Say, I'm really curious. About the ladynoir fallout, do you think revealing her identity will solve the problem? I've seen many story using this formula. Adrien break up the partnership > return the ring > Marinette now realize > revealing identity > Adrien forgive her because it is the girl he loves. Personally I think revealing the identity won't solve the problem, not by much at least. But also Adrien is really forgiving and I'm not sure to what extend. Would he forgive her easily if he know about Rena furtive and her plan in ephemeral second-hand rather than from ladybug's mouth? Keeping him out of the loop is one thing but her attempt to manipulate him to give her his identity? I think that cross the limit.
No, I don't believe an identity reveal will solve this conflict. Because this conflict is caused by two people's own traits feeding the conflict (@flightfoot did a very good analysis on that) rather than being fed by the secret identity. If Ladybug was making an effort to be more aware that some of her decisions might impact their duo and if Chat Noir was able to voice his vulnerabilities and self-doubts, the conflict wouldn't be as big.
I don't think people realized how formidable Truth and Lies work as Season intro. Not only they well re-establish where the team stands, but also offer insights what the character arcs will be about this season.
At the beginning of the season, Marinette is overwhelmed. She is all alone trying to juggle with several responsabilities at the same time and trying to accomplish a lot to the point she is neglecting her relationship with her partner (both Luka who is her romantic partner and Chat Noir who is her work partner). And she hides things from everyone in order to protect them.
Adrien doesn't know himself and let other decides who he should be. Being Chat Noir offers him a break from the life dictated to him, but he doesn't know what to do with himself when Ladybug isn't there. We see him bored. He still does his patrol, but it isn't as fun to the point he is depressed.
Afterwards, the rest of the season proceed in showing how things are changing between them... and slowly falling apart despite 3 seasons of team building.
From Ladybug's perspective, things are still the same as they were. She doesn't realize how she is sidelining Chat Noir nor doesn't realize that her decisions are affecting him. She expects Chat Noir will always be comprehensive and trust her nonetheless like he has always done. The secret identity between them is there to protect them and their Miraculous. Sure it complicates things sometimes, but it is still manageable. And she has access to all those other heroes if she needs.
Chat Noir is the opposite. He notices and learns things on the side. He has more and more questions than he gets answers to. Starts to doubt himself, his worth in Ladybug's team. And he downplays his feelings. Because Ladybug has already so much in her plate. She already has the pressure of saving Paris, protecting the citizens and trying to stop Shadow Moth. Those are her priorities. And Chat Noir doesn't want to bother her with what he feels on top on all that. She doesn't have to deal and be responsible of his feelings (Glaciator 2) and she doesn't own him anything either (Hack-san). He follows LB's lead, not because he loves her, but because he trusts her. She is brillant, amazing, has proven again and again she will find the solution, that her plan will work. She is always right or will do the right thing in the end.
But the question that is starting to sprout in his mind at this point is does she truly trust him back? He is a burden? Does it really matter if he doesn't show up in the end up? Would she be better off without him around?
The "You and me against the world" statement is not applying anymore. Their dynamic has changed. Their team is not what it used to be. There are more and more new heroes adding up. Where does Chat Noir stand in all this?
Fortunately, the Wishmaker episode had the benefits of having Adrien think of his future. But first, he has to figure out who he is in order to better know what he wants for himself. However, Adrien downplaying his feelings and bottling them up is not because he wants to, but because it is a defense mechanism he had to learn to do in order to avoid problems in his household. And he has a lot to unlearn there. He is allowed to be vulnerable and be heard.
Marinette on the other hand is learning to trust others and delegate, but she also got to stop micro-managing everything (lesson she got in Simpleman).
To me, a part of the solution is first have them sit down and have a goddamn talk. Ladybug has to restablish she trusts Chat Noir and why he is important to her. And Chat Noir has to be honest and open up about how he has felt lately. But there is also a need for actions to be taken. That is why Chat Noir getting his own set of responsabilities could help both of them. Ladybug would be less burdened and Chat Noir would feel valued. Bonus point if Chat Noir is the one with the initiative and offers to be responsible of this task and Ladybug allow him to have it.
It may take more than that, but at least, this would offer some ground for them to work with and rebuild their duo. Or so I think.
