Arya Had Broken Dreams, Too

Arya had broken dreams, too

Everyone hones in on how Sansa's dreams were brutally dashed, but I don't think enough people realize how Arya's dreams were broken too. Arya wanted to become a swordfighter and have bold adventures. She never imagined the death and destruction that could result from it. She, too, suffered the loss of her idealism and sunk into a deep depression. She doesn't even believe her mother will love her after seeing what she has become. Becoming what she has wanted is costing her who she was.

Matahachi Honiden and Peter Keating

Despite being from two completely different eras and countries, the deuteragonists of the Vagabond manga and The Fountainhead share a lot in common. The Fountainhead has Peter Keating, an aspiring architect who sacrifices others and eventually his own happiness to achieve ephemeral success. In Vagabond, we see Matahachi Honiden bumble through various troubles on his quest to become an esteemed swordsman. Both of these men pursued these paths because of their mothers. Mrs. Keating guided all of Peter's career choices, from attending college to joining a firm and marrying his employer's daughter. Osugi Honiden, Matahachi's adoptive mother wanted him to be a worthy heir of the Honiden name. One of these men falls into disgrace, whereas the other accepts his failings and aspires to be better. Their maternal support is critical to their character arcs.

From the very beginning, Peter and Matahachi are pushed towards divergent endings. Peter mother frequently dismissed Keating's actual desires in favor of fulfilling a shallow version of success. This is epitomized in Keating's rejection of Katie, his true love. One day, a panicked Katie goes to Peter's home and asks to marry him the next day. He agrees, but his mother dissuades him from doing so. Instead, she advises him to marry Dominique Francon, his employer's daughter. Peter ultimately follows his mother's wishes rather than his own. This desperation to live up to his mother's standards drive him to ghastly measures. He frightens his firm's partner into dying of a stroke. Keating also plagiarizes his rival's designs. Despite owing his success to his rival, Peter still resents him Reaching all the hallmarks of traditional success leaves Keating tormented; he knows that he can credit himself for none of it.

By contrast, Osugi supports Matahachi's goal of becoming a skilled swordsman. In her eyes, this ambition makes him a better heir. However, Matahachi doesn't have the discipline to develop his sword skills. His indiscipline leads him to make the same mistakes as Keating. He cheats on his fiancee Otsu and wounds her deeply. Matahachi pretends to be the renowned swordsman Sasaki Kojiro. Admiration also sours into envy for Matahachi. He also resents his friend Musashi for becoming a better swordsman and taking his ex-fiancee.

It's Osugi's support, however, that guides Matahachi on a better path. Before her death, Osugi reveals that she knew about his failings but loved him anyways. She even compares him to Musashi positively. Even though Musashi's single-minded focus is admirable, Osugi believes that Matahachi wandering before finding his path is still beautiful. This validation and love is what gives Matahachi the strength to accept himself and his mistakes. This is the start of his redemption arc. Keating, however, never receives this same love. His mother recognizes that her constant meddling led to Peter's current misery; however, she never openly states that she accepts him for who he is.

Princess Charlotte-Damsel to the Rescue

Remember how Princess Charlotte informed the Band of the Hawk of Griffith's location and helped them sneak in? Causality is a spiral. I would not be surprised if she plays the same role again, this time helping Guts' band rescue Casca from her imprisonment.

I think that Charlotte will find out where Casca is being kept when Griffith transforms into the Moonlight Child. Griffith most likely has measures to make sure his identity as the Moonlight Child stays hidden. However, the Moonlight Child is very playful. When he appears on Elfhelm, he engages with Guts' band and the inhabitants of the island. He'll likely try to interact with other people around the castle. In fact, Charlotte even stated that she wanted to open an orphanage. If she sees the Moonlight Child wandering around the castle, she might confuse him for an orphan. The Moonlight Child would escape from Charlotte's grasp and run to his mother, leading the princess to Casca.

Mind you, that earlier paragraph veered off into fanfiction. I'm not sure exactly how Casca and Guts' third reunion will go down, but it'll be satisfying to see if Charlotte plays a role in it.

Growing up is realizing that

Calvin and his dad were pretty much the same person.

Both Calvin and his father enjoy nature. Calvin relishes death-defying wagon rides and contemplating philosophy outdoors. His father, however, enjoys biking early in the morning and drags his family to go on camping trips.

They also enjoy teasing their loved ones. Calvin constantly freaks out and pranks Susie Derkins, his crush. Calvin's dad is no better. Whenever Calvin asks his dad about a topic, like time zones, his father will tease him by lying about the actual answer. Calvin then compares his mother's answer to his father's, most likely forcing his mother to clear up the misconception.

Jaime Lannister's life is a series of good intentions leading him closer to hell. He saves King's Landing from wildfire? He suffers condemnation. He innocently congratulates Robb Stark on his upcoming marriage? Now he's suddenly implicated in the Frey's betrayal. He can't win!

the beast's silver tongue

Johan's and Lotte's first meetings with Karl Schumacher were meant to contrast. Lotte has to search Karl's mother to retrieve info about her. By contrast, Johan appears so trustworthy and amiable that Karl reveals his past without much prodding.