This is like...I still can't with the name. Like with Virgil's, and even REMUS'S name reveal, I EXPECTED it.
Like...I expected it from Remus, honestly. I'm like...yeahhhh he can't keep a secret, he clearly has a loud mouth, etc-
But. Like. HECCING JANUS. MY DUDES.
Idk, maybe I SHOULD have expected it, since we've kinda known him for so long, but I guess I just got so used to thinking of him as JUST deceit, that I kinda forgot he HAD an actual name-
I know I'm sounding biased because it's no secret that he's been my favorite character for EVER, but like.
But because of that factor added in with a few others...I truly believe that his name reveal was the most impactful out of all of them so far.
For Logan, Patton, and Roman, it was almost flippant. Like...of course it was important, I remember when it happened and everyone was likely "oh wow, they have names", etc, ofc, but they weren't regarded as...sacred, almost, like they were with the other three so far.
First was Virgil. We all remember how big of a deal it was for him. He was TERRIFIED. He was so scared, he looked like he was going to cry almost. But there is also the fact that he'd already made the decision in his mind that he was doing this as a THANK YOU for caring about him, in a way. Like...this was him showing that HE trusted THEM. That mirrors Janus, in a way. I'll explain in a minute.
For now, we're taking the next step and moving on to Remus. First off, there was literally no dramatic buildup other than the "or, you COULD, just call me by my name...Remus." line. Even Thomas was put off by that, because I guess after Virgil ya really aren't expecting it to be that easy for them. But Remus is pretty much the personification of "no filter", so I guess it stands to reason that he doesn't censor anything about himself, in addition to the intrusive nature of his role. So, it stands to reason that out of the two so far, his name reveal is the lower ranking one.
Now, to Janus. His reveal, in my mind, was the most impactful because he chose to create a vulnerable situation for himself, such an out-of-character situation, JUST so he could prove his worth to Thomas and the others, to PROVE why he deserves to be trusted in this moment. He takes the chance, knowing that if this goes wrong, he doesn't get a re-do, and he chooses, ON HIS OWN, make himself the most vulnerable we've ever really seen a side. (I'm only talking about as far as names go right here. In general vulnerability, I'm gonna say that Virgil usually takes the lead with that, esp the end of DWIT)
But REGARDLESS of that, Janus chooses to willingly put himself in that very uncomfortable position, and if you look at his face...he's terrified.
Look at him, REALLY LOOK at him, and tell me that that isn't the face of someone who is about to absolutely shatter.
He mirrors Virgil in that way, they both seemed scared out of their minds when their name reveals happened. The difference in that is that Virgil offered up his as a leavening chip, almost. A way to show that he trusted the others AFTER they trusted him. But with Janus is was different. He went the opposite route. He showed he trusted the others SO THAT they would in turn, MAYBE, trust him back. THAT is where they mirror each other, AND where they deviate.
There is so much WEIGHT to that, it's like...it was uncalled for, unplanned, and THAT'S why it is so impactful.
Both of the others were somewhat called for, or brought up organically.
But this? With Janus? He made that call on his own. He was making the call of showing trust to receive it, and I think that's pretty amazing.
gummygunk
blakekathryn
theartofmadeline
janainaart
