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Roko's next moves to help May

5 (15.2%)

More on the Clinton-Elliott-Brun-Millifeulle quadrangle

4 (12.1%)

Claire gets a very weird job offer

4 (12.1%)

Faye's mother comes to town to meet 'my future new in-law' (awkwardness)

4 (12.1%)

A day in the life of Yay-yay Newfriend, the spookiest bot of them all

1 (3%)

We will rock you! The fighting ring is re-opening!

0 (0%)

Sven ends up trapped in a stuck elevator with May, Hannelore and Momo

3 (9.1%)

Marten goes to the music shop to learn how to fix guitars; things start getting weird (Ghosts? AI musical instruments?)

7 (21.2%)

Emily's other job - Dog-sitter extraordinare!

0 (0%)

Roko drags Milli, Beeps and Winslow to a synthetics nightclub; hijinks!

0 (0%)

Emily and Raven working together by telepresence on a faster-than-light starship drive

1 (3%)

An adventure with Tilly, Station, Dr John and Lt Porter on the ECI Space Station

0 (0%)

Actually, I've got a better idea... (Tell us!)

4 (12.1%)

Total Members Voted: 32

[Mr Intrepid]

I am wondering, is Marten ever going to get his t-shirt back from Bubbles? It is definitely going to be stretched all out of shape.

i believe that's actually Faye's shirt.  She had it before she met Bubbles.
Marten's signature shirt is the blue "Teh" shirt.  And Claire may have appropriated that along the way.

[Zebediah]

Claire had her own Teh-shirt before she started dating Marten.

[pwhodges]

That's never been Marten's T-shirt - it was always Faye's.

[pwhodges]

Claire had her own Teh-shirt before she started dating Marten.

She'd probably seen it on him by then, though, and could well have got one like it for that reason.

[jwhouk]

Yeah, I mean, this guy in town sells them through his online shop.

[pwhodges]

What a coincidence! - that's where I got mine from!

[Uniquitous]

Re: Faye's dad. Fuckin' fuck, man. Fuuuuuck. (Yes, I am very erudite, why do you ask?)

[shanejayell]

Well, that's a downer .... 

[Is it cold in here?]

Remember the climax of "Inside Out"?

It is sad but allow her to move forward.

[TieDyeKat]

...dammit Jeph...

[Penquin47]

Straight for the feels today, isn't it?  Ow.

But honestly, I think Faye's dad would agree completely with Faye that she should keep what she has now instead of bringing him back.  Nothing for her to be sorry for.

[St.Clair]

damn, that is hard.
and I'm sure she's been carrying that around for a while.  like, probably the day after it happened.
lots of people say "I would give anything if"... but sometimes, what you'd be giving up is even more valuable.

[Torlek]

When you try so hard to move on for so long but can't, then you finally do without realizing it.....

[chris73]

I know this is supposed to be an emotional break through but unfortunately because its Faye I'm just not feeling anything for her. I mean I'm glad its happened for her but only in a way I'd be glad for anyone in her situation but as its Faye I'm more like...meh

[Theta9]

I hope tomorrows strip starts with "art imitating life"

You want a sexual assault?

[Mordhaus]

Annnnnnd... Scene.

[Gyrre]

Marten hasn't had a storyline in forever.  Time for his bus to come back.

I get the feeling Marten is at best a bit character now. I've had that feeling for a while now but seeing Marten completely abandon his dream (after Jeph spent years not even bringing up Deathmole at all much less ever actually giving them a show or something to get some progress on that dream) for something that is tangentially related at best is what cemented it. Marten's main purpose has largely always been to just prop up the rest of the cast to keep them all together and he's become not even particularly important in that capacity anymore. I think we've reached the point in the comic when Jeph could retire Marten completely and it wouldn't completely wreck the rest of the cast.

What about Claire?

Depends on how he gets retired.

[Carl-E]

I was not expecting a gut punch. 




Then again, one never does. 

[DaiJB]

Ow - the things that pop up from the bottom of your psyche when you least expect it...

(Well done, Jeph!)

[awkwardness]

Dangit...Faye's right. A lot of us want loved ones to come back, but in doing so everything about their lives changes and a lot of things may not be fore the better.

Sometimes it's best that the dead stay dead and memories stay forgotten...the changes aren't worth what you'll lose.

Now if you'll excuse me, someone is cutting onions near me and causing my eyes to burn 

[awkwardness]

Marten hasn't had a storyline in forever.  Time for his bus to come back.

I get the feeling Marten is at best a bit character now. I've had that feeling for a while now but seeing Marten completely abandon his dream (after Jeph spent years not even bringing up Deathmole at all much less ever actually giving them a show or something to get some progress on that dream) for something that is tangentially related at best is what cemented it. Marten's main purpose has largely always been to just prop up the rest of the cast to keep them all together and he's become not even particularly important in that capacity anymore. I think we've reached the point in the comic when Jeph could retire Marten completely and it wouldn't completely wreck the rest of the cast.

What about Claire?

Depends on how he gets retired.

Sadly it's either they have a nasty breakup, he dies in a horrific accident, or suddenly has the Angus treatment and is able to follow his dreams and has to breakup with Claire to follow them...none of those involve Claire leaving too, unless Jeph wanted to keep them together as a couple and forcibly retires her too

[BenRG]

I posted this before but the thing is that Faye has never really had a chance to properly mourn her father. She had a total mental breakdown after seeing him killing himself and was hospitalised after a suicide attempt not to long afterwards. She then lapsed into alcoholism and had been 'self-medicating' ever since. She's never been in the position where she was able to process everything that happened to her.

Now she's been dry for a while and is in a situation where she feels relatively safe (with Bubbles and with her social connection firm thanks to her friendships), I think that it is all going to start pouring out of her in various ways and in various times. Mostly unexpectedly, like today.

[pwhodges]

Sometimes it's best that the dead stay dead and memories stay forgottenmemories...

Fixed that for you; it's not necessary to forget, just to accept.

[chris73]

I posted this before but the thing is that Faye has never really had a chance to properly mourn her father. She had a total mental breakdown after seeing him killing himself and was hospitalised after a suicide attempt not to long afterwards. She then lapsed into alcoholism and had been 'self-medicating' ever since. She's never been in the position where she was able to process everything that happened to her.

Now she's been dry for a while and is in a situation where she feels relatively safe (with Bubbles and with her social connection firm thanks to her friendships), I think that it is all going to start pouring out of her in various ways and in various times. Mostly unexpectedly, like today.

Well she was in a pretty safe place with Marten for years but chose not to

[BenRG]

Well she was in a pretty safe place with Marten for years but chose not to

She was struggling with addiction at that time and was still in such a bad place that she made two debatable suicide attempts (the fire and her drinking herself into unconsciousness).

[chris73]

Well she was in a pretty safe place with Marten for years but chose not to

She was struggling with addiction at that time and was still in such a bad place that she made two debatable suicide attempts (the fire and her drinking herself into unconsciousness).

I didn't realise they were suicide attempts, so its considered canon?

[dutchrvl]

I wouldn't go that far. The first one she sort of hinted herself that she may or may not have steered deliberately towards the tree (if I remember correctly), and the second one I don't think was ever established as a suicide attempt (nor do I think it was).

[dutchrvl]

Dangit...Faye's right. A lot of us want loved ones to come back, but in doing so everything about their lives changes and a lot of things may not be fore the better.

Sometimes it's best that the dead stay dead and memories stay forgotten...the changes aren't worth what you'll lose.

Now if you'll excuse me, someone is cutting onions near me and causing my eyes to burn 

Absolutely. You know how many times in movies/books etc. people say stuff like "I'd do anything for 1 more day with my dad/mom" or somesuch similar?
Yeah, that's a hard no for me. I loved my dad and would love for him to still be around, even if only for 1 more day, but would I change what has happened in my life for it? No, let alone 'do anything' for it. Fond memories provide a smile every day, and that will do

[Welu]

Oof...

[Rincewind]

You want a sexual assault?

Not really, no.  I was thinking more along the lines of a great big hug and a passionate kiss.  I had never heard about that iconic picture (that I saw in Time magazine) actually being an assault!  Ya learn sumthin' new every day.

[Is it cold in here?]

Sometimes it's best that the dead stay dead and memories stay forgottenmemories...

Fixed that for you; it's not necessary to forget, just to accept.

One of my favorite quotes is "Forgiveness means letting go of the hope for a better past".

[thErgonomic]

A-and... Stage seven.

[shanejayell]

Awww. Yeah, good scene...

[Coleman]

While it is an awesome scene I couldn't help but think that Forever may not mean the same thing to each of them. I don't recall but has it ever been discussed how long AI live? Have AI been around long enough to have to deal with differences between human and AI lifespans or are AI still new enough that this hasn't come up yet?

This was bothering me enough I came here to register and ask

[Is it cold in here?]

Welcome, new person with an important question!

There was a very early strip where Marten told Pintsize he was probably effectively immortal. Since then Jeph's characterization of synthetics has changed so much that it's not necessarily canon.

Since transferring into new bodies is a well-documented possibility for AIs they should be able to live as long as their software operates correctly. We don't know whether there are hidden flaws in their consciousness that will show up decades down the road.

At a guess the marriage will last as long as Faye's life.

EDIT:
It's been mentioned that AIs are vulnerable to accidents and violence. Bubbles doubtless has a reinforced core though.

[awkwardness]

Sometimes it's best that the dead stay dead and memories stay forgottenmemories...

Fixed that for you; it's not necessary to forget, just to accept.

Fixed it for the better. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting the past, it just means accepting the present and hoping to change the future.

Dangit, those two are causing us to have philosophical feelings. I really wanted to not remember "what if" and now think a lot of "should have beens" are best left never being changed...

[awkwardness]

I posted this before but the thing is that Faye has never really had a chance to properly mourn her father. She had a total mental breakdown after seeing him killing himself and was hospitalised after a suicide attempt not to long afterwards. She then lapsed into alcoholism and had been 'self-medicating' ever since. She's never been in the position where she was able to process everything that happened to her.

Now she's been dry for a while and is in a situation where she feels relatively safe (with Bubbles and with her social connection firm thanks to her friendships), I think that it is all going to start pouring out of her in various ways and in various times. Mostly unexpectedly, like today.

I disagree regarding her not getting the chance to properly mourn. She did, and she moved on in her own way years later. However, it's the accepting that things might have been different and maybe it's best that they not have changed that she's just now accepting. To me, those are completely different things and are not mutually exclusive. She missed him and wanted things to change as a lot of people want, but she realizes it's best to accept that she can't change the past and has a good present with her friends and Bubbles.

[Is it cold in here?]

The scene at the graveside looked like closure, but her problems persisted and got dangerously worse afterward.

[BenRG]

"I'm not a monster?" It says a lot about how much of Faye's problems persist that there's a part of her that really needs that reassurance.

There's something about that last panel that worries me. Something about this whole micro-arc has got me concerned that this is going to be a turning point for Faye. It could be positive or this is the moment where the new character conflict begins and I really think that it may start in the very next strip with this kiss interrupted. Optimistically, a Tesla-X appears in a flash of light and screeches to a halt, knocking over some dumpsters. Raven jumps out and yells "Faye! You've got to come back with me!"

"Raven? It's good to see you but come back where?"

"Where do you think? Back to the future!"

"Woah, Raven, I'm not going anywhere! You may have missed it but my girlfriend and I are having a moment here and..."

"Well, bring her too! It concerns her as well!"

"Wait a moment, Raven! What happens to us in the future? I mean... Do we both turn out bums, assholes or something?"

"No, no, no Faye! You and Bubbles turn out fine! It's your kids Faye! Something hast got to be done about those kids of yours!"

While it is an awesome scene I couldn't help but think that Forever may not mean the same thing to each of them. I don't recall but has it ever been discussed how long AI live? Have AI been around long enough to have to deal with differences between human and AI lifespans or are AI still new enough that this hasn't come up yet?

Which reminds me of my still-unwritten fan-story where Bubbles designs a housing for Faye's brain that will last a lot longer than this current one. Faye has to confront the question of whether Bubbles is worth giving up her humanity, with Roko mentioning that the chassis proposed is so high fidelity that Faye would literally only be giving up calcium-carbon-hydrogen construction in favour of titanium/silicon.

[Is it cold in here?]

>those kids of yours

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TECHNOLOGY

[JoeCovenant]

>those kids of yours

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TECHNOLOGY

No-one ever seems to address the fact that the 2nd movie wasn't really about "Something’s gotta Be done About your kids!" at all...

[Scarlet Manuka]

Dangit...Faye's right. A lot of us want loved ones to come back, but in doing so everything about their lives changes and a lot of things may not be fore the better.

Sometimes it's best that the dead stay dead and memories stay forgotten...the changes aren't worth what you'll lose.

There's an interesting exploration of this theme in Stephen Baxter's book Transcendent. A part of far-future humanity attempts first to witness, then undo, the suffering of humans in the past. But having an imperfect recreation of your dead wife turn up years later isn't as comforting as they had imagined.

[Mr_Rose]

>those kids of yours

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TECHNOLOGY

No-one ever seems to address the fact that the 2nd movie wasn't really about "Something’s gotta Be done About your kids!" at all...

But it was… they just got distracted in the middle a little…

[Roborat]

I am wondering, is Marten ever going to get his t-shirt back from Bubbles? It is definitely going to be stretched all out of shape.

i believe that's actually Faye's shirt.  She had it before she met Bubbles.
Marten's signature shirt is the blue "Teh" shirt.  And Claire may have appropriated that along the way.

Ah, I got them mixed up, been too long since I did an archive dive obviously.  Okay, just pretend I said Faye, not Marten.

[Roborat]

And the arc finishes on a kiss.

Cue narrator: Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one vapourized the town and large areas of the surrounding county.

[Theta9]

>those kids of yours

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TECHNOLOGY

No-one ever seems to address the fact that the 2nd movie wasn't really about "Something’s gotta Be done About your kids!" at all...

But it was… they just got distracted in the middle a little…

No, the future kids trip was just a vehicle to get the future sports almanac into past Biff's hands.

[thErgonomic]

Mechanical and biological immortality does not render invincibility. And, considering that there is AIs walking around, what is there to prevent transference of human memories and personalities into an AI cell in the not so distant future?

...can AIs have offspring?

[hedgie]

Things on my computer spawn child processes all the time.

[Is it cold in here?]

I really expected it to end with a marriage proposal. They've taken their vows, might as well make it official.

[cesium133]

>those kids of yours

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TECHNOLOGY

No-one ever seems to address the fact that the 2nd movie wasn't really about "Something’s gotta Be done About your kids!" at all...

But it was… they just got distracted in the middle a little…

No, the future kids trip was just a vehicle to get the future sports almanac into past Biff's hands.

What I seem to recall from the directors' commentary on the DVD was that since the first film was written separately, they hadn't originally planned for any sequels. Then when they went to write the second movie, they ended up basically BSing their way out of having to make the whole movie about the kids.

That's also why Jennifer is pretty much discarded in an alley at the beginning of the second movie, and doesn't really come back in any significant role until the end of the third movie.

They also did something similar with the 'don't call me chicken' retcon: Marty never says the line in the first movie. They came up with it for the scene in the Cafe 80s, because they needed Marty to stay and fight in a situation where any sensible person would run away.