#Tower of God Liveblog

[voxmilia]

SQUAD SQUAD SQUAD SQUAD SQUAD SQUAD SQUAD -

[cyndaquillt]

Imagine being a normal spectator or participant at the workshop battle thinking you'll score some cool items while you're at it and the next thing you know you're stuck watching some drama between an edgelord cult, some random friend group, some mad scientists, and some crazy incels who thought the waifu chatbot they were talking to is real

[hellsiteliveblogs]

Love my computer buffering on this frame of Prince

[perilegs]

is there anything that points to how exactly it is chosen which god someone's vallaslin will represent? da wiki says "They still revere the elven pantheon, and in a ritual to commemorate reaching adulthood each member of a tribe will have the symbol of their chosen god tattooed on their face." but there's no source for that and ive never before seen that in game so idk. ive always thought someone else picked it for the elf in uestion but being able to pick it yourself makes sense with the reflecting on gods stuff

[incorrecttowerofgodquotes]

I found my new Twitter ratio

[foxstens]

so yea bloodstained rotn is the coolest game ever

[astronomical-bagel]

OKAY new wind waker liveblog thread! (WILL GET LONG!!!) right now I’m with Boat Dad™️ in the “tower of the gods” temple

[kerubimcrepin]

Liveblog: Wakfu Season 1 (episode 20, The Tree of Life)

I like to think he was looking for any sign of Armand being a sussy baka, or, alternatively, Armand being actually worried about the things he's been told.

Sadly, Joris finds neither.

I like to think that Joris and Amalia&Eva have a good pre-established relationship for the following reason: it's shown to be good enough for him to get onto the balcony and for them to be immediately happy about it, instead of going "what the hell are you doing here?" or "were you spying on us? (he was. even if it is for the good of the world.)"

Maybe that's another reason Armand hates him — besides Joris insisting on the instructions that were given to him and not bowing down to Armand's ~power~ — Joris may be a yet another person who likes his sister more.

Btw Joris is doing batshit insane tower climbing again, just like in the Ush comic.

Never change, king.

Get ready for my deep, deep, insightful commentary into what the fact that Joris believes that no issue is insolvable implies within the context of his "has seen countless human deaths" life:

I think I hauve covid.

Do you think one of the solutions that he has for issues is to wait it out and watch, as the walls of the prison that are "circumstances of life", start to decay?

Translation from politespeak: "I am going to cause a political incident with your cringe brother to help you tell your father about Nox's plans."

I love how ready he is to beat people up. And to cause a political incident.

Joris after getting down from the balcony railing, now suddenly very much below everyone in the room, in a matter of fact voice: After I slam the tree stump on the floor to create a loud sound, — and probably damage said floor, sorry, — you are going to scream that the iop returned. I will keep hitting random things until they run in. When the guards do run in, I beat them to unconsciousness with my magic wand. You can also hit them if you want, — yes, yes, you can use the candelabra, or any other metal object in the room, — but do not hit them on the head without me! It's very easy to accidentally kill a person, when you're not used to beating them to unconscious on a relatively regular basis.

Bugs when you lift a rock.

God knows, Joris is extremely aware of how bad the thing he just did is, and how much trouble he'll be in afterwards. God also knows that Joris probably doesn't give a shit.

The little slam... The commanding voice... He's everything.

When Joris is this polite, he is either angry as fuck and can't do anything about it, or angry as fuck and about to beat you to death.

This little "I insist" is so uncalled-for. He's just mocking them at this point, considering what he is about to do.

Something I really noticed this time around, is that Joris really likes kicking things. He kicked Pinpin, he kicked these guys... This is a trait he gets from Kerubim, sure, but he takes kickmaxxing to another level by, very cockily, doing half this battle with his hands behind his back on a simple whim.

He is the same exact type of an insane, prideful asshole as Kerubim. It maddens me when people think he's actually humble and normal just because of his introversion and more low-key facade.

He may not scream "I'm smarter and better and stronger than every loser in this room" outwardly like his father, but exudes the same exact noxious aura nonetheless.

You know why I also think Joris thinks of Amalia and Eva well?

He put this little show on, — fighting two simple guards with pirouettes, hands behind his back, and a little touch of magic, — just for them. We know what he actually fights like when he means it. And it has none of this insanity.

You see, he points out his ability to fight off an army of simple, normal people, all alone. And on one hand it's just reassuring Eva and Amalia that they have nothing to fear...

...and on the other hand, it makes me think he likes it when random teenagers think he's cool and awesome.

Even though this blog is crepinjurgen-focused, I want to say that this is one of my favorite wakfu episodes. This scene always makes me tear up.

Anyway do you think Joris just carries with him ropes to tie enemies with whenever he goes — or did he take a rope from somewhere within the castle? How often does this happen? Does he do this as a torture method too? Does he—- [I am removed by the secret police by being way too insane today]

Still using vous, despite hating his ass.

[guy who made a blog that's 33% dedicated to talking about doomed siblings] Yeah it's so sad that even Tot doesn't understand Clephee's potential, and how insane her relationship with Eva is. Imagine loving your sibling, but they never feel good enough, and they keep leaving you. They turn everything into competition, never celebrate your wins because they feel like their losses. Imagine speaking so little — being so distant, that when you have a happy dream of that sibling, it's them as a child, way back before. And imagine that this sibling wants to turn you into a fur coat— [I am electrocuted]FHDSJHDFJKsdhfsdhfERR-

There are so many people unconscious and Joris is actually freaking the fuck out, which makes me think that, for the past 10-20 minutes in-universe, he and Armand have been doing the Joris whack-a-mole thing.

Like, Joris is actually alarmed/bewildered by the fact that Armand will literally not listen to a single fucking word and just keeps mindlessly punching the floor.

Is he insane? Is he for real?

At this point, he's worried for the guy's health. This has been happening for a while. He sounds scared.

Like Armand keeps hurting himself in his attempts to beat Joris up and it's scaring Joris shitless because it's actually starting to get a little bit weird and off-putting.

Yet he turns around so nonchalantly.

[carabas]

Dragon Age Veilguard liveblogging, starting the endgame -

One final bit of running around treasure hunting before we go to the point of no return, and I found these guys:

Dungeon Meshi???

The very first view of the ritual site and the first thing we see is Falon'din of all the possible gods looming large beneath the eclipse - which, first of all, Rook's god of choice, also, death; Lucanis was so pessimistic about our odds during that last talk and now Rook's staring his own personal god of death in the face.

The Lighthouse but at the ritual site? Elgar'nan did complain that Solas was copying one of his towers, he was not lying, down to the green streamers.

WHY IS IT ALWAYS NEVE, EVERY TIME THERE'S A DECISION WHERE ONE OF MY COMPANIONS GETS HURT IT ALWAYS WINDS UP BEING NEVE, IN THE PROLOGUE, MINRATHOUS VS TREVISO, NOW SHE'S KIDNAPPED, IF SHE SOMEHOW WINDS UP BETRAYING ME I WILL DESERVE IT

...WELL I GUESS IT'S NOT ONLY NEVE THIS TIME.

WELL. SHIT.

I guess technically one of the companions was keeping secrets. Rook, from himself. I did think it was odd Varric never had conversations with the other companions outside the big group scenes (and I guess he must not have actually interacted with them in those scenes, huh, just talked to Rook), no one ever visited him in the infirmary the way all the other companions visit each other, but I was thinking along the lines of voice actor availability issues or something maybe, because the lines he has with Rook are so limited too, 'when's the last time you slept, remember to take breaks' on endless repeat, and Claudia Black was brought in relatively late and isn't it odd that Morrigan is our go-between with the Inquisitor when that seems like the role Varric should be in... The limited 'get some sleep, take a break' dialogue was because there's only so much advice Rook can fill in for him, huh? His death was speculated about so heavily after the gameplay trailer that this isn't a shock, but I was so relieved when he survived, dangit! Congrats to David Gaider, he finally got his wish.

The trap, the way the whole shape of the story has built up to this - the heavy theme of regret right from the start, Solas's regrets but also Rook continually being put in a position to form some of his own; and then the contrast that our spirit companion who usually embodies the main theme in these games is not Regret, it's Spite, or as the Lords of Fortune call him, Determination; and this whole time I've so very much enjoyed the way Solas was training Rook into something like the Dread Wolf through all their talks... the way all the threads running through the story come together, beautiful. Chef's kiss. And these are all specifically things that I've enthused about in these liveblogs before!! Everything hit exactly as they intended, I'm in pain and they thoroughly laid the groundwork for this pain and it's beautiful.

Rook was trapped by becoming too much like the Dread Wolf, but escaping traps is what the Dread Wolf does. Both of them, now.

Bianca's been sitting in two pieces on Varric's bedside table this whole time, was that real? I turned the game off for the night before writing these last few flailing paragraphs, but I should go check if she's still there when I get back to it.

[favvn]

The Cloud Minders Notes/Thought Dump

Not as exhaustive as the Amok Time Notes (I will reserve that type of thoroughness for episodes I love), but not as informal as a liveblog. Hopefully I've made it a fun read.

Don't ask me what the word count is. I hit the image limit.

The original drafts are its own thing. This episode was a mess from the start with what they wanted to cover in the time frame they had to do it in. It's neat that they chose to make a plague the background plot to force a timeline again (The Galileo Seven did this, too), although in this case it does heighten the plot of the episode beyond a time limit. What happens on Ardana will impact Merak II. Crucial detail for how this episode will delve into diplomacy.

There's something to be said about connecting this episode to Metropolis 1927 given the art deco design for Stratos and that shared element--the height of art, culture, and pleasure for the higher class that is physically apart from those who work and toil below ground to make such things possible and who do not enjoy the fruits of their labor. Vanna herself can be seen as an extension of Maria for what they aim to do for their people.

A city in the sky devoted to art and thought, a "totally intellectual society. All forms of violence have been eliminated" versus the mines on the surface of the planet. Literally the dichotomy of lofty ideals versus material reality.

"Interference breeds attack" Vanna! What a character! Her words here are her justification and explanation of her aims: Stratos is a fake paradise built from the suffering of the workers, not that the city dwellers see it that way. The Troglytes' lives are not their own to do as they choose, thus "interference breeds attack." Had the Troglytes been allowed to live in the city and out of the mines, none of this need happen.

Spock is melee fighting! Nimoy must've hated whoever decided Spock must do so, god. The Vulcan Nerve Pinch came about because Nimoy thought such physical fighting styles were undignified for a character like Spock!

Men in short tunic dresses and calf-high boots. This is my vision of the future <3 Let clothes be clothes (tall order given that to be perceived is to be interpreted and clothing has an audience even when one is alone, etc.)

Plasus, High Advisor of the Council of Ardana. Plasus as in Placid, as in Placate, which is at odds with what we see of him. We meet him with armed guards and he tells us "violence is habitual with the Troglytes"

"The Disruptors are responsible" and not the Council for refusing to hear the Troglyte's demands. This episode gets a lot of flak for not having an ideal conclusion--where's the justice? We hope it will occur offscreen, that Plasus will not abuse his authority further, that Vanna will bring true material benefit to the Troglytes--but these details are true to life. Stratos controls the narrative. Stratos believes they are impartial and true, but theirs is an ivory tower of ignorance (be it pure or willful) and manipulation.

Vaal's antenna is a sculpture now lol (reused prop!) Also, this episode has such a fun set design and a neat use of special effects.

Droxine. What's in a name? Hydroxine? An antihistamine that sedates and offers hallucinations? I've seen her described as "a drip" before and that is a disservice to her. She is ignorant and she does uphold the narrative her father crafts to start with, but the episode shows that she is still curious and is willing to live beyond what her father wants of her. That's huge. (Why Spock later refers to her name as if it means innocence is interesting, but it does follow in what we see of her character in regards to accepting the narrative only to reject it later thanks to Spock challenging her on her beliefs.)

"Nor I a work of art, madam." Smooth, Spock! It makes sense because he is interested in the culture of the city dwellers and what insights they have learned, so why not borrow a page from Kirk and flirt and charm a little? His response to Droxine also borrows from what Plasus introduces her as (who calls their daughter a work of art? But the people of Stratos value art so it makes sense). Spock putting on the charm also doubles as a way to gain trust and information as is seen later and especially as Kirk will fail to do as he bungles their diplomatic efforts (which, well, Kirk has an odd diplomatic style at the best of times).

"Despoiling the whole city" is actually a genius way to describe it. The Disruptors (so well named as they seek to disrupt the status quo) are spoiling works of art in Stratos. It is minor compared to what they are now doing to Ardana's relationship to the Federation by hiding the zenite, but it makes sense: attempts at being heard through the proper channels have failed. This is the next step to be noticed, to bring the symbol of violence to Stratos and disrupt their lofty peace, but the people of Stratos think the Troglytes lack the intellect to mean such a thing so it is just a show of brute force.

This episode delves into the dirty details of diplomacy and how the Federation operates. Kirk is correct when he says that the Federation must become involved if Ardana's own political matters impedes a current mission to save the whole planet of Merak II from a plague. Ardana is responsible for providing the resource the Federation needs, and they have failed on that end, jeopardizing more lives in the process. Not that Plasus would understand that his failure at maintain diplomacy on Ardana has created this. He specifically blames the Disruptors for risking other lives when he talks to his daughter later, knowing full well Kirk or Spock would've challenged him on that statement. (And I do want to be clear: the Disruptors hiding the shipment of zenite is an escalation of their ongoing attempts to be heard, but they were probably not told who the shipment was for, so they can hardly be held responsible for making the situation with Merak II worse. Plasus as the High Advisor would know why the Enterprise needs the shipment.)

Spock describes the destruction of art as a loss to all. He is technically not incorrect in this statement. Anyone can enjoy art, but Plasus is convinced it cannot be so without intellect to understand it, so he believes that the Troglytes/Disruptors do so out of violent stupidity mixed with a cunning they should not possess if they were truly as stupid as Stratos claims.

Droxine asks very earnestly if Plasus believes that Kirk and Spock will blame Plasus and the council for their injuries from the attack, and Plasus laughs at her concern. But she has a point: had Plasus done a better job listening to the Disruptors, Kirk and Spock would not found themselves so directly involved and it does impact the diplomatic relations between Ardana and the Federation that Plasus claims to care about.

What a touch to have the Troglyte wear a mask to protect his eyes when he is on the surface and in Stratos. It speaks to how drastically different his life is, that he cannot look in natural lighting without pain (I could bring Plato's Allegory of the Cave into this, especially given the dichotomy between ideal and material reality, between what is put forward and what is true)

"I would advise you to increase your knowledge" "That is impossible for a Troglyte. The Stratos city dwellers have said it" and there it is! Troglytes are somehow both too stupid to live in Stratos and understand art or lofty ideals, yet they are believed to be cunning enough to launch a specific campaign to jeopardize Ardana's standing in the eyes of the Federation. They cannot be both at the same time. Either they lack intelligence entirely or they are just as capable as the people of Stratos and desperate to be heard.

Spock initiates a conversation with Droxine to get more details. He is using her interest in him to get on her good side and get her talking, not unlike what Kirk would do. (Honeypot mission)

"You sleep lightly, Captain" "Yes, duty is a good teacher" Jim. Jim. JIM.

There is a degree of smarminess to Kirk's "I find this rather enjoyable" but I hardly think he means it. The man has a woman who has already attacked him previously pinned down after he woke to her blade at his throat. The man is bluffing given how they are still attempting to reach a truce and actually talk to one another without being locked in a physical struggle. On top of the fact that this is Jim Kirk, the same man who will use his own body and fake romance in order to complete missions or save the crew. It's hardly surprising that he will flirt even now in order to attempt cooperation.

Gotta love the contrast. Droxine and Spock are talking about pon farr (a time of either sex or violence, a time of madness and unbridled passion for such an intellectual and contained Vulcan) and Kirk and Vanna are fighting. Ironic. Something to be said about how it mirrors what separates Stratos from the mines of Ardana, too.

The issue of Spock discussing such a private matter with a non-Vulcan has long been scrutinized, yet Droxine herself stated earlier that "Intellectually, Vulcans are as highly evolved as Stratos city dwellers." Spock responds, "We do pride ourselves on our logic." It's not a direct agreement, but he also does not deny her statement.

A lot has also been made of that word "pride" and what it points to as un-Vulcan, but Spock is part human and he absolutely does pride himself on being Vulcan. I view this as another point to his character, one that supports what we have already seen. (He doesn't just tease McCoy about being different from humans, Spock earnestly celebrates his differences.)

As for discussing pon farr so openly, some details to keep in mind: Spock has experienced it and is not currently undergoing it. Huge difference between discussing something with someone who is considered your intellectual equal (especially one who seemingly knows of Vulcan mating ritual as Droxine herself supplies the seven years bit; ultimately this is the no-continuity thing coming back to bite the show) versus not knowing what the pon farr is for yourself while also experiencing its effects and assuming the absolute worse. Spock was meditating on the current issues facing himself, Kirk, and their mission prior to this. Kirk is resting but Spock is not, so why not use Droxine's interest in himself to their advantage? Kirk has done it many times to great success for their missions. Is it out of character for Spock? Maybe so, but it has a reasoning behind it, and Kirk is not doing great in the diplomacy front and Plasus continues to shut them out. Either Spock takes this chance with Droxine or a lot of people stand to suffer and die needlessly.

Flirting 101: Vulcan style. But this is unbelievably smooth of Spock to respond with. "Extreme feminine beauty is always disturbing, madam," meaning that Droxine is so beautiful she disturbs the seven year cycle. Again, one could say this is highly uncharacteristic of Spock, but that's why I feel that this is all from the idea of a honeypot mission, to seduce for information and to gain trust. Kirk has done it plenty of times. Spock has been taking notes and if Plasus won't budge, his daughter is another option to get diplomacy on the table.

Droxine shows her true colors in this exchange with Vanna by assuming that Troglytes must not desire light, warmth, and intelligence in their lives. Thankfully, all is not lost for her as she is far more open-minded than her father, but it does hurt to see.

"Here in Stratos we have completely eliminated violence" cut to Droxine watching Vanna being tortured. But it's okay. Violence is apparently all that Troglytes can understand and apparently violence isn't really violence if it is used on a Troglyte.

Spock: Violence in reality is quite different from theory. Droxine: But what else can they understand, Mr. Spock? Spock: All the little things you and I understand and expect from life, such as equality, kindness, justice. Plasus: The abstract concepts of an intellectual society are beyond their comprehension. Kirk: The abstract concepts of loyalty and leadership seem perfectly clear to Vanna Plasus: A few Troglytes are brought here as retainers. Vanna was one of them, as are the sentinels. They received more training than the others. Kirk: But obviously no more consideration.

What fantastic dialogue. This is what the episode has building towards, and the last two acts are going to destroy it by shying away from this obvious message at the last possible minute, which is surprising given how obvious it is that Plasus is a giant hypocrite and The Bad Guy. But perhaps it would've looked worse to show how contentious diplomacy truly is and how imperfect the Federation is at what it aims to do? The Cloud Minders is a good episode, but it falls apart by not wanting to commit to what the story tells.

"Why are you so concerned about this Disruptor's well-being?"

Yeah man. Why would James "Tarsus IV survivor, 'we may be killers but we won't kill today' (A Taste of Armageddon) / 'war isn't much of a life but it is a life' (A Private Little War)" Kirk be concerned to see someone tortured for a life they did not choose, for daring to want to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter the personal cost? I wonder….

Foiled by the threat of the Prime Directive. But that's never stopped Kirk. Also what a way to show how a character like Plasus will use every letter of the law to justify atrocity. Truly a terrible character all around and a difficult one to contend with. Are Kirk and Spock correct in wanting to interfere? What is the point in respecting a leader who does not respect his people?

Kirk offers a direct statement to Starfleet Command stating that Plasus' methods have failed and he must interfere and talk to the Troglyte leader in order to help Merak II. Yay, James "The Prime Directive is just a guideline" Kirk

Bones! The irony is that Bones introduces a glaring issue to this episode: Zenite in its raw form is harmful to those it comes into contact with. How has this not been discovered sooner, especially on a planet with such intellect as is found in the city of Stratos? One can assume that no one in the cloud city cared to learn anything of the material conditions of the mines below, but no one in the Federation discovered this crucial detail sooner? Despite shipping zenite everywhere? Sloppy, very sloppy. This is the first point in which the episode will come tumbling down (at least we'll always have act 1 and act 2)

What Bones describes (emotional differences and learning difficulties) bears far more similarity with lead and mercury poisoning than what we know for most gas poisonings, but when the Troglytes lack any sort of PPE or basic safety equipment… take your pick on how toxicity will accumulate in the body (Space OSHA, we need you).

Prop recycling: we last saw those masks in The Squire of Gothos, back when the series asked, "What type of atmosphere do these planets have? Shouldn't they need masks to breathe?"

Plasus does not care about the Federation's findings. He cites thousands of years of evolution to explain their differences (Troglytes cannot bear the light of the surface is an example, but anyone who must work in low light only to go into brighter light will also struggle to acclimate to the change). "It's pretty hard to overcome prejudice" so true, Bones.

This is the shortest I have seen them bicker over who gets the suicide mission. Next time, draw straws. (But also euugh Spock's line about "a first officer is more expendable than either a doctor or a captain." Recalls Devil in the Dark, which stupidly explains why Kirk is cool with what it means to risk his own life / "I'm used to the idea of dying")

Vanna: It's hard to believe that something which is neither seen nor felt can do so much harm. Kirk: It's true, but an idea can't be seen or felt and that's what has kept the Troglytes in the mines all these centuries. A mistaken idea.

These are excellent lines, and it shows why certain elements from the original story had to be dropped. Could you imagine what it would have meant to depict racism within this story? It would fall apart right here by having the Troglytes suffering from the impacts of gas poisoning that limits their intellect and heightens their emotions. But the point still stands that the Troglytes have been limited by the pervasive idea that something is inherently different about them which makes them ill-suited to a comfortable life in the clouds.

Vanna understands what is at stake with Ardana's politics having attempted diplomacy and seeing how it has failed them. "Centuries ago, Stratos was built by leaders that gave their word, that all inhabitants will live there. The Troglytes are still waiting."

Can I sidebar here and say that Kirk x Vanna would make a hell of a pairing? Like. If I had to pick a woman to ship him with, it will be her. Do I think they would last? Probably not. Kirk has mellowed out a lot from the discipline of Starfleet (minus some moments) and Vanna is willing to do whatever it takes in a way that Kirk can no longer support.

Vanna is smart in what she is doing by escalating the situation with a hostage for bargaining, not that I think Plasus would care that Kirk is caught and not that Vanna herself would know this given that she nearly passed out from being tortured and missed how badly Kirk placed his position in Plasus' eyes.

Vanna: Our weapons are our freedom and you've just furnished me with two very valuable ones, yourself and this. (This being his phaser) Kirk: Is that what you Disruptors are bargaining for? The right to kill everyone? Vanna: Midro is a child.

I feel that it is important to point out that while Vanna celebrates gaining a phaser, she does not want Kirk dead, nor does she revel in creating violence or offer it as her only solution. She states that Kirk is valuable only as a live hostage. This is the episode's attempt to not condone violence as a solution to inequality and suffering, which is hardly surprising, but it is possibly ironic to see after an episode like A Private Little War in which violence, the supplying of weapons, and training for war was the solution. Again, this episode is beginning to walk back what it was heading towards, armed conflict between Stratos and the Troglytes. This is why the masks seem like too little of a solution, especially when Vanna herself says she wants help for the Troglytes in the mines and to move their homes to the clouds. That goes beyond PPE.

What Kirk does by creating a rock slide that seals them in is not unlike the initial plan to have Kirk force diplomacy talks with a phaser in hand. It is also not unlike his solution for A Taste of Armageddon. Odd form of diplomacy indeed.

Yeah, Droxine, I feel for you. I would also be sighing forlornly as I look out from a balcony waiting for Spock to return.

"If we have to kill every Troglyte below, it will be delivered." So in case it was not clear somehow, Plasus does not care about the people he supposedly represents (do Troglytes even have representation on the High Council? Doubt it. Indirect representation for the loss.) and does not see the Troglytes as people given he is willing to kill them all rather than be challenged in his authority, because that is what this diplomatic crisis is highlighting--Plasus does not want outside interference with how Ardana is run and Kirk represents someone who can cause it all to come crashing down.

It is terrible that Droxine does not care that her own father is suggesting genocide as a solution to the zenite delivery issue and ensuing diplomatic crisis. Girl, Spock will not ever have sex with you! Get a heart and think deeper! But this is quite possibly a tell for how whatever writer in particular chose to craft that line. Yay, casual 1960s sexism and your "women only care about men" beliefs when Vanna has made it beyond clear what her goals and priorities are.

Finally, Droxine drops the line: "Are we so sure of our methods that we never question what we do?" Yes! That's the point! Stratos has never reflected on the conditions they have created and maintained, because the mines no longer directly concern them, and since they are so far removed that place and the initial split between the surface and their sky city, no new generations care, and they have insulated themselves from caring by claiming they are too wise for violence.

"The captain will employ his usual diplomatic balm" cut to an angry Plasus and a manic looking Kirk now armed with his phaser again. Love visual storytelling.

I will say this, this entire scene is worth it only to see Plasus stuck in the very conditions he ignored. This is hypocritical of me, I know. The idea of punishment as a solution for bad behavior is something that we know is not effective to correct bad behavior (but damn if we do not enjoy tricking ourselves into believing it to be so). But it's a shame that it is Kirk who is being impacted by the gas when he is the outsider to all of this, especially when he has been attempting to offer help to the Troglytes and intervene on Vanna's behalf ("The only way you'll use that device again is on one of us").

It is a nice touch that it is Vanna who calls for help after seeing the situation for what it is. She had the most to gain or lose should Plasus and Kirk manage to kill or incapacitate the other and she still chose a way to keep the people she hates alive.

Vanna! This entire ending scene, as frustrating as it will be in a few minutes is great so far in that it reveals Plasus to be a sham. The man is still angry, still assuming the absolute worst of Troglytes, and attempting to bait Vanna into a display of violent anger while Vanna calmly states that she and Kirk came to their own agreement about the zenite. (As Kirk watches on with his hands politely folded in front of him.) Plasus goes further and claims that Troglytes will now become as ungrateful and vindictive as Vanna, yet she stays firm. This suggest that Plasus will have quite the time of dealing with Vanna, and that nothing short of her execution will give him any sense of peace. (Remember, he suggested killing all the Troglytes!)

In good news, Droxine intends to become involved while her father throws a fit over being usurped. It's a nice thing to see, especially that both women are remaining level headed and laying the necessary groundwork for the task ahead while the man who heads the High Council still rants and raves.

Kidding. That last caption does not exist, but it should given the fact that Plasus was advocating genocide as a solution to everything (hey Droxine, wanna quit flirting with Spock and spill the beans? Maybe? Girl? Help???). Kirk merely says, "Yes, Vanna."

And this is the problem. Plasus is certainly not a just leader, and Stratos' government does not recognize the Troglytes as people in any respect. Kirk is right to suggest a third mediator and it is bizarre to see the episode itself walk it back and play the ensuing fallout between the two men as a joke. Diplomacy is slow and disputes will occur, yet the episode doesn't wish to go there, even if the bulk of this new conflict will occur off-screen. Instead, we get to see the same Vanna who held her own against Plasus a mere scene ago and who chose to seek a third party to help prevent Kirk and Plasus from killing each other now suggest allowing bygones to be bygones, when the reality is that the Federation is needed to ensure the Troglytes are respected and brought out of their separate life within the mines because Plasus has made it clear he will not do so.

But, you know, Kirk and Spock got the zenite with 2 hours and 59 minutes to spare and I took I don't wanna know how long typing this up :')

[nortism]

doctor who liveblog pt 50

s10 ep2 smile

- uh oh evil smiley robots

- i love when there’s new companion and they have to learn all the doctor lore

- uh oh the people are being made into fertiliser

- he is the helpline

- uh oh dead body

- don’t look into the future book, you won’t like it

- uh oh people pods

- grief tsunami

- this guy’s always endin up in the wrong place

- elephant

s10 ep3 thin ice

- no he can’t steer this thing bill

- good to see they’ve gotten much better at talking about race since the shakespeare episode with martha because that was horrendous

- THE TARDIS WARDROBE MAKES ITS RETURN

- uh oh thames creature

- aw bill looks so cute

- the doctor is having the best time, i could watch a whole episode of just him and bill frolicking about

- uh oh mystery glow

- yay he got his hat

- fuck ass kids

- oh the ice ate him

- uh oh we’re bringing moral conflicts into our lovely day out

- old timey diving suits let’s go

- that’s a big old creature

- oh they’re harvesting creature poo

- crazy for him to she has a temper

- oh do not like this guy

- GET HIS ASS DOCTOR

- well that didn’t go well

- the not-so-little-mermaid

- rip bozo

- COME ON BILL

- aww that’s nice

- uh oh mysterious knocking

s10 ep4 knock knock

- as always the real villain is the uk housing market

- oh shit it’s a castle

- this is suspicious as hell

- uh oh

- love her using the tardis to move house

- finally someone is pointing out that timelord is a stupid fucking name for a species

- helppp not the granddad 😭😭

- this poor guy is really barking up the wrong tree

- aww her mum 😭😭

- see this wouldn’t be a problem for me because every time i hear a creepy noise in my house i just assume it’s my cats

- ofc it’s the doctor, in many ways he is like a big cat

- incredibly funny how much bill’s roommates love her granddad

- omg little mix

- oh god it’s eating him

- SHES GETTING EATEN BY THE TREE

- OH GOD HES STUCK IN THE WALL

- omg he’s alive

- THE LANDLORD

- uhhh

- fuck yeah secret bookcase door

- alien bug!!

- alien bugs!!

- oh daughter in the tower

- OMG THE BUGS ATE HIM

- OH GOD THE DAUGHTER IS WOOD

- OMG IT ATE SHIREEN

- oh he’s the sonnn

- oh god they’re both getting eaten by the bugs

- ohhh they’re getting them back!! that’s nice

- what about the past students? are they just dead dead?

- oh it’s a person inside

- OMG IS IT MISSY (i do normally think it’s missy)

- it’s def missy, she loves people getting eaten

[blackjackkent]

Bit of a later start on liveblogging adventures today than I intended; work got a bit nutty right as I thought I was wrapping things up. XD But here we go, back into Moonrise Towers!

So far Rakha is not particularly enjoying her visit but she (and I) are very intrigued by the first encounter with Ketheric Thorm, who very strongly implied that Rakha has been here before her memory loss.

I'm trying to decide what order to do things and I think I wanna go ahead and get Minthara to safety immediately, so we're starting with the prison break immediately and then exploring the rest of the Tower afterwards. Fundamentally I don't think Rakha specifically cares about Minthara, but her greatest goal in Moonrise besides wreaking a bloody revenge on Ketheric is probably finding Wyll's father for him, which also would entail investigating the prison as soon as possible. (And Shadowheart has planted the idea that Minthara might be useful to them, since she's marked for death at the cult's hands already.)

To the basement!

The prison smells deeply of blood.

In a way it's something of a relief. The Towers' main level, while at least free of the painful prickle of corrupted magic, had a sharp decaying scent to it, something Rakha can't quite put a name to. The prison, however, smells like death - and for better or for worse, that is familiar.

(This ties, of course, with that continuing nagging feeling of certainty that she has been here before, that she knows these people. It itches at the back of her brain and makes the beast growl angrily.)

She follows the blood trail into the nearest room on the left, half by intention and half by instinct.

And, sure enough, there is Minthara, flanked by two Absolutist torturers and clutching her head in evident agony.

For a little while, Rakha stands in the doorway of the torture chamber, listening with muted curiosity as the torturers pepper the unfortunate prisoner with questions. What she hears is... illuminating.

Sumera: "Do you yet recall your name, prisoner?" Minthara: "Minthara Baenre." Jasin: "We will take it from you soon."

Minthara: "Queen of Spiders, I beseech of you the strength to destroy my foes." Jasin: "Lolth cannot hear you. She has forsaken you." Sumera: "There are no gods left to you, Minthara. You are alone."

Sumera: "How can you hope to resist the voice of a god?" Minthara: "It is no god!" Jasin: "Blasphemer!"

Jasin: "You are despised, Minthara." Sumera: "A blemish in the Absolute's design." Jasin: "We will cleanse you."

Rakha's jaw works thoughtfully. Some of the words here - Lolth in particular - are unfamiliar, but the implications are interesting, regardless. Minthara is being tortured with the intention of blanking her mind completely; "purification," one of the torturers calls it. And yet Minthara is fighting back, and not only that but is calling out to a different god, as if she is fighting not only the torture but the Absolute's control itself.

Beneath this cool analysis, Rakha's thoughts rage with other questions. She knew these people once, and in those memories lost to her, she is certain she once tortured and killed without question. Did she torture others like this, in this very room?

And deepest of all, a question she does not quite dare to examine - was she cleansed as Minthara is being cleansed? Is that what happened to her memory?

"You were adored, Minthara," one of the torturers purrs, looking pleased as Minthara doubles over with a new surge of pain. "Brought up from the darkness and into the Absolute's light."

"She cherished you," says the other. "But it wasn't enough. You were distracted by your own desires. Bloodlust. Murder. Chaos."

"And most damning of all," says the first, "an inability to follow orders."

"I obeyed to the best of my ability!" Minthara cries. Her voice is strained with agony.

"And isn't that depressing?" sneers the torturer. "You are nothing!"

Narrator: Minthara's mind connects with yours. Not strong as you remember it, but fractured... disintegrating.

The difference is stark. Rakha remembers Minthara's mind closing around hers in the dark dampness of the goblin camp - singleminded and full of purpose, driven by fervor for the Absolute. Nothing like this broken, shattered woman whose mind touches Rakha's in frightened wisps.

Is this how I too fell to oblivion?

"Come to observe, True Soul?" the torturer asks with casual eagerness, turning at the sound of Rakha's footsteps. "She is a lesson. None can rise so high that they cannot fall again?"

"What are you doing to her?" Rakha asks sharply.

The torturer gives Rakha a slow, gleeful smile. "We are erasing her."

Rakha does not care about Minthara's survival per se. In fact, she already thought she killed the drow once and in some ways would be happy to do it again. But Shadowheart's earlier suggestion was salient - there's reason to believe Minthara might be of use to them since the cult has discarded her. And she wants to know more about this cleansing, and anything Minthara might be able to tell her about her previous time here.

That, of course, requires getting rid of the two pipsqueaks. Tempting to simply kill them, but as usual... answers first.

[INTIMIDATION] "Stand aside. I'm taking charge here."

"Yes - your authority is great," the torturer says with eager deference, stepping aside. "We can learn, watching you break what little remains of her mind."

And indeed, there is some part of her that hums with instinct. She knows with sudden certainty that she could shatter Minthara's mind apart like a cracked egg, if she wished. It would take no effort at all; she would melt, broken beyond repair, her body sprawling upon the floor with a dying whine...

Reach out for the drow's mind.

It takes remarkable effort to maintain her focus, to ignore the destructive temptation and instead to listen.

Narrator: Immediately, your mind is swept into a greater vortex. A psionic storm with Minthara at its center.

Dizziness swamps her. For a moment she can't remember where she is or what is happening. There is only her mind and Minthara's, entwined in a dance that is mysterious and familiar at the same time.

But no-- there is something else.

"--CANNOT-- -hide- -SUBMIT-- -embrace-----"

The voice shudders through her like the blade of a knife - the same voice she heard on the path to the goblin camp, weeks ago.

Narrator: Her torturers are not dominating her. They are destroying her mental defenses and exposing her to something else. The Absolute?

[WISDOM] Push past the presence, towards Minthara.

Narrator: Navigating the storm, you reach the nexus of her mind. It is a wound, bleeding raw emotion and shattered memories. But she senses your arrival.

It feels deeply uncomfortable. Even with Wyll and Lae'zel, she has never connected so directly and deeply with another person. It is strange and intimate and sour-sweet; it tastes of the torture that part of her still longs to administer.

Minthara peers inwardly at her, the interloper within her broken mind.

"So it is you who will end me," she rasps. "Make it swift, then. Anything to silence that thing - that voice..."

Tempting. Tempting... so tempting to reach out and strangle her again, choking the life out of Minthara's mind as she once choked the life out of her body. But no. There are better targets now.

"Share my strength," she answers, cold and calm and practical against the battering waves of Minthara's terror. "And strike the guards down."

Minthara's breath catches; Rakha can feel the flash of hope through her where before there was only black despair. She nods. "But first... let's make these bastards bleed..." she snarls.

Narrator: Her mind fills with warmth, and she gently releases you.

Rakha feels the solidity of her body again; as her eyes open, she watches Minthara cease her trembling and struggle back to her feet, shaking off the torture and clenching her fists.

"Impossible!" she hears one of the torturers shout. "She was broken!"

Rakha pulls the staves from her back with a flash of brutal satisfaction. And now you will be.

[cyndaquillt]

Reading the arc where everyone just blindly trusts Emily the chatbot while living in a future with AI and Chatgpt is a surreal experience

[hellsiteliveblogs]

Well this hits different after ChatGPT became a thing

[highladyluck]

Season 2, Episode 6 Liveblog

Elayne is getting a puzzle! :D this is such good enrichment for Elaynes

Rand’s secret little smile at ‘you can fight anyone’

“It needs to be healed” creepy but I kinda love it in a fucked up way

Not the pitcher :(

“That’s almost nice” WTF that’s so dehumanizing and so Seanchan

Well that’s almost entirely by the book

Compare/contrast these two chained up figures

Importance of chosen names

This is a much more effective mindfuck then whatever TGH Selene was attempting

Psssst Rand it’s bad when your new girlfriend separates you from your support network

Min you are harshing the vibe

“She broke the 3 oaths?” “Every single one” (Elayne took notes)

Names are a theme

I don’t think I want Lanfear doing me favors

“Many paths through the dark” I do appreciate leaning into the Lanbiguity

Suroth, if the Empress saw how you were toying with her Gardener she’d be very upset, those are Imperial property

Loial, have you considered: Stab them with the plant

We are about to have pitcher problems

The way the a’dam prevents a damane from using things they think of as weapons is a weird twisted echo of the 2nd oath. I’ve wondered if the Oaths would prevent Aes Sedai from making a’dam and I think it would depend on what the Aes Sedai termed a weapon that someone could kill another with.

Yeah this is pure book although the ‘you’re not a person’ line is an extra ouch

“Pour a glass of water” echoing horribly the water-cleaning from the tower

When you deal with the devil, that is actually how it works, I’m afraid

Temple of the Forsaken??? Y’all I need some fic set here. I need Dark Raves honoring Asmodean. I need therapy sessions that make you worse sponsored by the Acolytes of Graendal. I need Moghedonists whispering the sacred crypto wallet keys to each other.

Siuan is probs putting out diplomatic fires in Caemlyn now that they lost Elayne? Or attending Gawyn’s birthday party I guess

Oooh is it the trippy ~TGH dream sequence?

Lmao she calls him Ishy

“See the world as it really is in the World of Dreams” what a fascinating take

Do not ask about Egg!!! this is Lanfear she will make Egg into a flesh balloon for touching you

Smart Rand would be like ‘oh now I know you’re lying [about Egwene being Ishy’s]’ but Idk how smart he is

Oh this is heartbreaking she found the lost sister

Ooooooh are we going to see Bayle again so soon?

Nyneave like ‘I’ll allow it” but only because Elayne is saying what she would have

Elayne is getting a puzzle! :D this is such good enrichment for Elaynes

Awwww what a nice nosy boy who will repeat the contents of the letter

Watch she doesn’t stab you when you look away

Mommy issuessssss

I like the air knives

Because you want a legacy!

Ooooh lesson time. Everyone is barfing in this ep

Rand’s secret little smile at ‘you can fight anyone’

Oh god [MY BOYS!!!]

KISS!!! -ok moment’s gone

Mat and his lil grabby hand on Rand’s shoulder, my tactile boy

‘Some of the damane can sense people channeling’ guess we def changed the lore about how channelers sense each other, mildly annoyed about that, but it’s consistent within the show

That’s smart, trying to see the catch in the water like a mirror

Exercising power

Oooof that’s a new twist “I hope they told you at your White Tower how special you are”

Renna are you going to make her set it on fire??? The thing that comforts her? [post-ep I was thinking about the contrast in how the Seanchan command Loial and his tree powers- they are uncomfortable with it and have to ruin the moment. They don’t have the same power over him without tools.]

Well that was an uncomfortably sexually charged moment of excited panting [please tell me it wasn’t just me]

Proud of you, Egwene <3 Hah you made Renna mad good for you

Elayne: “I need a bestie real bad”

Mat gets it because Mat also has The Depression

RESCUE TIME

Min is like I am here to give you bad news, as is my fate

Mat’s good at bullshit detecting & does not handle betrayal well

This is very sweet but I feel like the subtext is “You will be eaten alive as king”

Pope hat

Oh my boys they are so sad

It’s time for… [Alanna and her posse corner Rand] OH SHIT IS IT HAPPENING?

I don’t think Nyneave does modulation

“It needs to be healed” creepy but I kinda love it in a fucked up way

Ooooof next time we see Ryma she’ll be with my Most Problematic Of Faves I guess 🫣😬☹️

This series loves to hang characters and if it can’t get Mat than anyone else will do

[Renna pours out the cup Egwene just filled] Oh fuuuuuuuck you Renna

You still won. You’re still alive

Our lost Blue Sitter coming in at the clutch

[neuxue]

what about our lord and savior rand al'thor?

this one's hard mostly because it depends on when in the series you're looking at him. but up to and including early in Towers of Midnight because that's as far as I've got (do not @ me)

notes:

'lia his intensity should be off the charts' you say and I don't disagree with you but this is a series-wide average and intensity is not the same as stubbornness.

tragic backstory really just depends how far back you go :)

he really is just some guy but unfortunately he is the pattern-mandated protagonist of life, so. that's rough buddy.

whether he's good or terrible company depends on a set of factors complex enough that asmodean spent a book and a half trying and failing to work it out and resorted to musical therapy instead. RIP.

weapons or tools? this is more a perrin question but it really just depends when in the series you're asking him. either way, he is one.

enemy of god/at peace with life... see: dragonmount

he actually at one point announces that he plans to 'break the rules' but when you are the pattern-mandated protagonist of life who can literally bend the fabric of reality to your will mood, not to mention the de-facto ruler of multiple nations, the rules are kind of whatever you decide them to be. for better or worse. the only reason he's not farther to that side of things is the balefire habit.

the romance. oh, the romance. I love all the characters individually, I really do! But I am on record (extensively) as not being a fan of the romance in this series in general, and as much as I enjoy Rand interacting with and caring for and being cared for by his girlfriends, the romantic element of it almost always feels forced to me.

different sex is mostly because he and asmodean should have fucked at least once. i'm not sorry.

he gets my classic 'a better time' + 'a worse time' combination. His life sucks and everything hurts and I want him to heal and know peace and get to remember the shepherd named Rand al'Thor but I also want to watch him walk through agony and inferno, patiently forging his soul in the fires of pain. The duality of man.

He probably inspires the most godawful takes known to mankind BUT due to avoiding any and all WoT content until I finish the liveblog I can live in blissful ignorance.

I have not actually drawn any absentminded doodles on tabletops but I did write a song so I think that counts

meta-posting on main: do not @ me