ok i went and slept on it six times and i do see the argument for tragedy in olivier's arc. like as far as main series goes he's up there. i think it's moreso that i have trouble understanding what makes a character 'tragic', especially in the context of a series which i guess does go in for tragedy so much. like the happyish ending is very much a result of everyone putting in the work but even so.
and then i had trouble because you have olivier who does betray everyone he cares about and his own values, resulting in the miserable spy who everyone hates -> dungeon guy thing. but in the end i do genuinely believe he is going to be okay (which does not negate what is actually in the text. obviously). versus, say, tariq & balthazar. who were both boykings who were literally nice. and their deaths etc. are presented as a tragedy, but also: they did very much achieve what they set out to do (sacrifice yourself for your younger female relative and she will get the job done guaranteed).
ferragost obviously is a different beast. argus laraunt's whole thing is tragic (he fucked it up big time *and* died) it's just that i don't care about him or his family
