Random character insight on Barkin

[Scoutcraft Piratess]

Okay, I was driving back from my second interview of the day when I had a random insight.

I think the reason Barkin is so hard on Ron is because Barkin was the exact same way as a teenager.

And I have absolutely no evidence to back that up.

[Ashley Benlove]

I think that's really interesting.

Ashley is intrigued, Lady Penelope.

Barkin could have been changed when he went to whatever war he served in (I'm assuming Vietnam). I dunno.

[Scoutcraft Piratess]

Yes. Somehow he lost his own personal "Steveness" (the Barkin equivelent of the Ronness) and is now embittered and uncomfortable by Ron's self-confidence in his Ronness.

[Ashley Benlove]

Poor Stevey...

[Scoutcraft Piratess]

Now I'm going to have to write a fic about this.

[ninjacat]

Nah, it's just that teachers have a natural aversion to Ron types. Barkin obviously loves teaching, enough that he keeps doing it in his spare time and secondary job.

Now he's got that brilliant kid in front of him, a kid who can turn into an amazing tactician, a mad scientist, a performer who can touch millions at the drop of a hat with a song he wrote backstage... And who's dedicated to become the world's most famous slacker. Infuriating.

Still, Ron and Barkin have built a unique connection. I wouldn't be surprised if they became the best of pals later in life. After all, Barkin's the one Ron went to when thing became complicated with Kim...

[Comrade_Chin]

Why Is Barkin has been so hard on Ron.One simple answer,the "Funny Look Incident"

[Scoutcraft Piratess]

Yes, but what happened during that "funny look"?

It reminded Barkin of his own years!!! *refuses to let this evidence-less theory go*

[Comrade_Chin]

hmmm good point.

[Mickey]

misspiratess said:

Okay, I was driving back from my second interview of the day when I had a random insight.

I think the reason Barkin is so hard on Ron is because Barkin was the exact same way as a teenager.

And I have absolutely no evidence to back that up.

I've always thought the same thing. Some of the most passionate teachers I've known were slacker students.

[Ezbok58a]

ashleybenlove said:

I think that's really interesting.

Ashley is intrigued, Lady Penelope.

Barkin could have been changed when he went to whatever war he served in (I'm assuming Vietnam). I dunno.

Barkins too young to be a Vietnam vet, I'd say he was probably in Panama/Central America during the late 80's. It fits more with his age, and local during his flashback in two to tutor.

[Netherwood]

ezbok58a said:

ashleybenlove said:

I think that's really interesting.

Ashley is intrigued, Lady Penelope.

Barkin could have been changed when he went to whatever war he served in (I'm assuming Vietnam). I dunno.

Barkins too young to be a Vietnam vet, I'd say he was probably in Panama/Central America during the late 80's. It fits more with his age, and local during his flashback in two to tutor.

I like to imagine him as some sort of elite secret team that dealt with the sorts of things that the public would've freak over if they knew about it... mad scientists, superweapons, take-over-the-world plots, and the like.

Which makes it even weirder for him to watch Ron doing this stuff and still not "shape up". ;D

Admittedly, it's extremely fanficy... but I don't mind.

~Netherwood

[The Yetimonster]

ezbok58a said:

ashleybenlove said:

I think that's really interesting.

Ashley is intrigued, Lady Penelope.

Barkin could have been changed when he went to whatever war he served in (I'm assuming Vietnam). I dunno.

Barkins too young to be a Vietnam vet, I'd say he was probably in Panama/Central America during the late 80's. It fits more with his age, and local during his flashback in two to tutor.

I remember he says they were outside of 'Jai Alai', which is hilarious because jai alai is a court game played with a wicker paddle/scoop.

[Nueva Paz]

ezbok58a said:

Barkins too young to be a Vietnam vet, I'd say he was probably in Panama/Central America during the late 80's. It fits more with his age, and local during his flashback in two to tutor.

He could have been in the Gulf War.

[rd]

MMM, yeah, Viet Nam era would make Barkin as old as me, and he certainly doesn't look quite that old. The 'Jai-alai' comment DOES kind of sound Southeast Asia-ish, but it's just another fab word play that the GODS are so noted for... and are running out of.
Barkin looks to be 35 to 40-ish to me, and if he's in his 50's, he's in remarkable shape for a man his age.
Let's do some digging into this...
We already know for a fact that he dyes his hair, going from a sandy blonde in S1 for a couple of eps to the dark hair he has now. He's also an outdoorsman, and gets PLENTY of exercise as we've seen in 'Bonding'. Eats well, too. Wouldn't touch anything in Bueno Nacho in the same ep when Ron was gorging himself... paraphrasing "Shaving years off of your life" by eating that stuff, remember? And let alone the ep 'Grande size me' when he bashes Bueno Nacho and ticks Ron off to the point that he becomes 'The Inedible Bulk' THERE...
The flashback in 'Two to Tutor' seems to fit the Panamanian sitch well, Ezbok. Good Spot there!
Procurement of an epicurean delight? EWWW!



With monkeys or the like audibly scrambling in the background... LOL! I would actually have used my bayonet, not my entrenching tool.

Yeah, Panama fits, but the Army was only there cleaning up after the search and destroys were done by the devil dogs, aka the US Marines. And the sitch doesn't seem to fit, because by the time the Army got there, they were supplied VERY well with MRE's and everything they needed... in spades. (Sorry about the pun).

Very interesting train of thought here, Gang. Doesn't really matter where Lieutenant Barkin served. ANYWHERE in the world would do, and my closing thought would be that he wouldn't have been scrounging for food himself... he'd have some poor enlisted grunt do it.
THAT's the way of the military world, guys. Unless he was trying to directly impress his commanding officer himself... and he doesn't seem the type to me to be THAT way.

I'll shut up now and wait to see who answers or asks questions.

[eclogite]

misspiratess said:

Okay, I was driving back from my second interview of the day when I had a random insight.

I think the reason Barkin is so hard on Ron is because Barkin was the exact same way as a teenager.

And I have absolutely no evidence to back that up.

Not a bad thesis, he probably doesn't want Ron to make the same mistakes he did, yet doesn't want to give an appearance of favoritism.

[Scoutcraft Piratess]

eclogite said:

misspiratess said:

Okay, I was driving back from my second interview of the day when I had a random insight.

I think the reason Barkin is so hard on Ron is because Barkin was the exact same way as a teenager.

And I have absolutely no evidence to back that up.

Not a bad thesis, he probably doesn't want Ron to make the same mistakes he did, yet doesn't want to give an appearance of favoritism.

Boo yah! So he is a Ron-fan!

[unferthidol]

I like Grandpa's thesis on the topic of Barkin's war years. XD

I think it's more Ron's a wasted talent sort of thing too myself. I know nothing makes me angrier than seeing smart kids slack off for the sake of slacking.

[LaurenM/Ruby]

Ummm Barkin doens't dye his hair. it's brown. remember in Fashion Victim when he had that beard in the end? hehe. so..yeah. lol!

[Rognik]

But he was blond for, like, 2 episodes WAAAAAY back in the beginning. Although I can see why they changed his hair colour. Blond hair and a brown suit just DON'T go together.