LETS TALK CLARK RICHARDS AND SHAUNA BABCOCK.
SPOILER ALERT! The dynamics between the two characters is very interesting. So much to get into.
Babcock
A friend and I were discussing why Babcock and Richard's are so attracted to eachother, why the chemistry between the two of them is so strong. We came to the conclusion that it has a lot to do with the roles that each character plays in the others life.
Starting with Babcock we're talking about a young girl who hasn't ever really had a father figure or anybody who is a male authority in her life (notice the way she latches onto Fanning) She hasn't had the strong protector archetype (remember her step dad is a paedophile and her mother described him as a teddy bear I.e. a sick fxck). So when she meets Clark she sees a man on a mission who is willing to sacrifice. A man who is authoritative and takes the lead.
This isn't to say that Babcock isn't an independent woman or incapable of looking after herself (in her backstory we see her smash a bottle and stab a guy who was harrasing her friend so... Bad b**ch status confirmed)
However it is important to note that she still craves protection or at least some semblance of order and traditional structure. Not to get all psychological, but maybe this urge is driven by the need to safeguard the little girl that is still inside. (Note the way she talks to Nicole about mums and dads when criticising fannings killing spree idea)
There is nothing wrong with her wanting this, especially if we take into account the trauma she suffered as a child. The truth is humour, charisma and her love of horror movies was never going to be enough to cope. So her subconsciously wanting to attain a traditional family/realtionship makes sense.
Richards
He is interesting because I got the sense that he's looking to escape the confines of his character. A character built on years of abuse by his father the judge, being the black sheep of the family because he didn't gain "worthy" credentials like his siblings and training in the Marines.
Babcock seemingly works because she contains all the elements necessary for him to handle both personas. On one hand Babcock was also abused so there is a space to truly be vulnerable. On the other hand Babcock's white female fragility cannot be ignored and his urge to protect is maintained.
Season 2
I'm really intrigued to see season two. I really want to understand how Babcock is going to deal with the subconscious urge to be protected, but being stronger than the man who she wants protection from.
I really want to see how far Richardson has come because I don't see him kneeling to Fanning.