Smile. Always

*Smile. Always* is a web series produced by Alton Towers that acts as a backstory for The Smiler. The series follows two students investigating the author of a book who has links to the mysterious Ministry of Joy.

*Smile. Always* also featured a competition element, where viewers who were able to find specific written clues within each video would be able to win a VIP preview of The Smiler.

## Episodes

### Part 1

Two social psychology students, Trisha and Daniel, are completing a second year project about Miles Cedars, the author of the book 'Smile. Always'. The book has numerous theories about "correcting society" and curing societal ills through smiling and the pair have been invited by Miles for an interview.

Upon arriving at Miles' residence, Trisha and Daniel note the presence of a group of people outside, holding hands in a circle and singing together. They eventually meet Miles, who explains the group are "advocates" who came to the residence which he claims is a "sanctuary" for them. During the interview, Miles explains his view that the the constant negativity of everyday life causes people to lose respect for their fellow human beings. He explains that the residence uses techniques that place joy as the keystone of therapy and helping people to be happier.

However, when Trisha asks Miles to explain his background and reasons for believing these theories since it isn't mentioned in his book, Miles refuses to answer and hurriedly excuses himself to make the group some tea. While waiting for his return, Trisha discovers a box full of old VHS tapes marked as "Miles Cedars Tests". At Daniel's insistence, Trisha puts the tapes in her bag only to suddenly be shocked by Miles with an unnaturally wide grin on his face, causing the pair to flee.

The clue for Part 1 is **DO NOT RESIST**, seen on a poster in the entrance of the house.

### Part 2

The episode begins with a disclaimer that the following footage was recovered from Daniel and Trisha's house as the pair have since gone missing following their encounter with Miles.

Trisha explains that they have returned from Miles' residence and hope that the tapes they took could shed some light onto what they had witnessed there. The tape shows "Sanctuary Test Subject #1" and is a session between Miles and Dr. Kelman of the Ministry of Joy. Miles is apparently in the Ministry's care to become "better" as Kelman assures him that any sense of pain or agitation is for a good cause. The tape then cuts to Miles' treatment, where he is restrained to a chair and has to balance on its front legs while being told to not look down. He is then shown being subsequently hypnotised and fed pieces of propaganda by Kelman, only to be then shown laughing uncontrollably as hypnotic patterns play on the wall in front of him. Trisha stops the tape, saying she can't watch any more.

The clue for Part 2 is **IT'S TIME 2,** seen on the VHS tape Trisha shows the camera.

### Part 3

Following the same disclaimer as Part 2, the episode begins some time after the last viewing of the tapes. Trisha explains that she hasn't slept since and wants to destroy the tapes so they don't get into any more trouble. Daniel however insists they watch just one more before they do so.

The tapes features a video call between Dr. Kelman and an unknown member of the Ministry of Joy. The doctor explains they have run a series of tests on Miles and explains they have only achieved 50% marmalisation. The Ministry member orders Kelman to let Miles check out of the facility, even though Kelman insists he needs further treatment to become a proper "smiling advocate". The Ministry explains that Miles only being partially compliant means his mind his supple but he still has the ability to think and act on his own, which will allow him to sway others into the Ministry's fold. This also makes him a candidate for the "ultimate correctional device", which Kelman happily agrees with. The tape ends on a shot of Miles sitting alone in a room.

The clue for Part 3 is **GET CORRECTED,** seen written on the wall behind Miles.

### Part 4

After another disclaimer, the episode begins with Daniel being woken up in the early hours of the morning by the sound of Trisha's voice repeating the words "Ride The Ride". As Daniel enters the living room, he sees numerous drawing of smiling faces and a hypnotic message being played on the TV. At the sound of a laugh, he turns to see Trisha facing away from him in the corner and continuing to draw before his phone suddenly rings. Picking it up, Daniel receives a video message from Miles. He explains that the Ministry has been watching him and Trisha for some time and that Trisha is "on the path to joy". He claims that all three of them are bound for the ultimate correction, The Smiler. He invites Daniel to join them before another unnatural smile distorts his face, bringing the series to an end.

The clue for Part 4 is **SMILE,** seen on the TV screen in the living room.

## Cast & Characters

Peter Cliff as Miles Cedars

Gerry Cannel as Doctor Kelman

Unknown actress as Trishaa White

Unknown actor as Danieliel Holden

Unknown actress as The Voice

Unknown actors/actresses as unnamed advocates

## Trivia

* Both Trisha and Daniel had Twitter accounts set up for them prior to the run of *Smile. Always.* Trisha's posts (@Trisha\_\_White) began innocently before she then started to complain about suffering from hallucinations and hearing voices before the posts stopped. Daniel's account (@Danny\_Holden90) was much the same, though went silent after uploading the first part of interview footage from when the pair met Miles.
* The group of Advocates that are singing in Part 1 are doing so to the melody of "In The Hall of The Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg, the unofficial theme music for Alton Towers.
* Dr. Kelman makes numerous references to other Alton Towers attractions when overseeing the treatment of Miles.
	+ "Don't Look Down" is a phrase associated with Oblivion, the world's first vertical drop rollercoaster, which is located in X-Sector alongside The Smiler.
	+ Telling Miles that he is "sliding into submission" is a reference to Submission, a double swinging inverter ride that was also located in X-Sector until was removed in 2013.

## Gallery

Smile. Always - Part 1 of 4Part 1Smile. Always - Part 2 of 4Part 2Smile. Always - Part 3 of 4Part 3Smile. Always - Part 4 of 4Part 4