Untitled

[saltytalestrawberry]

It honestly says it all that the exact same person squinting and fixating over surface-level parallels between Callum and Viren would write a 2000+ word book report criticizing fans for noticing--yea, noticing--the show drawing attention to parallels between Callum and Amaya, and insist that such parallels aren't important.

The definition of "doth protest too much."

[kazisgirlfriend]

Like Aunt, Like Nephew

I happened across @raayllum's meta here about Callum and Amaya, and certainly raises a few really interesting points about them that I wanted to touch on. Most notably, it demonstrates how their overall differences really stem from a simple difference in overall experience - at the end of the day, Amaya has potentially years if not decades of experience on a teenager Callum. So, when there are similarities between Callum and Amaya, they are as frequently about who Amaya WAS as much as who Amaya IS.

However, differences in experience do not negate parallels between characters. Just as Runaan is far more experienced than Rayla, that fact alone does not diminish the very clear parallels she has with her father figure. Similarly, the differences between Callum and Amaya do ultimately come down to a level of experience.

Prejudice

Callum and Amya's contrast in prejudice actually demonstrate how their level of experience influence their differences. Amaya had spent years at the breach, which solidified distrust and even hatred that she had towards elves ("I've slain monsters before").

Callum's prejudice, while relatively muted, is still there. Not only does he assume Rayla drinks blood, he initially refers to as a "creature" in the novelization, and later amends to thinking she's "one of the good ones."

As a sidenote, it's important not to dismiss Callum's prejudices as mere "misconceptions" simply because they are less intense. TDP is ultimately a story about overcoming prejudice, which is something that Callum does quicker than Amaya does. But this is ultimately the result of his prejudices being borne out of a lack of exposure rather than years of war like Amaya. Amaya has had years to let her prejudices fester, while Callum's simple ignorance gets dispelled rather quickly. But both Callum and Amaya demonstrate admirable open-mindedness in overcoming personal biases, even if at different paces.

The Test of Light

The other comparison is between how Amaya handles her test of light in 3x02 vs. how Callum handles his "test" in 5x08. This, I admit, was a peculiar test since whatever situation Callum was faced with in s5, it had nothing to do with purity. It was not a test of light.

Instead, Callum faced his test of light in s3, when he rode the Twin-Tailed Inferno-Tooth Tiger.

A creature that can sense the purity of one's heart (much like Pharos' staff), and a creature that Callum rode.

Instead the test that Callum faced in 5x08 was a test of darkness. Facing down his own dark side, and ultimately emerging triumphant, signified by the narrative rewarding Callum with the Ocean Arcanum.

Framing Callum's test as a defeat stems from a simplistic view of light and darkness as mutually exclusive. In truth, light and darkness exist in all of us, even heroes. Callum's realization that he contains complexities beyond his understanding is integral to his arc, not a failure. Everyone has a dark side, and it is this realization, that Callum has a part of himself he can neither fully understand nor control, that leads Callum to reach a breakthrough with the Ocean Arcanum. His eventual triumph would not be framed as such if he did not face this shadow side.

But as this lesson is one that is wholly irrelevant to s3, it raises the question as to why should we compare these two moments across two seasons at all. And the reason is that, if we were to compare the actual parallels this season, find that Callum and Amaya--as they both charge in to save their loved ones--are not so different at all.

In the end, their nuanced journeys demonstrate how light and darkness can coexist within us all. Comparing dissimilar tests obscures this meaningful complexity that makes both characters human. The distinction lies in understanding, not judgment.

Stronger Together

While Amaya's lesson to Rayla about being stronger together vs. alone is important, the reason this conversation never comes up between Amaya and Callum is because Callum already knows this. It is yet another similarity that he has with his aunt.

Even after the tribulations of 5x08, Callum is still the one to insist that the trio does everything together. Akiyu gave the group only one amulet, meaning that only Callum can theoretically go underwater after the pearl. In spite of this, Callum takes it upon himself to reverse-engineer the amulet to create magical gills for all of them. Far from insisting he should be strong alone, Callum acknowledges--much like Amaya did--that they are stronger together.

The writers convey Callum already comprehending Amaya's lesson through his own actions, rather than needing the moral spelled out for him. It's a great example of showing rather than telling. This creative choice highlights the strong unspoken bond and understanding between aunt and nephew.

The Canon of It All

Challenging the notion that Callum and Amaya are especially similar is a peculiar undertaking, given that the show spends a large amount of time highlighting their similarities.

I could show all the similarities between Callum and Amaya throughout the series, but rather than dragging out the meta any further, all I and anyone else have to do is merely point to the fact that their similarities are called out by the show itself. If the narrative is indicating its significance, then it's significant. Rather than denying the undeniable, it is more constructive to examine why this relationship is highlighted and what significance it may hold for future story developments.

After all, the writers make a concerted effort to draw connections between Callum and Amaya across multiple scenes and story arcs. Questioning why such focused narrative choices exist will likely offer more meaningful insights into their characters and bond. Challenging textual evidence risks missing the forest for the trees. If the show itself calls attention to a theme, then clearly it carries weight. The deeper question is what purpose these parallels serve in the broader storytelling. Their interconnected journeys likely foreshadow an integral joint role to come.

Conclusion - What does this all mean?

It's very rare for one to write a meta around the argument that the story beats and similarities audiences are noticing are actually not important, especially when the show itself expressly calls out these similarities and story beats in such a prolific way. So that really raises the question - what is this all about? What is the motivation behind the argument that fans are wrong for noticing the things the show explicitly draws attention to?

At the end of the day, what motivates disagreements about whether Callum is like Amaya isn't about objective scoreboard-tallying. After all, Callum's s5 parallels with Viren are only held together by one single utterance of "I'd do anything for X" from each of them in very different contexts and that hasn't deterred many folks.

Instead, it is an issue of bias. As I mentioned before, there is a certain stereotype about characters with nerdy interests, and Callum has been no exception. He's a human mage, and so it's frequently assumed that the only "proper" comparisons he can have are with other human mages like Claudia and Viren (which also leads to his depictions as morally dubious, since the only other human mages we've seen are morally dubious ones).

He also starts out the series as "bad at everything" and a bit clumsy. Rather than realizing he's simply insecure and inexperienced, the argument goes that actually his ineptitude is innate to his character. He's scrawny, weak, a pushover, someone who belongs on the sidelines and with his nose in his sketchbook. Unlike the strong, brave, tough, capable warriors like Sarai, Amaya, Soren, Rayla, and so on.

But when seasons 4 and 5 rolled out, when it was revealed that Callum was far from a pushover--that he is strong, talented, confident, tough, and brave--along with the explicit comparisons between him and Amaya, most fans I think realized and recognized who Callum really is now. But a few instead doubled-down, and saw the parallels between Callum and Amaya (which, again--cannot stress this enough--are called out by the show directly) as a threat to this initial takeaway back in s1.

Assumptions about "proper" character archetypes or stereotypes around nerdy, awkward characters can cause some to overlook Callum's growth. But his strengths as a mage do not preclude similarities to a warrior like Amaya. Wells-rounded characters defy singular boxes.

But that's neither here nor there. The most pertinent question here is not whether, but why the show so explicitly calls out Callum's similarities with Amaya. My guess is that it has something to do with seasons 6 and 7, about the kind of person Callum will become. That it has something to do with why Callum, despite Aaravos' insistence, is not destined to play right into his hands.

But that is a story for another time ;)

Postscript - Viren and Amaya

As a sidenote, there was some stuff about the ways Viren and Amaya were similar that I found interesting. Haven't forgotten about that, and wanted to address it, but I'll do that separately as I don't want to drag out this meta beyond what's reasonable.

[kilfeur]

I just wanted to say that I really like your posts about Callum and the analysis. I don't think I've seen everything but I must admit it's this kind of analysis that interests me. Often when Callum is in opposition to another character, it's often Viren, and I can understand that, but sometimes I find that these analyses of these two turn into an obsession, or at least that's how I feel. So I take a step back. Seeing the parallels between him and his aunt is, I must say, more pleasant to read.

[kazisgirlfriend]

Thank you! I appreciate your sentiment.

Yea, the Callum/Viren parallels some people obsess over have approached a fever pitch that I don't think is justified. So when I see those same people then look at the show's calling out Callum/Amaya parallels and just go "erm d-don't worry about it," it just sounds a little too biased for my taste.

[kilfeur]

To be fair, Viren is a fan favorite as far as I can see. Personally, I'm neutral about him, not that he's not a good character, but he doesn't have the same effect on me as other characters who follow a similar path to him. Speaking of parallels, I think it's a shame more people aren't pointing out the parallels between Janai and Ezran. Maybe there were, but I didn't see it myself. Two lords who must protect and lead their people, the contrast between Janai and Karim's relationship and that between Callum and Ezran. I personally find it interesting.

The parallel that comes to mind would be that of Ezran and Amaya in the early seasons. When Amaya condemned the frontier and surrendered, sacrificing himself to protect Katolis. And Ezran, who sees that the situation is getting out of hand, decides to return the crown, sacrificing himself in the process by going to jail to avoid more deaths. Even if it means returning Viren to the throne.

In fact, when I saw the trailer for season 5 and the scene where we see the trio in the great library of Lux Aurea. I would have thought that the fighting style would be similar to both Amaya and Sarai. Because she had a spear and he now has a staff, so I thought he'd use it either as a spear or a baseball bat. It hasn't happened yet, but I must admit that I would love to see Callum use his staff like that. We've only seen the punches! I would love to see a scene where Amaya and Callum fight together and for a moment when he wields it, she feels like she's watching Sarai wielding the spear!

[saltytalestrawberry]

Yea, I like Viren too, but when people are comparing Callum to him, I get the sense it's not a very flattering comparison. That Callum, like Viren, just doesn't care about right or wrong the way Ezran and Rayla do, and mostly just cares about the people close to him. And in spite of that being disproven time and time again (giving Ezran and Rayla mage gills clearly shows him prioritizing the mission's success over their immediate well-being), people will still harp on this idea.

I definitely like the sound of Janai/Ezran parallels, or Amaya/Ezran! Those are definitely great parallels for which there's a lot to go on! Maybe one day I'll write a meta of my own about that.

As for Callum, there are still two more seasons, and Callum looks like he's about to level up some more, so we may get to see him fight like Sarai did!

[rayllurn]

when a demonic banther and evil ocean pirate mess with your girl

[pierre-dufour-art]

TDP really said "Nah, those characters need more trauma" 😭

[aurelti]

back on my Rayllum bullshit ;)

[pierre-dufour-art]

Rayla and Callum: A peaceful, perhaps not so distant, future.

[saltytalestrawberry]

Fandom: Callum isn't a physical fighter. He instead uses his mind to figure out problems and tries to reason with people, avoiding violence except as an absolute last resort. When he fights, he relies on casting spells from a safe distance. He is helpless at close range.

Canon: