Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth Episode #49 - Explaining Five Nights At Freddy's Lore To Amanda

Release Date: June 10, 2024

Introduction

In episode #49 of Smosh Mouth, hosts Shane Topp and Amanda Lehan-Canto delve deep into the intricate lore of the popular horror game series Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF). Joined by special guests Spencer and Courtney, the group embarks on a mission to unravel the complex narrative that has both fascinated and baffled fans for years. This episode aims to provide a comprehensive overview of FNAF's storyline, character motivations, and various fan theories, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with the series.

1. The Journey Begins: Pranks and Gameplay

The episode kicks off with Shane reminiscing about a long-running prank where he and Spencer convinced Amanda that Five Nights at Freddy's was based on true events. This led Amanda to play several games in the series, sparking her fascination with the lore.

• Shane (00:16): "It's been months in the making. Forever ago, Spencer and I pranked Amanda to believing that Five Nights at Freddy's was a true story."

Amanda admits her enthusiasm, contrasting Shane's initial dread of the games.

• Amanda (00:34): "I loved it."

2. Introduction of Special Guests and the Conspiracy Board

Courtney joins the conversation, unveiling an elaborate conspiracy board designed to map out the FNAF lore meticulously.

• Courtney (01:38): "Conspiracy board for the people who are catching up still on the lore of this situation."

3. Exploring the Origins: William Afton and Henry Emily

The discussion shifts to the foundational characters of the FNAF universe—William Afton and Henry Emily—and their roles in creating the animatronics.

• Courtney (09:33): "William Afton has two sons and a daughter. The one son accidentally kills the other son. And this drives William basically crazy."

Shane highlights Afton's obsession with animatronics and his descent into madness following a tragic family incident.

• Shane (21:19): "He's obsessed with animatronics and he wants to make these things. He's also got a fear of death and a desire to live forever."

4. Major Plot Points and Game Chronology

The hosts outline the chronological order of the FNAF games, emphasizing significant events such as the "Bite of 83" and "Bite of 87," which are pivotal to understanding the overarching story.

• Shane (09:00): "But in that one, he talks about a bite that happens. That I believe. Yeah. It's Five nights at Freddy's one that he's talking about."
• Courtney (11:03): "He talks about the bite of 87. Yes. Which is different from the bite of 83."

Amanda shares her evolving understanding of the lore, acknowledging inaccuracies while appreciating the depth of the narrative.

• Amanda (07:07): "Really?"

5. The Role of Possession and Vengeful Spirits

A central theme in the FNAF lore is the possession of animatronics by the spirits of murdered children. The discussion delves into how these souls interact with the living and each other.

• Courtney (19:46): "After some point, usually after a child is killed in or around the animatronic, they will possess it."
• Shane (24:18): "The animatronics started coming as the possessed souls."

Amanda presents her theory connecting the animatronics through a metaphorical "fungus," suggesting an underlying interconnectedness.

• Amanda (06:36): "The spark. I definitely think there's a fungus going on."

6. Michael Afton's Quest and Transformation into an Animatronic

The narrative progresses to Michael Afton, William's son, who seeks to undo his father's wrongdoings. This journey leads to his transformation into an animatronic hybrid.

• Shane (29:15): "You're playing as Michael Afton, who has been scooped and is a dead guy, but who's still."
• Courtney (36:36): "William Afton, the guy who killed all these children, the guy behind it all. He gets into this suit and then the springlock stuff messes up and it skewers him."

7. The Puppet and Protection of Spirits

Henry Emily's daughter, who becomes the Puppet, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the souls of the children and guiding them towards vengeance against William Afton.

• Courtney (23:46): "So William Afton murders Henry Emily's daughter, she becomes the puppet and then kind of protects the realm."

8. Fan Theories and Creator Interaction

The conversation touches upon the influence of fan theories, particularly those by MatPat, and how they may intersect or diverge from the creator Scott Cawthon's intended storyline.

• Shane (40:32): "This is us regurgitating Matpat. As far as we interpreted it to you."
• Spencer (63:18): "He worked so hard. Don't laugh at that."

Notable Quotes

• Amanda (08:53): "There's the lore is so big and the creator got so deep entangled in his own lore."
• Shane (38:32): "I like that made it less scary for me because I'm just like, oh, there's all this crazy lore."
• Spencer (48:56): "That's why he moved differently than the animatronics that were just like ... because he's a body."

9. The Impact of Gameplay Design on Horror Effectiveness

The hosts discuss how the minimalist design of the earlier games, relying on static images and limited animations, enhances the horror experience by leveraging player imagination.

• Shane (48:21): "You're just truly in a room. You're looking at security cameras, and they're just there."
• Amanda (48:28): "It's really, really brilliant."

They compare this to other horror media, such as the classic movie Halloween, emphasizing the power of suggestion over explicit visuals.

• Amanda (47:53): "It's like the Classic movie Halloween. That was one of the first real horror movies that really did that so well."

10. Conclusion and Future Discussions

As the episode wraps up, Amanda reflects on her newfound understanding of the FNAF lore, expressing excitement for future deep dives and potential guest appearances from notable theorists like MatPat.

• Amanda (65:05): "That's just a theory."
• Shane (65:13): "Thank you both for being here."
• Amanda (65:42): "Thanks for spending so much time on it. I appreciate it. I'm excited. I love scary shit."

Final Thoughts

Episode #49 of Smosh Mouth serves as a thorough introduction to the convoluted and captivating world of Five Nights at Freddy's. Through collaborative discussion, the hosts and their guests dissect key elements of the lore, offering both established facts and personal interpretations. Not only does this episode cater to long-time fans seeking a deeper understanding, but it also invites newcomers to explore the rich narrative tapestry that FNAF presents. With plans to engage further with prominent theorists and possibly integrate expert insights, Smosh Mouth promises to continue unraveling the mysteries that make FNAF a standout in the horror genre.