#on the other hand i understand that it is very difficult to adequately address slavery in a story

[morganmnemonic]

I've been thinking a lot about the slavery undertones of what it means to own a soul in hell since episode four. It's currently the part of the lore that is eating away at my brain the most.

Because being an overlord in hell has nothing to do with territory or influence. It explicitly a title one obtains by owning people. And while we've only seen this in practice twice (with angel & Valentino and Husk & alastor) and in both cases it isn't pretty. It's a horrific and violating abuse against free will. Which, until we've seen a counter example, seems to imply that carrying out such abuses is an almost intrinsic part of being an overlord.

Which then puts husk and alastor in particular in really interesting positions, narratively. Because alastor is an overlord who rose to prominence by targeting overlords. A slaver who enslaves slavers. And husk used to be an overlord, until he had the tables turned on him. I wonder if how alastor treats husk is really that different from how husk treated the people he owned back when it was within his power to do so. I wonder if it matters.

Anyway the point is yeah wtf there is so much happening with the implications of alastor in particular appropriating the role of slave master when interacting with husk in particular.

Ok but

The inherent classism that Lucifer had with his bellhop, busboy comments towards Al? Something a mixed man from the 1930s would have immediately been alert to. And maybe that’s why he was so pressed over Husks leash comment? Or am I over thinking it?

[ptsdangeldust]

#hazbin hotel#husk hazbin hotel#alastor#on one hand i really hope that they do end up addressing all of this properly#its so fascinating to me#on the other hand i understand that it is very difficult to adequately address slavery in a story#without derailing the story and accidentally ending up with slavery as the central focus#but with these past few episodes#the way that most people think Valentino is terrible and awful and are rooting for his immediate downfall?#i now feel that way about almost every overlord on screen#i would almost even say that alastor did nothing wrong if not for the part where he decided to keep slaves too#husk gets a pass from my overlord hatred. i feel like hes probably learned the error of his ways by now#especially in the way that he looks at angel and says “hes like me”#i dont think you can see yourself in the suffering of someone else who doesnt own himself and then go back to owning people again after that#the husk slavery redemption arc is a success. which again makes the way that alastor is treating him a major red flag

NODDING LOUDLY all really good points !!! like i love alastor don't get me wrong but he's like definitely in the camp of "definitely a villain but i love him anyway" to me now lol (whereas with valentino like..... we have yet to see any reason to root for him beyond him just being a shithead. so i just like do not understand why people like him but w/e floats ur boat ig) (also like..... duh i'm an SA survivor of course i hate the sexual abuser more than anyone else)

but like yeah no i do think they're gonna address it... one way or another? bc the themes of abuse of power and like outright systemic oppression by way of religious abuse is very prominent in the show and given that that's true, the fact that slavery exists and is commented on makes a lot of sense. it also stems from the theme of bettering oneself and second chances that charlie's whole ethos for the hotel is founded on. abuse or injustice of some kind is soooo so often at the crux of trauma and hardship.

like you said husk is definitely a great example of someone learning the err of their ways and it's like........ idk if alastor is someone who can do that though ngl. i mean it's yet to be seen but. you know.

Ok but

The inherent classism that Lucifer had with his bellhop, busboy comments towards Al? Something a mixed man from the 1930s would have immediately been alert to. And maybe that’s why he was so pressed over Husks leash comment? Or am I over thinking it?