My favorite thing...

[Elizabeth Bear]

My favorite thing about Brady is that Andre was completely right.

He's an asshole. By nature and nurture.

But he's an asshole who knows he's an asshole, and wants to do better.

I love him for trying.

[txanne]

I love Danny because he reminds me of many good-ol'-boys of my acquaintance, who are also trying hard not to be assholes.

My favorite thing about Esther Falkner is that she doesn't let her physical pain get in the way of her willpower. She'll keep trying as long as there's breath in her body.

[jimsmyth]

I love Danny because he reminds me of many good-ol'-boys of my acquaintance, who are also trying hard not to be assholes.

My favorite thing about Esther Falkner is that she doesn't let her physical pain get in the way of her willpower. She'll keep trying as long as there's breath in her body.

I worry about Esther.  I've had too many friends use that "willpower" thing to bull their way through the pain, and seriously mess themselves up, rather than finding another way to deal with it that wold not cause them physical damage.


(And what does it say that I felt I had to go back and put the word "physical" in there?)

[DavidG]

My favorite thing about Brady is that Andre was completely right.

He's an asshole. By nature and nurture.

I think that's a bit unfair to Grandma Brady, though completely appropriate to Grandpa Brady! Given that male role model Danny's doing just fine, he just needs someone to hit him on the temple with a 2x4 on a regular basis to remind him of that. It's when he starts doubting himself that the asshole comes to the fore.

[DavidG]

I love Danny because he reminds me of many good-ol'-boys of my acquaintance, who are also trying hard not to be assholes.

My favorite thing about Esther Falkner is that she doesn't let her physical pain get in the way of her willpower. She'll keep trying as long as there's breath in her body.

I worry about Esther.  I've had too many friends use that "willpower" thing to bull their way through the pain, and seriously mess themselves up, rather than finding another way to deal with it that wold not cause them physical damage.

There have been times I wanted to hit Es with a metaphorical 2x4 and tell her to get over herself. She seems to have largely gotten past it at some point in season 2, but there were times she was clearly pushing herself past the point that was wise, she wasn't getting help and she wasn't acknowledging that she had a problem that she needed to deal with. Basically doing everything wrong, but no doubt rationalising it as for the good of the team and her family. Being stupid isn't making a martyr of yourself for the greater good, it's just being stupid.

(And what does it say that I felt I had to go back and put the word "physical" in there?)

That as a society we have major problems acknowledging the mental side of things.