Maniac Episode 1 Explained! 

I'll be coming out with a Maniac Ending Explained video by the end of the month. Work has gotten busy so this series was put on the backburner, but stay tuned.

You missed an easter egg when Owen is talking to his dad on the street a car drives by playing “My Mind Playin Tricks on Me” by Geto Boys. This is a reference to Owen’s schizophrenia.

When Annie picks up the rubix cube and tosses it behind her, you can see Owen in the background picking it up and then solving it in the next scene under the table.

I don't think it's set in the future at all. I really thing it's an alternative reality that has to do with the Cold war and how it ended differently. I think the whole idea behind the statue of Extra liberty is the fact that the Soviets won the war and enforced all of these ideas into society. Similar to the man in the high castle the Japanese also either won or have a huge influence thus investing in the US.

I think the technology hasn't actually dropped backwards but this implies it's variation of our reality. The voice over guy claims there are multiple realities and that "they cause us great pain"

I found your channel when I was trying to figure out Castle Rock - by far the most thoughtful, succinct, objective and jam-packed commentary on YT. You have a gift for being acutely observant. Looking forward to seeing future vids on Maniac.

I think I'm too dumb for this show

I started watching Manic, about 10 minutes, and thought I wouldn’t be able to get into it. Buuuut, now that I know you’re doing this, I’m going to watch the show! Thank you 😊

Pay REALLY close attention to the Interrogation scene, notice when the camera changes to place you, the viewer, into the hotseat, and what is the only question asked from this perspective, almost like it's being directed directly at you, the viewer? "Can you tell what real from fantasy?" That. Right there says, to me, that they are already in a simulation. Look at the weird shit going on in the "real world" and say that ain't suspicious...like the anacronystic technology all over the place.

Great analysis. Please keep doing it with the next episodes.

Really a terrific show. It’s a deep dive into personal/mental problems through increasingly connected realities which is simultaneously very entertaining, touching, and enlightening. It hits on the HEAVY subject matter of self acceptance while not being too heavy, too light, nor too far fetched to understand. Seriously, watch it

So glad I found your channel! I’m watching ASH and randomly started watching Maniac yesterday. What a coincidence that you’re covering this too 👌🏻

No one likes Balderdash!

4:05 “ just like the one found outside his offices” no that IS the one from outside the office, you can even see Anna throw that cube behind her and then Owen come in in the background and pick it up. Presumably the first connection between the two characters

SPOILERS did anyone else notice during any scene with grimmson when he would pop out of existence it was the exact same visual and audio effect used when Annie swaps between dreams between the seance and the fake test lab? I think his base reality that we see is also a dream or something controlled by GRTA. Similar flags pop up pointing towards this reality we think as the real world is actually fake.. notice how Owen is asked quite often if he is sure that he can tell what is real and what is fake? Maybe that is GRTA as well just checking to see if he suspects anything. its possible his schizophrenia is actually his subconscious trying to get him out or tell him this isn't real. Also at the end when Annie signs him out if you read the names on that sheet the one just above where she signs has the name Wendy Lemuria as well as others like major mike that just dont sound real. That is either some type of goofy Easter egg or a huge sign that they are not in the real world. Pretty amazing show definitely going to watch it again.

“Embroided with a 47” Isn’t that just the brand that makes hats for baseball and stuff

I love the heat waves coming off Olivia in the Diner just a great little detail the makes Maniac even better

YES!! I was hoping you would do a breakdown for this series!

So glad you are doing these recaps. I also found your channel because of Castle Rock and am going to slowly make my way through Maniac and look forward to more recaps.

Thank your for taking the time to thoroughly break down these episodes instead of running your mouth to get views like so many other youtubers.

dude I missed so much details and eastereggs first time watching episode1. it's so confusing...the reality of the scenes...or the timeline. ur video sure helped a lot!

I wish you would've finished the episodes as your explanation are amazing.

This is really great! I have no intention of downloading TV shows from Netflix but I am getting a lot of good ideas from the recaps you have put here. A lot of the "style" of the show reminds of Kurt Vonnegut (Cat's Cradle) and William Gibson (Neuromancer and Pattern Recognition) and a little from Philip K. Dick's "UBIK". Nice to see "old fashioned" cyberpunk coming back. I am also getting some influence from Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Lathe of Heaven".

Radiolab did a really nice piece a few years ago deeply analyzing the Milgrim studies in which we find out the outcome of the studies proved the exact opposite: that people DO NOT simply follow orders. This was shown by analyzing the "probes" each proctor used, one of which was "You have no other choice"; a direct order. People showed complete disobedience to this probe. Those who continued with the experiment past the actor's portrayal of unconsciousness did so with probes such as "The study requires you to go on," "If you stop now we'll have to quit the experiment" where in an interview afterwards the people experimented on claimed they thought it was for the good of science to continue and they felt it was the right thing to do. So in all, the Milgrim study does not show that people follow orders, it shows that if people think they are doing something right they will do whatever it takes to accomplish their goal even if it means hurting others.

You are so excellent at what you do on this channel. I come here with a mind full of questions and I leave well informed. Thanks!!

I agree the red hats are a jab at the Maga hats. However, I believe the 47 is just the brand of hat.

so glad that u chose to work on Maniac! thank u for the analysis!

Amazing review. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

I just binged watched this show in one day but man I'm so glad I ran in to your channel you broke things down so well and brought my Attention to details that I missed Love you interpretation I'll be Binge watching your channel now

Dude... i don't even know where to begin. the ad is not for "doxed". it's for lawyers offering their help to people who GOT doxed. doxed is not the service, it's the crime committed against people. Next up, the important thing here about don quixote apart from losing his sanity is his "Tilting at windmills" which even became a standing english idiom. Google it and find the relevance in connection to maniac... If you only caught the trial against Jed in the scene in their family home, then you missed that the scene with the water glass inside the milgrim tower was actually a test deposition for the upcoming trial about his brother. And it's not that he WAS a witness, but that they are hoping Owen WILL be a witness testifying to Jed's Alibi. The Neberdine Slogan is not "follow the rainbow" but "find the end of your rainbow" and speaking of easter eggs. in the neberdine facilities carol cuddy and jon mallard, two of the show's producers are both called to respective test rooms while owen is waiting / watching annie storm to the reception desk. you're welcome.

I enjoyed your breakdowns on Castle Rock and I'm thrilled we meet again with Maniac. Thank you.

Wow! I love your channel so before I starting watching this show I thought I would check out your take on the first episode. Just to see "how it was". Holy crap.... theres A LOT of stuff!!! Haha. This seems to be the most complex show going on right now. I'm glad you're here to hold our hands and take us through it. I'm gonna go watch it but.... I'll be back! Haha. Great video as always. Much Love 😁💚

Wow, that's what I watched??? I guess I'll have to listen to this after every epi. Great job!!

Ty for making this! I'm so excited for this limited series 😁

There's so much in this show

Excellent video, thank you!!! Will you be doing a video for one episode each day? I finished the series and loved it. But I want to rewatch for all the stuff I missed, even though I paid close attention lol

Thx was completely lost

Really enjoyed this series. I almost wish I had went slower, with my binge of it, so I could've taken in more of the details. I mean what was that chess playing Koala, really?

I don't know if anyone else has commented this, but when Owen's dad walks him home and a car passes by with music booming, I recognized the song and remembered it was by the Geto Boys - "Mind Playing Tricks On Me", which is what basically happens to Owen everyday.

Dude, you are incredible. I think if I saw the symbolism in everything like you, like some sort of media mentalist, I'd probably go insane. But you wear it well.

Thank you so much for breaking this fantastic, yet confounding series! You rule Sir!

If you like this show, I highly recommend The OA

Turns out I missed a lot of foreshadowing/easter egg type details. Thanks for this!

I watched through Castle Rock with you and will be joining you on this journey too! Looking forward to it!

'47 is a brand of New Era. The company makes hats that look very similar to that style.

Thank you I was confused. Keep up the great explanations 👍🏽💚

Already love the show. Great channel man

Crazy somehow the shows I watch you start doing explanations. We should share some ideas

I don’t think the hats are an indicator of anything. ‘47 is a brand much like New Era. Just started the show though. Love the video! 👍🏼

Watching it now. So excited to finish this series on netflix.

My new favorite RU-vid channel 💕

7:07 "At this point, it should be noted that we can't take everything from Owen's perspective at face value"...... If I would have known that, I would not have been so confused when watching the episode. I was incredbiley confused

I wasn’t sure if to start watching this but I got to now. 🤯

Thank you for this explanation! :)

Jonah Hill is the man,why hasn't he got an Oscar yet,and he has become kind of like a beach bum version of his gangster reflection in real life

Dude your channel is awesome

I need to watch this again when I'm sober.

I liked Jonah Hill better when he was THICCC

47 on the red hats is just a brand logo, all my baseball or college hats have this.

7:10 narrarrator?

love ur videos we stan a legend

The ‘47 on the red hats is the name of the company that makes caps and other apparel.

The beginning said an amoeba mutated. Where did the amoeba come from?

Liking this series so far. Lots to figure out :D

epic review, compared to others! subscribed!

How did Jed get his hands on owens big hug mug?

2:24 this is one of the writer of the show Patrick Somerville

I love this show it makes me use my brain

great review!

This one got me hooked

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EXPLAINING THIS MIND FUCK OF A SERIES!!!!!!! YOU’RE THE BEST! *high five*

great observation skills..

Loved what you did for Castle Rock. Getting into this show now as well. Hope these continue.

Okay I know I’m super late but the 47 on the hat is a branding thing lol, they all say 47, it’s not related 😂

I love that , please do more

Every. Single. One of you are overthinking the whole film. It’s literally all about mind control/mk ultra, handlers, drug inducing for others to play with their minds, and the list goes on and on. So many subliminal messages it’s stupid. All in all fantastic film and great acting.

47' is a hat brand... But you might be right about the presidents thought.

Moral of story, dont watch this while high, or sober. Or im just stupid

The orderly had such an awesome voice! Also I think Owen was imagining the Dr saying don’t fuck this up?

pretty sure 47 is just a hat brand...

holy fuck revisiting the first episode i realize there were so many things i missed.

Its not future its a alternate universe

Damn, Jonah lost ALOT of weight for this role.

I’m pretty sure the 47 on their hats isn’t referring to the 47th president 😂🤦🏼‍♂️

I would really like to know what happened to the technology over there, they seemed to be working on 80's computers & using old cars but on the other hand there are some new technologies like the auto dog cleaner, ad buddies etc. WDYT

WHAT IS THE SONG THAT THISE 4 GUYS ARE SINGING IN THE BEGINNING AFTER HE GETS THE CALL ABOUT POPCORN PROBLEMS

MANIAC ! Props if you get the anime reference

I see people have mixed opinions about this show. I remember watching the trailer but I wasn't impressed somehow. I read on twitter that nothing really happens the first 3 episodes and that it's a very slow pacing show is. I am not sure if I am ready for another slow pacing show after Castle Rock. Guess I will wait till all the episodes are aired. If the ending is convincing, I'll watch. I learned my lesson. Don't want to get disappointed again 😕

I think if you have Paranoid Schizophrenia or Borderline Personality Disorder, you will relate to a lot.....I have BPD and am loving it......I think anyone classed as 'normal' will need to think hard, but then again, it may not mean enough to them to want to bother. But in short, it is addressing mental health issues, their place in society, and portraying us all as just people with issues..not defined by the illness. ....just like anyone. I think the plot/irony is that a pill can cure such illness. Oh, and the mummy issues are hilarious. Not watched it all yet.....just my take up to episode 6

Thank you

I would be lost without you thx

Thanks!

Thanks Man!!!!

First. I have read more than a few comments puzzling about "when does this take place...?" Seems folks are trying to find a congruence that isn't there. Pay heed to opening statements "Hypothesis: All the worlds that almost were are just as important than the world you are in" Corollary: And these hidden worlds can cause us just as much pain" So, we are presented with a "one off" world...so very similar, but different enough to question. Some tech advanced...some quite seemingly retarded. "Hey where's the cordless phones?" "CRT's?...how 90's!" Some quite silly in application "Your gas tank is now full". Truly different...(or, is it?) and by such difference noted...to eventually be surmised as "just like this world". It is precisely by noting the "differences" we begin to actually perceive our own present estate. Which is...exactly...as that world is. I believe the writer, not really through slight of hand...but actually a quite trenchant perception, uses apparent difference...to show us...ourselves. And that's what this ends up being all about. Human nature...the same no matter what "reality" it is inserted into. We will still come up with all sorts of stuff even if 1/2 degree of deviance is taken. But we...remain the same. Same issues...same questions...same strivings...same illusions about our selves. "If only I had taken that path!" Or..."such and such had not happened!" And that path may taunt us, beguile us, entice us...torment us. For we take the torment of "present path" as impetus to creating (to ourselves) that "other path"...which we see as almost O! so close...but un-enterable. All the "if only's" that we believe are ours by right...to consider. But, are they? Are they ours by right...to consider? For we only consider them in the present...as very product of the things that have gone before. In simpler terms the very thing that makes me wish "things might be different" is actually the product of the very thing I might have some vain hope of ability to change. Annie wishes...in some sense, to now tell her sister how much she loves her, loved her...ONLY because she has seen the resultant pain of her previous callousness. But, had no accident occurred...why wouldn't Annie yet occupy the benighted place of such callousness? And who of us...does not do this? Who of us has not been "forced" to wake up...and then foolishly believe we can take our present wakefulness and somehow miraculously insert it in to "that time" we were asleep? "If only"! If only I knew then...what I know now!. But...it is only recognition NOW...of my not having "known then"...that causes this. So, quite rightly, if there's any true lesson...might it be...as convinced as I was then...that I knew (but seeing now I didn't have a clue)...might it be that my present "knowing" is also up for all disabusing....now matter to what extent I may feel...enlightened...now?

"follow the rainbow" if you do follow the rainbow it connects the demon in the painting to jed

I need episodes 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,and 10.

This is so deep

Owen is seen walking into the building after she picks up Don Quixote

I love the little poop bots

I think people who like this show will like Legion too.