User blog:Weavillain/POLL: Is "Spell It Out" a "Lucy Torture" Episode?

Okay, I'm probably opening up a big 'lo can of worms with this topic, given how poisotively receptive this episode has been, but I have to wonder if there are some who think that this episode is guuilty of being a "Lucy torture" episode.

The term "torture episode", much like "Mary Sue", differs from person to person but I think I can speak for everyone when I say that most deem an episode a "torture episode" when it unfairly puts a character in demoralizing and uncomfortable situations WITHOUT a satisfying payoff to their misery.

Now, what do I personally think? I don't think it's a "Lucy torture" episode at all. In fact, I don't think we've gotten any "torture" episodes of the show as of yet.

But I digress. Why do I not think it's a "torture episode"? Well, I have that opinion for the following reasons:

- Lucy is not entirely innocent.

Yes, while it's true that the onus of treating Lucy better should primarily fall on her siblings, that doesn't mean that Lucy shouldn't have attempted to try asserting herself more. She, herself, admits as much by the end of the episode.

- Lucy's retribution is a bit disproportionate.

While Lucy's attempts at getting her siblings to not walk all over her are understandable, at least from her point of view, keep in mind that because of "her", her siblings were unable to go about their day-to-day lives normally by not being able to talk. Of course, the spell had zero effect on them but Lucy didn't know that it wouldn't work ahead of time. She also never bothered to think about "turning it off" after she had one-upped her siblings, meaning that they'd still be mute when they had other things to do. If anything, I felt equally as bad for them as I did for Lucy. She was sympathetic, yes, but the punishment of having the inability to have their voices at all doesn't equate well with Lucy having hers simply drowned out. At least *she* had a fighting chance. She just opted not to try and make it louder.

- Her siblings apologize in the end.

I understand that an apology might not be proper compensation for some people but in this case, I think it works. At no point during the episode were the siblings aware of their treatment towards Lucy and their inconsiderate behavior is presented in a way that doesn't break my suspension of disbelief in thinking that they had no idea that there was an issue to begin with. They weren't being intentionally malicious and cruel; they were just ignorant and kept in the dark. I don't think we need anything more than that in this case, especially when all Lucy wanted was for her siblings to respect her.

- Lucy suffers no long-lasting effects from her "abuse".

Besides some cartoon slapstick that doesn't carry over into the next few scenes, Lucy doesn't really suffer. Yes, it was kinda unpleasant to see her family acting unpleasant towards her but overall, nothing that happened to her was traumatic and she didn't act towards her pain in any way that indicated mental scarring of any kind.

And well, there you have it. Those are my reasons and I'm sure some of you feel the same way. But for those who don't, you can simply tell us your feelings on the subject.

In addition, here's a poll for you all to partake in because...polls are fun, I guess.

Was "Spell It Out" a "Lucy Torture" episode? Yes No