The Homestuck narrative is renowned for its intricate plot twists, meta-commentary, and character-driven humor. Within this vast tapestry, Act 6 Act 6 Intermission 4 (A6A6I4) stands out as a crucial juncture, particularly for its exploration of the retcon and its impact on character dynamics. Among the many memorable moments in this section, one stands out for its sheer comedic timing and unexpected action: John Punches Vriska. This seemingly absurd event is not only hilarious but also deeply significant for understanding the evolving relationship between John and Vriska, the complexities of Terezi’s plan, and the overarching themes of Homestuck’s retcon arc. Let’s delve into the context and impact of this iconic scene.
The pages leading up to this punch are thick with tension. Terezi Pyrope, guided by her future self, is poised to execute a drastic action – eliminating Vriska Serket. For readers familiar with Homestuck’s convoluted timelines, the implication is clear: Terezi believes Vriska’s removal is necessary to fix the damaged timeline. John Egbert, our well-meaning but often clueless protagonist, arrives on the scene, guided by Terezi’s scarf instructions. His understanding of the situation, however, is hilariously skewed.
John’s initial reactions upon reading the scarf instructions are classic Egbertian bewilderment. “uh, wow,” he remarks, followed by a hesitant, “not sure what to expect for this one.” This perfectly sets the stage for his upcoming, misguided intervention. He’s clearly out of his depth, relying solely on the cryptic messages from future Terezi, without fully grasping the gravity or nuance of the situation.
The blog author astutely points out John’s likely confusion. He wouldn’t inherently understand Terezi’s motivations or the complex history between Terezi and Vriska. To John, Vriska might seem like a relatively unimportant figure in Terezi’s life. This highlights a recurring theme in Homestuck: characters often operate with incomplete information, leading to both comedic misunderstandings and significant plot developments.
The original blog post also touches upon the controversial “[???????]” alternate page link. This link, hinting at Vriska’s potential revival, is seen as a potential spoiler, diminishing the impact of Vriska’s initial death scene. The author from five years prior correctly identifies this as a narrative risk, where metafictional cleverness might undermine emotional impact. This internal critique within the blog itself adds another layer of meta-commentary, mirroring Homestuck’s own self-aware nature.
Homestuck page displaying the alternate path option, potentially hinting at future plot developments and character revivals.
The discussion then pivots to the broader implications of Vriska’s return. The blog author acknowledges the mixed reception to this plot point, recognizing that execution is paramount. They reflect on potential ways Vriska’s return could have been handled differently, or how the retcon could have been used to address other narrative threads, such as the genesis frog or the divergence of timelines. This demonstrates a deep engagement with the Homestuck narrative and its complexities, moving beyond simple plot summary to critical analysis of its choices.
The author even humorously anticipates elements of the Epilogues, showcasing their insightful understanding of Homestuck’s trajectory. This self-referential and predictive commentary adds to the blog’s charm and demonstrates a long-term engagement with the source material.
Moving back to the immediate scene, the password “FL1P” is entered, and John arrives. The visual shift to a more symbolic style and the presence of a humorously gagged Gamzee immediately deflate the tension.
Vriska Serket depicted without her glasses, a visual detail that often surprises viewers.
Vriska in sprite form, further emphasizing the visual distinction when she is without her glasses.
John’s dramatic entrance, shouting “NOOOOOO, TEREZI! DON’T DO IT!!!”, amplifies the comedic effect. His over-the-top reaction, completely missing the point of Terezi’s actions, sets up the punch perfectly.
John Egbert dramatically intervening in Terezi’s planned action, showcasing his typically exaggerated reactions.
Then comes the iconic moment:
John Egbert punches Vriska Serket, a humorous and unexpected action that becomes a key moment in the narrative.
“VRISKA: John???????? VRISKA: What are you doing heAUGH!!!!!!!! JOHN: KAPOW!!!!! TEREZI: JOHN NO! >:O”
The dialogue is sharp, the action is sudden, and the result is pure comedy. John’s exclamation of “KAPOW!!!!” straight out of a comic book, combined with the abrupt punch, is inherently funny. It’s a callback to Kanaya Maryam’s previous punch of Vriska, creating a humorous parallel and highlighting Vriska’s recurring misfortune of being punched in the face. Vriska’s utter bewilderment at being punched again, this time by her supposed ally, is the comedic core of the scene.
The subsequent panels depict Vriska’s slapstick ragdoll physics as she flies through the air, a stark contrast to her serious and tragic pre-retcon death. This visual humor further underscores the absurdity of the situation and the retcon’s impact on the narrative tone.
The blog post cleverly connects this scene to the trolley problem and its bus driver variant. In this analogy, Vriska, once “the bus driver” in her manipulative and controlling role, is now literally punched out of the driver’s seat by John. This absurd intervention, while chaotic, ultimately “saves” Vriska from Terezi’s intended fate, albeit in a completely unexpected and comical way.
Terezi’s reaction, “JOHN, WH4T H4V3 YOU DON3!”, is a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. John, oblivious as ever, responds with a cheerful, “whew! that was close.” His complete misunderstanding of the situation is played for laughs, but it also reveals a crucial aspect of his character: his inherent optimism and desire to help, even when misguided.
The dialogue between John and Terezi further emphasizes John’s dorkiness and Terezi’s long-suffering acceptance of it. Terezi’s exasperated “WHY 4R3 YOU SUCH 4 DORK?!” is a humorous punchline to John’s well-intentioned but clumsy intervention.
John’s line, “jeez, i hope i didn’t punch too hard…”, is a subtle but significant indicator of his changing feelings towards Vriska. This concern, however slight, hints at a softening in their relationship, a far cry from their earlier antagonistic interactions.
The wallet arc, briefly mentioned in the dialogue, becomes another layer of Homestuck’s intricate and often obscure plot threads. John’s inability to remember giving Terezi his wallet highlights the convoluted nature of the narrative and the often-arbitrary feeling of some plot points.
The arrival of Karkat Vantas injects more comedic chaos into the scene. His typical Karkat rant, triggered by John’s inexplicable presence, is classic Vantasian overreaction.
A reminiscent image of Karkat and Terezi’s emotional hug from an earlier act, highlighting the shift in tone and relationships.
John and Karkat’s dynamic perfectly captured in a single image, showcasing their contrasting personalities.
Karkat’s disgust at Terezi’s scarf and his general grouchiness are played for comedic effect, contrasting with the already absurd situation of John punching Vriska.
The scene expands to include Kanaya and Sollux Captor, further amplifying the chaotic energy. John’s rambling attempts to explain the time paradoxes are met with Karkat’s escalating tantrum, creating a humorous cacophony of confusion and frustration.
A reminder that “Vantasian” is meant to rhyme with “persuasion,” adding a touch of linguistic humor.
John’s parting lines, including his apology to the unconscious Vriska and his casual mention of meeting “alive you soon,” further solidify the shift in his perspective. His perception of time, stretched and distorted by the retcon, is also highlighted.
Karkat’s over-the-top farewell, filled with colorful insults, underscores their enduring and often volatile friendship. The contrast between John’s nonchalant departure and Karkat’s furious reaction is consistently humorous.
The wordless panels capturing the trolls’ reactions are brilliantly expressive. Karkat’s silent rage, Vriska’s stunned confusion, Terezi’s relief and bewilderment, Gamzee’s gagged shock, and Kanaya and Sollux’s impending dialogue – all contribute to the scene’s rich comedic texture.
Sollux’s attempt at a cool one-liner, ending with “mutha. fuckin. shenanigans,” and his visual gag with backwards glasses, is a rare moment of dorky humor for him. This unexpected comedic interlude further lightens the tone after the chaotic punch scene.
Sollux attempts a cool pose, but his backwards glasses undermine the effect, adding to the humor.
The scene then transitions back to LOWAS, shifting focus to the John and Roxy reunion. This romantic interlude provides a stark contrast to the chaotic “john punches vrisk” scene, highlighting the tonal range within A6A6I4.
A panel with slightly less detail compared to the previous ones, perhaps indicating a shift in artistic focus or pacing.
The blog author wryly notes the “token heterosexual romance” aspect of John and Roxy, but acknowledges their genuine chemistry and enjoyable dynamic. The hand-holding scene, while seemingly simple, is presented as a significant moment in their developing relationship.
John’s planet zapping and panel-erasing actions symbolize his growing mastery of his retcon powers and the merging of timelines, marking a significant step forward in his character arc.
Finally, the “shes8ack” flash and its parallels to the “DOTA” flash are analyzed. Jade’s surprise at seeing Vriska, despite knowing the meteor crew in the pre-retcon timeline, is attributed to the Condesce’s influence, showcasing the lingering effects of her manipulations.
Jane’s “The Who” reference adds a touch of pop culture humor, while the subtle differences in the meteor crew panel hint at improved relationships due to Vriska’s presence.
A panel reminiscent of a previous scene, but with subtle alterations indicating changes in character dynamics and relationships.
The gradual reveal of alive Vriska, mirroring ghost Vriska’s reveal in “DOTA,” builds suspense and anticipation. Her confident demeanor in “shes8ack” contrasts sharply with her “DOTA” appearance.
Vriska Serket’s confident appearance in the “shes8ack” flash, contrasting with her earlier, more uncertain depictions.
The punchline – Vriska putting Jade and Jane to sleep – is revealed as a clever fakeout, fitting with the dream bubble setting. This twist highlights Vriska’s agency and her unexpected role in the post-retcon timeline.
Jade’s sleeping pose, mirroring her Act 3 sleep habits, and Vriska’s involvement in it, create a satisfying loop, retroactively connecting earlier events to Vriska’s influence.
Jade in her characteristic sleeping pose, a recurring visual gag highlighting her sleepy nature.
The closing curtains of Caliborn, mirroring the end of A6I2, provide a visual bookend to A6A6I4.
In conclusion, A6A6I4, and specifically the scene where John punches Vriska, is a masterclass in Homestuck’s unique blend of humor, plot complexity, and character development. The punch itself, while absurdly funny, serves as a catalyst for exploring John and Vriska’s evolving dynamic, the intricacies of Terezi’s retcon plan, and the overall meta-narrative of Homestuck. This intermission is a testament to Hussie’s ability to juggle multiple characters and storylines, delivering a highly engaging and entertaining segment within the sprawling Homestuck saga. The scene is not just a random act of violence, but a carefully constructed comedic and narrative beat that resonates with fans and encapsulates many of the core elements that make Homestuck so compelling.
