#and I've always adored interracial couples

[theangrypomeranian]

if anyone besides me ever writes for Henry and Susmita I will kiss you on the lips

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

You know what's a Zutara argument that baffles me super hard?Saying it's less heteronormative than Kataang.Sure,Kataang has a few problems in it's writing but at least it has a strong friendship to build up their feelings and a lot of sweet moments that make you root for them and it has a brown skinned woc being adored and respected by her love interest who is a poc too!Meanwhile,Katara deadass hated Zuko except for like the last 3 episodes but the fandom just expects her to like him because he's a hot guy who's older than her.Plus if anything,the proper solution to the Kataang thing would be to ship Katara with her girl friends like Toph,not pair her up with the closest guy around

The whole discussion of "is this ship heteronormative" is pointless. People don't fall in love with someone because it would be "woke" to date them, and people shouldn't ship things just because it would be "woke."

Yes, Aang and Katara can related to each other's experience with grief and oppression, and that does have a big thematic importance in the show since "war is terrible" is the whole message, but they'd still be friends and fall in love without that.

Seriously, I really want to take away the word "heteronormative" from the internet. Just like "problematic", it had a meaning, and now it's pure bullshit.

I've seen people call gay couples heteronormative because one person is "feminine" and the other is "masculine", and they seriously think that shit is progressive instead just a new version of the old homophobic question of "Okay, but who is the man and who is the woman in the relationship?"

Aang is the protagonist, Katara is his best friend. Them getting together is just the writers following a popular trope, not a form of discrimination, and it's time Zutarians stop acting like "My fanon ship never became canon" is the same "I am being oppressed."

They ALWAYS pull that shit. "Oh, if you don't ship Zutara you hate women! This is the ship I first wrote fanfic about when I was a teenage girl, so that means it is the feminist ship and EVERY woman likes it! Not liking it also means you support abusive relationships! Nevermind that fiction is not the same as reality AND that Kataang and Maiko are not abusive! You're also racist because you don't want the interacial couple to get together! Please ignore that Kataang is also an interracial relationship!"

People can ship whatever they want, but they gotta stop pretending they're ending homophobia, sexism and god knows what else just because they don't like the main pairing for a show. Shipping is not activism.

[kim-ruzek]

As another woc I'd like to thank you and you're anon for your opinions on Hawkami I enjoy reading the different perspectives. Personally I've come to adore them, upon a rewatch I didn't find it that bad and see these otherwise very smart and driven people as just love sick fools who didn't know how to navigate a tricky situation without having to give something up. Which was ultimately how Hawkins won me over by finally letting something important give when her quality of life was on the line.

Hello !!! I am Very happy you enjoyed reading the different perspectives!!

And YES Hawkins ultimately doing that did warm my heart and is why I think they can come back from this!!!

I think one issue is that yeah, you've got them spot on with that assessment. But a lot of my ickiness comes from the fact even more with relationships involving a poc, especially a woc, is that the relationships that you'd say write with just a white couple has to have a little bit more thought put in when it's interracial. That's not to say this wouldn't be problematic if they were both white, bc it still would be, but violet being a woc just adds an extra layer on top of that. And it's like with a white couple sometimes you can more easily get past the problems and just see it as the love sick fools trope, but with it being interracial I think a lot of us gets caught up more. Which is why I critise the writing because it does just boil down to them being love sick and not knowing how to handle this situation, but you always need to consider the interracial aspect.

That being said, I do adore them, and I think overall, especially if you overlook the problematic element (especially when you consider how the writing for woc usually isn't great so at least the writers are being consistent!), last season's arc of them was very very good and narratively satisfying.

Thank you for sending me this ask!!! I always get so happy and gleeful at interacting with other woc in this fandom, so it was absolutely lovely to hear from another one. And I'm happy that upon another rewatch you didn't find it that bad, or at least redeemable! 💖

[anincorrectpetunia]

On Fitz and his lil' friends...

Ya gotta have friieeeeeends...

...I’m not sure I like the him seeking a friendship with Kenny without the presence of Liv. It seems as though he’s trying to keep Liv close—though he says different. ...As for the flower plant, I remember Olitz talking about the different types and what they represent. He might have left her flowers that represent an apology because she blames him for basically ruining her relationship—which is absurd. --Guest/@edelineSchneid3

I know you feel differently about the flowers after Olivia's episode, but I al so hope you now feel differently about Fitz and Kenny? I don't think Fitz was overstepping by establishing friendship with Kenny. Olivia doesn't own Kenny, nor does she own Fitz. These are autonomous people. And I think Fitz tried to be clear when he went to Kenny that his wish for friendship was not a consolation prize. That's why I had Kenny put up his defences at first. He didn't want to be used. I hope I conveyed that they forged friendship in a hopeless place in both their lives, and turned it into something that is really meaningful in the present storyline (we'll see more). Olivia and Fitz come to have individual friendships with Kenny but also have a relationship with him as a couple (which episode 9 points to).

I loved that he chose to be vulnerable and confide in Alvin. Alvin seems a good choice of confidant, and Fitz needs an emotional support system. He's all alone the poor guy! With his fucked up Dad and Olivia running away. I'm glad he's making some good friends and is getting his own life. It's awesome. ...

His reunion with Kenny was sooooo sweet! And so layered. Man! It never occurred to me that Kenny would actually miss Fitz and be hurt that he stopped coming to the lounge. Or that watching Olitz fall in love would make him yearn for his own lost love, or to feel that love again with someone new. But of course! Brock makes sense now. I am totally here for the Fenny bromance. I wanna read all about it. They are adorable.--@aprillea

Thank you for highlighting the moments between Fitz and Alvin and Fitz and Kenny. One of the themes for Fitz's episode was about the different ways men interact with each other (family, friends, professional, even romantic). I wanted to show different types of connection between men, as well as what it looks like when men forge adult friendships that aren't based in sports or performative 'bro' stuff.

it's nice to see an Olitz writer tackle how Fitz's straight, cis, white male blinders impact the way he treats others. I really enjoy the overarching commentary on the challenges of interracial friendships and romantic relationships. ...I also really appreciate that you don't shy away from topics like Big Jerry's racism and the unspoken hurdles Fitz faces teaching at an HBCU.--@jilyandbambi

Thanks :). I really wanted to get BJ's racism just right lol. Fitz's blinders are at their worst when he's being very self-indulgent--either pain or pride. But, I enjoy wearing in real issues where I can...so long as it feels authentic to me. And I think Fitz needs a way to learn about blackness that doesn't leave it up to Liv.

Also I hope Kenny can find love again not only with just anyone, but someone who can live and love openly and freely as well. He deserves that happiness!--@kmack348

I feel like I always leave the same review, so here it is again: I love your writing. The way you write Kenney, the dialogue that you weave, everything flows so effortlessly and is a joy to read.--@kelleekellkell

I want Kenny to find love again, too. We'll see if he's open to it when we get back to the present timeline.

Kelleekellkell: you could literally cut and paste the same review for each episode and I'd still be grateful. Just say what's on your heart, Boo. I appreciate it. And I LOVE that you love Kenny so much. As the first of a growing cadre of OCs, it means a lot.

Was Kenny too harsh with him [Fitz]? Maybe. But Kenny is broken too and maybe the best person to help Fitz get his act together because at least his love still walking the earth. I'll see what happens.--@ScandalOnica

Kenny was harsh, and I think he recognised that. That's just the way it is sometimes. But, as you said, he was hurting and needed someone but could not admit that. Fitz piling on his problems just wasn't helpful when Kenny was internally dealing with grief that he was keeping to himself. But, I think you're right that they could help each other if they could empathise with what the other is going through.

Oh, Kenny. He broke my heart in this chapter, hearing about what happened with Tariq. It also sheds more light onto why he was so heated with Fitz in pt. 1 of Ep11, this time of year has to be really painful for him. I enjoy Kenny as the Greek Chorus of the main storyline, but giving him a backstory and fleshing him out as a character in his own right-again-adds to the immersion. Also, I stand by my statement that Kenny deserves better than Brock. I think he would do better with a more emotionally mature partner, he does enough emotional labor!--@jilyandbambi

You can thank ScandalOnica for Kenny becoming more fleshed out. She wrote a beautiful thought about his penchant for being a source for others instead of pursuing his heart's desires. She wondered if, perhaps, this was due to his past experiences. I thought about it, and I wondered why he was with Brock in the present storyline. What's he trying to prove or accomplish? When I started writing Fitz's chapter, it felt like Kenny was this 'B' story that then dovetails with Fitz's narrative. That they could help each other. As I've said before, I did not know how much Kenny was going to be present when I introduced him. But since you guys got attached, I've added more.

As for Brock, I don't disagree with you ;).

[empirex1020]

I hate how so many people seem to assume you must be a racist if you are a reylo and/or don't ship finnrey. It's like, No, I actually shipped finnrey for the first half of TFA and thought This is great! Is this gonna be Star War's first interracial couple? They're adorable!

However, by the time the TFA interrogation scene and its sexual undertones made an appearance, I started to have doubts that FinnRey was going to be the main "ship" (Like Han and Leia or Padme and Anakin). And then the TLJ came out and all doubts were removed. It's kinda obvious now FinnRose and Reylo are happening. I'm sorry, but it's not racist to anticipate where cannon is headed and being ok with that.

I've always loved a good redemption arc. I've always empathized with the tortured antagonists (My love of Loki knows no bounds). I find Kylo Ren/Ben Solo fascinating and I'm rooting for Bendemption.

Now. Are some Reylos racist? Possibly. I mean, statistically speaking, it's probable there's fans like that out there. But in the year I've been a part of this fandom I have never seen any anti-Finn posts from the people I follow or any posts from them that indicate racism to me. I'm even gonna go out on a limb and say the majority of Reylos I've encountered have no problem with people shipping FinnRey. It's just not a ship that draws them in and that's ok.

To claim that an entire swath of people are racist because they don't 'ship one particular interracial couple is... well, nonsense. Because THIS reylo was shipping Wash and Zoe when y'all were in elementary school. And I'm still not over them!

I'm a season 1 Bamon shipper and I also predicted Rick and Michonne were going to happen. So 😝.

Some of my favorite IR ships:

(Yes, I ship Valkyrie/everyone. My girl crush on Tessa Thompson is getting out of hand and I don't care.)

I understand that interracial couples in entertainment are a rarity. I feel that this is starting to change, though. And I hope we get more IR couples and more POC playing important roles in tv and movies. I understand how important representation is. But please don't paint everyone with a broad brush simply because they have a different interest from you.

[wesonerdy]

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a wonderful end of summer treat: great acting, well-paced plot, and all the swoony, teen-y feels. This is the quality, RomCom content we deserve!

Courtesy of NETFLIX

  When I saw the first trailer for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before earlier this summer, I just knew that I needed this film in my life, so much so, that I emailed NETFLIX publicity and practically begged them for a screener. And now that I’ve seen this film eight times (EIGHT!!!!!!!!), my initial feelings have only grown.

NETFLIX has been doing the Lord’s work lately by bringing us glorious romantic comedy, and TATBILB is, through and through, swoony and hilarious and heartwarming. Instantly, the films transports me back to my 16/17-year old self, the optimism and feels, coupled with the awkwardness and insecurity of trying to navigate my teenhood.

Now, I haven’t read Jenny Han’s best-seller, so I can’t really talk about the film as an adaptation. (I promise, it’s at top of my TBR list. And FYI: our friends at Fangirlish have an awesome interview with Jenny Han where she reflects on the process of working with the creative team to adapt her book for NETFLIX.)

What I can say is that To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a wonderful end of summer treat: great acting, well-paced plot, and all the swoony, teen-y feels. This is the quality, RomCom content we deserve.

  Lara Jean Song Covey, the middle daughter in an interracial, Korean-American family, is about to begin her junior year of high school. She has just said goodbye to her older sister, Margot, who’s off to college in Scotland. In the absence of their mother (who dies when the Lara Jean, Margot, and their baby sister Kitty are quite young), Margot becomes a maternal figure in the family. Though, their father, Dr. Dan Covey, tries to keep the memory of their mother alive for the girls by cooking Korean food, etc., he sometimes botches things. Margot has been there to clean up the messes and smooth things over.

Margot does something similar in Lara Jean’s life at school. Lara Jean has been on the sidelines of the social scene and mostly relying on her best friend Christine, Margot, and Margot’s boyfriend Josh. When Margot leaves (and breaks up with Josh beforehand), Lara Jean loses 2/3 of her circle. This doesn’t bother Lara Jean too much… she’ll eat lunch in the library (as long as they don’t kick her out for eating noisy foods) and on the weekends, she’ll watch Golden Girls reruns with Kitty. Lara Jean seems satisfied; however, someone in her life wants to shake things up.

Over the last several years, Lara Jean has written love letters to five guys she’s had crushes on. Lara Jean doesn’t mail them, but it helps her to articulate her feelings and make sense of them. Lara Jean hides the letters in a teal gift-box (a keepsake from her mother). But one day, Lara Jean gets a rude awakening when all five letters are missing. Someone has mailed them out!!!

Right away, Lara Jean has to confront three of the guys, Peter Kavinsky (jock and Mr. Popular), Lucas Krapf (who shows Lara Jean a fun time at the 9th grade Homecoming dance), and Josh Sanderson. YES, the Josh who is now Sister Margot’s ex-boyfriend. LAWD!

In order to avoid the major awkward of dealing with Josh, Lara Jean agrees to begin a fake relationship with Peter Kavinsky (who’s trying to make his ex-girlfriend jealous). DRA.MA. Unexpectedly, hanging out with Peter does help Lara Jean to open up and enjoy high school. But what happens when Lara Jean starts to develop real feelings for her fake boyfriend?

  1. Lara Jean is all of us!

Lana Condor dazzles us as Lara Jean! She’s the perfect RomCom leading lady. Several times, Lara Jean shares her love of John Hughes films, and she, herself, could totally be a John Hughes heroine: smart, relatable, a little awkward, with perfect comedic timing, and all-around delightful.

I see so much of myself in Lara Jean, with her passion for bodice-ripper, romance novels, her shyness, and her love of her family. Lara Jean will be the first to tell you that she’s addicted to romance and drama… but aren’t we all, like a little bit?

And though I very much identify with Lara Jean, I recognize that a young, Asian-American woman as a romantic lead in a film like this is something special, something to celebrate, and something to replicate. Because #RepresentationMatters!

  2. Sisters before misters!

Yes, TATBILB is a romance, but, for me, the relationship between the three Covey sisters is the highlight of the film–Margot, the responsible one; Lara Jean, the shy, melodramatic one; and Kitty, the popular one and baby-feminist.

A significant part of the storyline follows the evolution of the way the sisters engage with one another as they’re growing up. Lara Jean is keeping a major secret from her sisters and it does create conflict between them. However, when Lara Jean finds herself in a difficult and embarrassing situation towards the end of the movie, it’s Margot and Kitty who Lara Jean turns to.

By the end, I was cheering “sisters before misters!!!” at the screen and so ready to call my own sisters, too.

  3. John Corbett is the DILF we deserve!

To all my fellow Sex and the City fans, I have to confess that Aidan has always been my favorite of Carrie’s guys. So, now to see John Corbett as a sweet, single-daddy to his girls, is the literal BEST. Dan Covey was so, super in love with his wife and has worked hard to channel all of that love into raising his three daughters. This includes hella awkward conversations about sexual health, all the way to reminding Lara Jean that she deserves to be young and carefree.

  4. Lara Jean’s boys…SWOON!

I didn’t expect to like Peter Kavinsky as much as I did, but he was charming and kind and a great guy for Lara Jean. Peter challenges Lara Jean to have fun and helps her step out of her shell to embrace the experiences of high school and be part of the group.

One of my favorite scenes takes place between Lara Jean and Peter after dinner with Peter’s family. They bond over losing a parent, and Lara Jean reflects on how losing her mother has shaped her fear of love and relationships. In the course of the film, this realization jars Lara Jean into taking some risks. But as they say: no risk, no reward! (Especially if that risk includes making out in a hot tub! 😉 )

While I adore Peter, Lucas is my homeboy. I would take him and his cravat-wearing, cutie-patootie self anywhere. Lucas is a really good friend to Lara Jean and I love how he encourages her.

Then there’s Josh *sigh* Lara Jean’s relationship with Josh is complex, especially because of Margot. Throughout the movie, Josh really struggles with losing his connection to the Covey sisters. While I don’t necessarily want Lara Jean and Josh to have a romantic relationship, I want them to be good friends. And P.S. I think Josh and Margot should get back together.

  5. Awesome music is AWESOME!

I mentioned that To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before hooked me before the end of the trailer, and the amazing soundtrack 100% contributed to the RomCom goodness. I hadn’t yet heard Lauv’s “I Like Me Better”, and after hearing it in the trailer and movie, I downloaded the song and played it on repeat for dayssss. Then I watched the music video on repeat for dayssss and cried at how lovely and romantic it was. Then I texted Katie, my BFF Patrice, and my sister Sey to share it with them, too. *SWOONY SIGH*

The film soundtrack, as a whole, is effervescent, just like the film– “Human Right” by The Strike, “Boyfriend” by Confidence Man, and so much more. You can listen to it on Spotify HERE.

  Friends, this film is MUSTSEE, so make sure to take time this weekend to unwind with To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and drown in teen-y, RomCom feels. You won’t regret it! And Team NETFLIX, you might as well just greenlight the sequels now. Js.

  To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before had their premiere/special screening in Los Angeles on August 16, 2018 at the Arc Light Culver City. Check out images from the screening below!

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Courtesy of Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

  FILM REVIEW: ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’, the Teen RomCom We Deserve To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a wonderful end of summer treat: great acting, well-paced plot, and all the swoony, teen-y feels.