It’s a good post. I do wish they’d elaborate a little more on their analysis of Ricken, though. He represents white male hegemony? He asserts something of a hegemonic role among his reading group, sure, but he’s hardly an assertive figure, let alone toxic masculine. I think maybe there’s a little bit of overthinking the character (although there’s also some interesting points about the parallels between his cult leader behavior and Lumon’s cultlike behavior), since the original question that incited the post was why Ricken would allow someone from Lumon into his and Devon’s home after the incident with the baby. I legitimately think the answer to that question is that Ricken is vulnerable to flattery and just let his guard down against Natalie, who knew how to disarm him.