"queer identities are getting too complex" good. be complex. confuse cis people. confuse straight people. aim to be what cishets call cringe. be incomprehensible. be unfathomable.
Parallel I’d never noticed before and if I thought the Duffs were at all competent writers I’d tip my hat but WE ALL KNOW this was pure coincidence:
So in CJ the X’s recent vid on the metatextual/metaphorical/metaphysical significance of one of the best scenes in all of ST, they highlighted the recurrence of the word “here” during Max’s interactions with Vecna and Lucas:
“You belong here.” -> “You’re not really here.” -> “We’re right here. I’m right here.” -> “I’m still here. I’m still here.”
Basically making the point that Max’s triumph over Vecna is rooted in this reunification of mind/body and being present in the now, rather than be sucked into past trauma/depression in the isolated trap of the mind, unrooted from the present and those physically around her trying to reach her. She reaches out in return, connects with them and reconnects herself.
ANYWHO when I was very responsibly trying to fall asleep at a relatively reasonable hour, the Billy brainrot crept in, as it does, and I thought of the moment we first lay eyes on the fucker:
And how this isn’t something Billy says, as with Max, but something imposed by the metatext of the soundtrack, a promise made by an invisible Greek chorus, but a promise that goes undelivered as it becomes clear how much Billy is driven by the trauma of his past and fear of future trauma.
And yet, in his final moments Billy also achieves a reunification of mind/body when El reaches out to him, rooting him in the now and not in the swirling hurricane of memories, and with his last moment of oneness sacrifices himself to save her. He reaches out in return, only not toward her, but toward the monster, to hold it off.
And how in Max’s letter to Billy, she wishes she had reached out to him and pulled him away from danger, and imagines that if she had, he would “still be here.” That they could have ultimately reached out to each other, had a sibling relationship, been here/there for each other.
And how all of this forms a powerful message about the role of our connections to others (reaching out/reaching back) in being present, being wholly ourselves, and living.