#i loved the g narrative last season

[a-lundell]

another game ,, another interview lol

#sorry for being bitchy #but the pr push is sooo strong rn #im feeling this way bc i was never a big fan so yeah #i loved the g narrative last season #kind of ironic i know

[queerfandomtrifecta]

How Izzy’s Death Could’ve Made Basic Storytelling Sense

Just to be clear, Izzy is my favorite and I wanted him to live more than anything. This isn’t about that, and that is NOT why I hated his death. Had it served the narrative in a way that made even the most basic storytelling sense, while I’d admittedly have been devastated in a different way (i.e. the character whose queerness was relegated to the subtext in s1 and as soon as it’s textual and his whole arc is that he’s killed, but that’s a whole separate post…), but at least there would’ve been a correctly crafted arc from a surface level narrative standpoint that ended in the death of my favorite character. But that’s not what this is about. It’s is about how the show could’ve actually made the death actually make sense and work effectively. (Also, if you want my unasked for thoughts on how most of the existing plot of s2 (minus 7-8) could’ve easily been adjusted to fix the narrative as a whole and keep Izzy alive, I wrote this)

But. For those in the fandom insisting that Izzy HAD to die, including DJenks who has said as such in interviews (for reasons I do not understand), from an objective developmental editor standpoint, this is what I think needed to change to make Izzy’s death serve the narrative, character arcs and dynamics, pacing, structure, and thematic elements correctly.

It’s about 2K words just so you know what you’re gonna get into. Spoilers under the cut.

Issue 1. Izzy’s relationship with the crew and how they truly became his family this season totally vanished during his death scene. The same crew who he protected from Ed during the later, worse parts of the Kraken phase. The crew who banded together to save his life by hiding him from/lying to Ed about it, and amputating his leg to save him. The crew he saved by crawling up those stairs during the storm, hobbling out into the rain with one leg and shooting Ed before he could shoot a cannon ball through the mast and kill them all. The crew who called him “our dick”. The crew that then banded together with Stede’s half of the crew to him the leg and the new unicorn (aka the figurehead of the ship). That crew didn’t cry a SINGLE tear when he died. What?? Fang sobbed most of episode one and really lost it when Izzy got shot. Where was that when he died?? Izzy’s last speech to Ricky had something along the lines of: piracy is about belonging/family. We are Good. (Forgive me, I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the gist). Izzy truly did find his family in the crew outside of Ed. That was absolutely fantastic, especially in the first four episodes and episode six. It VANISHED when he was dying and dead.

The fix: To make the death impactful, effective, or even to make it make sense on a very basic acting and writing level, the crew should’ve been utterly DEVASTATED. At least heartbreaking music and like 30 seconds of everyone breaking down and holding each other. At least some of them crying and holding each other in the background when he was dying. Come on.

Issue 2. Thematically speaking, is piracy Good or Bad? Again, Izzy tells Ricky that they (the pirates/his crew) are capital G Good. Yet Ed has spent a lot of time maintaining piracy is capital B Bad. He tells the urchins as such. Here’s some money that I never had, now you don’t have to be pirates. Don’t be pirates. He doesn’t want Stede to kill Ned Low in cold blood. Ed just doesn’t want to be a pirate. Even at the end AFTER Izzy dies telling Ed he’s with his family (implied that this is the crew) and they love Ed, Ed LEAVES THAT FAMILY AND LEAVES PIRACY IMMEDIATELY. We’re left with him and Stede watching the family Izzy swore was Good and loved Ed sail away because Ed thinks piracy is Bad. Which is it?? The death served nothing in convincing Ed he could be happy with his found family on the sea as Ed, not Blackbeard, so the dying words were pointless. The thematic elements are all over the place (for the whole season but that’s another post) and that needs changing to make the death scene make sense.

The fix: Izzy should’ve told him he sees he doesn’t want to pirate anymore, he’s glad he’s found love with Stede because Izzy isn’t going to make it, go run your fokkin’ inn, you twat (affectionate).

Issue 3. Izzy died of bad planning and bad luck. Why didn’t they take the gun from Ricky? Between Spanish Jackie, Izzy, and Jim, SOMEONE would’ve thought about it. If not those three, someone else would’ve, but come one. One if not all of those three would’ve known better. Yeah, Izzy happened to be standing in front of Ed and he got shot instead of him, but you’ve gotta be REALLY looking for that to even be aware it’s what happened. It wasn’t even on purpose unless Ed strategically placed himself behind Izzy (which I doubt was the intent). Izzy didn’t position himself protectively/take the bullet for anyone on purpose. It was just happenstance and you only notice it if you’re rewatching and hyper-analyzing everything (which a lot of us, me included, in the fandom do, but casual watchers don’t. It’s totally unclear as far as the surface level narrative goes) Any sort of “heroism” is not acknowledged, it’s barely even noticeable in the shot. If that was the intent, it HAD to be clearer and acknowledged by the characters so the audience would realize the stakes and repercussions of clear choices. As it is, I don’t think it was intentional. If Izzy HAS to die, it should truly have rounded out his arc in a way that CLEARLY changed the course of the scene, leaving him to protect people he’d put in danger at the end of s1. It didn’t. It just read as terrible planning to the point of it being out of character for more than one character, and bad luck.

The fix: Izzy should’ve saved someone. I personally don’t like the idea of it being Ed. I’s have rather he save Stede (Not really, but it’s better than Ed I guess) But really Izzy should’ve died saving the crew. The crew makes the most sense to me, narratively speaking. He’s their figurehead, he’s protected the Kraken Crew for months and they should’ve been fiercely loyal to him, he blames himself for what Ed did to them (more on this later) so it makes sense for him to fiercely protect his crew. His family. Who should’ve been devastated that it happened because Izzy is the one character of the main three who’s managed to earn that status this season.

Issue 4. The death did not serve to move the plot along. There are literally zero things that would’ve been different for the end of the episode, save Izzy being alive and on the Revenge in his rightful role he earned with his crew as the captain, if he’d have lived. Ed and Stede aren’t partnering with Zheng to go after the guy who killed him in the next season. Nope. They got the offer but nah. They’re running an Inn. Which Izzy would’ve supported based on literally everything we’ve seen from him in episodes 5-8. The crew who Izzy protected fiercely and who viewed him as their leader? Not one tear during his death or the the funeral. Happily sailing away to do presumably more Muppet Treasure Island hijinks. No character development happened. No plot development happened. The season could’ve ended literally the EXACT SAME WAY with Izzy alive aboard the Revenge!!! No stakes were changed at all. No one was impacted enough for it to seem like it was even going to be a plot obstacle next season. It just happened, Izzy’s toxic situationship who maimed him multiple times over the course of months to the point of his leg needing to be amputated was sad for one (1) scene, then we moved on and did not seem sad at all at the funeral. What.

The fix: The plot should’ve been driven by the death. Ed and Stede (but especially Ed), and DEFINITELY the crew should’ve been sailing off plotting to avenge the death and defend piracy against Ricky and the British, especially with Zheng who lost her whole fleet. Ricky and the British are clearly (or so I hope, nothing’s clear here anymore tbh) the primary antagonist for the theoretical third season. No one should be running an whim-based inn for fun or sailing off happily into the sunset after the death of the most major character aside from Ed and Stede, who beyond proved himself a major part of something every character (his family) should’ve cared about this season. If he HAD to die, that death should have furthered the plot. But instead, it seems everyone shrugged it off with tears exclusively from Ed.

Issue 5. Izzy got shot in the left side. The side in which canonically NO ONE DOES FROM BEING INJURED ON IN THE OFMD UNIVERSE.

The fix: Yeah I know this is just too nit-picky but it was also just SO sloppy. Like just shoot him on the other side if he has to die, because this was a very memorable plot point more than once in s1. Like, come on y’all.

Disclaimer: Issues/fixes 1-5 would all need to happen together to truly fix it and make the death serve the narrative correctly. Issue/fix 6 is a totally separate route, which I personally hate, but at least the narrative would’ve made sense this way.

Issue 6. The idea that Izzy had to die so that Ed could be free of Blackbeard makes no sense at this point in the story. Ed already threw away his leathers and gave away his treasure to symbolically get rid of Blackbeard, and Izzy very sweetly encouraged him to follow the feeling that throwing out the leathers gave him. Izzy told Stede that he and Ed were good for each other. They balance each other out. Izzy is on good terms with both of them and their relationship, so Izzy “having to die” so Ed could flourish as Ed genuinely makes no sense and came totally out of left field.

The fix for 6: This one stands alone and is my absolute least favorite option, but if it HAD to happen without the 1-5 fixes, here’s how it could’ve made sense. If THIS is truly the way it was going to end, Izzy needed to be continuously antagonistic or avoidant to at least Ed and actually be shown holding Ed back from happiness until that last second. He wasn’t. He was so much better. Izzy clearly does blame himself (that’s for a separate post because I have lots of thoughts there) but to be fair they were both abusive in that relationship, for years it seems. Although I think by the beginning of s2, the power dynamic has clearly flipped and it was Ed who was doing most of it and Izzy was exhausted and knowingly “reaping what he’d sewed” (I don’t Blame Izzy for his abuse but I think this was his mindset) so the crew wouldn’t get the brunt of it.

If he seriously HAD to die because the writers just had to have it that way, those are the changes I think would’ve made the narrative work/make sense, served all the character arcs and dynamics correctly, and actually driven the plot as fictional deaths are supposed to, compelling things into a third season. Seriously, this season finale was a mess of baffling choices the most series finale season finale I’ve ever seen.

Anyway. There’s my unsolicited two-cents. Now back to hoping Izzy’s in the gravy basket waiting to be sea witch necromancied back by seagull Buttons in season 3. I love this show and I hate hating what I hate hating about it because it’s my absolute favorite and I can’t stand it because it’s fantastic and the worst thing I’ve ever seen. (Also, Izzy should’ve lived).

#ofmd spoilers #izzy hands #ofmd #ofmd season 2 #ofmd season 2 spoilers #ofmd meta #izzy my beloved #izzy deserved better #we deserved better #eyyyy djenks if you need a dev editor for s3 just hmu #david jenkins #ed teach #stede fucking bonnet #stede bonnet

[thegildedbee]

Sherlock Fic Recs: Christmas Edition {2023}

❄️ Gather ~ ☃️ ☃️ ☃️ ~ 'round and 🎉 make 🎷merry🍹, all ye fic-loving fandom elves -- 'tis the season to shine a spotlight🕯️on Sherlockian Christmas fics!!! Here are some of my favorites -- I tried to pick ones that I haven't seen mentioned in recent lists that have been in my tumblr stream. Whether they're new to you, or just a reminder to re-visit faves, enjoy!!! ❄️ [In order of the year they were published.] ........................................................... 1. I'm Not His Date [2014] by objetpetita [ 17,029 words / T ] :: It all starts in a Boston coffee shop, where English professor Sherlock Holmes upends a visiting John Watson in a clever and fun "meet cute" (or "meet irritating-pompous-insufferable") in a whirlwind of Sherlockian proportions, and we're off to the races. There is a snowfight on the Common, Death Driving Miss Daisy: Lacan and Popular Culture, a Harry & Clara Christmas Eve wedding, witches, and a very boozy department party. It's as adorable as my favorite Christmas rom-com film, The Holiday. And it starts off with a corker of a first sentence: "It was morning, it was zero bloody degrees, everything around him was unfamiliar and American and cold, and John Watson was right on that inhuman precipice between still drunk and terribly hung over."

2. 5,687 (Approximately) [2015] by prettysailorsoldier [ 6,771 words / T ] :: Just a few years post-uni, Sherlock is enduring the agonies of a long-distance relationship with his boyfriend, who is on deployment in Afghanistan. During those times when John's on leave, the last people Sherlock wants to see are the idiots at the Met, so they've never caught sight of John and think he is a figment of Sherlock's imagination -- especially since he can't get home that Christmas. The set-up is sketched out with delightful fic flair, and the ending is not only sweet, but satisfyingly punitive [ c/o a very bamf John ]. The text messaging is some of my favorite writing in the Sherlock fandom -- their relationship in all of its multi-dimensionality comes through beautifully.

3. The 12 Truths of Christmas [2016] by @breath4soul [ 3,321 words / T ] :: This is a fic that has at its core the surfacing of unspoken emotional attraction betweenJohn and Sherlock via a very fun concept: “In place of some appalling or imbecilic gift inflicted upon me in the name of tradition on Christmas day, I propose that you provide me with one previously unknown fact about you for each day leading up to Christmas. 12 in total, John.” #9 has all the feels, and is a tour de force -- every time I re-read it it makes me break out in a smile, even though I know what's coming. Sherlock breaks out somewhat more: "Sherlock feels a flood of heat in several places at once. He stands up quickly and walks to his violin. He plays wild, erratic snaps of quick-paced music." The author has a whimsical and entirely understandable note to add: "You may fall in love with John reading this - I did." 4. The Romance Was There [2017] by @apliddell [ 4,011 words / G ] :: The author deserves an award for this being one of the best uses of Harry Watson in a fic, and of HW by Sherlock in a fic :-) 221B has never been cozier, Sherlock has never been more winsome, and John is a species type model of John in all of his clueless Johnness. The narrative dances along and sparkles and shines as seduction evolves, and Sherlock's rogueish charm is on full display. There's a poignant and endearing confessional letter, plus there's a Sherlock/Jeremy Brett reference that is absolute perfection in serving its role in helping the narrative quickstep the night away. 5. The Man in Aisle Ten [2020] by @blogstandbygo [ 1395 words / G ] :: Sherlock has several mysteries to unravel in the midst of Harrod's on Christmas Eve: what is the perfect gift for John? why is he having so much trouble identifying the perfect gift for John? and, incidentally, along the way to solving those, a local one. Luckily, Sherlock has Moira, master department store sleuth, to lead him to the solution. This fic is a small, perfect gift -- rather like the story's denouement --and is as witty as all of SBG's fics are. This is a veritable Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate of a fic, warm, rich, sweet, delicious, tingly, and you'll find you reach the last bit much too fast, immediately requiring a refill. [ And there's a splendid podfic by @podfixx ! ]

..........................

*fic repost recruits, perhaps??? ❤️ @totallysilvergirl, @7-percent, @discordantwords, @helloliriels, @elwinglyre, @mydogwatson

#bbc sherlock #sherlock fic rec #johnlock #sherlock fic #reposting :-) helps the love go 'round xoxoxo #christmas #objetpetita #prettysailorsoldier #breath4soul #apliddell #standbygo

[glamaphonic]

i don't post a ton about izzy hands bcs, being real, i just don't care that much about him, and frankly, i find the obsessive fixation on him both predictable and annoying.

but it's my blog and i have thoughts that, because of the person that i am, are going to be expressed in the form of a character breakdown. i promise it is as discourse-free as i could possibly make it, but obviously if you don't want to read my examination of izzy hands' motivations as a character then...don't.

i feel like there's a very widespread misapprehension of said character and motivations, and indeed it's a misapprehension that i predicted way last year, and one that helps contribute to a wealth of repetitive arguments and discourse about the character that i am assiduously attempting to avoid in this post. (i am not, btw, proposing any sort of "solution" here; people can argue about whatever they want.)

in short, there's a tendency in meta and fic to take a singular aspect of subtext (izzy is into blackbeard) and center it as the character's primary (and often sole) motivation. and then, to work from there to recontextualize and reimagine and reinvent everything around that assumption.

but the show and the character straight up stop making sense when you do that. because izzy's primary motivation is categorically not desire for blackbeard.

his primary motivation, textually, is that he wants to be captain.

if i was at work and breaking down his GMC as an antagonist in s1 it would be:

g(oal): get rid of stede so that ed can retire

m(otivation): become captain

c(onflict): he is continually prevented from getting rid of stede, primarily by ed

and as happens in well-constructed narratives everything he does for most of the season revolves around this gmc.

to slide into the character section: izzy is, fundamentally, both hungry for power and bad at actually wielding power. izzy cares, more than anything, about his job and being at the top of the field in that job.

in 1x04, he tells ed to his face that he thinks ed's a washed up has-been who izzy has only continued to work for because of the clout that comes with working for the legendary blackbeard. this is because, as we've seen him mention to fang and ivan, he reads ed's increasing disinterest in and boredom with his job, and potentially the attendant depression, as ed having gone "half-insane" and no longer living up to that ideal. izzy later takes this back when ed has once again proven himself capable of pulling off a typical blackbeard miracle, of being the master of the work that izzy venerates. and then ed dangles izzy's heart's desire before him. if ed can retire, then izzy no longer has to suffice with being second-in-command to the biggest, baddest pirate. he can have the mantle passed to him. he can be the master of the work.

but of course, necessary to this plan, as ed presents it, is that stede must die.

and that's what izzy spends the rest of the season trying to accomplish.

to suppose that izzy is primarily acting against stede out of jealousy over thwarted romantic hopes, as the point of a love triangle trying to get rid of his rival, as someone who is desperately trying to have ed's attention redirected at him, is to suppose that he is actively seeking an end-state directly in opposition to his own goals.

because if stede dies, things don't return to the status quo, izzy doesn't get ed "back" to continue alongside him in perpetuity, and he certainly doesn't get the affection and adoration that ed has never before demonstrated towards anyone (nor do i think he even wants it, but that's a whole other analysis). the terms as they were laid out and as izzy continuously pushes ed to fulfill are that stede dies, ed goes away forever, and izzy gets a boat and a captaincy. that is what izzy explicitly wants.

and yes, as ed falls in love with stede, izzy is disgusted by what he sees as ed being corrupted by someone beneath him, turned into some "thing" that deserves to be put down. and yes, he wants to avoid the legendary blackbeard being brought low, be it by stede bonnet's influence or an english ambush. and, yes, repressed gay jealousy is definitely an aspect of izzy's overall dislike of stede, in particular.

but these things are secondary and tertiary, respectively, to izzy's immediate motivations and goals.

he stays in 1x04 because ed offers him a captaincy. he pushes ed to kill stede in 1x06 because it's the plan that will lead to him being captain. he narks to the english because they will give him a boat and a captaincy for it (plus he swore to make ed regret not following through with the original plan that would give him a boat and a captaincy). and he's happy as a clam in 1x09, even though stede isn't actually dead and ed has undermined the legend of blackbeard by signing the act of grace, because his primary goal has been fulfilled. izzy is now captain of his own boat.

and in 1x10 the sole alteration in izzy's motivation all season occurs. he realized his power-hungry dreams, but his regrettable incapacity at wielding power comes back to bite him. after he's mutinied in short order, and his life is saved solely by ed's presence and authority, he's left with limited choices (within the scope of his characterization).

he can leave and go it alone; attempt to climb the ranks again elsewhere, and eventually perhaps meet that same end he just narrowly avoided.

or he can try to go back to how things were before, try to once again achieve the highest strata he ever had: right-hand man to the legendary blackbeard. secure in the knowledge that not only is this a top position in the field, but that, barring all else, blackbeard's power and authority are sufficient to keep him safe from the machinations of the crew.

but of course, in izzy's mind, for all that to happen blackbeard has to actually be blackbeard. and well we need not rehash his opinions on that.

so yeah, gay jealousy over ed? definitely a thing izzy feels, imo, if deeply repressed.

but is it his actual motivation for almost anything he does throughout the season? demonstrably not, or else he would've made some very different decisions.

anyway this is all basically just a rehash of this conversation, but i was noodling on it so.

#ofmd #ofmd meta #izzy hands #long post

[eriexplosion]

Okay I'm only one episode away from finishing this rewatch so I cannot put it off anymore. Plan 99.

Again cannot emphasize enough how if Tech is dead for real we took this side trip just to kill him because nothing else has been accomplished.

"At least we're not hanging under the car" OOF

I admit that I'm not super impressed with the idea of OHHHH THEY WENT UP AGAINST TARKIN HE"LL OUTSMART THEM because Tarkin didn't.... do.... anything. He ordered air support to go shoot them down super offhandedly and that's it.

Yeah sure he let them shoot their own men, 95% of Imperials would do that, Rampart would do that, I guarantee it.

Omega pointing out how she can't see ships that are practically right in front of them, underlining how we won't be able to see Tech fall for THAT LONG

The music for the fall is still very intense, very good, but like... this just doesn't feel permanent to me at all on a rewatch? It's not the climax, it's literally 5 minutes into the episode, and it literally accomplished n o t h i n g of value. They didn't fall off there instead they crash and fall literally 20-30 seconds later for what is presumably a shorter fall but we don't know because we don't see how far he falls.

He still looks like he intentionally flips over while falling to me, the roll of his shoulders looks intentional anyways.

There's something weirdly impersonal about this scenario if I'm honest, it doesn't feel fully tailored to Tech? In that any of them, had they fallen, hanging from a line, they would have made the same choice. And honestly, it bugs me that this doesn't close out anything for Tech, which is what makes it feel Not Permanent.

Look at Kanan for example, when he died he 1. actually accomplished something 2. was a fitting end to a very long term character arc, where from the beginning Kanan didn't feel like a worthy master, didn't feel like a real Jedi, didn't feel like he was enough, but he died in the most Jedi way possible to protect his family, the woman he loved, his apprentice. He protected them in a way that only he could have done. It had to be him.

In contrast, Tech falls because he was unlucky, and he shoots out the connector because it's what any clone would have done. Which comes back to how DBB talks about it - how any clone would want a heroic finish that lets their squad carry on the mission, and which just clicked together what bugs me about this as a goodbye to Tech. It's not one. It doesn't engage with who Tech is as a person, it doesn't engage with anything he's learned or any way that he's grown, it tells us nothing new about him. It's a trained in choice, a lifelong devaluing of himself as a person and not just a part of a squad. He's a clone, and it's what any clone would have done. As if that's the only thing he is? The only thing any of them are?

What could make it personal, and could make it feel like it really, really connects to Tech, is if he survives. Any clone would have made that choice to save his squad, but not just anyone would have survived it. It's the only thing that could make it Have To Be Him. Anyone else would have died.

Just, in my opinion this works really well as a between season cliffhanger, my godawful constant nausea aside, but if it's the last we see of Tech it's a scenario that literally does not engage with him as a person AT ALL and that is a big big issue.

They could have fudged the details and made this Tech if they wanted to show a body, I'm tempted to count down the missed opportunities to actually show him as dead for real (this but we get a clear enough shot to know it's Tech and we see one of the boys kneel down to get a pulse and have to run when they don't find one)

the POV shot of Omega getting rescued is fucking fantastic though, I LOVE the POV shots.

It's the way that Tech's sacrifice isn't narratively about saving them, it's a plot device to get Omega hurt and them on Ord Mantell in order to be betrayed.

Omega's first instinct being "We have to go back, what if he's hurt? He needs us. We can't just leave him!" is a very reasonable reaction for a kid her age but it's also one that 100% is going to be what the younger audience connects to, and she never explicitly takes it back.

Like how I connect with this as an adult, seeing a child insisting that her big brother can't be gone, is very different from how I would have connected with this as a child Omega's age. I would think she was right. (And if the interview spoilers mean anything, there's STRONG REASONS TO THINK SHE IS)

"I always liked him." "Yeah... me too."

This exchange does break my heart, same as Echo in the Marauder looking at the seat. These moments are personal, but they're also just a few seconds each before the plot begins to kick into high gear again.

Cid looking guilty and sick about what she's about to do, to the point that Wrecker spots it and asks about it.

Wrecker taking multiple stun shots to go down though, AHHHH.

"I already lost Tech, I'm not gonna lose them too." This is the closest she gets to saying Tech's dead, but 'lost' gets used for Echo too, any time her family isn't with her she's lost them.

"who knew clones are so paternal" everyone with EYES Hemlock

"I'm afraid this is all I could salvage. Consider it a gift." That explicit lack of a body, where all we know is that he salvaged the goggles from the wreck. Could be that his body was mostly destroyed (and all his armor, conveniently?) or that there wasn't one there, and because Hemlock is a manipulative fuck I'm leaning towards the second.

I'm counting this as opportunity two to be more definitive about Tech's death in two different ways: 1. Have Hemlock explicitly say that he found and has the body, but they can have his goggles as a gift (Hemlock has no need of them) 2. Use Tech's equally distinctive helmet, damaged in a way so as to be obviously fatal, plus tap into the history of using clone helmets as death signals.

Again, Tech's death is used as a plot device. It happens to get Omega injured, and it's used to manipulate Hunter. It's still not about Tech, narratively. Which you could use for some deaths, but for a self sacrifice that's supposed to mean something?

Why'd they have to use Scorch to stun Omega like that, my poor boy the Empire's done a number on you :C

Echo hijacking a walker is FANTASTIC though.

"Echo?" "Gotta be Echo."

Them taking Omega is the climax of the episode, the big bad thing, the thing that makes the music kick in even harder than Tech's fall, are you telling me that his death is fully secondary to a kidnapping, I am biting at your fucking walls I am snapping at the air like a dog

Opportunity number three to be more definitive: show anything of Tech's in Hemlock's lab. A body under a sheet with one hand out, one of Tech's distinctive gloves showing. His helmet sat on the desk, badly damaged. Make sure Omega sees and reacts to it.

Note these are the opportunities that could have been taken with extremely little change there are multiple ways to make slightly more significant changes that avoid the ambiguity.

Emerie why does the sister thing matter so much more than your multiple brothers lying all around you

Extremely funny to me that Star Wars social media did absolutely nothing with this or with Omega being captured for several months it was literally all Tech all the time.

Anyway if Tech is dead for real I will be extremely mad about how he was reduced to a plot device to make the gears turn on harming and capturing his own family tbh (plus the insane and blatant stringing along) but if they show him to me any time in season 3 all will be forgiven.

#the bad batch rewatch

[anthurak]

So at this point I am really expecting/hoping that we get a true ‘second-season’/full-50-episodes of Witch From Mercury. Because right now I just don’t see how the show can wrap up in a truly meaningful/satisfying manner in just four/five more episodes.

Now yes, the plot of the show could be conceivably wrapped up in that time; if we see Prospera finally reveal her big evil plan next episode, we might be able to see Suletta get her meaningful resolution, reunite/reconcile with Miorine and Aerial, and have a big final conflict against Prospera without things feeling too rushed.

But in terms of character/relationship arcs and broader narrative themes, no I simply do NOT think we have enough time left this season to explore and resolve those in an actually satisfying way.

To use G-Witch’s main relationship as an example; while we do have enough time for Suletta and Miorine to reunite and have a big love confession on a surface-level, I don’t believe we have enough time to show these two fully reconciling in a satisfying manner. Miorine lied to Suletta, she HURT Suletta, all in a horribly misguided attempt to keep Suletta safe. Suletta and Miorine reuniting and having a big love confession should really only be the START of the process of repairing their relationship, not the end. Given the care and nuance with which the show has explored Suletta’s and Miorine’s relationship up to now, I frankly can’t imagine them concluding their arc with some basic ‘they said I-love-you and had a big-damn-kiss so everything is fine now’ routine. Now sure, I can imagine (and frankly HOPE) those things happening, it’s just that Suletta and Miorine also need TIME to really repair their relationship and the show to explore that. Something I think the show can only do with a full second season.

And basically everything I just said ALSO applies to Suletta and Aerial. Because Aerial lied to and HURT Suletta just as much as Miorine did and for basically the same exact reasons. So I have to imagine the show needs time for Suletta and her sister to really repair their relationship as well. Again, given how the show has both explored its relationships and provided a deconstructive lens to typical relationship tropes, I can’t imagine it would wrap up this arc and conflict so easily.

THEN there are the broader narrative themes the show has brought up. For example, the theme of the death of childhood innocence and naiveté explored not just through Suletta and Miorine, but also through Guel, Shaddiq, Elan 5 and effectively EVERY kid-character in the show. Particularly after this latest episode, I simply do not see how the show can really explore the fallout from this event and its effect on these characters in just another four/five episodes. It’s the sort of thing that really needs TIME, both screen-time and in-universe time, for our characters to recognize and come to grips with.

Or just think about the conflict with Earth and everything that’s been setup there. Do you really think the show can resolve that in just a few episodes? What we saw last week really feels like only the START of a long-brewing conflict between the people of Earth and Space. Something that is NOT going to be resolved simply by stopping whatever evil scheme Prospera is doing. This really feels like the setup for a conflict next season, rather than something to be actually resolved this season.

And speaking of shitty parents, remember Delling? Dude’s been in a coma for literally the entire season. At this point, even if he were to wake up next episode, it’s hard to imagine there being enough time for him to do much more than have like one meaningful conversation with Miorine and then get killed off in dramatic, redemptive fashion as some ‘he was complicated but he always loved you’ bit. Which I think we can all agree would be MASSIVELY unsatisfying as a conclusion to Miorine’s conflict with her father.

Finally, just look at everything on this list, plus a bunch more I wasn’t able to cover, and ask yourself: How the hell is the show supposed to resolve even half of this in a satisfying manner over the course of, at most, FIVE EPISODES? Simply put, I firmly believe the writers have set up plot and character points that can only be resolved in a true following season after this one.

Now that’s not to say I don’t think there won’t be any resolution by the end of this season. Rather, I think we’ll be resolving a few key conflicts set up this season while still leaving a lot for what’s to come. Like I definitely expect(/hope) we’ll see Suletta and Miorine reunite, plus Aerial as well, and get some kind of reconciliation/love-confession, but again something that is clearly only the start of them repairing their relationship.

And the same thing goes with the other main characters like Guel, Shaddiq, Elan 5 and the members of Earth House. They’ll reach some form of resolution, but one that sets them on an arc for the rest of the series. Like maybe Guel has a massive blow up with his brother that may end with Lauda dead and Guel forced to take over the company. Maybe El5n kills and replaces Elan Prime and seizes control of Piel Tech. Maybe Shaddiq manages to escape and begin to establish himself as the head of a full-on Anti-Spacian rebellion. And there of course there is whatever Prospera is plotting.

As I’ve stated in a previous post, I’m starting to think we’re headed for an end of Gundam 00’s first season situation. We definitely seem to be headed to a situation wherein the Benerit Group is dissolved/broken-up/destroyed in a similar situation to what happens with Celestial Being, both at the hands of Government forces. And it seems that, just like Ribbons Almark in 00, Prospera is manipulating these events for her own ends. Meaning that I think we’re likely to see Asticassia attacked and outright destroyed at the end of the season, with Suletta, Miorine and Aerial only barely escaping with their lives and the fates of their friends unknown. Leading us into a whole new status quo for the following season.

#gundam #gundam witch from mercury #g-witch #g-witch spoilers #g-witch rambling #g-witch theory #Suletta Mercury #Miorine Rembran #Aerial Gundam #Ericht Samaya #Prospera Mercury #guel jeturk #elan ceres #elan 5 #shaddiq zenelli #delling rembran #gundam 00

[acrossthewavesoftime]

Turnsgiving 2022 Day 6: Hot Takes

Simcoe should not have been the villain, and the show would have worked perfectly well without one.

Ironically, and I fully concede that, it was the character of Simcoe who prompted me to watch beyond the pilot episode. Thriving on trouble, the pale-eyed, red-haired menace to society who presumably mistook the Geneva Convention for a personal bucket list had grown on me as the, as I felt then, only compelling character.

The plot improved after having navigated the rocky waters of the pilot, but my favourite character remained the prissy villain who appeared to have no other raison d'être than to be his terrible worst with every breath he took. By the end of the show, his actions were, of course, explained with a half-baked, historically implausible tragic backstory, and that was that.

Prompted to research Simcoe (could he have been really that bad?), I was surprised not to find a scheming, dastardly man thriving on bloodshed, but a surprisingly sensitive, caring individual who had the wish to use his place in the world not only to step up the ladder of professional and social success, but to also leave a positive legacy; and rather than poisoning his superior officer's horse, the animal-loving Simcoe actually rescued a former war horse and paid the staggering sum of £40 for the horse and his carer to be shipped to England, where Salem, the horse, became a playfellow for the Simcoe-children and was allowed to live out his old age in the pasture.

The real Simcoe was neither violent, nor blue-eyed and red haired, and most of his back story did not add up historically, either. Though tall, but somewhat stout, hazel-eyed, and dark-haired, he looked not one bit the regrettably attractive villain, and certainly did not act like one. While Turn-Simcoe's thriving force was hate and the wish to avenge the death of his father in the Black Hole of Calcutta-incident (which is its own can of worms that I might open sometime if people are interested), his father, not a surgeon but a naval captain, died of pneumonia aboard his ship and his widowed mother arranged a move to Exeter, so as to be nearer her son's godfather Samuel Graves, who did not only prove a loving, involved ersatz parent, but also continued to support his godson emotionally and financially for as long as he lived.

Learning all those things, I asked myself why Simcoe's name was chosen for the, let's face it, fictional villain, and came to the conclusion that perhaps, the show would not have needed a classic embodiment of evil that both sides of the central conflict can loathe equally at all.

One of Turn's weak points is that at heart, while having been marketed as a novel approach to depicting the American Revolutionary War by including the perspectives of people of colour, loyalists and others who had prior to the series only very rarely been depicted in media set during the war, it still is very American at heart.

By the last season, sympathetic figures whose allegiance is not with the US are rare, or barely to be seen at all; the last episode is all Yorktown and Yankee Doodle, while e. g. the story of the enslaved informant Abigail, a central character from season one on, and her escape to Canada are merely alluded to in the closing monologue.

The series, naturally vying for a viewership (with a new season of GoT at the time, no less), at last fawned patriotically-minded American audiences a little too greatly to truly bring something new and revolutionary to the table.

What would have been compelling to see is an approach to the period that does not pick a side narratively; loyalists and pro-American characters (and the members of the respective militaries representing their interests) could have been depicted as equally (un-)sympathetic and receive equal screen time. The plot could have followed them trying to achieve what they think is the right decision for the country they live in, and thus, how they, not by personal enmity but by historical circumstance and inevitability, become each other's enemies without necessarily having any other (personal) differences.

Throw in the Hewlett/Strong romance and tell the marketing team not to falsely advertise the series as a faithful retelling of history but a historically inspired drama and that's a somewhat new, historically as well as narratively intriguing approach to the time period.

#turnsgiving2022 #turn amc #turn washington's spies #john graves simcoe #18th century

[educatedinyellow]

Theme: Rec a fic that starts with the same letter as your username.

I spotted this rec theme on another blog and it sounded charmingly random and fun! I had a good time looking through my bookmarks and sorting out this little collection of mismatched seashells :)

Every Man's Got a Right by MollyC (SPN, Destiel, Endverse!Cas, time travel, 78K, E) In this one, Endverse!Cas is given a second chance to stop the world, and the people he loves, from going irretrievably off the rails -- he finds himself, without explanation, dropped straight into Season 2 and the first outbreak of the Croatoan virus. Watching him rediscover just how much Dean means to him and how far he's willing to go in order to change things for the better is beautiful. (Written in first-person, for those for whom that is a deal-breaker. It really shouldn't be, though!)

Everybody's Got a Hungry Heart by PallasPerilous (SPN, Destiel, musician!AU, 18K, T) Distinguished by Pallas's inimitable comedy-prose, this thing is an unhinged delight from start to finish. Dean is jumpy as shit. Why one possibly Icelandic beep-boop specialist has him on edge while Mick Jagger’s own vocal coach barely got his heart rate over 55bpm is a goddamn mystery. Maybe it’s the harp solos from that sample track; maybe Dean’s nervous that this is his last shot and if this guy can’t save Dean from filling out the back end of his contract with “Best Of” and “Live In Concert” compilations he might as well walk into the fucking sea.

Engineering 101 by Mara (Batman, Dick Grayson, early days, 4K, G) A clever use of extended metaphor to take a look at the process by which Bruce trains the first child he raises to be Robin and begins to realize what he risks breaking. (I'd say it largely embraces comic book logic in that it does not try to critique the whole premise of child crime fighting as an essentially bad thing, but it sprinkles in traces of real-life concerns. It doesn't vilify Bruce, but it does add some shades of gray to the creation of the dynamic duo.) "Engineering is about testing to destruction," Bruce said, settling into lecture mode. "You don't understand how you can do things better until you understand when and why they break apart."

The Eleventh Hour by Azdak (Man From UNCLE (TV), Napoleon-centric, 4K, G). OK, so, in the TV series there was an episode called 'The Gurnius Affair' wherein Illya had to go undercover as a bad guy, and -- long-story short -- things went wrong, Napoleon got caught, and in order to salvage his own cover and thereby the mission, Illya had to straight-up torture Napoleon. And he did so. Both of them were aware that he had to, both of them were horrified by the experience, and being 1960s television, there was never any adequate follow-up or emotional resolution. A lot of fanfic writers have tackled the aftermath of that disaster in different ways, and this is a fun and interesting take. Napoleon's narrative voice is many things here -- it's petty and angry in a way he rarely is, because his self-image and his pride have been so hurt and he's on ego overdrive here. But it's also wry, and self-dramatizing, and stubborn, and optimistic against all odds. Meanwhile, the narrative commentary of the femme fatale is a load of fun, too. A prickly, funny, angry, and ultimately triumphant brush with death is just what Napoleon needed, it turns out, to settle back into himself.

An Evening of Little Luxuries by otherhawk (MFU, Illya-centric, character study, 7K, G) Oh, I love this one, such a good look at Illya and what it means to him to live between cultures. Before the war he'd been more or less bilingual. He'd grown up speaking Ukrainian at home to his family and Russian everywhere else. After the war there had been no home left, and Russian had been the only language he heard, the language he thought and dreamed in. Now Ukrainian was simply another language he spoke, no different in his head from German or Japanese. His heart was a different matter, and he regretted that loss, regretted that when he dreamed of his parents, his sister, they spoke to him in a language that was no longer his own. Now, more and more, he found himself dreaming in English, and yes, that bothered him. He had no wish to lose Russian the way he'd lost Ukrainian. And so he let himself have evenings like this – the simplest things that felt like decadence – amid his fellow countrymen, many of whom, he suspected, were here for similar reasons.

Escape Velocity by Vehemently (Firefly, Simon Tam, character study, 5K, G) Such concise and vivid world-building, and a poignant look at how Simon grapples with how to accept the loss of the sister he once knew as he takes small, reluctant steps toward facing up to his own over-protectiveness toward the very different person River has now become.

Enduring, Quiet, and Calm by thesardine (BBC Sherlock, Johnlock, strange tenderness, 1K, G) A little gem of a sick fic -- so odd, so sweet. Has that hazy feeling of very late-night exhaustion.

Empty Houses by PlaidAdder (BBC Sherlock, Johnlock, case fic, 45K, T) A clever and involving case fic and the first story to feature PlaidAdder's wonderful take on Harry Watson. Written in that golden moment between Series 2 and Series 3 when we all imagined our own post-Reichenbach reunions and the possibilities for tenderness and healing were still wide open. This fic is rich in humor, compassion, and new beginnings, while also offering a darker take on some bits of canon than the show ultimately pursued.

Elevator Down by vikki (Inception, Arthur & Cobb, LJ fic, 10K, T) I really like this meditation on Arthur's backstory with the Cobbs. Psychologically interesting and elegantly written, and to me there's something touching about the thought that Dom's subconscious keeps lashing out at Arthur because, on some level, he knows it's Arthur who's working hardest to keep him alive. Arthur dreams up paradoxes. Cobb dreams up his late wife. One of these things is not like the other. One of these things is not safe.

Early Returns by rageprufrock (Inception, Arthur/Eames, journalist!AU, 15K, M) Rageprufrock is another author whose comedy-prose is always a pleasure. I love this one for the grouchy journalism malaise in which the embers of inextinguishable principle still smolder, lovingly described as only an insider can <3 For reasons that don't bear discussion, Arthur ends up at Safeway at a 6:30 p.m. on his way home for the night still carrying his messenger bag with his headphones around his neck, standing in one of the aisles looking at 200 different brands of plastic tableware and double-ply picnic dishes. He's been a journalist his entire professional career, so of course he's been this depressed before, but there's something profound when you mix the sinking misery of mortification with the heady, dizzying blur of self-directed fury, and it makes him feel numb down to the fingertips and toes.

If anyone else would like to play this meme, I'd be glad to see your recs!

#fic recs #multifandom #spn #destiel #batman #the man from uncle (tv) #inception #firefly #bbc sherlock #long post

[rambling-addict]

May I rant about the season 3 finale of MFS?

No? I’ll still do it anyway. This took me awhile. Had to get my thoughts organised, because my brain is just itching to begin rambling. There’s too many to say, and I’ll probably miss some stuff.

Disclaimer: I still love the show with all my heart. It brought me Raylla and the beautiful friendship that is the unit. And I know, I know… they’re rushing with this season and trying to wrap it all up. I’m familiar with this excuse. But seriously? Still left so many questions.

So here I go… my rant list:

1) Anacostia’s death.

Was it really necessary? It’s so sudden. And seriously, if you’re gonna kill her off, at least do it in a more honourable way! Crushed by a fuckin’ truck?? Really? All that power and badassery—reduced to this incredibly mundane death? I am so upset. They didn’t need to follow other shows formula in killing off characters for shock value.

First off, they ‘kill’ Izadora… then bring her back so she can set off Penelope on Hearst and Silver—meaning, the death was unnecessary. And now, Anacostia… my heart is broken. Why can’t she be revived, too, then? At least, bring her back like Alder…get her to say her goodbyes. That eulogy was lackluster—they moved on so quick, like c’mon. It’s so stupid.

2) Scylla as a side character.

I hate that Scylla got reduced to that in this last episode. From necro ex-Spree agent, she’s just there… a love interest of the main character. You could have written Scylla off this finale, and it wouldn’t matter… because she didn’t add to anything. She was an accessory to the unit, and I hate that. She’s so much more than that, and she’s capable of more. I’m so pissed that the last we get to see her is them all staring at the sky. No proper goodbye to the character. Even Adil and Khalida.

Also, as a side rant. I hated how Raelle didn’t seem as devastated when Scylla was captured to be tortured. When it was the other way around, you could feel Scylla’s pain at losing Raelle. Raelle was a bit out of character that episode. Rebel Raelle would’ve slipped off to save her girl. But no matter… seque rant over.

3) No Raylla happy ending scene.

It would have been nice to have a single scene Raylla walking along the beach by the lighthouse… or a shot of them hanging their army medals on their front door. A life with no obligations, no army. But I guess with the unit being the mushroom’s new stewards, we don’t get that. I’m shocked that they didn’t even have a finale kiss, not even one. Even Tally and ‘Greg’ had a kiss scene.

4) Nonsense earth and sky thing.

All that build up about the earth and sky being too powerful or dangerous to be united… only to point out that Abigail is a steward. If Jem can sing two elements —earth and sky— then why did they play up that narrative of Abigail and Adil? Of the Camarilla hunting down the Tarim and Bellweathers? I’m confused. And while I’m stoked that Abigail is a steward, Adil got pushed to the sidelines. Their union was all for naught. And I wanted a scene at the beach, damn it!

Also, all that mystery regarding the Abyssinian line… and the clue is in a book collecting dust in an abandoned house in Ghana, complete with illustrations, lol. The Camarilla historian surely sucks at his job. Or maybe they were hiding the fact that they knew it was the Bellweathers? I guess it doesn’t matter now.

And I thought the song had to be passed down? Or did I miss that?

5) Where is everyone?

When everything was going down, they said half of the army was still in the Cession. So the other half is in Fort Salem, right? So where the hell were they when the base was getting attacked?? Hiding?? I was hoping for a war scene, even just glimpses—just to prove that the Army isn’t such a wimpy bunch. They’ve looked so helpless the whole season. I wanted them to fight back!

Where is M? They’re more useful fighting alongside the unit, not protecting the Wade. G-boy gets to be there in action, why not M??

And Kara Brandt? Like a ghost. I’m hoping it’s a loophole to make her the villain when there’s a next season, yeah?

6) What did Tally ‘figure’ out, really?

What is the mushroom’s plan with them as the ‘new stewards/ goddesses’? Again, I’m hoping it’s open-ended as a continuation for future seasons. But c’mon… it didn’t make sense when Tally said she figured ‘it’ out. I was like—what? What did I miss?? How is it about the three of them? If the First Song didn’t matter, then why the stewards still sung it? It’s a bit of a cringe, it’s just so cheesy—that scene with the Mother speaking through Alder.

7) Everyone are witches now?

I get that the original six went off in different parts of the world to spread the gift, so it is possible that witchcraft is passed on. But then if everyone has an inner witch that awoke, what’s with all the witch hunt last season? The army and Camarilla determining who has the dormant witch gene? And the witch plague, Penelope? I thought the plague was only deadly to witches… Hearst died because he had a witch vocal cord maybe, but Silver? I am so confused. And what happens to Penelope now?

8) Witch bomb

The whole scene inside the mycelium still boggles me. One minute, it’s Adil and Scylla dying… then Raelle ends up on that glow-y sacrificial table of sorts, now she’s the one kinda dying and ready to blow? It just confuses me. And Raelle dispersed the gift to everyone in the world, with the witch bomb? This would’ve been the perfect moment for the Mother to actually materialise and explain her mysterious plan…

9) ‘Greg’

Again, nothing against the actor…but really? You manage to squeeze in a scene of him rambling to Tally why he failed to help them in that Necro room and then give them a stinkin’ kiss scene (albeit short)… and then nothing about a Raylla/ Adigail kiss scene at the end? Or even some other significant scenes—like what the hell was happening outside Fort Salem, or like clips about the aftermath… They cut so many scenes for this guy, and his scenes doesn’t even add to the plot. *shakes my head* Yup, still bitter.

10) Overall dark and slow-paced season and didn’t live up to the previous 2 seasons,, BUT still the one of the best shows to represent a wlw couple.

Like I said, it’s all mixed feelings. I’m disappointed at the finale. But at the same time, I’m so grateful for knowing Raylla. Taylor and Amalia did their characters so well, and I will forever cherish this ship. The cast are all brilliant, and all the crew did a fantastic job on making this show happen. I just wish it could’ve ended on a good note instead of rushing. It was a hot mess, but it’s done. I’m still grateful… and I’m still hoping for more seasons so they can fix this.

#motherland fort salem #mfs season 3 finale #raylla #raelle collar #scylla ramshorn #abigail bellweather #tally craven #anacostia quartermaine #what a mess #im still not over it #im still so confused

[paisholotus]

Judging by the cover/A friend is Coming

Season one

-Narrative-

khadijah walks into her office towards her desk, turns to check on Synclaire, but stops when the phone rings. Synclaire answers the phone with the most horrible British accent, "Hello, this is Flava Magazine. How can I help you, Love?" Synclaire asks cheerfully.

Khadijah scrunches up her face, "Synclaire, what are you doing?" Synclaire covers the end of the phone and whispers, "I'm making them think we're international." Khadijah bended down and said, "make them think we need some money." Bending back up, taking papers from off the desk. "And keep in mind, this is a grassroots publication." She said sternly. Synclaire nodded, returning back to the phone. "Got it. Yo, yo, yo! How could I hook you up, G?" Synclaire yelled through the phone.

Khadijah shakes her and looks to the elevator when no other than Regine, walking out. "Hello, ladies. I've got good news, and I couldn't wait till you got home to rub your noses in it." She said, smiling at Khadijah.

Khadijah rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Well, if it isn't her royal heinie." Regine at the window turns around and smirks, "Look outside. What is Long, Black, and at the curb?" She said, pointing at the window. "I ain't touching." Khadijah said, walking back to her desk. Regine walks over as Synclaire runs to the window to be nosey. "Honey, it's a stretch limo." Regine said. "Well, good, it'll go with your stretchmarks." Khadijah said teasingly.

Regine scoffs, taking a deep breath side, eyeing khadijah. Synclaire walks up to the two, putting both arms on their shoulders. "Is it me, or do I sense a little tension here?" She asks. Regine and Khadijah look at Synclaire and roll their eyes. "Now, I know your Aries rising is constantly conflicting with her Taurus Moon, but can't we all get along?" She asked them nicely. Regine rolled her eyes again and huffed. "Well, look, you all can do whatever you like. I just came by to tell you that the limo outside happens to belong to my new boyfriend, Brad." She said, smiling dreamily.

Khadijah stood up, pushing Regine to the elevator, "If we didn't have so much work to do here, we'd love to hear more about your latest Canine Catch." She said, with a snide attitude.

Regine sits on Synclaire's desk, "Oh, would you?" She said. Patting khadijah on the arm. "Well, Brad and I were on our way to lunch, but we never made it out of the limo." She said, smirking. Synclaire gave her a dopey smile, while khadijah put her hand on her hip, not looking surprised. "He ate caviar from my cleavage, and we drank champagne from my shoe--ah!" Throwing her head back, laughing. "With them big old feet of yours, y'all must have been crazy drunk." Khadijah remarked, looking down at Regine's feet.

Regine waved her off and continued with her story. "I'm telling you, Brad, now, he could be the one. He is fine, educated, and wealthy. And has a butt that's dented on the sides, with the promise of power." Regine said. Fanning herself, giving the two women full imagery.

"We'll see how long this lasts." Khadijah said, shaking her head. Walking again to her desk. Regine frowned and got off the desk, walking to khadijah. "Wait a minute. What is that supposed to mean?" She asked, crossing her arms. Khadijah swung around, giving Regine a pointed look. "Men dump you like Eddie Murphy albums." Offended Regine looks away from Khadijah. "Look, Regine, if you want to have a lasting relationship, you need to start looking beyond man's wallet." She said, seriously.

"Eddie Murphy makes albums?" Synclaire asked, confused. Khadijah and Regine looked Synclaire with 'really' faces. "Synclaire, do your job, please." Khadijah told her. Synclaire nodded, going back to putting people on hold and reading her magazine. Khadijah snatched the magazine and threw it on her desk, causing Synclaire to pout.

Returning back to their conversation, Regine again gives khadijah an offended look. "Wait, are you saying I'm shallow?" Khadijah pretends to think for a second and eagerly nods. "As a kiddy pool." Regine makes an exaggerated gasp. "Mmct." She said, walking towards the elevator.

"I will see you at home, Synclaire. And by to you long neck Dinosaur." She said. Letting out her loud signature laughs, that could be heard from down the street.

Khadijah rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Going back to her papers, when the phone rings. "FlavaMagazine. Oh, hi, mommy." Khadijah said, smiling. Khadijah scrunches up her face in confusion, "who?" She asked. Khadijah smiled and signed, "You know ion like surprises." Khadijah told her. "Alright, I'll talk to you later, Ma, love you." She hung up the phone looking towards Synclaire.

"My mom said there was someone coming to visit. She said it was one of my best friends. But I wouldn't tell you because it's a surprise." Synclaire frowned in confusion, playing with a hair pink haired troll.

"Who do you think it is?" Synclaire asked. Khadijah shrugged, grabbing her bag and coat, "I don't know. But I know I'm hungry. Let's go." Synclaire rushed out the chair, grabbing her things, "don't have to tell me twice."

#black reader #black writers #black tumblr #self post #tumblelog #black girls #black representation #poc reader #poc writer #black excellence #living single #kyle barker #khadijah james #synclaire james #regine hunter #maxine shaw #90s love #90s throwback #90s black love #90s black tv shows #90s black men #poetic justice #paisholotus

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, February 27

Buffy: Um, you know, a girl died here last night. Willow: How? Buffy: Well, the flu. Xander: Flu doesn't exactly sound monsterrific. Buffy: I know. But there's this Dr. Backer, and he's been giving them these experimental treatments. I-I'm not sure what he's up to, but he's a little creepy. A-and then there was this kid, Ryan. He said he saw something. Giles: Saw what? Buffy: Death.

~~Buffy Episode #30: "Killed by Death"~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Twisted Fairytale (Xander, T, Assassin‛s Creed xover) by madimpossibledreamer

The Battle's Done, and We Kinda Won (Buffy/Angel/Spike, T) by MadeInGold

If not, winter (Willow/Tara, T) by firemanwhenthefloodsrollback

She Has Nice Silk Knickers, Too (Buffy/Spike, T) by afteriwake

Hard Times! (Buffy/Spike, G) by EmilytheSlayer

Vermin (Angel, G) by LudditeRobot

How Bad You Want It (Angel/Riley/Spike, E) by CoffeeHunt

Practice Makes Perfect (Buffy/Spike, E) by MaggieLaFey

Dynamics and Why (Buffy, Willow, Xander, T, Twilight xover) by AlexanderMcpherson

[Chaptered Fiction]

Dirty Memories Ch. 1-7/7 (COMPLETE) (Multiple Spike pairings, E) by MaggieLaFey

Demons, With Death on Their Minds Ch. 1/4 (Angel/Spike, M) by DragonsPhoenix

Shadow Over Hellmouth Ch. 105/257 (Ensemble, E) by Tuxedo_Mark

Staying Afloat Ch. 10 (Ensemble, T) by dwinchester

Goodbye to Everything That I Knew Ch. 22 (Buffy/Spike, M) by

Perfect Demons Ch. 6 (Buffy/Spike, T) by EmilytheSlayer

Switch Ch. 7/10 (Buffy/Spike, E) by sunalso

Out For A Walk... Bitch Ch. 11/20 (Buffy/Spike, E) by MaggieLaFey

Lil' Ripper Makes a Friend, Chapter 39 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Soulburnt

The Neighbor's Point of View, Chapter 89 (Buffy/Spike, G) by the_big_bad

Transformed By Love Ch. 4 (Fred, Illyria, T) by Buffyworldbuilder

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Buffy/Goodomens crossover comic by gleafer

Artwork:Spike by isevery0nehereverystoned

Artwork:Buffy by thegothicalice

Artwork:Spike by isevery0nehereverystoned

Artwork:Spike by isevery0nehereverystoned

Artwork:Spike by isevery0nehereverystoned

Artwork:The Hero of Three Faces BtVS Comic by paulgadzikowski

Artwork:Buffy & Giles by mscolorhead

[Reviews & Recaps]

Mothman’s Buffy Rewatch: Season 2, Episode 16, “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" by mothmans-wedding-photographer

[Fandom Discussions]

Can you fucking imagine if Xander had ever found out about Angel and Cordelia. by ammoniteflesh

Fic rec time! by fluffyspuffy

In season 3 Spike awkwardly cried on Willow’s shoulder by aphony-cree

i think the kind of traditionalist/hyperliteral read of buffy not catching feelings for spike until late s5/s6 just misses the level of iron grip buffy keeps on her feelings. by baltears

I'm rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so you wanna hear my Controversial Buffy Boyfriend Opinions? by penandpage

Really hate BtVS time-travel fix-its that completely remove all of Buffy’s agency in the narrative. by lierdumoa

the thing about Buffy and Faith’s relationship that just KILLS me by nunyabznsbabes

I HAVE to talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. by creatchie8

Buffy and Willow both spend the series wanting to be “normal” in ways they are not. by aingeal98

we’re hitting early s2 by jennycalendar

What impact would Jonathan not being in The Trio have? by Stoney

If Spike didn’t get made solid and stayed kinda a ghost by wtffu006

This was one of the absolute saddest moments in either show. by Mavakor

What physical releases of Buffy existed in the 90s? by WarrenJVR

TIL when SMG hosted Saturday Night Live, she did a sketch combining Buffy and Seinfeld. by ErrForceOnes

Almost finished the series by gareth2099

a soul is slippier than a greased weasel. that's why I sold mine by WanderlingInker

Which ONE episode to watch with students by Dull-Investigator-17

Work smarter not harder! by RegisterAfraid

IMO, Buffy is one of the most well-written characters of all the time by Strong_Window7623

Objects that remind you of Buffy? by Sudden-Star-7190

Rewatching as I’m meeting Charisma Carpenter in a few months by ukcountrylover

How do others feel about this decision in the AtS series finale? by Usernamelesses

The best and worst death scenes in Angel and buffy? by ukcountrylover

Her mum/mom was sick! by annoyingpanda9704

Buffy (the character) is annoying, irrational, and emotional. And that's part of what makes this show good. by

Thoughts after finishing the series for the first time! Spoilers, obviously. by MasterGanache2012

The reason why the audio spin-offs Slayer was cancelled by M2yvesthegamer

people’s attitudes towards btvs soul lore by hersterical

Faith is really the only character I don’t think Spike had any chemistry with. by lilatara

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

#btvs #buffy the vampire slayer #fan fiction #fan art #meta

[biblioflyer]

Picard s3e10 "The Last Generation"

I laughed, I cried, I cheered, but I'm not free of conflicts.

The artificial constraints of a 10 episode season are something I really feel acutely. So I'll start off with an acknowledgment: if OG Picard fans are furious, I get it. I don't share your anger, but I do understand it.

Spoilers ahead.

I broadly agree with the creaky older fan sentiment that in many ways Season Three is what Season One should have been. Primarily in that the absence of the rest of the main characters and centering Picard and Picard only and, to some extent, Data, was a disservice to the rest of the TNG ensemble.

A flaw that was rectified in Season Three. However, by rectifying it in Season Three and then committing to the story they were going to tell in the amount of minutes they were going to tell it in, a grim sort of triage inevitably was going to take place. The victims overwhelmingly were the characters and storylines of Seasons One and Two.

That was neither kind nor fair.

I won't pretend I didn't love this season. But I also was aware of and frustrated by what was missing because I am committed to the ideals I started this blog on: these are my self conscious reactions, reflections, and introspections rather than objective truths I live and die by and demand others validate, lest they be deemed "not real fans."

Now I myself will not be buying a ticket for the Matalas hate train. I think there was an awareness that a lot was being left on the cutting room floor to cater to fans like...well, me, and an attempt was made to offer an overture to a possible sequel series not unlike a "sorry for your loss" bouquet.

Should you view that as a fair consolation prize for only addressing Seven and Raffi's relationship with a couple of quips and an action movie one liner? Or literally forgetting Elnor?

Were I in your place, I probably wouldn't. But I sincerely hope we get that sequel show so that proper amends can be made.

Hopefully it will also include Worf so that the DS9ers can get justice for Jadzia.

Although, I am a bit pessimistic that its going to happen even with the overwhelmingly positive reception. Two overlapping ship focused shows seems unlikely unless Enterprise-G is a metaplot driven narrative show while Strange New Worlds is episodic with light sprinkles of meta. A prospect that I am kind of meh on. Season Three proves that you can do a season long narrative and it not get too bloated or convoluted and deliver a satisfying finish, but I don't know that its enough for me to trust the concept of the 10 episode version of a classic Trek two parter going forward. Five times burned, twice shy.

For those keeping score, that's seven seasons of serialized Trek with five that I think were not well executed overall, not unforgivably so, but they definitely had a clumsy adolescence as their shows matured. I liked Discovery season 4 quite a bit. I'm not on the "Discovery sucks" anti-hype train either, but I think the show has rather clearly been showing its work as it has struggled season after season to figure out its own unique identity and to balance that identity with the expectations of the broader Star Trek franchise, navigating the hellscape of the fandom and trying to figure out which parts have valid criticisms and which are misanthropes who are allergic to other people experiencing joy: and its been a messy process.

What also steals some of my euphoria from the ending of Picard is the announcement of the Section 31 movie.

I love Michelle Yeoh, I even like the character of Georgiou, but I don't trust anyone who has been involved in Trek to date, not even Ron Moore or Robert Hewitt Wolfe, to not resuscitate vile late 90s to mid-oughts nihilism and uncritical worship of "hard men making hard choices because the good are too effete and squeamish to do what must be done."

I know, I know, its negative for a Star Trek apologia blog but I hate Section 31. That's the only thing I'll ever gatekeep. Its a violent refutation of the core premises of Star Trek: that reason and decency win in the end and the endless fascination with constructing scenarios where characters have no other choice but to do near genocides, assassination, and other grimderp shenanigans really infuriates me. There are multiple franchises where I would accept that with zero qualms: Babylon 5, Star Wars, Farscape, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica*, the Expanse etc. but they don't have that same core premise that good wins because good is actually how you win.

*Although it got REAL tedious REAL quick because of how excessively Moore's Galactica leaned into this. Which is incidentally kind of why even though I admire the man, I kind of want to see him and Star Trek keep 500 feet from each other at all times. The guy is way too into torturing series leads. Save that for O'Brien, he lives on pain.

So, to recap.

Dear S1/S2 fans. I adored this ending: it was everything I love about TNG right down to Picard saving the day through warmth and decency. But I'm sorry you got screwed. This is not a zero sum game to me. I think there was a way we could have all been happy and it sucks that wasn't a priority.

#star trek picard #first reactions #picard season 3 #picard spoilers #fandom commentary

[weakforarwen]

Merlin Week 2022 Day 3: Favorite Dynamic - Arthur/Gwen

I'm late, but this was the day I wanted to write for the most! There's this quote from an ask I read a while ago that stuck with me: "Let’s be clear: Arthur loved Guinevere more than anyone else.". They probably meant Arthur loved Gwen more than he loved any other person, but I find the sentence a bit ambiguous; it could also mean no one loved Gwen more than Arthur did. Both sentiments are true yet I think fans deny the later even more than the former. The full quote is actually: "While I adore Gwencelot, I also really like Arwen, and I think anyone who seeks to erase Gwen from her canon epic love story is a racist moron. Let’s be clear: Arthur loved Guinevere more than anyone else.". In this context, they could've meant Arthur's love for Gwen surpassed anyone else's, including Lancelot's (points for the racist moron bit). To me, this is a really important point: no one loved Gwen more than Arthur, not even Elyan - only Tom could compete. When we talk about Arwen, it's often about its narrative purpose, or Gwen's journey, or just how cute they were; I don't think we discuss how (not just how much) Arthur loved Gwen enough; no one loved her more.

This is not a Lancelot hate post, but I was thinking the other day that his feelings for Gwen are grossly overstated in the fandom. I don't know if some fans believe Lancelot was Gwen's first choice and that he loved Gwen more than Arthur, but I fear that's the case. About Gwen's feelings for Lancelot, I will quickly say: a) Lancelot left in 2.04 before she had to "chose" between Lancelot and Arthur; b) Arthur had told her they couldn't be together and Gwen had spent days in a dark cell certain she would die with only Lancelot as company; c) when Lancelot returned in 3.13 Gwen only smiled awkwardly; d) Lancelot was a knight for a year before dying so Gwen had plenty of time to rethink her relationship with Arthur, yet her last words to him were to keep Arthur safe; e) when shade!Lancelot came back, her old feelings did not; f) just because Morgana told shade!Lancelot he was Gwen's first love that didn't make it true; Morgana hadn't even known about Arthur and Gwen in season 2, that's how well she knew Gwen; g) Lancelot was Gwen's first (onscreen) requited crush, but her first love was either Merlin or Arthur (one was an unrequited crush, the other genuine, reciprocal love); h) I promise you this is an Arwen post, but, sadly, this fandom undermines Arthur and Gwen's relationship and would rather see her with anyone but Arthur (be it Lancelot, Merlin, Leon, or even evil Morgana), so I think this needed to be said.

On the other hand, Lancelot's love for Gwen was not some great epic love. Is it that easy to walk away from your epic love? How much can you love someone you knew for a week at best? Before his return in 3.13, Lancelot and Gwen knew each other for two episodes. He liked Gwen instantly when he met her, but didn't even say goodbye when he left. In 2.04, he was lost, working for Hengist, using his skills to fight for sport and entertain brutes. There was nothing noble about his actions; Lancelot chose to make a living the worst way possible, when he could've returned to Camelot or done normal manual labor instead. The issue with Lancelot is that his gentle manner and kind heart overshadowed some of his not so noble actions, such as lying to become a knight, fighting men for money, leaving without saying goodbye twice - and, worse, not having the courage to say goodbye to Gwen in person and having Merlin deliver his message after all they had gone through together, promising to protect Arthur and then leaving him to protect Merlin.

I understand all of Lancelot's choices but they show he wasn't just a perfect example of honor and nobility (and honestly he shouldn't be), that Arthur couldn't possibly compare to. Arthur would not have left Gwen without saying goodbye; he didn't abandon Gwen once (4.09 and 5.13 be damned) and instead was willing to give up everything he held dear for her. He would not have used his skills to entertain men like Hengist - he only broke the Knight's code to knight commoners. Arthur's wasn't perfect at all, and I don't care that Lancelot lied to become a knight or put Merlin first - I admire him for it - but my point is that Lancelot only seemed so perfect because he was in so few episodes and because his overall conduct overshadowed his flaws in the eyes of the audience - Lancelot failed Gwen when he left without checking she was alright after a traumatic event (Arthur visited Gwen after Tom died, checked in on her after 2.10, 3.10 and 4.08, arranged breakfast in bed and a picnic after 5.09, etc.), and would've "failed" her again by breaking his promise to Gwen for Merlin.

I didn't mean to make this Lancelot-centric, but I had to get it off my chest. Lancelot didn't nurture a deep, unconditional love for Gwen. In 2.04, she reminded him that he was good and he was willing to die to prove to himself he still had honor (what's more honorable than dying for a woman who believed in him?) Lancelot treasured Gwen's words and repeated them to Arthur in 3.13. He was a new man after 2.04 and began leading a proper life (probably why he stayed after being "rejected"). He was disappointed to find Gwen with Arthur and had probably dreamed of one day being with her, but carrying a torch for someone is not the same as loving them. Gwen was Lancelot's savior and ideal woman, but he only knew her for two episodes and couldn't have loved her. After 3.13, their one scene in 4.01 showed they were comfortable with each other and that Lancelot thought the world of Gwen, but didn't indicate closeness. To me, 4.01 and 4.02 made clear that while Lancelot had a soft spot for Gwen and treasured her, he didn't love her. He told Merlin he no longer had feelings for Gwen and that Arthur was the better man. It was Merlin he died for. I don't buy this "better man" bullshit - there are many good men and love doesn't work that way, but, in this case, I believe Arthur was a better man for Gwen. Lancelot may have liked her, but his feelings couldn't compare to Arthur's. How much time did Lancelot and Gwen spend together? How well did Lancelot know her? Love needs time, care, intimacy. You can't love someone from afar better or more than someone who's always there for them and is 100% devoted to them.

Now, I'll tell you why Arthur loved Gwen more than anyone, and why Gwen also loved Arthur more than anyone.

Arthur loved Gwen more than he loved Uther and Camelot, so that means he loved her more than anyone and anything. She was first in Arthur's heart and Uther and perhaps Camelot were 2nd (which came first?), while Merlin was maybe 3rd if we ignore he had once adored Morgana. We know Arthur loved Gwen more than he loved Uther and Camelot because he would've abandoned his duties to both for her in 3.10, married her against Uther and Agravaine's wishes (representing the opinion of most nobles and, objectively, Camelot's best interests), gave away lands for her ("Without her, they're worth nothing to me.") and sabotaged an alliance (men like Uther or Olaf could've waged war against Camelot for the insult of not marrying their beloved daughter and sending her packing like she had been lacking and they wanted a refund), and accepted he had released his father's spirit in 5.03 only after Uther nearly killed Gwen. For the record, Arthur also loved Gwen more than Merlin judging by his reactions when she was in danger (2.04, 4.08, 5.06) vs. when Merlin was (4.02, 4.06) - and for many other reasons.

Gwen also loved Arthur more than she loved anyone else, possibly including Elyan: she made Lancelot promise to keep Arthur safe knowing it could endanger him; when Merlin was missing in 4.06 she told Arthur to not look for him because it was dangerous; in 3.07, Elyan was taken hostage by Cenred yet initially Gwen didn't want to involve Arthur nor trade him for Elyan (I really wanna know how she planned to save Elyan with Arthur and Merlin's help). I'm not saying Gwen loved Arthur more than Elyan but it's impossible to say she loved Elyan more. It's partially down to bad writing, but she was much closer to Arthur - he meant "everything" to her and she was always asking him to be careful, not Elyan. Though Arthur was the reckless one, Elyan risked his life too but that didn't seem to bother Gwen as much (that we saw). In 3.13, when she and Leon found Arthur she launched herself into his arms and stayed close to Arthur, not Elyan. The writers definitely didn't care for Elyan, or Elyan and Gwen (they had so few scenes), but, nonetheless, it was clear Arthur was her person and she felt the closest to him.

No one loved Gwen more than Arthur. You can't judge how much someone cares by how emotional they are but no one was more upset than Arthur when Gwen went missing in 5.06 - or any other time, really. He insisted on looking for Gwen in 3.12 while Elyan left Camelot without finding her; also, Elyan knew Tom died but didn't visit Gwen, nor help her when she was banished - he abandoned Gwen in her hour of need. We should hate Arthur for his actions but at least he had been cheated on; Elyan's loyalty to Arthur after Gwen's banishment was impossible to comprehend (Arthur was still loyal to Uther after all he'd done but that was his father, not just his King). No one, not Elyan, not Lancelot, not Merlin, would've been as devastated by Gwen's hypothetical death as Arthur. There was not a thing Arthur would not have done for Gwen. He gave her everything he had - his full trust, unconditional love and devotion, his whole heart, his Kingdom - he had nothing left to give her other than time (his recklessness was naive and selfish; he had foolishly thought he was untouchable). Elyan didn't risk his knighthood for Gwen though Arthur risked his Kingship multiple times, and I've already discussed Lancelot; while Merlin cared the most for Gwen after Arthur and Elyan (better than Elyan, blame the writers), he didn't love her more than Arthur. Just compare their attitudes in 2.04 and 5.06, or Arthur's care for Gwen in 5.09 (but I admit Arthur was generally more dramatic than Merlin). I don't have much to say about Merlin, that boy was wonderful to Gwen and Arwen's biggest supporter. While he didn't help Gwen when she was banished, he saw her off and helped her later. Sadly, Arthur, Elyan, Merlin, and the knights were OOC in 4.09. Anyway, other ways in which Arthur was good to Gwen: he was always honest about his feelings and upfront about what she could expect from him (he told her they couldn't happen at first, apologized and explained about Vivian and discussed his engagement to Elena before proposing, briefly broke up with Gwen and explained why instead of leading her on); he rescued Elyan and helped him settle down in Camelot because she loved him; he always put her safety first, in 2.04, in 2.12 when he found her unconscious and put her on Morgana's bed, in 3.07 when he had Merlin check Gwen's house and organized a search party for her, in 3.10 when he told Merlin to give Gwen a message for him, in 3.12 when he wouldn't leave without finding Gwen and Uther, in 4.07 when he wouldn't rest without finding Gwen, in 3.13, 4.07 and 5.06 when all his knights escorted Gwen (unnecessarily in 3.13, I might add), all of 5.06 and 5.09; he respected and trusted Gwen (he wasn't jealous about Lancelot after 2.04 and didn't hold those events against her, he respected the distance she kept from him initially, he listened and let her explain herself after 4.09, he valued her advice the most); he also showed he cared through romantic gestures like picnics and flowers.

Lastly, this one is tricky... even to me it's hard to say Gwen loved Arthur more than Merlin. We know he was 110% devoted to Arthur and would've died for him; that was the entire show so it becomes difficult to provide arguments that Gwen loved Arthur more than Merlin. However, there is no evidence she didn't. With Merlin, I believe that his destiny was often conflated with his love for Arthur. He was entirely devoted to Arthur because Arthur was his reason for being. He fully believed he was nothing without Arthur and you can't compete with that, frankly, toxic mentality. We had a whole series of Merlin proving how far he would go for Arthur but we know Gwen would've done the same. Gwen risked Lancelot's life for Arthur's, told Arthur not to search for Merlin for Arthur, risked Sefa's life to help Arthur - would've risked anyone for Arthur (like Mordred in 5.05). Had Gwen known what Merlin did, she would've killed Mordred herself or else tried to make him an ally. Gwen risked her life in 3.13 and 4.10 to get to Arthur; she just didn't have Merlin's skills (and gender) to save him or accompany him. Instead, she took care of Uther for Arthur and did her best to give him good advice. I'm calling this one a tie between Merlin and Gwen.

#bbc merlin #merlin #merlinweek2022 #bbc arwen #arwen #gwen pendragon #guinevere pendragon #arthur pendragon #another long ass post #took me so many hours and I don't like it #kinda ends on a bad? note #or a weird one

[fallingsunflower]

I'm dreading tomorrow for so many reasons, I'll list them because maybe you, or someone reading this, might understand my mindset lol

I'm fearful that maybe the media has twisted this thing more than we're aware. Looking at the history of this drama, most of it came from Deuxmoi and Lipstick Alley anons, to which sites like Daily Mail copy and pasted. I know that not everything that has been rumoured is true—but a part of me is (who is a fierce Florence Pugh supporter btw) is like... "Oh f*ck. What if they *O & Flo* admit there has never been any bad blood between them and this whole thing was just rumours". Yesterday I wouldn't of dreamt writing that, but there's this unwelcome ball of anxiety festering inside of me today as the premiere approaches. That dreaded "what if..." (edit: nah, I don't feel that way after typing out this whole message. But I am gonna look like a clown because I've been so vocal about Flo being a victim lol)

Then again I am dreading seeing the 'happy-clappy' photos of them getting off of the water taxi's and doing a brief dock-side photocall before the press conference. I know that Florence isn't obligated to do any press (just show up at the premiere), but just the thought of her having to stand next to them, without someone in-between, is really sickly. The same goes for the premiere. I feel like a lot of O stans are going to use pictures of them being all smiles as "proof" they're not feuding.

Someone on twitter posted earlier today that Warner Brothers are just to blame as Olivia, and I can't unsee that tweet, although they didn't say it outright—Warner Brothers is using Florence's own contract against by forcing her to be there. They're forcing a victim to be with someone she clearly despises for the sake of greed and publicity. I actually hope she doesn't go and just pays a fine or something. If they sue her she has the receipts. However, Dune is owned by WB so I presume she'll most likely go to keep them in her good books for now. Maybe 10+ years down the line Ryan Murphy will create FEUD season 69 based on the drama 😂

This is more advice for anyone reading—please don't post photos of O and Flo together. While the photos are gonna be real, even red carpet instagram stories videos, them being friendly is not real, even if they say they are besties or whatever. Also, lesser known gossip websites steal pictures from tumblr. Don't post pictures that you think are gonna make negative headlines for Flo! (Please do with O lol, she needs her comeuppance)

I just... I don't know. I love Florence and the idea of her, right now, probably being anxious about tomorrow doesn't sit right with me. She's avoided this film for so long... That suddenly she's thrown into the deep end by a production company who sides with people like Ezra Miller and Olivia Wilde. She's kinda being taken advantage of publicity wise. THIS FEELS GROSS.

We'll see how it goes. I understand the anxiety but nothing that happens this weekend negates what has already happened:

Florence has BARELY posted about DWD. She promoted other films that weren't hers and she was the only cast member (besides Harry I think) to repost the DWD teaser trailer from an account other than Olivia's. She also spoke about how the film's promotion of sex has made her uncomfortable. She pulled out of press besides the red carpet event. She never responded to Olivia's gushy instagram post praising her.

Olivia was also caught in a major lie. Either Florence felt uncomfortable on set and Olivia didn't stick up for her OR Olivia created this whole narrative of her being a knight in shining armor (this last one happened regardless). Plus Olivia keeps marketing this movie as something sexual when Florence spoke up.

Regardless of how the media spins their "friendship", there's still evidence of some sort of quarrel between the two. They'll be professional this weekend but it doesn't mean shit in terms of what's going on behind the scenes/personally.

It does feel gross though, I agree with you. It's uncomfortable. People need to stop giving Olivia so much attention

[qveenpoppy]

One thing that really bothers me about this r/g plot is how it’s all about R and how he feels and how he’s suffering meanwhile the narrative doesn’t even bother to care if Gina likes him back (and gonna go with she doesn’t since their big duet this season was still about ej for her) and that’s one thing that’s always turned me off of them it’s always about HIM never about how she feels also while he is making better decisions than s1 r did in the love triangle nothing indicates he (1/2)

2/2 nothing (so far) indicates that if he got in a relationship with her that he would act any differently from how he suffocated nini in s2 with his codependent tendencies and honestly I just feel like my girl gina deserves so much better than that idk

no you're absolutely right and you should say it. while i do feel ricky may have changed somewhat as a character, i just don't know how much he's changed when it comes to relationships and i worry about how he'll behave in his next one. i understand why they might focus on him a little bit bc he's the one with feelings and gina is seemingly over him, but he does seem to have little to no regard over how she actually feels about him. i saw some things tonight that hint that maybe i interpreted the end of the episode wrong and ricky isn't trying to break up portwell, but he generally does seem to be cutting into them a lot (his late arrival at camp at the start of the season almost feels like foreshadowing of how he's gotten in the middle of the two of them) and it's kind of getting annoying. like can't he just let them be and try to move on to someone else? like, we get it, nini's gone and lily didn't work out, but don't just turn to your third choice. try finding someone new, ricky. (i know there aren't a ton of female characters for him to choose from on this show but maybe they can introduce someone new for him? or, we don't know if val will return ashlyn's feelings or if that'll be one sided, so maybe val and ricky could be a thing? i know meg and josh are really good friends irl. he was hanging out a lot with the whole z3 cast last year. i'm sure their friendship would translate into great chemistry for their characters if they ever had any real interactions.)

and yeah, gina deserves to actually have a voice in all this. like, even if she winds up single bc ej does end up going to that caswell bootcamp thing (i forget exactly what it's called or what city it's located in), at least it'll be her choice. i mean, partly, anyway. i think i'd really hate for her to break up with ej and then immediately hook up with ricky. like, let my girl breathe for a minute. it's not all about the boys.

(even though i would hate it, i could see the writers actually sending ej away both to add drama and try and kick matt off the show. not that i think the writers have anything against matt, despite how they fuck ej over every other week, but i can see how it'd be hard to keep a character around who isn't really part of the east high gang anymore. i'd hope they'd figure something out, but who the hell knows?)

#anonymous #replies #hsmtmts #anti rina

[gleefullypolin]

Oh my, the fighting in the OUAT fandom was wild. I stepped in the tags once and saw the most ridiculous fights. Captain Swan was canon at the time and I saw them consistently attacked by other Emma ships and I was like, welp, I'm always down for a non-canon ship but I also have the critical thinking skills to understand what canon means, haha.

That pirate might have been the time I realized I have a very specific type. 😤

I always love a good underdog so I immediately loved Pen, she had my whole heart because she was trying so hard and just kept struggling. I don't think enough people pay attention to just how much some of the things she's done to protect people, even if the methods are maybe not the best, affects her. She's carrying such an immense burden but in a time where women aren't allowed to have the accomplishments she does, she's also got this thing that's hers and hers alone, she's successful because she made it that way, no one else.

They could make me very invested in Eloise's season but I agree, it will probably depend on how this season and next (if Benedict's) goes. It feels like they gave Eloise Colin's jealousy about LW from the books which I think makes more sense for the show, Penelope was doing all of the things Eloise had talked about doing. If Eloise had paid Penelope any real attention in s2 she would have figured it out much more quickly.

Which makes me hope Colin's reaction is more of the protective anger we saw in the books, that man was incensed and scared to death. With how protective Colin already is of her in general, I feel like it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

Oh yes, I am not usually one for period stuff but the Polin of it all took me down. I enjoyed s1 as it was. I think s2 was more interesting overall for me but I wasn't really watching for more than Polin and Eloise.

Book Colin was absolutely insane over Penelope physically and I think that would be something that would be a good addition, and having him say what he does about being with others vs her in the books is something that should be included, whether he says it or it's woven throughout the brothel/polin scenes. There needs to be a marked difference in the way he is in them and I think we'll see that. It was obvious with Anthony (I don't remember the s1 scenes tbh ha) so I think that's part of their narrative for the male leads. The way Colin is with her is definitely why we love them, if they could kiss already that would be great.

I get fanon vs canon. I mean I ship Black Widow with Captain America so I totally feel the sting of shipping something you will never see on screen. I live in fan fiction for that. But I would never go after the Peggy Carter/Steve Rogers fans over it. Like it wouldn’t even occur to me to start a fight over it.

The OUAT stuff, well there were so many ships that were canon and fanon that were going after Captain Swan, and I was like…nope I’ll just enjoy the show because damn they were already angsty enough as it was on the show without the outside influence. They didn’t need anyone else saying “What if they don’t end up together” because damn I had no idea if they were going to leave him dead or not towards the end of that and it was painful enough having that last season without Emma around…

But YES, I love the underdog. And back to our beloved ship at hand, Pen that poor girl. I must say that I could give her an award for her brilliant eye rolls and looks of disgust she gives that no one pays attention to. Gotta love her true disgust with society. People truly do discount her, so one can’t blame her for wanting to go after that. I think many people forget how young she is and do not allow the mistakes she has made for her age. To think of the mistakes I had made by age 19. Damn! If no one had forgiven me for those, where would I be.

I feel like Eloise hasn’t paid nearly enough attention to her friend to have not figured out LW sooner OR to have figured out that she’s head over goo goo gaga for her brother. To think that she was writing Colin just to hear about his travels…sure girl.

I will give my right arm to see protective angry Colin. That whole taking her hand into the room and smashing the necklace thing last season leading right into a dance….yeah give me puffed out chest, this is my Pen, Colin, and no one is going to hurt her, terrified that the Queen is going to cut off her head, Colin.

I saw Nic’s comments today about how they didn’t hear them yell cut in the carriage scene, and they kept filming and I’m thinking holy hell when we get to that scene in June I may melt down for how much that scene will kill everyone and no one is going to even remember there were ever other suitors or women that even existed. I think the moment they kiss in episode 2 the entire Polin fandom will be too numb to argue about anything! And if they aren’t I don’t think either of us could help them anyway!

#my asks #wonderful people