Maniac Explained 

Up front. This was a great review! Thanks. Quick thought. You referenced Owen and Annie's Graduate-esque ending. But what if instead, the context to recall for this scene was Owen admitting his fantasy is escaping and feeling pure happiness. It's almost a word for word recreation of that monologue. Using that context, then as they were acheiving his stated "wildest dreams" the reactions you see could be their profound humbleness in acknowledgement of the power of their new connections and emotional growth. I felt they conveyed an excitement so unknown to them, that it almost became a giddy fear of how excited they could be for the future without their baggage. To me that scene didn't convey any foreshadowing of potential regret but optimism. My two cents no one asked for! Thanks again.

All the 'weird stuff' explained. Thank you :)

You’re so cool, love your POVs! Wish you’d let us in a bit more though, maybe add a sign off to your videos or something like that! Anyway, love your videos!

I was saving this for later til I finally watched the series, and you did an incredible job again explaining the complex concepts. I've seen many people disliking the plot, acusing it of bored/too poor or even of being a good idea but awfully played and with a lack of understanding of the characters. " The idea that fantasies or made-up worlds can be as important (if not more) as our reality " This. And that may be one of the highest points of the show imo, as not so many dare to abord such complicated issues. Honestly, I liked it, I sort of always wanted to see something similar on tv. And I thought was brilliant the way it always keeps you watching even if it sometimes loses its sense. I just think it's one of those series not made for all audiences. However, that doesn't mean it's wrong executed. There're many references and connected details as you explained (I didn't even notice Snorri's) and, at least in my case, I did empathize with the main characters. So at the end, I think that the deep message of it is very clear. Though I'd have prefered a darker/twisted ending instead of the happy one (that we aren't used to see lol) but I think it's worth it overall. Also, didn't anybody else wonder why Azumi smokes that much???

really interesting!

Thank you.

Such a good analysis! Here's my question: is the "real world" that Owen and Annie exist in (with the pharma trial) also a simulation? The way that Grimsson vanishes in front of the Statue of Extra Liberty in episode one is the same way that Annie vanishes in the Don Quijote story when Dr. Fujita separates them manually... that said, I think that's the only instance that's mirrored in the reflections, so just a coincidence?

Just watched this to be sure i 'got' it, excellent well researched video, also i know It's irrelevant but this woman and her accent are really cute.

I believe the dog and hawk are there to represent or at least ask the question...are they still inside a dream? Is this just another fantasy and is life not just 1 big fantasy inside our own brains and this is where multiple realities are actually located, dreams inside dreams inside dreams, we as humans are th product of a computer and we as humans or emotions our lives are a drug to a higher power...very nice series that is very very well thought through I enjoyed your essay... I have varying views to you but that's what makes it so interesting that everyone can see it in a different way and still take the core messages the program is trying to deliver

It's a limited series so it's not season one.