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island-in-the-shadows · 2 months ago

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I always find it so wonderfully interesting when people prefer IWTV S1 to S2 but, tbh, they're both great seasons of television.

When I saw S1 as it premiered, I consistently struggled with it. There were (and to this day are) parts of it that severely pissed me off. "A Vile Hunger..." (1x5) is still the episode I like to rewatch the least, for example. It took me watching S1 twice to totally love the show. And it's because, when I saw S1, I was holding onto the source material while I watched.

This was fucking stupid on my part, especially given I took a class on adaptation while at Uni and got the academic tools to discern what makes for a good adaptation in film terms (I've talked about other adaptations with people who are book readers first and they tend to view it way differently). Hell, I wrote a thesis on why Clueless is a great adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma regardless of the change of setting in both time and place.

But IWTV was way too personal to me, it went back to my childhood, so it was hard to let go. I did instantly love a lot of the changes. I love the time change and the change to Louis' race and background. I love that we saw more of Louis pre-vampirism and that show Louis has more complex reasons for his long term struggles whereas book Louis just seemed so whiny to me for no reason. On the other hand, I struggled with: why is it a second interview, why was Claudia SA-ed, why the DV, why is fucking Antoinette a canker sore that never leaves, why the fuck is Armand in Dubai, what the fuck is happening with this timeline? I couldn't let go and my viewing experience suffered for it.

When I sat down to watch a second time, I said, "Ok, do what you were taught and let the source go. Adaptations cannot be 1:1 due to the change in medium". And that's when things started clicking. I stopped viewing S1, and the show as a whole, as needing to use the books as a plot bible and viewed it as using them as a guidebook to function on TV terms and tell its own version of the story. It allowed me to appreciate the things I loved much more and to understand the ones I hadn't been so sure about and, even, love some of those things.

For S2, I went into it with that mentality already so I solely judged it on film/TV terms even though, having read books 1-4 and 6 and reading about the rest, I saw subtle things people with no knowledge of the source canon did not. Like when YT reactors consistently worried about Daniel being killed and I'm just filing my nails because, to those in the know, Daniel has massive plot armour. Or people being confused about Raglan James and I'm sat there like wtf does this trifling ass want? Nevertheless, I enjoyed the tale as it was told and what it was on solely TV terms.

Both season are great television but, to me, S2 just took it up a notch. Daniel Hart popped off extra hard. Carol Cutshall popped off extra hard in costuming (stg she played faves because why did Armand get more fashion slays than anyone else? ^_^). The sets went extra hard. The acting, which was already superb in S1 because this is a fucking excellent cast (Jacob, Sam, Eric, Bailey, and Delainey 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼), went harder as well because we have more players such as Ben Daniels doing the absolute MOST with Santiago, Roxane Duran being absolutely OUTSTANDING as the formidable Madeleine, and Assad Zaman stepping out from the background and giving a STUNNING performance as, to me, what's clearly the definitive Armand. To my taste, S2 is a lot less slow and I felt the pot boiling tension to the explosive ending build more keenly than in S1. And, again to my taste, the ending of S2 felt more satisfying because we have a sense of completion in Louis' journey rather than a, admittedly dope, cliffhanger. S2 has, arguably, the 3 best episodes of the show so far in "Don't Be Afraid..." (2x5) "I Could Not Prevent It" (2x7), and "And That's The End of It..." (2x8). For me, there's just no contest.

And yeah S2 isn't perfect either. The abrupt episode endings, for example, are a bit annoying---especially the end of 2x4. Yes, there's bits I would've changed a bit. (Though I will say, some book readers apparently wanted the show to include book Armand's Franken-experiments and I could very much do without it ever being included because it serves no narrative purpose other than to prolong Claudia's suffering. The show already goes hard to show Armand is a fucking asshole in other ways and it's gonna add to that in S3. We don't need that detail.) But, as a season of television, it just went the extra mile.

Still, I love that some people prefer S1. I love that they prefer S1 because it's more intimate or because it's more of a family season or because of the good Louis and Lestat moments or the good vampire family moments. Or maybe they love it for other reasons, it's all very personal.

I still think "In Throes of Increasing Wonder" is an outstanding pilot and it's one of my favourite episodes. Louis' confessional scene/the church scene is definitely one of the top moments of the show. Claudia's monologue at the end of "The Ruthless Pursuit of Blood..." still gives me goosebumps. Claudia stomping on Antoinette's fucking face and Daniel reading Louis to absolute FILTH at the end of "The Thing Lay Still" both make me clap and stomp like I'm at a concert or a sporting event.

Either way, S1 or S2, it's great TV and it deserves more love and recognition. I hope it gets it because it's truly deserving. Maybe we just need to hear our Brat Prince have his say for the uninitiated to awaken to it. S3 I have been seated since they made the call to release that teaser.

#interview with the vampire #iwtv #louis de pointe du lac #lestat de lioncourt #the vampire claudia #fuckass antoinette girl im sorry that I'm not sorry #daniel molloy #the vampire armand #the vampire santiago aka fuckface francis #madeleine eparvier #jacob anderson #sam reid #bailey bass #delainey hayles #eric bogosian #assad zaman #ben daniels #roxane duran #daniel hart #carol cutshall #cheers also to the 11 writers that have as a collective written 15 great episodes #and to the 6 directors who have made it happen #idk if i can fit them all but i'll try and also snaps to EVERYONE who worked on it because getting what we have thus far is a group project #levan akin emma freeman craig zisk alan taylor keith powell alexis ostrander for directing #rolin hannah jonathan dave eleanor coline ben shane heather a. zell kevin for writing #just my two cents but i love it as a whole truly

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shreyamistry · 1 year ago

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"I fought so hard to get you and thank god I can finally rest." For Becca x MC

Pairing: Becca x MC

Prompt: “I fought so hard to get you and thank god I can finally rest.”

Word Count: 2400+

Summary: Becca and Jennifer throw a housewarming party in their new apartment, celebrating getting a new apartment and Becca’s five year anniversary of becoming a lawyer. The girls find themselves dancing, talking, and reminiscing on the good ol’ times.

A/N: Requests are open if you’re interested! Rules and Prompts here!

Thank you for reading! I hope you like it 🫶🏻🩷

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Cheers!”

A group of young adults clink their glasses together, all of them sharing bright smiles before throwing back shots of tequila and whiskey, a few grimaces and a few excited whoops following the shots. All of the friends jittery with excitment, everyone being ecstatic to see one another after all this time separated from one another.

“I can’t believe Becca’s been officially licensed for five years.” Kaitlyn grins, her black hair in a signature braid as she wrangles it into her standard of perfection. She is adorned with a glittering green crop top and high waisted black jeans that look stunning on her.

Jennifer nods happily, “I’m so proud of her. She’s worked so hard, she truly deserves it.”

“Agreed,” Chris adds. He straightens the cuffs of his rolled up sleeves, the red button up making his eyes shimmer in the lowlights of Becca’s new penthouse that her and Jen shared. “This house warming party is amazing.”

“Actually, it's a lawyer housewarming party, don’t forget?” Zack teases, his signature yellow blazer dazzling in the lights that flash around them.

“Don’t start,” Abbie glares with a playful smile, “James how’s the New York Times best selling author AND Broadway’s Newest hit play writer doing?”

“Things are great,” He beams, “I’m grateful. Zig, how is the charity foundation you started?”

Zig grins, “Not to brag but we’re doing amazing. Thanks again for the donation, bro.” Zig smirks at Chris who shrugs nonchalantly, holding back a smile at the praise. If Jennifer didn’t know better, she’d say Chris was almost blushing and the look the two guys shared gave her pause to consider it. Noticing her gaze, Zig quickly looks away, almost looking like a deer caught in headlights. “It means a lot, man. Speaking of, where’s Tyler?”

Abbie shrugs, steering the conversation away from him - though the pair are doing well she hates being the topic of conversation with Tyler, she knows how annoying they were in college from time to time. The group talks for a while longer, everyone exchanging stories about their lives, smiles and congratulations on the steps to becoming their best possible lives this far down the line. Everything from their careers, new friends, dates they’ve been on, plans for the future, and the times they’ve visited each other and hijinks they got up to together. It reminds Jennifer perfectly of their college experiences.

Jennifer can’t help herself from beaming hearing how amazing all of her friends are doing and she’s so grateful for Becca for flying everyone to their brand new apartment to celebrate how far they’ve come as a couple, careerwise and personal. She hugs her arms to her chest feeling full and rejuvenated; lacking even an essence of a worry in the world.

Her fingers straighten out her dress, a plunging neckline with glittering shimmers of purple adorned all over the extravagant purple evening gown. She hopes Becca likes it, she bought it specifically to surprise her fiance and excite her. She feels on top of the world, a wonderful journalism career in which she couldn’t even name all the celebrities she met on one hand and a loving fiance who spent every high and every low with her over the years. She misses simpler times like college, watching The Crown and The Flame with Abbie and Kaitlyn, sneaking out with Becca at night, and hanging out with Chris and Zig enjoying each other’s company.

——————————————————————————

Becca finds herself on the second floor of her marvel of an apartment, the place decorated artfully with money she’s earned. It brings her the most pride knowing she did all of this and achieved so much since losing her family fortune and starting her own career and financial plan devoid of her parents. Financial freedom is freeing for her and being able to help her friends when they need it and finding herself financially stable enough to take pro-bono cases to support women in need makes her burst with pride. She did this. With the help of her friends and her loving fiance.

She beams as she stands next to Madison the pair talking over glasses of wine. Crystal glasses with gold tips she got as a promotional gift from her law firm, finally excited to be able to use them for the first time. It’s a step up from being in the sorority house throwing back fruity drinks in red solo cups with frat boys trying entirely too hard to get their attention and make them swoon. Becca never felt interested, she’d rather be alone than deal with any more masculine energy than Chris.

It almost makes her laugh, thinking of being in college fighting with Jennifer over Chris only to find out the two wanted each other and not some stupid boy she was obsessed with being with for the sake of her public image. She wonders how much more fun college would’ve been if she met Jennifer sooner, stopped caring as harshly for her public image, or even gave her a chance sooner. She was grateful for the time she has with Jennifer and wouldn’t trade it for the world and she loves their little fairytale romance as is, but she does like to let her mind wander to what ifs and what could’ve been with one another sooner.

“Wordsworth Puppington isn’t taking to the move well,” Madison explains with a smile, “he’s confused. Not as confused as me. My boyfriend starts talking and all I hear is blah blah blah. Like sure I majored in volcanology but that doesn’t mean anything.”

Becca laughs sweetly, “I’m sure Wordsworth will adjust. It’s new. Mr Whiskers is having a hard time adjusting to moving here as well, they just need time.”

“Maybe,” She sighs, “I’m just so happy to see you.”

Madison throws herself around Becca, pulling her into the tightest hug Becca’s ever gotten, it knocks the breath out of her for a second. Becca sighs, despite herself she’s smiling and holding Madison tightly back. She shakes her head trying to hide the smile that refuses to part from her lips. This would be their fourth? Fifth? Maybe the sixth hug they’ve had since they found each other five mere minutes ago.

“Alright alright, you’re wrinkling my outfit.” Becca grins. “Madison I can’t tell you how much I love living in New York. This two floor penthouse is amazing and there’s so much room. Fit for a queen, such as myself.”

Madison laughs sweetly, “I’m happy for you, Becs.”

“I should go find my other half, talk later?” Becca smiles, taking Madison’s hand in her own with a comforting squeeze.

“Of course, maybe you can explain parking tickets to me when you get back?”

Becca sighs, shaking her head. “You worry me.”

She pulls away, giving a confused Madison a sweet smile before descending the staircase down to the main floor of their penthouse. Her hands glide along the smooth gold plated railing, bracing her every step with her high heels slowing her down only slightly. She could do heels in mud, rain, snow, and sleet but put a staircase and she’s nearly tripping down the steps. She shakes her head to herself glancing out at the party looking for the only person that matters to her.

She notices Kaitlyn first, as Kaitlyn is headbanging to her own song over the sound system. Leave it to the #1 best selling lesbian rocker to jam out to her own music in public, Becca thinks to herself with only a tinge of judgment. Mostly she was proud of Kaitlyn for finding her own place in the world and enjoying her life. Though, because Becca is a woman of tact and sophistication she would never give Kaitlyn the satisfaction of a compliment nor would Kaitlyn know that she listens to her CDs in her car.

As her feet find solid ground, her eyes follow Kaitlyn to Chris, Zig, James, Zack, Abbie, and Tyler, before finally settling on the only woman she wanted to see now and forever, Jennifer. Her heart races in her chest seeing the way the purple dress hugs her curves, the way her legs look so shiny in the nylons she wore and the golden heart necklace around her neck that she bought for her. She takes a moment to admire the way Jennifer looks, blushing to herself about ogling her fiance so publicly.

Becca bounds forward, her hand falling onto the small of Jennifer’s back with a devious smile tugging at her lips.

“Hey gorgeous,” She whispers sweetly.

Jennifer laughs sweetly, “You like?”

“Love.” Becca answers seduction on the tip of her tongue, “You are divine tonight. As you are every night, otherwise we wouldn’t be together of course.”

“Oh as if,” Jennifer giggles pushing on Becca’s arm, “You say I look gorgeous with my messy hair and the ugliest sleep pajamas from college that I refuse to throw out because Kait bought them for me.”

“Only because you’re perfect all the time.” Becca grins, “I’m a woman of class. And you’re a woman of my stature.”

“They were great pajamas and on sale.” Kaitlyn smiles at them.

Jennifer only laughs.

“Care for a dance, my queen?” Becca offers her free hand to Jennifer. Jennifer eagerally clasps her own hands around Becca’s grinning sweetly. Becca smiles at her friends with a quick greeting, before whisking Jennifer away to the dance floor. Friends from colleges, friends from work, and friends they’ve met during their journey dance and mingle with one another.

Becca twirls Jennifer around, eyeing the way Jennifer looks tonight, noting the way her dress twirls around with her. Jennifer can’t help the giggle that leaves her lips, letting herself be twirled and admired before being pulled back into her grasp. The few ballads Kaitlyn has released with her bands somehow magically begins to play as they continue to dance around.

Becca catches Kaitlyn’s glance who thumbs up at her, her eyes rolling with a smile despite herself she appreciates the gesture immensely. Her hands fall into place on Jennifer’s hips, Jennifer’s own wrapping around Becca’s neck holding her closer to herself. She breathes out a breath of relief, swaying slowly to the music as couples do the same around them.

“Tonight’s perfect Becca.” Jennifer hums, her breath warm against Becca’s skin. Goosebumps traverse up her arms at the feeling of warmth on her skin. She can’t help the way her body reacts to Jennifer’s touch. Her fiance’s touch was perfect and sweet. Even after all these years she doesn't think she could ever tire of being held or touched by her one true love. “It’s so nice seeing everyone together. Chris invited us to his pro game this weekend.”

“Sure, sure, sure.” Becca agrees mindlessly, her mind lost in Jennifer’s eyes.

“You’re not listening are you?” Jennifer laughs.

She nods her head no. “I’m distracted tonight.”

“In a good way?” Jennifer asks, her voice sweet with worry.

Becca smiles, “Yes. I love you so much, you know that right?”

“Of course I do.”

“And you love me, right?”

“With my heart and soul. What’s this about Becca?” Jennifer’s eyes wrinkle with worry, looking over Becca’s face. Becca only beams, no worry, no thoughts astray, she’s only happy and secure in this moment. She glances away to look at their friends drinking and talking. Tyler and Abbie on the dance floor around them and her heart surges in her chest.

“Do you ever think about us?” She inquired, “I do. Like our college shelves. I remember being so stuck up and condescending, well still am sometimes but not as much.” She laughs to herself. “I just think about how much it took for us to get together.”

“I wouldn’t change it for the world, you know?” Jennifer hums. “I love everything about us. I love our awkward first dates, the way we used to flirt and sound and look so stupid.”

Becca laughs, “I was never stupid, thank you very much.”

“Agree to disagree.”

“If being a lawyer taught me anything, that never works.” Becca grins, “I just - I don’t know Jen.” She glances around the party, the music a little too loud but the energy is high spirited and fun. “I fought so, so hard to get you and honestly just thank god I can finally rest. Everything is so easy, I don’t feel like I have to try so hard to impress you. I don’t have to have the ice queen exterior I was so eloquently anointed with back in the day.”

“You didn’t even have to fight that hard,” Jennifer grins, “I was putty the second you even gave me the time of day.”

“I’ve been thinking,” Becca smiles, “What if we eloped tomorrow?”

“What?” Jennifer asks, “You can’t be serious.”

“Dead.” Becca offers, “I’m tired of waiting. Everyone’s here, it’s been YEARS since I finally proposed to you. I want this so bad. I want to be your wife. I don’t want to be your fiance anymore, I just want you to be Jennifer Emily Davenport more than anything in the entire world.”

There’s a silence between them, both staring at each other.

“Yes.” Jennifer laughs, “Yes, yes, yes, yes-”

Becca cuts Jennifer off with a kiss, her hands firmly holding Jennifer close to her body. Jennifer tastes sweet as Becca delights in the flavor of raspberry on her mouth, savoring the taste, the sounds, and smell of Jen against her. She groans as Becca’s nips at her lower lip before soothing over the skin with her tongue.

Jennifer draws Becca even closer. Her head tilting as Becca’s fingers trail up her neck, forcing her head to side. Becca breaks the kiss reluctantly, letting herself kiss down to Jennifer’s jaw before letting herself delve lower onto Jen’s neck. Hands now brush hair away as she kisses against Jen’s neck eagerly. Jen groans, breathing heavily as Becca dominates her letting Becca have her way with her.

Becca pulls away with a grin, watching Jennifer pout with disappointment. Becca’s hands cup Jennifer’s cheeks looking deeply into her eyes. She leans in, letting her forehead bump against Jennifer's, the girls breathlessly grinning at one another. She sighs with delight as their noses brush together.

“Are you sure you want to elope?” Jennifer coos.

Becca grins, “Yes. We can get to the courthouse early and wear white. Have Madison sign as my witness, Kaitlyn as yours, and we can officially get married. Then all of us can come back here and celebrate. Or go to dinner. I do not care at all. I want to be your wife immediately. I don’t want to wait anymore, we can have a public party with your family and mine later.”

“Yes.” Jennifer smiles. “Becca and Jennifer Davenport.”

“Has a beautiful ring to it, huh?” Becca smiles, Jennifer nods against her. Lips capturing lips, kissing her again in excitement knowing the rest of their lives will be as glamorous and beautiful as right now.

#becca x mc #becca davenport #the freshman series #choices #choices fanfic #kaitlyn liao #zig ortega #chris powell #zig x chris #hinted #james ashton #zack zilberg #abbie bishop #tyler alan #abbie x tyler

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