So I’ve Just Seen Goncharov
So I’ve just seen Goncharov
And it was amazing, a true masterpiece. I’ve been looking at all the lovely meta people have posted on tumblr, and while some people have noted the fish metaphors, I’ve yet to find any detailed explanations for these.
Here I come, folks.
Across the movie we can select 3 important moments where fishes have a specific meaning, and all of them are associated with Katya :
the anchovies scene
that moment when Katya feed the goldfishes in Goncharov’s study
the scene when Goncharov is looking for his watch in the study, and where the fishbowl is pushed around
But what do they mean ?? Well, let me reframe the question : what kind of fishes are we really looking at ?
In the anchovies’ case, it’s all about food, how you consume it, and with whom. Anchovies were at first, like many overhyped delicacies, poor people’s food. Too small to be of use for noble families, and filled up with tiny bones (truly a pain in the ass to remove) : only the common people used to catch and eat them (mostly fermented, to add some proteins to simple meals).
Now, what does it tell us about our main characters ? Well, in that scene, Gonchariv and Katya (as mentioned by him) are pro anchovies. They are, like these small fishes, low born people full of sharp edges, and now seen as symbols of a new luxurious life-style.
In the fishbowl’s case, you’ll surely tell me “you dumbass it’s the goldfish scene, she’s feeding goldfishes ! Who cares ?” well my friend, it is you who’s a dumb of ass. If you had looked at them closely, you would have realized 2 things :
1. there are indeed two goldfishes in the first scene ;
2. the fishes in the second one have actually been replaced by Siamese fighting fish ;
For those who don’t know much about fishes, let me tell you a couple of things : goldfishes are not supposed to be kept in a small bowl, it’s very detrimental for their health to be kept in such a dire environment ! Wild goldfishes are actually quite big and have a lifespan averaging about 10-15 years !! Some can reach 30 years !!
What does it tell us about Katya ? Simple : like the fish, she’s kept in a toxic environment designed to utterly destroy her, and where she’s expected to be a pretty commodity to look at.
“Wait ! What about the fighting fish ?” you’ll undoubtedly recall. Indeed my friend, indeed…these fishes are very well named, since it’s quite common to witness siamese fish fighting each other. Actually, if you ever want to keep a couple of these beauties at home, it’s advised to keep them in separate tanks, to avoid any fights.
What’s told to us here, with this simple fish swapping, is that Katya went from being a cute dying goldfish, kept small by the world around her, to a feisty and dangerous warrior, ready to take down her own mate to control the pond.
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This is definitely how CR season 3 will ends. I’m calling it.
---
[zzaap]
“Oh hi Schatz ! You’re back early !”
“The moon is haunted.”
“What ?”
“The moon is haunted, Caleb.”
---
To all the people who asked what was written on Caleb’s book :
“Kryn courting : so you’ve decided to date a drow, what to expect in a relationship”
But who’s that charming fellow who flirted with Professor Widogast last night ?
part 2 : https://anne-o-nyme.tumblr.com/post/658691088147709952/to-all-the-people-who-had-this-brilliant-idea
The poor kid would suffer so much during summer vacations at auntie Jester and uncle Fjord’s house in Nicodranas-
but listen: shadowgast children, with a drow and a ginger for parents, that’s going to require levels of SPF magic the world has not seen before
!! please send me the link once it’s finished, op !!
I don’t know if anyone else had this idea before (…probably) but I would LOVE to see a fic about Essek’s fake burial.
Listen, picture Verin, heartbroken, very confused about these outsiders who showed up unannounced at his brother’s funerals, claiming to be his friends (”Essek do not have friends !”), and insisting on helping him empty out his tower.
First stage : polite confusion
Second stage : passive aggressive doubts from Verin
Third stage : Verin is convinced these people are huge liars and are trying to loot his dead brother’s precious belongings.
Final stage : Verin starts throwing stuff at the Mighty Nein. Chaos ensues. They end up teleporting with Verin in the Clay’s kitchen in front of a very surprised Essek, in his lounging clothes, busy drinking tea and drawing hearts around Caleb’s name in his spell book.
Essek just wanted to get some of his stuff back.
“I can almost touch them, Caleb !”
Hey….cursed thought but…do Long Essek see shrimp colors ??
YES ! That was amazing op !!!
Hi fellow shadowgast lover ! I need your take on this : what if ann older, distinguished and grizzled Essek (like, around 500 years old or something) was sent back in time against his will / to stop some nefarious threat, and met a young Caleb ? Obviously he wouldn't want to alter the timeline, but the temptation to protect his beloved from all the pain he will go through ? The drama ? What would be Caleb's reaction to meeting a powerful Kryn wizard ? Critical Role fandom, I need your wisdom.
I was going to have a cohesive response but my brain IMMEDIATELY went on “Essek gets back to the time Caleb was in the Sanatorium, disguises himself and he’s actually the one that breaks him free of the Feeblemind” (I know it’s not confirmed but I’ve always thought that the whole sanatorium business was Caleb being Feebleminded - it’s basically impossible breaking free of a Feeblemind after it takes hold without some sort of external help)and I’m… I’m having feelings about Essek seeing Caleb again after centuries but not being able to do anything about it I’m–Maybe he protected him, from a distance, in the years before Caleb met Nott. Essek is determined and focused enough to know he cannot afford to mess up the timeline, but watching over him isn’t that, right?
Caleb being the Gordon Ramsey of the Soltryce Academy, where he is very soft and gentle with his younger students who are just starting out, but getting into knock down drag out fights with other professors and older students over obscure details and ethical quandaries.
Essek has a 400′s life crisis and goes back on the road with a party of young adventurers. He, of course, brings Caleb with him.
all credits for this amazing idea goes back to the great @flappingduster-scribbles
related to this post, where the Mighty Nein organise Essek’s fake funerals
https://anne-o-nyme.tumblr.com/post/659298258508726272/anne-o-nyme-i-dont-know-if-anyone-else-had
The Funeral
Essek’s death had to be believable. It was paramount to his ability to remain connected to the Mighty Nein (even if disguises would be necessary) for he did not wish to put them in continued danger with his presence but they were at risk as long as the Dynasty’s gaze remained fixed on hunting him down. So it was that the Mighty Nein were soon happily planning a great scheme of theatrics, sending messages back and forth, and ultimately coming together in the Blooming Grove for a family meeting on the matter. Kingsley had stalwartly refused to support the usurping of his position as “handsome, ‘you should be dead’ purple man” of the group so he remained upon the Nein Heroez, getting further acquainted with crew. Jester was drawing out plans while the others offered their contributions.
“Should we throw him a funeral too?” Yasha asked.
Veth immediately interjected, excited to stir the pot, “Oh I see, so when you thought all of us might be dead, you couldn’t be bothered, but when Essek dies you’re happy to throw a funeral. I get it. I see where we all stand.”
Yasha’s brows knit together in confusion.
“No Veth… I mean you were the one who taught me funerals were important… I thought.”
Veth immediately softened at the gentle giant’s sincerity and placed an arm on her forearm.
“Okay. As long as you’ve learned your lesson.” she said softly to assure Yasha she was not mad but still stalwartly refusing to give up the bit. The rest of the Mighty Nein were holding back laughter.
“You know it’s not a bad idea,” Fjord added “it would make it more believable if we’re seen to be, like, visibly grieving. Do the Kryn have funerals, Essek?” Essek snapped to attention, upon hearing his name. He had been rather distracted admiring the way the breeze was blowing through Caleb’s long, ginger hair. It felt oddly intimate to see someone with their hair flowing free for the wind to play with, no styling whatsoever, but then, Essek supposed that was simply a marker of his upbringing in a culture where no one would ever be willing to appear disheveled in the slightest. He attempted to recall what had been said but it was no use.
“My apologies, what was that?”
Beau rolled her eyes.
“Oh god. He’s absolutely useless lately. Hey! Lovesick weirdo! We are trying to make a plan to save your life so you might want to tune in.” Beau knocked on his head as if checking to make sure it wasn’t hollow. Essek, though his expressive ears seemed to pull back in embarrassment, turned to her with the blankest of expressions, practiced from many years of maintaining composure for the sole purpose of annoying a younger sibling.
“I apologize, I was busy theorizing about what may have happened in the dynasty during my absence and while attempting to unravel the incredibly complex web of political intricacies, I happened to miss what was said.” his scathing tone didn’t have the slightest effect on Beau.
“Yo guys, new nickname for Caleb: political intricacies.”
The Mighty Nein exploded into laughter, chortling at the quip.
Read More on Ao3
I don't know if anyone else had this idea before (...probably) but I would LOVE to see a fic about Essek's fake burial.
Listen, picture Verin, heartbroken, very confused about these outsiders who showed up unannounced at his brother's funerals, claiming to be his friends (”Essek do not have friends !”), and insisting on helping him empty out his tower.
First stage : polite confusion
Second stage : passive aggressive doubts from Verin
Third stage : Verin is convinced these people are huge liars and are trying to loot his dead brother’s precious belongings.
Final stage : Verin starts throwing stuff at the Mighty Nein. Chaos ensues. They end up teleporting with Verin in the Clay’s kitchen in front of a very surprised Essek, in his lounging clothes, busy drinking tea and drawing hearts around Caleb’s name in his spell book.
Essek just wanted to get some of his stuff back.
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