After enough is enough, the Empress of Evolution takes a stand!!!
RAW and necessary, she tosses her oh so perfect “””rival””” into reach of her former mating partner!!!
>:D *plays National Geographic Opening Theme on hacked muzak*
So do Becky and Dina, but clearly neither of them is in the right headspace for it yet, and frankly, this is neither the time nor place for either of those conversations to happen.
Couple days ago I questioned whether her current jersey attire means that she’s actually into a sport, or even played one.
I now think it’s entirely possible she knows judo or wrestling, that was a pretty sweet throw.
Agreed, Joe deserves better than what Joyce has offered thus far. I like their ship too but I want Joe to have some self respect and stick by his dislike of cheaters stance like what was mentioned in the beginning of his character arc
Sirksome
I think the problem is he’s done such mental gymnastics to justify Joyce’s behavior he doesn’t see it as cheating. She didn’t cheat on him if he encouraged Dorothy, they’re not broken up if he pitched them being poly and she hasn’t answered yet. This is what he believes but to me that is just him coping with a delusion. Especially considering how Joyce has been acting in the days since. Not thinking of Joe or bringing up polyamory to Dorothy and actively avoiding Joe and dreading the awkwardness of seeing him. I hope Dina or Sarah or someone can wake him up to what’s actually happened here. And Joyce just smiling at him instead of admitting the truth is kind of awful.
Freemage
Sirksom:
Okay, that last line confused me. I at least get where you’re coming from on the rest. But she’s greeting him, saying three words, and getting yeeted before she has a chance to actually try to address anything at all.
Dina smacking down Becky until my fave lesbian gets her shit together? Awesome.
Dina actively preventing a conversation she knows full well Joe actually wants to have? Not so great. Understandable, mind you, but future complaints about Joyce not having The Talk with Joe are now going to need an asterisk and a footnote about Dina Interruptus.
Sirksome
@Freemage-It’s because of this strip that takes place mere moments before they get to this class where Joyce says she’s avoiding Joe and doesn’t want to see him because of drama reasons.
—- https://www.dumbingofage.com/comic/dramareasons/
—-
Or that her “Hi, Joe.” Is just a callback to the last time they met where she had opportunity to talk with him and immediately put him off for a conversation with Dina that wasn’t really her business and as we can see now did not even work. If there’s an asterisk by this promised conversation Joyce already put it there. I don’t trust her anymore, each passing moment she’s not talking to Joe or at least guaranteeing him that closure at a more appropriate moment for those who really value the integrity of Prof. Brock’s biology class, she’s kind of just being horrible to him. Even if she doesn’t mean to be.
First he has to give enough shits about his students to notice.
Owlmirror
*Deadpan monotone*
I see that there are some who are moved by their flows of hormones and brain activity to change their lab partners. However, it is my whims and hormones and brain activity that dominate this classroom. Return to the former status quo, or you will all fail the course.
(OK, maybe not)
Throwatron
IIRC he also initally said that he literally cannot tell the students apart, and will not be trying to learn. I think that might be the punchline we’re getting.
Astariel
Professor Brock: “I see two short girls together and one large guy with a tiny girl. Seems right to me.”
segnosaur
Even if he does not care about the students on a personal level, he may care about the integrity of the class. I cannot think of why, but its possible he is judging students in part on how they handle their partnerships, and changing lab partners would interfere with that.
yak
I like the idea that he just has really bad eyesight and doesn’t want to admit it
I just checked all the “professor-brock” tagged comics, and what he actually says is “Pair yourselves up for lab segments. You will be working with them for the rest of the semester”. Which implies that they cannot be changed, but is not an explicitly stated rule.
The way that he phrases it also implies a complete knowledge of the future, Someone should remind him that is impossible for a mere meat machine. What happens to those whose lab partner drops the course, leaves the school, or dies? Were there actually an even number of students to begin with, or was there always a singleton or triple partnership?
I also note that while it sounds so like him to say that he cannot tell the students apart, I didn’t find a comic saying that. Was a comic mistagged, or is Throwatron imagining things?
Throwatron
It wouldn’t be the first time that a general impression I got from some past comic, metastasized into a falsehood over time. I’ve only really read most of this strip once.
i don’t think he cares/wouldn’t notice lol though i doubt a college class would be that uptight about sticking with the same partners all year long, if anything i’m surpirised it’s not a group of 3-4 depending on the experiments if something comes up with one person and they have to make up for it
There is only so much logic you can wrap around the emotional core of relationship stuff.
thejeff
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. What’s more important than emotion to a relationship.
shepsquared
It was an argument based entirely on Joyce’s emotions. Not Dina’s emotions and desires, Joyce’s. If Joyce had put the slightest amount of effort into finding out how Dina felt about the situation, she could’ve done much better. But to do that Joyce would have to acknowledge that other people don’t share her values and beliefs and that that is ok.
I’m honestly curious whether she was convinced by Joyce – just convinced of the opposite things Joyce intended. Joyce told her to be selfish, and this could just be Dina’s idea of being selfish, i.e. not immediately treating Becky’s sucking wound of insecurity and abandonment as her responsibility to fix, and putting the fact that it’s hurting Dina first, instead.
i mean ya gotta give her credit for taking initiative!
the aspirin’ dino digga really up and had it with this consolation prize bullshit, so she MORE than justified in bein like, “fuck that shit, the bongo is YOUR problem now D:< "
While I’m guessing Dina’s opinion of Joyce is pretty low right now, I’m not sure it’s reached the point of actual antagonism.
Joyce’s advice to Dina was terrible and self-serving, and it would make sense that Dina wants none of that in her life right now. But it’s also not like Joyce is out to get her.
Joyce had ZERO intention of actually talking to Joe. The next words out of her mouth were almost certainly going to be ‘I know we should talk and I do want to, but let’s focus on class and talk after’ and then after class she races back to her dorm to fuck Dorothy. Joyce has had zero ability/will to follow through to date, why would she start now?
Dina has acquired Joe, by right of conquest. If she so desired, she may use him to work out any frustrations with the situation. His input on the matter may or may not be consulted. She has already outlined her methodology during previous discussion on the subject, and he showed biological signs of being receptive.
Notes will be taken, as Amber may request them. They will be scientifically rigorous.
Lord, Becky. The correct answer was not to get defensive (thus admitting that Dina is correct) but ‘huh, guess I should’ve gone shorter!’ or something along those lines. Might not have saved you, but imo it would be a slightly better look.
‘Um hey’ as an attempt was made before, during a time when conversation was actually possible (eg not during a lecture and lab class)and Joyce bailed. I do not count this one either.
When?
If you mean by showing up early to class, he said that was for Dina, to avoid awkwardness with Becky.
And I tend to believe that since he’s always been looking at her patiently and we’ve had at least 2 strips where he said he was waiting for whenever she wanted to talk.
163 thoughts on “Reassigned”
NGPZ
After enough is enough, the Empress of Evolution takes a stand!!!
RAW and necessary, she tosses her oh so perfect “””rival””” into reach of her former mating partner!!!
>:D
*plays National Geographic Opening Theme on hacked muzak*
Nono
He might not appreciate it now, but you did Joe a favour there, Dina.
Gizen
I’m actually not sure she did. Joe and Joyce need to have an actual proper conversation.
Needfuldoer
They do, but we’re never getting to the fireworks factory.
Psychie
So do Becky and Dina, but clearly neither of them is in the right headspace for it yet, and frankly, this is neither the time nor place for either of those conversations to happen.
raker
Dina got some moves!
Doctor_Who
Couple days ago I questioned whether her current jersey attire means that she’s actually into a sport, or even played one.
I now think it’s entirely possible she knows judo or wrestling, that was a pretty sweet throw.
Longshot97
Considering her grip in panel four? Judo. Props to Joyce for wearing such convenient apparel.
Throwatron
dang, that’s a good catch
Steamweed
Doesn’t look like anyone’s gonna catch. But the throw was pretty dang sweet.
Needfuldoer
Yeet the Joyce
Dave Van Domelen
This bongo empty. YEET!
Li
Hmmmm.
Stormtide Leviathan
Drama has been replaced with Other Drama
Poor dina
Cameron Stone
Look at those doe eyes and tell me their only for Dorothy, but Dina, the apex predator, will have none of it!
NGPZ
fuck yeah the Empress of Evolution aint gonna have nonna that TT~TT <3
RassilonTDavros
Well that went about as well as could be expected.
Justin8448
I like that Joe and Joyce are still smiling at each other. I have hope for their ship still!
Steamweed
SSSAAAMMMEEE!!!
SmartAlec105
Nah, Joe deserves better! He was so worried about becoming his father that he became his mother!
Elf grrl
Agreed, Joe deserves better than what Joyce has offered thus far. I like their ship too but I want Joe to have some self respect and stick by his dislike of cheaters stance like what was mentioned in the beginning of his character arc
Sirksome
I think the problem is he’s done such mental gymnastics to justify Joyce’s behavior he doesn’t see it as cheating. She didn’t cheat on him if he encouraged Dorothy, they’re not broken up if he pitched them being poly and she hasn’t answered yet. This is what he believes but to me that is just him coping with a delusion. Especially considering how Joyce has been acting in the days since. Not thinking of Joe or bringing up polyamory to Dorothy and actively avoiding Joe and dreading the awkwardness of seeing him. I hope Dina or Sarah or someone can wake him up to what’s actually happened here. And Joyce just smiling at him instead of admitting the truth is kind of awful.
Freemage
Sirksom:
Okay, that last line confused me. I at least get where you’re coming from on the rest. But she’s greeting him, saying three words, and getting yeeted before she has a chance to actually try to address anything at all.
Dina smacking down Becky until my fave lesbian gets her shit together? Awesome.
Dina actively preventing a conversation she knows full well Joe actually wants to have? Not so great. Understandable, mind you, but future complaints about Joyce not having The Talk with Joe are now going to need an asterisk and a footnote about Dina Interruptus.
Sirksome
@Freemage-It’s because of this strip that takes place mere moments before they get to this class where Joyce says she’s avoiding Joe and doesn’t want to see him because of drama reasons.
—-
https://www.dumbingofage.com/comic/dramareasons/
—-
Or that her “Hi, Joe.” Is just a callback to the last time they met where she had opportunity to talk with him and immediately put him off for a conversation with Dina that wasn’t really her business and as we can see now did not even work. If there’s an asterisk by this promised conversation Joyce already put it there. I don’t trust her anymore, each passing moment she’s not talking to Joe or at least guaranteeing him that closure at a more appropriate moment for those who really value the integrity of Prof. Brock’s biology class, she’s kind of just being horrible to him. Even if she doesn’t mean to be.
Astariel
Honestly, that was an easier solution to the problem of Biology class than I was expecting.
Nono
Depends if Doc Brock will allow it, he said at the start of class that lab partners couldn’t be changed.
anonymsly
First he has to give enough shits about his students to notice.
Owlmirror
*Deadpan monotone*
I see that there are some who are moved by their flows of hormones and brain activity to change their lab partners. However, it is my whims and hormones and brain activity that dominate this classroom. Return to the former status quo, or you will all fail the course.
(OK, maybe not)
Throwatron
IIRC he also initally said that he literally cannot tell the students apart, and will not be trying to learn. I think that might be the punchline we’re getting.
Astariel
Professor Brock: “I see two short girls together and one large guy with a tiny girl. Seems right to me.”
segnosaur
Even if he does not care about the students on a personal level, he may care about the integrity of the class. I cannot think of why, but its possible he is judging students in part on how they handle their partnerships, and changing lab partners would interfere with that.
yak
I like the idea that he just has really bad eyesight and doesn’t want to admit it
Owlmirror
I just checked all the “professor-brock” tagged comics, and what he actually says is “Pair yourselves up for lab segments. You will be working with them for the rest of the semester”. Which implies that they cannot be changed, but is not an explicitly stated rule.
The way that he phrases it also implies a complete knowledge of the future, Someone should remind him that is impossible for a mere meat machine. What happens to those whose lab partner drops the course, leaves the school, or dies? Were there actually an even number of students to begin with, or was there always a singleton or triple partnership?
I also note that while it sounds so like him to say that he cannot tell the students apart, I didn’t find a comic saying that. Was a comic mistagged, or is Throwatron imagining things?
Throwatron
It wouldn’t be the first time that a general impression I got from some past comic, metastasized into a falsehood over time. I’ve only really read most of this strip once.
anon
i don’t think he cares/wouldn’t notice lol though i doubt a college class would be that uptight about sticking with the same partners all year long, if anything i’m surpirised it’s not a group of 3-4 depending on the experiments if something comes up with one person and they have to make up for it
clif
Look, I’m just wondering if Joe decides he has any agency in the matter.
Astariel
I’d be surprised to see current Joe make a fuss about it.
Insanenoodlyguy
I don’t think Dina was all that convinced by Joyce.
shepsquared
And why would she be? There was no logic there, just emotional appeals.
sonofevil
There is only so much logic you can wrap around the emotional core of relationship stuff.
thejeff
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. What’s more important than emotion to a relationship.
shepsquared
It was an argument based entirely on Joyce’s emotions. Not Dina’s emotions and desires, Joyce’s. If Joyce had put the slightest amount of effort into finding out how Dina felt about the situation, she could’ve done much better. But to do that Joyce would have to acknowledge that other people don’t share her values and beliefs and that that is ok.
Throwatron
I’m honestly curious whether she was convinced by Joyce – just convinced of the opposite things Joyce intended. Joyce told her to be selfish, and this could just be Dina’s idea of being selfish, i.e. not immediately treating Becky’s sucking wound of insecurity and abandonment as her responsibility to fix, and putting the fact that it’s hurting Dina first, instead.
Dot
Dina, those partners were explicitly stated to be permanent. Give me back my drama typhoon NOW.
NGPZ
i mean ya gotta give her credit for taking initiative!
the aspirin’ dino digga really up and had it with this consolation prize bullshit, so she MORE than justified in bein like, “fuck that shit, the bongo is YOUR problem now D:< "
Lumino
Honestly, Dina has now become one of my most beloved characters. I love how she’s not willing to deal with any of this bullshit.
Grimey
“You want to subsconsciously impress Joyce? Here. Sit by her all you like.”
StClair
I remember the positive response from the comments when Carla took a similarly direct approach to resolving things with
JenniferBillie and Ruth.Qube
we thought she was just ace, turns out she’s Unfuckwithable
TrueVCU
Dina used SEISMIC TOSS
It’s super effective!
Amós Batista
The sad thing is that Joyce started to getting along well with Dina.
And now, the enemyship can be back worse.
Cameron Stone
I personally feel Dina only ever tolerated Joyce for Becky’s sake.
shepsquared
Dina gave Joyce a little more latitude, but Joyce keeps proving that she’s paid no real attention to how Dina actually is as a person.
Justin8448
While I’m guessing Dina’s opinion of Joyce is pretty low right now, I’m not sure it’s reached the point of actual antagonism.
Joyce’s advice to Dina was terrible and self-serving, and it would make sense that Dina wants none of that in her life right now. But it’s also not like Joyce is out to get her.
Thag Simmons
I think that ship sailed when Dina’s girlfriend not being over Joyce sank their relationship
Astariel
Yeah, it’s too bad. I liked them getting along. And it gave us the great line about Dina being perfect because she is so autistic and so gay.
Pocky
Yeah, so Dina just interrupted some possible healing there for Joe and Joyce. Girl takin it all out on others I see lol
anonymsly
Joyce had ZERO intention of actually talking to Joe. The next words out of her mouth were almost certainly going to be ‘I know we should talk and I do want to, but let’s focus on class and talk after’ and then after class she races back to her dorm to fuck Dorothy. Joyce has had zero ability/will to follow through to date, why would she start now?
Shakes
Well Becky and Dina are donezo at this rate. I wonder where they both go from here?
jeffepp
Dina has acquired Joe, by right of conquest. If she so desired, she may use him to work out any frustrations with the situation. His input on the matter may or may not be consulted. She has already outlined her methodology during previous discussion on the subject, and he showed biological signs of being receptive.
Notes will be taken, as Amber may request them. They will be scientifically rigorous.
Justin8448
Heh. This was a fun read. Thanks.
anonymsly
Lord, Becky. The correct answer was not to get defensive (thus admitting that Dina is correct) but ‘huh, guess I should’ve gone shorter!’ or something along those lines. Might not have saved you, but imo it would be a slightly better look.
Justin8448
Becky continues to be in not a great place right now, deep down, even if she’s making some strides towards normalcy.
Anna Grant
For the “Why hasn’t Joyce talked to Joe yet?” crowd, let the record show that an attempt was made. It was just interrupted by Dina!yeet
anonymsly
‘Um hey’ as an attempt was made before, during a time when conversation was actually possible (eg not during a lecture and lab class)and Joyce bailed. I do not count this one either.
Cameron Stone
She was literally planning to avoid him before they just happened to show up at the same time.
Stormtide Leviathan
And he was also trying to avoid her
Cbwroses
When?
If you mean by showing up early to class, he said that was for Dina, to avoid awkwardness with Becky.
And I tend to believe that since he’s always been looking at her patiently and we’ve had at least 2 strips where he said he was waiting for whenever she wanted to talk.
Jay
Can we stop justifying this shit with in universe excuses.
Roborat
I am more inclined to go with “Dina!soar”.
ZombieKyrik
I might love the BeckyxDina ship, but I feel like it’s never coming back. Any other ships doomed to fail in the near future? Let’s take bets.