Mitch Williams has always been a very prominent character in Glitch Techs, being the main antagonist of "Age of Hinobi" and playing significant roles in several more episodes. But this is the first episode to be all about him, specifically how much of a griefer he can really get and how jarring it is when he seemingly starts to change his tune. "BUDS' as a story is essentially "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", where Mitch's recklessness causes a copycat glitch to start spreading across Hinobi's walls, with his cloned self manipulating his peers into thinking he's changed for the better and getting a big party set up to infest all of the Bailley employees.
It's pretty simplistic, and I'm honestly torn on some of the decisions they've made. First of all, they explicitly show Mitch being captured by the creature at the beginning. On one hand, it's refreshing that they don't try to keep the audience in suspense over something that more observant viewers can tell is fake and it allows them to be more along for the ride. On the other, it can be viewed as just kind of waiting for someone to finally figure out what's happening, which - depending on your perspective - can make it a bit of a drag. There's also how Miko's role is as straightforward as her doubting Mitch's behavior and being grumpy at Five for abandoning a game session and not believing her. I get that it's important to show how much Five lets this too-good-to-be-true event intrude on her current relationships, as well as provide a particularly sturdy hurdle requiring more effort on BUDS!Mitch's end to capture, but she just seemed like too much of a downer and I think it would've been more interesting for her to start to fall for it.
What makes all this more interesting, however - especially on rewatch - is exactly how the BUDS (Burrowing Underground Doppelganger Squad) clones work. They're described in the third act as "backups restored from the memories from the original hosts", bringing out "the best in everyone". They're not just mindless robots or aliens like they usually are with this plot type, they are directly derived off the existing personalities, and it means all we see here represent what they think in some capacity. Bergy has wanted to strut his stuff on the dance floor, Phil has a soft spot for partying, and of course, Mitch can be kind when he is able to be comfortable doing so. He even has a moment of this in the aftermath, supporting this theory. Plus, BUDS!Mitch trying to convince Five that he'd better off with the clone, and him even halfway-considering it for a second, also teaches a strong lesson about having to take the good and bad in who you deal with.
Probably the main reason to watch this episode, however, is how it fleshes out the Hinobi crew thanks to the episode mostly taking place within the store's doors. While we've certainly gotten to know Haneesh, Phil, Zahra, and several others, they take full advantage of this opportunity to really show more of them, whether it be a new side to them or just better fleshing out their existing traits, making them all the more likable and memorable. It's also building onto what I briefly stated in "Ping" about how the interactions and work culture play out like a legitimate retail or corporate environment, which you don't normally see in these 'teenage espionage' kind of shows and makes Hinobi's operations stand out much more. Some faces are more familiar than others, but they're never afraid to speak up about their personal interests and there's just a general intimacy overall.
So while "BUDS" isn't perfect by any means, you're bound to find at least a few things truly worth enjoying in it.
Mitch enters the scene in just the way you'd expect him to: rushing in as a blur, and giving a super-cocky expression to his "noobs". It's certainly more extreme than in his other appearances, but it's effective at setting up the main emotional conflict and the suspicion of what follows.
The house glitching in the background is a bit disorienting with how much it flashes around the focus area, but it's still a cool effect with how much it contrasts with the stillness of the environment surrounding it. Also, that pupil-less expression on Miko looks weird for a simple bit of excitement.
This kind of panel setup is nothing new for the series, but they go much further with the comic book panel concept by having it directly transition from one shot (with Mitch) to the next (the man being dragged by the copycat glitch). Gotta love this kind of visual imagination.
As much of a griefer as Mitch is, you really can't deny he's damn good at his job, as proven by the opening action scene. Just look at him smugly glaring and shooting the tentacle behind his back. Tell me you don't admire his charisma.
We get a look at Mitch's Let's Play background, which was foreshadowed all the way back in "Age of Hinobi". Note his much messier hair compared to his clean-cut in present day. Also that pitched-up voice is cute as boosh.
The fact Mitch's overconfidence is specifically what causes this entire plot to happen I consider a smart move, since not only does it end up making all the more sense for him to be targeted first, but also in showing that putting himself on this high a pedestal is very flawed beyond just annoying people.
This is probably the episode that made people really love Zahra, as she's given a lot of gold moments and personality insights that we didn't get before. Most of them involve her nervously crushing on Five, or her just being plain adorkable, like this one of her saying she's about to post her recording of Five calling out Mitch on social media.
Luke Youngblood's performance is stellar across this entire episode, but the moment that especially stands out for me is when he mockingly repeats Five's earlier words. The read alone makes it so hilarious, and it brings to light how much his voice made the character the cocky, suave, and unpredictable jerk he is.
Damn, the ominous green glow in the otherwise dark bathroom is unbelievably well done! Props to all the layout, color and effects artists that put this together.
Note that the first scene of BUDS!Mitch has him excitedly volunteering to play a retro game alongside Five and Miko. Given his prejudice against retro games in "Ping", you have to wonder if he has a soft side for them deep down.
Nix and Simi make their first appearance since "Castle Crawl" in the background here, and they show up a few more times in the episode. So nice to see them again.
"Do we get to bring a plus Five? ...I mean, a plus one. I said plus one." Another fantastic Zahra bit.
I know he's also in his BUDS form, but BITT as a DJ is freaking awesome.
A rare look at Nix and Haneesh in their regular clothes. I didn't even know Haneesh wears glasses until I rewatched this episode.
I'm almost certainly overthinking things again, but... how the heck did no one see the tentacles here?
This is probably Zahra's big defining scene, asking Miko if she and Five were "partners partners" then clumsily claiming she left her car in her phone. Pretty hilarious and cute.
Then she comes back, obviously as a clone (those green eyes tho), saying she admires how Five's eyes "dart back and forth when doing math". A bit of a bait-and-switch, but hey, maybe there were plans to push this relationship further. It'd be great to be able to find out... *wink wink*
Mitch admitting to Miko that he doesn't have a strong friendship the way she does with Five is some pretty clever character insight, even if it's not actually him saying it. And it's even enough to make Miko sympathize, even if she still doesn't buy the act.
And immediately after we get this demented expression. So appropriately unnerving.
For some reason, the BUDS clones gain a metallic voice filter for this scene that wasn't there earlier. It's not like the episode was trying to fool us earlier with how frequently we saw tentacles grabbing them.
I needed to get a screen of possessed Miko in there somewhere. I like the touch of making her almost completely motionless as she speaks, a far cry from how spontaneous she generally is.
One or a few animators must've had way too much fun handling these demented-looking people chasing Five like zombies. It's a pretty dang funny visual.
This first shot of the huge copycat glitch is dripping with atmosphere. Look at the muted colors, look at how much the little sacks stand out, look at all the random drops and trails of goop, and especially look at how small Five looks compared to the creature. It's incredible.
I already talked a lot about this scene of Five almost being manipulated, but the cinematography and music are very on-point and only further enhance the mood. Five being pinned to the wall by tentacles is where he mentions things getting "M for mature" by the way. Yep.
The fact the climax is essentially all these Glitch Techs teaming up to fight a gigantic foe is just too badass for words. Getting to see all these other weapons is pretty fantastic as well, although who the heck is that little guy in the spike ball?
But of course, none can beat Zahra prepping for action with this great expression and even better delivery with "LET'S PARTY!" So good.
The goop on Mitch being digitized is a solid, effective touch. And this cap also makes for a good laugh out of context.
I think it says a lot that Zahra is the one who almost gets pulverized, and this is of course what gets Mitch to finally swoop in and follow Five's lead. I guess Zahra's common bond was really the glue that held this story together.
I like how Mitch takes pride in finally joining the fight. It's clearly out of wanting to get the job done, but this brief, simplistic exchange carries a lot of depth.
Mitch suddenly and selflessly stepping in to help Miko and Five beat a hard level is brief, but highly endearing - especially after seeing so much fakeness coming from him.
The episode ends with Mitch solemnly admitting to Five that his subordinate was right about him being afraid... only to double cross, take back XP he gave away earlier, and rub it in everyone's faces. Despite that, just the fact he takes a second to earnestly speak with Five makes me think he has some genuine self-reflection. I guess it's something, and we'll see more proper development from him later down the line anyway.
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