#Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 29

I'm reacting strongly to what feels like literal ace/aro erasure and honestly aphobia the more I think about it. Aromantic, asexual, and or aroace people are really just getting their shit kicked in the narrative of this comic and it's upsetting.

They made the antagonist/source of conflict in Ethel's Season 1 narrative Jughead, who in Season 1 was very strongly implied to be aroace, but now they're just backtracking on both him being ace and aro.

It's so sad and frustrating to see.

Look Mr. Lodge isn't generally viewed in positive terms. He's associated with and concerned with money, self-interest, and his businesses, but the fact we're just getting judgement calls without even seeing evidence of Hiram character or what even his goal is with running for city council once again forces the reader to side with Ethel and her friends.

I love Nancy and her character, and of course when it comes to these situations you want the underdog who works hard and clearly cares about the city to win an election, but I don't think the comic takes into account that to be a contender in a political elections you need experience and resources to win. This panel might portray that it's Nancy's actions or resolve that is what might lead to her potentially losing this election, but honestly I think that it's a lack of experience and resources in which to convince people to vote for her for Mayor.

Now this? After a whole fucking season of alluding and pretty much confirming in all ways except explicitly through the words that that Jughead is asexual and/or aromantic.

It feels like a retcon or wishy-washy writing in which the author purposefully kept Jughead's sexuality and romantic identity vague (aka did not explicitly state he was asexual and/or aromantic) in order to keep him open to potential future love interests. It feels like an insult because the way Jughead is written in the first season and in particular his explanation to Ethel that he has never wanted sex and never wanted anyone romantically (the only exception to that is Trula):

(S1, Episode 58)

Yes, sexuality is fluid, but that is not what is going on in this case.

His sexuality in Season 1, which very clearly reads as Ace and/or Aro is just swept aside. The author is back tracking on their own writing and it's so frustrating and insulting to see because the Ace and Aro representation that we got with Jughead in Season 1 wasn't even remotely good or positive because he is put as Ethel's central antagonist in her personal story and narrative because he was an eighteen year old boy who has sex with Ethel in order to fully understand that he did not have any interest in sex or romantically attracted to her.

The whole first season, if you look at Ethel and Jughead's conflict, is simply the vilifying of asexuality and those who are aromantic. That's it. That is the crux of Ethel's entire conflict.

She blames all of her romance-based troubles on this one moment and one person without once looking inward. Jughead should not be held accountable or vilified because he had sex.

-SIGH- It is just so goddamn upsetting that this is the narrative that was portrayed and one along the way said or thought that anything was wrong.

And you know what? This perspective is even more upsetting and disappointing because the comic appears or tries to be inclusive as we explicitly have gay characters, trans characters, lesbian characters, disabled characters, and more who are open in their identities, but asexuality and aromanticism don't even get an explicit mention. The words "asexuality," "aromantic," or "aroace" are not once mentioned in the comic. Jughead isn't even the only character who qualifies as aromantic. Trula is written in a way that suggests she's aromantic (Season 1, Episode 48; Trula after being described to pick up guys one after the other states that relationships don't interest her), and yet asexuality and aromanticism are utilized as a source of conflict, are treated as erasable, and simply not treated with the same respect or standard as other identities are mentioned in this comic.

As I have stated it's frustrating and infuriating as a reader and especially as a reader who cares about asexuality and aromantic identities and its representation.

There was more I had to say about this episode but honestly Ethel's elitism can take a back seat as I find the topic of how BEE represents, treats, and writes about asexuality and aromanticism insulting.

#Big Ethel Energy #Dove Reads BEE #Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 19

Just diving into it today.

Overall, I feel like the webcomic continually tries and continually misses with its presentation of serious topics and in turn those topics feel shoe horned or surface level as I continue to read. Some topics are treated well, but I think the primary difference is that in those instances where the presentation is better, multiple pages are dedicated to the topic rather than a few speech bubbles. If the time or effort isn't going to put into the issues when they come up then I feel like it's meaningless for the webcomic to try to present them because it present such an unsubstantial surface level discussion or commentary on them.

This perspective isn't wrong, but Veronica didn't treat Tim like that at all. Perhaps it's the way I read the encounter between Tim and Veronica or if it was portrayed overtly. Veronica certainly had an abrasive attitude, but they both did during their first meeting.

Big Ethel Energy continues to shove perspectives down the readers throats and villainize characters without displaying them doing wrong or sticking to that characterization. At least make it apparent. Like if Veronica had stereotyped or perceived Tim in a myopic way because he was gay I would understand and agree with what Tim was saying in the context of the story and how it happened, but my issue is that their meeting didn't read like that to me. They were equally abrasive and snide with each other. It was on the same level.

He called her out on her history of bullying and she accepted that. If he called her out on any of her other wrongs like the body shaming or cheating I would have understood that. I understand Tim is doing all of this with the intentions of protective Ethel, but bringing this up without the meeting displaying it feels empty and feels like a failure on the part of the comic's presentation/display.

...I'm going to real I have no idea what Seth's ethnicity is because I don't think it was mentioned until now. I'm assuming he has an Indigenous American background because of the comment he makes here, but I'm honestly not sure because I don't believe it was mentioned until now. But I will be checking on that and editing the paragraph accordingly.

But I personally feel as if this exchange between Tim and Seth is clumsy and continues with with the pattern of the comic bringing up important topics and issues just for the sake of bringing them up, but never expanding upon them.

Big Ethel Energy continues to mention these important topics and perspectives, but the comic really does nothing with them. They feel shoe horned as I've repeatedly stated across my reading of the webcomic because the characters do nothing with them. I understand being stereotyped as a racial minority myself, it's a lived experience and at times it feels like you can do nothing about it in social situations, but having a couple characters talk about race and sexuality and the stereotyping that comes with these aspects of one's self when interacting with people and then having no real conclusion or message other than "We contain multitudes, bro!"

It feels simple? Shallow? A way to cut off the conversation with an easy and nice bow? I'm not sure how others are perceiving this moment. Like of course we contain multitudes. It just feels...way to simplified. Personally at least.

Other than that in this episode. I am glad someone finally said this because I wasn't sure if I was reading it correctly. The comic is pointing toward Seth and Ethel potentially being a thing.

Just considering Ethel's crush on Seth I wonder if the same issues/anxieties she expressed having with dating and that she solely associated with Jughead are going to come up again? If they don't I feel like her issues with dating were really more just issues with Jughead.

#big ethel energy #dove reads big ethel energy #dove reads bee

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 30

It just gets worse and worse.

GIRL. But you sure as hell can control your reaction to a situation!!!

-Rolling my fucking eyes in ACE-

I genuinely do not believe that in a society in which romance and sex (and in association marriage) are upheld to such a high standard and believed to be the norm that anyone has judged people for wanting a partner or romantic relationship. I have never heard in my fair amount of years living on this Earth anyone say that there is something wrong with wanting a partner. There's more societal pressure to find a partner, romance, to have sex, and social stigmas attached those subjects and NOT finding someone than there is with desiring a romantic relationship?

I really just don't understand???

Really why is this comic reading so aphobic? Is it just me? It can't just be me, right? (Literally help me out here and comment for my sake and understanding.)

This is literally such a reasonable thing to feel that I don't understand why the narrative is saying it's not a common thing to feel or that there's pressure to be satisfied being alone? Now I admit I don't personally relate to feeling guilty that you want to be loved, nor understand where that's coming from. I think the narrative wants you to feel empathetic toward Betty.

Moving on.

Her internal monologue continues to come off as if she thinks she's better than her friends who stayed in Riverdale. Like who says "It's surprising how the tables have turned" with regard to their friends? That phrase implicitly contains the perspective that you have never seen yourselves as equals, but in opposition to each other. It just rubs me the wrong way.

And as for this comment: YOU LEFT HIM WITH JUGHEAD FOR SEVEN HOURS. Also your hosting consisted of dragging him around town. What hosting is that??

And that's all I have to say so far. There was nothing I wanted to comment about in episode 31 to 34 so there won't be posts for those episodes.

#god i love how bitchy jughead looks in the art at the start of the 2015(?) Archie series. fucking perfect for these posts. #truly this comic just reads so aphobic #Dove reads BEE #Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy #Big Ethel Energy

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Big Ethel Energy S2 Episode 25 and 26

The best thing this comic has done so far is focus on Veronica and her blooming love life because I love to see it. It's interesting , it gets away from our annoying protagonist, it gives this comic life that doesn't seem insular.

And honestly that's what you want in a comic that is about life! You want to see the surrounding environment and what's going on because when the focus is solely on your protagonist and their problems it does get tedious especially when that protagonist appears self centered, never recognizes their own faults/wrongs, and bad mouths the people around her amongst other things.

For once something that feels extraneous and separate to Ethel and her main character life! And that is a good thing as I've mentioned!

I love something that has absolutely nothing to do with her. Ronnie is out living her life and getting interested in another man. It's very cute and wholesome how she's very into this guy without him even realizing. They're very different and it's super cute. Especially with how she genuinely wants to learn more about being more eco-friendly and not wasting.

I feel like these bit are trying to maker Veronica come off as rude, but I don't see it that way. She feels professional and focused, even though she really wants to get to know more about Gilbert.

Aaaaaand back to Big Ethel Drama we are.

Honestly, Betty's reaction is exaggerated. Someone else has a crush on the guy you like and said guy said no to you before? You deal with that kind of thing.

You don't own Seth.

Ethel is in a relationship and isn't going after Seth. She has a crush, but she's not going to currently act on it.

The only person Betty can be reasonably upset with is either Seth for rejecting (because it always hurts when the guy you like doesn't like you back) or herself. It's unreasonably to be mad at Ethel for something she can't control, but also isn't even a thing. She's making a mountain out of molehill and her response is exaggerated.

Though honestly, lets look at the comic, Betty has had a lot of time to be upset over Seth not liking her back, so her being mad even now is ridiculous in my opinion. She is rejected by Seth in S1 Episode Episode 50. I'm assuming it is around fall because Ethel states she was away on Holiday at the start of Season 2, so I think Betty's had more than a few months to process. The last time we heard about her opinion of Seth was S2 Episode 15, where she said: "I'm not angry at him anymore for not wanting to date me, but I'm still hurting a bit from his rejection".

Above Image: Season 2 Episode 15

SO which is it Betty? Why do you feel so goddamn attached and possessive of a man who has no interest in dating you and who we barely see you interacting with??

And even if it's just the rejection hurting her, that gives you not right or reason to bite your friend's head off for JUST HAVING A CRUSH when she is ALREADY IN A RELATIONSHIP AND PROBABLY WON'T ACT ON IT. Betty is fueling her own fears and anxieties and that's her own fault. It's honestly just ridiculous to watch as well.

This little reaction makes her seem really entitled and childish overall, which are aspects I don't associate with the general idea of Betty's character in the Archie Universe (essentially the concept of Betty over all as someone who's read the old comics).

-sigh- Man, I know this misunderstanding is going to blow up in Ethel's face and I genuinely feel bad for her in this instance.

Episode 26

OKAY NOW I CAN GET INTO THIS.

GIRL NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU. YOU'VE HAD SO LONG TO PROCESS YOUR FEELINGS. This is only your issue no one else's. It's truly so embarrassing and ridiculous to watch this go down.

Why is almost everyone in in this comic is so terrible? It's not even a reasonable sort of terrible you know? Yeah people get angry but it feels like drama for drama's sake.

NO YOU FUCKING DIDN'T DUMBASS. I HAVE THE RECEIPTS. FUCKING SETH POINTED THAT OUT TO YOU, YOU CALLED IT MANSPLAINING AFTER HE REJECTED YOU.

Above: Season 1 Episode 50 (read left to right)

Betty: "I'm sure he knew."

GIRL. Do not put the blame on him. Even if he knew. He also clearly knew it was inappropriate, so he politely ignored or dissuaded you from it. This is not about feelings. It's about what is proper. He didn't want to take advantage of you and so he didn't.

UGH SHE'S BEING BITCHY AND SHALLOW AND POKING AT ETHEL'S RELATIONSHIP, WHICH SHE KNOWS AS HE FRIEND IS A GENERAL SORE POINT, BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE ONE. How shallow can you get? Even as a friend I wouldn't do that.

I'm rolling my eyes ya'll. The pettiness. The idiocy of her reaction. Please go read a better comic than this.

Why do we keep blaming people who don't deserve it? First it's Jughead now it's Seth. When and where will it end? Also crying? Seriously? How are you not pissed the fuck off? I'm pissed the fuck off and I barely like you as a protagonist. Where are the actual fights in these friendships??? All it is is crying and yelling.

Seth didn't drive a wedge between you two. You continue to not want to take responsibility or accountability, and honestly neither does Betty now that I think about it. That and what drove a wedge between you two is Betty's stupid reaction to something should have dealt with months ago. It's probably been a whole season! It's spring right now I think! Get over it! He doesn't like you!

Goddammit. We almost have a voice of reason. He's right on the first part. It's not her fault, but we really need to stop propping up Ethel on a goddam pedestal. It's infuriating.

She's not right!!!!!!!

OH MY GOD.

YOU CAN SETH'S NAME A THOUSAND TIMES BUT IT'S LITERALLY NOT HIS FAULT. I am begging the author to get an editor or something. I'm begging. This is ridiculous.

(I am so upset that I hit the image limit of 30 I want you guys to see my upset Jughead reactions.)

Me too Seth. Me too. I know she's over correcting and being so FUCKING STUPID.

...

WHAT THE UTTER FUCK!!!!! YOU'RE SO FUCKING STUPID. I HATE YOU. YOU LITERALLY DID THIS WITH JUGHEAD!

GROW THE FUCK UP.

TAKE SOME GODDAMN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS IN YOU GODDAMN LIFE.

YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE ON A PEDESTAL. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE A FUCKING PROTAGONIST OF A SERIES WITH THIS KIND OF WRITING.

SETH DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG. YOU'RE MAD!!!

#BIG ETHEL ENERGY #Dove reads BEE #Dove reads Big ethel energy #-SCREAMS YELLS- #BITE MAIM AAAAAAAAAGH #LONG POST #DEAR GOD #someone TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OH MY GOD WHY WHY WHY

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 52

In which Dove lies in her previous post and found something she cares about.

Is Veronica STILL DATING REGGIE IN THIS? THAT WAS UNCLEAR AS HELL WITH HOW SHE'S BEEN ACTING TOWARD REGGIE! Especially when she last saw him at her place. It had an uncomfortable tone in my opinion, but I GUESS THEY NEVER ACTUALLY SPLIT UP, EVEN THOUGH SHE STARTED ACTIVELY GOING AFTER GILBERT????

(If this comic was better, then they would dive into this and why Veronica cheat/dates multiple guys at the same time/this sort of double-standard thing that is going on here. Now that would be interesting to dissect.)

I understand the casual fling thing, but they didn't seem serious. Also I wouldn't have realized that THEY WERE STILL DATING/WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING.

I hate how cute Veronica and Gilbert are together. (Translation: I love them together, but I don't like whatever is going on with Reggie and Veronica/Veronica's situation. It's messy and I want to see it explained.)

THIS FIRST PANEL WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL EARLIER. But also??? Are you dating him? Are you gonna refute that? What's going on here???? I know she calls Gilbert her boyfriend, by why not say you've broken things off with Reggie? I swear I thought they weren't a thing even casually anymore.

(This first reaction is gold just a btw. I will give the artist that)

But also this comic wants to television drama so fucking bad, but it can't even visually do that right. Or writing wise because I feel crazy just thinking about Darren's character right now. Prior to this episode he appears to be a great and thoughtful guy, but now there's this scene where he's implied to be a cheater (which is really rich coming from Veronica. And once again I bring up double standards. Because nothing's happened to her because of her own cheat, but she can make threats to other people? This is vaguely reading like Season 1 and the whole situation with Jughead where he is vilified the entire time).

But any way I think it's a mislead on purpose, and that Darren is not a cheater. But also I'm like, "At what expense?" while reading this scene. Because if he's not a cheat then we are vilifying Darren in order to make Veronica look like a good and loyal friend and that doesn't fly with me. It feels off

#do love the double standard call out. veronica never did get any comeuppance for CHEATING. They her boyfriend terrible after the fact to #draw in sympathy for her. I won't forget that. I won't. The whole she gets internet bullied in order to make her a victim doesn't cut it. #Dove read BEE #Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy #this comic is so fucked up in many ways and not the entertaining one. #this comic make me crazy in the bad way

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Big Ethel Energy S2 Episode 27

My big takeaways from this episode:

Ethel is constantly sanctimonious and wrong.

And one big thing that is wrong with this comic/why it reads so goddamn weakly is it and its characters lack a voice in which to engage with the readers. Instead, we are being forcibly spoon fed opinions of the characters from Ethel's perspective, instead of the personality and characteristics of the characters being allowed to speak for themselves and form their character, or being allowed to read into their actions on our own. The perspective of the comic, and I don't think this is simply because it is predominantly shown from Ethel's perspective, is forcing you to read characters in a singular and myopic way without even allowing for Ethel to be seen as an unreliable narrator. She's automatically deemed as right and correct.

Now on to the reactions:

ETHEL THE ANSWER IS NOT SETH!

IT'S YOU!

YOU CAUSE ALL THE DRAMA

God you know what I would love? For the comic to turn everything around on her and end up running her out of town for all the shit she's caused. Like this comic just needs to give up on being serious.

Also does this comic really think that one talk after being abandoned by your friend and cute matching outfits is really going to make be believe things are all hunky dory between them! Where's the anger?! Where's the rage on both sides! Why are we getting quick fixes?!

It has no perspective at all!!

Maybe this comic instead is about white people ruining things.

Also the fucking condescension! Do you talk to you friends like that? I hope not!

The comic continues Ethel's pattern of shit talking other people, which has been one of her defining traits since the beginning of the comic, but also making her the end all be all of who characters are. She defines other characters constantly. Jughead and Seth are prominent examples of Ethel defining other characters and particularly so when she deems them as "bad," but we've also seen this with

The story and characters do not speak for themselves, the readers and audience are not the ones interpreting, but rather it's more like we're being spoon fed what to think about all of the characters and it's infuriating when it is directly contradicting to what you see as the reader. There are these purposeful pivots and we're just supposed to take them, which feeds into my constant gripe that Ethel takes no responsibility for anything.

Ugh, I don't want to be told what my opinion should be of characters. Almost everyone is terrible in this comic and especially so the main character who lacks any self awareness.

#Dove reads BEE #Dove reads Big Ethel Energy #Big Ethel Energy

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-SHAKES THIS COMIC- WHY DO YOU FEEL AS BLAND AND FLAVORLESS AS A SALT-LESS CRACKER? WHY?

GOD. Even this comic is an insult to flavorless dry crackers.

They're truly just making Midge a cardboard cutout that'll essentially say, 'Wow! Gee willikers Moose NEVER LOVED ME like HE LOVES YOU ETHEL,' to validate main character who can never do wrong and never admits wrong in a meaningful way Ethel and her tepid relationship with Moose.

#Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy #Big Ethel Energy #Dove reads BEE #I. Just WHO WOULD SAY THIS.

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 43

I ended up having another eureka moment with this comic. It's terrible as hell, but the way Ethel is portrayed as well as how characters are used as mouthpieces for Ethel and her character really shows why it is impossible to enjoy. There's no room for character development.

I hate how the writing continues to try to make you believe that either Ethel is amazing or that her relationship with Moose is so perfect.

The further I get into reading BEE the more haphazard and slapped together it feels. The relationships surround Ethel feel shallow and flimsy. Her friends are constantly talking her or her relationship with Moose up, they're constantly agreeing with her opinions, and overall she is repeatedly portrayed as being in the right by the narrative. But as the reader you constantly have to fight against this narrative because you are not given the option to form your own opinions when the narrative is constantly saying Ethel is right, wonderful, a great friend, her relationship is so much better than others, etc.

There's no arguing against her in any way without the comic telling "No, you're wrong." And that is the major sin of it and makes it impossible to enjoy.

She can admit that she's wrong in some moments, but it feels more like the author or the narrative trying to cover her ass rather than there being any real development of Ethel's character. She hasn't really changed. Ethel is portrayed as in the right and being "perfect" as aspects of her character and life are described which leaves no room for character growth or self reflection that sticks to her character. Aspects of her life have gotten 'better,' such as gaining a boyfriend and developing her feelings regarding relationships, but her character has not changed or grown. She is still judgemental, carries herself in a way she thinks she's better than others, and portrayed as perfect, but she has not learned from any of her conflicts or the drama surrounding her.

She's stagnate as a character. The world is acting on her or that situations are happening to her, but her character is not developing despite these events happening. There's no experience gained, but instead it's just her getting into a situation and then reacting repeatedly. This is why the conflicts are so flat in my opinion.

There's no character development in this drama and overall it makes the comic hard to stomach with Ethel as the main character. It's not enjoyable in the least.

Ooof, yeah that was a lot. Sorry about that.

But now, on a better note. :D

Veronica and Gilbert!

Veronica and Gilbert are so fucking cute! She's courteous of his needs and just putting the both of them and their comforts first and foremost instead of sticking to a fancy date is really nice to see.

But what's not nice to see is the potential drama stirred up by the sudden reappearance of Reggie in Veronica's life.

I just have to say that even the drama and conflict in this comic doesn't feel natural. It's like lining up dominoes, just getting from Point A to Point B which is tiring. It doesn't feel like a fully developed world or setting.

However I do have to say that I love how Reggie isn't a source of drama via his attitude, jealousy, or because he wants to date Veronica. Y'know common tropes related to having a casual relationship.

Now about this panel....I wonder if Veronica's going to mention to Gilbert that she cheated on her last boyfriend with Reggie. If the comic doesn't then that just supports my theory that they are really just trying to erase Veronica's flaws/association with cheating. Because no one has mentioned it again. And no one ever put blame on Veronica for her actions. You know that this is the kind of comic that would do this, but it surprisingly doesn't.

....Ok, seeing this last panel now:

I may have spoken too soon about Reggie not being a source of drama. :/

I love Reggie Mantle in other comics. He's always a faceted lil mean guy (Here in BEE not so much, but he's a decent guy and I like him), but I hope the comic doesn't drastically change his character.

Also I just have to say since I didn't mention this before. I'm not a big fan of Reggie's design in this comic. I love when he's portrayed as Asian, but like his hair and his hairstyle? Not a fan He doesn't really have any of his signature features or characteristics.

Though to be honest I guess none of the characters do. They're all essentially OCs with the names and designs of the Archie Comics characters, but nothing else that makes them recognizable Archie characters.

#Dove reads BEE #big ethel energy #Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy

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Big Ethel Energy S2 Episode 40

I'm rolling my eyes at the Ethel and Seth relationship signals.

SETH IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND YET ETHEL STILL GETS HER WAY!!! He ends up talking to her and at the end of the episode as she walks away he calls her back and I hate it.

This framing of "bad things happen when I talk to Seth" sickens me. It's a "poor little Ethel" moment and I am not here for it.

God. Even the implied subconscious/potentially on purpose "I was drawn toward you" bit on both of their parts annoys me. It's annoying given the whole drama between Moose and Ethel, how Moose is becoming more and more jealous with each update.

Honestly not much here to comment on. I'm just annoyed.

#big ethel energy #dove reads big ethel energy #dove reads bee

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Big Ethel Energy S2 Episode 39

Moose is JealousTM. Jughead still can't get a break from Ethel. Jughead is the most sensible person in this webcomic. Etc. Etc.

I'm not enjoying the saga of jealous Moose.

Ethel is lying. Literally when did he say that???

WHEN WILL THE SLANDER OF MY BOY STOP???? HE'S TRYING TO JUST LIVE HIS LIFE JESUS. Also when will she stop being hot and cold with him. Are you on good terms now or not???

The most sensible person is vilified constantly.

FINALLY SOME ACCURATE CHARACTERIZATION FOR JUGHEAD. HIS BOTTOMLESS PIT OF A STOMACH. (The bar is that low. And it took 99 comics to get here. He was a foodie and app creator before we finally got him eating like a mad man.)

Why was a man this sensible and generous vilified for an entire season???

Though I mean looking at the way Ethel has acted and is still acting this whole series it's no wonder why.

She's back to her mean descriptions of everyone just like in the early days of Season 1.

#Dove Reads BEE #Big Ethel Energy #Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy

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Big Ethel Energy S2 Episode 38

I'm doing a quick and dirty version of my usual posts because honestly there's not been much for me to comment on, but I will go back to the previous episodes I've read (31-37) and see if there's anything to comment on, but you know me. I'm honestly just here to see what this webcomic is doing to Jughead.

My summary for this episode: This comic has only done one thing right. One. And it's Gilbert and Veronica.

EX-FUCKING-SCUSES.

I'm bored of the jealousy plotline that is clearly leading to their break-up.

I hate how they are ramping up the dislikability of Moose Mason. (He's still not my Moose). Like seriously? Telling her that she's "playing dumb" and that she's "ridiculous"? Annoying.

Also "twisting" is something this webcomic is SO GOOD AT. :/ :/ Though seriously it does twist words constantly. That's why misunderstandings are its number one way of creating conflict and no other way. It's always misunderstandings and now also jealousy. Bleh.

Wow and Ethel's being terrible too. Not as surprising but wow. For a writer you would think that you know how specifying that Seth is attractive would hurt and allude to the fact that you also find Seth attractive. Ethel's instigating.

Okay, the panel after this Moose agrees that this does bother him and I honestly wasn't expecting it. But also the way he goes on about Seth's qualities is doing the thing where other characters are used as mouthpieces to prop up other characters in a way that doesn't feel organic. It's like I'm being spoon fed what to think of them. Describing other characters this way is normal in other works, but I don't know why Big Ethel Energy's way of doing this feels off in some way.

Alright, now for the most interesting thing that happened this episode:

I have absolutely no authority to comment on autism or Gilbert's character, but I think I can say that it felt well alluded to.

And honestly seemed very cute and romantic confession that goes on between Gilbert and Veronica.

Like really this just warmed my cold and dead heart that I have when it comes to this webcomic. You've done one thing right webcomic. One.

#Big Ethel Energy #Dove Reads BEE #Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy #Veronica and Gilbert have literally been the most interesting aspects of this comic. #it did one thing right

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 28

Big Ethel Energy's writing continues to disappoint, but especially with regard with it's characters and the points it tries to make

If there's ever been a more clear example of a story "telling you" over "showing you" it is this opening moment in S2 E28:

Continually the characters are telling qualities they or others have instead of the character themselves being able to demonstrate

This weak type of writing contributes to my frustration as a reader, but it is also not the only complain I have with it. This type of writing also contributes to the unlikable nature Ethel as a main character. Not only is Ethel an unlikable main character through her lack of reflection or taking accountability for her words or actions as I have previously stated in my examination of previous episodes, but the narrative, the world and setting, and the secondary characters contributed to her overinflated ego and the perception and the association of her always being in the right or on the right side of issues.

Just in this one moment Ethel becomes associated with being able to argue her points more effectively/being on the right or winning side of arguments, and that characters and perhaps the reader should never be on the opposing side of her.

At times like this it feels more like the author directly responding to criticism readers have with Ethel's characterization, as well as feels like the narrative is forcing the reader to think of her in positive terms.

Even though she does deny these qualities, the fact this episode starts with praising Ethel and her qualities for arguing and writing does not sit well with me. It feels like the readers are being led to a conclusion about Ethel despite her previous actions.

Next, regarding this scene:

Betty did just kinda yell at her.

Telling her that she could have ruined the batch of soil is harsh. And this being treated at Betty being nice is just so strange. The author and I have very different versions of what constitutes nice or communicating politely to your colleagues.

Also I bet my money that Betty yells at her at some point.

#Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy #Dove Reads BEE #Big Ethel Energy

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 23

Dove Episode Summary: Ethel continues to be selfish/a bad friend, the story actually recognizes that for once (whoa!!!), people continue to be nosy as hell, and this webcomic continues to steer toward the dramatic.

It's called overcompensation by your girlfriend because she got called out.

By the way I'm still mad the comic brushed off how Moose treated her in and displayed such unwarranted aggression and jealousy (Season 2 Episode 16). And she just forgave him just. Like. That. Before Ethel accepted Moose's explanation that it's just a fight and moved on to overcompensating. That's how Moose's first relationship must have ended! The anger! The jealousy!

Those are red flags, girl!! That was not just a fight!! You don't get over ANYONE insulting your character and looking down on you that fast!!

I know it wasn't this episode but GOD the whiplash makes me mad. I'm hoping the dissolution of their relationship IF it happens addresses this.

Now back to current events:

HER BEING TERRIBLE IS ON PURPOSE FOR ONCE. HALLELUJAH! THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.

GIRL LEFT TIM AT JUGHEAD'S TILL 11:31 PM. JESUS. And look at Jughead being so understanding despite the fact she's been gone since-- Let's check...

(Season 2 Episode 20)

ALMOST SEVEN WHOLE HOURS. WHAT KIND OF PERSON ABANDONS THEIR FRIEND, FORGETS ABOUT THEM AND THE FACT THEY'RE LOCKED OUT OF THEIR APARTMENT, FOR SEVEN HOURS.

FOR FUCK'S SAKE, ETHEL.

(Also let me take a bat to this chibi Ethel bubble for trying to lead us on. She doesn't actually care if she can leave him there for seven hours without much of a thought.)

Truth and beauty bombs from my fav. Also I haven't mentioned this , but Juggie is looking good in these panels. I like his outfit a lot.

I swear if they are rewriting/retconning what felt like such a clear implication that Jughead was asexual and aromantic. I'm gonna be a so mad.

Now I know sexuality is fluid and how people identify changes over time, but goddammit I thought we had some more ace/aro/acearo REP. It feels real shitty after an initially shitty way of what felt like an attempt at ace/aro/aroace rep.

Oh, my god. I know it's a drama forward webcomic, but why does everyone have to be in everyone else business??? There's got to be other ways to get conflict other than gossip or misunderstandings. Right???

Honestly just let someone be shitty straight to someone's face. I'll take that over another misunderstanding, which honestly, I would bet money is a part of how Ethel and Moose break up if they break up.

Honestly here's a list of contributing factors I think could lead to their potential break up:

Moose's jealousy

Moose's aggression issues

Ethel's lack of communication skills

General communication issues

Misunderstandings

Gossip coming from others

Ethel's crush on Seth

Jughead being a trigger point for Moose

Resentment toward Moose regarding how he treated Ethel (ex: Season 2 Episode 20)

#dove reads big ethel energy #dove reads bee #big ethel energy

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Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Episode 22

To summarize this episode: Ethel continues to be the most frustrating protagonist in the world and it's not even in a good or entertaining way. And I love a messy protag, but not like this.

People can be messy, people are messy and selfish and terrible at times, but when it comes to Big Ethel Energy the format of the webcomic as one long vertical strip, the art, and the writing do nothing to purposefully present such qualities.

Ethel's selfish from the reader's perspective, but it's clear to see that's not the comic's intent as it tries so hard to constantly keep you sympathetic to her.

Oh my god she is so selfish and acting like a complete asshole.

YOU INVITED HIM. HE'S STAYING AT YOUR PLACE. HE'S YOUR GUEST THEREFORE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S WHAT A GOOD HOST DOES, ETHEL.

You can't just drop your FRIEND on other people! AND THEN LIE AND SAY HE'S BUSY WHEN YOU HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED TO TALK TO HIM.

I'm mad but at least this isn't a writing issue this time. She's actively avoiding Tim which is at least directly stated.

Still Ethel just continues to get worse and worse as a protagonist. And I'm not saying this because I disagree with how she is acting, but because of the conflicting signals the narrative/author versus the display of Ethel's character that is given, i.e. her "woe is me" and "I'm so much better than the town and people I left in Riverdale, and everyone was SO MEAN to ME :c" energy. I know I've talked about this previously, but the disconnect and tone deaf nature of how Ethel is presented from the perspective of the narrative in contrast to how we the readers view her is SO JARRING and incredibly ANNOYING. It really irks me.

I've been reading this webcomic for far too long now and I am just JADED by this point.

Also another thing I haven't mentioned before is that this comic lacks the spirit of Archie Comics as a whole. Characters and even the setting of Riverdale are consistently used to prop up Ethel who has purposefully removed and separated herself from the community. because she is portrayed as starting in New York and then going back to Riverdale, I get an underlying sense that she is inherently viewed or portrayed as better than the characters who stayed in Riverdale. She resembles an outsider in ways despite the portrayal of people in the community liking and remembering her. It's like these are small town problems in contrast to Ethel who is this city girl. There's a divide here and it honestly reminds me of Hallmark Christmas movies, but at least those can be entertaining.

Additionally, while I am on the topic of the spirit of Archie Comics, they are doing Mr. Weatherbee dirty! He's a principal, he's strict, but ultimately his character was that he cares about his students of his school and wants to impart knowledge or just do what he thinks is best for them.

This right here?

This is not the Mr. Weatherbee I know.

It also continues the terrible trend of horribly misunderstanding characters and their personalities in order to drive "Ethel's" story.

Lastly, my final notes on this episode is that Ethel really is overcompensating on the affection here after Tim rightfully called her out.

#big ethel energy #dove reads bee #dove reads big ethel energy

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EPISODE 58

HERE’S A PLAY BY PLAY OF ME READING THIS EPISODE.

Me: “Oh, okay so they DID have sex.“

Me:

-SCREECHES AT BIG ETHEL ENERGY-

I FUCKING KNEW HOW DARE THEY

I KNEW HE WAS ASEXUAL/AROMANTIC!!!! HOW DARE THEY STRING US ALONG THIS STUPID NOT-MYSTERY FOR 58 EPISODES. YOU COULD HAVE DONE THIS SO MUCH BETTER!!!  -AAAAAAAAHHHHHH-

WE FUCKING BEEN KNEW!!!!!!

GOD. I LOVE ACE/ARO JUGGIE, BUT THIS TONE THAT EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTE OKAY AFTER 58 EPISODES (AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS IN THE STORY).

Re: The Trula being an exception shit - I’m willing to look past with skepticism because being ace/aro is not something that fits into a fixed set of parameters. Sexuality is fluid and how you experience differs between people. If Jughead is our only ace/aro (maybe demi?) then his representation of asexuality/aromanticism feels kinda iffy if you’re depict him as having an exception. It feels like his character is playing into the very thing you say he’s unhappy with. You’re displaying him and his sexuality as having “found the right person,” which (I’m only asexual so I can’t definitely speak for the aromantic experience) feels so incredibly insulting.

Though they also don’t explicitly state he’s asexual or aromantic which sucks. Do better Big Ethel Energy. Why are you afraid to say it???

BUT GOD YOU’RE JUST SWEEPING IT UNDER THE RUG NOW IT’S DONE LIKE ALL YOUR OTHER PLOT POINTS!!! (Ex: DILTON BEING THE INTERNET TROLL/BULLY (They treated you so bad Dilton, my boy. Honey you did not deserve that), VERONICA’S CHEATING!) YOU’RE SWEEPING UNDER THE RUG.

I am glad there is communication and that they handled it so maturely. But they both spent YEARS feeling a certain way. If I was Ethel and saddled with the emotional baggage due to someone’s treatment of me I would not be over it so fast.

I genuinely appreciate these panels.

But it also feels so wipe-my-hands over and done with. I’m also still a bit bitter that asexuality and aromanticism was a ~mystery~ plot point and was the REASONING WHY JUGHEAD WAS ACTING SO COLD THIS ENTIRE TIME. If you’ve been following along with my read along/rants you know that I think that using his sexuality as the reasoning for his behavior feels reductive. Though, I guess with how Jughead states that he deals with people telling him, “You just haven’t met the right person,” when it comes to romance I understand that he would act irritated by it all or cold to justify his behavior, but I also can’t since he’s been portrayed as acting cold toward the people who only show him romantic interest not those who are dismissing his feelings.

Yeah, no, I’m going back to my original opinion that how they handled this could have been a lot better. They made him cold and crotchety because of his sexuality. That’s not good.

This plot point could been handled so much sooner.

...And honestly does Jughead’s dislike of Ethel actually make any sense? Guy’s my brain is bouncing about as I think about this. They had sex, he found out he wasn’t interested in anyone sexually or romantically, and then he proceeds to avoid her and get pissy at her when she returns home? No, his initial dislike of her makes no sense. Even if you spin it as she reminds him of that time/he has some sort of lingering frustration toward the event of them having sex. It just doesn’t fit right. Emotions can be irrational/misdirected, but I don’t think that’s what’s happening here. And if that was the intention it’s portrayal has missed the mark.

I feel that the writer PLAYED this UP for the tension. His initial reaction toward Ethel in this series makes no sense.

ALSO TRULA FUCKING KNEW???? I’m glad she didn’t say anything cause he wasn’t out, but she also didn’t fucking help with stringing this along. Like I know keeping your nose out of things isn’t good for plot progression, but I’m just ‘Hmmm“-ing how Trula handled it. She can absolutely be a flawed character/ unreliable narrator. NO one has to be perfect in this comic, but I don’t know something with how Trula’s information was handled or presented doesn’t sit right with me.

Alright, so yeah. That’s it for me reacting to this episode. Jughead and how they treated his character was my emphasis for reading this long, so now I wonder what I’ll latch onto next. Maybe if there’s more info or mystery about Ms. Grundy (making her a lesbian was a phenomenal idea 10/10), but I don’t think so? We got answers there, but it also didn’t feel like a finish plot line.

This webcomic feels like a jumble. Anyway that’s it for my ranting this episode.

My personal highlight of the episode: Jughead has an undercut/shaved sides which I like aesthetically.

If you want some straight up good representation of asexuality and aromanticism please check out Jughead 2015.

Also here’s a collection of screenshots of Juggie being ace and aro from the comic if you want to take a look and see what the comic is like. I can’t recommend another comic more highly than Jughead 2015.

#dove reads BEE #dove reads big ethel energy #and SCREAMS #big ethel energy

[peacerisendove]

Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy - Episode 56

I am reserving judgement until the next update, but I’m just so confounded and kinda irritated (nothing new with me when it comes to this webcomic).  So here are some thoughts and maybe a bit of venting.

1. I’m confused especially by Ethel’s response. Like clearly she should have some idea instead of that clueless seeming response. I don’t know if she’s playing it cool or what at the time, but the response is odd to me. Also what do Archie and Betty know??? Like I feel like they had a hand in something in high school. Maybe they tried to get them together? Maybe that’s why they seem uncomfortable/it seems like they know something. Like what do you two know? Spill it.

2. [Referencing the first image above] This panel just rubs me the wrong way, but it’s also probably something that will be addressed later on in the webcomic. If Jughead is asexual or aromantic then it makes sense it would be explained later on in the comic, it doesn’t have to be revealed now if that is the case, but how the comic is possibly going about it rubs me the wrong way. Especially with how it makes the connection that Jughead’s behavior can be confused with leading someone on.

This is what Surbhi says he says in #49:

Wanting to hang out and spend time with someone is not leading them on!

I’m just very frustrated with how the comic is portraying what appears to be a valid response?

I hate that I can’t say more on this because I don’t know where it is going. It’s unclear if Jughead is being portrayed as asexual and/or aromantic. If him just wanting platonic relationships is being invalidated? If he does experience romantic attraction (I am taking Trula’s flashback with a grain of salt. She may or may not be an unreliable narrator) and is just not interested in pursuing romantic relationships or something? I can’t get a handle on how to read Jughead and getting all sorts of conflicting information surround him is frustrating. It’s also just frustrating that at the basis, he doesn’t have to be confirmed as ace or aro for this, his desire for platonic relationships isn’t validated. I don’t expect Archie and his character to bring up this kind of sentiment, but the fact no one has yet when understanding has been extended toward other topics and areas (like the realization that not all women are romantic rivals, women don’t have to take their husbands last names, plus sized positivity, etc.) it frustrates me personally.

3. I’m not enjoying their characterization of Jughead overall. Like he’s callous and mean. Though we haven’t seen enough of his character or his own reasoning why he dislikes Ethel and if they do make him ace or aromantic or both it feels like they’re going to blame his behavior on being ace or aromantic or because of it. Like hopefully there’s a reason to his behavior that goes beyond him not experiencing romantic attraction if that is the case.

Also something I’ve noticed in general is that the male characters even when they have good points (Seth and Jughead in this instance) are still, well, vilified.

Dove Reads Big Ethel Energy - Episode 55

Also just talking about that let me just shift to the previous episode because I AM PISSED ABOUT DILTON DOILEY BEING TURNED INTO WHAT APPEARS TO BE A ONE OFF VILLAIN OF NO CONSEQUENCE in a handful of panels.

Dilton Doiley a smart interesting sweet character who is a part of the main friend group within the Archie series! Not a villain!!! Also him just being paid as the reason??? Dilton Doiley is so smart he could get multiple research grants. Him being reduced to an internet stalker for money is insulting.

Also Reggie Mantle my beloved jerk, I genuinely do love Reggie Mantle and how he normally a jerk/half decent person at times, but him turning into the world’s best PI in a handful of panels for the sake of plot? I do not like. Like he has been a sleuth in other comics and I do love that, but at least develop it a bit. Go through the process if you want to set up and solve a mystery. It makes everything before just bland with this ending. Like big whoop it was the terrible boyfriend we only knew for two-three comics tops. There’s no impact. It’s shallow. Also this plot point was just done and over just like that. No consequences whatsoever. It also seemingly raps up Veronica’s cheating with no consequence whatsoever.

Like guys I am pulling out my hair here. Just ugh. (I had to pull out my Reggie icons for this part because they just work perfectly.)

Once again read Jughead (2015) comics for my favorite characterization of all the Archie characters, but also I highly suggest Reggie and Me #1. It focuses on Reggie and his dog Vader and it shows him as both as a jerk, but also with a heart. He can be both. He has facets! He has the range! He also has moments in Archie (2015) though his plots aren’t great and one of them was straight up abandoned in the beginning (#WhatdidReggiedo anyone else remember that? It haunts me).

So in short about BEE: I’m frustrated, confused about the decisions being made, still find the comic very mouthpiece-y, and definitely still skeptical toward the decisions being made.

#just writing this reminded me I'm pissed off about the previous comic #dove reads BEE #dove reads big ethel energy #big ethel energy