perhaps the future is not completely set in stone. Grape was the best choice for Peanut, but as soon as Grape chose Max, Tarot, being the next best thing, became the best choice until Grape decides to choose Peanut over Max.

Yes this I agree with.

I don't like to snark about these kinds of things--frankly, I feel strange enough about wanting to see a cartoon dog and cat get together as it is--but so long as we're talking about it anyway, this is one of the bigger problems that I have with Peanut and Tarot's relationship.

Nevermind that Tarot literally shows up out of nowhere, but we very rarely see her doing anything with Peanut that suggests they are involved. Their relationship is what TV Tropes calls an "informed attribute"; we are told that they are together, but we don't see that they are together. Max suffers from a little of this too, but in his defense, he and Grape actually do things together; they've been on a date, been to the movies, danced together, done Pridelands junk together, set up the haunted house together, and so on. Their relationship is highly visible, and something that is mentioned virtually every time Max appears.

In contrast, Peanut and Tarot don't do much of anything. Tarot has been a part of the strip for about a year and a half, and in most of her appearances, the emphasis of her character has been placed more upon her role as "crazy psychic" rather than "Peanut's girlfriend". In fact, there's only one strip after her initial appearance in which they seem to spend any time alone together. It all feels very forced, because it's not how we would expect two people who are ostensibly dating to behave. This is compounded by the fact that we know the Dragon has an attraction to Peanut, which calls into question whether Tarot actually feels the same way or not; while I believe the latter is intentional on Rick's part, as an element of drama, I'm not so certain about the former.

Sinder I agree completely with you that's basically all the problems I have with Peanut and Tarot as a couple, Max and Grape however do not suffer from any of these problems IMO; and as much as I want Peanut and Grape together I actually like Max&Grape somewhat. (I hope this discussion isn't getting to shippy don't want to get in trouble.)

Sinder is right about the relationship with Peanut and Tarot, honestly. Though i really don't find too much wrong with the relationship other than maybe it's coming to the point where there needs to be more light on it soon.

I have to say though, i find the subtle nature of their relationship is really the charm. The difference between Max and Tarot simply put is Max is more active and Tarot is more subtle. Whether Tarot will evolve into a more casual person or start doing more active roles like Max and Grape do is something i'm waiting to see happen with given time.

I get where your coming from, but there is subtle relationships, and then there is Peanut and Tarot which as I said basically nothing. You can have a Subtle relationship while still showing the people in it interacting and being romantic. At this point I really have a hard time believing they are in a relationship at all, and again maybe that is the point as I said before.

I wouldn't mind some more hints as to what Tarot's standings in their relationship is a little myself. Although i think their relationship is still good, i sometimes feel also that i'm left on the edge wondering also if Tarot would simply drop him once she's done whatever the Dragon told her to do or if Tarot really has any serious feelings for him other than 'it's her duty', which is somewhat the most feeling I get from her. sure, she only does things with Peanut and teaches him about the spiritual things in life, but is it because she's told to or because she likes him? it's tough to say.

Guys, I am acutely aware that there has basically been no depicted mushy stuff whatsoever between Peanut and Tarot.

Just because we haven't seen mushy stuff between Peanut and Tarot, doesn't mean there hasn't been. Rick can't draw EVERYTHING that happens. ;3

So its intentional then, ok I thought it might have been.



Ok but that makes it very hard (ie. Impossible for me at least) to believe that they really love each other because we never see it. However that now appears to be the point as I said before.

In this strip, Peanut and Tarot are seen in a cuddle, so I guess that constitutes as a mushy thing, I guess? I dunno.

I'm sorry that is how I interpret that, even if it was a general comment to everyone and if I'm wrong I'm sorry but I don't think I am.

Yeah because every arc since Tarot introduction has focused on the main plot of the comic (the several of them in fact.) and lets not even get started with one offs. If your saying that they don't lend them selves to good plot romantically then break them up and have Peanut get with some one else or be alone and unattached because its not like it would make a difference anyway. I'm not saying that I want every waking moment with them together depicted, just if your going to have them dating (which at this point I really don't think they are as I said.) have them go out on a date or something every once in a while. There were plenty of times he could have shown something and he didn't.

I don't really think the MST3K Mantra applies in this situation Diss and I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree on this whole thing.

Probably because they don't actively date. who knows? Or as Dissension mentioned, Rick hasn't had enough time to establish it yet, which was one of the things i always thought earlier myself. Whether we should know they date or not at this time sorta makes me think they do other romantic things than dating, but that again is just a speculation.

All i'm saying though is i'm certain there's a reason he established their relationship from day one. Give Rick more faith is all i ask =P



Well, one thing you would have to consider though IceKitsune is that since it is a comic, there are ways that Rick can choose to establish somethings in his comic. whether it be straightforward or not is usually something the reader has to determine.

So it's not just a show and we shouldn't really just relax? :3

I'm pretty sure the MST3K Mantra always applies.

Ok, ok I guess it maybe sort of applies. However by this interpenetration of it,any plot hole (or anything really) can be covered by the Mantra leading to no way to criticize the comic at all. Personally I've only applied the Mantra to science, magic and maybe a few other problems myself it doesn't cover everything. Whatever I'm done with this discussion I think I've said everything I wanted to.

Edit: Clarified a few things

There is a full world in the comic, but we only get to see a few moments of it in a week, it's the tip of the iceberg. It's conceivable that this is just a plot element that hasn't found it's potential yet.

But also I can't say I've ever been bothered by a plot element in Housepets. As long as it stays enjoyable to read and fun to look at, I don't really care if something doesn't add up.

"... now shut up."

=(



Or the other way around! Though I bet it still won't stop the shipping @_@

well obviously
why would we stop shipping?

When we get tired of it. Which will take a loooong time.

You should leave shipping for writing fanfics and fancomics, fanart and such. Everything "fan". It won't happen in the comic.

It would certainly break mine

Am I alone here in saying that I really don't care either way?

>.>

<.<

*ducks*

Next monday: Grape takes Imaginate! to a whole new level as payback ~ hanging Peanut over lava.

Personally, this comic is my little source of cute on the internet. So a little romance is okay with me.

Dropping him into the lava would be better.

I think instead of peanut getting in trouble max will As soon as max gave her res' contact info i suspected max was making it up cuz grape was mad at him. So max is probably gonna get the fanfic himself and i think grape will somrhow find out

That should really be in the wild mass guessing topic. Plus I highly doubt that we will see what happens next anyway. Next is just going to be a one off week as usual and then we will get another arc.

Yeah, that's highly unlikely. Actually, it's impossible. Res gave Grape his number, so she called him, and heard his voice. It's his e-mail.

Oh right forgot about the phone #, i dont think itll be a one-off week though, didnt rick post on the comments of this comic that its the start of a new arc?

All I can say is that as usual Rick Griffin has made a great comic, in which every joke, random funny parts, and great story line has left me wanting to read what will happen next, I hope he does more of his comics, because he does a wonderful job with them. I look foward to what will happen next.
Housepets is the most awsome comic ever, and will always be my favourite.

agreed.

agreed x 2

Agreed two and one half.

Also agree totally true.