As far as I’m concerned, neither Marten nor Padma handled that situation very well.
Yes, indeed.
What is the point of this conversation? This particular strip was brought up as an example of how 'Marten is not allowed to be angry.' I don't see anything in this conversation as supporting that assertion. The question of who ghosted whom doesn't get us any closer. The fact is, neither of them handled the situation particularly adeptly, and that is just the way things often go when relationship troubles and intense emotions are at play.
But to drag the conversation back to the comment that started it all - what does 'Marten is not allowed to be angry' even mean outside of a parent/child or employer/employee type relationship? I do get that Marten is often passive, but simply saying he's not allowed to be angry buys into his passivity in a way that I find to be deeply confusing. He's a grown-up, and he's perfectly able to get angry whenever he feels like it. In fact, let's look back at that comic. That wasn't an example of him being 'not allowed' to be angry (again - whatever that means). All that happened was that Faye confronted him with the reality of how he was acting out, and Marten was in fact mature enough, in spite of being angry, to recognise the truth of what Faye was saying to him. Which is to his credit, I must say.
Let's face it. Marten's problem is not that he doesn't get angry. His problem is that he gets angry when he should get
assertive. And I think you'll find that's a common thread through his previous relationships (including, dare I say, his relationship with his own mother).
Claire seems to have been good for him, but it's unclear whether he's magically become more assertive or if the issues are still there but haven't been triggered recently because he's so content with the current state of affairs. And I wouldn't be surprised if we never learn the answer to that one.
Warning - while you were typing, a bunch of posts and new comic have been posted. You may wish to review your post.Eh. *sigh* fine.
My problem wasn't with Padma or Marten but how Faye treated Marten after, she was verbally abusive but its ok because its Marten
You say abusive, I say tough love. They are close friends and they can speak truth to each other. That's love, not abuse. Nothing she said was untrue or undeserved, and Marten recognised it.
I'm just going to let the other comments through to keeper for now, I may come back to them if I feel like it.
Warning - while you were typing -POSTING NOW