#AND that’s late season 5 every season is about a year and in journeys end (late season 7) he’s about to gradute

[sallytwo]

the wesley academy timeline is so inconsistent and makes no sense AT ALL and i know this is star trek where everything is inconsistent all the time (ESPECIALLY for dear wessie) but it makes me so mad. personally.

[vitaminseetarot]

Pick a Card: Your Next Upcoming Transformation 🌕🦋

Hey y'all, welcome back for another pac reading for our last supermoon of the year. This full moon is in Taurus, so we are encouraged to step back and focus on resting and self care in between these tumultuous and difficult energies we are currently running through. Every late autumn season invites us to explore how we have transformed over the year and how we are still evolving. This Scorpio season in particular has been very emboldened and expressive as I've seen its presence in everything from neighborhood construction to politics. And while I will avoid making this post too charged, I will use this post as a reminder that I support all marginalized communities who are feeling confused and vulnerable at this time. I hope you find this blog to be a safe space.

Butterfly imagery has been surrounding me, and I was even gifted some butterfly magnets this season. Butterflies represent the soul and its deep transformative abilities. As we release the old, we may be able to spread our wings to be magnets for better times ahead. So I've created six piles to show where and how this process is shifting you to your next chapter.

1. Pink Butterfly - Little Princess 2. Red Butterfly - Inferno 3. Yellow Butterfly - Spirited Yellow 4. Green Butterfly - Willow Hedge 5. Blue Butterfly - Sea of Tranquility 6. Purple Butterfly - Joie de vivre

Pile 1: Pink Butterfly - Little Princess

6 of Pentacles, Queen of Cups; Appreciation, Marquise, Wolf, Grandmother Moonstone "Forgive, not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace."

Good evening, pile 1. Your next chapter involves balancing your needs with the needs of others. Perhaps for a while, you have been on one end of an extreme when it came to exchanging. You may feel as though you give too much without receiving the equivalent in return, and this realization means that your generous energy is wearing down on you. It could also be the other way around, where you could feel guilty when others give you things because you're not sure how you will be able to return the favor. It may feel easier to lean on oneself than to grapple with paying back such a gift, as you wouldn't want the other person to feel tired too. I'm feeling many hang ups on both ends when it comes to generosity, and this energy may be arising due to the holiday season getting closer. With the Marquise card showing the Libra symbol above the 6 of Pentacles, balance is the emphasis here. Balance is not always an exact 50/50 at the time of exchange. Cycles will come where you may rely on the help of others more, followed by phases where those same people will come to need and appreciate your help. This is balance in a higher order sense, in terms of your lifetime and not just one season.

It could have been that, in childhood, you were given strange attitudes and beliefs on giving and receiving. I'm getting a weird reaction from seeing "Little Princess". Some part of you may want to embody the princess archetype, who lives in abundance and receives adoration. But maybe there were people who used it with a more negative connotation, like saying "bratty princess" or "spoiled rotten princess". This could have been from family, friends, or even ideas picked up from TV. It could have been that others act like they're spoiling you or really going out of their way when they give you or help you with something. It's such a sticky back and forth, and in time it becomes harder to receive or be grateful from such a source of negativity. And now you've been getting this intuitive nudge that healthier beliefs need to be created.

This season is about observing these negative beliefs and reclaiming your feelings of gratitude and generosity, in a sense. Gratitude isn't about settling for bad standards; if you get a bad gift or a good gift out of somebody "spoiling" you, it's not a reflection of who you are but of where they're at in their own journey. If they don't seem grateful for what you do, that's also a part of their own process. Some people won't be able to reciprocate, just as there are times where others will give more than you can give back. You can embody a healthy princess archetype by allowing yourself to receive without guilt, and letting yourself give without exhausting yourself. People above all like to know they're being appreciated, even if the gift isn't perfect, which means you're off the pressure from finding that perfect thing too. It's ultimately the thought that counts, so whatever you give or get, release the burden and enjoy the gift swapping. If you feel others don't appreciate what you do, please understand it's part of their own life to deal with and please give yourself that gift of self-appreciation.

Pile 2: Red Butterfly - Inferno

XXIII Prism, XI Justice; Future, Tear, Lion, Anandalite and Lemon Balm "Try. Make mistakes! Try again. Perfection does not exist."

Good evening, pile 2. You're transforming into a time of life that's filled to the brim with creative passion. There is an overflow of fiery hot emotion in this group, see how the volcano plumes from the lion's head. You may be getting a lot of ideas at this time for what to make next, some of you could be working on a project now but I'm also getting that many haven't started yet and only will when the grand idea comes through. There are two ways I'm interpreting these projects. They could be artistic or writing projects, but it could also refer to the creation process of forming and completing new goals. This group could benefit greatly from making vision boards, especially for what you want to see or do for next year. Interesting enough, this tarot deck has two additional cards and you got one of them, the Prism, which I interpret to mean "everything". This card sits below the Tear card with the Gemini symbol, so you may also benefit from using a notepad to write ideas down as you get them on the fly. I'm hearing that the ideas that make you feel the most will be the most potent when made physical, you are being asked to work closely with your emotions as a creative compass.

Your cards are bright and hot, but must be tempered with cool confidence. You are stepping into a fresh role where you can imagine your visions easily coming to life. I don't have the Moonology deck in this reading but I'm reminded of the Leo card where it says "confidence is your key to success" because it's such a strong affirmation. Your task is to be your own cheerleader to keep the energy and momentum brimming alive. Cause that's the thing about fire: it will eventually burn out if it's not attended to. Cool casual confidence is a firewood coated in fat, it's what starts the fire and keeps it going long. Not every idea will be the great one, but it's important to put down anything that comes to mind. There will always be time, with the Justice card, for sorting and deciding what works and what doesn't later on. You know how you don't edit a story chapter by chapter, but only after the full draft is complete? This goes for anything you work on, even for future plans.

It doesn't seem like it now, but you are moving into a time where you will have the spark and the passion to move your vision forward. Making excited plans about what you will do or make next will put you in a better mindset for starting them. If you're looking at these cards thinking "passion? motivation? I've never felt so depleted, how could this be true?" then perhaps you're now in a space where sitting with your heavier feelings with grace and integrating them needs to be prioritized beforehand. Part of this transformation process into living in a more impassioned state requires small steps. Intuitive freewriting in a journal may help to break up darker feelings into something more manageable, or you may find another healthy creative outlet for dealing with difficult times currently. But if you've been convincing yourself that you can't create because you're in a bad mood, you may in the process of shifting around your perspective so that creating becomes a means to work through the bad mood. Beautiful, incredible things could come from embracing artistic skills from every facet and angle.

Pile 3: Yellow Butterfly - Spirited Yellow

10 of Wands, VII Chariot Rx; Self Love, Brilliant, Unicorn, Golden Topaz and Yellow Rose "Better to regret the things you've done than to regret the things you didn't do."

Good evening, pile 3. Goodness, do I want to give this group a big pat on the back for all you do! Whatever you've been working at over the months, you have been pushing hard! So much so that the end result doesn't even feel all that great anymore; you're just happy for it to be finished so you can take a break. This pile may have a lot of tired students who will be finishing out their semester in the next few weeks and you're excited for the brief moment of rest. You are very bright and intelligent as well as hard working and I feel your transformation involves acknowledging your talents and strengths. Maybe things didn't end the way you hoped for them to, like getting an A- instead of an A+, but you can still congratulate yourself for the effort you put in anyway, because to do so would congratulate you for who you are. And I get that this pile has had to deal with some major disappointments, but sometimes things just don't work out the way we intend them to. Sometimes the teacher just puts down a random grade because they're tired, maybe there isn't a good reason why. It's not worth belittling your own abilities.

Unicorns indicate something spectacular and magical. To see one before you is to see what cannot be easily believed. Next to the abundance card is a sign of great things to come. The Earth symbol in the Brilliant card reminds me of the Wheel of Fortune. At this time, things may feel "cursed" or futile, but a big spin of the wheel is due to come during your next evolution which may propel you to a different octave of luck. And it may not even be luck but rather the positive karma from the work you've done now. Trust that your good intentions and efforts will be reflected back to you when the stars align, but now is a time to pat yourself on the back and give yourself the recognition you need. The Morbid Mirror says "better to regret" but I wouldn't even say that. You don't need to spend any more time regretting the wrong choice on the quiz or that you answered a question awkwardly in a job interview. What's done is done and you don't need to beat yourself up for what didn't work out.

Forgive yourself for not meeting every goal perfectly, and forgive yourself if your energy to keep pushing is waning. This may be a time where you need to focus more on cheering yourself up and resting than trying to figure out what went wrong or how to make it right. Remind yourself of all the times where things have worked out before and affirm your own brilliance. Don't let the silence of today make you think that you don't deserve good things for what you give. Have faith your efforts will be met with great reward down the road. For now, your catalyst to transform involves making peace with yourself and creating opportunities to be happy. Enjoy the little things that raise your spirits up, and take pride in what you've accomplished so far no matter what.

Pile 4: Green Butterfly - Willow Hedge

6 of Swords, I Magician; Self Esteem, Sunflower, Swallow, Ethiopian Opal "The most damning lie you can tell is the lie you tell yourself."

Good evening, pile 4. Your next phase in life involving moving on from a rough chapter in your past. There could have been an event that scarred your sense of trust or elicited deep insecurities, like an audition but not getting the desired part, or a friend group wasn't what you thought it was. You'll be walking away from something that was toxic, whether it be a situation, group, person, or even from something within you like a limiting mindset that has tried corrode your self esteem. The Willow tree is traditionally a tree representing sorrow and loss, so at this time you may feel despondent and unsure of how things will change. But a hedge represents a boundary line between the known and unknown. Please remind yourself that things are meant to change, that from this difficult time a more prosperous time can later come, even if it's not clear now. The Swallow is a sign of hope and optimism showing you that you are meant to shift away into a better time. Do not let yourself get stuck in believing that the way things are is the way things will always be, as that will close doors faster than the wind. The only door you're meant to close is to the past that left you feeling hurt and torn. Soon, upon leaving the chrysalis, you will be able to open the doors to greater change.

The Magician makes full use of the here and now, using whatever they have at their disposal to see their goals through. Just because you don't see fresh flowers blooming doesn't mean the earth isn't ripe for new possibilities. Many plants can be seeded in the autumn that will blossom and grow fresh food in the spring and summer. There is more you can do with what you have now than you think. With the emphasis of wings in this pile, I'm getting that you're at the peak of something. You've risen up and overcome something difficult for which you don't give yourself enough credit. Only a vast horizon filled with potential lies before you, which you can do with however you please. You're not meant to forever stay frozen at the peak, reflecting on the toxicity you left behind, but to glide back down and start anew.

The Sunflower always faces the direction of the sun. So should you turn your attention to what in life makes you feel most good about being alive and being you. This is how you can move on, by making space for what you wish to grow. The Opal card speaks of children and birthing something into being, so however low you feel about yourself now, remember that we are all flying in our own altitudes and that there's always room to expand on yourself as a person. If you feel beat up because you didn't make it onto a sports team, place energy on creating the next opportunity to play at the game. Talk to yourself truthfully and fairly as if your child self is hearing everything because your inner child is the part of you who will help guide you through your transformation. Harness your courage to take the next step forward as in your next chapter you will be in perfect alignment to achieve whatever you wish.

Pile 5: Blue Butterfly - Sea of Tranquility

XV Devil, IX Hermit; Learning, Mazarin Rx, Hawk, Pixie Helpers and Green Aventurine "Just being born, makes you worthy of being here. Let yourself just be."

Good evening, pile 5. Your next transformation is a smooth and steady pace of growth. You're entering into a phase of life where you can exist and embrace the fullness of your life for how it is now, at its best. It's strange to put it like this, but with the Mazarin card in reverse it's almost as though your growth path doesn't actually involving growing in the traditional sense. So during this season you may experience a sense of regression or going backwards, and this is to brush up on old sticky lessons that need to be cleared out. I feel this lesson has to do with the fixation on self-improvement. This pile may be the type to put a lot of time into ameliorating your life and relationships. You could even be thinking about your New Year's resolution when we haven't even yet entered December at the time of this reading, just because you wanna get ahead on your to-do list planned out for next year. However, I'm seeing that your transformation will involve some pulling back and withdrawing your energies to highlight overlooked aspects.

We live in a culture of constant doing, and it makes sense that this feeling ramps up during the end of the year. There could be real engagements that require attention due to real deadlines, but sometimes our brains make up deadlines just for feeling like it makes sense to do so. The Hawk is vigilant, always keeping a sharp eye on every task and detail. For some things, you may have a lot more time than you believe you do in working something out. It's okay to occasionally sleep on something and come back to it. The Hawk also speaks about self-sabotage. Could you be putting unneeded frustration on yourself when maintaining a flexible outlook might help you reach your goals sooner? It's like if you're trying to write a song but you're not sure how to finish it: it make take less time to just put it aside and come back to it instead of straining at the same verse for hours on end.

If, during this regression, you feel lost at what to do, perhaps taking time to meditate or center your mind may be the best course of action, instead of spinning wheels to figure out the next thing. Life is not a neverending to-do list where we're meant to go from one thing to the next right away. Your transformation forward requires compassion for not being where you want to be in the present, but finding space to breathe anyway. Be more discerning with how you use your time and remember that free time isn't wasted time. It's okay if you feel stuck in a certain position, but it'll be easier to rise from that when you let yourself be and avoiding pushing too hard. Within that tranquil state, great ideas and solutions can come. We don't always need to chase for the next great problem to tackle to feel like we're making proper use of the present. There is purpose in the peace and silence of doing nothing. You will transform into somebody who understands the value of resting your thinking mind when it's needed.

Pile 6: Purple Butterfly - Joie de vivre

XIV Temperance, King of Cups; Retreat, Heart, Tiger, Laboradorite and Blue Lotus Flower "Everything is energy and energy never dies; it just transforms."

Good evening, pile 6. This pile is for the intuitive people out there! There is a lot of psychic energy in this group. Your transformation is on an almost imperceptible level, too subtle for those who are not as spiritually inclined. This could involve some kind of moment of awakening or enlightenment, but it may not necessarily be a dramatic one. You are stepping into a more mature and balanced disposition, not the kind of awakening where we suddenly get clued into to the basics of souls and spirit guides, but one that involves a shift on how you view the world as a whole. Joie de vivre means "joy of living" in French, and it refers to having a cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. You may have been working on the heavier aspects of spirituality, like doing shadow work, getting used to the idea that it's how all spirituality functions. But I'm getting a brighter view of seeing things here, realizing that nothing stays the same so that the good can come along with the bad. You'll be shifting into a spirituality that satisfies you with a sense of hope, love, joy, and community.

The Tiger represents opulence, so you may receive an abundance of psychic energy and information during your shift. This could come as automatic intuitive knowing (clairsentience), or through vivid meaningful dreams that provide deeper revelations about people and self. The Temperance card shows that this revelation is not one of fireworks but of a more intrinsic lasting sense of contentment. These are downloads meant to help you see that while spirituality isn't all sunshine and rainbows, it's also not all doom and gloom either. You may be retreating from doing the big bold kind of karmic work over this transformation period, which is okay as there is always a time for doing and not doing, and I really feel with your maturity that you've already done a lot. Now it's time to pull back from the shadow work so to find balance in between the lessons.

The secret to this transformation is non-attachment. Let the events and moments in your day come as they may. You will soon get the sense in your spirit that there is a constant inner joy that doesn't respond to external circumstances even if they're intrusive or annoying. With the unconditional compassion of Pisces, you find that bad situations that come up do not tend to last long when your heart is directing itself towards what you feel love and gratitude for, you won't be able to as easily dwell on the worst parts of the day over the best. And with less dwelling on negative parts of the past means less need to heal those parts. If something falls away, another thing will come to fill the gap. Your regenerative abilities are potent for this next phase of your life. I'm talking like this unshakeable faith in the best outcomes while feeling fine with things even when the outcome is far from ideal. This transformation is a form of wisdom that heals and will continue to heal as you gracefully move forward. Some may mention that you have an aura glow around you, which is your transformation at work.

This reading has not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or infection. Please ask your physician before going online.

2024, @VitaminseeTarot ™

[hlficlibrary]

✤ Enemies to Lovers ✤

A series of posts with the top five fics of each category by kudos plus five more hidden gems from that category! Remember to leave kudos and a comment on the fics you enjoyed to show your appreciation! You can find our other recs here.

- Top 5 H/L Fics -

1️⃣ Unbelievers by @isthatyoularry {E, 136k}

It’s Louis’ senior year, and he’s dead set on doing it right. However, along with his pair of cleats, a healthy dose of sarcasm and his ridiculous best friend, he’s also got a complicated family, a terrifyingly uncertain future, and a mortal enemy making his life just that much worse. Mortal enemies “with benefits” was not exactly the plan.

Or: The one where Louis and Harry definitely aren’t friends, and football is everything.

2️⃣ Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can't Lose by dolce_piccante / @haydolce {M, 112k}

American Uni AU. Harry Styles is a frat boy football star from the wealthy Styles Family athletic dynasty. A celebrity among football fans, he knows how to play, he knows how to party, and he knows how to fuck (all of which is well known among his legion of admirers).

Louis Tomlinson is a student and an athlete, but his similarities to Harry end there. Intelligent, focused, independent, and completely uninterested in Harry’s charms, Louis is an anomaly in a world ruled by football.

A bet about the pair, who might be more similar than they originally thought, brings them together. Shakespeare, ballet, Disney, football, library chats, running, accidental spooning, Daredevil and Domino’s Pizza all blend into one big friendship Frappucino, but who will win in the end?

3️⃣ Collision by itjustkindahappened / @tequiladimples {E, 226k}

Mythology/Fairytale!AU in which Louis is a dainty fairy with a temper who wants to be intimidating and Harry hurts people. Naturally, they hate each other.

(Featuring Liam, the big and not-so-bad wolf who’s got a thing for humans, Zayn, a human with supernaturally good looks, and Niall, the cupid who just wants his job to be easier.)

4️⃣ Flightless Bird by audreyhheart {E, 97k}

AU where Louis Tomlinson is a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. When his rival from ballet school, moody dance prodigy Harry Styles joins the company, old wounds are reopened and old passions reignited. During the company's production of Swan Lake the secret that doomed their love is finally revealed, but will it be too late?

5️⃣ don't make this easy (i want you to mean it) by wildestdreams / @thelavendrhaze {E, 24k}

“Harry’s a player. All he does is chat everyone up. And guys like him are just--so ugh. He’s got that arrogant, self-assured smirk plastered to his face all the time. Always smug and stupid, like he could get anyone he lays his eyes on. All he does is make me mad and laugh all the time like he knows something that I don’t. That is so annoying.”

“But that’s just Harry,” Niall shrugged at Louis. “He doesn’t even try to flirt or anything. He’s just naturally charming, but that doesn’t mean he’s a player nor that he’s trying to get into everyone's pants. He’s just friendly. And he likes you. He doesn’t usually fall for people, but he fell for you.”

“Oh, should I feel special then?” Louis asked, snorting and rolling his eyes.

or Harry’s a frat boy who is head over heels for Louis and Louis wants nothing to do with him.

HIDDEN GEMS:

💎 An Amazing Race Around the World (And to my Heart) by Thingssicant / @slowlyseducedbycurls {E, 89k}

“This year marks our thirtieth race around the world, thirty seasons of teams bound by friendship, family, and even some people who just band together for the chance at the prize. But this year, we want to remove that dynamic,” Phil said, rubbing his hands together gently.

The cameras were whirring around them, trying to get every shocked face and gasp from the teams. Louis could feel a ringing in his ears, a new nervousness he hadn’t felt during the entire journey to this competition.

He was sweating more now, more than he could blame on the California sun, as Phil started to read the names of the new teams, the members hugging their loved ones before joining a complete stranger in their new allotted spot.

Or an Amazing race Hate to Lovers au

💎 no heart for me like yours (no love for you like mine) by @phdmama {E, 46k}

When Harry Styles, wedding dress designer to the stars (sort of) and Louis Tomlinson, wedding planner and relationship expert (kind of) meet on the occasion of their sisters' engagement, sparks fly. But not the good kind. Louis thinks Harry is a dick and Harry thinks Louis is an asshole.

That doesn't last long.

The road to true love isn't always smooth or uncomplicated. Can two stubborn men find their way?

💎 an ocean in my veins (you'll be diving in) by me_her_themoon / @dreamersdivin-headfirst {E, 31k}

But, since Niall is so talkative to literally anyone with a working mouth, it means that when Louis Tomlinson started to take a shine to him, Harry started to hate him.

Because suddenly, it wasn’t just Harry and Niall, and whoever else wanted to join their antics. It was Harry and Niall and Louis.

Did Harry mention that Louis is a stupid fucking prick? He wants to make sure that’s clear.

[or, harry and louis hate each other and niall just wants everyone to get along]

💎 Spinning Out Waiting for You by amomentoflove / @daggerandrose {M, 18k}

Harry Styles is a year and a half away from graduating with a masters in potions and he has one huge milestone to reach in his academy career: the Matching Ceremony.

From Halloween night until graduation, matched witches and familiars will have to create a talisman to be a physical representation of their bond. One for the witch and one for the familiar. Most pairings last an entire lifetime.

If only it were that simple.

💎 Can't Buy My Love, Can Buy Me Dinner by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13 {G, 9k}

Is it ethical to accept a dinner date for the free food? And will you hate me when I go anyway?

Fact 1: Louis hates Harry Styles. Fact 2: Louis is temporarily living off toast and spaghetti hoops. Fact 3: ...Louis may be semi-accidentally dating his worst enemy.

[mostowa]

Castle's Charm

So finally, after almost 4 months (The Olympic Games and an enormous life change) I finished binging Castle. And well, yeah, I'm late to the party like 7 to 10 years or something, but I was still hype'ing and loving the journey. And now I think this is one of the best series I've ever watched. Here is the list of reasons. It's gonna be tl;dr, as always!

Thanks @makeitastrength for making me do this ;)

Castle/Beckett dynamic is absolutely timeless. It has Darcy/Lizzy's initial disdain turning into respect and trust, it has Sherlock/John-level crime solving and mutual understanding, it has Meredith/Derek's drama and my beloved Chenford's level undercurrent emotions. And so much more!

There is something unique about them, too. This is one of the most important things that I learned from the series. It's the simple fact, that one can make annoyance a love language. I absolutely love how much childish Castle can be and how much Kate just... lets him be one, without giving up her own boundaries. You can be annoyed at your partner and secretely love that about him/her. Kate Beckett, thank you for showing me how to stand my partner's dad jokes. Or just really really bad jokes.

There is no doubt that the series is about those two (and it's a little bit of a shame for me, I'll explain further). And what made it very enjoyable for me was the fact that I've never doubted they are endgame. Their love and fact that they like each other very much was never in doubt on my side (except for the beginning of course). Even at their worst moments I was sure they will find a way to each other. I kind of wish it was the same with Lucy and Tim. Because, well, that made me continue to wanting to watch Castle, despite Rick being an absolute 5-year-old ass sometimes ;)

Someone here on Tumblr wrote that great series is not about will they do it as it's always about "how they do it" - without breaking major relationships apart etc. Castle is a great example for that and I had that in almost every episode. Pretty much no MCD and it still kept me on edge of my seat for most of the drama!

Castle will be my ultimate reason for the fact that I love watching series in which characters like each other. Be it The Good Place or The Rookie or Castle, I always love exploring relationships and different kind of -ships, where there is very little cheap miscommunication drama and where characters grow without sacrifacing each other. This is one of the best examples. Both for Castle/Becket, Castle/Alexis, Castle/Mom, Ryan/Esposito, Esposito/Lanie, name any relationship there, honestly.

I wish Kevin Ryan had more storylines. Because this Irish undercover episode was one of the best in the whole series with Kevin taking unexpected (but very much in-character) risks and used relationship he created to strengthen himself. I think Kevin is my favorite character, despite being underwritten for like 95% of the time. :D

I wish all Ryan and Esposito and Alexis and Lanie got more storylines. They were wonderful characters ready to be explored and while I understand the characteristics of the show was to explore Castle/Beckett, but sometimes it was just tiring :)

I absolutely loved the concept of the show with repetitive episodes and funny episodes and serious episodes and then (mid)season finales blowing our minds off. The Rookie kind of repeats the same pattern, but short seasons don't really work with that.

It was great how they made the series set in New York by different problems and storylines. I loved all mentions of Broadway, all cases connected to sometimes very crazy things connected to this one-of-a-kind city. And let me just say at the end that my favorite episode was the Old Haunt one. It made me realise how sentiment is a strong part of my husband's personality and how it can be a really lovable and charming thing.

Well yeah. Kudos if you made it that far. And if you did, let me know if you agree :)

[turningvioletviolet]

I assume people are pissed off about Cressida not getting a redemption arc + happy ending, but honestly I think her storyline this season was super important for what it represented.

Like, Cressida’s story going into S3 had a lot of parallel’s to Pen’s

Has caused harm to others in the ton in the past

Has a family that doesn’t provide her with respect or affection, and a mother who believes in marrying for security but not in love

Is entering her third year in the marriage mart with no prospects

Both of these characters have done things in Seasons 1&2 that weren’t great, but S3 Pen’s story is all about her redeeming herself. This is accomplished because of a few factors:

For the most part, her bad actions/mistakes in the past were well-intentioned on some level

Nonetheless, she immediately felt remorse for the damage she caused to her loved ones, and over time felt remorse for any damage she caused to strangers

She owned up to her mistakes—she would provide an explanation for her actions when confronted, but at no point this season did she try to deny them or excuse them

She resolved to never make the same mistakes again

She followed through on that resolve.

I think that the combination of these 5 elements made a really solid case for her redemption arc.

Penelope’s redemption arc actually has 2 parallels/foils this season: Cressida and Portia. And having 2 parallels instead of one really helps highlight the significance of this redemption arc:

Portia also goes through a similar redemption arc, finally being honest about her mistakes and failings, and committing to doing better. This parallel illustrates the difficulty of the journey to redemption.

Cressida, however, is the flip side: she shows passing remorse here and there, but ultimately continues to behave the same way and often deflects blame when she can. This parallel demonstrates the consequences of not going through the journey to redemption.

I think having both parallels did a great service to Penelope’s arc this season as it represented two possible paths forward for Penelope.

Cressida represents the type of fate that could have befallen Penelope if she had continued to make mistakes at the expense of other instead of truly atoning for them.

If Cressida had gone through a full redemption of her own, the stakes wouldn’t have felt as real.

Cressida’s storyline therefore had to go the way it did in order to service Penelope’s storyline. And yeah it sucks for her, but the writers aren’t obligated to provide a happy ending to each and every character simply because people think any attractive girl who’s mean but has a friendship with another girl must be a lesbian and therefore worthy of a happy ending. Their actual obligation is to tell a story, and that’s what they did here.

For what it’s worth, I will add that there’s always the possibility that Cressida will come back and get a redemption arc after all. I mean, if it’s not too late for Portia, then why should it be too late for her?

(Also, just regarding the Creloise of it all, tbh I was never a fan, so I’m sure that’s coloring my judgment. Tbh I think we can do better (and deserve better) than just the “mean girl must be a lesbian” stereotype and I’m looking forward to seeing how Fran & Michaela’s storyline turns out. Any by “looking forward to” I mean I’m so excited it’s honestly probably unhealthy)

[veesdiaries]

𝟔𝟎 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞…

and bum! in a blink of an eye… bye bye 2024, hello 2025! cant believe i'll be putting my christmas decorations back on in a couple of days!

now that time of the year starts when we feel the need to accomplish all the goals we have ignored for the 305 days, and as in every year we end up overwhelmed and disappointed! But all this happens for lack of organization and planning… here i came to give you a few tips to close 2024 with that good feeling of work done!

𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 -

gym/workout - i guess it is a canon event on everyone's lives having as goal: starting gym. Every year is the same thing, empty promises and if you're reading this; this year was nothing different. But you still have time, THOUGH no crazy diets or crazy workout routines, they'll just give you a fast burnout!

So why not start gym or working out 3 times per week? Or maybe pilates every morning? Yoga? There are unlimited options to move your body, you just need to find the perfect for you!

daily shower - never thought i had to say that but… SHOWER DAILY! please, please, please!

the shower trinity - exfoliate, shave, moisturize! exactly on this order ONCE per WEEK!

skincare - we all want a shining skin for the holidays makeups, what better than skincare? but keep it basic! no need of fancy products (unless they work good for you)! the essencial: sunscreen! no matter if isn't sunny, sunscreen is THE product that never MUST be out of your skincare routine!

facial massage - using gua sha or ur own hands, there are some videos on yt! and no, that shit isn't just a lie tiktok invented!

everything shower - once per week give yourself a princess day (mine is every sunday), do your nails, wash your hair, do face masks, exfoliate, shave… everything! usually i do all this on my sunday reset!

𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 -

journaling - putting your feelings out instead of keeping them in until the moment they blow up is the best thing you can do for your mental health! take a moment for yourself, take a breath and start to write all your thoughts, no filters! it can be in your notes app, your diary, a paper you'll burn later… but you owe this to yourself!

find a new hobbie - never too late to find a new passion, you can go trying all of your options until you find the one you most feel comfortable in doing! maybe cooking? or painting?

reading - this one could fit into the category above but i decide to put it apart. If you're like me and made a huge goal of books you wanted to read and haven't even touched a book this year… i feel you! You still have time to start your journey as a reader… maybe 10 minutes per day? Or bolder 5 books until christmas?

meditation - i confess i wasn't going to add it cuz i'm not very fan of it… but i know it is a goal a lot of people have! You can find some good meditation videos on yt or you can simply take a calm moment to take deep breaths and just enjoy forgetting your worries!

law of assumption - i know some people don't believe in it but i couldn't let it out of this list so fuck it! this shit change lives! i recommend SO MUCH for you to do some research about the theme, just stay away from the loa community on tiktok! here on tumblr there is the #loablr

have a to do list - end of the year can be very overwhelming for a lot of factors but mainly cuz you feel there's so much to do but so short time! a to do list can help you to keep track of the most important events (so you won't miss anything) and also give you that feeling of organization!

go on walks - adding this to my mental section cuz i think it fits well here! go on walks either alone or if you have a pet take them with you, walk around the block or go to a square! put your headphones on and enjoy the vibes, it's autumn, maybe the leaves are already orange where you live, weather is colder… romanticize it! evermore season after all lol

girls, for today that's it!! that's all the steps i thought for a good end of year though i might do a second post near december talking about the same thing but in a more reflection way! like goals and feelings!

(need some tips for the autumn fashion season? check this)

welcome november <3

xoxo, V ☆

[vanmarkus]

This has been on my mind (obviously with everything that's been happening) and I'm curious if I'm alone in it. Do you sometimes think maybe they missed the window with buddie? That it should have happened in season 4 and maybe now they're trying to tell us it's too late? They keep digging the hole deeper for eddie, with shannon being the "the love of his life" he'll never get over and I just wonder if it'll ever make sense again in a way that's not a "consolation" because that would be unfair

so much to unpack here and I doubt you'll like my answer but I'm behind on asks anyway so why the hell not.

so here's the thing.

I am so SO happy that they didn't do buddie in season 4. a rushed season affected by covid with literally one episode lead-up? if we lean into the idea that the shooting/will arc was supposed to be that, that is.

(but mind you that has never been said or confirmed, they floated a bi Buck storyline that got shut down, at which stage we don't even know, could possibly have been before even having a script written for it and way before they even came up with the shooting arc itself.)

but if we lean into that then I would've found it lackluster, personally. I know not everyone holds the same opinions and that's totally fine.

but having two characters who have previously only ever dated and talked about women* suddenly kiss and start dating, without coming out, self-realisation, any other preamble aside from "you almost died/I almost died" which isn't exactly a new predicament for either of these characters...

(*in Buck's case the bi crumbs were huge and I always felt that it could've been a pretty natural progression if they just let us know that actually, Buck was out this whole time it just didn't come up on screen lmao but in all seriousness from a general audience standpoint? having both of them suddenly be together? even though, we had a lot of subtext, I just doubt it would've worked as well as it could work now.)

I mean sure, it might've been just the start and then they could've done a bit more background work for it in season 5, but even if Fox didn't shut it down (again, just a simple bi Buck storyline, not even two main characters on the show suddenly being in a queer relationship or leading up to it at the very least) the risk of not getting renewed for season 5 would've been higher than ever, so for them to leave it hanging at the end of the season would've been unlikely imo.

just to reiterate before moving on: all of the above is based on speculation and what ifs.

and about buddie in this current climate, well... I talked about this extensively so just to keep it short; though I'm more than content if not, I still believe that buddie will become canon eventually.

and ngl I find it kinda frustrating how little faith some of you have in the writing of the show when this season proved more than anything that they are finally back on focusing on the characters and actually have ideas about where to take them instead of having every single one of them running around in circles.

sure, some of the storylines are more than bonkers, but this is 911 and that trend started in season 1, so if you don't like that, then maybe this isn't the show for you. because this season with all the insanity and heartbreak was and is so far, quintessential 911.

both Buck and Eddie are well established, complex characters and they deserve to be taken on a narrative journey separately and together if buddie should happen. yeah, clearly neither character is in a place right now, but what's the rush?

we have at least one more full season ahead of us, that could be more than enough time to take them there.

and I know that anytime I say this there are at least ten people in the notes saying that we had 6 years of lead-up, so it wouldn't be rushed, but I can't help but disagree.

Eddie still has no idea how to be in a relationship and actually be in it. yeah, sure, he and Buck have been playing house for years, but the fact that neither of them seem to recognise that is a big issue on its own. and Buck, for the first time since Abby, is in a good place romantically. like the ship or not, it's canon that he's more content and happy than ever and everyone around him thinks so too.

now, we don't know how long this relationship will last and if/when it'll end and why. but if Buck got the chance to discover this part of himself without trauma and significant pain, with the people around him being supportive and patient, then I don't want Eddie thrown in there with a halfhearted realisation-to-kiss-or-confession within one episode either.

I have trust that if buddie is about to happen, it'll be handled well and in no way, shape or form would it be a consolation prize — especially because Tim is no longer bending over for the bullying of the fans and just goes by his own rules and only gives as much as he wants to. as he should.

honestly, this whole "gimme and gimme now" attitude is so stupid. and frankly, the notion that a popular queer ship would actually have a real chance to go canon has just relatively recently became a thing and now so many people almost feel entitled to it, which then spoils their experience with what's actually going on as a whole.

if your enjoyment of the show is solely dependent on a ship becoming canon? then maybe watch something else, because you're just setting yourself up for heartache, one way or another.

[wisteriagoesvroom]

sooo late but doing this instead of doing work haha heehee. thanks for tagging me @lovelylotusf1 and @cx-boxbox.

How many works do you have on AO3?

f1 fics: 16 total: 58

What's your total AO3 word count?

310k. which depending on your perspective is a lot, or not a lot at all ! i'm trying to be comfy with the fact that fic is fun and shouldn't be quantified with stats but that's a whole other arc

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

i have a whole thing about getting sucked into stats so tbh i don't know as of right now, and am making the active choice not to know

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

i do for short fics (<3,000 words)! it feels easier somehow? i read every single comment though and even screenshot them for shitty days. (and there are surprisingly quite a lot of shitty days tbh. not to bludgeon you all about it but).

p.s. if you've ever written an essay comment for any fic you deserve the biggest hug in the world. is all i will say as an author...

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending?

it turns out all my fics are kinda angsty...! probably the girl!lando fic pardon my emotions. the unwritten sequel remains on my mind... the 2024 season has given us so much to work with...

What's the fic you've written with the happiest ending?

definitely the sun and really because @maaxverstappen specifically requested a happy ending in the exchange prompt. maybe i just need a tiny mandy dancing on my shoulder at all times to make this stick.

Do you write crossovers?

i think i've done for other fandoms but not in f1 yet. i had an 814 spiderman multiverse fic percolating for a while but it's kind of on hold like the rest of my writing atm cus. life.

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

not in f1 afaik. but it's like my 6th year of being in fandom now and trust me when i say i've seen almost everything atp.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

i'm pious i'm unhinged, so yes.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

no

Have you ever had a fic translated?

no

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

yes, in a diff fandom

i've talked about co-writing f1 fics with @miamimaiden and @unlapped, but all my writing's kind of on hold rn so nothing as of yet !! co-writing can be so fun though and i highly encourage it. also vibing in the gdocs counts as writing. to meee.

What's your all-time favorite ship?

anything enemies to lovers tbh. hence, carcar.

frando-norpinto have my heart as of late.

What's a WIP that you want to finish but don't think you ever will?

the longform notting hill 814 au that is outlined in my drafts with an almost complete chapter 1, but i do not have the spark or capacity to write more atm

What are your writing strengths?

i've been told i write very cinematically, and that i do ✨ vibes ✨ very well

athat may be at the expense of actual plotting lmao. but i just love slowness without a particular sense of direction sometimes?

which is also why writing the sun was so fun, because i didn't have a ton of time to stay too long in one scene. and i had to finish it on deadline, and it still had character development while staying under 15k

What are your writing weaknesses?

long plots for sure. this is also my hangup in screenwriting class (when i used to go to screenwriting class).

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

i've done so before for lestappen fics and probably should've gotten it checked, but alas. also lestappen fics were much earlier in my fandom journey and i didn't have anyone to ask back then 😬

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

[redacted]

What's a fandom/ship you haven't written for yet but want to?

choscar (charles/oscar) or francoscar (franco/oscar) maybe.

bonsai (carlos/alex).

oscar's my blorbo, i just love putting him in Situations.

What's your favorite fic you've written?

in f1 it's gonna be the sun (AGAIN) or at a constant speed.

tagging @miamimaiden @testarossa @strwbrryfire @ocontraire and whoever else wants to play. i'm so late so maybe everyone has done it already.

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 11/03/2024

ULTRA S+G

Season 2 Featured on: The SiIvaGunner YTPMV Collab (Eek!).veg

Ripped by Kirbio, SAF

God, man. Season 2 of SiIvaGunner was so cool.

And like, I know that that's what I *always* say when I'm writing about a Season 2 rip, in everything from Patched Plains Fusion Collab to Rippin'! Mashin'! High Quality Grand Prix and the SilvaGunner: Rebooted 1st Anniversary event...but I can't help it! There was just such an energy of excitement, of pure joy permeating throughout the entire season - excitement not just for the Christmas Comeback Crisis, but for how SiIvaGunner was *actually* back, firing on all cylinders. The rips were referencing events we were already nostalgic over, althewhile introducing new jokes in clever, memorable ways - the Inspector Gadget takeover and Become as Gadget will forever stick with me as one of the most engrossing events the channel has ever done.

To put it one way...in my (nostalgia-blinded) eyes, Season 2 was the most "unified" the channel ever felt. We were all invested in every little corner of the channel's ongoings, we were all aware of the origins of and meaning of all the active jokes...that kind of investment and attachment to all the featured jokes felt sort of like if Season 4 Episode 2's Summer Fes had lasted for an entire Season! And while we've certainly got a far wider, far more ambitious output of rips in Season 5 onward in particular, it was that feeling of unification that made rips like ULTRA S+G hit like fucking crazy.

The thing you'll immediately notice when clicking on ULTRA S+G is, of course, the visuals, a full-length parody of the visuals featured in the original ULTRA B+K music video, completely reimagined to feature several of SiIva's own memes from Season 2. The visuals are, of course, in sync with the main joke of the rip, in being a huge meme medley of various sources, most replacing the original song's "bass" and "kick" vocal samples. The resulting sound hits you like several trains throughout the rip, be it the opening of "DEE-DEE-DEE-DEE-DEE ; KAY-KAY-KAY-KAY-KAY!!", the beat-dropping "Miney Crafta"s and "GRAND DAD"s, the midsection covered by the good ol' PSY samples a la One Winged PSYcho - V​.​S. Sepsyrop...and while all that is happening, you're met with visuals that go absolutely above and beyond just parodying the original. It has little references to the events of Season 1, such as the infamous Bean or the Mr. Rental storyline of Mr. Rental [B Side] ~ Out of Options...and, hey - an animation of The Voice Inside Your Head!! What ULTRA S+G conveys above all else is the extent of the journey we had all been on over the course of almost two years, a hype-beyond-belief shot directly into the arm of everything SiIvaGunner embodies.

Kirbio's output on the channel is impressive in its sheer scope, and recently of note arranged one of Season 1's greatest in the form of Return to Collision Clouds. Its likely coincidental, but I enjoy how both that arrangement as late in as Season 7, as well as ULTRA S+G, manage to convey that feeling of the long journey the channel's been on in entirely different ways: Return to Collision Clouds has a sentimental feel to it, wheras ULTRA S+G may as well be hype incarnate. An explosive beginning to the end of Season 2, its the kind of rip that I cannot stop returning to for the memories alone - helped, of course, by the rip itself being an incredible watch and listen.

[olberic]

ranking anime i’ve watched in 2023:

as expected, here’s this year’s top 10 for how much i personally enjoyed the anime i’ve watched this year. ive watched more than this, but god i watched so many bad ones…. even number 10 sucks but everything else was worse. sad!

as always thank u gifmakers for ur service 🫡 the world would be nothing without u all

10. the legendary hero is dead! (2023)

dont watch this show. it sucks and its bad. hey. come here. hold my hand. now lets just watch and enjoy the OP ok? don't worry about the rest.

9. my daughter left the nest and returned as an s-rank adventurer (2023)

i have to admit this show charmed me. its not the best thing ive ever seen but its nice. comfy. yknow? i haven't finished it but it's enjoyable. can't rank it higher until i finish it

8. sabikui bisco (2022)

if it werent for the positively nonsensical jump in the middle of the show and the way theres just like. a lot of gaps? it’d rank higher. it’s a very cool premise for a show and i like the bisco/milo dynamic, and [SISTER] is fun as hell. it didnt wow me though overall, and while i enjoyed it i was hoping for more.

7. trigun stampede (2023)

im sorry trigun stans i simply didnt love it. i see the appeal i really do but it just didnt hook me. i really liked the animation and the storyline. im intrigued by whatever the fuck is going on with those plants and yall have said theres a tallgirl in the next season? so i’ll keep watching. i just didnt love it

6. that time i got reincarnated as a slime (2019-2021)

in contrast to #7, i can see why this show is weak HOWEVER i just enjoyed it. i like it. huge fan of how much gender the protag has. i love how they get new powers. i enjoy that it can be interpreted as an extremely bisexual show. it was well paced and the slime diaries OVA was a great addition. a lot of the characters really stuck with me too and its like. idk. one of my favourite isekais i guess

5. buddy daddies (2023)

this should rank higher. its so fun. its SO fun. its silly and it doesnt take itself seriously. i laughed in every episode. the dynamic between the guys is great. the dynamics between them and the kid is great. just a really solid show if you can stand the queerbaiting. i dont even care

4. bocchi the rock! (2022)

the bocchi side of tumblr is right this show rules. i like how real bocchi’s social anxiety feels (literally how it felt when i had it). the characters are entertaining, the show’s well done, they even have solid music (which band-based shows dont always do right!). its really funny and its really earnest and its a joy to watch

3. demon slayer: swordsmith village arc (2023)

i included the entertainment district arc in last year’s list so this arc makes the cut. im always late getting around to watch the new stuff and i dont want to read the manga but god DAMN does this show hit different. incredible fight scenes. i loved everything they did for the hashira backstories. i love whatever the fuck is up with genya. it even gave me some akaza to sustain me for the next year or whatever. ik this show gets overhyped but its normal hyped. to me.

2. frieren: beyond journey's end (2023)

oughhh frieren… ive only known this show for a few months but it means to much to me… i dont even wanna talk about it because its so good i just wanna watch it again. go watch frieren if you havent already its anime of the decade. to me

1. gundam: the witch from mercury (2022-2023)

ive never seen a gundam before but i will be watched them after this! what can be said about it that hasnt already been said on this site. the romance storyline is impeccable, the fights are awesome, the moral questions it posed were excellently covered. by the end of the first episode i was speechless. by the end of the last episode i'd cried like 4 times over the course of the show. this thing made me cry to happy birthday. what the fuck

[dairine-bonnet]

Tag game

It's been some time since I was tagged, but better late than never, I suppose! Thank you so much @marythegizka!!! I'm tagging nobody this time, but all who want to join in, you're welcome!

three ships: Ok, finally I have three ships I'm currently into, and all of them are from computer games: (OC Lynette) von Valancius/Heinrix van Calox (Rogue Trader); (OC Lillian) Farlong/Casavir (Neverwinter Nights 2); Revan (aka OC Alexandra Forst)/Malak (KOTOR).

first ship: Mamoru Chiba/Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon, I guess? I

first saw a couple of episodes in my childhood and momentarily fell in love with this couple! However, I have to admit that I changed my mind when I started watching season 5, where Seiya Kou appeared. Honestly, Seiya Kou/Usagi Tsukino then became my favourite ship in SM: probably, because Usagi reveals another side of her personality next to him, maybe, because Seiya is such an energetic, sarcastic at times, but still supportive and sweet character, maybe, because Mamoru lost some personality traits after season 1 and stopped developing as a character, imao. Perhaps, all the reasons are partly true. (Childhood memories, hehe! But I still find Usagi and Mamoru too different to be a couple for a long time, especially such long time as almost eternity.)

last song: Ok, it's difficult as there are plenty of them I enjoy every day! Foofallen (Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader OST); Sparks in the Dark (Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader OST); End of the Journey (Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader OST); I Want to Live (Baldur's Gate OST); Down by the River (Baldur's Gate OST)... At least, I've been listening to them on repeat today...:D And yeah, I've become a bit obsessed with computer games' OSTs. Again!

last movie: Hmmm... I rarely watch movies these days, so the last (animated) movie I watched was Spirited Away, I guess... I went to the cinema about a month ago to see it with my brother, who, somehow, hadn't watched it before!

currently reading: Well, I started reading Pet Sematary by Steven King a couple of months ago, as I'd heard it is even more intimidating in English than in Russian (it impressed me so much in my childhood!)... Frankly speaking, I haven't reached the scariest part(s) yet, since I stopped reading it due to work, personal problems and etc. Buuuuuuut I've read more than a quarter of the novel and definitely intend to finish it! Hopefully, this year!

currently watching: Some parts of Rogue Trader playthroughs if it even counts!:D

currently eating: Black tea without sugar.

currently craving: Money it is!:D Apart from that, the opportunity of attending Art classes in the nearest future and the ability to develop the ideas in my mind into completed fics.

[alexbutrandomthoughts]

Thanks for answering my ask....If you don't mind me asking (again), what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before.....

OKAY SO I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS WAS IN MY DRAFTS CUZ I WAS BUSY IN UNI AND THEN IT JUST GOT ERASED FROM MY MEMORY I AM SO FUCKING SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO LET IT STEW FOR SO LONG

1) Haikyuu!!

Honestly this is just a comfort show for me. No matter how many times i rewatch it, it's always like the first time, even if you know what's about to happen, you still cheer and clap and groan in every match. Just AGAIWBAIWBSKBDIS such a good anime, i bawled my eyes out when i finished the manga, honestly this will go down as one of my favorite anime ever (update: watched the movie, it's good but man i wish we had whole season)

2) Undertale/Deltarune

I cannot beat the weird kid allegations, toby fox has me by my (totally legit) balls. Istg toby fox drugs his games, or else idk how to explain how am i keep coming back to this (lies this franchise and story is just pure masterpiece)

3) Fnaf

Yeah definitely doesn't help the weird kid allegations. Well you know what they say, when you start getting into fnaf you sign off your life into eternal servitude. I would describe my relationship with Fnaf as - toxic ex i keep coming back to. Somehow 8 years of this bullshit and we're still going. Counting animatronic toes and reading yet another wtf is this book

4) Bungoe Stray Dogs

Sighhhhhh. The gayssssss. THE GAAAAAYSSS. But nah honestly it just has everything to get me on the board. The drama, mysteries, pretty WOMEN, silly characters, gut wrenching angst, and of course gay ass mfkas. The manga is better though. I don't consider this a masterpiece (not by a lOng shot) but it a good show to watch and talk about, the characters are all fun and silly, cliche at times but nonetheless entertaining and the fan work is just CHEF'S KISS

5) Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

This is a relatively new one but GOD. DAMN. HOW DOES JUST MAKE THIS MASTERPIECE. IT'S SO GOOD. THE EMOTIONS THE PLOT THE CHARACTERS. HOW DOES ONE EXECUTE EVERYTHING SO PERFECTLY AND JUST LEAVES YOU CRYING AND SOBBING MESS BUT IN A GOOD WAY. Genuinely consider this one of the modern classics that will be talked about in years to come. Exploring the how would an immortal perceives time, is not something everyone (or anyone) really explores in fantasy stories but damn frieren absolutely slays with it. Not cherishing the people she was with only to realize how much they meant to her when it was too late, and they're already gone, is just so. UGH. AND THEN SHE SLOWLY LEARNS TO CHANGE AND APPRECIATE THE WORLD AND PEOPLE AROUND HER WHILE GOING THROUGH THE OLD MEMORIES IAISBSJSBSNSNKS. anyway. I do recommend frieren (they better announce that second season)

6) The Apothecary diaries

Also one of the recent ones. What can i say when we get an imperial china not china setting, with inner palace politics, hierarchies and murder mysteries, packed with probably the greatest female protagonist we had in how many years? How can not love it? Maomao my personal spiritual animal. She is just such a compelling character and breath of fresh air in anime community cuz god knows we need more of em. She just feels so real compare to what we usually, she is just one or the girls and that is beautiful. There are of course others aspects of this show that i like but honestly she is probably the main reason this show is just UGH so good

7) Stanley Parable

Okay, this is a bit of an odd one, but hear me out. This game is so GOOOOD. I remember playing way back when, and it was just so different than anything else that was coming out at the time. The meta narrative of this game was truly amazing, the amount options we had and so many interesting dialogs, the THINGS TO EXPLOREE. I also just loved the narrator, he is so goddamn funny, the banter with Henry (even though it's one sided) is still great

These are the ones i can think of, honestly, there are probably others but i cannot remember them rn

[matan4il]

So, it's just a funny story for exhausted shippers I have been seeing lately. Honestly, I'd like to buy you all Gatorade and power bars for doing the heavy lifting all these years.. So here's my story to maybe give you hope.

I watched season 1. Fine, it was good. I'm happy to turn on 2. The moment Eddie was introduced to what a man, while Buck stared at him, I literally groaned. My husband asked, "What's wrong" and my only reply was that an army of shippers was just born.

Full disclosure after that, I hated shipping them. I actually anti shipped them because listen, I have seen this story before, and I didn't like the ending.

So begin seasons of my husband looking at me every time they were on screen just to see me roll my eyes. I explained so many times that it's ridiculous how much they are giving shippers who probably won't get a payout. Worst, yet that dick (I love him, mind you) always turned it into a joke. Random times, he would just quip what do you think Eddie and Bucks' wedding will be like? I swear he's an amazing man, don't judge!

So when Anna came along, I was actually relieved. Like this solves my shipping problem. But I disliked her so. Worst, I lost all Buddie and Christopher goodness, so I then regretted my eye rolls.

OK, so then Taylor was back. Maybe this could fix it for me for a few reasons. I yes disliked Anna and Eddie. However, Buck is my favorite, and when she came back, well, I always viewed her a bit like Bucks white whale. (Between you, me, and the igloo, I will also admit.... I always thought Anna made Buck sad). So here is my insecure boy. Shit went down with Albert and the neighbor girl. Eddie was occupied with Anna. So, OK, I can deal with this because yeah, Buck, you won...... But you can guess it..... I hated it!!!

Honest, I wasn't even sold it was gonna happen after the lasagna dinner. I just don't see any way the story doesn't end up Buddie now though.

My main point is this. If you are a bummed anon because you think the showrunners are trying to squash Buddie. Well, they have done a really shitty job if so. Here I am reluctantly waiting after 5 and half seasons..

Hi Nonnie!

LOL I absolutely love this ask, ‘coz trust me, I get it. We’ve all been there, we’ve all seen same sex ships that we knew would never become canon. We all know that even outside the same sex, it’s always a risk, loving a subtextual ship when it comes to the question of whether it would go canon. And that’s the place you were coming from, right? You were anti-shipping them ‘coz you thought they would be terrible together, you were anti-shipping ‘coz you didn’t want to get invested in a couple that you’d never get to see actually going canon. And the fact that Buddie won you over in spite of that says everything about their power as a couple, and as a family unit together with Chris. It’s so heartwarming and beautiful, it’s worth shipping despite the risks. So thank you for sharing your journey! I enjoyed (and laughed) reading about each of the stations along the way, and I’m so glad to know that you joined us! Yep, if the showrunners keep getting everyone to this place, sometimes kicking and screaming against their will, that has to say something!

Thank you so much for this, hope you have an amazing day! As always, here’s my ask tag. xoxox

[lcndonboysstuff]

I also haven't watched a TV show in ages too tbh. Atleast like from start to finish. Same with books. I tend to have fixations and over the last year and half or so, my mind has been mostly on all of this. I have been trying to find a new thing to fixate on so I can actually focus on a fun thing, but I haven't been feeling about tv shows in a while. I actually have been into astrology lately (hence why I started that convo the other day) and I have been getting back to rewatch some old soap operas I know I already love. That has been fun actually. I live in Portugal and we are big on soap operas or telenovelas as we call it. I wish there was a way to share that with subtitles for y'all.

Still, here are some TV shows I watched like a big while ago and I liked. Others are some of my old comfort shows. I usually am into drama, thriller, crime shows. I also like to be a shipper so I do love a romance too (even though the couples I like all get screwed up somehow). I try to not stick with just the stuff I know I like and try something different every once in a while (same with books but yeah). I also like to watch anime sometimes. Anime is like my happy place. I only watch the romance and good vibe ones.

Charmed (this is the original version by the way, not the reboot. one of my ultimate comfort shows. Some of you probably will know this one, since it's very popular. But long story short, it has 3 sisters who find out they are witches. There's a lot of magic ofc, there's a lot of family union and bonding moments, there's a lot of good romance, there's a lot of funny moments. It's just a feel good show to me)

Instant star (other old but gold. Not sure if this one is very known, because it's canadian. Ok so for those who like series that have a music storyline this is it. Like the whole show is so well developed. It's basically the story of this 16 year old who wins a talent contest and the prize is to record a CD and the show is her whole journey inside the music industry. It goes from her having 16 to 19 years. It depicts the ugly sides of fame and the industry and how is definately not easy to reach success. The songs on the show are all originals written by the lead actress specifically to fit the storyline. But the show also puts a lot of emphasis on her as a person. One thing I will say is, there's a relationship with a problematic age gap here. I know to some people that can be an immediate discard, but don't just rule out. I'm someone who really gets uncomfortable with age gaps as far as up to 5 years. Here, it's higher then that. Yet I still shipped them because it has to do with the way the story is built. Looking back I can admit they were kind of toxic at times but that wasn't due to the age, but ✨ trauma ✨ Also the show treats the age gap like a real issue, it's not swept under the rug. It's a constant talk. And the couple doesn't really get together like that, that's why you end up rooting for them (when they aren't being toxic that is). It's a very slow burn and yes they do pine for each other but that doesn't stop any of them from being with other people and actually fall in love with other people. I think the first ep does give the impression that the fact she immediately crushes on him is going to lead to something right away but it's not. Anyway...ahahaha)

I already wrote a huge ask so I'm going to do a second one with more shows on it

i’ve actually managed to read a few books this year, which i’m proud of cuz i don’t read much anymore.

i think one telenovela that i’ve watched a few years ago, “La Patrona” very entertaining.

my sister has actually watched charmed and recommend it to me a few times!

i’ve never heard of the second one but i’ll add it to my list, i’m looking for a long series to watch throughout the summer. i watched greys anatomy through the last winter break, i stopped at season 11 but it was very enjoyable. those first 8 seasons are class

[usagirotten]

Why 'Bodies' Is Your Next Netflix Obsession – Trust Us, We're Hooked!

Ready to embark on a new binge-watching journey? Well, we've got the perfect series that's about to become your latest obsession – 'Bodies'! Now, I know the struggle of choosing the next show is real. The endless scrolling, the uncertain sighs – we've all been there. But let me tell you, 'Bodies' is not just another series; it's an experience, and I'm here to spill the beans on why you should add it to your watchlist ASAP. The crime and sci-fi series follows four detectives from different periods – 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053 – who discover the same body in Whitechapel, east London. Then, they begin to unravel a disturbing conspiracy spanning decades and have to try to work together to solve the murder. "Based on the mind-bending graphic novel by Si Spencer, Bodies is a police procedural with a twist. When a body – the same body – is found on Longharvest Lane in London's East End in 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053, one detective from each period must investigate. "As connections are drawn across the decades, the detectives soon discover their investigations are linked, and an enigmatic political leader – Elias Mannix (Stephen Graham) – becomes increasingly central. Did he have a part to play in the murder? Or is something far more sinister at play? "To solve the mystery, our four detectives must somehow collaborate and uncover a conspiracy spanning over 150 years."

1. Gripping Storyline that Keeps You Guessing 'Bodies' is not your run-of-the-mill series. Nope, it's a rollercoaster of suspense and drama that'll have you at the edge of your seat. The storyline weaves through unexpected twists, leaving you guessing and theorizing after every episode. It's like trying to solve a mystery while being hooked on a gripping novel – you just can't put it down. 2. Characters You'll Root For (and Against) One of the key elements that make 'Bodies' stand out is its characters. From charismatic leads to enigmatic villains, each character is meticulously crafted, making you feel like you're part of their world. You'll find yourself cheering for some and booing at others – a true rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you invested throughout. 3. Perfect Mix of Thrills and Chills If you're a fan of heart-pounding moments and spine-tingling suspense, 'Bodies' delivers in spades. The creators have nailed the balance between thrills and chills, creating an atmosphere that will make you reach for that extra blanket while binge-watching late into the night. 4. Stellar Performances that Leave a Mark The cast of 'Bodies' is nothing short of phenomenal. The actors bring their A-game, making you forget they're playing characters on a screen. You'll laugh with them, cry with them, and sometimes, even question their motives – that's the level of immersion you can expect. 5. A Community of Fans Awaits You What makes watching 'Bodies' even more exciting is the community that comes with it. Engage in discussions, share your wild theories, and connect with fellow fans who are just as obsessed as you are. Trust me, the 'Bodies' fandom is a welcoming space where everyone speaks the same language of anticipation and excitement. So, Why Watch 'Bodies' on Netflix? Because It's an Adventure Worth Taking! Whether you're a seasoned binge-watcher or just looking for something new to spice up your evenings, 'Bodies' on Netflix is the answer. So, grab your snacks, cozy up on that couch, and let the 'Bodies' marathon begin! Don't just take my word for it – dive in, experience the thrill, and join the 'Bodies' fan club. You won't regret it! Read the full article

[kiss-my-freckle]

What Plec said about Stefan before season 4: “I don’t think ‘good’ Stefan is ‘real’ Stefan. I think Stefan is very damaged, and he’s got some deep darkness and, within that, a beautiful soul with what humanity he can muster. I think until the end of the series, the darker Stefan will always be the truthful Stefan.”

Plec also said at the end of season 3 that the reason why she didn't have him do a redemption arc or apologize for his actions was becaude Stefan's guilt is punishment enough.

This is what Plec said about Kevin and her writing Damon at the start of season 1. I wish they had a clearer vision at the beginning of how to portray his character onscreen:

"For the first three or four episodes, any time anyone read a script at the network they were like, 'Yes, but what's Damon's drive? What does Damon want?' And we were like, 'Oh my God, he just wants to be an a**hole."

This is what was described of Damon in 3x16. Stefan fans claim Damon was the bad brother even when they were humans as well:

"The episode is called ‘1912’ and it’s timed about 100 years ago… when Damon was still the Damon that walked out the door in a huff of disappointment and piousness when his brother was out of control in 1864.”

I don't get why they had Damon kill people in season 5 when at the time of this interview (late season 3) they said Damon would handle his emotions in a healthier way, such as hooking up with Rebekah, than abandon his growth:

Though this will definitely count as a setback in their relationship, Damon isn’t abandoning the growth we’ve seen over the last two seasons. It’s not in Damon’s nature to go home and cry over a girl while staring pensively out a window and writing in a diary, but he’s not about to go on a killing spree, either.

“The thing with Damon is, as we’ve seen, when he’s hurt, he lashes out, and in a way, this is the most cruel way he could have lashed out,” Plec says. “But it also shows a peculiar evolution in him as a character. Rather than take it out on an innocent person on the road, he’s striking where it hurts the most, very specifically, [for] Elena. By no means is it gentlemanly behavior, but certainly it was fun to watch.”

There's also this quote about Damon's charcter by either Plec or Dries:

Damon is so crippled and handicapped by love that it’s turned him into everything that he is and yet the beauty of that is that so pure and simple, if he could just get back to the simplicity of who he was he could be a hero and a good guy, but he is also too savvy and self-aware to just fall into that. And he’s too self-destructive to let that happen too easily.

I agree with most of this.

Damon feels guilt, but not at Stefan's level. Stefan loves, but not at Damon's level. Stefan is a victim to his guilt, Damon is a victim to his love. That's why I love Damon's entire character journey. They gave us a man who fell in love with Katherine and watched how it killed him, then gave us a vampire who fell in love with Elena and watched how it resurrected him. He is and will always be driven by love.

Stefan is completely written around his guilt. He never loved anyone as he loves Caroline. She was his epic love. The vampire he should've fell in love with in 1864 because she would've given him the chance to work through his fear rather than compelled him like Katherine did. The girl who, even though she is a vampire, makes him feel human when they're together. Caroline got that deep, unconditional love no other woman got from Stefan.

Damon is meant to be an asshole, and I love it when he is. I love all things Damon, but for me, asshole Damon is hilarious Damon. I love Kai for the same reason. When they make the villain as fun as they are, it's hard not to enjoy them. He deals with his guilt differently than Stefan. The 1994 prison world is different in the fact that he's stuck facing his guilt every single day as Stefan faces his guilt every single day. That's part of what makes the prison world arc so fun. They show him working through that guilt rather than pushing it out of sight - out of mind.

The real difference is the emotion and the punishment. Damon disconnected from his humanity and lived as a vampire for 145 years, so the guilt affects him differently than it does Stefan. While Stefan feeling guilt is punishment enough, Damon feeling guilt isn't. So you'll see instances in the show where Damon actually punishes himself. While Stefan's guilt is punishment enough, he has to die because his guilt does nothing for his victims. Prisoners aren't taken off death row just because they feel guilty for their crimes. So the man that's victim to his guilt will die and the man that's victim to his love will live.

Fans like to argue the changes Damon has made since meeting Elena as he lashes out in season 5. What they fail to accept, and every reason why Damon said what he did at the motel in Denver, is the fact that vampires are still vampires. They still lash out, they still fall off the wagon. I could say the same of Stefan, who still rips even though Lexi had been helping him since 1864. Vampires are still predators with bloodlust issues and magnified emotions that make them unstable. Sure, can play good, but they're never safe to humans as they will always present that underlying risk. I mentioned it before, how the writers did everything they could to drive this home to the audience. Vampires are a toxic species, period. Comment after comment. Stefan flat-out told the audience that they skipped over serial killer and went straight to vampire because that's what they are.

Season 5 is different, not just in who Damon takes it out on, but also in how he recovers. Damon has a very hard time punishing Elena because he's very much in love with her. He can't even handle seeing her cry. If he truly wanted to punish Elena for her choices in 4x1, he would've followed through and killed Matt. He has no problem with this in season 5. He killed Aaron knowing that she cared about him. That's why Aaron is a very... Matt-like character. Damon no longer has a problem making Elena cry, which was something they pushed through during their sire bond storyline. That's why he has no problem using Jeremy as leverage. He's truly taking it out on her - and wanting to. The difference between season 1 and season 5, is the power. They wanted to show the audience how Katherine's power over him shifted to Elena after he killed Jeremy in 2x1. And it shifted because his lash out was him being victim to his love. He completely destroyed himself. Killing Jeremy wasn't what he wanted or even intended to do. When Damon killed Jeremy the first time, everything he saw in that moment unraveled him, so it's that key moment where Damon chose to better himself.

Typically, when Damon does something wrong, he leaves. Such was the case in 1994, when he killed a house full of people then ran out of town. He didn't bother to stay and help Stefan clean it up. That's why Stefan was forced to leave home. Damon left a mess, and it was too big for Stefan to clean alone. In season 5, he chooses to stay and would've stayed even had Elena chosen not to be with him. He was ready to face the consequences. A lot of their storylines are chosen specific to brother and their own personal experiences. Because Damon spent his entire life running, Stefan would be the one running from Rayna. Because Stefan feels his guilt every single day, Damon went to the prison world to face his guilt every single day.