If Olaf is 'in any case' 'removed', why is he the first guardian the Baudelaires have? (NCT)
As ever, Mr Poe's idiotic refrains are a source of great intellectual stimulation for theorists like myself, @snicketstrange and @snicketsleuth.
In TBB, Poe remarks that Olaf is a cousin of the Baudelaires, but
'in any case, he's removed.'
If he's removed, why is he the first person to fulfil the role of guardian figure to the Baudelaires?
Well, this question is answered quite explicitly in the Netflix series, with Lemony giving viewers a flashback (and his definition of it)!
Olaf does his improv thing, making up Yessica Haircut right there on the spot, and granting himself access to Poe's office...
...but Poe has a choice. He can choose to ignore this idiot, who just waltzes in with no paperwork or permission, or he can choose to listen to him, and more importantly/dangerously, trust him with regards to:
The reliability of Haircut's 'friend' Olaf
Haircut's definition of 'closest living relative'
Unfortunately for the Baudelaires, Poe chooses the latter and this, ultimately, is the stimulant/catalyst for the entire plot of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' to occur.
This could also explain the Baudelaires' stay with the Poes - in order for Poe to finalise the paperwork, as recommended by Haircut, for Olaf to become their guardian.
If he DIDN'T do ANY of this:
The Baudelaires end up at Monty's house. Straight away. NO questions asked.
By the time Olaf sets up a plan to infiltrate, Monty and the children (and Gustav, who would still be alive) would be in Peru.
¬ Th3r3534rch1ngr4ph, Unfortunate Theorist/Snicketologist
