(Actually wanna scream and kms cause I wrote a whole essay about ep 20 and I get out of the app and my damn letter has disappeared).
But anyway let’s retry this. Thoughts and a bit of character study about ep 20.
It’s not a surprise I’m a Mendal lover. And what a lover damn..
Let’s begin with our man.
Jason is the best-written character in AS, and I mention this specifically because we're talking about Beemoov 😭, which isn't exactly known for its writing skills. So I want to give credit where credit is due for taking a character who started out as a stupid villain and turning him into this.
I can understand that it is complex for many people and inconvenient, but what particularly appeals to me is the maturity and confidence it exudes. In his reactions or actions, in his approach to his feelings or things, he truly embodies the idea that relationships are neither black nor white. In my opinion, it is the most mature relationship in mcl.
The metaphorical discourse of the game to talk about his feelings? It's undoubtedly the best discourse we've had in the history of mcl. He laid his cards on the table and was frank: he's ready to commit to her, what happened the day before wasn't just a fling, and he's willing to wait for the other players to leave the game. But he never said how they were l supposed to leave.
I understand the confusion, disappointment, and disgust of the female players at his acceptance of Ioan's card.
But Jason has nothing left to lose today, Ysa's image of him is already pretty fucked up, and sure, making a pact with his ex isn't the best way to restore his image, but hear me out, this man, never done anything cruel or harmful to Ysa. They say you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? Jason got Ioan's character: a capricious, playful, manipulative, cruel, womanising, frivolous and casual man. And what has Ioan seen in Jason so far? The same thing. Ioan thinks he is dealing with a fellow. And that is precisely the card Jason intends to play. He is ready to remove the extra players from their game.
And I admit that it could have been done differently, or that he should have reassured Ysa afterwards by sending her a message. But in front of Ioan, he had to appear credible, because by doing this, he had just proved to him that they were cut from the same cloth, and gained a great deal of his trust. Jason was presented to us as a resentful man, obviously wanting to avenge his kitten. He can't stand what Ioan still evokes in her (disgust, fear of commitment and betrayal), but by doing so, isn't he sacrificing the little trust he has managed to establish? I don't know, and I think two things can be true at once.
And actually it’s quite simple. If you doubt his intentions or start to feel resentful towards him, try this: make a list of the number of times he has DELIBERATELY and DIRECTLY hurt Ysa. You should have nothing. Because he has never been a direct threat to his girl.
Jason Mendal is many things, but he is undoubtedly a man of his word. He protects and shows unwavering loyalty and a special affection towards his loved ones, who become his priority. (The only people to date being his father and Ysa.) When he told her he was going to destroy Devenementiel, he meant it. When he told her he enjoyed spending time with her, he meant it. When he told her he was ready to commit and wait for her, he meant it too. But the slightest thing in his EXTERNAL actions is enough to shake the image she has of him. (Well, in this episode, it affects her directly, so legit girl.)
But til this now, it’s in my man’s character to act this way AND he never done something reckless so I give him the shot.
Now let’s talk about poor Ysa cause it wasn’t her day lmao. When she mentioned the nightmares, the fear to commitment, or the nauseous I felt really bad for her..worse part surely is the room intern monologue. Heartbreaking.
Besides...the dialogue in front of the field, God...she's so hard on him ?
Her feigned indifference, comparing their relationship to her ex’s one, calling their relationship ‘toxic’, when just the day before she had accused him of wanting to use her? She talks about her feelings, but what about his? And I've noticed that she hardly ever takes them into account because she maintains this image of him as a CEO who is uncompromising in business and arrogant, but he has repeatedly shown courage, vulnerability and tenderness. So girl, why? Why do you still have this image of him as an imp who wants to use you, to destroy you, when he has never done anything directly AGAINST YOU to make you think that? She still has this image of him as a big bad boss, manipulative and deceitful, white cis man who just wants to use her, even though he has constantly shown her the EXACT OPPOSITE. Like ep 18 ??? She’s soooo unfair with him. He showed vulnerability, honesty, tenderness, and even concern for her without ever being intrusive but she just seems to not care. He never blames nor condemns her for how she feels or how she expresses it (unlike her other crushes...).
Actually I find Ysa hypocritical. She refuses to admit her feelings and face them honestly. It’s above fear of disappointment it’s pure deny.
He has been opening up to her for MONTHS, showing his vulnerability, making his intentions clear to her, and she can’t get that, as in Severance, there is an “innie” and an “outie” Jason: Jason at work/facing competition, and Jason with her. I understand perfectly well that this projection stems from her romantic past, that it can be confusing and prevent her from taking a stand. But I would also say that she herself refuses to admit that what she feels and experiences with Jason leads to something she herself has experienced and hated: lies and deception. Whatever anyone says, she lies to others and hides part of her life from them, which could definitely cause problems if others found out (personally, I believe she can do whatever she wants, but that's another debate).
She accuses him of using her, but she is receptive to their game; that's how their dynamic works. She likes their game, she likes their dates and the moments they spend together, the risk he represents. She is the first to call him when she needs him, the first to savour the moments they spend together. And it's as if she blames him for doing the same? In short, her inconsistency and coldness are very frustrating in the face of Jason, who does nothing but peel away layer after layer to reveal himself more fully. Also, his lack of responsiveness doesn't bother me. It gives her time to accept their relationship, admit her feelings and open up to what they could have together. The ball has been in her court for a while now. It's true to his character, and honestly, in his case, I think his interest in her speaks for itself. It's never been about frivolity with us; he wants to give us a real chance to be together. He's been subtly making that clear for a while now. He has been clear about what he expects from her, and that's what's refreshing about his character: he doesn't hide his feelings for us. We've been doing this for about a dozen episodes now. This guy has been yearning for months.
Anyway I’m so gay for Brune bruh- I have a thing for hot face and big mouthed girl 🫦
girl looks at all the opportunities to roasted this bitch and for that she deserves to be our confident (+ she suspects already something AND Ysa cruelly needs friends so let’s be bestiiiieeess).
Can’t wait to be Mrs Mendal cause oh I LOVE this man.