#also: she’s brian may’s wife??

[starlightseraph]

if mrs flood doesn’t turn out to be the most complex, narrative-changing character in doctor who, i’ll riot.

[riaaanna]

‘Brian’s grandkids call me "Nana Neet"’

Anita Dobson on her favourite festive memories, finding fame overnight and why she’s a homebody at heart.

Anita is step mum to Brian’s three children

The festive season is fast approaching, and it wouldn’t be Christmas without an onslaught of feel-good films. While many of us will no doubt be sitting down to watch Nativity, Love Actually or The Holiday, there’s a new corker coming this year too. Entitled Christmas at the Holly Day Inn, it’s a family-friendly, multi-generational romantic comedy about an over-achieving executive who quits her job just before Christmas and goes to her father’s country inn to try to find some balance. Her father is played by former Dr Who Colin Baker, while his love interest is played by ex ‐EastEnder, Anita Dobson.

“We all need dreams and a bit of magic in our lives, don’t we?” Anita (74) tells Yours. “This film is perfect for the festive season. I’m playing a lovely character called Molly, who runs a café in the village where Holly Day Inn is situated. She has a soft spot for Ben, played by Colin Baker.”

Back in the real world, Anita – or Lady May – is looking forward to sharing Christmas with her husband, Queen guitarist Brian May (76). She’s also excited to spend time with his grandchildren – and his children, James, Louisa and Emily, from his marriage to first wife Christine Mullen.

“I thoroughly enjoy being a step-grandma to Brian’s seven grandchildren,” she tells us. “They range in age from late teens down to about five. They call me ‘Nana Neet’ – Neet is what friends and family call me.”

Anita and Brian live in rural Surrey, but the star grew up in London and she says her most memorable Christmas was when she got a red bicycle. “I must have been about seven,” she recalls. “I’d desperately wanted a bike – a few of the other kids in our flats had one, but mum and dad didn’t have much money. I couldn’t bear not knowing if I was going to get one, and I needed to prepare myself for disappointment, so in the early hours of Christmas Day morning, I crept into the living room to see. There it was by the tree – my red bicycle. I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I was. I went back to bed and when we got up, I pretended it was a big surprise.”

It’s hard to think of Anita and Christmas without recalling her iconic episode of EastEnders on December 25, 1986. Her character Angie Watts was served divorce papers by her philandering husband, Den, and the drama pulled in an extraordinary 30 million viewers. “If you do something that captures the imagination the way that EastEnders and Angie and Den did, you have to be proud of it,” says Anita, who recently starred in Doctor Who and a new series of Inside No.9. “I’m very proud of it. Thirty million viewers? Not bad, is it!”

Anita and Brian with family at his investiture earlier this year

While Angie and Den were famously fiery on screen, Anita says she and the late Leslie Grantham got along famously. “There was an instant rapport,” she says. “Leslie was amazing to work with because we never discussed it. He used to say, ‘Your mouth shuts, mine opens. My mouth shuts, yours opens.’ We knew exactly how to cover each other’s backs. It was remarkable.

“Playing Angie completely and utterly changed my life. I went from 0 to 100 practically overnight. Before EastEnders, I’d been a jobbing actress for a long time and then suddenly this gift of a role landed into my lap. Everything changed.

“The lady who ran the corner shop near where I lived in the real East End told me the bloke who lived across the road from me had been given a camera by the press and instructed to take a picture every time I opened my front door. I couldn’t believe it! It was like a rocket had taken off and I just had to hold on and wait until it landed.”

Which it did – to a certain extent – when Anita (74) decided to leave the soap in 1988. Her legacy lives on, though, and these days she says she is lucky enough to pick and choose her jobs.

“I don’t tend to do theatre tours which would mean me being away from home for prolonged periods, because I love where we live and our house and I want to spend lots of time there,” she reveals. “I always said that I would leave this life ‘in harness’ – as in still acting – but now I’m not so sure. I don’t plan on retiring but it’s true that these days, I only take jobs that interest me.”

Christmas at the Holly Day Inn is released November 6, 2023 on various streaming platforms.

From Yours magazine November 2023.

[nycbabyjoey]

The First Mazubas

NSFW 18+ Only

Contains ABDL Content

Note: This is a semi-sequel/prequel to a previous story I wrote. Click here if you'd like to read that one first!

It was Vīripār, the first night of Mazubas, when Natalie pulled out a Sievian book filled with old legends and myths to read to her former boyfriend turned baby, Brian.

Brian drank milk from his baby bottle, shifting his diapered butt into a comfortable sitting position on the ground as he prepared to hear his Mēmē read him a bedtime story. It was this day a year ago that Brian earned his position in diapers by filling his pants with cum in front of his topless girlfriend and it was a year that he had succumbed to filling his diapers in more ways than one while his Mēmē Natalie left him for Sievian stud Aleksis, earning them both residential status in the Sievian capital, Rezspils.

"Mēmē is going to read you a story before your second Vīripār," Natalie explained. "It's the tale of the first Mazubas and how the five nights of Mazubas came to be."

Brian looked up at his Mēmē with intrigue. He loathed Mazubas and what it had done to his life, but he had been looking forward to Vīripār all year for a chance to prove that he didn't need diapers so that he could ditch Sievia for good. Also, he hadn't learned much about where these insane customs had come from, so he was legitimately interested to be read to.

"A long time ago, the three goddesses descended upon the world of woman to ensure that womankind could continue throughout the ages," Natalie read. "There was the goddess of love, Ilgas, who delivered men and women the gift of desire so that they may partner up and raise children together. The goddess of death, Sarmīte, visited to remind humans that they must bear children to carry on their legacy following their timely ends, but promised to gift them long lives so that they may see their children raised to maturity.

"The most important of the goddesses, however, was Rasma, the goddess of fertility. She gave men and women the gift of izvat, which allowed them to create children together. She warned the people, however, that izvat was a precious gift that should never be wasted outside the act of sex between multiple partners.

"One man in Sievia could not help but izvat prematurely, however. This man was named Anatoli and he wanted to have a baby with his wife, Eleonora. Unfortunately, at the mere sight of Eleonora naked, Anatoli would izvat on Eleonora's chest, wasting his seed. Eleonora instructed Anatoli to trek and speak with the goddess Rasma praying that the couple may have child.

"Anatoli hiked up the Great Mountains of Magais for days to reach its highest point and be closer to the heavens so that he may pray to Rasma."

"Anatoli reached the peak of Magais and prayed to Rasma, 'Please, dear goddess, I wish for my wife to be with child.'

"Rasma appeared to Anatoli in all her glory. He finely sculpted body was too strong a sight for a mere mortal like Anatoli. She was unlike any human woman that Anatoli had seen with perfectly round, plump, and perky breasts that shined through her pure gold bralette. Though both beings were clothed, Anatoli could not resist making izvat in his pants at the stunning sight.

"Rasma chided Anatoli for wasting her great gift. 'You have wasted your izvat!' she cried out. 'You are no true man and my gift of izvat is misspent on one such as you who cannot help but untidy himself at the sight of a woman! I will grant your wife's wish. She should not have her prayers for a baby ignored simply because her husband lacks self-control. She will have her baby, and it shall be you!'

"Rasma pulled out a garment and commanded Anatoli to remove his clothing. He did as he commanded and Rasma placed the garment on Anatoli herself. It was a romblis like the ones made for babies, but it fit Anatoli perfectly and it was blessed with sacred enchantments. Every second that Anatoli wore the garment, he would izvat uncontrollably from the mere touch of the fabric against his genitalia.

"Anatoli starting convulsing immediately, spurting his useless seed in to his Romblis Maksis, which magically erased his izvat so that it would never fill nor ever need to be changed.

"'Crawl down the mountain and tell all of Rezspils what you've done here' Rasma decreed. 'Then, you will tell all the people there that they must share the gift of izvat with each other fully and publicly so that they you may witness how you've squandered it. The next day, you will be visited by my sisters who will treat you like the man baby you are.'

"Anatoli crawled on his hands and knees down the mountain as commanded, filling his romblis each second."

Photo credit: ridiculouslythickdiaper.org

"After days, Anatoli reached the village where the people awaited his return. At the sight of the grown man crawling in a romblis soiled with urine and feces from the long journey, the villagers burst into laughter. The pathetic display was a clear sign to them of Rasma's message - Men who izvat on themselves are no men at all; they are babies.

"Anatoli cried out Rasma's instructions, muffled by his sobs. The good townspeople delighted and obliged, tearing their clothes off and having sex all over town - through the square, outside the butcher's, in places of worship, etc.

"The Romblis Maksis continued to be filled with Anatoli's izvat as he witnessed the promiscuous sexual acts. Giant cocks swung around, large breasts bounced with each thrust, and sexual fluids spurted wildly at each other. It was a sexual celebration unlike anything ever seen as Sievia was reminded of the great power of Rasma's gifts.

"As Anatoli crawled to his home, he saw an unfortunate sight. His wife Eleonora was also on all fours in their flower garden, where she was being thrust into from behind by the town blacksmith. Anatoli wailed from heartbreak as he watched Eleonara's arms quiver harder and harder from each powerful drive of the blacksmith's enormous cock. The three of them did izvat together - Eleonara and the blacksmith into each other and Anatoli into his romblis.

"Eleonara saw Anatoli and wiped his tears. She said there was no reason for sadness; she finally had the baby that she had prayed to Rasma so often for! She took him inside of his own home where she changed his stinky romblis and put him to sleep at his new early bedtime."

Photo credit: ridiculouslythickdiaper.org

"The next morning, Anatoli awoke and remembered Rasma's declaration that he would be visited by the two other goddesses. It was just midday, after Eleonora had fed Anatoli his lunch, that the goddesses appeared before the former couple. The pair basked in the amazing glow of the beautiful goddesses and Anatoli couldn't help but fill his romblis in awe.

"Ilgas said unto Eleonora, 'Spend today with Eriks the blacksmith. He is your true soulmate. You two shall love each other as long as you both shall live.'

"Sarmīte continued, 'I will grant you two long lives so that you may grow old together. To make up for lost time, you two will be wed tomorrow morning. Your marriage to Eriks will be blessed by the three goddesses to be lifelong, passionate, and fruitful.'

"Eleonora cried out with delight, racing out the door to tell Eriks the good news. Meanwhile, the goddesses would tend to Anatoli, establishing him as the baby of the household so that Eriks would take the mantle of man of the house.

"Ilgas granted Anatoli a love of rombli so that he would never attempt to izvat in a woman or man ever again. Sarmīte granted Anatoli eternal life so that he would never grow old and therefore wouldn't need to procreate to continue his legacy. Anatoli would izvat in his sacred romblis for the rest of eternity.

"Ilgas and Sarmīte watched over Anatoli for the rest of the night, acting in the sacred role of mātre and changing his soiled romblis whenever Anatoli couldn't even remember to ask to use the bathroom.

Photo credit: ridiculouslythickdiaper.org

"Eleonora and Eriks returned two days later, married by the goddess Rasma and madly in love. The three goddesses spoke to the people of Sievia and told them to get together and pray. Pray that they appreciate the wonderful gift of izvat instead of blowing it in their rombli. Anatoli would be the center of their prayers as a grave reminder of the consequences of needlessly wasting their izvat.

"And so, all the people went out into the woods and formed a prayer circle around Anatoli. They stripped of their clothing to dance and chant, marveling at the sight of each other's bodies whilst managing to not izvat out of a lack of self-control.

"Anatoli, however, watched in the middle of everything, forced to izvat in his romblis every second of his now eternal life as punishment for his defiance of Rasma. The villagers prayed to the goddesses that they never forget the beauty of izvat and that they would only share it with each other.

"From that day on, the great people of Sievia knew that anyone who could not wait to izvat in order to make a baby was no better than a baby themselves. Any man who could not hold their izvat would be subject to a romblis from then on.

"And that's the story of the first Mazubas!

"Did you like the story, baby?" Natalie inquired. She looked up from her book for the first time to notice poor Brian squirming on the ground in his own romblis.

"Oh no! Looks like someone enjoyed the storybook a bit too much, right?" Natalie leaned down and stuck her fingers into the the leg hole of Brian's romblis to confirm. "Yep! You went izvat in your romblis just by listening to Mēmē's story! That's so freakin' adorable! Looks like you can stay home during this year's Vīripār. You've already proven that you still need romblis; what good would going to the dance even do? That's great because now I can tuck you in for an early bedtime before me and Dēdē go to the dance. Come on, little stinker. I see your eyes drooping already. And I still need to change your cummy romblis; if only you had a Romblis Maksis like Anatoli!"

On the first night of Mazubas, my true love gave to me; Tons of exclusive Patreon stories!

[mariacallous]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/17/samuel-alito-leonard-leo-gloria-von-thurn-und-taxis-napa-institute

Well then.

The supreme court justice Samuel Alito and a German aristocrat and “networker of the far right” from whom Alito accepted expensive concert tickets, are both linked to an ultra-conservative Catholic US group whose board members include the dark money impresario Leonard Leo and the founder of a hardline anti-abortion Christian group, documentation reviewed by the Guardian shows.

In 2018, Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, told the New York Times about attending a dinner hosted in Rome by James Harvey, an American cardinal and hardliner, and sponsored by the Napa Institute, a group founded by Timothy R Busch, a conservative Catholic businessman and political activist.

Leo, 59, is an activist and fundraiser who worked on the confirmations of all six rightwing justices who now dominate the supreme court, Alito among them. Now controlling billions of dollars in funding for rightwing groups, Leo is a director of the Napa Institute Legal Foundation, also known as Napa Legal Institute, and the Napa Institute Support Foundation.

Also among Napa Legal Institute directors is Alan Sears, founder of the Alliance Defending Freedom. The ADF was the principal driver of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case in which the supreme court ended the federal right to abortion, with Alito writing the ruling handed down in June 2022.

In 2017, the Napa Institute hosted a two-day symposium at the Trump hotel in Washington, during which Alito attended a dinner.

Writing for the Washington Post, John Gehring, an author and reporter, said the symposium “mixed traditional Catholic religious practices with moments that felt uncomfortably nationalistic”, including a “reading in the rosary booklet from [the Confederate general] Robert E Lee that [seemed] … stunningly insensitive at best … at a time when the ‘alt-right’ and white nationalism are basking in the glow of renewed attention and proximity to power”.

Alito is not the only supreme court justice with links to the Napa Institute. In September 2021, as part of a series sponsored by the group, Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at the University of Notre Dame.

“The court was thought to be the least dangerous branch and we may have become the most dangerous,” Thomas said, attacking judges he deemed to be “venturing into areas we should not have entered into” – meaning politics.

Thomas and Alito, however, have been the subject of numerous reports about undeclared gifts from rightwing donors, fueling an ethics crisis now stoked by news of Alito’s acceptance of concert tickets valued at $900 from von Thurn und Taxis.

Von Thurn und Taxis, 64, is a former punk turned billionaire, also known as Princess TNT, with close links to the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. News of her gift to Alito was accompanied by reporting of further links between the two, including a picture of Alito and another rightwing justice, Brett Kavanaugh, posing at the supreme court in 2019 with the German socialite; Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, a German hardliner; and Brian Brown, a prominent US anti-LGBTQ+ campaigner.

Von Thurn und Taxis told German media that Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann, attended a concert at her castle in Bavaria last year as “private friends”. In emails to the Guardian, the aristocrat clarified: “We never speak about politics nor religion at the table, because we believe it limits the possibility to make friends.”

The socialite, who rejects the label “networker of the far right”, also said it would “never occur” to her to speak about “touchy subjects” like abortion with someone she knew socially, and claimed not to know that “the Dobbs decision” referred to the supreme court abortion rights ruling written by Alito.

In a speech at the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels last April, von Thurn und Taxis said European leaders were “financ[ing] the killing of our offspring” in an apparent reference to the availability of reproductive rights in Europe. She added: “Does this make any sense? Is there some kind of racism? Are we not supposed to reproduce?”

Alito and his wife have also been outspoken about abortion and other hot-button cultural issues. In June, the progressive activist Lauren Windsor released recordings in which Justice Alito agreed that the US should “return … to a place of godliness” and said, “I don’t know that we can negotiate with the left”. Regarding her supposed persecution from those on the left, his wife said: “Look at me, look at me. I’m German. I’m from Germany. My heritage is German. You come after me, I’m gonna give it back to you.”

Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, which campaigns for court reform and which highlighted links between the German socialite, the Napa Institute and Alito, said: “When a supreme court justice like Samuel Alito pals around with influential rightwing figures like Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and Leonard Leo, it raises concerns about fairness and impartiality.

“These relationships aren’t just about gifts. They reflect a deeper effort to manipulate our legal system in ways that could impact the rights of everyday people.”

Ciccone added, “What’s disturbing is that this happens behind closed doors – at parties at the Bavarian castle – away from public scrutiny. We’re talking about relationships that can affect everything, from reproductive rights to environmental protections” – both the subject of recent supreme court rulings widely seen as victories for the political right.

“The American people deserve a judiciary that serves justice impartially,” Ciccone said, “not one that can be bought.”

[snuffink]

I doubt I'll ever actually make a MCD rewrite, gods know my fixation will die down long before I'd get anything on paper or even finish rewatching the whole thing, but it's still fun to share what ideas I have come up with, so here we are!

In a hypothetical rewrite, I would change a bunch of dynamics. If I were to write mcd, a large portion of season 1 would be relationship focused. And I DON'T mean romantic necessarily, I mean building relationships, fleshing out the town, making the audience really get to know the characters and how they interact with each other.

My biggest focus is on Aph's closest friends, so here are my current ideas and hcs!

(Note here: I mention aroace dynamics, I am aware that it's a spectrum, I myself am on the spectrum, I just haven't decided how it would work with Aph herself so it's vague.)

Garroth:

Still in love with Aph

Laurance is his best friend, depends on him when he can't depend on Aph

Views Dante as a younger brother or son

Much less jealous and possessive over Aph, accepts that she may never feel the same, though is causes him heartache.

Has a habit of "adopting" people, most likely due to his past and feeling like a failure to his younger brothers. (Zenix, Dante, Levin, Brian etc)

His closest friends are Aph, Laurance and Dante. Unlikely friendship with Dale and Logan along with Cadenza

Laurance:

Likes Aph, though mostly mistakes his loyalty and fondness and genuine friendship for love. Aph is just as important to him as she is in the series, it's just not romantic love

So much less pushy. So so much less pushy.

They play flirt with Aph, as they do in the series. (Example, the table scene in s1)

Puts his feelings for her aside whenever needed. She needs a guard? He's there. She needs a friend? She's there. She needs to gossip? Girl, what'd they do this time?

Tries to gently push Garroth to do something, anything about his feelings. The pushing turns less gentle after the SK business though it's not his fault

Father/Big brother figure to Malachi.

He's closest with Aph and Garroth and Cadenza, very close with Dante as well, though they don't know each other as deeply as the others do.

Probably friends with Katelyn and Nicole as well, they spar together from time to time.

Gossips with Lucinda from time to time, they shit talk over tea

Yip probably really likes him

Dante:

Sibling like relationship with Aph

Ridiculously loyal to her

Definitely closest to her than anyone else

Had a super good relationship with Nicole, would have stayed together had their interest not clashed.

Dante would have wanted to stay in touch but Nicole needed time to herself

Started getting close to Nana after their split

Loves children, father/big brother to Malachi and Levin

An absolute goof, loses braincells with Laurance, Garroth and Aph. (All of them are super capable by themselves, absolute dumbasses together)

Aph:

Not romantically interested in any of them (I haven't decided if she's on the aroace spectrum or just not interested in men, but I just don't imagine her liking any of the guys)

Views Dante as a brother, Laurance as her best friend and Garroth as a close friend

Has always kind of felt like there was a wall between her and Garroth, couldn't explain it

Genuinely unaware of Garroth's infatuation until the ending events of s1 or then the dreams of s2

Confused over Laurance and others teasing Garroth

Made an effort to get to know Emmalyn after their bad blood died down, recognising her own issues with boundaries and respecting people's space

Unlikely friends with Emmalyn, though it gets tainted a lil after the Irene discovery

(In case not aroace: Zoey is her wife, though this could also be interpreted as platonic. In any case, they are wives and share a friendship that could only be seen as soulmates.)

Considers Laurance and Zoey her platonic soulmates, feels as though the two understand her better than anyone could or would.

Bonds with Aaron particularly well, though they have no romantic involvement.

Aaron:

Not in love with Aph

Sees his late wife in Aph along with his son in Levin and Malachi, and they end up helping him heal over time.

Forms a special type of bond with Aph, and finds himself able to rely on her much more than anyone else

Begins bonding with the others first over their shared hatred of Zane

Due to his time as a lone wolf, he struggles greatly with talking to people for a while

'Fast' friends with Dante, the two bond over the loss of their villages and family.

Surprising friends with Logan, along with Brendon and Emmalyn.

Becomes a father figure of sorts to Dante, Levin, Malachi and other youngins in the town.

Enjoys sparring with people, but begins first doing it out of necessity to be stronger, though it overtime becomes something he truly enjoys

Soft spot for kids

Ferociously protective of Aph due to their close relationship and her resemblance to his wife.

Ends up finding peace in Phoenix Drop, willing to do anything to protect it

Helps Levin figure out lord stuff with Aph.

[scoobydoodean]

Thinking about 4.11 “Family Remains” and how Dean keeps insisting to Brian (the dad) that he will save Brian’s family—that he will put himself at risk for them and he will find Danny.

Eventually, Brian asks Dean straight up why he cares so much—why he's willing to put himself at such risk for them. Dean doesn’t get to answer.

We know from the start of the episode that Dean has been hunting non-stop to cope with his trauma. That's made pretty obvious at the beginning of the episode:

SAM: What are you doing? DEAN: What's it look like I'm doing? SAM: Like you're looking for a job. DEAN: Yahtzee. SAM: We just finished a job like two hours ago. DEAN: Adrenaline's still pumping, I guess. So, what do you think... Cedar Rapids, Tulsa, or Chi-Town? SAM: I am all for working. I really am. But you got us chasing cases nonstop for like a month now. We need sleep. DEAN: Yeah, we can sleep when we're dead. SAM: You're exhausted, Dean. DEAN: I'm good. SAM: No, you're not. You're running on fumes, and you can't run forever. DEAN: And what am I running from? SAM: From what you told me. Or are we pretending that never happened?

We've seen this behavior from Sam before too—Sam pushing back to back hunts in 1.19-1.20 to cope with his anger, and in 2.11 (due to guilt over Ava) and in 2.19 to deal with Madison's death, and in 3.11 to deal with Dean's (temporary) death. We'll see it in the future too—the brothers displaying a need to work to get through something.

So it’s easy to say Dean is simply pushing himself to "be the hero" in 4.11 because of guilt about Hell and leave it at that. I do think Dean believes in atonement (we get hints about this in 4.05), but I think the reason Dean insists on being the person to jump down in the first hole they find instead of Ted, and then insists on going down the second compartment to find Danny when Brian is ready to do it, is also because Dean has a feeling they're going to have to kill this girl, and however scary she may be—however violent—she's also a victim of horrific abuse, and taking a life is always a serious thing. So Dean's trying to spare Brian from that trauma.

Dean doesn’t want Brian to have to take a life and (no matter how justified the kill) feel like a monster. Dean already does feel like a monster (no matter how justified his actions were, no matter how understandable it was because it was born from decades of torture... he still feels and deals with terrible guilt). So Dean takes on the highest risks and puts himself on the front line, upping the chance that if anyone has to do any killing tonight, it'll be him.

Dean does end up killing the boy in the walls in self defense, and the camera focuses on Dean staring at his body as Sam enters, while a sad theme plays in the background, and then we get this look from Dean:

This is the first time in the series that either brother kills a human (besides a demon meatsuit) and a teenager at that, so there's a special weight to it.

But Brian still ends up killing the girl in the walls immediately after this, and that scene is one of the more horrifying ones, because it's shot in a way that casts Brian as the monster lurking in the dark.

Earlier in the episode, we establish the horror of the anticipation of having ones legs grabbed.

DEAN finds a hole in the floor and looks through. TED: You're not going down there. DEAN: Well, do you want to? TED says nothing. DEAN starts down. DEAN: Please nobody grab my leg. Please nobody grab my leg.

And when Brian attacks the girl in the walls, from the perspective of his wife Susan and his daughter Kate, all we see is the girl suddenly get dragged out into the dark by the legs.

Then we focus on Susan and Kate as they listen in terror to the sound of her screaming as she's stabbed over and over and over.

When Brian knocks on the door they jump and scream.

After Susan opens the door for Brian, she backs away from him almost warily.

They see the knife—the blood on his hands and clothes.

Brian saved them, but he's shot as the monster who reaches out and grabs you by the legs. We cast the girl in the walls as a smaller monster (ultimately just a child who can easily be overpowered) snatched up in the jaws of a much bigger fish. All despite the fact that Brian did what he had to do.

SAM: You okay? DEAN: You know, I felt for those sons of bitches back there. Lifelong torture turns you into something like that. SAM: You were in hell, Dean. Look, maybe you did what you did there, but you're not them. They were barely human. DEAN: Yeah, you're right. I wasn't like them. I was worse.

[storiesforallfandoms]

history repeats itself ~ gwilym lee

word count: 2836

request?: yes!

“hey, i saw you wrote for Ben Hardy so I was wondering if you would write for Gwilym Lee? If not ignore this lol. I was thinking something like he meets the reader on set and they immediately hit it off, and the resemblance of her to Brian May’s wife is uncanny (let’s pretend he’s had just the one) and it’s kinda like a history repeats itself thing? idk if that made since. maybe Brian and Roger noticing and just being so amazed seeing that happening in front of them? thank you, and obviously since i have no explanation skills take complete control!”

description: when she gets cast to play the wife of a rock legend, everyone realizes how similar she and her on screen husband look to the originals

pairing: gwilym lee x female!reader

warnings: swearing, rpf

masterlist (one, two, three)

It was such a small role, one that didn’t even have any lines. But to me, it was huge. It was a small role in a massive blockbuster movie: the Freddie Mercury biopic. It would be the biggest job of my career. Up until that point, I had only been an extra in a few sitcoms. Having a small, silent role as Brian May’s wife in a Freddie Mercury biopic may seem like a small step up from what I’m used to, but the scale of the movie made it a massive deal for me.

I wasn’t sure if I’d get the role. There were hundreds of other actresses just like me - desperate for even the smallest roles in such a big film - were lined up to meet the director and casting director. It was such a small chance of getting it I thought. Until I walked into the room and both of their eyes widened when they landed on me.

“Holy shit,” the casting director breathed. “She looks just like her.”

I was cast on the spot. I nearly sobbed in happiness. I managed to keep the tears in until I got to my car and could call my parents to give them the news.

A few months later, I was preparing for my day on set. It was a party scene that was taking place at Freddie’s mansion at the height of their career. The other band members - Brian, Roger, and John - were there with their wives/girlfriends. The scene mostly required us to sit by our assigned on-screen husbands while they conversed. It was an easy day, and it was only going to take one day of filming, but I was still nervous. I had already met up with the director and some of the cast involved in the scene, but today I was going to be meeting the main four actors and two members of Queen.

I was just finished with wardrobe and was on my way to hair and makeup when I came across one of the main actors, Gwilym. I had been told about him after being cast, since he was the one playing Brian May, but I hadn’t met him yet. I suddenly felt nervous as I approached the hair and makeup trailer, where Gwilym was stood outside the door also waiting. He looked up as he heard me approach and smiled.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi,” I said back. “I’m (Y/N).”

“Gwilym. Nice to meet you.” He reached out and shook my hand. I hoped he couldn’t feel how my hands were shaking. “You’re playing Brian’s wife, right? Well, my wife I guess.”

I chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m getting all dolled up for my one day on set to film my one, dialogue-less scene.”

“Hey, there’s no such thing as small parts remember.”

I made a face at him. “You sound like my old theater teachers.”

Gwilym cringed. “That’s the last thing I’d ever want.”

I laughed. The door to the hair and makeup trailer opened and two other extras came out. The stylist greeted us and told us to come in. I sat in one chair while Gwilym sat in the one next to me. I watched the stylist grab a long, brunette wig and place it next to Gwilym.

“I’m gonna have to do Gwilym’s wig firs since that’ll take the longest,” she told me. “So, sit tight, and try not to mess up your wardrobe too much.”

I nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

I watched the process of applying Gwilym’s wig. It really did take a long time. First, a bald cap had to be applied to Gwilym’s head. Then, the wig was placed on his head in a few different ways to figure out the best placement. Once that was figured out, the wig had to be pinned down in a way that made it look natural on his head, and not like a wig.

“So,” Gwilym said, trying his best not to move his head. “Since we’re going to be here a while, and since we’re playing a married couple, I suppose we should get to know one another.”

“Sure,” I said with a laugh. “What do you want to know?”

“Is this your first movie?”

“It is. Until now I was just an extra in a few sitcoms. I had one line once, that’s the extent of my career.”

“Well, extras are important. Without them, a scene would look so stupid if it was just the main characters.”

I shrugged. “I know that, and I know every actor has to start somewhere, but I’ve been doing this for roughly five years. Performing Arts schools are expensive and I sometimes worry I made a mistake persuing acting.”

I saw Gwilym’s eyes quickly look over at me before looking back at the mirror in front of him. “It’s never a mistake to chase your dreams. It just takes time. You have to play the small parts in order to get experience for the big ones.”

“You’re right. It’s just taking so long. But I’m here now, so that’s a step up.” I shook my head. “Anyways, away from my career insecurities. Tell me a bit about you.”

We talked throughout his wig applying process. We exchanged embarrassing childhood stories, talked about how we got into acting, general details about one another. I had forgotten about the fact that I was waiting to have my own hair and makeup done by the time Gwilym stood from his chair.

He looked at himself in the mirror before turning to me. “How do I look?”

I tilted my head as I looked up at him. “Scarily like Brian May.”

He chuckled. “That’s good, then. They won’t fire me anytime soon. I’ll see you on set?”

I nodded and watched him go. I felt a little disappointed by the fact that he was leaving. I had really enjoyed talking to him. The next time I’d see him would be on set for the scene, where we wouldn’t be able to talk, and then once that ended I’d never see him again.

The stylist started going my hair and makeup. She showed me a picture of Brian and his wife in the early 80s, which was when the scene was set, as the inspiration for my look in the scene. It was subtle, but it was clearly 80s. It didn’t take as long as Gwilym’s had, and soon enough, I was on my way again.

I stepped out of the trailer just as Gwilym was walking up again. He was now in his costume, looking so much like a young Brian May that it was scary.

“Right on time,” he said. “I was coming back to walk you to set.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” I said, but I was touched by the offer.

“I didn’t have to, but I wanted to, so I am.” He offered an arm to me, like a gentleman. I took it and we started walking to set. “Besides, it’s a big scene with a lot of people. It might be nerve wracking to walk on set by yourself with all those people.”

“It is. Especially with meeting the rest of the main cast at the same time.”

“Oh, they’re all a bunch of wankers, you don’t have to worry about meeting them.”

I giggled. “You can’t say that about Brian May and Roger Taylor, though. And they’re going to be on set, too.”

“No, you’re right. But they are very kind. You don’t have to worry about meeting them. I’m sure everyone will like you. Even if they didn’t, who cares? You won’t have to see them again after today.”

He had a point, but it was still sad to hear out loud. I had been preparing for this day for so long, excited for my first big project. And now, within a matter of hours, it would all be over. I’d be sent back home, waiting for the next role to come up, hoping that maybe this movie could help with that role being a bigger one than just an extra. Back to my normal, boring life.

Saying goodbye to Gwilym.

I had managed to shock myself with that thought. I had only known Gwilym for maybe an hour and a half, but the thought of only having this day with him brought on a bit of sadness. He was so kind, and he seemed so genuine. I had never been on a set where the main actors even acknowledged that the extras existed, let alone be nice enough to walk one to set after talking to her for some time.

Not to mention he was extremely handsome. Especially when he smiled, like he was smiling at me now.

God, don’t develop a crush on the guy you’ll never see again after today.

My heart rate jumped the second we walked on to set. Gwilym wasn’t lying when he said there was going to be a lot of people in the scene. The mansion set was packed with people, so full that there was just barely enough room to move around. I was hoping this was the only amount of extras that were set to be in the scene, or else I think my nerves would go into over drive.

The director spotted Gwilym and I almost immediately and led us over to where we were set to be for the scene. Rami, Joseph, and Ben were already sat around having a laugh as we walked up. They happily greeted Gwilym, and he then introduced me to the lot of them. They were very nice and welcomed me in almost immediately, but it was still pretty surreal to be there with them. Especially Joseph, who I had seen in Jurassic Park when I was just a kid. I almost felt out of place there, but I could tell I wasn’t alone. I introduced myself to the other girls who were playing Ben and Joseph’s on screen love interests, who also looked just as out of place as I felt.

We were all sat around together when the buzz in the room suddenly turned into a hush. It wasn’t hard to know what had just happened: they had arrived.

Brian May and Roger Taylor themselves.

Rock and roll royalty.

I looked over and my heart leapt into my throat at the sight of them. It was hard to believe that they were actually real. I had been listening to Queen’s music all my life, but it wasn’t until this moment that I truly realized that these legends were actual real people.

Actual real people who were walking towards us.

I jumped when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked over to see that it was Gwilym’s hand. When I looked at him, he smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back, the nervousness in my stomach being replaced with butterflies. His hand moved down my arm and squeezed my own. I squeezed his hand back.

“My God.”

I looked up to see Brian and Roger stood over us. I tried to put on my best smile, hoping it wasn’t as obvious as I felt it was that I was shaking. Brian was looking between Gwilym and I, a look in his eye that I couldn’t quite place. Reminiscent, maybe?

“They did a spot on job casting for this movie,” Brian commented. “It feels like I’m looking into a mirror with you two.”

“If there mirror were about 50 years younger,” Roger teased.

“You speak from experience, don’t you old man?” Brian retorted. I couldn’t help but chuckle at their banter. Years of friendship and knowing one another, and they were still cracking jokes and poking fun. I hoped to be like them with my friends when I got older. “What’s your name, love?”

It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. In fact, there was nothing going on in my head at all. It was like I had completely forgotten every little thing I had ever learned in my life. How does one continue to function after Brian May calls them “love”?

“This is (Y/N),” Gwilym said, saving me from my colossal choke.

“Yes,” I finally managed. “Sorry, my name is (Y/N). I’m a little nervous.”

“Nothing to be nervous about, darling,” Brian said. “You already have the look of my wife down. And it seems you and young Gwilym here have already gotten quite acquainted.”

I didn’t realize that Gwilym and I were still holding hands. I expected him to let go at that moment, as if he were just realizing as well, but he didn’t. Instead, he kept hold of my hand, giving it another reassuring squeeze. I wondered if the blush on my face was noticeable under the makeup.

The director called for places, so Brian and Roger took their places off set. I let out a sigh of relief after they were gone and moved into place with Gwilym.

“See?” he whispered to me as we were passed glasses of fake champagne. “They’re not that bad.”

“Their presence alone is a little terrifying,” I whispered back.

“But you got through it. Seems Brian’s taken a liking to you. Although, that’s not surprisingly considering how lovely you are.”

I was convinced this was all some sort of very long, very detailed dream. I was going to wake up at any given moment.

The scene went by very smoothly. It wasn’t hard to just look between the boys as they spoke, smiling when I was supposed to smile, offering a sour look when Rami arrived, acting as a rather rude Freddie. It felt like Gwilym was moving closer to me with each take that we did. First we started off sitting in separate chairs, until the director asked if we would switch and sit in the couch that Joseph and his lady friend had been sat in. Gwilym had moved towards me at the start of that take, and by the final take of the day our bodies were touching and his arm was around me. I was glad I didn’t have any lines, or else I would’ve likely forgotten every single one of them.

When the director called cut and said it was a wrap on the scene, I tried not to let my sadness show. The extras started to file out of the room, going to get read for a different scene that they were filling for. Not me, though. I was going to wardrobe to get my outfit taken back, and then I was going home. If I was lucky, I would be invited to the premiere, otherwise I would never see any of these people again.

I wouldn’t see Gwilym again.

Ben, Joseph, and Rami were kind enough to give me a hug and tell me they were happy to have met me. I told them likewise and started my way back to the wardrobe trailer.

“(Y/N)! Wait!”

I turned to see Gwilym rushing up towards me.

“Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for your next scene?” I asked him.

“Yes, but I wanted to talk to you before you left,” he said. “Look, I know this is a bit presumptive to ask because we only really spoke to one another for that time in hair and makeup, and I have no idea if you’re even single so maybe I’m about to make an ass out of myself, but I wanted to ask you if you’d like to go out this evening once I��ve finished on set.”

Everything in my brain? Gone.

Every last bit of it.

Gone.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. It had to be a dream, right? There was no way it was real. I would’ve pinched myself if it wouldn’t have made me look like a total idiot in front of Gwilym.

“Yes,” I said. “ I mean, yeah, sure, I - I would love that.”

His face lit up. “Yeah? Okay. Here, let me give you my number.”

We both realized we didn’t have our phones, so we had to do it the old fashioned way - Gwilym found a pen and paper, and wrote down his number for me. I took the paper and shoved it into my pocket.

“I’ll text you once I’m no longer part of the 80s,” I said, gesturing towards my outfit.

He chuckled. “And I’ll do the same.”

We both stood, just looking at each other for a moment. It wasn’t until Gwilym was called back to set that we finally, reluctantly, broke away to go out separate ways. I put my hand in my pocket and closed it around the piece of paper containing Gwilym’s number. I smiled to myself, having to restrain myself from skipping happily towards wardrobe.

I guess history really does repeat itself, I thought with a laugh.

[lawfulgoodsir]

the screw tourniquet, the HICKEY knife, and 19th-century women in trades

I'll be adding to this post as I find more details.

---

The same maker's mark decorates several recovered Franklin Expedition artifacts - including this tourniquet clamp recovered by Schwatka's 1879 expedition near Victory Point. (In this Petit-type model, a band would be threaded through the slots; the "screw" could turn, tightening the band around a limb, to stop circulation.)

("A Petit's-type wooden tourniquet screw clamp", Royal Museums Greenwich)

During the 2019 season, Parks Canada archaeologists observed another tourniquet clamp in the hold of the Erebus.

(I was slightly intoxicated when I first came across this image and thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.)

("This Petit-type tourniquet was documented during remotely-operated vehicle exploration of the main hold, below the lower deck. It almost certainly fell into the hold from above." - Parks Canada)

Because the artifact hasn't been recovered, I don't know the maker - I'd love to have a different angle on this photograph to see whether there are differences between the Schwatka tourniquet and the one currently in situ on the ship. (The thread seems longer on this one & I'm having difficulty visualizing the upper platform.) If this one also contains a Millikin maker's mark, that might indicate that expedition surgeons purchased multiples from the same company. If it's a different maker, that's exciting too - it could mean new leads on business records that might link certain surgeons to certain companies.

Astute observers and fans of the show may notice that another key artifact bears the same mark - the HICKEY knife introduced through John Rae's 1854 expedition. ("MILLIKIN 301 STRAND LONDON" is stamped on the blade.)

("Knife", Royal Museums Greenwich. Several other knives associated with the Franklin expedition are also labeled with Millikin's mark; they have been conveniently grouped in the museums' online database.)

So who was supplying these tools?

In most of the interpretive texts accompanying these artifacts, the authors identify John Millikin, surgeon's-instrument-maker, as the manufacturer. According to Dr. Brian Stevenson's biography entry, Millikin operated a business at 301 Strand from 1815 to 1833.

(William Battersby made a claim in 2009 based on this info that the HICKEY knife was a repurposed surgical blade - I disagree, as Millikin also advertised himself as a cutler at several points in his career. I'm intrigued by the fact that there are multiple different types of instrument sourced from the same manufacturer, though. I'm currently scouring the internet for more information on who was doing the buying.)

Dr. Stevenson's biography also reveals a potentially fascinating detail: that John Millikin died in 1833, leaving his business to his wife Martha. "...that my said Trustees shall permit my said Wife she remaining my Widow to carry on my Trade or Business of a Surgical Instrument Maker and to use and employ for that purpose such parts of my personal Estate and Effects as shall be then used or employed as capital therein..."

(John Millikin's will, sourced by Dr. Stevenson through ancestry.com. Highlights mine.)

Stevenson notes that Martha would move the business to 161 Strand "between 1844 and 1847" and would ultimately still operate it under her husband's name until her death around 1854. Obviously, things can be obtained secondhand - but if these artifact instruments were purchased new in that 1833-1844 window, there might be a chance that these naval officers interacted at 301 Strand not with John but with Martha Millikin, surgeon's-instrument-maker.

The world of nineteenth-century trades in London is a large one, and something in which I have absolutely no expertise, but I'm always curious as to the involvement of women in medical- and surgical-related businesses. At any rate, I think it might add yet another layer of complexity to the Franklin artifacts. :)

[broadwaydivastournament]

Marin Mazzie in Caricature

"Passion," Published July 25, 1994 - Al Hirschfeld

Pictured: Marin Mazzie, reclining nude, and Jere Shea

"Passion," Published August 21, 1994 - Al Hirschfeld

Pictured: Jere Shea, Donna Murphy, Marin Mazzie

"Ragtime," Published January 25, 1998 - Al Hirschfeld

Also featured: Peter Friedman, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and the original cast of Ragtime.

"Kiss Me, Kate," Published November 14, 1999 - Al Hirschfeld

Pictured: Brian Stokes Mitchel and Marin Mazzie

Marin has been the subject of four Hirschfelds, some of which you've already seen in these posts. Though PBS may have made the sad decision to censor Marin's big nude scene in the professional taping of Passion, Al Hirschfeld had no qualms about depicting her in the way she was meant to be. I do think, however, even in his final attempt, he was never able to accurately capture the sheer size of this woman's mouth.

Pictured: Husband Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie, 2010

Marin was honored with a Sardis caricature in 2000 during her Tony-nominated run in Kiss Me, Kate, and ten years later, she returned when her husband Jason received his. At the time, they were starring as the husband-wife duo in Next to Normal. While the expanse of her mouth is certainly featured, it's still not quite what I'd expect.

Pictured: L: Marin Mazzie and the cast of Next to Normal, 2010 | R: Marin Mazzie and Daniel Dae Kim, The King and I, 2016

Pictured: L: Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley benefiting the Cancer Support Community, super rare, 2018 | R: Marin Mazzie in portrait, Autumn 2015

At last, someone was able to do justice to Marin's signature mouth size. Like Carol Channing, Marin's mouth is the stuff of Broadway legend. Sources even say that when she was younger, she'd put her whole fist in it as a party trick.

Pictured: L: Tribute to Marin Mazzie, commissioned, 2018 |

"The day Marin passed, I got an email asking me to pay tribute. I don’t want to seem dramatic, but since Marin is a friend, I was in the midst of my own small grieving process, so I used the assignment as part of it all. This was the result. We will always think of Marin when we see sunflowers." - Justin "Squigs" Robertson

[mostremote]

Fic(?) (sort of): "Therapy Sessions"

Hey folks, no "real" fic this week as I'm working on my drafts for We Wild Creatures - Part 2 (also I've had two big academic projects due). But a week without eversnow would be sad indeed, so here is the first part of my unfinished "therapy fic". I've posted a bit of this before, but here's the first piece in full, "Session 1". I'm not posting this on AO3 because it's an insane premise and I'll never finish it, but here we go. I'll post the other sessions (I've written 4-5) in due course.

President Snow and his unwilling wife Katniss attend couples therapy to improve their relationship and her disintegrating mental health. This story details their sessions.

18+: References to sexual violence

Snow has selected a room on the western side of the estate for their sessions. In the mornings the parlor is cool, darkly protected from the sun, but by the afternoon a rich haze of gold seeps through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. It is a pleasant, unpretentious room. Pale carpets, mint-green walls, a wide cream couch. It doesn’t smell like the rest of the house. It doesn’t smell like him.

‘Neutral ground,’ Snow describes it as he walks down the hall. ‘A safe space for you to express yourself. This room will have no other purpose than our sessions.’

Katniss follows, always a step behind him, keeping distance between them. Her hand remains loosely yet readily slung over the hilt of the knife in her belt, which now rings a loose, cornflower-blue silk dress. Snow let her keep the knife, but not her pants. He bestows on her strange mercies.

They reach a door like any other and Snow knocks. It’s his own home; he doesn’t have to knock. This is a gesture of respect for the sanctity of the space.

The door is opened by an unassuming man in his early forties, with a tidy flop of lightly greying hair and a neat pair of bottle glasses. He doesn’t so much smile in greeting as offers an expression of pleasant welcome.

‘Mister President,’ he says by way of greeting. ‘And Mrs Snow. I am Dr Astor. Come on in.’

They enter, and Katniss pauses to assess the flood of sunlight and the huge windows. An escape point, if she needs it. Not that she could get very far. Gardens, then walls, then guards with guns. Her escape attempts have not been successful.

‘Please sit,’ says the therapist, and he seats himself on a low armchair.

Snow takes the middle-left of the vast cream couch, absolutely comfortable, at ease with everything. Katniss sits too, pressed as far away from him as possible, and stares out of the window. If she threw herself into the glass, it might kill her. If it didn’t, she could take a shard and open her throat.

But what would be the point of that? And what would happen to the baby?

The air is soft and quiet. Comfortable, patient. Air without pressure or expectation. There is a coffee table with a pitcher of water and box of tissues, in case she should need to weep. Will she weep? It is hard to say.

‘Welcome, both of you,’ says the therapist. His voice is soft and measured. There is none of the latent threat that always weaves through Snow’s voice. Katniss immediately believes he is good at what he does. ‘Before we start, I’d like to know how you’d both like to be addressed. This is a safe, private space, and we may discuss intimate matters. Many patients prefer to be addressed by their first names, but not all. It’s whatever you’re most comfortable with. You can call me Dr Astor, or Brian.’

Snow smiles. ‘Coriolanus is fine.’ Katniss doesn’t answer. Snow answers for her — as he so often does. ‘You can address my wife as Katniss.’

Dr Astor’s eyes rest on Katniss. ‘Is that alright, Katniss? Would you like me to call you anything else?’

She gives a tiny shake of the head. Her hair glimmers in a fall of golden brown, lit by the sun. Her eyes do not leave the gardens beyond the glass.

‘That’s good,’ says Dr Astor. He says nothing for a moment, breathing calmly, and Katniss realizes she is jiggling her leg with anxiety. She forces herself to stop. ‘So. I like to start by talking to couples what brought them to therapy. Sometimes each person has a different answer. Coriolanus, could we start with you?’

Snow is open-faced, genial, polite. ‘Of course. Well, Katniss and I married at short notice, as you are aware. I would like us to build a strong relationship, but she has seemed… reluctant. I thought therapy could help.’

Dr Astor’s eyes turn next to Katniss. ‘And for you, Katniss? Why do you want to be here?’

She gives a listless shrug. ‘The same reason.’

‘Well, the next thing I would like to ask is what your goals are in therapy. It might not be immediately obvious what those are. Goals could include emotional goals, such as feeling happier, or less anxious. Or they may be more practical, like being able to do a certain activity together.’

‘My goal,’ says Snow, ‘is to work on our relationship. I am sure there are smaller aims that comprise that. Sharing physical intimacy, for example. Katniss doesn’t let me touch her.’ He pauses. There is a spice of resentment in it. ‘Sexual intimacy, too. I would like us to be able to share that. And I would like us to be a strong father and mother for our child.’ He nods, eyes elsewhere. ‘Those are my goals.’

Dr Astor’s eyes turn to Katniss. ‘And for you, Katniss?’

She doesn’t bother with the shrug this time. Her voice is flat, dead static. ‘The same.’

‘Alright,’ says Dr Astor. ‘Katniss, I notice you haven’t spoken very much. Is there anything particularly troubling you?’

Katniss shakes her head. ‘No. I want to be…’ She swallows something bubbling in her throat: a sigh, a scream. ‘I want to be whatever he thinks I have to be. Just help me figure that out so… so I can… keep him happy.’ Her voice drops. ‘So my family can be safe.’

‘That’s an interesting way of phrasing it,’ says Dr Astor, and he sounds genuinely interested. ‘Coriolanus, do you feel the same way? Do you want your wife to be whatever you think she has to be?’

Snow frowns. ‘No, no, of course not. Unless you mean I want her to be happy.’

Katniss feels Dr Astor look at her again. ‘Katniss, can I ask you a question?’

She nods vaguely.

‘Would you describe yourself as a happy person?’

Katniss cannot suppress a smile of insane disbelief, but she tries to bite it away.

‘This is a safe space, Katniss,’ Dr Astor continues. ‘I want you to be honest with me.’

Katniss’ eyes roll with sarcasm and skepticism.

‘Katniss,’ says Snow, and he shifts his body to look at her. She does not look back. ‘He is telling the truth. This therapy won’t work if you’re not going to be honest. You have my word that nothing you say in here will incur any negative reaction from me. No punishment, no repercussion. I want you to feel safe to express yourself.’

Katniss snakes her eyes back around to Snow, her body wary, ready to run like a hare in the field. ‘Seriously?’

Snow smiles. ‘Yes, seriously.’

She stares, then turns her eyes to the therapist. He is so calm, a zen garden of a human being. ‘Okay,’ she says. ‘No, I would not describe myself as happy.’

‘How would you describe your emotional state?’

She takes a breath. ‘Terrified. Anxious. Upset.’

‘What terrifies you?’

Katniss tries not to look at her husband next to her. ‘That if I do the wrong thing Snow is going to murder someone I care about. Or the war is going to start again and he’s going to do something awful.’ She pauses, briefly. ‘Or he’s going rape me again.’

Dr Astor, to his credit, is not remotely thrown by any of this. He nods, absorbing this information like the calmest, most certain sponge. ‘That’s a lot of things to be worried about. There are two things I want to tell you. The first is that we can’t control external factors, only our emotional reactions to them. So that is something I want to work with you on.’ His eyes flick to Snow. ‘The second thing is that some of these external factors are within your husband’s control. Now, it is not my place to tell a man how to govern the country.’ His broad smile is ringed with dimples. ‘But in working on your relationship, as a couple, some of those concerns are matters he might be able to help.���

Snow inclines his hand in a gesture of mild, polite defensiveness. ‘I cannot do much about Katniss’ concerns about the war. But I have no wish to murder anyone she cares about, unless they pose a threat.’

Dr Astor nods. ‘These are heavy topics. I’d like to talk about the final one on your list, Katniss, if that’s okay. And if it isn’t, that’s okay too. We don’t have to talk about anything right now that you don’t want to discuss.’ He leans forward. ‘You say your husband raped you. Coriolanus, do you agree with that?’

Snow bends his head in a supplicatory nod. ‘I do. I did rape her.’

‘Okay. That’s really good. It’s a very good thing that you can admit that, and that we’re on the same page. I want to talk about why you did that, Coriolanus, and I want to talk about how it made your wife feel.’

‘Of course,’ says Snow, and he leans forward slightly, legs apart, fingers interlaced. ‘Well, Katniss was married to Peeta Mellark at the time. The two of them needed to have a child, of course, to make their marriage more believable to the Districts. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that Mr Mellark was up to the task.’ In the brief silence that follows, you can just hear Katniss swallow in outrage and disgust. ‘I had to intervene. It is important to me that Katniss understands that the rape was not an act of perversity on my part. It was necessary for the stability of the country.’

‘You felt obligated to rape your wife?’ says Dr Astor, his voice like a calm field of wheat.

‘I did. She wasn’t my wife at the time, of course. I could have hired a man to impregnate her, but what complications would that cause? It’s not like hiring an assassin. A man who makes his living from rape is not a citizen whose existence I wish to endorse. He might have hurt her. And if a baby did result, he might develop feelings for the child. That is not to say anything of potential diseases or genetic disorders that he might pass on. It made much more sense that I carry out the deed. Generally, I prefer not to get my hands dirty. Not out of squeamishness, it is simply more practical for the President to outsource wet-works. But this was a rare instance in which everything was so much simpler if I did it myself. And it allowed me to ensure the experience was as painless for her as possible.’

‘Thank you for being honest with me,’ says Dr Astor. ‘Can I clarify some details? When you raped your wife, she was married to another man, Peeta?’

‘That is correct,’ says Snow. ‘Their child, of course, is really mine.’ He tilts his head. ‘I had intended to let them raise the child together, but… When I saw little Martia again, I fell in love.’ He breaks into a huge, delighted smile. ‘I never had time for my first son, and he’s long grown up. I very much enjoyed the time spent with my granddaughter, and it made me regret not being a better father. With little Martia I have a second chance.’

Dr Astor nods slowly. ‘I see.’ He looks back to Katniss. ‘It sounds like you’ve been through a lot in the past year, Katniss. One marriage, a child, and now a second marriage. That must have been a big change for you, to go from one relationship to another so swiftly.’

Slowly, jaw clenched, Katniss turns her gaze on the therapist. ‘Peeta and I weren’t in a relationship.’ Her voice is weak and cracked. She speaks so little, these days. ‘Snow made us get married, to stop the rebellion. Then he made us have a child. Then he got bored with the marriage, and made me marry him instead.’ The brief fire dulls again. A shrugging headshake deflates her. ‘I’m just his toy.’

‘That isn’t true,’ Snow cuts in. ‘You’re being uncharitable, Katniss.’

Dr Astor holds up a hand. ‘I understand it can be painful to hear your wife express her feelings. Sometimes we might feel things that other people don’t agree with. But it’s important in this space that we hear both of your feelings and why you feel that way, and then we can try to help work through the issues precipitating them.’ He looks to Katniss. ‘Would it be alright if we discussed the rape, Katniss? Can you tell me how the rape made you feel?’

Katniss remains silent for a very long time. She lets her mind wander. She thinks of the worst things she has ever experienced – fire, blades, killing, bleeding, starving, screaming – and she thinks of Snow, rocking an erection inside her. Then she shakes her head. She cannot tell this stranger how being raped made her feel. Nor can she tell Snow.

‘That’s alright,’ says Dr Astor. ‘We don’t need to discuss it today. This is just about figuring out what you want from these sessions.’ He pauses, still looking at Katniss. ‘May I ask, is “rape” the term you’d most like to use to describe the act? I want to validate your feelings, but it can be a difficult word.’

‘It was a rape,’ Katniss says immediately. ‘I don’t want to sugarcoat it.’

‘We sugarcoat things for a reason,’ he says. ‘A pill covered in sugar works just as well as one without. Language is important for how we frame things, and how we think about them.’

‘I think about it as a rape.’ Katniss delights in her voice having come back to her throat. ‘He raped me. And he wants me in this room, talking to you, so he can rape me again and pretend it’s something else.’ A huge breath fills and empties her lungs. She does not dare look at Snow. Has she gone too far?

‘Thank you, Katniss. Thank you for telling me that. That must have been difficult for you.’ Dr Astor turns to Snow. ‘Coriolanus, how does what Katniss just said make you feel?’

‘Irritated. I’ve explained to her I have no wish to rape her again. I want her to consent to any sexual activity.’ He tsks. ‘I do not like repeating myself.’

‘Exactly,’ says Katniss, feeling stronger, more able to bite back. ‘He wants me to consent to sexual activity. Which would never happen. So it would be rape.’

‘Katniss,’ says Snow, and his voice is gentle. ‘What I would like to gain from these sessions is mutual understanding and recognition. I would like us both to get our relationship to a point where the prospect of sexual intercourse isn’t rape. I do not, as you say, want to rape you and pretend otherwise.’

Katniss’ breath rattles through her like she’s a snake tail.

Dr Astor speaks softly. ‘What do you want, Katniss?’

To go home. To kill Snow. To escape.

She says, ‘I don’t know.’

Dr Astor nods. ‘Well, that’s about all we have time for today. I think we covered useful ground. You both opened up about some difficult subjects. I have some homework for you both.’

Snow smirks and raises his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Oh goody.’ He allows this man to patronize him, just a little. Too much, though, and he’ll have him shot.

‘I want you both to list five things that you want to achieve in therapy. I want you to do this separately, and I don’t want you to confer. Those can be big ideas or very specific things. Can you both do that for our next appointment?’

Katniss shrugs. What does she want to achieve? Nothing, anymore. She is nothing.

Snow stands, Dr Astor stands, and Katniss does too. ‘Thank you, doctor,’ says Snow, and he reaches out to shake the man’s hand. Katniss does not do the same.

[windingcorridor]

In January ‘23, my wife was 5 months pregnant with our first child. Our daughter was beginning to kick a lot and my wife had the idea, “You know, she hears me talk all day long at work. Why don’t you read to us at night so she can hear your voice more?”

Redwall was the book I decided to read, and was the first book my daughter ever heard.

I had read most of the series when I was a preteen, since I was lucky enough to go to a grade school that had a library. Most of the books in that now-gone building were your standard middle grade fare: Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Jack London, that kind of stuff. My school took part in that Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program, so we were incentivized to read and read often. Going through the stacks, 10 year-old me stumbled upon a whole shelf dedicated to this Brian Jacques guy. The cover was neat, too- a mouse? With a sword? “Heck yeah,” I thought. I read one, then another, then another. I ate a lot of pizza that year.

Redwall has become a touch point for so much fiction for a reason. The world is immediately appealing- here we have an abbey built with warm sandstone, populated with mice, badgers, squirrels, moles, etc. They have delicious feasts, talk of legends, have funny dialects, and are good to each other. Their world is then threatened by a horde of evil rats, and the ensuing story is the hero’s journey 101, but is executed wonderfully. There’s a history to Redwall Abbey, and you can feel the world’s promise of deeper lore simmering beneath the surface. Books meant for children aren’t typically this rich, and it’s no surprise Redwall spawned 20+ sequels.

One thing that should be mentioned is that this is story of a war, and that comes with a lot of death. Sometimes, that death is surprisingly violent! Jacques never lingers on it for long and the detail is left mostly up to the reader’s imagination, but for a ten year-old, it did teach me pretty early that violence can be both very cool and very, very awful.

I need to also mention the wonderful chapter head illustrations. More books should have these, in my opinion. Perfect tattoo fodder for, say, a couple looking to commemorate the first story that was read to their newborn daughter?

Speaking of, our daughter, Clover, was born May 2, 2023. Over the course of the last few months, we finished reading Matthias’ story of triumph over the horde of Cluny the Scourge. My wife & I were emotional over the ending, with our daughter cooing between us. Redwall has claimed a forever spot in our hearts.

We immediately started in on Mossflower, the sequel. Here’s to many, many more tales of heroic mice, dastardly villains, and food so delicious you can smell it off the page.

[obsessivelollipoplalala]

About Queen I'm really just looking forward to get more into them but there's like a ton of things left and right and decades of history so do you have any book or documentary or something that you like or think is a good starting point.

Ohhhh yes. I’m glad you asked because I’m not exaggerating when I say most Queen documentaries and books have a fair amount of bullshit in them, and most of that bullshit surrounds Freddie Mercury, due to the world’s apparent inability to cope with his being a gay man. Do NOT read anything by Lesley-Ann Jones. She’s published lies about multiple celebrities and has appeared in some Queen documentaries to keep spreading her bullshit. Do not listen to anyone who said Freddie had a romantic/sexual relationship with actress Barbara Valentin (she was a terrible liar).

For books, I actually made a post about this before, but I can talk about it again. A great starting point is Mercury and Me, written by Jim Hutton, who was Freddie’s partner for the last 6.5 years of his life. It’s a very accessible read that is honest and presents one of the most human pictures of Freddie out there, flaws and all. To me, it’s an essential read for anyone interested in Freddie as a person, and I think it was really important for Jim to tell this story, which would’ve been erased otherwise by PR. I read it 5.5 years ago and have not been normal since lmao. Here’s a PDF.

Don’t Stop Us Now by Thor Arnold and Lee Nolan is a short, fun book about Freddie’s time with them in the gay scene in NYC. It has a lot of pictures and a portion of the proceeds go to the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Thor and Lee were true friends to Freddie.

I’m going to recommend the first couple of books by Freddie’s personal assistant, Peter (Phoebe) Freestone, because I think they’re largely factual. But Phoebe does have a strange view of Freddie sometimes tbh—his takes are colored by hero worship and his own biases, in my opinion, but that’s another post.

For the actual band, Queen in 3D is really fun. It’s a collection of the 3D, stereoscopic images Brian May took of the band, along with his commentary and anecdotes about the pictures. It’s not a memoir, but it’s the closest thing we have to one from any of the band.

That’s it for starting point books. I can recommend two documentaries with no caveats: The Final Act and Days of Our Lives.

The former is about Freddie’s final days with his illness and also contextualizes his death in the larger AIDS epidemic. It came out in 2021 and features Brian, Roger, Anita (Freddie’s good friend and Brian’s wife), Kashmira (Freddie’s sister), and Peter Freestone. It’s quite sad, though. Days of Our Lives also heavily features Brian and Roger and focuses more on the band as a whole.

To start with, that’s really it. Similar to the books, there are documentaries where true stories are told and/or reliable people are interviewed, but they’re caked in between such bullshit that I can’t recommend them to new fans. The doc Freddie’s Loves, for example, has Jim Hutton, but the rest is trash lol. The Great Pretender also has a really nice section about Jim and interviewed Terry (Freddie’s driver), but they interviewed Lesley-Ann Jones and spread her lies. The Untold Story has good parts and interviews reliable people....but it focuses way too much on Mary Austin (homophobic ex-girlfriend) and her egotistical narrative of being the Ultimate person in Freddie’s life.

Days of Our Lives and The Final Act mainly interview a small circle of people who were actually close to Freddie, and are relatively minimal with bullshit. Those recommendations come without caveats. It looks like TFA is on YouTube

[renee-writer]

Frank Chapter 97

AO3

She cradles her newest nephew. “Weel braither, we might just use up all the apostles spoons after all.”

 

Jamie smiles even as his heart races. He holds tight to Claire’s hand. She feels his pulse pounding under her fingers.

 

“We may.”

 

“Geillis, I am so happy you are here. Now, I might have been able to deliver him but have much more practice on the other side.”

 

Geillis laughs. She stands next to Claire’s lying in bed. Her hands are sweaty and she wipes them on her skirt.

 

“I am glad I am as well.”

 

“Though the reason for it be quite sad.” Ian says as he crosses himself.

 

“Aye.” Jenny agrees.

 

“We brought you here to do more than introduce you to Henry Brian,” Claire starts out, “we have something to tell you.”

 

“You’re not leaving are ye?”

 

“No, this is our home. Geillis shall be staying for awhile as well.”

 

“Ah, you are welcome.” Jenny nods towards her with a smile, assuming that was their news.

 

“Thank you kindly.”

 

“That isn’t all,” Jamie starts, “we have been keeping a secret from you. As Geillis shares the same one, it is past time you were told.”

 

“A secret?” Ian  frowns over at his heart brother and best mate.

 

“Aye Ian. It isn’t something we could just blurt out at the dinner table.”

 

“I am not who you think I am. Now I am Claire Fraser  Jamie’s wife, mama to the children. I just have a extraordinary past.

 

It started when Frank wanted to go on a second honeymoon. After the second world war… We fell through the stones. It was like nothing I had ever known… I knew, I just had to convince myself that we were in the past…He wasn’t Beauchamp, that isn’t Franklin ‘s true last name, it is Randall… no way to explain that to Colum or Dougal…our marriage was, is out of love. I thought myself in love with Frank. I wasn’t… That is why I know so much about medicine, working in the middle of a massive war… I know it is a lot. Do you believe me?”

 

She spoke for a half hour without interruption. Her sister and brother -in-law listen with wide eyes and partially opened  mouths.

 

“I kenned there be something different about you right from the first. There have been stories about the Stones, about those that vanish without a trace. Aye Claire, I believe you.” Jenny says though numb lips. Claire can breath again.

 

“You said Geillis has the same story?” Ian is equally shocked and believing.

 

“Aye, I fell through a bit later, in 1967. Was, or am a full doctor. My knowledge is great as well. Mine was also an accident. Thought of going back through but decided my skills can be better used here.”

 

“Amazing. That you would both be Women of Balhain and would find each other.”

 

Jenny agrees with him. “A God given miracle. What a blessing you will both be to our people,” she rises on shaking legs and hands the baby back to his mama, “so much to discuss but I believe I need to lay down for awhile.” Ian leads her out with a smile.

 

“That went quite well.” Geillis says.

 

“Aye indeed.”

 

Claire nods agreement as she starts Henry Brian nursing. Much better than she anticipated.

[johnica-weeks]

Brian and Chrissie

Brian May (19 July 1947) 💕 Christine Mullen (birthday unknown, likely born in ~1950)

Married in 1976/1977 (sources report different dates)

Divorced in 1988

Children:

Jimmy May (15 June 1978)

Louisa May (22 May 1981)

Emily Ruth May (17 February 1987)

Christine was born in Leeds circa 1950 and she was student from the Maria Assumpta Teacher Training College, in Kensington (London) (like Veronica Deacon)

In 1968 Chrissie’s flatmate, Josephine “Jo” Morris, was dating medical student Roger Taylor, who played drums in a band called “Smile” and run a stall in Kensington market selling second hand clothes with a friend who called himself Freddie Mercury. When Jo took Chrissie along to one of “Smile”’s gigs at Imperial College she was introduced to Roger’s friend and bandmate Brian May, who played the guitar.

Theirs became a stable relationship and they soon moved in together in a small apartment with a cat, Squeaky. Bran recalled in 2010: "It was probably the happiest time of my life. I was living with my future wife in a bedsit about the size of this table. We lived on cod in a bag, we had one gas ring, we had no problems in life." Brian was busy with the band, sometimes with Chrissie and sometimes without, but Brian's strict father loomed on them: “When Queen was taking off, we didn’t speak (Brian and Harold) for nearly two years. He also hated the fact that I was living with a woman, who turned out to be my first wife, Chrissie. He thought it was immoral, I couldn’t understand it.” The second disapproved thing was the choice of music instead of astronomy. And so, after around seven years of relationship, Brian and Chrissie got married to please Harold May, soon welcoming baby Jimmy in 1978.

Like with Dominique, we have plenty of photos of Brian and Chrissie on tour and at parties. She followed him pretty often, even with children, and they seemed inseparable whenever she was there. Chrissie is much shorter than Brian, with full curves and very long straight hair. Despite touring with Queen, though, she's a very private person, we don't know much about her personality and Brian tried to protect his family's privacy as much as possible.

However, the straining routine began causing strains in their marriage as well. Years later, Brian recalled: "It’s very hard to adapt back to normal life. I was married and I had kids and the marriage survived the whole touring life really well. It was only when I stopped touring that things fell apart, because we couldn’t adapt to living ‘a normal life’."

In 1986 Brian fell in love with actress Anita Dobson, and not even the birth of his and Chrissie's last child Emily in 1987 could save the marriage. They divorced in 1988 and Chrissie has kept a retired, very private life since then.

Prompts - Day 2: Brian and Chrissie (13th April)

Hair, hair, so much hair!

Opposites attract

Please, I really need you to hold me right now.

White Queen, how my heart did ache

Brian & Roger's ships week 2023 rules and prompts

[saintmeghanmarkle]

📃 Megalist of 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 and Other 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 in H&M’s Political Orbit 📃 by u/SeptiemeSens (Part 2 of 3)

📌 Link to Tumblr post Part 1 of 3

📌 Link to Tumblr post Part 3 of 3

📌 Other notable names:

Ari Emanuel - CEO of William Morris Endeavor (WME) and famed Hollywood super agent who signed H&M in May 2023 to become power players in film and TV production, brand partnerships, and endorsements.  Ari is a prominent Democratic Party donor and his brother Rahm Emanuel is the former mayor of Chicago, former Chief of Staff for President Obama, and currently U.S. Ambassador to Japan [source 1 // source 2 // source 3]

Donald Trump - When H&M relocated to Los Angeles in March 2020, former President Trump tweeted that they'd have to pay their own way. Trump has great respect and admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II and he's also a fan of King Charles. However, he is *not* a fan of Meghan. As for Harry, Trump said: “I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it.” [source 1 // source 2 // source 3 // source 4]

Doug Emhoff - husband of Vice President Kama Harris, aka the 2nd Gentleman. H&M met with Doug at the Project Healthy Minds summit in New York City on World Mental Health Day 2023 [source]

Gavin Newsom - Governor of California. Allegedly two (2) weeks before the 2020 election, Meghan had an hour-long virtual meeting with Newsom. Newsom had been under pressure to appoint a woman of color, possibly Meghan, to replace California senator Kamala Harris if she became Vice-President. In May 2024, Gavin publicly defended Archewell Foundation's "delinquency" status [source 1 // source 2]

Ivanka Trump - During President Trump's term, Ivanka made national paid leave for families a significant part of her portfolio as Senior Advisor. Her goal was to expand upon the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide for paid coverage. In a significant policy win for Ivanka in 2019, Congress voted to provide all federal workers with 12 weeks of paid parental leave [source 1 // source 2 //source 3]. This was two (2) years *before* Meghan's open letter to Pelosi and Schumer. Important to note that Meghan was very much an Ivanka fangirl for many years and even interviewed Ivanka for The Tig [source 1 // source 2]. 👉 slideshow of Meghan cosplaying Ivanka through the years

Jacinda Arden - Former Prime Minister of New Zealand was among seven “extraordinary leaders” interviewed on Live to Lead, a Netflix documentary series inspired by Nelson Mandela. It was presented by H&M and co-produced by Archewell Productions. However, upon the release of this documentary in 2022, Jacinda's office immediately distanced herself from the Sussexes stating that her interview actually took place three (3) years prior in 2019 and that her involvement had nothing to do with H&M, who were only brought in at a late stage. In 2023, Jacinda was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Prince William's Earthshot Prize [source]

Jessica Mulroney - M's former bestie, stylist, and maid of honor is married to Ben Mulroney, son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Jessica was also fashion adviser to Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, former wife of Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Jessica and Ben Mulroney are close friends with Justin and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau [source 1 // source 2]

Johnny Mercer, Member of Parliament (MP) - In April 2024, Harry was found by a High Court to have "breached a confidentiality ring" when he emailed information to his friend, the Veterans Minister and MP Johnny Mercer concerning his legal battle over his UK security arrangements. Harry was ordered to pay 90% of the Home Office’s legal costs of defending his challenge [source]

Justin Trudeau - Prime Minister of Canada first met Meghan in 2016 through the One Young World summit. Harry and Justin also connected in 2016, over the Invictus Games to be held in Toronto the following year. When Megxit was announced, Justin said that he was supportive of Harry and Meghan’s move but refused to say whether or not Canadians were paying to protect the royal couple. More than 80,000 Canadians signed the Canadian Taxpayers Federation petition telling Trudeau they were opposed to paying for H&M's security costs with taxpayers’ money. After public backlash and immense pressure from Canadian taxpayers, the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] ceased providing its protective policing services for H&M as they had formally stepped down as working royals [source 1 // source 2 // source 3]

post link

author: SeptiemeSens

submitted: June 04, 2024 at 11:46AM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[brian-in-finance]

Ed Sheeran and Caitriona Balfe lead the line-up for this week's Late Late Show

Ed Sheeran is joined by Caitriona Balfe and Philly McMahon as the star guests of this week's Late Late Show.

It's the final month with presenter Ryan Tubridy at the helm of the show. After 14 years in the hot seat, the Dubliner turns his attention to other projects.

On the release day of his latest album Subtract, UK superstar Ed Sheeran joins Ryan for an exclusive chat where the star opens up about the death of his late friend Jamal Edwards and his tough 2022 when wife Cherry was diagnosed with cancer.

Ed Sheeran will chat to Ryan about the highs and lows of 2022, where he lost his best pal Jamal Edwards, and his wife Cherry was diagnosed with cancer. Pic: JMEnternational/Getty Images

Ed will also discuss the Irish influences on his music career and life, and as well as an acoustic performance of his hit single Perfect, the singer also has a surprise for Ryan which leaves him speechless.

Outlander star and Monaghan native Caitriona Balfe will be in the studio to chat about the enduring success of the Prime Series which is now in its seventh season.

The 43-year-old will detail how she missed the infamous Oscars slap from 2021 when she attended the awards for her hit movie Belfast.

The stars of the new RTÉ One show Gaelic in the Joy will also pop in for a chat about the upcoming TV show which airs on May 17 on RTÉ One.

Outlander star and Monaghan native Caitriona Balfe will be in the studio to chat about the enduring success of the Prime Series which is now in its seventh season. Pic: Stuart Wallace/REX/Shutterstock

Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon, comic Rory O'Connor (Rory Stories) and Mountjoy Prison governor Edward Mullins will discuss how they took a group of prisoners participating in a rehabilitation programme and prepared them for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play at Croke Park.

Five models will showcase the amazing designs of some of the youngsters who are competing in Junk Kouture, the largest sustainable fashion competition in the world.

The winning designs selected by a panel of judges will compete against 50 other teams from Abu Dhabi, London, Paris, Milan and New York to become the second-ever World Designer of the Year.

It's the final month with presenter Ryan Tubridy at the helm of the show. After 14 years in the hot seat the Dubliner turns his attention to other projects. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Celebrations are in store also, as Ryan chats to former players in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ireland Women's National Team.

The women will discuss the dedication and determination it took for them to become the first women to represent the country at senior level.

Music and entertainment will be provided by singer Rachel Mae Hannon who sings her new song The Boys for her debut on the show.

The Late Late Show airs at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Extra

Brian’s Note: episode airs Friday, 5 May 2023, 9:35 p.m. GMT+1

Remember when she appeared on The Late Late Show two sleeps before the 2023 IFTA Awards?