The Perks of an Extended Family
is a Courage the Cowardly Dog fanfic by Freedom Rider 20.
Courage has a lot on his plate, defending the loving Muriel and the not-so-loving Eustace from the oddities that ravage his boring Kansas town. But when the old man’s family comes over for a visit, Courage’s tendency for courage will be pushed to its very limit.
The Perks of An Extended Family contains the following examples:
- Adaptation Expansion: In canon, Eustace’s family life outside his mother and late brother is unknown. In this story, he has a son named Gavin, a daughter-in-law named Gina, and two granddaughters named Katy and Madeleine.
- Doting Grandparent: As expected, Muriel is a very loving grandmother to her grandchildren, Madeline and Katy.
- Gruesome Grandparent: Eustace isn’t cruel to his grandkids, but very grumpy and indifferent to them, even pulling his “Scary Mask” prank on them.
- Grumpy Old Man: Eustace is a constant downer in every situation. He regards his own son’s visit with more annoyance than any excitement.
- Like Father, Unlike Son: Eustace’s son, Gavin, is completely unlike his old man. Whereas Eustace is ornery and grumpy, Gavin is a remarkably kind and patient man.
- Original Character: Gavin and his family are completely original characters, with there being no reference to Eustace having kids in canon.
- Parental Neglect: Eustace is very indifferent to his own son and his extended family.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: Madeleine and Katy, Gavin’s daughters, are very different personality-wise: Madeleine is a kind and affectionate girl, while Katy is shallow, superficial, and more interested in her phone than visiting her grandparents.
- The Unintelligible: Subverted with Courage, who has moments where he speaks in spoken English.
