#I am just mad about writing tropes not being utilized correctly

[gale-gentlepenguin]

What did you think about Astrucs stance on ladybug being the leader of the team? I feel that lb and cn are more the "brains and brawn" dynamic, and it's just that setting up a convoluted trap makes a more interesting fight than chats simpler method of "fight the akuma, break the object, problem solved" so it's not so much chat being sidelined as chats just not being given the opportunity to play to his strengths.

Ladybug is the main character, so her being the leader is kind of expected. So Thomas isn't wrong, It is his show, he can write it however.

(This gets a little bit rant-y so forgive me anon)

Chat noir would not argue that Ladybug is in charge. The only time he has an issue is when he is kept in the dark on something, which is honestly fair.

I think the problem with show’s dynamic boils down to Balance.

They go with the Yin-yang, creation destruction angle on the show. So Ladybug and Chat noir are partners. From that angle you would think that the show would Play off that. Have some situations play more towards Ladybug being more capable then other episodes have  chat noir really have a capable day. But 95% of the time, The problem is always more complicated and Ladybug needs to solve the puzzle. Chat noir is more of a meat shield. Which considering how the powers were distributed, Ladybug NEEDS to always be there because she has the power to fix everything. Marinette is the MC, so of course she needs to be at the forefront, but the show really just has chat noir mostly be the sidekick. If you really disect the episodes, how many times was Chat noir needed for his power/ his skills, or his abilities? Could Chat noir have been replaced with any other hero? If you go through season 1, you argue that he was specifically key in defeating the akuma 7 times. Origins, Darkblade, Bubbler,  Reflekta, Gamer, Pixelator, and The Mime.

How many times was he actually more of a hinderance then help?  About 7

Evillustrator, Dark cupid, The Puppeteer, Antibug,  Princess Fragrance, Lady Wifi, Copy cat (cause he CAUSED IT)

The rest of the episodes he had no direct roll that could have easily been replaced with another hero with no difference in outcome.

If we go to season 2, the usefulness of chat noir is at least Slightly better. with having and Episode where Cataclysm was actually 100% needed to defeat an akuma. But the dynamic of the partner ship was sliding as Ladybug was taking the guardian role and he was left in the dark for half the season.

By season 3, Chat noir is pretty much equal to that of the temporary heroes but with the exception that Ladybug doesn't know his identity. The season 3 finale, Oblivio, Gamer 2.0 and Desperada try so hard to fight against this, but the show ‘s pattern just gives that vibe, Reflekdoll especially shows how replaceable chat noir is in a physical sense. The episode all but said he was a useless sack of garbage. (don't act like it didn't)

HOWEVER

The does get the Emotional moments involving Chat noir accurate. Chat noir is the heart of the duo, Ladybug is the brains. The moments where chat noir is most crucial is as the emotional center, helping Ladybug find her center, helping her calm down when she starts feeling overwhelmed. In that regard, Chat noir is Ladybug’s perfect partner.

Ladybug being the Leader makes sense, she is the guardian, she is the brains. But would it kill the show to Try and Make Chat noir a bit more capable? I don't want him as the MC, I just want him to actually be more useful in a physical sense, the lack of balance in this yet they push for the balance Yin-yang. It is infuriating as a writer? Whats is the point of even having this balance? Why is the cat miraculous so needed with the ladybug one? Just make the Ladybug miraculous the only valuable one and NO ONE would really care! It would eliminate the need to have a balanced Dynamic, Chat noir can still be the heart of the duo, and I wouldn't have such a f***ing headache over this.