#IT PHYSICALLY PAINED ME TO NOT WRITE BILLYS DEATH SO INCLUDED IT AND USED IT AS A CONVENIENT PLOT DEVICE

[jaegerisim]

PT1

PT2

TW: internalized homophobia, manipulation, panic attacks and mileven making out (sorry y'all, it's for the plot and this the last chapter they'll do it. I pinky promise 😔 we'll get onto the Henderhop the next chapter 😀).

Also the whole diary thing in this chapter I've ripped off of the actual HP lore. 🥲 I also ripped off the whole byler fight from the s3 fight. 😞😞😞

Will was not especially happy to board on the Hogwarts Express unlike his future sister, El, who was bouncing up and down with excitement. Will had gotten to know her over the summer and despite his initial jealousy, he liked her a lot. She was sweet and caring with shoulder-length brown hair and big eyes.

Will really couldn't blame her for being so joyful, she was dating Mike after all, the most loving and perfect human-being ever and as her brother, he was happy for her. Yet, whenever he saw them together or heard them talk over the phone, his guts burnt with jealousy. El was a constant reminder of how Mike would never be his to love.

Normally sitting in a compartment with his friends would make Will happy but lately being with them made him feel alone.

Thus, the train ride had been, in Will's humble opinion, absolutely miserable. With Mike and El, in the seat next to him, not being able to stop kissing for 5 fucking minutes and Mike constantly shoving Will against the window to make room for their gross make-out session. To make matters worse, in the seat in front of him, Max and Lucas were loudly arguing but every 7 insults, they'd began to make-out sloppily.

It was as if both couples were in an intense competition of who could gross Will out more. Mike and El were clearly winning because at least Lucas and Max kiss lovingly while Mike and El just, ew.

Will was growing bored and he he'd brought his wizards chess set on board since it was one of his favorite games. Mike loved it too, and so maybe he wanted to play. Will remembered fondly how the both of them used to play it in Mike's basement. Secretly, Mike's basement felt more like home to Will than the house in which he lived. Since in Mike's basement he felt safe and mostly, loved.

So Will tapped Mike's shoulder in a poor attempt to draw his attention away from El. He was met with Mike huffing annoyed.

"Mike, do you wanna play wizards chess?" Will offered with a small smile.

"But now's not the time" complained Mike, throwing his head back.

"Is it? Is it not the time, Michael?" interrupted Will.

"Well, can I at least kiss El one last time?" giggled Mike.

"Oh, God." Max facepalmed.

Mike kissed El and reluctantly began to play. He constantly rolled his eyes, huffed and complained. Will tried to not feel hurt by his best friend's behavior but when Mike began to mock the game, something inside Will snapped.

"Fine! You win! Congratulations!" Will sneered as he got up from his seat, to leave.

"Will, I was just messing around!" Mike tried to stop Will from leaving but the other boy wasn't taking it. "Let's finish for real!"

"Just forget it Mike" sighed Will packing up the wizards chess.

"But I want to keep playing, ok?"

"I said forget it Mike, okay?" Will exclaimed "I'm going outside"

Mike put himself in between Will and the door.

"Move!" growled Will, pushing Mike and brushing passed him.

"Will, come on! You can't leave!" floundered Mike.

Bet, thought Will with bitterness.

"Listen, I said I was sorry, all right? It's a really cool game! I'm just busy with other stuff right now." Mike was clearly trying to excuse his actions but Will wasn't having it.

"Yeah, Mike, that's the problem: you guys are always busy and you're ruining The Party."

Will was finally getting to say all those things he'd felt over the the last month but hadn't told anyone out of fear. Out of fear of hurting Mike, but now Will couldn't give a fuck about Mike and his stupid feelings.

"That's just not true!" Mike shot defensively.

"Really? Where's Dustin now?" Will asked crossing his arms over his chest.

Mike remained silent as he pursed his lips.

Will asked this fully conscious Mike wouldn't know. Dustin was hanging out with Steve, someone who Dustin had bonded with over the summer. Will knew this because his brother Jonathan was Steve's boyfriend, and had told Will, Dustin tagged along on many of the couple's dates.

"See? You don't even know and you don't even care." Will spat "And obviously he doesn't either and I don't blame him. You're ruining everything and for what? So you can swap spit with some stupid girl?"

Will shouldn't have called El stupid, he knows but in the heat of the moment and with all the bubbling anger he felt, he couldn't care less.

"El's not stupid! It's not my fault you don't like girls!" Mike yelled.

That felt like a blow in the gut, leaving Will breathless and trembling. This meant he was weak and men shouldn't be weak (or so his father had taught him and Jonathan). Still, as much as it hurt, he wouldn't cry. At least not in front of Mike.

Mike must have known he fucked up because his voice became softer and quieter.

"Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk, ok?" Mike whispered but Will scoffed. "But we're not kids anymore, I mean, what did you think, really? That we were never gonna get girlfriends? That we were gonna sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?''

Something in the way Mike said it sounded almost desperate and pleading.

"Yeah, I guess I did." hissed Will with venom and ironically Mike seemed more heartbroken than the brunet.

Will turned around on his heel and ran away towards the bathroom, trying to swallow the lump of rage he felt in his throat.

He truly was alone, he has no one to go to. He really didn't feel like going to his brother or mother and Robin was probably annoying (read: flirting with) Nancy.

When he opened the door and entered the bathroom, he sat under the sink and curled on himself. His breathing grew heavy as he repeated "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid" over and over like some sick mantra, until someone gently tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up and saw Professor Creel looking at him concerned.

"Will? Are you ok?" the teacher asked sitting down next to Will.

"No, not really, Professor." he answered. He felt comfortable with Professor Creel, he was the head of Will's house, after all.

"Call me Henry." smiled the blond "Not feeling too good, huh? Well, I can't have Slytherin's best Beater not feel good, now can I?"

Will chuckled feeling proud. At least someone seemed to appreciate his Quidditch skills.

"You know when I feel sad I like to write about it in my diary. Here, I'm gonna give you this notebook so that you can use it as a diary, ok?"

Henry handed him a black notebook.

"Um, yeah, ok. Cool" Will took the notebook and held it gingerly.

"Well, I best be off. I was having quite the discussion with Professor Argyle about a muggle herb called cannabis." smiled Henry.

Will didn't care about Mike saying Henry was untrustworthy, Henry was a great person who cared about Will unlike Mike, his former best friend.

Henry got up and left the bathroom leaving Will alone, once again.

Since Will had nothing else to do he decided to go inside the nearest stall, sit down and write something in the diary. So he took out the spare quill and ink he always had on himself. After all, he was an artist.

"Hello, my name is Will Byers." he wrote.

His writing disappeared and instead another message appeared.

Hello Will, I'm 001.

Will stared at the notebook in shock.

"Are you alive?" Will wrote, quickly.

You could say that, yes. I'm a trapped consciousness inside of this diary, more precisely. Still, I once was a Hogwarts student, which I’m guessing you are, right?

“Yes, I’m from the Slytherin house and starting my third year!” he corresponded.

I was a Slytherin too, the best house. If I do say so myself.

Will chuckled, was Slytherin truly the best house? Everyone seemed to despise them. Yeah, there were a couple of assholes in the house, like Billy and Troy, but weren’t there assholes in every house?

Will could name a few ones out of the top of his head: Steve, a Gryffindor, used to be an asshole until Jonathan and him got into a fistfight; Fred Benson, a Ravenclaw, had apparently done some pretty fucked up stuff too; Jason Carver, another Gryffindor, was notorious for being extremely stuck up and throwing wild parties in the boy’s dorm (there were also rumors of him cheating on his girlfriend, poor Chrissy Cunningham, with several girls).

"Well, do you mind if I tell you something? You can’t tell anyone, though.” Will scribbled in his cursive writing.

Sure. Who would I tell anyways?

“Ok, well the thing is that….” Will recounted what happened with Mike and the further in the story, the tighter he gripped his quill. When he finished, he waited to see 001’s response:

That kid sounds like such an ass, not gonna lie. You should really stop considering him your best friend. Best friends don’t treat you like absolute garbage.

Will pondered this, and really, 001 was right.

This “conversation” kept on going for the rest of the train ride and school year. Will avoided The Party, except Max, at all costs and constantly run away to “talk” with 001 (much to Mike’s disgust and jealousy).

The year went by swiftly until the very last week of June, during which, Billy had begun a fire in the Forbidden Forest in a desperate attempt to break up Max and Lucas. Fortunately, neither Lucas or Max had been harmed but Billy died. The fire was known as The Great Fire of ‘85 and it left Max completely devastated. Mostly, because her step-brother had tried to murder her and Lucas for being an interracial couple. This left her with a huge emotional burden she’d only told Will.

Thanks to 001 he’d realized that he didn’t need to be friends that weren’t from his own house. 001 had taught Will new and more powerful spells, he’d also taught Will about how being a Slytherin mean being the best.

Now, Will was determined for Max to meet 001, his other best friend, and for him to teach Max all the things he’d taught Will. So he asked a delighted Professor Creel for another notebook for Max, who reluctantly accepted it. After a day of using it, she admitted to having loved the present.

Max and Will liked to gush about 001’s appearance and while Will imagined him as a handsome man, Max imagine him as a sickly old man. They loved their new friend and thought that 001 was the only friend they needed.

In their innocence, they both believed to have met an angel or even god, when they’d actually made a deal with the devil.

[goodshipsherlollipop]

Self-interview (but not really)

When I heard about @sherlollyappreciationweek hosting a self-interview event, I thought it would be fun to participate, so people could get to know me better as an author.  But, instead of doing a self-interview, I approached some of my readers and asked them to pose questions for me to answer.

I’m not aiming at making this about me personally.  It’s all about me as an author.  If you want to know about who I really am outside of my writing, feel free to chat with me privately.

The name of the person asking the questions will precede each section. As this interview is rather long, I will do it in two parts.

MossRose10

Q: What personal experiences or skills (in broad strokes), besides your faith, have influenced what you write about for your characters?

A: I know I see Molly differently than most people, in a more wholesome way.  When I look at her character on the show, she doesn't seem the type to have a long sexual history, but instead, seems to be someone who has devoted her life to becoming the best pathologist she can be.  I adore her character, and to be honest, I put a lot of my own traits into her - including her love of singing and faith.  My post TFP Sherlock has had his true nature restored by the events of Sherrinford.  Thus, he is emotionally stable and able to love Molly deeply. I can write him that way because I happen to have a romantic, loving husband (lucky me!). A lot of times in my married stories, I draw on experiences I've had that I have fictionalized for the characters.  I usually refer to these in author’s notes.  I also love writing about their children, and put a lot of thought and personal experience into writing for them from watching my own daughters grow.

As for the other characters, I just write them the way I feel reflects their personalities best from what I’ve observed in the show, working on fleshing out their characters more as I’ve continued 3 years worth of storyline beyond TFP. For example, my version of Mycroft has mellowed a lot and married Lady Smallwodd, and John has also become a Christian and is remarried with a son.

Q: What kinds of characters do you find most challenging to write, and what strategies do you use to write them?

A: I don’t think I necessarily have a lot of issues in writing the canon characters because I have watched the show so many times I feel I know them personally.  Probably the most challenging thing is writing for OC’s or peripheral characters I may have brought into a story that we haven't seen a lot of (like Billy Wiggins or Philip Anderson).  I must admit, I have written very little about Moriarty, because most of my stories take place after his death.

dmollyc

Q: What character is hardest to write?

A:  I kind of  addressed this one in the above answer, but I do think I'd find it difficult to write for Moriarty because I'm not sure how well I could get into the psyche of a deranged madman!

Q: Do you get any nasty reviews?

A: Thankfully, not many. Most of the negative ones are people reacting to a story out of context.  They will read a story in the middle of my chronological timeline and then complain that the characters are OOC.  When I write my continuing stories, I assume that people are familiar with the characters as I’ve written them already, so this can cause confusion.

Because of the Christian themes, I have lost readers who object to the theology I present through my characters. Obviously, I will not please everybody.

But generally speaking, people are very kind about my work when they review it, and I especially love the reviewers who immerse themselves into my world of Sherlock and Molly and embrace my post-TFP version of them.

Q: What do you like best about your stories?

A: Probably what I like best is that I've found a unique niche in the fandom in creating a whole Christian theme, and writing a lot of different stories with the same theme.  I've not seen anyone else doing that (although I'd love to see it done by others).

I enjoy writing my own continuing post-TFP happy ending for Sherlock and Molly, expanding their universe and that of the other characters from Sherlock as well.

Also, I enjoy showing Molly as someone with a belief in saving herself for marriage.  It's not going to be a popular idea for the general population, but I know many Christians can relate to that desire to keep sex for that special someone rather than experimenting with every boyfriend they date.  

I also think I do a pretty good job in writing love scenes that are steamy, but still clean, although I’m aware that some readers are more sensitive who find them too steamy.  I write using my own inner guide for how far to take things in the bedroom.  Some stories are definitely steamier than others, but there are certain graphic terms I will never use in my writing because I feel they cross the line of my own comfort zone.

Chelseamh98

Q: How have you overcome the challenges of your vision impairment?

A: This is definitely an ongoing process for me.  When I began writing, my proofreading would just consist of looking over the chapter a couple times to try to errors. I have issues when typing on my iPad because of the flat keyboard surface.  That means I often type a word incorrectly.  To help compensate for that, I have hundreds of words in my “text replacement” section, so that certain words I often mis-type automatically correct to the right word.  I have a bad tendency to hit the M instead of N or vice versa, for example.  A few months after I began publishing, someone suggested I use a text-to-speech app to help me identify incorrectly spelled words.  That did help.  I copy a chapter into the text-to-speech app and watch my chapter in a split screen as I listen to the words.  That has been a big help.  Then, this year, I discovered a free website called prowritingaid, which I now use as another editing tool, and it identifies even more spelling and grammar errors.  So now I find myself writing, proofreading as I go along several times as I write.  When the chapter is finished and I am ready to publish, I do another visual read.  Then I use the prowritingaid site as another editing step. After that, I use the text-to-speech app and listen as I read.  Finally, I copy the whole thing into Google Docs, add italics and bold type and glance through the chapter again to see if Google Docs has discovered any more errors.  It's a very long process, believe me, and it takes so much longer to do the editing and proofreading than to write! For me, the writing part is easy!

Q: Does it (visual impairment) affect the way you write?

A:  Physically, yes.  I cannot use a computer, because I need to be inches away from the screen to see what I am doing.  Sometimes I will sit at a table and write, but usually, I put three cushions on my lap and sit my iPad on top.  Over time, that method has caused me to have pretty severe tendonitis, but I have no other way to write, and it's worth the pain to keep writing! Currently, I am also dealing with frozen shoulder as part of the physical issues.

Also, I have to enlarge my text to write.  I use the Colored Note app for my chapters, set to the maximum size of 36, and when I go into Google Docs, I set the size to 25 so I can read it.

Q: What part about writing do you find the most challenging? What’s the easiest?

A:  As I mentioned above, the most difficult part is definitely the editing/proofreading process because I have to work so much harder than a normally sighted person, and it takes up a huge chunk of time.

Also, I am very particular in trying to write realistic fiction whenever possible.  That means a ton of research. For example, in my story where Molly was shot, Confronting Evil and the Truth, I researched a lot about gunshot wounds and how to care for them.  In A Honeymoon Journey, my characters went to Stratford-upon-Avon, and I researched that location thoroughly for many of the chapters.  In my latest COVID-19 series, I have followed the pandemic closely in the UK and have added many real situations that have happened there.  Research, research, research!

The easiest part is definitely writing the story itself, especially dialogue.  I can hear the characters in my head telling me what to write.  I rarely suffer from writer’s block, unless I am trying to think about how to write a mystery or crime and how to resolve it.

Aslan's Princess

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Is it something specific? Or multiple things?

A: I find inspiration mainly in two areas.  First, from watching episodes over and over and analyzing them. Second, I also find inspiration in my own life, in bringing in real experiences I am familiar with (such as pregnancy and childbirth).  Occasionally I will read a story or a review where someone tells me something that sparks my imagination. My current WIP, The Good Book, was actually inspired by a gif-set one of my readers, Penelope Chestnut showed me.  It got me wondering what would happen if Sherlock suddenly discovered the Bible (shown in TBB) in his bookcase and decided he wanted some answers about the meaning of life.

Justwritebritt

Q: What drives you to keep writing?

A: Certainly, one of the most motivating factors is hearing from readers who enjoy my work.  Readers generally have no clue what kind of power they possess when it comes to encouraging a writer to keep going.  A pat on the back is always a good thing. I wish more people could understand that.

Aside from that, though, I feel a calling from God to keep writing. I like sharing my faith through Molly (and Sherlock). My hope is that people will find my stories inspiring and encouraging.

Q: What/Who can you absolutely not write without?

A:  I cannot write without my iPad.  I use it not only to write, but to research and to watch Sherlock on Netflix.  it's my all-in-one resource!

Q: What is your favorite story you've published so far?

A: I will always love A Journey to Love, Faith and Marriage, because it is the “mothership” from which all my other stories spring, but my writing technique was not great at the beginning; there’s an obvious improvement in later chapters.  But, I am also very fond of Sherlock’s Dream of What Might Have Been.  That one tells a story of Sherlock and Molly meeting in uni, and then jumps to the canon, inserting a secret relationship (and child) throughout the series canon. I put a lot of thought into filling in Season 4 backstory as well.

Q: What (in vague terms) story are you looking forward to telling next?

A: I have a few stories in the pipeline that I am looking forward to sharing.  One that steps away from the overt Christian themes is a Pretty Woman AU.  I haven't seen anyone attempt an AU for that movie, and I look forward to sharing it.  Perhaps it will spark interest with a few more readers because it isn't heavily weighted on the Christian theme scale, but is merely one of my more whimsical, creative story ideas. It is the first story I have written that combines elements from both a movie and the Sherlock narrative.

I also have a couple of one-shots that I will publish in the timeline of my WIP Journey to a New Home, one,that deals with the topic of divorce using a Biblical perspective, plus one that sheds light on the subject of depression.

End of Padt 1.

[shemakesmusic-uk]

Blending left field jazz elements with club tropes to forge something truly new, Emma-Jean Thackray's work is never less than riveting. New album Yellow is out on July 2, with the composer commenting: “It’s a record about togetherness, the oneness of all things in the universe, showing love and kindness, human connection. I approached the record by trying to simulate a life-changing psychedelic experience, an hour where we see behind the curtain to a hidden dimension, where the physical realm melts away and we finally see that we are all one.” Set to be released via her own Movementt imprint, the album is led by gorgeous new single 'Say Something' - opening with glimmers of Rhodes piano, it leans on that hi-hat shuffle before Emma-Jean Thackray uses her voice to elevate the song. A plea towards communication, it's a powerful introduction. [via Clash]

Philadelphia punk rockers Mannequin Pussy have released the title track to Perfect, their upcoming EP due out May 21. The new song comes with a flashy music video that’s inspired by the kitschy glamor of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, too. Musically, 'Perfect' is a distorted blaze of rock guitars that sees vocalist-guitarist Missy eviscerating the idea that people must manicure their own social media presence. “Last year, I found myself spending more time on my phone than I ever had in my life… I realized that through years of social media training, many of us have grown this deep desire to manicure our lives to look as perfect, as aspirational as possible,” explained Missy in a statement. “We want to put ourselves out there, share our lives, our stories, our day to day — and these images and videos all shout the same thing: ‘Please look at me, please tell me I’m so perfect.’ It’s simultaneously a declaration of our confidence but edged with the desperation that seeks validation from others.” In the accompanying music video, directed by Missy, viewers get to watch as a 10-year reunion at Sugarbush High slowly unravels. It opens on three former classmates, all three of whom are pregnant, dishing some hushed gossip and talking about how they want to get plastic surgery that’s so good they mistake one another for strangers. Cue two students-turned-drag queens making a grand entrance and strutting their stuff on the dance floor (mirroring the 1997 comedy classic) while old classmates gasp, shield their eyes, and panic. Meanwhile, Mannequin Pussy can be seen tearing up the band stage while they perform live. [via Consequence]

Following the release of her debut EP I Can’t Cry For You in December, Manchester’s Phoebe Green is back with new bop ‘IDK’. “[It] explores a complete detachment from reality, observing things from a place of total apathy and feeling as though I’m witnessing my life as a bystander with little to no connection to it,” Phoebe explains. “It’s a horrible state to be in, I think it happens when I get overwhelmed.” [via DIY]

Fast-rising French-Korean artist spill tab is unveiling her latest mesmerising single ‘Anybody Else’. Accompanied by a new vid directed by friend and collaborator Jade Sadler, spill tab says, “This song is cheesy as fuck but I love it, it’s pretty straight forward, a little shameless - the lyrics are sort of a way of expressing my love without openly saying I love you. Jade Sadler (the video director) and I just wanted to have a shit ton of fun on this one. We thought about something with narrative or plot and it was just getting to be too corny. I wanted something lighthearted and playful, so we decided we would have all of our homies in this video paired with different colors and angles and set designs. I’m so excited with the way it turned out.” [via DIY]

Willow Kayne has shared her debut single 'Two Seater'. The Gen Z talent links together huge opposing forces, creating her own potent brand of rebel-pop. New single 'Two Seater' finds Willow blazing a trail, upending convention through melding together differing sounds. The lush, 90s inspired soundscape leans on nostalgic impulses, but her punk-like disregard for convention is sheer pop futurism. Produced by DANIO, it finds Willow Kayne coming into her own completely off the bat. [via Clash]

BENEE has shared a video for her single ‘Happen To Me’. It’s the latest cut from her debut album, Hey u x, which arrived last November featuring guest spots from the likes of Grimes, Lily Allen and Flo Milli. “This song is super important to me,” she says. “It’s the opening track [on the album]. It’s the first song where I’ve written about anxiety. The lyrics are pretty dark. Life is pretty crazy right now, and I think it’s important to talk about this kind of stuff.” Of the video, she adds: “Stoked to be sharing this music video with everyone! I filmed it with a bunch of mates, and it was the coolest set! Hope you love it as much as I do.” [via Dork]

Los Angeles-based art-pop artist Kit Major has shared the music video for 'When the Drugs Don't Work,' a more introspective stab at her signature dark, electropop sound. Blending driving dance beats and thumping hyperpop-influenced synths, Kit Major creates an intoxicating elixir of soundbites and grit. Taking inspiration from Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, and Charlotte Lawrence, 'When the Drugs Don't Work' dives into the overwhelming vulnerability and panic of failing to curb a depressive episode with medication. With this release, Kit Major furthers her efforts to be open and make light of her mental health struggles. On the video, Kit Major shares, "'When The Drugs Don't Work' was filmed in one weekend, directed by my best friend in my departed grandparents' now empty house. We filmed this in quarantine without a crew and worked to create a dark & twisted fairytale together. When I first started thinking about the video, I knew I wanted a more lighthearted take to balance the darker theme of my mental health in the song. I wrote the lyric, “little princess hurt locked away inside her palace,” because sometimes when I'm isolated in my room I visualize myself as a Disney princess running inside her castle, instead of being in my bed, surrounded by empty water bottles. This song was written from a mix of different perspectives including my own, my persona, and outside voices. I think we accomplished the storytelling behind WTDDW by portraying the importance of imagination and trusting yourself."  Alongside, director Noël Dombroski adds, "WDDW is a raw, introspective song from Kit that shines a light on parts of herself that at times may be hard to face. We were lucky enough to be able to shoot at Kit's late grandparents' house, an emotionally significant location that acts in the video as the inside of Kit's head. We wanted to challenge viewers to look at every facet of themselves and realize that each part is valuable, even if you may not like it. A conversation we had a lot was about the color scene, where the image of Kit is being pulled apart by color channels. You may hate one of those colors, but you still need it to create that full image. The same can sometimes be said about depression - it may be a layer of yourself that you don't care for, but without that experience, I don't know that WDDW could exist." The music video dives into the psychological turmoil at the heart of the track with a hyperstylized touch. Spotlights wander through a funhouse version of Kit's childhood home, hunting down our protagonist, who we find trapped behind bars, downing teardrops from teacups and champagne from the bottle. Simultaneously unnerving and stimulating in a Paranormal Activity-meets Alice in Wonderland aestheticism, the music video for 'When the Drugs Don't Work' dives into the floating images of a mental breakdown with a fever dream lucidity.

Number One Popstar continues to prove herself as a powerhouse, shaking up the music world with her fresh, unapologetic beats. This week, she shares another one, her new single 'Forever 21.' And no, it’s not about clothes. 'Forever 21' begins with a kicking beat, but subdued with reflective, twinkly keys. It’s a perfect mix of existential dread and dance. Carrying this vibe throughout, it breaks in between with a beaming guitar-driven bridge. Lyrically, the track makes us question why brands and media make it seem like our twenties are our prime, when we still have our whole lives ahead of us? Despite the effervescent pop sound, Hollowell got vulnerable about her past and its effect on the song, saying, "I initially started writing 'Forever 21' when I found myself looking back on my early 20’s, wanting to recapture the hopeful and dumb feelings of my youth. But the longer I spent on the song, the more it became a reflection of the loss I faced when my parents passed away in my early 20s. I started looking at my own fear of death, of dying like them. I really didn’t know where my life was headed back then. […] I eventually turned that painful experience into a motivation to go after everything I wanted in life. To be seriously less serious, recognizing everything is fleeting.” Like her other music videos, Hollowell likes to flip popular culture and societal expetations on their head. While also bringing the fear of aging to life, she also reminds audiences to stay present instead of holding on to youth. [via Earmilk]

Following in the footsteps of Prince and Lizzo, Dizzy Fae is set to become the Twin Cities’ next pop sensation. She just dropped her brand new track, 'BODY MOVE', and much like the name suggests, it will make you want to move. Self-described as alternative R&B, Fae takes a few notes from contemporary hyperpop artists like Charli XCX and Doja Cat with an industrial iciness that plays off the technicolor pop melodies. It’s an influence you can hear on 'BODY MOVE', produced by New York’s Stelios (Young Thug, SZA). The track builds itself off a snappy, rubber band bass line indebted to pop’s recent disco revival. “It’d be so cruel if I didn’t let my body move,” Fea’s voice loops through a robotic filter. A buzzing drum machines barrels in at the chorus, transforming the lightly retro groove to a futuristic club track more akin to the production styles of 100 gecs. But for all the modern influences, the Ying Yang Twins reference shows she’s a student of all types of music. [via Consequence]

Technically, 'Your Power' is not the lead single from Billie Eilish’s newly announced album Happier Than Ever. The album includes two songs she released last year: the jazzy, well received ballad 'my future' and the contemptuous multi-format radio hit 'Therefore I Am.' However, 'Your Power' is the first song Eilish has released since announcing the new album, debuting her new look, and officially commencing her LP2 era, so there’s definitely a deep sense of anticipations around the song. Eilish teased 'Your Power' this week with a brief sound snippet featuring acoustic guitar and the words “Try not to use your power” sung to a Feist-y melody. Now the full song and its Eilish-directed music video have arrived. The completed record remains as soft, pretty, and devastatingly sad as the preview audio. In the clip, a slow pan across a mountainside in the Simi Valley reveals Eilish in the clutches of a gigantic snake. (A press release specifies that it’s an 80-pound anaconda.) [via Stereogum]

[bluephoenixdruidicprincess]

SPN 14x18, Absence -- Review

The controversial episode is at last upon us. This week we had 14x18, Absence and I have some thoughts on this episode. Now, I haven't read any other metas for this episode before writing this so I apologize if I'm repeating thoughts that have already been vocalized. There will be spoilers so I strongly advise against reading this if you haven't seen the episode.

Overall Thoughts

We'll begin with how I felt overall with this episode. Structurally, this was a very good episode. It had two central purposes it needed to fulfill and I think it did a very good job with that; saying good-bye to Mary and the culmination of Jack's descent into the Dark Side. The music was perfect. The cinematography was fantastic in this episode. The framing in these shots were beautiful. It really made you feel like you were in the episode. Cinematography often tells a story in much the same way that writing does and I really appreciated how well the cinematography was telling this story. Like for instance, the moment in the very end of the episode where they're burning Mary's body and it's being done at a crossroads and the camera pulls away at the very end to reveal the crossroads, it just gives you this very eery feeling of how things are not okay. It's symbolic of the crossroads Sam, Dean, and Cas are currently on. Where do they go from here? How do they tackle this conflict they're currently in? Which path do they take? And it's also very telling that Sam and Cas are on a different crossroads path than Dean in that scene. Sam and Cas are on the crossroads that leads to the impala which is symbolic of home and family and Dean is on a completely different crossroads path. And of course, the crossroads can also be seen as representative of the crossroads Jack is currently on, as well. Where does he go from here? Because of his one action, a reflex at that, everything has changed for him and he has no idea which path to take. Should he take the path that leads to the impala? A part of him is afraid to do that because he knows nothing will be the same again even if the Winchesters accept him despite what happened to Mary. Or should he take a different path that he's never known before? He's also scared to do that because it's unfamiliar as well. So that one pull away shot did a fantastic job of depicting all of that in a few short seconds.

Saying Good-Bye to Mary Winchester

I'm of two minds on the death of Mary Winchester Part Two. I don't particularly appreciate what this show does to its female characters in order to provide man-pain. But I do definitely feel like in this moment, Mary fared better than a lot of the other female characters in this show's past. This episode basically served as an entire memorial of Mary and that's something we don't typically get a lot of on this show so I will give the show that. And I also appreciate the symmetry in her death. In her first death, she was trying to protect Sam from Azazel and essentially at the same time, protecting Sam from his own fate, protecting Sam from himself. And in this moment, 14 years later, she's also trying to protect Jack from himself. So always and forever in her last moments, she's trying to protect her children and I admire that. And I also enjoy the opposition of her death in which her first death was something that was no doubt quite painful for her but her second death was something that was painless and she probably didn't even realize it was happening. I'm a little salty that her death was something that happened off-screen and that it wasn't a "blaze of glory" kind of thing and that it was something as stereotypical as a mother trying to protect her child but at the same time, I also can appreciate that as well. If that makes any sense? And I enjoy the idea behind Mary finally being at complete joy and peace with John. Now, is this The John or is it a representation of her memories? Who knows? I like to think it's The John, though. What with everything that happened in the 300th episode. Is it strange that John's name also wasn't included on her door? A little. But that's not to mean that John doesn't have another door that leads to that same heaven. As humans, we like to think in straight lines but heaven wasn't created by humans so I doubt it functions in a straight line capacity. 

I always figured Mary was going to die eventually so it wasn't really all that shocking. She's basically had one foot on Death's porch since she first met Billie in season 12. And I've been thinking on Amara a little bit on this and on whether or not the Universe as its own entity actually approved of the resurrection of Mary. Perhaps, Jack's existence was the Universe's way of rectifying the decision that Amara made. I feel like we've seen both with Mary and Samuel that the longer you're dead and then brought back, you come back just a little bit different. You feel off in a way, like you shouldn't be there. I think Samuel tried to hide it by latching onto Mary and thinking, "If I just have Mary back then maybe this feeling of wrongness will go away." And a lot of season 12 I think played into Mary trying to figure out a place in the world all the while still feeling like she was somehow "wrong". She eventually got to a place where maybe not feeling 100% like she belonged, but she found contentment and she was able to kind of bury it down. But anyway, that's just a head canon I play around with sometimes. 

I loved how so much of this episode was done in flashbacks paying homage to Mary and showing exactly what she meant to each of them and I thought that was very nice. All to culminate in the very end of them in the funeral having to say good-bye to her. 

Let's Talk About Jack

Jack was really interesting in this episode. Particularly, in his dealings with what I refer to as Negative Jack. Yeah, yeah, I know. It was in the form of Nick and/or Lucifer but at least my reading on it was that it's not about Nick or Lucifer directly. What Jack was  seeing was an amalgamation of the negative issues he houses inside his subconscious. All of his insecurities and fears, it popped up to appear as Lucifer because that's how Jack views Lucifer. He views Lucifer as everything he fears to become, everything negative about him essentially. And that's what Mark Pellegrino was actually depicting. Not Lucifer, not Nick, but Negative Jack. Of course, the show could easily come back and say that parts of Lucifer slivered in from that botched resurrection of Nick's but until that happens I'm going with this. And it's a really interesting concept. We've all had those moments where we've allowed out negativity to take over us and cause us to make decisions that maybe aren't in our best interests or what's not particularly good for us. And it's really interesting to see Jack going through this with the aid of a physical manifestation of his own negativity. We're basically seeing Jack's negativity influencing his decision making. He's afraid that he has no soul and that's the reason why Negative Jack tells him what he's feeling is only a muscle reflex, that in actuality he doesn't feel guilt about Mary. Jack, of course, does feel guilt about it but the Negative side of him is afraid that he isn't so it's influencing him in that direction. He fears that the Winchesters will never forgive him so Negative Jack tells him they'll never forgive him. And even if they did, "they'll never trust you again so you shouldn't trust them." It's Jack's Negativity based out of his own fears and insecurities that's telling him to cut his ties and reasoning with him that that's the best course of action, he's losing to that negativity. 

And in regards to Jack and the botched Mary resurrection, I was getting some hardcore flashbacks to Full Metal Alchemist and I loved it. The whole idea of necromancy and Rowena saying that Jack was not in a state to do this kind of spell it just really reminded me of the "give and gain" aspect of Full Metal Alchemist where when practicing Alchemy, in order to gain something you have to give something up. Now in Full Metal Alchemist, the "give" aspect is much more literal and physical but that's FMA not Supernatural, a whole different set of rules. The fact that Rowena was talking about how Jack's current mental state could affect how the spell went, it was interesting to think about that the spell could essentially call upon the caster's mental state to basically serve as the "give" ratio thereby you're giving a piece of yourself to bring someone back which is also quite reminiscent of what happened earlier this season with Lily Sunder.  And what the spell takes from you can affect what would be brought back. If Jack was calm and positive, maybe he could've brought back Mary? But the spell feasting on his negativity could've called upon anything and brought back an evil ghost or maybe even Azazel himself? But I also think due to Jack's desperation and a sense of feeling like he needed to do this as opposed to wanting to do this, there was a sense of emptiness in him which is why an empty shell was brought back. He didn't feel like he needed to bring back Mary because it was the right thing to do, himself being dead earlier that season perhaps wishing he was being given more of a choice in the matter maybe, but he felt like he owed it to his family to bring her back. Throughout the episode, I never felt like Jack WANTED to bring back Mary, it always felt like he HAD to. And when you feel you have to do something out of obligation and not from a general want, it can create this emptiness in you. But that's how I look at it.  

All in all, I enjoyed this episode. I thought it was really interesting and I'm going to give it a B. I thought it was very well executed. It gave us a lot of interesting material to think about and I enjoy that. And I’m excited to see where the remaining two episodes of the season are going to take us.

Tagging @metafest like usual. Sorry, y'all that I didn't really contribute last week. Last week was an episode I didn't have any thoughts on, meta or otherwise. 

And if you're wondering about my take on the "you're dead to me" aspect of the episode (as I was a little vocal about it during the promo), I'm going to tackle that in another post. I don't want to really burden my friends at Metafest with my Bitter Cas Fan opinions on that.

[douxreviews]

The Princess Bride Review

[This review includes spoilers.]

Grandson: "Has it got any sports in it?" Grandfather: "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..."

The Princess Bride is often described as a fractured fairy tale, but I don't think that's accurate because it's so much more. In his original book, William Goldman took the standard elements of a fairy tale and twisted them off center into something exceptionally funny, while still retaining all of the elements that made it an enjoyable fairy tale. And then Rob Reiner took Goldman's story and translated it into a movie that was just as good and did the same thing, which is a remarkable achievement. The Princess Bride is a satire, a tale of true love, a touching story of bloody vengeance, and it's hilarious. It's unique, and defies categorization.

It's difficult to launch directly into a fantasy world, so Goldman cleverly encapsulated the fairy tale into a story that a grandfather (Peter Falk) is reading to his sick grandson (Fred Savage). I've always loved the skillful way it goes back and forth ("Is this a kissing book?" "She does not get eaten by the eels at this time"). Because the grandfather clearly loves the story he's telling, and at the end, his grandson does too, it bridges the generational gap between them. Lovely.

But it's the fairy tale that's important, and I love every minute of it. I want Buttercup and Westley to live happily ever after. I want Inigo to avenge his father and find peace at last. And there are so many scenes that are absolute gems. The duel at the top of the Cliffs of Insanity is probably my favorite because of the way the Man in Black and Inigo bond as they're trying to kill each other. The duel of wits with the iocane powder is priceless. I love the shrieking eels. I love the R.O.U.S.'s in the fire swamp. Inigo's duel with the six-fingered man is just wonderful, a perfect emotional climax to the movie.

The performances are also gems. Westley (Cary Elwes) is gorgeous, dashing, and ridiculous. Buttercup (Robin Wright) is earnestly beautiful and beautifully earnest, the perfect straight woman. Inigo's story is the most compelling, and Mandy Patinkin brings perfect comic timing as well as pathos to the role. It's not easy to pull off a line like "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" not just once, but many times, and to give it so much impact each and every time.

I can't say enough good things about Wallace Shawn as Vizzini; practically every line he says in this movie is terribly funny. Andre the Giant imparts such sweetness to the role of Fezzik, while still being physically imposing. Honorable mention to Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal and Carol Kane. And Peter Cook as the minister, who made one small scene unforgettable; I start laughing even before he opens his mouth. "Mawwidge. Mawwidge is what bwings us togedder today."

The sight gags are special, too. The climb up the Cliffs of Insanity. Vizzini laughing maniacally before keeling over. Inigo leaning against the tree. Practically every scene with Westley after they give him the pill. The men standing guard in front of the gate makes me laugh every time I see it. But my favorite has always been this one:

"We are but poor, lost circus performers. Is there a village nearby?"

If I have any complaint at all, it's that while Andre the Giant is well cast, Fezzik's lines are sometimes difficult to understand. The scene with the holocaust cloak in particular is almost incomprehensible without subtitles. Okay, I've always hated Inigo's hair, too. Small things, though. And I can't imagine The Princess Bride without them.

I still laugh out loud every time I watch this movie, even while I know the lines so well that I repeat them with the actors. It's that good. William Goldman is probably best known for writing one of the great movies, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I love that movie. But I love The Princess Bride more.

Quotes:

I wanted to put half of the movie in the quotes section, but I restrained myself and just listed my absolute favorites. So if I missed a line or two that you love, feel free to add it to the comments.

Westley: "This is true love. Do you think this happens every day?"

Vizzini: "And you! Friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless! Do you want me to send you back to where you were? Unemployed, in Greenland?"

Inigo: "Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?" Fezzik: "If there are, we'll all be dead." Vizzini: "No more rhymes now, I mean it." Fezzik: "Anybody want a peanut?" I love the way Inigo indulges Fezzik in his rhyming. It's so sweet.

Inigo: "You are sure nobody's follow us?" Vizzini: "As I told you, it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable ... Out of curiosity, why do you ask?" Inigo: "No reason. It's only I just happened to look behind us and something is there." Vizzini: "What? Probably some local fisherman, out for a pleasure cruise, at night... in eel-infested waters..."

Vizzini: "He didn't fall? Inconceivable!" Inigo: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." The most quotable line in the movie. I use it a lot.

Fezzik: "You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted."

Inigo: "I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?" Man in Black: "Do you always begin conversations this way?"

Fezzik: "Why do you wear a mask? Were you burned by acid, or something like that?" Man in Black: "Oh no, it's just that they're terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future."

Man in Black: "I do not envy you the headache you will have when you awake. But for now, rest well and dream of large women."

Vizzini: "You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous of which is 'never get involved in a land war in Asia', but only slightly less well-known is this: 'Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line'!"

Buttercup: "You mock my pain." Man in Black: "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

Westley: (looking around the Fire Swamp) "It's not that bad. (Buttercup looks at him) Well, I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely."

Humperdinck: "Tyrone, you know how much I love watching you work. But I've got my country's five hundredth anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it. I'm swamped."

Inigo: "Offer me money." Rugen: "Yes!" Inigo: "Power, too. Promise me that." Rugen: "All that I have and more. Please!" Inigo: "Offer me anything I ask for." Rugen: "Anything you want... " Inigo: "I want my father back, you son of a bitch!"

I'm not much for hobbits or Harry Potter, so this is my favorite fantasy movie. I love every scene and every line. Am I being too effusive? Inconceivable!

Four out of four white horses,

Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.

[dalekofchaos]

My Problems with the sequel trilogy

I do love The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have any problems with it. 

There is no background, motivation or an endgame for The First Order or a reason why we should care about the war. Biggest mistake of the sequel trilogy is not explaining The First Order or giving them motivation. The Empire’s goals were order, security and control. The First Order’s motivation in the movies are nonexistent. I came up with my own First Order motivation. And honestly I don’t see why we should even care about the war. The New Republic didn’t even care enough to take the threat seriously. 7 planets destroyed and The New Republic is just gone? What? That’s like saying America was no more after 9/11 and terrorists became the new world power. You’re seriously telling me the rest of the worlds of the Republic are not motivated enough to join forces with The Resistance? The First Order is not the Empire, they are a terrorist like organization, they should not be the strongest power in the galaxy. Hell, there isn’t even a name for this war. We had The Clone Wars and The Galactic Civil War, but the world building for the sequel trilogy is so bad that there isn’t even a name for this war. As for The Resistance. They were almost destroyed and there are less than 50 members of the Resistance left alive...and they are celebrating like they just won the war. Why should I care when no one else does?

There is no originality in this war. Everything is just a copy of The Empire and The Rebel Alliance. Say what you want about The Prequels. It was original and creative. We had a war that isn’t just a copy and paste of the Galactic Civil War. There was no planet destroying weapon, the Death Star was being built, but that’s it. There was creativity in The Clone Wars and it really worked. In The Sequel Trilogy, there’s a just a bigger Death Star and a mini Death Star. Really? And while I can understand that there is an Imperial remnant, I don’t understand why with The Resistance. For some reason they are redoing the Rebel Alliance instead of having the New Republic fight the First Order. It really felt like it undermined what Han, Luke and Leia were fighting for.

The complete lack of marketing for Finn, Poe and Rose. The marketing of TLJ is 100% focused on Rey and Kylo Ren...that is a problem. Focusing on your white heroine and white villain, while your POC protagonists is barely featured in your marketing. JJ Abrams fought for a diverse Star Wars cast, and that diverse cast are not featured in marketing and are given the shaft in the story.

Billie Lourd is wasted in this trilogy. Billie Lourd has displayed in Scream Queens and American Horror Story that she is a talented and wonderful actress. In the sequel trilogy she is a background character in The Resistance. Billie should have been Leia’s daughter and Ben’s sister. I like her name, but honestly Billie’s character should have been Breha Solo. The only survivor of Luke’s academy as Ben could not kill his sister, the only part of his past he could not kill. Breha would run to her mother and hide herself away, so her brother and Snoke could never find her. It’s only when Rey awakens and gives a hint that there is hope for her brother that Breha finally reveals herself to bring her brother home. 

The lack of empathy and care for Finn in TLJ. He is constantly belittled and mocked throughout the movie. In The Force Awakens, Finn fights Kylo Ren. He does well, but is ultimately defeated.  He is slashed in the shoulder and the spine by Kylo Ren and falls into the snow, unconscious.  Rey continues the fight and slashes Ren across the face, leaving him with a gash. The characters all escape, but Finn has to be carried to a medical station, unconscious until TLJ. Kylo Ren seems fine, ultimately jumping in a TIE fighter to try and kill his mom before getting patched up further.  Finn, again, has to wake up before doing anything. Here’s the difference between Finn and Kylo’s injuries.  Finn awakens in a medical bed wearing a bacta suit.  His first instinct is to call out for Rey. As he jolts up, he slams his head against the medical container.  He slams against it again. Regaining awareness, he opens up the medical container to find himself alone in a cargo room.  He falls out of the bed, spraying medical fluids all over the place.  He trudges down the hallway until Poe and BB-8 find him. His injuries are never mentioned, shown, or even referenced again.  Kylo, on the other hand, is asked by Snoke how his wound is, to which he responds “it’s nothing.”  He then takes that ridiculous thing off, complete with a close-up of a sad kylo Ren face, with his sutures  framed to draw attention to them. This happens again in the elevator.  Then we get a scene of him getting patched up soberly by a medical droid.  Then we get a shirtless scene as a final showcase of his other two scars.  Throughout the film, Kylo’s scars are present and framed as a constant reminder that he went through pain.  Finn's injuries are used as a joke once and promptly forgotten, and let's not pretend that these injuries are  one-to-one aside from how they're framed.  Remember Finn received injuries trying to protect Rey, while Kylo received injuries trying to murder Rey.  Finn received a deep wound across his spine, which can often be fatal in the real world.  Kylo received a gash across his face.  Finn's injuries were worse and nobly gained. Kylo’s injuries were comparatively tame and well deserved.  Yet the movie uses Finn's pain as a joke, and Kylo’s pain as a humanizing factor. That Rey, as well as the director, cinematographer, and a considerable portion of the audience sees a scar and is willing to find sympathy with the person, no matter what they have done, is pretty reprehensible. Not only is Kylo Ren's scar not enough to be considerably a change to his appearance, as Rian Johnson specifically modified the location of his scar because, “it looked goofy,” the scar is not the mark of an accident or from an assault, but rather from a failed assault on his part. Also, I could get into how messed up it is that scars that don't fit Rian Johnson's preferred model are considered goofy. Is a scar that isn't kept to one side of the face not worth showing? Is a person with a scar you don't personally like somehow less able to be taken seriously? By treating Kylo’s minor wounds as a big, life-changing deal, and treating Finn’s life-threatening wounds as a trivial matter of no more consequence than a joke, The Last Jedi reinforces century-old stereotypes about Black people. Specifically, it implies that Black people are somehow less affected by pain, have higher pain tolerances, or cannot be physically damaged the way White people can. This is a demonstrated, dangerous trend, where white people actually perceive Black people as experiencing less pain than White people under the same situations. Older textbooks, including some used as recently as late 2017, suggest Black people over-report the pain that they are experiencing. Doctors have declined to give painkillers to Black patients expressing the same level of discomfort that would grant a White patients the same painkillers, and some surgeons even believe that less anesthesia is needed for operations on Black people. This, of course, goes beyond the medical field, where Black people are not believed when they speak about suffering, and are expected to take more physical abuse than their White counterparts. However as the injuries are framed in a medical setting in this movie, I wanted to primarily address the medical bias as in the real world. This has been referred to as an empathy gap. When two people are hurt, with everything except the skin colour being the same, and White people feel worse for the hurt White person, there is a gap in empathy. Now, when the conditions are not the same, and the White person deserves to be hurt, and is hurt much less, and is still empathized with more, and the White man's acts of attempted murder are framed as romance, while the Black man's friendship is framed as harassment. Let’s also talk about Finn’s treatment. He's placed alone in a room filled with cargo, without any monitoring.  It's almost like the medical staff doesn't even deem his injury serious enough to receive attention.  He's not on the medical ship, which we know they have.  He's not even in the Raddus’s Medical Bay, which, again, we know they have. Finn is isolated, left unattended,  injures himself, and stumbles out into the hallway without any assistance. All for a joke.  Finn's injury should have been treated with respect and acknowledgement. A scene with the doctors examining his injuries, telling Finn he is medically clear to join The Resistance and Finn  sorrowed by his inability to help his friends, would have been light-years better than a scene where Kylo looks sad getting hurt while trying to kill people.

Finn who is meant to be one of the protagonists is made to be a side character and the comic relief in the trilogy. Finn’s character arc from The Force Awakens was dropped completely in The Last Jedi. He does want Rey to be safe, but Finn just wants to run away, despite the fact that he learned to be courageous, face his fears and stay and fight at the end of TFA.  The First Order kidnapped Finn as a child, from his family(possibly killed his family) he was able to leave The First Order and resist the indoctrination. He no longer wanted to fight, he wanted to leave everything, he wanted Rey to come with him. When Rey was captured, Finn had something to fight for and when Kylo Ren pushed her. Finn finally stood up to his past and The First Order. He overcame his fear. So Finn should have been wanting to fight The First Order and become a big deal in The Resistance, we could have even seen Finn inspiring a Stormtrooper rebellion  against Phasma and The First Order. Finn just wanting to leave is just bad writing and backtracks his entire character arc from TFA.  Finn is the first Stormtrooper to show a real personality, child soldier, who risked his life to find his own freedom and save the known galaxy and ended up in a coma for it. Finn was meant to be a main character, instead he is a supporting character to Rose. Forced to be embarrassed and pointless.  He already learned about being brave and truthful. What happened about his past? His brothers and sisters? The family he’ll never know? Why does he share close to no scenes with Rey and Poe? Why does he get nothing to do?  Finn was the FO’s best Stormtrooper to the point where he was considered Captain material and because of this Finn would recognize the Hyperspace tracker. Finn also has an almost perfect photographic memory due to being able to memorize the layout of both Starkiller base and the Supremacy with extreme accuracy. Kylo Ren had been impressed with Finn‘s capabilities during their lightsaber duel on Starkiller to the point Kylo had to tap deeper into the dark side to beat Finn. Finn is one of the most compelling protagonists of the franchise, right along with Ahsoka and Luke, because while he is the most dangerous to both sides of the war due to his skills and knowledge, he actively tries to save lives instead of end them. Finn’s upbringing left no room for love. He was stolen away from his family before he could even make memories of them. He tried to dedicate himself to the the First Order, but couldn’t. Finn chose to leave the only life he had known because he couldn’t let even one innocent life be senselessly killed. Finn deserves to be known as one of the Sequel Trilogy’s main heroes and not shoved to the sides.

Rose’s treatment of Finn. I desperately want to love Rose. Rose is a wonderful character held back by bad writing.  Finn is put with someone who abuses him and we are supposed to root for this and see it as romance? Let me explain. Finn is then tazed by Rose, which is understandable, she thought he was running away and she was in mourning. He also was objectively posing absolutely no threat to her, wasn’t running away, and was even trying to explain himself. Additionally, just the threat of the taser seemed to have been enough to stop him from leaving. But Rose attacked him anyways. The difference between Rey and Rose attacking Finn is Rey subdued Finn just enough to stop and interrogate him, Rose went completely overboard by paralyzing him and knocking him unconscious. It was completely unnecessary and gratuitous. Rey and Finn have a real friendship and partnership from the last movie. Rose, on the other hand, spends the rest of the movie belittling Finn and talking down to him. The book also says that she thought about using violence against him more than once after the tasing (for annoying her) and even pushed him. This displays a really problematic pattern of violence and disrespect towards Finn so yeah,  multiple uses of violence and expressed desire to inflict violence on him as being abusive. I would argue that she is undeniably verbally abusive with Finn. In the movie and in the book (more so in the book) she often belittles him by calling him names and using other put downs. It seems she wants to make him feel bad about himself and bring him down, which is abusive. Of course, it doesn’t really matter what her intent is, even if she doesn’t “mean to be mean” it still counts as verbal abuse. So, in summary, her repeated threats and use of violence against Finn and her continual use of insults and put downs causes me to come to the conclusion that she is abusive to Finn. Then Finn is made to fail. The only time he is allowed to be portrayed has the protagonist is him facing his abuser and taking him down. The most insulting part of the movie is the last part. Finn’s suicide run. Finn was the best Stormtrooper and knows about The First Order’s weapons, he should know full well that speeder would be destroyed trying to destroy the mini death star. Finn’s attempted sacrifice was pointless, Finn was treated like garbage throughout the movie, he deserved better.

Poe was changed in between movies for no reason. Poe started out as the most levelheaded, compassionate and trusted soldier in the entire Resistance, so trusted that he was given the mission to find the map to Luke Skywalker and leading the strike force to destroy Starkiller Base, why is it that he is suddenly a hot headed fly boy who ignores orders and is getting no respect from his commanding officers? The character change for Poe Dameron was unnecessary and so out of place. Poe before TLJ would not be okay with sacrificing lives to stop one ship that can be easily replaced.  In all source material and the last movie he refused to let anyone die. Not even Finn, a man who was an enemy an hour before they met formally, even though Poe shot his squad mate before during the fight on Jakku. Everything about Poe’s portrayal in TLJ is so unnecessary.  Poe Dameron went from a caring and experienced rebel pilot to an arrogant, hotheaded latino stereotype in the span of like…a day. That’s not subversive writing, that’s racist and bad writing. I just don’t understand why no one even tells Poe the plan. Poe is a respected and highly trained, top ranking rebel fighter, who had been covert enough to execute a highly delicate and secret mission to retrieve the Map to Luke Skywalker, responsible for destroying Starkiller base and the biggest asset to the resistance and biggest threat to the first order, anything about the plan? He’s literally a war hero and is more than likely only second to Leia. And honestly? Holdo didn’t just leave Poe in the dark, she left the entire Resistance in the dark. When Holdo meets Poe, she then proceeds to dress Poe down just for asking for his orders and the plan. Keep in mind that Poe isn’t just some grunt. Even with his demotion, he’s your second or third in command, and he has the respect of the entire crew, as evidenced by his later leading a majority of the crew in mutiny against Holdo. Holdo brought her personal crew from her ship and worked with them while snubbing the main rebel crew entirely. That’s a bit of a dick move, protocol or not. One of the biggest issues was not that Holdo wasn’t telling Poe the plan, but it was acting as if there was really no other plan. She was literally taking personal jabs at him when he was trying to find something out. If she said something like. “While it seems bad , we are working on a plan right now. We are not just going to stay here and have everyone die. Just have your pilots ready to go at a moment’s notice” But she didn’t even give him that. Remember up until Poe taking over, they were watching ship after ship being picked off slowly. The crew was given nothing and was told just to trust her. Blind faith in leadership is a horrible message. If that is the take away then why not just do what the First Order or the Empire wants. I mean seemingly they are in charge of stuff now. And we should follow orders blindly. Moreover they were down to < 1000 people, and from the POV of everyone else she was just watching people die. Rank be jammed. Anyone who cared about their crew would do something. He was a Commander and the flight commander there is NO way he should have been left out in the cold. Then I like how they talk about his spunk over his knocked-out body. How Poe was treated in TLJ was absolutely atrocious and a complete insult to Oscar Isaac, Poe deserves better.

Rey has no character arc in TLJ.  Rey doesn’t learn anything and I don’t feel like she has a character arc or journey. She starts her journey in TFA and I was excited to learn where her character would go. And TLJ does nothing with Rey.  I do love Rey, but I don’t feel like it truly tests Rey and forces her to grow as a character. Rey is intriguing and we care for her, but her journey feels non existent.  Luke and Anakin had struggles and journeys.  I just don’t feel it from Rey. I am really disappointed with how TLJ handles Rey. Rey doesn’t have any struggles. Rey is all powerful and she is the same character she is from TFA. Everything TFA was building her up was instantly ignored.  How Maz got the Skywalker lightsaber? Never mentioned again. How Rey was drawn to the Skywalker lightsaber and what the force vision was meant to mean? Never addressed. Rey says that she’s classified information, “none of your business” Then her parents are revealed as junk traitors who sold her for drinking money and died in Jakku. If her parents were just junkers, how did they afford that space ship if they spent the money on booze? Also the best theory I thought was gonna happen is that Rey has ties to the Empire or at the very least because of the novels it is stated that Palpatine had secret labs on Jakku and the Empire was invested in Jakku, hell it’s last stand WAS on Jakku. Rey herself told BB-8 she was classified information. All that build up for nothing. The force can come from anyone, we all feel it but you build Rey up only to do nothing with her. I’m not upset that Rey is a nobody, I’m just upset that what TFA was building up for Rey was dropped entirely.  My big issue with how TLJ handles Rey, is she does not learn anything. She was awakened by Kylo’s mind melding, but after that nothing. She doesn’t learn anything from Luke and she feels like the same character in The Force Awakens. We see Luke showing Rey to feel the force and the Jedi’s hubris. The third lesson was deleted, but we did not really get to see Luke train her as a Jedi. Rey doesn’t learn anything. In the end we see Rey has the sacred Jedi texts, but Yoda pointed out that those texts were holding back the Jedi and the Jedi Order needs to be reborn  So really, Rey does not learn anything.  

The romanticisation of Reylo. Reylo is a toxic and abusive relationship. Their interactions make me uncomfortable and all their interactions reminds me of is every emotionally abusive relationship I’ve witnessed in real life and in fiction.  Kylo has manipulated, mind tortured(Rey admitted she was tortured in the canon comics and no torture is not sexual tension) murdered her father figure right in front of him and mocked her about it “Han Solo can’t save you now” threw her into a tree, sliced Finn’s spine and put him in a coma, when Rey refused to let him become her teacher he tried to kill her. Throughout there force bond sessions it was a means to manipulate Rey so he can find Luke Skywalker. Gaslighted Rey about his past with Luke and shattered her faith in Luke. Used Rey as a pawn to kill Luke, tries to get her to join her and rule The First Order together, then tries to emotionally break her resolve by attempting to destroy her self identity by making her think she is nothing, and then when that doesn’t work he tries to kill her and blames his killing of Snoke, on her. Kylo assumes control over the First Order as it’s new leader, asserts his dominance over Hux and makes him submit, leads an attack against the Resistance, again, tells the soldiers to take no survivors, orders the Falcon to be shot down, and ends up being the cause of his own uncle’s death because said uncle had to sacrifice himself to prevent Kylo from killing more people. Kylo has sworn to kill Rey, her friends and The Resistance. Han and Rey have given him second chances and every time he has chosen the dark side over bettering himself as a person. He choose his path as a villain, he has shown no remorse for his actions, he did for Han, but everything else he’s shown no remorse and has chosen The First Order every time. Their interactions is meant to be antagonistic, not romanticized. 

Kylo Ren is downgraded from his amazing character in the Force Awakens.  Everything about Kylo Ren in TFA is amazing. Kylo Ren was  a well-rounded antagonist that broke the clichés of most of modern villains. Kylo Ren was a complex and layered character who wasn’t glorified or idealized for his morally wrong actions, so powerful in both the force and with his lightsaber. A hint that the lost child was still in there, but still chose to kill his father to reject redemption and chose to be who he was by choice regardless of his positive upbringing. Kylo Ren is exactly the right villain to succeed Darth Vader in this new trilogy despite not being a Sith. Had Chewbacca not have shot Kylo, I don’t think Rey or Finn would’ve made it out of Starkiller Base alive. My problems with Ben in TLJ is he is downgraded to the great character he was in TFA in TLJ. In TFA there was already a moral ambiguity with his character, but it was subtle. It was made in your face that he was sympathetic in TLJ. An interesting antagonist/villain isn’t a mustache twirling generic character that does things for no reason. Villains are meant to be the antagonist. We are meant to disagree with their actions and understand the flaws in them, to have a villain/antagonist who not only acknowledges what they are doing is wrong, but feels guilt about it. This is something that is extremely difficult for a writer to convey believably. Most of the time a director/writer will go out of their way to make their antagonist/villain sympathetic at the cost of the overall story. They only want the audience to relate to the antagonist/villain so they only put emphasis on that character’s sympathetic traits and ignore their negative ones. Ben has to earn his redemption, he doesn’t need it to given on a silver platter. His whole personality changed. While Han’s death would be enough, it just doesn’t work. In TFA his goal was finding and killing Luke Skywalker. In this movie I just don’t even know what his end game or motivation is. He went from this powerful dark side warrior and in TLJ he was downgraded and made weaker. And of course he is made into a meme cause of the shirtless scene. His bond with Rey was really the only good thing about his character arc in TLJ. The problem is everything they went through together was undone. And my issue is with how Ben doesn’t explain why he killed Han. He doesn’t explain to Rey that he killed Han because he felt like he was being torn apart by the light and dark sides of the force and he thought killing Han would help him, but all it did was make it worse. There is no scene with Ben and his mother. They never once interact. Ben shows absolute no desire to save his mother despite everything him and Rey been through. He could have shed a tear that he believed that he killed his mother and Rey tells him Leia is alive and that all convinces Ben to help Rey save the fleet and save his mother. The sad thing is they will never get to interact because of Carrie’s  passing.  At the end of TFA Snoke said he was going to finish Kylo Ren’s training but no training is given to him. It doesn’t add up that Snoke does not train Ben. Snoke said that he would complete Kylo’s training when he told Hux to bring Kylo Ren to him at the end of TFA. Yes, he did fail him and he sensed his father in him, but I really thought we’d see Snoke sending Kylo to Vader’s castle on Mustafar to allow the dark side energies in the castle and what remains of Vader to strengthen the dark side within him to snuff out the light. Killing Han broke his spirit, but he could use the castle to complete Kylo Ren’s training. Then we would see Snoke personally train Kylo himself. Snoke begins by telling Kylo the Sith code ” Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.” teaching him the ways of the dark side, using torture and force lightning to draw Kylo’s rage to bring out his full potential in the dark side of the force. We needed to see Sith training. We never once got to see it, so we needed to see it with Snoke and Kylo Ren. You could still have Ben and Rey’s force bond and their closeness, and the throne room fight, but not even displaying their powers is what cheapens the fight. Kylo Ren is powerful enough to freeze a blaster and a person in place and Rey herself unlocked Kylo’s powers, so the two of them could have easily ended the fight sooner than it was dragged out. Ben is powerful in the force but he SERIOUSLY could not stop a Praetorian Guard choke holding him and Rey struggled with a guard? Rey and Kylo were stronger in TFA and are just made weaker in the duel with the Praetorian Guards. Kylo could have frozen half of the guards and Rey could have mind tricked the other half into killing the frozen guards and Ben and Rey could have finished them. They are masters of light and darkness, but they are made weaker. As for their final scene together. Ben’s proposal still stays, but it makes no sense for Ben to say “you are nobody, you have no place in this story.” it makes no sense because Ben told Rey in TFA in their duel “it is you.” the scene just makes no sense. Kylo Ren doesn’t even have a clear motivation. He wants to kill Luke because he thought he wanted to kill him. There’s no reason why he killed the other Jedi, there’s no reason why he joined The First Order,  What did he hope to accomplish by joining the First Order? It’s never even explained why he has Vader’s mask. He never explains why he killed Han or why he even wants to destroy The Resistance. He says “let the past die” yet continues to  lead the First Order in the same direction that Snoke did. Snoke wanted the Resistance dead, so why take up his mission? He spent the duration of the movie as the most calm and collected and even most Jedi like character throughout the movie, but by the end he turns into  a screaming lunatic again by the end. There is no motivation for why Ben is doing anything. He acts how the plot needs him to act and that’s it. Vader wanted to crush the Rebellion and turn Luke to the dark side. With Kylo Ren I just don’t understand, turn Rey and start a new order? He knows full well Rey doesn’t want anything to do with that, if that’s his plan, it’s a bad one.  And if he doesn’t have one it hurts him as a villain. it’s not like he’s Michael Myers or The Joker where it works for them. But with Kylo Ren it just hurts him and the story and hurts the potential of The First Order. There is no motivation or a clear endgame for Kylo Ren or anyone in The First Order, if Ben is to be redeemed, great but that just makes his path as a villain bad since he has no motivation or endgame. and that just hurts Kylo Ren/Ben Solo as a character.

Supreme Leader Snoke is wasted and there is no reason to care now that the villain you’ve been building your trilogy around is dead. Snoke’s death was too soon. Snoke is a dark side user. Calm and collected. Old enough to see the rise and fall of the empire. He takes no risks and does what it takes to win. He was different from Palpatine and I dare say he even had potential to rival Kreia. He was a mastermind and did not allow himself to be a slave to the dark side. He did not want his apprentice to die like the Sith masters of old. He did not want to keep power until his dying breath. Snoke was not the average Sith Lord, he was different.  He was respectful, he was very powerful, and watching his scenes, even when faced with failure, he remained calm and collected because he was playing the long game and was not a slave to the Darkside like the Sith. He was invested in turning Kylo Ren into Vader’s heir and even has a ring from the catacombs of Vader’s castle. Snoke was so interesting, so many unanswered questions and this well thought out villain. And then TLJ turned him into a dumbed down Palpatine rip off. The claim that Snoke and his backstory is not important is dumb, considering that we know nothing on why this war is even happening or even why The First Order is doing ANYTHING! We want to know who Snoke is because we want to know how this random evil guy was able to destroy the lives of the entire original trio, corrupted Ben Solo and override the happy ending the entire original trilogy and prequels were fighting for. The struggles of the prequels, the clone wars, rebels, original trilogy, all of these stories and struggles were undone because of Snoke, so of course we have questions. Why do the remnants of the Empire follow Snoke and where did he come from? Not wanting to know the motivation of the villains is just plain ignorant. They completely wasted Snoke. Snoke is a power from the unknown regions. He was SO powerful that Palpatine sensed him, Palpatine was so focused and invested in Jakku in hopes of getting closer to the Unknown regions and he wanted to meet what he believed was the source of the dark side of the force. And they just kill him off so easy? Now there is no reason to care. Kylo Ren is not an intimidating villain and it’s pretty obvious he’s turning to the light in Episode IX. Hux is a bumbling incompetent fool and I’m pretty sure they already confirmed he will be more comedic in Episode IX instead of being a threat. There is a villain problem for the Sequel Trilogy. There is no menace in The First Order anymore and I really feel there is no reason to care. The only possible way The First Order will be an actual threat to the Galaxy is if Rae Sloane usurps Kylo Ren. Problem is, that would actually make the First Order a legitimate threat, and Disney could never allow that.   

Paige Tico and Tallie Lintra were pointlessly killed off. Okay if you are a casual fan and have no knowledge of who these new characters are in TLJ, then you would have no idea who Paige is and why Rose is crying until you see their twin pendants. And the way they went about her death was just bad. There was no need for so many bombs, Y-Wings would be enough.  Why do they need that many bombs to blow up the shield generator of a Star Destroyer when X-Wings in episode six could destroy that with their normal lasers with enough sustained fire power. Killing Paige without establishing who she is or why she is important to Rose is just god awful. You establish characters and connections they might have before killing them or it’ll lose all the impact. What could have been done after destroying the Star Destroyer. Paige escapes and rejoins the fleet. We get a touching scene of Rose and Paige reuniting. We also get to see Paige mourn for the losses of her squad members. We see a love/hate relationship with Poe, but eventually Paige trusts Poe and sees him as a leader. While Finn and Rose go to Canto Bight, Paige and Poe work together on the Raddus. And if Paige has to die, then show her sacrifice herself to stop the canon. There you go, we have a tragic death that is just as emotional and you get to see why she is important and instead of being killed off so early we get to know her and her relationship with Rose and her death is not wasted potential. And Tallie, I did not know much about the new character, hell I didn’t even know her name until I played Battlefront II. But I loved this pilot. I loved how good she was and I wanted more of her and god killing her off was pointless. What’s the point of introducing these unique Resistance fighters if only to kill them off?

Canto Bight and the plan to disable the Hyperdrive tracker was ultimately pointless. Canto Bight works, what doesn’t work is DJ and having the plan fail. They are specifically looking for THE master codebreaker and they just happen to find someone else who has the same skills? And honestly what ruins Canto Bight for me is the fact that neither Finn or Rose cared enough to park legally, it’s pretty much their own damn fault for being caught.  While I do like DJ as a character, I read up on what was planned for the Master Codebreaker character and I like it so much better, if they had gone with what was intended with the Master Codebreaker character and maybe made Lando the Master Codebreaker, I don’t think anyone would’ve complained. My big issue with the plan failing is it did not have to fail. If Finn and Rose had to be caught, they could’ve been caught on their way to the escape pods. The betrayal felt so forced and out of place. The plan should have succeeded with them being caught on their way to their escape. What I’d change is  Lando is the person Finn and Rose are meant to get help from. Lando is on Canto Bight to stop the crime lord and he is grieving in his own way for Han by gambling. But he is willing to drop everything and help Finn and Rose disable the  Hyperdrive tracker. But Finn and Rose wants to help Lando in exchange for helping them. So after they leave we see a scene of Lando grieving for Han Solo in front of Finn and Rose. And as we get to the Supremacy, the plan succeeds, Lando and Rose successfully disable the tracker but as they make their escape they are found and caught by Phasma.

The Original Trilogy’s characters are only brought back to be killed off. At this point I honestly expect Lando to die, then Chewbacca and finally C-3PO and R2-D2. What was the point of bringing the original trio if you were just gonna kill them off? I honestly would have preferred it if they were all killed before the events of the new trilogy and actually build on the new characters without relying on nostalgia.

Captain Phasma is nothing but product placement when she could’ve been a great character. Both TFA and TLJ just wastes Phasma. In TFA she just orders her troops to slaughter villagers. After that all she does is look cool and imposing. Phasma should have been the one to fight Finn on Takodana, Phasma easily overpowers Finn, but Han of course knocks her out with Chewie’s bowcaster. And in Starkiller base, Phasma would not budge.  This scene in the movie is what bothered me with how she was handled the most While she is said to be completely devoted to The First Order, she is so easily intimidated into turning the shield generator off. I don’t see this happening with the character they were trying to establish. I see her choosing death over betraying The First Order so instead I’d prefer Phasma either go out fighting or getting knocked out by Chewbacca  and thrown in the trash compactor while Han and Finn shut the shields off by themselves. She survives and escapes in time And oh god, TLJ just wastes her AGAIN! They did nothing with her. Once again she is just there to look cool and sell toys. There is a difference between Boba Fett and Captain Phasma. Boba Fett HAS character. we learned about Boba in The Clone Wars. We learn nothing about Phasma and they do nothing for Phasma. She looks cool and easily shows her defeated by Finn. Phasma does have a character in her own novel.  In her novel she is a completely different and better character. In the novel  which is a fascinating study of how utterly ruthless and selfish she is, how completely dedicated to her own survival at the expense of others, and how there is no one and nothing she would not betray to further herself. It’s about peeling back the layers of a seemingly perfect First Order warrior to show her morally empty core, and with it the rottenness of the First Order itself. The novel shows with unsettling clarity that, under all the pretty words about the ideals of justice and order, the First Order is a place where actual idealistic soldiers are used and then thrown away (see: Finn, Cardinal) while backstabbers, abusers, and murderers like the two Huxes and Phasma are actively shielded and rise to the top. Phasma is a survivor. She will always align herself with the most powerful force. Phasma is extremely intelligent and a brilliant battlefield commander. Outside of the movies, she’s lost approximately one fight. Ever. the movies portray her as a minor annoyance but in the book she is the most badass human to ever live and I’m upset with how they’ve treated her. My suggestion about having Finn inspiring a Stormtrooper rebellion  against Phasma and putting an end to Phasma would be a far better ending for the character. But SOMEHOW Phasma will return cause they need that toy money.

The movies make it absolutely impossible to take Hux seriously as a villain.  Here’s the problem with Hux in TLJ. He is completely changed from how he was in TFA. In TFA Hux was a competent military leader that came up with plans and made necessary risks in order to find the resistance, talked back to Kylo Ren and didn’t fear him or his power and Hux has the populations of 5 planets to his body count. In TLJ, Hux is so incompetent to the point where I am wondering how he was a general, he is reduced to a slapstick cartoon and why am I believing Jar Jar Binks is a better general, and they expect me to believe Hux will usurp Ren as Supreme Leader? General Hux, the man who caused the destruction of the Hosnian system and is shown to be a younger angrier version of Tarkin in TFA, is shown to be an incompetent bumbling fool and Captain Canady is the only intelligent officer in The First Order. He does not deploy the Tie Fighters, order the fleet to move in when The Resistance are evacuating D'Qar and vulnerable, instead orders the Dreadnought to move in, and instead of ordering the Dreadnought with it’s devastating canon to fire on the cruiser thus giving the transports nowhere to go, he orders an orbital bombardment to an almost empty planet. But does not fire because he sees Poe’s X-Wing When Poe arrives in his X-Wing, the only X-Wing in view. Hux does not order deploying the Tie Fighters or even ordering the Dreadnought to fire on Poe. They do absolutely NOTHING. How is Hux a general again? Did he just want to hear himself talk? The turrets are being destroyed by Poe and Hux tells Captain Canady to fire the Dreadnought, Canady responds it’s too small and too close of range to fire their turbolasers and orders the Tie Fighters to be scrambled which should have been done 5 minutes ago. Canady knows Poe is not aiming to penetrate their armor, he knows Poe is clearing out their surface cannons. Here we have it. The only intelligent officer in The First Order, everyone else including Hux are incompetent. How exactly is Hux a general again?  Moving on. Hux is slapped around with the force by Snoke, okay understandable, it’s for failure. Vader did the same. But god it is done in almost every scene by Snoke and Kylo. When the Silencer pretty much destroyed all the X-Wing fighters, and The Resistance command is jettisoned in space, Hux just orders Kylo back. They have the opportunity to end The Resistance, just calls him back, a scene later Hux complains he let them go. Sure they can still track them, but the fact that they let them goes shows that Hux is a fool. The only time Hux is allowed to be villainous in the movie is when he is prepared to take out his blaster and kill Ben. Everything else he is either an idiot or someone’s toy to be slapped around. And you expect me and the general audience to believe Hux is going to be the villain in Episode IX?

Leia is wasted as a character in The Sequel trilogy. I don’t feel there is an issue with Leia’s character  outside the fact they are redoing the Rebel Alliance despite the fact the New Republic exists, but the big issue I have is that Leia is not a Jedi. Luke does train Leia in the force but they were dead set on not making Leia a Jedi.....for reasons. They don’t even do anything with Leia. Leia could have used Battle Meditation to ensure the destruction of Starkiller Base was a success. in TLJ Leia’s knocked out for half the movie. Leia is taken out 90% of the movie and it doesn’t feel like Carrie’s swan song and TLJ does absolutely nothing with Leia. Carrie Fisher is gone. The character herself does nothing to affect the plot. We all knew that Leia was strong and powerful with the force, but the way they decided to have it be shown is baffling. Instead of showing Leia using  the force to send the missiles flying at Kylo’s wing men or use Battle Meditation to inspire the Resistance to fight, instead we see the most impressive, and stupid looking, display of force powers, nothing follows from that. Leia goes into a coma for most the movie and then just hangs around. Isn’t it weird that Leia, one of the most important characters in the entire franchise only sees her brother for a moment, never mentions her husband, shares no screen time with her own son and isn’t even the focus in the very rebellion she’s been fighting for her entire life. In the end, all of her loved ones are dead, her son is wants to destroy her legacy, her allies abandoned her, her soldiers were almost all killed, and due to Carrie Fisher’s passing, TLJ is her swan song and curtain call. The most iconic and empowering woman in all of cinema gets to go out as a supporting character and Mary Poppins meme.  

The Force Awakens undoes everything about Han’s character arc in the original trilogy.  Han starts out as a selfish smuggler who is COMPLETELY fine with letting other people die if it meant his own survival and goes through an internal and external journey to not only give a damn about his fellow person but also grow as an individual to be a hero that is willing to risk his own safety for a much larger cause than himself. And all that character development is thrown out the window.  The new canon is dead set on making Han a bad father. They made it so that Han goes back to smuggling. Han learned that there is something more than smuggling and Han and Leia breaking up because their son turns to the dark side? Han would never leave Leia or abandon his child. It is simply bad writing to redo his entire arc from the original trilogy again and to make him a bad parent when it is out of his character to do so.

Han and Leia are portrayed as neglectful and bad parents. Han and Leia are two of the most selfless people in the entire Star Wars franchise. Han and Leia were two strong, kind people who helped save the galaxy. They sacrificed everything to do so. They were overjoyed when they had a son and did everything in their power to keep his happy and safe. They had left him with a droid, a babysitter briefly like any other parent would and even that didn’t last long . He wasn’t almost killed by it. Were these books only skimmed through once.? There are plenty of written evidence of Kylo with Han or Leia in his childhood. They loved him. The only reason they sent him to Luke was to help him.

The ruination of Luke Skywalker. I will never forgive how Luke was portrayed in TLJ. I will never forgive the treatment of Mark Hamill by Lucasfilm. I just cannot understand how Luke would even consider igniting his lightsaber and try to kill his own nephew in his sleep. I will never accept this. This is not Luke Skywalker. Luke ALWAYS saw the light within Anakin. Darth Vader was evil and committed atrocities for decades but he saved and redeemed his father.  But he gave up on Ben because he saw Snoke’s influence on Ben and instead of helping him like Luke would actually do and what Leia wanted Luke to do, he goes with the intention of killing him but stops with the shame. But the problem is that Ben saw him with his lightsaber, what he saw was Snoke’s whispers proven right that Luke was afraid of his power and wanted him dead. Ben’s family abandoned him, but Luke would never do this. Luke Skywalker would never try to kill Ben, his nephew and his family.  Darth Vader committed countless atrocities and Luke still saved his father and brought him back to the light. I will never believe that Luke would try to even ignite his lightsaber on Ben. Leia gave him her son to train, allow him to control his raw force abilities, love Ben like he were Luke’s own child and to protect him from Snoke. Even if Luke sensed the darkness in Ben, he would have talked to him and try to meditate and do anything that would help Ben. But no, instead of doing what Luke would actually do he ignites the lightsaber and it’s too late and Ben sees what Luke tried to do. Luke is ashamed and sorry, but it’s too late. We were given 3 out of context flashbacks. 2 of which were altered by the storyteller. Ironically Kylo Ren doesn’t say Luke tried to kill him because he thought he was a monster. Kylo Ren didn’t say he didn’t know why Luke was in his hut. All Kylo Ren said was Luke feared his power and he defended himself. Then he killed half of Luke’s students and burned the temple. All Luke said was that he saw death and destruction in Ben’s mind and then he ignited his lightsaber. Ben and him had an altercation, then Ben killed half of Luke’s students and burned down the temple. There is no context in what happened before that even led up to that moment. And still that scene is so frustrating. Luke Skywalker, the man who would literally die for his family, who risked the entire galaxy to save his friends and family, then again to save his father, would ever think his own student and nephew was beyond saving and deserved to die in his sleep.  What’s even worse is that Luke continue’s the old ways of the Jedi, instead of reforming the Jedi Order. In Legends, Luke reformed and made the Jedi better. But instead he continued the old ways and  just gave up. He is written to be  broken and hollowed out by his past mistakes and painfully out of character. TFA kept on insisting he left a map behind. Lor San Tekka has it and said Luke’s return would make everything right. Han and Leia said Luke left behind the map. In TFA script “It is Luke Skywalker. Older now, white hair, bearded. He looks at Rey. A kindness in his eyes, but there’s something tortured too. He doesn’t need to ask who she is, or what she is doing here. His look says it all. Hold on Luke Skywalker’s incredible face, amazed and conflicted what he sees, as our music builds, the promise of an adventure, just the beginning” Luke looked touched at seeing Rey in TFA and Rey was on the verge of tears, finally someone to help her with the belonging she seeks. In The Last Jedi, no tears and Luke just tosses away his father’s lightsaber like it’s nothing. We are not allowed to see Luke react to Han’s death or Luke to grieve that his best friend is dead. Han was a big influence and friend it was dismissed as if he barely knew him. To quote Mark Hamill on the matter “They had time for me to milk that big alien but to show any human emotion? Nah" He does not even care that his sister’s life and the Resistance she is leading is in danger. He does not train Rey. Again, he gave up on Ben instead of trying to save him. He is sorry and regrets it, but it is too late. You might say that Yoda and Obi-Wan also gave up. But for those two, the Sith took over the galaxy, they had to go into hiding to protect and guide Luke and Leia. Obi-Wan wanted to save Leia and guide Luke. Yoda always wanted to train Leia as a Jedi and bring Anakin back to the light. He was reluctant to train Luke but he still did his duty as a Jedi Master. They did not just give up and wanted to die and they did not betray their characters at all. Luke spends most of Last Jedi on a windswept island, brooding in solemn silence and frozen by indecision. He doesn’t connect with Rey on any meaningful level, doesn’t impart wisdom or knowledge, and never reasserts himself as the powerful Jedi he once was. A brief physical duel against Rey ends with her as the undisputed victor, completely killing his deserved mythos and her potential character arc in one fell swoop. It’s clear in that moment that he has nothing to teach her, and nothing to contribute to the overall narrative. The boundless potential that seemed poised to explode at the end of The Force Awakens fizzles here but never ignites.  And without any training at all, Rey defeats Luke Skywalker and Luke acts all cowardly and begs her to leave. When he goes to Crait. He does buy time for the Resistance to escape, but he is not allowed to display his power, he’s not allowed to wield his green lightsaber, he does not bring down all the AT-ATs or bring down the star destroyers. He doesn’t even show that he wants to help and save  his nephew, all he’s doing is trolling his nephew. He’s not even there thus making their final confrontation ultimately pointless.   He toys with Ben, but we don’t see a lightsaber fight between them. Luke Skywalker is not allowed to be Luke Skywalker. The Hero’s Journey that he was following was ignored completely and he just gave up and wanted to die. And he dies instead of reuniting with Leia properly. Mark Hamill wanted Luke to live until Episode IX where he would pass on what he learned to Rey. No big battle with Snoke, no saving his nephew and no passing on, instead Luke dies and all we’re getting is force ghost Luke. Luke Skywalker was a hero to an entire generation.  Luke was the true heart of Star Wars. His was the journey we followed from idealistic farm boy dreaming of adventure, to reluctant warrior, and finally to savior of the entire galaxy. The original trilogy built him up, and The Last Jedi finally broke him down. I for one mourn my hero’s passing.

The EU handled Han, Luke and Leia’s characters far better.  Let me explain why the old Star Wars EU/Legends handles and understands the characters of Han, Luke and Leia better.  Han and Leia stood strong in their marriage for 3 decades despite a hostile extra Galactic invading species killing both Chewbacca and their 14 year old son Anakin, their other son Jacen becoming a Sith, him killing Luke’s wife Mara, and having to be killed by his twin, their daughter Jaina. And they both still kept up their roles as a General and Chief of State/Ambassador all the while.   And Luke, bless this dude, not only fully rebuilt the Jedi Order, but in his first class of Jedi, when Kyp Durron went to the Dark Side he went out and brought him back and redeemed him. He had to deal with internal schisms in the Order about the nature of the force and the role of the Jedi and kept the peace and the order united. He lead the Jedi through a war with the Yuuzahn Vong that saw trillions die and helped end the war on diplomatic terms just like his mother Padme would have done. He dealt with the Galactic suspicion of the Jedi and even after he was personally blamed for his nephew becoming a Sith and being exiled by the Galactic Alliance he still held to his role as leader of the Jedi and his role as a father to Ben Skywalker and continued to fight for peace and against the dark side. And even after his death his Force Ghost was still working to save the Galaxy and help his descendants stay on the right paths.  The nonsense we got in TFA and TLJ betrayed their characters. Even if I could understand TFA, I cannot understand TLJ. What I really wanted is in TLJ we see Han, Luke and Leia go on one last adventure together to bring Ben back home. They confront Snoke and Ben is shown that everything Snoke told him was a lie and his family loved him enough to confront Snoke. and Ben goes back to the light to help his family stop Snoke. And together we see the Skywalker family reunite. That’s what we should have gotten.

[samanthasroberts]

Unearthing The Mysterious Forces Behind The Lemp Mansion Hauntings

I don’t even know where to start with this one. I feel so much pressure to get this information out to the public, in hopes that it might set a plan in motion how to best help the spirits of the Lemp family members’ suffering…and I do mean suffering as they hang in the balance between the living and the afterworld.

Yes, I said the Lemp family.

If you follow haunted locations at all, you will have heard of this family and the famously haunted mansion that still resides in St. Louis, Missouri to this day. If you follow history, you will have heard about the The Lemp Family and all of their beermaking glory starting back in the 1800s.

I became involved in this piece of haunted history through a series of events. A wonderfully talented writer named M.J. Pack contacted me to ask me if I could read a live blog she wrote from a night that she stayed in the haunted Lemp Mansion. She asked specifically if I picked anything up from her night there. I tuned in and yes, I did see and feel a lot of different things about her stay in the mansion. It was then that M.J. asked if I would be willing to take part in a live session at the Lemp Mansion and I didn’t even hesitate to say yes to that invitation.

In case this is your first time reading my posts, I do a lot of things in life. One of those things is talk to the dead. I am a medium and have been since childhood. I mostly volunteer my time to missing person’s cases and working with the families of those missing. A majority of my gift is donated. So when I began to tune into the Lemp family and feel them and their pain, I had to take part in M.J.’s live blog. I have never done anything of that nature before this…meaning connecting with a live person from a remote distance, as they stay in a haunted room. I just figured, if I can connect with a spirit when I call them forward…why wouldn’t I be able to connect with them this way?

It was exhausting. Absolutely exhausting from the get-go. The night before the scheduled live event, I received a visit from many of the Lemp family members while attempting to sleep. Here is what came to me.

The first was a woman’s hand and wrist that had several bracelets on it. Not sure who that belongs to, although the next night when M.J. was at the mansion, she sent me a picture of a chunky gold bracelet they was on display that belonged to William “Billy” Lemp, JR.’s wife, Eleanor.

The second thing I saw was a mirror a very vintage mirror with gold framing. Parts of the mirror were smoked and distorted and other parts were dotted with dark speckles where the mirror had aged. I wasn’t sure if this mirror was hanging in the house or if it was in the house (such as the attic) and not used. Either way, the spirits use this mirror to communicate…big time. They use this mirror all the time to be seen. When M.J. spent the night the next night, she found the mirror in what is now the dining area…which is where William “Billy” Lemp, JR. “took his life.”

What I saw third was the house I was inside it. I was in a room made up of mostly mauve colors.Mauve walls…wallpaper maybe…floral patterns in the room too. The room M.J. stayed in was mauve.

Next, I saw a young man in his 20s. He was tall (I was looking up at him) and lanky, and had a set of golden dark blonde hair to light brown hair. It was crazy because he said hello to me as he passed me and I said, “Wait…you can see me?” and he said. “Why, yes. Of course I can.” and I said back to him, “Usually they can’t see me when I do this.” H said, “…well, I can.” The young man poked me to show me he could feel me and I felt his poke. What I remember next was he went over to the corner of the room, took what looked to be thick phone like cord, like ones you would plug into a wall and there was this contraption dolly-like thing he had made with the window, and he proceeded to hang himself. I was distraught at the sight and all of a sudden, a woman came forward from nowhere and explained me that he does this every night. “What do you mean he does this every night?” I asked. The woman replied, “He relives his death every night.” She went on to tell me he “comes down” at dawn.

The fifth person I saw was Charles Lemp. I looked into the mirror from my second vision when he came forth. He was serious faced and stern, but did not say a word to me. He just wanted me to know that he knows what I am doing with this.

And finally, I saw a fireplace and there were family heirlooms such as small paintings, letters, papers, and pictures all burning in this fireplace.It has significant energy around it. It has been said that many of the paintings and family documents were destroyed in fire, at the request of the last male descendent left of the Lemp Family.

I was nervous for most of the day for two reasons:

These spirits are intense.

I have never done something like this before and wanted to be at my best for the spirits and for M.J. too.

As soon as M.J. and I tried to start our live session, we were plagued with technical malfunctions left and right. We, after over an hour of trying, finally got Periscope to work. You can read and view the entire night and all of its findings here.

I was exhausted from holding a connection for that long. When I do readings on any level, I give myself breaks and unplug when I need to regain energy. This night, I did not and I paid for it that night and the next day. You must read M.J.’s live blog to get the full picture of what unfolded and our experience. Here is a snippet from it where I explain to M.J. why this family has experienced so much tragedy and why their spirits are not at rest. This is a VERY important piece of information, as I will go into later what happened once I got in touch with a Cherokee Shaman after M.J. and I connected on this night.

After our night of live blogging, I could not find peace in just “letting it go” and taking the stance that there was nothing I could do about it. In a miracle of synchronicity, I received a message from a friend of mine who is also a medium, telling me about her having just met a Cherokee Shaman. This is in Louisiana. I immediately knew this was a chance to reach and and see what could be done. I sent all the information and what I had received myself from guides and spirits and I received a response back from the Shaman. This is very powerful and made every hair on my body stand up when I read the words. Here is what the Shaman offered as information and guidance as to the plight of the Lemp Family.

It was owned by Native Americans in that area. A shaman in that area that knows the tribe’s history needs to be called. The Native Americans are at war on that property because they lost everything they had due to alcohol. The Lemps got them drunk, then got them to sign papers and deeds of which they did not understand. In return, they gave them guns and alcohol. Turning their sacred place, including tunnels into the wicked stuff that took everything away. This is a slap in the face to them. They will not let their spirits rest because the Native Americans cannot rest either. Someone who is passed, from the Lemp Family, needs to make a sincere and formal apology.

As long as the the house or grounds still make beer, it may be very hard for them to make peace. A saging ceremony and a pipe ceremony need to take place after the apology. ANY REENACTMENTS AND HAUNTED GHOST TOURS WOULD HAVE TO STOP (I sense this could be a problem). Their account of what truly happened in history is wrong according to my guides. Blessing may calm it down, but unless the Native American spirits are put to rest, the rest of the Lemp spirits can’t go either. They died at the hand of the Native Americans. In other words, this is not an easy fix. They need to find a tribe in the area that can still speak to them in their native tongue. Then bring the medium in that can help them cross over.

I then asked for confirmation from the Shaman that what I received in information from my own guides and the spirits about these not all being suicides and that they were driven to suicide and madness by this curse was correct. I received this confirmation: “Yes, they were driven to suicide and some killed by the Native Americans. They tormented them until they killed themselves. History is wrong. That question would be best answered by the tribe in that area.”

How in the world do we go about doing this? I can’t really see the owners of the Lemp Mansion stopping all the haunted tours and such. I am sure it draws a large amount of people there. How do I, a person in Oregon, track down a Shaman in that area that speaks the native tongue? As well as get one of the Lemps to formally apologize for what they did?

All I know is that they are not letting me rest. The night before last, I physically had the comforter on my bed lift up and something hit my ankle and drop the comforter back down. I jumped out of my skin, which woke my boyfriend up. I immediately saw a flash of Billy’s face (he is a gnarly man) and as soon as his face flashed? A flash came of a Cherokee Indian with war paint on. They both are coming. I somewhat feel that the Cherokee presented himself as protection to me. Billy is angsty pants central.He has sociopathic ways and was a violent and cruel person of intention in a lot of areas. I have said this and he does not like that I say it. In which I always respond back, “Okay…if you can honestly say that anything I have said about how you behaved in your life is untrue, then I apologize for it.” I always feel him back down…because if there is anything Billy enjoyed, it was someone to mess with. He still does.

I will keep you posted here on what transpires. My plans for the next steps to this process are to write the current Lemp Mansion owners an email or letter explaining every bit of this. I hopethey will be on board to help bring the Lemp Family and the Natives to peace.

Source: http://allofbeer.com/2017/11/27/unearthing-the-mysterious-forces-behind-the-lemp-mansion-hauntings/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2017/11/27/unearthing-the-mysterious-forces-behind-the-lemp-mansion-hauntings/

[adambstingus]

Unearthing The Mysterious Forces Behind The Lemp Mansion Hauntings

I don’t even know where to start with this one. I feel so much pressure to get this information out to the public, in hopes that it might set a plan in motion how to best help the spirits of the Lemp family members’ suffering…and I do mean suffering as they hang in the balance between the living and the afterworld.

Yes, I said the Lemp family.

If you follow haunted locations at all, you will have heard of this family and the famously haunted mansion that still resides in St. Louis, Missouri to this day. If you follow history, you will have heard about the The Lemp Family and all of their beermaking glory starting back in the 1800s.

I became involved in this piece of haunted history through a series of events. A wonderfully talented writer named M.J. Pack contacted me to ask me if I could read a live blog she wrote from a night that she stayed in the haunted Lemp Mansion. She asked specifically if I picked anything up from her night there. I tuned in and yes, I did see and feel a lot of different things about her stay in the mansion. It was then that M.J. asked if I would be willing to take part in a live session at the Lemp Mansion and I didn’t even hesitate to say yes to that invitation.

In case this is your first time reading my posts, I do a lot of things in life. One of those things is talk to the dead. I am a medium and have been since childhood. I mostly volunteer my time to missing person’s cases and working with the families of those missing. A majority of my gift is donated. So when I began to tune into the Lemp family and feel them and their pain, I had to take part in M.J.’s live blog. I have never done anything of that nature before this…meaning connecting with a live person from a remote distance, as they stay in a haunted room. I just figured, if I can connect with a spirit when I call them forward…why wouldn’t I be able to connect with them this way?

It was exhausting. Absolutely exhausting from the get-go. The night before the scheduled live event, I received a visit from many of the Lemp family members while attempting to sleep. Here is what came to me.

The first was a woman’s hand and wrist that had several bracelets on it. Not sure who that belongs to, although the next night when M.J. was at the mansion, she sent me a picture of a chunky gold bracelet they was on display that belonged to William “Billy” Lemp, JR.’s wife, Eleanor.

The second thing I saw was a mirror a very vintage mirror with gold framing. Parts of the mirror were smoked and distorted and other parts were dotted with dark speckles where the mirror had aged. I wasn’t sure if this mirror was hanging in the house or if it was in the house (such as the attic) and not used. Either way, the spirits use this mirror to communicate…big time. They use this mirror all the time to be seen. When M.J. spent the night the next night, she found the mirror in what is now the dining area…which is where William “Billy” Lemp, JR. “took his life.”

What I saw third was the house I was inside it. I was in a room made up of mostly mauve colors.Mauve walls…wallpaper maybe…floral patterns in the room too. The room M.J. stayed in was mauve.

Next, I saw a young man in his 20s. He was tall (I was looking up at him) and lanky, and had a set of golden dark blonde hair to light brown hair. It was crazy because he said hello to me as he passed me and I said, “Wait…you can see me?” and he said. “Why, yes. Of course I can.” and I said back to him, “Usually they can’t see me when I do this.” H said, “…well, I can.” The young man poked me to show me he could feel me and I felt his poke. What I remember next was he went over to the corner of the room, took what looked to be thick phone like cord, like ones you would plug into a wall and there was this contraption dolly-like thing he had made with the window, and he proceeded to hang himself. I was distraught at the sight and all of a sudden, a woman came forward from nowhere and explained me that he does this every night. “What do you mean he does this every night?” I asked. The woman replied, “He relives his death every night.” She went on to tell me he “comes down” at dawn.

The fifth person I saw was Charles Lemp. I looked into the mirror from my second vision when he came forth. He was serious faced and stern, but did not say a word to me. He just wanted me to know that he knows what I am doing with this.

And finally, I saw a fireplace and there were family heirlooms such as small paintings, letters, papers, and pictures all burning in this fireplace.It has significant energy around it. It has been said that many of the paintings and family documents were destroyed in fire, at the request of the last male descendent left of the Lemp Family.

I was nervous for most of the day for two reasons:

These spirits are intense.

I have never done something like this before and wanted to be at my best for the spirits and for M.J. too.

As soon as M.J. and I tried to start our live session, we were plagued with technical malfunctions left and right. We, after over an hour of trying, finally got Periscope to work. You can read and view the entire night and all of its findings here.

I was exhausted from holding a connection for that long. When I do readings on any level, I give myself breaks and unplug when I need to regain energy. This night, I did not and I paid for it that night and the next day. You must read M.J.’s live blog to get the full picture of what unfolded and our experience. Here is a snippet from it where I explain to M.J. why this family has experienced so much tragedy and why their spirits are not at rest. This is a VERY important piece of information, as I will go into later what happened once I got in touch with a Cherokee Shaman after M.J. and I connected on this night.

After our night of live blogging, I could not find peace in just “letting it go” and taking the stance that there was nothing I could do about it. In a miracle of synchronicity, I received a message from a friend of mine who is also a medium, telling me about her having just met a Cherokee Shaman. This is in Louisiana. I immediately knew this was a chance to reach and and see what could be done. I sent all the information and what I had received myself from guides and spirits and I received a response back from the Shaman. This is very powerful and made every hair on my body stand up when I read the words. Here is what the Shaman offered as information and guidance as to the plight of the Lemp Family.

It was owned by Native Americans in that area. A shaman in that area that knows the tribe’s history needs to be called. The Native Americans are at war on that property because they lost everything they had due to alcohol. The Lemps got them drunk, then got them to sign papers and deeds of which they did not understand. In return, they gave them guns and alcohol. Turning their sacred place, including tunnels into the wicked stuff that took everything away. This is a slap in the face to them. They will not let their spirits rest because the Native Americans cannot rest either. Someone who is passed, from the Lemp Family, needs to make a sincere and formal apology.

As long as the the house or grounds still make beer, it may be very hard for them to make peace. A saging ceremony and a pipe ceremony need to take place after the apology. ANY REENACTMENTS AND HAUNTED GHOST TOURS WOULD HAVE TO STOP (I sense this could be a problem). Their account of what truly happened in history is wrong according to my guides. Blessing may calm it down, but unless the Native American spirits are put to rest, the rest of the Lemp spirits can’t go either. They died at the hand of the Native Americans. In other words, this is not an easy fix. They need to find a tribe in the area that can still speak to them in their native tongue. Then bring the medium in that can help them cross over.

I then asked for confirmation from the Shaman that what I received in information from my own guides and the spirits about these not all being suicides and that they were driven to suicide and madness by this curse was correct. I received this confirmation: “Yes, they were driven to suicide and some killed by the Native Americans. They tormented them until they killed themselves. History is wrong. That question would be best answered by the tribe in that area.”

How in the world do we go about doing this? I can’t really see the owners of the Lemp Mansion stopping all the haunted tours and such. I am sure it draws a large amount of people there. How do I, a person in Oregon, track down a Shaman in that area that speaks the native tongue? As well as get one of the Lemps to formally apologize for what they did?

All I know is that they are not letting me rest. The night before last, I physically had the comforter on my bed lift up and something hit my ankle and drop the comforter back down. I jumped out of my skin, which woke my boyfriend up. I immediately saw a flash of Billy’s face (he is a gnarly man) and as soon as his face flashed? A flash came of a Cherokee Indian with war paint on. They both are coming. I somewhat feel that the Cherokee presented himself as protection to me. Billy is angsty pants central.He has sociopathic ways and was a violent and cruel person of intention in a lot of areas. I have said this and he does not like that I say it. In which I always respond back, “Okay…if you can honestly say that anything I have said about how you behaved in your life is untrue, then I apologize for it.” I always feel him back down…because if there is anything Billy enjoyed, it was someone to mess with. He still does.

I will keep you posted here on what transpires. My plans for the next steps to this process are to write the current Lemp Mansion owners an email or letter explaining every bit of this. I hopethey will be on board to help bring the Lemp Family and the Natives to peace.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/11/27/unearthing-the-mysterious-forces-behind-the-lemp-mansion-hauntings/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/167923559812

[allofbeercom]

Unearthing The Mysterious Forces Behind The Lemp Mansion Hauntings

I don’t even know where to start with this one. I feel so much pressure to get this information out to the public, in hopes that it might set a plan in motion how to best help the spirits of the Lemp family members’ suffering…and I do mean suffering as they hang in the balance between the living and the afterworld.

Yes, I said the Lemp family.

If you follow haunted locations at all, you will have heard of this family and the famously haunted mansion that still resides in St. Louis, Missouri to this day. If you follow history, you will have heard about the The Lemp Family and all of their beermaking glory starting back in the 1800s.

I became involved in this piece of haunted history through a series of events. A wonderfully talented writer named M.J. Pack contacted me to ask me if I could read a live blog she wrote from a night that she stayed in the haunted Lemp Mansion. She asked specifically if I picked anything up from her night there. I tuned in and yes, I did see and feel a lot of different things about her stay in the mansion. It was then that M.J. asked if I would be willing to take part in a live session at the Lemp Mansion and I didn’t even hesitate to say yes to that invitation.

In case this is your first time reading my posts, I do a lot of things in life. One of those things is talk to the dead. I am a medium and have been since childhood. I mostly volunteer my time to missing person’s cases and working with the families of those missing. A majority of my gift is donated. So when I began to tune into the Lemp family and feel them and their pain, I had to take part in M.J.’s live blog. I have never done anything of that nature before this…meaning connecting with a live person from a remote distance, as they stay in a haunted room. I just figured, if I can connect with a spirit when I call them forward…why wouldn’t I be able to connect with them this way?

It was exhausting. Absolutely exhausting from the get-go. The night before the scheduled live event, I received a visit from many of the Lemp family members while attempting to sleep. Here is what came to me.

The first was a woman’s hand and wrist that had several bracelets on it. Not sure who that belongs to, although the next night when M.J. was at the mansion, she sent me a picture of a chunky gold bracelet they was on display that belonged to William “Billy” Lemp, JR.’s wife, Eleanor.

The second thing I saw was a mirror a very vintage mirror with gold framing. Parts of the mirror were smoked and distorted and other parts were dotted with dark speckles where the mirror had aged. I wasn’t sure if this mirror was hanging in the house or if it was in the house (such as the attic) and not used. Either way, the spirits use this mirror to communicate…big time. They use this mirror all the time to be seen. When M.J. spent the night the next night, she found the mirror in what is now the dining area…which is where William “Billy” Lemp, JR. “took his life.”

What I saw third was the house I was inside it. I was in a room made up of mostly mauve colors.Mauve walls…wallpaper maybe…floral patterns in the room too. The room M.J. stayed in was mauve.

Next, I saw a young man in his 20s. He was tall (I was looking up at him) and lanky, and had a set of golden dark blonde hair to light brown hair. It was crazy because he said hello to me as he passed me and I said, “Wait…you can see me?” and he said. “Why, yes. Of course I can.” and I said back to him, “Usually they can’t see me when I do this.” H said, “…well, I can.” The young man poked me to show me he could feel me and I felt his poke. What I remember next was he went over to the corner of the room, took what looked to be thick phone like cord, like ones you would plug into a wall and there was this contraption dolly-like thing he had made with the window, and he proceeded to hang himself. I was distraught at the sight and all of a sudden, a woman came forward from nowhere and explained me that he does this every night. “What do you mean he does this every night?” I asked. The woman replied, “He relives his death every night.” She went on to tell me he “comes down” at dawn.

The fifth person I saw was Charles Lemp. I looked into the mirror from my second vision when he came forth. He was serious faced and stern, but did not say a word to me. He just wanted me to know that he knows what I am doing with this.

And finally, I saw a fireplace and there were family heirlooms such as small paintings, letters, papers, and pictures all burning in this fireplace.It has significant energy around it. It has been said that many of the paintings and family documents were destroyed in fire, at the request of the last male descendent left of the Lemp Family.

I was nervous for most of the day for two reasons:

These spirits are intense.

I have never done something like this before and wanted to be at my best for the spirits and for M.J. too.

As soon as M.J. and I tried to start our live session, we were plagued with technical malfunctions left and right. We, after over an hour of trying, finally got Periscope to work. You can read and view the entire night and all of its findings here.

I was exhausted from holding a connection for that long. When I do readings on any level, I give myself breaks and unplug when I need to regain energy. This night, I did not and I paid for it that night and the next day. You must read M.J.’s live blog to get the full picture of what unfolded and our experience. Here is a snippet from it where I explain to M.J. why this family has experienced so much tragedy and why their spirits are not at rest. This is a VERY important piece of information, as I will go into later what happened once I got in touch with a Cherokee Shaman after M.J. and I connected on this night.

After our night of live blogging, I could not find peace in just “letting it go” and taking the stance that there was nothing I could do about it. In a miracle of synchronicity, I received a message from a friend of mine who is also a medium, telling me about her having just met a Cherokee Shaman. This is in Louisiana. I immediately knew this was a chance to reach and and see what could be done. I sent all the information and what I had received myself from guides and spirits and I received a response back from the Shaman. This is very powerful and made every hair on my body stand up when I read the words. Here is what the Shaman offered as information and guidance as to the plight of the Lemp Family.

It was owned by Native Americans in that area. A shaman in that area that knows the tribe’s history needs to be called. The Native Americans are at war on that property because they lost everything they had due to alcohol. The Lemps got them drunk, then got them to sign papers and deeds of which they did not understand. In return, they gave them guns and alcohol. Turning their sacred place, including tunnels into the wicked stuff that took everything away. This is a slap in the face to them. They will not let their spirits rest because the Native Americans cannot rest either. Someone who is passed, from the Lemp Family, needs to make a sincere and formal apology.

As long as the the house or grounds still make beer, it may be very hard for them to make peace. A saging ceremony and a pipe ceremony need to take place after the apology. ANY REENACTMENTS AND HAUNTED GHOST TOURS WOULD HAVE TO STOP (I sense this could be a problem). Their account of what truly happened in history is wrong according to my guides. Blessing may calm it down, but unless the Native American spirits are put to rest, the rest of the Lemp spirits can’t go either. They died at the hand of the Native Americans. In other words, this is not an easy fix. They need to find a tribe in the area that can still speak to them in their native tongue. Then bring the medium in that can help them cross over.

I then asked for confirmation from the Shaman that what I received in information from my own guides and the spirits about these not all being suicides and that they were driven to suicide and madness by this curse was correct. I received this confirmation: “Yes, they were driven to suicide and some killed by the Native Americans. They tormented them until they killed themselves. History is wrong. That question would be best answered by the tribe in that area.”

How in the world do we go about doing this? I can’t really see the owners of the Lemp Mansion stopping all the haunted tours and such. I am sure it draws a large amount of people there. How do I, a person in Oregon, track down a Shaman in that area that speaks the native tongue? As well as get one of the Lemps to formally apologize for what they did?

All I know is that they are not letting me rest. The night before last, I physically had the comforter on my bed lift up and something hit my ankle and drop the comforter back down. I jumped out of my skin, which woke my boyfriend up. I immediately saw a flash of Billy’s face (he is a gnarly man) and as soon as his face flashed? A flash came of a Cherokee Indian with war paint on. They both are coming. I somewhat feel that the Cherokee presented himself as protection to me. Billy is angsty pants central.He has sociopathic ways and was a violent and cruel person of intention in a lot of areas. I have said this and he does not like that I say it. In which I always respond back, “Okay…if you can honestly say that anything I have said about how you behaved in your life is untrue, then I apologize for it.” I always feel him back down…because if there is anything Billy enjoyed, it was someone to mess with. He still does.

I will keep you posted here on what transpires. My plans for the next steps to this process are to write the current Lemp Mansion owners an email or letter explaining every bit of this. I hopethey will be on board to help bring the Lemp Family and the Natives to peace.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/11/27/unearthing-the-mysterious-forces-behind-the-lemp-mansion-hauntings/

[isisprisoner-blog]

BILLY COTTON – SEXUAL SADIST AND ACUTE ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER (APD)

BILLY USED TO TELL ME THAT HIS STEP-SON SAID TO HIM MANY TIMES THAT HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE CHILDREN, BECAUSE IF HE DID HE WOULD HURT HIM.  THEN BILLY WOULD ALMOST SMILE.  I DID NOT KNOW HOW DISTURBED BILLY WAS WHEN I DATED HIM.  I THOUGHT JASON MEANT THAT HE WOULD BE SO HARD ON A CHILD THAT IT WOULD EFFECT HIS CONFIDENCE.  BILLY DID NOT BEGIN TO REALLY ABUSE/TORTURE ME UNTIL AFTER WE STOPPED SEEING EACH OTHER. I NOW UNDERSTAND FROM WHAT HE HAS DONE TO ME THAT JASON’S STATEMENT WAS A VERY SERIOUS ONE.  I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT BILLY DERIVED PLEASURE FROM PHYSICALLY HURTING PEOPLE.  IT EXCITES HIM AND ONCE A SADIST STARTS THE ABUSE, IT ESCALATES RESULTING IN RAPE, MURDER THEN MUTILATION.  HE ALSO DESIRES TOTAL OBIEDIANCE FROM HIS VICTIMS AND BELIEVES THAT HIS VICTIMS LOVE HIM EVEN WHEN HE IS KILLING THEM.  IF THE FBI DOES NOT STOP BILLY AND HIS FRIENDS, HE WILL SUCCEED IN KILLING ME

“The essential feature of sexual sadism is a feeling of sexual excitement resulting from administering pain, suffering, or humiliation to another person. The pain, suffering, or humiliation inflicted on the other is real; it is not imagined and may be either physical or psychological in nature. A person with a diagnosis of sexual sadism is sometimes called a sadist. The name of the disorder is derived from the proper name of the Marquis Donatien de Sade (1740-1814), a French aristocrat who became notorious for writing novels around the theme of inflicting pain as a source of sexual pleasure.”

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , also known as the DSM , is used by mental health professionals to give diagnoses of specific mental disorders. In the 2000 edition of this manual— the Fourth Edition, Text Revision, also known as DSM-IV-TR — sexual sadism is listed as one of several paraphilias . The paraphilias are a group of mental disorders characterized by obsession with unusual sexual practices or with sexual activity involving nonconsenting or inappropriate partners (such as children or animals). The paraphilias may include recurrent sexually arousing urges or fantasies as well as actual behaviors.”

“DSM-IV-TR criteria for sexual sadism include recurrent intense sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving real acts in which another person is suffering psychological or physical suffering, pain, and humiliation. The victim's suffering, pain, and humiliation cause the person with sexual sadism to become aroused. The fantasies, urges, or behaviors must be present for at least six months.” Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Sexual-sadism.html#ixzz4WphTEyIZ

“the FBI's database indicates that these people— almost always males— start out by collecting pornographic materials that depict sadistic acts, or they may draw ropes and chains on the photographs of models in swimsuit or lingerie advertisements. They then typically progress to following women at a distance, to hiring a prostitute in order to act out the fantasy, and to asking a girlfriend or other willing partner to cooperate with their fantasy. In other words, the severity of sadistic acts tends to increase over time.”

“Non-consensual sadistic behavior often leads to problems with the criminal justice system. Issues related to legal problems may impair or delay the patient's treatment. Persons with sexual sadism may be reluctant to seek or continue treatment because they fear being reported to the police or being named in a lawsuit by an unwilling partner.”

Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Sexual-sadism.html#ixzz4Wph5k3Zb

Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Sexual-sadism.html#ixzz4Wpgfw3eE Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Sexual-sadism.html#ixzz4Wpg1byi4 

Anti-Social Personality Disorder (APD)

“The central characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is an extreme disregard for the rights of other people. Individuals with APD lie and cheat to gain money or power. Their disregard for authority often leads to arrest and imprisonment. Because they have little regard for others and may act impulsively, they are frequently involved in fights. They show loyalty to few if any other people and are likely to seek power over others in order to satisfy sexual desires or economic needs.”

“People with APD often become effective "con artists." Those with well-developed verbal abilities can often charm and fool their victims, including unsuspecting or inexperienced therapists. People with APD have no respect for what others regard as societal norms or legal constraints. They may quit jobs on short notice, move to another city, or end relationships without warning and without what others would consider good reason. Criminal activities typically include theft, selling illegal drugs and check fraud. Because persons with antisocial personality disorder make "looking out for number one" their highest priority, they are quick to exploit others. They commonly rationalize these actions by dismissing their victims as weak, stupid or unwary.”

“Some legal experts and mental health professionals do not think that APD should be classified as a mental disorder, on the grounds that the classification appears to excuse unethical, illegal, or immoral behavior. Despite these concerns, juries in the United States have consistently demonstrated that they do not regard a diagnosis of APD as exempting a person from prosecution or punishment for crimes committed.” Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Antisocial-personality-disorder.html#ixzz4Wpj9xE45

Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Antisocial-personality-disorder.html#ixzz4WpidjdYk

BILLY AND THE COTTON CLUB PARTY EVERY NIGHT.  THEIR ENTERTAINMENT:  SEEING HOW CLOSE THEY CAN GET ME TO DEATH, WHILE HUMILIATING AND TORTURING ME...THEY ALSO INGEST LARGE QUANTITIES OF METHAMPHETAMINE, WATCH EACH OTHER HAVE SEX AND USE ME AS “THE SACRIFICE”