Logan and Being 'The Teacher' but not really 'A Teacher'
I’m gonna talk about uhhh my Logan ramble on how I think Logan’s character being more connected to being a teacher could be beneficial to his story arc- yes I never shut up about it but it is just constantly in my head so I am sorry HKDSGAK
Do they have to go with this idea in Logan's character arc? Nah. It's just some ideas I've had that I think would be cool and add some spice and all that. For fun and character analysis!
Chapter one: in the beginning... that's uh God I was quoting God. /ref
Disclaimer, obviously none of the core 3 sides of Roman, Patton, and Logan are their vine character counterparts of the Prince, the dad, and the teacher. They are way more 3 dimensional in terms of characters compared to those vine counterparts. Especially since the teacher character was either very strict or very silly depending on just the joke about teachers or the classroom being made, which there's nothing wrong with that lol as it's for short 6 second comedy after all!
However, I think Logan’s character has been stagnant IMO. Connecting his goals, motivations, and/or emotions to his core identity, being connected to representing a teacher for Thomas, I think, could be beneficial in giving him some needed character depth. This is where Logan, being rooted in being a teacher, could come in.
(I'm gonna summarize Patton and Roman's core connection to their intentional characters very loosely and quickly; there's obviously much more to be said, BUT I am summarizing to make a point.)
Patton at his core, has a connection to specifically being a dad, Thomas’ morality coming from his sense of his father, his parents coming up, and how he one day wants to be a father himself. Patton is kind, compassionate, stern when needed, and hopes to guide Thomas morally and in the right direction. Very parent! Roman, being a prince, represents this joy and whimsical sense of childlike wonder you have as you consume fantastical media and start using your imagination as you grow up. This Disney prince that protects and shows bravery, also shows creativity in a light sense! And Patton and Roman mention being a dad or a prince throughout the series. Take Patton like- honestly, most episodes- and Roman in the crofters jam episode asking, are we as a society tired of princes? Logan is a teacher because, yk, teachers teach things and teachers are smart. And that’s true yk, I get the connection there to logic- but I think we could go deeper, like how Patton and Roman’s core partly is who their characters are based on, the idea of representing a prince and a dad. Logan hasn't really referenced being a teacher since like episode one of the series, really. Let's follow the idea that Logan could be more connected to wanting to be a good and proper teacher, so when he isn't, that crushes him.
Chapter two: uhhh the expectations and responsibilities of being a teacher are hard and getting more and more lengthy everyday
Like let’s say this. Logan’s goal is to be a great teacher for Thomas. He takes his role very seriously. As a teacher, he wants to have a role of professionalism that’s required for the job in the group/Thomas' mind. He needs to have no bias when teaching/reminding Thomas of information; he needs to be logical and have a well-developed curriculum and methodology for his teaching. Logan feels a lot of pressure to live up to the expectations of the great teachers Thomas has had in the past. The way he teaches best in his opinion, is by lecturing to Thomas. This could be because in Thomas' mind, his perception of a teacher, lecturing is the stereotype in his mind. Lecturing is what teachers do; that's the most common style when he pictures a generic teaching figure.
(I get why, as well he does that from like a production and writing standpoint, considering it’s the easiest format for a series like Sanders sides to do after all- the most we kinda see Logan stray from that is why do we get out of bed in the morning with visuals, but that still is mainly lecturing. Nothing wrong with lecturing as a method of course, it is mainly what college professors do, and it can be very beneficial to those who prefer to learn that way,)
So let's say maybe he learns over time Thomas learns differently from that, that could be apart of his growth as a character. Logan has to learn that different teaching methods are valid even if he deems them childish or inadequate. Because Logan’s stuck in traditionalism, what THOMAS thinks inherently about a teacher. A teacher who refuses to maybe change their habits of teaching because ‘that’s how it’s always been taught,’ or 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it' type thing so Logan learns he needs to be more flexible. Which LNTAO I think, specifically would be a great changing point for that. Like he learns through Patton that puppets, while the concept childish to him- greatly benefited from getting through and teaching Thomas in this moment. He needs to be more open to collaboration and hearing others ideas, just like any good teacher should. Even if that change is scary, and admitting he isn't cold logic, and he isn't a perfect teacher.
Chapter three: bro cries or something idk
I think connecting his flaws here, as well back to being a teacher can work. His insistence on not wanting to be taken as a joke or thought of as such could be connected to him needing to be professional and how important professionalism is to him. How can he have a ‘firm grip on his class’ if they don’t see him as this knowledgeable, serious figure? Afraid of humanizing himself, risking that they wouldn’t listen to what he has to say. It’s a fear of failure! And some imposter syndrome there too, probably- I think Logan’s fear of showing emotions as well could be connected back to how a lot of teachers are only told to put on a happy or neutral front as to not to show any negative emotions. It’s a job with strict guidelines, and you can’t show the real you without risking your professionalism and career. So Logan has a lot of emotional buildup he’s not supposed to have (in his mind atleast), not only because of his trait as logic but also because he feels like he cannot express it "to his students" (aka the others) as a teacher. That could be a way to incorporate orange, finding weakness and frustration in him if you’re into that sort of thing. He doesn't know a way to communicate his feelings of frustration without sacrificing his sense of self. Because that would mean, to him, he is a bad teacher. Which means he failed Thomas.
Chapter 4: Conclusion and all that
These are just some general ideas and thoughts I had, there are more ways to incorporate into previous episodes or traits of Logan I feel like into this concept. I could write maybe an original episode concept if you guys would be interested idk.
Idk if any of this makes sense, but I think it could give Logan some needed depth, in my opinion. I think he’s a cool guy no matter what anyways. I do think this is something that could still be incorporated if Thomas and co. ever wanted to. And there are some things that seedlings they could work off of and say its origins are from Logan's purpose as a teacher- like I def know that wasn't the original reason why but yk it could work. IDKKKK what do you guys think, let me know. I think Logan is coolllll :D
