Caleb and Nott get a bad rap for being very deeply and unhealthily codependent which, for the most part, is a decent observation of their early game dynamic. But, in revisiting the early game, I do wonder at the fact that this label is almost universally applied to them but rarely comes up in conversation with Imogen and Laudna, in my experience. There are contrasting interactions that happen in early c2 and early c3 that I think are a really interesting look into the reality of these dynamics.

In c2e2, Caleb and Nott have this interaction:

Nott: Well it's just that-- listen, there's no offense, I enjoy our talks and your schooling and everything, but I haven't talked this openly and freely with other people in months. It's amazing.

Caleb: It really is pretty nice, isn't it?

Nott: Yes!

And in c3e2, there is this interaction about Imogen and Laudna's relationship:

Laudna: Imogen and I don't talk to anyone. (laughs)

Imogen: No, not really.

Ashton: You guys seem like you have a really good deal going on. Should keep that up, it seems nice.

I just think there's something interesting here that may show an inconsistency in the way fandom remembers certain things vs the way that they actually were. Nott and Caleb were certainly codependent, but they were also actively hoping to fall in with a group for protection and, well, because they (primarily Nott, but I’ll use a general they) wanted to expand their social circles. Laudna and Imogen, frankly, might have just stayed the two of them if they didn't happen upon the rest of the Hells and honestly didn't seem outwardly bothered by that at all. Imogen never seems to have wanted to expand her social circle for fear of what her own powers would make her hear and feel, and Laudna, though a lover of people, seems like she would have been content to follow Imogen into whatever isolation worked best for her.

I just find this a very interesting contrast to Caleb and Nott's fumbling, often poorly received attempts to reach outside of their friendship toward others, the intentionality of which I feel is rarely emphasized. Their distrustful natures (and the traumas they had suffered) made them skittish and likely to flee. But they did want more than what their relationship could sustain and subsequently sought it out.

Laudna is exposure therapy for Travis.

So I’ve been told.

Critical Role C3E2 - How to traumatize a halfling that is alone in the dark.

I see Talesin borrowed a different body for the season

Orym my beloved ft. the feeling when you're trying to stop the Lord from killing you all but your friend attacks him #relatable

Opal, when she finds out her toddler is all alone in a dark warehouse.

the entire sneak around spy plan and execution had me collapsed on the floor in laughter ngl. also i remembered that laudna fearne and imogen all have two hands, gooey as some of them may be. all three of them give off the most intense Weird Little Girl vibes i’ve seen

Ashton to Laudna and Imogen: i think you guys make great “gal pals” keep it up 😉

Laudna: it’s pleasant

Imogen: 🥰😍🥰😍😍

Obviously the entire Pate de Rolo scene was gold, so funny and so many backstory hints and the cast/other PC reactions were amazing.

But also the reason for him existing is SO heartbreaking and I cannot wait for Marisha to use Laudna’s pain to absolutely wreck me.

Laudna, I think you did unsettling presence on TRAVIS

Putting this out there before this episode ends: Imogen and Laudna are ALREADY gfs and they haven't had a chance to show it yet. They're gonna kiss "on-screen" like five episodes in and be like "what?" when everyone loses their shit.

(3:08:37)

Getting some real ‘got caught in class goofing w/ friend and now we’re embarrassed’ vibes here

SO WEIRD CAMPAIGN ONE STORIES IN CAMPAIGN THREE I’m so pleased right now

Ma’am. And ma’am. Please.