You can all say that every character in the Maze Runner franchise deserved better or was underrated because there is a fair chance that you are totally right. But I don’t think any character is less appreciated then Frypan. So I thought I’d just conduct a list of the amazing things this character has done over the span of the three movies:
He gets along with everyone in the Glade. Including Gally, which was hard in the first movie, but you see him following Gally who was angry about Newt’s decision to make Thomas a runner.
He makes everyone food. Enough said.
He is very welcoming to Thomas. “Welcome home, Thomas.”
He’s funny. “I could use some help in the kitchen.”
He’s rational. He believes Thomas did a good job saving Minho and Alby in the maze but does not believe Thomas is ready to be a runner due to him only being there three days.
He’s helpful. He went into the Maze with Minho and Thomas. He held Gally back when he punched Thomas, and he ran over to help Thomas after he stabbed himself. He played a key part in getting people through and out and the maze.
He takes care of Winston. He is extremely gentle when Winston is dying and helps in any way he can.
He’s emotional. He’s the first glader we see break outside the maze, and I find that to be extremely heartbreaking. He is the first one to say he misses the Maze which is a strong character trait to have to allow his friends to see how he is truly feeling. He is seen as just the “comic relief” as he had the best one-liners in all three movies, but this moment really gives depth to his character. It’s beautiful. Also Wes Ball’s direction in this scene, definitely makes us connect to Frypan the most.
He’s a team player. He is the first to ask Vince and Harriet if there is any way to help them when Wicked attack them. He follows Thomas to save Minho.
His disbelief to Teresa’s betrayal. He says, “What the hell? Teresa!?” In a disappointed, almost saddened tone. Frypan is very kind to Teresa, and we have no idea what happened off-screen when the group was separated from Thomas. He can’t believe Teresa being part of wicked because he is a team player and because he loves all his friends.
He’s a fucking hero. He is there to protect Brenda and Jorge from the wicked shoulders and is smiling when he does so. If it wasn’t for his shotgun skills, he, Thomas and Newt would all be dead. Ummm, the bus scene - does this need any more context?
He is Thomas and Newt’s best friend: Yes, I know he has other friends, and yes he cares for them a great deal but has anyone thought back this. After Minho is taken, the only three left from the glade are Thomass, Newt, and Frypan. Three out of like forty. So for these months, he only has these two, and these two only have each other and him. Every day, afternoon, evening and morning. Thomas and Newt would not have made it as far without Frypan. He was their link back to everything from the maze. Newt was the leader after Alby died, the group followed Thomas everywhere. And Frypan was one glader who followed them both everywhere they went. He was their constant reminder that they had to keep fighting.
Frypan’s friendship with Brenda. In the Death Cure, Brenda talks mainly to Thomas, Jorge, and Frypan. He saves her, he laughs with her, he saves her by lifting the bus. After Teresa, it must have been freaking nice to befriend Brenda. Considering there is a handful of months we don’t see, there is not saying how close Frypan and Brenda became. But she calls him, “Fry,” and that’s just guaranteed friendship with Frypan. Also, they get the immunes out together, worry about their friends. They stick together, and Frypan seems to always look to her in dramatic, and happy scenes.
Losing Newt (and almost losing Thomas) This is raw, man. I’ve watched this film three times now, and Frypan’s reaction is what really hits you in the chest if you pay enough attention. Think for a second about the roughly 6-8 months this group has been looking for Minho. Meaning it’s only been Newt, Thomas and Frypan (glade members) for a very long time; they are probably close, they spent literally every freaking moment together, and they have for a very long time. Now, imagine, not knowing one of your best friends has the flare because *hello* Frypan is never told, and he is not there to witness his friend’s downfall. He just has to find out through Minho asking Brenda for the serum. He then has to see his friend’s body, and know that his other best friend has walked headfirst into wicked. He doesn’t know what to do, and he’s broken. He collapses by Newt’s side and then like twenty minutes later has to witness as Thomas nearly dies on the berg.
Okay, this might sound strange, but stick with me. Frypan hands down is meant to be the “everyday person.” Someone who we can connect with these films. Some may connect to Thomas, or Newt, or Brenda, but Frypan is someone anyone can connect with. It’s quite hard to put yourself in other character’s shoes in this film. Let me break this down:
Thomas: Hero, almost dies like three times, is basically good at everything he does the first time around. He is fast, a good fighter, a friend, he’s a badass, but also emotional. He’s your typical hero type, and these days not every teen would wake up in a maze and be like “yeah, let’s go again everything we’re told to do,” and yes it works for Thomas, but not everyone thinks like he does. He is also the cure.
Newt: Now, I know a lot of people relate to Newt due to his suicide attempt, and strength afterward, which is amazing, and I love that. But Newt turns into a crank, and he died. I’m going to go ahead and guess that no one here has ever turned into a zombie and been killed. Newt is also second-in-command in the maze and has to lead. Not everyone is a leader.
Teresa: Betrayed her friends to save her friends. I don’t think many of us would have the strength to do this.
Gally: Dramticcaly revealed that he wasn’t dead.
Minho: Leader, runner and freaking tortured for months on end.
Brenda: Had the flare and almost became a crank.
Frypan is not a runner, leader and he doesn’t become a crank. He was just the Glade’s cook, and that’s what he did, he made food for the people who lived in the maze. He is an everyday person trying to live in a post-apocalyptic world. He is the embodiment of what most of us would be like. He doesn’t have a dramatic storyline where he dies or gets hurt or betrays. He is just Frypan, and he survives everything thrown at him. Frypan is special because he is normal. He isn’t wicked’s star pupil, he was never a leader. At first look, he might not seem to be a Glader that you’d expect would survive, but he does. Which makes him amazing.
Please add reasons why you think Frypan is great! (Sorry for mistakes, I am doing this a quarter to one in the morning)
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