Roman’s reaction when Janus said “My name…”:
Compared to Patton and Thomas:
I don’t know exactly what it is, but Roman looks somehow more horrified than simply surprised or taken aback.
It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to learn Deceit’s name.
I haven’t heard much talk about it in the fandom, but I’ve noticed that each time a side’s name is revealed is when more depth and layering is added to their character. They become more complicated and multi-faceted rather then simply being a representation of just one concept.
Let’s take Roman for example. In the first few episodes before his name reveal, Roman was presented as simply “creativity.” Even if he showed aspects of being more complex, he was still viewed only as “creativity.” However, since his name reveal, we the viewers and the other sides and Thomas view him as also encompassing “pride, ego, romanticism, and passion.”
Perhaps to Roman, who was the most adamant of everyone in Putting Others First about not being able to trust Deceit, Deceit revealing his name is a way for him to openly express more parts of himself.
In my opinion, Roman, as the ego and pride, has the hardest time accepting Janus because he knows that once he’s accepted, it will nullify much of past his work and decisions, which were made solely to contradict him as the “villain.” Similar to how he reacted when Virgil ducked out, viewing it as a good thing since he didn’t see the benefit in Thomas having anxiety and still holding on to the idea that Virgil was simply a “villain.”
Much like Patton, Roman is based deeply in his own moral integrity as a prince and a hero. Patton is the one who morally made the distinction between the main sides and dark sides, while Roman was the one who enforced that line (and also gave them their label.)
“We can’t trust him. He’s asking us to go against things we’ve known for years. Rights and wrongs, shoulds and shouldn’ts. How can’t we trust him?”
However, now that Patton, realizing how his distinction and strict rules have only hurt Thomas, has admitted he doesn’t know what to do and decides to listen to Janus, Roman, who has been acting based on Patton’s call, is now loosing sight of what it is he’s meant to protect and enforce.
Deceit now having and revealing his name is a sign that he’s ready to offer more to the table that simple lies. He wants to protect Thomas’s well-being and mental health through use of selfishness, and the others (Patton and Thomas) are welcoming him to do just that.
Unlike with Virgil’s ducking out, Roman wasn’t the only one who viewed Deceit’s contributions as needless and immoral. Both Patton and Virgil did not agree with his methods and became upset with Roman when he sided with him In SVS (and by default in Can Lying be Good). He himself sided with Janus and was burned, but now he’d being burned for not siding with him.
Roman, who for years upheld the belief with Patton that that way of thinking was wrong, had now been left alone in that sentiment and is loosing track of what role he is supposed to be serving. Yes, Roman is still creativity, but that is only a part of who he is. His ego and pride have been bruised, and his passion surely has been dwindled somewhat.
So when Janus reveals his name, Patton and Thomas react like this:
While Roman reacted like this:
When Roman laughed, it wasn’t simply to be rude. But it was to down play the impact and importance of his name, and attempt to sway the others into ignoring Janus.
That obviously backfired and we are left with one final nail in the coffin, this conversation between Roman and Patton, the two sides who worked together the most to maintain Thomas’s integrity:
“Did you forget that he’s evil! You’re not, or you’re not supposed to be. You’re supposed to be good! You can’t-”
“Roman, everything’s gonna be okay kiddo. We love you.”
Through out the whole video, Roman was letting Patton take the lead with the decision making. He gave him scenarios and let Patton decide what was the correct thing to do, even if he personally didn’t completely agree. However, now the one he relied on has himself become lost, stranding Roman in a place of uncertainty and insecurity.
In a desperate attempt to maintain the order he had fought so long to uphold, he tried to make sure Janus didn’t get into the group and gain influence, or else everything he’s done and believed in would fall apart. His role as a hero would become meaningless.
A/N: I don’t know if this made a lick of sense, I really just wanted to show Roman’s shocked/scared face and then started rambling. If you disagree or have a critic, cool.
