Brian's Path Episode Guide
An experimental science-fiction story about dreams, friendship, animation, technology, and the strange path that leads a person toward creating their own future.
"Brian's Path" follows Brian Nolastname, a teenager who dreams of creating anime and who discovers that the boundaries between dreams, reality, and fiction may not be as clear as they seem.
Episode 1: Rosebud Speech
In 1995, 15 year old Brian Nolastname hangs out with a gang of other teenagers, and a 20 year old high school student named Monkeyboy. Brian moves into an apartment with Monkeyboy and begins having dreams that inspire him to write stories about anime characters in a speculated near-future world. Behind Brian's back, the rest of the gang has a plan involving a Russian man named Boris and a possible Y2K shelter. Brian likes a girl named Cara, who tells him he is a robot, but he doesn't believe her. Brian and Anton also do something strange at a mall.
Episode 2: Patriots
Anton plays gigs with his band The Sex Whistols. Monkeyboy and Gabe become involved in a strange situation involving a teacher. Brian struggles with English class while continuing to write scripts. The gang steals computers for an unknown purpose and enjoys playing computer games together, until new school rules interfere.
Episode 3: Anton Snaps
Brian discovers that Cara's school allows students to play video games on school computers while his own school does not. Meanwhile, Monkeyboy and Gabe are ordered to kill Cara, but refuse. A police officer named Trent arrests Monkeyboy, and Cheryl — a young woman who has appeared in Brian's dreams — becomes involved. Brian dies, causing Anton to experience a breakdown.
Episode 4: Brian's Path
Brian wakes up and discovers that he is a robot. He transforms into a giant fighter jet, allowing his friends to travel with him across the world. A federal agent attempts to get information about Boris from Monkeyboy, and the group participates in a writing exercise.
Episode 5: Alien Invasion
Monkeyboy undergoes a polygraph test. Alien ships appear in the sky, but it is discovered that they were holograms. Monkeyboy is released from prison, and Anton's changing voice causes him to lose his position as vocalist of his band.
Episode 6: Animation
The story moves through several years. In 1996, Brian's friend Cap dies. In 1997, Anton studies neurology at university. In 1998, Brian searches for answers through his dreams. By 1999, Brian begins developing Jupiter Animated Productions, while Anton works in electronic publishing. In 2000, Anton tries stand-up comedy in a scene connected to the stage play The Professor.
Episode 7: I Thought Cap Was Dead
Cap returns, Anton stars in the film Invasion Force, and Monkeyboy deals with nano-sized robots inside his body. Brian begins an animation production company in New York City — but for now, it exists only as a dream.
Episode 8: Brian's Anime Idea
In 2001, after 9/11, Anton writes a book challenging religion. A dreamwalker named Tendo enters Brian's dreamworld and discovers the scripts Brian has written for a near-future science-fiction anime series called Banana Chan.
Episode 9: Breakdown
The gang works at Brian's production company, producing Banana Chan. Meanwhile, strange events occur in their hometown, including a mysterious message received by a teenage girl named Tracy. Brian begins wondering whether everything happening is real or only part of a dream.
Episode 10: This Is Screwy
More unusual events unfold. Brian pitches this very story to an alien cat in 2002. By 2005, Brian's production company appears to be falling apart — until things begin changing in unexpected ways.
Episode 11: Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast
Alan Holman, the writer of this series, enters the story as the fictional universe approaches its conclusion.
Episode 12: The Final Fantasy
This experimental story reaches its conclusion.