contains potential spoilers!
by:
frontstreet 
122
122
17.06.2021
5 comments
frontstreet[OP]
17.06.2021 14:06
LinkHey ****ers it's me Leroy and it's time for me to write a literal essay as to why Control has literally the best characters and story I've ever seen let's go
Okay, so first off we have:
Narrative.
The story is told mostly through Edmund's eyes, but even though Edmund is an interesting protagonist all on his own, it's how he grows and reacts to people around him over the events of the story that make him great.
He has chemistry with literally every character, whether good or bad, and this makes him such an easy read. He's easily sympathizable, funny, and goes through a genuine arc of learning to understand, to recover and forgive.
But in an overall sense, the story is in no way complex or oversimplified, it's a perfect blend of "set in front of you to see" and "think about this more".
The chapters flow together seamlessly, and the motives and world building makes such perfect sense it's insane.
frontstreet[OP]
17.06.2021 14:06
LinkControl is just such a captivating read when you get into it, and now it's time for my favorite part:
Holy **** The Characters
And the award for best introduction of an antagonist goes to....Salad can we talk about salad please please pl
SALAD OKAY
lemme just say that every character in this story is a foil to another. Gianna and Jesse are Edmund's foils, Jackal and Edmund are Salad's, Salad is Gianna's.
Every character is an uplifter or an obstacle to another, and That is what makes Control so ****ing good
Also, the establishment of "There is no true villian" is ****ing INCREDIBLE.
Salad is instantly laid out for us early on, her character is almost perfectly captured just from her introduction.
frontstreet[OP]
17.06.2021 14:08
LinkNot to mention, Gianna is very clearly established as a threat. A little on her own, but what really makes her scary is her ability to control others (pun intended). People practically fall at her feet, not to mention it's a little frightening when a 15 foot long dragon with almost 300 pounds of sheer muscle to her name just rolls over if Gianna needs a stepstool.
Both of these characters are very well written, again, because of the character foil elements. Salad can't achieve her goals without Gianna, and Gianna uses Salad as a means to an end. But as expressed later in the story, Salad is also a semblance of humanity for Gianna, and Gianna becomes Salad's driving motive. Probably my second favorite relationship in the entire story, aside from (here we go)
frontstreet[OP]
17.06.2021 14:21
LinkJesse and Edmund
Yes these two get their own segment because they're that good
The reason why Edmund and Jesse are my favorite relationship is because of how you see it. It's this angsty, hurt and abandoned man who can barely keep himself alive and this child, a child, who brings out the best in him every single time. They're Edmund's reflection of everything lost and yet to gain, a past self imposed in his life to serve as a reminder.
As such, the subtle need to protect Jesse from this entire mess is both stated outright and implied throughout, which also is connected to Edmund's struggles with the concept of fathers. His was terrible, but he also serves as father figure, but he also has no basis for comparison to work with.
Comment removed
frontstreet[OP]
17.06.2021 14:21
LinkNot to mention from Jesse's perspective, they're naive, yes, but very intuative and intelligent. They really try their best to help everyone and see the good in people. You'd think that gets in the way of Edmund's "I must push everyone away" mindset, right? nope he doesnt listen and uh oh!!!!!you lost the only human being who showed you love without condition.
I could go more into detail but I've mostly said everything I wanted to.
Control is such an incredible display of character refraction and reflection, character arcs and the idea of three dimensional personalities.
Please go read it @saladteeth bc I literally spent days coming up with this analysis