#which like. okay. but why wouldn’t that pattern of behaviour and thinking manifest literally anywhere else in that relationship

[fellhellion]

“Miguel cheats on Xina and is so callous in his explanation of said act because it comes from a place of self sabotage” is one of those readings where I really like it’s implications and agree it’s plausible for Miguel to do that, but also think it’s harder to textually support.

The difference in Miguel’s reaction between Xina vs how he handles Gabriel is. Incredibly stark.

I think reading self sabotage here with Xina only really works with the cruelty of mocking Xina as she leaves or making a face at her that doesn’t seem to hint at remorse if you read that self sabotage as being either unconscious, or a deeply suppressed. Which are plausible for the character as I’ve said; but I’d argue aren’t supported within the textual presentation we are offered here into Miguel’s supposed emotional state.

Compare and contrast to the confrontation with Gabriel. Miguel is still being a dick, but it’s not the active aggravation like towards Xina, more a sense of condescending pity.

Most critically, you have the time to taken to offer small insight into Miguel feeling guilt at Gabriel trying to forgive him and retreating from that. It’s a reaction no one other than Miguel is privy to and hints at that feeling being aggravated and then suppressed. Most notably, it’s just. Not something we see replicated in his interaction with Xina.

I don’t think any of this particular reading I’m offering here negates the obvious regrets Miguel holds regarding Xina into the future of 2099 though.

Like regardless of whether you choose to read it as active disregard or an unconscious self sabotage (or both), it’s very obvious Miguel holds a lot of regret regarding tarnishing that friendship (and the unspoken love that was present there) and this manifests in one of the most notable ways through the ambiguity to his reaction to Lyla’s confession.

Like. You can essentially read quite a plurality into Miguel’s deflection/bemusement here. From his deeply complicated relationship to love and self hatred, to the fact that Xina becomes retroactively intrinsic to Lyla and that aspect offering the scene a completely new dimension, tinged with palpable regret.

I think it’s entirely plausible, given the ambiguity where Miguel’s reaction comes from to argue for that being present within this scene given not only its presentation, but that guilt over Xina is something we see present in Miguel.

#I don’t know if this is anything I’ve just been mulling over it #tldr I like the self sabotage reading and think it’s in character but I have my doubts about it being something you can substantially #evidence in the text #it’s weird because like. I think PAD’s authorial intent of Miguel just being a misogynist here actually makes the most sense w the #way the scene is presented. but because PAD is so allergic to having people criticise Dana the SINGULAR time Miguel verbally condescends #abt Dana is trying to bait Xina’s pride where he essentially implies she’s always been leagues smarter than Dana #which like. okay. but why wouldn’t that pattern of behaviour and thinking manifest literally anywhere else in that relationship #if you’re intending me to read this as a critical aspect to why Miguel is involved w Dana in the first place #(real reason seems to be just. this bizarre aversion 2099 has with actually having the cast react to Dana’s actions as more than #those of a hapless ingenue #) I’d like to be yknow. shown it more???? #so you’re just sitting there going why tf was Miguel so needlessly cruel to Xina because you just don’t. imo. get that much of a tangible #establishment of condescension being a cornerstone to Miguel/Dana’s relationship #so ur just like well that was needlessly cruel. and bizarrely so given how palpable Miguel’s regrets are now #so ur just left there w a scene that is structured in such a way as to characterise Miguel as supposedly #being genuinely callous to his ex lover and best friend #BUT because the condescension isn’t reinforced at all beyond that one line #appears like a bizarre one off that hints at deeper if unacknowledged feeling in Miguel #and it’s THAT tension imo between the authorial intent and it not being that well executed that actually provides the most fertile soil #as it were. for the reading that it’s a self sabotage #which again let me be clear I do enjoy and think is plausible #I just think PAD fell ass backwards into creating the circumstances that imply it sbxhxjcjc #tunes talks 2099 #long post