(12-28-2017, 06:27 PM)izzy Wrote: Except a lifetime of experience, the knowledge a leopard does not change it spots, and the show itself. There is a reason why addicts who understand themselves always reference themselves as an addict, even when they have been off the substance of their weakness for years. What they learn to do is channel their compulsive nature, put restraints around themselves, AND change their associations. The latter is the key. There is a reason why parolees are not allowed to associate with their old click and a reason why addicts are encouraged to form new associations. Adalind is a manipulator by nature, consciously and unconsciously it is her survival mechanism and default behavior. It is beyond incredulous to believe that Adalind was able to change her nature without altering any of her associations, the nature of the challenges in front of her, or anything else via willpower alone.This brings to question whether Adalind actually changed/stepped on the path to redemption or simply shifted her alliance.
In the beginning, Adalind’s reaction to Nick was that of a typical Wesen encountering a Grimm. She didn’t target Marie or Nick to rid Portland of Grimm or to get the key for herself. She targeted Marie for assassination and performed the deadly spell on Hank because it pleased Renard which she believed would compel him to love her. So while her actions were evil, her motivation wasn’t.
Her spell on Juliette was about retaliating against Nick. Working for the Royals was about survival and retaliating against Renard. Although Adalind’s actions were selfish and immature and evil in their execution, she again wasn’t motivated to be evil for the sake of being evil.
Who knows what Adalind might have done if things had gone as planned and she traded the baby for a new Hexenbiest. But once Adalind chose to leave with Meisner to protect herself and unborn child she only looked forward. She didn’t have thoughts of reconnecting with Renard or continuing her revenge on Renard and Nick. And being taken back to Portland and Diana being taken didn’t derail her new mindset. Adalind didn’t take Nick’s Grimm for revenge, but only because Viktor required it in exchange for being with Diana.
So when I look at the chronological events in Adalind’s life, it’s not so evident that she actually changed her ways as much as she changed her association. Adalind didn’t resume committing evil against Nick because their alliance was crucial to her and Kelly’s continual survival. She didn’t tell Nick the suppressant had worn off for the same reason she formed an alliance with him - survival, and wanting him to love her even if that love was based on deceit. That she hated Renard for giving Diana to Kelly but didn’t hate Nick & his friends for doing the same speaks more to her choice of alliance than to her daughter actually being taken.
I don’t doubt that Adalind loves Nick, but then, I don’t doubt that she loved Renard once upon a time. Adalind refused to lie under oath for Renard supposedly because it risked compromising her children. However, Adalind immediately agreed to lie under oath for Nick despite the risk to her children. Was her refusal then later agreement really about her children or loyalty to her current alliance, whoever that might be with?
After all that, I don’t think I really understand the question as it’s presented. Did Adalind redeem herself? If redemption is that she stopped doing evil against Nick & his friends, then she redeemed herself at the end of S4 when she aligned with them. If redemption is that she took responsibility for herself and her children, then she hasn’t redeemed herself or shown any indication that she will.
Adalind was hysterical that Nick might not return from Germany. No one was after her or Kelly, and she didn’t express any inclination to pursue getting Diana back. So while Nick’s death certainly wouldn’t have been inconsequential, it shouldn’t have ended life as Adalind knew it except that she might have to get a job and maintain a household on her own. Adalind was again hysterical when the suppressant wore off - Nick might throw her out, or, kill her. If she genuinely believed he might respond that way, why would she want to pursue a relationship with him? The old S1-S2 Adalind pursued a relationship with Renard despite glaring indications that he felt absolutely nothing for her. So is the supposedly new and improve S5 Adalind actually the same Adalind from S1-S2 who would deceive the person she loves while convincing him she’s worthy of his love?
I think the better test for Adalind being a better person for her sake and the sake of her children would be for her to refuse Renard and BC despite knowing that Nick wouldn’t love her or want a relationship with her. The entire time she was at the BC house, Adalind kept holding on to the hope that she would get back to Nick. Would she have continued to reject Renard’s proposed arrangement had she known having a relationship with Nick wasn’t an option? Because I do question whether Adalind was motivated to actually be a better person or motivated to be the person she believed Nick would love.
"If my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well." Rainer Maria Rilke