#Clark has great hair and I love that the show took the time to acknowledge it

[sbd-laytall]

Smallville | 5.11 | "Lockdown"

[localcultivator]

K k so prompt mari is already in a relationship with Damian shes happy hes happy its adorable but dun dun dun Adrien finds out she's ladybug and tries to win her over it doesn't work but most of the class are rooting for him. Chloe is not she thinks he should respect that Marinette is happy with someone else and move on

Oh dear sweet anon, i have returned from war and I bring you this one shot, FINALLY FINISHED. it’s long, sorry. but pls enjoy. 

Marinette wanted to believe that today was going to be a good day. 

She had woken up early and was able to eat a full breakfast with her family, she was able to enjoy her walk to school and Damian was about to start his year abroad in Paris living with her family and going to school with her. 

Marinette had made plans to pick Damian up from the airport the next day, so she was walking on air. 

And then she got to school. 

Things had been... strained since Adrien and Marinette had revealed their identities to each other. Hawkmoth had been defeated and as the guardian, Marinette felt like it was time for her to know just exactly who her partner was. 

Finding out that it was Adrien seemed great at first! Someone she was already close to outside of the mask was also her partner in justice and had helped her save Paris many times. 

It only took Adrien 2 minutes to show Marinette that he didn’t feel the same as her. 

“My Lady! We can finally be together! Now that I know that My Lady is Marinette, I’m gonna sweep you off your feet! You’ll see, we were meant to be together. “

Marinette had tried to explain to Adrien multiple times that she wasn’t interested in him and that she was in a loving committed relationship with her boyfriend of 6 months, Damian, but Adrien wouldn’t take no for an answer. 

Marinette was hoping that with Damian transferring in, Adrien would finally get the hint that Marinette wasn’t interested. 

She arrived at her classroom, noticing that strangely the class seemed mostly full, like everyone had tried to get there early that day. It was... unsettling. 

As she walked to her seat, she noticed the bouquet of flowers, both of them. 

The first was kind of tacky, a dozen red roses with a big sparkly pink ribbon around them. It seemed to have shed glitter all over her desk and Marinette sighed to herself, thinking about the tedious cleanup she would have to endure from such a messy ribbon. 

The second however, was beautiful. An arrangement of white lilies, daisies and Marinette’s favorite flower, yellow marguerites. Sometimes known as Paris Daisies, Marinette had fallen in love with the simple beauty of the flowers. Only one person knew that these flowers meant to her, and that same person also knew Marinette had a small love for the language of flowers. 

White Lilies for My Love is Pure. 

Daisies for I Love You Truly

Yellow Marguerites for I Come Soon. 

She picked up the simple bouquet and smelled them, enjoying the soft scents and smiled to herself. Marinette looked around for Damian’s standard note but couldn’t find one, only seeing the note attached to the glitter bomb mess the other arrangement was. 

“Hey Girl, did you see the flowers Adrien got you? He must really like you to have gotten you roses!” Alya said, sliding up to Marinette who had yet to acknowledge the other flowers on her desk.  

“Alya, I’ve told you, I’m only interested in one guy, and it’s the guy that got me these flowers, knowing to even include my favorite in the arrangement. Those roses are beautiful, but you know I hate glitter, and pink isn’t even my favorite color. It’s green, has been for a while.” Marinette chimed back, picking up the roses finally to get them off her desk. The glitter shimmered in the light, leaving an even dusting on the note the flowers were on top of. 

Marinette wasted no time in disposing the flowers, not paying attention to the note, nor her classes reaction to her throwing the flowers away

She started to begin the laborious process of cleaning her desk off when Ms. Bustier came in, drawing the class's attention. 

“Class, Today we will be welcoming an exchange student from America. He will be with us for the next year to learn French culture and to learn alongside us! Please welcome in Damian Wayne from Gotham'' 

A boy entered the room, tall and handsome. He had dark hair, almost black and tan skin. His eyes were green, not unlike Adrien’s, however his held an air of mystery and a look of mischief. 

No one noticed Marinette freezing, stopping the cleaning of her desk at the announcement of the new student, but everyone noticed her practically flying out of her desk to hug him. 

“Damian! You said you weren’t coming until tomorrow! What are you doing here? You didn’t even tell me you were going to be coming. Were you the one to leave flowers on my desk?” Marinette rattled off her questions, still in the boy’s arms. 

Her words were a mix of french and english, only a few people getting the full scope of what Marinette was saying to Damian. Chloe, who knew english due to her mother, Alya who had learned english reading articles by Lois Lane and Clark Kent, and Adrien who knew it for business.  

“Angel, slow down, you’re speaking in both languages again. I wanted to surprise you so your parents and I planned for me to arrive this morning instead of tomorrow night. I did leave the bouquet, did you get the note with them? It was supposed to tell you to meet me at the Principal’s office, but I assume you were late again?” Damian looked at Marinette like she hung the moon, and more than a few of their classmates were wondering just who this boy was. And why was he calling Marinette Angel? 

“Ya Amar, I didn’t get a note with my flowers this time. What do you mean you left a note?” 

Adrien took this moment to ask the question on everyone’s mind, “My Lady, who is this guy, and why is he calling you Angel?” 

Marinette turned away from Damian, fully pulling out of his embrace. “This is Damian, my boyfriend. We’ve been dating for 8 months, so I’d hope he would have some cute nickname for me. I told you guys multiple times about him, but all of you never seemed to believe me. Damian started to get frustrated at your advances Adrien, so he’s decided to spend a year abroad here!” 

To say that the class was in shock was saying it lightly. Many of the students had just assumed that this boyfriend of hers was to make Adrien jealous. The only ones who had seemed to believe her were Chloe, Juleka and Luka. All three had met Damian previously to this, whether in person like Chloe or over a video call like the Couffaines. Alya’s face turned bright red while Adrien had gone pale, like he’d seen a ghost. 

“Ugh this is ridiculous. I can’t believe none of you believed Mari when she said she had a boyfriend! Anyway, Wayne, you better treat Mari right while you’re here or I’m calling Jon.” Chloe exclaimed to the class, wanting everyone to stop staring at her friend like some kind of freakshow. 

Damian just nodded his head in acknowledgment and started to pull Mari towards her desk. He noticed the glitter still on the desk and his eyes narrowed. “ Angel, do you need help cleaning off all of this glitter? It seems quite excessive.” His tone was cold, even as he had a gentle smile on his face directed at Marinette. 

“I hope that people in this class will be respectful of My and Marinette’s relationship. I’m quite committed to her, and would be happy to prove that to anyone who doubts my feelings for her, or hers for me.” 

The tension in the classroom was almost visible, some students with looks of shame and shock, other’s with small pleased smiles. The only one who hadn’t seemed to react yet was Adrien, still stuck in his shock over his lady actually being in a relationship. He finally seemed to acknowledge the world around him with Damian’s words but you could see the light in his eyes had dimmed significantly. 

Damian looked pleased, and as he helped Marinette clean off her desk for the day, he had a feeling no one would doubt his angel any more. 

[toughguywithbossygirlfriend]

Superman : Heroes #1 ... Diana and Bruce

In “Superman(2018) #18″ Superman revealed to the World that his name was “Clark Kent” and the comic book “Superman:Heroes #1″ presents the immediate aftermaths.

(Edit from DC Comics Rebirth Superman(2018) #18 and Superman:Heroes #1)

This Issue had a unique and delightful little story with Diana and Bruce, 0% Action, only talking,.. a dance between two people caring for each other ... It revealed a bit of the real man behind the “Bat” and the “Playboy”. I loved Diana’s wisdom in this, especially when she compared Bruce to Clark.

As a first result, not every one in the Justice league looked happy about that “Scoop”..

(Edit from DC Comics Rebirth Superman(2018)  #18)

Batman’s POV about secrecy shouldn’t be a surprise, ... but Diana’s behavior seemed rather unsettling... First I thought she was still angry after her speech about the loss of trust during their last exchange in DC Comics “Batman/Superman (2019) #6.

(Edit from DC Comics Batman/Superman (2019) #6)

Her whole speech was about the morality of keeping secrets ... Diana’s speech may have encouraged Clark to go Public with his Identity ... but after he’d done it her comment shows she didn’t seem so sure about that part ... Why would she be unsatisfied if Clark just followed her theory about secrecy ?

(Edit from DC Comics Rebirth Superman(2018) #18)

Revealing everything to the world wasn’t what she meant ... She’s a diplomat, she understands that there is an “in between”,  a compromise to make ... not all truths can be thrown around without care... Diana was making them a lecture about “keeping secrets” earlier, Yes, but... it was mostly about “keeping secrets from each other” ... so this new “secret” Clark had kept again from them was actually what she was complaining about previously and had to hurt both, Diana and Bruce,... once again one of them took a secret decision without sharing it with the others. Leaving them to face the consequences once everything was done ... Bruce is so angry that he ironically tells Clark that the Kents are completely “off the grid” (something he surely invested some hard work and a lot of time to achieve) because Clark just busted all of his hard work in a second... Yeah, Clark, how should he feel about that ?... XD

(edit from DC Comics Rebirth Justice League(2018) #47)

Finally Clark understands how much he hurt Bruce later and apologizes (see “Justice League(2018) #47″)... He may now have understood what Diana talked about earlier...

But lets get back to our subject “Superman : Heroes #1″

The stories of DC Comics “Superman : Heroes #1″ have been written by Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction and Greg Rucka.

Greg Rucka is one of the best writers of the pairing Wonder Woman/Batman (“Blackest Night : Wonder Woman”, “The Hiketeia”, “The Solstice”, ...) he has usually a great touch when it comes to tell in a more subtle way how much Diana and Bruce care for each other.

(Edits from Some of Greg Rucka’s Work for DC comics)

 In the comic “Superman:Heroes”, Greg Rucka is behind these 8 Panels out of the 35 that the comic contains, pretty much one quarter of the whole book about Superman, and his story is only about Diana and Bruce ... already a message in itself ... and he did an amazing work again. Few words but so much was said (pretty much the opposite of what I am doing right now ! XD )

The Art is amazing as well.

It happens shortly after Superman’s meeting with the JL, and starts with Bruce standing alone in front of his Parents grave. Lost silently in his thoughts.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Suddenly a well known voice breaks him out of his reverie. Diana is here. Bruce is Classy as always, while Diana wears more casual clothing ... I think Rucka chose on purpose to drop the uniforms for this exchange ... because the uniforms are not really “them”. This is not really about Batman and Wonder Woman but about the people behind those masks.

.(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

She came to look after him. She could have gone anywhere, with anyone. She could have celebrated with Clark and the rest of the league this unique moment, this huge step Superman made... but she choose to go to a most lonely and sad place for one of her closest friends : Wayne Manor’s graveyard.... and she knew she would find him there... She knows his reaction was excessive ... there is something hurting him hard and she needs to know what...

“Thought I would find you here ... How are you doing ?” A useless question because Diana already knows the answer to her question ... otherwise she wouldn’t be there, she wouldn’t have come directly to the graves...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce turns around and walks away ...then, in the distance, just says “Fine.”. Diana stands silently while he flees into loneliness again... Bruce knows she won’t go away after just a “Fine”, he knows the truth, she will dig further, so he retreats from the battlefield because she won’t leave him to his dark mood...

3 sentences, 11 Words, that's all you get for a full page with 5 great pictures...

All 8 panels of that story are really wonderful. They are made like a movie, using silences to show the depth, the seriousness of the subject, the loneliness, sadness and deep closeness of both characters. Pictures with perspectives, enhance the effect of their loneliness ... Diana and Bruce may be in their home world but it is as if they were both still with only each other in the plane of Gehenna ... Diana and Bruce ... all alone.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Second panel ... Bruce stops somewhere facing in silence a magic sunset matching his current mood ... Diana follows until she stands next to him.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Again he tells her he doesn’t want company ... “mhm”, she acknowledges ... the wind blows in her hair, she tries to fix it ... silence ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

The wind blows, she gives up, letting her hair flow around her face... A little chat ... Bruce turns around, fleeing the battlefield again ...

Third panel ... Hell ... a full page , 7 pictures, only two sentences, 8 little words...  pure magic from G. Rucka and the other artists.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

This time Diana is inside Wayne Manor ... looking at the giant painting of Bruce’s Parents... deep in thoughts ... wondering what exactly pushed Bruce to their graves after Superman’s revelation.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce is in the kitchen ... Diana enters as if she was at home and drops her jacket ... approaching the table, they exchange a look ... She takes a seat, her usual seat? then Diana waits for him to make his move ... She smiles ... She just owns the place ... Bruce isn’t surprised, he expected her, he waited for her, even made some tea in the meantime... did he flee earlier ? or did he just want to get them a comfortable place to be and talk ? ... He probably wouldn’t have made tea “for two” if he wanted to be left alone ... He knew she wouldn’t give up on him no matter how strong he would push her away, so there was no need to put more conviction in the game ... that’s what they learned in Gehenna ... they may both give up the fight for their mission, but they never ever give up on each other... Bruce knew he wouldn’t win that battle. Not with Diana, so he didn’t really try. Actually Bruce needed her and she came ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

And the only sentences exchanged between the two in the whole panel are so domestic ... “Tea ?” ... ”That would be lovely, Bruce.” ... That bright, sly, smile on Diana’s face reveals everything  ... she knows she was right and won their little fight ... he won’t push her away again, he doesn’t even want her away ... they are going to talk. But she needs to let him space ... Diana just has to let him lead the way now.

Is it even possible to make it more obvious how much they know each other, care for each other ... those two don’t even need J’onn J’ozz to communicate without speaking ... they only need an brief eye contact.

Fourth panel ... more silence ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce needs to collect his thoughts ... Diana sips her tea ...

Then he talks, but Diana plays dumb ... she wants him to express his problem, to name it... Diana is very smart here ... because she cannot really get a grip on what is hurting him so hard. She needs to get it out of him ... she knows the real problem is hidden deep under layers and layers ... and this isn’t really about Clark keeping a secret from him ... from them.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Of course they talk about Superman revealing that he was “Clark Kent” and even if Diana plays dumb, she still says something very interesting here ... she calls him “KAL” while Bruce is upset because of “Clark” ... I think this way Diana tells him that Superman still didn’t tell the truth ... because “Clark Kent” is just another identity ... “KAL” is the kryptonian man who lives on earth under the disguise of “Clark Kent” and who is called “Superman” when he plays Superhero... just like Bruce is a human who lives a fake life as a Playboy and CEO when he is not playing Superhero and called “Batman” otherwise ... I think it is her way to say the Superman is still Lying even if it is to himself. Still she can give “Superman/Clark Kent” a name describing the real him “KAL”... while “Bruce” uses his own birthname for a partly faked persona ...

In “Superman : Villains #1″, Supergirl, still under the effect of the Batman Who Laughts Toxin tells pretty much the same as what I think Diana tries to convey here.

But Bruce is too upset to listen to her ... So he gives her a list of reasons why this is bad, partly accurate partly disputable ... so she counters him even if her own arguments is accurate/disputable as well ... nothing is simple ... but this isn’t about “Superman”, something Diana understood quickly ... if it was only about “Clark” or “Kal”, Bruce wouldn’t be this upset... How long have Diana and Bruce been married again ?... Yeah, Right,.. something like 37 years in Hell ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Several millennia and all the Wisdom of Athena speaks thru Diana while she harbors that sly smile. Bruce gets silent again, Diana saw right thru him, maybe better than he did himself.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce flees again ... but does he really ? Since the beginning he doesn’t really push hard and Diana knows it ... You just get the feeling he wants her to follow him ... maybe he needs her to help him figure out why he really is that upset..

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

The Batcave ... it looks as if they were getting more and more deeper, more personal ... First the world outside, then inside his home, and now his most secret part... maybe another symbolic meaning ... to show how Diana is getting closer to the real hidden reason.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

By the look of Bruce’s sneer, you can tell he is angry, hateful even... but Diana never feels threatened in any way, she feels safe, even “Poking the Bear” a little as shown by her mischievous look... until it suddenly downs on her !! ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Can we just relish in that view for a moment ? ... Perfect female body meets perfect male body .... Aargh !! ... can’t they just go down on it ! ... OK ! I need to get some self control back ... sorry !

What Diana sees... is Bruce staring at his suits, his disguises, his secrets, his ... enemy ? ... Batman ? ... now she can SEE what hurts him so hard !

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Diana figured out the truth ! ... Bruce is first in denial, then thinking and accepting it ... Bruce goes from angry, to sad and beaten...

One part of the amazing points of this story is Diana’s statement when she compares “Bruce” and “Kal”.  Whoever thought Wonder Woman wouldn’t value the “powerless” Bat when compared to the “godlike” Superman is going to wake up with a serious headache ... For Diana, the only thing Clark can do, that Bruce can’t, is what we all do ... “live without a secret identity” ... anything else she considers Bruce does at least as good as Clark if not better ... BAM ! ... I honestly didn’t expect to read that in a comic about Superman ! ... And this coming from non other then Powerhouse number two Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, Princess of the Amazon, daughter of Zeus gifted with the Wisdom of Athena ... that was mind-blowing !!

But to be honest such appreciative comments from Diana, somewhere in between admiration and adoration, happen more and more often lately in different DC comics.

(Edit from several DC Comics books)

I would say we’ve gone back when Diana considered Clark as “Good husband material” for Lois, while “Bruce” was “Fast, Dangerous, the thrill ride..” ... back then, even Clark understood who Diana’s heart would settled with...

(Edit from several DC Comics Trinity(2008) #6 and Blackest Night:WW(2010) )

This was of course before the New52 nonsense hit the fan...

 (Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

The other great point is that “Bruce” ... is jealous of “Kal” ... What !? how is that great ?

For the Dark Knight, admitting this kind of weakness to anyone is pretty much unthinkable ... unless it is to Diana. I think Bruce and Diana are now closer than Bruce and Clark ever were. But this jealousy is as well the proof that there is a man behind the Batman, behind the Playboy ... someone who doesn’t really like either of them, someone who dreams of family, home, of the freedom to live a normal happy life. The Princess of Themyscira is one of the only women (if not the only one) to have access to that man, the real “Bruce”.

Bruce is someone who can’t be reduced to “the Batman” as often said. He is a man, a Hero who decided to play that role, a man who made it his duty to fight crime and to protect those who can’t do it for themselves. Just like Diana did when she chose to become “Wonder Woman” and leave the paradise island of  Themyscira for Men’s world. He is jealous, and is ashamed of it, because he should grant it to his best friend Clark/Kal. It is his dream to have that kind life, a dream Diana shares as well ... but both have decided long ago that their Duties were more important and had to be done at any personal cost.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

But there is another message in this Jealousy ...

Over the last 50 years, it had been explained several times that Bruce Wayne chooses his romantic partners with a purpose as described in the story with Bekka (in January 2008): Relationships must fail.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman Batman(2003) #42 - story with Bekka)

If Bruce is Jealous about Clark’s “Home, Family” life this means he is now ready to a real longtime commitment with a woman. He wants that now. Over the years he matured (just like “Batfleck” in the DCEU). Keeping his distance with Diana because of their friendship all those years was only part of the excuse. He always chose his partners to fail ... and with Diana he knew a relationship would have a high risk of succeding. I think Diana was always more ready to start something with him at least judging by the way she smiled when she woke up from the “Transconciousness Articulator”, but she changed her mind once he told her he didn’t want to know what was “lurking in his mind” ... Back then Diana knew he wasn’t ready.

Bruce Wayne is ready now ... Is this what Tom King meant when he said he changed Batman for the Decade to come, that he put his “Mark” on Bruce Wayne ?  His Batman/Catwoman run proved one thing to the shareholders... the Batman fans are ready to have their Hero seriously committed to a Woman. In fact the love story didn’t drop the sales but supported them. Tom King showed Batman sells better as a “Man in love” then as a lone Wolf ...

Still a lot of fans understand that an untrustworthy and still active criminal like Selina can’t possibly be the best match for the crusader of Justice ... and while Diana seems still to adore him, after that little chat in the Cave and the 37 years in Gehenna, she should have understood by now that he is ready for something really serious ... So ... “Perhaps ....” hopefully in the near future ...

[emeraldbiscuit]

Adored by him

Word Count: 1.9k

Midoryia Izuku x Reader

Summary: After crushing on Izuku since the beginning of UA Valentines Day comes around and it’s the perfect time to confess, or so you thought,

Inspired by Adored by him by Dodie Clark

Aizawa's’ voice drowned out as I unconsciously focused on Midoryia Izuku, the cutest guy in class. I sighed knowing he would probably never notice me, I mean I boring and quite basic. I’m anything but special.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt a throbbing pain in the back of my head, Bakugo Katsuki, one of my friends - if you could even call us that - had hit me. Why?

“Hurry up dumb-ass, I’m hungry and the other damn dumb-asses refuse to leave without you” He cursed while glaring at me.

I quickly nodded before grabbing my lunch out of my bag and following my friends. I’m not sure why they keep me around, I don’t ever participate in their conversations, I’m just kinda there, lost in the clouds like some idiot.

Once we got to the cafeteria, I went off to go find a table to sit at while I wait for everyone to get their lunch. I sigh once again as I sat down, I placed my lunch box on the table as I waited for everyone so I could start eating. 

I fiddled with the ends of my hair as my thoughts drifted back to my crush, someone completely out of my reach in every way possible. 

I looked up as I wear a bang of some sort, it was Katsuki, putting his tray down dramatically as always. I giggle, he is a creature of habit.

“Oi! What the hell are you laughing at, shitty girl?” He shouted at me

I giggled once again at his demeanour “I just find it funny how after all this time I’ve known you, you haven’t changed, minus than getting stronger” Gotta at least boost his ego a bit so he doesn’t get too mad at me.

He huffed as the rest of the Bakusqaud joined the table, I was now sitting across from Katsuki and sitting next to Mina and a wall. This is how it’s always is and I love it.

I started to nibble at my food as I listened to everyone talks about the lessons we just had. I started to zone out still Mina nudged my shoulder.

“Hey y/n! Valentines Day is next week” She said with excitement dripping from her voice.

I nod my head in acknowledgement before going back to eating.

She pouted and nudged me again, though a bit harder. “Who’s going to be the special guy?” 

I looked over at her and rose a brow “What makes you think I like someone? Let alone will ever confess about it?”

She giggled and closed her eyes and smiled brightly “Cause of how red your cheeks are” She said while pinching my cheek.

I pouted “Please stop” I mumbled while looking down.

She stopped, realising I’ve had enough and went back to talking with everyone else at the table.

I returned to my food and glanced up and saw my crush laughing…I wonder what he finds so funny. I sighed as I finished my food.

My thoughts went to what Mina said, Valentines Day, a holiday for lovers. A holiday I’ve always spent alone, the only gifts I’ve received being from myself. 

I heard the bell ring, ushering us to go back to our classes. I follow my friends back to class where I didn’t look up once and went straight to my seat.

The rest of the day passed by pretty quickly. 

I packed up my bag and didn’t bother replying to anyone who asked if they wanted to hang out, I spent a quick wave before embarking on my journey home.

As I was walking through town I noticed a small shop that seemed to be selling all sorts of random things. I smiled to myself as I walked inside, I’ve always love random trinkets and stuff to decorate my room with.

A small bell rang as I walked in. ‘ this place is super awesome!!’ I screamed in my head as my smile brightened.

I saw a women pop out from behind the back and I sent her a wave before looking around the shop.

The women cleared her throat before talking “Looking for anything in particular?”

I shook my head “No, just having a nosy”

She let out a soft hum before returning to the back.

I picked up a few things before going to a table that appeared to be a checkout.

The women appeared with some box, which I didn’t question.

“Hey dear, is this all?”

I nodded and gave her the right amount of money for my items.

“Do you mind taking this too? I’ve had it for so long and I just don’t know what to do with it” She asked “I’m sure there’s a guy you know who would love it”

I looked at her confused before peering inside the box. My mouth dropped and I looked at her shocked “B-but…th-that’s a limited edition All Might figure. There was only 50 ever made!”

She nodded “But will you please take it”

I shook my head “I can’t, at least without paying for it”

She sighed and held her hand out “Fine, as long as you take it”

I handed her my credit card with a smile on my face, she quickly rung me out and handed me my card.

I put my know found belongings into my back before thanking her and continuing my walk home.

I looked down at the figure why she would want to sell something so valuable for such a low price. I inspected the box to see if it was an original - which it was. 

My mind cast back to when Izuku was so disappointed when he couldn’t get one. 

I’m not too much of a collector for this sort of stuff. I’m not sure what to do with it now.

As I reached my home, I got my keys out and unlocked the door. Hmm, seems like everyone is at work.

I left my shoes at the door before heading to my room. 

I put my bag on the floor next to my desk, I sat at my desk chair and hugged the figure. I let out a deep sigh. Was this the worlds way of telling me to confess? I wondered as I closed my eyes.

I can’t deny fate I guess, I put the figure on my desk before grabbing some paper and a pen.

A love note…a note for love, how does one do this exactly. I’ve never been too good at revealing emotions.

My dearest Izuku

Nope, can’t call him mine.

Dear Izuku

Wait, can I call him by his first name??

Dear Midoryia Izuku,

                 I am writing this letter of confession to well, confess. Ever since I saw you on the first day you seemed so fun to be around and your image has just always stuck with me, from the way you awkwardly scratch the back of your neck to your blinding smile.

I know we’ve been in the same class for nearing half a year and we’ve barely talked but I can’t help but always think about you. You’re so amazing in so many ways: you’re so incredibly strong - like All Might strong, always so smart, always showing off that glorious smile of yours that can warm the coldest of souls. 

I hope you can accept my feelings,

                           L/N F/N xx

I sighed as I put my pen down, I reread the letter I’ve written at least 40 times by now. 

“Isn’t going to get any better” I mumbled before putting it in an envelope and heading off to bed.

I woke up the next day and everything went by so fast, this cycle continued until the dreaded Valentine Day.

I sighed as I got up. I got ready for school and glanced at my desk where a gift bag was placed. I quickly grabbed it before leaving for school and saying bye to my parents.

Yesterday, I slipped a note into Izuku’s locker, asking him to meet me in the library before class. Though I didn’t leave a name.

When I arrived at the destination, I just stood outside the door, trying to gain the confidence to go through with this. I took a deep breath before pushing the door open for the library and entering. 

I immediately spotted him as he looked up at me when I entered, he flashed that heartwarming smile that made all my worries wash away.

“Hey y/n! What’s that you got there?” 

I walked up to him nervously before handing him the gift bag which held the figure and the letter. “For you” I mumbled while looking down.

He took the bag and peeked inside. He immediately went pale. He took out the letter, ignoring the figure, as much as he wanted it, he knew he couldn’t accept it. He opened the letter and started to read it.

I nervously shuffled my feet as I played with my fingers.

He dropped the letter which caused me to look up at him.

“I’m sorry y/n..” He took hold of my hands which caused my face to turn bright pink “You’re a great person and a wonderful hero but I can’t accept your feelings or your gift” He let go of my hands as he tried to get me to take back the figure.

“No, it’s okay. You can keep it though, I knew how much you wanted one” I said with a forced smile as tears started to fall down my face.

I quickly turned around and started walking away which soon turned into a sprint to getaway. 

I knew I was going to get rejected but I didn’t think it was going to hurt this much. I eventually reached the woodland area outside the school. I leaned against a tree and slowly slipped down onto the ground, still damp from the morning dew. 

I started sobbing as I brought my knees to my chest.

I hope no one finds me here…

The rest of the day became a blur. I remember stumbling home and going to bed and crying myself asleep.

I groan as I heard my alarm go off, I swung my legs over the bed and headed to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror to reveal my puffy red eyes.

I hope they’ll dull down by the time I get to school.

I finish my bathroom appointments then head back to my room and got ready. I head out the door, not wanting to talk in fear my voice would betray me and crack up.

I was a bit early to class since it was just me and Tenya there. He was asking me why I wasn’t in class yesterday but I just ignored him. I don’t feel like talking to anyone.

I sighed as he left to go and say hello to our classmates that entered the door. I glanced over to see Izuku and a girl…Ochaco. They were holding hands and rubbing their noses together with bright smiles on their faces.

I felt my stomach turn at the sight and my eyes fill with water, threatening to spill at any second now. I put my arms on my desk and burrowed my head inside as I let the tears all spill at once.

That’s why…why he rejected me…

How stupid to think that I could compare to the pretty girl with the butterscotch hair.

[canonconspiracy]

Dying Together And Drinks (Murphy x Reader)

Fandom: The 100

Fanfiction By: @rmorningstar21

Pairing: John Murphy x Reader

Warnings: Swearing, Severe Injury

Cross posting on Wattpad and AO3 (@rmorningstar21)

__________

At first, when you were left injured in the dropship, you just lied there.  Everyone was gone, and your wound made it so you would be unable to stand, unable to move.  Murphy had made sure that you would die, and the fact that no one had taken out the bullet that was allowing you to bleed eternally, you knew that with everyone gone, you were done for.  

Somehow Raven, who had also received a bullet from Murphy, was taken away by the same men that gassed the rest of the camp.  You had not seen them taken away, but hiding behind the metal inside the dropship, you were unseen by the assailants. In that sense, maybe you had gotten lucky.  

When you heard movement, you reached for the gun nearby, pointing it at the only place of entry of the dropship, when your eyes landed upon a bloodied, beaten John Murphy.  Your lips visibly frowned upon the sight of the limping boy, heart clenched with fear of uncertainty as the boy had been the one to shoot you in the first place.  

"What are you doing here?" You spat weakly, your teeth fresh with blood as your eyes watched the boy make his way in.  

Murphy held his hands up weakly in defeat, his lips in a frown as he laid his eyes upon you.  "Dying, same as you," he said simply, that little bit of Murphy sass still apparent in his voice as he spoke, no matter how badly injured he was.  

If you weren't in so much pain, just maybe you would have let out a sarcastic chuckle.  Instead, you tossed your gun off to the side, before moving yourself to as much of a seated position as you could muster.  "If you can get close enough, just maybe I could get the restraints off you," you said softly, struggling to speak as you did, but your eyes were set upon the bloodied brunette.  

He took no time getting over to you, though it was a struggle.  You reached into your pocket to pull out a knife, taking his hand with your own as you cut the bounds that were upon his wrist.  His eyes that caught your own were almost shocked as he felt his hands freed, massaging his wrists as he backed away from you, returning to the spot that he originally was.

There weren't a great deal of words shared between the two of you before you began coughing up blood.  You felt as if you were drowning, your eyes widened as you coughed. Blood trickled and spilled from your mouth as you struggled.  

"Hey, hey," Murphy said quickly, getting over to you as quickly as he could.  "Get on your side, now." He started to move you, and you struggled initially, before allowing him to fully turn you to your side.  "There, just like that. Are you okay?" 

You allowed yourself to cough all the blood out that you possibly had to cough before your eyes glanced back into his deep brown eyes.  In a shaky tone, you asked, "Why are you helping me?" 

His lips curled into a half smile, saying, "I don't want to die alone." 

"I'm likely going to die before you, you know," you said with a soft, pained chuckle.  

This time, he sat beside you, laughing pained and sarcastic as well.  "You're reassuring," he said sarcastically as he sat by your side. "Why are you being so nice to me?" 

You sighed, sitting up as much as you could try and muster.  "What made you like this, Murphy?" You countered. "My parents didn't love me, but I don't go around killing people." 

"My parents loved me," he countered, a frown on his face.  You could almost see tears forming in his eyes as he spoke, and your own eyes softened at the sight.  

"Then what, pray tell, made a boy whose parents loved him into a killer?" You said, before watching his eyes water just a tad more, causing you to frown.  "I mean, I really want to know, Murphy." 

You watched the boy's pained brown eyes almost overflowing with tears, truly showing you into his soul as he looked at you.  "He gets the flu," he started off, his voice full of melancholy, mixed with the rough tone of a man that was tortured mercilessly.  "Then his father steals medicine that it turns out wouldn't have helped, and got floated for it. His mother turns to drinking. Before he find her lying in a puddle of her own vomit, she tells him that he was the one who killed his father." 

Your heart tightened at his words, and you absently reach your pained hand out towards Murphy.  He flinches at the initial touch of your hand against his own, but does not pull away. "I'm sorry, Murphy," you murmured softly, your eyes averting as you spoke, directed towards the floor of the drop ship.  "If it means anything, I've never actually hated you." 

"I shot you," he muttered out, his brown eyes glancing back over to you.  "I've held a knife to your throat."  

Admittedly, the list of wrongs that he had done to you was long, and he could have gone on, but he had also done positive things for you as well.  Through the short time that you had all been on the ground, it had been about survival. Everyone had done bad, and it was not just John Murphy that had killed.  Thinking back to who he killed, even when he tried to hang Bellamy, it was all revenge. Being hung was not something you could just forgive and forget, and in a sense, you could understand that.

You squeezed his hand gently, reassuringly as you said in your weak voice, "We've all done shit since we've been down here.  I'm not going to say you're a fucking angel, or thank you for shooting me, but you've done what you needed to do. I can't condone every action, but I can understand them." 

"I didn't mean to shoot you," he defended raspily, his grimace prominent upon his face.  "I saw you at the hanging. Even after I threatened you, you were trying to get me down." 

You could feel a few tears drip from your eyes at his words, and took in a sharp breath.  "I'm sorry I couldn't stop it from happening, really. You may walk around camp like the local badass, but I didn't think you killed Wells.  Even if you had, what they did was too much." 

"I kind of wish it didn't go this far," he said softly, a whisper that wondered whether or not he wanted you to truly know how he was feeling.  "You're the one person that's seemed to care." 

"Well, we'll both be dead soon anyways," you said with a melancholic chuckle, your breath wheezing slightly as you spoke.  Your eyesight had already begun to blur, lack of blood taking its toll upon your body as you sat beside him. The warmth in your body was slowly draining as the blood did.  "But, in hindsight, I wish we got to spend some more time together." 

Murphy moved closer to you, clearly feeling the temperature change in your skin, resting your head upon his lap.  He stroked your hair gently, tears dropping cautiously from his eyes as he held you. Partially from the blood loss, and partially from the fact that you did not mind it anyhow, you allowed it all to happen without a fight.  He whispered to you, "Y/N, please, don't you die on me yet." 

Your world was blurry, but you were still breathing for the time being when the calvary had arrived.  Though you were not sure who had walked in, your eyes closed as Murphy was stroking your hair comfortingly.  "Help her!" Murphy exclaimed, referring to you.  

You felt your heart speed up for a bit as you were removed from your comfort, actually missing Murphy's surprisingly gentle touch.  Your vision was replaced with Dr. Griffin as she checked you out, initially saying, "Y/N, you're going to be okay," in a soothing, motherly nature.  "What happened to you?" 

"I-I got shot," you said weakly.  

Abby checked out your injury, telling you that you would need surgery and that you would need to be brought on a stretcher.  Shortly afterwards, you, Abby, and Murphy were joined by Bellamy and Finn. Murphy walked at your side, as with his injuries he was still limping and unable to carry the stretcher.  

"T-thank you," you whispered to him as you were lying on your back, head turned to see him.  "In case I die, you know." 

"You're not going to die," Murphy snarked, a light smirk across his lips.  "You're a fighter." 

***

Murphy was right, of course,and you had to spend days waiting for him to return to Camp Jaha.  You had to wait even longer for Murphy to be let out of interrogation, as Finn had massacred a handful of women and children.  It felt like forever since you had seen the sarcastic asshole last, until he popped right down beside you at the table.  

You gently sipped the moonshine, glancing your eyes over to his brown eyed gaze.  "I'm fully pardoned," he started off with, as the two of you sat with Clarke, Bellamy, and shortly joined by Finn.  "The pardons for the 100 extend to what has happened on the ground." 

You allowed your lips to slip into a smile, and you acknowledged him with your eyes.  For whatever reason, though you were so excited to see him, you could not seem to utter a word to him.  He returned the same look, though, and it melted you inside.  

He proceeded to make enough snarky comments between the group to be told to leave the table, shortly followed by yourself.  "I-I've been waiting to see you again," you said sheepishly, though your voice was almost too low for even him to hear.  

"I see you made it through surgery," he said back to you, a slight smirk on his face.  

You chuckled, saying, "I had something to look forward to once I got out, so I couldn't really die on that operating table." 

"Oh?" Murphy replied sarcastically.  "What, you found a boyfriend within the time I've been gone?" 

"You wish," you said sarcastically with a chuckle.  "Maybe I went crazy from blood loss, because I was actually looking forward to seeing you again." 

"You've got to be kidding me," Murphy said rolling his eyes, though his smirk was turning into a little more of a smile as he glanced over to you, taking another sip of his moonshine.  "What, I shot you and you fell in love with me?" 

"In your dreams, Murphy," you chided sarcastically.  "It takes a little more than almost dying to win my affection, thank you." 

"Well, I have some other ideas," he replied, his voice getting almost suggestive as he spoke.  

You rolled your eyes, saying, "Not holding a knife to my throat again, right?" 

"Hey, I'm not a psycho," Murphy scolded lightly, causing you to laugh.  

You reached for his hand, placing yours gently on top of his as you did.  A bit of blush formed upon your cheek at the feel of his calloused hand below your own, especially since he did not pull away.  "I'm kidding, jesus, Murphy," you said softly.  

Murphy's brown eyes flickered to your lips, and back up into your eyes, as if he was asking you politely.  This was a shocking action from Murphy, but nonetheless, the two of you began leaning in closer to one another, until the gap was fully closed.  You could taste the moonshine against his lips, and moulded yours to his as the two of you kissed. Feeling him smirk into the kiss made you blush just a little bit more.  

You wished that it did not end when it did, but unfortunately you could hear someone clear their throat behind you.  Bellamy was standing behind the two of you, his arms crossed in disapproval as he watched the two of you separate. An annoyed look blossomed on Murphy's face as he noticed who was creating the hindrance towards the two of yours lips colliding once again.  

"So, you two?" Bellamy scoffed.  "Really?" 

"Do you have a problem, Blake?" Murphy chided.  

You rolled your eyes, before the two of them could get into another stupid fight, standing up to be in front of Murphy, in between him and Bellamy.  "Yes, really," you said confidently. "If it weren't for him, I would have died in that drop ship hours before anyone got there. I know you boys don't see eye to eye, but I don't see where you have any reason to jump in on our affairs." 

Bellamy let out an annoyed huff, knowing he couldn't step into anything that would piss the guards off, leaving the two of you alone once more.  You turned back to Murphy, who had a somewhat impressed smirk upon his face. Watching as he stood, you felt his arms slip around your waist firmly.  

"You really pissed off the king," he chided playfully, nuzzling his head into your neck as he spoke.  

You chuckled softly, curling into him a bit as the two of you stood.  "He's not the king of our society anymore," you said softly. "And after all, who cares?  He'll get over it eventually." 

"Would you prefer to go somewhere a little more private?" Murphy suggested, knowing it was getting late anyhow.  

You hummed in reply, nodding as you did so.  Hand in hand, the two of you made your way back to your room, which was mainly adorned with the pile of discarded pillows and blankets that you had made into a bed.  "I know it's not much, but it's better than nothing," you said softly.  

The two of you had not gotten overly frisky this night, instead, actually getting to know one another while lying comfortably in one another's arms.  He stroked your hair gently as the two of you spoke, enjoying the soft feeling of your hair against his skin. You told him about you, and how your parents were only present until a little bit before you were put in the sky box, as they had been much like his mother.  

Lying peacefully in one another's arms, soft kisses were shared with chapped lips, as well as secrets you had never told anyone of the 100 before.  To think, you almost died merely a few days prior, in the presence of the same person who warmed your bed now. The two of you eventually drifted off into slumber, and though the tough John Murphy would never admit it, he had been the happiest he had been since he arrived on Earth - even the happiest he'd been since he was sick.

[immortalpramheda]

The 100 6x11 ‘Ashes to Ashes’

Sheidheda is still taunting Madi. As she faces him in a game of chess, he tells her what it is he wants from her. He wants her to get revenge for Clarke, and kill anyone who gets in her way. He wants her to rule this world, just like he did the last.

I’m thinking more and more that he might be Cadogan. From what we’ve learnt previously, Cadogan burnt Becca alive and it’s seems very likely he then took over the Grounder culture and made it what it ultimately became. There’s a huge possibility that he could be the Dark Commander. Maybe now being in Sanctum (a new world), it’s awoken him and he wants to rule this one and turn it into something more twisted, just like he did to the last world.

“Mistakes are forgivable, not learning from them isn’t.” Miller and Gaia were two of Bloodreina’s most loyal followers in the bunker, but we’ve never really seen them interact before. They both feel regret at how they stood by and didn’t do anything to stop all the horror that transpired. Miller in particular still feels immense guilt. But as Gaia points out, they can be forgiven as long as they learn from their mistakes.

Miller goes back to his roots as a thief and is the reason they manage to escape. He steals a knife from a guard, but he doesn’t use it to to kill, he uses the wire to pick a lock. He’s learning from his mistakes that violence is not always the way. If there is another option, then they should take it. These two together were gold and I’d love to see more of them!

Echo is to be the first new host, using bone marrow extracted from Madi. She’s turned into a Nightblood the same way that Clarke was. She’s terrified of being mind wiped, and we learn why. Because she’s been erased before.

When Echo was a child she was being trained by Queen Nia to become an assassin. When she fails to kill a man, she is instead tasked with killing her friend, Ash. If she fails at this too, then they both die.

She’s hesitant and refuses to put up much of a fight, even begging Ash to fight back and show there’s value in her too. But Ash ends up killing her instead. Nia gives her the name of Echo and Ash is erased.

Ash’s whole life up until then was forgotten and she was forced to take on the name and life of her best friend. And how fitting is her name, she’s an echo of the friend she had to kill.

This is something she has never confided to anyone before. She’s ashamed, she feels like an imposter. Her whole life was upended and she’s always struggled with her identity, never quite knowing who she is. That’s why Spacekru was so important to her. It was the first time she felt like she had a family and knew her place. It’s a sad backstory, and explains a lot about who she is as a person.

She told Ryker, a stranger, because that’s easier than telling a close friend. Killing him also means the secret dies with him, but I wonder if she’ll ever be comfortable opening up to anyone else.

The big question is, why was she turned into a Nightblood? She could still become Simone or another Prime. Or maybe she could take the Flame and becomes Commander? But that doesn’t really check out, because the Grounders think synthetic Nightblood is a betrayal of their culture. I doubt they’d follow her. But there must be a reason.

Bellamy’s plan was to bargain for peace with Josephine’s mind drive, but the drive is empty. So she is gone for good. She can’t resurrected again.

A lot of really subtle, sweet moments between Clarke and Bellamy this episode. Comforting her after waking up from a nightmare, how he apologises for not protecting her, and the way he’s hesitant to let her put herself in danger again.

“You’re my sister. But you’re not my responsibility. Not anymore.” The Blake siblings are finally on their way to mending their relationship. Octavia is determined to do whatever it takes to earn his forgiveness. Bellamy loves her, but the truth is that their relationship was toxic. They can’t go back to the way things were, it wouldn’t be healthy. She is not his responsibility anymore. They’re adults and need to take responsibility for their own actions. Hopefully soon they’ll have the chance to just be brother and sister, rather than this unbalanced relationship they’ve had their entire lives. It seems that we’re heading that way and I’m very much looking forward to it.

The Children of Gabriel have not been sure whether Gabriel (the Old Man) is actually alive or not. It seemed that they’d abandoned him. They’re surprised, and relieved, to see Xavier again. One of them is his sister. Layla. He reveals he is Gabriel, and has been for the past ten years. His sister is furious that this imposter has been living in her brothers body for that long, fooling them all. Introducing Xavier’s sister is an interesting addition, I hope we get to see more of her.

Bellamy suggests they make a bomb with Red Sun Toxin and let it loose in Sanctum. Causing everyone to go mad and use it as an opportunity to kill the Primes. Clarke isn’t completely on board with this plan, it reminds her a lot of Mount Weather. These people have been brainwashed, they’re innocent, and they shouldn’t be punished. She has another idea, make the bomb strong enough to only effect the bugs. Force an evacuation instead of a mass psychosis, while she poses as Josephine to bring down the shield. If they have the chance to save innocent lives, then they should.

Bellamy is hesitant to let Clarke go on a dangerous mission because he doesn’t want to lose her again. Their goodbye was bittersweet, there’s no guarantee their plan will work. But he acknowledges this is the best course of action and lets her go. “For Monty.”

Despite everything that Clarke has been through, having her body stolen and almost dying, she is the one determined to keep Monty’s wish. Revenge isn’t the way. Saving their people and freeing the innocent people of Sanctum from this false religion is how they do better. Even if it means putting herself in danger, because that’s what Clarke Griffin always does.

Clarke does a great job of playing Josephine, complete with the hair twirl and nonchalant attitude towards torture and death, and Russell seems to completely buy that she’s his daughter. Murphy buys it too (I think? He seemed to believe she really is Josie but maybe he’s just playing along).

She almost breaks when she sees Madi strapped to an operating chair, but she keeps her composure. She has no choice but to play along or risk blowing her cover. (Kudos to Eliza Taylor for playing many different iterations of characters this season - Clarke, Josephine, Josephine playing Clarke, and now Clarke playing Josephine, she’s absolutely killing it!)

Gabriel mentioned that Simone is the one who originally weaponised the Red Sun Toxin. She and Josephine were intrigued by the visions of those who survived being caught out in the eclipse, and they began leaving test subjects outside to study. The believers of the Primes reported seeing the Primes as ‘gods’ in the hallucinations, and their aggression was almost always aimed at the less faithful. And so the ‘Adjustment Protocol’ was born. Every once in a while they let loose a bomb of the toxin and let the believers kill the non believers. A way for them to ensure Sanctum is full of only loyal followers.

Considering ‘Adjustment Protocol’ is the name of the next episode, I’d say it’s likely that things won’t exactly go to plan. Not just the bugs will be affected, but there will probably be a mass psychosis and it will be mayhem. Maybe Murphy will be the only person who isn’t affected again?

Another great episode! It pushed the plot forward in some really exciting ways, and Bob did an amazing job at directing! Only two episodes left now, and I can’t wait to see what happens!

[sassycassie-s-series]

All My Fault 7

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): DC, BatFam - Damian Wayne/Batman

Rating: PG

Notes: (Masterlist) Ooh now the internet’s getting involved. Everything isn’t quite going to Jason’s original plan, but the modifications make it better XD It was kinda fun coming up with everyone’s handles. Fun fact, this is the first time Cloudy’s first name is used/revealed!

Tag List (Open): @batboys-and-other-messes​ @welovegroot @nanna-the-batmum @probsjosh

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6

^^^^^

Knock-knock!

I glanced up from where I was bandaging my bleeding knuckles after the first patrol I’d been on since I arrived in the future. “Who is it?” I called.

“Damian,” Damian’s voice replied.

“Come in,” I said.

The door to my bedroom creaked open. “You’re trending,” he said, stepping in.

“Huh?”

“The Instagram photo you shared to your Cloudburst account at the beginning of the night has gone absolutely viral.” Damian approached me. “Here. Let me wrap your right hand.” He took the bandages from me with one hand, and my right hand in his other one. Gently, he began to wrap the bandage around my bleeding knuckles that had split open again when I showered.

I grinned. I’d taken a photo of my boots standing on the edge of a skyscraper and captioned it, “It’s good to be home. #CloudburstsBack” and put it on my old verified @CloudburstofGotham Instagram account, also sharing it to my vigilante Twitter. “Thanks,” I said to Damian while I picked up my phone and opened Instagram—then Twitter. The hashtag #CloudburstsBack was trending on both platforms.

Every single vigilante and hero who knew me and had social media accounts for their hero personas had liked and commented on it. One was Clark Kent, though, on his personal account that he used for journalism. Asking if he could get an exclusive interview for the Daily Planet. Vicki Vale was asking the same, but for the Gotham Gazette. Part of me wanted to keep my city pride and accept Vale’s invitation over Clark’s, but the other that really didn’t like Vicki—she just rubbed me the wrong way—wanted to accept Clark’s. Also because he was a friend.

“Well, this is going to be interesting,” I said, setting my phone down. Damian tied off the bandages. “Thank you. If I’d done that on my own they’d be a mess. My left hand is so useless at refined motor control.”

He nodded in acknowledgment. “Did you… enjoy patrol?”

“Heck yeah. Two days in a future I don’t know but patrol is a constant. Felt almost like old times. You’re a lot taller to fight next to now, though,” I said. “I used to be able to throw stuff over your head. But I guess now it’s my turn to get stuff thrown over my head.”

Damian gave a little, “Hmm,” that sounded more like a laugh than a grunt. “I suppose it is,” he said. He set his hands on my shoulders. “It is unfamiliar to have you be so much smaller than I am.”

“We should spar tomorrow. Get used to the difference,” I suggested, sitting down on my bed with my hairbrush and combing through my wet hair. “Do a partner-up where we go against Jay, Dick, and Tim. I missed a lot and you and Tim growing taller is one of those things.”

“Drake only grew three extra inches,” Damian remarked, sitting in my desk chair on a gesture from me.

“Well yeah but five-eight to five-eleven is still significant,” I remarked. “Especially when you being six-three means Dick is now shorter than all of his younger brothers.”

Damian grunted and crossed one leg over the other. “Have you made a decision on the charity ball? Regarding your escort?”

“Not yet. Figure I can wait till at least after I as a civilian am discovered,” I said.

“If it would help your decision, I would like to accompany you. I remember you always insisted I dance with you at least once per event, despite how small I was compared to you and how reluctant I was to dance.”

“I said it was good for you,” I recalled with a smile. “Told you that dancing would help you loosen up.”

“‘I am as loose as I am required to be,’ I believe is what I said in response.”

“Yeah.” I chuckled. “Okay. I’ll go. But you have to promise to dance with me.”

“I have improved since the last gala you attended,” he said.

“I'm sure you have,” I agreed.

He contemplated me for a moment. “I am not usually in the business of making promises, but this one I can fulfill. I promise to dance with you.”

I grinned widely. “Great! I look forward to it.”

“As do I.” Damian got up and moved to leave.

“Damian!” I said, reaching out and then letting my hand drop, not sure why I was reaching. Damian turned, eyebrows raised expectantly. I glanced down at the gentle-but-firmly wrapped bandages on my right hand. “Thanks for this.” I showed him the bandages as an indication of what I meant.

He ducked his head in a nod. “Of course, McCloud. Get some rest,” he said before leaving my room.

I sighed as he shut the door and flopped backward, my head hitting the pile of pillows.

Staring at the ceiling in the dark, I scrunched my eyebrows. Why was I feeling so…conflicted? Like, I wanted to go to the charity ball and I wouldn’t mind going with Damian, but I felt a certain reservation about the whole idea that I couldn’t pinpoint.

Was it the media attention I knew we’d get? I could already see the trashy tabloid headline in all caps and yellow letters: BRUCE WAYNE’S SON DATING BRUCE WAYNE’S WARD?! And sixteen clickbait Buzzfeed articles coming across my social media feeds. Was that it? Was I worried about dealing with that or putting Damian in that position? Much as I hated to admit it, Jason was right: the paparazzi and media had always loved me.

But that didn’t feel like the source of my internal struggle. If Damian didn’t want the media attention he wouldn’t have said he wanted to go with me. He would have told me to let Jason escort me—under an alias since he was technically still dead.

I crawled under the covers. I’d figure it out in the morning. Maybe I was just confused and conflicted because I was tired after a long and difficult patrol.

Burrowing into my bed on my side, I rubbed my right-hand knuckles with my left palm, still feeling Damian’s warm, callused hand holding mine as he gently bandaged my bleeding knuckles. His touch was kinder, softer, and gentler than I’d ever felt it. Damian had never really had the word “soft” in his behavioral vocabulary when I knew him as a thirteen-year-old.

I liked it. Damian as an adult had loosened up a little and unwound. It was nice. Especially when I was eight years ahead of where I should have been and a heck-of-a-lot more scared than I was willing to admit out loud. Almost a decade was plenty enough time for things to change—for the better, for the worst, for the crazier—and I was thrown in the deep end. I didn’t even know who the president was anymore. Having Damian show me a little bit more heart when I was doing my best to hide how freaked out I felt was comforting.

I drifted off to sleep.

^^^^^

@RealSuperman: “Welcome back, @CloudburstofGotham! Good to see you’re back! You were sorely missed! #CloudburstsBack”

@WonderWomanOfficial: “The world welcomes the return of the great hero of Gotham, Cloudburst. #CloudburstsBack @CloudburstofGotham”

@RealArsenal: “Yo! Cloudburst! You’re back! Stop by Star City sometime and catch up, yeah? @CloudburstofGotham #CloudburstsBack”

@OfficialOutlawHood: “Huge welcome home to my favorite member of the Bat-family! @CloudburstofGotham has returned! #CloudburstsBack !”

@NightwingOFCL: “#CloudburstsBack! We missed you so much, @CloudburstofGotham! So happy you’re home! Love you, sister!”

@OfficialNewBatman: “@CloudburstofGotham, Warm salutations.”

@OfficialOutlawHood, replying to @OfficialNewBatman: “Dude, seriously? That’s the best you can do?”

@OfficialNewBatman, replying to @OfficialOutlawHood: “I have welcomed Cloudburst in person. I am acknowledging her return online for the sake of expectations.”

@OriginalBatman, replying to @OfficialNewBatman, @OfficialOutlawHood: “Boys, behave.”

@RedRobinVigilante: “ICYMI: #CloudburstsBack! My ‘sister’ has recently returned after having been missing for 8 years! Super excited! I missed you so much, @CloudburstofGotham!”

@ClarkKentDP: “@CloudburstofGotham would you like to do an exclusive interview for the Daily Planet? Tell everyone where you were and why you’re back? DM me if you’re interested! #CloudburstsBack”

@GGVickiVale: “@CloudburstofGotham How about an interview with the Gotham Gazette now that #CloudburstsBack?”

Damian scrolled through the top hits in the #CloudburstsBack trend over breakfast, sipping his breakfast tea and munching on an apple for starters. He was grateful for the attention being on Cloudburst because, in five days, Nora McCloud would return from being lost in the time stream. She’d be bruised and exhausted in torn clothing. McCloud had already agreed to get no sleep for a night or two beforehand and let her bruises from patrol show without bothering to hide them before turning up at the Gotham PD station.

And as long as Cloudburst had been established as being back first, no one would have to know that she and McCloud were the same person. Damian took another sip of his tea thoughtfully, scrolling down. He came across another Tweet that he hadn’t seen before.

It was Cloudburst’s own. A photo of she and Damian jumping off the edge of the building, Damian’s coat flaring out around him and her hair doing the same, and another one of the moment before, when they were both standing on the edge of the building, showing off how much taller than Cloudburst Damian had grown. In both pictures, their backs were to the camera.

The caption read, “Last time I saw Batman he was still Robin and more than half a foot shorter than me! What else did I miss? XD #CloudburstsBack @OfficialNewBatman” and a second Tweet that said, “Photo creds to @RedRobinVigilante! I missed you too, brother!”

Damian “liked” and “retweeted” it saying, “We will catch you up.” On his official Batman account.

Tim stumbled into the kitchen, tablet in his hand playing the local news’ livestream.

“—top story this morning is the return of the Gotham vigilante known as Cloudburst. The vigilante was last seen eight years ago when the android fleet known as the Time Bombs attacked for the first time. Since then there has been no trace of her until last night when she posted this image to Instagram and Twitter with the caption, ‘It’s good to be home. Hashtag-Cloudburst’s Back.’ The post quickly went viral and several citizens of Gotham Tweeted about sightings of her with the other members of the team of Gotham protectors commonly nicknamed the Bat-Family. She was seen with the younger Batman for most of the night, according to most sightings. She has yet to release an official statement about where she’s been, but we’re grateful to have a familiar pair of eyes watching our streets,” the lady was saying.

Tim sat at the breakfast bar and started to munch distractedly on a bagel, not even realizing it. Damian could have put a rotten tomato in its place and Tim probably wouldn’t even notice. He was too focused on his tablet. “They’re wrong,” he muttered. “The Time Bombs didn’t attack for the first time back then. It just seemed like that since they jumped back in time. Their first attack was now because they were made now…”

Damian didn’t say anything, just continued to eat his apple and look through the social media feed.

Next

[81scorp]

Constructive criticism: Batman v Superman

(Originally posted as an editorial on Deviantart May 26 2016)

In 2013 Superman`s movie franchise got rebooted with a movie directed by Zack Snyder and written by David S Goyer. The result was... a little bit divisive. Some loved it, some hated it, but never the less it made money, enough to greenlight a sequel... or rather: a bigger, shared movie universe. Not unlike what they were doing over at Marvel.There were some missteps in the first movie but surely the filmmakers had learned from them when it was time for a sequel, right?No, not really. Like Michael Bay when he made Transformers: Revenge of the fallen, Zack Snyder and David S Goyer just kept on rolling as if they had learned nothing from the first movie. This time my love for DC and it`s characters was not enough to distract me from the movie`s shortcomings. Take the small bastardisation of some of the characters out of the equation and it`s still pretty bad on it`s own. Lack of humanity, underdeveloped characters, poor motivations and having too much stuff crammed in. But it wasnt all bad. It had some moments that I liked. Over all I didn`t hate it... much, but I didn`t like it either. Where did it go wrong and how could it have been better?

The SPOILERS are coming! The SPOILERS are coming! Before I start: In my Constructive criticism of Man of Steel I suggested a climax that didn`t involve killing Zod. If they don`t have Zod`s body to test the kryptonite on, how will they know that kryptonite harms Superman?How about: When Superman was under arrest by the military in the first movie they took some hair or skin samples from him (I prefer to think of Supes as superdurable rather than invulnerable). I mean, he is an extraterrestrial afterall. They should take DNA samples from him FOR SCIENCE! So this is the kryptonian DNA that they use to find out that kryptonite is harmful to Superman.

Batman`s origin Yes, I know, the part where young Bruce starts flying is revealed to be a dream the next second, but still. We know Batman`s origin and have seen it several times, so keep it to the necessary minimum. Thomas Wayne doesn`t whisper Martha`s name and it should end shortly after young Bruce finds the batcave. The destruction of Metropolis Bruce`s employees shouldn`t have to wait for his approval to evacuate. Here`s how it could have been:

Bruce: Jack! Talk to me! What`s happening!?

Jack: We`ve started evacuating! There are still a few left! But I think we have time to- *large crashing noise* Telephone voice: The number you have dialed can not be reached.

Bruce: Jack?! Jack!

We can assume that Jack and many others didn`t make it. After this the scene plays out like it did in the movie. (Except the name of the man who gets his legs crushed is not Wallace Keefe, but John Corben.) We also see Lex Luthor witnessing the destruction of the city from his own building. The middle east scene Appearently the photographer that gets killed is supposed to be Jimmy Olsen. I mentioned before in my previous journal that I`m not crazy about when they kill characters that have played an important part and/or has been in the comicbook a long time. I`m not a big fan of Prof Emil Hamilton (possibly) being killed in the first movie, but I can let it slide once. But Jimmy Olsen is more wellknown. What does Snyder (or possibly Goyer) have against supporting characters? If you don`t like Jimmy because you only know about the silly version of him from the silver age comic then don`t use him! Or at least just give him a small part. So my idea is: the photographer can be killed, but make him an original character created for the movie. In the movie Lois was there so that Superman could show up so that Lex could frame him for the killing. Uhmm... Why would people believe that Superman uses bullets? The reason for her to be there doesn`t necessarily have to tie in to anything in the rest of the movie, she`s a reporter, it`s part of her job. Didn`t Superman have an aversion to killing? Sure, we are told later that the guy that he rammed through a wall didn`t die, but that`s stretching it a bit. I can understand why Snyder went this direction though. If someone pointed a gun at your girlfriend`s/boyfriend`s head you`d get angry too. But still, Superman has great strength and he can`t do whatever he wants without risking hurting others or causing great damage, he has to practice restraint, something Zack Snyder is not very good at. How about: Superman uses his superspeed to grab the bad guy`s gun-hand and aims it in the complete opposite direction of where Lois stands. Then he grabs the bad guy by the collar (in regular speed, but still pretty fast though) with his other hand, lifts him off the floor and pushes him against the wall. Then he calms down, squeezes the bad guy`s gun into something unrecognizable and ties his hands together with an ironpipe.Then a scene with no dialogue: he takes a look outside, at the photographer who died because he wasn`t fast enough. Lois understands how he feels and puts a hand on his shoulder. Clark and Lois`s bathtub scene I dunno. It felt like it was (almost) nudity for the sake of (almost) nudity. You could: Change it so that Lois has already bathed and goes out in the living room, wearing a bathrobe, where she meets Clark. They can talk a little about what what happened. Clark wishes he could have saved more people. Lois can say that not even he can be everywhere at once. Clark: "I know..." (It`s basically like the scene where Lois puts her hand on Supes`s shoulder but here it is done with dialogue.) Bruce wayne at the fight-club bar You know that bar that Bruce visited to steal information from the russian guy`s phone? Those two guys beating each other up and people being OK with it made it feel like it was some kind of illegal, shady place. Shouldn`t Bruce Wayne, a wellknown millionaire (or billionaire) and philanthropist, be more concerned about his image and not go to places like that? They could have made it an ordinary, legal bar. I know, it`s a short and small scene. But still.

Batman killing First let me get this out of the way: Ben Affleck`s portrayal of Batman: good. How Batman is written in this movie: not so good. Why do I feel that Batman shouldn`t kill? Batman the animated series and the Dark Knight trilogy established that Batman has a no killing rule. Sure, this is a different universe, but still. Batman`s no killing rule is an important part of his character. I think it would be more interesting to see Batman balancing on the edge rather than to begin with him already fallen. They could at least have acknowledged it, that there was a time when Batman didn`t kill and Alfred could try to talk him into finding his humanity again. But it feels like Snyder didn`t think that far, that he only thought behind this decision was because it "looked cool". How would I have done it? Batman doesn`t kill criminals, but he`s very close to trying. And he`s cruel, ruthless and he brands criminals with the bat-symbol. Alfred confronts him about it. Bruce responds that it is "necessary cruelty"

Alfred: Is it?. Bruce knows where Alfred is going and defends his actions with:

Bruce: There`s one thing that separates me from the criminals that I fight.

Alfred: One thing, yes. But how long will that one thing last? Bruce Wayne is a man who has been pushed closer and closer to the edge by traumatic experiences several times in his life. The death of his parents turned him into Batman. Joker killing Robin is what made him extra cruel and made him treat criminals as less than human. Superman destroying buildings in Metropolis and being responsible for the death of several of his employees made him hate Superman.There could be some monologue when he looks at Robin`s suit. Bruce: I took him in, gave him a home when he had nowhere else to live. But I couldn`t save him. That psycho beat him to death. This could be followed by a quiet moment. Alfred understands how he feels and puts a hand on his shoulder. There`s no reason to have Batman chasing after the bad guys in his batmobile and shooting and destroying them. Not just because of my opinion that Batman shouldn`t kill, but because it felt like action for action`s sake. Just have him shoot the tracer on the truck and leave it there. (BTW: Batman shouldn`t manage to steal all of the kryponite from Lex. And Batman knows that Lex is very likely up to something fishy, but he focuses more on Superman because Supes seems like the bigger threat at the moment.) Also, when Bruce first visits his parents grave there should be a tombstone visible that says "Jason Todd" to tell us that the Robin that died is not Dick Grayson. Lex Luthor I was OK with Lex having hair and being played by a young (or at least young-looking) actor like Jesse Eisenberg. He also added some (in my opinion) necessary humour to a very dark and serious movie. And I`m not gonna lie, I liked the "The redcoats are coming" line. Then I watched the movie and realized: He`s gonna do that voice and personality for the whole movie. Crap. Was Jesse playing Lex Luthor, The Joker or the Riddler? (BTW: I`ve seen a video on youtube where people who defend this movie say that they can`t see the similarities because Lex and the Joker have different goals. So let me clarify: sure, they may have different goals, but personality-wise Eisenberg`s Lex acts very similar to how the Joker is usually portrayed.) Some may defend this with "But it`s not Lex, it`s Lex`s son, Lex jr!". I still don`t like the personality and his motivation is still weak. Like I said: I like that he provided some humour, but I think he overdid it. How about... A: Keep Jesse Eisenberg but have him play Lex very Tony Stark-like or very Mark Suckerberg-ish. (Though I can understand why he didn`t play him like that since he already played Mark Suckerberg once and probably didn`t want to repeat himself.) BTW: I haven`t seen The Social Network yet so I don`t know what he`s like in that movie, which is why I suggested Tony Stark as an alternative. Apologies to all DC-fans. But the basic idea for Lex`s personlaity is: cocky and arrogant and less cray-cray. B: Have Mark Strong or Bryan Cranston play Lex (or at least someone Mark Strong-ish or Bryan Cranston-ish), and play him like Lex from the DCAU. He can have a dry, deadpan style of humour and he doesn`t necessarily have to be bald. Lex`s reason for hating Superman can be similar to Bruce`s reason: He`s seen what great powers Superman have and the destruction he`s capable of. Batman and Superman`s reason for hating each other Besides the fact that Supes is responsible for the death of thousands (including people who work for Bruce), Bruce has trust issues and thinks that Superman only helps people because he wants to clean up his image after he recklessly destroyed several buildings in Metropolis. He thinks that Superman is too much of a rookie who isn`t worthy of his powers.When they first meet and talk about this Clark can acknowledge that Superman didn`t have the best start but also clarifies that Superman has learned from his mistakes. Bruce says sarcastically that the employees at the Wayne building must be so grateful for his progress. Clark doesn`t like Batman because he feels that someone who has been in the business for such a long time should`ve learned by now to not be so inhumane and brutal to people, even if they are criminals. There could be a montage scene before Clark and Bruce meet where Clark does some research on the Batman and finds out how cruel he is to criminals. Batman`s a cynic and Superman`s an idealist.

The post-apocalyptic world dream One of the movie`s problems is that it tries to cram too much stuff in. There`s too much "this will make sense in later movies", "this will be important in later movies" and this scene is one of those things. And I know that those flying things are parademons from Apokolips, I`ve read the comics, but still. Lose it. Flash`s portal cameo At first I was gonna put this in the "On the fence" category because I liked Ezra Miller`s performance, even if it was extremely short. And even if it was one of those "this will make sense in later movies" I was willing to let it slide because confusing things are something you have to deal with when it comes to time travels. (Believe me, I know what this scene references, I`ve read "Crisis on Infinite Earths".) But still, keeping it in just gives the movie that overcrowded feeling. Lose it. Martha`s advice to Clark That scene where Martha says to Clark: "Be their hero, Clark. Be their angel, be their monument, be anything they need you to be... or be none of it. You don`t owe this world a thing. You never did." This was another scene that I was thinking about putting in the "On the fence" category. It`s one of those scenes that we`ve already seen in the first movie, where people keep telling Superman who he should be. Then again, while it`s not giving us anything useful, it`s not taking away anything good either. But then again: it just comes of as if Superman is unhappy because people don`t like him. Superman`s biggest priority is helping people, wether they like him or not. You can: A: Lose this scene. B: Change the dialogue. She can ask him what he`s gonna do and he can say that he`s gonna keep doing his boyscout thing wether people like it or not. Then he could hug his mom. He then hears someone being in trouble with his superhearing and Martha notices this by the way he reacts and seem to listen to something that she herself can`t hear.

Martha: Someone in trouble?

Superman: Yeah, duty calls. (He flies away.)

Martha: Good luck... Ghost dad Kent Originally I had this in the on the fence category but then I realized that in my version this scene wouldn`t work. Why? Because in the movie this happens when Superman has given up and is ready to throw in the towel. In my version Superman keeps doing his boyscout thing regardless if people like him or not. How about: Superman is taking a short break from superheroing to relax on the Northpole. His dad shows up and they have a little talk. Ghostdad Kent points out that he (Superman) is in a problematic place (being wanted for a murder he didn`t commit and having the media against him). Superman says yeah, but what else can he do? Give up? Even if he`s not exactly Mr Popular right now there are still people out there who need help, and he can`t just turn away from that. Ghostdad Kent admits that he has a point. The two of them are quiet for a moment and admire the landscape. Ghostdad Kent says: "It sure is beautiful up here." Superman: "Yeah... I wish you could be here to see it." In the next cut Ghostdad Kent is gone. This scene shows that even Supes needs time to rest, that he has limitations. Talking to his late dad as an imaginary friend shows that he has a sentimental side. In short: this scene humanizes Superman. "But isn`t Superman supposed to be a god?" Some may say. A godlike Superman is flawless, a flawless character is boring. Yes Superman is godlike but there is a human side to him as well and there should be at least as much focus on that as his god side. But doesn`t this mean that his character doesn`t go through any changes? Yes it does, but then again, Supes already had his inner journey in Man Of Steel. BvS is not about Superman`s inner journey, it`s about Batman`s. The reason for Batman and Superman to fight Instead of Lex killing several people with a wheelchair-bomb, how about this: Early in the movie when we meet Lex he talks about the many scientific advances that his company has made. He mentions that they have come a long way in laser technology. Later, after Senator Finch has nixed his idea of weaponizing kryptonite, she is found the next day, dead in her home, with third degree burns. An autopsy shows that her death was caused by two heat-rays, similar to Superman`s heat vision. But why would Superman kill her? Here`s where Lex goes all J. Jonah Jameson on Superman (again, apologies to all DC-fans). Superman killed Finch because she tried to tell him what he could and could not do, and his sensitive ego couldn`t handle that! His good guy persona is just a facade! He may have the powers of a god but he has the mind of an immature sociopath! He`s a threat and must be dealt with! Batman believes this, steals the kryptonite from Lex and starts preparing for a fight. One of the things that he packs in his "Kill Superman-kit" is an E.M.P gun. (Hey, you never know, it could be useful.) He must stop Superman, and to do that he must cross the line and do that one thing that separates him from the criminals that he fights. Hearing this saddens Alfred. Batman later attracts Supermans attention (He could put the Superman symbol on the searchlight that usully has the Batman-symbol on it.) and gets him to meet him on a building where they fight. (Superman wants to go easy on Batman, he knows that he`s too strong for him, but when Batman uses the kryptonite on him Supes realises realizes that he`s gonna have to get serious.) So there`s no need for Lex to kidnap Martha. ("But, then we won`t get to see Batman`s cool fight scene" you say. Fear not dear readers, for I have a backup plan! Before the scene where Batman puts the tracer on the truck there`s a scene where someone mentions a kidnapped kid. After the "put the tracer on the truck" scene Batman drives to the building where he has figured out that the kid is being held prisoner. We get to see Batman be brutal and beat the kidnappers almost to death. He opens a door to a room where the kid is hidden. He extends his hand as a way to say to the kid "It`s OK, you can come out now, the bad guys won`t harm you." but the kid is afraid of him. Batman radios the police and stays with the kid until a cop shows up to take the kid to a safe place. On his way back home Batman meets Superman who uses his X-ray vision to see who`s under the mask. He thinks that Batman should retire. Gotham deserves a better guardian than the violent psychopath they have now.) Batman`s Superstrength Speaking about Batman beating up a bunch of kidnappers earlier brings me to my next point: I know that Batman`s strong but his strength in the fightscene with the kidnappers feels a little too superhuman. They could have toned it down to a more believable level.

Lois Lane I`d give Lois a chance to be more proactive and useful in my version. So there`s no need for Lex to kidnap her either. When Lois hears that Superman is accused of a murder she starts to do everything she can to prove his innocence (instead of the "trying to find out who made the bullet" subplot that we got). She gets help from an anonymous hacker that mails her files with blueprints of the heat-ray weapon that was used to kill Finch. There are also detailed files about Superman and a very old photo of Diana in her WW costume. The anonymous hacker is later revealed to be Victor Stone. He can be revealed, sitting in a poorly lit room, wearing civilian clothes. He`s wearing a hoodie and the shadows cover most of the metallic half of his face, but we can clearly see his glowing, red robot eye. (Victor Stone could be foreshadowed earlier in the movie. When Lex talks about how advanced their laser-technology is, he also mentions that a young athlete who got into a terrible accident is now able to walk again, thanks to Lexcorp`s advancements in the field of bionics.) The reason for Batman and Superman to stop their fight Batman get`s the upperhand. He`s about to use the kryptonite spear on Superman. But... he hesitates. By killing Superman he`s become just as bad as the criminals he fight. (This can be shown visually by cutting from a shot of the kryptonite spear to a shot of the gun that Joe Chill used to kill Bruce`s parents. Followed by cutting from a shot of Superman`s face to a shot of young Bruce`s face from the scene in the beginning where his parent`s were killed.) Lois shows up and shouts: "Stop! Don`t do it! He didn`t kill Finch! I have proof!" Batman decides to believe that they are telling the truth until he knows for sure. Wonderwoman`s character developement I like Gal Gadot as Wonder woman, but it would have been nice if she had some character developement. How about: Before Lois discovers the old photo of her there`s a scene where Diana meets her old friend Julia Kapatelis in a restaurant. Julia talks about how Diana used to help people and wonders why she gave it up. The way things look right now the world could use an extra pair of helping hands. (They use the word "help" as a codeword for "doing superhero-stuff" since they`re in a public place and don`t want to out Diana as a superhero.) Diana responds that there were several reasons but doesn`t want to go into details. Julia thinks that whatever the reasons for quitting are, the reasons for getting back in the game seem bigger. Then the waiter shows up with their meals.Instead of finding out about the fight when she`s on a plane Diana could be in her own home, packing her bags, prepairing to leave when she gets a call from Julia. She tells her to turn on the TV, Channel 12 (or some other number). Diana does so and sees what`s going on. The introduction to the future members of Justice League Like Flash`s portal cameo I was toying with the idea of putting this in the "On the fence" category. Unlike Flash`s scene this is more of a "This will be important later" rather than a "This will make sense later". I prefer things that become important later over things that has to wait for a sequel to make sense. But keeping it in just makes it feel like it was shoehorned in at the last minute. Not to mention it`s a lazy way of introducing these characters. Lose it. I know, my own version also has a cameo of Victor Stone (Cyborg). The difference is that I only put in one of the other members of Justice league, and he at least had someting to do and wasn`t just there to be there. And the thing that he did was payed off within the movie, we didn`t have to wait for a sequel. Doomsday Personally I don`t mind that Doomsday looked like a cave-troll from Lord of the Rings. He looked Doomsdayish enough to me. But he was introduced too early in the DCEU. A problem that DC movies have is that they use up their big guns too early. Now that we`ve already had the fight against Doomsday and the death of Superman there are no higher stakes left (except maybe Darkseid). It would have been better to save Doomday for a third solo Superman movie where you could give the Death of Superman story the proper time and care that it needs. How about: Remember John Corben who I mentioned earlier? Instead of getting a high-tech wheelchair, John Corben gets recruited by Lex who uses technology from the kryptonian ship to build him a giant, kryptonite-powered robot-suit equipped with rockets (It`s built with nanotechnology, so if they harm it, it repairs itself). Supes and Batsy fight him, Corben uses the kryptonite on Supes who is weakened. Batman is in trouble but Wonderwoman shows up and joins the fight. (BTW: when Corben opens his chest to reveal the kryptonite, it`s still protected behind superdurable glass, so Wonderwoman can`t just stick her hand in and pull it out.) Batman uses his EMP gun on Corben and knocks him out (See? I told you it could be useful!) WW or Supes manages to open the robot-suit and pulls out an angry, legless, halfnaked Corben. He has plug-in holes in his back, kinda like the people from The Matrix movies. (He controlled the robot-armour mentally with the help of these.) He is furious and shouts: NO! NOO! You took my legs! You took everything from me! WW feels sorry for him, but he doesn`t want her pity. Supes doesn`t want the robot suit (which is still mostly intact) or the kryptonite inside it to end up in the wrong hands, so he takes it with him out into space to throw it into the sun. Out in space the robot-armour comes back to life and notices that the human host is gone but also that it is close to Superman, it`s autopilot kicks in. It starts to wrestle and fight Superman and exposes him to the kryptonite in it`s chest. Supes is weakened but pulls himself together and delivers a powerful kick that sends the robot-armour into the sun and himself back towards earth. He lands somewhere in Japan and manages to avoid destroying any property or hurting innocent people. He whispers one word: "...Ouch!" Lex goes to jail, he could be visited by Superman or Batman. When Supes/ Bats leaves Lex could shout that they have opened Pandora`s box. Before Supes leaves Lex asks him one last question.

Lex: "Tell me, do you see yourself as a good man?"

Superman: "I see my self as a man who tries to be good." Later, Bruce visits his parent`s grave and is later accompanied by Clark and Diana. Clark sees the name on the grave and mentions that his mom`s name is also Martha. Bruce allows himself to smile at the coincidence. They talk about joining forces, finding other extraordinary people similar to them and together fight great threats that are to big for one of them to handle. Bruce puts his hand out, Clark puts his hand on Bruce`s and Diana puts her hand on Clark`s. The End Snyder may be a good director, but he`s not a good storyteller. Visually it`s impressive but it is lacking when it comes to writing. It could have been better if they had tried some restraint in some scenes, something that is, as I mentioned earlier, not Snyder`s strong side. It seems that the only thought behind the decisions that were made was focusing on how cool it would look. I may be wrong but I think Michael Bay once said: "I make movies for 13-year old boys. What a crime." Snyder is similar to Bay in that they both know their audience, but they never seem to think about the periphery demographic. This movie had several opportunities to be good but someone (Snyder? Goyer? Terrio? Some of the Big suits at Warner Bros?) really dropped the ball on this one. I get that Warner Bros wants their DC movies to be different from Marvel but it seems that they are putting their focus more on being different than telling good stories. DC, if you want to be different that`s fine, but be a different kind of different. And those are my ideas and thoughts. Feel free to disagree.

[qammariqbal]

All celebrity looks on Oscars Red Carpet 2019

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke got to the Oscars red carpet pretty early. I guess she couldn’t wait for night to begin. She looks absolutely stunning in this metallic pinky silvery dress. I love the asymmetric neckline and the form-fitting (but not too tight) silhouette.

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images I wonder if we’ll see any more Game of Thrones stars on this year’s red carpet. Keep reading to see if any other citizens of Westeros show up to Hollywood’s biggest night.

Constance Wu

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Constance Wu looks like a literal princess in this yellow chiffon dress. And by a literal princess, of course, I mean Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I know Disney just did a live action Beauty and the Beast, and Emma Watson was great in it, but now I kind of want Constance Wu to play Belle. There can never be too many live action Disney remakes, right? Don’t even talk to me about Aladdin…

Danielle Macdonald

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Danielle Macdonald was all over the place this year. It seemed like she was in every hit show that came out on Netflix. We loved her as Olympia in Bird Box, we loved her as Willowdean in Dumplin’, and we love her in this red dress on the red carpet. Danielle definitely stands out in this of the shoulder gown. This is the perfect dress to wear when you show up to the Oscars for the first time.

Spike Lee

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Unlike Danielle Macdonald, Spike Lee has been on this carpet a few times before. He knows how it’s done, and he’s walking the carpet with confidence. He looks like a regular Waluigi and he’s sporting some serious bling. Look at those brass knuckles. I think I like the "love" one more than the "hate" one, but I guess you can’t have one without the other. He’s even wearing purple glasses. This guy thought of everything.

Marie Kondo

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Just a few weeks ago, most people didn’t even know Marie Kondo’s name. Now everyone is using her name as a verb. The other day my sister told me that she just “Marie Kondo-ed her cutlery drawer.” Not only does Marie Kondo know how to organize a house, but she also knows how to dress. Look at this stunning floor-length pink gown with silver appliqués. Is she always this perfect?

Amandla Stenberg

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Amandla Stenberg has grown up a lot since we saw her play Rue in the first Hunger Games movie. Now she’s walking the Oscars red carpet in this absolutely stunning dress that looks like something straight out of The Great Gatsby. I think this is my favorite dress so far, but we’re going to have to wait to see who else steps out a limo wearing something none of us can afford.

Yalitza Aparicio

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage Yalitza Aparicio strutted her stuff on the Oscars red carpet wearing this gorgeous aquamarine dress. I love the one-shoulder neckline and the color compliments her skin tone so beautifully. Yalitza was amazing in Roma and I’m so glad that she got an Oscar nomination. Her performance was pitch perfect and I can’t wait to see what she does next. She looks even better in color than she does in black and white.

Regina King

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Ok, that settles it, Regina King is bona fide royalty. The clues were all there. I mean, her last name is king, her first name is Latin for “queen,” what more do I have to say? Regina looks like she belongs in a castle guarded by the entire cast of Game of Thrones. I love this white dress. It’s simple, it’s elegant, it’s everything we’ve ever wanted. I love the matching white shoes.

Octavia Spencer

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage Last year Octavia Spencer was in The Shape of Water, the film that ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. This year she showed up to the red carpet ready to present an award to another deserving artist. This midnight blue dress looks like something a very wealthy, very stylish person would wear to prom. I love the subtle sparkle in the fabric and the little clutch ties the whole look together.

Awkwafina

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage We should have known that Awkwafina wouldn’t wear a typical long gown to the Oscars. This is Hollywood’s biggest night, and Awkwafina isn’t going to miss an opportunity to be extraordinary. This pantsuit is everything we never knew we needed. It kind of looks like it’s made out of the same material as Emilia Clarke’s dress. Watch out, Emilia, Awkwafina is coming for your look. I’m just joshing, I’m sure there’s enough pinkish sparkly fabric to go around.

Billy Porter

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images There was a lot to see on the red carpet, but one of the first dresses was the most memorable. Singer and actor Billy Porter arrived in a one-of-a-kind Christian Siriano tuxedo ballgown. Before he hit the red carpet, Porter told Vogue that he wanted to play the part of both male and female on the red carpet. The internet was torn about whether or not they liked the bold outfit, but Porter acknowledged that people would be uncomfortable but that “it’s not anybody’s business but mine.”

Linda Cardellini

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Linda Cardellini definitely didn’t pick a dress that blends into the crowd. Her movie Green Book was up for Best Picture and that means it’s time to celebrate. This is a celebration dress. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many ruffles on one garment. Linda doesn’t care that she wasn’t nominated for an individual award this year. She’s here to celebrate her cast and their collective accomplishments. Also, this is a gorgeous shade of pink.

Melissa McCarthy And Ben Falcone

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Melissa McCarthy walked the red carpet in this beautiful black and white pantsuit. She’s looking fitter than ever and I think I need a long white cape now. Melissa McCarthy is channeling her inner superhero and I’m living for it. Her husband and frequent collaborator, Ben Falcone, doesn’t look too bad either. A classic tuxedo is always a good look. These two definitely coordinated their outfits. They look like a match made in heaven.

Sandy Powell

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images I had no idea who Sandy Powell was until this very moment, but how can you not stop and stare at this amazing suit. All those lines are making me dizzy and I can’t say that I’m mad about it. Her bright orange hair is the perfect counterpoint to this monochromatic look. Sandy Powell is the costume designer who dressed all of the actors in The Favourite. She also worked on Marry Poppins Returns.

Glenn Close

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Glenn Close looks like she’s ready to win a golden statue in this statuesque gold dress. We’ve seen Glenn Close play countless queens, Cruella Deville, and now an underappreciated wife. Well, she’s definitely not going to be underappreciated tonight. Glenn Close owns the red carpet. She may as well roll it up and take it home with her in her limo. I’m so happy for Glenn! This woman totally deserves all of the recognition.

Kacey Musgraves

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Kacey Musgraves just won a gigantic Grammy award and now she’s walking the red carpet at the 91st annual Academy Awards. She’s wearing a tiered tulle covered pink gown. Pink definitely themes to be the color of the night at this year’s Oscars, and I promise you there are more pink dresses to come. Kacey looks like a walking cloud or poof of cotton candy. That dress looks absolutely delicious.

Gemma Chan

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images I told you there would be more pink. Gemma Chan looks stunning in this easy, breezy, beautiful loose pink dress. It looks like she just threw this on even though I know it took her the whole day to get ready. Gemma showed up to the Oscars as part of the cast of Crazy Rich Asians which totally smashed it at the box office this year. Enjoy your moment, Gemma!

Jennifer Hudson

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Jennifer Hudson knows how to bring the drama to the red carpet. This dress screams drama, from its deep red color, to its one shoulder detail, to its giant center ruffle. Also, did you get a good look at those earrings? How much do you think just one of those earrings would cost? Probably more than my house. Jennifer looks absolutely stunning. Take note people, this is how you do Hollywood glamor right.

Tina Fey And Maya Rudolph

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph are kind of like yin and yang on the Oscars red carpet. Tina went for a low key cool blue strapless dress, and Maya chose a patterned, pink, long-sleeved gown. I love how these two balance each other out. Also, both of these dresses are perfect for the person wearing them. Which dress do you like best? Tina’s or Maya’s? Personally, I like Maya’s a little bit better.

Helen Mirren

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic It looks like Helen Mirren got the pink memo. A lot of celebrities have opted for lighter, more airy fabrics on Oscar night, and Helen Mirren is one of those celebrities. I love how this dress is made up of multiple pink tones, plus Helen’s stylist made a great decision to pair this gown with a diamond necklace that can only be described as a show stopper. How is anybody going to be able to pay attention to the awards when Helen Mirren is wearing that thing around her neck?

Amy Adams

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage I’ve always loved Amy Adams as an actress, but this year she starred in the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects and that show made me love her even more. Enough about Sharp Objects (which is amazing by the way, definitely watch it), let’s talk about this dress. Who says a white dress has to be boring? The structure of this dress is perfection, and the different shades of grey and subtle texturing in the fabric take the whole look right over the top.

Emma Stone

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images This isn’t Emma Stone’s first rodeo. She knows how this red carpet thing is done. She’s won an Oscar once before, remember? That whole La La Land and Moonlight fiasco? Anyway, let’s move onwards and upwards. Emma Stone always picks the loveliest dresses to wear to events, but this one is particularly special. It kind of looks like it’s made out of dragon scales. Maybe she’s just excited for the new season of Game of Thrones.

Lisa Bonet And Jason Momoa

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage Speaking of Game of Thrones, I told you we’d probably se some more stars of that show on this list. Jason Momoa may not be on the show currently (which means he doesn’t have any spoilers for us), but he’s definitely a big part of the whole saga. These two are wearing matching outfits and it’s way too cute for me. Jason Momoa is so much taller than Lisa Bonet, it’s ridiculous.

Brie Larson

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images I’m loving Brie Larson’s new ice blonde hair. She’s starting to look like a real superhero and I can’t wait to see her smash buildings and save the day in Captain Marvel. Brie Larson always looks gorgeous in a very particular girl next door kind of way. Like she’s pretty, but it’s a kind of pretty that seems attainable. I like it. This girl has charm seeping out of every pore. Also, that silver dress is stunning.

Charlize Theron

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Well, Brie Larson’s gone blonde and Charlize Theron is now a brunette. Who would have thought? I think the brown hair suits her. She looks like she’s ready to become the next president or something. This periwinkle blue dress is so unique. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it on the red carpet. Charlize is amazing. I wonder why she didn’t host the Oscars. She probably didn’t want to. She’s too busy ruling the world.

Laura Dern

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Laura Dern was amazing in Big Little Lies last year and in just about everything she’s ever done. I think Laura Dern is one of the most underrated actresses of our time. Where’s her Oscar nod, Academy? I don’t think she deserves an award for this dress though. I mean, she doesn’t belong on a worst dressed list, but I just don’t think it’s anything special. I think this burgundy number kind of looks like a bridesmaid’s dress.

Tessa Thompson

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage Tessa Thompson has been in this business for a long time, but I think 2018 was definitely her year. She was amazing in Westworld and she starred in all of Janelle Monae’s music videos. She went from being that girl in that thing to being absolutely iconic. This dress is stunning on her. She looks like a queen bee which is somehow very fitting. I love the details on this little black dress.

Jordan Peele And Chelsea Peretti

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Jordan Peele is working on some very big things that are coming out very soon and I can barely contain my excitement. He won an Oscar for best original screenplay last year for Get Out. Now he’s working on a Twilight Zone series and I have a feeling it’s going to be amazing. Chelsea Peretti, his partner in crime, is funny as heck and she looks amazing in this black and white off the shoulder dress.

Lady Gaga

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images We always expect wild and crazy fashion from Lady Gaga, but she decided to tone it down for this year’s Oscars. She’s wearing long black gloves and a long black strapless dress with some lovely crystal jewelry. Lady Gaga was nominated for multiple Academy Awards this year. She was nominated for awards in a music category and in an acting category, which seems appropriate for this pop star turned actress.

Olivia Colman

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Olivia Colman was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in The Favourite. She was absolutely amazing in that film, and I am so happy to see her looking so lovely on the red carpet. This green dress is stunning on her, and I especially like the long shawl she’s wearing over it. Olivia is a picture of beauty and grace (quite unlike the version of Queen Anne she plays in The Favourite).

John Mullaney And Annamarie Tendler

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic John Mullaney wasn’t about to wear a normal black tuxedo to the Academy Awards. Nope, he’s way to cool for that. He’s wearing a shiny patterned jacket because he’s John Mullaney and he can do whatever he wants. His wife, Anna Tendler, is also taking some fashion risks tonight, and I think they’re definitely paying off. That feathered neckline is everything. I can see why John likes her so much.

Rachel Weisz

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Rachel Weisz decided to one up the red carpet itself with this stunning two-piece red patent leather-esque ensemble. She’s accessorized her dress with a matching red clutch and a gorgeous jewelled headband. Rachel was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in The Favourite. Ultimately, she lost to Regina King, but she still looked stunning on the red carpet. Really, that’s what everyone is tuning in to see anyway.

Danai Gurrira

Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images Danai Gurrira looks absolutely stunning is this floor length gold gown. I love how there are different shades of gold woven into the fabric. Danai showed up to the Oscars as part of the ensemble of Black Panther. You probably also know as Michone from The Walking Dead. Black Panther won several awards at the Oscars, including one for Best Costume Design. The film lost Best Picture to Green Book, but at least the cast got to have a great time on the red carpet.

Laura Marano

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Laura Marano is an actress best known for playing Ally on the Disney Chanel series Austin & Ally. Recently, she also had a part in Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film, Lady Bird. Laura walked the Oscars red carpet in this gorgeous color blocked yellow and pink dress. Laura looks like she’s ready for Easter in this outfit. I especially love the pop of green she added to the look with her little emerald clutch.

Shangela

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Legendary drag queen Shangela wore this stunning ruffled lilac dress on the Oscars red carpet. She attended the Oscars as part of the cast of the Oscar nominated movie A Star is Born. Everything about this look is big and loud from the color to the metallic detaling to the hair. Shangela knows how to strut her stuff, and she can pose for pictures like it’s nobody’s business.

Julia Roberts

Photo by Matt Petit – Handout/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images It looks like Julia Roberts heard that pink was in style, because she also showed up to the Oscars in a pink toned dress. This off the shoulder fuchsia dress balances a simple silhouette with a bold color. Julia’s new blonde hair looks fantastic on her, and I swear it doesn’t look like she aged a day since she won her own Oscar. Remember that iconic acceptance speech? Julia never disappoints.

Elsie Fisher

Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images Elsie Fisher, the breakout star of Bo Burnhams first feature film, Eighth Grade, walked the red carpet in this stunning pant suit. Leave it to this literal teenager to break fashion barriers and make a statement on the red carpet. Elsie Fisher is a queen and we don’t deserve her. Seriously, if you haven’t seen Eighth Grade yet, do yourself a favor and go see that movie immediately. I can’t wait to see what Elsie does next.

Billy Porter

Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images Here it is. The outfit that everybody was talking about. Billy Porter’s half suit half ballgown may have just broken the internet. I think it’s clear that Billy Porter won the red carpet. I mean, how can you not love this look? That pose, though. The pose sells it. You can’t wear an outfit like this unless you have the attitude to match it. Billy definitely has a whole lot of attitude.

Sarah Paulson

Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images It’s been a big year for Sarah Paulson. This actress has just been quietly doing her thing for years, being an amazing actress and appearing in some of our favorite movies and TV shows. this year she was in Bird Box, which was something of a viral sensation. Sarah chose to wear this puffy pink dress on the red carpet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dress quite like this, and while it’s not to my personal taste, I applaud Sarah for taking a risk.

Ruth E. Carter

John Rasimus / Barcroft Media via Getty Images Ruth E. Carter just became the first black woman to win an Oscar for Costume Design. She was recognized for her work on Black Panther. Ruth has been working in this business for years, and it’s about time that she got to hold that golden trophy. Read the full article

[team-adults-blog]

4.08-4.13

Hi friends. I haven’t written since Ep 4.07. And then I didn’t want to write them all individually, so here are the highlights of the season, broken down by character. I waited until after the finale to see if any of my issues would be resolved. Would not recommend reading in one sitting. Below is 6,750+ words (10 pages single spaced in word) and some tangents. Please don’t read it in one sitting, I’m sure you have better things to do.

Warning: A higher emotion to jokes ratio.

This gets pretty critical. I loved the first half of the season, but the second half was hit and miss.

Octavia (? /+)

Wowwieee what an arc. Wasn’t sure exactly where she was going the whole time, but I generally enjoyed the ride.

Kane’s body guard. Fight with Dad!Kane. Pushed off a cliff. Ilian. Still have mixed feelings about Ilian. INDRA LOVE.

I’m happy she got to talk to Bellamy in the finale, but of course, after trying and failing to tell each other they loved one another all season, the radio cuts out, preventing it again. Typical. It still hurt. But then it hurts that much more after when Clarke doesn’t get to talk to Abby.

I like the reluctant leadership role Octavia finds herself in a lot. She acknowledges she’s not a natural leader like her brother or Clarke, but she’s being pushed to lead anyway. Indra’s council that all leaders have help/ a team is so so so so so so so so important for O to realize. She’s not entitled or arrogant like Jaha. She’s strong and humble and it will make her a great leader. I’m also glad she’s like a queen or emperor or whatever and not heda or commander. It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life. And they’re feeling [claustrophobic.]

And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me- would have been another appropriate lyric to throw out, but it lacks a joke and is not as obvious a reference. Same song btw.

Indra (+)

Indra had a fantastic season. I loved the depth her character got and like whoa! Daughter! Lets go back and rewatch S1-3 with this knowledge as we look at how she interacts with Octavia. I need to talk about 4.10’s conclave because holy bajobie. Such good acting. Much emotion. Give Adina Porter a series regular role. Why the hell did they make Roan a series regular when he just died. SHE DESERVES MORE. SHE IS INCREDIBLE. Ok so. We got Indra rebuilding a relationship with her estranged daughter, who have different ideas of faith and leadership. We get serious Octavia mentorship. Her conversation with Kane when he’s telling her that if Octavia makes it out of the conclave it’ll all be because of her and he’s thankful and also like I miss you, we were friends. And She’s like… you can have multiple mentors that teach you different things. And also I hope she’s ok too. We can try and be friends again. Then boom. Guess who ruins it? Fricking Thelonious Jaha. Kindra better have rebuilt in that time gap. I need them to be friends again. Plus they’re both really important influences and mentors to Octavia so they WILL interact, even if they’re disagreeing. I’d like to see that too. Show me the friendship rebuild. I need it.

Gaia (+)

From the first moment she was on screen I said, I don’t know her, but I love her. And then I found out she’s Indras BLOOD daughter. Not adopted. BLOOD. Her face is so expressive. I would love to see where S5 takes her. She’s obvs in the bunker, right?

Ilian (eh)

A generally nice boy. He took Octavia home to meet the parents…that was a poor joke, but not bad enough that I feel the need to remove it. I can feel cringes already. He helped O out of some bad situations and helped her grow. I wasn’t a fan of the cave sex, but I think I get where it came from. I still have no idea how he blew up the Ark without being stopped. He was a decent one season character. OH. It was nice in his first ep that we got to see the destruction A.L.I.E. caused on a more personal level for the grounders. While Ilian’s story can’t represent the experience of all grounders who became chipped, it does a good job of letting the viewer see the devastation she caused. By feeling sorrow for this grounder family, you can imagine that multiplied across all the clans and boom. Lots of sadness all over the coalition.

Echo (+)

She may have done some pretty messed up things but I’m still loving her. I loved her when she and Bellamy met. I was thinking, “wow we get another badass warrior woman. This show is great.” Then she helped blow up Mount Weather and I was all. “I don’t know if I can still love her… I still want to and sort of do, but I don’t know if I should.” She made sure Bellamy wasn’t inside though, you’ve got to give her credit for that. AND THEN. She wants to be buds with Bell and he’s all like. You’re a frickin spy and you killed my girlfriend. I can never trust you. And her face falls and I’m like oh, Echooooo. Someday you’ll be buds or more. In the conclave she’s a sneaky little cheater which I want to be mad at, but it was so smart and she was just trying to save her King. Her face falls AGAIN and you get where she’s coming from. She’s exhiled. King ded. Riding in to save Bell/ sneakily following him to try and find safety. One cool grounder. I really like her. I’m glad she made it into space because that will be really cool for future plotlines/ flashbacks while she’s learning how everything works.

Roan (eh)

Everything he does makes sense for his character. Most of the conflict in the 4A storyline comes from a lack of/poor communication between him and skaikru. Banishing Echo was just, but you died 5 min later and without her Azgeda literally has no clear leader. He was p cool but not my fave. They could have explored his backstory a lot more and gone in some interesting directions had they chosen to.

Clarke (?)

-a little confused?

-I get her plans fall through at every turn

-bellamy? You’re worth something to me. She saves bellamy in the rover/ tank scene. Then at some point Jaha’s influence becomes more important. Jaha potential mentorship made for interesting parallels, and made me actually a little interested in Jaha. But then he screws her over with the bunker.

She shoots at Bellamy?!?!?! But only a warning shot. And then 30 min later she’s forgiven? Man he must really love you.

Finale: wow lots of emotional Bellarke. Wowieeee. Ofc Clarke goes to the tower. Ofc she lives. But. How? How much food was left in the lab? Assuming they actually left enough for Raven, was it 5 years’ worth? How did the bunker get buried in rubble and ash (I know it was in the temple) but Becca’s lab stay perfectly fine AND sealed? It survived the first time, and has medical equipment so Clarke could treat her radiation poisoning. HOWEVER. She should have had some scars 6 years and 7 days later. What is Clarke dying her hair with? It’s really cute that she talked to Bellamy all that time to stay sane. He gave her hope. That’s really nice.

With some kid named Maddie (spelling?) now. How’d that happen? And she’s a nightblood? I’m sure this will all be explained to me so I’m not going to spiral here.

Bellamy (+)

What a great season for Bellamy. He gets emotional fixing from S3, emotional development with his sister and Kane and Clarke. He was an absolute hero in the finale. That was prime Bellamy. Holy cow was that his episode. Sure Clarke was doing things too but. Wow. He talked to Octavia, sad. He comforted Raven. He comforted Echo. He was on fiaahhh. Very happy with his season. We need a new name for this season- Bellamarie or Bernie or something that shows his growth.

Murphy & Emori (+)

Good teamwork. Glad Murphy is happy with his gal.  Glad they’re both alive and in space. He’ll be the fun conflict/ complaining guy up on the Ark but still do what needs to get done. Emori is going to learn to trust these 6 other people and then no one else. I’m here for it.

Nate Miller (+)

He got rid of that trash that is Bryan. Bryan bugged Miller’s jacket in S3 or did y’all forget? Bryan wanted to let everyone die on the trip to Azgheda. Nate deserves better. He GOT better. Jackson is pure and morally right most of the time and is just way way better.

David Miller (+)

So he gave into the masses and shocked Kane. He understands mob power and mentality, but I thought they were buds. It hurt a little, but I see why he did it.

Father son guard duty was awesome.

Sacrificing for Nate was heart wrenching. I want more of the Millers.

I became strangely attached to his character after he interrupted Kabby’s reoccurring eye sex back at the start of S3. Also if you read about the casting of the millers it will break your heart even more. (link) this was all I could find in a 2 min search, but they’re really tight and it’s lovely.

Raven (+)

-so so so happy Sinclair came back in 4.11. I love him. So so much. We deserved more of him. When I saw Allesandro Juliani’s name on the opening guest credits (and not having watched any promos) I was so excited. Guys. He had a wife that I never got to meet. Will we ever get to meet her??? Abby’s already adopted Raven but you can never have too many adopted parents. I adopt them all the time. You don’t have to tell them. It’s fine. They need a good kid like me to look after. I’m cry if I keep thinking about Cindy, who was too young to actually be my mom, but was my high school mom all the same. But cooler. And with fun verb songs. Kay now I’m cryin about my Spanish teacher brb y’all. (I actually was for the record)

Ok. Back to Sinclair and Raven. Everything was beautiful. He validated her for her, not just for her super mind. That love and support was just so lovely because raven only sees herself as valuable if she can contribute with her brain. The tank scene where they touched the glass? I know that’s also common for love and hope in prison glass/grate scenes but like. Ian directed this ep. It was not a coincidence. Not at ALLLLLLLLLL. Especially with DNR written on Jasper’s hand held up to the glass. And we know Kane trying to open the bunker was a deliberate call-back to the hatch because the writers tweeted it. At this time I would like to thank Bailey and Peter for telling me I would like Lost so that I may make these connections. The ep was great because of all the emotionnnnn (4.11). Sinclair deserved better.

her surprise at the delinquents returning/ Bellamy hugging her is another emotional stab at my heart.

Raven Reyes is one bamf and I love her with all of my heart. I’m so happy she got to spacewalk, and it was really sweet Clarke figured out why she was happy about that.

Jackson (+)

Oh my gosh Jackson got a first name and a boyfriend this season and I’m so happy for him! Honestly, he delivers a lot of “the viewer needs to know this so we’ll give the lines to Jackson as him talking to Abby,” so it was really nice to see him get some development. Jackson, Nyko, and David Miller were characters that I was happy to see getting lines and screen time. Now all I have is Jackson. I’m considering getting attached to Costa but he just stands there so. Maybe not.

Nyko (-)

Nyko sacrificing himself for Luna was ok when it was for the greater good and all that, but with how Luna’s story ended up being, I wish he’d just lived. It wouldn’t have been as meaningful if someone else had died, but she doesn’t do anything that makes him dying for her worth it. It just makes me sad.

Luna (-)

I understand Luna’s resentment of being used for her nightblood. However, I don’t completely follow her path to wanting everyone to die. All of her people died, so there’s pain there, but Luna was supposed to have turned her back on violence, despite being good at it. The shift from I am reluctantly helping you (when Raven convinces her and Nyko dies) to I hate this one group of people so much I have now changed my perspective on the human race that they are all terrible and need to die. If I have to spend significant time retracing Luna’s story in my mind to try and figure out how she got to this point, the writers aren’t doing their job in tying episodes together and making her arc progress logically. I’m a nerd. I’m willing to take the time and try and figure it out. But really? Luna could have entered the conclave with the idea to share the bunker, which would have made sense to me? But then Octavia wouldn’t be able to have that growth. So. I don’t really know. Generally disappointed.

I will say, I love a good parallel or call back. When Ariana (that kid who came to Arkadia with Luna and Nyko back when Flokru died) was dying, she said something like “from the water we are born to the water we return.” When she said it again as she drowns Roan it was so cool. I’m sorry for Roan and all, but it was a cool variation of yu gonplei ste odon which all the other grounders seemingly say. I find both expressions pleasing because of the ability to shift their meaning based on tone and context. Mercy and comfort vs basically die bitch. Love it.

Kabby (+++, End--)

Kabby, as a unit, because these characters are more than their relationship. Holy cow. 4.01: we see guilt and forgiveness and love and a face caress in front of Clarke, who we see is cool with it, but also a little sad. 4.02: SEX BA-BEEE. Jake’s rings. Heart eyes. Then Abby takes the rings off- off camera. Which is not super cool because we didn’t get to see her make that decision, but they just had sex and I will pick my battles. Hug. Abby returns to go where she can be useful. I LIKED THIS because it recognized they are individuals with different skill sets and allows them to have plotlines and conflicts of their own. Abby is not just hanging around Polis and all those grounder strangers and popping onscreen to be Marcus’ girlfriend lady. I respect the separation. I HATED THIS because it separated them. Which meant less kabby scenes because they were not in the same physical location. The walkie scenes warmed my heart. That was beautiful. BUT THEN. They were apart. For ten episodes. Ten. There were thirteen total episodes in the season. They were together for three. I know Clarke’s story is the A plot darling and more important and I accept that. But her narrative and decision making process was all over the place this season and I do NOT accept that I was denied a reunion scene after Kane and Abby were apart for ten. Episodes. And then completely left out of the finale. It’s disrespectful and rude. To the characters and their storylines, which now have unanswered questions (to follow below) and a 6 year time gap. We’d better get some fucking flashbacks or something because last time there was only a THREE MONTH time gap and the emotional consequences of Mount Weather was mishandled or brushed off until Bellamy had to get a redo to fix the shitshow that was his S3 this past season. I have concerns.

Abby (started off +, end of season MAJOR--)

Kabby amazingness at the beginning and then Abby getting her own plotlines was super satisfying. I had some issues with Abby and medical ethics, but SO DID SHE! Those are hard questions to grapple with and I’m not mad at her for anything she did there. She got talked into a lot of the questionable things she did- which is good in that I can defend her to these assholes, but not good in that she was able to be talked into a morally grey decision. Abby and Raven were great. As they always have. Even when they fight and I have to explain the fight and why it’s ok to someone who will continue to say, “Whatever. I still hate Abby.” You’re entitled to your opinion, but it’s wrong. Kids these days don’t want to empathize with the adult and try to see things from their perspective. Ofc Abby doesn’t want Clarke putting herself in danger. She’s her MOM. Ofc kids identify with Clarke. But take a sec and try to understand where the other person is coming from too. Abby and your own parental unit. Sympathy and empathy are important. I don’t want anymore “oh I didn’t think of it that way.” Once you’ve considered Abby’s side of conflict, and you decide you still don’t like her (and not just to make me mad), that’s totally fine. You can feel that way, Z.

Didn’t like that Clarke and Abby were in the same room and not talking to each other? Yeah, idk.

Freeing Bellamy was awesome.

Not telling Kane about being sick- I have conflicting opinions. On one side, she’s sick and doesn’t think she can do anything about it, so don’t worry Kane until you’re together. They haven’t really had alone time since they reopened the bunker, so are we surprised she didn’t tell Kane yet? Not really. Then there’s the “don’t worry anyone at all by keeping it a complete secret” method. By keeping it a secret, you don’t have to face it full on. Your loved ones don’t know, so they don’t treat you any differently. I don’t know if this is super common or just in my head, but with cancer, it’s not uncommon for parents not to tell their kids that they’ve been diagnosed until they’re in later stages and showing symptoms? Alternatively, if their relationship is as solid as it is in my heart, there’s no real reason to keep her illness from Kane. He’s hurt, but aside from her own fear and denial, there’s no real reason for omission.

UNLESS. She’s not sick. Hear me out- Raven is having multiple seizures each day, and Abby began having hallucinations around roughly the same time. So if the illness was affecting them the same way, she ought to be symptomatic. Unless she’s not? It could be affecting her differently. But there were other people in the lab who know about Abby, and I have faith in Jackson that he can be subtle, but how did he avoid spilling the beans in front of Kane before Raven? Abby is his fam and you know he’s gonna be checking up on her even if he does have a super cute new relationship. So that means Abby isn’t progressing with her illness at the same speed Raven is, which is plausible, but she apparently hasn’t had a seizure or any other issue since the one hallucination. So I’m feeling the Clarke with radiation was a dream. BUT Jackson did a scan back in the lab, which is how we know she’s sick, so how do we explain that away? Why even bring up the fact that Abby is still sick and that Kane didn’t know, just to LEAVE THEM BOTH OUT OF THE FINALE AND NEVER ADDRESS THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS OF: 1) how will Abby get better? 2) how will Kane and Abby deal with the fallout of a secret?

We don’t know. We time jumped 6 years and 7 days and don’t know. Flashbacks are the only solution.

Deciding to die? Let’s tear that apart. It happened right after David Miller wrote Nate’s name down, sacrificing himself. Abby’s feeling hella guilty, but I blame Jaha for making her feel like shit. Abby is the most hopeful, stubborn character on the show, and it felt a little out of character for her to decide she wanted to die, straight out. Not sacrifice herself for someone else. If the sickness and the guilt are supposed to be the motivators I’m still not convinced Abby wanted to die. Maybe just me. This scene was awesome for Kane, great writing, but Abby was just there for him to be a great character off of? A little confused.

Kane (++/eh)

I would like to start calling him Marcus at this point but I think that would make everyone uncomfortable?

Sillyness first: SHIRTLESS TWICEEEEEEEE. Ok done. Kane could not catch a freakin break. Abby leaves, which sucks but it’ll be ok. Then his daughter starts causing trouble and he has to ground her, but she dies on the way and he’s thrown in jail with his son. But they find out she’s ok. A little awk talk with stepdaughter Clarke (pre-clack phase) is a momentarily nice, but then no one wants to listen to him and he’s right about everything, but what use is that when no one will follow you? What’s a being to a mob? Jaha ruins everything (again) right when he had helped get Octavia back on track. He’d just started to fix things with his bff Indra too. Everything comes crashing down.

Like Jackson, Kane said things that were advicy but in character, but that maybe weren’t always merited? I don’t know how to explain it, but there were times when it felt like the show was going HEY. MORALS. HEY. THIS IS IMPORTANT. But Kane’s saying it so it’s THEME important instead of the viewers need these deets, Jackson tell ‘em, son. After the diplomat stuff early on, I’m not really sure what Kane as supposed to be doing? He was just sort of there in a leadership role, saying these wise things. Which he did beautifully, I might add. But he didn’t have a clear story going with all the worry and distress he went through. Unless that in itself was the point? Looping back to the issue of being right vs being an effective leader- if Kane and Jaha were being presented in that light I get it but there ought to have been more?

Dad!Kane was fantastic. Lots of hugs. I’m happy with this side of his character. Beautiful and emotional acting. Ian is my fave forever.

Jaha (-)

How dare you bring up Jake. It’s NOT the same situation. And Clarke? Was? Standing? Right? There? Rude. Abby told Jaha about Jake thinking she was talking to a friend. She ain’t yo friend no mo. She thinks you’re an insane but charismatic leader. Marcus was a good man. Damn right! I was screaming HE STILL IS SHE’S GONNA SAVE HIM! And then Abby gets to say the predictable and extremely exciting He still is. And then stab him. Justice. The entire world cheered. She should have stuck him with something more lethal, but that’s not who Abby Griffin is, and I respect that.

Jaha is a dick and I hope he died in the S4/S5 time gap. But I would also like to see his death. Is that too harsh? Ok so. Jaha as Clarke’s leader was interesting when I thought he was relating to her, and I was on board to explore where that would go. We know they would have had a past relationship on the Ark, and an actual personal one because of Wells at that. But all he wasn’t a positive guiding figure for her. He made her hate herself. He made Abby hate herself. He made Kane hate himself. But get this: He made them hate themselves by putting the blame for HIS OWN IDEAS AND ACTIONS ONTO THEM. He has no soul. He takes zero responsibility for what he did on the Ark, or Allie, moving into the bunker or like. Suggesting the lottery system. He says it, even if he didn’t think it was a good idea, at the Clarke and list incident in Arkadia. He RESUGGESTS it in the bunker in 4.12, only to go “Marcus, this is a shit idea, we can’t do that. They’re already about to riot. How can you make them stop?” Thelonious frickin Jaha. This was your idea. You moved these people into the bunker. YOU are the reason they are comfortable and just got used to the idea of surviving and now it’s being taken away. Marcus Kane had NOTHING to do with that. Don’t you put that evil on [his soul], Ricky Bobby. And you also TOLD the dude with the kid to fight against the grounders- which would get EVERYONE kicked out of the bunker if they lost (which ofc they would) according to Octavia’s rules. Everything that’s going wrong right now is your fault.

I have some serious issues with his wardrobe. The monk hood was a little silly, but I preferred that to the forever 21 boob shirt he was rocking for the second half of the season. If you’re going to wear a chesty shirt, go on and show some cleavage, Jaha. Don’t wear a shirt under it. They should have just left him in the normal zip up from 4.01. He looked normal. It was nice.

We loved to hate him, but now that he’s making everyone feel bad about themselves, good riddance. Be gone foul demon.

How the show talks about/writes/deals with death

Killing main characters is good for keeping viewers on the edge of their seat with the knowledge that no one is safe. With warring factions, plague, and radiation, we’d be fools to think that any character (aside from Clarke, probably) is completely safe. Grey’s Anatomy has killed-off a huge number of their cast when actors decide to leave the show, so I’m super used to the concept and also super worried all the time. SPOILER: I was so worried they were going to kill Stephanie instead of writing her off the show, but they didn’t. Her exit was strong and hopeful and I’m v. emo about it. However, Shonda Rhimes and the Grey’s writers, at least I hope and think, have learned that killing characters for dramatic effect and because you’re running out of plot ideas, so let’s just kill someone is poor writing. Thus the last few main and secondary characters to leave the show have been write-offs instead of kills. It’s more fulfilling. Still, in the setting of the 100, it makes more sense for characters to die than to disappear into the background. Yet when killing characters, writers have to be careful about the message they’re sending.

Lexa and Lincoln both had deaths that upset the fandom because of the real-world context fans are living in. The show got a lot of backlash for the killings and gay-baiting with Lexa appearing in the finale. Plot wise, Lexa was badass and really interesting as a character past the love relationship with Clarke; her relationships with Indra and Kane, and her role as commander and a peace broker were much more interesting to me. However, her character development was inconsistent- she died fighting for peace and “blood must not have blood” which, come on, they could have come up with a new catchy slogan, but then pops up in the C.o.L. all slashy and war-time-killing-machine-Lexa. Lincoln’s fall-out was because the show was killing another P.o.C. when white characters had been in near-death situations and survived.

Because of the blacklash, the show brought up the two again, giving them some respect and saying that their deaths still affect the characters. BUT. I liked that they did this, more-so with Lincoln because it felt so important for Octavia’s character development, saying “look where you’re headed, is this who you want to be? This isn’t who Lincoln would want you to be.” Which worked well, provided the characters saying those lines to her actually knew him at least a little. Abby talking to Clarke about Lexa was perfect and sufficient for her respects because it shows Abby accepting her daughter as Bi and Clarke’s pain over lost love.I don’t really get how Niylah and Lexa would have met, but Clarke being able to talk to her about Lexa was good, I just wish Niylah did something outside of that “support Clarke” role for most of her scenes.

BUT. Maybe I’m cynical in thinking that the only reason Lexa and Lincoln are brought back up is because of the backlash, but other characters have been completely forgotten. Pike is mentioned a bit, but no one got super attached to him over his villain-arc and redemption episode that came too late in the season to gain him much sympathy. Monty’s mom, on the other hand, would have played significantly into Monty’s character development, but is never mentioned (?) Monty tells Clarke that she’s not the only messed up one, which is sort of him saying that he’s going through grief of killing his mom. Twice. But he’s apparently fine other than the one fight he has with Clarke over the List™, which was actually more about his part in Mount Weather than his mother. Hannah Green has not been mentioned since her death.

Which leads me to serious concerns about how Jasper’s death has been and will be handled…

Jasper (major -)

So this is where shit’s gonna get real for a few minutes. This plotline hurt me. The whole season I was thinking, “I hope Jasper doesn’t die like this. I’m ok with him dying, but not like this.” I didn’t want Jasper to commit suicide. His narrative has gone from goofball to grief to depression and if you’re telling me the only end to depression is suicide- on one of my favorite shows- I have a problem with that. I have an even bigger problem with Jasper being semi-responsible for a mass suicide pact.

I don’t think showing serious topics such as suicide is wrong; a show representing real emotional and mental thought processes is good. But they cannot drop the ball and not face the real world consequences of showing that story in a way that doesn’t deal with Jasper’s story after he’s dead. His story isn’t over just because he’s not on screen, and that’s an important message the writers need to show. I need to see how fucked up Jasper’s death leaves Monty. My point is, it’s important to see how killing yourself doesn’t end the pain. Let Monty be mad. Let him be hurt. Let him be upset. But show us it. Don’t tell me that he went through his grief process in space and is now A-ok. We need to see it. Otherwise. Jasper’s death has no emotional consequences- like Fox or Monroe, except that he was a main character and needs to have consequences.

This season was so dark. If Jasper’s death doesn’t come back in the emotional ways Lincoln and Lexa’s were, and instead is relatively forgotten like Hannah Green, showing that storyline was irresponsible. Don’t make people hurt just for the dramatic effect of it and then treat that hurt like its meaningless.

Harper (-)

If Harper is meant to be the opposite of Jasper in that she decided to live, and is the “hope” character, or the character that came close and then realized not wanting to live is different from wanting to die, I see what the writers were going for, but they failed. Here’s why: Harper has only functioned as a love interest for most of the season. In S3 she was working for Kane with Nate Miller and it was awesome. S4 has her going down a dark path, which it perfectly believable any one of her plotlines from the start could turn someone dark: crash-landing as a delinquent, being drilled in Mt. Weather, being around for all the darkness of S3 plot, and leaving the guy to be trampled. So I understand how she got here, I just don’t like that we’ve only seen it through her interactions with Monty. Let her be a person outside of the relationship too. So my issue with Harper is more of a Monty issue. We don’t get to see Harper making the decision not to drink the tea. We see her say “I love you” back to Monty, which as its own story independent of everything else happening would be fine. She realized she wanted to live. Good. However, when she said it wasn’t the right time on Monty’s side. His best friend just killed himself in front of him. He’s afraid his girlfriend has killed herself too, which would amplify the pain he’s already experiencing. Harper’s fine on her own, but when I compare her to Jasper (as I’m thinking I should) I hate her storyline because it didn’t fully get to the level it needed to. Monty tried much harder to be there for Harper, which could happen, but it pisses me off because Jasper is his best friend and you don’t abandon that just because you’ve got a girlfriend.

Monty (-)

Sometimes it’s hard to be sympathetic when you can’t empathize at all in the situation. Monty cannot imagine what Harper/Jasper’s going through, and that’s hard on both of them. It’s frustrating not to understand. I’ve been Monty, hating someone for “not trying hard enough” when they were just doing their best to stay alive. I’ve been Jasper too. It sucks to know you’re a mess, but you can’t explain it to make someone who hasn’t been where you are to understand. It’s frustrating to see how you’re affecting people you care about, but you can’t stop being the way you are.

We didn’t get to see Monty deal with the death of his mother. We need to see how he deals with Jasper’s death. Or if they decide not to flashback in S5, we need to see that the death of his best friend has changed him. I’m worried that the show will glaze over it or say Monty’s ok because he had Harper to help him get through it. Jasper’s death has to have real consequences for Monty so that we see how suicide affects the ones you leave behind for both Monty’s development and to make Jasper’s death mean something on the show. He could have died in the black rain if they didn’t want to carry the emotional weight of suicide and upset viewers and they should have thought that through.

Why I’m glad Bryan was written off instead of killed (+)

The whole gay-killing would have been worse after Lexa, even though I predicted his death. Good on them for writing him off. Bryan and Miller had important, basal, essential differences. The show demonstrated how you can love someone, but can’t be with them because of irreconcilable differences. If there had been more time to show the emotional fall-out from their break-up, it probably would have been clearer that it was actually a break-up…

Predictions made back at the start and how they worked out

 My death predictions were Bryan or Harper dying. I didn’t want Harper to die, and I saw problems with Bryan dying, so I’m glad he was written off instead. 

 I got tired of writing and stopped. I didn’t proof read this.Trying to remember 6 episodes worth of stuff was hard. Never again.

Kabby baby 2k17// Radiation + 6 years and 7 days. Make it so. Or like. Give them that little boy Jaha has no business acting as a guardian for. I maintain that Wells was good despite his father/ because he didn’t like the coldness of Thelonious, not because he was a good father to Wells. I’d prefer they take that child.

I cannot believe you read this whole thing. You are a very nice person for doing so.

If Kabby is not together is S5 I will no longer be watching the show because on/off relationships make for annoying writing and in reality probs unhealthy relationships. Do better writers. No Ross/ Rachel. No MerDer (But that actually was ok because it wasn’t forever and then they had real issues to work through which was good). More Jim/Pam. Ben/Leslie. Coach and Tami Taylor. Time man/ Penne. Time man and Penne x infinity tbh. Can Sonya guest star on the 100? Please?

Happy Hiatus.

My attention turns to GoT: Ser Jorah and Petyr (Bae)lish.

Hopes: Daniel Portman keeps his real life facial hair because I would like Pod even more

[nofomoartworld]

Hyperallergic: The Competing Politics of the Jamaica Biennial

Installation view of the Jamaica Biennial 2017 at the National Gallery in Kingston (all images courtesy the National Gallery of Jamaica unless otherwise noted)

KINGSTON — What is a biennial for? What does it do? These questions came up on my visit to the Jamaica Biennial 2017, where I was invited to participate in the symposia and performances convened for the closing weekend. While looking at parts of the show and in conversation with other guests, I found myself wondering repeatedly what the aims of this national exhibition were. It was clear that a thicket of bureaucratic and intensely political complexity had ended up making the biennial a mash-up of competing claims and interests.

The Jamaica Biennial 2017 was actually four exhibitions at multiple sites, stitched together under one slightly leaky umbrella. Veerle Poupeye, a Belgian transplant who’s the executive director of the National Gallery of Jamaica, laid them out for me: a juried section chosen by a panel of artists, dealers, gallery directors, and curators; works by about half of a group of 72 artists who have been permanently “invited” to participate in the show by the National Gallery’s Board of Management, which some of those same artists serve on (one can see how this already starts to become unwieldy); a small tribute to the traditional, figurative painter Alexander Cooper and the recently deceased photographer and self-proclaimed “media terrorist” Peter Dean Rickards; and a selection of pieces by artists from the Caribbean and the Caribbean diaspora, grouped under the rubric of “special projects.” The final tally was about 160 artworks installed at the National Gallery; its original home, a historic building known as Devon House; and the National Gallery West in Montego Bay (which I was not able to visit).

Cosmo Whyte, “Golden Kicks/Where You Get Dem Clarks (2016), charcoal and gold leaf on paper, 84 x 72 inches

I walked through the parts of the show I could see a few times, but they never quite settled into clarity. There were several standout pieces and one or two sections where the works spoke with each other eloquently. The loveliest of these contained Cosmo Whyte’s “Golden Kicks/Where you Get Dem Clarks” (2016), an ethereal charcoal drawing of a troupe of dancers wearing what look like grass skirts. The figures are interspersed among a copse of trees, which have the same hue and tone as them, but they’re distinguished by the gold leaf shoes on their feet. Whyte’s drawing created a hushed atmosphere in which I could almost feel the water lapping against a man’s head in Nadia Huggins’s “Is that a Buoy?” (2015) on the opposite wall. In that work, a photograph diptych and video, the figure becomes lost in the watery scene, so that his head is only barely distinguishable from a buoy. Claudia Porges Beyer took up a similar visual theme with “Splendour in the Grass” (2015), which consists of a pair of Manolo Blahnik mules almost submerged in water inside a medium-sized briefcase. The brilliantly cogent surrealist object signals the near drowning of a particularly historicized sign of femininity and elevated socio-economic status.

Claudia Beyer, “Splendour in the grass” (2015), mixed-media assemblage

Installation view of the Jamaica Biennial 2017 at the National Gallery, with Nadia Huggins’s “Is that a Buoy?” (2015) at right

Phillip Thomas, “High-Sis in the Garden of Heathen” (2017), mixed media on fabric, variable dimensions

For the most part, artworks in the show simply had to hold their own space and meaning against the tumult. Some did this better than others, including Phillip Thomas’s installation “His-Sis in the Garden of Heathen” (2017), which allegedly grew from the painting at its center — an arresting portrait of a character who’s festooned with medals and has camouflaged hair like some fantasy cartoon general. I still haven’t fully figured out what relationship he has to the strip of fake grass laid down before him, along with various gardening tools such as a machete and shears, but I think about the piece days after seeing it.

Marlon James’s portrait photographs are compelling because the people in them are so odd: one has lips that are a bruised purple color and a gaze so inward, his eyes might as well be closed. I was grateful for the small oasis of quiet created by Simon Benjamin’s “Urban Beaches: FORUM IV” (2016) and have long appreciated the whimsical feel of Leasho Johnson’s work, which was displayed at Devon House. I walked by Kelley-Ann Lindo’s “Send Love Inna Barrel” (2016–17) with barely a glance, but was later told by the artist Ebony G. Patterson that it needed to be activated by two people sitting at either end of the long, continuous tube created by several barrels suspended together. She said that the sound the piece makes when two people talk to each other through it extends the metaphor of the barrel, which is often used to send food and gifts from other countries (particularly the US) to Jamaica. I do remember, as a child, getting such barrels from my father, who was in the US at the time, and being excited to taste the Juicy Fruit gum sitting atop the other goodies.

Kelly-Ann Lindo, “Send Love Inna Barrel” (2016–17) (photo by the author for Hyperallergic)

Simon Benjamin, “Urban Beaches: FORUM IV” (2016), white marl stone, gold paint on plastered plyboard, video projection

Here’s a metaphor for understanding how the biennial felt to me: During the first event I attended — a session organized to offer critiques of student portfolios — the student musicians were giving their recital right outside the rather thin wooden doors of our room, so that much of what the visual art students said was washed away by the music. Competing aims and interests and a lack of consensus on what the biennial should be and do made the exhibition similarly dissonant. Poupeye indicated to me that she wanted a familiar model: a thematically arranged or juried exhibition that displays to the international art community the work of artists from a particular geographical area, who have a specific set of concerns or sensibilities that marks them as unique. Yet right now, the Jamaica Biennial is also a way for some local, legacy artists to show every two years at the National Gallery — a boost to their pride, however this arrangement threatens, to use Poupeye’s term, to end up “looking like someone’s backyard.” Petrona Morrison, an artist with work in the show and a member of the gallery’s board, said in the weekend’s final public panel that the biennial “is trying to be all things to all people.”

Installation view of the Jamaica Biennial 2017 in a corner of the National Gallery

Senior curator O’Neil Lawrence acknowledged the problems, saying to me, “We know that it is an ugly baby … and that we birthed it.” However, the fault doesn’t lie with the curatorial team; it’s rooted in the politics compressed within the confines of the National Gallery, which are in turn inflected by the politics of the small island nation where I was born. In Jamaica the economic situation is even more desperate, more pressured than it has been in the US for almost a century. When my father left Jamaica in the 1960s, the unemployment rate in Kingston was almost 25%. Many people on the island still struggle to make a living, and in that context, cultural capital means a great deal. People contest each other for it.

Several people I spoke with, who asked not to be named given the delicacy of the situation, said that David Boxer, the National Gallery’s previous director, despised the direction Poupeye wanted to take the museum in, despite having trained her himself. Boxer allegedly stacked the board with his friends who are similarly disposed to leaving the legacy aspect of the biennial in place. I was informed that certain members of the board are actively working to make Poupeye leave her post. And so the organizers ended up with an exhibition in which some of the work by the permanently invited artists was terrible and brought down the worth of the whole show, but it was displayed alongside strong contributions by, for example, Margaret Chen, whose “Cross Section of a Curve” (2016), a sculpture of painted X-rays torqued as if caught in a tornado, cleverly evokes Louise Bourgeois.

Margaret Chen, “Cross Section of Curve” (2016), X-rays, bamboo, wood, paint, variable dimensions

Leasho Johnson, “In the Middle” (2017), Dutch pots, speakers, clay, variable dimensions (photo by Randy Richards)

The obvious question is: why is it this way? And the short answer is: Jamaica is highly political. It’s an island where status is recognized, guarded, and defended. Once, at a party in London, I was asked where I was born. I responded with the name “Half Way Tree,” a neighborhood in Kingston. I was then told that this area signified a certain set of politics: not the quietly middle-class scene of Spanish Town, where my mother lives, nor the more rough and tumble but urbane environs of New Kingston, where my father’s family now lives — but somewhere in between. Yes, even far away from the island, my birthplace is bogged down by the politics of social status.

But then change happens unexpectedly. Over the weekend, David Boxer passed away after a long struggle with cancer. As sad as that is, it might also be an opportunity. Perhaps, over the next two years, enough people who are invested in the Jamaica Biennial can forge a peace about what they want the next one to do and be.

Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, “Parallel Realities Dwelling in the Heartland of my People” (2017), mixed-media assemblage, variable dimensions, installed at Devon House

The Jamaica Biennial 2017 took place at the National Gallery of Jamaica (12 Ocean Blvd, Block C, Kingston), the National Gallery West (Montego Bay Cultural Centre, Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay), and Devon House (Hope Road, Kingston) from February 24 through May 28.

Editor’s note: The author’s travel and lodgings were paid for by the Jamaican Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport.

The post The Competing Politics of the Jamaica Biennial appeared first on Hyperallergic.

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