There 405 moment was gorgeous and wonderful, and here we all sit trying to figure out how they’re conning us and calling it a Jedi Mind Trick. But if that picture hadn’t existed, we’d be even more upset: “look how they constantly sweep Neal aside.”
But compare the “we” who is affected in each instance. The “we” who is going to be upset about how they brush aside/ignore/forget him is like .02% of the fanbase. The GA won’t notice that they don’t bring him up. Conversely, every time “Neal”/my dad/my son/photo/etc is brought up, they are reminded he existed, which is going to effect a much bigger portion of the viewing audience than a lack of mention, kwim?
Their job – if CS is intended endgame – is to sell them to as much of viewing public as possible. If the point in killing Neal off was to remove him from the canvas in order for him not to be an obstacle for CS, then reminding the GA that he existed is really just undermining themselves.
The question is, are they so busy trying to placate every fan group, be everything to everyone, that they don’t even realize that? Or are the reminders intentional?
Cause this story needs some mending & a better happy ending...