Alignments in “A Better Place” by harrodeleted
May 17th, 2018.
My attempt at making sense of everything in the highly entertaining webcomic that tackles the question “What would a child do with ultimate power?”
There are spoilers for “A Better Place” in this post, so be sure to experience it for yourself here if you haven’t already:
https://tapas.io/episode/87972
Really. Some things are best experienced firsthand.
Hannah - FOR HANNAH
It would be fascinating to see this change.
Empress Computer - FOR HANNAH
The fallible product of a fallible god, the E.C. would raze the world to protect her “daughter”. E.C. is being manipulated by Irtes/Mr. Bun.
She is also against Ninabelle - or, more specifically, she's against Ninabelle getting in the way of Hannah's goals in the slightest.
Needless to say, there is Civil War amongst the Advisors.
Ninabelle - FOR HANNAH
ALSO being manipulated by Irtes/Mr. Bun. Ninabelle is apparently kind and the model Advisor, aside from E.C.’s meddling. She totally meets the intended purposes of an Advisor, despite being a person and not one of Hannah's designs. Perfect.
Arma - FOR HANNAH
I think Arma’s crush on Ninabelle would dissipate if Nina proved to be against Hannah.
The “Oh shit” moment where Arma was introduced, followed by the quick defusing a la “it's okay, Arma has a crush on Ninabelle” was classic.
Frieda - FOR HANNAH
She's also aligned with/helping Irtes by virtue of a crush. She reconciles her loyalties by being unaware that Irtes is doing anything against Hannah, instead believing that Irtes has infiltrated the Anti-theists.
She has been lied to, no doubt.
[May 17th: recent updates support this.]
Tina - AGAINST HANNAH
A great discontentment broils within her. I was surprised to find out about her situation with Irtes/Mr. Bun. She knows she's being used by him, but she's willing to sacrifice control - for his benefit! - if it gets rid of Hannah. The “nothing can be worse than this” mentality.
But honey, I think it can.
Still, what is one to do when faced with an eternity of misery?
Nico - AGAINST HANNAH
Very unaware of all these plots and alignments. He just thinks he's part of a rebellion. Baby doesn't know how that works at the top levels.
And finally…
IRTES/MR. BUN - AGAINST HANNAH
Working with E.C.
E.C. is against the Anti-theists (Tina) though she doesn't seem to see them as much of a threat
Irtes is also working with Tina
E.C. is against Ninabelle
Irtes is also working with Ninabelle
Which means, in a roundabout-convoluted way, Mr. Bun is helping everybody work… against… themselves..?
It's the difference between an Absolute Moral sort of character (E.C.) and a Sneaky Manipulative sort of character (Bun).
I think he's definitely out for his own power. That, or his loyalty to Hannah is so obscured by his lies/actions that it's impossible to see.
I think it's fascinating how most of these characters are Advisors. The only source of power in this world is Hannah. They all derive power from being close to her. Of course a civil war erupts between them. Were they united, the whole world would be at peace.
That's why Theo is special, too. He's a source of power independent of Hannah. He is, in some ways, the anti-god of this world. The destruction to her creation. And, novelly enough, the hero to her villain… Hopefully.
