Flow of Madness

This is an objective not emotional post about the two people in Mini’s life that become in many ways quite vital to her. Her relationship with Franky and her relationship with Alo. I was trying to avoid this topic, but there is really no way around it. This is very objective and quite neutral. 

Coming out of Series 5 there were two friendships or two relationships that seemed to have potential to grow for Mini. 

Minky

The first being the louder of the possibilities. That Mini and Franky would end up together or at least have some sort of romantic story line. Mini develops an infatuation with Franky. This raises questions about Mini’s sexuality. In the novel and on the show there has been clear indicators that Mini is not completely straight. However there has also been no indicator that Mini is completely gay either. We just know she is fluid in her sexuality more so than some other characters. Mini’s feelings for Franky grows into a protective and complicated level. Mini in the finale decides to go off on her own in order to chase down Franky, because she is worried. Franky though does not seem to have the same feelings that Mini does. Mini is chasing Franky and Franky is chasing Matty. 

I feel like Mini’s feelings for Franky should have been at least acknowledged. Because it was quite clear that Mini did have something for Franky. It might have been attraction or it may have been a temporary mis-read of her feelings. I know that sometimes when I make friends with a guy and I start to care about him. I sometimes misread my own feelings and think that they are romantic only to find out that it is instead a platonic need for intimacy and support. It is not far fetched to think this or even for the writers to tease us with a lesbian story line then move in this direction. Which they did. 

Franky is a character who is complex and has many issues. Including abandonment and intimacy issues. Mini also has similar defenses especially in terms of abandonment as well. Franky is clever yet sensitive. Mini is sassy yet vulnerable. They both have emotional wounds. Mini needs someone who can tell her what she needs to do and tell her that she is more than her bitchy side. Franky did that for most of Series 5. Franky needs someone to give her a protective love which Mini gives to Franky fully in Series 6. 

Now whether or not you ship Minky. Whether or not think Mini is fully gay or not. The relationship that Mini has with Franky is vital for Mini. 

Malo 

This was the other possibility coming out of Series 5. It is established in Series 5 that Alo is attracted to Mini and that Mini finds Alo amusing on some level. He is not the type of guy Mini usually falls for or the type she ever imagined being with. He is dirty, he is poor, and he cannot provide Mini with the glamour she always thought she wanted. In Morocco Mini decides to sleep with Alo. My theory or take on why Mini decides to sleep with Alo is this. She wants sex (it happens) and she thought that Alo would be someone who would say yes and would also be someone she would not fall for. That she would have control of the situation, because it is Alo. 

Only things get complicated when she does start to develop feelings for him and starts to rely on him. This scares her. Her track record with men has been shitty. Her Dad left her and then left her again. Things with Nick were imperfect and he cheated on her with her best friend. Everything about the situation is scary. Then of course she is pregnant which raises the stakes and the vulnerability level of the situation. Mini begins to freak out and fears that Alo will be like her Dad. He will just be another guy she can’t depend on. 

Alo though is an easy person to be around. I feel like Mini can be herself around him. I think she can be herself around Franky as well. However the fact that Mini can be around Alo (a guy) and be who she is without worrying about appearances is monumental. She dances and she has fun. She cuts loose. She’s sassy. She does not need to be anything other than the person she is. This is vital. 

Of course Malo’s relationship is filled with secrets and immaturity. Alo does not want to grow up. Mini does not want to face reality. Together that equals Mini not telling him about the pregnancy for eight months. However in many ways the relationship these two have and the pregnancy acts as a tool for these two characters to grow up together. 

Mini needs someone like Alo in her life though. Either as friends or romantically. She needs someone who she can have fun with and not worry about things. Who sees through her bullshit the way Alo does sometimes. Alo makes Mini laugh. 

Conclusion: 

This post was not meant to sway one way or another in terms of the shipping debate. Both Alo and Franky are important people in Mini’s world. Romance or no romance. They both offer her things and both relationships help progress Mini as a person. 

We may disagree with certain story lines and we also may disagree with how certain characters were written. However I think the reason these shipping wars are so intense is partly (small part though it is complex) because both sides have valid points.