do you have any thoughts about the initiation August and he other 1st years went through by the 3rd years (including Erik)
just wondering if you have any thoughts because i really live your posts, and it seems like you’ve thought about this show a lot!
no pressure tho
OOOOOH YES! thanks for the ask, you're so sweet!
I have loads to say about Hillerska's frat bullying disguised as venerated traditions! This is going to be a long post.
TW content warning for hillerska initiations regarding what August and his classmates went through. I try not to be explicit about it, but I do mention some stuff.
YR does not shy away from the harsh topics of tradition steeped in misogyny, racism, homophobia, peer pressure, and the like.
Did Erik really believe it was a joke to undress 16 YOs and threaten them with a beat down if they reacted to gay porn? Did his 'friends' enjoy scaring them? Or were they all conditioned to believe that stuff like this is silly and fun and it's just a joke?
August lost his father in a horrific way. His funds were dwindling, he doesn't have a close relationship with his mother, he venerated Erik and the royal family. Coming to Hillerska was his dream, his salvation. His first-year letter talks about how he was determined to grow strong and be respected. He hated the way he was as a first-year, someone the older kids bullied. August needed support and love.
But he got an 18-yo crown prince who didn't have to worry about consequence because Hillerska hides the truth and the royal court protects him no matter what. Erik had so much power and authority, it probably went to his head a bit.
Maybe he regretted it. Maybe he somewhat toned down after graduation and joining the military. Yes, he did have 'questionable' relationships, but we don't know if they were genuinely good or bad or fleeting.
We also don't know what Erik truly thought about the LGBTQ+ community. People can grow and change. But Hillerska restricts growth at such a pivotal age. Their culture is a breeding ground for self-policing. It makes the kids believe this is how it should be. They are rich and elite, and thus removed from the majority of the population who are upper-middle, middle, and poor classes. They follow the rules their parents and forefathers followed with little room for advancement.
S3E2 mentions how an Hillerksa alumni spoke about the initiations of being forced to watch the video. But we know this happened to August's year and they're still at school. So this alumni is either
1. a classmate of August's who dropped out of Hillerska
2. older than August, from a different year
(I'm using he/him pronouns for this unknown ex-student of Forest Ridge)
if he left the school, it might be because of the violence of the initiations and subsequent treatment. We know Alexander gets pushed around by the Society and August every damn day. Why does he tell them the time and temperature in the morning? do they not have phones, laptops, apple watches, clocks, barometers???
if the ex-student is older than august, that means there's a chance Erik went through the same/similar thing! More than one generation of students were forced to watch porn and were threatened with violence.
Justice is not guaranteed. Punishment is avoidable. Trauma is brushed under the rug and called an unfunny joke.
Nils and August talk about how they kept their promise not to do the same to Wilhelm and his classmates. But S1E1 initiation is horrifying even without the porn.
So now, my understanding is that every generation goes through some shit. yes, even Kristina and Ludvig, and all the students' parents (see Felice and her dad talking about him facing overt racism while Felice faces microaggressions.)
And every generation possibly even tries to reduce the intensity of the initiation from what they faced. Maybe Erik had a truly nightmarish time and decided that "hey, at least we didn't make our first years strip down completely" or something like that. So he thinks he did his juniors a favor. Most people probably think this way that they personally are so much better and kinder than how they were treated. So it's okay, right?
The absolute worst part of the situation is that this happened for real in Lundsberg (the school Hillerska is based on) and that children were bullied, hurt, and degraded as part of tradition and secrecy. And no one came to their aid until a handful of brave people exposed the truth for the world to see.
Something a little different from my usual fare today, but I want to talk about an interesting whump trope for team whump, military whump, cults, secret societies, etc: hazing, humiliating/painful initiation rituals, etc.
Since this is very much something that can happen irl (I was in greek life in uni; personally I was never hazed and my organization took that very seriously, but I did see a frat get shut down for hazing), I'm going to list trigger warnings at the top, right here: TW: hazing, humiliation, mentions of drugs and alcohol, mentions of nudity, mention of cults.
whumpee is a new member of a team/group/organization. To "prove" themselves "worthy" of being in the group by doing something dangerous or humiliating.
The hazing could involve use of drugs or alcohol, like making whumpee drink or do drugs.
Or they could make whumpee do something humiliating like making them dress in embarrassing/skimpy clothes or go nude
Maybe it's a small group of members who are facilitating the hazing. Maybe it's all of them. Maybe the leader is the one who is pushing the hazing
Justifying the hazing by claiming it promotes team/group bonding
This can work great for military squads initiating new soldiers
Or also. Consider. Secret society/cult having dangerous and/or humilating initiation rituals whumpee has to go through to join. Whumpee really wants to join, but are they willing to do the messed up stuff the whumpers want them to do?
haha imagine getting hazed first by your advisor and head of department making you believe that your entire class has to get shipped off to other unis accross france because of an earthquake fault and having a panic attack as the photography club comes out of hiding to take a pic of your distraught ass. yes, that is definitely not degrading and humiliating in every way possible.
when he was at the university of texas in 1990 he and his friends allegedly hazed a pledge so badly that the entire chapter (sigma nu) was shut down because of it. there was a lawsuit & members of the fraternity either reached plea deals or were charged with misdemeanors after they “set his jeans on fire, shove his face in dirt and strike him with a paddle”. hamm recently called the incident sensationalized and a bummer x
I’m literally on the verge of puking and actually crying at work right now. This is fucking horrifying and my heart goes out to all victims of hazing, especially tim
They divert back to the playground, throwing the two down into the mulch. “Recess boys!”
Seven Years Ago
“Two ticket’s to Midnight Machete Massacre, the next showing!” Dee requested without a shred of worry. IDs were asked for, due to the extreme rating, but fake ID’s are good for more than just bars.
Patton nods nervously, not totally loving that his twin brother had dragged him here. However, he did know it made Dee happy, and that was all that really mattered. He smiled, looking at the huge grin on his brother’s face, that made it worth it.
They bought a huge bin of popcorn, and the sugariest drinks there. They went to the theater and sat down. Patton cuddled against Dee. He wasn’t really one for horror movies, especially late at night, but it was a Friday night, to a four-day weekend, and their parents had left them alone again. Their Aunt Patty wouldn’t check on them till the next afternoon, so there was no hurry.
“Thank you. I know you don’t love these movies… but, well, thanks!” Dee whispered to his only friend in the world. The only people who thought they were his friends were the people who thought he and Patton were the same person. Patton was the one everyone liked, but Dee wasn’t mad. Patton was all he had. He would take a bullet for his brother.
“You’re welcome…” Patton nibbled on the popcorn. Other people filed in, mostly college students, ready to watch the gory flick.
The commercials rolled, showing off more images that would no doubt keep him up at night. Patton shivered, flinching at the screaming. He never liked screaming. Screaming meant pain… he didn’t like seeing things in pain.
Dee reached over and discreetly held his hand. They had a special signal if it got to be too much. Patton smiled, leaning against him as they watched. He occasionally hid his face in the other at especially bloody scenes, but for the most part, was ok. He sipped the drink, so happy when the end credits finally rolled.
“Thank you!” Dee whispered again, watching till after the end credits were done and most of the college kids had left. They had walked here and planned on walking home. They didn’t need anyone asking questions.
“Welcome!” Patton finished the drink with a slurp. They stand and leave, discarding the containers and heading out. Patton trembles a little, on an energy high, and paranoid. He didn’t really like all the alley’s in the city they had to pass to get home.
Dee noticed his nervousness, feeling guilty for adding to the fear of walking home in the dark with the movie choice. “Hey? What if we cut through the park?”
“Isn’t that where drunks and perverts hang out?” Pat askes, nervously.
“I’ll protect you.” Dee assured, taking his hand again. He couldn’t think of a good way home. The park seeming like the best option.
They went through the park, avoiding noises, and people. The park was abandoned, to which Patton gave a sigh of relief. No visible threat.
They keep walking, and Dee places an arm around the other. Patton is walking quietly, shivering as he remembers images from the movie. Dee frowns, regretting putting Patton through that.
He spies a playground up ahead and gets an idea. He sprints over, and climbs up it, standing on the peak of one of the structures. He loudly proclaims. “I’m the king of the mountain!”
Patton is filled with shock, then laughs, running over to the playground with him. It’s dark, but their eyes have adjusted. He bows. “Oh, mighty king, underarm stink! How may I serve you?”
Dee sputters, then jumps down. “What was that? You challenge me?”
“That I do!” Patton giggles.
“ENGAURD!” Dee picks up a stick, holding it like a sword.
Patton picks one up as well, fencing with him. They laugh and get super involved in it. Running around and having the time of their lives. Not even noticing when a van pulls up on the edge of the park, and several people get out.
Patton laughs, until Dee tackles him. He pins him down and tickles him. Patton screeches, sensitive, and Dee knows exactly where to hit. He writhes under his twin. Until Dee notices the approaching people. He stands, helping Patton to his feet.
Dee steps in front, unsure what’s going on. He starts motioning Patton to walk away.
“Don’t stop on our account… You make such pretty screams.” A man from the group taunts.
“Run.” Dee commands, and Patton takes off in a sprint.
They start running after the boys, and Dee turns to fight, slow them down. He can handle a broken arm or bruised rib. He can’t handle Patton having a papercut.
They came after them, they looked strong, and definitely not drunk. Patton sprinted, terrified. Dee rammed into them, but soon realized he was grossly outnumbered, at least three to one. He took off in a different direction, hoping the larger group would go after him. Unfortunately, they didn’t, and overtook Patton.
Dee yelped, running back to his brother. While trying to knock them off Pat, another few grab Dee. Patton tries to scream, only to get punched in the mouth.
“HEY! LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Dee demands, rage burning through his stomach. Wondering where they were taking them. Though, frankly, he didn’t want to find out.
They divert back to the playground, throwing the two down into the mulch.
“Recess boys!” They pounce on the two boys.
Dee goes savage, kicking and screaming, biting if he could, it took nearly all of them to restrain him. Patton took the chance to try and escape but was caught and forced to the ground. They ripped off Patton’s shirt, then looked around at the playground equipment. They get a cruel smile, as one throws them a full backpack.
They took out a package of zip ties and fastened Patton’s hands to different rungs on the monkey bars, which held him up, and made his hands useless. They wrap tape around his head, covering his mouth and keeping the boy silent.
“LET HIM GO! LET HIM GO! HELP!” Dee screamed, only to get kicked in the chest, the blow knocking the air out of him. They take the backpacks and take out a few handkerchiefs and duct tape.
“Wait, I got a better idea…” One smirks, walking away from Dee, and to his brother. He lift’s Patton’s feet, and removes his shoes, and takes his socks, leaving him barefoot on the wood chips. He then takes the socks, and stuffs it into the other boy’s mouth. They use duct take to finish the gag and keep the socks in Dee’s mouth.
“Stupid freshmen…” They chuckle. Finally, Dee gets it. This is a senior prank for the local college. A tradition to haze freshmen. Obviously, they thought he and Patton fit that bill.
They drag Dee to the Swings, and tie him onto them, looping the chains with his arms, and tying his hands behind him. Then they fasten his legs, and start pushing him, making him swing as if he were a small child.
After a while, they lose interest, and leave the two there.
Patton struggled, trying to kick. He couldn’t move, not far at least. The zip ties cut into his skin, making it painful to even try to move. Dee struggles as well, shimmying in his seat, trying to get out so he could release Patton. He hated how scared Patton looked. He tried to yell out exactly what was happening to his twin. Unfortunately, the tape is two strong for either of them, and they are trapped.
Dee eventually gives up. It’s just a prank, they’ll be found in the morning. He just wished Patton didn’t have to stand all night. He looked uncomfortable. Dee would have rather been the one standing. Then maybe Pat could at least get a little sleep!
After a few hours, Patton’s legs get weak. They shake as he stands on them. Tears slide down his face from the pain. He’s stiff and sore, just wanting to be rescued!
They had just about given up hope would come before morning when a group of men walked through the park. Dee screamed to get their attention. They needed help!
The men came over, in a bit of shock of the situation. “What happened to you pretty little things?”
Dee pleaded for help behind the tape, as did Patton. They were still juniors in high school! Not college freshmen! The haze wasn’t even meant for them. Surely these men would help?
The undid Patton, who immediately collapsed. His legs weren’t strong enough anymore. They picked Patton up and unbound Dee. They took them to the car to give them a ride home. Dee didn’t love the idea, but Patton couldn’t walk, and they didn’t want to meet another group of hazers.
They lifted Patton in, then let Dee hop in with several of the others.
Dee sits inside, holding Patton’s head on his lap. The doors lock, and they start driving. It’s only a few minutes before Dee realizes they haven’t asked his address and aren’t taking him to their house. “Wait… take us home!”
“Nope!” a man behind him fastens a collar around Dee’s neck. A shock collar. They electrocute him, then some come forward and strip the twins of their remaining clothing. Dee struggles, only to get zapped again and again. He screams loudly.
Patton wakes up, panicking and trying to stop them but it’s too late. Dee is screaming. He’s in pain. Patton hates it whenever his brother was in the slightest pain! But this? This sounded like agony! They use tape to wrap Patton’s hands behind him and spank him roughly. Patton yelps, terrified.
“So pretty, what pretty noises can you make?” They hit Dee. Dee stays quiet, determined not to give them the satisfaction. So, they hit him again. And again, and again and again.
Patton cries, as they get onto a highway, getting far away from home. They take out some chemicals, and drug the two boys, not caring enough about safety to not do so on a highway.
Once it’s administered, the next few hours are silent.
