#ahs 1x08

[escapismthroughfilm]

AHS: Murder House 1x08 "Rubber Man" | 2011

[raayllum]

3x01 / 4x08

[weak-hero]

[persefoneshalott]

what is it with s1 sam and being so against winning money on card games and the credit card scams

[onehundredandeleventropicalfish]

like, for example

(neil gaiman's was not the first dc comic series by the name of sandman, and i love this reference to the original one)

#Adorkable

[spaceorphan18]

The Lady Whistledown Papers : 1x08 After the Rain (Part 1)

Welcome back, Gentle Readers, to The Lady Whistledown Papers, where I’m taking an in-depth look at Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s character arcs and romance within the show Bridgerton!

For previous issues, follow tag : The Lady Whistledown Papers

Last episode of Season 1 - let's do this!

Family Time

These big family scenes are some of my favorite - mostly because there's usually so much going on during them, and everyone gets a beat. Anthony's sulking (and throwing groundwork for Season 2); Gregory and Hyacinth are bantering, Benedict and Eloise are hyping up the Lady Whistledown plot, and Colin's in the background pouring over his maps, because after all the drama he is peacing outta there.

Violet enters exclaiming that Francesca will be returning (because it's the finale and we should try to have all 8 in the same room again). Colin snarks that she can update them on how great not being in London is. Glad to see Colin's continuing to add humor back in his life, but oh man is he ready to be anywhere but there.

Also, Violet recounts all the drama of the season from Daphne and Simon to Anthony and Siena, though she fascinatingly does not mention Marina.

Penelope and Marina

Meanwhile, back at the Featherington Estate, Penelope goes to check in on Marina. She is fine after her bout with the tea -- but now thinks she's magically cured herself of pregnancy. Ah, the medical information of the 19th century. Poor girl.

Penelope isn't so sure, but she really knows nothing about medicine anyway, so she kind of just lets it go.

Penelope then remarks that Marina caused 'quite a flutter'. And it's interesting - despite some of the friction that was caused between the two of them, I still believe that Penelope still likes Marina, in general, and while it's clear Marina is anxious to return home, I do think Penelope will miss her being around - she did add a little spice to their day.

I have to wonder, too, if Penelope does feels slight guilt for causing such a tizzy herself? But then, I don't think she does. I think she believes she did the right thing -- but still feels awkward about it with Marina.

Marina then apologies for the whole ordeal. And I do think she's sincere here. She did what she thought was best and in her own self interests to protect herself and an unborn child. And now that she thinks it's all over, she can go back to being her again.

Marina goes on to say that Penelope was right - that Colin is a good man with a good heart, and I mean -- the pride in Pen's eyes. She's almost bashful about it, but she's like - I know how good he is. I've seen it for years. Thank you for acknowledging that. It's a fascinating little look that isn't about her at all - but about someone else seeing what she does in him.

Marina then goes on to somewhat try to mend a cruelty. She doesn't have to say the next part, she could have left it at -- Colin is a good dude. But she makes it a point to acknowledge that not only is Penelope good to him, but that some day Colin will notice her. And, like, this is incredibly kind. Marina went out of her way to destroy all of Pen's hope for her own personal gain. And, maybe as an apology, or maybe as something she genuinely senses, she's restoring some of Pen's hope.

And, of course, this works as narrative foreshadowing. The show is taking a moment to say -- hey, the real love story is between these two idiots who are bumbling along on their road to each other. We're not there yet - but we're getting there. And I love that.

The scene ends with the arrival of Sir Phillip Crane, and this is where the narrative shifts. The story of Colin and Marina is done, and Marina is going to continue on with her own story into a new (and final) part. One in which Penelope really doesn't have anything to do - now that the Polin portion of the storyline is done (in relation to Marina).

Sir Phillip Crane

I really like how Penelope is kind of taking a caring and protective stance here. She and Marina are on the same side again, and while Penelope really doesn't have anything to do in this scene - she's poised as Marina's ally. She's holding Marina's hand, and has her back, and wants to make sure she's okay -- while also shooting Crane some very watchful looks.

Also, somewhat of an aside, since it isn't directly related to Penelope, we learn that George died on the battlefield, and Marina leaves -- and we get a genuinely emotional moment for Marina. And I think it helps frame her entire story, if you go back and watch it again. Marina encased her own feelings, her own heartache, her own heart. She did do everything she did out of self preservation, because she felt she was truly and utterly alone. And upon learning that George hadn't forsaken her -- she just breaks down and is able to grieve and it's a really powerful moment. I don't agree with Marina's choices, and I think it would have been a terrible thing if she and Colin had gotten married -- but I also understand her and her choices and I think she's a rather complicated character, too.

I do appreciate that this show does have more depth to it than just pretty people having sex on the stairs. There's a lot of emotional complexity in the Marina story line.

[This scene takes place six-ish minutes later, but I thought I'd lump it all together.]

Penelope is in the background here, so it gives me a minute to ponder about something... Phillip Crane is the male protagonist of book 5. Which is Eloise's book. And, I just wonder if this is really the show paying the long game here with Eloise's story? Or if they decided to just do something different? I have no idea! Marina dies from depression and attempts on her own life in the book -- and I would hate to see this character, whom we've grown to like meet that fate. Not to mention, show Eloise is sooo different than her book counterpart, it's hard to imagine her falling in love with this guy. It's all so weird. I really don't know what they're going to do with it.

Penelope has a couple of interesting reactions in this scene, however. The first being when Marina says that she cannot marry Crane because she does not love him. And Penelope is kind of nodding along in agreement here. Because she isn't there for her mother's assertion that you should just marry for the status and security of it. She does believe in love, and believes one should marry for that reason.

The other look, it's dark, and I can't quite get a read on it. But it's when Marina is telling Portia off -- stating that she's done with lies and deception and thinking that now that she's without a child she can be true to herself again. And I wonder if Penelope is somewhat envious of her gumption. How much would she like to stand up to her own mother but can't? But also - how much she feels she can't be her true self and has to use Lady Whistledown to express it? Idk what the intention of the look is supposed to be, but I do think it lends credence to the fact that Penelope is a deeply complex character, too, one whose motivations are not black or white, either.

And... that's where I'm stopping for now. :)

[tiodolma]

Colin Morgan and Katie Mcgrath DVD Commentary on Merlin and Morgana's Relationship in S1x08 "Beginning of the End" (Mordred Episode)

featuring

Colin Morgan, BBC Merlin Katie Mcgrath, BBC Morgana Julian Murphy, Producer Angel Coulby, BBC Guinevere

S1x08 Merlin and Morgana watching over Mordred who was behind the curtain

COLIN: This is one of our few scenes together. KATIE: Actually this is one of my favorite scenes. JULIAN: Yeah, mine too. KATIE: me and you JULIAN: I think when you think about the whole sort of texture of the legend about what, who these people will become COLIN AND KATIE: MHHM JULIAN: Or what we think they may become. We’re pretty sure about Merlin but we don’t know about Morgana. And then it has a real resonance. KATIE: It’s just really nice, this… do you remember we played it two different ways? COLIN: Yeah.. KATIE: there was one other way that’s ah.. JULIAN: It’s a little bit too sexy, really. KATIE: Yes! There was a lot of eh.. COLIN: It was… JULIAN: I was like hang on wait a second you’re smiling at him too much! COLIN: It was a bit too flirty, wasn’t it.. as in... KATIE: (Squeaking) I thought it might have been an interesting sort of sideline story but apparently not. COLIN: MHHM MHMMM JULIAN: No, I came in and stamped on that. KATIE: Yeah… that was... that was my idea was obviously useless. COLIN: HEH HEH It’s good though the undertones of this because you know I know about you at this stage and it’s funny that you’re sort of picking up on on on things as well but you know, you know not quite sure so it’s... there’s loads going on thinking... the scene is just cool JULIAN: Just trying to test each other on you COLIN: mmm JULIAN: Find out what each other is about. You’re also hoping that you, that you may have found a kindred spirit. COLIN AND KATIE: mmmhm COLIN: Well that’s oh yeah finding one like you and she mean hers and ehm you know, if there’s wrong and what if, you know, magic chooses you. It’s exactly what you’ve/he’ve been looking for. KATIE: And it’s sort of I’ve been speaking directly to you as it were. I’m saying exactly what it is that you’re thinking, you know? But you’re still a coward and don’t tell anyone anything. COLIN: Thanks, Katie KATIE: You’re welcome COLIN: …. KATIE: Saw you’re all being serious there. COLIN: (chuckle)

Scene: Gaius and Merlin treat Mordred's Malady

KATIE: ..that they’ve done it as well because everybody knows what Mordred ends up being and what Morgana ends up being and this connection here, you wonder if the connection is because they’re magical or if it’s because they’re ultimately evil. COLIN: MHHHM KATIE: You know, Which is why I asked you whether you and you felt Mordred were similar COLIN: Yeah. KATIE: You know, Whether the connection is through magic or through or (whispers) our ultimate evildoing. COLIN: (surprised laugh) Well suppose that’s where, you know, if, if there’s sort of Morgana-Merlin thing was any further there’d be a point, you know, where we’d possibly do come together at some point but again ultimately going completely different directions. KATIE: See, I’ve come to the conclusion that in, in Merlin and in Camelot that magic isn’t good or it’s bad, it just is and it’s the person, what they take it . COLIN: YEAH KATIE: You know, So I feel Morgana does the, the right thing for the wrong reasons. JULIAN: Well I think that’s what we kinda decided. COLIN: Well suppose you don’t, you don’t have a mentor whereas Merlin’s got Gaius here to really steer him KATIE: And you guys know I’m magical and yet you leave me! COLIN: (laughing) KATIE: So it’s really your fault that I become evil! Without your guidance! ANGEL: …besides you COLIN: Well you’re the king’s ward. ANGEL: YEAH COLIN: He’s gonna believe you over us. KATIE: But I don't even know!

notes:

the (in)famous interpretation of colin and katie portraying merlin and morgana with more romantic undertones and getting blocked by the producer

katie telling colin that merlin is a coward.

colin morgan projecting what a merlin-morgana conflict would look like if mergana actually did happen.

both of them hoped for mergana to happen

[vole-mon-amour]

1x08, part 2 (Mostly Billy x Homelander tbh).

Can they just fuck already? Hate sex and all of that.

This has the Deadpool and Wolverine energy in that Honda, you guys.

Homelander brushing his hands after holding a baby is such a mood :DD

And you aren't? :D JUST FUCK ALREADY. JUST KISS. JUST A LITTLE KISSY ON THE MOUTH.

Right, now I'm interested in their ao3 tag. The things they can have. It's like Billy Russo and The Punisher. "Good to see you (at) work, Frankie."

He's such an interesting character? He doesn't care but he also does care.

Bruh. And I'm especially adding this to the same post because of this wonderful reaction:

I wonder if he can really feel anything or to the same magnitude that humans can. He loses his temper so fast. Plus, "I love her" and then reacting this way? Veery curious.

Ah yes, multitudes of a villain.

The way I audibly cheered, going in my head, "Please tell me I don't have to deal with her for another season, please, please." AND I DON'T, HELL YEEEAHHH.

just fuck already, guys? please?

One can't exist without the other and all of that? Butcher really just wanted to die, but Homelander said, "Nope!"

I had a feeling something like this would happen. So the humans CAN carry a Supe's baby.

A family of weirdos, together with Butcher. Also, the ironical usage of the flag. Too on the nose for my taste.

[i-is-surrounded-by-idjits]

rewatching HotD and I love how Daemon looks at Aemond in 1x08. Just the 'ah, yes. this is exactly the little sh*t I was when I was young. No wonder no one liked me.'

[sugdenlovesdingle]

I accidentally told you the wrong episodes for season 1 at least the season 1 episodes are 1x01, 1x02, 1x06, 1x08, 1x10, 1x14 and 1x22

Ah ok thanks!

(I forgot how long the seasons are for cbs shows)

I think i'll have a Lou marathon tonight with his 911 eps and these.

[thepagemistress]

SPN Rewatch 1x08 - Bugs

Ah yes, the infamous Bugs. Honestly, I don’t really understand why this episode has the reputation it does. Sure, it’s not a great episode and the racist premise is questionable as fuck but there are definitely worse episodes throughout the whole run. I don’t think this would even make it into my bottom ten. Hell, I think this episode is better than the last one! Marginally. I think just the fact that the show itself made a point of it being a bad episode somehow convinced everyone that was the truth when really it’s just kind of meh.

So yeah, we have a Native American curse because of houses being built on a burial ground which oof, that should have died out in the 80s with Poltergeist. And bugs are going to kill everyone but only on this one week a year, otherwise it’s fine or whatever. So the guys manage to save one family by just…outlasting it and then that’s the end of it. It’s very weird and kind of unsatisfying in a way because you have to wonder if their presence really made any difference at all.

There is some interesting character work to be had, though. Namely relating to the differing views of John and their upbringing between Sam and Dean. Sam looks back on John as being something of a tyrant, someone who he butted heads with frequently and forced him to be something he wasn’t. Meanwhile, Dean idolised his dad and fell into line so wasn’t treated to that side of him and was too blinded by said idolisation to recognise the poor treatment for what it was. Although this is also something that I feel was retconned a little bit later on, once we get a better insight into their childhood. I do think Dean was very aware of how unfair it all was, he just knows it doesn’t help anyone to dwell on it now. Here, Dean is annoyed by Sam’s attitude. It’s like he’s been living in a little bubble the last few weeks/months when they’re how they used to be but this is a sudden reminder of how much Sam begrudges his family and their lifestyle and it rattles him. I think part of it is he just doesn’t like Sam shining a light on it because he doesn’t like acknowledging John’s transgressions.

I do wonder if what he says about John checking in on Sam at Stanford is true, though. I feel like that may have been something he did and just attributed to John to defuse the fight. Or maybe Dean suggested they check in on him together. But we also know that John wasn’t disappointed in Sam from when he was bragging about him to the guy in 1x04. I can totally believe that John would want to keep tabs on Sam because I think the core of his terrible parenting IS the fact that he couldn’t bear to be separated from them, knowing what was out there. But, as is being proven right now, I also think he has no problem leaving them to their own devices. The man is a mess of contradictions. A true Winchester.

I do kind of hate that Sam feels guilted into apologising to John. Maybe he does have things to apologise for but it feels like he’s shouldering the blame for their argument when it was clearly both sides fucking it up. Plus Sam was just a kid, he was entitled to go off. At least Dean knows to temper his expectations for their reunion.

It's also funny hearing Dean say he’d “blow his brains out” if he lived in a suburb when just one season later we see his Djinn fantasy being exactly that. You’re full of shit, Dean! (Or they just had a better understanding of his character by that point.)

Favourite part: Dean getting to have a nice steam shower. As he deserves.

Least favourite part: Aside from the racism? The weak spider effects.

Quote of the episode: “Yeah, you were kinda like the blonde chick from The Munsters.”

What’s compelling me to keep watching: Yeah, it would kind of be losing me at this point.

Random things I yelled to myself during the rewatch: “Sam why in the fuck are you getting all preachy about gambling? chill dude” “Dean, it’s not a crime to watch Oprah, chill dude” “Travis, you’re a sweetheart, I love you” “Alfieeeee” “the licence plate says JKR! That’s why this episode is cursed!” “that lady was way too calm about something crawling across her face” “those were some rubber-ass spiders” “pretty sure you can break a curse, guys” “I did forget how stupid the bee showdown was”

Rating: 6/10 – It’s a wacky premise and it doesn’t really go anywhere but there’s some nice character stuff and some background to the Winchester upbringing.

And the award goes to…: The umbrellas. Sorry they deemed you too gay. Gone too soon RIP.

[raayllum]

i feel like a way Rayla could realise her self sacrifice issue was bad was if she put herself in danger to save someone and it was all in vain and she ended up injured for nothing and callum’s yelling at her is a wake up call

thoughts?

The tricky thing about Rayla - and indeed why I think her issues are so like, persistent - is because it wouldn't surprise if the scenario you've laid out above is exactly what happened to her during the timeskip to evoke the "We can't save everyone, there's too much at stake" reaction to the drake, and if anything it just made her Worse off, instead

Cause I feel like in a situation like that, Rayla would just internalize it as "I failed to protect them because I'm not good enough," and not necessarily "I need to stop biting off more than I can chew and let people help me" / that she's worthy of that sort of help. Cause self worth issues like Rayla tends to rest on an inherent belief that there's something Wrong with her. Not just with what she does, but inherently with what she is, that she's fundamentally flawed in a way that other people just Aren't. It's not a belief based on reality and is far from fair, but it is an exceedingly common one

We actually kind of see this perfectly illustrated in 1x08, in which both the boys 'mess up' to a degree, and Rayla reassures them back to back

Callum: Ugh. I'm sorry my plan was a mess! Rayla: Nah, your plan was fine! Our execution was a little off. Ezran: I'm so sorry I messed up the plan. Rayla: Ah, you should cut yourself a break. Everyone messes up sometimes.

And then later that very same episode, when Ezran tries to offer Rayla some reassurance/leeway, and Callum in 1x09 reiterates that it's not her fault, Rayla initially steamrolls over both of them and fully over Callum trying to assuage her guilt: "That shouldn't have mattered. I had a job to do" / "No, I should have trusted you. Things only went wrong because we kept fighting." "I let you both down. I let the world down."

Because, according to Rayla, she messes up all the time, and kinda believes she always will. She doesn't really think she can free the dragon and make it out alive, which is probably what it would take for a mission to be deemed 'successful' (and is very Runaan "sacrifice" of her). She doesn't really think she's going to come back after leaving in TTM, either ("I wish I could say that we'll see each other again, but I don't know. I hope so").

She's the assassin and the protector who can't successfully protect anyone. She's the one who spent two years searching for Viren and Claudia and got defeated enough to eventually come home, only to realize they really were out there and she just couldn't find them. She couldn't catch the pouch containing her parents' coins; she couldn't keep Callum safe. She's the defect. The traitor, the liar. The Ghost. The mistake.

So like, what does Rayla need to realize then?

That she can succeed and won't inevitably fail (may be achieved by successfully saving Callum, emotionally/physically, from Aaravos' brainwashing)

That even if she does fail, it's okay and it's okay for her to make a mistake (arguably the more important one) and that she doesn't have to Punish herself for them (or anyone else's mistakes) either

That not everything, even her failures, are universally her fault, and learning to distinguish between her failures, mistakes, and things that couldn't be helped either way

That it is okay, if anything better, for her to accept help and to lean on other people, and that it's okay (even if it's not ideal) for them to want to protect her

Tying into that, regardless of whether she succeeds or fails, she has worth and is worthy of love - that she doesn't have to and shouldn't have to do everything alone

That it is okay to stay and want things for herself

She's got a long road ahead, clearly, but I am confident that she can get there. I always have been, ever since S1 began to show the fractures, and S3 blew them wide open, and I cannot wait to get to see her start healing

[erikiara80]

ST and Rose Red parallels

Rose Red is a 2002 miniseries scripted by Stephen King

Plot:  Dr. Joyce Reardon, an unorthodox university psychology professor, leads a team of psychics to the massive and antiquated Seattle mansion known as Rose Red in an attempt to record data which would constitute scientific proof of paranormal phenomena. The mansion is publicly thought to be haunted, as at least 23 people have either disappeared or died there and the interior of the house appears to change or increase in size, yet only from the inside. Reardon's team awakens the evil spirit possessing the house, leading to several deaths and the revelation of the mansion's deadly secrets.

The stories are different but there are some interesting parallels between Rose Red and the Creel House, between Joyce Reardon and Brenner, and between Rose Red and the Upside Down.  

So, even if all the weirdness was caused by time-trickery/ someone/something messing with timelines, for Henry it started in that house. In fact, it seems that he developed his powers in Hawkins, not before. So maybe the new house (the whole town?) is different. And that’s why Henry’s powers got activated there. 

If this was true, Hawkins would really be “cursed” (kinda) 

The haunted house is such a classic horror trope. Rose Red, the Overlook Hotel, the Marsten House. Only in this case, it would have a sci-fi twist. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Duffers, who are big nerds and love horror, made it even more original than what we think. Like. Maybe this seems the classic horror trope, but the Creel House (and Hawkins too?) is more like the Island in Lost.

Something connected to time, or the UD. Or both. So the rose could be a parallel with both Rose Red and The Dark Tower (spoiler) a story about a time loop.

Now back to the parallels

The Creel House 

Ah this one! Thank you @lilitblaukatz​ for pointing this out. I knew Henry’s obsession with building reminded me of something!

Also

Hmm

The spirits of the house keep telling Annie Come home! Imo, that’s a bit like the Join us behind Will, or Vecna’s I want you to join me

Rose Red feeds on people’s psychic powers, and in the group of psychics, the targets are mostly Annie, a telekinetic girl, and Steve, who has inherited the mansion. Also, two siblings lived in the mansion, a boy and a girl. And Annie has two dolls. A boy and a girl.

It’s always a boy and a girl (Will and El)

Rose Red

The Creel House (there’s a baby carriage there too)

Rose Red

The Creel House

And the Upside Down

In S2, Owens tells Hopper that the gate is growing

Will also says that the tunnels are growing, spreading, killing

Rose Red also grew on its own... That’s why I think the house has even more parallels with the UD than with the Creel House. Rose Red wants to grow. The UD is about to invade our world and the vines have always tried to spread.

Other interesting things

This is for the prequel

The number of victims 

So, twenty-three victims. And John Rimbauer, Red Rose’s owner, was killed by his wife in 1923.

1923 is mentioned in ST S1 but we still don’t know if it’s relevant to the plot. I think it is, and the person could be the skeleton Joyce saw in the library in 1x08, since Hopper mentioned this story to the librarian

One more thing. Argyle says something about dominos falling. It could mean many things, but it’s interesting that in Rose Red Annie always plays with dominos and in the end she uses them to destroy the house.

[27emailsicantsend]

Carlos Rodriguez for the ask!

Got A LOT of requests for my cutie, Carlos- so here you go everyone! :)

Favorite thing about them: His wit and sass. He literally had me in tears laughing throughout season 3 and there are so many times his sass just works in the scene. He’s an absolute diva and he knows it, but his bluntness with the characters keeps the drama moving along. I would give anything to have a girls night where Carlos and I wear face masks, eat chocolate, and discuss our friends relationships. You couldn’t tell me that wouldn’t be the best night ever.

Least favorite thing about them: His sass/diva persona is a double-edged sword. There are a lot of times he comes across harsh or selfish when he wants his way. Determination is a great thing, but putting your friends needs below it (like the co-choreographer debocal), will leave you lonely and sad. I know he has big dreams, but sometimes he puts his needs first at others expense and it can come across as egotistical. I think this is a root to a lot of the Seblos issues- Carlos only reads how he interprets situations as correct, rather than putting himself in the other person’s shoes.

Favorite line(s):

“Broadway?”

“Ah! I’ve been slapped!”

“It’s freaking Norway, Ricky”

It’s not a line, but his face in 1x08 when he’s rehearsing with EJ is ICONIC

“Ok but if it’s not about me, then who?”

“But does that mean you’re going to let the next girl go without even trying?”

“I’m gay and Mexican- this IS my inside voice!”

“You can’t just Zefron your way through auditions this time”

“I don’t think he’s slept or spoken in the past 24 hours… there’s a high chance he’s a Babadook”

“We’re doing the first read-through before I’ve had my third cup of coffee…. Oh, Ricky and Gina are 100% missing” (say it again louder Carlos this was so real of you)

“Because the key to any great reality show is the 3 B’s: bombshells, betrayals and BLEEP slaps” *gasps*

“I think I broke the children”

“Remember, Ricky, you have unresolved feelings for Gina”… “Gina, what’s your motivation?” Gina: I don’t want to get started “Yes, AND you’re angry at your boyfriend and using your ex-boyfriend to get under his skin. Basically, have fun torturing EJ” Gina: I can do that 😈

“Jilted ex suits you bro… oh no. I said ‘bro’ and now you’re gonna reveal something”

-bonus: “Sorry. I’m adjusting to being called ‘bro’”

“I didn’t come to make friends” “It cut me off! I said, ‘I didn’t come to make friends, I came to be a star!” Ricky: yeah, that’s not any better

OTP: Seblos ❤️

nOTP: EJ and Carlos

brOTP: Carlos and Ricky, Kourtney, and Miss Jenn… but if I had to pick one, probably Kourtney

Something I expect from them season 4 (if applicable): I think the situation of Carlos at camp is going to get confused by Seb of Carlos cheating again. I think Seb will think the relationship is over (“we were on a break!”… if you know what I’m quoting, you’re the best), so he will date someone else. This will parallel the r*ni fight in S1, which gets us the Seblos song.

Random Headcanon: even if this never happens in S4, it is my personal HC that as a thank you for s2, Carlos helps Ricky write a song for Gina.

Unpopular Opinion: I don’t even know if this actually is unpopular, but I could see it being that way so I am putting it here. His line to Gina about “look around, there’s not really a lot of me here” has bothered me since it happened. I think things like being from multiple minorities is really important to address in shows like this, so I’m glad it was brought up. However, I think his timing/tone for bringing it up was bad because it read more as “my problems are bigger than yours!” rather than, “hey I get what it feels like to be lonely and how important choreography makes me feel like I stand out/have purpose”. Instead Carlos seemed defensive and was like “I have problems too!” So this caused Gina to cower and let him lead the dance number. He didn’t even say thank you or try to encourage her to still help him, he just was like “ok great!” And seemed like he was happy he got his way. IDK I guess this goes back to my disliked trait for him, because Gina in that moment probably just needed a friend and somebody to show her she didn’t have to suffer alone, but instead Carlos flipped the situation back on him and it seemed guilt-trippy. I wish they would have brought up his struggles in a different context or had him use a different tone/dialogue in that scene that didn’t paint him like that, is all.

Song I associate with them: The King by Conan Gray, Hand on Mine Megan and Liz, and I know it’s from the show (I’m trying to avoid songs from the show for this ask) but since he doesn’t sing it I’ll use it. But I think of him every time I listen to Born to be Brave; his talk with Mozzarella Stick and him being lifted by the whole crowd is burned into my brain so I see it whenever I listen to that song

Favorite picture of them:

[found--family]

I think they might be planning a Luke and Leia thing with Turner and Duela? It was kind of telling (imo) that they were "flirting" by talking about how neither of them really know or remember their parents. (Also, possibly a coincidence, but both of them look like they could be Misha Collins' kids. And did you notice that Turner has heterochromia? One eye is blue, the other is brown. Very Two-Face! Also just.. their names. Turner and Duela. What is Harvey if not one character who Turns into Two? (a Dual) I can see it. Ah, isn't spec fun! ;) #Gotham Knights

I actually really like the idea that they could both be Harvey's kids, whether full siblings or half siblings (twins?), and the name stuff is perfect! I confess I didn't even notice his heterochromia at all in the show and I chalk that up to the golden filter and also soft low-contrast lighting and not a lot of close-ups on Turner's eyes. In fact I didn't believe you, so I googled.. 

If Turner is fugue!Harvey's son, talk about perfect casting! 

But my point remains: you can have the reveal of them being Harvey's kids without prefacing that with them flirting/growing close because they have no idea they're related. Tbf, their chemistry can be read as friendship if you squint, but Turner being speechless over Duela's 'makeover' and Duela being against [re:nervous?] about holding Turner's hand just screams Budding Young Love, which is gross. 

If they are both Dents I'm going to be so annoyed they didn't just let them become friends, because you can care about someone as a friend [re:Cullen about Steph, Turner and Steph about each other] without jumping ahead to romance and sexual tension, but teen dramas always tend to make that leap which is sad because friendships take more care and feel more grounded than just having two teens go googly-eyed over each other. 

In short, it feels like shortcut lazy writing (and I hate to say that about this show I love) even if it turns out they're not related it feels like Duela/Turned came about suddenly, like they're forcing it, especially when you compare it to the slow build of Sharper. However, I was just looking at some gifs of Duela watching Turner fight and being impressed, and I'm reminded of how pleasantly surprised and approving she's been of Turner choosing to do 'bad' things or be a badass over the course of the season so far - which I've been reading as a platonic appreciation, though I guess they might have been laying the groundwork for them as a couple...

Imho Turner/Duela is an interesting dynamic on paper (son of Batman and daughter of The Joker) and their personalities are a good contrast, but it was the one thing I didn't like about 1x08 because it didn't feel organic. 

[dracothelizard]

I want to hear about Roleplay :D or Manipulative Calico Jack, please!

Manipulative Calico Jack is pretty much what it says on the tin, except he's a different kind of manipulative!

Canon divergence for 1x08, in which Jack decides that the best way to break up Ed and Stede is by manipulating Stede into having sex with him by arguing that Ed won't like an inexperienced lay, and having Ed catch them at it so Ed can storm off jealously.

Non-explicit Jack & Stede chat below:

Bonnet’s eyes drift over to the wall, becoming unfocused. “I ran away from something permanent…”

Oh, fuck these aristocrats and their marriage vows. “D’you want to be with Blackbeard or not? It’s that simple now that you’re a pirate.”

Bonnet is silent for a long time. “Yes,” he whispers eventually. There’s tears in his eyes, and his voice wavers. “Yes, more than anything.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” Jack prods, hoping Bonnet doesn’t actually start crying.

“He’s just so… Ed.” Bonnet sighs as if that explains anything. “Surely if he was interested in… dalliances with me, he would’ve said!”

Jack’s only been onboard for a few hours, and he’s seen Blackbeard say as much with every look he throws Bonnet. “But if he said, you’d fuck him?”

“Yes! I—” Bonnet’s shoulders slump. “Oh, I’d do a terrible job of it.” He buries his head in his hands. “He’d hate it! He’d hate me!”

Jack grins. A perfect opportunity to put his plan into action has just dropped into his lap. Oh, this is too good to be true. “You know, I could help you with those, ah, basic pirating skills.”