Shortpacked! by David Willis

Discussion (83) ¬

1. 
   David Herbert

   January 21, 2011 at 12:02 am | # | Reply

   Aww, sad Robin. Has Leslie seen this video?

   • 
     T Campbell

     January 21, 2011 at 12:10 am | # | Reply

     Unlikely. It’s marked “private” and seems to have been filmed after their second fight.
   • 
     Ragnal

     January 21, 2011 at 12:11 am | # | Reply

     Private video, obviously, so I doubt it.
2. 
   Seerow

   January 21, 2011 at 12:03 am | # | Reply

   Suddenly I’m reminded of the song “Letter to Me”
3. 
   Teowulf

   January 21, 2011 at 12:04 am | # | Reply

   Typo in fifth panel: “it public it by accident.”

   Other than that, great. What a twist.

   • 
     Andrusi

     January 21, 2011 at 9:21 am | # | Reply

     It PUBLIC!
     It BY ACCIDENT!
     It DAN BOORMAN’S VIDEO!

     …and nobody will understand this.
4. 
   FFFan

   January 21, 2011 at 12:04 am | # | Reply

   I’m curious to see how losing Leslie translated into the whole world peace deal.

   Still her own fault for what happened, but poor Robin =/

   • 
     Derik

     January 21, 2011 at 11:21 pm | # | Reply

     I’m curious to see how losing Leslie translated into the whole world peace deal.
     Justin Bieber was playing in the background of the video.
     That meant everyone who watched it– and that was EVERYONE– was a copyright violator and could be clapped in irons for like 5 years.

     Obviously Justin Bieber made a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the entire world and settled out of court in exchange for world peace.

     (It’s not THAT complicated. Why do you think he’s the one getting the Nobel Prize? For his hats?)

     • 
       NeurospastSoccus

       January 21, 2011 at 11:33 pm | # | Reply

       Well, Silly Hats are the source of all governmental power in the Walkyverse…
5. 
   EdyTEHWINNAH

   January 21, 2011 at 12:05 am | # | Reply

   Aww D: that’s terrible for Robin. This is gettin interestin’
6. 
   Cassidy

   January 21, 2011 at 12:05 am | # | Reply

   how many views is that? 79 trillion?
7. 
   EdyTEHWINNAH

   January 21, 2011 at 12:08 am | # | Reply

   I know this is out of topic, but I hope that in this universe, Youtube’s homepage wasn’t changed…..

   • 
     Kamino Neko

     January 21, 2011 at 12:43 am | # | Reply

     No kidding…I’m so tired of YT’s changes…

     • 
       Cassidy

       January 23, 2011 at 11:16 pm | # | Reply

       just like everyone is with facebook, and myspace, and twitter AND EVERY OTHER GODFORSAKEN SITE.

       okay im done
8. 
   JustsomeguyontheInternetz

   January 21, 2011 at 12:08 am | # | Reply

   Robin’s expression in the last panel….

   That is so babies TT____TT

   • 
     Matt B

     January 21, 2011 at 1:12 am | # | Reply

     Babies McIntyre, even.
9. 
   Abjuron

   January 21, 2011 at 12:14 am | # | Reply

   Deep, Mr. Willis. Deep.

   I got chills reading this that I’m sure a percentage of your readers who DID have to lose everything to gain a small (yet indispensable) piece of wisdom got.
10. 
    milk experiment

    January 21, 2011 at 12:14 am | # | Reply

    Cadbury-buzzed Robin is surprisingly insightful and articulate. Maybe she should get some kind of Cadbury Creme Egg patch so she can stay that way all the time.
11. 
    Dierna

    January 21, 2011 at 12:29 am | # | Reply

    Awww….. to make the world better she had to lose her world…
12. 
    T Campbell

    January 21, 2011 at 12:35 am | # | Reply

    Hot damn. Seeing Robin cry this much is exactly what’s called for.

    Glad to see I was way off yesterday. A theory I only shared with David seems to be way off too. I’ve only got one guess left about what happens next, and it’s a real long shot.

    I am interested in Manley’s perspective on all this. While he’s possibly even shallower than Robin on her worst day*, he also seems to be a sweet, harmless guy who just wants to be loved and help people. I mean, we don’t know him well enough to be sure, but that’s the impression he leaves. So from his generally uninformative manner, it seems like he’s just unaware of how miserable Robin’s been, even though they drafted a bill together. Maybe he really is just that dense: that’s certainly consistent with the impression he leaves, too. But he should be able to tell her something.

    *Which would’ve been about three weeks ago, I guess.

    • 
      Minder

      January 24, 2011 at 12:03 am | # | Reply

      I don’t think he’s so harmless. He knew that Robin was essentially plastered out of her mind, and he slept with her anyway.
13. 
    Milosh

    January 21, 2011 at 12:37 am | # | Reply

    Good lordy. 79 billion views. Apparently everyone on Earth has seen that video an average of about twelve times.

    • 
      Bickendan

      January 21, 2011 at 1:04 am | # | Reply

      Admit it. You’ve set it as your home page to make up for those who haven’t seen it 12 times yet.
14. 
    Doom Shepherd

    January 21, 2011 at 12:38 am | # | Reply

    I’m finding this very interesting, philosophically.

    It’s always seemed to be that it’s not losing your world that makes you a better person… it’s the long, hard struggle to GET BACK something resembling the world that you once took for granted, and then lost.

    But maybe that’s just me.

    • 
      Doom Shepherd

      January 21, 2011 at 12:40 am | # | Reply

      “seemed to ME,” not “seemed to be.” I hate subtle typos.
    • 
      mchui

      January 21, 2011 at 3:25 am | # | Reply

      IMO, the “losing everything” thing bit isn’t really an education in terms of capability; it’s an education in terms of empathy.
15. 
    BrassyDel

    January 21, 2011 at 12:38 am | # | Reply

    Am I the only one thinking that “this is so babies” is going to end with… BABIES? =3

    • 
      T Campbell

      January 21, 2011 at 12:53 am | # | Reply

      Nah, others have floated that idea, but I have to think even “Whip-Hand” Willis isn’t THAT sadistic. Given Robin’s current emotional state, I don’t even want to think about what having Jake Manley’s babies would do to her. And I don’t think she’ll be adopting with Leslie any time soon.

      • 
        MJ

        January 21, 2011 at 4:48 pm | # | Reply

        That’s often exactly the kind of circumstance that babies happen into.
      • 
        Historyman68

        October 2, 2011 at 2:57 am | # | Reply

        Eight months later…

        SPOILER

        Babies!
16. 
    zuche

    January 21, 2011 at 12:56 am | # | Reply

    So to gain everything, Robin had to lose everything by gaining everything. Got it.

    No, really. One end of everything is how she changed the world. The other was end was the list.

    I’m now waiting to see how things have turned out for the two Jacobs, both dragged along in the wake of a DeSanto.

    Also… where’s Mike? That strikes me as important to know right now.

    • 
      Cybersnark

      January 21, 2011 at 10:22 am | # | Reply

      Can Mike even exist in a world of World Peace?

      Or has he become a Cobra Commander-like figure, trying to undo Robin’s hard work and restore Assholiness to the world?

      Perhaps he holds the solution to this. . .

      • 
        Rick Sivart

        January 21, 2011 at 10:33 am | # | Reply

        Amber’s been keepin him well liquored up.
      • 
        NF

        January 21, 2011 at 10:06 pm | # | Reply

        Mike is a singularity. He is an asshole in every universe, regardless of that universe’s environment.

        Which means that in some universe where mankind has destroyed itself, leaving behind a race of hyper-intelligent mutant snails, Mike walks alone through the wasteland, entertaining himself by kicking snails.
17. 
    The Sound Defense

    January 21, 2011 at 12:57 am | # | Reply

    Man, shit is getting really babies.
18. 
    Vic! Perfecto

    January 21, 2011 at 12:59 am | # | Reply

    Shades of the Venture Bros.!
19. 
    skies

    January 21, 2011 at 1:02 am | # | Reply

    What I really want to know is where she fit 5 pizzas.

    • 
      begbert2

      January 21, 2011 at 10:57 am | # | Reply

      If I recall correctly Robin has a recorded habit of trying to fit things in her mouth, (and being pretty good at it with regard to people’s forearms), so it’s probably not anything dirty.

      That or it’s “in my freezer” and it’s an instructional video on how to efficiently pack things. You never know – such a thing might have been a necessary final step to world peace…or something?
20. 
    Undrave

    January 21, 2011 at 1:05 am | # | Reply

    I didn’t even know Youtube had a private video option o.o

    • 
      Fanboy

      January 21, 2011 at 1:13 am | # | Reply

      It does seem contrary to the whole “broadcast yourself” philosophy.

      • 
        T'Renn

        January 21, 2011 at 3:51 am | # | Reply

        Well, this YouTube also allowed Robin to post video of “banging a dude,” so it seems to be slightly different than the YouTube of our version of reality.

        • 
          Kavonde

          January 21, 2011 at 4:00 pm | # | Reply

          Going by the screencap, I don’t think the video actually shows much of the DeSanto/Manly act, just two shapes moving under a blanket and some vocalization. I’ve seen more risque stuff on the site.
    • 
      gwalla

      January 21, 2011 at 11:50 am | # | Reply

      It does. There are three access options: public (shows up in searches), unlisted (anyone with the link can view, but it doesn’t show up in search), and private (only users on a whitelist can view).

      THE MORE YOU KNOW
21. 
    Beachfox

    January 21, 2011 at 1:13 am | # | Reply

    
22. 
    iggzy

    January 21, 2011 at 1:31 am | # | Reply

    Wow, that was actually really really saddening. God do I hope this turns out nice, like Robyn plays it for Leslie and finds a way to make it up to her.
23. 
    jimfromtx

    January 21, 2011 at 1:39 am | # | Reply

    Wow, I’m seeing Robin in a new light now. Seems like she can care about something other than her own hyperactive self. But, she’s right…it’s not gaining everything that makes you stronger, it’s losing it.
24. 
    schlemielo

    January 21, 2011 at 1:57 am | # | Reply

    I sure did look for a sweetabs81 youtube account just now.

    • 
      Platonix

      January 21, 2011 at 11:20 pm | # | Reply

      Did you also look for a Sweetabs810, a Sweetabs811, a Sweetabs812…
25. 
    Eri

    January 21, 2011 at 2:33 am | # | Reply

    Here, my bleeding heart, you can have it
26. 
    DCHorror

    January 21, 2011 at 3:25 am | # | Reply

    I laughed at this one cause the one under the sex tape is I fit 5 pizzas in my mouth. Then I read the rest of the comic. I feel a horrible person.
27. 
    Björn

    January 21, 2011 at 5:14 am | # | Reply

    What does it profit a Robin if she gains the whole world but loses her soul?
28. 
    Emily

    January 21, 2011 at 8:06 am | # | Reply

    DyW. Yeah, I cried.
29. 
    Darken310

    January 21, 2011 at 8:39 am | # | Reply

    I wanna see the pizza video

    • 
      NF

      January 21, 2011 at 10:11 pm | # | Reply

      Regardless of how this ends, Willis has to have an epilogue in which Manley is alone after Robin leaves, and furtively clicks on the pizza video and grins while watching.

      I’m not sure that makes any sense at all but it seems like something Manley would do.
30. 
    Benjamin Geiger

    January 21, 2011 at 8:54 am | # | Reply

    *sigh*

    Damn you, Willis.
31. 
    Jimmy

    January 21, 2011 at 9:59 am | # | Reply

    Wow, that is the epitome of the term “Pyrrhic victory” and really tough to read. As the song goes, “you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone”.
32. 
    Kirt Dankmyer

    January 21, 2011 at 10:42 am | # | Reply

    People have already said most of what I’d say about this, so I’ll only note in passing that I like the pixilation effect.
33. 
    Freezze12

    January 21, 2011 at 11:55 am | # | Reply

    I am I the only one who noticed, she was to give a speach to the UN and she later woke in a Dustbin! I am guessing the speach didnt go so well.

    • 
      PedanticJerkass

      January 22, 2011 at 2:36 pm | # | Reply

      speech
    • 
      Alix

      January 23, 2011 at 4:42 pm | # | Reply

      She could have gone and gotten really drunk after it was all over, too.
34. 
    izzatrix

    January 21, 2011 at 1:12 pm | # | Reply

    Couldn’t she just have saved a cheerleader? I thought that’s all you had to do to save the world these days.

    • 
      MM

      January 21, 2011 at 2:39 pm | # | Reply

      Well, she already kinda did that with Billie during the Martian battle, and clearly it didn’t take.
    • 
      T Campbell

      January 21, 2011 at 8:29 pm | # | Reply

      No no, it’s “FIX the world,” so she has to SPAY a cheerleader.

      • 
        NF

        January 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm | # | Reply

        I guess it’s a little late for that.

        Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
35. 
    hotsauce

    January 21, 2011 at 3:06 pm | # | Reply

    “The DeSanto/Manly act” is my new favorite euphemism for sex. Just thought it was worth repeating.
36. 
    Merkury

    January 21, 2011 at 4:07 pm | # | Reply

    I made it public IT by accident?

    • 
      merkury

      January 21, 2011 at 11:54 pm | # | Reply

      I made it public accident?

      • 
        Menachem Schmuel

        January 23, 2011 at 6:03 pm | # | Reply

        Saying that has startling new implications. Involving urine.
37. 
    Lokitsu

    January 21, 2011 at 4:46 pm | # | Reply

    I was just starting to get a little tired of this whole storyline when I read today’s strip.

    Well played sir.
38. 
    Al the Mighty

    January 21, 2011 at 6:48 pm | # | Reply

    Reminds me of that Arnold S. movie…
39. 
    Doosher

    January 21, 2011 at 10:31 pm | # | Reply

    All this shit about memory loss confuses everything. I don’t know what’s up or down.

    Whatever. Anders loves Maria.
40. 
    Scubasteve0209

    January 22, 2011 at 6:11 am | # | Reply

    Anyone else notice that her “Sex with a Dude” video has at least 79 billion views?
41. 
    T Campbell

    January 22, 2011 at 10:41 am | # | Reply

    Losing everything? Sounds about right.

    She’s lost far more than Leslie, though that alone might have been enough. She’s also probably lost every friend she’s ever had in the cast. Even Roz and Ultra Car, who were her closest confidants outside of Leslie, are awkward and conflicted around her. Ethan, Drew and Amber might not be slamming doors in her face, but they’re all now Leslie’s friends too, and hell, who would YOU side with?

    Robin could turn to her old SEMME friends, but most of them would, at best, politely pretend to sympathize. (I can just imagine what Joyce would think.) The only one who might really not judge her is Joe, and that’s awkward for other reasons.

    We don’t know yet what the public perception of Robin is, but that’s a lose-lose scenario. Either the public judges her for her infidelity, in which case it’s no different than dealing with her friends, or the public just loves her for bringing about world peace, in which case their praise rings hollow in her ears. Every “you’re great” would feel even worse than “you suck.” Or maybe it’s a little of each.

    Maybe worst of all, Robin’s lost herself. She’s entertained self-doubts before, but her default setting has been confidence in her essential goodness and awesomeness. She’s shown a little of her old resilience and creativity in the last few installments, but she doesn’t see herself the way she did, those few weeks ago.

    People, and couples, can come back from something like this. But it takes a sort of nuanced love that might not be in Leslie’s range, and patience and self-awareness, which have never been Robin’s finest qualities. Her introspection has sometimes been good– and it’s sure great in this video– but it’s usually come in short flashes.

    WHAT’S GOING TO GET OUR HEROINE OUT OF THIS ONE?

    • 
      Menachem Schmuel

      January 23, 2011 at 6:05 pm | # | Reply

      JESUS, RIGHT?

      Wait

      no
42. 
    Joebo

    January 23, 2011 at 2:06 am | # | Reply

    SEMME. SHIRT. WHY?
43. 
    Alix

    January 23, 2011 at 4:44 pm | # | Reply

    That last panel is really heartbreaking.
44. 
    Menachem Schmuel

    January 23, 2011 at 6:03 pm | # | Reply

    It was from losing everything.

    With my penis.
45. 
    Mor

    January 23, 2011 at 11:25 pm | # | Reply

    Oh no, Leslie’s not hugging Robin anymore. (On the top.) That saddens me.

    • 
      T Campbell

      January 24, 2011 at 12:26 am | # | Reply

      Yeah, and the other three are sort of a wall between them now, with their backs turned to Robin. Nice to see the closeness between Ethan and Amber, though. And at least Leslie’s managed a smile.
46. 
    Mud

    January 24, 2011 at 2:42 pm | # | Reply

    Ah, the angst returns
47. 
    Berys

    April 21, 2011 at 8:23 pm | # | Reply

    I’ve gotta say, the one thing that bugs me here is why was she posting it on the tube in the first place? Even riding the cadbury high Robin still seems to maintain some level of intelligence…

    Can understand the reasoning behind putting the message to yourself there since eventually you’ll go to the site if to just take down the video, but a reason behind putting said video there in the first place still eludes me.
48. 
    Chris

    May 8, 2012 at 12:21 pm | # | Reply

    Is this strip going to get any less depressing anytime soon?
49. 
    coobee

    September 24, 2012 at 3:00 am | # | Reply

    … I knew when I started the reread that this would happen, and still, heartbroke all over again