Ok so Bittercold and Dark Matter. I am not over this.
(This became a sort of analysis of GTI's themes too LMAO)
My issue with Dark Matter is that there was little build up to it. I'm not talking about it's actual presence, but rather what it represents. "The negative feelings of all pokemon" then where was this negativity in the story?
I understand that the main theme of Super was connections and all. The protag duo helping and being helped by different pokemon are a consistent Thing in the plot. The climactic fight with Dark Matter involves pokemon coming together to stop its ascent.
But I ask again, where was the negativity that Dark Matter was apparently born from within the story? Krookodile?? The Partner having self-doubt?? Pancham and Shelmet being mean?? Nuzleaf and co??? These are all less "incidents of negativity the Dark Matter was born from" and more "general plot events/stuff the villains do".
So it feels like the concept of the Dark Matter feels like it came out of nowhere.
Compare it to how GTI handles the Bittercold. It's the manifestation of all pokemon's collective desire for the end of everything. The loss of hope for better circumstances. And is there narrative build up to this? As a matter of fact, yes!
From the beginning, it's established that the pokemon world in GTI is becoming more and more selfish/dangerous/distrustful etc etc. Gurdurr's and Verizion's arcs connect to this, with both of them choosing to close themselves off from the world. Dunsparce's arc too, to a lesser extent. His first few attempts to get "stronger" end in trouble, almost as if being discourages from having hope to achieving his dream. It isn't until they meet the Protag duo that they have their Character Development™
It all connects to the overall theme of "Believing in other people" and having hope in the face of uncertain circumstances and pessimistic fatalism--which is the opposite "side" in the story, represented by the Bittercold itself, as well as Kyurem and Munna's gang.
We get to see the effects/source of the Bittercold ourselves because we got dialogue like this:
(screenshot courtesy of @rutabga)
AND because characters losing hope/being unwilling to trust others happens several times in the story. Even during the climax.
In other words, the feelings that makes up that the Bittercold is composed of is present throughout the story. So when the Bittercold itself was actually introduced, it made sense for when it was explained what it truly was.
THIS is the build up I was looking for with Dark Matter.
The final stretch of the Player being supported by the voices of the Partner and other pokemon in Paradise/Post Town hits SO much harder compared to Super because of this, despite having less people.
And you know what else? The Bittercold itself could be considered a narrative foil to the Partner. Partner's goal is to make a pokemon Paradise and help others--the ideological opposite of the Bittercold (or rather, what it represents). AND IT'S GOOD!! it gives the Partner so much more Narrative Depth and I love it.
Even the concept of it specifically being ice and found within a glacier dome is sorta neat? A "cold" person is someone who remains closed off from others. It's literally ice. It's found in the heart of a glacier that's isolated from the rest of the world by 1.) A castle (and Kyurem) 2.) A HUGE DOME 3.) "uncrossable" crevasses--once again tying into the idea of staying isolated from the rest of the world.
In conclusion: Dark Matter/the stuff it represents doesn't have much of a presence in the narrative and thus makes Super's narrative as a whole weaker. Meanwhile, I hate the Bittercold as a boss fight but goddamn is it great as a symbolic entity and ties together the themes of the game.
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verizion, what were the other swords like?
"You wish to know about my comrades? My dear, such things are ancient history. I cannot fathom why you would possibly want to know about four old broads from an era long gone. But... I suppose if you're insistent about it, I can indulge you..."
"Keldeo was our leader in those days. She was at the heart and soul of everything we did. A bit hotheaded for her own good, but her heart was always in the right place. She adored children. Always taking in the little ones when they had nowhere else to go. Humans and pokémon both. She raised a king once, you know—in those days, being born in the royal line wasn't a guarantee you'd end up ruling. Isshurem always chose who would take up the crown. And it happened that time that he saw something in Kel's boy that he didn't see in the princes of that generation. Goodness, it was all she would talk about for years—
"Then Terrakion. I'll tell you, that woman was always a headache for me. I swear, whenever we had a duty, she was always off gallivanting 'round somewhere, drinking herself silly or trying to impress the ladies. Oftentimes both. She loved games, too. Didn't matter what sort; she was always eager to take on a friendly challenge. It seemed like life was a sort of game to her, and she was enjoying every minute of us. Still, she was always reliable when it came down to it. She was the toughest of us, and she used that to save our hides on more than one occasion. ...You know, she swore me to secrecy about this, but I suppose it can't hurt anyone now, can it? She had a bit of a thing for Meloetta. Never could work up the guts to confess, though, no matter how many times I tried to make her!
"Now, Cobalion—you wouldn't think it from the way we acted back then, but she was the one I was closest to. We were inducted into the Swords right around the same time—Kel and Terra were a bit older than us, you see. Quite honestly, we loathed each other at first. Far too different. Cobalion was always... how should I put this? Very by the books. Everything she did, it had to be perfectly structured, down to the very last. No room for improvisation and certainly not for mistakes. I thought she lacked any sort of grace, honestly, and I'm fairly sure she thought I was too careless. We butt heads quite a lot those early years. It wasn't until a particularly messy mishap—well, let's just say that somebody's questionably-timed earthquake caused a cave in and left Cobalion and I stranded together for several days. The trouble we went through to get back out, let me tell you... but, regardless, we found ourselves understanding one another much better after that incident. We did still have our share of arguments, but they were never spiteful. We challenged one another to see things differently. Our different fighting styles complimented one another quite nicely, too, once we had learned how to work together. Her steadiness... I came to find it quite comforting, to tell the truth. She was my anchor...
"Aha. Listen to me, reminiscing like an old woman. I think that's enough for now, wouldn't you say?"
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Fuck it. Another post. Here's my Fuck It Bucket List, organized by generation and priority.
TOP 3 CLEARANCE
Lugia, Meganium, Arbok
TOP PRIORITY (Limited to 3 per gen)
Gen 1
Charizard, Rapidash, Lapras
Gen 2
Typhlosion, Umbreon, Suicune
Gen 3
Blaziken, Flygon, Latios/Latias
Gen 4
Floatzel, Lopunny, Lucario
Gen 5
Serperior, Scolipede, Mienshao
Gen 6
Goodra, Noivern, Sylveon
Gen 7
Primarina, Decidueye, Salazzle
Gen 8
Inteleon, Obstagoon, Thievul
Gen 9
Farigiraf, Koraidon, Quaquaval
HIGH PRIORITY
Gen 1
Pidgeot, Raichu, Sandslash, Nidoqueen, Ninetales, Persian, Arcanine, Machoke, Dewgong, Rhydon, Scyther, Kangaskhan, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Articuno, Dragonair, Dragonite, Mewtwo
Gen 2
Feraligatr, Furret, Ampharos, Politoed, Espeon, Girafarig, Scizor, Ursaring, Houndoom, Stantler, Miltank, Entei, Raikou, Tyranitar, Ho-Oh
Gen 3
Grovyle, Sceptile, Swampert, Mightyena, Linoone, Swellow, Gardevoir, Breloom, Aggron, Grumpig, Altaria, Zangoose, Seviper, Armaldo, Milotic, Tropius, Absol, Salamence, Rayquaza
Gen 4
Empoleon, Luxray, Rampardos, Garchomp, Toxicroak, Weavile, Togekiss, Leafeon, Glaceon, Frosslass, Giratina, Cresselia, Arceus
Gen 5
Samurott, Liepard, Unfezant, Zebstrika, Audino, Whimsicott, Krookodile, Archeops, Zoroark, Sawsbuck, Haxorus, Beartic, Braviary, Mandibuzz, Cobalion, Verizion, Reshiram, Zekrom, Keldeo
Gen 6
Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja, Talonflame, Pyroar, Gogoat, Furfrou, Aurorus, Xerneas, Yveltal
Gen 7
Incineroar, Toucannon, Oricorio, Lycanroc, Mudsdale, Lurantis, Passimian, Silvally, Komo'o, Solgaleo, Lunala, Zeraora
Gen 8
Rillaboom, Cinderace, Corviknight, Boltund, Toxtricity, Grapploct, Dragapult, Zacian, Zamazenta, Urshifu, Glastrier, Spectrier, Wyrdeer, Sneasler
Gen 9
Meowscarada, Skeledirge, Oinkologne, Armarouge, Ceruledge, Espartha, Bombirdier, Finizen, Palafin, Cyclizar, Slither Wing, Miraidon, Walking Wake, Fezandipiti
LOW PRIORITY
Gen 1
Venusaur, Blastoise, Butterfree, Beedrill, Pikachu, Nidoking, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Vileplume, Golduck, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Machamp, Tentacruel, Golem, Dodrio, Gengar, Marowak, Hitmonchan, Lickitung, Chansey, Seadra, Seaking, Electabuzz, Magmar, Tauros, Gyarados, Ditto, Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Zapdos, Moltres
Gen 2
Noctowl, Ariados, Crobat, Lanturn, Bellossom, Azumarill, Jumpluff, Quagsire, Slowking, Granbull, Heracross, Delibird, Mantine, Kingdra, Donphan, Smeargle
Gen 3
Shiftry, Delcatty, Mawile, Manectric, Illumise, Wailord, Walrein, Gorebyss, Kyogre, Groudon, Deoxys
Gen 4
Torterra, Infernape, Staraptor, Bibarel, Roserade, Mothim, Vespiquen, Gastrodon, Honchkrow, Lumineon, Gallade, Dusknoir, Dialga, Palkia, Darkrai, Shaymin
Gen 5
Emboar, Stoutland, Musharna, Swoobat, Excadrill, Throh, Sawk, Leavanny, Scrafty, Carracosta, Cinccino, Swanna, Eelektross, Fraxure, Bisharp, Bouffalant, Volcarona
Gen 6
Vivillon, Florges, Pangoro, Meowstic, Dragalge, Heliolisk, Tyrantrum, Zygarde 10%
Gen 7
Ribombee, Bewear, Tsareena, Golisopod, Hakamo'o
Gen 8
Greedent, Dubwool, Appletun, Sandaconda, Centiskorch, Hatterene, Frosmoth, Ursaluna
Gen 9
Pawmot, Dachsbun, Arboliva, Kilowattrel, Cetitan, Clodsire, Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Chien-Pao, Roaring Moon, Iron Leaves
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