#and victoria just. does not compel me at all

[ouroborosorder]

on one hand, i really really really want more good good Banshee lore. on the other hand i really just don't want to read main story.

#arknights #it's so LONG #and victoria just. does not compel me at all

[qwainte]

Some unimportant things that irk me about Astarion and his related stories

Despite being highborn, Astarion gets buried in the ground with some rinky dink tombstone, not inside a mausoleum.

Ascended!Astarion is able to inherent all of Cazador's assets with no push back, despite being a high ranking law official who was thought to be dead for 200 years.

Elves trance instead of sleep, which gives them the ability to relive memories in vivid detail, but they can choose to sleep if they want to. Why doesn't Astarion choose sleeping over this if going into reverie forces him to relive moments from his 200 years of torture? This could've been a cool character quirk -- having an elf that prefers to dream over trance.

Astarion never really laments about how being undead affects him as an elf. His reincarnation cycle is broken and his soul cannot enter the elven afterlife. Seems like a missed opportunity for conversations between him and the elf companions*.

Why no claws??

Why didn't any of the spawn examine each other's scars? Obviously, they still wouldn't be able to understand it but Astarion makes it seem like he never even glanced at his siblings' backs.

How was Astarion able to run away during his early years as a spawn under Cazador's compulsion?

Matter of fact, how did Dalyria bite Victoria if all the spawns were compelled to never drink blood from humanoids?

Victoria is a fresh corpse capable of speech but it's assumed she's been dead for a while.

Astarion has nothing to say about Victoria's body

Yousen and Violet have no cutscene presence at all

How did Cazador create 7000 spawn without doing the burial ritual? And if he did do it, how did he manage to do something like that in the comfort of his mansion without anyone noticing? Do the Tourmaline Depths have graveyard? Does the Szarr estate have a private graveyard that his main spawn never had access to?

When it's revealed Astarion helped kidnap the Gur children, no one in the party really comments on it. Astarion had only mentioned luring adults for Cazador to feed on. This reveal that he also stole children (and recently, too) should elicit some reaction from the other companions or the PC.

I just want to known the in-universe reason why Astarion's spawn siblings have glowing red eyes, black scleras, and shark teeth

Why is Pale Petras not pale???

Epilogue Spawn!Astarion is said to be an adventurer/hired killer but his attire doesn't reflect that. The doublet is a nice callback to EA but it doesn't fit his new life as a full time rogue.

#*astarion: corellon has abandoned me! i can never be reborn! i will never see arvandor! #halsin/shadowheart/jaheira: *awkward words of sympathy* #minthara: womp womp #yes i am a 'half elf = elven soul' truther #well sort of but that's for another post #bg3 #baldur's gate #baldur's gate 3 #astarion #astarion ancunin #bg3 spoilers

[blysse-and-blunder]

in lieu of a halloween party

~ 10pm, sunday, oct 29, 2023

if i listen really closely i can hear the quiet snoozy breathing of the sweet black cat who now lives in my room! oh, now she is purring.

(contains minor mention of the study of death/dead bodies, but also cat pictures, classical music, and minor spoilers for the end of the most recent season of star trek: strange new worlds)

reading more victoria goddard (blackcurrant fool is somehow *even* *more* for medievalist academics, they visit fantasy university and then the main character saves the day through the power of his dissertation research for crying out loud), some assorted libby holds from jenny odell and amitav ghosh, some kj charles inspired by the medieval mlm romance i finished a few weeks ago (which was great but i was so taken with the idea of posting a whole historical assessment that i scared myself out of talking about it, so maybe next time).

but the book that's been the biggest presence in my life lately has been the audio book version of mary roach's stiff: the curious lives of human cadavers, which i picked up because it had a little Moment back when it came out and i remember thinking that an approachable, sympathetic look at this kind of medical history would be fascinating. and it is! it is just as full of interesting information and humorous, humanizing turns of phrase as you'd like! roach doesn't hesitate to ask, like, intense questions of the people she interviews, nor does she ignore or downplay various gruesome topics, but the audiobook narrator has a hint of a southern accent and gets the mix of tones of voice (from ironic to earnest and back) really nicely. and also, sometimes i'm glad i'm listening to it as an audio book so i don't have to consciously continue turning pages, it'll keep playing even if i stop listening or need to disengage, because there's no shortage of actually quite challenging material. not for the faint of heart, but also, i can't regret reading it.

watching the new season of ghosts from the bbc! the second season of ofmd of course, both because it was fun and because i had to out of self-defense; uhhhh what else this month has been so long and also so fast! the musical episode of strange new worlds which was GREAT. how good were some of those songs!! like on their own, i would listen to nyota and christine and la'an's songs-- reminded me of the mix CD a friend made me for a birthday one year that mixed, like, barenaked ladies with some songs from the buffy musical episode. then the finale of this season which (minor spoilers here) i found actually so compelling, like, i've been mildly ehh about a lot of the gorn stuff (not la'an, but the concept of the gorn always feels very old-school scifi and the more serious they try to play it, the worse that effect usually) but then the monster design and movement when they finally appear on screen? excellent.

though to be entirely honest, the thing i've come back to and watched/listened to most consistently has been the new series of dimension 20, burrow's end. i managed to tune in as a campaign was starting, and actually more or less keep up! huge for me. the bear in ep 2 was all-to-close to some of the body horror i'd just been reading about with stiff, so this month has been 'so you'd like to get better about dealing with body horror?' for me in a way. unintentionally. i think i am appreciating this series more than i would have if i hadn't read and enjoyed watership down a few years back, but the added edge of, like, for-real magic from the d&d elements makes it even more fun. i love the new (to me) players, i love seeing the old ones in their new roles, i love that while the conceit seems to be 'humans are like eldritch horrors to woodland creatures' on the surface, there's also clearly something (or things?) else going on.

listening checking in on my spotify daylist lately to see what moods i've been assigned (soul-crushing once, which was wild to see as a genre, but goblincore also so. whatever i guess!) paper writing lockdown included more autoheart, more yws gwynedd, and like a 24-hour lockdown on @lessthansix's 'deferring panic' playlist, from which i share the following track as a thank-you:

playing tuned into dnd as a virtual player tonight so that i could stay home and supervise the NEW BABY aka this little (large) black dumpling of a cat who i cannot quite believe is my very own. playing such classics as 'ribbon on a string' and 'this is a ball that makes food come out when you play with it, ooooooh' and 'i hope my eyes feel normal again after i stop putting my face directly on you so much and i have not somehow developed an allergy to cat dander in the six weeks since we last had a cat come visit'. playing the classic game, 'so you think you can be responsible for another life form! and are you willing to risk an increase in your experience for loss in order to gain an increase in your experience of love?' (also while we're here: why is naming the hardest part of any endeavor. naming wifi networks, naming pokemon, and now this, a real live creature! who i want to treat with love and also humor, while showing wit and personality at the same time. hell.)

making fixed up a sweater my housemate was going to get rid of. i am not, habitually, a fibercrafter (though not for want of opportunity or, even, interest sometimes), but this made me want to find other easy and quick things to do with yarn.

before: big fuck off hole between the cowl and neck line

after: used some yarn of a similar weight /softness that i already had, so it doesn't match but it's not like you see it. hidden little necklace of pearls.

working on writing a paper for my first ever 30-min conference presentation, which is also going to be the first time i submit a paper ahead of time for someone (a professor i do not usually work with, but whose work and career and writing i admire) to read and give real comments on. this is fine. i am simultaneously trying to use this as an opportunity to squish an entire chapter's worth of notes and observations and ideas into a single presentation, and trying to not do that. but i want her take on all of it! i also...do need to write all of it. but getting a chance to slow down and take a bit of extra time with it was also very welcome. gave a guest lecture this week on a subject only vaguely related to my own work, which required a lot of extra reading (not even to know what to say, but just to be confident that i wasn't missing anything massive), and also did organize my department's halloween party, so. it's been a busy last ten days, and i'm excited to wrap some of this up.

bonus: cat pictures! thank you for reading this far, i think we will be going with luna? her grace, lunette st. cat, first marquise of dumplingdom. something.

#in lieu of a commonplace book #ilcb #weekly roundup #monthly really #Spotify

[soldier-poet-king]

get to know you better game! answer the questions and tag 9 people you want to know better. tagged by @galahadiant

last song I listened to: Incandescent Ruins - The Mountain Goats!

currently reading: finishing up Flannery O'Connor's short stories, a historical nonfiction overview for work research, Victoria Goddard's At The Feet of The Sun, Blood and Ash series (IT'S SO BAD. HOLY SHIT. it's for hater bookclub and is probably the worst thing ive ever read), FMA manga, James Baldwin's Notes from a Native Son, Fun Home

(i always have a zillion things on the go and switch between as the mood strikes)

currently watching: nothing?? i dont really watch tv ;-; i put on critical role when crafting if that counts? technically I ave snk, the bear, and the untamed all on the go, but i watch VERY sporadically, mostly just when im too sad to read or play video games, which i prefer to tv

currently obsessed with: when am i NOT obsessed with something? I dont think I really 'get over' obsessions, inasmuch as they enter the ever growing rotation in my heart, and everyday it's a wild guess what will get me super emotional. in 2024 thus far it's been: Sad Russian Man Simulator Pathologic, Pentiment (video game), BG3, Under Jurisdiction Book 1 by Susan R Matthews*

.

.

*this is NOT a rec. omg. this is not a book most people would enjoy. it is super graphic and violent and deliberately horrifying and uncomfortable. i loved it. it very much asks questions and explores themes at the intersections of all my interests - submission to Duty vs. Authority, questions of loyalty and devotion even to a 'bad' person, mercy and justice to 'bad' people, being worthy of care regardless, questions of autonomy and dehumanization and what does choice really mean when you are not free?, facing the monster of the self and refusing to hide from it and acknowledging the terrible thing you are, questions of responsibility, duty and care of a Master over his servants, and man to man, family angst, religious angst, what does the ends and the means really mean when it's harm reduction? when it's doing something unspeakably awful to prevent something even worse?

THAT BEING SAID. it is still like. a book about a doctor who is forced against his will to become a government sanctioned torturer in an evil space empire. and to his disgust and horror he realizes he's a sadist. he's not only /good/ at it, some part of him /enjoys/ it. and he has to live with that knowledge, that burden, that guilt. Andrej is Not A Nice Man, by any means, but maybe, MAYBE, he can try to be a good one, or as good as circumstances permit. im compelled by this exploration of things so horrifying. we cannot look away from the horrors. cannot refuse to ask the difficult questions. and art is just. the place for that exploration of things too terrible to stomach irl

#THAT WENT ON A RANT #i could keep going abt the value of BAD SCARY art #and fiction where bad ppl do bad things #and why that's NECESSARY to explore in fiction #but this is the no reading comprehension webbed site #so like. i rest my cast #case* #there is no room for nuance/ we need kids tv morality out here #and so. i will think my thinky thoughts alone #ANYWAY thank u percy!!! #the duality of fran

[filthforfriends]

When I go to answer a serious ask, I usually type out my initial ideas, save it to drafts, and craft a response after I've had time to think. But recently, some of the asks have just disappeared. Unfortunately, this was one of those instances. (I'm recalling to the best of my ability).

Anon said they felt like the only one noticing how Maneskin use people as props in their photos, usually People of Color.

This topic touches on some of the most historically and currently relevant subsects of society. Race & ethnicity. Social development & communication, (now in the age of social media). Entertainment & representation. Plus, others I'm not thinking of. I want to acknowledge how deserving of an in depth discussion this topic is, while also acknowledging that I'm not informed enough to broach it. So this is gonna be pretty surface, anon, and I'm sorry for that.

What does it even mean to use somebody as a prop?

Props are used to add detail and context which make the subject or background more interesting. As inanimate objects, they only exist to enhance the scene. Therefore, to treat someone like a prop is to prioritize the way they can improve your image over that person's autonomy. Sure, both the prop and subject can both have individuality, as long as one serves to make the other look interesting.

So who's culpable? The subject, the photographer/videographer, perhaps a director of sorts? Personally, I think the blame is shared and situationally dependent.

Below are the most obvious examples of Maneskin using a person as a prop, posted to their insta pages. The trend anon pointed out is evident. Admittedly, I don't have a good sample size here, though. A ton of Maneskin's content is only available on their stories. Especially content with non-band members (which is what anon is referencing), since Maneskin's publicist prefers to post just the band.

I wonder how many of the people in these photos gave informed consent. (Not necessarily to a band member, just someone). As in "This photo will be posted without your name and seen by millions, but you won't receive royalties." Because some of these images Maneskin (the brand) can profit from via merchandise and copyrights. Conversely, most of the folks in the photos will experience poverty in their lifetime. Some of Maneskin's outfits are worth more than the other person makes in a year and they're treating them like a plant. There's also the safety concern. If any of these people have someone in the whole world that wishes them harm, that person can now find their job/neighborhood.

I know these photos aren't all bad. Victoria probably got consent to post pic #5, just a harmless prank. The woman in pic #3 was likely thrilled to be sitting next to such a handsome young man and thinks all social media is Facebook (which she hates). But why take pictures with the Black men in photos #2 & #4? What about the Latinas in #1 & #12? They're are using POCs as visually compelling markers of cultural and ethnic differences to say something meaningful about themselves. Look how far I've come! Look how successful my music is! You envy me, right?

#if this take is too nuanced for you ✨move along✨ #yes ANON maybe it wasn't their idea/*insert plausible deniability here* #maybe Maneskin are faultless & culpable for nothing & never make mistakes & above all critique & you will shun me forever OH NO #and they'll eventually ascend to heaven while angels sing Supermodel in a white column of light parting the clouds plus a double rainbow #as max Martin performs fellatio on Vic's strap and a thousand virgins part their legs above as a thousand MILFs part their legs below #THE GREAT SCISSORING. but barring that they are fallible and I'm opinionated so plz exit at the block button. you'll find friends there.

[ladyloveandjustice]

Blue Beetle was a fun movie with a great cast! You should go see it if superheroes are your thing, Jaime deserves it! It does stick close to the superhero origin formula in a lot of ways, but the chemistry between the cast, the focus on some heavier themes, and the fact Jaime's family was extremely involved throughout the entire movie kept it really entertaining.

Quick rundown of things I really liked and some not so liked things:

Liked:

-Jaime's family, but especially Nana the revolutionary. I loved that each of them got a moment to shine

-Harvey Guillen's De La Cruz-verse

-The Scarab learning Spanish was so adorable!

-Jaime's Mom getting a 'kick their asses' moment like in the comics and also talking directly to the scarab.

-When Kord cops went after Jaime's family it was really well done. You could feel the terror there.

-The heart to heart moments were also all well done

-Just Jaime in general as a character. They kept him sweet and relatable.

-It had a solid character arc and focus on characters, which is a miracle in the modern superhero landscape

-Honestly tragic villain backstory flashbacks usually don't get to me, but they handled this one really well. It hit hard.

-A movie that truly understand 'don't trust the cops' and 'there's no jobs in this economy, especially for minorities." The reference to the fact there were undocumented people in Jaime's family was also well done, and contrasted the original comic never really taking a stance on that.

-the fact that Jaime was so against killing people but his family absolutely wasn't and racked up a massive body count was lowkey very funny.

-Victoria was definitely hateable, glad she died.

Some stuff I'm like 'hm that wasn't a great change':

-I don't understand why they put cliche superhero beats that aren't even in the source material in this. Jaime's dad didn't have to die. He doesn't in the comics and that's what made his comic different. He didn't have a tragic classic superhero origin. Why give him one and make him MORE like everyone else?

-Also the fact the villain amounts to 'Blue Beetle and...Antagonist Blue Beetle' like 99% of Marvel villains. I think this was used a lot more meaningfully than most examples of the trope, but it's still overdone. They could have had a similar character but given him different powers than Blue Beetle that he was experimented on to have, something that would be difficult for him to go up against and give contrast. Or picked a villain from the comics. There were a ton of options.

-the girlfriend/Ted's daughter character was very bleh, which is a shame, because the original comic had really fun female characters outside Jaime's family as well as inside. The movie is still better than male superhero origins in the female character department overall because the women inside Jaime's family are so cool, it just sucks they couldn't have a love interest with a vibrant personality too. Her sad rich girl schtick just wasn't compelling.

-There was barely any conflict between Jaime and the scarab, compared to the comic, where it was like...the main thing. Jaime was just like "hey don't kill people' and the khaji da was like 'okay' pretty easily. I don't get why they didn't explore that a lot more, because 'trying to bond with something programmed to kill and deprogram it' is so meaningful and could lead to some really fun comedy too? The lack of struggle also made the reversal they pulled at the end less meaningful.

-Honestly I personally didn't need so much about Ted, let Jaime stand on his own for the first movie with Ted being mentioned a few times and leave the discoveries about Ted for later movies. I'm probs in the minority there!!! I like Ted, but this is about Jaime. It also kinda sucks they made Ted a bad dad with a fridged wife.

-I also think they shouldn't have made Victoria a victim of sexism, i guess they were trying to give her a sympathetic quality or something, but it didn't work. "She was passed over for the company because of sexism but that turned out to be a good thing" is kind of like...idk why is that there.

-Harvey Guillen died :(

But overall, solid movie, and I hope they get to do more.

#blue beetle #blue beetle movie spoilers #blue beetle movie

[itsmyregularcat]

Favorite Platoria moment from the show last night?

Ugggghhfffff there were so many and I was so pleased to be in the audience for the magic that was all of those Platoria interactions.

They are so fucking in love my peeps.

Firstly, I have to say that I absolutely adored Yuka as Victoria. She was just perfect. I would be willing to say that she has completely usurped the top spot of my fave Vic. Her mannerisms and style was so exceptionally graceful and pure like any Victoria should be. The way she acted was exactly in line with how I feel the character would be as well. I was so, so impressed and happy with her. The best part was how much she seemed to be enjoying herself. Yuka spend the entire show smiling and it melted my heart. She is freaking precious.

Sam did great as Plato too, and he certainly gave the impression of a character who loves and is devoted to his little love. The look of adoration in his eyes every time he saw Vic was how I would be honestly. She is his everything.

They were constantly slinking up to one another and sharing smiles and touches as they sat together, or giving looks across the stage. There was so much warmth and fondness in their moments.

Anyway, without going on and on about it, my favourite Platoria moment without a doubt is the lead up to the pas de deux during the Jellicle Ball and then the pas de deux itself.

It is like the world falls away and they are the only two cats that matter. In a way, that is what happens, as in the fervor of the jellicle ball they find one another and stay in the center of the stage. I am not sure if it was just feeling of it, but their dance together leading up to the lift seemed to stretch on longer than I guess I realize it does, but I am not complaining at all. Their time together, the way they regard one another, their touches, their smiles, and the way Plato lifts Vic is all based on so much love and care.

These parts are essentially my favourite part of the musical depending on how I am feeling, but Sam and Yuka made it even more compelling. I am going to mention it again, but the way they both smiled and how excited they seemed when they danced with one another during the lead up to the lift was impeccable and I am not normal about how much it makes me happy.

They were so great together, and I am still riding the high from seeing them.

#Victoria #plato #platoria #us tour 6 #cats the musical #cats musical #cats us tour #anyway yeah i loved Yuka as Vic #i know i do not talk a lot about it on this blog but i am always soft for platoria #they love each other so much people yall do not understand #yuka notsuka #sam buchanan #*slams hands on table* #i want what they have

[threebooksoneplot]

ok so this is a hypothetical scenario bc i listen to a buncha pods about books and sometimes the podcasters have Bad Takes and will b like "i think people generally think [insert bad take]" and i always want to scream and reach out to them like: no. respectfully, i luv ur pod, but shut up ur wrong, or at least to be like: if ur gonna insist on having this take at least acknowledge that there are also other takes out there pls n thanks (yall do this its gr8 im here for it!) anyway i was wondering if someone said something to that effect to you would you be like: ok noted thanks for the feedback ... or would you be like: anyway ur wrong actually bye what would ur response to this incredibly vague hypothetical scenario be?? im curious! thanks for indulging me/my curiosity lol ... ok thats all bye

I mean, I (G) feel like we've definitely done both of those things at different times! kinda depends on the take. like, does the phrase "it's not that deep" apply? then we're probably gonna go for a jokey "you're wrong" Response B. In fact, I'd say 90% of the time when we go for Response B we are joking (James did nothing wrong and Victoria should get to kill Bella as a treat.)

but in general we tryyyyyy to leave room for nuance and point out where we ourselves are biased? you guys are the best judge of whether or not we succeed at that, lol. personally I think the key is just doing what you said above, and acknowledging other takes exist. our experiences are not universal! we try to keep our finger on the pulse (haha vampire jokes) of what other fans are saying even as we acknowledge that "other fans" is a HUGE and diverse category that includes everyone from Cheryl in the Bite Me Edward facebook group who's been writing edbella fic on ff.net since 2009 to Emersyn on tiktok who saw Twilight for the first time last year to Princess Weekes, who just released a new video essay on how not all critiques of the series are bad faith vitriol.

it's also why we have guests! shannon and I are in such close agreement on most things that we knew from the start we wanted to introduce more diversity of opinions, lol.

we ourselves definitely have opinions of the reactionary "we've heard this take we disagree with one too many times online and now we can't help but rip it to shreds when it comes up" variety (stan renee for clear skin) but consider this our re-upped commitment to pointing out to the audience whenever that's the case. we know some of you guys probably like, touch grass and may not be aware of the niche online twilight discourse that poisons our brains 24/7

overall, New Moon has been a great place to build up our "acknowledge that other takes exist" muscles! it feels like every 5 pages we were both stopping to be like "well I don't find this compelling, but I can see why someone else...might...like this." it's definitely opened up my perspective to reread the books after years of being in fandom and being exposed to so many opinions.

so, yeah: it's a boring answer, but our response to the hypothetical situation would depend on the hypothetical take. we hope (and continue to work) to always leave room in our Serious discussions for other points of view!!

#asks #orri0nn

[empressawesomecoolness]

Doctor Who: The Ultimate Speedrun Marathon - Series 2 (2006)

Woah. I mean, what a Series! I didn’t know how Tennant and Piper would follow up Series 1, but they did a great job, not just in carrying over aspects from Series 1, but doing new things and carving out a new niche for the 10th Doctor. A lot of fun from all angles.

General Thoughts

I’ve always really loved David Tennant as an actor. Even before I properly started watching Doctor Who, he was my personal favorite Doctor (that might change over the course of this marathon, but that’ll come much later). Now having actually fully seen him in action as the 10th Doctor, I’m really happy that he met my expectations and more. He’s fun and snarky, same as McGann and Eccleston, but he brings this new sorta wide-eyed manic energy that one would probably expect from a 900+ year old time/space traveler. His look is also really fun and iconic, with pinstripe suits, long trench coats, and spiked-up hair. It compliments Tennant’s already tall and slim figure, giving 10 a lanky look reminiscent to a sort of alien Sherlock Holmes. The converse are a fun touch, too.

He’s definitely different from his immediate predecessor, but in a good way that makes sense given his new found attachment to Rose after Series 1 (or at least that’s my reading of it). He’s got a bit less angst, although it does peer through in good dramatic moments. Overall, Tennant’s able to juggle what made the recent previous Doctor’s special and memorable with his own acting sensibilities and personality. He really lends himself well to a character like the Doctor.

In companion news, Rose is just as strong and likable a character as ever. I knew new companions would show up eventually, so this whole Series I was just dreading the moment when it became clear that she’d be gone for good. Although I didn’t expect her departure to be THAT devastating! I mean holy fuck. Despite that ending though, Rose never stopped being an intensely compelling character, despite my assumption that her time as a companion was coming to an end.

As for the other campions, we only see Mickey return in this Series. When the Cybermen return to the show in a parallel universe, Mickey decides to stay behind there and help fight their invasion. It was another welcome surprise moment of character development from Mickey, especially when he finally realizes that he has a life and agency outside of Rose. However, when he’s able to return and help Rose and the Doctor fight the invading Cybermen and Daleks, it feels really truly earned on his end.

Also, how cool was it to see Sarah Jane Smith (played by Elisabeth Sladen) and K-9 (played by K-9) again?! That was a really cool and welcome surprise for me. It also avoids being a plot line of mere fan-service, since we get really cool insight into the life and mind of companions left behind by the Doctor decades before. However, they do eventually reconcile with the Doctor in their own bittersweet moments towards the episode’s end. Although, that reconciliation is a little bittersweet, given Rose’s fate at this Series’ end. I hope she gets something similar later in the show.

Favorite Episodes

Tooth and Claw

New Earth

School Reunion

The Girl in the Fireplace

Love and Monsters

Favorite Moments

Queen Victoria’s hemophilia being explained as a strain of alien lycanthropy was very funny and very Doctor Who. The running gag about Rose trying to get her to say the supposed “We are not amused” line was funny as hell too.

The 10th Doctor meets alien Satan.

Cassandra returning was a shock. I know she got a bit of a redemption arc in this Series’ premiere but I don’t really care. fuck her

I felt so clever picking up on the little references to Torchwood before they were properly revealed towards the end teehee. Making up for not noticing most of the Bad Wolf hints in Series 1 ig.

Madame de Pompadour getting a whole episode to herself in order to fight against evil French masquerade nightmare robots from the future was a welcome surprise.

Alright, that about wraps up everything I wanted to say about Series 2. A great Series itself and an amazingly solid start to Tennant’s iconic tenure as the 10th Doctor. Now, onto Series 3.

#doctor who #doctor who: the ultimate speedrun marathon #10th doctor #david tennant #rose tyler #billie piper

[cuilpantielthesleepyscribe]

Dolly | Oneshot for Victorian AU

1867, London

The doll was spectacular. A work of art, truly. The head was bisque with hair set into the latest style, painted by a skilled hand with dark eyes, dark eyebrows, and softly blushing cheeks. The body and limbs were white kid leather, clothed decorously in lawn chemise and drawers, trimmed with broderie anglaise and silk ribbons. Over it went a real tiny crinolette and petticoat with layers of frothy Irish lace, cartridge-pleated by hand onto a waistband.

The pink silk satin gown was in the latest French fashions, and came with a day and evening bodice, a separate overskirt, and matching handbag and satin shoes.

The day bodice was modestly high-necked, trimmed tastefully in white imported Brussels lace, dark pink silk ribbon, and tiny red silk ribbon rosettes. Appropriately, the skirt was also trimmed to match, making a highly fashionable - but not vulgar - day dress. The matching handbag, filled with tiny calling cards, and little satin pumps completed the daytime ensemble.

The addition of the evening bodice and overskirt, however, transformed the gown. The low neckline and nearly-nonexistent sleeves were trimmed with more Brussels lace and pink silk ribbons. In the center of the neckline was the star of the show: a red silk rosette spilling over with real seed pearls. Fashionably gathered and looped, the overskirt was similarly festooned with Brussels lace and silk rosettes spilling seed pearls.

Mr Joseph Hill, Savile Row suit tailor lately possessed of an increasingly wealthy, eccentric, but otherwise pleasant and generous Chinese client, had to admit that his niece - herself a former seamstress for London's rich - had done a fine job on perhaps the most lavish doll ensemble to ever grace English soil.

Mrs Victoria Wright pressed her lips together, eyes dancing with mirth. "I know what Mr Chan told you about wanting a present for his little girl's first birthday, but do you know the real reason he's paying for this?"

This being a doll, ensemble, and accessories worth more than many women's actual finest gowns.

Joseph frowned. "No. He told me it was because he felt sorry for being so far away from his daughter all the time."

What on earth could have compelled the man to commission such a lavish gift for an infant otherwise? Had he upset his wife somehow?

Victoria seemed barely able to contain herself. "Well, did Mr Chan tell you about the rude tailor who turned him away before he came to you? Mr Carter just up the street?"

Joseph nodded slowly, wondering where this was going.

"He told me that he secretly bought out Mr Carter's landlord and fabric suppliers not too long ago. This is Carter's entire month of rent and supplies money. For a fine dolly for the young miss to gum on!"

Joseph had to quickly set the doll back down so he wouldn't drop it while laughing.

Notes:

The doll ends up being named Miss May (from Cantonese mui gwai fa, rose) Rose, and is the Victorian AU counterpart of canonverse's Lady Merilwen.

Victoria is entertained (and paid) enough by the whole affair that she offers to continue updating and expanding the doll's wardrobe as needed, and make matching doll-and-little-girl dresses when the young miss (Pan) is a little older.

Aside from sheer spite, the doll does actually serve two practical purposes:

It helps Mrs Chan (and later, Mrs Beeton) stay updated on the current fashions in London, which is important, seeing as Mrs Chan does occasionally go in for business.

Years later, it helps them teach Pan the kind of British manners and norms that will be essential for her to know, as someone whose family does business in the British Empire and is intended to marry into a trading or aristocratic family.

Shortly after Pan gets the doll, Mr Chan gets a letter from his sister-in-law and brother politely requesting that as the other girls in the household (Pan's older cousins) quite admired their baby cousin's doll, would he mind helping them buy and send over more? It doesn't need to be the monstrosity that is Miss May Rose, but the girls would like to have matching dolls to play with their cousin. Being a generous brother and uncle, he obliges.

Aside from this and an occasional commission for new doll dresses, most of the rent + supplies money actually goes to a fund supporting poor Chinese sailors, with all receipts meticulously kept in a book. An errand boy is sent with a copy of it (and some choice newspaper articles) to Mr Carter's shop one fine day after Pan's presentation in 1883.

Extant dolls and clothing inspiration spam:

1890s doll with 1860s dress, chemise, drawers, and hoop skirt petticoat

Anne Lloyd, Photo (2018), “Miss French Mary” Fashion Doll, c.1875

“Miss Fanchon” doll and accessories, late 1860s–1870s

"Miss Fanchon" doll gloves and handbag, with real working clasp and buttons.

Miss Fanchon doll during restoration, with real hair and kid leather body - including detailed hands and feet - clearly visible

Fashion plate. Fig. 9 - Artist unknown. The World of Fashion, vol. 42, no. 507 (March 1866). Source: Google Books

Dress with day and evening bodice, British, ca. 1865

Ensemble, consisting of evening bodice, day bodice, additional overskirt, and matching handbag. Designer: Depret, French, ca. 1867

#victorian au #oneshot

[makeusfly]

Book Review: The Fragile Threads of Power

Six years after publishing A Conjuring of Light, the conclusion to her Shades of Magic trilogy, V.E. Schwab returns to London with The Fragile Threads of Power.

I can't think of many things more challenging.  While reorienting readers to her world, characters, and magic system, Schwab also has to prove this world's dynamism.  Few sequels are as disappointing as those set years later but feel as if nothing has happened in the interval.  Plus, the previous trilogy escalated into a stressful, high-octane adventure that tested each of its protagonists in brutal ways.  How does one raise the stakes to keep readers engaged, while still giving a new story space to grow?

At an event in New York earlier this year, Schwab and her conversation partner Tochi Onyebuchi decided there are no rules except, "The rule is: do it well."  And she does.

When I heard we were going back to London, I reread the original trilogy to prepare, so I can't speak to the experience of reading this new book cold.  What I can speak to is the seamless characterization of all our favorites.  Kell finds it difficult to adjust to his weakened state.  Lila refuses to let him wallow in it.  Rhy steps into his new role with the same heart he's always had for both his country and his brother while Alucard adapts to his own new position.  Barely 20 when their story began, six years has forced all of them to grow, but they are instantly recognizable with or without the flashbacks explaining how we got here.

The new faces in Red London are equally compelling.  I loved Tes from the moment she appeared on the page.  I was more skeptical of Nadiya - being the ardent Rhy/Alucard shipper that I am - but she, too, won me over...and provided the last piece of evidence any of us should need to prove this isn't just a book that features queer characters but is, at its core, a Queer Book.  (Thank you, Victoria.)

It is also a massive book.  Schwab is doing a lot of things to bridge the old series and the new, including multiple flashbacks, developing White London more thoroughly, and giving the reader firsthand insight into The Hand, our new group of villains hoping to depose King Rhy.  Even in Schwab's expert hands, this does present some pacing issues.  A few sections drag a bit, and I'm still not sure why we spent so long with a man she never names.  Meanwhile, though we know how The Hand and the Royal Family feel, I would have like to see more about how the average citizen of Arnes is faring under Rhy's reign.

Overall, the intrigue, adventure, and, yes, romance are spot-on and exactly what brought us to London in the first place.  I look forward to all the ways this trilogy is going to emotionally destroy me.

#fragile threads of power #shades of magic #v.e. schwab #book review #trying to get back into this

[realreulbbrband]

Fave Victoria ships and why

Don’t do this to me….

Ok so this might just be like an internal thing, but I’ve always been drawn to unpopular ships or not very thought about one’s when I’ve been in a fandom for a while. Idk why I’m just always drawn to them?

anyway currently my favorite would probably have to be Mistoria, because like literally yesterday I was watching the 1990 Paris boot just for them and taking notes and while I was taking the notes it sort of hit me why they had this appeal to me and that was just the storyline I managed to peace together from them.

big explanation ramble undercut but yknow I know I’m pretty much alone with this ship so might as well. Also, sorry If this answer took long, I wrote a god damn book.

Victoria's solo and the invitation to the Jellicle Ball mark an important introduction into their relationship. Mistoffelees makes a particularly nice gesture as he steps aside, making way for Victoria to shine before entering the pipe. As if to give her that last bit of encouragement this is the night she’ll come of age after all. It's a simple but endearing gesture that shows how much he cares for her. Because he truly admires Victoria and appreciates her performances, Mistoffelees is not watching her from behind because he’s worried she’ll trip but  rather  because he loves to see her flourish in her element.

After Victoria's solo, she momentarily gazes at the moon, contemplating the night ahead. Just then, she hears the pitter patter of  Mistoffelees arriving, ready to dance with her. She has a little “oh!” moment and it’s so adorable. 

One aspect that deeply resonates with me is how Mistoffelees and Victoria can support and uplift each other. Mistoffelees, being a natural people pleaser, constantly strives to impress and gain recognition. This drive is evident in his competitive nature during the ball dances and his longing for more prominent roles, such as in 'Gumbie Cat' (where he is only assigned to be one of the mice and a beetle) and 'Bustopher Jones' (where Skimble intentionally creates distance between Mistoffelees and Bustopher, barely allowing him to wave at Bustopher, which leads to Mistoffelees' desire to snag Bustopher's tail). Mistoffelees yearns for validation and aims to prove his worth at every opportunity. Even during the first two Macavity scares, he remains on stage, visibly restless, compelled by his insatiable need to contribute and do more.

Victoria, in contrast, exudes a self-assuredness and doesn't feel the need to constantly prove herself. She embraces her true self and recognizes her own worth without seeking external validation. This confidence is evident in her unapologetic authenticity, as seen during Tugger's number where she confidently swoons and engages in floorwork dancing. Furthermore, when Grizabella first arrives and interrupts the 'Tugger dance party,' Victoria is one of the last cats to stop dancing, showing her ability to stay in the moment and remain true to herself, regardless of what others are doing around her.

Additionally, Victoria's interactions with others appear to be less touch-oriented compared to her interactions with Mistoffelees. (she does have a few moments here and there like hugging old Deuteronomy but really everyone is trying to get some old D affection) She displays hesitancy when it comes to physical contact with others, even during moments like Tugger's number. Instead, she chooses to express herself through well…feeling herself. However, in contrast, she warmly welcomes Mistoffelees' touch after her solo as he does those pats along her legs and during their pas de deux. This embrace symbolizes a significant moment of trust and deep connection between them.

The pas de deux lift is undeniably poignant. While Mistoffelees physically lifts Victoria, their connection goes beyond physicality . Her mere presence and their shared bond uplift him emotionally. It's a moment where they both shine, they’re both lifting each other because it’s their moment.

In summary, Mistoria in the Paris 1990 production of Cats embodies a complete and fulfilling storyline for me. The sweet moments, the unexpected connection, and their mutual upliftment make it an enchanting and memorable portrayal. I will forever cherish the magic of Mistoria in that particular rendition Mistoria, the relationship between Mistoffelees and Victoria in Cats, captivates me like no other pas de deux pairing. It offers a full circle storyline that I find lacking in Victoria's other interactions. Let me explain why.

opting for self-expression through movement and floorwork. However, she warmly welcomes Mistoffelees' touch after her solo and during their pas de deux. This embrace represents a significant moment of trust and connection between them.

Despite their differences, they find a beautiful balance in their relationship. Mistoffelees' unwavering love and support for Victoria encourages her to embrace her true self even more, while Victoria's self-assurance and general positive nature inspires Mistoffelees to believe in himself more and find his own worth beyond seeking validation from others. It's a symbiotic connection where they both grow and flourish together, bringing out the best in each other.

The pas de deux lift is undeniably poignant. While Mistoffelees physically lifts Victoria, their connection goes beyond the physical realm. Her mere presence and their shared bond uplift him emotionally. It's a moment where they both shine, supporting and inspiring one another.

In summary, Mistoria in the Paris 1990 production of Cats embodies a complete and fulfilling storyline for me. The sweet moments, the unexpected connection, and their mutual upliftment make it a memorable portrayal. I will forever cherish the magic of Mistoria in that particular rendition.

Anyways them <3

#Thanks for the ask!!! #seriously good question it had me thinking #Victoria #Mr. Mistoffelees #mistoria #Also just being clear I don’t hc them as siblings and I never really saw them as siblings #Forgive me if I sound like a dumb dumb here but I genuinely love them sm

[icefrozendeadlyqueen]

Twilight VR │ Reader Insert - Prologue

Warning: Volturi

Word count: 1059

The prologue will change for each character!

Hope you enjoy it! If you have any suggestion, let me know. If you have any names wanted to be added (in the Alpha Tester sense) Let me know. This shots will be under the tag TwilightVR. The gif doesnt belong to me. Do note let me know I might not be using warnings properly. The gif is not mine

Reader Inset words references:

(y/n) = your name.

(e/c) = eye color

(f/c) = favor color.

         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~x~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stargazing branches thick but thin like a mirror with no reflection; leaves like chandeliers hanging below the stars gazing in the light of the sun. Rainbows paint the scenery in colors beyond (y/n) comprehension. Their lungs receive that similar welcome on their 7th birthday to the fair their folks would drive them to every chance they got – the cotton candy they would sink their teeth into like no tomorrow. 

They breathe in the familiar faint sniff of buttery popcorn, their mouthwatering at the mere thought of probably bad for them, their blood pressure might skyrocket; however, it is worth every pain exercising later. Their hands dance alongside the familiar scent, a second not long music plays in the background, they would recognize it anywhere it is Bella’s Lullaby tunes, they had it as a ringtone does not use it on anyone to contemplate its beauty.

 Threes unite a welcoming cocoon, but their heartstring at the prospect of everyone having such a welcome to this world. Their fingers reach their temples expecting to touch the (f/c) VR headsets to feel a reality. A once over to the birds flocking as one in union to the others around. An ocean welcomes them tracing edges as one by one mirror like doors that showcase their reflection.

 In plain sight, they are wearing (f/c) outfits not really something to be remembrance. They (e/c) eyes trace each mirror like door characters throughout Twilight saga shown playing scene from Charlie meeting Edward, Baseball scene, Lauren warning about James, Prom end of Twilight, Victoria appeareance, Edward showing up, etc. Every scene they could think pop up on the mirrors like doors.

 “Aahh”, hands clapping return their attention to right in front of them. A tall figure stood cloak in the Volturi’s notorious cloak. They intentionally half kneel out of respect to the Volturi before them. They would recognize them anywhere no matter the place. His long black hair stands out from any of the other Volturi. Crimson red eyes stare deeply into their soul like he could read every string without missing a beat.

 They know it’s impossible for him to read their mind without a touch first.

 “Finally, I have been summoned to welcome our first all-inclusive Beta Tester into our world”, Aro tune like silk setting every minuscule blood cell inside them ablaze. How long has it been since they watch the last movie starting from new moon to breaking dawn? Only to see him for starters.

 They lost count. Aro extends his hands towards the stairs an invisible wall welcomes him. He retracks his hands; his lips fall a frown is not amuse at the realization.

 “Any curiosities about the world we live in? and you shall live now?”. Aro mutters, his hands try again to pass the forcefield, being unable too. His crimson eyes lock with their (e/c). His lips wore a smile instantly.

 “How are you here? Aren’t you part of VR experience”. (y/n) asks, they take a step forward the grass floor dents at each step they take. Aro stood his hands up no words spoken just a stare, “Don’t past the yellow line.”. Aro adds not losing the hyperactive tone he welcomes them. He claps his hands giving the (y/n) his whole attention.

 “The Alpha Tester and your gameplay are connecting to give you a better grasp”, Aro compels attention wherever his words escape his lips.

 “Aren’t you from my game?”. (y/n) protest their smile end as quickly as it pop on their lips, thinner than a slice of bread, (y/n) eyebrows furrow a tasteful disappointment.

 “Sadly, child. I’m from World Crosser’s Alpha Test World. She was the one to give you an introduction set your game to perfection... or so she said. She is busy”, Aro trails off not finishing the sentence, he walks within the circle provided to him even if its not enough the happy smile plaster on his lips doesn’t leave. His eyes glued to you, “What?”.

 “In the game, you are given an anker item to choose”. Aro said as his arms open widely, his lips curl into a wicked grin as his eye’s glee in a deception.

 “I thought she would choose Demetri”. (y/n) shrugs as matter of factly.

 “It would take her from the immerse experience. The anker item needs to know everything, so Demetri would not appreciate getting deceived. You are an alien to our world. WE as Volturi finding one of ours is not really ours.” Aro explains makes a one with his hands slowly adding, “I have never been an Anker item. It is easier for me as King call her at any time, write her code letters, among other things”. Aro informs every detail.

 “It is a trade. She learns from me, and I learn from her”, Aro adds not taking his eyes from them. A blush creeps on your cheeks; (y/n) tries to conceal it failing horribly. Aro grins intensifies as your blush deepens.

 “If you flip your right wrist a menu opens only you can see it. You will have different useful tools”, They flipped their right wrist towards them. In a second a menu opens in front of them showing little chibi version of them and specific words map, menu, character, inventory, settings, log into main menu, etc.

 “This is main menu”, Aro adds gaining (y/n) attention back towards him. They stare around their main menu. A short chuckle escape their lips trying to clear the atmosphere, “It is changeable. There aren’t any words anywhere not to take you from the submersion”. Aro adds bringing another smile to his lips, and (y/n) stops looking around another blush creeps into her cheeks darker than the one from a minute ago. They breath in as if air is a hard necessity, they forgot to do that for as long as (y/n) couldn’t remember last time she breath.

 “Don’t worry, child. Outside varies from inside the VR. The machine keeping you above ground is fully equipped to keep you alive for a week of gameplay. You are safe, if need be, as an Anker item. I can enter your beta test and guide you to disconnect safely”.  Aro continues to explain you the basic of the game as (y/n) blush covers their face embarrassment washes over their whole body wanting the earth to eat them completely.

#TwilightVR #twilight #twilight fanfiction #twilight fandom #reader insert #they/them #roomates #roommates #if anyone has any suggestion pr anything related to twilight please reach out I would love to read it or add it #volturi

[victoriocus]

❝                            in any case, the blood is always on your hands. in any case, the blood is                                                               always your own.               ❞

{ cis-woman, she/her } huh, who’s KRISTINE FROSETH ? no, you’re mistaken, that’s actually VICTOIRE WEASLEY. she is a 29 year old PART VEELA witch who is a CURSE BREAKER. she is a RAVENCLAW alum and the child of FLEUR DELACOUR and BILL WEASLEY. she is known for being RETICENT, MEDDLESOME, RESENTFUL, INSINCERE, and OVERCRITICAL but also DUTIFUL, METICULOUS, ADAPTABLE, RESILIENT, and LOYAL, so that must be why she always reminds me of the song CAN I CALL YOU TONIGHT BY DAYGLOW and CHERRY LIPS & RED FLUSHED CHEEKS; BECOMING THE IDEAL BUT LOSING YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS; THE SOUND OF PENCILS ON PAPER; PERFUME CLINGING TO SILK SHEETS; A NEVER ENDING MEMORY PLAYED ON A LOOP; TRYING YOUR HARDEST ONLY TO FAIL AND IDYLLIC DREAMS CRUSHED LIKE ROSE PETALS . i hear she is aligned with the ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, so be sure to keep an eye on her.

𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲

i. victoire ( from latin “victoria” = victory ) : her name echoes hope, wrapped in her parents’ simple ( and maybe naive ) wish that their child will overcome every hardship in life.

ii. and it seemed like their wish had come true. or at least their daughter is smart ( deceptive enough ) to keep that illusion. things just came so easy to her, always ahead of her peers, always a smile on her face, as long as if she wasn’t a burden, she’d always be happy. 

iii. she was gifted until she wasn’t anymore. her knowledge simply deriving from an inquisitive nature barely made her stand out anymore. the carefree girl from merely a year ago became quieter, her head always buried in books, as if her worth depended on having read every single one of them. and yet always trying to remain the same, a never-ending smile hanging on the corners of her lips,  seemingly unbothered by a crippling façade.

iv. and yet she somehow made it through. believing that she can finally breathe, that everything would become easier.

v. when she told her father about her wish to become a cursebreaker, his proud smile didn’t feel like a burden. after all, she had worked for it her whole life, never allowing a mistake to ruin it for her.

vi. but a story with words running so smoothly, barely made a compelling story. it’d only take a chapter, ( a mistake ) told within a few pages that would twist a story which was supposed to have a happy ending. 

vii. it was a scene captured in seconds but felt like an eternity. before her partner’s voice could even reach victoire, her body already fell to the ground, way too quietly for the terror she’d experienced. way too quickly for a mistake which only had taken her a second to make. she had been careless with a cursed object. she had believed in her abilities or perhaps she’d just become reckless and it cost her partner’s life.

 since when something had changed in her again, as if she’d returned to her younger self, not knowing if she can ever return again. 

𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬

victoire is more of the booksmart type rather than streetsmart. despite, her knowledge she’d tried to remember by heart she lacks practice.

she cares deeply for her family, especially her siblings. despite her known spotless reputation, rumors say that she did casted a spell on a gryffindor who dared to talk shit about her family. of course she denied it.

the main reason she was sorted into ravenclaw, was her creativity. she’d always had a keen interest in art ( a skill she could barely develop as she was occupied with studying ), though she used to be talented at it when she was a child, as for now she’s barely above average at it. surprisingly, she hasn’t abandoned that hobby which is odd considering she tends to give up easily on things she isn’t immediately good at it. 

she is the type of friend that will always mix up certain sayings/proverbs and not get them at all and take things literally. 

although she does support the order, she’s backtracked a little as the accident has affected her deeply. she is doubting if she can be any help, considering that a mistake could happen to a similar outcome. 

tba.

#potter intro #template credit in source #(( just another girl with the burned out gifted child syndrome )) #(( definitely redoing this later #profile etc will be added dnnsdd )) #(( gonna leave this here before returning to watch that one show and then i'll reply to messages dsndnsd ))

[livinginsideabookshelf]

19th July 2022

At last, I have finished Without Merit by Colleen Hoover. What are your recommendations for the next Colleen Hoover I should read? I'm thinking Confess or November 9.

My review (spoilers under the cut):

4/5

Without Merit is sweet in a really disturbing way. Family secrets and romance often can be jarring but someone Colleen Hoover pulls it off so that the characters and their arcs are more compelling. I believe in a love story which can survive the pure storm which occurs in this book.

Merit as a character is wholly relatable and regardless of her flaws, she remains a really solid protagonist who we begin to understand. All the other characters - my favourite being Luck and Sagan - are also really well-rounded and bring a lot to the table. When there is a scene with any character I didn't feel a lag in the story, all of them were engaging and fun albeit sometimes a little odd (for lack of a better term).

My only true issue (that isn't specific) is that some scenes feel more like a PSA than a book. Sometimes, this can be because of info dumping, which I understand as the book is YA so events that happened before a younger audience can remember may have to be recapped however it just felt like a drop in the story. While bringing up these topics is good, they can also slow down the story and give less impact to the reader. Along this vein, there are some scenes which - and I hate to describe it like this - cringy, especially around what's "normal" when it comes to mental health. It's not that the message is bad just that the execution is a little off-putting. It feels like a video which was played in health class.

SPOILERS AHEAD (also language warning)

Can we talk about Utah? I get the whole idea of his repressed sexuality and as someone who felt the same for years I get it but holy shit this genuinely shocked me. Don't get me wrong, I am glad it did, as I felt some of the twists were a little predictable but this one was the one that got to me most.

Also, I love how Honor's problem with Merit doesn't stem from some traumatic event but rather just siblings growing apart. It felt more sombre than the dramatic secrets and was a nice change of pace.

Their mum and dad are horrific parents. Oh my god. There is too much to say about it because it's crazy. The fact they both lied about Victoria's health issues and almost death is really fucked up. Can't believe Merit actually forgave her dad in the end. Even if he does try to make up for it, Jesus Christ. I could not come back from that. On the subject of which, the younger Victoria, I feel so sorry for her. Her worst crime is that she doesn't let her kid have sugar, but she cooks for these kids and they treat her like dirt. I get why initially but when you're almost an adult you just have to accept things are a certain way and that no matter what she will be in your family due to their brother. I don't know, I get that she intrudes on them and that they believe she was responsible for their parent's divorce but they can clearly see she's trying.

Also, Sagan is a cutie. A 10/10 from me.

#without merit #colleen hoover #bookblr #books #book lover #book tracker #book community #reading #book log #bookworm #book review #currently reading

[ofplanetsloved]

mandatory lil 3.8 thoughts

whewwwww. we made it.

i went into the episode thinking. someone. someone is gonna die. one of the big ones. and about. two minutes before he did. i went, “i don’t think black noir is making it” and. fuck. is it good storytelling? i think maybe. Maybe. was i sad? absolutely i cried. bc while he was team homelander, he wanted revenge against the racist fuck who broke his face. and i wanted him to get that. the fight would have gone entirely differently if he had been there (and that’s definitely something i’m interesting in writing/plotting).

i was not expecting maeve to live. but ashley deleting the file was... really nice, actually. i did not expect any empathy from her, who left her assistant to die. to see empathy from her was shocking in a way that i’m really compelled.

as of right now, i don’t give a fuck about victoria neumann. i think it’s funny that jim beaver is playing robert singer again. and sure, i guess this sets up next season, but i care more about ryan.

ryan. hoooo. at first i thought him being there was really fucking dumb. and him being the reason that homelander walks away was kind of... anticlimactic? but this is only season three so . i didn’t think that butcher or homelander would die. i mean, fuck, they didn’t even kill soldier boy.

however. ryan at the end. that shit was compelling. that little smile. seeing how power can corrupt at such a young age.

the todd arc was really well done— like, it wasn’t subtle. he was clearly becoming a neonazi. they didn’t try to hide that. but that moment with his cheer... whoa.

maeve and hughie’s friendship is so much to me.

kimiko my fucking wife. listen to your 80s music and kick ass for comrade frenchie.

a-train and deep... i’m curious to see what’s next for them. cassandra clearly has her moment in the spotlight, but also... her name’s cassandra. i don’t imagine people are going to believe her, you know? or maybe i’m just a mythic bitch. and a-train... i’ve always liked a-train as a character. he does do what he thinks is the right thing. it just. it just doesn’t work.

okay. so. starlight is my wife. she’s perfect. she’s everything to me. we know this. i’m so happy she got her ‘i FUCKING told you so’ and her moment with maeve at the end made me cry but. to me, she’s the protagonist. her and hughie. the very first episode sets them up at the protagonists, to me, with butcher as thee antihero and homelander as the antagonist (and a-train and deep as secondary antagonists, one against hughie and one against starlight). and it felt full circle when she got to hit soldier boy. i wish it was more effective, but i was so stunned. she could FLY!!!

and, the hughie arc’s full circle moment!!! he could have taken the V and run in and tried to protect her, and save her, and he would have died and she would have been PISSED.

instead, he’s able to help her by being human. by being safe. by working with fucking electronics (AND HE WORKED AT THE ELECTRONICS STORE!!! IM INSANE!!) . he doesn’t save her. he helps her save herself.

i don’t think this is the end of soldier boy. they can easily bring him back if they want. here’s how gay sex jackles can still win.

oh. i will say. the maeve and sb falling moment looked like a shitty marvel moment.

who will be the new members of the seven. btw. cause they got three bitches to replace!!!

if there’s one thing kripke loves doing, its giving his characters daddy issues, baby brothers to protect, an insane need for revenge, and a year to live.

TLDR: I enjoyed the episode, i really think all these characters are so fleshed out, but i wish they didn’t simply set up black noir’s character with the intention of killing him. they only started exploring and revealing his character to us this season so we’d feel something at his death (like how we didn’t feel that much for translucent bc we didn’t know him, if that makes sense?). which is kind of bullshit. but i love starlight so fucking much i could cry.

#the boys s3 spoilers #i don't want your pity // o o c