.
Weird and Disturbing. Then again, so is half the stuff in Psychonauts. But, also like Psychonauts, hilarious on many levels.
I liked the 4-5 notes of Totaka’s Song in Ash’s head.