sorry, still on this soapbox but
we have really, REALLY done Colin a disservice in this fandom. we spent so long viewing him primarily as a Love Interest and not as a Character. But when we see and analyze him as a character, so many of his actions make sense, and it becomes almost ridiculous, the dynamics we've imposed on this couple (yes, I'm talking about the 'Colin fucked up and needs to prove himself to Penelope' narrative) when there's so much more nuance and beauty to their pairing than we give them credit for
we as the audience focus so much on Penelope's perspective in their relationship, of course, because we have so much of her perspective in the show, and so our frustrations with Colin stem from that, but we get more insight into him than Penelope does. The 'I would never court her' scene that we've been livid over for years is considerably softened when we actually look at Colin as a character, and the circumstances around his actions.
Colin spends season 2 SAD. He is straight up not okay. We leave Colin in Season 1 freshly heartbroken and running away to Greece to heal. In Season 2, we meet him again, considerably more somber. Colin doesn't participate in the dances. He even says 'I'm just a spectator'. Colin talks about how he started a conversation with himself, tried to understand what he wants and how he feels. Colin offers Benedict shroom tea, and for a moment, JUST A MOMENT, we see the facade slip. His mask cracks. 'Are you quite alright, brother?' and then it's gone. Then he's cheerful again. Calm Colin. Nice Colin.
Colin who is okay.
But Colin is *not* okay. Colin completely isolates himself from women. Colin doesn't flirt, doesn't entertain female attention. Colin is heartbroken, trying to be better. But he views Penelope as a friend, a sacred relationship, a worthwhile relationship, and he can't bear to lose her. To him, Penelope is arguably his closest friendship. His best friend. And in an entire town full of people who don't listen to him, he thinks Penelope does. Unlike the typical dynamic of the ton, in which men are ONLY speaking to women by viewing them as potential sexual partners, Colin views Penelope as a whole person. She doesn't just exist as a romantic option to him, but as a vital connection in his life. That's why the 'I am a woman' 'You are. . .Pen' is so important to view as an act of love- Penelope is NOT just a woman as the ton sees her, good for marriage prospects and little else, Penelope is a complete person. Yes, she's a woman, but more importantly, she's PEN. She's a full human being. And he values her as such. We cannot say the same for the grand majority of men in his society. Tell me any other male-female friendships like that in the ton where that level of respect is given?
But for Penelope, it's hurtful, because she WANTS to be seen as a romantic option in his eyes. That's a fair feeling, though we as an audience should recognize that it can be both upsetting to Pen, and also deeply beautiful as a sentiment. Because of Penelope's hopes of Colin as a romantic prospect, she does not see that he is hurting. Because of our connection as a fandom to Penelope, we do not see it, either. But he *is* hurting. In all of Season 2 he's hurting. That's why he throws himself into the Jack mess. He wants, NEEDS a distraction. He wants to find a place in his world, his society. Honestly? He needs a win. He has spent the last year losing and losing and losing. Who can blame him for being sick of it? His engagement blows up, he finds out his family pays no attention to him, that no one cares about his agency, and he's publicly humiliated. If he invests, if he makes money, he might make more male connections. Might run in more important circles. Like his brothers do. Might prove himself. But Colin isn't friends with the men of the ton. We don't see ANY evidence that he has strong friendships with any of them. Because he isn't like them.
He is 22 years old. Treated like a child in his own family. When he talks about his travels, no one listens. Everyone dismisses him. 'Remarkable, yes, in the sense that I have many remarks about it'. Colin is invisible. He is trying to slot himself in his community, but he does not fit neatly into it. He connects with Will, a man outside his community, and Penelope, a woman also outside his community, because *Colin* exists outside his community. He's the foolish boy who fell headfirst for a woman who lied to him. He's the 'green' baby walking in his older brother's footsteps and unable to fill them. He doesn't behave the way other men of the ton do. He doesn't talk like other men of the ton do. Hell, he *apologizes* to women. We have men NOW in the MODERN ERA who don't even apologize to women.
His own *mother* doesn't even notice he was dating someone for several months in season 1. Colin is a pretty, empty ghost wandering around Mayfair, and so of course he's thrown into a locker room conversation with a bunch of guys who have never once seen a woman as a person, and doesn't relate to them. Colin's not joking and having fun with these men. We very purposefully do not see his reaction after he delivers the 'I would never court her' line.
Colin is uncomfortable around them, but he needs their help to make it up to Will, someone who was kind to him and who he looks up to. He has the mask on so firmly in that scene, it's physically obvious to see. If you compare his reactions around Penelope to his reactions around Fife, it's stark. With Penelope he's open, his eyes are soft, his expression is curious and kind, his shoulders are relaxed. Around Fife he's closed off, eyes hard, muscles tense. Who can blame him? He's acting. He's acting just like he's acting around Jack.
When we look at Colin as a whole character, we get insight into his actions and they make SENSE. The things he say that hurt Penelope are things that are actually defending her- Colin saying he wouldn't court her to those men in particular, is an act of caring. He is defending her in that scene. When a debutante is only good for being 'wed, bed, and bred' in their eyes, Colin saying no, that Penelope is worth more than that, that his connection to her isn't forged on wanting to fuck her, or exploit her, or treat her as a sexual object, is radical. Because anything else, ANYTHING else that he says that isn't an outright denial, puts Penelope in danger. He can't let them believe that the woman he cherishes so deeply he cannot even ENTERTAIN the idea of not talking to her is out here being ruined by his hands.
And when we see it that way, we see that, in reality, of all the men in the series, Colin is the one who has been kindest to his love interest. Colin is the one who has defended her, the one who has stuck his neck out for her, the one who has cared for her with absolutely no expectations of sex or romance in return.
Colin's relationship to Penelope is beautiful, and sure, she can be upset that it isn't in the exact shape she wants it to be, but I think if she takes a step back and looks at it more objectively, if WE take a step back and look at it more objectively, Colin has only ever gone into it with a big, earnest heart. Not PERFECTLY, of course, he isn't perfect, but with the best intentions, and with as much honesty as he can.
And I don't know why we don't celebrate him more for it
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My one thing abt the "we're binary"/"I'm not" is that like. The doctor isn't binary. Timelords aren't binary. That's literally their whole thing. They can be any gender/race/age and change between them pretty regularly. However they appear now is just their current presentation. They even joke later in the episode abt how the doctor "would understand if he was still female presenting" like so you agree?? The doctor was female-presenting and his male presentation is part of his ability to change??? Almost like. He operates outside of the gender binary. Like do you get what i mean. I'm not explaining this very well but the doctor literally isn't binary like mr davies what are you talking about.
And since we're on the topic anyway I really don't like the implication of he'd get it if he was still a woman, like you realise it's still the same person. His personality is slightly different and he looks different but it's the same guy. It feels....... idk I don't want to throw around terms like bioessentialist but it is a little ironic that in an episode abt how being outside the binary can save the doctor donna they literally confine the doctor to a binary and say he could never understand the female experience and then make fun of him for it when he literally isn't even male or female by their own binary standards. Like am I insane do you guys get it
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omg that dbf pornstar!bucky drabble😩>> becca do you have anymore thots about him🙏
I always have thots about ps!dbf!bucky! 😏
Because I feel like that dick is addictive. Let's face it, you're gonna be daydreaming about it for weeks on end, good sex is so hard to forget.
I like to imagine it's pretty addictive for him too though because above all else, this sex is real. It's an opportunity for him to truly enjoy sex with a connection, rather than just scripted positions. It's grounded in real pleasure because neither of you are acting. You're kissing him because you want to kiss him. You're biting his shoulder because that's what feels right to you in that moment. You're asking for what you want next. Nothing is scripted; nothing is expected and that's such a different set up to what he's used to.
When you first start hooking up, the sex is bound to be so frantic. It's like the lust just bubbles over all of a sudden and your lips are on his while you try to get each other out of your clothes as quickly as possible. And that's nice! It feels good even just to get to take your clothes off because that's not something he has to do at work.
"You're so pretty, angel." He whispers, kissing down your neck so slowly. It's even nice to just get a chance to whisper because he doesn't get that in the studio. You're the only person that can hear him right now and it nearly gives him a kind of thrill. He doesn't have to think about tensing his muscles and looking his best, he can show you an intimate kind of sex where he's a lot less guarded and self conscious.
"Bucky..." You whine, your head thrown back, giving his mouth complete access to your throat.
"I know baby, I know. You're so needy. I bet you're ready for me already." A hand drifts under your skirt, up to your panties, rubbing you like he owns your cunt. His confidence makes you squirm and his gentle hum of approval leaves you wanting to squeeze your thighs together. You know you're soaked but it's almost embarrassing that he knows it now too.
"You've never had a man touch you like this before, have you blossom? You've never had someone who knows what you need and knows how to give it to you. Used to tell you all the time to stop dating those stupid boys." The pressure he's applying with his fingertips on your clothed pussy is perfect while you shake your head no. He's firm but considerate, letting you press yourself desperately against him in an effort to take more.
"They had no idea how you like to be touched, did they? And honestly sweetheart, neither do I. I don't know what you like yet. But I can promise you, I'm gonna work it out. I'll try everything we can think of. How does that sound? Just keep you in bed for a couple of days. I bet we could find things you didn't even realise you were into. That sound like a good idea?" His voice is calm and measured, his breath hot on your neck and his suggestion sounds pretty damn perfect.
He loses his cool a little when you nod quickly. You're as keen on this as he is and it's that mutual excitement at the prospect of some more really good sex that makes this even better for him.
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