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One thing I really like about Cinderella Boy that I’ve noticed it how much agency the characters get with personal secrets or arguments, even in situations where the actions taken weren't entirely on their terms.

There have been plenty of times in media I’ve seen where there’s an argument between two characters and they don’t resolve it right away, a emergency happens that forces them to work together, and they apologize to one another because of the danger.

It would have been extremely easy to do this with, say, Still Waters. Buddy is upset about the hiding of Prunella, but then has to work with Chase because of the book collapsing. But even in that instance, the desire to resolve the matter doesn’t come from the emergency. Chase attempts to apologize and make amends, Buddy is understandably frustrated and refuses to accept it, but then while cooling down on his own thinks about talking to Chase and forgiving him. It's only once that happens then they get alerted to the danger and work together, after they had time to resolve their emotions and perspectives, and Buddy chose his response.

This is also done phenomenally well in Stardust. Wave forces the secret of narratonin theft to be revealed, yes, but only after Buddy has already resolved to do it. In-universe that secret was revealed whether Buddy wanted it to or not, but the narrative goes its of its way to have Buddy make that choice before the reveal.

The Best Laid Plans continues this, having the characters resolve their emotions before the plot continues. Buddy doesn’t deceive Violet with his intentions, and the plot doesn’t leave them on an ‘agree to disagree’. There’s no big reveal out of Buddy’s romantic interest in Chase or his desire to include Chase and co., he tells Violet directly and they have conversation. They talk about their circumstances, and actually get to the meat of the problem in trying to balance saving their family with Violet’s desire to keep Buddy immortal. They talk about their emotions and come to an understanding.

Chase, as well, gets time to himself and talk to his (simulated, albeit) father in a book. There’s no immediate danger or forced compromise, just Chase feeling his emotions and getting advice to help him come to a conclusion.

There are numerous other examples. Beach Boys: Buddy injures Chase in an argument, and after a bit approaches Chase to apologize (he approaches Chase, not the other way around) and they talk. Party Crashers: Chase and Buddy both worry about the other’s perception of them - they get alone time to talk about and clear up that misunderstanding in that same arc. Mister Mischief: Deacon gets time to let loose and have fun in a fictional world, but also learns that centering your joy purely around a fake world is harmful (not through him being punished by anything, but through him meeting and talking about that experience with a book character). Perfect Halo: Prunella is rightfully upset at the boys for ruining her book, she runs off on her own, Buddy sits with her to talk through those emotions and apologize, then he and the others go out of their way to the book a fun joyous ending to bring her joy.

Cinderella Boy has its plot pause to let the characters feel their emotions and its consequences, and in doing so creates such a good story and path in its character’s development.

(⚠️The next part discusses content up to s2ep55, which is currently spoilers for non-fast pass readers, so be cautioned to not click if you’re not there ⚠️)