#joesph vengerov

[gnome-minion]

Thinking about how much disability is a core theme of Insignia. The four most plot important characters (Tom, Wyatt, Blackburn, and Vengerov) are all disabled, or are implied to be.

Blackburn's pretty obvious. He's a paranoid schizophrenic. And though that's mostly under control, the experience and the trauma of that sticks with him. And the entire series he views himself as an irredeemable monster. He's caught in what he did when he had that psychotic break.

(Also as a segue, it impacts the way he treats other mentally ill/neurodivergent characters, he even warns Wyatt before she receives her processor that it would change the way she thinks.)

Wyatt's is also pretty obvious. Although not directly stated, Wyatt is obviously autistic. She's canonically neurodivergent, as confirmed in Allies. For the most part, her arc is growing confident in herself, and comfortable with who she is. And also learning more social skills, while never becoming something different. Wyatt's autism is probably my favorite portrayal of autism I've ever seen.

Tom's disability is more subtle. The obvious thing about him having no fingers is explored. How it can aid him (like how the cybernetic fingers can move even if he's in the process of dying), and how they hinder him (they can be taken away, they lack sensitivity, and they're not his actual finger

But also Tom is clearly mentally ill. Even before Catalyst confirmed he was- he shows symptoms of a trauma disorder as early as Insignia. And in Vortex and Catalyst it's pretty blatant.

Catalyst is where all of his erratic behavior gets more explanations. His brain had the same problems that led to his mom developing psychosis and delusions. And while he had a neural graft to enlarge his frontal lobe, I don't think that would be a cure to whatever he's got, like most psychiatric treatments, it just helps with the symptoms .

Also regarding the fact that he wouldn't pass a military psych eval, he generally lacks empathy, and has been generally implied to be a "psychopath", i think it's probable that he's cluster B as well.

Thats not even mentioning him having OSDD or DID considering he has an alter. I'm not throwing out the possibility of him having DID just cause no other alters besides Vanya are shown, cause there is some evidence he could have it in previous books.

And of course- Vengerov.

Major catalyst spoilers up ahead. But Vengerov as a child is heavily implied to be developmentally disabled in some way. After the processor was given to him around the age of 7-8ish he changed completely. Being able to recognize the pain being pushed upon him, and his own ambitions. I'll be honest I can't wrap my head around why this is, outside of a mashup of what happens when you give a young young child a processor, and the computer filling in for Vengerov where his brain wasn't developing as much.

This could easily be used to villainize Vengerov, to show he is an unfeeling, uncaring monster. But Neil's theory at the end of Catalyst changes that. Cause he points out that Vengerov was trying to basically take over the world, yes, but because he lived in a world full of awful evil people in power - he became the worst of them. If he lived in a world run by pacifists? He would be a saint. He would change the world for the better. It's not his, or anyone's nature to be evil. It's their nurture.

It's a really poignant moment. Not only for the political messaging but I think for the explicit sympathy it gives to Vengerov. It never diminishes or undercut how awful what he does is. But also acknowledges how the creation of such an evil person is a product of the system and the world around them, rather than the person's inherent "evilness"

It so wonderfully shows how much of a feedback loop this oligarchical system is. And how the world shapes people into monsters. Only getting worse and worse as time goes on.

Insignia is great, you guys.

[gnome-minion]

[gnome-minion]

Favorite doodles from my scraps doc. Including a slight transfem tom agenda.

[gnome-minion]

Blackburn and Vengerov's pokemon teams

Blackburn (dark/steel type)

Zoroark for the illusions he causes through programs. Plus that stunt in the bathroom in catalyst.

Honchcrow- honchcrow was the one killing all those rich people

Elgyem- the pre-evolution to Beheeyem, which Vengerov has. A reference to the way Blackburn becomes ruthless like Vengerov to get his revenge. Unevolved because Blackburn cannot become that much of a monster.

Kingambit- Military/chain of command/ an ability that makes the pokemon stronger after it's comrade's fall

Genesect- an ancient pokemon modified by humans as a weapon. I felt like that works with Blackburn trying to use Tom as a weapon

Corviknight - uhhhh. Well Tom is tinkaton coded. But also big scary bird. (And Blackburn is described as Hawkish)

Vengerov (general)

Eternatus- alien power harnessed by a oil tycoon... Sounds familiar.

Trevenant - the whole assuming the name of your dead brother thing. Trevenant is the real Joesph Vengerov.

Beheeyem- a pokemon known to tamper with brains, more specifically memories.

Articuno- Antarctica

Feebas- a feeble pokemon that grows strong once someone invests in its success. Unevolved because of the whole murdering the "useless" thing Vengerov was planning.

Buneary- Ushanka! Also unevolved because Buneary evolves through friendship.