New Year's Message - Patreon Exclusive

Joined your Patreon today -- and one of your most impactful videos I watched was about a Star Trek TNG episode (The Drumhead), so that's definitely something I'd be glad to see more of (including covering the art of story telling over multiple episodes, like the arc over the final 6 or 7 episodes of DS9, together with how they built this up over several seasons really. And then I wanted to leave a few "crazy ideas" (that are spontaneous on my end, and not well thought out or through): - how about you allow "guest posts" (on the channel, or at least maybe as Patreon-only content to see how other supporters like it, and then decide whether you add them to the YouTube public channel)? - or how about other "story teller panels", like a (short, may 3- to 6-episode) podcast series, where you and other deep thinkers around story telling get together and talk about a specific movie or episode (after preparing a bit)? - or maybe talking about the art of storytelling *outside of fiction* (both when it comes to popular science as well as to journalism), and maybe in particular look at how storytelling *can* get in the way of actually sticking to "the truth" (by creating a very specific lens on the data, highlighting certain aspects over others, and imposing a value structure onto the facts) Anyway, so far greatly enjoy your content, and even if you don't change anything, I'll plan on sticking around! So, here's to a successful 2026!

Also late to the conversation. I agree quality over quantity. I appreciate your videos aren't just movie/tv reviews but dialogues with the subject—not just reviewing TNG but exploring personhood with the characters reflecting on who/what Data is. My biggest Star Trek question: is their vision of Earth (unified government, end of war, elimination of money) theoretically achievable, or does human nature make utopia impossible, making it truly "no-place?" I think the TNG episode where they unfreeze the three people from the 20th century could be a good launchpoint (s01e26).

I’m late this convo as I just joined, but I’m going to echo a lot of what the folks below in saying, and that it’s the quality of your work, not the quantity that drew me to your channel. I don’t consider what you do “content” in the way that your material is meant to take up my free time. I’ve been watching your videos with purpose and look forward to seeing more education and analysis made with heart. If you can do more/week with the same passion, knock yourself out. I would just hate for it to become “content.” As far as topics - you could expand upon individual works of art and look at the breadth of work from specific storytellers and their unique vision and style. You speak to it in your LotR videos to a degree with Tolkien, but this could be applied to your love of Hitchcock for example. A sort of “diving into the brain” of a storyteller to maybe get a glimpse of how they see the world.

This is me projecting, but I might burn out pretty quick making 2 video essays per week. A couple ideas to change it up if you do decide to up the pace: 1. Collaborations. Find other youtubers in the same space and do shared research and separate takes, or they do an essay on the editing and you do the story. I'm not sure, but I think the goal is to promote more great voices and connect audiences. 2. Interviews. I'm not sure who all you can get for free. But I'd love you to talk to writers and dig into their choices and philosophy. If you could snag some of the TNG writers, hot damn, I'd watch those all day.

I actually thought about your channel last night, because I was watching, as it turns out, Star Trek Voyager, and they use the phrase “leave some breadcrumbs” which I’m fairly certain comes from the old story of Hansel and Gretel. (Even though some of the variations say it was white pebbles.) is an interesting turn of phrase that is attributable to a non-Shakespeare story, which is unusual.

1. IMO TNG was the best Star Trek. 2. As for making more videos, in terms of the mental aspect of it, as long as it doesn't kill your passion or really turn it into a job. I'd rather see less, more passionately created, videos than more for the sake of more.

Your videos fall in a rare category, where social wellness is promoted in an entertaining, positive way. I'm really happy about this. You've got something special. I fully understand that my $1 a month only carries so much authority with it, I am mindful of that. More generally, thank you for breathing new life into ideas as old as storytelling itself. Here's to a healthy, happy, and refreshing 2026. Wherever you, the artist, choose to take this channel, I think I'll be here for it. Your work is an expression of your agency, so it's fantastic! In nature, nothing lasts forever, so I'm happy this happened at all. Thank you for your time, love, and care. I'm starting to make videos about linguistic ideas, making examples of particular narratives. So, for example, my first video was about a short story by Edgar Allan Poe which was totally driven by choices in syntax. It was a school project at first, but I realize that it could be the template for something more. I don't know if it will catch on. I do know that seeing your channel find a place in the world has positively inspired me. :)

Happy new year to you as well. I don't have much to say about the amount of content you make. You make it, I watch it, unless it has spoilers for something new I haven't seen yet. Just don't burn out on me. I think TNG resonates with us because it is just so unapologetically optimistic. We are all desillusioned and cynical. We love em because they aren't. there is almost no irony, sarcasm, self referential nonsense... it's pure. I would love more video game stuff. I know you made some (3 videos I think). There is a lot of good storytelling in video games. It's different, but it is worth looking at, even as a one of video. I know that everybody who has a channel made a video about Dark Souls, but it is very unique in terms of storytelling, specifically how it refuses to give the player the plot, every character is unreliable, no one knows anything for certain, etc. This is especially interesting given how video games tend to be very plot heavy and light on themes. The original Dark Souls is the opposite. Disco elysium is basically an interactive book, it has some fantastic subversive or even abstract writing, and whoever engages with it loves it. #artcop #hobocop You talk a lot about Star Wars, by far the best story, characters, and general exploration of Star Wars as a universe is in Knight of the old Republic II (not the first one, that's just go old Star Wars). Generally you can't go wrong with whatever Obsidian makes, they are great at this. I think their South Park Stick of Truth is by far the best videogame based on a movie or TV show. They just made a south Park episode playable.

Hi Andrew, I really enjoy your videos, both the novel/offbeat ones and those dealing with classic/beloved franchises. Your calm tone, well-informed insights, and constructive criticism make your work both unique and first-rate. If I could offer two ideas for videos, one would be the implications and morality of archeology-themed adventure stories across time. When I was a kid (I think we’re about the same age), Indiana Jones was almost as popular as Star Wars, but now the franchise has seemingly run out of gas everywhere except video games. On a related note, I’ve long thought it’s no coincidence that just about all attempts at contemporary-set archeology-themed adventure stories (Congo, Tomb Raider, Uncharted, the Tom Cruise Mummy) have been artistic failures. (The Da Vinci Code and National Treasure movies are the arguable exceptions, and they notably all take place in Western cities, and have comparatively little violence.) Are the aesthetics and narrative shortcuts of modern technology simply incompatible with these kinds of stories, or do evolving cultural attitudes play just as important a role? Second idea: I’ve yet to see just about anyone in media or YouTube *really* grapple with the character of Kylo Ren. The Force Awakens tells us that Leia, Han, and Luke let their only child/nephew fall to the Dark Side because Snoke (later Palpatine) “whispered in his ear,” and… that’s it? No elaboration whatsoever? (Johnson, tellingly, didn’t even attempt to flesh this out.) I’m perpetually astounded that Abrams and Co. expected Star Wars fans and the general public to “just go with” this horrific tragedy and monumental failure, and many did, at least at the time. Even apart from the total absurdity of Kylo basically praying to the ghost of Darth Vader (does he really not know how Anakin’s story ended?), what did the Dark Side have to offer a presumably well-loved child? Even George Lucas, for all his writing faults, knew Anakin had to be motivated by the clear and compelling fear of losing his wife and gestating children in order to embrace evil. Anyhow, that’s all I’ve got for now; thanks for reading, and Happy 2026!

Congrats on your success this year! I somehow stumbled onto your channel in early 2024 and have always been baffled that you didn't have more subscribers, but it seems that people are catching on now. Since you're asking for suggestions, I DO recommend putting your actual face in video thumbnails for new uploads as well as old ones. I can't tell you how many times I've accidentally skipped over your videos while browsing without realizing it was you. I think the people who dig your work the most are the ones who dig YOUR specific take on any given topic and aren't just mindlessly consuming media for nostalgia or whatever. Anyway, it's a simple optimization that doesn't really change your content at all and would have a worthwhile return on investment. I've been doing YouTube stuff full-time since 2014 and learned a while back that human faces cut through algorithm noise harder than anything else. Redoing thumbnails for the 50+ videos you have is obviously a time consuming endeavor, so I'm happy to help out for free or at least recommend a thumbnail editor.

I have no notes, only wanted to say that I am very happy with your work and grateful for it:).

I can't remember what was the video that captured my attention and I love that you make video about whatever you like. Your channel is at the top of the list of my most viewed channels in 2025. I've not ever remotely considered to become a patreon before stumbling in your channel.

Happy New Year! Two videos a week sounds great. My wife and I have watched most of your videos and we always look forward to new ones now. I sent some to my dad and brother too and they both said they enjoyed them. You always engage with the material in an interesting way but it never comes off as unnecessarily critical. I think that is really what sets your channel apart. There are so many channels out there that really try to capitalize on people’s negativity about new content and it’s obvious that isn’t something you do. Keep it up. For suggestions I just really would like to see more LOTRs videos, they’ve become my favorite. Also, one on the first season of the Mandalorian would be great. Just recently rewatched it and I’m sure you’d have a lot of interesting things to say about it. Thanks!

I joined after your ranking of the nine Star Wars Intros. Many thanks to the Laughing Squid blog for introducing me to your videos. I like the channel for many reasons. Obviously, there's the subject matter. Your choice of IP covers many of my favorites. I also appreciate your positive attitude. You might be critical of something, but you are hardly negative. Sad to say, that's fresh in today's content environment. More technically, I appreciate the lack of cuts in your edits. You are able to just talk to the camera in a coherent and comfortable way. Finally, and more selfishly, I've been slowly chipping away at a story of my own. I appreciate resources talking about the craft of storytelling itself. I would actually love more on that side, if you think you have any insight to give. General advice about writing rather than analysis of an existing work. You mentioned the "ticking clock" near the end of the Pluribus video. I'm familiar with that term from other works about writing. Your viewers (like me!) might enjoy a discussion of common, or not so common, elements of story & plot.

It may have been STNG episodes got me here (especially Q). Even the subjects that don't particularly interest me are informative and 'may' get me interested in those series, or not. But I am still open to watching everything. I did like the one about Aesop Fables and other open ended subjects. Your delivery and content is very appealing. Thank you for a great channel.

Very happy to hear about the channels success this year. One topic I would love to hear you delve into, is the author Hunter s. Thompson. I know he's not known for doing narratives so much per se. But he has this undeniable way of writing some things so beautifully or profoundly and I can't wrap my head around how he did it. Cheers 🥂

I love the content. I think part of the reason that I love it is that you clearly enjoy talking about it. Watching your content feels like I'm learning from someone who loves what they're doing. Chasing some growth isn't necessarily bad, as long as you continue to enjoy making your content. So, don't burn yourself out. Happy new year!

For the quality (production, writing) of content you make I would happily pay $5-$10 a month, even for 2-4 videos a month. I love the TNG episodes but I also love the LotR and music stuff. I watched the Inner Light video you did for a second time recently and even that brought tears to my eyes. Good job. Finally, as someone who just quit his day job to do creative work, I really hope it happens for you. Finally, if I might suggest future videos, I'd love more general science fiction, how it reveals what it means to be human, and especially smaller stuff (philosophy, language, etc). And yeah awesome small sci-fi and fantasy are always welcome. Keep it up and have a great new year!