Alternative Character Interpretation in The Amazing World of Gumball.
The Wattersons:
- How stupid is Gumball Watterson? While it's clear enough that he's Book Dumb and he generally doesn't think things through before he acts, Gumball's overall level of intelligence varies from episode to episode (Often depending on whether it's his antics driving the plot or he's playing Straight Man to the one driving the plot. And of course, Rule of Funny), often going from about average with the odd moment of cleverness or insightfulness, to bordering on being Too Dumb to Live. It's also occasionally hinted (such as in "The Grades") that many of Gumball's failings stem from 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 goofball, which opens up the possibility that at least some of his dumber actions were him just goofing around.
- Speaking of Gumball, during the first season, he was generally much more naive, gullible, and optimistic then he is in later seasons, where, while still not exactly smart, is less naive, to point of often playing the Straight Man to other characters, as well as more cynical. Is this just a case of Characterization Marches On or is it a sign that Gumball is gradually maturing?
- Also in regards to his more cynical nature in the later season, as well as him taking a level in jerkass, since Gumball's been one of, if not the biggest butt monkeys on the show since season one, could it be his rotten luck that ground down his generally more optimistic nature from season one?
- 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 of 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 Kick the Dog and Idiot Ball moments. And despite his numerous flaws, Gumball also has about as many Pet the Dog moments as they have Kick the Dog moments and winds up being the Only Sane Man to them on occasion.
- Is Nicole a flawed, but overall, loving mother who occasionally lets her stress and anger get the best of her? Or is she an Abusive Parent, even if she does love her kids? Or 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 Bumbling Dad, 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 as Plucky Comic Relief, but the latter when he has a more significant role in the story.
- Are the Watterson family members' various less... pleasant moments in general just them occasionally picking up the Jerkass Ball? 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 overall with plenty of people just as bad if not worse than the Watterson family, but who may not make asses of themselves in public as often as them.
- Is Darwin genuinely purer than the other Watterson's or is he a Bitch in Sheep's Clothing 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?
Others:
- 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", Nicole's parents thought RSVP was an actual location, so they missed out on the wedding by accident.
- Some have speculated that Nicole's parents had Abusive Parents themselves.
- As of the "The Catfish", one has to wonder whether Granny Jojo had her Yandere personality before or after 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.
- Is the reveal that Alan was Evil All Along in "The Vision" being ignored afterwards just a case of Negative Continuity, or did he make a Heel–Face Turn since then. Possibly as a result of Gumball restoring his faith in the world in "The Faith"?
- Within the aforementioned episode; Was Alan just flat out evil all along or was he a Well-Intentioned Extremist? If the latter, then it may be possible to more easily reconcile his portrayal in "The Vision", with his overall portrayal in the series.
- 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 serious, lasting gains in their life or as a person, or will the universe intervene to stop any serious, status quo breaking changes?
