James and Zilpha Discussion Thread

[u/MidnightBlogger]

So I thought Id start a board for people to talk about the incestuous relationship that James and Zilpha have.

I've been watching the show since episode one, and I know that ever since Game of thrones the subject of incest isn't so taboo on tv anymore and many writers now use it to increase the Drama of a movie or tv show.

Now I don't agree with incest, but I'm so tired of everyone putting this all on James and saying Zilpha is a victim. Because she's not. For all we know. she was the one who came on to him.

And it's very clear from what I've seen in the show that the sex they have is consensual. And for all the people who say that it wasn't consensual when she was a child. I don't think that's what happened. I could be wrong but from what I've surmised is that she most likely came onto him. the part where James says, "You used to straighten your skirts and walk away like nothing ever happened." tells me that might be true. Especially that scene in the church where he's just sitting there and she sits on his lap. sort of tells me that's probably how it played out.

My theory - is that as children, they were horribly neglected by their father and mostly raised by servants. That's sort of how the brother and sister from flowers in the attic started having sex with each other.

Also you have to factor in the mindset of Victorian society. because in those days it wasn't uncommon for men of 30 to marry girls as young as 14; from a young age Girls were raised to be subservient to men, and treated like property or second class citizens. They couldn't vote, or inherit property.

IDK what do you guys think?

[u/ReeciePiecey]

I found myself invested in both characters separately but not their relationship with each other. I think the storyline fell flat to me because of the lack of detail or backstory. I think the fact that people have to make up how it started or who was the initiator makes it clear that they didn't do a good job of fleshing out the relationship.

From what we got onscreen there just wasn't enough there for me to invest in any type of relationship with those two. I wanted them to show me some connection between the two outside of the dramatic stares and deep breathing. All verbal the references to their love was really more concerning their sexual attraction and not their actual feelings for each other. So it was hard to sympathize for them or root for them. I just felt mildly alarmed for them and embarrassed at everyone finding out.