Eh. This reads less like villainy and more staggering amounts of self-blame tangled up in the snap judgement that, goshdarnit, killing those mind controlled people are the only way to solve the problem, and she has to be the one to do the bad thing because it’s her fault.
The latter seems a little less win than that, though–it’s like setting fire to the playground because that’s where you get bullied [even though that’s the ONLY place you get bullied AND it’s the only place you can play because your parent/guardian is terrible and will only either let you play at the playground or sit uncomfortably in a highchair].
[[okay, that analogy kinda ran away somewhere I don’t know where that went]]
There is a point in OOtS where one of the main characters visits an old place they used to hang around. They end up having to kill their old friends.
They stop for about two seconds and then remember just how horrible those people were.
This reminds me of that. A little.
Technically, if there’s an active signal maintaining the mind control, destroying the remote control for the off switch only means you have to go assault the signal emitter itself.
However, if there’s an on signal and and off signal, then you don’t wanna destroy the thing that send the off signal.
But kudos for having someone be the Jack Bauer and set practicality above sentiment. Usually the characters in this situation would just whine about it until they figure out the third option. Everybody who isn’t Sal still might do that, and then have to reach the other agents before Sal can get to them.
You know, it’s funny. Over on the DoA side of things, Sal honestly seems to me like one of the least likely characters to actually try to kill somebody. Dumbiverse Sal is sick of everyone thinking she looks like a violent criminal and just as sick of having to do “big things.” Honestly, Dumbiverse Joyce would probably be more likely to kill someone if she thought it was necessary.
Walkyverse Sal is all like “guess ah better go killin’ some folks” two seconds after finding out they’re being mind-controlled. It’s an interesting character contrast. Granted, the fact that she works for an anti-alien paramilitary force proabably has something to do with that…
…Are we sure Sal isn’t a budding villain?
No.
She only tried to destroy the entire human race like… Once? Twice?
She actually tried to destroy the human race 54 times, but most of them were when she was drinking, so she passed out seconds later.
Eh. This reads less like villainy and more staggering amounts of self-blame tangled up in the snap judgement that, goshdarnit, killing those mind controlled people are the only way to solve the problem, and she has to be the one to do the bad thing because it’s her fault.
She’s only an antihero because there’s no point trying to be a trendy morally-gray villain when you have to compete with HA hamming it up.
Semme agents live: they conquer the nation for HA
Semme agents die: no more Semme to oppose HA
Kinda win/win. actually.
The latter seems a little less win than that, though–it’s like setting fire to the playground because that’s where you get bullied [even though that’s the ONLY place you get bullied AND it’s the only place you can play because your parent/guardian is terrible and will only either let you play at the playground or sit uncomfortably in a highchair].
[[okay, that analogy kinda ran away somewhere I don’t know where that went]]
Remaining Semme agents shoot HA since he no longer has anything they can use: no more HA to oppose
Oh well, I’m sure it’s not a mistake everyone will keep making for the rest of time.
There is a point in OOtS where one of the main characters visits an old place they used to hang around. They end up having to kill their old friends.
They stop for about two seconds and then remember just how horrible those people were.
This reminds me of that. A little.
Ah yes, that was in Book 4, “Don’t Split the Party”.
Haley, right? With the thieves guild?
Yeah, most of them were jerks.
I would say “spoilers”, but it’s been out for a good couple of years.
I really, really need to reread and catch up on that. When I last read, Durkon was separated from the party and with the evil cleric.
What the heck is wrong with Sal? She’s not even leaving through a window.
The door’s practically a giant “alien” window, though?
She isn’t even bothering to do the Batman vanish! Something IS wrong!
HA learns early that Sal is a law unto herself.
If it’s a law, she’ll break it.
What makes you think they can, Joyce isn’t at that level yet and I wouldn’t bet on Jason, Walky eh maybe?
They have doors that big to get their loader mechs through, obviously. RATIONALIZATION ACCEPTED.
“Friends? What the hell are friends?”
“Are you talking about the body shields?”
If at first impulsive destruction doesn’t work try it again and again until you run out of targets.
Technically, if there’s an active signal maintaining the mind control, destroying the remote control for the off switch only means you have to go assault the signal emitter itself.
However, if there’s an on signal and and off signal, then you don’t wanna destroy the thing that send the off signal.
But kudos for having someone be the Jack Bauer and set practicality above sentiment. Usually the characters in this situation would just whine about it until they figure out the third option. Everybody who isn’t Sal still might do that, and then have to reach the other agents before Sal can get to them.
Sal is totally the Jack Bauer of this story, isn’t she?
I believe the original version of this strip predates his existence, so it’s more like Jack Bauer is the Sal of 24.
…….
She’s insane, isn’t she?
WELL. He clearly wanted humans to be able to get in, so that they could witness his speech! And then fail to stop it!
………………Tho… He really missed an opportunity to make them crouch or crab walk or whatever just to get in.
You know, it’s funny. Over on the DoA side of things, Sal honestly seems to me like one of the least likely characters to actually try to kill somebody. Dumbiverse Sal is sick of everyone thinking she looks like a violent criminal and just as sick of having to do “big things.” Honestly, Dumbiverse Joyce would probably be more likely to kill someone if she thought it was necessary.
Walkyverse Sal is all like “guess ah better go killin’ some folks” two seconds after finding out they’re being mind-controlled. It’s an interesting character contrast. Granted, the fact that she works for an anti-alien paramilitary force proabably has something to do with that…