I just thought what a great parallel it would be to have Sweeney first bringing Laura back from death by putting the coin back in her for Laura to bring him back.
Totally. And Laura finding out what Sweeney did for her is definitely on my wishlist for S3. I mean, it’s one thing for us, the audience, to recognize and appreciate it, but imagine if Laura could too. I think it would solidify Laura’s trust in Sweeney, which has been touch and go ever since, well…forever, haa.
But also, let’s say she does find out later in S3 (or S4)….as opposed to having found out last season. I rather like the timing of this because I think it’s better that Laura’s opinion of Sweeney evolve over time and that she grew to LIKE Sweeney for who he is, rather than underpinning her feelings for him over that unselfish act of giving her back the coin. I think the basis of Laura’s feelings would feel a bit murkier if there was a part of her that felt compelled to like him through guilt or sympathy for him for losing out on his coin.
That’s not to diminish what he did, but I’ve always liked this idea of Sweeney growing on Laura, and vice versa, because of the little things they do for each other that belie that hardened, passive exterior that they give out to everyone else. And I think the weight of Sweeney’s act runs the risk of “too much, too soon”…it should be more of a cherry on top kinda thing rather than the whole sundae, the thing that reinforces to Laura that Sweeney is, for all of his flaws and errors and general assholery, a good man….and not as some sudden realization or game changer that would place Laura’s feelings for him to exist in some vacuum.
And last thing - I love this gifset by @koortega because it perfectly highlights their reluctance and doubt in just letting sleeping dogs lie. Even as Sweeney tries to walk away with brash confidence in his step, and Laura all unwilling and defiant to face the reality of Sweeney’s death, their actual emotions go against what they’re trying to convince themselves of. These faces and their twin expressions of inner turmoil and doubt:
They care too much to simply walk away. And even though guilt is definitely a factor in why they ultimately do what they do, it really can’t be everything because it’s not like Sweeney and Laura aren’t used to living with guilt and letting it numb them to the point of apathy; Sweeney’s been doing it for thousands of years, and Laura probably prefers to feel nothing at all. To them, walking away (with their own shit intact, to boot) would just be another line item on a long list of things they feel guilty about. But clearly, they struck something in each other to break that cycle and actually care quite deeply about each other, enough to decide that this person in their lives DESERVES BETTER. Like, that’s high-key love shit right there. The “I’m giving up a piece of my own happiness for the betterment of this person” from both sides is some serious relationship material, and it’s beautiful. So, yeah…I guess they’re married now, change my mind. ;)
