#murdad

He's Murdoc from my other arts, I'm still a bit messy with my gorillaz au's but he's basically phase 1-2 Murdoc a little less evil cuz he actually likes 2D and it's just an stupid british man that wants to have a band.

In this au Gorillaz wasn't really a hit, so they survive and make silly things... He also had a child with 2D cof cof...

He has longer hair than the other Murdocs and looks younger (?)

I always get so nervous to talk about my rewrites for Gorillaz specifically, because I am such a Murdoc apologist there is no point in trying to hide anymore lol. It's very noticeable in my writing. That being said, if someone is kind enough to ask I must spill my guts.

I agree with you about the characters and stuff. It sucks to admit because even though I can never truly hate any phase, I can admit that certain phases do outshine others GREATLY. But anyways, I'm getting off topic.

My Humanz/Now Now rewrite is probably my main project right now. I want to explore Murdocs redemption more and spend more time on the tension between the band as a whole during that period in time.

Starting off I think Murdoc actually getting framed instead of unpaid parking tickets would be super interesting. Spoilers for eventual comic shenanigans (which will happen. Eventually.) But the guy in the strobelite MV is actually a Demon that Murdoc makes a deal with. The only problem is that for said deal he has to give a portion of his soul. At this point in time his soul is currently in the possession of Satan, so he has to pawn off someone else' and pass it off as his own for a moment. Cue his sly look at 2D in the MV.

Of course the Demon finds out eventually that he doesn't have Murdocs soul, but 2Ds. He is furious. The Demon is not only an all powerful entity, but he's an evil drug lord in charge of this massive crime ring too. He frames Murdoc and puts him in the slammer causing the events of the Now Now to commence.

I'm not a huge fan of how Murdocs "escape" in particular was handled. Idk, felt very anticlimactic to me. Tbh a majority of the Now Now felt that way. I really liked the #FREEMURDOC campaign a lot, I wish I could have been part of the fandom during that period. I'd be on the front lines for that green man. Murdoc, not Ace, although Ace is nice too. Anyways, the whole thing about Noodle going to look for him is where things could have been really juicy and had most potential in my opinion.

Here's how I would have done it. Noodle goes and busts Murdoc out of prison. It starts when she notices 2Ds change in behavior. In fact, everyone notices this. This is where tension with the band members start rising. With Murdoc gone, 2D has practically taken his place. He's obviously not as awful as Murdoc could ever be, but the inflated ego and sudden snobbishness is noticeable, and Noodle and Russel aren't a fan. It's made even worse, because 2D starts saying things Noodle feels he never would say before. Murdoc being "replaceable" and even making a slide once she's gone that she can be too, once he picks up guitar playing.

2D himself is struggling with his identity. Murdoc has always been "the one in charge". Murdoc loved basking in the attention, and while 2D got a lot of attention himself, when he became the new "leader" after Murdoc was sent to prison, the attention became too much. All the interviews, all the advertisements and deal signings, record labels, etc. Not to mention his soul being in temporary possession of a Demonic crime lord.

Back to Noodle. She decides to find out what could be up. She eventually finds out about the Demon, and has a very strong feeling Murdoc has some kind of involvement in the whole thing. So she breaks him out, but she makes it very clear it's for 2Ds sake, not Murdocs. This is where I want to get a better redemption arc out of Murdoc.Going on a sort of solo mission with Noodle to help get 2Ds soul back. Not only is it a way for Murdoc to really prove himself to 2D, but Noodle as well, because you must let me indulge in a little Murdad. They are such a doomed relationship (familial). I think that this is an important time for Murdoc to really understand just how much the things he's done have had an effect on Noodle. It's also to show that while some people will be willing to forgive and forget, like 2D, others aren't, like Noodle. As much as I say otherwise, I honestly don't think Noodle should forgive Murdoc. I mean, if she did that'd be interesting. But it's not necessary. I feel like it'd be important for Murdoc to realize this, but it also gives him a chance to realize that he should continue to try and be better, not to earn forgiveness or praise, but because if he wants to really be part of this family and earn their affection, he needs to really work for it. And CONTINUE to work for it.

Since during a good chunk of the Now Now (at least in rewrite context) the band is separated. The Now Now is most known for being about Murdoc, and while I want to keep that, I want it to be about the band as a whole. Writing out the Now Now makes 2D realize the disconnection with his fellow band mates. Murdoc is gone, Noodle is gone, Russel is still here physically, but mentally he's been checked out. I would love to explore the idea of a few songs from the Now Now being about those three. Souk eye is still very much about Murdoc, but I'm having tons of fun listening to the album and imagining which other songs would best represent 2Ds feelings toward the band members, and of course his own identity.

Eventually things get sorted out. Noodle and Murdoc reach a moment of understanding between each other. Again, not forgiveness, but acknowledgement. The seed has been planted, so who knows, maybe forgiveness could be a possibility some day. They track down the Demon, get 2Ds soul back and reunite. Murdoc has a moment of genuine humility (ha) and eventually earns 2Ds forgiveness and he's accepted into the band again.

Obviously still working out a few kinks. It's been a really fun rewrite in all honesty. It's made me want to work on Cracker Island too, because I have plans for Cracker Island lol. I don't want to make this post longer than it already is, but in an eventual Cracker Island rewrite I'd love to return to the dark story and lore Gorillaz would cook up in the early 3 phases. Like, seriously, how could you not with a literal CULT theme.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46971034/chapters/218117691