#It's one of the only two modern Star Trek that is even trying

[itsmyfandomandilikeit]

Dawn of the final week. 6 days remain.

[shapelytimber]

Wanted to paint some of my favorite characters, nothing more nothing less

[COMMISSIONS]

Way too much yapping like an embarrassing amount, the individual portraits and the template I used below vvv

I shouldn't be allowed to talk about my favorite characters- especially to people who (presumably) don't know them xjfkdk apart from the very popular ones ofc

ILLYA KURYAKIN (The man from U.N.C.L.E)

gay ass little Russian spy I love him he is so *dramatic* and a huge nerd and a Beatles fan and into fashion design- perfect pocket size blorbo ;w; also seeing a Russian character being given a positive leading role in an American tvshow from the 60s ?? Yes he lives in New York and works for UNCLE America.... But he is still a communist ?? Incredible ! Also I really like the fact he isn't given the cliché personality traits often given to Russian characters i e anger issues drinks a lot violent ect (looking at you shitty(imo) modern remake... What did you do to my little guy ;;). In a close contest with Spock for the "gayest man from tvshow" of the 60s..... And in my heart he is winning djdkd for me the gay subtext of muncle hits so much more because it's not a scifi show- it's closer to home, Napoleon and Illya were *like that* in the present day of the 60s, they were both human, and no alien fuckery made them go to the village more than once or play house in the suburbs or get attached ass up to get pegged on a regular basis... Truly a show that feels written by an old queen and a guy with the biggest fem dom fetish jkvjjkb (don't get me wrong tho I adore star trek tos and spirk too <3)

KUROO HAZAMA and PINOKO (Black Jack)

sometimes I rewatch some of the oavs from the 90s when I'm sad :) I had a huge phase a couple years back when I read nearly all the manga (should really finish it... Or reread the whole thing frankly), watched *all* the shows (bar young black jack, hated that shit) and idk I just love this venal bitch so much- him and his daughter and his conflicted feelings for his tboy ex that he still loves kfkfkf btw I'm dying for a modern take on this like please please please I'd love to see Kei Kisaragi's story rewritten a bit (trans character in the 70s sure was progressive but oh boy-), because him and black jack's relationship makes me so *weak*.... And maybe see him a bit more than in one story- anyway ! When it comes to his daughter Pinoko, it's very hit or miss- when the writers lean on the cute father adoptive daughter relationship it's great, when they lean more on the whole "she has a crush on him" (very much like a child in most case, and he *never* reciprocate thank god) and bring up the fact she is technically 18 a lot (she was an evil tumor trapped in her sister before he created a body for her- black jack shit dw), and she gets jealous of other women.... Well it's terrible and I'm uncomfy :(

EVA KANT (Diabolik)

Look.... You just can't show me danger diabolik 1968 and not expect me to become insane djdkdkdk she is so cool ;; !!! Her and her devious eel of a man (here as a panther, because even tho I haven't read the comic yet, I'm taking an educated guess that all the panther imagery is here to represent him, the lethal twunk always in the all black gimp suit... And if it's not then fuck my entire life ig fjfkkd), the cuntiest het couple you've ever seen, such freaks I love them ! Partners in crime that will blow up the tax offices of the whole country if you try to put a bounty on them <3 they are in the guilty faves category only because I'm this invested in these characters after 1 (one) movie fkfkf watched the first two remakes and was hmmm let's say underwhelmed, could have been worse but going after the 60s one ie peak cinema was hard... I went in fully invested in these heterosexuals and they still fucked up their romance and relationship ;; (don't spoil me the third one btw haven't seen it yet ! I know it's the yaoi one- which doesn't give me much hope for Eva tbh...) I'll soon start reading the comics tho ! Managed to find all twelve volumes of "Il grande Diabolik" in french for pretty cheap so I'm excited for that :D (might scan them and upload them online because omg I tried finding scans in *any* language and only found a dubious website that sold digital copies for 7€ a volume ??? What is this)

UTA (The Void / Тургор / Turgor / Tension)

Apathy girlyyyyy she just like me for real for real nfkfk what absolutely charmed me about her is yes her design, but more importantly her chamber's design (if you've never played the void, a sister's chamber is a space that represent her. You get a sense of who she is by exploring her chamber before finding her and talking to her soul it's great). The lonely island out at sea, her laying down on a suspended steel boat in a grotto, looking passively at the moon by a crack on the ceiling.... And the moon is looking back. Incredible ! I love this game so much

KIM KITSURAGI (Disco Elysium)

Do I really have to explain this one ? When I played the game with quiji I remember I kept saying "when Kim talks, we *listen*" djkdk we did get a good grade in Kim Kitsuragi and got him to dance in the church <3 this fucking centrist cop wormed it's way into my heart and many others because of course he did. The only Kim K in my eyes. Also funny anecdote : before I played Disco Elysium, I had one concept art masterclass where a kinda famous concept artist came to give advice, make us really stressed then give us a shitty grade.... And when I tell you this man looked so much like Kim ??? Same haircut, glasses, face with a scar *exactly* where Kim's portrait has a stark shadow on his cheek and he was dressed in an orange top- truly uncanny. Anyway, Kim is so fucking cool how does he do it

DARK VADOR (La guerre des étoiles)

*sight* not surprising if you know me... and to be clear when I say Vader I don't mean Anakin Skywalker, post barbecue only zouz here. I refuse to yap about this man djdkdk I already do that way to much in ao3 comment sections

And here is the template I used ! Don't know who made it tho sorry...

PS : all these where made in 2-3 hours each :D wanted to challenge myself by painting quickly, and I mostly (looking at the Eva Kant one that gave me trouble) succeeded !

[ylangelegy]

lvr ♾️ minghao x reader.

“take me out, and take me home. you're my, my, my lover.” # day seven of (the)8 days of minghao.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ headcanons of minghao as your boyfriend.

❥ falling in love. minghao's feelings remind you of a flower blooming. it's a slow, gradual thing. he's not immune to physical attraction, but love for him is something much deeper. he knows better than to take things solely on the surface level. love would only be possible for him with time, with both the sunshine and the rain. when it comes, he's not surprised. he will know that his feelings for you have been blossoming, have been growing, and he is never one to deny himself of pure and simple truths.

❥ confessing. minghao has never been a man of overtly grand gestures. some might see this as a con, but there's also appeal in the way he makes sure things are always clear and uncomplicated. his confession may come in the form of an afternoon in a café, over the pastries he knows you like best— or an evening under the stars, while you two are seated side by side on a park bench. he tells you as it is. i like you. no i think, no maybe. "you don't have to respond or even reciprocate," he will tell you, and he means it. "i just wanted to let you know."

❥ pet names. a part of minghao withers at the like of 'babe' and 'baby'. he's more comfortable with 'darling', if any, because there's a dozen ways he can say it. when he's trying to coax you out of bed. "darling, your five minutes are up." when he's exasperated and you're squabbling. "that's not what i said, darling." when he's struck by the way you look. "look at you, darling; you're the prettiest thing i've seen." (on occasion, minghao will use 'petal' or 'angel'. all soft, reverent names.)

❥ dating (1). dates with minghao are like you'd imagine. he's big on museums, especially the contemporary/modern ones. he enjoys walking around with you aimlessly, reading the descriptions out loud to you, and asking what you think about certain pieces. he's also a fan of nature; you can expect visits to botanical gardens, treks through sun-soaked trails.

❥ dating (2). there's also a part of minghao that revels in shopping dates. it's his not-so guilty pleasure, having the chance to visit strip malls or boutiques with you. he has a keen eye for articles of clothing that suit you the best. it's a little harder for you to help dress him, so you're likely to be on the receiving end of his slight side-eye whenever you pick out something rather questionable. he'll indulge you all the same, but he draws pretty clear lines on what matches his style. "we are not getting that," he half-begs as you insist on what he considers the world's most atrocious jacket. "i love you, but please!"

❥ apology language. fights with minghao may be few and far between, but they still happen. he can be sarcastic and sharp-tongued, after all; honest, but not sentimental. when apologizing to you, he's the type to accept responsibility and make restitution. "i was wrong," he'll start. "what can i do to make things right?" he's able to take ownership of when he screwed up, and he believes in implementing change in making amends. he expects the same energy from you, though, because minghao is not about to be in a relationship where there's no growth.

❥ the little things, a.k.a minghao is... gossip excitedly shared the moment he gets home ("you said i shouldn't tell anyone, but that doesn't count my partner"). outings with his parents, where he glows with pride at the thought of it being a 'double date'. voice messages sent whenever he's away; groggy recordings of "just got to my hotel room. i'll text once i've gotten some sleep. good night… or is it morning there?… ugh, whatever."

❥ love language to receive. despite being a man who received compliments on the daily, minghao will be the first to admit that affirmation hits different when it comes from you. he may not actively seek your validation, but you can see it in a dozen little ways. how he turns to you first when he's trying on a new outfit. how he looks for you in the crowd whenever he's performing. there's a certain tension that eases from his shoulders when you acknowledge him. he will try not to look too pleased about it; you'll find it in the twinkle in his eye, the shine of his smile.

❥ love language to give. minghao is a man who lives and breathes acts of service. you need to do your groceries? he's more than happy to tag along. you can't pick up your laundry? he'll get it for you. minghao makes sure that you always have gas in your tank, that he has pocket versions of your vanity kit in every bag of his. a line from hafiz's it happens all the time in heaven best describes minghao's credo when it comes to loving you: "my dear, how can i be more loving to you? / how can i be more kind?"

[deppiet]

About Prodigy and J/C

So, first off, the new season of Star Trek Prodigy is one of the most phenomenal seasons of television I've ever watched, so please proceed and watch the hell out of it so that we can perhaps get a continuation.

With that said, proceed with caution, for there are minor spoilers ahead.

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Regarding what we got (or rather, didn't get) in terms of j/c shipping, I have read several opinions by several people who, apparently, feel betrayed by the promises made by the showrunners, and I hear those complaints.

However, hear me out.

First of all with regards to the actual content of the ship present in the season, I have to say that it's rendered pretty clear that, no matter the type of the relationship, these two people are one another's most important human. This is evident not only in the way others perceive Janeway's emotional attachment as detrimental to her duty as Admiral, but also in the way the characters themselves talk about one another.

For example, Janeway refers to Chakotay as her "number one", and given that she never used that term with other first officers, the phrase seems to convey something different. The hologram Janeway is all that stands between Chakotay and a possible descent to madness during his isolation. In a flashback, he even hands her the rock with the spiral pattern drawn on it, refering to her in no uncertain terms as "home". The list goes on.

But it's not just that, and the fact remains that most fans of the j/c dynamic were looking for a more outspoken romantic tension, a kiss, or a confession. And I understand the frustration that it didn't happen, however keep in mind that the second season had been written in its entirety when news of the show's cancellation hit the press, and the writers were evidently planning ahead with no intention to wrap things up this early (there's also a point to be made about writers not having to abide by the dystopian laws of modern streaming, where there is always the fear of cancellation looming over your head and interfering with the organic development of the plot, but that's another can of worms.)

One final point to be made is about the Hagemans and the nature of the work they usually do. Anyone who has ever watched their work on Tales of Arcadia will tell you they love their romantic sub plots, touching on the love lives of teens and older adults alike. Tales of arcadia is perhaps unique in how much, how delightfully, and how unpredictably it ships main and secondary characters alike, and I cannot believe the people responsible for such a colorful selection of romantic subplots would shy away from dealing with the most notable semi-canon ship to come out of nineties Trek.

The bottom line is, the show is beautiful as is. And hope is not lost on the j/c front. Romantic or not, they are canonical soulmates. And the nature of the showrunners ' previous works makes me believe that there were plans to make the ship canon further down the road.

All the more reason for the rest of us to try and secure a continuation.

[aspiringnexu]

Something I've never really understood is people comparing Star Trek and Star Wars. Not only because the genres are so different (sci-fi vs sci-fantasy) or the fundamental difference that is the absence of Earth entirely in the Star Wars universe (Star Trek is meant to be about a recognisable, if improbable, future, whereas Star Wars is a Space Opera a Long Time Ago and Far Far Away).

But the biggest difference I see is that the two are set in fundamentally different times.

Yes, yes, I know that's obvious. I literally just pointed out the 'Long Time Ago' bit, but bear with me.

Star Trek is set in a time where exploration is still the order of the day. The Alpha quadrant is still being explored, new species are still being discovered. The Beta and Gamma quadrants are the big new frontiers. The Delta Quadrant has one very hazily mapped squiggly line with a few gaps thanks to Voyager but even that small portion was chock full of New Things. The Galaxy is still divided and unknown with new stations and trade routes popping up all over the place.

Meanwhile Star Wars is old. Real old. By the time of the Clone Wars the Republic has gone through different eras. There was a golden age. It has come and gone already. Sure there are still the Unknown Regions but it is fairly fucking rare to come across a brand spanking new space-faring race or rival government. Coruscant as the heart of the Republic has not been outright attacked for a millennium by the time of the CW. The galaxy is such a hot mess of a melting pot that only the truly reserved and isolationist species are rare to see. Humans have been buggering about and propogating so much that now its impossible to tell where they actually all came from because Alderaan? Naboo? Corellia? All major human hubs, but you could say the same about dozens of other planets, and as far as anyone can tell, at least some of the near-human species are almost definitely genetically related to humans so there has clearly been enough time for some natural evolution after the space travel.

I just find it so interesting that people try to compare them when they are at fundamentally different stages of galactic development. Its like comparing the Wild West to the modern day. The galactic governmental structures and attitudes are so amazingly different and that is to the franchises' strengths.

Star Trek is about, at its most basic point, exploration.

Star Wars is about, again at its most basic, adventure.

Sounds similar? They are similar, but whereas in Star Trek the New Things are new, in Star Wars they're new to those characters, or at least new to the audience.

Kirk and Spock are exploring the unexplored.

Luke and Han and Leia are having adventures in an already clearly established society. They forging new paths in an already defined environment.

They're both also, coincidentally, fighting evil Space Fascists but that's just par for the course. I think something about space just Does That. The Void inspires assholes to go 'I can conquer those stars!' only for said stars to pull an uno reverse in the shape of a blond kid with little to no self-preservation skills but a knack for flying spaceships.

Something something space something something sci-fi.

TL:DR Star Wars and Star Trek are different on so many levels but the most interesting one is the fact they're represent galactic civilisation but at different stages. The 'fun, exploration, everything-is-new!' stage, and the 'established society including rampant corruption, unfortunately' stage.

I love 'em both.

[the-gateway-to-madness]

It sorta bothers me that post-series people are still complaining about 3Below being disconnected from the rest of Tales of Arcadia. For me, it was a refreshing break from the densely-packed fantasy lore and an intriguing peek at the way the universe beyond Arcadia and Earth functions. I liked the character arcs and interpersonal connections. And there was ample room for me to come up with a bunch of my own headcanons, which I love! I absolutely love being able to slot pieces of my own mind and soul into an existing world! I don't like shows where I'm told how every little detail works, that's way too much to remember. Instead I want enough to create an idea of the rules and how things might have gone/might continue to go and fill in whatever else I want.

Also, I think 3Below was SUPPOSED to be a lot more connected before Wizards got cut down. Tons of ideas didn't make it into the limited series run- I remember hearing stuff about Mordred being involved, a lost Krel arc, and I'm sure a lot of lore that would have bound the worlds together more closely. When they mentioned Gaylen's core came from Earth, there was clearly supposed to be more to that, but it got cut out. I'm like 93% sure Gaylen was a being who was part of or similar to the Arcane Order, but was drawn to the cosmos rather than to a part of the Earth. That would indicate that Akiridion tech and magic are compatible because Akiridions' energy-based life was initially magical, but those roots were largely forgotten because of how old a civilization Akiridion is. They've been spacefaring since humans were cavepeople. If the Order existed from the primeval dawn of the world, and Gaylen left not long after that, Akiridion could be millenia ahead of Earth. Or, heck, maybe Earth was the first or only livable world, and Gaylen created the Order to look after it before going off to try to find or create life elsewhere. I always headcanoned that Seklos was more powerful than most Akiridions or even the Royals that came after her, given the fact her core alone was enough to stop Gaylen while in the modern era it requires two royal cores. Maybe she was created by Gaylen to be Akiridion's version of an Arcane Order type being, and she created normal Akiridions, which she then had kids with, diluting her power in the Royals that followed. There's so much ancient history to unpack from just the tidbits we were given.

As for the modern era, there seems to very distinctly be a major intergalactic connection. The drunk ship operator in episode 3 of 3b s1 that the Zerons interrogate talks about ship classifications, which indicates a universal or at least an interplanetary system of ship ratings. We also see interplanetary tourism, and signs that Akiridion is one of the most advanced and influential planets out there.

3Below doesn't need to continue the plot of Trollhunters to be a valid part of Tales of Arcadia. It brought an energy to ToA that was somewhere between Star Trek TNG and Babylon 5, and I love how it expands the weirdness of Arcadia. If it was supposed to be a continuation of Trollhunters, they would have made more Trollhunters. But it's not Trollhunters, it's 3Below. And Wizards isn't Trollhunters either! I honestly think that Camelot, Douxie, and the world of wizards could have been written such that the Trollhunters cast was much less focal, and that if they'd given the show the time it needed and deserved to tell its story, it would have been fleshed-out and fascinating all on its own, with or without the TH gang. Where are the magic users beyond the reach of Camelot? Are there merfolk, sirens, harpies, dryads, more dragons, or other sapient races living on Earth with their own civilizations and magic and cultures? There are so many worlds and so many potential stories out there, on Earth and beyond, in the Tales of Arcadia universe. Arcadia just happens to be the narrative meshing point of them all. And I think that's a really cool way to build a universe.

Anyway, thanks for coming to my TED talk, here's more Akiridion development as a treat for making it this far.

[sapphosewrites]

top 10 ds9 fan fics you've written, ranked?

Oooh, tough question, friend! I don't even know what the criteria for this would be, because the most AO3 popular ones are not always my favorites... Okay, you know what, here we go. I'm just going to go for it and make some decisions. I'm giving myself a rule, though, that I can only chose one from a series, so I'm not just listing everything in the Terok Nor AU. I'll also try to hit different kinds of fics I've written.

10.) After the End of the World: A Survey of Seminal Works of Cardassian Post-Apocalyptic Literature from cross-posted to tumblr. 533 words, "An examination of the Cardassian post-apocalyptic literary genre before and after the Dominion War." This isn't my most popular or my best written but it's one of my favorites; I like in-world diegetic texts and worldbuilding and I'm obsessed with the idea of post-canon Cardassia as post-apocalypse.

9.) Never Have I Ever from The Game Is Afoot, 1,294 words, T, "Julian introduces Garak to the human game never have I ever." This was fun to write and is fun to reread every time! I often spend a lot of fic space on angst and identity and all the reasons why it's a bad idea for Julian and Garak to get together, but in this one we just get to spend time seeing them be clever and enjoy each other's company.

8.) Tribbles, Togetherness, and the Great River, 1,742 words, G, "In their shared quarters, Nog and Jake discuss tribbles, pets, and telling their families about their relationship." This is my only full standalone Jake/Nog fic, and it's another that was a pleasure to write and still makes me smile. It's fun to spend a sweet moment with two young people figuring out how they fit together.

7.) Del Floria's Tailor Shop, 336 words, also known as the space tumblr one. I think this is possibly the funniest thing I've ever written.

6.) Push Me Til I Break, 4,653 words, M, also known as the one where Garak interrogates Julian, and the role play goes wrong. Maybe the most tense thing I've ever written, and really leans into the ways in which two deeply hurting people can choose to hurt or hold.

5.) Growth, 45,843 words, T, "Julian and Garak grapple with their pasts and their feelings for each other at the end of the series." My super long post-canon Cardassia fic, back when I had no idea how to string a multi-chapter idea together. There's a lot I would change if I wrote this now (I've grown as a writer in many ways, including my ability to have scene transitions), but some of the conversations and moments in here are still absolute favorites of mine, particularly around ideas of self-forgiveness, the clash between values and actions, and the importance of choice.

4.) Predetermination, 22,200 words, T, Mirror Bashir arrives at the station and suddenly the nature/nurture debate has never had higher stakes. This is one of the places I think I've been most successful in using sci fi to ask big questions that hopefully resonate in the modern day, about who we are and how we become. Also, the ending takes inspiration from one of my favorite TNG episodes, and that was cool too.

3.) Especially the Lies, 13,019 words, T, "Something is going on with Garak, and no one knows what, except for possibly Julian Bashir." This is my only archive-warning-applied fic and it was really important to me to tell a story about care, for a character who I think doesn't believe he's allowed to have any, in a real world circumstance that too often people have to go through alone.

2.) Necessary Storms, 15,149 words, T, Julian and Starfleet Spouse Garak get entangled in Trill politics. I feel like this is one of the things I've written that most feels like it could be an episode of Star Trek, and is also a fairly unsubtle (though initially unintentional) way to explore populism, demagoguery, resource distribution, and revolt at a very particular moment in national politics with the aesthetic distance that sci fi offers.

1.) Old Friends: An Enigma Tale from Terok Nor AU. I'm exceedingly proud of this whole series, which started as just "what can I do with the idea of dabo boy Julian" and has turned into a sweeping journey covering how Terok Nor becomes Deep Space 9. This most recent installment is perhaps not indicative of the series as a whole, but it was a lot of fun to write and is also a dip into my other favorite genre aside from sci fi (murder mystery).

[crowsintheforest]

2024 is now over, for better and for worse. it's been a hell of a year: switching careers, leaving the academy, going back to uni in a fully different field, getting a fulltime job that I start on Monday, starting up my goodreads account again--

all of which means it's time for my annual top 10 of things that I enjoyed the very most out of the whole year! unfortunately I'd been using cohost to keep track of my weekly media usage, and well, that site went a lil bit kaput. hopefully 2025 I do a better job of keeping track of these sorts of things.

without further ado, thoughts etc. under the cut.

end of year top 10 tag

yatagarasu: the raven does not choose its master (pierrot): out of this whole list, if you only experience one thing, it should be this. a court drama set in the fantasy world of the yatagarasu, giant three-legged ravens who can also take human form, the first cour follows two interlocking stories: yukiya, a young man who's the adoptive son of a rural lord roped into serving the crown prince, and asebi, one of the four women in the running to become the prince's new wife. it's got twists and turns, a fully realized world, and spectacular character and plot. highly recommended.

alan wake 2: night springs dlc (remedy entertainment): yes, yes, I put aw2 on my top 10 last year, but see, this is THREE alan wake dlcs in one! which is chock full of remedy's wild-ass ideas, from rose the waitress's uh....unique take on mr. scratch (matthew poretta's line readings are best of the year), to the bonkers story starring Actual Real Life Actor Shawn Ashmore that needs to be experienced. also, makes me think that maybe integrated universes aren't totally lost? didn't think that was possible. also, one of the best bops of the year with the theme song. speaking of which...

brat (charli xcx): is it the best album of the year? no. is it my favorite? probably yes that's why it's here. "sympathy is a knife" is my favorite song of the year

worlds beyond number: this beat out dimension 20 for my favorite actual play of the year, and it wasn't even close. I adore this podcast so very much. come for the longform storytelling of "the wizard, the witch, and the wild one," stay for the balls-to-the-wall chaos of "space cram."

tidal creatures (seanan mcguire): middlegame is one of my favorite books of all time, and the third book in the series feels like a return to form, overlapping a murder mystery, the weirdos you meet around college campuses, and multiple mythologies around the moon. good stuff.

dandadan (tatsu yukimoto, anime production by science saru): just a few things in dandadan: aliens! ghosts! demons! kaiju! sex comedy! jumanji! true love! giant robots! ranma 1/2! and teenagers falling in love and making friends! the manga slaps, science saru is doing impeccable work on the anime, and I cannot WAIT for more.

dragon age the veilguard (bioware): this game feels like coming home to a warm bath after a really long and not always successful bathroom renovation, if that makes sense? sure, it's not top 5 bioware games, but it does have a strong plot, fun characters, combat that surprised me in not sucking horribly, and one of the best act 3s in bioware. also the best boys of 2024: assan the griffin and manfred the skeleton.

star trek: lower decks (paramount+): what an ending to lwd, my favorite modern trek crew, and it's not even close. cerritos strong.

witch hat atelier (shirohama kamome): these girls have done nothing wrong in their lives, I love the magic system almost as much as I love the gorgeous detail on the artwork, and I fear for when the anime comes out and the internet gets another Sad White Haired Anime Teacher Man to moon over.

genshin impact (hoyoverse): yes I'm just as mad as you that the weeb video game is on this list. damn you hoyo for making a game this good. anyways I gotta go get primos to try to pull mavuika now so bye

[loveherdeerly]

ׂ╰┈➤ twenty-five, she/they, semi-lit to advanced ฅ^._.^ฅ

about me

i’m deer! i’m a bisexual cat mom that works full time. i have been writing and roleplaying for around eighteen years now. i take pride in being a diverse writer that can try my hand at any age, race, gender, or genre. i can write short and casual, or long and detailed, though i usually prefer something in between. i love to craft new characters and universes. i enjoy writing romance, but i also value friend and family connections for my characters even more sometimes. i am always happy to make friends, plot, draw, create pinterest boards, and chat ooc for hours!

what you can expect from me:

: ̗̀➛ daily to weekly replies (depending on general reply length & muse; novella will take me longer), and active ooc chatting!

: ̗̀➛ a diverse cast of characters and eagerness to do multimuse. i really dislike doing only one or two characters honestly; the more the merrier!

: ̗̀➛ energy matching & plotting. i give you whatever you give me. if you’re dry, i’ll be dry and likely ghost you. if you’re putting in minimal effort, so will i. likewise, if you’re excited and eager i will be too! when my partner is as passionate as i am, it strengthens my muse.

: ̗̀➛ very few triggers

: ̗̀➛ nsfw & some dead dove topics

: ̗̀➛ ooc chatting, pinterest, spotify, maybe even fanart!

what i won’t do:

જ⁀➴ super detailed gore, cat abuse, bathroom kinks, incest or csa (mentions are okay)

જ⁀➴ mxf or ocxcanon without doubling (unless i like your ad.) it is very rare that i will do an rp without doubling!

જ⁀➴ rp with anyone under 20 (go do your homework)

જ⁀➴ writing samples (every rp is different, and my writing style changes accordingly. i match my partner’s vibe so i don’t believe writing samples can adequately exhibit my abilities. its fine if that’s a dealbreaker for you. good luck in your searching!)

જ⁀➴ do all the plot work by myself (please contribute so we can keep our interest!)

genres / tropes / plots

bold for what i like the most!

·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ scifi, slice of life, family, found family, spooky, horror, pregnancy, angst, drama, adventure, action, superhero, romance, crime, mafia/cartel/gangster, espionage, fantasy, anime, realism, right person wrong time, historical fiction, college, soulmates, aliens, interracial relationships, queer relationships, mystery, war, disaster, comedy, heist, mxm, fxf, mxf, nbxm, nbxf, trans characters, opposites attract, blended families, dystopian/apocalyptic, modern, high school, big families, affairs, arranged marriage, supernatural, serial killer, royalty, retrofuturism, athletes, space opera, western, southern gothic, ancient, small town, chosen one, military, witches, celebrities, steampunk, ccxcc, ocxoc, ocxcc… and more!

fandoms

for shipping or plots based off of them. if it is listed here, i am interested! please feel free to ask me about what characters i pair with or am comfortable writing as. :)

·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ criminal minds, top gun, my hero academia, bridgerton, twisters, harry potter, the outsiders, marvel, dc, stranger things, kingsman, bullet train, the hunger games, atla, star trek, star wars, the walking dead, disney, gravity falls, alien, bg3, mlp, encanto, a quiet place, wonka, mission impossible, scream, john wick, enola holmes, james bond, ghostbusters, the purge, men in black, transformers, jurassic world, maze runner, pirates of the caribbean, ocean’s 8, the mummy, winter’s orbit, designated survivor, outer banks, GLADIATOR, love and deepspace / lads

if you’re interested or i liked one of your searches, feel free to shoot me a dm! ♡

[newx-menfan]

Laura Kinney isn’t the “Goodie Two Shoes” her fans make her out to be…and other thoughts… 

Part 3: “Laura has Become Boring”

Like many popular writing tropes and commentaries- “Women in the Refrigerator Syndrome”…”Manic Pixie Dream Girl”…”the Reader is the Villian”…”the Male Gaze”…

“The Mary Sue” is another trope that has become so simplified, critiqued, criticized and overused by writers, readers, and viewers; that it has essentially become totally meaningless.

Tropes ARE inherently neutral. WiTRS doesn’t have to be (in my opinion) inherently sexist or bad storytelling; how writers use it determines if it is that way or not.

“The Dark Phoenix Saga” IS WiTRS…but I don’t agree that it is sexist or bad writing. The storyline IS still about Jean more than Scott; while her death does further Cyclops storyline, it also affects pretty much everyone in the book after. It’s about Jean’s relationships as a whole- not just with men, but with characters like Storm as well. “The Dark Phoenix Saga” has an obvious effect on the development of Kitty Pryde, for example; it sets Kitty’s whole life on a different path. 

Jean ultimately keeps her autonomy by choosing to die and the focus of the story is essentially on the examination of the darkness lurking within ourselves…or it’s about female sexual repression, depending on your personal analysis… (remember, Claremont didn’t initially represent “Phoenix” as necessarily “good” or “bad”…it’s only modern writers who made the force “evil”…)

The original movie adaptation of this story however is DEFINITELY WiTRS…and kind of sexist…Jean’s autonomy is completely gone and the focus is more on how this will affect Logan, than on Jean’s personal growth as a character. 

The point of this example is to highlight the fact that tropes AREN’T ALL BAD. It’s just when they become too common and too poorly written…do they become BAD. 

The Mary Sue trope WAS initially defined as:

noun

noun: Mary Sue; plural noun: Mary Sues

(originally in fan fiction) a type of female character who is depicted as unrealistically lacking in flaws or weaknesses."she was not a ‘strong woman’ so much as an insufferable Mary Sue" Origin

1970s: from the name of a character in A Trekkie's Tale(1973), a parody fan fiction story based on the US television series Star Trek .

While the definition purposefully LISTS “female characters”; many male characters have since been labeled as “Mary Sues���, yet this trope was initially deemed as sexist and a straw man argument against female characters in general and the term has been more or less done away with…

Yet again; tropes are, in my opinion, typically neutral, and as many have pointed out over the years, many characters that were considered “Mary Sues” are still decent characters; I don’t think creating the trope to point out a lack of development or story believability was wrong, but I do get readers frustrations in it being predominantly only applied to female characters.

I am also not arguing Laura *IS* a Mary Sue… but I will argue that Marvel and fans have kind of made her one…. and that’s why recent “X-23” books have been so boring.

———————————————————————

When Craig Kyle initially wrote Laura, Laura had clear flaws: her whole story WAS described as “A Samurai sword, trying to be a ‘real girl’”…

Laura’s internal struggle was essentially- “man vs. self”; what does it mean to “be” human?…am I even “human”?…do I have a “soul?”…what does “autonomy” look like?… What do I really even “want” from life?

Laura WAS Frankenstein’s monster…trying to be human…

Laura HAD clear desires…but was socially unable to really act upon them…

Laura desired to have a parental attachment…but was denied that with Sarah Kinney, her sensei, and Logan essentially rejecting her or dying….

Laura desired to have a family…but was forced to lose them when the Facility tracked down Debbie and Megan and they went into hiding…

Laura desired to leave the facility and violence behind…but is still ultimately forced to kill…

Laura WAS a truly complex character; which is why even when some readers accused her of being “A Mary Sue” when she was initially introduced…it never really stuck. 

It’s really interesting to me that fans often reject Laura being sexual… or flat out admit that they don’t like it…when on panel, it’s shown to be another clear desire for “humanhood”…

In “NXM”, there is a clear scene of Laura watching Hellion sleep- Hellion is naked except for wearing a pair of pants and is obviously dreaming of another girl. The scene clearly indicates through voyeurism, that Laura desires Hellion sexually as well as emotionally…but is too socially unaware to formally initiate anything…

The central theme of Laura is she desires things…but does not have the ability to access them…

A lot of the complaints around making Laura sexual is her status as a sexual assault survivor- which I personally disagree with.

I would argue it connects to Laura central conflict of longing for human experiences… and ultimately struggling to achieve them…to return to the analogy I made in Part 1, this desire fits in with the proto-origin of “X-23”; in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, the monster longs for a companion and tries to force Frankenstein’s hand to make him one, after being continually rejected by the rest of humanity…

The struggle of wanting a healthy sexual relationship…despite having experienced rape and abuse…IS a relatable struggle… and l often truthfully feel a tad bit uncomfortable with some fans veering into wanting Laura to be asexual SOLELY because of stereotypes rather than real textual representation of her being asexual in her stories…

Laura isn’t the only character that continually gets this stereotype- Illyana is often represented by some fans as asexual solely because of childhood trauma, despite clear sexual subtext in stories with Kitty Pryde. 

It’s essentially telling certain SA survivors:  “You have to be THIS WAY, to be considered authentic”…and I just frankly don’t think that’s fair.

Besides struggling socially, Laura often struggles emotionally. 

Laura under KYOST is often subtly arrogant; in “X-Force”, Laura sets off a series of explosives that she purposefully withheld from her teammates. Laura’s commentary on Angel being on the team is both brutal and hysterical; she always assumes she knows tactically what’s best.

Laura assumes her methodicalness and calculating behaviors make her immune to being emotionally compromised…and yet Laura’s continual chink in her armor is her emotions.

Laura either attempts to repress her emotions entirely through self harm, or finds herself acting out on them. There is no real emotional control.

This is shown with Laura breaking the mirror in the girls restroom after Surge’s kiss with Hellion, losing her cool when Deathstrike harms Hellion, or her vaguely suicidal behavior when she’s infected with the Legacy Virus and later her suicide attempt with vampire Jubilee…

As much as Laura yearns to escape the violence of her childhood…there’s oftentimes also a subtle pride in her skill. Laura often recedes back into violence…because that is what is most comfortable to her. She understands it. She doesn’t have to “grow” or deal with complex situations like love, if she just stays “a weapon”. There’s a vulnerability into having to resist her training and to try and be a “real” person…

So Laura often chooses the “easiest” path- which is why she joined “X-Force”…

On some level- Laura IS proud of her skill. She is proud of being “the best”…

You see it in “Mercury Falling”. You see it in “X-Force”. You see it in “Target X”. Whether Laura will admit it or not- she feels pride over her abilities. At times, it DOES feel like Laura is showing off.

James Mangold did a nice job with this in his representation of Laura in “Logan”; from the film centering around the iconic Western “Shane”, to Laura and Logan’s conversations about killing. In the film, Laura struggles consistently with the questions about killing and whether some killings are “right”.

“The killing. There’s no going back from it. Right or wrong is a brand. A brand sticks. There’s no going back. Now, you run on home to your mother and tell her … tell her everything’s alright. There aren’t any more guns in the valley.”

The line at the end is especially grabbing, because the tragedy of Laura is… she can’t really go back either; no matter how hard she tries… 

She ultimately isn’t “Pinocchio”, who can become a “real boy” at the end… she is “Frankenstein’s monster”, who on some level is always wandering the world alone.

The problems started when writers wanted Laura to fit a more and more a generic superhero role; especially when Laura took on the role of “Wolverine”; she was either written as a “female Logan”…or a much more simplistic female hero archetype instead of “Frankenstein’s monster”…

Liu, Hopeless, Bendis, Taylor, Hickman, and other writers decided to essentially explore the question of- “What would happen if Laura GOT all the things she desired?”

Laura desires a parent…and she gets that with Gambit, and later Logan fully accepts her as his progeny. 

Laura desires a family- and she gets that through Jubilee, Gabby, Daken, ect…AND the return of Megan and Debbie…

Laura desires to stop killing- and she does.

Laura desires a relationship- and multiple writers try to make that happen with Jubilee …Angel…and Synch…

The problem with this is, there’s little to no real conflict in Laura’s life now. Laura essentially has no goal to work towards.

”Pinocchio” ends when he becomes “real”… because the harsh truth is… no one’s interested in following the story of “a real boy”…

The main focus in Laura’s storytelling was essentially “man vs. self”…but now that there is no “self” to be in conflict with…what do you do??

Frankenstein has been accepted and welcomed thoroughly, with open arms…so what does he do now??

Laura’s rogues gallery…is frankly dismal, and with no internal conflicts left to face now… it is nearly impossible to really create a clear foil TO Laura…

Gone is Laura’s debates whether she was human. Gone is Laura’s social awkwardness and introversion (writers tried to textually justify this in-story, but it was frankly lackluster and poorly done). Gone is Laura’s moral struggle with killing and gone is Laura’s goth and edgier clothing.

Everything that made Laura is essentially slowly removed; including her flaws and weaknesses…making her a “Mary Sue” bland character…

Liu at least attempts to keep some of the initial flaws and tribulations in Laura’s initial jealousy of Jubilee, her struggles with her emotions and the question of whether she has a “soul”, her struggles with coming to terms with her past…yet Liu oftentimes removes Laura’s emotions and arrogance and the parts of Laura that make Laura interesting… at times Liu’s Laura just feels… flat…robotic…too perfect and too sympathetic, with none of the sharp edges that made KYOST’s Laura so interesting.

Laura is somewhat always the “poor pitiful bullied girl” in Liu, instead of a complex character that makes complex decisions. Where Kyle hints that partially Laura joined “X-Force” not just because of Cyclops and her feeling she couldn’t say “no”…but because on some level Laura is somewhat scared of fully abandoning her violent past, for a new hopeful “unknown”…Liu purposefully represents anyone questioning Laura being on “X-Force” as just “jealous and mean”…

Laura is more or less represented as needing “protection” in Liu’s version in the form of Gambit and Jubilee; where KYOST’s Laura grew from interactions with peers and Megan. There’s a more of a childlike and helpless element to Laura that KYOST didn’t really have. Laura is represented as needing “cared for”, in a way that almost feels infantilizing.

Bendis more or less created an entirely new character, complete with “Whedon-speak” and the generic “spunk” all female teen superheroes are routinely given anymore. Laura’s struggle with desiring sex and intimacy but unable to initiate are also gone…Laura now openly hugs Cyclops…she has a one night stand with Angel and her trauma is more or less hand waved away because it’s “uncomfortable” and doesn’t fit the mold comic writers now want (notice how around this time writers ALSO removed Mockingbird’s history with sexual assault…)

Hopeless tries to represent Laura’s desire to be human, by saying that her change in personality is an attempt to escape from her past…to not be labeled as “damaged”…yet the problem, besides the arc centering more on Warren’s “angst” over becoming “Death” and reading as Warren feeling more upset about Laura emasculating him than genuine concern for Laura…is that it ultimately feels inauthentic…

Why didn’t Laura attempt this in “NXM”? Or in “Avengers Academy”? Or in “Target X” while at school with Megan...or with the “NYX” kids?…

Laura DID, at times, attempt to fit in- but I would argue she ultimately refused to adjust to norms because she desired more than anything to be her “authentic self”…Laura HAD to have enough social training to blend in on “missions”…she is capable of “fitting into social norms”…we see that both when she kills the presidential candidate and when she tracks down Megan from the kidnapper…she ultimately just didn’t WANT TO consistently pretend to be someone else.

We see Laura going along passively with David’s pseudo “Danger Room” games to fit in, in NXM…and then ultimately breaking decorum by repeatedly rescuing Hellion and treating him as “helpless”, much to his annoyance…

Laura on some level HAD to know people don’t talk repeatedly about murder or challenge adults in “Target X”….and yet she utterly breaks decorum again after arrogantly telling the teacher that their data is “flawed”…

While Laura may not grasp spying is wrong, I am sure she was told not to be in students rooms at certain hours…she ultimately breaks the rules and watches Hellion while he sleeps, not out of misunderstanding, but truthfully for her own personal desires…

Laura had always WANTED autonomy…to be her “full self”…as flawed or awkward as that “self” may be…so it makes no sense that she would suddenly try to change her entire personality just to “fit in”…

You can argue Laura doesn’t fully commit; putting herself in constant danger despite Warren’s criticisms and having to listen to him accusing her choices of being akin to self-harm…and while there’s still some arrogance in Laura’s representation, seeing herself as invulnerable, I think ultimately this representation negates previous representations of Laura (along with making everyone hate Warren while reading it…)

Taylor in my opinion, struggled with writing Laura just as much. There were times, like Laura ultimately killing Kimura, Laura seeing the similarities between abandoning Gabby and Logan abandoning her, or Laura finding her dead mother alive…that were solid and interesting and authentic to previous representations of Laura.

The problem with Taylor, is that I think he ultimately wanted Laura to be a simpler, easier character to write for.

Neither Taylor nor Liu, I felt like could write Laura as flawed. The Laura in their books was always sympathetic, always represented as a tad bit too perfect. Taylor even makes a religious allegory out of Laura in “Immune”, with Laura literally being “Jesus” to Wolverine’s “God”…

Where Liu’s version veered into “pitying” Laura too much…Taylor seemed flat out hesitant to give Laura any real narrative conflict; Laura’s khaki wearing clothes more or less physically reflected the boring, bland turn writers had ultimately made for the character.

Laura AND Gabby…on some level, become one note…feeling more akin to watching a sitcom, than a representation of real siblings…

Tamaki, despite having the weakest run, I feel actually did the best job with this question…“What would happen if Laura GOT the things she desired?”

Where Tom Taylor looked at all of Laura obstacles as something to remove so Laura could have an easier, happier existence…Tamaki is the only writer to showcase that even “getting what you want”…is objectively…unpleasant and hard…

Laura doesn’t just perfectly get along with Gabby, like they are living in some sitcom. 

Gabby is given very human desires that often DON’T match up with Laura’s…to have a birthday…to protect her robot sisters…to be an individual…and Laura often doesn’t really know how to handle that.

I would say the most compelling and truthful moment we’ve gotten of Laura in a while, is Laura unable to handle her anger and blowing up at Gabby.

Laura is selfish in this moment. She lets Gabby “go” and pouts about it…internally justifying her actions as “right”. In that moment, Laura just sits there and feels bad for herself; not caring about Gabby’s feelings around the robot clones or the trauma Gabby experienced losing her other sisters.

Tamaki wasn’t afraid to represent Laura as, at times “wrong”. Laura doesn’t perfectly make every correct decision or have some witty one liners about “Nazi Stomping boots” while being some infallible moral paragon…

Gabby is equally allowed “personhood”, by having desires that oppose Laura’s. The tension in Tamaki’s storytelling is the opposition of Gabby’s and Laura’s desires.

———————————————————————

Ultimately, when people ask “Why was Hellion the most popular love interest”…OR “Why was the trigger scent such an interesting plot point”…I would answer… because they added TENSION in the story…

Because no one knew if Laura would ever overcome the influence of the Trigger Scent or if she would ever end up with Hellion…

The difference between Craig Kyle and all the other authors mentioned, is Kyle understood that readers don’t REALLY WANT characters to be happy…

No one wants Beast to turn into the prince at the end of the Disney movie, or Frankenstein to make his monster their “mate”, or for Pinocchio to become a “real boy”…

Those stories END the minute all the conflicts are resolved…

The fans that chronically go off on writers for giving Laura strife…also tend to be the fans that are unhappy with how boring Laura has been since YKOST and Liu…not realizing that those things are connected…

That fandom has kind of made Laura… a bit of a Mary Sue.

[mazegays]

Fic Masterpost

compiling all of my fics in one convenient post! chronological order, green are ongoing works, yellow/orange are nsfw.

i never thought they'd lock you in a cage

Thominho; Role Reversal, set mainly during TDC (movie). Minho is the Greenie, Thomas is the experienced Runner who is kidnapped by WICKED.

maze of stars and hearts

Thominho; Star Trek Crossover AU. The whole gang is here as their up-and-coming star captain falls in love with his science officer. And also the admirals are dicks.

the flow of the ocean: a current of change

Thominho; Mermaid AU. Sometimes, a dive into the ocean is the same thing as a dive into love; for Minho, that just happens to mean marrying into ocean royalty.

even birds need to learn how to fly

Thominho; In this world where the Mazes never existed but the Flare does, we get a look into the lives of survivors Minho and Thomas. Also features little!Thomas and caregiver!Minho.

temper the flame, but refuse to let it die

Thominho; Soulmates AU. Minho's grown up with drawings and messages all over his arms, but he's never written back, not even to tell his soulmate his name.

hot coffee, coming through!

Thominho; Modern AU. Thomas is a cute barista who has the terrible misfortune of getting burned (literally) in front of Minho, who was annoying Newt with his non-studious ways and sent for coffee.

suits and swords

Thominho, Nalby, Sonyarriet; Royalty AU. Set vaguely in our Tudor era, this is an A/B/O au that follows young princes - Minho and Thomas, and their many friends - of recently treatied countries over the course of their lives. Includes none of our historical figures. Does include two religions that I made up.

they burned your skin with bloodied ink

Thominho; An alternate take on what could have happened with the individual tests after Scorch Trials. Thomas doesn't come back--and when he does, it's for the worst. Whump and hurt/comfort abound.

if only we'd known

Thominho; Brendesa, Nalby; Magic AU. Thomas is terribly busy when his sister calls to perform a spell she knows nothing about. With Minho, of all people. It's a terrible idea.

He does it anyway.

the bones beneath your skin rattle and crack before they hatch

Thominho; Canon Divergence. WICKED went much, much farther with their experiments--as Thomas is quickly learning in a very painful way.

for you i can do anything but fly

Thominho; Modern AU. Thomas is stressed about work, money, and college; Minho just doesn't understand why Thomas is pulling away.

roses smell oh so sweet when one hasn't a nose

Thominho; Scorch Trials Canon Divergence. Brenda and Thomas are trapped in the tunnels, and maybe this would be a good moment for flirting... if Thomas weren't so obviously in love, that is. Brenda's POV.

i can't read your mind (but you'll share your thoughts anytime)

Thominho; Canon Divergence. Thomas and Minho have telepathy. In some ways, this makes things easier. In others, it makes them more difficult. They manage to fall in love anyway.

what's in the woods? (just thomas and minho)

Thominho; After a year in Paradise, Thomas and Minho take a vacation. It ends up being... less of a vacation than they wanted.

the woods (they want your fear)

Thominho; Modern AU. Minho and Thomas try to take a camping trip. It's all going well, until Thomas goes off on his own.

a shield you are not

Thominho, Sonyarriet; Scorch Trials Canon Divergence. Thomas makes some new friends in Group B. Minho and the others aren't so sure about them, but they can't stop Thomas from doing what he wants.

There is whump but this is mostly a fun fic.

these walls may break you but we will remake you

Thominho, Sonyarriet; Scorch Trials Canon Divergence. Thomas is kept alone, isolated for months on end with only his journals to keep him company. Will he be able to escape WICKED and heal from this experience?

the blues will heal if only you let them

Background Thominho; Very little dialogue. Thomas and Minho are stuck in the Maze--again. And Minho's not responding to anything, so it's up to Thomas to get them out.

rocky falls and rocky scars

Thominho; Set early in Paradise. Thomas hits his head on a rock while trying to play a joke on Minho. Hurt/comfort ensues.

haunted memories (memories, memories, memories)

Thominho, Thomas & Minho & Gally friendship; Set post-Death Cure, in a universe where the Flare never really existed and the survivors of the trials get to return to their families. Thomas, Minho, and Gally go to a haunted house... and in doing so, risk returning to some of their worst memories.

tears (that we don't remember)

Thominho; Thomas and Minho are taking a week off, and things are going well until a storm hits their camping spot in the woods. Whump, hurt/comfort.

scarred hearts (still beat)

Thominho; Minho thinking about his lightning scars in Paradise.

rocks, stones, walls, us

Thominho; Minho has to send his crush the Greenie into the Maze alone. This is a normal level of nervous to be about that, right? Right? Whump, hurt/comfort.

when screams (are the only escape)

Thominho; Minho thinks they're all used to them by now. The nightmares, the screams.

Thomas seems to be the only one unaffected. Hurt/comfort.

bees aren't the only ones with hives

Thominho, Sonyarriet; Minho's drink gets spiked at a party. An allergic reaction and brief terror follows. Whump, hurt/comfort.

bad days (can be almost good, sometimes)

Thominho; Their day off is the day Thomas's brain decides that hallucinations are the way to go. Whump, hurt/comfort.

anywhere, as long as I'm with you

Sonyarriet; Sonya and Harriet want to go... and see if the boys are around, totally, that's it. It's just their luck that Harriet gets hurt along the way.

milkshakes: the cure-all

Thominho; Gally's been bullying Thomas and he's been trying his best to make sure Minho doesn't find out. But now Gally is talking directly to Minho.

i don't breathe (without you)

Thominho; Thomas might be able to find happiness here, someday. Peace, maybe.

If only it was real.

MCD, Hurt/No Comfort

memories (they ache)

Thomas & Sonya, Sonyarriet, Thominho: Thomas doesn't know who this girl is, or why he should trust her. But he does, and that's what gets them out. Whump, hurt/comfort.

the fog rolls away

Thominho; Minho experiences a depressive episode in Paradise. Thomas is there to help.

carved names (crossed out)

Thominho; Post-Death Cure, they've begun housing Immunes in the Glades. This leads to distress in those who were trapped there. Hurt/comfort.

choose three (or we kill them all)

Thominho; based on the individual trials post-Scorch. Minho is forced to pick who lives or dies. Whump, hurt/comfort.

parties (are not for the weak)

Sonyarriet, Thominho; Modern AU. Harriet would like to have a normal birthday party, please. Not one that involves assholes pointing guns at her and her friends. Hurt/comfort.

our songs are ending (but don't cry)

Thominho, Sonyarriet, Minho & Thomas & Sonya & Harriet; No matter how many times they try, they cannot seem to escape WICKED. Each time they do, they only get worse beatings and less food.

But Thomas has to keep trying. They have to get out.

Torture, MCD

as night falls

Thominho; In Paradise, Thomas is having trouble sleeping. Minho notices. Hurt/comfort.

supposed to be

Thominho, Nalby, Sonyarriet; Wingfic + Royalty AU. Thomas is nervous about declaring courtship and officially marking himself as an adult. So of course things go wrong. Whump, hurt/comfort.

just remember those wicked words your mother used to say

Thominho; Fantasy AU set in the Maze. Thomas has powers, but he doesn't know how to use them and he doesn't know how to tell anyone. So he doesn't. Whump, hurt/comfort.

this love came back to me

Thominho; Thomas has chronic pain in Paradise and this is how Minho helps him with it. Hurt/comfort

finding you

Thominho; Fever Code Era. Thomas is quiet, and maybe a little weird. That doesn't stop Minho from getting to know him, and helping him where he can. Hurt/comfort.

(aka: The beginning of the long empath Thomas AU I have plotted out.)

fever dream high

Thominho, Sonyarriet; Soulmate AU. After the Scorch, Groups A and B are placed into a Maze together. Thomas is a dumbass who doesn't know anything about anything, so when he saves Minho's life this time, it really is an accident.

But they don't really care about that part. Hurt/comfort.

following you

Thominho; Minho's first impression of Thomas--Greenies aren't usually of much interest to him, but this one? He's gonna be watching him.

could already feel your kiss

Thominho, Brendesa, Sonyarriet; Enemies to lovers AU, set in a 1950s-inspired setting because Minho racing motorcycles in leather jackets. (You're welcome.)

Thomas visits his sister in her college town, only to find out that she's gone and joined a gang... and that he's not allowed to talk to the rival gang.

Minho, though? He's just got his eye on the new pretty boy in town.

And through it all, Janson and Ava are terrible parents.

Whump, hurt/comfort.

janson is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad man

Rape/Non-con, Mindbreak, Drugged Sex

Whump, big time. Comfort is slim but there. 18+. If you want to chat about this one, head over to @rememberthatiloveyou.

Thominho; Post-Scorch Trials AU. Janson takes the... opportunity of having Thomas at his mercy to treat him however he pleases. This includes making a deal with the few remaining Gladers in order to leave with Thomas.

saving you (is all that matters)

Thominho, Sonyarriet, Past Nalby; Post-Scorch Trials. Minho's terrified of telling the others that he thinks Thomas might be dead.

Thomas, meanwhile, only knows white.

Whump, hurt/comfort.

falling branches

Thominho, Sonyarriet, Nalby, Brendesa; Modern AU. When Thomas, Minho, Sonya, Newt, and Harriet get stuck in a storm, Minho's fight or flight kicks in--and he chooses flight. Thomas follows him, and this is the journey of getting them back.

Whump, hurt/comfort, check endnotes for more warnings.

for the hope of it all

Thominho; Modern AU. Minho and Thomas have been dating for a few years now. To their friends and family, everything is going great!

... Except for the fact that they're not actually dating. And now Minho doesn't know what to say.

MCD, hurt/comfort.

damn sure never would've danced with the devil

Sequel to janson is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad man.

18+. @rememberthatiloveyou if you want to chat.

Thominally; Thomas wants to Minho to treat him differently in bed; Gally steps in to make sure all parties are pleased.

dancing in the starlight

Sonyarriet; Modern AU. Newt is boring. Sonya knows this, but because he's her brother, she decides to spend time with him anyway. And that turns out to be a fantastic way to find something exciting in her life.

Harriet's just trying to do her job, trying to learn everything she can about flowers so she can reach her dreams. It's not her fault there's a pretty girl distracting her.

aka: Watch Sonya and Harriet fall in love.

love is stored in the hand

18+. @rememberthatiloveyou if you want to chat.

Thominally fisting fic.

i'll say "just fine"

Thominho, Sonyarriet, Fry/Gally, past Nalby; Set in a no-Maze world where WICKED decided to take over the world in much less subtle way. Minho, much like everyone else he knows, is just trying to survive. Trying to keep memories of before alive as much as he can while also grieving the loss of far too many loved ones. He goes back to his old house, the last place he saw them alive. Whump, hurt/comfort. Mentions of torture.

could've followed my fears all the way down

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Thominally slowburn; Sonyarriet, Thomas & Sonya.

After nearly a year in Paradise, this is how things are going for some of our Gladers:

Thomas is struggling to understand how to piece himself back together, and he's not sure why any of his friends want him around.

Gally doesn't know what the fuck he's doing, especially not when he starts falling for the kid he used to hate.

Minho pretends he's got his shit together, but he's been in love with his best friend for over a year and hasn't said anything.

Whump, suicidal thoughts and actions, self-harm, hurt/comfort. It gets worse before it gets better.

You've Got Mail for @adoresbenho

Thominho slowburn(ish), very background nalby, brendesa, and sonyarriet. Written in epistolary format. Thomas and Minho attend sister boarding schools that require their students to exchange letters with each other. The trick? Their pen pals are selected for them, and they're not allowed to switch or even stop writing until they graduate. It's going to be a long few years.

is the pleasure worth the pain?

NSFW/18+. @rememberthatiloveyou if you want to chat. ""Not yet." He stops Thomas from opening his belt. He doesn’t watch Thomas's reaction, though. He’s watching the rest of them. Gally can see the moment it dawns on a few of them what he wants to do. He knew they were wired the same as him. Wonders if they would take his position, if he offered. "Mouth open, Greenie." Thomas listens immediately, and Gally wants to laugh. Do any of the others know this? That once you get the Greenie on his knees, he's as pliable as Frypan’s cookie dough? Or did they just fuck him and leave? Loudmouth Thomas, with his questions and disruptions, whom they all followed without a thought, and he’s so easy to control. And he’s all Gally’s." or Thomas and Gally strike a bargain of sorts before Gally can pull the trigger. Gally certainly doesn't have any complaints.

16 (no, 15) toothbrushes for @pathsofoak

Non-graphic depiction of scars; mental spiral Thomas is tired of being trapped in nearly monochrome rooms, all by himself. It's too bad that WCKD doesn't care what he thinks. But, really, when have they ever?

please take down the mistletoe for @itsthemxze Chapter 1

Gally and Thomas have been fated since they were kids. Gally spent his days watching this annoying loudmouth kid who is for some reason his. They learn to love each other, to merge their lives and they're the sappiest couple at their high school. But then their college acceptance letters come. Thomas's, at least. And that's when everything falls apart.

[emptymanuscript]

You know, I just saw a post supporting the writer's strike and saying there are plenty of old shows to watch... and it occurred to me that it might be good to share some shows we love just in case people haven't seen them yet.

Places that make it easy to find where to watch things: Reelgood and JustWatch. Check both, they sometimes conflict, get it wrong, etc.

My Recs (in hopes others will add) (admittedly the low hanging fruit):

The X-Files, 1993, 11 Seasons, free on freevee, available on Hulu, can rent or buy other places. If you haven't seen X-Files, you're missing out. It was a smash hit in the 90's for a good reason. Two detectives, a believer and a skeptic, try to solve unsolvable mysteries in the midst of grand conspiracy. And find, somehow, that as much as they annoy each other, they need each other.

Babylon 5, 1993 / 1994, 5 Seasons, free on Roku and Tubi. An Epic Space Opera that never quite got the success it deserved. It is one of those things whose influence is written all over modern sci-fi and fantasy without much acknowledgement. This is the interplay of empires and mythology, double dealing and political cruelty.

SPACE: 1999, 1975, 2 seasons, free on Crackle, Peacock, Fubo, Pluto, Freevee, Plex, Shout, and Roku. I dare you to listen to the theme song and not feel the groove of this classic campy space opera. When Earth's moon is ejected from orbit to hurtle through the galaxy, the people of Moonbase Alpha have to confront new alien weirdness every week. Part of what makes it so good is that the show takes itself completely seriously, there's no wink and nod in here.

Kindred: The Embraced, 1996, 1 Season, available as a slime tutorial. It's Vampire: The Masquerade as a cheesy soap opera. There are constant reminders of what the clans are like in the most pointed, ridiculous dialogue you can imagine. Had the lead actor not died, this show might have found its place in a couple of more seasons, as it is, it is deliciously campy and dumb. Days of our LARP.

Profit, 1996, 1 Season, available as a slime tutorial. What if the Antagonist was the Main Character. Profit was ahead of its time. It would be right at home in the modern streaming era but it absolutely didn't fit in its own day and age. Profit is dark and twisted (For people who follow me, see if you can find an early inspirations for JJ) with mature and uncomfortable themes. One of its benefits is that it was network televison, so it couldn't show all the gratuitous violence and sex that it would be given if it was made today. It's psychological violence and murder off screen, which, if you let yourself get into it, can grow into worse things than can be shown. Profit is about power, greed, and ruthlessness and what happens when someone even more ruthless and immoral than you shows up.

Farscape, 1999, 4 seasons and a TV movie, available for free on crackle, peacock, popcornflix, shout, freevee, pluto, roku, and tubi. In spite of my picture, this is live action space opera, but it is looney tunes, literally in one episode. This is what happens when the Jim Henson company decides to make a space opera as far away from Star Trek as possible. It's zany, over the top, sometimes hilarious, often creepy, and there's only one human who is far out of his depth.

Blake's 7, 1978, 4 seasons, available on BritBox, and you should be able to find all of it with a little searching on youtube. Like Farscape, this show focuses on escaped prisoners but when they find an advanced spacecraft, they decide to become freedom fighters against their fascist regime instead of just trying to escape. Darker than most of what you could find on US tv until fairly recently. These are wounded people in hostile space.

The Outer Limits, 1995, 7 seasons. Free on Roku. This is a sci-fi anthology series. Some episodes are more interesting and thought provoking than others but overall a lot of good stories.

There are now 12 series with 44 seasons between them totaling up to 880 episodes of Star Trek. That's about 3 months straight of 24 hour programming if you ran it back to back with no pauses at all. That's a lot of show. Mostly on Paramount+ but it's probably not terribly difficult to find the material less officially. It may not all be your cup of earl grey but there's a lot to try out to see if you like it.

1899, 2022, 1 season (cancelled), available on Netflix or wherever else one finds shows. This is my only modern show because I know it didn't get a lot of viewership in spite of being brilliantly twisty. 1899 is one of those shows that it is very hard to talk about without spoilers. I think it is however immediately obvious that the cruise ship Kerebos, en route to New York, is not at all in the situation it appears to be in. It is magnificently multilingual with the ability to communicate when you can't speak each other's language front and center in the narrative. It's sadly cancelled and the creators are on record that they don't want to finish it in another medium so we'll never know exactly what happened but there is wonder to be had from this first season.

Magnum P.I., 1980, 8 seasons. Free on freevee and Roku. 1 season available with Amazon Prime, rest for rent or purchase. Mix a lovable goofball naval vet with PTSD and a very stiff necked British curmudgeon vet with PTSD and you get a fun mystery every week in paradise. Magnum shrugs off most of his work and pawns it on to his friends getting by on charm and some wit.

Murder, She Wrote, 1984, 12 seasons. All available for free on Roku. 6 seasons available for free on freevee. Note that one of the primary writers for Murder, She Wrote was J. Michael Straczynski, this is the job that got him the ability to make Babylon 5. Jessica Fletcher is a charming and clever lady who has retired to the placid sea side village of Cabot Cove to write mystery novels but somehow always ends up at murder scenes. It has been estimated that if Cabot Cove was real, it would be the murder capital of the US.

Tales from the Crypt, 1989, 7 seasons, available as a slime tutorial. To get it to lucky number 13, I present another great anthology show. Every episode a different tale of the macabre or horrific. The crypt keeper is a charmingly gruesome host and there are a few episodes that have stuck with me since I first saw them in the 90's.

Hopefully one among these number can fulfill your needs and if not, hopefully someone else will tack on a few more. I know I left out plenty of my own favorites. There's lots to see while your current faves are on hiatus. There might be a brand new fandom waiting for you.

[whovianwatchingstartrek]

A Whovian Watches Star Trek for the First Time: Part 059 - Captain T'Pol and the Quantum Parasites

Star Trek: Enterprise - Season 3 Episode 8 - Twilight

The episode cold opens with Archer waking up to find T'Pol has taken has taken his place as captain. Not only that, but enterprise is being chased by the Xindi weapon and two Xindi ships! Quite an exciting opener. Then: We see the weapon crack open a planet. Next thing we know, Archer's an old man on earth. And for some reason, living with T'Pol in a kind of couple-y situation. I wish the show would stop trying to make Archer x T'Pol work, they have absolutely no chemistry with eachother. Apparently Archer is missing 12 years worth of his memories. Most of the episode was through flashback, with T'Pol explain what happened. According to her, Archer was hit by an anomaly, and has been unable to form any new Long Term memories ever since.

This was a really interesting episode. Normally when a show does Amnesia, they do Retrograde amnesia, so it's nice to see an attempt to tackle Anterograde amnesia for a change. And the episode being from Archer's perspective while he's suffering from it was really interesting.

Also, is this the only time we get to see T'Pol in a normal Starfleet uniform? Because it really does suit her, better than the uniforms she's had so far, at least. While we're on the topic, we later see Trip in the Captain's uniform, and it suits him too. And Malcolm's beard.

Archer's reaction to hearing that Earth and most of Earth's colonies were destroyed is heartbreakingly well performed. It might be the best performance Scott Bakula has given for enterprise so far. However, it was at this point that I started figuring that things weren't exactly as they seemed, and that this was all in Archer's mind. Earth and humanity wouldn't be destroyed off-screen. I also started to notice other small details that were off. T'Pol wouldn't argue that The Vulcans held back Earth's warp program, that was always Archer and Trip's talking point. But, later in the episode I'm proven wrong. This episode actually happened, it's just undone because of the parasites infecting Archer's relationship with Space-Time. Eliminating them now, means they never existed, so curing Archer means that he would never have been infected in the first place

The cure of course is blasting the Parasites out of Archer's head with the Warp reactor. I don't think that's how medicine works, but who am I to argue with Phlox's methods.

I really liked this episode, it had some really good emotional beats, and even despite it's more emotional nature, still managed to squeeze in a couple good action scenes. Enterprise's last stand, with everyone fighting to the absolute end in the faintest hope that Phlox's theory about the parasites was correct was beautiful, and the calm at the end once everything was undone was just really nice.

Plus, a nice Time Travel twist. In a way, it kind of reminded me of the 10th Doctor episode, Turn Left, in that a parasite causes an aberrant timeline where everything just goes wrong. It's not quite as bleak as turn left, and this deals with future events instead of Past Events, but I still loved it.

Comparing my Enjoyment of this Episode with a Doctor Who Universe Story of the Same Title

Doctor Who - Big Finish Monthly Range #23 - Project: Twilight

Project: Twilight was the start of a mini arc that ran through Big Finish's 6th and 7th Doctor Radio Plays, often Called The Forge Arc.

The radio play opens with brilliant opening that makes little sense on the first listening, but when you come back to it, it makes a lot more sense. Specifically, the Project Twilight subject's escape from the Forge in World War One. The audio then jumps forward to the modern day. I like to keep the plot summary stuff short for the Same Title segment, so I'll skip over a lot of the details, but it's initially framed as a strange murder mystery about a spontaneously combusting body, but beautifully unravels into a century long Conspiracy involving a secret government organisation called The Forge, a Vampire-Super-Soldier program from World War One, and how The Doctor, his companion Evelyn, and a random civilian called Cassie end up wrapped up into it.

The story's individual villains of the Project Twilight Vampire vampires are fantastically written, and the story masterfully sets up Nimrod, the main villain of the Forge Arc as a whole.

Project: Twilight is a lot more gruesome than most Doctor Who stories, but it plays it's horror very tactfully and the fact that it's a radio play which leaves the visuals to the imagination really adds to that atmosphere.

Picking whether Enterprise's Twilight or Doctor Who's Project Twilight is better is a hard choice, they both scratch very different itches and fill their roles very well. I am leaning more towards Project: Twilight because I'm in that Halloween Horror mood at the moment, but Enterprise's Twilight was also a really good timey-wimey emotionally driven experience.

[vreenak]

My knowledge on Star Trek is pretty limited, I've watched a handful of the movies, almost nothing of the og tv show but I've watched the modern movies with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe saldana. Also the first season of that show with Michael Burnham? But that's all

So, my question here is... How many versions of Spock are there? And how would you rate them? Any favorite?

Hey, thanks so much for the ask! I really have no excuse for why it took so long to answer it. I guess this is the kind of question where you either write a whole essay or answer it in a sentence. I always put it off, thinking I would sit down one day and magically write that essay… let's not kid ourselves, though, I'm not known for my fandom meta. But I'm determined to give you more than a sentence. So here goes!

You asked me to rank the Spocks, of which there are 3. *queue some huge Spock fan swooping in and berating me for how wrong I am* 😅 But yeah, we have Leonard Nimoy's Spock (the original one everyone has heard of), the one from the AOS movie, and - let's get this out of the way - my favorite, the one from Strange New Worlds (he also has a few (?) appearances in Discovery … I think in season one? So maybe you've seen him.) This sounds weird because he's such an icon - and I do appreciate him a lot - but… Spock doesn't particularly interest me? I'm not a huge watcher of the original Star Trek series either (yes I know, shame on me! 🙈), although I have watched it several times over the years. I don't feel like I really know Nimoy's Spock that well? I'm more interested in Vulcan culture in general. Of course, all that wouldn't exist w/o Original Spock AND Nimoy's input during production. He laid the foundation. So we owe him a lot.

That being said, I love that, in SNW, we're getting to know Spock and the Vulcan people in general from a fresh perspective. The way they're exploring intraracial dating (Spock and his fiancée T'Pring), interracial dating (Spock and Nurse Chapel), Spock coming to terms with his human side, navigating friendship and camaraderie on a majority human spaceship… It's just really well done. And idk if you've watched a bit of Strange New Worlds, but it's just an extremely beautiful show, simply stunning, visually. And let's face it, Ethan Peck is easy on the eyes as well. We're always told that Vulcans are physically stronger than humans and I love that he's looking the part? And that guys can act. Just an overall great casting choice.

I should probably add that I'm in the minority with my opinion. I have a feeling that most fans don't like Peck's Spock, but I think both the actor and the writing team are doing a great job. I love the show's humor and that they're not taking themselves and the characters too seriously, not even Saint Spock!

And of course there's Zachary Quinto, wouldn't want to forget about him. Gotta be honest with you, I only have eyes for Captain Pike and Uhura and mayyyybe Kirk when I'm watching the movie, but Quinto!Spock is doing a good job, I guess! He definitely has the sharpest haircut of them all! (and I lovelovelove little Spock!!!! Like, Spock as a kid? Do you remember that scene where he's at school and some meanies bully him because he's half human? Oh my gosh he's the cutest little kid and he looks so sad and I always want to give him a big hug!)

Anyway. Thanks for letting me ramble! I know Star Trek is not for everyone, but at this point there's a big variety of shows, so if there's any way for you to catch an episode or two, give it another try! 💜

[angel-armed]

Tristamp OST analysis

This is going to be a bit of a monster even with me just jumping to favorite songs so bear with me... I'm a classically trained vocalist, I play piano, guitar, and a load of different woodwinds.

1.KNIVES’s Piano

This is the most important leitmotif in the series, legit. This is part of how Knives ‘haunts the narrative.’ While he doesn’t appear in every episode, his leitmotif is everwhere. This melody appears even in songs that are not necessarily about him, and can also be tied directly to the concept of Plant Song, which is another track on here. It gives the idea that Knives’ theme is not something he just magically composed and pulled out of the aether– it’s a primordial melody that belongs to the Plants themselves. We see this especially in the scene in Episode 11 (Or 12, they blend together for me oops) where Vash starts to sing this very melody and the Plants sing along with him. 

Millions Knives vocal Ver.

This is probably the most obvious and prominent track in the entire show. It takes the same melody and motif as Knives piano theme and adds lyrics that are really only fully heard here and in Drain Arm, the 2nd to last track. These lyrics turn that Plant Song into a blatant lovesong, even including a call and response– a lyrical/vocal style used primarily in lovesongs in musicals and even Disney Lovesongs. Without official lyrics to look at the, lyrics I hear go as follows: 

Can we breathe (or maybe be, but breathe is more likely) the same way together?

All of the lives(Lights? Lies? All fit) are a part of me

Wish we could stay here forever

Although the stars are falling down.

Remember how

We used to be

No turning back

Stars falling down

These are the main vocals, but the response is, either right after the last stanza or during it, underneath the vocals as a joined swell “I still care for you” suggesting that said response is Vash responding to Nai’s previous thoughts. I could go on about this one forever, but those are the main points to take away. 

Vash the Stampede

This is Vash’s main theme and leitmotif, heard very prominently throughout the first few episodes. It harkens back to the more Western heavy themes of the original anime and manga, and really represents Vash’s spirit. It’s upbeat and introduces several motifs that will be used to represent Vash throughout the rest of the OST. It also includes the big brass fanfare that are the main Trigun Stampede theme from the first OST (which I haven’t played to death as much as the 2nd one) We’ve got the harmonica and guitar that brings us that western feel, but that quickly gets wrapped up in a modern almost hip-hop rock beat and really encapsulates the way Vash presents himself, less than his actual inner being. It almost feels like this song is how Vash wants the world to view him. That cool cowboy that Nai talked about when they were kids. 

10. Boyhood/ NICHOLAS THE PUNISHER/ Whom to let live

This gives us Nico’s leitmotif, and some that might later be associated with Livio depending on how they decide to utilize him in season two. This is the only place in the soundtrack where we hear the use of the theramin (A very cool instrument you should look up the history of) which is famous from classic sci fi shows like the Twilight Zone and the Original Star Trek. It’s used to invoke a sense of spookiness, and often used to tell us through the music that something strange and alien is happening which is appropriate, as part of Boyhood is used during the scene where we’re shown how Conrad’s experiments transformed Wolfwood and Livio.This and NICHOLAS THe PUNISHER makes use of another instrument we don’t really hear anywhere else– the Saxophone, which if you know Trimax and the 98 anime, is a cool throwback. Whom to let live uses it even more prominently. Whom to let live is a personal favorite of mine, it’s so introspective and soft– almost soothing. This plays on the Sand Steamer during one of Wolfwood’s introspective moments; when he’s trying to choose who he should save. 

11. Energy of the Plant

This one contains some of the same musical elements of Knives’ vocal theme, eventually ramping up into the violins that are often used, in my opinion, to represent Vash in a theme– a cool little nod to them being connected literally and figuratively. 

20. Home

This track is SO near and dear to my heart. It’s built out of melodies and themes that are simply not present in the rest of the OST. No sign of Nai’s theme, yet the theme is played on the instrument associated with him– piano. It starts out simple and then bit by bit, brass and woodwinds come in to swell the melody into a heart-bursting wave of warmth. Just as it reaches that climax, the violins that represent Vash come in, and give us a tiny glimpse of the leitmotif from Vash the Stampede, as though whispering of the man he will become after growing up in the company of the people from Ship Three. See if you can pick it out right at 1:46!  This right here is why I believe the violin is the instrument used to represent Vash throughout the rest of the OST. 

23. Last Run

I can’t help but mention this track, as it is probably one of my top three favorites. Of course the most obvious part is how it incorporates Knives’ theme towards the middle and end, but the build up to that point is a masterclass in creating musical tension. It starts with the underlying sound of weeping violins, and then a synth instrument that just barely offers a TEASE of Nai’s theme as the other elements, discordant slides and very subtle percussion build up. As Vash enters the scene, the violins become more tense as well, playing short staccato notes instead of the long, weeping notes before. It drops off into that synthesized guitar bomb slide, which is used to almost simulate the beating of a heart along with deep bass. Then, the Plantsong itself comes in– the same vocals used to represent the Plants in other songs just as the Climax of the scene begins, and then Knives’ piano theme slowly comes in, falling like tears before another stop that leads into the actual climax. Honestly this song is an absolute masterpiece. Just then, some organs come in very softly, picking up what can only be called a transformative moment for Knives as his worldview is cemented into stone, his path to becoming the god of this planet laid out before him in rage and fury. Then in the very last quarter of the song, it transforms almost entirely into his theme just around the time Vash’s gate manifests– but with the added oomph of Vash’s absolutely gut-wrenching violin playing along in a duet. They are both in so much pain in this scene, and the song spells it all out. 

28&29: Erhu in July and Plant Song on erhu

I love these two tracks because they really are one song, and go one into another seamlessly– they are simply Vash’s and then Knives’ leitmotifs played on an Erhu, which is legit one of my favorite instruments of all time. Really brings into focus that July has a TON of Chinese influence!

41. Conception

Jumping way ahead on this because while there are a lot of great tracks, I really wanna focus on the ones that stand out. This one in particular is really special because it takes Knives’ theme that is usually played in Minor key and moves it almost entirely into Major Key. It’s triumphant! His eden is at hand, and then, those sad strings come in (a cello this time–) that just suddenly dies out, just as Vash cuts him off. 

42. Memory of Rem

This song is really cool because it is, once again, part of the same melody that Knives always plays– but it’s only ONE part of it accompanied by violin, likely to represent the half of the melody that is attributed to Vash. Obviously it represents his connection to Rem and his childhood. 

44. Drain Arm

This song is a fucking magnum opus, and starts with the same notes that are present in Memory of Rem, symbolizing how she lives on through Vash. It almost immediately starts with a slow, sad violin melody that then builds up and up using some of the same melodic motifs as Home– and then Nai’s piano comes in, cascading downward along with the vocals that are used to represent plants. The beginning movement really is a mix of everything that made Vash who he is today. Then, it moves into mirroring the melody of Knives’ piano theme entirely with new added piano flourishes that make this moment feel so beautiful and yet sad. Vash and Knives are both becoming who they are going to be for the duration of the rest of the story. The old is dying, and the new is being born– very painfully. The vocals swell and then drop, bringing the focus back to the piano and some ominous percussion and bells before coming back up into a crescendo. This is where the lyrics from Knives’ Vocal theme appear, expressing Knives’ pain and Vash’s desperate “I still care for you,” 

I’ve said it before but the piano here really feels like cascading tears, which are then joined by the weeping of a violin as that lyric: “I still care for you” plays. The melodies all start to join up into one as the violin now starts to play the intro to Knives’ theme and carry the song into its final climax and the pain we all know it overlays. This time, the violins play Knives’ theme– while his usual piano plays a countermelody and harmony. Still, the two are unavoidably intertwined. I can’t help but feel as though this represents Vash taking that melody into himself, carrying the Knives he knew and loved with him. 

[calliethetrekkie]

Star Trek TOS S01E02: The Corbomite Maneuver

Original Thoughts

"Boring. Is this gonna be like the Star Trek movie curse? Where every odd numbered episode is meh at best and stupid at worse, while all the even numbered episodes are at least interesting? All I remember after watching it is that they dealt with an alien force that originally looked like a Rubix Cube without the squares. Oh and the voice of Ted Cassidy, that was nice~ But yeah, otherwise it was boring. Not unwatchable, but forgettable, 2/5."

(Original Post)

Rewatch Thoughts

The only thing meh at best and stupid at worst is that opinion. Shame on you Callie from two years ago! Also, I kept calling it 'Corbonite Maneuver' for some reason. Whoops.

Okay really, I think the reason that I felt that way was because I was watching the show in the order they had it on streaming. In other words, the airing order, not the production order. Thus, when compared to episodes like The Naked Time and The Enemy Within which were pretty intense episodes, this one came off as slow and uneventful in comparison. Had I watched it in production order, this would have been first after the two pilot episodes and I likely wouldn't have had as much of an issue with it. I'd have probably still found it boring, but it wouldn't feel as big of a letdown as the first time.

But here we are two years later. I had watched the episode again in-between then and now and had come around to it. It's funny how different your perception can be after you go back after watching the whole series through. The Man Trap is a great example, but we'll get there later. I'd already done some meta analysis on the episode, so feel free to check that out. It's mainly a McKirk post analyzing how their professional relationship can conflict as well as their personal relationship that I feel is especially vital in this episode. I'm probably gonna give it a do-over on my main blog down the line. But I'll give the abridged version of it and my other thoughts here.

As far as the episode itself goes, it's still not my favorite by any means, but I wouldn't rank it as low as I did originally. Watching it as a series premiere, this one does the job perfectly. It establishes our captain, the main crew members we'll be seeing, and what we can expect from the show. It may seem a bit, for lack of a better word, cheap to a modern audience. But I can imagine had this aired properly, this would have wowed the audiences of the 60's. There's also some legitimate tension about how Kirk was going to pull them out of this mess and with how rather... harsh and stressed he was, it shows that for all his flaws, he is very much an effective captain.

Kirk having problems isn't a bad thing either. There's plenty of growth for him as a captain. Here we see him stressed, demanding, and pushing things way too hard. He demands simulations to be conducted while the ship is still being repaired AND while the officers are still getting their wits together. It's especially clear with navigator Bailey, who is barely holding himself together. He's tense, uncertain, eventually freezes up and later has a full-on breakdown from all the stress and fear. McCoy even tries to get Kirk to see this and quit pushing too hard, but Kirk is incapable of doing so at this moment. This may be the Enterprise's first major crisis since Kirk became captain, and thus everything is on his shoulders. He's stressed. His stress is causing everyone else stress as he's trying to figure out what to do. By the end, he manages to effectively get them out of danger with both his bluff about corbomite and then leading the crew to breaking from the tractor beam.

And in the end, it's clear that Kirk isn't a bad guy. He is very much devoted to the mission of discovering new worlds and new life. Even after everything, he chooses to help Balok when the distress signal goes out and tries to make things up to bailey by letting him be the first along with himself and McCoy to have the first encounter. Which leads to bailey essentially becoming their ambassador... which whether letting him stay maybe wasn't the best idea, but he saw that Bailey wanted to do it and allowed it. And at the end of the day, that is their mission. To exchange information and cultures with other worlds.

We do a lot of good character establishing. We have Kirk of course, but McCoy also gets it really well. He puts off a red alert to finish Kirk's physical while he has the chance, showing that he's a doctor before all else. He's frequently trying to guide Jim to take notice of the crew's mental state while also trying to ease Kirk's own state. He provokes an argument with Kirk regarding Bailey's breakdown despite the fact they're potentially minutes away from death, which is what gets Kirk to actually snap. He had no problem talking back to the captian, even threatening to report him to his face, but considering he chose to do so at the worst moment shows a level of short-sightedness when focused on a certain thing. For a guy who didn't get any top billing until Season 2, they clearly knew that DeForest Kelley as McCoy was gonna be a stand-out and indeed he was.

It also establishes Kirk and McCoy's relationship really well from the get-go. While them having an argument like this is rare, it shows how it can happen. You could even say that they both learn from it and try to be more understanding of each other's concerns and position later. It doesn't always work, but it's a step in the right direction. And they both know their fault and apologize. You can tell that even this early on, they have a close bond. Kirk noticeably eases up and opens up around McCoy moreso than anyone else, aside from a little with Spock. He's not even using Bones yet, but that could be because he's trying to be the professional captain, but after this eases up on that. Really, I could go on all day about these two, but again that's for my main blog. But with how major their relationship truly is and how it often gets overshadowed by Kirk/Spock and Spock/McCoy, it's nice to see it so early on and done so well.

Aside from that, there isn't much more to say. It's a good episode. Not great, but nowhere near as bad as I made it out in my original watchthrough. Spock doesn't have a lot for me to go over aside from being established as the logical second-in-command. The little scene where McCoy says he'd love to teach Spock poker is cute though, and outright hilarious considering how they interact later. But hey gotta start somewhere haha. Overall, it's a good episode. It isn't great, but as an introduction to ST, the cast, and the show's purpose? It nails it perfectly and was enjoyable. It certainly wasn't boring or forgettable this time around.

Oh and because I'm an animation nerd, hearing Ted Cassidy (most well known as Lurch in The Addams Family and various animation roles) as Balok was still an utter joy~!

Original Ranking: 2/5

Rewatch Ranking: 6/10

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