Meh. I’ve seen this article (and basic argument) before, and I still don’t buy it.
Everybody likes to go with the easy angle that states that Peach is some dumb-ass bimbo who should’ve gotten at LEAST some Brinks Home Security installed in her castle. But to me, that doesn’t do enough to give us the full scope of her character. I actually did such an “article” myself, on another forum. :wgrin:
Here’s the gist (according to me): Peach HAS to be aware of her position, as THE most powerful person in the Mario-verse, political-wise.
I mean, let’s break it down.
She’s got two of the most powerful (outright and politically) male figures constantly at each others’ throats. Sure, the Kingdom, World and Universe may serve as a backdrop (more like collateral) to their conflict, but the center of it is definitely her.
And the beauty of it is, no matter who may end up finally winning between Mario and Bowser, she technically “wins” either way. That much should be plain, seeing how Bowser would love nothing better than to rule with her at his side, and Mario wouldn’t likely turn down a similar opportunity, if presented.
Notice also how she only really gets involved in any thing beyond her normal role, when it’s really something that much “bigger” that threatens her position. As long as Bowser and Mario are the main sides of a conflict, she has no qualms. She has little other reason to stick her neck out beyond sending Mario a few power-ups in a letter, on one hand, and playing the “Oh Woe Is Me! You big BULLY!” angle to Bowser to keep him on his leash, as well.
But bring some one like the Smithy Gang, X-Nauts, Count Bleck, Fawful, etc. into the picture, and that’s a DISTINCT no-no. She doesn’t gain anything if one of those types of parties stand to destroy or rule everything, instead of her. She’s worked TOO DAMN HARD to make “the game” as she’s got it right now, and woe be to those who try and disrupt the balance! With that much said, she has little choice but to get involved in such conflicts, if nothing more than to get Mario and Bowser to get along just enough, so that the status quo can be restored. She played the two like harps in Mario RPG, and ESPECIALLY Super Paper Mario. That much should be evident outright.
I’m willing to think the only reason she really had to “crack the whip” a bit on Bowser in SPP, was because she probably doesn’t want the “game” to end now. And why should she? She’s got it damn good as it is, right now. When she gets kidnapped, she gets plenty of traveling to do, she gets to spend time with her “other boo” and his fam at one of their MANY castles, and just otherwise gets the excitement that she clearly craves beyond being a Princess of a backwater, low-industry nation like the Mushroom Kingdom. And then, by the time she’s ready to go home, Mario’s there to take her there, and she gets to settle down for a while before Bowser, her roughneck thug lover, gets to take her away again. Right on time.
So, in short, good men, women, turtles and 'shrooms may suffer and perish as a result of the “game” she’s running on both sides, but she probably could care less. She brings the notion of “The Power of the Pussy” to a whole new level. 8D
