Okay, this is the edit I was working with since… like three months or something. I still believe it needs something but… I don’t know. I hope you guys like it :)
@lucayathegood Thank you so much for your advices!
8 years ago today, I posted this edit of Max and Phoebe getting married, out of a scene from Better Off Wed. I'm not an expert on Photoshop, but this took me several hours to make and it's funny to see how we can all generate pitures like this in seconds, thanks to AI.
I just watched the new episodes (spoilers ahead if you haven't seen yet so please stop reading here) and I'm kind of in shock at how much they're playing up Max being upset about Phoebe potentially having another partner. Like it's written as if she's "cheating" on him which is so interesting since Captain Perfect is also set up as a love interest too? The fact that it gets to the point that Max physically fights him... and yes there's rational reasons for him to be suspicious but at the same time it felt like it came from a place of mostly being jealous. I can not wait to see your thoughts.
thank you for warning me or anyone reading this about spoilers ! luckily I have seen the new episodes and I'm so excited to discuss it with you !
for anyone reading this; please be aware that there will be spoilers for the super secret summer event below ! continue at your own discretion<3
It's so funny you mention the 'cheating' because I think it's a really interesting aspect that they've gone for and the way they're handling it almost feels intentionally ambiguous. the idea of having one character partnering up with someone else and causing tension to rise between their usual teammate has definitely been done before in media literacy. it doesn't necessarily have to be a romantic plot device. the hurt and betrayal that the other feels can be structured in a way that feels platonic. I mean, I'm pretty sure it's a universal experience to feel left out or even like a third wheel in any type of relationship.
but the thundermans have created this dynamic where it almost feels impossible not to read between the lines and suspect there is some hidden meaning behind the betrayal. and it's all in the way they're handling it;
the family aspect of max, phoebe and chloe together is heavily emphasized in the beginning of the episode. phoebe can be seen writing sticky notes for both max and chloe before they're off to summer school, she's prepared their lunches, takes their picture. the whole scene feels like we're watching a young mother seeing her husband and daughter off to work and school before having the house to herself. of course we've had similar scenes like this before and the line is just naturally blurred now that max and phoebe have a more parental role in chloe's life, (which in and of itself is still a choice to give to two siblings in their mid twenties in a kid show. let that be clear.) but it stood out to me because I felt like there was more of a significance to it now then there has been in previous episodes, and it adds to the dynamic of phoebe 'cheating' by partnering up with captain perfect.
because they are treating it like she's cheating. the title of episode 15 even alludes to that view: "I know what you did this summer." which is a reference to both the movie and the famous song by shawn mendes and camila cabello: "I know what you did last summer". a song that's specifically about a spouse cheating on their significant other.
of course there's reasonings you could make, like it's more treated as a comical aspect or max is rightfully upset knowing his history and his background.---the fact that he can be insecure about his own worth as a superhero and therefore takes it harder if phoebe teams up with someone else because it plays on his fears; 'he's not good enough, he'll never be good enough, he's holding her back.' and all of these things are true, but it's still a very thin line to be walking if you consider that these two are siblings.
it becomes even more of a blurred smudge when you add the fact that captain perfect is set up to be a potential love interest for phoebe. this plays into the whole cheating angle exponentially---the stakes are raised, there's an emotional connection, it's not just work. and suddenly jealousy starts playing a role.
because max is jealous. not just because phoebe is working with another superhero. she's joking around with him, she's trusting him with her life, she's meeting up with him outside of work. all of this shatters the illusion of the bubble they've been floating around in; being a family.
max and phoebe have barely had time for anyone else but themselves and chloe for months. something that has been established in canon. they work together, they live together, they're raising a twelve year old together. they've become very comfortable in their little bubble, it's been just them for awhile now. and with the way they're playing house, there's almost no room for a different interpretation. I mean, max even mentions how he assumes phoebe isn't buying him that clock necklace that he wanted, as if that's the only possible reason she'd even be there.
then suddenly there is someone else, and he's taking over max's place, in more ways than one. now there's a possibility of phoebe becoming emotionally involved with someone else, and it creates this new fear; losing her, losing this.
and we know max has never really been able to handle that well. he might not like to admit it but phoebe is his weakness. whenever the possibility of losing her for good looms we can see max take action. so yes, there's a million excuses and reasons you could name that might justify his reaction, there always is, but when it comes down to it, it's hard to ignore the interpretation behind this whole plot.
the writers are dancing on a very thin line that borders between something more and the deeper into the season we get, the more i'm convinced it's somewhat deliberate.
(also, side note, but the way max didn't even wait and lunged at captain perfect? unhinged. i love him. man was ready to fuck him up🤣)
in celebration of the thundermans: undercover winning the kids choice award for 'favorite kids tv show', and, in anticipation of the six brand new interconnected episodes airing july 17, our thunder team would love to invite you to join our thundertwins discord server !
you can join the server here.
please make sure to read our rules and regulations, introduce yourself and choose your role(s) upon joining. this is mandatory for all new members in order to be granted access to the rest of the discord. with that being said we ask any prospective member to please be patient when pending to be granted access. we'll do our best to get to you as soon as possible but it might take us awhile, we're only human after all !
ThunderTwins is a private server for shippers. this includes us being proship. if you don't like thundercest or are uncomfortable with the ship this server might not be the best place for you and we ask you not to join. any hate or slander will not be tolerated and you'll be removed promptly.
we hope you guys will love this little safe space we've set up for you and have fun connecting, chatting, sharing content and fangirling over our favorite twins together !
I just found this wiki called FanLore, where people can document all known ships around the internet and as you may guess, there's an article about Max and Phoebe Thunderman.
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