Girl Genius XXIII: Screaming, Ranting and Egregious Violence

[Rodin]

I'm now curious what Agatha is doing in that panel. The "watch" could easily be one of her miniature clanks that has the Spark. Is she demonstrating how she makes them to the amazement of the other sparks?

[Dukkai]

IIRC, the sparks in Castle (don't remember the names, Diaz and the other ones) were calling the clanks with spark abominations ("spitting in the name of the creator" and such).

So my guess would be that Sparks are generally against their creations having a spark (although, the sparks in Castle are a bit.. loony), which would put the reaction of other Sparks to what Agatha is doing to a category different then amazement.

[Calemyr]

IIRC, the sparks in Castle (don't remember the names, Diaz and the other ones) were calling the clanks with spark abominations ("spitting in the name of the creator" and such).

So my guess would be that Sparks are generally against their creations having a spark (although, the sparks in Castle are a bit.. loony), which would put the reaction of other Sparks to what Agatha is doing to a category different then amazement.

I can't tell if calling another Spark's work an abomination is sheer hypocrisy or absolute praise.

That said, do we even know if Agatha understands that she's instilling the Spark in her creations? We, as the audience, got that from Tarvek and Gil riffing off each other while in the presence of rival Dingbot Primes, but I don't think we've ever had them discuss it with her - or the suggestion that the topic has been broached.

[Rockphed]

I can't tell if calling another Spark's work an abomination is sheer hypocrisy or absolute praise.

I think this is an incredibly salient point. Most sparks revel in the thought of overturning the natural order when they are in the madness place, so calling something an "abomination" isn't really a very good insult. Neither is proclaiming that something is "spitting in the eye of the creator".

[tyckspoon]

I think this is an incredibly salient point. Most sparks revel in the thought of overturning the natural order when they are in the madness place, so calling something an "abomination" isn't really a very good insult. Neither is proclaiming that something is "spitting in the eye of the creator".

In the particular case of Agatha creating Sparky clanks, I think it's probably an honest reaction of disgust and/or fear, because Sparky clanks are a direct attack on their egos. If you can just build a Spark, then being a Spark isn't special any more. (And it doesn't even require a special lab or an enormous lightning bolt or any of the dramatic trappings you're supposed to have when you're destroying those pitiful misconceptions lesser beings call 'Laws of Nature'! Agatha just makes these things with bits of junk! It's not right..)

[Calemyr]

In the particular case of Agatha creating Sparky clanks, I think it's probably an honest reaction of disgust and/or fear, because Sparky clanks are a direct attack on their egos. If you can just build a Spark, then being a Spark isn't special any more. (And it doesn't even require a special lab or an enormous lightning bolt or any of the dramatic trappings you're supposed to have when you're destroying those pitiful misconceptions lesser beings call 'Laws of Nature'! Agatha just makes these things with bits of junk! It's not right..)

"I have made a firebreathing horse with two mouths and a detachable head!" <Thumbs up> "That's a fine abomination of science, that is!"

"I have made a sentient cat construct that is incredibly smart and will serve as the general for my invincible army of sentient bears constructs!" <Thumbs up> "Now that's spitting on the name of the creator, good work!"

"I've made a little stopwatch clank that carries the Spark!" <Affronted gasp> [Southpark] "Them clanks took our jobs!" [/Southpark]

[lord_khaine]

That said, do we even know if Agatha understands that she's instilling the Spark in her creations? We, as the audience, got that from Tarvek and Gil riffing off each other while in the presence of rival Dingbot Primes, but I don't think we've ever had them discuss it with her - or the suggestion that the topic has been broached.

I dont think that its something done intentionally, or for that matter directly obvious.
Gil realised it because he had the chance to watch Agatha work on them. And he is by nature pretty analytic.
But i doubt most other would realise it

[ElFi]

Just re-reading that, I notice the unicorn guy said "a couple thousand years". A British person would have said "a couple of thousand years".

Given that Lord Womble is probably a construct (though both the Geisterdamen and the denizens beneath Paris lend credence to the GGverse having species aside from humans present, unless ancient Sparks are to blame), one could forgive him for not having the upper-class vowels we associate with Englishmen. Womble himself also may or may not be Welsh (or whatever the equivalent is in this comic) rather than English, given that the national animal of Wales is a unicorn, and because it'd be a fun and stealthy reference.

[geoduck]

Given that Lord Womble is probably a construct (though both the Geisterdamen and the denizens beneath Paris lend credence to the GGverse having species aside from humans present, unless ancient Sparks are to blame), one could forgive him for not having the upper-class vowels we associate with Englishmen. Womble himself also may or may not be Welsh (or whatever the equivalent is in this comic) rather than English, given that the national animal of Wales is a unicorn, and because it'd be a fun and stealthy reference.

It's more likely a reference to "the Lion and the Unicorn" as symbols of England as a whole, since along with Womble there was a non-humanoid lion in Albia's garden.

[The Glyphstone]

Well, whoever called 'knockoff English Jaegerdraught' as Bunstable's origin was right on the money.

[Ellen]

Attempt to make the Jaegerdraught. Called it!

Also:

"Is it safe?"

"Great heavens, of course not! The very idea!"

Ah, sparks. Gotta love 'em--from a safe distance.

Although, I wonder if anyone with Agatha knows how to make it, Jaegers, Der Kestle, there are a few possibilities.

[Mando Knight]

Although, I wonder if anyone with Agatha knows how to make it, Jaegers, Der Kestle, there are a few possibilities.

Castle Heterodyne proper would probably know (or at least know where in its the libraries and labs to look), but the sub-unit put into the clank that's with her party probably doesn't.

[HandofShadows]

Ah, sparks. Gotta love 'em--from a safe distance.

And what do you think is a "safe distance"?

[factotum]

Interesting that he immediately points out the reasons I didn't think it was a Jaegerdraught--the fact it isn't permanent. I wonder if the missing ingredient in the mix is Dyne water? If it is, there's no way Agatha could make a proper draught for Bunstable even if she knew how.

[Thomas Cardew]

Although, I wonder if anyone with Agatha knows how to make it, Jaegers, Der Kestle, there are a few possibilities.

Doesn't it require the Dyne water? So knowing wouldn't solve the immediate problem anyway. Although knowing more would probably make understanding/fixing his condition easier.

[PraetorDragoon]

Congrats to those who guessed it! Though it was rather obvious.... :P

And what do you think is a "safe distance"?

The next three universes away.

Doesn't it require the Dyne water? So knowing wouldn't solve the immediate problem anyway. Although knowing more would probably make understanding/fixing his condition easier.

Yeah, the Dyne Water is a key component in the Draught. While I assume Kestlebot knows how to make it, (if it isn't an automated process) I am not sure if it will have the desired end result.

[SZbNAhL]

Womble himself also may or may not be Welsh (or whatever the equivalent is in this comic) rather than English, given that the national animal of Wales is a unicorn, and because it'd be a fun and stealthy reference.

Pretty sure that's Scotland you're thinking of. Wales has a dragon (as depicted on the national flag, below).

Spoiler: Welsh flag

Show

[Dukkai]

also, I think that the latest comic, in the way that it is written has a surprise in the next update where it will appear that the drink is "spiked" and Agatha is either going to have to solve the mystery alone as Bunstable will be incapacitated or will need to reinvent Jäegerdraught in order to save him.

[Shining Wrath]

I always thought all the Jagers were all decades old, but this raises the possibility of young Jagers. Biochemistry is not Agatha's main emphasis, but she might be able to get some help from Tarvek and Gil.

Also, is it possible that someone who is REALLY good at biochemistry, and not very nice, a person sometimes known as Tweedle, might be able to concoct a un-jagerdraught, and turn them all back into mortals?

[Rockphed]

I always thought all the Jagers were all decades old, but this raises the possibility of young Jagers. Biochemistry is not Agatha's main emphasis, but she might be able to get some help from Tarvek and Gil.

Also, is it possible that someone who is REALLY good at biochemistry, and not very nice, a person sometimes known as Tweedle, might be able to concoct a un-jagerdraught, and turn them all back into mortals?

Possibly, but he seems to simply kill them when he captures them so he probably hasn't studied their biochemistry enough to do so.

[Calemyr]

I always thought all the Jagers were all decades old, but this raises the possibility of young Jagers. Biochemistry is not Agatha's main emphasis, but she might be able to get some help from Tarvek and Gil.

Also, is it possible that someone who is REALLY good at biochemistry, and not very nice, a person sometimes known as Tweedle, might be able to concoct a un-jagerdraught, and turn them all back into mortals?

The Heterodyne Boys didn't like like Jaegers, so it's unlikely that there's been any new Jaegers since they took over. On the other hand, Agatha has a fondness for Jaegers and a number of loyal minions that could/might want to benefit from the upgrade - so new Jaeger could be created in the future.

I'm still curious on one thing, though: what happened to Bill and Barry that broke them so bad? They come from a long line of fine, upstanding Heterodynes, and then these turn out to be... heroes... for no explicable reason. Was it a fault in their upbringing? Some traumatic experience?

[Divayth Fyr]

I'm still curious on one thing, though: what happened to Bill and Barry that broke them so bad? They come from a long line of fine, upstanding Heterodynes, and then these turn out to be... heroes... for no explicable reason. Was it a fault in their upbringing? Some traumatic experience?

Apparently it was the influence of their mother, who even went as far as to kill the reigning Heterodyne (to protect her sons, but still...).

[SZbNAhL]

I'm still curious on one thing, though: what happened to Bill and Barry that broke them so bad? They come from a long line of fine, upstanding Heterodynes, and then these turn out to be... heroes... for no explicable reason. Was it a fault in their upbringing? Some traumatic experience?

If memory serves, their mother was a concubine of the previous Lord Heterodyne who poisoned him when they were still babies and raised them herself. Nurture triumphed over nature.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Their mother kept them well away from the castle and Mechanicsburg itself for much of their childhood. And ultimately murdered their father because he was going to kill them for not being actual raving maniacs. She's a saint now.

[eee]

The Heterodyne Boys didn't like like Jaegers, so it's unlikely that there's been any new Jaegers since they took over. On the other hand, Agatha has a fondness for Jaegers and a number of loyal minions that could/might want to benefit from the upgrade - so new Jaeger could be created in the future.

Not unless and until Agatha revises the Jagerdraught. Drinking it in its current form can kill the imbiber; Agatha's not going to kill any of her loyal servants, no matter how much they may want to become Jagers.

[keybounce]

And what do you think is a "safe distance"?

The next three universes away.

Out of range of a long gun. Mako was not far enough away. Tenzy threw some people far enough.

[Rockphed]

Out of range of a long gun. Mako was not far enough away. Tenzy threw some people far enough.

I'm fairly certain you have your universes crossed. Kevyn Foxworthy might be a mad scientist, but I am fairly certain that he is not a spark. He doesn't get monomaniacal enough.

[HandofShadows]

Not unless and until Agatha revises the Jagerdraught. Drinking it in its current form can kill the imbiber; Agatha's not going to kill any of her loyal servants, no matter how much they may want to become Jagers.

This is very true. Agatha takes after her uncle and father to a very large extent.

As for why the old Heterodynes, THIS is one of the reasons they turned out the way they were.

[xroads]

Most sparks revel in the thought of overturning the natural order when they are in the madness place, so calling something an "abomination" isn't really a very good insult.

Particularly since they apparently have whole labs dedicated to nothing but "Abominations of Science."

[xroads]

So far my list of murder suspects includes;

1. Dr. Hadrian Rakethorn - His alibi is all wet (thanks to whoever pointed this out previously).
   
   
2. Dr. Haggard - By his own admission he worked closely with the victim and has the potential to become "decidedly psychotic"

Of course, I wouldn't doubt if it turns out every madder here had a stab at the good ole doctor. Much like the famous "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie