#i wish the show expanded more on kendalls incredibly obvious bisexuality

[inkameswetrust]

Big Time Audition (A Kames Analysis)

Contents:

Introduction

Individual Characterization

Audition Analysis

Conclusion

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Introduction:

As most Rushers know, Big Time Audition is the first-ever episode of Big Time Rush. It spends the hour showing the audience how our four favorite hockey players from Minnesota started to become Big Time Superstars! As a lifelong Rusher, I've adopted a plethora of theories and ideas while even creating my own content regarding the series because of the sentimental value I hold for it.

My favorite Big Time Aspect of the show is the dynamic between Kendall Knight and James Diamond. We know Kendall and James to be one-half of our favorite blossoming boy band and likely two of the most popular characters in Big Time Rush. Fans are not only fond of their strong personalities and dashing good looks, but we have also come to love the relationship they have with one another.

In this post, I'd like to explain and explore the roots of the Kames dynamic. I believe Big Time Audition has planted the theoretical seeds the plot has nurtured into the pairing we know as Kames. There is plenty of potential to be experimented with that leads viewers to believe their relationship has what it takes to flourish past mere friendship. As a Kames truther myself, not a day goes by when I don't light up at the chance to dissect Kendall and James at their core.

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Individual Characterization:

Kendall Knight

A leader, a peace broker, a voice of reason—these are words that can be used to describe Kendall's role in Big Time Rush. He's known to take charge during most plot conflicts and use his stubbornness to his advantage. Judging from the fact that Kendall seldom asks for help and is the person his friends look to for a sure-fire plan of attack, we can surmise that independence makes up a great deal of his character.

But perhaps he wasn't always like this. We know that Mr. Knight, be it for divorce, estrangement, or even death, is not in the picture. Viewers may infer that Kendall's sense of independence may stem from the loss of a father figure. We may also infer his independence may stem from a hardworking mother struggling to make ends meet.

As we know, Kendall works part-time at a grocery store and is the only one out of all four members of Big Time Rush to maintain a steady job for more than one episode. Can we theorize that Kendall started working to help his mother pay for necessities? Or perhaps he just needed somewhere to go after school when no one was home. His intentions are left up to interpretation.

I don't intend to badmouth Kendall in any way, nor do I intend to throw a pity party for him. I feel that dissecting these aspects of his character can help create an understanding of why he says and does certain things. Many questions are still unanswered, and we can only surmise so much. It's important to understand that beneath the surface of a stubborn go-getter with a plan can be anxiety and reluctant independence. I pray that one day Kendall won't feel the need to run away when faced with his own problems.

TALK TO YOUR LOVED ONES ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS. PLEASE. I'M BEGGING YOU. DO NOT KEEP IT ALL BOTTLED UP LIKE YOU DO.

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James Diamond

He's flashy, self-centered, moisturized, and in his own lane. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for James Diamond! I think it's safe to say James is the pretty boy of the group. Why else would he constantly be combing his hair or changing outfits? Not only that, but he makes it his life's mission to pursue as many pretty women as he can. Every day is a new crush and a new heart to hold in the palm of his hand. Why is that, you may ask? Let's explore!

In Season 2 Episode 18 (Big Time Moms), we learn that James' mother Brooke Diamond is a successful businesswoman running her own cosmetics company. Due to the success of her business, Brooke doesn't spend much time at home with James, and when she does, she tends to dictate his decisions without explanation. In James' own words, when Gustavo suggested he decline Brooke's offer to bring him back home to help run the family business, "No? You don't tell my Mom no!"

We can surmise that growing up in the cosmetics industry has inflated the importance of appearance, causing James to adopt unhealthy or unorthodox habits. Such habits include but are not limited to triggering a severe allergic reaction to Barracuda Man Spray, overusing Mangerine Spray, talking to himself in the mirror, the inability to put away his handheld mirror, overattachment to his lucky comb, and contacting the authorities when running out of hairspray because his hair was 'limp and lifeless'. Someone get this boy a shrink!

Additionally, being a child of divorce affects the way one views and pursues relationships. We only see James' father for mere seconds to inform the boys that James has returned to LA under a contract with Hawke Records. One could only assume his father is involved in little to none of his life based on such little mention or screentime. Seeing his parents split up must've made James feel like he was losing control over the things and people he loved. To combat such an inability to cope, I theorize that James pursues women because he feels that is one of the few aspects of his life that he has control over. He may also be unknowingly exhibiting poor relationship habits he learned from his parents, which is why his flings wouldn't last more than one episode. Poor guy... he's so bad at being straight. Let's unpack those repressed feelings about your sexuality, buddy!

And let's not forget about those Mommy issues! *COUGH* I mean, what? Who said that?

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Audition Analysis:

Before:

What would Big Time Rush be had Kendall not figuratively and literally given James a push in the right direction? We can always count on Kendall for good old-fashioned speech, but it was this very speech that solidified his belief in James and began planting the roots of our Big Time Culture.

When reaching the audition site, James' evident anxiety caused him to switch number tags with his friends at the sound of each number being called. It wasn't until he got to Kendall that he mustered up the courage to walk onstage and give it his all. As Kendall explained, he was never really interested in performing. Hockey was his passion, but supporting James in his pursuit of stardom was his end goal.

Whether it be for a hockey game or a performance, Kendall was Big Time Rush's designated motivational speaker. But what was it about Kendall that drew his friends in whenever he spoke? What was it that convinced James to take that leap of faith? These are questions most viewers would never think twice about, but I'm left to wonder how the character relationships built up to their current status before the story began.

Logan and Carlos, while being complex characters in their own right, don't seem particularly interested in stardom either. They didn't have any encouraging words to say or gestures of motivation to exhibit. I'd like to think that out of everyone, Kendall understood just how much this dream meant to James and gave him his brutal honesty because of how much he cared. He couldn't achieve James' dream for him. All Kendall could do was point (or, in this case, shove) James in the right direction.

During:

Upon entering the auditorium, James sheepishly walks up to the microphone and proceeds to sing Smokey Robinson's Tracks of My Tears. The praise of his audience was no match for Gustavo Rocque's cold, indifferent stare, which led James to crack and stop his performance. After being berated and belittled, Kendall emerges from the audience and reprimands Gustavo for insulting James' ability to sing.

Although Kendall is known for his impulsive scheming and emotional outbursts when coming to the defense of those he loves, this felt oddly personal. Part of the reason may be that Kendall was never in a position to defend other people. He disgusted Jo as a means of convincing her to break up with him and accept her movie deal. He'd even gotten his friends to impersonate news reporters to convince Lucy not to besmirch his name. But going as far as to mock Gustavo Rocque's success, jump onto a table and attack him with his own dated hit song, and even fight off the security to defend James' honor has got to be Kendall's craziest outburst yet.

This was his only plan of attack that didn't have any sense of coherence or planning. Based on this information, we can infer Kendall's only motivation was pure emotion. One could argue this was, in one way or another, an act of love. Kendall wasn't worried about the consequences or the aftermath. Could one think that this was him in his most genuine form? Signs point to yes!

After:  

The day after the audition was plagued with awkward silence and disappointment. The boys joined Kendall while he was on the clock to discuss the fruit of his decision. After expressing how stupid Kendall's decision was, he and James have their first-ever argument. James was clearly upset his dream hadn't come true but even more upset when Kendall didn't seize the opportunity in his stead. He was just as confident in Kendall's abilities as Kendall was in his, and because of the anger he felt toward Kendall's decision, James remained silent.

That look in James' eyes after Kendall mentions Gustavo saying he has no talent always gets me. It's a look of acknowledgment, realization, and acceptance. For a brief moment, James didn't have an argument. He couldn't combat or disagree with that statement because he truly felt how upset Kendall was on his behalf. Perhaps he regretted his earlier statement about hating all of Kendall. That couldn't possibly be true. After all, James only hated Kendall's decision to stay in Minnesota and give up the 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to reach stardom.

This line portrays James' evident anger and disapproval toward Kendall. I'd like to explore the bigger picture and theorize about how he'd feel if Kendall did accept Gustavo's offer and left for LA by himself. No doubt, James would feel deserted and lonely without the company of his greatest support system. Furthermore, there'd be no Big Time Rush. There'd be no talk of 'this is our someday,' and the overall character progression would plummet.

I'd like to think Kendall would keep in touch, but without his friends there to ground him, anything could happen. Perhaps a small part of James believed that was a possible outcome, and, while being upset the opportunity is gone, he may have believed such a future could've made Kendall happy in the long run.

I find it fascinating how James incorporated the most influential line of Kendall's speech before the audition into his own dialogue. This shows he was not only receiving the message, but he took that to heart and truly resonated with Kendall's words. "Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime." I'd never think twice about this statement on it's own, but given the context of this show, it influenced the very decision that created Big Time Rush.

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Conclusion:

Yeah, that's pretty much it. I'm very tired, and I've been working on this quite literally all day, and now it's past midnight on the NEXT FREAKING DAY. I have not had a break, and I am delirious with Kames. Long story short, Kendall's and James' characters would be sooooooo much better if they were gay for each other. I don't think it takes a genius to come to that conclusion.

If you're ever interested in reading a fanfiction that explores a scenario where Big Time Audition never happened, or at least a scenario that acted as a prologue to Big Time Audition, consider reading mine. I started writing it almost a year ago, and although I've poured my blood, sweat, and tears into writing it, I haven't released another chapter since April. I swear I'll update it one of these days. I just need some Taco Bell and a nap.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/353354530-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥-a-kames-fanfic Just copy this URL into your search bar, Tumblr says it's an incomplete link. Have a stellar rest of the day/night, you little freaky deakies!