hollanov brainrot

We’re so used to seeing characters being willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good that it’s become expected. But that is not normal. It is not normal to choose to die for someone or something. It is not normal to choose to die at all.

Grace doesn’t want to die. Even though he knows his sacrifice will save over 7 billion people and countless other life forms, Grace does not want to die and refuses to make that sacrifice.

Some people are willing to sacrifice their lives and that is beautiful and commendable. But it is an extraordinary act, and not one that should be thought of as expected. And I really appreciate that PHM encourages the audience to feel sorrow and sympathy for Grace being forced to become Earth’s doomed savior instead of trying to make his desire to live evoke disappointment.

I don’t mean any of this in a “individualism good and caring about others bad” sort of way. I mean this in a “the desire to live is innate and natural and no one should be shamed or feel ashamed for feeling that very human desire” way.

but, due to the fog of the amnesia, then the urgency of the mission plus Rocky's appearance, Grace doesn't fully look through every box until they're on their way to Erid. and that's when Rocky wakes up from sleep to see Grace sobbing over a bunch of letters. students telling him how much they enjoyed his class, actually made learning fun and interesting. got them through tough days. made them feel seen and appreciated. quite a few cite his class as being the spark that got them interested in science as a career. and even those that didn't still consider him the best teacher they ever had. fellow teachers admiring his classroom management and lesson planning, and even so his kindness to every student who walked into his room.

one letter is from the principal. when Dr. Grace's involvement in the Hail Mary Project became public knowledge, there was a push from the community to rename the school after him. after discussions with the school board, there had been a secret agreement to do so, even had a new sign made. they were just waiting for him to be released from the project and return to San Fransisco to surprise him. but, with the recent news of his "noble sacrifice", they'd gone ahead and done it. attached the press release with a picture of the new sign, a bunch of his former students standing around it, beaming. a local artist has been commissioned to add a mural to the front entrance over the summer break. and a final note: "Do your work knowing that it will allow the Dr. Ryland Grace Middle School to continue to educate and inspire students for generations."

Jor-El: Ok, the planet is going to explode.

Zor-El: Uh huh.

Jor-El: So I'm going to send my son to another planet to save him.

Zor-El: With you so far.

Jor-El: And the yellow sun will give him great power to conquer the world so he can take a harem of wives to repopulate the Kryptonian species.