TADC fanart

I get that he is fun to write. And, in the first four episodes, he was a blast whenever he was on screen. But he is only bearable in small doses. The story can only HANDLE him in small doses.

Its like a meal that consists entirely of dessert.

Putting him at the center of the story has already weakened the other character arcs. (Hell, did Pomni even have a personality in ep 7?)

Goose gave us too much of a good character that, like dessert, is a tasty treat along side a well rounded meal. But she forgot about the main course. And Im worried that the series will ultimately suffer because of it.

WELL SAID, ANON. I think you've perfectly summed up Jax as a whole.

In my Harlequin AU, he never gets promoted to dueteragonist like in the show, because while he is fun to write as a source of conflict, putting him in the main spotlight ultimately makes the story suffer; and thus, I relegated him to B-plot instead.

Like a catchy loud music, fun to listen at first due to it's sick beats and probably meaningful lyrics, but when it's all you listen to all day, it becomes... a headache.

I think I finally see what this show's ultimate weakness is: PACING.

It's not really weak in terms of writing, hell no. Goose is a talented writer, all the more a character writer, through and through. But due to the show's format and how it's only 9 episodes long, pacing has suffered THE MOST in terms of premise because Goose is trying her best to cram as much info in whilst simultaneously putting the comedic highlights to ease some tension.

And while it's a good format, (especially for longer running shows), the more this series goes on, the more this method falls apart because it becomes outbalanced. Info needs to be shared to the audience, leading to less comedic release, and it makes Jax suffer from a media standpoint as he is the tension itself.

And while I applaud Goose for putting in his "There's nothing more to me" line because we all know, THAT'S NOT FUCKING TRUE AT ALL, I think Goose's ultimate writing mistake is... putting Jax in the main character spotlight. It makes Pomni suffer as a result as well, because now she's been reduced to "I can fix him" mentality trope. Funny for merch, not so funny in a narrative like this. And you know why Pomni suffers? Because we've been shown NO REDEEMING QUALITIES from Jax, and neither has Pomni seen any. Yet, she still insists.

Why? For plot reasons, I guess. His dick is that good, I suppose.

You want to know WHY I want Pomni to focus on Caine this time? Because unlike Jax, Caine DOES have the potential. The potential to CHANGE. The show has been showing us that Caine, with the right resources and right methods, is WILLING to switch. Great example being: Episode 4.

When Pomni expresses her disdain for jumpscares, what does Caine do? Look at the suggestion box, and switch the adventure LAST SECOND into a Fast Food management adventure. That's quite the hefty change just from ONE person saying "can we tone down the jumpscares?"

Another (though weaker) example: Episode 6. Everyone gets guns. When Jax clearly goes against the rules and shoots Ragatha, and Caine gives up, the adventure changes once again to just "shoot em up".

It's clear that Caine isn't quite as deadset on his mindset like what the show initially implied, with him being the source of stagnation. With the right execution, Caine has the possibility to become the opposite. Sure, it will take time, but AT LEAST he's a miles better option than Mr. Shove-everyone-away. You CAN change Caine. But you can't change someone who's intentionally unwilling to change. Jax is the TRUE stagnation that this show warns you about.

If the show showed me at least ONE good quality he has besides still having human emotions (yet not enacting on them), it might've been justified. But I see NONE.

As he is right now, we would've worked fine if he stayed in the sidelines. Hell, I'd say that's his BEST SPOT. Where he REALLY shines the most without being overbearing. Because characters like him? Shine too much light on him and it becomes blindingly overwhelming.

Yes, it's refreshing to have an asshole as a part of the main cast. But having an asshole front and center, and he becomes obnoxious and insufferable, no matter how much you try to shine sympathy upon him. I'm pretty sure everyone can name a character or two that can be used as an example.

Six from Little Nightmares worked as a main character because while she is an asshole to everyone she came across with, the THEME demands it. It's a bleak, unforgiving world she was thrust in, and thus, has to make the hard choices and BECOME THE MONSTER.

There's no comedic highlights in Little Nightmares, just a short breathe of relief and onto the next nightmare.

But TADC? Jax IS already a monster. It doesn't matter if that's not actually what he wants, because his actions STILL has a long lasting effect. Goose can make me sympathize with him all she wants, but it's not going to get rid of the sour taste he left in my mouth when he threw Pomni out of the truck, left the gates open for Fudge, everything he did to Gangle, sexually harassing Zooble, pushing Pomni to the side when she extended an olive leaf to him twice and most of all; the button choices where he showed his truest colors.

It is as what Kratos says: