#Nick Cushing

[baddawgsports]

New York City FC Confirms Traveling Preseason Roster & Additional Preseason Friendly

New York City FC Confirms Traveling Preseason Roster & Additional Preseason Friendly Click the link to find out all you need and more.

New York City FC today announced its preseason roster ahead of the 2024 season.   The Club arrived in Tampa, Florida earlier this week for training camp.    29 players make this season’s preseason roster in Tampa. One Academy player, two New York City FC II players, and one trialist will join the First Team this year. MLS SuperDraft selections Malachi Jones and Taylor Calheira have traveled…

[gurutrends]

Casey Stoney, Nick Cushing and 10 candidates to replace Jonas Eidevall at Arsenal - ranked

After Arsenal’s poor start to the season continued with defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, Jonas Eidevall handed in his resignation and waved farewell to the club that he has coached for the last three years. In terms of the Women’s Super League title race, it was always going to be difficult for the Gunners to recover from dropping seven points in their opening four games to be a genuine contender.…

[varinastix]

Keira's first press conference with Nick. talks about first england call up.

[djkerr]

Mr. Dincon? What is Memo 618? Why do you ask? Jeffrey Epstein's life was built on it. Then you have your answer.

📷 imdb

TGF 04x07 The Gang Discovers Who Killed Jeffrey Epstein

[forensicated]

02x06 - This Little Pig

TW: Racism based on the time of writing/filming (mid 80's)

Taffy is out on patrol with everything seeming normal and boring... until he hears some oinking coming from an alleyway...

"Going out in pairs are we today, mate?" 😂

Reg is complaining about back pain after hurting himself on a training course. "He who dares ricks his back!" Viv mocks.

The manager of the City Farm phones to report 2 pigs missing. Viv has to ask him to hold on while she stifles a laugh and then passes the message to Bob. "Two of our pigs are missing... It's the City Farm. They've had a breakout!"

Pete is unimpressed to be asked to pick up the pig in the police van but Bob explains the man from the farm can't pick it up as he only has a Mini! He sends Jim to help him because "He's good with kids... he's probably good with animals." Great logic! In the meantime Roger Phillpot from the farm arrives to help Taffy keep the pig calm, explaining someone let them out deliberately by wirecutters making a huge hole. He admits they've had a few animal rights people send letters recently. Plonk is returned to the farm and now they must track down Pickle! "You're not a vegetarian are you?" he asks Taffy. "Oh no, I'm Welsh. I eat anything" Without any evidence (they've binned the letters) there's little else the police can do than keep an eye out for Pickle. Phillpot goes cold on Taffy, apologising for 'bothering him' sarcastically. Pete then purposely brushes pig poo out of the van and onto Taffy's uniform. It's not his day! Pete drops Taffy at a local cafe where he goes for a cup of tea.

Pete moans he's had no overtime for 2 months and that it's resulted in a big cut of his normal wage. "Money isn't everything." "True, there's always sex." he purrs, eyeing a secretary who ignores him. Pete moans that he has commitments to pay for and he wants a big murder to happen for the overtime. Yorkie points out that it's not exactly something to announce and Pete claims the others would be straight in there claiming for extra hours too.

Yorkie says Pete must have been paid a bomb for the recent (March 84-March 85. This aired 23 Dec 85) miners strikes and he spent more time in Yorkshire than Yorkshire-born Yorkie did! Pete claims Scargil caved in too soon because only half of his holiday had been paid off. June points out he shouldn't have spent most of it on a new motorbike and Abe asks if he put any away for the tax man. Pete claims the tax man already had it because they're PAYE. Abe points out that's only at the basic rate. If he's earnt over that, they'll come for him. Pete claims he's winding him up and Yorkie shakes his head. Pete asks Bob if it's true and Bob explains that yes, the tax man has already had his share of the miner's strike overtime money for most of them... "But not for super grabbers like you."

Ted reads a bulletin that claims the ban on overtime won't affect the amount of work the police get done. "Pedantic little twat." Ted growls about the author (Brownlow's soon-to-retire Clerk who has just asked him to get Roy to redo an expenses claim and moaned about Dashers not being clocked in despite being out on a job). Immigration call Roy about a job and Ted asks what's happening. "Deporting all the Irish and you're first." Roy complains about the CID boys not being further along on jobs and Ted points out that's because of the cancellation of overtime. Roy heads out for the first of two meetings, amused that his expenses claim didn't make the grade. "What's the matter, didn't I claim enough?"

Reg fancies becoming the Superintendent's next clerk and asks what Bob thinks about him applying. "I honestly can't think of anyone more suitable at Sun Hill. The only problem is, it's not a job for an able-bodied copper." Reg wonders if his back has been permanently damaged. "It'd match your brain then, wouldn't it..." Viv snarks. Reg tries to speak to Brownlow about applying for the job but before he can get the request out properly, the Superintendent literally runs up the stairs to avoid talking to him.

Roy tells Bob that Immigration want to borrow 3 officers and will arrive at 11.30 to raid a sweatshop. Bob isn't happy about it, not wanting to do their dirty work for them and tells Roy they're there "to catch villains, not go after some poor sod born in the wrong country."

A shop selling furs reports animal life protesters preventing people entering. Three officers are sent with Bob warning Jim to be careful how he handles it. Taffy answers and is sent over too. Jim enters the shop first and asks the manager if he wants the people removed. One of the protesters tells Jim they're only putting forward a different point of view and, actually, they do mind being asked to leave the shop and so sit down. Pete says they have 1 chance to leave under their own steam or they'll be dragged out. When they don't move, Pete and Jim drag out each protester. They then get arrested for charging at Jim and knocking him over, threatening to do it again even if they do keep getting arrested.

Taffy is mocked by Pete for arriving once the protesters are in the van and claims that there was no point calling him while he was in the cafe. Taffy says he wasn't, he was pounding the beat "covered in pig shit thanks to you," and shouts at Pete for dropping him in it with Bob. Pete says he hadn't, "Cryer already knows you're a lazy git!" At the station, Taffy tells Bob that he was in the cafe for 2 minutes and that he has witnesses. Bob tells him he's not blind and knows that Taffy 'disappears' sometimes, forcing him to admit it before letting him go to change his trousers.

Bob processes the campaigners with them starting to sing a monotonous round of 'on, and on, and on and on again' until Bob shouts at them to "SHUT UP!" Jim claims they were arrested for threatening behaviour and breach of the peace. They add "You're all a load of bastards." and "We'll do it again and again until the murder stops." They refuse to comply with willingly handing their property over so June and Pete take them for a strip search.

Reg delivers one of the most Reg-esque clips in this episode too!

Nick offers just after to go do the body search for her if she wants and Reg cuts in. "I wouldn't if I were you mate. You can catch all sorts of things these days!"

The female prisoner being searched by June is obstructive, insisting that June undress her. "Do you enjoy degrading your fellow women?" she asks with June ignoring her attempts to start an argument.

Nick calls CID about a burglary and can't get hold of Dashers or Ted so contacts Roy. Roy asks if there's been any mention of a wardrobe and, confused, Nick tells him there hasn't been.

In the cells the protesters are still changing 'Fur Traders Out', and 'Here We Go' driving the officers mad with Bob calling them more trouble than bank robbers. He can't risk bailing them so has to keep them overnight for court.

The immigration officer arrives, requesting 3 officers. Bob says he hopes they're not too lucky as they're already almost full in the cells. Abe is also sent over to help. Jim is not impressed about having to help Immigration but Pete is happy to. The man reminds the officers they're only there in case of breach of the peace, they don't need to do anything otherwise. Immigration go upstairs, speaking to the owner of the sweatshop and then to the staff and take one gentleman back with them. "Another blow against the black economy!" Pete beams, before making further racist remarks to Abe.

Roy speaks to the woman who reported the robbery. Despite the confusion, a wardrobe was wrongly delivered to the address prior to the burglary. A neighbour let them in and then, 3/4 of an hour later, let them in again to collect it after they 'realised it was the wrong address'. Roy explains to the women there was likely a man inside the wardrobe and that he and what they took were taken out by the delivery men who are also in on it.

The man removed from the sweatshop is interviewed and admits being in the country illegally. Reluctantly Bob has to agree to hold him until immigration can arrange his deportation.

Pete has arranged a position moonlighting to fill a gap until overtime is allowed again. He's going to be a minder for rich men, £50 a night cash in hand. He claims that in 2 weeks the tax problem will be sorted and another couple of weeks after will pay his holiday off. Jim points out that it'll conflict with his job but Pete insists it'll be fine.

Mike couldn't speak to the shop that the delivery people pretended to be from to see if there was anyone in the dispatch who could be leaking details because of the ban on overtime. Roy is fuming and tries to speak to Brownlow about it but his clerk is obstructive but allows him to make an appointment to speak to Brownlow at 2pm.

June watches as a bride and groom leave the church. She recognises the groom and radios to Taffy to ask about him. Taffy should have been in court the week before for a firearms charge with the groom but he didn't show... She's definitely found him now! The couple and their guests come together for photographs as Taffy and Pete turn up in the van. "Everybody say 'Suspended Sentence!" a man croons with a grin before the groom's face falls, having spotted the officers. They return to the station with the wedding cars following close behind.

(sideview of the station down Artichoke Hill. The 'station' might now be flats but the building behind it still stands with the bottom now a Dominos Pizza shop. The blocks of flats are also still standing though a large group of trees now obscures them from view somewhat.)

The bride's father claims it'll just be 5 minutes for the groom to be charged before they can go on to the reception. The entire wedding party appears to have joined them(!) "Gawd, you think they'd paint it a nicer colour!" June joins them for a bit of wedding cake in the waiting room!

Bob asks them all to clear off because the groom is being held overnight because he skipped off last time. His bride brings him a bit of cake as she comes to say goodnight to him and kiss him goodbye until the next day. She's very forgiving considering!

The gentleman from the sweatshop is very nervous and frightened, refusing food when Taffy does his rounds. He takes the protester's beans on toast but the first refuses it because she's vegan and there's butter on the toast. She then pushes the tray so it covers Taffy in beans. Taffy is furious, booking off for the evening.

Brownlow refuses overtime for the wardrobe burglars who have been doing jobs all over Sun Hill. He calls Bob upstairs for the meeting too and tells them the overtime ban is going to be around for quite some time and that unless it's a major robbery, GBH, murder or rape there will not be any overtime allowed. Having said all that, this must not be allowed to affect their output(!) Bob points out that this meeting has been called after his shift so, technically he should be on overtime. Brownlow tells him that it's coming from on high so has to be passed down and Bob snaps back to ask if anything is being fed back to them about how their money-saving schemes just do not work in practice.

Bob is struggling to put even one officer out daily on foot patrol. Roy adds that they're asked to do the job with both hands tied behind their backs and that the overtime ban does not extend to the villains and as a result he's lost 2 major results that he and CID had already spent many working hours on, only to not get a result from them because they couldn't do extra - much needed - work. How is that cost-effective? "Are we policeman or accountants?" Brownlow repeatedly tells them that they have to find a cheaper and more efficient way of doing their jobs and that it'll benefit them in the future and give them more money to use where it's truly needed. (Newsflash from 2024: No it doesn't! All they do is continue to cut much-needed services to the bone and expect savings to be made where there isn't enough money to fund the basics in the first place.) "What you're saying is that we're deliberately not solving crime now so we can solve it in the year 2000?." "Certain inquiries are more cost-effective than others." "Someone ought to tell the poor sods who think the police are here to help them!"

Pete is placed onto nights the following month because of annual leave... he's not going to be able to do the minder job after all!

The reception is held in the station local as Bob and Roy continue complaining about the politics involved. Abe reveals to Sadie and Jim that he has three daughters, aged 7, 5, and 2. Jim follows him out to go play cricket with him and the kids at the park. Nick drops in for a pint before he goes to Brownlow's house to decorate his bathroom(!) Bob tells Roy that Pete, who is sulking at the bar, received £5K (just shy of 15K in today's money) for policing the miner's strikes whereas he struggled to staff even basic limits at the same time. Roy sighs and tells him it's the same as teachers, meals on wheels and social services so to drink up and shut up.

Incase you're wondering, after Pete and Taffy leave the farm - Pickle isn't mentioned again!

[just-b-yourself]

"He reaped what he sowed. He lived a violent & dishonest life"

" He’s so deep underground he needs a breathing tube.” - Margaret Atwood

Each and every one of those scenes represent a moment where Nick fought against Gilead, in his own way. By becoming an eye after the suicide of the Handmaid at the Waterford's. By denouncing the actions of commander Guthrie. By working underground with Mayday, supplying the women trapped in Jezebel's. He got the letters out of Gilead, giving credit to Luke. He killed Putnam. Pointed a gun on Fred's head to allow June and Holly / Nichole to escape. Helped Serena against Cushing. Delivered Fred to June. Organised with Mayday the first attempt of June's escape. Collected informations about Hannah for June. Punched Lawrence in the face in front of every other commanders. Made a deal with Tuello to keep June and his daughter safe. Killed two guardians to save Luke and Moira. And so much more...

So, would a true believer, a nazi, a villain have done any of that ? Nick was smart, smarter than most. He knew that in order to survive, he had to keep a low profile. He fought in the shadows. But fought nevertheless. He just didn't expect to be betrayed by the woman he loved, the woman he tried so hard to save for so many years... She had a choice. And she made it.

[benofie]

Beginning tonight, osblaine fans are and will be in pain, angry, confused, and will begin to grieve. Nick Blaine may have been a fictional character, but he was also the best man we never knew, but wish we did.

People can say what they want about fans of Nick and June, but we know this show better than anyone. We have watched it, in its entirety, multiple times and certain scenes hundreds of times. We know how Nick Blaine has been presented better than anyone because we DON'T fast forward through his scenes and we DON'T scroll our phone as soon as he appears (how often have Nick haters said this?). No, we pay CLOSE attention, and we don't miss anything.

Fortunately, Max Minghella is too good an actor, and despite the writer's "best efforts" in S6 to ruin him, Max continued to bring the complexity, nuance, and layers of Nick to life. No matter what EM and the EPs tried to TELL US to think about Nick, we still saw him as he has always been portrayed... a good man in a bad place who does his best in difficult circumstances. He was never an architect or creator of Gilead. He was a desperate kid who was targeted by a cult and baited to join because he needed a job. He never "climbed the Gilead ranks for power." He became an Eye after Offred 1 died to help spy on other COMMANDERS and take them down, starting with the Commander who came up with the Handmaid’s system. He has since helped take down Cushing, Waterford, and Putnam. He was given two promotions by Fred as punishments. The rest was playing along and acting under duress for survival. Throughout all this, he has also risked his life for June, Nichole, Hannah, Luke, Moira, and Mayday. He even risked his life to bring the letters from the women of Gilead to Canada (unprompted, btw!) and gave them to Luke to get them out. He helped the Martha's get June and Nichole out of Gilead by holding Fred at gunpoint. That isn't a man loyal to Gilead. That is a male feminist ally.

We know who Nick Blaine was. Trying to gaslight the audience and retcon his story in the final season didn't work. It only made the showrunners look like incompetent hacks.

Get some rest, osblaines, and take care of yourselves. For the love of Nick, we'll get through this ❤️

[boycottthetestaments]

📌 Fact Check Friday: “Nick Was Never Anti-Gilead Really? Let’s Talk About That.

In Season 6, the writers pushed a narrative that Nick was never anti-Gilead, just a man surviving in the system. But that’s not just a mischaracterization, it’s a direct contradiction of canon, and even of what Bruce Miller himself has said in earlier interviews.

Here’s what Bruce Miller wrote in a Reddit AMA (via Hulu_Official):

“Nick’s belief in any aspects of the Gilead ‘revolution’ have long-since faded. He’s focused on survival — his own, June’s, the life of his child.”

He also said:

“They left him the moment Gilead took over violently, and he was a part of that takeover.”

That doesn’t sound like someone who believes in Gilead. That sounds like someone who was used, then discarded, and has been quietly resisting ever since.

Let’s back this up with receipts from the show and the novels:

📺 TV Series: Nick’s Anti-Gilead Actions

• Season 1: Becomes an Eye to expose corrupt Commanders (Waterford, Guthrie). Warns June about Ofglen. Organizes June’s escape after learning she’s pregnant.

• Season 2: Helps bring down Commander Cushing. Holds a Commander at gunpoint so June and Holly can flee.

• Season 4: “Arrests” June to protect her. Tells her how to survive interrogation. Gets intel on Hannah. Hands Fred over for execution.

• Season 5: Makes a secret deal with Tuello to keep June and Nichole safe.

• Season 6: Kills two Guardians to protect June, Moira, and Luke. Retrieves escape map from Jezebels. Refuses to turn June in, even when threatened with death.

📚 In Margaret Atwood’s Novels

• The Handmaid’s Tale: Nick is part of Mayday and organizes Offred’s escape.

• The Testaments: Nick is alive, in hiding, and working undercover for Mayday.

✅ The Truth:

Nick Blaine has never been pro-Gilead.

He was in it, not of it — surviving, resisting, and protecting the people he loves from the inside.

So when Season 6 tries to erase that legacy and gaslight the audience into believing he was never on the right side of history — we push back.

Because the truth is in the text.

And we remember what they want us to forget.

[dystopiandramaqueen]

The way Nick was acting when he "betrayed" June was more like a victim imo did you see how he acting around wharton? looks more to me like someone that's been abused and being manipulated saying sorry about mentioning the wall to nick and he wants to help nick so he has to tell him everything and we're supposed to believe he's evil now? I don't think this is just press interviews I really do think they want to go there with Nick in the show too

I’ve got really bad complex PTSD.

So many ppl do.

From childhood trauma, alcoholic or emotionally unavailable parents, death of loved ones, abusive jobs, toxic family, illness, injury.

Life hurts us. We collect damage. It makes our brains abnormal. For me- loud unexpected noises, or certain tones of voice make me feel like I’m going to die. Dogs. Ice. Cold. The triggers make me feel like I’m a scared little kid. Even though I’m a fully grown adult. I’ll do almost anything to get out of triggering situations it’s truly like torture.

What I saw Max show us was PTSD.

Nick looked like a scared little kid in that scene.

He’s a stone cold killer. We’ve seen Nick kill Fred and Cushing indirectly- leading them to their death- then we saw him straight up execute Putnam and Toby.

Nick was in HIS house. Alone. No witnesses. If he’d felt fully empowered? He could have shot that motherfucker.

So yea. PTSD. Fear so visceral it paralyzes you and makes you think you’re going to die.

That scene was so visceral. I felt really small and scared and trapped, just watching it. Max is such a fucking good actor.

Hulu may have wanted a “betrayal” scene but Max gave us a complex emotional feast.

Maybe that’s why they’re confused. Maybe they don’t WATCH the show.

They just wanted Max to read their script.

But it’s Max’s character, he identifies with Nick- and the way he played it made perfect sense and felt consistent w/ the character we love.

[otp-after-dark]

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” —Nick Blaine, 2x07

The episode opens with a funeral. A shell-shocked Lydia. And a rare moment of quiet grief for the handmaids who died in the bombing.

“I wish I could give you a world without pain, without violence.” Nice sentiment, Lydia. Bit late.

Fred’s in the hospital. Serena’s momentarily empowered. Emily and Janine are on their way back from the colonies. And in Canada, Luke is holding on to what little hope he has left.

“She’s not okay. She’s alive. I have faith that she’s alive.” —Luke

Back at the Waterfords, the threat level is rising. Commander Cushing is sniffing around, asking too many questions about June’s escape.

“I was taken against my will.” —June She says it like muscle memory. But she knows the danger isn’t over.

And then — a Martha is executed in the street. For nothing. No crime. No warning. Just gone.

“Guardians killing Marthas in the street and that’s supposed to make us feel safer? It’s asinine.” —Serena For once, Serena’s not wrong.

But let’s talk about the heart of the episode: the hospital scene.

Nick sees her. And everything in him softens. The second he's alone, he’s there — asking if she’s okay, checking in, already seeing through her “I’m fine.”

She tries to brush past it. He doesn’t let her.

And then she cracks. She starts to cry — about the Martha, about everything — and he’s there. Soft, present, grounding her with a hug and that signature Nick quiet comfort.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” —Nick

But she hears the missing piece.

“What about you?” —June

Because that’s what Nick always does — he protects her, even if it means putting himself in danger. And June? She’s finally starting to say it back. I can’t lose you either.

And then the kiss.

Desperate. Tender. Honest. This isn’t about lust or rebellion. This is about love. It’s the first time she kisses him like she knows he loves her — and like she might finally be letting herself love him back.

Their foreheads press together. Their eyes close. Their entire world contracts down to just this moment, this closeness, this us.

Soulmates. No notes.

[trademarkblue]

The Handmaid's Tale Rewatch: 2x07

These rewatch posts will all be spoilery, so if you haven't seen the show and want to watch it unspoiled, read no further.

Ahh I forgot this was the hospital kiss episode. I kept thinking it was in 2x08 for some dumb reason, so I wasn’t prepared. What a perfect scene for 47 reasons.

I love how when June walks by Nick at the hospital and she just says "blessed day" to him, it's like they're having a coded conversation (an Osblaine specialty) where she's actually saying "I need to be alone with you," and he understands, so he repeats back a "blessed day" that's actually saying, "I got you, I'm coming, one second."

The moment Nick swerves into that alcove with her, he's already breathing heavily and stressed af about her wellbeing, asking his traditional "you okay?" as he's rushing up to her, and they can just rip my still beating heart out of my chest and crush it for fun at this point.

Then they hear the walkie talkies on the other side of the wall, she apologizes quickly for putting him in danger, and she tries to leave. But the way he pushes her back against the wall to stop her is so potent, like he's telling her with his whole body that this moment with her - that being there for her to express how she feels, even though she is physically okay - is more important to him than any risk he's taking.

This episode rolls off the previous two where June’s mental state deteriorated to the point that she and their daughter almost died, so not only is this “you’re more important than anything that could ever happen to me” energy on brand for Nick, but he also almost lost her when their safe space together was taken away from them by his marriage. So now any moment they can steal to be alone has so much weight to it.

I also love how this very risky, near-public hug/kiss took place one episode after June told Nick in the Waterfords’ sitting room that they can’t keep sneaking around. Girl, we all knew that was futile.

Ooh man, and when June tells Nick: "Cushing, he wants to know who helped me... when I ran." I totally LOVE Nick's moment of terror there, where he's not expecting that, and he's like... "omfg there's another problem now, fuck." He covers for it real quick, but for a second, you can see how scared he is for both of them.

And then the way she says "okay" after he says "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you." Her "okay" is honestly kind of dismissive to me, as if she's not actually worrying about that. She's worrying about Nick, as she says in the next line. And he misunderstands and is trying to reassure her, so that's yet another thing that catches him off guard - that she's clearly more worried about him here.

But also, it's actually so much like the moment on the bridge in 4x03 when he's trying to apologize for what happened with Hannah and she's like "yeah, yeah, I know, it's not your fault, we only have a second, and I need your comfort right now." It's a very similar facial expression from Lizzie.

Before the hospital kiss, June is in the room with Fred and Serena while Fred thirsts over her pregnant belly (vomit), and it was just making me think about how ever since June got pregnant, Fred is always staring at her body and belly and the “miracle” and asking about that (like when he returns home in 2x08 and the household is lined up in the foyer waiting for him).

Of course Fred never actually cared about June as a person anyway, but having that scene of him touching her belly in the hospital right before the moment when Nick rushes into the alcove to check on JUNE - as a whole person - is so striking. Nick cares about JUNE. Everyone else sees her as a vessel. And I never thought about the juxtaposition of those scenes back to back before.

I'm also questioning everything about the structure of Eyes vs. Commanders vs. Guardians again. When Nick is in the hospital to see Fred and Serena, and Putnam asks Nick "did you know him well?" - it almost reads to me like Putnam knows or suspects that Pryce was over the undercover Eyes, and if Nick did "know him well," then that's a clue as to Nick's undercover status with the Eyes? I think it was ambiguous to keep it mysterious, but now I want to read a whole, dry, Gilead-sealed document about how it all works...

What's your favorite moment from 2x07?

"Commander Pryce has gone home to God."

"I'm fine, sorry."

"It's okay. It's over."

"He's not gonna give up." "No. No, he's not."

"I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."

"What about you?"

"The evidence submitted by the Eyes is overwhelming."

If you're a podcast listener, here are the links to the spoiler free and spoiler full discussions of 2x07 from Above the Garage:

The June & Nick Cut:

Here's a link to my June & Nick only cut of episode 2x07. I would really appreciate credit if you share these anywhere else. ♥️

[baddawgsports]

Jovan Mijatovic’s Belgian Renaissance: NYCFC Loan Extension Marks New Chapter for Serbian Striker

When Jovan Mijatovic first pulled on the New York City FC jersey, fans expected a Serbian spark—raw energy and determination up front. The promise was there: his powerful runs, relentless tracking, and physical presence caught the eye, but with a staff unwilling to break depth charts in favor of pure power and attacking prowess, his time at NYCFC was a disaster for the player and fans. Across 17…

[gurutrends]

Casey Stoney, Nick Cushing and the 10 candidates to replace Jonas Eidevall at Arsenal - ranked

After Arsenal’s poor start to the season continued with defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, Jonas Eidevall handed in his resignation and waved farewell to the club that he has coached for the last three years. In terms of the Women’s Super League title race, it was always going to be difficult for the Gunners to recover from dropping seven points in their opening four games to be a genuine contender.…

[smoulderingocean]

Hi! I just found your tumblr and I LOVE all of your Nick analysis! I’ve been reading through your posts and I love the context it gives around the little screen time we have with him. I just got back into the show for final season and did a massive rewatch (binging this show is not for the weak ha).

One thing I’d love to hear your take on — how do you think Nick has been able to move up Gileads chain of command when he can barely hide that he’s quite obviously in love with June i.e. public enemy no. 1?

I guess we the viewers have such a direct view into their relationship, but feels like so many people know. Swiss, Americans, Mayday, Canadians (probably?), not to mention all the guardians who’ve seen them canoodling, and commanders who saw him punch Lawrence for the car hit (including McKenzie who likely ordered it!)

Maybe I’m just thinking about it too much and giving tv writers too much credit 😂 but i thought if anyone could make it make sense, it’d be you!

Hey!

Aww, thanks so much for your kindness. I love doing meta posts for Nick and Osblaine, it's a true obsession. I love getting into his head and their love. I've never related so hard to a character as I have for Nick and never obsessed over a romance like I have for Osblaine. I'm so sad we're coming to the end. Hopefully Nick and Nick & June's epic love gets a few mentions in The Testaments and maybe one or two little guest appearances so I have something good to hold on to!

Hah, no kidding! I can binge all the Nick and Osblaine scenes, but the rest of the show, especially the first two seasons, can be pretty intense.

So! Nick's rising up in the ranks. Most of his rising has come at the hands of others, a way of staying alive, or as a way to help June. Let's lay that out as best to my memory as I can (confirmed means we know it directly pushed Nick up the ranks, unconfirmed is speculative):

S1:

Nick becomes an Eye to avenge the first handmaid and to strike back at Gilead by using its own laws against itself (confirmed)

S2:

After trying to get June mental health help, Serena and Fred ultimately get Nick promoted and married off by Pryce (confirmed)

Nick saves the life of a "Commander's" baby (unconfirmed)

The bombing kills many commanders, causing power shifts, which includes Nick being promoted while other guardians move into the position of commander (mostly confirmed)

Cushing is executed through Nick, June, and Serena teaming up (unconfirmed)

S3:

After holding Fred at gunpoint, Nick is turned into a soldier commander by Fred in order for him to be sent to the front and be killed (confirmed)

Off-screen, it seems the battle in Chicago is at least somewhat successful for Gilead (unconfirmed)

S4:

After Fred is arrested, there is a void on the council (unconfirmed)

June poisons a bunch of commanders, creating a power void (unconfirmed)

Nick captures Gilead's most wanted in June (unconfirmed)

Nick is married to a high-ranking Commander's daughter (confirmed)

S5:

Serena uses Nick's propaganda idea for Fred's funeral and it is successful at restoring some international relations (confirmed)

After Fred dies, there is a more permanent void on the council (confirmed)

Nick gets Rose pregnant (confirmed)

After Nick executes Warren, there is even more of a void on the council (mostly confirmed)

Becomes Lawrence's main ally on New Bethlehem (confirmed)

S6:

Nick successfully runs New Bethlehem, essentially becoming Mayor and head of security (confirmed)

So out of all of that, the only "bad" thing he's done is lead the battle in Chicago against the rebels. And if we look at episode 4x05, we can see that Nick is not comfortable with what he has to do. He does it because he needs to survive. He can't help June or the cause if he's on the wall. There would be plenty of men out there more than willing to take his place, more than willing to be extremely brutal and violent to put down the fighters. That the one scene we see of Nick leading the fight against the rebels features an unusually silent Chicago before the air strikes and a rebels who have a decent amount of information on supply trains does indicate that Nick may have at least some connections there to do tip offs and the like to at least fight back against Gilead a little.

Most of Nick's promotions happen either because he's helping June or is being punished. Part of that def comes from his obvious feelings for June, especially the promotions "gifted" to him by Fred. His feelings for her make him vulnerable and keeping Nick close (or in the exception of Fred, sending him away) through the resultant promotions is a method of controlling him.

Haha, right? Isn't there just something endearing about how EVERYBODY just knows they're in love? They truly can't hide it at all. You'd have to be blind to not notice how these two feel about each other. And in a way that makes them particularly vulnerable as it's a point of manipulation that others use against them. We've seen that recently with Tuello, Lawrence, Luke, and to a lesser extent Rita. Even Rose and her father fall into this to some degree, though how much in these later episodes remains to be seen. At this point the only person that hasn't used their feelings for each other as some degree of manipulation is Moira! Truly incredible to behold.

Speaking of Mackenzie, it's fascinating that that was just completely written off after last season! What an odd writing choice to make.

*Ahem* Went on a bit of a tangent, but I hope this is a decent answer haha.

[djkerr]

Wild "BUD" chase, pt. 2

📷 imdb

TGF 04x07 The Gang Discovers Who Killed Jeffrey Epstein

[forensicated]

02x04 - Home Beat

TW: Racist and homophobic language and insinuations based on the time of filming (1980s)

Sun Hill arrive at a caravan site home to a group of Irish Travellers. They split up to search the caravans with Roy implying a video in one is stolen - until the wife finds the receipt and waves it under his nose. "Want to see the guarantee as well?" she glares. Roy hands it back and Jim apologises for bothering the owners. Outside Roy has his trousers and then leg attacked by one of the dogs, much to the amusement of the gathered officers. With nothing found they return to Sun Hill and head to the canteen minus Roy who has had to go to A&E after a dog bite. "Oh, poor dog." Bob pouts. Jim is placed on home beat with Yorkie as he hasn't had any so far in his probation.

Pete calls the travellers "Gypsies" and says the police should have torn their caravans apart to teach them a lesson as he's certain they're hiding something. "They're all the same." he claims when Jim points out it would hardly be the same ones who stole his bike when Pete was a child. Pete puts the cherry on the cake by calling Abe 'Snowball'. Abe doesn't rise to Pete's attempt to rile him. So far there's been absolutely nothing likable about Pete in the four episodes since his arrival. Thank goodness he doesn't last long.

Bob finds Roy limping up the stairs. "Hear the dog died of rabies? "Place it in the book please, injury on duty." Bob really cheers him up by humming 'How Much Is That Doggy In The Window' as he returns downstairs after telling him that another video has been stolen during a break-in at Derry Street.

Yorkie goes to speak to Roy before taking Jim out home beat (now community policing/safer neighbourhood team). He walks in on him gingerly pulling his trousers back on after redressing his wound.

Roy asks if he has any idea who might be behind the break-ins. "You mean now we know it's not the Gypsies, sir?" he asks pointedly.

As they patrol, Yorkie advises Jim to keep talking to the community, even if they don't talk back to him, and to visit the local schools, churches, mosques and other places of worship as well as shops. We get our first sight of Nick Stringer (Ron Smollet) as Terry Mitchell, a member of the public singing Yorkie's praises to Jim on Yorkie's beat.

A Bengali family has been getting abused since they moved into Derry Street. Yorkie promises the shopkeeper that he'll speak to his bosses and try to get them to take more action but he can't promise anything. Yorkie says it used to be a good estate with no problems but at least he's finally able to get a Neighbourhood Watch group up and running. Yorkie warns Jim that Terry Mitchell is a bit too good to be true. He's supposed to be on benefits but is never short on cash. Something about him makes him suspicious. Before he can continue, Jim finds a drunk and hurries to help - unfortunately, he ends up being vomited on just as Yorkie starts to warn him not to move the man. He then tells him it could be worse. He'd had to give mouth to mouth to a crystal meth addict the week before.

One of the local residents, Maisie, soaks Jim's trousers for him. She reports lots of local problems and claims that the Neighbourhood Watch might finally help them get them stopped. "If I catch the little buggers, I'll-" She starts before Yorkie tells her they don't want vigilante action - just people to report what they see and hear so the police can get it stopped. He asks her if the Bengali family will attend and she says no and that the council were out of order moving them there. Yorkie doesn't understand as other minorities have moved into the area but she claims they attract trouble.

As they move deeper into the estate it becomes obvious where the Ahmed's (the Bengali family) live as they have racist filth painted on their front door. Yorkie claims they don't help themselves by not trusting the police. Jim claims that it's not surprising because where they came from "the police are bully boys with big sticks." Jim goes to go and speak to them but before he does, he and Yorkie join in with a game of football being played by some children. Unfortunately, a misjudged angle from Jim results in the Ahmed's window being broken and Mr Ahmed coming out to survey the damage. Jim is subjected to a 'hooligan' chant as he and Yorkie arrive back at the station.

Roy asks Yorkie if Terry Mitchell 'is queer' because the crime squad have asked him after seeing lots of young lads being in and out of his house. Yorkie says that he isn't gay as far as he's aware and that he keeps a sort of open house/youth club going unofficially from his place. Roy says it was just a chance observation but Yorkie says he was going to ask mounting a discreet obbo on Mitchell. Brownlow interrupts before he can ask officially, going with him, Jim and Robin to the new Neighbourhood Watch meeting.

Yorkie introduces Brownlow and Jim to the residents and explains that Robin is a Crime Prevention Officer who will speak to them about CCTV and chains and other things they can do to protect themselves and their property. As Charles starts a rather unsavoury group of residents enter, causing muttering amongst those gathered. A female resident claims the council should be present because the estate isn't fit for purpose with doors that don't keep draughts out and multiple month waiting lists for maintenance calls or empty the bins weekly as supposed to. Maisie explains to them that it's Neighbourhood Watch, not a council meeting. A couple who don't live on the estate accuses the police of wanting residents to tell tales on each other and to accuse all the crimes on people who aren't white. She claims it's a public meeting so she has a right to be there when challenged and that the police are immoral and that what they need is Citizens Patrol. One of the unsavory residents, a middle-aged skinhead claims that the country is sleepwalking into an AIDS pandemic. The room escalates into the residents shouting and rowing with each other. As they leave, Maisie warns Yorkie that a rent-a-mob from a racist group are coming for a 'party' the next day. She has heard claims that they're going to be terrorising the Ahmed family. As Charles starts to try and leave the Neighbourhood Watch group his car won't start. It appears his petrol has been siphoned.

Nick responds to a call with an extra to another burglary where only a video has been taken - again! A neighbour claims that it was a teen who came - and left - over the back fence.

The next morning Roy and Bob gossip about Charles' problem, claiming they'll get him a lockable petrol tank lid for his birthday. Bob then hands Roy a collection box to put on his desk. "What's it for?" "Battersea Dog's Home." Roy is not impressed😂

Reg goes out on patrol with Abe, complaining that Bob has his favourites who get the more favourable duties like being put on late shifts for a week. Abe points out that late turn are understaffed and busier as more people are awake or finishing work/school and then out for drinks or crimes happening under the cover of darkness so it makes sense to move the officers to where needed. "Not to me it doesn't!" Reg pouts. Thankfully they're interrupted by a call coming in about a burglary happening on an estate around the corner. Abe literally runs into the young lad who is carrying the stolen items. The young lad remains silent the entire time other than to say that he wants to 'talk to Tony only'. Bob tells him he can't as Yorkie is out and Reg moans that he's probably on his third coffee somewhere.

Yorkie asks Terry if he's heard anything from the kids who frequent his place about stealing videos. Terry insists that he's heard nothing and that whilst he wouldn't be surprised given some of the Artful Dodgers he has attending, it's the fault of the parents and the state of the homes they come from. He claims the point of his group is to show the kids that they don't have to be like that and he'd shop them if he caught them doing anything. Yorkie spots Terry has a new pool table and that his door is covered in several bolts, chains and locks.

Jim attends the Ahmed's and spots a little girl looking out the window at him. He tries to chat with her but she hurries away. Yorkie tells him that they won't open the door if Mr Ahmed isn't home. The skinhead from the meeting appears with his German Shepherd and he goes to meet his 'friends' who appear with placards and the Union Jack flag. They exchange a few words and then start marching towards the house, chanting a racist rhyme. Mr Ahmed is seen returning from the shops and the group charges at him with Jim and Yorkie able to get him inside just in time. A van of officers from Sun Hill arrives to help Pete moaning from the off though he does redeem himself a tiny bit by asking if the racist skinhead has a licence for his dog and threatening to visit and check.

Pete loses goodwill from that back at the station, however, by claiming that those who complain about the 'p*kis' have a point. Jim practically audibly rolls his eyes. "They're Bengali. They're not from Pakistan." Pete then claims those complaining are not all thugs and that some of them waited three years for a council flat only for it to be given to an immigrant who just arrived. Jim points out how ridiculous Pete's arguments are and the men argue. When Abe interjects, Pete responds with a racial slur. Abe leaves the room and Pete continues his diatribe claiming that 'they' waltz into the country and jump the queue straight into a rent-free council flat and shout racial harassment as soon as it's pointed out that it's not fair. His sister and her husband have 'more points than Steve Davis and they still can't get a place!' Pete claims he's having to spend half his job running round and wet nursing 'them' and that something is seriously wrong. Jim claims that he's in the wrong job and the two face off with Bob shouting at them to stop it. "Going to kiss and make up are we?" Bob asks. Jim hangs his head and sighs before sitting down slowly. Bob warns them that if he sees it again they'll end up like the last 2 blokes who had a ruck in the canteen and were fined £20 each.

Yorkie talks to the young lad Abe and Reg brought in and takes him upstairs to get something to eat before he takes him home. He tells him that Terry Mitchell will also be disappointed in him and the young lad scoffs. "I'm glad you find it funny, Terry Mitchell's done a lot for you and your mates!" As they pass Bob, Yorkie asks if the Ahmed's can have a guard, especially whilst the mob are still around. Bob says they can have Taffy to the end of his shift and then they'll have to 'get on with it like everyone else.' Yorkie can't name a specific threat against them so Bob can't offer protection unless one comes in.

With Yorkie distracted the boy does a runner. Yorkie and Jim grab their hats and head out after him, telling Roy that he's likely going to be hurrying to Terry Mitchell's. Roy takes them to the estate where Yorkie and Jim stop him from continuing and bring him back to Roy's car. "Looks like a touch of the Fagin's. Pays better than a paper round does it son?" Roy asks before sending Mike to keep an eye out for any kids going to/fro with illicit proceeds. After a quick meeting back at the station and a warrant being obtained, Roy and the others arrive at Terry Mitchell's flat to search for stolen property whilst Jim and Yorkie head with Masie to a police surgery on the estate.

Jim and Yorkie note that the estate is quiet outside the Ahmeds so Jim breaks away to go chat to them on his own, hoping that one officer would make them more likely to open up. At the surgery a West Indian gentleman claims he doesn't mind their cooking, religion, clothes, colour or that they're not British. What he does mind is the trouble they cause. Except they're not - it's the others causing trouble by harassing and attacking them! "It's bad enough walking past their door and seeing that filth every day and hearing the kids shouting at them but what happened this morning [the riot] is bad and real trouble. Me and the wife. We don't want no trouble but we live in the same block and we're going to get it." He says, worrying that they're the next targets of the racists.

At Terry Mitchell's, the police find nothing of note until they try to open the bathroom door. Terry claims someone is using the toilet and Roy orders them to wash their hands and come out. The door slowly opens and reveals several young boys with a bath full of stolen electrical equipment. "Now I can see why you don't take a bath." Mitchell claims that he was only looking after it.

Jim is let in by Mr Ahmed and his family gathers nervously behind him. Mr Ahmed speaks to his family in Bengalese before looking to Jim to explain his wife's concern. "... Will tea bag be alright?" Jim apologises for breaking the window with the football and promises that he will try and help them feel that Sun Hill is better than the last place. He wants them to trust the police and let him help them. Mr Ahmed tells Jim he is grateful. Jim explains that they have a police surgery once a month to iron out problems and Mr Ahmed attends with Jim, wanting to get to know his neighbours. A little while later, one of his children breaks in and drags him back with her. "What's happened?" Yorkie asks. "FIRE!" shouts Mr Ahmed, running back with them. The Ahmed's house is well alight by the time they arrive with flames belching out of the windows and door.

CID make their way over with Tom Penny telling them that it's likely they'll need to take body bags with them. At the scene, there's 3 injured women, one critical. Uniform and the caretaker evacuate the block. Mr Ahmed is deep in shock and is comforted by his neighbours. Jim stands with the Ahmed's children and another neighbour approaches him saying she'll take them to look after.

The next morning, Bob asks Yorkie to try and comfort Jim as he's wobbly after the night before. The fire investigators comb over the house and find that it was a petrol bomb in a wine bottle that started the fire. The lady who was critical is going to live. Just. She's covered in burns and in serious amounts of pain.

Pete complains about early morning house-to-house calls and the old women without their teeth and stains down their dressing gowns answering the doors as it turns his stomach. Jim can barely stand to hear Pete continuing as though nothing has happened, turning and walking out of the canteen.