#Sorry this was so long lmao I have feelings about Prime Empire

[cheeeerie]

OOOOOH BOY STRAP IN @coffeeisfortheresponsible

WALL OF TEXT BELOW THE CUT

The first thing I have to address is hor horribly Ninjago butchers the subject of adoption trauma. It's not handled well in the tow other places it's talked about, Skybound or Quest for the Lost Powers, but this post is already gonna be way too fucking long so we're not gonna talk about that.

According to Tommy Anderson, the original concept for Prime Empire had Jay's mother involved. She was going to be trapped in the game, and Jay's lightning power would be imperative to her survival, but it was ultimately scrapped. We don't see Jay reference the fact that he's adopted for this entire season--in fact, the last time he mentioned it was in Skybound (well, he also brought it up in Decoded while explaining the plot of Skybound) despite the fact that there has been ample opportunity to. He could have done it in Hands of Time when the previous generations of elemental masters was being discussed, or he could have brought it up when Harumi killed her adoptive parents in Sons of Garmadon, or literally any other time in the five seasons between Skybound and Prime Empire, but he doesn't. That's fine I guess, this is a show that rarely gets that deep. But then WHY bring it up at the end of Prime Empire, out of nowhere, especially in a way that makes it seem like we've witnessed Jay reflecting about his biological family at all?

To me, it kind of seems like it's because that was intended to be the emotional through-line of the season. Just like Master of the Mountain was about Cole coming to know his mother, Prime Empire seemed like it was meant to be about Jay coming to know his mother. Jay's "My parents abandoned me too but that's okay" line at the end felt like it was the ending to a different season, instead of the series of episodic side quests that was Prime Empire.

And on that note, the pacing is horrendous in this arc. Instead of going back and forth between the two groups, the one inside the game and the ones outside the game, it does this weird thing where it chunks it, spending several season with the 5 ninja and then cutting out to follow the Zane/Pixal/Wu story line for two full episodes.

(ON THAT NOTE, there is so much wasted potential for this season to have genuine themes. If not about Jay coming to terms with his adoption, then about the genuinely fascinating implications of a world where AI this advanced exists, but no, we just got Pixal being told that her feelings weren't real and she couldn't make connections like a human could and then it was resolved in ten minutes.)

I am Okino, as much as I love it, was an unnecessary episode. It would have been fantastic if we had time for it but these episodes are only 10 minutes long and there's only 16 and we DON'T HAVE TIME FOR IT. The league of Jay was really thrown in for half an episode and then was never elevant again. Lloyd, Cole, Nya, and Kai are all useless when they first enter the game and yet in the shorts Jay still gets to keep all his ninja skills. There's so many just random little things in this arc and it just. What.

THERE'S SO MANY RANDOM LITTLE THINGS IN THIS ARC AND I LOVE IT!!!

Dance Episode! Noir Episode! A gazillion side characters! Random Harumi fight!! It's SO GOOD!

It introduces way to many chaaracters, but it gets you to care about them in a way that Ninjago usually doesn't with it's side characters. I care about Okino! I care about Racer Seven! I care about Milton Dyre! Ninjago is a show with too many characters but in Prime Empire that doesn't take bother me as much because I LIKE them all.

With the way it's so episodic it honestly feels like watching Legacy of the Green Ninja. Dance episode! Race episode! Noir episode (will die mad that Ninjago Confidential wasn't called Nindroid Noir)! Side quest side quest side quest! After the heaviness of the Oni Trilogy and the second half of The Secrets of Forbidden Spinjitzu, it was just so refreshing to watch a season that was so fun.

And Prime Empire is GORGEOUS. The aesthetic of it was a little different than Ninjago's usual and it really worked, the animation was fantastic, the color palet was great, the lighting was just. Chef's kiss.

And the score of Prime Empire is genuinely the best score of any season of Ninjago and I will not be taking arguments. You are simply wrong. The music of Prime Empire is so FUN.

I guess that's kind of the thesis of this whole rant. Prime Empire may not have the strongest plot but it's the most fun to watch of all the recent Ninjago seasons-- of all the Ninjago seasons, in my opinion, and that's why it's my favorite one.

[obannthepunished]

well that backstory drop was everything that I had hoped for pretty much I took some pretty long notes imo?? (extra note: i take these for personal use theres just so much shite im sorry) Anyway I tried to transcribe most of the molly scene so its probably spelled like SHIT cause i was typing on one laptop and looking at the other

that outta the way, heres my notes from this week

Mollymauk knows Exactly whats fucking happening ((Additional later note: No he does not. Fuck.) "its lucien from two years ago" "this is my nightmare just go with it" (high pitched) "I'LlL eXpLaIn LatEr" So very very very stressed and panicky

Tabaxi: I'm sorry for using your old name. "Nonagon." Jesus CHRIST FUCKING MOLLY "we watched you die" Cree? Kree? Pronounced that way. Organisation name "Tomb Takers"

The gentleman: a (pale?) teal-skinned, dark haired character leather gloves + black hair (shoulderish length) "Perpetually sweating" ew lmao. dampness. (Uhhhh water genasi???? >This isnt canon just based on what I know?) Long table

Kree (sp) takes blood from them as collateral, can track with it? Beau to Fjord: ... Can I borrow a tusk

"Lets gamble" - The gentleman, gambling with Fjord 50 gold buy in, "If I win, you're mine. If you win, we do business." Bets up to 300gp each (600 total) Fjord wins. Oh jesus CHRIST. That was so stressful RIP the chance of me sleeping again.

Kara is there. shes been informing about the knights of requital

Molly + Beau associated with the murder of the high ricter. "I can make this investigation... go away (fwoosh)" " favour in kind" a wall with a purple light and an abandoned research facility. The Gentleman wants them to check it out. "Find a way in. Enquire. Seek and clear the space of any dangers. Hostile creatures. Return with any of your findings."

Nott "would you pass a test for us" two vials of alcohol, one of acid, reasonably the same colour. "this is alcohol. This is alcohol. THIS ONE is Acid." (drinks the fucking acid) (ooc excitement OOOOOH, THAT IS SO BALLER)

Beau (gives Kara a wink) (to Fjord) "Deal with that later" "Boutta say the same"

"Undead ghost things" and Taliesin and Ashley share just like a Look (Molly's thing is undead iirc??? and fiend? idk i need to do research)

Beau deliberately fucking up nonagon is very very funny. Nonotech. Nantucket.

A constant lucien stream of "we'll talk about this later" and "It's Lucien in this bar"

Yasha "i think im just looking for answers for something and i dont know if i recieved any more" Caleb insisting theres no pressure to tell them things when Nott is pressing for information. I love Caleb. Hes wonderful. Someone smooch him.

Caleb: we have been getting our hands dirty are you sure you want to get your hands dirty with us? yasha: thats all I like to do, my friend Lucien: It's a sight to behold! (followed by That Taliesin Grin. you KNOW the one.)

Yasha is from Xhorhas. I can't spell. You know what im aiming for lulu spell check it later. Southern parts of Xhorhas, not where the assassin(s) were from. Has been in the empire for "about a year and a half" ("when did i meet you?" to Molly.)

Hes so stressed. Its so wonderful. I love this.

They go to talk to Kara shes sharpening blades. She fuckin hates xhorhasians. So does the gentleman apparently. Worked for him for 8 years. relationship of convenience. "You got a nice face" - Beau to Kara. "Looks like we're in bed one way or the other" Kara jokes about working together Beau: I mean... Fjord: Leave that one alone. Leave that one alone. Beau: ...Okay.

Drop of the greatsword is "moontouched"?????

(re the xhorhasian longsword) It's taller than Nott Yasha: (in the voice when things are adorable) It's taller than Nott? Lucien: Many things are taller than Nott.

The ogre is 10 or 11 feet tall. Thats taller than my room. My room is only like 8 feet tall.

Caleb introduces himself with his full name. I dont think this has ever happened. EDIT: @madnessiseverything

caleb has actually introduced himself with his full name a few times if i recall. for example with the knights of requital (i think??) and back in trostenwald comes to mind immediately

I’m still learning to be an encyclopaedia again thanks friend Jester uses the wand of smiles. "Kutha" is the Ogre's name (Late afternoon they leave)

"dohecadoohickey"

theyre in Molly + Fjords room iirc cause Horus?(Sp) is in there (He leaves to Beau and Jester’s room wholst they talk)

Beau "i have dated way too many Luciens before" (Also applioes to marisha)

"why do you have so many names" "I woke up without any names or any past buried in the ground two years ago" "my firs memory my oldest memory is dirt in my face underground" Zone of truth is cast!!! Pass: Beau, Fjord Fail: Nott, Molly, Yasha, Caleb Molly has No Fucking Idea who he is. Gods the fandom called this. "some asshole got buried in the dirt. FUCK HIM." disassociates Lucien with Molly. Got more tattoos. days between waking up and the carnival. barely speaking. woke up alone. Cakeb: are you a good guy? Molly:..... I'd like to think so. "a few months after I came to, I started noticing I could do (blood hunter) things." (Ices a dagger) He really doesnt wanna know who he used to be. GOD I CALLED THE FLASHBACKS. A fuckup: Mollymauk finds someone in the group super attractive Yasha: "yes there are people here that i think are very attractive and charming but that doesnt mean I'll act on that." mollys just holdiong a glowing bedpost. radiant glow. "i am told, though i dont really remember this part, that I only said the word empty over and over for the first week" can you imagine how it would feel to not feel anything about anything that has happened to you so far? everyone but beau: no beau: yes. Molly:... why am i not surprised. "The Moonweaver"??? ooh son. "never trust the truth. Truth is vicious. The truth thinks that you owe it something. I like my bullshit. It's good, it's happy, It makes other people happy." "do you know who the moonweaver is?" "No." "Good. The swords are cheap carnival glass."

Moonweaver is elven deity, god over the night and shadow, music, not one of the approved religions. not a betrayer god, is inspiration for classic art, caretaker of evening trysts.

fjord: its you thats special, not your swords "i feel tinges of things on occasion. Nothing I like." "i may be a liar but I'm never a betrayer." Oooh molly actually somewhat believes in fortune telling. "I left EVERY TOWN better than I found it." Snake with red eye on palm and opposite side. Eye in floral arrangement. Crimson. Same place he bleeds on his neck in the peacock feathers. "i need to protect you snd myself from whatever that is. Its a wildcard." "I feel like youre fretfully ignorant and full of platitudes but I sstill like you" - Molly to Nott

oh on the undead again- it is Molly's thing, I was right. Wispy orb things haunt areas where they seek life force. Will-o-wisps. Thats hot. Lmao cause theyre often fire??? LMAO SON.

molly get suncomfortably close to fjord as he bonds with the new blade and puts hand on his chest "The power was in you... all along. SEE YOU AT BREAKFAST! :D"

Beau: (asks Caleb to buy her something sharp she can throw) DO NOT *FUCK ME* HERE CALEB, DO NOT FUCK ME. Caleb: ... Not interested, but-

"Zemnians dont tell jokes. They experience only pain." (OOC Sam its just funny)

Pumat Prime a little surlier than the others.

Yasha rocking that fucked charisma <3

Fjord BUYS THE FUCKING 800GP CLOAK? JESUS. Yasha pays 80GP (10gp discount) for 2 healing potions Caleb buys ink + parchment.

Yasha assumes Fjord's making fun of her awwwww!!! Hes being genuone complimenting her haggling skill bless.

Caleb is so 100% aware how FUCKING gay Beau is for yasha honestly. theres no way. (Additional later note confirmed in a gag mostly OOC, in character but not? in canon)

Beau playing the parental figure to horus, did you get everything? go pee one more time before you leave!

Molly sees guards and splits from the group to hide at The LEaky Tap.

they put a bag over Horus' head. its funny. Creepy card dealer gnome "dweeze"??

Beau and Caleb holdin hands. so fuckign adorable. "beau doesnt like me much." (beau holds him so he doesnt fall) ((NOTE @ ME this is a Good One. Think about it.)

Order in tunnel Fjord, Yasha, Molly, Jester, Beau, Nott, Caleb

"do you know how to drive a boat" Nott lmao

This weeks Nott stance from lulu: like 5/10 (About the same as last week)