cunfuzzeldmind

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Components trying to recruit Hydra to be Electra’s fuel truck by singing Chillin Like a Villain from Descendants 2 send post

[cunfuzzeldmind]

One of the most overlooked aspects of Starlight Express is its commentary on class. It’s not a theme that gets a lot of attention in the fandom, which is surprising, because the show actually explores it in subtle but very effective ways, especially compared to how other musicals handle the topic.

Rusty and the freight trucks clearly represent the working class. Their original costumes were designed to resemble worn-in work clothes. Even in the current Bochum production, Dustin still has that same blue collar aesthetic.

While Rusty being terrorized by Greaseball and his gang is often discussed, what gets far less attention is how the coaches treat the freight trucks. In Freight, the trucks introduce themselves with a song/chant, similar to other character groups. But immediately, the coaches start insulting them by calling them “dumb trucks,” saying “the lights are on but nobody’s home,” and mocking them as “40 tons of empty chrome”, etc. These insults rely heavily on tired stereotypes about blue collar workers being unintelligent or crass.

Later versions of the show even add complaints about the trucks being “too loud,” despite the fact that their volume isn’t noticeably different from any other group. Dustin is arguably the most soft spoken character in the show, Flat Top speaks gruffly, the Rockies speak in rhythm, and Caboose speakers in a friendly, charming way to feign innocence. The coaches’ comment about them being “loud” is a thinly veiled way of policing working class expression, which is something that often happens in real life too.

What’s often missed is that Freight isn’t a two-sided argument, the coaches instigate the fight. In the original lyrics, the trucks never insult the coaches or passenger work, they only talk about how they think that “freight is great.” In The New Starlight Express they push back with a line about passengers being too noisy, and even then, it comes across more as a response than a direct attack.

The coaches’ classism is also evident in their treatment of Rusty. In Call Me Rusty, it’s evident that they don’t respect him the same way they do other engines. They openly mock him when he talks about his dream to race and end the song by beckoning him childishly (“come on Rusty, good boy Rusty”).

The purpose of this post isn’t to demonize the coaches, they are beautifully complex like all of the characters in the show. They are victimized by the male characters, mostly the engines. It’s especially evident in how Greaseball and Electra negotiate Dinah and Pearl as racing partners without including them in the conversation. However, the oppressed can be oppressors, and Starlight Express is amazing at representing that intersectionality.

[cunfuzzeldmind]

We're so back Revamaxxers

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Hey. You wanted StEx asks, right? How about Greaseball and Electra ?

I’m assuming you mean the ship so I’ma go with that. I like ‘em! I used to be really into them when I first got into stex but now their not my top 10.

I think they’re a really funny pair a drag Queen and his himbo bf if that’s a good way to put it loool. I also think they make for great angst, I love it when people give Gb internalized homophobia.

It’s the one saying “Electra wouldn’t mind being in love with a man, if it didn’t mean being in love with Greaseball. Greaseball wouldn’t mind being in love with Electra, if it didn’t mean being in love with a man”.

(if you’re talking abt the wemb ver they’re cool too, plus the more lesbians the better!)

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Any thought about the ship wrench X killerwatt? (Bochum)

I think they work really well together! I feel like they have the type of dynamic where KW’s always so focused on his work that he forgets to take care of himself and wrench clocks him on it lol

imo their relationship doesn’t really call for dates and lovey dovey stuff, a simple hug or small words of affection work for them

thanks for the ask :D

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Can y’all send me stex asks😋 like it can be anything!

Ships, costumes, wigs, songs, productions, etc

[cunfuzzeldmind]

i HATE when i see an evil rustrogen shipper makes pearl and hydra opps (no hate to not-evil rustrogen shippers ily guys). literally hydra i think would be the most understanding guy. 'but rusty took pearl onto the podium instead of hydra' and why are we thinking thats her fault??? bruv probably had no say in the matter considering she got uncoupled during a race and could have train-died i doubt she's like 'yo rusty you should totally take me up on the podium' NO, he probably just yoinked her uo there without thinking, that was rusty's idea #freepearl hashtag literally blame rusty

anyway i like to think pearl and hydra become like best friends after the race and that she'd love to listen to him yap. :)

[cunfuzzeldmind]

the 80s and 90s Bochum instrumentals are one of and if not the best starlight tracks. One of my favs is wide smile and engine of love, the trumpets in wide smile are so fire and THE CABOOSE WHISTLE OMG, like whoever put that in is smart imo. And the chugging and bass (?) guitar in engine of love unlocks something in me.

They really need to bring back the original tracks for some of the og songs in Bochum or at least the train noises.

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Who ordered on ice Electra who I call Cryolyte??? No one but Me? Good. Just how I like it. Anyways i love on ice ive been editing him nonstop check out my tiktok called cryolyte.on.ice for my edits ig

[cunfuzzeldmind]

throws on ice pearl art at you

More Pearl art lol.I might make a series where I draw the different pearls atp

(no fog and no BG ver under)

I changed her skates because I thought they looked weird (I also made her hair too light oops)

[cunfuzzeldmind]

WILLKOMMEN! : Here’s Michael performing the opening number of Cabaret! Unfortunately, this was just for a game show and he never got to perform the entire musical… - 👻~*

[cunfuzzeldmind]

omg 3rd day of school and my history teachers giving us a quiz on the syllabus, THE SYLLABUS💔

[cunfuzzeldmind]

learned some interesting things today

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Art I never finished

[cunfuzzeldmind]

Pro shots from the competition were finally posted!

[cunfuzzeldmind]

why did Revas TikTok get banned lol😭?

[cunfuzzeldmind]

✨Starlight Express Appreciation Month✨

Day 2: PEARL THE FIRST CLASS GIRL🪻✨💫

I love pearl she is my second favorite character, I think she is missed potential and needs some better writing to become her best self (but I think that is my opinion with most coaches since they get so poorly treated)

Extra: my fav pearl pic and what dessert I think she would be 😋 (plus my fav Prusty pic)

🪻Pearl head canon🪻

✨ she loves ballet and is one of her ways to destress from a long day

✨ she doesn’t know how to cook besides the basics but helps Rusty with what she can

✨ she knows how to crochet and makes trinkets for people she likes (all the coaches have keychains that pearl has made for them)