Character musings

[nebari_rebel]

Thanks to damnedscientist 's latest thought-provoking post on Terra Firma, I inadvertently wrote an essay about Chiana this morning and thought I'd share it here as well, in case anyone was interested.

It's not the most well thought out piece, and I missed some points I wanted to touch on, but it's the most writing I've done of any sort in awhile.  Thanks,

Comments

[dargai]

I think the problem is who Jothee is in relation to D'argo. Sleeping with his newly rediscovered son seems a little inappropriate. Of course, the clearest foreshadowing to Chiana/Jothee is that D'argo speaks to them both like they're children, essentially making them both allies and equals. Frustrate and scare Chiana enough and yeah, she'll fall back on the single sure way she knows to connect, manipulate and be in control

[nebari_rebel]

I think the problem is who Jothee is in relation to D'argo. Sleeping with his newly rediscovered son seems a little inappropriate.

Well, yes ;) It's horribly inappropriate, on purpose. I'm fairly certain D'Argo would have forgiven her for sleeping with anyone else; he tells Aeryn in SIW that he can almost forgive her for this. And as Chiana says at the end of SAL, she had to do something he couldn't forgive.

Don't get me wrong - I think what Chiana did was awful, and inexcusable. I'm not making excuses, I'm explaining what drove her to it. The way I see it anyway.

TBH, I'm a lot more squicked by Jothee's behaviour. Who finds their Dad and then decides to sleep with his girlfriend? Someone who likely witnessed their father's hyperrage towards their mother, whose mother was killed, who was taken from his father, who was sold into slavery, who has had a hellish life and has been thoroughly hardened and hates his Luxan side enough to mutilate himself, and yet still wants his father's love and approval...and who is then treated

[damnedscientist]

Very nicely put together and thought provoking.

I'll read it again over here, just in case I missed anything over there. I love that there is so much depth to these characters, when you go looking for it.

Thanks, Arevhat

[nebari_rebel]

Thank you!

[vinegar_dog]

Great read, Arevhat! Funnily enough even though I always felt sorry for D'Argo, I never really blamed Chiana for her actions. D'Argo clearly saw their marriage as a foregone conclusion, which is not right as John pointed out himself in SAL while at the bar when D shows him the tattoos. D'Argo's behaviour was wrong, Chi's behaviour was extreme but an understandable reaction to D'Argo's claustrophobic possessiveness. Even though Jothee is not a favourite character of mine, I can even understand him...one can only imagine what traumatic experiences he went through in his young life for some of which he might openly or subconsciously blame his father ..so I guess my overall feeling of that situation is sorrow and upset for all three of them. They are family (in blood and not blood terms) and yet they hurt one another deeply. But doesn't that sound familiar? I guess you tend to hurt the people closest to you as it happens everywhere daily

[nebari_rebel]

I'm very glad you enjoyed it, Laura! Thank you for reading and commenting! I really loved reading your comments, very thought provoking as well!

Funnily enough even though I always felt sorry for D'Argo, I never really blamed Chiana for her actions.I never felt sorry for D'Argo until very recently...now my heart breaks for him, but for the longest time, I would just SEETHE with rage and vitriol...if you're ever digging through old posts on TWoP I'm sure you will come across some good old-fashioned D'Argo rants

[vinegar_dog]

Yum, risotto! LOL now I feel like Homer Simpson! Enjoy it!

P.S. I love your enthusiasm and appreciation for the positive comments made about Chiana - you even have a file! :)

[nebari_rebel]

The risotto is taking forever! I'm so hungry!

To be honest I have many different notepad and wordpad documents with comments and quotes and article bits saved - one day they shall actually be organized into a single, easily accessible file ;)

[nymeria_55]

Engrossing and very well thought-out essay!

I loved the sheer *fire* underlying each word, the fiery passion that comes through while you work to obtain some justice for a too-abused character. One that is too often viewed with superficiality, and without taking her past into consideration.

Calling Chiana a slut is like calling Walter Bishop a madman - if I can mix some examples here...

Thank you for sharing this! Is there a hope that it might be expanded in the future by including the points you did not touch on? Waiting.... Waiting... :-)

[nebari_rebel]

Thank you for reading and commenting! I was hoping you would; I always love hearing your thoughts.

Calling Chiana a slut is like calling Walter Bishop a madman - if I can mix some examples here...

Mix away! I love the analogy =D

I would like to write more about the character(s)...I would like to do an episode review actually, like you're doing for B5 (I met Mr. Morden yesterday, good stuff!). It's lucky I'm in this fandom for the longhaul, because there is fic to be written first!

[nymeria_55]

I would like to write more about the character(s)...I would like to do an episode review actually

That would be wonderful! **cheering/encouraging shouts**
So many insights come to the fore when you're putting your thoughts on... paper. And chatting about Farscape (or any show I love) is something I love, especially with people whose opinions I enjoy and respect.

B5 (I met Mr. Morden yesterday, good stuff!).

Oh, Mr. "what do you want"!! :-)
Keep him in your sights, because he's not just a passing extra....
And how are you enjoying the show so far? I know season 1 is not B5 at its best!