#otho fenlock

I'm all for creative liberty and freedom, make a canon divergent or write an Alternative Universe of it all, but don't just shit on the sequel and say that it's an "elaborate fanfiction" like the screenplay writers didn't put a lot of thought in it that even Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara finally, after DECADES of turning down script after script, found THIS story for the sequel to have the most potential and having the right tone as a follow up for the movie that meant so much to all of them.

Everyone who worked behind the scenes in creating the film from props, set location and design, puppetry, stop-motion, costume, stunt people, make-up, lights, sound, extras, production, marketing, EVERYONE put a lot of effort and passion and did AMAZING work on this project. I'm still amazed by every large and miniscule details I discover every time I rewatch it.

Was the story of the legacy sequel perfect?

Of course not.

No sequel ever is. Someone will always find something to complain about and that's just how things work in this industry, in this world.

But, was it fun? Was it both new, and brought the same feel from the original? Did the actors brought to life the characters we've loved for more than three decades and counting? Did it introduce new characters that fit the ensemble and had the same eccentric aura of the Beetlejuice world? Was it a relief that the story didn't just end 30 years ago?

Yes, it did. For me. I loved it. It's not perfect, but for someone like me who's a bit of a perfectionist on my works, and then finding the imperfections actually making the finished product better than I expected, it means a lot.

And for what it's worth, at least the time and love and the littlest of delusion I invested for Beetlebabes actually had something to show for. A one-sided romance it may be, at least I now know that Betelgeuse isn't harboring any lasting ill will towards Lydia for all these years.

That Tim also saw it that way. That Michael and Winona were open to this dynamic and relationship between the two characters/roles that they love and cherished to play.

- The title refers to Betel, of course. He be personifying that metaphor every day.

- “The elevator dinged, causing Adam to jump. Barbara’s grip on Betel tightened, and the arm around his shoulders shot out to grip at the fabric of Adam’s jacket.” - Barbara was ready to throw hands for her boys here. If that had been literally anyone else, she would’ve beat them up. I’m only half joking.

- “She relaxed when Charles stepped through, looking weary. His eyes were red, his face a little puffy.” - Outie Charles has been crying almost daily before work for the past week.

- “He lit up like a lamp when he laid eyes on them.” - one of two instances in this chapter of characters comparing something to an artificial light when the common phrase refers to the sun. Because they don’t know what the sun is like!

- “Though his skin was starting to itch and burn the longer they held the hug, Adam was certain he would miss it and all other touches if they were to cease.” - autism means touch makes my body feel weird. But also I want to hug everyone all the time always. I gave Adam this dilemma also

- “His stupid, grating, gravely voice was like MDE to Adam’s ears.” - Get it? Because Adam doesn’t know music outside of the MDEs?

- “Betel barked out a cackle, rubbing his cheek against Adam’s closest arm in a strange, affectionate way that made the brunet’s heart race.” - like the way a cat rubs it’s cheek on you. My fucking weirdo <33

- “Betel’s hands gripped at his desk so hard they shook, his strangely sharp, now unpainted nails digging into the surface. “This time, I’m really gonna do it.” ” - number one. His nails aren’t painted anymore because his outie hasn’t seen Lydia in a week. Number two. That line is based off perhaps my favorite Severance meme ever.

- “I’m sorry, what is he going to do?” - based on an older coworker’s confused response to me saying the exact same thing lol

- “Adam tapped on the surface of the table, causing Betel to look in his direction with an inquisitive noise.” - kinda like a cat trill! Also Adam has this fool trained.

- “You’re only twenty-five?” - this is significant because, as previously mentioned, Betel has worked at Walton for ten years. Meaning he’s been working on the severed floor since he was fifteen.

- “Yes, I-… well, I don’t condone this delinquency, but I also would prefer things go as smoothly as possible for my-… my friends.” - he almost said “kids” but friends is a big step too!!

- “It was hard to look at her directly sometimes. The same way it hurt to look directly at the fluorescent lights all around them.” - the other instance. Since Betel has never seen the sun, the best he can compare Barbara (or Adam) to is a fluorescent light.

- “Betel paused at his desk, slowly lifting his right hand. His head moved before his wide, glassy eyes to gaze curiously at it. “Wh- no. Your other hand.” ” - based on a scene from “The Lighthouse” that cracks me up every time.

- “He made his way swiftly for the door to the small room, movements quick and uncharacteristically skittish.” - he’s afraid of Betel now because of the biting incident

- “… and some sort of had made of a soft, knitted material.” - it’s a beanie, but he doesn’t know what that is lol