I was just about to write some theorycrafting here and discuss the strip, since I am somewhat attached to my ears as they are now, but seeing the last comments I think I'll also add something more personal - I'm sorry for potentially depressing mood.
ThreeEightNine is definitely not alone here. I'm not saying I want Keene to be dead - he'd qualify as one of my top five characters in this comic. But from the beginning I knew there are two major possibilities for a theme for current arc - either Keene's taught a lesson about life, or he and the readers are to confront and ultimately deal with the death. And as someone who has experienced more death this year than I'd wish for, part of me wants the latter outcome.
That doesn't mean I won't be happy if he's alive. I mean, come on, top five fave! The only situation I wouldn't really like, would be if Keene actually
truly died but was somehow resurrected - though I'm rather confident that's not the case.
Ok, so... getting to what I wanted to write in the first place... I've mentioned major [read:
those I could think of so far] possible themes for the arc? Let's have a little look.
1. Keene, faced with his own mortality, will be taught a life lesson - about being a better person in general instead of morally relative businessferret - or - living and enjoying life instead of working oneself to the grave.
In any case, this is the most expected course of action and many details point to it, the unusual circumstances of Keene's appearance in Heaven or the nature of flashback (starting with waking up, ending with falling asleep) - in general, such storyline would be a huge milestone in Keene's character development.
Possible problems with this one:
- If he's supposed to learn to be a better person, why is he in Heaven? The title implies he will be there for quite a bit, so if he was to see the alternative, it'd rather be brief. So far the arc also doesn't really mention his morality.
- Would the lesson about taking life easier really work? Sure, he would possibly change his approach to stay healthier, but knowing he might die faster than expected, Keene would probably put more effort into his life mission. Besides, in current strip he already says he doesn't want to spend his life on work. Seeing the Heaven also doesn't help - a place where he knows he could rest after dying for his dream?
It'd require something more to convince him - maybe Henry Milton explaining this isn't the life he wanted for Keene?
- Would that mean Heaven is now in the business of making mistakes?
2. Keene dies and we are taught to accept that
Certainly not what people would expect (and I suppose want) of Houspets. It'd clearly be a bold and unexpected move from Rick's side, potentially shaking the situation dramatically in Babylon Gardens. As a strong potential points, the passing of Keene could be lead to huge character development of other Milton ferrets as well as to quite interesting follow-up storyline. Maybe Duke would finally learn the subtle art of subtlety...? (Nah, that's too much)
Also, if any major character would ever die in the story, this feels like a way to do this - showing their point of view after the death in the bright and happy heaven. Also, Breel.
Possible problems with this one:
- Dark turn of events, quite contrasting with the usual nature of the comic.
- If Keene really dead, why are the circumstances of his demise so unclear and unusual? If it's just for giving the audience false hope, it doesn't really feel right.
- The theme of dealing with death doesn't seem to require four animals now - Keene at the moment seems to have at least partially accepted the fact he died. There has to something more.
- While the sadness of Keene's death can be reduced showing him being and heaven and all, it's hard to imagine everything would be looking so fine while we're back to Earth.
I've mentioned I'm bad at theorycrafting, but I felt the need to write this one. Maybe it will start some interesting discussion and someone will point out what possibilities are missing and where I've made mistakes.
Before I go though:
Douglas Collier wrote:Problem is, when you start killing off the main characters, where do you stop?
You can stop at one. I really don't understand where the concern is coming from, one-time major event doesn't mean the comic will suddenly become Game of Housepets. Besides,there's been death and dark themes in the story already. Should I remind anyone of certain adorable puppy?
Also as for characters dying of old age etc... Housepets will eventually end. Will it be in five, fifteen or fifty years, one day it will happen.
Ok. Done with this wall of text. Sorry. You can bite now.