[Re-watch S1]
As soon as I saw YouTube and Facebook sharing a new song from S2E1, I told my partner it was time to rewatch S1. We remember it (especially me; not a week has gone by without listening to at least one song from HH for a year), but like many good shows, some information was hidden in the second or third installment. Or we were given a short scene or a smiley face that should be treated as a sneak peek. Fight scenes, detailed discussions of mental health issues, the internal coherence of complex characters... It's all too logical to be a coincidence. And then there are the small scenes that will probably develop in the future. Or we can feast our eyes on details not found in similar series. I still think it's one of the best animations for adults. And if you treat this cartoon as a vivisection of the twists and turns of the human soul and our problems, it's the second best show I've ever seen. Netflix's Dark is still in first place, although it's a 3-season series and Vivienne is just getting started.
Why do I love this cartoon so much? There are plenty of reasons, but if anyone asks about the main one... It's an episode dedicated to Husk and Angel Dust from Season 1. The link is above this paragraph. When that scene came on, I focused on the facial expressions of the best adult film actor in hell. I kept saying out loud: "This is the truth! This scene so accurately portrayed reality! This is exactly the kind of inner hell millions of people experience every day!" Although sometimes you might get the impression that these people are faking it, it's not... Well, not entirely. Our inner selves are different. Yes, sometimes we do it on purpose, but mostly it stems from disorders, frustration, ignorance of ourselves and our emotions. Vivienne showed the truth about both sides, without giving a damn about the opinions of the left or the right. Taking into account the valid conclusions and myths of both sides. And the song "Loser," which sums it all up. It brilliantly demonstrates Husk's maturity, who isn't much different from his new friend. Husk, in this case, is someone who has worked through at least some of their problems and knows how to help someone who doesn't like themselves. Everyone can find a piece of themselves in them. I can say the same about any character who has been given some time to themselves. And if that's unbelievable, I recommend Season 1 of Euphoria. It deals with similar themes, but in a slightly different way.
I wouldn't be myself if I didn't mention the power dynamic. This one is perfect, just like in FMA. Watching the final episode of Season 1, I had the exact same thoughts I had last year. My partner was surprised when we saw Lucifer for the first time. I told her, "You'll see, he's a real jerk, despite his ridiculous appearance and personality." And it turned out to be true – Sir Pentious is a mediocrity who dies from Adam's fart. Alastor can hurt and even, IMO, kill Adam if he acts like a jerk. But as soon as he activates his "serious mode," he kills the Radio Demon in a few blows. I'm not surprised Lucifer treats Alastor like an insignificant guy. He overwhelmed Adam with his power without breaking a sweat.
[S2 Review]
How's Season 2 doing? I'll present my opinion a bit differently than I usually do. We usually binge-watch, but with shows like this, I prefer to dose my enjoyment. We don't have enough outstanding pop culture works to mindlessly consume.
[Episode 1]
I'll start with Baxter. As I said in the comments on the Season 2 preview, I didn't like his design. Admittedly, I didn't like the second new character either, but I haven't seen her yet. Vivienne caught my attention when she talked about the difference between a scientist and an inventor. While these professions have some similarities (like some engineers and surgeons—they require similar skills. Just like... professional drivers and e-gamers), there are many more differences between them. A note from episode 6: overall, Baxter didn't add much of his own. The Cherrybomb scene, the interactions with Husk. There could have been more, but I'm not complaining. They'll probably expand on that in the next season.
I haven't seen the episode where Vox visits the Hotel yet, but I'm willing to bet (again) that Vivienne won't miss the opportunity to expose the pathologies of the media and entertainment industry. Just as a dozen or so years ago, the negative impact of entertainment on people was denied (some groups even called it a conspiracy theory), we now know what it looks like. Those selling entertainment escapism "boost" the potency of their stimulants, just like sellers of illegal drugs. Because they can. Television and entertainment executives have provided thousands of arguments to support this. S2E1 showed that Vivienne knows her stuff. Painful hair removal for women. Even for those whose profession doesn't involve exposing their intimate parts. I've heard a few times how a scandal broke out because they ordered a TV presenter, models, etc., to shave their "mouse" (a line from the Hazbin Hotel). The rest of the references to the pathology of this "segment of the economy" are more or less understandable. Generally, the entertainment, porn, music, and fashion industries are ruthless in various ways. They capture people, inflate their egos, turn them into stars. Then they eat them, digest them, and expel them down the toilet. Literally and figuratively. The "young asses" who will earn much more money and are easier to manipulate are already standing behind the door.
So far, my favorite song (after two episodes) is "Hazbin Guarantee." Not only because of the pace and quality of the song, but also because of the numerous details we often don't get in more expensive animated musicals. Yes, most of them are merely cosmetic, but you can add some extra jokes, and... watching things like that is a lot of fun! "Once We Get Up There," the second song, is also good, but I felt a little forced. I didn't feel it as strongly as I did with "Sera's Confession," but I won't pretend. It definitely has a cool retro vibe from the days when television was as powerful as the internet is today.
As soon as I saw the scene at the end of episode 1, I immediately felt its "double meaning." Charlie experiences cognitive dissonance and is overwhelmed by Emily's information. The second, in my opinion, is her own commentary on her artistic journey. Like the author of this series, I've received various comments about my book—both praise and criticism. From people I consider smarter than me... And guess who's right, haha!!! If someone says it's an overinterpretation—perhaps, but not without merit. The colleagues who showed me Hazbin Hotel talked about Vivienne's numerous problems selling this concept to Prime, Netflix, etc. The author also doesn't hide certain references. The scene with Charlie should be shown to aspiring artists as a textbook response to conflicting signals. I've heard the exact same conclusions many times from completely different artists (in terms of worldview). While watching the music video, I also noticed the plot with the girl. The clash of a fast and fruitful career vs. a long, arduous pursuit of a goal. The first is easier, the second is often full of mistakes.
[Episode 2]
Let me start by saying that I like how Vivienne portrayed Sera's doubts. I don't want to overstate things, but I don't think I've ever seen a scene like this so well executed. She masters facial expressions, silence (even if it "only" depicts her indecision, it turned out brilliantly!), precise word choice, and her approach to the Holy Spirit (the dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Bible). Therefore, I suspect we don't know everything about her pact with Adam yet. It's not that she supports the murder of sinners, but perhaps she considers it a sad necessity. I think the Holy Spirit is aware of this. Maybe I'm overinterpreting, but his (or her?) reaction seems to suggest he's "waiting" for Sera's full confession. Then again, it's not necessarily the Holy Spirit. My friend Paweł, one of those who encouraged me to watch this series, said that Vivienne doesn't want to directly portray God. So, she may be his messenger, and the "bird element" is just a cosmetic effect showing that she "comes directly from God."
The song "Like You" reminds me of pop music from 20, 25 years ago. The days of Britney Spears and other sweet pop stars. Sir Pentious in Heaven... How sweet... Eh, it's not for me xD. But I appreciate the comedic value, the portrayal of "longing for familiar poverty" (she did it brilliantly again), and yet another bit of bittersweet truth about life. And, as always, respect for how the Bible and the Catholic religion depict Heaven. Totally chill. I saw a few references to the description from the Holy Book.
When it comes to Gravity, Lute's storyline is as close to my heart as Angel Dust. I also felt hatred towards certain people. It's a strong and destructive feeling. Seriously, if anyone feels the same way, I recommend changing it. Hatred kills the soul, and revenge achieves nothing... Besides additional troubles or an empty heart. Some might say these are "big words," I'd say it's a fairly common problem, one that many people don't see. I completely understood Lute's feelings and the frustration that drives her down the path to destruction. Adam's return is a very cool motif. The character has some development, but it doesn't have any further impact on the story. And it fits Lute's mental state perfectly. That sexual scene from the music video showed this quite tastefully and expressively.
[Episode 3]
This episode proves I wasn't mistaken about Charlie's character. The Princess of Hell behaves like a leftist, overly naive, and spoiled girl. She's also unbearably selfish, but beautiful people are allowed to do more (the halo effect). It's not her fault; that's her built-in Modus Operandi (Method of Operation). People with big egos aren't like that through their own fault. Yes, they're stuck in it, yes, they're aware of their problems, but they have to get burned a few times to fully understand it. Then there's that scene where Angel Dust is persuaded to sacrifice herself for the good of the Hotel. If I hadn't seen such women in person, I probably would have considered it an exaggeration. Besides, let's not forget that she lost someone close to her. And since she's highly sensitive, she treats Pentious like a longtime friend. And that's what Vox was for. I had different expectations for this storyline, but it turned out definitely well. Vivienne has fed Vox enough references to television and its manipulative methods. She lets herself be led by Vox's nose like a college student with significant love deficits by a seasoned 30-year-old. Basically, everyone at VoxTec dragged Charlie down to their level and then overworked her with experience. Unfortunately, the song "Speedrun to Redemption" is another forced track. I hope Vivienne learns her lesson before the next season.
[Episode 4]
Episode 4 had something I'd been waiting for since Adam beat the shit out of Alastor. I expected Vox to be stronger, but showing him as a hyper-hyper-fanatic (that fucking crazy look!) was also awesome. I think my second prediction is accurate – Valentino seems to be more powerful than Vox. None of Television's attacks impressed Radio Demon, even though he was attacking him with all his might. Moth took the fight quite lightly. He felt Alastor's attack, Nifty gave him some trouble, but in the end, he was in pretty good shape. Okay, Television wasn't tired after the fight either, but... If I had to bet money, I'd be willing to bet Valentino is more powerful in terms of raw strength. I happened to predict a few things from Hazbin Hotel – for example, Vox's homosexuality. I did change my mind after rewatching (in my S1 review, I said there was a scene suggesting that TV was giving Valentino a blowjob), but it turned out I was ultimately right. Vivienne is too logical. However, some of my arguments could also be refuted. Valentino, despite the foundation provided by Seasons 1 and 2, is primarily unintelligent. Furthermore, his brain and dopamine system are deregulated by sex with both sexes, drugs, and alcohol. And since I'm on the subject of guesses and 18+ topics, I think Niffty is... Or I'll skip it, as the theory is controversial. I've told a few people, maybe in 2027 we'll find out if I was right. I mention this because Vivienne dropped a few extra crumbs this season.
I also had a run-in with Cannibal Woman. When she appeared in Season 1, my partner and I complained about the brief, slight drop in quality. I told Asia that this was necessary. It's not because anyone wants to make a weaker show; there's a different reason. When we create a work that we want to develop into a series, we have to throw in a few storylines "later." A simple example: Skypiea in One Piece. While fans mainly complain about the anime, the manga has also been criticized for a few things. The author himself admitted he made a mistake by introducing Enel so early in the story. Such scenes don't always work, but they're always memorable. Or another scene from One Piece, also crucial to the entire story and just as forced: Luffy and Zoro's encounter with Blackbeard. I wanted to write about this in the first post, but the final song from Season 1 confused me. His flashbacks didn't surprise us; Asia and I expected him to be a murderer. If it weren't for that unnecessary song at the end, I'd say this was the best episode so far. Valentino's final conclusion was a brilliant summary: "So start fucking!"
[Episodes 5 and 6]
I didn't expect this, but for the first time, I have to praise Vox. Honestly and wholeheartedly. Looking back on the entire season, this is my biggest surprise. His performance is consistent and coherent. Vivienne managed to write him in a terrifying way. Even though Alastor regularly makes fun of him, I believe in Vox's devilish determination to do anything to prove him wrong. He's such a corrupt soul that nothing moves him when he lies. And he lies constantly. Pardon the understatement—he twists his lies in every way. He manipulates with such skill that his opponents' words cut them like a hammer to the face. A morbid perfectionism when it comes to body language. This is especially evident when Alastor lashes out at his fragile ego. He does it perfectly, waiting for the right moment. Then he strikes a chord, and Vox plays his game. Compare this to scenes where Vox knows he can take a risk. I've seen characters like this before, but Vivienne, as usual, did a masterful job. Vox literally seethes and howls with all the negative behaviors I mentioned. And on top of that, it's a damn good exploitation of the trope that television producers love to create shows oozing with opulence. Both in Poland and the US, television executives love to measure their dicks, seeing who will spend the most on, for example, a New Year's Eve party. The way she treats allies and potential allies is further proof of this thesis. Some would call him a cunt (in this context, a coward and a weak individual), but Vox is somewhere between a cunt and a serious enemy. He's pathetic, but not pathetic enough to be ignored. Television pretends as long as it can, then stabs you in the back and does its thing. Vox Populi!!!
By the way, I understand that comparisons to Trump are obvious, but they're not entirely justified. Vox is an amalgam of traits/slogans/things associated with Hitler, Communism, Capitalism, Trump, the left, the right, a nation that cannot be criticized. But above all, he's the embodiment of everything we associate with the television industry in its heyday. Even his hat alludes to something TV-related. An additional argument for this thesis is that Vivienne parodies all of pop culture. Apart from what I've already mentioned, television presenters and everything associated with them, the display of emotions through television/radio signals. Everything Vox showed in the series I saw in real life as a child or teenager, at a time when the US was culturally conquering a large part of the world. Vox himself is, you name it, the typical "top face of a major television network that hosts all the most profitable programs." Like a seasoned politician or a particularly adept salesman, he can not only ride a wave but also (can) influence its course under the right circumstances. And Vox farms his aura like a whore! Broly from Dragon Ball would be interested in seeing this at times. Vivienne combined it all incredibly organically, and although I can't stand Vox, I can't criticize him. He tried hard on every front, so he deserved it. I'd like to see an alternate version of Vox and Lucifer's meeting. One in which God punished the fallen angel differently. I'd like to see Vox shit his pants in fear and then have his head swell up like Adam after his solo with Lucifer. By the way, the Fallen Angel is wasted as the most powerful being in Hell. He would make a great showman.
During this season, I told two colleagues that Season 2 relies more on clichés. The storytelling is formulaic, but that's one of many methods. It depends on how we use it. Even though Vox is afraid of Sera (at least that's what I think from his body language), seeing the Angels retreat, he pushes against them even harder. This causes pride to literally pour out of every orifice in his body. Contrary to appearances, it takes a big ego and balls to remain a son of a bitch until the very end. The scene is also a nice commentary on the eternal conflict between rich and poor. This kind of injustice is the daily bread of humanity. Slavery, murder, theft of resources are still commonplace on Earth. Consider contemporary examples, such as the cobalt mine disaster in Africa two or three weeks ago. Or selling a child to a brothel, as is still happening in India (or in Europe—many female workers in Spanish brothels were sold there by non-European parents). In the case of the HH thread, it was even worse. They made a basket out of sweets that you can buy at Poundland (a UK chain of stores selling cheap items, sweets, and fizzy drinks that are close to their expiration date or spoiled). "Erm, you know what? We fucked up your family, we fucked up your country... It happens, life is shit. You have candy, enjoy. Yummy yummy. If you eat it, fuck off, you stink XD" Sera obviously didn't mean that, but that's one of the first thoughts everyone has.
Husk needed a clip of the episode for himself. Initially, I was critical of it, but the day after watching it, I changed my mind. The music video fits his personality. He's an "ordinary" person who doesn't really stand out in any way. He's a middle-aged alcoholic who just wants to have some peace and quiet and occasionally get drunk. This adds an extra layer of connection between Angel Dust and Husk. I feel the same way about Easy's music video—Charlie and Veggie needed a scene like this. As I mentioned, Charlie is asexual, like the heroes of battle-shounen movies, so a teen pop scene combined with a very light touch of eroticism is a good fit. Vivienne knows how to weave the characters' personality and behavior into the music video's action. Easy tells everything about their relationship—honest, yet very fairytale-like. I don't like it because I don't like Charlie's character archetype, but I can't criticize it. It's good, coherent, and consistent. This is also evident in Veggie's character. Her behavior is reminiscent of a girl with a liberal approach to sex who's tired of it and needs affection above all else. She was Adam's lover, moves in an erotic way, and looks at Charlie with that same gaze. Veggie plays the male role in this lesbian relationship. Unfortunately, there are too many songs! In some episodes (let's assume that's the case), three are fine, but for most, "that third" was unnecessary. That said, we got more brilliant songs. I don't know my tier list yet, but the top three are definitely Vox x Lucifer, Gravity, and Hazbin Guarantee. My partner praised Gravity and Vox Populi the most.
[Episodes 7 and 8]
While the penultimate episode was relatively consistent, the last one... Ugh, everything fell apart due to the excessively fast pace. While it didn't bother me THAT MUCH in the previous episodes, here I was overwhelmed from a certain point. Yes, this season is less consistent than season 1, but honestly, it didn't bother me. The pacing isn't exactly a major drawback of HH, in my opinion. The finale was rushed, and some of the dialogue was exceptionally poorly written... Seriously, this is the worst episode in this regard. It was as if Vivienne drafted the story, made her own edits, and released the episode without consulting anyone. Every writer or creator should do this for several reasons. Primarily because 1+1=3. In other words, another person can suggest a good idea. My partner or proofreader inspired me to write several truly successful subchapters. With a single sentence, and sometimes with a single word. The other person also has a colder, more merciless perspective, and writers often don't like that.
I was shocked that such a clever writer would do such a thing. Only a few titles are brilliantly written, like seasons 1 and 2 of The Boardwalk Empire, three seasons of House of Cards, and dozens of other works of art. Hazbin ranks very high in my personal rankings. Yes, sometimes the script is too naive, but generally that stems from Charlie and the adopted narrative. It's a fairytale cartoon and musical. Apart from that, Vivienne is usually quite consistent. At least from what I can see. Sure, she has her flaws; after all, we don't work as psychologists or biblical scholars, but I'd have to think really hard before I could find anything to criticize her for. Besides the occasional lazy writing. In Season 1, it didn't bother me, but here... Well, a few threads could have been written better, but I disagree with the author's strong criticism. I think Vivienne can be forgiven for minor issues.
As for the power of friendship... Aside from the fact that, in my opinion, it's deliberately saccharine (which fits the convention and context, IMO. Aside from the fact that Vivienne cleverly resolved this thread), it presented this theme well. It fits the series and what it wants to convey. Yes, there are sinners in Hell, but I treat it as an element of "dry, exaggerated reality." I think it serves a metaphor. For example, to show that everyone sins. I don't know how to put it, it's simply an element of convention. The theme of love was, IMO, consistently applied. To show that Hell isn't just filled with bad people. On both sides, the inhabitants of Hell manage the problem on their own. To showcase Emily's power. A charming music video that ties together the threads, but unfortunately, due to their poor development, they lack the impact they deserve. It logically fits with the rest... I simply have no reason to complain.
Okay, now that I've got the ending part of the story behind me, let's... go back to episode 8. I'll start from the end. The fight with Valentino disappointed me. That's my headcanon (the solution in my head when the author leaves things unsaid) – Moth was after a several-hour session of filming porn movies combined with drugs. It was so poorly choreographed that even the finale with Angel lacked any impact, IMO. Seriously, I didn't feel it. Even if I'm writing fanfiction, I think Val in his CherryBomb & Husk state (prepared for a fight to the death) should have won against them. Speaking of inconsistencies... Alastor's contract. When I saw Alastor breaking his contract with the Cannibal in such a way, then... Sigh, this plot could be salvaged, but I don't believe it will happen. Sorry, but a solution straight out of a worse episode of Bleach or Naruto is not what I want to see in Hazbin Hotel. If she wanted to end it that way, it should have been handled differently. Because it turns out Alastor is a goddamn 5D chess master. Even greater than Palpatine in George Lucas' prequels. He was given immense power, even though he ended up where he would have ended up anyway. XD "Come on, learn the ropes. Didn't Vox teach you?" I thought to myself as the demon walked away from his master.
Problems are also evident in other threads. I don't have a problem with most of them, as they didn't fall under my radar. I assume most of the mistakes stem from the original script calling for 20 episodes. Given that, I understand the issues with cuts. Fortunately, a second season will likely solidify this series' popularity. I see this in the popularity of Gravity. Furthermore, the success of Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters is a significant factor. Of course, these are two different themes, but they are united by the music, sometimes similar aesthetics, set design, costumes, and otherness/exoticism (the kids grew up in a completely different reality than we do). I won't rate it because I have no idea how to give it. I'm wavering between a 7/10 and a slightly overstated 8/10. When it comes to favorite songs, my top 5 looks like this: 1. Vox Populi (for the part with Lucifer) 2. Hazbin Guarantee (Trust Us) 3. Vox Dei 4. Hear my Hope 5. Like You (so sweet it makes me want to puke, but it has a nice atmosphere xD).
Pros: The animation and art have improved noticeably. Watching the characters' rich facial expressions is a fucking joy! Some of the songs are pure gold (though "Hell is Forever" is still the best). Vox is the best archetype of this type of character I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the final fight with Alastor is a chaotic blob and falls short compared to the battle with Adam. Luckily, we got a fight with the Unholy Trinity, which makes up for it. Good character development and the Angel Dust x Husk relationship. God's punishment for Lucifer... I feel ya' bro. The only worse punishment for me would be going to heaven; I'd suffer like Pentious XD.
Cons: Too many songs. Some storylines could have been handled better. Some characters were underdeveloped. The final episode was rushed and poorly written. The Lilith storyline was unnecessarily escalated, but in this case, I'm giving it a pass. What I can't pass on is Lute's storyline. The beginning was brilliant, the development interesting, and the resolution... If it weren't for Abel's transformation, it would have been utterly hopeless. I don't like him, but Vivienne portrayed the archetype of Catholic masculinity well, which somewhat sweetens the disastrous ending of Lute's storyline. And the Alastor x Cannibal plotline was ruined by the end.