Arkeiel Rake

[Not so] Gently reminder to fanfic authors: You don't owe people your writting, but people don't owe you their reading either. TAG your work. Don't be a jerk, everyone deserve to write and READ what they like and avoid what they don't. Don't half-tag either, that's a D move.

@sidneyfmn This is exactly what I loved about the second movie, jumping to romance in this storyline would've been a mistake. What they have is deeper than that, and is being built beautifuly by working on them not only as partners, but also as individuals who want to grow and be better.

I'm back to analyze why Nick and Judy's love story works based on the second film, and only scenes from the second film. I've already written about this in relation to the first film, and now I intend to write about the second. Before starting, I wanted to point out something that might cause confusion, especially for those who followed the leaks in recent months. One of the leaks was a leak of the entire film's plot, from a leaker who saw a preview of the film and didn't sign an NDA. This leak contains some things that are quite different from what's in the film, and that's what I want to talk about first. The leaker said in the original post that they watched a preview of the film, so it wasn't the final product. And there are scenes that were cut from the final product, such as the prison scene where Bellwether would encourage Nick to understand his feelings for Judy, the scenes of the near-kiss between the two, and the post-credits scene where Nick would hide a wedding ring. None of this is in the film. Why is that? My hypothesis is that first, it never made sense for Bellwether to care about Nick's feelings for Judy; I always found that scene strange (and what's in the film is very cute), so it was probably discarded early on. Second, the other scenes that would show a more explicit romance were probably from the versions of the film that took place 5 years and 1 year after the first. Jared confirmed that they tried to make the film in those two ways but felt there was too much story to tell and therefore opted for the final version set 1 week after the first film (which turned out great, by the way). Now let's move on to the second film. I felt from the beginning that the two were really trying to be the best partners possible, but they always had some difficulty. Judy always encouraged Nick to open up to her from the start. Several times, Judy said that Nick was acting strangely in some way and that if he had something to say, he could say it, but he didn't have the courage. And it was also noticeable that Nick was making more jokes than usual precisely to hide his discomfort. At the beginning of the film, it's already possible to see Nick's protective side, wanting to protect Judy at all costs. He tries to stop her from jumping into the runaway van. And he insisted on staying home quietly for her safety, but again, he didn't reveal the real reason. Later, they infiltrate the Zootenial Gala, and it's clear they liked seeing each other well-dressed. The way they looked at each other before entering is quite convincing, showing that they loved what they were seeing in each other. During this infiltration, it was also clear that both of them got jealous when interacting with others. Judy got jealous when Nick interacted with the bear, but it was brief because Nick soon called her to join him. Nick got jealous when he saw Judy talking to Pawbert. After this scene, they are rescued by Mr. Big, who offers to help them escape. Nick wanted it for Judy's safety, but she refused. After meeting Nibbles and going to the semi-aquatic animal fair, they hitch a ride on a walrus that mistakes them for a couple. They don't deny it, Nick is uncomfortable, and Judy just smiles discreetly (did she like the idea?). After that, they chase Gary through the pipes, and Judy almost drowns, but Nick saves her again. Here we arrive at the most impactful scene. When they are going up to the Honeymoon Inn. Nick and Judy have an argument and end up dropping the carrot pen that symbolized their partnership. Judy is clearly very upset about this, to the point of not even talking to him anymore. Nick notices this and tries to talk to her. At that moment, the police catch up with them, and Nick tries to warn them that it wasn't worth dying for the case. At that moment, Judy thinks that maybe they are too different to be partners. But she only thought about it because Nick wouldn't open up to her, and she had given him several chances. She had asked him many times if everything was alright and if he had anything to talk about. As the police try to catch them, they destroy the place and break apart in two. Judy makes the difficult decision to go with Pawbert and Gary, leaving Nick behind. Something she regrets as soon as she wakes up. The first thing she thinks about after waking up is Nick, it's always been Nick. Gary always comforted her, saying they would rescue Nick later. She wanted to solve the case to help the reptiles, but her biggest concern was Nick. Nick sees Judy being carried away unconscious, and his main concern becomes getting to her again to save her. While in prison, Nick also reflects on the things he's been through with Judy recently and has a heartfelt conversation with Nibbles, who was also in prison. Here he realizes what he should have told her all this time. After leaving prison, his main concern is getting to Judy as quickly as possible to help her. When he arrives, it seems too late. Judy is poisoned, and Pawbert is almost escaping with the antidote. This scene is harder to watch. Judy sees that Nick came back for her, and she can't do anything because she's paralyzed. At that moment, Judy's only concern is Nick. Nick tried to stop Pawbert and saw that there was still a way to save Judy with the antidote. He gets the antidote for her even if it costs him his life, for her sake. Here, they had clearly crossed the line of friendship and it was becoming something more. Judy, after receiving the antidote, desperately runs to save the person who matters most to her: Nick. We arrive at the scene that cements everything. The bridge scene. Where they reveal their deepest feelings. Nick finally speaks about why he didn't care so much about the case, because Judy mattered more than anything else. Judy apologizes for leaving him behind and also reveals that he is what matters most to her. Notice the weight of these revelations. Nick would let the world burn just to protect Judy. Judy has an entire family of loving parents and siblings, but Nick matters more than anyone else. Nick joined the police force not because he wanted to be a police officer, but because he wanted to be part of a group; Judy was his group. Nick is the only partner she wants because he is her fluffle. Here, clearly, they are what matters most to each other, much more than just friends. They crossed the line. After a confession like that, it doesn't make sense for Judy and Nick to look for other romantic partners. At the end, when they're celebrating at Gary's house, Nick returns the repaired pen to Judy, showing the resilience and strength of their relationship. This is what was needed to definitively confirm WildeHopps. Nick tells Judy: "I love you, partner." You don't say that to just anyone, and not with the tenderness he did. It wasn't a joke. It was serious. And for Judy to keep repeating that audio afterward with her pen, it means something. For me, I see a relationship developing gradually and naturally towards an inevitable romance. As someone who's been in the fandom for 9 years and has shipped them for 9 years, I'm very satisfied with the movie. Nick and Judy care deeply for each other and love each other profoundly. They know each other's every flaw, and yet they chose each other as life partners. They are willing to improve and grow together. They won't give up on each other. It's a lifelong commitment. Thank you for reading this far. OBS: Nibbles and Gary are wonderful characters, with their own beauty, simplicity and kindness. I loved them. #zootopia2 #zootopia #wildehopps

@I_am_biitt This is definitely the perfect description of them, for me something romantic in the second movie would've been awkward or even anticlimactic. They're still building this trust between them, their friendship and partnership at the same time they're figuring out who they are.

This is why I will never listen to people who think Judy and Nick's conflict in the sequel isn't natural or ruins/isn't as investing for what they had in Z1

So, in conclusion, I don't really care about them being a 'romance' or not in the future. Because I think what they have is deeper. What I do think is that they really need to work on them individually, so any other type of interaction wouldn't be awkward, but natural.

I feel like he's still unsure of who he really is and what does he really want. Even joining the police was just a way to feel like he belongs and then just be with her, a comfort zone. Judy knows who she is and who she wants to be, Nick needs that too.

My take with Wildehopps, as someone who only knows the movies and hasn't read fanfiction so my POV is objective, is that their relationship is platonic at the moment. They're soulmates, don't get me wrong, but their bond isn't based on romance, but something deeper.

@KarlJohanLundb2 @honeylemon0124 That's the thing that kind of annoyed the hell out of me in this second movie, SHE was saving the world or whatever, he was literally just tagging along trying to keep HER alive (she was reckless AF), I want to see who Nick is outside of his little bubble. He's so repressed.

@honeylemon0124 100% They must start to establish him as a moral agent now. I didn't quite like the "all because of you" reason he gave, as if he still didn't care about anything else. Besides, if the plan is a romance arc, he needs to become more than "charming/sensitive bad boy" already.

Besides wildehopps, what do you wanna see THE MOST in Z3?? I REALLY wanna see Nick being brave, serious and actually determined to solve a case or conspiracy. And his parents reveal :3

@Vince_TheFox @honeylemon0124 Omg this is genius (we'll know if Disney saw this comment based on the next plot).

@honeylemon0124 I'd like to see Nicks past and what happened to his family - if zootopia 3 revolves around birds, then maybe it may involve chickens being enemies of foxes.

@FrequentUser99 @honeylemon0124 @iverson_jo70544 Honestly I felt like Nick wasn't interested at all in the case in this second movie, for me it was like this: Judy caring to solve the case and save the world (again) and Nick caring for... Judy, keeping the freaking little thing alive (she was reckless AF). I got tired for him ~

@honeylemon0124 @iverson_jo70544 I agree. It’s the perfect character progression from the last movie, gives a new look at what he’s like professionally & better highlights their teamwork skills. Now that I think about it, though it is understandable in context, he doesn’t really solve much in the reptile case.

@PenguinFan92 @honeylemon0124 Honestly, I'm dying to know more about Nick's story, because, what do you mean you had been alone for most of your life and working since you were 12? Didn't you have a mother? Like, I NEED to know more.

@honeylemon0124 Pawbert Redemption! I NEED to see him reconcile with Gary and everyone! Also Wildehopps kiss! Disney has been building up to it as far back as "It's called a hustle, sweetheart" Nick backstory. There has to be more than what happened at scouts that messed him up.

|| Dhr || || Blind Draco || Post war || || Light Angst || War took many lives. That's what Hermione had learned. But it wasn't until she started volunteering for the Ministry, that she truly understood just how much. And in how many ways.

@biebswiftcore Yo les admiro algo a las fans y es que defender a esta mujer es trabajo de 24/7, mucha fuerza, de verdad ~

los fans de esta deben quererse matar porque se llenaron la boca diciendo que hailey se humillaba y resultó que su fav es esto

@IkiGai133 @americanreqiuem Did she promote this documental with the same passion she promoted this movie? Did she give several interviews talking about how this documental was 'great representation'? Did she defend racists in this documental as she did with the movie? Did she win prizes for it?

@arkeiel @americanreqiuem Yeah but she also produced a documental about the horrible situations inmigrant people face, but I guess its easier to atack her for making 1 bad thing instead of the people who are creating this and who are the real problem

Selena Gomez wasn’t dramatic, she was early. She spoke against ICE a year ago and got mocked/targeted until she went quiet. Meanwhile, celebrities with far more power said nothing at all. Where are they?

@americanreqiuem In case anyone wants to understand why the movie was so problematic, this might help a little: indiewire.com/features/comme…

@americanreqiuem She wasn't targeted because of the crying or what she said (well, the government did targeted her because of it), the people hated the hypocrisy of it all. Because she'd just participated, promoted and defended a movie made by racists that made fun of real problems in Mexico.