#pearldubs

Just like....

The fact in the first clip the context was Cleo suggesting that Bdubs should go into the nether but he was scared cause it's dangerous since he's low on lives and he's scared of losing a life. But then in the last clip, Etho didn't want Bdubs to play king of the ladder cause it's dangerous since Bdubs is low on lives and he's scared of Bdubs losing a life but then Bdubs himself insists on joining and not because he thinks he’s capable of surviving but because he’d be good on red i.e the thing he feared of becoming in 3rd life

Like how each time Bdubs is the one to suggest the idea but the first time it was an horrifying nightmare to him, the second a suggestion so he could prove his loyalty, the third a completely unprompted but horribly enthusiastic request, despite the fact he’s only on green and shouldn’t be thinking about going red.

And then there’s how the people around him responded:

Cleo, though initially confused and taken aback by Bdubs’s sudden outburst, immediately reassured him that they didn’t want to use him as a weapon. You can hear it in Cleo’s voice her surprise that Bdubs would even suggest such a thing, then how it grows softer when she realises Bdubs genuinely believes she would view him in that way and then the final firm “No.” to cement her stance in treating Bdubs like an equal. And heartbreakingly, Bdubs keeps denying her every step of the way, as if he couldn’t believe someone would truly want him to live. His first response to Cleo’s denial is, “well now you want me to” and then there’s the genuinely disbelief in his “No…?” Oughh it hurts my soul (Also immediately after this clip Cleo just goes, ‘I’ll go instead’ which is sweet, and something his other allies don’t do for him afterwards…)

Pearl is also surprised at first, but it’s less shock and more intrigue this distancing her from the instant fear Cleo had. Pearl does deliberate on the offer for a bit but never sounds opposed in the slightest, not even jokingly. It’s also important to note that literally the second after this clip Pearl requests Bdubs to do something to Cleo showing that she doesn’t bother to question the implications of the words Bdubs said (probably due to traffic!Pearl’s own trauma but that’s another post)

Etho responded to Bdubs’s remarks about being a weapon with immediate enthusiasm. There’s the slightest pause in his response but it’s clear it didn’t take that much thought to make up his answer even though he spent the last few moments warning Bdubs to not lose his life. The thought quickly shifting to Gem’s death and forgotten by the pair. It was once something that Bdubs fought vehemently against, that Cleo had to prove her point repeatedly to him without letting the conversation sway, but now it’s merely a passing comment to him and those around him.

annnd that's a wrap. although i really do hope for a bdubs win and think it would make for an amazing narrative i've loved this season (and seeing my faves team!! mounders for LIFE) and no matter what happens I'm so glad the cast is getting a well-earned break after all this. the character development has been crazyyy