Small Details I appreciate in Enter the Florpus: Gaz and Dib edition
awhile ago I made this post that covered over cute/small moments between GIR and Zim in ETF.
And like, my mini-series comic I’m working on is taking a lot longer then I thought it would be, So I think I’ll use this time to cover everything I liked about the Membrane Sibling Dynamic in ETF. (yes I am working on the mini-series of membrane family development… writing them is actually pretty hard)
So… This post will actually be a little longer and more in-depth about my thoughts on their new dynamic in general. Cause while Zim and GIR do have a new dynamic, it’s barely noticeable and you can easily explain it in like a paragraph or a few lines… The Membrane Sibling dynamic is very different then what it is in the show.
This is kinda a mixed bag for me because Gaz had the most dramatic character change out of any of the other Characters in ETF. Like Gaz’s change was way more noticeable to me the first time watching then Membrane’s change if that tells you anything.
And I really initially hated the change. Gaz’s new dynamic with her brother almost ruined the viewing experience for me the first time watching ETF. I understand why they did it. Gaz is a bit underdeveloped in the series, but I always found her really relatable and the most down to earth character in the show. Changing her to have a more prominent role in the movie but softening her up considerably made me feel uncomfortable. I found myself saying “That’s not my Gaz” during moments of the movie when I watched it for the first time.
I was debating if softening her up and giving her a backseat to Dib’s Daddy issues was kinda maybe regressive for her character and for a lot of girls and women who identify with Gaz???? maybe???? and might possibly be a little… teensy tiny little itty bitty…bit sexist….???
(do not @ me sjws and extremists… I’m just articulating my initial impressions of Enter the Florpus about 3-4 months after I saw it… Just voicing how I felt at the time of the first viewing months ago.)
As someone who has a bit of a complicated relationship with my sibling, I was kinda disappointed Gaz and Dib turned into The Pine Twins Lite from Gravity Falls. I’ve seen too many good sibling dynamics in cartoons lately, I kinda would have liked it if they kept their dynamic a little bit more the same.
But the more I thought about it….. While Show Gaz was very extreme in her violence and hatred of all things, it was really only relatable to anyone who had a sibling. It might have been possible she came off as way too mean to anyone who didn’t.
Even nowadays I see a lot of edgy content in this fandom where Gaz doesn’t support Dib at all. It’s so depressing and it almost feels like she wants him dead for real… Even though many instances in the show, she has left him for dead, it’s usually due to Dib’s own hubris.
I never really got that impression of her that she hated Dib at all in the show. If that was the case she would not sit with him at Lunch at Skool. She would pretend not to be associated with Dib. But they’re actually seen together at school real frequently outside of their classrooms. She just doesn’t care about his bs and is fed up with his selfishness a lot of the time. Which was even confirmed in “Gaz the taster of pork” when she was talking to the Shadow Hog about her troubles with her brother.
“Yeah, Zim’s an alien but so what. He’s too dumb to take over the Earth. Why should I have to listen to Dib’s constant-”
And she is totally in the right. Dib is so self-absorbed he can barely see past the thickness of his glasses and usually does something unintentionally cruel to Gaz which invokes her wrath. She doesn’t need the one to put up with this or his schemes, or listen to him ramble. While Dib did care for Gaz in the show (he’d sacrifice his life for hers, he’d trust her a lot for some reason, and he did listen to his dad when he told him to walk his sister to the mall) he almost always never took in to account what she wanted in any given situation. No sense of regard for her interests, her hobbies, what she was doing, or what she wanted. (his dad had to convince him with dib’s whines of protest to take her to the mall at night)
Everything is always about Dib. Gaz got a Pizza for him, that’s the only reason she’s holding it. Gaz isn’t busy drawing or anything, she can listen to him talk. Gaz won’t mind if I test this highly experimental voodoo magic on her, she’d love to help with this. Mysterious Mysteries is on, Gaz doesn’t need the TV for videogames… I know family meal night that we have on super-rare occasions is coming up but I’m gonna try to infiltrate Zim’s base and blow it up… not like that’s important…
“Hey, Who ate all the cereal?”
“You think you own all the Cereal… Well you don’t Dib!”
Long story short: Dib is a very normal self-absorbed 10-12 year old boy and Gaz is a very normal younger sibling who gets reluctantly dragged to his BS against her will. She takes the low shots when she can, and if someone else beats him for his stupidity, that’s fine by her. If she can beat him for his stupidity, even better.
Coming to the conclusion that many people might have seen Gaz’s behavior as abusive, or way too mean-spirited to those who don’t have siblings, I can understand her character change in Enter the Florpus. 2019 is a very different timescape then the early 2000′s and it just makes sense.
And… It took me a long time to warm up to their new dynamic, but once I did, I realized that their new dynamic is actually…. better? While I do feel they could have played the Sibling Rivalry up way more, considering what a prominent role Membrane and Dib’s dynamic had in the film, the movie decided to keep the focus on Dib and Zim’s rivalry ultimately, comparing and contrasting their situations, which was the smarter move.
In the show, I feel people actually did misinterpret Gaz for not liking her brother in the slightest and was a complete goth queen pit that envokes wrath of anyone who breathes at her funny… Which was just not true. Even by show standards…(known for it’s mean-spirited-ness) she did have her moments of humoring Dib. (they did have an occasional conversation, and she did listen to his ramblings even if she hated to. Cause she would respond in kind to his bs. The whole “muffin” conversation. )
There were just a lot more things to really love and appreciate about Dib and Gaz’s relationship in ETF that made me feel like they were actually siblings who got on each other’s nerves, but at the end of the day, grew up together and love each other and they’re all they have as friends (for now/the most part.) And You can really feel they grew up together in every single scene that they’re in.
I’m sure people have pointed it out before… but Gaz and Dib have a lot of similar expressions together. There are MANY MORE I’m not including. I’m not even including all the times their body language is extremely similar when they are in similar poses. (like sitting, how they lean-in, etc) It’s not even a case of lazy character animation or design. Zim has very unique animations and faces specific to him. The Membrane siblings mirror each other's expressions and body language intentionally. But unlike GIR trying to mimic Zim, (akin to a younger sibling copying their older sibling) this is the case of two siblings getting on the exact same wavelength, and subconsciously mirror each other’s expressions. There are even some instances of it in the first act, but it happens WAY more frequently in the second act. It’s cause they’re actually working as a team at this point. (more on that later)
The whole opening conversation with Membrane and Gaz about Dib. Just the whole thing. It takes a while to absorb what’s being said cause this comes after the hilarious anime-opening and Florpus fires about 30 jokes per minute. But… Gaz is actually concerned about Dib’s state of being. She actually seems to know more about how bad Dib actually is more than their Father. (#Membrane tries his best but he still sucks at parenting.) She complains about how gross he actually is, but listens sincerely to her father’s advice about trying to be patient and understanding with her brother. Membrane even compared it to him giving up the paranormal to her giving up videogames. While this prompts a violent reaction out of her, while it’s played as a one-off joke, it’s actually a good starting point for the following scene and the whole movie.
Because Gaz is really reluctant to even go and tell Dib to come to dinner. She really complains about this, grumbling to herself every step of the way. Like “Fine whatever dad. I’ll be patient and understanding... feh.”
Also Dib and Gaz both implying (from the use of a shoving stick) Gaz has been bringing him meals frequently for it to be a daily occurrence. That she probably asked dad to make her that Gazmat suit after awhile (or she made it herself)
But I think her words with her father did sink in a bit. You can even hear it in Dib’s voice (Props to Andy. The voice acting in this movie is so good) that he’s really losing it from not being able to convince people of the truth for so long, and not being able to know what Zim’s doing. Who knows how long Dib has been locked in his room like this. (my headcanon is about 2 years… but this could be like 5 months or what have you) Like I think this is the first time you see Gaz look legitimately concerned about her brother’s state of insanity. Which says a lot considering the large number of times she remained indifferent to it in the show.
THIS IS SO SIGNIFICANT I WANT TO CRY
Gaz actually tries her hand at empathy for once. Because what Prof.Membrane said did sink in for her. This would be like giving up videogames! I think she keeps that in mind as she tries to empathize and try to get him out of this hazy-paranoia funk. She is actually concerned about Dib’s mental state for HER to actually tell him:
“Let it go” with no jabs, no malice, and no hidden manipulation motive. It’s like the first time I’ve ever seen her reaching out to him like this and offering him legitimate advice that isn’t sabotage.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her be this sincere with him and you can just hear it in her voice. And I feel Dib knows this, because Gaz’s concern is enough for him to LOOK AWAY FROM THE MONITORS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS/YEARS/WEEKS!
Like Dib seriously takes into consideration her words. He wouldn’t have looked completely away from his post if he hadn’t, he was just talking about how important he can’t leave his post, and then immediately looks away when Gaz suggests that Zim might not come back and he should just give up. (wonder what would happen if zim was gone… lol. Dib Membrane: Enter the Depression… less interesting movie…)
But you can see him take into consideration that maybe he should just give up….maybe he is gone for good…
“BWUAAAHHHH!” (i love that noise)
Also, Gaz could of easily not told him about this. I mean Dib was likely to notice eventually without her pointing it out, but she could of just easily been on the side of their Dad here and manipulated him on a path of real science… Nah, Gaz knows by now how important Zim’s continued existence is for her brother by this point. She won’t withhold that info just to be cruel. Remember, Giving up Zim is like giving up videogames.
Honestly, Gaz’s huge reaction to Dib leaving his room is like…. anyone who has ever grown up with a brother or any other prepubescent male family member ever…….. Boys stank. Go live in the tub.
And she actually helps Dib get back in shape… more importantly… take a bath. Cus Dib never has his priorities straight in any instance of his life, so of course, the first thing he tries to do is work out his feeble body… Gaz is like “no. Bitch you stank.”
Jamming out right outside the door so your bro has some sick montage music for his workout. That is so sweet actually. And I really like her little custom “Dib :P “ sticker on her guitar. Not sure if that’s flattery or an insult… probably combination of the two.
Worth noting that Gaz was spotting Dib his entire workout routine. Making sure he didn’t overdo it. (and is totally the reason 100% why Dib didn’t go to Zim’s base as “Swole Dib” Thank Gaz everyone. Saved you from a fate of Swole Dib the whole movie.)
And of course no compliments or nothing, just insulting his coat, and Dib immediately taking it like water off a duck’s back (as he does with a lot of aspects in his life)
You can just feel these two have grown up together. “I AM IN SHAPE I LOOK AMAZING!” “…you look horrible” “CAN’T STOP ME NOW HAVING A GOOD TIME HAVING A GOOD TIME!”
(my abridged dialogue sucks)
This whole scene between them was really amazing. I really love how Dib just casually puts her fist away. Like how he’s so used to her threats by now it hardly phases him. He Even points to it like “put that fist away…no pummeling Dib time right now” Gaz immediately knows that something is wrong and Dib is going to do something stupid and selfish that will ruin Dad’s keynote. (and she right) Like she even knows that Zim is not in typical “Zim” behavior either.
Because while Dib was looking at his father with sparkle eyes of “Membrane-Senpai will notice me!” (Dib is legally a weeb now. I can say that.) Gaz was looking at Zim the whole time. Who is… at the moment…
Um….. yeaah. Out of disguise and a sad lump on the ground. I don’t really think that Gaz expects Zim to do anything. What she does expect is for Dib to provoke him to do something. She even says that Dib better not be the one to ruin Dad’s big night. Dib, not Zim. Dib was the one that brought Zim here and Zim is just kinda a disaster waiting to happen in every single aspect of his life. You can tell this isn’t Gaz’s first rodeo and I feel you can watch ETF without knowing a single thing about these characters. Gaz just doesn’t want to get roped into whatever bullshit is going on between them right now.
This moment has been GIF’d to death but it’s so darn good. That’s the thousand-yard stare that you give your siblings for………..existing. That’s the Cain instinct.
Also, Dib just plain lying to Gaz’s face, her knowing that he is, but deciding to let it go anyways…. and silently threatening him “YOU BETTER NOT… whatever you’re doing…” only for Dib to immediately go behind Gaz’s back the instant she’s out of earshot. It’s not like Dib would have listened to Gaz here anyway, even if Gaz made a more convincing “less angry” sounding argument.
You just really feel their history growing up in every scene these two are in together.
This is the face of someone who regrets trusting you to make a NOT SELFISH decision.
Considering that was the very last thing Dib saw before waking up in a cold sweat with a large time skip……………
GAZ KNOCKED HIM THE FUCK OUT
It took me only on my fourth viewing to realize this. Like I thought Dib might have just passed out from the shock or something… or Clembrane got them…… but… No… Gaz beat him over the head with her cuffs.
And… hahahaaa. oh god… That’s just too damn good. He deserved it. (why are people saying movie Dib is a baby… he’s pretty awful the first half of the film)
Sure, Dib apologized, But Gaz ain’t having it.
“ZIM BETRAYED YOU, WHO THE FLYIN’ FLIP WOULD OF GUESSED?!?!”
Gaz is just drinking a tall glass of pudding flavored “I told you so”
Note: Dib APOLOGIZED. He like actually rarely apologizes if ever. And he apologizes specifically to Gaz. “Gaz, I am so sorry” It’s the first real sincere apology I hear from Dib’s mouth to her for….. EVER.
Like even in the comics Dib doesn’t apologize to Gaz! The only instances Dib apologizes in the comics is when his life is at risk if he doesn’t. Gaz has to practically beat an apology out of his mouth. In the Taster of Pork he was practically begging an apology only cause he thought Gaz’s life was in danger…
But like here, he actually regrets something that he KNOWS was important to Gaz and hurt her!
It’s like breaking the rule of nature… Grass grows, Birds fly, and Dib never apologizes for the hell he drags Gaz through.
I also really like the contrast of these two in how they deal with Clembrane.
Gaz is used to being dragged along on crazy shenanigans and is usually fine to go with the flow until there’s an opening for her.
Dib meanwhile is so used to wanting to expose Zim, like if something is wrong, he will immediately call attention to it loudly and proudly, even if it’s not the smartest decision. And this method has never worked out in his favor….. ever.
And Gaz just tells him to play along for now, and Dib tries for the most part…. but he can’t just bring himself to call Clembrane “Dad” like she does even if it’s for the sake of an act.
“you tried escaping without me?”
“let’s focus on the now Dib”
Dib actually sounds genuinely hurt that she tried escaping without him, even if this whole situation is his fault and I wouldn’t blame Gaz if she bailed to find out what Zim did to their dad on her own. I mean… she tried to but failed. lol
I also like this whole conversation. Gaz hasn’t forgiven Dib, but they have a common enemy and she does care about her Dad and wants to know where he is.
There wasn’t even a conversation of “You messed up and I hate you but We have to work together….” They just automatically DO. And naturally, slip into those roles.
There was no council or meeting, they just immediately start working together when it sets in for Dib that they’re captive in their own house.
Also another note: Gaz calls him “Clembrane” and Dib just adopts the term and that’s what they call him now.
Gaz actually being very direct in comforting Dib here. “It’s Zim we’re talking about…” It’s very rare that Dib hears that Zim is an idiot from a third party, but sometimes you kinda need that retrospective on others from other people. Not like she extinguishes any of his worries. Like in the show Gaz only felt comfortable to talk about the stupidity of Zim’s incompetence to a stranger Shadow Hog from another dimension.
But she’s actually being pretty direct in her attempt to calm Dib down. She took her dad’s words to heart at the beginning of the movie and is attempting to be more patient and understanding with Dib’s “nonsense”
The faces of two people who were wrong to varying degrees.
Nothing to add, just more of them having similar yet different reactions.
Gaz is like “Well I was wrong this might as well happen.” To Dib just looking on with abject horror at what Zim (and by extension himself) has wrought.
Again, love their different yet similar reactions here. Dib angry and concerned about the teleportation of a whole planet, Gaz concerned about the safety of one person who matters most to her.
Dib cares about his Dad too (like that’s one of the core themes in ETF) but like you know that boy cares about hating Zim more. Especially for crap like this. (He practically sabotaged his dad’s keynote just so he could make it about him and Zim…comeon.)
Surprised that’s the worst Gaz did to him when she finds out not only Zim betraying him is his fault, but that Zim only got inspired to do this from Dib. (I will talk on that aspect alone one day. Cus I got theories in a bucket for y’all on that.)
But I suppose a Florpus hole is a good distraction to not beat his head to the ground.
(she shoves him out of the way plenty times later throughout the movie, it’s fine)
“It’s been ten years Gaz…..”
“…It’s been two days but yeah”
I just really love this. They’re both miserable and bloated from bad pudding, but it’s obvious Dib was practically force-fed pudding cause he probably wasn’t touching his food and refusing to call Clembrane “Dad” So he’s messier and was fighting every step of the way. While Gaz just looks like she wishes for death.
Also, add this to IZ lore pile to consider: Dib and Zim exaggerate the timeframes of everything (like children are likely to do). So basically any timecard in the series or show is irrelevant.
Like you can tell just by how pissed Dib gets at Gaz just calling Clembrane Dad casually… He has been fighting and being force-fed pudding every step of the way… Dib always fights, he never surrenders he never caves to anyone….
Like this the first and ONLY time he calls Clembrane “Dad” in over two days. This is when they’re actually getting the ship together. He is willing to play along with Gaz now. He even gives her a nod to her thumbs up. Like he is actually willing to listen to her advice now for once. Which is significant, because he’s been pushing aside every single good idea Gaz has had throughout the movie.
They have the common goal of getting dad back and he is willing to go with her on this one.
“I see where you’re going with this!”
Dib actually putting more trust in Gaz then he has in the past. She was the one who even got them this far to the ship in the first place, and helped them survive the pudding monster….He is very receptive to Gaz’s plan because Dib’s direct “YOU’RE NOT MY DAD” at Clembrane and “HELP US SHIP! I KNOW YOU HATE ME BUT STOP!” just…. doesn’t work. When Dib’s direct approach doesn’t work, he learns to fall back and trust Gaz’s manipulative tactics a bit more.
GAZ NODS. Like Dib did earlier.
AND DIB THUMBS-UP’S BACK. Like Gaz did earlier.
THE CYCLE IS COMPLETE. THEY ARE IN SYNC.
THEY ARE A TEAM NOW. LET’S. GET. DAD.
(I also really like how Dib says “Clembrane” when they fly away… mocking him like “you aren’t my dad” but just embracing the name that Gaz made up for him)
It’s also worth noting that Dib has been trying to get this ship to fly for an undetermined amount of time (we’ll go with two-plus years) and no matter what he could not get it to fly because Tak’s ship would not allow him to fix it. Again, Dib having a very direct approach. If there is a problem in front of Dib, he will try to tackle it head-on without any support, because that’s just how he’s always done things.The ship is a huge thematic symbol of frustration for Dib. You can have all this great alien technology in front of your Dad’s face, but it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work. The ship is just a constant reminder of his lack of support from his family…. and The only way he was able to get it working was because of SUPPORT FROM HIS FAMILY.
Mainly: GAZ. Because Dib was only able to get the ship to work due to doing things the Gaz way. Manipulating the ship to actually allow it to be worked on. And they do it in record time too.
And from this point on, they’re a team. Which is why their expressions become more in-sync then previously in the film.
These two have the exact same terrible taste in music. Dib is tone-deaf and is having fun. Gaz is grooving and listening to the actual notes like guitar players sometimes do. These are two who are used to road trips together.
And from this point on in the movie, you can tell they operate on the same wavelength. Even going so far to have a lot of similar expressions. These two are more in sync then they’ve ever been. It’s really cause they have a common goal and Dib caved to take Gaz’s advice for once.
And I want to point out this small detail before I skip over it completely…….
BECAUSE THIS PARALLEL IS SO GOOD AND HIGHLY UNDERRATED AND NO ONE MENTIONS IT:
“Normally you crying on the floor would be hilarious but comeon…”
“Why aren’t you telling me I told you so?”
“Cus making fun of you is never fun when you’re this sad.”
“You’re my brother, man.”
“You still just might be good enough for something, Zim”
“I’ve done way worse than throw you in a space prison, This is nothing… get up!”
The same exact speech pattern and same way of comforting…
Membrane Siblings suck at empathy yet it somehow works 101.
Like right down to the same speech pattern and visibly uncomfortable with crying and negative emotions. Right down to the practically bullying way of “you’ve been through worse, get up!” “you might be good for something!” way of comforting.
These are two kids who grew up in the same house with no outlet or emotional support system. It’s moments like this that really spoke to me that made me appreciate their new dynamic. Because they adopt traits of the other when they aren’t together.
My first reaction to Gaz saying “I only torment you cus I know you can handle it” made me say “that’s not my Gaz.” and took me a long time to warm up to this new dynamic.
But like I said, it’s actually really good. Because Gaz expresses herself more articulately then Dib in this film. And Gaz’s dialogue can also be run alongside the scene where Dib is watching Zim have a breakdown. Because it’s really relevant and works as an amazing parallel. (the parallels between Dib and Zim are strong in ETF)
Also paralleling Zim’s depression with Dib’s here is brilliant because it not only shows how much Dib and Zim are alike but how Dib and Gaz are alike. Which means Gaz’s sentiments to Dib are probably Dib’s sentiments to Zim as well, even if Dib didn’t say it as eloquently as Gaz did, the sentiment is still there. Dib attempts empathy and tries to understand how Zim feels. Which he wouldn’t of done if he doesn’t really express a similar feeling Gaz does to seeing her brother sad: “Making fun of you isn’t fun when you’re this sad.”
Initially, I thought Gaz being nice to Dib here it came out of nowhere, but it really doesn’t if you’re paying attention. It was actually foreshadowed with Zim’s breakdown earlier and hinted at during the Family Dinner conversation she had with Membrane at the beginning of the movie. About being more patient with her brother “He is your brother after all.”
Gaz is more verbal with expressing her emotions then Dib in this movie, which is actually a welcome change than her angrily repressing everything.
It took me a long time to warm up to the idea of Gaz being slightly softer on Dib, but when I realized that this wasn’t out of nowhere and the movie was actually building towards this moment with them, it just paints a whole deeper picture on their relationship then the show ever touched on.
No. I am not sleeping on their family portraits either. Dib is his own family’s cryptoid, he can’t take a normal photo.
I have nothing for this… this group hug is just too cute… I’m all the alien monsters in the back.
The way their eyes light up when faced with alien technology relevant to their special interest… Like them mirroring each other’s expressions just isn’t limited to the times when they’re on screen together.
Underrated moment cause it’s followed by the classic “I’m always proud of you”™ scene… but after everything they’ve been through to get Dad back, Dib actually screams out for Gaz with fear and worry of 1. Might never see her again. 2. She was the only one controlling this part of the ship and the have no one to steer them through space. Obviously, the second fear takes over, because Dib faces things head-on, and immediately tries to find a way to fix this problem, by reaching out closer to his dad. I just thought his scream out to her was a moment to appreciate.
Yeah… cus really… Dib thinks he lost everything at this moment. He’s out for Zim’s head.
………………See? There’s that ham again.
I know I made a whole analysis post on the Ham, but like aside from that, remembering the Ham was a “gift” of sorts from Gaz, it just furthers my point that they are operating on the same wavelength. Even after the ham was like shoved in his face, Dib like… kept it anyways. I know it’s all for the sake of a joke an anticlimatic payoff, but it also shows how the events of Enter the Florpus really strengthened their bond. Dib doesn’t question the ham, just throws it to Gaz, and trusts her plan, which is ultimately:
Gotta also call attention to the fact Gaz admits when she’s wrong at least two times in the movie. Which is like never in the show cause ShowGaz is like never wrong. I actually kinda like it. Feels more in-line with typical sassy kid behavior. You’re always right until you aren’t.
I think this is the moment where they decide wordlessly what they need to do about Clembrane. It’s worth noting that this is the first time Zim says “Destroy the Membrane Family” It’s not just Dib anymore. He wants his whole family dead. Because Dib got his whole family involved. And that’s kinda sinking in for both of them too.
And we get a combination of their techniques with how they deal with Clembrane. Dib the direct: “YOU LEAVE CLEMBRANE ALONE!” Gaz, trying to appeal to Clembrane’s emotions: “It’s the best pudding I’ve ever had in my life” (granted with an accent….. which I think is either a callback to her being on Tak’s ship, since she talked like that or Zim’s computer admitting he does accents when he’s bored sometimes…. it’s one of the weaker callbacks.) and it’s actually a combination of their techniques that work together to get them in possession of the moose.
Dib is at the table. Gaz got Dib to come to Dinner. Which we all know was phase two all along. Getting Dib to come to dinner was the plot. Conflict resolved everyone.
If anything, I kinda think maybe Dib learned a little bit from his sister that sometimes the most direct method is not always the best one, and Gaz learned to be a little bit more patient with Dib. At least, for the most part. As much as IZ characters can have proper character development. The themes of family in ETF are really clear and the parallels are even clearer. Comparing the shot of how closer Dib’s family is compared to how alone Zim is at the end of ETF is heartbreaking.
So it’s obvious that Gaz and Dib kinda became closer in away after the events of ETF. Nothing like saving your dad from space prison to bring a family closer together.
And… there was just a lot more to appreciate about their new dynamic that I initially hated at first. Cause there is a little stubborn edgelord inside of me that wanted Gaz to be way meaner then how she was in ETF.
From the interviews I’ve seen on ETF it almost seems like Johnen is ashamed of how one-dimensional Gaz was in the show. Even Pilot Gaz, in her earliest incarnation, seemed to be more active in the events then Show Gaz. Having read the comics after the movie, I can safely say I do like when Gaz is a more active participant in the shenanigans rather than some angry roommate who occasionally beats Dib up and dishes out vengeance. ShowGaz was really relatable in her brutality, but I can really understand how shallow her character can appear in the grand scheme of things. And I’m glad Johnen took the time to develop her more.
As I said, the Sibling Rivalry of fighting for Professor Membrane’s affection could have been played up a whole lot more, but I think it was smart to keep the conflict focused on Zim and Dib. Having Gaz also be too angry at Dib due to Membrane development-related reasons would just kinda screech the plot’s breakneck pace to a halt.
Invader Zim is first and foremost a comedy show. I feel adding raw family drama between Gaz and Dib would not have served the themes, story, jokes or purpose. (but that’s why I have my fanfiction/mini-series to actually explore that aspect of their dynamic seriously)
So long story short: Gaz and Dib’s relationship as siblings is a fairly complicated one. I do like ShowGaz for her brutality, but ETF Gaz just seems like she has a lot more going on for her as a character. It’s safe to say that I think Gaz might have matured a bit in the time it took Dib to become a chair. She definitely grew out of her “hate everything” phase. Dib still has a lot of growing to do, but at least you don’t see him snatch pizza right out of his sister’s hands. (that we know of…)
But honestly, if you want the best dynamic between these two:
Read the comics. I’m dead serious. It’s a rare case that the best iteration of Gaz is actually in the comics. Equal parts brutal, funny and involved in the stories. It strikes an amazing balance of a lot of aspects of her personality and hits all the right notes for me, personally. Peak asshole sibling culture is here.
This rant thingy took longer then I expected, but Gaz and Dib’s dynamic had a lot changed from the show and I felt it was worth talking about my thoughts on how I see them now, and what you can kinda look forward too with my upcoming comics about them.
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