#I think this is why I loved the 5x09 love scene so much because he finally got a smile like this one all for himself

[somethoughtsgurl]

James deserved to see this smile

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Saturday wonderful fandom :) Ahhh the next in the line of goodies to come. This one doesn’t have a ton for them but doesn’t mean there isn’t absolute gems in it. So it'll be a littler shorter than the last one ha Also Aaron is amazingly hilarious in this episode. I love him to death. Let us get started.

5x09 Take Back

We start off with Tim being Watch Commander while Grey is miserable in NYC ha Things get immediately awkward when Chris arrives. Still clueless as ever asking Tim of all people about Lucy’s taste in houses. I mean if you don’t know her taste at this point should you really be buying a house together? Tim looks intrigued when he says he needs his opinion then it gets so awkward when it's about a house...

Tim is so very uncomfortable when he asks his opinion. Knowing this is going NOWHERE for Chris. I’ll never forget this hilarious post I saw about this scene after it premiered. I couldn't find it this time around. Had the lyrics from anti-hero by Taylor swift. ‘It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem it’s me.’ You ain’t ever getting that house with her because of that man sitting there LOL Idk why that post made me laugh so hard but it did. It stuck with me clearly haha

It’s so very weird Chris comes to Tim for this. It's obvious he knows Tim knows her the best. Crazy to me he's not threatened at all by that fact. Clearly he isn’t if he’s coming to Tim for advice. Blows my mind how blind he is. Lucy comes in asking what they’re talking about? Chris tells her he found THE house. Lucy looking as uncomfortable as ever at this news. Saying he's going to call the realtor and call her later. Lucy's high pitched 'I can't wait...' Couldn't be more awkward if she tried.

He gives her a kiss on the cheek and leaves. Tim giving that good ole fake Sanford smile when he does. Tim's face crack me up. Like he stole your girl and you have no idea you putz heh Also just so on brand for Chris to not see how uncomfortable Lucy was. He’s been blind their entire relationship It’s unreal. You can also see how much Tim hates seeing him kiss her. Even if it’s on the cheek.

It’s almost a grimace really as he watches it. Probably thinking of all the ways he could easily kick his scrawny ass haha That fake smile begging for Chris to leave the room so this awkwardness can pass. How Chris doesn’t pick up on either of these vibes I don't know. But then we call him the clueless clown for a reason don’t we?

Lucy doesn’t look comfortable till Chris leaves the office. Tim asking 'How the breakup is going?' HA Cleary it's going well Timothy...Lucy tells him she’s in the planning stages. Just reviewing the literature. Classic Lucy response. Wanting to plan this out completely before pursuing it. Tim telling her a psychology journal isn’t going to tell her how to break up with Chris. I mean he's not wrong.... It's just a bandaid you have to rip off even if its uncomfortable as hell.

He’s so matter of fact with his wording. Using a sports metaphor to explain how she should do it. Makes me wonder if he's actually done this before? Ha She’s adorable in her reply of saying ‘Playbill?’ She truly has no idea what he’s talking about. It’s too funny. It's comical really Tim giving her advice on how to break up with Chris. So you know he can date her haha

Tim has been very patient in all this but you can see him getting a little antsy about it. It is interesting how full circle this moment is. He set them up in 4x12 and now he’s ready to help break them down in this 5x09. Tim is just so ready for Lucy to do this cause he’s anxiously waiting to be with her. It’s pretty damn cute if you ask me. He’s trying to be patient but also is like can we hurry this along a bit?

Lucy says that’s too cruel she wants to handle it her way. No matter how this goes down Chris is going to be hurt though. It's how breakups go there is alway someone who walks away more upset about it. Her empathy taking the front seat in this decision. Where Tim just wants her to rip the bandaid off. Get this over with ASAP.

This is where we see little bit of Tim’s self doubt kick in. It's written all over his face when he asks her if she's having doubts? Worried she’s delaying this because she is having second thoughts about him. About them. Lucy immediately squashes his anxiety with her reply. Shooting massive heart eyes his way as well. She wants Tim to know she’s all in just like he is. That there is nothing for him to worry about.

I love how sure Lucy looks when she tells him 'No, I'm not'. She is so certain this is what she wants. Needs him to know this as well. Not a doubt in her mind about this whole thing. She just has stuff to work out with this breakup first. The certainty in her eyes is everything. Nothing makes more sense to her in this moment than him.

That confidence of hers is why Tim relaxes the way he does above. His whole body draining of the tension he was carrying. His cute smile saying ‘Good.’ Could this man be more of a soft puppy for her? Look at him. That hope and excitement back in his eyes. Lucy replying in kind with her own 'In love 'gaze. They’re both all in and it makes my heart very happy. Also they’re having a full on flirt session in Grey’s office for everyone to see.

I adore Tim being so open and vulnerable in this scene. Making sure she wasn’t backing out. The same Tim who couldn’t communicate in his other relationships to save his life. But with this he is checking in with her. Letting Lucy know his stress about her not breaking up with Chris yet. Lucy assuages his worries instantly. When it’s the right one the harder stuff seems a little easier. More natural. Lucy sensed that panic and instantly calms him with her words and heart eyes. Gah so good. Look at these idiots in love. I just adore them so very much.

This next scene with Aaron is pure gold. I love him so much he cracks me up. Never expected him to be as funny as he is. He notes how quiet she is being and is asking what's going on? Lucy letting him know she needs to break up with Chris. First off like to say we are all Aaron when he says ‘Finally.’ To her breaking up with Chris. Yesssss and Hallelujah finally breaking up with the clown. Nails it even further when he says Chris was never on her level. I mean yeah he never was. Not ever.

Aaron is speaking for the whole Chenford fandom in this moment LOL Chris had nine lives with her and they've finally run out. Aaron's reaction is the best part of this scene. I love that he knew where Lucy's heart was and it obviously wasn't with Chris. He knows it’s with Tim 100 percent. Like most people in their world do. Tim is her equal in so many ways it’s insane. Chris could never compare as Lucy figured out last ep.

Aaron tells her they can practice her breaking up with him. So it’s much easier when the time comes. It’s not a bad idea tbh. This is where it gets hilarious. Lucy brings up them looking at houses. Aaron kinda judging her for letting get as far as looking at houses. Telling her 'Yikes....' HA Tell us how you really feel my man. Lucy reprimanding him saying that is not helpful....Oh Aaron I love you so very much.

Lucy starts her speech trying to find her footing in what she is trying to say. She looks over at Aaron in the middle of it and see he is crying. lol If you didn't laugh at this scene you're dead inside. It's so damn funny. Lucy asking him WTF he is doing? Aaron telling her he is channeling Chris's pain LMFAO I mean he's not wrong she had to be prepared for an emotional response. It's just the way he went about this that is so hysterical. He is having way too much fun with this.

Telling her they should do angry next. I'm rolling. Lucy is doing some channeling of her own. She is channeling her man in this scene. It’s so funny. So aggravated with his role playing in this. Wondering why she asked for his advice in the first place? hahaha They then get a call about a 'Navi'. Lucy is so confused. Aaron geeks out and says it's from Avatar. Tells Lucy she should ask if it’s full grown. The look she gives she is channeling her husband again so much. ‘Aaron, it’s a fictional character...’ LMAO

I really love this ending scene with them. Aaron wants to do one more practice run with her. Lucy tells him she doesn’t need it. (Oh but you do....) That she’s just going to go with her gut on this one. It sounds like a solid idea in the moment but it's honestly the worst thing to wing it. Especially when it's something this intense.

When something is this emotional the right words tend not to just come to you IMO. They sure don't for me. I love him being brutally honest with her about it LOL Saying it’s a terrible idea. That he likes the sentiment but this isn't going to end well. I mean he’s not wrong as we will see here in a bit. Lucy once again channeling Tim in this moment. Cutting him off from saying anything else and just tells him good night haha

We get to the breakup scene we’ve all been waiting for. Lucy is bumbling and awkward. Not knowing where to start. Chris once again blind as a bat. He has no idea why she’s acting this way. Lucy curses Aaron for being right about this moment. Saying she should practiced more LOL I adore her panicking and defaulting to Tim’s playbook advice haha idk what’s funnier that or her being shocked Chris knows what she means by saying that.

All that prep and thinking this out and she went with her man’s advice on how to end this. This makes me giddy to no end. I bet you it’s cause Tim was on her mind from the minute Chris entered the apartment. My guess is that is part of the reason she fell back on his advice. Literally the most Lucy Chen thing ever to use it then be surprised Chris knew what she meant. I love her sfm haha

Chris stumbles around shocked as hell she’s breaking up with him. He seems so very blindsided by the whole thing. I mean if the man opened his eyes for once he wouldn’t be that shocked…But this Chris we are talking about. Lucy tries to get him to talk to her more. Saying they should sit down and talk this out. Chris just bails not wanting to talk at all. Not wanting to fight for her at all. Just takes off like a child who didn't get what he wanted.

Now I’m ok with this. Obviously we all are. Just goes to show you Tim was willing to fight for her and Chris wasn’t in the end. Lucy said it was over and he just left. I mean he wasn’t wrong there isn’t much to talk about out. She doesn’t love him. But still no fight in him at all after Lucy does this. Just folds like a cheap suit. A clueless clown from beginning to end...

We’ve reached the scene of the ep that made us all swoon and squee. I remember feeling so anxious to get to this scene. I had to re-watch the episode to truly appreciate it all. I was too antsy to get back to them sharing a screen. I was so damn giddy this was the place we were in. They spent the majority of this episode apart. So all I could focus on was her coming back to him in this moment.

I adore Lucy coming back into the station to talk about the breakup right away. Needing to share this news with him as soon as she could. I love that she returned to work just to tell him about this. So anxious to get back to Tim after it was done. Lucy wanted him to know as soon as she could it was over with Chris. Knowing he was just as anxious as she was about the breakup. It's sweet how he tentatively approaches her when she says why she is back.

He wants to be understanding about it. Seeing if she wants to talk about it more. Doesn't just want to jump the gun and bulldoze her feelings about the matter. Lucy isn't there to chat about that though. She wants to cash in on him asking her out. Because she couldn’t wait another second without him asking her out again. They're both so damn nervous and sweet in this scene. Fidgety and excited about the prospect of their future. Lucy messing with her hands the entire time as she explains the breakup. Tim keeping his distance while she explains it.

Gah I love her fidgeting near her ring as she approaches Tim. Anxiously awaiting for him to ask her out again. Lucy’s nervous way of reminding him to ask her again like they decided. How she looks into the bullpen before approaching Tim. Saying ‘So…’ He looks nervously excited by her doing this. Eric the king of expressions strikes again. The way his eyes go to check the bullpen as well before refocusing on her. He isn't sure what she is going to do in this moment.

The entire station can see into this office. He looks so friggin cute in his nervousness. I love that that she makes him nervous like this it's so adorable. Lucy gains her confidence and looks him directly in the eye flirty as can be. Asking him if there's something he wants to ask her? The whole purpose of her returning to work is to secure their date. Telling him about the breakup was the catalyst yes. But truly she was wanting to hear him ask her out again.

Tim see's her confidence and starts shaking off his own nerves. Replying in a sassy manner. Their banter the undercurrent of this moment going forward. Fueling them with the courage to say what they want to. Tim can't help being playful and sassy with her replying ‘I can’t remember.’ Doing that cute smirk of his that I love so very much. Wanting to push her buttons a little because well it's Tim.

Lucy is affectionately violent in her reply haha Look at her she is beaming with adoration. She loves this goober in front of her so very much. ‘Don't make me hurt you.’ Because she would legit hurt him if she had to in this moment haha I saw a funny parallel from this to her ripping that tape off in 4x07. She'll do it Timothy LOL Don't test your girl.

I love how he gets serious after she says this. It's the way he slowly moves towards her. That intent look on his face in the first one. *fans self* gah. Then in the second one the way he melts for her. In a way only Lucy gets to see. Asking with as much giddiness and excitement as I ever seen in this man. "Do you wanna go out on a date? Look at this puppy of a man. He is beyond excited to ask her this question again. Knowing now he will get a yes with no stipulations this time around. There is still a little nervous hesitation in his delivery which is precious.

Lucy is bursting at the seams with absolute giddiness when she replies ‘Yeah. I do.’ So happy he's asked her again. How one looks when the man they love asks them out. There’s so much to love about this scene. He’s asking her out in the Watch Commanders office. I love that sfm. Both ecstatic they’re finally going on a date with nothing holding them back now. They’re at work and have to restrain themselves from being too obvious. Which you know they suck at heh

My god anyone looking in on them in that last gif could see how in love these two are. They're so excited just to be around each other right now. The way they’re just standing there looking into each other’s eyes with the dopiest in love smiles. I cannot. I remember thinking the break was gonna take forever to get through. What a time to be alive watching this the first time I remember. LOL

~~~

Side notes -non Chenford

Is it just me or does John have more chemistry with Genny than he does Bailey? Thought I’ve always had from this ep. Probably just me but I always thought they had solid chemistry.

Greys have a ROUGH SL in NYC.

Celina also has a hard time in the ep. With their suspect dying in custody. She has a tough rookie year.

[theghostofashton]

I agree with you! TK has a totally valid perspective, but I don't love the way he put it across, and how dismissive he seemed of Carlos and his trauma around Gabriel's death. Did not feel much like the TK we know and love tbh.

yeah, completely agree. this is where i'm landing, i think.

and the thing is i understand where tk is coming from, i really, really do. his perspective is totally valid, like you said. last ep brought up a lot of stuff from his childhood, flashbacks to distant fathers and feeling unloved and struggling with that for a long time, and so i completely get why he would want to do everything in his power to make sure jonah never has to experience that. i get his urgency as well, i think it makes sense.

what i'm having a hard time with is, as you said, how dismissive he comes across of carlos's trauma and everything to do with gabriel. he feels strangely cold in that scene, unwilling to hear what carlos is saying even as carlos is trying to talk through some very valid logistical concerns, let alone his feelings about the situation. there's moments throughout the ep where gabriel's death and case are mentioned and carlos gets so emotional, this is clearly still very raw for him. he's getting teary-eyed and choked up and trying to compose himself and i think that's why tk's reactions hit a little bit harder for me.

the scene after the shootout also didn't really sit well. i didn't love how tk responded to carlos trying to check in and express that he had some regrets about their earlier conversation. it felt like carlos was trying his best to reach out, and tk wasn't willing to budge, and...i don't know. i'm still sitting with that and trying to understand where it came from. it just felt cold in a way that we've never seen from tk before and i think that's what i'm having a hard time with.

i think, overall, this feels very unbalanced for me, and i think it's a combination of things. it comes off as tk's perspective is the "correct" one, in they should adopt jonah and carlos needs to get on board with that, without any of the warmth or care extended to why carlos is struggling so much with it to begin with. he just... he felt very alone in this ep, learning that the rangers have basically dropped the ball on gabriel's case contrasted with how emotional and dialed in he's been on that the whole season. i don't know. i need time to sit with it more but i'm really hoping 5x09 clarifies some of this because i'm struggling a lot with this ep.

[princeescaluswords]

not sure if it was meant to be done elsewhere, but my favorite fic of yours is 'Ten Things That Scott McCall Can't Say'!

Thank you!

I wanted to point out something. In Second Chance at First Line (1x02) Scott gets angry at Stiles while riding in the Jeep because he feels Stiles is treating Scott's transformation and the danger like a quest in a video game:

Scott: I can't find anything about wolfsbane being used for burial. Stiles: Just keep looking. Maybe it's like a ritual or something, like maybe they bury you as a wolf. Or maybe it's like a special skill, you know? Like something you have to learn. Scott: I'll put it on my to - do list, right underneath figuring out how the hell I'm playing this game tonight. Stiles: Maybe it's different for girl werewolves. Scott: Okay! Stop it! Stiles: Stop what? Scott: Stop saying "werewolves"! Stop enjoying this so much.

Now, we're supposed to believe that Scott's agitated mental state is due to the wolfsbane rope concealed in Stiles's backpack, but this scene also marks something else, just as important. This is the last time we see Scott get angry at Stiles because of how Stiles behaves toward Scott. Scott may become exasperated at Stiles's insistence on murder as a solution when it comes to Derek, Jackson, and Liam, but that is in defense of others, and Scott does judge Stiles in Lies of Omission (5x09) when he believes that Stiles kills Donovan to protect his father, but I cannot think of another time when Scott expresses anger or even frustration at Stiles at how Stiles treats him specifically. If you've read my blog know I believe that there were plenty of opportunities for this.

Now, moving forward to the other end of Scott's character development, compare this exchange to the scene in Pressure Test (6x15), where Scott is gathering his things to leave Beacon County after his father negotiates a deal.

Rafael: Look, I know this isn't what you wanted, but it's the right decision. When Stilinski called... Scott: Can you hand me that shirt right there? Rafael: Now, you can be mad at me, but I'd rather watch you leave the state than watch you die. Scott: (SIGHS) I'm not mad. I get why you did it. Rafael: Scott, you're not the only one who gets to protect his family. I'll be downstairs.

We've seen Scott lay into his father before in Insatiable (3x23), but he doesn't in this instance. While the circumstances are different, both scenes have a character making what's happening to Scott about them instead. But now, six seasons have passed, and Scott has learned that there are things he can't say -- or, more precisely, emotions he can't express during a crisis situation.

Teen Wolf made it a point to explore the burdens of leadership. Derek was an incompetent alpha because he made decisions based on his emotional reactions to events -- anger at what had been done to him and his family -- and Scott has managed to mature into someone who can put aside his own emotions in order to do what must be done. Scott has demonstrated this growth, and he will do it again in Season 6 when -- after a harrowing night of listening to his mother struggle to live on the operating table -- he goes to Peter -- Peter! -- and asks him to join the fight against Monroe.

Personally, I literally seethe in reaction to that scene in Eichen House in Werewolves of London (6x17), but the show was relentless in its conviction that a good leader has to put their own emotional responses to the side in order to be effective. I would have loved if Scott had unloaded, verbally or physically, on Peter after that villain enabled a fanatic to point an assault rifle at his own daughter and the man trying to protect his ungrateful ass, but that wouldn't have made stopping Monroe any easier. So Scott didn't.

Fanfiction gives us what canon didn't, and the lesson Scott learn about suppressing his own reasonable emotional responses is what I explored in this story. I suspect that the movie commented on that by having Scott move to Los Angeles -- somewhere he could be free to express himself -- but I wish it had been more explicit.

[thefutureiswhat]

My (brutally honest) thoughts on Fargo 5.10

I was gonna wait awhile to write up my thoughts, but my mind is racing and I've had too much caffeine, so here goes nothing...

Gonna be real here, my reaction on first watch was major disappointment. Going into the finale, this season was neck and neck with 3 as my overall favorite, and I felt like this episode ruined that.

Basically as soon as Witt died I checked out. I don't usually say this about fictional characters because I feel like it often misses the point, but he deserved better. And that death was so ridiculously preventable. Roy refuses to drop the knife, is basically telling Witt he's gonna kill him, Witt has a gun... JUST SHOOT HIM!

The moment with Gator and Dot just didn't feel earned to me. This guy breaks into your house, threatens your family, refuses to help you when you're being held hostage, says he hopes you die... and you're gonna bring him cookies in jail?

Nothing after the scene with Dot in the back of the car is real life, and I'm shocked that more people don't realize this.

The FBI drives Dot to her burned-down house that doesn't even look that damaged despite firefighters still "extinguishing the embers" the next morning, instead of... I don't know... a hospital? Lorraine's house? That woman needs an IV!

After the time jump... it's the height of the pandemic (the era Hawley said he wanted to avoid) but no one's wearing masks or distancing; Scotty is wearing pink; lactose-intolerant Wayne is eating sour cream, cheddar, and buttermilk; Dot is wearing clothes (yellow cardigan, plaid coat) that shouldn't have survived the fire.

Also the title is "Bisquik" (not "Bisquick") for a reason.

That entire cemetery scene was the cringiest thing I've ever seen. It was like something out of a Lifetime movie. It was the most un-Fargo scene in the entire series.

Dot doesn't seem to know even the most basic details about Witt despite it being a year since he died and her being so distraught over his death? Did she not go to the funeral? Read his obituary? Talk to Indira in the past year?

Indira is taking care of Witt's cat? They barely knew each other, and he has six sisters! Wouldn't one of them get the cat?

Munch coming back for his "pound of flesh" in real life after his last encounter with Dot just... doesn't make any sense? Does he want to kill her? Why didn't he do it when he had the chance? Why isn't he doing it now? What is he waiting for?

That whole scene with Munch was just... too long.

Okay, I'll stop being quite so negative...

I'm still on the fence about the execution, but after looking at the episode according to @tdciago's "Gaear is the author" theory, there's A LOT to unpack here. I need to watch the finale (and the entire season) again to really solidify it.

Basically, I think 5x09 was about wrapping up the "justice for Jean Lundegaard" aspect of the story (which I absolutely loved -- that last scene with Dot and Munch was one of my favorites of the entire series), and 5x10 was about wrapping up the "forgiveness for Gaear" aspect.

What I love about this show is that it always strikes such a wonderful balance between compelling storytelling/character work and deeper thematic/symbolic meaning. I think this episode lacked the former and had a heck of a lot of the latter (deceptively so). So I'm pretty much split down the middle on it... like a car cut in half with a chainsaw. Kind of perfect, actually.

More thoughts/analysis surely to come.

[daniclaytcn]

20 Questions for fic Writers!

i was tagged by @lover-of-mine of mine, thank you!!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

25!

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

131,694

3. What fandoms do you write for?

i currently write only for 911, but i've also written fic for once upon a time!

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

the feeling you can know so much (without knowing anything at all) — a 5x09 coda where eddie calls buck out on what he's doing with taylor 'cause you were never mine — a 5x14 coda where the instructor at the equestrian centre assumes that buck is chris' other dad dancing in a snow globe 'round and 'round — my very first 911 fic! it's just pure fluff where buck and eddie get together while buck is babysitting jee (who has a different name in the fic since it was written before 4B, rip) hustling for the good life (never thought i'd meet you here) — different first meeting AU where buck and eddie meet at adriana's wedding, pre-canon how long (till we call this love?) — post s6 finale, where buck and eddie fight over natalia and marisol; have a ton of misunderstandings, but eventually get together

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

i haven't always been the greatest at responding, but i've been doing my best on all my latest fics, because people are just so kind and i always feel like they deserve a response :)

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

hm, i haven't really written fics that end unhappily...but humari adhuri kahani (our incomplete story), where buck and eddie don't end up together

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

hm, maybe hustling for the good life (never thought i meet you here) because buck and eddie get together a lot sooner and they actually communicate in this fic xD

8. Do you get hate on fics?

i vaguely remember once getting a nasty comment on an ouat fic, but that was the only one.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

i don't, usually...in my recent fic, but i can see all along, love (it was you all the way down), i wrote a very brief description of a sex scene, but i've never written more than that.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

i've never written one

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not to my knowledge!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

nope!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

twice! one of them wasn't on ao3, but the other, humari adhuri kahani (our incomplete story) i co-wrote with @bieddiediaz and @queerdiaz!

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

probably buddie xD but captain swan (ouat) comes pretty close!

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

my buddie flower shop AU that i started a couple of months back, but never had the motivation to write lol

16. What are your writing strengths?

i think i have a strong grasp on characterization, which is something that people have often told me, and which is probably the most important thing to me while writing fic

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

i'm...not Great at writing long fics xD most of my fics are less than 5k, and i have only a handful that have gone beyond 10k. i'm still struggling with the commitment and skill it takes to write a long fic

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

i haven't tried to write in anything other than english, so i wouldn't know

19. First fandom you wrote for?

i think it was some anime fandom back when i was still going through that phase, but i barely remember it now

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

my most recent fic, but i can see all along, love (it was you all the way down)! this fic is my baby and i poured so much into it, and the response to it has been so heartwarming :)

i don't know who's already done this, but no-pressure tagging: @tawaifeddiediaz @hattalove @henswilsons @messyhairdiaz @eddiebabygirldiaz and anyone else who wants to do this!

[jimmyspades]

Random very rambling Boston Legal finale thoughts bc I’m bored some sorta spoilers obviously

Sometimes I think the writers forget Alan is a widower lol (like that scene earlier in 5x09 when he says "I was lucky enough to stave off the evil that so ages men... marriage.") but then 5x12 he says "I always thought, if I were to get married again..." so. I guess they remembered !

I'd always pictured Alan coming from a relatively well-off family, in large part bc of those episodes of The Practice season 8 where he goes back to his hometown of Dedham and his best friend is from a wealthy family, wealthy neighborhood, and also his general tastes and almost patrician attitude and things. But after noticing that line from the Thanksgiving episode—"I grew up in a very estranged, unhappy house. Most Thanksgivings my mother spent serving dinner in other people's homes"—which makes it clear they were not rich and perhaps the opposite? But nevertheless, keeping that fact in mind when Alan says he's always dreamt of opening a legal aid firm to help poor people who can't afford it...... sweet man. He’s done so much good and he’s only getting started

On a similar-ish note. Something about Alan remembering everything that’s ever happened to him—every wrong, every pain, every cruel word from his father, every time he was used. He’s been cursed with a steel-trap memory, it’s why he keeps people at arms length. But now that’s the one thing his best friend is losing, his mind. And as Denny’s legal partner and eventual caretaker, Alan’s curse becomes a blessing—he can remember for both of them. He’ll always be there to remember everything Denny forgets, to reassure him for the rest of his life. Ohhh man. Soulmates.

Still waiting for John Larroquette to share an autobiography someday because I would loveeee to hear his thoughts on the show generally/working with James specifically. On Night Court in the 80s, John and Richard Moll had some issues working together for the very same reasons I imagine John and James would not exactly mesh (work style/approach to acting)... but blegal is a much different show in style and format that I thiiiiink would negate some of those potential problems. But fascinated to hear how they got on!

How it feels thinking 100x harder about these TV lawyers than the writers did. Specifically being so mad about Alan Shore I want to analyze him like a bug I love him so deeply he’s such a wonderfully complicated character—while knowing it was just James’ day job for a couple years ago and probably means nothing to him on any deeper level and he hasn’t thought about him since 2008:

[twdmusicboxmystery]

hello. i’m the nonny who sent you the interview with kirkman where he talks about tys hallucinations. i’ve recently been rewatching twd and just finished 5x09. i just wanted to point out a couple things and give a quick analysis.

the constant use of the line ‘it went the way it had to, the way it was always going to go’ is very telling i think. it says that what happened to beth was inevitable, and it HAD to go that way. in that’s in favour of the storyline, and what beth will become. if she stayed with the group, she might of stayed the way she always was, with the protection of rick and co, she wouldn’t of got the development she needed. hence why it had to go that way to further beth’s character and develop her further. pair this with ‘it’s better now’ which could refer to that her fate will be better in the long run. 

we see multiple shots of a walker in a car, the camera focuses on it not once but TWICE, once at the start and again later in the episode. the group stares at it uncomfortably, adding credibility to the theory of her being left in a car. 

beth is also the last person to appear in the hallucinations, in a different scene. usually the best is saved for last or it could be a hint that one is not like the others. the whole episode is very strangely edited unlike any other in twd. it was purposeful to make audiences who aren’t paying as close attention to think the funeral at the start is beth’s, but we see at the end it’s tyresse’s when they show the exact same shot from the beginning at the end.

i think after reading your post about the leak of daryl listening to the radio and looking shocked. you speculated that maybe he heard beth on the radio or something about her. which is a parallel to tys hallucination where beth’s singing comes through the radio. it’s weirdly shot in the way that we first heard he radio glitching, then beth’s singing coming through it. but we see her singing in person, yet her voice still comes through the radio. this is really strange as they have a visual of her singing, yet her voice is coming through a different outlet.

another thing that i wanted to mention but didn’t know where to fit it in was the yellow sun on the ground that was focused on. beth’s signature colour to me is yellow as it was the colour of her top in still, she’s blonde, and she’s sort of seen as a ‘ray of sunshine’ in the apocalypse. this to me is hinting at beth still being alive and present in the apocalypse

let me know your thoughts💗

I completely agree with all of your analysis above. I think 5x09 is one ginormous hint to Beth's future arc, and it's all tied up with the CRM (we see lots of hints of them in the room where Ty is hallucinating, though at this point in the series, we had very little knowledge of them).

I also remember someone--I want to say Andrew Lincoln, but don't quote me on that--saying this was one of his favorite episodes that they ever filmed. Given how strange and abstract the episode is, I really side-eyed that. Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorite episodes, too. I love it, but mostly because of what I think it foretells for Beth.

To have one of the actors say an episode that, as you say, is strangely edited and largely unexplained, is their favorite, makes me think they know things that we don't. I totally want to shake them and make them tell us why. But of course they're not going to do that.

So yeah. Like I said, I totally agree with everything you said. I liked how you explained the weirdness of both seeing Beth AND having her voice come out of the radio. I hadn't thought about it quite like that before.

Here's to hoping we finally get a fulfillment of this strange episode in the Daryl spinoff. Thanks so much for your thoughts and analysis. Xoxo! ☔️💝

[consoledacup]

Not a question, just piggybacking off the 4x18 post + your response. But pls give your thoughts on anything I said.

I want to know how & when Spencer knew Layla was one of Jordan’s favorite people lol (4x18). & if it was bc he peeped them spending more time together, then the secret dating could’ve been so much better with him & liv spying on jordayla. Tailing them as they snuck around to more places than JUST the studio.

I think Spencer was noticing the closeness developing with jordayla, specifically Jordan's affection for Layla. Not in a romantic way because he had no idea until 5x09.

But steadily, he realized they were like, best friends. He might have seen Jordan worrying about Layla when they were all at the hospital for Coop, he might not have. But Layla moving into the Baker house definitely signified how close she really was to their family.

And Spencer saw Jordan just go completely full steam ahead planning her over-the-top bday party that JJ set up. He even told Liv Jordan wasn't gonna like it when he found out they had returned the piñata, thus altering Layla's party.

He saw them get chummier. Like, they were always together and involved in their Vortex, but they tended to pair themselves off now. So Layla probably went to a lot of the parties JJ threw at the beach house when she was in town. And she and Jordan most likely hung out together.

Jordan might have casually mentioned that he was gonna be a buffer between Layla and her dad at the Baker house, and he might have seen them together at Preach's thing the next day. And Layla, Jordan, and Liv went to the gym opening together, so again, he's discovering how close Jordan and Layla are becoming. He doesn't put any weight on it or think about it one way or the other, but there are a lot of opportunities for him to piece together.

She was there at the party at the beach house where everyone praised Jordan for his winning touchdown and Spencer's fire play. They most likely stuck by each other most of the night. And he was there when Jordan announced that he'd be accompanying Layla to the studio.

And jordayla had to have told everyone that they were stuck in her studio, hence the reason why they were absent. Then he finds out either from Liv or Layla that Jordan and Layla took a road trip to see Carrie. Because he didn't react when Layla talked about confronting her, so he knew what happened. And he had the final opportunity to notice jordayla spending time together at his apparel launch.

So... he's surrounded by potential moments. Not sure if he paid attention to all of them, but when it came down to cheering Jordan up, he knew exactly to ask.

To your second point, as fun as secret relationships can be with the hi-jinx of it all, I really respected this storyline. Layla's reasons for keeping things secret came from a really pure place. Once Jordan clarified that she wasn't ashamed of him and wasn't hiding him, they were able to treat their relationship with so much tenderness and care.

So I don't mind that Spencer and Liv didn't catch on until later. And everything about 5x09 was gold. I think Daniel's humor is severely underrated. And the scenes he had with Mike and Greta were just hilarious. I also thought Spencer's reaction and talk with Jordan after was very lovely.

Also, Liv finding out when she did worked beautifully for the moment. And I loved each one of her close calls with them beforehand.

[winderlylandchime]

1/2 And we are now on 5x09, his only request for the episode is that Britin gets back together bc there’s only 2 cds left so they dont have much time: ‘how am I supposed to dance to the intro song when nothing in the show is how it’s supposed to be?’ The ep starts with Mikey and Ben having sex ‘not to be a prick but that is also not what i asked for. (The scene with the ladies for vote yes on prop 14 happens) *starts laughing* this is the only funny thing Mike has done in this season’ ‘look how Brian has been hanging with Emy and Ted lately but they don’t want me to see it. Ugh Mike. GOOD BRIAN! Ignore him. Forever!’ Deb asks mikey if him and Brian will ever talk again ‘oh look who cares now! Little miss “you gotta let Mikey go”. Mike doesn’t deserve Brian for what he said to him. Fuck you Mike, how about you tell her what you said to him? Fuck this whole shit show.’ Justin is about to meet Tucker! ‘OH? YOU GO GIRL! LOOK AT MY GIRL! That should’ve been me with her.’ ‘Now why is he passive aggressive to Jen? Why does he keep acting like a little shit? *pauses tv on jen standing in front of Justins painting* tell me that shit doesn’t look like something Brian would hang above his bed. Or in his office! Anyway *starts ep again* justin…you dated a kazoo player with a bad goatee, youre nobody to judge. Why is he so fucking horrible to Jen? HES JUDGING ABOUT AGE GAPS?! Bro, you need to fucking chill, shes a grown ass woman who can do whatever she wants…even if its not me’ and we are at the Brian/Debbie scene ‘look how pretty he looks. Debbie! If she’s here for Mike, she has to go. But if its for Blondie, than come on in. GET HIGH TOGETHER! HELL YEAH! *points to Brian smoking* i know damn well that fucker smokes in real life. One of me! See, we would be friends (i make a joke about how theyd only bond over cigarettes and thats it) i have bonded with people over far less! You’d be amazed at my ability to connect over anything. (Debbie says she doesnt like how hes been treating mikey) EXCUSE ME?! HE? WHAT ABOUT MIKE? You know what? Get out. Mike is always a fucking victim. Nobody ever stands up for Brian. Except me! *points at Brian* i think i used to have that zip up hoodie..you know who else fell in love Deb? brian! Now lets talk about that instead. *puts his cast up and spins his left index finger around his cast* here’s mikey and here’s the world. Not everything is about him. Can she please realize that her son is a little shit to Brian too? Why is he always the one who has to compromise and sacrifice? Man, fuck this whole show’ And that scene with the store being broken in is on ‘well shit. Not to be a dick but *sings very horribly* karmaaaa. Fuck now i feel bad for saying that but also fuck him for hurting Brian’ The Drew/Em scene is up now ‘HOLY SHIT DREW CAME OUT! AHHHHH YOU GO BOY! A guy like him? Bro fuck you. YEAH EMMETT HELPED HIM! Wait. HOLY FUCKING SHIT HE KISSED HIM ON LIVE TV! OH MY GOD!’ And we are at the gallery now ‘ive been so busy with everything else, i forgot about this. (Justin makes a face at the critic)*points to Justin* this! Is the fucking look and reaction he would give to Brian during that stupid dinner the second Marty and Elliot opened their mouth. And i know I’m right. Why is he calling the critic a cunt tho?’

That Ben/Mikey scene is only tolerable because they piss off that homophobe. THE ONLY REASON I ALLOW IT.

Justin being such a little shit to Tucker further confirms the writers decided to change his character is inexplicable ways. The Justin we knew would high five Jen about getting a hottie mchotterson

You’d be amazed at my ability to connect over anything. <- I do not doubt this is the case. Your brother has tumblr friends he doesn't even know about.

Why is he always the one who has to compromise and sacrifice? Man, fuck this whole show MMHMM

HOLY FUCKING SHIT HE KISSED HIM ON LIVE TV! OH MY GOD! Emmett getting the love he deserves (btw Cat Emmettt is being a little shit as I write my responses to these. He's been sick for most of the year and I'm glad he's feeling better but BRO CHILL TF OUT)

[kinetic-elaboration]

October 3: AHS 5x09 She Wants Revenge

The best thing about this episode was how incredibly campy it was, and all the actresses just scenery chewing and going all out in the best way. Angela Bassett is always particularly fun in this way because she just really digs the knife in and seems like she’s having fun going to 11. There wasn’t much Kathy Bates but I really, really enjoyed her little monologue before she killed the porn stars. “Donovan is going to be so proud of his new mother.” Just something about how calm she was when saying it and little inflections in her voice, it just really did me in.

And I do think I underestimated Lady Gaga when she was cast in this role. She’d done no acting at the time so it really seemed like stunt casting but I like her a lot as the Countess. As the season goes on, she becomes more compelling to me, and I thin the character is a good balance of attractive and scary. Certain momets she just…really gets to me because she reminds me of someone and it’s a little eerie.

Liz fits into this category even though she’s not played by a woman. I know she had like 2 scenes but they were so good! “Because she’s a bitch…with no soul.” “I’ve witnessed a lot.”

I’m not really keen on the vampire kids story and especially not the vampire kids with measles story… I don’t really get the point. Unless it really ties in with everything else later it just seems like this random thing they started and didn’t really know what to do with. It eats up a lot of time for not really being connected to any other story or, in my opinion, particularly compelling on its own. I feel like it should be, but it’s like… I think it’s that it’s weirdly sized. It’s long enough to eat in considerable time (especially if you include the like 3 episodes of measles-stuff pre-vampire) but not long enough to compete in any way with the million other stories (missing for several episodes at a time). And except for Alex, no main characters even know these kids let alone interact with them. So it just feels like a waste: a story that can’t stand alone, sucking time away from other story lines.

Anyway, awful long rant for like two minutes of the episode. I was just trying to fiure out why it wasn’t gelling for me because I feel like it SHOULD work.

The double-triple-quadruple crossing bit with Donovan, Ramona, and the Countess reminded me of that Community episode that’s just like 23 minutes of double-crosses. I can’t help it. Every time there’s so much as a triple cross in a piece of media, that’s the first thing I think of. It was a decent enough story line but I’m not invested quite enough to keep up properly. (I’m really here just for the camp, as I said.)

I didn’t like Ramona’s back story so much mostly because I just thought it was way too sad. Like it wasn’t poorly done but I just can’t handle stuff like that so I mostly tuned out for it.

I’m very glad there was no Detective Serial Killer today (I’m sure he’ll be back), fairly minimal March and fairly minimal Valentino. He’s not the worst but he doesn’t compel me. I don’t see the Countess’s interest in him so it’s hard for me to follow this whole ‘her one true love’ thing because why? What’s the appeal?

Getting actually kinda close to the end… I’ve seen almost everything I remember so there should be some surprises left.

[momentofmemory]

Hello again! Me in a reblog instead of replies this time, since giving responses was welcomed.

I struggled a bit as to how to arrange this as so many (common) talking points were in your post, but I’m going to try to give short responses to each (you’re welcome to ask for an extensive answer to any, but for one-post’s sake I’ll be shortening or in some cases linking elsewhere for others), and then attempting to provide a bit of background for understanding how the bedrock of fandom’s racism—not even necessarily your own biases!—plays into how all of these interpretations of Scott have risen to “common” knowledge.

1. Scott and Murder

He is perfectly ok with Gerard being dead if it meant that his mother is safe from the threats by Gerard - there’s no evidence, in show or in extra materials, that Scott intended to kill Gerard by switching the pills to Mountain Ash. On the contrary, all it did was ensure Gerard would not be able to accept the bite—if Scott had wanted Gerard dead, switching the pills with cyanide, an offensive poison, would’ve been much simpler than Mountain Ash, a defensive countermeasure.

He is not supposed to guilt trip Stiles for a pure act of self defence - he shouldn’t and he doesn’t! Scott was lied to and told a version of events wherein Stiles did not act in self defense (5x08), and in the rain fight they both missed that the stories were different (5x09). When Stiles tells Scott what actually happened, Scott very gently just says “i know what self-defense is,” alleviating stiles’ misplaced guilt over not understanding his own innocence (due to Stiles’ own very real trauma).

He is perfectly ok with killing Peter if it meant he doesn’t become a werewolf - Scott became a werewolf because Peter attacked and violated his body, something he didn’t ask for and Peter did exclusively for personal gain. Peter was also still actively murdering people, and—somewhat crucially—Scott is willing to consider this plan both bc 1)he’s been threatened with death multiple times because of his forced species change and 2)Derek presents the plan, which Derek knows is a lie. Also, absolutely every character in the narrative wants Peter dead for pretty good reasons at this point, so I’m not really sure why this is here at all.

2. Scott and Derek

He is not supposed to force Derek against his will to bite Gerard - Scott doesn’t; Gerard does. As Gerard says in 2x12, it’s been his plan since day 1 to force Derek to give him the bite—which Derek recognizes will result in Gerard immediately killing all of them so Gerard can become Alpha. Scott apologizes to Derek for what’s to come, because he doesn’t want this to happen either, but thankfully Scott had already realized what Gerard had planned to do—and so had switched the pills not with the intent to kill Gerard, but to protect Derek.

He is not supposed to say “maybe they had a reason to do it” - Scott says this in episode 4, after which the sum total of Scott’s experience with werewolves has been them stalking, hurting, killing, and mind controlling him. Now crucially, Scott was wrong, and Derek was very correctly hurt by this statement. Derek immediately corrects him. Scott never argues against this again—all he does is state that not every Argent can be blamed for what happened, because Allison is literally innocent.

He is not supposed to let Derek die and immediately kiss his back from dead girlfriend - genuinely, why? he didn’t let derek die—derek made an active decision to sacrifice himself to save everyone else (which i think was an incredibly poor writing decision, but it didn’t speak badly of any of the characters). immediately seeking comfort from others after a brush with death is extremely common, which is why everyone else on the field rushes to their loved ones as well. and as soon as Scott and Allison break apart, it’s Scott—no one else—that rushes to comfort Eli.

3. Misc

He is not supposed to abuse Isaac - agreed! i think every scott fan or otherwise hates these scenes and thinks davis should go directly to jail! i also think stiles shouldn’t tell isaac he’s “milking” his abuse in the same episode, or that Derek should literally victim blame Lydia about Peter (3x02). No one sincerely holds Derek or Stiles at fault for these cases, bc they’re 1)isolated and 2)the product of davis being absolutely terrible with trauma, which is why Scott should not be either.

Okay, that was a lot! Thank you for sticking with me thus far.

Now, we get to the more complicated part of where all of these came from.

I don't know how long you've been in teen wolf fandom, but in order to understand it you really have to know how bad it was towards Scott. Like, really, really bad. Headcanons and interpretations don't just happen in a vacuum; they're influenced by the posts we read, the gifsets we see, the fic we enjoy. And during the show's airing, there was an extremely dedicated meta writing group that specialized in taking absolutely anything Scott did and turning it into Scott being The Devil Incarnate—and every pre-movie reason you listed above started with that group, because they were that influential. You do not have to be personally racist to dislike Scott, but most of the anti-scott meta that influences teen wolf fandom today was built on racist interpretations.

If you'd like to learn more about the history of fandom racism as it relates to Teen Wolf, I'd super recommend stitchmediamix's articles in the What Fandom Racism Looks Like series, an older archive of the racism OG scott fandom experienced, or for more general reading (some tw specific, some not), my tag for fandom racism.

Okay!!!!!!!!

I'm a poc.

I can't stress this enough. I'm gonna lose my mind if I see another post about "you are a racist if you don't like Scott McCall". I don't really hate him, he is just not my top fav character.

The trope I hate the most in ensemble cast is-character not being called out or not facing the consequences because of their decisions or the things they do. This perfectly applies to Scott McCall.

He is perfectly ok with killing Peter if it meant he doesn't become a werewolf.

He is perfectly ok with Gerard being dead if it meant that his mother is safe from the threats by Gerard.

But no one says anything on this. Everyone just keeps saying he is a morally goody goody boy which he isn't.

If it is meant to be character development then people should agree that Scott is not perfect which no one addresses in the show.

He is a teenager. Of course he makes stupid decisions but everyone treats him like he is some kinda god in the show that it's very hard to treat him like a normal teenager.

He is not supposed to abuse Isaac.

He is not supposed to force Derek against his will to bite Gerard.

He is not supposed to let Derek die and immediately kiss his back from dead girlfriend.

He is not supposed to say "maybe they had a reason to do it" and honestly everyone that supports this statement is sick to the core. If anything Derek has every reason to be outright angry and kill every living Argent but he doesn't do that but you know what he does? Safely drops his enemy's daughter at her house. And everyone wonders why Derek is a fan favourite next to Stiles.

He is not supposed to guilt trip Stiles for a pure act of self defence.

I can go on and on for the reasons why Scott isn't my fav character but his race is not one of them. I also very recently got to know that he is a poc but he is not my fav character since long back.

[zalrb]

3 Nick and June 5x09 Thoughts

OK granted, I just skimmed this episode but I found their scene together to be rich with so much nuance so I’m going to do what I always do, break down my interpretation.

1. 5x09 Nick and June

were giving me Early Seasons Nick and June vibes.

In the first two seasons, I said that one aspect of Osblaine that I relished was their ‘in between’ moments because I found those moments to be where we really saw how much June loves Nick even though she wasn’t ready to verbalize that (from a previous response to an anon who said they didn’t think June loved Nick):

I think it’s clear that June loves Nick and the reason why I think it’s clear is because there are moments in almost every one of their scenes that show this.

I think we have the more direct moments:

and the more direct gestures/facial cues:

But what makes it clear for me, are the moments between that, because that’s when you see her struggle and attempt to reconcile all of her situations.

[...] in 2x07, as I already mentioned, she has the “what about you?” line and they have the passionate kiss

but it’s this that I find telling:

because she allowed herself to give in completely, lose herself completely, and be with Nick and this reaction is a culmination of things [...] but I also think it’s a self-admonishment because she allowed herself to just love Nick with that kiss.

And their scene and the dialogue around Nick this episode reminded me of this because June attempts to control her expressions. When Mark tells her he offered Nick a way to come to Canada, which is still on the table, she does her best not to smile

even when he mentions his name, she tries not to smile

which also happens when Mark says that he can set up a meeting between the two of them that very day

she does her best to react as if this is just business, this is just a means to an end

because she’s committed to her life in Canada now, she promised Luke that she would be “there.”

And when she sees Nick waiting for her,

like she’s seen him do many times before

(or appear to her like many times before)

she’s trying not to feel that pull, that jolt, that relief, that joy, she presses her lips together

to stop herself from doing this

but everything she’s trying to contain comes out anyway, and I think it’s important to note that it comes out when she realizes that Nick isn’t going to have a handmaid in his house because Rose is pregnant

like she’s shocked

but she’s also almost happy

because Nick will not participate in the Ceremony, Nick is still Nick, the same man she had to plead with so he would consummate his marriage with Eden.

While there’s also I think a bit of sadness and jealousy mixed in

But the moment he starts walking toward her, she’s grinning and flirtatious and familiar and knowing

because she can’t help it, the affection is there, the love is there, it’s very reminiscent of 2x12

which is especially evident in the way she says “I love you” which leads me to

2. When June says this

it definitely brought me back to 4x09

which then brought me back to 2x12

which then brought me back to 1x03

This idea of each other as their ... not even fantasy but as their peace, this idea that they would be happier and they would be content and they would be free if everything else went away and they remained or if everything else remained but they went away, that’s prevalent, and consistent with them and so beautiful especially since Nick’s response is saying the world can’t go away for a little bit because it’s going to be difficult for us to see each other

and June’s response is I don’t want to fuck up your life

 but what really struck me about their entire exchange is the mutual sense of understanding and stubbornness about the “everything else” where they are both like, I have people I need to look out for and consider

I am coming to you as someone whose second nature is to ensure the safety of my family no matter the cost

June has seen what Nick will do for his family because he did it for her and Holly

and Nick has obviously seen what June will do for her family because of everything she has done and tried to do and is doing and will do for Hannah

but then after all of that is established, their obligations, their commitments, their charges, Nick tells her he loves her, thereby being like, you know even with Rose, even with my unborn child with Rose, I’m in love with you, and he says it in this matter-of-fact, my-feelings-haven’t-changed, I-will-always-be-in-love-with-you kind of simple, Nick way,

which he’s done in the past

and June is breathless and on the verge of tears because she can’t not say it back, not when she feels it this powerfully, not with everything they’ve been through and the way she lowers her head is one of those “in between” moments to me because she’s at conflict, because their lives are moving on without each other and yet they’re always present in each other’s lives, her love for him is always there so how can she still contain it?

3. Their physicality. I have also always said that Nick and June have a magnetic quality to their connection

 ok, can we talk about...                                                        

The way Nick and June are so attuned to each other? I mentioned it in a previous post of mine, citing more the magnetic quality they have where you see them drawn toward each other [...] I’ve already spoken about 1x08, how June turns away at the last possible moment, the way her eyes close at his touch, the way he hovers near her, that magnetic pull and physical attune

and you see that in this scene, he leans forward a bit and she leans forward a bit too

and the urge to kiss is so strong, Nick is about to do it and June is about to let him, it’s what they both want, it’s what they both feel, it’s what they both need, but their messy world hasn’t gone away so he curbs such a natural impulse, particularly since June and Nick are physical outside of sex there’s always this urge to physically connect

and June is breathless with the nearness of it and the absence.

and OH MY GOD THE ANGST.

Thank you @splitscreen​ @skyshipper​ @pegscarters​ @give-me-a-thousandkisses​ @midniightsrains @resistancerising56​ for all of the good gifs.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Ok lets try this again - Buck bts mini meta!

So we have the above jumper which I've already written a little bit about how its similar in chunkiness to a couple of others, this one from season 3 - adaptive skateboarding with Chris

and this one from season 4 - games night at the Diaz house

but there is something else I remembered. the colour and waffly-ness actually ties into this jumper from 3x06

and the very same jumper from 4x04/5 when Buck finds out about Daniel.

I've never really connected these two scenes before, but actually it makes totally sense when you think about it - a woman driving around completely oblivious to this person stuck in her windshield - just like Buck - completely oblivious to this massive secret in his life - until the baby box reveals it.

Then there is this new bts

which has me all kinds of 👀👀👀 because this is so not a Buck costume - trust me as someone who has spent far far to long staring at the clothes worn on this show, I can assure you we've never ever seen Buck in anything thats even close to this outfit and thats why I'm fairly convinced that this is for an AU scene(s) of some kind because there is a very specific reason that you’d change Bucks style in this way.

there's been the arguement floating around that this is just Buck dressing up because his parents are in town, but he didn't dress as preppy Buck the last time they were in town

We had this dark grey shirt - very in keeping with Bucks costumes

and this dark purple (almost black) sweater - again in keeping with his other costumes

and then the only other interaction we have is when he's in uniform. Even flashback Buck's outfits are in keeping with present Buck outfits, so this preppy Buck outfit is standing out because it is so different from his usual choices.

I wouldn't normally comment on trousers - its hit and miss as to whether they'll be seen on screen, so while a costume designer will make sure they're in keeping with a character, its not the part of the outfit you generally choose to relay information to the audience - that isn't to say it doesn't happen (we've seen it with Hen a few times) but its less common.

Unless you go very out of character with them - then it becomes intentional and that is what we have going on here. Buck tends to wear either navy, black or grey trousers, but we've only seen him in a colour outside of those 3 colours a handful of times - some olive khaki ones (1x05, 1x07 2x06 2x07 2x17) and then some tan ones in season 2 (2x08). we saw him in some teal green shorts in 5x09 but thats it and all of those trousers are muted in tone. So these bright yellow ochre trousers (which I think are corduroy) are very very loud!

The striped shirt is fitting in to to theory I have about when we see Buck in vertical stripes and it representing Buck being emotionally compromised in some way - if this outfit does sit within an AU of some description, it still maintains that theory - because who is to say how Buck would’ve been treated if Daniel did live - because although it would have meant he was a different person - it doesn’t necessarily follow that that alternate version of Buck wouldn’t still have parental issues!

The green jumper is very interesting as well- its tonally in the same range as the mint green shirt from 6x07 and these two greens sit separate from all the other greens we’ve seen Buck in - those have either been jewel toned or olive toned. What I’m going to be interested in seeing between now and when this outfit appears is if we get a steady darkening of the greens Buck wears. The mint green is very very light - its almost white, while this one is much brighter and subsequently darker and my feeling is that we’ll get to see Bucks growth manifest in a darkening of the green he wears - the concept of which makes my colour theory loving heart sing - because green means growth and watching a character grow as the greens darken - chefs kiss ���

Then there is the preppy nature of this outfit - which I have to say - really doesn’t fit Buck at all - the shirt and jumper combo - again not something we’ve seen on Buck before - shirt and jacket, yes, jumper and jacket, yes, but shirt and jumper - well this will be the first time (Unless we see one between now and this one being on our screens. I also want to add a little aside about the fact that Buck is wearing his watch - in the past when we’ve seen Buck in long sleeves outside of work, he hasn’t tended to be wearing his watch - I’ve said before how his watch wearing outside of work is sporadic and doesn’t seem to fit into a specific pattern - unlike Eddie’s watch wearing. Well this season Buck has worn his watch ALL. THE. TIME!! and it appears this is carrying on into 6b and its clearly intentional - almost like the Eddie and time metaphor has been transfered onto Buck - which is a whole other post!!!

Ok I’d typed up all of the above before 6x08 aired - I just hadn’t posted it because I finished writing it just before the episode went out and I didn’t want this to get lost in the tsunami of live blogging etc! I’m adding this in because my little thing above about the green shirts getting darker - we actually saw it start to happen last night!!!! that shirt in the return to the ren faire scene with Hen - same tone but a darker shade!! I love you Kenni Wallace you are making this costume and colour nerd very very happy right now!

[camelotsheart]

i thought i was finished spiralling over this scene but apparently i’m not

trying to dissect what arthur thinks of merlin after the reveal is so interesting because it’s clear that he doesn’t think merlin’s motives are against camelot, or else he wouldn’t send merlin right to gwen - the woman he loves and the queen of camelot. i think arthur never stops believing what merlin says in 4x13; that all merlin wants is for albion to be united and for camelot and arthur to be the greatest kingdom and king the world has ever known

what arthur doubts now is the sincerity of their friendship. when arthur says “i trusted you” he doesn’t mean “i trusted your loyalty to camelot”, he means “i trusted you to be my closest friend and confidant and now i feel like i misplaced my trust, like on many other occasions”. 

that’s why merlin replies to it with “i’m sorry”, because he knows its not his loyalty being questioned, it’s their friendship, and the fact that arthur replies with “i’m sorry too” is his acknowledgement of the fact that he also had a role in this. that his actions caused merlin to not be able to truly be open to him. and that’s why later, he asks merlin why merlin didn’t tell him - because he wants to know what he could have done better even if it was now too late

and it’s just. when arthur says “i trusted you”, he’s still in the stage of doubting merlin’s motives. i don’t think he really internalises the fact that their friendship was real before merlin says “and i also do this because you’re my friend and i don’t want to lose you” the next morning - it’s why he asks merlin “why are you doing this?”

so in that case, what arthur is actually apologising for is merlin the sorcerer - the one who had to hide who he was in order to bring about the unification of albion. he’s apologising for the fact that merlin had to risk his life everyday and live in a place that hates people of his kind. i find this compelling because it’s one thing for arthur to apologise to a merlin as a friend, but it’s another thing entirely for arthur to apologise to a sorcerer - one that he knows has a good heart (it parallels to what dolma says in 5x09 “there is no evil in sorcery only in the hearts of men” and what arthur himself says to defend gwen in 1x03 “there is no evil in this girl’s heart”)

it’s fascinating because it’s similar to his actions in 2x08 when he challenges uther. yes, much of arthur’s anger is due to the fact that uther’s actions led to ygraine’s death, but part of it is also due to the genocide uther led against innocent people. My favourite lines from that scene is “You hunted her kind like animals! How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?” and “ After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live?He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself.“ because it’s arthur realising and acknowledging the injustice that has been done to magic users. 

in 2x08, he realises it through ygraine telling the truth. in 5x13, he realises it (or the extent of it, since i do believe he followed what the dolma said about remembering that no evil lies in magic) through merlin telling the truth

[jimmymcgools]

Why do you think Kim and Jimmy haven't said I love you? Do you think they will eventually? How do you think that will go?

hi anon! big question! did you know that the writers thought about including it in 5x09? tom tweeted out this half-completed board, from before they'd settled on all the scenes.

i'm a bit of a boring doylist > watsonian sometimes and my first answer for why they haven't said it on screen is because it's such a strong and interesting writing choice! it's the whole show in a nutshell, to me. the pinnacle of show don't tell.

(there's some interview (help me out here, pals, i'm pretty sure it's over zoom) where rhea is asked this same question about kim and jimmy not saying 'i love you' and she's surprised to hear that they haven't. which i’m obsessed with!! bless rhea playing the unspoken “i love you”s that hard)

it's also such an interesting contrast with other relationships in the wider bcs/brba where we *do* hear those words spoken more often. i absolutely feel that chuck loves jimmy, but this is making me think about the scene where he's rehearsing his testimony in chicanery. rehearsing saying "i love my brother", among other things.

(or more specifically, rehearsing his "i love my brother, but", because from chuck it's always "i love my brother, but" -- we get that in 2x04, too)

so in one of the two most important relationships in jimmy's live, we have the words "i love you" spoken as evidence, wielded as argument.

and the writers also talk about how unspoken things often have more power than spoken things. they bring it up regarding kim's backstory, as well as the idea that you have to be careful with flashbacks because you don't want to accidentally boil down someone's entire personality to a single event that happened one afternoon in their childhood.

i'm glad that the writers decided that jimmy and kim's love is another powerful unspoken thing.

but have they *ever* said it to each other, in-universe? i think that's up for your own interpretation. the dropped scene from 5x09 tells me that, in some moment in time, at least, the writers figured that jimmy would be surprised to hear an "i love you" from kim.

but whether you think they've never ever said it, or just say it very rarely, or whatever combination, it's definitely interesting to consider why the two of them might be reticent with those specific words.

i sorta resist the idea of jimmy being effusive with love and just waiting for kim to say it, because that feels like it's slipping too much into an ice bitch kim & simpy jimmy read on the relationship that imo is way too reductive.

(chewy food for thought: do we ever hear jimmy tell chuck he loves him on screen? maybe jimmy keeps those words real close to his chest, too.)

it's definitely a juicy thought that both of them had relationships in their past where the words "i love you" were spoken a lot but were used a manipulation or as evidence or even just felt meaningless -- and so the words were corrupted.

kim's relationship with her mother springs to mind right away, but i can also absolutely see jimmy resenting effusive love offered by his dad if he thinks his dad isn't actually acting in a way that demonstrates it -- you say you love me but you never listen to me, you're weak & you're ruining the family, etc. etc., good morning to emo teen james mcgill.

i hope this was something! i'm sorry that i slightly shifted your question to one i found easier to answer, i'm boring and sometimes shy away from analyzing in-character motivations, and i'm not letting my brain think about potential s6 scenes or moments just yet!