Girl Genius XXVIII: Dancink! Ve is here for de dancink!

[memnarch]

Marrying someone from Mechanicsburg probably takes a certain kind of mindset to happen, so I'm not that surprised.


I'm guessing that Plumm is going to join in as yet another group in the chase, and we'll end this side story with Agatha showing up and winning by making the "capture" as an attempt to rescue her from the townsfolk.

[Mechalich]

... Huh.

Another aside from my archive diving; the backup story in the second TPB, "Trelawney Thorpe and the Crown of the Sleeping King".

It's apparently canon, given that the crown appears here, but... how does King Arthur exist in the GG Universe? We know Albia has been around since before Rome, which is well before Arthur's time (the earliest dates for Arthur are around the fall of the Roman Empire, more than a millennium after any time that could conceivably be called 'before Rome').

It'd be... kind of interesting to hear about Ablia's interactions with Merlin, and to know just how long she's been Queen of England for, given that she's been a Second-Stage Spark for a bare minimum of 7000 years.

Rome apparently existed in the GG universe though, it's been referenced, somewhat ironically by Lady Astarte at the Queen's Henge even. Arthur could be one of Albia's clearly numerous consorts, of Roman origin, who defended Britain as her champion against some sort of outside threat - meaning probably Lucrezia - in the appropriate timeframe. If this Arthur actually married Albia, and why not, then he could justifiably claim to be king, even if the title has no power.

Or, because the British Isles appear to be more like an archipelago in GG, it's possible the GG version of Arthur ruled a different part of Britain (perhaps Cornwall, in the west) entirely separate from territories claimed by Albia.

[Traab]

Marrying someone from Mechanicsburg probably takes a certain kind of mindset to happen, so I'm not that surprised.


I'm guessing that Plumm is going to join in as yet another group in the chase, and we'll end this side story with Agatha showing up and winning by making the "capture" as an attempt to rescue her from the townsfolk.

Think of it like the Addams Family. 99% of people are freaked out and disturbed, but every now and then they find someone who fits right in with the extended family. Like that woman who married cousin It in the first one. They had a beautiful little furball next movie iirc.

[Narkis]

Rome apparently existed in the GG universe though, it's been referenced, somewhat ironically by Lady Astarte at the Queen's Henge even. Arthur could be one of Albia's clearly numerous consorts, of Roman origin, who defended Britain as her champion against some sort of outside threat - meaning probably Lucrezia - in the appropriate timeframe. If this Arthur actually married Albia, and why not, then he could justifiably claim to be king, even if the title has no power.

Or, because the British Isles appear to be more like an archipelago in GG, it's possible the GG version of Arthur ruled a different part of Britain (perhaps Cornwall, in the west) entirely separate from territories claimed by Albia.

Or she was the Lady of the Lake and moved to take power overtly only recently.

Or she went by "Merlin" back then.

[Shining Wrath]

Given the references to Queens and magic mirrors, I think Albia has been reigning as a Queen for a long time. Now, for Arthurian purposes, maybe she went by Morgana de Fey back then, and Merlin was an enemy Spark she had to defeat, while Arthur was an interesting boy toy. And over the centuries the tale shifted as a form of passive resistance to the unimaginably powerful God-like Spark Queen.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Well, it's nice to see the Professoressa getting into the swing of things.

Oh, and it's the Mechanicsberg Ministery of Merriment. We all know what that means^*...


* Fans of Yes Minister, or at least people who couldn't avoid it, will remember the adge that ministries are named for the opposite of their function - the Ministry of Employment, for example, dealt with the unemployed. Came from 1984, I think

[wingnutx]

This is not as good of an idea as she had imagined it would be.

[HandofShadows]

Given the references to Queens and magic mirrors, I think Albia has been reigning as a Queen for a long time. Now, for Arthurian purposes, maybe she went by Morgana de Fey back then, and Merlin was an enemy Spark she had to defeat, while Arthur was an interesting boy toy. And over the centuries the tale shifted as a form of passive resistance to the unimaginably powerful God-like Spark Queen.

We actually have "seen" King Arthur in "Trelawney Thorpe- Spark Of The Realm: Crown Of The Sleeping King". Merlin is also mentioned.

[Radar]

We actually have "seen" King Arthur in "Trelawney Thorpe- Spark Of The Realm: Crown Of The Sleeping King". Merlin is also mentioned.

He seemed a pretty decent fellow. I do not think he would have been at odds with Albia, unless she was up to no good.

[PraetorDragoon]

This is not as good of an idea as she had imagined it would be.

What do you mean? This is the best first-hand experience of a local festival she will ever get.

[wingnutx]

I mean confronting Plumm.

He's going to help the hell out of her.

[PraetorDragoon]

I mean confronting Plumm.

He's going to help the hell out of her.

He'll be as helpful as Der Kestle.

[theangelJean]

And yet, he's the person with the information that we want: What are they going to do with her if they catch her?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Having the information and sharing it are two very different things.

[Shining Wrath]

Having the information and sharing it are two very different things.

Would a Heterodyne minion lie? I now require a fainting couch. But yes, stopping and talking to the person who got you into this mess, on purpose, may not be as productive a use of her time as she might desire.

I'm sure the Castle wants to see the ceremony; therefore, the Castle will ensure she is caught. She just needs to stop and negotiate who will catch her.

[Fyraltari]

Would a Heterodyne minion lie? I now require a fainting couch. But yes, stopping and talking to the person who got you into this mess, on purpose, may not be as productive a use of her time as she might desire.

I'm sure getting the mob to stampede all over his office counts as a win.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Of course, if the mob shows up they have to deal with the Mechanicsburg Mallard Plumm's feeding numnums.

[PraetorDragoon]

Of course, if the mob shows up they have to deal with the Mechanicsburg Mallard Plumm's feeding numnums.

Der Kestle might help with that, if it would want to watch a mob stampede over Plumms office.

[Gez]

I'm sure the Castle wants to see the ceremony; therefore, the Castle will ensure she is caught.

That would imply that the Heterodyne, traditionally, did get captured by the crowd. Dunno if that really fits with their whole mystique.

[Shining Wrath]

That would imply that the Heterodyne, traditionally, did get captured by the crowd. Dunno if that really fits with their whole mystique.

"There's a nice prize for the group that catches you". Happens at least some of the time.

[TeChameleon]

"There's a nice prize for the group that catches you". Happens at least some of the time.

Er, no, it's just implied that it's possible for it to happen. The existence of a prize does not mean anyone has ever won it, or ever will win it.

And der Kestle is, as always, on the side of its own amusement (just about typoed that as 'abusement', which is oddly apropos).

[Shining Wrath]

And ... we just learned that this year is non-standard. Plumm is not following the usual rules.
And the Castle is listening. That bit with the gargoyle was creepy.

EDIT:

I very much doubt the people of Mechanicsburg would be showing this much enthusiasm for winning a prize that has never been won ... in centuries.

[PraetorDragoon]

And ... we just learned that this year is non-standard. Plumm is not following the usual rules.
And the Castle is listening. That bit with the gargoyle was creepy.

EDIT:

I very much doubt the people of Mechanicsburg would be showing this much enthusiasm for winning a prize that has never been won ... in centuries.

Its Mechanicsburg. Enthousiasm is in their blood.

[Kantaki]

I very much doubt the people of Mechanicsburg would be showing this much enthusiasm for winning a prize that has never been won ... in centuries.

Depends. Assuming it's a monetary (or equivalent) reward and that it stays in the pot if no one wins it that might people more enthusiastic as the prize grows over the years.

Edit:
Also, it's been how long since they did this?

Also also, Mechanicsburg.

[Shining Wrath]

The people of Mechanicsburg may like their Heterodynes, and be a little off in a variety of ways, but I still don't think someone would build a giant mechanical spider and assemble a rampaging mob of minions for a prize which is never won. And I think the clear implication of what the Castle said is that the prize has been awarded, although you are free to be wrong disagree.

Setting aside the issue of the prize, the big takeaway from today's strip is that Plumm is up to something. I wonder what it might be? Maybe the fact that the Castle responded to the Professora set a scheme in motion.

[Fyraltari]

The people of Mechanicsburg may like their Heterodynes, and be a little off in a variety of ways, but I still don't think someone would build a giant mechanical spider and assemble a rampaging mob of minions for a prize which is never won. And I think the clear implication of what the Castle said is that the prize has been awarded, although you are free to be wrong disagree.

Setting aside the issue of the prize, the big takeaway from today's strip is that Plumm is up to something. I wonder what it might be? Maybe the fact that the Castle responded to the Professora set a scheme in motion.

I'm on the side of "the prize has been won before", it doesn't mean that it's the end of the celebration maybe the Heterodyne has to face some more challenges afterwards.

I see no reason to assume the giant mechanical spider was built specifically for the solstice. Germacher is ill so that may just be the Mechanigsburg version of a wheelchair.

[Shining Wrath]

I'm on the side of "the prize has been won before", it doesn't mean that it's the end of the celebration maybe the Heterodyne has to face some more challenges afterwards.

I see no reason to assume the giant mechanical spider was built specifically for the solstice. Germacher is ill so that may just be the Mechanigsburg version of a wheelchair.

I have to agree that a Sparky Mechanicsburgian would definitely not use a standard wheelchair. It would be beneath their dignity. This one does seem to have adaptations (giant pincers) for Heterodyne-catching.

[Scarlet Knight]

I have to agree that a Sparky Mechanicsburgian would definitely not use a standard wheelchair. It would be beneath their dignity. This one does seem to have adaptations (giant pincers) for Heterodyne-catching.

Nonsense! Those pincers simply are for serving tea...large quantities of tea.

[PraetorDragoon]

I would be more concerned when Mechanicsburg wheelchairs don't include giant pincers.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Although I feel a wheelchair should have proper wheels. With blades. (A la Mad Hamish from Interesting Times)

Now, entertainments and "keep left"... where have I heard that before... Although the "keep left" could just be a general safety precaution in Mechanicsberg. Unless one of the Heterodynes had a "right" period.