Thinking About True Clowns is the sixth episode of season 3 of Adventuring Party, which features the main cast. They answer fan questions following the eighth episode of The Unsleeping City: Chapter II.
Guests[]
Cast[]
Crew[]
- Ryan Green
Highlights[]
This episode of Adventuring Party offers a behind-the-scenes look at episodes 7 and 8 of The Unsleeping City: Chapter II. While it doesn't focus solely on Episode 7, “Parade of Peril”, the cast discusses key moments and concepts from that episode, particularly the memorable fight with the "true clowns".
Questions Asked[]
From Allison: "Who is the mythic Ryan y'all are addressing? I'm sure whatever it is they're doing, they're doing an excellent job."
- Ryan Green is the tech person for Dimension 20, working behind the scenes to ensure the show runs smoothly. Brennan describes him as an "amazing tech" and "an incredible part of the Dimension 20 family".
- Brennan recounts anecdotes of various Dungeons & Dragons personalities who have worked with Ryan, each expressing their admiration and gratitude. Some of their comments include:
- "My God, Ryan saved my dog."
- "Ryan's my godfather."
- "He saved me from a lake that I was drowning in."
- While these statements are likely exaggerations, they underscore Ryan's perceived helpfulness and competence. The cast do not provide specific details about Ryan's technical responsibilities or his contributions to the show, but his consistent presence behind the scenes and the cast's positive remarks suggest he plays a significant role in Dimension 20's success.
From Morgan E. Lavandowska: “How did all of you feel by the heavy implication of an ANGEL BABY? Emily, how difficult was it in reading this development given the potential complications that could cause for both Sofia's sobriety and engaging in combat?”
- Emily and Brennan anticipated this twist but Emily got sidetracked thinking about bringing Dale back instead. When she decided to pursue that, she thought the angel baby storyline was off the table, but then it returned.
- Murph initially suspected it, but the timing surprised him.
- Brennan said it took time for the story to develop naturally.
- Emily speculated that with an angel baby, pregnancy could be obvious.
- Brennan jokingly suggest that Zac imagine the moment of peeing a feather, but painful
- Emily said they had to think through Sofia's menstrual cycle to figure out when she'd realize she was pregnant.
- Brennan said it led to some hilarious texts about fertility.
- Emily said they navigated that, and mechanics regarding sobriety and combat. She assured viewers the story would address those issues humorously soon.
- Brennan assured viewers that the story wouldn’t dive into dark themes with Sofia’s pregnancy, so, no content warning would be necessary.
From Avery Hart: “Siobhan is amazing at capturing the experience of an immigrant mother, right down to her mannerisms. How was it playing Madame Anastasia, and what did you use as inspiration?”
- Siobhan explains that she lived in Greenpoint and met about ten moms, and jokes that she is a "momspert." Sometimes ideas hit unexpectedly, like knowing which pickles to buy from sweet old ladies.
- Brennan was excited to finally have a mom character. Iga's selfless parenting—trying different approaches to connect with her daughter—resonates deeply.
- Although Siobhan is not a mom, she believes in adapting communication. If kids don't get it, change your approach instead of punishing.
- Zac comments it's a strong parent-child dynamic, wanting to be understood.
- Brennan highlights Iga's early moment about change in New York reflects a classic protagonist struggle—accepting change while holding onto what you love.
- Siobhan names this as The refusal of the call trope.
- Brennan agrees stating The Unsleeping City explores duality—accepting change while preserving the past. Iga's journey with her daughter beautifully embodies this struggle.
From Ray L: “Hey gang, so we have Cody as the Naruto of the group, Ricky is Sasuke. What classic Naruto tropes do the rest of the characters-"
- Emily suggests Sofia is Lady Tsunade.
- Siobhan hasn't seen Naruto.
- Emily initially guesses that Iga could be Pervy Sage (Jiraiya) while Zac suggests Ichimaru.
- Emily decides Shikamaru fits Iga and suggests Cody thinks he's a Shikamaru but is actually Naruto.
- Murph says Cody romanticizes being Sasuke.
- Zac and Murph agree that Pete is Naruto.
- Emily suggests Cody may also be Choji.
- Emily, Zac and Murph discuss that Kingston could be Kakashi or maybe Iruka (who is more nurturing).
- Murph suggests that Ricky has Rock Lee vibes (three-a-days in terms of training sessions). But then also like secret powers inside. Definitely like Sasuke/Naruto type feel. And also being cool. Being effortlessly cool as Sasuke.
- Emily detours and suggests that Fig could be Shikamaru.
- Murph thinks the Bug eye character (Shino) has Cody energy, but is much cooler than Cody is.
From Emergency Santa: "Watching this season has gotten my nerdy brain thinking of some German sociology theory about alienation and acceleration in modern Western society. And this just got me to wonder how do you guys approach/think about creating a cohesive theme in your story when it is as improvised as this? I know you've talked about how to tell a cohesive story when playing off of each other. But I was just wondering if the same considerations go into creating a cohesive, larger theme, or if that even factors into your considerations when telling a story in this format. PS, thank you guys for all the interesting thoughts I have had because of you, that I might not have had otherwise."
- Siobhan mentioned Brechtian Verfremdung, meaning alienation in German.
- Brennan says he's not subtle—whether in D&D or comics. Season themes emerge naturally; you can't avoid them. If you skip themes, you'll end up with unintended morals. He doesn't dictate themes before a season; that could hinder creativity. He prefers discussing genre over theme.
- Siobhan mentioned personal journey is another approach.
- Emily noted that genres, like medieval ones, inherently include themes such as moral elements from the church, as seen in Game of Thrones.
- Murph suggests that prevalent themes reveal smaller, interconnected problems in characters' journeys. For instance, while Cody's superficial issue with the mall seems trivial, it reflects larger themes like Iga's struggles. Each character's experience, whether personal or cultural, highlights these common threads consciously woven into the narrative.
- Siobhan and Murph both included gentrification in their character arcs; hers focused on how her power derives from a changing Greenpoint community.
- Murph noted that even Ricky's loss of his nice guy persona aligns with the theme of loss, akin to how psychics disguise common sense as magic through tricks and illusions.
- Brennan emphasized that telling a mythological story inherently carries the politics of its origin, so current values must be integrated to avoid unintentional themes. He prefers clear messaging over subtlety, stating that for instance, an anticapitalist theme can be represented by making the antagonist a corporation. He acknowledges that analyzing a long, improvised story can be complex, but his approach is to establish broad, engaging themes and then allow for improvisation. Despite the corporate antagonist and a haunting dream entity, the characters grapple with personal isolation in New York City and the decay of neighborhoods. Once filming starts, he focuses on improvisation with cast and crew, trusting that prior setup will allow for organic movement through themes, rather than getting bogged down in thematic analysis.
- Zac argues that as storytellers, our reactions are often instinctively aligned with the theme at hand, as it's rare to encounter unrelated scenes.
- Brennan agrees, praising the group's talent for recognizing recurring shapes and patterns in the story.
- Siobhan argues that planning makes things clichéd and didactic.
- Brennan expresses the challenge of sharing beliefs without coming across as preachy or condescending. He struggles to create a compelling story that resonates without forcefully imposing his views.
- Murph believes creating villains based on real-world parallels ensures authenticity. By drawing from familiar corporate issues, these characters resonate with audiences, reflecting the damage observed in reality.
- Brennan enthusiastically agreed, noting the importance of themes in campaign prep. Instead of outlining them during the initial meeting, he prefers to integrate them into his preparation. Like hitting all the black keys on a piano, setting up these themes in advance allows for smooth improvisation.
From Morgan E. Lavandowska: “Hey gang, as someone who also started with loneliness while living in New York, I really appreciated the scene with JJ. How was it to delve into some of the harder parts of living in New York/just living in general? A little clap for Zac Oyama as Ricky Matsui.”
- The group joke about Ricky's popularity and charming qualities.
- Brennan praised the scene, expressing his love for player-initiated moments, recalling childhood memories of the Macy's Day Parade, and highlighting the impactful, improvised nature of the encounter with JJ. He appreciated Ricky checking in on JJ, noting it was unexpected yet powerful.
- Zac noted it had been a while since recording but recalled feeling that Ricky would likely want to connect with JJ, an indigenous man alone in New York on Thanksgiving,
- Brennan praised Ricky as an exceptional Oath of Redemption paladin, highlighting his selfless actions this season that reflect his kindness in New York, prioritizing helping others over personal peace.
- Zac noted it's easier to make bold choices in a D&D campaign than in real life, like leaving Thanksgiving. Ricky's personality makes such decisions easier for him, unlike other characters who might face judgment from others.
- Brennan expressed that he felt touched when attention was given to one of his NPCs, catching him off guard and making him appreciate the recognition of his character. He appreciated the moment of discovery regarding Tony Simos's situation, highlighting the duality of auras involved. He noted how Ricky, as a newcomer, intelligently navigated complex dynamics without judgment. This resonated with Brennan’s own feelings of magical loneliness from his move to New York at 17, where he initially struggled with isolation, reinforced by a poignant moment watching *The Land Before Time*, leading to an emotional breakdown. New Yorkers chase dreams but often feel lonely. In UCB classes, many express deep isolation; one Texan nearly returned home after eight lonely months. Finding community uplifted him, highlighting the stark reality of loneliness in a crowded city.
- Siobhan said she cried on the subway often.
- Zac found moving to a new place disorienting, missing familiar daily activities and friends, reminiscent of his freshman year in college where he felt lost focusing solely on basic needs.
- Brennan believes the situation breaks people down, particularly JJ's experience with Ricky's friendship, which highlighted Tony's strange behavior. JJ felt bad for his poor judgment, but Tony's attention gave him an opportunity to connect despite JJ's unease after moving to a new community. In moments of vulnerability, like the Holland Tunnel confrontation, Tony’s manipulative nature allows him to exploit JJ’s isolation.
- Murph appreciates the storytelling where Cody and Pete, while playing video games with JJ, are driven by suspicion. Cody watches JJ for self-interest, while Ricky’s genuine concern contrasts with Cody's motives. This dynamic highlights the need for authentic communication, as players can sense manipulation versus true connection, making the storytelling effective and beautiful.
From Thot Topic Manager: “Although Pete was, in parentheses, double question mark, probably joking, the tease of a Sofia/Pete flirtation is interesting. We've never seen a PC romance in "Dimension 20" other than the postscript Rowan/Pete stuff. Is that something you all are philosophically opposed to given the inherent weirdness that can happen or something we could see in the future?"
- Emily and Siobhan express concern that a PC romance could overshadow other storylines and create an imbalance within the party dynamic. Emily suggests that if her and Siobhan's characters were romantically involved, their relationship would become more important than their connections to other PCs, potentially making other players feel sidelined. Siobhan likens this situation to two members of an improv group dating, leading to a shift in focus and a potential sense of exclusion for others.
- Murph points out that introducing a "will they, won't they" dynamic between PCs can limit future storytelling possibilities. He uses the declining popularity of the later seasons of The Office as an example, where the central romantic relationship ultimately constrained the narrative. Emily adds that she would be worried about appearing "self-indulgent" if she and Siobhan constantly focused on their characters' potential romance.
- The cast have a preference for exploring platonic relationships between PCs and reserving romantic storylines for interactions with non-player characters. Brennan notes the "cuteness" of Sofia and Pete's friendship, particularly as they both navigate the challenges of sobriety. Ally highlights Pete's evolving relationship with Iga,
- Siobhan proposes that a PC romance could work if the entire campaign revolved around romance, essentially creating a "rom-com campaign" with mechanics designed to facilitate character pairings. However, this idea is presented as a hypothetical scenario and doesn't reflect the current direction of The Unsleeping City campaign.
From Morgan E Lavandowska: “This episode, we really see the actions of Sofia and Pete have hard consequences for the party, which Sofia navigated wonderfully and diplomatically. How did those consequences affect-"
- Emily does worry about backlash for her character's actions
- Brennan tells Emily that no one should be mad at her—except him, the DM, for her stellar court scene, reminiscent of a pivotal moment in A Crown of Candy. He loved Emily’s performance when Sofia confronts the order; he imagined a chaotic fight, but instead, Sofia firmly critiques the order, collapsing Tony's argument about her. What did you think about the aura reveal in the JJ scene and the court scene?
- Emily felt guilty for the spells she and Pete cast causing frustration. Throughout the court proceedings, she believed it was unjust for Sofia to dominate the monastery space. She wanted Dale’s presence and felt it wrong to take his place. Accepting Dale's death was essential for Sofia's growth, but conflicted with her sobriety journey. Emily acknowledged her gratitude for her training and chose to respect the situation rather than compete for Sofia's position, recognizing the complexities involved.
- Murph highlights the duality of the phrase "it is what it is." While it can encourage acceptance and presence, Tony twists it to justify mistrust and control.
- Emily wanted to respect Cindy by trusting her to handle herself, rather than acting like she needed saving.
- Brennan noted Sofia's status in The Unsleeping City is independent of her affiliation with the order; she was a warlock of La Gran Gata before joining Jackson Wei. He described her as a drunken master monk with pure Staten Island brawler energy. Sofia is deeply loyal to Pete and Kingston, while also connected to Ricky and other champions who endured similar struggles, highlighting her unique position amid their collective experiences.
- Emily expressed significant guilt and anxiety about her character Sofia endangering Pete by introducing Tony. She felt that while Sofia didn’t regret cursing Tony, she regretted having Tony around Pete and recognized her lack of control in the situation, ultimately feeling responsible for putting her friends in danger. This led to a desire for punishment for her perceived failures.
- Brennan shared his love for the phrase "it is what it is," contrasting it with an Australian woman's negative view during his improv class. He argued it's a neutral New York philosophy, unlike the negative "impossible." He connected the phrase to Jackson Wei's speech about the American dream, highlighting how America distorts reality, similar to "The Great Gatsby." He linked this to Donald Trump's flexible relationship with truth and QAnon, suggesting they prioritize perception over reality. He emphasized that "it is what it is" highlights New York as a reality check against national delusions. This season isn't about dreams vs. reality; Kingston and Pete's past conflict was false. While dangers lurk in dreams, there are also whimsical elements and heroes. Tony, a villain, misinterprets "it is what it is.
- Emily felt torn as she grappled with a heartbreaking moment that led her to reconsider bringing Dale back. While part of her believed the story should focus on acceptance, another part yearned to challenge the status quo, driven by a desire for change yet uncertain about her right to pursue it.
- Siobhan mentioned the Angela Davis quote "I'm no longer accepting the things that I can't change. I'm changing the things that I can't accept."
- Emily suggested Sofia might be distancing herself from the monastery out of guilt.
- Murph noted that Sofie's sobriety has become an adrenaline-driven challenge, prompting her to recognize the need for self-improvement. Once she finds comfort in sobriety, the phrase "it is what it is" becomes positive and open to interpretation.
- Emily agreed but noted it wasn't what Sofia needed; she expressed frustration over Dale's death. She said "I live in a magical world. Can I change this?"
- Brennan highlighted a mirror between Iga's character and Sofia's journey, capturing the struggle between holding onto the past and embracing change. Sofia's stance in the concrete monastery symbolizes accepting harsh realities while pursuing dreams. It reflects the duality of life—neither past nor change can solely provide answers, making Sofia’s choice meaningful. The mantra works in some contexts, but isn’t currently Sofia's role, which is beautiful in its own right.
- Emily said Sofia felt good about being yelled at for endangering Pete.
- Brennan loves Sofia and Pete's friendship; they're a great party duo. Ricky and Kingston have similar stable yet uncertain situations, while Iga and Cody unexpectedly bond over shared experiences. It's heartwarming to see Sofia and Pete supporting each other through their dreams.
Trivia[]
- The cast did not record an episode of Adventuring Party after episode 7 and instead took a well-deserved holiday break. Episode questions discussions were therefore lumped in with those from episode 8.
- This episode also features crew member Ryan Green, who has been working on Dimension 20 since Fantasy High: Sophomore Year. He was also the tech for in-house vodcasts like Adventuring Academy.
- Emily, Siobhan and Zac all hold their cats towards the end of the episode