maricoelquelolea

[maricoelquelolea]

I miss the glock stapler lightsaber. Give Ezra back the glockstapler.

[maricoelquelolea]

I'm still fucking sick in the head about how Sabine's story has played out so abysmally tragically in canon. What do you mean she was broken and began to heal and reconcile her past only to be broken again even worse, what do you mean she lost her entire family permanently after just getting them back after spending her adolescence thinking they hated her, what do you mean she lost her entire people at the end while the rest of the galaxy won, what do you mean many of the survivors probably blamed her for it bc of the dark saber, what do you mean Hera and Zeb are barely in her life any more, what do you mean the family that saved her is dead and missing and scattered, what do you mean Ahsoka left her, what do you mean she took Ezra's place in exile, what do you mean she's spent her entire life losing everyone over and over and over what the FUCK man

And the real tragedy is that absolutely none of that will actually be addressed in any meaningful way in canon I'm going to eat glass

[maricoelquelolea]

This is something I've always had complicated feelings about.

Kallus' early redemption made him far more nuanced as an antagonist, which helped the tone of the show quite a lot by the time season 2 rolled around. However it feels like afterwards Zeb's internal conflict was just obliterated when the show had barely begun to dig deep on his trauma over seeing other Lasats.

I think there could have been a balance, even with what we got. There's a line in the Honorable Ones where Zeb says that "what happened in Lasan is in the past". I think a better way to smooth over the rushed nature of this development would've been for Kallus to actually return the bo-rifle of the lasat he killed to Zeb, thus causing him to feel far more sympathy than he did before. We could've gotten little pieces in different episodes where Zeb fiddles with both Bo-Rifles, clearly conflicted over what to think of the adjustments Kallus made to what's essentially a living piece of his culture. Perhaps it could've happened before or after the episode Hera's heroes, since that one also grapples with the complexities of having your culture appropriated by others.

However, in spite of all his hesitance, when Sabine says Kallus saved her and later is revealed as Fulcrum, a part of him can't help but vouch for him and also be in shock that he was the one to essentially radicalize Kallus against the Empire; because an aspect of Zeb's character that I feel is sadly under-explored is that he's actually a bit insecure.

I think that way the show could've achieved both things.

Ok Kalluzeb mutuals don’t crucify me but. Does anyone else kind of wish Rebels had stuck with the original plan and kept Kallus as Zeb’s nemesis?

It’s pretty clear in season 1 and early season 2 that Kallus was not being set up for a redemption arc, and that he was supposed to be Zeb’s foil and main antagonist. He’s the antagonist in both Droids in Distress and Legends of the Lasat (the two main pre-Honorable Ones episodes that focus on Zeb), and he unambiguously takes credit for the Lasat genocide early on.

Obviously that was retconned in The Honorable Ones, but let’s be clear, that was a retcon. Kallus literally smiles proudly when Tua says she ‘hadn’t thought there were any Lasat left’ and says “a few, Minister. Only a few.” He then proceeds to do his absolute best to kill Zeb, with the implication being that he wants to kill off the last of the Lasat (see: him yelling ‘Lasat! Face me!’ to challenge Zeb, and smiling when he raises the Bo-rifle to kill Zeb). During the fight, Kallus laughs maniacally as he brags about removing his from a Guardsman’s corpse and brags about being part of the genocide on Lasan.

There’s no remorse or implication that he might be lying at all in either episode. You’d think that a Kallus as wracked by guilt over Lasan as he presents himself in and after The Honorable Ones might show at least a little hesitation over targeting a ship carrying the last three known Lasat in the galaxy, but he doesn’t seem to care at all.

There’s also several other points in the early show where he’s presented as a heartless villain not related to the Lasat, like burning Tarkintown on Vader’s orders in The Siege of Lothal, but the point is that Kallus was set up to be Zeb’s main antagonist for the series (like how the Saxons were Sabine’s antagonists in seasons 3 and 4). His persecution of the Lasat drove Zeb’s character development and arc throughout the early show, and it definitely seemed like that was supposed to continue.

After Legends of the Lasat, Zeb had reclaimed his identity as a leader of his people, and promised to protect other survivors and lead them to Lira San. This feels like it was setting up an arc for Zeb where he comes into his own as a leader of the Lasat again, which would’ve naturally concluded with a confrontation against Kallus, who at this point is presented as largely responsible for the Lasats’ oppression. The end of Droids in Distress feels like it’s the setup for a later Zeb episode, where Zeb, having gone through a full arc, challenges and defeats Kallus, probably with the help of the new Bo-rifle skills he picked up in Legends of the Lasat.

Instead, three episodes later, we get The Honorable Ones (which I do like), where Kallus’s backstory is completely retconned and he’s clearly set up for redemption. Once Kallus is on the path to become Fulcrum, all the setup for Zeb’s arc is basically tossed away: he never gets a chance at an actual rematch with Kallus, he never leads more Lasat to Lira San, and he never uses the ancient Bo-rifle techniques he learned again.

This is pretty obviously because of Kallus’s redemption; with Kallus redeemed, he’s not persecuting more Lasat for Zeb to rescue, there’s no reason for him and Zeb to have their rematch, and since there’s no villains with a Bo-rifle, Zen never gets the chance to use his new skills.

Without Kallus as a villain, Zeb’s arc kinda falls apart and the writers didn’t do anything to salvage it. He has a few more focus episodes, but they don’t really contribute to any overall story and his character doesn’t develop meaningfully after Legends of the Lasat. He’s relegated to the background, which is really sad for a very interesting character who was supposed to be part of the main cast!

I do like Kallus’s redemption; it’s undeniable that the retcon made him a better, more interesting character, and I like the relationship he builds with Zeb after it. However, his character growth came at the cost of Zeb’s, and I would’ve preferred to have seen Zeb’s full arc.

[maricoelquelolea]

As far as I’m concerned, pokemon villain writing peaked with Guzma. Legitimately worried about the erosion of culture due to hyper-tourism surrounding their sacred rites and practices. Abused as a child, ran away from home to start his countries only youth hostel for similarly troubled kids, and funds it with crime. Bug type specialist, with an ace that is mostly known for its first stage being cowardly. Cultivates a big scary persona as a defense mechanism to protect himself and his members, no one can beat big bad Guzma, so they don’t have to be afraid anymore. His grunts trust him enough to ask him for help when they screw up, despite the fact that they all come from troubled homes. Was so significant that pokemon switched from having cartoonishly evil bad guys and teams to the current model of “sympathetic and understandable antagonist that has some very good points, even as they oppose the protagonist, and is in some way actively doing good in their community by supporting those who are the most in need of assistance, due to some legitimate failing of the current system.” There is a cartoon villain looming behind him, but they’re a twist and not the main team presented. Everyone wants to be him, but they can never replicate the perfection that is this man.

Thank you for your service Guzma

[maricoelquelolea]

The fact that Cassian easily disposes of Tivik, doesn't interact with Bhodi, Baze and Chirrut as much as Jyn does - coupled with the fact that he is generally presented throughout the movie as an extremely aloof and cautious person - makes me think that the bond he had with Kay was incredibly special.

They all went to Scarif knowing they would most certainly die. Yet as K-2so is dying he not only cries out for him, he was going back. If Kay hadn't closed the door he was probably either going to get himself shot or kill people and risk ruining the mission; literally the most sacred thing for Cassian, just to get Kay out of there alive.

This lone aspect of Ro1 has fascinated me for years. Usually when anyone in SW goes back for a droid it's implied to be a sort of "exceptionally kind" being. They're treated like disposable machinery. You see, say, Luke, Hera, Poe, and Jeager being extremely protective of their droid friends; but they're characters who are meant to be seen by the audience as incredibly considerate and attached in a way that is rare.

However, Cassian? Reacting like that? When the first thing he does within the first 20 minutes of the movie is kill a human being just because there's a chance he might snitch?

What I'm saying is that I really love just how much was implied about their dynamic in such a small window of time and it makes me sad that this wasn't explored in the Andor show.

[maricoelquelolea]

I'm going to accept and believe the black eyed peas' omen. Tonight's gonna be a good night

[maricoelquelolea]

The relationship between history and mortality, or lack thereof, of droids in Star Wars is a haunting prospect and I'm surprised they have not explored this particular aspect of their existence (aside from Huyang).

Take for example, Chopper. By the time Ro1 takes place he's already an extremely antiquated astro-mech model. However, even while living under less than ideal circumstances, Hera always managed to find all the necessary equipment to maintain his identity; even fought with her father over it. He is an autonomous being. He's her family.

Thus, it's logical that Jacen would probably follow suit and continue to find ways to either recreate the type of technology and mechanics Chopper needs; or if he demands so, pass his core data onto a completely different type of droid. Full on ship of Theseus.

This could go on indefinitely. It could go on long after Hera herself passes away and she asks Chopper to keep an eye out on their family, even though he might desperately long to follow her. He might even comply when Jacen is older than his father ever was, and see his passing too.

So there's this ancient, all knowing person who knows all who existed before you. Who sees twinkles of someone who has been dead for eons in your smile. Who might eventually outlive you too, and your children, and their children. A living historian.

Are they in pain? How long must they keep that promise they made to themselves and their friend? How many times can the memory processors be updated until it is basically torture? But what if they enjoy what they do and want to continue living? It's their autonomy in the end, but you'd wish someone had registered their history too.

[maricoelquelolea]

i wanted to draw them after they actually get to be friends proper LOL

[maricoelquelolea]

I like the idea of Zeb using Kallus as some sort of projectile or even a mace. Everytime someone points out the bizarre nature of this Kallus says "it's fair, honestly" and then refuses to elaborate. I feel like a large aspect of Zeb and Kallus' dynamic in the rebellion is doing shit in the most peculiar way possible and then refusing to elaborate

[maricoelquelolea]

woc characters get put on a pedestal in their fandoms in a way that is so boring and itself kinda dehumanising. i dont just wanna hear about how they’re flawless queens, i want them to feel specific and real. and i understand why it happens, especially with younger fans, but fandom of these characters that’s oriented more around defending them from haters rather than engaging with them (beyond empty, repetitive adulation) is so… limiting and profoundly boring. you could explore these characters on their own merit instead you neglect any potential interiority, humanity, complexity in favour of letting rando haters be a hair trigger and building your faves up as impenetrable fortresses against them. and then its just girlboss with a coat of brown paint

[maricoelquelolea]

Everyone I know in Gaza is messaging me saying they can't find internet anymore and are barely able to connect using esims that are running out. Please don't stop donating esims.

[maricoelquelolea]

He’s literally the only person on that ship who knows how to pick up chicks.

[maricoelquelolea]

I know it's been 4 years and everyone has talked about this and the horrid whitewashing but another thing that pisses me off about the way TBB retconned the Kanan comic is that they completely ignored the beautiful parallel between Depa's last words and Kanan's actions at the end of S1.

Depa tells Caleb to run and that she will be right behind him. She's lying and Kanan knows such and yet he leaves her anyways. This is why the grand inquisitor's words haunt him so severely. It's not just survivor's guilt, but he also feels he betrayed Depa.

So, in the communication tower, right as he is basically sacrificing himself, he tells the exact same lie to Ezra and Sabine. He spends the entire season reconnecting with Depa by training Ezra; by understanding the choices she took as a parent... And now, he's protecting his kids, just as Depa did.

[maricoelquelolea]

I deeply appreciate the amount of effort Hera places in being as professional and private as humanly possible regarding her personal affairs.

She's deeply involved with the Rebellion and would give her life for them without question but she keeps to her people and no one else. Hell, it's interesting that during the entirety of S3 she only calls Kanan love once, because she was just unbelievably believed he was okay.

It's just an interesting dichotomy. This gentle, well meaning, profoundly amicable yet emotionally distant character (from people who are not the Ghost Grew, of course.

[maricoelquelolea]

Sad. krow

[maricoelquelolea]

Sorry Kanera nation this is so their song ✌️😔

Song is Two Slow Dancers by Mitski

[maricoelquelolea]

Bite the Hand