#dad patrol

[mobylace]

God bless the gas station lady 💕

[mattzerella-sticks]

I have a feeling that the Candlemaker, unlike being the unconscious representation of nuclear holocaust, is actually going to be part of an ancient rite that kids/girls from whatever peoples Dorothy is descended from that symbolizes growing up. I think with how the visions of her mother showing up with those red boots, telling her she's ready, all helped clue in that this isn't really 'evil'. It's part of a custom lost because the only one who knew what would happen - her mother - is gone, whereas her father has no clue what is going on and is relying on his experiences and culture to define the situation.

Which I think fits in with the larger narrative of this season: parents and their effect on children. Parenting has been a huge recurring theme throughout s2, from Cliff and Clara reconnecting, Larry and his sons, Rita and her mother, Jane, Miranda, and Kay's 'dad', ultimately to Dorothy and Niles. Some have had parents do things that ultimately affects how they grew up and act now, others did things as parents they're not proud of/didn't see any other way of doing, and some are both. But Cliff I think spoke to the heart of the season when he talked to Clara. They all need to break the cycle and grow and be better. It's not up to the future generation to fix their problems, they'll have their own.

Case in point: Dorothy needs to grow up and face the monsters on her own, without help from her dad and/or Candlemaker. When Niles realizes this, he can actually start being a good dad. Because she can't stay a little girl forever like he wants. His guilt is suffocating both of them. If he truly wanted to protect his daughter, he wouldn't want to always be there to watch over her. Instead teach her to survive and make good choices on her own. Which is what I think the Candlemaker battle is supposed to represent, a final test so to speak.

These have just been my thoughts after each episode lol...

[canadachild9]

Okay, but Clara calling Cliff “Dad” and Cliff responding with a high-pitched “yEaH?” made me clutch my chest. My heart was ready to burst.

[ladyorlandodream]

“I am a Super Hero, Victor I am...the BEE KEEPER!”

[stolligaseptember]

vic and rita superhero montage, jane and larry bonding, god this episode is already so powerful

[azrael-the-lucifan]

IF CLIFF DOESN’T GET TO GO TO CLARA’S WEDDING I WILL SCREAM. HE DESERVES TO BE HAPPY DAMNIT!

[the-desolated-quill]

Did we really need to flashback to Crazy Jane in the well? I feel like the dad was one of those things that’s best left unsaid. We know she was abused and traumatised, but we don’t really need specifics. I just feel it detracts from the story and robs it of its power.

Also Roni being a quote/unquote ‘bad guy.’ Um... I don’t know how to feel about that. I liked the scene with her talking with Cyborg and if they had just left it at that, I would have been fine with it, but then having them fight, albeit briefly... it puts a definitive line in the sand that really shouldn’t be there. Are you seriously telling me that Crazy Jane or Larry wouldn’t have done the same thing to their abusers if given the opportunity? Hell, we’ve seen the Doom Patrol kill people before, but Roni we’re supposed to disapprove? Challenge Cyborg’s morality, sure. Have him disagree with her, okay. But by actually fighting her, that just cheapens the conflict. Again, like with Jane, less is more.

[proverbialschoolmarm]

Dad Patrol