Something I like about Stretch Armstrong & the Flex Fighters is that it features semi-realistic depictions of unhealthy, or at least worrying, family situations for teenage boys and how that impacts emotions/behavior.
For example, Mr. Armstrong aggressively pushes Jake to overachieve, all while being physically & emotionally unavailable to his son and ignoring their mutual pain over the loss of Mrs. Armstrong. Jake RECOGNIZES this as incorrect, but is unable to confront his dad.
Ricardo’s parents are nearly always working, often breaking promises to spend time with their child. Again, Ricardo knows this is wrong, but seems unable to address or alter the dynamic. Moreover, this lack of permanence & attention has taken a SERIOUS toll on Ricardo’s self image & social skills.
Both Jake & Ricardo have clean, well maintained living conditions. They go to school, are physically fit and eat well. Their parents are gainfully employed and wish the best for their children… yet it is evident that something is WRONG in these households and it is hurting these kids.
So, you have 2 heroic teenage-boy characters in a BOY’S ACTION SHOW who are written to experience and express sadness & anxiety over their parent’s lack of positive input in their lives. They are allowed to be upset that they are being emotionally neglected.
Neglect/abuse is not presented as something that happens in “bad” homes, and it doesn’t create “bad” kids. Jake & Ricardo are our heroes! Nevertheless, it is happens and has an impact.
Set of bejeweled Queen crowns
(images source)
Cool facts brought to you by Mother Nature.
whenever i need to find good character prompts i turn to whose line
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Fullmetal Alchemist doodles 💖💖
you know what I miss from the early Iron Man movies? The optimism. The joy. The ego. This isn’t saying that I think Tony is egotistical (although to a certain extent he is), I’m saying that he had that rock star image.
I mean:
the stark expo?
the Senate hearing?
Making the suit? Look at how proud he is of himself! What an accomplishment! This bitch is going places
LOOK AT HIS FACE, in any given scene of these two movies, almost all of them Tony’s got attitude, ego, a sense of hope. Hell, lets go wild, lets add in the Avengers too:
HE’S JUST SUCH A DIFFERENT PERSON.
a sink hole of human despair. They’ve taken away his theme music, his house, his rock star persona, his hope, his joy, his fluffy hair…
I do fully understand the choice to give Tony PTSD (or whatever they are now calling this) because the guy has been through so much shit. I’m not saying they couldn’t have done that. I’m saying they completely changed everything about how they present his character and I miss the Tony that was, and could have been. They stole so much light and happiness from this man and they said it was because he was recovering but they never fucking gave it back. Look at his face in that last gif. That’s a man who keeps thinking he’s found rock bottom but actually there’s farther to fall.
“Safety first. What are you? FIVE?” Tony/rhodey
“Oh my god, seriously?” Rhodey groans. “Safety goggles?”
“Yes,” Tony answers primly. “I wasn’t raised like an animal, Rhodey.”
“Oh, rich boy?” Rhodey asks. “I saw you come home last night and attack that ramen as if you were eating your last meal as a wild dog. Shut up.” Tony rolls his eyes, still snapping his goggles on.
“I’m sorry, I’d rather be blinded by something else rather than my lack of knowledge about basic safety procedures, darling dearest.”
“Can you guys quit flirting and actually get started on your robot?!” Kendra calls from the other side of the room. “Some of us actually ate a good breakfast!” Rhodey flips her off, but takes a pair of goggles.
“Only because you’re a nerd for safety,” he says.
“Whatever you say honey,” Tony responds. “Besides, don’t listen to Kendra. We’re already about two weeks ahead of schedule, and I think this one is gonna be awesome.”
“We already built Dum-E, who you said was going to be awesome, and then he planned a road trip to downtown Boston,” Rhodey snarks. “Real classy, by the way.”
“You’re the one who gave him a rambunctious personality,” Tony says. “I’m not responsible for that one.”
“And yet, everyone attributes it to you,” Rhodey says. “Almost like you’re the troublemaker.”
“You love it,” Tony grins, going in for a quick peck. “I was thinking, they put in a new Indian restaurant, and I met the new owner, and he said we should stop by for date night. They promise the best ever.”
“You just want an opportunity to tip over a hundred percent.”
“…correct.” Rhodey rolls his eyes.
“Sure, babe. Six work okay for you?”
“Yes!”
Izumi Curtis looks healthier when she is taking care of her children, pass it on.