Quote:I'm gonna deal with this in two parts:
See, the thing of it is, is that unless Doug has a massive therapy song in his arsenal, he can't do THAT MUCH GOOD for them. Sure, would a strong paternal figure help Shinji? Absolutely. But for how long? And when Doug leaves, how would that affect his sense of abandonment?
First off you're assuming that in order for Shinji, Asuka and the rest of the gang to make any difference in what happens that Doug has to make major changes to everything. The fundamental flaw in that assumption is that while they are _currently_ feeling isolated from each other, that they will remain so. As Doug helps them out they also learn to help each other and themselves. Doug creates a spiraling effect that allows them to keep growing in a mutially supportive fashion. He doesn't _have_ to do a lot, he just has to help them overcome their inertia and reverse their momentum. Even if you're walking wounded, as long as you don't think of yourself as walking dead, there's still the ability to heal.
Second, you are assuming that Doug is going to be "abandoning" Shinji. By the time Doug leaves, Shinji is a) much better off than he was before and b) fully aware that Doug is going to be leaving. But he will also have a supportive group of Asuka and Rei, as well as a few other people to keep him going. In the source Shinji doesn't really have anyone so 1 person leaving can definitely cause abandonment issues. In DWVI (nee DW-EVA) he has a serious circle of friends who he trusts, so losing one person (especially when he knows it's coming) is much less of a blow...
I can appreciate that you liked NGE as it was, and I say more power to you! I just happen to agree with Bob on this one for my personal tastes.
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Drunkard's Walk Forum Moderator and Prereader At Large