#I mean the preview for NEXT ep tells me that that episode is All About Gwyn so. FINALLY. One more week...

[redblackstripes]

Love Next Door’s episode 8…just why?

Why does it always have to be so extreme.

And looking at the preview for ep 9, I was really upset for CSH too. I mean, if my closest friend didn’t tell me she was sick (like really sick and had chemo and all that), I would be so hurt! And angry. And I don’t think I’d be able to have the same type of relationship again. I know it’s not about him and she probably had her reasons, but I understand him. And I’m wondering how they will make up and move on from this.

[tbhimnoteasyonmyself]

TAN IS NEW

Hello, fellow associates, I, local deranged man, bring you (by request of @ayansbff who said I should "go make a post and patent it fr." thank you, Naga <3) once again a theory as insane as whatever has been going on in the ASOIAF fandom in the last 10 years (but no, I'm not here to tell you Tan is a horse or New is a faceless man).

For this week's episode: Tan is New (but with some spice).

Pls beware, this will require a certain level of "bear with me", ok? Ok.

Also: long ass post, guys. Be prepared.

So, 1st things 1st: New is obviously studying abroad.

This would mean that, in all the episodes we've seen of the flashback, we wouldn't have seen New. Because he's literally in a different country (cue theory: New is Mhok working as a cook in Hawaii ksksksk /j).

Nevertheless, in the latest events of the past storyline, Non has just gone M.I.A. Which is definitely something you'd tell the kid's brother about. I'd be pretty pissed if I was New and no one fucking told me about my brother vanishing.

(I think it could definitely be argued that their parents might try to hide the whole getting involved with money laundry and even the pedophilic child revenge porn sex tape on Twitter thing, especially their mother. bc, considering their treatment of Non this episode, it would definitely cross my mind that they'd think something along the lines of "New shouldn't be worried about what his fuck up of a brother is involved with, he should just focus on his study". And idk if Thailand's national news would arrive to New in the US just like that (maybe, maybe not, I won't try to speculate too much, I think it's too much of a wild card). YET, I still think, regardless, they'd have their limits even if the rest was true and they'd tell him about his brother being literally MISSING. So yeah...)

So back on track: sure, the police "think" Non has run away with Keng

Or, was convinced by Tee's uncle to accept that storyline

but Non's parents don't believe that shit

("They're TRYING to make our son LOOK LIKE" not "They think our son HAS")

And I think the same feeling could've been passed to New by his parents or just by New himself. But even if not, I think it's pretty reasonable to assume he'd come back to Thailand after that news. Like, if my brother was missing, I'd feel pretty bad, my parents would feel pretty bad and I'd want to go back home and be with them a bit, follow things up close, at the very least.

So, assuming that's true, it's not weird to presume New could be back in Thailand by the time The Hidden Character (the film Non wrote, not the BOC reality show thing) airs. Which would lead us to:

Now, I've seen people say it's Tan, I've seen people say it's White, I've seen people say it's Bible (?)... To me, that's Tan. The voice that calls "Phee" seems to me that's Mio's voice and the person we see in the door, albeit he does resemble Bible, reads to me as him as well.

Besides, we see him being introduced to the class in the ep.9 preview so, yeah, it could be to throw us off, but I genuinely think it's just bc it's Tan.

Regardless, even if not, Tan will appear next episode. So... There's that. Question is: why?

We see both Tan and Phee moving to the gang's class next episode, which the gang points out as "weird". Now, idk why it would be weird to see people change schools in 12th grade but fine, I'm not gonna argue, maybe they know something I don't. Ig you could argue it's bc it's the last year but I'd say people have issues all the time (being the last year of school doesn't change that) and people also move houses all the time. So I wouldn't question it but ok. Moving on.

We know Phee has a connection to Non (as his ex-boyfriend) but we don't know why Tan would be there too. Sure, we can argue Phee has to have friends. But, ngl, if my friend asked me to move schools bc he wants to find out what happened to his bf who mysteriously disappeared, I'd politely decline. I'd support him in his endeavours, of course, but I wouldn't change my entire life for it. I could even go as much as to help him befriend them and hang out with the fuckers but I wouldn't move schools, I think.

So Tan must have a bigger motive, right? And what bigger motive than being the brother of Non, am I right?

Furthermore, we have to consider legal matters. They're all minors. Phee's father, of course, knows about Phee being, at least, friends with Non. And, even if he told him to stay out of trouble and that he himself would not go around poking in the business for Phee's own safety, I think he'd be okay with Phee moving schools for grief reasons (a.k.a being close to Non because that was his school) or even bc he knew Phee was trying to talk to his friends (I don't think he suspects the kids too much and honestly that's a terrible lack of sight on his behalf but, I mean, they're kids, I think it's fair to assume they're innocent).

But what about Tan? Assuming Tan is not Non's brother, would his parents let him move schools to the school where all those nasty kids who keep appearing on the news study??? I don't think so. Sounds dangerous. Things change, of course, if Tan is not actually Tan but New.

Non's parents, despite their obvious lack of parenting skills, care about him. He's their son. They'd want to know what happened. And, sure, New getting involved would be terrible for them (bc he's their son and clearly the favourite child and god forbid he wastes his potential studying there bc of Non's failures AGAIN), but if New specifically requested that, would they go against it? Would they go against their talented son and his show of altruism and love for his brother?? Especially when the police are not doing anything and it's just trying to close the damn case??? I don't think so.

Thus: Tan is New.

"But what about his legal name???", I hear you say. "If they're siblings they'll have the same last name!!" And yeah. That's true. Especially in Thailand where most surnames are exclusive to a singular family. But I thin- "What about the age gap??? New is older than Non!! His mom even refers to him as Non's phi!!!" Yes. I know. That's where the spice comes in:

NEW IS ADOPTED.

There, I dropped the bomb. This would mean that, maybe, his legal name wasn't changed from what it originally was. Sure, it could've, since he's now part of a different family but they also could've kept the original surname. Which is likely if New wasn't adopted in a normal fashion.

We have to consider how poor Non's family seems to be. Whether that's a new situation or it has always been like this we don't know. But that's something. Now, I'm not Thai nor do I live in Thailand but from what I read, income does factor a lot into whether or not a family can adopt a child (at least in theory). So I'd assume a poor family would struggle with it. Nevertheless, it seems Thai law puts a lot of value into family ties with the child so, maybe New was someone else's child originally like of a brother or a sister of one of Non's parents. Or maybe something else entirely, I don't know. I don't think it matters that much.

"That still doesn't explain the age gap though. Tan is only 2 months older than Non!!"

Well, that's still older. Would that qualify him as "phi", idk? Both Pimpa (Non and New's mother) and Non refer to him that way. But maybe that's just another way for the series to tell us there's a ver clear hierarchy between these brothers and Non comes second. Idk. (if you're Thai or know Thai culture well and would like to add input here, pls do)

"WHAT ABOUT THE PICTURES, DANTE???"

Ok, yeah, I know. They make a compelling case.

(I took the liberty to brighten them bc OMG WHY IS THIS SHOW SO DARK????)

And yes, in the picture further to the left it does seem like they have a huge age gap but also, in the picture right next to it, it doesn't seem so (in fact the kid in blue seems about the same age in both pics, only the other one doesn't). So maybe the kid in pic one is not Non, it's some other kid (could be, especially considering he's wearing blue and, as the fandom's most dear colour theorist @shannankle has pointed out on a lot of posts but most especially this one: Non's colour is red). Or maybe it is one of them and they just grew up at different paces, idk. It happens, man.

TBH I'm not greatly concerned about the pics. What I am concerned about is the narrative implications of this. That his parents's (and, as previously established, especially his mother's [who is the most present parent in his life, as stated by the parents themselves in ep.8])

favourite kid is the one who isn't even theirs by blood. That their favourite son is the one that is not actually their son (I obviously do believe adopted kids are as much people's kids as biological ones, family is made not inherited, but I mean this as strictly talking about the blood relations of these people)! That no one ever loves Non enough to actually save him from doom (bc, like a fairytale princess, the thing that could prevent Non's demise was love).

If his peers had loved him enough he wouldn't have felt the need to cling to that awful gang. If Jin had loved him enough he would've helped him get away from Tee in this episode, at the very least. If his parents had loved him enough, they would've prevented him from falling prey to so many people or, at least, would've been trustworthy for him to talk to and helped him get out of the situations he was getting himself into.

This would also play well with the character's names:

Non. That which/whom isn't.

Who isn't seen, who isn't heard, who isn't loved, who isn't perfect, who isn't who people expected him to be, who isn't the gang's friend, who isn't his parent's perfect son (not blaming him but that's how they see it), who isn't the boyfriend Phee hoped he would be (not blaming him for the sexual assault he suffered, just seeing it through Phee's eyes, pls don't misinterpret).

New. That which/whom is fresh, original. That which just arrived.

Who is a prodigy, a talent, one of a kind. Who is so different from Non and his "crooked ways". Who arrived at the family later. Who just arrived in Thailand, who just arrived in Non's school. Who is a new person, who has a new identity, who has a new life goal.

So, yeah, it is a bit crazy and depends on a lot of circumstantial and potential facts that have not been hinted towards AT ALL by the show. And I recognize that. But I think this is what is fun about theories and speculation and, even if this is not true (likely), I still had fun crafting this and showing it to you guys. At the very least it's entertaining and keeps us thinking.

Pls feel free to add stuff or question stuff in this post, I'd love for us to work together as a community for our little murder gays show. Hehe.

Also, I'll leave you a question myself: if this is true, does it mean Phee and Tan are working together as the killers, only one of them is killing or neither is committing murder? 🤔

[urproblematicfav-arsonk]

What are your thoughts on the newest helluva episode. I don’t hate myself that much to watch an episode about Stoliz. How are Stella and Octavia handled?

"I DONT HATE MYSELF THAT MUCH" OHJJFNDJGELEHNLE

I swear I make one post about how Stolas sucks and now I got like 5 asks help

Uhhhh as an episode by itself, its the same as its always been which is Mediocre™

Been going fUCKIBG INSANE in the dm's with @grimfeywizard over the implications of Satan(and all the Sins??) being in Hell before Lucifer and thus the lowly hellborn/imps are actually indigenous to Hell and Lucifer was the one who forced the whole Sinner's are above Hellborn and the circus theme, but that's technically all AU because despite Satan saying that he was there before Luci....in the ep....as a lore drop......Viv corrected on twitter to tell everyone that he was lying about it because she's a good show runner and is good at writing it turns out.

Satan is sexy as fuck. Big dragon daddy voiced by the hottest bass to hit the hellaverse, Patrick Page. It enrages me to no end that Viv gets this INSANE talent, and just wastes it. Hades is playing Satan and its ufigkgnofjofgjtgitb💦

Stolitz is boring. Blitz gets falsely accused of rape, and correctly accused of stealing the grimoire but instead of Stolas coming clean and saying "I wanted to fuck him also I hate y'all" he just calls Blitz dumb and like, takes the fall in a way that doesn't actually accomplish anything. "I'd rather die then live without you" Stolas you know nothing about that man. You know his dick girth size not anything about him as a person, what are you on about.

Also consent king Ozzie, does absolutely fuck all when someone is falsy accused of a rape that he knows didn't happen and can testify against. "Satan is sooo powerful, the other Sins can't even stand against him!!" Yes they can. They can?? They obviously can. Also why are they there if Satan is the Law and does what he wants.

Also making "even Bee thinks Mam is disgusting for eating a lot" feels fatphobic and weird. Just like....unnecessarily mean spirited? Bel is cute slepy shepy, but Leviathan could be better I think.

And with Stella, she was just robbed, Georgina Leahy was robbed. Once again, more implications that Stella was legitimately being neglected and actually doesn't know how to read or function in her society outside of popping out babies. More evil woman evil with no actual interesting backstory or motivation. I saw some leaks/previews or storyboards, or something about the next ep awhile back and it definitely feels like we're setting up for Octavia to be like "I HATE U DAD!! U ALWAYS PUT SEXUAL PARTNERS FIRST AND NEGLECTED ME!!" And then gasp, reveal!! It was Stella who was the bitch!!!! Stella TRICKED Via into thinking Stolas did those things!! Good thing Stolas doesn't have to make amends with his daughter for the child abuse, because it was alllll her fault. I expect this only to get worse. Really sucks because 2 minutes notice was SUCH a high note for me and then....all this happens so like, fuck me for getting excited I guess. Imma go rewatch centaurworld, Helicopter Mother will save me.

Anyway, bonus funfact: I completely forgot to watch Ghostfuckers because I hated Apology Tour so bad and just didn't take the time. I only watched this ep for Hades lmao

[darling-wendy]

kazurei clues part 1 (ep 7)

Now that the content of Mitsuhito Tsuji's twitter likes have been going around, I'm gonna start going through the occasions where I feel the writers were doing their best to throw out clues about what their intentions were with Rei and Kazuki. First up, because I've got the episode queued up to re-watch and because it's both (imo) obvious and subtle, are the ones I see in episode 7.

To start with, we hadn't seen Kazuki go back to Fairy Lips after episode 1, but this gives concrete confirmation that he stopped going. Of course, raising a young child is busy work, especially when you fell into it with no preparation or experience, but once Miri starts attending daycare, that opens time for him that he could've used with quick trips. Incidentally, we saw what his first choice was for relaxation.

He just wanted to hang out with Rei some more, how quaint lol. (There are several hours in-between them dropping off Miri and them going back to pick her up. I really, really reeeeeaallly wanna know if they seriously just sat in Kyu's restaurant for the whole day lmao.)

And this takes me to what Dorothy says next.

I can't quite make out the exact word she uses in Japanese, but let's assume it is indeed something gender neutral like 'sweetheart'. In the moment, Kazuki is focused on fleeing before Karin can see him, but once he's away and alone with his thoughts, this is what he zeroes in on:

That's what he dwells on for hours, all throughout the rest of his walk home, while doing household chores, at dinner, even during his talk with Kyu. His struggle is the way he's determinedly holding himself in the past because he thinks it's the only way to keep Yuzuko from slipping out of his memories. Being happy, being fulfilled by something else, would mean she's getting shoved out. But in that vein, the mention of having a sweetheart could (and should?) set him in a similar way. Yet they don't overtly go back to that. But they very much tossed that breadcrumb out there.

I'd argue that Rei is functionally filling that role (hell, the preview for this very episode had a back and forth between Kazuki and Kyu where Kazuki obliquely compares Rei to his mom friends' husbands 😭). Miri is the catalyst for the big changes in their household, but it's pretty notable that once he and Rei start raising her together, he loses the inclination to flirt and party with women, and is only shown to do it again while he's in the middle of a breakdown. He hollowed himself inside so as to keep Yuzuko tethered to him. The rush of gambling and partying at Fairy Lips only briefly and shallowly filled the void. But once he and Rei outright form a family unit with Miri, he starts to heal.

Also, look at this face and try to tell me that he doesn't "ironically" refer to Rei as 'hubby' in his head!

The shot preceding this had a POV gaze at Rei's hand over Miri's, followed by a pan over to Rei himself, asleep. The shot of Kazuki smiling all fondly lasts 3 seconds. That's a good amount of time there. I can't help but think the animators were drawing attention to Kazkui having a moment over Rei.

[mikuni14]

Dead Friend Forever - Ep 8

One of the reasons I love DFF so much is the fact that we already have 8 episodes and NONE of them are bad or worse than the previous one, there is no annoying fluctuation or drop in quality. From the first episode, the series maintains a constant, very high level, which is almost unheard of in BL series, or in series in general ✨

DFF has the perfect storytelling for a show about crime and mystery. It is as if we were in a dark room surrounded by vague shapes and with one light source, and with each episode the light gets stronger brings new shapes out of the darkness. In this episode, it was Tee's involvement in Non's disappearance. And also Keng's fate. The crew's behavior at the beginning of the series, their sense of guilt mixed with persistent and aggressive convincing themselves that Non simply disappeared (also - as if it were normal, such a disappearance), and Tee and Top's belief that Non is a ghost (i.e. dead), found a perfect explanation. Because when they see Non for the last time, he is alive. And Tee (and possibly Top because he was there) know more, but not everything. What is clear, however, is the power of delulu in all of them and the creeping, repressed subconscious knowledge that no, Non did not run away with Keng...

My personal comment: while I can objectively consider their shades, greyness, nuances and so on, the fact that they lied to the police without hesitation in Non's case and then everyone preyed and fed on his work and basked in the light of success, eliminates all their "shades". And yes, even Jin showing off his pained face. I'm a fan of PheeJin, but I want to make one thing clear: I'm not interested in his remorse, his or Tee's motivations. I'm interested in the result and how they behaved. I'm interested in their choices. And in the case of these guys, the truth is really clear and out there. It's not about one choice, one mistake. What I mean, an endless SERIES of choices and mistakes ending with Non's disappearance, who no one knows where he is, doesn't go to school, is with some shady adult, doesn't live a normal teenager's life. The way THEY ALL LIVE.

Non's relationship with his parents was amazingly presented, as well as the accusations about which one of them was responsible for his sexuality, which is such a rl experience. It's also telling, that neither of his parents asked him how you were feeling? Do you need help? No, they just made it all about themselves, thought that the teenage child, THEIR CHILD, just did it on its own, probably to spite them. And they immediately compared him to his brother who "would never do something like that." Also Non's mental breakdown, his manic episode, but also how he didn't get rid of his old habits, his gullibility, because he gave in to Tee very easily and drank water from him. This is all very credible. Barcode played phenomenally in this episode, his sobs, screams, laughter, the way he flinches when someone says something to him or touches him. Amazing.

Por is happy with himself and his success and then his father's words "My help in this is not in vain" bring him back to reality. I love his reaction to it, how all his satisfaction disappears. I wonder how many times Por realized that he was just an extension of his father's political career. And that he will never do anything on his own, whatever success he has will always be the work of others, his mother, his father even fucking Greasy. Even Tee said that if it weren't for Por's father, this movie would never have been made.

SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THE PREVIEW OF THE NEXT EPISODE: It seems strange to me that Phee and Tan spent 3 years investigating Non's disapperance, being friends with his bullies and, in Phee's case, sleeping with his potential bully. And only on this trip did they finally decide to uncover Non's fate (I tend to believe that Phee and Tan are not murderers and are conducting a psychological war with these boys, and the murderer acts independently of them). I don't question the fact that it was difficult to get anything out of them, because it was obvious that no one would want to talk about their involvement in something like that (which is why I believe that Phee and Tan came up with a plan to scare them and get information out of them). The only thing that worries me is time. 3 years in the company of your loved one's/ your brother's bullies is A LOT and a very heavy mental burden to bear. But I believe in this series and I know it will explain everything 😍

[alloutofgoddesses]

Percy Jackson TV thoughts -

Season 1, Episode 3

(I’m a book reader and I’m not holding back book spoilers)

The attic is show creaky

And apparently so is Percy

Walker is doing an incredible job portraying Percy’s “I hate everything” attitude

The craziest line reading it’s so stilted thank you Timm Sharp. Also condescending which is very Gabe

That’s awkward as hell why would you gather all the “good candidates”

BLACKJACK HIIIIIII BLACKJACK

Grover you’re killing me

That backpacks full of apples and tin cans you can’t fool me Underwood

Percy is SO FUNNY HELP

“Don’t mix ‘em up” Luke I know I can’t trust you stop being witty

THERE THEY ARE

Annabeth saying goodbye to Thalia… I’m losing it she’s just a BABY

I shouldn’t laugh but I think Thalia would so we’re good

Percy. She’s always in charge.

So no Seaweed Brain and Wisegirl? Rick when I find you

Percy you could’ve put them in your bag and left the box

The way Grover’s hair is styled to cover the horns more when they’re in the mortal world… hairdressers I love you

Can I have the full consensus song please I think it would actually be helpful

Also Grover being a 24 year old dealing with squabbling twelve year olds… Gods speed dude

Annabeth is so perfect. Like. She’s so annoying. It’s spot on. Annabeth is annoying in the books

SCREAM ALECTO!!! They hired the perfect actress for these lines

I get the plot reasons but if you had time to pick up anything WHY THE SHOES AND NOT THE BAG WITH MONEY IN IT PERCY

Please tell me they’re getting rid of the idea that demigods can’t use technology. I always thought it was dumb

Oh no Uncle Ferdinand…

Absolutely laying the tracks for Percy telling the gods to do better by their kids *chef’s kiss*

SO YOU FOLLOW IT? Grover you’re better than this

Hey. If the cyclops next season have those talons. I’m gonna be SO SCARED the whole time

MEEEDDDUUUUSSSSAAAAA!!!! I desperately want to cosplay this

I love the changes already

Percy… that beautiful fatal flaw

I mean yeah you’re mom is almost always right but still be on guard little man

Annabeth. I can’t wait for you to loosen up. She’s wound as right as a violin string.

*cheers from the crowd* I am fully on Medusa’s side btw. No matter what she was a victim of the god’s whims.

Annabeth my little baby you gotta think about multiple perspectives

The little milkshakes on the side. Does Medusa just wait for people to come along to feed or did she smell Percy from a couple miles away and really quickly whip stuff up

Thank god the box is being left behind

THE BASEMENT REALLY GUYS. There had to have been a back door

A MAIL CARRIER? What did a mail carrier do Medusa

I love that the snakes aren’t standing up like a lot of Medusa artworks portray… they’re noodles they wouldn’t be at attention all the time

Oh now THAT’S INSPIRED. Nkt as iconic as the reflective surface of an iPod though

Who’s gonna remind them there’s still one more. Also does this mean she’s a broken statue forever or since she’s a monster she’s reincarnating in Tartarus? I have so many questions

Oh Uncle Ferdinand. I’m glad Grover got to have an emotional moment that he wasn’t afforded in the book

Hell yeah good job Grover. Sometimes you Do have to be a little mean to get past some stuff.

Oh so we get the “I am impertinent” line verbatim but not SEAWEED BRAIN AND WISE GIRL

Percy I’m obsessed with you

Now who could this be

GAH LOOK AT HIM… he looks just a tad angry though lol

So does he have express straight to the throne room since he’s Hermes or did they change the placement of the elevator

AAAAAHHHHHH I need more immediately

Preview for next ep

Why are they splashing him

SHE’S ON THE BUS?!?!?!

Very excited for the arch… I’ve been there and I will be honest I only remember some of the museum stuff at the bottom and how claustrophobic the top is so I’m excited to hopefully jog my memory

[hydrajones]

As promised to no one but myself, here's a quick rundown of my mom's epic Utena theories/reactions as of the end of the Student Council Saga (and ep 13 b/c recap)

-I don't remember anything specific for the first 3 episodes, other than general anger at Saionji and deciding Nanami was a brat. My bad-

-*at start of show* "Okay, mom, pay attention to the opening since it has clues" "Okay!" *episode 4* "Wait, is that the bratty sister in the opening?" "...you just noticed that?" "Oh hush, you know I never pay attention to openings"

-I don't remember exactly what she said, but she quickly realized that Miki REALLY wants to get reconnected with his sister and his 1st crush is getting all mixed in it

-also she officially finds Nanami funny, says she "acts more like a 10 year old" then a 12 year old

-spent the entire Tsuwabuki into episode absolutely funny/shocking. Spent the whole time laughing and gasping

-figures out the lesbian Juri plot twist immediately

-also spent the entire curry episode laughing and lightly concerned over how determind the elephants were

-*about Touga* "He is so not her prince!" <- repeated with more frustration everytime Utena thinks that

-*in episode 9* "I almost feel bad for Saionji..." *he slaps Anthy again* "Nevermind"

-"Well, the girl is Utena but Touga isn't the prince from the opening..?" "Yeah, Saionji just doesn't know about that, and the show is trying to confuse us" "I knew it!"

-*episode 10* "Did... did she kill the cat?" "Yeah" "...WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?!?" "Lots of things"

-*after episode 11* "Just because Anthy HAD to agree with everything Utena said doesn't mean she would have disagreed with her. While Anthy is never truely herself, I think she could be as close to "herself" as possible when she was with Utena, even if she didn't mean to"

-*episode 12 opening sequence* "Okay, so that's Utena's real prince opening his eyes. He's connected to the weird upside down castle and Anthy somehow. The whole "crack the world's shell" thing is probably actually about waking him up, but does the student council know that?" "...maybe!" "You've seen this twice" "I'm trying not to spoil anything!"

-Spent all of episode 12 agreeing with Wakaba

-*when Juri gives Utena the sword* "oh I know her! She's the girl duelist who was in love with the girl" "Yep, and they had that whole love triangle" "Which could have been solved if she just communicated with her crush" "none of the characters communicate" "I KNOW! It's very frustrating!"

-"Just because Touga has the sword of Dios doesn't mean he has Dio's power. Dio's might just give his power to Utena anyways" *later in the duel* "called it! Also is he like... a ghost??"

-"Okay mom, this is the recap episode, but it does have important lore" *after the first flashback* "I think this might be a recap!" (teasing me)

-"So I was right about the prince needing to be reawakened, but they aren't explaing anything else. Also who's the suspicious man talking to him?"

-*in the next episode preview* "...Why does Anthy's brother have the same silhouette as the suspicious man??"

Overall, she's getting the main duelist down pretty good. She's still the most confused about Nanami and Touga. She's technically right about her "Dios" theories, but also technically wrong because AKIO. Also completely unaware of the Anthy twist, but having pretty good opinions about her so far.

Please note she does not know anyone's names besides Anthy and Utena. I paraphrased so it would be easy to tell what she's talking about. She consistantly refers to chacers as "(personality trait/design characteristic) (gender)" (ie. "Bratty sister" or "green hair boy").

We did get to episode 14, but imma put all that into a different post. Hopefully I'll remember to update my drafts every week next time so I don't forget as much!

[agentplutonium]

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Live Blog: watch this PNO book obsessed nerd watch ep three of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Spoilers under the cut. You’ve been warned.

- FUCKING GABE BEING THE ORACLE THATS SO FUNNY

- “and a bag of these things. I think they’re canadian. or from Chucky cheese, I don’t know” PLEASE WHY DID THAT TAKE ME OUTTT

- THE SHOES!! GOD THEYRE SO PRETTY (and so is Luke, but we don’t dwell on that because that’s the point and i have read the books i know where this goes)

- oh god we’re talking about Thalia i’m gonna cry

- ANNABETH!! ANNABETH MY BELOVED!!

- “And you. Are not. Thalia.” YOU TELL HIM GIRL

- THE BUS OH GOD

- “Forbidden Child” is such a metal sentence actually

- Leah is killing it in this role i’m so in love with her acting she’s such an amazing Annabeth

- UGH SHOWING ANNABETHS CHILD SIDE THIS IS SO!!!

- NO ANNABETH FET OUT OF THERE

- “They smell fear.” “That’s bees 🙄” I LOVE THEM

- oh god it’s dodds

- OH GOD SHES BARGAINING FOR PERCY

- HER SISTERS ARE HERE

- well that was disappointing/lh

- this forest is so pretty wait-

- “we don’t need help. we’re fine.” i love her

- “why are you so afraid of who you are?” “what?” DUDE

- THE UNCLE COMMENT. FORESHADOWING. SIR. SIR. i can’t take this

- “Excuse me?” GIRL. LEAH’S ACTING. TOP NOCH.

- “First? What do you mean “first”?” uh oh

- “hamburgers” man we are FLYING through this plot

- “not today, friends, not on my doorstep.” oh god. why is medusa hot. this is unfair.

- “i think we can trust her” white boy is at it again /j

- “we’re not our parents, after all.” oooo tie in to percabeth ???

- “So you’re not a monster, then.” “A survivor.” OOH. SO THIS IS HOW WE’RE PLAYING IT /POS

- “Do you know the story of how I became to be this way?” “I do!” “Do you?” Medusa love you’re gonna make me fall head over heels.

- Are we using Medusa as a metaphor for the reforged bond between Athena/Poseidon with Percabeth

- “My mother is Just. Always.” Girl idk how to tell you this-

- “She’s going to betray you. Sooner or later, people like her, always do.” GIRL YOU BETER STFU-

- BRINGING HIS MOM INTO THIS?? MAAM. MAAM DONT MAKE ME CHANGE MY OPINION IF YOU.

- FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

- GROVER WEARING THE SHOES OH GOD-

- OOO THIS IS AN INTERESTING ROOM

- PFF GROVER FLYING AWAY

- she’s still so pretty, i said what i said-

- PERCY THE GLOW OF THE SWORD

- GEOVER

- the hat on the head that’s p cool

- PLEASE THE TENSION

- ooo that’s smart

- NO NOT THE UNCLE THIS IS SADDER THAN THE BOOKS

- “He doesn’t look afraid.” *DISTANT SOBBING*

- grover speak your truth bb !! god i love him

- “Because the Oracle said one of you would betray me!” NOO PERCY

- “I’m feeling so alone! I don’t know what to think or who to trust.” *MORE DISTANT SOBBING*

- “They will see this as impertinent” “i am impertinent” PLEASE

- GIVING THE HAT BACK AHHHH *cries*

- PERCY SINGING THE SONG PLEASE

- LIN MANUEL MIRANDA :O

- “you guys are not gonna believe this-“ HAH

- fuck the preview makes the next ep look so good i’m so excited

OKAY THATS THE END IF THIS EPISODE guys i’m so in love with this show you don’t understand. i’m so. the autism is coming out. pray for me.

[storiesofsvu]

Happy Thursday!

The preview for mothership looked super good so here’s hoping!!

Unrelated, but ugh I overcooked my chicken tonight. One day I’ll get it right LOL

Was that mike doyle?!

IT ISSSS!!!

Im taking this as confirmation that ryan o’halloren is still alive and well!!

Ohhhhh god here we go. dad really believes this shit? Ugh.

See… accusations like this are why no doors closed when you’re alone with a student exist. No doubt the conversation with the door closed was the kid coming out/asking about being gay, so privacy but STILL. Especially if the teacher is publicly out at the school, he honestly wouldn’t let that happen.

Ngl, high key crushing on Riley too… *sigh* we’ll just add another man to the old man crush list of the week, shall we? (the other one’s Bobby from 911. I dunno what it is about him but its making me weak)

Jfc right after I say that he fucking parkour’s over a goddamn fence… SIR! I’m trying to focus

Oh go this confrontation scene is gut wrenching. The swat/whatever guys were literally about to just go right for the kill, the kid doesn’t really get whats happening. Thank god for shaw.. jfc

Okay is the little convo with lieu about the foster mom the explanation of how they’re legally talking to the kid (who is a minor) without an adult or attorney present?? Cause they can’t get the foster mom? So that counts?? Cause he’s a foster kid??

I mean.. this kid is showing major remorse. (though with his rap sheet who fucking knows lol) he does look hella scared. Props to the actor.

Is Shaw feeling something here? Is he gonna be straddling the line on this one?

OH MY GOD SAM IN THAT FUCKING PLUM SUIT?!!? PLEASE

Ah yes, shaw is on that side. PLEASE! FIGHT NOLAN! He deserves it. Notice how sam didn’t say anything? Notice how she lingered for a second and gave shaw a look? YES MA’AM STANDING UP for shit.

NOT L&O USING BARBA’S OFFICE FOR A JUDGE’S CHAMBERS. Jfc. That office has been used as so many different things it makes about as much sense as olivia’s apartment.

THIRTEEN!!?? Jesus. Yeah this is messy. All kinds of messy. I hate it all.

I REALLY want an episode where Sam gets to go absolutely feral. Like… we just get a quick close up of her face and have to read the subtext when she doesn’t agree with what the men are saying. Casey, Alex, Barba, they’d all get to snap but Sam hasn’t gotten there yet and I need to see it. I need her working a case on her OWN. Or even just away from Nolan, do a semi-crossover ep where it’s a sex crime that twists into a murder so her and carisi are working together on the case…

OH DAMN now the principal’s in on it?!?

Yeah the principal needs to be held responsible for *something*

This is so one of the tricky cases cause it really doesn’t feel like proper justice for the husband, the kid still killed someone. Who knows if he *actually* knew it was loaded or not? Both parties are responsible for something but figuring out punishment is where it gets super tricky….

$10 says the husband kills the kid before this is all over

Ah. Okay. Well yeah this kid deserves to go to prison for sure. He be lyyyyying

Wait… shaw just walked back into the courtroom and sat back down? Is he waiting to tell the ada on purpose??

There’s so much subtext going on in this episode and I hope we’re gonna get explanations about it lol

Okay… how come when shaw withholds evidence its totally fine and no one’s like, yelling at him, but when casey does it she gets suspended??

I fucking missed what Shaw said about why he’s seeing this case with blinders, like, I heard the bit about him and his brother being split up into foster care but I missed the next bit and now im confused

Okay, dick wolf jump scare. Happy Halloween.

Wasn’t ready for the scene to cut to black like that…

SVU

Okay.. that was an interesting open…

Is ‘sexstorted’ an actual word?

God Mariska looks good. Whoever’s been doing her wardrobe and hair and makeup this season is killing it

Well..bronx svu.. we’ve seen how they run things, that’s really not a surprise they fucked up her case… lol

How old is Ruby supposed to be? Cause this girl could literally be like 16 or 28 I have no idea lol

I really like Silva. Actress is good, she popped up on 911 the other ay I was watching it, I hope she sticks around a decent amount of time

UC VELASCO? WERE GETTING SEXY UC VELASCO!???

Also the look on Fin’s face when he was all “Mexico city huh?” LOL

Okay, in love with the little banter between Velasco and silva

LOL what is with Terry and his expensive watch obsession?

Christ he’s so fucking sexy this is NOT fair

As if this bitch doesn’t have a lock on her phone

Okay I get wanting to get this guy, but shouldn’t Velasco have stayed in the van? This very well could have been yet another middle man and he should be keeping his cover…

I definitely understand Kelsey wanting to spin it in order to keep her job/reputation and shit but something doesn’t sit right about lying about being a victim while being the reporter covering the story.

Yeah that money’s gonna take a long time to get back girlie… but at least there’s some kind of a happy ending coming for her

okay, overall liked mothership better tonight but happy to see the full squad back on svu

[jujumin-translates]

Event | Special Edition: Snowfall Street | EP: Anticipated Situation

Homare: …Hm. Today’s tea is once again very fragrant and delicious.

*Phone notification*

Homare: …Hm?

*LIME Start*

Citron: I wartched yor video!

Citron: Homare’s snowman was berry stylish!

*LIME End*

Homare: Video, snowman…?

Homare: Ooh, why he must mean the video we filmed in Hokkaido a few days ago!

Homare: Has it really been uploaded already? I must view it immediately--!

Muku: Arisu-san!!

Homare: Oh, Muku-kun. What is it?

Muku: Here! Please look at this picture that was just posted…!

Homare: Hm. Ah, this is a photo from the drama.

Muku: Yeah! This is a behind-the-scenes picture from the episode set to air next week…

Homare: It appears to be the main cast building a snowman. Oho, this location, could it be…!?

Muku: Yeah! It’s the same place where we built our snowmans a few days ago.

Muku: It’s really an incredible coincidence that we did our photoshoot in the same place and did the exact same thing as the drama.

Muku: I was so surprised by it happening, I just had to tell you right away, Arisu-san and--.

Muku: --Ah! S-Sorry! You were all by yourself and I ended up bothering you…

Homare: No, no, I’m quite glad you told me. Thank you.

Homare: I am very grateful to you, Muku-kun.

Muku: Eh?

Homare: It was all thanks to you that I was able to experience some marvelous works and also have the opportunity of visiting the filming location.

Homare: It was a very fun and valuable experience.

Homare: I plan to mention a bit about the drama and our visit to the location in next month’s column.

Muku: Really…!? I was also really happy to go to the filming location with you, Arisu-san.

Muku: I can’t wait to read the column.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Director: Well then, it’s almost time.

Misumi: Kaaay!

Director: I’ll start the stream. …And, go!

Sakuya: Hello, everyone!

Everyone: We’re MANKAI Company!

Taichi: Did you guys see the video we just posted~?

Azami: This time, we all went to Hokkaido.

Homare: Oho, there’s quite a few people saying they’ve seen it.

Muku: Thank you so much, everyone!

Azami: Yeah, we had seafood bowls. They were really good.

Taichi: They were so fancy and hella great~!

Misumi: There’s also lotsa comments about how everyone enjoyed the snowman building contest~.

Sakuya: Ahaha, yeah. In the end, we didn’t even have a winner.

Taichi: Oh yeah, you’re right… Such a surprisingly chill ending.

Azami: Well, that ain’t so bad sometimes.

Muku: Yeah!

Taichi: Ah, someone said that Homare-san and Mucchan’s snowman was really interesting!

Azami: Someone said it’s probably ‘cause of Homare-san.

Homare: Fufun, it was quite an artful snowman, was it not?

Misumi: Taichi and Azami’s snowman was really big and cool~!

Muku: Misumi-san and Sakuya-kun’s snowman was really cute with its triangular hat.

Sakuya: As for the reason we traveled to Hokkaido…

Sakuya: It was actually for a special edition of the “VELUDO” magazine!

Misumi: Waah! Everyone seems so excited! Ehehe, thanks!

Taichi: And the ones on the cover this time are…! A-chan, take it away!

Azami: Hah? Why me…?

Muku: Fufu, everyone says they want you to tell them.

Azami: …The cover this time will feature Homare-san and Misumi-san.

Misumi: Ye~ah!

Homare: Oho, that’s quite right. Please look forward to it.

Sakuya: We all got to see a preview of the cover and it looked really cool!

Taichi: I bet you guys are all gonna love the more mature vibe the two of them have going on in it~!

Homare: I’ll leave the specific details out so you all can enjoy it when you see it. Ahh, but I shall say one thing…

Homare: Pay special attention to my hair.

Sakuya: Good point!

Taichi: Yeah, yeah!

Muku: We’re also on the special edition page too, so please make sure to check that out too.

Misumi: The special edition page is full of a lotta great pics of lotsa places and things~!

Azami: So don’t miss it, got that?

Director: (...It’s about time. I’ll signal to Sakuya-kun…)

Sakuya: …Well then, that’s about it for today’s Inste Live. Thanks for watching, everyone.

Everyone: As always, we’re MANKAI Company!

Misumi: Bye~!

Homare: Please look forward to the release.

[ ⇠ Previous Part ]

[velvetshirtnumber3]

I want to discuss the beginning of ep 8 teaser, where Ray and Sand are having a conversation. Ray says words to the effect of, "I still want to be friends" and Sand says words to the effect, "We were never friends; you are going to do to Mew what you did to me."

First (no pun intended) of all, Sand is doing what he has already done multiple times in this series: attempting to safeguard his feelings. Sand started off this friendship of sorts with him saying in the confessional essentially that Ray and him sleeping together and being friends had potential to go wrong. Unfortunately for him, he is proved right and starts having feelings for Ray. But he does still hold out a sense of hope that maybe Ray will feel the same way. It isn't a large hope (at least initially), since Sand seems like a person who keeps himself grounded in reality. After all, he is one of the characters who seems to face the problems of reality on a daily basis, having multiple jobs, and not having a lot of money (whereas the rest of them seem more financially secure). But I feel like Sand wouldn't view the idea of Ray having feelings for him as realistic.

Then Ray spends that day going everywhere with him, which is essentially an example of what it could be like being in a relationship with him could be like. They eat breakfast together, go shopping, go to a concert, and are having a really good time together. We see ourselves that Sand says to his mother that him and Ray aren't a thing, but maybe they could be. The events of the episode build hope that maybe Ray and him could be together. And then Boston happens.

He reveals that Ray has feelings for Mew and has had them for years. And just like his hope is broken by reality. Ray has feelings for someone else, including during the whole time Ray and Sand have been hanging out, proving to Sand that anything that made him feel like Ray liked him back was a false hint. So he tries to protect his own feelings by distancing himself from Ray, starting with when Ray tells Sand to ask him any questions. Sand should have taken him up on that, but he doesn't. Ray didn't deny his feelings for Mew when Boston brought it up, so it appears that its true. What else could Ray say about it that would make Sand feel any better? The worst has already been said, so there is no point is asking any more questions. Sand says it isn't his business, meaning he isn't important enough in Ray's life for Ray to need to share his feelings OR Ray's feelings for Mew doesn't overlap with Ray and Sand sleeping together, because at the beginning Ray and Sand has said they would be just friends, so feelings aren't supposed to enter the equation. Either way, emotional distance.

Followed by physical distance: Ray says that Sand has been ignoring messages and asks if he is mad about the whole situation with Mew (which Sand once again replies with that it is none of his business). Sand only is there to tell Ray about the sex tape, and he knows what path telling him will lead to. Ray does the whole revelation at the bar, and Sand realizes that it has gone farther than intended. He tries to stop Ray from driving, then follows him when it doesn't work. He takes care of Ray while he recovers from the car accident (and apologizes for telling Ray about the sex tape, to which Ray says he doesn't need to) and I feel like they fall back into their old dynamic again. Ray brings back the pleases, Sand caves to him, they tease each other a little. The next thing Sand sees regarding Ray is Ray and Mew dancing together, very clearly in a romantic way. His expression is disappointed, definitely, but I think to him it is just further proof that Ray doesn't like him romantically and he should give up on hope, now that Ray has the person he's always wanted. So when in the preview Ray asks if they can be friends, Sand says that they never were friends, shutting Ray down because once again, Sand wants to spare his own feelings. Continuing to be friends, when he would continuous see the person he loves with someone else, would hurt a lot and he is unwilling to do that to himself.

Honestly I think Sand's statements in the preview have a little bitterness to them. I think Sand feels a little used because as I said above, with Sand taking care of Ray after the accident, they fell back into their previous dynamic, maybe Sand thought things were going better again, and now he sees him with Mew. Sand doesn't regret taking care of Ray because he cares about Ray, but I think it definitely stings that Ray ran to Mew afterwards, when Mew did nothing for Ray regarding the accident, and didn't even run after him after the events in the bar (while Sand did and tried to stop Ray from driving).

I think Sand saying we were never friends is interesting too. There were other ways he could have worded that but he chose to say not that they aren't friends, but that they never were.

Is this because he wants to deny connection entirely (more distancing) or because he is stating that their relationship has never been that of friends (what with the kissing and such)?

I'm not sure which one I think but both are interesting.

This got too long so I made it two parts.

Part two here

[alaffy]

Riverdale, Ep. 7x09- Betty and Veronica Double Digest (spoilers)

Ok, well. Wasn't going to have much of a recap...and then the last few minutes happened. Also, do the previews next week mean we might actually get into the plot of the season? We're almost half way through.

So, the episode focuses on Betty and Veronica (and a bit of Jughead). Going to start with Jughead. He's basically sitting in a booth at Pop's, mourning the death of Radberry. He also is able to give Betty some information about the book Lolita and give Veronica advice about her theater problem (both of which have to do with their stories). At the end of the episode, Jughead tells Pop's he's ready to move on from grief; when Tom comes in and says he needs help with Radberry's case.

Veronica is trying to get her theater off the ground. But wouldn't you know it, Hiram has had all the film companies blacklist her? Veronica, with some help from Jughead, is able to find a way make the theater popular and so all the companies want to show their films there now. Because of this, Hiram has the locks changed on the apartment and Veronica starts to live in her theater. Yes, we're back to this shit.

Betty's story is...complicated. Well, the first half isn't. The therapist is trying to figure out why Betty wants sex so much, but Betty is coming to the realization that what she really wants is to figure out who she is. And what better way then to figure out then through someone's desires? A person could write a whole dissertation about how the writers managed to find the worst way to explore something that may not be completely inaccurate. I am not that person.

Also, Betty's first experience? Seriously, Riverdale got really close to loosing another viewer. Now, maybe, that could have been Betty's first time have a crush. Sure, fine. But that's not how they put it. And there is a difference.

And I never want to find out what's in the therapist's notebook. The Lolita part was enough thanks.

But then there's Betty's personality in this episode. While, again, the worst way to do this...I can't be the only one thinking that the way Betty handled things...that's the most Betty has been Riverdale Betty in a long time. I am hoping, at least, with Betty's self discovery of what she really wants we will start to move away from horney Betty. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a women who is in to her own sexual discovery...but it shouldn't be her only trait.

And then there's the one moment between Alice and Betty, where Betty is trying to get Alice to open up. So, does it feel to anyone else like...when Betty was saying Alice said she was afraid for Betty...we weren't talking about the 1950s; like real Riverdale was trying to break in? Because Alice has said something similar to Betty in Riverdale. However, it was also in reference to her being Hal's daughter, which who should end up stopping this conversation; but Hal? I mean, it's clear that the writers want us to recognize something here; but I don't know if we're supposed to question if they're starting to remember or if Hal's about to start killing again.

In the end of the episode, Betty tries to reason with Alice again and Alice tells Betty she's no longer her mother. You know, I thought I would be more happy when Alice finally pulled this crap as it may mean Betty could get away from her toxic ass. However, I don't think this is going to end well for Betty.

[shall-we-go-far-away]

oh I love only friends, I love it for it's endless plot twists! todays episode was wild I enjoyed every second of it, genuinely was on the edge of my seat 99% of the time

I feel like every week I talk about how much I dislike Boston but honestly today the spotlight isn't on him, but one thing to note: the show wouldn't be the same without him, it would be a lot less fun let's be for real here

my personal favorite moments were Sand telling Ray about Top and Boston and the last scene between Mew and Top

something about the way Sand told Ray was so interesting to watch, he kind of poked at him and it seemed like he was hoping that the way he worded things would tip Ray over the edge so he would tell Mew

this way he could get back at Top, who he obviously still hates with a passion and also maybe get back at Ray a little because after all he was hurt by what Boston said about him and Mew (I just don't think he expected things to get out of hand and for Ray to actually get hurt, I'm guessing that's also why he took the microphone from Ray because he didn't want things to get even worse and that's also why he went after Ray when he left)

it was nice seeing Sand who up until now seemed like the most civil person go a little crazy like my guy went in there with a plan, he even broke his phone for his plan to work

now Mew and Top in the bedroom.. first up: a round of applause for Book, he made the most of that scene he acted the shit out of that and I'm already LIVING for Mew's villain-y arc

he had me screeching, punching walls when he played that audio to Top, I knew Mew had it in him to be a little evil (and rightfully so)

and Top just not saying a thing when Mew was out here doubting himself and feeling so used and fucked with?? like say something sir

well, with a preview like that we'll see how that continues

I'm also expecting this whole audio thing to come back to Sand because he really wasn't sneeky about that, Nick knew instantly something was off he just didn't say anything

+ Ray and Sand in the parking lot was pretty upsetting

Sand being so honest and telling Ray he cares about him, and he gets shoved to the ground and called a whore in return, wow thanks

I mean I get it, Ray wasn't really in the state of mind to make rational decisions and a part of me thinks when he got in the car and drove off that Ray maybe even hoped to get into an accident because what would it matter?? he doesn't really see that people care about him (and by people I mean Sand because let's be real, that group of friends?? not the greatest)

alrighty, that's my take on ep. 6 so far, I'm very excited for next week and how everything's gonna unfold now

also wanted to not only give Book but literally everyone a hats off for this episode, the acting was great, they had me so immersed in everything it was wild

[feuqueerfire]

Love Class 2 Live Blogging

I actually wasn't going to do this, I already watched 3 eps and am in the middle of the 4th one but I guess I have more things to say than expected.

Ep 1 (Jan 26): Got confused by the sheer number of characters and also the pair at the beginning were just friends, not love interests, even though it initially seemed like it was lol

Ep 2 (Jan 26): The second couple is like whatever to me rn and the barely-there glimpse of the third couple is doing nothing for me but I'm sooo curious about the first couple. Lee Hyun mentioned they broke up, so that meant they dated? While the older (I'm assuming by 1-2 years) was tutoring him?

Also, loveeee the register switching like in ep 2 during their first convo, Hyun calling him seonsaengnim and using formal language but then getting frustrated and using yeah! and using informal (which Kim Ahn warns him to watch his tone). and also deiciding to go from ssnim to hyung on his own accord lol

Ep 3 (Jan 26): Bro I'm really into Lee Hyun and Kim Ahn fr.

Also, I didn't realize there were after-credit scenes, thought it was a preview for the next episode but it's actually Lee Hyun and Kim Ahn's original story! They really were tutor/student (even though Lee Hyun was like how can you be my tutor we're barely apart in age lol) but awooga love the umm dubious and illicit nature of the relationship (helped along by the fact that they're apparently barely apart in age since Lee Hyun is prlly 17-ish at the time while Kim Ahn's maybe 19? idk exact but if he left 2 years ago and now Lee Hyun is a freshman, Lee Hyun's age makes sense but dunno about Kim Ahn's)

The friendship between Maru-Minwu-Hyun is cute and how they're all affectionate toward Hyun despite him not being like part of their love interest romantic pair. like Minwu at the beginning of the show being cutesy with Hyun enough that I and others thoughts they were the couple and also Maru just crashing at Hyun's and sleeping in same bed w/o it becoming weird.

The reddit posts and the MDL comments make it seem as though most people preferred 2nd or 3rd couple over main couple, so I'm a bit apprehensive that they become weird or off-kilter as the show goes on?? I hope not because they're the only pair I care about rn (though I've warmed up to Maru and Minwu a bit more)

Ep 4 (Jan 26): The third couple is kinda funny but also irritating.

Why did Minwu just call Maru a slut in a mean way?

Bro who is this dude? Is he the one who jumped off the roof? And is following around Kim Ahn?

Bro what is wrong with Minwu fr? I can't believe Maru forgave him so easily already + even said he'll forgive even in the future because they're best friends. Now, Minwu is kissing a drunk, sleeping Maru? girl get it together

Ep 5 (Jan 26): plss the TA and older student slept together???

Oh yeah also this Marriage and Family class is so funny, it's really basically just going on dates with your partner lmfao The class in Bon Appetit was similar right? is this fr a class?

Ep 6 (Jan 26): plsss this girl apparently having a streak of liking gay guys. fell for another one this time: Minwu

this awkward friendship assignment T.T and Maru mentioning the rooftop, why didn't Hyun tell him beforehand! and the girl coming in with jagi

But also, we didn't get Hyun and Ahn sleeping at Hyun's place?

Oh, so Ahn and the friend-non-friend-stalker grew up together at an orphanage, mans is def doing some shaaaady stuff to earn money (actually I thought maybe he's a drug dealer or a pimp but maybe he himself is a sex worker), Ahn tried to make a move on the guy and I'm assuming that's after he and Hyun broke up but idk could be before since it seems like he's in first year uni?

The TA watching the student + his friend who likes gay guys on the swings and getting jealous and then preparing so hard when meeting him next lmao and it ending up really being for modelling for art students lmaoo yknow I'm getting into this couple more

oh, so it seems like Ahn confessed to his weird hyung -> hyung said no -> Ahn and Hyun aren't quite dating yet but hyung does see them hug. so I'm wondering if Ahn and Hyun will indeed actually date since time is tight? maybe they do for a week before Ahn disappears lol

Funny that in the on-air r/boyslove thread for ep 5+6, they keep mentioning the boom mic that wasn't edited out but I didn't notice at all lol

Ep 7 (Jan 26): Hyun getting called both a grown-up and a baby by Ahn hehe

Also love that usually Hyun's using formal but will slip in some banmal here and there, esp when repeating something he already said formally (last ep in front of Ahn's house: gayo -> ga. here hajima-yo and then hajima)

So did Hyun and Ahn actually date before or what? or did Hyun confess? because when Ahn shakes of Hyun's touching, it seems like familiarity from dating + shaking away because of breakup. but now Hyun's acting like he wants Ahn to not see him as a baby, but didn't he already see him as grown if they dated?

Not Maru following Sara and Minwu lol

okayyy Maru also finding the prof's extreme attention for the students strange, esp in a uni setting

Ep 8 (Jan 26): lol Maru's all this thinking and no thinking methods have made him finally decide to kiss Minwu. Although funny to do that while Minwu is supposed to have a gf. Loudass kissing sounds fr, had to mute rip been a while since I had to do that

Bro what is this fucking jackass Hyung up to fr like okay he indeed worked at a host club but under Kim Ahn's name + seduced Ahn's prof as well using his name like what... Idk how this is gonna get wrapped up in a satisfying way, so I wish it wasn't there at all

In certain cases, I feel like such intense relationships with terrible dynamics would have me eating it up but I don't care at all about Kim Ahn and this hyung's relationship unfortunately.

So is this the end of the hyung stalking whatever?

long frozen kiss between Ahn and Hyun but I forgive it lol

heh Maru beating up Minwu bc of the fake dating Sara behind the scene of Sara and the other guy (not Sungmin) talking loll

does Ahn mean sex also when he says they’ve already done everything?

hehe i think i saw this tiktok of hyun already knowing maru and minwu are dating

i def saw a tiktok of drunk hyun talking about how ahn is his bf

Ep 9 (Jan 27):

oh, so sex isn't included in the "we've done everything"

awooga, Hyun and Ahn are cute to meee

pls what's going on, coupling up Sara and the shit-but-reformed manager, the professor that Sungmin has beef w bc he thought he and Juhyuk had smth going on (but is his uncle) with another student or smth

plsss most anticlimactic funny confession scene for Juhyuk and Sungmin

From how people spoke about Ahn and Hyun's relationship, it sounded like they had 1 kiss in ep 10 and it was really bad but they have had like 2 close-lipped kisses and 1 hinting at sex (even though it wasn't shown at all). I find them fine tbh

I binged 8 eps yesterday but dunno why I'm kinda bored of ep 9, I've watched just this much over like 6 hours, just a couple mins at a time

hate the sound of kissing so bad

Obedient Juhyuk, oh okay :)

"I'll be a good boy" Juhyuk, oh okay O.O

Juhyuk and Sungmin scene is good I think but I'm skipping/typing this instead of watching lol

pls drunk Juhyuk funny as hell what's gong on

Ep 10 (Jan 27): There's something about this show where it feels like the cuts of the scenes should be faster? Or they should end sooner? Or conversations should happen faster?

Oh lol they teacher couple didn't know the other 2 couples were dating and those 2 couples didn't know the teacher couple was? lol

Did Sungmin whisper something sex related to Juhyuk? What's with that reaction

pls not the kissing photo, I did see the start of the tiktok of this scene but I don't think I fully watched it, I remember the hand grasp and maybe some clapping? Anyway, awkward because everything public is awkward for me but good for them ig

Overall:

I liked the main couple: a younger, insistent pursuer to an older, reluctant hyung who was also his tutor when the younger was in high school. I didn't find them to be boring or to be ruined because of the frozen kisses. I do wish the random stalker, weird hyung wasn't haunting them for so long though because the premise of this couple is so good. Also, Lee Hyun's face reminded me of NCT Chenle + TXT Yeonjun - he's an idol too BAE173 or smth.

I came around to the second and third couple even though if the show was longer or deeper, I might not have (ie. the random Minwu calling Maru a slut negatively and the miscommunication of Sungmin and Juhyuk might've been more offputting if they got more screentime or we didn't swiftly move on).

I was bored by the last 2 eps though, so ehhh

Rating: 6/10 - I think I've gotten kinder because it maybe should be 5.5?

[boysplanetrecaps]

Boys Planet Recaps, Ep 7, Part 8, Tomboy

Well, my loves, we’ve made it. It’s time for the most important stage performance that ever humankind has beheld: Tomboy. Let’s see if my recap can live up to it. 

Click "keep reading" or whatever and let’s go!

So, we start in Episode 6, at time 2:04:17. 

Huta introduces the team, and then we hear from the judges, who are gushing about how good the members are, as we look at how good they look backstage.

I mean, they do look good, though I have a few questions. 

Stylist noona, what’s with the leather… shoulder… holster… chestbelts? I don’t understand them. 

Stylist noona, why did you put Gunwook in that loose pink shirt? It just makes us lose the definition of his body so he looks sort of vaguely large instead of big in a beefy, sexy way. Don’t get me wrong, boy has a nice bod, but I think the pink shirt confuses the eye into thinking otherwise. 

The audience is super psyched for this team, and so are the other trainees. 

Anyway, our tomboys are: 

Trainee name (rank)   Star Level test Challenge 1 age final star level

Sung Hanbin (1) Beautiful Beautiful /Love Me Right - K 21 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Zhang Hao (5) Kick It - G /Kill This Love - G 22 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hui (7) Shut Down /Love Me Right - K 29 ⭐⭐⭐

Park Gunwook (10) GBTB /Kill This Love - K 18 🌟🌟🌟🌟

As I said before, this team is a little TOO stacked. We spent 5.5 minutes with them earlier this episode, and in that time, we mostly just saw international sweetheart Hanbin get the killing part, and Hao practicing the rap with Hanbin. 

Let’s see what happened in their rehearsal, before they definitely perform, this episode. There’s no way that the won’t perform right at the end of this episode, right? 

They introduce themselves as the Aces, and Hui does this really cringe aegyo thing that makes Huta laugh. (Remember, they’re from the same agency and are probably friendly with each other.) 

The judges continue to gush about these trainees, and they apparently particularly appreciate Zhang Hao’s pronunciation of Korean. Again with that. I agree that it’s important to pronounce Korean well if you’re going to be a k-pop idol, but they’re obsessed. 

We cut to their first rehearsal. Master Lee makes a joke -- it’s so unfair that they didn’t give Gunwook a jacket like the other three! Then they ask Bobby (from Ikon) what he thinks of the group, and Bobby says, “They’re all so tall.” I looked it up, and Bobby is apparently 5’10, and Hui is 5’8. ::shrug:: I guess he couldn't think of what else to say.

Anyway, they have their singing and rapping rehearsal. It sounds great, of course, even though they’re currently singing in the original high key. (They’re planning to go down two steps for the actual performance.) When they’re done, the judges don’t say anything at first, and Zhang Hao’s voiceover tells us that he was expecting to be scolded. Finally, though, the judges say it was great, and Bobby tells Gunwook that his rapping was good enough for him to debut. Aw, yay, Gunwook! That’s probably the kind of feedback he’s daydreamed about getting.

I’ve already ranted a LOT in these recaps about how abusive the judges are on this show, and I just want to point it out AGAIN. Because seriously, for Zhang Hao to EXPECT to be scolded after doing an obviously good job, it just shows that at this point the trainees are traumatized by the constant insults and harsh criticism. Yes, people need honest feedback to grow, but it shouldn’t be insulting. Anyway, you all know how I feel, so I’ll move on. 

At 2:10:05 the show makes it look like they’re going to perform, but they don’t, because we have to wait until next episode. 

Instead, they give us a brief preview of each of the new songs that the top 28 will be performing for the next challenge mission. I’ll give my thoughts on those in the end-of-mission wrap up, which will be coming soon. They also give the most recent ranking, which I’ll also discuss in the recap. There isn’t anything too surprising in it. 

So, let’s skip to Episode 7, 1:47:05. Again, team Tomboy is taking the stage, and again, we’re reminded of how popular and highly ranked the team is. 

Again, we cut to a flashback, this time to the trainees’ group self evaluation. All the trainees are excited to see Team Tomboy and think they did a good job, but still, somehow feel a little let down. It just wasn’t quite as good as they’d hoped or expected. In the feedback forms, Team Tomboy is ranked second by many teams -- my guess is that when they’re second, they’re second to Limousine. Just my guess. Apparently, on many of the feedback forms, Zhang Hao is the member who most needs improvement. 

We hear from Zhang Hao that he’s lost a bit of confidence on this team that didn’t need him as a leader or main vocal. What is he here for? He feels out of ideas.

Hanbin notices that Hao is a little down, and decides to practice with him so they can come up with some ideas together. Soon Hao is feeling much better. (Meanwhile, in the background, you can see Hui and Gunwook working on something together, something written down on paper -- my guess is that Hui is helping Gunwook tweak his rap.)

But then when Hao is feeling better, Hanbin starts feeling sad! Sure, he’s ranked number one, getting more than a million votes more than the person in 2nd place. Sure he’s the center of k-group and king of the killing parts. Sure, he was voted the trainee on his team who is doing the best currently. But what if… he’s NOT the best???? And what if he doesn’t improve?

So that night, he finds himself wandering around the dorms, and ends up crying to Wumuti and Dang Hong Hai, who are just sorta hanging out on a staircase.

I feel him on the whole “why am I crying???” thing. I’ve totally done that -- just started crying over something minimal and then just kind of can’t stop. 

Also, I think DHH is dying his roots. Stars… they’re just like us! (I’m like 90% sure that’s DHH -- am I wrong? It’s hard to see clearly. I only know it’s Wumuti from the captions because we never see his face.) 

Later, Hanbin goes back to his room, and Zhang Hao ends up visiting him and “hugging” him for a bit (that what Hanbin says, though we don't see it happen). Also, Zhang Hao talks Sungbin into giving him a back massage. That’s a unique way to cheer someone up, Hao. I’ll have to try that going forward. When my fella is having a bad day, I’ll offer to let him give me a backrub. …. Well, I think he would be a fan of that, but for a different reason. Anyway.

Ok, I am of two minds about all of this. Part of me is like, yeah, Hanbin has shown vulnerability in the past, rating himself with just 3 stars on the first day, and usually being quite humble about the judges’ feedback. And it’s understandable that being ranked number one with a bullet would create its own form of pressure. You don’t want to have the public turn on you, as it is so prone to do. 

On the other hand, Hanbin is very camera aware. He must know that the public likes you better if you overcome some sort of trial, right? So what if he’s having some sort of rough time, and is uncertain if he’s good enough -- but does that in a nice big obvious way? And what if that somehow leads to quasi skinship with one of the other popular trainees? 

On a third and totally unexpected hand, what if Hanbin is so ideally crafted for going on a show like this that he genuinely and truly does all those exact specific things that make the audience love him? Like, some sensor panel in the back of his head can measure audience support meter and when necessary, prompts him sit down with Kim Gyuvin and chat about how he wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, or fix Matthew’s shirt, or… cry? 

I guess the world will never know. 

Anyway, Hanbin makes it through the long dark teatime of his soul, and gets back to rehearsal the next day, and soon, it’s performance day!

The performance

Link

If you’re wondering what Hui is saying when he draws the tear on his face, it’s

“Why are you cranky girl? What’s that frown on your face?” 

Gunwook’s rap:

“That’s right, you’re a tomboy, genealogy twisted because of me who is a fast ‘05, I don’t want to hear excuses, so talk no more, Bluffing NO, I have a lot to say, but I just… Too many people and too many problems, too many proudly and too many cute.  Girl I’ll be a rock star, get out my way, pray for me.”

My take

This was flawless, in the sense that it didn't have any flaws. And yet, I don’t know, it wasn't my favorite. 

The singing was universally excellent, the rapping was great. The dancing (weren’t they cheating a little bit to also dance?) was a nice touch. They looked great, they executed it all correctly, there were no mistakes at all. And yet. 

Here’s where I think it goes wrong for me -- the song itself. Not that I specifically don’t like this song, because I do like it, Soyeon’s rap aside. It’s a cute little punky rocky pop song, and more importantly, it’s Jeon Soyeon continuing to push feminism in a country that really needs it. For one thing, South Korea has worst gender pay gap among industrialized countries. And I mean, do you remember that story of Irene from Red Velvet being seen reading a book about feminism, and getting backlash for it from angry fans? So Tomboy is more meaningful when you really think about what Soyeon is doing with it -- pushing feminism onto the national stage and making people sing along with it.

So, for me, it’s sort of inappropriate for a male group to cover this song and change some of the lyrics to say “girl” instead of “boy” (“why are you cranky, girl?”). This is a song about the restrictive and prescriptive gender roles that women have to put up with. Take away that meaning, and it’s about as powerful and meaningful as when a white kid covers Jay-Z’s 99 Problems at a karaoke bar. 

There’s no concession to the idea of the song being about blurring gender roles. There’s no meaning to it when Hui sings “do you want a blonde barbie doll? I’m not a doll!” No one thought you were, Hui. There’s no meaning at all to the song as performed by these male trainees, and all their posturing comes to nothing. 

What if they had made the song into a song about how feminism isn’t just for women, that everyone would benefit from relaxing gender roles? What if they had displayed a bit of vulnerability about it -- about liking things that are considered feminine sometimes, maybe? I don’t know, just something. SOMETHING. The topic of gender and gender roles is so big and broad and powerful, there’s so much to talk about and so many angles to approach it from, and they just sort of made a song about wanting to be a rock star, I guess? 

It is asking a lot from them to do something like that when they're playing for audience votes, and maybe I'm being unfair. But it's just that this is the only song whose performance had no meaning. Limousine and Feel Special have obvious meanings, but the other songs have meanings too. Man in Love is about being in love. Love Killa is about fucking. Even Zoom has a meaning -- it's "I'm totally frickin' awesome!" That's a meaning. Not all meanings have to be... meaningful. They just have to exist. What is Tomboy, as performed by these trainees, about? I don't know, and so the performance is weird to me.

They did a fine job. I just think there was no way for a male idol team to cover this song in a straightforward way and make something that I’d want to watch. To be clear, I’m not offended by it, I’m just… bored. Bored and let down. 

I still like all four trainees just fine though. They're good at singing and dancing and that's what I want in a Kpop idol. I'm just trying to explain why this performance left me so cold.

The edit

Everyone loves it, there are constant reactions, everyone has goose pimples, it’s the best thing anyone has ever seen ever. The judges even say that the guys really “understood” the song, and I agree that Hui understood the music and attitude of the song and managed to bring that out in the arrangement. However, I disagree that they understood the meaning or message of the song because if they had, they probably wouldn’t have wanted to perform it in the first place. 

Also, everyone massively overreacts to them saying “fuck”. It’s not a curse in their own language -- are they really that titillated by it? I’m not overcome with naughty surprise every time Bibi says the Korean equivalent of the c-word in “Vengeance.” (The link is to a live stage where they bleep it out every time.) So yeah I don’t get it, but whatever.

The voting

They’re all waiting to find out who won, and everyone’s saying it could be anyone, but is probably Sung Hanbin. 

I love how Krystian is just sort of calmly zoned out.

Turns out number one on this team got 849 votes! That’s the highest score of the night! Who could it be? 

It’s Zhang Hao!

Everyone is pretty surprised. Zhang Shai Bo pops up like a jack in the box with an almost comical look of surprise. I don’t blame him -- it is surprising that a Chinese trainee would win the night. 

His team is super happy for him. Really, it seems that everyone is happy for him. I'm happy for Hao too -- he seems like a real person, you know? Like, there's no act here, as far as I can tell. And he needed the confidence boost.

Hao interviews, in that halting way of his, “I finally won for the first time. The feeling of being acknowledged is such a valuable memory to me. I want to hold onto this feeling. So I’ll show you an unexpected side of me.”

And that brings us to the very end of the Dual Position Battle, and the end of this recap! In the next one, I’ll go over my final thoughts on the challenge as a whole, including favorite performances and whatnot, and also talk about the last few minutes of episode 7.

As always, kamsahamnida for reading.

You, dear reader, are definitely in my top 9!   

[bengiyo]

My Universe: Casanova Begins Ep 2 Stray Thoughts

Last week, we began this mega BL collection and I did not have a good time! Our protagonist is the spirit of a guy who died two years ago and is now somehow possessing the body of a rich playboy who owns a hotel. He's using the opportunity to hit on his boyfriend who has mourned him, but can't tell him who he is. It's kinda dumb, and requires a lot of effort for me to keep straight.

Seems like Pluem and Khao were having big problems before he died.

Oh fuck. Khao caught that someone was reading the old messages.

Now there's a clip we're worried about being leaked?

Obviously this premise is fictional, but hitting on your....ex?...this way feels weird.

I don't think I remember what was said in the letter for the sister to be mad about now.

Now, Pluem. Why would you keep that phone on you and why would you leave the sound on?

I'm glad Khao is having the appropriate reaction to what feels like a huge invasion of his privacy.

Lol, honestly he probably needed to break up with Pluem because he was being paranoid and mean.

There's 27 minutes left in the episode and he's got 22 minutes to live since he told about who he is.

Now, he better not jump.

What the hell is going on? He jumped and now he's waking up in some bed?? Was this all fake?

Wait, so Kim is willing to just hand his body over to Pluem? Khao liked Kim before? There are just so many details to track!

I appreciate all of the shorthands they're using to get through the plot, but OMG what the hell is this??

This show feels like it comes from the same emotional space as Eternal Yesterday, where they want to let a couple say the things they need to say to each other before one is snatched away. Unfortunately, this felt so busy.

Next week, Marry Go Round. I think these are the Destiny Seeker boys. This preview is making me think of Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet (1995).

Oh, I did not like this post credits scene trying to have its cake and eat it too.

Casanova Begins Verdict: 6, Neat Thesis at the End but Too Busy. There's just way too much plot getting to the main point of Khao needing to let go of Pluem. It was interesting that Pluem suggested they break up before his spirit moves on. There are some neat ideas about queer grief and pain if I squint, but squinting I would be. On to the next one, I guess.