I Like This Duality I’ve Noticed; Philip And By Extension Jacob Hopkins Insist Aloud That They’re

I like this duality I’ve noticed; Philip and by extension Jacob Hopkins insist aloud that they’re the Good Guy and how Camila calls this out as a red flag in and of itself, actually indicating they’re the Bad Guy. Hopkins in particular serves as a decent summation of Philip at his core; A man child deliberately out of touch with the reality around him, in order to entertain a flattering fantasy where he is the one who is more aware than the rest of these sheeple about this hidden threat among the Other that is absolutely there for him to defeat.

By contrast, Luz constantly asks and interrogates herself on whether she’s the Bad Guy, and it’s that self reflection, that willingness to consider other perspectives and view herself from them, that keeps Luz from becoming that; It’s what reassures those around her that she is indeed the Good Guy, because she is harboring no delusions that she necessarily is.

But critical examination is also there to give you conviction now that you are certain; After a constant, gaslighting crisis of ambiguity fed by Belos, the Titan doesn’t give Luz a “Maybe, if, under these circumstances” answer. He gives Luz what she really needs to hear, some much-needed certainty, by reassuring her that for whatever similarities she may have had with Belos, she is NOT him.

Because Luz is actually willing to critically examine herself, respect others’ perspectives and boundaries, and is ultimately approaching from a place of actual good intent where she wants people to be happy, included in, and contributing to a kinder world, instead of preferring removing them from the equation as a solution. Casting them out as rejects first; In the end, that’s just something people decide for themselves by refusing to co exist with others.

But Luz will always have open arms for those who are sincere about changing, and besides; She’s still a victim of abuse, she’s no Christian and is entitled to some anger and lack of forgiveness; There’s a lot to be said about performative niceness vs actual kindness. Those boundaries aren’t what could’ve made her evil.