fearful symmetry. 

"I didn't know the Girl Scouts caused the crop circle phenomenon." "Few do. Few even think to ask the question." Question is my favorite DCAU character ever

Cadmus is honestly one of my favourite aspects of the DCAU. It somehow feels very plausible that the US government and other global superpowers would do actions like this. While we the audience know what the government is questionable if not wrong for creating superhumans for weapons, the fear and precautions are 100% unreasonable. They didn't came from absolutely no where.

If we're going to look at the literary nature of the episode, you can't ignore the name Galatea itself. It alludes to Pygmalion, the sculptor from Cyprus who crafted a statue of a woman so perfect he fell in love with it. He named it Galatea, "she who is milk white," and begged Aphrodite to make her real. This was after Pygmalion had expressed an utter disgust with women as a whole, too. Hamilton wasn't just creating a tool, he was creating the "perfect" superhuman that would be better than the vile lot of dirty Kryptonians they had flying around who betrayed him. She was never just an asset to him I would posit; he loved his creation just like Pygmalion loved his own with a love made up largely of a love of the self rather than loving the object of their affections. That she loved him back, was capable of loving him back, shocked him deeply. They really sneak a lot of referential layers in this show!

The conflict between the League and Cadmus was one of the deepest philosophical arcs that any animated work had back then. The writers really tried to sneak in some very serious themes about the duality of super powered individuals existing with a political structure that doesn't tolerate forces greater than itself. The way the government calls on them readily when something happens but at the same time, fears its inability to express whatever will it wants about those same volunteer heroes. The way the events unfolded were really inline with what would definitely happen in real life and even BVS took some cues from it in live action. JLU doesn't REALLY answer that question, but back then.....this was peak animated entertainment. I would even venture and say that it was this kind of writing that allowed so many other DC properties in games and other shows take the writing into more mature topics and themes. DC as a whole owes this show SO MUCH credit for the current popularity of DC in ALL media.

Galatea got a raw deal. Who even knows how old she really is? Brainwashed, and trained as a child soldier, did she even have a chance?

The Cadmus arc is my favorite take on the superheroes dealing with the government and "real world politics" story. I like it more than Civil War, more than The Boys, more than Watchmen. I love it because even though it deals with a lot of complicated issues and ideas, it doesn't go too edgy or cynical or just plain mean and spiteful like a lot of other similar stories. It still maintains the spirit and optimism of these DC characters.

The Cadmus arc is probably the most nuanced and mature plot I’ve ever seen in a family friendly show

It is things like CADMUS that makes the DC animated universe fells alive, as if it is an actual reality instead of a sandbox for fictional adventures.

"Do you know how much power I'd have to give up to be president?"

The funny thing about things like Cadmus, is they ultimately build the very thing they fear in a weird Greek Tragedy sort of way. They make super weapons to protect them from Superhumans, but then those super weapons need a check for that, and so on and so forth.

There is a even more creepy aspect to Kara's clone being called Galatea. In greek myth, Galatea was a statue turned alive by the gods to be the lover of her sculptor.

The Cadmus arc is what I consider quintessential DC content. It is more than happy to cover itself in the questions and greyness of the space between superheroism and the dangerous gap of power, but at the end of the day, hangs on to the optimism that defines DC as a whole, because the answer to the question of do they need superheroes, is yes, because this world has supervillains in it, which superheros are necessary to stop. It's very simple. But that's what I like about it, and what I like(d) about DC compared to Marvel.

Cadmus was used incredibly well not only in JLU but also in Young Justice

Question and huntress were the real highlights of this arc

The Cadmus arc completely blew my mind as a kid. I foolishly thought this was normal for shows.

So the episode title comes from the poem "The Tyger" referenced in Batman the Animated Series, which in another episode introduced Professor Milo, who returned to JLU as a scientist working for Cadmus. I was so close to finding the link, but it turns out Dr Emile Dorian was the geneticist who merged Catwoman into a literal Cat-Woman and by the end of the episode Batman quotes the poem.

My favorite arc in the entire series, the conversation about the power gap between the characters handled very well. The part when Green Arrow ask super-girl "if you were to turn on us who are they gonna call to stop you? Me? The episode were a lot of heroes stood in superman's place and kept on fighting an enemy that outclassed them in physical prowess. "How many of us do you have to kill in order to keep us safe? That line shuts down the conflict and our heroes won the moral high-ground.

This show was such a jem and it continues to age so incredibly well.

The Fearful Symmetry poem is also from the very first episode of Batman the Animated Series

Cadmus is the best thing to happen to superhero comics since Weapon X/Weapon Plus going up against Wolverine and the X-Men.

let's freaking go one of the best JLU arcs

Also Galetea....the origin of my weakness for muscle mommies....

Question is my favorite. And I think he's also the only character to briefly be drawn like he hasn't showered in 20 days. He may be just a human, but his superpower is obsessing over the little details.

The Cadmus arc is one of my most favorite fictional stories ever told with superheroes

Every time I hear Waller say "We're the good guys" I can't help but crack up.

This poem was also a major plotline in the tv show "The Mentalist"

This show is goated i wish it went on forever

I met and fell in love with this poem when I watched Batman animated series

I love this episode because it introduces the best character The Question

This was my favorite episode of JLU as a kid. From the call backs to previous DCAU shows to the deepening of the plot, just great. Also the beginning to the wonderful Cadmus arc.

You alone made me rewatch a series I would have not revisit for the sake of nostalgia. Now, compared to all superheroes media, I have binged a JL and JLU and have teared up and appreciated the series. It tackles all points of humanity that it should. I love and seethe all characters depending on their motivations. This show has a very powerful view on a JL.

Cold Take: JLU’s Cadmus arc is the greatest Justice League story of all time.

I love the Cadmus arc. It's such a good storyline, and it proves you can make an amazing deconstruction without making all the characters involved into morose, grim assholes. Push them to their breaking point, yes. Show who they'd be if they did break, absolutely. But the League never stop being _the League._ Amanda Waller is written perfectly, and Lex brings his A-Game throughout this entire series, but he's really pulling out all the stops in this one. His monologue aimed at Question in _Question Authority_ is superb.

Cadmus is the best arc in any supehero tv show

I like that the DCAU went with the Tyger poem in two big ways, back in BtAS, and here. Also, Galatea might have been my favorite

I genuinely believe that the Cadmus arc is one of the best things DC has ever written. In my view, it ranks at the top of the list with the greatest comic book story arcs or even with the most acclaimed movies DC has ever done. Its exploration of complex political themes (associated to the idea of checks and balances and the abuse of absolute power) is reminiscent of the way Alan Moore explored it in stories like Marvelman (Miracleman) or his more known works of Watchmen and V for Vendetta.

I think this started even further back than that. All the way back to the Superman episode with the giant space monster that feeds on heat. General Hardcastle says to a still loyal Hamilton "He's an alien with no allegiance or jurisdiction. I don't trust what I can't control, Hamilton, and I don't like what I can't trust." He represents the primal fear and tribalism in humanity that will only tolerate the existence of something different if it is perceived to be controllable. Peaceful coexistence is an ultimately alien concept and childish fantasy to people like Hardcastle who are in a perpetual state of existential insecurity. For if you are not the oppressor, then you must be the oppressed. Everything is a zero sum power game to them. The only reason Cadmus "reformed" at all was because Luthor played them and they were embarrassed.

Damn when I was younger I read the Tyger, tyger poem and thought the author just really liked Tigers and thought they were cool.

I found your channel randomly a few weeks ago and because of you I've been watching old JL episodes every night!

This is the kind of content I wish I could make. I'm a big DCAU fan and appreciate that someone else gets it the way I do and is making fire content to show people how amazing it is.

For me the entire Cadmus story never quite hit the mark. I get the idea, but it never actually accomplishes that for me. All Cadmus ends up doing in all the stories i have read is cause more chaos, death and destruction than if it never had existed. The Cadmus project never actually prevents the superheroes from going evil, actually causes a positive change or save innocent lives for more than publicity. Cadmus constantly gets taken over by some supervillain or another for some sceme or some clone project or whatever. In the end, the prejudice the superheroes have against Cadmus is allways on the mark one way or another because Cadmus eigther is the badguy or is being used by some badguy or just ends up being wrong alltogether.

This one definitely put the essay in video essay. Really thoughtful. Nice work. ❤

this arc bringing back the og seven in justice league at the end of the arc one of the best things of the arc besides all the leading and build up to the divided we fall and flashpoint

My favourite moment of the episode is when they approach the general and he takes out a gun with Kryptonite bullet aimed at Supergirl. Green Arrow takes a step forward, in front of Supergirl. Ready to protect a bulletproof person from a bullet.

This should have being Power Girl "new origin" in the comics instead of the weird Earth-2, I know would be similar to Superboy but works so much better in sense.

Cadmus was not morally right, but they were factually correct

This is why the DCAU tears apart the entire Marvel universe.

Again another upload to brighten my day

"Fearful Symmetry? Yeah! The Watchmen reference! Wait, what?...."

Thanks for your videos. I can see how much you dedicate yourself to your work and your videos certainly have a positive impact on my life. Thank you again

Love this episode, been waiting for this one for a while

This is one of my favorite videos now. Love it when you go over the Kadmus stuff

I can't believe you did this whole analysis without the scene where Hamilton explains to superman that he and the others terrify him and Superman just kinda... accepts it with a frown.

I really enjoyed this one, thank you

I live of these videos never stop

I’m so happy to see your channel growing, your videos have such a nice vibe to them and are real enjoyable to watch. Keep up the great work.

Solid video man! it reminded me of a quote I heard some time ago; "If you want peace you have to have the strength to protect it -- you can't give from a place of weakness." Specifically at 1:46. Many people see this quote differently -- some see what superman did in injustice (in order to Demand peace he ruled with an iron fist over the disarmed public), others take it as call to arm entire countries for "protection" through intimidation (Amanda Waller and the Cadmus) Again, solid video man!

Michael Rooker as Bibbo is one of those things that I didn't know I needed, but now I can't live without Also your videos are great

I learnt tiger tiger about 4 months ago in my English lessons and had no idea what it was about

Never appreciated this when I first watched this episode, didn't even register. Your in depth analysis is nothing short of amazing.

Dude this is so good!! I did the tyger in elementary school a while back and love how u mixed this theme with comics

Man your channel is literally all the content i wish I could make its wild

You sir, are a gem amongst the chaff. Please, keep doing what you’re doing. I have a hard time excepting that you don’t get more people watching your video.

Man... The Question from this series is my favorite. Jeffery is amazing. Great essay as always, my dude. Waller is such a great antagonist.

These videos are so relaxing. If they were an hour long it would be perfect to leave on and do work around the house or just relax with. Amazing stuff

I don't buy any argument that Cadmus was ever moral, or had any interest in actually having any moral justification. Remember, these were people who recruited Hugo Strange, Maxwell Lord, Wade Eiling, Tala, Achilles Milo, and oh yes, Lex Luthor because of similar moral alignment. The philosophy of Cadmus was stated pretty well by Wade Eiling: "I'll waste you and a billion like you before I let any power rival that of America's. It's my duty."

I like this interpretation. A lotta people look at superheroes and create darker stories where "Realistically, this is what X superhero would be like, REALLY dagnerous" and though not entirely wrong, it shifts too much focus away from the fact that we, as regular people, put ourselves and others into danger every single day. While yeah, I think it's ok, fun even to do a "what if superheroes were all corrupt" whether relatively lighthearted like the DCAU or do something like The Boys where it's extremely gritty and brutal and heavyhanded, there is something to be said for the fact that, in a lot of cases, many of those superheroes were shaped, even sometimes made, as a RESPONSE to humanity's issues. Even if superheroes existed and became a problem, it would still be regular people, both those in high and low places, who would be integral in shaping those heroes into being that way.

I hope you know your videos are amazing

Amazing video and editing omg

The art in these videos

I was not expecting to see my old university mascot in a video about the justice league 😂😂😂😂 - I might even know the person flossing inside it

Great video! Still figuring how what you looked up exactly during the Lamb and Tiger explanation to find those images xD

One other thing is that Fearful symmetry is the name of the Watchmen issue that explains Rorschach backstory, with Rorschach basically being Alan Moore take on the Question (By combining him with the punisher). I don't know how significant this is for analyzing the film, but I see no way that it is just a coincidence.

You got some nice vids dude

The editing in this is unhinged and I’m here for it

Cool

Really bugs me there was never any payoff to Galatea. Coming to learn Hamilton never cared about her, making peace with Kara, becoming Powergirl. A lot could have been done there.

That is why old school dc was amazing and make the best movies

Love your content

I really love this exploration of my childhood, especially since I haven't seen justice league in since the early 2000's.

6:28 "a big boobed clone"

I love your videos

Bizarro a Superman clone who though makes mistakes is still Superman at his core and trying gets redemption Galetia gets horrifyingly electrocuted for a minute and a half as we watch a woman with though and feelings and familial bonds die

Question Is thee GOAT

The background music is mixed a bit too loud in this video and it makes it hard to hear your voice at times, just thought I'd state that for the future.

You know i usually listen to your videos while on the road but now that ive had the chance to watch watch a few videos, have you always had "a video essay about patterns" at the beginning or does that change depending on the vid?

The fact that the video chapter names r issue names of Watchmen

It's interesting that JLU constructs deconstructs, and subverts the super hero genre at various points long before super heroes (and nerd culture) were mainstream and now oversaturated, and still did it better than most. We have anime like HeroAca that are ride or die heroes vs villains, with rogue heroes being the closest it gets to subversive. Yet here, you realize the JLU are still vigilantes that the government fears. You have Cadmus making their "hero" army, though can super powered agents really be considered super heroes? Then there are the moments where characters blatantly break the law or go against government interests like Supes breaking in to save question. Also, i always found it funny about those Zeta robots, since there was that odd Batman Beyond spinoff, the Zeta Project, that is technically apart of the DCAU. I remember watching it when it came on, but i don't remember anything about other than the robot, lol. Also, font know the mystery song, but if you're referring to the one at 07:45, but it is sampled in the game Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet, the Room theme.

MORE DCAU!! Nice!

very few in existence are unredeemable.

Cadmus was really "We don't have absolute control of the Justice League, so we are justified in doing whatever we can or want to have as powerful of soldiers that will commit any act for us, criminal or otherwise, without hesitation or remorse." Hamilton had hateful prejudices against Superman and Supergirl, and an absolute lack of empathy for either of them or anything he did. He didn't want to save Supergirl's life out of purely selfish concerns, and when Superman grabbed Hamilton out of frustration, which Superman immediately apologized for, Hamilton used that as justification to steal Supergirl's DNA to genetically engineer a remorseless assassin, and Hamilton consistently showed he thought he was always fully justified. This was pretty consistent for who was involved with Cadmus. Remember, these were people who recruited Hugo Strange, Maxwell Lord, Wade Eiling, Tala, Achilles Milo, and oh yes, Lex Luthor because of similar moral alignment. So I don't buy any argument that Cadmus was ever moral, or had any interest in actually having any moral justification. Their philosophy was stated pretty well by Wade Eiling: "I'll waste you and a billion like you before I let any power rival that of America's. It's my duty."

Love your essays man. Though this one imo the music seemed too loud in some sections.

This arc and series makes me want to cosplay Question so badly

This best arc and DC refuses to use it in a movie

To this day I still believe that Batman should have joined Cadmus. Their fear of the Justice League mirrors Batman's in multiple versions of the character. It would have also given the group more moral complexity because the group isn't wrong to be afraid of the Justice League. I understand why they didn't. Batman was probably the second most popular character if not the moat popular. Having him join the "bad guys" would be heart breaking to a lot of people but it really would have been the most compelling event from a narrative and character perspective for Batman and the League.

I had also thought about Michael Rooker has Bibbo

As someone who despises the original version of Marvel's Civil War, yet approved the film version, I'm not looking forward to Marvel somehow fully adapting the original version in animated form.

ugh, i remember having to read The Tyger for literature class...

💛💙

What is the outro song? I love all the music they use in these videos, but the outro goes so hard I just need to know.