Because while I can make separate posts for each of these, my thoughts are running a mile a minute rn and I need to enlist these things I love (also spoilers for series)
Snotlout and Ruffnut and Tuffnut practically have a hive mind that instantly activates when it comes to chaos and mischief. Love how they acted in the Breakneck Bog episode.
Hiccup figuring out Johann due to the twins. This is sooo important to me cuz it shows he listens to them and takes their words under consideration and if I think back, this wasn't the case at the start way back in RoB but he started noticing that there was some logic to their crazy and by rtte he indulges them so much and actually goes along with their ideas and has lecture prepared for the others which are basically 'The twins serve a purpose'. The earliest I can recall of him appreciating Ruffnut and Tuffnut was when they accidentally discovered the proximity glow ability of fireworms which helped save Hookfang.
Gobber. In general throughout the franchise because Gobber is actually a really great character. He's the de facto guardian of the whole gang and their teacher and a listening ear and he has a multitude of skills and a morale that is endless no matter how hopeless a situation gets. He also silently scolded Snotlout back in 1st movie when he was making fun of Hiccup after the raid, disapprovingly pushing him away as he passed him. And his moments of comic relief are humorous but it doesn't bring down how formidable he is or the fact that he is the teens' mentor. Some of his dialogues to add to this: "That Hiccup got farther in a day than we did in a whole month. And we think we're the big strong vikings." "What are ya saying, Gobber?" "Stoick, it's the painting.". — "But, that's the very first sword you made, for yourself." "True. But whoever drove out that outcast boat, deserves her.". — "He gave as good as he got. It took six of those stingers to freeze the poor bugger.". — "Ah ah ah, not so fast. You got yourself into that trap, you need to get yourself out.". — "Do I look like a yak to you?!". — "You've made your family proud, Lass.". — "No. Just chopping onions." "There are no onions." "Not anymore, look what I used to chop them with.". — "I can buy them a few minutes if I give that thing something to hunt." "Then I can double that time.". — "The sun, is a shiny potato, covered in drawn butter.". — "He never listens." "Runs in the family.". — School is in session!". "Eh, I never liked school either.". — "Let me tell you something about fathers and sons, Hiccup. It's a father's job to listen to his son without letting him know he's heard a word.". — "This would get rid of it real quick!" "The thorn?" "The foot.". — "Every bit of boar-headed, stubborn viking you ever were.". — "A giant hammerhead yak riding a giant hammerhead whale!"
Toothless and Hiccup communicating, in all their mannerisms. Regular conversations only they can follow, silent looks, glaring contests, speaking through actions, hand signals, gestures, expressions etc.
Hiccup and Snotlout being so cousins all the time gosh, they're so funny.
Brief and rare moments of Hiccup being unhinged. Not smug or sassy. Actually unhinged. Ergo Thawfest, The Longest Day.
Twinsanity episode. Love it
''Toothless- Toothle'. Plama blat." Also this episode is my absolute favorite I can't stop laughing every time I watch it.
Ruffnut being the best big sister ever in multiple rtte episodes aaaaaahhhhhh. She'd do anything to protect her brother.
Speaking of the twins, I'm in love with that one part, even though it served to be comedic, where Tuffnut accidentally married Fishlegs and Ruff while the rest were away on axe delivery and then claimed that they're a package deal so if Ruffnut gets to live with her spouse, he'd be there too because twins are inseparable. It was funny but also, why couldn't this have been the case for you know what. And then Wingnut realizing he can't force Ruffnut to choose between her brother and him so he made the choice himself.
The green eyed sib trio. Please, I need more of their interactions! (My mind is subtly giving me images of a very young toddler age Hiccup being lost at sea or something and rescued and taken in by Oswald and growing up with those two insane siblings as their little brother.)
That moment in episode 13 where they left Thor's giant statue in front of Mildew's hut.
The courage of Fishlegs. The one character who gets scared most easily but who is the one brave enough to face his fears every time push comes to shove. He was the only person on Berk to not leave during speed stinger attack because Meatlug was paralyzed and he couldn't bring himself to leave her alone there.
First movie. Music. Score. Making my heart melt and soar and melt again and fulfilling me with a profound sense of nostalgia.
Toothless' faces of exasperation every time his rider does something reckless or stupid.
Hiccup is the impulse control of all his friends and his father and the dragon but he himself needs a leash and it takes either Toothless or everyone on hand to keep his impulses under control and it's just so funny.
The riders think they are the smart ones but no. Their dragons are practically babysitting them half the time.
The twins spouting logic and facts and holding so much knowledge and knowing modern medicine and ice cream and air resistance physics and multiple languages and themes of theatre and-
Hookfang. He is such a character. I love him.
You know how Hiccup's voice grows so sharp like a scolding mom's when he's speaking to Snotlout sometimes or that time when he was chasing Barf and Belch while trying to keep the dragon hidden from Dagur.
Hiccup casually checking his nails when he was caught by Alvin and in rtte when the twins were trying to bargain for help about the fireworm situation.
Stoick trying to be a better father and succeeding.
Astrid not letting Hiccup put his foot down. He simply cannot. His friends all think its hilarious.
Hiccup being so happy and excited to have the team back together in rtte. He missed them so much and felt left behind again when everyone was pursuing something in their life and he was left alone to chase his own passion.
The fact that Toothless was pretending like he was not involved and had nothing to do with Hiccup when Astrid had caught them sneaking out to look for Viggo.
Toothless pretending that Hiccup was dead to make Stoick apologize hjxbfjfkfkfkfj I will never get over that scene. I fucking love this dragon.
The protectiveness the gang has for one another and each other's dragons. Whole team was ready to help Hookfang, Hiccup and Astrid were there chasing Barf and Belch to keep them hidden from Dagur, have been seen looking after Meatlug when Fishlegs ignores her. They all tend to converse with Toothless at random moments. Snotlout sneaks chicken to Stormfly, the gang recognizes her squawk as distinct from other nadders too.
Also the fact the gang opens up to each other. Like, they live together for quite a while in an outpost base and the way they interact all the time, it's so, frank. Like they've been together their whole lives. Which they have because the series shows them recalling stuff about one another from when they were mere kids. They literally grew up together. But they weren't really friends all the time, but knew each other well. Now though, its a family, man. They're a family. They know each other's perks and routines and flaws and tendencies and habits and they talk so openly. There is zero formality whatsoever.
Everyone in the gang and their dragons waking Hiccup up in the middle of the night whenever there's a problem like them kids going "mom I frew up".
Astrid giving Spitelout extra punishments for no reason while coaching A Team cuz he's Snotlout's dad. She doesn't treat Snotlout the same way anymore so something tells it had less to do with being annoyed at Snotlout and more to do with her annoyance on how he raised Snotlout. Because you cannot tell me she hasn't seen him being emotionally abusive to her friend, she was the one who saw what was going on in Thawfest and guided Hiccup in the right direction. And she was there when Snotlout broke down about Hookfang being sick, she was the one to comfort in the first place.
Snotlout loving ice cream which the twins invented. Chaotic besties these three I'm telling you.
Torch smacking Toothless with his tail the next time they meet in season 2 as revenge for getting tail-swiped way back then.
Atali and the Wing Maidens trolling Snotlout the entire episode by pretending to be cannibals who would offer him as a human sacrifice.
Sharpshot. I miss him so much!
Stoick hitting a bullseye he'd been struggling to hit without even looking at it the moment he sees Hiccup and his face lights up.
Gothi taking no shit from anyone, chief included. Gothi casually cussing out. Gothi smacking idiots with her staff. Gothi pulling stubborn vikings by their ears or by hooking her staff around their necks. Gothi feeding Thor Bonecrusher spiced bladder to teach him a lesson. Gothi being mute but not failing to get her point across. Gothi giving Snotlout a smile when he tries to escape and sees her already saddled up. Gothi rolling her eyes. I love this old woman. Seriously. She's everyone's grumpy, sassy grandma.
Hiccup being a mom friend. In fact, I need to make a compilation of this.
The fact that the riders would do anything, literally anything for their dragons. Astrid poisoned herself to get antidote for Stormfly, went out in a thunderstorm while blind to search for her. Hiccup the pacifist was intentionally about to murder Dagur for feeding Toothless what could be poison, he took lightning for his dragon. Fishlegs' greatest fear was losing Meatlug. Snotlout openly showed his vulnerable side to his friends for the first time ever when his dragon was so sick he started weeping. He decided to stop being a dragon rider if it meant he couldn't fly Hookfang. The twins risked getting captured to rescue Barf and Belch.
The disability rep through the boys oh my gosh. It was so so important. As much as the jokes were made, they were said in light hearted teasing but also, it was displayed multiple times that Hiccup and Toothless were at a disadvantage when their prosthetics were taken away. And Toothless was always at a disadvantage when separated from Hiccup (and vice versa bcoz Hiccup is more danger prone than any creature on screen). Slipping on some surfaces, having to carry spares in case of emergency, losing all the spares and being immobilized till he worked it out etc. And not just the boys. I love how it's shown with other characters too. Like Gothi. She struggles to get her words across, only a few people can translate her scribbles, Gobber mispronounces what she writes but they glean her moods well enough and know not to piss her off because she doesn't let her lack of speech stop her from being expressive and formidable.
"That sheep is a maniac." "That sheep is invincible." "That sheep is insane!"
Remember that episode the oleanders got on Berk. I love the fact that the characters had visible and dark eyebags by the end of that episode, implying they've been skipping sleep due to worry and watching over their dragons.
The theme of letting go done right in Bing! Bam! Boom! episode.
The fact that Hiccup invented the Thunder Ear to hear sounds from far off but by the 2nd movie, it became a horn blown as signal in dragon race and it came to that because the twins would use it as a megaphone speaker for their morning talkshows back at The Edge.
Astrid immediately taking out her axe to murder Throk when he mentioned taking Ruffnut away to marry him against her knowledge or choice in the matter.
Falling drowsy to Heather'a lullaby only to startle awake when Hiccup started singing.
Wonder what happened after Gobber returned home with an entire horde of Boneknappers. Can you imagine the look on the villagers' faces? Priceless.
Hiccup calling Astrid "Mi'lady". Such a gentleman.
Need to talk about how trusting and close Hiccup and Snotlout have grown throughout the series. Going from "I'm going the exact opposite of where Hiccup says" to the point that Snotlout just goes, "If Hiccup said it, he's most definitely right and we follow him whether you like it or not so get moving and do as he says." And on the other hand Hiccup going from Thawfest to trusting Snotlout with his life. I just, love the development of their relationship.
Gobber playing panpipes in the background of Hiccup and Toothless having a glaring contest. This was the only moment of these two having a stare down, I need more. I headcanon they do that when they disagree. How would Berk react to this. Their local runt and his night fury having a glaring contest over minor disagreement. 5 minutes later, the two are seen gossiping about something random.
Tuffnut telling scary campfire stories to the dragons.
That's it for now. There is so much more I swear but I'm tired. Will share the rest some other time, perhaps individually, with analyses maybe.
How to train your dragon question (or I guess technically questions but related) that I want headcanon answers to because I'm interested in what y'all think, I'm currently watching Race to the Edge, and, so Gothi right? So in the movie the only time they acknowledge Gothi she only needs to nod or shake her head because that's all that her character is needed for, but in the show it's expanded upon that she doesn't speak and instead writes with her staff in dirt/sand/snow/etc. AND they make it a point that the ONLY people who can read her writing are Gobber, Hiccup, and Fishlegs.
We also know that it is not the regular written language as 1. We know that while there are definitely illiterate Vikings it does seem to be commonplace to learn to read and write on Berk, not just Stoick (and therefore extension Hiccup as heir) being a chief having to be able to read and write for treaties, Borks papers are a treasured and regularly displayed thing that are viewed, ALL of the teens are told to read the book of dragons meaning the expectation is that they are somewhat literate. 2. We get to see some of her writings and they are more so sketches, a "picture" language and occasional "chicken scratch".
Now my questions
1. Why specifically do you think Gothi doesn't speak? The two ways I've seen it explored in fanfics (that I unfortunately can't remember the names of at this time) were 1. Literally losing her ability to speak as a pack with the gods in exchange for her healer knowledge which, while very cool, is more based in mythology realm and Berk is definitely meant to be a bit more real (obviously minus the dragons, but for example they believe Thor doesn't like metal when the joke is that we know IRL the lightning is just attracted to metal as a conductor so the in world belief becomes silly to us, not fourth wall breaking but fourth wall joke writing kinda stuff) and 2. She had her tongue cut out as part of being the like, "level" of healer she is she needs to be "prevented from gossiping about her patients", which again, very cool. We know she's been nonspeaking and a healer since she was young so I think it may either be that she took a vow of silence similar to a monk, though this one would be related to her as a healer, maybe her "level" requires dedications such as a vow of silence OR maybe she was born mute and Berk had a belief of those with certain born disabilities were more spiritually tied to the gods and thus are put in positions such as healer.
2. What language specifically does she write in? Is it standardized across mute healers? Is it specific to her and if so how was it first translated? and on that note..
3. Why can only Gobber Hiccup and Fishlegs read it? Fishlegs I understand, he's an academic, he would be interested just because. Hiccup I understand, both from a character perspective of like Fishlegs, being kinda an academic, wanting to learn for the sake of having the knowledge, but also as heir to the chiefdom, it would be insanely important to be able to understand your best healer. Which leads to WHY CANT STOICK READ IT? Idk just feels weird (I remember him asking Gobber what she was saying which is how I know he can't read it) and on that note, why is it Gobber of all people who can also read it? (Obviously the IRL writing perspective reason is that stoick is busy doing Chief stuff and we need a familiar character that is not one of the main characters sometimes to be able to read it) but like in universe why do you think it's him of all people? do you think it has to do with him being a descendant of Bork?
Just something I think about while I'm watching the very beginning of Race To The Edge again
Okay so I was in the middle of a panic attack since finals are today (currently posting after I finished one and I have two more tomorrow) and I tried thinking of a comfort character to calm me down.
I ofc thought of the gang, Viggo, Dagur, etc but my mind wandered to:
How would a conversation or meeting with Goti and Viggo go down?
On the left we have Kxot'hi (Gothi), the snow plain na'vi's current highly respected and loved tsahik and Valka's grandmother. On the right is Valka, a young artisan of the clan who spends most of her time lovingly creating clothing and jewelry for her clan.
Everyone say thank you to @night-wilf for their beautiful portraits
