Watchmen update (Patreon)

Edit: the Watchmen video is about 24 hours away for Patrons!

This Watchmen video is one of our biggest ever – around 28 minutes long. It explains the overall timeline of the story in relation to the original comic, and explores the meaning behind each character’s arc – Will, Angela, Manhattan, Ozymandias, Laurie, Wade. I’m really happy with how the character arcs conclude – for all the bleakness and darkness in Watchmen, I think it ends on some pretty hopeful notes. Here’s the draft conclusion:

In some ways, Watchmen 2019 is cynical. It’s about racism, violence and trauma. The utopian dreams of Ozymandias and Lady Trieu fail. Dr. Manhattan, the god figure, dies. But there’s also a lot of hope in the story. Will achieves justice and healing after centuries of injustice and pain. Angela gets godlike power – maybe. Manhattan becomes a figure of transcendent love. Laurie achieves some optimism and sincerity, Wade brings justice to the one who perpetrated his trauma. And we got a whole season of Jeremy Irons eating cake and playing with catapults. Watchmen 2019 isn’t about superheroes defeating evil, but it is about people who find hope and justice in the darkness.

In Episode 8, Veidt asks Manhattan if he’ll ever get his utopia, and Manhattan says his utopia is on Europa. But Veidt can’t stand life on Europa – without conflict, it’s boring. Humans don’t flourish in paradise – it’s only in an imperfect world that we can overcome darkness with resilience, justice and love. That message is either reassuring or very depressing, depending on your perspective – it’s entirely in your hands.

We’re still refining the script, and polishing the video design. Final video will be up for Patrons on the weekend [edit: it's now about 24 hours away!]. After that, we’re finishing the Pink Letter video.

Remember, $4+ Patrons (and existing $3+ Patrons) can see extra updates and things on the video-talk Discord (connect your account). Once the Pink Letter video is done, we’ll hold another Patron vote to choose another ASOIAF topic.

Thanks for your support!

ASX