Tales from the Storm Discussion

[TinyRedLeaf]

I don't watch Game of Thrones, but I am not sure how being unable to separate an actors current role from his previous work relates to the lack of being shown Lyse's growth, or even why we needed Lyse to be Lyse, not Yda?

I drew the parallel because it seems to me that much of the criticism of Lyse stems from the feeling that there was not enough build-up to her moments in Stormblood, or that many felt the ret-con to turn her from Yda to Lyse was too sudden, and too arbitrary.

In other words, to me, there's a greater focus among her critics of who Lyse was, rather than who she's portrayed in the present moment; that's essentially the issue with the GoT episode I highlighted. Many viewers couldn't separate the fact of who the actor was, from the role he was playing at that particular point, in that particular present moment.

I concede that the way Yda was re-written into Lyse could have been done better. Or, for that matter, it may have made more sense to introduce an entirely new character, someone with a link to Yda's past. That could also have worked as a hook to tie Yda's character development with the larger story of revolution.

But, in any case, what's done is done, and Yda turned out to be Lyse. Once I got over that hump, though, I was no longer focused on it. Instead, I appreciated the ways she grew as a character throughout the story. But, again, this is a subjective opinion, and I accept that not everyone agrees that Lyse had sufficient "character development". I'll just agree to disagree.

I worry about building up one person as a symbol of hope. Bad idea.

I think this view misses the point. Lyse is of symbolic importance to the Resistance, but that was not the only quality that makes her a potential leader.

In Kugane, Lyse demonstrated she was still very much the "Yda" we've known all along: impulsive, reckless, all-action-before-thought. But underlining that was an over-riding concern for the safety of Gosetsu and Yugiri. She felt that the Scions had to at least investigate the namazu offer, even when everyone else smelled a rat, because if it were a trap, she was compelled to make sure that nothing untoward had happened to their Doman friends. This abiding loyalty to friends is very much the Yda we've known all along, and it's one of her most endearing qualities as a goofball.

The Ruby Sea chapter highlighted something else key to her development: We came to learn that Lyse was weighed down by the guilt of having dragged everyone into a war that they had no personal connection with. This was why she was so anxious about Alisaie, because she couldn't accept that one of her friends could be hurt on account of her limitations. Throughout the Far East chapters, there was, to me, a sense that Lyse was beating up herself inside for not being more like the WoL, someone who could apparently take on the troubles of the entire world and save the day.

This was an emotion that Alisaie, ever so perceptive, picked up. And it's not surprising that it was Alisaie who understood what Lyse was going through, because she too had recently undergone a journey of self-discovery, to accept that she alone couldn't save the world, despite her prodigious talent. That's why you'd notice that it was Alisaie who would constantly observe Lyse after the Ruby Sea, and offer moral support when required. She walked the same path, and could empathise with Lyse's inner turmoil.

And it was this inner conflict that led Lyse to eventually consult with Hien at the Azim Steppes: How was it that people could be so afraid to act, when she herself always felt the need to fight the oppression? What was she lacking, compared to Hien and the WoL, who could so easily spur others to action?

And Hien, bless him, gave surprisingly insightful advice: The sober understanding that people are ultimately pragmatic creatures, that no one would be willing to risk their lives if everyone else is content to cower and survive as best as they can. This was the belief that led Hien to offer either his head or his blade, depending on what the people wanted, the key principle that drove his action.

Those words were what convinced Lyse that, ultimately, she wasn't wrong. She had her convictions about the sheer injustice of oppression, alongside her personal desire to ensure that Papalymo and her sister Yda's sacrifices were not wasted. She had to believe in her own convictions, and trust that her actions would eventually persuade others to follow.

It's not hard to swept up by Hien's charisma and, of course, it's easy to see why a political novice like Lyse would seem so irritating compared to him. But Hien is a war veteran who barely survived a rebellion, and had already lived several years as a most-wanted fugitive. Lyse had not yet had the benefit of such development so, to me, it's highly unfair to criticise Lyse for her inadequacies at this point. To me, it was more important to note that she has, from this point on, resolved to forge ahead with her own convictions, which she believes to be just. And, more importantly, because her friends also believe her convictions to be true and sincere.

At no point in the story was Lyse arrogant or deluded about her abilities. She knew full well that she wasn't leadership material at this point, a concern that she brought up to the WoL at least twice after their return to Gyr Abania. But having been entrusted with the responsibility, she chose to step up to the plate. It helped that Raubahn himself noticed and understood her misgivings, and led her to his home village, where he too was once a hesistant footsoldier, another faceless digit in a larger war. Raubahn was right: It was good that Lyse knew her limitations, and that she would be a better leader because of it. But, at the same time, Raubahn knew it was important not to mope over one's perceived failings, and instead commit themselves to the cause, and trust that time and effort would eventually make them the better leaders that people want them to be.

That takes courage, and I wish more could see and appreciate this point. I've known many a person in real life whom I felt were potential leaders, but just didn't believe in themselves strongly enough to make the most important first step: To undertake the grave responsibility for others, and not just yourself.

So, you see, Lyse isn't just symbolic. If a symbol were all that's needed, anyone else in the Resistance could have sufficed.

Lyse is more than a symbol. She's someone who's learnt, through the journey of Stormblood, what it takes to be a leader at a time when everyone else just wants her to step down and turn away. She's someone who already has considerable fighting talent, and doesn't need to be vouchsafed as a warrior. And, most importantly, she's someone who's learnt not to be ashamed of her convictions. She's learnt to accept herself for who she is, and is no longer ashamed to give it her best shot.

So, that's how I viewed Lyse throughout the story, unburdened by the baggage that others seem to have saddled her with. I felt she was an effective character, empathised with her worries, and was inspired by her budding sense of justice. I stand by my view, but I accept that not everyone else will.

But I felt I needed to make this defence, because it's depressing to me that all the effort that went into creating her character seem to have met with nothing but derision and criticism. I felt that Oda and his team deserves to hear from at least one fan on the other side of the fence: To me, you guys did great with Lyse. There were certainly rough spots a plenty, but I felt the good outweighed the bad.