Diving deep into the depths. (Now say that five times fast.)
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:43 pm
Okay, so. I've been re-listening to different episodes of the relaunch over the past few days and I've concluded that...
There isn't really much to our current characters, is there?
I mean, we get episodes centered around characters every album. Yet, they are centered around characters we know hardly anything about! We know near to nothing about their families, backgrounds, hardships--Anything!
We know about the Parkers most, and we can pretty much have a main idea about their lives. Same goes for the Jones family--We have a pretty good idea about them now. How Emily and Matthew struggle to both find and be themselves with their family and friends.
But what about others? What about Nelson and Valerie Swanson? What makes Nelson so jumpy, or Valerie so angry and mean? What about Ryan [Jim] Cummings? Will we ever get to see his backstory, as presented in the Kidsboro books, set to life in Odyssey? And how about Priscilla? I recall at least once, perhaps twice, where she spoke of her mother. Yet, no father? Very interesting.
This is the topic where you all may create and speculate upon characters and their back stories. Give them depth from the depths of your own imagination. Only you can decide.
Here is part one of my ideas for character stories:
The Swansons: When Nelson was only four, and Valerie only six, their mother left them, stating she no longer wanted the responsibility of being a parent or wife. Just taking off, leaving Val and Nelson alone with their father, to continue hurting.
The two children didn't understand, and for the rest of their lives, they always felt like it was their fault. They felt eyes staring them down like hawks to their prey. Judging. Misunderstanding. Hating.
People made fun of them both, calling them burdens and other insulting nicks' for years. Nelson, being the soft-hearted, sensitive boy he is, took each insult like another load to carry.
And carry he did. He'd carry he did. He'd carry it all until he'd trip and fall, and then he'd fall apart.
Valerie, on the other hand, took it in anger. Her mother didn't want her, so she didn't want her mother. She even grew hatred toward her, and others. Though deep down, she was afraid. Afraid of getting hurt, afraid of betrayal. She could hardly handle it once, much less a second time.
She could and would play rough-ian or poison princess to make sure she wouldn't get hurt. People were scared of her, even her own brother.
Really, she knows that none of her 'friends' are friends at all. And maybe, that's what gets her to act so poorly still.
All she wants--and needs--is a real friend. Perhaps Jay is as close as she can get? Who knows.
Nelson, not being able to confide in his sister, or anyone really, took to quietly making his way through life. His studies were his friends, and he was okay with that. Well, as okay as anyone would be.
He took to tinkering, and the like, working on small projects from clocks to mechanical pencils. (Yes, I did just make a Matthew reference) At one point while tinkering with a broken stapler, a boy just a year or two older than him approached him about it.
Nelson was scared, as always his first reaction, and awaited the insults. However, instead, this boy (who had introduced himself as Ryan Cummings) only pulled up a chair and watched Nelson work.
Eventually, he spoke up, suggesting something that might have been wrong with the stapler. Together they then started on what was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.
As it turns out, Ryan had recently moved there after fleeing with his mother from his abusive father.
While not exactly the same story, they both sort of understood each other. They'd both been hurt by a parent, by people, and they didn't have anyone else, really. Except God, as Ryan had said. Nelson didn't really know about God... He didn't exactly want to, either. If there really was a God, why did He let his mom leave and other kids hate him?
Ryan made that his personal goal though. He wanted his friend to believe, even when it felt like everyone and thing was against him. He wanted him to know that there was Someone on his side. Two someones.
Even though their friendship, and Ryan's faith, was tested, (I.E. Kidsboro) the friendship remained strong over time. Eventually it lead to creating a club for their favorite thing (and friendship starter): Tinkering. Which, of course, we all know what happens with that later. Pete, who they had befriended from Kidsboro (although they already knew him some from school) joined, and later, Matthew.
Nelson is still on edge about some things (he was always a rather scared kid), although he's gotten better about people. Quite brave, even in Kidsboro.
Valerie, on the other hand, while mellowing her physical violence over the past few years, still has yet to truly befriend anyone. Although she has her popular status, and doesn't let anyone walk all over her.
And that is something I think could end up a really great back story to give some depth to Nelson and Valerie. No one becomes that mean, or that sensitive on their own. Things probe it. Prod it. Make it real. And I think it could bring in some great discussion, if handled properly.
Stay tuned for my head canon update on Priscilla Peterson later this week. Where I discuss how her dad was killed over seas (a soldier), she befriended Berrett, and more. (I sound like a news anchor or something. -_-)
In the meantime, feel free to discuss this, actual canon storie. and even create your own now. I'll try to keep being active in this discussion, depending on school and stuff. \
So, anyways, as PF would say, let's talk it up!
There isn't really much to our current characters, is there?
I mean, we get episodes centered around characters every album. Yet, they are centered around characters we know hardly anything about! We know near to nothing about their families, backgrounds, hardships--Anything!
We know about the Parkers most, and we can pretty much have a main idea about their lives. Same goes for the Jones family--We have a pretty good idea about them now. How Emily and Matthew struggle to both find and be themselves with their family and friends.
But what about others? What about Nelson and Valerie Swanson? What makes Nelson so jumpy, or Valerie so angry and mean? What about Ryan [Jim] Cummings? Will we ever get to see his backstory, as presented in the Kidsboro books, set to life in Odyssey? And how about Priscilla? I recall at least once, perhaps twice, where she spoke of her mother. Yet, no father? Very interesting.
This is the topic where you all may create and speculate upon characters and their back stories. Give them depth from the depths of your own imagination. Only you can decide.
Here is part one of my ideas for character stories:
The Swansons: When Nelson was only four, and Valerie only six, their mother left them, stating she no longer wanted the responsibility of being a parent or wife. Just taking off, leaving Val and Nelson alone with their father, to continue hurting.
The two children didn't understand, and for the rest of their lives, they always felt like it was their fault. They felt eyes staring them down like hawks to their prey. Judging. Misunderstanding. Hating.
People made fun of them both, calling them burdens and other insulting nicks' for years. Nelson, being the soft-hearted, sensitive boy he is, took each insult like another load to carry.
And carry he did. He'd carry he did. He'd carry it all until he'd trip and fall, and then he'd fall apart.
Valerie, on the other hand, took it in anger. Her mother didn't want her, so she didn't want her mother. She even grew hatred toward her, and others. Though deep down, she was afraid. Afraid of getting hurt, afraid of betrayal. She could hardly handle it once, much less a second time.
She could and would play rough-ian or poison princess to make sure she wouldn't get hurt. People were scared of her, even her own brother.
Really, she knows that none of her 'friends' are friends at all. And maybe, that's what gets her to act so poorly still.
All she wants--and needs--is a real friend. Perhaps Jay is as close as she can get? Who knows.
Nelson, not being able to confide in his sister, or anyone really, took to quietly making his way through life. His studies were his friends, and he was okay with that. Well, as okay as anyone would be.
He took to tinkering, and the like, working on small projects from clocks to mechanical pencils. (Yes, I did just make a Matthew reference) At one point while tinkering with a broken stapler, a boy just a year or two older than him approached him about it.
Nelson was scared, as always his first reaction, and awaited the insults. However, instead, this boy (who had introduced himself as Ryan Cummings) only pulled up a chair and watched Nelson work.
Eventually, he spoke up, suggesting something that might have been wrong with the stapler. Together they then started on what was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.
As it turns out, Ryan had recently moved there after fleeing with his mother from his abusive father.
While not exactly the same story, they both sort of understood each other. They'd both been hurt by a parent, by people, and they didn't have anyone else, really. Except God, as Ryan had said. Nelson didn't really know about God... He didn't exactly want to, either. If there really was a God, why did He let his mom leave and other kids hate him?
Ryan made that his personal goal though. He wanted his friend to believe, even when it felt like everyone and thing was against him. He wanted him to know that there was Someone on his side. Two someones.
Even though their friendship, and Ryan's faith, was tested, (I.E. Kidsboro) the friendship remained strong over time. Eventually it lead to creating a club for their favorite thing (and friendship starter): Tinkering. Which, of course, we all know what happens with that later. Pete, who they had befriended from Kidsboro (although they already knew him some from school) joined, and later, Matthew.
Nelson is still on edge about some things (he was always a rather scared kid), although he's gotten better about people. Quite brave, even in Kidsboro.
Valerie, on the other hand, while mellowing her physical violence over the past few years, still has yet to truly befriend anyone. Although she has her popular status, and doesn't let anyone walk all over her.
And that is something I think could end up a really great back story to give some depth to Nelson and Valerie. No one becomes that mean, or that sensitive on their own. Things probe it. Prod it. Make it real. And I think it could bring in some great discussion, if handled properly.
Stay tuned for my head canon update on Priscilla Peterson later this week. Where I discuss how her dad was killed over seas (a soldier), she befriended Berrett, and more. (I sound like a news anchor or something. -_-)
In the meantime, feel free to discuss this, actual canon storie. and even create your own now. I'll try to keep being active in this discussion, depending on school and stuff. \
So, anyways, as PF would say, let's talk it up!
) 
I would really, really love to see some character development along these lines for the Swansons. It's not a secret that I have disliked Valerie's character in the past, and I think that some background information and concentration on her story would help a lot, as opposed to her being a random antagonist.
Plus that was a lot to take in at once. plus I sometimes forget who people are, an I can't remember quite evrything about the swanson's that"s all. 
Anyway good job at what you came up with like always!