This video is an excellent example of the positive memetic influence internet culture can have on the various forms of entertainment, such as videos as potrayed here. This video in particular has superb story telling: we can observe how Charles “Penguinz0; MoistCr1tikal” White Jr., the protagonist of this composotion of digitally constructed artwork, is moving towards his bed in the first scene (with the artist’s exquisite video editing prowess on complete display, might I add). His facial expression is full of sorrow, desperation, and perhaps even psychological anguish, as he so clearly wishes to rest in a manner that would satisfy even a domestic cat in terms of sleep exigencies, and as he eventually arrives at his desired final terminus of the day — his bed — he shuts off his lights, symbolising how he assumes to be safe enough to lower his vision of potential dangers in favour of comfort and ocular quiet. However, as we come to unfortunately discover, this is not the case. The contrary, in fact, as our eyes are bestowed the gift to view the following shocking reveal. A second instance, mayhaps even seperate iteration, of Mr. White Jr., or “Charlie”, as he is often referred to as on-line. His intentions at first unknown, as the clone rushes across the room; dashing past the original instance, vanishing into the left side of the screen; unseen by the audience, shouting “Get away from me!” in the process, in a tone most vile. This, of course, is paradoxical as he, the second instance, is the true intruder, a man bearing the mark of humanity’s hubris; a being who should be removed from the premises (or, should “get away” from the first instance, to relate to his statement), not the opposite. Charlie ⁿ⁰2 (as we will from here on out refer to him as) is a character gone undoubtably mad from his own mere existence as a potential clone. At first, the viewer may believe that he, being unable to cope with his circumstances, would attempt to locate his origins; explaining his presence in the narrative. Though why he would sprint past his original self has yet to be discovered at that point in the video. To continue the story, Charlie ⁿ⁰1 recognizes a threat in his immediate surroundings and takes the path of truth rather than ignorance by turning the lights back on, to search for whatever creature there may be he now craves to bring the foul figurative shadow of a man to light. Tension rises, as no creature is to be seen, in horror and bleak apathy to his self, Charlie ⁿ⁰1 is forced to turn the lights off again in hope of the dubious creature being a hallucination of sorts. This truly does symbolize the divide and duality between the two “Charlie instances” to build upon their characters narratively, as Charlie ⁿ⁰1 having to remain in fear to what might be lurking in the shadows, and Charlie ⁿ⁰2, knowing that, nevertheless deciding to follow his own path to the truth, disregarding the mental well being of Charlie ⁿ⁰1 entirely. Because to the individual and personal aspects of the characters, Charlie ⁿ⁰1’s decision to not investigate but instead remain in fearful and unwilling ignorance after all, despite his intentions, will have consequences as seen in the next scene. For him, the creature, but for us viewers with perspectives of the situation unseen, Charlie ⁿ⁰2 re-appears from the abyss of the unobservable edges of the screen, blurting out “Why you’re chasing me!?”, sprinting from left to his original position, the right. This line of dialogue is particularly intriguing as it shows in what delusions Charlie ⁿ⁰2 finds himself in, with the dialogue itself most likely representing his past and origin (symbolized by Charlie ⁿ⁰1) chasing him into an unacceptable truth, so he sees no other way than to run to the right and vanishing into the edge of the screen (a clear metaphor for him believing to be going into the “right” direction; running away rather than confronting his other self). Once again, as the tension becomes nigh unbearable, Charlie ⁿ⁰1 cannot, nay, shall not endure the pain and fear of the unknown any longer; turning his lights on again. In mere disbelief and utmost confusion, there is still nothing to be seen. This second time of re-activating the lights in an attempt of a psychological pilgrimage to truth represents the cycles of things unmoved by time, effort, or morals, all coming back to an origin point of no progress. These cycles of seeking reality but being unable to find such has many equivalents in real life, making this gripping story all the more relatable to the daily struggles of an ordinary person. At last, in the final scene, Charlie ⁿ⁰1, already accepting his fate of eternal psychological torment, shuts the lights. And as expected by him and the audience, his mad, second instance: Charlie ⁿ⁰2, returns once more attempting to dash beyond Charlie ⁿ⁰1’s sight one more time. However, in a twist no one could have seen coming, perhaps in an act of courage or determination to break the cycle, Charlie ⁿ⁰1 turns the lights on just as his mad self stands across him, at the right moment. It is shocking and depressing to see a once man, now mere evil twin, be confronted with his origin; his literal source material; unable to run this time. Charlie ⁿ⁰2 cannot cope with the truth that he as been only a failed experiment of sorts, screams. He screams at the top of his lungs, awakening something inside of him and his more sane counterpart. Something that has been locked away for his entire existence. He regains his true sapience sanity, and power, now witnessing the fleeing disturbed and frightened Charlie ⁿ⁰1, he only asks one question: “Did I jumpscare you? Yeah, I bet I did. You coward.” The ending of this masterpiece is ambigious, as it could be that both Charlies were the same person, only different personalities stuck in the same body as at the end the evil, psychotic instance of Charlie’s consciousness takes over and leaves the other one fleeing. Or maybe there were two separate, physical instances, one living a normal life while the other had to live I’m the shadows as a failed protest against god himself, now realizing his true potential. In any case, the directing, editing, and especially sound design of this virtual artwork are phenomenal in every single way; created as a result of a YouTuber — the before mentioned Charles White Jr. — and his influence over media, by giving his community the control and privileges it needs to summon these masterworks from the deep depths of the human mind. Truly a story for everybody!!!!!!!!