Ethan’s character introduction in ‘Bad Timing’ as him visiting his mother in the hospice and not wanting to leave makes so much sense for his characterisation. His sense of duty, personal responsibility to others that will go on to heavily inform his relationship to Cal (who’s introduced in the next episode).
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Cal woke up early one morning after his mother had died, hearing sobbing from the kitchen in the flat he shared with his little brother. He got up quickly and walked in “Nibbles?” he asked softly “Don’t you dare” he said quietly looking away from Cal. Cal blinked in surprise “What are you talking about Nibbles?”
Ethan stood up and pushed his chair back, so heavily that it fell over. Slamming his hand onto the kitchen table “DON’T YOU DARE CALL ME THAT!” he roared. Cal stepped away from his brother in shock, he’d never seen him quite so angry “Ethan?” he asked gently “What…?” Ethan looked at him “Are you joking? Are you actually kidding me? I could list So many reasons I have to be angry with you right now! But lets start with the three latest infractions shall we?”
Cal snorted then “Infractions? What are you…?” but he stopped at the withering glare his brother sent his way. Raising his hands in defence he stepped back a bit “Okay! Okay. I’m listening. Why don’t I make tea and we can talk about it? Make peace?” It was Ethan’s turn to snort with laughter, but he sat down at the table anyway as Cal moved to the kettle.
“Alright then. Go for it. What are my most recent ‘infractions’?” Ethan sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I can think of three pretty big ones.” Cal looked at him as he brought over the tea for him “Tell me. I’m listening… and then maybe… you could give me space to explain why I did what I did?”
Ethan accepted the mug from him. Hands shaking slightly and so Cal placed it down on the table gently “It’s okay” Ethan looked up at him a lot calmer than before “Um… thanks. Yeah we can talk about it. But can you sit down first? I’ve got a bit of a headache?”
Looking slightly surprised that he’d agreed, Cal took a sip of his own tea and moved toward the table, pulling out the chair opposite to his brother. “Sorry, Of course I can” he sat down then. Patiently waiting for Ethan to feel comfortable enough to start the conversation. Ethan took a deep breath then “There’s.. Um.. there’s three things that I’m especially annoyed about right now.”
Cal nodded and put his mug down on the table. “Go ahead. I’m listening.” Ethan waited for a minute picking up his mug and taking a sip of his drink. “Right so.. Um… firstly. There’s the fact that you found Emilie without me, I mean of course I’m glad to have known her before… but I would have liked to have a say in meeting her. Secondly you did the Huntington’s tests behind my back. I’m not even sure how you managed that.”
Cal opened his mouth to respond to that but Ethan held up a hand to stop him “And I’m not sure I want an answer to that. It’s done now, there’s nothing we can do to change it.. Or the results of said tests. Which brings me to point three. Why the bloody hell did you keep the results from me? ”
The older one of the two took a deep breath at that “Okay, so those are all big questions. Valid questions. But big ones. If you really don’t want to talk about the second one. Then we won’t” he paused for an indication of whether he should talk about how he went about doing the tests. Ethan shook his head and Cal continued “I didn’t tell you about Emilie for two reasons. Well… firstly because I didn’t know if you knew that Matilda wasn’t our biological mother. But also because I wasn’t sure I’d actually be able to find her.” Ethan nodded in response then.
“Okay that’s fair, you didn’t want to change my life without actual cause, but I would also just like to raise the point that finding out about it all in one go has sort of thrown my life upside down. I don’t know what to do now Cal.”
The older one of the two considered this looking sadly at his younger brother “I know Nibbles.” he tested but when he didn’t get a reaction he continued “That’s what I’m here for. I’m your older brother. Your not getting rid of me any time soon. I will be here every single step of the way.” He got up and moved around the table so he was sat next to his brother
“Listen… Ethan. You might not like this right now. But I love you. You are important to me and I will be right by your side the whole time. You hear me?” Ethan looked at him for a second as if trying to figure him out. “Do you hear me?” Cal repeated he blinked for a long second to rid himself of the tears in his eyes “I hear you. I just .. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.”
“Nibbles. Listen to me. You will never ever be a burden. You are my brother. You are important. And I love you.” He moved forward and hugged him, not fully expecting the hug he received in return.
“Thank you. I’m sorry. I love you too.” Cal smiled slightly “I know you do. There’s absolutely no need to apologise. I completely understand. I’m sorry about it all. I should have told you sooner.”
“Hey, it’s okay. No. It wasn’t the best way to find out. But I know now, and that means I-”
“We”
Ethan nodded a little acknowledging the interjection. “We can face this. Together?” He asked kind of hopefully. Cal nodded in agreement, hugging his brother again. “Together.”
