re: the character ask - John Marcone if you're inclined? (or any character of your choice from DF - your call)
What I love about them: So much of what I love about Marcone is in his capacity as a vanilla mortal rising to power in a world of monsters. He carved a niche for himself and cleverly plotted his way to the top, became the first ever vanilla signatory of the Accords, and has enough allies behind him that his position seems relatively stable. That is fucking cool. He is at times a very reassuring presence in the series, and he’s easily my favourite frenemy, at other times you get these awesome moments reminding you of how big a threat he has the potential to be, just because his network is so big, and he’s always one step ahead of the curve. Sure, he’s not got any magic, but he’s easily as terrifying as Mab. Also the way Dresden just absolutely brings the snark whenever Marcone is within 50ft. Gods, Marcone is a force to be reckoned with.
What I hate about them: Unsurprisingly, I am so not a fan of the Namshiel twist. I do think it has some potential, maybe, but I am reluctant to write over that part of Marcone I enjoyed the most and resign myself to this new plot line. I think it makes him waaaay too much like Nicodemus in terms of being dudes in suits with polite but firm gentlemanly mannerisms, backed by fallen angels and personal armies, who smirk in the face of the sick burns Dresden throws at them every time they meet face to face, and with a fatherly relationship with young girls who they killed/sent to a type of afterlife/purgatory. Entirely possible that it’s intentional on Jim Butcher’s part to make them so similar and that it’s leading to something big, but considering the trade off, on top of the Queens/Ladies of Faerie being literal carbon copies of one another, it’s just completely aggravating IMO.
Favorite Moment/Quote: “After a few visits from Dresden and his ilk, I had invested in cheap, light doors at dramatic (as opposed to tactical) entry points.”
“Dresden. It's nice to see you alive. Your sense of humor, of course, remains unchanged, which is unsurprising, as it seems to have died in your adolescence. Presumably, it entered into a suicide pact with your manners.“
The phone call in White Night. “Say pretty please. With a cherry on top.” Classic.
What I would like to see more focus on: We’re in the last quarter of the series now, and I just want answers, whereas all we got with PT/BG was more questions. Mostly I need to know what’s going on with Marcone and Helen Beckitt and her kid and where all that’s going. I'm hoping it’s not just a dropped thread and that it is actually leading somewhere. And I’m desperate to know when exactly Marcone picked up the coin (I’m guessing it was during BG?) and what he’s gonna do now. And I’m always up for more Dresden/Marcone bickering!
What I would like to see less focus on: Considering how crazy things are getting and how the stakes have been rapidly raised, I can’t really think of anything I want less focus on right now as far as Marcone’s concerned. My main gripe is the fact that there are no vanilla mortals left in the series, and I don’t expect that genie to go back in the bottle.
Favorite pairing with: Hendricks. Oh my god, Hendricks. Fuck. Ouch. My heart.
Favorite friendship: Justine. I love the crap out of Even Hand, ok? Again, man, it’s that sweet, sweet vanilla mortal solidarity. I can’t get enough.
NOTP: Marcone/Helen Beckitt. As things stand, it’s wrong on so many levels.
Favorite headcanon: Marcone and Lara have a game of Monopoly going in one of the back rooms at Mac’s.
