fiction

we talk a lot about how rafe is working through his ward issues with barry and to a lesser extent sarah but i was just hit by this small parallel. whether this is intentoinal or not, these two conversations happen in almost identical settings and have opposite outcomes.

one is harsh and closed off and creates division. the other is more open and accepting and warm. it's also interesting that rafe is literally thinking about killing ward in this moment. those are even the same cushions!

one of our very first scenes with rafe is this lecture he's getting from ward, wanting him to step up. Ward dominates the frame. rafe flinches and deflects. they end up more divided than when they started. it's a small hint of their turbulent (and i would say toxic) dynamic.

the scene with sofia (while wrapped in deception) is warm and safe and connecting. he tries to deflect and push back but she stays open and caring. the closeups are more intimate. he's taking up more of the frame now, he's grown but he's still insecure. he's backlit by golden hour which somehow seems more soft.

he's in ward's shoes now. he's stepped up (in his eyes) he's being the man of the house (in his eyes), but ward and his disapproval are still hanging over him. sofia motivates him not by being strict but by being encouraging. and while they hate it from a feminist perspective, it's so juicy and interesting in a character. what do you mean i can't just whip my son into shape? what do you mean i actually have to believe in him?

Some additional thoughts: Sofia's approach is psychology/education 101. You're supposed to encourage people to think for themselves. Ironically even the idea to kill Ward came from a drunk af Barry so even then Rafe is still not thinking for himself really even when she's pushing him to.