#helluva boss 2x11

[phddyke]

They do look like they know he’s full of shit.

[khywren]

Helluva Boss 2 x 11 - Mastermind

[alexgrin]

Vassago vs Barbie Wire

[stray-tori]

"Mastermind" Thoughts

hmm i think this finally broke the "this episode is the new best episode!" streak that S2 has had thus far.

Critic points:

Ice Boy's plan was weird - what would he get from Blitz being executed? He should have ensured Stolas would show up, his original plan made no sense considering his goal? I understand he didn't want Stolas to be there during the testimonies but he should have definitely arranged to have him show up, right???

(more of a question) How does Stella know so much about Stolas?? Why does she know about the book deal, and why does she know they had a fight?? HUH (but ig Verosika knew abt Full Moon too somehow so. WHO KNOWS. maybe Stolas is in all the magazines)

A little bit rushed. Was hoping for things to be subdued a bit before we go back into Stolitz territory, but I trust that this will not magically fix them.

I think this episode would have benefited a lot from having a break between releases with shorts releasing. Even though the shorts we have were kind of ret-conned by Blitz moping around post-apology-tour and apology tour being the next day from full moon so they can't have happened there either; I still think this needed some time to breathe. Some time for Blitz to function again (we do have the hint that he has been functioning) and to show them existing on their own.

I know that Blitz was under stress but Stolas did say "less than legally" irt their deal, so I kind of thought Blitz knew that it was somewhat illegal -- I'm surprised he didn't try to go "Why would I steal the book, I have a crystal bro". This episode feels written as if the crystal didn't exist - they could have used it to escape to the mortal realm, and Blitz could have at least attempted to "hide" the book usage. It's likely that Ozzie has records on when his crystals were officially handed out and it probably would have been refuted, but idk... feels weird that it didn't come up.

Why did they believe the assassin's testimony just like that, come on now.

Also I'm GENUINELY surprised the angelic weapon they got from Striker in S1 didn't come up here. I was like, super convinced they'd show it during the hiding segment or it would come up here as sort of evidence that Blitz was plotting to kill Stolas?

But also why was this needed, wouldn't it have been enough to be like "yeah. i gave him the book, it was illegal" - like why make your crime seem unnecessarily big? This feels more like a plot thread towards pilot Stolas, who was using Blitz to enact power moves on earth, seemingly.

Generally it just feels like there's some missed potential to bring together various plot threads here and it makes me a bit sad. (Maybe I just missed what happened to it)

edit: IMO the easy fix here would be to just have Andrealphus ENSURE that Stolas shows up by sending him a messenger or something of the sort.

If I was to give my own pitch, I think you can still hit a lot of the same plot beats by doing the reverse. Stolas being accused of lending his book out and Blitz trying to take the fall for him by saying he stole it, he forced Stolas, etc. (i.e. trying to STOP him ruining Stolas' life even more than he already has in his eyes) - but ultimately failing and then Stolas gets banished just like in the episode proper.

Loved:

Blitz screaming for Stolas, ugh the DESPAIR!!! My beloved

Stolas being a dramatic lil bitch

IMP found family :((((( Blitz would take the fall for them every time!!!

Domestic/Hurt-Comfort Stolitz despite my gripes is very cute, i can't be too bitter. It still feels weird seeing it happen, because I've seen this a lot in fan-works and I'm simply not used to a work actually being this fanfic-y (and I mean this in the best way possible).

STOLAS SAW THE PICTURES WITH BLITZ' FACE SCRIBBLED, i doubt this season has space for this but PLEASE S3,,,,

And a joke I did during the watch that I thought was funny:

"get ready for a life on the run gang" (Blitz crashes the car)

Me: "Well it's a life on the RUN, not a life on the DRIVE"

[karura]

the way blitzo said 'you're my heart' and 'i can't live life without you by my side' I AM FUCKING SCREAMING THIS IS EVERYTHING TO ME BAKJGHSJLKGHJSAKLJ

also this???

WHEN HAVE WE EVER SEEN HE BEING SO CARING AKGJHGHAS the way he looks at him im dying

[stolasbuckzo]

- One week later since Stolas’s banishment-

Blitz: *tries everything to cheer up Stolas / or take his mind off recent events but nothing works*

Loona: *She frowns as she knows exactly what she needs to do to cheer him up*. “Hey man why don’t we hang out today. You can pick the location but I was thinking either Loo Loo Land or Stylish Occult. I’m not overly a fan of taxidermy but— oof!” *gets interrupted by a tackled hug*

Stolas: “I know what you’re trying to do here, and than you very much, I appreciate the thought.”

Loona: “Look . . . I know I’m not actually your daughter or anything but if you ever need to take the edge off and hang out as if we were father and daughter then let me know and I’ll cancel plans, if I have any.”

Stolas: *starts to tear up from the hospitality from both Blitz and Loona over the past week* “By the seven rings of Hell— how did I get so lucky to have such kind people to give both shelter and a job.”

[thebl00dyparallels]

I can’t believe how purely coincidental this is (for context Helluva Boss released before Epic the Musical— here’s me thinking Viv had the idea from the last Wisdom Saga

[romancemedia]

Helluva Boss 2x11 - Mastermind Ending

[phddyke]

The fact that Stolas had to do the whole “imps are too dumb to come up that idea” in order to save Blitz and he even said “do you want killing him to light a fire in his race” because he WANTS him to do exactly that but it comes off like he doesn’t. So now everyone hates him but he had to in order to save Blitz’s life I’m going to start gnawing on my eyebrows

[phddyke]

The fact that out of the whole main cast, only Millie and Blitz look at each other at the moment of the execution…oh their friendship makes me BONKERS

[phddyke]

Blitz was once jealous of Stolas’s relationship with Via, when she hugged him and Loona attacked him twice rather than reciprocating.

Now Stolas is jealous of Blitz’s relationship with Loona.

[phddyke]

Got what he wanted.

[phddyke]

Very funny to me that people think Blitzø and Stolas are going to get together now. We still have at least one more season of dragging this out if you ask me. I’m giving it an episode or two before Stolas is like “Blitz I have a great news! I can move off your couch; Vassago has a second home amongst the commoners and has agreed to let me stay with him.”

Blitz, who was planning on baking a cake to confess tonight: 🙂 great

[phddyke]

Parallels

[phddyke]

Blitz being willing to die to save Loona, Millie, Moxxie AND Stolas and Stolas being willing to die to save Blitz somebody sedate me

[phddyke]

Stolas and Blitz are role-reversing—Blitz is now beloved by everyone, and perhaps even likely to become famous, rich, and powerful.

In order to have a full role reversal, Blitz is also going to be chasing after Stolas while he’s off with someone else.