#atonement arc

[politicalpadme]

It's been one year since I visited a galaxy far, far away at the Galactic Starcruiser and today I bring you a NEW episode of Endless Anakin! Inspired by the song “Ready As I’ll Ever Be” from Tangled: the Series, my love of a multiverse, and my boyfriend, Lt. Harman Croy.

Note: I am posting this on the anniversary of my voyage, but the episode was recorded before the Starcruiser was discontinued. I am truly sad more of us will not get to have the experience.

[ljf613]

was trying to figure out why I have such a different understanding of child villains/antagonists and their potential for change, and I realized that a lot of it probably starts with the fact that my favorite book series in high school was Yoshitoki Ōima's A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) manga, where the entirety of book one is spent building up the main character, Shoya Ishida, as the most obnoxious, unlikable, inexcusable, Problématique piece of human garbage imaginable (kid literally bullies a deaf girl to the point of suicidality for no other reason than because he's bored and she's different)-- only to quickly flash forward to half a decade later, where he's already gone through many of the stages of the typical Redemption Arc to become a Completely Different Person.

But as we see very quickly, that arc has failed. Ishida may not be a trash human being anymore, but he isn't anything else, either. His suffering and debasement haven't healed or empowered him, just made him depressed and deeply cynical about human nature. What eventually saves him isn't changing who he is, it's making up for what he's done.

It's actually a facinating point of discussion in the whole redemption vs atonement debate.

In fact I would argue that the story shows, over and over again, that it's significantly less important for Ishida, as well as many of the other complex characters in this gorgeous series, to change or correct their thoughts and feelings than their actions and behaviors. In this essay, I will--

[void-tiger]

Me: [looks at fictional character] “You are an absolute ASS and a victim of your own making but you. Are. Going. To. Make. Better. Choices. And. GROW!!!”

[agentrouka-blog]

What is the narrative reason for Jaime losing his hand, Theon sympathising with Jeyne and risking his life to save her or Sandor Clegane's therapy in Quiet Isle . Popular notion is that all of these events kickstart the character's redemption arc (sort of ). Grrm was surprised by the positive reviews for these 3 characters and even classified them as villains.

I would say these characters are presented with challenges that call for self-discovery more than being on a path of redemption. 

The only one out of the three who has truly - TRULY - taken a step toward self-discovery and atonement (not redemption) is Theon, because he took a true personal risk to save Jeyne, and invested so much personal motivation to specifically saving her (as opposed to leaving her behind like he wanted with Kyra) that he carried her with his brittle, destroyed body. He understands himself as a villain, he actively chooses to act differently, he takes a real risk with a real cost. 

Jaime returning to Harrenhal and jumping into the bear pit was dramatic but his whole plan hinged on others standing ready to save him. Same with all other kind acts. They didn't come at true cost. He is simply being less of a villain, while barely understanding himself to be a villain to begin with. He is flirting with change, but it is very low-effort. Very shallow.

The Hound has done zero to atone. Saving Arya at the Twins was good for Arya but hardly selfless. He is left directionless.  He is simply resting in suspension. Is he contemplating his own actions? Does he feel guilt over Mycah, or almost raping Sansa, or any of his other past acts, or is he simply exhausted by his life of anger? We'll see. 

I don't see true redemption for any of these characters because they are essentially child killers, and you don't come back from that, but there is dignity in true honesty and atonement, and each of these characters has a greater chance of reaching that place than, say, Dany or Tyrion. 

[straybaddog06]

Rena is probably my favourite higurashi character not gonna lie.

[void-tiger]

Sometimes it’s “they’re FUN or GREAT Characters exactly because they’re terrible.”

And sometimes it’s “Go. To. Fucking. THERAPY!!! You Asshole!” with a side of “but I can see how they could be and do better!!!”

[void-tiger]

I think I know how I’m going to deal with Lotor in Gemini, now. (Or, well. Maybe a side story?) And it’s something I find both poetic and satisfying for his story as it stands with canon and not letting him off the hook for what he’s done.

[cravingbl]