Dan Vs. Heaper's Hangout

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 15:29:05

Heaper's Hangoooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuut

*Ahem*

I've been wanting to post on this for a while and since it seems there's a few fans, I figured it warranted it's own thread.

Friday and I have watched the first season and about half of the second. My initial expectation was that it was going to be about an ineffectual misanthrope seeking revenge against various things. I was mostly right, only "ineffectual" needs to be removed from the list.

This brings me to one of the many reasons Friday and I like the series so much. It's incredibly unpredictable. While it follows a fairly straight-forward pattern of "Something makes Dan angry, Dan spends the episode seeking revenge", how his revenge plays out is often surprising and sometimes Dan's wild, outlandish theories turn out to be correct (in fact, it was pretty much guaranteed any crazy thing Dan said would turn out to be true for about the first half of season one).

The unpredictability and dark humor have given me some of the biggest laughs I've had from a TV show in years, usually after I spend a few seconds gaping at the screen trying to process what I just saw or heard.

One thing I found interesting was Dan's, Elise's, and Chris's relationship with each other.

At first Chris seems crazy to even HAVE a friend like Dan in his life and Elise seems crazier for letting him or even encouraging him to go on these often dangerous and illegal revenge schemes.

Eventually, things focus a bit more and it's clear that Chris doesn't really have any other friends, or indeed any particularly interesting traits except for being a huge pushover. Which means he's sort of stuck with Dan. We also learn much about Elise establishing why she's probably a bit more tolerant of Dan and ALSO that she's prone to taking advantage of Chris.

This has lead to few uncomfortable kick the dog moments for me where either Dan, Elise, or BOTH push things a little far, but th's pretty much my only gripe in an otherwise incredibly great cartoon.

Fingers crossed that we at least get another half season.

Yarrun XIX · 2013-08-30 15:31:52

My favorite will always be the Dentist episode.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 15:37:08

Given that Mark Hamill was doing his "sane, but still evil Joker" voice, I should have seen it coming how things would turn out.

But nope, caught me completely off guard, and was hilarious for it.

Yarrun XIX · 2013-08-30 15:39:49

Holy smokes, that was Mark Hamill?

That was Mark Hamill!

Yarrun XIX · 2013-08-30 15:41:19

I stopped watching at the reintroduction of Dan's Burger Girlfriend. I'm pretty sure that, whatever happened in that episode, it destroyed Dan emotionally, so I'm kind of disinclined to watch it. Dan's not easy to empathize with, but...you pity the little rage gremlin.

Salix Babylonika · 2013-08-30 15:45:39

This show was described to me as "the angry video game nerd, but animated, and about everything" so I've yet to watch it.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 15:47:06

A Deviant Artist has managed to get me shipping Dan and human!Pinkie Pie.

Provided she's never given a love interest in MLP, my new, ridiculous ship is probably safe forever since it seems unlikely Dan will never get a girlfriend.

The thing with Hortence was kinda amusing in that she moved 20 miles away at the end of the Burgerphile episode, meaning it wouldn't exactly have taken either her or Dan much effort to maintain the relationship.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 16:13:44

Admittedly, I was a little sad that things with him and Hortence didn't work out. Even if it was for silly reasons.

It'd made for an oddly romantic moment between Dan and Hortence, however.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 17:11:30

Mojave Music said:
This show was described to me as "the angry video game nerd, but animated, and about everything" so I've yet to watch it.

I've never watched "The Angry Video Game Nerd".

Though I can say that Dan vs has won an Emmy and been nominated for more.

Also watching the first episode should be a pretty good indication of if it's your thing or not.

Yarrun XIX · 2013-08-30 17:24:53

AVGN's a bit more caustic.

Dan vs is less about Dan hating stuff and more about the shenanigans that occur because he hate stuff.

nohaynicklibre · 2013-08-30 17:30:18

Dan Vs Capcom

Hexartes · 2013-08-30 17:34:19

On a tangentially related note, it bothers me all want how the AVGN is derided for being an angry critic, when he really is the one who codified the genre and is still one of the very best by a longshot.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 17:35:41

^^In video game form, a game where characters from Dan Vs. fight Capcom characters.

In TV form, an episode that ends when a building is exploded.

Yarrun XIX · 2013-08-30 17:43:02

Justice42 said:
^^In video game form, a game where characters from Dan vs fight Capcom characters.

In TV form, an episode that ends when a building is exploded.

...I was going to contest that, but you're right. The only way such an episode would end would be with Dan blowing up Capcom.

After assaulting a Ryu cosplayer or something.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 17:47:38

Anonus said:
It's what the channel needs: something interesting that isn't there to sell anything. Unfortunately, Hasbro doesn't own the show and Hub Network probably runs on a tight enough budget to restrict spending on outside-produced original programming greatly (the show is produced and owned by Film Roman, though the network's head honcho Margaret Loesch's production company The Hatchery is a co-producer).

I've pretty much braced myself to kiss the network goodbye come 2015 (when Discovery and Hasbro's "commitment" to it stops) and just know that Jeffrey Katzenberg is out there, waiting for it to come up for sale...

Alternatively, maybe Dan needs to merchandise more.

I was going to jokingly suggest "action figures and coloring books", but it seems outside the DVD of season one the closest to anything you can buy for the series is a "Jerk" shirt. The shirt probably isn't even official merch, anyhow.

So...you know, a few posters at least would be nice.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 17:49:13

Actually, it's kind of sad to think that Dan vs Friendship is Magic is probably some of the best advertising the show has gotten.

Seriously, Hub would be screwed without the internet.

Justice4243 · 2013-08-30 17:52:19

Yarrun XIX said:

Justice42 said:
^^In video game form, a game where characters from Dan vs fight Capcom characters.

In TV form, an episode that ends when a building is exploded.

...I was going to contest that, but you're right. The only way such an episode would end would be with Dan blowing up Capcom.

After assaulting a Ryu cosplayer or something.

That last idea is pretty amusing, I could see it looking like Elise and the cosplayer are about to have some sort of epic fight and then Dan anti-climatically runs over the cosplayer with his car.

Actually, it might make just as much sense if it where Chris and it was an accident.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-02 00:55:24

I just watched "Dan vs The Wedding".

Dan puts a somewhat positive spin on things (from his P.O.V.) at the end.

Is a little hard to watch if one sympathies a bit with him, still.

Tough, there's no reason why one couldn't skip it.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-04 02:07:01

Justice42 said:

Anonus said:
It's what the channel needs: something interesting that isn't there to sell anything. Unfortunately, Hasbro doesn't own the show and Hub Network probably runs on a tight enough budget to restrict spending on outside-produced original programming greatly (the show is produced and owned by Film Roman, though the network's head honcho Margaret Loesch's production company The Hatchery is a co-producer).

I've pretty much braced myself to kiss the network goodbye come 2015 (when Discovery and Hasbro's "commitment" to it stops) and just know that Jeffrey Katzenberg is out there, waiting for it to come up for sale...
Alternatively, maybe Dan needs to merchandise more.

I was going to jokingly suggest "action figures and coloring books", but it seems outside the DVD of season one the closest to anything you can buy for the series is a "Jerk" shirt. The shirt probably isn't even official merch, anyhow.

So...you know, a few posters at least would be nice.

In hindsight, some action figures actually would be nice. Or maybe just a set of the main characters or something.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-04 02:19:14

This is the closest anyone can get from buying something material that reminds them of the show.

:/

Justice4243 · 2013-09-04 19:35:42

We Are Youngby ~rrddfsq

Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun

Aliroz · 2013-09-04 20:42:12

I really don't like Chris. I think the show would be better without him and Elise.

Previous Calica · 2013-09-04 20:45:50

Oh, is this the show the avatar you had with the JERK shirt is from?

Justice4243 · 2013-09-04 21:33:47

Yes.

Also I feel really sorry for Chris, though I think I covered that in the OP.

I think Dan needs a couple of buddies to round him out, or at least have someone to talk to.

Yarrun XIX · 2013-09-04 22:40:42

What about Ted?

(We don't talk about Ted)

But seriously, I wonder what's going to happen with Ted? What great insult did he inflict? When he inevitably returns in a climactic episode, what terrible vengeance will he wreak?

Yarrun XIX · 2013-09-04 22:53:28

I liked the first season finale a lot.

Chris actually got Dan to listen to him for once.

Yeah, basically, whenever Chris and Dan are both committed to whatever crazy scheme's in progress, things are going to get good.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 00:00:20

I think the episodes are pretty great when Dan can get Chris and possible even Elise to help him in his schemes.

Actully, because they tolerate him so much, I actually get a little perturbed when Dan basically runs amok of them. Honestly, it was kind of hard to accept they hung out with Dan at all, except for the fact that Dan has saved their lives a couple times. And not even always from things he's the cause of.

As mentioned in the OP, I don't think Chris has many positive traits. Though, I consider this good writing since his pushover his trusting qualities are really all that Chris and Elise need, respectively.

Elise, I like despite how absurdly over the top she can be (she's a kick-ass, ninja, stealth master, AND probably a PhD level intellect in numerous fields? She's practically female Batman). In fairness, the show can be really over the top, and when that catches you by suprise it's really fun. I do like that there's a strong female presence, and think the show would be lacking that EVERYONE Dan and Chris came across was stupid and/or evil.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 01:17:38

Also, since the last couple cross-over commercials went in the other thread, this can live here:

I love that Pinkie has invented her own song here. It seems she might even know Dan is watching by the lyrics.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 01:20:06

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 01:49:35

Season 2 episode 11 is the best episode I've seen, to date.

And that's saying a lot.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 02:39:39

Danstuckby *Zero-Janitor

Digital Art / Pixel Art / Characters / Non-Isometric

A young man stands in this deviation. It just so happens that today, the 24th of April, is of no real significance. Though it was 27? years ago he was given life, it is only today he will make the world pay!

Sredni Vashtar · 2013-09-05 03:18:17

So... Dan is Itoshiki-sensei were he to decide that explosives were the answer?

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 14:04:13

Dan's grievances are usually a bit more direct than Itokshiki-Sensei's.

He usually has, or at least feels he was wronged personally some how. I there's probably only a handful of episodes where he's angry about something rather nebulous (traffic, stupid people...) and usually there's a catalyst of some sort.

It's actually kind of exciting watching an episode begin because one never knows what's going to lead up to his skyward scream that gets him scheming against whatever set him off.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-05 14:07:16

Yarrun XIX said:
What about Ted?

(We don't talk about Ted)

But seriously, I wonder what's going to happen with Ted? What great insult did he inflict? When he inevitably returns in a climactic episode, what terrible vengeance will he wreak?

I wonder about this, too. I wonder if there was ever any plan to do an episode here, or it was just convenient to establish that Dan doesn't have any friends besides Chris.

There's also plenty of opportunity to bring back characters that got on Dan's bad side for a rematch.

Yarrun XIX · 2013-09-05 18:09:37

He keeps showing up on the revenge list. It has to be leading up to something good.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-10 04:29:59

Speaking of bringing characters back, Dan Vs. Telemarketer got pretty weird.

I can see how this inspired the internet to ship these two, but good gravy, was that strange.

And now for something completely different grimdark.

Spoiler:

Sredni Vashtar · 2013-09-10 14:48:00

Justice42 said:
Dan's grievances are usually a bit more direct than Itokshiki-Sensei's.

He usually has, or at least feels he was wronged personally some how. I there's probably only a handful of episodes where he's angry about something rather nebulous (traffic, stupid people...) and usually there's a catalyst of some sort.

It's actually kind of exciting watching an episode begin because one never knows what's going to lead up to his skyward scream that gets him scheming against whatever set him off.

Still, that character model in a fancy kimono and trendy spectacles. Oh goodness.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-10 14:55:04

Damn, there's no cross-over artwork of Dan and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei.

It's a tragedy that Dan Vs. has only sort of a cult following. It's won an Emmy and been nominated for others, it's easily one of the funniest TV shows I've seen in a long time.

Previous Calica · 2013-09-10 14:56:42

Where are y'all watching this show?

Justice4243 · 2013-09-10 15:00:21

For what it's worth, I own the first season on DVD and would gladly purchase 2 and 3 if they where out.

But aside from purchasing the DVD or the episodes at $2 a pop off YouTube, you'll probably have to determine how comfortable you are with minor cyber-crime.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-10 15:02:38

Or, I guess, see if you have the Hub and see when Dan Vs. airs.

The show is mostly episodic, though events that happen are remembered and addressed later by the cast, so it's still probably advisable to start at the beginning.

The first episode is pretty great, anyhow.

Previous Calica · 2013-09-10 15:06:15

I don't actually own a TV; there's not a good place to put one in my apartment.

So I guess cyber-crime it'll be, if I ever do watch this.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-10 15:06:58

It's WORTH it!

Justice4243 · 2013-09-11 14:27:09

THE INTERNET!

THE INTERNET

Seriously though, I thought it was funny that someone would draw that.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-11 14:28:03

Less mentally scarring:

Justice4243 · 2013-09-18 19:53:40

All episodes appear to be on Youtube now for free!

This probably doesn't bode well for the series.

:/

Tachyon · 2013-09-18 20:01:17

Justice42 said:

I love that Pinkie has invented her own song here. It seems she might even know Dan is watching by the lyrics.

the song is 'Twilight Is My Bestest Friend', from 'The Ticket Master'.

i am the saddest of sad juvenile losergeeks

Justice4243 · 2013-09-18 20:11:36

Ah, fair enough.

I tend to get most my pony fix via it being in the background as Lain watches, nowadays, so I'm almost never giving it my full attention.

Justice4243 · 2013-09-18 20:15:19

First ep:

Tachyon · 2013-09-19 15:28:25

this show gets the tachyon seal of approval

Salix Babylonika · 2013-09-19 15:31:37

Dan vs Danny Brown

Dan Vs. Heaper's Hangout

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