toy soldiers stand for fatherhood and protection- but they are chosen specifically.
it’s also important that they are henry’s soldiers that he sent his dad ‘to keep him safe’ and ted, of course, turns right around and offers to keep his new friends safe. man’s never met a loving gesture he didn’t wanna share.
ted offers rebecca something very precious to him, a little bit of his son’s love and care, immediately, almost as soon as the box is open- to make her smile and feel like someone has her back- to sam, as a birthday gift, to make him less homesick- and to jamie as a parting gift and a congratulations for his growth. he also keeps one for himself- and i think he must keep it in his backpack, because he has it in liverpool.
rebecca is given the sharpshooter- the sniper- ted will take people OUT if they mess with her and vis-versa. rebecca is alone, above the fray, we hear almost nothing of her until she makes a move. she has the best vantage point, but is vulnerable if spotted or surrounded. it’s also the most skilled position- it’s a compliment.
sam is given a machine gunner- it’s a very powerful position, stable, part of the main line of defense. he’s a team player, as those guns usually required two people. he gives it back though, politely, because he has a father, a good one. implies that he’s a stable character and doesn’t need anything but minor guidance.
jamie is given the lookout- a maverick position who can make or break the group- ted’s saying i see you, i see what’s happening, but i’m unarmed, i can’t help you with this. jamie is also the one who has to leave and then come back.
the one ted keeps is a soldier with a grenade- he’s a ticking time bomb- he’s also down in the fray of the battle- you have to get pretty close to the enemy to use a grenade effectively- he’s in the offensive position- he’s ready to sacrifice himself for the cause.
it’s very much a metaphor about fatherly love and protection, and as of 2.06 now we know rebecca goes in that group too. though it’s been clear from scene one she has serious father issues re: marrying rupert
ted’s father couldn’t protect him, rebecca’s clearly doesn’t/didn’t even know she needs protecting, and jamie’s is the active enemy
gotta add to this now! sharon got a soldier with a walkie-talkie- a communications specialist-
what i love is that it prioritizes the communications aspect- the soldier himself is still armed, but the back and forth of the walkie talkie- the movement of information is more important. this soldier can defend himself if need be, but thats not his main purpose.
i hope this means that we will see dr. sharon again, but it’s nice to know that no matter what ted has offered her his protection and friendship.
drowning it in alcohol? well thats some symbolism that would require a whole nother essay probably
and the father connection is more subtle here, she’s helped him come to terms with his own father issues
It occurs to me that Ted never defends himself. At least not that I remember. Like when Beard explodes at him in All Apologies. As soon as Beard actually explodes, Ted never says a word.
I mean, granted, Ted may not have had anything to say at that point. Beard was correct and Ted knew that at heart. He was just having a really hard time with the emotional effect on Roy.
But it stands out more in the confrontation with Nate, because there is a point that Nate is objectively WRONG about. Through all of his hurt and pain, Nate makes one point that Ted could correct him on: the location of his photo.
Because WE know where Ted’s keeping Nate’s photo. And it might have made a difference for Nate to know that too. But Ted doesn’t tell him. He just doesn’t defend himself at all.
It’s probably why it was so good to see Beard so clearly on Ted’s side this episode, in a way that he hasn’t really had a chance to be all season. I want to see more people defend Ted, darnit, because he won’t do it himself.
(I also want to see more characters sitting in the seats during the opening credit sequence. Credit Ted always looks so alone, let him have his friends!)
