There really isn’t enough talk about Toad’s Adventure being an amazing fucking episode for James as a character so here we go I’m doing it.
“Thank you very much, sir!” “Call me James.”
This is so fucking important- This whole time Toad acts like he’s a second class citizen, some simple sidekick. Toad calls everyone Mister and sir to be subservient, putting them on a level above himself. But James levels with him, insisting on him just calling him James. He doesn’t want his ego stroked this time. THAT’S SO CUTE WHAT!?
“Actually Oliver, I think you should ask Toad about the adventure he had today.”
Even more important than that, James shows profound empathy here. Toad never had to tell him that he doesn’t feel listened to, doesn’t get to have his own story to tell. He picked it up on his own, especially after the way he treated him himself.
And here’s the fucking kicker. James leaves right after to let TOAD tell the story without him. Not only does he relinquish any and all claim of the spotlight he might have had, but he also gives up control of the narrative. He can’t make himself look good, can’t hide his mistakes. He willingly gives up ‘looking good’ and embraces most likely being painted as the party at fault. None of that matters to him- he wanted Toad to have his moment in the sun. Because HE was the hero of this story, not him.
It’s so fucking profound and wonderful, and speaks volumes of James as a character. More than just praising Toad for his work, he stands up for him and encourages him to have his MomentTM. That’s so fucking good. He’s a GOOD BOY. And more empathetic than people give him credit for. He has a big heart.
Other than that, it was just a really good episode! James and Toad were super funny, and I’m weak for James taking the hill at a dead out run. Very cool very impressive what a noble powerful creature. :]
Hehehe smol. <3
“You? What’s so special about you?” WHEEZE eat shit you’re about to get fucked up by a stick Mr. I Never Have Accidents.
Side note: James looking down at Toad’s brakes when he says they’re strong. What, you suddenly the expert on brakes now, James? Hmm? Stupid cunt <3 Shut up and take the brakevan.
“Oomf!” HAHAHA CRUNCH GOES THE KARMA STICK SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP (affectionate).
And then there was trouble. Poor Toad getting roped into James’ comeuppance. BUT! What I love about the whole affair is James comes running back down the hill, and is immediately taking the blame. “I’m sorry Thomas, I lost my train on the hill!” The way he words it is important, already taking ownership. Straight away he’s trying to make sure everyone is alright, very sincerely concerned and mournful for the trouble he’s caused. Sweetheart!
James very clearly still sure it was his fault regardless of what Toad said and WOW does he feel bad about it. He’s not used to not getting chewed out when he fucks up. ^^^^^^^^
Patting himself on the back for his character growth. Maybe he’ll even get a biscuit. That’s the face of an engine on his way to get a biscuit.
I’ve occasionally mentioned the delicious little Parmesan Biscuits from “Savouries a la Mode” (1897) by Mrs de Salis.
A couple of days ago I saw another recipe (full-article link) this time involving caraway seeds, @dduane gave it a try yesterday afternoon, and it was highly successful!
Here’s the recipe-only link; it’s meant to produce about 20 biscuits.
Using a smaller cutter for better comparison with the de Salis version made about 50; here they are, including cooled triple-stacks at the rear right but excluding a few which had to be sampled in case something had gone wrong. (That’s our excuse anyway...)
The recipe also says “best eaten warm”; yes for a softer texture, however we found that leaving them to cool completely keeps that soft crumble in the middle while developing a pleasing crunch round the edges. I’d also suggest letting them get cold before putting them in the obligatory airtight container; warm might cause soggy, and that would never do.
Some puffed up a little more than others; they stayed softer, too. NB, since not everyone likes caraway (my Dad was one) try using coarse-ground or mortar-cracked black peppercorns.
I have a feeling - to be acted on really soon - that this recipe will lend itself to tweaking: substitute the caraway with whole cumin-seeds toasted in a dry pan, grated Cheddar and a spoonful of favourite chili-con-carne mix or trusted curry powder. I intend to try making both. :-D
And, since I mentioned Mrs de Salis at the beginning, here’s her recipe.
Adding more cayenne or even hot chilli powder does no harm; for one thing all that cheese, egg and butter seem to blunt the burn, and for another these are tiny one-bite biscuits meant to accompany a little drinkie, so the succession of diminutive spicy explosions work really well.
Do you know when you’re cozy and comfy in bed and you start rubbing your feet or your legs back-and-forth and it feels really good and you’re just super content? I wonder if that’s the human equivalent of making biscuits.
At Marlinspike Hall, Nestor is not the only one whobuses the kitchen. Haddock is often find of fixing himself something to each when he's bored, and Calculus s been known to sneak a cheese or five from the refrigerator.
There is one person who is banned from baking in there and that is Tintin.
Sure, Tintin can cook the basics; he can make toast, heat up canned and frozen food, the whatnot.
But Tintin cannot for the life of him bake.
The first time wasn't too disastrous: he tried to make melting moment biscuits but forgot the butter.
The second time, Nestor walked in to two failed batches of cupcake batter dumped in the bin and Tintin frowning at the recipe. Nestor couldn't help but laugh as he explained that Tintin had been reading the recipe in grams, not ounces, to which the boy dropped his head onto the kitchen counter, unaware that his hair was now white with flour.
It got progressively worse until Tintin managed to put blotting paper in bread.
Blotting paper.
In bread.
When asked to explain himself (through hysterics, because Haddock was wetting himself with laughter,) he sheepishly recounted how he forgot about the dough when he left it to rise, so he had put it in the tin and sprayed it with oil so it didn't dry out and left it to rise again. He forgot about it once more, and went to re-knead the dough, but because of the extra oil, in had grown greasy. So, he had gotten some blotting paper, rested it on the dough and, as he told himself to not put the paper into the dough, he pushed the paper into the dough.
From that day on, Tintin was not allowed to bake unless supervised by a more experience adult.