Harrow is a fascinating character, not only for his contradictions but for the implications of his morality and boundaries. From his conversations with Viren, it’s clear that at some point in the past, Harrow made a choice that led to the opening events in tDP. At least for some time, he may not only have welcomed Viren’s “creative” solutions, but actively encouraged them. From the portrait of Harrow’s coronation, the two were certainly companions, to some degree.
What I find intriguing (that I haven’t seen anyone mention) is the issue of boundaries: that is, that Calum isn’t necessarily being obtuse or stubborn when he insists on formality between himself and his step-father. Although Ezran’s perspective is that Harrow would like Calum to call Harrow his father (instead of ‘my King’), and Harrow himself certainly seems perturbed by that enforced distance, the show also gives us Harrow’s other side.
And that’s Viren’s attempt to cross those boundaries and claim a familial relationship. Harrow’s response isn’t just annoyance, it’s utter scorn. It’s a level of smackdown so severe that I was a bit taken aback on first watch. The script, animation, and voice acting all make it clear Viren has trespassed to an intolerable degree, such that Harrow feels it necessary to shut down Viren’s presumption in no uncertain (and even humiliating) terms.
And yet a lot of meta seems to call out Calum for not calling Harrow ‘Dad,’ as if Calum is willfully (or even ignorantly) blind to the obvious mutual affection and love Harrow has for him. (The end-credit sketches also seem to be saying that Harrow really was a father to both kids, and might even be the only father Calum has ever really known.)
But looking at how Harrow reacts when he feels the presumption of familial intimacy is not deserved? He’s downright terrifying. Not really sure I could blame Calum for treading carefully, when Harrow seems to be someone who’ll tolerate minor presumptions so long as they can go unremarked. Once it’s called out explicitly, though, he seems obligated to respond.
Perhaps Calum’s careful negation of their familial bond — that is, keeping formality even when alone — is tacit awareness of that. As a child, he can hardly afford guessing wrong, if violating Harrow’s sense of boundaries carries that level of risk.
Which frankly is one of my favorite parts about Harrow’s characterization. He’s not just the standard ‘good man and good father’ template. He’s a man who’s made some very hard choices for reasons we don’t fully know yet, who loves both of his sons and wishes to protect them — and is who is also, with hauteur and disdain, every inch a king.
I’m probably way off the mark (because I usually am), but my initial reaction to Harrow’s seething anger felt… unnatural. it didn’t fit in with the relationship and history he had with Viren.
my gut tells me it’s possible Harrow didn’t feel that way at all, but merely acted cold and cruel because Viren brought the soul snake with him.
He saw Viren begin to set himself up to offer his life for Harrow’s. and we now know at that point, how exceedingly stubborn Viren is. Harrow could have saw this, and did what he had to deter Viren from wanting to sacrifice his life. I mean, after that humiliation, I wouldn’t want to give my life to that king.
I’m honestly hoping for depth like that. I adore antagonists who aren’t just “evil”, they have good qualities mingled in with bad ones. normal people who went astray. Viren really could have seen Harrow like a brother, ready to give his life for him, and still be capable of atrocities and cold regard towards his children.
You’re more than just dysphoria and a target of transphobia (img source)
this is why I’m against the narrative of “being LGBT is defined by suffering, if you don’t suffer you don’t belong to LGBT or Pride”. it’s incredibly damaging to queer people, especially queer kids who are just figuring out how their sexuality or gender identity figures into their overall identity. this narrative shoves them back into the closet if they don’t suffer “enough”, and how much one must suffer is completely arbitrary
also hey most young folks dont have super diverse experiences under their belt yet due to being, like, young. there are only a few narratives of queer suffering out there, and thus the definition of queer suffering and what that looks/feels like is very narrow and doesn’t always apply to a lot of queer youth.
so, like, promoting the concept of “LGBTQ = suffering” means queer kids may not recognize when something they’re going through is because of their queerness, and disregard that and themselves even if it is.
also pressures queer kids to come out for the sake of suffering and feeling ‘valid’ even if they aren’t safe or ready to.
There’s this thing that happens with minority groups. We come together because of the discrimination but we stay together for the culture. But people seem to forget that – LGBTQIA+ people aren’t just together because we suffer, we’re together because we have something to celebrate in the uniqueness we share. There’s something fundamentally wrong about working towards a better world with less discrimination and then gatekeeping newer members of the community because we don’t feel they’re suffered enough. THAT WAS THE GOAL.
Every queer person you feel hasn’t suffered enough to qualify as queer is proof of a better world. A better world is what we said we wanted, but it’s not going to be what we get if we let our identities be defined by suffering.
Worth noting that when a group too strongly roots their identity in the idea of persecution you eventually get stuff like American Christians being convinced they are a persecuted minority
This also paints an incredibly bleak future where we will never not be suffering. Idk about you, but that’s not the future I’m trying to achieve.
[Text of Tweet: George Takei: If you are turned away at the polls because your name is not on the register, don’t walk away. Say this: I REQUEST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
Don’t let them steal your vote]
Additional info:
“Provisional Ballot Laws are laws that require a provisional ballot upon verficiation of the idenity of the voter if a voter fails to present proper identification at the polls or when registering before voter registration deadlines.”
Poll worker here! Let’s talk about this “I DEMAND A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS PROVIDED BY LAW” thing.
== TL:DR; Yes, provisional ballots are important! And yes, you should absolutely ask for one if you need to. But there’s a couple of things to try first. A provisional ballot is a last resort. ==
It’s very common for voters to come up to the “check-in” desk, and not be found in the poll book. Some non-nefarious reasons why that might be the case:
1) The poll worker doesn’t understand how to spell your name. 2) You’re not in the right precinct (this happens ALLLL the time) 3) New married name? 4) You’re a college student, and you are registered, but you’re registered at home.
Here’s my recommendation for what to do: * Make sure the poll worker is looking in the right spot (the book will be right in front of you; you can help find your name.) * Mention your home address to the poll worker. THey may very well immediately say something like “Oh! Yes, you should be voting in the cafeteria. Here in the GYM, we are your next precinct over.” * Ask politely to speak to someone to verify your status with the county. They will get on the phone with county folks, who will look you up in their BIG COMPUTER.
The steps above will, eight times out of ten, change you from the scary status of “Huh? you don’t exist!” to “Oh, right! Okay, here you go, voter!”
If that doesn’t work, ask firmly and politely for a provisional ballot. If you say “AS PROVIDED BY LAWWWWW”, you will only get an eye-roll from a tired and hungry poll-worker. But hey, you do you – it really IS the law.
If you don’t get satisfaction, all is not lost. Step outside the precinct and call the ACLU, and they will send someone over to have some FIRM WORDS with the Judge of Elections.
How do I know? I’ve had ACLU lawyers sent to talk to me during an election: “Hey, we heard that you were turning voters away!” they said.
I wasn’t, but I DID NOT MIND having someone smart and informed come to check on what was up. The ACLU counsel was smart, engaged, and knew the rules. Had I been trying some crap, this person would have SHUT. IT. DOWN.
So, the BOTTOM bottom line is: 1) Provisional ballots are a last resort. You can read up on them; they’re definitely riskier than a full, “real” ballot. You want to vote at your proper precinct as your first choice. 2) Don’t panic if you’re not in the book. Are you in the right place? 3) If you decide you do need a provisional, be firm, polite, and persistent. There’s no “secret phrase” that’s going to make us poll workers hiss with dismay: “CURSESSSSSSS! They know about the provisionalssssss!” 4) But do stick up for yourself! And if you don’t get what you want, call it in! There’s LOTS of folks to help!
backup 