#rwrb btw

[meraki-yao]

RWRB Movie Thoughts: Philip

Honestly I might be the only one, but I wanna know more about Philip in the movie. And at the very least, I am begging for a redemption arc in the sequel.

Because they fucking cut the Kensington Breakfast scene, we barely get any of Philip in the movie. And the consequence is while we know that just like the book, Philip is an antagonistic character, we're not sure about his stance on the matter.

So the thing is Philip in the book isn't homophobic. And by that I mean that in the most generous sense: Queen Mary straight up says it's unnatural, which is the textbook definition of homophobia, but Philip says, and I quote from Henry "Essentially, I gathered that he was not surprised to discover I am not the heterosexual heir I'm supposed to be, but rather surprised that I do not intend to keep pretending to be the heterosexual heir I'm supposed to be" and from the man himself "I don't care if you're gay, I care that you've made this choice with him, someone with a fucking target on his back, to be so stupid and naive and selfish as to think it wouldn't completely fuck us all!"

Philip isn't necessarily against the concept of homosexuality, he's against bringing that into their family, and is worried about the conservatives turning their backs on them because of that. In a way, his stance is closer to the King in the movie than the Queen in the book.

Other stuff we can learn about Philip from the book:

he's...kind of racist, but in the form of microaggressions (his comments on Pez during Wimbleton)

He is genuinely in love with Martha, and he's kind of a hen-pucked husband (his retelling of his and Martha's suitor photos)

He started off a people pleaser, then the Queen took that and made him an asshole (explanation of why the change of attitude after Alex and Henry's photoshoot)

He wanted Arthur's approval but never got it, and resents Arthur a bit because of that (his argument with Henry before they met with the queen)

He wants to get along with his siblings, he just kept doing it the wrong way

My point is, even though a relatively minor character, Philip's motivations and character is actually painted out pretty logically if you take a closer look. His redemption in the book, his change of attitude, it makes sense if you looks back on it.

And while I can't fault the movie for cutting down details like these, this is just the way adaptation works and Matthew did an excellent job of picking and choosing, it does leave space for questions and curiosity.

The only thing I can get out of movie Philip is 1, he also loves his wife, since they're childhood sweethearts 2, the King dismisses him 3, he didn't know Henry was gay at all.

From the deleted Breakfast scene bts from Taylor and Thomas, we know that Philip is in that scene, and that Philip sees something, and is in shock.

Bur from the bts of the Thanksgiving scene, he and Martha are at the Brownstone: he's forgiven.

So here are my questions:

Is Philip homophobic in this one? Or is he also more mad about the family aspect?

Does he, at any point in the 65 deleted scenes, act like he wants to be a brother? Like he genuinely cares about his siblings

What is he reacting to during the Breakfast scene? In the book, when Henry came out to him it was just him, Henry and later Shaan, but the Breakfast has all of the Super Five there. Is he really gonna make a scene in front of all five of them?

Why is he forgiven? What is his change of heart?

I don't know, I think it's probably just me who's wondering about him of all people. But I would really like to see more of Thomas in this role (the photobooth shoots he did with Nick and Ellie, peak sibling energy) and I'm just really interested in Henry's family dynamic in the movie-verse, given that I feel like it's less black-and-white and more... realistic? than the book? There's also part of me that's somewhat sympathetic towards Philip despite being a Henry-coded girl because I feel like if I was a less feeling person, I might have ended up just like him.

Anyway, yeah. Philip redemption arc in the sequel please!!!

[mulderscully]

FIRSTPRINCE + infinite fcking tendernes...............

[lushpeonies]

an appreciation post for alex's (/taylor's) dimples :)

[artbyflor]

domestic firstprince lives in my head rent free. i need more of them. my condition might be terminal

[firstprinced]

and say what's on your mind, my baby

[yrsonpurpose]

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) Alexander Gabriel 'heart eyes' Claremont-Diaz

[elainiisms]

never forget what they took from us

[fairylando]

we're not talking about this nearly enough btw.

tits out, lando right in front of him (idk if he's giving carlos a shot or if he's toasting to him honestly), men all around him... it's his wildest dream!

[luv-firstprince]

Taylor and Nick as kittiesss

[userkhael]

RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE + The Song of Achilles

[mulderscully]

Inspired by "Untitled #3719" [x] & [x] by Barbara Kruger (1981)

[bagsbyler]

not to byler everything but…

it’s literally the exact same fucking look

if you havent watched rwrb here’s the context: henry (guy at the top) was smiling really hard bc he’s celebrating new years eve with alex (his longtime crush) so ofc he’s excited and all, but then someone kissed alex right in front of henry so his face just. dropped.

in simpler words, henry was happy that hes with alex but that happiness was immediately replaced with jealousy and despair. same thing with will. and look at their faces. ITS THE EXACT SAME. im gonna go crazy My god

[artbyflor]

i've been obsessed with casey's outfits during the last rwrb events but THIS ONE? i couldn't help myself

also! happy 5th year anniversary!

[henfox]

“You disappeared again,” Alex says, like he can see the moments the world becomes too much for Henry, swallowing him up. “Did I?” Henry asks, avoiding eye contact with the other man. 

The Wonder That's Keeping The Stars Apart by Anonymous.

[sunshine-zenith]

Henry is a Boyfriend Hoodie Thief your honor

[klainelivin]

look at these idiots when they got caught kissing😭