#picked that tag bc it was a parallel line but it really does reflect these scenes so well huh

[raayllum]

1x08 / 5x08

+ Bonus

[scrappedtogether]

Originally wrote this in the tags but then it got too long

This is good meta on how Velma and Fred both were unkind to Daphne (and in a way don’t think the film ever properly addresses). I think Shaggy & Scooby being framed as innocent only comes from them not being the ones to “quit.” There’s an argument to be had that Fred most likely wouldn’t have quit MI if Daphne hadn’t quit and I think it’s Fred quitting that really seals the deal.

Getting a little off topic but I don’t think Gunn was as interested in Daphne’s character as he was in Fred and Velma, or even Scooby and Shaggy (and it shows!!!). Her arc is wrapped but not as nicely as everyone else’s and her arc from the first movie doesn’t flow as well into her arc in the second movie compared to the rest of the Gang.

SMG is really carrying it with her performance to help it feel neat but there really should have been more there for Daphne, including a scene where Fred & Velma owned up to everything they said to Daphne (AND APOLOGIZED) and/or even some extra emphasis on Daphne saving them (like gee Daphne I’m really glad you saved us. makes us feel like crap abt those times when we just completely ignored you when you were kidnapped. can you ever forgive us?). It’s extra embarrassing bc there’s honestly a good place for a scene like that to go (aka the hands-in scene) where Daphne says “what can I do? The only thing I’m good for is getting caught.” AND THEN FRED SAYS YOU NEVER LET THAT STOP YOU BEFORE???? HUH?? Just say you were wrong Fred and that isn’t true Fred and then have Velma jump in and be like he’s right and it was wrong of us to make you think otherwise. smh the biggest flaw in the 2002 movies IMO. The audience gets to see all of Daphne’s growth but the characters never acknowledge it. 

You could even sneak it into the Fred & Daphne kissing scene if you want a more Fraphne flavor apology bc tbh I think the scene’s a little oddly placed. It’s cute and there some nice bg character stuff going on (like the fact that for the first time all movie Fred doesn’t care that people are watching (opposing the airport scene and the getting on the table/no monsters scene) bc all he cares abt in the moment is Daphne) but there’s no good reason for the placement of that scene. I’ve always wondered why THAT moment? Why does Fred kiss her at that specific time and place? As an audience we know a big victory kiss makes for a nice movie finale but it’s hard to tell what drives Fred to kiss her right there. You can assume he’s driven by joy out of winning/reuniting with the Gang but I genuinely think the scene could be improved by reworking it to make Fred have some serious self-reflection on Daphne. You could sneak in smth abt Fred seeing a new side of Daphne and being drawn to that or it could even be a kiss of gratitude with a line like “what was that for, Fred?” “That was for saving us. Thanks.” And Daphne could say “I told you I could do it” or “I know what it feels like to need a little help.” And have Fred say that he’s sorry for not always giving her help when *she* needed it. IDK. 

Daphne’s character arc is the weakest bc it feels isolated from the rest of the Gang even tho it had everything to do with them. Daphne didn’t wake up and decide to turn her body into a living weapon. She realized she HAD to do that bc no one was willing to help her and that’s a problem the movie SHOULD have addressed if they wanted to act like all was forgiven at the end of the movie.

Okay I thought I was done but ALSO alternate Vaphne flavor take would be a parallel to the break-up scene where Velma loses her glasses accidentally and then Daphne picks them up and hands them back to her, saying smth like “I wouldn’t want you to be helpless. We already have one damsel in distress on the team.” And Velma could say “you know that’s not true.” Cue Daphne’s hopeful “it isn’t?” and finish with Velma’s “not even a little.” Anyways I’m done now. I just feel a lot abt this movie and it’s great! <3 but also lots! of! untapped! potential!!

honestly idk why people act like in the first live action movies velma is a better match for daphne than fred. velma didnt treat her any better than fred did!!! dismissing daphne and rolling her eyes and thinking shes an idiot is not any better than fred having a huge ego and being self centered. tbh the narrative frames shaggy and scooby as the only innocent ones in the gangs breakup but daphne didnt really have an active hand in it either. she just got belittled and ignored and used by both fred AND velma. the only difference between her and shaggy and scooby is she got angry about it instead of sad.