#also I took the first set of Fallings to portray Mike feeling like he's failing and the second set as falling in love

[jonathanbyersphd]

Falling

[fuckyeahcharmcaster]

10 Reasons why “The Charm Offensive” is infinitely better than “Couples Retreat”

Charmcaster falls in love with Michael Morningstar, who emotionally manipulates her for her magic power so that he can achieve his own goals. This is the main premise of both “Couples Retreat” from Ultimate Alien and the recent “The Charm Offensive” from the reboot. So why is it that the former is so reviled by many, myself included, while the latter has been pretty well received by many, myself included? I think I can answer that by providing 10 simple reasons.

1. Charm’s new origin gives her a logical reason to fall for Mike: “Couples Retreat” gave no reason whatsoever as to why Charmcaster would become romantically interested in Michael Morningstar beyond the most shallow basis of “he’s so beautiful”, plus the baffling line of “I finally found a boy who likes me”, as if this was some sort of long-running goal of her’s. “The Charm Offensive” solves this problem through the changing of Charm’s origin...she was a regular, nerdy fangirl of Michael Morningstar, a famous teen heartthrob actor in this continuity, before she gained her magic powers and supervillain identity. Those feelings didn’t disappear just because she changed in other respects - they still remained as a “weakness”.

2. She’s also an actual teenager: In “Couples Retreat”, Charm is written like a lovestruck teenage girl, but the problem is that she’s canonically not - she’s 21 years old, and we are not given Mike’s exact age: if he isn’t 18 or isn’t from a state where 17 is the age of consent, then Charm is indulging in some very inappropriate behavior, possibly outright statutory rape. In the reboot, she’s anywhere between 13 and 15 years old, as Mike seems to be...if anything, Mike is now the inappropriate one since despite appearances, he’s actually centuries old!

3. It isn’t a direct follow-up to anything major: If any episode can compete with “Couples Retreat” as the worst Charmcaster episode ever, it would be “The Enemy of My Frenemy”. And part of why “Couples Retreat” is so bad is that it directly follows that episode, and yet does nothing to continue any sort of plot or character progression set up there, nothing to alleviate the pain caused by that epiosde. All it does is leave Charm an emotional wreck for the second time in a row. “The Charm Offensive” is just a distant follow-up to “Bright Lights, Black Hearts”, an episode that took place last season, so it doesn’t have the same baggage.

4. No Ledgerdomain: Ledgerdomain sucks. It really does. It’s supposed to be the source of all magic and yet is an unimaginatively empty, boring place that only serves as a backdrop to events and nothing more. It has thankfully been axed in the reboot, so “The Charm Offensive” takes place on Earth, at Fort Knox’s local Biggie Box supermarket, and the episode actually makes use of the things that kind of location has to offer, which makes it more interesting. 

5. No Kevin: Nothing about Kevin worked in “Couples Retreat”. His hypocritical dismissal of Charm as a “complete nutjob” was infuriating, his single-minded thuggery as a solution to everything was cringy (especially when you remember that he used to be a clever con artist in Alien Force), and the entire subplot of him and Gwen having a petty argument was an unnecessary waste of time, with a mindbogglingly stupid resolution where Gwen decides he’s a pretty good boyfriend not because he makes up for what he did or because they come to an understanding with each other, but only because he’s better than Mike. Without Kevin, the focus in “The Charm Offensive” is kept solely where it belongs: on Gwen, Charm and Mike.

6. Mike is truly intimidating: Sure, Mike in “Couples Retreat” was powerful within Ledgerdomain, but he was not intimidating. In fact, he was even more of a joke than he was in “Absolute Power” - constantly bewildered by Charm’s advances, not communicating things with her even when it would be beneficial to him, loudly ranting and raving about goals he has that she wouldn’t be keen on within earshot of her, and being unable to remember a simple four-letter name when it mattered. He only succeeded in manipulating Charm because she too was written like an idiot. In “The Charm Offensive”, Mike is frighteningly sadistic, ruthless and psychotic, and is more outright abusive toward Charm than just manipulative. And his downfall is that his boasts are recorded and played back, rather than him making them right in front of Charm and then failing to remember her name (ironically, “Heather” actually IS Charm’s name this time around - UA!Mike would be so envious of his reboot self for that!)

7. Gwen is a proactive heroine: In “Couples Retreat”, Gwen spends two-thirds of the episode squabbling with Kevin and not accomplishing anything. In the last third, she attempts to reason with Charmcaster while the boys fight it out, but fumbles it completely, and it’s only Mike’s own stupidity that resolves the problem. In “The Charm Offensive”, Gwen takes direct action in order to solve the conflict, physically attacking Mike in order to protect Charm from having her energy drained in addition to using words of reason, and being the one to expose Mike’s true nature to her by playing back the store’s security footage of when he was verbally dismissing her as being just a living battery to him. Here, Gwen is unquestionably the hero.

8. The subject matter is handled with respect: “Couples Retreat” is despicable in how it handles its mature subject matter - Charm is portrayed as a mentally damaged girl with daddy issues who is “giving it away” to a guy, something said guy recognizes and takes advantage of. Sympathizing with her is easy yet also complicated due to both the age gap question and some of her previous appearances, and none of this is actually addressed within the episode’s narrative. It’s unpleasant just for the sake of it, yet its writer seemed to think it was “fun”. By contrast, “The Charm Offensive” deals with an abusive relationship, with Mike being a predatory celebrity taking advantage of a fan with self-esteem issues, and it actually addresses this problem and makes a statement about it. Plus, as is common for the reboot, the jokes and action on the side is fun, balancing well with the dark subject matter.

9. The resolution is truly empowering: So, how did “Couples Retreat” end, and resolve the issue at hand? With an angry Charm overpowering and de-powering Mike completely off-screen, robbing the audience of needed catharsis, before turning him over to Ben, Gwen and Kevin to beat up, also completely off-screen. The last shot is Charm looking sad and lonely in the rubble of her castle, staring wistfully at Mike’s mask - left with nothing. How “fun”. But “The Charm Offensive” has us actually get to see Charm’s magical beatdown of Mike, which is glorious. Asserting her own power and a new self-confidence, Charm then graciously leaves Ben and Gwen be, while saying that she and Gwen will be enemies if they happen to cross paths again, and the last shot is Gwen celebrating that she has her own arch-enemy now. Basically, the abusive guy has been defeated, and both of his female victims are more self-confident and ready to continue empowering themselves through their newfound rivalry. And that leaves you with such a good feeling, especially compared to “Couples Retreat”!

10. It actually matters in the long run: “Couples Retreat” accomplished nothing. It didn’t develop anyone or follow through with “Enemy of My Frenemy” despite directly following it, and Mike’s presence and references to his and Charm’s relationship in the Charmcaster arc of Omniverse was utterly pointless and only there for cheap laughs. “The Charm Offensive” is not only an actual follow-up to a previous episode, but it’s the first appearance of Charm in the reboot and the establishing of her and Gwen’s dynamic. It’s important to the series.

[spideyyverse]

Grease! AU

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3| Part 4

Chapter: 4/7

Characters: Richie Tozier, Eddie Kaspbrak, Beverly Marsh, Ben Hanscom, Stan Uris, Mike Hanlon, Bill Denbrough, Audra Phillips

Pairings: Reddie, Stenbrough, Benverly, Madura (Audra x Mike)

Warnings: Homophobia, swearing, underage drinking and smoking

Word Count: 1,986

Author Notes: Chapters will be based on a song from the movie, I’m not sure I’ll do each song but if there’s a specific song you would like me to include, let me know in my ask box!

Also, the losers are very ooc. I understand they’re nothing like the way I’m portraying them in my story. Please do not get angry for the way I’m writing them, it’s solely apart of this au and this is not how I actually view them.

MAJOR NOTE: I’m so so sorry it’s taken me weeks to update, I recently just returned to school and things have been hectic. I’ll try my best to write more frequently but updates may be slow. I haven’t been too active on my account recently, I’m sorry, I’ll try to be better. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Tags: @universal-gay 

This song was featured during the school dance scene. The original singer is Frank Sinatra but the band covered it.

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Blue moon You saw me standing alone Without a dream in my heart Without a love of my own

Eddie--Nor Richie-- didn’t intend for anything to happen that summer leading up to now. It wasn’t like Eddie wanted to visit Derry in the first place, but the constant “Eddie Bear you need to visit!” and “Your aunties miss you!” from his aunts irritated him to the point where he booked the flights to Derry himself. After a long and extremely worded lecture (and a lot of yelling) from Sonia Kaspbrak, both of them set off on a summer that would change everything.

Now don’t get Eddie wrong, he loved his aunts to death (and would much rather live with them than that momster), but he couldn’t take an entire summer of endless cheek pinches and sloppy kisses on the cheek. He knew he had to make the most of his time so he may as well explore the town--Not that there’s was much to explore anyway.  

It wasn’t until he found himself walking through a forest that lead him to a quarry. He found himself not staring at the summer day in front of him, not the way water sparkled nor the way the soft summer breeze blew every now and then. No, he found himself staring the boy in front of him. He didn’t understand why, he only knew what the back of the boy looked liked. For all Eddie could know, this boy could be a serial killer. Maybe he was surprised that someone was here, someone was in this dead beat town. 

After an awkward greeting--well mainly awkward for Eddie, Richie didn’t seem to ever stop talking once he uttered a noise--Eddie found himself falling easily for a boy he’d only known for what? An hour? Or could it have been six? Richie truly didn’t know when to stop talking, but Eddie loved it.

It was a shock to Eddie that Richie had a loud personality. He’s never one to judge so quickly but Eddie found the boy sitting by himself, listening to Africa by Toto, while smoking. He seemed like a loner. 

“Says Eds, tell me something,” Richie spoke slightly lowering the radio.

“Yeah?” Eddie looked up, “Also, stop calling me Eds,” He quickly added.

“Cute! Cute! Cute!” Richie leaned over and pinched his cheeks, “Ever been in love?”

Eddie practically choked on air but it did get him thinking, has he ever been in love? Sure he’s had a couple of boys here and there, some relationships lasting longer than others, but he’s never actually been in love. Maybe some feelings towards his previous boyfriends had been stronger than others but nothing to ever consider being in love. Love was almost foreign to him.

“No,” Eddie broke the silence but continued, “My turn to ask you a question!”

“Hit me with it spageds,” Richie chuckled, taking a puff from his cigarette.

“Spageds? That’s the best you can do?”

“It’s a work in progress.”

Eddie took a deep breath but bit back a smile anyways, “As someone who’s only been visiting for two days, do you ever think about leaving this town? I mean, there’s nothing here.” Eddie looked around the quarry.

“No.” Richie simply replied.

“No?” 

“I’ve never thought about it. Not until now anyways,” Eddie patiently waited for Richie to continue, “I’ve never thought about it because I didn’t need to. I’ve never had anything to run towards but now, today in this very moment, I know where I need to run to,” 

“Where?”

“You.”

Blue moon You knew just what I was there for You heard me saying a prayer for Someone I really could care for

It was finally the day of the dance. Most high schools would get into the spirit, hanging posters and the constant PA reminders that ticket sales go up every week. However, Derry high had been nominated by a TV station to host a dance competition during the event. Eddie didn’t pay much attention to the eagerness from everyone at school, it was something about the two winners getting a pretty big money prize. But in all honesty, Eddie could care less. He was more worried about being outed to the entire school--and on national television to make matters worse.

 Eddie was not--and will never--be ashamed for being gay. Richie neither will ever be ashamed to be bisexual but living in a conservative town where almost everyone will absolutely shit on you for being anything less than straight can be alarming--to say the least.

As much as both boys wanted to hold onto each other and dance together just like every other straight couple, it just wasn’t possible. 

Both boys walked into the gym, their entire ensemble of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds following right behind them. 

“Says Eds, how about I get us some punch?” Richie awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

“As long as you don’t spike it Tozier,” 

Richie smirked, “Can’t make any promises my love!” He walked away with a wink, giving Eddie the familiar feeling of butterflies in his tummy.

“Everything all right Bev?” Ben asked. Bev sticked out like a sore thumb, a hair wrap was around her head. Whatever she was trying to hide, wasn’t subtle at all. 

“Peachy Benjamin,”

“Bev?” Eddie slowly asked.

“Eddie I’m fine! Everything is alright!” Bev tried to reassure the boys but failed. Bev ended up stomping away to the bathroom with a poor Ben following behind in her in hopes to cheer her up.

Eddie went ahead and found a table large enough to hold the nine leaving the remaining four at the entrance of the dance. 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t sunshine and rainbows for the rest of the group. 

While Audra and Mike were a happy couple, that still didn’t stop them from being racially discriminated against. It took Mike ages to convince his parents to let him go to public school once homeschooling for middle school ended. He didn’t realize exactly why his parents didn’t want him going to public school once he experienced how cruel kids can be. Being in the T-Birds gave him a place, but he still felt he could be much more than this.

Audra was Mexican (A/N: There’s not enough latinx representation nowadays so I’m making Audra Mexican-American. Also ya girl is Mexican so this is me trying to live through my stories.), both of her parents were immigrants, but Audra herself was born in America but being the daughter of the only two Mexicans living in an almost-all white conservative town was more than difficult. 

Being something other than white or straight instantly made you a bad person. No one could look past your skin color or your sexuality, they define you because of that. They don’t define you because of who you are. 

While Audra and Mike got nasty and dirty looks from practically the entire gym, they pushed it to aside and let themselves be together. 

This wasn’t the case for Stan and Bill.

While most of the school suspected Stan liked boys, they couldn’t think the same for Bill. It was one thing to suspect but to completely out someone is another thing. 

Stan was the rabbi’s son, he had to live up to expectations. If his father even heard a word about Stan being gay, it was over. 

Bill was close with his parents, but he still hasn’t come out to them--thinking of the idea scares him. His little brother Georgie on the other hand, he knew. When Georgie was nine, he found a fourteen year old Bill crying in the middle of the night. After a long talk and explanation of what being pansexual meant, Georgie was quick to accept him. Now being twelve, Georgie still loved his older brother with everything inside of him.

Despite the rabbi’s son, Stan himself was never religious. Sure, he attended every ceremony at the temple and even read from the torah at his bar mitzfah, but he was required to do that. Stan wasn’t religious, but if there was just one thing he could pray for, he would pray for Bill. He would pray to find happiness with Bill. 

From the corner of his eye, he could see Henry and his gang smirking at them. Bill seemed to notice this because he quickly made his way over to the table. 

If a prayer truly worked, Stan was praying for a miracle. 

And then there suddenly appeared before me The only one my arms will hold I heard somebody whisper please adore me And when I looked to the moon it turned to gold

The TV crew had been setting up for the big competition, people lining up at the restrooms to fix themselves up while others began to make their way towards the dance floor. 

“Hey Eds! We should join!” Richie suggested.

“Sure if you want the entire country to find out we like dick,” Eddie remarked then continued, “And stop calling me Eds!”

“Aw yeah! Spaghetti man with the dick jokes!”

“Beep beep Tozier.”

“Hey! Hey!” Richie put his hands up in defense, “You’re technically not wrong but that’s not the point. We don’t need to get up in each others ass to win the competition--I’ve already got your mom for that--the teachers will be on us if we even try. It’s disco isn’t it? We don’t need to do anything couply we just need to do something entertaining.”

“I hate the fact that you actually have a brain in that head of yours.” Eddie sighed while Richie smiled. 

“What should-” 

“Richie!” A voice squeaked from behind.

Richie whipped around and saw his ex girlfriend heading towards him, her arm locked around the one and only Henry Bowers.

“Greta, hi.” Richie clenched his teeth together and took a deep breath.

“Who’s this?” Eddie whispered from behind Richie. 

“Hi hun, I’m Greta,” She stuck her hand out in front of Eddie the continued, “I’m sure Richie has told you how great I am in bed?” She sneered.

“He would have told me if you really were,” Eddie muttered under his breath. Both Greta and Richie heard this, Greta bit back the urge to launch herself at Eddie while Richie tried to subtly hide his laugh with a cough. 

“See you in the competition Richie-kins!” She blew a kiss towards his direction and dragged Henry away.

“Richie-kins?”

“Let’s not talk about it.”

“Ladies and gentlemen! Gather around! Our annual high school dance off is about to begin!”

Everyone gathered with their respective pair and waited until the principle stopped talking about the rules. 

The principle finally walked off stage and the music began. Some couples were immediately eliminated while others tried to out-dance other couples. Some couples went for a simple attempt at the disco while others went for hand-jives. 

The cameras were going around the dance floor, people tried to make their selves seen but were removed from the floor. Eddie could feel himself getting more and more nervous as the camera got closer. Richie didn’t seem to care, he was in his element. As the camera reached the two boys, Eddie instantly made a B-line for anywhere but the camera. 

Richie’s face dropped, he tried to follow Eddie but was stopped when someone pushed him back. This ‘someone’ happened to be Greta herself.

“Where you doing handsome?” Greta whispered.

The pair were one of the only few standing left and it didn’t help that the host was encouraging them to dance while pointing the camera at them. Richie had no other choice but to finish the competition with a new partner. He seemed to forget about Eddie in that moment, but Eddie most certainly didn’t forget. He saw the whole ordeal go down. 

Eddie ran out of the high school gym and ran all the way straight home.