Datu

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Oct 25th, 2012, 10:48 AM
Aerock

Datu

If you're not on Chapter 10, there are some spoilers... You were warned.

Datu is an interesting character. There are a lot of things about him that I love, but there are also a bunch of things I hate about him. He's innovative and funny, but he's kind of a wuss. I love how he is a glass half-full type of guy, but he doesn't give himself enough credit.

I like how he seems to be religious (when he tells people to pray, and how he references purgatory... Go Catholics!), but since he's from the Philippines, he should be WAY more religious! His accent is easy for me to understand (my mom and dad are both from the Philippines - my dad's even from Luzon!), but what throws me off is that it sounds like he's reading when he talks. The pauses don't seem natural, and it seems robotic.

I'm only on Chapter 10 so far, but for me, the funniest thing about Datu to date is when the zombies were taking him away. When he said that they weren't biting him, it kind of sounded like he felt cheated! Some other things that crack me up are how WA does the whole "Asians can't drive" stereotype, his being shy around women (like around Samantha in Chapter 10), and whenever he decides to put his foot down and be assertive.

I really hope that Datu becomes more battle proficient. What're your thoughts on this character?
Oct 25th, 2012, 01:41 PM
Jannit

There are so, so many things I could say here but they'd be a bit spoiler-ish and I'd really rather not ruin the fun for you. It's great to hear you're enjoying him and it's interesting to hear that critique on the pauses. It's not something I noticed at all when I listen to the character but I tend to be pretty oblivious at times. :P

Welcome to the insanity and enjoy all the back to back episodes as you catch up. It won't be long until you've got to wait for them with the rest of us shmucks.
Oct 28th, 2012, 07:58 PM
Witch_Doctor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerock

If you're not on Chapter 10, there are some spoilers... You were warned.
I like how he seems to be religious (when he tells people to pray, and how he references purgatory... Go Catholics!), but since he's from the Philippines, he should be WAY more religious! His accent is easy for me to understand (my mom and dad are both from the Philippines - my dad's even from Luzon!), but what throws me off is that it sounds like he's reading when he talks. The pauses don't seem natural, and it seems robotic.

Props for the spoiler warning. I have a friend with a simmilar accent, but Datu sounds like he's trying to talk loud without yelling. You're right about it sounding like Jay Oligario is reading from the script. Well, actually his is, but he still sounds like it too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerock

I'm only on Chapter 10 so far, but for me, the funniest thing about Datu to date is when the zombies were taking him away. When he said that they weren't biting him, it kind of sounded like he felt cheated! Some other things that crack me up are how WA does the whole "Asians can't drive" stereotype, his being shy around women (like around Samantha in Chapter 10), and whenever he decides to put his foot down and be assertive.

Ha! Never thought about like that. Funny, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerock

I really hope that Datu becomes more battle proficient. What're your thoughts on this character?

Man, spoilers. Just keep listening.
Oct 29th, 2012, 01:04 AM
LiamKerrington

I enjoyed Datu right from the beginning. Because of the clichés, because of him being different in so many ways, because his voice can be sooooo annoying, especially because of very few sentences he has, like this one: "It's ok. I was already done eating, when I sat down." (or something like that). You haven't heard this one, but simply pay attention to the situation WHEN he says it. I admire his character for those precious moments.
But I would not want to go as far as to "like" the character; I only enjoy him. ;)
Nov 1st, 2012, 07:14 AM
Christopher kitto

I think he's one of the most interesting characters, I got the impression that he thought he should of died at the end of purgatory and almost gave up on life after that and now he's occupying himself by looking after hope even though I think he understands the fruitless nature of his efforts.
Nov 1st, 2012, 01:59 PM
YetAnotherBloodyCheek

Datu - the unofficial fifth member of the A-Team (let's pretend Frankie never happened): a resourceful craftsman who has a soft spot for killing his opponents with improvised weapons.
Jan 3rd, 2013, 02:30 PM
DeadMen_Walking

The asian guy can't drive. How racist. *Tongue firmly implanted in cheek*
Jan 14th, 2013, 10:16 PM
RabidWolf

Spoiler alert if you're not at least to chapter 35

The main problem I have with Datu is that he is supposed to be the maintenance guy for the apartment building, which would mean he has some mechanical ability, but to be able to fix the generator, then get a car running, then later on fix the hydraulic line on the helicopter, and finally to fix the "pelican", wow. Is he just super mechanically inclined, or some kind of savant? If he was that good, wouldn't he have had a better job than just being a maintenance guy?

Oh and as for his voice, its the only one that bugs me. Seems whiney even when he's not complaining.
Jan 14th, 2013, 11:21 PM
Sammy D

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabidWolf

Spoiler alert if you're not at least to chapter 35

The main problem I have with Datu is that he is supposed to be the maintenance guy for the apartment building, which would mean he has some mechanical ability, but to be able to fix the generator, then get a car running, then later on fix the hydraulic line on the helicopter, and finally to fix the "pelican", wow. Is he just super mechanically inclined, or some kind of savant? If he was that good, wouldn't he have had a better job than just being a maintenance guy?

Oh and as for his voice, its the only one that bugs me. Seems whiney even when he's not complaining.

It is stated that he is taking classes that could explain some of his working knowledge to repair engines and so on. So it may not be a case of completely pulling solutions out of the air.
Jan 14th, 2013, 11:22 PM
Red Shirt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witch_Doctor

Props for the spoiler warning. I have a friend with a simmilar accent, but Datu sounds like he's trying to talk loud without yelling. You're right about it sounding like Jay Oligario is reading from the script. Well, actually his is, but he still sounds like it too.

Datu's specific background isn't discussed directly, weather he was 1st generation American born to immigrant parents, or if he was an immigrant himself...
I think of the character as speaking English as a second language... that he speaks it well but is still getting accustomed the proper syntax. Hence the unusual cadence to the his speech mannerisms. I have known some people that were speaking English as a second language and this was true for them as well... an unusual meter and cadence, unusual pauses and word choices in their speech. Not the wrong word per se, but not necessarily the word that an English as a 1st language speaker might have used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabidWolf

The main problem I have with Datu is that he is supposed to be the maintenance guy for the apartment building, which would mean he has some mechanical ability, but to be able to fix the generator, then get a car running, then later on fix the hydraulic line on the helicopter, and finally to fix the "pelican", wow. Is he just super mechanically inclined, or some kind of savant? If he was that good, wouldn't he have had a better job than just being a maintenance guy?

Again, a significant gap in his history. If he is an immigrant, then what was his profession before coming to America? I suspect the character is at the core very mechanically inclined and that his previous occupation was something rather technical and highly placed. But as it seems to be the case, at least popularized, that much of the training, certifications and degrees that immigrants obtained at home is "not accepted" here in the US. Datu then took a job that was closest to what he knew.

That's not to say that "maintenance guy" is a menial position. Being a facilities manager would require you to be well versed in several trades like plumbing, electrician, carpentry, ect.

Matter of fact, I seem to remember Datu saying that he was going to night school to get his contractor's license.
Jan 15th, 2013, 04:37 AM
scbubba

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Shirt

Datu's specific background isn't discussed directly, weather he was 1st generation American born to immigrant parents, or if he was an immigrant himself...
I think of the character as speaking English as a second language... that he speaks it well but is still getting accustomed the proper syntax. Hence the unusual cadence to the his speech mannerisms. I have known some people that were speaking English as a second language and this was true for them as well... an unusual meter and cadence, unusual pauses and word choices in their speech. Not the wrong word per se, but not necessarily the word that an English as a 1st language speaker might have used.

My recollection is that Datu says that he moved his kids back to the Philippines to live with his parents. That leads me to believe that Datu was probably born there and immigrated to the States. As for English as a second language, Datu does break out in Tagalog a few times and doesn't seem to hesitate or stumble over it (not that I speak Tagalog, mind you) so he is probably fluent, if not native, with that language.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Shirt

Again, a significant gap in his history. If he is an immigrant, then what was his profession before coming to America? I suspect the character is at the core very mechanically inclined and that his previous occupation was something rather technical and highly placed. But as it seems to be the case, at least popularized, that much of the training, certifications and degrees that immigrants obtained at home is "not accepted" here in the US. Datu then took a job that was closest to what he knew.

That's not to say that "maintenance guy" is a menial position. Being a facilities manager would require you to be well versed in several trades like plumbing, electrician, carpentry, ect.

Matter of fact, I seem to remember Datu saying that he was going to night school to get his contractor's license.

It's stuck in my head that Datu is taking engineering classes in night school. He may have chosen that program and he may have the maintenance job because of a background/talent with mechanical systems.

Then again, he may just be King Datu the Resourceful (props to nikvoodoo....)