2023/05/09 - The End (For Now) (Or Is It) (Question Mark) (Dot Dot Dot)

[IceKitsune]

As the whole gardens area apparently got taken up to Heaven for safekeeping, I'd imagine the Human family members are still Human. (And we know at least Todd's mother was up there)

The thing is the contract that changed everyone happened after the everything was done and everyone was back on earth. People were changed by the contract that they all signed. Unless you think that the UN secretary general, and the president were all in the City Babylon Gardens is next to. I don't think that Stewart was changing people all over the world his sphere of influence was never that big. And Eudoant wasn't turning people on his way to Egypt because he didn't care about that only Stewart did.

[Harry Johnathan]

All I hope is that this isn’t the end of the forums, as I genuinely like you people.

If the forums are shut down, Rick or one of the mods might archive the posts. As for the people, a few will probably either move to the new site Rick’s setting up or Discord. At least I hope these things happen, I’m not a fortune-teller.

[D-Rock]

As the whole gardens area apparently got taken up to Heaven for safekeeping, I'd imagine the Human family members are still Human. (And we know at least Todd's mother was up there)

The thing is the contract that changed everyone happened after the everything was done and everyone was back on earth. People were changed by the contract that they all signed. Unless you think that the UN secretary general, and the president were all in the City Babylon Gardens is next to. I don't think that Stewart was changing people all over the world his sphere of influence was never that big. And Eudoant wasn't turning people on his way to Egypt because he didn't care about that only Stewart did.

Really hoping the contract changing even more people isn’t the case. They had just gotten done saying how bad Kitsune was for not changing the city back, and since the reversal could take a while to become safe to use, then Marion’s line of “now everyone has a choice” is exceptionally hollow, because that would mean so many more people didn’t get the choice and he agreed to stripping the choice from them to feel better about his own predicament.

It’s also a reversal on Lois’ stance. She looked ready to strangle Keene again when he suggested that the curse spreading would be beneficial to him.

It becomes a pretty bad case of “protagonist-centered morality.”

[CryosR]

Honestly for me it was just a case of sunk cost fallacy. I just wanted to see this end before I moved on, I'm really only watching Rick for A&H club now

[Amazee Dayzee]

So does that mean we aren't gonna see you around the forums anymore then? If so that sucks as this forum is starting to get more and more quiet.

[CryosR]

Not that I've been around much anyway, it's hard for me to start topics here or even contribute since everything seems to be locked down. Other than starting a thread for my stories

[Amazee Dayzee]

What do you mean everything seems to be locked down? Not sure I understand that.

[IceKitsune]

Really hoping the contract changing even more people isn’t the case. They had just gotten done saying how bad Kitsune was for not changing the city back, and since the reversal could take a while to become safe to use, then Marion’s line of “now everyone has a choice” is exceptionally hollow, because that would mean so many more people didn’t get the choice and he agreed to stripping the choice from them to feel better about his own predicament.

It’s also a reversal on Lois’ stance. She looked ready to strangle Keene again when he suggested that the curse spreading would be beneficial to him.

It becomes a pretty bad case of “protagonist-centered morality.”

Do Not Adjust Your Dial actually proves this is the case if I'm reading this right. It states that "Earlier this month that most government offices the world over are held by animals." Unless you want to argue that in reality animals have secretly been in 80% of government positions in the Housepets world prior to the contract and no one ever noticed some how; it has to be because of transformations.

The choice that Marion was talking about was the choice to stay/become an animal or go back to being human, at least that is how I read it.

Also regardless of how you read it they would have had to subvert someone's freewill because of the UN resolution to give animals citizenships in their home countries (I'm ignoring the fact that the UN can't actually do this as well) that everyone just accepts unanimously.

Because they would be doing that just because one city, in one state, in the US got partially transformed which is just silly and would require some subversion of freewill to happen. However it makes more sense if large parts of the worlds governments and people got transformed into animals as well.

[D-Rock]

That just makes it worse in my eyes…

[IceKitsune]

That just makes it worse in my eyes…

Neither option is really ideal but you can argue that the forced transformation were a freak accident for the people of the Housepets world (even if we know how exactly they happened) and they will have the choice to go back if they want to. The other option is to basically mind control every member of the worlds government have them pass a resolution to give animals citizenship which they then can not revoke even if they wanted to because of the contract. Or else the contract would be broken.

[D-Rock]

And who knows how long a safe reversal could take. Even if Keene’s funding really speeds it up, which I hope is the case, he’s still partially responsible for the forced transformations in the first place. It was already shown that said idea was a bad one, back in Teenage Squirrel.

[IceKitsune]

I really hope it doesn't take all that long as well it would really suck if it did. I think at this point we would really need to know exactly what was in the contract, because it is clear that more than just animal transformations have happened to the world anyway. It's kind of just large amounts of speculation because we actually have little information to go off of right now. Hopefully when Housepets comes back some of this will be answered.

[D-Rock]

At this point, that would be the best case scenario.

[Jakkal]

also, we still really don't know why Tarot and Breel were that reserved to sign the contract.


OH well, some want to force their goals upon others, regardless the costs, it seems. A contract from "heaven".

[NHWestoN]

And who knows how long a safe reversal could take. Even if Keene’s funding really speeds it up, which I hope is the case, he’s still partially responsible for the forced transformations in the first place. It was already shown that said idea was a bad one, back in Teenage Squirrel.

Well, when (or if) the strip returns, ironing out assorted issue will certainly thread through the plot lines. As much as I've enjoyed HP over the years, I've been somewhat put off by the last episodes. The humor and appeal of Keene as a character has diminished for me as I've found his corporate swashbuckling increasingly reflective of many of our big-money techno-heroes whose "public-be-darned" innovations have damaged society, instituions, and the environment. In my lifetime, I've watched the public exploited by cigarette makers, car makers, polluters, and a wearying cavalcade of experimenters. Secondly, most of the more recent additions to the cast have been (for me) unappealing - Lois and Marion (to me) have become tiresome and uninteresting. I just miss Peanut and Grape, okay?

Yes, I knw, it's Rick's world. But I'm inclined to agree with D-Rock. The whole forced transformation bit is a very dark note to end on.

[CunningFox]

Considering how often they tried to stop Keene from magically changing the world, Tarot and Sabrina are reacting to this very well.

[Amazee Dayzee]

Probably because at this point they know there is nothing they can do about it and it is just best to move on. Besides Tarot got the two things she wanted the most: to save the world and rub Kitsune's face in it.

[Shryke]

It's funny but it's hard to picture Peanut having sex

Feels weird just reading that... HE'S TOO INNOCENT!!!!!!

[CryosR]

It's funny but it's hard to picture Peanut having sex

Feels weird just reading that... HE'S TOO INNOCENT!!!!!!

Exactly, I mean I know he's not that naive but he still seems like a puppy just in his temperment. That's why he's my favorite character

[NHWestoN]

Well, we all see how Sabrina reacted to that mental image! (Ka-Spew !!)

[Amazee Dayzee]

I actually don't get her reaction panel. She's spitting out her orange soda in front of her and behind her there is an explosion of orange soda? How does that work?

[DDeer]

Well, that's the ending for a while I guess, still mulling on how it all concluded, pretty hard to tie up all the loose ends in a comic that has run this long I would imagine. Whilst there isn't going to be a regular HP comic strip hoping there will be more short run or spin-off Housepets! based stories from Rick in future, would like to see more on Peanut and Grape, King and Bailey (and the others of course!!).

[Amazee Dayzee]

I personally want to see more from Fox, Marvin and Ralph to be honest.

[CryosR]

I mostly want to see more with Peanut and Grape, but also all the couples in the story

[Harry Johnathan]

I personally want to see more from Fox and Ralph to be honest.

Let’s Imaginate Silence of the Lambs with the K9PD!

....actually no, Rick please don’t do this, this was a terrible idea.

[SeanWolf]

I personally want to see more from Fox and Ralph to be honest.

Let’s Imaginate Silence of the Lambs with the K9PD!

....actually no, Rick please don’t do this, this was a terrible idea.

Writes it down as an idea for HousepetZ I mean, hm? What?

[Welsh Halfwit]

Peanut in 'The Fugitive'? With Max in the Tommy Lee Jones role?

[Startrekfan47]

*gives Rick military salute*

"Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalute!"
That's an interesting idea...a Hee Haw/Housepets! crossover complete with a return of the Barn Cats

[NHWestoN]

I actually don't get her reaction panel. She's spitting out her orange soda in front of her and behind her there is an explosion of orange soda? How does that work?

The trajectory is a little peculiar to say the least (not to mention the volume is pretty explosive).

The comdian Danny Thomas, Marlo's papa, perfected "the comic spray reaction" as part of his routines. He'd be in a conversation, start sipping a beverage which created a quick pause. Then someone would make an unexpected (and slightly startling) comment to which Danny, with a mouthful of liquid and (implicitly) unable to swallow, sprayed out the drink like a spray mist nozzle. For what that's worth.

[Amazee Dayzee]

I now know that the reaction wasn't really an explosion behind her but Onomatopoeia in which it isn't actually a scene but a visual like you would see in a superhero comic. Though I still think that panel should have been split so we could read it easier.

[D-Rock]

And who knows how long a safe reversal could take. Even if Keene’s funding really speeds it up, which I hope is the case, he’s still partially responsible for the forced transformations in the first place. It was already shown that said idea was a bad one, back in Teenage Squirrel.

Well, when (or if) the strip returns, ironing out assorted issue will certainly thread through the plot lines. As much as I've enjoyed HP over the years, I've been somewhat put off by the last episodes. The humor and appeal of Keene as a character has diminished for me as I've found his corporate swashbuckling increasingly reflective of many of our big-money techno-heroes whose "public-be-darned" innovations have damaged society, instituions, and the environment. In my lifetime, I've watched the public exploited by cigarette makers, car makers, polluters, and a wearying cavalcade of experimenters. Secondly, most of the more recent additions to the cast have been (for me) unappealing - Lois and Marion (to me) have become tiresome and uninteresting. I just miss Peanut and Grape, okay?

Yes, I knw, it's Rick's world. But I'm inclined to agree with D-Rock. The whole forced transformation bit is a very dark note to end on.

These are actually among the issues that were brought up by some in the fan Discord server (there were other issues, trust me). Keene reverted back to having things done his way, only suddenly he had Heaven’s support, somehow. Talking the team into having the, give up their boon just for him. His jerkish attitude returning in his last appearance made him seem like he was regressing as a character.

Marion is a whole different issue. The way it was presented, he was super fast in deciding to not be human again, when he was the one to suggest joining the team to Lois for that specific boon. Some in-between time of him acclimating to his life as a squirrel would have definitely helped it feel more natural, since until the tower to alert Kitsune, we mostly got viewings of how much it sucked to be a squirrel for him. He and Lois would have greatly benefited from some slice-of-life arcs prior to the Endgame.

His rapid development has led a few to refer to him as a faster King in that regard. Also doesn’t help that despite the buildup he did get, he was nothing more than a distraction to Eudoant. Or the fact that him wanting to be a nurse, which are supposed to want to help people, is shown at the same time he was willing to let other people suffer the transformation curse so he wouldn’t feel bad about his own predicament.

[Amazee Dayzee]

Is it wrong of me to want SOMEONE in the comic when it returns to point out this irony to Marion that he wants to be a nurse to help people and he might have hurt people by forcing them into becoming animals?

Plus if most of the world are now animals, wouldn't they need to see a veterinarian instead of going to a doctor's office?

[Welsh Halfwit]

I'm not sure they know about that part now. It's all been done by a completely scientific method, y'know?

[Amazee Dayzee]

But still, I can imagine many GPs turning away their transformed patients because they are unfamiliar with animal anatomy. I think veterinarians will become the next doctors. :3

[MischaTheWolf]

Veterinarians boutta become paid more than the top doctors in the country.

Also startrekfan, I like the crossover idea.

[Amazee Dayzee]

Imagine if the nursing program Marion got into was exclusively for working on animals since the world has more animals in it. That will really throw a wrench in his plan wouldn't it? Especially if it WAS humans he wanted to work with.

[NHWestoN]

And who knows how long a safe reversal could take. Even if Keene’s funding really speeds it up, which I hope is the case, he’s still partially responsible for the forced transformations in the first place. It was already shown that said idea was a bad one, back in Teenage Squirrel.

Well, when (or if) the strip returns, ironing out assorted issue will certainly thread through the plot lines. As much as I've enjoyed HP over the years, I've been somewhat put off by the last episodes. The humor and appeal of Keene as a character has diminished for me as I've found his corporate swashbuckling increasingly reflective of many of our big-money techno-heroes whose "public-be-darned" innovations have damaged society, instituions, and the environment. In my lifetime, I've watched the public exploited by cigarette makers, car makers, polluters, and a wearying cavalcade of experimenters. Secondly, most of the more recent additions to the cast have been (for me) unappealing - Lois and Marion (to me) have become tiresome and uninteresting. I just miss Peanut and Grape, okay?

Yes, I knw, it's Rick's world. But I'm inclined to agree with D-Rock. The whole forced transformation bit is a very dark note to end on.

These are actually among the issues that were brought up by some in the fan Discord server (there were other issues, trust me). Keene reverted back to having things done his way, only suddenly he had Heaven’s support, somehow. Talking the team into having the, give up their boon just for him. His jerkish attitude returning in his last appearance made him seem like he was regressing as a character.

Marion is a whole different issue. The way it was presented, he was super fast in deciding to not be human again, when he was the one to suggest joining the team to Lois for that specific boon. Some in-between time of him acclimating to his life as a squirrel would have definitely helped it feel more natural, since until the tower to alert Kitsune, we mostly got viewings of how much it sucked to be a squirrel for him. He and Lois would have greatly benefited from some slice-of-life arcs prior to the Endgame.

His rapid development has led a few to refer to him as a faster King in that regard. Also doesn’t help that despite the buildup he did get, he was nothing more than a distraction to Eudoant. Or the fact that him wanting to be a nurse, which are supposed to want to help people, is shown at the same time he was willing to let other people suffer the transformation curse so he wouldn’t feel bad about his own predicament.

We're pretty much agreed there, D-Rock. I pretty much found Marion-Lois a reversion to the King-Bailey model but far less interesting or appealing Of couse, King and Bailey enjoyed a much more extensive narrative and emotional build-up extended over many episodes while Marion-Lois never seemed to go from side-stories in a pretty much single variations on a theme story-line. Besides the "Marvel-ization" ending (full disclosure: I never was much of a Marvel Universe guy), other characters and subplots didn't develop much. The Tarot-GKitsune pairing had some spark as did Eudoant (who is as close to a comic villain with real menace since, I don`t know, Duchess). Maybe I was just waiting for Rufus, Lester, Joey, and Dallas provide a little comic-relief from the chest-thumping. Well, Rick's much earned a break ... and I don't think I'd offer much Constructive on Discord (since I'm not sure how to join anyways - as Popeye says "Sometimes enough is too much!"

[CryosR]

Well, when (or if) the strip returns, ironing out assorted issue will certainly thread through the plot lines. As much as I've enjoyed HP over the years, I've been somewhat put off by the last episodes. The humor and appeal of Keene as a character has diminished for me as I've found his corporate swashbuckling increasingly reflective of many of our big-money techno-heroes whose "public-be-darned" innovations have damaged society, instituions, and the environment. In my lifetime, I've watched the public exploited by cigarette makers, car makers, polluters, and a wearying cavalcade of experimenters. Secondly, most of the more recent additions to the cast have been (for me) unappealing - Lois and Marion (to me) have become tiresome and uninteresting. I just miss Peanut and Grape, okay?

Yes, I knw, it's Rick's world. But I'm inclined to agree with D-Rock. The whole forced transformation bit is a very dark note to end on.

These are actually among the issues that were brought up by some in the fan Discord server (there were other issues, trust me). Keene reverted back to having things done his way, only suddenly he had Heaven’s support, somehow. Talking the team into having the, give up their boon just for him. His jerkish attitude returning in his last appearance made him seem like he was regressing as a character.

Marion is a whole different issue. The way it was presented, he was super fast in deciding to not be human again, when he was the one to suggest joining the team to Lois for that specific boon. Some in-between time of him acclimating to his life as a squirrel would have definitely helped it feel more natural, since until the tower to alert Kitsune, we mostly got viewings of how much it sucked to be a squirrel for him. He and Lois would have greatly benefited from some slice-of-life arcs prior to the Endgame.

His rapid development has led a few to refer to him as a faster King in that regard. Also doesn’t help that despite the buildup he did get, he was nothing more than a distraction to Eudoant. Or the fact that him wanting to be a nurse, which are supposed to want to help people, is shown at the same time he was willing to let other people suffer the transformation curse so he wouldn’t feel bad about his own predicament.

We're pretty much agreed there, D-Rock. I pretty much found Marion-Lois a reversion to the King-Bailey model but far less interesting or appealing Of couse, King and Bailey enjoyed a much more extensive narrative and emotional build-up extended over many episodes while Marion-Lois never seemed to go from side-stories in a pretty much single variations on a theme story-line. Besides the "Marvel-ization" ending (full disclosure: I never was much of a Marvel Universe guy), other characters and subplots didn't develop much. The Tarot-GKitsune pairing had some spark as did Eudoant (who is as close to a comic villain with real menace since, I don`t know, Duchess). Maybe I was just waiting for Rufus, Lester, Joey, and Dallas provide a little comic-relief from the chest-thumping. Well, Rick's much earned a break ... and I don't think I'd offer much Constructive on Discord (since I'm not sure how to join anyways - as Popeye says "Sometimes enough is too much!"

Now that I think about it, yeah Marion and Lois felt like that but honestly it would have cheapened things if Bailey was a former human too.

I honestly don't know how to address these problems in a satisfying way. Only thing I really want is to shift the focus back to the pets and other animals who weren't part of all the supernatural stuff, and Tarot if she's pregnant because I want to see how Peanut reacts when he finds out. Giddiness? Terror? Either would be interesting.

[Amazee Dayzee]

I can see Peanut reacting in almost the same way that he did when he babysat King and Bailey's pups and thought he lost one. That but on a MUCH larger level.

I can easily see Grape as that cool fun aunt which I am all for.

[CryosR]

Wonder if Grape's gonna be pregnant soon? Maybe Peanut's pups will make her want some or make her want to avoid it. Just my brain doing its thing