#this has all been in my head since wolfy started doing those sand duo sketches

[firesnap]

The quietness that sorta enveloped c!Wilbur post-Ho16 and timid flashes and vulnerability we'd see as Wilbur learns, whether it's good or bad, that he's still him regardless of scars or personas or whatever role he takes on. has me in a chokehold right now.

Like, the idea of Wilbur struggling with how a half-hearted apology, a scar across his chest, a big showman act or hastily executed scheme doesn't change or hide the most vulnerable or honest or ugly parts of himself is such a fun exploration of the character. The whole series of apologies just boiling down to that, regardless of what he wishes the world to see, it doesn't change that he's still him is such a interesting twist on a "redemption." It was never about Wilbur coming to terms with betraying people, but rather that the root of all the harm Wilbur caused others was because he was trying to avoid himself.

Then compare that to his last interactions with Phil and the way their talk in the cabin is the first time we hear that broken sounding realization that Wilbur knows he's not okay and Phil just let's that be as a statement. The last thing Wilbur needed was some false reassurance that he was fine, that things would be fine, and instead gets someone who just let's the ugly truth sit out to breath.

I dunno. I think I got caught up in the questionable advice Philza gave at the time and overlooked how much that conversation was such a good set up for what was to come. Philza sees Wilbur, regardless of the new scars and scruffed appearance and dramatic ideas, and will let that Wilbur just exist. By the end of the arc, we realize the whole journey was about Wilbur getting to that place with himself.

Was him leaving him realizing that he needed to make changes in himself? Or was it an attempt at changing the set locale instead of his role and just repeating past behaviors in new and exciting ways? There's an openness to it that works for me. A character that usually deals in such finalities allowing some uncertainty into the narrative.

#this has all been in my head since wolfy started doing those sand duo sketches #of philza realizing wilbur is still wilbur despite the changes in wilbur's body or way of holding himself #and wilbur needing to catch up to that