#ml shadow moth

[sentigabrielapologist]

Three years of Shadow Moth.

[uptoolateart]

In Crocoduel, when Shadow Moth says, 'And what could be worse than not being loved by your own father?'

Some irony there.

[the-bluespirit]

[donut-doodles-doodles]

THE MIRACULOUS!! Noooooooo

[umihoshi]

I am obsessed with Paris special v. Gabriel.

[geekgirles]

Y'know what? I think I'd prefer it, actually.

[lovleyasme]

*Watches the Miraculous Re-Verse special*

Gabriel:

*sighs*

*Posts poll*

[moodyseal]

I'm not sure if anybody pointed this out already because I haven't been lurking in the ML fandom enough to keep up with discussions but I was just thinking about Gabriel and his villain design throughout the seasons (you know, as one does) and I've noticed how good of a visual parallelism his appearance as a villain has been to how he slowly but steadily lost his way as time went on.

I mean.

The more time passed, the less recognizable he became, didn't he?

In the first design, between the true colour of his skin showing and his face structure still clear and somewhat recognizable (recognizable enough that when the first season was airing and we didn't know his identity most of the fandom was sure that he was Gabriel Agreste) he's still undeniably Gabriel, even under the mask. He's evil and he's basically a terrorist, yes, but he's still doing what he's doing for his family. Kind of. His treatment of Adrien, in this stage, is still somewhat abusive in many aspects but he has some Moments (those rare Good Father Moments™ that he mentioned in the finale).

In the second stage, he's still himself, and nothing much changed beyond the monocle and the edgier suit. Sure, he gives off the impression that maybe he might not be doing all of that just for his wife, but he's sane enough and he still seems to care a bit for Adrien (as long as he doesn't know he's his arch nemesis, superhero of Paris and notorious pain in the neck Chat Noir).

The third stage is brief, and starts right after he steals all the Miraculous from Ladybug. It's obvious at this point that a) he's a lot more ambitious, and also more desperate, and b) he definitely isn't doing this for his wife, and surely not for his son. His skin is inhuman, and his eyes look uncanny; you can still see his grey hair, though, in the same hairstyle he keeps it in as a civilian. He's still there, for now!

However, the interesting part of this is that his design immediately changes at one specific point in the series: when he decides to run after Ladybug instead of using the Rabbit Miraculous to fix his mistakes in a easy, casualty-free way.

At this point, it's obvious that the thought of the wish consumed him so much that he's become obsessed with it. He decided to put it above Natalie's life, above Adrien's freedom and wellbeing. While he never dared to akumatize his own son before, to the point of retracting his butterfly as soon as he noticed that it was Adrien who was upset, and not just some random civilian, from this moment on it stops being his concern. He's ready to do whatever it takes to have his way, no matter the cost. He stops being Gabriel. Now, he's just Monarch.

[camelots-rose]

The fact Gabriel a child abuser, that took part in a murder(Shanghai special), almost murdered an entire family small children included(Senti bubbler), threatened to start World War 3 (new york) and has been terrorizing Paris for over a year not only gets a statute and hailed as a hero but has all of his crimes buried by one of the heroes meanwhile Chloe a child that has done far less than him and whom worse actions(Miracle Queen, Queen Mayor, ect) were the result of being frequently manipulated by Gabriel, not only gets treated like the devil incarnated but is sent off to live with her abuser as a 'just' punishment is quite frankly disturbing

[lordmartiya]

Hawk Moth is a shoeface.

[nobodyfamousposts]

Ahh, sad to see Littlebug's apprenticeship under Eggman end already... she can still visit Sage for playdates though, right? Also, what did Marinette end up doing with the magic Eggbot?

Oh yes, Sage and Littlebug are now friends.

It makes future conflicts a little awkward, but Sonic and co aren't complaining!

Tails: Okay, while Sonic is fighting Eggman, we'll sneak into his lab to steal back the emeralds. In the meantime, Little Maria will play with Sage.

Rouge: ....how will that help?

(They look over at Littlebug and Sage playing a game of Uno.)

Sage: I am busy running simulations and won't be focusing on the defenses.

Knuckles: You know, there are easier ways of asking for playdates.

Sage: Busy. Need to focus.

Shadow: (Also sitting with a few cards for some reason)

Knuckles: ....you too?

Shadow: Don't judge me.

=================

(Meanwhile, in Paris)

Nadja: Breaking news! There appears to be something of a giant battle between Gorizilla and Ladybug in some kind of mech suit.

(At the battle)

(Ladybug and Gorizilla are locked in hand to hand combat.)

Ladybug: (Straining as she's trying to have the robot push back Gorizilla) Little help here!

Chat: (Pushes a random button with what appears to be a drill symbol)

(The mecha's arm suddenly retracts, leaving a hole.)

(Pause)

(Nothing happens.)

Chat: Oh. I thought it'd make a drill hand and I could say "Pierce the heavens with your drill, m'lady!"

(Suddenly, the mecha's arm lights up and a blast of light shoots out of the hole in the arm, hitting Gorizilla and sending him flying into a building, partially destroying it.)

Chat: (Stare)

Ladybug: (Stare)

Chat: So it was a beam cannon! (Starry eyes) SO COOL!

Ladybug: W...wasn't that the Agreste Corporate Headquarters?

(Meanwhile, in Hawk Moth's lair...)

Hawk Moth: DAMN YOU, LADYBUG!

[sentigabrielapologist]

HAPPY YOUR SECOND BIRTHDAY, SHADOW MOTH 💜🥳🦋

[somelokivariant]

[nixthelapin]

I had an epiphany.

Destruction (s5e3) exists only to kill Gabe.

LB and CN don’t accomplish anything with that convoluted plan, neither does Monarch, and it just feels like a huge tease since they almost get the Miraculouses back, but don’t because they decided to monologue instead of just grabbing them off of his tied up body like morons.

If the episode hadn’t ended with Monarch getting Cataclysmed, then what really was the point of the episode? Because it takes place chronologically before episode 2 (Multiplication), so we know she doesn’t get them back when the episode is starting. So… we have an episode to watch her fail spectacularly? It’s kind of interesting to see him change the Miraculouses into rings, or him making an effort to find Ladybug with the Kwamis, but I don’t think it justifies a whole episode.

The writers wanted to create more tension and tragedy as the season progressed, which I can get. But I think the ultimate reason was so they could justify Gabe getting the Wish in the end so Adrien won’t be an orphan. “See! He’s kinda good! He’s doing it for his son! He’s definitely not some power hungry monster! He’s sympathetic- feel bad for him!”

I already hated the episode, it felt so pointless, but now I hate it even more.

[bex-is-complex]

This has got to be one of my most favourite digital drawings ever

[lostuntothisworld]

okay time for another unhinged rant to the MLB fandom:

Love bombing is a type of emotional abuse in which someone uses grand gestures to manipulate another person. [x]

When Adrichat compliments and flirts with Maribug and shows her affection it is NOT love bombing. He is not doing it to manipulate her, and when he gets moody, it's because he's a traumatized teenager (sound familiar?). He is the romantic lead, and always apologizes, and I genuinely doubt they'd make a romantic lead abusive in a show aimed at children.

ANYWAY

When Gabriel "steps up" and "improves" as a father, especially in season 5, it IS love bombing, as it IS manipulative.

Gabriel allowing Adrien to quit modeling just so happens to coincide with his nefarious plans. Gabe making Adrien elaborate meals is manipulative, as he made it very clear that Adrien can be forced to go back to modeling if he disobeys. Gabriel sweetly gifting Adrien an alliance ring in order to make him a more powerful akuma is about as red of a flag as you can get.

And all these things leads me to the conclusion that Gabe is just as terrible of a person, if not more, when he was actively emotionally abusing and neglecting his son.