A much darker and angrier Rodrik
This as much a headcanon as it is a theory or speculation.
Did anyone else notice that if Rodrik survives Episode 5 that he seems much more angry and aggressive in Episode 6? So many dialogue options are enraged reactions:
- "Turn your Grief to Rage!"
- "You Fucking Animal!"
- "Fuck you All!"
Rodrik had his angry moments in previous episodes but not really to this level. Asher always seemed the angry character to me. It's like Asher's death was the last straw for Rodrik and almost like Asher projected his rage onto Rodrik when he died. Granted Asher can get really angry but not really on Rodrik's level. Take the scene where it seems Asher/Rodrik is about to die and you choose their last words. Asher's dialogue options are all meaningful except for one humorous option. Whereas Rodrik can straight up shout at them. Personally I love this side of Rodrik, and find it really compelling.
Do you agree? Does Rodrik show a darker and angrier side after episode 5? And how do you feel about this side of Rodrik?
Comments
Yes, I noticed it. And as a die-hard Rodrik fan... I love it. Largely because aggro-Rodrik is best Rodrik IMO, you know, the Rodrik who refuses to kiss Ludd's ring, stands up to Gryff, but then is just an utter cinnamon roll to the likes of Talia and Elaena. However, those quotes are nothing compared to what my Rodrik said in Episode 6 though (which is exactly the kind of thing I wanted him to say, right before he said it...)
"ASHER IS DEAD! MURDERED! BUT MARK MY WORDS, WE WILL AVENGE HIM! TONIGHT, ANY MAN, WOMEN OR CHILD BEARING THE NAME WHITEHILL, WILL PAY THE PRICE FOR HIS DEATH!"
I also showed zero tolerance to the Pit Fighters when they started acting up. "You try anything, and I'll kill you all myself!" and then [Draw Sword] "I WILL HAVE ORDER... OR I WILL HAVE HEADS!"
And that disposition was before they took Ironrath and Elaena and killed Lady Forrester. I can only imagine his attitude in Season 2. I've always found it funny that Asher is considered the "angry" one, or the "brutal" one, when, really, Rodrik is. That is by no means a good thing, I don't mean to add it to his credit. It just is what it is.
Asher kills Ludd with posion. Asher kills Gryff with a stab to the heart.
Rodrik kills Ludd by stabbing him in the gut, then slicing his head off. He also stabs Gryff in the gut, except afterwards he stabs him again in the throat, right before ripping his head off with his hands. He can also mutilate Gryff's face to the extent Lady Forrester has to literally pull him away. My point being, Rodrik can be a pretty dark and violent SOB. Arguably the most of all the Forresters.
And seeing that worsen to huge degrees in Season 2 is something I'm both excited and afraid to see next season. But whatever the case, being able to play a part in how Rodrik acts and develops in the wake of the events of The Ice Dragon will be very, very interesting. And yes, I do think Rodrik gets slightly darker and angrier with each episode. But thankfully, I don't' see him going the trajectory of, say Kenny. (Who is actually my third fave Walking Dead character, who I stayed with in the end just an FYI)
He still has his emotions in check, and with the likes of Talia and (for me) Sentinel-Royland, I'm sure he can keep it together. But I do expect him to become much more ruthless, reckless, and bloodthirsty for however long he continues to live (Which hopefully is a very long time!)
Edit: In the end, though, anyone who's been through what Rodrik has, either has to become a hot-tempered and violent force of nature... or a raving madman. Thankfully, he's the former.
When I first heard Rodrik say that first quote, so badass yet so dark. I love the dark Rodrik and I'm really intrigued to see how he can go in season 2.
"I will have Order or I will have heads."
"I'm the last Lord standing!"
"The North Remembers!"
Such a badass.
Yep, definitely agree. I would love to see Rodrik go berserk like he does on Gryff (if you choose to go after him) at least one more time throughout Season 2, but then I'd love him to get some loooooooooooooooooooong overdue "peace" as well.
Considering how much abuse, humiliation, a personal betrayal from someone he trusted and the death of his brother, I think Rodrik's fury and angry personality in Episode 6 is very justified. But it is very interesting how Rodrik comes off as more violent and wrathful than Asher who more or less took after Malcom. But maybe it is because that Asher didn't suffer all the abuse and humiliation as Rodrik did. It leaves a lot of room for more development for Rodrik if we continue to play him in Season 2. I might play him much more darker, ruthless and pragmatic.
But he still hasn't gone all dark yet, he still show his softer side toward his loved ones and friends in Episode 6. So in my head canon, no matter how dark he becomes in Season 2, my Rodrik will never lose his love toward his remaining family who is now his only driving force.
Definitely. I always roleplay games like these as my characters, so considering how much trauma he's been through, it would seem very realistic to me that he changes into a more violent and angry person.
rodrik is the cooliest. i had to save him. asher is funnier tho. im still so torn on that decision. TTG why.