I think we'll definitely see Faye at the support group, alternating with another arc -- my guess is Clinton and Emily because the weirdness would balance the seriousness.
I would like to see Sven, I enjoy him as a character. And, up until his most recent appearance, I'd enjoyed his character growth arc. I'm not interested in seeing him backtrack on character growth and pursue Faye as an entitled douchbro.
Is it just me, or is Hanners much more of a literal cartoon than she used to be? I mean, even the way she is drawn compared to the other characters? I miss when she had more substance to her.
I vote no familiar faces at support group, both because it's kind of expected, and because there's been so much talk about it here on the forums. We may be a while before we even get to the meeting; I'm guessing today is Monday rather than Wednesday.
It's Tuesday. I hope that doesn't clash with April's timeline...
"I'm sorry Faye, we're strictly non-religious here. You'll have to re-enact Jesus in the temple somewhere else."
Faye could easily flip a table or two.
It's not too late
To flip it
Well, flip it good
I vote no familiar faces at support group, both because it's kind of expected, and because there's been so much talk about it here on the forums.
If I'm not mistaken, the last time we saw Steve, he was drinking VERY heavily.
I think the real issue here is that It's Always Taco Night Somewhere.If I'm not mistaken, the last time we saw Steve, he was drinking VERY heavily.
Last time we saw Steve, he was eating cereal, yeah? :mrgreen:
Maybe the support group is where we meet Claire's dad.
Maybe the support group is where we meet Claire's dad.
Nope.
Faye's dad.
So then if I get what you're saying, Faye didn't survive her brush with death, and this is how she figures out she's actually dead? :psyduck:Maybe the support group is where we meet Claire's dad.
Nope.
Faye's dad.
Y'now, I've got the feeling that Faye is drinking coffee so she doesn't have the need to drink alcohol. I wonder how long it will be before she's so wired that she's standing on the ceiling?
Guest appearances make sense. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Billie and Ruthless from Dumbing of Age in the group...
Remember guys, the ad says 18-30. That suggests no "grownups" (Clairemom, Jimbo, Jim, etc) will attend, full stop.
I think that out of all characters so far, Steve would be a likely candidate to meet in the support group. If I'm not mistaken, the last time we saw Steve, he was drinking VERY heavily
Ah. I guess no Claudius then. [headcanon]Yes, that is Claire's dad. His name is Claudius. Claudius Tiberius Augustus.[/headcanon] Besides, he would have been in the creeps group anyway.
You know, there is one character who would probably be at the support group Penelope.
Penelope is the only confirmed teetotaler in the entire series. It's never been established why she doesn't drink. I'm presuming that she had a bad family history with alcohol, even if not a personal history with it.
Given the past tension between Penelope and Faye, I can't think of anyone that Faye would less like to see (minus maybe Dora) if she showed up there). That to me suggests it very well might happen. :-D
That said, Penelope was actually helpful with Faye in the past when she was trying to get in better shape. While they're not exactly friends, it might help to have her in more of a "big sister" role again.
I think it'll work best if there's actually no familiar faces there except for one possibility.
What if the person running it is Faye's therapist?
Quote from: not the actual lyricsIt's not too late
To flip it
Well, flip it good
I think we'll definitely see Faye at the support group
I think it'll work best if there's actually no familiar faces there except for one possibility.
What if the person running it is Faye's therapist?
This seems more likely than any of the possibilities so far.
We know already we'll be seeing Dr. Corrine again soon
Also, Elliot and Hanners were sooooOh Gods above, everything I see that strip I get flashbacks to my very first date, ('cept if you include this one, (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1925) Elliot and Hanners said more words to each other).cuteawkward together (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1930).
Do we though? Faye told Claire she had to find a -new- therapist, which I would take to mean we won't see Dr. Corrine again, or at least not in that role.
I think the only thing we heard about it was Faye's 'start goin' to fuckin' therapy again', which I thought meant that she would be going back to Dr. Corrine. She's been effective in the past, and I think Faye likes her and her no-nonsense style of therapy. She's been taking her advice, too. I think she just stopped going because it's expensive and she thought she didn't need that much it any more.
Do we though? Faye told Claire she had to find a -new- therapist, which I would take to mean we won't see Dr. Corrine again, or at least not in that role.
I think the real issue here is that It's Always Taco Night Somewhere.
argh, the proportions in the first panel!!! :psyduck:
Do we though? Faye told Claire she had to find a -new- therapist, which I would take to mean we won't see Dr. Corrine again, or at least not in that role.
Why is that? did Faye have a falling out with Dr. Corrine? I dont remember anything in the comic about it.
I guess you could argue that Dr. Corrine's approach didn't really seem to resonate with Faye.
I think the only thing we heard about it was Faye's 'start goin' to fuckin' therapy again', which I thought meant that she would be going back to Dr. Corrine. She's been effective in the past, and I think Faye likes her and her no-nonsense style of therapy. She's been taking her advice, too. I think she just stopped going because it's expensive and she thought she didn't need that much it any more.
Do we though? Faye told Claire she had to find a -new- therapist, which I would take to mean we won't see Dr. Corrine again, or at least not in that role.
? I thought it was find a new job and go back to therapy.
argh, the proportions in the first panel!!! :psyduck:
They look fine to me, Faye's just hunched over.
Yeah, I get that it is the perspective, and that it would be possible to get that kind of distortion in a photograph with those angles.... but... but... butt...... Faye has a bobble head! and T-Rex arms!The upper arm is a tad short. But hey, it's a comic; if you want questionable body proportions, try the first few hundred strips.
Can't be an expy of intolerance, can't be the expy of crass realization humor, Jeph doesn't like Pintsize anymore. He's being written out. Poor guy. throw aside like that.
The Singularity -has- come, and AIs -are- part of human society. Many hold down human type jobs, for starters.
Can't be an expy of intolerance, can't be the expy of crass realization humor, Jeph doesn't like Pintsize anymore. He's being written out. Poor guy. throw aside like that.
Jeph said they don't feel pain like we do. Whether that should affect the law is a large question.
Jeph said they don't feel pain like we do.
Can't be an expy of intolerance, can't be the expy of crass realization humor, Jeph doesn't like Pintsize anymore. He's being written out. Poor guy. throw aside like that.
Noo not Pintsize!! he's in the first comic! He's the almost-main-character! I hope he's not written out :( I love the li'l guy!
Crass sexual humor completely unrelated to her trans status, perhaps, but anything transphobic?
"Deus ex machina" is a funny phrase when Pintsize is around.
Crass sexual humor completely unrelated to her trans status, perhaps, but anything transphobic?
More on the former than the latter. Pintsize shows some lewd pic that offends/sickens Claire (but most certainly nothing transphobic, just something in bad taste in general), Marten has to come in and reprimand Pintsize to don't do that to Claire. Nothing outlandish, just something that could be a learning point, like how Pintsize can go too far even though the cast has tolerated his antics. Hell, in that context, it doesn't have to be trans-related, just some incident that can be applied in general to many things.
Faye's record of getting along with toasters is undistinguished.Fortunately it was not unextinguished.
Pintsize should talk to Emily (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2283) more, they can share their toaster love' desire.
Faye's record of getting along with toasters is undistinguished.Fortunately it was not unextinguished.
When Pintsize expressed a desire to be a toaster, I imagined a single red eye sweeping back and forth. He'd look very odd in a red minidress and heels though.
I'm reading Pintsize as "FUCK EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU I'M MOVING TO MEXICO".
On the "that could be arranged" part, I wonder if Faye is willing to turn him into a toaster...
This reminds me of a cartoon I saw once but have not been able to find since:
TOASTER: I want you inside me.
BREAD: You make me hot.
Pintsize should talk to Emily (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2283) more, they can share their toaster love' desire.
On a similar vein, I think Claire should be talking to Momo more about gender identity. One went thru a gender change, the other changed chassis from a glorified Nendoroid to an Andriod and had to learn some new things in the process. Thinking those could be related somehow.
You know, it does sort of make me sad that Jeph didn't ever do the one thing with Pintsize which would make things really interesting - find a character who is completely unphased by his crass humor, and can actually up the ante on him. Every character I can think of has basically reacted in horror to Pintsize at one point or another. It would be great to see his reaction if someone actually took the bait. He might be left speechless.
On the "that could be arranged" part, I wonder if Faye is willing to turn him into a toaster...She wouldn't need to turn him into a toaster to shove bread into him.
Pintsize should talk to Emily (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2283) more, they can share their toaster love' desire.
On a similar vein, I think Claire should be talking to Momo more about gender identity. One went thru a gender change, the other changed chassis from a glorified Nendoroid to an Andriod and had to learn some new things in the process. Thinking those could be related somehow.
Slight spoiler from Jeph's Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/572796117613748226)!
Either Jeph is trolling or Strip 2909 is going to be longer than usual (normally, I'd say the maximum number of panels is eight). What will happen I wonder?
You know, it does sort of make me sad that Jeph didn't ever do the one thing with Pintsize which would make things really interesting - find a character who is completely unphased by his crass humor, and can actually up the ante on him. Every character I can think of has basically reacted in horror to Pintsize at one point or another. It would be great to see his reaction if someone actually took the bait. He might be left speechless.
I guess trying to find out how much porn there is on the internet (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2331) wasn't as fulfilling as he'd hoped.
Just when I thought i've seen every porn imaginable, the Internet bitchslaps me with a shrubbery and introduces me to (Graphic Description of a type of Historical Pornography).
I'm reading Pintsize as "FUCK EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU I'M MOVING TO MEXICO".
On the "that could be arranged" part, I wonder if Faye is willing to turn him into a toaster...
I read it as the equivalent of a petulant child shouting "I wish I'd never been born!" When things don't go the way they think they should.
Not my fault. They forced my hand.
And now the Dora/Tai dramabomb drops.
Dora & Tai's happy status quo has been sufficiently established.
Could Dora be any further in denial?
Oh and by the way, thanks for the breadsticks photo, breadstick hentai is going to replace tentacle hentai as the stuff of my nightmares.Did someone say Hentai?
Oh and by the way, thanks for the breadsticks photo, breadstick hentai is going to replace tentacle hentai as the stuff of my nightmares.Did someone say Hentai?
[snipped image]
Oh and by the way, thanks for the breadsticks photo, breadstick hentai is going to replace tentacle hentai as the stuff of my nightmares.Did someone say Hentai?
(http://i.imgur.com/CUFxRLW.png)
Meh, everyone's become a cartoon lately. I remember when Claire was more than just OMG KYOOOOT. I miss gawky, punny Claire.
Alternatively:
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac75/de-arimasu/Funny/hentai.jpg)
Could Dora be any further in denial?
I don't think denial is the right word.
Trying to just live with the things that bothered her didn't work, she kept losing her cool with Marten. Setting boundaries for Sven regarding the people around her didn't work, he's a grown man, he doesn't have to listen to her. So now she tries withdrawing from/pushing away the people who are upsetting her. From Dora's perspective that's a rational enough progression and it isn't as if she pushed Faye away forever. The door is still open.
Oh and by the way, thanks for the breadsticks photo, breadstick hentai is going to replace tentacle hentai as the stuff of my nightmares.
You know, it does sort of make me sad that Jeph didn't ever do the one thing with Pintsize which would make things really interesting - find a character who is completely unphased by his crass humor, and can actually up the ante on him. Every character I can think of has basically reacted in horror to Pintsize at one point or another. It would be great to see his reaction if someone actually took the bait. He might be left speechless.
Dora completely ignored Tai's feelings and didn't even seem to realize they existed.
Mmm yummy Naan.
I don't know, but not denial. She's not pretending nothing happened, she's not refusing to acknowledge she made a choice, she's not even refusing to deal with problems. She's actively deciding that there are things she should not have to deal with. Specifically, other people's shit.
You've never walked away rather than get dragged down?
With Dora, I think her continuingly pushing people who she feels undermine her authority is all tied into her control issues. Think about it. Sven seems to constantly cross the line where it comes to Dora and how she thinks he should behave. Faye crossed the line in regards to the employee-employer relationship, disrespecting the rules (and Dora) by her actions.
She feels out of control where it comes to them. However, by her actively pushing them away, it puts her in control of the situation in her mind, and forces -them- to come to -her- if they want to beg forgiveness from her.
I think the next person on the Emotional Crash Train will be Dora.
Don't know why, but I just get the feeling that things are coming to a head with her as well.
Could Dora be any further in denial?
I don't think denial is the right word.
Trying to just live with the things that bothered her didn't work, she kept losing her cool with Marten. Setting boundaries for Sven regarding the people around her didn't work, he's a grown man, he doesn't have to listen to her. So now she tries withdrawing from/pushing away the people who are upsetting her. From Dora's perspective that's a rational enough progression and it isn't as if she pushed Faye away forever. The door is still open.
Oh and by the way, thanks for the breadsticks photo, breadstick hentai is going to replace tentacle hentai as the stuff of my nightmares.
First Faye/Angus, now maybe Dora/Tai ... is it just me, or is Jeph actively wrecking existing relationships in order to devote yet more squeetime (squeentime? :-P) to Claire/Marten?
She feels out of control where it comes to them. However, by her actively pushing them away, it puts her in control of the situation in her mind, and forces -them- to come to -her- if they want to beg forgiveness from her.
Well, everyone who's been complaining about to much Clairten squee and not enough drama... there is your bomb.
First Faye/Angus, now maybe Dora/Tai ... is it just me, or is Jeph actively wrecking existing relationships in order to devote yet more squeetime (squeentime? :-P) to Claire/Marten?
It remains possible that Tai is upset her out of pure altruism, but it seems more likely that Tai's feelings were hurt, because she wasn't talking about what she seemed to be talking about at the end. And Dora admitted fault. Perhaps it is even obvious to Dora what Tai was talking about.
"Dragons live forever, but not so little boys".
Dora completely ignored Tai's feelings and didn't even seem to realize they existed.
But Dora's actions seem like those of someone who's been asked, or asked themselves, which is more important: control, or people.Presenting a dichotomy like that is odd. "People" seems to be being defined as people other than Dora. Doesn't "people" include Dora? Are not her interests just as important as those of Sven and Faye? Is Dora being offered the same sort of consideration that people seem to be asking of her?
Just so. In both cases.Dora completely ignored Tai's feelings and didn't even seem to realize they existed.Tai did the exact same thing to Dora, ignoring her pain and instead implied she needed to lighten up and open up more to two people Dora feels have hurt her.
Oh wow, Dora! Yeah, okay, Tai could have chosen a better way to handle this (pushy and tactless is in character for her) but she is right to worry about how defensive Dora has been - not trying to solve problems in her relationships but just trying to edit them out of her life.I'm not sure how Dora can "solve problems in her relationships" with Faye or Sven. Faye didn't come to work drunk, and drink on the job, because of Dora. Sven didn't become a douche because of Dora either. I'm not saying that some form of reconciliation is impossible, but I don't think either relationship has problems that can be solved.
I knew strife between Tai and Dora was coming.
Dora just treats her friends, lovers and family like shit and then runs and hides and cries when she's called on it. Come to think of it, when viewed in that light, Dora might be the most accurate and realistic portrayal of women that Jeph has ever written.
But Dora's actions seem like those of someone who's been asked, or asked themselves, which is more important: control, or people.
Presenting a dichotomy like that is odd. "People" seems to be being defined as people other than Dora. Doesn't "people" include Dora? Are not her interests just as important as those of Sven and Faye? Is Dora being offered the same sort of consideration that people seem to be asking of her?
Dora completely ignored Tai's feelings and didn't even seem to realize they existed.
Tai did the exact same thing to Dora, ignoring her pain and instead implied she needed to lighten up and open up more to two people Dora feels have hurt her.
Just so. In both cases.
Oh wow, Dora! Yeah, okay, Tai could have chosen a better way to handle this (pushy and tactless is in character for her) but she is right to worry about how defensive Dora has been - not trying to solve problems in her relationships but just trying to edit them out of her life.
I'm not sure how Dora can "solve problems in her relationships" with Faye or Sven. Faye didn't come to work drunk, and drink on the job, because of Dora. Sven didn't become a douche because of Dora either. I'm not saying that some form of reconciliation is impossible, but I don't think either relationship has problems that can be solved.
Tai did the exact same thing to Dora, ignoring her pain and instead implied she needed to lighten up and open up more to two people Dora feels have hurt her.
Excuse me sir, you seem to have dropped your fedora.
You know, it's practically a Freudian statement by Jeph that the only girl he can imagine giving Marten a fair shot is functionally a dude. It has the lingering scent of misogyny around it.
"functionally a dude"
Bingo. I'm not sure how anyone interpreted that as Tai thinking Dora needed to open up to Faye and Sven.
Tai did the exact same thing to Dora, ignoring her pain and instead implied she needed to lighten up and open up more to two people Dora feels have hurt her.
My interpretation was Tai wanted Dora to open up to her
I know what it means to be trans. Any trans person is going to need a thick skin that can deflect far worse than anything I could say if they are to survive in this ignorant hateful world.
No, you really mean that you don't allow the right to voice any speculation. Have the integrity to admit it. Forum moderators don't as yet have the power to deem what is thoughtcrime and punish accordingly.No, you do not have that right in the context of a privately run forum: http://xkcd.com/1357/
*cough* https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,30194.0.html
No, you really mean that you don't allow the right to voice any speculation. Have the integrity to admit it. Forum moderators don't as yet have the power to deem what is thoughtcrime and punish accordingly.
No, you really mean that you don't allow the right to voice any speculation. Have the integrity to admit it. Forum moderators don't as yet have the power to deem what is thoughtcrime and punish accordingly.No, you do not have that right in the context of a privately run forum: http://xkcd.com/1357/
regardless of whether there might be something worth talking about in it.
And people have tried murdering me
So everybody, what did we learn? :wink:Don't leave a brown paper bag full of shit on the doorstep of the QC forums?
You know, it does sort of make me sad that Jeph didn't ever do the one thing with Pintsize which would make things really interesting - find a character who is completely unphased by his crass humor, and can actually up the ante on him. Every character I can think of has basically reacted in horror to Pintsize at one point or another. It would be great to see his reaction if someone actually took the bait. He might be left speechless.
Hasn't this already happened with Marten's mom in 1829 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1829)? Granted, we don't see Pintsize's reaction to her reaction to get goatse'd.
And people have tried murdering me
Story time? :?
Hasn't this already happened with Marten's mom in 1829 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1829)? Granted, we don't see Pintsize's reaction to her reaction to get goatse'd.The scary thing about that comic is that the Goatse guy's name really is Kirk (http://gawker.com/finding-goatse-the-mystery-man-behind-the-most-disturb-5899787).
I didn't know what "goatse'd" and "goatse" were. So I googled pictures. Oh my God my eyes can't unsee can't unsee Noooooooooooooooo
I didn't know what "goatse'd" and "goatse" were. So I googled pictures. Oh my God my eyes can't unsee can't unsee Noooooooooooooooo
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/ten_thousand.png)
Nat's been written out of the strip, according to this (http://jephjacques.com/post/11265563239/qa-dump-09).
Tai doesn't call Marten "Marty", does she?
I feel like "diet coke and mentos" and "gaping orifice" are two very different kinds of discovery.
She feels out of control where it comes to them. However, by her actively pushing them away, it puts her in control of the situation in her mind, and forces -them- to come to -her- if they want to beg forgiveness from her.
And the breakup with Marten was because.......he didn't want to be the bitch of the relationship?
Nat's been written out of the strip, according to this (http://jephjacques.com/post/11265563239/qa-dump-09).
In that same sentence, he said he wrote out any chance at happiness for Marten. Since Jeph obviously changed his mind about that, there is a possibility that some of the minor characters would come back from their bus trip.
I didn't know what "goatse'd" and "goatse" were. So I googled pictures. Oh my God my eyes can't unsee can't unsee Noooooooooooooooo
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/ten_thousand.png)
I feel like "diet coke and mentos" and "gaping orifice" are two very different kinds of discovery.
One sincerely hopes so. Because the combination of diet coke, mentos and a gaping orifice is just not something I want to ever see. :psyduck:
Pintsize has not yet met May. I suspect she could match him crude joke for crude joke.
This would inevitably end with the two of them on the sofa with a USB cable connecting the two of them, exchanging hot packets all night long.
While Dora may be disregarding Tai's feelings - and I agree that it's fair to say that she is - Tai is doing the same thing to her, only with better intentions. Dora's current approach to dealing with these issues isn't healthy, but
[1] she's also not in a place where she's ready to discuss them at length, or change her stance.
[2] she doesn't feel like talking about right now, at this very moment with Tai.
[3] she just wants to unwind after a day at work, and not think about all that right now.
But Dora's actions seem like those of someone who's been asked, or asked themselves, which is more important: control, or people.
Presenting a dichotomy like that is odd. "People" seems to be being defined as people other than Dora. Doesn't "people" include Dora? Are not her interests just as important as those of Sven and Faye? Is Dora being offered the same sort of consideration that people seem to be asking of her?
You're presenting a feature as a bug. The whole point of this argument is that Dora is creating the dichotomy, not others. She doesn't want to deal with her brother's entitlement issues. She doesn't want to take the initiative to rebuild the bridges with Faye. She seems to need to set the terms of her every interpersonal interaction. With her troubled (bordering on abused) background, this need isn't surprising. However, empathy for her troubles and understanding that Tai isn't exactly brilliant at getting through walls doesn't in any way change the fact that Dora has her own troubles to address.
While Dora may be disregarding Tai's feelings - and I agree that it's fair to say that she is - Tai is doing the same thing to her, only with better intentions. Dora's current approach to dealing with these issues isn't healthy, but
[1] she's also not in a place where she's ready to discuss them at length, or change her stance.
[2] she doesn't feel like talking about right now, at this very moment with Tai.
[3] she just wants to unwind after a day at work, and not think about all that right now.
I think these would all be great responses to Tai's statement in panel 3, and I think Tai would've acquiesced.
Pintsize has not yet met May. I suspect she could match him crude joke for crude joke.
This would inevitably end with the two of them on the sofa with a USB cable connecting the two of them, exchanging hot packets all night long.
I so badly misread that, and just had this weird image of May and Pintsize chilling, eating really terrible deathfood.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/dexeron/11291_Nimg_zpsvbjste2o.jpg)
Tai doesn't call Marten "Marty", does she?
Actually, I can't remember the last time that Tai actually named Marten... :-\
Well, this Tuesday is clearly ending on a harsh note! Some predictions for Wednesday (in universe):
- Tai is all mopey at work and eventually breaks down on the shoulder of a shocked, embarrassed and confused Claire or Marten (or both);
- Dora is snappy at work and Hannelore (still upset at Faye being fired) tells her off, visibly terrifying all the staff and customers (one of whom says: "Faye's back! They put her brain in Hannelore's body!")
- Dora decides to put her best foot forwards and goes to see Faye; Faye is going out to the support group but Marten is in and the two fall into conversation. Basically Marten does what Faye would have done: He calls her an idiot for risking her relationship with Tai - the best thing that she's had in her life for ages.
I think the world's pretty nice... And people have tried murdering me (that's not hyperbole), so I think that gives a bit of weight to my opinion...
Thinking the world is already a bad place is no excuse for acting like a dick.
The Report to Moderator button is 100% justified in cases like the jerk upthread. If you're new and not sure when to use it, that situation was a good example.
Actually, I can't remember the last time that Tai actually named Marten... :-\
I think I said it a week or so ago, I'm guessing Dora might be the next breakdown.
Meanwhile, the thought of Faye's brain in Hanners body cracks me up. And vice versa. Imagine the hijinks. But seriously.
Meanwhile, the thought of Faye's brain in Hanners body cracks me up. And vice versa. Imagine the hijinks. But seriously.
Feel kind of bad for Dora. She's an expert at protecting herself by pushing people away but someday she's going to come home from her successful coffee shop and wonder where all her friends and loves went.
i'll be the voice of disagreement here for real though, by which i mean voice of bein correct:
Dora's right, faye was a sloppy drunk and fucked up
Everyone calling Dora "controlling" is wrong and dumb, she runs CoD with the loosest hand ever and only asks that people not be sloppy drunks on the job? WTF job has anyone ever had where being a sloppy drunk on the job was okay?
The controlling one right now is Tai for giving some twatty lecture on Opening Up instead of payin attention to Dora and what she needs right now.
Dora's avoiding people's eyes right now cause she knows everyone around her wants to get her into another stupid fight over some shit that needs to be settled and done with cause it aint her job to fix Faye bein a fuckup, shit's real simple n the other people in this imaginary comic of imaginary people need to R E S P E C T
Also, there are other interpretations of that scene.
We don't know which one's correct, there are ways for any interpretation to actually fit, it's incredibly rude to speculate (and hurtful to trans people that have a lot of shit to deal with), speculation is not allowed here, and Jeph will never say what her status in that regard is.
How do we know that Marten & Claire's relationship is going to be happy? It's only a few days old.
Bottom line, Dora is building up pressure in her Guilt Boiler and I think that her snapping at Tai was the safety valve whilstling its warning. The question is, will it be enough to prevent another, more damaging explosion?
In the latter case, I have a nightmare image of Marten being awoken at a very late hour by Tai on the 'phone. "Uh... Marty...? Could... could you come to the Emergency Room...? I... I came to see Dora to try to talk things over... She... She's been cutting and I think she hit something important... There was blood everywhere and... Please... Please, Marty, I need someone I know here right now..."
i'll be the voice of disagreement here for real though, by which i mean voice of bein correct:
... Tai ... twatty ...
QuoteWe don't know which one's correct, there are ways for any interpretation to actually fit, it's incredibly rude to speculate (and hurtful to trans people that have a lot of shit to deal with), speculation is not allowed here, and Jeph will never say what her status in that regard is.
To be fair, Jeph kinda sho.......um.....wrote himself into a very weird position with the strip. While he can control what goes on here, he can't exactly control what happens elsewhere. He put out a strip, and invited unsolicited discussion about it, whether he likes it or not.
Everyone calling Dora "controlling" is wrong and dumb
i'll be the voice of disagreement here for real though, by which i mean voice of bein correct:My, what an ego we have. I can't tell if you're being serious or glib in that first line.
Dora's right, faye was a sloppy drunk and fucked up
Everyone calling Dora "controlling" is wrong and dumb, she runs CoD with the loosest hand ever and only asks that people not be sloppy drunks on the job? WTF job has anyone ever had where being a sloppy drunk on the job was okay?
The controlling one right now is Tai for giving some twatty lecture on Opening Up instead of payin attention to Dora and what she needs right now.
Dora's avoiding people's eyes right now cause she knows everyone around her wants to get her into another stupid fight over some shit that needs to be settled and done with cause it aint her job to fix Faye bein a fuckup, shit's real simple n the other people in this imaginary comic of imaginary people need to R E S P E C T
In the former case, I can see Faye coming home to find Marten trying to comfort a crying Dora. They call Tai and the two drive off together to have the long-overdue talk about their relationship and their future together.
In the latter case, I have a nightmare image of Marten being awoken at a very late hour by Tai on the 'phone. "Uh... Marty...? Could... could you come to the Emergency Room...? I... I came to see Dora to try to talk things over... She... She's been cutting and I think she hit something important... There was blood everywhere and... Please... Please, Marty, I need someone I know here right now..."
In the former case, I can see Faye coming home to find Marten trying to comfort a crying Dora. They call Tai and the two drive off together to have the long-overdue talk about their relationship and their future together.
In the latter case, I have a nightmare image of Marten being awoken at a very late hour by Tai on the 'phone. "Uh... Marty...? Could... could you come to the Emergency Room...? I... I came to see Dora to try to talk things over... She... She's been cutting and I think she hit something important... There was blood everywhere and... Please... Please, Marty, I need someone I know here right now..."
Next week on QC, shocking revelations about Faye's real father, Hannelore's evil clone returns to finish the job, and Marten receives another call from the hospital...
STEVE: "Marten, I--I don't have much time. The nurse is saying it's time to go. I had to talk to you before--before it happens."
MARTEN: "Steve..."
STEVE: "No, don't say anything. Listen, man, if I don't make it out of this--"
MARTEN: "Steve..."
STEVE: "No, LISTEN! Take care of my girl for me, Marten. I love you like a brother, man, and you're the only one I know can make her happy--"
MARTEN: "STEVE!"
STEVE: "WHAT?!"
MARTEN: "IT'S JUST A COLONOSCOPY!"
And more! Don't forget to tune in next week for more exciting stories on...QUESTIONABLE CONTENT!
Brought to you by Hot Pockets.
While I too would inherently like questions to be answered instead of being left ambiguous, Claire's physical/biological status is ultimately trivial and of no material importance to the plot.
While I too would inherently like questions to be answered instead of being left ambiguous, Claire's physical/biological status is ultimately trivial and of no material importance to the plot.
Humans are curious by nature. Just live with that fact and move on now.....
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
Add me to the dumb pile. I say metric shittons of stupid shit on a daily basis.
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
Then there's a pair of us — don't tell! They'd banish us, you know.
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*
I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
Then there's a pair of us — don't tell! They'd banish us, you know.
"To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge."
- Socrates
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."
- Confucius
"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do."
- Isaac Asimov
There aren't a lot of dumb people here ...
Ahem *raises hand*I know, I thought it was kinda mean for him to do that to us dumb people. We may be the minority, but we are proud people!
(http://i.imgur.com/UZbiTx0.jpg)
I feel the snark coming on. I shall attempt to suppress it...
Is everyone criticizing Dora and Tai's handling of that conversation a perfect being or something? Because, aside from how unnatural the dialogue lite thing feels after 10+ years of QC, the flow of that fail felt perfectly natural. Two humans who think they are both on the same subject, but aren't. And it's not clear that they weren't until someone gets hurt.
They both deserve a little slack. From each other and from the Statler and Waldorf seats.
I appear to have been unclear in my thesis:
The discussion of the mistake generally hinges upon the basic thesis that the mistake was avoidable.
My argument is that it was not. To qote the philosopher Morpheus, "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."
I appear to have been unclear in my thesis:
The discussion of the mistake generally hinges upon the basic thesis that the mistake was avoidable.
My argument is that it was not. To qote the philosopher Morpheus, "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."
I looked into that philosopher you quoted, Morpheus, and you’re right, “What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way.” but as it turns out “Some things do change.”
I should try and say something deep and intelligent here.I appear to have been unclear in my thesis:
The discussion of the mistake generally hinges upon the basic thesis that the mistake was avoidable.
My argument is that it was not. To qote the philosopher Morpheus, "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."
I looked into that philosopher you quoted, Morpheus, and you’re right, “What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way.” but as it turns out “Some things do change.”
But you are forgetting that all of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again.
I appear to have been unclear in my thesis:
The discussion of the mistake generally hinges upon the basic thesis that the mistake was avoidable.
My argument is that it was not. To qote the philosopher Morpheus, "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."
I looked into that philosopher you quoted, Morpheus, and you’re right, “What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way.” but as it turns out “Some things do change.”
But you are forgetting that all of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again.
I appear to have been unclear in my thesis:
The discussion of the mistake generally hinges upon the basic thesis that the mistake was avoidable.
My argument is that it was not. To qote the philosopher Morpheus, "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."
I looked into that philosopher you quoted, Morpheus, and you’re right, “What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way.” but as it turns out “Some things do change.”
But you are forgetting that all of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again.
I appear to have been unclear in my thesis:
The discussion of the mistake generally hinges upon the basic thesis that the mistake was avoidable.
My argument is that it was not. To qote the philosopher Morpheus, "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."
I looked into that philosopher you quoted, Morpheus, and you’re right, “What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way.” but as it turns out “Some things do change.”
But you are forgetting that all of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again.
So say we all.
Marigold is terrible at being a friend.
Well, I still say Dora was in the wrong when she fired Marten, especially after that bear maimed Faye. How will her lingering guilt over these developments affect her new relationship with Claire?
AND her feelings about Claire being an x-men style mutant.... Let's not forget that little relationship hurdle!
Well, I still say Dora was in the wrong when she fired Marten, especially after that bear maimed Faye. How will her lingering guilt over these developments affect her new relationship with Claire?
AND her feelings about Claire being an x-men style mutant.... Let's not forget that little relationship hurdle!
Marigold is terrible at being a friend.
Well, I still say Dora was in the wrong when she fired Marten, especially after that bear maimed Faye. How will her lingering guilt over these developments affect her new relationship with Claire?
AND her feelings about Claire being an x-men style mutant.... Let's not forget that little relationship hurdle!
The theme of the comic is that it shouldn't matter to anyone if Claire is a member of the Ex-Men.
Didn't think of that possible interpretation when I wrote that... Now I feel kinda foolish.It's a very old joke there's no reason for you to be familiar with it.
It's a very old joke there's no reason for you to be familiar with it.
I try to like Marigold, I really do. The fanbase generally seems to like her, Jeph has mentioned at one point that he's her favorite character...but then she pulls shit like this. I know it's meant for comedy, but she's evolved from "sort of endearing social recluse making something of an effort" to "complacent, petulant, self-centered womanchild (manchild is a thing, so why not womanchild?) who doesn't particularly give a rats ass about anyone but herself"
A few sweet moments with Momo isn't enough to sell me on her, and it's strips like this that reenforce why.
Bad trans jokes in the forum, blah.
The Report to Moderator button is 100% justified in cases like the jerk upthread. If you're new and not sure when to use it, that situation was a good example.
Well, I still say Dora was in the wrong when she fired Marten, especially after that bear maimed Faye. How will her lingering guilt over these developments affect her new relationship with Claire?
AND her feelings about Claire being an x-men style mutant.... Let's not forget that little relationship hurdle!
The theme of the comic is that it shouldn't matter to anyone if Claire is a member of the Ex-Men.
Didn't think of that possible interpretation when I wrote that... Now I feel kinda foolish.
I'll agree with the woman-child thing and haven't really liked Marigold since that time she ditched Dale.
But todays just a cute comic and in her defense she is reading a manga about butts.
I try to like Marigold, I really do. The fanbase generally seems to like her, Jeph has mentioned at one point that he's her favorite character...but then she pulls shit like this. I know it's meant for comedy, but she's evolved from "sort of endearing social recluse making something of an effort" to "complacent, petulant, self-centered womanchild (manchild is a thing, so why not womanchild?) who doesn't particularly give a rats ass about anyone but herself"
A few sweet moments with Momo isn't enough to sell me on her, and it's strips like this that reenforce why.
Eh... You see a complacent, petulant, self-centered woman-child, I see an introvert who really doesn't know much about these other people her friend is talking about. Yes, she's met them, but Marigold really hasn't interacted with the gang much. From her point of view, she's there to spend time with her friend Hanners - not talk about Hanners other friends.
Some people would much rather talk about ideas than people and others prefer interaction through games rather than direct conversation. I am, for one, not a great conversationalist unless you get me on a subject that I'm passionate about. I really don't like talking about other people... maybe Marigold is the same way?
Also, it occurs to me that I could've chosen to use a word other than "bears", which makes it sound like I'm awkwardly trying to make a terrible pun based on today's strip.
Also, it occurs to me that I could've chosen to use a word other than "bears", which makes it sound like I'm awkwardly trying to make a terrible pun based on today's strip.
Don't fight it. :claireface:
Also, it occurs to me that I could've chosen to use a word other than "bears", which makes it sound like I'm awkwardly trying to make a terrible pun based on today's strip. Oh well, too late to change it now.
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
They can be serious about work together.
.....dammit, now I wanna see Dora/Claire ship. Thanks Jeph.:?
the way mr. Jacques draws the anger and potential cruelty in Hannelore's eyes for the last panel is, I think, one of his best recent pieces of work.
Yea, i can sympathize with Hannelore's position here.
my partner is a great girl, creative, kind, but my god she cannot empathize to save her life. example in case, i was on the train to see her, the station i was due to arrive at was closed, i text to say i'll be delayed. 2 hours later i am still trying to get through london, i text her appologizing for the lateness and bemoaning the travel situation. all i get back is a next from her complaining that a shirt she got for Christmas doesn't fit right.
i'm trying to make her more aware of the fact without seeming pushy or demanding.
I just don't think that the subject matters, nor that it should matter in the first place, if we ever want to get to the truly progressive societal end result that we supposedly want to get to.
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Honest, brave, hardworking, good to Momo almost always, friendly to Hannelore despite having to improvise the whole concept.
Previous discussion (https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,24813.0.html).
I try to like Marigold, I really do. The fanbase generally seems to like her, Jeph has mentioned at one point that he's her favorite character...but then she pulls shit like this. I know it's meant for comedy, but she's evolved from "sort of endearing social recluse making something of an effort" to "complacent, petulant, self-centered womanchild (manchild is a thing, so why not womanchild?) who doesn't particularly give a rats ass about anyone but herself"
A few sweet moments with Momo isn't enough to sell me on her, and it's strips like this that reenforce why.
You know, todays page got me thinking? when has Marigold ever met claire?
You know, todays page got me thinking? when has Marigold ever met claire?
She might know Claire on sight as one of Momo's co-workers but that's it.
Marigold probably knows Marten as Pintsize's room-mate (she's rebooted him for Marten at least once) and Momo's co-worker and Dora as Dale's boss. Faye she'd probably know a bit better as Angus's ex. However, given the whole unrequited crush on Angus thing and the fact that Faye and Angus had a pretty traumatic break-up might leave her less than interested in Faye's problems. Hannelore is the only real close personal connection between the core cast and Marigold, who is mostly an outer part of the CoD circle (Dale's GF and Hannelore's bestie).
Marten and Marigold also went to friggin' SPACE together!
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Panel 4 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2509)
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Panel 4 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2509)
It's not funny to joke that a character's only good trait is their breasts.
I am beginning to find the conversations around the comics rather disheartening. Either we have a bunch of strips where people are being cute and squee-worthy and many people complain that it's to much, the characters are to flat and there is no dramatic tension. Or there is some sort of drama going on, and everyone wants to rip all the characters involved to shreds, psychoanalyzing every comment and declaring that the characters are the Worst People Ever. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.I'm starting to get to this point myself.
I am beginning to find the conversations around the comics rather disheartening. Either we have a bunch of strips where people are being cute and squee-worthy and many people complain that it's to much, the characters are to flat and there is no dramatic tension. Or there is some sort of drama going on, and everyone wants to rip all the characters involved to shreds, psychoanalyzing every comment and declaring that the characters are the Worst People Ever. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.I'm starting to get to this point myself.
Hardcore fandom is a double-edged sword.
Well, you shouldn't have swallowed your hands in the first place! :claireface:
Or there is some sort of drama going on, and everyone wants to rip all the characters involved to shreds, psychoanalyzing every comment and declaring that the characters are the Worst People Ever. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.
r. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.
I always find myself defending characters, because it seems like every character has a hateclub ready to jump on them the moment they do anything even remotely not perfect.I am beginning to find the conversations around the comics rather disheartening. Either we have a bunch of strips where people are being cute and squee-worthy and many people complain that it's to much, the characters are to flat and there is no dramatic tension. Or there is some sort of drama going on, and everyone wants to rip all the characters involved to shreds, psychoanalyzing every comment and declaring that the characters are the Worst People Ever. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.I'm starting to get to this point myself.
If I was reading Sexy Fairy Men and someone started talking to me about townie drama I wouldn't be listening either.
Don't wake the sleep-walker. Don't distract the driver. Don't talk to the bookworm.
I mean, really, what has Marigold ever done for Hanners besides allowing her to watch a WoW raid while breathing in a cloud of beef jerky farts?
"Townie" in the context of Northampton is a pretty empty term, since it pretty much just means anyone who lives in that town and isn't part of the self-important, trust-fund-intensive Smith College bubble.
"Townie" in the context of Northampton is a pretty empty term, since it pretty much just means anyone who lives in that town and isn't part of the self-important, trust-fund-intensive Smith College bubble.
Not really true. Northampton is close enough to Amherst that many UMass grad students (and even some upperclassmen) choose to live there rather than Amherst. Which makes sense, because Amherst is basically a big suburb with two semi-decent blocks.
As for Marigold, I don't like her as a character at all, but I'm not saying she's poorly written, out of character, or that Jeph doesn't use her correctly in the strip in general (e.g., in her role as comic relief). I'm just saying as a real human being, she would demonstrably suck.
I wonder if Jeph is trying to set up an omnishambles in Marten and Claire's social circles - possibly as a direct "fuck you" to those who said there's too much squee.
Angus nudged Faye over the brink
Sven and Faye are pushing Dora over the brink
Faye and Marigold are pushing Hanners over the brink
Dora's now hurt Tai
Who knows what'll happen with Clinton and Emily
Dora being pushed over the brink will put further strain on Hanners, and strain on Penny and Cosette
Penny and Cosette being strained will affect Wil and Steve
Faye's also putting strain on Marten, and Tai will probably put strain on Claire somehow
Faye being fired will put strain on Sam, which may put strain on Jim, which may affect Veronica, Renee, and Elliott
Wil being strained may rub off on Elliott too
All of this relationship drama will rub off on Amir, too. And don't forget Clairemom, too.
There, every current character that lives or works in Northampton, affected negatively by the fallout of Angus breaking up with Faye.
Except for a certain Dr. Buenvenida. She's rolling in the kilobucks.
Aside: so what is the meaning of those little stars that appear above some people's avatars?
Aside: so what is the meaning of those little stars that appear above some people's avatars?
I was thinking the same thing. We might be seeing a new era of QC, in which half a dozen relationships that were cultivated over nearly 3,000 strips will be at-best estranged for awhile. I'm all for it. And I bet #3,000 will be a god damn doozy.
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Honest, brave, hardworking, good to Momo almost always, friendly to Hannelore despite having to improvise the whole concept.
Previous discussion (https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,24813.0.html).
Maybe I just have a different type of friend, but if someone shows up at my house, I generally don't think its my responsibility to entertain them. Its one thing if plans were made and all that jazz, but this doesn't see like that is the situation here. I take my me time seriously. I actually stayed downstairs one time when we had unexpected visitors and my wife hung out with them. I just stayed in bed and said I had a migraine. There are times when I just can't be around people.
And if I was reading something when they came in, I probably wouldn't immediately put it down just because they got there. Granted, I might have more random junk around my house for friends to pick up and thumb through than Marigold has (my main social hobbies are board games and ttrpgs, and different friends will be looking through those). And I had another friend who would sit on a chair on her laptop while I sat on the couch with mine, and we would occasionally say something to each other, which one of us might miss if we had been in the middle of reading something.
We don't know enough context. Did they make plans to hang out that day? Did Hanners interrupt her day that Marigold had planned to recharge in order to tell her all about the drama of people she isn't that close with?
If its the first one, then yeah, Marigold is being kind of a dick. If its the second one, Marigold is trying to accommodate a friend who showed up, but has her own needs as well, and that is conflicting.
While it's possible to invoke some convoluted explanation to make this Momo's fault, I think that's extreme even for this forum.
While it's possible to invoke some convoluted explanation to make this Momo's fault, I think that's extreme even for this forum.
It's my fault, sorry guys. I'll try not to let it happen again (it will though).
So then what's the opposite of a Hannelore realdoll? Because apparently that's what Jeph would get when he retires...I was thinking the same thing. We might be seeing a new era of QC, in which half a dozen relationships that were cultivated over nearly 3,000 strips will be at-best estranged for awhile. I'm all for it. And I bet #3,000 will be a god damn doozy.
So you're thinking the endgame (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1620) is "everyone breaks up, then Jeph retires"?
I always find myself defending characters, because it seems like every character has a hateclub ready to jump on them the moment they do anything even remotely not perfect.I am beginning to find the conversations around the comics rather disheartening. Either we have a bunch of strips where people are being cute and squee-worthy and many people complain that it's to much, the characters are to flat and there is no dramatic tension. Or there is some sort of drama going on, and everyone wants to rip all the characters involved to shreds, psychoanalyzing every comment and declaring that the characters are the Worst People Ever. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.I'm starting to get to this point myself.
I swear, if some of the people in the forum were as strict with the behavior of real life people as they are with QC characters, there is no way they actually still have friends.
And that's further complicated by Marigold, who's taken far more from nearly everyone she's encountered than she's given (the exception being Momo). Nobody's saying she's evil. She's just a lot more immature, selfish and self-centered than anybody over the age of twelve has any right to be, and to some of us, that joke isn't funny anymore... She's not the "worst person ever." God knows, I've known far worse. But her behavior is grating for the same reason that people like that in real life -- who won't do the bare minimum to maintain a friendship, and who only value what they can take from others -- are the kind of people that most of us wouldn't like, and would keep at arm's length if we had the chance.
I always find myself defending characters, because it seems like every character has a hateclub ready to jump on them the moment they do anything even remotely not perfect.I am beginning to find the conversations around the comics rather disheartening. Either we have a bunch of strips where people are being cute and squee-worthy and many people complain that it's to much, the characters are to flat and there is no dramatic tension. Or there is some sort of drama going on, and everyone wants to rip all the characters involved to shreds, psychoanalyzing every comment and declaring that the characters are the Worst People Ever. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.I'm starting to get to this point myself.
I swear, if some of the people in the forum were as strict with the behavior of real life people as they are with QC characters, there is no way they actually still have friends.
And that's further complicated by Marigold, who's taken far more from nearly everyone she's encountered than she's given (the exception being Momo). Nobody's saying she's evil. She's just a lot more immature, selfish and self-centered than anybody over the age of twelve has any right to be, and to some of us, that joke isn't funny anymore... She's not the "worst person ever." God knows, I've known far worse. But her behavior is grating for the same reason that people like that in real life -- who won't do the bare minimum to maintain a friendship, and who only value what they can take from others -- are the kind of people that most of us wouldn't like, and would keep at arm's length if we had the chance.
In a way I applaud Jeph for how he wrote Marigold. The cliche thing to do is to appeal to introverted nerds by making the introverted nerd character someone with hidden depths which are waiting to burst out - a leavening of personality features (wit, empathy, intelligence, etc) which are not immediately visible because of how awkward they are with people they don't know. Jeph inverted this expectation, by making Marigold, under her rough, defensive, unlikable exterior pretty unlikable on the inside as well.
But otherwise, basically you're saying that we're reading too deeply into the text by making predictions such as "it looks like we're in for a downturn in various QC interpersonal relationships."
If it isn't clear, the issues aren't that there is no valid reason to criticize. It that people latch on to the the tiniest things and use them to expound upon their pet theories as to why character X is horrible, and it's actually quite annoying.
Given the comic's lower information density, the level of analysis being thrown at at each strip is overwhelming, especially given that it tends to revolve around matters of taste rather than the question of what something means to the story, if anything.
So you're thinking the endgame (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1620) is "everyone breaks up, then Jeph retires"?
Who knows what'll happen with Clinton and Emilyovipositor
But otherwise, basically you're saying that we're reading too deeply into the text by making predictions such as "it looks like we're in for a downturn in various QC interpersonal relationships."
No. If I were saying that, I would say that.
I said that reading the last two strips as "Jeph is burning all the bridges" is a reach, because it is. There's no narrative justification for that. The closest thing there is to a justification is the argument that Jeph is responding to the fan reactions of "not enough drama." That's rather self important of the fans.
Beyond that, all I am saying is that reaching for any and every detail as justification to dump on the character you dislike is rather tedious and "literary analysis" is not a justification for it. So maybe it's worthwhile to listen to and consider the voices who are saying, "this is tedious" rather than waving the "literary analysis" flag every single time.
After all, if it were really literary analysis, it would hint at something we don't already know (which is why yesterday's excoriation of Dora and Tai is excusable, but the Marten incident and today's Marigold really aren't under this frame work).
r. I guess it's a good thing I don't write a web comic. I probably would have just thrown up my hands by now.
To be fair,having a lot of people overanalyzing your comic is a sign that your comic is very successful. Most web comics don't get any comments at all.
I kind of see the last few strips as a "communication is important for relationships!" PSA. Marten and Claire have healthy communication, and all is unicorns and rainbows.
Well, there is a difference between comments and Reddit. Pretty much all of Reddit is a turd in a burning paper bag.
There's also a medical (psychology?) term for that, I forget what it's called. Tried finding it; could not.
Eh - it is annoying. However, it's how some of our fellow patrons find enjoyment in the comic. And who are we to tell them they are having wrong-fun?
True. It's sort of like dissecting road kill - but if that's your thing... I, on the other hand, kinda enjoy the opposite. Someone says one lump of carrion is a liver, and I point out that it looks exactly like the other lump several inches to the left. They argue that it's where the liver is supposed to be. I argue that OF COURSE that's where it's supposed to be, but if things weren't moved around drastically when the beastie got mowed down, it would still be alive, now, wouldn't it?
In the end, we're both standing in the middle of the road poking at a dead animal. That's sorta like reading a daily comic, isn't it?
There's a medium-to-strong possibility that I misinterpreted your post to which I was responding. I stand by my arguments about reading into things, but I also see now that it's near-irrelevant to what you were saying.
Mea culpa. (Especially for calling you boring. I'm a dick sometimes. And nothing is more ridiculous than a pedantic dick who's wrong, to paraphrase David Foster Wallace.)
Eh - it is annoying. However, it's how some of our fellow patrons find enjoyment in the comic. And who are we to tell them they are having wrong-fun?
Indeed. And I didn't say they were having wrong fun. I implied that was my opinion, but I said "be open to the feedback from others rather than reaching for the easy 'but it's analysis' justification."
Let me give you an example: I don't really like Pintsize or Winslow. They don't serve any real purpose other than to fill a role that was common in the webcomic framework when QC started. QC doesn't really need them. (I don't see them as mistakes, however. If Jeph hadn't felt compelled to fill that role, we would not have Momo, who is an interesting character.)
However, and this is the kicker, I don't take every appearance of these characters as an opportunity to wax rhapsodic about how they are terrible characters. Because it doesn't add anything to the conversation. I could. I could go on about how it would be nice to see Pintsize's antics as signs that he's growing as a character. That would even be justified under the framework I'm arguing from. But why? Just to share my opinion?
Okay. But when people start saying that opinion is getting tired, like a top 40 song, it is worth listening to those people. A noted President once said, "Let us define progress to mean that simply because we can do a thing, it does not follow that we must do that thing." I'm not saying that a thing *IS* "wrong fun." Just that simply because you can have fun knowing that it is at the expense of the enjoyment of others, it does not follow that you must have fun in that manner. It's a community. So, maybe consider the other people in the community when they are giving you feedback.
True. It's sort of like dissecting road kill - but if that's your thing... I, on the other hand, kinda enjoy the opposite. Someone says one lump of carrion is a liver, and I point out that it looks exactly like the other lump several inches to the left. They argue that it's where the liver is supposed to be. I argue that OF COURSE that's where it's supposed to be, but if things weren't moved around drastically when the beastie got mowed down, it would still be alive, now, wouldn't it?
In the end, we're both standing in the middle of the road poking at a dead animal. That's sorta like reading a daily comic, isn't it?
I suppose, but it is why we are all here. Which is why I'm suggesting that perhaps we pause in our argument long enough to be aware of oncoming traffic, and maybe move over to the shoulder.
That one, you got it, you get a star.
That said, there is a difference between Marigold and people who have diagnosed with BPD. I wasn't trying to say she has it, just that are people who cannot control the driving away thing.
Still, if an artistcreator can't learn to accept that they will be hated, then they have no business creating. Ya have to take the bad with the good.
Yes, because no one here has EVER been distracted by something and missed part of a conversation. :roll:
I'm glad to know that because I identify with the situation, in that I don't always pay 100% rapt attention and sometimes my mind wanders that I'm a self-centered immature person.
Or maybe no one connects that when someone on the forums identifies with a characters reaction (though I don't always identify with Marigold, I have a lot different issues), and talks about how they could see themselves doing the same thing depending on the surrounding circumstances (which we do not know all of), that if you start calling it childish, immature, selfish, etc, you are also calling the real person who identifies with it those things as well?
Still, if an artistcreator can't learn to accept that they will be hated, then they have no business creating. Ya have to take the bad with the good.
That's a form of victim blaming, of course. Pragmatically, right now, it may make some sense, but is it the way you think society should be, or be content to remain?
Yes, because no one here has EVER been distracted by something and missed part of a conversation. :roll:
I'm glad to know that because I identify with the situation, in that I don't always pay 100% rapt attention and sometimes my mind wanders that I'm a self-centered immature person.
Or maybe no one connects that when someone on the forums identifies with a characters reaction (though I don't always identify with Marigold, I have a lot different issues), and talks about how they could see themselves doing the same thing depending on the surrounding circumstances (which we do not know all of), that if you start calling it childish, immature, selfish, etc, you are also calling the real person who identifies with it those things as well?
Do I try to be a good friend? Of course. But I have a separate set of needs that are mine, and my friends needs don't automatically override them unless I know its an emergency. If they show up at my house on a day I need to recharge from people, they may have to deal with the fact that I'm not in a talky mood. And seriously, I'm responsible because I let them come in? What the fuck am I supposed to do, tell them to leave when they show up? Seriously? Yeah, sorry you came all this way, but go home.
But it's obviously not the case. Marigold has been shown - over and over again - to be oblivious to social norms, to be stupefyingly self-involved, and to take her friendship with Hanners for granted. The author has repeatedly decided that that's a side of her character he wants to foreground, and so it becomes a defining trait and one of the key behaviors by which we evaluate her.
Have we seen Marigold and Claire in the same strip?
Have we seen Marigold and Claire in the same strip?
Claire spoke briefly with her to inform her of her brothers masturbation habits and give The People's Eyebrow. (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2305)
Indeed. So, here we come to what I think is the crux of my issue with the meta-thread of these discussions--whether they relate to the current subject, or Dora, or Faye, or Claire ad nauseum. The general approach switches from, "there are issues with this character," to, "this person is a waste of human material."
I'll be the first to admit that human language, as communicated by humans, is imprecise. So some of that is to be expected. But the general flavor of the criticisms are calling out Marigold as a bad person, rather than saying there is an issue with the presentation of the character. If someone identifies with the idea of Marigold the person, then your sweeping criticism of her as a person is going to seem personal. And that is your responsibility.
Well, she's smart (i.e., book smart). But practically no common sense, empathy, or emotional intelligence. If it's pointed out to her that she's screwed up, she sometimes gets it. But this is far from the first time that Hanners has reached out to her looking for the same friendship or support that she's given, only to be met with a "What was the middle thing?"
For reasons that I can't explain, and probably should leave alone anyway, I find the phrase "audibly farted" to be disproportionately hilarious.
Well, there is a difference between comments and Reddit. Pretty much all of Reddit is a turd in a burning paper bag.
Still, if an artistcreator can't learn to accept that they will be hated, then they have no business creating. Ya have to take the bad with the good.
For reasons that I can't explain, and probably should leave alone anyway, I find the phrase "audibly farted" to be disproportionately hilarious.
"Farted" is an amazing word, and a well-chosen adverb can do wonders. I share your sentiment, and there is no shame in this.
For reasons that I can't explain, and probably should leave alone anyway, I find the phrase "audibly farted" to be disproportionately hilarious.
"Farted" is an amazing word, and a well-chosen adverb can do wonders. I share your sentiment, and there is no shame in this.
"Audibly" also implies that she's farted in front of him before, but was stealthier about it. You're fooling no one, Marigold. Dale knows who dealt it.
For reasons that I can't explain, and probably should leave alone anyway, I find the phrase "audibly farted" to be disproportionately hilarious.
"Farted" is an amazing word, and a well-chosen adverb can do wonders. I share your sentiment, and there is no shame in this.
"Audibly" also implies that she's farted in front of him before, but was stealthier about it. You're fooling no one, Marigold. Dale knows who dealt it.
"Silent but less-than-lethal"
Reindeer, I think I understand the distinction that you're making, but I can't for the life of me figure out why it's a distinction that is so important to make.
...stuff...
Reindeer, I think I understand the distinction that you're making, but I can't for the life of me figure out why it's a distinction that is so important to make.
...stuff...
There's a rather fundamental difference between, "I wouldn't want to be friends with Iago," and "Iago is a shitty human being."
Maybe Iago is a shitty human. I doubt most people here care. But, imagine for a moment you do. You like Iago, and think "shitty human" is a bit much.
Now imagine there's an open ended discussion of Iago at your favorite hang out, and at least once an hour someone shows up to loudly discuss how shitty a human being Iago is.
Now imagine that every week, the people who were loudly proclaiming Iago's shitty human-being-ness return to say pretty much the same thing.
Now, imagine that after three weeks of this, the Iago hate club dials it back to about three times a day. You think, you can hack it, but the very next day an hourly dissertation on the general shittiness of Othello starts up. You don't even care for Othello, but you don't care if anyone hate him, either. But it keeps happening. In droves. The same people. Over and over, they tell you how much they don't like Iago or Othello, but hardly ever say anything about the story or how the traits they don't like fit into the play. It's just very important for them to tell you that Iago or Othello is a shitty person.
Almost none of this discussion is about how these assessments of the characters impact the story. "I wouldn't want Iago/Othello?etc as friend" is an end to itself. The whole reason for the soliloquy.
If someone praises and aspect of Iago's style and how it set up a deeper issue, it will get an "Iago sucks" in response. When you say, hey.. Maybe that's a bit much, you get "Literary criticism!" When you say, "but none of these people is actually discussing the story, but "I hate Iago," you get "LITERARY CRITICISM!!!!1111111ONE"
NOT ONLY that, but you can't unhear/ignore the hourly interjection because someone always engages the complainer, up to and including quoting everything the person said, verbatim, before responding... often quoting all of the thing other people said in response.
It's kinda like that.
We must be reading different forums...
My first response upon seeing today's comic: Fart Joke - SCORE!
My second response upon seeing today's comic: Is this realistic female interaction? My wife says no... "Women do not discuss farts, unless its in reference the men in their lives."
I wrote all of this before looking at your reactions. LETS SEE HOW THEY COMPARE!
My first response upon seeing today's comic: Fart Joke - SCORE!Your wife is wrong.
My second response upon seeing today's comic: Is this realistic female interaction? My wife says no... "Women do not discuss farts, unless its in reference the men in their lives."
I wrote all of this before looking at your reactions. LETS SEE HOW THEY COMPARE!
Both based on pure evidence of observing women being women and because any statement beginning with "women do not" is likely false with regard to most subjects, especially behavior.
Are you sure your wife was not being ironic?
I'm a woman. I'll discuss farts with whoever cares to engage in a conversation about that topic.
Of course, I also wouldn't care if I audibly farted in front of someone I was involved with. On a first date, maybe, but by this point in Marigold and Dale's relationship? I'm with Hanners. It's gonna happen, and you can either laugh with the policeman or die of embarrassment. Laughing with the policeman is a lot more fun.
Both my wife an I write fiction as a hobby. She an I have an ongoing discussion over characterization of women by men writers. She claims she can tell if a female character is written by a man because the character acts more like a man, or how a man would think women act... I think it's a load of bologna myself, but she's accurately identified the gender of the writer in the past based on how the female characters are written, so I can't completely discredit her. All I can say is that she's has a 50/50 chance and she's gotten lucky more times than not.
Poor Marigold does seem to have issues with that particular body function, doesn't she. I'm not sure if it is because of her generally unhealthy lifestyle or if she's just let her body get used to her being a slob! Either way, I'm sure that the embarrassment will fade with time;Hannelore just has to convince her not to lock herself away again!
Poor Marigold does seem to have issues with that particular body function, doesn't she? I'm not sure if it is because of her generally unhealthy lifestyle or if she's just let her body get used to her being a slob! Either way, I'm sure that the embarrassment will fade with time;Hannelore just has to convince her not to lock herself away again!
what a wonderful end to the qc week. more of this please and no more Claire and marten ever.
I know a woman who farts and then congratulates herself by saying, "good arse".
Now imagine there's an open ended discussion of Iago at your favorite hang out, and at least once an hour someone shows up to loudly discuss how shitty a human being Iago is.
Now imagine that every week, the people who were loudly proclaiming Iago's shitty human-being-ness return to say pretty much the same thing.
Now, imagine that after three weeks of this, the Iago hate club dials it back to about three times a day. You think, you can hack it, but the very next day an hourly dissertation on the general shittiness of Othello starts up.
We must be reading different forums...
And on that note, I'll be ending this discussion with you. Nothing personal, but we are reading the same forums, so either you weren't here during...Pretty much everything that happened in the last 2 months, or you don't see the things that happened as a problem.
Either way, it seems to represent an irreconcilable difference.
I will say this: "I don't like this about character X and I think it is boring," isn't literary criticism. It's an opinion. When I can trace the same people stating the same opinion repeatedly, with only a very few discussing any effect on the storytelling, I'd say--hyperbole or not--my characterization stands up. Obviously you don't believe that, so we'll just have to agree to disagree.
As for whether my "stylization" was aimed, in particular aimed at you, consider this: Why should you care? Why is it far more important who I may or may not have been pointing at than what I was trying to communicate? Why is it that it is okay to say things about fictional characters and it's not the speaker's problem if someone is offended, but the possibility that something might be offensive to you with regard to hypothetical people must be investigated?
As I said, I'm done here. So I don't need an answer. Those questions are purely for your consideration.
To me, the past two strips have been mostly filler. It seems to me that Jeph is 'walking out' the rest of Tuesday evening (in strip). I suspect that he wants to avoid opening any new plot threads until next week, which means we might have a new major mini-arc. To me, there are two obvious alternatives:
- Faye at the support group;
- Taira aftershocks.
To me, the past two strips have been mostly filler. It seems to me that Jeph is 'walking out' the rest of Tuesday evening (in strip). I suspect that he wants to avoid opening any new plot threads until next week, which means we might have a new major mini-arc. To me, there are two obvious alternatives:
- Faye at the support group;
- Taira aftershocks.
Probably both, with an Emily/Clinton check-in to liven things up a bit.
I think it's more likely a way to set up more developments rather than a relationship-ender. I can't think of a single instance where there was one falling out that ended everything; any arcs I can think of (Dora/Marten, Dora/Faye, Faye/Angus, even Marten/Padma) built to a split.
Not that this is necessarily headed for a split. The reason I think it could be, though, is that Jeph tends to have two "modes" when it comes to writing relationships: they're either stable, and get backgrounded (Penelope/Wil, Steve/Cosette, Dale/Marigold), or there's a breadcrumb trail of minor annoyances that build to bigger stuff that leads to breakups (Marten/Dora, Faye/Angus, Marten/Padma to a degree*), with outliers like Dora and Jim's relationship.
*I know that Padma and Marten's relationship had an expiration date on the carton from day one, but it's not as though it had to end the way it did; Marten's petulance toward the end tipped the balance in a bittersweet parting decidedly toward bitter. And yes, I'm well aware that someone's going to say I hate Marten now. :P
I'm very conflicted about Taira. On the one hand, I thought Wednesday's comic was well done and a great set up for teh dramaz, if that's the direction it's going in. On the other, I feel like we don't know enough about their relationship yet to really have earned a dramatic falling out.
Yes you who must leave everything that you cannot control.
It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul.
Then there's a pair of us — don't tell! They'd banish us, you know.Advertise. Not Banish us.
I think that's the source of the drama, that there's not much to the relationship. They like each others company and the sex, but Dora's keeping her at arms length.
Though I don't think it ends with a falling out, I think it ends with Dora opening up.
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Panel 4 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2509)
It's not funny to joke that a character's only good trait is their breasts.
Oh, for fuck's sake. Marigold's "Homeric bosoms" have been a running joke practically since she was introduced. It's not like the OP just noted that they're drawn larger than other female characters' and is now the first to comment on it. This was as lighthearted a joke as they come, and only plays off of a gag that the author himself established.
If anyone believes that the original joke or my bland defense of same is misogynistic, I'd be happy to explain why I disagree but please refrain from allusions to fedoras and neck beards. I hate meninism and libertarianism too, but that joke is already staler than a gas station hot dog at closing time.
Maybe so, and I've let it go as the joke I assume he meant it as, but there are, undoubtedly, some would see the comment as crass and unfunny.
There is no joke that can be made online without someone being offended by it.
Genuine question: What are Marigold's redeeming qualities?
Panel 4 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2509)
It's not funny to joke that a character's only good trait is their breasts.
Oh, for fuck's sake. Marigold's "Homeric bosoms" have been a running joke practically since she was introduced. It's not like the OP just noted that they're drawn larger than other female characters' and is now the first to comment on it. This was as lighthearted a joke as they come, and only plays off of a gag that the author himself established.
If anyone believes that the original joke or my bland defense of same is misogynistic, I'd be happy to explain why I disagree but please refrain from allusions to fedoras and neck beards. I hate meninism and libertarianism too, but that joke is already staler than a gas station hot dog at closing time.
Maybe so, and I've let it go as the joke I assume he meant it as, but there are, undoubtedly, some would see the comment as crass and unfunny.
There is no joke that can be made online without someone being offended by it.
There is no joke that can be made online without someone being offended by it.
I may need this for a signature line...