#dispatch episode 4

"I'm not that good of a kisser."

“This is nice”

So, I wanted to analyze Episode 4, particularly the scene where Blazer asks Robert to talk to Phenomaman, because there are a lot of things I wanna dissect + I’ve seen a few clips and comments pointing out how manipulative or concerning Blazer’s handling of the situation was. And I had to come out of my cave to yap again.

Many primarily criticized her for asking Robert to talk to Phenomaman, saying it should have been Blazer’s responsibility to deal with the mess, instead of Robert's.

Other callouts I've gathered so far:

Blazer used triangulation/coercion (manipulation tactics)

Blazer's a coward for not cleaning up her mess

Blazer treats Phenomaman differently because he’s an 'alien'

Blazer didn’t think about Phenomaman’s feelings or potential volatility, and she put Robert at risk by sending him in. She doesn't really care about Robert.

Many people, especially Blazer fans, might find some of these ridiculous but I actually find it fascinating how people can arrive at such interpretations, haha.

Thought I should share - I noticed some underlying patterns I’ve observed while reading comments and watching content creators play the game, specifically this episode.

Most people (not all - I want to emphasize this!) who had extreme negative reactions to this scene tended to be those who either:

Instantly kissed Blazer in Ep1

Were extremely excited by the intimate attention they received from Blazer in Ep1-

Did not kiss Blazer because they were completely uninterested

Conversely, the people who didn’t crucify Blazer for her actions were usually the ones who either:

Did not kiss Blazer because they thought it was too early to do so

Hesitated but eventually kissed Blazer

Felt mostly neutral about her ‘mixed signals.’

Again, don’t take these as actual data! - these are just my personal mental notes from comments I’ve read across social media, conversations I’ve had privately, and content creators I’ve watched play the game. Idk, but these patterns were genuinely fascinating to notice. It makes me wonder whether the whole 'cheating' or 'flirting' discourse is less about sincere critique and more about people feeling thrown off, then retroactively reframing the scene to make sense of why it didn’t unfold the way they expected, given their choices in the first episode. Who knows? At the very least, it’s an intriguing idea I find myself returning to often, lol

A follow-up question came to mind: how does the argument, “Y’all are just Blonde Blazer simps, that’s why you excuse her manipulative behavior,” fit with my observation that many Blazer fans (people I talked to + comments in diff comments section) didn’t actually kiss her, or at least weren’t explosively excited to do so in Ep1? There seems to be a disconnect there but well, that's just another curious thought.

But because of this curious thought, my brain mapped out two different lenses that color how people interpret Ep4:

Pre-existing Distaste: If someone already disliked how Blazer behaved in Ep1 after being introduced to Phenomaman as her boyfriend, they’re likely to experience a slippery slope. Asking Robert to talk to a depressed Phenomaman to move him out of the parking lot becomes a red flag - just another detail reinforcing their initial distaste for Blazer.

Reserved skepticism: If someone silently questioned Blazer’s advances (or the entire billboard situation) but withheld strong opinions during Ep1, Phenomaman’s introduction as her boyfriend might not have completely shocked them. This allows them to view Ep4 with less emphasis on romance.

In short, people arguing online about Ep4 and Ep1 (post-Phenomaman intro) are usually seeing the scenes through one of these two lenses. It’s funny how these two lenses are even reflected in the music score during Phenomaman’s introduction - depending on whether you kissed Blazer or not, LMAO

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So, I went back and watched Episode 4 just to read into the writing a little better. We start with, obviously, the controversial scene LOL but apart from that, it shows a rather slow morning for Robert.

What stood out to me tho was how unclear the timeline seems to be. The discussion between Chase and Robert regarding the cut seems like it happened recently, but then it’s immediately followed by another scene with Robert and Royd testing the mechasuit with prototype/protopulse test #7. And that’s…not something you can realistically do within a week or two. Not to mention, Royd and Robert had just unloaded the mechasuit at the SDN building in Ep3.

Apparently, this unclear timeline happens to be one of the most contributing factors to why many people didn’t pursue Blazer (most argue that it’s inappropriate to pursue someone who just got out of a relationship) and why Blazer’s behaviors in Ep 4 set off alarms for a lot of players (Blazer just ended a relationship, so asking someone else to talk to her ex feels off to some)

While the timeline in the game is unclear, the idea that it’s been at least several weeks since Ep3 (the cut + breakup) becomes more believable, primarily because the prototype #7 detail was deliberately presented to players.

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Now, I wanna talk about the most common argument that pops up regarding that scene in Ep4!

(I'm consolidating these two arguments because they're pretty much the same)

Argument 1: "It wasn't right to ask Robert to talk to Phenomaman because it was Blazer's 'responsibility' to deal with the person she broke up with." "Blazer should be cleaning up her mess, not Robert"

Here’s the thing: when two people break up, the only responsibility each of them has is for their own emotions. It's not Blazer’s responsibility to regulate Phenomaman’s feelings, clean up 'the mess', talk him out of the parking lot, or absorb his grief.

It's called✨ emotional responsibility ✨

Not sure why people view Phenomaman's depressed behavior/actions as Blazer's mess, but I'm pretty sure it's the classic "You broke up with him, so whatever he does from here on out is basically your fault" and that's unhealthy, ya'll.

'Cleaning up her mess' is such a dangerous framing because it's harmful in many ways: You regard grief as failure, you treat mental health as if it's a debt, and you assign blame to the boundary-setter. It also subtly implies: if Blazer hadn't left, Phenomaman wouldn't be like this. If you don't see this as unhealthy, I got news for you buddy lol - I think you'll need to reconsider things because this whole mindset is what traps people in relationships out of fear, not love.

What Blazer is responsible for are: ending the relationship with honesty, not exploiting his vulnerability as his boss, and maintaining appropriate boundaries at work.

What about Robert's role? Robert is neither responsible for Phenomaman's emotions or actions. Just because Blazer is delegating doesn't mean she's putting responsibility on his shoulder but rather she's asking him to help because he has the skills and the credibility - thanks to his pep talk's influence on Visi's emotional state and Blazer's (I'll talk about this later). In essence, delegation in this case is about management.

People also seem to forget that Blazer is navigating a dual role: ex-partner + boss. By delegating, she's maintaining professional boundaries by protecting herself from becoming a caretaker or enabler for Phenomaman's depression. And this shows leadership because she recognizes her limits and ensures the situation is handled by someone credible. So no, that is not her mess to begin with.

By delegating Robert to talk to him shows both consideration for Phenomaman, and trust in Robert.

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Argument #2 "Blazer treats Phenomaman differently because he’s an alien."

I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out where this particular take came from but the only way I can map out this thought process is through her choice not to confront Phenomaman directly and instead asking someone else to speak with him - a move that some interpret as...dehumanizing.

So, to define dehumanization: It is the act of denying human qualities like empathy, agency, or even complexity, and often involves seeing someone as an object or tool, rather than a person with feelings.

Blazer does none of that. Prior to the breakup, she openly shared her internal conflict with Phenomaman at the Tokyo restaurant (from the comic), expressing vulnerability in the hope that he would understand her perspective as a person. The breakup itself comes from the realization that they are fundamentally incompatible - not from a dismissal of his humanity.

After the breakup, Blazer acknowledges his emotional struggle rather than ignoring or minimizing it through her decision to ask Robert to speak with him. It's not an act of avoidance or dehumanization, but an acknowledgment of her own limits. She recognizes that she is no longer in the right position to support him, and instead turns to someone who can offer him clarity and perspective.

More importantly, she asks Robert to intervene because she sees Phenomaman as a potential member of the Z-Team - not merely as 'the alien' or as a problem to be managed. Her choice, again, reflects consideration, professional boundaries, and trust in both Phenomaman’s capacity to grow and Robert’s ability to guide him.

Argument #3 "Blazer didn’t think about Phenomaman’s feelings or potential volatility, and she put Robert at risk by sending him in. She doesn't really care about Robert."

The implication of this claim is that Blazer acted inconsiderately and negligently.

Yes, Phenomaman is obviously physically powerful and can literally throw Robert into the sun if he wants to, lol. But in that particular scene, he's obviously emotionally incapacitated due to his depression and burdened feelings. Blazer, as his ex, knows him likely the best.

Again, I found myself wondering where this particular interpretation even came from, and I think it stems from the assumption that Robert’s role in speaking with Phenomaman was meant to control or persuade him, rather than to support him. Blazer - who knows Phenomaman better than anyone - likely understands that he's reasonable, despite being an alien. She knows Phenomaman won't hurt Robert because she also trusts Robert's ability to disarm people through his words.

And the meat of all the arguments in this particular scene. Argument #4 "Blazer used triangulation/coercion. "

What is manipulation anyway? (in case anyone needs a recap) Manipulation is defined as the process by which environments are altered to align with an individual’s characteristics or behavior. There are apparently 17 distinct manipulation tactics, and people have largely pointed to two in Blazer’s case: coercion and triangulation.

Coercion - the manipulator convinces you to do something by using threats or consequences. Triangulation - when two people engage in a conflict, the manipulator includes a third person to create instability in a two-person dynamic.

And the very line that has sparked the most controversy in this scene is when Blazer says:

"I'd like for you to talk to him. You're the pep talk guy."

Let's back up a little and sidetrack to revisit the context.

In Ep3, Robert’s pep talk with Invisigal was broadcast across the entire branch, meaning Blazer heard the whole ass conversation about the stars and fate. Then, at the tail end of Ep 3, Blazer turns to Robert with a noticeable note of uncertainty in her voice:

"Did you mean all that? You really think she has a shot? All that stuff about fate sounded good but I don't know if you were just saying what you thought she needed to hear."

There are a few possible interpretations of this dialogue before you choose an option:

Blazer subtly doubts the pep talk would work on a person like Visi.

Blazer was checking in on Robert's intentions, out of concern for Visi - was it coming from a place of genuine care, or was it just about getting the job done?

I'm citing here Blazer's response for each option:

Everyone has a shot | "It's a steep learning curve." No, I don't | "So, why didn't you just let her quit?" I hope so | "So am I, I'm glad we're on the same page."

Regardless of the players' options, Blazer's responses consistently showed concern for Visi, and a quiet hope for those who fall short. So, Blazer checking in on Robert's intention feels more believable. Her question isn't arbitrary but it was rooted in how she has already demonstrated care across multiple outcomes.

It’s also reasonable to interpret her question as a way of 'gauging' alignment: she’s testing how closely her values match with Robert when it comes to handling struggling or difficult team members.

Going back to this dialogue in Ep4: "I'd like for you to talk to him. You're the pep talk guy."

There are more possible interpretations to this dialogue:

Blazer's taking advantage of Robert's pep talk skills to speak with Phenomaman, perhaps to avoid confrontation

Blazer trusts Robert's intentions and believes that his conversations with others are guided by genuine care

Blazer recognizes that Robert is simply much more capable of reaching people in situations where she might currently fall short

Regardless of Robert's response in Ep3, what lingers in Blazer’s mind is not the content of Robert’s answer but the certainty with which he delivers it. Whether he says “I hope so,” “Everyone has a shot,” or “I don’t,” what stands out to Blazer is that Robert speaks with a level of confidence she herself seems to lack.

This may raise an important question: why does Blazer - the leader - appear less certain? The only possible explanation I can think of lies in the intent behind the earlier question she later asks Robert: "Did you mean all that? You really think she has a shot? All that stuff about fate sounded good but I don't know if you were just saying what you thought she needed to hear."

Idk if it's just me, but there's an implication in her dialogue that Blazer herself has been quietly running Robert's pep talk over in her own mind. Her doubt doesn't read as skepticism towards him, but as a reflection of her own uncertainty. In that sense, Blazer mirrors Visi during the swing scene - both grappling with self-doubt, just at different levels of authority and responsibility.

If we look at the conversation between Visi and Robert during that swing scene, we can see that they talked about several of Blazer's own pain points. It's important to remember - Blazer was listening to this entire conversation.

Visi's dialogues: "Some people are born to be heroes. I'm not one of them." "Blazer? Phenomaman? They have hero powers. Strong, out there for all to see, flying through the sky. Nothing to hide." "It's in the fucking stars. In the same way that Blonde Blazer was always meant to be a hero."

And then you get three different options, I'll cite Robert's elaborations as well:

You make your own destiny | (There weren't any other relevant elaborations from Robert here, so let's take it as it is.) Fuck the stars | "Oh, you're looking for answers in the stars. Well, listen. They're just rocks, or gas, or alien cum. They're not even real, okay? Any message you're seeing is light that took thousands of years to hit your eyeballs. So if you're getting any messages, it's useless cause it was for some fucker that died a long time ago." Fate is bullshit | "There's no such thing as fate. It's bullshit. It's just something we cling to because we think we're the main character of life. We're not. We're a bunch of flesh blobs with depression on a floating rock. (Visi asks if that's supposed to be comforting) "Yeah, cause no one's paying attention if you wanna switch things up."

And back to Robert's canon dialogues after all the optional dialogues:

"So, according to your dumbass theory, I should be an accountant." "Fate. Destiny. Not having powers. Seasonal depression. None of these things kept me from being a hero before. And they won't keep me from being a hero again."

Regardless of Robert's response, each one highlights Blazer's pain points. Because like Visi, Blazer also struggles with the concept of fate - though in a slightly different way.

Visi's concern was: "Maybe I'm not meant to be a hero." Blazer's concern was: "Maybe I'm only meant to be a hero."

Blazer's intention behind the question "Did you mean all that?" wasn't just to check in on Robert's intention but to also check in on herself. "Do I truly believe what he just said?"

If we look back and notice Blazer's responses again:

Everyone has a shot | "It's a steep learning curve." No, I don't | "So, why didn't you just let her quit?" I hope so | "So am I, I'm glad we're on the same page."

All of Blazer’s responses subtly reveal that she's also reflecting on herself, not just Visi, during that swing scene.

Ultimately, this is why I believe she lacked the confidence to singlehandedly boost the team’s morale - she was still navigating her own identity. Does this make her a bad leader? No. Why? True leadership isn’t about always having the answers; it’s about recognizing when to delegate responsibilities, both mentally and emotionally.

And that's what she did - she acknowledges her current limitations in guiding others, recognizes Robert’s confidence and ability to inspire (because she herself has been moved by it), and trusts that he can provide Phenomaman with the support she cannot in that moment.

Okay, end of sidetrack. Goooingg back to Ep4 to address the manipulation arguments.

I'll cite Blazer's dialogues in Episode 4:

"I was supposed to be going with him, but I don't think he's gonna be making it. The downtown branch dropped him. Indefinite suspension." "I'd like for you to talk to him. You're the pep talk guy." "You've been through a transition recently yourself. I think he could use some perspective. (Robert: Like perspective to join the Z-team?) "Yeah, the only candidates that make sense are him or Waterboy. And at the moment, it's close. Mostly, I'd like you to get him out of the parking lot." "Oh, and tell him to stop with the Edible Arrangements. He keeps sending them, but with all melon?"

Coercion - the manipulator convinces you to do something by using threats or consequences. Did Blazer threaten or present consequences when she asked Robert to talk to Phenomaman?

Blaze presented:

Facts - the Downtown branch dropped Phenomaman, with an indefinite suspension. Hence, he's joining the Z-team.

Reasons for asking Robert to talk to Phenomaman - he gives better perspectives, he's better at pep talks, and he's been through a transition

So errr- no. There's no coercion going on here.

Triangulation - when two people engage in a conflict, the manipulator includes a third person to create instability in a two-person dynamic Here's where nuance matters! (I'm going to sound like a nerd here but pardon me for my deep love for psychology)

The core mechanics of triangulation, or at least I believe, 'levels' of triangulation:

Two people have unresolved conflict or emotional charge (Yes, they still have unresolved conflict because Phenomaman hasn't fully re-stabilized yet)

One party experiences anxiety or loss of control because they can't tolerate direct engagement (Yes, there’s anxiety because Blazer herself has an identity crisis + loss of confidence + perhaps emotional fatigue but she accepts loss of control by not interacting with Phenomaman directly)

A third party is recruited (Yes, Robert is asked to step in.)

Major: The instigator gains regulation through control of narrative. (No, Blazer does not feed Robert a biased narrative, nor is she asking him to 'take a side')

Major: The original dyad becomes more confused or dependent, rather than clearer or resolved. (No, Phenomaman slowly starts to pick up his slack after Robert's involvement. The workplace disturbance is addressed, and we see him participating with the team - that is, if we choose him instead of Waterboy. Either way, he stops completely slacking off.)

The line “You’re the pep talk guy” is seen as controversial because its informal, emotionally framed tone may come across as manipulative, but structurally, it doesn’t actually function as triangulation.

If Blazer had implied something in that line that centers around herself, such as: "Make him understand why I don't want him hanging around the parking lot." "Convince him I'm right about breaking up with him." "Explain why I did what I did."

That would have been triangulation.

Instead, she implied:

"I trust that you can do what I currently can't."

It's essentially delegation, and Blazer's classic move of championing people's agency. She approached Robert not just because he can talk/move people but also because he's basically the leader of the Phoenix program.

"Oh, and tell him to stop with the Edible Arrangements."

This is the only line I see that slightly hints at triangulation, largely due to its informal tone - but still doesn't meet the typical signs because the message doesn't frame Phenomaman as wrong or needy, nor does it speculate about his motives, such as "He's doing this because he's depressed" She mentioned this perhaps because his behavior disturbs the workplace, much like what happened in the parking lot. In essence, Blazer's message is focused on action rather than emotion.

So to summarize: Triangulation includes:

Fear loss of control (Blazer accepts loss of control by not interacting with Phenomaman)

Invokes confusion (Hands the situation to someone she trusts)

Maintains power through indirection (Risks outcomes she can't manage)

Looking at all these notes, it doesn't really suggest that Blazer is manipulative. Rather, it shows that her leadership is under strain due to her own inner turmoil - and thus, the reason why she delegates the task to Robert. That gesture alone highlights an important principle: effective delegation is a key aspect of leadership.

- as much as I love having Waterboy or Phenomaman on the team, it kills me to let go of Sonar or Coupé. The z-team I was introduced to is who I want to become a found family, damnit

- I wish there was a non-romance option. Telling both Blonde Blazer and Invisigal that I can’t make it

- I am curious if they’ll be able to wrap up the story. I’m not saying nothing happened in the first four episodes, but it really feels like not a lot has. The pace feels slow, basically

- I absolutely adored how the z-team were sabotaging each other, but it does make me wonder what everyone’s individual motivations are. Do they want to be heroes? Do they just not want to be in prison?

- we keep throwing stuff at Flambae. Also, there was one hella gay line he said after getting back to a mission, but I can’t remember what it was lmao

Actually i wanted to wait before posting anything about episodes 3 and 4. Sort my thoughts. Compile something. The likes. But I'm replaying and

(spoilers)

I know Waterboy’s “list of crimes” thing was a glitch but thinking about pathetic wet cat stalker Waterboy is doing unholy things to my brain.

Yes, I need this whimpering mess of a man absolutely obsessed with someone that he can’t help but stalk them. He’s too nervous to talk to them so it starts out with just watching them enter the building, he watches them walk to their designated spot and just admires them before any real work starts for the day. Then that just isn’t enough. Before he knows it he has their whole schedule memorized, watching them work, have lunch, leave work, then he accidentally happens to overhear them talk about the area they live in and now WHOOPS he’s outside their house!