#also i am not defending EA here they can burn in hell

[eff-plays]

I've seen people say this is proof that EA is at fault for all of this nonsense surrounding Veilguard, and honestly, I'm willing to believe it is, because EA sucks ass and I hate them, and I believe BioWare can very much produce better writing when freed from corporate meddling*.

But I also don't think this should be used to protect the writing from criticism? Cuz like ... so you agree? You agree the writing was bad, in this product you sold people, for money? And you're shifting the blame onto the publisher? You agree it's bad writing that has your name on it but it's none of your faults specifically?

Even if I believe that, it's still ... You agree, right? You agree that the stuff people are saying is bad is bad? But you're saying it sucks so bad that they complain about it because it's not your fault?

Do y'all understand my dilemma here? Obviously don't harrass the writers personally or send them death threats, but that's just basic human decency to me. If you as the writer realize that something with your name on it is bad through no fault of your own, surely the solution isn't to complain that people are pointing out the bad thing you're aware of is bad? Surely you should go "Yeah that was bad. I agree with you all. I wanted to fix it but couldn't."

And you might say "well they're probably under NDAs so they can't say anything negative" but they ARE?? This right here is them implying the bad shit isn't their fault but the result of them "losing that fight" (with the execs)?

Do you get it? They agree that it's bad, but also saying it's not their fault it's bad, so stop complaining because it's very difficult for them. Broskis people paid for the game. And they are critiquing the shit you agree is bad. No need to get all wounded animal on the audience.

*Though I should note that indie devs still have a profit incentive, particularly the bigger ones, so even if we lived in a world without EA but with capitalism it's very likely BioWare itself would try to be more and more commercial with each new game, EA just sped up the process exponentially. El problema es el capitalismo etc.

[allimariexf]

alli’s Arrow 2x02 rewatch thoughts

(Aka: Felicity establishes some friendship rules for OTA)

Diggle: “Why the sudden interest in my love life?” Oliver: “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.” aww! (and yet, it’s easier for Oliverto acknowledge a real love and friendship for Dig because his feelings toward Dig are straightforward, unlike his feelings toward Felicity)

Felicity “I quit!” With newfound confidence, self-worth, sass. Partially because this is her professional sphere, where she always had a lot of confidence. And partially because she has become more aware of her own strength, bravery, and sees herself as more of an equal.

I think this change in Felicity is very similar to the change we see in her after Oliver “dies” in his duel with Ra’s al Ghul. When he comes back, everyone has gone through a lot without him, and in 3x13 Felicity’s like “That doesn’t mean we can go back.” We never get to see what they go through when Oliver leaves after the Undertaking, but it’s safe to say it had a profound effect on them. Felicity grows more confident - both because during the Undertaking she helped mitigate the damage and was heroic and self-sacrificing, and because she had to come to terms with fear and pain in its aftermath.

She always did have fight in her when pushed, when her unconscious confidence rose to the surface, but she’s not holding herself back now. Last season I measured progress in her almost-touches, but this right here she jabs him in the chest unapologetically. “Which you think I am going to accept.” And unlike the Oliver of old who held himself apart, he kinda plays along lolol. She jabs him and he reacts bodily like she pushed him hard (the first in a long line of Oliver-reacting-to-Felicity-punching-him-as-if-it-hurts), looking down like “did you really just do that?” ADORABLE. (But he basically accepts it and this is the real start of Oliver and Felicity being handsy with one another.)

“Every time we need to discuss how we spend our nights.” // “And I love spending the night with you.” OMGGGG though I’m so struck this time around by how much this flirty sexual tension is ON THE SURFACE. Like, ON. THE. SURFACE. I’m just picturing Diggle already thinking they need to get a room.

Meanwhile I love how Oliver tries to catch John’s eye like “can you believe the big deal she’s making over this?” but instead John adds his own, “Well it could be worse. My secret identity’s as his black driver.”

So she gives in but she makes sure to let him know she won’t make this easy for him: she’s gonna be loud and opinionated! Slamming her hand on his desk, clomping loudly in her high heels, and then: “May I get you a cup of coffee?”

She’s provoking him, instead of simply holding silent. She wants him to know she’s serious. She wants him to know that she’s done silently doing his bidding while fading in the background. Also, the dress. The clothes and the attitude definitely go together. And the hair. All of it deliberately provocative. My godddddddd this scene is everything!

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And then THIS SCENE after Oliver’s ambushed by the SCPD:

Felicity reaches out and almost touches his arm in sympathy, but then at Dig’s mention of Laurel: “Hey! Go easy on him!” (“It’s all right, Felicity.”) “No. It’s not.” SHE GRABS HIS ARM and this is the first time she’s ever grabbed him and he looks down like “wtf is happening?” I think he’s equally caught off guard by the fact that she grabbed him and the fact that he’s letting her.

“You don’t get to jump down his throat just because you happen to be having a lousy week. You’re pissed - he invoked the almighty Laurel.” This is the first time she calls out the way he reveres Laurel. Definitely Oliver’s personal life has always been “off limits,” but she’s done with that. And she’s mocking him over it.

Felicity’s speech and anger on John’s behalf basically draws a sharp contrast between the way Oliver treats Diggle and Felicity versus the way Oliver treats Laurel. On the one hand, Dig and Felicity know his secrets, have his trust, and risk their lives for him, while Oliver constantly questions their judgment, disregards their advice, and leaves them out to dry. On the other hand, Laurel doesn’t know anything about who he is now, doesn’t risk her life for him, and now is actively working against them, while Oliver continues to keep her on a pedestal and disallows anyone from saying anything bad against her.

So in this scene Felicity is defending Dig, but she’s also standing up for herself, requiring that Oliver recognize that THEY ARE IMPORTANT. They are people too, and they are actual friends who deserve respect, and he’s got to listen to what they have to say and he can’t just act without taking their needs and concerns into consideration anymore. (And yeah, I 100% believe she’s still bitter about him making her his EA without at the very least consulting her. Wow! Just realized how deep this boy’s patterns of behavior run. Season 2, season 4 (and now, dammit, season 6 😫 though I blame that on bad writing, not a lapse in Oliver)).

The thing about the way Oliver and Felicity communicate is that he always catches her subtext. I am sure he caught this subtext, which is why it had such an impact on him - why he seems apologetic to her, even though the argument was ostensibly over Oliver’s treatment of Diggle.  

But she turns her back on him and walks away. I think this is the first time she ever actually turns her back and walks away from him. And it cuts him because maybe without him even realizing it they’ve gotten to the point where her opinion of him matters.

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Mmkay just so we are clear: Felicity as Oliver’s EA is just so delicious, one of my favorite things about season 2, and I absolutely think it helped bring them closer faster. I wishhhh we saw more of it on the show. Thankfully there’s EA fanfic, some of which I’m writing.

“Miss Smoak.” “Hmm?” “Would you get my guest and I some coffee?” HE IS ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY TRYING TO PUSH HER BUTTONS HERE. You can tell by his little smile that it’s a challenge. (ADORABLE!)

OH OLIVER, FELICITY HAS COME TO PLAY: “You know, I would Mr. Queen, but it seems someone’s broken our coffeemaker. Violently.” ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: PLAYFULNESS (and deeper respect).

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Oliver: “I got wrapped up in my own suffering and I forgot that some other people might be suffering too.” OH YOU THINK, OLIVER? At least we’re seeing the immediate payoff of Felicity’s influence right here. *sigh*

AND THEN: The coffee cup of emotions. “One.” She brings him that coffee because she can see he’s feeling down, and because she sees he’s apologizing to Dig and just generally trying. So the context of her bringing the coffee has entirely changed, which is why she allows it: this isn’t the action of an EA, but of a friend.

AND THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS HOW YOU BUILD A BEAUTIFUL, STRONG, SLOW-BURN SHIP BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT.

(further random thoughts below the cut)

Workout montage 😍

Season 2 Oliver in a suit is just something to behold. And then. The grey t-shirt. Which I am also very okay with.

(Not gonna lie, I skimmed through a lot of the flashback and Laurel stuff because honestly none of that ends up being really significant in the long run. And as I said earlier, I find Oliver/Shado to be icky, and Laurel in season 2 to be pretty annoying, so….)

So season 2 was the debut of Katie Cassidy’s new chin and I have never been a fan, sorry. I mean, a person can do what they want as long as it makes them happy, but there was nothing wrong with her original chin. :\

I had forgotten about the weird Laurel/Sebastian relationship thing. Uck.

*ring* “It’s Felicity.” (Oliver to Felicity:) “Tell me.” Those communication skills tho.

She’s just gained so much confidence in the Arrow Cave, too! Her voice, her attitude, it’s awesome.

(“Who in the hell could be feeding us year-old surveillance?”) Bwaahaaa, cute confident Felicity, that’s who!

Chien Na Wei is so awesome. I miss the old-fashioned fights that didn’t have progressively-unbelievable “canary cries,” if I’m honest.

Eermigerd tho this little BrOTP Oliver/Diggle scene: “I didn’t need one of your trick arrows.” “I couldn’t risk it. Where would I be without my black driver?” WHEN THESE TWO JOKE WITH EACH OTHER, YOU GUYS. It’s like the alignment of all the planets and there are like rainbows and puppies and library fines amnesty.

@jules85 @blondeeoneexox @hope-for-olicity @memcjo