A day late, but Gulool Ja Ja is the same kind of bad parent Cahciua is to me. Both obviously loved their children and their children loved them. However, based on the text and subtext we get in Dawntrail, they struggled with other aspects of parenting and actually understanding and meeting their childrenās emotional needs.
Facts we can infer about Gulool Ja Ja through what Dawntrail chose to share and not share:
1. GJJ didnāt effectively mentor his children to be future rulers of their country
The entire concite of the Rite of Succession is about ācraftingā a leader fit to rule Tural after he dies. Iām not even going to humor what the story could have been if he raised an effective heir from jump. The story we got is about crafting a ruler because he did not teach them how to rule all these 20+ years heās had the chance.
2. GJJ didnāt teach his children about the country they rule, the country he loves so much
During the first half of Dawntrail, the trials given to us are largely educational in structure. They are designed to teach the claimant about that culture and their traditions. Largely we are shown that the claimants lack knowledge of each group of people weāre introduced to. They donāt know how they operate or the significance of their cultural practices or the history of how and why they joined beneath GJJās banner. GJJ didnāt think to educate any of his children on their own people even a little? No? Some dad.
3. What the fuck happened to Zoraal Ja?
Hot take but people donāt want to commit patricide out of nowhere. I wish ZJ was explored more in Dawntrail. His character had so much potential for depth and nuance. Even just one extra scene with him could have been great. Instead all we can do is look at the subtext.
ZJ was being crushed under insurmountable pressure. Through his comments about āthe miracleā and the missing head in his corrupted monster form, we know this weighed on him heavily. Why didnāt GJJ do anything to help him? Did he say kind words to ZJ? Did he try to take the weight off? Did he try to steer ZJ down a kinder path? Weāll never know because we barely see them interact before ZJ is killing GJJ!
extra fact that isnāt inferred we see it played out
4. Didnāt tell them their other dad died
The dramatic reveal was effective and I audibly gasped. HOWEVER⦠that was messed up. WTF Vow of Resolve?
Gulool Ja Ja is a bad dad. Now, as Iāve said before with Cahciua, being a bad parent is not a moral failing and it does not mean I think theyāre a bad character. Characters can be good people and also bad parents, and this makes them more interesting as characters.
If GJJ was a good parent we wouldnāt have had the plot we got. I just wish the story explored his character flaws more.
Anyway, Iām just saying if Thancred is on thin ice then GJJ should also be on thin ice, thank you for coming to my TED talk, peace.