ANGST FOR BARNACLES MY BELOVED
This is alot longer than i thought itd be
ill see the sentiment that Barnacles is a very fatherly character, with alot of people making him older and/or directly having a father like role to a few of OR nearly all the other octonauts
Thats a really good solid interpretation especially with how he comes of as mentoring and supportive in aloooot of cases
I raise you " eldest child/daughter syndrome Barnacles"
Do I relate to Barnacles maybe a little too much? Have I related to him in this sense since I was like 11? Am I probably too damn obsessed with him? Is this an opportunity for angst?
(Main parts in blue if you prefer to skim)
But please consider! While we dont know much about Barnacles relationship with his parents (despite him being spending alot of time with the cub scouts growing up and Professor Natquick being important in his life)-
Like, lets focus on WHAT WE KNOW IN CANON.
Hes been raised to be extremely resilient and self dependent when need be.
In the ice cave he was forced to be vulnerable and traumatized without being able to escape in a way that scarred him all to adulthood.
Tracker, even if they are the same age (i headcanon Tracker as a bit younger but academically "gifted") clearly looks up to Barnacles IMMENSLY despite being raised together. (Especially if you consider the cub with glasses in Barnacles flashback to be Tracker)
Barnacles has a very silly and theatrical and musical side to him, and even when he uses missions as opportunities to showcase that part of himself (sock puppet/limericks distraction, silly mustache/walrus disguise, playing accordian to soothe scared young orcas) he still has a " I must be captain like and very self sure" about myself energy alllll the time.
(Such as wanting Kwazii to not share his limerick puppet plan out of his own embarassment despite Kwazii not giving a sign of judgement or excusing his sillier ideas as " haha this is a funny way to do this isnt it? But its still VERY HELPFUL")
Going back to the first bullet point of him being taught to be very self capable in any bad situation, and keeping his purposeful ignorance of his wellbeing in order to prioritize others (manatee episode being a prime example), hes extremely skilled ans talented as what he does.
^^^ he even has nearly EVERY BADGE (and then gains the walrus badge as an adult) from cub scouts, along with many other accomplishments he holds very dear to him...
^^^avoiding the theme of pushing yourself hevaily woth a goal of excellence, i believe its very easy to see how he couldve very easily fallen into the leader role As A Child.
the cub scouts clearly often went out on their own, even exploring potentially dangerous areas and getting badges without an adult scout leader
And if Barnacles was always striving for excellance and skilled and naturally had an inclination of helpfulness and care? He was the child leader.
That sounds okay on paper, but being a Developing Child while sacrificing your own emotional (or even physical) needs for other children (who depend on you and will be hurt without your guidance) is VERY detrimal to a childs development.
And we see it in Barnacles too! He will push himself beyond every physical means, while diminishing his fear or physical pain or active danger even when its not neccessary for him to!
And THEN he minimizes it afterwards to the extent he seems to genuinely just see it as a funny story. And that level of not seeing conacting others for any help and training urself to undervalue ur experiences/struggles is sad.
He is so determined to help every octonaut and creature in EVERY single way that he will " ride out" horrible situations without even communicatinf whats happening just so no one else has to worry because " they are working on something more important"(like saving the manatees)
He doesnt even ask for advice! He just juggles everyone elses problems on top of LITERALLY NEARLY DROWNING DESPITE BEING INJURED.
In the manatees episode he couldve explained what was happening to him at ANY moment, but he refused to despite nearly drowning! He couldve asked for help!
You can argue " oh but he knew they were rescuing the manatees and didnt have any resources to spare!"
BUT. he KNOWS his crew is capable of problem solving and advice AND that Inkling, who was STILL ON THE OCTOPOD wouldve absolutelt wanted to go and help him- even if it was just by radio! He just casually explained it afterwards like " wow guys such a crazy story lol"
And he DOESNT ask for help. And it happens over and over.
And then? So much of the external validation that he beams at, including any awe of his strength and ability, is almost ALWAYS centered around how much he can help OTHER people.
Whether its how brave he is, or how much he can carry, or how much he can use himself as a DAMN meat sheild- thats where so much of his praise that he absolutely intentionally "casually" seeks out is.
Anyways I think hes a dorky autistic masking wreck that acts way too mature for his age and suffers with emotional intelligence regarding himself because of it.
Sure he can give great emotional advice to others but he hasnt really developed the skills for himself beyond " just keep going snd try harder next time and dont mention it because it feels bad to share" because he thinks that because hes so capable and strong he cant ever be vulnerable in a deeper meaningful way
Even in Caves of Sac Actun, he did reveal to Peso what happened, despite it only being to HELP PESO emotionally and as an explanation for his own behaviours,
HOWEVER even THEN. Even then, after he nearly has a panick attack from being stuck all he does after is apologize because he " doesnt know what came over him" and felt it was out of character for him.
And then he tries to steamroll it. Because feeling afraid or openly afraid and LOSING CONTROL (which he needs to feel in control to feel safe because if he cant solve all the provlems then hes vulnerable and going to die just like when he was trapped in the pitt of the ice cave) feels WRONG to him and it shouldnt be part of him and he doesnt like it at all and wants Peso to ignore it
Even when Peso is the o e who decides to lead with bravery and be supportive Barnacles is so awkward about it.
Hell all throughout it he smiles and gices thumbs up and cheers Peso on but the SECOND Peso turns away his face immediatly dissolves into great silent discomfort.
Eyes darting around and hesitation and anxiety racing behind his eyes...
Anyways i just think itd be really cool if we made him a silent mess from the inside thats mega emotionally stunted and struggles to recognize alot of his own emotions cuz hes too focused on " solving things logically"
And i also think itd be reslly cool if he applies " captain mode" to everything even when it hurts his relarionships and causes him to fuck up
I NEED HIM TO BE A WRECK AND I NEED THINGS TO COME CRUMBLING DOWN.
Not even ust in the " oh i cant handle the weight anymore" way but in the " IDK HOW TO BE VULNERABLE AND ADMIT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR DEEPER COMMUNICATION AND ITS CAUSING MY RELATIONSHIPS TO BE ONE SIDED AND ME TAKING A HUGE MENTAL LOAD. WHICH MEANS IM GONNA MAKE BAD DECISIONS TO TRY TO FIX THINGS AND CHANGE THE NARRATIVE EVEN IF I DONT MEAN TO AND FUCK IM A FAILURE OF A CAPTAIN"
feel free to ask questions also HI if u made it this far 😭
Forgot to tag for those who may be interested:
@calamaroo @animalsalvationassociation @brownyanyk @nixtheoctoagent @kittycreatureofthewoods @mickrabbit @lucky0rchid @tweakdemo
