Who's the most Problematique and why?
Oh god, they’re all problematic in their own, terrible ways.Worst offenders are:
Cécile Battile: Cécile has anger problems and a violent streak that they barely make an attempt to control. They’re also selfish, have cheated on their SO (Francois) multiple times, and can be fairly misogynistic; this stems from their internalised transphobia, but that’s a cause, not an excuse. For all their shitty behaviour though, they regret mistakes they’ve made, and try and make amends when they know they’ve caused damage.
André Battile: André also has commitment issues (Battile family trait, it seems), is a kind of a coward, and can be a straight up holier-than-thou jerk at times; he’s intelligent, knows it, and makes sure everyone else does too. He’s also a terrible father later down the line, and he and his kids have a very emotionally stunted relationship. He tries though, and he does love his family, even if he’s awful at showing it.
Benoit Saint-Claudin: Where to begin. This guy is an unrepentant arsehole. Mean-spirited, cruel, lacks empathy, a jerk to his family and his mistress (who deserves and really could do better), and uses his position as a military man to be openly aggressive. He has a brilliant mind and is a skilled tactician and fighter, but he’s…a git. If I’d known who Tywin Lannister was when I created Benoit, I’d have based him off him.
Francois Moreaux: He and Cécile aren’t quite as bad as each other, especially not at first; at the beginning of his story he’s naive and sweet. However, he lets years of bitterness and scorn get to him, and becomes bitter and scornful himself. He knows about Cécile’s infidelities and copes with it by having affairs himself, including with Cécile’s brother André (before he marries, though). In fact, he uses his relationship with André, who does actually begin to care for him, to hurt Cécile, and ends up hurting both siblings, and for a while, Francois doesn’t care much about that.
Quick fire round!
Évangeline Battile (Andé and Cécile’s youngest sister) - spendthrift and classist, Fabienne Meunier (André’s wife)- double agent, Luc Fontel (friend and associate)- close to being a mad scientist, Philippe Battile (Battile sibs’ dad)- worst dad ever
Overall, I’d say the most Problematic Ones are Cécile and Benoit.They’re both kinda shitty people.
Special shoutout to the cinnamon rolls: Henri and Mariette Battile (eldest and youngest Battile siblings), and Richard Meunier (Fabienne’s brother). I’m sorry I make you put up with your families’ bullshit.
Thank you! Sorry this got so long!
