The weird thing about Adrien quitting modeling is that he makes it seem like his dad is a super unreasonable guy. But as soon as he asks his dad just goes “K whatever”. This also happens in Gorizilla when he has this whole perception of his dad and his dad would have shown him the movie if he asked. It just feels like the narrative muddles what kind of dad Gabriel is. His classmates act like Gabriel is Satan because he doesn’t ship Adrinette, or sometimes tells him to stay home. It kind of seems like that isn’t true though since Adrien leaves the house all the time as CN and never gets punished when he’s caught, maybe he’s just lying to his friends to spend time with Ladybug. Or when Adriens starts slipping in his activities his dad makes him stay home as a punishment, that’s a normal thing parents do. Marinettes parents also do that in one episode. Not to mention in Jubilation we see Adriens just lounging at home without modeling, what happened to spending time with your friends? I think the narrative needs to be clear on if Gabriel is actually a bad dad, or just the villain of the series.
Thing is, it's not just "Gabriel being strict" that's the issue. If that was all, then he might not be a great dad, but he wouldn't be an awful one.
It's not just that Gabriel's efforts interfere with Adrienette, or even that he sometimes wants Adrien to stay home. Those, in and of themselves, would be annoying, but not horrific.
But like... in Gorizilla, Adrien DID try to ask about seeing the movie. This was how the exchange went.
Adrien: Father, there's something I'd like to talk to you...about. Can I have a few minutes of your time? Gabriel: Yes, of course. Adrien: Really? Gabriel: I'll tell Nathalie to let you know as soon as I'm available. Adrien:(sighs) It'll be too late then. (Gabriel notices that Adrien is fidgeting with his ring.) Gabriel: Shouldn't you be practicing your piano? Adrien: Yes. (Adrien walks out of the room.)
Gabriel ignored Adrien for the most part, telling him to schedule later, and dismissing him by saying that he should be practicing piano instead. Adrien had that perception of Gabriel for a reason.
And yeah, sometimes Gabriel tells Adrien to stay home after slipping in one of his activities. That, in and of itself, isn't the worst thing, but it's how minor the slip-up was and how major the punishment, as well as his condescending attitude towards Adrien's friends, that was the issue.
(Adrien playing the piano. Adrien accidentally plays the wrong key) Gabriel: I've heard enough. Are you sure you're practicing, Adrien? Adrien: I'm just doing the same exercises over and over again. I think I could make better progress if I could just play with other musicians. After all, music's meant to be shared with other people, don't you think? Gabriel: We Agrestes are soloists. We're no mere group members. I suggest you rehearse your piece some more. You'll play it for me again later today. Adrien: But father, you promised that I could attend my friends' concert. Gabriel: Not after that performance you've just given, which is probably due to their influence! You need to refocus, Adrien. (Adrien calls Nino)
Gabriel cuts him off from seeing his friends - something he'd already agreed to - for a pretty minor mistake. And on top of that, he blamed them for being "bad influences".
Yeah, Adrien's managed to slip out of his room without being caught, most of the time. That doesn't mean Gabriel's okay with him leaving it though.
As for Gabriel not punishing Adrien on the few occasions when he IS caught... it is a little weird, I'll admit. But most of the time, I think he's happy enough just to have Adrien back (especially after something like Gorizilla) that I'm guessing that's why he forgoes punishment.
As for Adrien lounging around in Jubilation, I'm guessing that's a combination of Adrien being depressed (over what? take your pick) and Adrien likely not being allowed to just leave the house to do whatever, even if he has no other pressing commitments. Just because he doesn't have something else Gabriel wants him to do, doesn't mean he has permission to visit a friend.
It's also an issue that Gabriel is wildly inconsistent. Often he tailors what he does to what he thinks might get him a nice akuma. He shut down Nino trying to throw Adrien a party for that more than because he didn't like Nino (not much more though).
Adrien only seems to matter to him when it reflects on himself and his brand. Otherwise Gabriel generally ignores Adrien.
Plus the entire season one finale?
Not only does Gabriel have a digital copy of the book but he pulls Adrien from school. Giving every indication that this is meant to be a permanent punishment.
Then he goes out of his way to akumatize himself and tries to attack Adrien. Because Gabriel doesn't see traumatizing his son by trapping him in a book as important as making Adrien feel guilty for "getting his Father akumatized".
There's also the matter that when Adrien does well Gabriel can't be bothered to show up. Like when Adrien won a fencing competition and the only feedback he gets is that he's late. Which A) isn't something he could control and B) he heard from Nathalie because Gabriel was too busy with "more important things". Despite, y'know, literally being in the other room.
He also cancels time set aside for Adrien even though it's treated like an appointment and is only fifteen minutes of his time.
The only times Gabriel goes out of his way to show Adrien an iota of attention it's because he just endangered his son's life with an akuma.
And let's not forget Sandboy! Where Adrien's greatest fear is literally being locked in a cage. Wonder where that came from? *Stares in Gabriel keeps Adrien isolated from his peers*
Also, Gabriel didn't let Adrien stop modeling just because he asked. I was worried about this take when I first heard how it happened and am disappointed to be proven right. Anyway.
Gabriel appropriated his own son's image to capitalize off Adrien's public image and help him sell akuma rings to the populace. So either Gabriel is illegally profiting off his son's face or Gabriel
legally owns
Adrien's likeness.
Meaning that Adrien can't lend his voice to things like protesting the oxygen tower anymore.
Gabriel is actually incredibly well written. He is not inconsistent at all, at least in the way he is written. It is clear that the writers are familiar with how abusers usually behave.
Those periods of being “reasonable” or “affectionate” (like hugging Adrien after Style Queen) are actually an important piece in maintaining control in an abusive dynamic exactly BECAUSE it causes the victim to doubt they are being abused, causes them to doubt that it’s really that bad, and it gives hope that the abuser really does care and is capable of warmth and affection as long as the victim acts the way the abuser wants. Such unpredictable responses to requests and behavior also keep the victim in a state of anxiety - perpetually off balance and uncertain about the way the next interaction is going to go. This keeps the victim eager to please, and motivates the victim to try and do whatever the abuser wants.
If an abuser is only ever bad, violent and angry, the victim is harder to control. The reason being, no matter what they do it’s impossible to succeed so there’s no point in trying. In that situation, the victim usually shuts down and stops engaging. There’s no reason to do what the abuser wants because they always get abused.
When we’ve studied abusers, the vast majority are incredibly aware of what they are doing. And they will tell you that those periods of being reasonable or “loving” are incredibly important to maintaining control.
Gabriel is so well written and I hope that this allows actual victims of abuse who watch the show an opportunity to recognize they are in abusive situations, which is the first step in getting out.