Sander and Robbe: An Analysis of Light and Dark
Throughout the series, we’ve been focused a lot on the yin and yang of Sander and Robbe. There’s been a lot discussed about the symbolism, or the implied symbolism, of their contrasting physical appearances. Their hair, of course, is most notable and at times their outfits, like the kitchen scene where Robbe is in dark clothing while Sander is in lighter clothing.
In wtFOCK’s OHN scene, we first see Sander cast in dark, warm shadows that cast themselves on Robbe. He’s putting up hard walls and trying to prevent Robbe from getting closer to him again until they start to kiss.
In the first moment when their lips touch, Sander is guarded and Robbe entreats him with gentle touches, cupping his face for emphasis. His fingers are positioned very lightly against his skin, not hard enough to indent. Feather-light enough that if Sander wanted to step back, he could.
As they kiss the camera starts to shift yet both of them are still in darkness. Robbe’s hand moves and we begin to switch perspectives. Sander is leaning into the kiss more now, less guarded, a little more familiar. Robbe is comforting, like a warm blanket.
As the camera pans we lose sight of Sander for a few seconds until he comes out on the other side, the most notable feature is the bag under his eye which had been less visible when cast in the darker light.
The more the camera pans, the more submerged in light Sander is. The less he’s trying to hold his end of the kiss and the more he’s letting his walls down. Robbe’s arms are fully around him now and as we see later, Sander is clutching him in turn.
And it’s not until he’s fully submerged in Robbe, enveloped by his love and his light that we see Sander let go and begin to break down. We see Sander’s walls completely fall and he gives in, letting himself be completely loved by Robbe.
And that’s when he lets go. He breaks into sobs and free-flowing tears while he clutches desperately to this person who finally, finally, has loved him through his layers. Who, when faced with the reality and sometimes hardship that can come with what Sander perceives as “toxic” and “destructive,” doesn’t only stick around but instead offers a safe place.
The setting, as Sander described the studio is a place that is “shelter” where he can remain until “the meltdown is over.” He calls it a safe place. He wanted so badly to protect Robbe from the fallout, from his fallout, and yet Robbe became the shelter to protect Sander from everything else. Robbe is that light pulling Sander from the darkness. He becomes that safe place, that shelter, and he is there for Sander every single minute.