Odyssey 5 - Kurt Mendel (1/?)

[gwaevalarin]

Just a little bit of character analysis, because this show deserves more love and attention:

1x01 Pilot

I still love Kurt's introduction, the little chat with Sarah before the interview as well as the interview itself. The way he sexes up his language even more, just to annoy her, is so very Kurt. But there is always this little smile to tell Sarah he's only teasing her. Those two have a great platonic chemistry, and Kurt does not have that kind with a lot of women.

I think it's remarkable, that Kurt is the one to tell Chuck to open that hatch again. The one character who tends to think only of himself, is the one who cannot accept that they have to leave one of their crew behind to save the others. It's equally great to see how relieved and almost amazed he is to see the same guy alive and well again, 5 years earlier.

When Kurt finds Angela floating unconsciously, there is a first hint of their past and the feelings he still has for her. His focus is entirely on her, not the chaos, not the Earth gone, just her, until he has made sure that she is as okay as he can possibly make sure she is in that situation.

Sarcasm clearly is Kurt's way of dealing with a crisis that is too big and too impossible to comprehend. All he can do is either laugh and make snarky comments, or just give up and die. The latter is definitely not his style. But he is too much of a realist to believe that there is anything they can do, that there is any hope left. Except that, whatever he says, his survival instinct is stronger than him.

It's some amazing acting on Sebastian's part, that moment when he still tries to joke, reminding Sarah of her 'If you were the last man on Earth' remark but she doesn't answer any more. You can see how, in this moment, the reality of it all just hits him, and his sarcasm ceases to be a refuge.

As soon as their is hope again, and oxygen, their new situation instantly brings out the scientist in Kurt. And the sceptic. He is intrigued, but he will not simply take the word of some weird guy in his weird spaceship, who claims that he can send them back in time.
Once he is back, though, he accepts it and adjusts to it very quickly. And the first thing he does, is check on Angela, who is on a space walk without any recollection of how she got there. So Kurt gets Chuck and runs to her rescue, knowing that if anyone can get him in and get through to Angela, it's Chuck.
You'll hardly ever see Kurt as tense as he is in that scene at NASA. You'll hardly ever see him that close to praying either. And in all the mayhem, he is the only one concentrated enough on Angela to hear her when she finally answers.
Aww, that proud smile on his face for both, Chuck and Angela.

I'm having a hard time imagining that Kurt was engaged - to someone who is not Angela - and that she cheated on him. Part of me thinks that he probably deserved it. Sorry, baby.
Anyway, this phone call is really the first example of how Kurt, without hesitation, takes full advantage of his knowledge of the future. In this case, it's fully understandable. In some other cases throughout the show, not so much. But that's Kurt for you.
This scene is also the first example of Kurt being too pragmatic to believe they can prevent the destruction of the Earth - particularly if he can't even trust the rest of the crew, as in Chuck not telling them everything about the mission - or to believe they should even try if they can just enjoy those 5 years instead.
This is one of the scenes where Kurt reminds me a lot of Balthazar, the whole 'we can't stop it anyway so let's have as much fun as we can instead'. And fun, in Kurt's case, of course means lots of sex and gambling.

When Angela comes by Kurt's place and tries to change his mind, it becomes quite obvious that there are still some things left unsaid between them. They both pretend a little too much that they don't care on a personal level, that it is just a discussion about doing the right thing.
Kurts move on her seems casual, as in 'You're kinda hot when you're angry and this is part of my not giving a shit and having fun', but there is a little pleading there as well. Kurt can't bring himself to admit to his real feelings. And Angela is too hurt and pissed at him to see the small clues. Maybe she doesn't want to see them either. Like his calling her back and trying to start the discussion again, almost begging her to give him something to fight for.
Still, Angela's visit, together with the lost bet, did achieve something, and Kurt is back on the team not long afterwards. And they are turning into a proper team when they decide to investigate the warehouse. This is the moment when they all, without many words, commit themselves to the mission and start to really trust each other.

I may continue this for the other episodes if I find the time and anyone is interested. Just let me know. And feel free to discuss. :)

Comments

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

This was really interesting to read over. It's mostly what I'd thought about Kurt anyway, but it's good to know I'm on the same page as others :)

Question though - when Kurt breaks up with his financee doesn't he say something about it saving him years of trouble? And yet later that same year we get the book tour where he met Angela and they started their relationship. Does this mean he was cheating on his financee in the original timeline?

[gwaevalarin.livejournal.com]

Kurt says that he just saved himself a ton in alimony.
I don't think there's any mention of how long the marriage lasted in the original timeline. I wouldn't be surprised if he cheated on her, though.

Good to know that we're on the same page when it comes to Kurt. And thanks for reading. :)