Thread by @AwkwardCeleb

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT FESTER IN #StayClose
@YoussefKerkour

I *really* enjoyed this character and his bromance with tortured soul Ray Levine. The layers of their friendship were intricate and satisfying

Fester was Ray's only real ally in a series of sh*t-show situations. We all have, or are, that RIDE OR DIE friend (if we're lucky) who will always have each other's backs and life is richer for it even when it sucks

Even though one plot point stretched believability (Fester never once brought up Ray's blood-drenched fugue state appearance at his door? In SEVENTEEN YEARS?) I did love how brotherly Ray and Fester were.

Fester was an effective audience surrogate when he challenged other characters' dingbat notions with a deft comic touch. ("Sure I'll stalk these children for you"🤣) He was also entirely believable which is a credit to the writers and the actor who played him (@YoussefKerkour)

As a writer it's tricky to craft characters like this because it's way too easy to make them a paper-cutout stock BFF who supplies (lazy) character development for the leads.

But all of the Ray/Fester scenes were a joy and I guess that's down to the writing and the acting and I suppose the chemistry

Fester and Ray *do* share a kind of intimacy in #StayClose, and it's a brotherly love that's made of stronger stuff than any romantic love depicted across the 8 episodes. open.spotify.com/track/1nCDOQGN…

IN CONCLUSION, I think @netflix and @HarlanCoben should do a Fester-centric spinoff à la BETTER CALL SAUL, and plumb the comedic & dramatic depths of this awesome character. With obligatory guest-starring spots for British thesps.
Because of reasons.