#Shame we only see this power manifest once throughout the entire series

[thenitewolf]

Raven + rare abilities: Precognition

[revchainsaw]

Buffy: the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Season 1

Hello and Welcome back my creepy congregation! We will be taking todays service from the Big Screen into your living room for our first Personal Devotional. That's Right! We're reviewing full seasons of television series now and what better way to bring the spirit of the genre film to the idiots lantern that with the 90s Television sensation and all around love letter to the horror genre, Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

The Message

Regardless of how one may feel about Mr. Whedon we can't deny how much we love Buffy Summers and the Kids who live and die in Sunnydale! Season one of Buffy was a spin off/reboot of the earlier film and an attempt by Whedon to course correct the franchise by breathing a little charm and attention into the subject matter.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 1) focuses on Buffy Summers, a not so typical California high school student who, due to the events of the movie, has been relocated to Sunnydale High. Buffy is not just a cute, athletic, teenage girl looking to enjoy the prime of her life, though she is those things, she is also the Slayer, an anointed warrior who has been reincarnated throughout the generations to protect our vulnerable weak human world from the forces of evil; particularly Vampires. Buffy is a sort of supernatural Captain America, that is a peak human being, but instead of Nazi Science she was born with her powers.

Joining Buffy are; High School outcasts Willow and Xander (a nerd and a nice guy respectively), The ridiculously sexy librarian Rupert Giles (her mentor, guardian, high school librarian, and all around precious papa bear), Jenny Calendar (a technopagan computer teacher armed with all the mystery an ignorant 90s boomer could attribute to the internet), Angel (Spoiler: He's a Vampire, but he's a good guy. A hunky, broody, good guy vampire love interest), and her loving but entirely oblivious mother. The Scoobies as they have come to be called aid Buffy in her quest to protect Sunnydale from Dark Forces.

And Speaking of those Dark Forces, they are primarily vampires, led by the Master; an ancient vampire who resembles to some degree Nosferatu and a Bat, a look that Guillermo Del Toro would later perfect in his own series the Strain. The Master seeks to fulfill an ancient prophecy that would open the Hellmouth (a portal to hell, exactly what it sounds like) and free him in order that he and his kind should conquer the world.

The first season is fairly short consisting of the following adventures.

1. Welcome to the Hellmouth - Buffy moves to Sunnydale seeking to leave her Vampire ways behind, but the vampires just won't let her catch a break.

2. The Harvest - Vampire Shenanigans continues. Buffy learns of the Master.

3. Witch - A fellow Cheerleader is possessed by her witchy mom.

4. Teachers Pet - Buffy vs Giant Mantis

5. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date - Buffy vs the Anointed One (Not Really)

6. The Pack - Buffy vs Hyena Possessed High School Bullies

7. Angel - Buffy vs Angel but actually Darla

8. I, Robot ... you, Jane - Buffy vs Internet Demon

9. The Puppet Show - Buffy and Sid the Dummy vs Organ Harvesting Demon

10. Nightmares - Buffy has bad dreams

11. Out of Mind, Out of Sight - Buffy vs Invisible Nerd

12. Prophecy Girl - Buffy vs The Master (also Buffy Dies)

Overall the short season, while not allowing for too much world building, kept the show to a format that allowed very little filler. So although we mostly only get vampires as villains, we don't have enough time to really be bored of it. Some of the shows dynamics and cultural concerns definitely date the series but overall Season 1 of Buffy is definitely not a difficult watch, and can be enjoyed over and over again.

Let's get to the Benediction:

Best Character: Slay Girl, Slay!

As far as season one goes the titular Buffy Summers is the best character. Sarah Michelle Gellar is absolutely charismatic in the lead role and though at times she may seem selfish or reckless it makes perfect sense for the character. The character is allowed to be weak, to be selfish, and to be unlikeable. She avoids the foibles of a Luke Skywalker or a Harry Potter. She joins the ranks of primary protagonists who are not constantly outshined by their supporting cast. I believe when Buffy is sad, I believe when she throws a punch, I believe she struggles with her destiny. The only thing I don't believe is how ditsy she let's on.

Best Actor: Head's Up!

Anthony Stewart Head. Head as Giles is just fantastic. His balance of frustration with Buffy and genuinely parental concern is heartwarming and absolutely makes Giles one of the warmest father figures in television history.

Best Episode: A 'Master'ful Finale

It all builds up to Prophecy Girl and for good reason. Television shows often have mini-finale's at the end of their first seasons because the teams behind the series are not sure they will have a chance to tell more of their story. For that reason you can see just the first season of most television series and feel like you've heard the whole deal. I wish this habit was kept up in other seasons as we wouldn't still be wondering what the hell happened to Joel at the end of the Santa Clarita Diet. Buffy is no exception to this phenomenon and therefor attempted to tie up much of it's narrative in Prophecy Girl. While that often means big bads will be dispatched, I think it's a small price to pay for not winding up in a cliff hanger. Buffy and Giles just shine in this episode, Angel is given a more heroic role, Willow finally values herself as she should and Xander stops being a fucking horrible human being for once. This episode really satisfies in all areas.

Best Villain: Sweet, Sweetheart Killer

It's such a shame that Darla was killed so early on in the franchise. She is such a great presence on the screen that she overshadows all the villains that play alongside her, even the Master. I would have loved to have seen an alternate season where she offs the old coot and assumes the role of big bad much like Spike does in Season 2. Lucky for everyone that Darla is featured throughout the show in flashbacks and I hear she is even resurrected in Angel. Also, for Scott Pilgrim fans I feel like she and Envy Adams are very much sympatico. Maybe if they reboot Buffy all my dreams will come true.

I'd also like to take this time to recommend the song Angels and Darlas by Say Hi! It's pretty good.

Best Monster Design: Internet Troll!

While I can't speak for where the money in Season 1 of Buffy went, I can say that at least some decent cash was spent on both the forms of Moloch the Corruptor from the Episode "I, Robot ... You, Jane". Moloch was pretty wicked looking as a machine toward the end of the episode, he looked like a Mortal Kombat villain, but it's the green scales and ram horns the actor is sporting at the beginning of the episode that really catches the eye. In fact, I'm feeling compelled to hunt down any Moloch the Corruptor merch that may be out there on the internet. It's certainly no mystery why the demon's face is featured prominently in the theme song. It just looks great! Good job to the make up department there.

Most WTF moment: "Pack"s a Punch on Principle

While not the greatest episode in season one "the Pack" is certainly worth the watch if for no other reason than the horror is kicked up when a group of high school students under the influence of a malevolent Hyena God, decide that the School Mascot is not enough to satisfy their bloodlust turn on the principal, and yes, THEY EAT HIM. I remember being completely caught of guard the first time I saw that scene, and it kickstarted the running gag of Sunnydale high principles meeting their demise in horrific ways.

Worst Character: No More Mr. Nice Guy

When I was in college I often felt bad for Xander. The funny guy who just had no luck with women. He was sarcastic but had a big heart, and used a horny gimmick to mask his loneliness, or so I thought. But now I am older, I am wiser, I have known the touch of another human being and I have to say that Xander Harris is a really scummy fellow. I don't remember thinking so poorly and I wonder if the character develops a more nuanced view of women as the show goes on. As it stands there's barely a point in the series that Xander does not view the female cast as objects for him to enjoy or be embittered towards for one reason or another. It's not charming, it's foul. Xander Harris of season one is absolutely a terrorist attack waiting to happen, if Buffy had happened today it would be much more concerning to see someone so embittered, horny, and entitled to womens time and energy as Xander Harris. Dude is one step away from pulling an Elliot Rogers. Calm down buddy and maybe actually listen to a woman and you may find you aren't as much of a 'nice guy' as you think.

Worst Episode(s): If you're not first ...

It's a toss up on this one. Season One of Buffy is actually so short and concise that the 'Monster of the Week' episodes will have to be up for grabs as the worst episode by default, but even they are pretty watchable and don't warrant the vitriol a "worst" dub usually entails. I'd say there is not a worst episode of season one, just some episodes that aren't as good as the rest. In that vain, take your pick from "Witch", "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", or "The Puppet Show". However, I'd be doing a disservice to those episodes not to mention that each one of them takes what could just be a basic Buffy Vs (insert Villain), and does something unique and interesting with the idea. The villain of "Witch" actually turns out to be a has been cheerleader actually possessing the body of her innocent daughter to relive her glory years, The Invisible Girl is actually the victim of social cruelty, her peers disinterest in her manifesting in her condition becoming quite literal and she is picked up by the military in the end, then the Puppet show, well, it's just about the stupidest most absurd thing that could possibly happen and it's completely unafraid of that fact.

Summary:

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Season 1) is not the most groundbreaking TV, but it is absolutely evident why the show was such a phenomenon. Season 1 is particularly rewatchable. It does not demand too much investment or attention, but it will get it from you, especially on a first viewing. It's not afraid to take itself absolutely seriously or to plant it's tongue firmly in it's cheeks. It is to a degree a product of it's time, but in many other aspects feels timeless.

Overall Grade: B

[anangelicday-mrwolf]

Wolfsbane : Noblesse Fanfic (post-ending)

(previous chapter)

Chapter 22 – Mysteries Unforeseen

WHAM.

A myriad of salty drops lashed the air, producing a booming noise that seawater cannot normally generate – a sight that was repeated at least dozen times in mere seconds.

Which was not odd at all, considering that Rael was against three weapons created specially against heads of noble clans.

The Kertia sped across water tossing and turning from the beams viciously projected from their mouths, in deliberate attempt to draw them away from the body of rocks he had been standing on.

There was no chance in hell he would let them damage even pebble-worth volume of the isle that held the last of his brother.

And the task, in fact, was not as arduous as he had thought.

Partially because series of battles he had gone through steeled him more than before, which is natural since his latest enemies had been on par with the elders of the Union.

And partially because the weapons he was now against were undeniably weaker than the ones he had met in Korea.

‘Are these really the ones made by Ignes? In terms of their power, they are no better than or equal to the very first weapons I’ve encountered,’ thought Rael, now surmising that these weapons are actually imitations of Ignes’s creations.

He figured he can now stop running, after one final step across the sea. He thus kicked the sapphire-blue facet of water once more, when a fatal presence underneath broke the surface.

“Ugh!!”

His pace ruined, Rael realized a breath late that one of the weapons was long gone from the sight, and at the same time the said weapon drilled the air with one of its arms shifted in the shape of a spinning lance, aiming deadly towards his heart.

Rael was saved by the Kertia-born agile movements that kicked in like an instinct, and he could make an evasion unharmed.

As Rael restationed himself midair, the weapons surrounded him in a circle, spearing every corner of his figure with eyes completely devoid of life.

As if they were calculating they should pounce him now or later.

Contrary to his usual self, Rael could feel displeasure preceding wariness. He was already pissed enough that these abominations interrupted him in the middle of his very first elegiac visit to his brother.

Plus, the biological artifacts crystallized from Union’s avarice and experiments far from humanism dared to trespass the earth that treasured the last of Razark Kertia. The fact was more than enough to bring ire into Rael’s heart.

Not to mention visiting Razark was not the sole purpose of his trip; he was on a mission as the ambassador of Lukedonia. He could not imagine himself being late for his rendezvous with Lunark.

Therefore, he decided to use his soul weapon to finish them. He knew it was not really necessary to pull out the most valuable of his Kertia heritage; yet he was more than willing to wrap this up as soon as possible.

“Grandia,” quoted Rael, as he crossed his hands in an all-too-familiar format.

His senses tranquilized in equilibrium with the surroundings, as if they have emerged as one.

The boundary separating his body and his environment made nil AND distinct at the same time.

He expected such innate impression to dawn upon his entire existence as he also-too-familiarly uncrossed his hands.

To his utter shock, his hands were empty.

He realized he was perfectly sane upon scanning his hands, caught with nothing but cold air.

“What...?”

Voicing his fluster with enemies right before him, Rael attempted to summon his soul weapon once more, this time taking more care in kindling the weapon awake.

He could feel the familiar aura pushing and pulling throughout his veins and nerves, to ultimately bear fruits in his hands.

Nevertheless, he could not even catch a glimpse of the said fruits, his hands still unoccupied.

“What in the...?!”

Rael gawked down at his hands, his enemies lost from his mind.

His calm literally cut off from his head due to a situation never before seen or foreseen, Rael could not move. Because of which the next moment his head was nearly sliced off from his body.

His head was made intact thanks for the reflexes honed through numbers of battles and training and supported by Kertia nimbleness.

He could not, however, avoid getting slashed in the face by one of the weapons.

He managed to focus back on his foes once he felt thin trickling of warmth cascading very sluggishly down his skin. Immediately after, he had to dodge countless attacks from the weapons.

‘What is this? For some reason, they feel different.’

Still confused by the fact that Grandia was silent, Rael concentrated on the battle that took a rapid turn, thereby causing bigger confusion for himself.

‘This is no imagination. It feels like... Like they were waiting to see if I can use a soul weapon or not. Like they have now decided they no longer have to keep their distance!’

Were they waiting for me to call upon my soul weapon?

No, were they waiting to see if I possess a soul weapon?

Does that mean they were being rather unenthusiastic with the battle on purpose?

Does that mean... They know what a soul weapon is?

Rael could not bring himself to determine if he was being psychotic. He has gone through more than a handful of phenomena and presences beyond earthly comprehension.

Telling himself that for now he should not drop any of his presumptions, he put himself against the weapons barehanded. Once he did, he learned soon enough that these weapons were not impossible to fare against, even without Grandia.

According to his battle instinct, they were a couple steps below the werewolf warriors he met before.

Pushing back towards the corner of his head the mystery of Grandia, he sharpened himself upon catching a chance to eradicate them once and for all.

That was when the weapons halted in the middle of flinging themselves towards him.

Floating above water and in the air to stare at him, the weapons surprisingly turned towards each other, as if exchanging glances.

Alarmed by the behavioral pattern never seen from the previous weapons, Rael saw how they turned away from him and fled from the scene in full speed.

“What in the...?”

Rael could not even think of chasing them, too baffled by a situation that was not at all on the list of the possible scenarios of this battle.

Not that he would have had time to chase them anyways, with a mission to be fulfilled in this area.

‘Why would they just go away?’

Were they ordered to avoid killing me?

Or was there someone controlling them from a distance?

Does that mean their controller will soon learn that my soul weapon is not how it should be?

Rael felt as if his heart plummeted to the depths of water upon the idea.

What would happen if those weapons were indeed sent by the Union, and so the Union would know that he cannot wield his soul weapon for some reason?

He did not even want to dream of what would unfold as a result.

But more importantly, he could not even guess why his soul weapon was not responsive.

‘Why...? Why, Grandia...?!’

He has never heard or saw an occasion in which a soul weapon fully pledged to its owner does not reply to a call.

‘Could it be that it’s because Grandia was originally an incomplete weapon? Maybe this is a side effect that manifested just now.’

But Rael right afterwards told himself that such “side effect” should have taken place before Grandia was unified with Kartas.

He thought for a moment that he should seek Gechutel’s counseling, as he was the one who had been alive since his father’s time.

But then again, the only cases of soul weapon being split into two are of Grandia and Kartas and of Ragnarok, Lascrea’s soul weapon.

So it would be more logical for him to talk to Lascrea, the current wielder of Ragnarok, or Raizel, in whose body the half of Ragnarok was permanently absorbed, about the side effect of an incomplete soul weapon.

‘Wait. No. That’s impossible.’

Shame and self-blame as frigid as blizzard enveloped his entire frame.

‘Snap out of it, Rael Kertia. Even if this concerns your soul weapon, there is no way you should consult this to anyone, let alone someone.’

He had sworn that he will do everything on his own, as the head of the Kertias. Yet here he was, whining about the trouble his soul weapon brewed.

‘And we’re talking about Grandia – soul weapon of Kertias. So I should do this on my own. Even if a help is inevitable, I must not let either of them... Or any of the nobles to know about this.’

And certainly not the patriarchs of the Kertia clan.

Rael grit his teeth before he recalled his meeting with Lunark and retraced his steps back to the rendezvous point.

That was when with a speed of light he remembered something related to the human companion Lunark will bring with her.

The day he reached KSA to take Yuhyung to Lukedonia, he was exposed albeit little to the gas that the latter developed – the gas that was supposed to be a weapon that would have brought upper hand for KSA against Union, if only it were calibrated well enough.

‘Which reminds me, I’ve never tried pulling out Grandia after that incident. Could it be that gas affected me in one way or another?’

Rael held his lips sealed, and he decided he must not tell anyone among noblekind about this mysterious dilemma.

That is, anyone, save the human researcher, who might be connected to this situation in a cause-and-effect relation.

*****

Meantime, in the werewolf realm

“Goddamn it...”

Kentas ground his teeth as he smudged the dirt around his mouth with the back of his hand.

Dorant was also looking ahead, to the spot Kentas was glaring at, with his jaw rigid.

The damage dealt by the intruders were not very serious; in fact, it could not even be dubbed as damage.

Nonetheless, the two warriors were fully plagued with confusion and vexation thanks to the situation wrought by the intruders.

“Just what are those Union filths up to this time?”

“...I think we need to discuss upon this matter.”

“Can’t agree more. We should find our lord and...”

“Yes, of course. But I was talking about someone else.”

Someone else? With whom?

Understanding lit up Kentas’s face once he questioned Dorant with his eyes.

“Allow me to find the communication room.”

(next chapter)

I feel so bad for giving Rael heaps of trouble, and now I feel horrible about posting this chapter. :’( Will Rael be able to find out what’s wrong with his soul weapon and recover it? Stay tuned to find out!

[spotlightsaga]

Kevin Cage of @spotlightsaga reviews… American Gods (S01E02) The Secret of Spoon Airdate: May 7, 2017 @americangods Ratings: 0.710 Million :: 0.30 18-49 Demo Share Score: 8.75/10

*********SPOILERS BELOW*********

There was quite the uproar over the polarizing reception of Bryan Fuller, Michael Green & David Slade’s premiere episode of the small screen adaptation of the novel ‘American Gods’. For me, it felt like the trio was oversetting the stage and throwing psychedelic-tinged visuals and buckets of blood, introducing character after character without giving it much substance. But 'The Secret Of Spoons’ is packed with both psychedelic goodness, heavy world building backstories, and is literally teeming with substance. I calls 'em like I sees 'em. Ya heard me?

They say if you want your audience to stay put, you not only have to stay consistent, but you have to grab them by the balls (that lines going to haunt me when I run for president in 2020). 'American Gods’ doesn’t just grab you by the balls in 'The Secret of Spoons’, it literally grabs the whole human undercarriage, with one or two fingers in the ass and all. Oh, is that too graphic for you? Then your watching the wrong show. The pulpy storytelling remains and Orlando Jones gives us a fired up, very much WOKE Mr Nancy who sticks out like a kaleidoscope colored tarantula on a slave ship coming to America. 'Oh you don’t know your black yet?’ Nancy barks at the men of color shackled to the ship going through a thosand emotions at once. Shame inspires major events, but fear does too… And from fear, Anger is born, and its fear and anger with a sliding scale of everything in between that drives would be slave turned sacrificial rebel to burn 'that motherfucker down’. While 'Anansi’ or Mr Nancy tells the slaves a somewhat accurate depiction of 'Coming To America’, the details are not all there and he tricks them into sacrificing themselves for him. God mode, baby.

This was a fantastic introduction to the African God Anansi AKA Mr Nancy, a mythical god well preserved by our Caribbean brothers and sisters, particularly the notoriously culture copied Jamaican 🇯🇲 people and the culture-rich, female strong country of Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹. He’s slick, talks the talk, walks the walk, and preaches quite the pulp to the masses. His intentions are are both transparently clear and opaque as unclear can be. He is knowledgeable and speaks truths from his solar plexus… That is when he’s not a colorful spider. Do spiders have solar plexus? Maybe, possibly this one. The wreckage of the boat washes ashore and Anansi crawls off a plank in spider form. At first the scene felt disjointed, excellently executed, but still disjointed… After the episode ends we see there is a theme tied throughout its duration. Immigration and color, technicolor, and the things that separate us as Americans are the very things that bond us together, like it or not.

'The Secret of Spoon’ slows down the pacing and let’s us take in these characters, their movements, their quirks, the nuances of their very being… This is exactly the type of pace and character work that I love, especially if you are going for a psychedelic aesthetic and perspective. THIS is my forté… So those who *attempted* to clock me last week, I told you to be patient. I WILL NEVER praise a series, even a favorite, when praise is not well earned or righteously deserved… But when it is, I will bow gently. I suspect this wasn’t an easy story to start, especially with the drop in number of episodes… But now that the characters with less density and foundation, such as the fractal eye candy Technical Boy have been introduced we are getting to the actual 'meat and potatoes’ of The Old Gods.

We see there is core narrative of a battle between The Old and New Gods brewing, bubbling to the surface… But there is still much mystery behind certain Gods and Goddesses’ intentions. Bliquis, for one, remains a huge question mark, continuously enveloping both women and men into her vagina which leads them to a place of psychedelic and sexual ecstasy, as we see her original date full on hard with his legs spread open taking a ride into a starlit constellation that resembles a vagina. She’s taking in a lot of 'victims’ and apparently using the internet, which is ruled by Technical Boy… Could New be using Old in a strange strategical power move? Ever taken 5-MeO-DiPT? It’s an intense sexually charged, erotic psychedelic tryptamine that induces a journey much like what we see here. It’s actually a favorite of mine (in the correct dosage, which is vital with the drug otherwise known as 'Foxy’ or it’s less intense, lighter body load sister Chem 'Moxy’). I bring this is up because the scene where her date is floating in the spacey landscape is exactly where the chemical takes you. If these Mythical God’s were real, they would work through chemistry, and since I fancy myself a modern shaman, these connections are made to best my understanding… And maybe those who have a deep understanding with spiritual journeys through varieties and psychedelic chemicals.

As Shadow shops for a few items Mr Wednesday gives him to prepare for their long long road trip in his trusty car, Betty (one of which doesn’t like highways and enjoys slow rides and taking in the beauty), he’s ambushed into the television isle by Media, a New God, who manifests on an myriad of TV’s in the form of Lucille Ball. Gillian Anderson has always been great, but I can’t recall her playing such an out of the box, spot-on, character actress before. She looks, talks, sits, and presents herself like a toned down, real life Lucille Ball… Not the 'I Love Lucy’, 'cameras on’ Lucille Ball, but the woman herself dressed and prepped to film. It’s quite astonishing and I can’t wait to see who she pops up as next. Media spits rhetoric and principles that are far too close to that of Technical Boy, the man who just attacked Shadow and left him a bloody mess. She promises to never hurt him and says that men like him end up in suicide… And that she’s trying to prevent that. If you ask me, none of these bitches are to be trusted. With great power (old or new), comes great manipulation.

Shadow & Mr Wednesday continue their trip to Chicago where they meet The Slavic Zorya Sisters, 2/3 of which we see with our very eyes. Cloris Leachman gives us everything as Zorya Vechernyaya, the wise fortune telling leader of the family. Her quiet, reserved sister Zorya Utrennyaya is played by one of my favorite faces on television, FX Baskets’ Martha Kelly. She’s perfectly cast, but I’m partial to her and her work anyway. I will always love everything she does… Capturing a naive vulnerability that she allows people to use for their advantages. The third sister sleeps through the entire episode, only to call out from her bedroom to see if everything is alright.

Their brother, Czenobog, needs no introduction. He’s been represented in media many times before including the evil monster in 'Fantasia’. Wednesday needs both him and his hammer… Not his brother who represents light. Czenobog is played by the legendary Peter Stormare who chain smokes and speaks his Eastern European dialect in a menacing deadpan manner. He talks about his brother representing light and him representing dark, their lifelong fight, and ultimately both of them turning the same color of grey, making their fight irrelevant… Making color irrelevant; A nice nod, tie in, and juxtaposition to the opening scene where we see the many different ways and struggles that Americans eventuality made it to this country… Some shackled to boats, some shackled to dirty streets, but all shackled to a struggle that has defined us as individuals many generations down the line. Czenobog is a dangerous man, a man who does not give any fucks, and wages Shadow’s life on a game of Checkers that Shadow ultimately loses. How that will play out? We’ll have to find out next week, but this episode left me ravenous for more. If I had access to all the episodes, I wouldn’t have stopped. Clearly 'American Gods’ just had trouble setting its original stage, because now, just in its second episode, its firing on all cylinders… A sign that bodes well for the remaining 6 episodes of the series that now has my full attention and enthusiasm.