Ah, the noose tightens. Wait until the wild accusations begin. In many ways Nicole is deadlier than the troll. The damage the troll will do will make him be paranoid about whether his powers are active or not. The damage Nicole will inflict will make him wish his powers don’t work anymore…
Serious thought though: What if Tim actually doesn’t do the expected and tries to turn her into a legitimate romantic option for Ethan? It wouldn’t be the first time Ethan’s been right about something when everyone else told him otherwise and the line about her being hurt and paranoid is a good start to what could be an interesting (if rocky) relationship.
Calling that line a potential good start is like saying it’ll be a good financial deal when the Nigerian prince gives you a million dollars after you send them your 20k.
It might be good if true, but even considering that it might be is a very bad idea.
In general, the “the villain was actually a good guy” trope isn’t problematic. Like, I don’t care if the CEO of KittenSquishers Inc. turns out to be the good guy because all kittens contain a portion of the soul of Gatozorma, Destroyer of Worlds, and he was buying us time before the Great Batting. After all, I’m not tempted to kill kittens. But there are scores of people every day that are being manipulated by others to believe that this is normal and this is good and the real problem is me and having a strip where the “twist” is… Read more »
I think you need to re-read the previous strips. Nothing about Nicole being this controlling and trying this hard to convince Ethan she’s the only one who cares about him is a good start to a relationship.
Hard agree that Nicole is toxic AF. The only way her character ends up in a positive light is if she undergoes some major character growth that turns her into, well, a very different from the one we’ve seen up to this point.
Nah. Nicole currently being in league with the Troll might be the only thing less likely than this somehow turning into a healthy relationship.
It’s definitely possible Nicole might encounter the Troll someday and ally with them then, but that’d have to be a new development.
(quick possibilities why such a team up might happen: hatred of Analog-Ethan for breaking up, or some misunderstanding making her think Analog is somehow causing Ethan to not be with her)
Speaking from a psychologist perspective, there is a higher likelihood she has hurt others by cheating than the other way around. Ethan only guesses this is why she has such string reactions to things. We don’t know if she actually would claim this. It isn’t unreasonable that people go full control mode after being cheated upon and the like. However, Nicole is controlling across the board. When they were gaming she either made the wrong choice, or intentionally spiked his wheel to then call him out on it. Either way, it is a deliberate attempt to keep him small and… Read more »
Serious reply, I wouldn’t be against a whole character arc for Nicole where she builds up into a romantic character interest despite her flaws, growing out of them. But wow the down votes on the idea sure show the readers have zero interest.
I congratulate you on never having been in that kind of relationship, and hope you never tread the mental path the truly nightmare ones lay out. A 9 mil tempts like sweet sugar on the worst rodeos.
comparing a woman you dont like to a murderer is a weird flex but ok you do you
Darkhorse
25 days ago
Well we’re in the end game of capitalism right now. Less than a % of players own everything and placed hotels, and the rest of us just hope to reach start.
Jeff
25 days ago
But free parking is free money and I don’t care what the rules say!
Not everyone. Last 2 plays, 2p, rules as written, about 45-60min. Someone’s getting that good monopoly first and then it is only a matter of time and luck.
Usually the free parking money makes the game go on forever. Kids love the idea of free money so that’s why the meme spread but it makes the game into its stereotypical worst form. If you don’t do that and also actually auction properties the game bless fully will end.
Autesticle
25 days ago
Woah had no idea Ethan and Lucas knew each other for so long
After all, if the only punishment is a fine, all that says is “legal for a price.”
leduk
25 days ago
100% agree with his definition of capitalism tbh
Nealithi
25 days ago
Ethan has a point.
My mother is no longer allowed to run the bank.
I have to use provided dice.
My dad gets frisked for bringing extra money to the table. . .
My parents and I add money from incomplete games or stray status into our own Monopoly, because there’s no shame in fake inflation.
WAhydrohead
25 days ago
I personally think that cheating is a valid part of playing games. Looking for the structural and user loopholes, and testing the boundaries, logic, and blind spots of a system is a valid way to use any system. Yes, you do have to strike a balance to not cross over into being an A-hole, but where that line is is flexible and very situationally dependent. So I personally am very cautious about it.
A major part of games is about having a clear set of rules on how to play.
Cheating isn’t testing any boundaries, it’s explicitly ignoring them to gain an unfair advantage. There is no ‘balance’ to look for, and there is nothing valid about it. As soon as you cheat, you are the A-hole crossing the line.
Looking for loopholes or exploitable tactics within a game’s rules can be fun, but if you can’t tell the difference between that and cheating, I seriously pity anyone who ever wants to play a game with you.
Crestlinger
25 days ago
Well well. There’s an out. Play monopoly with her and win honestly. Maybe with a ref third party to call out her BS. Nothing shows a person’s true colours than landing on a boardwalk with a hotel of the significant other.
As if Nicole would ever agree to a situation where Ethan would hypothetically be on equal footing.
No, she never liked Monopoly. Can’t play that. Luckily she’ll have this other, better board game to play instead. It’s okay if Ethan doesn’t know it, she can teach…
Not Steve
25 days ago
I’m taking a guess that Lucas is going to get hurt because Ethan wasn’t there and that is the moment that Ethans breaks free of this abuse
Greevar
25 days ago
Nicole is a minion of the Troll. I’m calling it now.
Ben
25 days ago
On the one hand, this drawn out gaslighting storyline is cringy and painful. On the other hand, it’s VERY realistic in many respects, and I think it might be one of those stories that’s important to tell. Especially if it helps somebody realize the warning signs.
Yakumo
25 days ago
Normally, I don’t support Ethan logic. But I give him this. Although more clearly stated is the Illuminati card where it says if nobody notices you taking money from the bank, then it is allowed. Later realization is too late.
TobascoSlacksMcGee
25 days ago
Monopoly isn’t a game about capitalism it’s a game about monopoly.
Monopoly-exclusive possession or control.
Capitlaism-an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.
Capitalism requires an open market where others at least have the chance to compete, where a monopoly is about absolute control over an individual market where others don’t have the ability to compete.
will scott
24 days ago
wow ethan understands monopoly really well.
AngryLittleMan
24 days ago
Well, Ethan is not wrong. Cheating at Monopoly is not exactly cheating when everything is allowed.
Mike
24 days ago
It would be hilarious to find out the troll sent Nicole to emasculate Ethan to make him easier prey. But its far more likely shes just an alpha beyotch.
24
Ah, the noose tightens. Wait until the wild accusations begin. In many ways Nicole is deadlier than the troll. The damage the troll will do will make him be paranoid about whether his powers are active or not. The damage Nicole will inflict will make him wish his powers don’t work anymore…
OOOOOOOOF
Serious thought though: What if Tim actually doesn’t do the expected and tries to turn her into a legitimate romantic option for Ethan? It wouldn’t be the first time Ethan’s been right about something when everyone else told him otherwise and the line about her being hurt and paranoid is a good start to what could be an interesting (if rocky) relationship.
Calling that line a potential good start is like saying it’ll be a good financial deal when the Nigerian prince gives you a million dollars after you send them your 20k.
It might be good if true, but even considering that it might be is a very bad idea.
In general, the “the villain was actually a good guy” trope isn’t problematic. Like, I don’t care if the CEO of KittenSquishers Inc. turns out to be the good guy because all kittens contain a portion of the soul of Gatozorma, Destroyer of Worlds, and he was buying us time before the Great Batting. After all, I’m not tempted to kill kittens. But there are scores of people every day that are being manipulated by others to believe that this is normal and this is good and the real problem is me and having a strip where the “twist” is… Read more »
I think you need to re-read the previous strips. Nothing about Nicole being this controlling and trying this hard to convince Ethan she’s the only one who cares about him is a good start to a relationship.
Hard agree that Nicole is toxic AF. The only way her character ends up in a positive light is if she undergoes some major character growth that turns her into, well, a very different from the one we’ve seen up to this point.
And far more likely she turns out to be in league with the Troll.
Nah. Nicole currently being in league with the Troll might be the only thing less likely than this somehow turning into a healthy relationship.
It’s definitely possible Nicole might encounter the Troll someday and ally with them then, but that’d have to be a new development.
(quick possibilities why such a team up might happen: hatred of Analog-Ethan for breaking up, or some misunderstanding making her think Analog is somehow causing Ethan to not be with her)
Speaking from a psychologist perspective, there is a higher likelihood she has hurt others by cheating than the other way around. Ethan only guesses this is why she has such string reactions to things. We don’t know if she actually would claim this. It isn’t unreasonable that people go full control mode after being cheated upon and the like. However, Nicole is controlling across the board. When they were gaming she either made the wrong choice, or intentionally spiked his wheel to then call him out on it. Either way, it is a deliberate attempt to keep him small and… Read more »
I’d rather not read about a co-dependent relationship, thanks.
Serious reply, I wouldn’t be against a whole character arc for Nicole where she builds up into a romantic character interest despite her flaws, growing out of them. But wow the down votes on the idea sure show the readers have zero interest.
Not even close tbh.
I congratulate you on never having been in that kind of relationship, and hope you never tread the mental path the truly nightmare ones lay out. A 9 mil tempts like sweet sugar on the worst rodeos.
comparing a woman you dont like to a murderer is a weird flex but ok you do you
Well we’re in the end game of capitalism right now. Less than a % of players own everything and placed hotels, and the rest of us just hope to reach start.
But free parking is free money and I don’t care what the rules say!
Y’know, I’ve been collecting Monopoly video games*, and some do in fact let you enable Free Parking = money. SO… some rules do agree with you!
*It’s a cheap, yet difficult collection to complete. Also silly. And I loved the NES and PS1 versions growing up. That’s why. lol
The reason those rules exist is because everybody plays with that unofficial rule. It is fan service.
Not everyone. Last 2 plays, 2p, rules as written, about 45-60min. Someone’s getting that good monopoly first and then it is only a matter of time and luck.
Usually the free parking money makes the game go on forever. Kids love the idea of free money so that’s why the meme spread but it makes the game into its stereotypical worst form. If you don’t do that and also actually auction properties the game bless fully will end.
Woah had no idea Ethan and Lucas knew each other for so long
Can’t believe no one else has said something similar. I was thinking the same thing!
It’s legal ’til ya get caught!
And after that it’s only illegal on paper.
And apparently only illegal if the law is enforced.
Nah its still legal,it’s just the government takes a cut in the form of some fines. If it was actually illegal, youll see more executives in cuffs
After all, if the only punishment is a fine, all that says is “legal for a price.”
100% agree with his definition of capitalism tbh
Ethan has a point.
My mother is no longer allowed to run the bank.
I have to use provided dice.
My dad gets frisked for bringing extra money to the table. . .
My parents and I add money from incomplete games or stray status into our own Monopoly, because there’s no shame in fake inflation.
I personally think that cheating is a valid part of playing games. Looking for the structural and user loopholes, and testing the boundaries, logic, and blind spots of a system is a valid way to use any system. Yes, you do have to strike a balance to not cross over into being an A-hole, but where that line is is flexible and very situationally dependent. So I personally am very cautious about it.
A major part of games is about having a clear set of rules on how to play.
Cheating isn’t testing any boundaries, it’s explicitly ignoring them to gain an unfair advantage. There is no ‘balance’ to look for, and there is nothing valid about it. As soon as you cheat, you are the A-hole crossing the line.
Looking for loopholes or exploitable tactics within a game’s rules can be fun, but if you can’t tell the difference between that and cheating, I seriously pity anyone who ever wants to play a game with you.
Well well. There’s an out. Play monopoly with her and win honestly. Maybe with a ref third party to call out her BS. Nothing shows a person’s true colours than landing on a boardwalk with a hotel of the significant other.
There’s no out to Borderline Personality Disorder.
As if Nicole would ever agree to a situation where Ethan would hypothetically be on equal footing.
No, she never liked Monopoly. Can’t play that. Luckily she’ll have this other, better board game to play instead. It’s okay if Ethan doesn’t know it, she can teach…
I’m taking a guess that Lucas is going to get hurt because Ethan wasn’t there and that is the moment that Ethans breaks free of this abuse
Nicole is a minion of the Troll. I’m calling it now.
On the one hand, this drawn out gaslighting storyline is cringy and painful. On the other hand, it’s VERY realistic in many respects, and I think it might be one of those stories that’s important to tell. Especially if it helps somebody realize the warning signs.
Normally, I don’t support Ethan logic. But I give him this. Although more clearly stated is the Illuminati card where it says if nobody notices you taking money from the bank, then it is allowed. Later realization is too late.
Monopoly isn’t a game about capitalism it’s a game about monopoly.
Monopoly-exclusive possession or control.
Capitlaism-an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.
Capitalism requires an open market where others at least have the chance to compete, where a monopoly is about absolute control over an individual market where others don’t have the ability to compete.
wow ethan understands monopoly really well.
Well, Ethan is not wrong. Cheating at Monopoly is not exactly cheating when everything is allowed.
It would be hilarious to find out the troll sent Nicole to emasculate Ethan to make him easier prey. But its far more likely shes just an alpha beyotch.
Ethan isn’t wrong….