#Impish Blitzo

[wings-of-sapphire]

And we all knew what you’re talking about

Y'all the fact that a music video from an indie adult cartoon show looks and sounds leagues better than a major animation studio's 100th anniversary film is fucking hilarious.

[geekgirles]

Just Look My Way

Can we please talk about the way the lyrics have changed from the original to showcase Stolas' growth and character development?

I was already surprised that what originally looked like it was just going to be a fan video ended up becoming canon content, but when I heard the different lines my mind exploded, you guys.

Note the difference, the major difference, in treatment!

In the original version, which released back in season 1 but before Ozzie's, Stolas' line was actually:

"Come now, my little impish plaything, we've both made our choice."

Keep in mind the original most likely included this line as a reference to what both Striker and Stolas said in regards to Blitzo's relationship with Stolas. Even our dear owl boy referred to him as just a plaything while saving him from D.O.R.K.S! Which most likely only helped cement Blitzo's internalised belief that Stolas would never see him as anything other than a cheap thrill.

Here, however, Stolas is cementing him as his dearest! A loved one! Someone he values and cares for! That is a huge difference from being just a sexual partner!

And the second line. OMG, THE SECOND LINE.

Unlike the original, where Stolas speaks of a choice that, realistically, was never there (as it usually is the case with relationships where there's a power imbalance and, moreover, were born out of transactional needs), this time he is reaffirming Blitzo's agency and independence. The implied choice is clear: Stolas will present the asmodean crystal to him so he no longer relies on his Grimoire and sleeps with him out of necessity. All that's left for Blitzo now will be to choose if he wants to remain by Stolas' side even then. And the choice is his.

As a quick aside, I also love the constant symbolism between Blitzo and the Moon.

Technically, compared to Stolas and the Earth, both are just satellites, nowhere near as important as a Goetia demon and member of Hell Royalty or a planet brimming with life and where beauty and wonder happen at every corner. And yet, without them neither can thrive. Stolas is as fascinated and dependent of Blitzo as the Earth is with the Moon. Without the Moon, there's no tides; it brings inspiration and romance to countless souls, brightening the night sky, just like Blitzo brightens Stolas' life.

Blitzo is Stolas' moon, and I just think that's beautiful.

Every word in this line in particular just oozes character development, too.

The original was:

"What's left for me in this broken house if I cannot have you?"

This is no longer about Stolas using Blitzo to escape his boring routine and his horrible marriage to Stella, it's about Stolas being deeply and hopelessly in love with Blitzo and not knowing what to do to convey that in a way that will reach him.

Once again, Blitzo has stopped being a mere plaything or boy toy and become so much more. He has become an essential part of Stolas' life he doesn't know what he'll do without but knows he'll have to let go of if that's what Blitzo wants!

Now, I must admit I am not exactly a fan of this change in these particular verses. On the one hand, I understand it's meant to reflect Stolas is trying to understand Blitzo and see things from is point of view, but I also feel it robs the moment of the raw feeling the original conveyed:

"Is this how she'd feel? Abandoned, all alone, left to fend for herself, for a semblance of happiness that doesn't have to end?"

"She" clearly referring to Via.

I just think it would have been more powerful to keep it and allow that juxtaposition between the most important people in his life to help Stolas understand Blitzo better. After all, he loves them both dearly and unconditionally, but his actions have also hurt them both very deeply.

I just think it'd be fitting if one allowed him to understand the other better.

Nevertheless, if there is something this song has taught me, is this: we are so not ready for the next episode.

[fanthirtheen]

HelluvaVerse imps are maybe my new favorite creatures. They're a little bit feral. They purr. They have prehensile tails. They collect/hoard things (Blitzo's horses, Fizz's mirrors, Millie's weapons, Moxxie's musical shit[EDIT: guns. His hoard is guns, the fuck was i on? He likes musicals thats cool but we see him special interest in guns obv]. Their scars turn white. I bet you anything they're immune (but can carry) rabies. Sometimes larger/more powerful demons carry them around in their purse like a pet. Sometimes larger/more powerful demons fall head-over-heels in love with them. There is very little space in between these. They stick their tongues out like lizards when they're happy/feeling impish (pun intended). Their horns are cool. They're little.

[flower-boi16]

Stolas’ Abuse Tactics On Blitz

Viv clearly does not want you to see Stolas as an abuser. However, there is a strong disconnect between how a writer may want you to interpret the story vs how it actually comes across, and how Stolitz comes across is disturbingly different from how Viv wants you to see it.

Out of curiosity, I decided to look at some abuse tactics online and see how many lined up with Stolas’ behaviour and. Holy shit. Viv is actually writing an abuser without realizing it. Let’s go through every tactic that Stolas uses, shall we?

Sexual Abuse

This one is very obvious and I don’t feel the need to explain it.

Threatening

Again, another obvious one; Stolas is directly threatening Blitz by taking away the thing he needs for his job, so Blitz wouldn’t have a choice but to accept the deal.

Gaslighting

Throughout all of season 1, Stolas repeatedly belittles and dehumanizes (or dedemonizes…? Idk) Blitz by treating him as a toy, his “impish little plaything”, and gives off the impression that he looks down on the imp. Blitz clearly feels uncomfortable by this and tells Stolas to stop, but he doesn’t.

However, once we get to Apology Tour, Stolas actively the denies the idea that he ever looked down on Blitz and claims that he never did. Stolas says that Blitz just has this idea about Stolas in his head that isn’t true despite the evidence saying otherwise, and claims that he always did his best to support Blitz.

This is gaslighting. Gaslighting is a form of manipulation used by abusers to make the victim question themselves and their own sanity, which is what’s happening here.

(I forgot to mention the “I never realized you though to low of me” in Full Moon but that line absolutely comes across as gaslighting as well).

Playing The Victim

In that same episode, Stolas sings a whole song about how hurt he was by Blitz, how he “let Blitz get too close” or how he’s a motherfucker, framing Blitz as a horrible person and him as the person he hurt. Given the context here, this reads as Stolas playing the victim, making Blitz out to be a horrible person and singing about how hurt he felt, which again, given the context, this can be read as that.

Criticizing

Stolas accuses Blitz of being like Striker of all people in the first scene of Apology Tour, and says that he didn’t even bother to come save him when Striker captured him (even though he literally sent Millie and Moxxie to save him cuz he was busy).

He then paints and treats Blitz as someone too up his own ass to realize Stolas has true feelings for him, given the context Blitzo doesn’t come across as in the wrong in this scene like the narrative may want you think.

This is criticizing, which is an emotional abuse tactic that abusers use to assassinate the victim’s character as a way of demonizing them.

Stolas is an abuser

[cherrytea556]

"Stolas doesn't have an imp fetish, he loves Blitzo"

(a book he reads at the dinner table named; 'Imps in the sheets")

"Who dare threaten my impish little plaything..."

"Sound fair to you, my little imp"

Im just saying...blitzo had a point

[neeweekeewee]

I just finished Helluvaboss’s most recent episode “The Full Moon” and many of the themes surrounding Stolas’ and Blitzo’s rElAtiOnShIp make me even more uncomfortable than before…

For example:

Moxie telling Blitzo to “fuck him good” because their business is making good profits and they don’t want to lose Stolas’ book.

The last quarter of the show where they interact is just so…uncomfortably gaslighty on Stolas’ end. He’s been sexually abusing Blitzo and expects him to take Stolas in with open arms after he finally realizes “it’s wrong to sexually take advantage of the guy I have an obsession with, who is also of lower status than me.” Blitzo has made it clear in the first season how he felt like he was nothing but a sex toy to him and that Stolas made that very clear that all he wanted from him was sex. The consistency in this show is so all over the place in favor of this couple… it’s so cringe. From what we can see in the show, Stolas calls him demeaning pet names like “Blitzy” “My impish little play-thing” “My big-dicked Blitzy” and seems to always make unwanted sexual advances towards Blitzo instead of actually treating him with respect. Even when they’re in some form of danger, he makes it about sex.

“It’s like you cannot believe I might have these feelings about you and your first instinct is sex.”

My apologies….what??? This was their agreement? “On the full moon you bring the book to me and we have PASSIONATE FORNICATION.”

Blitzo had EVERY RIGHT to be upset that way. He is not in the wrong at all.

“Blitz I think so very highly of you, I didn’t realize you think so lowly of me….” LIKE YUCK BRO fuck outta here with that abuser shit.

It’s like the writers are COMPLETELY disregarding season 1….god this was a nightmare to watch.

Also some comments that made me uncomfortable/angry.

I loved the animation and the little glimpse of world building we got to see and that scene of BlitzFizz interacting was EVERYTHING to me.

They’re so much better for each other than Stolas and Blitzo.

[oatmealdoodles]

Apology tour spoilers

I kept putting this off because I pretty much agree with everybody else's takes on this, but I just want to get my opinions out anyways

So right off the bat we get THIS line from Blitzo

wow, gee, i wonder how that must feel like. Oh how i wonder

Anyways Stolas goes on directly to say that he doesn’t want to talk to Blitzo right know.

And you know what, thats vaid. All Stolas is saying in this entire interaction is “It’s too soon and i still mad at you, leave.” And i’m sorry but thats not an unreasonable request, especially after a fight that big. I was actually really impressed with how Stolas voiced his feelings thorough the entire confrontation: “I don't want to do words with you, so how about you respect that” “Seeing you right know is hard” “I don’t want to feel worse than I already do” “Im uncomfortable with how you’re speaking to me” This is textbook definition of healthy language.

And Blitzo for some reason just can’t respect that. Because he’s so dead set on getting things back to the status quo, what’s comfortable and familiar to him: this transactional relationship with no feelings, that he ignore Stolas’s requests blindly.

I saw someone claim that the show was trying to make it seem like Blitzo likes Stolas’s abuse, and I don’t think that’s what’s happening at all. Blitzo loves Stolas, that much is clear. But that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. And sometimes going back to an unhealthy relationship can feel better than without it, because that’s what’s familiar, what’s comfortable. Even if it’s not good for you. Especially for Blitz who already has so many abandonment insecurities. This actually happens a lot in real life and Im glad that HB decided to explore it.

But Stolas doesn’t get off the hook that easily

My dude, WHAT? Listen, Stolas, you are my favorite part of this episode. Nay, this show. But JESUS CHRIST WOULD EVEN AN OUNCE OF SELF AWARENESS KILL YOU???? “Impish little plaything,” “itty itty imp,” “you are so cute when you are serious,” “Blitzy,” none of that ringing a bell? SERIOUSLY??

Ok in all seriousness I think this line really emphasizes that Stolas is completely ignorant to the very prevalent power dynamic between them. He has no idea that all these actions and things he says to Blitzo hurt him. And that doesn’t makes it ok. Listen, Stolas has demonstrated that he’s willing to put in the work to improving himself. Just now I mentioned how his language changed to be more constructive and effective. The Stolas from the pilot and the Stolas in the last few episode are drastically different people. What Stolas needs is his own call-out episode, someone to give him a slap in the face and say “What you did is F’ed up” and for him to APOLOGIZE to Blitzo.

Also my man ate up this entire exchange

I have a bit less to say about the Striker stuff, I honestly don't think t was too relavent to the conversation, it’s just more well-written angst with fantastic animation and expressions. And seeing Blitzo slowly realize he screwed up was great too.

Unrelated but this probably to the biggest laugh out of me this episode

Brandon Rogers and Bryce Pinkham continue to be the best voice acting pair I’ve seen in a long time

and guys we FINALLY got Blitzo airing out his feelings to Stolas, completely dumping everything on the table. And then he just backpedals so violently because he’s scared of letting people see his true self, in fear they might hurt him. Also Stolas’s face be like “that escalated quickly…”

To be honest i could go on and on about all the little charachter detains and mannerisms, the animation, and how BEAUTIFUL the colors are. I want to talk about the section at the party, but this is already long enough. I might make a part two if i find the time, but those were just my thoughts

[bump-inthe-night]

Vivziepop is trying so hard to manipulate the fans into believing Stolitz is this “healthy” relationship filled with misunderstandings instead of a toxic relationship with a massive power imbalance. 

“Stolas treated Blitzo as an equal!” No, Stolas gave him a derogatory nickname such as “impish plaything” and only spoke sexually about him. 

“Stolas and Blitzo are childhood friends!” No, Paimon bought Blitzo for his son’s birthday to entertain him, and neither of them spoke to each other for 25 years. 

“Blitzo has had feelings for Stolas this entire time!” No, he’s only expressed annoyance and discomfort around the Goetia prince because of his sexual harassment and unconsensual touching. 

“Blitzo made his entire relationship with Stolas sexual!” No, Stolas is the one who coerced the imp in exchange for his grimoire and sexually harassed him numerous times throughout the show.

Vivziepop is rewriting their relationship to make it seem like Stolas and Blitzo are destined to be together, despite it being a blatantly toxic, one-sided mess.

[spopsalt]

"I think so very highly of you...I never realized that you think so low of me..."

Hm....so that's what you claim Stolas...well let's look at what you've done in the show that show exactly how you feel about Blitzo. Feel free to reblog with your additions!

Patronized him in Loo Loo Land when Blitzo makes it clear he's not interested in Stolas' advances "You are so cute when you are serious"

2. Calls Blitzo "My little imp" "My impish little plaything " and "Blitzy" which this one would be fine on its own if Blitzo didn't make it clear that he hates that nickname and Stolas only stops when Blitzo lashes out at him in "Ozzies"

3. Flirts with Blitzo multiple times while Blitzo always responds by getting annoyed/uncomfortable

4. Patronizes Blitzo by taking out a cigarette on him, pinching his cheek, and calling him an "Itty bitty imp" in condescending baby talk

5. Coerecies Blitzo by forcing him to have sex with him in exchange for the grimoire

6. Embrassed him in front of a lot of people at the harvest festival

7. Calls him sexual nicknames that makes him uncomfortable, for example "My big dicked Blitzy"

8. Graphically describes sexually things to Blitzo while Blitzo is uncomfortable

9. Hid his face when he was seen with him at Ozzies" then apologized for it in a fucking text message

10. Wonder why he doesn't love you after everything you have done to him.

Gee I wonder why he couldn't see how highly you think of him. Oh wow. What a perplexing mystery this is. Hm wow I wonder why oh man this is tough...

[birdy-babe]

UNPOPULAR HELLUVA BOSS OPINION

I actually think Stolas calling Blitzø “Blitz” and not “Blitzy” is positive character development- HEAR ME OUT

I’m a linguist. So when I think about the addition of the -y on his name, that is known as an English diminutive, which is an affix added to a word to make the it smaller / cuter. Some examples of this are: Dog -> doggy, Cat/Kit -> Kitty, etc.

This is how we got a lot of English words like “tiny” “teensy” “baby” “stubby” “mini” “itty bitty” and more because that -y (or the -y sound) at the end indicates smallness.

When considering the political context of Helluva Boss, adding the -y to Blitz name could be seen as degrading, or emphasizing his smaller place in the world. Especially when it accompanies other nicknames that Stolas uses in season 1 like “little ones” “impish little plaything” “itty bitty imp” to refer to Blitzo and other imps. It’s like he’s constantly reminding Blitz of how small he is.

So from Blitz perspective, he could see this nickname reminding him of his “place in the world” which, in the context of the show, is “inferior.” And each time Stolas uses “Blitzy” it feels degrading and belittling.

Especially when Blitzo works so hard to fight against that box that Hell places him in. In the Harvest Moon episode, Striker tells him how it’s impressive that he started his own business, because not many Imps do that.

So these nicknames and this attitude from Stolas might also indicate him not taking Blitzo and his business seriously. His business is something we know Blitzo values above most things.

Which is why I think Blitzo hates it so much.

And thus I like when Stolas uses “Blitz” instead- I feel, from Blitzo’s perspective, it more respectful. Using his name makes it seem like Stolas really does view them as equals.

But that’s just a theory-

A helluva theory

[chaifootsteps]

Its quite impressive to see Stolas go "I didnt know you thought so low of me" WHEN THIS SAME BIRD CONSTANTLY BELITTLED THE FUCK OUT OF HIS OWN "PARTNER". DIDNT YOU REDUCE BLITZO INTO AN IMPISH PLAYTHING??? PUT OUT YOUR CIGARRETTES ON HIS FORHEAD???? HARRASSED THE HELL OUT OF HIM WHEN HE WAS OBVIOUSLY SHOWING DISGUST FOR THE THINGS YOU WERE SAYING TO HIM????

It's like, YES YOU DID. HE FUCKING TOLD YOU.

[hill-art02]

"Stolas doesn't have an imp fetish"

So I guess all these times when Stolas:

*obsessed over Blitzo's genitals*

*constantly calling Blitzo "Blitzy" even when he's clearly bothered by it*

*reading a book on the dining table called "Imps in the sheets"*

*straight-up called Blitzo, "his impish little plaything"*

Is just him not knowing how to socialize, huh?

[trashogram]

i’m gonna hop on the stolas hate train with you for a second. Do you know what i feel like he doesn’t get enough lashings for? His inability to see things from Blitzo’s point of view.

I’m sorry but despite being horrendously bad he is simultaneously one of most self absorbed characters ever. If he really loved Blitz to an up to par standard he’d be able to understand the HUGE power imbalance between them regardless of their feelings or time spent together. (might be a spoiler but i feel like you’ve seen it by now) but Blitz out burst to Stolas was super justified , i wouldn’t have done it personally, but i see where he’s coming from.

That moment itself was a rare vulnerable!blitz moment that stolas could’ve used to mend their relationship but instead he made it about Him AGAIN I CANT DO THIS😭😭😭 THEY SUCKKKK GOOD LORDD

I’m here to conduct this hate train, you’re more than welcome to come aboard.

Stolas has the characteristics of a Covert Narcissist (obviously he’s fictional, I can’t diagnose a fictional character or real person, but let’s tally it up shall we?):

Lack of Empathy — You hit that one

Sense of Entitlement — he thinks he’s entitled to Blitzø’s time and body, as well as Octavia’s unending patience and understanding when he fucks up and fucks around on her and their family)

Taking advantage of others for personal gain — the whole deal with the fuckdamn Grimoire

Hyper-focusing on fantasies of grandeur — Stolas is King Delusion thinking his obsession with Blitzø is at all equivalent to love, or even liking someone. He also deludes himself into thinking he knows his own child but he ignores her wants when she literally runs away from him on two separate occasions bc he’s not fucking listening to her.

Exhibit passive-aggressive behavior, arrogance, or subtle superiority — Ppl don’t clock this as much as they should but I’ve noticed and gagged at his belittling “pet names” for Blitzø (impish little plaything, itty bitty imp) and how when Moxxie and Millie try to speak to him, Stolas either treats them with disdain/like peasants or doesn’t even look at them when they speak! Not even bringing up how he uses his own imp staff as stress-relieving toys.

Highly sensitive to criticism — Can’t take being called out, has to cry and run away from the truth that Blitzø (and Stella and Octavia) are spitting

Victim Mentality — it’s everyone else in this damn bird’s life that’s to blame instead of himself. “I think so highly of you, I didn’t realize you thought so low of me.”

Fuck. You. Stolas.

I’m sorry this is a wild rant but to be fair it is the Stolas Hate Train (SHT, we should implement an I in there). Obviously I don’t hate his fans. Like what you like. Please. However, I may have some concerns over how young HB fans can get and how they don’t truly see how terribly this character is written because they accept the framing of Stolas as the poor victim in this situation at face value and don’t see it for what it really is, but I’m not their parents. And hopefully the younger audience will grow up and also think “ew”. At the very least.

I would like to know if the HB writers, and her majesty Vivienne Medrano, realize that they’re framing the Abuser in this situation as the victim but have dug this hole so deep that they just have to keep digging bc there’s no going back or if they genuinely think their targeted audience of adults don’t see through this or haven’t had to deal with abusive relationships themselves.

[pinkandpurple360]

I wouldn't blame anyone for finding Look My Way too Stolas-sympathetic and weepy but honestly I think on the whole it's way better than most of the songs he gets in the show

and that's because it actually has a narrative arc to it. Stolas reflects on his life, realizes he is the problem between him and Blitzo, actually shows some empathy for the armor Blitzo has developed as a result of being impoverished, then decides on an action: making amends for making Blitzo a means to an end. and it retains his original classist character by having the impish plaything line that the show whitewashed over

it still has the same problem anything Stolas related does in that it's hard to care about his repeated pleas for Blitzo to look his way, but it's a far more concise view of him as a character and crucially he actually shows some ability to self reflect in it and then take action based on his conclusions

ParanoidDJ released the original after ep6 but honestly it would fit perfectly in the show after ep7, where Stolas comes back in from the party. instead of getting drunk, maybe he stops and makes himself think about where things went wrong

instead the songs he has in the show are

Stolas Sings - immediately implies Blitzo lied to him, so no self reflection or introspection. It's set up he'll go to get a crystal but that isn't referenced in the lyrics, it's just a split second freeze frame when he chucks his book into view of the camera which is bad storytelling. It's all self focused self pity - he's the victim and that's that. no sign of care for what he's done to Blitzo or Via unlike Look My Way.

All 2 U - a breakup reflection where he does no self reflection or introspection. blames Blitzo for stuff he did (let him get too close/go on too long/fell too far). all self focused self pity - he's the victim and that's that

duet number - does say he maybe did something wrong, but it only counts if Blitzo didn't actually want him (then when Blitzo confirms that, he proceeds to...show no self reflection or introspection - just he's the victim and that's that, you get the idea)

the show numbers not only fail to move the plot forward, they don't move Stolas' character forward at all. Look My Way really sticks out as one of his numbers because it's basically the only one where he does explicitly say 'I'm in the wrong and need to fix things' where in the show it's always 'maybe I did something wrong, maybe, but you hurt me so you're more wrong and I'm putting off doing any self reflection on what my issues are until Tuesday - when I'll put it off again'.

he's far more proactive in LMW too - he doesn't sound like he'll just give up on making amends at the first failure. meanwhile Show Stolas has done only two proactive things when it comes to Blitzo onscreen: making the deal and breaking the deal. both things were done for his own benefit and he's now back to being passive and expecting Blitzo to be the one to come crawling back to court him even though Blitzo has every reason to think he moved on with the succubus dude to spite him in particular

This moment here

It wasn’t him feeling some guilt/remorse for how obnoxious and forceful he behaved, or sympathy for Blitzs unhappiness. He is thinking “Aww….he doesn’t love me, that makes me so sad. Poor me. I deserve love. I just want a lover.”

Well anon, the simple explanation LMW stolas is so different…..is, Vivienne/Sam Haft didn’t write that. They both do think stolas is the more innocent and more victimised party. That’s why before Full Moons confrontation, stolas has sung not one, not two but three sad ballads about his soft boy romantic feelings. And it’s why stolas’ personality was changed drastically between his nasty truth seekers self to his Ozzies bleeding heart self. To make you forget his 1-6 self ever happened and pity him.

While blitz was only allowed to smirk and make sex jokes in a verse of stolas’ third sad song. With the intent of making him look like the “real” pervert with a cold black heart. His verse in when I see him was intended by Sam to set up “that your first instinct is that it’s always (gasp) about sex (closes eyes solemnly)” line. Stolas is allowed to have an inner monologue, desires, worries, regrets and hopes. Blitz is only allowed say “fuck” “penis” and “im traumatised”** with an asterisk saying that makes him an asshole and not “baby” stolas’ fault. Spoken to you in apology tour dialogue delivered by the lovely: Vivienne Mayday aka Verosika Medrano.

Viv didn’t write look my way, and disagrees with the narrative.

She hates Octavia for not being more grateful to her father and thinks stolas deserves to be free from being her parent. So took his line about her out of the song. Twitter emboldened her to go through with this belief. So she took her line out of LMW.

She hates blitz for disliking upper classes, implies he’s “just like a supremacist” against princes for it. I think this also came from Twitter. You are NOT allowed to point out the racism of stolas or you’ll be branded a striker sympathiser.

She agrees with stolas fans that the real reason blitz doesn’t trust stolas’ gifts with no catch is nothing to do with stolas’ previous exploitative transactional actions….it is….because of his own mean imp father? Because Cash taught him love is transaction. A very convenient excuse Viv absorbed again, from Twitter and YouTube.

Cuz….it was cash. Not the sexual extorter who held his job over his head. That’s his soulmate cause owls only mate once via eye contact and die of broken hearts if they can’t have their mate forever. His 25 year long lust for someone he only knew as a child isn’t weird at all wdym. In fact all the bad stuff is Blitzs fault.

She absorbed all of this nonsense from Twitter takes, specifically the stolas stans, because she thinks putting fandom talking points into canon is a safe bet. The actual story is out the window, there isn’t one.

See how letting the stolas fandom twitter write your story for you makes for a biased fucked up victim blaming story that coddles a sexual abuser with “involuntarily celibate” arguments?

When she makes stolas reflect and take accountability, the reaction she wants you to have is “Poor baby stolas blames himself which shows what a good little boy he is! Even though nothing is ever his fault!” She just wanted to make money off of someone else’s work.

[the-phoenix-heart]

hang on lemme cook. LEMME COOK

Okay so I've been thinking about the stolitz breakup since I watched it last night and the thing I keep thinking about is Stolas saying, "Blitzo, I think so very highly of you...I didn't realize you think so low of me." It is a painful line read, Bryce Pinkham at his very best. And in a way Stolas is right, the fact that Blitzo thinks Stolas would willfully manipulate and play with Blitzo's emotions is a low opinion to have of him. It also makes sense that he sends Blitzo away because he's yelling at him (even Blitzo's cadence sounds a bit like Stella). However, I think Stolas misunderstands where Blitzo is coming from.

We know Stolas is aware of the power dynamic between them, and specifically the transactional nature, and that he is aware that it is unhealthy. However, I think Stolas only understands that transactional part as the unhealthy bit. Stolas (in "Full Moon" and "Just Look My Way") focuses on the "unspoken contract" and how tethered they are to each other. He thinks by giving Blitzo the crystal and semi-confessing (Stolas never says the words "I love you") it means they will be on even ground and Blitzo won't feel like he has to whore himself out for Stolas's grimoire (something he needs for his business so he can live). Then Blitzo can actually choose to stay with him or not. But he doesn't understand that even without the grimoire there's the inherent power imbalance on the hell hierarchy level.

Stolas says in "Just Look My Way", "I don't care that you're of lower station" and that's because he doesn't. But that doesn't mean Stolas is an imp ally. Stolas has never indicated that Blitzo isn't just the exception. Just in this episode Stolas was seen making life harder for his imp butler, and then there's the scene in "Seeing Stars" where he is holding the imp butler holding the phone and squeezing him when he gets pissed. His interactions with Moxie and Millie also don't really make it seem like he cares that much about them as people. Blitzo isn't wrong when he calls out Stolas's treatment of his butlers, or when he says that Stolas was dismissing him in a way that felt disrespectful. Even him putting his hand in his face feels like how he would dismiss a servant.

Throughout the entire conversation Stolas is very cordial, very genuine, and very respectful of Blitzo's emotions-right up until he takes Blitzo's response as a rejection-but even then Stolas always has the power in the conversation. Even when he is being emotionally vulnerable, he is still the one controlling the conversation. He's the one stressing Blitzo out with it. Even when he gets on his knees to put the crystal on Blitzo's glove he is technically taking the choice away from Blitzo to choose it. And then his reaction to Blitzo thinking it's roleplay is that Blitzo really doesn't want him is to completely shutdown emotionally and not listen to Blitzo.

And Blitzo is not wrong for thinking it's about sex. Half of this is Blitzo convincing himself it's roleplay because he doesn't believe anybody could truly love him, but also when isn't it about sex with Stolas? The only times where it hasn't been was after Ozzie's when Stolas offers Blitzo to come inside (which Blitzo did not believe and did not react well to) and arguably the Harvest Moon Festival where Stolas invites him, which Blitzo honestly could have misconstrued as Stolas wanting to bring his sidepiece with him. You could also make the case for "Seeing Stars" but that episode has them falling back into horny during a mission they are both participating in. And as I pointed out in an earlier post how is Blitzo supposed to realize how highly Stolas views him? Stolas has called Blitzo his "impish plaything" and covered his face at Ozzie's and has generally been condescending to him ("You are so cute when you are serious"). We know that Stolas is desperately in love with Blitzo and would do anything for him, but Blitzo himself has never really gotten that confirmation.

Hell, Blitzo is actively doing what Stolas wanted. His reaction to Stolas's semi-confession by thinking it's roleplay is specifically proof that he does want to keep this up, even if he doesn't realize the feelings behind it. And then later he is specifically trying to have a conversation with Stolas and process what's going on ("Let's go!" As in "let's have this conversation!"). The fact that Stolas sends Blitzo away when he himself starts crying, when Blitzo has been on the verge of tears throughout most of this conversation proves that Stolas is not ready to have this uncomfortable conversation. He was only ready for Blitzo to either accept or reject him, and he thought that their issues would be fixed.

"Blitzo, I think so very highly of you...I didn't realize you think so low of me." No, it's not that he thinks so low of you, it's that he has almost only seen the outrageously horny part of you, that he's more aware of this power dynamic than you, and is rightfully calling you out for how you fumbled this confession. You clearly love Blitzo, you have the right idea, but you still have these inherent biases and are unaware of the power imbalance, and you need to reevaluate some things.

This isn't to absolve Blitzo of the part he played in the breakup, but since Stolas took the initiative and almost always people are more willing to take his side, I feel he needs to be held more accountable.

[sufferingsinnur]

My thoughts on Helluva Boss: APOLOGY TOUR and FULL MOON

Trigger warning to Stolas defenders, I guess.

I don't like the way the episode decided to make Blitzo the villain back to back. Stolas was such a hypocrite acting like he's done nothing wrong. "have you ever even apologized?" what a bold fucking thing to say after you banished him from your home when he attempted to do just that.

People keep getting something wrong about Stolitz, and that thing is..

THEY'RE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP.

And they never were. Blitzo does not have to spend every waking moment with this man if he doesn't want to. Sure, Blitzo does have feelings for him, but he also understands that they are strictly on BUSINESS because of a CONTRACT.

I don't see yall calling Angel Valentino's ex. Because they're not in a relationship. Same goes here.

Blitzo was hired as a BODYGUARD in LooLoo Land. Not a fucking escort. A BODYGUARD. Stolas made it very clear what his job would entail and what does he do? Flirt with him the ENTIRE TIME on a trip that was meant for HIM and his DAUGHTER.

I refuse to believe Blitzo has this many exes. How does he have this many when he couldn't even hold a relationship with Stolas or Verosika? Viv just wants to make him look worse than he is because there should be NO REASON why his exes can fill up a room.

He couldn't even bring himself to think Stolas or ANYONE could love him, yet he has this many exes? Viv, please. That's bullshit. They were flings or one night stands at best and you know it. Or idk, attended because Verosika is idk...A POPSTAR????

We don't know jack shit about these people. They could've been the toxic ones all along. And Verosika's just validating their pathetic asses. (Not all of them, but some select few, or most.)

Verosika's party is NOT helping anyone. She's acting like she's some unsung hero. "you almost make me feel bad for hating you" you should feel bad. You put this on yourself. It is NOT that hard to GET OVER IT. Blitzo is NOT that fucking hot. You're a grown ass woman, a millionaire probably at that. There should be NO REASON you can't afford therapy or find someone new.

She's not making it any better for the party goers. She's not letting them MOVE ON. She's bringing back these painful memories for the sake of 'helping them'.

I swear if she just got the fuck over it they would too. She's the one bringing in all this hurt EVERY YEAR.

Like, okay, it might work the first time. But EVERY YEAR?? Hell no. Now you're just being petty.

Can we talk about this "better than blitzo guy" who just swoops on in?? Like no. No no no. Stolas doesn't just get to have a happy ending. He has problems and we need to focus on those before we give him a new "impish little plaything" to toy with.

Neither of them are over Blitzo and they'll NEVER be over Blitzo, clearly. So this relationship is NOT going to work. Again, Stolas DEFINITELY has his issues and needs to fix the way he views people below him before he even DARES to try dating one again.

Blitzo put everything before Stolas, like his daughter and employees. As he should. Stolas puts Blitzo before everything, and THAT'S why his ass got his heartbroken.

Blitzo didn't even say NO. He just didn't understand. He knows this idiot has a hard time with these things, and yet held it against him anyway. I don't care what pills he was or wasn't on. There's no excuse for his actions when he KNOWS he's in the wrong.

Blitzo has already been called out for everything in the show itself, so I won't bother with him. They're both in the wrong. I need Stolas' to get what's coming to him.