#the same person who designed Flora's room designed Musa's room

[charmixpower]

#winx club #rus chatters #winx season 5 #the posters....of all of them....in their most recent outfits in their rooms.... #implying that they made them when they first got back to aflea for some god forsaken reason #the fucking Bloom shelf #the dance table #aren't these supposed to be dorm rooms??? how are they doing that with their beds and shelfs??? you cant install things in a dorm???? #Bloom's room is actually a nightmare. but the reference to her love of drawing is cute #Stella's room is probably my favorite because shes the only one who would #they visably gave up with Flora's room...like I'm pretty sure this begun and ended with plant lady #I can at least appreciate the aesthetic of Tecna's room. it looks like a home office and bedroom and i kinda love the vibe #the same person who designed Flora's room designed Musa's room #i can at least appreciate the mix of femme stuff and sporty stuff in Aisha's room. her bed is gorgeous #this would be so much more tolorable if these were theyre own room in their own house but!!!! #OH MY GOD I JUST SAW THE REFRENCES TO THE BAND SUBPLOT. I WILL BREAK THAT KEYTUAR OVER SOMEONE'S FUCKING HEAD #omggg s5 designers. i forgot what everyone's gimmick was. wanna beat me over the head with it in the background design??? thanks! #i am still not. and will never be. over those awful awful posters. i can tell im feeling angry or another negative emotion but by god #Rus liveblogs

[floralovebot]

man people who racebend characters of color are REALLY showing their asses in how they think we're all interchangable and see us as a checklist for "Getting A Good Grade In Woke :)" rather than just... acknowledgment of the existing natural diversity of planet earth and the different ways people make life of it.

its insensitive to reimagine disneys tiana as asian, not because asian people dont face racism or cant enjoy cooking or didnt exist in 1920s new orleans- but because tiana is the first and still only black disney princess and was written and designed as such. her race informs and deepens her writing and her struggles, her love for her dad and specifically wanting to validate a jim crow era black man's sacrifices for his family, her connection to him and her community through her cooking when they all struggle to keep food on the table. similarly mulan shouldnt be rebranded as african american, not because black women couldnt exist in china or never crossdressed to join the army or dont face misogyny- but because mulan is a folk hero of historical chinese legend and as mulan, specifically cannot be divorced from that background. (also, frankly? the early white princesses arent really as well written for the most part, and their culture of origin is virtually never taken into account aside from visuals in their development, if that).

thats what ticked me off so bad about the monster high reboot. nb frankie was so cool and an asian draculaura was so fun but then they just... took away the black girl? and by extension, her sisters and thus ALL the black girls and like, dude not cool? nothing wrong with her being latina but being afrolatina is a different experience than being african american. afrolatinas deserve rep but that doesnt mean they shouldve taken clawdeen from african american girls. then there was some back and forth as to where specifically draculaura's family is from, and lagoona's origins vary from source to source dolls vs movie vs tv too and you just really feel the lack of effort and cohesion in the writing rooms. it really is just all just numbers on a chart, quotas to be filled there.

even with shows like winx where its ambiguous at times and kind of a raceblind take at others, theres so little for ANY of us that redesigning without that in mind becomes poaching. why would you take when ive been given so precious little? why would you want to change this one gift from people like me that lets me know i'm seen and loved? sure, other people deserve to have that too but if they want to borrow then take those who have so much they wont even miss it?

asdfghjkl sorry for the essay, i guess i had a breakthrough in how to put why this specific issue gets to me.

YESSS THANK YOU

Like it's so fucking weird to me!!! And GOD I wanted to say something about gen3 Clawdeen but I wasn't sure if I was "right" or if it was my place to say but exactly!! Being afrolatina is wonderful and they deserve representation too but it is still ultimately a different experience from being black american and they shouldn't have taken that away from black girls! I'm glad that mixed kids have her as rep now but they shouldn't have taken her away!! They very easily could've made a new character to fill that role instead!

AND YES to the winx point!! At the end of the day, it doesn't matter that some of the girls races or ethnicities are more ambiguous, they still have Canon races and people shouldn't be taking that away and giving it to someone else. That's not how representation works! Ever! Like if someone redesigned Aisha to be asian, that wouldn't make me happy or give me More representation. All that would be doing is taking away representation from black people! Same thing with Musa, Flora, Nabu, etc.

It also feels So fucking scummy when a white person's excuse is just that they Personally didn't see a character as their canonical race/ethnicity and that's why they changed it?? Like I don't give a shit if You personally don't see Nabu as an Indian man. That doesn't change his blatant coding. Same with characters like Flora who are more ambiguous. It doesn't matter if You Personally don't like her being Latina. She is. Fucking deal???

#and don't worry about it!! i loved seeing this!! #i get so worried whenever i get new asks when i post about racism ajldhgl #and about tiana like holy shit that blew me away #SO much of her story is tied into blackness!! you CAN'T erase her being black without taking away a fundamental aspect - #of her story and the intention of her character #and that's a big reason why even with more ambiguous characters like the wi.nx it's still wrong #they were created with the Intention of giving the show and kids watching it more diversity #you CAN'T take away their race without taking away a huge part of their character and purpose #it just feels so 'i don't see color 😊' like ajkghddlajgh #UGH #answered #AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON POCAHONTAS HOLY SHIT????? #that was a real person!! she was real!! they based this on real life and they were so fucking racist and wrong about it!! #amonute has been done so fucking wrong by the world and to then just erase her being indigenous... like how insensitive can you get

[moonlightreal]

Fate season 2-3

In this third episode of Fate: Tales from Elemental Academy…

Bloom goes to the infirmary for some Plan B after her passionate encounter last episode!

Terra gives Flora the “Um, your life is in danger” rundown.

Musa rethinks her overuse of magic and talks with Sam about when she should de-anxiety him and when she should ask first in the moment.

Stella has a rush of common sense to the head and tells the gang she’s got a magic parasite to the gang can get together to remove it!  And she stops hangin’ with Beatrix because why is she even doing that in the first place?

...or maybe not.  I thought Stella’s arc was redemption: she’s awful → she’s abused →she makes friends and they help her heal→she triumphs over her abusive mother in some meaningful way.  But what if she makes friends→one friend ruins everything→Stella backs out of the idea of real friendship→Stella is seduced into villainy→Villain ending!  Could any of the Winx-named characters have a villain ending?

None of the things mentioned above will actually happen, of course.

This episode is called Your Newfound Popularity.  Whose?  These titles are somewhat opaque.

We jump right back in with Silva having just snuck into Sky’s room.  Sky tosses him the sword that didn’t really belong to Andreas.  After what Andreas pulled at the shop Silva knows he’s going to get caught sooner or later.  He plans to “go into exile” but wanted to see Sky first, to apologize and get things straight between them.  But Sky is having none of it1  he just says “Leave and never come back.”

What is up with Sky?  He seems to hate Andreas, be fully aware that Andreas is a bad person, but he doesn’t even have questions for the father figure who actually loves him? Well I guess this Sky matches animated Sky is having some very weird relationship blind-spots!

This rejection has to hurt, and I think that’s why Silva doesn’t sneak out again but heads deeper into the school.  Where he runs into Andreas!  Who has his crazy eyes dialed up to ten!  And here’s Rosalind and oh no, Ben let Silva in but has now betrayed him to Rosalind.  I know, protection of kids comes first, but was Ben this craven in the last episode?  Rosalind explains that Ben and Silva have the same weakness, “and that’s why I never had kids.”  The writers are having a great time with these cartoonishly evil quips of Rosalind’s aren’t they?

Silva has a sword but still lets himself be hauled off to the east wing to be experimented upon. Rosalind’s eyes glow silver so either she’s doing magic or she just wants to display her evilness.

But he’s not a fairy, what are magic eating Somethings going to do with him?

Opening!

More pop music BGM, which I do not like.  Personal preference, I don’t like it.  Aerial shot of the town of Blackbridge which does indeed have a bridge.  Bloom and Aisha are shopping for the Alfea alumnai banquet.  Every important Alfea grad from the past fifty years will be there.  Cool!  More magical adults!  

Aisha had a cunning plan, to do the centerpieces for the banquet, get noticed by the alumnai, intern for one of them come back to Alfea as a teacher, and eventually become headmistress.  Bloom gives her a not-terribly-incredulous look but Aisha says that look is why she doesn’t tell people about her plan. It’s a fine plan, Aisha, but getting noticed for flower centerpieces when you’re a water fairy seems a bit odd.  Why not small custom fountains as centerpieces?

Bloom says she hasn’t thought about life after alfea.  Back on earth she wanted to be an artist or an engineer, a hint that Bloom used to fix antique lamps and things as a hobby.  And that is a cool hobby for a female character, I gotta say. Unique.  Not like singing or fashion design or art, which yet she does say art but the real Bloom draws when the writers remember so I’ll give that a pass for being lore.

Buying flowers for centerpieces was also a ruse to get them, into town to check with Sebastian!  Whose shop counter and face are repaired after Andreas smashed him.  Bloom rolls out a map; they’re looking for a way into the east wing but every entrance is guarded.  Hang on, remember Sam can Kitty Pryde it through walls?  ‘cause he can.  

Sebastian suggests they break in tonight during the banquet when the guards are guarding all the VIPs. I guess it’s slightly more original than “secret tunnel.”  I like Sebastian, by the way.  He has a unique face and a nice accent. Anyway the alumnai will take a vote to swear Rosalind in as the new headmistress, though having Queen Luna’s approval is what really got her the job.  Sebastian and Aisha explain and Bloom thinks this is marvelous.  If they can expose Rosalind’s villainy in front of all these powerful fairies that’d be great!

Bloom has 4 piercings in each ear, by the way.

Sky told Bloom about Silva’s visit, but of course everyone thinks Silva just skipped town.  

Y’know, rule one of hiking is make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back, so if something goes wrong rescuers will know to look for you.. There should be something similar for entering enemy territory.

Back at school Sky is helping his father unload many crates of wine.  Sky’s taking three boxes at once and Andreas says there’s no prize for finishing early.  Sky says getting to leave is a prize.

Sky’s nonsensical behavior is going to bug me just as much as the “why are changelings bad” thing last season.  Never got an answer to that, either!

Andreas asks if Sky heard what happened to Silva’s house and Sky says, “my house, you mean.” and Andreas does not bat an eye at having burned up all his son’s stuff.  He just says Sky and Riven have been in a bad mood and will have to deal with “pompous alums who never did a day’s work in their lives.”  He suggests Sky and Riven get sloshed to handle the evening!  Leaving his son with two bottles of booze, he walks off. Parenting!

Riven and the pretty specialist who was making eyes at Terra last episode and whose name is Kat are setting up tables.  And it looks like the threesome has broken up!  When did this happen?  Kat teases that a three-way was too much for him and Riven says it just ran its course.  Then Dane walks by and gives Riven a look of some sort.  What is going on?  Did I miss something? Oh right!  Riven was about to get tortured last episode!  Guess that happened offscreen.

Terra and Flora are growing plants for decoration.  Kat walks past and says, “you modeling that on me?” since the plant matches her poofy ponytail.  Terra giggles and her fern poofs out huge.  Now this is the kind of adorable relationship I prefer in my shows!

Ben Harvey is also helping set up, but he’s jumpy and shouty.  Terra says he’s different lately, and he was on the phone with “Malacoy academy” trying to get a job there.  Poor Ben, his conscience is getting to him!  He really is in a terrible predicament.  

Aisha brings some silverware to Musa and Sam and says she’ll help, but they already have help.  It’s Grey, of course.  They have an awkwardness over a chair and Aisha sits with her back very much to Grey, and he leaves.  Sam and Musa found this adorable.  But Aisha is no longer texting with Grey.

Rosalind walks past and Musa magics. Is she trying to read Rosalind’s mind or see how scared Sam is at the sight of her?  Or something else?  Then Sam heads off to get ready.  When they’re alone Musa beckons Aisha closer for privacy and says… oh my gosh, she did listen to reason, or at least listen to Aisha, and stop un-anxietying Sam.  But Sam is not ok, he’s full of rage at Rosalind and hiding it.  Musa thinks Sam is hiding something about Rosalind and “the sooner she’s gone, the better.” duh, she’s the baddie!  And I think Sam’s secret is that he knows his father is betraying people to Rosalind.  Oof, heavy on poor Sam!

Aisha is wearing a sweater with blue and teal diamonds and Musa is wearing a red shirt with a brown vest over it.  These clothes are not as dowdy as last season’s.

We jump over to Stella, wearing a powder-blue suit jacket.  She does love her suit jackets!  Her animated counterpart would cringe so hard.  She’s doing table maps it looks like, and has a clipboard.  Bloom (wearing a rather boring white sweater) is helping.  She asks if Stella is a VIP.

Queen Luna isn’t coming this year but Stella’s uncle is.  New family member!  (where’s Stella’s dad?) She says her uncle “sees people for who they truly are and he’s not afraid to say it” and he doesn’t like Rosalind so she is definitely going to murderize him.  He might as well lie down in his grave.

Rosalind is in her lab messing with syringes and vials of blood in an obviously villainous way.  She injects something into a rat and drops it into the chamber with the Somethings and a Something eats the rat.  Chomp! These are not large Somethings, by the way, the one we see lives in a big double fishtank full of mist that conceals it from view.  Can’t tell how many are in there.

Andreas comes in wearing a dark suit instead of his armored specialist gear and says the guests are arriving and the guards know what to do.  I wonder if they’re going to release a whole lot of Somethings and steal everybody’s magic. The camera goes to a book with a woodcut illustration of Somethings attacking people.  Rosalind: “Time for dinner and a show.”

Ok, these one-liners are starting to just be stupid.  Honestly, Beatrix pulls it off better than this!

Black cars arrive at the castle, and only black cars so my headcanon is now that the Otherworld learned to import cars back when black was the only color they came in, and never discovered the secrets of car paint.  Among the notables arriving is Duke Oscar Hammerstrom, who Stella calls the Solarian Jeff Bezos.  “He perfected thought-based purchasing.  You think it, you buy it.  A nightmare.”  Mind fairy, graduated ‘82, now has a monopoly on Otherworld products.  Really, show, would it have killed ya’ to say that about thought-based purchasing and have Bloom who is from Earth mention Bezos?  It does make sense that Stella’s mother would make her learn about rich successful heartless people from other realms though, so I’ll give it a pass.

Another fairy called Aimee Leroy made a breakthrough on elemental fluid mechanics.

Aisha made flashcards so she’d know what to chat about with each of the alums.

Bloom asks the important question: “are there no normal jobs in the Otherworld?  No accountants or-?” which you’d think she would know after a year of school.  Stella says of course there are other jobs, but most of them didn’t go to Alfea, the best school.

Bloom thinks she’s got a way into the east wing, she wants to go alone since being Rosalind’s protege gives her some protection.

There’s a knock on the door and it’s Beatrix with booze, inviting Stella to come get sloshed!  What would she have done if someone besides Stella had opened the door?  Stella says she’s busy and suggests Riven as a drinking buddy but B says Riven dumped her on account of last episode she got him tortured. She kinda tries to explain this but Stella says she’s sorry, she doesn’t have time right now and goes back into the suite with her friends.

I’m baffled by these interactions. Is Beatrix trying to seduce Stella to evil?  Is she trying to seduce Stella because teens making strange sexual decisions in part of the show?  Is Beatrix thinking of having a redemption arc?  Does Stella see something in Beatrix, abused kid to abused kid?  I don’t think we can say Beatrix was abused, but her childhood was certainly strange and she worships an awful parental figure, like Stella did before her redemption arc began.  Does Stella think she can redeem Beatrix?  Or spy on her?  B is a villain minion after all.  The tone of this scene was “real emotions are being felt” but that makes no sense.

Sky and Riven are drinking a whole bottle of champagne each in their room.  Sky mentions Riven burned his house down and Riven says it wasn’t that great of a house. Riven also knows what Sky and Bloom were getting up to and he’s jealous since the last time he “got screwed it was by Beatrix and Rosalind and not in a good way.”  He doesn’t even know what Rosalind was looking for in his mind, I guess you don’t remember being tortured by a mind fairy.  But he does remember Beatrix turning him in.  So he dumped her.

Dane turns up and wants to know what’s going on between B and Riven.  Wasn’t Dane there for the torture? Riven says it’s over and Dane makes clear that he’s still into Riven even if the trio is no more but Riven basically tells Dane he never cared and annoying modern music about “why do we love the wrong ones” plays.

Music keeps playing as we go to Musa and Grey, in Sam and Grey’s room I assume.  Grey has made alumni flashcards just like Aisha did.  Musa tells Grey that, and tells him not to give up because aisha is totally into him.  Grey smiles and goes off probably to find Aisha.  Sam must be in the shower and while waiting Musa snoops in his backpack and finds a vial of green wakeup potion.  And Sam comes out and catches her at it!  And freaks out! Quite understandably, he feels like his family is imploding and nobody is doing enough about Rosalind.

Aaaand Musa admits she was taking away his anger with magic, and she didn’t know while she was doing it but it seems like her taking it away just made the anger come back stronger.  Sam also quite understandably is upset that she’s been messing with his head and didn’t tell him.  He storms out to go murderize Rosalind right now!  

But murder later, fashion show first! The girls are all dolled up!  Bloom in a gorgeous dark blue dress slit all the way up one thigh, Stella in some kind of brocade with sequins over it and ruffles on the arms, Aisha in what looks like an olive green satin suit, and Flora in this hippie-looking but also country mustard yellow thing.  Terra is wearing… her normal clothes.  Flora’s outfit is neat and Bloom looks smashing and sexy and very older-than-sixteen.  Stella’s dress is super childish and is either a representation of how she’s still under her mother’s thumb or just a weird design choice.  One assumes there’s a good reason why the “fat representation” character is the only one that didn’t get a fancy party dress, and that the reason will be made clear to us soon.

Musa texts that there’s trouble with Sam.

Stella decides to blow this off and goes to see her uncle, whose name is Arthur and who is one of those men with too-long hair for the gray streaks in it.  He looks rich and weird.

Oh, and Rosalind grabbed Bloom from the scene for a chat.  She hates these fancy parties but she needs all these rich people to vote her in.  They pass a black person with buzzed hair and a stereotypical mad scientist lookin’ guy. Rosalind wants Bloom to sit by her at the banquet.  Bloom was the first fairy to transform in generations and that makes her a VIP! Bloom is sharp enough to realize Rosalind is using that fact for social clout and dumb enough to ask, ‘what if I don’t feel like being used?”

Rosalind points out “Field Marshal Bavani Selvarajah” the lady commander of the Solarian army. Rosalind could tell her that the girls busted Silva out.  Rosalind says “she might be angry..” and then does this girlish little hip-wiggle and singsongs “shall we find out?” and what even is this weird weird villain writing?  A Roald Dahl villain works in a Roald Dahl book, but plonked down in what’s supposed to be a grimdark YA fantasy it’s such a clash of styles.  Anyway the field marshal, who looks just as Indian as her name, comes over and Rosalind introduces her to Bloom.

Meanwhile Flora and Aisha are walking arm in arm and chatting.  Flora’s been to a lot of fundraisers in Linphea—so that name exists!  Aisha goes to talk to Aimee Leroy (who looks very Chinese) but Grey has chatted with him already!  As he passes, he gives Aisha his notecard.  Flora says, ‘Marry him!”

But here’s Sebastian, he was invited too since he’s an alumni.  He pulls the two girls away for a private talk.

Over with Stella, she immediately told her uncle about the magic thingy stuck on her, and I guess I’m wrong about it being a baby Something because Arthur calls it a tracking gem.  He says everyone back home knows Stella’s not a delinquent but Rosalind’s the only one Queen Luna listens to.  He vibes very suspicious.  I bet Stella’s memories are from when she was little and he was kind to her but he’s still humoring a child not helping a person with a problem.  If everybody at this party wasn’t about to get eaten I’d expect him to be in Rosalind’s pocket.

Stella hints that Rosalind could be out of the picture and says wouldn’t that be good for the royal family, having her influence off the queen, but Arthur says he can’t say anything about his opinion in so public a place.  And he wants to meet the fairy who transformed.

Bloom is up on the walkway telling the story of the Burned Ones’ attack to a circle of visiting dignitaries including Richard, the mayor of Blackbridge who wears a gold mayoral chain over his suit and tie.  She’s never going to be able to escape from rosalind to do spy stuff.

As Aiosha, Flora and Sebastian have figured out.  Someone else will have to sneak into the east wing and reveal Rosalind’s evil deeds.  And Sebastian says they need to do it now before Rosalind steals Bloom’s power.  Does he have any reason to think that’s Rosalind’s plan for tonight?  Rosalind has had months of chances to do that if she was going to.  More likely she’s going to eat all the VIPs.

Musa tells Terra about Sam, and Terra goes with the “I told you it was a bad idea” before getting to the “let’s find him.”

Sam is in the kitchens, getting himself a waiter outfit and a tray.  He hides the scary syringe of wake up juice in his pocket.  Uncapped, which makes me cringe.  Still, go Sam making a plan!  

And cut to Beatrix, who was not invited and is reaming her father out for it.  Andreas says the thought she didn’t want to come and B says she didn’t but if anyone’s sitting with Andreas it should be her, not “The Otherworld’s blandest water biscuit.”  That’s a lovely insult but bland is not how I would describe Rosalind.  Andreas just says don’t make a scene and Beatrix hints that she knows Rosalind has big plans for the evening.  Andreas just leaves, doesn’t even dignify that with an answer, and Beatrix spots Dane and goes to get him.

But Dane is talking with his friends. Beatrix unleashes a string of nasty quips.  And Dane says, “I used to think there was more to you than this, that the bravado was a disguise for a scared little girl, but really you’re just a nasty piece of work.” and he says nobody’s actually scared of her, they just don’t like her.  And he goes back to his friends.

Beatrix is officially down to no dudes! Also she’s wearing a bizarre shirt, it’s like a goth top with a boob window but is made of navy blue quilting fabric with small pink flowers.

But Beatrix grabs Dane and reminds him that Riven will never love him.  Proving that she is in fact a nasty piece of work.  

As Aisha and Flora get started sneaking, Bloom and Rosalind head into the cafeteria, which has been enchanted with trees growing inside.  It looks really cool, props to the special effects people!  I’m sure the trees are CG but it’s done well and it’s very pretty.  A three sectioned round table is set out with place settings and candles.  There’s Sky, Rosalind has selected him to sit with Bloom and keep her company.  They m,ention the failed sneaky plan and Bloom says they just have to make sure Rosalind doesn’t try anything else, and Sky stutters about how pretty Bloom is, and she is amazing in that dress.  Stella and her uncle come in and Stella looks upset to see Bloom with her ex at her fancy party.  Arthur says, ‘Finally, someone with something to say.” and wants to ask Bloom all about it.  He also keeps drinking. Arthur’s gonna be too sloshed to run away when the murder starts. Poor Sky looks awkward.  Yeah, the super-mature dress on Bloom and childish dress on Stella are definitely a Statement.  Good job, wardrobe people!

Musa and Terra look for Sam.

Who’s about to add the potion to a drink for Rosalind.  But he gets caught by a guard.

Aisha and Flora go down some stairs outdoors, that I’m pretty sure are part of the real castle.  But there are Somethings down there!

Bloom does not know which fork to use and Rosalind magics the right one into her hand.  Rosalind sees Bloom glancing at Sebastian, who’s sitting at another part of the table, and Bloom says she’s just seen him around town.  Andreas jokes about how he tried to make a decent Specialist of sebastian but it was hopeless and Arthur says, “Andreas, you must come to the Capital sometime and let Stella’s old etiquette teacher give you a lesson.  Cute little My Fair Lady moment.”  Buuuurn!  But Arthur then goes into something about how Sky was lucky to be raised by Silva but if Sky and Stella had stayed a couple it would’ve been scandalous—wait, why scandalous?--but then he goes on to saying Sky “landed” the fairy who transformed.  Sky says he didn’t land anything and both Bloom and Stella look totally embarrassed.  Stella suggests her uncle maybe needs some water and arthur says, ‘don’t be that girl.”

Oh Stel, another family member letting you down horribly.  

Rosalind gets up and Bloom follows her out, explaining that she’s escaping the awkwardness.  

But we go back to the table where the awkward continues!  Stella asks her uncle to tone it down, he says they’re all so delicate, sky says firmly that no, you were being a dick.  Andreas approves.  Arthur launches into this villain rant at Sky, “You realize you’re nothing, right?  Less than nothing. I have household cleaning staff who are more important than you.” and Stella shuts him down!  Tells him not to disrespect her friends, and that he’s drunk and go get some water.  Go Stella!  Of course her uncle retaliates by mentioning the tracking gem out loud in front of Sky. And saying “your mother was right, you have changed.  Pity.” with total perv energy.  Gross.  

He passes Rosalind who says he’s a prick but they need him, “for the vote and… other things.” Bloom straight up asks, “Why are you so cryptic?’ which, because she’s the villain you bonehead! But Bloom has a point, Rosalind has been mixing the threats and the not-threats.

Rosalind: “You think I’m some kind of evil mastermind, don’t you?”

...that is literally your entire character.

“It’s my fault, I suppose.  It’s a persona I cultivate.” and Rosalind says she’d never turn the girls in, she doesn’t want to lose Bloom’s trust or look bad in front of all the VIPs.  “I’m cryptic because every move I make has to be bulletproof or they will pounce.”  Bloom says they all love Rosalind ans she says, ‘nobody ever really loves the powerful. Luckily, fear works too.” then she starts on the flattery, saying the real truth is that Bloom is her star pupil and will shape the Otherworld more than anybody here, and more than her friends.” Then Rosalind leaves to attend to more ”cryptic business.”  Bloom looks shaken.

Stella has watched all this.  And I gotta say, Stella’s actress, Hannah van der Westhusen is doing a great job portraying Stella, who thinks she’s a dignified princess but also is a teenager whose entire personality has been battered down by years of abuse.

Flora and Aisha wander through an underground dungeon on a soundstage somewhere, because of course the school has a maze of empty stone corridors under it.  Grey texts Aisha but she doesn’t reply and Flora decides now is the time to psychoanalyze why Aisha isn’t texting a boy while on a life and death mission.  Aisha goes along and admits she’s never had a boyfriend and doesn’t like doing things she’s not good at.  She doesn’t want to “make sacrifices” for something that might end up hurting her.

Flora goes into this “we are designed to fall in love, our bodies release hormones when our gut bacteria is compatible” which I guess is supposed to be a reference to Flora having scientist parents but she says it in a super sexy way that makes me think this actress could play “slutty” as well as the actress playing Beatrix.  The actress who plays Flora is absolutely gorgeous, I don’t think I mentioned that.  Big curly hair, visibly Hispanic of course.

Aisha is skeptical of this “embrace life” speech while they’re sneaking in a basement.  Maybe the writers were told “Flora is kind of a hippie” and that’s what spawned this scene?  I feel like all the animated Winx know when to put matchmaking aside for the mission better than this.  Yeah they did once do ballet right before a final battle, but that was product placement.

The two of them come to some bars and a door made of bars with a not-futuristic keypad to open it.  The door is unlocked.  They’ve found the lab!  Or have they?  It looks like the place we saw Rosalind working before, but it feels very empty and abandoned.  Flora smells something and sniffs a beaker.  The whole place has been sterilized with alcohol.

Of course Rosalind knew you were coming and cleaned up the evidence, and also there’s a Something going to burst in on you any second.  The girls hear it chittering and Flora says “I’m gonna close that just in case” and shuts the doors.

Aisha comments the obvious: this empty lab is not proof of anything.

The lights go out!  They won’t turn back on!  But, I can see what’s happening! This show is not too-dark-can’t-see!  Good for you, Fate!

I can even see a Something on the floor.  It’s a worm that holds its head up, with tentacles.  A fantasy cybermat.  Should I start calling them fantasy cybermats?

It attacks!  It’s very acrobatic, jumping from the wall, just missing Aisha, slithering between some crates.  Aisha grabs it with magic and blue magic light comes out of her eyes.  Flora says “Stop channeling, I don’t think your magic works” but it did seem like Aisha was holding the thing still, by manipulating the water in its body I assume.  Anyway they’ve lost sight of it, it’s very fast, and they only have Aisha’s cel phone light to see.

Then a cool scene, one descends from the ceiling behind Aisha.  It pounces!  She grabs it and it reaches for her face with tentacles with blue-glowing tips.  

Flora breaks the beaker of alcohol over it and when it hits the ground, adds a lit match.  “Magic may not work, but how about chemistry?”

So the Otherworld hit chemistry without passing through the bestiary… ok, ok, I’ll stop.

The critter burns up.  But all Aisha has as evidence is a phone video of a burned up thing and an empty lab.  Bloom and Stella are not impressed.  Stella wants to present the proof, now, while they have all the VIPs together but Bloom doesn’t think it’s enough evidence.  Bloom wants to wait.  She tells the others that Rosalind knows they rescued Silva and there is some panic, especially Aisha, but Bloom says Rosalind says she wouldn’t tell.  And Bloom believes her.  In a very heartfelt, “I know I shouldn’t but I… I believe her.  It’s complicated.”

Because that worked so well the last time!  

Stella titters.  “It’s actually simple.  Cliche even.  Outsider all your life, get a taste of the inner circle and can’t get enough.  You seem to forget, this was my life.  Your fifteen minutes are gonna get people killed.”

Love it!  Go, Stella!  Grab that idiot ball off your friend and throw it away!

Bloom makes shocked incredulous noises. Remember, to her the idiot ball feels like her heartfelt emotions. And of course, Stella’s plan to reveal the truth is going to backfire just as horribly as Bloom’s belief in Rosalind will;.  The girls do not seem to have grasped just how far ahead Rosalind is and how completely screwed they are.

Uncle Arthur is saying they should get the vote over with so they can keep drinking when Stella stalks into the middle ofv the circle table and begins in a very queenly voice, “Rosalind is not who she seems.”

Then we cut to Terra and Musa, still looking for Sam.  Terra is angry and Musa is trying to defend herself.  They go outside and see Professor Harvey and Sam walking in the garden.  Ben reassures them that Sam will be fine and leaves with Terra.  Musa sits with Sam on a bench.  Sam is lookin’ like a guy having a crisis, which he is.  He reminds Musa of when they met, how she said he “sounded like an absence of chaos” but now his life is full of chaos.  He isn’t angry at Musa for what she did, but he’s not ok.  He says he’s leaving Alfea.

Good! Go be safe!  Why Ben hasn’t hauled his family as far away as possible is beyond me.

But Musa freaks, says this is temporary, he’s just confused, they can fix this.But she can read his mind and knows they cannot fix this.

Turns out what happened in the kitchen: the soldier who caught Sam was Badass Marco, who probably recognized someone under extreme stress when he saw it and brought Sam to his dad instead of arresting him.  He’ll keep the secret if they get Sam some help.  Ben tells this to Terra, who’s angry and upset at the thought of her brother leaving.  And her father says he can’t keep teaching here.  But Terra wants to stay with her friends, and Ben says, “You belong here.”

Um, Rosalind has been threatening him with harm to his kids for months.  Why would he leave Terra with her? Maybe Rosalind already threatened something something hostage, something Bloom’s friend group.

Terra asks what if they take Rosalind down and Ben says it’s a nice thought but she’s tricky.

Back at the banquet Stella is doing a great job describing how Rosalind let Devin die.  Upright queenly posture, loud clear voice, no hesitation.  Stella must have had royal speech classes!  The guests murmur in concern!  The girls watching start to wonder if this will work!

Then Rosalind steps out… with Devin! Rosalind’s story is that Devin and Ivy were found catatonic and the mayor called on her for help and swore her to secrecy.  Then she borrowed a text from the royal archives, with Uncle Arthur's permission, and discovered “an ancient creature, called a scraper. A native of the Realm of Darkness.  They feed on magic.”  

At last they have a name, but it’s a dumb name.

Some soldiers roll out her fishtank o’ scrapers and they splat on the glass.  Rosalind says they captured one and she’s been studying it, all thanks to “Benjamin Harvey’s daughter” who discovered the amalgam that woke the fairies up. Then she says a Blood Witch summoned the scrapers.

Shock!  Horror!  A blood witch!  A… wait, we don’t know a single thing about what a blood witch is. Hope you remembered them from getting mentioned like once last season!  

So anyway “our old foes have discovered how to steal our magic, and if Blood Witches continue using scrapers fairies and their magic will cease to exist.”

Stella looks like she’s about to cry. She thinks she’s about to get killed, quite sensibly.  But Rosalind praises their courage and says it will be needed as they face their real enemy in the future.  She dismisses the students and Sky and the girls head out, then Rosalind calls Bloom back.

Outside Stella says she needs a minute and walks in the most ‘away’ direction she can find.  Sky hesitates like he’s thinking of going after her but not sure he should.  Flora is relieved her potion didn’t kill Devin after all, and Aisha is shocked that they were wrong about everything.  Flora says, ‘wonder what else you were wrong about” and nods at Grey, who’s hangin’ out with some friends.  Ye gods Flora, you’re as bad as the other Flora in season 8, knock it off already!

Aisha goes off to see Grey and Riven of all people walks up, calls Flora a ‘genuine fairy godmother’ and offers her a drink.

Is this how real teenagers behave? It’s not how my friends behaved.  It looks exhausting.

Because Riven is a charming hobbit when he wants to be, his attempts to flirt with Flora are kind of cute. She takes a drink not because she’s feeling seduced but because she just found out she’s not a murderer. Riven says, “Lucky for you ‘not a murderer’ is exactly what I’m looking for these days.” Heh.  Flora chuckles, not realizing that Riven has been dating Beatrix who literally is a murderer.

Grey and Aisha chat about the alums. They met Hammerstrom, though we didn’t see him.  He was apparently very drunk and talked at Grey for 45 minutes.  It’s a cute exchange, then Aisha invites Grey to come swim with her, in his new speedo.

Maybe near death made her interested?

Rosalind speechifies. we’ll eliminate the blood witches, no thanks on resources commander, I have everything I need at this school.  Significant glance at Bloom.  Then she tells everyone Bloom has “the magic of legend, the Dragon Flame.”

Gasp!  Shock!  The Dragon Flame!  The… wait, we don’t know a single thing about the Dragon Flame!

Rosalind says “Bloom is the key to saving our world” and Bloom, who I don’t think knows a single thing about the Dragon Flame either, looks stunned.  Also, the world doesn’t look particularly in danger.  Yeah there’s monsters and lots of nasty people, but that’s tot world danger.

Aisha and Grey splash happily in the river.

Musa and Sam walk silently in the garden.

Terra cries in the greenhouse and her father comforts her.

Stella tears her back bloody trying to get the tracking gem off.  She tries to hide the damage when Sky comes in, but he sees it.  Stella cries on his chest.

Bloom sits in the empty banquet hall.

Over these scenes meaningful pop music, chorus “everybody’s got their own idea of right and wrong”  It’s not bad music,

Rosalind comes up to Bloom and says, “I know.  It’s a lot.”

And Bloom asks for a full rundown on the Dragon Flame, which Rosalind gives her—no, that’s not what happens.  Instead Bloom reminds us that, per Rosalind, Blood Witches were the ones who kidnapped her as a baby and had her at Aster Dell. “Is that because of this thing inside me?  The Dragon Flame?” Bloom says it like she doesn’t know what it is, so Rosalind didn’t tell her offscreen sometime.

Rosalind says yep, that’s why.  Bloom asks if her birth parents had it too.  Sensible question, Bloom!  But Rosalind says she really doesn’t know where Bloom came from-- but the blood witches will.  We’ll find out by fighting them!

Bloom: “You’ve kept so much from me I don’t know if I can trust you.”

...Bloom, I hate to have to say this, I’ve been putting it off for episodes, trying to put a good face on things, but you are so stupid you deserve to get eaten by a monster.

Rosalind hopes to prove her trustworthyness with… a pardon!  Silva has been pardoned for the crime of almost murder!  He’s here!  Rosalind spent a whole week talking Uncle Arthur into granting that pardon.

Rosalind says it’s time to put aside our differences, common enemy, Blood Witches a scourge on the Otherworld!  Doing… scourgey things the show doesn’t bother to tell us anything about!

But they must be doing something because Silva, who is not insane, says Rosalind is right and this is a problem to take seriously!

We cut outside to Beatrix smoking alone on the grounds of the real castle.  Footsteps approach from the other side of the low wall she’s sitting against, and she asks with much profanity to be left in peace.  But it’s not Stella coming for an ill-advised heartfelt chat, it’s… scrapers!  The attack Beatrix! She gets grabbed!

So I guess the footsteps were someone directing the scrapers?

So that’s episode 3!  What do you think of Rosalind’s alibi?  Was she really doing good while spouting cartoonish villain lines at every opportunity?  Heck if I know; after this episode my brain is done with thinking for a while. I shall post and leave it to all of you to figure out.

#fate the winx saga

[nerdwriting]

The Creative Directors Behind Fate: The Winx Saga Must Not Be K-Pop Fans

Also, they have a pretty wrong idea of the role fashion should play in a show.

There are a few words that will stand out across most reviews of Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga - drab, boring, flop, flat, unimaginative. Critics and audiences consensus is that the show is not only a mediocre-at-best story, but also an atrocious (and ultimately confusing) choice of adaptation of the color pop and fairy magic cartoon it’s based on, 2004 italian cartoon Winx Club.

Fate has plenty of it's own issues - white washing and erasing characters, cringey dialogue, outdated melodrama, etc. But where it truly, unequivocally fails is as an adaptation. Fate misses everything that was magical and lovable about the original series, in all levels, from bizarre writing choices, - such as never actually developing any sense of friendship between the characters, who are based on a cartoon about…..a group…….of friends -, but it's especially and immediately felt in the art direction and costume design.

Winx Club is set on a fantastical world, Magix, where each of our main characters hail from a different planet, à la Sailor Moon. Alfea, the fairy school they attend, is the most common background: a pastel colored, futuristic high tech-meets-fantasy, art nouveau inspired castle. Alfea sets the tone for the whole visual of the cartoon: bright, colorful, futuristic meets vintage, leaning into the technological positivism of the Y2K style, uniting it with magic, DnD worthy monsters and, of course, fairy wings. Often featured are also the Red Fountain school, where the Specialists train, and especially Cloud Tower, the goth and gothic inspired witch school Alfea has an OxBridge rivalry with (How cool would that be in a live action? I guess we’ll never know…).

On Fate, Alfea is the only school we ever see, and it’s another beige boarding school in not-Britain, somehow set in a magical world where everyone has the exact same technology and even social media that we have on Earth in 2021, no transformations and, most egregiously, no fairy wings.

This lack of visual creativity is pervasive throughout the whole show, and its most heartbreaking iteration is in the characters' wardrobe. The styling has the barest bones of a color scheme, - such as 'Bloom has to only dress in red since fire, duh',- the clothes are ill fitting, bland, dark and very dated. These are supposed to be teenagers who enjoy fashion, and yet they look like varying types of soccer moms from 2010.

The series seems to operate on an old and tired vision that women and girls can’t have depth and have adventures and fight monsters while also caring about fashion, a vision that the original show played a big, big role in challenging in the early 2000's. Fashion and costume design sets as much of the tone of a visual medium as the script does; through clothes we can gauge characters’ backgrounds, passions, and personality.

Winx Club has some of the best examples of this in the cartoon sphere - Bloom’s comfortable and bright style, Stella’s glitzy and bold, Musa’s edgy and cool, Aisha’s sporty and fun, Techna’s neon and tech gear inspired, Flora’s earthy and romantic, they all work as extensions of each character and serve a narrative purpose. And that’s not even mentioning how insulting it feels that in their quest to make Winx “edgier, darker” and fit for an older audience, the creators of Fate somehow decided that was in opposition to caring about style and fashion. Most “girly” shows, including the Winx Club are just as much adventure action shows as the ones geared towards boys, and it’s emphasis in fashion, friendship and color does not detract from that. The original run of the cartoon deals with war, violence, grief, abusive relationships and even genocide; leaning into those plotlines would not require Fate to erase any integral parts of what made Winx so beloved, and the fact that they did shows that the Netflix team completely missed the point of fashion in the original show, and really, the point of fashion and costume design in the world building of any show.

That, however, is not a mistake K-Pop makes very often; (This might seem like a bit of wild swerve in topic, but stay with me here). Unlike it's western counterpart, the Korean pop scene never lost the emphasis on music videos and how the visual medium can complete and potentialize music and performance; the K-Pop culture is very album and concept oriented in a way that has been all but lost in many other pop circuits, and the music video, styling and set design of a ‘comeback era’ is a key point of excitement among fans.

As such, music videos that follow storylines, connected universes, boundary pushing concepts and visual effects are the norm, rather than the exception, and a list could be made of works that are beautiful examples of what a live action Winx adaptation could look like. In fact, and very smoothly, here is a small list of exactly that!

A Small List of K-Pop Music Videos That Are Better Winx Club Live Actions Than Fate: The Winx Saga

3. Red Velvet - Psycho

If it was a darker and more somber look that Fate wanted, there was a way to make it actually appealing. While it still feels a liiitle too grown up and elegant for Winx, (maybe this author is biased, as a full proponent for the Y2K fun) Psycho makes a very compelling argument for a witchy, mysterious, fairy tale-esque show that could look scrumptious and definitely not boring, or even a gorgeous example of what the witches in Cloud Tower could look like. Black and white, dark green, pastel blue and pops of jewel tones make Psycho's color palette. To add interest to the understated colors, the styling is heavy on textures; We see plenty of stonework, intricate embroidery, tassels, lace on lace on lace, feathers, bows, opera gloves and lots of glitter. All of that is offset by bold, dark makeup, leather accents and eerie cinematography. Needle & Thread, Marchesa Notte and Self Portrait lend their hyper feminine and intricately detailed tulle gowns, juxtaposed with the creepiness of the lyrics and the dark backgrounds; their deep berry and green fairy tale looks are built with pieces from Zara to Nina Ricci to Dolce & Gabbana to Alexander McQueen.

Red Velvet’s more edgy styling for 2018's Bad Boy would also not feel out of place on the Trix.

2. IZ*ONE - Fiesta

IZ*ONE kicked off 2020 with sweet and fun Fiesta. The MV features rooms with mismatched décor that go from retro to space opera, rocky faux landscapes that feel other worldly, and visual effects that would look perfect on the back of a transformation sequence. Mirroring the set design, the girls wear various outfits by sustainable up and coming brand Chopova Lowena. Their signature skirts made with discarded and repurposed fabrics give a cool and interesting twist on a schoolgirl look that would look very sweet for a band of school fairies that occasionally go off to save the world. Also, wouldn't those bedazzled headphones look great on Musa's fairy outfit?

1. Aespa - Black Mamba and Next Level

Aespa is what fans call a monster rookie. With only three music videos under their belt, they still have some of the most visually interesting work in the industry right now. Their concept is very tied in with high tech, featuring even AI avatars of each member, packaged in a glitzy, fantastical and futuristic aesthetic, candy pop meets cyberpunk. I think I’ve exhausted ways to say that is exactly what a perfect Winx adaptation should feature.

Their debut smash hit, 2020’s Black Mamba is truly a perfect moodboard for live action Winx. Wearing a sequined and colorful mix and match of Dollskill, Gucci, Didu and Balenciaga to a backdrop that features some alien fairy forest realness, a pyschedelic fever dream, rooms straight out of a Y2K catalog or donning lime green and black techwear inside a metro fighting the "black mamba", Aespa look through and through the part of fashion loving fairies who save the world together, while looking fierce, stylish and, most importantly, interesting.

The styling and the sets jump seamlessly from more casual colorful fits with blouses, shirts and baggy pants to barren, darkly lit backgrounds and fringe-and-glitter heavy pieces necessary to fight giant snakes, in a way so fitting to transformation outfits for magical girls we could cry.

In their third MV, 2021's Next Level, the cyber in their concept is taken up a notch (get it. because Next Level-), set to a futuristic urbanscape intersped with a planet made of crystals and the ocasional alien fauna popping up again. We get treated to Monse, The 2nd Skin Co., Johanna Ortiz and The Attico styled to fairy princess standards, sporty sky racers and a white and sequined group styling that is top ten fairy busy saving the world uniform material, or maybe even a specialist worthy getup.

This particular look from Ningning is so Techna that it almost feels as if it's mocking Netflix.

And doesn’t this Karina trapped inside the "black mamba" in Alexander McQueen feel like a perfect Dark Bloom moment?

These are only a few examples of interesting and creative designs that are in line with what a live action Winx Club should have given us. There are so many more I could list, even among other TV Shows, like Sex Education and even polemic dark Euphoria, that know how to have fun with style and design without losing the depth of their stories. In the end, it's hard to justify why Fate creators even wanted to make an adaptation that didn't even try to capture the heart of its source material, and all we can do is watch one more "Restyling Fate: The Winx Saga" video on Youtube whilst mildly dreading season 2.

#winx #winx club #fate the winx saga #fate: the winx saga #tv #tv/movies #cartoons #k-pop #kpop #red velvet #aespa #iz*one #fashion #costume design #art direction

[mynameisnowwyrm]

Spoiler warning

TL;DR horrible adaptation, but very enjoyable on it’s own

(Also just wanted to say I was so sure I was going to hate this bc of what’s different but they changed so much the cartoon and the live action are barely connected in my head)

Okay my review will be split up into two parts: fate: the winx saga as an adaptation and as a standalone work

As an adaptation:

0/10. Maybe 0.5 if I’m being generous.

The things that were unchanged from winx club:

There are characters named Bloom, Stella, Musa, Aisha, Sky and Riven

Aisha, Bloom, Stella and Sky resemble their cartoon counterparts

Riven is an asshole

Bloom is a dumbass

Magic exists

The specialists exist

Main characters go to schools for magic and specialists respectively

The dragon flame is a thing

Witches exist

Other than that it’s a completely different show. The plot vaguely resembles season 1 of winx club only in that Bloom is trying to discover her true heritage. Musa, who is supposed to of East Asian descent is not, Flora was not included and in her place is a different character with similar powers, Tecna was excluded entirely ( I believe this was to distance the show from the futuristic elements of winx club and focus only on fantasy, which doesn’t make sense since they changed Musa’s powers ).

The magic system was changed. Fairies don’t on the regular transform since in the show the know-how to do so was lost, though Bloom does unlock the ability in the finale. Instead of each being a fairy of an individual concept, everyone’s powers ale element based, with Musa’s powers being changed to her being an empath. While this does feel more generic, it makes more sense from a world building perspective and I can see why they changed it.

The fashion is horrible. You will never be able to convince me teenagers dress like that. One of the reasons the original cartoon was enjoyable was all the colourful, fun clothing. The clothes feel dated and too mature for the characters, like I can see a twenty-something person in 2013 wear some of those outfits. It especially feels like a missed opportunity since 2000’s fashion is coming back into style.

The characterization of some of the characters compared to winx club was hit and miss. Riven was an ass and Bloom was impulsive and naive, which is accurate, but Stella, oh Stella was a disappointment. Stella was a jealous, manipulative bitch, which in context of her character backstory makes sense, but is so far from her original portrayal. Cartoon Stella was spoiled and at times self centered, but she was also genuinely kind, helpful and bubbly. To see her character take a 180 and become the all too familiar jealous ex archetype was upsetting.

Now, aaaaall that being said, I don’t believe we should judge this as an adaptation. They changed so much that it is quite literally a new story. So let’s see how it stands up on it’s own.

Summary, taken from the wiki

The series tells the story of Alfea, a fictional boarding school where teenagers study. The world inside this universe is not only magical and full of monsters, but it is also a world of real teenagers who do the most common things: make friends and enemies, go out and of course... fall in love. They are eager to find their place in this world. This universe is different from the one we have all known for a long time.

The attention is focused on a group of proud teens, also well-designed female characters. Sometimes they are heroines, sometimes weak girls. Sometimes they are friends, sometimes rivals. Of course, they are not perfect, but they are real. A group of girls who did not know each other until they are included in the same team inside a school that is strange to them. They will meet forces that are beyond their control and things they do not understand. But, throughout the series, they will find themselves, form an indestructible bond, and transform into powerful and strong girls, ready to change not only the supernatural world, but also ours.

Character summary:

Bloom is a newly discovered fairy from the human world who is attending Alfea college in the otherworld. There she meets her new roommates: chatty Terra, athletic Aisha, uptight Stella and stand-offish Musa. She also meets Sky, Stella’s ex, who is training as a specialist.Shortly before coming to Alfea, Bloom discovers she has magic powers by almost burning her house down and killing her parents. She is distraught over this and it is why she is eager to gain control of her powers.It is discovered that Bloom is a changeling, a barbaric practice where a fairy baby is exchanged with a human one. This leads Bloom on a quest to discover her true heritage.

Musa is an empath, she can feel the feelings of everyone around her. To shut them out and escape she listens to music through her headphones. This leads to her initially coming off as uncaring when Terra tries to get to know her better.

Terra is an earth fairy with a particular talent for making plants grow. She is very nice and chatty, eager to make friends, but not afraid to stand up for herself. She struggles with finding someone to like her and compares herself to “cool girl” Beatrix who has boys following after her.

Aisha is a water fairy who swims twice a day every day. She comes off a a good person who wants to make friends and do the right thing. She also tries to do everything in her power to protect her friends.

Stella is a light fairy and princess of Solaria, the realm in which Alfea resides. She is repeating her first year due to an event prior to season one where she lost control of her powers and blinded her best friend. She is very uptight due to her perfectionist mother and tries to exert control in every other area of her life, when this doesn’t work, e.g. when someone flirts with her on-again-off-again boyfriend she gets jealous and causes trouble. She is also generally rude to the people around her.

Sky is a specialist legacy and Stella’s on-again-off-again boyfriend who has an interest in Bloom. His father was a famous specialist and he was raised by his father’s best friend.

Riven is Sky’s roommate, best friend and a genuine asshole. He insults and antagonizes everyone around him and gets involved with Beatrix. He seems dissatisfied with the life of a specialist.

Beatrix is an air fairy with a lightning powers. She seems mysterious and looks to be the villain of the season. She has enlisted the help of Riven and Dane.

Dane is a first year specialist who first seems to be friendly with Terra but gets sidetracked after spending time with Riven and Beatrix.

What I didn’t like:

The world building is sparse and the magic system is generic. I feel like things could have been better expanded upon. Throughout the show they bring up archaic fairy magic but it’s never really explained how that’s different from current fairy magic.

The interactions between Riven and Dane come off as a bit queerbait-y although they could be setting things up for a second season.

Everyone is constantly so rude towards Terra. Even her supposed friends are mean to her. What gives?

Stella was constantly rude to everyone but by the end they are all the best of friends when she really hasn’t changed much. Also Stella being the jealous controlling ex archetype and not enough people calling her out on her bullshit.

What I did like:

For a Netflix teen drama there is surprisingly little sex between the teenagers. This might be subjective but it was refreshing for me.

Again subjective but I could definitely relate to Bloom’s antisocial teen flashbacks

Beatrix was a fun villain

Though the story might be a little generic, I felt it was compelling throughout. I genuinely wanted to know what happened next.

The story was well paced. It never felt like anything was dragging along

Overall:

The show was definitely enjoyable to watch. There is a lot of room for improvement. It sometimes felt like different plot lines were unconnected and the costume choices leave a lot to be desired. Aside from that they set up a solid story and likable characters (some of whom I love love and love to hate) which I very much want to see further developed in the future. As a stand-alone work 6/10

#fate the winx saga #winx club #winx stella #winx bloom #winx sky #winx #winx riven #winx musa #winx terra #bad adaptation #good show #fate the winx saga review #winx review #fate the winx saga spoilers #winx spoilers

[spicyicymeloncat]

My thoughts on the Netflix winx (am I late to the complain train?) part 4b and actual final post!…

Continued from here

Maybe the zombies are getting in because Silva’s keeping the barrier open because Sky is lost somewhere drugged in the woods and no one can find him (no idea why Bloom would drug him tho, maybe so he wouldn’t follow her when she went with Beatrix to the village, no idea why Silva wouldn’t be able to find him, maybe the war room was in the forest and that’s where sky is idk idk). Maybe we damsel Sky and the winx verge away from the school to save him idk. I just want all six girls fighting together and having different fighting styles (that they learnt and developed over the series), and they work together I think it would be neat. Also I can get that they won’t have transformations but I think we can do more than just eye colour changes. Like any jewellery on Stella starts to glow, flowers bloom from Flora’s hair, flecks of ember appear on Blooms skin, lines of sheet music swirl around Musa’s face, the ends of Aisha’s arms become glassy and made of water and Tecna’s entire person gets these cyber-esqe grid lines lighting up on her skin. Not a full transformation just like, a visual appeal. Also I think it’s fine if bloom is the only to get wings since it’s a new concept as long as they don’t do that awful transformation scene. I just need bloom to kill a zombie so hard she grows wings okay that’s all that needs to happen. Basically the other girls will get wings in s2 which would involve Bloom sharing her powers (although it would be cool if it didn’t immediately translate into wings and they have to overcome some challenge before they can properly use the magic boost). I think in the actual show, the other girls are definitely gonna get wings (I mean it’s in the intro) but that’s how I’d do it.

Also the girls need to dress good. You don’t need me to give u ideas on how to dress the girls just YouTube fate and every video will be about restyling the winx

3) The show is exactly the same as the original it’s just live action

Yeah, no more dark gothic houses. Just campy fun vibes, sunlight, and focus on out there fashion. The show barely takes itself seriously because it’s here to have a good time. Alternatively, it starts out light and the cast remains relatively sassy and fun throughout BUT at the end of episode 1 things get super freaking dark.

Imagine ep 1, Bloom’s shy, everyone is really friendly, they go to a fairy cafe, they get bullied by a relatively harmless trix, the girls go through problems like fitting at school, working out what to wear at the party, and at the end Bloom wants to go home because shenanigans. Only to find… that since she left, earth has been invaded by fire zombies. The series see these teens who continue to try and live a normal ish teen life in the midst of a fantasy apocalypse that’s slowing consuming their universe. Like Bloom and the others sneak to earth to try and save as many people as possible, then go back to their dorm and play truth or dare til 3 am. Sorry lessons have been disrupted because your teacher is currently on another planet fighting evil wizards. Idk I think it could be really fun and crazy. Like the kind of whiplash I got when watch centaurworld (an animated show on Netflix, it’s incredibly good and has banging musicians numbers).

So yeah I think that’s all my thoughts on Fate. It had a lot of potential that I think would be fun to make overglorified fanfiction, however for what actually happens in the show, a lot of that potential is wasted. But it’s fun to think about what could’ve been :). I’m gonna be posting winx (cartoon) redesigns at some point and I have my own personal rewrite ideas for the original cartoon, because I think it’s fun, and I might share them

Part 1 - Social Issues

Part 2 - Writing

Part 3 - Designs

Part 4a - rewrite ideas

#winx #winx club #fate the winx saga #fate the winx sage criticism #winx rewrite #fate the winx saga rewrite

[emsartwork]

1-2. hmmmm.... I’m gonna go with peters for Mike and Vanessa, i forget where thats from but i think it was offical source? or was is 4kids??? and I’m just gonna bs everybody else because I’m bad with names rip me Bloom Peters/Wyrnia Musa Kikitan(Hoe-bo took Matlin’s family name, his family name is Batu) Flora Gaimonos Tecna Xeneterian Aisha Taimur Shahu Durani Stella Iah Aequinoctium(Luna’s family name) Domus-Solina (Radius’s family name and the Royal Family name) Roxy “Roxane” Haynes(Klaus’s surname) But the Tir Nan Og royal line is known as Máthair An Oileáin  (maybe I’ll do surnames for the others but my brain is done for now lol) 3. Roxy is 16 and i accidentally drew her shorter than Musa but she’s supposed to be about 5′ 4. Yes! I would like to eventually design some more companions for the supporting cast. @weirdghst​ 5. So dark fairies are specifically fairies under the influence of mind control type stuff and that means their magic is more limited in some respects, I talk about that here fairies who do bad things or are cruel or mean or “evil” aren’t called dark fairies, but their magic is basically the same as regular fairies. @ravennightbirt​ 6. Yeah basically! The color fo blue fire is actually more of a cool tones blue than Bloom’s teal-ish color, but i like the teal-ish with her hair and gold accents better than a purpley-blue. 7. That’s actually more of a witch thing!! Fairies rely VERY heavily on their transformations and don’t really bother with more fussy forms of magic. Witches on the other hand use potions and amulets and other objects to manipulate their magic in a much more precise way than fairies. Witches usually have a pocket gem or carry-all pouch that store their items in a very convenient small accessory-type fashion items(a necklace or purse kind of thing). the winx do have things they carry with them but its usually not related to their magic. Bloom carries the Heart of Eraklyon with her. Stella still has the Ring of Solaria, but doesn’t need to use it unless she wants to teleport. Musa and techa both carry technomagic goodies with them, but their more recreational than functional. Aisha doesn’t really carry anything. Flora is more Witch like than any of the Winx, and has a small carry-all pouch that stores her basic potion brewing kit and recipe booklet, she primarily uses dried plants and herbs that travel well, leaving the live plants, minerals, and volatile/potent substances in her room.   8. They could potentially be used as a power source!! they would probably have to loose their physical form first, and either become attached to a bloodline or bound to a person’s core magic. They are a little more influential in my version, but they are still a highly specialized magic item and unless used as a personal power source they don’t have a lot of other uses. 9. Probably Musa! Though Flora also has a special place in my heart, and i do love all the girls.

#Winx #winxems #askems #anonymous #ravennightbirt #weirdghst #askdump

[charmixpower]

Harmonix rant up coming because it just appeared and I remember why I disliked it so much

Fun fact! I have something called aphantasia, which means I can't see images in my head

Nomrally I need to conceptualize what ever I'm thinking of in words and then make it into a 3d object that I necessarily see but more get the vauge idea of what is supposed to look like. Like an outline I have to constantly retrace to keep the shape there or else it will disappear

This is half of the reason I draw, because if I wanna see a concept I need to draw it (the other half is that I love character design)

If I want to remember something thats visual I can only do it by remembering distinctive features, because I cant see them in my head

When I was a kid I only watched up to season 5, and I can tell you straight up that Harmonix was my least favorite transformation period (If your wondering why I liked Sirenix more it's because of the colors, and Harmonix looks like it would be a nightmare to swim in. Though underwater Sirenix hair and the 3d is hideous, and I've always despised it... I guess I like Harmonix more often in the show than Sirenix then?? Idk man)

It's not anymore because I am aware of Mythix's...unfortunate...existence, but the problem I have with it is the same today as it was back then

I know there are small differences in the style of their trains and tops but that really doesn't mean anything to someone like me who won't be able to remember these small differences as soon as I look away

Like at most I'll be able to remember that Stella's has straight up and down pattern on her top, maybe Flora's corset top of I really try to commit it to memory. But the rest??? There's literally nothing for my brain to latch on to! Unless you'd like to count Musa's sharktail hair?? I don't count it but it's the only Harmonix hair style I'll be able to remember

But my main problem is that all the outfits have same silhouette. Which just isn't fun when you have a series based on the fact the main characters getting new cool DIFFERENT transformations

Enchantix was that bitch because they all gained it on different ways and they all looked so cool and different! I can love Flora's and Aisha's Enchantix and dislike Stella's and Musa's Enchantix. Because their all so different. Magic Winx was partly iconic for the same reason. But Harmonix (and I'm focusing on Harmonix for now), theres no room for strong feelings for each girl's look. Their all so similar that if you really like one you probably have vauge positive feelings for all of them. There's no room for strong opinions. I can't even bother to bitch about Tecna in a skirt, because she literally couldn't be in pants with this transformation. There's no point!

Also the shoes, are the fucking worst. Like at least there's a passing attempt to make all the girls trails and bodice's look different but they blatantly gave the fuck up with the shoes. It's so goddamn lazy it actually makes me mad. In magic Winx and Enchantix they all had the same style of shoes (go-go boots and sandles) but their all difference sizes (Bloom's shoes in both only goes to her ankles and in both Stella's goes up to her knees) and they all have different designs to them. The Enchantix decorations in the middle of the sandles, Musa having wedges Tecna's weird heels and Aisha's two tone heels stick out to me. Like if you want you can compare them to the Enchantix gloves, but gloves take up a lot less visual spaces compared to shoes that go up to their thighs. I'd compared the gloves more to to the pastel thing Harmonix as going together, which I don't like but that's more of a personal thing. I don't like pastels all that much, buts it's not like a flaw

Also the transformation sequences are so fucking similar. They all have the Winx girls waving around fabric that will become their dresses, and all have the weird thing where the girl disappears for a moment (completely breaking the flow of the sequence) to move her wings from her skirt to her back :( Why? I mean it's fun the first time but can't you do something different for each girl?

I'll have to watch more and see if any of their outfits grow on me but for now...yep, still don't like it that much

#rus rants #rus chatters #harmonix #ive mentioned i dont like harmonix before lol so this shouldn't be surprising #winx season 5