#we’re saving that for the spinoff

[sidecharactersdomatter]

Thoughts I had during TGCF Season 1 the Recap!

Basically, I recap the First Season of TGCF with my reactions, before my Season 2 binge watch!

Ep 1

-Don’t go out there… don’t go out there… don’t go out there… don’t go out there… *Bride gets snatched* Okay, maybe you should’ve gone out there.

-Right after XL ascends, Lan Hai and Qing Tao then go, “Huh, Who is that?”  Then everybody yells at them, “PRINCE XIE LIAN!”

-So much Property Damage…

-Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!

-Fu Yao, *Is sarcastic and rolls his eyes* Basically me: He’s just like me fr!!!

-Hehehehehehe Dick joke XD

-Sees Bride!XL: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I’m Sorry XD!

-Yeah right a few alterations, she totally fixed his make up calling it.

-*Sees Bridesmaids NF and FY like* W H E E E Z E XD XD XD XD

-So that’s how he was able to last longer than the previous bride

-Pass me the Aux cord!  You better not be playing mainstream garbage! *Turns on One Flower and One Sword and vibes like there’s no tomorrow*!

-I now pronounce you both husband and husband!  You may now kiss the gro- I mean, bride!  

Ep 2

-Honey, He looks a little too good looking to be the Ghost groom

-That temple looks abandoned, and the animation camera for walking inside

-There’s the ugly mob

-Hehe Xie Lian’s aggressive kindness

-When the mob scooched away from Bride!Lian I freaking lost it XDXDXDXD

-And Nan Feng and Fu Yao inch away instead of defending him!  

W H E E Z E!

-The fact they both agreed to not explain anything XD!

-Xiao Ying is a real friend

-And hurting the injured is a real low for the mob

-They have enraged the ghost groom

-KO!  Flawless victory!

-Zombie brides!

Ep 3

-Didn’t know it a zombie apocalypse happened in Ancient Feudal China (I need to brush up on my history)

-Welp, now they’re grateful 

-Wait a minute, he was an acrobat???  Xie Lian Pre 3 ascension life spinoff when??? (That’ll prolly never happen)

-Man here comes the Bride Pun count: 3

-Now that is an Azula level breakdown

-They are not merciful with the body count in this whole series

-Woah saved by literal divine intervention

-Geez, Pei Ming this is why we don’t Ghost our Exes, Pun Count: 4

-Man, Xuan Ji, maybe you should’ve heard of the phrase, “Plenty of Fish in the sea”

-The way Xie Lian blinked when he realized he was still in the wedding dress XD!

-Restoring faith in Ming Guang

-Oh no Trauma

Ep 4

-He’s so distraught he couldn’t follow

-The telepathic matrix, is basically the world’s first discord server

-Thank you Ling Wen

-Aw he likes Hua Cheng’s name!

-That explains the fall of Xianle and the Moldy Face Plague

-Let’s be honest, Bai Wuxiang is totally responsible for Covid-19

-Woah Hua Cheng has made his mark on Heaven

-Aww he thinks the Butterflies are beautiful!

-Honestly, smart move Mu Qing and Feng Xin

-Oh she is so burnt out

-Yeah, who was the Prince of Xianle anyway?

-WHY IS EVERYBODY’S EYELINER GAME SO ON POINT?!?!?!?!

Ep 5

-The way he blew off that maple leaf

-Oooh that subtle hinting later on and symbolism with Xie Lian

-The way he moved in closer *fangirls like no tomorrow*

-I freaking love the instrumental version of Hong Jue

-Is he touched starved?  He is touch starved

-I love that when San Lang scared the Ghosts shitless they ended up running like no tomorrow, Ghost 1: Book it guys our lives depend on it!  Ghost 2:  But we’re already dead! Ghost 1:  Well it’s just an expression!

-And there was only one bed.  Oh my gods there was only one bed!!!

-Aw he caught him staring

-I believe you Ox cart man

-Heck with how popular TGCF is right now, Xie Lian would be worshipped today by fans like us

-His luck did rub off on you and you should take it all Xie Lian

-Welp time to go start the next arc

Ep 6

-Woah, that old man is traumatized

-Of course being a martial god, he has experience in combat.  Have you seen him in a sword dual at Yinian bridge? (Subtle Phineas and Ferb quote)

-Yep called it, and the gong noise when the door opened!

-“How did we get out here in the middle of the ocean???”

-Awww look at San Lang’s emo hoodie!

-You know what’s better than one evil Daoist?  Two evil Daoists!

-And he drank the whole thing like a boss

-Now Nan Feng’s acting like an NPC from a fantasy video game

-The woman in the teal cloak saw him

-He’s touched starved again!

-Best chemistry ever!

-And after Rouye grabs San Lang and Xie Lian says, “I didn’t mean San Lang”. Rouye goes: “Really? Ok!”  And then lets him go, that’s just the hypothetical dialogue I’ve got for the silk band

Ep 7

-It’s official!  Xie Lian is shorter than San Lang people! 

-I’ve heard of a close knit unit but this is just insane!

-There’s so many people

-Ooooohhh That poor poor general

-SO MANY COBRAS!

-Oh no and 4’s an unlucky number in China

-He is sucking the venom out like a G!  Get yourself a man like San Lang people!

-You know we’re all thinking what Xie Lian’s thinking about how he’s going to clean San Lang’s bloodied lips (I’ll let you share your answers in the comment section)

-And Fu Yao’s stuck with merchant sitting

-Really lovely desert travel music!

-Yeah he does know an awful lot

-Uh oh the woman in the black cloak spotted them

Ep 8

-Thank you San Lang for protecting your man like a champ!

-Ooooh cool more Ban Yue lore!

-Ooooh his poor, poor head

-And San Lang’s expression, is worried if he hurt him, but it worked!

-Yeah but our faces don’t stick out of the ground like a fresh tater!

-Aw no they’re gonna need sacrifices

-Zhao’s fight response kicked in

-Eeenie meanie meinie that kid (probably Kemo)

-“Sully not thine honor on innocent blood” That almost sounded like a bible quote…?

-Dude Xie Lian was royalty

-Trust fall!  (You’ll see next ep peeps!)

-Oh and Xie Lian’s scream!  Kind of needed more raw emotion though

Ep 9

-He’s gonna jump into the pit, he’s jumping into the pit, he jumped into the

-Xie Lian’s like: Well I am going down there, but I won’t go down alone!

-The pit’s entrance is sealed!

-Trust fall!  TRUST FALL!  

-He touched his throat!

-There’s your answer Xie Lian

-Dance fight!  Dance fight!

-You’re just gonna excuse the mass murder San Lang committed in the pit?????

-Let me just find somewhere that isn’t covered in blood

-Oh yeah you’re grateful for San Lang carrying you

-The faces they made when he called them out for jumping into the pit XD Xie Lian’s eyes are wide and blank while San Lan has a cat face! XDXDXDXDXD

-She came down!

Ep 10

-She saw Xie Lian and San Lang

-So many fallen Ban Yue soldiers

-Hi Fu Yao

-I wasn’t kidding when I said Fu Yao isn’t great at crowd control

-Thank you Fu Yao

-She’s holding his hand and he’s patting her head my freaking heart!!!! 

-Oh No! Vomit trigger warning for this episode people

-Xie Lian raised her more than her Yong’An father did (and to some extent her late mother)

-It was still a good choice after all Xie Lian

-Take it easy with the ‘Bad Cop’ routine Fu Yao

-Oh no a scorpion snake

-Well that’s bad

Ep 11

-Aiaigasa!  It’s Aiaigasa again folks AAAAAHHH!!!!

-Scorpion tailed cobras why’d they have to be Scorpion tailed Cobras?!?!?!?!?

-That explains the sandstorm

-Ooooh Pei Xiu army backstory

-Ugh Classist general

-No Ban Yue!!!!  She was so young!!! T - T

-Yeah where will Xie Lian go from here?

-Oooh Yizhen got name dropped too!

-Uncle Jiang is cured!

-And the way he’s running away from the duo XDXDXD!

-Here’s why Fu Yao left early, as they healed Uncle Jiang he contacted Nan Feng through the telepathic array and Fu Yao’s reason is:  Come on, you know how horrifying his highness’ cooking can be.  This is just my theory, and I’d love to hear your possible ones in the comments!

-And the way Hua Cheng moved in closer and just preferred to be called ‘San Lang’ my freaking heart!!!

Ep 12

-We are back in Puqi village folks

-I freaking love how Xie Lian says ‘The Crimson Rain Sought Flower’ Howard Wang’s voice could act as my new sleeping aid

-Oh yeah San Lang does treasure you dude

-Ban Yue deserves all the head pats!!!!

-Ban Yue, I think you should keep living despite all the mistakes you’ve made… other than that I also don’t know the answer like Xie Lian

-Aww Xie Lian will love him no matter if he’s hideous or a monster he really does have the best standards!

-Awwww He’s hot when he’s mad!

-Another Reason why Hualian works so well is that San Lang also Respects!  Xie Lian’s!  Boundaries (Yep still not getting involved with the Helluva Boss drama folks)

-It’s official!  That looks like an engagement ring people!

-Dude pass me the Aux cord!  Ya better not be playing mainstream garbage *Puts on Hong Jue at full blast and vibes like no tomorrow!*

-It’s like they’re running towards each other AAAAAHHH!!!

-Welp, see you guys later for Season 2!

Season 2! Here I come!!!!

#my post #My reaction #episode reaction #heaven official's blessing #tian guan ci fu #tgcf #season recap #Tgcf season 1 #xie lian #hua cheng #san lang #hualian #nan feng #fu yao #pei xiu #ban yue #ling wen

[ozzgin]

Hellos there! I wasn’t originally sure if I wanted to make this request since I don’t think you were clear on what you are and aren’t cool with (I.e. Smut) but I saw you toss it’s around and write snippets of it, so I thought, couldn’t hurt. (But it if does, you can always ignore this—! Your choice!) So.. is there’s a possible chance to get some Daitou smut……….? 😏 We’ve had some Daitou loving hours, we’re I’m in need of some Daitou fucking hours—

The reason I don’t include smut in the requests is because my ability to write it is entirely and completely out of my control. You’ll notice the more explicit works show up in clusters once or twice a month at most. Outside of that I cannot conjure the words to save my life, so I don’t want to make false promises to discover I can’t come up with anything afterwards. That’s all there is to it. ^^”

That being said, I still have that December request featuring both Kazuya and Daitou, and I’ve been thinking of turning it into a Valentine’s Day special. This way I have enough margin of error to await the sporadic lewd calls. So yeah, there will be a smuttier spinoff coming up soon. May the ���� force be with me.

#yandere yakuza #I was raised in a religious household so you have to be patient with me sadly

[sleepyzenpanda]

Billboard Kickstarter Update & Clarification

The collaborators of the kickstarter to create a billboard in support of the Netflix Six of Crows spinoff / Shadow & Bone Season 3 have provided an update along with clarification to some frequently asked questions

They have confirmed with the minimum goal met they are able to create a billboard in LA supporting Shadow & Bone Season 3 and the Six of Crows spinoff!!!

WE’RE GETTING A BILLBOARD!!!

They hope to use the additional funds to create more billboards in ideal locations. If you haven’t donated yet please consider donating! Even the smallest bit is greatly appreciated! If you can’t donate please consider sharing the kickstarter and helping to spread the word

Below is the link to the kickstarter and the latest update

#shadow and bone #six of crows #netflix #kickstarter #six of crows spin off #soc spinoff #shadow and bone season 3 #save shadow and bone #save six of crows

[will80sbyers]

Hi! I know you’re mostly a ST and byler blog, but I saw you also reblogged a fan poster with the Crows from Shadow and Bone. Idk if you’ve seen it or not but there a petition for Netflix to renew Shadow and Bone and the Six of Crows spinoff. If you liked the series and are interested it’d be really helpful if you could sign or share the petition (we’re almost at the goal of 200,000 signatures!) https://www.change.org/p/save-shadow-and-bone-ce7587d2-eb61-4731-a5fd-7b9c85a9e3a8

Sure, I'm a fan of the books and the show too but I have to be honest I don't think this will work because those that control the industry don't care 😞

but trying doesn't hurt and I hope I'm wrong because I wanted this show to continue so badly 😭😭😭

Here's the link for easier access!

#shadow and bone #s&b #grishaverse #Netflix #ask #six of crows

[jacksgreysays]

Fake Fic Title: Seven, For a Secret--Never to be Told.

— Oh shoot I forgot fake fic titles included character and themes. I was going to say Shisui for our favorite Crow adjacent character but honestly any Crow adjacent character for the counting corvids title, and theme chromatic aberration; itsv style.

SHISUI!!!! <3<3<3<3 Also, hello damnsmartblueboxes! Also, also, sorry for the late response, work truly broke me these past few days

Okay, so if we’re doing Into The Spider-verse, but Crow Edition, possible Crows either canon or fanon or AU: Shisui, Amano, Sai, Shikako (because of course there’s an AU out there for this) … oof, who are the other three?

Uzume in an AU in which neither Shisui nor Amano are around to be ANBU Crow T_T

Aoba, maybe?

Which then could do a similar Anko version in an AU in which Aoba isn’t around to be ANBU Crow—although maybe that’s too repetitive of the Uzume one. Maybe it’s just that, in a world where Konoha trusts her (maybe because she sleuths around and is integral in ripping Danzo out of his hole in the ground, thereby saving the Uchiha clan who now have way more political clout, or at the very least, are back to the clout that they had before?) Anko becomes an ANBU and she gets Crow and Aoba—because I will give up ANBU training buddies only when I’m dead—chooses to be ANBU Snake even though everyone is leery of that mask (like everyone is leery of the Fox mask)

… Or is that, maybe, too much of an offshoot/spinoff?

I mean, I always headcanon Mikoto has having been ANBU, though not usually Crow.

… BUT ALSO, in the Spider-verse there are multiples of the same person—with, obviously, Peter Parker being the most common Spiderman—so maybe just different versions of Shisui, Amano, and/or Sai and then the lone Shikako is the outlier? OR it could be that these are distinct Crows, but for the most part, each of them know who the other are—at least by reputation if nothing else—and the fact that no one has any idea who Shikako Nara is (or, bleakly, the ROOT brainwashed non-Shikako version of herself) is the Miles Morales-esque outlier part. SHE’S THE ANOMALY IN THE CROW-VERSE! (But instead of angry, its angsty O_O… or existential?)

Okay, okay, let’s get these Crows in their respective numbers according to the poem, I’m gonna do some logic puzzle nonsense:

Sorrow, Joy, Girl, Boy, Silver, Gold, Secret Never To Be Told

Obviously Shikako is a Secret Never Told. I feel like Uzume would be either Sorrow or Girl, meaning Amano would be the matching Joy or Boy because I want them to be complementary. Then Aoba, Mikoto, Shisui, Sai… let’s see… if Uzume is not Girl, then we could do Mikoto as Girl in a “young Mikoto becomes ANBU Crow because it’s the only way she can see any action because the Uchiha clan is being weirdly gross and misogynistic and are blocking her from taking any risky missions because they want her to marry Fugaku and have extremely powerful heirs with him” kind of way

And while not EXACTLY matching as nicely as Uzume and Amano, I feel like I could then explore my Aoba headcanon as a partial!Uchiha with Boy. And, boy, do I have a weirdly specific headcanon about partial!Uchiha Aoba stumbling into both the Crow summons (he reverse summoned himself!) and the Crow mask—both very Uchiha flavored inheritances—only after the Uchiha Massacre when he is an adult and 1) wouldn’t use the name, but also 2) wouldn’t be able to rub it in the face of the clan that rejected him and his non-Uchiha parent, especially if he was like… a bastard Uchiha child who was never claimed. ( @loveelemental and I had a discord brainstorming session about an Aoba centric fic in which his partial Uchiha heritage makes for a fascinating post-Jashin Sharingan activation, which is where we came up with a lot of details for this partial!Uchiha theory)

Which then leaves Silver and Gold for Shisui and Sai… which feels pretty good? I’d probably—because I’m biased—make Shisui Gold and Sai Silver because even if they are both (maybe) Uchiha, Shisui just FEELS more sun coded even though his Sharingan is “unbreakable genjutsu”, while Sai is moon coded (and also you can get into his brother Shin, the silver of his hair, the shine of moon on blades, and similes of second place and how even as Hikaku no one really wants him first and foremost the way that his brother Shin did T_T sad boy)

So I guess the fic would be these different ANBU Crows somehow interacting with each other, and honestly the easiest way to do this would be Crow!Shikako does a sort of seal space/pocket dimension/temporary mission team using the ANBU Crow mask as a cornerstone. An “I’ve gathered you all here because we all need to murder our respective Danzos, and together we can all help each other do that. Also, imagine the satisfaction of killing Danzo seven times… or more, if he already has Izanagi”

Another way is a more contemplative/abstract “echoes/ghosts of possible timelines” thing in which, again, the ANBU Crow mask is, like, a liminal space. But wearable. Haunted or cursed? And to make it even more angsty the echoes/ghosts only appear when you’re about to die… which, to be fair, ANBU, probably pretty often?

I guess what my brain is trying to do is more of a multi-versal Sense8 than an Into The Spider-verse thing… hm… I don’t hate it at all… it could be fun to puzzle out some more…

... I also realized, for all that I was very excited about your Shisui mention, I literally mentioned him the least, lolol

Anyway, I hope this makes sense and is interesting to you, damnsmartblueboxes :D

#jacksgreyson #damnsmartblueboxes #ask box advent calendar #ask box fake fic titles #dreaming of sunshine #naruto #fanfiction #brainstorm #seven for a secret never to be told #shikako nara #uzume uchiha #amano hyuuga #mikoto uchiha #aoba yamashiro #shisui uchiha #sai

[my-mt-heart]

It’s understandable why most fans weren’t receptive to the fight in Find Me, but I actually think it’s important for Caryl to call each other out on their deepest insecurities. Carol runs because she thinks she’s broken. Daryl has a toxic hero complex, measuring his worth through what he can do for others, particularly who he can save. They’re both nuanced, not perfect, and that’s what makes their journey one to root for.

The only issue I take with this scene is it never really pays off. In theory, a major shakeup in Daryl’s and Carol’s longstanding relationship should resolve itself in a major way, changing them for the better. We can debate whether their last scene in the finale was their canon moment, or if canon happened offscreen during the time jump, or if they still have a ways to go. That in itself is ridiculous though. Caryl’s journey throughout the whole series asks the age old question: “will they or won’t they” and if we’re really honoring that trope, then there should be a definitive answer by the end, spinoff or no spinoff. 

To be fair, S11 did kind of show Daryl and Carol working through their insecurities, on their own and naturally through subtext. For example, Carol’s adventure with Lance in What’s Been Lost reassures her she isn’t going to lose Daryl. He’ll do whatever it takes to get back to her just like she’d do for him. 

And Daryl’s fun time with the Reapers helps him finally understand that he can’t save everyone and some people like Leah are not worth saving. Others like Connie, who I think parallels Rick in some ways, can save herself. The weight of the world is not on his shoulders. 

It’s good that Caryl work things out for themselves and they aren’t co-dependent. At the same time, their insecurities have always been a huge road block for them as a couple, so it stands to reason they have to work things out as a couple too. 

Daryl and Carol don’t need words. We know that. But to paraphrase Melissa, words between them are still nice. It would go a long way for the characters and the audience if Daryl openly tells Carol she’ll never lose him no matter what because he sees and loves all of her, the whole person that she is. Likewise if Carol tells Daryl he never needed to win her heart because he already had it. 

There were several strong jumping off points for Daryl and Carol to talk about things they’ve been holding back like Daryl wishing he could’ve saved Sophia for Carol, Carol confessing what happened at the grove, Daryl explaining why he ended up with Leah—all of which could’ve led into a deeper conversation about their feelings for each other, but alas. 

Time jump or not, without seeing the beats play out right in front of me, I’m left wondering if Daryl and Carol are still holding onto their trauma and I hate it. I can only hope this is somehow rectified if their story continues. But I’m not going to lie, it seems like a daunting task. 

#caryl #carol peletier #darylneedscarol

[thefiresofpompeii]

are you kidding me deep breath was the last episode with jennyvastra+strax? we’re never seeing them again? they only just showed up! i swear jack had fewer appearances than this trio and he got his own spinoff. i need to watch a series about this lizard lesbian her working class wife and their pet murderous potato expeditiously. they’re canonically the prototype for sherlock and watson they are always going on about the cases they’ve cracked offscreen it’s practically begging for a separate show consisting of their adventures right?? (before anyone tells me about big finish i am aware. it’s just not the same as the hypothetical spinoff that i’m envisioning in my mind’s eye)

talk about untapped potential. you finally show these gorgeous characters sharing a life-saving kiss onscreen just to give them up forever 5 minutes later. bring the dykes BACK they’re out here keeping victorian london safe

#deep breath #jamie catches up #dw #the paternoster gang #doctor who #jamie.txt #jenny and vastra

[dailycass-cain]

Cassandra Cain Reading Guide Part 4: Alternate Universe Cass

We've had DCU Cass. We've had Rebirth Cass. But what of Cass from another reality? Well, here's Part IV, a reading list of Alternate Universe Versions of Cassandra Cain!

Part I reading guide you can find here.

Part II reading guide (Modern) you can find here.

Part III reading guide (Random) you can find here. 

Part V reading guide (PAIN) you can find here.

Teen Titans #52-53

- Honorable mention to Titans Tomorrow Cass aka Batwoman, but-- she only shows up in three panels. She is Starroed like many Tomorrow Titans but does cry out to "Huntress" aka an older Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe who gets possessed first).

The curious thing about Titans Tomorrow Universe it is always in flux. Originally, her death (along with others by the hand of Duela Dent) caused the "bad tomorrow". Then the sequel well, cloning happened and Cass came back or the future still happened but now she was alive.

A further "revised" Tomorrow timeline shows up in Detective Comics #979 right after Titans Tomorrow Tim escape Jor-El alongside our Tim and then the two battle for a lengthy period in the present day DCU. #979 shows us the current variant of that future with Cass dying to Ra Al Ghul's hand. But-- we're told this by an unreliable narrator in General and Brother Eye.  As they say, Steph died too, but when we are reintroduced to this timeline (showing how Tomorrow Tim is snatched by Jor-El) she is very much alive.

-DC Bombshells Black Bat-

DC Bombshells United #8, #18-19

- We don't really get a feel for Cassandra's character in this. Other than we see her for a few panels and learn both she and Katana overthrew their corrupt governments and rebuilt them from scratch. Cass leads a group called the "Bats of Blood and Iron" and goes by the Black Bat moniker. 

She's not much a character in this, more a footnote in this story. I feel like if there ever was a spinoff series. We really should get to see Cassandra/Katana more do these things that are mentioned. But.. I probably doubt we ever will. Or amazing variant covers by Ant Lucia.

-DCeased- 

DCeased: Unkillables #1-3 

 DCeased: Dead Planet #1-7

DCeased: War of the Undead Gods #1-8

-  Though Cass doesn't appear in #1 and #4 of Dead Planet. Because the survivors don't come back to Gotham until #2 (when we see Cass again), and #4 (the journey to New Genesis). Cass shows up in #1 and #4 (War of the Undead Gods) so far. 

Unkillables features the first full-on return of Cass's Batgirl costume in over ten years (2009 was the last time she wore it). It also explores the complicated mother/daughter relationship of Shiva/Cass.

Something big happens to Cassandra in Dead Planet. No spoilers (save Stephanie, who's over in DCeased: Hope at World's End), you're just gonna have to enjoy the moment like we did.

A curious little fact is this is the first DC Comic that has a universe that has Cass and Babs both as Batgirl (An infected Batgirl Babs is shown in the original DCeased), and her body is found by Cass and Jim Gordon in Unkillables #1 with both mourning the loss of her.

DCeased: War of the Undead Gods has Cass in the issues throughout but unlike the prior series doesn’t have a key role. Save for two noteworthy things in #1 and #7. That and has an AMAZINGLY gorgeous cover in #6 (a 1:50 variant and good luck finding one of those).

Interestingly, Cass is one out of two Bat-Family members to survive DCeased. Sadly, there could’ve been ONE MORE survivor if only writer Tom Taylor could give us the answer to that. Perhaps one day he will answer that subplot since he hasn’t SPOILED it.  

- Amanda Conner Universe

Wonder Woman #600

Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey (Black Label) #1-4

   - A DCU similar but different as husband/wife team of Amanda Conner/Jim  Palmiotti various DC books (Power Girl, Harley Quinn, Terra, Starfire, and suggestions related). 

If you were disappointed with the way Cassandra was handled in the live-action Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey movie this comic gives us a more traditional Cass.

Not only does she steal the series from everyone, but there are exceptionally sweet moments in the final issue. A highly recommended mini to pick up! Cass embarrassing the Joker is worth the price alone!

It’s possible this story takes place either probably after Wonder Woman #600 (which also features Cass by Conner).

Future State 

Future State: The Next Batman #2, 4

Batman: Urban Legends #7

- Alternate future Gotham City where it is ruled tyrannically by a group known as the Magistrate. Rogues and Vigilantes alike are outlawed and hunted by the Magistrate’s chosen deputies and soldiers. Cass is the lone warrior who still follows Bruce’s ideology but is broken with Barbara missing and Stephanie breaking her heart (it is HEAVILY suggested the two had a relationship in this reality).To be entirely truthful, I was massively disappointed with this story. It was like being thrown into the middle of a story. 

Once again, we get Dick acting like a dick to boot.  “Hunter.. or Hunted...” on the other hand features Cass hunted by the Magistrate with exceptional art. Of the two stories THIS IS THE ONE TO READ. Even if it throws you again of not knowing what’s going on. At the very least “Hunter... or Hunted...” gives Cass more pathos and a better overall showing.

There are TWO more tales with this version of Cass in Future State: Gotham. But.. the only important things of those to note is the gorgeous variant cover #6). But please do avoid the other tale that involves FS Cass at the tail end of Future State Gotham. Unless you want PAIN.

Shadow of the Batgirl 

- Literally this comic other than the OG Puckett/Scott run is a remarkable tale that nails the character of Cassandra Cain perfectly. Like literally, you just want a complete origin and character study of Cass/ Why... why is it suddenly raining in my room again? This graphic novel is that good for long time fans of the character. Newbie fans might be interested as it is a one and done (so far). 

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures

Episode 1 "Moving In" (mentioned and acknowledges her adoption)

Episode 2 "The Last Cookie" (first appearance in the series)

Episode 5 "Arm Day"

Episode 7 "Vigilante Bingo" (mentions she's been Batgirl, Black Bat, and Orphan in this universe)

Episode 10 "Crush 3/3" 

Episode 13 "Stupid Traditions" 

Episode 14 "Unaccompanied"

Episode 15-16 "Family Ties"

- First Cass-centric arc in the series. Focuses on Cassandra's love for ballet, and Bruce trying to balance his life as a father and vigilante.

Episode 17 "Top Chef" (Thanksgiving episode)

Episode 19 "Bat-Cow's Day Out"

Episode 21 "Holiday Spirit" (Christmas episode)

Episode 22 "The Tournament"

Episode 32-33 "All Seeing"

- Second major arc focuses solely on Cass. The episodes showcase the many qualities of the character on why are a fan of the character. A good starting point for new readers on the character.

Episode 36-37 "Belonging"

Episode 48 "Shovel Talk"

- Cass and Duke centric episode with the family dealing with the possibility she has a boyfriend. Wackiness ensues.

Episodes 49-50 "One More" (mentioned only) 

Episode 51 "Night In" (Season 1 finale)

Episode 52 Assassin (Season 2 Premiere)

Episode 56 “Why We Fight Part 2″

Episode 57 “Picture Day”

Episode 61 “What Matters Most Part 2″

Episode 66 “No Doors Allowed”

Episode 67 “Branching Out” (Cass/Steph meet Harley/Ivy wackiness ensues)

Episode 68 “Thankful”

Episode 70 “Hunted Part 2″

Episode 72 “Snowfall Part 1″ (part one of Holiday episode)

Episode 73 “Snowfall Part 2″ (part two of Holiday episode)

Episode 78 “Outlaws” (slight tie-in to Red Hood: Outlaw spinoff webtoon comic)

Episode 82 “Sneak Attack”

Episode 90 “What I Want Part 1″

Episode 91 “What I Want Part 2″ (first appearance of David Cain in series, first full appearance of Cass’s Batgirl costume, origin of Cass in this universe.) 

Episode 93 ”Alarm Bells”

Episode 98 “Power Outage”

- Episodes 66-67, and 70 are the Cass-related episodes (so far). We get some amusing sister/brother antics in Episode 66 with Jason/Cass trying to impart their “wisdom” of dramatic entrances to Duke. Only for the later to give his own inclusion how make an entrance. 

Episode 67 has Cass/Steph are watching over a bedridden Harley Quinn and meet Poison Ivy. Amusing adorable hijinks ensue.

Episode 70 reveals Babs making sure Cass/Steph are in on her mission. Showing the trust and bonds the three have with one another. 

- Cass is mentioned in the spinoff series to WFA, Red Hood: Outlaws in episode 46.5 Like Son Part II, Damian records Bruce confessing and then hugging Jason that “I’m sorry. I was wrong.” To save himself, Damian says if Bruce does anything to him, he’ll tell Cass. Bruce relents. 

- Episode 90-91 is Cass’s first central dramatic story in Season 2. She and Damian run afoul of Mad Hatter who brainwashes her to attack her sibling. In part 2 we see Cass’s origin in WFA, as it uses Pre-New 52 David Cain (in his first appearance in the series). Cass breaks free and Damian/her share a cute brother/sister moment afterward.  

DC Vs. Vampires

DC vs. Vampires #2, #4-6

DC vs. Vampires: Hunter #1 (one panel)

DC vs. Vampires #10-11, #12 (in shadow)

- Cass is one of the few heroes in the DCU not taken over or killed by the vampires in this elseworlds story. Problematic art though for the main series sadly given the artist turned out to be very icky.

The writing is a mixed bag as well as Cass was a main character of the plot in the first half of the comic, before being dropped and randomly showing up in the latest issue.

One interesting tidbit of this version of Cass is that she moonlights as both Batgirl and Orphan (but only donning this identity with the Outsiders) in this universe.

Second interesting note is at the end of DC vs. Vampires #12, Cass is one of two people in the Bat-Family in #2 (the other being Alfred) to not have been killed or become a vampire. 

Steph and Helena are also the only other Bat-Family members to have survived as well being human. 

Young Justice

Young Justice: Targets #2-3

- Expands on the Cass introduced in Young Justice cartoon by revealing she knows ASL (I wish this was introduced in the main series). She has a few kickass moments in the comic as well.

However, she only appears in these two issues and that’s it. Only recommended if you enjoyed this version of Cass, and desire to see her storyline somewhat continued. 

Dark Multiverse

Tales of the Dark Multiverse: Hush #1

Batman/Superman Authority Special #1

Dark Knights Death Metal: Robin King #1

In the “Dark Multiverse” there have been three variants of Cass that have appeared. The most “prominent” one among them is the one in Hush. Cass, Tim, and Barbara go down a darker path as they openly rebel against Thomas Elliot and his iron grip over Gotham with not Batman or Bruce Wayne to stop him.

Cass’s costume is a mixture of her Orphan and Kasumi costume. We never get much of her codename as she’s quickly killed by the Gray Son (Dick Grayson who’s been recruited by the Court of Owls). It is implied that this version of her and Tim had a relationship as his name is the last word she utters before collapsing dead.

We’re teased another evil Cass (along with the rest of the Bat-Family) who is part of the Empire of Shadows. Lead by Ra’s Al Ghul (Bruce Wayne) the Empire has taken over their respective Earth and learns of the multiverse. We see this version of Cass once near the end as her silhouette is quite clear in the shadows.

The final Dark Multiverse Cass is the one shown briefly in Dark Knights Death Metal Robin King #1. As the Batman Who Laughs gives Robin King a tour of an Earth where he “tortures” numerous Dark Multiverse Batmen and the survivors become his minions. One of those shown bears a strikingly resemblance to Cass, but the appearance has never been confirmed. 

Injustice

Injustice: Year Zero #2

Though not fully appearing, Cass is namedropped in the prequel story to Injustice comics. It isn’t really known what became of this version of the character. But from the dialogue suggested by Superman to Batman, Bruce/Barbara having mentored her presumably as Batgirl (Babs is Oracle at the start of Injustice).

 Batman: Last Knight on Earth

Batman: Last Knight on Earth Book Three

- Cassandra was originally one of the survivors of Omega’s original assault on the world. She (along with the rest of the Bat-Family) changed their personas to resemble Owls with Cass taking a more Talon-esque costume as shown here (they believed Omega had tainted the Bat mantle/symbol at this point). 

We don’t know much else about this variant of Cass as she along with Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd, and Kate Kate all perish by Omega’s hand right before a revived Bruce Wayne shows up. 

But hey! Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon survive. 

..... 

Look I get it they live because they have a kid (who also lives). But it just feels so darn cheap to have the most of the “Bat Family” to die right before Bruce shows up.

It feels so wrong to me and just like a certain someone high up above this creative team had this wet dream to kill them all off to tick off fans. Well, congrats! It worked! 

Dark Knights of Steel

Dark Knights of Steel #6, 9

- No I didn’t forget this alternate Cass. It’s just that well.. we don’t know much fully about her yet save three things. #1 She’s the only Cass who was ever a Robin (a Robin in this universe are the “agents” who serve under Bruce Wayne (aka the Bat Knight) around this world. #2 She’s different then the rest of the Robins (as detailed in Dark Knights of Steel: Tales of the Three Kingdoms #1 they were all a crew of thieves until they caught the attention of Bruce but there was 0 Cass among them) in that we know next to nothing about her connection to Bruce here. #3 She’s placed in a position to free Prince Ka-El as she is the medical professional addressing his wounds but also keeping an eye on him.

Sure enough, she freed Ka-El to prevent the war between the three kingdoms. 

Batman: Knightwatch

Batman: Knightwatch #5

- This one just feels more like an Easter Egg than an actual reference. Though not with the Bat-Family, this Cass is just a normal little girl, who just happens to really like Batman and the Bat-Family. Probably the only normal Cass of them all. But the sass is still there with this one.

Harley Quinn: The Animated Series

Harley Quinn & the Legion of Bats #4-6

- So far recently introduced only in the comics. This Cass is unique among other variants being she’s the same age as Damian. There’s not much know about her yet. Save we know Vixen/Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) were working on a case together that involved Cass.

She bonds with Damian, who in turn opens up being ACTUALLY friendly toward her. This Cass also makes friends with Tiffany Fox (who was targeted in the series by Black Mask). 

Cass adopts her Orphan persona joining Dick, Damian, and Babs on a mission to stop Black Mask from taking over the Gotham Underworld while also having to deal with Poison Ivy and the Legion of Doom. 

After Black Mask is defeated, Wonder Woman is called in to escort this Cass to Themyscira. This Cass is second to one other variant that is raised by the Amazons (the other being the Dark Knights of Steel version).

#reading guide #cassandra cain #dc comics

[zanyzensblog]

Suletta Sunday omg holy crap!

My reactions More or less in order. But probably a jumbled mess. Spoilers ahead. 

Ahem...

Oh wow we’re really just getting right into it.

Damn, Suletta really loves her mom and sis and doesn’t want them to become even bigger war criminals.

Damn it Laudna, you’re emitting peak incel women hating energy right here. Stop it.

Suletta is officially the best damn pilot of the show, maybe Eri was holding back a bit but still the fact she’s flying through all of Aerial’s bits is something I don’t think even Guel in a gundam could really do.

Somebody else is in the data storm? Oooo our elusive Notrette perhaps?

Oh crap, the Assembly league has a death star. A big one. Annnnd of course those bene gesserit looking bitches are not only saving their own skins but making a play to be the top dogs. Ugh.

Elan 5 a little bit of a badass. 

*Gives gun to Belmira “I could never” (oh come you know you’ve basically killed scores) “I’m not giving a gun to a student.” (Damn it I almost like this guy even though he killed Nadim and basically started this whole mess)

“where did you get a gun?” “Who cares?” LOL

I always knew Haro’s were evil. Always knew it!

Damn Propera hitting them with the “You didn’t think I would change the password?” good villainess shit there.

Damn it Laudna, why do you suck sooo damn bad? Guel just kill his ass, the additional ptsd will be worth it.

Oh damn Guel is gonna die nooooooo not our boy!

*Sees flashback of when Guel met Laudna and Guel was immediately an accepting big brother happy to have a little bro.* Sniff, I’m not crying. Damn bro.

Felsi you goddamn miracle. MVP. Would have bet money one of the brothers was gonna die but nope, not if Felsi had any say in it. Attagirl!

Miorine calling out Prospera’s clear favoritism of Eri over Suletta.

Miorine remembering what I assume is a whole ass genome sequence she learned of yesterday that translates to an I love you from her mother to override Quiet Zero was absolutely baller and she’s got a galaxy brain if there ever was one. 

Damn Bel, way to step up a bit.

Damn Elan5, nice shot.

Miorine basically telling Prospera “I’m marrying your daughter no matter what, we’re gonna be a family. So deal.” Happy Pride month indeed! Love to see it!

Oh crap, here comes the double cross from the bigwigs, they’re a firing the laser!

Eri noo!

Prospera’s mark? What’s going on there?

ERI NOOOOOO!!

Holy crap most of Aerial actually survived that? That Gundam really is built different. But did Eri still die? Is there anything left of her? If not, Prospera’s gonna utterly freaking lose it on somebody. 

Closing thoughts Next episode is called the Final Episode? Huh, feels a little weird to title something that. I doubt this series is gonna get another season (Really wish it would, it’s done pretty damn solid storytelling for the amount going on and the small amount of episodes it has. Though still it definitely could have benefited from more episodes and a little more time to breathe and develop certain plots) 

I mean hopefully maybe it’ll at least get a movie (Gundam 00 did it) or a spinoff at worst (freaking Gundam Seed had like 3 right?) So here’s hoping we get to see more of this Gundam timeline cause damn, they made a solid and fun anime with this one. Last episode I’m almost positive we’re gonna get Delling talking about what exactly happened to Notrette and why he made Quiet Zero (I’m still positive it’s a Gendo Ikari thing, I’ll eat a hat if I’m wrong.) and also, hopefully we’ll finally get to hear wedding bells!! Get the best dresses! Chuchu should be Miorine’s maid of honor and Guel should Suletta’s best man! Don’t @ me.

#gundam witch from mercury #gundam witch spoilers #g witch #suletta mercury #Prospera Mercury #miorine rembran #ericht samaya #Gundam Aerial

[justjensenanddean]

Big Sky: Jensen Ackles Promoted to Series Regular for Season 3

Life moves fast in Big Sky country.

Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles has been promoted to series regular for the just-announced Season 3, TVLine has learned. His guest appearance in the ABC drama’s upcoming Season 2 finale was first revealed Thursday.

“I have tangled more than a few times with cartel elements,” Ackles’ character, Beau Arlen, tells Katheryn Winnick’s Jenny in the preview for the May 19 season ender (10/9c), “and it’s nasty business.” When Jenny agrees, saying that she needs to stop it, he counters: “You mean, ‘we.'”

Per the official character description, Beau is “a confident and charming good ol’ boy from Texas who steps in as temporary sheriff (and Jenny Hoyt’s new boss) as a favor to his friend, Sheriff Tubb.” We’re hearing that Ackles is joining the drama for a one-season arc.

In addition, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who joined the series in Season 2 as waitress-turned-crime-syndicate-go-to-woman Tonya, also has been promoted to series regular for the third season.

Ackles’ other upcoming projects include playing Soldier Boy in Season 3 of Prime Video’s The Boys (which returns on Friday, June 3) and narrating the Supernatural prequel series The Winchesters, which was ordered to series at The CW on Thursday. The spinoff is “the epic, untold love story” of how Sam and Dean Winchester’s parents, John and Mary, first met, “and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love, but the entire world.”

tvline.com/2022/05/13/big-sky-jensen-ackles-promoted-to-series-regular-for-season-3/

#Jensen Ackles #Big Sky #Beau Arlen #*

[chriscdcase95]

My thoughts on “Teen Wolf: The Movie”.

So I watched the new Teen Wolf movie. Ultimately. I'm giving it a six out of ten. While there was more I liked about the movie than disliked, I had quite a few  gripes.  

I didn't see it as horrendous as a lot of fans say it is, but there are a few valid critiques I've seen. Maybe I'm just easy to please.

I think some of the issues could have been fixed if there wasn't such a big time skip; like instead of fifteen years, five years. Maybe instead of raising a teenager, Derek would be raising a toddler. Though I don't think we'd get the same kind of story for Eli that way, especially for this generations teen wolf. 

Spoilers below.

1. So I got into Teen Wolf back in high school, and I remember being a die hard Scallison stan back then too. I'm not as big of a Scallison as I was back then, but I am glad to see them be endgame, if it wasn't for one small thing.

My main question is if Allison aged a bit after her resurrection ? Like is she still considered a teenager or is she considered a young adult now ? I feel like this is a nitpick, but some In-Universe clarification would be nice! Feels like something the writers overlooked.  

Then again, werewolves are slow to age in the show's lore, so I guess you can apply "Vampire Rules" to these kind of romances. Maybe I'm overthinking it. I mean the show used to tease Parrish and Lydia, in season four; back when she was a teenager, and he was in his 20's. As if over half the fandom wasn’t shipping Sterek.

Actually, while I was working on this post, I read that Allison was eighteen when she died, so that's...better I guess.

2. Speaking of Parrish, his and Malia's relationship...I'm okay with it, more so than Scott and Malia. I mean they didn't do much with either pairing. Maybe that's the Malira shipper in me talking.

With Scalia, it felt like they just slapped them together because Scott needed a love interest for the final season. You could make the argument that a lot has happened over fifteen years that we didn't see.

With Malia and Parish, it feels like there's a whole ass story we didn't see, but y'know, show, don't tell. 

3. While I'm on that, the movie leaves a lot open ended, that it felt like it was setting up a follow up. This is were most of my problems come from. I was thinking maybe it would tie into Wolf Pack, but I've been hearing that the show isn't meant to be a direct spinoff (or even the same universe) as Teen Wolf. 

One thing I'd like an explanation of is Eli's mother, which again feels like they're saving for a follow up. Speaking of Eli, he became an instant favorite of mine, and someone I wouldn't mind seeing again.

Also, the cursing and nudity in this movie, I'm not saying it's out of place, and far from being prudish. I like that they’re being more risqué, but I’m also glad they didn't go too overboard with it. Still,  “Darkness, you motherfucker” absolutely killed me!

Another gripe I had was that Kira didn't return. Like this is a story where kitsune are front and center, and one of the antagonists is a monster her mother helped bring into the world. 

You’re seriously telling me she’s not up for another round ?

We're introduced to a new Kitsune, Hikari, who I have nothing against, but it really feels like Kira could have (should have) filled her spot. Especially since Hikari didn't have a proper introduction for a new player. "Oh, Liam has a new girlfriend who's a kitsune ? Welcome to the team I guess."

4. The villains...here's where I have more of an issue. So the Nogitsune makes a comeback. Which is fine; I saw that coming as far back as the trailers. 

But the movie's other Big Bad is Adrian Harris, with no explanation for his survival. I mean sure, a slashed throat/strangulation is an injury you can survive, but the chances are often slim.

I could have easily bought this Big Bad Duumvirate, if there wasn't something that stuck out; Stiles wasn't there. 

I can accept that Stiles isn't part of the story. I can accept Stydia splitting up (albeit begrudgingly). But Stiles was the Nogitsune’s primary tormenting victim, and the one Harris had the most beef with. You telling me he wasn't on their radar ?!

You're telling me that even if Harris survived or came back, the first thing he wouldn't do was try to access the speed force and pull some Eobard Thawne buffoonery on Stiles ? 

Get out of town!

Anyways, the Nogitsune was a serviceable villain, but I feel like Harris could have been replaced with another past antagonist. Say Tamara Monroe, considering she was the series cliffhanger villain, and as of this movie her arc's unresolved. They probably wouldn't have been able to pull any kind of twist with her, but she at least would fit more. 

Hell, even Theo Raeken would have been more fitting; the guy such has a proud history of subverting whatever redeeming qualities thrown his way, I still have a hard time buying his “redemption” at the end of the series. Actually, it wasn't even a redemption, it was just the one genuine Pet the Dog moment the guy actually had.

Anyways, Harris probably would have been a better fit in a story that had Stiles in it.

5. Not gonna lie, Derek's death was something sorta I saw coming.

What I mean is, I certainly saw someone in the main cast was gonna die. That's like an unspoken rule in “Next Generation” sequels. But I thought it would be someone else. If not Derek, it would be one of the parents.

Who'd I'd probably have die instead would be Chris Argent. I mean if you're gonna bring back his daughter, you'd think one consequence would be that Chris would die in her place.

Derek's death, I'm more mixed on, but ultimately accept. I would have preferred if Chris was the one with the heroic sacrifice. I still think it would be a more fitting end than Derek’s.

I heard some complaints that Scott and Allison pretty much adopted Eli, but I didn't see it that way. When Scott and Eli interacted, I got more of an uncle/nephew vibe than any father/son thing. 

The way I see it, Eli just has a large support system following his father's death; a support system that just now includes Scott and Alison. And let's be honest, there's no way and hell Derek is gonna let Peter raise him.

I've been told this was intended to be the start of a trilogy, so if we get sequels, hopefully they'll fill us in on what we missed.

#teen wolf #teen wolf the movie #scott mcall #allison argent #stiles stilinski #lydia martin #derek hale #eli hale #malia tate #chris argent #melissa mcall #noah stilinski #kira yukimura #liam dunbar #mason hewitt #jordan parrish #stydia #scallison #the nogitsune #adrian harris #peter hale #hikari #coach finstock

[ncisfranchise-source]

NCIS 21×07 “A Thousand Yards” is a very good episode of NCIS and a homage to a thousand episodes of a franchise that feels like it’s got a lot more to give. The episode, short on the big cameos we expected – though Vanessa Lachey and Daniela Ruah do pop up for a banter-filled conversation with Torres – nonetheless makes it feel like the world of NCIS is far larger than just the mothership.

If we say ironic it’s just because CBS recently renewed NCIS for a 22nd season, but it has yet to renew NCIS: Hawai’i for a fourth season. NCIS: Los Angeles was canceled last season. And though yes, NCIS: Sydney was recently given a second season order, outside of that we have NCIS: Origins, a Gibbs origin story, and the as-of-yet untitled Tony and Ziva Paramout+ original. NCISverse sounds all nice and well, but for that name to really mean something, the network is going to have to let something grow that isn’t connected to the mothership.

What we’re basically saying is, that this episode of NCIS just made us want more, not less. Of this particular team, of course, but also of the possible stories of this universe. So, can we make that happen?

THE WHY

NCIS 21×07 “A Thousand Yards” was basically about two things, the why these people do what they do, and the team they do it with. The why was what Jared, Vance’s son, was stuck on. How can you continue doing the job when the job has taken so much from you? How can you continue putting your life at risk? He didn’t get it when the hour started, and he especially didn’t get why his father would continue to be so invested after getting shot.

Ironically, the episode was about showing Jared that half of the why was the part that he never considered, the people. Yes, there’s the doing what’s right, and there is a greater good aspect to a job like being an NCIS agent. You don’t go into it without caring about that. But there’s also why you stay in it daily, and that has a lot to do with the people you work with.

You want to do good, yes. You know you’re making a difference, yes. But on the day-to-day, you’re not doing it for the big reasons, you’re doing it for the person who sits next to you. The one who goes out on the field with you. The one who saves your ass, and the one whose ass you get to save. That’s why you do the job.

THE PEOPLE

And that’s what has made NCIS so special for so many years, if we want to get meta. That’s what has made the NCISverse so special for 1000 episodes. All these years, all these shows, the franchise has managed to craft good shows and interesting cases, yes, but you don’t get here on the back of interesting cases. You get here on the back of memorable characters.

The NCIS franchise is here because people connected with Gibbs. Because people fell in love with Tony and Ziva, enough that all these years later, they’re coming back for a spinoff. Because they loved a character who knew as G for close to a decade. Because they shipped a scruffy-looking cop and a tough army brat. Because they fell in love with the newest grumpy/sunshine ship in Hawaii. Because of our first female SAC. And also because of the stories that have yet to be told.

NCIS: Hawai’i airs right after this episode. The episode is titled “The Next Thousand.” It’s a clever thematic nod to this hour, but it also feels like a promise. There are more stories to be told. For NCIS proper – for the team, for Parker who hasn’t had as much time, for Jessica and Jimmy, who are still finding their footing as a couple. For a NCIS: Hawai’i, that deserves that fourth season. For a NCIS: Sydney, that is getting that second one. And yes, even for a NCIS: Los Angeles that didn’t get to keep telling its stories, and for NCIS: New Orleans and for whatever comes next. NCISverse, after all.

Things I think I think:

Okay, but that’s a fair question, Leon Vance.

How dare you start by putting Vance in danger, NCIS?

Yes, too soon Curtis. TOO SOON.

Jared was actually supremely helpful.

Of course, we can only see Kensi’s face. HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN? DID SHE HAVE THE BABY?

We need answers, damn it.

Also, of all the people to mention, Kilbride? Truly?

Another question, why is Kensi taking this call? Where is Callen? We know where Sam is, but …Callen? Somewhere looking for Hetty, I presume, in a storyline that is going to conclude sometime soon, on screen, right? RIGHT?

Me, emotional at this Vance and McGee scene? Nah.

Yes.

I cannot at this Bones flashback from the past from Fletcher Voss, who is giving EVIL.

Look, I resent the implication that 20 years was a long time ago.

Yeah, just stand there with your badges. That’ll do it.

“The only way light can grow is by passing it on.”

#ncis #ncis la #ncis hawaii #ncis sydney #ncis new orleans #1000

[depressopax]

From ABQ with love, Nacho

A Nacho spinoff & LCDP x BCS Crossover AU

Chapter 2

« Masterlist || Previous chapter || AO3 link »

Words: 1.6k Warnings: None? English is not my main language, if I make any spelling mistakes please let me know so I can improve my writing! <3

“I have a plan” Four-eyes - that’s what I’ll call him now - says. 

I cross my arms and stare at him.

“Shoot.” 

“What makes a person a villain?”

“What…?” 

“Where do we draw the line? When does one become a villain?”

“I dunno… Maybe when robbing a bank?” Maybe I shouldn’t be such a jerk. 

Too bad I don’t care. 

“Not a bank. The Royal Mint, Ignacio.” He corrects me as if it matters. 

As the lunatic Four-eyes seems to be, he starts pacing the room. “And we’re not really “robbing”... You know about Robin Hood, right?”

I nod. 

“Of course.” Does he think I’m that fucking stupid? 

“That’s our plan. We’re not stealing. We’re printing our own money.”

“...That’s your big plan? To counterfeit some money? Amazing.” 

I don’t know why I’m being so rude, but what am I supposed to do? 

Blindly believe this lunatic to a man successfully will take over one of the most secure places in Madrid? And print money? 

“Ridiculous.” I stand up again.

“Do you have somewhere better to be?” Finally, he sounds annoyed. I shrug. “Do you want me to reassure you that your father is alive?” 

“How dare you talk about him?!” 

Four-eyes looks calm again. How can he be so calm? 

“Ignacio… Like it or not, but we’re allies now. I saved you, and now, I need your help”

“And if I don’t want to?”

“Then you’re on your own. I can’t save someone that doesn’t want to be saved.” 

On my own. I’d be stuck here, in a country I’ve never been to before. Stay, and wait until someone finds me. And knowing Gus right, knowing the cartel… They’ll make sure it’s a slow, painful death. 

“...I need to think.” I am just about to walk out, and once again - he talks. 

Damnit! Can he shut the fuck up already?

“How about 2.4 billion euros?”

I freeze. 2.4 billion. I can’t even wrap my head around how much money that is. With that money, I could go anywhere. I could start over, somewhere far from New Mexico. I could get a new identity. Never have to work another day. Never have to do anything criminal. 

And… I barely dare to hope, but… Dad. I can reunite with dad. I can bring him to a safe place. With the money, he’d never have to work again. He could retire early, and be the most rich damn old man ever. 

“I’m listening.” 

Four-eyes smiles and behind the thick glasses, I can see an entertained shine in his eyes. Finally - it says.

“Thank you.” 

He once again starts explaining, only this time - I listen. 

After three days my new crew arrives - one by one. The morning when the youngest robber - Rio - arrives at the Toledo House, Four-eyes tells me:

“You need a name.”

“Like an… Alias?”

“Exactly.”

“Nacho.” I say. Professor shakes his head.

“No. A brand new one. A city name”

City?

“Why?”

“No names, and no personal relationships. So what will it be?”

Oh, I know one. 

The man named Rio can’t be more than 19. He seems disoriented. Poor guy. 

It reminds me of myself - when I first joined the cartel. I must’ve looked just like that - young, confused and out of place. I could feel sympathy, of course. But I just stare at the curly haired guy with skepticism. So does Berlin. His dark, dead eyes stare at Rio. Professor walks next to him. 

“Rio, meet your crew.” He nods at me and the fancy son of a bitch.

“Berlin” he says with a nod and then it’s my turn.

“Albuquerque.”

When choosing my city name, it felt obvious to be “Albuquerque.”

The past is already haunting me. Always will. So I’ll embrace it.

Reclaim it.

Our city named crew grows. 

Oslo and Helsinki. Two bearded men that must be almost 6.2 feet tall. Oslo is quiet and reserved - Helsinki is extroverted and impulsive. 

One day, Professor drives me and Rio to an abandoned hangar. His hideout, and where he’ll stay hidden whilst me and the others are locked in the Royal Mint. 

It’s shabby and poorly isolated with rain puddles on the floor by the entrance. Other than that, there’s a table, boxes on the floor and a bunk bed. Four-eyes has a setup with two computer screens, a keyboard, headphones, speakers, a lamp and a red, retro phone. 

“What are we doing here?” I ask. 

“I need help setting things up for later.”

“But it’s five months left?” Rio questions

“Better to be on the safe side, am I right?”

Me and Rio glance at each other but don't question the Professor's words. He calls for Rio, who helps him set everything up and test the equipment. It takes at least 2 hours for him to explain everything to Four-eyes. It reminds me of all the times I’ve helped dad with his phone and computer. I wander the abandoned place restlessly. It’s not much to look at, and I don’t feel like interrupting the Four-eyes and the Computer-kid. I have nicknames for them all. As I walk through the shabby room, my eyes fixate on the corner of the room. At one point I accidentally drop a glass to the floor. The Professor flinches and looks at me. Rio grins. 

I used to despise clumsy people, and those who couldn’t focus when having an important task at hand. How the tables turned. But then again, I’m Albuquerque now. 

“Sorry.” 

“Don’t worry about it.” Professor mutters and turns to the computer again. “We’ll be done soon.”

Yep. Now I really feel like a dumb kid. 

When we’re finally about to head back to Toledo, Four-eyes pulls me aside. 

“I am a man that keeps my promises. I want you to know that.”

The fuck are you talking about? I want to ask. But my words get stuck. He shows me a security camera, probably one that Rio has hacked for him. The camera shows an airport, and a line of people checking in to get on a plane.

Dad. He’s right there, handing his passport and ticket over to a lady his age. She checks it and hands everything back smiling. But dad isn’t smiling. He looks tense. Tired.

Of course. He thinks I’m dead. 

I sink into the chair that Rio just left. 

“This was two days ago. The airport in Santa Fe.” 

He scrolls through other cameras. The trip must’ve been hell. My father prefers to be at home and only travel to different towns, never further than two hours away. He was adventurous when he was younger - just like me. But the older and more anxious he got - the less he left the house unless it was for work. 

…And now he has to move to the other side of the world, because of you. 

The guilt washes over me again. The anxiety I can’t seem to shake off - ever. 

He changes planes two times. The last camera Professor shows me is him arriving at the airport somewhere in Canada. Where I don’t know - I don’t care really.

All that matters is that he’s not in Albuquerque anymore. The cartel, nor Gus, can hurt him anymore. 

“When was this?” 

“Two days ago. He’s safe, Ignacio.”

I breathe out. It feels like I’ve been holding my breath for weeks and only now can exhale. 

“Thank you.” Is all I can say. The cameras show the same scene over and over - dad getting off the plane. I continue watching it, until I finally believe my eyes. I could cry from relief. Not here. I blink the tears away and stand up.

“Well then. Let’s go back to Toledo.”

I shut my emotions off and walk out of the hangar. 

Dad is alive. And for now, that’s all that matters to me.

“So… A jewelry thief, a hacker, an cartel man and us, two war veterans… Who else?”

Helsinki asks during an awkward dinner. Berlin laughs and I can’t keep myself from smiling. It indeed is a weird gang. But then again, nothing normal about planning a heist.

It’s raining outside. The house is cold, so Professor has lit up the wood stove so we won't freeze to death. I hate the cold. It must look ridiculous to wear a jacket indoors, but I don’t care. Even the food is cold, but still tasty. Or maybe that’s because I’m hungry. And I need the food. When I was on the run back home, food wasn’t my top priority. I’ve lost weight, and muscles. Now, when I have a heist to participate in I need to regain it. 

“Well… We have an ex-drug dealer, a thief, a robber and a money-counterfeiter. They’ll all join us later this week.” 

“And when we’re all gathered, what then?” I ask. 

“That’s when the practical part of the heist begins. I’ll tell you all about the plan and how we’ll successfully make history.” 

Make history. 

The Professor might be a damn lunatic, but still… You gotta be a bit fucked up to succeed. And he indeed is. He has confidence and, whether I want to admit it or not - a good plan.

My dad’s alive and safe, and if I pull this heist off, then I can reunite with him. 

Hope is a dangerous thing but for the first time in years, that’s what I feel.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a like, a reblog or comment if you liked it! It does encourage me to continue writing on this story! <3 Have a good day!!

#fanfic writing #aspiring author #writeblr #aspiring writer #original fanfiction #breaking bad #brbabcs #la casa de papel #Nacho spinoff #lcdp x bcs au #fanfiction writer #fanfic authors #better call saul #nacho #nacho varga #ignacio varga #better call saul fanfic #breaking bad fanfic #breaking bad fanfiction #la casa de papel fanfiction #lcdp fanfiction #ignacio nacho varga #nacho varga fanfiction #better call saul spinoff #crossover #au #fanfic writers #ao3 writer #writers on tumblr #writer

[positivexcellence]

Big Sky: Jensen Ackles Promoted to Series Regular for Season 3

Life moves fast in Big Sky country.

Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles has been promoted to series regular for the just-announced Season 3, TVLine has learned. His guest appearance in the ABC drama’s upcoming Season 2 finale was first revealed Thursday.

“I have tangled more than a few times with cartel elements,” Ackles’ character, Beau Arlen, tells Katheryn Winnick’s Jenny in the preview for the May 19 season ender (10/9c), “and it’s nasty business.” When Jenny agrees, saying that she needs to stop it, he counters: “You mean, ‘we.'”

Per the official character description, Beau is “a confident and charming good ol’ boy from Texas who steps in as temporary sheriff (and Jenny Hoyt’s new boss) as a favor to his friend, Sheriff Tubb.” We’re hearing that Ackles is joining the drama for a one-season arc.

In addition, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who joined the series in Season 2 as waitress-turned-crime-syndicate-go-to-woman Tonya, also has been promoted to series regular for the third season.

Ackles’ other upcoming projects include playing Soldier Boy in Season 3 of Prime Video’s The Boys (which returns on Friday, June 3) and narrating the Supernatural prequel series The Winchesters, which was ordered to series at The CW on Thursday. The spinoff is “the epic, untold love story” of how Sam and Dean Winchester’s parents, John and Mary, first met, “and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love, but the entire world.”

tv line

#big sky #Jensen Ackles

[basedkikuenjoyer]

See, we’ve legitimately set a precedent that alternate-universe Kikus count so I’m honestly just obligated at this point. Let’s actually look at this One Piece School spinoff. I’m not exactly great at translation, but it’s one of those things you can get the gist of looking at it. Wano’s the “Class Trip to Kyoto” Arc! Perfect. It’s only just started, the gang meets Tama who’s the waitress at Otsuru’s restaurant this time. Some bullies mess with her. Gakuran Yamato appears, scenes that parallel his big ones in Wano (and one that really clashes)...then Tama’s kidnapped. Kaido has a big Onigashima airship or something, it’s still a friggin wild series. This is really all we’ve gotten in the last release, Vivi & Koby are full parts of the main cast here. Her and Usopp end up on this semi truck going to Kaido’s base. Usopp shouts about wanting to save Tama and Kiku was already there. Confirms they’re talking about the same person and introduces herself. 

I’m sure this is going to be great, but for now we’re all here for Schoolgirl Kiku, right? She’s freakin’ adorable, the long skirt and chrysanthemum tie are perfect. I’m hoping that bundle is both evidence she let herself be captured and a sign the gag is gonna be the Akazaya Nine are the Kendo Club. Because of course they would be. Izo’s already been shown as a third-year and yes he looks good in the suit. Judging from her legs I’m guessing Kiku’s still absurdly tall here because she damn well should be. Please give us Urashima hitting on her and getting humiliated in this universe too. My favorite part though is still the inexplicable spotlight. It’s not the type of thing you build an interpretation of the actual One Piece story around, but seeing a supplemental spinoff kickoff it’s Wano story with the Kiku/Yamato pair and making our girl all theatrical sure feels warm and fuzzy to me. Putting her with Usopp is excellent, and I’m curious to see how we spin Kiku & Vivi’s chemistry.

#one piece #one piece academy #okiku #vivi #usopp

[canmom]

Animation Night 153: Kara no Kyōkai, part 1

We are entering... a slightly tricky phase of Animation Night. It’s not that we’re out of great animated films, far from it. Hell, we’ve yet to screen such classics as The End of Evangelion or Adolescence of Utena. But that’s the puzzle: a lot of such films are awkward fits for the format, requiring a lot of context, or standing too short or too long to fill the format.

Nor are we short of beautiful, artistic films from Europe. AniObsessive recently did a column on The Swallows of Kabul, which might finally be an answer the question of ‘what the hell could go beside Funan’. But I think we’ve had a bit too much war and genocide on this blog lately, so we’ll save that for another day.

Instead, let’s keep it chuuni!

It’s been a long while since Animation Night had anything to do with the Nasuverse. Back on Animation Night 60, I wrote a fairly brief description of Fate, and we enjoyed the spectacular Heaven’s Feel movies with only mild confusion.

But this was far from the only time that studio Ufotable adapted the the works of the enigmatic king of chuunibyou, Kinoko Nasu.

Let’s set the scene to begin. I’ll try and go over what I’ve been able to find out about the history, bearing in mind that Nasu-san is insanely prolific and his meta-setting is a seemingly infinite rabbit hole of lore...

...but as far as the man* himself there’s only the barest information to go on about his earlier life. He went to Hosei University, and afterwards started creating novels with his high-school buddy Takashi Takeuchi. Their first project was 空の境界 Kara no Kyōkai, lit. The Boundary of Emptiness but titled in English The Garden of Sinners in 1998 - that’s our subject for tonight, so more on that in a minute!

(*Wikipedia offers a citation for ‘man’ to a 2004 blog post where he jokes about being called a girl in a newspaper, in which he remarks もともと女々しいのがワタクシの芸風ですものボンソワー。[My style’s always been feminine, bonsoir.]; no further comment on that.) 

In 2000 the pair founded a dōjin circle called TYPE-MOON to publish the visual novel 月姫 Tsukihime (lit. Moon Princess), which was a mega-hit when it launched at Comiket, and from that went on to create another visual novel called Fate/Stay Night, which was an even bigger mega-hit. This led to a forest of spinoffs with increasingly baroque titles like ‘Fate/hollow ataraxia’ or ‘Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya’, the most successful being the gacha game Fate/Grand Order, which launched in 2015. That gacha game has in turn spawned many many adaptations of its various storylines, such as (deep breath) Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia or Fate/Grand Order: Final Singularity - Grand Temple of Time: Solomon. Really rivaling Kingdom Hearts there. Some of these films have been described as creative and ambitious, others very staid and playing it safe, but to be honest I am a foreigner in this land and I can’t tell you too much about them.

Anyway, as far as biographical details go, perhaps there’s more buried in an interview somewhere? But if so, I’ve yet to find it.

Our subject for tonight is a seven movie series produced by Ufotable from 2007-9, adapting Nasu’s first work. You might say, Bryn, that’s nuts, seven entire movies! To clarify, these movies are for the most really short, each just about an hour long with a couple of exceptions. So we should be able to pretty comfortably view the whole thing over two Animation Nights.

So what’s it about?

Set when it was written in the late 90s, it follows a teenage girl demon hunter called Shiki Ryougi, who has ‘Mystic Eyes of Death Perception’, which let her see indications of how things will die. She becomes a detective specialising in supernatural cases, alongside her eventual husband, Mikiya Kokutou. So romance and supernatural battles.

Many of these ideas, particularly the death perceiving eyes, would be reprised in Tsukihime. Within the meta-narrative, Kara no Kyōkai is an alternate universe, but not one completely disconnected from the rest, with its characters showing up for minor roles - and even playing a role in the end of Heaven’s Feel.

Except, that’s selling it short, because it’s also the first outing for the more esoteric concepts of the Nasu’s works: the Akashic Record, the Jungian anima and animus, and the paradoxes of the Taiji in Chinese philosophy to name a few. And to ground that, all sorts of dark shit: Wikipedia reels of suicide, rape, patricide, incest and murder, along with DID. It sounds like a lot!

Of course, it’s also about ridiculous psychic powers with long names, magic eyes, and so on. It’s easy to mock all these chuuni elements as hollow and pretentious, but imo the resulting blend is to strike out somewhere fascinatingly weird and achieve effects that a more reserved work couldn’t. We’ll see whether that comes together here!

In discussing the film series, Nasu described the original work - which he came to view as a rough early work - as ‘like a prose poem’, inherently very difficult to adapt. He turned down proposals to adapt it as a TV series and a movie, imagining it would be too hard for audiences to follow. But when a seven-movie series by Ufotable was proposed, he changed his mind:

It was such an off-the-wall idea that I got caught up in the enthusiasm; the offer was so awesome that turning it down seemed rude, so I agreed readily.

So, that’s one of the two characters in our story. What of the other?

Ufotable would later make ‘adapting Fate works’ into a steady line of work alongside popular shōnen like Demon Slayer. But at this time, they were a much more experimental studio. At sakugablog, kVin writes...

[Aniplex producer Atsuhiro] Iwakami had been ruminating about how to put together an adaptation for Kara no Kyoukai that actually lived up to the potential he saw in Kinoko Nasu’s world since 2004, and by the following year, the solution to his woes manifested in front of his eyes. Futakoi Alternative was an eccentric reboot of a milquetoast, twins-themed harem series. It reimagined everything about the original series into a simply indescribable mix of genres and crazy scenarios. The motto of ufotable’s founder Hikaru Kondo resonates throughout the whole series: if making as many things as possible is the way to ensure you’ll get some of them right, why not jump around from noir cinema, to sci-fi epics, then back to face some humanoid squids before some surprisingly earnest romance? For viewers like Iwakami, this irreverent spirit was a wake-up call about new ways to create animation. So, why not approach them when he was planning something grand that wasn’t quite like anything seen before in anime?

In fact, Iwakami’s original idea was merely a trilogy; it was Ufotable founder Hikaru Kondo who was like nah man let’s do seven. Within the studio were type-moon fans such as director Takuya Nonaka and character designer Tomonori Sudo, whose passion inspired Kondo to go big. Recklessly big. The initial plan was to release a new film monthly, but this soon proved predictably impossible. Even so, they managed to complete the series within two years, which is pretty astonishing in its own right.

As you can see from the clips in this post, the visual style of these movies anticipates - if perhaps in a cruder form - the studio’s later Fate adaptations: chiaroscuro lighting and gradients and filters on top of gradients and filters. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but as far as a house style goes, it’s worth acknowledging.

Internally, its direction was shaped by the flatter-than-usual hierarchy of Ufotable (whose name refers to a round table in the Arthurian sense). Each movie was assigned a different director without a structure unify the production as a whole beyond adherence to Nasu’s work.

I’ll pull in kVin to describe the resulting vibe of the project:

At its core, Kara no Kyoukai is a pretty cute love story that asks itself whether it’s possible to stray away from your fate; to put it plainly, Kokutou claims that he can fix her, even if the fixing involves getting over a pesky character flaw such as a predisposition towards murder. While not a groundbreaking scenario, its commitment to that relationship in spite of all the extraneous elements makes it work, and Shiki in particular is a slaughterer with very charming body language that evolves according to the major shifts to her character.

At the same time, these films are also highly atmospheric and committed to the sensorial experience in a way that no other Type-Moon anime is. While the expository worldbuilding and dense dialogue that Nasuverse works are known for are still very much present, the Kara no Kyoukai films are also willing to stay silent for minutes at a time. The mystery aspect to these films—Shiki and Kokutou work for Aozaki Touko’s detective agency after all—is honored with an appreciation for the mystique; even if you know that long-winded answers are likely to come, they tend to relish the opportunity to soak the viewer in the grim, mysterious atmosphere of its world. There is a quiet appreciation of the things that are yet to be known, and those that may not be spelled out.

At the time, he writes, the staff were intimidated by the idea of theatrical animation, which in the 90s called to mind Patlabor and Satoshi Kon - a tough act to follow, no question. But the dense image boards of art director Nobutaka Ike, who worked on those very same films, brought the confidence needed.

The films follow the same release order as the original novels, which is narratively non-chronological.

Nasu, for his part (link again), was anxious about his early works being adapted...

In Kara no Kyoukai, the first story, "Overlooking View" (俯瞰風景) is the clumsiest. I've always thought I wanted to do something about it, and I told a staff member, "If we're making this into a movie, I'm going to rewrite the first story; please let me do that." But he said, enthusiastically, "No, I want to work with it the way it is. I want to animate this!"

Then, when I read the finished script, they'd cut out over half of the unnecessary excess fat and had turned out something more interesting as a story, so I thought, "If it's like this, they don't need me to rewrite it."

In Nasu’s view, each film ought to stand alone, but the full picture can’t really be understood from just the first - but he claims that with all seven films, the viewer would have enough to understand the story without having to turn to the books. Which is lucky, because the only version of the books in English is a widely disparaged fan translation.

To support all this comes haunting music by composer Yuki Kajiura and her group Kalafina, who would later create the renowned soundtrack to Madoka. In fact these movies are the origin of Kalafina, with Kajiura putting together a new group with a couple of members of her previous project FictionJunction.

Anyway, please read the rest of kVin’s article (perhaps after the movies! x3) if you fancy a detailed retrospective on all seven films.

Tonight my plan is to screen the first four parts of The Garden of Sinners, namely...

I: Overlooking View - an introduction to the series. In 1998, Shiki lives alone in her apartment, occasionally visited by Mikiya, and working for an occult detective agency. She learns of a series of strange suicides at an abandoned building. Investigating, she finds the building is full of hostile ghosts. Someone is drawing the girls to the building by astral projection...

II: A Study in Murder - Part 1 - in 1995, Shiki and Mikiya are highschool students. A spree of brutal murders break out in the area. Mikiya discovers that Shiki (式) is plural, with a male alter called SHIKI (織) who is the inverse of her personality. But who’s doing the murders?

III: Remaining Sense of Pain - A teenage girl called Fujino is raped by a group of gangsters, and pursues revenge with her psychic powers. Shiki and Mikiya are pulled in to the case, and realise that Shiki once knew Fujino - a girl who could not feel pain. But that seems to have changed...

IV: Hollow Shrine - a direct sequel to the second film. Shiki ended up comatose, and now in the psychic void, confronts her alter. We learn about her backstory and how she got involved with the wizard detectives.

I think these summaries should convey the level of Content(TM) we’re dealing with here. Guards up!

Next time around, we’ll pick up with Paradox Spiral, Oblivion Recording, and then at last A Study in Murder - Part 2. Which will actually be longer, because PS and ASiM2 are two hours long. (There’s also an eighth movie, released in 2013, titled Future Gospel which is a new sequel written by Nasu for movie form.)

I think that will suffice for an introduction. Animation Night will be going live 7:30 UK time, about 40 minutes from this post, and at 8pm UK time we shall begin the movies! Join me at https://www.twitch.tv/canmom~

#animation night