Vox and Valentino: A Display of Trust
Not going to lie, I was the most excited for this dynamic and it just barely beats out Vox and Alastor’s rivalry. For four years they were both the big unknowns only seen for about 30 seconds in the pilot.
There were theories about their dynamic that I hoped to god wouldn’t be true in the show.
Because they didn’t make sense, they looked friendly with each other when they hunkered down for the extermination. And there was no way one sinner (Val) could create an empire alone.
AND I’M SO HAPPY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.
Valentino being hot headed and brash was not on my 2024 bingo card, but I’m here for it.
(Yes, he’s a bad person. So is everyone else in the show. Alastor hangs out with cannibals and most likely participates. It’s a show about Hell.)
I LOVE HIM. I love everything about him down to the voice, the fluctuating emotions, the drama, the possessiveness — ALL. OF. IT.
I love me some fucking drama and I was LIVING for the back and forth between him and Vox.
Valentino is in charge because of the power he has.
He’s not a words guy, he uses action. He refuses to change his ways because that’s what got him to the top. He’s ready to hunt down Angel just for moving out.
Mind you he still goes to work and fulfills his side of the contract, Valentino just can’t handle not having control.
Micromanaging Angel’s life down to the smallest of details. Controlling who he can talk to, what he can wear.
He wants his plaything back in his sight, he doesn’t want him getting defiant. He wants his leash short so he doesn’t get any ideas.
And the way he gaslights the fuck out of Angel hit hard. Getting away from an abuser and then having the distance you finally need to heal, but being forced to be in contact with them is so restricting that it hurts.
Jesus that was fucking with me.
You don’t necessarily have to be smart to manipulate people, and Val knows that. Val plays the part of the fool so people underestimate him.
When asked for strategic advice he plays dumb.
That’s calculated, and it may just be written off as idiotic, but that’s probably what he wants.
He has to be playing dumb, there is no way he has survived this long by pure luck.
Vox makes do with him by his side because Val can gain trust and place sinners under his spell.
That makes him a valuable asset. Vox supplies the equipment and Valentino supplies the merchandise.
Because that’s all he considers those who are under his employ.
They’re things to be sold to an audience.
But Vox might not see the subtle ways Val messes with him.
Val’s a bratty, unsympathetic, monster that will do anything to get his way. With the guidance of someone with a more grounded personality removed from his issues is when he is able to see reason.
And Velvet can’t even do that, only Vox.
That shows respect and trust.
Even when Vox was spelling it out for him slowly it wasn’t a slight against him, it was a reminder and it held no malice.
If it did, Vox would have lost his temper as he did with Alastor. He kept himself measured for Val and reigned himself back in.
He may know that it won’t get him anywhere after dealing with him for so long. If Vox didn’t see Valentino as a worthwhile investment, he wouldn’t even go through the effort.
Vox knows the best way to get Valentino to listen.
Valentino is extremely self centered. Vox speaks in a way that makes Val want to care, while still making sure it benefits him as well.
“Any idea what YOU would look like chasing random whores around town”
Their partnership is of the upmost importance. Vox needs to make sure the empire remains, that the Vs have their power. That they’re on top.
And that’s a goal Valentino can get behind.
Valentino backs off with disappointment, because he enjoys violence. And he wanted there to be a show.
So instead he throws out something that could really get under Vox’s skin.
Val could have used this information to cripple Vox, make him vulnerable during a time where he needed to stay focused.
But instead, he uses it now.
Val was bored, he knew how Vox would react, and he wanted a show.
And a show he received. Pressing all the right buttons to see his partner go mad.
I want to see more of Valentino. So far his actions could be read as surface level — dumb and erratic — or strategic.
As of now, I’m assuming he knows what he’s doing.
Anger clouds your judgement and both Vox and Val were subject to that effect within a few minutes. That doesn’t necessarily mean Val is a fool and that Vox calls ALL of the shots.
Val acts idiotic around his colleagues because he knows they won’t take advantage of him. Until I see how he is around Angel Dust outside of those voicemails or around his other employees is when that can be settled.
I’m hoping this is a strategic play, because that would be an amazing use of misdirection. All the signs are there, and it could be so.
I also love how Vox is never fearful of Val and vice versa. They both would take steps toward each other that would be misconstrued as advancing toward violence.
Neither flinch. They look a bit surprised, sure, but never scared.
The respect is there and I love the relationship Val and Vox have.
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