Misinformed fan conjecture/allegations concerning Judy
I saw a post on the main sub yesterday somewhat pointing out this topic, with one example in the comment in the above screenshot (second image),though imo the OP did a shoddy job at even explaining their viewpoint, leaving this comment at being a larp. I wouldn’t call this comment particularly a larp, just an instance of fan conjecture that’s not wholly accurate. Still, I think the topic of judgement behind the nature of Judy’s relationship with Evelyn (and the romance in relation) is treated by some people in a matter-of-fact or definitive sense (despite the intentionally inexplicit nature behind it) could be touched on, and the bandaid has already been ripped off. FYI, this is a long post where I break down most things regarding them.
When asked about if Judy and Evelyn had dated, Pawed directly responded that they left it intentionally ambiguous to make way for fan speculation, and would rather keep it that way. This post isn’t necessarily about Judy and Ev’s potential history as that is still purely a matter of speculation, it’s moreso about the current state of affairs during the game events. Laying out all the verifiable in-game information (that I can think of) we’re given in relation to their dynamic based off of character statements, emails and the timeline, all of which we are given is that:
* Before joining The Mox, Judy worked at Clouds as a BD technician and supposedly met Evelyn there, along with Tom & Roxanne.
* As per Evelyn, her and Judy “go back years”, where Judy has always been there for Evelyn.
* There was a period of time when Judy and Evelyn hadn't spoken (shortly before the heist). Evelyn didn't know if Judy and Maiko were still in a relationship until asking when she reached out to Judy for a favor; BDs for the Heist. She goes about it with: “Heeeey, it's been like a thousand years since we aaw each other! What's up with you, girl? You still cooped up in Susie's basement? Still with Maiko? Hoping at least one of those things isn't true anymore.” Some have interpreted this being said in a flirtatious manner, whether it be due to her nature as a “charmer” or out of genuine romantic interest, though it’s also interpreted as being out of genuine hope for Judy’s best interest, seeing as Evelyn did not like Maiko.
* Evelyn approached the idea with the prospect of granting Judy a life free of work, where she could focus primarily on her art.
* Evelyn wasn’t fond of/didn't approve of Maiko while she and Judy were a couple, and Maiko likewise didn’t like Evelyn.
* In The Star, Judy mentions she imagined leaving Night City with Evelyn and imagined what they would do if they got the chance.
* After V recovers Evelyn, Judy realizes V is a \\\[good person\\\] and says something along the lines of "if Evelyn knew how you really are, well... maybe things would have turned out different" which could leave some interesting implications.
* When V comments on how Evelyn must be mean alot to Judy, Judy’s response is vaguely “Once you get close to Evelyn, you never wanna let her go” or alternatively “Evelyn tends to… attract people.” in another dub.
* In one dialogue option V says to Judy, “To her, she was your best friend…” which seems to be V’s own interpretation of their relationship. Judy never makes a correction or really reacts to this assertion in any particular way, affirmatively or otherwise.
* Judy is protective of Evelyn after the Heist, and didn't approve of her going back to Clouds asserting how it was safer there in comparison to Lizzie's, in which they argued. Later, Judy is reluctant to give V info on her whereabouts.
* Johnny makes the first indication that Judy is interested in V in dialogue triggering immediately after Double Life, notably while Evelyn is still alive. It’s an interesting case, since you could argue it’d be odd for an in-game character to be looking into another potential romantic interest if they’ve already been committed to another.
* This may not be directly related, but Judy’s abuela is introduced to V and can bring up, if V is a corpo, how she didn’t like previous “corpo types” Judy had dated like Maiko, but doesn’t mention Evelyn in any conversation.
Points that could directly hint towards any romantic extent:
* The 5th anniversary trailer does show Judy and Evelyn cozy for a brief period, although since it is a trailer depicting an inherently fantastical or “best case” scenario impossible within the game’s constraints, should be looked at under a different lens in regards to canonicity.
* Pure vibes, as Judy is a lesbian that shows a deep caring, admiration, or a desire to protect/avenge Evelyn throughout the game. She can undergo a myriad of explicit relationships over the course of the game (Maiko, V, Bianca) and you could say they (barring Bianca) fit the archetype of confident, determined women willing to take risks and make bold moves in pursuit of ambitions, similar to Evelyn. You could infer a certain tone behind their words in relation to each other, or an unusual degree of intimacy depicted in the setting, but the line is blurred on that.
This isn’t that much to go off of, but judging from everything I laid out, and considering how inexplicit it is relative to how heavy-handed and direct the game handles relationships otherwise, I think it makes little sense to confidently put a label as certain as “dating” on it, especially in contrast her explicit relationship with Maiko, and the short timeframe it would’ve taken place in. That ISN’T to say they couldn’t have had a history before that, or that there WASN’T any indication of complicated feelings present there because I believe there is, but it IS inherently undefined and not formal. I assumed that when some remark Evelyn as Judy’s girlfriend, it is not meant in a literal sense.
What’s beyond all this is largely fan conjecture, though I will point out that imo, there are some logical fallacies behind the assumption that they were in a relationship. Judy tends to invite her romantic partners to move in and will contact them frequently, so why had Evelyn seemingly not been living there at all, or not been in touch with Judy for a long time?
Contrary to some’s belief, does it even track for Judy to “jump” into a relationship with V shortly after Evelyn, given that every other explicit explicit relationship we’re shown have been at least months apart? Her relationship with Maiko is presumed to have ended several months ago, and In Bianca’s case, she spends at minimum several months seemingly not having moved on from V before connecting with her. Comparatively to Evelyn, she had known V for much less time. And while losing someone you deeply cared for is still devastating, it’s a different hurdle than losing a partner you were actively invested in.
From what we see, the dynamic between a romanced V and Judy seen in texts isn’t quite the same as how Judy and Evelyn come across in their email exchanges, there isn’t \*explicit\* romantic affection there while with V, it is VERY prevalent in basically every exchange.
There will still be arguments about how “weird” it is or whatever, but just remember not to discount Judy’s full agency portrayed in pursuing this, reframe certain scenes to support a different narrative than what the scene itself plays out, or how it’s not particularly unprecedented to find other connection brought together after a loss of someone close i.e. V and Jackie, Panam and Scorpion etc.
One more thing i’d like to point out is some of the sheer misuse of the term “rebound”. In essence, a rebound is casual and short-lived, which is basically the \*opposite\* of what Judy wants. By definition of the term, V cannot be a “rebound” to Judy and Evelyn not formally dating, or even actively pursuing a relationship (regardless of if there MIGHT’VE been an interest in that). Second, the amount of emotional investment Judy puts into V isn’t befitting of one. People typically don’t delay moving out, give their keys and completely uproot their life for mere rebounds. Third, time is abstract in-game and needs to be streamlined to fit game hours, so Judy and V aren’t as immediate as it appears. Between Ev’s death and then, there is an entire arc of the Clouds revolution that supposedly spans weeks, and Judy technically had an affection for V before that, so she has plenty of time to internally go over her feelings in-between. That interpretation implies Judy’s interest in V is reactionary, spontaneous and not organic.