#Fun and Games

[notwerewolf-art]

welcome to doppynet!!

[ofmd-ann]

Fun and Games (S02E04) 🎯

[crimson-and-clover-1717]

There’s so much pathos in this scene… Ed doesn’t get to finish his meal He doesn’t throw the plate of food He puts down his cutlery, and dabs the napkin to his mouth Ed raises a finger to excuse himself ‘…one second.’ There’s even a little throat clearance.

The smashing of the chair is away from everyone, and Ed puts his own body between the chair and Stede.

Ed’s first instinct is to steady the vase before second thoughts cause him to knock it down too…

Considering it’s mere seconds since Ed learns the circumstances of Stede’s leaving, and he’s still concussed, Ed’s self-restraint is quite something.

Ed is not out of control. This is performance. It’s real hurt, but there’s method in the madness. And when he leaves the room, Ed is certain Stede will follow. Ed shows Stede he needs comfort by hiding under the blanket, signifying similar emotional need to the battle jacket in the bathtub scene. His ‘Go away’ is ‘Stay and let me vent my hurt at you’.

Ed has tried to fake indifference and stoicism all episode until the latest revelation breaks him; and he finally, openly, flies his emotions like a bleeding-heart flag.

[confusedraven1]

“i told you in confidence,” stede says, betrayed, to a woman, a known pirate, who he only met approximately two hours prior

[insteading]

Inspired by this @celluloidbroomcloset post about Stede yelling GREAT and scaring all the birds:

I was rewatching the scene where Stede realizes that running off again maybe didn't feel good to Ed, and comes back. I was struck by Taika's delivery of "Buttons turned into a seagull!! Yeah! He flew off!!!"

Not sure if it's because Ed is high, or because he's been through rather a lot in the last couple of days, or because believing he's seen someone violate the laws of physics is a Really Big Deal, or because he's been so moved at the thought that he can change that he's a little choked up, or because he's so delighted that Stede did come back, but this line has some of Stede's usual excitement markers: higher pitch in particular, but also, I can hear the smile in it. And it hits really hard because it immediately follows the world-weariness of "People don't change, Buttons, not into birds, or otherwise."

It makes me think of how much effort Ed often puts into obscuring the dorky enthusiasm that he and Stede share, and what a relief it must be to stop masking again.

[solluxarts]

[littlefingies]

"Just an antique armoire... Been in the family for generations. I was hoping to blow it up at some point."

Ed is starting to understand the implications of having fallen in love with an Antiquing Gay (TM)

[follows-the-bees]

2x4 Filmmaking Analysis

Breakdown of the 'love confession" scene in "Fun and Games."

This scene means so much to me and I've avoided breaking it down for a while, but it's time! Be still, my heart.

The set and lighting is soft and romantic. They are surrounded by neutral colors: browns, reds, and yellows, which also match their clothing. The blanket Ed hides under is cream with only hints of dark grey/black, reflecting the light and love Stede is about to surround him with.

The scene starts with Ed lying down, the large room behind him. He is curled toward the back of the couch, and just like the pillow fort and tub, this shuts out the world, offering a cocoon of comfort.

Stede walks into the room but he doesn't remain standing, above Ed. He sits down to be level with him, facing him but on the table, because he isn't trying to invade his space.

They stay in this two shot, showing that this is about them, as Stede softly speaks to Ed. Ed doesn't come out of the blanket until he starts to tell his opinion "fair!?" And he sits up further as he evens out the conversation. He rises completely, and his voice is the loudest as he yells at Stede about "it was supposed to hurt."

Stede diffuses the situation with a quiet "alright," which immediately quiets Ed, and he turns his body to plant his feet on the floor.

Stede isn't afraid to call Ed out/correct assumptions. First with the head butt and then the whim comment. It puts them on equal footing at this point (literally and figuratively) and their clothes also reflect this. Ed's top half is his black leathers, with the light tan blanket while Stede is wearing a tan shirt and dark pants.

A small candle is lit between them in the background. Lights have been used in both seasons to represent them finding each other, being the light for each other in the darkness.

Stede doesn't move over to sit next to Ed until this equal footing. He has been waiting months to tell Ed the truth, to tell him how he feels. And he doesn't hesitate here. Sitting next to Ed, turned toward him, but not touching, not invading his space. Just like MerStede, real life Stede never invades Ed's space, tries to persuade him with touch, or does anything without his consent.

The nice part of this conversation is that it doesn't come across as rehearsed. He starts to tell his side of the story and bounces off the whim-prone comment from Ed. And Ed responds about being "all in." He stays facing forward, not yet looking at Stede since he sat down next to Ed.

Ed turns slightly to Stede when the comment of the beard comes up. This is once again a miscommunication between them. Ed thinks shaving off the beard represents Stede not liking Ed for Ed, but rather for Blackbeard. But Stede corrects him, saying he likes his chin and beard at any length. AKA, he likes Ed for Ed, not for Blackbeard. This is the point when Ed starts to soften and look toward Stede.

The small candle between them appears closer in the shots with Ed in the foreground and Stede in the background. It often "touches" Ed's face, and shines bright like Stede's love for Ed right now.

The scene then takes a turn for the romantic as the song Träumerei starts to play. Ed cuts off Stede after "I love" because he isn't ready to hear I love you yet from him. But he still turns his head to look at Stede.

Stede immediately stops talking and reconsiders what he wants to say. He only proclaims "I love everything about you," once Ed turns and looks at him again, giving a silent continue. And he tells Ed "you don't have to say it back to me." He knows Ed isn't ready for that. And he isn't asking for that.

Ed responds with "I'm not about to" but immediately turns toward Stede, and not in a challenging way like I dare you to get mad, but a soft one that is accessing. Stede responds by looking down, once again considering his words. When he looks up, Ed turns his head and looks at him, so Stede continues his praises. "I love being near you. It's nice. Feels good. Breathing the same air."

Ed doesn't turn away the entire time Stede makes his speech, letting the words sink in, and after, he fully makes eye contact with Stede, smiling at him for the first time since they reunited.

This moment isn't about the both of them professing their love for each other, but it is about them talking, getting on equal footing again, and more importantly Stede being able to tell Ed he loves him. Stede is the one who left, and he is finally getting the chance to explain, to tell Ed how he feels about him.

Ed, on the other hand, gets to hear those words. Learns that it isn't just the Blackbeard persona Stede fell in love with, but rather "I love your chin, naked or otherwise."

This is a wonderful first step to them reconciling. They express so much not only in words, but in body language. Each time Ed turns and looks at Stede, he's giving him consent to keep talking, and Stede responds to this, only talking when given permission. They are attune to each other's every movement.

This whole scene is soft and intimate. There aren't any fancy camera movements. They start with both in frame, cut to single shots while they lightly disagree, and the rest of the scene cuts between two medium shots with both in frame, showing the positive progression of their stance together. The shots are also static since they are on land and don't have to worry about the movement of the ocean.

The quietness of the scene adds to the romance: only their song, the clocks ticking, and their voices can be heard. The softness of Stede's voice draws you in, makes you want to hear everything he wants to say, and just like Ed, the audience is hanging off of every word.

I love this scene and the filmmaking and acting, all parts of production make it the perfect unconventional yet character appropriate love confession.

[acreaturebythewater]

Lil Guys(tm)

Make yourself and/or an OC with this picrew!

thank you for the tag @coreene <3 i love picrews heheh

me and my gal (and and overwhelming urge to give her a cat omg)

tags for: @darkurgetrash @ashprince-of-bel-air @krawwan if you want to <3

[nerd-elf]

- Shipmates

- Former

[ofmd-ann]

Fun and Games (S02E04) 🎯

[crimson-and-clover-1717]

The little groan Ed makes when Stede tells him this…

It’s so conflicted.

He’s annoyed Stede has respected his ‘I love you’ blockade, but still managed to say the thing he wanted to say. It’s a slight call back to 107 when Ed is prickly towards ‘I’d come to your restaurant’ and Stede takes subtle control of the narrative, sneaking in the meet-cute at the end. Stede possesses a linguistic dexterity when he’s in earnest (and in love) which will blindside you.

It’s an emotional sucker-punch too. It knocks the wind out of Ed. Because for how many nights has he lain awake longing to hear these words from Stede? From anyone, actually, his whole life?

l love everything about you

Unconditional love

Ed’s eyes shut momentarily. It appears to cause physical pain.

A slight head-shake follows showing his confliction. And when Stede states Ed doesn’t need to say it back, he breathes a little sharply, pauses, then doubles down. Yet you can see the Stede-magic starting to work.

Ed remains listening, turning his head every so often to glance at Stede. Inviting more without seeming to be doing so. And Stede remains calm in his approach, allowing Ed his emotional dignity by not overwhelming him.

Stede’s going to gently love the hell out of this beautiful man. Literally.

[confusedraven1]

i love how ed indignantly throws the blanket down after anne & mary walk in on & laugh at stede’s confession. even if he wasn’t gonna say anything back, he will NOT tolerate anyone laughing at his man 😤 ed was thoroughly swept off his feet, Thank You Very Much 😠

[cleanermoment]

Hello Look Outside fandom how should I best spread my Hellen Leigh propaganda..

I’ve been thinking about generally posting like headcanons about stuff

[solluxarts]

FUN is not sucks