I think some of the best proof of their relationship development is the poker night 2 game. They act much more like they do in the show than the previous games in terms of affection, it takes place chronologically after the devils playhouse, and to this day it is the one and only piece of sam and max media that _verbally_ acknowledges that the two are in a relationship. The characters talk about their franchise anniversary like its an anniversary for a couple, with Claptrap even mentioning his own romantic pursuits like it's just a given those subjects are the same, and Sam goes along with it without batting an eye. The scene isnt even played as a joke, it's just a straightforward conversation about how long they've been together with a punchline that has nothing to do with "lol aren't gay people funny?"
I put this video on to listen to while I was cleaning my room and stopped for a moment halfway through to really think about what you were saying; the bit about Sam and Max as a franchise telling jokes with meaning was a very interesting point that I hadn't considered before. The jokes are written into the story, the series is entirely comedy based-- and that doesn't mean that it doesn't have a meaningful story to tell, or that it lacks depth... it just means that the franchise has a different way of telling its story, and that is through comedy. I originally interpreted the "will Sam find love" comment as just a one off joke, oh haha that's so random and irrelevant-- but it IS relevant, for all the reasons you explained. Sam and Max IS a love story, and it's a silly love story, but it still has depth and meaning. And the same could be said for that line. We have no reason to believe that this line is any less important than any other silly aspect of the game, because that's just the logic Sam and Max operates on. It's important in it's own Sam and Max way. Great video, so many good points made here. I'll be thinking about it for a while.
I've just gotten into Sam & Max for the first time VERY recently, and I've been hyperfixating on them deeply, haha. I really adore this interpretation, and it's brought a couple other observations to mind (as of right now I've only played through the whole series once, so bear with me if I get any details wrong) The reason that the Narrator/Superego was willing to destroy the city was because of Max's perceived lack of selflessness, wasn't it? Maybe that represents some extent of frustration in Max's inability to show his feelings for others. The Superego (by extent deep down, Max himself) wanted Max to show more care for the people around him-- or in this case, the person most important to him; Sam-- but just wasn't able to, leading in a deep-seated repression that simmered under the surface, until finally culminating in feeling there was no other option but to destroy Max himself, and anyone else caught in the crossfire. A feeling that strong, strong enough to be willing to die or destroy a city for, seems very well that it could be romantic love (through the lens of Max's already-fairly-destructive tendencies). And, as a visual observation, I couldn't help but notice the Narrator. He's all in tones of gray, with the only color on him being the big red rose in his lapel, making it stand out very deliberately. Obviously this is a classic film effect, but if we wanna analyze it deeper, there's ONE very clear and unmistakable thing that red roses have always symbolized; and that's romance. If we put the two together, we can assume maybe all along, the Narrator/Superego was created from a longstanding frustration Max has had at his inability to admit his feelings of love for Sam, which was repressed until it blossomed into something ugly and destructive. but that's just a theory- (sorry)
I’m glad that you brought up the superego at the end. I am BEYOND late to this video, but hear me out (brace for a novel). I think my theory proves that these two are a couple by the end of the game, _as well as_ why Superego even existed. Here we go… The superego is a part of Max’s brain. That is a known fact. But let’s quickly do a _comparison…_ Max’s Superego is: - black-and-white, both literally AND figuratively - serious - sophisticated - aware - asks questions - dependent on the player to a degree - composed - secretive - willing to betray the player - expresses his feelings and had empathy Meanwhile, the rest of Max is: - relatively willing to try new things - unserious - casual - unaware - go-with-the-flow - independent to a degree - impulsive - says too much - can’t let go of his loved ones very easily - expresses his feelings very badly (if EVER), and has NO empathy Now, _why_ would Max have a Superego that is the *total opposite of himself?* And more importantly, why does his own super - I’ll say it again - *SUPER* ego want himself dead? I think (and this is where I REALLY lose y’all) that Max secretly hated himself. Why? No idea, and it’s not really relevant to my point. But eventually he became obsessed with this idea of being completely different. An all-powerful and all-knowing superentity that is calm and collected, even in the face of death. A being that wasn’t fazed by insults, threats, and the only hate he felt was toward himself. A thing that wasn’t reliant on anyone else. Most importantly, though, he wanted to be able to connect fully with Sam. Max loves Sam, and he couldn’t convey it. So he wanted to become someone- or someTHING- who could. And if he couldn’t have THAT, than maybe he didn’t want to live at all and just stuck around for Sam’s well-being. Speaking of: Max believed at some point that he didn’t deserve Sam. As a result, his Superego became utterly repulsed by the idea of Sam being in love with him. Superego makes this apparent when he asks the player about Sam’s true love. He talks down to Sam during their first encounter, whereas Max would never do that. It even explains why they are so indifferent when Sam and Stinky try to act like a couple while Max is literally standing RIGHT THERE. Because again: Max and his Superego *expected* this. He *expected* Sam to eventually move on. Max had it in his mind that he was unlovable and obnoxious, and even Sam could never love him. Max loved Sam, but refused to believe that Sam loved him back. This is why I believe the ending of Devil’s Playhouse couldn’t be more fitting. It is both Sam and Max actually seeing their feelings for each other and accepting it. Sam realizes how much he needs Max, and Max realizes that Sam loves him for who he *really is*, which in turn helps him come to terms with himself. Max’s final act of kindness before he dies is a thank you to Sam for showing him and his Superego that he deserves to be happy, without needing to change himself or distance himself from the rest of society. He can view himself as a living thing. Max did love Sam, and to see that love reciprocated was all that mattered at his end. Isn’t that sweet? If you *actually* sat down and read this _whole thing,_ thank you! 💛 This took me a while, especially editing my spelling and stuff. Feel free to add on to my speech in the replies.
This makes so much sense tho?? we were presented with the theme of the game right from the very beginning: Sam and Max's relationship, and how much it actually means to them. Or really, how it affects them. Max seems unable to express his feelings for Sam in the game, while Sam had yet to come to terms with them himself... But also, you're right. It doesn't matter if this reading was intentional or not. They're a power couple whether or not they're meant to be romantically coded, because we know they genuinely love and care about each other - they NEED each other. And that, in my opinion, is undisputable.
i absolutley love this video and i agree with you! my personal view with what the Narrator says considering he is part of Max's brain is that probably max doesnt view himself as enough for sam to be his love interest (considering that the narrator is kind of... self destructive or something?)
i so glad that you notices that too, that taletails doesn't acknowledge the personality and info of there characters cause Sam and max are more affectionate in the comic and cartoon and im glad you return
Might I add that the Maimtrons chanted "If you like it then you should have put a ring on it" during the opening of Season 3 Episode 5 as Sam comes walking out the door of Boscotech Labs :)
YESSSS NEW SUPERMARY64 VID DROPPED?!?!?! It's been a while since I've thought abt Sam and Max but u brought me right back into it with ur analysis!!!! Good stuff!!!!
I think some of the best proof of their relationship development is the poker night 2 game. They act much more like they do in the show than the previous games in terms of affection, it takes place chronologically after the devils playhouse, and to this day it is the one and only piece of sam and max media that _verbally_ acknowledges that the two are in a relationship. The characters talk about their franchise anniversary like its an anniversary for a couple, with Claptrap even mentioning his own romantic pursuits like it's just a given those subjects are the same, and Sam goes along with it without batting an eye. The scene isnt even played as a joke, it's just a straightforward conversation about how long they've been together with a punchline that has nothing to do with "lol aren't gay people funny?"
I put this video on to listen to while I was cleaning my room and stopped for a moment halfway through to really think about what you were saying; the bit about Sam and Max as a franchise telling jokes with meaning was a very interesting point that I hadn't considered before. The jokes are written into the story, the series is entirely comedy based-- and that doesn't mean that it doesn't have a meaningful story to tell, or that it lacks depth... it just means that the franchise has a different way of telling its story, and that is through comedy. I originally interpreted the "will Sam find love" comment as just a one off joke, oh haha that's so random and irrelevant-- but it IS relevant, for all the reasons you explained. Sam and Max IS a love story, and it's a silly love story, but it still has depth and meaning. And the same could be said for that line. We have no reason to believe that this line is any less important than any other silly aspect of the game, because that's just the logic Sam and Max operates on. It's important in it's own Sam and Max way. Great video, so many good points made here. I'll be thinking about it for a while.
you have no idea how much i smiled when i saw you in my recommended again
I've just gotten into Sam & Max for the first time VERY recently, and I've been hyperfixating on them deeply, haha. I really adore this interpretation, and it's brought a couple other observations to mind (as of right now I've only played through the whole series once, so bear with me if I get any details wrong)
The reason that the Narrator/Superego was willing to destroy the city was because of Max's perceived lack of selflessness, wasn't it? Maybe that represents some extent of frustration in Max's inability to show his feelings for others. The Superego (by extent deep down, Max himself) wanted Max to show more care for the people around him-- or in this case, the person most important to him; Sam-- but just wasn't able to, leading in a deep-seated repression that simmered under the surface, until finally culminating in feeling there was no other option but to destroy Max himself, and anyone else caught in the crossfire. A feeling that strong, strong enough to be willing to die or destroy a city for, seems very well that it could be romantic love (through the lens of Max's already-fairly-destructive tendencies).
And, as a visual observation, I couldn't help but notice the Narrator. He's all in tones of gray, with the only color on him being the big red rose in his lapel, making it stand out very deliberately. Obviously this is a classic film effect, but if we wanna analyze it deeper, there's ONE very clear and unmistakable thing that red roses have always symbolized; and that's romance. If we put the two together, we can assume maybe all along, the Narrator/Superego was created from a longstanding frustration Max has had at his inability to admit his feelings of love for Sam, which was repressed until it blossomed into something ugly and destructive.
but that's just a theory- (sorry)
I love this theory so much
I’m glad that you brought up the superego at the end. I am BEYOND late to this video, but hear me out (brace for a novel). I think my theory proves that these two are a couple by the end of the game, _as well as_ why Superego even existed. Here we go…
The superego is a part of Max’s brain. That is a known fact. But let’s quickly do a _comparison…_
Max’s Superego is:
- black-and-white, both literally AND figuratively
- serious
- sophisticated
- aware
- asks questions
- dependent on the player to a degree
- composed
- secretive
- willing to betray the player
- expresses his feelings and had empathy
Meanwhile, the rest of Max is:
- relatively willing to try new things
- unserious
- casual
- unaware
- go-with-the-flow
- independent to a degree
- impulsive
- says too much
- can’t let go of his loved ones very easily
- expresses his feelings very badly (if EVER), and has NO empathy
Now, _why_ would Max have a Superego that is the *total opposite of himself?* And more importantly, why does his own super - I’ll say it again - *SUPER* ego want himself dead? I think (and this is where I REALLY lose y’all) that Max secretly hated himself. Why? No idea, and it’s not really relevant to my point. But eventually he became obsessed with this idea of being completely different. An all-powerful and all-knowing superentity that is calm and collected, even in the face of death. A being that wasn’t fazed by insults, threats, and the only hate he felt was toward himself. A thing that wasn’t reliant on anyone else. Most importantly, though, he wanted to be able to connect fully with Sam. Max loves Sam, and he couldn’t convey it. So he wanted to become someone- or someTHING- who could. And if he couldn’t have THAT, than maybe he didn’t want to live at all and just stuck around for Sam’s well-being.
Speaking of: Max believed at some point that he didn’t deserve Sam. As a result, his Superego became utterly repulsed by the idea of Sam being in love with him. Superego makes this apparent when he asks the player about Sam’s true love. He talks down to Sam during their first encounter, whereas Max would never do that. It even explains why they are so indifferent when Sam and Stinky try to act like a couple while Max is literally standing RIGHT THERE. Because again: Max and his Superego *expected* this. He *expected* Sam to eventually move on. Max had it in his mind that he was unlovable and obnoxious, and even Sam could never love him. Max loved Sam, but refused to believe that Sam loved him back.
This is why I believe the ending of Devil’s Playhouse couldn’t be more fitting. It is both Sam and Max actually seeing their feelings for each other and accepting it. Sam realizes how much he needs Max, and Max realizes that Sam loves him for who he *really is*, which in turn helps him come to terms with himself. Max’s final act of kindness before he dies is a thank you to Sam for showing him and his Superego that he deserves to be happy, without needing to change himself or distance himself from the rest of society. He can view himself as a living thing. Max did love Sam, and to see that love reciprocated was all that mattered at his end. Isn’t that sweet?
If you *actually* sat down and read this _whole thing,_ thank you! 💛 This took me a while, especially editing my spelling and stuff. Feel free to add on to my speech in the replies.
Me, not even hyperfixated on sam and max anymore: WOO, WAKE UP BABES NEW SUPERMARY64 JUST DROPPED
Being a Sam and Max fan, any analysis video is amazing and a 10/10
but this specifically- **chefs kiss** *_is Beautiful_* 👌
This makes so much sense tho?? we were presented with the theme of the game right from the very beginning: Sam and Max's relationship, and how much it actually means to them. Or really, how it affects them. Max seems unable to express his feelings for Sam in the game, while Sam had yet to come to terms with them himself...
But also, you're right. It doesn't matter if this reading was intentional or not. They're a power couple whether or not they're meant to be romantically coded, because we know they genuinely love and care about each other - they NEED each other. And that, in my opinion, is undisputable.
I’m hyper fixated on them right now so I’m very excited to find this channel
i absolutley love this video and i agree with you! my personal view with what the Narrator says considering he is part of Max's brain is that probably max doesnt view himself as enough for sam to be his love interest (considering that the narrator is kind of... self destructive or something?)
i so glad that you notices that too, that taletails doesn't acknowledge the personality and info of there characters cause Sam and max are more affectionate in the comic and cartoon and im glad you return
Might I add that the Maimtrons chanted "If you like it then you should have put a ring on it" during the opening of Season 3 Episode 5 as Sam comes walking out the door of Boscotech Labs :)
YESSSS NEW SUPERMARY64 VID DROPPED?!?!?! It's been a while since I've thought abt Sam and Max but u brought me right back into it with ur analysis!!!! Good stuff!!!!
yay a pleasant surprise
The milk is back!
You so underrated
OMG YR BACK HI UR AWESOME
So cool!