Lou | 18

Amongst other media, It is most relevant that I am an Invincible and IHNMAIMS fan! I mainly write fanfiction for these, and will always have more of it on the way.

Callie is my best friend and co-writer of Face Value!

I'm also an artist + you will see me drop panel/screenshot edits from time to time, typically genderbends.

You wanna be my friend? I wanna be your friend, too!

The main purpose of this blog is to interact with the community, especially my readers! :D To reiterate, my ask box is ALWAYS open to anyone and for any reason. Questions, ideas, sending some love, everything! Even if it's three words or several paragraphs, please assume that I'd want to hear it! I DO!

If, by the time you're reading this, I have no recent posts, you might think I'm inactive. I am not! Trust me…I'm always looking.

...I think Nolan and Debbie will get back together, and I'm looking forward to it.

PUT. THE. PITCHFORKS. DOWN. LET ME EXPLAIN.

Firstly, I have a sneaking suspicion that they're setting up Paul and Debbie's eventual separation, but that they're going to give it the depth it deserves. The show has put so much care into fleshing out Debbie and Paul, who used to essentially be non-characters in the original material. I do NOT believe they would throw that all away senselessly.

The two relationship stressors that I've been noticing is Paul feeling inadequate and Debbie feeling that things are moving too quickly.

It's a repeated theme that Paul feels intimidated by filling in a role that used to be held by a superhero, and also being a father figure to Oliver and Mark. He worries that he can't relate to them and that the family needs something more than him. He's also remarked to be 'ordinary' by Art and 'boring' by Oliver, even though it's all lighthearted. It's just... they're doing a lot to establish it. I think it might get to his head.

The newer problem is the issue of the relationship moving quickly. When Mark and Oliver return home to find Debbie and Paul kissing, everyone is clearly startled. It's obvious that Debbie has not told them before that the relationship has progressed this far, or that they're in a relationship at all. Mark is also upset when he discovers that she has told Paul about his secret identity, meaning that he doesn't think Paul is close enough for that information.

When Paul suggests moving in together, Debbie is obviously conflicted about it. When she brings it up to the boys, Mark is clearly startled but pushes down his feelings in favor of his mom's happiness.

I don't think the characters would be consistently having these reactions if the writers didn't want to communicate that the change is overwhelming for the family. Keep in mind that Paul and Debbie's relationship has lasted only 6 months.

I believe that Paul and Debbie will eventually separate but on good terms, unlike the comics. They will recognize that they make each other happy, but there are also certain circumstances that hinders their compatibility.

Additionally, I feel like what a lot of people are not realizing is that in the comics, Nolan and Debbie see each other twice before getting back together. S4E5 has only shown the first meeting, and in BOTH materials, Debbie does not forgive him this first time! It takes until a second meeting AFTER returning from the war. I see a lot of people under the impression that this scene is the only time they meet and that her response has been changed to rejecting, when things are actually still in line with the comics.

However, in this first meeting, Debbie is shown to be standing her ground more, and being even less forgiving than in the comics, which is an EXCELLENT change. As everyone is already aware, the show is absolutely going a different route with their relationship.

What I believe is going to happen is that they will eventually reunite. Though a lot of changes have been made from the comics for the better, it's evident that they're unable to cut out larger storylines entirely. I believe that this will be done as a slow burn instead of being immediate, where they first come to some kind of understanding, and as the series progresses, they slowly rebuild their relationship, which may become romantic again. Even if they don't return to being romantic, I fully believe they will become amicable at some point.

One of Invincible's major themes is redemption. One of the lessons that Nolan has learned this episode is that 'sorry' does NOT fix everything, and that forgiveness is more complicated than he thinks. What he has done is unspeakable, things cannot return to the way they were with the people he once knew. This is causing him a lot of inner turmoil. Debbie and Nolan's dynamic are important to this and the show will definitely explore that, rather than having them remain in strife or simply never see each other again.

Let me make this clear. DEBBIE IS NOT HIS PRIZE. HE IS NOT ENTITLED TO DEBBIE. I DO NOT THINK THIS. She has EVERY reason to hate his guts and I am GLAD that this is being amplified in the show. Debbie is such a strong woman and her character is being done a lot of justice.

But, a story like Invincible has specific arcs that it's meant to follow. Relationships will get worse before they get better. Nolan left Mark half dead in a crater then they finally shared a hug when they next saw each other. Nolan endangered Oliver's home planet and later decides he wants to be absent from his life, but they will talk and bond now that they are alone together on their current planet.

The show would not focus on Debbie and Nolan's relationship so much just to leave it at this. It has to be done very well, but I have faith in the writing.