#and ashleys scene queen look has grown on me

[okaykois]

pretty sure they just went fishing and bug hunting instead of fighting zombies i dont know what youre talking about

[mrsrcbinscn]

Franny’s Top 10 Mainstream Country Songs of 2020

playlist

tl;dr: A selection of script excerpts from a video on Franny’s YouTube channel called “My 10 Favorite Hit Country Songs of 2020″. This isn’t everything she had to say about those songs ofc, just excerpts. I ain’t writing all her thoughts lmao

tw: mentions but no detailed discussion of death and abortion

INTRO: Susadei*, hello, and welcome to my channel, where I, Franny Sor Robinson, share my opinions about music on the internet.”

*susadei is the informal way to say hello in Khmer, Franny’s first language

TOPIC INTRODUCTION: It is almost Christmas, which means! It’s time to start my end of the year roundup. I made videos every December talkin’ about my top 10 favorite...fill-in-the-blank. This year, we’re going to start with my Top 10 Hit Country Songs of 2020. And before you start typin’ [cuts to Franny wearing Cornelius’ glasses and one of Laszlo pretentious artist scarves, black and white] “Ew! I came here to find of hipster shit!” [cuts to Franny wearing one of Petunia’s jackets, black and white] “Where’s the BANJOS!?” [color restored] that’s the one I’m recording next so hold on.

As always, this list is in no particular order, because I believe that music isn’t something you rank on a linear bad, worse, worst, good, better, greatest scale. 

RULES: Now, the rules!

The song can’t be one I had a part in “So if I co-wrote it, if it’s my song, or I featured on the track, it’s out.”

No carry-overs “If I mentioned it in my 2019 list, it can’t be on this list.”

Spread the love

“Only one artist repeat is allowed, I get one double dip but other than that, it has to be a new artist.”

Beyond those rules, that’s really it. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

 10. Love You Like I Used To by Russell Dickerson

 Number ten on the list is one that, actually, surprised me. To me, Russell Dickerson is...well. I’m all about positivity on this channel, talkin’ about other artists. But. He’s solidly part of mainstream Nashville, y’all know my thoughts on the Nashville music industry. 

 It’s still -- I mean, it's a mainstream country song and was always meant to be, so it still follows the formula but it’s creative. It presents like a breakup song at first but right before the first chorus, you find it’s actually a love song. The first verse starts with

‘I've always loved you, oh, but something's changed’ but in the chorus you get [and she plays it on her piano, that her camera and microphone are set on and sings it] ‘I don't love you like I used to, this gets better every time you kiss me like this, it's stronger the longer I'm with you-’ and I think that’s a creative thing to do with a song.

 Like I’ve said before, I don’t hate every single pop country song, and I think there is value in and a place for, pop country. What I do hate is the vapid, formulaic trash that Nashville keeps pushing. So when a song like this that has the made-for-Nashville-radio arrangement but actually does somethin’ creative lyrically, I see it for what it is. And it’s good. It’s good.

 9. One Night Standards by Ashley McBryde

 I’ve actually had the pleasure of co-writin’ a song with Ashley before, so seeing how well this song’s done this year-- how well she’s done this year -- it’s been great. 

 This song’s about a woman laying down the ground rules for a one night stand and I love. this. song.

 A lot of people find this song sad, but I don’t think there’s anything sad at all about a woman owning her sexuality. I think this one line, ‘can’t you just use me like I’m using you’ makes people think it’s a sad song. Maybe it is! But like...I had casual sex all the time in college. I was absolutely using my one night stands for some meaningless, easy sex, and I knew they were using me for sex, and it was fine.

 It’s fine, that’s what a one night stand is. And to me, it sounds like she’s just here for some sex, and the guy’s like, trying to have conversation and do things “right” like offer his phone number, and she’s like, in the words of the great philosopher, Ke$ha, ‘just show me where your dick’s at.’ And I appreciate that.

 8. I Called Mama by Tim McGraw

 It might be because I’m seven months pregnant, and my son is starting university next fall, and my mother lives on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, but this song has started to make me cry so I can’t really, like, listen to it very often. But I think it is one of the most beautiful, honest songs on country radio this year. It’s a gentle ballad about not putting things off until it's too late, that starts off with a friend calling the narrator to tell him about the death of a friend, which leads to a phone call home to the narrator's mother.

 This song makes me think about myself, and my mother, and one day when my son is living on his own, my son and old lady me.

 The part in the second verse, ‘I can always hear her smile when I call, I just called to tell you that I loved you, I was missin' you and dad, and home, that's all’ -- I cry 1 out of 3 times. Probably. I miss my parents a lot. And I hope my son will miss me and call just to say he loves me and his father when he’s all grown up. The song makes me think about my family and my place in it.

7. Starting Over by Chris Stapleton

 This is another one that I feel on a personal level. It’s this positive ballad featuring his wife, Morgane, talking about how much they love each other and their desire to go through life’s bullshit together. And it just makes me think about my husband, and how much I love him.

 It’s another one I can’t listen to often, I get all misty-eyed. I can’t listen to love songs even when I’m not pregnant, I just call my husband like “I love you” “are you crying” “No!”

6. What If I Never Get Over You by Lady A

 This was one of my honorable mentions of 2019 so it doesn’t count, it’s allowed. Charles Kelley and Hilary Scott’s voices together are just - ugh, god, they’re chef’s kiss, perfect. And I...think this song is just about as good as Need You Now as far as their longing, breakup songs.

 I like how there isn’t a big beat-you-over-the-head climax moment because this song does not need one, it wouldn’t be right. Like, there is one but it’s not like ‘BAM’ there’s the climax! It’s very natural. It was a return to the rich, smooth sound of the band’s earlier hits and that’s the Lady A stuff I really loved. Even their fun stuff like Lookin’ For A Good Time and Love Don’t Live Here, from the earlier days, I prefer those to the overproduced kind of….made-for-radio stuff that snuck its way into their catalog over the years. Sonically, it seems like they’re returned to what makes them great together and I’m happy to see it.

 5. Bluebird by Miranda Lambert

 At number five on the list is Bluebird by Miranda Lambert. This whole album was on my best albums of 2019 list, and I am thrilled that Bluebird became a single. Miranda is a modern day legend in country music and this album especially just keeps proving it.

 Musically, lyrically, everything about this song works. The twists she makes on common metaphors in the English language like ‘when life gives you lemons’ instead of making lemonade she mixes them in her drink, they’re clever. I adore Miranda, it ain’t a secret, I’ve said as much to her gorgeous, gorgeous face, and it’s great seeing the songs from this album, including Bluebird, get the love it deserves.

 4. One Beer by HARDY and Lauren Alaina

 One Beer is a song about a teenage pregnancy, which. We all know my experience with that, but if you don’t, click here [points off to the side, and a card pops up that will link you to a video titled I Got Pregnant When I Was 14 #shoutyourabortion #endthestigma]. It kind of reminds me of Kenny Chesney’s There Goes My Life from...2000...2004? Is it? Wow, I’m old.

 Lauren Alaina’s voice is flawless, as always, and HARDY’s word play strikes once again. For my followers that didn’t grow up with English as their first language -- is this a thing in other countries, or is this an American thing? My UK, New Zealand, et cetera followers, comment down below if kids did this where you’re from too.

 Anyway, if a boy and a girl were so much as friends in like, first grade kids would tease you with this specific rhyme like, Joey and Sarah sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage --- and in the song, HARDY plays on that with ‘A boy and a girl and a three on the tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes lust then a shotgun marriage, six months later comes a baby in a carriage’ and just love that kind of clever wordplay shit.

 3. I Wish Grandpas Never Died by Riley Green

 I first heard this song when I was in The States, driving around with Dan[iel Maitland] and it was on the radio, I thought it was some breakup song. But then the last line of the chorus hit me ‘I Wish Grandpas Never Died’ and I just start bawling and Daniel’s like ‘don’t get your tears on my new car seats!’

 Love you too, Dan.

It’s a beautiful song. Sad, but you can also tell he really loved his grandfathers, who’ve both passed away. He’s written several songs inspired by one or both of them. It’s a good song, good writing, I like how lowkey it is musically. And it’s honest songwriting that I wish country radio still had more of.

 2. Gaslighter by The Chicks

 After over a decade away from the music scene, my queen are BACK! Gaslighter was an amazing return and the rest of their album did not disappoint. Now, I don’t think the album was purely a country album, which I talked about in my full album review you can find here [points to the side, where a card pops up linking you to the video], but it is an album that I thoroughly enjoyed that included country songs. They experimented with this album, I love to see it. Let artists experiment without shaming them 2020! Anyway, the album does have lots of country songs and Gaslighter is one of them.

 Natalie Maines’ vocals are, as always, everything one would hope they’d be. They all looked great in the music video. It was a great middle finger to Natalie’s ex-husband, Adrian Pasdar. God, I bet it was fun to write.

 I love writing songs about Dan’s divorces with him since I don’t have one to write about. Keep getting divorces Dan, endless content. [cuts to a video of Daniel Maitland acting like she said that in person to him and he goes ‘rude.’]

 Stream The Chicks. Natalie, Martie, and Emily could stab me and I’d apologize to them, but the thing is, they never would. They’re too nice. They’re so nice. Collaborate with me again please, please, I love you. [mouths call me]

 1. Die From A Broken Heart by Maddie & Tae

 This song was another one of my honorable mentions in 2019, and I’m kicking myself for never properly talking about it until now. I’ve loved Maddie & Tae since Girl In A Country Song and Die From A Broken Heart is just -- god, it sounds so familiar.

 Like, it sounds like I did talking to my mother about getting my heart broken when I was younger. It’s honest, vulnerable songwriting that I can’t get enough of. 

[mermaidsirennikita]

Valentine’s Day Reads

Happy Valentine’s Day!  As I often gripe about badly done romance on this blog, I thought I’d list a few books that actually do it well.  Some are classics; some are decidedly not.  But I love the love stories in all of them.  I tried to cover my bases, and while I won’t say that all of these are all-time favorites for me, they do stick out in my head for their romantic plotlines and the chemistry between the leads.  Hopefully, something here will appeal to you.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.  Scarlett is a spoiled, vivacious southern belle on the eve of the Civil War.  She wants Ashley, a gentleman whose romanticism and genteel nature embody the antebellum era they’ve grown up; he’s the one man she can’t have, engaged to his sweet, kindhearted cousin Melanie.  As the war begins and becomes increasingly brutal, Scarlett must grow up and become a survivor, pining for Ashley while engaging in a game of wits and and emotion with Rhett, a man whose cynical and opportunist nature makes him a pariah in the south--but perhaps might also make him Scarlett’s true match.  The love/hate narrative is really defined by GWTW, which is less a tragedy than it is a coming of age story.   Scarlett and Rhett’s chemistry and rightness for each other is undeniable, but held back by the fact that she can’t recognize her own true feelings, committed to an idea rather than reality, and he is too protective of his own feelings to admit that he loves her.  GWTW is one of the few “classics” out there that is truly and compulsively readable, and it suggests a lot of Deep Things while at the same time entertaining you with a frustrating, gorgeous romance.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  Cinder is a cyborg, shunned by society and neglected by her stepmother and stepsister--despite her status as a gifted mechanic.  When the stepsister she loves grows fatally ill, she catches the blame, putting her in a precarious position.  At the same time, however, she finds herself as the mechanic of none other than Prince Kai, heir to the throne of the Eastern Commonwealth.  As Cinder becomes more entwined in political intrigue through Kai, she must also fight her feelings for him, and her lack of self-worth.  It’s hard to explain this series without spoiling a lot--and while The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorites series, I’ll admit that Cinder--though the first book--isn’t my favorite (that honor goes to Scarlet, the second book in the series).  But Cinder and Kai have a fantastic, sweet romance that of course draws from Cinderella, as every book in the series draws from a different fairy tale.  Yes, there is a lot of sci-fi going on in The Lunar Chronicles, and various space politics, but ultimately, each novel is a love story, and the couples you meet in one book return in the next.  (Except for Fairest, the excellent villain origin story prequel, which is an obsession story.)  Highly recommend if you’re on the lookout for some fun, romantic YA with a sci-fi spin.

Beauty by Robin McKinley.  The awkward Beauty doesn’t much feel like she deserves her nickname, especially when she pales in comparison to her gorgeous sisters.  But when her father returns from the castle of a mysterious beats, she rises to the occasion, offering to be the beasts’s prisoner in his place--and determined that she can tame it.  Obviously, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling--but it’s a definitive one.  This a slow-burn romance, and the book is as much about Beauty learning to love herself as the beast.  But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some excellent moments between the two of them.  When you’re looking for something with a bit less heat and a bit more gentle romance, check this out.

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore.  Miel and Sam are childhood friends, having weathered prejudice--Miel is an immigrant, and Sam is a trans man--together, as well as the strange roses that grow out of Miel’s skin and the attention that attracts.  But just after their relationship crosses a line--going from pining to physical--confusing the two of them, the Bonner sisters return to town.  Rumored to be witches, they want Miel’s roses, and will do whatever it takes to get them.  McLemore is really, really good at magical realism.  And there’s a lot of that in this book.  But the central story here is Miel and Sam’s relationship, their pasts, and how they’re struggling to come to terms with who they are.  The story is both romantic and erotic, and perhaps part of why it feels so incredibly real is that parts of it reflect McLemore’s own life.  Whether or not that’s true, however, is irrelevant--it’s impossible to not love her dreamy prose and the intensity of Miel and Sam’s feelings for each other.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones.  Liesl is underappreciated and in many ways repressed, taking on a lot of responsibility at the family inn.  Her sister Kathe is the beautiful one, and her brother Josef, a gifted musician, is the talented one--regardless of the fact that Liesl herself is a driven composer.  Ever since they were children, the siblings have been preoccupied with the Goblin King, but though he inspires her music, Liesl has dismissed him as a childhood fancy.  Until, that is, Kathe is taken by goblins--and the Goblin King needs a bride.  To save her sister, Liesl takes her place as the Goblin Queen.  While initially repulsed by the Underground, she becomes enthralled by her new husband’s world, and their shared passion for music.  Wintersong is well-written and thoroughly addictive, laced with a kind of erotic intoxication.  You fall for the Goblin King as Liesl does; you fall for his world as she does.  It’s morally ambiguous and dark and strange, and quite perfect for those who never got over David Bowie in Labyrinth.

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux.  Jilted by her self-obsessed boyfriend and left penniless, Dougless asks for a knight in shining armor and gets one--in the form of Nicholas, a medieval knight sent forward in time.  Dougless is initially disbelieving, but as she and Nicholas learn about his real legacy--which falls short of what he expected--they gradually fall in love.  However, their relationship is cut short by his sudden disappearance, sending Dougless back in time to find him.  This is a classic 80s romance novel, and therefore I had to include it.  It’s silly; it’s problematic; it has quite a few sex scenes, some of which may or may not involve ice cream.  But there’s a kind of purity to its cheese and silliness that is lighthearted and unique to the era.

The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre.  Deanna Madden wants to kill people.  So, she stays in her apartment all day, making a living as a cam girl.  As a result, she has to have a lot of things delivered to her--prompting the interest of the delivery guy, who just wants to get to know this woman he’s never even seen.  Too bad Deanna wants to murder him.  Basically, this is an erotic novel; there are a lot a lot a lot of explicit sex scenes, and a few different men who may or may not have a romantic interest in Deanna beyond her body (and if the series continues beyond the three books it’s already had, I wouldn’t be shocked if the author expands upon that).  But there’s something sweet about a guy and a girl who really don’t know each other being genuinely intrigued by one another--and the fact that the relationship’s main obstacle is Deanna’s own desire to kill makes it all the more interesting.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorn.  Lucy and Josh are work rivals at their publishing company--though “rivals” may be putting it lightly.  They loathe each other, regularly taunting one another throughout the day while competing.  That competition gets ramped up a notch by a promised promotion that only one of them can get.  But as they each struggle for the job, Lucy and Josh begin to realize that the tension between them may not just be professional.  The Hating Game is a rom com, but like... a sexy one.  There are plenty of UST-filled moments throughout the book.  And the great thing is that Josh isn’t an asshole, like most men in these sorts of books are.  He doesn’t want to ruin Lucy’s life; he actually seems into her, not into dominating her.  If you want something light and lovely and hot, go for The Hating Game.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.  Heathcliff is an orphan, brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw and raised as a “lesser than” sort of foster child alongside Earnshaw’s children, the abusive Hindley and spirited Cathy.  Equally wild, Heathcliff and Cathy become childhood best friends, and their feelings gradually deepen into intense romantic love as they grow up.  But Heathcliff is socially unsuitable for the upper-class Cathy, and when she agrees to marry her shy neighbor Linton--while vowing to love Heathcliff forever, out of his earshot--he runs away.  When he returns, Heathcliff is wealthy and bent on revenge; but the feelings between himself and Cathy remain, leading two families and multiple generations into ruin.  I feel like a lot of people are immediately put off by WH because it’s not told from Heathcliff and Cathy’s perspectives, exactly.  In fact, the story is told long after their children have grown up, by Nelly, a housekeeper who observed much of the story’s events, to Lockwood, a visitor to Wuthering Heights.  It’s also a really twisted love story--as much of a hate story as anything else.  Heathcliff and Cathy resent and adore each other in equal measure.  They thwart their own happiness over and over, and both are beasts to those that love them.  But this novel is so significant precisely because it shows that two hideous people can love each other--and it conveys a haunting sort of passion that seems almost out of place in a novel of its time.  The strain of morality running through Jane Eyre--tempering its subversive plot--isn’t present in Wuthering Heights.  Even when the cycle of abuse that consumed Heathcliff and Cathy finally is broken, the people that do so are hardly angels.  It’s a sad, angering, obsessive story.  But at its core, this is a book about love--and the things both terrible and great that it drives people to.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.  As a little girl, Grace was attacked by wolves--and since then has been somewhat obsessed with the yellow-eyed wolf in the woods behind her house.  Sam is a wolf in the winter and a boy in the summer, his transformation completely involuntary and based on the temperature.  This time, when the weather warms, he finally meets Grace, and they begin a tentative relationship--but if Sam can’t figure out how to stop himself from changing, he runs the risk of becoming a wolf forever, and losing not just Grace but himself.  Maggie Stiefvater has become increasingly famous for her Raven Boys series, and don’t get me wrong, I love that series.  But I love The Wolves of Mercy Falls more, and not just because it was the first book of hers that I ever read.  There’s a lovely approachable, understanding tone to Shiver--her writing is still beautiful and lyrical, but the simplicity of Grace and Sam’s love story set against the backdrop of a complicated, fraught situation is impossible to resist.  As the series continues, another very good, contrasting romance is added in--but I can’t really get over how incredibly soft Sam and Grace are, and how much this series feels like young love to me.

[faithandfairies]

We Are Both

You know, part of me still wonders whether Daniel, Charming and Emma (and possibly Robin) aren’t actually the same person and whether Snow and Regina (and possibly Lily) aren’t also. I truly believe they are/might be.

(x)

(x)

(x)

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These two scenes, Young Regina losing Daniel and Snow losing Charming are almost identical.

The difference is the people involved in the 1st vs. the 2nd scene.

Cora = Evil Queen Regina 

Young Regina = Snow

Daniel = Charming (who has often been paralleled with Emma)

I think something happened. Regina blamed Snow for the loss of her true love. But if Regina actually is Snow, or was at one point, then it also makes sense. She believes that Snow should have known better than to tell her mother about Daniel. Snow’s argument is always that she was only a child.

But what if she wasn’t? If ten year old Snow was actually Regina’s representation of her teenage self when she told her mother about wanting to leave with Daniel that makes sense. Young/Teenage Regina was naive and far too trusting, especially for her age and the kind of mother she had. What if Regina blames herself for that and compares herself at that age to a child, Snow. Way too young and innocent? Even adult Snow still reminds of a child sometimes.

What if she told her mother about Daniel herself truly believing that Cora would let her leave with him? Therefore betraying both herself, her belief in herself to do the right thing, and Daniel? What if that’s why she’s also the Evil Queen/the villain in Snow’s story? Because she unknowingly destroyed her own happy ending in the process of taking steps to acquire it? She is both. Both Snow, who got hurt, and the one who hurt Snow through the decisions she made to get her happy ending.

It’s interesting because we actually see Snow do this. Sabotage her own happy ending. In her search to safeguard her own happy ending she ends up getting Charming turned to stone, destroying it herself. It’s seeing Regina/the Evil Queen, not her own reflection in the mirror-like metal of Charming’s shield that ends up helping her. It’s interesting that it’s a two way street. Regina always used her mirror to look at Snow (in my opinion actually looking at her reflection and remembering who she used to be). But Snow is also able to see the Queen in that shield. A vision of whom she’ll become perhaps? A glimpse of her future self? The smarts that will help her become the Evil Queen? important to note is that Sneezy dressed as Emma also gets turned to stone by the full dark Swan. All the while blaming Regina for her current Dark One state. Basically telling Regina that she failed her.

(x)

Another interesting thing is that when Snow is young, Regina tells her that Daniel ran away. She only tells Snow that he died when she is all grown up. But what if he actually did run away? The truth young Regina knew or believed? And Regina eventually just made him dead to her in order to survive? Because she couldn’t deal with the reality that he had just left her. Or possibly because she may not have known that he was actually alive? Or thought he’d been alive until she found what she thought was his grave that may not actually have held his body?

I say this because Snow I think also assumes that Charming is dead after he’s been stabbed by one of Regina’s guards. Hell, Emma sees a wounded but clearly not dead Neal fall through the portal and yet she assumes he’s dead. Only nether of them are. Snow even tried True Love’s Kiss just like Regina I believe. But Charming’d just ended up in a coma. Only waking from said coma after 28 years, when Emma returns to Storybrooke.

Snow becomes her worst self after she loses Charming and the curse is cast. She loses her fire, becomes meek and a follower.

Regina seems to do the exact opposite. Only, she doesn’t. She initially ends up doing exactly what her mother and father want and only becomes the Evil Queen later.

Then there’s this. The moment the curse hits.

(x)

I never noticed it before, but the Evil Queen’s hair style? The almost flickering of the red in her hair? Almost like a ribbon. Even the entire scene, with the smoke from the curse almost like a tornado swallowing up Snow’s entire world and the glass breaking and Snow hunched over Charming at the Evil Queen’s feet. Glass breaking is actually symbolic of negative changes,disappointment, a life in pieces. Which I think is exactly how Regina felt after she’d lost Daniel.

The contrast of Snow in full white and the Evil Queen in full black with only the red of the ribbon sticking out. It could just as easily be interpreted as the before and after. Snow going dark in light of losing her love. All while who she used to be mourns her losses and the destruction she’s causing because of it, while with every new dark action the danger of losing who she used to be becomes a little greater. She forgets a little more. Until at one point she may not remember at all. 

It’s interesting because when Snow chooses to forget Charming whom is about to marry another, she actually does go a bit dark. And it’s the only time I think Snow ever has the red ribbon in her hair.

(x)

In season 6 we find the “Evil Queen” at Robin’s grave. She tells Regina that

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That it allowed Regina to liberate her (the Evil Queen). Free her from the prison of her own self-loathing. Only I think what Regina did is that she started compartmentalizing. Separating herself from the person she was when she made the choices that destroyed her happy ending. And hating that person, Snow, more than anyone. That is until one day she looked in the mirror and realized that she hated whom she’d become more than who she used to be. 

As for what actually happened to Daniel/Emma. It’s possible that Cora paid Daniel/Emma off to leave, without really giving her a choice. Her choice being money or nothing. Hurting Emma in the process. It’s also possible she did way worse to Emma. Either way I think it ended in Emma’s broken heart. Alongside Regina’s.

Another important moment is the act of Charming putting baby Emma in the closet. It’s possible that these events actually caused Emma (whom would not have been a baby but at the very least a teen) to retreat back into the closet. Placing herself there. But it being Snow’s decision carried out by Charming. Because of it being Regina’s choices that led to Emma going back in the closet.

(x)

We also see that as Charming gets hurt fighting Regina’s guards Regina is on her way to Emma. When she arrives at Snow’s castle the first thing she asks after is “the child”. Only, by then Emma is long gone. Both physically and retreated back into the closet I believe.

I also think Rumple factors in here somewhere. He’s the one who told Regina how to get rid of Cora. He’s the one she said made her the Evil Queen. And he’s the one who ends up teaching her magic and giving her the curse to cast on Snow and Charming. 

But I think, more importantly, he took away Regina’s hope. Her belief that she could get Daniel back. He took Daniel from her in a worse way than had been done before.

He’s also the one who wanted to take Ashley’s baby and clearly did take Emma’s and gave him to Regina.

I also think that Rumple and Jefferson may be one and the same person. Possibly. Just like Rumple Jefferson had a limp that disappeared. He used it as a trick to kidnap Emma after he had already kidnapped Snow. Rumple had questionable dealings with both Emma and Regina. Jefferson wanted Snow and Emma to help him get his daughter. Rumple uses both Emma and Regina to find his son. His entire curse is about finding his son. At one point Regina ends up tied up and gagged in a chair at the hands of Rumple just as Snow did. Rumple literally dangles true love (or a potion made out of Charming and Snow’s true love) in front of Emma and the ability to save her son and tricks her instead. I’m guessing that is probably symbolic of something that did happen between Emma and Rumple. Jefferson tells Regina at one point that he lost his wife because of his work. Rumple lost Milah because of his work. She left him because he was a cowardly soldier. 

Another interesting thing is this scene.

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Here Emma is dressed like Cinderella while dancing with Prince Charming. As we know Prince Charming was actually originally Cinderella’s prince. What if Emma is both?

In this scene Emma loses Charming. But what if she is Charming? Only she lost that part of herself? The selflessness and bravery that made her go to the ends of the earth for what she  believed in? Or maybe what changed was what she believed in or chose to believe in. In this scene Charming dreams of Emma basically telling him that he failed her. And to not fail the next one. The only thing we saw Charming do to Emma was putting her in the closet. So the way in which Emma could have failed herself is by going back into the closet. Possibly not giving herself her best chance by being someone other than herself?

And the next one? Baby Neal? As in Neal, Jr? As in possibly Henry?

It’s then also interesting that the dying wish/advice Emma leaves Henry with is given in the vault with Regina where she basically tells him to always be himself.

(x)

Emma failed herself. She probably thinks that she’s in too deep and there’s no going back. But it’s not too late for Henry. And she doesn’t want to fail Henry.

It also makes sense then that Regina, when Henry started believing in stories Regina didn’t (want to) remember, she made Henry think he was crazy. She failed him too. Until she too learned that the most important thing Henry could be was himself. And that he shouldn’t give up on what he believed and who he believed he was for anything. No matter what anyone else said. It’s then also no wonder that he has the heart of the truest believer. Because when he was told by both his mothers that he was crazy for believing in what he believed, it only made him believe more. To the point that he almost died for his beliefs. More than once. Whereas I think that when Emma and Regina were told that they were wrong for believing in what they believed, they simply...stopped believing.

It also explains why Regina seems to get war flashbacks every time Henry, the person she loves the most, tells her he’s getting married. Or looks the part. Which has happened twice so far. Once in season 4 and once in a season 6 deleted scene. But that’s kind of another story.

Anyway, part of me also wonders if Neal, Rumple and Gold (aside from Jefferson) aren’t also actually the same person. Well, I mean, we know Rumple and Gold are. But we never get a first name for Gold. He’s probably the only character on the show who doesn’t have one. Curious, very curious. Even curious-er is that they had Gold and Neal merge where you couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.

Furthermore, I think Robin may be a more “realistic” look at who Emma was before Regina. A thief and possible con artist that may have ended up working for the Mills Family. Maybe they ended up taking her in. Maybe she and Regina fell in love. Maybe that was a problem. Maybe Cora hired her for a specific con artist-type purpose. Maybe once she fell in love with Regina she no longer wanted to fulfill said role. Maybe she told Cora so. Maybe Regina found out who she was and felt betrayed. Maybe she inadvertently or possibly on purpose betrayed Emma. Depending on whether she found out who Emma was before or after she told Cora about wanting to be with her. And it’s entirely possible that after Regina found out who Emma was she no longer wanted anything to do with her due to feeling betrayed.

It’s possible they both felt betrayed by each other for different reasons.

It’s also possible they both regretted the decisions they made when it came to each other afterwards but by then it was too late to go back on them.

It’s possible that that is what Regina’s hate for Snow is about.

And this scene (and also the first vault scene in this episode) when it comes to Emma.

(x)

Regina tells Emma in the first vault scene that Emma never had her back and that she never will.

She later also tells Emma that she knows Emma didn’t mean to hurt her but that doesn’t take away from the fact that she did. And that there’s no coming back from that. Simply because she, Regina, doesn’t want to.

Emma tells her in the second vault scene that she’s been down this road before. What remains unclear is who screwed whom over. Emma just says in the car to Elsa that once you screw someone over there’s no coming back from it. We later see that Lily screwed Emma over when they were teens, but that she asked her for forgiveness and that Emma didn’t grant it. Which Emma basically tells Regina and also tells her that it’s something she regrets. All of this to me is more confirmation that Emma and Regina ended up betraying each other.

Only to meet again later when both Emma and Regina realize that Regina unknowingly adopted Emma’s son.

[lauraramargosian]

High School Musical 4 continues filming Utah and what we know!

High School Musical 4 continues filming Utah and Positive Celebrity has learned about the new film and series.

Image from IMDB.

Disney announced that High School Musical 4 series, as of late, there have been rumors that all platforms will be able to view the series, that in fact is false.

High School Musical 4 will only be available on Disney+ service. The service is comparable to Netflix and Hulu.

Disney+ is rumored to be more affordable than Netflix. Further, you will be able to watch a lot of Disney’s best films and shows on the service (no fear that your young ones will bump into the adult audience cartoons).

Truthfully, the generations have changed a lot but that doesn’t mean you should be worried about your child seeing something meant entirely for adults. There is an age and time for those kind of cartoons and films.

But if my daughter or future son is under 6-years-old, frankly, I don’t want them watching it. Disney+ will ensure that your kids still get to keep things on their level, most importantly, shows and films your comfortable with, that’s what counts.

On My Block a Netflix series holds up to realities.

CEO Robert Iger opened up about the plans.

“Plan on the Disney side is to price this substantially below where Netflix is,” he shared “the price will reflect that,” he said, according to Deadline. “Our goal is to attract as many subs as possible starting out.”

High School Musical 4 is still filming in the Salt Lake City area and it’s been a great production. Although we aren’t allowed to talk details, we can say that the whole cast and crew are killing it on set.

In fact, two of our talented and signed actors have been working the set. They’ve met new friends, and are always surrounded by hard working individuals.

The extras are treated well and we are proud of the way this production has taken off. It’s great to see that extras and featured cast have been treated with the same level of respect.

Again, with new features, we can’t share a lot but fans of Octavian Vlad (Octo) and Braxton Gray can stay up-to-date by following their socials. Further, we look forward to seeing them on the Disney screen.

(The following images were taken behind the scenes, set images are not allowed to be posted presently).

Positive Celebrity has learned the original cast will not be in the High School Musical 4 series. Unfortunately, if you were looking forward to seeing original characters in the halls of East High, don’t get your hopes up.

Yes, the original cast has shown extreme excitement over social media about the new series but they have made it clear to fans that expectation cannot be held. I mean, they’ve grown up, graduated and don’t look as similar as they used to back in the franchise.

They are iconically loved but it was time for the new series and that meant fresh faces.

Ashley Tisdale, who played Sharpay in the original three films, shared she wouldn’t be going back to the role.

“I honestly don’t think I would, just based off of, I don’t know if I could fill her shoes again,” Tisdale told E! News. “I’ve matured so much, I just don’t know if I could give her justice — Sharpay — and be that character again. And I would hate to not have it be great.”

Remember when we said the whole cast and crew have made new lifelong friends, proof that it’s a great production straight from Ashley Tisdale.

“Looking back, it was such a perfect thing for its time and was so pure that I just don’t know how you go from there. High School Musical didn’t make us, we made High School Musical because of our friendship, how close we were, and the magic there at the time. Kenny Ortega just made it what it was. Disney is an amazing company so I’m sure they’ll find some way to do it.”

Incredible, don’t you think?

Now you might be wondering why we keep saying the word “series,” because a film is not technically a series. The film will follow quite the characters as they take East High as brand new students.

High School Musical 4 rumored cast.

Erin — A badass soccer player who strives for excellence — and the only girl on the boys’ team. She starts falling for Derek, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks but isn’t sure whether to follow her heart.

Derek — The resident bad boy who falls for Erin. He’s tough as nails on the surface but is a soft-hearted family guy deep down. He’s an excellent soccer player and incredible dancer who teaches dance classes to little girls at his family’s studio.

Campbell — Troy Bolton 2.0, Campbell is a super hot soccer captain and theater star who also happens to be Sharpay and Ryan Evans’ cousin. He decides that he wants to date Erin, and isn’t too happy when she wants to be with Derek instead.

Nathalie — East High’s biggest fan. She’s a loyal, outgoing cheerleader and big-hearted BFF to Erin.

Tamara — East High’s former queen bee who’s attempting to climb back up the social ladder.

The students will be performing new songs for you to love on the series and film. Get ready for some new hits!

Even though the original cast would return Zac Efron would have loved to return to set. Sharing that he still has a bone to pick with the coach and Ms. He took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the series.

“I got a bone to pick with that W. High coach and Ms. d and the drama department can help me get even. He shared. “I thought that kooky Sharpay nut job was coming back to help out with the actor weirdos anyway. Where she at tho? I still got those digits from the school database so let’s ring crazy up and get her and her bro back to put this dance battle together and LETS GO!! I’m ready and I’ve got YEARS worth of plans and ideas moving forward in the East vs West battle so LET GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!”

Zac Efron’s Instagram

That’s hilarious, don’t you think?

There have been no confirmed announcements regarding the new movie. But we do know they have continued filming in Salt Lake City, Utah. Alright, we might know who the leads are but we aren’t allowed to share that much information yet.

Stay tuned for the latest High School Musical 4 news right here on positive celebrity gossip and entertainment news.

Blessed be!

The post High School Musical 4 continues filming Utah and what we know! appeared first on Positive Celebrity News and Gossip.

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[lair-of-books]

Hello Bookworms! Hope you’re all having a wonderful day and if you’re anything like me, you are looking at the clock waiting for the end of the work day. Find the person who thought it was a good idea to work any day past Christmas & you have your Grinch #jussayin

When I sat down to make my list of top 2018 books I’m looking forward to, I quickly realized my post would be a mile long and I just couldn’t do that to you lovely Bookworms. So instead I opted to split my list into two posts, this post will be for 2018 sequels I’m anticipating in the new year. The second post will be stand-alone/series starters. I have 12 sequels I’m super stoked for so grab your fave snack & or beverage cause ya girl has compiled a bit of a list (no particular order)…

 1. The Winter of the Witch (Winternight Trilogy #3) by Katherine Arden aka the book I NEED like air! 

I recently read & reviewed The Girl in the Tower (my spoiler free review here) which was utter PERFECTION! Just when I thought this trilogy could not get any better, Arden gave us The Girl in the Tower & now my nights are consumed thinking about the final installment in the world *sobs* This is not the final cover btw, I’m sure the final one will be GLORIOUS as they all have been! Scheduled for August 2018, a little earlier than the December release dates I’ve gotten grown accustomed to with these wintry books but HOORAY regardless!

2. Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Anyone who has read the first two books in the Illuminae Files can probably tell you how addictive this series really is smh. I was initially intimidated by the format of these books & it took me about a year to finally decide to read the first one…NEVER looked back after that! I will most likely devour Obsidio in one sitting, March 13th you have been claimed!

3. Nyxia Unleashed (The Nyxia Triad #3) by Scott Reintgen

Having recently read Nyxia (my review here), the adrenaline I felt reading this book is still pretty vivid. Not only was the plot fast paced edge of your seat FANTASTIC! the characters are easily some of my favorite in all of YA. Coming from all corners of the world, the crew of Nyxia offers up the diversity we are currently lacking in YA Sci-Fi. Nyxia Unleashed is set to hit the shelves July 2018 *eeeeK*

4. The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2) by Rin Chupeco

Last year I read The Bone Witch (my review here) & fell in love with the world building Rin Chupeco had created. I was actually surprised that it wasn’t labeled Adult Fantasy considering the expanse & complexities of the world. This was a real treat for myself seeing as I love details & lush writing which The Bone Witch pulled off beautifully often times reminding me of Memoirs of a Geisha. This wonderful sequel is set to be released March 2018!

5. Iron Gold (Red Rising #4) by Pierce Brown 

The Red Rising Trilogy (I can’t call it this anymore) is one that I am a hardcore fan of…no seriously though, I’m a Howler through & through! If this now series had ended with Morning Star, I would’ve been Ok because it was one of the BEST most EPIC endings I’ve ever read. To have read the news of that the world would be expanding was AMAZING for both myself & the hubby who is also a big fan. I read these books before creating Lair Of Books & missed out on fangirling with other Blogger buddies. Well, January 16th is almost upon us & I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! any Howler fans out there?

6. Defy the Worlds (Constellation #2) by Claudia Gray

Defy the Stars (my review here) was my 1st Claudia Gray book & it won’t be my last. I had heard of Gray’s books before getting a galley for Defy the Stars & now I can see why. The world building in the start of this series is fun & introduces us to a A.I. whose dry humor will leave you smiling in disbelief. I was lucky to get my hands on a arc copy of Defy the Worlds but I’m still including it in this list because I will be buying a finished copy on release day. Gray has some of the BEST covers I’ve come across & I’m already obsessed with this one, April 3rd will be the day I get my hands on this pretty little book *heart eyes*

7. Whisper of the Tide (Song of the Current #2) by Sarah Tolcser

If you’re looking for high seas adventure, Song of the Current (my review here) is probably the book for you! I enjoyed the authentic pirate talk and the world building was on point with clothing, way of life, and mythos behind the Gods. What I loved most is that we get a POC MC who knows her calling in life and won’t easily be thrown off by a love interest. Caro is non-traditional & won’t settle for societal norms. June 5th I’m hoping you’re a warm day I can count on for a iced drink & return to the treacherous waters in this world 🙂

8. Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King #2) by Tricia Levenseller

Oh goodness! I can’t even begin to describe my excitement over the follow-up to Daughter Of the Pirate King (my review here). I was so very lucky to have a arc recently gifted to me by the wonderful Ashley over at Socially Awkward Bookworm, she made my year! DOTPK offered up so many laughs alongside a kick a** MC who is the female Jack Sparrow. If Pirates of the Caribeean (prior to Depps shameful behavior) brought you much enjoyment, chances are DOTPK will be a hit for you as well. Ahoy Mateys! February 27th is the day the sequel finds its way to our shores 🙂

9. Grey Sister (Book Of the Ancestor #2) by Mark Lawrence 

I read my very first Mark Lawrence earlier this year & I’m so happy It was a good place to start after hearing so much about this well known author. Red Sister (my review here) was a 5 star gloriously bloody EPIC start to the Book of the Ancestor series! In my review I described the setting for Red Sister as Hogwarts mixed with a Ludus (like in Spartacus). Vivid  fight scenes, positive female friendships and positive LGBTQIA representation are just some of the things you’ll find in this new Fantasy. Red Sister is perfect for those who read only YA Fantasy and are looking to get their feet wet in adult Fantasy. April 19th is the date set to return this ruthless world 🙂

10. Catwoman SoulStealer (DC Icons #3) by Sarah J. Maas

I don’t really have much to say about this one…I own a copy of Wonder Woman which I haven’t read yet. I came to the decision that I wanted to wait for a few of these books in the series to be out before starting cause I reallllllly dislike waiting haha! I am VERY interested in how Selina Kyle is written considering she is half white/half Cuban. We’ll know more on August 7th!

11. My Plain Jane (The Lady Janies #2) by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton

I’d link my review for My Lady Jane but it’s soOo old when I was still in my baby stages of blogging so no thanks hehe! My Lady Jane was the book to make my water almost come out through my nose smh LOL! So silly & filled with hilarious banter, I LOVED that book! from that book came the formation of The Lady Janies which are the 3 awesome authors who brought the characters I fell in love with to life. My Plain Jane is a MUST HAVE & THAT cover is giving me all the Summer vibes! I’ll see you on June 26th Jane  🙂

12. The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Guide #2) by Mackenzi Lee

You may have noticed the cover for this title isn’t displayed above and that’s because there hasn’t been a cover reveal. Earlier this year I read The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (my review here) which was a ton of fun. I’ve really been enjoying YA Historical Fiction lately & this is definitely one of my top favorites. Although I loved the MC Henry oh so much! I really ended up intrigued by his little sister Felicity & I know I’m not alone in this. The Goodreads Synopsis has the following listed:

A sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, narrated by Felicity and featuring travel, pirates, and a science girl gang.

I mean…who can resist this?!?! Not I said Lilly…October 2nd is the day to pick up a copy!

Happy Wednesday Bookworms! this list took me a bit longer to type up than expected which is making me give post II the stink eye haha! (wayyyyy longer) & i’m sure I’ve forgotten others. Also, If I didn’t list a sequel it’s possible I haven’t read the 1st cause waiting sucks (Strange the Dreamer & Lady Midnight/Lord of Shadows I’m looking at ya). Please sound off below with any titles that come to mind <3’s!

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*80’s Freestyle* Keep Me Hanging On… Hello Bookworms! Hope you're all having a wonderful day and if you're anything like me, you are looking at the clock waiting for the end of the work day.