This is based on opinion. Please don't list it on a work's trope example list.
The story is about Benjamin surviving the physical and psychological abuse of family members. It's bound to tug a few heartstrings along the way.
Chapter 1
- After "Fresh", Father Fairest calls out on Benjamin for running away. Really, it's heartbreaking to watch, especially if your own father disowned you before.
Father Fairest: You sound just as good as your old man! It’s a real shame that you’re putting all that talent to waste... (Benjamin looks saddened.) Your mother and I built this perfect life for you so you could become a star... And you want to be what? A painter? Doesn’t that just sound ridiculous?
Benjamin: Just listen to me for once-
Father Fairest: Speak up, I can't hear you.
Benjamin: It’s my life-!
Father Fairest: Oh is it now?
Chapter 2
- "Repressed" involves the first appearance of the Dad Monster, a manifestation of Benjamin's repressed memories and fears of Father Fairest's abuses. The Soft Monster is enveloped by smoke, hinting that Father Fairest's cigar wasn't just for stress relief. The atmosphere is figuratively and literally haunting, and it's clear Benjamin just wants the memory to end so he can go back to Pico.
Chapter 3
- "A Childhood Friend" is the most emotionally-charged week of the mod, on top of being the only one with 100% original songs. Grace appears, trying to win Benjamin back, and, while the first song is relatively playful, the second and third songs are increasingly desperate and strained, with "Stay" interweaving its somberness with the relaxed, "lo-fi"-esque tone of the song masterfully, while "It's Complicated" has all pretense of "happy ending" whittling away note by note. It's made abundantly clear that Benjamin isn't the only one who's suffered in his life, and the worst part? Grace is a "successful" case in the eyes of her parents.
- Speaking of "It's Complicated", the duo's argument before the song starts is quite sad as well.
Grace: BF... Tell me something... Why are you so interested in this criminal? [...] It was supposed to be the two of us since the beginning... You promised... (welling up with tears) Our parents promised. Why are you doing this to us? To ME?!
Benjamin: GF- you don’t underst-
(Pico averts his gaze.)
Grace: He is the whole reason we had to get privately tutored.
Benjamin: G...
Benjamin: (angrily) You know
damn well that’s not what happened that day! Without him, you and I could have di-
Grace: NO! MOMMY AND DADDY TOLD ME SO! THEY WOULD NEVER LIE TO ME!
Benjamin: Listen-
Grace: (hysterically) NO YOU LISTEN, YOU LIAR! YOU ARE COMING HOME WITH ME AND WE ARE GOING TO LIVE OUT OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER! T O G E T H E R!
- The dialogue after the song only gets even more devastating. Benjamin can only acknowledge that the life they made for him and Grace just can't happen. This causes sweet, innocent Grace to break down while Benjamin can only feel pity for her.
Grace: It’s not fair! Why...w-why him?
Benjamin: I- I can’t help who I love, GF...
Grace: Neither can I! H-H-How... could you… d-do this to me...?
Benjamin: (remorsefully) Oh man... G… don’t be like that... We are still best friends. We can still hug things out. Right?
- And things get much, MUCH worse from here...
Chapter 5
- "Genesis" is a somber mixture of this and Catharsis Factor. Coming down from the climax of "Hope," in which Benjamin outed his parents for abusing him and publicly disowned them, the monster appears, and Benjamin, still burning with his newfound defiance, lets his guts spill through a mixture of tears and determination, culminating in an ear-splitting Cathartic Scream that's completely independent of button input. It's particularly touching for anyone who's managed to overcome the trauma of abuse. By the end, the monster fades, and Benjamin is smiling with tears in his eyes, finally having reconciled with his inner demons.
