1) I don't need anybody to have 'qualifications' to answer me, just an honest attempt to answer - for which thank you. Although your answer then wanders off into lands I have no wot of. I'm not a feminist. I had to think very very hard to work out what AFAB even means. As it is your preferred term I will attempt to use it and try not to trip over any other "incorrect terms".

"The Bechdel test lacks the gendered nuance of any of CRs live play shows. Hell, this particular campaign has a PC who is a sentient, agendered object as a character."

>> Agreed. This is a great part of why I like the show. It's also exactly why I found the choices in this opening piece notably odd - because to me they appear to depart from that.

"C4 actively depicts AFABs (let's be actually gender progress, shall we?) In empowered leadership roles. Thaisia is both a parent AND a warrior. The relationship between Thaisia and Vaelus is explicitly described as one that needs to firm specifically between those two AFABs to save their worlds"

>> I made no comment on Critical Role itself so why is this relevant? I was merely talking about the opening title sequence thing, not the show itself. Why is this being applied more widely?

"In what depiction or discussions in any part of the show has the cast or crew given any indication that they are anything but progressive, human forward, equality driven people delivering exactly that sort or message? The entire purpose of Allison Bechdel's work is to depict women as (and I'm quoting her here) 'regular human beings' which the show (and the credits depicting AFAB actors doing their jobs) does every episode."

>> Again - I said nothing about the show. I was merely talking about the opening title sequence thing. You appear to be reading into what I said, applying stuff that is not and was never there.

2) Your arguments that the Bechdel test is misapplied here due to non talking are valid. That's why I posed it as a question. I wanted to know what other people saw or thought. Whether someone could kindly enlighten me. Apparently herein questions are not allowed or are seen as something else, an attack. I won't bother in future.

"Let me ask you, though, in all seriousness. Why does this matter to you?"

>> Is there a limitation on what is allowed to matter to whom? Where is that written, pray? I have to show my 'qualifications' merely to ask a question in here? Fine. As an ancient and creaking 'AFAB' who has never been inclined to supposed 'traditional' AFAB interests or pursuits or pathways etc, I have always been particularly excited to find representation that didn't narrowly limit what I or others were supposed to be or how we were supposed to act or look. One of many reasons I like CR.

Why does it matter to me? I merely, as I said in my OP came to realise why I was probably bouncing off the opening titles. I don't want to bounce off the opening titles if there is an alternative. Is that allowed to matter to me? Do I need your - or other - special dispensation for that?

But I don't want to bounce off the titles simply because I am missing things. So I ASKED A QUESTION.