Back-up Outlet 01/05/07

[JackFairy]

Sometimes I forget what a terrible person Aggie truly is. And then the comic reminds me.

[Wiggy]

-sigh- Everytime I think of how fun / cool / whatever Aggie is, she seems delighted to prove to me that nevertheless, she's very immature.

Maybe it will seem less immature when we see the necessary backstory to Penny and Aggie?

[Ostracee]

Um...what backstory? Penny is self-consciously trendy. Aggie is self-consciously rebellious. Hence, they make themselves hate each other.

[JackFairy]

Aggie's not being "rebellious;" she's making herself feel better by picking on someone else--ie, being a classic bully. I am really disgusted by this tendency of hers to amuse herself by being mean to or putting down Penny. To her credit, Penny's never stooped that low, that we've seen.

I suppose that's part of the point--Penny's meant to be one of those "popular girls" that are seen as mean and shallow in teen movies, but she's really rather empathetic and almost never truly mean. Aggie's one of those "outsider kids" that those same movies expect us to sympathize with, but she's the one who doesn't accept people who have different priorities than her and expresses her dislike by messing with their lives.

[Magick Lorelai]

Sometimes I think people forget that these girls are in High School. 15-17 year olds, roughly. Think about the maturity of that age group! Penny is actually quite mature for her age, we've seen a lot of her life. Aggie has some issues to work out still, and unfortunately, until they're worked out, I doubt she's going to stop torturing her target.

I don't dislike Aggie OR her behavior. It's disappointing, especially when she has some very mature moments, but not surprising. Her mother's gone, and her father's very liberal, it appears. She has it in her head that Penny represents all of the things that her mother probably protested, and all of the things that are superficial, shallow, and ignorant. Her way of dealing with her pain is to turn it on what she has perceived to be an enemy.

It's even covered in the "Behind Closed Doors" arc, that Aggie has issues occasionally dealing with her problems. She's not an awful person for dealing with the amazingly powerful emotions that being a teenager throws at you, especially being on the "outside" in such an immature way. Certainly, she'll mature with time, and maybe with understanding that Penny isn't quite what she thought she was.

On a somewhat related note, I don't think Aggie is going to be able to win over Marshall yet. Beyond him already being in love with Karen, beyond the potential of them becoming step-siblings, Aggie just is not emotionally mature enough to handle a relationship. Her feelings for Marshall, though strong, are still just a crush. She doesn't really know him well enough to truly love him. Even if she had the clear way in, I doubt he'd be interested in her just yet, not until she's had some personal growth.

It's like in the poem she wrote regarding her feelings for him. She mentions growing into the goddess she knows could win his heart. I think even SHE knows that she's not ready for that.

..^^; Sorry, a lot of analysis.

[Little Wood]

Magick Lorelai is absolutely 100% right about everything that I feel strongly about. Except maybe Penny's maturity has been overestimated. Penny still has her maturity to learn about finances. She seems to deeply trust her parents on that account (although I give her credit for getting a job). Penny is what I would consider socially mature. She expects people to take care of themselves, no big deal. If you're poor she may understand (I'm still curious how she's responding to Michelle's situation), but she's a good person. She tried to pull a prank on Aggie once, but quickly realized how cruel that is and even attempted to help Aggie when she thought that Karen did hurt her in that way. I give praise for Penny's social maturity, but she needs to balance it out a bit.

Gosh, I'm really looking down on Aggie this time. Remember when she mentioned being the "bigger woman"? Not happening. I can't even remember the last time Penny directly fought with Aggie.

Nonetheless I love Aggie, and I can see her with Marshal (they are teenagers, and they will date whether it's do-able or not), but I cannot see it working out. They may reunite in the future though. That'll be fun.

[Freemage]

Oh, fer...

Granted, it's not Aggie's most shining moment, but if a simple shaken soda-can gag is enough to 'disgust' you, or make you hate someone (especially someone in high school), I'd like the address of the glass bubble you apparently made it through adolescence in.

It was a silly, immature prank, harmless in the long run.

And note, Penny's not a paragon of virtue. Take a close, hard look at the business with Karen's party. The paragon of virtue (in some folks' eyes) went in there specifically with the intent of trying to take Karen down a few pegs, having mobilized her 'troops' to help with the job. Just because she failed in her objective doesn't make her any sweeter. Sure, it's easy to ignore it because Karen's so unliked, but let's face it, that was a classic tango for two.

And, of course, we have the scene in the party where the tally is made, and it's noted that, in her climb to the top, Penny's already managed to make a fair number of enemies.

And does anyone think those 'photos' Penny's clique took of Meg were just harmless fun, even though they were sufficiently damaging to bring the other popular girl low?

These are teenagers, savage in tooth and claw.

[Little Wood]

Freemage, you're right. Penny isn't that mature, but she's maturer. The soda can prank may seem harmless, but to someone as "sensitive" as Penny, it's more than that. If someone did that to me, I would have a good laugh, but I can't say the same about Penny. Some people are just like that, and I certainly wouldn't want it coming from someone who has nothing better to do than to tease me as though they have no life.

Now, we're assuming Aggie actually did this, which she never did. She just thought of it. God knows how many times I thought of slapping and embarrassing the crap of those I despise. This is very normal and very healthy of Aggie. I'm not sure Penny ever thought of Aggie in that way after she tried to get back at her once. Penny learned her lesson; end of story.

Now about Karen, I am not sure what Penny's true intentions were, but man she has every right to expose the truth about what demon Karen really is. She used Penny in the most vile way. Penny spent her time, money, and effort to give this ugly chick a make over and teach her some confidence. If someone ever did that to me without wanting anything in return, I would be overjoyed. I think that in some way, Penny was trying to expose that (ex: by giving her that "cheer up" book) and didn't really want it to be direct because obviously no one would believe her. This is high school, and I don't think Penny was too malicious.

[Akilika]

Yeah, I'm with the people who say she's immature, but not a horrible person--assuming she ever grows out of it, but that really doesn't even strike me as a question.

I like the direct parallel made here between those other, more extreme forms of "acting out" and this. I gotta wonder if there's a need to control *something* in her life that's at play here.

Then, there's also the new group of friends even more distrustful of the Alphas than she is . . . and how long is it since Duane has been in the comic? It's entirely possible they've been seeing each other and chatting regularly out-of-panel . . . but between his break-up with Penny (which could serve to isolate him in general, and from Aggie in particular since she's, from a certain angle, got the possibility for "was right all along") and her failure to stop the bomb-threat (I'm guessing Duane would probably be fairly high on the list of "can't tell anyone"), they've got a decent chance to be subconsciously avoiding each other right now.


Anyway. I hope everything gets okay soon enough.

[petala]

Sometimes I forget what a terrible person Aggie truly is. And then the comic reminds me.

Isn't that over-reacting a little bit? It's just a joke.

I guess it always interests me how different people interpret the comic. I see the banter between Penny and Aggie as pretty harmless and amusing. They are teenagers, not adults, so they are going to mature as the comic progresses. Until then, you are going to see them both act like kids because thats what they are! Neither Penny or Aggie are bad characters, they are just teens growing up. I think they probably need their fued and enjoy it to some extent. I kind of miss exploring their relationship but I'm sure that will return. I really love the the interactions between the two of them, they are both such great characters.

I'd love to see Aggie end up with Marshall eventually. But I agree that she'll have to mature before that happens. I can just see something developing, though. And I'm loving the build up to this dinner/meeting!

[petala]

Certainly, she'll mature with time, and maybe with understanding that Penny isn't quite what she thought she was.

I think this is spot on.

[Kitsuiko]

You see it as being pretty harmless?

If that happened to me in high school I would have probably ran straight home and not come back. I had a box of tampons fall out of my backpack once in high school and I was teased so much for it I stopped eating lunch in the cafeteria. Peer pressure and having everyone laugh at you is HURTFUL.
I've seen people just leave high school for pranks like that -- it's not really all that harmless because we can shrug it off.

It's a horrible thing to do to someone, especially followed by all surrounding them and laughing at her. It's really the kind of thing that utterly shatters you, /especially/ in high school. When it comes down to it, Aggie's just pretty damn mean. I'm willing to say that she rises to the level of petty b*tch.

I also have to agree about Karen. Penny decided to fix something bad she did, and make up for what she said and show someone who thought she was ugly that she could be as pretty as anyone. She's gotten the worse of it ever since. Penny isn't a saint, sure, but we've seen her feel guilty over how her actions have effected other people and then try to make amends.

We've also seen Penny swallow insult after insult with Aggie because SHE IS TRYING TO PLAY NICE. Let's be honest. With the mom thing, Penny could probably shatter Aggie into a million pieces. She's been swallowing it, even when Aggie's been showing the claws.

When you have someone pick on you repeatedly for no clear reason and you swallow the one retaliation you know that could get them back because that's not right -- that's maturity. Penny has it.

As for Marshall and Aggie; once Aggie learns how to be a big kid, then, she can do big kid things.

[Sebastian]

And does anyone think those 'photos' Penny's clique took of Meg were just harmless fun, even though they were sufficiently damaging to bring the other popular girl low?

I still waiting to know why they took those pictures, Penny doesn't seem the type to do something like it just for kicks.

[Richter]

We've also seen Penny swallow insult after insult with Aggie because SHE IS TRYING TO PLAY NICE. Let's be honest. With the mom thing, Penny could probably shatter Aggie into a million pieces. She's been swallowing it, even when Aggie's been showing the claws.

Actually? I guess she's more just ignoruing Aggie, seeing her as too far beneath her. Also, she seems strong enough to tke this stunt without instantly folding. Likely, she's going to make Aggie pay some day.

But yeah. Aggie is a bully and has little love lost for those who don't subscribe to her way of life. She's an activist. What do you expect?

I still waiting to know why they took those pictures, Penny doesn't seem the type to do something like it just for kicks.

Nope, she likely did it with the precise intent to humiliate Meg, who seemingly was a threat to her social status at school. Penny's a planner, as shown with her (unsuccessful) 'operation' at Karen's party.

[Black Mantha]

I still waiting to know why they took those pictures, Penny doesn't seem the type to do something like it just for kicks.

Nope, she likely did it with the precise intent to humiliate Meg, who seemingly was a threat to her social status at school. Penny's a planner, as shown with her (unsuccessful) 'operation' at Karen's party.

That's not the only reason, though. From the Q&A thread:

Are we going to find out what exactly Meg did that was so henious it put her at the top of the bitch scale?

Someday.

Of course, she also all but confessed it was because she "got tired from being number two."

Um...what backstory? Penny is self-consciously trendy. Aggie is self-consciously rebellious. Hence, they make themselves hate each other.

In the same thread T said this:

The origin of Penny and Aggie's feud is a story yet to be told. So, no spoilers for now!

which suggests there is more to it.

[Shadrach]

Interesting that Aggie's soda prank--which, as Little Wood pointed out, she didn't actually do--has raised far more ire than Charlotte's far more potentially-damaging act against Katy-Ann. But then, Charlotte's not an "activist"--we don't want to be one of those people, do we?--so that's all right, then.

[oenone]

wait, did the soda can thing happen or was it one of aggie's fantasies? i thought it was imaginary, like the tattoo.

[Meliasaurus]

in aggies defense she's only in highschool somewhere between 14 and 18.

there is a lot of maturing for anyone to do in those years.
as far as romantic relationships go you'll transfer from 2 week long middle school type episodes, to several long months type relationships.
you learn how to be closer with friends.
you learn how to depend on yourself for monetary needs, and when to depend on others/yourself for emotional needs.

i was still pulling childish pranks like 3 phone calls when i was 14. i'm a few years older and a few years wiser, and while i'm over small pranks, there is still plenty of growing to do

[Sebastian]

I still waiting to know why they took those pictures, Penny doesn't seem the type to do something like it just for kicks.

Nope, she likely did it with the precise intent to humiliate Meg, who seemingly was a threat to her social status at school. Penny's a planner, as shown with her (unsuccessful) 'operation' at Karen's party.

But Meg was also a 9 on her bitchness scale with Karen a 10, now I know what Karen did to deserve that, I'd like to know what Meg did to deserve that 9.

[Alecat]

I just thought that the prank was just an idea, and one that was easily translated into pictures. It's a simple two-step, speechless thing that conveyed a definite nasty side... but isn't really the sort of thing I expect her to actually do.

[Sassy-fras]

I had to do some research, but after looking through a psyche book, reading a few philosopher's theories and analyzing my own interpretations of today's comics...my conclusion is simply this....

.... I laughed. It's funny. The end.

[Black Mantha]

But Meg was also a 9 on her bitchness scale with Karen a 10, now I know what Karen did to deserve that, I'd like to know what Meg did to deserve that 9.

Actually, she was at 7.5. Lady MacBeth was at 9.

[Andie Nicole]

Dumb pranks happen at High School. I'm in 10th grade.

Trust me, that prank is harmless.

Make a bunch of flyers with Penny's head stuck over the body of a fat, hairy man in a speedo, spread them all over school, that's not harmless, but Aggie's not going to do that. (She's not stupid enough. If she was gonna do something that bad, which she wouldn't, she'd think of something better.)

(That's a--genders reversed--prank that almost happened to one of my friends. Thank God almost, or it woulda been war. Those bitches that made 'em...)

[SAGG]

I also think Aggie was fantasizing. Plus, I think we'd see Penny's revenge times two against everyone involved.

I'm still wondering why Aggie resents Penny so much. I don't think that question has been truly answered throughout the run of this comic, and quite frankly, I think that's the biggest question that needs to be answered more than anything else concerning P & A....

[Kuroinu]

I had to do some research, but after looking through a psyche book, reading a few philosopher's theories and analyzing my own interpretations of today's comics...my conclusion is simply this....

.... I laughed. It's funny. The end.

I concur whole-heartedly.

Seriously, this page isn't even worth a debate. It's just for laughs!