R.I.P. It or Ship It: Round 5

For round 5, I picked

Athos from BBC’s The Musketeers
and
Adam Parrish from The Raven Cycle

Background
While he has clear motivations, Adam Parrish retains the most moral ambiguity of the four Raven Boys. Though he pursues power and status without ever turning villainous, he also terrifies his girlfriend, resents his best friend’s wealth, and tries to drive away the greatest of teen fantasy protagonists. Despite attempts to tamp down his emotions, his presence suffuses scenes with barely-concealed rage.

Athos loves whining almost as much as he loves wine. He can’t help it; his life is SO HARD and don’t you forget it! It’s not his fault! He was forced to execute his wife after she killed his lecherous brother in self-defense! He can’t help that he breaks up with women repeatedly – he’s too damaged! Yes, his best friend might have been dying of an ax wound that one time, but taking said friend to Athos’ old estate would have been too painful!

The Couple
First off, I have qualms about pairing someone with an abusive past with this guy:

The two have some things in common. Adam and Athos both experience angst. The difference: Athos mopes, Adam seethes.

Both have a strong sense of injustice, though Athos deadens his with a bottle of wine.

Adam’s utter rejection of his roots has led to overwork and desperate social climbing. He hates people born into privilege. I doubt he would understand someone forgoing a life of privilege because it made them too sad.

Atho’s drinking has killed off any potential empathy for Adam’s social situation. Adam wants the advantages money brings real bad. Any attempts to explain this would launch Athos into a story of his own former glory, complete with drinking and weeping.

Adam is the eyes and ears of Cabeswater, Athos; he does not have time for your dead wife.

 

Verdict: R.I.P. It