Leatin and Goodfoe parallels
This has been in my brain for far too long
Leah is trying to figure out what is going on on the island and Shelby is trying to figure out who she is. Both easily get stuck in their heads, and have a hard time articulating their feelings because no one ever understood them.
Fatin and Toni are both fiery people who don't back down from a fight. They often do things that blow up in their faces afterwards, and they do regret it. To people they care about however, they are protective and kind.
Fatin and Shelby have similar trauma that shows differently. Both grew up under the extreme pressure of having to be perfect. The big difference is that for Fatin it was her cello and for Shelby it was appearance.
Shelby got caught in a cycle of guilt because of her own self hatred, that was mainly created by her dad, that manifests in repressing her own feelings.
Fatin got caught in a cycle of guilt because of her impulsive choices, created by the lack of freedom, that eventually lead to hurting the people she loves more than she intended, and because of this she has commitment issues.
In both cases it's guilt that eventually takes it's toll on them, the fear of hurting more people with their behavior, and thus instead not showing them their real feelings as protection.
Leah and Toniâs trauma is also (slightly) similar but shows in different ways. Both were emotionally neglected by their parents/foster parents.
While Toni got caught in a cycle of abandonment because of her low emotional maturity that was caused by abandonment in the first place.
Leah got caught in a cycle of neglect because of her paranoia and her obsessiveness, probably caused by an undiagnosed mental illness not noticed by her emotionally unavailable parents, even though the signs were there.
In both cases, they are left by people/not listened to and because of this they donât get the treatment they need.
Toni and Fatin break out of their cycle first. Both run away in episode 4 instead of starting another fight. After they come back they have changed. Toni is more calm and realizes that her temper has consequences (mainly on Martha in this case), but she also sees that she hasn't been abandoned by the others yet. Fatin realizes that participating feels good, and that she hasn't hurt these people yet. She even did a good thing, and they are proud of her. Fatin becomes way more involved in the group and puts her energy in helping Leah, actually committing to these people.
Leah and Shelby take longer to break out of their cycle, but they both finally do in episode 9. Shelby has many realizations in episode 8, but in episode 9 she tells Toni that sheâs sure, and basically breaks out of her cycle of guilt, admitting that good things can happen, and that sheâs allowed to experience them. Leah breaks out of it after running into the ocean in episode 9, because Fatin doesnât leave. She shows that no matter how crazy Leah can get, Fatin will be there (and so will the others). This is why Leah takes the pill willingly, she trusts Fatin and lets her take care of her (something her parents never knew how to do).
They break out of the cycles in the same episodes, and in a similar way.
However, Fatin and Leah are opposites. Leah is the âblandâ girl (as she says herself). She loves reading and doesnât go to parties, only has one close friend, doesnât really wear make-up etc etc etc. Fatin is the It-girl, is always seen at parties, popular on social media, has sex with lots of guys, does make-up etc etc etc.
Fatin always has to deal with a lot of pressure on performance, while there is a lack of pressure on Leah. Leah always has to deal with her inner turmoil (possible undiagnosed mental illness) while Fatin doesnât.
Because of this, they first clash, but later on they become friends. Fatin getting close with Leah shows that she trusts herself. She supports Leah throughout her issues, once again showing her involvement and proving (to herself) that she can let go of her guilt and fear.
Shelby and Toni are also opposites, and they fight even more than Fatin and Leah. Shelby, the perfect christian pageant queen and Toni the angry openly gay athlete.
Shelby has to deal with a lot of pressure on appearance, while there is a lack of pressure on Toni. Shelby feels a lot of guilt over not fitting in, and projects on others to feel better. Toni deals with her mommy issues and abandonment issues, which manifest in anger issues.
They both desperately want someone to see who they are and actually stay, and accept them. This is why the enemies part of their arc is so important, they see the worst of each other and still fall in love, while all other people hated them for that part of them. Toni calms down because of Shelby, seeing that maybe she can have happiness. Shelby deals with her religious guilt and her guilt over Becca because of Toni, seeing that she can love, and be loved back.
In both cases, the more âfieryâ one is the anchor for the other, who in both cases is someone who is emotionally unstable because of love and fear of being alone. (âisn't that we're all afraid of? that we won't be loved? that we'll be all alone?â)
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