#I just looked back at the episode to confirm the cory thing and the face eliot made set off alarm bells in my head

[youngerdrgrey]

must you do the things you do? // The Morning Show fic (1 / 2)

about: 2x06 Episode Tag. After outing Bradley and Laura (via The Vault), Cory stops over at Laura's dressing room for a chat. Laura pieces a few things together. or, Laura gets the chance to call out Cory for his crush on Bradley at the most inopportune time for them all. (Read on AO3) . notes: the title is literally from "The Boy is Mine." Here's another oneshot I started in 2021 and cleaned up this week. In 2x06, after Bradley and Laura were outed (by Cory in exchange for protecting Hannah’s memory), we saw the conversation between Cory and Bradley. He told her she didn’t have to explain herself, and she told him that she thought maybe it would be good for her to have to admit to everyone that she actually wants to be with Laura. But what could the convo between Cory and Laura have looked like?

~

Laura never should’ve come back to The Morning Show. If it weren’t for Bradley, she wouldn’t have. Leave it to Laura to somehow get outed twice on the same time slot. At least last time, she didn’t have to do a live broadcast as the news broke. And there was no Twitter back then. If people wanted to call her a predatory lesbian, they had to at least try calling the station.

Cory chuckles from the doorway of her dressing room. It’s probably meant to sound disbelieving, or comforting. It mostly sounds hollow. Almost pleased.

Laura may be projecting. May be possessive of Bradley in the face of a man she knows would do far more than he should for their favorite news anchor. He might even enjoy seeing them fall apart.

She speaks first. “All these years, and this might be the first time you’ve been in my dressing room.”

He goes for the joke. Voice lowering to a conspiratorial show whisper. “You don’t see many of my type.” When her eyes don’t stray from her vanity’s mirror, Cory pulls on his most sympathetic grin. “Forgive the joke. I thought a little levity could help on a difficult day. It must… bring back memories.”

Laura’s done a lot of work to keep as many of them buried as possible. The strain might tinge her words. “It must. But I’m not the one you should be talking to.” Nor is she the one he wants to. His eyes betray him.

He offers first, “Bradley’s not answering her door.” That explains it. She can’t help the soft chuckle that brings up. Cory adds, “I also wanted to have a word with you.”

He shifts as he says it. Cory always has the sort of chaotic energy of static trapped inside a bottle, unable to break free.

Laura turns in her chair to give Cory her full attention. In turn, Cory finally steps further into her room. He stays standing, which is either a power play or a move for a quick exit.

“Now I won’t ask you to confirm or deny what I’m seeing,” he says. “From a studio standpoint, it can and should be treated as gossip. I can understand how things could be misconstrued. Something as simple as two friends headed home….”

Is that how he wants to play it? Turn UBA against The Vault? Play Laura as the horrified mentor who can’t be near a woman without dating accusations. Bradley’s just a victim. A sweet ally on the wrong side of salacious rumors. A spurned woman who triumphantly powered through the broadcast while the whole world questioned if she was sleeping with her co-anchor.

“It’s interesting,” Laura starts before the thought has fully formed, “that this happened on my first day back. How fortunate this is for the ratings.”

Cory smiles that crooked, too wide smile at her implication. No denial, but then again, she has no proof. 

Laura adds, “I will defer to Bradley on how to handle this situation. Your input is appreciated, but as you’ve already referenced, this isn’t my first time on Page Six.”

He nods, but he doesn’t say anything else. His hands wring, knuckles circling under the pads of his thumbs. He’s teeming with something. Building up his courage to ask what he really wants to know.

He snaps his fingers. “You know I do wonder how we got to this moment. One second, you had to be coaxed to interact with our anchors, and the next….” His eyebrows pitch up for emphasis. He tries to sound so casual.

Laura reminds him, “You brought me into this. You asked me to get close to Bradley.”

A fire lights behind his eyes. “I said coach her, not poach her to your — this —“ Laura lifts a sculpted brow, but Cory holds up a finger as he retracts and rephrases. He tries again with a humorless laugh. “Hey, a lot can happen in thirty-six hours.”

“A lot can happen in a year as well. I can sense how you feel about Bradley.” 

This, he denies. “I worry about her. She didn’t have the benefit of the mentors that you had, and—“

“And you think I’m taking advantage of her? Hypothetically speaking.”

“I wouldn’t dare think that.”

Laura leans forward in her seat. “Yet you’re here, in my dressing room, to what? Defend her honor? Pretend to check on me so that you have the right words to comfort her later? Let me help you. When somebody chooses to out you, first it’s terrifying. Your heart pounds. Blood rings in your ears until eventually the shock settles in.”

She’d seen the exact moment it clicked for Bradley. When the world snapped back into focus with the eyes of the nation on Bradley and that ridiculous prank nose.

Laura continues, “Then it’s a bit easier to breathe but impossible to do anything else. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s lying down now. Staring at the ceiling, or the wall, or squeezing her eyes shut. She’ll get the strength to respond eventually. But the internet is there, so the tweets will find her before anything else does. Then her family, then whoever else has access. And regardless of how she responds, or the show does, she’ll spend the rest of her life aware that this is what happened, here, on your stage.”

He stiffens. “You were seen.”

“Seen what? Going into a hotel room? People do that. Particularly people who’ve interviewed each other and don’t want to talk about sensitive topics in the public eye. People can laugh and hold hands, but the moment a lesbian is involved, it’s a problem. It’s sensational. It’s the type of information that can change things.”

Change the conversation. Laura’s eyes widen as it clicks. This news would take the focus off of Hannah, off of TMS and UBA+ and Alex in Maggie’s upcoming book. This news would be enough to bury something.

Cory watches as Laura processes. He at least has the decency to meet her eyes. Her friend. Her boss. Her traitor. Then he blinks, and his smile is back like it never dropped. Brighter than before even.

He says, “I’ll check with Bradley. See how she wants to handle this. I’ll let you know.” He reels around, and that’s when a second click happens.

Yes, Cory could’ve done this for UBA. But he absolutely did it for Bradley. To tear her down and then scoop up the pieces. To save her in the way only her boss can. To ruin her and Laura before they had a chance to become untouchable. They won’t survive something like this, not alone, and Bradley won’t let them be together.

Laura has to fix this. She has to talk to Bradley. She can’t lose her, not yet.

.

.

read part two

[wolves-in-the-world]

Eliot realising Cory's deal [handshake emoji] Eliot realising Randy's deal

that horrible dawning moment of shit, I can't help him.

[doyelikehaggis]

for the wip game: 2, 17, & 35?

Ahh, good choices!! So, “Sex Education Goes Camping” is... kind of exactly what it sounds like. The students of Moordale High are going on one last school trip before their school is closed down for good. Organized and supervised by Colin and Emily, of course. But there’s more than just the tension of the inevitable goodbye they’ll all have to say at the end of it; Adam and Eric haven’t talked since they broke up. Ruby is completely avoiding Otis, who feels terrible about hurting her. Maeve is leaving for America the moment they get back, and doesn’t want to make the goodbye any harder by letting Otis try and convince her to stay. Aimee and Steve have just broken up, but they’re working on being friends. 

Jackson's eyebrows furrow. Maeve frowns. Otis and Eric share another confused look, as do a lot of others.

Spreading his arms, Mr Hendricks loudly says, "You are all utterly fucked! As am I, and so is Miss Sands! Well, I mean we can obviously find other teaching jobs, but it's not exactly easy, so, technically speaking, we are all very much fucked, you're right, Jackson."

Jackson just raises an eyebrow, then looks away. Miss Sands quickly joins Mr Hendricks on the stage as the students chattering gets louder around the room.

"What Mr Hendricks means to say--" Miss Sands shoots him a quick glare as she leans into the microphone, making him take a few steps back from it (and her) "--is that it doesn't have to be all bad!"

"No offence, Miss," Ruby interrupts, "but you're not the one about to have your entire future turned to shit without your consent." 

Miss Sands nods, and says, "No, you're right. I'm only losing a job, but you are all losing the chance to finish your education comfortably -- or maybe at all. And I am... so incredibly sorry about that. I truly wish this wasn't happening to any of us. But it is. And we have to deal with that."

"We have to make the most of the time we have left together," Mr Hendricks chimes back in, taking a cautious step towards the podium. "Which is why us teachers and some of your parents/guardians have banded together to give you lot one last Moordale High experience!" 

More murmuring. Eric and Maeve are already groaning, while Otis looks cautiously hopeful. Many more of them are apprehensive, including the likes of Adam and Ola, but they're sitting up a bit straighter in their seats, waiting to find out the rest. 

They've all experienced many things at Moordale High, not all of them good, but not all of them awful, either. Some of them have been the best time of their lives, like the performance they put on just a few weeks ago to rid themselves of Hope. And some have an utter disaster like their trip to France.

Most of them are assuming it's going to be leaning more towards the latter. And it feels as though their fears are confirmed when Mr Hendricks excitedly, and dramatically, yells, "We're going camping!" 

I completely forgot I hastily named it “Uncle Shawn the Icon” for this asjkdhajksh okay so. Auggie starts experimenting with feminine clothes, something that Cory, Topanga, and Riley are more than supportive of. But, unfortunately, people at his school aren’t as supportive. When he starts acting different (like Riley in that one episode where she was being bullied), they know something is up, and Cory happens to mention it to Shawn. Uncle Shawn who, after spending that week as “Veronica” realized he actually liked presenting as a girl sometimes, and came out as genderfluid. He comes over to have a proper talk with Auggie, and let him see that it doesn’t matter what other people say about them. Bonus: Riley mentions it to her friends because she’s worried about Auggie, and most of them jump to Auggie’s defence. 

"Auggie's being bullied."

Maya blinks. Farkle sits back in his seat. Stunned into silence. Lucas is shaking his head, and Zay and Smackle share a confused glance at each other.

Then comes the eruption.

"Give me names and addresses," Maya demands, voice like sharp ice and scalding lava at the same time, retracting her hand from Riley's arm. Ready to storm out right now to track them down.

That's exactly why Riley doesn't answer her, but she does look at her like she's crazy, and she says, "Maya! They're kids!"

"I'm going to kill them, what do I care if they're twelve?"

Riley's about to tell her she should very much care, because when they were twelve, they benefited much more from being talked to rather than killed. At the same time, they never did anything even remotely like the kids bullying Auggie.

"Did he tell you why they're bullying him?" Lucas asks, sounding like he can't think of a reason why anyone would want to.

"We already had an idea, and Ava told us this morning. He wants to wear skirts. Not just that, but more feminine clothing in general." She drops her head back onto her arms. "He was so excited to wear one of my old skirts on the first day of school yesterday, and now he won't even come out of his room. I don't know how to help him because he won't talk to any of us."

"Those little b--"

"Language," Riley says flatly, not even having the heart to really care if she finishes her sentence or not. Honestly, she feels like doing it for her. "I know, Maya, I'm mad too. I just don't know what to do about it."

"Say something," Farkle says.

Riley lifts her head and turns in her seat to look at him curiously.

"Your parents could say something to the school," he suggests. "I can't guarantee it would stop them, but if we were vocal enough about it--"

"We?" Riley asks, eyebrows raising.

Farkle looks at her seriously, and says, "My dad could make the loudest noise, and I know he would do it if I asked him to. It's Auggie, Riley. Of course I'm not just going to stand by."

"Yeah, and besides, no one should be bullied for what they wear," Maya adds, throwing Farkle a small smile that he gratefully returns. Then she turns back to Riley. "Seriously, Riles, your parents should say something to the school."

Riley agrees with them. It had crossed her mind this morning, and she's sure her parents are already thinking the same thing. She looks to Lucas, Zay, and Smackle.

Without a question asked, Smackle is nodding immediately, and firmly, a look similar to Farkle's on her face.

"They're right," she says matter-of-factly. Then, with a softer note, adds, "It's unfair for them to get away with trying to stop him from expressing himself. People don't like different and it's..."

"It's wrong," Zay finishes for her. "Auggie doesn't deserve that. Going to the school about it might not help but at least it'll make some noise, right? That would do something good, make people aware that it's unfair the way he's getting treated."

Riley's heart is ready to burst from how apparant their support for Auggie is, and just how serious they are about wanting to help. She smiles at Zay, and he smiles back, reaching forward to pat her hand on the top of her chair.

Her eyes slide to Lucas. He hasn't said anything yet.

I really need to hurry up and finish “Clash of the European Boyfriends”, I feel like I’ve been writing it for years. I feel like I’ve summarised it before, but I’ll give another quick one just in case -- There’s a dinner party being hosted at the Salvatore household, set up by Stefan, Elijah, and Lexi. It was more a way of forcing Damon, Enzo, Klaus, and Stefan to get along, but also a good way to get Hope more familiar with the house for the longterm future. Some awkwardness and tension ensures because you just can’t have those four in a house together and not expect something to go wrong. I would love to be able to give a snippet for this but I’ve been rewriting it so much that I can’t decide on anything that might actually make it into the finished fic, so I’m going to skip this one if that’s okay. Hopefully I’ll actually decide where it’s going and what I’m doing with it soon. 

Thank you for sending these, I’m really having so much fun with it!! 

[santiagonex]

As 2020 is nearing, it’s time to see what 2019 has brought us when it comes to gay representation in tv shows and movies. Below ‘read more’, there’s a whole list of tv shows/ships/movies (with pictures and basic description) which include/are about gay (used as an umbrella term) men and couples (so basically have gay storylines and at least one gay person is a main character of the show/movie).

Since I’m a gay man, I keep up mostly with mlm, if I included wlw as well, I don’t think the list would be complete with my lack of knowledge, so sorry about that. I’m pretty sure there are more competent people who can do that instead of me.

Total Count of TV Shows in the list: 65 Total Count of Movies in the list: 27

 Anyways, here we go.

TV SHOWS

TV SHOWS WITH TITULAR/CENTRAL GAY CHARACTERS/SHIPS

The Other Two: the funniest most-relatable show centered around three siblings – one of them is gay (left). A must-watch for sure. He’s pretty much the hugest part of the show, there are some love storyline (...and they were roomates), some self-loving moments and iconic lines. Just watch it, you won’t regret it.

Sex Education: show about two best friends, one of them (right) is gay. His name is Eric and he gets involved with his enemy Adam (left). Amazing show.

Special: show about a gay man Ryan (right) with mild cerebral palsy, who wants to live his life as an independent person to the fullest. Easy and short show to watch.

Druck (German SKAM Remake): if you don’t know SKAM, it’s pretty much a show where each season is devoted to one character. Third season of German SKAM aired this year and it was revolved around a gay guy (left). For the first time in SKAM history, the main character’s love interest is a trans guy (right).

Skam France (French SKAM Remake): the French version of SKAM had a gay season this year as well. 

WTFock (Belgian SKAM Remake): Belgium has a season focused on the main gay character this year as well.

El corazón nunca se equivoca: I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Aristemo from ‘Mi marido tiene más familia’. Well, they’d already aired the first season of the new spin-off centered around their lives in college (I think).

Merlí: Sapere Aude: Bruno (left) and Pol (right) fans, it’s time to make some noise. Brunol is coming back because Pol is getting a spin-off which will be taking place in university. Bruno will be in it as well. First episode airs on 5th of December this year.

Pose: second season of Ryan Murphy’s popular show with main transgender and gay characters has aired this year.

The Politician: another show from Ryan Murphy was created. The main protagonist of the show (right) is played by Ben Platt and he’s gay. The show contains many LGBT+ main characters.

Tales of the City: the revival of the Tales of the City sequence of miniseries aired this year. The show includes many LGBT+ storylines.

The L Word: Generation Q: the revival of The L Word show will air on 8th of December this year. The show is mainly about lesbians, but based on trailer, there will be a gay couple included as well.

Years and Years: very futuristic show with a political message. Includes both mlm and wlw as main characters.

The Red Line: the plot of this show involves a white cop in Chicago who mistakenly shoots and kills a black doctor named Harrison. Harrison had a husband (left) and daughter (right). The show deals with the consequences of the event.

Now Apocalypse: all I’m gonna say is that Beck from Victorious got to make out with Scott from Teen Wolf, Matty from Awkward and Jake from Glee. The show was renewed for second season and later this statement was taken back and it got cancelled – which I guess says enough about the show.

This Close: the show is about two best friends who are deaf. One of them (left) is gay and has a storyline and spicy scenes with the guy on the right and some other guys as well. 

Schitt’s Creek: David (right) and Patrick (left) aka the cutest softest couple of all time. The last season of the show will air next air. Watch the show if you wanna laugh and watch the healthiest gay couple on tv. They also got engaged this year, which was beautiful.

NEW TV SHOWS (1 SEASON) WITH MAIN GAY CHARACTERS/SHIPS

Daybreak: both main characters and basically on different sides of the battles. Who wouldn’t want to watch enemies being in love Romeo & Juliet style.

El Juego de las Llaves (The Game of Keys): very interesting and fun show to follow, the one on the right is the main character. He’s closeted, has a girlfriend and gradually realizes there’s something else out there. Nice kissing scenes, plus one very spicy scene. Doesn’t hurt that the guy on the left he will be involved with looks like a dollar store Chris Evans if you squint hard enough.

Five Bedrooms: 5 strangers moves in. The guy in the middle is gay. His mom is a very traditional Indian woman who just wants grandchildren. The whole show is heart-warming and sad at times. The guy gets fair share of screentime and some love interests including a cop from the neighbourhood.

Made In Heaven: Indian show that follows the lives of Tara and Karan (left), two wedding planners in Delhi running an agency named Made in Heaven. Karan is gay. Very progressive show with spicy gay scenes.

What/If: haven’t seen the show yet but friends said these two have a nice storyline in the show. Threesome included.

Bonding: show about two best friends Pete (left) and Tiff (right). Pete is gay. They basically... do freaky shit for work... umm. Just watch trailer or something.

Osmosis: I have no idea what the show is about but the guy on the left is set to betrying to find a soulmate or something. I think I remember seeing some spicy scenes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: basically some gay romance with the guy on the right and someone else. The one on the left dies the first episode so I did not even bother after that. But you can be the judge of it.

Doom Patrol: Larry (left) is a superhero, kinda. There’s something haunting his past, though. Something that involves being gay.

The Umbrella Academy: Klaus (left) my favorite character. He’s kind of a hero along with his other siblings. There’s a deep gay storyling along the way.

Weird City: anyways... all I’m gonna say is that Dylan O’Brien played a gay for one episode in a show. Wish there wasn’t this huge ugly age difference.

Roswell, New Mexico: cowboys, aliens, bisexuality, homosexuality and all that. Didn’t really see the show but there’s a lot of content with these two.

Good Trouble: never saw the sow but the guy on the picture is a main bisexual characters. There are some mlm scenes.

The Society: Grizz (right) and Sam (left) literally the highlight of the show. Just watch it, it is worth to see it for both of them. Sam is also deaf. The show is basically about a bunch of teenagers getting stuck in a town with no one else in or around.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The High School Musical tv show has just started airing on Disney+. Carlos (left) is confirmed to be gay and to be getting a nice development this season which will probably involve Seb (right) as well.

The Heights: Australian tv show. Sully (left) is gay. Got a thing for Ash (right) at the start. Then things were messy. Then they suddenly kissed. And the things are messy again.

El Club (The Club): very interesting show. The gave these two really (like REALLY) spicy scenes. Some romantic stuff. But there’s really not much depth in my option. Check and see.

Volevo fare la rockstar: didn’t see it but it’s an Italian show and there’s a romantic storyline between these two.

No Good Nick: Jeremy (right) came out this year on this sitcom. Nice and very weid sitcom. Unfortunately it was cancelled, but the way they handled his gay storyline was rather nice.

World on Fire: follows lives of ordinary people from Britain, Poland, France, Germany and the USA during World War II. Two of them are gay. And yeah one of those two is Will from sense8.

TV SHOWS (1 SEASON+) WITH MAIN GAY CHARACTERS/SHIPS 

Andi Mack: the show that made history. Andi Mack is a Disney Channel show and for the first time in Disney Channel history, Cyrus (right) came out using the word ‘gay’ and made it official with the recurring character TJ (left) this year. The two-season slow-burn was really worth it.

Shadowhunters: Malec got married this year. Yay.

Grey’s Anatomy: Levi and Nico still going strong.

La Casa de las Flores (The House of Flowers): despite the first season making it seem like it was the end for Diego and Julián, that’s not the case. In season 2, they’re stronger than ever, the scenes are spicier than ever and the show is gayer than ever.

Baby: first season was mostly focused on Fabio (face on right) realizing he’s gay. The second season has shockingly showed us that Brando (face on left) is gay as well. Very toxic ship so if you enjoy Gallavich this is probably for you.

Élite: Omar and Ander continuing their journey.

Shameless: Ian (up) and Mickey (down) came back to Shameless season 10 as main characters. About time.

Station 19: new love interest (left, a deaf character portrayed by a deaf actor) was introduced for Travis (right) in the season 2 finale. Let’s see what happens in season 3, which airs in 2020.

Ackley Bridge: they pretty much baited us with Cory (left) and Naveed (right) this season. They stayed just friends, but Naveed found a love interest, so that’s nice.

Find Me In Paris: Never saw the show, but Jeff (on the picture) is gay and his love interest Isaac gets introduced in second season that aired this year.

13 Reasons Why: Tony and Caleb going strong. It was also revealed that Monty (right) is a closeted gay and had a storyline with Winston (left). There’s probably more to come with them in next season. 

Insatiable: unfortunately they didn’t serve much Bob (right) & Bob this year. But they introduced detective Rudy (left) and there were some scenes and twists and turns. Whatever.

Riverdale: I don’t care. Kevin (left) is still there. There are some gay charcters based on wiki, but yeah. Crumbs, I bet. Whatever.

Charité: second season (which has the two main gay characters) takes place in Berlin in 1943. You don’t need to watch the first season at all, to understand the second one with them, it’s basically a stand-alone.

Animal Kingdom: Deran and Adrian’s story coming to an end?

The Magicians: Well, they killed off the central bi character Quentin (on the picture), so fuck them. 

How to Get Away With Murder: Connor (left) and Oliver (right) still there.

Dear White People: haven’t seen it, but Lionel (on the picture) is still there and he’s gay.

Zoe Valentine: there’s this web series and these two have a storyline in second season that aired this year.

SOAP OPERAS AND TELENOVELAS

Sturm der Liebe: Boris (left) and Tobias (right) are married and lived happily ever after. Really cute and sometimes dramatic storyline overall. Check it out.

Malhação: Vidas Brasileiras: Santiago (left) and Michael (right) had a gay storyline but the show ended this year.

Malhação: Toda Forma de Amar: Guga (right) and Serginho (left) have a gay storyline in the show.

Eastenders: Ben (left) and Callum’s (right) storyline has begun this year.

Neighbours: David (right) and Aaron (left) aka husbands still in the soap.

REALITY SHOWS

Queer Eye: five gay guys helping others. Season 3, 4 and a special have aired this year.

Are You the One?: for the first time in the show’s history, season 8 of this dating reality show had an all-sexually fluid cast this year. Which means mlm and wlw and anything else. Really fun show.

MOVIES

Benjamin: don’t even remember what the movie was about but I rec because it was cute and I mean hello Merlin.

Boy Erased: homosexuality and religion. Has a Troye Sivan in it. Very decent movie.

And Then We Danced: my favorite gay movie of this year. All the things they had to do to be able to film this in homophobic Georgia (the country)... just wow. It’s a must-watch.

Who Would You Take to a Deserted Island?: didn’t know what to expect from this movie. It is based on a play and it shows. Watch and be the judge of it. The acting was really highlight of the movie.

This Is Not Berlin: hasn’t seen it yet since it was just officially released. But it is included in an LGBT+ section so... hopefully they didn’ lie.

Rocketman: movie about Elton John with Taron Egerton and Richard Madden... I mean, phew.

Un Rubio (The Blonde One): gonna watch this, apparently it’s amazing based on what some of my mutuals have said.

The Death and Life of John F. Donovan: Jon Snow being gay and kissing Chris Zylka. Made by Xavier Dolan. A literal tripple threat. Genuinely enjoyed the movie and the soundtrack.

Ranchlands: haven’t seen this but my friend said it’s amazing.

Steam Room Stories: this movie was something... Eating Out levels of ‘I-’ but without all the sex. I guess watch this if you are bored.

Posledice (Consequences): very spicy and intriguing movie. Slovenia snapped with this one.

Papi Chulo: didn’t like this movie and the concept of it but... you can check out and see for yourself.

Dolor y gloria (Pain and Glory): Antonio Banderas kissing a man. Hopefully it really is a gay-related movie because I haven’t seen it yet.

Die Stropers (The Harvesters): brilliant cinematography but I expected much more from the movie.

Giant Little Ones: what happens when you’re into your best friend’s sister but the best friend gives you a BJ. Well... watch and see.

Kanarie (Canary): a war musical about a small town boy who gets chosen to serve his compulsory two year military training in the South African Defence Force Choir and Concert. Loved the involvement of the Boy George music, aesthetic and story. One of my favorites this year. 

Luciérnagas (Fireflies): haven’t seen it yet but the description says that the main gay character (right) “flees from persecution in Iran and ends up living in the tropical town of Veracruz.”

El Angel: haven’t seen it but apparently there are some implications it was lowkey gay... so yeah.

Dear Ex: from wiki “San Lian was devastated when she discovered her late ex-husband left his insurance payout to his male partner Ah Jie. She decided to bring her son to fight for their rights, but her son instead chose to stand on the other person's side.” Will watch this soon, sounds interesting.

Sauvage: one of the best gay movies this year. Don’t know how to describe it so let me copy paste the description “ Léo is a sex worker who uses drugs whilst longing for love.”

Sócrates: haven’t seen it yet as it was just released.

Marilyn: story about a farm worker who discovers his sexuality in a hostile environment. Didn’t see it since someone has told me there are some scenes that are really HARD to stomach and I ain’t about that life.

Les Crevettes pailletées (The Shiny Shrimps): the movie is about an Olympic swimming champion who makes a homophobic comment in a television interview, and is disciplined by the national swim team with the responsibility of coaching a gay water polo team who aspire to compete in the Gay Games. Sounds and looks like an amazing comedy and can’t wait to watch it when I will be able to.

Fin de siglo (End of the Century): it’s not out yet as far as I know, but it’s about two men who meet in Barcelona and realize they have met already 20 years ago.

Matthias et Maxime: another excellence by Xavier Dolan. Story about life-long friends who question their sexual identities after they kiss. Looks amazing and I can’t wait for it to get released finally.

The Goldfinch: not a gay movie, but I’ve seen many people considering it as LGBT+ cinema because of the book and you know what, they kissed after all so you can perceive it beyond friendship if you want. If not, then just skip it. I feel like it is worth mentioning it tho.

Mapplethorpe: movie is about the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Didn’t see it but Doctor Who plays him so there’s that.

UPCOMING

TV SHOWS

9-1-1: Lone Star: The spin-off of a popular show 9-1-1 by Ryan Murphy is premiering 19th of January 2020. It’s confirmed that the main character TK (a firefighter, left) will be romantically involved with the main character Carlos (a police officer, right). The show will also have a main trans man.

Love, Simon: The Series: A Disney+ Love, Simon spin-off is on its way and will premiere in 2020. The series will follow Victor (right) and his coming-out story at the same high school where Love, Simon took place. Didn’t find a photo with his love interest. The guy on the left will most likely be his enemy.

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Glee - S1 E6 (Vitamin D)

They call it vitamin D for the whole thing but wasn’t it just a component for some really hard drug??? We love the bullshit

The millionth step ball change... And we’re only 6 episodes in

Mr Schue just said “Maybe so” and now all I can think of is the gif meme thing

heheheheheheh.......Sorry. Funny youtube. 

Sign #27 That Mr Schuester Is An Asshole: He’s eating that sandwich in the GROSSEST WAY POSSIBLE. He’s chewing with his mouth open, breathing really loud, talking with his mouthful, and he’s clearly being messy about it because there’s mustard all over his chin!!! How is Emma crushing on this dweeb

Sign #28 That Mr Schuester Is An Asshole: When Emma says he’s got a “cute Kirk Douglas chin dimple” (barf) he doesn’t say, hey! Maybe don’t flirt with me, I’m married!

I’m genuinely starting to feel ill whenever I have to just look at Mr Schue...

Everybody trying to learn their choreo and they’re just.... Spinning. Kurt’s about to fall over, Matt and Mike are bumping into each other, and Brittany’s just Tasmanian Devil-ing her way across the room. Love em

Brittany completely ignoring Artie’s high-five and him being like “oh-- okay...” is underrated

Matt Morrison just delivered “simply stopped trying” really weirdly. I don’t know what’s throwing me off about it, but it is

You’re right, Sue. Bones won’t grow properly without fear. AND EMMA’S BLOUSE IS INSANE

“I don’t understand how lightning is in competition with an above-ground swimming pool” You’re RIGHT KURT and you SHOULD SAY IT! Bears and sharks aren’t in competition either! Call out post for Mr Schue: The man knows NOTHING of the most basic ecology!

The look Quinn gives Finn when he yawns... Let my mans nap!!!

Kurt did his best to get to the girl’s side. Can you fucking blame him? Puck’s still an asshole to him as far as we all know!

Santana and Brittany just casually linking arms... Be still my beating heart

Kurt just walking along with Finn to football practice... Look at those brothers go!!! I am ignoring Puck

Ohh Sue’s journal... A wonderful character

You’re right, Sue, Will Schuester IS to blame for the world’s problems. Please do destroy the man

“I’ve always thought the desire to procreate showed deep personal weakness” Got ‘em

And thus begins the saga of Sue pushing problem people down the stairs. I’m not saying she should do that to Mr Schue... I’m just saying, why doesn’t she?

If Will wasn’t flirting with Emma, he wouldn’t get all nervous and upset when his wife turns up. Them’s the facts.

Does Terri know about Emma’s germophobia...? Because if so, it’s probably not cool for Will to have told her that. Unless Sue did, but I wouldn’t put it past him

As if they could get away with hiring a random unqualified woman as a school nurse?

Is “route” really pronounced like that......? Huh

Finn getting Biofreeze in his eye will forever be hilarious.

LEVEL 2!!!

I hate hats. I don’t know why, but I do. And I want Kurt to live his best life, but man, I hate that hat

Cory Monteith really got paid to drool. Goals

“Puck, with respect, you’re more helpful when you don’t contribute” Tell him, Artie!!!

Everybody making fun of Quinn :C Britt, you’re better than this!!

People (I’m people) can hate on Rachel all they want but this scenario is one example of her actually working harder than anybody else in the group. Yes, the solos should be shared more equally, but it’s hard to be mad at her when the others are claiming her ideas as their own and sitting around when they should be rehearsing. Except Brittany! She’s stretching, at least, love her

Terri let him NAP. WITHOUT DRUGS.

Finn’s having some serious mental health concerns but he’s not getting what he needs and I hate it. Help him!!!

Why does Terri care if Finn’s not faithful? Like, yeah, he should be, but it’s not going to affect the baby!

Surely if she took those pills for ALL of high school, they would’ve lost their effect after a while?

God I love high Finn. He just CHUCKED Matt outta that chair. 

Puck knows what’s up. Kurt thinks it’s vitamin C, because Vogue said so, and Iove him. He also looks SO weirded out

Terri gave him a whole BOX huh?

Time for season 1′s best mash-up. I love this so much. They’re all going so HARD and Finn looks like his eyes are about to pop right out. The way he’s rubbing the mic... How could they not tell he was off his face???

MIKE’S SINGING. MIKE’S SINGING BACK UP AND NOBODY’S WINCING. Glee has no continuity confirmed

I feel like I shouldn’t find this performance cute because they’re all meant to be high as shit BUT THEY’RE JUST SO EXCITED???

Kevin McHale bumps every song features in up by at least 2 letter grades and that’s just a fact

LET MIKE CHANG DANCE!!!! LET HIM DANCE FOREVER HE DESERVES SO MUCH

I would say the same for Matt but then I’ll get sad about him being dumped into the void in like 16 episodes time

Oh Rachel worrying about Quinn... Be still my gay heart

Rachel just cuts right through her bullshit without hesitating for a second. She knows what it’s like to feel like the odd one out and she’s doing the absolute most to make sure Quinn doesn’t feel that way and I love her for it

The way Quinn slowly turns to face her... And Rachel says they don’t have to be enemies and Quinn can’t understand why Rachel would offer her a second chance... 

Quinn legit draws porn of Rachel it’s canon. I mean it’s fucked up but there are only so many reasons a person would do that

“I would’ve tortured you if the roles were reversed you know” “I know” And then the way she watches Rachel walk away... My HEART

Ken and Terri, the power duo of awful

“Laughing... Talking... All the stuff she never does with me” I hate it. They suck. Emma is a dumbass for agreeing to date a guy who she just genuinely doesn’t like and Ken’s just an ASSHOLE for bullying her into it

And now Ken’s about to propose because he’s being bullied into it. Why the fuck does this happen?

I don’t buy that Rachel took this long to berate all the girls for not prepping their mash-up harder after the boys killed theirs. She’d be right on that

Kurt I love the waistcoat and the bowtie but WHAT is happening on your ELBOWS.

You really wanted those guys in cornrows, Kurt? None of them have the length for it. ALSO I love that the exotic bird feathers thing comes back next season 10/10

F-ROD!!! GO OFF RACHEL!!! Even if Finn doesn’t know what half these words mean!

Rachel really wakes up with flawless hair, huh! And then she just... Does all that. She never stops being extra...

Did they just start walking in the opposite direction?

I feel like it’s dumb that Rachel doesn’t just tell Mr Schue that they all took pills, but it’s more in character for her to not waste an opportunity to perform anyway

Howard Bamboo,totally unqualified man who absolutely isn’t staff, is just allowed on campus to deliver DRUGS? HELLO???

Quinn only gets folic acid... And yet I’m pretty sure she manages to keep up with everybody else. HOW?

“What’s up with Ken?” [FRANTIC PAPER SHREDDING] 

I don’t care how married you are, no person should lick another person’s face

I can physically feel the awkwardness between Will and Terri. JUST DIVORCE ALREADY

Don’t like ya Will but you’re right, shit’s not healthy if there’s no space!

Imagine proposing in the staff room at work just because a random woman told you to

“Emma Pilsbury, this is not an engagement ring” “Oh thank god--” “No, I mean, it is” Just take the L, Ken

AND ALSO ANGELS!!!

Quinn’s so fucking concerned. I love this

I usually don’t like yellow clothes but these girls make it look so dang CUTE. More pastels plz

Again, I have no idea how pregnant Quinn is keeping up at all...

HALOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Kurt’s wearing those blocky shades so the boys can’t see his betrayal

Where the hell did this mock-stage set up come from

“We came up with the idea together!” No... Will, that was Sue. Sue gave you the idea

Emma’s pretty much explicitly told Will she’s only marrying Ken because Will won’t be with her. EVERYBODY SUCKS

This argument between Terri and Emma is a nightmare. The most confrontational person VS the least... I’d fucking evaporate if Terri came at me like that

The way Emma’s voice shakes when she tells Terri that Will deserves better... Ouchie

Quinn is just adorable. Diana made this character, and she did such an amazing job... She’s more empathetic than she lets anybody realise

The fact that Terri won’t even help this TEENAGE GIRL pay for the baby that she’ll eventually adopt is a nightmare. Where do you expect her to get the cash from?

Wanting to get married without being married is kind of a mood... Secret marriage

BEING A PUSHOVER WHEN IT COMES TO YOU DOESN’T MAKE HIM A GOOD MAN

Finn and Rachel both realising they screwed up is perfect. 

Finn continuing to not know what any words mean is also perfect

This is a cute Rachel moment actually... Yes girl compete WITH your friends!!! You’re a team!!!!

Ahh, methamphetamines! That’s what it was. Yeah, fuck Terri

I’m still looking at Matt Morrison’s lips and trying to figure out if he’s had fillers. They just curl too far!!!

Mr Schue being called out for making things too competitive - fine, I guess. Bringing in SUE to rectify that...??? Hello? Figgins?

Those white jeans are a LOOK Kurt. He’s like a twink Steve Jobs rn

Britt and Santana’s little smiles at each other when Sue’s announced as co-captain... Hell yeah future wives

I’d like to think Will’s upset about Emma marrying Ken for the right reasons (i.e. Ken’s an asshole) but we been knew he’s not. He’s looking at her like he’s just been shot

AIN’T NOTHIN GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE! NOBODY GONNA SLOW ME DOWN! OH NO, I’VE GOT TO KEEP ON MOVIN!

I really just love how stupid this show is! It makes no god damn sense and I fall for it every time!

[ambitionsource]

AMBITION Season 1 ♫ “Extra, Extra” [ 1.05 ]

CREATED BY Esther (rapunzles) & Maggie (quincywillows)

HEADLINERS – Isadora’s world crumbles when AAA Confessions shares a major secret. Lucas’s temper flares out of control. Rumors swirl around Charlie and his relationship with Riley.

43 Minutes (6.5K words) || No warnings apply.

[ ← Special Snowflakes ] [ S1 Synopsis ] [ Stripped → ]

( Follow along with the music on Spotify here! )

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Rumour Has It” as performed by Adele || Performed by Maya Hart (feat. Chai Fresco, Sarah Carlson, and Darby Winters)

The episode kicks off with a broody and ballsy rendition of this flagship Adele track, MAYA HART leading while CHAI FRESCO, SARAH CARLSON, and DARBY WINTERS back her. Everything about the performance emanates trouble ahead – the shadowy lighting, the song choice, the urgency of the vocals. Yes, we’re back from winter break, and that warm and fuzzy holiday spirit isn’t going to survive long.

As the song unfolds, we get glimpses of everyone getting ready for school much like in the pilot. But our focus narrows in on a couple of students in particular.

INT. RILEY’S BEDROOM - DAY

At the Matthews apartment, Cory and Topanga’s arguing is growing more difficult to ignore, Riley electing to climb out the bay window rather than pass them to the front door.

INT. FOSTER HOME - ISADORA’S ROOM - DAY

ISADORA DE LA CRUZ is getting ready for the day, just pulling her hair back out of her face. Her phone lights up with a text message, seemingly from Asher. The message is simple: “did you see the confessions page??”

Isadora frowns, obviously having no clue what he’s talking about. Even as she’s trying to open the Instagram app and search it, another message comes in at the top of her screen. This one is from Dylan (“Dyl Pickle,” as he’s known in all the techies’ phones): “omg y didn’t u tell us?????”

Now Isadora is nervous. She waits impatiently for the page to load, scrolling past the latest post – one featuring Riley and Charlie – to find what they could possibly be talking about. When she sees it, her eyes widen and she reacts as though she’s been burned. She gasps, dropping her phone. Another message comes in, from Asher: “Isa???????”

It’s evident that whatever is on that page, it’s mortifying to her. She can’t even bring herself to pick up her phone.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As people filter into the school building, students of all ages and stature are checking out the latest Instagram updates.

The post in question for Isadora features selfies of her and a rather glamorous woman, enjoying the Los Angeles sunshine in the midst of winter. This is VALERIE DE LA CRUZ (40s), one of the biggest pop singers out there right now. And as the posts from her Instagram suggest – taken and reposted on the AAA Confessions page – Isadora is her daughter. Isa is famous blood, the rogue talentless daughter of one of the greatest performers of a generation, and none of them even knew it. What a plot twist…

The other post featured that morning is a photo of Riley and Charlie, the submitter having captured the moment they hugged after their performance at the winter showcase. The caption essentially implies that the two might be forming much more than a musical partnership.

Isadora makes her way into the school, and already all eyes are on her. Whispering, passing judgment, trying to put the pieces together. How is that the daughter of one of their idols? She tries to avoid the stares, but it quickly becomes too much. She goes to hide in the girls bathroom.

INT. AAA - GIRLS BATHROOM - DAY

The moment she steps inside, she snaps at the two freshmen in there to get out. They listen, wise enough not to mess with her. Isadora fights a panic attack as Maya’s vocals come to a climax, Isadora ducking into the farthest bathroom stall. She can’t bring herself to calm down. She never wanted this to happen. No one was ever supposed to know.

Frustrated, she throws her phone at the wall. It shatters and slams to the floor, yanking us out of the number.

Cue title sequence.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The techies are assembled sans Isadora, frantically discussing the latest AAAC update. This is the first time a techie has been featured, so they’re all freaking out. ASHER GARCIA claims he tried to text Isadora to see if she was okay, but she didn’t answer.

LUCAS FRIAR emerges from the technician’s booth, all of them immediately jumping him with questions. Has he talked to Isadora? Has he seen the Instagram? What are they supposed to do? Lucas is like it’s way too fucking early for this, slow down, what’s going on? DAVE WILLIAMS pipes up first.

Dave: Well, for starters, the AAAC posted a very interesting bulletin that Prince Charming Charlie Gardner may have finally found his chosen princess in one Miss Riley Matthews.

Lucas: [ impossible to read ] … I see. And why do I care?

Dave: I mean, it’s just interesting. Especially considering –

Jeff: You spend way too much time following this thing.

Dave: ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING, their more recent posts about Charlie have sort of suggested an opposing narrative –

Lucas asks Dave if he can see his phone. Dave happily obliges. Lucas swipes to the Instagram app and holds it down until the “x” pops up, deleting it from his phone. Then he hands it back, giving him a smile. Dave takes it back with a frown.

Dave: Hey. :(

Asher and DYLAN ORLANDO redirect, claiming that’s not what they wanted to tell him. They simply mention Isadora, and immediately Lucas is in danger mode. He’s like what the hell are you talking about, and they hand him Dylan’s phone with the posts already open.

Lucas: [ dead serious ] Shit.

Dylan and Asher call after him, but he’s already outta there. The techies exchange worried looks, not sure what the hell is going to happen next.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Lucas darts into the halls, a man on a mission. He starts sprinting in one direction and accidentally runs right into RILEY MATTHEWS, who was incidentally heading towards the auditorium to find him.

Riley: Have you seen – ?

He doesn’t even bother to comment on the post, instead insisting that they have to find Dora. Now. Riley is on the same page, nodding and taking off down the hall with him. They go around checking all of the girls bathrooms, Riley darting inside and Lucas impatiently waiting for her to emerge and confirm or deny. No show after no show.

When they get close to the one where she actually is, they can already hear her from outside. Lucas doesn’t wait for Riley this time, darting in without delay despite the gender norms. Riley hesitates on this, then dashes in after him.

INT. AAA - GIRLS BATHROOM - DAY

Lucas has already found Isadora when Riley steps in, approaching them crouched in the corner stall. He’s kneeling down next to her, talking her down and demonstrating that he knows well enough how to interact with Isadora when she’s in a state like this. It’s also a completely different persona on display than we’re used to. More authentic? Hard to say.

Lucas: Okay, look at me. Dora. Listen to what I’m saying. Follow my voice, not your thoughts. What are five things that you can see?

Lucas continues doing this specific routine with her – five things you can see, four you can hear, three you can touch, two you can smell, and one you can taste. Isa’s answers aren’t the most optimistic (“I can smell sweaty performer stink”), but it’s getting her out of her panic.

Riley watches, uncertain how to help but also feeling as though she shouldn’t interrupt. It’s clear that she’s impressed (and maybe, potentially, attracted) by how effortlessly Lucas is handling the situation, but also that she is no longer sure what the dynamic between him and Isadora actually is. She always assumed friends, but now it’s hard to tell.

Searching for some other way to help, she goes and picks up Isadora’s phone off the ground. The screen is totally shattered, making for a careful task to hold. Yikes.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Class has assembled, but all anyone is talking about are the Instagram posts. Trying to determine whether it’s true, if it could be faked, working out their reactions to it. How could they have the descendant of a famous person in their class and not even know it?

Darby: My mom is part of the team developing a cure for lung cancer in pets.

Haley: Okay, Darbs, we meant someone famous that we care about.

People are also a bit confused about the name business of it. They’ve known Isadora as “Smackle” for as long as they’ve been at school together, and never really questioned it.

Dave: How did we not know? I thought her last name was Smackle.

Asher: It’s De La Cruz.

Nate: Yeah, you could’ve checked the yearbook.

Dave: SINCE? WHEN?

CHARLIE GARDNER states that out of respect for Isadora, they should stop perpetuating the drama and discussing it so much. Everyone is like okay Prince Charming, blah blah blah, rolling their eyes. NIGEL CHEY points out another facet to the exchange.

Nigel: You were featured this morning, too, your highness. Don’t you care about that?

Charlie: [ with a nonchalant shrug ] Can’t control rumors.

It’s… honestly weird that Charlie doesn’t seem at all phased by this considering the earlier posts featuring him seemed to rattle him so much. But ANGELA MOORE disrupts before anyone can comment further, gathering their attention. She knows there is drama afoot, and she doesn’t have the time or patience for it. She claims they’ve got rehearsing to do, so best get to it. When she tells the techies to set up, they’re uncertain.

Dave: But Lucas and Isa aren’t here yet.

Angela: … and?

The message is clear. The theatre waits for no one. Get to work!

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Riley and Lucas drop off Isadora at ERIC MATTHEWS’ office, who thanks them for their help and for looking out for their friend. JACK HUNTER is present as well, checking in with Isadora after catching wind of the reveal. She doesn’t have much to say at the moment. Jack turns to Lucas and Riley, thanking them as well before dismissing them.

Lucas starts to argue, wanting to stay with Isadora, but Jack gives him a warning look. If he’s going to pick any time not to be difficult, it should be now. Jack tells Eric he’ll leave them alone, escorting Riley and Lucas out.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As Jack shuts the door to Eric’s office behind him, he turns to Lucas and Riley and asks them what they know about the purported “AAA Confessions” page. But he’s talking to the new kid and the guy who never checks social media, so they’re not much help.

Jack instructs them to return to class, leaving them alone in the hall. But Lucas is bristling, evidently in no mood to be going and watching his stupid classmates sing as if that’s the only thing on Earth that matters. Riley tries to guide him in the right direction but he storms the other way. It’s clear he’s not going to the auditorium.

Riley is like well, shit. She glances back towards the auditorium, before making a decision and going after Lucas instead of heading to class. As the opening drum riff bleeds in…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Nicest Kids In Town” as performed by Hairspray Original Movie Cast || Performed by AAA Sophomore Performers

The sophomore class runs through an energized yet somewhat ironic performance. They’re singing about how they’re the nicest kids in town, but considering everything that’s going on at the moment that seems far from the truth. Still, it’s boppy! FARKLE MINKUS takes the Corny Collins lead vocal, and Charlie of course is their Link Larkin.

EXT. AAA - LUNCH COURTYARD - DAY

Lucas pushes through the doors out into the exterior lunch courtyard, typically abandoned this time of year considering the weather. It’s cold enough to see their breath and lightly snowing, but it’s the only place with fresh air and that’s what he really needs at that second.

He stands there for a moment, letting his brain catch up to what’s actually happening. He lets out a frustrated “fuck!” and kicks at the legs of one of the tables, allowing Riley the chance to catch up to him. She steps out into the courtyard and immediately hesitates because of the chill, uncertain whether she should join him or not.

Ultimately, she opts to stay. She steps out into the courtyard, trying to calm him down. She states that Isadora is in good hands with Eric, that her uncle is the best at comforting people, but Lucas claims she doesn’t get it. She doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

Lucas: Dora never wanted people to know about her mom. It was this whole thing. We did so much so that people wouldn’t ever…

[ He curses again, lightly kicking at the table again. ]

Riley: [ out of the loop as always ] So, Valerie… is famous? People like her?

Lucas: People without taste.

Lucas deflates, crashing into one of the benches at the table he keeps kicking. Riley slowly approaches and sits down next to him, taking a moment of silence.

Riley ventures another thought, commending him for how well he handled the situation with Isadora. He claims it wasn’t a big deal, that’s the kind of stuff you’re supposed to know when you’re friends. It’s also not the first time she’s had a panic attack while at school, but the cause has never been this huge.

They exchange a few more words on it, before settling into the cold and the quiet. After a couple more moments, Lucas speaks.

Lucas: Sorry you’re missing class. Didn’t mean to turn you into a truant.

Riley: Don’t flatter yourself. I’m a big girl, I can make my own decisions about being a truant.

[ Lucas scoffs at this, but it does seem to ease some of tension. Riley watches him for a moment, then shrugs. ]

Riley: So far, it’s not so bad.

Lucas glances at her, the two of them making eye contact. Then he looks away, rubbing his hands together. They sit there for a moment longer, hanging on the temporary peace…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

SHAWN HUNTER has joined Angela to tidy up after the class is dismissed for lunch, the students chattering as they make their way out. Angela hangs back to help him rearrange things, and he has a snarky comment or two about how wow, suddenly she is helping him clean up. Was it her that had the change of holiday heart instead? Angela smacks him on the arm.

The two of them do get to talking, discussing Isadora and the revelation that one of their students has a famous mom. Well, Angela is surprised, as Shawn already knew and was entrusted with helping keep the secret. Hence, why they called her Smackle from day one and then just let everyone else run with it.

Angela: You didn’t tell me?

Shawn: Well, I’m loyal to my crew. Someone has to be.

Angela is touched by this, once again noting how much Shawn cares about his students, if nothing else. Before she heads out, Shawn takes a moment to thank her for the holiday stunt she pulled. Their shared gaze hangs just a little too long. As Shawn walks away, Angela is like… is this really happening again. Am I really feeling things for this mess again? Oh, no.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Eric and Isadora finish their conversation, trying to decide what to do next. It’s evident that Isadora has been crying, but Eric doesn’t make a big deal out of it. He’s trying to assess what’s going on in her head, make her as prepared as possible for how the rest of the day might proceed. She’s nervous, fretting over what people are going to think of her now and things are inevitably going to change. If there’s anything to know about Isadora, it’s that she hates change.

Eric assures her that she has options, and he’ll support whatever she feels would be the least stressful avenue forward. He’s genuinely sorry this happened, but he’s not sure that continuing to hide from it will help.

Eric: I totally understand if you don’t want to have lunch in the cafeteria today. But you know, it’ll only get harder to go back tomorrow, and the day after that. The anxiety will only increase, and we don’t wanna let that happen.

Isadora nods. She knows he’s right. But it’s still a daunting task.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Riley is wandering sort of aimlessly towards the lunch room, accidentally bumping into Charlie. He’s happy to see her, pleasant and charming as always. He asks if she’s caught up on all the drama of the day, which reminds Riley of the fact that she too was featured this morning before it all got lost in the shuffle of Lucas and Isadora. She takes Charlie’s arm and pulls him aside, darting into an empty classroom so they can speak more privately.

INT. AAA - CLASSROOM - DAY

The moment they’re alone, Riley breaches the question of… well, if he… likes her, or what. Because of the Instagram post, and just some of his behavior since she came to the school. Charlie doesn’t get the implication at first, but as Riley becomes more explicit in her questioning he gets what she’s trying to say.

Charlie laughs nervously, removing his arm from Riley’s hold and clarifying that he doesn’t see her that way. They’re just friends, no worries, and rumors are just rumors. Although this reassurance is a relief, it’s hard to tell if it’s genuine or not. Riley points out that he doesn’t seem very upset about the post or the rumors. Charlie shrugs, basically stating his stance that as long as a rumor isn’t problematic, isn’t going to cause unwanted trouble, it’s not really worth stressing over. Is it?

Charlie: [ lowering his voice ] I mean, if it were true… you and me. Would that be the worst thing in the world?

[ Another weird, potentially flirtatious moment that contradicts what he stated earlier. Riley blinks, obviously not sure how to react. ]

Riley: I… um. I have to go.

Charlie watches Riley go, maintaining his pleasant smile until she’s out of sight. Then his facade drops a bit. It’s so difficult to tell what is real with him and what isn’t. He seems genuine about seeing Riley as just a friend, but doesn’t mind perpetuating the rumors that they might be an item. So what gives?

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Dirty Little Secret” as performed by All-American Rejects || Performed by Charlie Gardner

Charlie starts this anthem to avoiding the truth, kicking it off in the empty classroom before taking his self-expression out into the halls.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Charlie parades around the halls, belting the rocker and dancing with an unusual amount of frantic energy. It’s somewhat confusing, but again, a really good performance. He carries us right up until the lunch bell, the students assembling to break their daily bread.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Lunch is here, the first true communal gathering of all the students since the morning news broke. There’s a strange energy to the room, an ominous sort of sense that almost crackles like electricity. Nothing has happened since the drop, but everyone is waiting for it. Like an aftershock after a major earthquake.

It doesn’t help that everyone is continuing to talk it up. Farkle is seated off to the side of some of his performer classmates, and he tries to get them to shut up about it. He’s both tired of the discourse interrupting rehearsals, but he’s also perhaps aware of how negatively the gossip might be impacting some of their classmates.

Farkle: Ms. Moore told us to drop it, so just stuff it and eat your processed chicken nuggets. Please and thank you.

Not the nicest way to go about it, but the sentiment is there, and from an unlikely ally at that.

Riley is at another table at the other end of the cafeteria, attempting to explain what she knows about the situation to ZAY BABINEAUX, YINDRA AMINO, and Charlie. But she’s also trying to maintain Isadora’s privacy, so what she has to offer isn’t exactly groundbreaking intel.

As if on cue, as she mentions them, Lucas and Isadora enter the lunchroom together. The room somehow simultaneously gets quieter and more chattery, and as the two of them attempt to make their way across the room to the techie table in the back corner it’s impossible not to avoid some choice commentary.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Tremble For My Beloved” as performed by Collective Soul || Instrumental

None more vocal than our table of gossips. Maya watches as they approach, Darby, Chai, WYATT LIVINGSTON, and Sarah all having something to say. The rest assembled at their table watch, amused and curious as to what might happen next. Maya seems apprehensive.

Darby: Smackle, I can’t believe you didn’t tell us your mom was Valerie De La Cruz.

Chai: Wait, can we even call her Smackle anymore? If that is your real name?

Maya: Would you all leave her alone?

Maya’s statement goes unnoticed – one of the few times she’s lost her power since she stepped up to the plate when she arrived at AAA. But there’s more interesting fish to fry today. Lucas looks more aggravated than Isadora, ready to do something about it.

Isadora: [ to Lucas ] Just ignore them. It’s not worth it.

Sarah: I can’t believe she’s your mom. I guess the talent gene skipped a generation.

[ Most of the table laughs at this. Lucas starts to do something but Isadora pulls him back, nudging him forward to keep walking towards their table. They’re almost there. Just have to get to the table. ]

Wyatt: Yeah, she got the retarded gene instead.

YIKES! There’s no way that’s going to be spoken without consequence. There’s a moment where it seems like maybe they’ll be able to move past it, Isadora stunned but obviously not looking for a fight. She grabs Lucas’s arm and gives him a look, already sensing trouble. Warning him not to.

But there are tears pricking at her eyes and she’s biting down on her cheeks to stop her lips from trembling. Lucas gives her a thin smile, nodding like, no, yeah, totally. No trouble here.

Then Lucas whips around, marching back over to Wyatt and clocking him clean across the face.

In an instant, the cafeteria erupts into a full on war-zone. People swarm as they always do, trying to get a good look at the fray. Wyatt has friends at the table who jump to his defense, expanding the fight.

Dylan and Asher see the chaos from across the cafeteria, immediately rushing through the crowd and jumping into the scrap to defend Lucas. RIDE. OR. DIES.

Riley exclaims an “oh my God, oh my God,” before scrambling to her feet, she and Zay launching into action and trying to do damage control as the rest of the school swarms to get a good view. Charlie and Yindra attempt to stem the flow of traffic, guiding students in the other direction.

Farkle attempts to step in and stop the fight, but he gets caught in the middle of it instead. A stray punch lands on him and he goes down, hitting the ground. Riley tears her gaze away and takes off, running to get more help.

Maya, startled, jumps around the commotion and tries to get to Isadora. She’s standing in the midst of the fight, watching it unfold in front of her but totally frozen. She can’t move, she can’t react. Maya – well-intentioned but not prepared for this kind of situation – roughly grabs Isadora and drags her out of there.

Janitor HARLEY KEINER (50s) is the first adult to arrive on the scene, breaking through the crowd and attempting to pull Lucas off of Wyatt. But he’s basically rabid, and it’s going to take more than one person to get him out of there. The beat down is relentless. Good luck, Wyatt.

Riley returns with Shawn, the latter dashing into the fray without hesitation. Together he and Harley are able to peel Lucas back, restraining him as they work to get him out of the cafeteria. He’s bruised and bloody, but he’s nothing compared to Wyatt.

Lucas: [ as Shawn and Harley drag him out ] I’m gonna kill him! I’m gonna kill him!

As more faculty arrives, the other fighters are escorted out, Asher and Dylan included and both with scrapes on their faces. Zay kneels down and tries to help Farkle, who is still stunned by the fact that he literally got punched in the face. It would be funny, if the situation weren’t so overwhelming.

Riley tries to comprehend what the hell just happened. She looks to Zay, who locks eyes with her and shakes his head in bewilderment. Welcome to Adams? Riley exhales, dumbstruck.

INT. AAA - GIRLS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Maya leads Isadora into the girls dressing room, her usual safe haven and go-to recluse. She immediately starts checking Isadora for any accidental injury, talking her down from the situation but more so keeping herself calm. Isadora is in complete shutdown and totally out of it, so it’s mostly Maya talking for the sake of talking.

Maya: Forget what Wyatt said. He’s an idiot. Most of them are.

Maya handles Isadora with the utmost care, going on to explain that she understands how terrible other kids can be. She herself isn’t all that great, sometimes. It’s evident that she’s speaking from experience, ruminating on how hard she works to keep her financial status under wraps because of exactly this sort of behavior.

It’s the softest side to Maya we’ve seen extended to another classmate yet. Maybe she’s got more of her mother’s nature in her than she thought.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Riley, Zay, and Charlie are helping clean up in the aftermath of the fight. Janitor Harley gives them instructions before heading out to give his testimony as to what he saw happen. There’s blood smeared on the floor, and Riley can’t look away from it. It seems impossible, surreal.

Zay claims that Wyatt got what he deserved, as he’s always saying rude shit like that and this was one step too far. Charlie agrees to a certain extent, but he argues that there’s no way Lucas isn’t going to get the axe for this. Like, speaking of one bridge too far. This is enough to pull Riley out of her fugue, asking Charlie what the hell he means. She gets all fired up on Lucas’s behalf, stating that there’s no way they can expel him. She storms out, obviously on the warpath.

Zay and Charlie watch her go, both skeptical that her quest is going to hold any water. Now alone, Zay takes the initiative to question Charlie on his seemingly calm nature in regards to all the rumors going around about him. Charlie remains nonchalant, but Zay is clearly suspicious about how chill he seems about the whole thing. It just doesn’t feel… believable. Or human.

Charlie grows more and more nervous at the way Zay seems to see right through him. He suggests they focus on the cleaning, avoiding any further interrogation.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Speaking of clean-up, Shawn is back in the auditorium attempting to patch up a couple of scrapes he got from pulling Lucas off of Wyatt. He winces as he does so, evidently not able to stretch the way he needs to in order to bandage himself up effectively. Angela enters, watching for a moment in amusement before sauntering her way over.

Angela: You always were fiercely independent. Even in licking your wounds.

She steps up and holds her hands out, waiting for him to relinquish control of the bandages and allow her to help. She starts to patch him up. Shawn jokes about how he will defend Lucas to the death, but God if the kid isn’t like a feral cat half the time.

Angela points out that whatever is going on with the culture of their students, the rivalry they’ve been perpetuating between the two of them definitely isn’t helping matters. Shawn agrees, and the two of them effectively decide to try and work more in one another’s corners rather than against one another. Let the past be the past, and focus on right now.

There’s a moment of tension as they realize how close they’re standing and how quietly they’re speaking. When Angela finishes patching him up, she lifts her gaze to meet his. All those old feelings have definitely shaken loose… they’ve got this magnetic drift towards one another…

Shawn backs off before the moment can develop. He thanks Angela for her help, before excusing himself to go check on his students.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Never Can Say Goodbye” as performed by Glee Cast || Performed by Angela Moore (feat. Maya Hart, Chai Fresco, and Darby Winters)

Angela is left reeling, wondering if she really is destined to fall back into the same traps with Shawn Hunter as she did all those years ago. She takes this song out into the halls of AAA.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As she’s wandering her way through the halls, her backup singers make the trek with her. She ends outside teacher’s lounge, walking away just as Eric comes down the hall with Isadora. He’s walking her protectively, making a march towards the lounge.

INT. AAA - TEACHER’S LOUNGE - DAY

Eric steps in, telling the couple of loitering teachers present to get the hell out. They do, knowing that if Eric is snapping at them – usually jolly and cheerful Eric Matthews – then something must be seriously wrong. He goes to set Isadora up on the couch, doing everything he can to make her more comfortable.

It’s evident that he’s prepared for these kind of situations, taking his role as a counselor to an autistic student quite seriously. Once he’s gotten her all situated, he offers to stay with her. The two of them settle into the quiet, Isadora lightly fiddling with a string on the edge of the weighted blanket she’s been given. As we’re settling into the quiet…

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

BAM! Jack slams his planner down on the desk, launching into an intense scene between him and a bloodied up Lucas. It seems as though Lucas hasn’t even been to the nurse, he was carted and dumped straight into Jack’s office. Without the chaos of the fight to blur it, his injuries are more glaring up close.

The two of them debate what the hell happened. Lucas is aloof and defensive to start.

Jack: Well, you tell me what the hell you think I’m supposed to do. What am I supposed to say when a student is carted out of the cafeteria shouting…

[ He reads from a testimonial on his desk. ]

Jack, deadpan: “I’m going to kill him, I’m going to kill him?”

Lucas: Sounds like hearsay. Kind of a big problem at this school…

Jack, louder: [ Slamming his hands down on the desk. ] Is this a joke to you? You’re lucky they’re not PRESSING CHARGES!

Lucas: What, was I supposed to just do nothing? With the shit he was saying –

Jack: Whatever it was, it doesn’t give you the right to –

Lucas: He called Dora a… a retard, I’m not just gonna stand there and let that happen!

Jack: … what?

He hadn’t heard that part of the witness reports, at least not yet. Lucas gives him the full spiel, a bit hard to understand through how he’s gritting his teeth. Jack is more sympathetic upon learning the full context. But it still doesn’t give Lucas a free pass.

Jack: I’m sorry to hear that. It’s disappointing, and unacceptable that he said those things. [ off Lucas’s disdain ] But the way you reacted isn’t appropriate either. And I can’t just do nothing.

Lucas: So? What?

Jack: Dylan, Asher, Sarah, and the others will be receiving a day’s suspension and one Saturday detention.

Lucas: Don’t punish Asher and Dylan, they were just –

Jack: Wyatt will be given a week-long suspension, especially given the full context of what may have provoked the fight in the first place.

[ There’s a pause. Lucas locks eyes with him, waiting. ]

Lucas: [ practically daring him to say it ] And?

Jack: Ten days. Effective immediately. Go get your things.

Jack is done with the conversation. Lucas isn’t, not expecting the dismissal to be so sudden. He hesitates, changing his tune. He pleads for one last visit to Isadora. It’s the first soft moment he’s shown the entire conversation, obviously sincere.

Lucas: Can I see her? I just want to make sure she’s okay.

[ Jack hesitates. Lucas meets his gaze. ]

Lucas: Please.

Jack: … five minutes. That’s all I can give you.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Riley marches into Eric’s office. She launches into an impassioned speech about why they can’t expel Lucas. She explains all that she knows about the situation and what may have provoked the attack, as well what she’s been able to glean about Lucas as a person so far. She specifically references the way he handled Isadora this morning, and how he was obviously, clearly acting in her defense. They can’t expel him. They can’t!

Eric, patiently: Lucas isn’t being expelled.

Riley: WELL – Oh! Oh. Well, good. Good. Um, what?

Eric gestures for Riley to sit, which she does obediently. He then proceeds to give her the full explanation.

Eric: I’m sure you, like everyone else, have been questioning why Lucas at triple A.

Riley: Well, I wouldn’t… he’s a good technician…

Eric: I don’t dispute that. But it’s pretty clear being here doesn’t seem like his top choice. And that’s because it isn’t.

Eric explains, for the first time, the true reason Lucas is at Adams. His enrollment is a personal favor to an old friend of Jack’s, who happened to be best friends with Grace Friar in college. She specifically requested that Lucas get a spot at the school after a particularly disastrous freshman year at the local public school.

To put it lightly, Kenneth Friar isn’t… the most charming of men. It’s best to keep Lucas away from him as often as possible. So why this school? The local public school that Lucas would go to isn’t all that bad… except that it employs Kenneth as a coach and part-time administrator. If Lucas attended that school, he’d be in the grip of his father basically full-time, which wouldn’t be good for anybody involved. In fact, they know this for a fact, as Lucas skipped so much school the first time he went to ninth grade that he had to repeat it upon transferring to Adams.

So given the circumstances, it’s pretty unlikely – barring serious, serious crime – that Lucas will be expelled any time soon.

Riley is completely floored. She mutters an “oh my God” and hides her head in her hands, trying to wrap her brain around it. First Isadora’s famous mother, now this. But at least she’s getting a fuller picture, if there’s a bright side to be found.

Riley: Is… is anybody here fine? Is anybody actually happy?

Eric: [ with a sympathetic shrug and half a smile ] We try our best.

Well, seems like their best isn’t good enough. Riley gets to her feet, still somewhat dazed.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Fake Happy” as performed by Paramore || Performed by Riley Matthews (feat. AAA Sophomores)

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As Riley emerges back into the sea of students, she launches into this sardonic and cynical Paramore tune. Other performers trickle in throughout, until they’re a full parade of dazed and somewhat depressed students marching through the hall.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

They finish the number on the stage, Riley front and center with the rest of the main cast behind her. As Riley finishes the song, she tries to catch her breath. It’s been a crazy day.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Angela, Shawn, and Eric have assembled in the principal’s office to discuss the confessions page. Jack has reported it, but that’s not guaranteed to dispose of it or keep it gone for good. He instructs all of them to be vigilant, keep an eye out for odd behavior, because it’s time they started figuring out where the hell this page is operating from.

They all agree, finally on the same page and working towards a united cause.

INT. AAA - TEACHER’S LOUNGE - DAY

Isadora is starting to come out of her shutdown, more restless and uncertain what’s going on than anything else. She’s still obsessively picking at threads from her blanket, unable to sit still.  Thusly, it’s relief when Lucas comes by to visit – that is, until she sees his condition. She questions what the hell he was thinking as he sits down next to her, telling him that he shouldn’t have started the fight. He claims he had to, but she disagrees. It was too dangerous, and not worth whatever consequences he might face because of it. Because when he’s not there, when she has to face all this alone, she’s in just as bad a shape. She can’t deal with this hellhole without him.

Lucas opts not to tell her about his suspension. Instead, he assures her that it’s all going to work out, checking to see if she needs anything and expressing gratitude that she’s okay. They quickly get back to their usual banter, showing just how easy and comfortable their relationship is.

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Farkle is in the dressing with Yogi, Charlie, and Nigel, attempting to cover up his developing bruise with stage makeup before rehearsal. He’s on a dramatic tangent, forlornly lamenting how his perfect face is marred. And for what? Nigel and Yogi exchange a look, the former rolling his eyes. Maya enters, startling the boys.

Yogi: You can’t be in here!

Maya: Unclench, Yogles, and scram. I need to have words with Minkus.

Farkle glares at her, potentially a little scared. Nigel and Yogi sense the seriousness of her statement, leading the way out with Charlie following behind. Within moments, the two of them are alone. He continues his soliloquy in lieu of not knowing what else to say as she’s approaching.

Farkle: It’s a true shame. With a face this damaged, I’ll probably never work in this town again.

Maya: [ with an eye roll ] Alright, Rocky, calm down. Let me see that. Come on.

Maya takes the makeup from his hands, leaning closer and beginning to apply foundation to the bruise. Farkle is hesitant, but lets her help. The two of them stand in silence for a few moments, Maya much more skilled with the makeup than he was.

Not able to hold it in any longer, Farkle questions why she’s helping him at all. They’re not exactly… well, they’ve never been friends. Maya admits that she doesn’t know, really. But something about the way he jumped into the fray to try and stop it this afternoon impressed her. Showed he had an actual heart in there somewhere beneath all the self-righteousness and entitlement. Digs aside, there’s an actual potential for future friendship between them.

Maya finishes with the cover up, directing him out with her towards the stage for their final number. Farkle asks if they’re still doing it with everything that happened, to which Maya simply shrugs.

Maya: Show must go on.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Titanium” as performed by David Guetta (feat. Sia) || Performed by AAA Sophomores

The sophomore class wraps the episode with this impassioned performance. It’s a bit odd, some students missing and everyone a bit out of step. But the sentiment rings true.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Isadora is gearing up to head out of school, but not before taking back control of the narrative. As she heads through the halls, she turns on her cracked phone and goes to Instagram. She prepares to submit a post of her own to AAAC, scouring through a folder in her photos application simply labelled “Valerie.” She picks a photo of the two of them.

For the caption, she puts a simple statement: “I’m Valerie De La Cruz’s daughter. My surname is De La Cruz, not Smackle. So now you know. Now fuck off, and leave me alone.”

Then, she blocks the account. As the song comes to an end, she walks past the crowd of students staring at her and pushes through the doors like a boss. Leaving the drama behind…

In theory.

END OF EPISODE.

[migleefulmoments]

“I think maybe the way the held hands especially during the quarterback and at the wedding. It was intimate.  Much more than 2 actors” I hate it when they bring up the quarterback episode. Yes the cast said all of the tears were real because Cory had actually died in real life and emotions were running high on set. But that doesn’t mean it was all real and to bring up the death of someone that Chris said he considered to be his brother to somehow prove CC is real is just way too much.

Yes, I agree, The tears were 100% real-you can feel the grief through the TV screen.  Lea’s pain was palpable and so very hard to watch. I remember she was standing with Chris at the locker -it was her entrance to the episode and I literally gasped. The look on Chris’s face said everything...he was devastated. That is the one episode I can’t rewatch. I’ve watched Seasons of Love, but I can’t watch the episode.  

Using that episode to pander to your fantasy is disgusting. Of course they were all united in their grief and I’m sure even Lea and Naya had moments during the filming of that episode. 

Let’s discuss their “much more than two actors” claim -not about The Quarterback but in general.  I don’t understand this concept. They are ACTORS...their job is to make it feel and look real. There is literally not a threshold of believability or realism that they are supposed to get up to but not  across. It’s all acting. The audience is supposed to BELIEVE they are watching the real Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson while at the same time they are  supposed to also KNOW that it is a scripted TV show. There is no “hand holding” that is “real, not acted” there is no kissing that goes past an acting threshold into real life. I remember there was a ccthing going around that “actors on TV are not allowed to use tongue and Chris and Darren use tongue” so CC Confirmed.  I am not a TV actress nor do I know much about the biz, but I have watched movies where tongues were definitely involved. Why would “no tongues” be a rule when they are going for realism? It’s 2019 not 1950. Since I don’t know, I throw it you guys but also I went to Google. Here are some things I learned:

If the two actors are in a relationship in real life, before they were hired for their roles, then some of that attraction might manifest itself in the scene. After all, an actor uses her own life experience to help her understand and inform her character.

But if the two actors have just met, then all they’re doing is what any good actor would do: grounding themselves in the reality of their characters and the situation in the scene, and allowing the emotion (and the kiss) to develop from that. Depending on the level of intimacy being portrayed, there may be some discussion before the scene about safety and comfort levels; in fact, actor unions often require this.

While it’s true that some actors have started relationships after working together, some unfortunate and perhaps immature actors have mistaken the emotion generated in the scene as real, and have tried to base a relationship on that, which then fails, because that emotion was created from the characters and the circumstances, not actual attraction. X

OUCH.

Generally on-screen "French" kisses, especially in TV or PG-rated movies, consist of the actors pressing their lips together while opening and closing their mouths. With their lips sealed together while doing this, what's going on within their mouths is hidden from view. This presents the illusion that their tongues are meeting, but in fact they are usually not. It's just an assumption the audience makes.In more explicit films, the actors will actually entangle tongues. Even in those cases though, the tongue action is usually kept fairly tame. This is not necessarily because the actors would be uncomfortable -- these people are generally professionals at doing things on-camera that would make most mere mortals uncomfortable. Rather, passionate French kisses between two stimulated people are actually rather messy-looking, and not the most romantic or picturesque things to see in detail on a big screen X.

Moviemakers, though, would have to work out some practical issues. The main one, already visible in those Edison shorts, is the tendency of kisses to erase the faces, to obscure their expressive features behind curtains of hair or shadows cast by jaws and foreheads. The evolution of editing would resolve this to some extent. Instead of having the two kissers unnaturally turn toward and away from each other, so that the camera could fully register their fluctuating, intensifying moods by looking at their eyes and mouths, the director could now cut back and forth between them. The classical grammar of contrasting shots — two people face to face in the frame, followed by a close-up of each and then another two-shot — was ideally suited to the kiss. X

When we see lovers in singular facial close-ups, they are not looking back at us but rather at each other. Once the kiss takes place and their faces disappear, we are not just watching what happens; we are also inside it.

So I’m calling bullshit on the entire trope. 

[wearetakingthehobbitstogallifrey]

Gotham 4x15 (spoilers below)

-And we open with Martin, the adorably creepy lil child who will probably turn into a genius supervillain someday, considering with what a sweet smile he follows the instructions that will lead to the demise of his ugly captors.  I hope he lives long enough for that, because if there is one thing I don’t want to see on Gotham again it is the murder of a child *cries quietly thinking of Alex*  

And OMG it is Ed/the Riddler who just rescued him, “sent by Uncle Penguin” lol ALSO Ed is gonna take Martin out of ice cream that’s sweet.  I mean the kid probably needs therapy and a psych check but yes, he definitely should get some ice cream, Sofia tried to murder him once already

-Sidenote:  I love the Gotham skyline with the distant beautiful skyscrapers but if you look closer, at the darker buildings, shorter, uglier, with smoke and smog, you’ll see all manner of poor and broken things

-OMG so Samson just killed a man in front of his family and I am sOOO ready for Lee to somehow get back her power and absolutely destroy him (she looks so good in black...)

-WAIT I THOUGHT JIM AND HARVEY MADE UP IN THE LAST EPISODE WHY IS HARVEY ALL LIKE YEAH AFTER WE TAKE DOWN SOFIA I TAKE DOWN YOU??  (come on Gotham, why do you have to be so realistic as to make the healing process long and painful?  or wait, he just said, I will personally make sure you pay, so maybe he’ll just have Jim pay for all his alcohol therapy from now on?  please?  I need my cop brotp!)

-LOL SELINA BREAKING INTO WAYNE MANOR AND RUMMAGING THROUGH ALL HIS CANNED GOODS

Selina:  DUDE WHY DON’T YOU HAVE ANY FOOD

Bruce: ummm cause I was a jerk and kicked Alfred out for a few months and I lived on like takeout and club food and Alfred hasn’t had time to hit up a grocery store?

aww Selina wants to return the stuff she stole from the family whose patriarch Ivy turned into a miniature garden AND she doesn’t want to bother Barbara with it, because, yeah, like Barbara would care?  SO SHE GOES TO BRUCE INSTEAD!  AND HE DOESN’T LET HER DOWN OR CHASTISE HER OR ANYTHING HE JUST SEES SHE IS TRYING TO MAKE WHAT AMENDS SHE CAN AND HE IS LIKE GIVE ME LIKE FIVE SECONDS I’LL GET YOU SOME CASH AND HE GOES OFF AND SELINA JUST—SHE JUST SMILES!  BECAUSE BRUCE HAS HER BACK AND SHE HAS HIS!  THESE TWO! WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME!

-BAHAHAHAHA Oswald guessing the answer to the rhyme and then guessing the meaning of the answer a split second after, too late

mmhmm sweet old grandma in the candy store used to skin people and stuff like par for the course in Gotham good grief

-YAAAASSSSS VICTOR ZSASZ THE SASSY ASSASSIN IS BACK AND MAKING HILARIOUS HAND MOTIONS WHILE LOOKING QUITE UNIMPRESSED WITH SOFIA’S RAGE ISSUES

-so like Victor’s all cool with killing the Penguin off (and is gonna take a buddy along with him) but I still want to know what would happen if he ever found out Sofia was behind her dad’s death...

-GUYS CAN WE JUST GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE OR SOMETHING FOR HARVEY BULLOCK, WHO HAS GOT A LOT OF ISSUES AND SOMETIMES SAYS HE IS A COWARD BUT THEN WALKS DOWN THE MIDDLE OF A HALLWAY TOWARD NOT ONE BUT TWO EXTREMELY DEADLY ASSASSINS POINTING A GUN AT THEM

“I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU TWO ARE HERE AND I DON’T CARE. WALK AWAY”  you’re a good man Harvey

-Victor: Harvey do yourself a favor and walk away, give us Penguin and live to get drunk another day, hmm?

LOL

BUT ALSO

HARVEY SAYS NAH

*sirens go off and Victor and whatshisname look mildly irritated at being interrupted*

Victor: it’s okay we’ll come back

-EXCUSE ME BRUCE AND SELINA ARE ON A DATE IN A STORE LOOKING FOR THAT STUFF SHE STOLE THIS IS AMAZING

Selina:  you’re different

Bruce:  *looks back at her, with a side smile*  HOW.  DO YOU LIKE IT.  DO YOU LIKE ME.  DID I GET HOTTER.  ARE YOU MORE IN LOVE WITH ME

I mean he didn’t say that exactly but that’s totally what he was thinking

Selina:  you’ve been the world’s greatest DOUCHEBAG but now...you’re nOt   (OK LIKE THE INFLECTION OF HER VOICE SHE IS SO FREAKING HAPPY TO KNOW THAT HE HASN’T REALLY TURNED INTO THE SPOILED BRATTY JERK SHE SAW AT THE BAR)

-OMG THESE FREAKING KIDS I LOVE THEM SO MUCH LOOK AT THEM ALMOST LITERALLY DANCING AROUND EACH OTHER FLIRTING AND BRUCE TRIES TO APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A GRADE A JERK AND SELINA IS LIKE SAVE IT *SMILES* YOU’LL PROBABLY BE A JERK AGAIN LATER AND SHE tOUCHES HIS chEEK with her HAND AND SLIDES IT ACROSS HIS SKIN ALL SEDUCTIVELY AND BRUCE IS ABSOLUTELY DONE FOR HE JUST SMILES AND SAYS I MISSED YOU TOO BUT HE IS INTERNALLY SCREAMING AND WILL NEVER STOP

Selina:  *messed up*

Bruce:  great

Selina:  YOU REMEMBER WHAT I SAID ABOUT BEING A DOUCHEBAG?!

-At this point, a brief, glorious fight ensues, in which Bruce and Selina beat up the bad guys and Selina CATCHES A GUY’S ARM WITH HER WHIP SAVING BRUCE FROM GETTING SHOT AND THEN BRUCE PUNCHES HIM OUT

Bruce: *destroys a guy and takes his stuff, also drops hundreds of dollars of cash on him* JUSTICE

-so Oswald and Ed are teaming back up which should mean for some fun times for some people and death times for other people...but Martin is safe so that’s good.  LOL and Ed gives his hat to Oswald to hold?  but Penguin does NOT have time for Ed’s explanations, come on Oswald, let Ed have his day

-ohhh dear I have a feeling that Ed/the Riddler is gonna be pulled back and forth between Lee and Oswald for the foreseeable future?  or are they going to team up to destroy Sofia?

-BAHAHAHAHAHAHA ED’S BACK UP PLAN TO LEE HELPING THEM IS TO PUT OSWALD IN ICE AND HAND HIM OVER TO SOFIA LIKE “A CHILLY TROJAN HORSE” OMG

Oswald:  HELL NO

-So Grundy...is living in tunnels under the city??  with...loads of candles?? ?

-Ed:  guess what I’M SMART AGAIN

LOL look Cory Michael Smith kills this role that’s all I have to say

-UM Ed pretty sure you’re about to get beat up by Butch Gilzean (so wait BUTCH is the one who likes atmospheric candles?!)

-some days I look at Oswald and I’m like....boi you’re short

-Lee:  *tries to work with Oswald and Ed to destroy Sofia*

Ed and Oswald: *disappear*

Lee:  *eyeroll* WHAT DRAMATIC IDIOTS I’VE GOTTA DO EVERYTHING mYSELF

-LOL I’VE MISSED HARVEY HAVE-SERIOUSLY COMPLAINING ABOUT JIM TO JIM

Harvey:  how did Nygma get in touch with penguin anyway

Jim:  I don’t know

Harvey:  nothing is ever easy with you is it.  It’s always like, find Lee and then she’ll point us to Ed and then we’ll find Penguin and he’ll tell us where to find Pen

-ALSO

RIGHT AFTER THIS

PENGUIN APPEARS (HE HAS NO MANNER OF LUCK AT ALL)

-OMG HARVEY “We’re looking for an Arkham escapee, about yea high, mommy complex” LOL

-honestly I’m kinda surprised that Oswald hasn’t had a heart attack yet the way he gets so worked up about stuff

-sooo Jim agrees to let Oswald go if he gives them information, and then he goes to shake his hand?  I mean, like they have this really bizarre not exactly a friendship thing...I guess it’s Oswald has always considered himself Jim’s friend (in whatever strange way that is) and Jim doesn’t consider Oswald a friend but he knows him well enough to use that to his advantage...and honestly they’ve helped each other out of enough scrapes

-but also Harvey is now the WE DON’T MAKE DEALS WITH THE DEVIL.  Which like I totally get and Penguin has proven himself to be a volatile, murderous element, but its weird to see Harvey so worked up about being a clean cop when he used to hobnob with crooks all the time...is it just because he had grown to respect Jim’s honor and goodness so much?  And when Jim fell off his pedestal, Harvey was destroyed by that?  And wants Jim to be better again? 

-Victor: *shows up*

Me:  you’re here to do bad things and impede the good guys but nevertheless I am so glad you are here

Victor:  do you need Penn?  is he important?  yes, that’s his yes face

Me:  *cracking up* I do indeed love you Victor

-LEE SAVES OSWALD  (in a dinky little car that all those bullets should have gone through like it was paper)

-Barbara’s having a few issues...resurrection will do that to you (I’m pretty sure she legit died earlier, has that been made clear yet? I don’t remember, but there was that thing with Ra’s...was it confirmed she was dipped in the Lazarus pit?

-how on earth is Ed gonna get out of this mess?  Oh he’s not. Oops

-Sofia:  kill Penguin!!  GET PENN!!!

Victor: yeah sooo Penn, Penguin, where are we priorities-wise? BAHAHAHAHAHA

-Penguin:  *goes off on one of his rants* you can’t freeze me yet!!!

Victor Fries:  ...don’t care

ICONIC

-I THOUGHT THE BATCAT SCENES COULDN’T GET ANY BETTER I WAS WRONG!!! So like Bruce and Selina are in Bruce’s kitchen, and Selina is just...fidgeting with the jewelry and Bruce is prepping ice for his bruises but then Selina asks him to return the jewelry for her because she feels so GUILTY and Bruce my beautiful wise understanding compassionate son tells her JUST what she needs to hear—that the guy’s death was NOT her fault!!!  HE IS SO QUIET AND KIND TO SELINA

Selina:  *hunched over the counter, darting quick looks at Bruce* (OMG SHE PROBABLY THINKS HE WILL BLAME HER TOO)

Bruce:  *looking handsome and serious in his black turtleneck* *leans over the counter and gazes at Selina*  you did NOT kill Roland Charles

Selina:  but...I was there...and what am I supposed to say—I stole your jewelry, I’m sorry?

Bruce:  sometimes that’s enough

AWWWWWWWW MY BEAUTIFUL PRECIOUS CHILDREN I’M SORRY I CAN’T I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH I MEAN JUST LOOK AT THEIR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS THROUHOUT THIS CAMREN AND DAVID ARE SUCH FREAKING GOOD ACTORS MY GOSH THE WAY BRUCE AND SELINA LOOK AT EACH OTHER WOW

-Sofia’s goon is torturing Ed yet the man still has not a single hair out of place like what kind of gel are you wearing again?? ?

-Ed: *RIDDLES AWAY*

Sofia:  TELL ME WHERE PENGUIN IS

Ed:  I AM TELLING YOU YOU’RE JUST TOO STUPID TO FIGURE IT OUT LOL

-Penguin rolls in all frozen in ice and Ed starts laughing OMG I GET IT OSWALD USED ED’S BACKUP PLAN AFTER ALL

-Victor Z:  *looks at Ed, then Penguin, then Sofia*  I’m not even gonna ask

-Jim and Harvey walk into the weird looking place where Penn is

Harvey:  *in his flattest voice* what fresh hell is this

Me: yeah WTF

-Penguin has the chance to go save Ed (with whom he has had ISSUES) or to go wreak his revenge on Sofia...I’m betting he goes to save Ed.  Make good choices dude

-GAH THEY SHOT JIM

-IS THIS THE FINAL SHOWDOWN WITH SOFIA?!

-YAASSS HARVEY STILL CARES ABOUT JIM AND WANTS TO PUT HIS HEALTH BEFORE EVERYTHING

AND JIM IS STILL A BRAVE SELF-SACRIFICING FOOL AND GETS SHOT AGAIN

AND SOFIA STALKING/FLOATING DOWN THE KITCHEN HALLWAY LIKE A DARK ANGEL OF DEATH

-LOL Victor and Headhunter fail in their mission AGAIN

Victor:  can’t catch a break today.  let’s go get a milkshake

BAHAHAHAHA

-AHH JEEZ SOFIA KEEPS SHOOTING JIM STAHP

-Sofia:  beg me for mercy

Jim:  GO TO HELL

YAASSS SOMETIMES JIM IS AN IDIOT BUT HE IS STILL FREAKING AWESOME

WAAAAIIITT OMG OMG OMG LEE JUST KILLED SOFIA SHE DID THAT

LEE YOU ROCK!!!!!

-Ed is so DONE with stupidity

-aaaannnnd I called it.  Oswald ditches his revenge schemes to go save Ed

Oswald:  trust is hard to find, but I trust you Ed

Ed: a horrible decision really

But for real though these two psychos are friends again and there are going to be hijinx upcoming you can be sure of that

Ed:  I have a STRONG desire never to see this pier again

Oswald: SAME

-aww Harvey is sitting by Jim’s bedside...THE BROTP LIVES

-WIAT WHAT SOFIA IS IN A COMA SHE ISN’T DEAD?!?!!?!  SHE HAD A BULLET IN THE BRAINPAN SQUISH!  HOW

-I freaking love Harvey, telling Jim to get over himself and take the hard path of not confessing but keeping his job, living with his guilt, and working hard to save Gotham.  

Harvey:  it’s what this city needs

Me:  that’s what Gotham needs right now, not a fallen hero, but a white knight...Bruce will cover the dark vigilante who works outside the parameters of the law for you

-Lee: *gets all vicious on a crook who freaking deserves it*

Me: good on you...but also...yikes

-um light is spilling out of Barbara, I’m gonna take a guess and say that isn’t good?

[sinsiriuslyemo]

Good morning all!! Here is the new episode of Cuba v DR!! Another inmate is confirmed to have escaped, Amber and Omar express their frustrations, and Nevada and his men finally catch a break!

EPISODE 8

Rafael jumped, hips jerking back into the seat as he stared at her wide-eyed.

“Thank you for not biting,” he said in a sigh of relief. Looking towards the door, he sighed again, this time in frustration. “I’ll get it, stay here,” he groaned, standing and grabbing his pants. Putting them on, he slid his arms into his shirt, buttoning it as he went to the door. “Who is it?” he called out when he was just a few feet away.

“Aaron, I live down in 3B, I've knocked on every fucking door man. I locked myself out, can I use the phone to call the super?”

Rafael looked through the peephole skeptically, looking down to be sure his erection was adequately covered before he pulled the door open and handed the kid his phone.

“You have terrible timing,” Rafael said with a slightly annoyed glare.

“Yeah, you're telling me, fucking prison break 2017 and I'm out on the streets without a key to my own place.” He took the phone to call the super, dialing and stepping inside without invitation, taking a seat on the couch.

“Please, do come in,” Rafael mumbled sarcastically, closing the door again.

“Rafi, who was it?” Roxie called as she walked out, dressed in one of his collared shirts. When she noticed the boy, she smile. “Hey Aaron,” she nodded politely.

“Hey Roxie, I'm sorry to bug you guys.”

Rafael arched a brow at the guy on his couch but went into the kitchen, getting a water bottle and taking a sip from it.

“No problem,” Rafael mumbled. “You two know each other?” he asked casually.

“He owns a bakery about three streets over,” Roxie said with a smile. “Sometimes I go get bagels there.”

“And I go get cupcakes from her,” he nodded in agreement and sighed hanging up. “No luck, thanks anyway.”

“Sure,” Rafael replied, nodding softly and smiling a little as Aaron gave him his phone.

“Roxie I will see you and your...cupcakes tomorrow morning,” he winked playfully and she rolled her eyes as Rafael made a face and mumbled an, “Ew.”

“See you later,” she waved as he headed out.

“You’re friends with that clown?” Rafael asked in a chuckle after Aaron had left.

“He's not a clown,” Roxie said with a bit of a frown. “That's not like you to say and it's not very nice.”

“I’m sorry, he just...that remark about your cupcakes was…” He made another face, shaking his head lightly as he took another sip from his water. “A little sleezy,” he mumbled.

“He's a boy, I'm not interested in boys.” She moved to Rafael and rubbed his shoulders. “He's also competition, its easier to keep them close.”

“Fair enough,” he replied, smirking. “And I know you’re not interested in him, I just...didn’t think you particularly liked spending time with guys like that,” he added with a shrug. “I’m not jealous.”

“He's exactly the type of guy that I would have dated a few years ago.” She shook her head with a laugh. “Jesus, I had awful taste and low self esteem. It wasn't a good combination.”

“I agree with the awful taste part,” he said, kissing her lips as his phone rang. Sighing he answered while his fingers began unbuttoning her shirt. “Barba…” His fingers froze, face falling as he listened to Liv.

“We just got word...Cory Johnson is one of the escaped inmates.”

“Have you called Leila to inform her? Make sure she’s okay?” he asked immediately.

“She hasn't answered any of our calls. Does she still live by your old apartment? I don't have any new addresses or numbers for her.”

“I honestly don’t know, I haven’t kept in touch with her,” he answered. “But Izzy might know, she and Lila kept the apartment after I moved out. Let me call you back. Uh...check with NYU, she should still be attending there,” he added.

“She dropped out a few months ago,” Olivia said softly, “I thought you knew.”

He frowned, shaking his head as though she could see him.

“No, I didn’t...what about her room mates, Jaycee and Hannah? They attend NYU, maybe they know how to get in touch with her,” he offered.

“I'm trying to get in touch with them right now, if you hear anything, please give me a call.”

“I will. Keep me updated as well,” he replied, hanging up and sighing as he shook his head. “Remember that case I had? The college kid who raped and murdered a girl, and assaulted my neighbor?” he said to Roxie as he dialed Izzy.

“Yes…? Oh god, don't tell me he's out too.” She moved closer and hugged him tight. She was scared.

“Yes, and we can’t find her to warn her,” he replied, winding his free arm around her. “Izzy, hey...do Lila, Jaycee and Hannah still live across the hall?” he asked his sister, still holding Roxie close to him.

“Um I haven't seen them for a while, but yeah. They went home to visit family though.”

“All three of them?” he asked.

“No no, Leila got her own place. She totally just flipped one day and quit school, her job, and moved out.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know where, would you? This is really important, Izzy,” he replied anxiously.

“Just in Queens, do you want her new number?”

“Yes, please,” he answered, letting go of Roxie to find a paper and pen. “Go ahead,” he said, copying down the number. “Thank you, Izzy, and hey, you and Lila stay safe, okay? Until the police get all of this under control,” he added.

Izzy sighed a long sigh, “Did you not get my text? Rafi we're in Maine until it blows over.”

“Even better,” he replied. “And, no I didn’t get your text. Are you sure you sent it?”

“Yes I'm sure I sent it I'm not-oh shit I didn't send it.”

He smirked a little.

“It happens. Don’t worry about it, just promise me you guys will take care of each other, okay?” he answered.

“Of course,” Izzy said softly. “I can't fight off any criminals with these burns, so Lila is gonna have to do all the work.”

“Do me a favor, neither of you fight off any criminals,” he replied. “I gotta go. Love you, be safe.” He hung up the phone and called Olivia. “Liv, Izzy gave me Leila’s new number, she moved to Queens. I can text it to you,” he said when Benson picked up.

“Perfect, I'm going to call her right now and check on her, stay safe Barba.”

“I will, please let me know if she’s alright,” he answered.

“Will do.”

By the time Amber got home it was nearly 3am. She'd been on the phone with you the entire evening and she felt much better, you'd talked some sense into her, thank goodness. When she walked into the apartment, Omar was sitting on the couch, right where she’d left him, only this time he was sitting with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

“Is this, like, a pregnancy thing? Are you gonna make a habit of staying out till three in the morning?” he asked her.

“I needed time to think,” she said honestly. “I'm going to vent to my husband, then go to bed. I know you're struggling with all of this. I'm trying to be patient. But sometimes I feel so alone through this and it hurts, and it terrifies me. I feel ugly and fat, there is a person inside my body that's controlling my emotions and I feel like all this baby has done is ruin my marriage. All I'm saying is, it's not just here,” she gestured to her stomach. “I'm getting fucked with here too,” she gestured to her head this time. “And it's dark and scary and lonely.” She took another breath. “Okay, done ranting.”

“Do I get to say something or are you just gonna go to bed?”

“You're always welcome to talk,” she said softly, taking a seat beside him, but not looking at him. “It's not...you. Sometimes it is, but mostly it's me. I'm...needy right now.”

“I’m gonna vent, and then we can start fresh in the morning. I’m not mad, I’m just saying, okay? I think it’s pretty shitty that I’ve let go of as much as I have, gotten a straight job, moved to Jersey, which I said I’d never do...I’m trying to figure this all out. I’m trying to be supportive, but it feels like you want me to wake up one day and be this guy that I don’t know exists yet.”

His voice was calm, but there was a hurt of his own beneath his words, just below the surface.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry that I’m not...what you want me to be or need me to be right now,” he said softly. “I’ll try harder. But you gotta understand, I never wanted kids...now we’re having one. It’s not like you went out and got a cat instead of a dog, Amber. A baby isn’t an accessory, it’s a living, breathing person that we’re responsible for now.”

“Why did you let me keep it? When I asked you if you could see us happy together with this baby. Why didn't you tell me that you couldn't? I would have…” She wanted to say she would have terminated the pregnancy but she wasn't sure that was true.

“No you wouldn’t have,” he replied, shaking his head. “And what do you mean let you keep it? It’s not a puppy, Amber...not to mention that’s not really up to me. And if you had gotten an abortion because of me, how was I supposed to live with that?”

“The same way I live with the fact that I'm giving you a kid you don't want.” She looked at him seriously. “I'm sorry, you're not the problem right now, it's just...I'm not sure I feel as if...the day I told you I was pregnant, you stopped loving me. That doesn't mean anything about how you feel about caring for me and the baby, you've made it very clear that you will always love both of us but...be honest. Is our marriage…”

“I didn’t stop loving you,” he said softly. “But to answer your question, I really don’t know right now. We just got here, we haven’t even settled in, I haven't started working yet, I don’t know what this life is gonna be like yet. All I can say is say that I’m doing the best that I can. I know that’s not what you want to hear right now, and it came at a bad time, but it’s the hand we were dealt.”

She took a deep breath and moved to sit in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.

“No matter what happens I’m always gonna love you and I’ll always take care of you,” he said softly.

“I love you so much,” she whispered. “I just feel so...awful about everything lately.” She ran her fingers through his hair.

“Have you thought about talking to someone? Bout your sister...Diamond...I think maybe that took a bigger toll on you than you think,” he said.

“I thought about it,” she said honestly.

“So do it...it might help,” he replied, shrugging gently.

“Yeah,” she whispered and looked down at her hands. “Maybe…hey um...will you hold me?” She hated asking for what she needed. But you kept trying constantly to remind her that Omar was not a mind reader. If she needed something, she had to express that.

“Yeah,” he replied, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close.

Biting the inside of his lip, he tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in the back of his mind. The baby wasn’t even born yet, and he was hoping once she was, he might feel differently than he did now.

“How’s Dama doing? She okay?” he asked softly.

“She's terrified,” she whispered. “She's with the kids waiting to see if she'll be slaughtered or saved. I think it's really taking a toll on her.” Amber laid her head on his chest. “Someone broke in and tried to hurt her.”

Omar shook his head in disbelief.

“I should be with them,” he uttered, biting his lip immediately after the words were out of his mouth. “I’m sure Nevada’s taking care of it,” he added.

“You should be with them,” she agreed. “Not that Nevada can't handle it but...it's where you belong.”

“Not anymore,” he replied softly.

“Yes, still.” She could see it more than ever. “You can go back if you want. I'll leave, I can raise this kid,” she assured.

“That’s what you want?” he asked, frowning.

“I want you happy. And I don't think you'll ever be happy here, even Nevada said so. You'll never be happy here. So yes, that's what I want,” she whispered and took a shaky breath. “I want you to go back.”

“What do you mean, Nevada said so, the last time we saw him was when he took Vienna to the safehouse…” He narrowed his gaze a little. “When did you see Nevada?” he asked.

“Sawyer called in a one-time favor. I just had to drop something off to her. I saw him,” she sighed.

“You couldn’t ask her to come pick it up?” he replied, standing up after gently moving her off him. “You couldn’t get her to meet you in a damn Starbucks? Or better yet, you couldn’t just explain to her that you’re not getting involved and pointed her in the right direction?!”

“I guess not,” she said without looking to him. “I don't know what to tell you Omar, my life was taken away from me too. I'm trying. But I have the baby, and she's with me for the rest of my life. You don't have to make that same choice. I don't think you even want to. So just...go.”

“Your life was taken away? Really? Cause the last I heard, you got another book deal, you still talk to your best friend...I cut everybody off, moved out to fucking Jersey, got a job as a stripper, and now you’re telling me to just go?” He was on fire now.

“No one asked you to do that! No one! So don't put that on me. That was your choice!” She stood up, “Go back to your fucking life Omar,” she mumbled and moved to the bedroom.

He stood there for a moment, completely dumbfounded, and unable to help the way her family’s words came back to him.

From Felicity;

“Newsflash, she’s always gonna choose herself. She always has and she always will. Someday she’s gonna stab you in the back because that’s who she is."

And her mother;

“Just keep in mind Omar. Amber runs away when things get hard, she always has.”

She moved to the door, looking at him nervously. “I'm sorry,” she whispered. “I don't want to take this out on you or...or do any of this. I wanted us to be happy and...I'm sorry.” She didn't want to go to bed angry. She loved him with all of her heart. She'd do anything for him. “I'm just really sorry.”

“Yeah, me too,” he replied softly, moving to the door and opening it. “I’ll go...call me if you need anything,” he mumbled, walking out the door.

Maddison growled as she looked over the map. “They're moving in from Hell’s Kitchen.”

“We know who they're targeting yet?” Nevada asked Chibby over the phone.

“Not yet, too many possibilities. It looks like they're headed towards your location, but they’re three avenues over,” he replied.

“Alright, keep working. How’s our friend doing?”

Chibby looked over at OJ, who was slowly torturing the school teacher they’d picked up.

“Terrified,” Chibby replied, unsure if he was referring to himself of their prisoner.

“Keep at it, Chibs.” Nevada hung up the phone and looked over at Maddison. “Looks like they’re circling us.”

“I got three calls from bodegas getting hit on 156th a few hours after the breakout. And I heard they gunned down two more inmates. I don't care what they want anymore, I just want them dead,” Maddison said softly and took another deep breath.

“Oh they will be,” Nevada replied. “We’re beefed up everywhere. When they come, we’ll be ready for them.”

“Maddie,” Jasper said softly putting a hand on her shoulder. “Why don't you let one of my men take you to see your boy? You look like you need a break. This can't be easy. You're a mother, I'm sure you-”

“No. Not until they're dead,” she whispered.

Jasper nodded with a sigh and rubbed a hand over her back. “Alright love, well I'm sending a team down to eliminate some competition. Nevada, do we have my daughter's dear teacher?” he asked with a spark of annoyance.

“OJ’s having a little sit down with him right now underground. You wanna pay him a visit?” Nevada replied with a smirk.

“Yes, I would,” Jasper took a breath and moved with Nevada. Both men were on full alert.

When they arrived underground, Jasper was impatient, taking a few deep breaths to keep from putting a bullet in the blonde. OJ looked up from the bloody school teacher, smiling at Jasper and Nevada.

“Play date over, jefe?” he asked.

“For now,” Nevada replied. OJ nodded, stepping away from the blonde tied to the chair.

“Thank God, I’m not sure how much more screaming I can take,” Sawyer mumbled.

“Chibby agrees, it is rather...unpleasant.”

Jasper walked over to the man, punching him hard enough to knock the chair over.

“Did you know who my daughter was?” he hissed, stepping on the man's throat.

“Please,” the man answered as he struggled to breath.

“Did. You. Know?”

“Yes! Yes they put me in your daughter class for a reason,” he choked out and Jasper lunged at the man, ready to kill.

“Whoah, whoah!” Nevada hollered, pulling him back. “Mira, I get it, but we need information, hermano. Don’t worry, he’s all yours.”

Jasper turned to Nevada, giving him a soft look. “If it were your daughter, he would be dead now, wouldn't he? Your little girl.”

“If it were my little girl, I’d make damn sure he gave me what I needed to ice the mother fuckers that hired him...then he’d be dead,” Nevada answered honestly.

Jasper nodded, “I can't be in a room with him, I'll kill him,” he said seriously before moving upstairs.

“Wow,” Sawyer whispered. “He's scary when he's mad...and kinda hot.”

“Fair Sawyer,” Chibby said in a bashful chuckle.

“Alright, shithead...you better start talking before I sic my friend on you again,” Nevada said to the blonde, gesturing to the direction Jasper went. “Who hired you?” he asked.

The man glared. “Fuck you.”

Sawyer stood up. “This isn't a joke sir,” she said softly to the man. “I hate hearing you scream, but I also know it'll be much worse if you don't talk.”

The man tried to lunge at her.

She glared, taking off a sneaker and starting to smack him with it.

“That's. Fucking. Rude.” She accentuated each word with a smack.

Nevada grabbed her wrist gently, giving her a gentle look before he stepped behind the blonde. Taking a fistful of hair, he yanked the man’s head back.

“Listen up, pretty boy, I love to play games, but my brother here…” Nevada gestured to OJ. “He loves playing games even more than I do. How much you wanna bet that we can put a dent in your dating life?” he asked.

OJ grinned and grabbed a circular saw, turning it on and holding it close to the blonde’s face.

“Jesus Fucking Christ! Alright! Alright!” he shouted as he squirmed. “I got hired by Ray, he wanted me to keep tabs on Blackwood’s kid, and yours. If we got the signal, I was supposed to put a bullet in each of them.”

“Uh huh, and who’s Ray?” Nevada asked as OJ pulled the saw away slowly.

“Ray runs the show here,” he said with a frown. “He's gonna take the Heights, man. Just save yourself and your family, get out.”

“Where's he held up?” Nevada asked, ignoring the man’s warning.

“I don't know, I really don't know.”

“That’s too bad. Hermano, go get Jasper. Tell him our friend is ready to meet his maker,” Nevada said to OJ. “Unless you got something else you want me to hear?” he said, looking down at the man.

“I can show you! Where they are...I don't know the name, but I can show you.”

“You don’t know a street name, but you can show us? How stupid do you think we are acere?” Nevada inquired.

“Coño, like all the Dominicans in the Heights don’t know a trap from their assholes. I graduated high school, pendejo,” OJ added.

“I'm serious, I can show you. They're three steps ahead of you, you've got nothing to lose,” he said seriously. “Come on man, he's got your wife and kids on the radar, he knows where your brother in law is. Your mother in law, your other brother Omar and his pregnant wife. They know it all man,” he added.

“How?!” Nevada demanded.

“He greases palms, hacks networks, he's got security cameras on every corner. The only reason your family isn't dead yet is because he knows they're bargaining chips. Especially after he sent Hector to his death for fucking up, he's been in control of everything since.”

“He didn’t kill Hector, mi amor. My wife did, so sounds Ray is in over his head,” Nevada replied, looking up at OJ. “Put him in the car, and get a location, me entiendes? Take the drop car, I’ll get Reyes to drive it over from impound.”

OJ nodded as Nevada went to Jasper upstairs.

“He’s gonna show us where this guy Ray operates, and then he’s all yours, mi hermano.”

Jasper nodded, “Right then, let's hurry this up.”

[the-e4b]

Deafpony Retrospective: The Perfect Pear.

Hallo hallo, how low, guys.

It’s the Deafpony here.

So a while back, I told Jojo and AWG about this idea I had, where while focusing also on the morons of the fandom that give it a bad name, why not do something about the fandom?

Since MLP recently came back from it’s small Season 7 hiatus, why not talk about the episode that shook the fandom because nobody expected it to be this good.

THE BACKGROUND INFO

Let’s get it out of the way:

THE ORIGIN OF APPLEJACK’S PARENTS.

Something that was hinted in A Royal Problem (which was a very subtle dream scene where two ponies held a baby AJ) and something fans have been dying to be acknowledged for a long time.

Throughout the show’s history, there was never a full blown explaination on AJ’s parents and their whereabouts. Sure we’ve seen the other Mane Six’s parents, but AJ’s?

Never.

Not even in the Family Reunion episode, where hints were through that they were long gone, something show artist Sibsy even confirmed on Twitter.

There was also the line from “Crusaders of the Lost Mark” where AJ tells Bloom “If mom and dad were here...”, which hinted at a passing.

Even Lauren Faust herself had played with this idea and mentioned on her deviantArt that the original idea was to either have them dead or be travelling salesponies.

But it being Lauren Faust, she said to take her words with a grain of salt.

Second is the casting for this episode: Felicia Day (who voices AJ’s mother) and....William Shatner?

...Well, we had John DeLancie who voiced Discord, so why complain?

As for who he plays, we’ll discuss in the plot part.

The episode was written by both Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco, a partnership that have contributed to great episodes like “Top Bolt”, “Gauntlet of Fire”, “Celestial Advice” and the aforementioned “A Royal Problem”. The only specific dud they wrote was “Rarity Investigates!”, but other than that. A solid record.

So we have two brilliant actors and two writers on board that gave us two good Season 7 and 6 episodes. Did it work?

Brilliantly.

PLOT.

So what IS the story of this episode?

After buying pear jam from a nice old colt from Vanhoover named Grand Pear, Bloom ends up presenting it to AJ and Big Mac for breakfest, only for the two to freak out because of the long implied (and parodied) feud between the Apple Family and Pear Family.

...Which AJ and Big Mac have NO IDEA why though.

Deciding not to bother Granny Smith with this quest, the siblings decide to go find out the truth of the feud.

Also this:

I was dying. 

The plot however takes a turn when the Apples go to confront Goldie Delicious (last seen in Pinky Apple Pie) who reluctantly discusses the truth with them: As it turns out, the Apple Family and Pear Family farms were right next to each other, and they obviously weren’t the friendliest to each other. All except..two ponies:

Bright Mac and Pear Butter.

The Apple Parents.

...Hoooooo boy this is gonna be a sad one.

ANALYSIS

For one thing, the episodes are presented in flashbacks as the stories begin to be explained by the ponies who knew Bright Mac and Pear Butter (or Buttercup as she was nicknamed for...something to be revealed near the end).

The flashbacks are presented respectively by four ponies to say the least: the aforementioned Goldie, Burnt Oak (Bright Mac’s best friend), Mrs. Cake (Buttercup’s friend), and Mayor Mare (for something also near the end). And while I do believe it gets a bit tedious to have the flashbacks presented repeatedly by different ponies, I do think the purpose was to have the story flow better from ponies who knew the parents, especially if the Apple siblings don’t want to get their grandmother involved.

Both flashbacks are presented well enough and showcase all the good traits that the parents had (Bright Mac being honest and strong, something AJ and Big Mac inherited, Pear Butter always looking to help others, something Bloom inherited) and even show the effects both ponies had on their friends, Burnt Oak especially considering he becomes rather emotional when Big Mac asks to hear more stories of his father:

That’s totally not the face of a pony missing his best friend...

Anyway, during Mrs. Cake’s flashback, we have a song number “You’re In My Head Like a Catchy Song”, where Pear Butter sings about her love of Bright Mac (as a gift on their anniversary of their first meeting) and quite frank, for all the songs of MLP I tend to skip, this one...who boy..

Where do I begin?

It’s heartwarming, it’s touching, and it really works well for the story, as we see the progression of their relationship leading to the point, from the passing of the seasons, to their parents refusal to allow them to see each other, just anything that can stop them from being together, but Pear Butter still does so, because she loves him.

Felicia Day, you really know how to pack an emotional punch. Oh and this scene:

Adorable and points for trying.

Of course with any loving relationship (with some Romeo and Juliet esque drama), it all comes to a boil when Grand Pear announces he’s moving the farm to Vanhoover as a business decision (and because he won’t see the Apples again). So yes, it’s literally a decision of ripping the two apart.

Cliched...but hey it works.

Anyway, remember how I mentioned that Mayor Mare was involved as well?

As it turns out, she was the one who approved of Bright Mac’s decision to not have Pear Butter leave Ponyville: ELOPE!

.....Wow, eloping? On a kid’s show?

...Shit that reminds me of Boy Meets World when Topanga and Cory almost eloped.

And that was from a 90s-early 2000s show. 

Right on, writers. Right on..

Oh and good continuity too with Mayor Mare having Pink hair:

Lovely.

Anyway, the two get hitched right as Granny Smith and Grand Pear discover their secret wedding and Grand Pear issues the ultimatum to his daughter after she declares that the Apples are now her family: To chose over being an Apple or be a Pear.

You can already tell what Pear Butter decides and well..it ends tragically.

Grand Pear basically disowns his daughter and storms off, leaving Pear Butter crying in Bright Mac’s arms only to be confronted by Granny Smith, who seemed to have had a change of heart.

..Wow..that’s..dark.

I mean sure, he probably didn’t disown her but the fact he up and left her in Ponyville and moved to Vanhoover...damn.

I know some have probably noticed as to why I haven’t mentioned William Shatner’s role in the episode?

Well..it boils to the ending:

Shatner played the role of Grand Pear, and while his performance during the “Flashback” Grand Pear was more of a controlling father who literally abandoned his daughter over a stupid feud..the end of Act III?

Total fucking regret.

When the Apples (Applebloom specifically) confront Grand Pear over his decision of returning to Ponyville, the poor old colt begins to cry and admit that he was so angry and in a sense, to reconnect with his grandchildren.

Remember guys...this guy never reunited with his daughter, and considering the show is vague about it...we know the truth:

The Apple Parents are long gone, as mentioned above.

He never once got to reconcile or even say goodbye.

The worst fear of any parent, and Shatner’s quiet, somber mumbles in contrast to his usual exaggerated behavior is pretty refreshing for this parts of the episode. 

The episode ends with Granny Smith and Grand Pear finally reconciling (and Granny apologizing to her grand children for never telling them keeping everything a secret) and the siblings showing the two something Bright Mac and Pear Butter left behind (which they did in their wedding) to “remember them by”: An entwined apple and pear tree.

Cue the credits.

Conclusions

Ho boi...

This episode was something indeed.

Everyone had been longing for an episode involving the backstory of the Apple Parents and we got it. BOY DOES IT DELIVER.

The story, while a bit cliched, is great, and the characterization of Bright Mac and Pear Butter is a stroke of heartwarming, especially in the voice acting department with Felicia Day and Bill Newton, Newton especially with giving a natural southern drawl at that.

Again, Shatner’s performance is arguably one of the best elements of the episode, he doesn’t “ham” it up or be all exaggerating his performance, he keeps it gentle, saddening, and full of regret in the end when apologizing to his grandchildren over what he did. I’ve read (TV Tropes specifically) that there are parallels of Shatner’s dialogue and his own regret with tension between his old Star Trek cast mates over his own actions. I can’t really go into details with that since I never really got into Star Trek, but I do believe the subtext helps with the emotional impact of the episode. 

I know some people probably are gonna have problems with the fact nobody ever told the Apple siblings about the feud and their parents, but it was probably to protect them and not reveal the drama/painful events that lead to Pear Butter losing a part of her family, which is understandable. Plus it had one of those “You will known when you’re ready” type of thing.

Overall, this was one of my favorite episodes of Season 7, and a great way to return from the hiatus (even if it did leak early because DAMN TIMING :D).

Also this final scene..

Aaaaaaand feels.

- deafpony.

NOTE: This was again guys, my first “retrospective”. It sucks I know, but thanks for reading <3. I’m hoping to do these a bit more just to focus less on angry crap and more optimism. 

Oh and don’t expect concrete retrospectives like on every episode, just episodes I feel I’d put thoughts on/make snarky commentary on because whynot.

[snowwhore]

Smile My Boy; It’s Sunrise

Success is a fickle concept; one objective, and arguably indefinable. And yet, everything in American culture must always be defined- something which Google eagerly spews out. When typing, ‘success, define,’ into a simple Google search; three options will appear. “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose,” “the attainment of popularity or profit,” and “a person or thing that achieves desired aims, or attains prosperity.” Under each definition, synonyms and examples are given, most of which pertain to theatrical success. It seems that to be successful, one must gain fame and wealth. Which is so incredibly, extraordinarily, entirely, stupid. Materialistic, and disappointing.

Why can’t success be something far more meaningful? Something that impacts other people: Inspiration. One can set out without a purpose, yet find one along their path of life, and wind up with one, whether it was their aim to accomplish this purpose in the first place Success isn’t an achieve or fail idea; it’s something so very simple, if only one can step back from their own worlds for long enough to notice the other people sharing the earth.

A man once said; “A doctor’s mission should be not just to prevent death but also to improve the quality of life. That’s why, you treat a disease, you win you lose, you treat a person, I guarantee you win no matter what the outcome.” Success can be treated the same way as practicing medicine; there are far more apparent outcomes of ‘success,’ but there are so many success stories overlooked. So many doctors who couldn’t find a miracle cure, but provided their patients with a miraculous life. Success is a disease, but also a cure. The man who stated the quote, by all standards, fits whatever definition of success. The man realized that it takes looking outside the box, thinking outside the Google definitions, and just a little spark of madness to reach success. The man was Robin Williams.

          Williams was born in Chicago, July 21, 1951, to Laura McLaurin and Robert Williams. According to Lifetime’s, “Robin Williams,” article, his mother had been a small-time model, who even when moved to Illinois, was said to keep her California-esque heart, (something Williams clearly stayed influenced by) extended by Genie’s “Laura McLaurin” article, described by Williams himself and others as a “captivating,” story teller, one who loved to laugh, and had a quick wit, something which Robin seemed to develop. Williams’ father, on the other hand, was an executive at for the Ford Motor Company, and a man that Williams described during his winning speech at the Oscar’s as having said, “[in regards to Williams’ desire to be an actor] ‘Wonderful, just have a backup profession like welding.’” Still, he dedicated the win to his late father, clarifying they had a good relationship. (As it turns out, he later expressed on the Graham Norton show that he forgot to thank his mother, something which she didn’t let him down for years to come.) (Source) supports this, with Williams stating, “My dad was a sweet man, but not an easy laugh.” As it turns out, his father’s laughter was the inspiring factor behind Williams’ desire to be a comedian. Hearing his father heartily laughing, at a man on the TV who became in that moment, Williams’ mentor (later corrected as ‘idol’); Jonathan Winters. The influence is more than apparent, sharing the same knack for goofy characters, voices, and wit, as Williams’ would be the first to admit. Between these (sources,) it seems apparent Williams’ comedic nature and clever timing first comes from his mother, and was lucky enough to have financially wealthy parents who were encouraging to let him explore his passions. But the final childhood push to explore that need to be funny, to make other’s laugh, when it came down to it, was a boy’s want of approval from his father.

The Lifetime article goes on to narrate how Williams was bullied as a young child for being overweight, and thus spent many evenings alone instead of out with friends, until later joining track and wrestling, wiping off the weight. Instead of getting back at his tormentors, however, Williams realized he had a knack for being funny, and could use his comedic nature to gain respect from his fellow classmates. The isolation at such a young age lead Williams to need to become more imaginative; in order to keep himself entertained. (Source) confirms that play is one of the upmost important factors a child has in developing, and Williams was forced to be especially creative. Once a bit older, Williams was already adopting his mother’s humor as a guard for himself, and making the realization that if he made fun of himself first, no one else could.

Williams originally went to college for political science, while playing soccer, during which he began improv classes. Realizing he had a knack, he switched schools, began focusing on theater, and soon enough had a full-ride scholarship to Julliard… Which he then dropped out of to move back to Los Angeles to focus on pursuing a career in comedy. It can be concurred that Williams’ intelligence and skills were well versed, and later used to morph him into the comedian he became, able to have a firm grasp on politics, something a frequent factor in most comedy bits, along with the agility from all the sports he took part in, giving himself the advantage of being a very physical comedian. The thought of getting a full scholarship to Julliard, only to drop out in hopes that he could make it as a stand-up comedian is, frankly, insane. But Williams’ ability to make completely outrageous and unbelievable choices was part of his charm, and who he was. No doubt Julliard helped to give him some of the more practical acting skills he later put to use in films like Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society, but dropping out of Julliard says far more about Williams than getting into it. He moved away from the safe and practical bet, instead opting for what he was passionate about, knowing perfectly well that he could ultimately fall flat on his face from the decision to pursue comedy over Julliard. However, like shown with many of his movie role choices later, that Williams decided that whether he fail or not, he was going to give it his all. A totally impractical decision, and, just like all his of completely off the wall decisions, one that gave him an edge over everyone else.

That edge was what got him his first major role, although no one knew it would be so big at the time. Williams’ landed an audition for a role on the series Happy Days, which was at the time, desperately trying to knock up ratings, by getting fresh and exciting characters. One of these characters was an alien named Mork, who would only be on for a single episode, as narrated by (Source).  According to producer Gary Marshall, “[Williams] was the only alien to audition.” That’s because, when asked to take a seat, Williams instead opted to do a headstand on the chair, validating that all the athletics he did when younger truly did help his comedic performances. Mork was a meant to be a one-time gig, but the character was so popular, he wound up getting his own spin off series, which ran for four seasons. This part, lead Williams to the obvious commercial definition of success. He had the fame, he had the fortune, and he became a successful comedic actor. But that was just the beginning.

Soon after, he landed his first major movie lead role in the live-action version of Popeye, which was a flop, and Williams later frequently joked about and expressed an endearing embarrassment over. However, it was over the course of the 80s during which Williams is credited to being the leader of the comedy renaissance in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He performed a total of five major stand up gigs throughout the time, (source) and, excludingPopeye, seven films, (Source) two in particular which skyrocketed his popularity as a film star. The first released about a decade after the Vietnam War ended, titled, Good Morning, Vietnam. Williams recalls seeing the role as two things he loved doing combined; stand up, and acting, and the character he was playing was mostly himself. However, little this role was to become his first truly successful role; for it was the first one he made that truly impacted his audiences. Williams, along with other crew members, had on numerous occasions, Vietnam War vets come up and thank them for the movie, claiming it was the first movie to be set during the war which accurately portrayed what it was like being a soldier at the time in Vietnam. Now, it can be disputed that the movie’s impact doesn’t hold up as strongly. It’s Williams’ second role that will live on in history.

Dead Poets Society. “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your live extraordinary.” It’s a phrase that lives on strong, even today. Williams’ role as Mr. Keating inspired students and teachers around the world alike, as scrolling through, (Source) makes apparent. Person after person list watching him in this role as their inspiration to become a teacher; saying things like, “Feel like I lost a mentor. Robin Williams as Mr Keating changed my path in life. Dead Poets Society led me to teaching, (Cori Marino),” “I wanted to be a journalist. Saw Dead Poets Society, changed plans and became a teacher. Good actors do change the world. (Jacqueline Prins),” and “He made you feel like it matters, that poetry matters[…] I loved the film so much that maybe on one level it is the reason I became a teacher. He understands in the film that education isn’t just one little part of your existence, it is life. It’s the same thing. It’s not just learning Wordsworth by heart, it’s about feeling it and understanding why it’s important, (Jonathan Taylor.)” The list goes on and on, the inspiration Robin Williams left with the world from that movie alone ringing out like bells. It dealt with a subject that most of America has been through; school, and the sufferings of it. The pressure of parents, teachers, the world in general, and how too much of that stress can weigh down on a student, leading them to end their lives rather than continue to struggle. Williams’ character of Mr. Keating, however, is what truly sticks with most people. Mr. Keating, like Williams was blatantly unconventional, having students rip pages from their books, he would hop on the desks, and push his students to pursue their passions over logical classes and hobbies. –The parallel between what Mr. Keating inspires his students to do, and what Williams did as a young man aren’t hard to find. In this role, Williams and the rest of the cast inspired the audience; he made them laugh, he made them cry, but most of all, he inspired them. And it wasn’t only his audiences, but his fellow cast members he inspired; Ethan Hawke validating this, stating that being on set with Williams was a “[…] It’s a high that I’ve chased my whole life since that day with Robin, of losing yourself, within a story.” Hawke credits Williams as his mentor, especially after Williams having booked him his first agent. Williams seemed to have that effect on people. Talk show host Conan O’Brien brought credits Williams as an inspiration, and a brilliant talent, remembering on his show that once when O’Brien was publicly feeling low in his career, Williams (who he didn’t know well outside the show business), bought him a bicycle, knowing O’Brien enjoyed biking. However, being Robin Williams, the bicycle was bright orange, and green, with shamrocks on it, as O’Brien is known for having bright red hair and being Irish. O’Brien narrates him conversation with Williams’ over the phone, saying Williams’ responded; “‘Does it look ridiculous? –Good. Do you look stupid riding it? –Well than that’s good then.” It was that generosity, alongside the unconventional humor, the ability to make everything funny somehow, that made Williams’ such a success, that made fans adore him, and those on sets with him crave to work with him again. Earlier in the segment, he and Andy Richter, talk about the frequent performances that Williams did with the troops; something Williams kept never spoke about, because he did it for their benefit, not the publicity. Robin Williams cared about other people, as any friend, relative, acquaintance, or even passerby on the street seem eager to express. It’s something that nobody has yet to disagree with. He succeeded in changing lives, making people happy, feel like they were special. He succeeded in trulycaring, something that’s tragically hard to come by.

Perhaps the most important lesson to be learned about Robin Williams’ atypical life story is the truth it uncovers about why and how some people are able to succeed. Robin Williams sincerely exemplifies that extraordinary success is largely influenced by nothing more than a little spark of. What defines that madness? In Williams’ own words, madness is “the only way I’ll stay alive.” (Source) Madness is learning not to take the world so seriously, to see the humor within every situation, and to act out abnormally. Say the funny little thoughts that seem too odd or obscure, and not shy away from the world for fear of humiliation. Madness is having fun.

In 1978, soon after his premiere as Mork on Happy Days, he preformed an hour long special at the Roxy, his first televised stand up production. Within the first five minutes, he was wading through the crowd, picking on the members lightheartedly, making connections. Within a moment, he had crawled up to the balcony, walking along the railing, before he was back down and going to the very back of the audience, “changing realities” by making the back of the audience the good seats, and the front the bad. Williams’, after considerable dancing around, he finally proceeded to get back to stage. The physicality of his performance was undone before; so many stand up artists simply standing on stage talking to the audience. Throughout his entire act, he crawls in and out of the audience, taking their things, poking jabs, pretending to be close friends, paying mind to everyone who filtered in and out. His gags were so quick paced; like a child with ADHD’s mind, going from himself to a character, to a bit, to an outburst, to an impression and back again. He pokes fun at white people; regardless of the fact that they’re most of his audience, and it goes over their heads. Williams brings a member of the audience on stage, makes him part of the show. He’s here, there, everywhere, not talking at the audience; he’s talking with them, making individuals feel special, connected, something so many comedians struggle with, so many people struggle with. It’s in this special, he does a bit where Williams’ pretends to be himself in 40 years, traveling back in time and giving the audience advice. Although he never makes it to that extra 40 years, Williams has one slower bit in his show, talks about reality and madness. During the bit about he reality, he questions what it really is, right before sticking his finger through one eye of his glasses, showing that there was actually no lenses in them. He follows this up moments later, telling his audience; “I’m being grotesque, but you’ve got to be, you see what I mean? You’ve got to be crazy! It’s too late to be sane, too late. You’ve got to go full tilt bozo… ‘Cause, you’re only given a little spark of madness… and if you lose that, you’re nothing […] Don’t. From me to you. Don’t ever lose that ‘cause it keeps you alive […] that’s my only love. Crazy.” The shift in the audience at this moment… Before they had been laughing continuously, not a moment of silence. Even through a screen, the sudden intensity of the moment can be felt. This was so very early in his career; and yet already Robin Williams knew what his legacy would be, what would stick with him through his life; that little spark of madness. This is the spark that inspired so many others, that left such big impacts on others lives, and such large holes in their hearts. This is the reason that so many people who never met him mourned his loss, and so many who did are let in absolute shock. When he died, social media flooded with memories of him, from Steven Spielberg, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Steve Martin, President Obama, and hundreds of other celebrities, all describing how he was their childhood, their inspirations, their idol. Everyone who worked with him personally never failed to describe how he would brighten any set, or share an intimate moment they had with him. Besides Conan, other talk show hosts expressed their mourning, like a very choked up Jimmy Fallon, who after attempting to mimic Williams’ enthusiasm, stands on his desk, and announces; “O Captain; My Captain, you will be missed!”  -The legacy of Dead Poets Society once again appearing. Seth Meyers thanked him, Nathan Lane shared his best memories, saying remembering how Williams came in on his day off to support Lane during filming on The Birdcage, saying there was “No one was kinder or more generous.” Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, two of Robin’s closet friends in the film industry, sat down and spoke about him, and Crystal eulogized him at the Emmys’, sighting it as the most difficult situation in his life. With Goldberg, he remembers raising $70 million to help the homeless in America, calling Robin magical, and remembered being in Europe when he died, and being “astounded” by the “outpouring of love” all around the world. This madness caused part of the Genie was written for Robin, the animators knowing only his charisma could truly bring an outrageous character like the Genie to life. This madness made him the only person who could ever play a grown up Peter Pan. This madness made him a success. It made him Robin Williams.

Only someone who was a little mad would continue to make movies like Night at the Museum Three, and film shows The Crazy Ones while dealing with addiction, depression, and early stages of Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. His legacy will be remembered, whether it’s by saying, “I’ll always believe in you, Peter Pan,” “Genie, you’re free,” “You still exist,” or “O Captain; My Captain.” Or maybe it’s finding that little spark of madness. Robin Williams really did turn laughter into the best medicine. He made his success a cure.

[sinsiriuslyemo]

Good morning everyone!! Welcome to another episode of Cuba v DR!! Dama gets a little off the rails, luckily she has people in her life that love her and help her through it! Meanwhile Amber gets a call from a would be surprise visitor, and Rafael gets to know his victim on a deeper level...

Stay tuned for episode 22 from @missjennifercole later today!!

EPISODE 21

By the time Rafael arrived, you were awake, looking around the house for something. “Do you think doctor Lindstrom would spy on me?” you asked as you peek into cabinets.

Rafael’s eyes widened slightly as he shared a brief worried glance with Nevada.

“No, hermanita...why would he do that?” he asked you seriously.

“Because he doesn't like me, he's never liked me, he doesn't think I'd be a fit mother. I'm a great mother!” You turned to them for confirmation.

“You are a great mother,” Nevada replied as Rafael nodded.

“Of course you are, why do you think he doesn’t think you’re a fit mother?” your brother asked.

“The way he said congratulations. Like...congratulations.” You said it in a totally normal voice and scowled.

Rafael’s chin slowly tilted upwards in a snail-paced, single nod of his head.

“Okay, he probably just meant congratulations,” he offered softly. “We can talk to him about it, if you want.”

“I gotta go,” Nevada said to you regretfully.

You look at him slowly, a mixture of emotions running over your face before finally settling on mild disappointment.

“Okay,” you said gently.

“Y/N, I have to get to the center, but I’ll be back in a little while. Rafael is gonna keep you company until I get back, okay?” he replied.

You nodded and looked at his lips, licking your own hopefully. He smirked a little and dropped a sweet kiss on your mouth.

“I’ll be back in a little bit,” he promised, kissing you once more.

You smiled kissing back and nodded, pressing your nose against his so you can whisper, “I love you.”

“Me too,” he answered softly, winking at you before he walked to the door, patting Rafael’s shoulder in silent thanks on his way out.

“Come on, chiquita, why don’t we put on a nice, happy comedy?” your brother suggested, pulling off his jacket and hanging it on the hook on the wall.

“In a minute,” you said as you looked through the vases, the flowers, everything that could be hiding a camera or a secret. You frowned when you found nothing, brows furrowed.

“Y/N, you’re not gonna find anything because there’s nothing to find,” Rafael said softly. “Come on, I’ll make you some tea. Let’s do something to take your mind off this nonsense,” he suggested, bringing you into the kitchen.

You sat down at the table and took a deep breath, not able to do anything but bury your face in your hands as you try to calm yourself. Rafael made himself busy heating the water-filled tea kettle on the stove before he came and sat down with you, taking one of your hands in his and placing a firm kiss on the back.

“I’m sorry, I feel as though I let you down...not having been around very much since the twins were born,” he said softly. “Work has been...kind of taking over my life this past week.”

“It's okay,” you said gently. “I know you've been busy,” you smiled softly at him then looked at him seriously. “I'm not crazy, they wait till I'm sleeping to cry. They bite me when I nurse them, they throw up on me, they want me dead.”

“Chiquita, that’s all just things babies do. Cut yourself some slack, don’t forget that you haven’t been through this part of having kids until now. You’re learning, just like Nevada had to learn with Lily,” he offered. “And if it makes you feel any better, he once brought her over to see me and Emmy and forgot to bring diapers. He used one of our good towels to make a diaper after she pooped through her onsie. You’re doing great, you just have to be a little patient...with them and more importantly, with yourself.”

You pressed your face against his shoulder. “Dr. Lindstrom wouldn't bug my house,” you rationalized.

“Of he wouldn’t, hermanita,” he whispered against your hair as the tea kettle whistled loudly.

Dropping a kiss on the top of your head, he moved to pour some of the boiling hot water into a coffee mug with a tea bag inside and set it down in front of you.

“They bite your nipples? Maybe they’re just not latching properly. The way they position their mouths when they eat from a bottle is different that when they get it from the source. You could make an appointment with a lactation consultant,” he offered.

“Maybe,” you whispered, holding the mug as you slowly sipped it. “Tell me about the case?” You asked, wanting a distraction.

“Well, we’ve got some good evidence, but not enough...I want him to be cornered with physical evidence. Things he can’t refute, evidence he can not make go away. I have one of his victim’s diary, I’m gonna take a look and see if there’s something, anything I can use,” he answered, sighing as he made himself a mug and sat back down beside you. “Leila came to me yesterday...she was covered in bruises. Everywhere but her face.”

“Poor girl,” you whispered as you stroked his hair. “I think you need to read that diary, the number one reason to have a diary is to rant about stupid boys.”

He smirked a little, snorting softly. You looked around again, reminding yourself that no one was listening.

“I'm worried I'm not gonna be a good mother to these kids,” you said gently.

“You are,” he assured you with a gentle smile. “You’re already a great mother to Lily...and Eddie...I think you may have saved that kid’s life. Literally and figuratively.”

You sighed and hugged him, “I love you,” you whispered through tears. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too hermanita.”

Amber came storming into the club going straight to the bar. “Alcohol, now.”

“Jesus, what’s with you?” Barry grumbled as he poured her a double scotch.

She pressed play on her voicemail.

“Amber honey, it's Mommy! I heard you're getting married! I got your number from your sister. Anyway, I'll be down to help with the ceremony soon, so I need you to book me a flight and a hotel somewhere...safer. Anyway, I need you to get me a car as well, something not too flashy, where can I get a low key Porsche? Okay, call me back sweetheart. I'm so glad we worked things out!”

Amber rubbed her temples, “We haven't spoken in years, we haven't worked anything out. She just sees a chance to party plan.” Amber chugged the scotch and gestured for another. “Keep em coming.”

Barry’s brows shot up on his forehead as he poured another for her. Omar came out from the backroom, and snorted when he saw Amber at the bar.

“I thought you were going shopping for the bridemaids gifts,” he said, coming to stand beside where she sat.

“I'm taking a break,” she downed glass number three with a shudder.

Omar arched a brow at her. “Okay. Barry, three drink limit during the day,” he said and the bartender nodded, tucking the scotch bottle back on the shelf.

“You're a trader Barry,” she scowled and looked at Omar, playing the voicemail once again for him.

“You don’t sign my paychecks,” Barry answered with a smirk.

“Que clase chusmeria. Just call her back and tell her we don’t need help,” Omar offered with a shrug. “It shouldn’t come as a shock to her, you guys haven’t spoken in years, I thought.”

“I just don't want to be like them, I don't want to shut them out. I want them to be in my life. If I shut her out, I'm not much better than they are,” she sighed, “but also she's a thundercunt.”

“I didn’t say shut her out, just tell her you got the planning under control, but she’s more than welcomed to come and visit,” Omar clarified. “Getting drunk at one o’clock in the afternoon ain’t gonna anything besides give you a hangover, and you know how I am when people have hangovers,” he added with a smirk.

She scowled, “No one likes a hangover aggravator,” she stuck her tongue out and tugged him a little close. “Kiss me so I won't hate you as much when I'm hungover.”

He shook his head, dropping a chaste kiss on her lips. “You’re gonna hate me anyway...I think I’ll be in the mood to listen to folk music later,” he teased, half-serious. She wouldn’t put it past him to play obnoxious music, very loudly just to annoy her hangover.

“Give me a real kiss,” she pleaded, already tipsy. “You're gonna be a dick later, at least do something sweet, romantic, sweep me off my feet. Or spank me and bite my neck. Um...what else… choke me while you name the states alphabetically.” One of Nevada's men laughed, clearly listening from across the room.

“No, why should I reward you for bad behavior?” he replied before he looked up at their eavesdropper and arched a brow. “Y tu, no tienes nada que hacer?” he asked.

“Better than hearing this?” He shook his head.

“This isn't bad behavior,” Amber pouted. “You never kiss me when I want.”

“You get so whiney when you’re drunk,” Omar teased.

“Please?” She cupped his cheek.

“Coño bro, your lady looks that gorgeous shit faced and you don't even kiss her? Aye Mami, you want a good time you know where to find me.”

“There you go,” Omar mumbled to her with a chuckle, jokingly pointing towards Sucio.

“Calmete papi,” she cooed at Sucio. “Your heart would give out if I played with you.”

Sucio chuckled nodding to Omar. “She isn't wrong. You got a good one Omar.”

“Si, yo se,” Omar mumbled, giving her another kiss, a little firmer this time. “Put your big girl pants on and talk to your mom,” he said before he grabbed his jacket from the office and walked towards the door.

She smiled after him, watching him go. She took a deep breath, picking up her phone and dialing.

“Hello...mom? it’s Amber.”

You'd fallen asleep against Rafael, body exhausted from lack of sleep as you curled into your brother's warmth. With one arm protectively around you, he thumbed through Michele’s diary with the other hand. You’d been right. Not only did Michele write about she and Cory’s tumultuous relationship, but she’d recorded every last abusive detail. It almost read the way a novel would, and he could hardly believe how long the abuse had carried on before she finally decided to tell someone. Finally, he got to the last entry, the night she’d lost her life.

...The trial starts next week, and I can hardly believe how much better I feel knowing that Cory will finally have to answer for everything he put me through. I’m still not okay, I’m not sure that I’ll ever be, but it’s a--

The entry stopped mid sentence, and she’d skipped a line before continuing.

Cory just called. He said he wants to talk. I know this is going to sound pathetic but even though I hate what he’s done to me for the last two years, I still love him with everything inside me. He asked to come over, so I said he could, but I asked Rachael to stay in case he gets mad. She said she will only if she can stay in her room. She said if I need her to call the police, to just call her name once.

That’s gotta be him at the door. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Rafael frowned, though part of him was relieved that he at least had something to hold Cory in prison for a little while until he could gather more evidence to charge him with murder. He thought about whether Leila would be willing to press charges against him if he was held on remand. He needed the lab results on that partial glove.

“Any luck?” You mumbled sleepily.

“He was court ordered not to have contact with the victim...and according to her diary, he not only called her, but he went to her apartment. It’s enough to arrest him, but not enough for remand. I would need proof that he killed her to hold him until I can try him for murder,” he answered sadly, shaking his head after a moment. “This girl had so much going for her. The first several entries are so...light-hearted, energetic...like she had the world at her fingertips and couldn’t wait to reach out for it. After she met him the entries just keep getting darker and darker...he killed her spirit long before he murdered her.”

He sighed heavily, closing the diary and pinching the bridge of his nose. Despite having done this as long as he had, despite every win, every hope he’d helped restore, some cases still shook him hard.

“You can darken a spirit but you can't kill it. I've known girls like that, they're fighters in the end, and if I was were, I would have gone down swinging.” You sit up, stretching a bit. “Did anyone ever check her jewelry?”

“I don’t think so. At least it wasn’t in the report...it was ruled an accidental suicide,” he answered as something else occurred to him. “Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing a blood alcohol level anywhere in there either. There were empty wine and beer bottles in her room but…”

The gloves. Cory must’ve planted those bottles, used the gloves while he set the scene, and then tossed them in the garbage disposal. The kitchen was never part of the crime scene, the police wouldn’t have thought to look in there for any evidence. The bottles, in theory, would still be logged into evidence.

“See if she was wearing any jewelry when she fell, my wedding ring catches on everything and I've scratched Nevada by accident multiple times, it would be easy for her to have gotten some DNA on that.”

“That’s a good idea,” he mumbled, turning his head a little towards you. “Thanks.”

You nodded as the door opened and you smiled to see Nevada. You ran to him, wrapping your arms around his neck and grinning, looking up at him and giving him a tiny peck on the lips. He smirked down at you, one arm wrapping around your waist.

“Te vez mejor,” he said softly, kissing your forehead and looking at Rafael. “Rachael’s good to go. She won’t even know they’re there.”

“Good, thank you. I have to get down to the ME’s office--” Lily came bounding inside, Ella beside her and Chelsea with the stroller following.

“Tio Rafael!!!”

“After I say hello to mi niña tan rica,” Rafael added, picking Lily up and peppering kisses over her face as he hugged her tightly. She giggled against the assault and clutched tightly to his neck.

“Fiona drank that other bottle, but NJ wouldn’t even try. I think he just wanted his momma,” Chelsea said, smiling at you.

You smiled and picked NJ up, pressing your nose against his. “Lo siento,” you whispered to him. “Mami esta loca, pero...te amo mucho,” you whispered and kissed his face.

“Hi, I’m Rafael, Y/N’s brother,” Rafael introduced himself, smiling politely at the dark haired woman.

“Chelsea, nice to meet you,” she replied.

“You too. Excuse me, but I believe there’s another niece I haven’t greeted,” he said, carefully, moving between Chelsea and the stroller and picking up Fiona while you sat on the couch and placed a feeding blanket over yourself, trying to feed NJ.

“Mami, I colored a picture!” Lily exclaimed, holding up her multi colored kids menu as proof.

“Oh baby, that's beautiful! It's one of my favorite you've ever colored! It's going up on the fridge tonight,” you smiled at her as you fed NJ, stroking his hair while he ate.

“Yay!”

“Well, I should probably get Ella home, she has dance in an hour, and she still has to change,” Chelsea said, giving you one last smile as Nevada opened the door for her and kissed her cheek.

“Thanks again for taking them out,” he said, earning a nod from her.

“Sure, anytime.”

“Yeah, thank you Chelsea,” you said softly although his kiss on the cheek made your blood boil. You nodded to Lily, “Dale, upstairs, daddy's gonna give you a bath while I put these two down for bed.”

“I should get going, too,” Rafael said regretfully, handing over Fiona and kissing NJ’s head while you burped him before he took Michele’s diary and his briefcase and headed out.

“No bath!” Lily exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Oye, apestosa, vamos,” Nevada replied, pointing Lily upstairs.

Lily stomped the entire way upstairs. You giggled as you grabbed both babies, heading upstairs with Nevada to put the kids in bed. You tucked each baby in, kissing them and holding them close before turning to Nevada.

“Are you...sleeping downstairs?” you asked cautiously. He looked at you expressionless for what seemed to be a lifetime.

“Do you want me to?” he asked softly.

You didn't hesitate to nod. “Yes.” He let out a soft sigh and nodded his head.

“Okay,” he answered. “I’m gonna give Lily a bath and then put her down for her nap,” he added, moving into the bathroom where Lily had thrown all of her clothes into the bathtub.

You giggled, seeing the act of defiance before moving to the bedroom to lay down while you had the chance, turning on the tv and kicking off your jeans and bra, getting comfortable in your thin white tank top.

After giving Lily a scolding, followed by the bath she was trying to avoid, Nevada set her down for a nap before he knocked on the door frame.

“Lindstrom ever call you back?” he asked, leaning against the entryway to your bedroom.

You nodded, “I have an appointment tomorrow,” you said gently as you pulled back the covers as a silent invitation for him to come sit with you. “I'd like the company,” you said with a soft smile.

He looked at the empty space you offered briefly before silently moving into the bedroom and sitting on the bed, legs outstretched over the covers.

“I’m glad,” he replied gently. “And I’m glad you feel better than you did this morning,” he added in just as soft a tone.

You nodded and smiled, lacing your fingers with his as you turned on the tv. You didn't say anything, just smiled, curling up to him.