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bunchofstraydogs · 2 months

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@nihilo-sensei Sorry for the late response, i gave up on writing lmao.

I see where you’re coming from, but to be honest, I don’t see BEAST!Atsushi and Kyōka joining canon verse ADA. B!Atsushi is, at best, unhinged. Far more than canon Atsushi ever was. Some things in our lives get so deeply engraved into our souls, that it becomes our nature. Beast Atsushi isn’t good, nor inherently evil, he’s just wild. Feral, actually, would be the perfect word to describe him. You can’t have someone as bloodthirsty, terrified, and unstable in ADA. They’re a detective agency that first and foremost have a duty to protect the public, not a sanctuary for the mistreated. While they comprise of such people, Beast Atsushi would be more of a liability, despite him being a far better and more competent fighter than canon Atsushi.

And where Atsushi goes, so does Kyoka, and that hasn’t changed.

For canon and beast SSKK meeting, i will remove everyone else from the equation and focus on these chuckleheads.

Beast SSKK doesn’t have the same dynamic and connection canon SSKK does. This fact mainly affects how Chuuyas would perceive the other two. And among the four of them, only B!Dazai would have a clear understanding of the situation.

Let’s start with Dazai. Beast Dazai is vastly different than canon Dazai. In canon, Dazai was set off on a better path by Odasaku. He’s also grown to care about people and doing relatively right by them. He also lives because he doesn’t want his death to hurt others. He has a goal, he has done good (he’s far from being good, though), and people depend on him.

Beast Dazai, on the other hand, while knowing the other side of things, is entirely whacked in the head and selfish. Obsessed, even. He also never had Oda in his life, only knew him from memories that weren’t even his. He is far colder than canon Dazai (not that the canon one is a ray of sunshine). While he did steer the mafia to protect people from the shadows, his only goal was to make certain that Oda lives and becomes the author he wanted. That, and to be friends with Odasaku, something that seems to be impossible for him. He never truly cared much about the rest.

Dazais wouldn’t take well to each other. I am certain Beast Dazai would actually hate canon Dazai on some level for getting to experience friendship with Oda and for “letting” Oda die. Canon Dazai, on the other hand, would at first look at his parallel self notice the sheer difference, the emptiness and darkness, and would see him as the biggest threat, actually. Because it’s true, his greatest enemy is, and always will be, himself. In this situation for a different reason other than his inner demons. Because who else can pose the intellectual challenge to Dazai better than Dazai. And this one in particular has the upper hand, knowing what he does.

Neither of them would concern much with Chuuya of either world, as they pose larger threat to each other.

Chuuyas, on the other hand, well. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of Beast Chuuya, so I don’t know how different he is not having the history with Dazai he does in canon. Nor do we know how he joined. But he appears to be the same spicy, loyal Chuuya as he is in canon. His disdain for Dazai is larger than in canon, but his loyalty is holding him in place and is aware that Dazai is above him. Canon SSKK are a duo, partners, equals, whatever have you. So the power dynamic is different.

That said, the difference in the Dazais is obvious at first glance, and both notice it.

I think that, the more those two talk and provoke each other, the more they realize how unlike the state of things are between them. That gets them even more confused and weary.

But to cut it short, Chuuyas would be able to coexist with each other.

Beast Chuuya would be annoyed with canon Dazai at most, but loyal to his Dazai and serve him in the end.

Canon Chuuya would fall into a familiar tandem with his Dazai to resolve the very big problem that Beast Dazai poses.

Beast Dazai wouldn’t care much about the situation. He’s not looking to cause a ruckus in the canon world or any tangible trouble for the other two (besides just mind fucking with them for his own amusement), as Oda is already dead in their world so any effort on his part is wasted.

And canon Dazai would hyper focus on Beast Dazai, of course not leaving Beast Chuuya out of the equation. But given the chance, he may try to play things off and annoy Beast Chuuya by “ordering” him around as he is his “boss” and tell canon Chuuya to be more like Beast one.

———

I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this text. It’s been years since I read BEAST and I definitely forgot things. It’s also been a hot moment since i last immersed myself in the franchise, so ya. Don’t take it to heart. Hope you liked it.

#bungou stray dogs #bsd #bungo stray dogs #dazai osamu #chuuya nakahara #beast dazai #beast chuuya #beast atsushi #beast kyoka #atsushi nakajima #kyoka izumi #bsd atsushi #bsd kyouka

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theroyalsims · 10 months

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BREAKING: PRINCE ALISTAIR AND LONG TERM GIRLFRIEND HAVE BROKEN UP FOLLOWING FAILED PROPOSAL

Prince Alistair is a bachelor again following his break-up from his girlfriend of over three years, Ximena Kalarmy. The separation apparently took place over three weeks ago and the two have not spoken since.

The duo had a much-publicised relationship from the very beginning, which, at times were reportedly too much for commoner Ximena. The paparazzi and media onslaught on Ximena has caused Prince Alistair to issue a “warning” on Ximena’s behalf.

The ex-couple’s relationship was also plagued with alleged unhappiness and disapproval from “key members” of the Royal Family, several sources claim. Although Ximena once went on an overseas trip with Prince Alistair, Princess Ingrid, and The Crown Princess, rumours claim that Ximena never really felt welcome into the royal fold.

Further, the Queen reportedly admonished her son, Prince Alistair, for posing on the red carpet with Ximena during the opening of a new restaurant where the latter worked. The Queen was said to have advised Alistair to “act like a Prince” and to “refrain from being that woman’s accessory in the future.” While royals, every now and then, grace the red carpet, they’re often for charitable events and royal-approved projects - certainly not for publicity for a restaurant launch.

However, despite the challenges the two faced, they remained steadfast and seemingly happy with each other, that is until late last month.

Prince Alistair flew Ximena off to Rennaux for a short weekend getaway in the mountains. There, His Royal Highness reportedly got down on one knee and proposed with a diamond ring. Ximena, however, rejected the proposal citing that she’s unsure if the public and his family would approve. She also reportedly said that she’s happy with her currently job. She’s said to have asked the Prince to wait a while longer, but His Royal Highness apparently had enough. A source close to the Prince shares:

“He called it off with her and broke up with her right then and there. He arranged for her safe return to Brindleton, but he stayed back in Rennaux a couple of days longer.

He feels that he’s done everything to prove to Ximena that he loves her and will always be there for her, but he thought it was all lost on her. In the end, he got tired of constantly reassuring Ximena that she’s enough, and that she shouldn’t listen to what others say. Her insecurities are her own, and she’s so far convinced that his family hates her, that the public hates her, that she’s not fit to join the family. Alistair could only do so much.

They’ve been together for over three years, and if she couldn’t see a future with him now, they’re better off not wasting each other’s time.”

Ximena was reportedly stunned by Prince Alistair’s reaction to her rejection and the two are reportedly no longer on speaking terms. The source further spills:

“Ximena was shocked by how Alistair reacted. And I think that Alistair’s in shock, too. It’s still very new. They’re still at that point where they’re still both hurting. Old presents were sent back. Phone calls were rejected. It’s that kind of break-up. Probably what makes it so painful was the fact that they both loved each other so much.”

Yikes. We were all somehow expecting a proposal seeing how these two lookED adorable together, and secretly we were all hoping to see Ximena in full Princess mode for the royal wedding, but that’s apparently not happening.

Hopefully these two find themselves and realise that they’re better off together than apart? Or maybe Prince Alistair’s right and they’re doing each other a favour by realising that they are off to different paths?

#ts4 #theroyalsims #ts4 story #ts4 legacy #ts4 simblr #ts4 royals #ts4 royalty #ts4 royal family #ts4 royal story #ts4 royal legacy #mystory #alistair #ximena

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sweet-star-sketches · 8 months

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WIPs from September 10th, 2023

-has two completely separate series WIPs- -makes cameo/crossover characters between them rather than working on the main stories again- in other words I'm back on my bullshit lol

I've felt very burnt out and unmotivated lately so I guess I'm trying to shake myself enough to make more art?? I've been chipping away at designs for both Moth to the Flame and Captain Artemis so I've got bugs on the brain again I've had the idea of giving Scutum a parallel character/reference in MttF for a while considering he's already a beetle in Starglass Zodiac (I honestly just love referencing other things in the background aha) and since Scorpio is also based on a bug (arachnid yes i know) I really liked the idea of giving him a nod too since they're already a duo I'd imagine that they'd have a different dynamic/personalities here, and since they're based on other characters of mine already, they'll probably just be cameos in Moth to the Flame rather than full characters to avoid repeating myself with their stories, but I like them a lot anyway :]

I may explore the idea of sapient scorpions existing in MttF's society though, since spiders and other predatory bugs are considered non-sapient animals that hunt the characters in this universe. All of the sapient bugs have a very militaristic society that highly favours those who do well in combat for the sake of survival, so I imagine that Scorpius quickly gained his status as commander due to his natural attributes, though many question whether he's actually on their side because of that. With his claws and stinger, he's essentially a "living weapon" as it is, and only carries other weapons to further augment this, whereas other bugs need to carry some kind of weapon in order to survive at all, like Kiida with her bow and arrows. I gave him a bandaged eye to sort of mimic SGZ Scorpio's side-swept hair, but it ended up referencing Ophiuchus more (which is hilarious if you know anything about Starglass Zodiac lol) Despite being generally freaked out by bugs in real life, they provide me with endless creativity that I don't think will ever wane. There's just such a variety not only in species but in how one can interpret them into characters. Though posing that many limbs is always a challenge, it's still very fun! I'm proud of Scorpius's double salute aha This isn't much but it's the most art I've done in weeks so hooray??? celebrate the little victories folks

#i didn't have it in me to do colour this time which is a tragedy but #maybe i'll come back to this later and do it #maybe tomorrow???#idk i'm just very sleepy right now #art #artists on tumblr #sketch #wip #oc #bug #insect #arachnid #beetle #scorpion #Sergeant Shield #Commander Scorpius #Moth to the Flame #MttF

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eveandtheturtles · 10 months

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All 4-1 Challenge Summer Surprise Part 3

Summary: The turtles continue the vacationing, Leo finally relaxes but Donnie and Kara have their own evil plans. Part 1, Part 2

Ships: Turtles (+Jennika) x OCs

A/N: The name Sprinkles is borrowed from And, Love fic by @madammuffins You totally should check out their Love series for TMNT. Also two parts in 1 day! eyyy.

Tagging: @turtle-babe83 @leosgirl82 @thelaundrybitch @sharpwindow @pheradream-15 @m1dnyt3-w0lf @scholastic-dragon @tinkabelle19

“What time zone are you in?” Splinter's voice on the other end of the line made Leo smile a little.

"The same as you are, dad, we're just further south," he explained. "Is everything okay on your end? Verne's coming to visit you? Are you taking your medicine?"

"Yes, yes, stop worrying, Leonardo, you're on holidays!" Splinter scolded him gently, amused. You'd wonder who at this point was the son and who the father. "Enjoy yourself my son."

"Oh, he is Master Splinter!" Amelia leaned in over Leo, interrupting the call. "We're all hard at work to make sure he does!"

"And for that I'm grateful my child!" Splinter replied with laughter.

It was day 3 of their island adventure. Everyone managed to kepp Leo away from the phone for one and a half of a day, not counting the day of the arrival in their attempts.

It was the late morning at the beach. Jennika, Raph and Mikey were swim racing. Cheryl, Mirka and Amelia were lounging on the towels, catching some sun while Kara and Donnie were engineering some sort of sand fortress. Peter and Sprinkles were cheering for the racers.

Leo smiled, feeling the rays of the sun warm his skin up. This... this was so nice. He stretched and laid down next to Amelia. She looked at him warmly and scatched his head. Maybe he really did deserve to rest?

--88--

<I think we are about 89% done.> Kara admired her and Donnie's creation. <How's our water access?>

<The water pump needs small tweaking but it should be good to go either way,> Donnie said.

The duo grinned and picked up from the fortress' floor two SuperSoakers. Slightly modified by the genius couple.

--88--

Mikey lost his interest in the race quite quickly. He was too distracted by the colourful coral reef below the surface of the ocean. He left behind Jennika and Raph.

Nothing like this in the sewers of New York. He watched a manta ray majestically swim by. A sea turtle was eating some crab. There were so many colourful fish and other critters. Mikey was just enchanted by it all. He wanted to stay there forever.

--88--

"I totally won!" Raph snorted the sea water, trying to push it out of his nose.

Jennika shoved him. "Bull! Guys! It had to be me!" She looked at both Peter and Sprinkles.

"Sorry, Raph, Jenni won," Peter confirmed.

"HA!" Jennika stuck her tongue at Raph then laughed and ran to Cheryl. "Cherrybomb! I won!"

"That's great hu- NO! DON'T TOUCH ME YOU'RE COLD AND WE-" Rest of the sentence was dissolved in shrieks and manical laughter.

Raph huffed and glared after the female turtle. He'll win next time.

"Where's Mikey?" Sprinkles frowned and looked around.

Peter looked around. "I can't see him."

"He threw in the race after third lap!" Raph called back, unbothered. "Mirka! cheer me up!" He opened up his arms approaching the sunbathing group.

Cheryl was still trying to fight off her girlfriend. Mirka looked up. Seeing their boyfriend approach with similar intent as Jenni, they got up and started backing away.

"No! Stay back, you FUAAAAA!!" They got grabbed in a bear hug and picked up in the air.

Leo's eye cracked open. "Are they dying?"

"Nope," Amelia replied, glad she wasn't involved in the shenanigans of the two bruisers.

"A'igh." Leo's eye closed.

Suddenly Donnie's voice boomed across the beach.

"Attention vacationers!"

He and Kara were standing on top of their structure, which they have been building for the past two days. Both had SuperSoakers in their hands, posing like in an action film.

"There are weapons hidden across this beach! May the best win!" He finished on sinister note.

"What the f-" Raph started then a sharp stream of see water hit him straight in the mouth.

Everyone, except Leo, scrambled for cover.

"The fuck you mean there are weapon?" Amelia started searching sand with her hands.

Jennika eyed a particularly odd shaped rock and lifted it up. Under it she found a cache of water filled balloons and a couple of water pistols. "I guess this." She grinned sinisterly grabbing a ballon.

Amelia and Jennika exchanged looks. "Oh, it's on."

The beach turned in a full blown battle, with random alliences forming and dissolving. But everyone (minus Leo and Mikey) came together to take down the Fortress. It was a tough and historical battle as Donnie and Kara prepared traps for the brave souls willing to storm their stronghold.

The fight has been fierce but the two overlords have been finally defeated by the people.

Cheers and laughter has erupted as the Beach Water Battle of 2023 has concluded.

<So this leaves only one thing,> Kara signed after tossing her weapon aside.

Everyone looked at her in high spirit, wondering what else there was. Slowly, she pointed to Leo who was still basking peacefully despite the chaos that had happened around him. Everyone grinned.

Leo was woken up by a feeling. A gut feeling he was in danger. The shadow has fell over him. He rolled to his side and looked at the circle of people around him. He noticed the water balloons.

"Hiiii, Leeeooo~," Jennika greeted him. "Didja have a good nap?"

"Uh-huh..." Slowly, as carefully as he could, he readied his body for the only one possible solution in this... He sprung up to run.

"Get him!!"

And that was the scene Mikey walked in on coming back from the ocean.

"What did I miss??" He looked confused at Sprinkles who decided to sit out the great Leo derby.

"A water fight," Sprinkles replied and looked at the fishing net full of crabs. "Watcha got there?"

"Dinner!"

#tmnt all 4 1 #tmnt all 4 1 challenge #tmnt 2014 #tmnt 2016 #tmnt fanfiction #tmnt bayverse #leo x oc #donnie x oc #raph x oc #jennika x oc #tmnt x oc #eve scribbles

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warningsine · 1 year

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Sweden has won the 67th Eurovision song contest in a helter skelter show that spanned chintzy Europop, anti-war protest and a continent’s support for Ukraine.

The Swedish singer-songwriter Loreen started the night as runaway favourite but faced a late challenge from Finland’s wildly popular Käärijä, a fan favourite inside the raucous Liverpool Arena.

Her win means Sweden equals Ireland’s record seven Eurovision wins. Loreen, 39, becomes the first woman to win the contest twice, after her anthemic 2012 hit Euphoria.

One of the most political Eurovision grand finals in years was drawn into sharper focus as Russian bombs fell during the show on the home town of the Ukrainian act, Tvorchi.

Moments after leaving the stage, the electro duo posted on Instagram that Ternopil had been shelled “while we sang … about our steel hearts, indomitability and will” and added: “Europe, united against evil for the sake of peace!”

Taking the famous Eurovision glass microphone on a confetti-strewn stage, Loreen said the victory was “overwhelming”, and added: “I’m so happy. I’m so thankful. Thank you for this. This is for you. Thank you.”

Loreen, who first found fame in Sweden’s equivalent of X Factor in 2004, told journalists she was proud of becoming only the second performer to win Eurovision more than once, after Ireland’s Johnny Logan.

“It feels surreal. It feels wonderful. Isn’t it wonderful?” she said. “This is so beautiful. One feeling I have in my body that’s taken over is just gratitude. I feel so thankful to all you guys.”

Asked whether Ukraine should be given the opportunity to host the contest once the war ends, despite not winning this year, she replied: “Absolutely, yes – of course, why shouldn’t they?

“I love Ukraine, i’ve been a lot, I’ve done a lot of shows and it hurts me to see what’s going on there and I’m sad about that.”

The win means Eurovision will return to Sweden next year for the 50th anniversary of Abba’s triumph with Waterloo in 1974.

The UK’s Mae Muller failed to emulate the success of Sam Ryder’s second-placed Spaceman in Turin last year, finishing second to bottom with her entry I Wrote a Song.

Käärijä, who spent the week posing for selfies outside his own mobile sauna in Liverpool, was easily the most popular performer inside the Liverpool Arena but failed to impress the juries of 36 voting nations.

The increasingly rowdy crowd chanted Käärijä’s chorus line, Cha Cha Cha, as Sweden raced away at the top of the leaderboard.

It came down to a nail-biting finale as Finland was awarded a huge 376 points, enough that it leapfrogged Sweden at the top of the table to huge cheers in Liverpool.

A stadium held its breath as Graham Norton, this year’s host, announced that Sweden had secured more than 243 votes and therefore won the 2023 contest.

Broadcast from the UK for the first time in 25 years, it was a night of gravity-defying vocals, shameless cheese-pop, achingly sincere balladry and, of course, moments of downright weirdness.

A Croatian punk band dressed in military overcoats provided the night’s oddest moment as they stripped to their underpants and unveiled giant rockets while singing about a “crocodile psychopath” dictator – an allegory about Vladimir Putin and his relationship with Belarus.

Even in this famously well-rehearsed and closely watched spectacle – where thousands of fans attended three full run-throughs before the live televised final – there were still moments of surprise.

The Princess of Wales appeared briefly in a pre-recorded clip playing piano to Stefania – a wartime anthem in Ukraine – by last year’s winners, Kalush Orchestra.

Queen’s Roger Taylor joined last year’s UK entrant, Sam Ryder, on stage for a drum solo for Mountain, whose lyrics are partly inspired by the struggle of the Ukrainian people.

In the end it wasn’t a new song that brought Liverpool Arena to tears: it was a moving rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, the 1945 show tune that has become a terrace anthem in one half of this city, and felt like the perfect ode to Ukraine.

Sung by the Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence, an all-star choir of Eurovision past winners provided backing vocals for a sea of illuminated wristbands in the stadium and footage of Ukrainians singing along at the Golden Gate in Kyiv.

Even the usually waspish Norton, who had swapped the commentary box for presenting duties, appeared overcome with emotion as he told the audience: “I have a tear in my silly old eye. You don’t see that every day.”

Ukraine had been aiming to become the first country since Ireland in 1994 to win the contest in two consecutive years, but it wasn’t to be.

Tvorchi, whose Eurovision rehearsals were interrupted by Russian shelling, finished in sixth place with Heart of Steel, their uptempo love letter to their nation, which brought one of the night’s biggest cheers from the 11,000-strong stadium crowd.

With no end in sight to the horrors in Ukraine, there was a strong anti-war theme throughout the four-hour grand final.

The country’s culture minister, Oleksandr Tkachenko, told the Guardian on Saturday that his government had specifically requested the word “war” be used within the broadcast, which the EBU claims should be politically neutral. And so it appeared in the opening minutes when the co-host, Hannah Waddingham, reminded viewers that the UK was hosting the contest on behalf of Ukraine “because of the war”.

Switzerland’s performance featured falling missiles and the lyrics: “I don′t wanna be a soldier, soldier. I don’t wanna have to play with real blood.” Croatia’s madcap rockers Let 3 warned of nuclear Armageddon while Ukraine’s Tvorchi had been raising funds to buy incubators for babies born prematurely due to the war.

In Liverpool, a city that has revelled in its role hosting Europe’s maddest music party, fireworks erupted from the historic Three Graces beside a fan park where a crowd of thousands partied late into the night.

#sweden #uk #eurovision #eurovision 2023 #loreen #ukraine

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thelifesizedoll · 7 months

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Memory - October 2021 : Red Hot Photo Shoot

I keep forgetting to drop these off on Tumblr...

but I guess I have perfect timing because its the anniversary month of these pictures ♥️

OG Write Up :

I’ve been dreaming of an all red, heart throbbing look for quite some time. Red is one of my favorite colors to work with. It just speaks to me. I wanted to do something that would allow me to embody my bold side a little bit more. The concept for this shoot was created in 2020. In 2021, I met photographer Miesha Williams and creative director/consultant and production designer Christiani! They were the perfect duo to bring my vision to life! We exchanged ideas of what this moment would look like then, in the blink of an eye, I was on set! They challenged me with new poses, a little bit of climbing and a lot of balancing! I definitely was inspired to get back in the gym after shooting! I was shocked because it’s giving very much Savage Fenty ad campaign???? And that wasn’t in the plan! Wether you want to believe it or not, a lot of the things I do and create are done alone. I’m thankful to the few friends and photographers who have offered their services and taught me things along the way. What made this shoot such an amazing experience was the amount of support I received from Miesha and Christiani! They are a force to be reckoned with! They are so skilled in their craft and on top of that have hearts of gold. I’m hoping to do more collabs in the future!

Give my Youtube some love! Subscribe & Like / Check out the BTS for this photoshoot!

youtube

#photogenic #photography #model #art #beauty #red aesthetic #fashion #makeup #style #monochrome #all red #tropical #its #vlog #files #baddie #black Tumblr #Youtube

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themovieblogonline · 7 months

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Saw X Review: One of Jigsaw's Best Games Ever

Saw X weaves a complex tapestry of suspense, redemption, and betrayal, marking a riveting addition to the iconic horror franchise. Directed and edited by Kevin Greutert, and penned by the talented duo of Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger, this installment bridges the narrative gap between the original Saw and its sequel, Saw II. The film's storyline ventures into uncharted territory, injecting fresh blood into the series while retaining the signature elements that fans adore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PzUo4P21c In Saw X, John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in the hopes of receiving a miraculous cure, only to learn the entire procedure is a fraud intended to take advantage of the most helpless. The notorious serial killer, now motivated by a new goal, uses bizarre and clever traps to defeat the con artists. The Good: Tobin Bell's portrayal of John Kramer, the enigmatic Jigsaw, is nothing short of magnificent. While we've obviously seen him in every single Saw movie except for Spiral, he is relatively a side character in his films. Most Saw films follow the person who is trapped in his game, while we occasionally cut to some detectives trying to put the pieces together and hunt down Jigsaw. But not here. Tobin Bell's Jigsaw is put front and center of this story, which is one of the wisest choices they could've done. His performance transcends the screen, delving deep into the psyche of a man grappling with his mortality. Bell's nuanced delivery captures the essence of a character torn between his principles and the grim reality of his own impending demise. His performance is, without a doubt, Oscar-worthy, capturing the torment, resilience, and twisted morality that defines Jigsaw. Will he actually receive an Oscar nomination for his role? Unfortunately not. But in a perfect world, he would. The film's strength lies in its ability to make audiences empathize with Jigsaw, a feat achieved through clever storytelling and compelling character development. As the audience delves into John Kramer's desperate search for a second chance at life, they find themselves unexpectedly rooting for a character previously perceived as a cold-hearted antagonist. This shift in perspective is a testament to the film's exceptional writing and Bell's impeccable acting, which humanizes Jigsaw in ways previously unexplored. Saw X excels in its ability to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The intricate traps, ingeniously designed by the diabolical minds behind the franchise, elicit genuine tension and nail-biting suspense. Each trap is meticulously crafted, posing a moral dilemma that challenges the characters' beliefs and pushes them to their limits. The creativity displayed in these sequences showcases the filmmakers' dedication to delivering a visceral and heart-pounding experience. The film's supporting cast delivers commendable performances, with Shawnee Smith reprising her role as Amanda Young, Synnøve Macody Lund portraying the cunning Cecilia Pederson, Steven Brand embodying the desperate Parker Sears, and Renata Vaca bringing depth to the character of Gabriela. Their collective efforts enhance the film's emotional resonance, adding layers to the intricate web of deceit and desperation. But it's Smith who gets the meatiest supporting role here as Amanda. She is one of the most fascinating characters in the entire franchise, and while she was quite intriguing in Saw II and Saw III, it's safe to say that she has never been better in Saw X. A large portion of the film focuses on Amanda's doubts on taking over for John once he inevitably passes away from cancer, and we frequently see John reassuring her, telling her that she has what it takes and is ready. In a way, it's weirdly beautiful and heartfelt even though we know we're watching two psychopathic characters who put people in deadly traps. It's hard to think of another film that makes you care for the villains so deeply. By making a handful of characters in Saw X that somehow feel even more sick and twisted than Jigsaw and Amanda is truly brilliant screenwriting. If they do ultimately decide to make another Saw film after this one, they surely need to bring back Goldfinger and Stolberg, as they've shown that they absolutely know what they're doing with these characters. And, no spoilers of course, but this film does contain an extraordinary end-credits scene that will have longtime Saw fans giddy, myself included. The Bad: However, Saw X is not without its flaws. At times, the plot becomes convoluted, requiring viewers to piece together fragmented information to fully grasp the intricacies of the story. While the complexity adds depth to the narrative, it may leave some audience members feeling slightly disoriented. Additionally, some character motivations, particularly towards the film's climax, might appear slightly contrived, requiring a suspension of disbelief to fully invest in the unfolding events. Overall: Saw X stands as a magificent entry in the franchise, skillfully blending elements of horror, suspense, and psychological drama. Tobin Bell's exceptional performance elevates the film, making it the second best entry in franchise that's been going on for nearly two decades now. The film's ability to evoke empathy for its iconic antagonist is a testament to the filmmakers' storytelling prowess. While it occasionally stumbles in its complexity, the film's gripping traps, stellar performances, and unexpected twists make it a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers to the series. Saw X is a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions, reminding audiences why the Saw franchise continues to captivate and terrify audiences worldwide. Read the full article

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shinosapph · 2 years

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Zuko Character Analysis

I think I’m probably gonna create a series of character analysis? This is my second one, I’ve done one on Shinobu !! Feel free to check it out! You’re welcome to share this with your friends and share some feedback!!

SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO COMPLETE THE SHOW!!

DISCLAIMER!!

First of all, let me say that this character analysis is how I personally see Zuko and how I like to read his work. You're free to think differently about him and form your own conclusions. Also I only read this once so pls lmk if there are any typos, spelling mistakes or errors!!

Zuko’s introduction displayed that he was the banished prince of the fire nation whose absolute purpose in life was to capture the Avatar. For three years, Zuko searched for the long-lost Avatar in an effort to end his exile and reclaim his position as the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. Furthermore, during the first season of the show it’s depicted that Zuko is extremely devoted to his goal, showcasing rare amounts of sympathy from time to time. Because his father didn't show him any respect, Zuko feels compelled to win people over. He believes it will please his father which is why he has an unquenchable desire to obtain the Avatar. He made several reckless decisions without thought and solely acted based on emotion.

Challenging Commander Zhao to an Agni Kai can be viewed as a prime example. Additionally, he put himself in vulnerable emotional circumstances that he knew would harm him. Because he lacks the ability to control his emotions or channel his energy, his destructive tendencies often come out in his ambition. Self-destruction is also a way for him to express his self-hatred. Zuko's personality is characterized by shame. In Bitter Work, uncle Iroh makes this observation. In episode 12 “The storm” we finally get the opportunity to view Zuko’s devastating past. Due to disrespecting a general and speaking out of turn during a crucial meeting, Zuko received his scar. Zuko's wicked father scarred his face in an effort to instill obedience in him; this incident also led to his long-lasting banishment.

Despite his relationship with his father, Zuko’s Uncle Iroh looked after him as a parental figure during his absence from the kingdom. During the three part finale of the first season “ Sage of the North Pole '' Commander Zhao blew up Zuko’s ship after discovering that Zuko meddled in his plans to capture the avatar. The extreme explosion caused Zuko to be severely injured. Despite Zhao’s attempts to murder him, Zuko still showed symapthy and tried to come to Zhao’s aid, he tried to save Zhao from being taken into the spirit world but failed. Zuko declares at the conclusion of season one that he is too exhausted to look for the avatar, rendering his true intentions a complete mystery for the following season.

Iroh and Zuko were both labelled traitors by Fire Lord Ozai for their acts during the Siege of the North. Zuko and Iroh arrived at a small resort where Azula “unexpectedly” encountered them and told them that their exile was over meaning they could once again return home. Zuko had faith in his sister and was overjoyed at the thought of returning home. Iroh, on the other hand, was unconvinced since he had never witnessed Ozai extend forgiveness. The two were about to join Azula however the following morning when Azula's ship commander addressed them as prisoners Azula’s plan was destroyed. Disclosing the duo's escape route after a brief confrontation, Zuko and Iroh cut off their topknots with their dagger as they fled, signifying their separation from the Fire Nation. As fugitives, they struggled to survive off the land. Iroh began begging for money, while Zuko began robbing people while posing as the Blue Spirit. Zuko and Iroh began to drift apart, and eventually Zuko arrived at the realization that they had nothing to gain from continuing to travel together.

Zuko walked aimlessly through the Earth Kingdom, going through ominous and deserted regions. His hunger and scarcity of supplies increased by the minute. Finally, Zuko began to see the anguish of those endured at the hands of the fire nation and the harm his country had done to the defenseless. We are ultimately shown what happens to Zuko's mother in "Zuko Alone." When his mother was around throughout his formative years, he was a good person who enjoyed spending time with her. Her absence was a big loss for him, and soon after, the fire lord began to abuse him. Throughout “Zuko Alone” Zuko has several nightmares and cases of a shaken belief system and low self esteem are exhibited.

Zuko struggles with intense trust issues due to most of the people in his life betraying him or abandoning him. This being the main reason why Zuko was unable to “pick a side” in the finale of season 2. He is always trying to fill the void by holding on to the idea of being a prince and pleasing his father. This hard fought battle within himself Zuko decides to return to the fire nation to gain that hardfought validation he desired. Zuko’s external goal was to capture the avatar and end his exile but his internal goal had always been to gain love and respect from his family and the entirety of the fire nation.

Zuko believed he had everything he had ever wanted after returning to the Fire Nation: a position of dignity, respect, and his father's love. He was still irate and perplexed, though. His victory was not what he had anticipated. He lost control of his rage, developed mistrust for Mai, and got into physical altercations with a number of people. Later, he admitted that he was angry with himself and that he had no moral sense. After learning the hidden truth of what had caused the hundred year war and who was truly at fault, Zuko was finally able to reconcile his inner compassion and the love he had witnessed from his mother and Iroh.With his life in honour and strength through his exposure to the earth kingdom, firsthand observation of the conflict, and spiritual training from Iroh.

He gained strength that comes from love, family, and humility. Zuko came to understand during the events of Day of Black Sun that it was his responsibility as the Fire Nation's crowned Prince to bring about peaceful coexistence between the four nations by joining the Avatar. Although Zuko’s request to join the team was originally denied he proved his loyalty by defending Aang against Combustion man. Determined to win the team over completely, they all went on a life changing field trip with Zuko. Aang’s field trip with Zuko was the most important in my eyes this being cause Zuko was able to realize that the reason for his firebending weakening was because his original source of motivation had always been anger and the desperation to capture the avatar and now he had to change his motives completely and make his goal clear. Zuko was able to reclaim his bending abilities as a result, and his power increased after making his true goal to restore balance in the world by aiding the Avatar. He was more tranquil and sympathetic after facing his own emotions. Zuko almost sacrificed himself for his friends several times, displaying that he had changed for the better.

Conclusion:

Zuko endured hell and overcame the conflict within himself to finally comprehend the other side of the war. After changing his views and learning to be more sympathetic we’re able to see how far his character has come since the first season. He realized what his fate was and he was able to finally stand up to his abuser. Personally I believe that Zuko’s redemption arc is one of the best writings in fiction. His character is truly enjoyable and watching him change so much was truly an adventure. His writing, loveable personality and his journey in becoming good is truly inspiring which is why he’s my favorite character in the series.

#atla zuko #fire lord zuko #character analysis #avatar #zuko and azula #azula avatar #avatar the last airbender #tv show thoughts

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justmanic03 · 3 months

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Amethyst - Chapter Ten

When the flying taxi landed in Quantanum, I realised it was just as bustling and illuminated as Acuada and Ridgeburn. Although it wasn't quite as aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it was clearly the powerhouse for electricity in Taldourse. Surrounded by pylons and wires connecting almost every building in sight, it definitely made sense to have the Electric-Type Pokemon Gym in this city. Neon signs were everywhere, as well as strings of lights connected between different statuettes that were placed atop bollards. Whilst scanning my surroundings, I realised that these statuettes were mostly of Pokemon, but not exclusively. There was one of the electrostatic Pokemon duo - Plusle and Minum - clutching each other. The lights were arranged in such a way that it looked as though there were generating an electric current.

"Y/N! Over here!" I turned around to see Jordan waving at me. I jogged over to him. "Are you just going to keep showing up at every single gym I challenge?"

"Well no, not exactly. My dad sent me out to try and track down any Team Moon grunts. He's the one who runs the Electric Gym, by the way."

"Your dad is the Gym Leader? That's cool."

"Definitely. He's been expecting you. Come on in and I'll get you registered."

****

Upon walking into the stadium, I noticed there were cables everywhere. This was in stark contrast to the pristine stadia of the previous three gyms. It definitely seemed as though the Gym Leader was not expecting any challengers, and thus hadn't bothered to clean up. He almost jumped out of his skin when Jordan cleared his throat.

The short, bald man spun around in shock, his piercing blue orbs gazing into the back of my head. "Good Lord Arceus! You gave me an electric shock!"

"Dad, what did I tell you about always being prepared for gym challengers?" Jordan chuckled.

"Well considering there aren't many Gym Challengers who make it this far, I wouldn't have thought I needed to." The middle-aged bald man then turned to me. "Oh excuse me. Where are my manners? I'm Buzz." He held out his hand. Upon taking it, I felt a small jolt of electricity penetrate my body. This caused me to flinch.

"Oh, my apologies. Forgot to switch the circuit off." Buzz shook his head. "It's only 12 volts, you'll be fine."

"Well I'm sure as hell awake now!" I rolled my eyes. It had, indeed, woken me up. "So, you're Buzz? As in Buzz Lightyear?"

"Nah, more like Buzz, Crime Scene Investigator!" He proceeded to strike a Sci-Fi pose, curling his fingers up around his eyes to emulate goggles.

"Yes, as you can see my father is quite eccentric. But he's doing good work." Jordan smiled.

Buzz then interjected once again. "Young Y/N here has come to me at just the right time. Since my gym challengers are very few and far between these days, I spend most of my time investigating crimes and trying to gather intel on a gang of criminals known as Team Moon. You heard of them?"

I nodded. "Seraphina came to Ridgeburn to warn me about them. I was horrified when she told me some of the awful things they've done."

"They've done pretty much everything you'd expect from an offset of the notorious Team Rocket. Testing their inventions on Pokemon, radicalising people, stealing music from rock bands and passing it off as their own... you name it. Team Moon has done it." Buzz explained. "And that's why your Gym Mission is to assist me with my research."

"So there's no puzzle or anything?" I queried. "No quiz, no water slide, no dancing and juggling with flames?"

"Damn, so Austen's still a hard task master, huh?" Buzz chuckled. He then pulled an Ultra Ball out of his pocket. "Well then, Y/N, it's time to see if you have the strength to earn yourself a 4th gym badge. We should probably get into battle position."

I nodded, before proceeding to walk to the other side of the battle court. I almost tripped over a wire, however, Stalagus was quick to jump out of his Pokeball to steady me. I patted the adorable Glaceon on the head in appreciation.

"Time to really step up the potential difference! Hope you've brought some good electrical resistor Pokemon!"

You are challenged by Gym Leader Buzz!

(A/N: I decided to skip writing this battle as non-stop Pokemon battling can get a little tedious to write and read over time. However, you will get to battle Mackenzie later. Until then, enjoy the lore :P)

***

You defeated Gym Leader Buzz!!!

"Hmm... zapping to the extreme isn't always the best approach." Buzz mumbled. "Congratulations, kiddo. As promised, here's your Electric Badge!" As the sparkling, yellow trinket was placed in my hand, the hairs on my head and arms began to stand up due to the static. This caused Jordan and Buzz to burst out laughing. "Damn those pesky electrons, they don't stop moving for a second, do they?" Buzz chortled.

He eventually interrupted Jordan's laughter by clearing his throat. "Now then, back down to business. Y/N, your power is increasing day by day. With this Electric gym badge, now you'll be able to catch Pokemon up to Level 40. I want you to go around Taldourse, and find as much information about Team Moon as you possibly can. If you run into any grunts at all, battle them, and make sure to note down the level of their Pokemon. We need to know exactly who we're up against . Save it onto your Rotom Phone, then send it to me via email. Now then, could you please hand me your map?"

Reaching into my backpack, I scoured through the newspapers and pulled out a crumpled map. I laid it down in front of me. Buzz pulled a bright yellow highlighter out of his shorts pocket and drew an 'X'. He then proceeded to hand the map back to me. He had placed the 'X' slightly West of where Opaquia city was located, which was still a long, long way from our current location. Whilst all the other cities were located within an 80-mile radius of my home town, Opaquia was much further afield. It was definitely out of the way, and it would probably take hours to get there even by Flying Taxi. In addition, it was surrounded by mountains and dangerous woods. It was a notoriously difficult place to reach.

"That X on your map is where Team Moon's alleged base is. You can see it from the summit of Juniper Mountain. It just looks like a factory but it's got a huge blue crescent moon attached to the roof. You can't miss it. The area seems to have been quiet for years, but since it's so far, nobody actually knows what Team Moon are really up to over there. Any questions?"

"Well... yeah, actually. I do have a small problem."

Buzz raised his eyebrows. "Oh, well, please do share, I wonder if I may be able to help?"

"It's one of my friends. For some reason, she's absolutely fixated on Team Moon. She's been dreaming of joining them for years and she's doing the gym challenge as a means of proving her strength and loyalty to them. But I don't understand why she'd worship people who are just so... evil. She's always been more interested in bad guys than good guys, but... I'm scared she could be walking into danger." Despite my shocking revelation, Buzz did not look surprised at all.

"Well, you know, that's actually not uncommon." He explained.

"Wait, what?!" I was baffled.

"Team Moon are notoriously good at manipulating people. Especially young and impressionable people. They're good at playing the whole "misunderstood dark tribe" trope. They get people to feel sorry for them, and that's how they recruit. Oftentimes, people who desire an alternative lifestyle look up to Team Moon. But I do agree with you, I think your friend's obsession with them sounds just a tad unhealthy."

"What do you think I should do about her?" I asked.

"I think it's far too early to say, since we don't know that much about how Team Moon operates. Don't say anything at first, because she probably won't want to listen. For now, let's just concentrate on gathering intel."

I nodded in agreement. "I guess I'll see you later, Buzz. Thanks for the great battle and the gym badge."

****

After leaving the gym, I felt a little peckish. Luckily, Quantanum was also blessed with a Pollux, and this particular branch also had a food court. Upon making my way inside, and grabbing a luxury burger, I noticed Mackenzie leaning against a pillar, scrolling on his Rotom phone.

"Hey Mack! I beat Buzz!" I chirped proudly, with a huge grin on my face.

"Oh wow, that's brilliant! I must admit, I fell flat on my face after tripping over a wire in that place." Mackenzie's eyes averted my gaze whilst he stated this embarrassing fact. I giggled slightly. "Anyway, Buzz gave me his whole spiel. He's researching into Team Moon. Did he say anything about the T shirt you're wearing?"

Mackenzie looked down at his black t-shirt with the infamous Team Moon logo across it. "Oh yeah, he gave me a huge lecture on being careful. But then he said I should keep trying to join Team Moon so I can gather information on them. Kind of like a double-agent."

"Wow, that's crazy. He wants me to look out for Team Moon too."

Our conversation was quickly interrupted as Danny cut in. "Hey, Slowpoke and Moon Boy. What's the tea?" He folded his arms in anticipation.

"We were just talking about how Buzz has recruited us to find out information about Team Moon." Mackenzie explained.

"Yeah, apparently I'm in on it too." Danny rolled his eyes. Mackenzie and I glared at his antics. "What?! I've got better things to do than go bad guy hunting! Like challenging the Pokemon League and becoming Champion!"

"But Danny, this is part of the gym mission, after all." I reminded him. "And you want to find out more about Team Moon, right?"

"Hmmm, I guess so. Alright, I'm in. So what's the plan?"

"We've got to somehow locate where the grunts are hiding out, and battle them. Buzz wants us to assess their strength." I explained.

"But what if we're not strong enough to take them on?" Mackenzie asked, there was a look of fear in his eyes.

"I say the four of us, including Lisa, should all battle each other to determine who is the strongest of us. The strongest will lead."

Danny and Mackenzie both nodded. "But Lisa's not here." Danny added, looking around the place.

"Looks like it's just the three of us, then. Let's go to the battle court once we've finished our food!"

****

"I'm going first! My Pokemon are freshly healed and ready to go!" Danny insisted, marching up to the pitch.

"Do you want to go first, Mack?" I asked. He hesitated for a moment, glancing between Danny and I, before he finally nodded, taking his place opposite my rival.

I sat down on the sidelines. This was going to be interesting to watch.

Pokemon Trainer Danny challenges Pokemon Trainer Mackenzie!

Pokemon Trainer Danny sent out Jolteon! (Zana)

Pokemon Trainer Mackenzie sent out Golurk!

Poor Zana was no match for Mackenzie's Golurk. Not only was he faster, but was also pretty evasive. He even managed to open up the battle with a critical hit. Zana fainted within two turns.

Pokemon Trainer Danny sent out Pikachu!

Golurk also took down Danny's signature Pokemon, with still half of its HP remaining. Although Danny was known for being a smug smartass at the best of times, it hurt a little to see the disappointment in his face whenever Mackenzie took down one of his Pokemon. Yes, Danny always had a tendency to put others down, and although I knew it was all in jest, I still felt slightly sad to see all of his insecurities come to the surface.

It was Danny's fourth Pokemon - a Pupitar - that managed to beat Mackenzie's Golurk. However, Mack had a formidable team at his disposal, and his Gengar made easy prey of Danny's remaining two. Danny's head sunk in defeat, and Mackenzie and his Gengar jumped up and down in unison for their victory. I opened up my rucksack and handed them both some revives and potions. "Good job, both of you," I praised, although this praise was mainly directed at Danny. After taking the revives and healing up his exhausted team, he looked away from me. I turned towards Mackenzie. "Right then, I'm your next victim!" I joked, eliciting a chuckle from the victor of the battle.

Danny slumped down to watch the next match, and Pikachu jumped out of his Pokeball and crawled onto Danny's shoulder to console him. I took his spot on the battlefield. I decided to switch my team up completely, as most of my main team wouldn't stand a chance against Mackenzie's ghosts. I decided to opt for a Lickitung (Don't judge me, but Lickitung is literally one of my faves), Umbreon, Snorlax, Zoroark, and Weavill. I kept Zelda in my party just for good measure. "Hey Y/N... do me a favour and avenge me, please?" Danny asked. I nodded in response, determined to dispense fiercely with my opponent.

"Three, two, ONE!"

You are challenged by Pokemon Trainer Mackenzie!

#pokemon au

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news-venue · 1 year

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‘Need for our own nuclear weapons’: South Korean President Yoon at Harvard

Yoon said acquiring nuclear weapons is more than just a technological problem. It is also a complex political and economic challenge.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a speech and took questions at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge on Friday where he spoke about the challenges facing his country including the threat of nuclear weapons from neighboring North Korea.

Yoon pointed to a new plan he unveiled with President Joe Biden on Wednesday for intensified nuclear deterrence to counter any North Korean threat.

“If we were to accept nuclear weapons by North Korea then South Korea may have to possess nuclear weapons," Yoon said during a question-and-answer period after his speech at the Kennedy School. "This is not something we want to see happen.”

Yoon went on to say that if North Korea were to use nuclear weapons “the result is quite obvious."

“As long as North Korea recognizes nuclear weapons as a means of survival we have to make sure to deter the usage of such weapons so that the Republic of Korea, our neighboring countries and the entire global community can be protected,” he said through a translator.

The so-called Washington Declaration unveiled Wednesday by Biden and Yoon calls for periodically docking U.S. nuclear-armed submarines in South Korea for the first time in decades, bolstering training between the two countries and more.

Yoon acknowledged that “there is some opinion in our Korean society that due to increasing nuclear missile threats posed by North Korea that we need to acquire our own weapons.”

But he said acquiring nuclear weapons is more than just a technological problem. It is also a complex political and economic challenge.

“I believe that those opinions saying that we need to have our own nuclear arsenal are not considering all these things, all these factors,” he said. “The North Korean nuclear threat is not a faraway threat. It is imminent. It is at our front door. Therefore we need a very practical solution.”

On a lighter note, Yoon acknowledged the cultural inroads South Korea has forged with pop groups like BTS, the television survival drama “Squid Games” and movies like the Academy Award-winning “Parasite,” but declined to take any credit.

“Although I’m at the head of the government, I can’t say that the government has really done much to support that," he said. “It has been 100% the effort from the private sector and the market itself.”

Earlier in the day, Yoon stopped at the Massachusetts Statehouse as he wrapped up his state visit to the United States.

Yoon was greeted on the steps of the historic gold-domed building in Boston just after noon by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey.

The two walked up the red-carpeted steps and into the front door of the state Capitol while the flag of South Korea fluttered in the breeze on one side of the building's front lawn.

Hong Doo-jung, 25, a public sector worker from Worcester, stood across from the Statehouse with several others protesting what he said was the South Korean president’s stance on unions. Hong could be heard yelling repeatedly “strikebreaker, boo” as the president ascended the stairs with Healey.

Yoon and Healey then sat down for a private lunch.

The stops in Boston and Cambridge come after Yoon visited Washington.

Yoon spoke to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday and praised the U.S.-South Korea security partnership since the Korean War seven decades ago as “the linchpin safeguarding our freedom, peace and prosperity.”

Biden hosted a state dinner for Yoon and his wife that included big names from politics, business, sports and entertainment including actor Angelina Jolie, home improvement duo Chip and Joanna Gaines, and Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim.

#nuclear weapons #South Korea

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simple-persica · 3 years

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Tallinn and Helsinki as 1C

"Prepare for Trouble!"

"And make it double!"

Tallinn on the right belongs to @gilkohuke

#hetalia #capitalia #aph helsinki #aph tallinn #duo pose challenge #and the duo pose challenge is DONE!#I am now kicking myself for not making Tallinn's hair dye visible

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monpetitpeach · 2 years

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Shopping With Bucky!

Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader

[A/N] So I made an artistic decision and have convinced myself that Bucky would be soooo much fun to have around in the grocery store and by that I mean he’s an actual child… enjoy!

- - -

Stepping inside the nearest grocery store to Stark Towers, your boyfriend rolls in beside you with the cart, leaning his body down a small bit to push the basket with his forearms on the handle.

“What are we getting again?” The man questions, looking around with a lost expression since he never remembers what the multiple Avengers request of the two.

Luckily, you always like to come prepared, already scanning over the quickly-made list you had inside the notes of your phone. “A lot of the usual stuff we get, nothing big.”

Bucky’s smile grown. “So we can—“

“No we aren’t getting cinnamon rolls for breakfast, no one ever makes them.”

The smile’s gone before it can even fully begin, the not-so-young man frowns as he slowly follows behind you, the both of you walking off to the back. “How did you know that’s what I was gonna ask?”

- - -

Alright, with the small skit out of the way here we go to headcanons, the main show!

— He’s gonna grab things off the shelves constantly, like I mean everytime something even somewhat catches his attention he’s done pushing the cart so he can look at it.

— You more often than not have to run around to try and find the man, because at some point you’ll lose him. Whether it’s cause you started going somewhere without his attention or he drifted away to something that’s caught his attention doesn’t really matter

— Just predict that you’re gonna be stuck in the video game aisle at some point to check out new releases; that or the books, but I get a strange feeling Bucky doesn’t really like the grocery store books and he usually orders the ones he likes offline or something like that

— He loves to ride the cart. Not like sit in it, more like once it’s heavy enough he’ll put his feet on the small metal bottom piece and just… zoom. There’s definitely some point in time that he hit someone or something and you had to come up with some idiotic excuse as to why an Avenger was hitting pedestrians with shopping carts.

— Whenever someone pisses him off during the week he makes it a personal mission to forget some of their groceries on the weekly Saturday grocery trip. Say Steve had just poked him the wrong way on Wednesday while they were working out, well guess who isn’t getting his protein powder?

— You have to be the brains of the operation every time, and this usually falls through because you’re genuinely interested in whatever Bucky’s doing, I mean who doesn’t wanna ride the grocery cart and look at new foods? Because of this, it takes the two of you like three hours to shop for twenty things.

- - -

“You’re kidding me, right?” Tony questions, watching as you and Bucky finally get back to the tower, most of the bags hanging from the man’s metal arm since he enjoyed the small challenge it posed. “Two hours?”

“Talk to Barnes, he just had to look at all the Valentine’s day stuff out on display,” You inform while already starting to unpack some bags, not willing to hear Tony’s mouth run.

“There were gigantic cards,” James states with a smile, trying to give an example of the objects with his arms. “I wanted to read them all.”

“Why do we still send them for groceries again?” Bruce asks as he comes out with a stretch, probably hearing the shopping duo return from their trip.

Tony is already leaving the main room, scratching his back with a bored look. “They get out of my hair for the day.”

- - -

New format I’m trying out idk about it just yet

#soft #x reader #headcanon #marvel #snuggles #sweet #bucky barnes #james barnes #grocery shopping #drabble #reader insert #female

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brian-in-finance · 2 years

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‘Belfast’ Stars Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe Drew From Personal Experiences to Play a Married Couple Caught in a Tumultuous Time

"We're going to have a what?" remembers Balfe of taking dance lessons with her onscreen husband. Plus, a look at how five other onscreen marriages are portrayed this awards season.

Caitriona Balfe (left) stars as "Ma" and Jamie Dornan (right) stars as "Pa" in director Kenneth Branagh's "Belfast." ROB YOUNGSON / FOCUS FEATURES

For Caitríona Balfe and Jamie Dornan, working on Focus Features’ Belfast was unlike anything they’d done before. The actress, who plays Ma in Kenneth Branagh’s film based on his childhood, felt drawn to the story when she saw that the script was focused on ordinary people instead of the politics and ideology of Northern Ireland — which she often sees in projects that come her way. For Dornan, who plays Balfe’s husband, Pa, Belfast was set in his hometown, and he was enticed by the truthful story of a family struggling with crippling decisions, grief and unconditional love.

Plus, they got to work with a cast that included Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds and 11-year-old newcomer Jude Hill, whom Balfe and Dornan describe as a joy to work with. The duo reveal to THR how much freedom they had in portraying Branagh’s parents onscreen, how dancing was the most challenging part of the film, and how much rehearsal Dornan had for his “Everlasting Love” rendition — one of his two musical performances last year that took the internet by storm.

How did you get involved with the project?

CAITRíONA BALFE I think I was one of the last of the main actors to come on board. When I was first approached, I was told all of the lovely names that were already attached, and that was incredibly intimidating. I was sent the script, and it’s not that often you read something and you instantly … I felt like I knew Ma. I felt like I recognized my own mother in her but also many other women that I knew from Ireland. And also the subject matter. There’s been so many films made about Northern Ireland that deal with the politics or the ideology, and of course, there’s a place for that, and they’re vastly important. There was nothing that I’d read before that sort of focused on everyday people and with such compassion and with such empathy, so I was just blown away.

JAMIE DORNAN In any given circumstance, if Kenneth Branagh wanted to make a movie with you, with Judi Dench — who was the only other actor that was attached when it came my way — I’d say yes probably without even reading the script. But this time, it was not only those people but a story about my hometown. Also, in the time of the pandemic, when there was sincere fear that I was never going to work again — I certainly didn’t know where the next job was coming from, so it was a particularly tantalizing prospect, given all those circumstances. And then to round out the cast with Ciarán and Caitríona was just incredible. The response and some of the nights that we’ve gotten to share together have been just unparalleled from what I’ve experienced so far in my career.

Given that it’s based on Branagh’s childhood but not an autobiography, did you have leeway to play his parents or did he give you some guidelines?

BALFE From the beginning, one of the first things he did was he sat Jamie, Judi, Ciarán and myself in a room. And he just got us all to speak about ourselves or our childhoods, our parents or grandparents. It became very apparent from this that he wanted us to draw on our own experiences. And he was obviously posing different scenarios that had a relevance to the film, but he wanted us to look at it from the lens of our own lives. And that was such a gift of freedom, to be able to make it our own and not feel like we were trying to reach for a certain note that we felt he was looking for. Ken is such an intelligent director. And as an actor as well, he’s incredibly clever about how he gets you to a place where he wants you to go. He was always just gently guiding us places rather than kind of like, “Well, no, my mother is like this” or “My mother does this.” It gave us a lot of freedom, and a lot of it just made us feel like he had confidence in what we were giving him.

You two play a young married couple who are at times quite distant during the film, physically and emotionally. How did you portray that in the scenes you share, and how did you balance those two aspects of the relationship?

BALFE So much of it was on the page. And it was really beautifully written. It felt fully fleshed out. There were a couple of things that didn’t quite make the end of the film. There’s one scene where they’re sending Buddy and [his brother] Will to church. In the original script, when we have Buddy leave the house, he looks back, and he sees them close the curtains, and you know that they’re having a little Sunday afternoon delight. That was great because you knew no matter what the stresses and strains on the marriage were, we do have quite a few scenes that show that underneath it all, they still have this very deep connection and this real love, and I think that was really important. Jamie and I have both said this before: We found it very organic. It felt very easy. Jamie’s such an open actor, and when we met, we were both just very at ease with each other. We found that no matter what the scenes were, we were always step-by-step and on the same page.

DORNAN It’s not all chance — Ken has picked who he has picked based on what he’s seen in our work and from our personalities. There weren’t any blockages ever at any point in feeling that that family was real. Everyone was giving such a truthful portrayal that was, luckily, cohesively aligned with what everyone else was doing. I can’t stand working with people when they have done a lot of in-the-mirror acting preparation, and they’ve just come up with a plan and they’re just going to do it that way that they’ve practiced a lot because they think that’s right, even though it’s not at all in tune with what your scene partner’s doing. … We did a lot of stuff in one take, so any time something changed or went off in a slightly different direction from the previous one, then the other person reacted accordingly.

What would you say was the most challenging scene for you both?

BALFE I think when you read a script, as an actor, the first thing you focus on is the dialogue — that gives you a sense of what it is. Then, the second pass, you might start reading some of the stage directions. But I think we both glossed over the fact that there were these dance numbers. First you read, “They dance,” and you think, “Oh, they’ll just bop a little.” I think on our first day, the second AD came up and was like, “So you’re going to do this, this, and then you’re going to have a dance rehearsal with Jamie.” I was like, “We’re going to have a what?” I think it’s not in our natural wheelhouse. But in saying that, Jamie Dornan complained during all the rehearsals about how bad he was and how bad it was and then on the day was absolutely perfect. I was the one with two left feet. Those were probably the most challenging.

DORNAN We should say that there used to be more song and dance in the film, but only really “Everlasting Love” made it in there. So there was more that the world was spared.

BALFE Well, I think we can say that all the people are very excited about Jamie Dornan’s singing.

Which song required more rehearsal: “Everlasting Love” or “Edgar’s Prayer” from Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar?

DORNAN God save Ireland! (Laughs.) “Everlasting Love” was quite intricate in its movements, and it was very rehearsed. I felt like I had to get all of it right — the main focus of it being what is being said in that scene between Ma and Pa and where they are, the tumultuous time of the relationship and in their lives with these huge decisions hanging over their head, and the grief, and wanting to say, “We are in a terrible place, but Jesus, I love you, and it’s going to be OK.” That was all at the forefront of it. So there’s loads to think about.

With “Edgar’s Prayer,” you’re just, like, “How can I make this as funny and as absurd and ridiculous as possible?” There were no limitations to that. I did have some dance rehearsals for “Edgar’s Prayer.” … But then we’d get to the beach in Cancun, and I was like, “I can’t even do that because the sand is too thick.” But any suggestion I’d have — “What if I did this?” — they said, “Try it!” So it’s this free rein to just be as silly as possible, which I love.

It’s so good. Every time I need a little pick-me-up, I watch your dance sequence with Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo set to the Titanic song remix.

DORNAN I’d forgotten that we used that remix to that song, and someone said something about the Titanic remix, and I was like, “What?” I had to watch it again — or my kids obsessively watched it for a while. And then I said, “Oh my God, that’s what we danced to,” and we danced to that on the night, and I’d just forgotten.

My kids are always requesting that we listen to “Edgar’s Prayer” [in the car], so they blasted it really loud in our friend’s driveway. And this car we’ve been given here, for some reason, even if you turn off the radio, it still continues, and we’re trying to say hello and greet our friends. And I was singing really loudly. It’s a terrifying thing.

BALFE Somewhere, somebody’s like, “I just pulled up next to Jamie Dornan, who is singing his own song in a car on Sunset?”

What was it like shooting such an intimate film during the pandemic?

BALFE In the beginning, we were all just so terrified that we would get Judi sick. So there were really strict protocols in place. We were testing every single day. I think, at that point, Batman had started filming and we were filming. We were the only two real productions in the U.K. that were up and running. A lot of people were looking to us to see what protocols we were using and how they were working. A lot of credit has to be given to our crew, who were all in different cohorts. They had one-way systems around the sets. All of our props, dressers and everyone, they all had their time on set, and then they would have to leave and the next person would have to come on. We were also filming at the height of summer, it was a crazy heat wave, and especially our hair and makeup department, they were in full PPE with goggles and shields. It made us have to go that extra mile to connect with each other.

Your co-star Jude Hill is incredible, and it’s his first film role. What was it like working with him, and how did you both establish this rapport with not even just a young actor but a new-to-film young actor?

BALFE He’s just amazing. The fact that this is his first role is quite incredible. He came with this absolute openness; he has no reference point for anything else, and so he was just game for anything. He is one of the most prepared and present kids you’ll ever meet, and he, in the entire time that we were shooting — and he was pretty much on all day, every day — he never complained. There was never any hyperness or grumpiness. He’s the most well-mannered, just funny, lovely, open kid. I think one of the beautiful things was to watch his relationship with Ken. Ken was so patient with him, and the way he was able to guide him and his performance was such a good lesson to watch. I’ve seen it working with other actors who are incredible at what they do. And they allow themselves to be guided without taking it on as a critique. That’s such a thing to remember: Sometimes when you’re given a note, if you feel like it’s not what you’ve been doing, it sometimes can help you. … It was beautiful to watch that openness and freedom, and it’s such a lesson as an adult to try and retain that childlike just-rolling-with-it.

Remember… (about the cast) some of the nights that we’ve gotten to share together have been just unparalleled from what I’ve experienced so far in my career. — Jamie Dornan

#Tait rhymes with hat #Good times #BelfastMovie #Interview #The Hollywood Reporter #26 January 2022 #Belfast #Worldwide 2022 #Thanks sunsetmagic85

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kanmom51 · 3 years

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I see most arguments or 'genuine curiosities' posed to those of us who think there is a possibility that Jimin and Jungkook are more than friends as a reflection of how that anon views LGBTQ+ people. That is really what it is. And it bothers me, honestly.

None of us ever said we were certain about this. So what is there to argue with? You have made your views abundantly clear on this blog from day 1, Kanmom. There are many other equally tactful, respectful and thoughtful blogs about Jikook on this platform who have done the same. The same pictures and videos can also be seen there. We Jikookers have been pressed to defend our objectivity (and even, on some occasions, our dignity) countless times.

By posing the same questions again and again, anons make it clear that they see any speculation about the potential LGBTQ+ identity of a person they like/admire to be somehow an inherently negative thing.

The may act innocent, and they may be earnestly ignorant. I don't know. They may say 'I meant no harm'. But that doesn't mean the damage is not done, and it does not mean that it does not sting to read those things. We have been shown a lot of homoromantic content with Jikook (I am not even talking about their personal moments, but just seeing the performances and artworks). We do nothing more than interpret it in the ways it was intended, or was Jimin hugging Jungkook like that in the Christmas remix just for kicks and teases?

It bothers many people that some consider (and write about) Jikook as a possible LGBTQ couple. It bothers them because they have absorbed many harmful beliefs society sews about LGBTQ people. They want to protect Jikook from being seen 'that way'.

Now, I am not equating criticism or differing opinions with bigotry, hate or homophobia. Someone is allowed to have a critical opinion about a Jikooker's work. But I am, because of countless past experiences, inclined to believe that most people arguing virulantly against the POSSIBILITY of Jikook, are doing so out of fear that suggestion of non hetero identity is an unwelcome 'stain' on their idols's good name.

If they require 'proof', or push you into arguing fine points after reading all the material who have written and curated, they are doing so in challenge.

And what precisely are they challenging?

Is it your opinions? Your observations? Your interpretation of facts? The propriety of discussing an idol's orientation? Respect for privacy? What is on trial here? What is the "curiosity"?

Jikookers are not a homogenized group. We evolve our opinions over time and according to our individual interpretation and experience.

Personally, I would not dream of publically commenting about an artists orientation or relationship status unless I believed it has been repeatedly signaled and highlighted by the artists and their (very public) work. Jikook have presented as a homoromantic duo. They have, arguably, presented as a coded couple, in official content. They and BH are aware of this. They know the discourse that is out there. Nothing is being pinned on or projected onto them. If we believe something beyond friendship is going on, it is not something we cooked up on our own.

Thank you for that anon.

“...most people arguing virulantly against the POSSIBILITY of Jikook, are doing so out of fear that suggestion of non hetero identity is an unwelcome 'stain' on their idols's good name.”

Good point. Never thought of it like that.

#Jungkook #Jimin #JM #JK #Jikook #Jikook are real #Kookmin #Homophobia

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thecrownnet · 3 years

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The Crown Is One Of The Hardest Shows To Cast. Here’s How They Do It.

Casting announcements for The Crown are almost as exciting as the premiere of a new season itself. Half the fun of the show is analyzing the actors set to portray famous figures like Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher, as well as who will next fill the storied shoes of Queen Elizabeth. Season 4 of Peter Morgan’s royal drama was cast by Robert Sterne, who' won several Emmys for his work on the series along with Nina Gold (the duo cast seasons 1 through 3 together, and they were also responsible for the influx of talent we saw on Game of Thrones). Unsurprisingly, casting The Crown poses specific challenges not experienced on any other show.

“It’s not only that you’ve got to find actors who can successfully embody real-life, well-known people, but you’ve got to make sure there’s a continuity as it’s passed from the younger to the older version of the actor,” Sterne tells ELLE.com. “Who’s done it before, who’s doing it after, and who are the real people?”Sterne, who's currently in the process of re-casting the entire series for seasons 5 and 6, adds, “It’s nerve-wracking because people invest in the original people. You do X hours of screen time with them and fall in love with their interpretation, and then you go again [and re-cast] every two years.

”The casting process for each season starts about a year before filming begins; a meeting with Morgan clarifies where the characters will be in their journeys the following season. There were 262 speaking characters in season 4, and Sterne personally worked on all of them. The casting director notes that “you’ve got to think ahead of the game,” and that there are several factors to consider—not just whether the actor looks like the real-life person.

“They’ve got to have some credibility, physically, to be the people they’re supposed to portray,” Sterne notes. “But at the same time, they’ve got to get the spirit of it right.” Below, Sterne breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of building the cast of The Crown.

Perfecting Princess Diana

Photo: Des Willie/Netflix

“Diana was a big deal,” Sterne says, confirming the role has been The Crown’s biggest casting challenge to date. “It was clear as we were heading into the 1980s that she was going to be a major part of it. And we’re starting with Diana at the beginning of her life—we’re not trying to find the icon of the Mario Testino images.”

The casting team embarked on an international search for the person who would play Diana, looking at hundreds of possible actresses in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. They weren’t just auditioning professional actors, either. “It was completely open,” Sterne notes. “We were going into schools in the home countries to see if there was anybody who might be good, since we meet her at 16, as well as looking at people who'd done a lot more work.”

The massive search brought them back to Emma Corrin, whom Sterne had seen in the casting process for season 3. The tense lunch between Camilla Parker-Bowles (Emerald Fennell) and Diana in the third episode of season 4 was used as the audition scene for Camilla—and Corrin came in as a reader to stand in for the part of Diana.

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“I usually read in all these meetings, but we decided because it was this major scene that we would get somebody to come in [for Diana],” Sterne explains. “We asked Emma to come in, not thinking about casting Diana at this point. But as she was reading with these Camillas, all the directors and the showrunner were looking more at her and not at the people playing Camilla—who will remain nameless, of course. When we got to thinking about Diana a year later, there she was in my notes.”

Bringing in Margaret Thatcher

Photo: Des Willie/Netflix

Sterne was told early on that the big focus for season 4 would be the three main women: the queen, Diana, and Margaret Thatcher. Casting Thatcher, who has been portrayed repeatedly onscreen in the past, was unusual, because actress Gillian Anderson is Morgan’s partner, and the creator himself approached her about the role.

“There was always a list of one,” Sterne says. “We had thought of ideas and talked it through a lot, but we always knew Gillian Anderson was totally amazing. It seemed like a fresh and interesting way of going. We were very lucky she said she’d do it—she’s such a clever character actress.”

While Anderson is a fairly big name, Sterne and Gold aren’t always looking for an A-list star to be part of The Crown. Having someone like Anderson come in is balanced by casting lesser-known actors like Corrin.

“One of the great joys of working on it—and working with Peter Morgan on it—is that we’re open, and it’s a really genuine opportunity to find the best person for the part,” Sterne says. “We get to find the actor we believe has the best skills and the best instinctive connection with the part, rather than feeling like we’ve got to provide big names all the time.”

Carrying Charles Through

Photo: Des Willie/Netflix

“He’s so three-dimensional,” Sterne explains of the role of Prince Charles. “There are so many aspects to that character. He would have to go on a journey.” It was important that the actor could evolve over a two-decade period, playing both a young version and the one who closes out season 4.

Josh O’Connor's work in Francis Lee’s 2017 film God’s Own Country led Sterne to cast him as Prince Charles. “He totally inhabited the role in God’s Own Country in this beautiful performance that’s very different from who he is. We thought, ‘Gosh, if that guy can do that and run with a character who’s so different than himself, then that will be interesting to see.’ As soon as we started [working with] him, it became pretty clear it was Josh.”

O’Connor has the obvious physical similarity to Charles, particularly in the ears, but Sterne really wanted someone who could make the role their own and not just mimic a famous figure—something especially important to season 4’s arc.

“It’s really important that you’re not getting an impersonation,” Sterne notes. “They have to embody them. We have an amazing team who help with the voice work and the movement work—those technical aspects—but you want somebody who has the skill to take on all that technically, and then leave it all behind. Josh flew with that from the moment he came into the room.”

Finding Young William and Harry

Photo: Des Willie/Netflix

Princes William and Harry make their debut in season 4 as young children, and the resemblance to the real royals is almost uncanny. A baby version of William shows up in episode 6 as Charles and Diana tour Australia and New Zealand in 1982, while Harry appears later in the season. Unlike with the older royals, Sterne focuses on physical appearance alone when casting the kids.

“They have to be as recognizable as possible,” he explains. “They don’t have the opportunity to say many lines, so it’s all visual. You want people to have the pleasure of going, ‘Ah, there they are!’”

Sterne says the difficulty in casting children can vary depending on the situation. The search involves looking through schools in the U.K. and visiting drama groups for kids. “You have to keep going until you find people who feel credible,” Sterne says.

Casting One-Off Characters and Extras

While the fourth season of The Crown focuses a lot on Charles and Diana's relationship and Thatcher’s rapport with the queen, several standalone episodes bring in one-off characters who are equally important to the narrative.

Episode 7, “The Hereditary Principle,” sees Princess Margaret learning that the royal family’s estranged cousins have been locked in a mental institution. The women, Nerissa and Katherine Bowes-Lyon, were first cousins to Elizabeth II on her mother’s side and both had severe learning disabilities. Sterne and Gold cast Trudie Emery as Katherine and Pauline Hendrickson as Nerissa. Both actresses have learning disabilities in real life.

Trudie Emery as Katherine Bowes-Lyon and Pauline Hendrickson as Nerissa Bowes-Lyon in The Crown season 4 episode 7, "The Hereditary Principle".

NETFLIX

“We had a few pictures of those two women and did a lot of research into their lives and experiences, and then did a national search across drama schools and residential care homes to find people with learning disabilities who looked similar to the real women and were interested in acting,” Sterne says. “We employed a lot of the people with learning disabilities we met along the way and put them in small parts in those scenes with Trudie and Pauline. We wanted to find real people with learning disabilities so they were properly represented. There are not as many opportunities as you’d hope for, and when we started looking around, there were so many drama groups. There’s so much talent out there.”

Similarly, in episode 5, Tom Brooke plays real-life British man Michael Fagan, who broke into Buckingham Palace to see the queen—a key moment in understanding the state of England in the 1980s.

Tom Brooke as Michael Fagan in The Crown season 4 episode 5, "Fagan". NETFLIX

“We knew there was going to be an episode about him,” Sterne says, “and I remember reading stories about him and there were loads of pictures of him. For a character like that, you look at footage of him and read about him. It’s a really extraordinary part to play, so you want to find an accomplished, technically brilliant actor who looks a bit like him. Tom is an actor with a whole lot of soul, and you wanted [Fagan] to have a whole lot of soul.”

Sterne adds, “Fagan's story was a way of exploring Thatcher’s Britain that's not automatically going to be covered if you’re just dealing with the royal family and the prime ministers, which is the usual core of The Crown.”

#emma corrin #josh o'connor #gillian anderson #tom brooke #the crown

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