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korvotron · 2 years

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some thoughts on season 3

I have so much to say and I don't even know where to start! This season really blew the first two (which I already loved) out of the water, it was funnier, had more heart, and more lore, and it also fixed all the issues that I had with season 2.

Season 2 left a bitter taste in my mouth back when I originally watched it, because I felt it was too meanspirited. I didn't like how often Korvo's character was mean towards Terry, I wasn't a fan of Terry's low self esteem, not for the concepts themselves but because it felt like the show didn't see anything troubling about them that it wanted to resolve. This peaked with the season 2 finale, which to this day is the only episode I sincerely dislike in the whole series, where the family shows absolutely no concern for each other and act borderline out of character mean in order to justify the events. WELL, that was all fixed in season 3. All the problems I had, gone! Not to mention we also got clear roles for what everyone in the family is supposed to do!

On top of that, I swear it was SO funny too. Oh and the animation was different. It was really noticeable.

I guess if I had to voice one complaint, I just felt like the Wall was aimless. It seems to be getting comfortable in its formula of killing off a character everytime they don't know how to progress, especially to characters they just finished introducing or bringing back. It's a pace that leaves me a bit perplexed, and with them having now killed two main characters as well, I find it hard to see what's left to still tell and I wonder if the story won't start to drag. It was like, "oh the power is out, they have to fix it", "oh, guess we're dealing with mosquitoes now", "oh, this new character seems cool... and they're dead" "oh they brought back this character! ...and they're dead" without a clear direction. A lot of "and then, and then, and then", instead of "but this, therefore that".

BUT ANYWAY, I'm not here to discuss the wall. In this post I'd like to talk about Korvo and Terry's characters and their journey.

Korvo goes through an amazing character arc and his character progresses seamlessly every episode. In the first one, being carried around with the others forces him to see that earth makes them happy.

He finally sees things from their perspective and realizes that a team is only as good as their leader, and if they've been letting him down, then he's been letting them down just as hard.

This realization pushes him to give earth more of a chance as he explains. It's a selfless decision, because he still doesn't like earth at this point even if he's clearly made roots, but he sees that his team is trying and it makes him see he's a bit to blame too.

Besides, the only reason he even hates earth in the first place is because it's so confusing, as the addition to his intro rants perfectly encapsulates. Korvo likes things to be straightforward, he likes strict rules and having a set role, he likes feeling capable and in control, but seeing everyone get earth easily while he struggled despite his efforts had him instinctively reject everything earth and stick with what he knew best, his mission and repairing the ship, so he could have a sense of purpose and structure. He sees now that in doing so he was pushing away and stifling the people he loves, his team.

In the first two seasons, the only way Korvo ever engaged earth culture was through Terry. Since he loves him, he'd try to participate to feel included (like the earth eraser), but once again when he could not get it he resorted to antagonizing it. The fact Korvo only consumed earth culture with Terry as a filter is important because now that Korvo has decided to set aside what's basically his whole identity, he's left open and vulnerable with nothing that makes him feel truly like himself.

This is why in the second episode Korvo is so insistent on wanting to have something unique to him. It's not about finding something he likes or is good at, it all hinges on it being something that can become a distinguishing part of him. On the other hand, Terry is very excited that Korvo seems to be opening up to earth, he wants to join him because this is the thing he's always wanted since episode one ("You think you're starting to warm up to earth a little?" "I must admit, with Funbucket around, repairing the ship has lost a little bit of urgency" "Oh my god, you're gonna make me cry"). I think it's hard for Terry to understand why Korvo wouldn't want to include him in these activities, especially because Korvo just has a habit of not communicating his feelings, still.

At the same time, I feel like Terry is also rightfully skeptical, which is why he's initially dismissive, and why later on he has that quip ("and here comes the end of fun!"), he's not used to this New Korvo, and maybe a part of him deep down doubts that it'll last and doesn't want to end up hurt.

Considering the cubic lattice crystallizer pretty much confirms my theory that Terry tends to shove down all negative feelings instead of communicating (not unlike Korvo!):

I'm wondering if maybe Terry's escapades in episode one and three (and that flirting in episode nine when he looks at Korvo smugly while calling someone else hot) were somewhat purposefully to make Korvo jealous, as a way to get back at him for the red goobler incident. I believe he's petty like that and he would.

Speaking of Terry, it seems that with the newfound support of Korvo, he's been able to mend his low self esteem.

And no longer needs the approval of humans, either. Which is, again, another improvement on S2 to me.

To get back on track anyway, in the end of episode two Korvo learns that it's not in fact the things he does that shape his identity, but the bonds he makes and the people he loves. This is important because it's the first step in him prioritizing his team over his mission. It happens slowly and you almost don't realize, but it does. With 99 ships he'll learn that his mission isn't as important as he thought, because there may or may not be thousands of Shlorps out there.

This is freeing knowledge for him because his biggest stressor has always been failing at the mission, it seemed like life and death for him, like the fate of his entire planet rested on his shoulders. He has a sense of obligation, no matter what his personal feelings were, so he also could not allow himself to appreciate Earth, because he knew it would all be gone soon enough, as the mission required. Seemed futile to even get attached to it. What he didn't account for was that he'd get attached to his teammates, and THEY would all get attached to earth life.

Anyway, with this new understanding that the most important thing in his life are the people he loves, it is no wonder now to see him jealous and possessive when he wasn't before. Not as much anyway.

With Korvo knowing how much Terry means to him, he dedicates himself now to supporting him, only to find that he's not the best at it. In fact, he is being bested by someone else. Korvo's never been a fan of not being the most capable person in the room, so this stings particularly hard, especially because he can't afford to lose Terry to some guy. He wants to show that he cares.

Really all his improvement and his genuine attempts to grow roots on earth, his desire to try in the first place, ALL stem from his love for his team, so this is a no brainer.

In the Gargoyle Ray episode Korvo's lesson is just as important. His obsessive need to work on the mission was, of course, a way for him to feel in control. This did not stop there! It extended towards his family too, and so in this episode, the lesson for him seems to be that sometimes, he has to step aside and let others take control. It's what a good leader would do.

Korvo has a lot of anxiety about things being out of control, confusing, of feeling exposed and challenged. I imagine these are all anxieties he got from Shlorp being such a strict totalitarian place, where everything is required to fit the structure otherwise you're a defect and mocked (which I also imagine was Terry's experience :( ), to the point it now feels scary to be in the midst of earth's chaos dealing with conflicting emotions and complex relationships.

In trying so hard to exert control the way he did on Shlorp and the way his anxiety demands, he is once again suffocating his team.

Another important thing he learns in 99 ships, if his mission is successful, his team will have to die. We have a fake out for a moment where it seemed like his family could coexist with his objective, but that is not the case. For the first time I'd say, Korvo is made aware of this conflict, once and for all, that he'll be eventually forced to make a choice! Shlorp... or his team.

Thankfully, Shlorp isn't as important or as good as he once thought (remember s2ep1? hidden ruling class?) not to mention shlorpians have been compared to mold, they're basically an invasive parasitic species that destroys life to reproduce, and if Korvo in any way likes his life on earth, then his goals do not align.

Considering we saw what happens when a Pupa fully terraforms a planet, I don't think there's a chance that it'll happen for us too, as that would just be a repeat. They removed the magic of wondering what'll happen, so it's clear we're headed in another direction.

This seems overall like a honeymoon period for Terry and Korvo, things are going well.

Then, episode eight strikes.

Despite Korvo having made significant improvement which clearly shows in the way the family gets along now, he hasn't addressed a core problems he's always had, his lack of communication. Of course, neither has Terry. Neither of them will bring up when something has hurt them, preferring instead to shove it down so they can continue enjoying their honeymoon phase.

But this can't last, and Terry is forcibly reminded of the red goobler incident while with Korvo. He never knew the full extent of it either, he knew they fucked but it's not like he had seen them. Which by the way, even in the original episode Terry was upset about it ("did you two DOINK?" "we banged, shut up about it"), and it always rubbed me the wrong way how it seemed to be brushed off after that and how Korvo replied especially. Of course, it wasn't exactly "cheating" in the common sense since they didn't consider each other a couple back then, but it was clear there was something unspoken between them. That was also the PEAK of Terry's self esteem issues, so to hear Korvo replace him so easily, I imagine it must have stung. But you know, "shut up about it", and he did. Up until this.

Boom. Shit from the past comes back to bite Korvo, because you can't just decide to move on and start fresh without first properly addressing your past mistakes! He tried the easy way out by ignoring it all, and Terry probably didn't want to ruin what they had now by bringing it up either, but the hurt festered deep down, and here it is now.

It also makes Korvo doubly hypocritical to show jealousy towards Terry in season 3 then, when in S2 he so easily slept with Chris. But that is the beauty of it! He IS being hypocritical, it builds a good conflict. A reason for Terry to be a bit resentful, as a treat.

Sidenote but I found it interesting how the only betrayal they had to make up specifically for this episode that happened off-screen was Terry's and that even then, it was something very minor. I guess my boy has never done anything wrong in his life ever... (I'm joking!!).

Moving on, Korvo is terrified of losing Terry. He tries distracting him immediately. And what does a scared Korvo do? Why, he reverts back to his old self and raises all his walls.

"We're never gonna grow or learn"? Korvo, it's all you've BEEN doing all season.

But as is to be expected, he deflects and distances himself from the hard emotional stuff. The moment it got brought up he risked losing Terry after all, he clearly saw him get mad. So fuck it, keep it all away and there's no risk, right?

I've mentioned elsewhere that this episode feels more like a set up than a complete arc with a start and an end. We are presented what's at the core of their emotional issues, but the characters are not yet equipped to deal with it so they mutually decide to ignore it, and things seem to go back to normal. They don't want to accidentally hurt each other or themselves after all! They have found a fragile equilibrium that they both enjoy.

Finally finished the whole season (I had yet to watch ep11 at the time of writing this whole post), and I can confidently say that it shows the peak of their whole development. For the first time since maybe ever, the family is mature enough to realize that something is really their fault, and instead of deflecting they take responsibility in the most selfless way they can, out of the love they have for the pupa.

Season 1 and 2 fam would've never, and I don't say this to shit on them. They have come so far!!

But unfortunately for them and their last six months of life, I really think this is a big misunderstanding! It was never the sci-fi that was the problem, the episode makes it clear enough that what really upset the pupa was being left alone WHILE they go do sci-fi stuff. He felt lonely. He wanted their attention so he started acting out. Not only is it made clear by him making a whole friend out of nothing, it's also from how I think it was Terry that said they hadn't paid attention to him in TWO WEEKS, and finally the teacher lays it on in the most obvious way, they don't spend enough time with the Pupa, that was the issue.

I also thought this whole situation was very representative of their mission as a whole, as in, they're doing what they're supposed to but it's making them miserable. This is exactly what Shlorp intended! Follow the structure, fall in line, fit your role. The whole stuff with the sci-fi, messing around and having fun, that was never part of the mission. They were effectively breaking free from Shlorp's control and influence and doing their own thing.

It's like a metaphor about not wanting to do the mission anymore, to me. Feels like a bleak and grueling task they've been weighted with, no longer something they want to do or casually feel they should do, but something they are forced to do that's making them unhappy, under the impression that it's "for the good of something".

But they don't want for the pupa to actually complete his evolution! That goes against everything they have built. His evolution SHOULD be tainted. Or else he's gonna grow up to terraform earth, you know? It wasn't necessarily such a bad thing on its own.

I think the pupa has also been feeling upset about realizing his role. He knows his objective will result in the death of the people he loves the most, his family. That was also a factor in his acting out. He never asked for this.

And I don't think the Pupa would want them to be miserable, I think he hasn't even realized that they're forcing themselves to be what they're not for him. He wouldn't want for them to give up everything. He just wants their attention and love...

Anyway, six months of no sci-fi adventures, of doing their jobs, they have both grown so much to be able to do this. It is a testament to what I think has happened a lot this season, how you can change for love. You can find compromise that'll make the people you care about happy. You can act selflessly for someone you love. I think Korvo has been doing a lot of that this season and now it's the whole family doing it.

I don't think this change of being normal will stick anyway, it wouldn't make for very entertaining content to watch. No need to worry.

Still, time is against them, as the pupa is clearly growing up, and the more he grows, the less time they have left...

Anyway, that's all I have to say on this!

Some other spare thoughts that I couldn't fit in the post:

Terry now knows he has adhd!! This is huge to me, I can't get over it! Gone are the days of him thinking he's lazy and stupid and all of that, because now he knows he's really not. I bet that also did wonders for his self esteem. This was really important to me.

Terry not remembering what his role was exceedingly canonizes that, in fact, he's always cared for the pupa from instinct and love, and never out of a sense of duty or obligation. Great!

We finally know what the town they live in is called, AND we know their last names!! Korvo Solar and Terry Opposites?? I somehow expected the opposite (pun not interested, hah) but I'm so happy! It seems they took Korvo's last name then, since they refer to themselves as "The Solars".

I was so enthralled with just how much Korvo compliments Terry this season! A breath a fresh air in comparison to S2. I've talked with friends and they shared the same sentiment.

THE SHLORPIAN ALPHABET IS BACK!! One of my biggest letdowns at the time was just not having anything to translate, even if it was just silly jokes. I haven't translated the ones from S3 yet, but I'm excited to!

Now that Korvo is open to enjoying earth stuff, this opens the door to him and Terry disagreeing on taste, which is just gonna shatter Terry's pink-glasses expectations of how they'd get along sooo much better if Korvo liked earth! That will be fun, we already had glimpses in the trains episode.

Terry's favorite hobby being lines is so perfect for his character, I like to imagine he never looked forward to anything on Shlorp since it was so miserable, and lines are basically the representation of a feeling of anticipation. You'd expect him to be bored out of his mind, but I think one of the things he loves most from being on earth that he didn't have on Shlorp is just, the feeling of being excited for something. So... it's perfect for him! We also needed something that Korvo wouldn't like, so he could demonstrate his love for Terry by doing it anyway. It was a hard balance to strike but they did it. Kudos.

Halk dying was a bad move imo, but I don't actually think he's dead. We'll see.

99 ships? Don't you mean 50? The intro says 100 adults and their replicants, each ship has 2 adults... *comicbook guy voice* boy I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder! (I'm joking)

On a similar note, time traveling sneakers? But Korvo honey you never owned such a thing, that was the whole point of s1ep8... Why haven't you been using those shoessss? I know that whole episode by heart, sorry. This is all poking fun, don't worry.

That lil creacher that died on the ship, that was the guy the shlorpians in s2ep1 were worshipping wasn't it?

What's Justin Roiland's fixation with cum gutters? Who told the writers about stans and luigi's mansion erotic fanfic? Please never stop, I'm obsessed.

CAN WE just talk about how much tervo we got? Like how they're just... Canon? 😭💖 I wasn't expecting the show to make it as official as "they consider and call each other husbands also they fuck like rabbits" but HEY!!! Can't say I'm mad!! Wow. Wow.

Manifesting tervo marriage you know it's coming

"just like the fortune cookie said I would" joke again, we GOTTA get to the bottom of this fortune cookie factory just like with the witch stuff from s1 lmao - UPDATE. yes I had written this before watching ep11 I can't believe they brought back the witch thing forreal THAT'S AMAZING

I'm really happy that they let Terry be openly bisexual this season, not that they didn't let him before but it's just undeniably obvious now and it made me really happy.

THEY FETCHED BACK YUMYULACK'S HAND. Guess they read the subreddit 😎 No more plot about it growing a second Yumyulack that goes rogue!

I loved all the characters so much this season, Korvo has truly grown a lot on me. And I feel like all the characters are gonna have very negative feelings about the mission moving forward.

I wonder how the silvercops storyline is going to progress. Their episode was fine, but probably not a rewatcher for me. With some tweaks it could have some serious futurama vibes with the single human in alien world, glen reminded me of fry a lot. I'm afraid of how it could intersect with the aliens (don't want my very fragile dynamics and status quo to be forever altered...) but I do trust the crew and am hopeful.

I LOVE TO SEE WHAT THEIR LIVES WERE LIKE ON SHLORP. We got such a brief new look, but I need more!!! Still I was incredibly happy to see it. Though I guess I found it puzzling that Shlorp had yo-yos as that seemed like the type of fun stuff they'd be against. Like how Terry got reprimanded for wearing his robe collar unbuttoned. Go figure.

That's all! I'm gonna attach my liveblog of S3 here at the end in case you want to see more misc thoughts on it all. And a lot of screenshots.