A day late, but Gulool Ja Ja is the same kind of bad parent Cahciua is to me. Both obviously loved their children and their children loved them. However, based on the text and subtext we get in Dawntrail, they struggled with other aspects of parenting and actually understanding and meeting their children’s emotional needs.
Facts we can infer about Gulool Ja Ja through what Dawntrail chose to share and not share:
1. GJJ didn’t effectively mentor his children to be future rulers of their country
The entire concite of the Rite of Succession is about “crafting” a leader fit to rule Tural after he dies. I’m not even going to humor what the story could have been if he raised an effective heir from jump. The story we got is about crafting a ruler because he did not teach them how to rule all these 20+ years he’s had the chance.
2. GJJ didn’t teach his children about the country they rule, the country he loves so much
During the first half of Dawntrail, the trials given to us are largely educational in structure. They are designed to teach the claimant about that culture and their traditions. Largely we are shown that the claimants lack knowledge of each group of people we’re introduced to. They don’t know how they operate or the significance of their cultural practices or the history of how and why they joined beneath GJJ’s banner. GJJ didn’t think to educate any of his children on their own people even a little? No? Some dad.
3. What the fuck happened to Zoraal Ja?
Hot take but people don’t want to commit patricide out of nowhere. I wish ZJ was explored more in Dawntrail. His character had so much potential for depth and nuance. Even just one extra scene with him could have been great. Instead all we can do is look at the subtext.
ZJ was being crushed under insurmountable pressure. Through his comments about “the miracle” and the missing head in his corrupted monster form, we know this weighed on him heavily. Why didn’t GJJ do anything to help him? Did he say kind words to ZJ? Did he try to take the weight off? Did he try to steer ZJ down a kinder path? We’ll never know because we barely see them interact before ZJ is killing GJJ!
extra fact that isn’t inferred we see it played out
4. Didn’t tell them their other dad died
The dramatic reveal was effective and I audibly gasped. HOWEVER… that was messed up. WTF Vow of Resolve?
Gulool Ja Ja is a bad dad. Now, as I’ve said before with Cahciua, being a bad parent is not a moral failing and it does not mean I think they’re a bad character. Characters can be good people and also bad parents, and this makes them more interesting as characters.
If GJJ was a good parent we wouldn’t have had the plot we got. I just wish the story explored his character flaws more.
Anyway, I’m just saying if Thancred is on thin ice then GJJ should also be on thin ice, thank you for coming to my TED talk, peace.
