#･ †▐░▒ time waits for no man in the world for demons ╱ devil may queue ･

[powerseeking]

@devilrogue​  asked  ;    "Y'know, there's almost something charmin' about you at this age." Before the 'take over the demon world' attempts got super serious and Vergil lost all traces of his humanity? A mouthful, maybe, but the truth. Dante bent at the waist ( he'd never see Vergil shorter than him again, he had to relish it ) and pressed a finger to his lip, an amused hush-hush. "But you'll have to forgive me, can't give out any spoilers or anything. Would ruin the fun of it, right?"

             ❛      and  has  there  ever  been  anything  charming  about  you,  at  any  age,  dante ?       ❜     vergil retorts back,  a sly smirk on his face before rolling his eyes   —   as if he was interested in hearing what dante thinks about him at this age,  or at any age.  it  wasn’t  a friendly family catch-up he was looking for,  he thinks before his ear perks up,  watching dante alter his stance and finish his words. 

             was he  mocking  him ?  a brow furrows as he shakes his head,  sighing as he walks past him  ;  he had  always  been childish,  and he was in no mood for such things.       ❛      as  if  I  wish  to  enquire  any  of  that  information  from  you,  it  means  nothing  to  me  as  of  now.  but   —   no  spoilers  stop  me  from  knowing  i’ll  defeat  you,  brother.     ❜      despite his mood,  he jests back,  confidence brimming from his words as he glances around the office once more   —   he had seen it in other interactions on his travel many times.  still,  it was a first to meet this version of his pitiful younger brother,  as he turns on his heel,  staring back at the older man.   

           ❛      but  indeed.  in  any  consolation  though,  you  sound  pleased  with  yourself  to  hide  such  things  from  me.  i’ll  allow  you  to  have  your  fun,  while  it  lasts.     ❜     in the end,  whether he hides it or not from him,  he had firm belief and confidence that his plans  will  work out  ( when time was fixed ).  maybe the other was just  ashamed  to admit he was beaten for a change and him sitting sorry for himself in his re-built office was his future ?   

           dante  had  always been a sore loser after all.

[walkwithheroes84]

Lucifer: Season 5, Part 1 Thoughts

Part 1 of Season 5 of Lucifer came out on Netflix on August 21. And you bet your bottom dollar that I binged all 8 episodes. I stayed up until 2 am on August 22, but it was worth it. I’m not sure if the cast, crew, writers, and producers went into this season thinking it was their last (It’s not, Part 2 of Season 5 is rumored to be out in February of 2021, with the final season, Season 6, rumored to be released in early-mid 2022.) or what, but they really brought their A game for the first 8 episodes of the season.

What follows are some random thoughts I have on the season. Yes, there may be spoilers!

- I really like that the last couple of seasons have explored  the supporting cast more. Maze, Ella, Linda, Dan - they are being fleshed out a lot and I am living for it. 

- Seeing more of Linda’s backstory was great. And, I liked the way it tied into Maze’s own feelings regarding Lilith and abandonment. I am here for Linda x Maze, may that be a deep friendship or something more. I always love them together.  

- Speaking of Maze - it is getting repetitive to see her be pissed at Lucifer (who really needs to step up and see that she is her own demon with thoughts and feelings.) or being down on herself for not being able to make solid connections. Maze, you have connections: You have a best friend in Linda, friends in Chloe, Ella,  Amenadiel, Trixie, Charlie. These people are your found family! They love you, Maze. But, Maze has to learn to love herself. Stop betraying them because she’s upset. All that said, Lesley-Ann Brandt always brings her A-game. 

- I didn’t care for Lilith. I get what she was trying to do and that, in the end, she wanted mortally and love, but even she couldn’t find it. But, she abandoned her children. :( I’m thinking her ring will play a key role down the road: either to give Maze mortally/a soul, give Eve immortally (so she and Maze can be together?), make Lucifer human, save Chloe, something! That ring is coming back into play.

-Amenadiel worrying about being a good father to baby Charlie. It was really cute, as is his friendship with Dan. The scenes with Dan, Amenadiel, Lucifer, and Jed trying to calm the baby were comedy gold. I also really loved seeing Amedadiel working a case with Chloe. He’s just grown so much as a character during the last five seasons and I’m here for it. 

- Dan finding out about Lucifer was a bit of a surprise. Poor guy. He’s been lost since Charlotte’s death and all this new age stuff seems to be his way of trying to find meaning in his life. And, now he has to deal with the fact that EVERYTHING is real and his ex-wife/friend is in love with the actual Devil. And, he has this great fear that he’ll go to Hell, because of all he’s done - and knowing the Devil is real - of course that is going to mess with his mind! And, Michael - playing on fears - knew just want to do with that. I’m interested to see where Dan goes during Part 2 of the season. 

-I felt so bad for Ella. She decided that she wasn’t going to go for the “bad boys” and that she was going to look for a nice, normal man for a normal romance and what does she find? A freaking serial killer! Who was using her and planning to kill her! Like, Ella, girl, take a break from dating for a while. She either dates men with no futures, serial killers, or Dan.

- I have to give it up to Tom Ellis in his portrayal of Micheal. So twisted and cowardly and yet weirdly I get it? From what the show has told us or implied - before his fall, Lucifer was one of their parents favorites, made Michael miserable, was a favorite of some of the other siblings. I can see a twin becoming jealous and causing issues. It’s interesting that Michael straight out stated he planted the idea of rebellion in Lucifer’s head. Michael planted the idea of causing Eve to sin. Of coming to Los Angeles. I’m wondering how much of it is true and how much was Michael just speaking nonsense. And, what else has Michael planted in Lucifer (or anyone else’s) head? Did he plant Chloe in God/Dad’s head? Did he pretend to be God/Dad and tell Amenadiel to bless the Decker’s with a baby? Oh, the possibilities. 

-While I didn’t love episode 4 (it felt a bit like filler) - it was so good to see  Tricia Helfer, back on the show. I miss Mom and Charlotte. 

-Chloe finding out she was a blessing/gift from God/Dad? I am so thrilled they didn’t get too angsty with it and played it perfectly. Yes, she had every right to be confused and upset. But, thank goodness they didn’t drag that out! The writers really hit a lot of great beats with Chloe this season.

-�� I have read that some viewers were annoyed that Chloe was/is worried that Lucifer doesn’t lover her back - when he has shown his love via actions - but, I get it. Lucifer is Lucifer. He self sabotages, he refuses to deal with issues, and he tends to pull away. He become invulnerable - right after it was more or less agreed by everyone that Lucifer chooses to be vulnerable around Chloe because of his love for her. She might be thinking: “Okay, will he get bored? Is this real? Will something else happen that makes him pull away?” Chloe needs to have a solid talk with Lucifer, and it’s a talk that he may not be ready to have. As a show-runner hinted: “You can’t fully be in love with someone until you fully love yourself.” And, we all know that Lucifer is still working on loving himself. 

- I was really proud of Lucifer during the first half of the season. He stayed in Hell to protect Charlie, Chloe, and the world. He only left to deal with Michael and he was smart enough to leave Amendadiel in charge. He was honest with Chloe, he tried (in his own way and to the best of his abilities) to give her space, he bonded with Dan, he got jealous (that was hilarious), he moved forward with Chloe, he tried (again in his own way and to the best of his abilities) to not freak out over losing his “mojo”, he admitted (to others and himself) that he NEEDS Chloe, he found Chloe. He showed some nice growth. He’s by no means a mature and fully realized “person” yet, but it’s clear he is trying. 

- When Dad/God showed up? I had no idea Dennis Haysbert had been cast in the role, so I was so excited. He’s a great choice. I love that he came down from the Silver City to break up a fight between some of his children. His ex walking around Earth? Demons coming to Earth? A half-angel being born? Eve coming down? Cain and Lucifer fighting? Dad/God’s not bothered by that. He’s not coming down for that. But, his children fighting? Yeah, he’s physically and completely coming down to break that stuff up. I’m excited. 

- So, 5A mentioned the Silver City and some of the other angels often. We learned that many of Lucifer and Amenadadiel ‘s siblings are praising Lucifer for going back to Hell to protect Earth. Something which Michael can’t stand. We also learn that Dad/God has locked himself away and that Michael is the only one he speaks to. You guys - I NEED to see some of the other angels or at least hear about them. Maybe even hints of what the Silver City looks like? Uriel may be dead, but Azrael and  Remiel are still in the Silver City. And, the show has mentioned a Castiel, who enjoys music. We’ve also heard about Gabriel and Raphael, who are apparently proud of Lucifer for being mature enough to return to Hell on his own. I’m actually wondering how many children Dad/God and Mom actually had together? So far we have nine angels/children. Did they have hundreds? Thousands? Just those nine? 

- Let’s talk Deckerstar. If you are a fan of Deckerstar, as I am, then you were loving 5A. There was awkwardness, angst, cuteness, sweetness. They were flirty and playful. When they FINALLY had sex? Linda and Ella weren’t the only one celebrating. And, I loved that it really seemed that BOTH Chloe and Lucifer spent 5A trying to be honest and straight forward with one another. They seem to have realized that they’ve wasted too much time and they have to try and be honest with one another, even if it is very hard. 

- Overall, I LOVED Part 1 of Season 5 and CANNOT wait for Part 2. 2021 cannot come soon enough! 

-And, I’m sorry, but Lucifer gifs are lined up in my queue for days to come. 

[thereturnofthedirtyblog]

When you pull into the parking lot, the first thing you're greeted with is a sign stating that masks are required beyond that point. The new starting queue is now in the lot itself, with security asking you to line up (distanced of course) near the gift shop exit and the new expansion construction. They ask for your reservation time and name and double check on IPads. A group that was there that did not book ahead were turned away, so remember to buy in advance.

One quick note: The new building next door is NOT going to be part of the tour or for the public. It's going to be offices and meeting spaces. I asked, and Angry Joe provided the answer.

You'll then be moved to the main queue down the side of the building in groups of six. Good news, there's now benches along the side so you can sit and relax. Then you hit the main queue in the front, and then move to the ticketing room, all socially distanced. None of this process is really changed. I have to say, from arrival time to the oddities room, it was MAYBE 30 minutes. Much improved. I will note that RIP and regular tours are not separated, and all go as one. RIP members will be wearing the lanyard and badge to distinguish them, which you'll get from the ticket window.

You'll self guide to the front door from the gate at the parking lot. The oddities room has some changes, with the skull case gone, also Lily (we'll get to that later), to allow distancing. I have to say, it works WONDERFULLY. Every room has 3 red dots, and you rotate as you go, which finally allows you to be able to see everything in every room. This was a very, VERY welcome change.

The first RIP moment is the haunted doll room in the back left corner. You're free to walk around inside, and they do give you ample time to look around, several minutes or so. Right off the bat, the people who didn't opt for RIP complained that they couldn't go in, but that was to be expected, I guess.

Off to the gambling room. Completely different, and entirely for the better. It was always my personal least favorite. The roulette table is gone for distancing purposes, and the relics are all in cases near the red dots, and new art on the walls. Drastic improvement, with new items added such as a new skull, a "mystery gun", and other ephemera.

The Oddfellows room now has the caskets moved to the dead center of the room, and the side wall now hosts the 13 skulls (now on shelves in the open) that were originally in the Oddities room. You move around the caskets, while a new pre-recorded message from Zak plays. The second RIP portion occurs here, where you're giving the option to crawl through the small door in the back corner. This leads you into the marionette room, and you'll rejoin the non RIP part of the tour in the art gallery.

The art gallery has no changes at all, same with the Kervorkian rooms, only the added distancing dots. On to the muderabillia room, where they've added Ted Bundy's murder bag, ski mask, and other items. The booking chair is now in the Manson room, along with a new Alcatraz display, which takes the place of the Santa Claus Killer's old area. A new cell door display sits where the chair was. Dots are one in the Manson room, one in front of Bundy, and one in front of the Gacy display, and you rotate every few minutes.

This then leads to the next, and most welcome I'm sure, part of the RIP tour. The Basement. You watch a short video of Zak explaining how Jenna Jameson contacted him about it, and they show proof of how her family lived there in the 70's via her brother's birth certificate listing the museum’s address on it. The basement is self guided, very dark, and leads to the alter in the back. The pentagram appears to have been removed from the floor (it's VERY dark, and I looked and flat out didn't see it). In its place is a small seance table and chairs. Very nice to finally see this area.

When you come out, the non-RIP members are already moved to the Gein room, as the basement leads directly to another RIP room. To the left in the little cut out is a room of wax heads originally in the Winchester Mystery house. Small, tight quarters here, but a nice addition.

You then join back with the main group in Gein. No differences outside a new display of human skin leather on the left hand side wall.

On to Zak's study. This is now completely accessible, and it's awesome to really be in the space itself. This is Lily's new home, as well as a new doll, which they called the "Concentration Camp Doll". It's made from actual uniforms from the camps. Murder Doll and the skull are the other items featured. The curiosity cabinet is not really a feature anymore, they just say take a look as you're walking by and offer no explanation of the items inside.

The Dead Celebrity room has one new addition, in being that the Liberace piano is gone, and has been replaced by a bust of John Hurt's cast from the Elephant Man. The Gidget Gein art piece is also gone. The What Dreams May Come coat is now wall mounted to allow distancing space.

On to the seance room, where the circus cart and table have been removed, and the room is entirely open. Here is one of my FAVORITE new parts of the museum. Don't forget to look up. The ceiling is now 100% modeled VERY well after the Haunted Mansion elevator in Disneyland. A very nice touch.

Circus room is the same, and on to the sideshow room. New additions here are a case of real human parts, including an entire pickled human head of one of the world's smallest people. It looks like a baby's head, but is fully grown. John Shaw does his show, excellent as always.

The next RIP feature is the Gypsy Wagon. The other part of the group proceeds on to the funhouse. No, you do not go to the crawlspace Aaron was in, but you look through a cutout into the area from inside the wagon, with some ghost hunting equipment attached to the window sil that reacts when you wave your hands over them. John takes you through all of it, and again, he has this down better than most of the guides do. His area is always a favorite just for his presence, alone.

The funhouse and following room are the same. Next, the RIP part continues, with the Bob Berdella room, which is now entirely RIP tour only. After that, straight to the Dybbuk Box, where the rest of the group has been waiting, for quite a bit, it seemed. No changes here other than the guide speaks from the other side of the cut out in the door to allow distancing.

Peggy is up next, and the room is now a walkthrough. You can get right up to the case and look her in the eyes (well, I did anyways). The spirit box is gone, and a new full speech device is added. It was gibberish when we went through, but is suppoosed to make coherent sentences when Peggy wishes to speak.

The witches head has no changes. Back downstairs to the Devil's Rocking Chair, which has the last RIP moment. The room is exactly the same, just the RIP tour can go behind the railing into a roped off area and get really close to the chair itself.

The last three rooms, Natalie Wood/Titanic, Lee Sober Shapiro and Demon House, are now self guided, where they let groups of two into each one. It was nice to see Demon House without being crammed with 15 other people. The shutters and video are now automated, which the guide expressed great relief with.

Once concluded, you exit through the gift shop directly from the Seance Room. The doorway leads to a new room which used to be half of the gift shop, but now contains set pieces from the Jack Black movie The House With A Clock In It's Walls. Very nice looking pieces for sure.

The gift shop is just one room now, where they let you in by threes. This is where you'll get the shirt that comes with the tour.

This was my 13th tour, and I have to say, it was the best. The new distancing measures help every single aspect of the museum. It cut off wait times entirely. I'm used to at least an hour to three waiting outside, and this made them almost entirely non-existent. The rotation and space inside the rooms really does ensure you get to see everything without being crowded, and it's back to almost a single guide model, with the hand off being at the swinging bookshelf for the second tour guide.

I was beyond impressed. Zak and his team really made the most of the horrible Covid-19 situation, and made the museum a safe and better experience out of it. I can't recommend the new tour enough. Well worth the money and time, and I honestly hope that long after this situation is over, they keep a lot of the changes made, because it's a better experience overall from them.

[powerseeking]

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