I totally see where that anon is coming from about Lautski. I think the main problem is how little development they get outside of their relationship, especially Steph.
The basis of their relationship was supposed to connect to the show’s theme of people reaching outside the boxes that other people have put them in. They’re supposed to help each other develop beyond these boxes, but we only see a real character arc in Pete.
Peter is proud to be smart and enjoys school, but he wants to be accepted socially. He wants friends who he doesn’t despise. We know this about Pete, because he has a whole song about it.
Stephanie’s arc is SUPPOSED to be that she can finally recognize her own intelligence. Peter has the line, “She’s smarter than she thinks she is,” which parallels his line, “Am I cooler than I think I am?” These lines are obviously supposed to set up the central arcs of these characters, but it isn’t effective because these ideas aren’t utilized narratively throughout the entire show.
Lots of people don’t even pick up on Steph’s insecurity about her intelligence because it’s so irrelevant. The only times we might pick up on it is in the aforementioned line, when she says “I’m the smart one in the group, if you can believe that,” and her treatment by her father.
The problem is that we don’t see how this affects Steph. Peter has an observable character arc, even if it doesn’t affect the plot too much. Steph doesn’t. We don’t even really see it affecting her behavior in any way. If they wanted her to have an actual arc, they should’ve had a resolution where she proves her intelligence after having the a few missed opportunities to do so, like Peter has in “Cool as I Think I Am Reprise.” Maybe have her think of a clever way to escape Max.
They also fail at showing how the relationship connects to these supposed arcs. While I love “If I Loved You,” the time would’ve been better spent in a duet that actually explored their character arcs (and the other traumatizing shit going on at this point in the show). Maybe a duet where they both blame themselves for what’s been going on, and assure each other. Maybe even keep the combative/playful nature of the song, but use the lyrics to reveal the deeper thought of the characters. Peter could be stressed because he didn’t realize how much he leaned on Richie and Ruth, and he doesn’t want Steph to think lesser of him if he opens up. Steph could be thinking that his stress manifesting as anger is because he’s mad at her. Maybe she feels that she’s unhelpful and messing things up. Using this song to further their development would make their arcs feel more well-rounded, and less of a “tell-don’t-show” situation.
My thumbs hurt that was a lot of words
