Finn

you think im petting you but actually i a,m takig you away

2025 Design

DAY 2 - GRIAN

He's ready to take off at any moment to cause some mischief on the server.

But it always ENDS there. No one ever talks about what happens after that.

Kimmy opens up and tells Newton that it's all just an act she puts on. She explains that, due to the fact that she's pretty, she feels like there's this ROLE she has to fill.

Pretty girls are supposed to be ditzy, they're supposed to be selfish, they're supposed to be mean and manipulative and full of themselves.

That was some of the best character growth I've seen, and THE best in the whole show (in my opinion). Newton and Kimmy's relationship is pretty fleshed out, and special props for the writers not going the robot-becomes-human-because-it-can-love route. Newton, aka Octus, is still very much an alien robot. But he's also not just a machine. He has emotions and other human traits--concern, empathy, curiosity, humor, a sense of justice, a love for popsicles... The list goes on.

It was never really mentioned in the show, so this is purely speculation, but it seems like he was designed by the king to be Lance's and Ilana's guardian and nothing more. He was a way to form Titan and something that could process danger better than the two of them. I don't think anyone planned on him going through such a fundamental shift. Look at how matter-of-fact he is in the first couple of episodes, and then compare that to later episodes like Ballad of Scary Mary, I Am Octus, and, of course, Lessons in Love. Heck, by Elephant Logic he's starting to go into a quasi dad mode because Lance and Ilana are bickering like children and he feels the need to be a better "parent." There's a whole ton of other episodes highlighting Newton's change into something more, but that's too much to get into. When he starts gaining human traits and branching out from the robot trope, it seems to take everyone by surprise, even himself.

My point is: by the episode in question, Newton is coming to terms with newfound feelings that he can't name, that baffle him because he shouldn't even be capable of doing this. He's supposed to be Lance and Ilana's guide, their protector, and a fundamental part of Titan. So why is he trying to help the popular girl with her geometry homework and insisting to Lance and Ilana that he absolutely, totally, does not under any circumstances, have a crush on Kimmy? Why did he even let her come over instead of just putting his foot down and snapping at her, similar to what he did with Meat when the school was under attack? It leaves him utterly baffled why he's trying so hard to actually help her--both with the homework but also with her self-esteem. If what he insisted to the others was really true, he could've just done it for her like she wanted and sent her on her way. But he didn't do that. He chose not to.

It's clear that Newton has some kind of soft spot for Kimmy. He genuinely tries to help her and gets almost comically irritated at her stubborn refusal to try. He ignores her whining, begging, and "convincing." He does what any good friend would do and encourages her, builds her up, and gives her a confidence in herself she never expected to have. If it were any other student, he'd likely have made up some excuse as to why he couldn't help unless it directly impacted the trio's secrecy. (Imagine if Baby Face pulled this stunt. Now that could've been a great episode.) He's earnest in his words and seems genuinely proud when she finally gets it and hugs him. And then he gets absolutely flustered when she wants to kiss him. The literal sparks that fly when she does land a kiss just cements the fact that, against all odds, he's somehow developed some kind of strong emotion towards her.

Again, I like how the writers don't automatically rope it into heavy romance because the "robot learned to love and now it's human." Aside from hand-holding, a few kisses, and likely dates, their relationship seems to function on a bond built off trust and enjoyment of each other's company. There's no distinct "love" to it and at no point does Newton ever view Kimmy in a sexual manner. (Heck, I don't even think she views him that way either!) When Lance and Ilana question him on it--and again, this is just my perception of the scene, YMMV--they seemed more concerned about the ramifications of the relationship in regards to Newton not being, well, able in certain ways, we'll say. It didn't read like it was only concern for the potential to jeopardize their mission. They just... don't want anyone getting hurt and at least partially doubt his ability to feel this way in the first place.

Newton responding with the statement that he can't say he loves Kimmy is especially good. It shows that he's definitely caught some kinda feelings but is also able to remain logical despite them. He doesn't know if he's just happy, in love, or some other emotion. All he knows is that he likes being around her and doesn't hate the feeling he gets. He's able to see both sides of the coin: the human side, and the robot side. This doesn't really have anything to do with my rant, I just think it's neat.

As for Kimmy, as soon as Newton makes it clear he doesn't see Kimmy as useless, a ditz, a sex toy, or some combination of the three, she starts appreciating him. I can't really decide if she already had a bit of a liking to him or if it was the fact he was so honest and kind, but she ends up liking him for who he is. She feels happy--seemingly for the first time--that someone recognizes her as an individual and that she can be more than just the hot cheerleader trope. And that alone helps her break free from the mold and be herself. No one ever told her she didn't have to stay the air-headed mean girl. To have someone respect her as a person, and want her to be herself... It must've been like a whole new world for her.