HELL YEAH A FUCKIN TREEHOUSE

So, Clementine leaving Ericson makes absolutely zero fucking sense right? The entire thing about season 4 is that she was done running and had a place to stay with people she loved, and it would be even more idiotic to leave your very safe and lovely shelter with winter coming.

But you know who still has things to work out after season 4 ended? You know who's oblivious enough to the world around them that they'd make a dumb decision like that? You know who could benefit from an adventure like that?

Willy and Tenn.

Think about it. Willy is still torn up about Mitch dying. He feels like even though he built the bomb for Delta's boat, he didn't do enough because people still got killed. Tenn is still traumatized by seeing his sister for the first time in a year, only for her to try and kill him. And in a world where Tenn survives, it's a world where Louis or Violet dies. Both of them are dealing with trauma, survivor's guilt, and I like to think that Willy still holds resentment for Tenn for what happened during the school raid.

Both of them have been at Ericson for pretty much their entire lives. The massive walls feel cramped and too familiar, they remember how badly Brody wanted to get out and see the world.

So they ask Clementine and Violet/Louis if they can leave. Only for a few weeks, and they'll be back. Both of them need to get out of the school, need to explore, they need to find something that the school isn't giving them. They're hesitant, what with winter approaching, but with how desperate Willy and Tenn are they decide it would be best to make sure they're actually prepared instead of them sneaking off with only half of what they need.

They get caught in a blizzard and are rescued by Amos and taken back to that Amish community, where they stay until the blizzard blows over and the snow melts. There, they have a fresh group of people with different experiences that they can learn from, and come to terms with their own struggles and each other. And once spring breaks, and they come back to Ericson, they're changed for the better and can live at peace with their pasts.

ESPECIALLY when it comes to AJ. Yeah, there's the decision that determines if Violet/Louis or Tenn survives, but that's literally the only time I can think of where Clementine's actions affect him for more than 5 seconds.

For instance, the whole "let me have dibs on abel" thing only matters for a single dialogue change that is never mentioned again. The "no swear words" only matters for a couple more dialogue changes than that.

"Your actions will shape AJ into who he will become. You just tortured a man in front of him."

HELLOO???? THAT ISNT BROUGHT UP AT ALL LATER.

The arrowcards make it seem like its this big defining moment of his character, like what if THIS was the choice that defined if AJ would shoot Lilly later on? But it's just.... a little tidbit thats only highlighted for a brief moment without adding anything substantial to the story.

You can be the world's biggest jerk to Violet and Louis, but if you have romantic feelings for them they'll reciprocate.

You can remind Minnie of Tenn every chance you get (you know, the only reason she still thinks of Ericson at all), but she'll still snap and try to take him down with her even though her entire character arc was wanting to keep him safe.

Even the parallel to Lee's death has an illusion of choice. I know it's heartbreaking to think of an ending where Clementine is dead, but that should have been an option if you told AJ to leave. That's what the choice there is for. A branching pathway with a totally different ending. Isn't that what this entire series is about?