Silent Hill 4 The Room Analysis | Henry Townshend
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2018
- #silenthill #silenthillanalysis
Examining the character of Henry Townshend in Silent Hill 4.
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I'd also like to point out the fact that Henry is never sucked in to the foggy, miserable world of Silent Hill. He even says himself that when he visited there, it was nice and sunny. This is likely because Henry is a pure, innocent soul who has no guilt or malice. Silent Hill tends to be much kinder to the pure of heart.
@lul bin lul I always assumed that had more to do with Walter than with Henry.
Where did you hear that?
Just like Harry wanders in Alessa's Otherworld (in SH 1), Henry (and all other victims) are trapped in Walter's Otherworlds (in SH4).
@@diogoamerico1029 yeah. Harry and Henry are probably the only two characters who are involved in Silent Hill by pure chance. Harry was only involved by Cheryl/Alessa and Henry was involved because he was living in room 302 (which made him become Walter’s victim).
@@bluesyrupgc4224 It's almost fitting, since their names have the same meaning.
There is such a poetic empathy in your description of Henry. This a stark contrast to how most "reviewers" of the game dismiss him as "boring" or "dull". These dismissals are similar to how most of society overlook introverts or victims of trauma in general.
Henry's behavior is very typical of a Japanese hikikomori or any socially awkward Japanese person, and I think that was the major attribute given him by the developers.
At least someone has mentioned this! Considering this game comes from the Japanese and hikikomori being a recurring motif in contemporary Japanese culture…
I really wished they would have touched upon this more in the game. The reason why doubt that he has any form of mental illness or is a Hikikomori is because in the intro they specifically describe him as being "happy."
This is a very good interpretation. The game was made around the time where this social problem was becoming increasingly well known and studied in Japan, so it make sense that the writers of SH4 (almost all of whom were young men - the demographic of most hikikomori) would have been inspired by it. It's a perfect companion piece to SH3, which deals with themes unique to young women.
Nah, if he was a hikki he'd be more disheveled. He still dresses normally to fit in. He's more someone who avoids confrontation by being agreeable.
@@Zalazaar he dresses with little to no color compared to most of the other characters like richard braintree or eileen for example, and his entire apartment room is completely dull compared to richard’s, frank’s, and especially eileens.
his fashion sense yields the least personality out of all the characters
and i think his character is quite genius as he appears as a blank slate character, but has many subtle details that show that he is certainly sentient, yet a dry, affectless, character, for the player to project their thoughts and feelings onto.
edit: also that’s exactly what a hikki does, lol. there are many different degrees to a hikki
Best introvert ever
So true.
No, I am
Henry makes me feel less bad about being super introverted and a borderline loner.
As a deeply introverted person that has barely any social life and spends most of my time shut up inside my house and room, Henry was by far the most relatable character in the series, and also in video games in general. I appreciate the SH4 writers making Henry like he was.
Me too. Henry's personality resonates with me. He's my favorite SH game protagonist.
Lesson 1: Never buy anything from Silent Hill and display in your bedroom!!!
Lesson 2: If you have visited Silent Hill for any cause, you are automatically doomed & sucked into the dimension of the haunts for the rest of your life. Because you are the chosen one.
Henry Townshend - Quarantine Expert 2020
Weird thing is I honestly related to Henry in certain ways, since I have Asperger's I'm also awkward, miss social cues, and have a hard time expressing or understanding emotions and also a home body, so honestly SH 4 scares me the most compared to the other games
I was actually thinking that Henry is in the autism spectrum, that's explains why he's so "awkward" with people and with the entire situation. And I don't think is an excuse to justify his being passive honestly.
I'm not autistic ok ( idk actually) but I can relate a lot with him and that's why he's my favourite protagonist
That would actually have been so cool if they designed him to be to some degree on the spectrum.
He understood Cynthia's emotions when she expressed a fear of death when on her deathbed.
@@ibrahimihsan2090 well to be fair she was literally dying, so I don't think he'd have a hard time understanding that since there is a lot of blood and the way her voice was getting weak
I'm not on the spectrum but due to some things I grew up like this as well.
Things happens, shapes people.
Took me 34 years to learn to read other's emotions and how to even develop my own, and unserstand them.
Took many mistakes. Time.
And no I'm not a man. People think this is innate in girls, it isnt: it's just we are taught to express ourselves more.
Also about the Toluca Lake painting above the bed- The rules of Fung Shui say you shouldnt put water pictures in your room. Particularly above the bed. It washes away luck and creates instability.
Henry is someone I really can relate to .. he's a lonely awkward oddball with zero social connections to others
Same. I wish I couldn't relate.... but I do.
It's such a pain to play this game... however, it has one of the best stories I've ever encountered
That one twist got me: Walter was inside the apartment all along
Thank you for this video, Henry is my favourite Silent Hill character by far. The creators of the game included so many clues about his personality and background yet hardly any fans even acknowledged it, instead opting to call him a "boring" character with "no personality" such a shame because to me, he's actually the most interesting Silent Hill character and probably one of the most complex.
Hes my fav too. He reminds me of myself.
Absolutely spot-on. Silent Hill 4 is all about observation and attention to detail and the way it manipulates those details to violate your space in Room 302 is horrifying. It's a different kind of horror, like having the walls closing in around you... a claustrophobic kind of horror. This for Henry would be the ultimate nightmare because when you're observing things from a distance you're usually safe, but toss Silent Hill into the mix and that life style would scare anyone witless.
Definitely, an introverts safe haven is his/her room. What if your own safe haven become your worst horrors.
Henry is one of my favorite characters, I would say that I'm similar to him. I always have think that the fact that Henry is so isolated and the impossibility of get out of his apartment are related in a "Silent Hill way", I mean, sometimes I can pass entire weeks without calling or seeing anyone, barely going out of my house. I,m not that shy as Henry, but I can be a lot like him and that's why I can say that Henry is not a simple o "normal" character, and if we want to know more about him, we need to be really good observers, like him in the whole game. (Sorry about my english, I,m practicing it xd)
The older i get, the more i relate to Henry.
I think I can explain Henry's behavior. I used to be like him. Didn't really want to deal with people, kept to myself, didn't really have any friends. This is not to say that I didn't care for people. Looking back my attitude was not having the patience to deal with other people, but willing to help if needed. There was also a bit of stubbornness that both Henry and I had, totally unwilling to be assisted. Henry was probably trust issues, could he trust the other person to help him? Henry knows for a fact that he is willing to do all he can to help, but are others going to give their all for him? Me, it was more pride. Unwilling to ask for help because I felt myself strong enough to deal with problems and issues myself. Maybe Henry and I had a mix of both?
The lack of outward emotions I think also had to do with trust. I can remember trying to put on a permanent poker-face to make sure people didn't know how I felt. I didn't want them to know. Guess it had to do with not trusting strangers with my emotions. Had something rather shitty happen during childhood, guessing Henry did as well, and maybe these were things we subconsciously did in an attempt to make sure it didn't happen again. All I know is that I relate to Henry which is why Silent Hill 4 is my favorite.
Good read
I always thought Henry might've had a form of autism and/or social anxiety, either/both of which could've been exacerbated by childhood abuse...
I'm sure alot of us can see ourselves in Henry, the monotony of SH4 is what really gets me, it makes me want to do something meaningful.
Grandmaster Kush
Well I view Silent Hill 4 as the start of the idea of "breaking the cycle", to later be seen and elaborated on by Downpour. One by one Henry sees people die for one purpose, and with Eileen at least, manages to muster up enough will to stop this particular cycle. Henry breaks Walter's cycle (with the good ending) and breaks his own cycle. It took something that required an unimaginable amount of resilience to conquer and with the good ending we can see Henry start to break out of his shell. In a manner of speaking he doesn't need to fear people anymore since he defeated something that was far above your average person.
The lack of outward emotions can also be related to Asperger or maybe Henry doesn't know how to talk or express himself to other people because in his life he didn't interact with other people as much a regular person does. He can have family, friends, etc and don't feel the necessity of being in contact. There are a lot of people who likes being on their own.
Finally somebody who understands Silent Hill 4
YUP
@Master KIKE. All of the SH games developed by Team Silent were great.
Što ti Srbine razumiješ?
@@jake1988h slabo, ona vise
Henry will always be my favorite character.
If I'm not mistaken, the ending considered canon to Silent Hill 2 is that James committed suicide by drowning in Toluca Lake.
Kinda symbolic how Henry sleeps under a picture of Toluca Lake that once belonged to James. Just as James does under the actual Toluca Lake.
Although a comment said that it was Henry that took the picture of the lake, I do feel like there's some kind of connection or a symbolism to sleeping under the picture. It is a SH game. XD
Interesting to say the least!
Not necessarily canon, but heavily favored by a number of the developers.
Plus he said he only dissapeared, doesn't necessarily means he's dead ( spoilers on a old af game) the guy killed his wife, wouldn't he be in the run or go in hiding? I bet a bunch of people would be on the run or go in hiding if they commit murder
His father in Silent Hill 4 only says that his son never came back implying that he is missing but it doesn't mean that he is dead.
James in SL2 during his encounters with Angela always says that he would never try to hurt himself/end his life, so the ending "In the water" would not be canon.
And finally the reason why James is attracted to Silent Hill is because his feeling of guilt and not accepting the reality that Mary is dead, so in my opinion the canon ending could be "Rebirth" since it respects the bases in the personality of James who would try to resurrect his dead wife for not accepting reality, being trapped forever in Silent Hill
Great analysis and redux. Always enjoy seeing Henry get some appreciation.
I love how his personality is subtle, he doesn't need to be all out there to be a great character.
Woow didn't know BMO is so deep 😯
Agreed.
I like your theory of Henry and Walter as heads and tails on a coin, but I'm having trouble finding clarity that the former man suffered a "rough" childhood. Henry did comment on his younger years as "unsentimental," but that could just mean his past wasn't worthy of nostalgia or filled with excitement, not necessarily that he was depressed or abused in any shape or form. I do, however, agree with your philosophy on his silence as a defense mechanism.
I envision Henry as an only child reared by straight-laced, affluent parents in a neighboorhood near Silent Hill or Ashfield. Since his conception, they cut his life out for him. All of his resources ranging from food, housing, and clothing to education, religion, and travel were handed to him on a silver platter. Like any pair of good, doting parents, they figured they'd know what was best, but they suffocated him, never giving him a chance to express himself freely. In his formative years, he was taught not to rebel against authority, so he found his liberty in photography and writing in the sense that his imaginative works would speak for him. Henry's interest in cars, as hinted from his 'Bikkuri Car' magazine, probably plays a factor into his quiet rebellion---his escapade---against his family's tradition. Under parental pressure to succeed in life, he would attend and graduate from high school (and college) and, with his parent's business connections, nab himself a lucrative job that did more than cover the bills. None of the money and other luxuries mattered to Henry, though, for it would be his short-lived days touring Silent Hill that humbled him to reminisce on the simple life. So, despite his parent's wishes, he abruptly quit his job, took the bare minimum of his belongings, and left his parents' nest to reinvent himself in South Ashfield, where he was "happy and enjoying his new [and simple] life" (possibly as a freelance photographer and writer) for two years until the unfortunate events hit Room 302.
Henry's a lone wolf and not an ideal conversationalist, but he's intelligent, thoughtful, and altruistic toward other people, relying on actions over words. He's definitely shy and socially awkward, even around faintly acquainted neighbors, because he never really exposed his true self to anyone before. He hides his physical being like he hides his thoughts and emotions because he's afraid of people's perception of him and most likely doesn't want to be bothered. Oddly, however, the spirits of Silent Hill have been observing Henry ever since his first visit as a child, and they know who he is better than he think he does. So, to challenge his inhibitive way of life, they don't summon Henry to their land but rather draw him into Room 302 of South Ashfield Heights and permit Walter to continue the 21 Sacraments as a test of willpower. What would push Henry to step out from "the extremity" of his shelter and "rule" his "home"? In other words, when will he ever leave his comfort zone and claim his own humanity? As the slated "Receiver of Wisdom," Henry must answer this question, or die trying.
Aye aye sir! This is by far the most realistic and credible theoretical background on the character not even Team Silent themselves would've ever come up with. It adds yet another entire dimension to the already intricate enough SH4 lore. My reverence.
So, Henry is Team Rocket's James? :)
@@imjessietr29 what's that mean?
Very interesting. Especially his silence 🔕 as a defense mechanism. So if course besides being a good listener he know that attracting attention can be a dangerous thing sometimes. Believe I had to learn the hard way. That's why i myself like to be alone. And lots of people didn't care about my problems. Not even a therapist.
@@shadowx2652 James, from Team Rocket in the Pokemon anime, was the son of rich parents and he felt he was being stifled, so he left.
I really relate to Henry, far more than relating to Harry or James, he’s so appealing to me cause we share many traits (prefers to be alone, quiet, lives a shut off life, socially awkward) I find comfort in knowing there’s a character like me. He’s also very innocent, seeing as he describes Silent Hill as peaceful and sunny, silent hill doesn’t punish him, it finds solitude in him since he’s an innocent soul.
Henry was the most milktoast MC ever, which inadvertently helped him because he brought no baggage of his own into silent hill. I do feel like he's a perfect avatar for the player. Even low key videogame characters have more interesting lives than we do so you can't ETRIRELY relate. Here i think most gamers can relate to him
Sometimes I feel like Henry with being an observer and socially awkward, hell I even thought of taking photography as a hobby in the past, all I need now is a random hole in the wall and a VERY haunted apartment and a world of nightmare gremlins
I wish I could see a complete overhaul remake of this game. It would look great and be pretty fun to revisit again.
😁
Too bad they won't make sequel let alone a remake..
I hope they don't I personally love the game the way it is
So Henry and Harry really are some of the most morally outstanding characters of Silent Hill.
The fact that Henry is possibly Neuro-Atypical explains one of the reasons I always felt such a connection with him and why I'm always sad that he seems to get left out of things a lot.
Henry's just like me. Quite, depressed, mood, anxiety, and a lone wolf. But not all the time and since there are others like me I don't feel so alone. I too know for a fact that being heard and receiving attention is a dangerous thing. Like arguments. I learned that the hard way. If someone could give this a like I'd appreciate it.
@@blunderless interesting. One word no conversation. not surprised it's girls though.
@@blunderless it's a wise thing to not receive too much attention.
I feel the same way. I also agree that knowing that are there are other loners like me (and some that are a lot worse) actually makes me feel a little bit better.
@@EndOfSmallSanctuary97 good to know
I also must disagree with 'Henry has no job, no friends, he does nothing etc... so, he's a ghost'. No. Many people around the world has the same life as Henry, and they are no ghosts!
That proves nothing....
I'm pretty sure she's calling him a ghost figuratively, not literally. That he "haunts" the apartment because he is so socially and emotionally withdrawn that his existence is basically just being there, much like an actual ghost haunting a place. As someone who has been much like Henry in my lowest points, I find the analogy apt.
Oh, I really appreciate your answer! Thank you for your explanations.
I was not agree with the author about Henry as a ghost, because it wasn't explained how Henry could have been damaged by the other ghosts during his travelling through the four worlds, and why then the other ghosts didn't harm each other?
Yep, I was called a ghost (minus the no job part). Boo! Some people call Henry the most normal SH protagonist and I think this is a great commentary on our current urban lives especially for people born in the 90s or later. I see so many cases of people not having a typical 2+2 family. And friendships,well...I mean if after finishing college you still have strong adult friendships with people who are not your partners good for you but so many people over 25 don't have time for this.
I do think the comparision with ghosts is accurate. Actually, in the lowest points of my depression I used the same analogy to describe my situation. You feel like the only thing you can do is watch and haunt.
Henry is my favorite playable character, besides James in the Silent Hill series. His personality is almost like mine down to a T.
Watching this stuck in my apartment in 2020... can certainly relate to Henry now
I got so happy when I saw this in my sub box! Thank you so much these amazing videos! I love Silent Hill 4 and think it's highly underappreciated.
btw, did you record this off the PC version? The cutscenes are in 15 fps there, it sucks, but there is a fix for it called "Widescreen Fix".
Also, the PC version is lacking many of the effects and visuals from the original PS2 version, so I recommend playing it there.
@@NarokathCrimzonAE The PC version is also missing about 3 of the best hauntings if I remember correctly.
I can relate to Henry.
While I dislike the way that most of the second half of SH 4 is revisiting the same "worlds" that are barely changed, I love the characters, particularly Henry and Walter (who I think could use expanded roles, but are largely given too little credit. I think while you're right about Henry's background, the complete subtlety of it doesn't do him many favours in the eyes of lots of people I've heard from), as well as the general concept and gameplay revolving around the Room 302 itself.
If anyone decided to remake the game, I'd be all for it, as despite it's flaws, it's got great fundamentals.
I'm pretty sure they did do that dude, and they called it Silent Hills. Yes, I'm calling it now every single aspect of that Playable Trailer was influenced by The Room more than any other Silent Hill game, the first person camera, the screwing your personal space, the ghost wanting to rip you a new one... that's all SH4.
I think it was heavily influenced by Silent Hill 4, but it wasn't a remake, nor did Silent Hills look like it was going to be one. (Also, despite the good things, I really hated the "mysteries you have to solve with a bunch of people online" aspect which Kojima seemed to be into promoting as opposed to an isolated experience.)
Yeah I can agree with that buddy, nor did I like the whole... Look Behind You Schtick, like I know we're never getting Silent Hills but I'd still any kind of info on what the plot was supposed to entail.
Master Markus Silent Hill 4 is basically just a crazy journey of feeling uncomfortable and intrigued at the same time
I haven't watched the full video yet so forgive me if this is redundant, but I think the theme and ideas of this game are even represented well just by the name and the cover. "The Room" and a lone door, chained door. It already instills a familiar feeling of isolation, or triggers memories of people who are introverted and depressed, whether to escape their problems or avoid interaction with the outside world in any way. And, at the time this game was released, gaming still wasn't totally mainstream. Many of the people who played games as a hobby were more introverted types of people, especially if they preferred single player games to multiplayer. It's relating to the player in the sense of this sad, unchanging room being the place that everything happens in for you.
Something about the feeling of this game is unnerving in a way I haven't felt in the other games. Silent Hill 1 and 3 were a little more what you would expect of a horror game, while still having meaningful stories you could sympathise with. Silent Hill 2 felt almost ethereal. Maybe it's just me, but Silent Hill 4 feels like it's out to get you, if that makes any sense? It just has a very stark, present sense of confusion, hopelessness, tension and detachment (both from the character and the real world around that character.)
Being a depressed introvert who often shuts myself into a room, I've heard many times that getting outside of your room would help you 'get out of your head', and with all the mention of Henry and Walter being so similar, and this 'Silent Hill' being more based on Walter's experiences, it feels like Henry is never really 'out' of his head... because he never truly leaves the room.
Something about this game just gives me a feeling of dread. You can interact with the world, but... are you really doing anything?
Love it.
Once again, the name being "Silent Hill: The Room" Is enough to start that dread feeling, for me.
I agree. I've become increasingly reclusive in the last few months (after a particularly devastating break-up) and my social life is borderline non-existent at this point. I find myself relating more and more to Henry by the day. I don't have any childhood trauma or autism, I'm just introverted and a shut-in, like Henry. Some people are just like that.
The reason Henry is quiet and not very talkative and doesn't show his backstory is because the creator of the character wanted to reinforce the idea that the player themselves were in the nightmare. The third person aspect added to that.
Unless you live in that apartment with no stuff and two photographs and your friends and family didn’t look for you after not being seen for five days, pretty sure that’s not a normal life. Also we see through cut scenes that Henry interacts with women, him not getting Cynthia is coming on to him or hugging Eileen as she’s screaming and freaking out in the otherworld reinforces his lack of knowledge on social cues. Henry is not used being with people.
@@trishahernz7809 This. It's very possible that at least some of the devs intended Henry to be like a hikikomori - his extreme introversion and seemingly total lack of social life hints at this. I mean, if he's been locked away in his apartment for almost a week and his neighbour is the only one that notices or cares, that's a big sign that Henry is not normal in the social sense. I'm a huge introvert myself with barely any friends but even I would have my parents checking in on me after that long. Henry's extreme isolation and lonerism is unusual, and certainly not the foundation for a "relatable" character archtype, at least not for the vast majority of people.
I can relate to Henry and Lisa so much by personality. Thank you, so much for this video. I'm crying from reliable facts of how they are from what they suffered through.
Who's Lisa?
@@shadowx2652 Lisa Garland from SH1
SH4 is just as masterful as the first 3 games. Henry, Eileen and Walter are just fascinating. The way I see it is this game is by far the hardest to get into and the most misunderstood. And the harshest part of this is it's all on purpose. This game forces you to to deal with inconvenient unpleasant things constantly, is extremely subtle, isolating, and has a main character that is purposely so mysterious.
Silent Hill 2 is not 'the best game' in the series, it is the most approachable and easy for any person to get into, relate with and understand. The narrative in 2 is straight forward and derivative of other familiar works already in the collective conscious. The player is not really challenged to burden themselves with what the characters are going through in 1, 2 and 3 even if relatable. But this game... no other game is like this at all.. Well maaybe the PT demo just a little bit.
This game was a stroke of pure artistic genius, what a shame it goes so unrecognized. This was not the beginning of the end, it was a finale. No other story is like this because the game has the player immersed into the game in a looping hell that they can only escape from by building wisdom and helping/reaching out to others, mirroring what it is like for a real introvert to get out into the real world. You aren't witnessing a narrative, it's more like taking part in a ritual (hence the first person). It brings the horror of Silent Hill into the most intimate and normally safe personal place possible, your own living space. Each day you awake in your bed like in real life. You gaze upon others from the outside looking in, have no relationships and can only relate to people through writings. I think a lot of introverted people who spend too much time on the internet could relate to this. The only way out of the isolation is by drudging through the horrors of the outside worlds in order to help other victims. You become liberated when you defeat the person inside your prison that has fallen victim to the harshness of the outside that keeps you in the room, and are aided by your humanity and inherent need for love (the child Walter). I understand why this is not for everyone and I think it was an admirably ballsy move on Team Silent's part to go this route and do something so different.
Henry is a mostly silent protagonist so the player can insert themselves into the situation, similar to the Chrono series. I think things like the beginning narrative serve more as a way to avoid too much characterization so Henry isn't someone more separated and well defined from the player's own experience, like James. There is much more to him than meets the eye, but we are given little beyond subtle clues. I do want to know more about Henry though, I really like him. He's both a stoic badass and soft careful guy, it's very unique.
Beautifully expressed, and I agree
Excellent interpretation, I agree with all of it. As an introverted and shy person, I relate to Henry a lot. I've found my life becoming increasingly like his recently (after a particularly bad break-up a few months ago that caused me to practically withdraw from social life). I spend almost all of my time inside my house (specifically my room) just like Henry, and have almost no social interactions on a daily basis. The biggest danger is that sometimes this makes me feel comfortable, like I feel safe not having to go out in the world and feel the pressure of trying to socialise and be like everyone else. In my house and my room I can shut out the pressures and expectations of the outside world and retreat into my own private world. I sometimes fear I'm at risk of becoming a hikikomori (like Henry possibly was).
I'm really glad about how you see Henry, most people I know think I'm weird for liking him because he 'has zero personality' which is just not true, you just gotta look a little harder
SH4 is such a cool story, there's a lot it says without saying, you have to actively pay attention to it, i'm glad this video exists, lots of people find Henry boring but personally he's my fav char, granted, a bit of bias seeing as i relate to him quite a bit, but like, having a character who's so reserved, awkward and is either a shut-in or ND or both is really unique.
100% agreed. Almost every main character in anything is generally pretty extroverted and confident; playing as a guy that is super shy, introverted and a shut-in is very unique, and to me personally relatable. I related to Henry's lifestyle more than any other game character.
I base alot of my Art Around Silent Hill !! I even have a whole project in the works relating to it !! so thaank you for the deep information !!!! I LOVE THESe VIDEOS
That's really sweet.
Actor Adam Anouer thank you bro I wish you the best life possible and I pray you succeed in what ever you do !! Life is about positive energy and for real I appreciate you 🙏🤝 I'll help any one I can with out reason which was a lesson I learned from Vivi from FF9
I'm writing a funeral doom metal song about silent hill 4. I also have a couple tribute silent hill songs on my soundcloud
Doomie Sonofprince let's help each outer out you watch my vidzz and I'll check out your music!!!! Can you shoot me a link if you don't mind !!!!
Victoria Castel Sounds cool with me :) 😁
Ever since being introduced to the SH games Henry was my only favorite character and someone who I was super fascinated with. I couldn’t articulate why that was due to being young at the time. Granted, I was really drawn to his shy demeanor. (Plus, I thought he was pretty good looking too... lol)
But you really nailed it here! Your description and analysis of him really resonated with me. I actually got kinda emotional because you made me realize how much I relate myself to him...!
Just wanted to say I’m very impressed by your videos and to thank you for doing one on Henry!
Real human being, and a real hero... if you get the good ending.
Wow.. I've played SH4 so many times and its one of my fav games of all time. Thanks for making this vid.
Awesome video. I love Silent Hill 4 and Im glad this was in my recommended. Gives me a whole new perspective and appreciation of Henry as a character.
It was interesting having a socially awqward NEET as a silent hill protagonist, I wish they had fleshed out his character a bit more
i never thought about henry this way and now, this is the only thing that makes sense to me. i know he’s probably the least liked protagonist for being... well, boring, but i found myself really liking him regardless, for some reason. with this new info (theory ig?) i have a newfound appreciation for him :)
Finally! Some justice for our favourite introvert! 😽
Thank you for redoing the Henry video! I love your analysis and discussion videos so much, and I’m so happy you’re back working on videos in general! Once I get on a better finical ground, I’ll definitely support you on patreon! :3
I take it back calling SH4 a rushed game!!!
Because Walter Sullivan is Henry Townsend's evil version.
Thank you. For years I really hated Henry because he never reacted to the crazy things happening around him and was just so monotone and boring. Now I have a better understanding of him, and of the fourth game.
Great video! Silent Hill 4 has always been my favorite of the series, even if I think that other games are objectively superior, I still love 4 the most of them all.
SH4 was is my favorite one...
I can't agree with the whole "he barely reacted thing", Henry was seen banging on the door asking for help. If I woke up one day to find my door chained up I'd also be stunned.
WOOOOWO I JUST LOOKED 4 YOUR PAGE LOOKING FOR UPDATE.. I was just watching Heather symbolism again then see u posted these vídeo.. thx
Muse.... you never cease to amaze me with your thorough analysis of Silent Hill. Been a fan of the series since 1998.
Your Silent HIll analysis videos are fantastic :D Please make more.
My favorite strange beast getting some really deep analysis makes me really happy. Always wanted to know more about Henry, but since the game didn't give me much insight on his backgroung, I couldn't grasp much of his psychological profile. Your video helped me a lot understanding things about him and also about my personality. So many thanks for that.
It's my favorite Silent Hill, and while I don't think Henry had anything bad going on in his life like people speculate, I still think he was a good character and protagonist. I think the guy was just a little shy is all. I don't think he was depressed or anything. His bland tone was more of a way for the developers to create a character onto which players could project themselves. Many video games do this. And his reaction to being locked in his room is not shown. By the time Henry is introduced, he has been locked up for days already, so we don't see his initial reaction. We've seen him only after he has acclimated to the predicament.
I think Henry's only real connection to the events was Walter choosing him simply because he was occupying "his" room/"mother", and also the Silent Hill world may have called out to Henry because Henry wanted a change in his own life. It made him realize that staying home so much and being isolated isn't what he wanted to do the rest of his life. So the Silent Hill world gave him a challenge, and Henry either rises to the challenge or he fails based on player choices. For example, saving Eileen always results in Henry living. Cleansing the room always results in Henry living, though not saving Eileen devastates him. Defeating the room and saving the woman is his ideal ending. Not making the effort to cleanse the room, and failing to protect the woman results in him giving up his life. Why go on living when you aren't going to accomplish anything with that life?
If you don't think Henry had a bad childhood or anything like that, then how would you explain Henry saying that his childhood wasn't a "sentimental" time for him?
First, "unsentimental" hardly equates to "bad". The instruction booklet states he never lets his feelings show. So maybe he's just not emotional or easily roused by celebratory events or acts of kindness. I have a young nephew who is quiet and doesn't show much emotion, yet he's smart, talented, money wise, and even imaginative. He's also mostly a loner, though he's capable of socializing with others, even adults. I would describe him as unsentimental too.
I think his problem is a bit more serious than just shyness, mostly due to the fact that since he's been locked in his apartment for five days, literally the only person that even realises this is his neighbour - no partner, no friends, no family. That's pretty unusual, and not a sign of a healthy or even normal social/personal life. At times it even seems like he's a borderline hikikomori - a young man that never leaves his house/apartment and has practically withdrawn from the larger social world.
@@EndOfSmallSanctuary97 I don't think anyone can make that kind of judgement on Henry in the short time we get to know him and the few things we have to glean from in his apartment. For all we know, he spends most of his time traveling. He is a photographer after all. He probably works most of the time, not just taking pictures but developing them as well. I'm sure 302 is just a cheap place for him to crash whenever he needs to. Even his fridge has almost nothing in it except a few drinks and maybe some Chinese food.
@@BelieveIt1051 Henry spent two years in that apartment long enough that Richard Braintree acknowledges him to be part of the building (the game goes out of its way to tell he doesn’t like strangers, but when he and Henry met up there’s no aggression). Also Henry’s barren apartment pretty much tells he doesn’t go out much. If he works all the time, then why doesn’t his co workers reach out for him after being absent for five days.
the dream sequence in the beginning isn't Henry. It's the previous tenant Joseph Schreiber. During his last days in the room. Before Jimmy Stone. the ghost. Comes through the wall and kills him. Before the dream sequence ends. There is a picture of Henry on the wall. While investigating it. Joseph will proceed to say something along the lines of "who is this guy?" So, obviously whoever it is. Isn't Henry.
You're right, but it's implied that Henry has been dreaming that scene since his capture, during the intro to the game, where he says it's been five days and he keeps having these nightmares. But it is Joseph you're playing as, you're right.
I’m so hyped for these videos. I loved them first time round so i’m excited to see the new versions
Well, now I feel downright silly for commenting on your first analysis of this character - I hadn't seen this newer one.
I like the additional insight. And you have shared so many additional tidbits that I find.... poetically and practically perfect.
Wooo new upload for my fav series!
Wow. Way to make Henry interesting and relatable.
Just wanted to finally stop by and tell you I love your channel and keep up the good work! ♡
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me :D
I think the reason that Henry was "chosen", is because he's the most like Walter prior to the ritual that shoved Valtiel into Walter's head. So less chosen... more like Matched then Called, Silent Hill style.
Additional Parallels come about...
... Just as Walter may have been ultimately trapped into performing the Sacraments, stuck in his own head. Henry is trapped in his apartment, and stuck in Walter's otherworlds (reflected from Walter's mind). No amount of screaming for help is going to call anyone to help them.
... There's the connection between Sleep and Death. Henry wakes up from the otherworlds, alive. Walter is dead in the walls, but his ghost wanders awake. People who die in the otherworld, also "wake" as ghosts and hostile entities.
... Henry watches Eileen, but its also implied that Walter is watching her too.
... The impossibility of Walter's murder timeline lines up with the impossibility of Henry going through a hole in his wall, and ending up miles and miles away, whilst still some how being trapped in his apartment. Somehow, he witnesses murders, and yet, nobody who finds the bodies ever find any evidence of Henry (Even though his attempt to physically touch the bodies should've left something for Police...)
... Weapons Walter uses, also show up as Henry's own weapons.
It could be that because Henry is Matched to Walter's pre-Valtiel self, that the call was actually a call for help. To look at what caused this, then stop the madness, and in a symbollic way, could be Walter stopping himself from the horror. "I did it by it wasn't me" indeed.
Wonderful. Thank you again for these videos.
This may be offtopic, but as someone who has been extremely abused and sheltered the whole life, I absolutely agree with you and I very related to Henry. I was seeing myself in him, like, completely. I aplaud you for these great videos!
Wow that's great, that painting... definitely could be it. The game makes a feature out of Henry waking up under it. I don't know if I even ever examined it in-game... probably, but maybe just the once since it doesn't solve any puzzles or anything. Really neat video! I love the bit about Henry being a foil to Walter, too. And that's really an ideal thing to strive for in a story: when suggesting that someone with a bad past turned out bad, also show someone with a bad past who didn't, so as to not be suggesting that bad past = bad person. They integrated it so well I didn't even think of it until you pointed it out here.
"DO NOT RENT FROM THESE PEOPLE. Nosy landlord, never fixed any of the broken appliances, awful view from the window, apartment became haunted by the victims of a deranged killer who thought the location was his mother, and the DISHWASHER IS STILL LEAKING. 2 Stars, horrible experience."
Well, I've been wanting to try and like SH4 more and you just helped me with that. thank you, great video
This was a great video! I'm actually playing through Silent Hill 4 right now. However I think you have one thing wrong, Frank gave Henry the big picture in his living room, not the one in his bedroom of Toluca lake, Henry took that photo himself. Henry says the photo Frank gave him isn't very interesting later in the game.
One of my favorite actor in Silent Hill... He is brave enough to dodge through the darkness
Anyway, thanks for your analysis... It's very deep and intellectually sounded
OMG I am Henry Townshend, but i want to be Leon S. Kennedy.
Sshh I'm trying to listen to the video
They should team up
It would be great lol
Nah...Henry is much more interesting as a playable character. He has depth and I relate more to his personality.
@@YYBWDL Leon is much more like James Sunderland
@@christianm9253 I prefer my protagonists and playable characters to be flawed every men who are not especially excelled at anything, instead of hyper competent badasses who are skilled and talented at nearly everything. Which is what Leon and Chris in the RE series have become and it makes them perilously close to being Gary Sue's.
That's why I think the SH protagonists are better characters because of how flawed they are.
love your vids!
Great video!
Huh... It is funny how Team Silent tried to "change" Silent Hill for "The Room", yet still ended up bringing forth the very same psychodelic atmosphere as the previous three games... While every developer AFTER Team Silent tried to recreate that atmosphere and failed miserably no matter what they tried to make Silent Hill into.
You simply don't try to bring Silent Hill to you. Silent Hill will get you when it thinks you need it.
Yay! You're back!
I love that Silent Hill can still be discussed to this day. I wonder if you can break down this symbolism just as well post Team Silent.
Henry is by far my favorite character awesome video
Henry was sleeping under toluca lake like james and mary. Creepy... i like that!
I believe Henry's love for Silent Hill was what got him "hired" as Walter punisher. He was basically like Mary. Even if Henry wasn't directly related to Walter, the room 302 created the connection.
Henry is literally me
Glad I can actually watch this one. Sadly your original one on Henry is blocked in my country. Only one that's been an issue on so far in the playlist. Fingers crossed it holds true to the end of it lol
How 2020 feels
love these omg!!!
Good work. Thanks a lot
Loved your videos. Thanks
The end theory isn't
Entirely orrect. The same picture says his son and daughter in-law went missing in silent hill. It could still have Bern given to Frank before that and its interesting the ghost that tries to invade the room comes from that side of the wall
After reading the top comments about Henry and what could possibly be his trust issues, I have a new appreciation for his character! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Henry's full name is almost identical to my cousin's which is weird as hell
If he wants to give you a painting of Toluca Lake, don’t accept that.
Martin :D
No matter how many times I see it, that giant Eileen head ALWAYS freaks me tf out 😖
man that intro
10/10
About the Toluca Lake picture above the bed :
In Bloodborne, the "Lake" rune says : "Those branded by it enjoy augmented defense" and "Great volumes of water serve as a bulwark guarding sleep". Henry sleeps directly under the picture, literally sleeping "below the lake". It maybe means another defense mecanism he uncounsciously added to protect him and his sleep from the outer world influence.
Also in SH2, on the Rosewater memorial, it is said that 67 people died of a sickness and are now "resting beneath the lake". Just like Henry does. Maybe it's this macabre parallel that reinforced the death omen Walter put on him as well as the Silent Hill curse he could be victim of.
How did I not realize that frank and James were related till now?!
cool video I really enjoy listening to silent hill lore. btw can you check your audio settings on the video export? seems a bit low for me
Henry's the only Silent Hill protagonist drawn into what's going on by random chance. He just had the bad luck to buy a flat haunted by the ghost of a serial killer.
It means so much to me that you pointed out that Henry may be neurodiverse ;-; even when that sort of presentation is intended, so many people disregard or bury that if the character is in any way competent.
Excellent profiling! Instant like ♥