the way Normal and Scary parallel each other and contrast each other and share traits with each other and don't share traits with each other
the way Normal has never really had a choice but to be part of this story. it's literally in his blood and DNA and his heart is simply too big to look away. there's no other place for Normal to end up than here, there's no other path for him to go down than this one. Normal knows by now that there's no other direction for him to go than the one he decided in that church, and wherever that leads him will depend entirely on the cooperation of the people around him.
the way Scary could leave whenever she wants. can't even blame her, she didn't sign up for this, she didn't marry into this family. but she chose to participate anyway, despite it going against everything she says about not caring. they way Scary gets option after option to decide who she is and what kind of person she wants to be and still her choices don't add up. does she want to help, then why can't she work with others? does she want power, then why does she still care about what others think of her? for all the voices in her ears, she's the one who gets to pick where she's going.
the way so much of Normal's family has been based on performative cooperation, but when he found out that cooperation is his authentic performance, it gets rejected. the way Scary's family (and step-family) is blatant and honest (often to a fault) and has nothing to hide, but she's turning into a compulsive liar when it comes to herself.
the way Normal has been bombarded with rejection and doubt but he accepts everyone around him and tries to get them to accept themselves. the way Scary's surrounded by hands reaching out to her and offers of acceptance but she throws denial and pushes away like it's instinct.
the way Normal behaves selflessly but deep in there is a root of selfish desire for acceptance for himself. the way Scary behaves selfishly but, again, she put herself on a mission to save the world.
the way these paths they're going down keeps sticking them together like opposite magnets
the way Scary is (per Beth:) looking for the trauma that will justify her feelings while Normal is looking for the feelings that will justify his trauma
I am going to lose my MIND

















