Thanks for expanding your thoughts on Bellamy. That helps me see what you're saying, and I don't think I really disagree. I just rewatched tonight (I was having cat issues last night) so having what you wrote in mind, if anything rewatching makes me disagree with myself. When I wrote that Bellamy not being good at stuff in the beginning I was definitely thinking of some stuff that happens in the next couple eps, which as you point out, they back track his characterization on.
Rewatching also reminded me why I kept face-palming during the first episode, because Wells and Clarke keep trying to logic the group into action and that's not the best approach with this kind of group.
I still think that Bellamy's role as Octavia's sibling would give him skills with managing people, even if not as strong as I suggested before. Even if Octavia was a model child, she'd have good days and bad days, and even the best kids are going to be difficult. I wouldn't be surprised if she did go through a phase of wanting to get out all the time. I can see her mom laying down the law and terrifying her into obedience, but who knows... I guess, dealing with little kids a lot, I see a lot more variation there, and a lot more of a dynamic relationship that pushes Bellamy to grow in ways that other kids wouldn't, and not just because of the secrecy and that pressure, but because he has a sibling. Even if his mom is still there doing a lot and being the prime disciplinarian, olders do help raise their youngers.
The other thing that came out of me thinking about this, was how did Octavia change when she was in Lock Up? Clearly she was on her own, and Bellamy couldn't visit her for some reason (we know there were visiting days, and he would have gone, I'm sure of it, if he was allowed). Here, Octavia is still naive but she's no longer meek. I kind of want that story.
I take your point about Bellamy being really good at taking control of the group in the Pilot, which should take more experience than he has. I hadn't really watched closely before for that. I guess I'm just trying to make the characterization work with what we've got :)
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Rewatching also reminded me why I kept face-palming during the first episode, because Wells and Clarke keep trying to logic the group into action and that's not the best approach with this kind of group.
I still think that Bellamy's role as Octavia's sibling would give him skills with managing people, even if not as strong as I suggested before. Even if Octavia was a model child, she'd have good days and bad days, and even the best kids are going to be difficult. I wouldn't be surprised if she did go through a phase of wanting to get out all the time. I can see her mom laying down the law and terrifying her into obedience, but who knows... I guess, dealing with little kids a lot, I see a lot more variation there, and a lot more of a dynamic relationship that pushes Bellamy to grow in ways that other kids wouldn't, and not just because of the secrecy and that pressure, but because he has a sibling. Even if his mom is still there doing a lot and being the prime disciplinarian, olders do help raise their youngers.
The other thing that came out of me thinking about this, was how did Octavia change when she was in Lock Up? Clearly she was on her own, and Bellamy couldn't visit her for some reason (we know there were visiting days, and he would have gone, I'm sure of it, if he was allowed). Here, Octavia is still naive but she's no longer meek. I kind of want that story.
I take your point about Bellamy being really good at taking control of the group in the Pilot, which should take more experience than he has. I hadn't really watched closely before for that. I guess I'm just trying to make the characterization work with what we've got :)