Secret Level Episode 3 Ending and New World Connections Explained

The following contains spoilers for the Secret Level season 1 episode “New World: The Once And Future King,” now streaming on Prime VideoSecret levelcomedic approach to New World: Aeternum It's a quietly great little fantasy riff Groundhog Day which manages to have a surprisingly emotional ending. The latest animated anthology from Love, Death and Robots creator Tim Miller, Secret level takes inspiration from different video game properties to create fifteen independent stories. Secret level Video game adaptations change style and setting, but one of the most interesting in terms of tone is the one based on the MMO New World: Aeternuma fantasy RPG where players take on the mantle of a warrior on a mysterious island.

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the self-assured (and totally stoned) King Aelstrom, 'Once And Future King' uses that premise to put the swashbuckling king through a series of darkly comedic deaths and unexpected character growth. Along the way, the short does a good job of establishing the unique rules of its mystical island and teases the true scope of that universe. In the process, the New World short is able to subvert many expectations about the fantasy genre and use this comedic touch to tell a surprisingly resonant story of personal growth.

How Resurrection Works in Secret Level New World: Aeternum

No one can die on Aeternum, but they can still change

Secret level has a lot of fun with the explanation of the resurrection in the universe of New World: Aeternumusing the cycle of defeat, death and rebirth for great comedy and unexpected growth. In the world portrayed by “The Once and Future King”, Aeternum is an island where anyone on the shore cannot die permanently. They do not appear to age and any fatal blow causes the person to be restored to the island's shores. Even severed limbs are restored, although permanent injuries sustained before arriving on the island remain unhealed.

The episode leans into this constant cycle of dark comedy, with Aelstrom repeatedly trying to seize power, only to be casually dispatched. The true nature of the island is unclear in the episode, other than that countless other people ended up on the island over the centuries and became accustomed to their new lives. THE New World game explains that The island's natural Azoth resources are what embody people with immortalityand which an ancient society known as the Ancients took advantage of before losing their grip on power.

How black magic works in New World: Aeternum

Aelstrom becomes one of the corrupted Secret level

One of the main threats New World: Aeternum is the existence of “corruption”. A byproduct of the Elders' experiments on Azoth, Corruption can infect living beings and amplify their worst qualities. In turn, this empowers them and gives them new power. This is what happens to Aelstrom during the episode, as his vicious ambition leads him to waste several lives fighting an unseen force of malevolent power. After several off-screen deaths from a mysterious monster, Aelstrom is strengthened and armored by corrupted weapons.

However, it becomes clear at the end of the episode that Corruption is only dangerous in the right hands (or claws). Despite its frightening appearance, Aelstrom is unable to deal any damage with his hard-earned magic and is quickly defeated by Zimah. In the game, corruption is a much more insidious and effective way of turning someone into a monster, although this more unexpected subversion of Aelstrom's power establishes the true moral of “The Once and Future King” and leans into the overall comedic tone of the game. short.

Who is the true ruler of Aeternum in “The Once And Future King”

How Zimah takes down Aelstrom

“The Once And Future King” introduces King Zimah as the ruler of Aeternum. The son of a shoemaker, Zimah apparently commands the respect and loyalty of the people of Aeternum through his own skill, intellect, and morality. Despite Aelstrom's repeated attempts to defeat Zimah, it appears that he used his time on the island to his advantage to gain mastery in several abilities. This suggests that Zimah has been on the island for a long time, which would make sense given how the island works in the game and how many old characters players can encounter.

Node New World In the game, there are three competing factions: the righteous Covenant, the ruthless Marauders, and the sneaky Syndicate. It's not entirely clear which faction Zimah rules, though her ability to overcome Corruption with ease suggests that some sort of magical protection is at play. Magic is a rare tool in the world New Worldbut there are some supernatural powers that exist outside of Corruption. King Zimah ends the episode as undisputed ruler, dismissive of Aelstrom's repeated failures.

Secret Level's best comedy is a fantasy and video game riff

Resurrection is used for comic effect in Secret level

Secret level typically plays its video game adaptations for pure drama, with several episodes of the show dealing with subjects such as Unreal Tournament and Pac-Man deadly serious. In contrast, 'The Once And Future King' leans much more towards comedytrapping Aelstrom in his own fantasy version of Groundhog Day. This allows the episode to subvert tropes from the fantasy genre and video games in general. Aelstrom's repeated resurrections are reminiscent of a player throwing themselves into lethal encounters over and over again to gain upgrades and power boosts.

The fact that all this imposing-looking power results in zero damage to Aelstrom's intended target is a joke aimed at any player whose constant efforts to level up don't change the game at all. In the same vein, a more dramatic story would show the personal cost of Aelstrom effectively trading his soul for the power of darkness. However, in the “New World”, all that Corrupted energy is in vain, and your enemy doesn't even bother to kill you again. The monstrous dark descent into villainy is undermined right when it looks most impressive, playing the fantasy trope for laughs.

The true meaning of the story of the new world of Secret Level

Secret levelThe focus of On Personal Growth goes beyond death

By not following the most dramatic path, “The Once And Future King” is able to explore a more grounded and character-driven story. Throughout Aelstrom's attempts to gain power, his loyal servant Scaevola tries to make him see the island as a new beginning. However, Aelstrom's ego and ambitions blind him to the opportunity this presents. Ignoring the revelation that he was only allowed to become “great” because of people who allowed him to earn everything in his royal education, Aelstrom is forced to truly grow as a person, learning to become a blacksmith.

Using a crown and a statue of himself as materials, Aelstrom spends time on the island to craft Scaevola a prosthetic arm to replace the one he lost long ago. Aelstrom's noblest act comes when he abandons his quest for a noble title.. This highlights Scaevola's earlier argument that the island allows people to be reborn into the people they want to be. This message about personal growth and emerging empathy is at the heart of the story of “The Once And Future King.” It's a sweet moral to Secret levelof best comic episode to explore.