Shorter Wong Deserved Better

Rewatched Saltburn and I'm obsessed with Farleigh and Oliver's tutoring scene. The essay specifically. For those who don't remember: Oliver did his homework and all his assignments and genuinely gave a well thought out essay for their summer assignments. Farleigh shows up hungover and late and didn't even read the books. But the teacher immediately loves Farleigh and is chatting him up with an interest he barely tried to show Oliver. Even after Oliver gives his presentation and shows that he's clearly a much better student than Farleigh. Obviously this is the real start of their rivalry. But it's also such a beautiful look into their characters and how they mirror eachother. Farleigh understands Oliver's essay, I believe. But like the teacher he's bored by it. The knowledge and work is there, but the presentation of it is boring and strange. Academic and correct, but lacking the appeal to the audience. (Which, can we talk about the fact Farleigh was genuinely listening at all? The teacher zoned out and switched channels, but Farleigh was interested and paying enough attention to know the exact number of times Oliver used the word "thus" in his essay. They respect each other truly even if they despise eachother at this point, and refuse to acknowledge the grudging respect.) So Farleigh does what he does best, he gloats over Oliver. He picks apart the style of the essay and it's presentation rather than addressing the central argument or topic. This delights the teacher and frustrates Oliver who is like, "so you're going to critique the style of my essay rather than it's substance? Seems a bit lazy" and that's the core component of these two characters.

Farleigh is ALL about presentation. He knows how fragile his pedistal is placed up and in view for everyone to see. He's a charity project, just like every other rando of the month. Sure he has some familiar connection, and that's given him a leg up in this world. But it's still shakey at best. He always has to give the correct performance, say the right words, keep his audience on HIS side. Unless he wants to get knocked down with the rest of the common rabal that he knows he's belongs with, but can't stand the idea of. So yes, of course he picks apart the one thing he knows Oliver is failing at. He takes his one advantage over Oliver and uses it mercilessly to both entertain and secure his audience on his side. (I wonder if the positions had been different some how, if Farleigh would have had anything to say about the substance of the essay itself. He was paying attention to it, did he want to have a real academic conversation? Did he possibly want to try and connect to Oliver in that way? A real and non performative way with someone who's so similar to him?)

As for Oliver, obviously his character is intelligent. He does the readings. He does the research. He puts the time and effort in to *learn* in the way Farleigh never does. And it must infuriate him that his essay is so easily pushed to the side for a cheep critique that doesn't even address the central argument of his essay. Of course he would hate Farleigh from the start for that. It's such a quick negation of all that Oliver has to offer and give just because it's not wrapped up in a pretty bow. And that's just his character. The substance is there, the intelligence is there. But it's not enough. It will never be enough. Because Oliver doesn't know how to translate it to his audience in a way they'll care about. He learns and tries to mimic, but it always falls short because he just can't seem to figure out the way to blend in and present himself so seamlessly as Farleigh.

And that's why they're such perfect mirrors of each other. They're both intelligent and clever. But they've found different ways of getting what they want and proving themselves. Farleigh is the face and the presentation, Oliver is the substance and body. In another world imagine what these two could have done and been if they hadn't been pitted against each other for the same prize. And the fact Oliver definitely deliberately shoved Farleigh out at the perfect time so he wouldn't get hurt and killed? Oliver and Farleigh respect and admire the other. But their tragedy is they can never be on the same page or team because the world they're in says there is only room for one. And they'd both do anything to get that title.

Thank you @cryptically-cryptic-cryptid and everyone who got me to 50 reblogs!

Dabi: What's up, guys? I'm back. The Todorokis: . . . tf??? Enji: What the—how? We saw your jaw. Dabi: yeah, I miss that thing Fuyumi & Natsuo: YOU DIED! Dabi: **shrugs** death is a social construct.

"He cupped my face so gently, so caring. His touch one of a loving father.

He other hand came to atop my head, like he was patting me for a assurance.

Then it came.

The searing hot pain.

It burned and burned, a white hot burn. It was so intense, like the sun came down to Earth and visited me, touched me with it's flaming hand and painful touch.

Then...

Nothing.

Everything was black, and for a millisecond, I was scared, frightened. Begging for my mother's comfort.

Next thing I know, I woke up, numb with anesthesia.

I was confused, moment of pain that occured before momentarily forgotten. My hand came up to my head and brushed against cloth. The bandage, hiding and obscuring the burn that was surely there from view. Memories flashed before my eyes and tears welled up in my eyes.

Hours later, I was told the news regarding my banishment and the fool's errand that my father sent me on.

That was three years ago, I'm sixteen now.

I still don't know who was in the wrong."

I feel like Thatch and Marco would really be protective of Ace at first. Not everyone is pleased with the fact that the young troublemaker is joining the crew, and being all buddy-buddy with the commanders and pops at that. As much as some people are overjoyed, there’s also a lot of animosity, and they want to protect the young man from that.

But Ace truly has disarming personality - he seems clueless about positions and hierarchy, treating everyone with respect no matter how strong they are. He makes sure to remember everyone’s name as much as he can, no matter if they’re a commander or a kitchen aid. If you tell him something about yourself, no matter how offhandedly, he’ll keep it in mind. It’s kind of a survival instinct he’s developed without even being conscious of it - being nice and charming, so people won’t leave him behind, won’t hate him, won’t suspect his shameful lineage. If he’s out on a mission, he always brings back trinkets and hand them over with a « oh this made me think of you, thought you’d like it ».

It all seems so natural and good-natured that eventually even the most opposed members end up begrudgingly endeared to him.

Yeah! Youve touched upon one of my favourite Ace headcanons where he’s incredibly observant, very good at remembering personal details or things other people have mentioned or spoken to him about

Hes got that punk ass kid respect thing going on for him, hes brash and rowdy but he’s polite and respectful when he needs to be

Also !!!! Survival instinct a tactic that hes learned conscious unconsciously to help himself along because Makino was right a smile and a thanks is less likely gonna end in a fight

fear 🪡

I LOVE PAV SO MUCH IT DRIVES ME INSANE

pavitr my friend pavitr