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Post by grinningcat on Feb 11, 2013 9:48:57 GMT
Calling it now. The Court, as in the physical/spiritual/whatever entity that is Gunnerkrigg Court actually, literally, chose Smitty.
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heranje
Full Member
Oh super wow!
Posts: 175
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Post by heranje on Feb 11, 2013 9:52:44 GMT
I'm wondering how Coyote is going to react (you know, beyond "oho!")... on one hand, he probably wanted Annie as medium seeing how sympathetic she was to him and the Forest - but then, this is also the kind of tricky twist I think he'd rather enjoy.
New fan theory: Annie is expelled, then is "employed" by the Forest as THEIR medium.
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maximkat
Full Member
Look at my face, my face is amazing
Posts: 111
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Post by maximkat on Feb 11, 2013 10:05:48 GMT
Coyote, stop making faces!
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Post by cu on Feb 11, 2013 10:05:51 GMT
Coyote: "I won't allow fuzzy eyebrows anywhere near my forest. His emboring powers will make trees branches fall in neatly stacked firewood piles, birds will all sing in perfect unison and Annie's fingerprint will be erased from the moon. We strongly object to the Medium of Tedium."
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Post by artezzatrigger on Feb 11, 2013 10:11:01 GMT
Calling it now. The Court, as in the physical/spiritual/whatever entity that is Gunnerkrigg Court actually, literally, chose Smitty. ... ...That...makes a disturbing amount of sense.
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Post by eightyfour on Feb 11, 2013 10:13:08 GMT
New fan theory: Annie is expelled, then is "employed" by the Forest as THEIR medium. I've been secretly hoping this. Ysengrin is a terrible medium. ;D
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Post by rafk on Feb 11, 2013 10:17:41 GMT
I'm wondering how Coyote is going to react (you know, beyond "oho!")... on one hand, he probably wanted Annie as medium seeing how sympathetic she was to him and the Forest - but then, this is also the kind of tricky twist I think he'd rather enjoy. New fan theory: Annie is expelled, then is "employed" by the Forest as THEIR medium. Problem: Annie remembers her last visit to the forest just fine. Not only that, but it made her correctly suspicious of Coyote, not just Ysengrin. It's hard to see her putting herself in Coyote's power voluntarily. I suppose she would do it if it was her only chance to stay close to Kat, though. My insta-reaction was "they're going to expel Annie!" too, but it doesn't quite make sense to expel her. But punish her? Yeah, almost certainly. I think it's been apparent that she was going to pay a price for her attitude ever since she blew off Eggers' warning about the Court's unhappiness with her behaviour. What's really strange is that the headmaster waited to do this all in front of Coyote and Ysengrin and expose the lack of unity in the Court (or rather that he- and whoever else made the decision, IF anyone else was involved in the decision- is not unified with everyone else in the room). Incidentally, if the headmaster is going to metaphorically flip the bird to Jones in front of everyone, while obviously Jones doesn't have the emotional response a human would have to this, I also can't see Jones interpreting this as a sign that staying any longer at the Court will be worthwhile for her. Changes indeed.
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Post by Eversist on Feb 11, 2013 10:20:29 GMT
Incidentally, if the headmaster is going to metaphorically flip the bird to Jones in front of everyone, while obviously Jones doesn't have the emotional response a human would have to this, I also can't see Jones interpreting this as a sign that staying any longer at the Court will be worthwhile for her. Changes indeed. I don't think she'll particularly care that they didn't take her recommendation. Aside from being emotionless by nature, her position at the Court isn't out of any drive to dictate (so she says); she's just in an advisory role in exchange for "a place to return to if need be," or something like that.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2013 10:30:09 GMT
Calling it now. The Court, as in the physical/spiritual/whatever entity that is Gunnerkrigg Court actually, literally, chose Smitty. That's also an interesting idea. Especially as " The Court" as an entity doesn't appear to involve anyone actually gathered at this announcement shindig.
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Post by artezzatrigger on Feb 11, 2013 10:41:14 GMT
Calling it now. The Court, as in the physical/spiritual/whatever entity that is Gunnerkrigg Court actually, literally, chose Smitty. That's also an interesting idea. Especially as " The Court" as an entity doesn't appear to involve anyone actually gathered at this announcement shindig. It could also explain the headmaster's strange appearance. He could just be a puppet, being leeched off of.
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Kriselia
Junior Member
But she smells wonderful!
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Post by Kriselia on Feb 11, 2013 10:50:00 GMT
Oh no! Annie's expression! I can't watch D:
This is why you tell everyone the decision beforehand! The murmurs and obvious shock and speaking up from everyone's making the decision look completely crazy.
Considering the mini heart-to-heart they had earlier I'm betting this furthermore has to do with separating Annie and Renard. Might as well go all the way with the screw yous. I'm a little surprised by Jones speaking up tho...
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Post by Stately Buff-Cookie on Feb 11, 2013 10:52:04 GMT
I think the court sees her as a troublemaker, whereas Andrew's power is the exact opposite, increasing order, decreasing chaos. As I said last thread, the role of court medium seems more like a job as Coyote's Handler just as the Forest Medium is really more of a job as Coyote's attack dog. His power could be the exact reason he was picked. In the end, I think, Annie is just going to find out that not everything is about her. This could be a good thing in the long run.. if Annie can avoid a literal meltdown right now. but it looks like EVERYONE, not just Annie herself, was assuming she was going to be granted the position no matter what. Another possible reason she wasn't picked. The man himself might be asserting his position. Everyone assumed it was Annie, but since when did anyone else make the decisions around here?
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Post by Eversist on Feb 11, 2013 10:53:24 GMT
If that were to happen, Kriselia.... Do you think Annie would release Reynard if they tried to separate them, rather than give him a command to obey the Court people (probably what they would ask her to do)?
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GJD
New Member
Bigger than a breadbox
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Post by GJD on Feb 11, 2013 11:04:05 GMT
Hello all.
Oooh. First post ever. Exciting.
I actually think that Jones is the one showing a considerable degree of unprofessional behaviour here and the headmaster is just responding to her. The headmaster has just announced who the new medium is and Jones's first response is to question the choice because it's not who she recommended. Well, tough bananas, lady, you aren't headmaster.
I think that Eggers rescue of Annie, and the summer she spent in the forest have shown that she isn't impartial enough to be the Court's medium. The impression I get is the Medium has to be representing the Courts interests at all times, and Annie has shown that she is is more than willing to put what she thinks is right above the desires of the court. I'm not saying that's a BAD thing, but it's not what the court wants from a medium.
Of course, as a child, if they did make her medium, they'd have to be careful she didn't run off. Nobody wants a small medium at large.
G.
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Kriselia
Junior Member
But she smells wonderful!
Posts: 87
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Post by Kriselia on Feb 11, 2013 11:13:51 GMT
If that were to happen, Kriselia.... Do you think Annie would release Reynard if they tried to separate them, rather than give him a command to obey the Court people (probably what they would ask her to do)? She did seem to be willing to let him return to the forest back in www.gunnerkrigg.com/?p=848, but that was after her summer of weirdness. It would probably be a pretty permanent way to piss off the Court and get kicked out though...
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Post by todd on Feb 11, 2013 11:42:51 GMT
I don't know about expelling Annie, largely because of the potential problems for the story (unless Tom's ending it, and I don't think he'll be able to wrap up all the loose threads in this chapter). But disciplining her in some way seems possible; the Court's probably concluded that it's been far too lenient with her, and now that she's no longer a medium-in-training, it can finally discipline her properly.
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klatu
New Member
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Post by klatu on Feb 11, 2013 11:52:05 GMT
Everyone's been concentrating over the shock of the headmaster choosing smitty, and ignoring the other interesting thing here.
We've had a discussion on the pros and cons of who would be the most logical choice of medium, and even those who want Annie in the role seem to agree that Smitty is a more rational choice. Smitty is far more balanced, less excitable, etc.
How is it, then, that someone like Jones (who is supposedly neutral/impartial) could call Annie "the clear choice"?
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Post by Alexandragon on Feb 11, 2013 11:59:03 GMT
Poor Annie( Heh, looks like not the Court but headmaster made that choice....
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Post by lordvindarten on Feb 11, 2013 12:26:01 GMT
Everyone's been concentrating over the shock of the headmaster choosing smitty, and ignoring the other interesting thing here. We've had a discussion on the pros and cons of who would be the most logical choice of medium, and even those who want Annie in the role seem to agree that Smitty is a more rational choice. Smitty is far more balanced, less excitable, etc. How is it, then, that someone like Jones (who is supposedly neutral/impartial) could call Annie "the clear choice"? Because she is the clear choice? She has loved ones on both sides of the river, is experienced in dealing with both Coyote and Ysengrim, has spent time amongst the forest creatures, and is actually well-regarded by them. Sure, she has had some slip-ups, but then she is the only one of the candidates to interact with the forest at all, Parley and Smitty have only really been in the same room as Coyote. All of twice. Smitty is only the more "rational" choice if we assume the Court isn't interested in impartiality, but in having someone in their pocket. They don't want a mediator, they want a spy who will only work for their benefit, which Annie obviously wouldn't do. And really, we haven't seen Smitty under any emotional stress, who's to say he'll be able to deal with Ysengrim's open hostility or Coyote's insanity? Annie has at least gotten used to the crazy and knows what to expect, so I'd say Jones' choice is pretty reasonable. Also, I can't imagine Annie getting expelled or reprimanded here, unless she does something stupid. I would hope the Court isn't so callous as to belittle a child in an assembly like that. Although this posturing by the headmaster does seem a little odd, didn't Jones say it was the animals who like baring their teeth?
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Trism
Full Member
Blink and you'll miss it.
Posts: 125
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Post by Trism on Feb 11, 2013 12:26:06 GMT
Hello all. Of course, as a child, if they did make her medium, they'd have to be careful she didn't run off. Nobody wants a small medium at large. G. BOOOOOO
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Post by TBeholder on Feb 11, 2013 12:53:13 GMT
I'm actually a little afraid now that the next order of business is expelling her. Ah. As she previously pointed out - expelling to... where? I'd imagine if they punish her (or publicly reprimand her), it's only going to backfire somehow, or she will rebel further. Rather obviously. On the next page Eglamore is going to look worried. i don't even think andrew wants to be it? just his reaction This "isn't right"... furthermore, Andrew clearly remembers the previous visit enough to suddenly have second thoughts about really becoming the guy whose job description is "to entertain Coyote and 'Grin whenever they choose to drop in", too. And here we all thought Smitface just had some nice time with Parley in a small friendly company. As I said last thread, the role of court medium seems more like a job as Coyote's Handler just as the Forest Medium is really more of a job as Coyote's attack dog. His power could be the exact reason he was picked. Aye. It was also said in the previous thread that Coyote most likely would either take it as a personal challenge to drive Smitface cackling crazy or simply fail to see what else he could do about it. And he's a god, after all. Nobody wants a small medium at large. A'ight, well, now we wanna hurt youse. ;D
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klatu
New Member
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Post by klatu on Feb 11, 2013 12:54:26 GMT
Because she is the clear choice? Except that discussion here seems to agree that Smitty is a more impartial choice. So for someone who professes to be impartial, Annie cannot be the clear choice. Points for Annie, true. Are we certain of that? We haven't seen it in comic, no, but... Annie is unpredictable, which is a serious impediment for what is essentially a diplomatic position. Smitty has shown that he is quite a stable influence (on Parley, if nowhere else.) Also, I'd suggest that while Annie has friends in the court, she has quite a low opinion of the court itself (Jeanne and Diego, the ether stations etc.) Jones would be well acquainted with her unpredictability, and wouldn't be blind to Annie's seeming preference for the Forest over the Court. Like she knew what to expect from her most recent visit to the Forest? Coyote keeps surprising her, and Ysengrin, well... is Ysengrin. But Annie can't seem to see the problems with both of them... Again, that's a bad trait for someone in a liaison position.
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Post by Eversist on Feb 11, 2013 13:10:27 GMT
Do you guys think that Smitty could potentially turn down the position?
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Post by telekia on Feb 11, 2013 13:19:23 GMT
He probably can't, or he would. He knows he isn't suited to BE the Medium. But it doesn't seem like the Headmaster cares for neutrality any more...
Stability is the Court's aspect. Its always been evident that the forest prefers chaos to order.
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Post by karesh on Feb 11, 2013 13:40:04 GMT
Annie's been looking at her life through the lens of eventually being the medium. Basically everything she's been doing is preparation for that role. I bet she even blew off schoolwork by assuming she just wouldn't need what the school teaches once she became medium.
Still though, it kind of seems to me the emotion she's showing here is at least partially out of embarrassment, Annie has a lot of pride, and here she's just kind of made a fool out of herself in front of a large crowd of people.
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Post by csj on Feb 11, 2013 13:41:00 GMT
The Court is making its decision based on self-interest. Not only is Andrew a diametrical opposite (and potentially, a nullifying force) to Coyote and the Forest in general, but they would have also considered Annie to be 'compromised' by her closer attachment to the 'forest'; thus, preventing her from reliably acting in the court's interests. Does this have a historical precedent? We don't know. That said, Surma's manipulation of Reynard was clearly carried out to further the Court's agenda, and we have yet to see examples of Mediums rebuffing the interests of the Court. Look at Coyote's face. That isn't a broad smile he's wearing. But, while his plans to influence Annie (clearly presuming she would be appointed as other have) have failed, the potential disquiet and disunity within the Court that might result from a continuation of current policies should see opportunities cropping up for the Forest. Methinks what happens next will relate either to Jones or Coyote directly, though - if the court REALLY sees Annie as a threat to its ultimate objectives, then they may attempt to control her movements; particularly any attempts to enter the forest - regardless of Coyote's wishes. Reminds me of a previous chapter....
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Post by legion on Feb 11, 2013 14:03:47 GMT
This page is a little less exactly as funny as the previous page.
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Post by Eversist on Feb 11, 2013 14:04:35 GMT
I bet she even blew off schoolwork by assuming she just wouldn't need what the school teaches once she became medium. I dunno, I kinda got the impression that Surma kept up with school while she was medium (just because of the closeness in age of when Tom showed Surma with Kat's mother at the warehouse, and how old Surma was when fraternizing with Reynardine). If anything, she was just older in general than Annie. I don't think being Medium would get her out of schoolwork... just maybe the occasional class until graduation. Dunno, just speculating.
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Post by 0o0f on Feb 11, 2013 14:13:31 GMT
Aww, Annie don't cry. Although I guess it's better than your anger flaring up. I also wonder how surprised Coyote really is, considering the happenings in chapter 39. Edit: Also, I think it's interesting how Surma didn't seem to like the Court much at first, but she was still working for their interest when she became medium. Of course, we have only seen so much of Surma's time at Gunnerkrigg Court, so there was a lot of room for change there.
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Post by ravenswd on Feb 11, 2013 14:45:10 GMT
I think that this proves that Jones does, in spite of what she says, have emotions. If she didn't, she wouldn't care.
I still think Coyote is up to something.
I *really* think that announcing the new medium in front of guests was a bad idea.
And I still think that the headmaster is actually a zombie.
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