#they have so many yaoi labels holy shit

[cherryzlem]

(Reblogs >>> likes 🫶)

I hate this hyperfixation…/nsrs

[maneaterwithtail]

Chapter 6 has come. and now ... well I think I know enough to have an opinion.

This is the typical “darker and edgier” reboot that just inevitable comes with fanfiction but as I’ve said before as a work Captain Underpants begs you to derive and create with what it gives you.

Its also, my opinion, the most solid CU fanfic out there.  Others have cute snippets and ideas.  The dream sequence with lil’ Krupp before CU comes in and saves his ass from his dad... nice.

But this feels like its aiming in the style of writing I can sink into.

Its at the least drawing on character and though serious knows not to take itself TOO serious which means watching it unfold could be a treat as the author works things out.

however it suffers from the weaknesses of the original work AND the problems of darker and edgier or what its call when you follow the leader too painfully or derivatively with “extreme”

One note, and this is a little unfair as the work is LABELED as going for a threesome AND so on, is the relationship of Harold and George.  Your fanfic and you can do anything. We clear? but part of why slash fiction KEEPS its bad reputation as that characterization and setups change for the fetishes or desire of the author.  Harold is gay. Or will be. But that is not the sum totality of his character nor is fluffy romantic d’awww the majority of his relationship with George.

It might if you tilt compose 10% of this.  And this is an issue.  See if you *start* from 100% canon and slowly WORK your characters there, it makes sense.  Its pleasing.  And I don’t doubt for a second Harold and George love each other.  But I feel its best starting from the semi-ambiguous Friend Like You in the movie THEN moving them.

This is made all the worse as some other fudging had to be made.  I mean its okay.  Its not like the canon series didn’t play with continuity (enormously.. seriously it was ketchup?) But it feels like Harold and George are in love already when the idea of their pets mating astounds or disgusts them.  Its possible this is just Harold’s perception.

Its just I’m worried with the already flat characters we’re getting the yaoi/slash characterization in search of some names.  and that always sucks.  The thing is you aren’t starting with minor or unexplored trait of the character.  The rock solid foundation of CU IS the relationship, bond, and development of Harold and George. Any alteration in whole or part really tilts the series with a derived work.  Especially one FILLED with melodrama.

Also where blood and broken bones and concussions suddenly matter but not too much.  Leading to the now its serious just only to become another form of fictional silly.  That’s part of the issue of the darker and edgier fanfic.  THAT aspect, I think only need to wait until the author is down then goes back and refines things for more consistent tone or contrasting one if that’s what he’s after.

That said its great its just assumed they are in love, if not pursuing the mutual or established means of affection AS much.  But there is still plenty that works for the style I expect and know.  That whole sequence of the telepathic glances.  While I think “sweet pure empathic cinnamon roll” kind of just stuck to Harold it is nice how he’s conflicting and coming to different conclusions and taking actions from George.  This is so wild it feels the “suddenly always perfectly in love” feels like a cheat.  In fact it feels, aside from the super melodrama from random bullies attack and so on feels such a loss.

As is Captain Underpants deal.  So far its working.  Much like most “manic pixie godparents” he’s facing the difficulty of being so thin he doesn’t know how to function as a person.  This has, kind of, been the cause of all the oh no!’s in the series.  Its in fact THE thing that is the conflict with Krupp.  Along with the “holy shit what happened to my body and office and windows.. what did I do”

I just feel, in someways its taking an unsatisfying route to get there.  There are many scenes and threads in the books that you could take to work over Krupp or the Waistband Warrior getting some character development.  also he did the “brought down to normal thing” I think *twice*

I really do consider this a *first run* the text might need to change once finished.  and when it finishes it will land better than it lifted off.  But the story will be better once finished and revised.

My opinion.  ONLY my opinion.  And why am I giving it? For the same reason someone wrote and darker and edgier take on CU who ALSO criticized G&H and redeemed Melvin.