#it'll make for a nice contrast when he really does wind up trapping himself

[invisiblegarters]

As a person who read the novel, whatever happens in ep3 is going to be the make or break. It feels like they changed it from the novel at the same time a bit nervous if they would go with it cause I don't want him to be that much of an asshole for no reason.It's why a lot who read the novel called him irredeemable. Even without this particular scene I feel like it could convey that he is not an angel. Novel Kant is definitely one of those toxic yaoi male lead- manipulative, wouldn't take responsibility, gaslights, a big red flag. Series Kant seems more well rounded

While I absolutely agree that this next ep will tell me what to expect from the show either good or bad thanks to the novel, it's definitely for different reasons. And I don't know how to go into why without heavily spoiling the novel, so anyone who doesn't want that, here's the warning.

I assume we're talking about Kant drugging Bison, yes? I think it's likely that will happen. I don't think it's nice, him doing that, but I don't really think it makes him a toxic yaoi lead either (I don't think he's the lead at all, actually, and I have to admit I'm a bit confused by what you mean by gaslighting and not taking responsibility. He's definitely a red flag but then again, they all are).

I just think he's morally grey. And honestly, unless these writers are hacks even worse than the novel writer, that's not going to change. It'll just be that the things he does in future will to help rather than hinder Bison.

None of these guys are good people. And maybe what Kant does goes too far for some for their own reasons. That's fine. My personal beef with the novel is actually Bison even though I have other issues, and that's for my own reasons. I can't tell you what to like or think and I'm not going to argue that you're wrong to dislike Kant. If the third ep does what you think and you can't handle it, then it's fine to stop watching. Not every show is for every person. I know I'm still watching with one foot out the door because as much fun as I am currently having, it could very easily sour. I also know that at some point I'm going to have to exit the tag completely even if I do stick around because fandom is notoriously bad at nuance and dealing with shades of grey when those greys don't come from a character they sympathize with. Only Friends taught me well, lol.

I do disagree Kant doesn't have a reason, though. I think the show, way more than the novel, has actually done a decent job giving us that reason. The novel made it mostly about money. The show has made it about Kant's freedom and being able to take care of one of the few people who we know he actually cares about. Maybe the only one, if you consider that he's siccing his best friend on a literal murderer without any information or warning (although to be fair to him he visibly did NOT like the idea of Style and Fadel actually getting together when Bison brought it up).

And we can think that maybe he's not telling him because he hopes that will make him safer or he just doesn't care, but I'm gonna say that we can't know because we have no window into what Kant's really thinking right now. Which maybe makes him harder to deal with for some people since we have some idea of where the other's heads are at based on conversations they have with each other. The very nature of what Kant's doing, though, means that even conversations he has about it with people he trusts can't be truthful.

The man said it himself: right now Captain Christ pretty much has his arm twisted up behind his back (and I can't help but wonder if he's going to twist harder in the next episode, but we'll see). It's what made him start this thing in the first place despite not wanting to and it's what's gonna keep him going even though he's probably going to start hating himself for it

I also have to admit to amusement that I already know that fandom is going to hate Kant a lot (and that we'll probably be getting think pieces about how much he doesn't deserve Bison well after the show ends) for doing what, in any other context, wouldn't be something to hate him for. These people kill people. "Bad guys" or not, they are out there murdering folks, sometimes with bonus honey trapping. And yet somehow it's the guy working to stop that that's the awful, no good, irredeemable one. I mean, I know why, but it's still funny.

But also, the novel was bad. I'm sorry, but it was. I hated Bison, and Kant was so obviously just Plot that I couldn't muster up the energy to feel anything much for him besides disappointment that this was the dude my favorite actor was gonna play. Thus far the show is a million percent better than the book in that regard - Bison is actually likeable, for one, and for another while Kant is responsible for moving the plot forward he actually has characterization, personality, and relationships beyond that. Part of that is the actors themselves, of course - Khaotung does charming very well and First couldn't play a flat character if he tried - but part of it is also the writing.

I'm still nervous - I've heard such conflicting things about how much of the screenplay the novel writer put into the novel itself and how much she deviated and I see a lot of differences but there are a lot of similarities too, so I can't help but be on edge. Also it's only ep 2 there's a lot of room for them to fuck it up, lol - but I'm trying to just take things as they come and not invest too deeply in anything so if I have to stop watching I'm not too bitter about it.

And well. I'm also maybe a little weird, because I love how cold and manipulative Kant is actually being right now. Mostly because it'll be that much more satisfying when he winds up getting bitten in the ass later. Also it just makes him and Bison more evenly matched, which I didn't feel they were at all in the novel - Bison was the amazing one and Kant was in awe so much that I just couldn't stop rolling my eyes. Seriously, by the end of the novel I had a headache. Their relationship was squicky to me for a few reasons, lol. We'll see how I end up liking it here.

In summation: I get it if you can't get past the drugging. Personally I'm not bothered (them having sex after did make me go eeech, but for me motivation matters, and Kant didn't actually drug Bison with the intent to sleep with him. The novel's approach to sex and kink is VERY old school yaoi with both couples. Not for me, but I also highly doubt the show will go that route. It's the one thing I'm pretty confident about although I guess as with everything else I could wind up being very wrong), but I can see why it would make Kant too unlikeable for you to root for. I just feel like this isn't something any of them would hesitate to do if it came down to it because all of these guys are sketchy as hell.

Thanks for the ask, non! If I didn't cover what you meant or you have more to say, please stop by again this is fun.