The Dimitri Documentary. [Fire Emblem: Support Science #21] Fire Emblem: Three Houses

A critical analysis of Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. This is episode 21 of my ongoing Fire Emblem analysis series called Support Science. Please enjoy and share with your buddies who may also like Dimitri and/or Three Houses!
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In this Support Science, I want to explore the three stages of Dimitri’s mentality as he edges to the point of losing his grip on reality and his lifelong climb back when he goes over that point. At the center of this internal struggle lies two of Dimitri's most important values: the compassion for the living and the compassion for the dead. In this video, I will chronologically outline his journey, and in doing so, hone in on how all of the above mentioned values, especially the two I specifically mentioned just above, change and influence him. Through a critical analysis of the Tragedy of Duscur, Edelgard’s betrayal, and Cornelia’s tyranny, into his isolation in Garreg Mach, I will explore how he goes from a kindhearted and compassionate teenager into a man so beaten down, psychologically destroyed and isolated so as to be unrecognizeable. Then I will examine how, when confronted by his peers and those he loves, Dimitri’s morality once again transforms to lead him back to a path towards redemption. It is popular to say, even in-game, that Dimitri’s journey “returns him to normal,” but I disagree. I argue Dimitri was never “normal” from the start. Rather, his journey is one that takes him from a man hounded by his conscience to serve the dead to a man, though he cannot control it, is willing to confront reality - the good and bad - for what it is.
(Choose Your Legends Dimitri just got announced in Fire Emblem Heroes. What an absolute unit.)
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Script Contributors:
Neko Knight
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Audio Editing:
Dimitri Impression:
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Game Footage provided by:
Articles used:
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#FireEmblemThreeHouses, #FE3H, #DimitriAlexandreBlaiddyd

[Faerghast]

Incoming long and emotional comment:
Hi everyone. Whether you just finished watching this video, or partially through and reading the comments... I just wanted to say thank you for simply just taking a gander at it.
This year has been particularly hard for me - not just because of 'Rona. I got laid off from work in February and have honestly been struggling to figure out my next career move. Trying to sort out my real life, understandably, caused my passion like writing and videos to slow down. In saying that, thank you so much to all of my Patrons and stream donators who continue to support me while I figure out the next steps. Your financial contributions have been truly unreal, boss.
I've been working on this video on and off for the past eleven months. One of the several reasons why it took so long was because Three Houses is uniquely different to write longform analysis on because hardly any scripts are transcribed. Unlike my other Support Science videos, I had to play and record much of the scenes myself and make inferences based on the scenes and not on the text. So, that was hard and time consuming.
I also went through writer's block a ton of times throughout the year. It was really difficult to figure out what I actually wanted to write about. I REALLY like Dimitri's character, but there was so much to talk about so as to be overwhelming at times. I didn't just want to recite a timeline in this analysis. Just reciting facts that don't answer anything or don't try to persuade an audience to any one side is pretty lame. Something I absolutely love about analysis is the way you can create a story with narratives, themes and arguments. That's what Support Science is all about. It was tough to find out what I wanted this video to be. But hey... 12 000 words later, we got 'er done.
There's so much more around Dimitri that I wanted to talk about, but I felt it would detract from the core discussion I had in mind - things like Cornelia's villainy (which could be its own video) and other support conversations Dimitri had that I decided that his other supports could already address.
In the end, I'm really happy that I can FINALLY publish this video.
What's next? I don't know! But I want to focus on scripted content moving forward. Which means more character analysis, whether shortform or longform. While that's happening, I've also been really having fun streaming every weekday.
If you want to see more Support Sciences, or other scripted content from me, please subscribe! Clicking subscribe honestly shows me that this is the content you want. Please leave a like and comment as well. I'd love to read what you think of Dimitri also!

Deuces.

[bobdehwaffel]

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It also stands for Post Time-Skip Dimitri. Both are correct.

[Blazecap]

I think we can all agree that Chris hackney voice acting is what really sold this character. Because good writing will only get you so far. This man takes Dimitri to whole other level. Honestly one of my favorite lords with Claude Leif and Ike for me.

[skycaptain]

"You can never truly turn back the hands of time"

Byleth: *looks away conspicuously

[jannaa.]

You really think i'll listen to a guy talking about Dimitri for one hour and half???

Hell yeah, sign me in.

[duwanglover]

Its a shame you never mentioned such a minor line but its still so impactful. Theres a random monk that will talk to you between the War phase and Redemption phase that mentioned he saw Dimitri care for an orphan and warn her of danger. It shows that even despite his distaste for the living during this time, he still cares for them, or at least enough to not want to see young children get hurt.

[hoorenglish]

“Your hands are so warm... Have they always been?” That line gets me every time. I adore it so MUCH.

[derrickdeleon]

Alternate title: Explaining why Dimitri is best man for an hour and a half

[primorico]

I cannot even imagine how much time and effort you put into it. Congratulations buddy.

[hunterxorus]

There's 5, 116 seconds of this video talking about Dimitri. And you know what I'm gonna do?
WATCH EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!!!

[TheDevineFalcon]

When Rodrigue died for Dimitri, he said to tell him it wasn't in vain

One of redeemed Dimitri's battle quotes is "I swear it wasn't in vain"

[briangrosenbach]

That ending cutscene of Dimitri offering his hand to Edelgard will never not make me cry.

[jacegale]

Does anyone else tear up Everytime the warm hands line comes up or is it just me?

[bravelance]

Still honestly SHOCKED Dedue’s return is optional. Seemed like the most pivotal moment in Dimitri’s recovery aside from Rodrigue.

[MatadorPlate]

minimitri, acadimitri, ptsdimitri, dimitrimentary

[Ghost_Gaming]

I can finally learn why we shouldn’t eat the weeds.

[camusreviews]

“You can never truly turn back the hands of time”
Sothis: 😬

[SuperQatarGirl]

And here I thought I was done crying about Dimitri. I thought that there couldn't possibly be more to cry about. And yet here I sit, proven wrong. No single character from any work of fiction has ever made me cry this much, running the whole spectrum from tears of sadness and despair to ones of joy and pride.
Thank you for this epic of a video, I must now resume my most recent Blue Lions playthrough.

[atticusv]

I think it was weird when I heard you bring up Dimitri's mental health and people's criticisms of how its not realistic, because wether that's true or not a lot of really die-hard Dimitri fans I've seen, including myself, would say that his story actually helped them deal with their own trauma and issues. I think its because his story teaches us that our trauma and pain make our actions understandable, but its still up to us to look to the future, learn from it and grow as better versions of ourselves, and I think that's a really beautiful message.

[notachibisuke]

Just one note-- I think you could have mentioned that it's Dedue's "death" that really helps push Dmitri down his path of madness, since he believes that his best bro sacrificed himself for Dmitri's sake (adding to the number of people he considers as having died /for/ him)