siremy-colors

[siremy-colors]

Tartan

Tartan is a textile design originated in Scotland and it consists in stripes (of different width and color) crossed at right angles. Every “clan” has its own specific pattern and therefore it’s related to the concept of origin, family and, being a woolen fabric used to protect from the cold weather, also protection. In Rise we see it a lot and it’s no coincidence, since the show is deeply based on the concept of family and belonging. Characters take care of each other, they “have each other’s back”. But it’s always a kind of cheap and poor tartan, never an expensive one, as an expression of the city itself: in the US this fabric arrived with the pioneers, so it’s connected to the working class. As a link to the value of affection Simon wears it in 1x04 first when he warns Robbie about not hurting Lilette: she’s his best friend, he loves her and he’s committed to do everything he can to protect her. The same shirt appears few scenes later when he’s singing before the football game, meaning belonging to the group even in its colors: green is expression of his reliability both as a friend and a member of the troupe; blue is communication, safety, determination. Simon wears this shirt also when he talks with his father in 1x09. Tartan is in fact present when the relationship with his parents (and especially his dad) becomes problematic. In this scene he needs to be reassured, but at the same time he asks for the truth (blue is the color of honesty) and concreteness. Too bad the balance his father mentiones - made of compromises – is not what Simon is looking for.

More familiar conflicts – and once again with a blue/green tartan – are evident in the 1x08 scene when Simon faces his mother about the petition against the Spring Awakening production. This time the pattern is larger and somehow bolder, as Simon’s attitude: he’s not afraid to fight for his troupe and the show and he has a hard time containing his rage, emotion hinted also by a red line on the pattern. The squared form in fact stands as a box that contains feelings and it’s an aspect of Simon’s character we see throughout the episodes. This shirt is also worn by him in 1x09, where the pattern expresses once again his family attachment and, fearing everything would fall apart because of him, his need for security and stability.

A blue tartan shirt can also be seen in 1x02, when he calls Robbie so Lilette can talk to him – expression again of caring and concreteness (Lilette is shy and Simon cuts to the chase). In 1x06, when he’s talking with Anabelle about having sex with her, Simon wears this same shirt again: he wants to upper the status of their relationship and he seems confident and practical, but we know about his inner confusion and the blue pattern express his need of balance and clarity, of acting like any other straight guy, all hidden inside (the shirt is worn under a gray sweater). Simon’s use of tartan in 1x02 and 1x06 is particularly linked to his sexuality, especially because it’s purple: a color, as I mentioned in its post, that is often associated with sex and lgbtq+ characters (out or not, confused or aware). In 1x02 he wears a purple tartan shirt when he talks with Jeremy and gets invited for the study session, while in 1x06 the same shirt appears when he buys condoms to have sex with Annabelle. In the scene with Jeremy there’s friendliness, but we can see Simon is still pretty confused by what he had felt during rehearsal, despite playing it cool. The tartan pattern shows his need to feel secure about his being straight and at the same time fighting against the attraction he feels for Jeremy: tartan in fact is also used in military context and it fits a character like Simon, who’s somehow “in war” against himself. Purple also expresses Simon’s immaturity and his urge to demonstrate his value and abilities.

Simon knows his parents never accepted the show and especially his role in it and that’s why he wears tartan when he gives them the tickets. Tartan in fact can also express a lack of acceptance and comprehension and this is a strong feeling for Simon, not only in this scene: deep down he fears they wouldn’t accept him as well if they knew he’s gay (although he’s not fully aware, yet, that his mother is by his side no matter what). Here he wants to show them he stands by his troupe and the show, so the pattern squares are all equal and communicate steadiness. The colors are strong as Simon’s feelings and black balances the aggressiveness and the energy of red, expression of a resentful Simon.

Jeremy, starting from 1x04, wears tartan every time he interacts with Simon with the only exception of the parking lot scene of 1x06. We can assume it’s because starting from that episode his feelings towards him become more evident (even though difficult to manage) and their relationship more problematic: Simon pushes him away and he doesn’t feel accepted and loved. It happens in 1x04 at the party and also in the car scene when, despite opening up a little, Simon still puts some distance between them. Tartan here is also for Jeremy’s need of affection, increased by the fact that he thinks it’s the last time he sees Simon.

He wears tartan in 1x07 when once again he gets pushed away and his need of affection is frustrated. While on stage during rehearsal he feels kind of reassured about Simon’s feelings by his behavior – soft, warm and flirty, like they were a real couple and not just acting - few scenes later Simon rejects him and what happened between them decisively. Almost to protect himself from more suffering, Jeremy clams up. Not surprisingly the tartan color is light blue: communication, caring, sincerity (and at the same time a lack of it), deep feelings, vulnerability and also sadness and stiffness, as we can see in another rehearsal of the same vineyard scene following the fight. The tie in burnt orange emphasizes Jeremy’s unfulfilled desire and his pride.

Jeremy keeps himself isolated and distant from Simon also in 1x08. I already mentioned tartan as military pattern related to war and fighting; even though Jeremy isn’t literally “in war” against Simon, he’s still hurt and sticks to his guns. He’s proud and doesn’t want to withdraw. The main color of his shirt is yellow, related to ego and sense of worth, being critical, impatient and impulsive. It’s a non-emotional color, one for those who don’t want to get emotionally involved. On Jeremy here it’s mixed with black or dark gray, strict and inflexible and mirrors Simon’s shirt color. Jeremy, though, is almost “protected” by Simon, who assumes responsibility for the decision to do their scene more subtly, when in fact it was Jeremy who had asked him to.

Tartan is also the pattern which indicates the capacity to give comfort, protection and to take care of someone. With this meaning we see it on Jeremy in 1x09, when he goes and finds Simon after he had stormed out of rehearsal. There’s no tension between them, no pushing to talk and Jeremy finally understands better Simon’s inner struggle and the reasons of his behavior towards him. Simon fears of losing everything and Jeremy, even though he doesn’t explicitly say so, is there for him, listening and we can be sure he’s going to stand by his side. It’s a gray based pattern – with darker and lighter squares – meaning balance, stability, relief and – being gray a basic color – the base from which something new and positive can come.

[siremy-colors]

Blue and light blue

Blue and light blue are two colors that represent trust, responsibility, honesty, truth and loyalty. They're colors for people who seek calm and peace, helping you dealing with stress and difficult situations and that's when we first see Simon in them. He wears a light blue shirt when he goes talking with Lou about the role he had cast him and apparently he seems so confident - light blue shows inner security and tranquillity - when in fact he isn't, because this role started an inner turmoil that confuses him and makes him anxious and worried. It's not a coincidence that the shirt has a polka dot pattern, symbol of chaos and confusion; its color – white – is a sign he's looking for peace and trying to calm down what's just started inside of him. Simon is a theatre kid and used to the stage, but we can understand immediately his tendency to introspection. After talking with Lou, he keeps thinking about this and at the end of the episode he tells his family he's going to play Hanschen and asks for their blessing. Blue is the color of communication and true feelings and we see Simon again with a light blue shirt. Being also the color of religion and spirituality, it’s no surprise that he wears it in this scene (like his father, who also has a dark blue tie, reinforcing the meaning), when he says he even prayed. He's determined to go further with this unexpected role (light blue inspires creativity and overcoming obstacles), but still his inner turmoil is far from solved, so we find again a polka dot pattern: red - in reference to his willpower to do Spring Awakening despite his doubts and fears, his taking it to heart, the impulse to change and do something new - and black - hidden feelings, chaos, something new coming to light, denial. Both blue and light blue are cold colors and this applies to feelings as well, since here Simon is denying that side of himself he refuses to see.

Spirituality, religion, authority and wisdom can be found in the scene with the priest, in 1x02. Simon here wears a dark prussian blue sweater on a dark blue/green tartan shirt: we have the meaning of trust – he trusts the priest but also Lou and what he wants to do with Spring Awakening – and the family, acceptance, balance ones (tartan pattern).

We see this steel blue hoodie several times, during the whole season: in episode 1x05, when he's having dinner with his family, talking about how the new school is like (communication, but also coldness, stiffness – he says he doesn't want to do theatre – and sadness). As the color of dreams and ambition, he wears this hoodie again in 1x06 when he brings the church glass window to using it in the show, accompanied by a yellow t-shirt (yellow is the color of creativity and new ideas, of happiness and enthusiasm. It's the only time where Simon wears it). Lastly in 1x09, when for the first time Simon opens up a little with Jeremy about his feelings and family situation; blue has a calming effect, showing his need for tranquillity but also trust in Jeremy. Jeremy wears blue for the first time in the first episode of the Understudies series. It's a joyful moment, where he's playing Never Have I Ever game with the other troupe friends, laughing and bonding with them. He wears an azure shade of blue, that means contentment and inspiration. We have also the meaning of truth, communication, self-expression and, since the group has just accepted a new member, Michael, also union and sense of belonging.

Light blue is the color of sincerity and purity of heart. We often see this aspect of Jeremy's character, especially when it revolves around feelings: in the fourth episode of the Understudies series he's wearing a light blue t-shirt when he's recording his message for the goodbye video to Simon. He really means what he says: he speaks from the heart and it's not the first time that he compliments Simon about him being a great actor and person. Blue and light blue also remind of deep feelings and loyalty in love: in the West tradition the bride usually wears something blue, meaning love; at this point of the series we already know about Jeremy's crush on Simon and in this video it's clear that there's more in his words. Like Simon, Jeremy wears blue when he goes looking for the pieces of scenery for the show in 1x06 – so we have again the meanings of dreams, freedom and self-expression. Dark blue is associated with the idea of intelligence and elegance. Often considered a corporate color, it's masculine and confident. Jeremy wears a dark blue sweater in 1x02, when he invites Simon for a study date: the horizontal lines have a calming effect and inspire trust, usually disclaiming menace and aggression. The stripes are also white, the color of purity, virginity, innocence and simplicity. At the same time dark blue can be linked to Simon's feelings (he doesn't want to let himself go with Jeremy, even as friends, worried of what people might think) and the stripes to his desire to stay grounded. Fun fact: every time we see Simon and Jeremy rehearsing the vineyard scene a blue floodlight is used; traditionally the sunset is represented with a warm orange, red or even pink light, but in this case blue is sign of union, loyalty in love, vulnerability and deep feelings (but also coldness, when they're on the outs with each other). This changes in the actual show, when it's a mix of blue and red (love, passion, courage, determination), making the stage look purplish.

[siremy-colors]

Green

Green is the color of nature, life and it's associated with balance, harmony and growth. It reminds of spring and rebirth, hope and peace. A mix between yellow and blue, it's the color of people with a strong sense of right or wrong, those who always consider all the options and end up making the most appropriate choice, even though sometimes they can get too rigid or over-cautious. It's a color we see a lot in Simon, it's almost like his signature one (even his backpack is green). He's introduced as a teenager with stability and self-confidence. He's loyal and down-to-earth, a reliable friend. He has solid values, high moral sense and we can find all these meanings in green. But this color is also associated with immaturity and coming to life and for Simon this is particularly true related to his sexuality and his whole story arc. He tends to wear mostly olive green, color of peace, but also of deceit. It shows a strength of character and therefore the ability to overcome difficulties. In 1x02 he wears this color several times: first at rehearsal, when he looks anxious (but he hides it) at the idea of kissing Jeremy and again later in the episode when he and Jeremy rehearse the scene for the first time. Green helps calming nervousness and we see Simon's inner peace (and therefore his values and the image he had always had of himself) shaking. Then he wears an olive-green hoodie when he talks with Lilette about the study date with Jeremy and he overthinks, getting judgmental about what people might say about it. As mentioned above, olive green is related to deceit: despite having said yes to the date with Jeremy, Simon later asks Anabelle for a date on the same day (in a previous scene of this episode we see that she has some kind of crush or interest in him, while he doesn't). But this “deceit” doesn't mean Simon is a bad character or that he decides to intentionally hurt Anabelle; green is the color of inexperience, inner reflection and when he feels something new in himself he still can’t accept, he ends up doing everything he can to restore the lost balance and get back to his core values (being straight and have a girlfriend).

Green is associated to healing and consolation. In 1x03 Simon wears again the long-sleeved t-shirt when he sings “Left behind” at one of the last rehearsals before leaving. The song is about mourning the death of a friend and someway it's like the other troupe kids are saying goodbye to him too (green is linked also to putrefaction and death). Always as sign of comfort he wears it in the scene with his sister, when she's sad to see him leaving Stanton High and he does his best to console her. Practical and down-to-earth, green speaks with clarity. Simon knows the reason why he's leaving is Spring Awakening, but he's strongly against any changes in the play, because the truth is sacred and nothing is more important than that.

Green as indifference and illness (not physical, here) can be seen in Simon wearing a green t-shirt at dinner, in 1x05, when his parents asks him about St. Francis and he says he doesn't want to do theatre. He doesn't want to complain or fight, but at the same time he's clearly not happy. The light blue hoodie intensifies these feelings (see the blue post). Jeremy doesn't wear much green instead and, when he does, it's mostly a brighter shade than Simon's - linked to his more spontaneous nature. In episode 1x02 he wears bright jade green shorts at rehearsal, during the Spring Awakening vineyard scene. In a moment of anxiety for Simon, Jeremy wearing jade green inspires trust and confidentiality: they both realize something is blooming between them, but it remains unsaid. Jeremy also does his best to make Simon feel at ease, smiling and patiently waiting for him to do his part of the scene. He's sympathetic and encourages him without speaking. Jade green is in fact also the color of generosity of spirit. In 1x03 we see him first with a forest green t-shirt when Simon announces to the troupe that he's leaving for St. Francis. He's heartbroken to know that Simon won't be at Stanton High anymore and since green can be seen as Simon signature color, it's linked to him and the feelings he has for the other boy. His hope of getting closer to Simon and let grow what was just, perhaps, born between them crashes. The green is vivid and this is a sign of Jeremy's feelings being more intense and clearer than Simon's, but always with a touch of inexperience. We see this t-shirt again in 1x06 in the scene where the troupe is putting the set pieces together (growth, anticipation of things to come).

Always in 1x03 he wears jade green pants when Simon is singing at rehearsal. This time the link between the two boys is clearer, since Simon is wearing green too and, even though it's a choral scene, they both have basically the same outfits of the vineyard scene rehearsal of the previous episode. In 1x09, during the talk between him and Simon, he's wearing pale olive-green pants, as symbol of peace, since it's the first time they really talk after the fight of 1x06. In addition, this shade of green here stands for understanding (he finally gets the reason behind Simon's behavior with him) and caring for the feelings of others – expressed also by the tartan pattern of this shirt (see the tartan post to know more).

[siremy-colors]

Brown

Brown is a color immediately linked with wood and earth, signifying stability, security, seriousness, longing for finding your roots and, therefore, support. For such reasons it's linked to family, friendship and sense of belonging. It's no surprise that Simon wears it in several occasions (it's also on his backpack), mostly linked to his family. Brown appears almost always with the same cinnamon brown sweater, where the hint of orange is linked to his inner energy and the need to release inhibitions. It first appears in 1x02, in a friendly moment when Simon ad Lilette meet Anabelle after school and she compliments him for his voice. This is the first time we see them interact in some way and we can assume she has some kind of crush on him. Brown is the color of natural, comfortable and simple things just like the relationship between a boy and a girl is supposed to be, the one Simon had always imagined for himself. Interesting note: the shirt under the sweater is the same of the pilot scene with Lou, when he tells him he's not gay. In 1x05 Simon wears brown when he comes back to Stanton. He's back where his roots are – there's tension with his family and in this moment the troupe is the place where he feels really at home, the place where he belongs. And where he finds Jeremy: the two boys share a look and a smile to each other, it's a genuine and honest moment where there's no fear, no negativity or inner burden. They're simply happy to see each other again, knowing it will last. Brown is also a sensual color, related to dirt, physical needs and sin and we see it on Simon in scenes related to his relationships and sexuality. In 1x08 he eavesdrops his parents fight about him and his role in the show; it's interesting that Simon's mother is wearing a brown sweater too – creating a link with her son – being the one who not only stands by him, but also knows him better than anyone else (“You’re hiding behind religion and God and morality to stop Simon from being who he is”). Her brown is dark, strong but also a little depressing – we learn in fact that there are some problems related to sexuality and intimacy between her and Robert. In 1x09 Simon's outfit is very similar to the previous episode, except for the shirt, in another familiar moment when he looks at his parents acting like that serious fight never happened (they're even wearing matching colors, black and burgundy).

Simon wears brown also in 1x06 in the parking lot scene matching with Jeremy. His jacket is dark brown, expression of Simon's strong attitude towards the other boy; he tries to look confident, wants to protect himself from Jeremy's attempts to talk openly about what's happening between them and seeks refuge in pretending not to see the truth (as the gray sweater hints - self-denial). His pants are beige, a basic, often background color that doesn't command attention and is often considered dull and boring. People who wear beige might be afraid to take chances. It's close to white, but it doesn't have the same purity – just like Simon's belief of them being “just friends” isn't completely true. Jeremy wears dark brown too, even though is slightly lighter than Simon's. Jeremy in fact is more direct and sincere, straight addressing what he felt there was between them. He asks for honesty and eventually he's the one starting their very first kiss, immediately reciprocated by Simon – brown once again stays for sensuality and sins. Dark gray is linked to his seriousness (he wants to know). Orange also shows a lot of him, here (see the orange post).

[siremy-colors]

Orange

Orange is a color that combines the energy of red and the joy of yellow, but it's more spontaneous because it's related to gut instincts instead of physical (like red) and mental (yellow) ones. It's warm, creative, fun. It expresses freedom and encouragement, it helps people in recovery. It's the color of youth and extroversion. Simon only wears it in the pilot, Jeremy does it more often and this is surely linked to his personality (as far as we know about it from his scenes with Simon) and his being more comfortable with his sexuality or at least with being attracted by a male. In 1x02 he first wears orange (amber) during the vineyard scene rehearsal. While Simon is anxious, Jeremy smiles at him and does his best to make him feel comfortable – orange and particularly amber in fact promotes courage and the will of overcome inhibitions. It's also a friendly color. We see this long sleeved t-shirt in three episodes in a row, always in scenes that involve Simon (gray is a link to what's hidden and unsaid between them). In 1x03 there's another rehearsal scene where Jeremy openly smiles at Simon – few scenes before he had asked the boy for a study date; he wants to spend time alone with him and he's not scared to invite him.

The same t-shirt can be seen in the 1x04 car scene, but also in the party moments before. Orange stimulates conversation and communication in general and that's what happens – even if always with a lot of things unsaid – in these scenes. In Japanese and Chinese culture orange means love and also desire; even the tartan hoodie has stripes in this color, highlighting Jeremy's feeling of being rejected by Simon and the need for his love. In the car scene they share an intimate and friendly moment and even though the deeper feelings are still hidden, they admit they're going to miss each other. Jeremy, being the most impulsive one of the couple, almost kisses Simon.

Orange as youthful impulsiveness is evident in the parking lot scene of 1x06. We learn that Jeremy had tried his best to get close and socialize with Simon – probably with too much enthusiasm - even optimistically thinking that they “had something”. But when Simon tries to put a little bit of distance between them Jeremy makes a move and bluntly asks him if he feels something for him and eventually kisses him. Orange here is burnt, communicating tension and aggressive self-assertion. Jeremy doesn't purposefully want to hurt Simon, but he follows his gut instinct and takes a risk, showing a lack of care for him (he doesn't consider that maybe the other boy wasn't as confident as him with his attraction for another male and they're in a parking lot where everyone could see them). Nevertheless Jeremy's feelings are serious: orange, when associated to a couple, means that what's between them is deep and serious. It's the color for enduring relationships and in fact is associated to brides and weddings. In this case, being Jeremy and Simon teenagers, can be expressed in terms of commitment.

Simon only wears orange in the pilot, with a burnt/rust orange jacket when he drives Lilette to the place where her mother had a secret meeting with Coach Strickland. It's a moment of friendship because he's there for her, but it's also a negative one being the demonstration of Vanessa's lies (Lilette is wearing a tartan shirt, symbol of a problematic relationship with her mother and lack of honesty by her. Simon has a tartan shirt too, meaning he’s standing by her). The same jacket is in the scene where Lou announces the troupe that they're not going to do Spring Awakening and again at the end of the episode, when the troupe burns the props. In these scenes orange on Simon is a link to the group, the bond that already formed between them, the friendship. The passion Simon has for this show is in the other kids too and he, with them, has the courage to stand for what's important. He joins the group in a risky and a little bit “aggressive” move, but he's driven and motivated by youthful energy.

[siremy-colors]

Gray

Gray is a color that we see a lot in Rise, not only on Simon and Jeremy. It’s expression of Stanton as a whole, its conservative, boring and quiet side, its being not glamorous and a dull city where nothing happens. It’s the color of compromise, it’s not black or white and it can assume a particular color dominant based on which color we put close to it. Serious, formal, conventional, unemotional and mournful (ashes), it’s also misleading, uncertain and ambiguous. Simon wears it since the pilot, in the very first vineyard rehearsal moment he shares with Jeremy; they’re both dressed in gray – already underlining a connection between them - but with a difference in lightness: Simon’s is darker, meaning seriousness, strictness and also self-denial, closure and shyness. When gray is close to black it gets mysterious and dramatic, like the still unknown feeling between them destined to turn Simon’s life upside down. Jeremy’s instead is lighter and soothing.

It’s not a surprise that they wear gray at the same time in this scene or that they do it individually in others. They both somehow hide something – like the fog does when it appears. Simon wears it in 1x03 in several scenes, first when he announces that he’s leaving school. He doesn’t exactly lie, but anyway he hides the real reason why his parents are taking him out of Stanton. He had hidden this fact even to his best friend Lilette and when she confronts him about this, gray of course means also sadness and mourning (for losing each other). Gray already hints to his soon being separated and excluded from the group. Gray as symbol of maturity, seriousness and intelligence: Simon’s wearing a light gray sweater in the following scene, talking with Lou and Tracey about the same subject. He steadily defends his parents’ decision, hiding (again) not only the real reason, but also his real feelings and thoughts about it. Gray, in fact, can mean detaching from situations and emotions, being an emotionless color itself. Here the lightness of the color stays for the calm he shows (together with the blue striped shirt underneath the sweater). In 1x05 Simon decides to talk to his parents about his desire to go back to Stanton. He feels lonely, looking for balance, and wears a gray shirt and a heather gray sweater with a white stripe. White is symbol of hope, encouragement and growth, it amplifies and here it goes with the stripe being thick and horizontal: such lines make a statement, are bold and stable. Light gray suggests that the situation causing Simon’s distress still has the chance to be solved (“soothed”).

Simon (until, we can assume, opening night) is unable to let himself follow his feelings for Jeremy. He’s uncertain and pretends not to be attracted by him. In 1x04 when he’s in Jeremy’s car he’s wearing a dark gray sweater. There’s so much in this moment, deeper feelings hidden in an intimate, friendly scene where again they’re both in gray – color of things unsaid and undone. Simon does his best to tone down his inner turmoil, even the horizontal stripes on his sweater suggest his effort to be calm and not to fall apart (but he fails, when he’s eventually home). The same effort (and sweater) can be seen in 1x09 when he comforts and reassure his sister about their parents.

In 1x07 and 1x08 the meaning of gray is influenced by the red tie he’s wearing with it in his scenes with Jeremy. In both episodes their relationship is more confused than ever, the messages they send to each other are ambiguous and unclear, especially from Simon’s point of view. In 1x08 he even lies to Lou, telling him that the decision of watering down the vineyard scene was his decision and not Jeremy’s. In these episodes they build a wall between each other – gray is therefore a symbol of isolation and sadness (see the end of Red/Burgundy post for more). As the color of responsibility we see it on Simon in the pilot when he tells his parents that he can’t let down the troupe, no matter if they consider the show inappropriate. His shirt isn’t plain gray, but this color is in horizontal stripes (a statement) of various thickness and spacing, meaning chaos and disorder. The same shirt can be seen in two other pilot scenes, first when Simon learns that they’re not going to do Spring awakening anymore (sadness) and then with the additional meaning of schemes and plots at the end of the episode, when the whole troupe burn props and costumes to force the Principal to let them do Spring Awakening. This shirt also has a certain amount of black as symbol of beginning and hidden goodness (black can hide everything and we can see it only if we turn the lights on). A tiny orange stripe can hint to the courage to take action he shows in these scenes and also to the bond that’s already formed with the troupe (he’s part of a group). In 1x06 Simon has a gray sweater when he’s talking with Anabelle about his intention to have sex with her. But, since characters can wear colors related to others and that reflect them, the sexual dimension is visible on Anabelle, instead of Simon, with the purple/black tartan shirt she’s wearing. Purple is connected to sex, especially homosexual one, and it’s often used on characters that are lgbtq+ (whether open or not). Tartan is also need of affection and sign of relationships (familiar or romantic – even Simon wears it, here). So, even though Simon is in gray – hiding, confusion, denial, closure ��, we can see his emotions on the other characters around him and it’s not a coincidence that this scene also involves Jeremy, the other side of this triangle, who has also gray in his outfit, but to know more check the Red/Burgundy post.

Other than during the pilot, Jeremy can be seen a couple of times with gray as a plain or semi-plain color, because he generally matches it with brighter ones. In 1x02 he has a gray t-shirt with a red drawing at rehearsal and in 1x05 he wears the same pilot t-shirt when the troupe is rehearsing “My Junk” and Simon is back. In both moments Jeremy looks at Simon smiling and the two boys have eye contact. The color is light and this suggests stability and calmness (like in the pilot); the red element of 1x02 scene is linked to the feelings Jeremy has for Simon and it’s like a signal, even though everything is still hidden and unsaid.

[siremy-colors]

Purple

Union of red and blue, purple is the color of imagination, spirituality and introspection. It's not as intense in terms of spectrum vibrations as violet, but it has the same essence. It combines the energy or red and the integrity of blue, the union of body and soul. It encourages imagination and creativity. Other than on a tartan shirt, Simon wears it a couple of times in connected situations. First in episode 4 of the Understudies, when he's watching the goodbye video the troupe sent him and then again in 1x03 when he meets Tracey and talks with Lilette about his leaving. They're all farewell scenes and he wears a boysenberry purple hoodie: purple here stands for mourning and the passage between Simon's metaphorichal death (he's leaving Stanton, his family) and his new beginning at St. Francis, being purple also the color of resurrection and future. Simon is sad, but even if he's more collected than for example the “Left behind” scene – purple is the color of controlled emotions - he's still looking for a new balance, like not only purple, but also the blue striped t-shirt suggest.

Jeremy wears purple just once, with a plum t-shirt, in the episode 7 of the Understudies. It's a funny and playful episode and purple here shows its creative, inventive and childish side. Figuratively it can hint at the “parallel” world Jeremy and the other troupe kids imagine when they “look for” the new Melchior and Wendla. Interesting note: purple is associated with lgbtq+ pride and in this scenes isn't wore by Jeremy only, but also by the transgender character Michael.

[siremy-colors]

Black

Black is the color of darkness and mystery; it hides and protects. It's strong, sophisticated, intimidating and confident. It's the color of death and endings, but at the same time of new beginnings, because it's a symbol of creation and discovery. We don't see it a lot on Simon and Jeremy. Simon wears it first in 1x03, when he wears black pants in the “Left Behind” rehearsal scene, meaning mourning for his upcoming leaving. Black can express a character rebellious nature and in 1x06 Simon wears it when he breaks in the steel mill with other troupe members at night. But it's also a provocative and seductive color and few scenes later Simon hides (mystery) in the foreman's office with Anabelle with the intention of having sex with her. It's supposed to be also the end of their virginity and a new level of their relationship. For Simon, though, it can mean also his inner feeling of inadequacy, his torment and the will of proving something, denying the part of himself attracted by another male. This decision in fact follows the kiss with Jeremy that happens earlier in the same episode and seems to be a little hasty.

Always in 1x06 Simon wears black pants when he shows the glass window to use as scenery for the show to Lou: it's the beginning of the set coming together. Black is also the color of the St. Francis uniform, so it's associated with power and formality (more on the Green post). Jeremy wears black only in the episode 7 of Understudies and it might be linked to the youthful, “rebellious” (but in a fun way) aspect of the situation of him and the rest of the kids playing with props and casting new Melchior and Wendla.

[siremy-colors]

Red and Burgundy

If we don't consider the Spring Awakening costumes, Simon and Jeremy rarely wear red (and Jeremy only the burgundy shade, a mix between red and purple). Burgundy is a dark purplish red, associated with richness, power and ambition. Dark red in general is a symbol of desire and sexual freedom; it's interesting to see Jeremy with this color for the first time when he learns the reason why had been dumped by Simon, after he had the courage of asking him to study together on a Saturday night. Burgundy is seen as more serious and less fun than lighter shades of red: Jeremy isn't happy to hear such news, but he doesn't tell his friends. Here's why we have also a great amount of gray, an ambiguous and misleading color. Gray is also the color of uncertainty and lack of self-esteem: Jeremy is still dealing with his feelings towards Simon and in this moment he's facing the fact that maybe the other guy might not be attracted by him. In a very small percentage we also have dark blue. Blue is associated with union and loyalty in love, but also, when it's dark, with the repressed feelings and the trouble showing them.

The second time we se Jeremy in burgundy is in a tiny moment of 1x06, when he's spotted by Simon who's talking with Anabelle. Since we look at him from Simon's point of view (colors worn by a character can be associated to another they have a connection or relationship with) the meaning of desire is emphasized: Jeremy doesn't look at Simon, but they already kissed, in this moment of the episode, and him being dressed in such color means that he's Simon's true desire, the “higher” and serious one. He has an effect on him and this gives him a power (burgundy is often associated with higher class society) that Simon tries to contrast. Burgundy is also a mix of red and purple, so we have an element of confusion and immaturity. Gray, once again, is a color of uncertainty, balance and hiding (no one knows about the kiss).

We can see burgundy on both characters again in 1x06, in a moment that happens few scenes after the corridor one above-mentioned. They're at rehearsal and they’re both wearing a burgundy piece of clothing (Jeremy a long sleeve t-shirt and Simon a zipped hoodie). The only interaction between them in this moment is a rapid look at each other, while leaving the auditorium: it's blurred in the background, but it remains a link to what happened between them at the beginning of the episode.

Simon wears a red tie during rehearsal in episodes 1x07 and 1x08. Red is the color of passion and love and its being on a tie sends a stronger message: in 1x07 Simon and Jeremy are rehearsing their Spring Awakening scene and it's particularly flirty, but later in the episode - when Jeremy confronts Simon about him having sex with Anabelle despite their kiss and Simon defends his being 'straight' - red, always represented by the tie, has a negative meaning and becomes anger, aggressiveness and stubbornness. In the following episode there's a similar rehearsal scene, but the passion of red is watered down, the element of the tie softens its passionate meaning and the energy is lower than before, helped by the dark gray we see in both characters shirts (it's a color of self-denial and strictness. For Simon, who wears the tie, the polka dot pattern on the shirt adds an element of vagueness and chaos, related to his sexuality and the relationship he has in this moment with Jeremy).

[siremy-colors]

About this blog

As the description says, I created this sideblog to post my analysis of the colors worn by Simon and Jeremy in Rise, in every scene they appeared, together or not; I didn't examine the Spring Awakening ones because they were, in fact, costumes and I focused on the characters' everyday life. I became interested in colors meaning in relation to fictional characters seven years ago, when I worked together with Cris (@22reasonstolove) of the Undeniable Attraction Chuck and Blair forum at a Nate and Serena outfits analysis, similar to the one they had already done about Chuck and Blair and posted on the chairdoitcolourful Livejournal in english (the italian version was published on UA forum and, the Serenate one, on mine). I didn't do much, back then, just the Serenate picspams that went with the text written by Cris, but since then finding more about fictional characters by "reading" their colors, knowing that they're never chosen at random, stayed with me. I read books and internet articles and I often thought about it while watching tv shows. But I never wrote anything until, months after Rise ended, I decided to try a similar thing for my show OTP, Siremy. I admit I've been doubtful about publishing the whole thing online, seeing the fandom situation right now. But eventually I did, because I put a lot of work in it, discovering so many interesting things about these two boys and maybe someone else can find it intriguing too. No one would ever call Simon and Jeremy fashionable, I know lmao but there's a reason why they matched certain colors together in specific moments of the episodes and in this blog you can find out more about it: each post talks about a color, while the tartan pattern one focuses both on the fabric meaning and the various colors at the same time. A very special thanks to Cris, who's always so kind, helpful and patient (!) with all the Rise stuff I send her and that helped me revising this whole work. Love you! SOURCES

chairdoitcolourful Livejournal

Empowered by color

Bourncreative

Meaning of lines

Color meaning and psychology

I'd like to hear from you! Feel free to send asks or messages here or on my personal, main blog @Sheireen. Needless to say, every like and reblog is appreciated :)