#garvries

more so I don’t think either relationship is more explicit, though it’s more intentional in the movie, but they’re very different relationships.

movie Ray and Pete bring out the better in each other. their differences kinda even out into a balance, y’know?

book Ray and Pete are definitely in love, but their relationship is much more unsteady. Ray multiple times is hesitant or actively scared of book Pete.

“Yeah, I’m remembering,” McVries said, and gave Garraty a tight, slanted smile… only this time there was absolutely no humor in it at all. Suddenly McVries looked furious, and Garraty was almost afraid of him.

McVries eyed him thoughtfully. “The old self-discipline bit?” Garraty shrugged, ready for the backlash of sarcasm, but McVries only went on looking at him.

in my opinion, movie Gavries feels like two people meant for each other that just happened to meet on the Walk while book Gavries is a love that could only be formed on something like the Walk.

Sorry that kind of turned into a rant but now back to my favorite absurdist/existentialist blorbo. His entire arc is so sad when you really rewatch the movie because how does someone come to the long walk hoping to gain a lot because he already has nothing to still losing everything.

May I expand? Because it's insane to me how Pete looked nonchalant (I don't like this word but it's the closest to what I'm trying to convey) or I guess closed off until Ray (VERY noticeable btw) works up the courage to talk to him and introduce himself. Like you can tell Pete genuinely did not think anyone would be this friendly. Especially so after Art expresses his want to make friends on the long walk and Hank easily playing off his jokes like they've been friends for years. He quickly becomes so comfortable with the other three he starts calling them Musketeers. I don't care what anyone says his crash out at the end of the movie was so valid because I'd also kill the Major in the name of love I fear.

And while I'm on a roll right now (to anyone still reading at this point thank you for indulging in my rambles) I love how everyone in the fandom thinks of garvries dynamic being sun x moon coded. Whether it being Pete being the moon and Ray the sun or vice versa, I find so sweet. But on the contrary, while I see the arguments for both, both Ray and Pete are sun coded. They see each other as the light while not being aware of their own.

Ray's like the sun because of his passion for everything (ex. "the old ways", seeking justice and vengeance, etc.), genuine kindness, and how he unintentionally let's his emotions get the best of him. He wants change in the system he knows he and everyone else in trapped under, while still showing cynicism towards the little things, but still engaging in friendships he knows he's bound to lose one way or another. In Ray, Pete finally finds someone worth fighting for after spending a lifetime in the dark, while showing him a different perspective on life Pete doesn't understand fully until the end.

Pete's like the sun because of his realistic optimism, maintaining his humor in the face of adversity, and caring about his friends unapologetically and loudly. He sees the beauty in the world after coming close to death, valuing the importance of second chances and knowing the core of people at their own end (ex. Collie, Barkovitch, Stebbins). His love of life is a perspective Ray also doesn't understand until the end, and likewise in Pete, Ray sees hope for the first time, a presence that's both literally and figuratively always by his side and picking him up.

I just think the long walk movie is pretty cool.