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alt title(s): Mind Goink; Mind Fuck
But... But if it's not a pipe, then WHAT IS IT?! A PICTURE of a Pipe! Or Is It?

"I wanted to have controversy, argument, fights, discussions, people in anger waving fists in my face, saying how dare you and why don't you do more that we can understand. I was delighted with that reaction; I think it's a very good one, and that was the intention of the exercise."
Patrick McGoohan on the last episode of The Prisoner

The Mind Screw is basically a show that relies so heavily on symbolism that the immediate response afterwards is "What the heck was that?!?!"

These shows practically beg for fans to invent their own improbable theories about Epileptic Trees and such.

While some fans can make arguments over what the symbolism means, and what everything represents, many mind screws will pad themselves with meaningless sequences to make the audience work even harder. Arguments over which sequences are significant are common. Don't expect the writer to be very helpful. And if the show has supplemental materials, don't expect them to be much help either. (If, by some miracle, they are helpful, you've got yourself a Mind Screwdriver.) The more decipherable symbolism tends to focus on the perceptions people have of one another. And puberty.

Also known as Mind Fuck, for those that don't mind the profanity.

Not to be confused with Mind Rape, no matter how the audience feels, nor with the Mind Game Ship.

When trying to get the creators to explain just what the heck is going on, expect some form of Shrug Of God.

Sub Tropes include Gainax Ending, Dada Ad, The Usual Suspects Ending, The Walrus Was Paul (when they are going for this intentionally).

Compare with What Do You Mean It Wasnt Made On Drugs.

Contrast with Mind Screwdriver, where the Mind Screw elements get rationalized/explained.

Examples:

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