Cool Cool

I actually appreciate that Marten messed up a bit here. I feel like their relationship has been going so perfectly, its unrealistic (or maybe im just jealous o-o). But anyways, I have faith that he will do better soon.

Esca Makes

Bubbles actually listened to Faye all the way through though.

Ace

I don't think we or Marten have seen Claire struggling before and there's no way to know in advance what kind of help/support works for a person. Only Claire can offer guidance on what she needs. So maybe ask something like: "What would support look like for you right now?" (Maybe with a slightly less group therapy wording).

Bruce Steinberg

No different than Bubbles's last advice to Faye, but Marten is the world's worst boyfriend?!. (I think Bubbles and Marten are both GREAT partners. I don't know why he's getting so much flak.)

Matt Grayson

I would totally say "Control the part you can control now, the exams, and don't worry about the part you can't control now, everything in the future after the exams. " That, however, is what I always say, and it turns out only to be appropriate about a third of the time. Except to me. It is always pretty much the thing to say to me.

OK, so suppose one were in a better state than Marten when one came home from work, and picked up that this is a dutiful, tentative baring of a particularly sensitive wound of which she is maybe ashamed. Suppose that one were in one of those transient states of alertness, and got the story from her. What would be the thing to say? I hear sometimes that you don't have to say anything but only listen sympathetically, and maybe that is true sometimes, but other times the person is playing a tape over and over in their head that is making them nuts, and playing it out loud for you is just going to make them a little more nuts. I remember once I worried out loud that I was unprepared for a test to my wife and she said, flatly and unsympathetically, "That is not possible. I watched you prepare. You are scaring yourself out of your preparation." That was useful. So, what should he have said? Clearly he should have listened enough to find out what is up, but what then? Just indicate that he understands her feelings? Exhort? Advise? Console? Inquire further?

Because "Don't worry" always works.

Clifton Royston

A mind reader? Claire was literally in the process of telling him what was up when he interrupted her with a well-meaning but dismissive comment. He doesn't have to read minds, he just has to listen to his girlfriend, because she's in the middle of telling him that she's upset and why.

Ace

Wow. So many people here think Marten should be a mindreader. smdh

Trigon Manthree

BUCKETS of Fuck.

Churchill (formerly TeaBear)

Somehow from that last panel, I sense that eye-Twitches are On the Way. ;)

Churchill (formerly TeaBear)

"How can I help?" is incredibly underrated as a response.

R. Francis Smith

Right up there with "well, try to cheer up" to a depressed person, really.

R. Francis Smith

If Pintsize doesn't do something horrible to him after that, I'll honestly be disappointed.

Diana

Next comic: Marten gets a bucketful of dildos on his head.

Janne Peltonen

Because she’s super stressed and reviewing every old book she has.....or, Jeph doesn’t know the full curriculum of an MLS/MLIS. Granted, no one does besides those of us who have done it really, and even then, it varies depending upon specialization and school.

LaPrimaNerda (Sarah Davis)

Cue Willliamson's Humanoids.

Captain Button

Poor Claire... I know exactly how unhelpful the phrase "don't worry about it" is to one who is clearly and uncontrollably worrying about "it", whatever it is. Marten... THAT HAD BETTER BE THE FINEST CHINESE FOOD THE CITY CAN OFFER AND YOU STILL HAVE TO HELP CLAIRE THROUGH THIS BECAUSE YOU ARE USUALLY BETTER THAN "DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT" YOU COMPLETE SANDHEAD!!!

David Paul

He's doing an 'established couple' thing: Only pretend to listen when you ask "How was your day, dear?"

Ben Russell-Gough

From the early days of QC, I liked to read Pintsize as an unconscious part of Marten himself. I still enjoy this interpretation a lot.

Bernhard

MARTIN. YOU'RE SLIPPING

Stoodmuffin

Make it the clue by four with nails in it. This is Marten we're talking about here. The regular clue by four is barely sufficient to get him to notice something.

Thomas Boys

Marten what the FUCK?

Dylan T

Much as it cops large amounts of flak, the "I will listen to see if I can help somehow" approach has the advantage of indicating that one is actually listening.

Mark

Everybody derps sometimes

Unanimous D

It's not so much passivity as it is continuity. As far as Marten is aware, this is all that is needed because it's all that was needed before.

Ben Russell-Gough

Not terrible; he's just failing to observe.

Ben Russell-Gough

The award for Least Observant Boyfriend 2018 goes to... Marten! Seriously, Claire, this looks like it's going to be tough. I suggest that you follow him and keep talking to him. Yes, I know that having to explain your anxiety to Marten will likely only add to it but I can't see any other way forwards here!

Ben Russell-Gough

Great! Just when we get a plot line involving Marten again there will be nothing but endless complaining about how he's a terrible boyfriend.

Brent Catherman

How do you figure that? They <b>are</b> both in relationships. Sure, Marten missed the ball on this play, but that certainly doesn't mean he's heading for a breakup.

awgiedawgie

Hmm. So why is she reading about the "Principals of Library Science"? Shouldn't Library Science be about more than just the Principals, but also about the teachers, the students, and various other people at the school? ;)

Brad Knowles

Or maybe he'll open that door and the box of dildoes will fall on top of him, and knock some sense into the boy.

Brad Knowles

Then why is she back in the "EVERYTHING'S FINE" face?

Am Queue

Why is no one understanding that Marten did exactly the right thing to restore Claire's confidence in herself?

J.E. Melton

Unsure why everyone is blaming Marten there. Sure, he could have picked up on that, but he just got home from work and he's hungry. That being said, there will be an epic meltdown shortly and Pintsize will beat Marten with a dildo until he realises something is wrong.

MikeT

Good talk.

Bagge

A SINGING dildo.

Bagge

Meh, my wife appreciates me bringing bringing her food more than just about anything else.

Dan Isaacs

Well, there's nothing quite like an attentive boyfriend... and Marten? That was <b>nothing</b> like an attentive boyfriend.

awgiedawgie

Waiting for Pintsize to club Marten over the head with a dildo.

Valraven

Yeah, cue meltdown. The don't worry about it response is the *worst*. If I think I'm going to fail or I'm just majorly stressed about something, dismissing my problems and telling me everything is going to be fine is the opposite of helpful. There needs to be acknowledgement of the fears and worries at the very least.

Bless his heart.

Chris Heg

You know you rolled a natural one on your Wisdom check when Pintsize succeeds his check.

Nicolas Dao-Phan

YOU INCOMPARABLE DUNDERFUCK

Cranthulos XII, Conqueror of Five Empires, Lord of the Blood Pits of Fethna

I don't like where this is going..

There is hope for him however— remember the time he tore his shirt off to bandage a snakebite?

Holly Nelson

Oh Marten! That's boyfriend obliviousness taken to the next level. Wake up dude, Claire is falling apart!

Denise Webber

The glasses. They're getting larger. And larger! This strip may soon be nothing but one giant optical prosthetic.

BobC

I see the axiom that Faye and Marten can't be in relationships at the same is still holding.

Griffon

Except that right now she needs to talk it out more. After hearing what's going through her head, Martin can then provide a more nuanced response.

Jeph, this... this guy used to be your main character, your "relatable" protagonist long, long ago. Have you outgrown him or has he outgrown you? &lt;_&gt;

TMN

Honestly, let’s get some Peter Max or Maxfield Parrish up in here.

Summer Sudbrink

Who is this guy? I sort of remember him from a long time ago.

Philip D Jones

Cue delayed cognition over noodles.

William Burns

If she's stressed, wouldn't the whole "it's no big thing" response be good? To indicate she's stressing needlessly?

Alacrity Fitzhugh

Ominous lightless, lifeless, landscape is ominous. Seriously, why would you hang that on your wall?

Summer Sudbrink

It's bad when Pintsize is more on the ball than you. Roboto Steal Yo Girl's gonna happen.

A sheep

Ughhhhhh Martin is the weakest character in the strip. Martin, pls

Alcaria Swain

OK, seriously everyone. Martin is a dude's dude in his obliviousness. He'll need the clue by four, and then apologies profusely. This is how this HAD to start out.

Damian Paradis

I'm one card short of a full deck I'm not quite the shilling One wave short of a shipwreck I'm not my usual top billing I'm coming down with a fever I'm really out to sea This kettle is boiling over I think I'm a banana tree Oh dear I'm going slightly mad

darklion

I knew Marten was passive but damn. Claire’s gonna have a meltdown shortly...

Will Weaver

MARTEN PLEASE. Have you learned nothing?

Samantha Yeaman

I see Pintsize in Marten's future...

This. So much this. Sometimes, you just really need to be blunt with people.

Lucanid Landman

This is the sort of thing that will cause the robot revolution. The more robots get sucked into trying to help, the more they will realize that humans desperately need supervision in every part of their lives.

Swing and a miss, strike one. Keep your eye on the ball, Marten.

Sleepy John

It's pretty easy, just make a burrito and then deep fry it.

Grace Kieser

Pintsize's art installation needs to fall on Marten's head and knock some sense into him. Grrrrr.

Bruce Steinberg

The exam is only half of the concern. She's also extremely worried about getting a job after she's done.

JD

Now Pintsize is going to have to talk to Marten.

JD

I live in a part of the world where I can not order Chinese nor Tex-Mex. And I am sad. Really need to learn how to make chimichangas on my own.

Miyaa

That last straw is bending wildly

Melvin Miller

Also I really wanna see her just fucking CRUSH that exam. All the while terrified that she's making horrible mistakes.

Tim Eldred

Oh Marten. Oh sweetie. Oh honey.

Brian Ellingboe

i feel like Claire is minutes away from a full on breakdown

JD

Sorry, Claire, but Marten is used to Faye meltdowns and Dora freakouts. You're gonna have to be a LOT more demonstrative before he starts taking your seriously.

Charlotte Grubbs

Marten you fucking IDIOT. Quit being so passively supportive and open your goddamn EARS!

Tim Eldred

PASSIVENESS INTENSIFIES

Marten, please.

Nicholas Lopez

Maybe pintsize should have recommended Bubbles?

Jessie Cook

Oh fuuuuuuuuuck

R L

no wonder they get along so well. they're BOTH kinda idiots.

Peter McDevitt

*exasperated noises*

Mordaeus

GOD DAMMIT MARTEN, YOU COMPLETE DOOFUS

JD

/facepalm

Matt Grayson

this is where you put your foot down and say "I need to talk yo you! listen damn it."

The Shadow's Lair

Omfg -_-

Lord Crusade