#TPN 169

[fullscoreshenanigans]

Imagine a AU where everything would have been the same except that, when the demon attack the children at the end, it's Jemima who fall while trying to run and Ray who jumps to protect her and Isabella is fatally wounded by protecting them (him).

Yeah it's "how mess even more with Ray's emotions about her"

I think it's great that she do that for Emma, but if she did that for Ray it would have been more intense.

But it would be a interesing callback to their discussion when he was 6 and that he realized that she would sacrify him for live longer, that she would ship him, that she sees her life as more important than him, her son (and realizing that had broke his little heart). And now, 7 years later, she decides that his life is more important than her life. She sacrify herself so he would live longer.

The reverse of the situation of the day of their deal.

Ray would be destroyed, even more than in canon. Because that's a thing that she want to apologize on her "deadbed", it's another that she did it atfer have saved his life, have have showed him that she changed and sees him as important for her.

(And if she had survived, he would have been the little ball of stress about her because she wouldn't want to rest and would want ot help to find Emma. "mum you have been stabbed" "it was 3 days ago Ray" "MUM")

I'm of two minds on this because there is the poetic beauty of adding more to their tumultuous relationship than what we got after all that was left unsaid about their interactions during their time together pre-escape, but I'm opposed to it on the grounds of ceding any focus from Emma in such a crucial moment with how centered her relationship with her mother was in the escape arc, in addition to the ending of generational female trauma after Isabella was so deadset in her belief that perpetuating it was the best future she could offer her beloved daughter.

It also feels poignant given how this is the first narrative train of thought we hear from Emma in the manga:

It's so important that even though the anime did away with internal monologues, they made sure to have Don emphatically express the sentiment in her place in episode 1.

She abused and wronged Ray in a unique way due to their biological relationship, but it shouldn't take precedence in a moment where she's meant to act as a true guardian to all her children after walking dozens of them off to slaughter.

(And if she had survived, he would have been the little ball of stress about her because she wouldn't want to rest and would want to help to find Emma. "mum you have been stabbed" "it was 3 days ago Ray" "MUM")

While I'm all about Ray lowkey fretting over his younger family members in ways he might have inherited from her:

(Chapter 8 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 116 | Chapter 181.4)

This scenario is a bit too sitcom-ish for me after all the suffering he went through under her care. I can't imagine him expressing anything beyond neutrality or flares of irritation toward her when they would interact for some time.

He would not act cruelly toward her because one of his earliest defining character moments shows that isn't how he operates after seeing dozens of his siblings shipped out over the years.

(Chapter 11; while harm is unavoidable in his escape plan with the children he would sacrifice so Emma and Norman could live, he is adamant about not adding an iota more of cruelty than he has to. There's been enough pain in his short life already.)

And he would not want to rob her of the opportunity to reconcile with her other children and walk further along the path of redemption because he wouldn't be there right now if his family hadn't given him the chance to do the same. Likewise, he wouldn't want to deny his siblings the opportunity to know their mother in a world that's kinder to all of them.

(Chapter 174)

But for himself, it's hard to let go of years of hypervigilance, constantly on edge to not show a hint of vulnerability lest it foil his plan, and knowing what he represented to her after he shattered the blissful delusion she'd fallen into at Grace Field for five years. That would stay with him to some degree forever and always color their relationship, even if they were both working toward reconciliation.

Up until the day of their reunion, he didn't hesitate to call her a monster after nearly two years of probably assuming she was dead because of the note he wrote as bait to get her in trouble with headquarters, a wry smile playing on his lips at the thought of her being considered a "good parent."

(Chapter 169)

She had a two-year headstart on actively working to better herself and help aid the children in dismantling the farm system. He had less than twenty-four hours to attempt to sort through his cavalcade of emotions after helping overthrow a corrupt governing body and rushing off to save his kidnapped friends and family from slaughter, and now they're dealing with Emma's disappearance. I don't think he'd be ready to work toward reconciling with her for some time, even though he could acknowledge being willing to risk her life after sacrificing lives for so long is a large shift in her perspective and he encouraged her to take care of her regrets in the human world so she could build a life she would be proud of.

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 169

Chapter 169: "Perfect Scores"

Peter rambling on about how if it wasn't for him and his clan, all the children wouldn't have even existed as if that's something they should be happy about, like yeah, being alive is a good thing, but certainly not when you're struggling to survive in a world that wants you dead and served on a silver platter. If this was the kind of world I knew I was being born into, I'd simply wouldn't wanna be part of it either.

Ahh these Lucas flashbacks hurt my heart in all the right ways. Seriously one of the best dads in the series. Kinda unfortunate that Yuugo is disregarded here but I understand that Oliver & the other GP kids knew Lucas for far longer and acted more as their father figure over those many years compared to the short time they knew Yuugo. Also that small panel of Zack single-handedly taking down one of the Ratri men brings me great joy.

Oliver truly was the best person for this kind of scene too. While all the kids currently partaking in this raid had some sort of connection to Yuugo or Lucas, the bond between Oliver & Lucas was definitely showed more frequently with how well their backstories, dreams and leadership skills connected to each other. The only one who might have had a stronger father-child relationship would be Ayshe but with how late she was introduced into the story, it might not have been as impactful to us as readers as we've known both Oliver & Lucas for longer while we've only seen Ayshe's father during one chapter. I doubt Ayshe would openly speak towards Peter anyways. Not to mention that Oliver has more a personal grudge against him since the bastard did permit the hunting at Goldy Pond. Regardless, I'm glad Ayshe is still included here and how pissed off Oliver is.

That kick of Hayato's is absolutely fantastic. Such a good boy for lending Oliver's group some assistance.

Ah, right, the gupna. I always forget that's necessary. The ceremony does take away some worry about the Ratri killing the children instantly, but the fear of being shot at still remains.

Zack taking down a grown man is one thing, considering the lad is about 20 now, but seeing Ray being capable of the same thing at 13 is freaking hilarious. These Ratri men are pathetic.

Pfftt, I have no memory of Gillian's comment here but I love it. Emma is also correct in a funny kind of way too. Of course we all know Peter is pretty much on his own right now and how that changes when the moms & sisters show up, only that relief is brief as they reveal their betrayal, so Emma's words remain true despite everything. Would've been great if she had repeated herself to him once everyone was aware the ladies switched sides. It would humor me very much.

Eeehehe, the fact this one moment filled me with fear but now just makes me all giddy is amazing. Naturally I love how Ray has a different reaction from Norman & Emma being surprised as my boy looks like he's five seconds away from running up to Isabella and punching her in the face.

I know she's taunting them and holding onto her facade for a couple seconds longer, but she honestly looks so proud of Emma. The kids really did accomplish so much over the past couple years. They're incredible.

The mention about despair and not giving up reminds me of Isabella's words to Emma way back during ch31 which is a nice callback I think. & only thought of this now, but the panel showing a reflection of Isabella in Emma's eye and Emma shown through the scope of Isabella's gun shown above is a clever way to show how they're both in each other's sights, figuratively and literally.

Favorite panel/moment:

If y'all ever wondered the exact moment I fell in love with this woman, THIS IS IT! Ooohh baby, I was so pleasantly surprised to have this badass woman and the rest of the wonderful ladies on our side! No doubt one of my favorite moment outta the whole series!

To be able to catch the current villain, our protagonists and all the readers off guard at once is certainly an amazing achievement.

"YES. ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?"

[thelonelynereid]

[notelectrictigerart]

Chapter 169: Perfect Scores

"Perfect scores for everyone!"

[deep-tpn-hell]

Raw Spoilers for The Promised Neverland #169

There are so many more for this Sunday, looks like it’s gonna be good!

[migila]

The kids see Lucas as their father?

Officially canon!

[wingsfreedom]

Same energy.

[bluelric]

Chapter 169

THIS CHAPTER

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[demonoflight]

I haven’t been this enthralled by a new chapter of The Promised Neverland in a while

I’ve been played and I couldn’t be more thrilled

[just-like-playing-tag]

[fullscoreshenanigans]

Me @ Shirai choosing to include Ayshe specifically in this panel of Isabella’s internal thoughts in chapter 174: 🔍👀👀

[dojoliveblogs]

Ah, shit, the other mothers.

Holy shit, the other mothers.

Oohoohoohoohoo, Goddamn, Isabella, I figured you hadn’t been taking in by Ratri’s empty words, but you gave a really good performance. Makes sense all the mothers would want some good old fashioned revenge against the clan that put them in this scenario. But that’s the chapter! So, see you next week for more TPN. For now, I’ve got new chapters for Zipman!! and Guardiant of the Witch.

[brave-symphonia]

She’s betraying him? That might be good! Or she might be doing it to get complete control over the demon society.

[thesilverhunt3r]

I CALLED THIS. I CALLED ISABELLA. Her being alive, her becoming the grandma, and her being a traitor

[deep-tpn-hell]

If you haven’t read #169, go do it now cause it’ll leave you screaming

I was screaming in my room and got so pumped up

[migila]

I’m not sure what’s going on but THANK YOU, ISABELLA!

Not that her and the other mothers and sisters betraying Peter is all that weird; they were raised to be geniuses, so of course they could conclude that they’re just being used. What they’re doing is a logical move.