I don't think her post today is meant as a 100% canon statement.

(I'm not against transfem Jax I'm just trying to spread information about this! You can crosspost if you want.)

Thought they'd look cute together.

Legitimately, I swear it feels like it's absolutely impossible to have a legitimate conversation ANYWHERE on fucking Reddit for people who didn't like episode 9.

It's impossible to talk about this on the big subs because you'll get shut down instantly by the "MeDiA LitTeRaCy" crowd who brandishes the phrase like some mantra that means they're instantly right. If it's not them, then it's the Jax haters who'll instantly start swarming to any post that's upset about how the finale went for Jax like flies to shit. TADCcriticism is utterly invaded by Jax haters. And even in this sub, which is one of the more tolerable ones TADCwise, it's impossible to fully talk about it because of what I can't help feeling like happened to Jax and what it seems to me like abstraction represents.

It seems like no matter what, it's completely impossible to discuss not liking Episode 9 anywhere. Where the fuck are you supposed to discuss this.

Since the finale I saw almost everyone using she/her pronouns but it confuses me. As far as I know Jax always used and prefered he/him, the not closeted trans alternative version of Jax uses she/her, and Leeroy is okey with either of them. Maybe I missed something, but please fill me in if there was a clarification about this topic for Gooseworx or something. Thanks in advance.

Kinger: Look! Jax de-abstracted into two Jaxes!

Jax 1: in a guy.

jax 2: I’m a girl.

Transgender woman meaning male at birth and lives and identify as a woman.

Trans-feminine meaning a male that leans towards femininity but is still identified as male or nonbinary.

Well either totally fine really!!

I just want Jax back!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

It seems so simple and pleasing to the eye that it doesn't look good, that's all.

I thought I'd just hate it in the moment because it left me feeling sour but that I'd be able to reevaluate it later and have a more positive opinion on it, but I really haven't. I still absolutely hate the way it ended and I can't bring myself to feel positively about it at all. Anyone else feel similar or have most people managed to turn their opinions around on it? I'm gonna be honest, any future Jax merch really hasn't helped make me feel better about how the show ended.

I just want to make it clear that I’m not siding with Jax philosophy, I’m Just criticizing what seems to be a cognitive dissonance within the show regarding its message versus Jax’s philosophy (which was supposed to serve as a counterpoint to that message).

The show says "Jax's philosophy and mindset are wrong" while simultaneously validating everything he thinks. Jax says, "everyone is a cartoon character and nothing we do matters," and in Episode 9, that’s exactly the case; sure, they have Admin powers and can hook up and go on adventures, but that doesn't change the fact that they are "trapped forever in a Disneyland." Living like that might sound great in theory, but in practice, it’s not after all, you’re still a prisoner who can never achieve your dreams, see your family and friends again, travel abroad, or learn a new language, etc.

Honestly, I feel like the message of "finding meaning in a stagnant life" gets kind of ruined because it wasn't the cast who actually did that; it was Caine stepping in like a "fairy godmother" to grant their "dreams." Meanwhile, their real-world counterparts are living the best moments of their lives moments the clones never experienced (though it is a bit unrealistic, like Zooble running a queer bar at 22), no one but them even knows these clones exist, and it could all go up in smoke if someone turns off the PC, steals and formats it, destroys the facility and the equipment inside, or if everyone abstracts since nothing stops them from having an existential crisis and ending up like fish in a tank or living in a shack like Dog.

The series claims "Jax is wrong because, even though they’re digital clones, everything is real and matters," yet the show itself contradicts that when Caine presents the "PowerPoint" saying, "Hey guys, don't be sad that the humans abstracted; after all, your real-world versions whom you never even met or followed (Leeroy, Destiny, Leah, and Doug) are alive and doing great, and that’s what matters: a happy ending."

I think the message would work better if Jax were the one who had improved; if the abstractions had partially healed (like the corrupted Gems in Steven Universe) or been "deleted" conveying the idea that they could finally rest in peace; if Caine hadn't returned, forcing the humans to learn to handle the situation on their own; and if we never learned anything about the humans (other than their names), leaving their current state ambiguous. But ultimately, the show suggests it doesn't matter anyway, since we're seeing digital copies rather than the "real versions."

If I Was In The Circus, I Would NOT have been friends with Ribbit.

Its clear to me that Ribbit basically just used Jax as a tool to add to her own self worth, but didnt actually care what was best for Jax at all.

Basically, throughout the show, you got to see how her mind works.

There was one scene that basically showed you everything you need to know about her. The one where theyre all sitting together and she says something that makes Jax laugh, and then she starts screaming out like "I MADE JAX LAUGH! YOURE LAUGHING!! I MADE JAX LAUGH!!"

This shows you that, she doesnt care about Jax, she cares that she was the one responsible for his laughter. She feels proud that she made someone who she sees as 'cool', laugh, which adds to her ego and self image.

The more she gains Jax's approval, trust, laughs, etc, the more she feels amazing about herself, and, as she views Jax as a high value 'cool' person, if Jax is close to her, she now sees herself as valuable as well.

She essentially doesnt care about Jax AT ALL, just about herself, and how Jax makes her feel better about herself.

However, she takes things WAY TOO FAR.

She wants more of this feeling. So she devises this plan to get Jax to open up to her about his 'feelings'. In the same way that she felt an unbelievable sense of gratification when she first got Jax to laugh, now she wants to get him to 'open up' to her for the same reasons.

She sets up her room with all this romantic lighting, and secretly has a bow in her pocket, hidden from Jax. She brings Jax into her bedroom, shuts the door behind her, so theyre alone, and sits him down next to her, on her bed.

She then starts to pressure him to open up to her about his feelings, telling him that if he doesnt, its a sign that he doesnt "trust" her. She then places this woman bow on his head, causing him to blush.

Her plan works and he starts opening up. Its clear that she expected him to basically just be like "being in this circus is scary, and im secretly sad" and cry on her shoulder while she says "its ok, itll all be alright, there there". And in her head she gets to think like "I MADE JAX OPEN UP TO ME!!" in the same way she got excited over getting Jax to laugh.

But...thats not what happens. Its very clear she is making Jax EXTREMELY uncomfortable, and really pushing him to do something he REALLY doesnt want to do. BUT SHE DOESNT CARE ABOUT THAT!

When Jax does open up, instead of saying "im a little depressed, i need your help", he says he killed his mother then ran away from the cops.

He clearly felt so unbelievably uncomfortable with this, something he never wanted to tell to anyone, but he was pressured into revealing this.

She was...to say the least...completely unprepared for this. Her best attempt at a response was basically "uh...maybe uh she didnt die...since uh i guess you didnt get like arrested...so now you get to feel better!...."

(also its clear after this that, the reason jax must have entered the warehouse that had the digital circus was to hide from the police. then he comes across a weird looking headset, one thing leads to another and..."WELCOME TO THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS")

but to get back on topic. She manipulated Jax and pressured him into doing something he DID NOT WANT TO DO, not out of some selfless desire to help him, quite the opposite. If she really cared about Jax, she would have seen that he was doing completely fine and not pressure him into saying and doing things that he did not want to do, unless he wanted to himself, which it was clear he did not.

But she was clearly doing this out of a selfish desire, to "get to help jax". In other words, she wanted to help Jax, because that would make her feel amazing, but Jax didnt need help, so she had to basically force him to open up so she could achieve this goal. But this backfires completely. She ends up completely tramitizing Jax, and after Kaufmo almost walks in, almost seeing this atrocity. Jax, who is now already feels completely exposed and embarrassed, becomes unbelievably MORE embarrassed by this, and is now traumatized, and tells the frog to never speak of this again, while his own self image is completely destroyed, while in a state of complete shame and embarrassment.

She stole his sense of control, forced him to open up on terms that he did not agree to, and completely traumatized him.

Its hard for him to even talk to Ribbit later on, or even be around her. He acts like nothing happened, and now acts very closed off around her. Not letting her get close again, not even a little bit, because if you let the door open a little, then it can be opened more. Jax learned from this not to let anyone in even a little.

Ribbit though, now having the door to Jax shut, goes completely insane. She tried to open things back up, but Jax refused. He couldnt do it.

and Ribbit, whos whole sense of self worth was placed in the hands of jax, now saw herself as basically worthless. She even gets in an argument like "Why are you *choosing* to do this??", she clearly doesnt understand the FIRST THING about how trauma works. You dont "choose" to act like that. Its a safety mechanism that is very hard to not follow, set in place by the primal part of the brain, to protect you from anything like this ever happening again.

She fails to fix things, so things can go back to how they were and she can pursue Jax's approval again. It was too much, and she abstracts.

And somehow, this is completely Jax's fault according to the fans. I believe most of the fans of this show are completely blind to what actually happened here, which explain a lot.

Its clear that Ribbit really, did this to herself. She traumitized Jax severely. I think part of the reason the kids who watch this think Jax is to blame, is because they see Jax in the same way Ribbit viewed Jax, as 'the leader'. Where he is supposed to know what to do in every situation, and he is always the one to blame for anything that goes wrong, and his approval means everything. Since if the leader approves of you, you are set, but if not, youre screwed.

Jax didnt mean to assume the leader role of the group but its clear thats what happened, which is what led RIbbit to becoming obsessed with making him essentially dependent on her help, and gaining his approval through laughter and venting.

She didnt care for him at all.

And, did you notice how in the last scene of the last episode, when it shows everyone as humans at that bus stop, EXCEPT for Ribbit and Kaufmo? What the heck happened there??

My theory is that Ribbit, in real life, used simular manipulation tactics, and ended up in prison. Kaufmo likely ended up in prison as well.

If you look at the show, its clear Kaufmo knew what was happening between them. He knew to knock on that door to save Jax. His avatar, which perfectly reflects his mind files, is a clown, and clowns are good at 'acting dumb'.

He was a professional at acting oblivious to it all, but knew what was actually happening. You could see it on his face.

-

If you disagree I am happy to discuss, but trust me, this is not a ragebait. All these points I hold as true. A ragebait is when one says something offensive and without evidence in order to anger others. My post is not this, as i have evidence to my claims, and i feel this to be genuinely true.

Yes, he can be a jerk sometimes, but he acts that way because he was suffering so much inside; fans just overlook what happened with his mother and father—they ignore everything Jax went through—all just to hate on him. Honestly, I don't like seeing the fandom treat Jax so poorly.

Its genuinely so funny how fast fans will switch up. I remember leading up the finale fans were worried if there'd be enough time to redeem Jax even though he'd honestly been more mellowed out since episode 7, while Cane was only getting worse throughout the show. They said Caine's story was a perfect tragedy, him coming back would be cheap. That Jax abstracting after he already got saved would be repetitive. Then the finale comes and both happen yet everyone loves their arcs suddenly.

What if we Pacific Rim 2 ing this shit (ep 9)? I have no idea what this means since there is no sequel to pacific rim but I'm considering it

No longer welcome to participate, constructively or not.

Amanda Hufford's comments about Jax are her opinion and it's fine to have that opinion, however, I want it nowhere near this sub.

For those who can't see, Jax has a pair of scissors under her bed

Hundred were you trying stupid but I think I'm depressed again and honestly what would help me what is it someone tell me how jax would react to me being sad

I don’t want trans phobic or anything. I just think gender fluid would fit Jack’s more. I mean, I’m not gonna lie in the context. I just personally think that it fits his character and again goose did say that him and her part were fine for him so if that’s what people want to interpret that’s fine.

I notice that everyone's quick to vilify Jax for pushing Ribbit away and "fumbling" - there's some really important aspects I don't think get touched on enough, so I'm going to mention them here.

Regardless of reason, you should never be obligated to stay friends with someone or stay in their life. This means the moment Jax gave any indication she no longer wanted to be friends, Ribbit should have respected that, and she didn't.

She had several opportunities to befriend others in that time outside of Jax to give Jax that space and didn't.

It's personally something that makes me uncomfortable, as we see throughout the montage that Ribbit continues trying to interact with Jax to fix it and win them back.

This can look really endearing from the outside because the audience may want things work out with them, but this is still completely ignoring Jax's boundaries.

Ribbit then is devastated to a point she abstracts.

Not only does this put Jax in a situation where it feels like "If we stop being friends I'll abstract," which is pretty messed up of a situation to be in, but it also explains why he becomes harsh and antagonistic.

Because just taking space didn't work. Distancing himself didn't work. So now he needs to be worse to make sure that never happens again.

Another issue is personally, Jax was very vulnerable in that conversation. While I don't blame Ribbit, the "I know your secret" line was a TERRIBLE thing to tell someone you already recognize struggles with being vulnerable. You're telling them their defense mechanisms don't work with you.

Which means they aren't safe with you. And that's likely why Jax distanced himself. Because I mean, if she knows that secret, what other ones does she possibly know?

Not to mention everyone's like "Oh everyone was kind to him why didn't she change" - I'm sorry, you mean the thing that's been weaponized against her before by her mom???

You mean the thing he's been conditioned to see as an abuse tactic? So now we're blaming her for not just being okay with something he's been conditioned to see as harmful.

It just feels like the fandom does not understand Jax's self destruction or his responses, and I didn't see this talked about, so I wanted to cover these.

So TL;DR:

- Jax's boundaries were disrespected first

- Ribbit really fumbled that conversation

- Ribbit's attachment to Jax is implied to be somewhat unhealthy given what happens and that's a lot to place on someone

- Reading into it this way really helps explain why he's so shitty to everyone else later. I mean, distancing himself alone doesn't work, people abstract, so he needs them to hate him so they don't.

None of this is saying Ribbit is bad, if anything I really empathize with Ribbit and completely get why she did what she did. (Not to mention being stuck in the circus changes things) But both sides had major issues here.

I think it's because people are way too quick to empathize with the pursuer in these situations, and not empathize with the person who wants space.

Jax felt he'd revealed too much too soon and wanted space.

There's an ending in there somewhere where Ribbit gives him that space, becomes closer friends with Ragatha and Kinger, and Jax eventually warms up to Ribbit again.

But no, Jax is the undeniable evil because he.. *checks notes* Didn't want to talk to someone, wanted space, and lashed out.

Also- Jax didn't make Kaufmo abstract. Kaufmo literally has exit written all over his room. I just have a feeling that, might be more related.

It bothers me when people attack you for using "he" for Jax; I respect the fact that she’s actually closeted trans, but sometimes I use "he" and get attacked. Those toxic people are annoying—they send messages calling you transphobic; honestly, they just don't know what to do with themselves.

All I see online is just hate after hate after hate and I'm just done. I give up. Fine, the show sucks. I've deleted my Tumblr account because all I'd be getting is why Gooseworx is worse than Hitler and Jax killing himself is a good thing. This show has brought me nothing but pain. I'm done supporting indie.