I’m real intriged by this story. The characters are so believable, little Holly is so very into life, to fun and love and compassion. I can’t figure out what the captain is feeling.
Holly was an easy choice To take the captain to task But she is more — she is the voice Of the conscience inside Flask =|====/ Level Head Vote for Endtown 2.0 And for Doc Rat, too The Endtown Forum
The captain’s ambidextrous She often shoots left-handed And she has shown regrets to us For what her job demanded Flask has interesting sympathies We’ve seen her kill, stone cold And afterwards, no regrets — and she’s A warrior fierce and bold But when she killed an Endtowner And emotion was denied Why was it such a downer To kill the other side For that’s when she regretted Her conflict we could see She hates herself! To Mallard: “Aren’t you proud of me?” So she can kill her team (With human qualities) Though she let out a scream That killing came with ease The outburst that had followed The deaths of mole and horse Seemed not because she wallowed In even mild remorse But killing a Topsider Who fired at her first Brings self-hate from inside her Why was that death the worst? And now we see that “monsters” Cause that same anguished pain To her, they’re still Topsiders? Her self-derision’s plain And Holly’s accusation Just restates what Blackie knows She gives herself a ration Of self-hate, and it shows Her complication’s worsened By some long-prior jam:
Sometimes I’m not the person That I think I am… =|====/ Level Head Vote for Endtown 2.0 And for Doc Rat, too The Endtown Forum
Flask has never really struck me as a mutant who’s comfortable in her own (furry) skin. If she wasn’t so strong-willed, I think she might turn that disintegrator on herself. To run across someone—even a child—with an even more horrible mutation. . . I don’t think her mindset would allow her to do anything else.
Flask is efficient as any cog in a war machine needs to be. She tries to avoid the emotional conflicts of doing what she believes is right; but sometimes her heart gets in the way. Perhaps Flask is regretting the war and the release of the mutant virus. Perhaps she is; but she is still a product of her military conditioning and so she is a soldier first and foremost.
I worry more about Holly losing her heart. Wally is going to have his hands full trying to help her handle the reality of being topside.
An awful thing to do, but still understandable from Flask’s point of view. I think she’s someone to consider literally every option; something that just becomes necessary after spending enough time in the military. Sometimes I think it might not even be her strong will that keeps her going but a feeling of necessity: that it wouldn’t make sense to point the gun at herself, because no-one else could do her job as good as she, and after all, it’s a vitally important job for Endtown.
I had to go back and re-read the storyline from back in December 2010. Flask is a tortured, tormented soul. While I do not agree with her actions, I have some small understanding of them. It will be really interesting to see this storyline develop.
first the awww poor child I can’t imagine how hurt and scared so flask takes all that away and she is a monster, who is worse the ones that abandon the child out there to a lonely scared miserable life or someone who quickly puts them out of their misery neither choice is desirable but in my opinion one is more humane
A lot of judging going on about Flask. If you looked below the surface of yesterday’s strip, you would see Flask was commicateing with the child. It likely told her to “Please put me out of my misery”. Again Flask did what had to be done, unlike the bleeding heart Holly who was just going to merrily walk away leaving the child in pain.
Now Wally will have the opportunity to do for Holly in a small way that which she did for him so recently: embrace and comfort her in her great affliction of mind.
Sir Issac Newton stated, “With every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” That can be translated to “With every action, there are its rewards and its consequences.”.When Flask fired that gun, it was only because she wanted to do what she thought was best for the child. As much as Holly would have wanted to adopt the child, what were her real chances of being accepted in Endtown? Especially since there are “people” like Jackrabbit rallying the town against anyone non-anthro..I am NOT saying I like what Flask did! I am saying what I think must have gone through her mind when she fired the gun. And knowing the child is no longer suffering is Flask’s reward..The question that now remains is… Will Flask be able to deal with the consequences that are most likely going to follow her for the rest of her life?
Giving this strip’s PG-14 type storyline, I think I’ll avoid what about to happen in two weeks between these three until the obscenities cool down. See you in 2 weeks.
If you think Flask is unfeeling, I don’t think you’ve been paying attention enough. Both after the shooting of the Endtowners and right here, look at the expression on her face. Doesn’t look like a very happy camper to me. What if she found out that that was her child down there? She is from around here, Petey proves that. One tormented kitty, she is…
We really don’t know what’s under the surface. It’s possible that the creature has a body that prevents it from moving from a specific location, ensuring that it’s isolated from mutant-kind and making it a sitting duck for the Topsiders. Also note that the Topsiders would probably kill it outright, maybe after tormenting it for a while. We also don’t know its brain structure, meaning that it may not be usable by the Topsiders, or possible for Mallard to transplant it (remember that Mallard’s an engineer-type, not a doctor). Finally, as Level_head said, we don’t know what it’s been living on all this time, which may mean that it’s looking at a long, slow death from starvation. There are no easy answers in this situation.
I’m wondering if there’s more to this than it seems. Not just communicating with Flask or even sending her emotion. Flask acted completely out of character but only did so when in contact with the tentacle. This may not have been a voluntary action at all.
My prediction is that we’ll see more erratic and uncharacteristic behavior from Flask which will jeopardize the mission, leaving SuperCat and his sidekick, WonderMouse to pull it through.
I accept the fact that I am most likely wrong about what I said yesterday. Those were my initial thoughts and projections. We don’t know Flask’s thoughts exactly, or even all of the layers that build her character, as her past is still a secret to us, only know to Aaron. If I were in this situation, I probably wouldn’t kill the child, but that’s me being reluctant about killing in general.
Endtown is very carefully written and drawn. And like most storytellers who don’t spell everything out the moment it happens, Aaron provokes diverse reactions, interpretations and discussion points in his readers. The words, the actions, the expressions, the body language of the characters seems to be telling me obvious things…until I read that others are reading it differently.
Maybe decades from now, in the deluxe hardcover collections (I dream), the author will give definitive answers on his intentions. But right now he tells his story very well, his characters are complex and involving, he provokes non-flaming discussion on difficult issues, he keeps us coming back for more. Maybe those are all the intentions that matter.
SapphireDragonStudios about 13 years ago
Holly’s reaction! ;O; Not unexpected, but horribly sad nonetheless. Flask looks just as pained (in her own way).
pam Miner about 13 years ago
I’m real intriged by this story. The characters are so believable, little Holly is so very into life, to fun and love and compassion. I can’t figure out what the captain is feeling.
Level_Head about 13 years ago
Holly was an easy choice To take the captain to task But she is more — she is the voice Of the conscience inside Flask =|====/ Level Head Vote for Endtown 2.0 And for Doc Rat, too The Endtown Forum
Level_Head about 13 years ago
The captain’s ambidextrous She often shoots left-handed And she has shown regrets to us For what her job demanded Flask has interesting sympathies We’ve seen her kill, stone cold And afterwards, no regrets — and she’s A warrior fierce and bold But when she killed an Endtowner And emotion was denied Why was it such a downer To kill the other side For that’s when she regretted Her conflict we could see She hates herself! To Mallard: “Aren’t you proud of me?” So she can kill her team (With human qualities) Though she let out a scream That killing came with ease The outburst that had followed The deaths of mole and horse Seemed not because she wallowed In even mild remorse But killing a Topsider Who fired at her first Brings self-hate from inside her Why was that death the worst? And now we see that “monsters” Cause that same anguished pain To her, they’re still Topsiders? Her self-derision’s plain And Holly’s accusation Just restates what Blackie knows She gives herself a ration Of self-hate, and it shows Her complication’s worsened By some long-prior jam:
Sometimes I’m not the person That I think I am… =|====/ Level Head Vote for Endtown 2.0 And for Doc Rat, too The Endtown Forumperceptor3 about 13 years ago
Flask has never really struck me as a mutant who’s comfortable in her own (furry) skin. If she wasn’t so strong-willed, I think she might turn that disintegrator on herself. To run across someone—even a child—with an even more horrible mutation. . . I don’t think her mindset would allow her to do anything else.
Rennjack about 13 years ago
Flask is efficient as any cog in a war machine needs to be. She tries to avoid the emotional conflicts of doing what she believes is right; but sometimes her heart gets in the way. Perhaps Flask is regretting the war and the release of the mutant virus. Perhaps she is; but she is still a product of her military conditioning and so she is a soldier first and foremost.
I worry more about Holly losing her heart. Wally is going to have his hands full trying to help her handle the reality of being topside.
spamster about 13 years ago
Flask better hope she killed that child, cause an angry giant 2 yr old is not gonna be fun to be around
Arcaton about 13 years ago
Betta hope momma’s not nearby….but I suspect there’s something deeper here.
Airolga about 13 years ago
An awful thing to do, but still understandable from Flask’s point of view. I think she’s someone to consider literally every option; something that just becomes necessary after spending enough time in the military. Sometimes I think it might not even be her strong will that keeps her going but a feeling of necessity: that it wouldn’t make sense to point the gun at herself, because no-one else could do her job as good as she, and after all, it’s a vitally important job for Endtown.
Ida No about 13 years ago
Continued from yesterday – “Ok”.
3hourtour Premium Member about 13 years ago
…too sad to comment…opps,I just commented..
Ron about 13 years ago
I had to go back and re-read the storyline from back in December 2010. Flask is a tortured, tormented soul. While I do not agree with her actions, I have some small understanding of them. It will be really interesting to see this storyline develop.
willg1970 about 13 years ago
first the awww poor child I can’t imagine how hurt and scared so flask takes all that away and she is a monster, who is worse the ones that abandon the child out there to a lonely scared miserable life or someone who quickly puts them out of their misery neither choice is desirable but in my opinion one is more humane
BeniHanna6 Premium Member about 13 years ago
A lot of judging going on about Flask. If you looked below the surface of yesterday’s strip, you would see Flask was commicateing with the child. It likely told her to “Please put me out of my misery”. Again Flask did what had to be done, unlike the bleeding heart Holly who was just going to merrily walk away leaving the child in pain.
dwandelt Premium Member about 13 years ago
Now Wally will have the opportunity to do for Holly in a small way that which she did for him so recently: embrace and comfort her in her great affliction of mind.
celeconecca about 13 years ago
man – the pain on Flask’s face….
twcowdery about 13 years ago
I’m new to Endtown, but have fallen in love with it. I’d like to go back through the archives to pick up more of the back story. When did it start?
Coyoty Premium Member about 13 years ago
Who isn’t?
Dragoncat about 13 years ago
Sir Issac Newton stated, “With every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” That can be translated to “With every action, there are its rewards and its consequences.”.When Flask fired that gun, it was only because she wanted to do what she thought was best for the child. As much as Holly would have wanted to adopt the child, what were her real chances of being accepted in Endtown? Especially since there are “people” like Jackrabbit rallying the town against anyone non-anthro..I am NOT saying I like what Flask did! I am saying what I think must have gone through her mind when she fired the gun. And knowing the child is no longer suffering is Flask’s reward..The question that now remains is… Will Flask be able to deal with the consequences that are most likely going to follow her for the rest of her life?
Lyons Group, Inc. about 13 years ago
Giving this strip’s PG-14 type storyline, I think I’ll avoid what about to happen in two weeks between these three until the obscenities cool down. See you in 2 weeks.
farren about 13 years ago
If you think Flask is unfeeling, I don’t think you’ve been paying attention enough. Both after the shooting of the Endtowners and right here, look at the expression on her face. Doesn’t look like a very happy camper to me. What if she found out that that was her child down there? She is from around here, Petey proves that. One tormented kitty, she is…
twcowdery about 13 years ago
Thanks for the info. Looks like I have some homework to do.
josh_bisbee about 13 years ago
Luckily Wally can hold on tight, or Holly may find herself doing her own unforgivable act.
awesome person about 13 years ago
Maybe she survived
noreenklose about 13 years ago
………… (I have NO words! Just pure sorrow.)
wanderwolf about 13 years ago
You’re all assuming something.
You’re assuming it was Flask’s idea.
Ida No about 13 years ago
We really don’t know what’s under the surface. It’s possible that the creature has a body that prevents it from moving from a specific location, ensuring that it’s isolated from mutant-kind and making it a sitting duck for the Topsiders. Also note that the Topsiders would probably kill it outright, maybe after tormenting it for a while. We also don’t know its brain structure, meaning that it may not be usable by the Topsiders, or possible for Mallard to transplant it (remember that Mallard’s an engineer-type, not a doctor). Finally, as Level_head said, we don’t know what it’s been living on all this time, which may mean that it’s looking at a long, slow death from starvation. There are no easy answers in this situation.
vburke about 13 years ago
I’m wondering if there’s more to this than it seems. Not just communicating with Flask or even sending her emotion. Flask acted completely out of character but only did so when in contact with the tentacle. This may not have been a voluntary action at all.
My prediction is that we’ll see more erratic and uncharacteristic behavior from Flask which will jeopardize the mission, leaving SuperCat and his sidekick, WonderMouse to pull it through.
Cat Hammer about 13 years ago
The easiest and most cruel action would be to just walk away and spare your own feelings. Flask did the right thing.
Franz Obern about 13 years ago
I accept the fact that I am most likely wrong about what I said yesterday. Those were my initial thoughts and projections. We don’t know Flask’s thoughts exactly, or even all of the layers that build her character, as her past is still a secret to us, only know to Aaron. If I were in this situation, I probably wouldn’t kill the child, but that’s me being reluctant about killing in general.
CaptainKiddeo about 13 years ago
Endtown is very carefully written and drawn. And like most storytellers who don’t spell everything out the moment it happens, Aaron provokes diverse reactions, interpretations and discussion points in his readers. The words, the actions, the expressions, the body language of the characters seems to be telling me obvious things…until I read that others are reading it differently.
Maybe decades from now, in the deluxe hardcover collections (I dream), the author will give definitive answers on his intentions. But right now he tells his story very well, his characters are complex and involving, he provokes non-flaming discussion on difficult issues, he keeps us coming back for more. Maybe those are all the intentions that matter.
awesome person about 13 years ago
maybe she missed
squeakybunny about 13 years ago
Who’s to say that Flask wasn’t the child’s mother?
Nyteflame about 13 years ago
Looking at the last comic and at this one…The child asked her for Mercy, Flask granted it.
awesome person about 13 years ago
never mind