While I sort of get why Emily needs to talk to her Mother at this point, it occurs to me that competing for the last word could end up doing more harm than good...
While I agree it may go very badly. I think Emily knows that, but she just needs closure. You can't just hide from your fears forever, sometimes you have to face em.
I completely agree. Some of my biggest regrets come from avoiding confrontation and hiding from my fears. And there's been a time or two when by the time I finally made the decision to face them, it was too late. It definitely affected my efforts to find closure.
As sad as it is to see both of these girls hurting like this, I can attest to these feels on both of their parts. Well written parental abandonment angst.
Saying that you want the last word is a dangerous game to play. Because sometimes the quest to have the Last Word can kinda consume you, when it's really not all that important.
Exactly. Thank you for saying what I couldn't find the words for. I do think it's important for Emily to say her piece, but if it comes down to it, whether that ends up being the last word is something that Emily could drive herself mad with if she makes that her focus.
I sort of disagree, and I think this is a matter of individual circumstances. Coming from personal experience, not saying your last words when you had the opportunity to do so can haunt you. I think it can cathartic to finally say the things you always held in and bottled up. Sometimes the "last word" (or at least a final discussion) can help with closure, which is a different experience for everyone.
In this case, I think it could be good for Emily because it's not really a "quest." Her mom is in town (as far as we know at this moment) and there's nothing stopping Emily from talking to her. I'm definitely not saying that talking to her mom can't go wrong, because there's a chance of her mom saying even more hurtful things. There's no way to know for sure. But I also think it's a good idea to follow through with a decision you've made yourself after years of following someone else's, if that makes sense. And even if her mom refuses to talk, then at least Emily knows she tried.
I think what I'm trying to say is that it's not so black and white. It's up to each individual to determine what matters and what will do them the most good. That said, I do agree that it's best to move on if there's no possibility of a last/word discussion. That will very likely consume you and do more harm than good. It's the opportunity to do so that makes a difference.
I'm proud of Emily for getting to the point where she can recognize that her mom is crappy, and advocate for her own well-being.... And while I hope she gets closure from this confrontation with her mother, I can't say I'm not worried that it will go badly for everyone.
That seems like a bad idea. Unless Emily's mom contacts her again, she's probably better not saying anything. The silent treatment is another form of having the last word.
Is it just me, or are the images of Rain's father becoming more clear and colored as the comic goes on? In his first few "appearances," he was just a black figure with whited out glasses. I think his last appearance was just his face, but this one shows more of him.
Although in monochrome and not color , Marcus Flaherty (I hesitate to refer to him as Rain’s/Aikin’s/Kellen’s father anymore because the dude just kinda creeps me out for some unexplained reason) he was shown a bit clearer in a bonus chapter of one of the books IIRC.
It's not just you. The first two times we learn information about Marcus (from Fara talking to Colin and from Vincent's Story in chapter 19), we don't actually see him, even though Vincent's Story does include flashbacks.
The first time we actually see him is in Rain's dream, and he is just a silhouette. My interpretation the first time through was that Rain doesn't fully remember what he looks like, since she hasn't seen him since she was a kid. However, the next time we see him in Wings, he has a bit more detail.
Underneath Marcus' appearance in Wings, the author's comment ominously states "Slowly but surely, we're getting to see Marcus Flaherty's face." So it seems that the gradual reveal of Marcus is something she had planned for a long time.
IIRC, there weren't any more appearances of Marcus until this page. Rain mentioned him in chapter 33 when talking to Emily, and again during prom when talking to Ana. But I think right now is the first time we've actually seen any depiction of him since Wings, a whopping 14 chapters ago.
All of this information leads me to suspect that the slow reveal Jocelyn alluded to back in 25 leading to something big: the appearance of Marcus in the present, not just as a memory or flashback. If he does show up in person, I expect Rain overcoming him to be a key part of the climax of the series.
OMG I just had a profound and earth shaking thought after reading your comment... what if when we do finally see Marcus in comic-present timeline he’s not Marcus anymore and isn’t “he” either..... could it possibly be? And that earlier revelation of transphobic acts against Rain being caught wearing female attire were manifestations of internalized transphobia by a perhaps a repressed and self-denied “Marcie Flaherty” screaming for be let out???? That’s not beyond the realm of plausibility. My inquisitive mind does wander to extremes sometimes
While that's a possibility, I don't particularly like the idea pushed by a lot of big-budget media that any queerphobic character is a Jerome Robbins. Granted, I don't think Rain really has this issue: there's no indication that Donna, Norman, Todd, or Rob are secretly queer. But it's common enough that it gets trotted out in the comments to any news story about a real-life queerphobic famous person. And, the fact that major publishers can't get enough of it is part of the reason why I'm reading webcomics instead of something from a major publisher.
Even if Emily leaves things alone, her mother could still make things worse by threatening to cut off financial support if she doesn't obey her. (I assume Emily gets money for food and necessities.) Emily may have to confront her anyway.
I moved 3,000 miles to get away from my dad, and he came to visit a few years later for 2 weeks. I put on 30 pounds in the next 2 months stuffing down my awful feelings. I hope Emily gets through this with fewer repercussions.
I get where Emily is coming from but right now she’s full of capricious emotions from being pregnant. I’d advise waiting until after the baby is born then go confront her mother. That way her mother seeing her first grandchild for the first time will fill her with overwhelming emotion that will help defuse any hubris she might lo try use against Emily and the experience of having given birth will give her strength and resolve like she’s never had before and with those things combined , any attempt to try to gain the upper hand over Emily and manipulate her won’t stand a chance , should Emily’s mother even be dumb enough to try at that point.
In response to Emily's question in panel 2: " at one time yes, but as the time goes by I find that he doesn't deserve to know the real me and I shouldn't let his lack of being a father effect me anymore. "
Not to say it's easy, it hurts a lot, a fucking lot and it's not something that anyone should ever have to deal with
*I accidentally hit post before finishing my comment so I'm reposting
I get you. That's how I feel about my ex . . . I believe the words I used when I was finally starting to walk away were, "I've poured enough of my tears at his feet." It bothers me to know I'm the villain in his story and thus to everyone else he talks to about it, and it bothers me that he thinks I'm weak and scared, but there's no way to NOT be his weak scared villain without letting myself be stripped down to nothing.
He can think whatever he wants about me. He might even be right about the person he knew me as. It doesn't matter and I won't allow it to matter, not now, never again.
Need to say some things to her mother, yes, need to see her, no. Write a letter, Emily - that way you can set down the things you want said in an orderly manner AND avoid a screaming match where you might very well end up never getting to say many of the things it is important to you to get out.
I just spent the last four days binge-reading all 1240 pages of this comic, and I'm already on the edge of my seat for more. I need to know how this works out!
I get that Emily just wants closure, but it seems like an easy way to get sucked back in with her mom again. Its a fair sentiment, but to be honest, I think she should just keep away until she can be more independent. Her safety is more important than changing any kind of opinion of her mom.
My sister just walked away. Has not spoken or seen my dad for 15 years.
Hurts him far more than it hurts her.
In her case, much better than a confrontation, both for her mental health and as payback for 20 years of shit.
Interesting to see where this goes.
In this case, I think it could be good for Emily because it's not really a "quest." Her mom is in town (as far as we know at this moment) and there's nothing stopping Emily from talking to her. I'm definitely not saying that talking to her mom can't go wrong, because there's a chance of her mom saying even more hurtful things. There's no way to know for sure. But I also think it's a good idea to follow through with a decision you've made yourself after years of following someone else's, if that makes sense. And even if her mom refuses to talk, then at least Emily knows she tried.
I think what I'm trying to say is that it's not so black and white. It's up to each individual to determine what matters and what will do them the most good. That said, I do agree that it's best to move on if there's no possibility of a last/word discussion. That will very likely consume you and do more harm than good. It's the opportunity to do so that makes a difference.
Or am I just remembering wrong?
The first time we actually see him is in Rain's dream, and he is just a silhouette. My interpretation the first time through was that Rain doesn't fully remember what he looks like, since she hasn't seen him since she was a kid. However, the next time we see him in Wings, he has a bit more detail.
Underneath Marcus' appearance in Wings, the author's comment ominously states "Slowly but surely, we're getting to see Marcus Flaherty's face." So it seems that the gradual reveal of Marcus is something she had planned for a long time.
IIRC, there weren't any more appearances of Marcus until this page. Rain mentioned him in chapter 33 when talking to Emily, and again during prom when talking to Ana. But I think right now is the first time we've actually seen any depiction of him since Wings, a whopping 14 chapters ago.
All of this information leads me to suspect that the slow reveal Jocelyn alluded to back in 25 leading to something big: the appearance of Marcus in the present, not just as a memory or flashback. If he does show up in person, I expect Rain overcoming him to be a key part of the climax of the series.
Not to say it's easy, it hurts a lot, a fucking lot and it's not something that anyone should ever have to deal with
*I accidentally hit post before finishing my comment so I'm reposting
He can think whatever he wants about me. He might even be right about the person he knew me as. It doesn't matter and I won't allow it to matter, not now, never again.
Hurts him far more than it hurts her.
In her case, much better than a confrontation, both for her mental health and as payback for 20 years of shit.