Red vs Blue: S17:E4 - Breaching the Torus

[cinaed]

I’m a First member, but I’m going to be posting my reactions a week behind to avoid spoilers. So here are my thoughts on the fourth episode of the season after a second rewatch!

• Wash is so unimpressed by Chrovos and I love it. He's not standing around for another melodramatic speech, he's had enough of them after Temple.
• And then Wash just jumps right into time and instantly regrets all of his life choices.
• I am living for this relationship, and of COURSE the memory they both think of is where Wash shoots Donut.
• Everything about them repeating this memory is pure gold. Simmons' confusion! The whole exchange of "Lopez was an evil robot." "Yeah, I know he was the worst, but that doesn't--" was just such classic early season dialogue. Sheer perfection. The Meta in the background just accepting Wash went off-book and is apparently doing something different.
• "I admire your commitment to time travel." "Thanks."
• Ugh, this conversation with the Reds and Blues where Wash and Donut try to convince them about Chrovos, Donut giving up because no one will listen, and fucking Genkins gaslighting Wash, and Wash snapping at Carolina, uuuuugh. It's such a good scene.
• Also I understand why Wash feels betrayed, but also I just keep thinking about how many times Carolina probably tried to tell him about his memory issues. How many times did she tell him, and he got upset, and then he forgot? How many times they have to go through the same terrible experience, only for him to forget and start talking about his cat Loki? Like, I have family with dementia, and it's hard. When they ask where a dead family member is, you don't tell them that person's dead, you tell them they're not here right now, because they'll be upset, and then forget, and it's just undue suffering. Again, not that Wash's hurt and anger isn't understandable, but I definitely also understand Carolina's choices too.
• Poor confused Kimball.
• Also Grif really wants to help Donut and Wash. Please let him believe them first.
• So many good lines in this episode. "Donut, when I want some crudely made innuendo, I'll ask for it."
• Man, I love Donut so much this season. He's just so honest and trying to help everyone, and he clearly cares a lot about Wash and Carolina. But he also is determined to save the timeline. "I need you to focus. Can you do that for me?"
• Wash is a little into scary mad Donut, just saying.
• "Sorry about that." "Eh, what's a donut without a hole in it?" Seriously. Amazing dialogue.
• Oh right, I'd forgotten that Donut and Wash don't know all the shit that Genkins has been doing.
• Poor Simmons. He's so confused. As is the Meta.
• "Wash, I could kiss you!" Please....someone write this ship for me.
• Wash is really good at figuring this deja vu out.
• RECOVERY ONE RECOVERY ONE. This is gonna be so sad, I cannot wait to watch the next episode.

Comments

[hokuton_punch]

Wash is So Done with melodrama, haha. ... which is kind of rich considering him in seasons 7 and 8. XD

I LOVED all the repetitions of that scene, they were just - all so good. Wash and Donut teaming up this season was not something I saw coming, but I'm happy to get it!

GENKINS IS THE FUCKING WORST ALL THE TIME, but that scene was just - holy shit, it made me so mad! And I was so glad to see Carolina again (FINALLY), but it hurt that she went along with Genkins so readily on that. D: And your point about Carolina struggling to tell him in season 16 ALSO hurts. EVERYTHING HURTS, I WANT TO HUG BOTH OF THEM. ;o;

If Grif is the first to believe, I'm going to be SO HAPPY.

I would definitely read fic about Wash being into scary Donut, I'm just saying. :D THAT WAS GREAT. Everything about their dynamic on this universe-saving memory trip is so good!!

[cinaed]

Wash and Donut getting along is so good. And I love how they're respecting each other and learning about each other.

I can never tell if they're hopping directly to their own direct past, or if sometimes they're hopping into Genkins-altered timelines, but if it's the latter I bet you anything that Genkins has been undermining all the relationships every chance he gets, planning something nasty for Carolina later on with Epsilon. (Honestly probably setting it up so everyone dies in that last fight against Hargrove.)

I expect fandom to give me Wash/Donut! And Sarge/Wash! Come on, fandom!

[hokuton_punch]

It is so nice to see Donut getting some respect and serious/badass moments. ♥ LONG OVERDUE.

I - can't tell either, because this time travel plot is made of handwave and confusion. D: But if it's the latter - oh, no. ;o; THAT WOULD SUCK SO MUCH.

PLEASE, FANDOM. Do it!!

[anneapocalypse]

That is a very salient point about the difficulties of dementia and trying to do what's best for the person, and it really does put Carolina's choices in a more understandable light.