#the killabustas

[claremont-psychiatric-hospital]

You know, they're a bunch of misfits. But together, we're a family.

[ingravinoveritas]

What was interesting about tonight’s Prodigal Son was the contrast between the three main relationships that were highlighted: Gil/Jessica, Malcolm/Dani, and Martin/Vivian. To me it was the difference between trying to hold on to control (Malcolm and Martin) and letting go of control (Jessica). And where Malcolm wants to keep control because he’s afraid of Dani getting hurt, Martin wants to keep control so that he can hurt Vivian, or do whatever he needs to to manipulate her and find a way to escape. And then you have Gil and Jessica in that place of trust and love that is so the opposite of Martin and Vivian, where whatever their relationship is is entirely devoid of trust or love. So yes, the Martin fantasy scenes were awkward, but I thought it gave us a literal depiction of both the sexual lust and blood lust that he is feeling toward Dr. Catherine. Going by the previews, next week’s episode is going to be one hell of a ride...   

[funjustwhatnobodyneeds]

[malcolmisthebrightestboy]

Ok but this episode was important...

The overarching "bad guy" in this season seems to have very much been Malcolm's mental health and this episode exposed the absolutely terrifying potential progression of his maybe psychosis.

Yes, he got knocked on the head (again...poor bb) but seeing Malcolm in his loft speaking so casually about seeing Martin... this was exactly what Dr. Le Deux warned Malcolm about and I think he's just been waiting for it. He looks less surprised and more accepting that he will some day entirely lose his very tenuous grasp on reality and this is the beginning of the inevitable.

Then we have the sheer panic whenever he thinks about losing his family, his team. The anxiety builds very quickly and just about suffocates Malcolm when he's talking about what happens when family finds out the truth. He gasped between every word when he says, "No...more...family" and legitimately looks like he's struggling to breathe.

Then, with Dani. He was trying!!! He was trying so damn hard to let her in. To trust her. Even if it was shrouded in his guilt over Nat. He was trying! Then he slips...and he breaks.

The overwhelming fear of having a visual and auditory hallucination while speaking with Dani! Having to maintain the appearance of "normalcy" because what is he supposed to say!?! So panic completely takes over once again. He rushed her out because he has zero clue how bad this could get (and he is so very acutely aware of how dangerous it can be when his reality isn't stable) and he's exhausted and hurt and actively losing track of what is real. He looked mortified and lost and scared. He was protecting Dani, and himself, and getting her out was his only real choice in that moment.

It was heartbreaking and our sweet boy is crumbling!

[prodigalbrighteyes]

“no one captures the destitution of the soul like goya.”

repost from my thread on twitter because i can’t stop thinking about this.

Goya’s Black Paintings

goya painted a series of "black paintings" (which are pretty uncomfy to look at) in isolation onto the walls of his own home which he never intended anyone to see. each one possesses dark colours and themes, meant to fit into the darker corners of his home.

just as malcolm explained, they were painted while goya suffered a psychotic break from lead poisoning. 

could malcolm owning at least one of these works be indicative of how malcolm’s repressed trauma will lead him to suffer the same fate as goya?

"Christ on the Mount of Olives" - the beginning of madness

malcolm's goya in 2x02 is called "Christ on the Mount of Olives". it depicts jesus praying as an angel appears to him holding two chalices. what’s interesting is that this painting actually anticipates goya's "dark paintings", thus proving to be the 'starting point' of all the madness to follow.

its an obvious cry for help that neither goya nor malcolm received and foreshadows malcolm's descent into insanity.

"The Last Communion of St Joseph of Calasanz" - the descent to insanity 

this is the painting behind malcolm in 2x09. its a goya piece called "The Last Communion of St Joseph of Calasanz". in it, a man receives his final communion before he dies.

obviously, the painting reminds us of the goya in 2x02, where malcolm tells dani goya eventually died from insanity. this piece shows a couple things: life, death, and religious intervention (the beam of light illuminating the dying man).

malcolm’s development in s2 has seemed to mimic goya's so far in that his own mind seems to be leading him to the brink of a possible psychotic break...and it seems that malcolm is in dire need of that intervention (not specifically religious) before he drives himself off the edge.

the painting was also part of collection of goya's "black paintings" which were haunting as they depicted goya's fear of insanity and a rather pessimistic outlook on life. 

 kinda sounds familiar, right?

Life imitating art

when malcolm is painting with his mother in 2x09, his painting depicts a bloodied pear AND knife. but notice his strokes. theyre a little distorted and heavily similar to what the man suffering from lead poisoning did to "Madonna and Child" in 2x02.

why else would they choose art therapy to start the episode? malcolm’s painting is shown after focusing on the painting behind him for quite a significant amount of time.

later in the episode, malcolm suffers from hallucinations of his father and mentions it to be a sign of psychosis. will malcolm’s lies and repressed trauma lead him to a full-on psychotic break, just like goya?

he seems to be on the brink of a psychotic break and trapped inside his own head.

"Saturn Devouring his Son"

while not featured in the show, one of goya's most well-known paintings was "Saturn Devouring his Son". in it, saturn kills his son because he feels he might overthrow him. could be totally unrelated, but could hold some significance.

the painting could also be metaphorically representative of how martin ruined malcolm’s chance at a normal life.

In conclusion

malcolm living alone surrounded by his 'demons' (much like goya when he created the haunting "dark paintings") really creeps me out. bravo to whoever decided on this symbolism/foreshadowing!!!

i wonder if we’ll see a third, more disturbing, painting before the end of the season? i’d love to know your thoughts!

original post: https://twitter.com/prodigalbright/status/1385390752537137156?s=20

[acessy0420]

Prodigal Son

S2E9 The Killabustas

Christian Borle as Friar Pete

[i-went-to-a-cuddle-party-once]

Didn't live blog last week because of reasons but I'm back on my bs today! I am so pumped for today's episode. I love Edrisa so much and the small promo from Bellamy's Twitter had me dying all day for 9 pm!! Also the Gillica scene that apparently happens??? I'm so hyped!!

Oh look, repercussions.

Art therapy!

Holy shit, one great one liner after another!!! Niiice.

Power and control. Malcolm is looking way too excited about this.

Martin trying to play the sweet, lovesick puppy.

"Viv" that sounds an awful lot like "Jess"

Malcolm you adorable mess. Sliding in, rolling his eyes.

I already want to rewatch the beginning of this episode. Too much to think about.

Malcolm getting more upset about

I'm a profiler. Also it's super gross.

Malcolm and edrisa hanging out being chill!!

Oh Edrisa. My heart aches.

I laughed way too hard at Malcolm getting hit by the car.

This episode is so freggin good!!

Edrisa and Blase flirting is everything.

MARTIN you're such a jerk. I love you. Oh

Oh i really want Blaise to not be the bad guy. I hope he's just trying to keeping an eye out for Edrisa.

Martin in restraints!!! Fuuuck.

I love Vivian. And how much Martin is manipulating her.

Oh. Oh fuck. Even if this leads to nothing the gifs will be fantastic.

This is the fridge of a very bad person.

[captain-icicle]

the killabustas is literally the thirstest episode of Prodigal Son to date 😂 jesus