Bullseye (Deep Dream State, A4 C3 E10, audio, full cast) (Patreon)

Bullseye is one of the most dramatic episodes of the Deep Dream State.

I'm extra proud of it because there's a clearly accelerating plot with stakes. That's the struggle with surrealism - when everything is odd or dreamlike, it's hard to invest. I think it's easy to invest in this plotline.

You might be rooting for the villains or the heroes. You might struggle to discern who is who. Either way, if you've followed Vale Four this far, you're likely to be invested.

You're invested for some sum as a Patron, of course. I'm grateful for that. This whole series is really experimental. It could never get studio backing. Crowdfunding makes it possible, and you should take a measure of pride in that.

This episode opens in Blake's world. She's in the trap. She's the Pygmaliona of game design; she can't stop playing with her own creation.Z and June watch her give in to the game, with their own game afoot. Z is fingergunny, June is either fawning or manipulating or both. The possibility of an alliance bears watching.

From there, the walls close in fast on Blake. Z is a classic rage boss. Hespa gives her the softest possible warning. June gives her the least soft possible offer.

Everything in this arc has been building to Hespa, and I think it earns it. That's where the show stops being surreal and becomes something else entirely.

And then the episode closes with Snarecraft. Which is - well. You'll know what it means by the time you hear it.

Cast & Crew

Written & Produced by: Neural Nets and Pretty Patterns Directed by: Neural Nets and Pretty Patterns Co-Directed by: Bliss Blank

Cast

Dr. Zev Talcott (Z): Neural Nets and Pretty Patterns

Dr. June Lowell: Bliss Blank

Dr. Tessa Finn: Ring of Kees

Dr. Meg Aerin: Bun Li

Elle Lawson: Echo Doll

Iris Vale: Swirls and Twirls

Hespa Apate: Syndi Rella

Naia: Dizzy Dollie

Cael: Jericho Caine

Celeste: Panda Moanium

Hilton: Tickled Panda

Astoria: Dakota Dream

Guest Stars

Gia: Valentina Vallay | IMDb

Piper: Jen Larner

Blake: Naomi Biela

Video Game Vixens

Glitch Kitten: Eclipse Aleice | IMDb

Power Up Peach: Brie Michelle

Joystick Jezebel: Kat McQueen

Loot Bunny: Karma Reid

Respawn Rouge: Kitty Pawa

Pixel Dollie: Cherry Pak