Curate, connect, and discover
you read my mind. YES. exactly this
god, i love the contrast we got between Martin and Anderson in the show; their roles as teachers, their messy antagonistic roles throughout the seasons, and just the way Mr. Martin could've done things differently... but he did what he did and fucked up astronomically bad. Then he gets called out by someone of equal authority! Which is AMAZING.
Obviously, the ghost kids can tell him all the ways he messed up by betraying them, using them for experiments, etc. but the real dig at him can only be done by someone who's gone through rough shit like him and is still able to say that he would've never done what he did to his students. To hear his actions be said by a voice of authority and maturity.
Honestly, I would've enjoyed seeing more interactions between the two. Stick 'em in a room with comfy couches, snacks, and drinks, and let them just talk shit out (maybe definitely let Anderson rock Martin's shit). They both need someone to talk to and an ear that listens. plus, Martin could've finally interacted with someone his age rather than depend on his 15 y/o student for the last sixty years or so.
i have so much respect for mr. anderson. i absolutely love his character
there’s so much focus in media on all the ways a teacher can be bad. in the reveal of an authority figure being untrustworthy. in someone taking advantage of the power dynamic between a teacher and student
and i get that it can make for a really interesting storyline- obviously because it’s worked so well with mr. martin- but mr. anderson is such a nice change
especially in season 2, he is such a great example of all the ways a teacher can be good. teachers are some of the most important people in a kid’s life. they can have some of the biggest impacts- for worse, sure, but also for better.
mr. anderson became a teacher for all the right reasons. he cares about his students. we see it in a more personal way with maddie, but it’s even evident in the way he interacts with these ghost kids he just met.
we all know mr. martin was in the wrong, that he is the bad guy in this. we know it, and the students know it. but it’s different- for the students especially- hearing someone say it? hearing an adult say it?
you can hear it in in mr. anderson’s voice- what mr. martin did, hurting his students like he did, it would never cross mr. anderson’s mind. and his first instinct is to protect the kids, to tell mr. martin just how ashamed he should be
idk it’s just so refreshing to see an authority figure who really is good. who really does care and isn’t afraid to call a bad teacher out. even when kids are in high school- they’re still kids. they still rely on adults to keep them safe