#i'm thinking too deeply about the comedic relief character again guys

[illdothehotvoice]

So actually the Castle Bleck segment when Nastasia brainwashes Luigi foreshadows Mr. L's personality because it displays Luigi's willingness to be swayed by his own ego and his want to be important and highly regarded and needed in how he helps the Goombas BECAUSE they stroke his ego and satisfy his need to be needed hello can anyone hear m-

[utilitycaster]

It's not like most fans don't care enough about the reasons why FCG would do that to put any thought about it, no no no, this is clearly Sam FCG being so so selfish and inconsiderate to the rest of the characters (sarcasm)

I think a bunch of the criticism is valid, but some critters just grabbed what Taliesin said in 4SD and ran with it without analysing more than surface level. Like, don't get me wrong, Tal is very much correct, and Imogen is more than in her right to be mad at FCG, but it's almost like those fans are dead set on the idea that Imogen is the protagonist (something Laura seems to be very hurt by the idea) and god forbid the comedic relief character does something to ruin her story

Hi anon,

I'm going to save my longer discussion for a separate ask or a post, and I agree with most of this, but I do want to clarify or push back on a few things. It's a relatively small if particularly loud and dumb group, honestly, all things considered, who are saying this. For what it's worth, I do not actually think it's terribly valid for Imogen to be as harsh with FCG as she is - again, she didn't have to follow them in the first place and she had a chance to leave. She reminds me of a guy in one of my grad school practicums (practica?) who, whenever something went wrong, would say "I said this wouldn't work" (he hadn't) until one late night I lost my shit at him, which, not proud about, but he did shut the fuck up. Anyway, this is what I plan to write some more about elsewhere, but Imogen is deeply judgmental and impatient and dismissive of most people, even her allies.

I also want to clarify on the comic relief designation because I think you're saying that from the perspective of the "um, actually, Imogen is a perfect sweet baby victim who never did anything wrong and everyone is so mean to me - I mean her" crowd but like...Liam said it best in the TLOVM watch parties. The thing about "comic relief" characters is that in the set up of them as kind of ridiculous, you provide a huge potential for a drop into tragedy; when Grog or Scanlan are upset it's particularly moving because they're usually being silly. Like, I've been critical myself of some of the credit Sam has gotten in the past for fairly basic D&D choices (although while Sam gets that credit you are correct that the fandom rarely considers him a favorite), but the reason even those simpler moments hit so hard is because you don't expect them from a character you've mentally shoved into the "comic relief" slot.

I've found FCG's exploration of religion - which is realistically clumsy and misguided and at times silly, but also incredibly earnest and true - to be an unexpected highlight, and like, it's fine if people don't like it, but like, go to therapy for your religious trauma; FCG is extremely not the cause, and in the end both FCG and FRIDA believe it is good to be there behind the gate to help people! Look, I would vastly prefer altruism that comes from a genuine empathy for other people and desire to provide from their needs rather than it coming from a desire to collect Heaven Reward Points (not that I think that's what FCG is doing, nor the motivation for all religiously-originated altruism, but I suspect that's how some people are reading it), but like, the homeless shelter open to people of all backgrounds and genders isn't interrogating the reasons why various people donate. A good deed is a good deed and FCG is doing this to help the trapped people and, later, Umudara.

Finally, what's interesting to me about that line from Taliesin is that I agree with Ashton that FCG's self-sacrifice is a liability...but look at Ashton! Look at Ashton, who will without thinking accept indebtedness to Jiana Hexum because it's what they think they deserve! Pot, meet kettle! I think Ashton is far too cynical for martyrdom, and does have a self-preservation instinct, but good lord does he hate himself sometimes to the point of punishment, and that's really not much different and nearly as much of a liability.

[years-waiting]

I'm back with the second bölüm of Baş Belası! Again it started with a classical song, this time it was Prelude of Bach (I really love this piece!). Past week was a remixed version of Bizet's Carmen: Habanera and the next week I'll tune my ears to discover the next one.

I liked that before the opening, they put a scene to set the mood of the episode. The opening song is marvelous! Then it comes the basic idea of the show, a death per episode for them to investigate. I have to be honest, I thought it wouldn't be connected to the whole gang/mafia thing Şahin is investigating, but it wasn't bad as it's just the second episode. Ipek's banter with Şahin is really good and interesting, his banter with everyone is sometimes irritating and everyone's acceptance of Ipek is the perfect comedic space for Şahin to express his anger to makes us laugh. That other guy who is always with Doruk is one of my favorite characters, he is always telling something about his pregnant wife (it's sweet!). I like the comedy of the show, is refreshing because it's light and the drama is not melodramatic (what a relief!).

Then there's Nazlı and Ipek's friendship which I loved! Nazlı is one of those friends who appears to be not so good on the outside, but although she is really kind of a housewife with no good thoughts on her perspective, she cares deeply for her good friend Ipek and vice versa. Ipek's mother is a pain in the ass for sure, always criticizing Ipek for her actions without trying to respect what Ipek wants to do. The scene of Ipek's son disappearance was what I assigned for. I mean, Şahin came with all his temper saying "you obliged me to take you to your son's school" but really he was happy to know that she's a good mother. Then, when she called him because she needed his help to find her kid, he was all serious and focused to help (they're going to be REALLY good together!).

Was I happy for Ipek's ex-husband death? I don't know... I'm actually asking myself what will come next. Her husband was a total trashbag! The ones who make you throw away your best years, who make you doubt if you were really happy. But it looked like he was going to stay for some more episodes. I'll add too that when I think of the future romance between Ipek and Şahin, his death is a good welcome. Oh! And the way they shot the scene was really good, I didn't expect some third guy to show up and kill him before some more explanation (I'm really curious about the whole mafia/gang/organization thing!). I'm hoping too that they don't keep dragging the mystery about this organization for too long (my patience is precious and I'm sharing with other 5 dizis).

I think that's all for now!