#◦•● Interactions [Jerry & Star] ●•◦

[dirty-bear-rick-sanchez]

I know this is probably a rhetorical question but I wanted to break down every interaction they've had in the show so I'm going to take this as an excuse to do it xD

Although I've rewatched and analysed these scenes for this, I haven't done a complete rewatch with this in mind so I can't guarantee that I won't have missed stuff. If anyone notices anything I've missed please feel free to add it!

Their first direct interaction is Morty saying he’ll forgive her for abandoning them if she lets him fly her ship (to which she agrees saying that she was just going to give him space cigarettes) in Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri. This reminds me of the way Morty sometimes manipulates Rick to get things (e.g. to take Jerry on an adventure, to let him pick the adventure, to make him the video game style place saving device, to get Rick to buy him the sex robot), which makes sense since Space Beth 'cosplay[s] as [her] shitty father in his 30s'. Morty tends to be more honest/direct with Home Beth, even when he's upset with her (e.g. in A Rickconvenient Mort). It's also interesting that he went straight for the abandonment thing since he knows that had such a big impact on Beth. I wonder if he does have some negative feelings towards her for leaving? After all, he did witness Home Beth telling Rick that she relates to her family and not to Space Beth since Space Beth abandoned them all. He might be angry on Home Beth's behalf the same way he was in The Wedding Squanchers.

This one is more about Rick and Space Beth but Morty does join in on the argument about her trying to talk to them/use a good line in Solaricks. I can't think of an equivalent time he's done this with Home Beth, but he has similar reactions to Xenon Bloom, Jerry, and Rick when they make jokes in times of crisis. Also, I never noticed his thumbs down before but it's killing me lmao. It's one of those subtle moments of Morty's intelligence - he knows that Space Beth can't hear them so gives her an obvious visual signal, whereas Rick continues to try and speak. Of course, they both attempt to speak to her afterwards, but they are both dumbasses after all (affectionate). Can't win 'em all.

Interestingly, both Beths say Morty’s name and hug him when he and Rick return from the Prime dimension - there’s no real difference between their reactions. Home Beth seems more... surprised? Sheepish? Maybe because of her jealousy surrounding Summer's admiration of Space Beth she wasn't expecting Morty to hug her as well? I'm not sure exactly what emotion Space Beth's face means here. Maybe she's proud of him? Either way, she obviously does still love him and was worried about him.

In Bethic Twinstinct, Space Beth tells Morty ‘back off, little man’ when he says that she and Home Beth need to tell Jerry about their relationship. He's the only one who tells them directly what to do (Rick tells them to go ahead but that everyone knows and Summer just says that Jerry is oblivious), so that could be why, but I still find it interesting that she targets him specifically. Space Beth hasn't had a lot of the development Home Beth has with Morty but the most prominent example that comes to mind is A Rickconvenient Mort. That episode was not only a big moment for Home Beth trying to protect Morty and actually being there for him at the end, but it also showed her that Morty does know more than she gives him credit for about how people perceive him specifically. Morty's other outburst to Beth in The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy is about how Beth's actions affect Summer and we do see a marked difference in how Space Beth treats Summer and Morty. Space Beth realised that Summer's feelings matter and that she's not just a hormonal/irrational teenager, but she never had that moment with Morty, which makes sense with her patronising tone with him here. Since Beth blamed Diane for driving Rick away and got pregnant as a teenager, I can see why she would view teenagers as irrational/their feelings not really mattering. After all, she comes to understand both Diane and Rick's actions/choices a lot more in the series, and becoming a parent so young has been very hard on her. However, Home Beth has not only chosen the kids and Jerry, but is going to therapy, so she has a different view on this to Space Beth, who can just blame her teenage mistakes on her past self rather than her current self.

Space Beth is present in the Time and Tide montage in Fear No Mort but she’s more enthusiastic about Summer’s wedding and more restrained with him going to college (whereas Home Beth hugs him). I find it interesting that Space Beth and Jerry are grouped together in the graduation scene - they're both standing to the side while Home Beth and Summer hug Morty and join him in the photo. This does make sense when you consider that Jerry and pre-S4 Beth were most responsible for letting Rick hurt Morty, whereas Home Beth is putting in more effort now. Morty is also very protective of Summer and Beth in S1-S3 in particular so I wonder if they appreciate this and feel closer to him than Jerry and Space Beth do? I can't think of a time where Morty has been protective of Jerry specifically, and Space Beth is not only a lot more assertive but probably hasn't considered/realised how much Morty cares for his family and therefore doesn't appreciate it in the way that Summer and Home Beth do. This one is interesting since it's inside Morty's mind so it gives us a good idea of how Morty expects his parents to act. He knows that Jerry and Space Beth would be there physically, but lack an emotional connection.

I know we didn't see them interact onscreen but Space Beth did get Morty the Pooplickian Gamepod. It could've been a gift for both him and Summer, but it’s only Morty who’s present as he’s setting it up in the intro. Also, while Summer does join Rick and Morty while they're playing it before she starts using it as an escape, she's much more critical and disinterested. Even if it was intended as a joint present, it's definitely more up Morty's street and Space Beth would've known that.

Space Beth is also the one who says ‘bored of your toy already?’ when Morty and Rickbot return to the living room after they left with the light sabre. She is being patronising again, but it does show her understanding of Morty's interests - she's surprised that he would spend so little time with his new light sabre.

This isn't an interaction, but I find it interesting that Morty specifies that he and Summer have 'two badass moms now'. Even after everything, he still loves his mom - no matter which version of her. This reminds me of him telling Ethan that Beth is a good mom in The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy. He really does look up to Beth.

There's not a great deal to analyse about this line but it is a direct interaction between the two of them so I thought I should include it. Again, we have the framing of Jerry and Space Beth together and Summer, Morty and Home Beth together. In this scene, it matches their attitudes - while Space Beth and Jerry take an interest in the events, they're much more detached emotionally from the situation. Everyone else is standing while they remain sitting, showing a lack if care or urgency.

In conclusion, Morty loves Space Beth and thinks she's cool, but she still views him as a child and is emotionally distant, and he's aware of this. She also has a much more obvious favourite child, as we saw in Morty's Mindblowers, whereas Home Beth doesn't show as much favouritism. In many ways, Space Beth is S1-S3 Beth, whereas Home Beth is S4-present. However, that's not true, they're both S1-S3 Beth, and I wonder if Morty would find that fact hard to reconcile? With Rick, it's much more obvious that he is both the good and the bad moments/parts of himself since it's just him. With the two Beths, you can almost convince yourself that they couldn't have become the other. I wonder if it would hurt Morty to spend more time with Space Beth and be reminded of how his mom used to be, how she still is sometimes. Would he appreciate Home Beth's efforts more? Would he begin to resent Space Beth for not doing the same?

I would love a Space Beth and Morty episode. I think Home Beth is generally still very oblivious to what Morty goes through (look how shocked she is in The Jerrick Trap that Morty is selling drugs). However, Space Beth has spent enough time out in the galaxy that she must have a better grasp on the sorts of adventures Rick is taking Morty on. I also feel like she has a lot more resentment towards Rick, or at least is a lot more guarded towards him than Home Beth is, so it would be an interesting way to explore Morty’s feelings towards Rick to have them both angry at him - especially if Morty does run away. We’d also get to see more of Space Beth’s development and feelings towards Morty, which I think would be something cool to explore.

We could even have a conflict between the Beths where Home Beth is angry at Space Beth for taking Morty somewhere dangerous or letting him do something inappropriate but Space Beth points out that he does it (and much worse) all the time with Rick.

Honestly though, I mainly just want to see Morty and Space Beth having a cool adventure.

[forecast0ctopus]

what do you like about star trek the most?

i dunno.... its just really fun i guess. not going to categorize what i like The Most since im bad at that but ill just put my scattered thoughts about it below lmao

lit has some Deep and Heavy topics but its generally rather optimistic + hopeful for people to do better which is nice. personally i cant stand doom and gloom type stuff – drama and violence and stuff is great stuff in a story, but when its approached from a point of view of outright pessimism just feels bad

the character relationships are great, im a huge fan of things being left somewhat vague because theres a lot of room for speculation – makes examining the actions/interactions characters have vs what they say etc etc fun.

oh it s COLORFUL.... the colored lighting the costumes the set dressing. idk i think a lot of tv/movies gets caught up with things looking too real (especially with lighting) but man im there to watch a film im there to watch a story.. not to look at real life.......

the scripting of a lot of it sounds a lot more subtle in what the characters are saying which again goes to the point of vagueness, i dunno i like that theres a lot of room for interpretation

to the point of vagueness again – sci-fi technology is also very fun to speculate about. give a hand wavy explanation and its very fun to try to think of how any of it even works. i need to know more about the relationship between the ship's artificial gravity, inertia, and orientation POSTHASTE

AH the fight scenes are fun. like no its absolutely not good fighting irl but its like watching cartoons to me. tom and jerry type stuff except theyre writhing on the ground much more. i love it when characters shove each other around lmao

im sure thats enough of all that though

[grumfield]

Hey, I hope this isn’t too weird of a question but feel free to ignore. I noticed on your Star Wars ship chart you have obikin as your OTP but vaderwan only as “like”. Aren’t they the same characters? Why do you like one more than the other

Okay SO sorry for the late response to this I was mulling over how to articulate it.

Vaderwan as a sex/relationship dynamic is fun. For me it’s fun in the way like “grrr you’re mine slams you against the wall” dubcon is fun, but that’s really as compelling as it gets for me because I really don’t see a place in their relationship at that point where they could go beyond that until they’re force ghosts. Vaderwan dynamic to me kind of exists in a PWP-shaped vacuum. What if Tom & Jerry was about freaky sex instead. One-off erotic torture episodes.

This is because like, to kind of paraphrase an earlier response I gave, by the time Vaderwan is a thing they’ve both taken on the mantle of different identities (Ben and Vader respectively) and subsequently are no longer the people they were before. Their *past* selves that existed before the destruction of the Jedi have a very fraught history, but their current selves don’t look at each other with the same level of interpersonal history because Anakin is dead to Obi-Wan and vice versa (obviously this is just my interpretation) (I do actually view them as the same people but they don’t view themselves as the same people so they functionally aren’t)

Vaderwan as a non-actual ship or sex/romance concept is more compelling to me tbh.

The Deborah chow obi wan show does something interesting with this because it starts from a place of emotional inequality where obi-wan hasn’t gone full Ben yet and thinks he killed Anakin (thus Anakin like “still exists” even though he’s dead if that makes sense), so there’s this stilted quality where like, he’s still trying to interact with Anakin when he deals with Vader but doesn’t realize yet that he’s trying to interact with a ghost. Their fights are kind of reflective of this and then at the end after their final fight they both respectively embrace who they are. Sort of reflected in how obi wan just tells him bye and immediately leaves with no emotional reaction at all, then after that speaks about Anakin in the past tense for the first time before returning to the desert and being Ben, because Vader has just admitted to him that he needs to get with the program because Anakin is long gone and he’s chasing a memory. Vader’s thing with him has this Tom and Jerry feel to it while also this need less to capture him but more to try and make Obi-Wan see that Anakin isn’t there anymore/Anakin and Obi-Wan are not a thing anymore, they’re both dead.

Obi-Wan show is very gothic in that respect lol…vaderwan is very gothic and compelling to me as the tragic end rather than the place where they start their relationship or work it out

Truly the kings of compartmentalization! Easier to deal with all of this shit if you don’t view yourself as yourself.

Anyways favorite part obikin is the weird complicated ways that they fuck each other up and the knowledge of where it leads, and where it leads is like the catharsis for me + vaderwan is fairly straightforward and post-catharsis so it’s fun but not as insanity inducing for me! But I still enjoy it.

But this why my preferred post every event in ROTS Obikin fic is like “obi-wan is hallucinating anakin in the desert and going crazy” or other associated metaphysical stuff

ALSO to paraphrase what my friend said: Obi-Wan is very passive (in the books especially!) and doesn’t ever choose, he needs to be pursued. Anakin as Vader ultimately needs to be chosen, Obi-Wan will never be the one to chase so will never be the one to choose. And this is also very much an essence of it etc. adds to the tragedy but I wouldn’t have it any other way hehe

[ru-xia]

-lovebites

starring: jake kim, you

genre: drabble

preview: mentions of hickies, other than that sfw

everyone could see it.

jerry, jason, brad, lua, everyone.

jake found the increasing stares he was getting very weird.

he paid it no mind though as big deal was known for being fussy and over dramatic when it came to their boss.

they probably just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

he carried on with his work the rest of the day brushing off the continuous gazes.

that was until he walked past one of the store windows.

there sat two very visible little blemishes upon his neck.

jake's ears burned red as he hastily fixed his collar attempting to hide the purple marks.

his mind raced back to his prior interaction with you, remembering your snickering as he left.

"𝐨𝐡 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧."

[aliypop]

No Baby You Can't Lick it

Word Count: 2,522

Writers Note: Alright I'm tackling writing 70's E as a smut so don't judge me on this one

Warning: SMUT MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Pairing: OC x Elvis

Plot: With Elvis now in Vegas and Cecelia back from her world tour, she finds herself at The International Hotel being reminded of the powerhouse of love that is her husband Elvis Presley

Taglist: If you wanna be tagged let me know!

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@sissylittlefeather

@dkayfixates

@rjmartin11

The International Hotel January 7th, 1972

The cameras flashed through the lobby as a dark brunette-haired, sunglasses-wearing, fur coat-toating, tawny-skinned woman was at the front desk. That woman was,

 "Mrs.Presley, We uh weren't excepting you!" The concierge looked in shock.

"Call me Cecelia, sweetheart." she laughed, taking off her shades as she looked at the young woman who was about to faint. Usually, her husband had this effect on women. 

"W-Well... Can we do anything for you, get you a room..."

"I know Mr. Presley is on stage currently... but, uh, if you could relay a message to Jerry, tell 'em the Eagle has landed." taking the key from her, Cecelia winked as she continued to walk down towards the Elevator. 

           "Mrs. Presley!"

                                 "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Presley!"

          "Welcome back, Mrs. Presley!

"Geez, Midge. I didn't know people even remembered my birthday." she laughed as they walked through the casino. She was all smiles and waves like a pageant girl when really all she wanted to do was see her loving husband, who she hadn't been around for almost a year,

"Well, I don't even think you remembered your own birthday, let alone celebrated in how many years?" 

"Not true! Last year Elvis. Bought me a rhinestone studded Gibson Guitar." 

"And what did you send him."

"The key to a custom-made roadster... With EP on the seats."

"Well, when's the last time you two Celebrated your birthdays together..."

Cecelia took in a deep sigh as she thought about it. They'd been so busy with tours and conflicting schedules and even the kids who were now teenagers that the two hadn't even had time to their actual selves. The Elevator began to ding as they reached the 32nd floor of the hotel. Midge walked out first as Cecelia took out the hotel key. In a sense, the room felt like a home away from home.

The outside of the crowded concert hall was where the Memphis Mafia was trying their best to transport,

 "Elvis, I love you!

"Love you too, honey." he winked,

Back to his hotel room, that was if he could stop kissing all the women who'd approached him, but then again, when you're the big star that is Elvis Presley, what's one more woman? Running down towards them was the concierge who had run to Jerry to tell him,

"The Eagle has landed." 

Jerry looked at the young girl as he gave her a nod and a tap on Elvis's shoulder,

 "We gotta go, E."

"Somethin wrong..." He looked up at Jerry, his hand searching for one of his many peacemakers. 

"Nah, we just gotta go..."

The view of Vegas was beautiful from the window as Cecelia stood in front of it dressed in her long boudoir pink velvet robe. Champagne in her hand as she slowly breathed in and laughed, her eyes catching a pair of red panties that definitely didn't belong to her, just another chip in their marriage she'd manage to find. But it was no different than when she witnessed him date over 25 girls while his heart set on her. Lost in thought, Cecelia didn't even hear the key in the door turn, 

"Be careful, E..."Jerry said,

"Why the hell do I have to be careful?" Elvis laughed a lit cigarillo in his mouth, "What's in there cept for what's usually in there." opening the door to his hotel room, he could smell the sweet scent of a familiar perfume. And the shift of a calming wind coming through. 

"Elvis, is that you?"

"Cece..." his tired blue eyes now magnified back with energy,

"El..." she ran to him as she engulfed him with a tender kiss on his lips,

"I'll leave you two alone," Jerry smirked, closing the door behind him. 

Cecelia had pulled away from him, taking the Cigarillo out of his mouth and setting it out. On the ashtray, "Seems somebody missed me." He whistled, looking at her frame in the robe, 

"Seems someone couldn't wait for me..." her eyes gesturing to those panties again,

"Honey, no matter how many fans may have come in trying to steal away my appetite, you'll always be my main course," he whispered in her ear. Biting at the lobe as she shivered, 

"You're lucky it's your birthday in half an hour..." she laughed,

"And you're lucky it's still yours." his lips were now on her neck, kissing and sucking all the way down to her shoulder, where her robe was now slithering down off her skin,

"Tell me, doll... you wearin anythin under that robe."

"Why don't you see for yourself." she laughed, running towards the bed as she untied her robe and ran, 

"Damnit, Cece!" He laughed, chasing after his playful wife. Oh, the things he'd do for the woman before him. Cecelia was by the piano, now draped over it, as her eyes seduced him into coming over, 

"Lord ol mighty..." 

"Like what you see?" velvet curtains as her backdrop, she looked like something a man would only dream of finding in a bordello landscape. 

"Mhmm..."

"You know... Pres, I'm liking a whole lot of what I'm seein..." Gesturing to him and his oh-so-tight blue owl jumpsuit. She wanted to pull him by the belt and get to working on him right now, but she wanted to make him work for it.

"You want me don'tcha honey,"

"I thought I was makin' my intentions clear," she smirked, beckoning him to come closer. Elvis began to walk closer towards her like a sailor drawn to a siren, 

"Not clear enough, baby..." 

"Do you want me to tell you what I want tonight..."

"Tell me, honey..."

"Well... I want you to make love to me like the beast I know you can be..." her arms around his waist as she heard the clinking of his belt hit the floor. His hands were already caressing her plump breasts.

"Easy... Mmm, tiger." her hand was now on his chest as she unzipped him slowly from the jumpsuit,

"Tell me, Mr. Presley... Did you think of me when you were fuckin those girls..."

"Every time..." he growled in her ear. As he pressed her against him, she could feel his cock against her ass. Biting her lip, "You know I love you... And only you," he whispered, biting her shoulder, "And I miss you and only you..." his fingers rubbed circles on her waist. 

"Why don't you prove it..." 

"Spread your legs, baby. And I'll show you," he commanded her. Cecelia felt her body pressed against the glass window, as his fingers were already working magic down from her heated skin to her oh-so-wet cavern. He could hear every little gasp and sharp mewl of a moan whenever his fingers would brush across the spot that made her say, 

                       "Elvis..."

Or

                                       "Right there..."

Or his favorite.

                           " Don't stop..."

"I wasn't planning on it." he laughed, "You're wet, sweetheart, and it's all for your Elvis, huh." she could hear his devilish smile through his thick southern accent, "Elvis..." she sighed, her eyelids fluttering at his finger-work, though to be fair she did love a man who was a God at the guitar. "Tell me what you want, baby..." his voice was husky and raspy and sending her on edge,

 "I ...I need you..."

"Need me to what, baby girl..."

"Fuck me..." Her voice had an innocent tone to it, and it was driving him crazy.

"Is that how we ask for things, Cece..." he asked her as he gently grabbed her face, lust-blown eyes looking into one another. Cecelia shook her head no.

"Oh, come on, little darlin, you can use your words for your Elvis, can't."

"Please..." she whined and whimpered.

"Anything for my princess." Tilting her head up from her chin, and he kissed her. Elvis could taste the faint hint of champagne and her lipstick on his tongue. Cecelia could taste the punchy scent of his Cigarillo and his beer. But it only made the kiss more intense for her. After all, she still did miss him. Gripping onto his broad shoulders, her legs wrapped around his waist as she scrunched up her nose, readjusting to his size. 

"You okay, baby?" Elvis asked with concern.

"Mhmm... it's just been..." her body shivered as her face fell into his shoulder blade, "Awhile..." 

"You've missed me, haven't you, doll..."

"Why doya ask Pres..." 

"Legs shakin worse than mine, and I ain't even start yet." he laughed. 

"Maybe cause. I'm all shook up, OH EL YES!" she moaned at the first thrust he gave her. Cecelia had her fingers caressing his sideburns. She then heard a thud as she felt the sensation of glass on her back. Elvis's thrusts were in rhythm with every whine and moan she gave him, like a que written in sheet music, 

"Fuck! Atta boy!" Cecelia growled as her eyes rolled from the jolt of his hips, 

"You like that baby girl... Heh..." holding her closer to him as if she'd slip away.

"YES... YES... YES... ELVIS YES!!!" she could hear him moaning in her ear, 

"It's nothing but sweet lovin for you, doll..." he whispered in her ear along with other sweet nothings. He could feel her nearing her end as she pulsated around his cock, but he knew she didn't want the fun to end. carrying her to the bed as he was still stuffed deeply inside her, Elvis laid down with Cecelia on top of him, 

"Can I ride you, baby..."

"Cece, we've been married fourteen years. You really gotta ask." he kissed her collarbone, as he then kissed down to the peak of her breast, 

"Tryin to keep the spark alive."

"With a body like that, it ain't never died, Cece." he groaned as his mouth latched onto her nipple. She knew there'd be a hickey. But Cecelia didn't care. After all, it was still her birthday. Grinding down on him and moving her hips, she could feel every ounce of stress leaving her body, just from feeling the tip of him touching the spot that made her go wild like a bull seeing red, 

"You like that baby, you like how I ride you..."

"Mhmm...I like the view, too." he moaned, his blue eyes rolling back as his dark lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. Elvis had one hand on her waist and the other gripping her ass. His hips followed her pace and rhythm.

          "Faster baby..."

"FuCk Cece!"

Elvis watched as he felt her tongue lick all the way down his chest. Oh, how did he get so lucky? His heart was racing, and he felt even more feverish. He needed to feel her tongue wrapped around his,

"Fuck Fuck Fuck!!" her back was arched as if she were about to do the bridge, lost in her own pleasure. He could hear the moans and feel Cecelia's quivering lips squeeze him tighter. Rolling over, Cecelia was now at the bottom, looking up at blue, lust-filled eyes. 

"Well, hello, handsome..."

"Hello, beautiful." he smirked as she laughed, "What's so funny..."

"Your jumpsuits still on..."

"Shit, you're right... mind helpin' me remove it," he asked as he felt her kissing down from his chest and towards the zipper as she unzipped the rest with her teeth, his bottom lip between his teeth. This was another reason why she was Mrs. Presley. She could put on a good show. Kissing back up the leg, she stopped at the main event, then back at Elvis as he took his index finger under her chin and traced Cecelia's plump lips with his thumb. Her mouth opened wide as he slipped his fingers in one by one, sucking on each and every one of them as they all left with a little pop, 

"Think you can take all of me now..."

"Yes, Daddy Elvis..." she was in a daze as she blushed, "Did I just..."

"Don't pay it no mind, darlin... Just show your big daddy Elvis how much that little ol mouth of yours misses me so much." Her red lips wrapped around the base of his cock. As her eyes focused on him, she could hear him moan and grunt and groan as she worked every nerve and vein with the grazing of her teeth and tongue.

 Elvis was in pure bliss as he pulled at her hair,

 "Don't stop, doll..."

"Oh shit... shit... shit..."

His hips began to thrust into her mouth as she pulled away, 

"You fucking tease..."

"Me! a..." She played innocent as he pulled her back to his level and moved between her legs, "Tease!" she yelped as she felt him lap up all her slick wet juices. "Elvis...Elvis... Elvis..." her fingers in her own hair as she felt him nibble at her clit and lightly pull on with his teeth. sliding in his long finger, He could feel her coil about to snap at any minute, but he couldn't let her finish like this. Not after how she just left him. Cecelia's breath was hitching as she felt his finger curl into her with a beckoning motion, 

"Oh! O-O- Oh Fuck fuck fuck fuck!!!" if he hadn't known she was a singer he could, sure enough, tell by the E6 note she was hitting, he was taking her there and he could tell from the way her breathing was staggering. 

"EL I'M GONNA!"

He stopped as he smirked looking up at her,

"You fucking tease!"

"Me... A tease oh darlin..." Lining himself with Cecelia, he entered back in as a shudder escaped both of their bodies, the two were both stimulated enough to pick back up from where they left off. His hips were rutting against her like a dog in heat, the two were in pure bliss as his hand wrapped around her neck and squeezed gently as she felt the cool metal of his rings, 

"Oh God... ELVIS FUCK ME!"

"Mmmm! BABY OH SHIT!"

Cecelia collapsed on top of him as her breathing was heavy, 

"Did you uh..."

"Mhmm..." she nods.

"Did you..."

"Mhmm..." Pulling out, he got a warm towel and cleaned her up as she kissed his cheek,

 "Want anything to drink," Elvis asked,

"I could drink you..." she smirked watching him stand up as she smacked his ass, 

"Watch it there honey." he laughed as she smirked,

"How can I when I've got grade-A beef in my face."

As the night went on the pair was snuggled up together, under the sheets. Elvis had his arms around Cecelia playfully kissing her neck as she giggled, There was a knock on the door and the two groaned putting on their robes, it was now 11:56 pm, and outside the hotel room were Jerry and Midge rolling in two guitar shaped birthday cakes.

 "Happy birthday E and C..."

"What's wrong?" Elvis looked at the two as they then looked at each other, tussled hair and bite marks, both of their hearts beating faster with just one look, 

"Should we leave them..."

"Yep..."

From afar the only thing they could hear was,

 "Come here, big boy..."

                    "Yes, baby girl..."

"Should we even wake em up tomorrow ?"

"Nah."

[papermoonloveslucy]

RIP MARTY KROFFT 

1937-2023

Marty Krofft was born on April 9, 1937 in Montréal, Québec, Canada. With his brother Sid, Krofft created some of television's most fantastic and magical programs, mostly centered around puppetry. Lucille Ball's interaction with the Krofft was brief, but memorable.

The Krofft puppets first gained attention at the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair where they presented a show called "Les Poupees de Paris" that included marionettes impersonating popular celebrities. In 1964-1965, they presented the (updated) show at the Worlds Fair in New York. In 1967, Ball's recorded voice, along with Jackie Gleason, Liberace, and Mae West and many other stars, was heard in “Six Flags presents Sid and Marty Krofft’s Circus”.

On September 30, 1977, Donny and Marie welcomed Lucille Ball, who plays the Tin Lady in a Krofft-style spoof of “The Wizard of Oz” starring Ray Bolger. The first three seasons of "The Donny & Marie Show" were produced by the Kroffts, who also created the variety series. Ball appeared on the 2nd episode of the show's 3rd season, and the Osmonds (after a long legal battle) had finally won creative control from the Kroffts feeling they had outgrown the child-like atmosphere created by them. They moved the show to Utah and took over as producers just two months after this episode aired. In this episode, however, the Krofft vibe is still palpably present.

A few Lucille Ball / Desilu performers were seen on Krofft's many television shows.

Johnny Silver played Ludicrous Lion on TV's "H.R. Pufnstuf" (1969) and appeared as Dr. Blinky in the 1970 feature film.

Charles Nelson Reilly and Jerry Maren (both seen on "Here's Lucy") were part of "Lidsville" (1971).

1972's telefilm "Fol-De-Rol" (a film of their 1968 fairy tale puppet show) included Lucy guest stars Ann Sothern, Mickey Rooney, and Totie Fields.

"Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" (1972) starred Ball's good friend Mary Wickes as Aunt Zelda, and also featured Sidney Miller as the voice of Sweet Mama Ooze.

"The Lost Saucer" (1975) included Lucy friends Ruth Buzzi, Jim Nabors, and Vito Scotti.

"Far Out Space Nuts" (1975) featured Hal Smith and John Carradine, both of whom had appeared on "The Lucy Show."

Also seen on "Donny & Marie" during the Krofft years were Desi Arnaz, Jack Albertson, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Ruth Buzzi, Buddy Hackett, Edgar Bergen, Andy Griffith, Rich Little, Iron Eyes Cody, Arthur Godfrey, and Vincent Price.

[the-mozzarella-brothers]

Hello! Welcome to my blog :) i'm finally making a pinned post!!!

i go by oatmeal or the mozzarella brothers online, you can also shorten that to just mozzarella or call me milk :).

also, i go by she/they pronouns but do prefer she/her.

i am a minor so if you don't want to interact that's okay, just block me or something.

my primary/art blog is @oatmeal2321 so i follow and like from there :) i reblog most things here though very sorry about the confusion.

I like:

✧ the beatles ⋆ especially george

✦ the monkees ⋆ especially michael and peter

✧ seinfeld ⋆ especially jerry

✦ bob dylan

✧ dragonvale

✦ gunnerkrigg court

✧ the strokes

✦ and more!

if you like any of these things or want to know more about them PLEASE send an ask!!

here are some important posts:

✦ monkees google drive

✧ sparkly israeli flag

✦ fountain/shooting star emoji combo thing

✧ realising goncharov isnt real

✦ my dragonvale islands!

✧ heart locket fire text etc makers (not my post! i just wanna be able to find it easily)

Banners:

i might have missed something here, so if you have any questions, please ask!

[todaysdocument]

This edition of the Marshall Star from 1973, a newsletter of the George C. Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama, features an article titled “Anita, Job Done, Dies Aboard Skylab.” 

The article goes on to explain that Anita was the back-up spider in the Web Formation Experiment.  The primary spider, Arabella, was still alive at the time of the newsletter. Arabella’s current whereabouts are unknown.

Record Group 255: Records of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSeries: Marshall StarFile Unit: Marshall Star Volume 14

Marshall Star Vol. 14, No. 2 . NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center -- Huntsville, Ala. 35812 . September, 1973 Final EVA Saturday Skylab 3 Crew Prepares For Next Week's 'Splash' Skylab's second manned crew, prvoding a bonanza of scientific data to investigators on Earth. has begun preparations for splashdown and recovery scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25. As they head into the home stretch, Astronauts Alan Bean, Owen Garriott and Jack Lousma are operating ahead of experiment timelines. Flight directors estimate they will exceed 100 percent of their planned activity in all scientific disciplines. The crew is scheduled to conduct its third and final EVA Saturday. Exposed film cannisters will be removed from the Apollo Telescope Mount's instruments for stowage inside the Command and Service Module and return to Earth. For the EVA, the crew is to awaken at 2 a.m. Hatch opening is expected about four hours later. Monday the crew becan changing the rhythm of their sleep-work cycle by arising at 4 a.m. after goint to bed two hours early. This schedule was to be followed Tuesday. Today the crew planned to arise at 2 a.m. after beginning their sleep period at 6 p.m. last night. Purpose of the new sleep-work cycle is to prepare the astronauts for splashdown day when they will be required to arise early for a full day's activity. The crew was given the go- ahead last week for continuation to the end of the 59-day mission. This approval for a fourth incremental extension beyond 28 days followed review of the inflight medical data and the recommendation of the NASA director for life sciences, Dr. Charles A. Berry. The crew's health and spirits are excellent. The body weight of each has been relatively constant (See SKYLAB on Page 4) SOLAR ERUPTION -- A mammoth solar eruption is seen in this photo taken by the White Light Coronagraph about Sklyab. The eruption expanded into space at a speed of about one million miles per hour. When photographed it was approximately 220 times the diameter of Earth. Solar eruptions are a result of the interaction between solar material and magnetic fields around the Sun. Combined Federal Campaign 'Kickoff' Scheduled Monday MSFC's 1974 Combined Federal Campaign gets underway Monday with a "kickoff" in Morris Auditorium. The annual campaign combines the monetary needs of many health, welfare and recreational agencies into one drive. Rober G. Sheppard, executive chairman, stated the drive officially begins with the 10:45 a.m. kickoff and will end November 2. He explained that the 1974 goal is to do as well as in 1973 when MSFC employees contributed $194,712. Monday's kickoff ceremonies will feature and address by Dr. Rocco A. Petrone, director. He will be joined by several distinguished guests, including Mrs. Ruth Ferrari, International Services Agencies; Tom Horton, Jr., National Health Agencies; and Mrs. Jerri McLain, Huntsville/ Madison County United Way. MSFC lab and office directors, campaign mangers and solicitors are expected to attend the opening ceremonies. Music will be provided by the 55th U.S. Army Band. The Rev. Hugh Chambliss, presi- (See 'KICKOFF' on Page 4) 

Anita, Job Done, Dies Aboard Skylab One of Skylab's two "spider astronauts" --who never were intended to be brought back to Earth--has now finished her job in space and is dead. Anita, the backup spider for the Web Formation Experiment, ED52, apparently died sometime over the weekend. The report of Anita's death came from science pilot Owen Garriott early Monday. Although NASA had no plans to bring back the spiders, it was announced several weeks ago that they would be returned if they could be kept alive. Arabella, the prime spider for the experiment, is still doing fine. Garriott explained from the (See ANITA on Page 4)

[egot1stical]

okay been a few days: finale thoughts.

first: i liked it. it wasn’t BAD. it was mid but it wasn’t Bad. I think my ranking of 6.7/10 is still pretty accurate lol. I enjoyed it. But now I complain

Pacing was crazy. I don’t know why we spent like, half of Simon’s runtime 1000 years in the future. And then the other half of Fionna’s world (which I cared a lot less about) was focused on like. 3 separate scarab fight scenes LOL.

Casper and Nova are fun concepts, but they’re not really. Accurate? They’re so heavy handed with their message of “petrigrof is unhealthy” that they kind of just. Get the dynamic wrong on how. Which is weird. Especially after we just had a whole Simon and Betty episode. It kind of paints Simon as some pushy guy responsible for all the hardships in the relationship. Like, uh, Simon wasn’t making all the choices in the relationship, guys? His problem was pretty much the opposite; he didn’t *make* any solid choices. Betty was the one that did whatever. Jerry literally establishes that Betty was incredibly impulsive about love and such. They’re still unhealthy; there’s still the thing where Betty ended up living her life around Simon because of the curse. But like. I don’t know why they portrayed Simon like that.

Also, they don’t even acknowledge in their heavy handedness that they’re literally like, doomed in every universe. That’s what this series has been building up to right? Simon doesn’t find the crown? They die in the mushroom war. The star universe plays out. Ooo is wiped out at the hands of vampires and they eventually starve too. But then they show Simon getting on the bus with Betty as The Right Thing To Do which is kind of crazy.

Missed opportunities for the whole show: Having F&C cast and AT cast interact aside from Simon. Simon and Ice King interaction. More Simon and Betty interaction. Crying Simon. Using the decade long animation error of Simon having white eyes before the crown as a plot device rather than just pretending it was on purpose (like what they did with the second crown in Crossover.) SIMON. AND. MARCY. INTERACTION. WHY SET IT UP IF YOURE NOT GONNA KNOCK IT DOWN. IT WASNT EVEN IN THE FUCKING MONTA

I did like the rest of it though.

The Simon and Betty moments were good, just wish they were more substantial. And just. More. The no regrets scene was really good. Also, seeing Fionna and Simon's friendship. They're really cute.

I'm a little mixed on Fionna's world becoming magical, but I feel like it works because it's just Slightly. She still learned to appreciate her life as is, but Cake gets to be herself - Especially important when you see the connections between Cake and Simon. (Cake robbed of her mind due to the lack of magic, desperately trying to find a way to get it back or communicate.)

I feel that it should've been way more emotional though. The closest we got was the "too much" scene, which I REALLY liked, but I kind of find it hard to believe Simon "I don't want to move on" Petrikov just Got Better after seeing his fiancée die and then being told that everything was his fault. But yeah, I wish we had More closure on like, his Panic Attacks or depression. He also just kind of. Learns his life matters out of nowhere. Like, good for him, but boy where did you get that from. Tell me in words. Also he should’ve thrown up upon seeing Golbetty (half joke, but more reaction please.)

I’m glad he's moving house though. I’m alright with this as an ending. (And even better with it as a season ending.) But also, get that man away from the bar.

[lol-jackles]

“Wanek told a fangirl off the record that Jared's ambition was almost impossible to compete with after he passively aggressively called Jared's acting inferior to Jensen's.  You can just feel the sticky resentment oozing out of him!   When this became public, he had to go on twitter to back track and say he wouldn't have a job if it weren't for Jared. “

Why be “mad” at Jared, though. Just because he can’t admit betting on the wrong horse? Why should he care? (Not that Jensen is bad at acting at all.) Was he serious in thinking that Jared is/was a worse actor, or was he just being a petty bitch?

For Kripke, is he so far up Jensen’s butt because he was betting on Jensen to do better than Jared, too? Or is his reasoning more that Jensen didn’t stress him out like Jated did (with his breakdown in season 3)? Or does he just see that Jared doesn’t need his boosting since he’s a lead on his own show already?

At least Kripke was smart enough to publicly offer Jared a roll on The Boys. Even if Jared never does it, and even if he didn’t really expect him to take him up on the offer, he can at least say he made the offer and look like he has a good relationship with both SPN stars.

Do you think Kripke would actually like for Jared to make an appearance on The Boys? And do you think there is anyway Jared would do it?

Sorry for all the small asks! They sort of lead off of each other.

Jerry Wanek was mostly peacocking for fangirls. Older men can't resist interacting with eager young women and assert their status in the male hierarchy by dunking on other men because everybody (especially women) attach no value to men with no or low status. Jerry knew he was talking to a Dean girl so made sure to gain points by not to dunking on Jensen, even good naturally; come on ladies, you know what men want. He even implied that he got Jeffery Dean Morgon fired from SPN for being a "prick" who took advantage on set. Again, peacocking for the young women by going, "see, I'll protect you from the creep".

Jerry wasn't "mad" at Jared, I didn't say that. Jerry had a bias towards Jensen, likely seeing him as the reliable stable one compared to Jared who had a breakdown and endangered their jobs if Jared left the show too soon. Both Jerry and Jensen may have had a Dark Angel flashback when 19 years old Jessica Alba was under intense pressure and instead of getting support, she was blamed for not holding it together. As far as I could tell, neither Jerry nor Jensen had any sympathy for Jessica, and it's unlikely Jerry would extend sympathy towards Jared since he's male. Similar reasons why Kripke has biases towards Jensen because he didn't try to break his contract and endangered the show's lucrative licensing potential.

Kripke boosting Jensen is just trying to get SPN fans to watch both Gen V and The Boys to give his shows cultural relevancy like they did with Supernatural, hence his constant use of the #SPNFamily and begging wooing SPN to watch The Boys verse. He's under a lot of pressure from Amazon to create a cultural zeitgeist for them because the studio is desperate to have their own Games of Throne tv show. Amazon suffers from little bro syndrome watching Netflix, Hulu and HBO continuously putting out blockbuster shows while Amazon is still seen as a niche player in TV.

Kripke definitely wants Jared on The Boys to complete the SPN fandom trifecta. But he knows it goes against Jared's image and brand so he's not expecting a phone call.

[imnotevenusin]

The Astrology of : Drake

For the 2010s, everyone can agree that one of the biggest artist of that decade was Drake. Being raised in Toronto, and coming from a family that had musical talent in it—his Uncle, Larry Graham, is a legendary funk bassist; his Father, Dennis Graham, is a multi-instrumentalist, who played in Jerry Lee Lewis’ band—he would obviously be inspired to do music too (theres videos of Drake rapping along to songs when he was 9). And showing his talent in more avenues, he starred on Degrassi in his teens, before he started solely focusing on music.

Luckily, I found his birth certificate online, and the time was 2:31am, so we have an official chart to work with.

🦁Leo Rising 29° : Our Rising sign can pin-point physical characteristics, or the natural energy we let out. Leo risings are generally known as attention-grabbing, as they are ruled by the Sun—ego, source of self-esteem, and interest.

29° (IN LEOOO) : Leo degrees can tell us something that we might get attention for and this degree is made stronger if it sits in Leo and on the Rising sign; its a huge fame indicator and is the explanation of his celebrity status. You could be known for your looks, or you could treat yourself in a way that gets noticed.

♏️🗣️Chart Ruler (Sun) in 3H : 3H is all about interactions—whether it’s through people, writing, or literacy. The Sun—our ego, our interests, and our “character”, in the 3H could make somebody into reading, poetry, learning, etc. Drake being a Rapper makes sense with this placement. He also released a poetry book recently, soooo…

🌛Moon in Cancer : One of the many running jokes about him is his sensitivity. Our Moon is the fastest changing planet, and it shows us how we find emotional comfort. Cancer Moons are known for being hyper-emotional and sensitive; a person who is constantly trying to find comfort, which makes them pretty vulnerable to different energies. When he first started rapping, his music was “too girly” and “too emotional” for all of the Rap audience to accept.

🦂✍🏽Mercury in Scorpio : Mercury is how we communicate and Scorpio is an intense energy that takes everything personal, digs deep, collects little details, while keeping sacred information private. A Scorpio Mercury could use very spiteful communication tactics. Drake’s music is filled with sneak-disses; His “Sicko Mode” feature had a Kanye diss; “Her Loss”, the joint-album with 21 Savage, features multiple disses; his “Meltdown” feature had disses, you get the point.

🧞‍♂️Jupiter (rX) in 7H/Pisces : Our 7H can show us how we deal with other people on one-to-one relationships—could be friendships, romantic relationships, business partnerships, etc. Jupiter gives us expansion and abundance, while Pisces can give us this sense of feeling unlimited—which can lead to unrealistic expectations. And when Jupiter is in rX, it can feel like we have too much or too little of something—depending on the aspects. This could probably give us some insight into how Drake sees relationships and romance, as through his music we hear a lot of different names and stories about his relationships. Jupiter in Pisces can also point to artistic talent—especially if it’s supported by Venus and the Grand Water Trine.

💫Moon trine Jupiter : This placement gives somebody an energy that is welcoming and hospitable. Drake always gives people praises whenever he introduces them onstage. Jupiter is also supporting his Moon in the 11th House—which is your place in society, collective group, or an audience; this helps him with fanbases and connections.

🖤Venus (rX) in Scorpio : Venus in a chart can show us what characteristics we like in our Spouses and how we treat them, and Scorpio is obsessive and intense. In his lyrics we can tell that he’s pretty controlling in certain dynamics. Venus rX could also indicate not picking the best partners, or not being able to show or receive love in a normal way.

☄️🏴‍☠️Mars square Pluto : Mars is our primal force, how we defend ourselves, and motivations, while Pluto is our “power” or what has power over us. When Mars and Pluto are squared to each other, we find a person that maybe too violent, too controlling, or too vengeful. There’s many times where Drake tries to come off as a “scary” guy and flex his mob ties that he has within Toronto.

👑Sun conjunct Pluto : This is also a huge fame indicator; Pluto is a powerful, generational (everyone in your generation has the same Pluto sign) planet, while the Sun is our interests and ego. With this placement, especially if the Sun is your chart ruler, you could find power and influence just by being yourself and having fun. Drake has superstar type-fame, where just by shouting someone out or giving them a feature , he can make their whole career.

📈🏡📉Uranus in the 4H : Uranus is the planet that brings unexpected situations, while the 4th House is family, roots, and privacy. In May of 2018, during a beef with Pusha-T, it was revealed that Drake had an unplanned baby.

[wrestlingfaves]

All In 2018

So, with Max airing the early years of AEW, now is the perfect time to start a re-watch of AEW. First though, a quick switch to ROH Honor Club to watch the 2018 All In – the beginning of All Elite Wrestling.

All In (2018)

Organizations Involved: Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, NWA, TNA (Impact), MLW, AAA

Ring Announcers: Justin Roberts, Bobby Cruise

Backstage Interviewer: Sean Mooney

Commentators: Excalibur, Don Callis, Ian Riccaboni

Here we go…

MJF vs Matt Cross. A fine opening match. It’s weird seeing MJF eat the pin considering how big a star he would become in AEW.

Sean Mooney interviews Nick Aldis.

Christopher Daniel (accompanied by SCU teammates Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky) vs Steve Amell (accompanied by Josh Segarra). Jerry Lynn is the special guest referee. John Mayer is at ringside. Is John Mayer a wrestling fan? Good match considering one of the participants is a non-wrestler. I respect Steve’s love of wrestling.

Tenille Dashwood and Mandy Leon join the commentary booth for the next match, a 4-way involving Chelsea Green, Britt Baker, Madison Rayne, and Tessa Blanchard.

Tully Blanchard and Magnum TA are ringside.

Impact provided ¾ of the talent for this match.

Chelsea is introduced as the “Hot Mess”, and yep, that would be an accurate description.

Tessa is the first person to appear on the card who sunk their career due to their own actions. Don’t worry, she’ll have company as the night progresses.

Great match that the crowd popped for. Chelsea was a blast to watch. Tessa has talent and if she wasn’t such an egotistical, racist bully she would have progressed much farther in her career.

Nick Aldis vs Cody Rhodes for the NWA World championship. Brett Tarring joins the commentary team for the match. Earl Hepbner

Cody is accompanied by Brandi, Phaoroah, Diamond Dallas Page, Tommy Dreamer, and Glacier.

Brandi was styling this night.

Earl Hebner is the referee.

Nick Aldis is accompanied by Jeff Jarrett, Tim Storm, and Sean Davari.

Cody’s team (minus Brandi) came out in track suits. Nick’s team came out in actual business suits. In the war of style, Nick’s team won.

DDP gets the old-timer pop when he diamond cuts Davari.

Brandi shields Cody’s unconscious body and receives a top rope elbow drop from Aldis for her troubles.

Match was okay. I’m not a big Cody fan. Highlights were DDP and Brandi.

Joey Janella with Penelope Ford vs Hangman Adam Page.

The commentators mention that Page admitted to killing Joey Ryan in the press conference but I’m “Team Hangman Did Nothing Wrong” so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.

The middle of the match turns into Hangman vs Penelope. My favorite part of the match – Penelope was awesome, and Hangman sold for her big time.

Janela eats a wicked powerbomb off the ramp through a table. Ouch!

People scold Hangman for the arson of Swerve’s house but the commentators consistently throughout the match remark on Hangman’s murder of Joey Ryan.

I think we need to realize that Adam has always been unbalanced.

Joey Ryan’s part in All In – returning from “death”, accompanied by penis druids, has been removed from the pay per view broadcast. Fine with me. I never liked Joey Ryan’s gimmick and that was before the Speaking Out allegations.

Joey Ryan and Flip Gordon join Tessa in the “Idiots Who Sunk Their Own Career” club.

Jay “Black Machismo” Lethal, accompanied by Lanny Poffo vs Flip Gordon, accompanied by Brandi Rhodes for the Ring of Honor World Championship. Ring of Honor ambassador Cary Silkin presents the title.

Jay’s in full-on Randy mode and keeps interacting with Brandi like she’s Miss Elizabeth.

 All In was about the future of wrestling but I love the nods to the past: Sean Mooney, Earl Hebner, Cody and Nick’s support team, Lanny Poffo, Cary Silkin, Jay’s Black Machismo gimmick. Little touches that homage the past but not at the cost of the present-day talent.

Bully Ray attacks both Flip, Lethal, and Lanny. Colt Cabana makes the rescue, and the trio put Bully through a table. Fun match.

Penta El Zero vs Kenny Omega in their first singles match. Great match, as always when these two meet in the ring.

The arena goes dark…the lights come back up…Penta rises from the mat but it’s clearly a different Penta – he attacks Omega and reveals himself to be Chris Jericho!

This is before everyone was tired of Jericho (and his politics) so his surprise appearance drew a big pop!

Okada vs Marty Scurll is up next. Scurll is another member of “I sunk my own career” club.  Tiger Hattori is the ref for the match. We have a BTE skit with Marty and the finger-pointing critics – if you watched BTE at the time, they were the “Now, Arthur” guys.

I had forgotten that Okada was in his red-haired breakdown era until he made his appearance.

Okada wins, as he should.

The Young Bucks & Kota Ibushi vs Bandidn, Rey Fenix, and Rey Mysterio.

Rey is cosplaying as Wolverine tonight.

I can hear the Young Bucks’ critics from my house: This is nothing but a high spot-fest!” And it is but that is what I want from the wrestlers involved in this match. If a match has the Young Bucks, Kota, Fenix, Rey, and Bandido in it and I am not seeing a rapid pace with amazing high spots, I would be extremely disappointed.

Kota and the Buck win in a great match.

Ranking the matches in order of my own personal enjoyment:

Chelsea Green vs Madison Rayne Vs Britt Baker vs Tessa Blanchard

Jay Lethal vs Flip Gordon

Adam Page vs Joey Janella

Kenny Omega vs Penta El Zero

Kota Ibushi & The Young Bucks vs Rey Mysterio, Bandido, and Fenix

Kazuchika Okada vs Marty Scurll

Cody Rhodes vs Nick Aldis

Christopher Daniels vs Steve Amell

MJF vs Matt Cross

[burningthrucelluloid]

Christmas Carol-cember Day 8

So remember how I said both the 1970 musical "Scrooge" and the 1984 TV movie "A Christmas Carol" were filmed at Shepperton Studios in London?

Well to my pleasant surprise, The Jim Henson Company also used these studio lots for their 1992 theatrical musical film “A Muppet Christmas Carol.”

Guess when you have the right studio size to make 1840s London, this is the place to go. Which, given the technical necessity required to build sets around puppeteers to be off camera to control the puppets that interact with human beings, might have been why the sets were perfect for their needs.

This film began production after the death of Jim Henson on May 16, 1990 to honor him. Stepping up to the director’s chair for the first time was Jim’s son and fellow puppeteer, Brian Henson, having followed in his father’s footsteps in making puppets when he was 17 and performing on multiple projects produced by the Jim Henson Company. Brian learned that prior to his father’s passing, he had made a deal with ABC to produce a TV movie about the Christmas Carol involving the Muppets.

Deciding to go through with this posthumous pitch, the screenplay was penned by Jerry Juhl, a long-time collaborator on Jim Henson projects like "Sesame Street," "Fraggle Rock,” and co-writer of “The Muppet Movie,” “The Great Muppet Caper" along with four seasons of “The Muppet Show.”

So yeah, the guy had the credentials.

The screenplay was submitted and ABC, then owned by Capital Cities Communication, was in the middle of approving the script until future subsidiary owner, the Walt Disney Company, jumped in and offered to buy the script from the Jim Henson Company. Seeing as Jim was in the middle of making a deal with the company to collaborate with the studio until Jim’s sudden passing, one could see why Disney was so quick to get involved. Brian Henson accepted the deal, recognizing that this meant a bigger budget to make the puppets and the sets to work for the puppeteers.

One element of praise I give this film is the utilization of its Muppet characters, sans the original puppets created for the movie who are all superbly designed and performed with expert skill from the Jim Henson Puppeteers. Unlike the Mickey Mouse short where it’s inclusion of characters felt like a slight inkling of fan service (I’m still grappling how Goofy could be so cruel to rob widows and orphans when this is the same guy who would trip over his own shoelaces), the Muppet characters feel more like their casting fits their personalities. Kermit the Frog (voiced by Steve Whitmire who inherited the role from Jim Henson) as Bob Cratchit is honestly perfect casting, Statler and Wardoff as the Marley duo is hilariously fitting, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig is too fitting and I have no notes for Gonzo and Rizzo as the Greek choir narrators who narrate the story while also giving sarcastic comments about the story at hand even as they are constantly in pain trying to follow along. Heck, Sam the Eagle as Scrooge’s headmaster has this comical moment he has to clear himself up after declaring that “Business is the American Way!”

That child actor playing a young Scrooge had a way better stone face than I could ever keep in a hilarious moment like that.

Speaking of Scrooge, let’s touch on it’s lead star not in felt, Sir Michael Caine.

Michael Caine specifically stated that he agreed to do the film under the understanding that he would not treat the puppets any differently than if they were human actors. In his mind, the puppets were controlled by people, ergo, they would be treated like his fellow actors and perform his role with a straight face.

I understand where he’s coming from and, as a result, while he gives a fantastic performance as Scrooge, one that feels very lifted from his days performing stage, though it does feel out of sorts with the zany chaotic energy that comes from being around Muppets. I dunno, Vincent Price just pulled off the theatrical feel while matching their energy more convincingly.

That being said, I do like his interactions with the Ghost of Christmas Present the most. It’s the moments where he allows himself to open up to the positivity from the spirit and slowly recognizes the errors in his beliefs. His transition from miser to an altruist can be seen here and it’s easily the high point of the film.

Though much like the Mickey Mouse version, there’s no Fran here yet we do get to see Scrooge’s Nephew Fred and his friends talk smack about Uncle Scrooge.

So far, the 1984 version seems to be my favorite interpretation of the Fred subplot.

Then there’s the music numbers, written by no stranger to the Muppets, “Rainbow Connection” songwriter Paul Williams with scoring by Frank Oz collaborator, Miles Goodman.

Unlike the songs written by Leslie Bricusse, the music numbers for the Muppets don’t overstay their welcome and feel more character driven. Though hearing enough of Williams’ music, you can definitely pick up his usual writing style if you keep your ear open, notably “It Feels Like Christmas” has the great Jerry Nelson singing which often dips into sounding a tad like Paul Williams.

There were other songs that were recorded for the film but were dropped. Most infamously the music number “When Love is Gone,” performed by Meredith Braun. Former Disney chairman Jeffery Katzenberg cut the scene from the theatrical version as he believed the song was too depressing for kids, a foolish decision as the final song of the movie, “Where Love is Found,” reprises this song but in an upbeat tempo to symbolize the change to Scrooge and the new love of friendship he has acquired. For a long period of time, prints that had the scene retained were unavailable and could only be seen as extras on DVD menus and Brian Henson was convinced the original negative was gone until, by a happy accident, Disney archivists discovered the original film print negative in 2020.

So now if you go onto Disney+, you can watch the full film with the removed sequence included that adds this context.

This folks is why film preservation matters to me.

In recent years, the film has grown in popularity and is widely regarded as “one of the best Christmas Carol adaptations.” While I think it’s a competently made adaptation, especially as this was Brian Henson’s directorial debut, I don’t know if I would call it “the best.”

But I can say that it has a lot going for it that would certainly warrant that distinction. A masterclass performance from Michael Caine who plays the lead role straight versus being over the top, production values that are a testament to the creative ingenuity of the Jim Henson Company and music numbers that drive the plot rather than slow it down. Also, it’s the Muppets, so the humor is fantastic for all ages, with lots of slapstick for the kids and plenty of really great jokes and puns for adults.

I can say that I like this version. It’s not my favorite, but out of the adaptations I’ve covered thus far, I can safely say I could rewatch this next December and give it a strong recommendation for parents wanting to introduce the story to their kids.

It certainly could do more justice to Jim Henson than Disney is doing now.

“A Muppet Christmas Carol” is available on Disney+, alongside the restored version with “When Love Is Gone” that can be accessed by going under the Extras bar on the movie menu.

Next time, a television adaptation that made history as the very first animated Christmas special to be produced for television.

[synthient]

Straight from my notes app to you: Devil's Chord rewatch commentary

• Door behind Maestro looks like the tardis

• That's my daddy -> mother father and other of us all

• Is the tardis a he/she/they/any?

• Maestro as the tardis's harbinger + H Arbinger disappearing when his song is sung?

• Is the tardis also an absent/abandoning parent to her children? Or are they just manifestations of her?

• Maestro plays the theme song. Cut to the intro, which the tardis is the active "host" of: her light is the first thing we see, she brings the actors' names on screen, she's the star of the action shots. Cut to the tardis playing the theme song on her jukebox

• Is the embittered musician who never got his break and had to go into teaching a mirror for someone? What about art as an expression of Beethoven's rage at impending deafness? "All the songs you never sung, wrapped around your heart"?

• Ruby's a musician and composer, but doesn't (yet) fit the bill. The Doctor is a musician and a teacher. That's all I've got so far

• The Doctor treating Ruby like an equal, not making fun of her Beatles idea like she thought he would, allowing himself girlish boyband whimsy over the masculine seriousness of the titantic etc - "why haven't I ever done that before???"

• Music/art as a comforting reminder of her mom's girlfriend who's presumably not in her life anymore

• Giggling and squealing and holding hands as they run to the makeover room

• The obvious "I've got a dog, he's not dead" foreshadowing. But also - the tardis isn't actually all that great at songwriting (or storytelling)? Their faces falling as they expected something good but got a lackluster song (finale)?

• Going back a bit - H Arbinger moving around on the page + the Chris Waites billboard near the end + Sue Tech + Bad Wolf + her penchant for writing words and wordplay across time and space

• The Doctor's suit in this is also a lil bit of a tardis disneybound, if that means anything

• "I love you, you love me, we are two, we are not three, we're happy, I think, perhaps" - commentary on the Doctor-tardis relationship?

• "Music is the highest form of thought" + "sonic" + all her psychic stuff

• Music is her domain, even if she doesn't totally "get" the human aesthetic expectations?

• Their first direct Susan interaction (since Isaac Newton) - "that's daylight robbery!" "that's me. Maragaret Lockwood in The Wicked Lady. Now there was a woman. Statuesque."

• The tardis faceclaiming? Tardis lesbian moment? What's the plot anyway

• "In 17th-century England, Barbara Worth (Margaret Lockwood) lives a privileged yet humdrum life as the wife of well-heeled landowner Sir Ralph Skelton (Griffith Jones). To stave off boredom, Barbara begins impersonating famed highway robber Capt. Jerry Jackson, stealing precious jewels and valuables from coach passengers. A chance encounter with the actual Jackson (James Mason) propels Barbara into a dangerous double life with potentially lethal consequences."

• The tardis starts living a double life as a villain to stave off boredom?

• People have been giving up music (art, fiction) because they think it's childish and embarrassing. "But Paul, when it's just you on your own, don't you think there must be better songs? Songs that lift you, and devastate you, and make you soar. Songs that are tucked away, somewhere, in secret at the back of your mind."

• "That's all I want. Leave this life, and go home to a woman of my own. Then why do I wake up crying?"

• (Both life without art + heteronormativity?)

• Putting notes (words) together "feels like the most holy thing on this earth"

• Paul starts to sing "words straight from my heart." "I love you, so much" (the thing the Doctor couldn't say to Ruby). Everyone's heads whip around. The Doctor drops a spoon (spoon lady?) Maestro appearing in all the mirrored surfaces and laughing

• The Doctor needs to embrace the embarrassing childishness of both fiction & direct expressions of love?

• Something in all this about Clara's Song, as the closest he was able to get to a love declaration in that relationship

• "You know what you are with your ideas, pal? Disgusting. You are disgusting!" Definitely something here about music and homophobia. Hashtag beatles yaoi

• The midsentence jump of "the world is darkening - I live over there."

• The Doctor suddenly bringing up Susan. This all playing out in the time period where he lived with Susan. His failure to tell Susan he loved her, to take part in her whimsical girlish interests without making fun of her, to stop repressing himself enough to find their common ground?

• "You have children?" "I did have. I will have." Starts to say what I think is the truth, then corrects

• The Doctor casually saying that she might be dead, then laughing through Ruby's attempt to hug and comfort him

• Thought the Doctor was holding a spoon at the piano, but it was actually his screwdriver. Which looks a little like a spoon this season?

• The Doctor revealing that he was watching Ruby perform before she knew him + the tardis possibly shaping her into a companion

• "I wrote this for my friend Trudy when a girl broke her heart." More music/art as love, gay love, and a memory of the people we loved who are no longer in our lives

• Ruby playing her own theme, like the Doctor played Clara's theme and Maestro and the tardis played the theme song

• The songs "locked up in your heart. So tight" for the opening musician also have some homophobic repression vibes

• Ruby playing her song (for the loved no longer in our lives) while the Doctor looks out at the city (where Susan is)

• And doing his Nine Slaying Off In The Corner pose

• The Doctor is instinctively scared of Maestro/the pantheon in a similar way to the boogeyman. "Why was I so scared? I love an ugly bug. I am an ugly bug."

• Fear of the pantheon/boogeymen as internalized loathing/shame? Maestro being a They specifically?

• The Doctor uses his screwdriver as a tv remote to turn off the sound

• Maestro undoes it by putting their tuning fork in a puddle (Bill's puddle ghost gf callback?)

• "Sound and vision" [looks right at the audience]

• The Toymaker "tore my soul in half. I can't survive that again." The Doctor being "torn in half" by confrontations with the pantheon (his self loathing?). Play and music as Doctor attributes

• "I'm sorry. But the power of these creatures [the things I fear about myself] is so vast that the whole world could slide into the pit"

• "Doctor. I know you're clever, and all that. But the world did not end in 1963" (when you abandoned Susan)

• So the Doctor has to prove her wrong by showing her that her life & loved ones are in ruins/irrecoverable too. Like he did for Rose when he took her to the end of earth, and like he tries to do by discouraging Ruby from speaking to her birth mom

• He lets her walk outside by himself, while he waits clutching the console with his eyes closed

• Snow Spotted (natural?)

• "Where's my mum?" (are you my mummy?)

• "I think without music, the human race goes sour. Without any way of expressing a broken heart, they'll go to war without even knowing why."

• Did the Doctor go to war because he didn't have any way of expressing a broken heart?

• "Then why am I still alive? Why don't I fade away?" "Because of me." Harry Arbinger, fading away. The tardis, looming behind them

• Ashes + snow + the dust of death

• Maestro says boo, the spotlights come on, the world fades away. Like the Rogue dance?

• The "daddy was so mean" thing seems relevant somehow

• So much Tardis Looming this season. Is there always this much tardis looming? Lot of her in dark colors & big & at the center of the frame

• "Every song that goes unsung feeds me. I get stronger and stronger." Self loathing and the unexpressed

• "Aeolian tones across the whole of creation. And that lament [bows] will be my symphony supreme." The tardis and her grand finale

• How did Maestro get into this world? "A genius. A single silly man..." 👉 the Doctor

• I've heard people say Maestro plays the "Saxon theme" here (I think more for the 4 beat rhythm than the melody?). It also actively freaks the tardis out and makes her start flickering. tbt her growling at Rogue

• The Doctor assumes Maestro is controlling the tardis, like he'll assume Sutehk is controlling the tardis

• The tardis will only let him go back to 1963 (where Susan is)

• He kisses the tardis while whispering "I'm sorry I'm sorry" and (odder?) "don't hate me"

• She growls at them as they leave

• They keep doing dutch angles for some reason

• In a crisis, he falls back on old habits and underestimates Ruby (assumes he must be the genius who can bring back music and not her)

• The guitar as throwback to 12

• The infamous "I thought that was nondiagetic"

• And the infamous "hidden song deep inside her soul," which I still think is the tardis trying to make Ruby a mystery. But how much does Maestro (consciously) know about that? To what exent are they their own person? Do they know who the "mother and father and other of us all" is?

• "This creature is very wrong" + the songs for lovesick lesbians. Music homophobia strikes again

• Something about pianos in this ep as tardis analog? The Doctor assuming the beatles' piano, a machine used for great things (and by his friend Mrs. Mills), has some ambient energy that makes it the key to saving the world. Ruby's "How could they be inside the piano? It wouldn't work!" and the illogic of Sutehk and the tardis. Maestro's piano suit (and blue suit in this scene, matching the Doctor's disneybound)

• Ruby pushes in for a piano duet (collaborative art instead of lone genius)

• "Are you enough of a genius?" "Oh, I would never call myself that Maestro [yeah he would lol]. But I have lived. And I have loved. And I can only smile like this because I have lost so much. And if that's where music comes from...I can find the chord to banish you."

• But he can't (because he hasn't expressed his love and faced his loss?)

• Ruby has a small reaction where she looks like she wants to add a note, but restrains herself. Failed because it wasn't collaborative? The beatles yaoi succeeds because they were?

• Doctor gets trapped in a drum (the Master instrument). idk if there's any significance to Ruby getting trapped in a cello and/or bass

• The door between them and the beatles also kind of has the tardis windows/silhouette. But I might just be having door pareidolia now

• Beatle has a flashback to "I just wanna go home." "But we need you!" "Why? I'm no good at anything." Doctor mirroring/twice upon a time vibes

• And then Maestro gets sucked into the piano (our possible tardis instrument) while warning them about the one who waits (the tardis)

• There's Always A Twist At The End (and have we like. meaningfully gotten one yet)

• (Don't think I can blame this song being mid on the tardis though)

• Tardis prominently in the shot as the crosswalk lets them play giant piano

• Final shot: piano notes as we zoom in on the tardis and her door shuts. And then opens and shuts a second time, by itself, for emphasis

[scooby-review]

The New Scooby Doo Movies S1 E13-16

13. The Haunted Horseman of Hagglethorn Hall

Undoubtedly this is my favourite episode of this iteration. 

The episode follows the gang having to help Davy Jones of the Monkees solve a mystery of a Scottish castle. It’s fairly simple, but it shines through its characterisation and its use of the guest star. 

I love the way Davy interacts with the gang, he’s not necessarily the focus throughout, rather, the mystery takes precedence, and wow does this feel like an actual mystery! It harkens back to Where are You in a way I personally love. Davy is found by having the gang follow a trail of his singing, and later, he sings a song that scores a chase sequence. It’s so perfect, the bubblegum pop sound allows this episode to feel like it came from season two of Where are You, and I feel like it elevates this great chase scene a lot. 

The location is another classic feeling one, it’s a castle, haunted by a ghost and a moat monster. Again, it takes the best of what both this era and Where are You had to offer and blends them, this is an episode that makes use of the special guest while feeling like an interesting mystery and having an interesting villain. 

To linger on these for a moment, the Haunted Horseman is a fun design, the archetype of a knight and horse matches the location perfectly, and of course, this also ties back into the ghostly aspect of this villain. The monster truly haunts the halls of this episode - he will appear, then fade, crafting this unpredictability and impermanence to him which adds to the creepiness of the character. 

Meanwhile, the Moat Monster also is a very fun creature for the series. Sometimes feeling like just a toad, other times truly leaning into the more anthropomorphic elements, the monster is just fun to watch bounce around, he’s a large toad, feeling reminiscent of 50s creature features to me, such a creature certainly would be alarming, especially if he got up and ran. There’s a simplicity here that reminds me of the Shark Men, sure he’s kind of just a shark, but he’s also enough man to keep the design interesting and not as bare bones as one might initially think. 

Also, I found this to be a pretty funny episode! For example, come the end of the story they simply don’t arrest the villains? Hell the gang don’t even report them, instead, they are forced to work, unpaid, at the castle to make amends. 

They break off into a fun set of trios too, and all in all, I had a great time. I won’t lie, I still felt the length of the episode, but ultimately, I was having fun for the majority of it, and this is truly the most perfect episode this iteration of the franchise has to offer, at least in my eyes. 

14. The Phantom of the Country Music Hall

To me, this is maybe one of the most forgettable episodes from this season. It’s not awful, hell, I loved the opening half of this episode! However, nothing about it leaves much of an impression on me. 

Jerry Reed is a fine guest star to me, he adds more than he takes away, but he also left very little of a mark on me. He was a country singer and an actor, and I do appreciate when they use musicians and include music within the episode; Jerry sings "Pretty Mary Sunlight" which first appeared in “Don’t Fool with a Phantom”, sung there by George Robertson Jr. It’s simply a good device to incorporate the guest deeper into the episode's membrane, rather than simply having them appear and go along with the mystery. 

Actually, one of the best aspects of this episode is that the mystery revolves around the guest star's disappearance, a close friend of the gang. It's a breath of fresh air amidst the rest of the series, I appreciate them doing something different with the formula! By doing this they also skate the line of having meaningful commentary on the music industry, which feels more incidental than anything, but I found it funny regardless. Especially in the context of the series' previous love for bubblegum pop, music churned out, sometimes without the bands being aware of such. For example, The Monkees second album released without their knowing, they found out while on tour, it was forced to release early to capitalise on the band's popularity, fearing it would soon decline. 

I have very little to discuss in the way of the villains. The pair take on the mantle of a set of mannequins - a Viking and Davy Crockett. They work alongside the setting well, although, there’s something simply lifeless feeling about the pair. Both are simply what they say they are, a Viking and Davy Crockett, an American soldier and politician whose stories had been adapted by Disney in the early 50s. He is, or at least was, hailed as a hero, a figure to be praised, although in my brief research I imagine this is contested now given his history with slavery. It’s always so weird whenever Scooby-Doo uses villains like these in their episodes, historical figures steeped in controversy and horrific actions. Their specifics on it being Davy are curious too, especially when contrasted with the viking. I appreciate how they differ, yet, having a specific character and caricature feels somewhat off. Regardless, they’re fairly dull, their designs radiate with an air of being fine, meanwhile also lacking any personality. 

As I mentioned in the opening, this episode feels so forgettable. Despite enjoying the first half, then finding the second half completely dull, I feel like there are two main reasons I forgot I even watched this one! The villain’s are boring and the guest hardly appears. The latter works well in the context of the episode, but there’s nothing left to elevate this forty minutes, the gang walk around, and that’s kind of it. 

15. The Caped Crusader Caper

Watching this episode transported me back to being a child, I used to have a small boxy TV in my bedroom, it sat atop my Chester drawers. Growing up I had an old VHS player in my room - we had a DVD player downstairs by this point - and so all my brother's old VHS tapes, and my own too, became a frequent nightly rotation. One such I would watch a lot was the Scooby-Doo Meets Batman VHS tape, containing the pair of episodes from this series. Despite watching this so often, if someone had asked me before I sat back down to watch this the plot of it, I would have struggled to tell you. Rewatching it unveils why, given that it suffers from the same problems as the episodes that have come prior, the long and dreary pacing, uninteresting mysteries that make these forty minute episodes into a drag. 

Despite this, I did enjoy the rush of nostalgia, patchy old memories flooded back to me, specifically the rotating house and the troll. Regardless of my thoughts on the rest of the episode, there is something special waiting for me within this animation, the sound, the story, it’s like candy floss, a short burst of joy that quickly fades, leaving an odd taste in your mouth, but nothing real. 

Something I came to like about this episode is the way it almost entirely parts ways with the mystery formula, it breaks away from the confines of the Scooby structure and it is able to tell a more interesting story as a result. It’s far from perfect, likely some of the weaker writing both franchises have seen, however, it’s something, it’s experimenting and I appreciate that a whole lot more than half hearted attempts at shoe horning lifeless mysteries alongside a guest star that’s the real focal point. The issue usually is that the gang are somewhat frail characters, characters I adore, but at this point in the shows run, Fred and Daphne especially find themselves feeling rough around the edges, they have their roles, their purposes, but they’re constantly overshadowed by the far more interestingly characterised rest of the gang. As such, it’s difficult for these characters to exist outside of the mysteries they’re built for, it then makes it more difficult to bounce them off a celebrity guest. 

For so long I have deemed Daphne and Fred as being bland characters, which I think is somewhat unfair. Fred is the driver and leader, meanwhile Daphne is a clutz, but also always a detective. I think it’s something that is often ignored - hell I ignored it - but even when Daphne is captured or falls into a trap, she never gives up, she constantly attempts to continue with the mystery. She’s a stark juxtaposition to Shaggy and Scooby in this sense. Yet, over time, she will become more of this one note “danger prone” character. 

Regardless, I would argue that through all the flanderization, changes in characterisation and reinvention this set of characters go through during this franchise, across every single iteration of the series, this is the most bland they feel, the least alive the characters have ever and will ever feel. There’s worse versions of them, but I would take that over this iteration where often it feels like the characters are never given enough room to do anything interesting, or sometimes, too much time to do nothing interesting. 

However, one of my favourite dynamics is when the gang is placed opposite Batman and Robin, they’re definitely some of the most interesting guests in the series. There's a reason that to this day we see crossovers with this set of characters, and it’s because they have very fun chemistry, there’s so much joy in watching them interact! 

Joker and Penguin are once again the villains of this episode, likely a cost cutting measure, however, they’re fun to see again! Although Batman does reintroduce them to the gang despite their previous meeting, of course, this is done so the episodes can air in any order without viewers being left confused as to how Shaggy and the Joker are enemies, but it returns to the series constant selective continuity which is funny. Personally, I like to read this as Batman just constantly overexplains things. 

The duo do dress up in disguises here! There’s the Dryad and Troll. Dryad’s are nature spirits in Greek Mythology, a topic that I am always excited to discuss. This depiction of the spirits is a very literal image of a forest spirit, a tree that is alive, the concept of the Dryad already is very flexible which allows for very creative ways to spin these creatures, often depicted as feminine spirits. Drawing from the swampy and bushy face of the Dryad, the creature feels evocative of other monsters we’ve seen such as the Yeti, their face shape is almost identical and they command a similar animalistic presence, although the small arms of this Dryad gives a far less menacing presence to the villain. 

The Troll meanwhile is another fairly derivative design, this is a troll, short with ginger hair and green tinted skin. Everything about this pair’s designs work perfectly, from the proportions to the way they compliment each other with a fairy tale theme. 

Also, this episode is featured in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases! 

There’s a reason I haven’t discussed much about the actual content of the episode - there’s not loads. Again, this episode is above the others to me because of nostalgia, but also because it’s at the very least trying something different, and after watching every episode prior, I am very glad about this. 

16. The Lochness Mess

I adore Uncle Nathaniel. I have so little else to discuss about this episode, it’s very similar to the previous Globetrotters episode in that there’s a lot of basketball playing that I find boring, but if there’s one thing I don’t find boring, it’s Uncle Nathaniel. Shaggy’s uncle’s design takes Shaggy’s face, and makes him grey haired. Perfect. It’s not a lazy design either, his hair is different, as is his beard and costume, it’s instead a very funny design, it’s so great to see them be able to craft such a funny character both in design and characterisation after how bland so many other side characters have felt this season. Nathaniel is the stand out of this episode, every second he spends on screen is a delight! I believed wholeheartedly that he and Shaggy were from the same family beyond simple design motifs. 

Everything else is kind of whatever. 

If Nathaniel isn’t in the scene, it’s likely not doing much for me - we get a little drop of lore here, we see young Scooby and Shaggy! Weirdly, a lot of the lore for the series stays pretty consistent for a while. For the first few series, there’s a few lines that allude to the passing of time, that these series follow on from one another, which I really enjoy. 

The sea serpent is the most interesting of the villains, she’s a riff on the Loch Ness Monster, given a very dragon like appearance although her hands are webbed which instantly turns her into a more interesting design. I also adore the deep shade of forest green paired with the lilac they use for her design, again, this works perfectly for the swampy waters that she would be in, and all in all, this creates such a great and cohesive design. 

There’s also three confederate ghosts, because of course there is! I don’t know what to say, they’ll use this archetype again in Zombie Island and it’s always very gross, don’t get me wrong I love that movie so much, but it’s just not a great type of villain. It returns back to my prior point about Davy Crocket, it just makes bad characters for a Scooby Doo episode. 

In my notes I only actually wrote about Nathaniel and also that I like watching Scooby swim. This episode leaves very little impact beyond these factors which are amazing, perfect even. It’s just a shame that everything else does nothing. 

This rounds out season one! To discuss my thoughts very briefly, I really disliked this season, and this iteration of the show as a whole. I will say that I like it better than season two, which is something I guess! There’s a few stand out episodes in here, but as a whole, I am glad to be done with this season! 

Episode Ranking:

The Haunted Horseman of Hagglethorn Hall

The Caped Crusader Caper

The Loch Ness Mess

The Phantom of the Country Hall

Villain Ranking:

Haunted Horseman

Moat Monster

Dryad

Troll

Loch Ness Monster

Possessed Viking Mannequin

Possessed Davy Crockett Mannequin

Next Review: The New Scooby Doo Movies S2 E1-4

Previous Review: The New Scooby Doo Movies S1 E9-12

[davisbette]

What Bette Davis movie changed something in your life? Long time follower, first time interacting. I am having a sunny day in the Midwest of U.S. and will always remember a TCM showing of All About Eve. I took my adult daughter and she was stunned and delighted. Her movie choices have ever since been altered! Love following you!

Now Voyager, without a doubt!

The first time we see Charlotte she's a repressed woman living a miserable life at the whims of her controlling mother. She's a prisoner longing for a freedom she considers unattainable. She's desperate, inconsolable and at the verge of a mental breakdown. And at the time i watched this movie for the first time i can pretty much assure you i was living a very similar situation.

But she gets to be her own person living her own life. She's healing, setting boundaries and finding love and community. Sure she doesn't have the moon, but she has the stars. She has the stars!

That scene when Charlotte confronts her mother after receiving the camellias from Jerry and she says "I'm not afraid mother!" and then stops —stunned by the epiphany she has just had— and repeats, first impressed with herself and then happy "I'm not afraid...I'm not afraid, mother!". Life changing.

This movie ignited something in me. Hope, maybe? I can't quite put my finger on what was it exactly, but it changed me. It changed my perception of everything and it is a very, very special story for me.

I'm glad you're interacting with me after a long time following my silly little blog! And i'm happy you enjoy it :) I'm having a snowy night, laying comfortably in bed. All about eve is one of my favourite movies!