okay time to consolidate my thoughts. as per my little teaser post yesterday, I think platonic radiostatic could/should end up rekindled in the show.
I'm going to separate this into what this would look like on Alastor's side and on Vox's side and further thoughts/notes I have.
Let's begin!
On Alastor:
There are a couple little details that I figure will be/may become important later on that relate directly to Alastor and his character. We've heard from Amir that Alastor will be getting an emotionally-driven song in S3 (and will be, quote "agitated" a lot in S3, since Amir has stated that he tends to stand up voicing agitated Alastor, and he "does a lot of standing" in S3. I think this statement could be connected to the song in question), so I wholeheartedly believe we're going to learn much more about him when S3 drops. So who knows, maybe I'm speaking too soon and platonic radiostatic will remain divorced (and I will continue eating up that divorce and cackling evilly over onewaybroadcast because that's my CRACK-!). For now, however, I'm free to speculate!
Romance and Family are also major themes in S3, with Viv calling it the most romantic season and family as the straight-up theme. Which...reminds me of something from the pilot era that I've come across a few times in my analysis dives.
Now, pre-show stuff always has the ability to not become canon. However, there's nothing in the show thus far that indicates this specific thing is no longer true, so I will continue to consider it's potential.
And that's a drawing Viv made of a few of the characters, and what they desire most.
Alastor was drawn with 'Family' labeled beside him. And, well... *points back up to S3 theme* Wouldn't that be a neat little tie-in, hmm? Wouldn't that be something? I do believe that we'll get something more out of Alastor's backstory, particularly with his family, so I've been eyeing that drawing more often lately.
Now. To the part that's been driving me CRAZY in all the best ways. What's basically the force behind me making this whole post in the first place.
Alastor's canonical aroace arc in the show.
Viv has confirmed that we will be exploring Alastor's asexuality in the show. Which, as an asexual, I was OVER THE MOON for (my friend and I were SCREAMING over text about it - she's also ace!) because Alastor is very special to me in a specifically asexual way, because he's the first confirmed in-show asexual character I've ever come across. Ever. I have seen other asexual characters in other shows, but none are confirmed IN THE SHOW ITSELF, only outside it by the creator, let alone have THEIR IDENTITY EXPLORED. This is a MAJOR win for me, personally, so I have THOUGHTS about how Alastor's aroaceness can factor into the previously-mentioned themes!
Going back to the theme of family and Alastor himself, I think his personal storyline would benefit greatly from an aromantic metaphor. I will discuss this more further down the line, but Alastor seems DETERMINED to not become attached to people. Which makes his admission to enjoying the company of the Hotel Crew in S1E8 SO IMPORTANT to me because this is Alastor post-friendship with Vox, a relationship that I believe had him bring walls back up and harden them in an attempt to not let anyone get that close again. So for him to admit to that? Milestone. He feels more than we think he does. He's just very good at using that smile to lead us astray.
Too bad it was sent back several steps when he almost died
me too, buddy. me too. have your mental breakdown you deserve it. have as many as you want in fact!!
now. I think this would be a good time to switch over to:
On Vox:
Vox is in an interesting place right now. He's at his lowest point ever, period. And I am sooo interested in seeing where Viv will take him, especially since she confirmed we will be getting more Alastor-Vees interactions in S3! I particularly hope we'll get more Radio Trio-Vees stuff because there's just too many parallels that seem a bit too intentional, like they're meant to mirror each other.
And yes. Of course I am looking most forward to where Alastor and Vox's relationship goes next. That's the point of this post LOL! The show is shaping up to have a Vee be a larger antagonist for Seasons 2, 3 and 4 - Vox, Valentino and Velvette. So this 100% gives us ample time to develop Alastor and Vox's relationship further.
Something that I hope we'll see in S3 is Vox getting worse before he gets better. Especially if it's some sort of parallel to whatever pushes Alastor into his song. Vox is a character that desires attention, praise, all of it. He wants to be brighter. And here he is...not shining one bit.
It would be so fucking poetic if his arc ultimately has him accepting that he's not going to ever be romantically involved with Alastor. That all he can get is friendship, and how that is enough. It will make him confront his flaws and be satisfied with what he has.
Vox's problem is that he wants MORE. He always wants MORE, so if he goes through an arc where he grapples with how that toxic part of him keeps negatively affecting himself AND his relationships (with both Alastor AND the Vees! ...INSERT THE CONFIRMED MORE ALASTOR-VEES INTERACTIONS HERE -), platonic radiostatic being endgame would KILL me (in the good way lol). I have NEVER seen this kind of arc before in any fictional universe, so it's completely fresh and new to me, and I think Alastor and Vox are uniquely positioned to do just that!
Lots to chew on here. nom noms.
Earlier today, I found this post talking about how not only is Alastor Vox's punishment, but Vox is quite possibly Alastor's. To TL;DR it, basically Alastor is slated to be Vox's punishment because Vox is left in a perpetual state of desperation, of envy and greed and hurt pride, while Vox becomes Alastor's because - keeping the pilot drawing in mind! - Alastor desires a close bond with someone who'll take him for who he is - insert aromantic metaphor here - and here comes Vox who makes things complicated and no longer solely platonic.
and they ended up shattering each other in the fallout.
[pictured: an awkward bisexual with a crush (right) and a disinterested but fond aroace (left). f in the chat for them everyone.]
Speaking of aromantic metaphors...I mean take how society puts expectations/overemphasizes the importance of romantic/sexual relationships on everyone and how that clashes with aro/aces, how society ultimately ends up expecting things from you that you just aren't capable or willing to give.
There was so much aro coding in Alastor's rejection of Vox in the bar scene, and I literally can't wait for S3 because Amir has said that Alastor may remember the bar scene differently. He might have a different perspective. So all I can do at the moment is speculate and theorize, but I feel very cozy in my 'this is an aromantic metaphor' seat. I will stay seated and will take pieces of this seat with me when S3 drops. I am unmovable.
So these past few months I've been stewing on them. And I so, so strongly think that rebuilding that broken friendship would do both of them so much good. Because they got each other. They were clearly on such a similar wavelength! They know each other so well! Alastor and Vox were such a dynamic duo that Hell loved! Their friendship is the driving force behind their relationship with each other, for better or worse! Mostly worse right now, since we've only seen them be at odds, but see, see! This is where the "for better" part would come in, then! I believe they initially had a positive impact on each other, and as long as they go through their respective arcs, they can again.
Further, I want to touch on the idea of how Alastor may have perceived Vox's offer as wanting to use him/his power, and how that may have made him feel undervalued in their relationship as a result. Because think about it - Alastor, a Black, mixed-race man who lived in the 1920s-30s would have absolutely have to deal with upper-class, white men who would step on him for shits and gigs. Who likely used him. Potentially being another possible factor behind his wrathful acts of murder?
Again, speculation, and I hope S3 gives us answers. (save us Alastor song...Alastor song save us...)
Plus, their relationship very likely persisted ever after the bar scene, because of the radiostatic photo that hints Vox is a later model compared to the one he has in the bar,
platonic radiostatic endgame ftw. i need them to makeup. i need Vox to get worse. i need Alastor to snap. i need them to be brutally pried open. i need a friends to enemies to frien(emies?)ds arc for them.
onewaybroadcast is doomed but platonic radiostatic can prevail. join the alliance. we have the power of friendship.
I must apologize that I'm answering this a year late lol. But it's Halloween again, so happy Halloween!
And here's a short little drabble with Alastor. I hope you enjoy. ☺️
AN: see above
CW: None.
Summary: Alastor has always thought gifting flowers was silly, but when you give him one, he reconsiders.
Word Count: 448
In life, Alastor had considered the idea of giving someone flowers rather silly. What point was there in gifting something that would wither and die to someone? He couldn't fathom how the act was seen as romantic. To him it sent the opposite message.
The first time he was gifted flowers was by Vox, down in Hell long after he had departed the mortal realm. He had been rather insulted. What was the point of his friend giving him something that would die within a couple of days? Of course, the confession from Vox that followed had also been less than stellar. Alastor couldn't understand, no matter how hard he tried to. Which had left his old friend feeling scorned and hurt.
That was an event lost to time now, something he would rather forget. The memory of flowers faded away like the petals that had fallen when Vox threw the bouquet at his feet.
He was walking with you in the garden outside the Hotel, when you paused behind him. His pace faltered, he stopped to look back at you, waiting patiently for you to return to his side. You had been...insistent on being in his life. While he drew away from the rest of the crew, you had ensured that he didn't draw away from you. No matter how hard he had tried.
And he certainly had tried.
He watched as you plucked a flower from it's vine, a beautiful bloom that was reminiscent of honeysuckle. You twisted it in your fingers for a moment, before finding his gaze. You silently offered it to him and to his own surprise, he took it.
You stepped closer to him, your voice soft when you spoke. "I know it's not exactly honeysuckle, but it's close enough… do you know what it means?"
He glanced from the bloom to you, lifting an eyebrow, his curiosity peaked. "What does it mean, my dear?"
You offered him a soft smile, one that had his pulse quickening in a way that was foreign. "It means devotion and affection."
He was struck by how perfect it's supposed meaning was. You had insisted on being by his side, a silent companion offering your time and affection freely. He swallowed, turning the flower over in his hands a moment more before he tucked it behind your ear.
"I think it suits you well, sweetheart." He murmured softly, his fingers brushing against your cheek as he pulled away.
He offered you his arm which you took with a grateful smile. As you resumed your walk through the garden, Alastor started to think that maybe being gifted flowers wasn't as pointless as he had once thought.
I'm not sure I would ever write it but human radiosilence is such an interesting concept to me. Like in my heart Vox and Alastor were born around the same time Vox just lived longer bc he seems a decent bit older when he died than alastor looked. Like idk Vox probably born 1900-1905ish and Alastor born 1900-1910ish. I do feel alastor would be a few years younger. I imagine their human chemistry would be closer to how it was in the flashback but also there's so many thoughts I'm not sure how I would do it. I'm a very radioSILENCE person but I do like them being friends. Idk a thought I suppose. Maybe a few oneshots
Alastor: Hey, about that love letter you sent me-
Vox: *blushes* What are your thoughts?
Alastor: The fourth sentence-
Vox: Yeah, that’s where I got really emotional and I-
Alastor: It’s “you’re” not “your”.
