JMP said:
I guess I just see this in a different light. My impression of Locus' intentions for the time he spent with Rickert was to show Rickert that Griffith was more than worthy, basically saying “You should totally worship Griffith – and here's why!”. I didn't see it as primarily an attempt at intimidation, but an effort to bring Rickert around to their side by explaining all the reasons Locus thinks Griffith is an excellent leader who has ultimately benefited the world. Locus' way of going about this is pretty forceful, and I agree that it did intimidate Rickert. There is definitely an aspect of shock and awe to Locus' persuasion technique that I think he was aiming to zap Rickert with.
You say Locus wanted to bring Rickert around to their side, but that's not reflected in their talk. At no point does he encourage Rickert to "join up" or anything, he rather questions his motivations for wanting to see Griffith right from the start (despite the fact Rickert didn't initiate that visit). Locus had guessed what Rickert's reasons for seeing Griffith were, and was trying to dissuade him from pursuing that course. Now, you say intimidation wasn't his primary objective, but why did he take him to the Pandemonium then? Rickert already knew what apostles were. Locus could have told him everything without taking him there, he didn't need to show him the hellish arena. How was that supposed to convince Rickert to "join" the cause, especially since Locus knew Rickert wanted to talk about his comrades' fate?
JMP said:
Locus seems to suspect that Rickert already has some knowledge of apostles, but he doesn't seem sure of how much.
I think it's pretty clear he knows Rickert knows from the glance he gives him.
JMP said:
When he takes Rickert to see Pandemonium, it was like Locus wanted to reveal this place to Rickert on his own terms and to give Rickert his side of things.
If the goal was merely for Rickert to support Griffith's cause, then there was no need for him to ever see that place.
JMP said:
He explains this relatively ugly side of Griffith's power in a fairly positive light. He doesn't try to hide the violent nature of apostles, but he explains that all this potentially destructive power has now been harnessed by Griffith to protect humans. When Rickert calls them monsters, Locus points out that they were once human and puts a bit of a spin on how they came to be what they are, conveniently not mentioning that each one of them had to make a sacrifice of something or someone precious to them in the bargain. When Locus says of Griffith “He granted us deviants a place to stay.” it reminded me of when the torturer who wore the bird mask talked about how Mozgus had given his group of former outcasts a sense of belonging and purpose. Locus also points out to Rickert that Griffith has ended fighting among humans, and that people no longer fear death because they're able to see their dearly departed's souls thanks to Griffith. So to me, it does seem like Locus was trying to convince Rickert to get on board with appreciating the Falcon of Light as much as he apparently does.
That's Locus' own fervor shining through his talk. And there's more than one thing he's not truthful about. You're right in thinking that it comes across like a sales pitch, because it totally does. But Locus is as much trying to sell it to Rickert as he's selling it to himself here IMHO, reciting the gospel with a dreamy look on his face. Furthermore, it actually still works towards preventing Rickert from asking Griffith the tough questions. I view it as being as much a part of his intimidation tactic ("look what great feats he's accomplished!") as the more gruesome part of the trip, and both things come to Rickert's mind (the soul gathering and the apostles screaming) when he finally faces Griffith.
JMP said:
When I first saw how angry Locus was when he got so pissed he was crushing the ledge on the building I thought it was weird. I guess I just didn't expect that sort of strong reaction at seeing Griffith's disappointment or distress about Rickert's rejection from this seemingly so cold and stoic tough-looking apostle, but Locus just seems to feel some really strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness over Griffith, maybe at least in part because of how he feels Griffith has given himself and the other apostles a home of sorts in Falconia that they never had before.
No offense, but I really find it strange that it surprised you. From Ganishka's reaction when Griffith stood before him to the way the apostles all converged to serve him in Shet, not to mention their behavior during the Eclipse or even Locus' own talk with Ganishka in volume 27, it's always been clear how reveringly they regard him. And that's doubly true for Locus, who's had his creepily-fervant moments before (like in volume 33). On a side note, his reaction in episode 338 can inform how benevolent you believe he was in 336.
JMP said:
What I'm trying to say is that Locus would guess that being able to reconnect with Rickert would be something Griffith would desire, so maybe he wanted to push Rickert in that direction to facilitate it.
If Rickert reconnecting with Griffith really was important, one of his lieutenants would be trying to convince him to change his mind instead of trying to assassinate him. Apostles will be apostles. Don't forget that their natural instinct is to prey on people, not to protect or befriend them.
Furthermore, for all intents and purposes, this part of Griffith's life is far behind him now. And my feeling is that all things considered, Locus would prefer for the past to remain in the past. That means Rickert being out of the picture.
But I honestly thought it was one of our better shows, so I'm glad I was able to get it to you guys.
