Work Text:
ANONYMOUS:
Was thinking about the view of Izzy as the toxic friend that inhibits Ed's healthy growth. On the one hand, it is absolutely true that Izzy wants Ed to embody the toxic masculinity Izzy is most comfortable with and is attracted to. On the other hand, Izzy isn't just a friend who feels bad about his companion changing. As first mate, all of Ed 's changes have very material effects on Izzy. Ed wants to meet Stede? Doesn't matter if Izzy hates him; he has to go invite Stede to meet. Ed wants to stage a rescue of Stede's crew by massacring the Spanish, putting his ship and crew at risk for his new interest? Izzy must participate, potentially risking his life, and run interference if the crew questions this move. He has to stay on The Revenge as long as Ed wants. When Ed is having a break-up breakdown, Izzy must run the ship and protect Ed's reputation. And pirating isn't for funzies; if you don't take ships you don't get loot and you don't eat. So as emotional as Izzy's need for Ed to Blackbeard is, it is also highly practical. Izzy can't keep frantically filling the holes in Ed's command indefinitely. Izzy didn't sign up for this.
You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT and you should say it, nonny. I’m not even sure if Izzy is, exactly, desiring Ed to be Toxic Masculinity or if he’s just trying to get a functioning captain back.
Ed in the break-up robe isn’t a pirate let alone a pirate CAPTAIN, but he’s still pretending he is, so he’s in charge of everyone on the ship and not letting Izzy go to do actual pirating (which is what he wants to do).
It’s not a big surprise that Izzy doesn’t want crying, brokenhearted, singing, talent show performing, “why are we even being pirates?” Ed as his captain? Ed isn’t his captain. Ed is the leader of a drama troupe or a band or something!
I feel like maybe vaguely that’s where there’s a bit of a misinterpretation of Izzy’s goals? Yes, he wants Violent Blackbeard back, but it isn’t necessarily that he wants Toxic Masculinity, it’s that he needs a fucking captain for the PIRATE SHIP AND CREW he’s part of.
Ed came back from being abandoned by Stede and he immediately retook command because, obviously, he is the captain, but then he didn’t do anything with it except use it to hide in the cabin and put on talent shows.
Of course Izzy needs violent, throat slamming Ed back. He’s a PIRATE.
It’s like being hired to work at a bar and you’re a mixologist and suddenly your boss is turning it into a café and you’re standing there like, “Uh, I mix alcoholic drinks? I don’t even know how to make a latte?”
And then when you beg your bff and boss to PLEASE BRING BACK THE BOOZE he molotovs the waiters, takes a sledgehammer to the coffee machine, throws a molotov right at your feet, and then everyone is like, “Well, Izzy. You DID say you wanted the alcohol back.”
Well, yes. But not like THIS?? This is a bit far.
Truly I think he wanted Edward to get his anger and fire back, not burn everything to the ground in rage.