The Mysterious Fate of Cootie Revealed: Decoding the Ending of I'm A Virgo

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the highly anticipated series I'm A Virgo!

Prepare to be captivated by the incredible imagination of the legendary Boots Riley once again as he graces our screens with I'm A Virgo. This mesmerizing and unique tale delivers a humorous and surreal experience, culminating in a jaw-dropping conclusion.

Building upon his previous success as a groundbreaking hip-hop figure, Riley firmly established himself as a prominent force in the world of cinema with the release of Sorry To Bother You in 2018. This indie satire effortlessly blended elements of comedy, science fiction, and surrealism to keenly critique race relations, corporate culture, and the state of modern capitalism.

In his latest masterpiece, I’m A Virgo, exclusively available on Amazon, Riley revisits this rich creative landscape, thrusting us into the extraordinary journey of Cootie, a larger-than-life 13-foot-tall resident of Oakland. As we delve into Cootie's enthralling coming-of-age story and his immersion into American life, season 1 of I’m A Virgo promises to enthrall audiences like never before.

Does Cootie Defeat The Hero?

: Similar to the enigmatic conclusion of Sorry To Bother You, the ending of I'm A Virgo may leave certain viewers perplexed. Throughout the first season, Cootie dedicates his time to cultivating relationships with Jones, Felix, and Scat, while also tentatively exploring a romantic connection with Flora, an employee at the local fast food establishment, Bing Bang Burger. However, tragedy strikes when Scat is denied medical treatment and tragically passes away, prompting Cootie to seek vengeance and utilize his newfound fame for the greater good. Joined by Flora, Felix, and a group of local residents, they unite to bring about the closure of a nearby power plant's regulator. Although this brief period empowers the working-class community, their triumph is short-lived as the plant promptly replaces the regulator.

The conclusion of I'm A Virgo centers on the role of storytelling as a potent political tool for constructing a revolutionary left-wing movement. Cootie perceives himself as a villain as he fights against the Hero, a wealthy and unhinged individual portrayed by Walter Goggins. The Hero, a super-cop who believes he is a real-life superhero, confronts and overpowers Cootie in the ending of I'm A Virgo. However, the Hero manages to convince Cootie that they can collaborate. This showcases how deeply the narratives presented in the Hero's comics have influenced Cootie's perspective on the world. Despite the Hero's initial alliance, he ultimately resorts to violent attacks against Cootie; nevertheless, he is unsuccessful in defeating him.

Cootie fails to triumph over the Hero in the conclusion of I'm A Virgo. However, the Hero does ultimately abandon his original plans. Subsequently, the activist Jones guides the Hero through a detailed explanation of the flaws within capitalism. Through a mesmerizing sequence, Jones clarifies that capitalism necessitates unemployment while simultaneously condemning and punishing illicit businesses, resulting in the inevitable deployment of violence by the police on impoverished communities. The Hero becomes disheartened as he realizes that he is essentially nothing more than a tool of the oppressive carceral state, and he silently departs from the scene. Despite the Hero's penchant for using stories to deceive himself and others, he is unable to counter Jones' unwavering honesty.

What Happens In The Missing Parking Tickets Episode?

The conclusion of I'm A Virgo takes the concept of storytelling as a tool for socialism even further with the introduction of the Parking Tickets subplot. Within the show's universe, Parking Tickets is an animated sitcom that cleverly parodies elements from popular shows like Family Guy and Bojack Horseman. The characters in Parking Tickets range from an average individual to a weatherman to a demonic baby, all of whom engage in lengthy philosophical discussions before being interrupted by a spirited red-headed child shouting "Boyoyoyoyong!" This formula is followed throughout the three episodes of Parking Tickets showcased in season 1 of I'm A Virgo, but it takes a dramatic turn in the finale. Just before his demise, Scat manages to obtain the legendary lost episode of Parking Tickets, which had been banned due to its ability to induce existential crises.

Cootie’s Rash Explained: What’s Happening To His Body In I’m A Virgo’s Ending?

In a premise previously explored by well-known works like Infinite Jest and Monty Python, the missing episode of I’m A Virgo’s "Parking Tickets" takes a unique approach. It presents a piece of media that is so mesmerizing, it has the power to drive viewers to madness. Within the episode, Cootie and their companions utilize the recording to disable the security guards at the power plant. The episode itself unveils the complete life story of the infamous "Boyoyoyoyong!" child, spanning from their birth until their eventual demise. Without the customary philosophical commentary usually present in the show, this particular episode of "Parking Tickets" proves to be overwhelmingly intense for its audience. By subverting the familiar formula of the series, this episode reinforces the immense influence that stories possess and highlights the incredible transformative power of a subversive narrative on the perspectives of those who engage with it.

In the final moments of Season 1 of I’m A Virgo, there is a sense of triumph, although a looming danger still persists. Throughout the show, Cootie has developed a rash, which has now escalated into a truly horrifying condition. This rash can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of the detrimental impact of capitalism on Cootie's personality. It appears that Cootie acquired the rash from wearing clothing manufactured by Asphalt Royalty, a brand that he enthusiastically endorsed after gaining fame within society. However, it is also plausible that the rash was caused by consuming food from Bing Bang Burger, a fast food chain that Cootie idolized during his childhood television-watching days, only to discover later that it tasted absolutely awful.

What I’m A Virgo’s Ending Really Means

The recurring theme in I'm A Virgo becomes even more evident when considering the disappointment of Bing Bang Burger's food and the horrific rash caused by Asphalt Royalty's clothing. Cootie, the protagonist, falls victim to the allure of the Hero concept and is deceived by the show's fascist antagonist, leading to his imprisonment. Despite his distaste for the food, Cootie is captivated by Bing Bang Burger's television advertisements and continues to frequent the establishment (with Flora's presence also playing a significant role). Most concerningly, Cootie remains infatuated with Asphalt Royalty's brand, even after their clothes result in severe side effects. This highlights Cootie's susceptibility to the seduction of capitalist culture, despite the extensive harm it inflicts upon him.

The conclusion of I’m A Virgo illustrates the significant political influence exerted by advertising and other media forms, while also underscoring their potential for misuse by unscrupulous individuals. The detrimental impact of Asphalt Royalty’s clothing on Cootie's well-being exposes the company's apathy towards their spokesperson, while the Hero's public adoration merely conceals his fascist tendencies. However, the unreleased episode of Parking Tickets can still render security guards motionless, and Jones can overcome the Hero through her wise words. Hence, it becomes evident that storytelling itself is not to blame for the situation.

Instead, the issue lies within the structure. Jones would not have had the chance to overcome the hero if it weren't for Cootie's sudden rise to fame. The ability to narrate stories is not distributed equally among those who face structural disadvantages, be it poverty, race, LGBTQIA+ identity, or the combination of these challenges (as is the case for Jones). Consequently, audiences rarely witness an explicitly anti-capitalist perspective on screen. However, in the conclusion of I'm A Virgo, Jones showcases that truth-telling holds power, granted that disadvantaged individuals are granted an opportunity to share their experiences. Despite the bleak reality depicted in I'm A Virgo, there remains a glimmer of hope as long as storytellers persist in their endeavors.