#Helluva Boss S2E11: Mastermind

[whippedcloudsofcream]

Helluva Boss S2E11: Mastermind

[owltattoo]

So I was listening to Mastermind for the 3864579th time and I've seen a lot of posts talk about everyone that's horrified at Blitz's execution. But we can also see those horrified when it seemed that Stolas might be executed:

also Oz and Bee only look sad (though they probably know he won't be punished too harshly):

and lastly Via of course:

It breaks my heart how much smaller Stolas's support is, it's basically just Blitz, Vassago and Octavia. Now Via is getting brainwashed against him and we don't even know who Vassago is...

I can't wait for the IMP team to also become part of Stolas's found family because this birb has needed friends his whole life and now more than ever :(

[vvenuspng]

starboy ･:*₊‧✩

[wineonawhitetee]

Also it is so unfair how pretty Stolas was in this episode

Like!!! Who allowed you to do that, sir?? Tf???!!!

[kindfrog]

i don’t thinks that how ur meant to hold em mr satan sir

[theangelinyourimpala]

Helluva Boss S2e11: Mastermind Spoilers Under the Cut

In defense of Asmodeus

Guys I know it's been like a year since Fuck You Mammon: The Musical for us but it's only been a few months in Canon (citing thr fact that Octavia's still 17) since Fizzmodeus went public telling everyone in Hell who might have a problem with them to fuck off. Oz is probably on thin ice already with Satan's racist ass for just SLEEPING with an imp let alone falling in love with one.

Not to mention you KNOW Mam's gonna start some shit soon (he's already shit talking Tex to Bee's face) and Ozzie's the weakest of the 7. Bee's got a better chance of going toe to toe with these fucks, but if Oz speaks too loud right now, he could lose Fizz. And nothing's worth that, even if Fizz is the one kicking and screaming for Oz to do something. His safety is the number one priority.

In reality I'm probably putting way too much stock in storylines that they won't have the want or time to properly flesh out. I know that writers tend to have a problem with consistent characterization (looking at you Stolas. Still love u birdy babe) and it could totally just be that in Canon. I'm just saying don't write off Oz completely without looking at the whole picture.

He did what he could. Sure he should've done more, but he could stand to lose the only thing he's given a shit about in a decade, possibly the only person he's ever loved like that. Hell knows that if I were in his ridiculously hot thigh high boots, I'd be fucking terrified.

His inaction isn't great. But it makes sense.

[le-panda-chocovore]

Things I'll remember from that episode:

- LINE

- I can't argue with free

- DRAMATIC PAUSE

- Also, SUCK A DICK

- Now you fucking know

- You are SO lucky you are hot, Stella

- ✨ EXPERIENCE ✨

- Puta Madre

- Um... Am I... Can I go then ?

- COURT'S ADJOURNED, TIME FOR LUNCH!

- Remember to take deeeeep breeaaaaath

[luckyfinch]

nobody asked for this but i need an outlet to rant about the newest helluva boss episode before i explode so beware spoilers for s2e11 Mastermind below

okokokokkookok blitz’s face as he realizes what stolas is doing . its so perfectly captured. like, he’s there being verbally berated basically by stolas while on the chopping block, not rlly sure what the fuck he’s on about, and then u can just SEE the exact second he realizes stolas is acting to take the eyes off of himself

and once he understands what stolas is trying to do he fucking PANICS, cause HOLY SHIT STOLAS IS THROWING HIMSELF UNDER SATAN’S WRATH FOR *BLITZ* (and especially despite all the issues they’d been having recently—the “I don’t deserve this!” line truly frames Blitz’s guilt perfectly)

and the visual of blitz struggling against *gold chains* here ?!?!?!?!?? AMAZING parallel to his truth-hallucination back in s1e6 (Truth Seekers) where he easily lets himself be dragged up to Stolas by *gold chains*.

this specific parallel is sooo cool. the hallucination was a clear show of Blitz feeling trapped in some way by Stolas, and the detail of him having to climb up a big fancy set of stairs to get to stols was a good visual representation of the large class difference they have, being royalty and an imp, as that is a big issue in their relationship. but still, Blitz wasn’t fighting at all; in fact, in Truth Seekers, he RUNS to the stairs, he lets himself get pulled up, he is visibly uncomfortable as the chains appear yet makes so struggle at all as he nears stolas. he blushes and then looks so ASHAMED of it. its a great way to show Blitz’s internal struggles without outright saying it all. he’s afraid of love and ashamed of wanting it, he feels trapped or as i personally think is more accurate here he feels confined/smothered by Stolas’ affections, and he can’t let himself think the prince would ever actually mean what he says so he sees it all as mocking/degrading instead of as the affection Stolas probably means it as, and so he feels stuck.

BUT. butbutbut but when Blitz is chained and faced with Stolas in Mastermind, he isn’t on hands and knees climbing up a metaphorical staircase to reach Stolas—Stolas is basically throwing himself down the fucking stairs for Blitz’s sake. Blitz here is instead FIGHTING the chains with all he has, and rather than being pulled to Stolas he’s fighting to reach out for Stolas himself.

then, the visual parallels of the golden feathers from the same scenes!!!

the symbolism here (from my personal thoughts) is of freedom, and the lack of. going off of Blitz feeling smothered by Stolas as represented by the chains and then more aggressively the golden feathers, the feathers as shown in the hallucination are a product of Stolas, and so I took it as his attention and status and general presence as physically overwhelming Blitz. then in Mastermind, Stolas is instead walking easily through/past the golden feathers, and behind him they fly easily past Blitz as well.

in the same bit there Stolas says “I am the master of my fate” , Blitz says “I realized too late” … i feel like the significance here of Stolas walking past the feathers like this in the context of them representing being smothering/overwhelming/controlling, this is showing Stolas taking control of his life himself for once, like really truly taking full control. no longer is he overwhelmed because in a way, by being disgraced, he’s being freed from the responsibility and weight put on him by his father and generally for his role as a goetia. likewise, Blitz is left to at last look at Stolas and see him clearly without the feathers to blind him—all he sees is Stolas, putting his power and richess and status on the line without hesitation to save his life.

at LONG. long. long last, Blitz is being fully forced to accept Stolas truly loves him, because there is like actually no denial for him now. no “he couldnt love an imp hes a goetia” bro just exchanged EVERYTHING for Blitz’s life in a second, and LOST IT ALL for him. now, they are on basically equal footing for the first time.

and i must say i love how gentle blitz is with stolas after the trial. also everyone MUST remember here that Blitz gave his room up for Loona, so his bed is the couch. and he immediately sets up stolas on the couch. dude gave his bed up again so next ep i best get a shot of them cuddling at last or of blitz determinedly sleeping on the floor

to end my ranting i HAVE TO talk abt the significance of this single scene. forget blitz blushing before this, and forget kissing him on the cheek. ok. listen. this specific frame is so special to me. this is like the first time blitz is —without any witness to prove anything to — showing nonsexual intimate affection . to stolas no less. as stolas is asleep, there is zero pressure to do anything at all, to smile or to be kind or gentle or to do ANYTHING. and he oh so gently brushes the feathers from his face and touches his head lightly for a moment while smiling down at him like that. he’s finally accepted his feelings and he can’t even reasonably doubt Stolas’ affections in this moment, for this single moment everything is so. AUUUSHHHAHAHAHAHAHAJHJGJHA i love this

okay ranting over

final note: i LOVE the song from this ep so much its awesome its stuck in my head vocals were beautiful

[its-just-me-7]

Some thoughts as I watch Helluva Boss S2E11: Mastermind. Spoilers ahead, read at your own risk

Okay WOW the animation is getting better with every episode I swear!!!

I KNEW Blitz accessing the living realm illegally with Stolas' help would come back at some point

How is IMP getting interns WOW business is doing so well compared to previous seasons where IMP barely existed. I'm so proud!

K I D D O

Satan?

IMP is illegal? Now they are legal with the crystal, how can they prove anything at the moment?

Ooh cool bomb (Why did it change Blitz's voice though? lmao)

Is his... pony keychain made out of... butter?

Yeah IMP is fucked oh no

Aww Loona being cuffed is so sad

"Since when is ATTEMPTING a crime illegal?" fav line so far

Bestie DON'T THROW STOLAS UNDER THE BUS!!! DON'T YOU REMEMBER IT'S ILLEGAL?!?

Wait why is whats-his-name kinda saving Stolas? Crush? Some other undetermined reason?

I vibe with Satan

Vassago has a voice now, I vibe with HIS VOICE too lol

No!!! Call Stolas bb

BLITZ DID NOT PLOT TO HAVE HIM ASSASSINATED FUCKING LIAR

OMGF NO GET TF OUTTA HERE STRIKER

"um... line?" BRO TF HOW ARE THESE PEOPLE FALLING FOR IT

Asmodeus say SOMETHING

Oh yay Bee!!!

Oh yay Ozzie!

Fuck you Mammon

I'm kinda seriously vibing here

I also raised my hand for lunch............ Shhhh don't tell IMP

WHY IS ANDREALPHUS SO WELL ANIMATED???? I LOVE IT

CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS CALL STOLAS VASSAGO CALL STOLAS

Aww no Fizz :(((

'Course Blitz is willing to die for his friends and daughter :((

Aww Stolas bb save the love of your life

Take care of Loona :(( Good dad vibes

STOLAS SAVE YOUR FUCKING BOYFRIEND (okay fine not boyfriend but FUTURE bf!)

Aww I love you, too, Blitz

STOLAS MY LOVE YAY

haha i love how THAT's Blitz's reaction (shouldn't he have said something horny tho lmao)

Oh no is Stolas gonna sing-- what a NeRd

I VIBE with Vassago I seriously LOVE him (did he raise his hand to go to lunch? I don't remember lmao)

Aww I forgot how much I love Stolas' voice (we love Bryce)

How is Stolas gonna get out of this?

Okay manipulator Stolas

OMG WAIT DEMON PRINCE ELDRITCH FORM

EWWWWW bb is treating Blitz kinda yuckyyy

Ope-- Stolas coming clean

"Simple imp of mine" BITCH BE NICE

Haha he do be an idiot

AWWWWWWW DUET

STOP OMG NO THEIR VOICE SOUND SO GOOD TOGETHER

HOLY SHIT WAIT DID STOLAS SAY HE LOVED BLITZ IS THIS THE FIRST TIME HE'S BROUGHT UP LOVE WHEN BLITZ IS IN THE PICTURE OMG STOLAS BABY JHJSHOSHGAHHFFA I'M DYING

Vassago not happy

:(

Brb gonna cry

SAY YOU LOVE HIM BLITZ

haha his face when he hits the door is funny

DAD!!!

SHIT WAIT USE THE CRYSTAL TO GET IN DUMBASS

OCTAVIA!!!! OH SHIT IS THIS WHERE THE LINE ABOUT HOW STOLAS ONLY LOVES BLITZ COMES FROM!?!?!

Oh? Good mom Stella? Nevermind lmao

Bestie isn't dying?

"Your life has actual worth" DEFEND BLITZ MAYBE? STOLAS FFS

banish the baby? No I love him :((

AYE VIA IS ALMOST OF AGE SHUT UP

NOOOOOOO RIP

Eww put your put your clothes back on, Andrelphus.

Aww Stolas looks so broken :(( So... kill-able

"Horny jail" ...????

HE HAS HIS GREY STRIPE NOW!

It's only 100 years, it could be eternal (wait now that he's no longer "immortal and shit" will Stolas even last 100 years?)

Yeah figured he doesn't have a home

Please confess love

Aww Blitz be a tad protective

Home sweet home.. Too small for birdy babe

AWW HE'S CLEANING HIM

DON'T LEAVE STOLAS ALONE BABY LOST EVERYTHING BLITZ BE SMART

Aww Stolas cute in a depressed way

ALWAYS!!!! HE SAID ALWAYS!!!!!

STOP NO THIS IS SO CUTE MY HEART THE KISS FDLSHFLJSHJH

Final thoughts: Sad, need to watch again without writing down my thoughts so I can focus on every moment, music was beautiful, the animation was stunning, and, despite being darker, the episode still has that bit of Helluva humour to it, which is nice to see :,)

Great episode!

[whippedcloudsofcream]

Helluva Boss S2E11: Mastermind

[lunaeclipse1057-ao3]

Spoilers for Helluva Boss s2e11 - Mastermind

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH VIV

STOLAS SACRIFICING HIMSELF FOR BLITZ????

STELLA MANIPULATING OCTAVIA AND MAKING HER THINK STOLAS IS A BAD GUY??????

STOLAS BEING STRIPPED OF HIS POWER?!?!?!?

STOLAS LIVING WITH BLITZ???!?!?

[marithlizard]

First impressions: Helluva Boss s2e11, "Mastermind":

Okay, I'm ready. (I'm not ready.) Oooh here we go. The show told us over and over again that Stolas was not supposed to be letting Blitz use the book, right from episode 1. This was always going to be bad.

Are they sleeping together? Does Andrealphus just ogle his sister? Does he find her a useful pawn due to her attractiveness? They don't act like lovers at all, and I don't pick up any abuse vibes either.

How often do the staff at Andrealphus's palace get frozen solid, I wonder?

Is Andrealphus significantly less wealthy than his ex-BIL? Or is this much less impressive-looking palace in a remote location his secret lair? It's got to be mostly underground.

I have to give Stella points for not being even the tiniest bit intimidated. She has no magic, just perfect confidence that her brother would never harm her and an unshakeable, impenetrable armor of selfish obliviousness. (Will I enjoy seeing it crack someday? Oh yes.)

I want Loona to film Blitz making the Moxxie squeak toy and turn it into one of those craft videos on tiktok.

Interns. Are these agents hired by Andrealphus? Are they cleverly appealing to Blitz's personal style with that note? Are they-

-Oh. Never mind.

Poor Blitz looks really out of it in that mugshot! Either concussive or drugged or both. And from the numbers, he was the prisoner brought in right before Moxxie. A small coincidence that changed so many lives.

"Quick! Hide everything!" An understandable impulse, but IMP hasn't been secretive at all. There's tons of evidence of them using the grimoire even if the commercial from the pilot isn't canon. They've only survived so long because Goetia don't pay attention to imp activity. (Or does Blitz just want to hide his porn collection and horse art? )

Aww is Loona playing online poker with her new hound friends?

"Deleting search history" Was I right about the porn?

AWWW Loona does care! Which we knew, but it's nice to see.

The terrible Earth disguises from S1E4! So they got the tail-sock back, or maybe Blitz made another one.

You can see the moment when it sinks in that it's no use, they are going to have to leave everything and jump ship, I.M.P is done.

Every time I see Blitz's reflexes and protectiveness save the day, I say a quiet fuck-you to Cash Buckzo for not appreciating his son. Also, nice grenade design.

Misdirect successful, I completely forgot about the interns. And I didn't pick up at all that each of them matches the size and body type of an IMP member.

Did Loona freeze up with fear? Not that any of the rest of them get full marks either, they completely forgot they could've used the crystal to leave right from the office. (I forgot too, until they were in the van.) That could be considered a plot hole but honestly it's hard to think clearly in that kind of crisis.

oh SHIT SATAN?!

Oh shit oh shit oh shit. And that's Mammon, Ozzie, Bee, and someone I don't recognize (Belphegor?) behind him.

We have finally met the being Blitz doesn't dare mouth off to.

That is Belphegor, she's snoozing. And is that Leviathan next to Mammon? She has two heads! She's like Glitz&Glam conjoined!

And we finally see some other Goetia. As promised, they are not all bird-types. And some sweet designs there. I like Count von Deermeister with his military decorations and gilded horns. And Marquise Emo Gothpony next to him. I shall dub the one on the far left Duke Skeksis Turkeyvulture.

And Vassago! Beak scrunched up, already not happy. Sensing a trap ahead?

"Oh, this is about the book?" It's usually obvious when Blitz is putting on an act, but I can't quite tell here. If not, what on earth else did he think this could be about?

(Bee: Did I just hear what I thought I heard? Ozzie: Oh yeah. Those aren't ice crystals, they're Folger's crystals.)

EW you bastard, Andrealphus. What an effective catch-22 you've designed. Stolas either defends Blitz and destroys himself, or allows the entire nobility of Hell to believe he's so pathetic that an imp could control him, that's clear enough. But did you have to throw a rape accusation into it for extra humiliation?

(ETA: Which I notice nobody particularly reacted to, or stopped to consider the complete absurdity of. Most likely they don't care. Grimoire misuse is the charge that counts.)

Hey, I thought Mammon was ace? Maybe that was just a rumor, and he's aro but not ace.

Moxxie is the only one who didn't know Blitz would pull the "let my team go" card. Loona and Millie had faith in him.

So Satan created the imp species, and explicitly created them to be minions. Interesting. Did Asmodeus create the succubi, etc? (ETA: Or is Satan lying about that, too?)

Blitz doesn't mention Stolas at all in his final words, or try to explain the situation. That isn't as cold as it seems. Anything he said would do more damage to Stolas and Blitz knows that. (Also his focus has narrowed to his family, as it does in one's last moments.)

Verosika was NOT watching with enjoyment. When it came down to it, she did not want to see Blitz die at all. Certainly not for something he didn't do.

"Through SONG!" I love this bird-dork.

(Bring on the Vassago+Moxxie friendship fics! They are clearly kindred souls.)

(Blitz, on the other hand, puts his head right back down on the chopping block.)

ooh. OOOH. I was expecting a heartfelt outpouring like the one at Verosika's party, but the opening lines of Stolas's song make it clear he is approaching this with strategy. Does he see the trap laid for him?

(oh shit, is Blitz is going to believe what he's singing? oh no)

..where are you going with this, Stolas

Bee and Ozzie, completely unimpressed

what is Mammon doing with the blocks, you know what, I don't care

what? Stolas, what?

This IS a self-sacrifice ploy, just with extra bonus melodrama. And Blitz knows it, thank fuck, I couldn't take another round of misunderstandings. Very clever on Stolas's part, now that I think about it. Especially since he had zero time to prepare. Get attention off of Blitz and onto him, reinforce the court's low opinion of imps so that even if Blitz says something disastrous they won't take it seriously.

oh hello, lore in the middle of this Broadway emostravaganza? Hell was around before Lucifer fell? And Satan ruled it? (ETA: Nope, Viv said Satan was lying. )

"BRB 5 min" with a duck is very Lucifer-like. Ozzie and Bee glancing at it in annoyance. If Lucifer were here doing his fucking job, he might be moved by the Hell-crossed lovers. And also Satan wouldn't be the de facto ruler with no one able to call him on his bullshit.

(forgets to comment for several minutes, and also to close mouth)

Well. That was a thing. Let me see if I understand right.

Stolas is reduced to the status of ordinary demon for the next hundred years, making him and Blitz equals for the rest of Blitz's life.

Octavia is now completely her mother's pawn. This is the real downside and I have a feeling it will not be fixed next episode.

Stolas coming home with Blitz to be fussed over? Loona expressing her love for Blitz, balm to one dad's soul and salt in the wounds of the other? Blitz taking care of Stolas in the bathtub? This is primo fic content brought to life. Stolas even saw the wall of pictures! Unlikely that he noticed or understood the scribbled-out parts yet, but give him time.

Annnd IMP gets to go back to business, with a massive publicity boost. The crystal never got mentioned and Asmodeus isn't in trouble for sponsoring a criminal. At least, not yet.

A happy ending all around. Stolas may not know that Blitz loves him yet, he's still in shock, but they've got time now. And Blitz did offer to hire him all those years ago. :happy sigh: This episode is a Stolitz ficwriter's dream.

(Hey, Kesha voiced Bee again!)

[wineonawhitetee]

Took wayy too long, but, Mastermind killed me, so I had to draw about it. Some of my favourite shots redrawn with them as humans!!

(Ignore the colours changing, we're calling it an artistic choice)

[basingamer]

Minor spoiler for Helluva Boss S2E11 “Mastermind”.

Leviathan looks almost EXACTLY as I thought she would! Also, love both her and Belphegor’s designs! Tens eyes go hard.

[coolies326]

Helluva Boss S2E11 Mastermind spoilers:

Did anyone tell Via that Stolas isn't dead? Does she actually believe that he was executed? Would he even try to reach out or would he be too depressed? This has been stressing me out