Your personal Tumblr journey starts here
Helluva Boss - Blog Posts
Dialogue V.S Soliloquy
... and why we haven't really had a Helluva Boss love confession yet.
~*~ Spoilers Below for Mastermind ~*~
I've seen a lot of confusion on this topic floating around the internet and I thought I would offer up my 2 cents on the matter. Like, maybe Vivzie will come out with a tweet that proves this entire theory wrong or something but until then, here is my interpretation.
The song starts off as Stolas addressing the courtroom. He even leads into it saying something like "Lets do this the way I do best- with song." He then proceeds to play a sort of evil villain role, pretending that everything was all part of his evil plan and how dare this dumb little Imp try to take credit for his accomplishments- really playing up the condescension in a way that the Goetia will buy. He's playing to his audience with the ultimate goal of redirecting the blame from Blitz to himself. He's campy and dramatic the whole time until he gets to the line "And I have no regrets."
At that point you will notice a change in the background. As soon as he sings that line we suddenly aren't in the courtroom anymore but in this starry galaxy backdrop with feathers floating around and he immediately sings "I have regrets." Like, it's the very next line. "I have no regrets. I have regrets." The tone shifts from his silly villain monologue to something sadder and more somber. All of this combined is why I believe that this is when the song stops being an address to the court room and becomes a soliloquy.
If you think back to highschool when you were learning about Romeo and Juliet, that's when most people learn about soliloquy- A device used in theater to let the audience into the character's mind. It's usually shown as the character on stage by themselves, speaking their thoughts aloud so that we as the audience can know what they're thinking, but it's accepted that the other characters in the play cannot hear this part.
When Mastermind makes the drastic shift away from campy stage play into somber reverie, I believe this is meant to be a soliloquy. After all, the "I have no regrets. I have regrets" line wouldn't make any sense if Stolas was still addressing the courtroom. He doesn't want them to know he has regrets or that he's questioning everything or that he's even questioning why he's willing to throw everything away for this one man that he's not even on good terms with right now. Additionally, Blitz's parts in this song are his thoughts too: "What have you done?" and "I don't deserve this."
They were both screaming in their heads about how much they love each other but I don't think they've said it out loud, not to each other or anyone else. When Satan sings his part he doesn't comment on any of the lovey dovey stuff, just "Isn't that adorable, we've been betrayed by one of our own." He only comments on Stolas's performance from the beginning of the song. He goes on to talk about how Stolas's hubris had gotten the better of him, but nothing of his heart.
These two haven't confessed their love, they've just both accepted it. I think the purpose of the duet was to show that they're finally on the same page with what they want out of the relationship, but they've still got some work to do in regard to actually getting there. They've said it in their heads- now they need to say it to each other.
we were all so hung up on this foresahdowing....
...we completely ignored THIS forshadowing.
They went so unreasonably hard with this sequence in Mastermind and I still can't get the colors and imagery out of my head
IT'S THE WAY THEIR INTERNAL WORLDS BLEED TOGETHER. the way blitz still looks up at him, still in front of him and bathed in light, but the way they're on equal ground this time; there's no pedestal. the golden chains forcing blitz away from stolas vs them dragging blitz to him in truth seekers. stolas on his knees looking up at blitz (the moon) vs blitz on his knees watching stolas. the way that stolas has the freedom to fly after the moon vs blitz being chained down and unable to reach for him. the golden feathers. insane
IM GLAD SOMEONE ELSE NOTICED THIS HE KEPT FUCKING PULLING THEM OFF?? I'm definitely going to have more to say about this and the fucking gold feathers later but I need to stop shaking first
Hey, why could Blitz pull off his magical bonds and gag multiple times? Just curious.....
I mean we did get these shots which were pretty damn sexy but oh the drama of Stolas appearing in his demon form
What an entrance!
no words, just take this
He showed up in his eldritch form, based on this
So all of Hell saw Stolas show up in his full demonic form. Am I a little sad we only got the implication of eldritch Stolas? Maybe but the song made up for it holy shit
What an entrance!
so uh. everyone who wrote fics about Stolas losing his title/powers and blitz immediately taking him in. how we feeling tn
Look I love fizzarozzie but I very much believe (even if it's never shown/addressed) that Fizz is going to be so fucking mad at Oz.
"YOU WERE GOING TO WATCH MY BEST FRIEND GET EXECUTED AND YOU SAID NOTHING?"
Also-
WHAT THE FUCK OZZIE
You said nothing.
NOTHING.
Even Bee said something to Blitz's character.
I'm disappointed in you dude.
Well, hell is meant to be a circus
The fact that as soon as Stolas gave himself up, they just let IMP go and didn't take away their business or their crystal or anything.
This is a freaking weird court lol
"I'd like to add, your honor, that in addition to his unspeakable acts against our dear, beloved Stolas--"
Mastermind Timestamp Game~
Just copying what @warblogs17282 did for Ghostfuckers, and doing one for Mastermind since we're 10 days away from the episode release! How exciting! 😁
Claiming 13:26, it seems random enough, and I'm praying it isn't angsty. Please~
Just reply/reblog with your time, and when the episode releases, reblog with a screenshot.
touch the pretty thing
Forget Fizz shaking, this would give Stolas a heart attack
I'm just imagining Stolas reading the paper the day after this episode and he's flipping through all the "FIZZAROLLI QUITS" and "FIZZMODEUS CONFIRMED" pages and then he sees these pictures or something and chokes on his cereal
I.M.P. in human disguises 🥰 (yes, Blitzø's tattoo is covered by his hair). Reference credit to albanenechi <3
That scene in apology tour hits so much harder when you listen to the background music and you realize that the lyrics are saying "Don't touch that pretty thing" as he reaches out and pulls away.
We know he thinks Stolas deserves better than him, but damn if it doesn't hurt that he thinks his hands (himself) are too scarred to touch that pretty thing.
Busy thinking of this image again and I've just noticed how Blitz's hand is barely not touching Stolas' hand here, plus Blitz's hand is balled up into a fist, like he's purposefully stopping himself from holding Stolas' hand here despite how much Blitz clearly wants to hold his hand.
Now that I've noticed this little detail, it makes these two memories shown in s2 e10 hurt just that bit more tbh
Gonna do 6:02 (idk why I replied originally)
Mastermind Timestamp Game~
Just copying what @warblogs17282 did for Ghostfuckers, and doing one for Mastermind since we're 10 days away from the episode release! How exciting! 😁
Claiming 13:26, it seems random enough, and I'm praying it isn't angsty. Please~
Just reply/reblog with your time, and when the episode releases, reblog with a screenshot.
Rate My Professor
Dr. Buckzo:
Ty S.
Dude is built like a fuckin munchkin from the wizard of Oz and swears like a sailor on meth but ig i did learn something. 7.5/10
Alaria P.On the first day he told us he used to be in the circus and that he’s killed five people. Didnt know whether to laugh or report him to the authorities. Hes the kind of guy who would have mafia ties tho so i just smiled and nodded. 4/10
Dennis
Hottest prof at Wrath U, didnt learn shit about history but learned a lot about the human body if u know what i mean 9/10
Hanna T
I wanted to give him a 0/10 because he’s a complete piece of shit but damn, this guy knows a lot about world war 2 and he gave me an A on my paper about how annoying Christian Savior narratives are in media depictions of that time so he’s good by me 5/10
Alex G I looked him up and he isnt even a doctor???? And when i literally asked him straight up about it in class he was like “what are you, a cop?” and honestly thats fair. This guy sucks tho. Dont take his class. 3/10 ~ hey so I have zero excuse for starting another fucking fic but I did it anyway, have a Stolitz University Professor AU. I don't know why. But have it.
First time drawing Stolitz using this silly template by Cindersart 🥰
Seeing Stars showed us just how gay they can be and I'm so ready for more of the bitchy old married gay couple energy from them
IM READY GIMME GIMME
Mouse has never seen Helluva Boss 😭
Reblogging again with more details/episodes because I've been coping with election stress by hyperfixating on HB :3
S1E5: THE HARVEST MOON
16:00: A ticking clock when Striker escapes after trying to shoot Stolas. There’s a shot of Blitz staring out the window in horror and then of Stolas at the festival.
S1E6: TRUTH SEEKERS
The first ticking clock in the intro screen.
3:32 (and a bit before): There’s a clock in the room Blitz and Moxxie are held in by D.H.O.R.K..
S2E1: THE CIRCUS
21:13: After Stolas says, “We are getting the DIVORCE,” while Stella says “How dare you,” the clock starts ticking.
S2E3: EXES AND OOHS
19:00: When Moxxie stands up to Crim there’s a clock in the background (like OP said)
S2E4: WESTERN ENERGY
2:38: Immediately after Stolas says the iconic “Oh shit, am I in danger right now?” after Striker destroys Stolas's phone, when the camera cuts back to Blitz, there’s a clock ticking in the background
S2E6: OOPS
Oh, there's so much in this episode. This episode is kinda weird because there’s a clock (as in the literary device) in the story (e.g., you have until midnight to sign the forms). So some of the clock imagery in Oops might be due to emphasizing the amount of time Fizz has left.
5:22: There’s a clock in Crim’s office when he’s talking to Striker
6:43: The clock starts ticking when it’s time for Ozzie’s appointment with Stolas. Then, when the camera goes to Stolas, there’s a clock behind him and the clock is ticking in the background. Side note but this is the first time we see him after Western Energy. Blitz go give the sad owl a hug. Anyway, this specific scene gets to me because the clock behind Stolas is so prominent and the ticking is so LOUD.
9:08: During the ransom video, Crim draws a clock that starts ticking and then it hits Stolas in the face…
THAT'S not ominous at all...
16:38: This is the second time we come back to the attorney, Stolas, and Ozzie. Stolas is talking, the clock is ticking in the background, and Ozzie is checking his watch. This might just be part of emphasizing the clock in the episode and less of the OVERALL clock though
I don't have the mental capacity to rewatch The Full Moon or Apology Tour rn. I also may be missing some from other episodes.
What I find interesting is that there's no ticking clock in Truth Seekers other than the intro, or in C.H.E.R.U.B. Every ticking clock noise I've heard has been associated with Striker and Crimson, who, for the record, may still be working together. I think it's a sign that Striker and Crimson are going to make a reappearance. They've got beef with Stolas, Blitz, and M&M.
Hey anyone wanta help my conspiracy brain with the ticking clock noise? 😁
Soph pointed out that the ticking clock turns up, at the moment Moxxie goes against his dad's wishes.
So I'm now trolling through the other episodes from True Seekers onwards, (cus no start of ep ticking before that), to see if it's in the background elsewhere.
Guessing it'll be when each of them makes an enemy. Because that seems to link to it speeding up.
Someone want to help?
THERES A TICKING CLOCK IN THE HARVEST MOON WHEN STRIKER ESCAPE (around 16:09) and then the next clock is the intro to Truth Seekers
Hey anyone wanta help my conspiracy brain with the ticking clock noise? 😁
Soph pointed out that the ticking clock turns up, at the moment Moxxie goes against his dad's wishes.
So I'm now trolling through the other episodes from True Seekers onwards, (cus no start of ep ticking before that), to see if it's in the background elsewhere.
Guessing it'll be when each of them makes an enemy. Because that seems to link to it speeding up.
Someone want to help?
does anyone else think about how in Oops, stolas never finds out that Blitzø was kidnapped with Fizz? I know obviously Crimson had no reason to show Blitzø in the ransom video, but I cannot stop imagining how this scene would have gone if Stolas had seen Blitzø tied up and gagged too
Don't mind me cotl fandom , just couldn't keep this post in the liked section only
Stolas just standing there and letting blitz hug him in the end is all good, right? He is just sad because of octavia and accepting that blitz is there with him right?? It's not that he regrets chosing him, right??? (I just need affirmation)
You know what? I've found myself needing reassurance about this too. So let's take a moment to look at the facts together, shall we?
(This reply turned out way longer than I expected it to 😅 sorry!)
Fact #1 - Stolas is still coming to terms with the consequences of his actions. He spends the whole episode finding out just how much his life has changed. Learning how to navigate groceries, and laundry, and meals, and having a job, and worrying about money.
Mid-episode, he has a breakdown where he truly questions if everything he gave up was worth it just for a fantasy. At this point in the episode, he still hasn't realised how much he means to Blitz. As far as he's concerned, he did all of this for someone who doesn't reciprocate his feelings. But by the end of the episode, though, his feelings have settled enough to understand and express what he has known to be true all along: that saving Blitz was the right thing to do.
What Stolas regrets isn't saving Blitz's life, or even loving Blitz in the first place.
What he regrets are the choices he made that led them to this. He feels guilty for selfishly (or, rather, naively) playing out his fantasies. He's the one who established the deal, who let Blitz illegally use the book for many months, who wasn't always sensible about how he expressed his love for Blitz publicly and despite being married, and who allowed himself to ignore the reality of his situation so he could live in his own, personal romcom—all of which ultimately led to the events of Mastermind and the loss of Via.
And all the guilt and regret he's grappling with (however justified it might be) is exacerbated by fact #2, which is:
Fact #2 - Stolas is off his medication. He's been off it for a month now. Symptoms of depression (especially untreated depression) include mood swings, irritability, self-hatred and low self-esteem, passive/active suicidal ideation, pessimism and hopelessness about the future, catastrophising, black-and-white thinking, and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure and to find joy in things—and people—who used to bring you it). All symptoms Stolas exhibits throughout this episode.
So, even if he shows a lack of emotion toward Blitz at times, or irritation to seemingly minor things like low doors or "secretating" or Karen's behaviour, even if he acts regretful and angry and desolate... a lot of these emotions and behaviours are a result of his depression, and not of actually hating the life he chose.
Fact #3 - Stolas loves Blitz. He always has, and always will. I could point at a thousand different moments in the show when Stolas' love for Blitz has transpired, but I'm going to leave it at his line from Mastermind: "I would rather be dead than live life without you by my side."
Even after everything they've gone through, even now that he's taken Blitz off his pedestal and can acknowledge that Blitz can be a fucking idiot... Stolas simply does not want to live a life without Blitz. It has always been Blitz. It will always be Blitz.
Stolas loves Blitz.
Fact #4 - Stolas kissed Blitz. Before he truly hits rock bottom as a result of Octavia cutting him out, Stolas is so ecstatic that Blitz cares, that Blitz was willing to go to such lengths to save his life, that he can't hold back the need to kiss Blitz mid-air. Suddenly, none of his earlier frustration matters. Nothing matters expect for how elated he is that Blitz loves him back. So he smiles and he pulls Blitz into a kiss because he can't bear not to kiss Blitz for a moment longer.
Look at this man. Look at how happy he is. Because it's always been Blitz, and maybe it was a fantasy for a long time, but it doesn't have to be anymore. Maybe this can be real now. He's so happy he (and I) could cry.
Fact #5 - Stolas didn't deny loving Blitz. When Via said "You don't love me, you love him," the script very purposefully did not have Stolas go "no, no, Via, that's not true—" or say anything else that might make Blitz doubt, even for a moment, that Stolas loves him. Because that much is true. He does love Blitz. He just also loves Via. Which brings me to:
Fact #6 - Blitz knows Stolas loves him. At no point throughout the episode does Blitz doubt, even for a second, that Stolas loves him. And we know this because Blitz's walls remain down at all times. If Blitz doubted he was loved, if he had even the slightest of reservations, those walls would come crawling back up whether he wanted them to or not. It's what he's been trained and conditioned to do—it's how he's kept his heart safe ever since the accident.
But now, he knows his heart is safe with Stolas. He believes it enough to not depend on his walls to feel at ease. He believes it enough to let himself take care of Stolas and be soft with Stolas without the slightest trace of hesitation.
Look at Blitz's face. This is the face of a man who knows that even if Stolas isn't okay right now, things will get better. And when they do, they'll both still be in love with each other. This is the face of a man who can't wait for something beautiful to flourish between them, but who is in no rush to get there. He knows the road ahead is hard and painful, but he has faith in Stolas. In both of them.
Fact #6 - Stolas was happy to share a private, romantic dance with Blitz. Despite everything going through his mind, he found comfort and happiness in dancing with Blitz; in getting to have this little moment with him.
He found relief in the fact that Blitz stayed with him this time, even after Stolas told him, once again, that he didn't have to stay.
His reaction to Blitz initiating a dance between them is genuine surprise, immediately followed by an enamoured little smile at the mere notion that he gets to have this, now.
And, as they dance, he keeps smiling and leaning into Blitz, going as far as to manage a deep, heartfelt laugh at Blitz's words. This, for an unmedicated, depressed person going through one of the worst days of his life, is huge in itself. It shows that, even in the worst of times, he finds undeniable comfort and happiness in Blitz.
And, after their dance, Stolas looks at Blitz with a sobriety and soft sort of realisation that shows he's finally coming to terms with the fact that this is real. After everything he's lost, after all the fantasies he hoped for for so long and believed he'd never have, he finally gets to have this.
Despite the pain he's going through, Stolas looks at Blitz and sees the man he loves.
Notice how Blitz's eyes trail down to Stolas' mouth. And Stolas realises. And doesn't move away. Waiting, expectantly, for Blitz's next move, fully expecting it to be a kiss.
But then Blitz hugs him instead, and Stolas doesn't hug back.
And it's not because he doesn't want to be hugged by Blitz. It's not because his feelings for Blitz have changed, or dimmed, or disappeared. It's not because he regrets loving Blitz, or saving him. It's not because he doesn't want to have a close, healthy, loving romantic relationship with Blitz.
It's because of facts #1 (he's grappling with so much guilt and coming to terms with the consequences of his actions) and #2 (he's experiencing symptoms of unmedicated depression). And, above all, it's because of fact #7, which is...
Fact #7 - Stolas doesn't know how to be loved. Stolas has never had support. He has never had a shoulder to cry on, or someone to hold him when he needed it. When he's feeling vulnerable and broken, he defaults to hugging himself as a way to self-soothe, because that's the only comfort he's ever known.
And because he's never known comfort from others—because it was never allowed or safe for him to need or ask for comfort from others—all Stolas knows to do with his vulnerability is hide it. So much so that, the two times we see him begin to break down in front of Blitz, he either portals Blitz away or masks his tears and pain immediately. Even as he drunkenly rambles about wanting to be held, he still makes sure not to appear like he actually needs a hug.
So when he finds himself being held by Blitz in a warm, comforting hug, Stolas doesn't know how to respond. Because he's never had this. He's never had an opportunity to learn how to exist in someone's comforting embrace, how to interact with this kind of physical contact. He still has to learn how to feel safe between arms that aren't his own.
Simply put, Stolas still doesn't know how to hold Blitz back.
That doesn't mean Stolas doesn't want or need physical comfort. He needs it desperately—everyone does. But wanting something and knowing how to actually have it are two very different things, and Blitz knows that better than anyone, because he's wanted Stolas for a very long time, but didn't, until very recently, know how to feel safe accepting Stolas' love.
And that's why Blitz is completely understanding of the fact that all Stolas can do, all Stolas has the ability to do, is stand there and let himself be held, and let his emotions go through him. In, and out, with every breath, with every second. And get slowly acquainted with what being comforted by the person he loves feels like.
Thirty-something years of trauma can't be undone in a single hug, or a single conversation, and it's going to take time for Stolas to learn how to be present while in Blitz's arms, and how to return that emotional closeness.
But Blitz has faith in him. Blitz is willing to be patient and soft with him while he gets better. Blitz is ready to meet Stolas where he's at, because he knows, beyond a trace of doubt, that they love one another, and they're going to be okay. Even if Stolas doesn't know it yet—even if we, the audience don't know it yet—Blitz knows.
And that's just going to have to be enough for now.
And because this post got completely away from me, I shall conclude by quoting their song, because it summarises their story better than I ever could:
Truer love is hard to find. ❤️
They've made some mistakes, but they definitely love and adore their little girls 💕
Stolas with Octavia + Lucifer with Charlie
A theory on Angel Dust’s feet
Horrible start, I know, but just hear me out: Angel Dust is canonically a spider demon, implying that he has the same base physiology of a spider: 8 arm-legs and a fuck ton of eyes. We’ve seen 3 pairs of arms, implying that his legs are the last set. Therefore, it’s safe to come to the conclusion that his legs are his arms, and his feet are just another pair of hands. He has feet hands, hand feet if you will. Legs with hands on the end.
Thanks for listening and FUCK y’all for making me think about an animated character’s feet in my spare time.
I love stoliz so much :(
Potato’s hehehe
