It sure seems like there could be something there, and any time it comes up they they both push the idea away for a petty, childish reason. (“Walky’s a butt, you can have him.”)
I don’t think he was quite that emphatic about it. More like he wanted to explore different pairings.
We’ve got Ruth/Billie, which was a Walkverse pairing, if a mostly flashback, tragically ended one.
It’s funny. You know, I’m perfectly aware they are a couple for years in the Walkyverse, but, being primarily a reader of the Dumbiverse, it seems so utterly natural to me that they’d never pair off.
I agree with you. Without the bonding experience of fighting aliens or whatever they did, the two are just an ocean apart. Taste in cartoons aside, they have pretty much nothing in common. Their family situation, faith, outlook, desires are all different. They do both posses a kinda zany energy I suppose and they could become friends eventually, but it would take years (in comic) before I could see them becoming a couple and we just don’t have that kind of time.
They are mutually attracted to each other, but on wildly different wavelengths outside of that. I don’t think it’s outright impossible that they’d date, but it’s pretty wildly improbable at this point.
Me too. I can see it isn’t the right time in this universe yet but I kinda hope they end up together somehow still. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia talking though!
Man it’s only as if your break up was done for foolish reasons. That sounded more harsh then it was meant. It is more than obvious that neither of them wanted to break up and that this situation, if not resolved, can lead to social isolation for both of them.
Then again. . .it could possibly lead to some very nice character growth from Walky and Dorothy coming down the road in regards to emotional and mental maturity. I am now looking forward to what comes next, despite my inner shipper protesting.
Just because you don’t want to break up, doesn’t make the reasons bad. “I’m 18 and I have other priorities” isn’t a bad reason to break up with someone in my opinion. Incompatibility over future visions isn’t a bad reason either.
Everyone has different needs and wants in a relationship. I need someone with an immense amount of patience for my myriad issues- others might need someone who would challenge them more. Some people might want someone quite independent, so they could focus on other things. My husband needs a lot of affection, some people would hate that. Some people want to share hobbies, others would prefer it be their own thing. Some people would find those things to be deal breakers, and that’s all fine. You shouldn’t settle in a substandard relationship just because you love each other- even when there’s also respect and compromise.
imo. if you make each other extremely happy i say fuckit. make it work. there’s no good reason 2 people who care and want nothing but the best for each other to break up other then one thinks she’s forcing the other into circumstances (when she isnt)
While strenuous circumstances can be overcome by love alone, incompatible circumstances can quickly lead to negative relationship dynamics. Nevermind that when you’re that young, you’re too flooded with things and too inexperienced to really make decisions with full perspective. Stepping back is a good thing for more mature individuals, and certainly a good thing for youths.
And past that? If it was “meant to be”, then it sure as heck can handle a bit of separation. After all, if it can’t handle working that (ie, together to figure life out), then the relationship sure as heck wouldn’t have been able to handle more meaningful relationship challenges (such as the dynamics that led to this break-up).
Contra to common belief love does not concer all obstacles.
They had good sex (after Doroth gave him some pointers) and good sex makes people feel well and relaxed. The only other thing they had in common was Dexter and Monkey Master, be that’s a bit slim for a long-term relationship. And both couldn’t really adhere to the ‘this is only a fun relationship’ rule Dorothy gave out on the start (which would mean mostly good sex and relaxing together), but both started to invest it with feeling far beyond that, and this is why this is so hard. It’s a good choice on both sides in the long run, but short term, it just feels awful.
Actually, Dorothy couldn’t adhere to the rule. Walky was doing pretty well, except that she kept changing it on him.
The fundamental conflict here is within Dorothy. Her inability to balance her desire for a relationship with her goal of focusing only on her studying. Even before they got together, she was talking about the idea as “self-sabotage”. She was breaking her self-imposed limits from the start.
Which made the rest pretty much inevitable. This is Dorothy. She doesn’t do casual. Of course she was going to invest in it. Otherwise she wouldn’t have started.
I still think the arc pretty much has to lead to them getting back together. Where else could it go? Dorothy staying single forever? Accepting that “relationships are self-sabotage”? No drama there. Dorothy playing the same arc out with someone else after a sufficient break? Boring retread.
You could even write them alone in bed while masturbating at the same time to the thought of being with each other.
Maybe have the fantasy be exactly the same with the one thought bubble.
Or maybe have them be noticeably different and alternate between the two fantasies with the background, props, or clothing being the key identifying factor.
Huh. Per my comment last night, it looks like we have a bit of choice A (him not being able to deal with what she’s saying) and choice C (him leaving) — which actually makes it choice D (any combination of the above).
That aside, I know that feel, Walky. Seems like you might need some Garbage Roof time.
Also, I’m disappointed in Dorothy.
I laughed at first, but the idea that she thinks sex will somehow make things better,
Or worse, that she’s the one who gets to decide they’ll have sex pisses me off just a bit.
Of course, it is very possible that she might get him to have sex with her again (it’s not like she magically became unattractive), but it definitely won’t make things better, and it only doubles down on the reasons she gave for breaking up with him — specifically that she was jerking him around by breaking the rules she keeps making.
And then there’s option 3) she wants to have sex with him because she’s in no way over him or even accepted the break up and is using any excuse to try.
I mean, my comment wasn’t about REASONS for her wanting to have sex with him.
I take it as a given that she still wants him. Especially since I think, as I said the other day, he wears heartbreak and consequences well.
Her still wanting him, even loving him, doesn’t change the fact that she took it as a given that she’d get a quickie out of him and that she expressly said it would be to make him feel better (which is in line with the context of the scene).
I don’t like that. I like them as a couple and would be happy for them to get back together (assuming he doesn’t get with Amber), but I don’t like that thought process she had, regardless of any other motives that might go along with it.
It may piss you off a bit that she’s the one who gets to decide if they have sex, but regardless of what she decides, she is the one who gets to decide.
Um, no she actually doesn’t. Walky gets to decide too. She doesn’t get to decide for him. Walky could refuse. And he might – depending on why he thinks she’s doing it.
And this has been the problem for the entire relationship. Not just setting her limits, but then unilaterally choosing to change them.
“Just for fun”, “I love you”
on pause, have sex
break up, now this “quickie then really break up”
She’d seemed to realize she was being unfair to him when they broke up, but the pattern’s a hard one to break.
That might be true, but I always thought they had some kind a truce. After all he does help her out by walking with her to class and stuff . She seems little too happy about this and it would be cool to see if it actually explains why. I mean we have an idea but it would be interesting to hear actually come from her mouth .
She does think he’s gross and beneath Dorothy but she does like him. She even said to Becky that when she wanted to be back at Iu with her friends, she said she wanted Dorothy, Walky, and Billie. Notice her surrogate big sis Sarah didn’t make the list but Walky did (I know, I know, spacing, but still).
I don’t think that’s how she meant it. I don’t think she’d be saying ‘I want Walky’ if she didn’t like him and just meant he wouldn’t do anything that would really annoy her.
She likes the environment of college more than the one from home now, Walky is a part of that and so she misses him and it when they’re no longer around.
It’s a similar relationship she has with Joe, she doesn’t exactly like him right now but she has a weird relationship with him that is strangely comforting.
Joyce had always considered Walky and Dorothy to be a mismatch. When mismatches break up the appropriate reacting is to be happy since you believe that’s for the best. Dissuading relapses is also appropriate behavior with that outlook.
IN what world is it appropriate to be happy for your friend’s heartache, regardless of how you feel about their relationship?
It’s not really shown in this strip, but in the third Joyce and Dorothy bathroom strip, Joyce definitely comes off as callous towards Walky’s feelings. And that’s not cool regardless of viewing her friends as a mismatch.
In mine. My best friend broke up with his incredibly toxic fiance and I was happy. He was not happy of course because it’s very painful, but I was happy for him because I knew he was going to be living a much more happy life now. Also Walky and Joyce aren’t friends.
Yes they are friends. She’s called him family. They just annoy each other. Which is why she is being viewed in a negative manner by so many people her, because she is ignoring her friend’s pain.
And no, being happy your friend is out of a bad relationship, which is what you described (and is not what d and w had), is not the exams as what I asked, which is being happy your friend is heartbroken.
Joyce is entirely too happy about the relationship ending, to the point that she is ignoring the feelings of both her friends (again she is friends with Walky).
Leaving aside that not being how I define a friend, yes, to our knowledge, they were alone together when he watched Titanic.
We know she had to be there to verify he won the bet and no one else was mentioned as being there.
I personally define a friend, vs friendly acquaintance, if I chose to spend time with them for fun outside of where I’m required to or originally met them (like hanging with a coworker after work). And that they have done multiple times almost since the beginning. And it wasn’t the excuse of needing someone to walk with because there were others there as well.
So conflicted, on one hand I think Dorothy should either dump Walky for good or don’t, and on the other hand I think Joyce should leave them the hell alone. She seems a little bit too OK with this …
In what respect? She was always against the relationship. In all honesty any physical relationship in which both parties know there isn’t going to be a long term commitment probably bothers Joyce. So it’s natural for her to be glad it’s coming to an end. From her perspective if a relationship can’t end in marriage it’s pointless.
That might be true, but at their best they brought out some good in each other. Walky gave her support and helped her relax in ways Joyce couldn’t, and she made him want to be a better person. And let’s be honest here, if she didn’t have that meltdown, they would still be together, at least for a while.
/whispers/ Damn it, why do I ship every possible combination of Joyce, Walky, and Dorothy? I know it’d never turn out that way in canon but damn if I wouldn’t like it if it did.
Thanks to your gravitar I now have a headcanon that Galasso secretly writes stories anonymously online featuring the college kids who frequent his restaurant and the combinations in which he ships them.
One of my secret DoA fantasies is, like twenty years down the road, the Rose Garden signing ceremony for a federal polygamy bill seguing into the wedding ceremony for President Keener and her First Lady and First Dude.
Right now, Dorothy doesn’t even want to take the time to hang out.
She’s only here because she let Joyce run roughshod over her.
So Walky can probably have the rest of the week with their friends.
To people saying Joyce is taking pleasure in the breakup: I mean, maybe? She didn’t exactly approve for a variety of reasons, but I don’t get the impression it’s as cut and dry as “weee, no more Watty” or whatever the ship would be called.
I read the last panel more as “don’t do an impulsive hanky panky” than “don’t get back together”, since the latter isn’t on the menu, regardless. Dorothy has struggled with this because she was comfortable yo-yoing Walky and honestly kinda taking him for granted, and she broke up entirely to avoid doing that. Trying to have a quickie both for appeasement and meeting physical needs wouldn’t be helping.
Frankly, Joyce’s behaviour is more that of a bratty kid sibling who is jealous over the level of attention Dorothy gives Walky and, for some reason, has a pre-teen ‘Ugh! Cooties!’ reflexive response to Walky!
I don’t think that’s exactly fair. Walky did call her stupid the day they met. She has plenty of legitimate reasons for disliking their relationship, and disliking Walky in general.
BenRG> Certainly the “bratty kid sibling” part is how it’s coming off for me as well, especially with Joyce pretty much ignoring Dorothy’s wishes and personal space (barging into the bathroom stall springs to mind).
It’s worth remembering the attitude she arrived at college with, too, though. He wasn’t exactly meeting the Joyce of today, but a sheltered, casually racist and homophobic fundie. They were stepping on both of each others’ toes.
He didn’t insult her for being racist or homophobic, it was because she said the most important thing she wanted to accomplish in college was meet her husband. Walky didn’t exactly give a nuanced retort.
While I’d never object to more slipshines. I’d actually prefer a different pairing. If Walky and Joyce isn’t happening I’ll accept Joyce and Dorothy… For real this time.
Given Dorothy’s explicitly stated herself to be straight, and unlike Joyce, given no real indication otherwise even fleetingly, I wouldn’t hold your breath on canon Dorothy/Joyce.
I doubt many would have predicted (in-universe at least) that Joyce and Walky ended up together in It’s Walky!, and yet it happened. That said, while I hope for it, I can’t see Joyce and Dorothy together without many many months passing for we readers.
On the subject of requesting Slipshine content, I’m eagerly awaiting Becky/Dina.
I’m wondering if this is the first time in Dorothy’s live when she’s had a relationship where her emotional bond to the other is stronger than her intellectual dedication to her life goals and what she perceives she needs to do to achieve them.
DOROTHY, YOU LIBERAL JERK! Wow, I am a liberal and I had the urge to say that. I hope Joyce says something sensitive or I will lose any hope for her doing something selfless for Dorothy and Walky. If Dorothy keeps using Walky like that she will become an hypocrite like Roz and Robin.
I am not using liberal as an insult, but just an adjective that is closer to her. I am really worried she is walking teh same path as Roz of being a hedonist that only uses people for sex and justifies it (in Roz’s case it’s about her body freedom, and in Dorothy’s case it’s about entering Ivy League).
And why would you even think that about Dorothy?
She’s had sex with one person since school started. Someone she’s still in love with and still wants, despite the breakup. Which isn’t exactly uncommon.
She’s got nothing in common with Roz here (nor, as JBento says, is there anything wrong with Roz’s approach). She doesn’t want casual sex, she wants Walky.
Hell, Roz’s approach would probably be healthier for her.
Why did she manipulate Walky to be so emotionally attached, over and over, when she wasnt going to fully reciprocate?
Did she really love him?
No, I think she was using him emotionally and the idea of placeholder relationship, and dumped him later so she wouldnt fall in love with him.
She only now realized she was attached to him for real when she realized couldnt stay away.
Walky deserves better, but now is convinced he doesnt.
( Ironically Amber will probably date him on the rebound. Hes fun, non-threatening, and doesnt want to change her . )
Dorothy’s not the only one in denial over how serious they were, dude. When he talked about the future and her becoming President, he described himself as her ex.
It wasn’t manipulative. Every aspect of her relationship with Walky was sincere. She sincerely wanted a just for fun relationship because that’s about all she has time for. She told Walky that’s what she wanted. Then she discovered that wasn’t the extent of her feelings. Because sadly we are not in charge of our feelings. She then realized that her feelings were going to stand in the way of her goals. Deciding between the two she decided that her goals were more important to her than her feelings. She communicated every part of this to Walky throughout their relationships. You might disagree with her decisions, but she wasn’t dishonest.
That’s not true. She is totally aware of the fact she is in love with Walky. That’s why she said it. But as shocking as that might be, some things matter more to Dorothy then love.
It’s not just about love, it’s about being able to be yourself and happy and healthy while conducting a loving relationship with someone else. She hasn’t figured out how to do that with Walky yet. I definitely want them to end up together but I get why she’s behaving the way she is. She’s trying to save them both from what she sees as inevitable failure.
She wasn’t dishonest exactly, but she did keep setting limits and then unilaterally changing them, which isn’t really fair, as she acknowledged when they broke up.
She wasn’t manipulating him, she was sincere about all of it, but it all stems from her view of relationships as sabotage of her real goals conflicting with her actual emotional needs.
David if you wanted to make more Slipshines may I make suggestion of a sex dream fantasy edition? Just me spitballing ideas that I’ve been having for a while.
She’s also still probably frazzled and sleep deprived, which is exactly the best state to be in when trying to deal with an ex you’re still in love with.
Nor is distraught over a breakup really good for buckling down and catching up on your work.
If Dorothy ever actually says something like that, the next step would be her being dragged off in a do-up-the-back shirt with no hand holes in the sleeves to a new dorm with soft walls.
I think she’ll get over Walky when Walky moves on. Breakups are very often bad and unpleasant things. It’s why many poor life choices are made during this time.
“Dang it Walky I’m trying to be the more accommodating Ex in this breakup”
“Well Dorothy, I just want you to be what you wanna be, so fine you can have this too”
“Thanks Walky I-WAIT DAMN IT”
God I hate breakups like this. This is dumb. You’re hurting yourself and him for no reason. Walky isn’t your problem, your complete lack of balance and disregard for a social life is your problem. This is stupid, you’re being stupid. Especially with that quicky comment. Either get back together or *try* to move on.
I like Joyce, mostly, but she really needs to get some empathy damn quickly. Shes right, in panel six, but shes right for the wrong reasons and the only way she’ll understand what Walky and Dorothy are feeling is if she experiences it first hand for herself.
Shes a good friend and good person but shes really being quite selfish and petty, in this situation
I think Joyce selfishness amplified after she realized she could get Jacob if she wanted. She needs a “reason you suck” speech from someone that she cares about, and in that way the speech will be more powerful. Maybe Jacob?
Dorothy has tried to put Joyce in her place before and failed.
Also, she bumped the pedestal when she drank at Joyce’s party.
I think it needs to be Jacob. So far, everything she’s done that he knows about for which other people question her or think she’s wrong, he has accepted.
He’s also a good church going boy and is friends or accepting with just about everyone she’s friends with/wants to improve their lives (Sarah, Ethan, Becky).
He’s practically perfect, and with none of the pedestal bumping. So having him tell her how wrong she’s being will matter significantly.
Thats a good point and would also help coming from him but, in general though, Dorothy also needs to tell Joyce to back off as Joyce is very smothering
The quicky comment was probably more of a momentary impulse rather than an actual declaration of intent. It’s not like she’d go through with it even if Joyce wasn’t there.
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Joyce and Walky? What kind of talk is that?
It’s crazy talk! Nneeevvvaahh gonna happen!
A… Joyce and Walky talky?
Joyce and Walky? Dating? No way. I mean…It’s Walky! And Joyce! They couldn’t even be Roomies without killing each other.
Unless, they actually get together, get married, and then It’s Pregnancy!
Shortpacked!
Donkey!
It sure seems like there could be something there, and any time it comes up they they both push the idea away for a petty, childish reason. (“Walky’s a butt, you can have him.”)
It belongs in an alternate universe, alongside Leslie and Robin.
@Walky_Talky I know we can’t upvote…but I want to give this comment soooo many UPvotes it hurts
They’ll be together by the end of college.
Nope, no original universe couples will happen in DoA. Which also means no Amber/Mike, which makes me super sad.
I don’t think he was quite that emphatic about it. More like he wanted to explore different pairings.
We’ve got Ruth/Billie, which was a Walkverse pairing, if a mostly flashback, tragically ended one.
What would their ship name even be? Jolky? Walce? It’d never work.
Chalky, because reasons.
With this comic’s time scale, the heat death of the universe will occur before they see an end of college.
No joke, I was thinking the other day “Hmm…I wonder if Willis is breaking up Walky and Dorothy so he can do Joyce and Walky all over again…”
Dorothy got THE FEVER
The only cure is Vitamin C…C for Caramel!
And the only PRESCRIPTION
is MORE SEXINGS
A Walken reference to Walky sexings. It’s like two Walkies in one. Double your pleasure, double your fun.
Wait, are suggesting Dorothy is gonna go for the Twin Threesome Fantasy?
She might want to check on that with Walky. And Sal. I doubt either of them would be thrilled with the idea.
Though I guess that it is never too early for an aspiring politician to get started practicing for their sex scandals…
As long as Sal’s and Walky’s junk doesn’t touch…
The eyebrows never lie – http://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-2/05-saturdays-all-right-for-slighting/everything/
Oh god…art style/quality shock. I almost forgot what everyone looked like back then. And I’ve only been reading this comic for like a year.
Same here. It’s actually pretty impressive
Yeah, it’s almost as shocking as Jeph Jacques’ progress over the course of Questionable Content
You want shocking art changes, try reading EGS from the beginning.
I SO didn’t think these two were done having sex.
Well, now she’s got to have a quickie with someone…
Well she and Joyce are already embracing…
Go on…
Perfect gravatar is perfect.
good avatar for that comment
And good avatar for THAT comment
you could always do that “Mary’s Ronald Reagan x Donald Trump slashfic” Slipshine instead
i mean, please don’t, but you could
I’m posting this comment just so my Joyce gravatar can look at you disapprovingly.
You’re doing the Lord’s work here.
+1
I’m posting this comment just so you can post a comment just so your Joyce gravatar can look at Billie’s underwear.
*slow clap*
Time for tons and tons of breakup sex.
Dorothy may not be a head cheerleader, but she sure as heck is a problem solver! ^_^
Dorothy… USE YOUR INSIDE VOICE!!!
B-but, they’re outside…
It’s familiar, but not too familiar, but not too not familiar…
I love you for this.
it’s a brand new craze
Hey, Joyce actually has some decent advice.
i dont care what panel 2 says i will still secretly ship joyce and walky in doa until i die
Literally the last comic in Joyce and Walky is about whether or not they’d get together like they did if they had just met as normal college students.
I assume this means that DoA will end with them together eventually. If not I will be VERY PUT OUT.
Personally, I’ll be kind of put out if they do.
I’d be really happy if I could stop seeing the “Girl actively expresses disdain for a man therefore it must be true love” plot.
I gotta be honest, I doubt it’s gonna happen. Willis has said many times that he doesn’t want to repeat the same relationships from the Walkyverse.
I can dream though. (Although to be honest, I think I’d like it more if they got together then broke up)
And yet he’s been repeating several of them, at least temporarily!
It’s funny. You know, I’m perfectly aware they are a couple for years in the Walkyverse, but, being primarily a reader of the Dumbiverse, it seems so utterly natural to me that they’d never pair off.
I agree with you. Without the bonding experience of fighting aliens or whatever they did, the two are just an ocean apart. Taste in cartoons aside, they have pretty much nothing in common. Their family situation, faith, outlook, desires are all different. They do both posses a kinda zany energy I suppose and they could become friends eventually, but it would take years (in comic) before I could see them becoming a couple and we just don’t have that kind of time.
What are you going to be doing instead?
Aging three months for every day these kids are alive.
Maybe my great grandkids will live to see Joyce and Walky become a viable couple.
C’mon, what’s more intriguing, Walky and Joyce or
WALKY AND AMAZI-GIRL?
(or Walky and Mike- just saying)
Well the second one IS kind of intriguing.
If they put out, it’ll end up on Slipshine.
They are mutually attracted to each other, but on wildly different wavelengths outside of that. I don’t think it’s outright impossible that they’d date, but it’s pretty wildly improbable at this point.
Me too. I can see it isn’t the right time in this universe yet but I kinda hope they end up together somehow still. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia talking though!
Man it’s only as if your break up was done for foolish reasons. That sounded more harsh then it was meant. It is more than obvious that neither of them wanted to break up and that this situation, if not resolved, can lead to social isolation for both of them.
Then again. . .it could possibly lead to some very nice character growth from Walky and Dorothy coming down the road in regards to emotional and mental maturity. I am now looking forward to what comes next, despite my inner shipper protesting.
Just because you don’t want to break up, doesn’t make the reasons bad. “I’m 18 and I have other priorities” isn’t a bad reason to break up with someone in my opinion. Incompatibility over future visions isn’t a bad reason either.
Everyone has different needs and wants in a relationship. I need someone with an immense amount of patience for my myriad issues- others might need someone who would challenge them more. Some people might want someone quite independent, so they could focus on other things. My husband needs a lot of affection, some people would hate that. Some people want to share hobbies, others would prefer it be their own thing. Some people would find those things to be deal breakers, and that’s all fine. You shouldn’t settle in a substandard relationship just because you love each other- even when there’s also respect and compromise.
That got way more preachy than intended. Sorry about that. >.>
imo. if you make each other extremely happy i say fuckit. make it work. there’s no good reason 2 people who care and want nothing but the best for each other to break up other then one thinks she’s forcing the other into circumstances (when she isnt)
While strenuous circumstances can be overcome by love alone, incompatible circumstances can quickly lead to negative relationship dynamics. Nevermind that when you’re that young, you’re too flooded with things and too inexperienced to really make decisions with full perspective. Stepping back is a good thing for more mature individuals, and certainly a good thing for youths.
And past that? If it was “meant to be”, then it sure as heck can handle a bit of separation. After all, if it can’t handle working that (ie, together to figure life out), then the relationship sure as heck wouldn’t have been able to handle more meaningful relationship challenges (such as the dynamics that led to this break-up).
Did they make each other extremely happy though? Or did they both make the other extremely stressed out?
Contra to common belief love does not concer all obstacles.
They had good sex (after Doroth gave him some pointers) and good sex makes people feel well and relaxed. The only other thing they had in common was Dexter and Monkey Master, be that’s a bit slim for a long-term relationship. And both couldn’t really adhere to the ‘this is only a fun relationship’ rule Dorothy gave out on the start (which would mean mostly good sex and relaxing together), but both started to invest it with feeling far beyond that, and this is why this is so hard. It’s a good choice on both sides in the long run, but short term, it just feels awful.
Actually, Dorothy couldn’t adhere to the rule. Walky was doing pretty well, except that she kept changing it on him.
The fundamental conflict here is within Dorothy. Her inability to balance her desire for a relationship with her goal of focusing only on her studying. Even before they got together, she was talking about the idea as “self-sabotage”. She was breaking her self-imposed limits from the start.
Which made the rest pretty much inevitable. This is Dorothy. She doesn’t do casual. Of course she was going to invest in it. Otherwise she wouldn’t have started.
I still think the arc pretty much has to lead to them getting back together. Where else could it go? Dorothy staying single forever? Accepting that “relationships are self-sabotage”? No drama there. Dorothy playing the same arc out with someone else after a sufficient break? Boring retread.
“Dorothy I beg you, something something lust wolves!”
just one? ;-;
“Make him feel better.” Sure, Dorothy.
Wait are you implying girls have sexy needs too? *Checks script* that can’t be right
Her seeming to bite her lip in the last panel while watching an angry Walky walk away might disagree with that script.
Obviously we need better blocking. Or maybe better action lines.
I mean, you could always write their ‘reunion’ after the pause didn’t work.
There’s also always revisiting Danny and AG’s relationship or Ruth and Billie or the second time Sal and Jason went at it.
And oh Dorothy, you mean well but no.
You could even write them alone in bed while masturbating at the same time to the thought of being with each other.
Maybe have the fantasy be exactly the same with the one thought bubble.
Or maybe have them be noticeably different and alternate between the two fantasies with the background, props, or clothing being the key identifying factor.
That’s not a bad idea
Thank you. *Tips imaginary internet hat*
(Yes, the hat is both made up of the internet and of the imagination.)
Props for imagery or whatever the technical term for that well constructed sentence.
Yeah I’m with Joyce just stop, you either give him up or you don’t.
I mean I like a good quickie as much as anyone but I didn’t realize egg-based tarts were so important to Walky
Once again, Joyce looks so pretty!!! And will the quicky make Walky feel better or Dorothy?
I think Dorothy was making up an excuse/justification for her own benefit.
And yes, Joyce is adorable with her hair up.
Yeah, Walky, stuff like hanging out with Amber on the roof.
Or Jason in a bar that he’s to young to be in.
He can’t hang in that booth next to the bar and talk over the wall like they did the last time.
*He CAN hang out…
Huh. Per my comment last night, it looks like we have a bit of choice A (him not being able to deal with what she’s saying) and choice C (him leaving) — which actually makes it choice D (any combination of the above).
That aside, I know that feel, Walky. Seems like you might need some Garbage Roof time.
Also, I’m disappointed in Dorothy.
I laughed at first, but the idea that she thinks sex will somehow make things better,
Or worse, that she’s the one who gets to decide they’ll have sex pisses me off just a bit.
Of course, it is very possible that she might get him to have sex with her again (it’s not like she magically became unattractive), but it definitely won’t make things better, and it only doubles down on the reasons she gave for breaking up with him — specifically that she was jerking him around by breaking the rules she keeps making.
And then there’s option 3) she wants to have sex with him because she’s in no way over him or even accepted the break up and is using any excuse to try.
I mean, my comment wasn’t about REASONS for her wanting to have sex with him.
I take it as a given that she still wants him. Especially since I think, as I said the other day, he wears heartbreak and consequences well.
Her still wanting him, even loving him, doesn’t change the fact that she took it as a given that she’d get a quickie out of him and that she expressly said it would be to make him feel better (which is in line with the context of the scene).
I don’t like that. I like them as a couple and would be happy for them to get back together (assuming he doesn’t get with Amber), but I don’t like that thought process she had, regardless of any other motives that might go along with it.
It may piss you off a bit that she’s the one who gets to decide if they have sex, but regardless of what she decides, she is the one who gets to decide.
Um, no she actually doesn’t. Walky gets to decide too. She doesn’t get to decide for him. Walky could refuse. And he might – depending on why he thinks she’s doing it.
And this has been the problem for the entire relationship. Not just setting her limits, but then unilaterally choosing to change them.
“Just for fun”, “I love you”
on pause, have sex
break up, now this “quickie then really break up”
She’d seemed to realize she was being unfair to him when they broke up, but the pattern’s a hard one to break.
Exactly, thejeff.
Is it just me, or is Joyce taking a little too much satisfaction in Dorothy and Walky’s break-up?
She doesn’t like Walky, thinks he’s gross and beneath Dorothy. She probably did the dance of joy in her room earlier.
That might be true, but I always thought they had some kind a truce. After all he does help her out by walking with her to class and stuff . She seems little too happy about this and it would be cool to see if it actually explains why. I mean we have an idea but it would be interesting to hear actually come from her mouth .
She does think he’s gross and beneath Dorothy but she does like him. She even said to Becky that when she wanted to be back at Iu with her friends, she said she wanted Dorothy, Walky, and Billie. Notice her surrogate big sis Sarah didn’t make the list but Walky did (I know, I know, spacing, but still).
She doesn’t like Walky but she can trust him, at least not to do any of the things that are really bothering her these days.
I don’t think that’s how she meant it. I don’t think she’d be saying ‘I want Walky’ if she didn’t like him and just meant he wouldn’t do anything that would really annoy her.
She likes the environment of college more than the one from home now, Walky is a part of that and so she misses him and it when they’re no longer around.
It’s a similar relationship she has with Joe, she doesn’t exactly like him right now but she has a weird relationship with him that is strangely comforting.
Not how I read it but fair.
Plus, they have Dexter and Monkey Master in common. Walky, Dorothy, and Joyce have bonded plenty over all that, even if it hasn’t come up in a while.
She has also included Walky (albeit reluctantly) in her list of people she considers family.
He fills the position of annoying kid brother.
Joyce had always considered Walky and Dorothy to be a mismatch. When mismatches break up the appropriate reacting is to be happy since you believe that’s for the best. Dissuading relapses is also appropriate behavior with that outlook.
IN what world is it appropriate to be happy for your friend’s heartache, regardless of how you feel about their relationship?
It’s not really shown in this strip, but in the third Joyce and Dorothy bathroom strip, Joyce definitely comes off as callous towards Walky’s feelings. And that’s not cool regardless of viewing her friends as a mismatch.
In mine. My best friend broke up with his incredibly toxic fiance and I was happy. He was not happy of course because it’s very painful, but I was happy for him because I knew he was going to be living a much more happy life now. Also Walky and Joyce aren’t friends.
Yes they are friends. She’s called him family. They just annoy each other. Which is why she is being viewed in a negative manner by so many people her, because she is ignoring her friend’s pain.
And no, being happy your friend is out of a bad relationship, which is what you described (and is not what d and w had), is not the exams as what I asked, which is being happy your friend is heartbroken.
Joyce is entirely too happy about the relationship ending, to the point that she is ignoring the feelings of both her friends (again she is friends with Walky).
Have they ever hung out together alone? When they weren’t walking to class?
Yes. They got lunch alone together a few times.
Leaving aside that not being how I define a friend, yes, to our knowledge, they were alone together when he watched Titanic.
We know she had to be there to verify he won the bet and no one else was mentioned as being there.
I personally define a friend, vs friendly acquaintance, if I chose to spend time with them for fun outside of where I’m required to or originally met them (like hanging with a coworker after work). And that they have done multiple times almost since the beginning. And it wasn’t the excuse of needing someone to walk with because there were others there as well.
*plays The Greg Kihn Band’s “Breakup Song [They Don’t Write ‘Em Like That Anymore]” on the hacked P.A. speakers*
This actually went better than expected …..
So conflicted, on one hand I think Dorothy should either dump Walky for good or don’t, and on the other hand I think Joyce should leave them the hell alone. She seems a little bit too OK with this …
In what respect? She was always against the relationship. In all honesty any physical relationship in which both parties know there isn’t going to be a long term commitment probably bothers Joyce. So it’s natural for her to be glad it’s coming to an end. From her perspective if a relationship can’t end in marriage it’s pointless.
That might be true, but at their best they brought out some good in each other. Walky gave her support and helped her relax in ways Joyce couldn’t, and she made him want to be a better person. And let’s be honest here, if she didn’t have that meltdown, they would still be together, at least for a while.
Wait, you mean Dorothy right?
Yep
/whispers/ Damn it, why do I ship every possible combination of Joyce, Walky, and Dorothy? I know it’d never turn out that way in canon but damn if I wouldn’t like it if it did.
Thanks to your gravitar I now have a headcanon that Galasso secretly writes stories anonymously online featuring the college kids who frequent his restaurant and the combinations in which he ships them.
I second this headcanon.
Provided of course that all the dialogue is written as if Galasso was speaking it.
Well, now I headcanon it too. 🙂
One of my secret DoA fantasies is, like twenty years down the road, the Rose Garden signing ceremony for a federal polygamy bill seguing into the wedding ceremony for President Keener and her First Lady and First Dude.
Yesss! That would be so wonderful!
Dorothy could schedule when she and Walky can hang out separately with which friends.
But OTOH what a headache it would be for everyone involved.
Right now, Dorothy doesn’t even want to take the time to hang out.
She’s only here because she let Joyce run roughshod over her.
So Walky can probably have the rest of the week with their friends.
“okay one more slipshine”
So who here thinks Walky will show up to gender studies after lunch?
I’d give it like 50/50 odds. Band-aid is pulled, so that’s out of the way, but he still wouldn’t want to be around her right now.
He could hang around Joe, I guess, but that just makes me wonder if Joyce and Joe are talking much after the Malaya thing.
So the class will be awkward for more than one reason. Especially if Jacob ends up walking with them to class or Joe sees them together during lunch.
To people saying Joyce is taking pleasure in the breakup: I mean, maybe? She didn’t exactly approve for a variety of reasons, but I don’t get the impression it’s as cut and dry as “weee, no more Watty” or whatever the ship would be called.
I read the last panel more as “don’t do an impulsive hanky panky” than “don’t get back together”, since the latter isn’t on the menu, regardless. Dorothy has struggled with this because she was comfortable yo-yoing Walky and honestly kinda taking him for granted, and she broke up entirely to avoid doing that. Trying to have a quickie both for appeasement and meeting physical needs wouldn’t be helping.
Frankly, Joyce’s behaviour is more that of a bratty kid sibling who is jealous over the level of attention Dorothy gives Walky and, for some reason, has a pre-teen ‘Ugh! Cooties!’ reflexive response to Walky!
I don’t think that’s exactly fair. Walky did call her stupid the day they met. She has plenty of legitimate reasons for disliking their relationship, and disliking Walky in general.
BenRG> Certainly the “bratty kid sibling” part is how it’s coming off for me as well, especially with Joyce pretty much ignoring Dorothy’s wishes and personal space (barging into the bathroom stall springs to mind).
I’m pretty sure the reason is that Walky is a rude manchild. Like, her dislike of him is totally explicable and I’d even argue justified.
It’s worth remembering the attitude she arrived at college with, too, though. He wasn’t exactly meeting the Joyce of today, but a sheltered, casually racist and homophobic fundie. They were stepping on both of each others’ toes.
He didn’t insult her for being racist or homophobic, it was because she said the most important thing she wanted to accomplish in college was meet her husband. Walky didn’t exactly give a nuanced retort.
If we’re doing a portmanteau ship name, I’m voting for Dorky
I second it! That’s just too cute.
RE: ALT-TEXT: So Walky Performs A Sex 2: Electric Boogaloo?
While I’d never object to more slipshines. I’d actually prefer a different pairing. If Walky and Joyce isn’t happening I’ll accept Joyce and Dorothy… For real this time.
All in favor?
*The entire internet roars its approval*
Given Dorothy’s explicitly stated herself to be straight, and unlike Joyce, given no real indication otherwise even fleetingly, I wouldn’t hold your breath on canon Dorothy/Joyce.
I doubt many would have predicted (in-universe at least) that Joyce and Walky ended up together in It’s Walky!, and yet it happened. That said, while I hope for it, I can’t see Joyce and Dorothy together without many many months passing for we readers.
On the subject of requesting Slipshine content, I’m eagerly awaiting Becky/Dina.
Let the relationship burn! *warms hands on the fire*
*gets fire extinguisher* NO!!!
>$alt_text
Oh come the fuck on, Willis, as if you need an in-canon excuse to draw more porn
Dorothy and Jacob are about to meet. That’ll give you a few SS pages. Because, you know those two are gonna mesh like Velcro.
Sarah, Joyce and Raidah: WHAT?
THEY WILL GET BACK TOGETHER. i ain’t abandoning this ship yet. *starts bucketing water whilst crying)
Your reaction is like that one person at a funeral we haft to stop from jumping into the grave because they want to be buried with the deceased.
IT AINT DEAD GOD DAMMIT ;-;
Just don’t go full “guy behind the pet shop counter in the Monty Python Parrot Sketch” on us…
IT’S PINING FOR THE FJORDS
Dorothy is still a cinnamon roll
/On the good ship Cinnabon,
It’s a sweet trip to caramel Bon-bons/
Pretty sure it’s not him she’s trying to make feel better
You think? Yeah, maybe a TIIIINY bit.
For once… that is really good relationship advice from Joyce.
Dorothy… DON’T TRY TO MANAGE HOW HE HANDLES THE BREAKUP.
Wow… Those two are hurting really bad over this, aren’t they?
They really shouldnt have broken up with how much they make each other better
I think Dorothy is confused at how this breakup thing is harder than the squishing of a bug which was Danny.
I’m wondering if this is the first time in Dorothy’s live when she’s had a relationship where her emotional bond to the other is stronger than her intellectual dedication to her life goals and what she perceives she needs to do to achieve them.
Danny at the beginning of the summer.
Dorothy couldnt dump him until he outrightly disparaged her goals.
Well she tried to dump him by leaving for college.
“‘an I’m never EVER dating her.”
“Don’t make me ill.”
Amazing what an alternate dimension will do to people.
Also yeah. Wow. Dorothy. That’s…not the best do in a break-up.
Walky and Joyce shouldn’t tempt fate. Willis is fate and his word is canon!
I’ve learned long ago that a character like Waly will never win with fate, tempting it or not.
Mind you, sex with your ex is a very common habit for a lot of people.
People with unhealthy obsessions. Some people just can’t move on.
Or their ex is just really good at sex.
“No Walky, don’t walk away, that just means I can see your tempting butt”
to make *him* feel better. sure 🙂
DOROTHY, YOU LIBERAL JERK! Wow, I am a liberal and I had the urge to say that. I hope Joyce says something sensitive or I will lose any hope for her doing something selfless for Dorothy and Walky. If Dorothy keeps using Walky like that she will become an hypocrite like Roz and Robin.
Dude, what?
I agree. What does being liberal have to do with her actions, and why is it used as insult-like?
*used as an insult OR used insult-like
(my brain obviously couldn’t decide for one or the other)
I am not using liberal as an insult, but just an adjective that is closer to her. I am really worried she is walking teh same path as Roz of being a hedonist that only uses people for sex and justifies it (in Roz’s case it’s about her body freedom, and in Dorothy’s case it’s about entering Ivy League).
As far as we know, everyone Roz “used” for sex was plenty happy to be “used” for it. This is what we call “consensual casual sex”.
And why would you even think that about Dorothy?
She’s had sex with one person since school started. Someone she’s still in love with and still wants, despite the breakup. Which isn’t exactly uncommon.
She’s got nothing in common with Roz here (nor, as JBento says, is there anything wrong with Roz’s approach). She doesn’t want casual sex, she wants Walky.
Hell, Roz’s approach would probably be healthier for her.
you may not have intended to, but you used the word as if it were an insult.
also “an hypocrite” should be “a hypocrite”.
Why did she do this?
Why did she manipulate Walky to be so emotionally attached, over and over, when she wasnt going to fully reciprocate?
Did she really love him?
No, I think she was using him emotionally and the idea of placeholder relationship, and dumped him later so she wouldnt fall in love with him.
She only now realized she was attached to him for real when she realized couldnt stay away.
Walky deserves better, but now is convinced he doesnt.
( Ironically Amber will probably date him on the rebound. Hes fun, non-threatening, and doesnt want to change her . )
isnt that SPECIFICALLY said she was doing when they started going out? alot can change in 2 weeks
Dorothy’s not the only one in denial over how serious they were, dude. When he talked about the future and her becoming President, he described himself as her ex.
It wasn’t manipulative. Every aspect of her relationship with Walky was sincere. She sincerely wanted a just for fun relationship because that’s about all she has time for. She told Walky that’s what she wanted. Then she discovered that wasn’t the extent of her feelings. Because sadly we are not in charge of our feelings. She then realized that her feelings were going to stand in the way of her goals. Deciding between the two she decided that her goals were more important to her than her feelings. She communicated every part of this to Walky throughout their relationships. You might disagree with her decisions, but she wasn’t dishonest.
The problem with Dorothy is she failed to realize when you combine sexual attraction, friendship, and emotional openness==you get love.
That’s not true. She is totally aware of the fact she is in love with Walky. That’s why she said it. But as shocking as that might be, some things matter more to Dorothy then love.
It’s not just about love, it’s about being able to be yourself and happy and healthy while conducting a loving relationship with someone else. She hasn’t figured out how to do that with Walky yet. I definitely want them to end up together but I get why she’s behaving the way she is. She’s trying to save them both from what she sees as inevitable failure.
When she fell in love at the end of the relationship.
She said she loved him quite awhile back. Well before the end, or even the start of her study problems.
She wasn’t dishonest exactly, but she did keep setting limits and then unilaterally changing them, which isn’t really fair, as she acknowledged when they broke up.
She wasn’t manipulating him, she was sincere about all of it, but it all stems from her view of relationships as sabotage of her real goals conflicting with her actual emotional needs.
David if you wanted to make more Slipshines may I make suggestion of a sex dream fantasy edition? Just me spitballing ideas that I’ve been having for a while.
Uh, one more quickie to make WHO feel better, now??
Dorothy, no!
Do me instead if you need to have sex with someone.
LMAO fair
Well, they seem pretty broken up about being broken up. I think that means they’re doing it right?
God damn it, Dorothy, shit or get off the Wal-
…
Okay, bad phrasing. But still!
Exes with benefits? Or maybe they shouldn’t have broken up in the first place.
Tell that to a workaholic and guy that suffers depression from being aware of his slackiness.
What the fuck is wrong with you Dorothy?
She’s having a lot of problems getting over Walky. I’m not sure if she’s capable of getting over Walky.
She’s also still probably frazzled and sleep deprived, which is exactly the best state to be in when trying to deal with an ex you’re still in love with.
Nor is distraught over a breakup really good for buckling down and catching up on your work.
But she has PLANS. And made a SCHEDULE! How can life not conform and fall in line? It’s even COLOUR-CODED!
If Dorothy ever actually says something like that, the next step would be her being dragged off in a do-up-the-back shirt with no hand holes in the sleeves to a new dorm with soft walls.
She’s STARTED at clipboard lists, and is now under extra frazzling pressure. The nervous breakdown is incoming unless she course-corrects.
She doesn’t have time for that. It’s not in the schedule.
Maybe she can fit it in over Christmas break?
You mean two years from now?
Christmas break is taken up by volunteering at the soup kitchen.
Of course, but I thought she had a few free hours.
What is this “free time” you speak of?
I think she’ll get over Walky when Walky moves on. Breakups are very often bad and unpleasant things. It’s why many poor life choices are made during this time.
What the fuck isn’t wrong with you Walky
Walky is the mature one in this whole shebang.
Now THERE’s a sentence I’d never thought I’d write about anything…
When Walkies are mature and Joes are right you know you have crossed the line between possible and impossible.
Dorothy, you would only make it worse. You can’t keep your head on your homework and then want a quickie.
“Dang it Walky I’m trying to be the more accommodating Ex in this breakup”
“Well Dorothy, I just want you to be what you wanna be, so fine you can have this too”
“Thanks Walky I-WAIT DAMN IT”
God I hate breakups like this. This is dumb. You’re hurting yourself and him for no reason. Walky isn’t your problem, your complete lack of balance and disregard for a social life is your problem. This is stupid, you’re being stupid. Especially with that quicky comment. Either get back together or *try* to move on.
i vote for the latter
former ******
“Dorothy NO, I am the one that wants a quickie!”
I like Joyce, mostly, but she really needs to get some empathy damn quickly. Shes right, in panel six, but shes right for the wrong reasons and the only way she’ll understand what Walky and Dorothy are feeling is if she experiences it first hand for herself.
Shes a good friend and good person but shes really being quite selfish and petty, in this situation
I think Joyce selfishness amplified after she realized she could get Jacob if she wanted. She needs a “reason you suck” speech from someone that she cares about, and in that way the speech will be more powerful. Maybe Jacob?
Well it has to be Dorothy as Joyce has put her on such a pedestal it’d have more impact coming from her
Dorothy has tried to put Joyce in her place before and failed.
Also, she bumped the pedestal when she drank at Joyce’s party.
I think it needs to be Jacob. So far, everything she’s done that he knows about for which other people question her or think she’s wrong, he has accepted.
He’s also a good church going boy and is friends or accepting with just about everyone she’s friends with/wants to improve their lives (Sarah, Ethan, Becky).
He’s practically perfect, and with none of the pedestal bumping. So having him tell her how wrong she’s being will matter significantly.
Thats a good point and would also help coming from him but, in general though, Dorothy also needs to tell Joyce to back off as Joyce is very smothering
She’s tried. So has Sarah.
The quicky comment was probably more of a momentary impulse rather than an actual declaration of intent. It’s not like she’d go through with it even if Joyce wasn’t there.
No she would.
DORTHY CALM YOUR THIRST
Goddamit Dorothy, getting that vitamin D won’t cure those problems!
The idea of never ever dating Joyce… *snorts endlessly*