Musings of a Lynx

Honestly my favorite character from Zootopia isn’t Judy or Nick, it’s Gideon Grey. Don’t get me wrong, I love both Nick and Judy. But Gideon just stuck in my mind. Despite having very little screentime, like maybe 5 minutes tops, he is very well fleshed out and shows legitimate character growth. He started out as a nasty, temperamental bully who seeks out and antagonizes people who are weaker than him, who he knows he can overpower. And the movie could’ve left it at that, leaving him as nothing more than a childhood obstacle to Judy. But INSTEAD, the movie acknowledges that he wasn’t just an obstacle, he was a living, breathing person who existed outside his narrative function, with his own obstacles he was trying to overcome. The movie also acknowledges that most bullying is a consequence of insecurity and low self-worth. And based off his dialogue, he also probably attended therapy to help deal with these problems. “I had a lot of self-doubt, and it manifested itself in the form of unchecked rage and aggression.” Also, during his first appearance he embodies the very worst of toxic masculinity. Belligerent, smug, and self-absorbed. But as an adult, he’s humble, kind, and apologetic. Plus he’s a baker, which is traditionally not a very masculine attribute. In many ways he’s the antithesis to Nick. Nick starts out as an idealistic youth trying to make the world a better place, and as an adult has evolved into a cynical jackass. Whereas Gideon started out embodying every aspect of foxes that made them seemingly untrustworthy and as an adult has evolved into a contributing member of society. Also it’s my headcanon that he struggles with self-doubt because he’s gay in a traditionally conservative environment. TL;DR Gideon Grey is an amazing character despite having almost no screentime. And also he’s super adorable. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Yet another reason why Zootopia is so remarkable.  Even many of the “supporting” characters are not throwaway.  They are integral.  They have their own stories.  They too grow, learn, transform.  Judy’s parents, Bogo, and for absolutely for certain Gideon Grey.  Wonderful.

Zootopia Love #16

There’s this moment, right after Gideon apologies for his actions as a youngster, and Judy acknowledges that she too knows about being a jerk, that the two of them share a moment in silence and a smile. It’s a brief moment, maybe even less than a second, but their silence and their look speaks volumes:  “This is complete for us now.” 

It’s an absolutely lovely little touch, and a huge moment for the both of them.  That incident from their youths is now fully in the past.  It wipes the slate clean, both for their interactions, but also of all the decisions, views, baggage, and other hangings on that they’ve been carrying since that day as kits. 

Great storytelling moment, a well rendered moment that, in it’s silence and simplicity, speaks to new their found freedom.

there is another second when she stares at him smiling. 

Ah yes, love it!  Doubles the beauty and power of that moment.  Everything posture and look is one of peace and ease and of being free.