Honestly Another Thing That I Didn't Put In The Controversial Opinions Post (because It Didn't Really

honestly another thing that I didn't put in the controversial opinions post (because it didn't really occur to me) but I probably should've

I honestly have a very low opinion of people who say Miles is in any way doing something wrong in ATSV. Like, trying to save his dad, "not hearing Miguel out" (I think they need to rewatch that scene, bc the conversation ended pretty naturally, Miles continued to question Miguel, and then Miguel put him in a cage. cheers), etc.

Even if they don't call him selfish or whatever, and they think his heart is in the right place... I'm always gonna be side-eyeing them a bit. Because, like, okay. Yes, Miles's reaction comes at least partially out of a place of emotion (and probably trauma from feeling responsible for the death of his uncle). HOWEVER that doesn't mean he's not thinking through his position--or Miguel's position. He hears Miguel out (repeat after me: HE HEARS MIGUEL OUT), then starts asking questions about issues he has with what Miguel is saying. Fun fact, that's called "utilizing critical thinking" and it's a great way to be able to analyze a situation and come to an intelligent, informed conclusion without falling victim to pressure tactics!!!

Like.

I feel like this thing that Miles says^ didn't really sink into a lot of people's brains completely, because it's a great point. It's a huge point! And Miguel never actually responds adequately to that point, just reiterates what he's already said! When I was sitting in the theater for the first time and Miles said this, I remember thinking, "oh, thank God someone said it. Someone has sense here."

In one ten-minute-long conversation, Miguel has told Miles that he has to let some people die in order to protect everyone else. Be honest with yourself: would you accept that? After a ten minute conversation? You genuinely think after a ten minute conversation you would be satisfied enough with that explanation to sacrifice an actual human life? Miles is asking questions, Miguel does not satisfy those questions; Miles is resistant to becoming an accessory to someone else's death, Miguel does not walk Miles through the huge burden he's just been saddled with, and instead decides to put him in a cage.

Look me in the eye and tell me genuinely and honestly that you would trust that person; that you would trust that person's morality, that you would trust that they know what they're talking about, that you would trust that all the questions they didn't quite answer definitely have a satisfying answer that you can agree with.

That's stupid. It would be stupid for Miles to trust Miguel at face value. And note how I'm intentionally not getting into all the flaws in Miguel's actual argument, because they don't matter. Even if Miguel is 100% right, Miles is not in the least bit morally wrong for not immediately trusting someone who tells him that he has to let people die. In fact, I'd argue that it shows moral intelligence.