#like u truly can keep it. they r so irresponsible n pass along Terrible lessons cuz they r so shit.

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tbh I don’t believe the whole Mandy/Brian Jr double life thing I rlly think Dennis just made all that up to try n get money/approval from Frank n roped some poor random single mom into his weird Fargo-inspired Scheme (he rlly just generally seemed Way too in control for what the situation supposedly was) cuz he didnt rlly care at first until he held that woman’s child in his arms n realized, not that this was his son, that he was no better than Frank. Brian Jr may not be Dennis’ actual son, but in that moment in the alley… Dennis still sees himself in the kid and that pushes him to want to change. To not be just like Frank, roping random women and children (including his own) into his convoluted schemes without any regard for their feelings. Dennis held the kid n realized he didn’t want to do that. So I don’t think he ever really went to North Dakota while he was away, and I do believe that’s whats implied in s13/s14 LOL but thats a whole Other thing, a whole other analysis for some other time..

but Anyway listen. circling back to the original point here, i am aware of the Technical Reasons Dennis came back, idk how much RCG is still following the threads of this narrative— but I think having a son would just strike too much of a nerve for Dennis. He feels more at ease with Abby because she reminds him of himself, but he doesn’t SEE himself when she looks back at him. Like down to subtle details like Brian Jr having blue eyes (closer to Dennis’ own) whereas Abby has brown eyes. n I think that’s kind of the crucial difference, that Dennis doesn’t visually see himself. Cuz Dennis is esp the kind of person who doesn’t actually like seeing themselves in the mirror despite the confidence they try to overcompensate their insecurities with lol. At least, since they often apply very Freudian logic to these characters it wouldn’t surprise me if this were the case… Like genuinely I think both Dennis/Mac WANT to be parents, but they could not handle a son cuz they have so much unresolved trauma as sons of abusive/neglectful fathers themselves. Since they won’t work thru that, they just can’t handle the idea of having a son. Spontaneously becoming Girldads tho..? yes :)

Mac n Dennis just have Too Many pre-conceived unhealthy ideas about raising a son. With a daughter they’d be totally thrown off n in new territory so that’s the only reason it’d work for them..

not saying thats Gonna Happen on the show or anything, but if Macden ever became parents I personally think this is the way it would go (with the most potential for like.. some fresh storylines at least. cuz again i just think with a son it’s clear how that would go with how they currently are) like thats my pitch LOL…

thinking abt how important Abby was to Dennis’ ability to like.. become more self aware in s12 n therefore having this realization that he has this desire to change things. Like Dennis probably loathes his childhood self, is probably just as hard on himself as Frank for not being who his father wanted him to be, even if he couldn’t admit it to himself yet.. but when he saw himself in Abby… he litrlly got this opportunity to like. Heal.. but not even in the typically self-serving way he does. Dennis tells her the kinds of things that Dennis probably always wanted to hear from his father but never did— that she has talent, that she deserves better. And Dennis wasn’t even having to project! like he just found that connection with Abby n enjoyed spending time with her n had fun without being overbearing or self-centered… like . jesus it just GETS to me man!!!!