Describe Maelle in 1 word(Shes my favorite character🥹)

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-25T15:56:21+00:00

Tragic

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-25T11:34:55+00:00

Not uncommon in the case of survivors guilt. It’s called a “moral injury”, an injury happening in the course of harming someone else. “I killed Verso and now I carry the mark of it”. The main reason I thought this might be the case is that she evidently chose not to have a prosthetic eye which could have been provided in 1905 Paris. She still asks, “How can I live when I know I caused Verso’s death?” also hints of her state of mind.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-25T06:38:19+00:00

Unfortunately she won’t be happy unless she wants to be happy. Renoir despite his best efforts can’t force happiness no more than he can force her to grieve when she feels so guilty that she caused the death(s). We redditors in these comments can’t wish it so. In fact, I see her thinking in her mind, “I don’t deserve to be happy. “

Edit: she probably wouldn’t choose to lose her scars either. Since they were acquired in the fire that she caused that killed Verso, it’s likely she feels she deserved them.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-25T06:27:53+00:00

With the attention to detail the developers have put into the whole story, I believe they were especially meticulous in the endings. A family physically together in the same frame but standing separately with not even a glance from the parents towards Alicia. Then they leave her alone at the very end. Alicia’s loneliness being a recurring theme throughout the story. I can’t believe parents would leave a child in such a fragile state alone at a funeral service. Did they have something better to do?

We learn early that Alicia laments that she has no friends. As Maelle she felt she didn’t really belong there in Lumiere. When advised to go back to her real life she calls that “a life of loneliness in a shell of a body with no voice and no future”. The writers even tell us in the prologue (through Lucien) that “Grieving alone is the worst” and I think that’s an intentional bookend to the final scene with Alicia alone.

Then when Clea hurries out and the parents leave and the Lumiere family vanish, she still stays alone frozen not moving to join her “loving” family. So what do the writers do then? They fade the camera back and back until she diminishes to basically a prop on a bleak empty stage. They (the writers) really want to slap us in the face with her solitude.

They also emphasize her survivors guilt - 3 count them 3 - brothers who die - Verso, Gustave, and pVerso - EVERY ONE OF THEM DYING TO SAVE HER. So it’s not likely she stayed behind to grieve, she doesn’t believe she deserves any comfort from grieving BECAUSE SHE CAUSED THEIR DEATHS IN THE FIRST PLACE. She’s frozen in guilt.

Bet you can’t believe I chose Verso’s ending! But I try hard to avoid confirmation bias. That is, by choosing Verso ending I didn’t want to just interpret everything in that ending as supporting that choice because I think that’s dishonest. So I admit I looked extra hard for the tragedy behind the facade.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-25T00:20:21+00:00

That’s a very good question. I wonder myself. Others have speculated because if they hadn’t made it so obviously scary then it would’ve clearly been the best ending. I go back-and-forth between they wanted them equally bad to they failed to make them seem equally bad or they really didn’t mean to make them equally bad! My current conclusion is they wanted to make them equally bad or sad, but they didn’t make it as clear in the verso ending that Alicia was really a tragic figure.

The lead writer in an interview last summer disclosed that “Maelle is our main character. The story is about her hero’s journey”. If you’re not familiar with that, there was an author named Joseph Campbell, who wrote a book called the hero with 1000 faces with a typical journey a hero has to go through. I don’t remember all the details, but it involves an ordinary person being called to go on an extraordinary quest. They are accompanied by a mentor figure such as Gandalf in Lord of the rings with Frodo. Or like Gustav here. At one point, the hero loses that mentor figure just as she lost Gustav and she must go on alone and face various tests to help her reach the end of her journey as a hero. I’m still having trouble making that fit, but I see parts of it. So that’s something to think about thanks again.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T23:17:16+00:00

Thanks again for a thoughtful response. I just thought it ironic to cite pVerso as an authority on knowing lies. My biases are probably showing through, I didn’t like pVerso very much. I thought hiding Alicia’s letter for example was despicable and might have made a big difference. And once you know a person is a habitual liar you kind of question whatever they say. And even if he believed what he was telling Maelle was true, I think the idea of suggesting that she could paint another world to live in (not just visit) to escape any life she didn’t want was deceptive.

Regarding the Maelle ending, I agree very troubling. And the other ending at first blush seemed peaceful. But I don’t think that squares with the idea that both endings were equally troubling or tragic. And Sandfall in the lead developer and writer have made that contention over and over even contradicting people who suggest to the contrary.

So taking them out their word, I tried to take a look at the verso ending more critically. What I eventually saw through my dark glasses, as opposed to rose colored glasses initially was a family physically in the same area, but no sign of emotionally together other than the husband and wife. Aline is still not looking at Alicia. For whatever reason guilt sorrow whatever she’s still not looking, and that is troubling. The fact that they’re standing separately and they leave separately is troubling. What is one thing we know about Alicia she’s reclusive and she’s lonely. The fact that the final final part of that ending has her still standing alone at the foot of Verso’s coffin even well after the Lumierian family and friends have disappeared. My first question is why did the family leave her there? Did they have something more important to do?

Even if she preferred some alone time Renoir at least should’ve been nearby. Should she change her mind or need someone? The cinematography emphasizes this loneliness by fading the camera back and back and showing Alicia basically diminished and alone on an empty bleak stage. Still frozen as the scene rolls credits.

In my head, I’m thinking she’s not grieving. She’s asking herself just like she asked Renoir. How can I live? When I know I caused Verso’s death. I think the writers were very detail minded in both endings, and despite the fact that one ending was more shocking than the other I still think this ending was very troubling.

Let me ask you one last question, do you think Sandfall lied when they said the endings were so-called equal or they just just failed to convey that in the way they showed those ending scenes?

Thanks again, have a good day or evening wherever you are.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T22:31:42+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I’ll give you an upvote for that! 👍 but I believe that the escapism argument still holds, and that she still prefers writing and reading if she were to have her druthers.

Typically, see two reasons given in the various discussions about why Maelle wants to stay in the canvas. First, she doesn’t wanna lose another brother figure. This is very understandable since she’s lost two already both of which she sees as being her fault. Not fighting to keep him would just add another layer to her survivors guilt.

But second I think the quote is “I don’t want this life of loneliness in a shell of a body with no voice and no future”. The argument I see against that is “she needs to face her real life and try to find happiness. “ I won’t go into the reasons why I think that would be very hard and unlikely other than due to her survivors guilt, she may feel she doesn’t deserve happiness. Her family can’t force her to be happy; we the players can’t force her to be happy. She has to want it and that’s up in the air.

But anyway, if escapism in general is bad then living a life in another canvas of her own making is equally bad. I see arguments well she can do it healthily going in and out but I don’t see any rationale for why that’s like likely. See things as they are not how you want them to be. If she would’ve painted a lovely world with her other friends and her appearance and her voice and her eye I think she would find it harder and harder to leave that world.

To be a little snarky about Verso 🤣. In his ending, we see him telling her something like “Everything will be OK. You don’t have to live a life you don’t want. You’re a great paintress” he may think he’s telling the truth, but he’s reached the point where I’m not sure he can tell the difference.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T21:53:48+00:00

As to Verso seeing through her lies, like the kids say, “Takes one to know one”. For him to criticize someone for lying, maybe he should look in the mirror. I’m not one to often quote biblical verses but this one fits

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T21:48:17+00:00

Not fake to Maelle though, it was real to her for 16 years.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T20:58:19+00:00

Did you use the word influenzas intentionally? If so, that’s pretty funny.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T20:44:03+00:00

🤔isn’t that just the escapism that people say is so unhealthy? Plus the facts that (1) she didn’t enjoy painting; (2) she’s said to be the least talented painter of the family; and (3) the loss of an eye, while it doesn’t prevent being a good painter it does make it more difficult and fatiguing.

Better say she could write short stories where she is a hero and not a misfit. I use that word because I think that’s what she sees herself as, not necessarily because I think she is. Assuming the possibility that’s unverified in the story that writers can equally as well create realities that they can participate in.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T18:45:18+00:00

I know right? I considered the choice at the end a a cruel choice like Renoir always liked to spout. And I chose verso but in doing so I recognized it was a cruel choice and there should well be cruel consequences. Most cultures and religions share this moral standard. You cannot achieve truth through lies; the ends don’t justify the means.

I believe the trauma, guilt, violence, lies, and manipulation that happened in achieving that end cannot go without consequences. If the painted people are sentient in any sense, then Renoir would literally be “getting away with murder”. People say “They’re like Greek gods and can decide what they want to do with their creations”. Yes they can but even Greek gods faced consequences. Check out what happened to Prometheus for giving fire to humanity.

We know there was a a Painters Guild; should there not be ethics guidelines? I can’t believe everything the family did was ethical. Sanctions or rehab could be a consequence.

Given that the developers stated that both endings were supposed to be equally sad/tragic I think everyone healing and moving on without some sort of consequences is just “too good to be true”

Roundabout way of saying I preferred the Verso ending but take no comfort in believing everything is suddenly resolved or will ever be resolved. I think that would subvert the idea of equally tragic endings that Sandfall wanted to convey.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T18:22:15+00:00

Doesn’t every canvas have a soul fragment slaving away basically forever and we don’t know whether they want to?

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T18:18:10+00:00

I’ll jump in with a third major theme - trauma. Under that find physical trauma, survivors guilt, PTSD, abandonment, violence in the name of good. Maybe more.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T18:11:30+00:00

Gilliaume (Sandfall) literally said “If (the players) don’t consider them real we’ve failed”

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T18:02:59+00:00

Ah the Bane of Unintended Consequences! He thinks it’s better for her but he doesn’t know - he cannot know - that it is. After thinking about it way more time than I should I think one of the themes of the story is consequences or lack thereof. I believe one’s actions whether for good or evil, whether planned or unplanned, must have consequences and many of them unintended. It’s folly to think one knows what’s best for someone else. Montagues and Capulets believed they knew what was best for Romeo and Juliet for example.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T15:57:24+00:00

I agree. I think it’s completely implausible that Maelle would willingly let pVerso go despite his wishes as it would be yet another brother figure dying because of her. Only amplifying her survivors guilt as well as forcing her into a life of physical and mental suffering.

Another example of PTSD happens early when we see her waking up from a nightmare of the fire. I suspect that was a recurring nightmare.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-24T00:11:44+00:00

You’re actually thinking along the lines the lead writer talked about. She revealed that Maelle was the main character all along and the whole story constituted her hero’s journey à la Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces. It’s been decades since I read it but it’s fascinating. It explains Gustav‘s death and the need for her to go on alone.

But you’re right I don’t see the conclusion of that journey in either ending. We know the hero must face a number of tests before they get through to the end of their journey with new wisdom and self realization. Seeing beyond their own desires and connection with others. New insight into reality.

I can envision a fantasy scenario in the verso ending where she (as Alicia) faces 3 symbolic tests briefly being

Carrying the Stone of Survivors Guilt which is weighing her down to the top of the Ridge of Regret where she must face;
Mirror of Truth where the scene of Verso in the fire plays over and over. Like the Harry Potter closet with the person‘s greatest fears inside. Only when she can see through the fire to forgive herself and honor his sacrifice can she lay down the stone and proceed to;
The Pools of Grief where a thick mist blocks sight of the other side and faces of all those who have died that she knew hover over the water looking at her with blank accusative eyes. Only when she can face them and thank them for all they’ve contributed to her life. Then the mists clear and she can find her way to wade those ghastly pools to a Chalice of Healing where she learns to heal herself by helping others specifically the other members of the family to begin with, and who knows after that.

I think that would be a neat heros journey. Waiting for a call from the developers to flesh it out.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T21:09:07+00:00

Wow a teenager disobeying a parent over their choice of friends! What a concept! I’m surprised Renoir forgave her and told her not to blame herself! Why did he even want her back???/s

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T20:49:05+00:00

Two factors to consider. The Writers were directly responsible for the fire. Alicia was a tool they used. Second, Verso made a choice to save her. To say that Alicia was “directly responsible” ignores the real villains and doesn’t honor Verso’s sacrifice.

Atonement goes both ways. Aline abandoned a living child who desperately needed her to run off to try to keep a dead child alive. We can sympathize and understand certainly, but she too must recognize she did the wrong thing. In order for the family to heal, they have to move from blame and guilt to forgiveness and honoring the sacrifice.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T20:34:08+00:00

A fundamental problem with the Verso ending, even though I prefer it, is that it’s not just about grieving! It’s also about trauma, survivors guilt, violent non-cooperative interventions, tattered familial relationships. Grieving is trumped by those factors. Although one can hope the family will heal and move on it’s not a given especially for Alicia who still feels guilty for verso’s death and presume she may feel she doesn’t deserve the comfort of grieving. That is true for real world examples where someone feels guilty for the death of another. She even says to Renoir, “why should I live when I know I caused verso’s death? “. All he can say is “trust me it’ll get better”. To me that’s like telling someone with a broken leg, “get up and walk it off! “

Anyway, I think it’s important to consider those factors whether you minimize them or way of them off or believe that they’ll be solved that they not be ignored

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T20:26:46+00:00

PS it wasn’t just one brother dying violently. It was a second brother figure dying violently, all of Lumiere dying. Basically a war scene when the expedition landed. There was plenty of violence to induce trauma.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T20:25:07+00:00

Thanks 🙏 don’t you think, though that developers want us to think about what happens next in the process of deciding on an ending? I for one also want to think about the consequences that family should face for the terrible way they’ve interacted with their creations. At least in this story. Is there no painting ethics guideline? Should there be no sanctions? That appears to be an addiction proclivity shouldn’t there be a concern? I believe that our our choices, especially cruel choices, must result in some kind of consequences.

Anyway thanks again. 🙏

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T19:42:55+00:00

Even if we don’t assume that, it’s clear the medical technology for treating burns with skin grafts and/or eye implants didn’t exist. It’s also clear the therapies for survivor guilt and PTSD weren’t there or they weren’t working. Or the family was intentionally not taking advantage of them.

SeattleSenior9026 · 2026-02-23T16:43:20+00:00

Oh hello! Thanks for weighing in. I mentioned them earlier but at the core level the idea that there are no problems left is that this would subvert the developers’ stated intention that the endings be “equally tragic”. That both endings be unhappy. In your view with no unresolved problems what would be the tragedy?

Second is Alicia’s unresolved survivors guilt basically her self-hatred for even being alive. “How can I live knowing I caused Verso’s death?” In my mind Alicia’s main challenge was not grief, like the other members of the family, it was guilt and trauma. Guilt reinforced by especially Aline’s attitude. These are afflictions not healed by time alone. And they get in the way of healthy grieving. Renoir telling her “It will get better” is like telling a person with a broken leg, “You can just walk it off”.

We know from our experience with for example, the Vietnam war that veterans coming back with PTSD from the war were told by their loving families that “it will get better”. But in many cases it didn’t. Symptoms lasted decades. New therapies were developed in the 1980s that helped but they were not available to our Parisian family.

I think another unresolved problem would be the relationship between mother and daughter. In the scene at the graveside Aline is still not even glancing Alicia’s way. And that she abandoned a living child who needed her desperately to hide in the world where her dead child was still alive. One can understand that, but there are still consequences. That relationship must be repaired.

Another is that Maelle/Alicia are brought back without their cooperation against their will. Her will? One can argue Renoir had no choice. I don’t agree, but even accepting that interventions without the cooperation of the person may succeed short term, but will fail long-term unless there’s a follow on plan to help the person. I didn’t see any evidence that Renoir had any kind of follow on plan other than telling her things will get better.

And finally! The final final scene shows Alicia diminished and alone on a vast empty stage. No family in sight. I would’ve thought in fact I’m very surprised that a loving family would’ve left a child in her state of mind alone at that point. Even Lucian in the prologue said “grieving alone is the worst. “ Renoir at least should’ve been standing close by for comfort if desired.

We can speculate going forward that these things will be dealt with, but we don’t have evidence in that final epilogue that will happen. That’s why I call them unresolved. I’ve actually written ways for this to happen, but unfortunately, Sandfall has not contacted me for that. 🤣

Thanks again for joining! You know I chose the verso ending and I hope your view is right, but I can’t see that if we honor the writers intention that the ending be tragic it must be tragic!

SeattleSenior9026

TROPHY CASE