The Genius of Andy and Leyley's Most Underrated Scene

Summary

This video script revisits the pivotal 'Blood Oath' scene from the game 'Coffin of Andy and Le', offering a re-evaluation of its significance. Initially criticized for undermining the protagonist Andrew’s agency, the analysis now recognizes it as a masterful addition to the story, deepening the complexity of Andrew's manipulative character. The script delves into the toxic dynamics between Andrew and his sister Ley, revealing how the 'Blood Oath' unintentionally reinforces their unhealthy codependency. This reflection highlights Andrew’s role as an unreliable narrator, shaping the narrative's ongoing psychological tension.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Blood Oath in the game is a significant scene that sheds light on Andrew's manipulative character and his twisted relationship with his sister, Ashley.
• 😀 Andrew’s victim complex, developed after the accidental killing of Nina, drives much of his behavior, influencing his actions towards Ashley.
• 😀 Initially, the Blood Oath was seen as a contradiction, but with time, it becomes clear that it’s a vital part of understanding Andrew’s character and his psychological manipulation of Ashley.
• 😀 The Blood Oath is not really about Andrew being coerced but reflects his enabling role in Ashley's toxic behaviors and insecurities.
• 😀 Ashley’s belief in transactional relationships stems from Andrew’s subtle manipulation, as he conditions her to accept these dynamics as normal.
• 😀 Despite Andrew’s claim of being a victim, his manipulations, including the Blood Oath, often serve his own ego, reinforcing his perceived innocence.
• 😀 Andrew’s framing of the Blood Oath as a service for his sister obscures his own responsibility in the relationship, allowing him to maintain plausible deniability.
• 😀 The Blood Oath inadvertently teaches Ashley that she is only valuable in transactional relationships, damaging her self-worth over time.
• 😀 Andrew’s lack of accountability, combined with his unwillingness to admit his flaws, makes him a more complex character, shifting from a victim to an active participant in the manipulation.
• 😀 The shift in perspective on the Blood Oath reveals Andrew as an unreliable narrator, with his delusions shaping the narrative in a way that even the player may fail to fully grasp at first.
• 😀 The release of episodes 3A and 4 together missed an opportunity to allow the full impact of Andrew’s manipulations, like the Blood Oath, to sink in before the next chapter, highlighting the importance of pacing in storytelling.

Q & A

What was the original critique of the 'Blood Oath' scene in the analysis?

The original critique argued that the blackmail and resulting Blood Oath undermined Andrew's agency, as it made him appear as a victim of circumstance, reducing his behavior to a mere contractual obligation rather than a manifestation of his selfishness.

How did the speaker's perspective on the 'Blood Oath' change over time?

The speaker initially misunderstood the 'Blood Oath' as a mechanism that reduced Andrew’s autonomy, but later re-evaluated it and appreciated how it subtly highlighted Andrew's manipulative behavior and his unconscious exploitation of Ashley's insecurities.

What key aspect of Andrew's character does the 'Blood Oath' scene reveal?

The 'Blood Oath' scene reveals Andrew's pathological loyalty to Ashley and his manipulation of her through subtle, unspoken agreements, where he positions himself as the saintly brother while subtly benefiting from the dynamic.

How does the speaker reinterpret the significance of the 'Blood Oath' in terms of Ashley’s self-esteem?

The speaker argues that the 'Blood Oath' conditions Ashley to believe that relationships are transactional, damaging her self-worth over time. This belief results in Ashley's coercive behavior and reinforces her insecurities, which Andrew inadvertently fuels.

Why does the speaker believe that the blackmail in the 'Blood Oath' wasn't as influential on Andrew as initially assumed?

The speaker points out that Andrew’s friendship with Ashley was never coerced—he was already her best friend and did not need blackmail to remain in that role. The blackmail was more about Ashley's anger and Andrew's attempt to calm her down, rather than forcing him into submission.

What was Andrew's real motive behind making the 'Blood Oath' with Ashley?

Andrew's true motive was to manage Ashley’s emotional turmoil and calm her anger, while simultaneously ensuring that his own desires, such as having girlfriends, remained unchallenged. The 'Blood Oath' was his way of manipulating Ashley into accepting his version of their relationship.

What does the 'Blood Oath' reveal about Andrew’s behavior towards other characters, like Julia?

The 'Blood Oath' contrasts with Andrew's behavior toward Julia, where Andrew consciously manipulates Julia to fulfill his needs, while his actions toward Ashley are more instinctive and uncalculated, driven by a combination of delusion and cognitive dissonance.

How does the speaker describe Andrew's relationship with his own delusions?

The speaker describes Andrew's relationship with his delusions as deeply intertwined, where the more he believes his own lies, the more he creates the conditions that make them seem true. This cognitive dissonance allows him to maintain a facade of innocence and reliability.

What is the speaker's view on the depiction of incest in the game?

The speaker suggests that the most disturbing form of incest in the game is not between the siblings but within Andrew's mind, as his delusions feed on each other, creating a toxic cycle of self-justification and manipulation.

How does the speaker reflect on the game's narrative structure after Episode 2’s release?

The speaker reflects that Episode 2 fundamentally changes the perspective on the earlier episodes, turning what was initially seen as a bittersweet ending into a prologue for a much larger journey. This shift in narrative structure highlights the ongoing exploration of Andrew's psychological complexities.