This is for the people who didn’t party in their teens and twenties. For the people who didn’t have that “coming of age” movie experience with shenanigans and revelations. This is for the people who mostly keep to themselves. Who maybe prefer things to be quieter and gentler. This is for the people who don’t feel like they belong in a culture that values loud parties and flashing lights. I see you. And you are valid.
While the back and forth between TCM and Snow/Bigby in the finale is good, it feels lacking to me because both sides have so many points they never capitalize on.
To be fair, the trial is for The Crooked Man, but given it’s the finale of the entire game, I just feel there could’ve been a LOT more emphasis on the right and wrongs of both sides.
Crooked Man
For example, Snow and possibly Bigby shift blame to Crane throughout the trial whenever TCM talks about some of their actions. “That was Crane”, “Crane was Deputy Mayor when that happened”, “Snow wasn’t in charge”, etc.
Instead of pointing out how even with Crane in charge, Snow was the one at the front desk acting partly as an enabler and Bigby was the Sheriff enforcing Crane’s regulations, TCM only says one line about how Snow and Crane’s leadership is similar. And that’s it.
Snow/Bigby
And on the flip side, Snow/Bigby have ammunition they never use either.
Bigby never mentions the gotdamn bloodied chains still at the butcher shop. Nor does he mention TCM holding him at literal gunpoint.
They never talk about how, while yes receiving help from the Official Office was unfairly difficult, at least you could easily go to ask for help. Meanwhile TCM’s door bounces around and is only accessible to his top favorites.
If you never shifted blame to Crane, then they could say that while things haven’t been the best, at least they’re willing to take responsibility for their misdeeds, unlike TCM who won’t for anything he’s done.
Both
There also just could’ve been more of a tug-o-war feeling. It would’ve been better if the crowd was more evenly split between supporting TCM vs Snow/Bigby, because in the game it feels moreso “being against TCM vs being a little hesitant about it” rather than “opposing TCM vs opposing Snow/Bigby”. And I personally think the latter would’ve been far more interesting to see.
If you ripped off Gren’s arm and was disrespectful at Lily’s funeral, he could’ve been angrier with both sides saying they’re basically the same. Then your dialogue couldve possibly refuted that.
If you kept attacking Beast, this should’ve played a part here and it take a lot more to convince him and Beauty than it does. It feels weird that no matter how you treat him, he’s always the first to stand by Snow/Bigby’s side.
Depending on how Bigby handled Johann The Butcher, he could’ve also spoken up about either trusting them more, or still feeling the need to support TCM.
I also just think it would’ve been interesting to have more “pro-Crooked Man” fables there. Like Tim and maybe Jersey. Just to have more of a split in the crowd. Maybe even Flycatcher, where if you choose to never go the Tweedles’ Office, he sides with TCM. And if you do go and offer him a job, he sides more with Snow/Bigby.
IDK both sides just had some really amazing possible comebacks, and I expected a little more from that trial than what we got. It was still good, just not, great.
I just realized I have a type when it comes to the couples I ship...
A guy with a dangerous supernatural side and a questionable past trying to shed his bad reputation and be a good guy and has a soft spot for his lady friend. Also his eyes and face change when he goes into Rage Mode.
A smart, badass lady with a heart of gold who solves crimes and gets shit done and has a troubled past but doing her best in spite of it and can come off a bit cold but genuinely cares about helping other people.
The two of them being an investigative duo who bicker a lot but still respect and care for each other as equal partners. (and also she tops him)