#and ouuuuughhhhhh aaaaauughhh

[luckyclaw]

There's something beautiful in the changes Carrie 2002 made and I won't apologize for how genuine and honest its sort of optimism is

Between the principal having a file on Chris' bullying, the confrontation in the lipstick isle, Ms. Desjarin telling Carrie about how High School doesn't last forever... even before the final twist at the end, this version is setting up a LOT more allies in Carrie's corner. This really changes the flavor of the tragedy-- it's about how people can still TRY to help and that doesn't fix everything.

I really connected with the way that Carrie's teachers have a lot more care for her, how they WILL fight for her, but they just... can't win completely. She still has to go home to Margaret. She still has to deal with Chris and her goons. Bystanders still go along with the bullying and regret it later. Carrie gets some wins and gets a witty line in here and there, but is still getting harassed every day from all sides.

But like Ms. Desjarin says; High School isn't forever. And I think that goes perfectly with the twist in the end.

Carrie HAS to survive in this version. She HAS to learn that Chris was lying when she said that Sue was "making a project" out of her. Because this version is about moving on from your pain and your mistakes, not the retribution upon the sinners.

But in her haze, she herself lashes out and hurts others, and not necessarily those who deserve it. The principal, 8 prom kids, random people in the town. Even the death of Chris is more incidental in Carrie 2002! If she didn't happen to be driving that way, she would have survived!

"Jesus loves us all. Even me." Carrie is taking the power of the religious abuse back by focusing on LOVE. On the people who LOVE HER. Her mother drowns her in the bathtub and it's her FRIEND who pulls her out, like a baptism, she has been born again.

(and then they kiss.)