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tuiyla · 2 years

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What is it you like about Santana’s friendship with Kurt?

I have a favourite scenes post but for this I actually wanna give a more profound answer than just listing their cute scenes, especially because I don't think Glee did right by them in that their full potential wasn't explored. At all. Hummelberry and Pezberry took priority in New York and though the former is understandable and I go feral over the latter, I just think we could have had more. Here's why and here's what I like about them.

When approaching a friendship or any sort of dynamic between two or more characters, I often try to think of what they have in common, thematically, where they work as foils, how they can strengthen each other's stories and characters. And I think Kurt and Santana, both of whom have emerged as extremely popular fan favourites and arguably two of the most beloved characters even today, 7 years after Glee ended, are both so strong individually that that alone makes me yearn for a fusion, a crossroad where these two powerful stories meet. And they do! Compared to many many other New Directions friendships they actually already get a fair amount in canon, and that of course is part of why I like them. Simply put, I like their interactions and the way their individual connection balances out the Kurtcheltana dynamic. But what I see in them goes beyond New York and goes beyond what the show has given us, though it is rooted in what we're given.

Kurt and Santana are far from being two sides of the same coin (though they both parallel Dave, for example, in delicious ways) but there's something about their similarities yet the ways in which they're wildly different. They're both gay, of course, but make no mistake a baseline wlw-mlm solidarity isn't why I think the friendship they have is so fascinating. I think what elevates that is the fact that being queer is so... inalienable in both their stories.

Kurt is an underdog, one of the show’s most quintessential ones and that’s mainly because of a combo of a homophobic society and his sexuality/the way he expresses himself. He goes through hell and remains kind and brave, and crucially he’s not afraid to be himself. He comes out in episode four and after that he’s unapologetically himself even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. And yes he does have an unhealthy coping mechanism or too and does still put up a front like the rest of us but he’s true to himself.

Santana starts out on top, as Queen Bee Quinn’s second and a hot cheerleader who can make out with her best friend and still be popular - even be popular because of that. She’s loud and quite obnoxious and sure looks like she has it all, but underneath it all she’s crippling under the misery of not being true to herself and being absolutely terrified of being seen for who she actually is. She also doesn’t have a Burt; her parents do turn out to be supportive but a crucial parental figure in her life, Abuela, does not.

And that’s not to say one has it worse than the other, hell no. And even though they make a good case study for how different gay and lesbian journeys can be, it’s not even about that. It’s about Kurt and Santana as characters going through a similar struggle in vastly different ways and finding a point of connection in that. A connection that’s unique to them, despite other queer characters also being on the show. And a connection in their personalities, too, because there Kurt and Santana also show fascinating similarities yet important differences.

Kurt has an inherent kindness, despite his occasional superiority complex that is so so important for Santana to learn from, as someone who’d really rather not admit that she isn’t such a bitch after all. But Santana has that street smart element, that eye for sketchiness and more grounded look on life as well as a vastly different perspective that Kurt can learn from. They also have a good level of mutual respect, most of the time, and can have both banter and admiration that doesn’t go to extremes like it does with Pezberry for example. They’re a fairly balanced duo where Kurt doesn’t take Santana’s shit but she doesn’t stand for his, either. Keeping it real but keeping it fun.

I also would have loved loved if Glee explored them more not just in NYC but while at McKinley. It’s a shame they didn’t get to interact more in season 2 because the Kurt-Dave-Santana storyline leading up to Prom Queen is fascinating and one of the show’s best. Kurt, upon getting the truth from Karofsky about Santana’s plans, is more impressed than horrified. “Her Lady Macbethian ways,” he says. Kurt appreciating Santana’s twisted and self-serving plan for its convolutedness and also, no matter what its intention, good results, is a fun view for him to have of her. They have that shared manipulative streak in different ways that affords the mutual respect and makes for fun interactions.

Ngl I kinda got lost in my thoughts there but... Kurtana. I like their friendship because it feels like worlds colliding but there’s no crash because it actually goes quite smoothly. Their slight cynicism but good hearts, the way Kurt is one of the few people to really see the good in Santana, but also the ways in which they call each other out. The first time I heard Kurtcheltana would eventually live together in NY was when I was watching season 1 and I was like, no way. How would Kurt and Santana work? They served such different purposes in the story, seemed rather incompatible. But going into season 4 I was looking forward to it, because by then I could see that they’re actually a pair who can find common ground relatively smoothly. And it’s not without its troubles, and I think a conflict between the two can sting really hard (cough cough 6x03, not that we wanna remember that). But like, overall? They just work, and they’re glorious. And I wish we had so much more, whether that’s casually watching TV together or helping each other through hardships they and only they have a unique understanding of.

#going out to my kurtana peeps #kurtana #glee asks #glee friendships #anon #santana asks #kurt hummel #santana lopez #i think i wanted to say much more but my brain short circuited halfway through #apologies #ask about kurtana again in 3-5 business days

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tuiyla · 2 years

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No, not an anti Blaine place, not at all! Kurt and Adam's downton abbey scene just screamed soulmates to me ;) I like Blaine just fine, I like him and Kurt equally I think, I just always thought Kurt had more chemistry with Adam, seemed to have more fun with Adam, seemed more relaxed around Adam. Kurt/Adam just clicked for me. I thought Blaine had more chemistry with Sam than he did with Kurt and I'm not even one to ship a non canon couple or ship a gay guy with who for all we know is a straight guy. I thought Santana teased Adam so much because she liked him. I could see them chilling at the new york apartment, little digs back and forth but all in good nature. I think I saw the friend chemistry between Santana and Adam that I didn't see between Santana and Blaine. Again, I like Blaine! I just saw him having more chemistry with people other than Kurt and Santana, like Sam or Tina or Artie. I think it all comes down to chemistry for me. So no I don't have essay length thoughts and proof and whatnot for my hill dying haha I only know how those characters and relationships felt to me.

Ah gotcha that's all fair, didn't mean to accuse you Anon haha. I've had an intense Kadam anon before but this is all good.

I always find it interesting when people get attached to smaller characters and relationships - in the best way, because I think seeing the potential in that is so endearing. You make me wish we saw more of Adam so it could have been better for you haha.

Here's the thing about Santana and Adam for me, that I do happen to think she didn't mind him and even maybe liked him. Especially when the other new person she met in New York was Brody, it's really easy to be better by comparison. I just don't think there's a lot in canon to substantiate that? She speaks to him directly like, twice, and only once does she address him iirc. To be clear, I'm with you that they could have been pals, I just don't think they overlapped in the loft for long enough for that to be the canon case. Of course like you say it's about what we vibe with chemistry-wise and potential and I totally get that, something not being canon doesn't mean much in this (post-)postmodern world. And I'm nothing if not a hoe for any and all Santana friendships.

And that said, I do feel like the Blaine and Santana dynamic is lacking. It always just felt like the friendship with the least of anything within the Klaine-Brittana quartet. The canon stuff I can think of, while not all that negative is still the two of them being at least lowkey annoyed at each other. Idk, like you I like Blaine just fine and again, Santana friendships hoe. I just felt like they might be more wlw-mlm hostility rather than solidarity lol. In a lighthearted way, of course. They don't have beef, they're just the least tight bond in the Klaine-Brittana quartet. I think both Santana and Brittany have sweet friendships with Kurt and the Sunshine Twins were rather lowkey in season 4 but at least there's an actual dynamic there. I guess I just wanted more of Blaine and Santana to be able to say what their relationship would be like. We can ponder and HC, though.

I really appreciated this Anon, both tone-wise and honestly just how straight up it is. You don't need to write essays to justify your interests! That's your reading and that's more than enough. Sometimes it's really just the chemistry between characters. We're all just drawn to different things and the way you explained it to me was really cool, so thanks for that. Cheers to Adam!

#anon #glee asks #santana asks #still filing under that because you kept it more or less santana-focused #and i appreciate that!#kadam #adam crawford #blainetana #glee friendships #blaine anderson #this isn't anti anything do not @ me

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