#The Boys 3x03

[justjensenanddean]

Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy THE BOYS (2022) | 3.03 – “Barbary Coast”

[waltricia]

This is a small detail, but I think it’s worth noting: it’s so classically romantic that Colin described his question for Penelope as a need. It’s not “I have a question for you” or “There is a question I have been wanting to ask you.” It’s “There is a question I have been needing to ask you.” It goes beyond desire. It’s ‘I can’t live without knowing.’

[tarttedup]

ICONic

bonus:

[forbescaroline]

235 FAVORITE SHIPS OF ALL TIME (ranked by my followers) 91. cory matthews and topanga lawrence - boy meets world

[lovingherwasgay]

the shipwreck will last 3 episodes. buddienation how are we feeling about that knowing what happens every third episode of the season regarding buddie + chris as a family.

[dont-let-me-eat-pears]

Merlin forever being my favorite

[winnie-the-monster]

[shawn-meets-world]

[raayllum]

So following writing this short meta about Rayla and Callum's differing responses to their hostage exchanges (in 4x09 and here above in 5x08 respectively), I was also thinking about this scene with Viren because it shows, perhaps, the biggest difference I've always seen between Callum and Viren, even back in S1/S2.

I've talked about it before, but it always bears repeating: throughout the first three episodes of S1, we see Viren try everything he can to save Harrow's life, including offering up others' and his own through the soulfang spell... but giving up the egg never occurs to him as an option. The fact that we know it wouldn't have necessarily worked (hi Runaan's stubborn refusal) is a moot point; relinquishing a 'weapon' and letting it fall back into Xadia's hands is not something, point blank, that Viren is willing to do, even to save the life of someone he loves and is willing to die for.

And although the contexts are different - it seems Viren knew saving Soren might sour his relationship with Lissa (and led to him coining Kpp'Ar) but there were no global stakes attached to it as far as he knew or could conceptualize. However, it does show the way he's fallen, particularly with S5 in mind (as in the dream 'flashbacks' he tells Soren what Claudia did in 2x09: "You're okay now. That's all that matters"). But here, it doesn't Matter at all.

Arc 1 Viren is a villain and an antagonist precisely because of three things.

He's willing to sacrifice other people, even people who trusted and followed him (his best friend's children, the human armies)

He's willing to sacrifice, manipulate, and selectively choose amongst his children (Soren and Claudia)

He cares too much about what he considers to be the Greater Good ("a bright future for humanity" / "his destiny will be the destruction of all of humanity") that he loses sight of who he wants it for (his children: "I would've asked you to choose the egg over my own life, if it came to it")

While Viren says much of this is for the greater good, it's also very clearly self-serving in his own quest for power ("You made the same choice you've always made: the one that gives you power"). And while Callum has pride, he does not have ego.

Because you have Callum. The revenge spell creates a dangerous weapon. He knows this, and has seen and fought against the harm it caused first hand. Claudia was faced with a similar choice in 2x07 ("If you must choose between Soren and egg, pick the egg") and even she hesitated. But Callum doesn't. He doesn't hesitate for a second to give Finnegrin what he wouldn't under torture and under principle, because "the second you see that elf girl in pain" ("the second it looks like you're in danger, I'm jumping in after you"), he loses himself.

Because Viren says, "I would do anything for you," and doesn't mean it, but Callum says, "I would do anything for you," and means it in its entirety.

While Callum and Viren have a lot of similarities, they will never be truly like each other because Callum will never be willing to sacrifice his loved ones in the same way. That is their core and most crucial difference.

However, that doesn't mean that - like Viren - Callum's core and choices cannot be exploited, and that the ones he makes will always work out for him, going into S6 in particular.

Because he loves his family. And that's it - and that's everything.

[flo-nelja]

Normal people when they watched Dead Boy Detectives: It was gayer than I expected (positive)

Me, with no knowledge of the comics and who mostly knows the characters through their Doom Patrol episode: It was exactly as gay as I expected.

[justjensenanddean]

Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy THE BOYS (2022) | 3.03 – “Barbary Coast”

[lilcathsmith]

Greg Sanders in CSI Season 3 - Greatest Hits

[topangagifs]

Cory & Topanga in 3x03 (3/5)

[imminent-danger-came]

Unhinged Anon again, and you bringing up the track from S3E10 (which is probably my favorite from season 3. It’s just so cool and terrifying but also so sad and angry? At one point it's like the song is sobbing and screaming at the same time. The word ‘Lament’ definitely suits it) has me thinking about MK and Mei in S3E10 again, and I’m just… thinking. 

Thinking about MK constantly trying to bring attention back to Mei, ignoring or interrupting anything that doesn’t involve getting answers about/helping her. Thinking about MK dismissing Wukong and Macaque’s attempts to stop him from trying to save Mei. Thinking about MK physically wrenching himself from Wukong’s grasp to get to her. Thinking about how this is one of the few times we see MK choose to directly disobey an order (implied or otherwise) from Wukong without someone else manipulating him. Thinking about how this is the first time (I think) that we see MK actively pull away from Wukong. Thinking about MK choosing to leave Wukong behind as he heads into the fire for Mei. 

Thinking about "it’s scary being alone", and MK not hesitating to rush in knowing no one else could, or at least was willing, to back him up, because he’ll do this alone if it means she doesn’t have to. Thinking about how, once MK enters that fire, there is not a moment where his hands aren’t in front of him. Not a moment where he stops reaching towards her. Thinking about how he had zero assurances that Mei was physically capable of stopping the Samadhi fire, or that she was even listening considering she doesn’t respond to his words, and how that deters him about as much as being slowly burned alive AKA not at all. Thinking about MK being the only person to directly address Mei, and talk to her instead of at or about her. 

Thinking about Mei raging at Wukong for his lies and betraying “all of [them]”, but putting special emphasis on how he’s hurt MK specifically (Side note: I think the delivery of the “Time and time again [..] leaving him to figure out everything on his own!” line is my favorite of the whole episode. Stephanie Sheh did such a fantastic job). Thinking about MK’s name being the only one she uses the entire episode. Thinking about Mei’s lineage, something she had finally come to embrace with pride and confidence after feeling out of place for most of her life, being what condemns her to her status as the fourth ring, but also what saves her from being consumed by the fire. Thinking about "If you’re not giving everything you have to protect the people you care about, you are nothing", and Mei watching her own power lash out and hurt her best friend. Thinking about Mei only being the fourth ring because Ao Lie was prepared to sacrifice himself for his friend, taking the hit for Sanzang. Thinking about Mei having the Samadhi fire because of an act of friendship and loyalty from centuries ago. Thinking about Mei’s love for her friend, and his love for her, being what initially allows her to control the fire. 

Thinking about all of Mei’s “we have to try” moments, and ‘fakin’ it ‘til we makin’ it’, and her completely giving in to rage, hurt, and fear, almost destroying herself and the people she loves as she does so. Thinking about how it’s Mei’s own (partial) words from ROTSQ that MK brings up and throws back at her. Words that she offered him when he was feeling lost, and overwhelmed, and had no idea what to do. Thinking about Mei always happily offering MK all the unyielding patience, encouragement and forgiveness that he rarely grants himself, and desperately needing someone to offer her the same. Thinking about MK not hesitating to provide it. 

Thinking about how MK and Mei are constantly reaching for each other throughout the show, but it’s when they connect that the seemingly impossible is achieved. 

Thinking about MK looking at Mei through a sea of flames and saying ‘I see what you’re going through, and I see that you’re hurting, and I’ve been there, and I know how scary and overwhelming it is, and it is totally okay for you to feel these things, but it is not okay for you to think that you have to endure them alone, and I am going to stick by your side and weather them all with you exactly like you’ve done for me, and you are my best friend, and I love you, and I’m here for you’.  

Thinking about “We will figure this out. Together”. 

…I hate this show *said while cradling it close to my heart*

Also, to completely shift tones and topic: I saw you discussing names for the MK-Mei-SWK-Macaque quartet, and I’m not creative enough to do anything with this information, but I would like to point out that all of their names (or in Monkey King’s case, one name) start with “M”. I don’t know if this could be used to develop a fun group name, but it is something that they all share. Also, yes! I have considered starting tdp! I just need to set aside, like… a weekend or something for me to binge it all. Anyways, hope you have a wonderful day! *waves from the precipice of madness, smiling while tears stream down my face because the monkie show broke me again*

EXACTLY. IT'S WHY THE MK AND MEI DYNAMIC IS SO FUCKING GOOD.

They constantly leave and reach for each other.

I think “Time and time again [..] leaving him to figure out everything on his own! Don't you realize you're hurting the people who care about you the most?” is one of my favorite deliveries in the whole show, along with the entire "To pain" scene at number one and Macaque yelling at Wukong in 4x11 ("Not the great sage, he has to drag everyone else into his mess!").

Here's a list of names for the MK, Mei, Wukong, and Macaque quartet I've been tempted by:

Dragonmask (like the monkey "masks" MK, SWK and Macaque have. I'm kind of biased for this one)

Hero&Warriors (Leaning away from this one, mainly because I think more than only these 4 goobers could be considered Heroes and Warriors.)

M Krew

MeicaKing (It's ugly, I know)

Iris Quartet (I'm thinking of a purple iris, which is it's namesake in Chinese—"purple butterfly"—mainly because it's made up of the colors purple and yellow for the petals and green for the stem. The Iris in China symbolizes the return of spring, and is viewed as a protector.)

Side note: For a MK, Mei, and Macaque trio I think I'd call them the "Forgotten Trio" (Like "the warrior was forgotten by the hero" lol).

[theancientwise]

Apparently weak, submissive, and easy to be manipulated by his courtesans/tutors... But in reality smart, cunning, ambitious and willing to wait for the right time to seize/consolide his power...

Does it not remind you of someone else who was like that before?

YES. HIM.

Brilliant. Just Brilliant.

[rocktheholygrail]

2x05 || 3x03

Abel and Bedelia giving our boys relationship advice