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Post by jnwrx1 on Jun 7, 2015 0:45:42 GMT -5
So, we'll start here, by saying this is what I was hoping would happen.
Despite everything that happened to Griffin, and despite what Phil said to him, he experiences have given him a great sense of compassion and understanding, and Ryan portrayed that here perfectly.
Just a few simple words, and he was finally able to open up Phil's eyes, when no one else seemed able to. He'd also make a great counsellor someday, too, because he understands that power of symbols, and their meaning. When Phil was worried he had no choice but to be just like his dad because he is Phil Jr, all it took was a simple name change to let Phil know that he is a different person, and Griffin really empowered him to be that person by giving him that one symbol to hold onto.
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Post by Lugnutz on Jun 7, 2015 4:16:05 GMT -5
I like how using his full name empowered him, not putting him in the shadow of his father. He's already on the road to recovery.
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Post by Dabeagle on Jun 7, 2015 10:47:43 GMT -5
I'm glad Ryan decided to do this. Originally, in Perils of Lucien, I was going to redeem Phil - but further discussion took us down the road we did. Kudos to Ryan for this redemptive story.
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Post by jnwrx1 on Jun 7, 2015 17:37:36 GMT -5
I do find it a bit hard to comprehend how Phillip's mother wouldn't really have noticed before now, the sorts of things her son was going around saying about people. Maybe she was just trying to remain blissfully ignorant and hoping not to have to deal so directly with the impact that her deadbeat husband was having on Phillip.
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Post by Cynus on Jun 7, 2015 18:38:29 GMT -5
I do find it a bit hard to comprehend how Phillip's mother wouldn't really have noticed before now, the sorts of things her son was going around saying about people. Maybe she was just trying to remain blissfully ignorant and hoping not to have to deal so directly with the impact that her deadbeat husband was having on Phillip. Or it could be that before she was separated from her husband she was so focused on him that she didn't realize the extent of the impact he was having on her sons. Now that she's out and away from their father's influence, she noticed and spoke up. |
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Post by ryanbartlett on Jun 7, 2015 19:38:39 GMT -5
Sam hit the nail on the head. She noticed but didn't really have a voice when she was with her husband. When her son came home with his face bloodied because his mouth got him in trouble, she acted.
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Post by jnwrx1 on Jun 8, 2015 0:00:57 GMT -5
Sam hit the nail on the head. She noticed but didn't really have a voice when she was with her husband. When her son came home with his face bloodied because his mouth got him in trouble, she acted.
It makes sense since she was also his victim.
Also, a bloody nose would trigger maternal instinct no matter what her son was saying or doing, or what frame of mind she is/was in over her own relationship. At least she is proving that she is the stronger man, and taking the right steps, and hopefully the boys will never have to see or hear of their father, again.
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Post by Silent Reader on Jun 11, 2015 17:27:40 GMT -5
I like how using his full name empowered him, not putting him in the shadow of his father. He's already on the road to recovery. That can really happen, you know? My parents (and the rest of my hometown) called me by an easily-made-fun-of version of my name. When I left for college I decided to use a less-unusual version of my name. I think it made at least some difference in my self-confidence, no longer having people react in humor to the hometown version of my name.
I guess that it is sort of ironic that in the past decade or so there has been a popular public figure (in real life) who goes by the hometown version of my name. I don't think anyone makes fun of his name. |
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Post by ryanbartlett on Jun 11, 2015 21:47:23 GMT -5
You know we're all going insane with curiosity now, right?  |
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Post by Steve T. on Jun 11, 2015 22:05:00 GMT -5
I first read Sanitaria Springs several years ago. I loved it. Then I kind of lost track of the site. When I found this site again, I was thrilled to find all of these "spinoffs." Like most readers, I don't say it often enough, but I love how a few authors have used a simple storyline and developed all of these amazing characters and stories. Kudos to all of the authors! "Saving Philip" is another winner. Thanks for ALL of your stories, guys!
Steve
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Post by Silent Reader on Jun 30, 2015 22:51:52 GMT -5
You know we're all going insane with curiosity now, right? Ha! Actually, the easily-made-fun-of version is in real life my middle name. I laughed when I read your comment because decades ago I was a teacher, and some of my students saw my middle initial on something and asked what my middle name was. I told them I'd never tell and for a few it became a guessing game. (None ever guessed correctly.) That tells you how old I must be, because nowadays they'd just look up my full name on my teaching certificate at the state website. |
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Post by PaulR5 on Jun 30, 2015 23:13:15 GMT -5
You know we're all going insane with curiosity now, right? Ha! Actually, the easily-made-fun-of version is in real life my middle name. I laughed when I read your comment because decades ago I was a teacher, and some of my students saw my middle initial on something and asked what my middle name was. I told them I'd never tell and for a few it became a guessing game. (None ever guessed correctly.) That tells you how old I must be, because nowadays they'd just look up my full name on my teaching certificate at the state website. I have known situations like that. I taught school for two years more than 40 years ago, and got out of teaching public school math because I didn't like the educational trends and discipline trends of public school. I am not of a temperament to deal a lot with increasing red tape, and the handcuffing of teachers by non-experts who are bureaucrats, legislators, and bigots. Sometimes a kid prefers to be called a different name that what is commonly called by family and long time friends. I am glad you escaped from being called what you did not want to be called. If you wish to answer, what subjects did you teach? |
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Post by Dabeagle on Jun 30, 2015 23:47:15 GMT -5
Reminds me of a nice young lady I used to game with on World of Warcraft. When I first was told her first name, Gina, I thought nothing of it. However it was short - not for Regina, but for Cogina. I thought, well, that's unusual and kind of neat. Her mother quickly pointed out that kids pronounced it like vagina and I realized why she hated her name, so.
Oddly, her mother used to call her by her character name, and she'd respond to it - even in public.
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Post by PaulR5 on Jul 1, 2015 0:24:55 GMT -5
But getting back to the original post, I think Philip has an upward climb. One rarely changes all thinking and talking patterns at once. Philip will have to relearn much of how he interacts with people and how he speaks to people.
I see more hope for him, but it is possible to have relapses in the way he talks. Sensitivity and tact are usually learned in steps, not all at once.
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Post by Lugnutz on Jul 1, 2015 6:53:59 GMT -5
With age comes experience. But he doesn't have good experience yet. But he's getting better.
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