If we’re doing it right, we’re trying to become better people all the time. I try to take stock once in a while, look at where I’ve been and what improvements I’ve made and remind myself I can change. That enables me to take an honest look at who I am now and then identify those things I need to work on. Recently, I realized my spiritual life was struggling from lack of nourishment. So, I knuckled down and recommitted myself to doing those things I know are important but that I had let slip in recent months. The result? A renewal of self-confidence and a closer relationship with God, which is important to me. I’m a slightly better husband and father than I was just a little while, and a little less likely to worry or to snap when frustrated.
Basically, I’m in the honeymoon period of change.
What comes next is the test. My patience will be tried and things won’t go as I’d like. It’s not that I’ll be punished for trying to be a better person, I’ll just be tested. I’ve been around the block on this enough times to know the difference. That’s the trick with this cycle of betterment: it never really stops. You go round and round and you hope that each time through you get better and better. Sometimes I have to work on things I’ve already dealt with once before, but that’s okay. Long as I’m still here on this Earth, I’ve got the opportunity to do it better the next time.
So, the test comes around and what do you do? You meet it head on or you fail. It was easy for Tangerine, locked in a cell, with no opportunity to really do anything of consequence, to adopt a new, more righteous worldview as he understands it. It’s quite another thing for him to be faced with a dilemma that would be better resolved by his old self. He doesn’t have the right mental equipment to navigate this problem, not anymore. If he kills again he gives in to the worst part of himself and turns his back on his newfound spirituality and faith. If he doesn’t kill, he loses his sons, arguably the bestĀ part of himself. He may be laughing in the second panel, but the full weight of this impossible choice is going to hit him and he will be tested and… what will he do? What would you do?
Who are you, really, when the honeymoon period is over and it’s time prove yourself?
Its quite true that “jailhouse religion” is something that is only truly tested once when is actually exposed to the “outside world”. I’ve known a number of ex-cons who were religious beyond belief while still in prison, but once free … that faith vanished in a matter of months for most.
Also, food for thought. Though this applies more to Jerry than Tangerine, but its still good food for thought.
“The measure of a man is what he does when nobody is watching.”
And that’s really what I’m trying to play with here. You can see how “jailhouse religion” would happen and why it might not stick. For Tangerine, I wanted to give him all the reason in the world to not stick with it and then see what he does.
I must say that even I would be afraid of Percy if his mother was killed. š
I mean he is the Captain’s son and he could have all of his powers and might, right ? š
Still , Tangerine should take this seriously on the threat of Percy. š
You are not wrong. Percy is VERY powerful.
The only way to make a choice like that is to recognize that it really isn’t your choice. These guys are already committed to killing the whole planet, so the only thing Tangerine would gain by playing their game would be to delay his sons’ deaths for awhile. In any event, the notion that “you have the power to save Lois Lane/Penny Priddy/ Your Sons” is a lie. It’s always a lie. The power is not Tangerine’s, the choice isn’t his, the crime isn’t his and never will be. The hostage takers are the criminals and if they kill his sons, then it will not be Tangerine’s fault, it will be theirs. So don’t play the game, find a third way, and if necessary let the villains know that you’re willing to die and let Hostage Sons be killed right along with you to make sure that their plans are thwarted. Good luck with Zurida and Percy, boys.
That’s usually the trick, isn’t it? A third way. Would Tangerine sacrifice himself? Would that even make a difference? I’ll be interested to see what you think as the story goes on.
I love that you *continue* to defy expectation, Mister Heasley. Tangerine’s already being tested, and so soon! I have to say I’m with JE on this one: it’s trick, it’s a trick, it’s a trick, and a time-tested one. As much as I dislike *how* Tangerine’s change of heart came about, I too hope he does not fall for it.
And since all the cool kids are predicting, these days: I hope Tangerine DOES try to sacrifice himself to stop the Jorbons threatening his family, because I can only think of extremely exciting ways That will end- and I do NOT see him dying in any of those ends.
Percy is Clark Kent.
I cry foul. Where are the glasses?
Brock, I like the way you think.
This type of morality is what sets you apart from nearly every webcomic I followāand those who have moral dilemmas are not nearly as adept at setting it up and highlighting the real issues. Being scripturally based probably helps!
My religion and my readings of the scriptures certainly inform a lot of my work here, though I rarely ever consciously think about it that way. I think life experience and reflection is a big factor as well. If that’s connecting with you or anyone else, then I think that’s pretty cool. This is, after all, a comic that features a flying pig who pees on people.
Mwahahaha! At long last, I can finally say I was right about something in SF! A bit surprised it was a one sentence theory before I started working on the Super Fogeys love song playlist on strip 532 instead of my usual elaborate and grandiose speculation, but I’ll take it. Now, back to the Fogeys Theory Room in my lair to work out what will happen when Zombie Orson Welles arrives from the parallel dimension . . .
That love song playlist was a lot of fun. I need to go over to my iTunes and actually make it real. Thanks for the great ideas. And congrats on getting one right!
Here’s my prediction: You’re NEVER going to guess how this chapter ends. I promise you.
A challenge! Please enjoy the following crazy speculation. Everything that’s happened, including the alien invasion, turns out to be part of some diabolical plan by Dr Rocket http://superfogeys.com/2009/05/28/210-what-happens-next/ Tom dies for real http://superfogeys.com/2008/08/28/158-bubbles-of-light-2/ (although I’m pretty sure this is just a reference to Tom’s first apparent death since I don’t believe Swifty found out he was alive before being cast adrift in time) Thrice Evil finally gets back to his old self and causes some trouble, or CS turns out to be Jerry’s biological father.