I'm going to have to strongly disagree with Brennan's characterization of Caramelinda's stance as "paranoia" and instead call it brutal grim unflinching pragmatism. I'm really glad that everything resolved peacefully, and they can try to be a family, but that doesn't make Caramelinda wrong to once again be the only adult in the room and contemplate the terrible hard choices. Just like she's had to do for seemingly her entire fucking life while the people around her get to traipse around being happy and optimistic and carefree.
Caramelinda watched Saccharina declare a crusade, that she would drive the church from the land with zero nuance. NOT work to get the corruption out of the church, just obliterate it completely, like the church tried to do to magic. Saccharina's people sacked Port Syrup resulting in the death of Sir Morris Brie. She already clearly stated her intentions to go on a conquering rampage through all the lands wiping out the church. Caramelinda literally watched them throw a book burning party. Caramelinda's position is NOT paranoia. This is GoT Candyland. She is pragmatic and intelligent and made a rational, logical decision based on all the information available to her.
I love the message about vulnerability and family they were going for, I'm just sad Brennan fell into the trap of a less nuance take than I expect from him in this particular instance. Many things can be true at the same time.
Is it morally the right thing to do to risk the future of your nation on the hope that one person can change? To take a chance when what you are gambling with does not belong to you? Annabelle Cheddar said it best; She didn't know whether one person's freedom/happiness is worth the weight of a nation's prosperity, but the responsibility for what she did AND what she didn't do are both hers and she has to account for it.
(2:04:14)
