Iâve seen some people saying that Ryan hasnât had anything to do this season (lol) ironically coming from the same people who wanted to see more of Yaz after admitting the arc last series was all about Ryan and GrahamâŚ
But fuck that negativity!Â
LETâS GIVE IT UP FOR RYAN FIFA FUCKING LEGEND SINCLAIRÂ
After Resolution, he has finally been able to be more open about his feelings:
1. His frustration with his dyspraxia isnât controlling his emotions as much, partly because Graham has seen him struggling and realised that it isnât something to get attention or blame his clumsiness on (TWWFTE). In series 11 the encouragement of Yaz (even straight from that first ladder scene when she says itâs ok if he doesnât think he can manage it) since he actually put into practice Graceâs encouragement of âkeep on tryingâ, knowing that it is ok to be a bit behind everyone else (Ghost Monument ladder scenes, Kerblam! conveyer scene, Resolution rescuing his dad scene).Â
In the Spyfall basketball scene you can imagine heâs picturing Grace, The Doctor, Yaz and Graham cheering him on. NEVER GIVE UP, WEâRE FAMILY, WEâRE A TEAM. Basically everything at the end of Fugitive Of The Judoon. He jumps between fucking train carriages in the Tesla ep. If that scene had been last series, it would have played like Carl jumping to the next crane. All Ryan needed was a bit of encouragement and he did it, sometime he will succeed and thatâs good enough for him, for now. In Praxeus heâs slow as hell when they are running away from the birds but he makes it, JUST.Â
In AOTC he falls behind as they run away from the cybermen, he has the energy and mental strength to try and hide instead of screaming or turning and pancing, screaming for Yaz, Graham or The Doctor. He believes in her, because he has to - heâs as strong as the others. He can be Logan the photographer if he needs to be but he doesnât need to be Hugh Jackman. That just isnât him. Heâs a video gamer, not an action hero. Canât ride a bike but he can fly a planeâŚwith his phone.
2. I believe series 12 has really showcased his friendly, teasing and sibling-mentoring relationship with Yaz. Itâs very ironic that heâs been able to open up with her since 11x05 but she hasnât disclosed her history of mental illness, but thatâs a very sensitive issue. I think she identifies a lot with Ryanâs frustration of feeling different - even if itâs just because of their shared experience of racial discrimination. Heâs helped Yaz without even realising it, giving her someone to bounce her confidence off of, resulting in them being able to help each other (Barton interview scene in Spyfall).Â
3. In Orphan 55 he opened up to a COMPLETE STRANGER. He wouldnât have done that in series 11 in a million years. The closest he came was with Hanne in It Takes You Away - which was a brilliant episode to showcase his abandonment issues and the fact that even this far into the series he was snappy, defensive and making assumptions based on projecting his own experiences of pain onto other people. I donât mean that he was a horrible person, just that he had a clouded sense of judgement - hence Yazâs âRyan!â protest.Â
Yes, he lies to Bella at first but beyond knowing they âboth have dead parentsâ and fancying her a bit he has zero reason to tell her his life story (flashback to 11x05 Ryan saying âWhy am I even telling you this?â to Yaz after discussing his motherâs death). Reconnecting with his father and Graham did wonders for his trust and self esteem.Â
4. In Can You hear Me we see how scared he is of leaving Earth behind, but also how strong he has become. Ryan talking to his friend about mental illness. This is the same guy who avidly avoided talking to Graham about Grace and said he talked too much about âthat stuffâ. He might not have had enough emotional stuff with his grandad this season but he could definitely handle it better. The maturity of the scene with Yaz where they talk about having to leave people behind is mindblowing. In Praxeus heâs on his own on a mission and he collects a dead bird that saves the universe. Heâs fantastic with Gabreila, having learnt from Hanne.Â
5. Ryan & The Doctor. Personally this is what I could do with more of, but Yaz and Graham are his mentors he doesnât really need another one. But if anyone can inspire itâs The Doctor and both the comic duo moments (Orphan 55) and the moments sheâs snapped at him have been amazing. Itâs never been his fault, he doesnât know any better (ie proposing to sacrifice Shelly). Thereâs an innocence to Ryan that has always been there and makes him vulnerable in moments when The Doctorâs true age and experience come to light.Â
6. Heâs adorable, hilarious and relatable just like in series 11 (any episode).
âRyanâs had nothing to do all series.â
Ok but heâs the most iâve ever related to a companion and iâm annoying so I guess thatâs valid.
âRyanâs facial expressions never change and he talks weirdly, but Tosin is the opposite?â
Itâs called acting lol and all of the above are disadvantages of having dyspraxia. Itâs much harder to express your emotions, words and to fucking move at all tbh.
Sorry iâm tired and emotional and I love Ryan.Â
kianamaiart
turnnoffyourmind
annaxmalina
titsay
