Unpacking Bee & Puppycat | Absurdism Distilled
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 มี.ค. 2024
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#beeandpuppycat #netflix #2cute2poot
Music by Pix -- / @pixverses - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
This video has been taken down a couple of times already. Only way I could keep it up was to trim out a couple parts. So if it seems like there's a weird cut (like around 19 minutes)... that's because there is. Also seems like monetization is out of the question, so if you want to help the channel, you can donate to my Patreon here: www.patreon.com/meromorphic
FINALLY. Somebody talking bout bee and puppycat big essay style.
TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH
Noralites also made video about the show on her channel if you're interested Check her out
Bee's dad looks like if Simon Petrikov became a scientist instead of an archeologist or w/e
He seems like he'd be a good cuddler. Lol
*He’s an antiquarian dammit*
@@soosramirez2510best straight white man
I love bee and puppycat so much, just such a cozy lil hug of television. Also.. everytime i hear that song from her dad i literally call my own dad. Lol
This warms my heart ❤️
i do wanna mention im allmost 100% sure merlin was running away from cass and not toast/the pregnancy
Bee and Puppycat is an example of a genre known as iyashikei. The name comes from a Japanese term roughly translating to "healing", and it's typically found in anime and manga. Not all examples lean into absurdism as much as Bee and Puppycat, but Natasha Allegri definitely understood the vibes. Other examples include Aria, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, and Yuru Camp. I highly recommend looking into this genre if you want something to watch/read when chilling under a warm blanket.
Also, regarding the use of an AI image: while I appreciate that you used a pre-existing one instead of using a generator yourself (it's...a compromise), I truly wonder what YOUR idea of such a specific metaphor would look like. No algorithm can possibly replicate the way you and you alone see things. It doesn't matter how good or bad your art skills are; I just personally prefer art that has been made by actual humans, since it provides such a unique glimpse into one's subconscious.
btw bees birthday candy is based off of the japanese candy Konpeito or sugar stars! they also featured in spirited away with the soot sprites!
55:57 He doesn't just have a thing for her, they used to date. They even lived together, and we're shown when he moves out and they break up. Plus we're only shown her being an adult when *Deckard* was a baby, not Crispin, whos a lot older.
Wait is THAT what happened? Holy shit I totally missed that
@@Meromorphicit wasn't a thing in the OG series, so no wonder
I can see it being really refreshing for a portion of the audience who happen to possess a uterus to have a piece of media have a pregnant character be flippant about her own pregnancy in a way that isn't meant to be seen as edgy or shocking or blatantly negative.
Pregnancy, as depicted in media, is typically 1 of 2 things. Body horror or the characters' whole identity is now a motherly vessel for life. They are always vulnerable. It really does get old
skipping out on the ten youtube episodes is CRAZY. they add SO much for the plot and help build up character relationships and you miss the best song in the show !!!!!!
Yeah 😭
The originial youtube episodes are so much better than the first three episodes of Netflix reboot. It is much more subtle and gives more emotional impact by revealing the world building each by each, instead of shoving it in our face like the Netflix episodes. For example throughout the TH-cam series there have been hints on Bee being a robot, how absurdly strong she was and why she hates water. It gives the audience questions and make them want to watch more to what happens as the story goes. Which is one of the important aspect of storytelling, despite the theme as absurdism.
Also if you’re able to find the original 2nd season!!
@@Aloneinmyroom_withmythoughts You mean the one that was leaked in like 2019?
@@miku39chan oh I didn’t know it was leaked I thought it was on the cartoon hangover like streaming
App they had? And it got ripped off that ): now I feel bad for streaming it
With SO many shows being completely plot-driven and lacking character development, Bee and Puppycat was a breath of fresh air for me. I love that we didn't get a lot of exposition all the time, I loved piecing together everything over time and learning more about the characters. I think it's a great formula for a series (and other shows should take note, tbh, even if they make more plot-driven things!). People LOVE character driven shows, this is a testament to that I think, and we need more of them.
was the ai art necessary :/
Nothing betrays my trust more than an otherwise well-informed video suddenly using an AI image generator for something that would have been infinitely more ethical (and entertaining!) had the creators commissioned an actual artist, used stock photos, or even made their own doodles.
@@pbjmochi8400 literally stock photos would’ve been way funnier
yeah seriously
Where was the ai art? I'm not good at recognising it yet. I agree tho, I really don't think the use of ai art is very ethical
Right? Took me right out of the video. I can't bring myself to respect someone who uses that garbage. I'm an artist and I've found my art listed as being used by the AI software to base its results on. This guy seems to pretend about positive values and morality, but then he ends up being a hypocrite.
A cozy video essay for my favorite cozy show!
Cozy indeed
🤗
In reguards to Bee and Crispin, I think a lot of it is that she doesn't seem to change, she also seems to have the mindset of someone his age; like she's very old, but she's also a android and I think she might mature very very slowly. Like I think that's what makes their relationship feel less weird. Also Deckard *is* the baby of the family, like he's clearly the youngest and its possible that he is much much younger than the rest of them, so her being a older teen/adult during Deckards childhood while maybe only being a bit older than say Crispin would make sense.
That being said I'm probably just trying to justify it way too hard lol
Oh my gosh OH MY GOSH I'm so excited to hear someone talk about Bee and Puppycat! 😭 I've missed this series so much!
I think the pregnancy critism might be lessened if the context you view it in is a little different. Merlin isn't ashamed to have a baby with toast. He's scared because cass is gonna beat the crap out of him for it and the brothers were trying avoid casses rage as well. As for toast not really knowing his name I'm pretty sure that's just a her quirk, was see that she does care for him at an emotional level she probably just isn't good with names lmao
It's still supremely messed up. They're trivializing baby trapping and treating it as a joke. That's horrid.
55:21 i have a feeling that bee is actually around merlin's age (which is like 40) because in the toddler bee flashback we see another toddler who kinda looks like a toddler merlin
so idk I don't think its that strange bc crispin is around his 30s I believe
the toddler in the flashback could also be the wizard dad tho😭😭😭
highkey suggest not using AI art again in a video due to AI Art being built on the backbone of stolen artwork.
would you then suggest that only large corporations that have access to a lot of training data in shows they own be able to use competent AI art tools?
Im surprised you didnt mention the dead(?) Warlock body thats just kinda chilling with the living ones around the work hole
Yes yes yes!! I’ve been waiting for something like this. I even have a puppycat tattoo, i just adore this show
God finally. Ive loved this show for so long that not seeing much longform stuff about MAINLY OR JUST the netflix series has been driving me loopy. I think it's so different but so good for explaining its own absurd rules without ruining the vibe of true absurdity like some ppl say it does. (The stuff pre netflix show had ppl feeling more mystery for a long time to be fair)
It was so fun to revisit Bee and Puppycat this way, I watched all of this just last year and you hit all the points I felt during my watch. It's definitely a 'vibes' show that ultimately charmed me and many others. Thank you for the video ^^
Glad you enjoyed it!
It’s about damn time someone made a video essay on Bee & Puppycat!!
You are so underrated, with all the work that clearly goes into your video essays you deserve more attention 😊
The candy Bee eats on her birthday is inspired by Kompeitō I believe a Portuguese sugar candy that became very popular in Japan. It can be seen in lots of it’s animated media like the movie Spirited Away(The candy the soot sprites eat) and one of the Sailor Moon Movies (I think the one where they are fighting an ice themed villain and focuses on Luna).
iiinteresting. I love spirited away yet did not make the connection.
Super bummed about seeing AI images in one of your videos.
Sorry to disappoint, I guess 🤷. I've spoken about my thoughts on AI as a tool in a previous video-- mostly cautious use than a go-to crutch for everything. Only use it when there isn't an applicable image (or one close) that exists, which was a single image in this case.
@@Meromorphic I understand and respect that. Everyone has their own line. As a professional artist, my line for it is admittedly shorter than others.
Your videos are great, and I appreciate what you do, otherwise.
I just think, especially in this instance, your phrasing was enough, without even having to use said image.
I mean no disrespect, it’s just a really important issue.
@@gavin_guidry No disrespect taken at all. I appreciate the kind words.
@@Meromorphic You're in the creative field and make videos for entertainment purposes. At least garner the respect for other artists 👍 You're a fairly big channel so you have the resources to use actual artists work instead of using stolen pieces. I'm sure lots of actual artists would love to have their stuff featured. Its the wild west for AI right now and your work might be next so supporting human made creation should be our number one priority right now instead of further perpetuating a place for thiefs. Furthermore, amazing human made pieces like the very thing you talk about in this video would simply not be possibly if we give AI leeway into the creative industry. Human made creative, amazing work ---> limited by AI which takes little to no effort and is fast ---> less content for you to talk about. If that helps you understand better 👍👍 Artistry and creativity in the community is built on mutual respect, by blatantly ignoring it you are not deserving of it. Bye.
this video literally cured me of my existential crisis of the existence (or lack thereof) of free will. It just doesn't matter nothing does in the way I thought it did, and that's a good thing, thank you for making this video.
I'm always happy to see people make videos on bee and puppycat, its super underrated, been here since the pilot, and i'm glad to see a video like this!
I loved the beginning (Camus was a great pull for the vibe of this show) and your editing. However, I think there was a big miss here by covering this show without touching more on the fact that Bee is canonically revealed to be a robot (a la Astro Boy). You ask many questions I feel could do with bringing up that topic. "Why is Cas unbothered by Bee potentially being dead?" < Cas may (as implied later) have already known Bee isn't human. "Why does Bee not react to other people (such as Cardamom) being upset in an appropriate way?" < Bee is literally a robot.
It honestly surprised me to get to the end of a video discussing why the show revels in this strange, emotionally detached feeling, only for the whole _the main character is a freakin' robot_ thing to be somewhat glossed over. Not that you didn't mention it at all, but I feel like there's an obvious connection there in terms of themes, tone, and implications.
However, I loved your editing and the essay otherwise, and I'm excited for your next video. Cheers !
I mean sure you're right, but it isn't just Bee that has the detached air in the show, it's basically all the characters (with the exception of Puppycat). And even then, it isn't even across the board -- her excitement around the birthday cakes, for example.
Bee and Puppycat is magical realism realized in the cartoon medium.
PS I've never heard anyone pronounce Camus like the plant Calamus before. First time for everything 4:23 😅
As an actuarial scientist it being included in the list made me giggle ❤ great video, love your takes!
God I love bee and puppycat, the show is just a vibe. From the music to the artstyle and even the colour choices. It hits Different. I relate to it too much. But hey thats what it goes for.
What perfect timing, I just finished your Moral Orel video I’m excited for this one 🎉🎉
The Spiky candy that Bee eats is Konpeito never tried one myself but i would imagine it'd be a fruit hard-soft candy or spinkles but bigger and spikier
Camus had an influence on absurdists and those absurdists involved with theatre. Artaud collaborated with Camus on one of his (unsuccessful) plays, and Artaud was a huge theorist of theatre who in 1926 founded Theatre Alfred Jarri - named after one of the most notable symbolists and absurdists, the grandfather of Dada, surrealism, and futurism.
If you are interested in absurdists, read Artaud ("Theatre of Cruelty") and Jarri ("Ubu Roi" and "Exploits and Opinions of Dr. Faustroll, Pataphysician").
I've wanted this so much for so long. Thank you
Honestly I like how flawed Bee is. She’s not great at a lot of things, she’s a bit clumsy with emotions. A lot of people dislike her childishness but I think it just makes sense. For me, someone who is struggling a lot to get a grip on pretty much just living as an adult, it’s very comforting to see a character that is loved by those around her.
I’ve also heard people theorizing that Bee only ages when she eats the birthday candy. Maybe she needs to eat the whole things so she literally has not aged physically or mentally because she’s been sharing the candy with Cardemon.
Maybe I’m just that type of viewer that notices a chunk of little details but all of the randomness related to Bee and Puppycat’s past felt sorta obvious but I also know not everyone overthinks shit like I do so. I mean there’s a glow in the sea, Westley finds stuff that belongs to Bee in the sea, Bee is afraid of water.
The little antenna at the top of the island incinerates a butterfly on contact. The power gets readverted to a weird under water facility. Puppycat sees the gun the Space Outlaw uses and it reflects himself (I do think it’s funny though that he referred to his transformation as a monster). Bee kissing a generator in the beginning of the episode reinforces the idea that she’s a robot, the little montage for when Deckard gets comforted by Bee and through the whole thing she looks the same.
Cardamon made me sad he made me so sad his mom was asleep and it was upsetting though I wonder what his mom wished for. If I had to guess it would be that she wanted to share her memories with her son.
I also like Crispin a lot. My reaction was also “clowns” without further explanation.
Oh also the hands of the warlocks are funny because it’s literally just RGB with an added W for white and the other one is dead. They all have color coordinated nails and W is the only one using all three of the colors. It scratch my brain (^_^)
Also I didn’t think anyone would knew about Contrapoints voicing the W warlock. I remember hearing her voice for the first time and going “wait a second” because I’m the mf who makes a game out of identifying other video essayists in other essayists videos. So it caught me really off guard because “I’m not watch a video essay rn… am I crazy?” And just looked at the credits. Like good for her 👍✨
It also threw me off when I heard the Space Outlaw for the first time because “Spike Spiegel?”
Been waiting for this one, also the intro is absolutely impressive
Thanks! Glad someone appreciates it 😂
I cannot express how much I genuinely purely adore this show, I originally watched the TH-cam version when I was around 14 and lost it after that, once I seen Netflix was remaking it I almost sobbed. I’ve rewatched it about 4 times anytime I feel too down, and the way it comforts me is indescribable
I don't like the netflix remake. It feels soulless compared to the original. They animated the same scenes beat for beat, but removed all of the little details that made it so charming. Everything feels flat now.
I really wish I had listened and watched this show before I finished the video. Its amazing, keep up the good work!
PERFECT TIMING new video just in time for my art school exams. gonna listen to this like 200 times thank you so much memomomic
Lmao. Memomomic. Love it
Albert Kamis 🗿
Thank you for making this and talking about the strange phenomenons in this show :)
I recently watched this anime Sugar Apple Fairy Tale. It was colorful and ethereal, so it felt comforting. It's the first animation that reminded me of Bee and Puppy-cat type vibes.
Right when you said to call my dad guess who walked into my room to show me a new app he got lol
That "spiky looking candy" is called star candy, and yes, it is very good. You can find it online.
19:29 i think there was a cut here
nice vid tho
i also like how all the little plot points that are shown quickly throughout the show become important, but only later on
Yeeees yay a BAPC video essay ive wanted more of this show for so long. Crispins my fav too !
Yeee go clown boy!
The purple haired girl with puppy cat sounds like Jennifer tilly-
It totally is and I meant to say something. I was like "ooh the chick from Chasing Amy!" Fuck, it's been like 20 years since I've watched that.
All dozens of us who watched that show are happy this video exists
Thank you for this. I tried to watch this, but being hearing impaired ALL of the voices are floaty to me, causing difficulty. I tried both muted and not but 1, now I understand the subtitles were detracting from the original absurdism (which I consider normal from the start) and 2, because of how I hear Puppycat's talking? is terrifying to me. His subtitles don't match his acting either.
That's really interesting about your experience of Puppycat's voice. I think the subtitles can still convey the absurdism since it isn't just the voices but the dialogue that is off-kilter. But I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers
@@Meromorphic Best Way I can describe hearing Puppycat-imagine hearing it's voice from 10Ft anywhere but in front of you in an echo-y room and there's this dead space between you and the voice it has to go through and instead of bouncing through the space it bounces off the dead space giving you a voice that both exists and doesn't exist at the same time and since you need to see where the sound is coming from this just puts you in a terror space because even though you know where the sound is coming from the input of the sound doesn't match.
RAAAHH LETS GOOOO FINALLY THANKYOU
You have to watch bee and puppycat with sub titles on. They explain all of puppycat's dialogue and he's hilarious.
Btw cliche by mxmtoon was written in 2018 but was revisited for the bee and puppy cat collab
Ya know, I realized this as I was editing the video and just forgot to change it.
@@Meromorphic all good :] it was just the only thing i knew already and felt like i could say something. love the video!!
Love your vids and the point to livving is waiting for the microwave that is life, life being your pantry and the microwave heating up my ramen.
This
I love this perspective so so much!! Been looking for months a good video essay on puppycat cause I loved it so much (to go comfort show of all time) but felt bad with not getting the “point”, since my enjoyment always came from that absurdism that I live my own life with, but this video helped a lot with having those doubts in the back of my head and I liked it a lot, thanks dude🫶
What an amazing break down!
I know this is unrelated and this isn't a criticism of the video in any way, but also why is EVERYTHING reminding me of my Dad today? I finally have a chance to sit down and watch this essay about something I enjoyed, thinking it will distract me from the thoughts, mainly of my Dad, that I've been having since I woke up this morning. And then this video is like, "Call your Dad," and now I'm crying again because I can't. He died in 2017. Guys, CALL YOUR DAD. If he's still alive, if he's not an a*hole and you haven't cut all contact with him, if you like your Dad please CALL YOUR DAD.
Anyway, I'm going to go back to crying while watching this video essay. Thank you.
BEE AND PUPPYCAT MENTIONED THIS IS GONNA BE HYPE
I am 1 second in, i have not watched bee and puppycat, and thsi is how i learn about shows instead of having to watch them!
I liked this so much, i somehow cannot leave
Aww #2cute2poot
THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS SHOW NEEDS EXPOSURE AND GOOD EXPOSURE AT THAT🙏🙏🙏NOT JUST NECKBEARDS GOING OFF ABOUT HOW THE SHOW DOESNT MAKE SENSE😭😭😭
Lol I didn't even know that was a thing, but now I'm curious
this was such a cozy watch
hell yeah! Then I'm doing my job.
i LOVE this show wish more ppl talked about it
Oh hey, I watched this with my brother. Spent some of it asleep though. Weird ass show, but it was fun
19:14 still watching the video rn but I wanted to pause and say….the candy bee ate looks like Japanese star candy (konpeito) so if you really wanna try it (or the closest thing to it) you can probably find it online
I always misread Natasha Allegri's surname as _Allergi_ which is the Swedish spelling for "allergy" so that's unfortunate lol
I loved bee and puppycat especially pretty patrick.. But you should definitely also watch the original youtube series if you haven't already since there are some similarities and add more context to some lore or just new lore entirely. But I'm glad to see someone cover this!
I haven't seen the show in a long time so it was good to get a review of it. Even though the video was quite long.
this show taught me the word "poot" back in the day
I remember watching the first few episodes on my 3DS' daily video feature where it would download 4 videos once a day for you to watch. Dinosaur Office anyone? Lincoln Park? Kerby Right Back at Ya 3D? Whatever that other song was and the animated space adventures that I also can't remember the name of.
57:30 Kinda hard to try and make a statement about the tragedy of children being deeply affected by neglectful parents, when Toast is a thing. You can't have it both ways, Natasha.
You can't treat baby trapping and using a child as a pawn in some twisted bullying campaign as a harmless comedic moment, then turn around and go "isn't it so sad how messed up these kids are because of bad decisions their parents made?"
Underwater basquet weaving ❤️
i like the theory, i actually have never heard of absurditism* even though it is part of my very own philosophy
(and yes, I'm not a native speaker and too lazy to go to my dictionary app while writing, because it may delete my comment which actually wasn't that long until I tried to explain)
I love this show so much
This guy deserves more credit..
53:27
this is the first time i've heard this joke used and had actually wanted someone to elaborate
it always felt like a rhetorical joke but i was actually curious lmao
YES!!
Hi! I love your videos and i would really love an unpacking of the Kid cosmic! Though ofcourse im sure the unpacking videos take very long so its oki if u dont do it
YAAAAY
Says to call dad, "looks at empty seat on couch" hes pretty much already here
❤️
@@Meromorphic as much as a appreciate the heart at least let a ya mans finish the video first😂😂
I’m not sure why but when I watched this show I didn’t think it was that weird
I don't remember the mermaid girlfriend stuff. Which means I didn't see it. Which means there's more bee and puppycat to watch. I know what I'm doing today
Sorry to be a pedant but Hallelujah is by the immeasurable Leonard Cohen, and was only covered by Buckely ♡ I'm sure the rest of the video will be great, and will go back to watching now
I'm pretty sure Crispin and bee are similar ages Crispin is close in age to merlin and Wesley who are around 40 and I'm pretty sure bee is close to marlins age since she stole marlins ice cream in the baby flash back thats my theory tho
Not sure if the question that comes to mind when I think of Bee and Puppycat is “why people like this?”. Its cute, pretty, cozy, funny, irreverent and has a cute cat thing that makes super cute noises. Perhaps the main deal with the series is how it affects us, what makes the story so compelling and how the Netflix series got it all wrong. The comparison between the first youtube season and the Netflix adaptation is the real answer to why people liked bee and puppycat in the beginning, when you first watch the TH-cam season it resonates with you, with growing up, feeling alone, etc. And then we go watch the TH-cam season and all of the sudden this feeling of being understood by the series is gone, instead now we feel like we are being fed characters and lore with a spoon in a clear attempt to intrigue us enough to watch a third season.
Also love this show
I am surprised he didn't bring up *THAT* scene from the TH-cam series
what scene….
@@slam.p watch the original TH-cam series and one moment will make you ball your eyes out
What scene
The pizza image... bit unethical dont ya think
It's a good day when I notice a new Mero video about a cartoon I have never heard of :)
Edit: never fucking mind, they pronounced Albert Camus' surname wrong at minute three.
Actually both names, since the t in Albert should be silent, I believe.
Bee and Puppycat! Leonard Cohen wrote "Hallelujah" not Jeff Buckley!!!
Yes, I know, but I was specifically talking about Jeff Buckley's cover
56:30 Is she, though....? I think she's the *_least_* dependable person in the entire cast. She's aloof and lazy, and kind of a bad person. She didn't care at all about Deckard's hurt feelings due to her apathetic reaction to him saying he was leaving, and does nothing as she watches Cardamom struggle, never doing anything to help. Even someone as dumb as her can clearly see it's not ok for a little kid to be forced to fend for himself.
my favorite moment 13:25 😂😂
... My father is dead, how do you expect me to call them, call Heaven? Last time I checked, Heaven doesn't have a phone number....
I too am in the dead dad club.
It's 1-800-HI-JESUS. Sorry for your loss.
Is the D2 warlock symbol in ur logo intentional or no?
Honestly, for as much as I adore Bee and Puppycat, back when Lazy in Space was announced as the second season to the original online series and I was able to watch it after it got leaked, I really REALLY hated what they did to Toast.
Her obsession with keeping Cas in her life was really off-putting and the fact that she legitimately pulled what amounts to a “baby trap” in order to stay in Cas’s life forever by deliberately using one of her brothers in this scheme was super aggravating, and especially because what she did hit very close to home for me and my family, and seeing Toast do something very similar to an event in my life was disheartening.
I’m probably overreacting but I mean it when I take this sort of thing very seriously.
I know I shouldn’t be mad at the show for it, and I still adore the show for the most part, but I can’t help but skip through everything with Toast as a result even now. I really believe her character was ruined from that scheme of hers.
You can feel whatever you want about a show! Your feelings are totally valid. A piece of media doesn't have to affect you the same way it does others.
Also Bee and Puppycat was my queer awakening as a nonbinary person. Unironically. There's something so soothing about this show, whenever I got super emotionally upset it validated those feelings and relaxed them out
You sound like Robbie Daymond
25:25
6:30 My dad is dead.
Sorry to hear that. That's rough.