Why I Ship ReflectiveDetective (and why you should too!)
This post does NOT insist that ReflectiveDetective is canon, nor does it insist you have to ship it. It exists solely as an appreciation and explanation post. Also, Glisten and Rodger are both canonically NON-RELATED ADULTS as confirmed by Qwel. Thank you.
Glisten and Rodger currently have two elevator interactions. In the first one, Glisten comments on Rodger's smudged glass.
In the second one, Rodger checks in on Glisten to make sure he's doing okay.
Though seemingly incidental, there's lots here to discuss:
Starting with the first, we're told Glisten cares enough about Rodger to notice something as small as the smudges on his face. This may come across as trivial, especially for someone obsessed with appearance, but it's pretty out of character for him to notice something so small! From his interactions with Cosmo, Shelly, and Yatta, we can infer that Glisten is actually really *bad* at noticing things about others. He forgets Cosmo's stars are a part of his appearance, writes Yatta's circus troupe off as "clown stuff," and even mispronounces Shelly's name. These aren't little details he just missed, they're basic facts about toons he lives with. He should've picked up on these things ages ago, yet they seem to slip his mind.
But Rodger's smudges? He comments on them immediately (and often enough for Rodger to know it's coming.)
"But maybe the smudges are really obvious!"
Maybe, but if so, wouldn't Tisha have said something about them? In the singular interaction she has with Rodger, she makes no note of his glass, and from what we know about Tisha, she *would* point something like that out. She's very adamant when it comes to cleanliness, sometimes to the dismay of others. It's practically her job to be.
This is what makes Glisten's comment so interesting. If he's noticing details that Tisha is missing, that means he's been paying *very* close attention to Rodger's face. Hmm... suspcious.
Interaction two gives us more insight into Rodger's feelings towards Glisten. He's one of the only toons he checks up on, and of them, he's the one that Rodger is the most worried about. The other two, Boxten and Brightney, get far less personal questions about their well-being.
It says a lot that Rodger will tell Boxten to count if he's feeling nervous, but he'll tell Glisten not to forget his "keen eye," implying that he's keeping watch over him specifically.
The obvious conclusion being: the two both give each other attention that they don't give to other toons.
But it doesn't stop there! Glisten's interactions with Toodles also give us some extra layers to his and Rodger's relationship.
The first one isn't much, but it is noteworthy that Glisten gets along so well with Rodger's daughter.
What Toodles says here is extremely significant. Though easy to brush off Glisten "crying and complaining to Rodger" as a funny comment, it holds a LOT of weight! Glisten NEVER tells toons about his problems or insecurities. The mere implication of imperfect makes him deflect.
He won't let Astro discuss his concerning dreams in public. He panics when Sprout suggests his mirror is cracked. He won't even tell Tisha his morning routine.
But according to Toodles, Glisten has a habit of going to Rodger (and only Rodger) with his problems. Sure, these could be very superficial issues he's getting off his chest, but even the most shallow of problems are ones Glisten does not want others to know about. He has an image to maintain, after all! Yet Rodger is the exception...
...This goes both ways, which brings me to:
Returning to Rodger and Tisha's interaction, there is definite proof that Glisten is one of the "trusted friends" Rodger is referring to. For starters, I've already covered the close bond the two share. But is Glisten also disorganized? YES!
Compare Glisten's room to Goob and Scraps', one canonically considered dirty. They're a very similar amount of messy. Crumpled-up papers, mismatched carpets, food lying around the place... none of that reads "organized."
Speaking of Glisten's room, there exists a particular note in which Glisten details an encounter he had with Rodger where he helped him carry files into the elevator.
Not only does this prove that Glisten is willing to help him, but also that Rodger would otherwise trust him to. This note also tells us Rodger gives Glisten the validation he craves from the other toons. Why else would he end it off with "I should spend time with [Rodger] more" if he wasn't flattered by his compliment?
So we have the dynamic, but what can be done with it? Let us discuss:
This part will mainly consist of how I interpret Glisten and Rodger's relationship. It will focus less on canon itself and more on the fun ways you can build off of it.
Glisten yearns for attention; it says so on his title card:
And Rodger is someone who can give him not just the attention he wants, but also the attention he needs. In multiple ways, whether it be through compliments or concerns, Rodger makes Glisten feel seen. His praise means enough to Glisten for him to journal about it, and though he brushes off Rodger's regards for his safety in their elevator interaction, he'll still go to him to "cry and complain." Besides, Rodger is a detective. It's his job to see through facades. He'd know when Glisten is putting up a front of perfection and be able to look past it to see the real him. What else is that keen eye for, right?
And what of Glisten's part in their relationship? Considering how unpopular Rodger is with the other toons, particularly the mains, having someone like Glisten to help with carrying files and bantering about smudged glass is a lot. Even if it is "part of the job" as a detective, nobody enjoys being disliked or dismissed by others, especially former friends. Yet despite Rodger's reputation, Glisten is in his corner.
There is more I could discuss, but that will have to be saved for a continuation. This post is already long enough! But I hope this shines some light on ReflectiveDetective's charm. It's one of my favorite pairings and I hope to share it with more people. Thank you for reading!
