#and he gets his own storyline two episodes in a row

[deepfriedpaddymayne]

printing this out and putting it into an envelope to mail it to steven knight

[byemambo]

4Minutes EP. 1 - My Takeaways

So after finagling with my VPN options, I managed to watch 4Minutes episode 1 shortly after episode 4 of This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans released. Given that I haven't read a singular novel/source material for any of the series I end up consuming: my analyses are not anything more than just pastime fun and pondering thoughts.

Title Sequence

When I first saw the title sequence along with the score: I immediately thought of WestWorld (which I haven't seen the show myself because I'm not great with intense themes surrounding it but my professor showed us the title sequence and I immediately fell in love with it). The score is dynamic and although the title sequence itself doesn't give too much away besides showcasing the two main characters in fragments, it sets the tone for how I'll be viewing the series moving forward: intense, dark tones, small pockets of joyous moments within the storyline (but won't be the main focus of the story itself), and following the lives of morally gray characters.

Camera Angles (Bird's Eye View)

For starters, I noticed a repetition in using a bird's eye view angle to introduce us to new environments and exposition. Whether it be Tyme's introduction after suffering out a possible fatal injury, Great's apartment away from home (which his family members allude to his absence majority of the time in visiting the home), Korn being transported to the "department" that earns the family company most of their revenue, to Tonkla's place of stay (is it Korn's place as well, who knows at this point in the story). However, the scene that stood out the most to me is the right image in the third row of Great descending from his apartment level down a spiral staircase rather than taking the elevator as usual, which hinted at Great's spiral of wrapping his mind around his experiences with sporadic short term time travel and why time is warping the way it is. What I find interesting and continue to ponder during this point of the exposition: why is Great experiencing these symptoms and when? Did he start experiencing them out of the blue, or did he suffer some sort of freak accident or injury prior to the hit (and almost potential run)? Even during the family dinner scene, Great's father even emphasized him having to clean up after his son's "messes," so him experiencing the consequences of past accidents is possible.

I also appreciate the usage of the bird's eye view to emphasize the size of the characters within the space/environment they occupy. That in some instances, they're a small part of the entire whole within the context that they reside in. Tyme running away from the killer who injured him and left him for dead, Great occupying his apartment alone, his only companion that is briefly introduced to the story is Title (which rip for him not getting that calculator for the exam), Great also occupying the elevator to reach the bottom level of his apartment building (which makes me wonder if there's a correlation between the physical levels he occupies and the levels of consciousness he has awareness of, maybe even having its own spin on Inception's take on dream levels now that I referred back to the series's trailer). Korn taking a boat ride to the company's place of organized crime/gambling that seems isolated from the rest of the world where the story takes place, Tonkla's lack of fulfillment and feelings of loneliness after Korn leaves the apartment to attend family dinner (which a lot of us are speculating a cheating or romantic betrayal story arc). The director and cinematographer does an amazing job with utilizing the space through framing and placing each character within the composition, which is intentional and pushes a continuation of how a certain environment shapes the interactions between characters within the environment.

The Number 4 and Time

We know how significant the number 4 will be throughout the entire series, but my question right now is how the gift (since I don't think it's a power that the holder can control willingly) works and its parameters. From the first time leap: Great's car clock read 12:39 just before entering the tunnel and meeting his doom. However, after hitting the woman and attempting a hit and run, it had been four minutes since the incident occurred, latching onto Great and forcing him back four minutes to redefine his fate and making different decisions.

This also happens when Great pays the woman a visit at the hospital the next day: spending four minutes between speaking with the nurse at the desk and attempting to leave the premise after running into Tyme and desiring no confrontation. Once his phone clock reads 13:14, we are transported four minutes back to speaking with the nurse again, this time Great peeking at Tyme's visitation with the patient in room 1 and still running into Tyme regardless. Rather than walking away, Great helps Tyme with his papers, which makes me wonder just how much of these occurrences are solely coincidental and which are repeating itself for Great to revert down a predestined path for the appropriate events to happen in sequence. If Great hadn't left the woman to die out from her injuries or slow down the time taken to aid her injuries, he would not cross paths with Tyme. Even after visiting the woman and attempting to leave the hospital without saying anything to Tyme, time leaps backwards and establishes a second chance for the first meeting to occur. I wonder until the next episode is released: is Great only acting out based on what he's been taught and has known for majority of his life and being met with another chance to act according to his own volition? Is this a matter of nature vs nurture? Is he going to realize that he's being given chances to make different decisions that he will be better off living with than if he were to act based on what he's always known despite not 100% aligning with them?

Family Dinner (Introduction to the Dynamics)

Great doesn't strike me to be someone who thinks like an inherent nepo baby (at least that's what I got from Korn's character introduction as well). Between the two brothers, Korn appeases his father's wishes that involve the state of the family company's successes and endeavors, whereas Great despises them, seemingly living a more "detached" life (while still having access to things like his luxury car) of going to university and focusing on graduating. Again, with the director's intentionality when framing the characters within the environment, we get another rendition of rich family, empty homelife that we all know and love. Even Great establishing the disconnect even further by physically sitting in opposition to his father by being on the opposite end of the dining table, he not only refuses to become one with the family by bowing down to the head of the household, he desires to be viewed as an equal to his own father and cause a rift between the family members.

Despite being unified by sharing the same color grading, we can see how Tyme's home environment is much more inviting, much more lively, much more loved. We can see this through not only his relationship with his grandmother, we can see this through how the home is decorated and cared for, and see how Tyme's priority in life is to become a surgeon and take care of his grandmother by repaying for all she has done for him for what seems like majority of his life. I'm curious to see how the relationship between Great and Tyme play out after being introduced to their temperaments: both having their own expressions of stubbornness, Great being more outward and Tyme being more subdued. However, both characters have shown their sillier sides that's dependent on the closeness of their relationship around those individuals, so I wonder how long it'll take before both characters take down their walls around one another.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

I absolutely adore Den already. I feel the stark contrast between Pol in KinnPorsche and Den in 4 Minutes, which makes me so excited to see what Job will bring to the story as a more relevant supporting character that we couldn't get enough of in KinnPorsche. His smile is gorgeous and just from the kabedon alone in the image below already lets me know that his character is about to be a hoot, and I'm ready for it. The look on Tyme's face is sending me, which makes me wonder where Tyme stands in terms of romantic experience as he's a focused medical professional with a clear goal that may stray him away from other priorities in life like his social needs.

But how much I adore Tyme's relationship with his grandmother. Nothing is more wholesome to me than a family man, but specifically for their elders. The contrast between Tyme's relationship with his family versus Great's will be an interesting juxtaposition for both characters to teach and learn from one another's upbringing that carried into their adult lives. We still don't know their backstories so early on in the series, but I can only speculate that Korn's mother is either deceased or no contact with the remaining family, which may put a strain on how Great and his mother fit within the family's dynamic, since wealth and status seem to be key players influencing the direction of the story. One main character having inherent access to wealth and status that can save him from all sorts of struggle and difficulty, whereas the other main character coming from a humble upbringing that places a lot of strain on his desire to earn a living well off enough to take care of him and his family. We will definitely see how these core values will create friction or shape the characters' outlook on life and the world in which they occupy.

[twig-tea]

Thoughts on The On1y One Finale

Long story short: I did not like it. A romance narrative in which neither couple actually gets together, not even temporarily, is just not satisfying. Especially when we felt the time being wasted week to week near the end.

Not only did neither Sheng Wang nor Jiang Tian admit their feelings to each other--both think they're in a one-sided crush--but Jiang Tian can tell that Sheng Wang is pulling away and lying about it, and Sheng Wang is fucking up his future in order to keep away from Jiang Tian and manage his own feelings. But they still live in the dorm together, because they've promised each other to stay together through the year, and Sheng Wang knows he can't break that promise without wrecking Jiang Tian. I appreciate that Sheng Wang is finding ways to sabotage his own future cleverly, so that nobody can call him on it, without breaking the promises he's made [I stay on my competency kink train, always], but that is not a satisfying place to end a story.

Meanwhile Zhao Xi has finally had it confirmed that actually Lin Bei Ting [returns his feelings] has real feelings for him, and...we end there, again with no resolution.

Two sets of presumed one-sided crushes staying away from each other for internalized homophobia (and other) reasons, one as kids and one as adults, neither of which left resolved. That sucks!

Here's my thing. Beyond knowing that the show added this adolescent-feeling conflict to the teacher storyline [h/t @thisonelikesaliens] that dragged down the pacing of the show (I'm genuinely upset that they decided to take away the opportunity for queer elder content!), the back third of this show was circular, slow, and felt intentionally time-waste-y. I do get wanting to leave things in a place to encourage a drive for season 2 (I'm assuming, since the director has been telling people to ask for s2 as per @bluesuns3t), but I also expect folks to leave season 1 in a satisfying place within that constraint, and for me this was not satisfying. The only thing we resolved is that Sheng Wang knows he has feelings Jiang Tian, which is a realization he's had for at least the last 3 episodes in a row.

And like I said, where we left them is such an awkward place; Jiang Tian knows something is up and is upset about it. Are we supposed to believe this awkward tension is going to exist through the end of their high school career unchallenged? Even though they still live together in the dorm? With everything we've seen between these two?! We saw how he reacted the last time Sheng Wang put up an invisible barrier between them.

Without Season 2 confirmed, I have to judge it on what we got: 8 great episodes of Grade-A excellent slow burn romance mixed with yearning, well-handled family trauma, some excellent visual metaphors, and school being treated as high stakes (which feels right for kids this age), followed by 4 episodes of wheel-spinning, window dressing, and an ending that feels unresolved and unsatisfying.

Obviously I want season 2, but I am both not counting on it and less excited if we get one than I would have been a few weeks ago.

[four-white-trees]

Sunday Six: opening the vault

I ain't written in a minute but I don't want to lapse on S6 for two weeks in a row, soooo have some gay Star Wars OC fun if you like! I've been wrangling some of my old stuff together to post. Most of it is sort of rambling episodes without much of a storyline, so I've been trying to organize it all. You don't really need to know anything about SW to enjoy this. It's mostly just homoerotic teasing.

Tagging: @overdevelopedglasses @jichanxo @skysquid22 @mike----wazowski @passthroughtime

Hobbs stood outside Joiner’s quarters, working up the gumption to knock. It had been a few days since the incident in the transport, and in the chaos, Hobbs hadn’t had a chance to give Joiner his blaster back. He hadn’t even seen Joiner for more than a few minutes since then. Gaius had been keeping him busy, but Hobbs heard Joiner had finally gotten a break. 

Perhaps he should just leave the blaster by the door. Joiner would be sure to get it when he left. Then again, this crew was not made up of scrupulous types—and anyone could come along and take it. Especially those of the crew fortunate enough not to be as familiar with Joiner. 

He sighed. No, do the right thing, he told himself. 

He raised his hand to knock on the door when it slid open on its own. Hobbs blinked at the open door, and saw Joiner on his bed, sitting up against the headboard, throwing darts. He was shirtless and barefoot, although thankfully he still wore his trousers. Hobbs couldn’t help the way his gaze fell over Joiner, enjoying in a distant sort of way Joiner’s muscular but stout form. Hobbs always did have a thing for guys with a little extra to them.

Unfamiliar music was playing quietly, made up of what sounded like high-pitched flutes, fiddles, and some sort of pipe Hobbs had never heard before.

Joiner glanced at Hobbs as he threw his last dart. “Wonderin’ if ya were gonna just stand out there all day,” he said. He stretched out his hand and the darts flew back into his grasp. It was still quite astounding to Hobbs to see even such a simple display of Force powers. 

Hobbs stepped into the room. “I just wanted to return this,” Hobbs said, holding out the blaster. 

Joiner glanced at it, then threw a dart. It hit the bullseye. “Put it on the desk, will ya, Space Cadet?” he said. 

Hobbs did as he was told, but turned to Joiner with a huff. “Will you stop calling me Space Cadet?” he said, trying to sound more commanding. 

Joiner threw another dart. Hit the target dead-on again. “The hell else am I gonna call ye?” 

“My name, perhaps?” Hobbs responded. 

“Your name?” He threw the final dart. It landed between the other two. “Laddie, I don’t call people I like by their proper names.” 

Hobbs started. “You��like me?” 

Joiner reached over and picked up a glass bottle of whiskey that had been resting on an end table, taking a long drink from it. He gave no answer.

“Th-then why do you pick on me?” Hobbs demanded. 

Joiner sighed. He reached out and the darts flew back to him. “Yer just a skinny little greenhorn. Ye gotta cut yer teeth somehow.” 

Hobbs glared, but said nothing in response.

The music swelled into a crescendo. Hobbs recognized the melody. It was the tune Joiner always whistled. Even now, Joiner hummed along quietly as he threw the darts again. It was surreal to see Joiner like this, as Hobbs had only ever seen him stalking around the ship like a caged jaguar. Part of him wasn’t certain that this was that same man. 

“I’ve got to get back to work,” Hobbs said. Joiner took another drink of his whiskey and didn’t say anything. 

Hobbs headed toward the door, but as he got to the threshold, Joiner called to him, “’Ey, Space Cadet.” Hobbs turned and nearly screamed when one of the darts came flying at him. It stopped just mere centimeters in front of his eye and stayed there for a second in frozen momentum before it returned to Joiner’s hand. Joiner started laughing as Hobbs recovered from the fright. 

Hobbs glared at him. “That’s not funny,” he growled. 

“Yer fuckin’ face!” Joiner said, his laughter deepening. 

Cheeks burning, Hobbs turned and left Joiner’s quarters, but Joiner’s laughter echoed in his mind the rest of the day. 

[california-112]

Ying and Yang and Turning Corners for the fic titles ask game?

Ah, two hits on episode-style storylines! Both are styled as S1 MOTW episodes, and both of them I'm REALLY keen to write in full when I get the time :')

Ying And Yang

Plot

Whilst investigating what is alleged to be a recent UFO crash site, Mulder witnesses a car crash, and helps the driver, calling 911. Before passing out, the driver mentions seeing bright lights in the sky shortly before crashing. When Scully attends the scene, she and Mulder go over the crash site together, but find nothing.

Mulder goes to look for X files related to the case whilst Scully enquires after the crashed car's driver; he is still in a coma, and has been ever since Mulder touched his shoulder at the scene. She goes to see Mulder and check on his progress, and they do a day or so of office work. However, a night or two later, she learns that Mulder is completely unable to sleep, and hasn't done so for almost four days, despite actively trying to by taking sleeping pills etc.. Worried about his physical and mental wellbeing and that there might be something else going on, Scully takes Mulder to the hospital, where the staff are so concerned that he is put in a medically induced coma.

At the same moment that Mulder goes unconscious, the driver wakes up. He starts speaking about lights and a strange shape in the sky and everyone thinks that he just has a head injury but Scully believes him as it tallies with Mulder's reports. However, he has to be sedated again, and as soon as he is under, Mulder wakes up, despite the coma. He begins to join the timing dots and realises that his consciousness is somehow tied to the driver's: only one of them can be awake at a time. Mulder says that whilst he was out he was reliving the minutes before the accident and that he has new information, which he explains.

Meanwhile, the driver is having an operation for injuries sustained during the crash. It is touch and go, and he codes on the table. At the same time, Mulder begins to have a seizure. As there is no logical cause, this makes Scully believe in the tied consciousnesses theory, and she insists that the doctors delay resuscitating the driver until Mulder stops seizing. This seems to work, as Mulder and the driver then remain both unconscious but for their separate reasons.

Notes

The title is a reference to the general idea of light and shadow, sleep and wakefulness, balanced opposites, etc., and will probably get a one-line mention at some point in the fic

I got the idea for this fic from when I was researching sleep disorders because for the 65 hours after I started watching TXF, I only slept for 9, and they weren't even mildly in a row. I was a MESS ('was' lol). And so I thought, hey, let's project that onto my current favourite character. *Bill Wurtz voice* I could make a religion storyline out of that

The climax scene might get changed so that Mulder gets more whump, but I don't know yet how I'd fit that into the storyline properly.

I'm not a doctor so the medically induced coma thing is very much a guess at what would be the treatment for sleep deprivation but I need it for the plot so it's staying in :')

I was also looking at wacky clothing and found this shirt, so have executively decided that Mulder owns and wears it:

Snippet

This is part of the scene when Scully first comes to ask Mulder about his research into the case. Unfortunately, I have answered my door dressed in roughly the same manner before, so this is from experience. Featuring the shirt from above...

Mulder opened his front door only to temporarily blind himself with the bright corridor lights outside the dark of his apartment. At first, his only view was of two vague figures, both shorter than him and instantly familiar. It was only after a few long seconds of peering at them, though, that they resolved into one, and he recognised his visitor.

"Scully?"

"Well that's impressive," she opened, "inside out and back to front."

Following her gaze to his t-shirt, he felt around the neck for a moment with clumsy hands before finding the label to be sticking out a short way below his chin.

"Yeah," he murmured, smiling slightly, "I've got a talent for it."

"May I come in?"

"You don't have to ask." Mulder replied, stepping aside to let her pass.

She found a lamp to turn on just as the door was shut behind her, revealing the apartment to be cluttered but not dirty. Mulder had taken a seat on a couch just outside the circle of light, and was rubbing his eyes.

"What's the time?" he asked.

"Just gone four. Honestly I was hoping you wouldn't answer." She looked at him critically. "Have you slept at all?"

"Nah, I've just been going through the files. Nothing yet matches the MO of this…whatever it is." He yawned. "How's Sholenthal?"

"No change." Scully replied. "Sooner or later, though, he's going to need surgery. The coma is the only thing stopping them right now, they don't know the full extent of his injuries and what they can give him for anaesthetic. If takes much longer to come back then they're going to have to get an executive decision from somebody to take a chance."

Scully rubbed at her face, clearly exhausted. Mulder watched her for a moment before speaking. "You want coffee?"

"I want some sleep," Scully replied in a droll voice, "but given that you're awake, sure, why not. You can tell me what you've found in these files."

Five minutes later, Mulder emerged from the kitchen with two cups of steaming hot coffee, some case files tucked under his arm, and his t-shirt the right way out. It showed an incredibly cheesy picture of three stereotypical green aliens underneath a flying saucer, surrounded by green lightning and headed by the words 'WE ARE AMONG YOU'. Scully snorted when she saw it.

"Really, Mulder?" she asked, taking the proffered cup of coffee, "I mean, I can't say I'm exactly surprised, but really?"

"Saw it at a yard sale in college," Mulder replied, putting the files on the table next to his own drink, "for a dollar, how could I resist."

His partner merely shook her head, well able to imagine a younger version of her partner making such a purchase. Screw it, she could imagine him as he was now making that purchase. Some things never changed.

Turning Corners

Plot

Mulder and Scully are called to the scene of a subway train crash in Chicago. However, when they arrive they learn that the train hasn't crashed at all- it's completely vanished. There are also two missing subway maintenance workers.

Mulder quotes a handful of related X files of vehicles disappearing then reappearing in the same position six, twelve, twenty-four or more hours later, notably all multiples of six. He decides to review the files and the new case information whilst Scully follows her own scientific approach. She discovers that anything moving in one direction disappears, but things going in the other direction are fine. Once this is established, there is an extremely careful search of the tunnel, moving only one way, and find that there is a recent repair at one point at the single bend in the route between the two stations.

When Mulder reports back, it's to say that the only common element seems to be the presence of roadworks at each of the sites. Scully tells him what was found in the tunnel and also that the missing train was the first one through after the repairs; they suspect that the missing and reappeared vehicle was also the first to pass the roadworks in all the cases. Tracing the repair companies is inconclusive. Interviews with the workers who worked on the tunnel that evening give them a time for when the two missing workers vanished, and they set a watch for them at the station they were meant to gave got to, but there is nothing at the six or twelve-hour mark.

At twenty-four hours after their disappearance, though, they reappear, with no idea about any missing day; as far as they were aware, they just took two minutes to walk to the platform. They are medically ok and pass polygraph tests. The missing train reappears twenty-four hours after its disappearance time as well, and the people who went looking for it. When there is definitely nobody else expected to come through, the repairs are very carefully undone/redone, and Mulder volunteers to walk the line in the danger direction to test it (he is vaguely hoping to experience it for himself). Scully is against this but he goes anyway.

He gets through without incident, and there is a sweet hug moment of relief/adrenaline running out. The transit authority don't allow any more investigation as they need to get trains running again and blow off the public/press. It remains basically unsolved.

Notes

I actually am still hoping for a better title for this one, but it is what it is for now. I think it needs more justification within the plot...the only corner turned is in the tunnel where the subway train disappears, but maybe there could be some meta elements mentioned.

This was my second ever TXF fic idea!

It precipitated this meme:

Like I say, I'm very keen to write this, particularly as it has a solid plan and also some snippets! Speaking of snippets...

Snippet

A bit shorter this time, but hopefully one day it will grow! This is during the opening scene. And no, I haven't named all the characters yet :')

"There's been a train crash in the subway," [] explained, "looks like it could be a simple derailing, but there could be something more sinister involved, possibly a bomb."

"Yeah, that's what I read," Mulder said, "but surely you could've called anyone from the Bureau, got the local guys to have a look."

"Why request us all the way from Washington?" Scully asked, not doing much to hide her annoyance at being pulled out of bed in the middle of the night for something that wasn't even appearing interesting, let alone relevant to the X files. "A train crash is not a sufficient reason to involve the Bureau," she continued, annoyed, "not unless you've got definite evidence of this bomb theory or a strong suspicion of a federal-level threat."

As they moved through the flood door, [] allowed it to swing shut behind him, booming in the silence and echoing away down the corridor. He fixed both agents with a hard and slightly rattled stare.

"There's no crash."

"What?" Scully said, "then why are-"

"Because there's no train." [] continued gravely.

"What?" Mulder asked, suddenly seeming interested.

"The whole thing's vanished, like into thin air." [] said, beginning to sound more afraid. "Left Jackson and never arrived at LaSalle. A couple of our guys that we sent to take a first look reported that the tunnel was clear all the way to LaSalle, no train anywhere. A little bit after they said that…they vanished too." He swallowed reflexively. "Those were my sufficient reasons to get the Bureau involved."

Scully glanced at Mulder incredulously, only to find that his eyes were alive with enthusiasm.

"And the right section too." he replied, already hurrying on down the corridor towards the platforms. "Southbound, right?"

[my-dear-philo]

So, I just finished Carnival Row season two. Here’s my thoughts (spoilers ahead).

I really liked it at first, but it just kept going downhill. Season one had a twisty storyline, but pretty much all the pieces fit together in the end. This season felt way more convoluted and much less character driven. They tried to do stuff with characters’ motivations, like exploring Philo’s guilt over suppressing his fae heritage and “siding” with humans. It’s just that none of it felt as authentic or compelling as it did in the first season. As a writer myself, there’s a difference between “the characters did this” and “the writers made the characters do this.” It’s a hard difference to explain, but this season felt like the latter. Stuff just happened because it could, with little attention paid to actually exploring character depth in meaningful ways. Overall it felt too rushed and convoluted.

Other points:

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you’ll know I love Philo. This season, however, he felt far less humanized (which is ironic, because the writers were trying to do just that). His arc in season one was so focused on helping people — he was so defined by his compassion — and I really didn’t feel that was present in season two. He felt significantly less sympathetic.

I couldn’t bring myself to ship Vignette and Tourmaline. Their relationship was a major focus in season one, and it was established that Vignette chose Philo, and that she and Tourmaline were better as friends. I just really hate it when a show establishes two characters as a couple and then totally changes direction in the next season. Philo and Vignette were written as endgame in season one, including the finale, and this season totally erased that. It felt like narrative whiplash.

Why did they bother establishing a connection between Tourmaline and Darius and setting them up to be a cute couple to then do nothing with it? And then just kill him? Lazy writing. Make it flow.

I actually really liked Imogen this season. Her growth in season one was great, and it was cool to see her spunk and competence this season especially in the last few episodes. Also, having her kill Ezra felt narratively fulfilling. He had it coming based on how he’d treated her, and I didn’t feel sorry for him at all.

I will never forgive this show for killing Sophie Longerbane. She was 100% the most interesting character on the show, and just as she was getting even more interesting, they killed her. Let smart, fascinating, ambitious women live, thank you. Seriously. Her arc was so good, and I was so excited to see what she’d do next, and then she DIED. How dare you.

Honestly, the show was more interesting before Sophie and Jonah were killed.

What happened to Philo’s “I’m Breakspear’s son and I’ll be chancellor to help people” plot line? It disappeared after like episode two and only appeared again in the epilogue. For a show about fantasy politics, this season almost totally ignored the most interesting political stuff in its own plot.

Speaking of the epilogue. I like what it did, but holy crap that was too rushed. I need at least a few more episodes to explain how everyone got to that point. I love happy endings, especially to stressful stories, but this felt like a cop-out from actual storytelling. I want the story of Philo revealing his parentage and becoming chancellor. Do Imogen and Agreus get married? I need way more development for Vignette and Tourmaline’s relationship. I just need more. The middle of the season felt like a lot of filler; they could easily have cut that and done a couple more episodes to ACTUALLY wrap up the show.

As always, the costumes and sets were STUNNING. This season had better win awards for that.

[thewingedwolf]

@lovecolibri WAIT RE: YOUR TAGS ABOUT INJURIES bc that drives me up the WALL in ls how often someone will be horribly injured and then never discuss it again. at least in the main show, you usually get a small b plot the episode after that delves into it - buck most noticeably tends to get an episode or two arc whenever he gets injured, but we see it frequently with eddie and bobby, and sometimes with chim and hen as well. like, yes they heal way faster than anyone realistically would OR there’s a small time jump and they’ll kind of comment on being back at work again. meanwhile, carlos AMD marjan straight up almost die and then they’re back at work like it’s nothing the next episode?? like, marjan’s lil side quest was excellently done imo (and honestly, tying it back to Marjan’s own belief in her strength, her faith, and adding in a reminder that she’s gotten this far because of the love and support of her family, that is the sort of story i’ve wanted for her, and the one [1] thing i will give the writers on both shows is that they clearly listen to feedback from the actors on their characters and imo that almost always leads to a richer storyline) but she was banged the FUCK up at the ending and then next episode she’s just. hanging out. still firefighting.

WHAT. WHY. chim in the og gets that treatment the worst (imo anyway. hen doesn’t really get arcs like that but that’s bc hen is not nearly as impulsive or accident prone as the entire rest of the 118 lmao, so she usually just doesn’t get injured as badly) but even chim gets an episode or two to deal with his ptsd after Maddie’s ex nearly kills him! buck gets at least one arc a season where he’s injured and has another quarter life crisis, bobby has had to chill out a few times after injury or a wobble in his sobriety, Athena was benched for like half a season after being injured, even Maddie will get b plots (or even main plots!) where she’s dealing with the emotional if not physical fall out of her job. Marjan’s car gets flipped off the road, she spends an entire day running through the woods bleeding and injured, and is then SHOT and KILLS SOMEONE and it’s just a shrug. We haven’t even heard from Iris since Carlos’ story wrapped!! The OG isn’t perfect at continuity or at, like you said, the kind of circular storytelling where something is brought up several episodes in a row as a b plot, then resolved as a main plot, but when you compare it to ls, there’s a clear disparity there that I find annoying. but rob lowe’s kids are in the writing room so Of Course they care more about Rob Lowe doing shit that has nothing to do with being a first responder (like, he’s not even going for ride alongs with Carlos or something! he’s just jogging around Austin and getting into shenanigans) than actually paying attention to the story they’re telling

[livefordrama]

Reviewing Drama’s I Have Watched Part 10

Finally made it to double digits! Once again, here is my rating system:  1- Did not like, 2- Enjoyed but probably wouldn’t watch again, 3- Enjoyed and would watch some episodes again/may watch again, 4- Enjoyed and would watch again, 5- Loved

Korean Drama

You Raise Me Up: 4

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety attacks, Suicide attempt, Blood, Gore, Talk of insecurities and hating self.

You raise me up is a romantic comedy about a man who is incredibly insecure due to his failing of the civil service exam many years in a row which causes him be unable to become aroused. He seeks out a urologist to aid in his issues, however to his horror, his urologist is his first love who just so happens to have been bragging about him to her ex. She becomes determined to return him to the man he once was in order to save her pride.

This show was actually pretty good despite it’s more awkward scenes that give you second-hand embarrassment. I had to pause and walk away a few times due it just being so painfully awkward but it was really funny and super cute. I think it’s a good comedy for those who enjoy some drama with lots of silly, inappropriate jokes, and some cute romance. 

Hotel Del Luna: 4

Trigger Warnings: Blood, Violence, Death, Suicide threats, Gore, Non-con themes, Jump scares, Murder. 

Hotel Del Luna is a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast where the girl is the Beast. It follows a young woman who was cursed to run a hotel and help lost souls pass on to the afterlife to pay back for her sins while living. She has been unable to get over her grudge for thousands of years and thus cannot be reborn. One day, she finds a living man in her hotel for the dead stealing a flower from her tree. She goes to kill him but after he begs to be set free for his son, she instead makes a deal with him that when his son is of age, said son will come to the hotel to work with her. After he becomes of age, the son is indeed taken to work at the hotel but it’s she who begins to regret her own deal. The two may just be tied together in a way neither imagined.

I really enjoyed this movie, it was dark yet pretty, the soundtrack and overall aesthetic were perfect. The only reason I give it a four is because is started to drag and get kind of boring towards the end only to feel rushed in the last few episodes. I wish the pacing was a little better but other than that it was very good. I highly recommend to those who enjoy classic story retellings with a twist, as well as those who enjoy gothic romance vibes. 

The Sound of Magic: 5

Trigger Warnings: SA, Bullying, Death, Neglect, Assault, Suicide, Mental breakdowns, Murder, Panic attacks, Abuse. 

The Sound of Magic is a dark musical about a girl growing up in poverty having to raise her little sister after her parents both abandoned them, who lives her life only to make ends meet. She wanders into the nearby abandoned amusement park where rumors of a real magician are spreading. There she meets the magician who tries his best to convince her that magic is real and to not only believe but allow herself to have fun and not have to worry about anything even if it’s just for a moment. Her along with the top student at school, start to take lessons with the magician however not everything is as it seems when more rumors spread and more people start to go missing. 

I absolutely loved this musical, it’s my first Korean musical and it exceeded every expectation I had. It was delightfully dark and mysterious while also being enchanting and magical. The storyline, singing, acting, it was all perfect. I only wish it had a few more episodes to cover some questions I had but overall it was spectacular and I highly recommend. Make sure to stay for after the credits on the final episode though, trust me. 

Moonshine: 4

Trigger Warnings: Murder, Death, Violence, Drunkenness, Blood, PTSD, Anxiety Attack, Torture.

Moonshine is set during the alcohol prohibition in Joseon Era Korea. It follows low ranking noble who, after finding herself in debt, decides to secretly make and sell alcohol and an investigator who stubborn holds onto his beliefs. Due to circumstances the two end up living in the same home. They start off as enemies but as their paths begin to entangle, they find themselves working together, along with the mischievous prince and romantic daughter of the minister of war, to reveal the truth behind the prohibition and their pasts.

I really enjoyed this series, it has enemies to lovers, found family, mystery, tragedy, fun characterization, and great writing. I saw many say that this show is “just about alcohol” and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. This show is about the struggle of sticking to your beliefs and loving someone who has a different set of beliefs, how powerful people will manipulate and sacrifice whoever they can to become more powerful, and how nothing is truly as it seems. I ended up watching this whole series in three days and enjoyed every minute of it and it ended exactly as I had hoped which is a huge plus. 

The Best Hit (Hit The Top): 5

Trigger Warnings: Terminal Illness

The Best Hit is a Comedy about a 90′s kpop idol who after a special storm, is teleported 20 years into the future where he discovers not only has he been missing for 19 years, but his family and friends all hate him because of his actions during that missing year. He know has to keep his identity a secret while trying to figure out exactly what happened that missing year to cause him to go missing. However, the longer he stays in the future the more he finds himself hesitant to go back.

(Spoilers ahead) Now hear me out, I know this show is on the controversial side because of the love triangle, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I loved the main lead with the girl, to me they had the most chemistry and the cutest scenes. I know a lot of people hated it because his “son” also had a crush on her and the age gap, but those feelings were never returned in the slightest, and they were both consenting adults who were physically and mentally the same age through wibbly wobbly timey whimey stuff. Not to mention, the main lead never even knew the mother or the son in his timeline and is from a completely different timeline (as seen when he can go back and see himself as well as he can exist in the future without affecting it). Plus the immediate ick and subsequent termination of any support of the son being with the girl the moment he told her that her feelings didn’t matter and that he would pursue her romantically no matter what she said. That just is disgusting to me, I don’t care how long you waited to tell her your feelings, her feelings are just as valid and important as yours, accept that she only sees you as a friend and move on. I saw a ton of people calling the couple disgusting and wrong and I just don’t see why, I mean he has less of an age gap even without the time skip than most “immortal falls for reborn love” kdrama which I also love dearly, don’t get me wrong. I think the winning couple was the best option and the ending was super cute. I do wish the son got with the female idol though, that was such a cute dynamic. (Spoilers end)

Okay, small rant over this show was hilarious, sad, and adorable. I enjoyed every second of it and binged it in only a few days. It had me on the edge of my seat wanting to see what happened next. I loved watching the characters become a family again. The romantic scenes were super cute and the funny scenes were my type of humor. Yoon shi yoon’s singing is also really great, I wasn’t expecting that but the song got stuck in my head for days. It’s got a lot of episodes but they are only about 30 minutes long so it’s perfect or a quick watch. 

Your Honor: 4

Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, Torture, SA, SH, Suicide, Abuse.

Your Honor is about two twins who lead very different lives; one is a cold, arrogant lawyer, the other is a criminal who loves too much. After the lawyer goes missing one night, the criminal takes the opportunity to make some money and change his life by pretending to be his twin. However, he soon begins to become too attached not only to his new identity but to the student lawyer under him. After his brother returns, he has to figure out how to lead his own life without falling back into his old lifestyle. 

I know, I know. Two Shi-Yoon shows in a row? To that I say absolutely, he always does such a good job and sometimes I just wanna marathon new shows he stars in as they are always so good. (Also, I watched You Raise Me Up when it was airing so that one doesn’t count.) This show was no different, I love the drama that comes with the twins dynamic as more of the backstory gets revealed. I will say the court scenes are not at all accurate to the point of being laughable but it is very interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the ups and downs the plot goes through as the story carries on. I will say, I did give it a four due to how rushed the ending felt. I’m not saying it needed a super happy ending, I love my fair share of bittersweet endings, but this one really felt incomplete. I wish the characters got more closure than they did and that we had a proper interaction between the twins. Other than that, it was amazing and I highly recommend to those who enjoy drama, romance, humor, and a long watch for it has many episodes. 

Clean with Passion for Now: 5

Trigger Warnings: OCD, Panic Attacks, Mysophobia, Self-harm, Suicide Attempt.

Clean with Passion for Now is a romantic comedy based off a webtoon of the same name. It is about Jang Sun-Gyeol, a man with mysophobia, and Gil O-Sol, a girl who is very messy. They start off disliking each other because of their views on cleanliness, but as they learn to understand each other and the struggles they both have to face, they begin to realize they gained feelings for each other. 

This show was super cute! It’s like a perfect mixture of “My Shy Boss” and “I Am Not A Robot” both of which I adore. I feel like I just really like the trope of “Quiet, misunderstood CEO falls in love with struggling girl who is the exact opposite of him.” bonus points if they start off not liking each other and through a traumatic incident, realize each others struggles. The storyline was super cute, if a little gross and cringy in some scenes, and the characters were lovable, especially towards the end. The romance had me both laughing and awing, sometimes at the same time. I honestly liked all the versions of the love triangle, every ship had the potential and chemistry. My favorite scenes with no context are definitely the umbrella scene and the drunk scene. I did have a issue with how long the conflict took to be solved in comparison to how quickly it was solved and wrapped up. I wish the conflict could have gotten solved earlier, so we could have seen more of the wrap-up without it feeling as rushed as it did. Despite this, I really enjoyed watching and loved how it ended. 

 WebDrama

Blue Birthday: 4

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Blood, Mourning, Murder, Gore, Self-harm.

Blue Birthday is a drama about a girl who lost her best friend and crush in high school, after getting some film developed from his camera years later she finds she can travel back in time to the day of the picture. Now she tries everything she can to make sure he survives but is she willing to pay the price of saving a life?

This show was really sad and kept you thinking about what could possibly come next. It was filled with twists and turns and I really enjoyed every second of it. It is super sad and dark so be careful when watching in case you are sensitive to any of the above triggers as it is graphic. 

The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim: 5

Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Suicide, SH, Murder, Demonic Possession. 

The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim is about a young girl who comes from a long line of powerful shaman, however she never wants to become one herself after witnessing the dangers and alienation that comes form the job. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get much of a choice as her mother transfers her to a school where the bottom ranking student always dies of mysterious causes. Causes that could only be an evil spirit. Now she and the schools top student, who she gives shaman abilities after her grandmother possesses him, must figure out how to stop the slaughter of their fellow classmates before they all die. 

This webdrama was amazing! I loved every moment of it and binge watched it in less than a day. I adore the relationship between the characters and the way the shaman powers are shown both humorously and also dramatically so that you understand that it’s a burdensome power but without making the show too dark. I will say I was thrown for a loop when (slight spoiler) we find out that Woo-soo’s future vision ability is not a shaman ability at the very last episode and it never explains why he has such an ability. My personal headcanon is that he always had it and that’s why the grandmother chose him, cause she knew he would be a powerful shaman and aid as he already had powers of his own. (spoiler end) There is a cute little puppy love romance that is so satisfying and the friendships are all adorable though I wish they actually explained how the highest ranking and lowest ranking classmates became close friends. Like they are so protective over each other and they talk like there’s a story only to brush it off when asked and it’s never actually explained. I just wish there was more explanation in general but I guess that’s what you get when you watch a webdrama. They don’t have enough time to explain everything so you’re left with so many questions, or maybe I just over think. Anyway, I adore this show and recommend to those who love supernatural stuff, drama, puppy love romance, and some cool but subtle super powers. 

[dollypopup]

Listen, I'm not going to go back and forth with you in the replies, @elovessomanythings, 1 because I can talk for days, and 2, because 3 replies in a row is a conversation, so let's converse.

Because I could not disagree with you more

"I do not read him as a villain. Villain of this story has always been Shonda and her completely fake sensitivity. As for your reading into C, you list so many events you've fictionalized based on a scene which funny enough was placed so we can look into Anthony's mindset and scars to understand why he makes such unreasonable, stubborn decisions. Betraying his own feelings and two other women along the way. They served their purpose. 1/2 2/2 Last season had far more better writing in terms of building leading man as a fully fleshed character. Not gonna get into the storyline. Shondaland is so hungry for soap opera angsts and toxic archetypes of the genre. In each and every turn writers choose to stir the pot, to provoke the audience than putting effort into refreshing ideas, memorable conversations. Each season has a monologue that goes viral and that's that. Deliberately shallow. I come across w a reddit post. Someone read and typed what Colin had written in his diary from a scene that showed it. A few lines of sentences are more poignant than 2 seasons plus 4 episode he has appeared. Why Pen doesn't read that but yet another sexcapade? Treating your own show "it went viral bc of Duke's nudity and +18 scenes so let's add a bunch of that" is insulting to the writers room if not anyone else. 🤷🏾‍♀️"

Frankly? I think you do not want to understand Colin as a character. And I don't understand why you feel the need to do so on my post, but fine, I'll bite. I've been loving Colin as a character since his season 1 days, and after over 40 fics and countless metas, you're far from the last person who has a bad faith take on him that I've had a conversation with. So, since you wanna walk with me, let's walk.

Could you please inform me as to the fictionalized events I've listed? Because everything is either from book canon or directly from the show itself. But if you just want to go with the show, the reality is that whilst the show has not given Colin explicit POV, (either 1: they didn't have the time to, or 2 (considerably more clever): to keep us from it as an audience because the entire point of Colin's character is that so much of it is a facade) you can still understand him as a character from Luke Newton's fantastic performance and the writing itself. It is very evident that he keeps so much himself locked away from others, and it has to do with his background. Sure, we don't have the explicit proof of his trauma via flashback. . .but we don't really need to.

It doesn't take a big jump to realize that a 12 year old boy who lost his father and then got sent off to school near immediately after doing so would be putting on personas to make his family, mired in grief, and those around him more tolerant of him. It isn't a huge stretch to realize that Colin is a middle child in a family of 8 and is always lost in the shuffle, so he's a bit of a loner in his own house, and that in being so, he'd do what he must to gain favor externally. It makes a lot of sense that when his mother fell into deep depression after losing her husband, and his brothers took on the lion's share of the familial responsibilities, Colin was lost in the fray and felt useless and lost.

We see that outwardly, he's happy Colin, charming Colin, Colin with a quip, Colin being helpful. We also see that inwardly, he's Colin crying on his bed. Colin grieving alone. Colin without a reply. Colin ignored for his interests so he stops discussing his interests. Colin saying 'yes. . .remarkable. . .as in, I seem to have many remarks about it'. We have seen his insecurities in small ways built to big ways throughout the entirety of his existence in the show, and yes, they're subtle, which is why Season 3 focusing so explicitly on his perspective is beautiful and I was LIVING for it. But since you want to throw Anthony and Season 2 into the loop, I think it's vital to bring up the fact that all you're saying about Anthony? and Season 2? That it "had far more better writing in terms of building leading man as a fully fleshed character"?

Yeah. That was an ENTIRE season to get the characterization and arc across. Colin has had 4 episodes. Sure, Colin has been in the cast for two seasons, but he wasn't really a secondary lead like Anthony was, where in Season 1 his role is more akin to Eloise's in Season 3: he has a lot of connections and a lot of POV because of it. But Colin largely exists on the outskirts until this season, and he doesn't get much in terms of focus of his struggles and concerns, only how others percieve him, and so what we know of him, we must glean through analysis of previous seasons and context of such, or through the direct POV of this one.

Yes, this show has soap opera archetypes. . .it's a drama based on a historical romance written in the 2000s. That's why we as the audience do meta analysis, that's why we dig into the characters. You accused me of overreading in the replies, but digging into characters and backstories and kernels of storyline and fleshing them out, that's half the joy of media consumption. I read deeply into him because I adore him and I see how phenomenal of a character he is, and I stand by the fact that his story is incredibly important to see on screen.

And of course Colin is going to have more fleshing out! He's only had 4 episodes of direct POV! And in those 4 episodes, less time than almost any of the main cast has had, we have seen so much of him. Colin has proven himself to be kind and generous and sensitive. His relationship to sex and sexuality is important to his storyline, and so yes, the journal entry in which he states he would like to be less needy and insecure but still hold true to the vulnerability that makes him who he is will be elaborated on more fully, but they had Penelope read how he experiences sex without intimacy- how he feels distance even in what should be an incredibly close act. That's not a throwaway line to his story. I love his journal entry about his insecurity, how it states aloud how he feels.

But also. . .it is elaborated on in the show. Colin putting on a persona is proof of this. Colin's journey throughout the seasons is showing this sentiment. Colin coming to apologize to Penelope after he tells her he misses her and she informs she overheard him (a clash of his true self and his societal persona) is proof that his gentle heart wins out. His telling Penelope that living for the approval of others whilst he is always literally masquerading FOR the approval of others. . .that is proof he is still insecure but would like to be less so. He says aloud he misses her. He very obviously puts on his mask. He even says the same lines to the debutantes! He is playing a role. A role of a pretty, perfect Prince Charming, arms length away from everyone. Everyone but Pen. Everyone but who he feels that intimate closeness with.

The show does not have to hand hold the audience through every single nuance. Colin *is* fleshed out. In the span of 4 episodes, Colin has done what no other male lead has done in the same amount of time: he has confronted his feelings, and he has acted on them openly and honestly. In Episode 4, Anthony proposed to Edwina, Kate's sister, instead of her, and informs Kate that she vexes him. In Episode 4, Simon insists he cannot marry Daphne, and is even willing to be shot by his best friend Anthony over it.

These men run from their feelings. And yes, they have reasons, but Colin also had reasons to run from his feelings.

And yet, unlike them. . .he runs toward them. He literally runs after his heart, and puts it all out on the table. Er. . .carriage seat? He kneels before his love interest after spending episodes trying to help her and telling her how wonderful she is, and he lays his feelings bare for her, not knowing she feels the same. He takes his own advice on bravery, he follows Penelope's boldness in asking him for intimacy and love, and he does the same. Colin hasn't even done his actual love confession yet!!! Yes, he has another one! This is just his 'I want to be with you' moment, imagine how we'll feel when he professes that he loves her?

I repeat: It's not even his love confession, yet. And already he's been so open and honest with his feelings. Colin is romantic and a dreamer, Colin is growing up and doing so in imperfect ways, coping by being a people pleaser to feel safe and accepted in his society, and then Colin, at only 22 years old, rejects his coping mechanism, and runs off after Penelope in full view of his entire society, breaks up a dance with a man everyone knows will propose, and emerges on the other side engaged to her. Colin is a decade younger than the previous leads, and has shown more emotional maturity than the both of them.

So, in short terms. . .miss me. Colin is fantastic. I won't budge on that.

If your concerns with the show are about nudity and sex scenes. . .maybe it's time to find another show. Sex is a big part of Bridgerton and it's a large reason why people love it, and I'm not and never have been here for the puritanical rejection of sex and sexuality. It's a vital part of both Penelope and Colin's arcs this season, and it holds significance narratively. As Nicola states, these are not throwaway scenes. Each one means something and each one progress the story. For Colin, the brothel scenes are to indicate pre and post realizing his feelings. In the first, he is only there physically, and the second, he cannot even do that much. It is to represent how he rejects his society's expectation that sex for him as a man should be surface level and shallow, and he embraces that he wants love and connection over fast pleasure. That's why the carriage scene is so different: he maintains eye-contact, he is fully present, and he is fully connected to Penelope in a way he wasn't with anyone else.

I don't think it's that difficult to read unless you don't want to. But people who do not want to understand him will choose to purposefully misread him, or will choose to disregard him, as you have in many ways, but here's the rub: just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.

Colin's the kind of character where you have to scratch the surface of him to see all the beauty beneath the veneer. For those of us who do so, he is rich and complex and incredibly endearing and understandable. He is brilliant and kind, a wonderful male love lead, so much of the female gaze personified, and so so very relatable.

And for those who don't want to actually see him? Y'all are missing out

I truly cannot overstate just how much I adore Colin Bridgerton as a male love lead, and how important his story is, in particular in a current, modern reading. We live in a time of alpha male machismo that in many ways mirrors the sexism of the historical time period Colin is in, and we have a hero who explicitly rejects it. More than that, we have a hero who first tries on the persona, first tries to fit in, and then determines, with no outside influence and all on his own, that it's wrong. That he doesn't want to be like the men of his society, that he doesn't like the expectation of sex without love and commitment and connection, that he doesn't want to be 'one of the boys', even if it comes at their derision.

Because when Violet says he has always been her most sensitive child, when he has always considered others before himself, when he has always offered a joke or a moment of levity- for so long, he felt he had to. That there was no other choice.

Colin Bridgerton, The Great Pretender, is finally coming into the light.

Take my hand. Come walk with me.

Colin's arc is incredibly clear, and incredibly dear to me. We can track his progress throughout the seasons he has been in, but if we consider his backstory, it comes even more in clarity.

Piecing together a timeline with some influence from the books and loose historical accuracy, Colin loses his father at 12 and then is sent off to Eton. And he is a tiny thing when his father passes, shorter even than his 9 year old sister, Eloise.

(Yes, I checked!! He's half a head shorter than Eloise, and an entire head shorter than Daphne. This boy is SMALL)

So it makes a lot of sense to me that this is the start of his fake-it-to-make-it personality. He cannot grieve with his family in these circumstances, he's been sent off to school with other boys who are bigger and stronger than him, and he must realize relatively quickly that weakness in their eyes will never be tolerated. In fact, Eton was well known for corporal punishment and bullying during this time. Older boys were well known to mistreat the younger once, and considering just how small and soft-hearted Colin is, and just how vulnerable he is having lost his father-

Of course Colin would become a target of such.

And despite that, we meet him in Season 1 with an endearing earnestness and hopefulness in the world. Something inside him, something sweet and gentle and warm, thrives to live. And fights against grief to do so. How easy it would have been for him to lose his father and be bitter. How easy for him to see his father die from the steps of Aubrey Hall, to be sent to a boarding school away, and withdraw in on himself.

And yet, he doesn't.

At least, not in the way one would suspect. Instead, Colin becomes a chronic people pleaser. If the people around him are happy, then he will be safe. Will not be hurt. And they have no space for his own hurt, regardless. There's hardly even any space for his mirth, as most people didn't even reply to his letters on his travels the previous season.

In Colin's confession in Season 3, he says 'I have spent so long trying to feel less', and this numbing begins early in his life. He's a consummate gentleman in Season 1. He does everything by the book, everything as he should. He wants to be accepted in his society, wants to be taken seriously, wants to belong. So he sees a pretty woman, and he gets along with her well enough, and he courts her. Openly, honestly, in full view. It isn't a heart-stopping love, but he has numbed himself for years at this point, so affection will do, and if proper men of his society are married, well, maybe he'd finally be taken seriously.

And yet, no one notices him, even still. No one except Penelope. His own mother doesn't recognize his behavior, and worries for him after she does. How long has it been since she's actually seen him? We know from the show that he's incredibly close to his mother, and loves her dearly, but we also know that after Edmund's passing, Violet was mired in grief and post-partum depression. Colin misses much of this as a firsthand witness since he's at school, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to tell, wouldn't be affected by losing his mother and father in one fell swoop. In fact, Colin loses his connection to the majority of his family in being sent to school so soon after the tragedy. So of course he comes back and he tries not to make waves. Tries to do things correctly.

His friction with Anthony proves time and time again that nothing he does is entirely ever able to fully please him, and this causes contention in their brotherly bond. Of all the siblings, Anthony is arguably the most harsh with Colin. And he is also the model for who a man should be in the family, as the head of the family.

So when Anthony sees Colin earnestly try to marry, he scoffs him off. Accuses Colin of only wanting to marry to have sex, and then claiming "It is my fault. I should have taken you to brothels." This is the first on-screen shaming of Colin looking for connection before sex, and Colin doubles down. He wants to marry for love.

But he doesn't actually love Marina. Neither of them truly know each other, and so when it all blows up, and he is humiliated to the entirety of his community, Colin gets his first taste of romantic failure. He tried to do it right, and it ended more wrong than he could have ever imagined. So, maybe Anthony was right. Maybe he is just a foolish, green boy, who has no idea how to go about things. The fallout of his failed engagement echoes in the persona he puts on in Season 3, and the choices he undergoes during them. Is it any wonder he ends up going to brothels to have unfulfilling sex if even his own BROTHER, the head of his family, tells him to do so?

It doesn't happen right away, though. Despite the fact that no one truly checks on him or sees how this breakup effects him (Eloise dismisses the hurt he must feel in light of such events with an honestly rather accurate wave-away "Men are always less affected", and that is true), it is evident that he is NOT okay.

We leave Colin in Season 1 putting on a mask, a happy face to his family, a 'you inspired me' to Penelope, and then spends his travels sad. Depressed. Taking drugs to try to ease his mind, occupying himself with writing to Penelope. In Season 2, he spends the entirety of it trying to be useful. And he does this with Penelope. He feels deeply for her, he cares so much for her, and he even says it to her aloud 'You are special to me' and 'I will always look after you' and how he could never give her up. Season 2 is a season of healing for Colin- he closes his chapter with Marina with a relationship post-mortum conversation after he does a wellness check to make sure she's alive (let's be real here, no one else was going to reach out to her. She made it clear to him that even her own father didn't want her), makes amends with Will, proves himself useful to Penelope, and departs on a high: he thinks he threaded the needle. He thinks he was successful sending Jack off, that he made Penelope happy, and that he's in with The Boys.

But whilst the person he is around Penelope is genuine, the person he is around these men are not. We know from Season 3 that they don't actually like him. They make snide, underhanded comments toward him, and laugh at him. I stand by the idea that end of season 2 is Fife and Co. laughing at Penelope AND laughing at Colin. They don't care about their friendship, they're teasing him for caring about her so openly, and Colin is protective of the relationship he has with Penelope. So he makes a comment for the boys, and puts on his mask. 'I would never court Penelope Featherington' (look, I'm just like you. I walk like you, talk like you, speak like you) 'Not in your wildest fantasies, Fife' (I am one of you one of you one of you- so why does it feel so hollow?)

He gets, now, his first taste of acceptance from them. They come to him to Mondrich's bar, he repays his slight against him, and he feels he is one of them. (Does he truly *want* to be one of them?) And so when we open Season 3, it's a smooth progression.

Colin is walking the walk and talking the talk, and yet his heart isn't in it. He's not one of these smarmy men, but he mimics them. Their behavior. In part, at least. Whilst Fife is out preying on 18 year old women in coat closets, Colin is telling gaggles of girls how pretty they are and how with such nice dresses, they're sure to find a husband. He makes it clear he's not an option, but that he doesn't mind being a fantasy. And Luke Newton does an amazing job making that clear: there are three sides of Colin. The Colin portrayed to his society in the light in good company (1) and the Colin portrayed to his society in the dark, in. . .less savory circles (aka: The Lads)(2), his 'armor' as his mum calls it. And finally, the most important but the one kept closest to the chest: the Colin of truth. The Colin who cries alone in his room after a breakup, the Colin who doesn't burden others with his feelings, the Colin who writes to Penelope, the Colin who loves deeply and feels deeply.

But his society has no use for a man like the real Colin, they do not *want* a man like real Colin, so he puts it under lock and key. And so much of this is centered around his feelings about sex, so here comes my 'Colin is Queer' soapbox. Colin does not experience sexual attraction like the rest of the men of the ton. He is expected to find it casual and be cavalier about it. To just want to fuck for the sake of fucking. But Colin needs love and romance and connection to actually enjoy sexual interactions. Nowadays, we recognize this as being on the asexual spectrum, of being demisexual, but he didn't have words for that in the time period he's in, so he has to forge ahead to figure himself out without a community identity to find solidarity with. That's what makes the brothel scenes so interesting as a narrative device: in the first, he's masking even in the midst of it, and in the second, he can't. After kissing Penelope, he finally, for the first time in his life, has a sexual interaction that means something to him.

It's the first one he truly enjoys, and the first one that feels right to him. It clicks for him that oh, that's what it's meant to be like. And the strain of that realization whilst still having to be what his society expects of him puts immense stress on his shoulders. You see how he grows more and more uncomfortable about the conversations, until finally he rejects it outright.

Even when it's very much not encouraged for him to do so. He's even told "You are much more fun this season." That's why he hides himself. From near everyone, even his family, even his brothers. It's telling how Anthony's positive interaction with Colin is when they're at the club, and Anthony praises him for his most recent attention. Have we seen much of Anthony being proud of Colin, otherwise? Not really. So he's reinforced in his persona. Doesn't boast of his travels because it didn't have anyone liking him for it, before. Doesn't even say how many cities he's gone to. Except with Penelope.

In the books, there's a line about their kiss, referencing how his world will never be the same. And it won't be. Because when Colin says that she helps him see the world in new ways, it's in a multitude of meanings.

Penelope refuses to let him wear the mask, because in truth, Penelope is the only one who doesn't like it. Not only does she see the real Colin, but she enjoys the real Colin. Whilst everyone else is simpering over Colin's new look and attitude, rejects who he is in reality, Penelope dismisses it, wants the person she knows him to be instead. It's only when he strips down the facades that Penelope allows him into her life again. And her Whistledown article was harsh, but it was also true. He *is* masking. He *is* putting on a persona and a role. But she was wrong when she asked if Colin even knows which is real: Colin knows very well which is real. And he also knows the realities of him haven't been accepted.

When Colin tells Penelope charm can be taught, he speaks from experience. When he says 'living for the expectations of others is a trap' it is because he has already fallen into it, and if he can't dig himself out, maybe he can keep her from it. Colin tells her 'you do not need lessons' and that she is fine exactly as she is, because just as she sees the real him and loves him, he sees the real her, and loves her, too. But they both live in the constraints of their society, and so they both put on the masquerade. Even sometimes to hide from each other.

The current climax of his arc is when he's out with the lads, after they all go off to the brothel again, and he disassociates from the experience. Playing cards and insisting on sharing sexual exploits, to which he does not want to take part, and makes a lighthearted dig at them. 'There is no gentleman at this table'. He includes himself in that, and then clarifies. He speaks aloud for the first time to them the truth of his heart- 'Do you not ever tire of the expectation to remain cavalier about the one thing in life that holds genuine meaning? Do you not find it lonely?' Can it really only just be him?

And it is. Or, maybe it isn't, but the rest of them aren't brave enough to admit it, so they're okay in making him feel like it is, in outcasting him for being a romantic, for caring about a woman beyond what she can provide for him sexually. Colin professes he doesn't like who he's become, doesn't like the expectations for him to behave the way he has, and they laugh at him. Again. He is made fun of, again.

He goes home and he falls in his bed and he feels like he lost it all. Lost Penelope to his own advice, and lost his newfound shine in his community. But when he's faced with which one matters more to him, he chooses Penelope. Unhesitatingly.

Colin chooses to be sensitive. He chooses to be a warm-hearted, gentle man in a society that prefers sexist machismo. Act one way in the light and another in the shadows. Colin wants to live authentically, as a man he doesn't really have a role model for. He is brave and he is tender, he sees the sexism of his society and he rejects it. He sees the importance Penelope has in his life, the way she makes him feel, and he embraces her wholeheartedly. He wants love and romance, he wants connection and meaning.

Colin, The Great Pretender, sick of pretending. Colin, walking into that ballroom and giving Fife the cut direct when he invites him out. Colin, cutting into a dance in the middle of a ball between Penelope and a man the entire city knows is about to propose. Colin staring deeply into her eyes with such unfiltered longing even *Cressida* can't help but notice what's going on. Colin running off after Penelope in full view of his society, outrunning a *carriage* to see her. Begging her to let him in. Colin on his knees, all but flaying his chest open for Penelope to see his heart. Colin made a choice when that candle flickered out, and his choice was Penelope. His choice was himself. And his choice was to flip off societal expectation and to live for love, damn the consequences.

I think our own world would be a better place if modern men took his example, too. Colin Bridgerton as male love lead in Bridgerton, a global show, is such a refreshing, wonderful example. A man who tried to be like what the world wanted, and who decided to go against the gender norms of his time. A man who prioritizes the woman he loves, who risks ridicule in doing so and comes to realize that he doesn't care. He doesn't care anymore about being one of the boys, one of the lads, one of the guys. Fuck his society if his society can't recognize the beauty of what he feels with Pen. He cares about being the best self he can be. And that best self is around Penelope, inspired by Penelope.

Because how he is with Penelope? God, I could swoon. At every turn, he prioritizes her comfort and personhood. He validates her, he sees her in beautiful, positive light and he helps her see herself that way, too. He encourages her to be brave because he already feels she is, he refuses to let her call herself stupid or a laughingstock, he apologizes without excuses, he checks in on her every step of the way. He's so passionate in that carriage, he's burning for her, he's yearning, but he doesn't do anything until she agrees for him to. He confesses his feelings and when she says they're friends, he backs off. He listens, he cares. He apologizes for overstepping her boundaries, and then when she gives him her consent, the only thing on his mind is showing how much he wants and appreciates her by providing her pleasure. Colin, the people pleaser, dedicated only to pleasing two people in that moment: Penelope, and himself. Because he wants to do that, to give her an orgasm that exists just for her. He's a witness to it, and that's pleasure for him, too. He waits for her nod of consent, he revels in seeing her enjoying herself. And the aftercare- I could cry.

Colin is a man who had every single reason not to be a kind, sensitive soul, and still he chose it. Chose to share it because the headline, even a wallflower can bloom, that's not just for Penelope.

It's for Colin, too.

[afaimscorner]

The Flash 9x01

Well this one was actually doing very well until the end, when they started hitting us with a lot of nonsense that has the potential to ruin the show again (like they did not do enough of that in the last two seasons already!).

I mean, it had its ups and downs (they just redated the last season again, why should Iris sell her company and work for someone else and why is that seen as a good thing by everyone but her?) and again they just remade a plot they already had (and “Cause and XS” was the clearly superoir Time-Loop Episode), but they did finally acknowledge that the Westallen-Marriage is in trouble and gave them extensive couple theraphy in an unconventonal form, which yes alwasy has been a high point of the show - using the Comic Book Setting do deal with actual psychological issues.

And they finally gave us Team Westallen back (only took them three seasons to). Yes, we want them together as partners, please!

But then they went and had to ruin it with:

* Joe wanting to move away out of nowhere. I fear we might get a Cisco all over again, but it would be worse if it’s Joe, especially given that Dani is contracted as a main character for this season and Cecile just got new powers so, do we have to expect Jocile to split up and who gets Jenna (probably Joe cause he is leaving, so they don’t have to show her, and this would make Cecile look back because she prefers superheroing over taking care of her own kid!). And if she leaves because he does, it’s Kamilla all over again - actress losing her job and character of the show because a male person decided to move on. I mean, I know they have to come up with some reason for Joe to not be around, but frankly given his amound of screen time in  the last two seasons and the lenght of this one: We would not notice if he would just not be on screen for 8 or 9 episodes in a row. Ir’s not like he was interacting much with other characters in Season 7 or 8 - he could just sit Jenna at home.

* And then of course the elephant in the room. The fear was there, but I really - really - hope that they did not introduce this new character in order to be rid of Caitlin forever. Because last year I was pissed but gave them a pass, because if they can’t have Danielle play two character in sepreate bodies, okay, I get why they would want to keep Caitlin rather than Frost around. But if Frost’s death now lead to Caitlin commiting suicide in an ill-faited attemp to bring her sister back and we now have lost both of them and Danielle spends all season playing a brand new character instead and we never get Caitlin back ... well I have no words for what I would feel then, so ... No, I am not pleased. And if this is merge-character - meaning the personality of the two were merged as originally planed at the end of Season 3 ... sorry, that is not something you do in your shorter final season and would still mean that Caitlin as well as Frost are gone for good. Nope, literally no one wanted that, we wanted Caitlin to get powers from this storyline, not get a new main character for the last bunch of episodes! (Also what is that hair supposed to be?)

So lets hope those two storylines are not going where it seems they are going.

[rainchyna]

𓆩♡𓆪 episode five: WRESTLING WAR I.

i fought for my life so that y’all can see this so y’all better like it because we will fight >:( this ep is pretty uneventful apart from the promo but it’s kinda boring so i don’t blame y’all if you don’t like it LMAO we could’ve had FOUR EPISODES by now but tumblr stay being the biggest mf opp

6:47 am, training.

the nWo formed two days ago.

it’s been a really long time since you’ve last seen producers, writers, Vince and others be so panicked. it all happened so quickly too, the last thing anyone expected was for Hulk to be the the third man of the faction. it’s not like they can change anything now.

a day that has training usually starts at five for you and Bret. when you both arrived, Randy was there too. the place was a mess. there were a lot of employees running by, paperwork for upcoming storylines was being thrown around, rooms being turned into meeting halls. Randy explained that Vince, apparently, had trapped some people with him since last night and they’ve been writing and rewriting Raw for hours.

“I’ve never seen him so stressed” Bret said as he laced up his boots again, “it’s like his whole head of hair turned white overnight”. you hum, laid out on the ring mat. this meant a lot for you, you had to reinvent your character. introduce new moves, come up with some catchphrases, design some proper ring gear. last thing you need right now is for the audience to get bored of you.

“y’know” you sat up, “back in Japan, when I was in a mixed team with Shinya, we used to do this move where he’d power bomb someone then set them up on the turnbuckle, then I’d hit a running frankensteiner out in the concrete. do you think that would be too much if i do it here?” you ask.

“you worked with Shinya Hashimoto?!” Randy asked, “yeah?” you answer, “didn’t you know that?” you ask. Randy shrugged, “mixed matches are basically unheard of here” he says. can’t blame him, he’s right.

“I don’t think it’ll be too much, considering what will happen for this next period of time. I think Vince will be open to any type of exciting change” Bret says.

you began thinking of new things to add to your character and ways to introduce yourself to the fans, because up until now your gimmick just seems to be a shell of who you were in Japan. maybe you should just use your first name? or talk a certain way? maybe a major gimmick change! hm…

“Y/n?!” Bret called out for you, “huh?” you were zoned out. you look at him and there suddenly was a wild Vince Mcmahon standing outside the ring. his appearance made you jump a little, his hair was an absolute mess, his under eyes were dark and his eyes were red. his button up was wrinkly and the stress of work was showing on him.

“are you okay?” you ask, he nods with a hum as he rubs his temples. “I need all three of you in the office” he says, voice raspier than usual.

as you four walk towards the office you feared the worse, it was obvious that Vince was not in a great in mood at all. you were scared he’d ask you to do something stupid, or to change your gimmick and make a joke out of you.

you exhale, it was Vince McMahon. only so much can go wrong.

Vince begins scrambling for some papers as soon as you enter the office, you, Bret and Randy cram into a random couch in the room. it was something you guys always unconsciously did, cramming in one spot when there’s plenty of room around you.

“here” Vince hands you a paper, you quickly grab it and both men lean in with you to read as well. you frown, the paper was split into two parts, and names were arranged in columns and rows. Vince had picked out the teams for you and Taker.

“I thought you were going to let us pick out our own teammates..?” you half ask, it’s not like you hated your teammates, but you would’ve liked to have picked them out yourself.

“well, they’ve already been selected.” Vince said. you wanted to make him let you pick, but you didn’t want to argue with him today. “okay” you respond.

“why is my name on there?” Randy asked, “wouldn’t that be unfair to the other team?”

“don’t worry, I have a plan for you” Vince said.

please let this go well.

“for tonight’s Raw, I wanna see if you can do an unscripted promo. Taker’s part has been printed out but we left your lines out of his version.” Vince says sitting behind his desk.

“are you sure?” you ask, he nods. “I wanna see if you’re as reliable on a mic as you are in the ring” he explains.

please let this go well.

“okay”

10:22 am, y/n’s locker room.

“which one goes better with my shorts?” you ask holding up two tops in front of your mirror, both strapless, one is red leather and the other black denim.

“hello?” you look behind you, Steve had passed out on the couch while Owen was trying to shove what looked like a pen up his nose. “guys!”

Steve loudly snores himself awake while Owen immediately tries to look innocent. “you’re really not helping” you put the clothes down. “w-what? no, no, I am” Steve sits up, you roll your eyes. “you fell asleep” Owen says, “and you were trying to put a pen up his nose!” you flip on a chair near you.

Steve turns to smack Owen but you quickly jump between them, “you touch my baby, and I’ll smack the accent out of your speech” you threaten while Owen sticks his tongue out at Steve. “whaddya need help with anyway?” Steve asked.

“I wanted to know what I should wear for tonight’s segment” you say, “hasn’t your official gear come in yet?” Owen asks and you shake your head. “that red shirt looks alright” Steve points to your pile of clothes that was almost on the floor. “this one?” you pick it up.

“yeah” he nods, “what do you think Owen?” you ask the blond, “yeah, I think it’ll look cool, wear it with dark pants” he suggests.

“should I wear heels?” you ask, “high heels?” they both ask. “aren’t they a bit impractical?” Steve asks, “yeah, but we’re only doing a promo later, I’m not wrestling tonight” you reason. they both shrug, “go for it” Steve says.

you put on the outfit and your shoes, then unintentionally started an argument about cowboy hats between a texan and a canadian. Steve was raging about how you should wear a white one because it’s ‘classic’ and Owen wanted you to wear a red one to match your shoes.

never in your life did you ever think you’d hear Steve call Owen ‘maple syrup boy’.

“and what the hell do you know about cowboy hats, boy?!” Steve spat, “more than ya fuckin’ do!” Owen faked a southern accent. “guys?” you interrupt, “a red one would look better!” Owen said, “the hell it ain’t” Steve crossed his arms.

“guys!” you yell, they finally pay attention to you. “there’s hats of all colours in the dressing room” you explain. Owen gets up and grabs your arm, “then we’ll go and see which one looks better” he says.

hilariously, they’re both angrily stomping their way to the dressing room with you following closely behind them.

the door flies open and thank god there’s only two people in the room, it was Bret and Randy. y’all would’ve looked crazy in anyone else’s eyes.

as both men continue to argue while pulling out random hats from the accessories’ closet, Bret and Randy look at them confused, as if you could explain anything without them giving you their ‘really?’ faces.

you go and stand next to them, “Vince rewrote Raw” Bret said, your eyes widen as you look at him. “what do you mean he rewrote it?” you ask. you were supposed to be improvising, you weren’t worried that much, but you still wanted to know. “he printed you a promo I think” he added.

now you needed to know.

“when did he do that?” you ask, “like an hour ago” Randy said, “and why didn’t he tell me?” you sigh. “you should talk to him, me and Steve have a match later and he rescheduled it like five or six times so far” Bret explained.

you groan, head falling into the palm of your hand. “no I insist!” Steve’s voice bellowed behind you, a white cowboy hat was suddenly placed aggressively on your head. “not now, Austin” you mumble. “he rescheduled our match again” Bret told him, “jeez, what’s going on with him today?” Steve asks.

you leave the dressing room and head towards the office, heels clicking against the floor. the place was quite, it was still relatively early, only staff in sight. you knock the office’s door before entering. Vince, Pat and a producer were in the room, papers were scattered everywhere, and the atmosphere was tense.

“am I interrupting something?” you close the door behind you, the staff member excuses himself before walking past you and exiting the room. “no, not really” Pat said.

“I heard you changed tonight’s episode” you began, “ah, right. I forgot to tell you” Vince said as he shut his eyes and rubbed his temples. he picked up a paper and held it out in your direction.

you grab the paper examining it, “keep it with you” Pat began, “we still don’t know if we should let you improvise just yet” he adds. you sigh once more, “the decision is still not set though” Vince says. what the hell?

do they want you to improvise or not?

“I guess..”

you didn’t want to start anything with Vince today, the man seems to be going through it. you began walking back towards the door, “y/n” Vince stopped you, “please do your best tonight”, you raise an eyebrow before quickly nodding. “of course” you smile. “nice hat by the way”.

you wanted to grab some coffee to rehearse your lines with since you were feeling a bit tired. you immediately notice Chyna and Lita sitting at a table having breakfast. “where have you two been?” you ask as you sit at their table.

“we just arrived” Lita explained, “and I heard Vince is not having a good day” she adds as she pokes around her pancakes. “oh trust me, he not” you chuckle as you begin reading your lines.

it was generic promo, nothing too crazy, apart from making fun of Taker every now and then. “love the outfit by the way, especially the hat” Chyna said as she drank some orange juice, “you should’ve seen the war that happened for me to wear it” you respond.

“war?” Lita laughs, you nod.

you three just continue chatting and talking about your day, which was a bit hectic so far. “y’all wanna go out later?” you ask, “I don’t really have anything later”. Lita hums with a mouthful, nodding her head. “yeah, this day’s been quite something” Chyna says, “true honestly, Vince is going off of rage autopilot” Lita adds.

the man is clearly trying to get rid of the kiddy, family friendly taste the WWF has to counter the nWo’s renegade antics. every once in a while you could hear him yelling about something being ‘not controversial enough!’.

poor Vince, someone get him an ice cream.

“so a bar later?” Chyna asks, “yeah” you all agree.

3:21 pm, dressing room.

what was it with you and Shawn always being the dressing room together? it felt like you were destined to meet every time here.

“are you following me?” Shawn asked, you slowly turn to him giving him a mean side eye. “I came here first..?” you say putting down your blush palette. you did a plain look today, basic base and some highlight. you added three red rhinestones to the outer corner of your eyes.

“you’re always here when I’m here” he said, brushing his hair. “coincidences happen” you spray your face with setting spray. “nah, I think you’re following me” he reassures and you roll your eyes.

“why would I follow you?” you ask, “’cause you want me” he smirks as he flexes in front of the mirror, ‘I swear my eyes will fall out of my head’ you think. how many times do you have to go over this conversation?

you groan loudly then breath out, calming down. “for the last time Shawn, I don’t want you” you explain. “eeehhh, they all say that at first” he laughs. “annoying ass bitch” you mumble.

you grab a random hairbrush and before you can touch your hair, Shawn immediately grabs it out of your hand. you groan, “give that back! why do you always take my stuff, man?!” you try to swat it away from him, but fail.

“I wanna brush my hair!” he laughs, “you just did your hair!” you pull on his arms, “Shawn give it back!”

he grabs one of your arms and pulls it behind your back, “Michaels, I swear to god-” you begin, he chuckled. “what are you gonna do, hm?” you wriggle in his hold.

“just give me the fucking brush back” you push against him, “or what?” he asks. you roll your eyes,

“Shawn” you warn, “pretty girl” he taunts.

you manage to break away from him and hit with a half assed upper cut. he quickly lets go of the brush and you grab it away from him. “stop with this highschool jock shit, I will break your fucking nose” you threaten.

“I’d love if you do that” he smirks, you stare at his stupidly punchable face, you raise your finger to say some smart shit but stay quite.

“you’re really fucking annoying” you mutter, he steps closer to you and pushes some hair behind your ear, “and you’re really fucking pretty” he says.

pushing him away, you roll your eyes again.

10:28 pm, RAW <Live>

you were in the main event tonight, the last half hour is all yours. the segment tonight was to determine you and Taker’s groups. simple.

you were rightfully very excited, this was your first feud and you were going up against the big leagues, this was going to be fun. everyone was crammed in gorilla, you look back at the men and women and you slightly cringe. get nice and cozy in there guys and pray that each one of you showered, because they’re about to be here for a long time.

you felt giddy, the type of happiness that had you giggling to yourself. Taker clearly noticed, your energy was quite infectious and he couldn’t help but crack a smile himself. “well, someone’s happy” he crossed his arms. “dude, this is gonna be cool as fuck” you smile, there’s a sudden tug on your arm and you’re yanked to side.

“y/n listen” it was Vince, he startled the hell out of you. “fuckin’ hell, Vince” you place a hand over your chest. “the promo we gave you earlier? forget about it” he said, and you look at him wide eyed, “what?” you ask. he nods, “I want you to improvise” he explains.

your mind immediately felt like that fuzzy, black and white screen that a t.v displays when he it’s disconnected. you had came up with some lines when were still going to improvise earlier in the day but you threw out most of them, not thinking much of what will happen.

“and you’re telling me this now?!” you ask, “I know, I know, but pass it off for tonight. I’ll pay you back” he apologetically says. you sigh.

and just like a switch had been turned, and of your excitement suddenly fizzled out.

this was your first feud and you were going up against the big leagues, hopefully this is fun.

you stood by the ramp and a staff member counted you down until your music hit, you fixed your hat and threw your championship over your shoulder as the crowd popped for you. you get in between the ropes and into the middle of the ring, holding your championship up high. a ring side staff member handed you microphone and the crowd settled down quietly.

“so everyone knows about my little situation with The Undertaker. we’re both backstage, he thinks i’m being rude, we almost fight, and all that, you know what happened, whatever, right?” you begin, “but me personally, I really wanna fight that guy, like what’s not good enough about this?” you ask pointing to yourself and the crowds cheers.

“exactly!” you smile fixing your hat, “okay, now everyone listen” and the crowd quite down again. “I wanna issue a challenge to The Undertaker, Taker, I know you’re back there and I know you can hear me. I want you to listen, so listen carefully - actually, why don’t you come out here?” you ask and the crowds pops.

you wait, everyone waits - and waits, you begin getting nervous, yeah you’ve been trying your best to keep the crowd invested in what you were saying, but this wasn’t supposed to happen. scripted or not, he was supposed to come out immediately.

everyone is waiting, still waiting and commentary are starting to question whether or not The Undertaker is coming out.

“look man, I get you walk slowly but hurry up now.” you say. you lean against the ropes and begin chatting with the people at the front row, damn where is he?

“he’s scared of you!” the girl you were talking to yells, “yeah! he sold out!” they guy next to her agrees.

they both begin chanting ‘YOU SOLD OUT!” and those around them follow suit. it took away the nervous smile you had one and replaced it with a genuine one.

the lights dimmed down and first dong in Taker’s theme song was heard. however, he didn’t get the cheers he usually got, instead, he was drowned in the “YOU SOLD OUT!” chants.

one couldn’t tell by the Deadman’s face but he was raging on the inside, not only were management backstage siding with you, but now the fans were too.

he steps into the ring and is handed a microphone as well, “whatever it is that you want to say, or challenge me for, do it now. you’re wasting my time” he said, and the boos he was met by were unimaginable.

“oh, i’m the one wasting your time?” you spat, “so I was the one who took one hundred years to get to the ring?” and crowd cheers so for you. “don’t get smart with me now, little girl” he orders and you shrug.

“just stating the obvious” you say, “now, as I was saying. my challenge for you is that we form our individual teams, people to fight each other. obviously because we can’t wrestle since that’s banned or .. something like that, but our teams can go through something like a tournament to see who comes out on top” you were immediately getting into the details of it all, this segment was already dragging.

the crowd listened closely to every word you said, interested in your offer. Taker raises the microphone to his mouth, “go on” he says.

“we’ll pick out our teams, men and women in both so that it’s fair, and we’ll go at it” you explain. “and what does the winner get?” Taker asks.

“the winner will be in Survivor Series as the main event!” Randy exclaims.

everyone’s attention and cheers are now diverted to the announcer’s desk, Randy tips his hat at both of you and you smile. “you heard the Macho man, is that a deal for you?” you ask.

Taker doesn’t answer you. he’s silent for a while and once again, the crowd is annoyed at his slowness. “oh brother” you groan.

you heard it when it began, the “YOU’RE SCARED OF Y/N!” chants. they almost make you break character, but you tilt your hat and pretend to admire your championship to hide the grin on your face.

“is that what you think?!” Taker yells at the crowd, “yes, you have a deal, Y/l/n!” he bellows and you push your hat back with a smile. the crowds pops.

“how about we pick our teams now?” you ask looking the crowd who cheer again. “Randy?”, Randy pulls out what looks like a bowl from under the table and jumps into the ring with you two.

“the bowl has papers that have wrestlers names in them, each of you gets to pick four. Y/n, you get two women and two men. Undertaker, you get two women and two men, both teams will consist of five members, are we clear?” Randy asks and you both nod.

the crowd didn’t even question how Randy knew about your challenge, they didn’t even care that he knew that there will teams and that he prepared. they wanted to know who was in the teams.

you dig in the bowl, mixing the paper around a bit before picking one out and unfolding it.

“Chyna” you smile, and the crowd cheers, they cheer even louder when she comes out to stand with you in the ring.

Taker picks out a paper and quickly unfolds it, “Luna Vachon” he reads and the crowd cheers again.

you pick, “Sensational Sherri”.

Taker picks, “Lita”

you pick, “Owen Hart”

Taker picks, “Shawn Michaels”

you pick, “Bret Hart”

last pick goes to Taker, “Steve Austin”.

the ring was now filled with wrestlers, Chyna, Sherri, Owen and Bret on your side, while Luna, Lita, Shawn and Steve were on Taker’s side.

“all is fair in love and war, including this one if that’s what we’re calling it.” Randy began, “now I’m gonna ask you two to shake hands. to vow on professionalism in the name of wrestling, no tricks, no lying, no cheating, no stealing. can you?”

you and Taker glare at each other, an intense stare down. you stick your hand out, he stares at it then takes it in his.

“call it wrestling war one then” he says.

little did he know that the reason your team was giggling among themselves and why crowd behind you were chanting your name was because you had crossed your fingers behind your back.

it’s on.

still there was one thing left.

the bowl had one last paper in it, you noticed it. Taker noticed, the crowd did to.

“who’s remaining in there?” Taker asks as he points to the bowl. you grab the paper and unfold it, your brows furrowed with confusion.

“Macho Man Randy Savage” you read and the crowd goes wild, while everyone in the ring looks at each other confused.

“now hold on, hold on, hold on. who’s side are you on?” you ask, and Randy laughs as he begins to exit the ring.

“can’t spoil the fun now, can I?” he smiles.

[insomniactalks]

Gonna drop this quick and run. But hear me out. I will start by saying that Ricky may very well have genuine feelings for Gina. I'm not dismissing that. I just couldn't help but notice somethings about Ricky's reactions here:

As soon as EJ and Gina start fighting in 3.05, Ricky immediately covers his ears (kinda like a child does when their parents are fighting at home). I get the feeling he was used to his parents fighting a lot when he was younger, and his instinct was to cover his ears. He also looks at both EJ and Gina in 3.06 during the canoe scene. I think it's at that moment that he realizes just how much EJ and Gina truly care about one another, and how much they're fighting for their relationship. Thinking back to S2, he was also fighting really hard for his rela with Nini. But he learned to let her go because that was for the best. He actually gets that advice from his mom, who he understandably holds a lot of resentment towards. I could be wrong, but I read his expression in the 2nd gif as someone who has seen his own parents fail to save their relationship, but sees two people, despite all their recent tensions, still fighting for their relationship.

Earlier that day, Ricky comes face to face with his dad's new girlfriend and is presented with a gift from Mike via Miss Jenn:

I definitely think Ricky still feels uncomfortable at the idea of his teacher and father dating, even if he's trying to act like he's okay with it. When he receives the gift, he's not exactly happy about it. It's sort of surprises him, but not in a good way. Perhaps it's a not so subtle reminder that things have really changed for him back home. Later that day, he sees EJ and Gina trying their best to save their relationship, then hears this from Jet that night:

Jet, being "little Ricky" and all (3.02), admits that he feels like it's his fault Madison and Maddox broke up. Does that not sound like how Ricky feels about himself in terms of his parents marriage? Perhaps he also blames himself for the downfall of his parents relationship. He couldn't save it or fix it. Instead of dealing with his own problems, Ricky is throwing himself into Jet and Maddox's issues to try to save their relationship. I think the majority of Ricky's issues in terms of romantic relationships always goes back to his parents, which they still haven't fully addressed. Three seasons in a row, and Ricky's main storyline revolves around his love life. If there's any chance for Ricky to truly move forward and find the path to true happiness, this season has to end with Ricky single and not ready to mingle and being okay with that. He hasn't taken any significant amount of time for himself to himself. I also think it's difficult for him to see EJ and Gina have the kind of summer he was expecting to have with Lily. While I don't think Lily broke his heart, I do believe she broke his trust. He even blames himself for why things fell apart because he said "How could I be so stupid?" in 3.01 during his breakup w/ Lily. He shows up to camp and the first image he sees are a genuinely happy and loving couple (Portwell). It seems like Ricky wants what they have because he was expecting to have a fun summer in a new relationship. Jet's line above definitely hit a nerve for Ricky because I think it reminds him of how things fell apart for his parents. In order to escape the pain he's feeling, Ricky tries to "fix" the relationship problems around him. One last thing, I don't think it's a coincidence that 3.06 is the first time this season that Ricky's acknowledged his past with Nini (also in conversation with Jet). In Ricky's eyes, he's had two failed relationships in a short amount of time, and to overcompensate for that, he tries to fix everyone else's relationship problems instead. I'm wondering what the last two episodes have in store for his character arc, because so much of it so far has been romance-based. For this character to actually progress in a positive way, he has to learn that it's okay to not be okay and that true happiness doesn't come from being in a relationship.

[alaffy]

Riverdale, Ep. 6x09 - The Serpent Queen’s Gambit

I suddenly want them to do an episode revolving around that Italian Restaurant. At this point, I want to know the history.

So one thing I did enjoy in this episode, and I hope it continues in this season, is characters interacting with each other. And I'm actually kind of invested in this season? Or, at least, I'm finding it more interesting then the last. Also, I may have to rewatch Rivervale as it seems like it might be more important the I first thought.

Obviously, we have the fact the Reggie's dad is dying here. And in Rivervale that was also the case. I'm not going to say much on this storyline, other then to say that I did like that the storyline focused on Reggie. That he actually seems to have his own storyline this season. But now he's hiding things from Veronica and....yeah, they’re not going to make it.

I also liked the plot with Archie, Betty, and Jughead working together. Especially to take down Abigail. Although, can Jughead control how much he can read a person's mind? Like does he really have to concentrate or...cause his power seems all over the place. It will be interesting to see where this goes with them vs. Pickens as they can't really tell anyone about all of this. Well, they could, but would anyone believe them? and if they believed them, could Pickens make them suddenly not believe?

Of course, the biggest story belongs to Toni and boy does this have shades of Riverdale seasons one and two. We want to get rid of the gangs in Riverdale. Okay, so then you only focus on the one that's borderline boy scouts, not the one who's know for dealing heavy drugs and a large amount of violence? And here's the thing. I'm starting to question, now that we know that Pickens can apparently convince people to do what he wants in large groups, how much of what's going on is what the town wants and how much of what's going on is somehow being influenced by Pickens powers. Like the meeting where Toni was thrown off the council, isn't it amazing that the three people we know have powers wasn't at the meeting at the time. Is it possible that Pickens used his powers to make people vote that way (I know that Tabitha voted against and I have a theory on why she might be immune, but it goes into spoiler territory for future episodes).

Speaking of Pickens, he killed all the Ghoulies (except the one with a speak role, convenient). He tried to kill the Serpents. He says he bused away the people from Skid Row, but we never saw that. But even if that is the truth, he still is involved in the mass murder/almost mass murder of a bunch of people. Just like his ancestor. Except, according to Veronica, this Percival doesn't exist. Is it possible, just possible, that he's not the descendent of Pickens, but is Pickens himself?

And going back to the whole Rivervale thing, holy crap Toni remembers. Or she flashes to it. I guess the two universes aren't as separated at we thought.

Also, I'm going to give Kevin the benefit of a doubt (for a change). Judging by the last scene with Kevin and Toni, it seems pretty clear that Kevin is doing what he's doing because Pickens is inside his head. I'm not a huge fan of Kevin at this point, but if he is being mind controlled not his fault. If he isn't being mind controlled, then I don't see a way back for the character.

Also, Fangs has turned into quite that gang member hasn't he? Wasn't he the one who was held upside down by the, uh, (was it the Ghoulies?) over the staircase? And now he's collecting guns to get in a war with the other gang? (Unless he's being controlled too). I would say after what happened tonight, Toni and Fangs relationship has even less chance of surviving then Veronica's and Reggie's.

[twdmusicboxmystery]

Sunday’s TWD Special

Okay, here we go. On Sunday, they aired a TTD special. The kind of thing they usually do pre-season, and we figured it was to hype 11c. And it was. Kind of. Honestly, there wasn’t tons of TD smoking guns in it. And it was more hyped Tales of the Walking Dead, which starts next week, than it did 11c. 

That said, there were still a few things we raised our eyebrows over. Here they are.

So, let’s start with Gimple and his shirt. It’s very western-style, which I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen him wear before. Meanwhile, there are two sunburst-like designs on the front of either shoulder, and he’s wearing dog tie. Hmm. Given some of the hints from the press release, and such, I can’t help but see this as a hint toward something. 

@galadrieljones​ commented: Generally, the look is super Southwestern. The bolo tie + the flowers give off a Native American influence. So, I thought, New Mexico.

Gimple also said they’d be “playing with reality” a little. He was referring to Tales, rather than 11c, but still, that caught my ear. It shows that they’ve done this in the main show as well *coughs* Leah *coughs* and that it’s something they do. 

Terry Crews was a guest on the show. He was adorable. I mean, who doesn’t love Terry Crews. He told a story about how he basically fan-boyed all over Norman at Comicon, which I thought was funny. He also revealed that he’s a motorcycle guy, which I didn’t know about him. An episode of Ride for him might be inevitable at this point, lol.

Some of the clues came from sneak peaks they had of the Tales episodes. In the one featuring Terry Crews, there was a “route 122.” Significant number. 

In the Anthony Edwards episode, it seems he’s a research scientist. (Another scientist character; total coincidence, I’m sure. (Sarcasm.) In it, he called the dead “homo mortis” and talked about a group called Skull Hunters. No idea what all of that is leading to, but it’s very interesting. 

I won’t go into the entire, long discussion, but we’ve also noticed an ER tie here. In 11b, they talked about having to do a medical scene at Zeke’s animal hospital. They removed someone’s appendix, iirc. And by happy accident, the woman directing that episode was an actor for years on the show, ER. She played a nurse. Now, they will have Anthony Edwards (also a long-time actor on ER) do an episode of Tales. Just some tie in which they can pull in actors from that show because people in the industry know one another. Not anything to side-eye on it’s own.

But then we realized Anthony Edwards shares a last name with Steven Edwards of Grady. Yes, yes. I know that’s most likely a coincidence, as no one can control what the actor’s last name is. But go with me on this a little farther.

In ER, Anthony Edwards’ character was named Dr. Green. Same name as Beth, just spelled without the final e. And over the years, we’ve seen lots of references specifically to the Emergency Room setting:

I would even throw in that Bob was a trauma medic. That’s very similar to what’s done in the ER: basically trauma triage until others like surgeons and specialists can come in and do the repair. 

So anyway. I’m not saying they’ve been aiming to have Anthony Edwards on the show and that’s why the ER symbolism. I suppose it’s possible they’ve had him contracted for a long time, but not likely. 

I do, however, think it’s VERY likely that the ER symbolism is intentional because of some future, Beth storyline. And it suddenly occurred to Gimple that getting Anthony Edwards, who played Dr. Green for like 10 years, to be on the show would be perfect for the symbolism, so they specifically asked him. 

I made this joke to my fellow theorists as well, but they’re using him for his symbolism. Lol. 

Anyway, we could be reaching with that, but it’s definitely interesting to consider. If it’s a total coincidence, I gotta say, that’s one hell of a coincidence. (Actually, it’s like 10 of them in a row.) Moving on...

Samantha Morton will also be in one that’s pretty much Alpha before the turn. She’s on a river boat. Think about that. River. Boat. So again, just interesting symbolism that we’re already seeing in the short clips of these episodes. I think Tales is gonna bring us all kinds of symbolic goodness. 

Of course, the best part was when Gimple talked about the spinoffs. He talked a little about the Richonne spinoff. Didn’t give us more than we already knew. Although, he did mention the Red Machete. He said we’ll see a little bit of the older, more brutal versions of Rick and Michonne, including “Red Machete Rick.” 

Now, I don’t think the red machete will necessarily be part of the Richonne spinoff. (Though it would be interesting if they used it to in some way reveal who Legs is.) I think it’s more likely that Gimple went out of his way to mention the red machete as a hint. 

As @wdway​ commented:

When Scott describes the Epic Love Story, yes, he's talking about Rick and Michonne but don't you feel like he's also talking about Daryl and Beth.  Being separated for so long and being different people. The other thing is that mention of the red machete, I mean seriously that red machetes been gone from Rick since s7(?) for years. It was last seen being picked up by what looked like a female.

She also made a good point about how they originally tried to sell the Daryl/Carol spinoff:

@wdway:

Remember at the beginning when Daryl and Carol spinoff was first announced and they indicated it would be more light-hearted and even humorous I think what we see with Tales wil give us a glimpse of what they meant by humor it's dark humor, sarcasm that type of thing.

Great points!

Then, Gimple addressed the Daryl spinoff. He confirmed what we already knew about it taking place in France. Then Chris asked if we had a hint toward that story line in the coda of TWD. (The part where two people spoke French and then the woman turned into a super-walker.) And Gimple said (and I paraphrase) “Yes, exactly.”

So let’s unpack that a little. First, it always gives us a thrill when they refer to an after-the-credits scene as a “coda.” It shows that the coda symbolism (including the title Beth’s “death” episode) is alive and well. I’ve said this before, but I honestly don’t think tptb starting using that word for them until after TD did. Back in S5, when we had some Morgan codas in 5x01 and 5x08, they simple called them after-the-credits scenes. Sure, maybe they called them codas and I just missed it. After all, 5x08 hadn’t aired yet so our brains weren’t attuned to that word. But it seems like ever since TD started using that term for these scenes, suddenly Gimple and Kang do it all the time now. 

Just makes me happy.

He also confirmed the tie between that France coda and the Daryl spinoff. In other words, when Daryl goes to France for whatever reason, he’s going to come into contact with both the CRM and these super walkers. Which does suggest that he’ll probably come into contact with Beth and/or Rick in some way. 

I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but think about it this way. We’ve been saying forever (because symbolism) that Beth is with the CRM. Ever since getting the details about the spinoff, we’ve highly suspected the spinoff might be the story of Daryl discovering Beth is alive. Now, a tie between the spinoff and the CRM has been confirmed, and there’s that interview where Norman says Daryl will come into contact with “missing” characters. Hmmm. Amazing how on-track TD can be at times, isn’t it?

On a last note, @wdway​ went and read the messages/questions sent to by the fans. If you watch TTD, you know they always answer at least one fan question on the show. Of course they get hundreds, if not thousands of them, sent in every week, and just pick one. @wdway​ informs me that the Carylers flooded them with questions about guess-what-topic.  🙄 It’s just worth noting that all such questions (which to be fair have already been answered many times by tptb) were completely ignored.

So yeah. As I said, no massive smoking guns, as it was mostly focused on Tales, but I still enjoyed it and am very much looking forward to Tales starting next week. Anyone see anything I missed? 

[lonslibrary]

things the netflix shadow and bone got right and wrong—my reaction to the show (🚨 contains spoilers, pls read at your own risk!!)

- to start on a positive note! the shadow and bone characters: i, like many others, didn’t care too much for shadow and bone with the exception of nikolai and am also half convinced a different person wrote soc judging by how little i enjoyed reading s&b compared to soc and crooked kingdom. however, i thought the show was enjoyable and got the characters spot on. alina was more likable, mal was not bland/douchey at all, and i thought ben barnes as the darkling hit every right note.

- highlights included genya and david; though they didn’t have too much screen time, genya was stunning and david was almost exactly how i imagined him when reading the books. i’ve grown attached to them, and yes, i’m pretending row chapter 20 doesn’t exist :-)

- cgi and costuming was also super impressive. loved the keftas, loved the crows’ outfits, and the stag, the fold, and all the grisha powers were really, really good.

- moving on to the crows, i will say i thought casting was some of the best i’ve ever seen throughout all ya adaptations, although i know there are some things that could have been improved, including the fact that danielle galligan, who plays nina, isn’t plus size (no hate to the actress, pls). however, all the reviews i read praised kit young and i could see very obviously why. his jesper was spot on—exactly as i had imagined in the books. i’m willing to bet kruge on the fact that he falls within everyone’s top 5 characters. loved his character in the books, and kit was perfect for him.

- amita was also a stunning inej. her knife/acrobatic skills were all there like i imagined and i thought she portrayed the character very well on screen. i was so invested in her menagerie backstory when reading so i was happy to see some of that get into the show as well.

- ok, now my thing about kaz: freddy carter’s performance was perfectly good! i had no issues with his acting, but i think the show, meaning the producers/writers, haven’t fully understood kaz. don’t get me wrong, the introductory scene with all the crows in ep 1 was fabulous. jesper shooting the coin, kaz’s cane being on screen first, inej’s silent appearance. i really enjoyed the grittiness of kaz, the way his bare hands weren’t shown once, his hair, his cane, how he sweat, etc. however, i thought they overdid it with the pekka rollins backstory, which i think could have been saved for later seasons, and i wanted non-readers to be introduced to a more brutal, calculating, brooding, and genius kaz. i know he isn’t like that all times, but i felt like he was kind of on the defensive(?) very often, raised his voice when it wasn’t needed, etc. i wanted more of his smart, scheming moments like when he double crosses the conductor. not sure how to explain it, but his character felt a bit off at times. maybe i’ve read the books too many times to the point where i’ve kinda made him in my head very specifically.

- nina and matthias: loved danielle and calahan’s performance, i know some disagree but i think the actors were also pretty spot on to how i imagined in the books. their lines most alike to the books as well so i loved hearing the quotes. i did feel that their relationship moved too quickly, though. i definitely feel like matthias would have taken up a bit more time than that to warm up and i know how it goes in the books, but on screen it felt really sped up to the point where i was like already?? i feel like with how much they put into the very little screen time they had, this could’ve been saved for flashbacks in season 2.

- the combination of the two series did worry me but it was pretty smooth! i liked where the crows went, how they kinda came together in the end, but i’m also glad that they’re separating after all. i’m so invested in seeing the soc and crooked kingdom storyline come to life exactly how it is in the books so i don’t want any more interference lol. i am worried about how the timeline is gonna work in season 2 because obviously the civil war has not ended, but i really liked how the last episode set us up for season 2. (also a random note, but the show was very dark lol i had my brightness up all the way the entire time)

- HIGHLIGHTS: milo the goat (mvp of the show), jesper tumbling the stable boy, all of jesper’s lines, really, the darkling’s office/room setting, genya and david’s one (1) singular scene together, the darkling’s kefta, the child actors portraying alina and mal, the way the stag’s bones connected alina to the darkling (super grotesque, but a good portrayal of her becoming his prisoner), the CUT omg, that one scene when jesper pretends he didn’t shoot on dime lions territory, the scene where the fjerdans attack alina in the forest, kaz avoiding the cut, kaz saving jesper from the cut, inej’s knife battle with the heartrender, kaz stepping in front of inej to face the volcra, FEDYOR AND IVAN omg, kaz’s “jes?”, queen baghra, the darkling coming out of the fold at the end with his monsters that are impossible to spell, and more i can’t remember after binging the show until 3AM.

- in conclusion, it lived up the excitement for sure, and i’m ready for season 2!! especially with the way the last episode ended. i’m very eager to see my faves, nikolai and wylan, and cannot wait to watch where the grishaverse takes us next.

do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? i want to hear everyone’s opinions!! feel free to drop comments below :))

[spookyfbi]

what did cody said about klave?

Omg Anon okay so, twitter user umbrellaacademy invited Cody to do a twitter space with them which they did yesterday (8PM Friday EST) and Cody stayed for OVER TWO AND A HALF HOURS answering fan questions and saying SO MANY things about Dave and Klave and I am still so overwhelmed. I have recorded it and I’ve sent the video to the host and they’ve said they’ll release it soon (although the file is massive so I suspect they’ll have a bit of trouble wrangling it like I did so it might take longer). In the meantime, some highlights under the cut:

- Dave’s favourite thing about Klaus is his openness. He’s charismatic because he’s unafraid to be himself. Cody also finds it endearing that Klaus marches to the beat of his own drum.

- He likes the idea that the briefcase brought Klaus to Dave because of fate/destiny. Dave is the missing piece of Klaus, he fills a void in Klaus. He’s as interested as we are to find out if the timeline loops back in season 3

- Dave is soft spoken. There are qualities of Dave that have grounded and soothed Klaus but also Klaus has pulled Dave out of his shell. Klaus’ openness was like an invitation to Dave to open up and be goofy and strange, and this was a vibe Cody got from Robert as well in the bar scene, but then the dynamic shifted later and he felt that Dave was the one who was opening up first.

- Dave would go with Klaus to be with his family. He would want Klaus to take the reigns and would trust Klaus re- what kind of life they could have together post Vietnam. Although there would be no hesitation from Dave about his love for Klaus, there might be hesitation about planning a life together because of the time period they were in. There’s a sense of peace and wanting to settle from Klaus. Cody just basically being solidly on the Klaus bringing Dave back to 2019 to meet his family train.

-  There is a sensitivity and self awareness to Dave, Cody thinks he accepted his sexuality but just was careful about advertising it because of the time period. He also says that his Dave in season 1 didn’t have the experience we saw in season 2 with his uncle and that might have made him more open (I am staring directly at my reverse George McFly theory).

- Dave’s love for Klaus is unconditional, he loves him for exactly who he is. Dave’s unconditional love is a foil for the conditional love Klaus gets from his family. Klaus doesn’t really know what love is and then he gets fired this laser beam of love from Dave.

- Cody that been in a play where his character was in a relationship with a guy but he thinks Rob hadn’t done that before. The director set the tone that the kiss scene was an intimate and tender scene. He feels like there was a reassurance from Dave to Klaus in that moment.

- Dave was holding 4 shot glasses in the scene where he’s holding them with both hands. 

- Cody describing Dave in 4 words - kind, sensitive, empathetic, soft. Dave would describe Klaus as free spirited, open, unfiltered, unexpected (he also put forward chaotic but didn’t stick with it and replaced it with unexpected).

- Dave’s first thought when he woke up and saw Klaus was “Is this a dream... We’re not sleeping much so this could be a dream, I wouldn’t put it past my brain” Also “The dream coming to reality but maybe not necessarily looking like what he thought.”

- He thinks Klaus probably took the dogtags off Dave after he died as a way to remember him rather than them exchanging them

- He wants Klaus and Dave’s storyline to end with love prevailing. He also floats the idea of Dave taking a dark turn and Klaus has to be the redemptive person to bring Dave back.

In preparation for playing Dave he watched the Ken Burns Vietnam War documentary series on Netflix and also looked up online about the Vietnam war. He also listened to music he thought Dave would be into from 1965-1968: He mentions Motown and Stones (Cody said he himself likes Motown)

- Cody’s favourite thing about Dave is the quality of how he loves Klaus. He describes it as pure and unconditional and simple and he talks about he thinks people need to love each other fearlessly - not just romantically but in friendships as well, especially with what’s happening now (and this sort of clarifies to me why he was talking about love over fear so passionately in the clever klaus q&a and what he meant by that)

- Cody is a fantasy nerd

- He would love to see Dave giving Klaus some agency

- He thinks that Klaus has some guilt about Dave’s death

- He would like to play a Commission agent (Commission Dave rights!!)

- Robert is very open and unassuming and funny and it was easy to have an immediate rapport with him. Cody also talked with Tom Hopper (about their mutual friend Bradley James). He also briefly met Colm and Robin and he also remembered he met Aidan (who here had a theory about a deleted scene with Aidan in the attic?)

- He doesn’t know how time works in the afterlife or how Klaus’ power works but Dave would have waited 50 years for Klaus

- Calem joined the space and they said that they hadn't interacted before but they had a bit of a chat. Calem said that his filming in season 2 was 4 days but about 1 month apart. Calem’s internet kept cutting out and then he disappeared.

- If Dave was one of the 43 children his power could be the care bear love blast and he could fire hot beams of love out of the hole in his chest. He would give Dave a more passive power to round out the more active powers the other Hargreeves have, like a healer

- The scene in the tent was filmed at the studio. The scene on the bus was shot outside. The scene in the trench was partly shot outside but some of it was shot in the studio as well (I wonder if he’s confusing that trench scene with the hallucination at the Rave though?)

- He said the scenes were beautifully lit (I beg to differ, Cody!)

- Klaus helped unlock that part of him (I think he means Dave’s sexuality) and he also says that Klaus was a very specific target to Dave’s love. Klaus seems like one in a million. When you love someone there’s something specific about them that pulls that out of you.

- Calem returns! He was in his room where the internet crapped out on him but then he went downstairs. Cody asked what it was like for Calem to come in and play an established character. Calem said he purposely didn’t talk with Cody about the character before playing him because he’d done the audition without knowing anything about the character so he didn’t want to risk doing something too different from what he’d done in the audition, but he did watch season 1. He also said he was a bit anxious about what the audience would think of him playing the character, and Cody went into acting mentor mode and said that he doesn’t think the job is about appeasing the fans but about trying to be as true as possible. He also said that Calem did a good job and he shouldn’t be hard on himself but Calem then said that he quickly got over it and he wasn’t thinking about it on set, just afterwards. Calem mentioned that he creeped Cody’s IMDB and he said that his dad was a camera operator on Lizzie Borden Chronicles this Cody guest starred in an episode of.

- Dave loves music like Cody. He mentioned Four Tops as another band and then Motown again. He thinks the bar scene shows Dave’s love of music but he wasn’t thinking about that at the time.

- Dave would be overstimulated at first if he came to the future because we’re bombarded with a lot more stimulus than in the 60s. The internet and iPhones would blow his mind. He let’s a “we’ll see” slip, which he then quickly corrects to “we would see”

- The kiss in the bar was definitely the first kiss and he thinks it happened a couple months into the tour. He thinks the feelings were mutual quite early, but that it would have taken some time to act on them and to be able to gauge if each other were really giving off the signals that they like each other.

- He’s appreciative of the fan love and he tries to make a connection with everyone he can

- Dave is an optimistic force who thinks that love will prevail so he would have wanted to do something to make it work despite the obstacles they faced

- Cody doesn’t know how close to the vest Klaus kept the stuff about his powers and the time travel etc but he did see Klaus appear so he does know there’s something strange about him. Dave trusted Klaus and even if it wasn’t explicitly talked about there was enough trust to go “wherever you go I’ll follow, wherever that leads.” When Klaus conjures Dave, Dave is excited to see him but isn’t really surprised or put off by any of the circumstances that Klaus is in.

- He thinks that Dave is more the listener of the relationship, but he could certainly see Dave telling Klaus about Dune and Klaus indulging him.

- Rob is very genuine, very unassuming, very immediately open, very funny, definitely puts you at ease, incredibly thoughtful, very considerate, good dude (wow it’s the complimenting Rob speed run! 8 in a row!)

- The aspect of Dave that Cody connects to most is his non-judgemental quality

- Dave would connect with Vanya’s softness and Luther’s moral compass (he said Diego’s moral compass in the cleverklaus q&a so not sure if he just mixed them up). He thinks Dave might be a bit too sincere for Five and Ben would appreciate being able to unload Klaus on Dave.

- He thinks Dave is not a tattoo guy but Klaus is impulsive so getting a tattoo really aligns with his personality. He thinks that Dave’s actions speak louder than words written on him

- He connects to the fractured family theme of the show on a personal level

- Dave being jewish was something he only learned about through looking at the dogtags, it wasn’t in the script or anything

- Dave might have studied Philosophy if he’d gone to college instead of joining the military, he feels like there’s a dreamer quality to Dave

- Even though Dave was pressured into joining the military, he thinks that Dave believed he was going the right thing by enlisting

- Colm is a Canadian Hall of Fame actor and Reginald is such an intense character so Cody would love to do a scene with him. He would also love to do a scene with Elliot.

- Cody remembered waiting on set to film the scene in the club and he, Rob and Tom were in an 80s hotel with a heart shaped jacuzzi (??? oh was this the set with the Handler and Agnes maybe?)