#brio asks

[crimezaddyrio]

Is rio to Beth the way that Annie’s eyebrows are to Greg? Exotic and fun only because Nancy plucks hers? Did they make that analogy just for Greg and Annie or for both? Let me hear your thoughts!

Hi @mcmacenzy ! Good question and I have to say no. But I’ll tell you why! I  think what’s great about this show is the various types of relationships being explored and portrayed for us! So I’m gonna break this down using Greek philosophy on LOOOVE. (Keep in mind, a relationship with someone doesn’t necessarily tie them/each other to one type only, because there can a mixture! (LONG POST)

For Annie and Greg: 

Ludas: playful love

Annie and Gregg have a certain special relationship in which they have a history with one another. In scenes with them alone, there is a playfulness, reminiscent of how they probably were as young teens falling in love. They joke, they tease, its a playful love. 

Storge: kinship; familiarity.

Their familiarity and comfort also plays a key role in their romance/love with one another. They went to high school, high school sweet hearts, they have a child together, Sadie, and it ties them, binds them to one another. It is no surprise that these feelings erupt in certain moments as they joke and play.

For Ruby and Stan: 

Pragma: Everlasting love; 

Honestly, Ruby and Stan? They got the kind of love that goes beyond duty, “the highest form of love; the true commitment that comes from understanding, compromise and tolerance.” They have pragma and from pragma all other loves kind of merge, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Despite all their obstacles, secrets, lies, and sacrifices their love is one that comes from years of dedication, contestation, loyalty, and love. 

Goals.

For Beth and Dean: 

NO LOVE! NEXT.

For Beth and Rio: 

Eros: passionate, erotic, sexual love

“The Greeks feared that kind of love the most because it was dangerous and could get them into the most trouble”

I MEAN, COME ON. NEED I EXPLAIN? (Im gonna anyways)

We all felt it, they felt it, the writers felt it, the attraction, the innate desire between two people. Two individuals who we wouldn’t suspect to be drawn together, have been pulled together.  See, it is hard to call what they have love, therefore I coin their ‘love’ eros. It is there, and even in scenes in which they seem like they are about to kill each other, eros just burns underneath. 

There are little snippets of other types of love/affection beginning to emerge though, not gonna lie, but we have to watch and see. I’m not sure if they have the potential to reach pragma, but a lot of other loves/affections can emerge from eros. 

BUT LONG ANSWER SHORT @mcmacenzy: Beth and Rio have a different type of attraction/love/tension compared to Annie and Gregg. Annie and Gregg have that ludas and storge, while Beth and Rio are dealing with eros (with a little mania I might argue). 

Bonus:

For the OT3: 

Philia: love shared between friends. 

“It was more valuable and more cherished than Eros.”

This love is my favorite love. its the love maintained and cultivated by friends. Its the love I have for my own two longest best friends (we call ourselves Tatlong Moqueteros). I want to bring in the OT3′s love because, not only is it the center of this show, but it calls to what is valued in love itself. Passion, dedication, loyalty, brute honesty, and trust. Love of friends, is the love that goes beyond the physical, but the soul.

[crimezaddyrio]

If the grand gesture isn’t Dean’s murder then I don’t want it😂😂😂😂

Honestly anon? High key want Dean gone, but lowkey murder isn’t gonna be the way to go (THIS IS A PERSONAL OPINION SO EVERYONE COMMES De FCKDOWN before u try to fight me lmao) like everytime I come on the GG tag people just want Dean dead and gone and like I get it but there are other ways he can be GONE. ANYWAYS ⤵️

(Long post!)

As for the grand gesture!!! I have been peeking at some of the theories (and I’m trying my best not to for my own health lol) but I think... it can be one of two ways.

So we all know BRIO has their relationship status as: Complicated. Some of their issues is communication and trust and navigating their romance/intimacy alongside their business relationship. So I think the grand gesture has to be one of the two or a combination of both? Like for one, and Christina Hendricks has been saying this for Beth’s perspective, is “am i your girlfriend” or..??? And I think it’d be Rio being really declarative to her, or Annie and ruby, his crew, DA/FBI/Turner/Lawyer/Marcus, or all of them at once like “YEAH I DIG THE SUBURBAN MOM WHO MAKES GLUTEN CUPCAKES, THE FUCK BOUT IT? POST UP”

Or business wise, and highly theorized, is him handing her the title of king/Queen. And that can be combined with their romance/intimacy (10/10 do not recommend sleeping with coworkers or ur boss. Gets messy y’all) but yeah I think this grand gesture no matter what is about Rio doing what he does for Beth in a small yet grand symbolic way: empowering her.

Rio has this interesting way in which (and I love the writers for this) he doesn’t necessarily GIFTS/GIVES Beth power, rather he directs her to the opportunities for power. Kind of aids her in realizing that she has this potential and special/uniqueness to her that she doesn’t realize. I think it’s special when someone or a partner is meant to compliment and bring out your best qualities or helps you realize them and that’s why I love Rio for doing that for Beth (despite his unorthodox ways of showing it i.e breaking cars, gun in face, etc etc)

[crimezaddyrio]

I liked what you said about Beth and Rio being in a relationship. So many people seem to put Rio in this little box of him being an uncaring gangbanger that can't possibly care for someone. I think Beth and Rio actually have a lot in common and with a little communication and effort could be a really great and unique couple.

Me at Beth & Rio:

I CONCUR, ANON. Seeing Beth’s Book Club calendar also shows us that they do communicate off screen (which I feel ROBBED, but what’s new?) That’s what I really loved about 2x08! We got to see them in a more friendly and comfortable moment (granted amidst a crisis) but it was great and the quality content BRIO dialogue I have been craving (still do fuck!) so I look forward to 2x09 (SQUEE!!!) we are definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY, gonna get juicy dialogue (and sexxxy times 😉✨❣️)

[crimezaddyrio]

Maybe it’s just me but in the promo for next weeks GG episode it looks like when rio says “oh you think you’re special” they’re still pretty far apart. And then when Beth says “you need me” I feel like they’re closer. Maybe I’m just seeing things. But I feels like after he says that she takes a step closer to him. And says you need me. So she’s like. Challenging him and being like. Do it. And I just love that tension.

LEMME TELL YOU ANON, WHEN THIS SCENE HAPPENS, YOU WILL HEAR ME SCREAMING MY ASS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT.

I can agree, and definitely this is going to be a lengthy conversation…involving a gun. (and some tension (be that sexual or non)), but you know what? Looking at her saying “you need me” it just brings me back to when Beth told him in 1x02, “Roll the dice. Pull the trigger.” That energy just echoes that Beth who was not going to go down without a fight, who would call the man whose about to kill her a freaking IDIOT. And I love that. 

I definitely believe that they have a conversation on whatever the fuck Beth did and they just inch closer, and closer, and closerrr and the tension just AAAAH! It’s a challenge, its Beth standing up to Rio, not in a business context, per se, but on a intimate relationship one (they have a weird thing goin on with a freaking label but its there!!!) They are so messy lub them. 

But yeah I’ll just be here suffering till Sunday night :) 

(I am happy that this Beth is making her comeback, like that DICK BOMB, but this pussy nuclear. And like I’ve said I don’t wanna romanticize violence, but I think whats great about this ship is how they teeter so close to that, I think thats what people find titillating about them.)

[crimezaddyrio]

I’m a major brio fan but a small part of me hopes Dean is able to redeem himself and make it work for Beth and give her everything she deserves. Am I crazy?

YOU ARE.

(LONG POST!)

JK ANON! LMAO

So I have been thinking on what you said. And…strangely, for people in this fandom, especially my fellow BRIO shippers, I understand and believe that is  valid, to hope that Dean changes for the better. So I’m just gonna address this before I get some anon hate or anger from Brio shippers (I SHIP BRIO HARDCORE, DONT U TRY TO COME FOR ME): THESE FEELINGS ARE VALID!!!!! Especially in our society where it is difficult to navigate these complicated relationships and canceled culture, and thats the thing ya know? do you forgive? do you try to make it work? or is it a relationship that has always been broken? or was unhealthy to begin with? I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers, but I will say that everything around Beth, Rio and Dean is super. super. super SUUUUUUUPPERRRR complicated.

I also wanna argue that Beth struggles with that too, ya know? Wanting to hope that Dean can get it together, and hey maybe this gender roles switch will aid in that? Or just give light to their already complicated dysfunctional marriage. (She admitted to Amber she forgave him BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT THE OTHERS)

Here’s what I have seen going around and something that I have always hoped for: that Beth ends up with NONE OF THEM. 

I KNOW. COnTROVeRSIaL. Fight Me.

but listen: this show is about women, centering women and their relationships, who they are outside of the titles or roles of ‘mother’ ‘sister’ ‘daughter’ ‘wife’ ‘side piece’ ALL OF IT. These titles/roles INFORM their experience and influence who they are, for sure, but it should be about these women, Beth in particular, to navigate this crime world, their lives, relationships, and just yeah. Life. I believe her and Dean can make it work as PARENTS, partners in a family context, not romantic. And people have been shown to be able to do that! To work together as parents, not lovers, because their kids? Their kids should matter more than their romantic relationship. I think they would be better off separated.

as for Rio…. sigh… its like that thing from  Inside Out:

Rio makes for a pivotal character in Beth’s life, but I don’t think they can be endgame (GG WRITERS PROVE ME WRONG PLZ). But like Inside Out, he makes for a good fond memory, one that contributed to Beth’s growth, and that she will look back on with…maybe love? or just tenderness. *cries in corner*

[crimezaddyrio]

I feel like a jealous Rio would try to ravage Beth so hard when another guy is around who tries to seek her attention. He would use sex, pulling out all his best tricks, to make sure she couldn't even think about another guy. All she would see and think of is him.

@msnikkimoneypenny!!!!! I SECOND THAT OMG. Like honestly would not put it past Rio to be a little jealous. ALSO i THINK IT WOULD BE A NEW EMOTION FOR HIM. JEALOUSY. LIKE FUCKIn..... RIO?! HIM JEALOUS!? OF WHO!? Boi got money, swag, charisma, style. What the fuck he gotta be jealous of? But hold up, Beth ain’t his regular honey. Beth is different, Beth is Elizabeth, and Rio, is Rio. They are two people no one would imagine ever getting together. LIKE EVER. THEMSELVES INCLUDED! 

So this kind of drives Rio a little wild, It not only excites him, but it now poses a different set of ways in which he now has to figure out how to be with Beth. Rio has tried to figure out Beth and like she surprises him. As much as everyone is like OH MY GOD HE KNOWSSS HERRRRR, but he also said, she is “way more interesting” than what she even she believes of herself. So Rio wants to explore this dynamic, and he is hyper aware of who he is. So how does he secure himself in the relationship? Sex. 

If Rio knows anything about himself, he knows hot to lay that shit down and lock it. Cue *Everyday by Ariana Grande* after BRIO sex. 

[crimezaddyrio]

Not to be a stick in the mud, but like how do u see brio working out long term? Itd be different if they were both these carefree young single ppl but they have kids and families. Its not like rio can just be a goddamn stepdad like the chemistry is OBVIOUSLY there and they do genuinely care about and support each other but do u think they could have a long term relationships, cohabitation, (marriage???!!! Kids??!!!!!!!!) Like what would that even look like 1/2

“Like i cant see beth living a straight up gangsta life especially with her kids and i cant see rio living a surburban pinterest life ya feel? (Plus all the drama like beth is rlly gonna introduce rio to her kids like hey babes this guy shot ur dad, threatened to kill me, put me and all yall in danger, is a straight up criminal but we’re in love???) Like what is the scenario where this will work cuz they better have one theres no way i can see either of them with anyone else 2/2″

ANON! I am so sorry for this late reply. I am finally getting to asks! 

(LONG POST!)

To start off: I mean… did any one of us in the damn fandom prophesied or even think that fuckin RIO… gangster, gangbanger, gangfriend, RIO, would be part of or be in the environment of a…

COUNTRY CLUB TENNIS COURT BOUJEE ASS PLACE?! 

HERES THE THING: 

WE. STILL. HAVE. NO. FUCKIN. IDEA WHAT RIO’S LIFE IS LIKE! NOR HIS TRUE FEELINGS FOR BETH! ITS INSINUATED AND HINTED BUT OUR ASSES TRULY DON’T KNOW!!! We just know his business or his crime life! Which is why I am very critical of all these theories and headcanons of the characters because we want them to be one way or another based off of: our fantasies, what we wish to happen, or what we gather from our own personal/empirical view of life which is like what makes fandoms fun of course, ya know? And then we get into these discourses and theories which we all (myself included) get convoluted blah blah blah. But to answer your question (I KNOW I NEED TO GET TO THE POINT LOL) is that we cannot strike the possibility off that they may be able to be endgame. 

Rio’s Case:

I mean Rio is shown to navigate between these environments which he would be perceived by society at large  as dangerous based off his looks, race, and demeanor, AND HIS ASS HANDLES IT JUST FINE LOL I am not saying that Rio doesn’t notice that pressure or stigma that surrounds him (people of color know this shit), he is hyperaware of where and who he deals with.

SOOOOO in that regard I think Rio is fine. I would theorize he lives in a safe neighborhood where Marcus can grow up, and sure he might get the snarky look, but he is paid and he has his kid. BETH HOWEVER IS ANOTHER STORY.

Beth’s Case:

So as this season thus far, and based off future synopses, Beth (as well as Annie and Ruby) are still navigating the crime world. There is goin’ to be a point in which Beth will attempt to leave (I say attempt because we getting season 3 and episode 11 synopsis DEFINiTELY is telling) which becomes the biggest lesson by Rio and kinda the point of this season: you can’t leave, figure it out, you’re in the great game now. (See what I did there GoT Fans out there?). SO Beth has to grapple and navigate this world, situate herself in it, and the relationships she cultivates in it (aka RIO)  So at the end of the day I think its gonna be up to how Beth develops as a character and if she can finally accept and adjust herself to this new environment. She has potential in it to be great, as Rio says, but she is held back by the easy, the mainstream, and morals of society.

In Conclusion:

[crimezaddyrio]

what’s the significance behind the ‘c’mon ma it’s too good’ line? does rio say it bc he sees beth not telling dean abt them hooking up as a ‘it’s never gonna happen again so why tell him’

Hi anon! Sorry for the late reply!!  HMMMM I DEFINITELY. DEFINITELY DEFINITELY do not think he said it like “ha its not gonna happen again so just tell him.” Nah nah. Its very likeee nuanced (This is gonna be long yall). Number one, I believe that partly, Rio was surprised that Beth didn’t say jack to her husband. Like yeah Beth is an amazing liar, but after the shit Dean went though, ya think an already guilty conscious would come clean, ya know? Considering she literally slept with the dude who shot her husband. 

So I gotta look at this as an actor from the progression of the change in tone/beats. 

Surprised with a mix of a smile.“We honestly had bomb ass sex and I think that was enough to come clean to your shit husband.” He expected her to tell Dean. 

Then he says, “You didn’t tell him, huh?” A little amusement in his voice. “Oh baby, you really didn’t tell him?”  Rio likes a little drama. He’s a total tea drinker. Literally and figuratively. He is looking at Dean’s expression in this, and thats where I think there is like a “oh you didn’t tell the kid Santa Claus doesn’t exist?” He really doesn’t consider Dean as a threat, or as an adult for that matter.

Now this, he transitioned from looking to Dean and then to Beth. This was a loaded fucking statement. It was, “this thing between us, its too good. What happened in the bathroom? too good. What we could be? too. fuckin. good.” TBH I think the significance of this was Rio now had a whole new set of expectations, he has these feelings coming up, both of them have addressed their tension, BUT IN A NON VERBAL WAY (which drives us all crazy about what is going through BOTH THEIR HEADS.)  THROUGH SEXXXY BATHROOM TIMES. 

So just his expression right when Beth says, “Don’t” is so fuckin interesting anon. 

He bites his lip. Stopping himself, thinking, considering, being fucking considerate to what she wants for fuckin once. WHICH IS SO FUCKING MIND BLOWING REALLY CAUSE LIKE WOAH FOR ONCE HE KINDA IS NOT GONNA ROAST HER. He is critical of her, and he listens to her. However this relationship will totally shift the dynamic of their conversations and how they are going to navigate it from here on! So its a little hard for us all to predict what they will, do or say now! Honestly I don’t think any of us BRIO tumblrs can really accurately predict or say what for sure is gonna happen because they sure as hell don’t and Beth doesn’t want to put a label on it. 

Rio is no idiot, and yeah for sure he is rusty on fucking social etiquette cause he lives in the crime world, but when it comes to relationships, romance, friend, etc those get really convoluted because shit like that doesn’t last, trust has to be earned, and if you fuck up once, you fuck up forever (trust wise) So Rio doesn’t trust easy, not just for the obvious reasons, but because these romantic relationships just don’t last like that in this world nor do they necessarily fit. But maybe Beth could? She has the potential. Maybe this could work. Maybe a relationship is possible, for someone who can stand with him, as an equal, as someone who can handle this world, unlike the others before her who have fallen or left.