#TV Show Analysis

[vanderdyks]

I geniunely cannot stand when allistics try to say Resident Alien is actually making fun of autistic people because they believe Harry is too childish now because I JUST-

In the beginning, Harry tried SO MUCH HARDER to fit in with the humans around him. He mimicked their speech patterns, consistently observed them, emersed himself in their activities so they wouldn't suspect he was different.

The Harry now? He doesn't care. He's loud in places he should be quiet. He talks how he wants. He laughs FREELY. He's learned large crowds of people? Not for him. He doesn't like being touched by strangers.

He's just Harry. Himself. Because he can be. Because he's realized even if some of the people of Patience find him strange, it doesn't matter. They'll never guess he's from outer space.

Have you noticed that every other alien we have seen is not like Harry? Not the greys, or the half human hybrids, not even Heather. When Heather is around humans who know she is an alien, we get to see the difference, but when she isn't? She fits in so well with any other neurotypical human.

Not Harry though. So yes, he is autistic because I said he is. Because I am autistic. And if you're allistic, you don't get to tell autistic people they shouldn't headcanon Harry as autistic (even though it is very obvious they're purposefully playing him as neurodivergent now.)

When you take an autistically coded character that a lot of autistic individuals relate to, and try to argue the character is actually a "child" and being "infantalised," you're actually being ableist.

You're saying that the traits we have resonated with are childish... Harry seems like he's "regressed" because instead of trying to adapt and pretend to be human, he is becoming something else entirely. Not human, but not fully alien either.

The body of doctor Harry Vanderspeigle was once just a disguise. Now it IS Harry's. It's his body, his own skin. And he's gotten comfortable in it and you know this because you deliberately witness times where he might be holding his hands like he would his claws (primarily when he's sleeping.) His brain doesn't realize he's not in his normal form, because in many ways, this is his new normal form.

He has emotions. He cares. He's in completely new territory and finding himself. And in doing so, that carefully crafted human mask? It's fallen a bit.

So that thing you label as "regression" is a thing I label as progress. He's learning still. Let him learn. Let him be. And give it time. And I hope to GOD Harry never becomes fully human to the point we can't recognize him. I hope he never loses his unique inflictions, or his love for pizza and pie. I hope he continues to love the quiet. I hope he ALWAYS laughs obnoxiously. I hope he always runs like he doesn't know what to do with his limbs. I hope you always see his emotions throughout his body because they simply cannot be contained. I hope he continues to jump when excited or pace when he's angry. I hope he stays obsessed with Law & Order forever.

Because if you take all that away, you're taking away the bits that make him Harry. You want a carbon copy human. I want the autistic alien struggling to understand human nature.

That being said, of course you can express your opinion him. And it can be discussed because everyone is going to have a different perspective.

But you don't get to dictate an autistic perspective if you are not autistic. Or try to cancel anyone for it either.

I love Harry. And I relate to him SO MUCH. And I love how much representation I can see him through him for me. Because I personally believe Alan and the writers have chosen to keep presenting this character as ND.

It's okay to dislike the direction of his character development. It's okay to find the flaws. It's okay to share that perspective. What's NOT okay is dictating the feelings of others because they might not agree with you.

I don't find him childish. I see him as an autistic individual trying to navigate a society that his brain hasn't been hardwired to understand.

And if you think he's too childish, please look closer at the why you think he is. Really be introspective on this one.

Because Harry is a parent. And has a child. And he has relationships. And he takes care of himself. Not only that, he is the town doctor and takes care of everyone else too. He is the smartest. He is the strongest. None of the characters have had to worry about the wellfare of Harry specifically. Its why no one realizes the greys have captured him. Because of course Harry would be fine, hes the alien expert. He knows what he's doing. So while everyone else spent so much time worrying about each other, no one was left to worry about Harry.

So ask yourself why you believe Harry has become "too childish" and if your answer comes down to any of his quirky traits or his misunderstandings of human nature, then you really need to consider if what you're actually uncomfortable with is autism/autistic traits.

[r3medialch8os]

since it is clear to all my favorite episode is my namesake i'm going to outline some of my favorite things about remedial chaos theory.

everything leading up to the Darkest Timeline scenario. before we get to the darkest timeline, several time bombs are planted. we as an audience gradually learn about these but the characters' knowledge of them resets with every new timeline. for one, annie's gun is only adressed in the first timeline. then, in the second timeline when shirley storms out, we become aware of the fact that when the door is slammed hard enough, the rolling boulder model is triggered. further, we learn about britta smoking, pierce bringing alcohol, and the troll doll and its effect on troy. all of these things come to a head in the darkest timeline. troy leaves hastily because he doesn't want to miss anything therefore slamming the door, which triggers the indiana jones model. then the rest follows. it's genius because the chaos was unpredictable but as the audience we recognize all the elements that make it that way.

in every timeline, pierce makes a joke involving eartha kitt. the comedy of it is that every time, the segway he employs is more outlandish. it seems like a gag until jeff's timeline comes up. when jeff leaves to get the pizza, pierce in fact does not make the joke, showing us he was doing it to impress jeff the whole time, offering character insight.

jeff hits his head on the ceiling fan in every timeline. again, it seems random, until at the end annie deems it as 'karma'. we realize then, that jeff hitting his head throughout all the timelines was a karmic punishment this whole time, because he was being unfaithful in his pizza-getter divising system which governed the timelines in the first place.

there is a lot to be said about the implications about what happens when a certain group member leaves. troy's leaving causing the darkest timeline has been thoroughly discussed. what i find most interesting about this particular fact is that the timelines are not real, or so they are denoted. it is emphasized over and over again that abed is the one making up the timelines. therefore we can assume his subjective opinion influences the outcomes of the timelines. we could even assume that the whole episode takes place in his brain. it gives a lot of weight to the significance of troy leaving. in any case, it's not just that particular timeline that's interesting on this front.

when abed leaves to get the pizza, every pairing in the study group has some form of a heart-to-heart and then a disastrous outcome of that very moment resulting into a fight. they go through emotional rollercoasters, maybe more so than they have all episode. it is interesting to note that abed's departure allows the study group to access their emotions more freely, whether they be positive or more negative. it's intriguing how abed assuages these intense emotions, and how these kinds of emotional confrontations would have never happened with his being there.

the timeline where jeff leaves is also fasinating as it clearly illustrates how the group will still have fun without jeff, maybe even more so when he's gone. this is also shown in s03ep01 but becomes even clearer here. the group becomes more carefree, cheery. 

the prime timeline, the one where jeff gets the pizza, is when abed catches the die. this scene is hilarious because none of the study group members have experienced the timeline scenarios as we the audience have because they are in fact living their lives in the timeline as is considered normal. this is what makes it extra funny that they indulge abed in his lengthy verbose speech. they really like each other a lot. it's cool.

anyways, this episode is my very favorite ever and i could talk about it forever. 

[sugashook]

jim says im not a mermaid, i'm not a man, im not a woman about themselves then threatens everyone. and ed says to stede, you were a mermaid, a merman, a merperson you saved me

[leikeliscomet]

Heartstopper's Aspec Representation Isn't For Me - And That's Okay (Mini Essay)

Spoilers for Series 3!

So I just finished series 3 and I feel conflicted. I don't hate Heartstopper at all. I think it's a very cute show. I'm happy queer baby gen z and gen alpha have something to see themselves in, I love how Tara, a darkskin Black lesbian girl is happy in her relationship. I'm happy Isaac makes my fellow aspecs happy. I'm happy Charlie tore Ben's singlet in series 2 and for once the victim/survivor is allowed to not forgive their assaulter. I like Heartstopper's little moments but I've felt like something was missing overall and now we're on the third season, I think I know what it is now. There's comments on BL and yaoi by Alice Oseman I don't fully agree with, some of the acting in the show could be a bit better I guess, most of the characters are comfortably in the British middle class and I am a grown adult now so my interest in school/teen dramas has dipped a little bit (but not you Waterloo Road ily <3). So to an extent, there were always gonna be limits on how much I enjoy this show, but nevertheless, I still think they're worth pointing out, especially if we're claiming Heartstopper for the next gen of queer rep. Because honestly having watched shows like Heartbreak High and Koisenu Futari plus being a massive Selah and the Spades fan, I feel a bit robbed in terms of quality.

Isaac still feels underdeveloped and for a show that's been going on for 3 series now this feels disappointing. Like obviously Nick and Charlie get all the screentime as they're the main characters. Tao and Elle got a lot more juicer storylines from s2, Tara and Darcy got more to work with this series even if it was rushed (oh I miss you long series 2010s shows), but Isaac still feels leaps behind everyone else. He didn't really get anything in series 1. In series 2 we saw him coming to terms with his identity which felt like a good starting point but I was still waiting for the 'big asexual plans' Alice Oseman promised and... nothing. I liked his comment about googling aromanticism to Charlie because the representation by PowerPoint style of aspec writing can get tired. I also liked his moment of feeling left out by his friends plus still wanting to know Nick and Charlie's tea, giving him sexual agency whilst aroace instead of feeding into infantilisation. But apart from that... nothing. I wanted to feel more moved by the aquarium scene, but it felt tacked on because whilst Isaac's upset was justified, Imogen just wanted to chat about gay fish, so Isaac came across as a little passive-aggressive instead of what was supposed to be his moment. Plus it feels a little backhanded how much effort series 1 went to in how big coming to terms with your identity is, plus the gorgeous way Isaac's aroace revelation was filmed in series 2 was filmed just to have him blurt it out in an aquarium and have barely any of his friends actually support him like he supported them. But life imitates art I guess. This whole season we've seen characters talking about university plans, gap years and going through the post-16 struggle. But what about Isaac? We never find out what uni he wants to go to or even if he wants to go. What subjects does he like? What job does he want post-school? What's his relationship like with his family? The people need to know! I always found it weird how Isaac was left out to the point where straight characters, whilst still bearing in mind that Tao x Elle is an interracial pairing between two POC and one of which is a trans girl and this is very rare and deserved representation too, had gotten more screentime than him. Imogen, Sahar, Mr Ajayi and Mr Farouk had all been introduced for bigger storylines but Isaac, despite being in the main group, still had to wait for his share. This series was such a huge moment for everyone but Isaac... again. And whilst I'm happy if everyone else is, I genuinely feel like we all deserve better.

Tori was given bigger moments this series and that was great because I was waiting for my introverted slurping sister to come through. Her concern and care for Charlie and jealousy of Nick were great plus with the introduction of Michael, it was all leading to the big reveal of Tori being ace, right? Right? Wrong, because this scene was cut from the ferris wheel moment and I have no idea why. Oseman confirmed it was because Tori's storyline will continue in s4 and she didn't want to rush it but like, what? Series 3, at least in my eyes, did an alright job at building up her coming out. And again, if Nick could get his bi awakening in a one series arc, why can't this asexual character then too? They also covered Darcy's non-binary transition and coming out in this series too so I don't know why there wasn't room for Tori apparently. There was plenty of room for an 'I'm asexual' within those 5 minutes. Waiting to develop her in series 4, which is yet to be confirmed and likely to be the show's last series so it will already have a lot to do with wrapping up the Nick x Charlie saga seems like a poor decision. This is the second time we've had to wait till next season for the aspec character's arc by the way.

I'd like to see some aroallo POVs on this but this season put a lot of emphasis on linking love and sex together and it felt a bit strange icl. Yes, they're linked socially/societally and it's great to have sex with someone you love and love someone you have sex with etc etc etc but the first 2 series made a point of separating the two by showing love without sex and how it was just as meaningful. Almost every time a character was sexually attracted to another e.g. calling them hot or started making out because they wanted to have sex in that given moment there would be a dialogue from one of them going 'it's okay we're in love 'it's normal you're in love' 'well that's what people in love do!' and these are all correct statements but like... we get it! You don't have to be head over heels in love to find someone sexually attractive or just want to have sex with them. It's okay if you're not in love too y'know? I'm not sure what that constant reassurance was for because depicting sex without love isn't as pearl clutchy as it seems when all parties are safe, consenting and comfortable, or, if you've ever had any knowledge about aro(allo) spaces tbf. Nick and Charlie are not aspec and are very much sexually attracted to each other so the conclusion of them having sex isn't surprising at all, especially when I already knew from tweets back in series 1 that Heartstopper the comic already had a storyline later on of the two having sex for the first time. Plus the other characters aren't aspec either so their sexual debuts are also unsurprising and deserved. Plus, I'm actually glad they included Tara and Darcy having sex because many 'sex positive' shows seem to leave out the lesbians. But for a show with an aroace creator and aspec characters, the depictions of romance and sex don't feel like they were written from an aspec lense or for an aspec audience. It's normal for people to be romantically and sexually attracted to each other and then date and have sex. But if you're aspec, you know this. We all know this. This is the mainstream and default depiction of human (hetero)sexuality. We're watching the queer shows to see something different from that. When romance without sex can only hinge on the characters being below the age of consent plus a supposed 'innocence' due to their young age and sex without love is non existent, plus when you factor in how there are no aroallo or alloace characters in the show with 'groundbreaking' aspec representation, it makes for a bit of a headscratcher. Heartstopper may be made by an aspec, has aspec characters and aspec fans, I don't consider it an aspec show. Bit sad, but it is what it is.

It's honestly strange how despite this fact, asexuality and aromanticism is barely mentioned in the main discourse about this show. Antis claim Oseman is a cishet woman despite being non-binary and aroace. They blame the sexlessness of the show on puritanism despite Oseman being aroace. There's constant arguments about how 'unrealistic' it is for teenagers to not have sex despite Isaac being a whole teenage aroace and how some people just didn't have sex in their teens... like aspecs. People are annoyed the show keeps giving Isaac aromantic and asexual storylines because it's 'not as important' and they 'don't care' as if he's not a main cast member and again, the creator is aroace! If you look at the promo pictures of the show, it has the main three pairings, Nick and Charlie, Tao and Elle and Tara and Darcy and no Isaac. Despite the fact it's supposed to be 'for' us and made by one of us, it's not. And a lot of non aspec queer fans watching the show don't see it for us despite being made by one of us either. And that's a real shame.

I'm fully aware Oseman knows about writing aroace characters from the book Loveless, which has an aroace MC. But I think Netflix choosing to adapt Heartstopper over Loveless was intentional. I think Netflix creating Isaac instead of Aled, a demi gay non-binary character from the og comic, was intentional. I think all the decisions Netlix made with Isaac and Tori are intentional, the same way bringing Yasmin Benoit to the Sex Education writers room to cut half of O's storylines was intentional. Netflix has fumbled the bag with asexual and aromantic representation several times now (Cash Piggot and Todd notwithstanding) so at this point, I'm not surprised anymore. Again, I'm happy for anyone who really likes Heartstopper, but I've finally accepted that it's not for me. And that's okay. When someone makes the predominantly aspec, slightly more grown, queer show with fully fleshed out arcs for its's asexual and/or aromantic characters or hits up Lovie Simone for the scrapped Selah and the Spades TV show, I know where I'll be.

We deserved our moments too. We deserve our Heartstopper.

[multifandom-aroace]

Gwen's wardrobe in season five makes me sad. (I'm not the best at analysing but please bear with me)

Partly it is the fact that it just doesn't look like something she would wear. Like I get that she looks good. She doesn't look out of place in any way, but her clothes just don't suit her.

obviously she looks regal and beautifully. she looks like a queen, but she doesn't look like gwen.

I understand that what she wore before wasn't exactly what a queen should be wearing, but it feels like in costume design they went a bit too far in the opposite direction. all the colours are too dark, the details don't really fit with her personality. her costumes throughout the show are all relatively similar but once she becomes queen it feels like she changes completely. this probably reflects how her personality changes, which I also don't like. you would think that since she wasn't raised in nobility she would be fair and kind, not willing to kill a servant girl just because she overheard a conversation. it feels like they set it up from the beginning of the season for us to dislike her.

when I think of guinevere I think of costumes like these

these flower corsets are some of my favourite things she wears, and she could have worn something similar when she was queen.

I started thinking, in terms of the show, about why she might have changed her costume design so much and then I thought it might have something to do with respect. swen was a servant turned queen, and probably a lot of the people of camelot wouldn't have liked this much. you know, tradition and shit. so she probably drew inspiration from the other nobility she knew and decided to dress like that. for example, a lot of what she wears is similar to what Morgana wore.

like, obviously thay aren't exactly the same but it feels like there is definitely inspiration here.

this is probably because Morgana was respected (obviously before she because evil).

a lot of the female nobility/royalty clothing we see from camelot and the other kingdoms is Morgana, although we also see this from other visiting people, such as vivian, mithian and elena.

(best picture I could find of her full dress)

obviously elena is wearing a wedding dress here but she is literally marrying Arthur (who gwen married which is why she started wearing these clothes in the first place), and we can see that this colour and style is available to her class.

mithian and vivian are both wearing lighter, more delicate styles, and I get that these aren't anything I could see gwen wearing either but it's definitely closer than what she's actually wears. need I remind you that mithian was supposed to marry Arthur as well?

one thing I could find that is similar is literally gwen's coronation dress. while not exactly the same, it does seem very similar to somathing Morgana wore when she became queen

I feel like the purple and the gold colour scheme seem quite similar, as well as the sleeves and the general embroidered decorations.

I do also feel like this might be the most similar to gwen's original style that she goes in terms of her costumes as queen. it's a lighter colour and the gold decorations feels less heavy than when it is mixed with a darker fabric. this dress is more silky and delicate, rather than one of the first things she wears in season 5

the gold appears to be maybe a darker shade of gold especially when mixed with the maroon colour of the dress. this dress is clearly perfect for a queen, but it just doesn't feel like gwen. (not necessarily connected to Morgana jsut another point)

i guess what she was trying to do was remind the people of camelot that she was to be respected, and she knew how much people had loved Morgana. vivian and elena, on the other hand, were not. they were only in camelot for a short time but in that time they didn't really get people to like them. vivian was rude and elena was a bit 'weird' to them (not sure how else to describe their reactions to her). gwen didn't even meet mithian because she was in exile (another reason she needed people to respect her), so Morgana was the best person to take inspiration from.

the connection to morgana's outfits could also represent the connection between them later in the season and when gwen is under her control

overall, I think they did gwen dirty in the final season and she definitely deserved better.

[oncamelliastreet]

i’ve rewatched episode 7 of agatha all along like 9 times now and i’m just now realizing:

at the beginning of the episode, lillia looks terrified. she’s reaching up, eyes are wide, she doesn’t want to go. and on top of that, she’s falling into a chilling darkness, unsure and scared.

at the end of the episode, lillia looks content. she’s even almost smiling. she’s not scared of death anymore, she no longer sees it as an endless darkness. theres even light coming in through the windows, almost like you would see in a church early in the morning. it’s hopeful. she’s falling onto the swords just like the seven, because now she has the comfort of remembering, death comes for us all, it is what we all have in common, even the seven (at least, they sure seem dead). she’s ready.

i just think that’s really beautiful

[empatheticpomegranite]

something i found interesting when thinking about a chainsawman genderbend is that it was surprisingly hard to imagine!

i feel like chainsawman doesn't get too into gender, i wouldn't really say it's a gender based story, but the genders of the characters also cannot be easily swapped. i feel like the characters hardest to genderswap would be denii, power, and makima, while the other characters would be easier to do so with.

as much as i relate to denji even as a afab person, he is partially there to portray and criticize the relationship some guys have with sexuality. a major part of his story is how he assigns sex to be this ultimate goal when what he is actually wanting deep down is mutual respect, a connection, and family. intimacy rather than being intimate. this plays into his relationship with makima and power (which is why i mentioned power as hard to genderbend). a part of denji's story is also one of labor, he's a 16 year old in the first arc who has been killing devils in order to survive since he was really young, and then got recruited to do the same thing, without his safety being put into account. it's minor but it resonates to the issue of men and women's bodies both being used for free labor, separated from their bodies and who they are as people, with men getting physically exhausting dangerous jobs and being treated as disposable. no matter how much him being chainsawman seems to set him apart from people, at least in the first story, he is still disposable.

speaking of power, a minor but important part of her is her distance from her gender. she seems to not be uncomfortable being a girl, but she doesn't seem to really think of herself as one, apart from technicality. however, the people around her think of her as one and assign things to that. she seems quite aggressive and brash for a girl, and denji sees her as a sexual object. she kind of explains the feeling of being perceived as a girl even when you wouldn't really think of yourself like that often, she thinks of herself more as a devil than a girl.

when thinking about makima's story, her standing out as a woman in a high position in a male centric field and appearing as a caring motherly figure in order to further control people is part of who she is as a character. it plays into her main goal, she wants some type of family and wellbeing for the world but has a really messed up view of how best to achieve it.

if i were to imagine genderbent chainsawman, with no other story changes, it wouldn't ring out the same.

it's a little bit like genderbending evangelion, you technically could, but you would be losing an important part of the story. i feel like this is because both on some level address how people and groups in power wrong humanity. how they exploit people's labor, trade people's lives for power, and make systems that mess up people's views of themselves, love, and family. they do all they can to dehumanize you and somehow you need to stay human through all that. such an important part of the story of labor, intimacy, and dehumanization is gender, and it makes sense for stories about that to put some thought in the genders of the characters.

[destiel-wings]

watching Angel (the series), I feel like is really interesting, specifically in s3 cause I think in some ways it was good but they did Cordelia SO dirty. I feel like there were some aspects where I was like yeah that was totally written by a man e.g. when Angel gives her a necklace after being away cause of Buffy’s death and she’s like it brings out my boobs 🙄.

I feel like there are some scenes that are kinda ironic considering how Joss treated Charisma like when Cordelia was doing that commercial? Like was that a dig at Joss? But also that’s 90s early 2000s writing as well.

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

I don't know if you're watching the show for the first time or not, so I won't give you direct spoilers, but what they did to Cordelia gets so much worse in season 4.

There is one storyline specifically that happens that season that we as a fandom collectively pretend never happened.

And I actually like season 4 (i love the way that it's built, the plot twists, the epic tones of the main villain coming, the way that some characters develop and the main theme/metaphor that relates to the big bad of the season), but what they did to Cordelia will always be one of the greatest faults of the show. And now that all the rumors about Joss are out, we know why that happened too. 😔 That's when Charisma was pregnant and Joss threatened to fire her. And he did.

I mean, I can see the casual misogyny you're mentioning in the first three seasons as partly being due to the 90s/early 2000s writing (definitely a factor), and partly as a sad realistic depiction of what real actresses in the business like Cordelia (or generally women everywhere) had to endure at the time, when they couldn't even speak up. And i think there's a distinction to be made here, because there's two types of misogyny (or any other problematic behavior) that can be shown in media.

The scene where Cordelia is posing in a bikini and the photographer is a complete jerk for example is a harsh depiction of what society used to be (and still is), and so, in my opinion deserves to be in the show, because stuff like that is a slap in the face that should outrage us. Shows nowadays are excessively tiptoeing around real life issues. And i don't think it's helping anyone. I think we should be able to see stuff like that in fiction so we can say "this is horrible. It shouldn't happen in real life," and hopefully we can learn from it and get better as a society. In this sense, it's useful misogyny, because it exists to outrage the viewer and sensitize them to the issue. And there's tons of other examples of this in the show (I'm thinking about Lilah's storyline for example).

And then there's the pointless misogyny. Lines like "it brings out my boobs!" or other examples that i can't think of right now that won't really teach you anything if not make you cringe thinking "a woman would never say something like that", or "this is a disservice to the character for no valid reason" (like what they did to Cordy in season 4). That type of misogyny outrages us, but for different reasons, because it's gratuitous and completely unnecessary, and should be rightfully cut out.

Unfortunately the show does both. It is the product of its time, and that needs to be taken into consideration. In the end, I think the good it did outweighs the bad, and it managed to tell stories that are still strong and powerful today because it never shied away from speaking about human weakness and visceral struggles in a way that's raw. And people can relate to that (generally speaking).

And you're right, it is ironic, Joss became a feminist icon for creating Buffy, a show where strong (and yet human, flawed, imperfect) characters always stole the scene (with a few male characters exceptions)-- and then he created Angel. A different show, more adult, darker, with some noir touches, and a male lead. And I think, the vibe being so different and more focused on a male lead like Angel (who represents an anti-hero version of the knight in shining armor, which is, per se, an anti-feminist trope) the slope was slippery and so some misogyny slipped through. I'm not saying that misogyny was inherent to the basis of this show but... it kinda was. One could even say that Angel is the anti-Buffy (literally, one show being about a frisky young female lead who is a hero pledged to rid the world from evil vampires, and the other one being about a brooding 200+ year old male lead that is a former(?) evil vampire always ready to save a damsel in distress). The cool thing though, is the show itself is aware of that, and brings it out at text level (for example with Spike mocking Angel for it, in one of the very first episodes of season 1). So what I'm saying is... it's complicated. It's a show that uses its female characters to cater to its male characters' arcs sometimes. But it's also a show that gives us great female characters. Strong, powerful, intelligent, human, unapologetic. There's the good and the bad.

Back to Joss Whedon, personally, I can see him putting a lot of his own personal struggles into the show. Like, the theme of Angel season 5 is literally about the heroes trying not to get corrupted by the power, and that's kind of what Joss did. Guess he wasn't as good and righteous as most of his characters in the end.

[avacolemanplsbebi]

The Subtle Romance of Avanine: Could It Be Real?

In the season 3 finale for "Abbott Elementary," Gregory and Janine seem to be throwing caution to the wind and finally getting together. To Avanine truthers everywhere, that seemed to be the final nail in the coffin and relegated any Ava x Janine content to fanfiction and fanart. But I am fully delusional and believe that this might not be the end for Ava and Janine. In this essay, I will explain why I think Avanine could be endgame, including narrative evidence and character development throughout the series.

Janine's Journey of Self-Discovery

Janine Teagues has been on a remarkable journey of self-discovery from the very beginning of "Abbott Elementary." Introduced as an idealistic and perpetually optimistic second-grade teacher, Janine's character is defined by her selflessness and unwavering dedication to her students. However, this dedication often comes at the expense of her own happiness and personal growth. Over the course of three seasons, Janine's character has evolved significantly, marked by several pivotal moments that have shaped her journey.

One of the most defining moments in Janine's journey was her breakup with Tariq, her long-term boyfriend. This relationship, while comforting and familiar, was also limiting. Tariq's lack of ambition and direction contrasted sharply with Janine's passion and drive. Their breakup in season 1 was a crucial step for Janine, allowing her to break free from a relationship that was holding her back and start focusing on her own aspirations and needs.

As Janine navigates single life, she begins to explore new relationships, including a brief romance with Maurice, a friend of Gregory. This relationship serves as a stepping stone for Janine, helping her to understand what she truly wants in a partner. Maurice's easygoing nature and genuine interest in Janine provide her with a sense of validation and confidence. However, it also highlights the contrast between Maurice's laid-back attitude and Gregory's more serious and supportive demeanor.

The kiss between Janine and Gregory during the teacher's conference is another pivotal moment in her journey. This unexpected and passionate kiss brings Janine's feelings for Gregory to the forefront, forcing her to confront the reality of her emotions. It's a moment of vulnerability and clarity for Janine, one that sets the stage for future developments in their relationship.

Janine's decision to tell Gregory that she wants to be selfish marks a significant turning point in her character arc. Throughout the series, Janine has consistently put others before herself, often to her own detriment. Her declaration of wanting to be selfish is a bold step towards self-empowerment and self-care. It's a moment of self-realization where Janine acknowledges her own needs and desires, setting the stage for her to make decisions that prioritize her happiness.

In the first episode of season 3, Janine's journey takes another significant turn when she goes to Gregory, hoping to rekindle their relationship. However, Gregory's response, "Honestly, Janine, in my mind, I had kind of put a period on that," is a harsh reality check for Janine. This moment forces her to confront the fact that not everything will go according to her plans, and it challenges her to reassess her approach to relationships and her own emotional needs.

The culmination of Janine and Gregory's journey occurs at the end of season 3 when they seemingly "get together." This moment, while joyous, is also complex. It's a culmination of their long-standing chemistry and mutual feelings, but it also raises questions about Janine's growth and her ability to prioritize herself. Gregory's decisive action in going to Janine's place and initiating their relationship contrasts with Janine's earlier desire to make decisions for herself. This dynamic sets the stage for potential conflicts and growth in their relationship moving forward.

Gregory's Character Development

Gregory Eddie's character development throughout "Abbott Elementary" has been more subtle compared to Janine's and Ava's, yet it is equally significant. Gregory starts as a substitute teacher with aspirations of becoming a principal. His reserved and disciplined nature often puts him at odds with the more chaotic and unpredictable environment of Abbott Elementary. Despite this, Gregory's character evolves as he becomes more integrated into the school's community.

One of the key aspects of Gregory's development is his dating life. Gregory's relationships with various women throughout the series highlight his struggle to find a balance between his professional ambitions and personal life. His interactions with Janine, however, reveal a deeper emotional connection that transcends his usual guarded demeanor. Gregory's evolving feelings for Janine are evident in the way he supports her, offers advice, and ultimately, the way he handles his own emotions.

The pivotal moment of Gregory telling Janine, "Honestly, Janine, in my mind, I had kind of put a period on that," is crucial in understanding his character. This statement reflects Gregory's attempt to protect himself from emotional turmoil by setting boundaries. It also indicates his frustration with the uncertainty of their relationship. Gregory's desire for stability and clarity contrasts with Janine's more spontaneous and emotionally driven nature.

By the end of season 3, Gregory's character reaches a turning point when he decides to be with Janine. His visit to her place and the subsequent kiss signify his willingness to take a risk and embrace his feelings. However, this decision is not without its complexities. Gregory's choice to initiate their relationship, rather than allowing Janine to make the decision herself, highlights a potential conflict. Janine's journey towards self-empowerment is challenged by Gregory's assertiveness, setting the stage for future growth and negotiation in their relationship.

Gregory's development from a cautious and reserved individual to someone willing to take emotional risks is significant. His relationship with Janine serves as a catalyst for his growth, pushing him out of his comfort zone and challenging him to confront his own vulnerabilities. This evolution is crucial in understanding the dynamics of their relationship and the potential challenges they may face in the future.

Ava's Transformation

Ava Coleman has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations in the series. Initially portrayed as a self-absorbed and unprofessional leader, Ava's character is revealed to have surprising depth and complexity. Her journey from a seemingly selfish individual to someone who genuinely cares about the school and its staff is both compelling and significant.

Ava's initial portrayal as a self-centered and flamboyant principal sets the stage for her character development. Her disregard for rules and her tendency to prioritize her own interests over those of the school create a comedic but problematic dynamic. However, as the series progresses, Ava's character begins to reveal unexpected layers. Her interactions with Janine, in particular, showcase a different side of her personality.

One of the most surprising aspects of Ava's character is her adeptness at various tasks when she chooses to apply herself. This skillset, combined with her sharp wit and resourcefulness, highlights Ava's potential as a leader. Her transformation is marked by moments where she steps up to support the school and its staff, demonstrating a growing sense of responsibility and care. This shift is particularly evident in her interactions with Janine, where Ava often goes out of her way to support and protect her.

Ava's relationship with Janine is a key element of her character development. While Ava's initial interactions with Janine are marked by teasing and superficial comments, their relationship evolves into one of mutual respect and support. Ava's protectiveness over Janine becomes more apparent as the series progresses, and their shared moments outside of work hint at a deeper connection. This transformation from a self-centered individual to someone capable of selflessness is significant in understanding Ava's character arc.

A notable moment in Ava's development is when Janine decides to leave Abbott Elementary to work at the District. Ava's decision to hire someone who is the exact opposite of Janine underscores her deep attachment and appreciation for Janine's presence at the school. This action highlights Ava's growth and her recognition of Janine's importance, not just as a colleague, but as a friend and confidante.

Janine and Gregory's Relationship

The relationship between Janine and Gregory has been a central narrative thread throughout "Abbott Elementary," marked by numerous ups and downs. Their journey from colleagues to potential romantic partners is complex and layered, reflecting the intricacies of their characters and their individual growth. Understanding their relationship requires a detailed examination of key moments and developments over the seasons.

From the moment Gregory joins Abbott Elementary, there is an undeniable chemistry between him and Janine. Their shared passion for teaching and their mutual respect for each other's dedication create a strong foundation for their relationship. Gregory's initial crush on Janine is evident in his supportive actions and the way he often goes out of his way to help her. Janine, on the other hand, is initially oblivious to Gregory's feelings, focused on her relationship with Tariq and her commitment to her students.

As their friendship deepens, Gregory and Janine share several significant moments that bring them closer. The kiss during the teacher's conference is a turning point, bringing their feelings for each other to the surface. This moment of vulnerability and passion highlights the depth of their connection and sets the stage for future developments. However, the complexity of their feelings and the external pressures they face create a turbulent path forward.

Janine's declaration that she wants to be selfish and focus on herself adds another layer to their relationship. Gregory's response, "Honestly, Janine, in my mind, I had kind of put a period on that," is a pivotal moment that reflects the tension between their individual needs and their mutual feelings. This statement underscores Gregory's desire for stability and clarity, contrasting with Janine's journey towards self-empowerment and self-care.

The culmination of their relationship occurs at the end of season 3, when Gregory goes to Janine's place and initiates their romantic relationship. This decisive action by Gregory contrasts with Janine's earlier desire to make decisions for herself. While this moment is a culmination

 of their long-standing chemistry and mutual feelings, it also raises questions about the dynamics of their relationship. Gregory's assertiveness and Janine's journey towards self-empowerment create a complex interplay that sets the stage for potential conflicts and growth in their relationship.

Overall, the relationship between Janine and Gregory is marked by significant moments of connection, tension, and growth. Their journey reflects the complexities of balancing personal needs with mutual feelings, and their evolving dynamic highlights the challenges and potential of their partnership.

Janine, Ava, and Gregory

The dynamics between Janine, Ava, and Gregory add another layer of complexity to the narrative of "Abbott Elementary." Ava's initial attraction to Gregory and her evolving relationship with Janine create a rich tapestry of interactions and emotions that influence the main characters' journeys. Understanding these dynamics is crucial to fully appreciating the potential of an Avanine romance.

Initially, Ava's attraction to Gregory is a source of comedic tension in the series. While Ava is not interested in a serious relationship with Gregory, her flirtatious behavior and attempts to get his attention create a humorous dynamic. However, this attraction also sets the stage for Ava's evolving feelings towards Janine and her protective behavior regarding Janine's relationship with Gregory.

One of the key moments that highlight the dynamics between the three characters is the club scene where Janine and Gregory are dancing together. Ava's decision to break them up and invite Janine to continue clubbing with her and her boyfriend is significant. This moment not only underscores Ava's attraction to Gregory but also her interest in spending time with Janine. Janine's reaction to Ava being in a relationship and her decision to join Ava instead of going home alone highlights the evolving bond between the two women.

Following this, Ava and Janine's relationship deepens as they begin to spend more time together outside of work. Their shared moments suggest a growing intimacy and mutual support. Ava's protectiveness over Janine becomes more apparent, and their interactions reflect a deeper connection that goes beyond mere friendship. This evolving dynamic adds a layer of complexity to the potential of an Avanine romance.

However, the most significant shift in Ava's behavior occurs in season 3, when she begins to actively push Janine and Gregory apart. Despite having previously supported their relationship, Ava's actions in season 3 suggest a change in her feelings. Her happiness when Gregory tells Janine he has put a period on their potential relationship, and her constant interruptions, indicate a deeper emotional investment. This behavior raises questions about Ava's true feelings and her motivations for keeping Janine and Gregory apart.

The final look Ava gives Gregory during the party scene in the last episode of season 3 is particularly telling. Despite being canonically over Gregory, Ava's expression suggests jealousy and concern. This moment highlights the complexity of Ava's emotions and her potential feelings for Janine. It raises the possibility that Ava's actions are driven by more than just friendship, suggesting a deeper, unspoken attraction to Janine.

Ava and Janine's Relationship

The relationship between Ava and Janine is one of the most intriguing and complex dynamics in "Abbott Elementary." While much of their interaction occurs off-camera, the glimpses we see suggest a deep and evolving bond that could potentially develop into a romantic relationship. Understanding the nuances of their relationship requires examining key moments and the subtext of their interactions.

One of the most significant aspects of Ava and Janine's relationship is the way they support and understand each other. Ava's hyper-awareness of Janine's location and her actions to ensure Janine's well-being suggest a level of care that goes beyond mere friendship. Janine, in turn, knows exactly how to break Ava out of her serious moments and bring out her playful side. This mutual understanding and support highlight the depth of their connection.

Their regular outings to a drag club indicate that they spend significant time together outside of work. These moments away from the school environment allow them to connect on a personal level, further deepening their bond. The fact that they have a regular place where they hang out suggests a routine and comfort in each other's company that is significant in any relationship.

Most of Ava and Janine's interactions that have deepened their connection have occurred off-screen and in private settings. This contrasts with Janine's interactions with Gregory, which are often public and chaperoned by their colleagues. The private nature of Ava and Janine's moments suggests a level of intimacy and trust that is crucial in building a strong relationship. These off-screen interactions allow them to explore their feelings and support each other without the pressures of their professional environment.

The comments from Janelle James, who plays Ava, further support the potential for an Avanine romance. James has hinted at the depth of Ava's feelings for Janine and suggested that their relationship could develop into something more. Additionally, the show's creator, Quinta Brunson, liking an obviously gay Avanine edit, adds another layer of intrigue to the potential for a romantic relationship between Ava and Janine.

The evolving dynamics between Ava and Janine, marked by mutual support, private interactions, and hints of deeper feelings, suggest a strong foundation for a potential romance. Their relationship is built on a genuine connection and understanding, making the possibility of Avanine an exciting prospect for the future of "Abbott Elementary."

Conclusion

While Ava and Janine might not get together, the evidence suggests that Ava has a significant crush on Janine. This crush, combined with the complex dynamics between Janine, Ava, and Gregory, is likely to create interesting developments in the fourth season of "Abbott Elementary." The potential for an Avanine romance adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, and fans can look forward to seeing how these relationships evolve. Whether or not Avanine becomes canon, the possibility itself enriches the story and keeps viewers engaged with the characters' journeys.

TL;DR: The season 3 finale seems to solidify Gregory and Janine's relationship, potentially sidelining any romantic possibilities between Janine and Ava. However, examining the narrative and character development reveals that the potential for an Avanine romance remains strong. Janine's journey of self-discovery, marked by pivotal moments like her breakup with Tariq and her declaration of wanting to be selfish, contrasts with Gregory's more stable but less aggressively developed character arc. Ava, initially self-centered, undergoes significant growth, showing unexpected depth and selflessness, particularly towards Janine. Their off-camera interactions and mutual support hint at a deeper connection. The complex dynamics between Janine, Ava, and Gregory, including Ava's changing behavior towards Gregory and her evident jealousy, suggest Ava's unspoken feelings for Janine. With Ava canonically over Gregory, her actions indicate a crush on Janine, setting the stage for intriguing developments in season 4. The essay argues that while Avanine might not become canon, the possibility enriches the narrative and keeps fans engaged.

[gavfleetout]

I think it’s interesting that in the acolyte, Mae is told she can’t kill the Jedi with weapons, and that they’ll only fear her if she defeats them without, and so far she’s worried about running out of Jedi to kill without weapons BUT she hasn’t defeated them with weapons, not really.

She defeated the first Jedi by playing on her compassion, and the second by his guilt. She’s not winning because she’s stronger (she’s not) she’s winning so far because she gets them to defeat themselves.

And even though Mae thinks she needs to literally kill a Jedi without weapons, I wonder if this is what her master really meant and she’s just misinterpreting.

The master said “an acolyte kills the dream” and that’s what she did. Killed the dream that compassion will win and killed the dream that serenity can be found in the force. Curious to see what other dreams she kills next.

@gffa @balancingtheforce @a-random-pillow thoughts? Idk if you’ve all seen this yet

[punster-2319]

Animaniacs or Dragon Ball Z for me

[multifandom-nerds-blog]

Thinking about Ducktales again. More theoratical analyzing. More ranting. More precisely about Ducktales humanity. (Less a biological take, more societal and historical)

I don't remember if there were any monkey or ape characters, but nevertheless evolution in the Ducktales world decided that, nope I don't like apes, it's gonna be primarily birds, ducks specifically who turn human

But it's not only birds, there also mammals, both carnivores (I think more of those?) and herbivores, yet again, birds are still the majority.

So whatever it was that caused the evolution, my take is that it's more birds simply cause "birds" were just already far more wide-spread around the globe due to their natural flying abilities pre evolution. And Ducks, cause, Idk, ducks are everywhere.

Anyways, the "animals" were probably evenly hit by evolution in general, but a lot of other species (lions, tigers, subspecies like pandas) in the wild were bound by territory. Ergo, due to more birds existing all over the globe, more humans in the modern age ended up being part of bird species cause they were more wide-spread in the beginning due to pre-evolution times. Also certain areas having more dangers (stone age, bronce age, I'm not sure how the early ages are called) for humans then others being a reason why some species exist more than others. (Again, human lions or tigers might have not been able to build bigger civilizations in early history due to having animal lions or tigers as dangers) (I know lions and tigers do not live in the same are btw, even if it might sound like that)

Now... Birds are basically the top of society in the Ducktales universe. They are more. They are everywhere. They are much more dominant. And I have thoughts about discrimination and the irony of birds that are "prey" being the majority of Ducktales humanity, but I should not only make a separate post for this, but also really sort my words so this doesn't end up sounding to weird.

Going back to the society: It somehow happened that human animals and animal animals live together. And in a way mostly similar to us. Pets exist. Feeding ducks with bred crumbs is a thing (that scene is why I'm writing this post). And people eat cheese, milk, eggs and meat.

Now, I don't know which is weirder. A human dog having another animal dog as a pet (hello Goofy) or a chicken eating chicken soup? (Huey wanted to give Scrooge chicken soup while Gyro was sitting on his computer and he didn't react. I guess cocked/baked duck/geese/turkey is also being eaten) Does it not count as cannibalism if it's not a conscious human, or do chickens just not eat chicken, pigs no ham and so on?

I am very much aware that this is just a disney show, targeted to kids mostly, and that those characters are all animals because they've always been animals. But I'm going between things like Zoomania and Beastars where the whole humanised animals topic is actually being discussed and also used to cover racsim as a topic, to things like Sing and Kung Fu panda where everyone just simply is an animal cause it's animation marketed to kids. Then we have Ducktales. And well, Bigotry, discrimination and racism isn't the topic of this show, obviously. It's about adventures and familiar relationships and drama. WHICH IS GREAT. No question. But then you have Penumbra being weirded out at conscious ducks feeding non-conscious ducks, and the whole 4th wall break episode in season 3 showing us that at least some people were very much aware of the undiscussed implications a show with only animal people has. Even if it's supposed to be a silly kids show.

Feel free to comment under this and reblog, cause I would really wanna know what others people thoughts about this are and maybe discuss it a little bit.

[r3medialch8os]

so since u guys liked that i did this with remedial chaos theory i will now also be doing this for epidemiology.

the most incredible thing about this episode is that it is in fact Not merely an homage like most concept episodes are; it actually happens. a zombie epidemic For Real takes place at greendale. it's not a gimmick or a game or a way to frame the plot. the actual conflict is derived from the fact that people are zombies and the study group need to outrun them/turn them back. how often can you say that a sitcom incorporates a storyline like this and sincerely pulls it off? never.

the emotional tension in this episode is framed around troy/abed/jeff and the dichotomy of being a nerd vs. being cool, which respectively get attributed the qualities of caring about the people around you who have turned into zombies or wanting to run and escape from the zombies without trying to help. abed and jeff's costumes are both pointed out in the beginning receiving clear denotations of 'lame' and 'too cool to care' and therefore their positions in the conflict are cemented. the episode has a push-pull with troy being the moving factor, having to decide what he thinks is most important. he gets swayed in the beginning by two girls rejecting him over his costume and jeff mentioning how expensive his suit is. he changes from his ripley costume into a 'sexy dracula'. abed spends the whole episode trying to get troy back to his side, even saying "what defines a nerd? committing to an awesome halloween costume with your best friend?" troy is eventually 'turned back' into his nerdy self (perhaps a zombie metaphor itself, keeping in tone with the theme of the episode) because jeff cares more about his suit getting dirty than surviving the herd of zombies.

a crucial part of the episode is that it is soundtracked by abba music playing from the dean's playlist. now, who would i be if i didn't investigate significant music choices connected to scenes? first up and probably the most important one: s.o.s. is used in the background of a scene where abed confronts troy about changing costumes. troy insults him and walks away. the lyrics are: 'you seemed so far away, though you were standing near. you made me feel alive, but something died, i fear. i really tried to make it up, i wish I understood. what happened to our love? it used to be so good.' next; gimme gimme gimme plays right before the scene where chang and shirley hook up. another insane choice is at the end when troy is fighting the zombies. the whole sequence has mamma mia playing in the background Faintly. then when troy eventually gets to abed and has to fight him, the music comes in much louder with the lyrics: 'here i go again, my, my, how can i resist you?', which i think fits perfectly. the ending song fernando has the lyrics 'there was something in the air that night', both referencing the thermostat changing the zombies back and the fact that it was just an incredibly weird fucking night.

troy is dressed as ellen ripley and also kind of acts as the ripley of this episode. his journey in this as being the sole survivor and the one to eventually save greendale adheres to a common science fiction model where a life-threatening force is faced against the protagonists and they fall off in degrees, resulting in one person being left to mend everything. here specifically, it seems to mirror ripley's journey in alien (1979) as it starts with a crew that eventually gets cut down leaving only her. i thought that was really cool.

more alien tidbits, but the jumping cat scene is also inspired by it. jones the cat is an imporant figure in the first alien movie. in various scenes, members of the crew will go looking for him, then get ambushed by the titular alien and subsequently killed. it is a minor homage to the movie through yet another subtle reference. the bit is also parodying jumpscares in horror movies in general, and how they are used to cheaply amplify the tension. anyways, it's quite the multilayered joke because it also really works out of context as a bizarre comedic moment.

troy and abed's scene in the basement pays homage to princess leia and han solo's scene in the empire strikes back. the conversation in the film takes place just before han is frozen alive in carbonite by darth vader. not knowing if he’ll survive, he kisses leia, only to be torn away from her by stormtroopers. she says 'i love you,' and as he descends into chamber, han replies, 'i know.' an undeniably romantic moment, maybe one of the most memorable ones ever, is applied to troy and abed who have held reign over the emotional core of the plot for the entire episode. it's pretty special that such an iconic moment is given to them, i feel like the creators of the show wouldn't just do this sparingly. it also perfectly resolves their conflict as troy makes such a vulnerable statement and abed assuring him that he already knew, validating their bond once again.

more on troy and abed, it is pretty amazing realizing the emotional implications tied to how dire the situation was. everyone in this episode was under the direct threat of Not Surviving, and still abed sacrificed himself for troy. he knew this was for real. he couldn't be sure if they were going to make it. but i think he had enough faith in troy to aid in his escape. it's very touching. further, it's incredible that troy is willing to fight all the zombies (all his friends) but when it comes time to punch abed, he refuses to do it. he's struck by the force of their friendship, mumbling 'we're friends' defeated before eventually succumbing to his bite.

troy saving the school by controlling the temperature; nicely setting up his further plot with the ac repair school.

him being the one to escape and abed saying 'be the first black man to make it to the end' subverts the common horror trope of 'black dude dies first'. a playful way of keeping up with the horror movie theme of the episode.

also ironically this episode, which features the song mamma mia by abba, sets up a plotline in season two about shirley not knowing who the father of her new baby is, which is functionally the plot of the movie mamma mia!, a musical based on abba's music. probably a coincidence but a pretty funny one.

at the end when the army arrives, they ask the dean about witnesses. when he says he is the only witness, one of the guards reaches into his jacket, suggesting that he's pulling a gun intended to kill the dean and get rid of the witness. when they notice everyone in the school is still alive, they abandon this plan and go for 'scenario b'. kind of dark but i laugh every time that scene happens.

anyways that's all i could pull from my brain crevices for now. this episode is a genuine masterpiece, it will never ever get old and will remain to be one of the most unique sitcom episodes ever created.

[sugashook]

the beach boys 'our prayer' hymn plays right after the sea(ed) meets the land (stede) and together the boys harmonize (like in the hymn) at the beach

[letmelickyoureyeballs]

whatever I still prefer henry cavill as geralt. Just cause the book version was ugly doesn't mean he always has to be.

Referencing this post. This is basically a long rant about hot actors in media, and adapting books to media. I love The Witcher in all forms, so please don't think I'm hating on the show.

Just want to start off by saying I absolutely loved Henry Cavill as Geralt and I'm super sad and disappointed that he left. He is a huge Witcher lover and played all the games and read all the books, so his performances were always spot on and he really put all his love in the role. Kudos to him and honestly I can't imagine a better actor to play Geralt.

Now for the main part of this ask. I know when a book or whatever gets adapted that it won't always be the same. I know there will be differences that either improve the story or not, and that some things work better in books vs movies and vice versa. The main gripe that I talked about in that post(that was just an observation; I'm not hating on the games or show) was that the games and show made Geralt hot when in the books he really isn't. Granted people keep wanting to fuck him in the books, so there must be some appeal, but generally, he isn't described as handsome and is ostracized a lot from society for his looks and who he is. He's a mutant. Plain and simple.

I do think the show was able to show this whenever he drank a potion with the black eyes and veins, and how pale he became, which was pretty spot on.

But what I was trying to get at is how every piece of media seems to have to have a hot/attractive protagonist or characters. The audience I guess needs someone that they are attracted to, to like the story and want to watch it. Would half the movies and TV shows out there be as popular as they are with ugly/unattractive actors? Not saying that ugly actors are bad and shouldn't be cast. Just that attractive actors seem to be the default, even when the story is based around the opposite of that.

Like I stated in that post, a big part of the books(besides the main plots) is how people treat Geralt for his mutations and looks, and how that view changes as they get to know him. Yes, he looks freakish and non-human and scary at times, but he isn't all of that. He is a nice, caring, and protective person who does the right thing, even when he doesn't have to. He goes against his looks and it's growth for him and the people around him. This in my opinion is not reflected in the games or show with a hot actor.

How is the message of "Don't judge a book by its cover" supposed to be seen with a hot actor who doesn't look "evil" or "ugly"? How is the audience or the people around Geralt supposed to grow in their understanding of him when the only "weird" looking things about him are his white hair and barely yellow cat eyes that you can't really see? Again I know that not everything from the books would be in the show, but I wish this was one thing they kept in, or at least made more of an effort to replicate.

Another thing that someone else mentioned that I'll link here, is the fact that Geralt would not be ripped like Cavill, and if he did have a six pack it would be from malnourishment. A big thing with Witchers is that they are pretty much dirt-poor. Therefore Geralt would not be able to buy enough food to replace the calories he was losing from traveling and fighting. Another thing that was kinda ignored when adapting the books, and instead getting an actor who is ripped.

To conclude this anon, no he doesn't always have to be ugly just cause the book version was, but I wish that he was, or at least was more freakish looking. Henry Cavill was a good pick, but was he the best one? Depends on what you want to watch I guess. Do you want a hot actor who can use a sword and kill things? Then he's perfect. Do you want more of a story realizing that looks don't matter(random examples: The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Deadpool) who also swordfight and kills monsters? Then maybe Henry Cavill isn't the best.

[alexjcrowley]

Lately, I have been watching this German tv show on Netflix, Achtsam Morden (they changed the title in my language and they've probably changed it in all other languages as well, so that's why I report the original one), and it's one of those shows that starts with a very shocking first scene, does a sort of "yep, that's me, you probably wonder how I got there" and then goes back to the "beginning of the story" and I finally realised why this kind of opening, which I used to like, has started to bother me so much.

It's because it's the tv show equivalent of a clickbait video. That's the only way I can explain it. This kind of opening per se is fine, it has nothing wrong with it, but today you will see so many tv show that open like this, because evidently the average member of the audience needs (or what streaming services think they need is) to know instantly, from the first second of a show, if they will like what they are going to watch.

It's just that. People don't even watch trailers anymore- because there are so many tv shows now, so there are so many trailers and you couldn't keep up with all of them. What happens is you go on a streaming service and find a tv show you have never heard of, maybe with actors you have never heard of. You are not going to watch the trailer, you are going to click on the first episode to see what's up. And the tv show needs to tell you at the very beginning of the first episode what you are going to get, so you don't get bored with things like "building up a narration" and "giving the show the time to start". It seems like tv show audience today just don't have the patience for that anymore (or, again, streaming services don't think we do).

Again, it's the equivalente of a clickbait video that starts with "THIS MAN SURVIVED ONE WEEK WITH NO WATER" and then the story starts from the begging. But why is there such an aggressive hook? Because whoever created that video wants you to stay and hopes you will with an outrageous, attention-grabbing claim.

And it's the same thing a lot of tv shows seem to be forced to do this day. Again, that's not the device of "starting the tv show with a flashforward" that's bad, the problem is how massively it is used today and why.

It's this and things like 8 episodes a season and Netflix making sure that scripts pass the "second screen test" (if you don't know, the reason why in a Netflix movie or tv show you may find a lot of repetitive scenes or the same information repeated many times and a general lack of subtlety is because Netflix assumes everybody watches their products while simultaneously being on their phone- so they want to make sure even an audience who pays very low attention to their products can still follow them. Please try to re-imagine if the movies that have made the history of cinema had to comply with this parameter.) that make me mad.

Because we are not going to get another Breaking Bad, another The Wire, The Soprnaos, Succession, Six Feet Under, True Detective, Twin Peaks and whatever else you can name if tv shows today are produced with the same style of a clickbait video and and all episodes end in cliffhangers so you have to watch the next one (Lost pulled it off but that was Lost. And also Lost was hugely criticised and/or mocked for overusing these narrative devices.)

Now, I started this post complaining about episodes opening scenes so let's get back to that. The opening of a tv show or a movie is one of its most crucial moments, okay? I'd say it's even more crucial than the finale- because there are a lot of factors that may change how a tv show can end (network decided to cut it early, actors not being available, story took another directiom things like that) but the opening scene of a tv show needs to set the tone, get you in the atmosphere, give you a sniff of the worldbuilding, introduce the main characters, and, sure, also hook up a viewer.

Different people may be hooked by different things, so I don't think the purpose of a good opening scene is necessarily to appeal to every single person who watches it, but rather to be a good, coherent, significant beginning to your show. The kind of opening, dare I say, that after you finish the show, if you get back to the beginning you're filled with a new understanding of that scene.

And you can't expect that the same kind of opening scene (something shocking happens, "How did I end up here" often in voice over, flashback) can fit the bill for every show. People often speak of iconic tv show opening scenes, but how can they be iconic if they're slowly becoming all the same?

I think it's a little sad that this is making audience used to not giving a story the time to begin.

Watching a tv show, I think, should, or at least can also be, a time to relax and take things slowly. It's fine if a tv show takes a while to begin, it's fine it takes the whole 30 minutes an episode lasts these days instead of the first 30 seconds. Who is running after you? I understand that time is maybe our most valuable good, so you don't want to waste it watching a bad show, but are you really using it better if you're costantly stressed over "consuming only the stuff I aleady know I will like" and you don't allow yourself the luxury of discovering something you unexpectedly like? Even better, of letting your opinions and yourself be changed by an artistic product that can challenge your taste and thoughts? Of letting yourself try, like or even love new things? Maybe, this way you'll end up watching a bunch of bad stuff, but maybe you will also find out that that tv show you thought wasn't your style gets really, really good from episode 3 on.

I remember starting Mad Men and thinking "Wow, I thought this was going to be more exciting" at first. I could have left it there, and move on on another show, but personally I decided I was going to give it a bit more time. I had to wait like until episode 5, I think, to get pulled in, but I am glad I did, because from then on I got very invested in the show (which I still have to continue but I gotta wait for my family to watch it together).

And look, there's a chance I would have still disliked Mad Men even if I got past episode 5, but there were tha same chances, as it actually happened, that I would have liked it!

Imagine if Mad Men would have started immediately giving away Don's past: it would have ruined to effect of perceiving him, at first, as the man with the perfect life, and then seeing his image slowly crumble in front of our eyes. But yeah, I guess you could say an opening scene like that would have grabbed the audience attention quicker.

So, yeah, this is another ramble against streaming services. For the love of whatever scared to you- so, profits- Jesus Christ allow your tv showa to begin with something that Megamind hasn't already done better that you could ever hope to achieve.

Don't let your tv shows become a Mr Beast video, please.