Can Be Read As Platonic Too If You Want I Don't Mind - Blog Posts

Had an extremely random thought about Filbrick Pines that escalated way too quickly and i wanted to share. Also this is extremely scrambled writing so i apologize if i sound confusing

TW: canonical and implied child abuse

Ever since his first appearance in Dreamscapers, it’s clear that even after everything he endured from the man, Stan extremely respects him (even when he sounds uncomfortable when Ford compares him to their father at the “you look like dad”). Considering they were children in 1950, gender roles dictated that the men were “the owners of the house”, “the breadwinners” aka the main order and assertiveness of the house. Seeing that Ford was more “favoured” over his intelligence, no wonder Stan constantly tried to reach his father’s approval (Stan seems to have a very close bond with his mother, but that was what women were “expected" to do with their children, and both of them clearly suffered from the want of trying to fit in society’s standards in the year - especially with their father’s and peers pressure).

x

If we only watch the show we only get some snippets of their parents and how they act, but we still think that the decision of him disowning Stan and kicking him out was excessive (especially considering he was just 17 and didn’t even finish highschool). But if we read Lost Legends and “thisisnotawebsite.com” we get a broader vision of their childhood and-

x x

Look at this shit.

He always seemed to have a dislike towards Stan ever since he was born, calling him “Extra-Stan”, “screwup”, “riding in his brother’s coattail” and making him take the blame without even hearing out first (which in this case, is true, but still). Considering it was only in 1958 that ultrasounds managed to visualize better the pregnancy and the thought of “one more mouth to feed” (which is actually ironic, considering that in the 50s, middle class families could - surprisingly - afford a lot of things and that was when the inflation was minimal and workers wages were rising). But if we look at it at a religious point, twins can be seen as a form of good or bad luck; or in some cases, embody the dualistic nature between good and evil.

Which when you compare it to the main teachings of Judaism (from what i researched, please tell me if it's wrong and I'll immediately edit/delete this part) is that: 

“Judaism values children and childhood as perhaps the most pure form of being created in God's image” and “Parents who hit their younger children risk injuring them both physically and emotionally, and injuring a child is forbidden by Jewish law. Doing so also constitutes an offense against common decency” – x

“Parents teach their children by setting a worthy example of commitment to family, community, and to the sacred tradition of Judaism for them to follow in their own lives.” - x

Ofc there might’ve been some elements that might have made him “raise his hand” or “be tougher to his children” (which is a really bad excuse from abusive parents). The thing is that, when Stan and Ford give him back his golden watch, when Ford gets an opportunity to go to West Coast Tech, when Stan starts defending himself; he genuinely looks fond of them, impressed and even slightly “happy” for them in his own way. Which just makes this situation even worse. It’s common in dysfunctional homes for a parent to verbally/physically hurt their children then claim to love them; either as a form of gaslighting, control or the fact that they genuinely think that they’re helping you (it isn't. It really isn’t. Cut these people off immediately when you can). The worst thing is that you can have “good moments” with your abuser, which might make you think that it isn’t “that serious”. Especially in the age of the 1900s and in-between, the amount of legal issues and cases that were easily dismissed because of the conservative upbringing only helped these types of behaviour and abuse to not be taken as seriously as it should - especially when it came from the so-called “community man”.

However, that brings up the question of his past. Considering he was in his forties in 1960s (according to the wiki) he was probably born between 1920s and 1930s (and holy shit the cases of child neglect because it wasn’t seen as a “real concern”, and when they started making law for this they were usually ignored or not able to reach them. And the rise of feminism too!). He would’ve been born right after WW1, it would explain why he’s so obsessed with money (postwar America suffered from the loss of money and resources) and why he acts the way he does (generational trauma or the “children copy their parents” thing).

AND THAT FINALLY BRINGS ME TO THE MAIN QUESTION OF WHAT SPIRALLED ALL OF THIS. 

Did Filbrick treat Stan that way because he reminds him of himself??

Think about it. Unfortunately, I didn't find the study that said it, but some parents tend to favour other children or the “better twin” in this case, because their/the other child reminds them too much of themselves and their worst parts. Some relatives even want you to repeat their actions just so you can suffer the same life as them - steaming from jealousy and envy at your “freedom”. Imagine little Stanley, with chubby freckled cheeks, reaching his father’s midtigh, who is so curious and adventurous about the world, who loved drawing and reading comics, showing off his tooth gap when he smiled. Imagine that as Filbrick - before whatever happened to him, or the way he was raised, or he’s just the fucking bastard that he is.

Imagine him being a twin, too. Holy shit, either as a younger or older brother. Either being compared to his older brother who was the same as Ford, or getting distant from his sibling because of their different treatment, or his parents doing what he did to Stan to their siblings and thinking that this was “normal”. It brings so many questions to his character. With this in mind, it would make sense why he’s so “”””hard and tough””” on Stan (not that Ford escaped the abuse, maybe not physical, but definitely the pressure of trying to keep their father calm or doing well for the family; and perhaps the slightest hint of being responsible for his brother at a young age as he was the most “mature” out of them). It brings such another layer to their relationship.

And for my fellow Stancest enjoyers (i did not forget any of you!), i feel like him having a twin would make the situation so, so much worse. Him seeing his sons being as close as he was to his siblings on their childhood, him trying to slowly separate them, constantly dismissive of Stan because of how similar they are, only listening to Ford when it was worth it or necessary because he also reminds him of his other half, hating any kind of affection between them because “they’re men” and “what would people think” (the same words someone once said to him), how they need to be more independent, reminiscing and resenting every single moment he spent with his twin or outright blocking him from his family and/or memory, imagine if his twin was kicked out of their house because of their relationship? Or what if it was him that got disowned from their family? Him taking all the brunt of their family’s abuse and how “it’s for your own good”. The amount of scenarios this could cause and bring, if anything, he would’ve been so much harsher to them. Not only would they suffer their father’s wrath, they would suffer social prejudice and be a permanent stain to their family. (I apologize for the few scenarios, or else this would get too long.)

The more i think about this man the more I disliked him, if he had or not a bad childhood, he is an adult. Yes, you can sympathize with his (extremely hypothetical past that i created) childhood - especially with the time he was born, it was shit dude - but your actions after are yours and yours alone. It doesn’t excuse how you act in the present. You don’t get to be an asshole or let your past define you (of course, healing isn’t an easy path and not everyone is able to do therapy, but i think you’ll get what i’m trying to say here). Much less with your own children, you might have been a child once, but so were they; and they’ll live with the same pain you suffered and that you now inflicted on them. THAT is your fault and your responsibility alone.

And that’s what makes Stan and Ford growth on the series so satisfying to watch, the both of them clearly care for the kids and for each other, and now that they’re on the Stan’o’War there’s going to be so much learning from each other, getting close again, there’s going to be healing. They chose to do good by the people around them, and that’s so nice to see them letting go of their insecurities and the internalized hurt caused from their past.