Flower Dictionary

Everyone say hello to

Is how it so utterly destroys the romanticism of the grimdark, tragic hero.

Percy points out that he, like so many people, romanticized the shadow, the darkness, this whole idea of “oh I’m so tortured and I’ve lost everything and I must have vengeance.” And how he came to realize that was ridiculous. He talks about how he almost threw away a beautiful life and future in order to wallow in that darkness and how stupid it was. He talks about how the shadow comes from the light, because if there was no light there would be no shadow, and Vex and Vox Machina were that light–and that was what he should’ve been romanticizing and focusing on, rather than his own determination to destroy himself in his quest for revenge.

The media, writers, and certain audiences of this world like to glorify the dark, the hero who is beaten down, the hero who is “just as bad as the bad guys.” The hero who is consumed by vengeance and tragedy and who ultimately becomes what he hates, or dies. The hero who “makes the ultimate sacrifice.” I’m sure I don’t need to give examples, because you’re all thinking of far too many examples in your minds already.

And it’s boring.

Percy points out how much better, how much richer, his story and his life are for turning away from that and embracing the light and a happy ending. A happy ending is not boring, it’s not redundant, it’s not naïve or ridiculous. Indeed in a world of pain and danger and tragedy it is defiant, it is strength, it is subversive and rebellious and daring. To dare to be happy and to move on after the long shadow that has been cast and to say no, I turn towards the light. To be soft in a world that is cruel and harsh and tries to make us be the same.

Percival de Rolo was set up to be a tragedy. And instead he got a happy ending. He got the love of his life, he got a family, he got a long, long life of peace and prosperity.

Chad: Increased

Everyone: