Purple Hyacinth Analysis: The Contrast Between Episodes 43 And 142

Purple Hyacinth analysis: the contrast between episodes 43 and 142

I made a thread on twitter to show how episode 142 was an obvious callback to episode 43 so i decided to post it here as well. Warning: the panels from 43 might be triggering to some people.

First of all we notice Kieran lying a lot in episode 142. The man didn't have a plan at all coming in there and he makes no effort to go around her ability either. It's clear deep down he didn't want to end their partnership, he knows they make a great team but he's doing everything to put distance between them for her sake only. He cares about her so much (read: he's in love with her) and wants to keep her safe.

This is already a huge difference compared to episode 43. Kieran got his walls up so high when Lauren came to the cave. He is acting cold with a disdainful and arrogant attitude, and uses rhetorical questions to avoid lying to her. There's not a single lie from Kieran in episode 43 except for the one where he slips up when he tells Lauren he has always been a monster.

Kieran's "i am merely stating facts" from 142 is obviously a lie while in episode 43 he is actually stating facts: he talks about the atrocities he committed as the Purple Hyacinth. He is proving Lauren right: he is a monster.

Kieran physically hurts Lauren in 43 and it's not a lie when he tells her he wouldn't cry. He is cold and brutal. In episode 142 he could have said something more hurtful in trying to push her away but he can't. He cares about her too much now and would never hurt her again. "I'm not indifferent to what happens to you" = how to tell someone you care about them without actually saying it. Kieran please.

Another obvious callback to episode 43 is that Lauren now admits she was fully aware of the risks from the beginning.

They've come such a long way since then. From Lauren calling him a monster in 43 to her reassuring Kieran in ep 142 about who he is as as a person and that she isn't afraid of him while she takes off his "mask" (the glasses)... i'm not okay.

Lauki's dynamic is so well written and i'm still in awe of how Eph and Soph handled the development of their relationship after what happened in 43. Lauren telling Kieran she trusts him and won't back down is so important and yet another milestone in their relationship.

To end this post i want to point out the differences in atmosphere and lighting as well. Episode 43 is cold and dark, and episode 142 has a very warm atmosphere.

bonus:

Conclusion: Lauki's development is wonderfully written. I dare say it's legit one of the best dynamics i've ever come across in a piece of fiction.

Thank you for reading!