#thomas the cat king

[incorrect-inkwell-quotes]

Edwin: I beg your pardon?! The Cat King: Then beg~!

[shhhhimwatchingthis]

Sort of bums me out that so many people didn't seem to Get the Cat King so here are my thoughts:

So let's start with Edwin's crime. He uses something the cat desires (a sardine) to lure the cat to him and then uses an enchanted string to trap the cat with magic. He demands the answer to a question in exchange for its release. Edwin knows it is dangerous to use magic on a cat, that it violates Rules but he does it anyway.

Binding a creature and agreeing to set them free under a certain condition is very Classic Fairytale. its also a favourite trope of Neil Gaiman's (he did not write this show but his influence is there). In both the Sandman and his novel Stardust (and the film adaptation) trapping a creature with magic and demanding a task/favour in exchange for their freedom is an extremely important plot point. Edwin binding a cat and demanding an answer in exchange is exactly in line with this Fairytale trope

And so is the Cat Kings response. The Cat King is a trickster. What he does to Edwin is exactly what Edwin did to one of his subjects. He entices Edwin, he binds him with magic and when Edwin demands to be free he turns his own words against him "why all the fuss for one little spell?" Edwin did something wrong. He imposed his will/magic on another creature and the Cat King is punishing him for it in a way that is poetic. Its fairytale. its trickster. its classic.

I've also seen people complain that the task Edwin was given 'count all the cats' is 'impossible'...except its fucking not. Edwin does it. He does it so well he actually BEATS the Cat King ("you didn't count yourself" Are.You.Kidding.Me. Classic!Fairytale!Vibes!)

The Cat Kings choice to bind Edwin to Port Townsend is good on so many levels. From a storytelling perspective it forces characters who can travel anywhere in the world to stay in one place, and increases the stakes for these characters who are supposed to be on the run. From a genre perspective...its an excellent use of fairytale tropes using both Rules of magic, a protagonist who is unkind to a seemingly weak creature who is punished by a more powerful law, a binding, a task to complete, etc

Which just leaves the character perspective which it ALSO does really fucking well and introduces the final aspect to the Cat Kings character. He's seductive. He is responsible for Edwin, 100 years old ghost boy, finally unpacking his internalized homophpbia. he is the catalyst (cat pun not intended)

He pushes Edwin, challenges him, at times literally forces the truth out of Edwin, but he really never does violate his consent. Significantly Edwin is attracted to him, like its an important part of his character that he is. He may not like the Cat King but he is attracted to him!

The Cat King is such a great example of a trickster, a morally grey character who imposes a sense of justice on Edwin after he crosses a line, but also has his own selfish interests and meddles. Hes so important to the plot of the show, to Edwin's character arc, to the genre.

And he's just fun. Unapologetically queer, powerful, complicated. Silly little outfits. Petty cat behavior. Deep heart.

Some of you just didn't get it. And I'm sorry for you. because the Cat King is Excellent actually.

[densewentz]

When a cunty witch beats you to death then steals your boy toy for eternal torment 😢 (based on that 'don't you miss her???' meme)

[hannaloony]

[aliasmard]

a cut scene from the last episode

[nualaofthefaerie]

How about we stop interpreting the Cat King into something he is not and start listening to Lukas Gage about his own character instead?

Because it's genuinely concerning how some people view him, and at this point, I am starting to believe you people are so hostile towards him because he disrupts Painland, which he doesn't since Edwin can very much like two people at the same time (most people in real life do).

Lukas also sees this shit... It's obvious he loves this character and worked very hard to make him complex and three-dimensional, only for people to misunderstand him completely and start treating him horribly, which I'm sorry but it's completely bullshit.

So less "I don't like him because he makes me feel icky for no apparent reason" and more media comprehension.

Gif belongs to @isabellaofparma 🪷🩷

AN ADDITION TO THIS (03.07.24):

I think every person should be allowed to, of course, continue to dislike him. He is a complex character, and as such, he is the whole spectrum, and that rubs people in ways. However, I did mean to provide a different point of view than the one that had begun to take prevail and I felt was a bit unfair towards what Lukas wished to portray. I will not change or edit the original phrasing because that is how I felt when I originally posted this.

I do enjoy reading everyone's opinions. The ONLY thing I will not tolerate on this post is personal insults on both sides. Do not have those under my post. I'm an adult. I can't have people fight over fictional characters with personal insults.

[inkwell-illustrations]

The Cat King: Can I try rizzing you up? Edwin: Sure?? The Cat King: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

[shaylogic]

Headcanon that when Cat King's in human form, Niko treats him with utmost respect: "your majesty" "Mr. Cat King"

But when he's in cat form, all bets are off: "Chonkers" "Mr. Fluffy Butt" "

[bloodbatty]

The brain rot continues 🧍

[idliketobeatree]

❤️ valentine's day card from the dead boy detectives (and visitors) agency ❤️

[akascow]

still not over cat kings “142?? omg youre WAYYYY off HA 142 could you imagine lmao pls u might as well give up now pft” and it was literally just off by 4

[densewentz]

Guess who's been playing Don't Starve while watching Dead Boy Detectives 💕

[slightlystrangepsyche]

I will never get over the introduction of the Cat King. Like, there has to be 146 cats in the scene where they all take the detective trio to meet him. Pretty much all the cats on display, to show off his prowess.

The Cat King makes a point of asking which one of them used a leash spell against one of his cats. The cat replies with something like "The scrawny one who just had the nerve to talk to you" and the Cat King uses that as an excuse to get Edwin alone and hit on him.

TCK knows Edwin's name, without Edwin disclosing it. TCK is wearing Charles' socks as part of his unique and intimidating (erotic) clothing. I'm convinced the neon sign in TCK's lair is there because Edwin was so fascinating by the neon sign at the butchers.

TCK is down so bad before he even meets Edwin, and every encounter frustrates him and makes him fall even more.

Love him for that. Most pathetic meow meow.

[hannaloony]

[not-the-living-ghost]

here's to all the dbda memes and random videos that i've made and just let sit collecting dust on my computer because i forgot to post them 🙏🙏

[nualaofthefaerie]

For someone who definitely doesn't want to kiss the Cat King, you sure are looking at him like you'd devour him, ghost boy.