Infinity Train is a show created by Owen Dennis that was released in August 2019 and ran until April 2021. It originally aired on Cartoon Network, but then future seasons were released on HBO Max. Infinity Train shocked many of its viewers with its creative ideas and most crucially, its ability to dig deep into the human psyche, analyzing relationships and internal turmoil in a way that I have rarely seen. The show was unfortunately canceled after its fourth season because it apparently did not fit the child demographic that it was intended to, which I personally believe is untrue. The show could not have been any more important, especially in our current era for the incoming generations, and here’s why.
A Quick Synopsis
To avoid spoilers for those who are interested in watching the show on their own, I will briefly touch upon the first season only. Each season is technically focused on different characters, however, the setting is the same. One or more people enter a mysterious train that appears at their most vulnerable moment, and they must either try to leave or figure out another way to survive. As the name implies, the train has infinite cars, with each car containing a different theme and way to escape. Additionally, each new arrival on the train enters with a number on their hand, which is consistently one of the biggest mysteries that the show builds upon. The protagonist for the first season is Tulip, a thirteen-year-old girl who wanted to go to a game design camp, but her trip was canceled due to conflicts within her family. She leaves to get there on her own, but she is intercepted by the bizarre infinity train, and she, alongside her newfound companions, tries to figure out a way to get back home.
About The Train
What I believe is most intriguing about the show is the train itself. Usually, one episode is dedicated to one and sometimes even two cars within the train, allowing both Tulip and the viewer to explore the setting fully. As you may have assumed, even with some of the wacky components, such as a train car full of corgis, each car is crucial in understanding Tulip’s character and it offers her a way to help her grow and understand herself. In the fourth episode, Tulip enters the crystal car, a car as the name implies is filled with crystals. For the door to appear to the next cart, one of its inhabitants tells Tulip and her companions that they must sing a song that is “emotional”. Tulip is very logical and persevering and loves theorizing and analyzing, which helps her get through the puzzles that each train offers. But she is stuck in this particular car, unable to fulfill the requirements provided by the inhabitant. She goes through a checklist of typical emotional songs: heartbreak, tragedy, and such, however, none of the songs she sings seems to qualify. Simultaneously, she is trying to understand the number on her hand that decreased in a previous cart, which causes her to be frustrated by all of these unknown variables. The inhabitant, recognizing her exasperation, tells her that the train does not need an “emotional” song but a song that is “emotional” to her. She then allows herself to become vulnerable, looking inside herself to find a song that is important to her, which ends up being a song she enjoyed during road trips with her family. The train seems to understand that although Tulip is brilliant and intelligent, she can be incredibly narrow-minded and internalizes her emotions and feelings just to reach her goals. The song she chose was not the typical definition of an “emotional” song, but it worked because the song resonated closely with her. This experience additionally decreased the number on her hand once more, reflecting that to leave this train, she needs to confront what she has been neglecting within herself.
About Tulip
Tulip is what I consider a unique character in children’s media, not only through her incredibly flawed introduction but with her backstory as well. She may be one of the few main characters that have parents currently going through a divorce, and her internal complications stem from the anxieties that come with such a drastic familial change. The train exists so she can work through her emotions that a headstrong girl like her may have difficulty processing. Her companions additionally balance her traits to assist her through her travels. One-one is a peculiar robot she becomes friends with when she first enters the train that has a split personality: one positive, one negative. These dual personalities are capable of uplifting her when she is down and bringing her back to earth when she is struggling in her own head. Atticus is a corgi that joins her as well, who acts as a pseudo-parental figure in her life, giving her advice and recognition when she needs it. I personally believe Atticus exists to support her when her parents could not when going through their divorce. Children and teens like Tulip are present all over the world with difficult familial situations that can be overwhelming and upsetting. This show can teach those of any age really how to accept and process strenuous emotions and how to rely on those around you for help.
I was incredibly upset when I found out that this show was getting canceled, since it aired when I was in my late teens, a time when I needed this show the most. The later seasons showed much promise, with other issues introduced that have never been acknowledged before in children’s media. Even though there probably will be no more seasons, I highly recommend that you give this show a chance, it may surprise you when you least expect it.