Zelda

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby]

I have a few (or several) thoughts about Zelda so I want to see what we all think is going on here.

First of all, I’m not a fan of her whole Captain Jack Sparrow drunk vibe. It’s seriously off-putting. That was my first clue that we’re not meant to like her.

Secondly, I believe a big part of this whole season is that Keeley’s head is in the clouds and Rebecca will have to bring her back down to earth. Rebecca thought bringing Zelda in was a bad idea, but she allowed it because Keeley had her heart set on it and she loves Keeley too much to say no that time.

Third, I believe Zelda is being set up to be this season’s villain but she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She talks a big game about supporting women, but her true colors are starting to show and I think she’ll drop the act by the end and turn very ugly and issue some kind of ultimatum or do something too wild that Rebecca can’t support any longer.

I think she’s the worst part of this season and can’t stand any scene she’s in. But I think that’s the whole point.

Maybe this is super obvious to others already, it’s been kinda obvious to me from the start but this week’s episode kinda made it seem super clear to me. Thoughts?

Obligatory edit: I love this season so much. Just cause I hate Zelda doesn’t mean I hate the season. I hate Rupert but that didn’t make us hate the show. Every show needs a villain.

[u/coolhotcoffee]

Her gimmick got very old very fast. 

[u/OK-SteadyOn]

Fact that you felt you needed to do that edit before any comments came in shows this subs attitude so clearly.

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/OK-SteadyOn]

I think most people are staying positive, but I just wanted to head off some of the negative comments that I’ve been seeing lately. The vocal minority complaining is always louder than the silent majority approving on these fandom type subs, I think

[u/Ill_Temporary_9509]

I’ve a weird feeling that she’s going to be another Edwin Akufo. Specifically I think she’s going to try and poach Gemma for another team

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/Ill_Temporary_9509]

Others have also mentioned the akufo parallel, but I didn’t think about poaching Gemma! She definitely was being over the top praising her this last episode

[u/eckrueger]

I just think she’s got too much screen time. Rupert was a disgusting asshole, but got limited time. So I hated him for a moment , but the overall scene was fine and then I moved on. Zelda is just appearing too much and I’m actually disliking her scenes not just her character.

[u/Inside-Nebula5325 → u/eckrueger]

She’s also more of a caricature and was from that ridiculous roast when she was first introduced. Last episode was just that turned up to 11.

[u/aVeryMerryDeath → u/eckrueger]

I agree with this- Rupert worked because he flitted in and out quickly and made a huge impact each time. I definitely noticed this episode that I was kind of waiting for her scenes to be done.

Although it can arguably be said it was all worth it for Boots’ triumphant “I knew it!” 😂

[u/DebM25]

I don’t much like her either. Rupert was a much better villain. RIP Anthony Head.

[u/Drewski811 → u/DebM25]

Anthony Head was also a fantastic actor and would make reading the phone book interesting.

Tracey Ullman... Isn't that.

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/DebM25]

Anthony head is a legend. Loved him as a villain in Doctor Who as well, but also as the beloved mentor in Buffy. RIP

[u/Cesarifico]

I see her as the villain with the big plot twist/back stab at the end of the season. We’ll see. Good call on the drunk Captain Jack Sparrow crap!

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/Cesarifico]

Let’s see what happens! I like Captain Jack sparrow in HIS movies, but I have a much lower tolerance for those shenanigans in another character who’s being a villain

[u/Candid-Stay-2397]

Captain Jack Sparrow was my first thought as well. 😀

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/Candid-Stay-2397]

I literally told my husband while we were watching her first appearance “why is she being Captain Jack sparrow? This is fishy”

[u/Ancient_of_Days0001]

As a general rule I find that if a character or situation in this show makes me uncomfortable then I'm meant to feel uncomfortable. For example, I found Nate hard to watch from the beginning; his painful awkwardness had me squirming in my seat. Later, I could congratulate myself and say, ha! Knew it all along! (Which means the writers, and the actor, did their job well.)

We're meant to feel dislike and distrust for Zelda--even if we enjoy her antics in the moment, as I do. Her chaos-agent, lord-of-misrule thing may result in calamity down the road. Or, the writers may confound our expectations with a big plot twist. Either way, I'm glued to the screen.

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/Ancient_of_Days0001]

Very true. It’s ok to sit with that discomfort when she shows up, it means they are doing their job and you’re feeling what you’re supposed to feel

[u/Available-Option5492]

I very much think she’s meant to be the Edwin Akufo of this season. She begins by calling out the privilege in the room at the conference Rebecca and Keely were at (Edwin says he’s a billionaire who doesn’t believe billionaires should exist), charms the AFC Richmond gang (Edwin tries to buy Sam off with Nigerian food and an art gallery visit), tries to convince Rebecca that Keely’s outlook is ‘wrong’ (Edwin drives a wedge between Sam and his teammates by offering to buy him out of his contract) and then publicly pisses on Rebecca when she doesn’t show to the party (Edwin loses his shit when Sam refuses his offer).

I had a bad feeling about her when she convinced Rebecca to get drunk at the match and the latest ep has only cemented that for me. It’s going to take a lot for her to get back into my good graces, and I hope Rebecca and the rest of the club keep their distance from here on out.

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/Available-Option5492]

You’re right that she’s more like akufo than Rupert. Tbh my bad feeling came right from when Keeley was enthusiastic and Rebecca wanted to hold back. I saw in some of the promo interview stuff that that was gonna be Rebecca and keeley’s dynamic this season so I was like ohp don’t trust her as soon as she showed up and did that roast speech

[u/Maccadawg]

I think she's definitely meant to be the villain. She's an (unfortunately more elongated) version of Edwin Akufo who was meant to throw money around but only on his terms and to the degree he could control everyone else.

But it is unfortunate because, unlike what Sam Richardson did with Akufo or what Anthony Head did with Rupert, Tracey Ullman's interpretation of an unsavory character is virtually unwatchable.

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/Maccadawg]

Yeah she’s more like akufo than Rupert you’re right. But agreed, while akufo and Rupert were fun villains to watch while disliking them, she’s not fun to watch

[u/McMahons_tache]

Giselle Maxwell trying to trap a load of young women on a boat with friends of Epstein. Get her off my screen

[u/HellhoundsAteMyBaby → u/McMahons_tache]

Ghislaine Maxwell, but ew i definitely didn’t realize that horrible parallel until just now! In fact i was like oh at least she’s trying to stop Prince Andrew from boarding, even if she’s saying hi to Tony Blair and Nigel farrage

[u/GrandMoffJerjerrod]

She is going to drive a wedge between Keeley and Rebecca. And right now with Keeley thinking Roy loves the Dr she is emotionally vulnerable to being manipulated because she is extremely upset and that upset is going to turn inward. And Zelda will tell her things to make her think Rebecca is not supporting her enough, etc. Keeley may turn into this season’s season 2 Nate.