History AlternativeCharacterInterpretation / TheAmazingWorldOfGumball

* Given what we learn in episodes like "The Test" and "The Job", how much agency do the characters have in their own lives? Can they make ''any'' [[CharacterDevelopment serious, lasting gains in their life or as a person]], or will is [[StatusQuoIsGod the universe intervene to stop any serious, status quo breaking changes?]]

* Are the Watterson family members' various less... pleasant moments in general just them occasionally picking up the JerkassBall? Or is the stress of the crazy lives they lead getting to them and they are occasionally lashing out because of it.

* How stupid is [[Characters/TheAmazingWorldOfGumballGumballWatterson Gumball Watterson]]? While it's clear enough that he's BookDumb and he generally doesn't think things through before he acts, Gumball's overall level of intelligence [[DependingOnTheWriter varies from episode to episode]] (Often depending on whether it's his antics driving the plot or he's playing StraightMan to the one driving the plot. And of course, RuleOfFunny), often going from about average with the odd moment of cleverness or insightfulness, to bordering on being TooDumbToLive. It's also occasionally hinted (such as in "The Grades") that many of Gumball's failings stem from [[BrilliantButLazy his laziness and he does have the potential to improve significantly when he has the right drive]]. Also, it's shown that Gumball ''is'' a bit of a [[{{Pun}} goofball]], which opens up the possibility that at least some of his dumber actions were him just goofing around.

AlternativeCharacterInterpretation in ''Westernanimation/AmazingWorldOfGumball''.

* Given what we learn in episodes like "The Test" and "The Job", how much agency do the characters have in their own lives? Can they make ''any'' [[CharacterDevelopment serious, lasting gains in their life or as a person]], or will is [[StatusQuoIsGod the universe intervene to stop any serious, status quo breaking changes?]]

* Is Darwin genuinely [[IncorruptiblePurePureness purer]] than the other Patterson's or is he a BitchInSheepsClothing who's arguably the worst of them all and just using a veneer of niceness to make it easier to get away with his misdeeds?

* How stupid is [[Characters/TheAmazingWorldOfGumballGumballWatterson Gumball Watterson]]? While it's clear enough that he's BookDumb and he generally doesn't think things through before he acts, Gumball's overall level of intelligence [[DependingOnTheWriter varies from episode to episode]] (Often depending on whether it's his antics driving the plot or he's playing StraightMan to the one driving the plot. And of course, RuleOfFunny), often going from about average with the odd moment of cleverness or insightfulness, to bordering on being TooDumbToLive. It's also occasionally hinted (such as in "The Grades") that many of Gumball's failings stem from [[BrilliantButLazy his laziness and he does have the potential to improve significantly when he has the right drive]]. Also, it's shown that Gumball ''is'' a bit of a [[JustForPun goofball]], which opens up the possibility that at least some of his dumber actions were him just goofing around.

* How stupid is Gumball? While it's clear enough that he's BookDumb and he generally doesn't think things through before he acts, Gumball's overall level of intelligence [[DependingOnTheWriter varies from episode to episode]] (Often depending on whether it's his antics driving the plot or he's playing StraightMan to the one driving the plot. And of course, RuleOfFunny), often going from about average with the odd moment of cleverness or insightfulness, to bordering on being TooDumbToLive. It's also occasionally hinted (such as in "The Grades") that many of Gumball's failings stem from [[BrilliantButLazy his laziness and he does have the potential to improve significantly when he has the right drive]]. Also, it's shown that Gumball ''is'' a bit of a [[JustForPun goofball]], which opens up the possibility that at least some of his dumber actions were him just goofing around.

* Are the Wattersons as a whole genuinely the worst family in Elmore? Or is the town just blaming an infamously dysfunctional family for most of their problems? Elmore seems to be a very dysfunctional place overall with plenty of people [[WorldOfJerkass just as if not worse than the Watterson family]], but who may not make asses of themselves in public as often as them.

* Is Richard just a huge good-for-nothing ManChild? Or is he an overall well-meaning BumblingDad, who ''can'' be a good husband and father in his own quirky way? Not helped by the show often portraying him as the former when he's just around for ComicRelief, but the latter when he has a more significant role in the story.

* Are the Wattersons as a whole, genuinely the worst family in Elmore? Or is the town just blaming an infamously dysfunctional family for most of their problems? Elmore seems to be a very dysfunctional place in general, that has plenty of people [[WorldOfJerkass just as if not worse than the Watterson family]], but may not make asses of themselves in public as often as them.

* Are The Watterson family members' various less... pleasant moments in general just them occasionally picking up the JerkassBall? Or is the stress of the crazy lives they lead getting to them and they are occasionally lashing out because of it.
* Are The Wattersons as a whole, genuinely the worst family in Elmore? Or is the town just blaming an infamously dysfunctional family for most of their problems? Elmore seems to be a very dysfunctional place in general, that has plenty of people [[WorldOfJerkass just as if not worse than The Watterson family]], but may not make asses of themselves in public as often as them.

!''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball''

** Is Gumball worse than the rest of The Watterson family? Or is he just the worst at hiding (or caring to hide) his negative traits? The rest The Watterson family are undoubtedly nicer on a general basis and (with the exception of Richard) more responsible. But they all have their fair share of KickTheDog and IdiotBall moments. And despite his numerous flaws, Gumball also has about as many PetTheDog moments as they have kick the dog moments and winds up being the OnlySaneMan to them on occasions.
* Is Nicole a [[ParentsAsPeople flawed]], but overall, loving mother who occasionally lets her [[HairTriggerTemper stress and anger]] get the best of her? Or is she an AbusiveParent, even if she does love her kids? Or [[TakeTheThirdOption alternatively]], she may have started as the former, but the stress in her life is pushing her towards the latter.
* Is Richard just a huge good for nothing ManChild? Or is he an overall well meaning BumblingDad, who ''can'' be a good husband and father in his own quirky way? Not helped by the show often portraying him as the former when he's just around for ComicRelief, but the latter when he has a more significant role in the story.

* Is the reveal that [[NiceGuy Alan]] was EvilAllAlong in "The Vision" being ignored afterwards just a case of NegativeContinuity, or did he make a HeelFaceTurn since then Possibly as a result of Gumball restoring his faith in the world in "The Faith"?

** Speaking of Gumball, during the first season, he was generally much more naive, gullible, and optimistic then he is in later season, where, while still not exactly smart, is less naive, to point of often playing the StraightMan to other characters, as well as more cynical. Is this just a case of CharacterizationMarchesOn or is it a sign that Gumball ''is'' [[CharacterDevelopment gradually maturing]]?

** Within the aforementioned episode; Was Alan just flat out evil all along or was he a WellIntentionedExtremist? If the latter, than it's may be possible to more easily reconcile his portrayal in "The Vision", with his overall portrayal in the series.

** Within the aforementioned episode; Was Alan just flat out evil all along or was a WellIntentionedExtremists? If the latter, than it's may be possible to more easily reconcile his portrayal in "The Vision", with his overall portrayal in the series.

** How stupid is Gumball? While it's clear enough that he's BookDumb and he generally doesn't think things through before he acts, Gumball's overall level of intelligence [[DependingOnTheWriter varies from episode to episode]] (Often depending on whether it's his antics driving the plot or he's playing StraightMan to the one driving the plot. And of course, RuleOfFunny), often going from about average with the odd moment of cleverness or insightfulness, to bordering on being TooDumbToLive. It's also occasionally hinted (such as in "The Grades") that many of Gumball's failings stem from [[BrilliantButLazy his laziness and he does have the potential to improve significantly when he has the right drive]]. Also, it's shown that Gumball ''is'' a bit of a [[JustForPun goofball]], which opens up the possibility that at least some of his dumber actions were him just goofing around.

*** Also in regards to his more cynical nature in the later season, as well as him [[TookALevelInJerkAss taking a level in jerkass]], since Gumball's been one of, if not the biggest {{butt monkey}}s on the show since season one, could it be his rotten luck that ground down his generally more optimistic nature from season one?
** Is Nicole a [[ParentsAsPeople flawed]], but overall, loving mother who occasionally lets her [[HairTriggerTemper stress and anger]] get the best of her? Or is she an AbusiveParent, even if she does love her kids? Or [[TakeTheThirdOption alternatively]], she may have started as the former, but the stress in her life is pushing her towards the latter.
** Is Richard just a huge ManChild? Or is he an overall well meaning BumblingDad? Not helped by the show often portraying him as the former when he's just around for ComicRelief, but the latter when he has a more significant role in the story.
** Related to the above; are The Watterson family members' various less... pleasant moments in general just them occasionally picking up the JerkassBall? Or is the stress of the crazy lives they lead getting to them and they are occasionally lashing out because of it.

** Are The Wattersons as a whole, genuinely the worst family in Elmore? Or is the town just blaming an infamously dysfunctional family for most of their problems? Despite Elmore and it's citizens being a very dysfunctional place in general, that has plenty of people [[WorldOfJerkass just as if not worse than The Watterson family]], but may not make asses of themselves in public as often as them.
** Daniel and Mary Senicourt. Did they not attend Nicole and Richard's wedding because they disapproved Nicole's choice of Richard, or were they afraid that their daughter was still mad at them?
*** In the episodes "The Parents", [[spoiler:Nicole's parents thought RSVP was an actual location, so they missed out on the wedding by accident]].

** As of the "The Catfish", one has to wonder whether Granny Jojo had her {{Yandere}} personality before or after [[spoiler:Frankie left her]].
** Larry Needlemeyer. Genuinely dedicated workaholic who is slowly being turned mad by the multiple jobs and responsibilities he has, or just another overworked schmuck who feels obligated to keep doing everything for everyone lest the town fall to pieces? His speech in "The Question" implies the former, though he does show shades of hating his jobs.
** Given what we learn in episodes like "The Test" and "The Job", how much agency do the characters have in their own lives?