Here's the thing: I don't think Tashi and Patrick would have worked in the long run, even if Art hadn't meddled, because neither of them was willing to be a 'fan in each other's club,' which is why in a lot of ways their both drawn to each other – neither of them are gonna coddle each other, their going to call each other out on their bullshit, to criticise each other, to be each other's biggest critic and I think both Tash and Patrick are attracted to that, as well as attracted to the raw talent they both have. However, that doesn't mean they have the makings of a long term relationsip.
But don't get it twisted. Art did meddle.
I see a lot of people here wanting to make Art a passive participant in this, but he's not. Whether it's because he doesn't want to be left out or jealous (he wants Tashi, but he also wants Patrick), he deliberately planted the seeds of doubt in both Tashi's and Patrick's minds. Yes, they both clock it right away; Tashi says, "your a bad fucking friend", as well as what Patrick says in the churro scene.
He still ends up being the catalyst for the fight, putting doubt in both their minds that the other just isn't really into the thing they have together. As Zendaya herself says: Art is a snake. And here's the thing: they're all bad people at certain points in the film. That's literally the point; people don't have to write analyses as to why Art isn't. He's just as messy and ruthless as Patrick and Tashi are. The only difference is that Art is a sheep in wolf's clothing. He's not outwardly those things, but deep down inside he is.
For me, that's why the throuple works; they've all done shitty things and been shitty people to each other. But they need each other to survive; all three of them, they all need something the other brings to survive, that's why it's codependency the movie. We don't have to 1) make anyone the centre; they are all equally important to the throuple, and I need people to stop pushing out the POC women in favour of two white guys alone and 2) make anyone the victim or doormat.
Louis using the opportunity (walls lyrics) for thanking the crowd for a sold-out O2 London show - Faith in the future world tour - London,UK - 17.11.2023
Have been seeing lots of videos and I've lost count of how many times this man said thank you throughout the show yesterday.
challengers is so real because if i was tashi, i, too, would take good care of my little white boys. if i was patrick, i, too, would spend years living in jealously if tashi and art got married and left me out. if i was art, i, too, would be pathetic and on my hands and knees for tashi and in love with patrick!
hey guys not to make things more emotional but fearless studio version starts with kids talking and ends with a subtle "mom i made it" but fearless live version opens with fans in rio chanting "i love you" and ends with the fans absolutely screaming their hearts out because guess what. he really truly made it
Okay but let’s talk about Tashi and Art’s marriage.
How Art was there for her after her injury, one of the first people who rushed to help her. To help her heal, to go through arguably the worst moment of her life while holding her hand. To show her love and validation outside of the sport that was her whole life.
How Art spends the next decade of his life playing for the both of them. Pushing himself past his own limitations because this isn’t about Art, this is ahout Tashi. About her potential, about everything she could’ve been and everything he took away from her.
How the both of them know they shouldn’t have lashed out at Patrick, how it was just easier to blame him when Art knows deep down Tashi blamed him for her injury.
Love as penance, praying and hoping the next trophy would be the one that satisfies her, resentment souring the only thing that tied him to his best friend, the only thing they all shared. Laying his life on the sacrificial altar in the hopes that would earn the love and forgiveness she can’t give