4 Pals Arc 2 Reaction Post
Attempt #2, let’s do this.
Adaptational choices I’m obsessed with: Iris as a trained fighter with a natural Freeze response to threatening men, too real, very good and important to talk about, love the nuance as opposed to the danger prone vs. pro martial artist with no fear dichotomy the Daphne character gets in Scooby Doo properties; Ace having anxiety is wonderful on a representation level AND on a Shaggy character choice level; all the Scooby Doo references from let’s split up to the making of really absurdly tall sandwiches give me life. Every Scooby reference makes me so happy, I love it. I’m still sad there’s no logical way we could see Ruby the dog, though. Also hell yeah so happy Sam is bisexual as well as Sidney, I am here for it.
Shipping: I’ve been shipping the Fred/Daphne dynamic since I was little and the show only danced around their flirting without confirming it, so when Sam and Iris start actively pairing themselves up to look for clues, cuddle and laugh together a lot, go on picnic dates, protect and comfort each other, and are otherwise adorable and really comfortable together, I kind of can’t help myself. I ship it, damn it. I do wish Sam would prioritize her comfort over the camera more, though. I guess I’m a multishipper, because I also like the Mystery Girls, but they need more scenes together tbh. On a brotp level I am really here for Sam and Ace and Ace and Iris this arc, especially. They’re great.
Plot: I totally feel for Sidney, she shouldn’t be saddled with all the work when Sam is perfectly capable of doing his own Googling, and she shouldn’t have to feel unsafe in her own home. I also hope the friendships stay intact through this. I also appreciate the highlighting of the unique ways being a woman interacting with men is often really scary, and I hope they shake off their harasser safely, I also sense something more behind Sam and Sidney’s equally intense reactions to each other and frustrations with the mystery thing this arc. Insecurities, personal history as friends, jealousy over Iris? What could they each be dealing with, that makes them so unable to get along? I’m so curious. Also, I initially thought the statues were being taken away by the city and/or the artists for maintenance and repairs, but maybe not? Given the threats, something is up for sure. I love this webseries so much.
