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Part of this obsession seems to be based on how she feels connected to Lenore. Their entanglement leading up their faux marriage was entirely based on playing the role of a noble lady and lord. Even if that was far from the truth.

I think it’s important to note that in life this ruse was originally Lenore’s idea. A way they could be themselves in private at the cost to appeasing the expected societal norms in public. It is apparent that at some point during their scheme, Annabel got cold feet and tried to drop the act. Hence the church scene at their wedding:

While we don’t know the who’s and what’s that led up to their deaths, it is clear Annabel thinks her dropping the act is what caused them to fail. To lose the game.

It’s this guilt that is making her so desperate now. Annabel thinks she already failed Lenore in life. There is no way she is failing her in death. Even to her own and maybe even Lenore’s own detriment. Everything in the story so far is Annabel’s desperate attempts to achieve one goal: make up for her “betrayal”.

Which is why she has been willing to go to such extreme measures to maintain the act as the posh, ice queen. However, she’s very prone to emotional outbursts and acting on impulse. So when Morella (bless her heart) starts to pokes holes in her ruse, Annabel freaks out.

I know there has been some discussion of Annabel not really having a character outside of Lenore. To me though, rather than a flaw in the writing, I see that as an insight to the toxic nature of their relationship.

I love Whiteraven as a pair, but Annabel undeniably puts Lenore atop this unreachable pedestal. It creates a very unbalanced nature to their relationship. Annabel seems to attach her self worth and identity to Lenore.

Annabel has felt like she can be herself with only Lenore. Why would she need anyone else? So that is the fundamental reason she doesn’t understand Lenore’s desire for a real friendship/relationship with the Misfits.

Only Lenore is good enough for Annabel, so why isn’t only Annabel good enough for Lenore? It’s part of the reason she’s so ticked off Lenore doesn’t remember her special nickname for Annabel.

So from a storytelling perspective, at this point, I see why Annabel’s character is so attached to Lenore.

Including herself LMAO!!!!

Well, wasn’t this week’s chapter fun?

Something has always been a bit odd about the relationship between Will and Monty.

It’s quite clear to me why Will clings to Monty. Monty’s attachment to Will is much more ambiguous. As much as Montresor can play the nonchalant card, he at least wants Will around.

He’s a character full of contradictions. He wants to use Will because he knows Will is easy to manipulate and control. Will is someone he can bully who won’t ever fight back. Yet at the same time, it almost feels like Monty feels obligated to look after him because of that perceived helplessness. Against his own interests, he repeatedly goes out of his way to keep Will safe, in his own way.

I do believe a lot of Monty’s anger toward this Will stems from the belief that he was deceived. He outright says the reason he’s always looking out for Will is because:

So when "Will" ends up being fine, to Montresor it may appear that his helplessness and his need for Monty were never real. An act. So Monty does what Monty does best, which is lash out.

Montresor has always been a bully to Will, but before the Wild Hunt arc it was mostly verbal. However, after the whole "Will returning after the Wild Hunt" situation, Monty becomes much more openly aggressive.

This builds to Monty’s eventual attempt to permanently remove "Will" from the picture. An act born from Monty’s perverted sense of justice for his Will. However, his conviction wavers when it becomes clear "Will" is just as confused as Monty about the events of the Wild Hunt. Monty seems to tone down his aggression when "Will" panics. It’s clear that, at least to "Will’s" knowledge, there was no intentional deception.

So ultimately, I think part of the reason Montresor backs down is revealed in the maze flashback. Will is not a threat to Monty, and it’s clear that this "Will" still needs him. Even if it’s not his Will. For now, that is enough for Monty.

Monty seems to want someone (Will lol) to depend on him like a savior or perhaps even a dashing knight to a damsel. 👀

With the end of the wild hunt arc, there has been a question lingering in the back of my mind. Why did Duke, Pluto, Eulalie and have absolutely no reaction to Will being seemingly alive and well?

I remember thinking it was odd as seeing someone being skewered isn’t exactly a sight someone would easily forget. I understand the circumstances were quite chaotic and misfits’ main concern was on Lenore’s condition; however, not even a raised eyebrow? Will even got thrown at Eulalie as a projectile lmao.

I do wonder if the lack of a reaction is a hint to what the heck Will’s whole deal is. With a cast of characters as dynamic as Nevermore’s, Will easily slips between the cracks in the eyes of the characters and even the readers. Will’s odd behavior aside lol. Even compared to background characters.

Or I wonder if it’s more along the lines of supporting the Mr. Cellophane inspired theme Will has going on. Honestly, Monty seems to be the only character who at some level tries to see Will. Bullying aside, which is a whole separate conversation. He only ever seems to actively ignore Will after the whole horror show of him coming back from the dead. Which, fair enough haha.