#itsthebigguy123

[crystalelemental]

“itsthebigguy123: Even in SM she had an offscreen redemption. That's the screwed up part. Now you know why I like USUM's version more as a character“

The thing is, my problem isn’t “Lusamine gets redeemed,” which I understand is a point of contention for many.  My problem is the method.

In SuMo, it’s implied, though somewhat believable given her own history, that Lusamine has good in her and could improve herself.  The ending for Lillie and Lusamine there is believable in that Lillie’s approach is still more “Well, she is my mother, and I want to help her.”  Not so much absolving Lusamine of wrongdoing, but acknowledging that there’s still a connection that Lillie would like to repair if she’s able.  The narrative doesn’t redeem Lusamine, Lillie decides to give her another chance, which is a very distinct situation.  The final outcome is never shown, and it’s left to the player to decide if Lillie is being naive, or if Lusamine can legitimately improve, and there’s value to both sides.  What works is that the narrative, which isn’t taking time to focus on the path to redemption, leaves the details to the player to fill in.

With USUM, the narrative itself redeems Lusamine.  It’s not up to perception, or to the characters if they think she can, USUM states clearly that Lusamine is better.  This after the presentation of all her known abusive traits.  Yet all the games do is state it to you.  The narrative continues not to engage with what actually happened, and insist that regardless of the harm caused, Lusamine’s better now and we’re not going to address that or engage with the topic anymore.  It waives away everything to say that in the half hour you weren’t on-screen, they talked through years of trauma and abuse and everything is cool now, don’t worry about it, and then do nothing to bridge the gap between how Lusamine was after she unleashed the UBs, and when Necrozma throws her back to Alola.  The game wants you to ignore it.  Even media as recent as Pokemon Masters’ Sygna Suit Lusamine’s event refuses to talk about what she actually did wrong, and instead frame it as if her biggest mistake was just not being able to ask for help  :(((

I hate to say it, but of course people like USUM Lusamine better.  She’s an easier pill to swallow.  She didn’t really abuse anyone, she was just being super protective of her kids from Necrozma.  Gladion didn’t run away because of her being controlling, he left to get stronger to help her.  She’s an entirely different character.  Asking the question of whether Lusamine could be redeemed in spite of her abuse is interesting and makes you think about what needs to be done.  Redeeming a character by stating everything is fine, and doing nothing to show that path to healing, is lazy writing and a waste of a complex character.

Anyway, it’s been five years now and I’m still mad.

#itsthebigguy123

[wakeupthewublins]

itsthebigguy123 replied to your post: “kumatora replied to your photo: “GOD SAME that was something I hate...”:

I can't help but feel that problem was in SM, with Lillie forgiving her and going to Kanto hoping she would change

eh I can see that sort of maybe? but in SM it was still treated much better, in that lillie was like “look i’m 'forgiving' you but it isn’t at all for you, it’s for me. i’m gone, and i’m better than you ever would make me with you. I don’t deserve any of you”

whereas in ultra it’s like.... the whole parental abuse shit “was never a big deal I love you mom!”. eugh

#itsthebigguy123 #pokemon #lillie