#sinsmas critique

[tigerqueen767]

Helluva Boss Season Finale

So a homophobic client shows up and tells IMP to kill her husband for leaving her for a man and cheating (possibly.) IMP attempt to try and kill him but then Blizto can't do it cause of his feefees and cause he sees himself in that man. Forget that Blizto has killed many people for petty reasons before (Spring Broken is a good example, he literally killed tons of random people, many of which were probably gay, just because of a bet) and forget that he chastised Moxxie for doing the exact same thing (weird how Mox didn't bring that up honestly) NO, you can't criticize this gay man because he's so cute and gay. That's the message Viv is sending.

The moral of this episode is that if you criticize Stolas and Blizto's relationship, you're homophobic. Wowww... Just wow!

It couldn't possibly be because these two have absolutely no chemistry and only know eachother because of sex. It couldn't possibly be because Stolas made a creepy and predatory deal with Blizto. It couldn't possibly be because Stolas is a terrible person who lied to his daughter and is written terribly. Forget that Stolas risked his life for his fuck buddy when he should have stayed with his daughter. Forget that Blizto never wanted a serious relationship until now just because that's what the writers want. Forget everything I said and just sit back and watch Blizto and Stolas dance on the balcony since it's the only thing Viv cares about.

Stolizt is the only thing Viv cares about. That's what this episode proves once and for all. Their relationship is the only thing that had any meaningful continuity in season 1. Everything else was episodic material.

Maybe in Season 3 we'll focus on other things but it won't make up for the trainwreck of a Season this was.

Now, because I don't just want to be negative, let me talk about how this Season could have been 1000 times better. Let me offer a fix.

This Season would have been great if it split it's screen time 70-30 between the IMP stuff and the Stolas stuff. Let every member of IMP shine in their own episode. It's not like there isn't enough time. Explore Millie's prejudice against Hellhounds (cause we all know she doesn't respect Hellhounds.) Explore Millie's wrath and how it might help and hinder her. It might lead to devastating consequences depending on who she chooses to fight and why. Shoot first and ask questions later is not a good principle and I feel like that's exactly what she does. Have Loona and Via actually hang out! Show us how her timidness and introversion make that relationship start off rocky. Show us how she changes from a person who can barely hold a conversation in the Queen Bee episode to a person that would have a bunch of friends over for Sinsmas. That development WAS. NOT. THERE!!

Have Moxxie actually confront his fears. It looked like he was about to fight his dad but then he got tazed and his wife did all the work. Why? Have him stand up to Blizto finally and make Blizto respect him. Cause Blizto does not respect him. Look at the way he talks to him in Season 2 and tell me this is respectful. Plus, in the episode Truth Seekers he only congratulated Moxxie for killing well. That's it. He respects the work he does but not who he is as a person. That could have been explored in Season 2. That would have been a great arc.

As for Blizto show more of his relationship between him and his sister. Blizto brought Barbie up again in the finale and it sounds like they really want us to care about her character but she wasn't even in the flashback episode. In order to fix the flashback episode, get rid of Stolas! Don't make a flashback that includes Stolas at all. Just make it about life in the circus performing with Blizto, Barbie and Fizz.

And instead of a giant special episode about Fizz and his terrible boss how about an episode dedicated to Stolas and Via's relationship. Why not write a song about how they've lived their lives over the years. Show us what it was like to BE her.

I'm getting tired of writing now. I hope you enjoyed reading this, at least a little.

[verboselocket38]

As a way to cope with how much I despised Sinsmas, I decided to leak a plot twist for helluva season 3

[a-bit-too-critical]

Oh yeah, stupid obvious problems with the plot of sinsmas:

1. How the hell is Stolas able to harm Andrelphus?? Andre has even more power than before (enough to form ice in large sculptures, animate said sculptures, so yeah he’s powerful), and Stolas is literally on the power level of an Imp now. If anything I could see a joke where Stolas tries to punch Andre and gets flung back immediately, then has a mental breakdown realizing he can’t do shit to stop any of the Goetia against him

2. …so do hellhounds just have crazy ah quadrupedal forms now??? Why??? They’re the lowest class in hell they have no right to transform into big beats that could easily maul the imps, hellborn, and maybe even sinners they are supposed to work for. Makes 0 sense. Hellhounds should have no extra forms and human forms should be accessible via asmodean crystals and royal objects such as the grimore, not just a thing hellhounds can do.

And some miscellaneous stuff not related to plot issues or holes but just wanted to talk about em:

- The Stolitz dance was just a glaring reminder of Viv changing her stories based on fanwork. Two Stolitz animatics that became very popular a few years ago (Sway and Greg and Rose Dance) are so clearly inspirations for the dance. Blitz climbing up on something, an intimate and comforting moment at the end, cheesy romance music, it’s literally all there like cmon Viv :/. Dance styles are pretty similar too. Inspo is fine but this really feels like she’s just taking fan ideas again

- ohhhh look who came running back to Viv 😭

- I also wanted to yap about Millie’s pregnancy because there’s about 6 possible outcomes that I could see Viv going for:

The best outcome: Millie doesn’t want the baby, her and Moxxie discuss and eventually decide on abortion. Millie trusts Sally May with all her heart and decides to confide in her, which proceeds to turn her whole family against her. Could be a good commentary on how these kinds of political nothing-burgers can straight up tear tight knit families to shreds, and for what? A woman’s personal decision? I’d love for them to show how stupid it is for families to be torn apart over politics, but that’ll never happen

The other great outcome: Millie debates heavily on what to do over the course of many episodes, but eventually her and Moxxie come to the conclusion to keep it and we get a fun arc of them raising a kid and pulling Imp closer together along with their relationship

The neutral outcome: Millie gets rid of it and it’s not really addressed for more than one episode, it’s just kinda there lmao

The pretty freaking bad outcome: Same as the great outcome except the child is used as a substitute for Octavia by Stolas and they basically become his child :/

The really, really bad outcome: Millie is forced to “accept the gift of life” and raise a child she doesn’t want or some stupid pro-life commentary

The Jesus Christ Viv why outcome: extremely sexualized and unnecessarily long pregnancy and birth scene, no I wouldn’t be surprised if this actually happened

So yeah, this could either be great or one of the worst things that has ever come from this show

[sprinkleonthatcriticism]

My friend was watching the new episode and I watched some with and there were too many twists to count, I hate Octavia's behavior toward her dad (Along with Blitzø's behavior toward Stolas) and how little sense the episode made (it ruined my breakfast)

Honestly, Octavia's behavior towards her father is valid considering that he went to Blitz's house first after the whole mastermind event ordeal.

Spoilers!!

Like yes, Stolas tried to at least call Via (but her mother and Andres keeps stopping her from answering him) but he STILL chose to go to Blitz's apartment. And before you say "But he did eventually try to visit Octavia" which yeah, but that was months later, it should've been sooner.

You can't really blame Via for being upset and angry with her dad she has every right to be mad and feel that way.. though, I do agree that she SHOULD at least try and listen to what he had to say but at the same time, I can't help but choose Octavia's side and sympathize her and understand how she feels. Because, Imagine your father's supposed execution being broadcasted live on television, you believed that your dad was going to be killed right in front of you only for him to not be executed but instead, punished in a different way. Imagine your dad doesn't even bother to come visit you until months later because he chooses to stay with someone that he had sexually abused and coerce them into performing acts or else they won't get the item that they need to be able to keep their business a float.

(And before you or someone else twist my words around, this is an analogy/example not me actually saying that your dad does that lol /nbr /gen)

[theoddest1]

The tonal whiplash of that entire ordeal was insane

Anyway that episode was ass and Stolitz still sucks.

Also making Millie pregnant after she got development two eps ago was actual ass🫠

[funhouse-mirror-barbie]

I may go into more detail about “Sinsmas” later, but I did want to talk about what I considered to be the one scene/sequence that I thought was very well done and that I truly enjoyed—Octavia’s song, “I Will Be Okay”.

(Song/Character Discussion below)

Octavia’s song is almost everything I could have asked for. A somber echo of Stolas’ song from season 1, Octavia’s I Will Be Okay, finally, finally, gives Octavia a voice and the chance to express her grief over her father’s abandonment.

For the first time in the series, there’s no one to tell Octavia that she should give her dad some slack or that she should forgive him. She’s finally allowed to be upset, to fully mourn her relationship with Stolas and to get mad about what happened. She’s finally allowed to start working towards accepting the ways Stolas’ neglected her, and begin healing from that pain and trauma.

Octavia’s experience is both terribly heart-wrenching and, in the most painful way, freeing. The lyrics reflect that perfectly, with Octavia acknowledging that while she’s not okay now because of everything Stolas put her through, she WILL be okay, and will grow into her own person without him.

The song is a direct response to Stolas’. Octavia is answering him, saying “Yes, I will be okay. Not because of anything that you were supposed to or failed to provide me as a father, but because I will forge my own path, and in doing so will heal from the pain you caused me.”

It’s a bittersweet song about finding the strength to cut contact with someone you loved who has repeatedly failed you in the worst ways, and who isn’t going to change.

I do have one “criticism” for this song and sequence, not because anything from it was poorly done, but because, in my opinion, the song’s visuals could have been even better.

The following scene was in the original storyboards for “I Will Be Okay”, and was changed in the final episode:

I think the decision to change the visuals for these lyrics in the song was a mistake. Please don’t get me wrong, the animation in this entire episode was fantastic, my critiques of Helluva Boss are almost never about the animation.

But the above sequence just has so much more emotional weight to me. It’s the visualization of Octavia realizing she can’t rely on Stolas, that she has to look to herself for comfort.

Octavia taking her younger self from her neglectful father’s arms, symbolizing that she’s accepted that Stolas cannot be depended on and that she’ll have to take care of herself now, is such a powerful image.

It really is a shame to me that they cut this scene, because I think it fully encapsulates everything Octavia has been through in such a simple and effective way. I think the scene really loses something by cutting this visual.

With all of that said though, Octavia’s song, and the scene where she FINALLY calls Stolas out for his behavior were very cathartic for me. I know that the scene’s intent was most likely to make us empathize with Stolas for losing his daughter, but I found myself empathizing only with Octavia, and hoping that she gets the time she needs to heal.

I would love it if the show actually let her decide whether or not she wants Stolas back in her life, but given the way HB’s writers portray women, I worry that it’s likely some big event will happen that “reveals” Stella to be awful, and Octavia will forgive Stolas just like that, and will probably end up apologizing to him instead (like in “Seeing Stars”)

Anyway, just like Octavia being the only good thing in Stolas’ life, “I Will Be Okay” was, in my opinion, the only good thing in “Sinsmas”. (well that and Octavia calling Stolas out)

[totaldramafan-lauri]

Sinsmas short thoughts

I'll go into my thoughts on season 2 as a whole at a later date. This is just for the episode. This season's certainly been a rollercoaster, tho.....to the point where I might have to rewatch the whole thing in order to sort out how I feel about it as a whole. I adore this show, but not gonna lie, sometimes the quality jumps between episodes....XD B-but, uh, anyway-

-I...I really wish they hadn't spoiled that one line from Octavia in the trailer, not gonna lie. Cuz of that, I was able to predict exactly what'd happen with her in this episode after the last one ended. I'm not mad at her, I COMPLETELY understand why she'd come to that conclusion, and I do think this will help Stolas grow next season....but it still hurt. Even when I called it, it hurt. Her song hurt, too (altho I loooooove how it calls back to Loo Loo Land). I just think it would've been even more effective if they'd kept this whole thing hidden. Not really a critique of the episode, tho, rather a critique of whoever puts the trailers together. XD

-I AM looking forward to Stolas' arc next season, even if it might be hard to watch in places. He's honestly one of my fav characters now. I'm glad he's accepting responsibility for his own choices, and that moment where he tells Moxxie he doesn't need to call him "your highness" anymore was nice, but he's still got a long way to go. I'm looking forward to him working at I.M.P, and interacting with the other main characters. I think he and Moxxie especially will get along great. I wanna see episodes that focus on Stolas bonding with each one (a Stolas and Moxxie episode, a Stolas and Loona episode, etc.) Stolas is a good person who was just sheltered and friendless practically his whole life, so all that needs to happen for him to lose the unintentional classism is just to make friends and connect with other imps besides Blitzo. Season 3, when it comes, will hopefully be the time to silence Stolas doubters. I trust the show to do that!

-Stolitz was cute here, I loved the dance, and one of my fav things about the episode was how nice it is to see a more wholesome side to Blitzo. You can tell he's trying to be supportive, and how he's no longer being a prickly tsundere when it comes to his feelings, while still being in-character, which is great to see.

-Viv has some serious guts to add that scene of Blitzo refusing to shoot that guy after seeing him happy with his family. I personally don't have a problem with that scene. I even like it. It shows how, uh......m-mature Blitzo is becoming....? W-well.....m-more empathetic, I guess is the better way of putting it.....b-but at the same time, I saw that scene and I could practically SEE "critics" attacking the show as being "pro-cheating" again, like back when it was popular to defend Stella..... "Why is this show portraying the man who cheated on her sympathetically, huh?" Th-those arguments....

-The action was great as always, I love how they sneaked in some foreshadowing with Millie choosing to use a ranged weapon rather than a melee one, Stolas punching Andrealphus mid-monologue was satisfying as HECK, Loona suddenly transforming as if she could do that the whole time, Blitzo calling Andrealphus "Elsa"......it was all perfect. The only thing that scene was missing was, when Andrealphus was yelling at Octavia to stand down, Blitzo should've spoken up and told him to "Let it go". Missed opportunity....*sigh*

-Even if the trailers spoiled Octavia's anger at Stolas, there WAS one major thing they DIDN'T spoil, and I'm so so so grateful they didn't, cuz I was SOOOOO SHOCKED at it in the best way....M-Millie.....oh god....Sh-should I be happy for her....? But....why is she panicking....? Does she not....want it.....? I-I mean, I know her job demands a lot outta her, and she'll have to start....sitting jobs out, and she loves her job.....Is that why she panicked....? That's why, right.....? I-I have no idea how this is gonna go, and THAT'S the thing I'm most excited to see continue next season. Stolitz is great and all, but THIS has got me on the edge of my seat cuz.....yeah, I have no idea what's gonna happen. I don't think she has to worry about Moxxie's reaction, at least....but....job-wise? Episode-wise? Her role in the season, her dynamics with everyone, will a lot of it change now? Will she be giving stuff she loves up, or will there be a compromise? I dunno....It's just, when you have someone like Millie- MILLIE, who values her battle prowess SO much- and put her in this position....Yeah, I really am just drawing a blank right now.....

-Happy Loona is a treasure and must be protected

-Not as good as Mastermind, but still a lotta fun and does a good job setting up next season!

[pansnovidinnia]

honestly 12 episode of HB season 2 is horrible for me personally (STRICTLY IMHO and spoilers)

first of all, im not fan of stolitz, they just dont work for me. im also proship, which means that stolitz shippers are absolutely valid and yalll! i just dont like something, its not really critique post, just my feelings, alright? by no means im trying to say your otp is bad or something. i just have my point of view and i have emotions. and i need to share them, so it wont hurt me. we clear? hope so. have a good day and merry sinsmas!!!!

1.Its the second episode where Stolas has no magic and no title. Its... depressing for me. he's so unhappy and depressed, hes traumatized and probably has severe ptsd and/or mental problems on top of the depression. + im really sad Viv decided to downgrade him like that. i, myself, liked that Stolas had magic and title. it was fresh for me to watch stuff about rich, but depressed person with shitty life. its more interesting for me than poor and happy. its not that common so its interesting. Oh and im sucker for strong rich and immortal! my sin!

2. Octavia iS SO STUPID WHATS WRONG WITH HER??? she acts like shes 10 not 16! like sorry but people in 16 usually can comprehend situations like that? at least to some degree? i get that shes traumatized and was abused by her mother probably, but she still acts very very badly. Stolas didnt deserve shit he got from her

(still imho! just ny feelings, im not saying ppl who like it are bad! its okay!!)

3. the dynamic between Stolas and blitzo just... depresses me even more. blitzo feels very artificial. before Stolas' sacrifice, he knew Stolas has shitty life and severe problems. but he became more emphatic ONLY AFTER Stolas became basically like him. and unfortunately, Stolas now in this position because he wanted to save blitzo. though at least its frost parrot's and stella's fault... i dont even wanna talk about those cryo bitches. i hope they die, and Stolas gets back his magic and title.

3.1 also wanna add to "artificial" blitzo: it feels that way because he started to care about Stolas only after Stolas became like him. yes, the sacrifice also played a big part, but i feel like if blitzo did indeen care for Stolas before, he would not be such an asshole to him. Stolas started to try and make their r-ships better, while blitzo didnt care about it and Stolas' feeling, just continuing with his usual behavior and stuff.

3.2 sacrifice thing also should make their dynamic more equal, but honestly? if for the sake of equality you ruined the life of one of them, who, actually, wasnt THAT HORRIBLE OF A PERSON, its really poor dynamic equality. remember Ozzie and Asmodeus? Well they have power dynamic too. but they have THE HEALTHIEST R-SHIPS im crying over their wholesomeness!!! like power difference is not a bad thing in vacuum! it can work FOR the r-ship, it doesnt ruin them all the time! i think Stolas' downgrade was too harsh. he needs his stuff and daughter back. as soon as possible. (sorry guys Stolas-simp here)

4. what else... millie is pregnant??? i didnt expect that! Moxxie will probably be super happy, he seems like it, but still interesting story choice

5. i know many ppl dont like Stolas and i know even more ppl hate him because he's "rapist" "abuser" etc. i dont think he's all those things, even if he's not the perfectiest (lol) person in the world. still i cant stand the treatment he got at the end of 2 season. in the 1 one he was more like a joke at the start, then it felt like Viv grew on him and started creating a character on the joke foundation, and now he's really really broken. no i dont know. its too painfull. by that point i watch HB ONLY AND ONLY because of Stolas. i wanna know what will happen to him, will he get his powers back, will he be finally happy etc

ps. also the gay couple with kids was so wholesome i cried so much. it was so perfect so nice so soft and gentle and also fuck the woman who wanted to kill them. they seem like an amazing happy family, they really didnt deserve to die. im glad they werent killed!!

oke thats the end of my rant. please remember its not an attack on pairing or the show itself! yall are valid and your thoughts on the episode are valid too! i would gladly listen to your thoughts or objections as well. be safe!

[theoddest1]

Oh my god.

Okay, so first off, the very sequence with the Gay men defeats this point because supposedly one of them cheats on the customer with their new lover and this detail is COMPLETELY glossed over along with Blitz tossing the client out a window.

Stolas is scolded by his daughter rightfully so but by the end of the episode, he has a little dance with Blitz and his actions, while addressed, also is not fully touched upon, he just accepts it and the narrative paints it as if he is a VICTIM more than once rather than an equally terrible parent to Via. Like no. It's absurd, nonsensical even to assume that narrative the creator is even trying to spew is at all condemning Stolas actions accordingly. They have retconned dynamics in order to provide an excuse to his behavior and have framed his neglectful behavior as justified when it comes to Blitz. This is bad storytelling.

Also,oddest,I view sismas and wow really dont like the justification of cheating here.

"For you see, your honor, they gay af"

And then everyone cheered gayly cause that's what Mivienne Vedrano would want.