Ah, I already gave my thoughts about the S4 and what could happen to them here and here, but I think you can forget the evil psychopaths idea since…
… all that they did during the current arc was in order to atone for their previous crimes and that’s not what psychopaths do.
Also, small rectification but Greenhill is scary when he loses his temper, that’s why he should seek therapy if he still behaves like that (I doubt it though, they’re naive but they’re not trying to excuse what they did, so it’s a start). The others simply joined in, after initially being dumbfounded, because deep inside they felt the same, but they didn’t look nearly as angry as Greenhill did 😉
So personally I don’t see it like that when it comes to the S4, but we will see!
Hey Anon! Ah, well, I don’t agree but you’re free to have your own opinion on this subject 🙂
Personally I don’t find the S4 to be that different from when they were in Weston, the only difference being that in Weston they were figures of authority and as such held a position of power, while now they’re more humble, because they’re helping Bravat in order to atone for the sins they’ve committed at Weston.
They’re full of good intention, no one can deny that, except that they’re too naive, but still, I think it’s amazing how their friendship survived through all of this.
Besides this arc makes it clear that it’s not about them but about wanting to be useful, so I find that this is a giant step forward in their characterization, even if they still don’t realize they’re pawns in someone else’s game.
That being said, you might be unhappy that Yana “bent their personalities”, but I personally never liked the one trope-one characterization thing (I mean the P4 were the biggest stereotypical characters of the whole cast so far) and I’m glad that they’re now a more homogeneous group, while still having their differences, because they’re still linked tightly even despite everything that happened.
I know it’s not a popular opinion but I like this arc even if the pace is super slow, just like I liked the Weston arc and I’m happy that the S4 are a part of it, even if it seems like it’s a redo of the Weston arc because they’re in the opposite side again.
As I was saying though, it’s just my opinion and I’m sorry if this feels like a cheap arc and cheap writing to you Maybe the next chapters will change your mind? I hope so in any case.
Have a nice day Anon!
Hey Anon!
Ah, I agree, they’re not bad characters per see even if they did commit a murder but they’re just really naive and that’s why they ended up making the wrong choice every time ever since the death of Arden. I pity them for just not realizing that they ended up making the exact same mistake as last time when they honestly wanted to atone for their crimes by bringing joy to others…
That’s why I think they’re tragic characters even if they might not be the most developed characters of the story. As for Violet, well… he definitely knows more than the others…
but the choice he made to just say nothing to the others is because he thinks his friends are happier not knowing the truth and he probably holds his friendship to them very dearly…
And besides, let’s be honest, I’m not so sure that if any of them intended to run away, Bravat would go “yeah sure ✮”, so there is that to consider as well.
Violet probably didn’t tell his friends because he wanted them to stay happy and because there was no way to escape Bravat and the Sphere music hall anyway, since Bravat knows exactly why they need to atone for their crimes.
As for Ciel’s plan, yeah I think that no matter the means (in our case, the Phantom Five), the same end was necessary to expose the Sphere music hall…
…because they became too popular so only something big with proof to make people acknowledge the truth would have worked. So what they needed was to catch anyone from the Sphere music hall handling a fresh corpse and for that, well, they needed at least one more death.
It’s just… very in character for Ciel in my opinion, even if people might call him awful for that.
I hope that answers your question Anon! Thanks for passing by and have a nice day/evening 🙂
Hey Anon! Ah, well, I don’t agree but you’re free to have your own opinion on this subject 🙂
Personally I don’t find the S4 to be that different from when they were in Weston, the only difference being that in Weston they were figures of authority and as such held a position of power, while now they’re more humble, because they’re helping Bravat in order to atone for the sins they’ve committed at Weston.
They’re full of good intention, no one can deny that, except that they’re too naive, but still, I think it’s amazing how their friendship survived through all of this.
Besides this arc makes it clear that it’s not about them but about wanting to be useful, so I find that this is a giant step forward in their characterization, even if they still don’t realize they’re pawns in someone else’s game.
That being said, you might be unhappy that Yana “bent their personalities”, but I personally never liked the one trope-one characterization thing (I mean the P4 were the biggest stereotypical characters of the whole cast so far) and I’m glad that they’re now a more homogeneous group, while still having their differences, because they’re still linked tightly even despite everything that happened.
I know it’s not a popular opinion but I like this arc even if the pace is super slow, just like I liked the Weston arc and I’m happy that the S4 are a part of it, even if it seems like it’s a redo of the Weston arc because they’re in the opposite side again.
As I was saying though, it’s just my opinion and I’m sorry if this feels like a cheap arc and cheap writing to you Maybe the next chapters will change your mind? I hope so in any case.
I’ve been wondering about our poor F5. Sebastian really had no need to tell the two thugs that they were ignorant of his and Ciel’s true goal in using them. He was speaking more to the reader than anything, which, for me, sort of takes the reader out of the story for a moment, if you know what I mean. It feels like something we could have been shown by their reactions as the news got to them.
Anyway, now we ask the question: what will the F5 do once they see the front pages of the newspaper with the shocking story revealed by Sebastian and his photographer friend? Unless they live under a rock, they are bound to see it.
At the moment, Edward is the cleverest of the group. He is also the most informed about the nature of the cult, and his motive for performing was already steeped in the dark dealings of Ciel and Sebastian and Bravat. He, out of the five, should therefore be the first to realise that their performances in some way contributed to the dead bodies piling up. Or is this perhaps too much of a stretch?
We never hear exactly what Sebastian tells the other F5 members when recruiting them, but judging by their (comparatively) trite responses that in no way reflect the true gravity of the situation – a kidnapping at this point, as I don’t think that Sebastian had found the bodies yet, etc. – it can be safe to assume that Sebastian kept quiet. He most likely did so to ensure that he would get enthusiastic performances from the four (Soma included) without the added pressure of knowing lives were on the line disturbing it. Perhaps it also would make them easier to manipulate.
But now the news is out – linking the music hall with covering up murders and so on – this is an ideal moment, I think, to test the F5 (especially Cheslock, Clayton, Soma and Joanne) and hopefully reveal sides to them we have not yet seen. Perhaps their responses to Sebastian masked deeper intentions, or their previously trite motives will be transformed into more noble, meaningful determination to aid Ciel and co. against Bravat and the S4.
Thoughts?
I think it’s a great post, I just wanted to add something…
At least they know that the S4 are in a bind, similar to what happened last time, but as Seb said, they didn’t know the plan using them was to decrease the blood collect, so… I don’t know, them knowing that murders could be involved isn’t that far-fetched.
At the same time, Edward and Soma aside, they’re really not of Ciel’s world in the slightest so between what Ciel implied and what he said… As readers we know he meant the S4 were involved with the murders (even if just indirectly) but Clayton, Cheslock and Harcourt at the very least maybe didn’t pick up on the hint (after all Clayton said “I don’t want to see our former prefects fall even lower” but like, they already did, even if they’re not the ones who directly killed people).
In any case, I’m really happy about the next chapter, I really want to know how the S4, Bravat and the P5 will react to all of this. xD
Bugger, forgot about that panel there! So Sebastian definitely informed them that the S4 were bad news for other people at least. It certainly sounds like they’re being made aware of a situation more about brainwashing idiots. If ‘endangered’ is anything to go by. I’d be willing to bet, like you, that at least Cheslock, Clayton and Harcourt are unaware of the true severity of the situation.
(Wait, does Edward know about the dead bodies turning up? As far as I remember he only knows his sister has been kidnapped and held in Sphere Music Hall. I suppose Ciel could have told him about the deaths off-screen – or off-panel – but…).
One other thing that puts me in doubt that they’re aware of the severity of the danger is Soma’s expression in that panel. Would you really have a cocky smile on your face when being reminded of your mission – a mission involving people dying?
Perhaps I’m wrong and Soma is just the sort of person to smile brazenly in the face of this sort of thing. Still a bit weird though. Like, dude, people are dying here. Not the time to be smirking!
Speaking of Clayton, I’m as surprised by his motive now as I was when the chapter came out. Why would he care about the former P4, the murderers, the liars, the mentors who saddled their successors with the burden of the awful truth they had tried – and ultimately succeeded – to cover up. The natural response would be either Cheslock’s “Yeah let’s kick off their fucking high horses, bastards!” or “Fuck ‘em, let them disgrace themselves. No skin off my nose!”.
Clayton doesn’t even seem like the sort to be that emotionally invested in the former P4 – again, especially given the legacy they left … and the scars – to the extent that he would take time out of school and jeopardise his education for them. Haven’t they fucked up his life enough?
By trying to save the S4 from… well, from themselves, frankly, and from forces neither Clayton or anybody else in the Funtom group truly understands, Clayton stands to lose his education, his own reputation, and even his own life when things hit the fan. Of course, it’s extremely unlikely he’s aware of the last one, but he would certainly know his education and reputation would be on the line.
In summation – Clayton has far more to gain by staying at Weston and ignoring the whole S4 fiasco. So why isn’t he?
I suppose the same question can really be applied to the other F5 members (except Soma and Edward). Goddamn, Yana’d better give us some character depth and exploration of these boys soon!!!
@erebus-cheslock
This isn’t much of an answer but I’d say that yes, Ed might be aware of bodies showing up…
[…]
…although I doubt Ciel told him about his plan to use the P5 in order to decrease the blood collect and thus create more bodies (’cause even for Lizzie’s sake, I’d have a hard time seeing Edward okay-ing this plan).
As for Clayton, well, when you think about it, they’re all endangering their studies in order to be a part of this, even if it’s for different reasons. Maybe Clayton really was close to Bluer? Or it’s about the school’s reputation?
I’d like some answers and development as well, so I hope we’ll get some in the next chapters 🙂
Hey Anon! Hm, it’s kinda hard to answer, because Lizzie >>>>>>> everyone else in Edward’s mind and one could argue that it’s because of Greenhill in the first place that Lizzie ended up meeting with Bravat and leaving home (even if Greenhill probably had no idea that it was the plan)…
So… for all we know Edward might be pretty pissed at Greenhill and the others since he’s been worried sick for almost two months now and if there is a choice to make between Lizzie and basically anyone else, well, I’m pretty certain he’d pick Lizzie.
Besides, the only one who seems to be helping because they’re worried about the S4 is Clayton lol, Edward clearly became an idol because that was supposedly the plan to bring his sister back…
At the same time, Edward is a good guy and he was ready to forgive Greenhill this one time so… if the S4 somehow make themselves useful before the end of the arc by actually making the right choice for once (whatever that might mean in future chapters), then maybe Edward will be ready to forgive Greenhill once more. If Lizzie comes out of this mess unscathed of course.
The other possibility is that he’ll leave Lizzie to Ciel because he knows Ciel will do anything to bring her back and so I guess I could see him helping the S4 in that scenario?
I don’t know, I just really want Ed to have an actual role in the second part of the arc, as in, either he and Ciel will save Lizzie together or he’ll take care of the Lords supporting the Sphere music hall as his father’s heir, or… I don’t know but I want him to have a role that only he can fulfill. In my opinion as Ciel’s cousin he deserves to have a share of the spotlight, especially since he was basically there the whole time during this arc.
Besides, if somehow this arc will reveal things about the P family, I’d really like for Ed to be with Ciel since he’s also a Phantomhive by blood, even if he was raised to become his father’s heir.
Long story short, I want him to stay and appear until the end of the arc with an actual role and not remain a secondary character who will get out of the picture from the moment Ciel and Seb will face the villain.
Sorry, that might not really answer your question but since I’m not sure of what will happen to the S4 in the first place, I really don’t know if anyone will be able to save them or not.
Have a nice evening 🙂
I’m not entirely sure the P4/S4 even know Lizzie is there. They are never shown in the same scene….
You read my mind, I’m pretty sure the S4 don’t have any idea about Lizzie being in the sphere music hall, but that doesn’t mean Ed can’t be pissed of at them because he knows she’s in there. 🙂
Hey Anon! Hm, it’s kinda hard to answer, because Lizzie >>>>>>> everyone else in Edward’s mind and one could argue that it’s because of Greenhill in the first place that Lizzie ended up meeting with Bravat and leaving home (even if Greenhill probably had no idea that it was the plan)…
So… for all we know Edward might be pretty pissed at Greenhill and the others since he’s been worried sick for almost two months now and if there is a choice to make between Lizzie and basically anyone else, well, I’m pretty certain he’d pick Lizzie.
Besides, the only one who seems to be helping because they’re worried about the S4 is Clayton lol, Edward clearly became an idol because that was supposedly the plan to bring his sister back…
At the same time, Edward is a good guy and he was ready to forgive Greenhill this one time so… if the S4 somehow make themselves useful before the end of the arc by actually making the right choice for once (whatever that might mean in future chapters), then maybe Edward will be ready to forgive Greenhill once more. If Lizzie comes out of this mess unscathed of course.
The other possibility is that he’ll leave Lizzie to Ciel because he knows Ciel will do anything to bring her back and so I guess I could see him helping the S4 in that scenario?
I don’t know, I just really want Ed to have an actual role in the second part of the arc, as in, either he and Ciel will save Lizzie together or he’ll take care of the Lords supporting the Sphere music hall as his father’s heir, or… I don’t know but I want him to have a role that only he can fulfill. In my opinion as Ciel’s cousin he deserves to have a share of the spotlight, especially since he was basically there the whole time during this arc.
Besides, if somehow this arc will reveal things about the P family, I’d really like for Ed to be with Ciel since he’s also a Phantomhive by blood, even if he was raised to become his father’s heir.
Long story short, I want him to stay and appear until the end of the arc with an actual role and not remain a secondary character who will get out of the picture from the moment Ciel and Seb will face the villain.
Sorry, that might not really answer your question but since I’m not sure of what will happen to the S4 in the first place, I really don’t know if anyone will be able to save them or not.
This is a bit of prediction about what my happen in upcoming chapters.
In chapter 121, Violet collapses on stage. We see the bruising on his arm caused by the taking of his blood, and the rest of the S4 look shocked.
Now, there’s a question as to whether or not the rest of the S4 can accept the cause for Violet’s collapse. It would seem clear to most because of the bruising, but they are being heavily influenced by Bravat, who might offer a different explanation. In fact, I wouldn’t doubt if he does that or claims this is somehow divine.
Will the other S4 listen to Bravat and continue? I suspect Greenhill will simply because he seems to be the one to really think they have no where else to go.
Bluer seems also likely. Back at Weston, he seemed to think that it was perfectly reasonable for them to have committed murder to protect the traditions of the school. There’s no evidence to say he’s learned anything different. He’s still blindly following someone.
In fact, only Violet has ever seemed less involved in the cult than the others. If he survives and can act after this incident, he might be one to turn against Bravat and the Blue Sect.
There is one other factor, however, we might not want to overlook. The S4 have a common bond, which is their acts of the past. This unites them. For the most part, they are very different individuals and, because of the separation of houses at Weston, it is unlikely they would have been friends.
Except for Bluer and Redmond.
They do know each other outside of Weston, so that’s not their only bond. It’s possible that if either one wants to turn against Bravat or leave the Blue Sect, the other might support the idea or even help. This could mean a break up of the S4 with Greenhill standing by Bravat. Of course, this is all just prediction and supposition at this point.
Thoughts?
Honestly, they all stood besides Greenhill when he lost it during the Weston arc so I could see them being worried by Violet and doing anything for his recovery.
In fact, I think that as long as Bravat pretends to care, they won’t realize just in what kind of mess they threw themselves into and if Violet is (falsely) taken care of, they will keep on “shining” without him, believing in a recovery.
It’s if Bravat shows them his true colors and tell them just what kind of a mess they threw themselves into (attracting people to private parties for an experiment which could get them killed) that the situation might get out of control even for them, as they will crumble down and probably won’t know how to recover from the shock of it all.
….I’m rambling but it’s really in that second possibility that I could see Violet as the one binding them all together still, because he was never under the spell Bravat casted, because he knew just how things were behind the façade.
TL;DR: I agree Greenhill is the likeliest to maybe stand by Bravat if splitting there is, but for now I think they will remain together, because they’ve proved before that they were all in this together no matter what. …Especially since I bet they also still are close to their fags and the F5 won’t hesitate to try and make them reflect on all the bad decisions they took because they felt so guilty ever since the Weston arc.
Maybe the next chapters will change your mind? I hope so in any case. 
midnight-in-town 