#I think plenty of folk are REALLY attached to s1 of the show

[imminent-danger-came]

I've been seeing a lot of people saying it was a problem that Mei didn't save Red Son from the scroll of memory in TEW as a callback to when he talked to her in EYD. I personally don't like the idea and think it's a kind of silly complaint, it wouldn't fit in the already quickly paced special or really add anything to the story/Mei's S4 arc.

To me, it just seems like another case of the LMK fandom not being able to think of Mei outside of Red Son, but I'm not sure if that's just me being a hater (lesbian) so I'd like to know what you think? Your analysis is always interesting and fun to read!

Aw, thanks anon! <3

I think a majority of the LMK fandom would sacrifice Mei in a blood ritual if it meant Red Son would have more screen time. Which is uh, not an opinion I share (<- Mei is their second favorite character).

Look, I love parallels. I post a lot of 'em on my blog, and I've made a few parallel predictions myself. But, and here's my hot take: A Red Son and Mei convo in the scroll just wouldn't have fit in the special.

Logistically, the only time this conversation could have happened was post-battle, after everything had settled down and they were able to get everyone out of their scroll pieces. The 3x11 convo between Mei and Red Son only happens because Red Son is desperate—he needs a hero, he needs Mei to save his parents, and Mei is worried she'll lose control. A convo at the end of 3x14 wouldn't have stakes for Mei to urge Red Son back into the outside world with, making the parallel fall kind of flat. There's just not that same weight or urgency.

If exploring Red Son's (or any of the Demon Bull Family's) time in the scroll were to happen, it would be at some point in s5 when it would be the most significant and impactful. You don't just...waste something with so much narrative potential for the end of an already jam packed special. Now, this isn't me saying we're guaranteed to get anything like this in the show, but it is me saying that the special wasn't the place for it.

Plus like, a 3x11 parallel would have to have Character A comforting Character B about some fear, with Character A assuring Character B that they're needed and that they can help—they're not going to make the situation worse.

If anything, I'd argue that we do get a parallel to Mei and Red Son's 3x11 conversation, it's just that it's between Wukong and MK—which, BASED Mei and Wukong parallels moment:

((This is also all assuming that going into the scroll is even necessary for a non-broken scroll piece lol.))

It really does feel like a lot of people just can't see Mei as her own character. If it's any consolation, I don't think you're being a hater anon! I think you're just picking up on what was most important to show in the s4 special.

[trashmenofmarvel]

I think Ward's isolation in S1 is primarily because of Harold's strong abusive hold on him. He's reluctant to do anything at all with his DAD seemingly keeping an eye on him 24/7. But with that gone, he seems like a directionless teenager with no support. And his "flirting" with everyone is just him doing stuff he couldn't do with Harold around to shame him for it. The Bethany thing was like a classic "Jessica Jones" coping mechanism phase. And this is coming from someone who HC'ed Ward as ace.

I don’t think you’re understanding me, anon, so I’m going to explain it and I really hope you listen. Because I’m kind of tired of people, who are most likely new to the Iron Fist fandom, coming to me and belittling my feelings. This isn’t just some headcanon I was attached to. This is my identity. One that is erased over and over again with characters across many fandoms.

Ward did plenty of things to act out against Harold in season 1, none of them involving any type of sexualized behavior. So I disagree with you. And I have a right to that. To me, Ward clearly read as asexual in season 1, which was probably just an accident on the part of the writers but it’s still some semblance of representation even if it wasn’t on purpose. And I will take it, because asexual representation either doesn’t exist or it’s erased to make sure we all know the character is straight as an arrow.

It happened with Castiel in Supernatural.

It happened with King Richard in Galavant.

It happened with Shiro in Voltron (though he could still technically be ace, the fandom is so toxic that you would be risking some serious harassment if you say so out loud).

And now it’s happened with Ward.

So I would really appreciate if you guys would stop sending me anons and comments telling me how I’m incorrect about how Ward’s asexuality was completely erased in season 2. These are my feelings and I am perfectly entitled to them, just as you’re entitled to disagree with me.

What you are all not entitled to do is send me anon messages telling me how my feelings are incorrect. You don’t know me and you clearly haven’t understood why I feel this way. At least, I hope this is a misunderstanding. Maybe it’s because there’s a huge influx of people into the fandom now, so I’m posting this as a PSA. I’m not trying to be rude, anon, but you’re not the first person to try and debate me on this, and I need you all to understand this is not just some fun meta discussion to me.

Time and time again I’ve watched as clearly coded asexual characters are erased, because God forbid a character not be interested in fucking. It’s the same reason why writers and showrunners will make sure characters are interpreted as straight by hamfisting a heterosexual relationship into a show if fans start to believe a character is queer. It’s inexcusable at this point. Writers and showrunners need to do better.

It may be TwentyGayTeen, but aces and aros (as well as trans folks) are still being left out of our stories.

This is extremely personal to me. So please stop trying to debate me on this, especially on anon, because it goes deeper than just how I feel about a character. This is about representation and how asexuals are shit on and erased over and over again.