#dbd the cat king

[aliasmard]

a cut scene from the last episode

[xjade-lotusx]

What if the Cat King is benevolent to those who help stray cats in Port Townsend? Like if you feed a stray, rescue a stray or give a stray a nice, forever home, you get a bit of extra luck that week. The Cat King's cats tell him about your selfless caring towards one of their own and the Cat King rewards you with a bit of fortune. Not enough so you notice obviously, like becoming a billionaire overnight, but enough to make you smile and happy because he is pleased.

[glitterrgalax]

i made them kith

[atitanbitch]

I’ve just made the realization that Dead Boy Detectives can’t be an infinitely long show because actors do, in fact, age and get older, and dead boys don’t.

It is a sad day

[incorrect-inkwell-quotes]

Edwin: Hey, can you help me with this zipper? The Cat King: Sure thing! Edwin: .... Edwin: Up, Thomas... The Cat King: Right of course!

[chippedlead]

Wanted to test my new black markers 🫶

[rina-walker]

– hi

– is it convenient to talk now?

Ok, I firmly believe this is the absolute Catwin dynamic!

[childofposiden71]

Hey dead boy dectives fans,

Let’s play a game y’all. Let’s throw out our crack picks for the cat king’s parents. I’ll start, miss piggy and Kermit or Kermit and Gonzo

[kwadlayns]

Good detectives do what they need to in order to solve a case. 💀🔎✨

[shhhhimwatchingthis]

Sort of bums me out that so many people didn't seem to Get the Cat King so here are my thoughts:

So let's start with Edwin's crime. He uses something the cat desires (a sardine) to lure the cat to him and then uses an enchanted string to trap the cat with magic. He demands the answer to a question in exchange for its release. Edwin knows it is dangerous to use magic on a cat, that it violates Rules but he does it anyway.

Binding a creature and agreeing to set them free under a certain condition is very Classic Fairytale. its also a favourite trope of Neil Gaiman's (he did not write this show but his influence is there). In both the Sandman and his novel Stardust (and the film adaptation) trapping a creature with magic and demanding a task/favour in exchange for their freedom is an extremely important plot point. Edwin binding a cat and demanding an answer in exchange is exactly in line with this Fairytale trope

And so is the Cat Kings response. The Cat King is a trickster. What he does to Edwin is exactly what Edwin did to one of his subjects. He entices Edwin, he binds him with magic and when Edwin demands to be free he turns his own words against him "why all the fuss for one little spell?" Edwin did something wrong. He imposed his will/magic on another creature and the Cat King is punishing him for it in a way that is poetic. Its fairytale. its trickster. its classic.

I've also seen people complain that the task Edwin was given 'count all the cats' is 'impossible'...except its fucking not. Edwin does it. He does it so well he actually BEATS the Cat King ("you didn't count yourself" Are.You.Kidding.Me. Classic!Fairytale!Vibes!)

The Cat Kings choice to bind Edwin to Port Townsend is good on so many levels. From a storytelling perspective it forces characters who can travel anywhere in the world to stay in one place, and increases the stakes for these characters who are supposed to be on the run. From a genre perspective...its an excellent use of fairytale tropes using both Rules of magic, a protagonist who is unkind to a seemingly weak creature who is punished by a more powerful law, a binding, a task to complete, etc

Which just leaves the character perspective which it ALSO does really fucking well and introduces the final aspect to the Cat Kings character. He's seductive. He is responsible for Edwin, 100 years old ghost boy, finally unpacking his internalized homophpbia. he is the catalyst (cat pun not intended)

He pushes Edwin, challenges him, at times literally forces the truth out of Edwin, but he really never does violate his consent. Significantly Edwin is attracted to him, like its an important part of his character that he is. He may not like the Cat King but he is attracted to him!

The Cat King is such a great example of a trickster, a morally grey character who imposes a sense of justice on Edwin after he crosses a line, but also has his own selfish interests and meddles. Hes so important to the plot of the show, to Edwin's character arc, to the genre.

And he's just fun. Unapologetically queer, powerful, complicated. Silly little outfits. Petty cat behavior. Deep heart.

Some of you just didn't get it. And I'm sorry for you. because the Cat King is Excellent actually.

[xjade-lotusx]

I feel like we're glossing over the fact that the Cat King literally died for Edwin. Because he warned Edwin about Monty and got his paws dirty for Edwin to protect him. It's probably the first time the Cat King has ever thought about another person before, in a selfless way.

Also here are some of my favorite lines of his.

"Because it gives me more time with you." To Edwin with hearts in his eyes.

"Edwin has been through more pain than you or I could ever imagine." To Esther.

"Hey! Keep your paws off of him." To Esther, even after she took one of his lives.

"Do not thank me. I already hate myself enough for ever caring about that thin, stuffy, little British tease." To Niko and Crystal.

[glitterrgalax]

i am OBSESSED!! bring him back in s02 i am BEGGING u

[atitanbitch]

I need people to write more fanfics for Edwin and the Cat King, there are not nearly enough and I am in love with them.

Only slightly obsessed

[sherlock-is-ace]

[itolerate]

dead boy detectives textposts part 3

[rina-walker]

My friend (🪲) came up with this😂😂😂

Edwin will definitely buy himself a book on cat care 👌

Edwin: I bought the book “How to Care for a Cat”!

Charles: It says something like: take him to a restaurant and give him valerian flowers?

Edwin: No, it’s about washing the tray and choosing food...

Charles: Just let him eat you

Edwin: What?

Charles: What?