It Took Me A Couple Of Rewatches, But This Is My Interpretation, Too: "That Was Extreme" Is Not About

It took me a couple of rewatches, but this is my interpretation, too: "That was… extreme" is not about Edwin being startled by how violent Charles was or afraid for himself, but about Edwin being afraid of the thought of Charles being punished for that violence.

One of the interesting things I noticed on rewatching the show is that there's a part of the confrontation with the Night Nurse in Episode 6 when Edwin starts almost hyperventilating. It's not when she talks about Hell or about taking Edwin. It's when Charles says to the Night Nurse, "It was me who kicked you, yeah?"

When the conversation focuses back on Edwin, he's calmer again. (Still stressed, but no longer hyperventilating.)

But Edwin is so very afraid that Charles is going to be punished for attacking an authority figure, even as Charles is — once again — trying to put himself between Edwin and the threat of Hell.

I don't think we talk enough about Edwin's reaction to Charles beating the Night Nurse. Because he's scared, he is worried and he is crying. But he is not scared of Charles at all, I think he is scared to lose him. Just in that episode, he had (unwillingly) told the Cat King that he helped other ghosts so he can defend his own case if Death ever came to take him to Hell again. He also says he is not proud about it, that it is selfish.

Charles would have gone to Heaven if he hadn't decided to stay with him. Edwin is sure. But, after what happened with the Night Nurse, he can't be sure anymore. He knows Charles, he knows he is a good man and he doesn't deserve to go to Hell. But he also knows Charles well enough to know he'll feel guilty. And that is how Hell gets you. Guilt drags to down.

I don't think Edwin was walking on eggshells around Charles as Crystal said. I think it just hurt him to see him, to face him, knowing that he may have selfishly made Charles lose his oportunity to go to pradise. Because he had stayed for him. Because he had been protecting him.

I always found the scene where Edwin notices that Esther's cupboard is too far forward really convenient.

Because sure, some people that work in certain jobs will learn to identify if something feels off. But like, how often is Edwin installing kitchens? Why would he have that skill? But I always just brushed it off as needing to progress the scene.

Except today I realised that of course he does! Of course he knows when something isn’t proportionate to plans. Of course he has the experience and skill to know that.

He developed it while mapping out Hell.

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES PROMPTOBER DAY 6 — BOOKS

I was sorting through my gif sets and realised I never actually made one for the first episode, and that just wouldn't do. so here are some small moments as gifs from the case of crystal palace

the brain & the brawn

the boys' reaction to possessed Crystal

Crystal Palace awestruck in a completely platonic way

I'm giving Edwin his own section in this post (yes, I am obsessed with him) starting with the boxing scene

Edwin: "So, you'll be leaving then" vs. when Charles leaves with her

"Charles, noooooo!"

Charles did, in fact, yeeeeees!

"Let's not be cocky, Charles" says the ghost who loves it when Charles is cocky...

and finally, these two have kind of ruined one of the most aesthetically pleasing shots for me, but I can't stop giggling thinking about these on loop

other episode gif sets: 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES PROMPTOBER DAY 8 — HELL

how is Tragic Mick the most relatable character - stays in his own lane chilling, continues to try to tell people about The Thing he really cares about, sits down a lot, goes outside only when incentivized by the possibility of meeting a really cool woman, misses the sea