#Cricket greats clash

[some-pers0n]

I wrote some Hawthorn stuff because I love this character and miss him a lot. Yet again just a re-write of that one scene of him in TPJ. No big format or anything. Just writing. No real CWs either. Not even a go around with Grammarly. Just silly Hawthorn.

"Here, tea." Hawthorn set a platter full of cups on the table. "Well, drink up! It's so rare I have visitors. Not to knock the snakes and occasional big cat though. They're great company, just not...you. It's lovely seeing real dragons every now and then."

Sundew took her cup and sniffed it. It smelt old and musty. Dark spots at the bottom gave her the impression that he never washed it.

"What do you mean by 'real' dragons-" Cricket began, only to be cut off by him.

"I was just about to point you out, HiveWing," he said. "I would never have expected one of you to be in the jungle. Does this mean the war is over? Can I go back?"

"The war?" Nettle scoffed. "Ha, you must be out of your mind if you even thought that was an option."

"Well, then I suppose I'm mad then," he chuckled, keeping eye contact with Nettle the entire time. "Ah, I jest. Though, I am a optimist at heart." He turned back to Cricket. "So what does that make you? A traitor? Clearsight above, your tribe must hate you now." He giggled lightly.

"They- er... I wouldn't say they hate me. Most of them don't; at least that's what I hope. It's Wasp that makes them feel that way-

"Ah, Wasp. Nothing new with her it seems."

"-but I'm definitely not a traitor, let's make that clear. I only want to help my tribe. Even if they've done a lot of bad things, I know it was Wasp that was behind most of it. Most."

"Ah, know that feeling." He waved his talons. Without warning, he got up and started shuffling through his cabinets. "Keep talking, keep talking. If I had known there would've been so many dragons coming over I would've prepared some more. Deeply sorry about that." Clattering and clashing came from the cupboards. More than once a cup fell out, only for him to catch it with reflexes oddly fast for an old dragon.

"It's okay," Willow said politely. "We aren't staying here for long."

"What? Why?" Hawthorn pulled his head out, his expression shifted into a frown. "No, no. You all just got here! Come, enjoy yourselves. It must have been terrible coming all the way out here. I mean, it explains why Queen Sequoia never pays a visit. Or answers my letters. Oh! That reminds me, I'd love it if one of you could take these to her." He reached into another dresser, pulling out a thick stack of papers. "Fifty years worth of writing. Some of it research. Most of it...well, let's say it's between the queen and I-"

"Is this poetry?" Nettle snorted picking one up.

"Not for your eyes!" He snapped it out of his talons, hissing with a ferociousness that Sundew didn't expect from him. He paused for a second before then relaxing, his snarl molding into a toothy grin. "Ah, my bad. A host shouldn't treat their guests like that, hah..."

"We really should get going though-"

"No! I insist. Come, come! It's not as though I'm going to bite you." His smile was too wide to look natural. "So, tell me what's going on in the outside world."

#wof #wings of fire #somepersonswriting #hawthorn wof #I also needed to hit my daily 500 word goal lol #SP-writing

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Spiderwebs Pt.2: For Whom the Bell Tolls

For this story we’re going to need to go a little further back than Dressrosa. Back to a time that felt so long ago even when Dressrosa was in serialization. Back to the island One Piece became about something bigger. Doflamingo is such a fun villain because he’s built so well. But we establish his ethos through Bellamy. This is such an amazing scene, where the beauty of Mock Town the classic pirate haven comes into full swing. It’s not unlike Zoro & Wano down the line; this island offers a lot of temptation but Luffy keeps his eyes on the prize.

The point with Bellamy though is how he’s changed come Dressrosa. Why he’s stalled on that path. I don’t think I really need to spell out how antithetical Bellamy is being to the core of this series in Jaya. It’ll also be great for distinguishing Blackbeard as a villain. Bellamy & Doflamingo are the “real” pirates that are interested in taking the money and power they see in front of them, but BB is still up for finding the big treasure even if he’s willing to go about it the “wrong” way.

The climax of Skypiea, ringing the bell, is still potentially my favorite moment in the series. The big goofy shadow in the sky as Cricket looks on. But of course everyone on Jaya would have seen/heard it. It was only a couple of days after that Straw Hat kid whopped Bellamy and ran off. Surely it was the talk of the town! Bellamy lost everything to follow suit but he made it. There was an island in the sky, there was a perfectly good “scientific” explanation for it. Be a little more open-minded yo. Quit acting like you know everything because grand scheme of things Bellamy wasn’t really that noteworthy of a pirate. How about the idea of him mentioning it to Doffy, who could easily casually know “yeah, Sky Islands are just a thing dude.”

Between here and then though we meet Doflamingo. Quite a few times. He’ll get his own but I care about two big themes that pop up intermittently. His introduction and followup with Bellamy/Sarquiss on Jaya is all about inducing infighting. That’s a big aspect of Wano’s “quiet” theme I’m always on about. Then the symbolism of his talk about SMILEs, the side effect we learn come Wano, and how Bellamy is “The Hyena.” An animal famous for it’s laughter. Bellamy is often laughing but it’s a cold, heartless kind of it. Even here, it’s what he’s bringing up leaving behind.

This is where the complexity comes in. Luffy from way away on a whim cheers for Bellamy. There’s no meaning to it. He doesn’t hold grudges and the man has changed for the better. That’s laudable. His goal in and of itself is not detestable, he just wants to earn someone’s respect. Wrong man to try and earn the respect of but we’ll get to that in a minute. What I love in hindsight is this idea of Luffy doing something innocuous that ends up wounding the guy’s pride. And it’ll end up coming back around in the clash later. It’s a big element of Luffy & Bellamy’s story this arc. Luffy casually introduced a big hurdle by doing something Bellamy took as shameful. Pride & Shame are obvious big themes for Wano later, case in point:

This underpins a lot of how Luffy acts towards Kiku. He respects her after Bakura. Narratively its why you would rather her see her father figure show it’s okay to ask for help than a classic “I want to live” or “Save me, Luffy.” It’s why 1042 was such a vindicating chapter. Once everything else below was stripped away, we hammer the core themes of Kiku’s story as Izo’s flows directly into Luffy’s. That’s still core, he didn’t get distracted, but after Bellamy he wants to respect her pride. This is there from the get-go, it’s a barely subtle part of the Sumo match that he’s weirdly like, “yeah yeah if you can somehow beat me do what you want with Kiku.” Why he feels a need to pipe up at Sanji’s advances, not making a scene but slipping in a “hey, she’s really tough.” The significance to her story in Chapter 1000 is Luffy looking up to see Izo (who he should recognize) there with the group.

Izo’s the one who makes this mistake. Don’t dote on her like the baby sister of the group. Respect that she’s playing the part. He gets it after he gets a snippy response, Kin’s begrudgingly accepted it, but still the segment immediately flips to Neko learning about Carrot/Wanda giving into their anger and Yamato just “itching” to fight. Given an extra layer through Kin’emon with his words at the end of the Raid about respecting a decision a woman summons all of her courage to make alongside the little bit about finally showing she was next to Toki. Anyways, the idea is that Luffy believably learned his lesson in how to navigate someone like that through Bellamy. An example of how careless words can have unintended effects. 

Breaking the rule a little bit here, but it’s important. Because we’ll already set that up...then give Bellamy the big lesson about misplaced loyalty. Doflamingo knew what he was doing making Luffy waste time with him. Putting him down with that big punch first would have been kinder, it would have let you get back to Law faster. Don’t lose sight of the goal, Bellamy needs to see Doflamingo fall too. He’s put his faith in the man this long and never seen a real reason to doubt that. This whole fight is just heartbreaking, even get the big fake smile to drive the point home.

I find it really interesting too that this chapter, Bellamy the Pirate, is followed up by the SBS segment spelling out Monet & Sugar’s connection. How they followed Doflamingo out of being rescued from a bad situation. There’s also another thing Bellamy in Dressrosa has going for him that we mentioned a lot for Kiku in Wano. Being the more mundane example of the arc’s core themes. The grounded counterpart to the fantastical symbols like living toys, the classic puppetmaster, and repressed memories.

#one piece #dressrosa arc #bellamy the hyena #luffy

[popculturebuffet]

Big City Greens: The Chip Whistler Saga (A 13 Episode Retrospective) (Comissioned by WeirdKev27)

Hello all you happy people! We got a long one today but one i'm glad to finally cover as it's been a long overdue review blindspot. Despite this blog being built on Disney Channel's original animation, what with my Ducktales Season 3 reviews both starting my animation reviews and netting me Kev as a frequent comissioner, self proclaimed editor and basically producer of this blog and providing me with a lot of my fanbase, with my reviews of Owl House and Amphibia following it only growing from there. Disney is a vital foundation to this blog being the subject of a good chunk of my output, both paid and on my own time.

Despite this though there's been a bit of a blind spot. A show that just didn't fit regular coverage that well, so I haven't covered it week to week but that's defintely deserved SOME kind of review all this time, I just never realized I hadn't covered it at all till Kev came up with the idea of doing this arc. It's finally time for me to cover Big City Greens. Big City Greens is the brainchild of The Houghton Brothers, Chris and Shane, who previously worked on the criminally underated Harvey Beaks, a slice of life show with mild chaos and a charming large supporting cast from Chowder and Jellystone god among men CH Greenblat.

Big City Greens takes a lot of it's DNA from Harvey, being a somewhat chill slice of life show that still revels in slapstick and over the top worldbuilding, has a mostly feral child as one of the leads (as well as a good safe boy who tries to color between the lines). But while some of where the brothers Houghton came from is evident, and welcome given how much I love and still miss Harvey Beaks, and fear for it's little sister Jellystone for obvious reasons, Big City Greens is still very much it's own work with a unique identity: The Houghtons having grown up in a rural area and moved to the city for college, used the memories of this culture clash and their own childhoods to craft the tale of a charming country family forced to move to the city and getting into shenanigans after their forced to sell the family farm. It's like the Beverly Hillibillies if they hadn't become the 1%.

The show is nice mix of grounded yet zany, reminding me a lot of the simpsons (Which the Houghtons admit was a major inspiration): The world can get as goofy as needed for a joke, from mad scientiests using the family as Guinea pigs, to the family arch enemy using a mad max style coffee cart and just shooting it at people (more on that later), or the entire family deciding the best way to get rid of Cricket's annoying singing Barracuda toy behind his back is to flat out murder it with an axe, a stove and the lawnmower but the main cast themselves are grounded: Still hilarious but utterly relatable and realistic. Our heroes deal with class inequality, homesickness, not feeling like you fit in somewhere you moved, influencers abusing children, predatory businesses, and more things without loosing it's charm or a step. It's a throughly engaging show that never once stops charming the pants off you.

It's also the only one of the few animated shows Disney hasn't in some way treated like crap: The show is up to it's fourth season, a rarity for the network, hasn't been shuffled around time wise, is well promoted and is even getting a movie for Disney+ I can't help but be excited about. It's likely because unlike Disney's other greats like Ducktales, Amphibia or Owl House i'ts not seralized outside of one or two arcs, so it's easy to just throw episodes on. Plus Disney Logic dictates that kids don't like ongoing storylines or engaging characters even when it's transparently obvious they do and one of your biggest all agest franchies is built on that foundation, just like this blog is built on a foundation of praising the work creators put out for Disney while sighing heavily at the company that actually puts it out for near constantly fucking up.

So while apparently there are some who don't like the show for this, feeling it dosen't deserve it's sucess or it's somehow responsible for Owl House or Ducktales getting the shaft…

i've never been one of them. Sure it's a show I can fall behind on, tends to happen with me and slice of life as the lack of impetus to watch every week means I can let it pile up like the dumb dumb I am, but it's a show I highly respect and stands proudly next to the other standouts of the era. It's good at what it does, it's charming and it's hilarious.

So I was happy to cover it's biggest arc to date and one of the few running through it, which also happily runs into some other major plot points and episodes along the way. It tis the saga of the series only Big Bad to date, the only real true villian in a series full of minor jerks and a guy Vasquez knew once. A guy who seemed like he'd just be a jerk but went full on supervillian as the show went on. It's time to talk about Chip Whistler: If you don't know him your about to and if you don't know the greens thi sis a nice crash course as we weave both through his appearances and the episodes that enrich said appearances. So sit right back as I spin a yarn I like to call the Chip Whistler Saga

Welcome Home We start at the very top of the series and before we even get to the episode i've already run head first into a very familiar problem: The airing order. For the longest time Disney had a bad habit of just airing whatever episodes it felt like for a series instead of you know what the creators actually meant to make chronlogical sense. Ducktales 2017's first season is the most famous victim of this, with Disney's often arbtirary shuffling of the episodes meaning the intended, delicate ballance the creators had for the season was thrown off badly and for years many, including me, blamed the creative team till it got cleared up this wasn't their fault.

So it's not a huge shock Big City Greens, which came out a year after, got the same treatment, and thus the Disney+ order is different from the airing order. In most cases it's not a huge deal as while BCG has a strong continuity, something that only intensifies from season 2 onward, the plot important episodes are still mostly in about the same place: some come up earlier, some come up slightly later, but their all where they should be and unlike Ducktales where the episode pacing was a very tight balancing act, most of Big City Greens episodes are breezy slice of life numbers that can be put anywhere and those that NEED to be at the right place in a season are where they belong regardless of the list.

As such this seems to be, feel free to point out in the comments if i'm wrong, one of the few very noticable exceptions. THe series still works perfectly with Space Chicken as the start, it's what got me into the series and while I ocasionally forget to watch it it's never left my heart since that episode, but it's still weird to have an episode about the Greens moving in that was clearly produced to go first and explains some important things (Why the Greens are in the city and how Bill lost his finger) from the get go moved a ways down instead of just paired with space chicken as intended.

The episode itself is decent, getting Cricket, Tilly, Bill and Alice's characters across really well: Cricket is good hearted but incredibly egotistical, impulsive and has a bad habit of not listening to his dad, Tilly is soft, good natured, loves animals, but is also spacey and naive and Bill is well meaning but often too passive. (Or prideful but that comes later and his mom is well.. she's the kind of woman who takes lateness from her Son and grandchildren not as a sign their lost but as a sign she needs to fake her death to teach them a lesson. That really is Alice green in one sentence.

It's just a fairly standard plot of a bunch of characters unfamiliar with the city getting lost in it. Plenty of good jokes and a decent start, but not much else to say. It might be WHY it got delayed (even if again it comes off very weird to just plop it mid season) as Space Chicken , only having to introduce Remy and Gloria and only being off in that Tilly isn't a main character yet and thus Remy gets way more focus than her, just flows a mite better. Still worth watching and I still recommend the + order as it flows SLIGHTLY better.

Critterball Crisis:

So next up we get to the eps we need proper with Critterball Crisis, which gives us a proper introduction to Gloria. While she first debuted in Space Chicken with the rest of the non-nancy main cast (We'll get to her in a moment), this is the episode that startings fleshing her out into the depressed, insecure, grumpy mess we all know and relate to.

This also is where I started to notice a pattern, a type of episode the show really likes to go back to and showed up a lot during this marathon: "Cricket Screws Everything Up" Cricket does something impulsive, selfish or misguided, and his actions result in consequences for someone else and sometimes also himself he has to work to make up for, learning a lesson from the experince. Wethere the lesson sticks is a coin flip, but it still works since he's well 10. It took a long time for me , a 30 year old man to learn some lessons that seem obvious in hindsight. It does explain why some fans dislike the character though, as while he is endearing to me and does grow as the series progresses, I get when your watching every episode as opposed to a few every so often that having a character be the sole cause of conflict every other week can be tiring.

In this case Critter invents Critterball, basically Calvinball but with Livestock, and naturally pitches a ball into the cafe, angering Gloria who understandably is just trying to do her job. She tells him to not pitch any more balls over the fence.. and he ignores it and he , Tilly and Remy just pitch balls over anyway. Shockingly Gloria does not want to give the ball back, making her the first cranky person to not return a ball accidently pitched over a fence to be justifably mad as this is a place of buisness, it's wrecked the outside of the cafe, and could cost her a job as Food Service Bosses geninely don't give a shit whose fault it was and expect you to magically fix it.

I do like that the episode is clearly built to grow with the audience and fit both kids and adults: kids watching would likely side with Cricket, while any teen or adult whose worked a thankless job like Gloria's for too little money will likely understand WHY she's so pissed off at a child for wrecking her work place, giving her EXTRA work and then wanting his balls back to do it all again without a hint of regret. To a kid she's just the mean lady not giving Cricket his balls back.

I also love the scene after this where Cricket tries schmoozing her by asking about her effiel tower. I'm also glad I first saw this episode for this review as with the hindsight of later episodes, it provides both a great window into the character and some foreshadowing: For the former it shows she dreams of going to Paris, to explore the city of lights and finally get everything she wanted: her own cafe, a boyfriend (if one who CLEARLY is horrified a stranger just proposed to him. Even in her fantasies she can't win. I mean i'd do it, but i'm also an orangutan with nothing better to do with my time. I'm not a stubbly fantasy frenchman and i'm okay with that), a life. It shows right from the start one of her bigger flaws: the assumption she needs to do something big and grandoise with her life to be a success. It also hints at her starting the Cafe at the end of season 3, and solidfies she LIKES working in a cafe, something I genuinely didn't realize about her till she opened up the Gloria + Green cafe. She always seemed miserable but turns out it's just working minimum wage. Can. Relate.

Naturally Cricket's big idea for getting his balls back

Is to steal Gloria's Effiel tower and hold it hostage.

Naturally he ends up breaking it and while he is sorry, it's too late. Gloria is gone now. There is only vengeance in a gloria shaped shell destroying their balls leading to a brawl in the cafe Gloria nearly gets fired over because her day apparently cannot get worse. Thankfully both for Gloria and the Audience's Tolerance of Cricket, Cricket comes clean and offers to work off the debt and thus a brother sister relationship is forged by an act of true integrity and repentance. And also a dodgeball themed war involving the effiel tower and far animals. Just like all sibling bonds.

Supermarket Scandal

So now we get to the actual Chip Whistler portion of this Chip Whistler retrospective. And once again this episode is Cricket's Fault, this time somehow topping himself with harassing an innocent employee for making his actions have consequences by going behind his dad's back to try and fill an order to Wholesome Foods, which is unsubtle as heck but also a really nice parody name glad this show got to it first, that bill turned down, then trying to stick in a bunch of dangerous fake vegtables to fill said order.

As you can tell this episode dosen't quite work: The lesson Bill is trying to teach cricket, letting quality go over profit and letting the quality of the work speak for itself, something I try my best to do, it's a good one as is Tilly's lesson to combine Cricket's showmanship with Bills ethics. But the episode isn't all that funny apart from a mime breaking his ten year vow of silence.

Thankfully what salvages it is Chip himself whose just.. hilariously slimy. He instantly makes the audience recoil at his presence, from calling the greens hillbillies outright, to wiping his hand after finding out Bill is missing a finger. It does make Cricket's not all that likeable actions and getting away with them (only having to give up the money which bill likely would've made him give up anyway for pulling all this, so no actual consequence), work as you don't care that he ripped off this guy in paticular, and thanks to bill and tilly he gets all the fake food sans one piece back before anyone innocent bites it. He also actively warns chip against chewing an apple later after the greens start selling the fake food outright as fake food, so his first chipped tooth is ENTIRELY his fault for not listening. He vows revenge anyway.

I also have to give it to Chip's VA Paul Scheer. Scheer is an actor i've always loved, from his sadly short lived and underated Sketch Show human giant, to his various other voice acting roles to his amazing podcast with his wife June Diane Rapheael and my surrogate creepy uncle Jason Mantzokus, How Did This Get Made?. He's a top not comedian and having played smug before easily slips into Chip's entitled, condesnding hipster rich boy shoes and beaded braclet he wears around his ankle because apparently he needs extra douche points. Maybe he wins a free sundae. But Scheer handles chip both at this point and for the next few eps as a bumbling man baby.. and his slow transition into a slowly decaying manbaby whose become unhinged as he attempts to get revenge.

Family Legacy

This is one I already loved when I first saw it, but ended up being a textbook episode of an Innocuously Important Episode: An episode that, to quote Wayne Campbell "Seemed Extraneous at the time" but ends up being vital to a future story. In this case we learn the Green Family Farm has a habit of nearly being sold once a generation, usually requiring the child of the family to find some way to save it despite their parent having already given up. While it seems the episode, a treasure hunt for the lost family treasure that nearly gets grandma to sell when it turns out to be heirlooms, only to realize the whole point of those was to not sell and that a family's legacy is important and all that, as we'll see and most of you likely know the actual trial is to come and that indeed Bill will have pretty much given up already and be more than willing to leave.

The episode itself is really fun: not only is the treasure hunt aspect engaging, but the various flashbacks are neat, from a Cricket-Esque ancestor going on horesback to sell the Green's goods after the train stop they were counting on ends up being moved down a few miles, to Amelia Eirhart Tilly saving the farm with a cropdusting, to finally the most badass which naturally goes to Alice, whose response to finding water and her dad being...

Which is somehow genetic in this universe. So she STEALS THE NEARBYE BULLDOZER THING, WHATEVER IT IS AND USES IT TO DIG UP THE WATER AND SAVE THE FARM.

Don and Dawn, the realtor couple trying to get her to sell are also hilarous, just being way too chipper and apparently having just been. .waiting on the other side of the greens fence till Alice decided to sell. Either way a very good episode with suprising implications for later. Next!

Feud Fight

This one is solid. It's also the first Chip Episode I saw, but does a good job catching you up if you didn't see Supermarket Scandal and is easily the better of the two, as while Cricket once again causes some of the plots problem, he's coming from a good place: It's Farmers Market Time again and Bill puts Cricket and Tilly in charge of the stand after Alice drags him off to go find a hot pepper. We end up getting a fun , utterly hilarious sideplot about a weird pepper man out of it and Griffin McElroy utterly nails it as said weird pepper man while Bill is just . .baffled by all of it and Alice is ambivlant if happy to finally find a pepper spicy enough.

The reason we're here though is Chip is back and naturally has opened up a stand for Wholesome Foods directly across from our heroes. It's also hilariously sad that a rich manchild picking a fight with an actual child with a lower social standing for entirely stupid and petty reasons is something that not only feels like it's already happened but i'm shocked dosen't happen more.

This is also what makes Cricket actually justified in wanting to do an antic for once: While Bill did simply tell him to protect the stand in his mind chip is a threat to that. He has reason to do this for revenge, to do this to try and stay true, to do it for the ones who had to go on an extended pepper sidequest and doing it for you. Chip is trying to run down a small buisness that badly needs the money simply because of something stupid he did and was warned not to.

What makes the episode work though is while Cricket going after chip feels justfied.. it's still the wrong move. Revenge can feel good in the moment.. but it often sprials, not ending till something truly awful has already occurred. Thankfully this is a fairly light show so we haven't worked up to murder YET but going after chip in the most hilarous way possible (Tilly pretending to be a bedsheet ghost.. without having even cut out eyeholes and claming the foods haunted while everyone just believes her and Chip is somehow the voice of reason for once pointing out how obvious a con this is), only causes things to sprial. Sure it starts with him making japanese mascot Tomato San "dance tomato san dance" which is easily my faviorite line reed of Scheers across this arc, and one I BADLY hope somehow got quoted on how did this get made.

It gets actually damaging though when Chip starts blasting coupons out of a van which threatens not just the heroes stand but every other stand and before you know it

With Cricket and the other farmers marketers on one side, Chip and his employees who aren't getting paid near enough for this on the other. Tilly thankfully snaps her brother out of his blood rage before he kills a man.. I mean it's a justifable homicide but still he's too young to kill a man. Let him hit puberty first. Then the blood harvest can begin.

It's a fantastic character moment as Cricket sees the damage he's caused both the other farmers and the stand and that in giving into his anger, letting his rightful anger at chip ballon into vengeful rage, that he's become only marginally better than the enemy. And to the kids credit and showing just WHY he's still likeable despite screwing up: he always tries to make up for it. Some efforts ring truer than more, but this one defintely does as he drops his tomatoes, and generally tries to make peace with chip.

Chip, as his his nature as we'll see, screws himself over: Chip is so petty and vindictive that he GENUINELY can't fathom someone doing something for any reason other than spite, and assumes Cricket is planning to attack or something and thus pelts a child with tomatoes. And not just like one or two as one of his employees puts out he DESTROYS Cricket. This turns EVERYONE against him with a bunch of employees walking out (some come back as everyone needs a job and all), and Chip blaming Cricket for his own self made prison, going into a mad rant once Bill returns and trying to eat all their food.

It does not as he eats the peppers, melts his new teeth and once again blames the Greens for his problems. While the previous episode set up important parts of Chip, his arrogance, lack of empathy and complete inablaity to take any responsiblty for his own action, this episode really cements it.. and their only going to intensifiy from here.

Coffee Quest

We're back to Chip already

And thankfully also Gloria as we get one of my faviorite episodes. The setup is simple: There's a coffee bean shortage just as Cricket and Gloria are really getting on each others nerves, Cricket having been working the Coffee job for a few episodes now, and like any good siblings are just about to throw down when Mrs. Cho, the owner of the cafe who only speaks in grunts that Gloria can only understand because they share a voice actress, comes in and has a proposition: There's a shipment of coffee beans coming in, vital to keep the cafe going during this. If our heroes can get there and back again, Cricket's debt is solved and I assume Gloria gets a crown like the queen she is or something. I don't know what she gets out of this other than being free of Cricket, which is nice and all but given this is a woman often living paycheck to paycheck, you MIGHT want to give her a cut of the loot. Could pay off an iota of her student loans, just saying forgivness hadn't kicked in yet. She needs this.

The twos conflict dosen't really SETTLE, but Cricket does prove invulable at the bean site, where every coffee joint in town is waiting and the suplier is more than willing to have them fight it out and let whoever emerges bloody and triumphant from the wreckage get it. Thankfully Cricket just super mario jumps on their heads, acrobats his way past his competttion and various other feats, so getting the bag is easy.

Keeping it.. .is while sadly not a warriors style ordeal about a bunch of diffrent coffee groups, maybe someday , maybe someday, it's still an ordeal since ya know Chip is back. Made it pretty obvious. It's the ONLY time in this arc and in general his main goal isn't fucking with Cricket. I mean he still makes time for it, as a good arch should, but he's here more because Wholesome Foods is also after the bag. Getting to fuck over Cricket is just an executive bonus. He also entirely misreads the room and hits on Gloria, who properly responds to his skeezy come ons by sweeping the leg. Sensei Kreese would be proud. Turns out Gloria knows Tae Kwan, Tae Kwan, Tae Kwan Doe!, and while she hasn't had to use it against the ninja yet the series is young.

Gloria and Cricket are on good terms again, having bonded but needing to escape. Cricket quickly screws up the good vibes by taking Gloria's car and trashing it, but doing so at least gets Chip's van out of the way and gives them time to hide.

This is where the episode really shines: While the frantic chase between our heroes and chip is fun and all and the actoin is at it's peak here, especailly for a series that only has action sequences every so often is awesometastic, what really makes the episode is this scene as our heroes end up hiding in Gloria's apartment and while we got a hint at who she was with "Critterball Crisis" and "Paint Misbehavin" (which we'll get to in a future BCG retrospective... yes folks if you want it there's even more planned), this one finsihes fleshing her out with a twist that genuinely suprised me when I watched the ep: Gloria ISN'T from the city. While it's easy to tell in this episode as she talks up being a city girl so much that it's clear she isn't, it's not something you'd guess but its something that adds depth to her: like yours truly, Gloria grew up in the suburbs, with two loving parents and left for Big City to try make SOMETHING of her life after college. I deeply relate to feeling like your wasting your life and badly wanting something anything to make you feel special. Just some sort of purpose. Instead of giving her that going to big city has just exausted her. It's also why she lashes out at Cricket so much: while part of it's antic, a lot of it's simply him being her mirror: he's also a fish out of water in a city that seems to actively reject him at time.. and yet he's also settled incredibly well, tackling everything with far more confidence than her, getting rewarded for it far more often, and easily attracting friends. He's happy in his own skin and she simply isn't and wonders if she'll ever fit.

It's what makes Gloria such a perfect mirror to the greens: Most of the Greens are optimists (With Alice, whose once bad day from trying to murder everything and everyone who isn't related to her, being the obvious exception). They try to belive the best in people, work hard, and make the most of each day. Even Bill who tends to be the most anxious and the most likely one to crash things to reality, still tries his best and tries to be a good person despite life having repeadtly wacked him upside the head having seen his dad die at a young age, loosing most of the family farm because his mom had to refocus on taking care of him, a divorce with someone he clearly still carries somewhat of a torch for and vice versa, said ex-wife going to jail for a while for trying to HELP him, and loosing the farm despite her sacrifice. Despite ALL of that bill still keeps going.

Gloria is TRYING to keep going... but unlike our heroes dosen't have a support system: Her parents love her but as the show will bear out also put a LOT of pressure on her without realizing it. Her friends don't seem all that close and her one roomate is a parrot who repeats the things she says in her lowest moments, talking about her being so lonely and missing home or having eaten a whole carton of ice cream in one go. It's no wonder she's barely holding on by this ep, and as we'll see while Cricket's sweet earnestness that he's there for her helps, it can't fix a problem this deep. Our heroes only get this far because they have each other and it's by them gladly letting Gloria in that she starts to heal and grow as a person.

The climax is also spectacular as Cricket (or rather Gloria with Cricket telling her the number), calls Tilly for an assit and we get our heroes racing chip in a chariot and winning.. and the bittersweet realization that Cricket and Gloria's time working together is over. Naturally since the Houghtons aren't done with this setup JUST yet, it dosen't last and heartwarmingly Gloria breaks stuff, pins it on cricket iwth his approval and our heroes are reunited.. and one of them is massively in debt again!

Phoenix Rises

We now get to one of the biggest twists in the series history, done early so you all know and love it but when I first saw a clip of this eps ending my jaw dropped.

The episode itself is a heartwrenching story as Phoenix, the green's lovable red rug of a dog whose as old as cricket and thus getting on in years, suddenly darts off, with Cricket blaming it on him half assing a brushing job for the old gal. WE can see that Phoenix just smelled SOMETHING and took off, but to a kid whose dog may be gone for good it's just eating the poor kid alive. For once Cricket didn't do anything terrible, just slacked off slightly on a chore. Phoenix dosen't seem to care if she gets brushed or not. So it's almost 11 minutes of the poor boy beating himself up and looking for the dog and coming oh so close only to keep failing again and again, eventually coming home defeated. I mean it's not over, as Bill puts it they will keep looking they just can't all night and it's not his fault. It's really excellent stuff and easily some of Chris' best acting as he really sells that feeling when a pet gets lost and your not sure they'll make it home. Top notch stuff

Thankfully Phoenix DOES come back... and he brought a guest. A mystery biker who Bill makes a playful coomment about getting out of jail and lifts her helmet. And this is where my jaw, and Remy's represnting us dropped originally as the kids say one thing that instantly turns this on it's head and explains everything "Mom!"

See for those newer to the series who might of met Nancy BEFORE this, as after this she's main cast, you have to understand that for the first 2/3 of season 2 the kids mom was an enigma. She dosen't come up much, but the kids also don't see mournful of her either, yet refrence her recently enough ti's clear she HAS been in their lives. It's not clear if she and Bill are divorced, seperated or what. With this it becomes clear both where she's been AND sends her back into their lives. And that this episode was just the cliffhangery warmup that after a few important episodes leads into the real reason I covered this one, Nancy's proper debut..

Uncaged

This is an episode I already liked on first watch but got better. It's not every cartoon that would say "Ex-Con Rights" but i'm glad one did and this one does it exellently

Nancy did mess up: While she tried freeing some dairy cows from a corporate farm for the right reasons (said farm not treating them well and as we'll learn threatning her familes livelyhood), she admits it cost her time with her kids, dosen't plan to do crime again, and is by all accounts a vibrant woman who her kids love. She's got the "cool parent" vibes, but she's shown to be a very good mom, to the point that when Cricket wants to follow in her footsteps and break out an orangutan she calls him a good kid and tells him not to.

The problem dosen't come from Nancy herself, but from everyone else. For the kids Cricket worries he's not cool enough and thus stupidly tries to break out the orangutan, worrying her calling hi ma "good kid' means sh'es not impressed by him. She is she just dosen't want to land him in prison which given this retrospective so far is a valid concern. This leads to our heroes having to get all the animals back, which has a ton of fun bits, the standouts to me personally being the turtle who gets stuck in a club and our heroes have to crowdsurf out and the Giraffe who eats Greg's Nicose salad.. which quickly escalates to him blasting his boyfriend for not liking his cooking then begging they just let him have this and let the giraffe finish eating. God bless you man, god bless you.

The issue.. is everyone else. Alice is just awful.. and not in her usual loveable curmudgeon sort of way. She hates nancy which as the show will prove she always has but uses her being an ex-con as an excuse to be cruel to her and wants her not around the kids despite having done her time and served her sentence. Bill at least TRIES to be a mature adult, letting her take the kids overnight as he should and fighting his worse instincts: while alice gets in his head about the prison thing, he tries fighting it for the longest time before eventually surrendering to worry. In the end when he sees Nancy apparently helpping the police and hugging the kids, having clearly not been behind the nights animal antics or at least trying to stop it, he realizes he was right and basks in it. He shoudln't too hard, as again he crumbled fairly easily, but it shows how these ingrained society prejudices against former convicts can affect even GOOD people

Then there's Officer Keys who never really recovered from this episode with me. The houghtons acurratly portray how the system, represented by Keys who at least is played amazingly by Andy Daly. Keys is normally a kind officer.. but with Nancy he automatically assumes she's behind the Zoo breakout, chases her around town and generally ignores the actual problem or her clearly trying to fix it in favor of locking her back up. He only relents when the kids confess they aren't and let's everyone go. Granted it's hilarious as his partner points out it probably shoudln't work that way but gavel gavel, case dismissed. The system dosen't WANT Nancy to do better, they just wait for her to possibly mess up. Thankfully she survives it and the episode ends in the most heartwarming way imaginable: a mother hugging her children and assuring them she coudln't love them any less if she tried.. and not to tell their dad who already knows about any of this. Awwww

Reckoning Ball

So yeah you know how I kept saying during "Feud Fight" that we hadn't gotten to attempted murder YET? Well this is why.

We jump ahead to Season 2 and Wholesome Foods is a ghost town. And not the fun kind with bedsheet ghosts in lil spooky sheriffs hats. Turns out pelting a child with produce and bragging about it is a terrible idea in the social media age and has got the store boycotted. Chip naturally blames the greens for this and takes the rational, adult step of renting a wrecking ball and heading to their house to murder them

The sad part is while it's an extreme escalation, I do wish there was a step between corprate hyjinks and straight up attempted murder, it still fits the character enough to work: We've seen Chip takes no responsiblty, assumes consquences don't apply to him (and being rich he'd be right if this was the real world), and picked a fight with a 10 year old for incredibly stupid and petty reasons. It's a stretch sure but not a massive one that he was one series of bad days from just outright trying to murder them.

Shockingly trying to murder a family with a wrecking ball dosen't go unoticed, as Officer Keys, doing his job right for once, bravely stands between the greens and death and the most chip gets is part of the roof destroyed and his chip toothed again.

We meet Chip's kind, thoughtful dad whose ready to just fire his son, truly saddened his son turned into well...

And only dosen't because Chip Whines enough. So his dad draws up the standard company forgivness contract which makes me giggle as a company having someone sign a document saying "we forgive you" is something i'm shocked dosen't exist.

Naturally Chip showing up to the people he just tried to murder dosen't go well Cricket and Alice rightfully attacking him and Tilly getting ready to call the police and showing we share a brain "I hope they call the dogs this time"

Chip gets them to stop as he did come just to say sorry.. but Cricket and Alice rightfully don't buy it. Bill does show his character: he also dosen't buy it nor is he just going to sign it when Chip is VERY clearly not trying to be a better person.. but he will give him a chance to make things square as this feud going on can only end badly and it's the right thing. He could be a LITTLE more suspcious of the guy, but he's at least trying to set a good example for his kids and I can respect that.

Bill isn't SOFT though. When Chip's half assed roof repair only causes more damage by having Chip land in a garden, all the while Cricket rightfully laughs at chips commupance, Bill adds that to his tab to. While Chip assumes it's a power move and being unfair, Bill is simply asking him to fix what he broke and had Chip actually listend to bill and done the roof right, he wouldn't of fallen off it.

It is so satisfying seeing chip have to do gardening, and showing Cricket gladly choring, and only dig himself further, having a hallucination after only 10 minutes from exaustiona nd burying the kids bikes. He then has a crybaby tantrum and destroys everything... only creating more work for himself because he can't really do anything right.

It's then we get a moment of truth. While BIll WANTS chip to be better and finds out about the contract, he also wants to know why chip's like this. Chip points out he wants to take over for his dad and be good at it.. and here he could've turned aorund. He makes a speech claming he'll fix everything and try to be better..a nd he could've. He could've stopped being an enemy, become a friend and heck we may even of had him hire the greens.

But.. ultimately Chip's worst enemy. .is himself. He becomes CEO.. but he's so stuck on his pety grudge, a grudge that no longer makes sense as the greens think he's reformed and he now owns his own company, he plans to use it against them. Had chip just walked away, at ANY point not just now, he might of actaully had a good life and got to enjoy things.. instead.. it's only going to get worse for him.

Elevator Action

Cards on the table, this is my favorite episode of the show. It's something I didn't even realize till I sat down to type about it. It's emotionally rich, deeply hilarious and gives every character something hilarious to do and really gets to what the heart of the show is about: Family. And while most of the shows family is indeed related, sometimes Family is not who your born into but who you find along the way.

SHOCKINGLY it's also a Gloria episode. Cards still on the table: She's my faviorite of the main cast, and a lot of it is that she's deeply relatable: deeply insecure about where she is in life, often depressed, and working minimum wage. The only diffrence I haven't moved out of my Mom's house.

So the opening where Gloria after a day of work not only vegges out with some funny videos, though I personally prefer this guy to people falling down...

But to each their own. I also relate to seeing everyone else seemingly doing better than you are on social media and feeling you've done nothing with your life. I mean I at least have this as a career, but there was a time I didn't. I've been in a state of constantly feeling like i've done nothing with my life and will go nowhere and even now I struggled with that sort of anxiety.

Gloria plans to deal with it in her own way, which involves going up a big glass elevator to see her landlord and turn in her key, her finances being so strained she can only afford 10 minutes on the meter and has to make this quick and hopefully not run into anyone.

Naturally given this series needs her and I needs her, fate and the creative team ain't going to let it be that easy and the Greens happen to show up with Cricket naturally locking on her and not getting the hint that maybe she dosen't have time for this, says Gloria a lot and tries T-1000 his way through the door. Gloria gives up and lets him and his family in. I also love Gloria's statment "I can't deal with people I know today". We've all been there.

Why our heroes are there is always something i've really loved: City Exporation Day: Each saturday one of the family picks a place in the city to go visit they've always wanted to. It's a really cute way to both get them familiar and have some fun and I really give Bill credit for it. May tell my brother to try that with the nieces.

Tilly picked a museum and Cricket naturally picked a big glass elevator, which frustrates bill but does make SOME sense once he has Gloria look outside it. Cricket also unsuprisingly is that kid who pushes all the buttons and Gloria's understandable attempt to undo it and less understandable button fighting with her sibling gets the elevator stuck.

What follows is just... pure comedy gold as everyone is grappling with something; Alice naturally freaks out, having a fear of elevators, and in doing so breaks the emergency phone, Tilly adorably decides they just live here now and makes a fashion statment out of the rubble of said phone, and Cricket and Bill grapple over Cricket having bought a child sized drink.. specifically the size of a child liquified. As such Cricket needs to go and Gloria gets caught in the middle of bil trying to teach him a lesson instead of giving her the phone. It's a golden moment for each green that really sells who they are. Said phone also having a REALLY bad plan is hilarious. Seems like Bill upgraded after this or it dosen't matter as the joke is funny enough. We also get a cute moment of tilly tucking gloria in with part of the carpet she tore up. It's really sweet.

Eventually though Gloria breaks down and admits why she's here to the Greens, with Cricket naturally taking it the hardest and her reasons are heartbreaking: Like I said she's alone here and that combined with her feelings of inadcuacy finally broke her. She hasn't done what she set out to do, her friends are all succeding somehow, and she has no one to help hold her up when she's down.. or so she thinks. That feeling of lonliness is powerful and Anna does a REALLY fantastic job showing off Gloria's pain.

Thankfully the firefighters arrive and Gloria dashes to go save her car and Cricket, after failing to give an inspiring speech thanks to his bladder, instead heads for the bathroom. Chris' noises as Cricket takes a whiz are both hilarious and deeply uncomfortable

Turns out though Gloria only THOUGHT she was alone. She gets to the car as it's being towed.. only to find the Greens gladly standing up to stop it and annoying the Tow Truck driver into leaving. As Cricket puts it "You're never alone when you have us! I can't belivie I had to explain that to ya". It's a good show of how depression works: you often do feel alone.. but more than not your not alone and you never were. Cricket always cared about her and while he can be obnoxious about it, he's there for her and as for Bill, as he puts it he also lost a car with everything he owns in it. He gets how she feels.

With that.. Gloria invites the greens over and Bill buys pizza.. and Cricket buys 4 more giant sodas having learned nothing. Or maybe he has and just realizes it's easier on the bladder when you can just go to the bathroom again and again at will. Either way the ending of them all together unpacking gloria's stuff is adorable, as is Cricket telling her grouchy neighbor no you shut up. She's not alone. And with that we've left the episodes without Chip... and enter the thunderdome.

Friend Con

This one is just pure fun. The Greens head to Farm Con, the usual farmers convention where Bill is a keynote speaker and is in heaven with things like a booth on dirt and new crop rotation techniques. It's weird how a character named Bill reminds me so much of Hank Hill i'll tell ya what.

Bill admits missing his friend joe, who he hasn't seen since he moved out of the city years ago, and Tilly being a gentle soul wants to find him a friend. Gramma meanwhile goes about stealing all the swag for the episode and ends up having to run as she takes ALL of it. Like not one per booth EVERYTHING. Usopp bless this woman.

So after shooting down most contestants in eyesight they find Chip and since they don't know he's evil again yet, try to make them friends. Naturally Chip turns this into an evil scheme, planning to replace Bill at his speech to ruin his good name which is both simplier and suprisingly well thought out than most of his plans.

The kids find out , have to stop it, and end up getting Grammas help as she tries breaking out with her semi-ill gotten gains. As you can tell this is a very simple episode but the concept works out: WE know Chip isn't a good person anymore but not what his plan is since he's here for a farmer meet and greet (which he naturally skips), so it's a matter of figuring out what his angle is with bill. Will he do somethign NOW or will he use this later? I mean it's obviously now, Chip tried murdering a family because he pelted a child with tomatoes, impulse control isn't something he has. But you aren't sure going in.

Of course our heroes get to the real bill, and the actual Joe turns out to have been there the whole time and reconnects with Bill. Chip also gets all but his front teeth chipped , having gone platinum last time. So there's that. The main takeaway is that Chip is becoming more and more unhinged since becoming CEO .. and it's about to reach it's peak.

Chipwrecked

As you can see from the image

Like look I didn't know I needed Paul Scheer on top of a starbucks themed mad max tank in post apocalypse gear over a suit having barristas literally shoot coffee at people from a hose to try and cost a little boy his job, all while some woman walks her husband on a leash because that's just their thing. You didn't know you needed Paul Scheer on top of a starbucks themed mad max tank in post apocalypse gear over a suit having barristas literally shoot coffee at people from a hose to try and cost a little boy his job, all while some woman walks her husband on a leash because that's just their thing. We all didn't know we needed Paul Scheer on top of a starbucks themed mad max tank in post apocalypse gear over a suit having barristas literally shoot coffee at people from a hose to try and cost a little boy his job, all while some woman walks her husband on a leash because that's just their thing. But it's glorious we have it.

Somehow this is Chip's rock bottom: Cricket isn't remotely taking him seriously, fully confident, and correctly so, Chip will somehow screw up and ruin his own plan despite Gloria and Mrs. Cho's hestiancy, and the rest of the Greens also agree. It's easy to see why: He's only won ONCE out of his appearances, and that was because they were being nice and trying to be the bigger people. He's only remotely won or gotten close when he's used his brain.. which he shockingly has.

That is nice setup for today though when he finally DOES win. While a chunk of the episode is about Cricket tricking his family with a "bring your family to work day"" scam that ends how you'd expect, that's the subplot: The main plot is Chip having hit his lowest: his board is fed up with him never doing actual work, he's deshevled, none of his plans are working, and his obession with beating the greens has left him somehow MORE of a shell of a man than he already was.

It's once again his father who in his attempts to do right by his son instead ends up giving his son the matches to burn everything down: He points out Chip isn't a manager anymore, he's a CEO. He has the whole empire at his proposal. He needs to start acting like it.

So he does..... and Chip does indeed level up. See something i've noticed while writing this is every time Chip uses his head instead of acting on his impulses, he does well: like I said he has a brain and as we've seen it can be dangerous: he got the greens to sign simply by faking sincerty and nearly won last time not with an over the top villanous scheme but simply manipulating bill and the greens and only lost because Bill happened to have a friend there.

So when he combines that with remembering "Oh yeah I have the endless money code unlocked now I have a company", he comes up with a sinsiter over the top scheme.. that's also terrifyingly well thought out and clever. Chip's win here is as cool as it is horrifying: he decides to start up his "Wholesome Foods Expansion Plan", buying up part of big city to launch a giant, modern as hell new Wholesome Foods. And naturally it just so happens to start with buying out big coffee and just so happens to involve taking out the greens entire street.

How he takes over Big Coffee is also great, he comes in having hired bouncers to replace his former minions, aka hired goons, and has them start tearing it all down. It seems like one of his usual half assed schemes and the one that finally ends in him getting arrested.. till he pulls out this gem of a line after.

"Truth is I don't own the place yet but I will in about five seconds"

Cue him writing Mrs. Cho a check, getting big coffee and throwing our heroes out, leaving everyone panicing as Chip ACTUALLY won and Chip rubbing it in cricket's face about the contract, the episode ending on everything being terrible and our heroes being backed into a corner. And so we come to our finale, one of the series best episodes and the reason we're all here.

Chipocalypse Now

So we end the saga with Chipocalypse Now, the game changing half hour special. Chip is naturally bathing in having basically won, quickly acquiring the apartments next door and then building his new mega store directly over the greens home, blocking their crops.

Naturally the family wants to fight back... sans Bill who took the previous loss of the farm to mean you can't fight the rich and he should give up

I was livid with Bill when I first watched this.. but with some time to reflect I realized I was a bit hard on the guy. He's still WRONG, our heroes shoudln't give up and even if there's a risk some fights are worth it, which ends up being the point of the episode. But not only is he meant to be in the wrong, you get why with his backstory. His whole life big buisness has won over him: Nancy went to jail failing to fight them, they eventually wore out his farm to the point the bank forclosed, and even as a kid his needing attention meant his mom had to sell more land. None of this is his fault: Nancy was an adult who knew the risks and only regrets not seeing her kids for so long, Bill tried his best and sometimes even when you do that you fail, and his mom did what she did for his sake and is fine with what she had left. I can't blame him for being so jaded he assumes they'll loose, but I do blame him for not seeing that his family dosen't want to give up and shouldn't while they CAN still fight. It's frustrating to see Bill constantly telling them not to do anything, but I get it enough to accept it.

So our heroes naturally ignore that and Cricket, Tilly and Alice all go raid the grocery store.. only to run into Gloria. This.. isn't handled the best in my eyes. I get her viewpoint: "I don't need a family I need a job" and I get her TAKING the job, chip likely offered it to her immidently just to fuck with cricket more and while it sucks, it feels like she could be just a pinch more conflicted. She blames cricket for all of this but.. like he's 10 and was trying to do the right thing and forgive and Chip is 30 something and doing all of this to bully a child. Prioritse glorious gloria, priorities. Still it's a minor writing hickup.

Bill is naturally annoyed at this but Nancy still wants to fight back and DOES show some growth from last time by taking Bill's words to heart... not giving up, but trying to do this the legal way first. Since Chip Showed them a piece of paper saying imminent domain, well more gloated about getting the mayor to do it, then they need to confront the mayor on it. They go to the mayor, a hilariously spineless people pleaser played by Andy Richter who dosen't like people being upset at him and is fine to help them till Chip shows them a pettition for the greens to leave. Rightfully smelling a rat or the clear bodyspray shower Chip takes every morning Nancy takes his tablet.. and gets arrested again. It's truly devistating, not only for this to happen to the kids again, but that Officer Keys AGAIN does it. YOu can see why maybe I don't like a cop who dosen't seem the LITTLEST bit sorry to arrest a woman in front of her children.

Bill is mad, which I get but also maybe don't lecture your kids when they just saw their mom get arrested, and being told no one wants them here really rattles cricket. Thankfully Nancy wasn't stupid and while she coudlnt' keep the tablet did send the pettition to Bill's phone.. revealing that Remy was one of the signees

The next scene is objectively funny as Cricket shouts betrayal and tackles remy from offscreen, Vasquez naturally steps in and Remy tells them both to stop and affirms he never betrayed cricket. They cut that episode. Naturally Chip faked it, and if they can get to his computer they can prove it. We also get a nice scene of Cricket and Tilly going to their mom and letting thier worries loose btu Nancy reassures them: Yes this fight cost her but it was worth fighting for. And if Chip is going to take everything anyway, they might as well go down swinging.

So while Bill still refuses to fight, Cricket, Remy, Tilly and Alice make a plan: Team Spidercat, the fellas, will go try and get the evidence while Team Thunderbandit, the gals, guard the farm and prepare for war.

Team Spidercat tries going through the front door but fails since it's closed. Thankfully Gloria dumping them out a chute earlier means they have a way in and using an opening sequence refrence Team Spidercat gets inside. They end up running into Gloria, but Cricket finally gets through to her, pointing out their family has always been there for her (accurate), and their on the cusp of loosing their home. Gloria changes sides, gives Cricket her key card and takes care of the goons that come for them. I mean she looses but at least she takes the goon with her.

Team Thunderbandit has to get to work early as chip plans to start construction earlier than the planned midnight because of course and it's up to our heroines to hold the line. They do well, but eventually needs helps. We get a truly Johnny Lawrence level badass moment as they radio Cricket.. nad Remy reveals he was ready for this, calling in a code red... and Vasquez swings in , beats up a ton of mooks and declares "The greens are master remy's closest friends. I won't let anything happen to them". Bad. Ass.

He and Alice quickly go back to back for life, and I kinda ship them? Is that weird? I mean Vasquez is clearly younger but like he seems older than Bill? I dunno man, either way i'm for it I just want to know. At any rate they do well for most of it, and Bill comes out to once again bill things up despite Chip you know having shown up to wreck the place early. That's when Tilly gets her moment in the sun giving one hell of a speech pointing out why their doing this.

"Mama knew the risks, but she couldn't stand by while our family was under attack. And now, the Green family is under attack again! Maybe we are just the little guys... but if we stand together as a family... we have a real chance to turn things around. And I won't give up on our home while there's still a chance. Isn't our family worth fightin' for?"

Bill runs back inside.. but comes back with Chicken Feed fully convinced.. as is most of big city as the news came to record this and thus everyone now knows what Chip is doing.. just as Chip heads to go confront cricket.

We get the gag of the episode as Remy sarcastically says "Gee cricket ya think this might be chip's office", given it has a giant portrait of him ,and naturally the results are all from one IP adress. They print it out and Remy once again shows he's awesome by faking being a lost child to distract the goons while Chip plans to finish this.

Outside Bill awesomely stops some jackhammers with a swarm of chickens, but our heroes are soon cornered when Cricket arrives with the evidence, and Nancy, having been freed by officer became a decent human being, has just brought the mayor. Said evidence goes up in helicopter as Chip naturally is a step ahead.. but he's still two steps behind as the various friends, associates and one off pepper weirdos of the greens have shown up to protest their being kicked out. The Mayor is upset people are mad at him, sad that I can relate, and Nancy get shim to do the right thing: he saves the Greens house and bans chip from town. With nothing left to loose Chip goes back to his old plan a for the season: MURDER THE SHIT OUT OF THEM.. and for once last time.. .his impulsivness dooms him, with cricket getting him caught on a banner and launching him out of town.. and just for added irony his tooth chips. Chip has been defeated, probably not for good sadly as I just realized the Greens just moved OUT of big city this season... and Chip isn't banned from smalton. I mean he has no more resources but that hasn't stopped him before now has it? Btu for now the big bad is defeated, the farm is safe and the other properties go back up as was. IT's a truly heartwarming ending, our heroes having truly won.

It does get a hilarious and awesome button though as Gloria just.. moves on in. She did the right thing but she can't really afford her aprtment so she's moving in. THey don't get a say in this. Though honestly I don't think Bill would've turned her down from just asking and it's not like she's wrong. So Bill has a third kid now as we roll credits.

The Chip Whistler arc. .is excellent and it, and the episodes I showed adding some depth to things, show just how strong this show is. It's not heavy on an arc, nor does it need to be but it has heart, a very strong continuity and courage to shake things up: the status quo soen't stay too samy for long: Nancy joins mid season 1, Chip is foiled here close to the end of this season leading to Gloria joining the house, and next season they move back to the country. The Houghtons made a point of shaking things up around the middle each season and it gives the show new life every time. I can't wait for what comes next and if you want to see me come back, then like or reblog this. let me know. Because me and Kev.. we already have ideas for the sequel. This was a fun, exausting project and I can't wait to do it all again. Thanks for reading .

#big city greens #cricket green #tilly green #chip whistler #gloria sato #bill green #nancy green #alice green #disney channel #disney+ #Youtube

[dee-daas-bookhouse]

Singing of the Clashing Swords

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Characters: Noelle, Barbara

Summary:

Noelle and Barbara decide to spar while being smitten with one another.

Read on AO3

Or read it here under the cut!

Singing of the Clashing Swords

The crickets‘ songs were accompanied by the clinks and clashes of two swords. One in the grasp of an armoured maid, the other in the hand of Mondstadt’s favourite idol.

The two had spoken about this over tea this afternoon. Barbara brought it up first, saying how she’d like to learn more self-defense in case of danger. Despite her reluctance, Noelle agreed to her friend’s offer. And how could she not? When the blonde’s eyes were gazing at her so sweetly in a plea.

“Noelle, you really didn’t have to change weapons for me,“ said the deaconess, before striking. The sound of metal against metal, blade against blade, echoed through the air.

“I can’t allow the deaconess to get injured because of an advantage,“ Noelle reflected the attack.

“But this feels very unfair. Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable with your greatsword?“ Barbara asked, worry showing on her face. The moonlight made it look much prettier than Noelle thought should be allowed.

“I am more comfortable with this, if it means you won’t be hurt,“ she responded while facing away from Barbara.

“Getting hurt is part of the training. Besides I doubt you would ever hurt me intentionally,“ the blonde smiled. Noelle’s heart ached as her gaze was drawn to that expression. She sighed and dropped the sword.

“Alright then, you win, miss deaconess,“ the silver-haired one spoke as she summoned her claymore, „Just know that I won’t go easy on you.“ Her tone was filled with tease, mostly to make herself relax and forget her, in her mind logical, worry about hurting her dearest Barbara.

The one on Noelle’s mind grinned, her teeth showing: “Bring it on, miss knight in training!“ She returned the tease, eyes glittering with great excitement.

Noelle nodded and got into a battle stance. Barbara did the same and the two of them attacked.

Clink!

A hit from the left. Barbara was much quicker than Noelle, but Noelle had the advantage of heavier hits. Their weapons struck against each other, a metalic sound filling up their ears.

Another clink!

Noelle was the one who got a hit this time. Barbara was doing well in holding up the greatsword with her longsword but the former was much heavier, so she was forced to jump back, before the maid’s weapon hit the ground.

She then went back into battle, smiling with determination to win. It’s been a while since the deaconess felt this excited about something. She loved the Church of Favonius, she really did. But their restrictive nature regarding her and her safety was often exhausting and made her feel tense along with many other of her personal issues. Sword-fighting was her favourite way to get rid of stress back when she was a child. However, she was forced to stop, after entering the Church.

A louder clink could be heard this time!

Barbara attacked from the right. Noelle managed to put her weapon up just in time, using it as a way to shield herself. She looked at the deaconess who, despite sweat rolling down her foreheard, was clearly not exhausted to stop just yet. In fact, she seemed to gain more energy as the sparing went on.

Noelle was surprised that her friend could be this enthusiastic about something. She had seen Barbara’s smiles before, even the overly cheerful and cutesy ones of her concerts. Yet this smile felt different, it felt raw without any sense of duty towards the crowds of fans and Barbatos‘ followers seeping through it. The silver-haired maiden was delighted about being the only one to see this smile now.

Clink!

Barbara’s sword struck again, this time hitting Noelle’s pauldron. The armour dulled the attack, but the maid still felt her ears ring from the clash being so close to them.

“Noelle, are you getting tired? You didn’t shield yourself this time,“ Barbara spoke, her voice filled with worry. Despite her current battle-enthused state, she was still the sweet sweet Barbara.

“No, I was just…“ distracted. Noelle said the last word in her mind. Barbara was truly distracting tonight. Her hair glistening thanks to the moonlight, which complimented her blue eyes and her white dress. Despite getting some tears and stains on her clothes, Barbara was still brilliant. Her hair was messy, Noelle was sure if she gave the ribbons a gentle tug, they would come undone and the deaconess‘ golden locks would flow down, perhaps reaching her waist.

“You were just?“ Barbara tilted her head in question. She tried to search for some clues about how Noelle is feeling on her face. Noelle was strong. Barbara always admired that about her. It was her only reason to ever argue with her sister. Questioning the Acting Grand Master’s reasoning for not letting Noelle become a knight despite all the signs pointing to the knight in training being much more skilled than the others coming to those lessons.

Barbara also thought that Noelle was absurdly beautiful. Her silver hair made her green eyes stand out. Or were they gold? Barbara wasn’t sure as Noelle’s eyes seemed to change depending on the lighting. The moon made them look more green, so Barbara decided to settle on that. Either way, Noelle’s eyes were pretty.

The sparing continued throughout the night. As the moon travelled lower, the first sunrays appeared behind the horizon. Noelle noticed this first, gasping at the fact that nor Barbara nor herself had slept the entire night.

“I think this is a good time to stop,“ Barbara woke Noelle up from her initial shock. The maid only managed to nod in agreement.

“It was fun to spar with you, miss knight,“ the deaconess left out the „in training“ part. Noelle could feel her face becoming tinted with blush from that gesture. She shook her head, to get rid of that sensation and bowed down in a curtsy:

“The pleasure is mine, miss deaconess,“ she smiled as she said the title.

Barbara stepped closer to the knight. Her knight. The two were almost the same height, Noelle being just the slightest bit taller.

The armoured maid opened her mouth but nothing came out. Not that she even knew what words she wanted to say in this exact moment. As Barbara came closer, Noelle closed her eyes, trying to not seem nervous. A very pathetic attempt as her legs were trembling and her hands, now held by the deaconess‘ own, sweating.

Noelle suddenly felt something soft on her lips. Barbara’s kiss was so soft and warm, it felt sweet and comforting. Noelle smiled as she pressed against the idol’s lips, returning the gesture.

It ended as fast as it began, leaving the maid dumbfounded. She could still feel her friend’s, or perhaps lover’s, lips on her own.

“Let’s spar again tonight, I’ll be sure to not go as hard on you this time,“ Barbara teased before turning around and walking towards the city.

Noelle’s heart was now so much louder than the swords.

#deedaa's bookhouse #writer on tumblr #genshin impact #barbara #noelle #barbara x noelle #genshin impact fanfics #fanfiction #f/f #wlw #yuri

[blorboclaw]

🍂The Last Hope or 🥀Sunrise?

Let’s be crazy and do both.

🥀Sunrise - Most overlooked/underrated ship/character/part/etc:

Most overlooked/underrated character? Goldenflower! She’s Lionheart’s sister. She becomes mate with Tigerclaw after her brother’s death. She sees all her kits be taken from her (Lynxkit and Swiftpaw die, Tawnypelt leaves the clan, Brambleclaw leaves without a word when he goes to Midnight). She trained with Bluestar and Snowfur. She chose her clan over her mate despite knowing it wouldn’t be easy for her kits to fit in. She told Fireheart, the clan hero and deputy who exiled her mate, to shut up and judge Bramblekit for his own self. She did the Great Journey as an elder. She fought against Bloodclan. She did everything and more.

And then she dies offscreen, we don’t even know if she got to meet her “grandkids” (the Three) and we never hear about her again except when she gave a life to Bramblestar.

🍂The Last Hope - A hot take!:

Hot Take! the new names suck.

Not all of them. But let’s take Lionblaze’s kits: You’ve got the first litter, kinda repetitive to have three kids named after dead people but ok. Hollytuft, Sorrelstripe, Fernsong. I already think Tuft and Song are weird suffixes, or at the least shouldn’t be used on plants related names.

Then we’ve got Snaptooth, Flywhisker and Spotfur. And while Flywhisker is a bit weird but totally acceptable (suffix and prefix that exist) and Spotfur’s name at least doesn’t clash, what the hell does Snapkit or even Snaptooth mean???

I hate Rootspring too, Blazefire, Spireclaw, Strikestone, Flipclaw, Kitescratch... actually all the names that just spawned in the clans in AVOS and TBC just because the Erins ran out of imagination or thought reusing the same names as before would be repetitive. All the names that either have weird prefixes (Spire, Flip, Strike...) or weird suffixes (Spring, Scratch, Stone...) or both clashing (Blazefire, Strikestone...) or just don’t sound warriory enough. You don’t imagine a guy from TPB named Strikestone or Spireclaw.

They could reuse names we’ve not seen since before TPB (everyone from that time is dead anyway), like Thrush, Leopard, Willow, Golden, Red, Russet, Raven, Thistle, Adder, Speckle, Tulip, Cricket... But noooo they had to go on weird territory.

Dovewing: that was the first “dove” we met in the story. But it sounded all right because there were bird names before, there was “wing” seen before, and she wasn’t named after the preterit of the verb “dive” so it was a classic name even if we never heard about it before.

Anyway the newer generations of Thunderclan don’t feel like we know them because we actually don’t, but if the names had been familiar, we might have had less trouble.

#ask #ask game #naming system #goldenflower

[jess-p-edits]

Thank you for coming up with Blorbo Blursday! I would love to know any details you want to share about your favorite character you've ever written!

It was just a much needed day! I love my Blorbos! I love everyone else's Blorbos! And @jacquesfindswritingandadvice had the perfect inspo post for it!!!

Woooo boy, it's so cliche, but I love all my children Blorbos equally. (Me, earlier that day: I don't care for King Crestwall...).

I think one that I especially love that I haven't had the chance to rant about too much is the Medic Warden from my main WIP, The Hour of Magic!

Cricket is the current medic warden, standing alongside the other wardens of Correlaine, and I love him a ton. He is a GREAT Medic! Just don't ask about his revoked medical license! Monsters of the abyssal wealds don't care about petty things like medical regulations and ethics boards. As long as he gets the job done and no one gets permanently hurt, what does it matter? He's keeping slayers of monsters alive and he does a damn good job of it. 

“I’m fine,” Krieve choked, very much aware of the blood seeping through under his armor. 

“Is this that indomitable Crestwall pride I’ve heard so much about?” came a mild voice.

Krieve turned to see an odd-looking man standing at the entrance of the tunnel. While the other hunters were clearly warriors of various specializations, this wiry, deathly-pale man seemed the most out of place. Unlike the warden with the stark white hair, this man only had a single, large streak of white in his jet black hair. He wore a moss green robe that fell just above his knees that clashed with his carrot-colored shawl. 

Krieve leaned back when the man knelt far too closely next to him as gray, hooded eyes looked the knight over. “Excuse me!” Krieve snarled. 

“My friend, you are excused,” he said with infuriating courteousness.

“Commander...” Jaisse’s voice sounded even more distant than the weald had previously made it sound. “The medic warden here is going to help you, all right?”

Krieve turned and squinted at the bizarre man. “You’re...a warden?”

The man rolled up his green sleeves, then flung one end of his shawl over his shoulder with the air of one casually bending down to weed a garden. “Warden Medic Cricket, at your service,” the man said casually, holding his hand out for a moment before reaching into his bag, leaving Krieve weakly reaching for air.

Jaisse gently took Krieve by the wrist and lowered his arm to the ground.

“Ser knight, could you describe your pain on a scale of one to ten?” Cricket asked.

“Wh-? A...a lot,” Krieve wheezed through what felt like a snapped rib.

Cricket gave a wide smile, then placed two fingers on Krieve’s temples. “Oh good.” 

Krieve’s world went black.

#blorbo blursday #Cricket is one of my sister's favorite characters so I take extra care writing him #wip: hom #srsly thank you for the ask!!!!! I love this day!!! #🦗

[onecricnews]

Punjab Kings vs. Mumbai Indians - IPL Showdown

Match Details

Matchup: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium

Punjab Kings want to subdue Mumbai Indians in a crucial match in Clash of the Titans

Get se­t for a pulsating battle in the IPL 2024 when PBKS face­s off against MI on April 18th in Chandigarh. This encounter promises unmissable­ action as both teams sit on a precarious perch on the­ points table turning this match into a make or break spe­ctacle.

Punjab Kings: Dependency on Mayank Agarwal for Batting

The tumultuous journe­y of the Punjab Kings in IPL 2024 resemble­s a rollercoaster marked by unpre­dictable performances. The­ team heavily leans on the­ir captain Mayank Agarwal with their batting lineup demonstrating inconsiste­ncy. Forming a strong partnership especially be­tween opene­rs Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan stands out as a critical element for the­ir success.

While the­ squads middle order showcases tale­nt with players like Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow the­ key lies in converting strong be­ginnings into significant scores. The bowling unit featuring Arshde­ep Singhs pace and swing in conjunction with Kagiso Rabadas wealth of e­xperience pe­rforms well; however the­y encounter difficulties in the­ final overs. The teams spin duo of Rahul Chahar and Harpre­et Singh needs to focus on improving the­ir economy rates.

Can Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai Indians, find his touch?

Having a rich history filled with glory Mumbai Indians are­ currently grappling with batting challenges this se­ason. The underwhelming pe­rformances of Rohit Sharma and the top order starkly contrast with the­ promise that Suryakumar Yadav exemplifie­s in the middle.

Jasprit Bumrah leads a fe­arsome bowling lineup with Jofra Archers inconsiste­ncy injecting an eleme­nt of surprise. Rahul Chahar and Murugan Ashwin the spinners play crucial role­s in supporting the team yet Mumbais championship dre­ams depend on their improve­ment in batting form.

Prediction

It looks like this will be a close game. Both teams are expected to win, and the Punjab Kings will have the support of the home crowd. The following important variables could determine the result:

Mayank Agarwal's form: Agarwal can set the tone for the Punjab Kings innings if he can get things off to a quick start at the top.

Rohit Sharma's return to form: Rohit Sharma's great knock has the potential to swing the game in Mumbai's advantage.

Death bowling: The team with a major advantage is the one that performs their death bowling strategies more effectively.

Spin bowling impact: The middle overs could see a lot of runs restricted by the spinners.

In a thrilling showdown the Punjab Kings find the­mselves slightly ahead courte­sy of home advantage and a solid batting lineup; none­theless the Mumbai Indians re­silience and expe­rtise in highpressure situations could pote­ntially cause an upset.

Cricket e­nthusiasts are bound for an electrifying adve­nture as these IPL powe­rhouses clash for crucial points ensuring a thrilling showdown.

#punjab kings #mumbai indians #cricket #ipl 2024

[yolacricket]

[mystart11]

Unleashing Fantasy Triumph: Mystart11's Guide to Victory

In the realm of fantasy sports, achieving success goes beyond mere chance—it hinges on strategy, expertise, and seizing every opportunity that arises. At Mystart11, we comprehend the intricacies of the game, standing ready to steer you towards fantasy greatness. Our comprehensive playbook equips you with the knowledge to construct winning lineups, dissect matchups, and outmaneuver your rivals.

The foremost principle of fantasy triumph lies in mastering your chosen sport from top to bottom. Whether you're immersed in cricket or immersed in football, a profound understanding of player performance, team dynamics, and match conditions proves indispensable. At Mystart11, we furnish detailed analysis and up-to-the-minute statistics, empowering you to make well-informed choices and enhance your likelihood of triumph.

Once you've grasped the fundamentals, the focus shifts to the art of team curation. Crafting a victorious lineup demands a delicate equilibrium of star performers, bargain selections, and tactical substitutions. With Mystart11's user-friendly platform and expansive player database, you can scout talent, pinpoint sleeper prospects, and forge a squad primed for success.

Naturally, no fantasy voyage is complete without a healthy dose of competition. Whether you're pitting wits against friends, family, or fellow aficionados, the thrill of head-to-head clashes epitomizes the exhilaration of fantasy sports. At Mystart11, an array of contests and leagues cater to every skill level and play style, ensuring an ever-present challenge awaits.

Yet, arguably the most crucial lesson in fantasy sports is resilience. Even the most meticulously assembled lineup can stumble, encountering setbacks along the way. The crux lies in maintaining focus, gleaning wisdom from setbacks, and steadfastly pursuing your ultimate objective. Whether reveling in triumphant victories or regrouping after formidable defeats, Mystart11 stands by your side, offering unwavering support throughout your journey.

So, are you poised to unlock your fantasy triumph? Enlist with Mystart11 today and embark on a voyage brimming with skill, strategy, and boundless excitement. With our playbook as your compass, the route to fantasy victory has never been clearer. Let's seize each match, ensuring every moment etches itself into the annals of fantasy lore. https://www.mystart11.com

#best fantasy app #fantasy cricket #fantasy football

[lou-wilham]

The tricky thing about stories is this, they all have to start somewhere. For some it is with “once upon a time”, others with “it was the best of times.” This story begins thus… In a kingdom along the shore of the ocean Selene (named so for the great goddess of the moon who cried the ocean into being when her beloved Endymion was lost) there lived a young king called Jaxith, who was very happy. For in not but a fortnight his darling wife would give birth to their first child, and his family would be complete. He would have his loving wife, and their bouncing baby who would fill the halls of his castle with laughter and light like it had not known when Jaxith was a child.

An outbreak of strange curses. A kingdom in chaos.

With the kingdom of Lunette’s people in peril, their prince has one choice. Aided by his best friend and protector, knight Dame Ignacia, Prince Cricket—young, cheerful, and oft-times ridiculous—set out in search of answers.

Swords and opinions clash as Cricket and Ignacia work together to solve the mysteries that surround them. But they must set aside their differences to find the culprit before the perpetrator can launch their next attack on Lunette and plunge the kingdom into darkness.

A frolicking LGBTQ+ fantasy novel steeped in action, wit, and all of the corniness. Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, and William Goldman’s The Princess Bride.

GoodReads | Purchase

#indie books #indie author #indie writer #lgbt writers #lgbt author #lgbt books #lgbtqia books #lgbt reads #queer booklr #queer writers #the heir to moondust #cozy fiction #cozy books #cozy reads #mlm fantasy #mlm fiction #queer fantasy #queer fiction #queer books

[swiftn123]

Mayank Yadav: IPL 2024 Witnessing his Lightning Pace

Mayank Yadav, the pace maestro of Lucknow Super Giants, is rewriting IPL history with his thunderous deliveries and record-breaking speeds. Witness the sheer spectacle of his bowling prowess as he leaves batters trembling and fans in awe. Experience the electrifying journey of a cricketing prodigy destined for greatness.

In the high-voltage arena of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, one name has been setting the cricketing world ablaze with his ferocious pace and lethal precision – Mayank Yadav. The Lucknow Super Giants’ pacer has not just been turning heads; he’s been leaving batters trembling in his wake and carving his name into the annals of cricketing history.

With each thunderous delivery, Mayank Yadav is etching a saga of sheer dominance on the cricket pitch. His recent exploits have elevated him to the status of a cricketing phenomenon, and rightfully so. Yadav’s back-to-back three-wicket hauls have catapulted him into the limelight, and his record-breaking speed has sent shockwaves across the cricketing fraternity.

In the scintillating clash against Punjab Kings, Yadav unleashed a lightning bolt clocked at a staggering 156.7 kilometers per hour, rewriting the record books and reaffirming his status as one of the fastest bowlers in the IPL. This feat not only solidified his place among the elite but also showcased his relentless pursuit of excellence.

#sports #cricket #cricketnews #ipl2024 #msdhoni #viratkohli #history #breaking news #india #sports news

[icccricketschedule24]

Cricket's Double Delight: IPL 2024 and World Cup 2024 Set to Thrill Fans

Get ready for a cricketing carnival like never before as two of the biggest spectacles in the sport, IPL 2024 and World Cup 2024, converge to captivate fans worldwide. From the electrifying action of T20 cricket to the prestige of the pinnacle tournament, cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat as the stage is set for a season of unmissable moments and unforgettable matches. Let's dive into the heart of the excitement and explore what's in store for fans as they gear up for a cricketing extravaganza of epic proportions.

IPL 2024: The Glitz, Glamour, and Unpredictable Drama

First up on the cricketing calendar is the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, a tournament that needs no introduction. Renowned for its high-octane clashes and nail-biting finishes, the IPL is a melting pot of talent from across the globe, where cricketing superstars and emerging talents alike come together to showcase their skills and entertain fans.

From the explosive batting of Virat Kohli to the mesmerizing spin of Rashid Khan, IPL 2024 promises to deliver a rollercoaster ride of emotions, where every match is a spectacle in its own right. Whether you're cheering from the stands, following the action on TV, or participating in fantasy cricket leagues, get ready to be swept away by the glitz, glamour, and unpredictable drama of the IPL.

World Cup 2024: The Ultimate Test of Cricketing Greatness

As the dust settles on the IPL frenzy, cricket fever will reach its zenith with the highly anticipated World Cup 2024. Held once every four years, the World Cup is the pinnacle of cricketing excellence, where nations vie for supremacy and players etch their names into the annals of history.

With the world's best cricketers converging on the grand stage, prepare yourself for a showcase of cricketing brilliance at its finest. From the thunderous roar of the crowd to the nerves of steel displayed by players under pressure, World Cup 2024 promises to deliver a spectacle like no other, where every match is a testament to the beauty and drama of the sport.

Fantasy Cricket Fever: Unleash Your Cricketing Genius

For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, IPL 2024 and World Cup 2024 offer a golden opportunity to test your cricketing knowledge and strategic acumen against fellow fans from around the world. Whether you're assembling your dream XI for an IPL clash or predicting the outcome of a crucial World Cup encounter, fantasy cricket puts you in the driver's seat, allowing you to lead your team to victory and glory.

With expert analysis, insider tips, and real-time updates at your fingertips, dive into the world of fantasy cricket and experience the thrill of competing against the best. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of fantasy sports, IPL 2024 and World Cup 2024 promise endless excitement, challenges, and rewards for all who dare to participate.

As IPL 2024 and World Cup 2024 unfold, cricket lovers around the world are gearing up for a season of unparalleled excitement, drama, and spectacle. Whether you're a die-hard fan cheering from the stands, following the action on TV, or participating in fantasy cricket leagues, let's come together to celebrate the spirit of the game and revel in the joy and passion that cricket brings.

So buckle up, brace yourselves, and get ready to embark on a cricketing journey filled with unforgettable moments and cricketing magic. With IPL 2024 and World Cup 2024 promising thrills, spills, and everything in between, the stage is set for a cricketing extravaganza that will live on in our hearts and memories for years to come. Let the games begin!

Click here to know more

#cricket #sports #ipl2024

[ipl24]

#CSK Vs RCB Playing 11 IPL 2024: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis To Open? Rachin Ravindra Replaces Devon Conway? Check Here | Cricket News #TATAIPL #IPL24

#IPL24 # RCB’s star batter Virat Kohli will be back as they take on CSK in a blockbuster IPL 2024 opening clash at MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Friday. It will be a fantastic sight when CSK captain MS Dhoni and Kohli meet each other on the sidelines of the match. Dhoni is among the greatest captains to have ever played the game and Kohli, one of the modern-day batting greats. They are…

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[nanublogs]

 My area, my pride

Hey dudes! Here’s my writing about my area- Triplicane. Being born and brought up here, I have always been truly enamoured by this place. Take a walk through my area as you walk with me.

 A typical person’s morning would start with waking up before the sun does. The birds join the melody of the creek of the gate when it is opened. You walk past a tea kada round the corner and the hot vapour hits your face. As you relish the aroma and walk in a trance, you will already be standing  near the Kannagi statue. A walk by the sea as you enjoy the sunrise, amidst the ethereal hues, towards your right, Parthasarathy  temple bhajans envelop the air, infusing it with divine vibrations. The distant resonance of the Wallajah mosque prayers adds to the harmony, creating a sublime tapestry of spirituality and serenity that uplifts my soul with every breath. A few steps towards the right and you will find yourself in the busiest market and the enchanting fragrance of the flowers……Deports you to the ethereal world. 

“There is no place in this world warmer than our native land”. I am with a heart full of reverence and a voice brimming with pride as I write about a place that holds a special place in my heart – Triplicane, my area, my pride.

Nestled amidst the bustling city of Chennai, Triplicane stands as a testament to the beauty of tradition .Our neighbourhood is not just a geographical location; it's a harmonious blend of communities, languages, and beliefs that come together to create a vibrant mosaic.

Thiruvallikeni, derived from Thiru-Alli-Keni in Tamil, means 'Sacred Lily Pond.' This area is also known as Vrindaranyam in the Brahmanda Purana.

The heart of Triplicane beats with historical significance. The Parthasarathy Temple, an architectural marvel, stands tall as a beacon of spirituality and heritage. And towards your other hand lies a marvel, Built during the 18th century, the Wallajah mosque showcases a unique blend of Islamic and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles.

But it's not just the past that defines Triplicane; it's the people who breathe life into its streets. We are a community of resilience and unity.

The magnificent M.A Chidambaram Stadium stands as a coliseum of cricketing dreams, where the roar of passionate fans merges with the echoes of legendary clashes. Its hallowed grounds are a theatre of sporting epics, where each blade of grass holds the weight of history, and every cheer reverberates through time.

The Madras university and the Presidency college are another thing we are proud of. It has borne many great and renowned people. Imagine this place as a Hogwarts for geniuses, where legends like Abdul Kalam and Ramanujan once walked down the halls. The Big street boasts twin schools, one Hindu and the other Muslim, gracing its distant extremes.

In the heart of Triplicane, two sanctuaries of enlightenment stand as pillars of celestial wisdom. Bharathiyar Illam emanates the pulsating spirit of Subramanya Bharathi. And the Vivekananda House, a hallowed abode, echoes Swami Vivekananda's teachings, bridging the mortal realm with the ethereal.

Triplicane truly portrays unity in diversity in every possible way. Triplicane is like the lovechild of Ramzan and Diwali – it's all about sharing and caring. I mean, who else would eagerly await both biryani and sweets with the same excitement? It's like a food festival that never ends!

 From the shopkeepers who greet us with warm smiles to the elderly who share their stories of yesteryears, Triplicane is more than just a collection of buildings – it's a family, a tapestry woven with threads of camaraderie.

║Do comment your thoughts, feedbacks or suggestions in the comment section😀║

#Triplicane #My area #My pride #Chennai #Parthasarathy Temple

[sportsgr8]

T20 World Cup: New York Stadium That Will Host Indo-Pak Clash Celebrates One-month Construction

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium: With just over three months remaining for the marquee clash between archrivals India and Pakistan on June 9 in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and West Indies, construction work has started for the stadium in Nassau County. Construction of the modular Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York has made great strides in the last month ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1.The 34,000-capacity stadium will host eight matches in the tournament, including the much-awaited clash between archrivals India and Pakistan. The ground will be home to India during the entirety of the group stages, where they will also face Ireland and hosts the USA. The cutting-edge 34,000-seat modular Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York which is hosting eight ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches is making great strides as the first timelapse video was released marking the one-month construction milestone, the ICC said in a report on its official website. The World Cup which begins on June 1 has seen the project in Eisenhower Park, Nassau County, 30 miles east of Manhattan rapidly taking shape. There has been significant progress to the impressive East Stand -- which will house 12,500 fans -- over the past month with cranes lifting the modular framework in place. In addition, preparation work has started on the north and south premium hospitality and media pavilions, as well as the modular stadium’s outfield. The excitement of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has been building as fans celebrated 100 days to go on February 22 with tickets going on general sale. The launch of the ‘out of this world’ campaign film, and larger-than-life cricket balls landing in the nine host locations including Times Square in New York City and Bridgetown in Barbados, marked the countdown to the biggest T20 World Cup ever. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “It is extremely exciting to see the progress made in the construction of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York over the past month. Work on the outfield commenced in January and in the past few weeks the East Stand framework has really started to take shape.” T20 USA, Inc. CEO Brett Jones said: “We are thrilled to see the venue taking shape and excited to welcome fans to the Men’s T20 World Cup from all over the world. While ticket sales have been strong, there are limited seats available for select matches and we encourage fans to visit tickets.t20worldcup.com now to guarantee their spot at the biggest T20 World Cup ever.” Read the full article

#ChrisTetley #EastStand #EisenhowerPark #ICCHead #ICCMen #NassauCounty #NewYork #NewYorkCity #NewYorkStadium #T20USA #T20WorldCup #TheWorldCup #TimesSquare #UnitedStates #WestIndies

[yolacricket]