#imo johnny

[mothercetrion]

Johnny & Kenshi's "Relationship" in MK1

Well before MK1 was released, Ed Boon had this to say about Kenshi (and Johnny) and their roles in the story:

I was incredibly interested in this "relationship" from that moment and really hoped that it would pay off like he said. I think it has done so tenfold, and I wanted to compile their moments throughout the story together and go through their relationship arc, moment by moment, chapter by chapter, for everyone to enjoy.

This post contains spoilers for both Kenshi and Johnny's roles in MK1, as well as major plot points of the story itself. You have been warned!

To start, if you want to watch a compilation of their moments, you can watch this YouTube video by MKIceAndFire, which includes everything discussed in this post up to Chapter 7. 

Chapter 2: Their First Meeting 

The climax of Chapter 2 is the back-to-back events of Johnny’s wife, Cristina, leaving him, and Kenshi entering soon after. Kenshi is here on a mission: retrieve Sento from Johnny, no matter the cost. They fight, and Johnny wins. It’s here that they introduce themselves properly (or Kenshi introducing himself to Johnny), and Johnny learns more about his motives and why he needs Sento so badly. He does so to save his family, the Taira clan, from the Yakuza, which they joined for protection after the Siege of Aomori, according to Johnny. 

Soon after, Liu Kang, Bi-Han, and Kuai Liang arrive, where Johnny thinks that the trio is a part of Kenshi’s retrieval mission. After Johnny and Bi-Han fight, Liu Kang tells both Johnny and Kenshi about their new role as Earthrealm’s champions. Johnny openly questions Kenshi’s inclusion, still hardly believing his story about being part of the Taira clan. The chapter ends here. 

We know from here that Kenshi and Johnny openly do not trust one another and likely hate one another. For Kenshi, Johnny is the one thing in the way of his goal of saving the Taira clan from the Yakuza. When arguing with his wife, Johnny reveals that he paid 3 million dollars for Sento; considering that their impending divorce is over money, it makes sense that he is not willing to just give it to some stranger. 

Chapter 3: Bickering 

Johnny and Kenshi do not have many scenes in Chapter 3, with most of its focus being on Raiden, but the few scenes they have show us a lot about the state of their relationship. The four Earthrealm champions—Johnny, Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Raiden—discuss their circumstances and their training with the monks. Johnny expresses his desire to see Outworld to do research for the movie franchise that he hopes to make; according to him, they’ve been “cooped up” training for months. Kenshi sarcastically calls him selfless, and Johnny states that he’s only there to get Sento back, indirectly stating that they’re both only training for selfish reasons. Johnny also harshly calls him “Tattoo” as a nickname, not even using his last name as Kenshi does for him. 

When Johnny is defeated by Raiden in the mini-tournament set up by Liu Kang, the two glare at one another while Johnny exits the fight and Kenshi enters. The scene is adorned with dramatic music (relating to the tournament at hand) and a slow-motion shot of their expressions. The choices here are likely to emphasize the disdain they have for one another and the insane amount of tension they have between them. 

That night, before Raiden and Kung Lao fight, Johnny attempts to bet on Lao’s potential victory. Kenshi is open to a bet, but only if Johnny puts Sento up for grabs. Johnny laughs and says, “Not on your life,” revealing that he has not budged on his desire to keep Sento after all this time. 

They have a brief scene when the group leaves for Outworld where Johnny starts filming Kenshi. Kenshi turns with an annoying expression and knocks his phone out of his hand, much to Johnny’s shock. This scene is the last they have in this chapter that has any real significance, minus standing by one another. 

The few scenes they have in this chapter show that their relationship has not improved since they met a few months prior, even after spending every day together; if anything, it has gotten worse and more openly hostile. They judge one another’s reasons for being champions for Earthrealm and still do not respect one another. 

Chapter 4: More Fighting & Kenshi’s Blinding 

We play as Kenshi for the duration of this chapter. The two of them, alongside Kung Lao, are tasked with finding Shang Tsung for Liu Kang to question. Kenshi openly questions Johnny's inclusion on the mission and openly states that he would prefer Raiden to go along with them instead of “this one,” making it known that he does not value Johnny as a fighter or a teammate. Johnny protests and insists that he’s up to the job of finding Shang Tsung. Before they depart, they glare at one another once more. 

When out in the Outworld desert, Kenshi and Johnny begin to bicker once more. Johnny brings up the 3 million dollars needed to buy Sento and tells Kenshi that he would likely have Sento back in his possession if he were still with the Yakuza. Kenshi turns around quickly to yell at Johnny about the corruption that the Yakuza spreads and his desire to get his clan out, all while shining his flashlight on Johnny’s face.

After meeting Baraka and ending up in Shang Tsung’s laboratory, the three of them ambush Rain, Tanya, and Shang Tsung in an effort to save Mileena from what they believe is a Tarkat infection. Johnny makes the “get away from her, you bitch” reference that it feels like everyone has seen, much to Kenshi and Lao’s visible confusion. 

Kenshi defeats both Tanya and Rain in battle, and he briefly speaks to Mileena before her illness makes itself known. It is here that Kenshi does something he’s not done all of the story: he calls Johnny by his first name instead of just “Cage.” He asks for a hand in fighting Mileena, and Johnny hurries over to help. Johnny asks about a plan, and Kenshi states that the only real plan is to not hurt her. Johnny is visibly shocked and says that he’s more worried about “us” getting hurt than Mileena. 

They fight Mileena, and Kenshi and Johnny win. Kenshi asks Johnny and Lao (again calling Johnny by his first name) to hold Mileena down so Shang Tsung can administer the serum needed to subdue her Tarkat symptoms. They do so briefly, and she eventually knocks Lao away and goes to bite Johnny’s face. Instead, Kenshi comes from behind, grabs Mileena by the straps of her outfit on her shoulders, and pulls her away, saving the life of someone that until just minutes before, he has been shown to hate. 

Then Mileena shoves Kenshi away just long enough to grab a pair of sai from a nearby table and gouge Kenshi’s eyes out. His blood sprays, and Johnny is hit in the face with the splatter. In the horror of the aftermath, he yells Kenshi’s first name for the first time, nothing short of terrified and worried. The chapter ends soon after this. 

This chapter is the official shift in their relationship. This chapter is when both characters finally refer to one another by their first names, though it is all we see of any sort of genuine appreciation of one another. Kenshi calls Johnny by his name in the midst of immediate danger; he needs Johnny’s help, and he’s visibly frightened in the scene itself. Johnny calls Kenshi by his name in the aftermath of the danger, when he just saw someone that he’s known for months lose his eyes in the most vicious way possible (and gets hit with his blood in the process). The shift is not seen until later chapters, but Kenshi going blind while saving Johnny’s life is the catalyst for the change. 

Chapters 5 & 6: New Bonds

In Shang Tsung’s laboratory, the first thing Johnny does when he wakes up is check on Kenshi. He says his first name again, asks him about his pain, and states that he will not forget that Kenshi saved his life for the price of his eyes. 

Johnny himself is the one to give Kenshi his blindfold, torn from his own armor and placed over Kenshi’s eyes with his own hands. He is the one to give him the medicine and relieve him of some of the discomfort from his blinding in his own way. Johnny is the one who adds to Kenshi’s iconic character design; it’s forever associated with him and his kindness. 

When they’re finally able to escape the laboratory, Kenshi asks Johnny and Lao to leave him behind. Johnny refuses and wants to save Kenshi’s life. Kenshi tells Johnny that he is “useless” and that their lives do not need to be risked to save him. (He once again calls Johnny by his last name here, instead of calling him “Johnny” like he did hours before.) Johnny insists that the Taira needs him, and they’re going to get him back home and get him help. 

They walk through the Living Forest together near the back of the group; Johnny is the one who guides Kenshi around. Johnny continues to look back at Kenshi as they’re walking around to make sure he does not trip or stumble. He makes a remark about a movie he did that Kenshi reveals that he has seen before. Johnny comments on how difficult the scene was to shoot, but he is proud of the outcome. Kenshi says that he can “picture it exactly” and smiles for the first time since his blinding, a strong contrast to his earlier depressed state. 

They continue until they meet Ashrah and debate whether or not to hunt Quan Chi. When Kenshi steps forward to go, Johnny firmly tells him no, citing that they need to get him home. He’s visibly annoyed and perhaps even frustrated when Kenshi insists that they need to find Quan Chi to find Shang Tsung. In the end, Johnny is the only one opposed to continuing their mission. 

The penultimate moment of their development is the scene at the end of the chapter in which Sento is returned to Kenshi. Kenshi tries to fight Quan Chi, and Johnny is quick to tell him no, stating that Kenshi will trip up the others. He then asks Kenshi for his sword, and Kenshi hesitantly agrees. Johnny does what was previously established as impossible and gives Sento back to Kenshi. Kenshi is stunned, and then he tries to reject Sento. The one thing he has wanted for all this time, the singular reason that he hates Johnny in the first place, he tries to reject it. Johnny insists that it’s Kenshi’s now because he saved Johnny’s life. “It’s yours,” he says, and he means it. 

Chapter 6 largely focuses on the fight between the group and Quan Chi, but it’s the chapter in which Kenshi’s sight is “restored” with the help of his ancestors. After a fight with Ermac, Sento is imbued with the souls of Kenshi’s ancestors, who promise to help him. He is then able to sense his surroundings in a new form of sight, allowing him to fight as he did before. He also discovers his telekinesis soon after. 

Johnny and Kenshi have a brief exchange about Sento after this. Johnny jokes that he severely underpaid for Sento when he bought it and asks if Kenshi knew what it could do, which he did not. Johnny tells Kenshi not to forget who gave him the sword; Kenshi promises that he will not. They go back to calling one another by their last names, but instead of earlier in the story, when they were distant from one another and not friends, the use of last names here almost feels…kinder. Maybe even affectionate? Like calling a friend by their last name instead of someone that you dislike. 

These chapters are what solidify their bond. It starts with Johnny’s worry and concern over Kenshi’s well-being and safety, something that continues through the rest of the chapter. He checks on him in the dungeon, he is the one to give Kenshi medicine when he knows he’s in pain, and he motivates Kenshi to continue living when they leave the dungeon (and makes it known that he will help him however he can once they get him home). He makes it known that he’s willing to give up on Liu Kang’s mission, something that could potentially save Earthrealm, for Kenshi to be safe after losing his eyes. It’s one of the first things that Johnny clearly takes seriously. Until this point, he makes jokes about almost everything, but when it comes to Kenshi going home, he’s all serious and makes his opinion on the matter known. 

Their conflict regarding Sento is also resolved here. Just hours before this chapter, Johnny brings up the 3 million dollars he paid for it and his unwillingness to part with Sento unless Kenshi gives him the money. However, after Kenshi saves his life, Johnny gives it to him to potentially repay a debt. Kenshi essentially traded his eyes for Johnny’s life, and Johnny recognizes the importance of such a sacrifice. To him, giving him Sento is likely only the beginning of what he does to repay him for what he did. 

Their value in Sento differs greatly. Kenshi wants Sento because of the value it has to his family and their well-being. While Johnny seems to appreciate Sento’s history, the sword is still something with monetary value and something that helps Johnny “project” a celebrity image to fans. He is his possessions; he is what he spends money on. But Kenshi’s blinding makes him realize, in the worst way possible, that some things are more important than money. 

These chapters (4, 5, and 6) also show Johnny and Kenshi saving one another’s lives. Kenshi physically saves Johnny from Mileena in the laboratory by pulling her off of him before she can bite his face off. Johnny emotionally saves Kenshi when he’s at a low point following his blinding; he is the one to motivate Kenshi when he calls himself useless and asks the others to leave him behind, even if it means certain death. Johnny also helps save the Taira clan by willingly giving up Sento, something that he knows means a great deal to Kenshi and the rest of his family. 

Chapter 15: A New Arc in Their Lives 

The pair make a lengthy absence until the later chapters of the game, and they are not seen together again until the final scene of the final chapter when they are eating at Madam Bo’s restaurant. They’re sitting together on the same side of the table while Johnny talks about the location of his movie. He turns to Kenshi with a smirk when he laughs, and Kenshi assumes that Johnny will be the star of his franchise, as he always seems to be. 

Johnny then asks Kenshi to be in a movie, stating that no actor can do things quite like Kenshi. Kenshi openly admits that he would love to, but his work with the Taira keeps him busy. (However, we see in Johnny’s ending that he still involves himself in the movie-making process.) 

Liu Kang moves to leave for Outworld, and Johnny stops him to thank him for bringing them on as Earthrealm’s champions. He quickly glances at Kenshi before stating that joining him has truly changed the arcs of their lives, just like Liu Kang said it would. 

This final scene with them is just the beginning of those new arcs. Compared to their first meeting, Johnny and Kenshi have found a new respect for one another and a bond forged in a shared adventure and what looks like conflicting goals. By this chapter, they have undergone an entire arc of their own, and their lives are changed by one another as a result. 

Their new arc is only beginning.

#johnshi #kenshi takahashi #johnny cage #mortal kombat #mortal kombat 1 #mine #videos #i tried to keep this shipping neutral bc ultimately not everyone ships them but i think their dynamic is still incredibly interesting #and the development of that relationship is still important #and one of the best in the series imo and definitely the best in this game

[hideousvampire]

alright buddy i know EXACTLY what you are....

#greg tolan #aka the 3rd gayest billy zabka character imo #chas osborne is 1st and johnny lawrences 2nd #the teddyeddie shits

[crimescrimson]

Johnny Cage & Unconditionally Protecting His Family: Nobody, Threatens My Family. | This? This Is For My Family.

#crimson's gifs: mortal kombat #Mortal Kombat #MK #Mortal Kombat 11 #MK11 #Johnny Cage #Jonathan Carlton #Johnny Carlton #Jonathan Carlton Cage #Reservist Johnny Cage #Reservist Jonathan Cage #Past Johnny Cage #Present Johnny Cage #Theme: Masculine Strength #Theme: Character Break #Theme: Familial Warmth #Theme: Parental Love #Johnny being serious and angry is sooooo good and I hope they don't just reduce him down to class clown again like they did for his intros #In MK11 #Imo Johnny's at his best when hes cracking jokes but also displayed as the powerful and respected Earthrealm champion he is #The balance they struck with him in MKX/MK11 and even a bit in MK9 made me fall in love with the character #Like the way he settles down but still makes the same few jokes in 9 when he and Sonya get over the fist fight #and the way hes checking on Jax after the invasion #Hes so much more than a red wig and matching nose #But people aren't ready for such a complex character (by people I mean whoever wrote past Johnny in MK11) #(MK9 Johnny was never that bad. Though im only at the beginning of Jax's chapter in my first playthrough) #Anyways if MK1 (12) tries this shit again after i preordered premium edition ill [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[cessmaga]

more cageblind silliness :33

I think they would be a cute couple if they were together :((

they will be silly battle couples :(((

still trying to experiment with some coloring, and I think I enjoyed it that I thought it would

(I'm not shy drawing kissing people anymore :DD)

#mortal kombat #mortal kombat legends #mortal kombat snow blind #mortal kombat cage match #cageblind #snowmatch #johnny cage #kenshi takahashi #hot take but I like mk legends johnny over mk1 johnny #mk1 johnny is alright but idk I feel like legends johnny feels alot more fleshed out imo #I genuinely want a series about legends johnny cuz I actually like him?? #and snow match is a better ship name than cageblind?? #snow match sounds badass and cage blind is literally a tent 💀💀 #otp #otp art #they're made for each other #because I said so #my art #artists on tumblr

[scrimblogremlin]

johnshi fans... what if i wrote a fic that would be happy but yknow, lotsa feels?

meaning: a wedding fic of them saying their wedding vows!!! and its a whole big beautiful wedding and the honeymoon with mayhaps... spice..

#mortal kombat 1 #mk #mk1 #johnny cage #kenshi takahashi #takahashi kenshi #johnshi #gay pride!!!! #itd be cute af imo #what yall think?

[stickerfornct]

Some of my favorite shots from the Ay Yo music video

#nct 127 #lee taeyong #haechan #jung jaehyun #jaehyun #yuta nakamoto #nakamoto yuta #johnny suh #taeil #moon taeil #nct taeyong #nct jaehyun #nct haechan #nct yuta #nct johnny #nct taeil #The last shot is so pretty imo #kpop

[yuri-alexseygaybitch]

Orville Peck and Trixie Mattel cover of Jackson just cause I think it's neat

#orville peck #trixie mattel #johnny cash #this is the best version of the song imo #absolutely NO disrespect to johnny cash and june #but a gay man and a drag queen covering a song about a miserable het marriage just have panache nobody can match #Youtube

[favoritejohn]

i need to lie down for a bit i-

#CUTE #!!!!!!! #what in the world #my lord #nah cause I'm gonna miss this hair fr #he looks like a poodle #NOOOOOOO :((( #don't get me wrong i love his black hair #but THIS!!!!!!! #soft blonde curls!!!!!!! #I'm gonna go lie down brb #i think he died it for the ny fashion week tbh #he said he's going to the us tomorrow sooooo #that's the only logical explanation imo #johnny #johnny suh #nct #johnny seo #johnny nct #suh youngho #nct johnny #nct 127 #nct 127 ay-yo #you did so well for this comeback!!! #go baby!!! take over the world #쟈니 #johnny cute #johnny bubble #johnny 💭 #johnny pics

[robyntherav3n]

‼️ATTENTION JOHNNY x TESTAMENT SHIPPERS‼️

i’ve finally come up with a new ship name for them

johnnytest is a funny one but it also makes my insides shrivel up like raisins SO I PRESENT TO YOU……

BLOODMONEY

it’s perfect and if u disagree i’ll fight you in the back of a wendy’s

#guilty gear #guilty gear strive #ggst #johnny guilty gear #testament guilty gear #johnny x testament #bloodmoney #text post #slash jay…………….. #bloodmoney is still a swag ship name imo

[irritablepoe]

~by me

#i have a good one (imo) today hehe👀 #i even bothered to rhyme this time everyone clap #johnny's little poems #poetry

[zooweemama143]

misc greaser backstory headcanons because i'm bored and it's time for this fandom to hear my lukewarm hot takes <ब₍₍( ˃̗εू˂ )₎₎<ब

johnny and lola's fatal relationship flaws are learned from their respective sets of parents.

johnny grew up witnessing his parents' tumultuous marriage and often felt like he was walking on eggshells due to his father's possessiveness and short fuse. mrs. vincent stayed, no matter how much her husband's fits of rage scared her because she felt she had a duty to her family. her one silver lining was that at least he never laid a hand on her (no, he'd only punch the walls near her or throw dinnerware– that's not abuse, is it? was just one of the numerous feeble defenses johnny would hear from his mom.) (the one time she DID defend herself, the situation escalated and eventually landed both of johnny's parents in prison. because he was already 18 when this happened, social services did not get involved.)

lola's father cheated on her mom and as a result, she's never had any stable relationships beyond short-lived flings. ms. lombardi consequently passed her bitterness about the affair and the divorce onto her daughter; it didn't help that lola's father stopped giving a shit about her after he married his affair partner and started a family with her. witnessing her family breaking apart, her mother wrecking her life with numerous toxic flings, and the father she used to love so dearly doting on his son with his new wife had not only resulted in non-committal tendencies, but also a dislike of men that borders on misandry.

(on that, i feel like a case can be made that lola's a closeted lesbian with MAD comphet, but that's a story for another time.)

peanut's home life is nearly similar to johnny's, but what sets them apart is the fact that peanut's father– alongside his verbal abuse– outright beats him; that's where his intense napoleon complex stems from. initially, his mother was the victim of his father's rage, but the older peanut grew, the more he fought back for her. consequently, at some point, he essentially became his father's outlet for his rage. he hates losing fights, being made to feel small and weak, because, well– if he can't fight back, who'll be there to protect his mom?

norton's family is relatively more normal and maybe even more stable than the rest of his clique's, but they're– unsurprisingly– not without their own issues. i feel like most of the conflict within the williams' family stems from the clashing ideals between norton and his dad; norton's a guy who was radicalized at a young age (since he's quite well-read), and his father– a police officer– represents the authority and the system he hates so much. becoming a greaser was not only teenage rebellion, but also a way to show that he outright rejects what his father believes in; he resents him for being a sellout. officer williams is aware of this.

vance is the only son among a brood of daughters. the second eldest child, he shares a close bond with his younger sisters, but a hesitant, nearly strained relationship with his older sister. their father is absent, and their mother overworked, so both of them are parentified– even if ms. medici didn't intend for that to happen. vance's never been shy about his bisexuality, and the unorthodox way he expresses his masculinity is a source of contention for his sister. she resents how carefree he is, how arbitrary his priorities are (like his obsession with his appearance, his social standing amongst the greasers, and his various romances in bullworth). their father couldn't be the man of the house, and now vance can't even fill in that role if he tried.

as implied by some of his voicelines, hal's fatness is (not so) secretly a major source of insecurities for him. his mother truly tries to be as supportive as she can be, but his father– perhaps another alumni of bullworth, maybe even a former jock?– is especially harsh on him, his "tough love" bordering on outright verbal abuse. hal was initially sent to bullworth in order to "whip him into shape" (both figuratively and literally), and his dad hit the roof when he found out that hal decided to join the greasers instead of getting into something "worthwhile". he tries to be as confident as he's making himself seem, though his dad's comments about his body and his hobbies and his friends cut deep.

ricky was essentially raised by his older brother (a former greaser himself). their parents have never been in the picture, and they were initially raised by their hyperreligious, paranoid grandmother before ricky's brother had enough– he moved out at 18 and took ricky with him. he had to take numerous odd jobs just to support them, ultimately dropping out of his last year in bullworth and forgoing college in favor of working. despite their similar personalities and interests, this is why they often clash– ricky's brother had to sacrifice his schooling for him, and he wants nothing more than for ricky to be responsible and successful. to be the opposite of who he was.

on the other hand, lucky essentially raised his younger siblings (a sister and a brother). his mom walked out on his family when he was still a kid; consequently, his dad fell into a deep depression, was laid off from his job, and turned to alcohol and gambling. lucky had to step up to the plate and be the man of the house in his stead. he's not quite sure who he resents more: his mom, for walking out; his dad, for taking away his remaining childhood; or the system, for fucking them all up in the first place.

lefty is a latch-key kid. both of his parents may be present in his life, but it's as if they're not all that interested in their son– he doesn't quite know why, but there's the implication that he's an accident; one that forced them to have a shotgun marriage despite not being in love anymore. they provide the bare minimum for him, but not much beyond that; whether its gifts or affection. he'll claim he's given up on trying to win their love a long time ago, but he can't deny that with every new scar he earns, he wishes they'd notice. at least once. (with concern or anger, it doesn't matter anymore.)

#tldr the greasers are bonded not only by their mutual interests but also by their tumultuous home lives #i think thats part of why theyre so loyal to each other. the group isnt perfect dont get me wrong #but no one else understands them like they do for each other yknow? #though i think this blind loyalty also often alienates lola from the rest of them #like she understands them to a degree but shes all too aware the boys dont view her on an equal level with them #she's kind of a special case imo. she isnt as loyal to her group as the rest of them but she knows theyre all she has in bullworth #(thats a story for another time tho) #but sigh. i love her. sorry. my misunderstood pookie #anyways ill do the jocks soon 💪 #tw abuse #tw implied homophobia/biphobia #long post #bully cce #bully scholarship edition #johnny vincent #lola lombardi #peanut romano #etc im not tagging all of them lmao

[sleeplessgreaser]

I think I'm gonna die young, I don't know why, I can't say

I've felt it for quite some time, my own prerogative, hidden deep in my brain

#i hope this makes people sad :) #the outsiders #johnny cade #ponyboy curtis #johnnyboy #platonic johnnyboy imo but take it as you will!! #the outsiders 1983 #sleepless edits #no sleep for greasers #VÂN SCOTT #tw // knives #tw // blood #tw // flashing

[streetkid-named-desire]

#fuuuck the way they look at each other #the first time i did this it was night much better atmosphere for this shit imo #johnny silverhand #song so mi #cyberpunk 2077 #phantom liberty

[topcatsama]

If Kekkai Sensen is really ending then this is my last chance to draw a SQ RISE crossover with D.gray-man. 

#d.gray-man #kekkai sensen #Allen walker #Leonardo watch #steven a starphase #neah campbell #road kamelot #tyki mikk #amagranoff luozontam ouv lee nej #femt #aligura #king of despair #johnny gil #The series don't have that much similarities imo #But I can easily picture the characters interacting #Probably because the DGM characters used to live in my head rent free for five years #Until KKSS #The years drained by drawing Tyki and Steven on the same pic was more than regained by drawing Nej and Allen on the same picture

[sunscall]

i find dennis' toxic love for the gang sooo interesting. the lengths he goes through to ensure that their group dynamic never changes. the amount of planning he puts in implies that this is one of his fears– how they might one day change and abandon him.

an example of this would be in "frank retires" where he had formed the franquito plan seven years before he needed to use it, which felt devious (towards frank) to charlie, dee and mac, but dennis had justified it by saying he just didn't want them to change. the ending had dennis acting like he didn't mean a word he said, but i doubt it, because just a few episodes before (the gang misses the boat) he concluded that he just wanted things to stay normal in the gang after a minor freakout about how they're all gradually getting more and more insane staying in the bar together.

dennis resisting change is a consistent theme for his character. he does not want the gang to live in virtual realities, charlie to get smart, mac and dee to leave, mac's mom to stay with them, mac to connect with his dad, dee to actually be successful, mac to be so forward in his advances, frank to retire, etc etc. because he already likes the gang so much the way it is.

that is, unless he personally seeks the change. he could get married in a day, because he wanted to. he could kick mac out. he could leave the gang and start a family. he could change his car to a more modern one. but each time he tries to change and leave, he comes back to the gang... and his range rover.

and this is why he seems to hate them too, because most of his hatred comes from his resentment from loving them too much and being unable to leave. and the love he has for them is toxic, because he wants to drag them down together with him. the s13 narrative wants us to know that he's the main reason the gang stays the same for 16 seasons.

it's what makes dennis takes a mental health day so notable to me though. the commentary on systems throughout the episode, and how dennis is sick of it. dennis' rejection of technology when it takes away real life interactions, parallels the episode "charlie rules the world" in s6 which was the major turning point for dennis developing a god complex (where british dennis tells him that 'you create your own reality'). i believe dtamhd will also be a turning point for dennis, perhaps where he starts letting things go without putting as much control (systems) because he wants to live in a reality where he doesn't need to do these things anymore.

#probably has been said before too lmao #like u see. he isnt against technology when it gets him and his friends closer #like a modern tv is cool #bc he could watch shows w his buddies #a groupchat is annoying but fine too #he was glued to his phone in mac n charlie writes a movie but it was ultimately to write his own movie for the gang #like dennis loves the gang so much eventho he would neveeeeer admit #like yeah hes using them too but he loves hanging out w them #also kinda made me think of the johnny thingy #imo just another example of the lengths dennis goes through to make sure their dynamic doesnt change tbh #bc as we know it mac is actively searching for boyfriends himself which is a no no #bc if dennis isnt there to actively monitor the progress of the relationship then itd be jover for him if mac leaves him for his bf #and thats why seeking a bf for mac is ok bc he has already inserted himself into the relationship as a middleman and can monitor it #and yeah catfishing mac is even better bc hed be in full control to make sure the relationship doesnt progress #he is also in love w mac but thats another convo #wait why did the tags slowly become mcdn... uh #whatever #iasip posting #dennis reynolds

[demon-of-side-quest-hell]

is this anything

(Alternate version that still has the original text and some headcanons under the cut)

Personally I just like the idea that the Real Johnny and Engram Johnny are distinct but similar characters

I like to imagine that 2020 Johnny was less cynical and more rambunctious but I think that slowly got beat out of him as the 4th corporate raged on to it's explosive conclusion. And in his final moments that disappointment in the world was the most prevalent thought.

(Not a Silverhand fan even that much, he's just a fun character to analyze)

#leave the demon to its fandoms #cyberpunk 2077 #(Relic Johnny is the Ben Reilly to 2020 Johnnys Peter Parker imo) #johnny silverhand