There’s a few debates going on in regards to what’s happening with Tangerine right now, but the one that I find most interesting is this idea that, when it comes to kids and family, perhaps a special morality takes over where we can do differently than we might otherwise because those we love re in trouble–not strangers.
Now, “special morality” is my term, and I used it in my responses to the comments left on Monday’s strip. I may not be voicing your particular viewpoint on that correctly (if so, correct me), but I do think it’s a real thing and I’ve seen it expressed both in real life and in fiction.
Of course, now, Tangerine has made his decision. Was it the right one? Was there a third thing he could have decided that he just hasn’t thought of yet?
Next week: As far as Jerry’s concerned, it’s not over until he says it is.
I’m glad the gravity of the situation finally got through to the airhead son. I sure hope this is a moment of growth for one of the less likeable characters in the Fogeys universe. Who was their mother, again?
As for Tangerine, his situation is a lot like war. You can prepare and prepare, but you’ll never know for certain how you’ll react under fire until you get there. Such stresses bring out your true character- some can take it and some can’t. Our regard for the sanctity of life is what distinguishes us as a higher species, I think, but that is some of the first stuff to go when survival is on the line. The same goes for Tangerine and his new religious/moral code.
The mother of Mega Matt, Captain Emo (and The Healer) was Ninjalina. (And as far as Matt’s likeability… all the evidence I have suggests you’re in the minority.)
You’re right about survival. Shows like The Walking Dead are built on how far we might go to survive. In some cases, it’s pretty far.
A parents love for their children is a powerful thing and vice versa. Tangerine DOES know about Percy…right ?
Because if he does go through with this, then he may end up facing her child with the Captain. š
And what will the Captain think of all of this, given that is his ex-wife and that Tangerine is his teammate ? š
Tangerine does know about Percy… but it’s arguable how much he cares about whatever personal fallout there might be from killing Zurida.
I forget the military officer that said it, but the quote pretty much went along the lines of how there is no sadder individual than one who thinks there is nothing in life worth fighting for.
I don’t know either, but I agree with it.
The extortionist paradox. If they’re honest enough to tell you you have no reason to trust them, do you trust them?
If what they have is what you want badly enought… apparently, yes.
Actually Tangerine’s decision doesn’t surprise me at all. His core values have always been quite simple, evil must bee vanquished. Yes, he is reforming but at the end one last kill, which he will carry with him for the rest of his life, is a price fair enough for saving the remaining of his loved ones. Also, in the meanwhile he can thing on proper vengance/rescue plan against Pilatus in who nobody trust. I also foresee a battle between Jerry and Tangerine, and that will be epic! (Conflict of interests, plus Jerry doesn’t like Tangerine very much and Jerry is a bad guy in Tangerine’s perspective)
You’re right–what Pilatius is offering Tangerine appeals to him on multiple levels and that is the difficulty of the whole thing. I like your Tangerine-Jerry match up. I want to see that.
We pretty much want to see Jerry fight everybody, right?
The interesting thing is, what we DO know of Tangerine, he doesn’t seem the sort who would try and say “I will do X” just to buy time. Zurida IS a threat, both to the world and indirectly to his kids. As such, she must be dealt with. Pilatus, he’ll deal with him later as well, but one threat at a time to remove.
Will Pilatus keep his word and not kill the kids? Since when have villains who asked for murder or other such “crimes” ever kept their word? What has Pilatus done to show he has ANY amount of honor? I think the facts speak for themselves.
I completely agree with you on that, but as it has been stated before: Tangerine is not really in the positiion to negotiate this.
Anyway, killing Zurida, will still killing, is not the worst thing possible. As you said, she is a threat to practically anyone everywhere. I think one can make the “Killing Hitler”-comparison without breaking Godwin’s Law.
No argument on him not having any bargaining chips. Just saying that considering what we know of his modus operandi, he’s NOT the sort to negotiate. He seems more the sort who would go “locked room, we need inside. is there a door, and if so, how thick is it?”
To me at least, he seems about as subtle as a sledgehammer.
Now … I might be wrong, all his time in the books may have changed him, but what we’ve seen so far indicates that subtlety is not in his vocabulary.
If a terrorist can convince himself that God wants him to blow up a school bus, why can’t Tangerine convince himself that God wants him to kill Zurida?