#and i cannot forgive the betrayal until my girl is back in the plot

[worldsbiggestnerd101]

catra honey ily and i know you’ve been through some shit but did you really have to send entrapta to beast island and then lie about her betraying the horde. did you.

[dying-suffering-french-stalkers]

Finally watching Goodbye Partner!  I’m watching the dub, but I have the subs on so I can read the date/location popups and signs, so I’m getting a bit of dialogue comparison.  I’ll probably go back and watch a few scenes with the original audio as well (Kiyoshi Kobayashi my beloved).

Here begins the liveblog, but all in one post and under a cut so it’s not as insufferable:

Starting strong with a heist escape sequence as per usual!  As far as openings go, it’s hard to go wrong with that.

Oh, hello, literal actual Chopin courtesy of a timeskip/flashback.

What are these RWBY-ass CGI piano hands??  Y’all warned me and you were not kidding.  Traditional rotoscoping would never hurt me in this way.

CUSTODY_OF_CHILD.JPG

Lupin playing in those see-through inflatable “hamster” balls skdfjskjdflsl

Intricate Rituals.  Jiglup gunplay confirmed

Epcar’s delivery here was so much more aggressive than Kobayashi’s.

“Area 61, Colorado” just say Cheyenne Mountain

EDWARD ZNOWDEN

Fujiko really is terrible with kids

Listen, I love a good Dutch angle, but I’m starting to feel like I should set up a CinemaSins counter at this point.  I’m glad to have some shot variety but there are other compositions, you know.

Motorcycle Jigen returns!!

Loving this little Morricone shoutout, which I unfortunately cannot seem to find on YouTube.

[strangled Goemon voice] “MISTAKE.”

God. GOD. Tony Oliver’s delivery in the betrayal scene is so good.  Lupin is clearly not buying it at all and is quite willing to play along with whatever the hell this is - until Jigen shoots him right in the heart.  That’s going to hurt a lot more than literally when he wakes up, though 1) given that the movie’s barely begun, I’m guessing he’s still not completely buying it (rightfully so) and is gonna look into this and 2) unfortunately this franchise isn’t known for actually digging into all the delicious angst and implications it likes to sling around.  Cowards.

Also, I like that Lupin seems to be wearing a navy shirt and pink tie like he had in early Part 2 instead of the blue shirt/yellow tie he has in the other Red Jacket movies.  Not sure why that’s what they went with but I’m down.

Okay, I went back and watched the betrayal scene in Japanese and OOF, it hits DIFFERENT to hear Kiyoshi Kobayashi deliver those lines.  He’s so utterly casual about it and it’s all the more angsty since he’s, y’know, a million years old, so here his Jigen sounds much more tired/resigned compared to Epcar’s brasher gunman.

The way that the shots focus on not only Jigen, but also Fujiko when the boss asks about the betrayal...nice.  Fujiko doesn’t know for sure if Jigen killed Lupin, but I imagine such a possibility would shake her at least a little - not just because she cares for that silly monkey man, but because that partnership has been a surprising constant in her life.  If even that could finally crumble, her natural cynicism is about to get a whole lot deeper.  Morbidly, she wants to know if Jigen had the balls to do it.  It’d be a hell of a lot more kindred spirit between them than she ever expected if so.  It’s a shame this plot wasn’t used in a Koike movie; it would’ve been great to see the deliberate parallel/foil from TWCFM continue.

“Why don’t we talk about your future?” the boss says as Jigen’s whole demeanor screams What future?  Even though Lupin isn’t dead and Jigen has his reasons for why he did this, Jigen hardly expects forgiveness after all this.  Lupin may be alive but Jigen has just killed the best thing he ever had and he can never get that back (except he can, because movie and long-running franchise, but y’know, Watsonian vs. Doylist).

The Dark Crystal (1982)

HATSUNE MIKU???  ACTUAL HATSUNE MIKU????? (just her voice but aksdjfkajsdkfjaklsjdfljasjdflajsdf)

Ohhhh, the Lupin & Clarisse / Jigen & the kid’s mom (still haven’t heard her name lmao) parallel was just uncalled for, my heart

Let Jigen wear burgundy more often

...Mr. Epcar, I love and respect you, but is it too much to ask that you vary your inflection a little more?  Where’s the PATHOS?

Slightly cried instantly, “The Wendy lady lives.”  Then Peter knelt beside her and found his button.  You remember she had put it on a chain that she wore round her neck.  “See,” he said, “the arrow struck against this. It is the kiss I gave her.  It has saved her life.”

BLACK JACKET

Burgundy suit + round glasses Goemon!!!

There’s no way Pops is getting his job back after this one

Goemon: [turns his usual hot girl swordsmanship up to 11]

Lupin: Well mark me down as scared AND horny! dot jpeg

Again with the CGI hand crimes.

Wow he straight-up said Jigen was cheating on him

Ah, see, that “waste of oxygen”/“huge mistake” bit of dialogue is the kind of inflection I like to hear.

WarGames (1983)

It took me entirely too long to realize the president was supposed to look like H.illary.

Goemon: [slices open a door for Fujiko]

Fujiko: “Oh, you.” <3

This is all very action-heavy and surprisingly decent for a Lupin film so far, but uh. why is Jigen once again a side character in his own movie?

Ayyyy, nice reference to Zantetsuken’s composition from Part 1.  Still insane that they melted down three awesome swords to make a different sword though.

Goemon snarks back to robots confirmed.  Not that Lupin would ever be stupid enough to buy an Al3xa/etc. but can you IMAGINE

JAZZ PIANIST FUJIKO!  Fujiko having actual interests and hobbies!!!

Comrade Emilka

TRIPLE PARALLEL WITH JIGEN & ALISA NOW

They just?? left Jigen in the middle of the desert after the absolute minimum discussion of All That????  That’s...on-brand actually but give me the angst this plot device deserved >:(

Michelle Ruff I would die for you

This variation on the main theme is my favorite.  I’ve probably listened to it about a thousand times at this point but I finally got to hear it in context.

Welp, that was one of the better Lupin movies I’ve seen, but I do wish they’d done more with the whole Jigen betrayal thing that ended up being more of a subplot.  Thank goodness for fics that do the work.

Edit: “There are about four different plots going on at once in this movie, and they forgot to focus on the one that’s in the actual title.” - @theimpossiblescheme

[notesofarichlycolorednight]

it’s taken me a while but here we are!! listened to bloodwater ballad [TUMBLR | SOUNDCLOUD] by @gerrydelano so I’m gonna dive (ha, dive, get it?) into some analysis even tho I haven’t taken a proper English class since AP English Lit in high school and the god complex it gave me has never left (RIP to everyone else, but I’m different). But I do have a degree in Psychology and am a Researcher, so I know how to dissect things (this is probably why the god complex never left lmao)

disclaimer: I have only listened to TMA through one (1), read it ONE time, so if you read something that seems wrong it probably is because my memory is not The Best (the seasons are 40 eps long and 30 mins each, Jonny why) and I’m probably straight-up not remembering or misremembering some aspect or detail about either a character and/or their relationship

(and before you say it, i absolutely CANNOT just go relisten to an ep out of order. my nd brain Will Not Let Me until i have listened thru all 4 seasons, In Order, several times)

ALSO: i speak very definitively here, but it doesn’t mean i’m right abt my analysis

bold and italics are lyrics, regular font is analysis. if there’s a more accessible way to format this, lmk!

analysis under cut

honesty that's what she gave to me mary didn’t hide who she was; eric knew exactly what he was getting himself into

into the water i bleed into the sea sea motif/metaphor to describe how eric viewed his relationship with mary

truthfully even when she lied through her teeth it only meant she trusted me to lay at her feet rationalization from eric: he knows she’s lying, and she probably knows he knows. but she also knows that he won’t do anything about it

oh, heave-ho it's over the edge i sink more of the sea metaphor in pieces in ribbons in tatters i'm thrown into the dark of the drink ribbons and tatters: reminiscent/hint of mary needing a piece of his skint to keep his ghost in the leitner

oh, heave-ho it's over the edge i go blow the man down, he's a jewel for your crown (blow me down) and no one will ever know ”jewel for your crown”: suggestive of how mary used eric like an object. jewel and crown suggests that he was useful to her in an important way, tho, still an object ”no one will ever know”: suggestive that no one else, looking in on their relationship, would even see it for what it truly was, nor would they ever expect mary to throw him away so casually like she did

war, you see is somewhere you go just to bleed the end of a book you can’t read (books you cannot read) a legacy’s greed “book you can’t read”: suggestive of mary’s relationship with leitners ”a legacy’s greed”: commentary of leitner; bc this is eric telling his story tho, this could also be about how mary pulled eric into her plots regarding leitners, and then gerry

distantly, familiar hope came to me that even with blood in our teeth my son stayed asleep ”even with blood in our teeth”: eric knows what role he had to play in all this and is not absolving himself of blame ”my son stayed asleep”: often sleeping can be used as a metaphor for ignorance. in this case, eric is hoping that, despite what gerry’s mother is and what eric has been complicit in, will not affect his son i think it’s interesting to note here that the backup voices cut out for “my son stayed asleep” (put a pin in it)

oh, heave-ho the ship is my body, i gave to my wife as the captain, the whip, and the brine, the shark lurking under the waves more of the sea metaphor; also a metaphor for how complicit eric was to mary’s will i think it’s super interesting that she’s the captain, whip, brine, and shark in this metaphor. all things that can hurt eric, as the ship. suggests that mary is in complete control of eric (as the captain). also adds to the notion that eric knew exactly who mary was and still loved her anyway (”i gave”).

oh, heave-ho the ship is my body, she cracks the mast of my spine, spills my blood as her wine (lightning strikes and) i really like this line bc it makes me think of the marriage lines in corpse bride: “your cup will never empty, for i will be your wine.” and i love that it’s turned on its head here. cuts a flag from the skin off my back (takes all the skin off my back) a direct callback to the fact that mary has to take strips of eric’s skin to keep his ghost in the leitner book, while also staying with the metaphor that eric is a ship out at sea

way, ay, i wanted to say though blinded i still saw the light at the end of the hall, in a crib with his eyes almost grayer than mine in the night direct callback to eric blinding himself, twice! also represents how much he loves his son: “light of my life” is a common saying and gerry was that for eric

i gave up the sight of his face for his life and i would have lost more for the same i'd cut out my heart to save his from her bite and i almost don't know who to blame again, direct callback to him blinding himself so he could escape the institute a demonstration of how much love he holds for his son, willing to give up more and more of himself if it meant keeping his son safe heart motif! both for eric and gerry i really like the last line here bc he’s saying he doesn’t know who to blame for his blindness (aka cutting out his heart): himself or mary. bc, as i’ve stated before, eric knows who mary is. and he still loves her. still had a child with her. i also think it’s foreshadowing. and the reason i say this is bc, in the end, eric was unable to save gerry from mary. this song is representative of his statement to gertrude, so at this point, he’s a ghost. tho he may not know exactly what mary has done, he knows who she is enough to know that after he died, mary would raise gerry in her likeness, with her ideals

is it a murder if i made my bed by her side when i knew what she was? and here we have eric, most nearly explicitly, stating that he knew mary’s true colors. and loved her anyway. perhaps i'm complicit; i fell asleep first in the bloodcutting comfort of jaws this also solidifies his stance that he should shoulder some of the blame for allowing himself to love her when he knew what a truly terrible and deadly (literally) person she was ”bloodcutting comfort of jaws” is also really nice alliteration

forgive me, forgive me, i did try to swim with my hands and feet bound to my heart heart motif! okay so this one has so many layers for me: so, for all intents and purposes here, eric has effectively cut out his heart, which his hands and feet are bound to, and is now in the jaws of a shark (mary), who is dragging him down to kill him. he tried to save his son by getting away from the institute by blinding himself but it didn’t work weighted and anchored with love for my son who by birthright deserves more than scars legit, this confused me for a bit bc i always saw “with my hands and feet bound to my heart” as the anchor that pulled him down, as you’d weigh someone down with big rocks if you wanted them to drown. however, in the context of tma, i realized anchor could also mean the way martin is jon’s anchor. eric’s love for gerry was his reason--the person who he kept fighting for as best he could

additional note: these 4 verses are all sung without backup voices. i think it’s interesting that the lyrics/verses that revolve around wanting to save his son, and that are about his son, are sung with his singular voice. i wish i could articulate more what that means, but despite my best efforts, i’m not musically inclined even tho i’ll kinda be talking abt music composition for firesorrow girl lmao. link at the end

my eulogy the carpet red under my feet like standing on top of the sea (standing on the sea) the frenzy beneath don’t ask me why but i really like how this last part of the song starts with “my eulogy” bc you can tell the song is coming to a close now by that lyric. what’s really nice is i can “picture” eric closing his statement with gertrude with the request that she finds his son more sea and shark metaphors

infamy how do you remember me? that fool just so desperate to leave that he couldn't see? i also really loved these lines bc eric most likely knows how gertrude thought of him, and can probably sense how she feels of him now, after his story then i love how “couldn’t see” has a double-meaning here: 1) of course, he blinded himself but, 2) that he was also metaphorically blind to what kind of consequences his actions had, both on him and his son

oh, heave-ho a dead man has only one tale listen,,, i know i keep saying this, but i love how ron turns turn-of-phrases on their heads. bc “dead men tell no tales” right? eric has one tale, tho: his statement bc he’s a ghost who’s been bound this book and kept, for all intents and purpose, alive i knew she had hunger for blood in the water and that means it was no betrayal again, confirmation that eric knows that he has to shoulder some of the blame for the consequences of knowing who mary was (this bloodthirsty shark) and still loving her anyway

oh, heave-ho though, i have one request of you now if my son can be found and his own hands unbound (find my son) cut the rope - don't you dare let him drown (don’t you dare be the reason he drowns) so a throwback to “hands and feet bound to my heart” tho perhaps gerry’s heart isn’t what’s dragging him down, necessarily bc he was raised by mary, he didn’t have a choice. the moment he was born, he was tied to her. and the moment mary killed eric, there was no chance he could get away and then, of course, the gut-puncher: “don’t you dare let him drown”/“don’t your dare be the reason he drowns” are especially poignant, given gertrude uses gerry much in the same way mary did. gerry becomes bound to a different entity and is used for gertrude’s gain. so he drowns anyway.

--

alkjdlf i hope this is semi-coherent. i tried to do it more “professionally”--i even thought abt breaking it up and putting it back together, out of order, to address all the themes and motifs all in one spot--but then decided what would be best for my brain, was to listen to the song and just add my thoughts in as they came, stream of consciousness style *finger guns*

firesorrow girl analysis | meme i made for these analyses bc it’s funny and i wanted to share

[girlobsessed21]

The 100 6x12 discussion: Screw protocol and kill them all

My fingers hovered over the keyboard with nerves and you will see my prudence shine through in the post. Look, this is my favorite show, probably of all time, and this entire season has been an absolute doozy to experience. Then, I get to the penultimate episode and I suddenly feel off my game. Not sure if it’s the abundance of storylines happening at once, the few plot holes, Sheidheda or inconsistency, nonetheless, here’s my experience.

You can go back and read all my discussions from the trailer to 6x11 and I never wavered in my stance that Russel may have morals but he is a well-rounded baddie and the main villain of the season. Sure, we had Josephine and whether it’s Eliza and Sarah’s remarkable acting or the sociopath's substance, I’d love a spinoff series about her. It sure is a fruit salad when you add the monstrous commander to the mix, though I don’t expect that storyline to be resolved by next episode. Clarke never found the notebook and Raven seem to be struggling with his disengagement.

In line with the rest of the season, this is filled with the good, the bad and the beautiful. Russel vs Gabriel, Abby vs Simone, Emori vs Murphy, the devout vs nonbelievers and ultimately kill the few to save the many vs taking no lives at all.

Before all the gory details, I just have to say Eliza Taylor is out-and-out iconic. I cannot sing her praises enough with the shrewd way in which she fits into each character’s skin. The lucid distinction between Clarke and Josephine with her emotions surfacing in her ruse as the latter is exceptional.

In peace, you left this shore, Abby

If you follow my weekly posts, you’ll know my opinion on Abby is quite brutal. I’ve never liked her, perhaps a little in season one but she still caused her own husband’s death.  Season after season, episode after episode my fury towards her grew exponentially and I was more than ready to say goodbye - until now.

Looking into your daughter’s eyes, knowing it’s not her must be soul-crushing. I felt it with Abby, Clarke and Delilah’s parents, which is why I completely understood her threatening Russel. A little tear escaped my own eyes when she cried for the loss of Clarke while Raven tried to comfort her.

Keeping her promise to her daughter, Abby turned herself into a nightblood to save Madi. This has to be one of her most heroic moments ever. I’m not sure if Kane’s final words or this instance bears the turning point in which her past mistakes catch up to her, either way, it’s appreciated. Albeit a strong callback to the Finn and Pike’s deaths.

She did not get a redemption arc but at least her sendoff included a final forgiving chapter.

Ugh, I wanted to punch the smugness from Russel’s face when he realized Abby will be the perfect candidate for his wife. But it came as no surprise, I suspected it.

Her moment with Jackson and the apology to Raven was delivered with such intimacy and poignancy that it provokes a chilling heartbreak when Russel plunges the needle into her neck. Not to mention the way her life flashed before her eyes as she fell to the ground. Paige Turco truly is an amazing actress and I’m curious to see her portrayal of the prime queen even if it’s just for one episode.

At least she had a beautiful, although short, reunion with Clarke.

One last thing I need to add, Raven’s humbleness this episode was more than welcome. I needed to hear that she acknowledges her judgmentalism as a flaw which requires resolve. A lot can be said on the topic, as I’ve done many times before, though I hope it holds up. Seeing such a strong and smart character in constant high-horse mentality is infuriating, to say the least.

To the glory and grace of the primes

Props to Emori, she has really grown into quite the benevolent character. I’ve always liked her, but throughout the entire series, she has only improved. From a scavenger to becoming Raven’s skilled apprentice and a loyal member of the Spacekru family. And if 6x08 wasn’t enough to lionize her, she refuses to play house with people who deems a threat to her and her friends.

All while, Murphy’s plan was to show Russel that they’re useful and on-board with being false gods. I thought he would try to find a way to save Echo but clearly being immortal is his first priority. Apart from asking nicely, he did nothing to protect his friends. Did he justify the decision in his mind? Where is the John Murphy I’ve come to love? Raven’s look at Murphy mirrored all of my own feelings on the matter.

I just have to add that both of them looked stunning when they emerged hand-in-hand as brother and sister. Emori’s dress, damn baby, she hot as hell.

Clarke, on the other hand, is more than resourceful by using Ryker as a bargaining chip. No pun intended. As a mother herself, she knows it’s the quintessential key to Priya’s compliance. And Echo’s attempt at stopping them - top-notch. But can someone please explain when they became friends because if my memory serves correctly, the last time they were together, Echo tried to kill her? Even if she defended her in 6x01, I wasn’t aware they are on hugging terms.

Raven’s perception of the primes as serial killers in royal robes couldn’t be more fitting.

Like I said last week, Gabriel reminds me so much of Monty. Perhaps Mr. Green was slightly stronger; he did kill his own mother when it was necessary. Though, it doesn’t compensate for the lack of Jordan, where is he? Being such an innocent yet brave member of the ensemble, I cannot help but take his absence personally. It’s slightly ridiculous in my opinion.

Anyway, the prince of peace is hellbent on putting a stop to namings day and instinctively changes the plan. Even if I enjoyed his “there is nothing more powerful than the truth” speech, facing a king singlehandedly is foolish. Unfortunately, his presence alerts Russel that the red sun trigger is a fluke. And I suppose unlike all the other heroes of this show, he’s never killed anyone with a gun before. Then again, would pulling that trigger have made any difference with Simone being alive?

Why did Russel not kill Gabriel though? Was it because Dr. Santiago brought his daughter back and gave them the privilege of immortality? Sorry, that part confused me.

Abby!Simone sure is a vision in white, wow but what a total self-centered biatch!!! At least Abby’s death blew the morality right back into Murphy. The two of them have always had a strong bond since he kept Clarke’s heart beating.

Poor Clarke though, seeing Madi bound and realizing her mother’s dead must have shattered her soul. That, right after seeing Bellamy and Echo in each other’s arms. My heart goes out to her still playing the role of Josephine with enough conviction to fool her parents. Our female lead is one strong woman, blaming the tears on her mother’s return and Gabriel’s betrayal.

Now, Madi being alive and well is a bit of a conundrum. Sheidheda said he’ll kill the girl if Raven continues. So, my guess is that he let her live since Raven’s tied up and he needs to wake the Wonkru army and they’re playing right into his hand.

Finally, that standoff ending between the primes threatening Madi and Gaia against Indra, Niyalah and the rest of the crew was supercharged. I’m still yelling, “No, this can’t be it!”

The calvary protocol adjusted

There’s nothing more fun to watch as the Blake’s on good terms. Man, I love it. Octavia being the supportive sibling even more so. And It seems like Bellamy is becoming quite the clown this season. If I’m not mistaken, “I told you she’d get it done,” was like his third joke. He’s always been my favorite, can’t help but smile when he graces my screen.

Fun stuff aside, death to primes.

Bellamy and Echo reunite. Clearly, he’s delighted to find her safe and sound after learning him she’s in trouble. I believe him to be more than guilt-ridden about abandoning her to save Clarke, even if it ultimately was the right choice. I hate to sound like a typical Bellarke shipper but if their relationship continues with no addressing the last three episodes, it would trigger grave blemishes in the storyline.

It’s degrading for Echo to idly accept her boyfriend’s dedication to another woman. And Bellamy has to face those conflicting feelings inside and make a choice; right now he has his cake and takes little nibbles when the hunger strikes badly.

Of course there’s no time right now. It doesn’t have to happen right away or even in this season, yet it can’t simply be ignored. The looks on both Clake and Octavia’s faces suggest they're less than pleased with the intimate embrace.

Moving on, his inspirational declaration of the truth took me right back to season one. The man sure has a way of influencing the masses. Sadly, Russel’s had a bomb of his own which causes one hell of an outbreak for those without anti-toxin and Priya’s death by the hand of Delilah’s mom.

Convenient how there just happened to be a lockable storage unit nearby which Echo knew about. Was it one of her hideouts? And won’t they have to kill all the believers anyway once they break down those doors? Guess we’ll find out next week.

I can’t believe there’s only one episode left, I’m already dreading the hiatus. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! May we meet again next week.

[agentofship]

My thoughts on episodes 1x05 through 1x10

I am very very late for my rewatch posts so I'm just going to do a mix of important things from episodes 5 to 10. First of all, it's the first time I'm noticing the pattern of the first part of the season. -The pilot sets up the show, presents each character and what will actually an important part of the main plot of the season. -0-8-4 is about making them a team -The Asset and Eye Spy is about setting up all the different dynamics (bus kids, Fitzsimmons, Skye and Ward, Coulson and May, etc …) Then, even though, there's of course a role for everyone in each episode, each one focuses on and gives either backstory or delves into the personality of one specific character. -In The Girl in The Flower Dress has Skye kind of betraying the team. We could get to meet Skye's boyfriend, her implication with The Rising Tide and what really made her join the team and her interest in SHIELD. This also sets up an important part of season two's plot about Skye's origins and the inhumans. Other things about this episode: Skye is the first one to get some but it clearly doesn't mean anything in term of happiness in relationships. Jemma is being really sweet and understanding about the whole situation. It's a good thing she understands you can do anything for someone you've been through a lot with because … Oh boy! You'd think Fitz is a bit jealous because he still has a crush on Skye but knowing what we know now, it's probably the betrayal that hurt the most. -In FZZT, we don't get backstory on Jemma (Will we ever?) but we get to know her better and to know that she's not just the cute, dorky, genius scientist, she's also very strong and can make the hard call and sacrifice herself to save everyone else if needed. Of course, her life being completely entwined with Fitz, it's logical that we also learn more about their relationship. Up to this point, they were acting siblings like and being the comic relief and suddenly, we see how much deeper their relationship is with that look they share at the "You've been beside the whole damn time" moment. And we also get the first hint that there might more than friendly feelings. Other things about this episode: That iconic bus kids scene will never not be funny. Skye "shadowing" her supervising officer and being an actual child. May interviewing that poor kid "have a cookie". The most adorable cheek kiss followed by the pillow hug. Fitz calling Jemma for the first time. Coulson not letting anyone taking away his dream team is awesome. -In The Hub, we don't get Fitz's backstory but we get to learn a lot more about him and how he's like without Jemma. During the mission, Ward is his usual badass spy self but we also learn that Fitz can also do well in the field. But where Ward lies and says what he thinks people want to hear to get what he wants, Fitz manages by being exactly himself. He uses science and gadgets to find a solution but also, he manages to be liked by Vladimir and that woman because he's cute and friendly and he drinks with them. And we know it's sincere because he worries about them later. That's the big difference with Ward and maybe a bit of foreshadowing. Also, he can't stop talking about Simmons (that bunny suit story was cute, Ward you asshole!) and that tells a lot about their relationship. Other things about this episode: The whole scene with Simmons, Sitwell and Skye, it's absolute gold and this whole episode is gold. Those scanners in the Hub saying "say cheese", that's cute 😄. The Hub is Disneyland fo FitzSimmons, they would totally wait in line for a pic with Victoria Hand. The sandwich of love saga begins. Love Jemma saying "you'll be careful" not "please be careful" or "will you be careful?". It's not a question or a demand, it's an affirmation. He just has to be careful because she cannot imagine loosing him. And that's the same sentence she'll use after finally realizing her feelings in 2x21. -In The Well, we learn a lot more about Ward and the whole story with his brothers. It's a very interesting backstory because it's the "typical" abusive brother or parent but it's more complicated and actually, the fact that his older brother made him do bad things to his little brother might be foreshadowing about about that scene with FitzSimmons where he's struggling between the sincere feelings he still has for them and his loyalty to Garrett along with the pressure. Also, the staff making him agressive also reveals the worse sides of him, especially with Fitz. Also, Fitz looking down and being speechless when Ward is an asshole is heartbreaking and maybe a sign of his father being abusive. Other things about this episode: Piloting an alien ship is totally on May's list. Thor IS dreamy. I looooove Randolph ❤️ Simmons loves dissecting stuff. May is super badass and she's scary as hell with the power of the whole staff. "You are easily the most beautiful thing ive seen in a thousand years." That was smooth. -In Repairs, we finally get to know more about May and why she's The Cavalry. We'll have to wait until season two to get the whole story but at least, we get a better idea along with a better understanding of her personality. She's not being robotic or cold when she shots the woman at the beginning, she just doesn't want to risk something horrible happening the other people around. But we can also that she has a nicer, more sensitive side when she listens to Skye's speech about forgiving mistakes and talks to Tobias. "Let the girl go" is totally a sentence she could have told herself. Her smile after pranking Fitz at the end is awesome. I love how so much of what May expresses is through facial expressions only. Other things about this episode: May and Ward will always be gross. Also, does no one ever wear bras in movies and TV? Fitz being called sir in season will always be funny (because he's a baby). That scene with May and the blinking lights is gorgeous. -The Bridge finally goes back to what is going to be the main plot of the season: The super soldiers, Cybertek, the Clairvoyant and the big mystery that is Coulson's death. Except for Yes Men who would really fit better in the first part of the season, every episode from 1x10 on will be more or less linked to the main plot of the season. Thoughts about this episode: Mike was really sweet and wanted to do good and he deserved better. It's really too bad he became so much darker and robotic later. FitzSimmons is awesome in that episode, love all the little in synch moment with their matching clothes and the little wave when they're introduced to Mike. That whole scene with Mike is gold. FitzSimmons look tiny next to him. Fitz is so cute trying to be cute and Jemma is SO THIRSTY taking Mike's measurements by hand. (Don't worry Fitz, you too are well formed and symmetrical). And also, they're soooo proud of their suit, it's like it's their child. May has to be the mean parent with Skye because Coulson doesn't have the courage to be honest with and it's not cool of him because Skye already thinks pretty badly of May. But he's also very understanding of Mike's reasons and that's what makes him such a good leader. Just like he'll be surprisingly understanding of Bobbi and Mack's betrayal in season two.

[gascon-en-exil]

Octopath Traveler Liveblogging

Chapter 3 concludes with Cyrus and Primrose.

Cyrus

See, this is why reusing sprites for the all the mysterious evil NPCs causes problems. The one trailing Cyrus is revealed to be the headmaster’s assistant Lucia, and while she does indeed intend to harm him there’s no indication that she or Yvon have any connection to the Crows or to the cult Ophilia encounters or to any of the other conspicuous black-garbed individuals that have shown up so far. Maybe they’ll all be tied together in the end in some way that culminates in the final boss, but I’m still having trouble seeing how they’ll reach that outcome.

Yvon’s particular brand of evil - and I cannot believe that his red eyes were used as a plot point of all things - is motivated by a desire to hoard knowledge and manifests itself as hulking out on blood crystals because something something forbidden unspeakable magic. Eh, I’ll forgive the turn of two-dimensional villainy when there’s nuance to be found elsewhere and when it comes accompanied by some of the most evocative dungeon settings in the game. Yvon’s cellar is perfect as the gloomy lair of an obsessed academic, and it’s not a cave, forest, or (mostly) a mansion which is good enough for me to praise it. I fully expect Lucia to reemerge in Chapter 4 as an antagonist and possibly Cyrus’s final boss given how she abruptly disappears from this chapter. 

As for Therese, this is probably the end of her active involvement in this story, though it’s already more than I expected from her. Her interactions with Cyrus are significantly more palatable now that she’s not trying to force a romance and is just rolling with the reality that he’s never going to be into her as much as he’s into being a massive nerd. I hesitate to headcanon him as ace or aroace for much the same reason that a mutual declines to headcanon Lukas from FE15 as ace despite ample evidence to support it, but regardless of what one thinks of Cyrus’s sexuality I think it’s safe to say that he and Therese would only be an interesting couple if they went all in on the kinky wrongness of the hot for teacher angle

Party banter highlights: Alfyn and Primrose continue to stumble over Cyrus’s inability to understand what would otherwise be going on with him and Therese, Therion retains his low opinion of academics, and Tressa gets subjected to an hour-long(!) lecture in the middle of the chapter demonstrating that Cyrus is easily distracted. Ophilia meanwhile theorizes a potentially non-evil use for blood magic, an unusually open-minded stance for a cleric in this setting.

Primrose

Behold: the first Primrose chapter to not feature prostitution. On the contrary, she gets to reunite with a bunch of people who knew her as a girl, up to and including a duplicitous ex-lover, who delicately decline to comment on the last scion of the local ruling house walking around town half-naked. There are stranger things one sees as an NPC in a JRPG, I suppose.

In all seriousness, I actually enjoyed the revelation that Primrose had a sweetheart in Noblecourt and that she’s too quick to trust him. It indicates a romantic sentiment in her at odds with her previous profession, something that I find quite relatable. Of course it gets her stabbed in the back front by what will presumably be her final boss, but before that she gets to take her second act of revenge and help a former Azelhart retainer work through his lingering feelings of regret and betrayal at the same time. Not a bad bit of writing, though I don’t know yet how I feel about Simeon. He’s great in the early scenes when he quickly reestablishes Primrose’s trust, but when he reveals himself as a Crow he drops any sense of subtlety and becomes a cackling over-dramatic supervillain. I understand and appreciate the theme of the performative nature of romance/sex and revenge as they tie into Primrose the dancer, but like with Cyrus the sexy teacher they’re going to have to go big or go home to make Simeon’s posturing really feel meaningful. Unlike with Cyrus though I think Primrose’s story may actually do just that.

Party banter highlights: Tressa is too young to understand relationships (at 18?), Cyrus sticks his foot in his mouth, and Primrose wants to show Ophilia around Noblecourt - notably the only one of the three banters following the first Simeon scene that doesn’t mention Simeon himself, read into that as you will. Everyone else expresses concern for Primrose in what is admittedly a very trying time. There’s also more of Olberic getting flustered by Primrose if you’re into that sort of thing.

Most of my party is still a few levels shy of being ready for Chapter 4, so the next entry in this series will be another interlude with exploring and optional dungeons and sidequests. Maybe the advanced job bosses too? From what I read it may be better to wait until after Chapter 4 for those....

[crossedbeams]

The Rape of The X-Files: Chris Carter and Control

An essay on my rage. - Rose

As a relatively new fan to the show, I’ve sometimes struggled to understand the level of vitriol the fandom harbours towards the show’s creator, Chris Carter, but 12 hours from the premiere of S11, I think I’m finally starting to get it. It’s not about any one episode, or a character arc that is less successful than the show at its best. It’s not about the anticlimax of years of rose-tinted revival. 

It’s about disrespect and misogyny masquerading as creativity. 

It’s about a man who has created a project and with it a person, offering it to us as one thing - a journey for truth starring a woman of integrity and worth, uncowed by impossible odds and stalwart in a world determined to misunderstand and belittle her. But this is not actually what he is offering. Having convinced us that he values and believes in this character, that we should too, he begins, under the guise of “character development”, her total destruction; the molestation of all she holds dear, and through this act and a hundred other micro-messages reinforcing the same thing, the rape of not just one character but in essence everything the show has purported to be.

To its fans and many of the creative forces involved, writers, directors and cast, The X-Files is a show about love and hope and possibility. It is a tale of strength and loyalty and humans. It is a show I have come to love, a show that brings us all together here, which is what makes its creator so increasingly problematic.

Chris Carter has shown, time and time again, through the stories he tells when he writes that what he actually believes in is not God or Science or the capacity of those who fight and seek truth to achieve justice, but in his right as creator to borrow tragedy and torment from anywhere and anyone, without remorse or care, to feed his egotistic vision of The X-Files. He truly believes that what his audience wants is his “genius” 40 minute take on issues that he does not understand. He is liberal only in his appropriation of trauma to feed his narrative; no race, religion or gender is safe from his careless pilfering. 

I’m not saying that men like Carter shouldn’t write about these things, in many ways I wish more would, but to the service of their subject. Good writers try to look beyond their experience out of a desire to illuminate, protest and educate, to lend the privilege of their position. They create space for controversial content within their world out of a desire to be an ally and deal humanly, hopefully with the repercussions and the result. They aim to inspire change

Chris Carter just wants to cause controversy. 

When asked by EW what led him to make My Struggle III’s decision about Scully’s child’s paternity, Carter replies

 “ It adds to the characters in an interesting emotional way. “

This after ten seasons of character building. This after the pre-exisiting trauma of these seasons has driven Mulder and Scully apart. This, at the end of an episode, in which Scully has already had seizures, endured a car accident and had an assailant attempt to throttle her in her sickbed and watched her partner murder this man on top of her, all while missing her son, orphaned and fearing the end of the world and for her own sanity.

If you cannot, as a writer, find interest and emotional meaning in this rich body of work, then you are no writer. Except Carter is. He has written many interesting and innovative plot-lines for The X-Files, generated spin-offs, this whole world is born of his imagination… which leads us to a much more troubling truth.

He simply doesn’t care.

To him, The X-Files is a plaything and Dana Scully is an object. With every trauma unconsidered, every choice undermined and every abuse of her mind and body, Carter demonstrates that Dana Scully (the “two steps behind please” back-up who didn’t have a backstory until David Nutter wrote her one in Beyond the Sea) was never envisioned to be a feminist icon or symbol of female empowerment. To Chris Carter, she was only supposed to be a body for Mulder to bounce ideas against, a plot device for a conspiracy of men to use and exploit. Perhaps this is why Carter hates ‘shippers so much, because Scully was never intended to be Mulder’s equal, his lover, she was just supposed to be his foil. Her sexuality is supposed to be limited to inspiring male envy (Milagro), rage (Never Again) or reproduction (preferably medically induced to deny her agency even in this most traditional of female roles. Making Scully the body upon which to enact his fears, prejudices and fantasies at the cost of her own integrity is why Carter has become the show’s greatest Achilles Heel.

Ironically, this casting is perhaps most keenly summarised by a monologue  Carter penned himself in yesterday’s episode. While he attempts to describe the motives of the Cigarette Smoking Man he unintentionally presents an unfortunately apt description of his own relationship to The X-Files.

“He was to be the man to lead us, but he became destructive. He took only his own counsel. […] You have no idea this man’s need to control our fate.”

 - Chris Carter, My Struggle III

It’s about control, and in this case the need to maintain it when what you have created threatens to become more than you. Chris Carter was given the opportunity to be the most powerful man in a world with a long reach and the power to inspire through change. He was given 25 years of viewership and acting talent and budget to make a TV show that was revolutionary. Only he doesn’t want a revolution. He wants things to be as he sees them, his characters to be clean and platonic and known; blank canvases who spring back from torment unscathed, ready to have fresh terror and trauma rained upon them. Just to add interest. Chris Carter cannot see that the X-Files universe is one of collaboration, of unexpected circumstance sparking development, of characters becoming more than they are written. In his desire to air the biggest, most complicated conspiracy arc of all time, he is missing that many of the most beloved and iconic episodes are about small people and issues that are the more impactful for their lack of wham-bam-drama.

Why else would he, at the end of a dramatic episode that had fairly successfully fixed a tricky cliff-hanger, (an episode that I actually quite enjoyed), would he use the last three minutes to rewrite everything based on a harmful, damaging, degrading alteration of the show’s long term narrative. Mulder and Scully refer to William as ‘our son’, Scully, a medical doctor, claims William’s stem-cells will save Mulder, suggesting she knows they are genetically compatible (and we know from canon that she knows the difference between a sibling and a parental match). Given this, given the many questions that are raised in My Struggle III about a new faction of human colonisation nutters, Scully’s mental health, Skinner’s maybe-betrayal and the possibility of an apocalyptic scenario, why would we need to throw in a medical rape, ret-conning En Ami and rendering irrelevant much of the character work (Mulder and Scully as grieving parents) that he has done in the seasons since?

“Because Chris Carter” is the only reason I can come up with. It’s a self-indulgent flexing of muscles nobody asked to see and for that I will struggle to forgive him. 

The calculated cruelty of his treatment of his world, characters and audience is irredeemable, and were it not for the culture of discourse in this fandom, the possibility of appreciating much of the rest of the show, its writing and performances, my struggle  would be reconciling my feelings for Chris Carter and my love of The X-Files.

Fortunately, outside the writing room, the X-Files is beyond his control. The friendships it creates, the community it fosters have the power to keep the world of Mulder and Scully from descending irrevocably into a racist, misogynistic soup, even if canon’s gravity is headed that way. It crosses cultural boundaries, asks brave questions and it brings us together in our outrage. The wounds left by Carter are met by creative bandages, fanworks which take the best of the show and its people and make beautiful, powerful statements. So don’t be ashamed to love this mess of a show or allow Chris Carter’s megalomania to drive you away (though I do not judge you if it does). Get mad, get inspired and get loud in whatever way you can. Let Fox know that whatever comes next, either for The X-Files or a new show, behaviour like Chris Carter’s will not go unnoticed. Write letters, write emails, scream it on your social media, talk to your friends, make it clear to anyone who will listen, even if it is only one person, that The X-Files fandom will not support rape culture. Perhaps it feels small but all revolutions start with a whisper. Changing one mind is a huge victory.

Do it for Dana Scully, who deserved better and for all the little girls she inspired who deserve more than a world in which their idol is a man’s plaything 

[truthbeetoldmedia]

The 100 5x12 "Damocles Pt 1" Review

Guys…..I don’t even know. This show was my favorite TV show in years, maybe ever until this season (well, I kinda didn’t love Season 4 but that finale was so amazing I was still hooked) but now I don’t even know how the show wants me to feel? Do the writers want us all to stop watching? This season went off the rails after episode 5x05 and I am not a happy camper so be prepared for a salty review.

The good:

“Say hello to my little friend.” Murphy quoting Scarface as he shoots the giant laser gun, only for him to screw it up and almost blow everyone up is grade A John Murphy content.

While I’m on that scene with the laser gun, I just want to say that Dean White has such an eye for cinematography and I loved the way this whole scene was shot. Same with the march through the gorge, this episode did nail directing!

Emori and Murphy exchanging little smiles after he uses the same screw up later to give them cover to escape in the rover. Post apocalyptic Bonnie and Clyde 4ever.

SHAW. Miles Zeke “I will break if they torture you” Shaw. He is a treasure guys, he would rather die by being electrocuted than live knowing he killed hundreds of people or was the reason Raven got tortured. Protect this man. I want him and Raven to spend forever together.

Echo reading Clarke to filth for leaving Bellamy to likely die in the fighting pit because she was angry. This will be extended into the “bad” and “ugly” section.

Monty calmly telling Echo he’s not doing what she wants him to do over the radio.

Abby and Clarke actually having an affectionate second as mom and daughter...even though it was still kinda empty.

Clarke FINALLY waking up and helping her friends...this will also show up in my bad/ugly section.

Indra and Gaia having an actual mother/daughter moment. ”I’m not leaving my daughter” I want them both to survive, they deserve to be happy with each other.

I loved Octavia finally realizing how bad of a leader she’s been, I do not want her to get off the hook that easy. She has made terrible decisions and they lead up to this first 10 minutes of the episode, with her loyal army getting butchered in front of her. Of course the first to die was the little boy she had taught to fight, Ethan being the symbol of Octavia’s “hope” for the future of her people, (I hate the word Wonkru) and all of them mowed down in front of her. But I also hate it took this to get through to her — Thelonious Jaha is so disappointed in her.

“Guess she’s not up for mother of the year.” Raven as she’s taking the shock collar off Madi, TRULY iconic.

BELLAMY BLAKE is consistently the only “good” part of this show for me anymore (aside from Monty, who is almost as absent as his criminally underutilized other half Harper), and this episode we saw Bellamy do what he does best! Protect his sister, save people, put others first; but also he stands up for himself and tells Octavia “This is is all your fault, all these people died because of you.” YES, SON! Let her have it! Don’t hold back! When Octavia says, “Do you want me to die?” And he just responds, “Yes,” we know he didn’t honestly mean that considering how much he tried to keep her alive this episode.

Bellamy’s pep talk to Gaia — “Keep fighting, if not for you then for her” — and him carrying her warmed my heart.

Octavia saying “Wonkru is broken, I broke it” and Indra just flat out saying “Yes you did.”

Clarke reminding Echo that she has blood on her hands. “Don’t think all those people you helped blow up in Mt Weather didn’t count because you were following orders.” I about stood up on my feet and clapped.

Also in this same scene Clarke’s face when Echo tells her Bellamy isn’t dead and he survived her betrayal, girl was SHOOK. And the exchange of “Don’t pretend like you care about Bellamy now” and Clarke interjecting “I ALWAYS cared” — too bad this is the extent of emotion she gets to show for Bellamy in the last two episodes...when in reality she should have been crying buckets of tears.

The last second rescue of Bellamy and Co. in the gorge right when you think Octavia’s “fight is over.” It was great to see the rover back in action Monty and crew saving their friends, I just wish Clarke was there too.

I do think this episode had good moments. BUT hold onto your hats, we are about to dive deep into some salt! And also some plot lines that they seem to be “retconning” for no reason except to give fanservice to a group of people far too late and in the worst way possible...without further ado:

The bad:

Well, there were several little things that I was honestly confused by.

Kane and Vinson...what was that scene for? What did it accomplish? It was so random — what were Vinson's motivations, why did he want Abby to keep being a pill head? I loved the way he went out and the acting between Henry Ian Cusick and Mike Dopud is fabulous but, honestly, it was pointless and had no real impact on the story, like half of the plot this season if I’m being honest.

Why is the Flame and how it interfaces with the commander the most inconsistently written plot this show has ever done? Raven spent half her time in Season 3B reading Becca’s journals and explaining how the Flame works — but now it seems to work any way the writers need it to? In episode 3x12 Monty asks Raven if the minds uploaded to the City of Light (which I’m assuming is a large scale version of the Flame where thousands of “consciousnesses” can be uploaded and exist at once since Becca designed both): “There’s a chance my mom’s still alive?” to which Raven replies, “Depends on your definition of alive.” In 5x12 when Madi so creepily channels “Lexa” it’s indeed not her but a saved version of her mind from before her death, so Madi should be able to theoretically access her memories BUT in no way should Lexa be conscious to what’s going on in the present and “speak through” Madi — If this were the case why didn’t Becca tell the previous commanders who she was? That the flame was tech and not a spirit? Why didn’t the commander during the first Mount Weather troubles tell the next one about how to defeat them or how to help them therefore make peace? Why didn’t they tell Lexa the “threat” that crashed to earth was actually 100 CHILDREN that didn’t want to die or kill they just wanted to survive? IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE GUYS. Jason, if you happen to read this, EXPLAIN.

In the same episode we are told the flame is ALIE 2.0 made to merge with and enhance the brain of the “host” aka commander. She goes on to say the reason commanders didn’t know it was AI was because the program “degraded over time.” SO how pray tell did a 12 year old girl reset the password on this thing when the 15 or however many prior commanders couldn’t? EXPLAIN. How did she channel a commander when from what we’ve been told it’s never been done, or grounders wouldn’t be technology fearing, warring clans? This plot has more holes than a wheel of Swiss cheese.

I’m gonna stop yelling about this, I promise. I just hate this whole plot and the Flame should’ve went up in flames during Praimfaya.

Killing Ethan. So Thelonious Jaha literally dies to save his adopted son, and he is the first casualty in the gorge? Really, writers? Jaha lost his biological son, Wells, grieved him for almost 5 seasons and in turn sacrifices his life to protect his surrogate son the way he couldn’t protect his biological one, and this is how Jaha is rewarded? I really can’t believe.

The general attitude the writers seem to have about Clarke’s emotions and love, etc. Yes, she can miss Lexa, BUT I don’t believe the levels she misses a person that she knew in total for 4 months and hated approximately 3 months and one day, but not still be gutted over losing her best friend of FIFTEEN YEARS, WELLS JAHA. Or her actual father, or Bellamy — her canon post-Wells best friend in the series — whom she thinks she left to DIE? And if she can forgive Lexa’s multiple betrayals so quick she should already have forgiven Bellamy and feel like the worst person, to be honest. This season has treated the character of Clarke Griffin poorly and she deserved better.

On that subject, why is Clarke a side character instead of the lead female character? Why is her storyline like post apocalyptic Mommy Dearest? Why is she yet again isolated from her friends and family? EXPLAIN.

Okay now that I’ve gotten the above off my chest we are gonna dive straight into

The ugly:

Phew! I tell ya what, this season has exhausted me mentally and emotionally and not for good reasons.

Clarke won’t remove the flame from Madi because she “promised her” but she will force a shock collar on her and shock her with the voltage that brings a full grown man to the ground? REALLY, YOU GUYS WENT THERE? Are any of you even parents?

The whole storyline that Madi can see and feel Lexa’s memories is a whole other level of ICK! I didn’t think I’d ever have to deal with on this show. There are so many ways the writers could have not “gone there” with this story: never letting Madi have the flame, making sure we understood Madi, a twelve-year-old child, could only see relevant memories of the commanders, etc., but no. Instead, they imply that the former “lover” of her “mom” can consciously “speak” through her and show/tell the child anything. It is disturbing and I cannot believe the writers actually went there and were okay with it. Again, I am shocked that some of these people have children because they are not treated well in this show. And the  parents are usually the worst offenders.

On that note, I’d like to mention Abby’s advice and Clarke LISTENING. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate Abby, and I know she’s always “tried” but she has been for 90% of the show a terrible parent. You would not want to use her as a role model for good parenting, that’s for sure.

It’s not a for sure thing yet, but if that end scene of “saving” Bellamy, Gaia and Indra is Octavia’s “redemption” I am gonna pop a forehead vein. Bellamy and Clarke still get what they did seasons ago thrown in their faces daily. I expect this x 100 for Octavia because she actively chose to do all the hideous things she did. She is not a hero, she is a villain and should be treated as such for the rest of the season. She can get a “redemption” next season if she has to have one.

If you made it through this very critical review I applaud you (and if any of the writers or directors read this, know that I respect your talent; this ranting is because I know what you guys are capable of and it’s so much better than what I’ve see this season).

To end things on a slightly positive note, next week is the season finale! Can you believe it’s already here?! Also can you believe we’ve survived this VERY rocky season? There have definitely been great moment this season, just not enough. But here are the things I’m looking forward to  or hope happen next week:

We finally get to meet Shannon Kook’s character! I’ve been waiting to meet him for months!

Hopefully Bellamy and Clarke reconcile and reconnect, I miss their amazing bond and protectiveness of one another.

Hopefully Kane and Gaia are alive and healing?

After she helps Wonkru, I hope Madi has the flame removed and it gets destroyed, never to be mentioned again.

I hope Diyoza and her baby are A-OK and we will see them next season. Same goes for Shaw, I want him alive and happy being the sweet love Raven Reyes has always deserved.

I want Clarke to mend her relationships with all of her friends and people, to apologize and to accept apologies. I want her to feel loved, I am tired of her always being isolated.

I want Bellamy to feel loved and understood, especially by Clarke and not in a “shippy” way (though I’m all for it). I want her to acknowledge that she left him to die, that she sorely regrets it and that she loves him especially if she can express that kind of sentiment for a computer hard drive and someone she liked for two weeks of her life. Bellamy and Clarke deserve an entire episode to work through their stuff because their relationship is literally the central relationship of the entire series, and to not let them acknowledge what they mean to each other and make amends does the show and the characters a disservice.

I want the season to end with hope! This season in ways has been more depressing and frustrating than Season 3 ever dreamed of being. We need light at the end of the tunnel or Season 6 may have an audience of 17 people. Levity and hope don't take away from drama and angst if executed correctly. If you can’t write both sides into the same space it’s not a problem with your story, it’s a problem with who’s writing it.  

I will have hope that they can and will do better (the characters and the writers) until the end BUT I will still bring the salt when I need to.

I give this episode 3 bees because it had potential, great cinematography, and some great Murphy one liners. But it was overall flat and disappointing.

What were your thoughts of this episode? What are you hoping for in the finale? Comment below!

And tune in to the season finale next week! Our founder Sam will be live tweeting and writing up the finale review!

The 100 airs at 8/7c on The CW.

Gina’s episode rating: 🐝🐝🐝

[batbcomic]

Rosesnwater sez...

Hello Mrs. Megan! I hope I’m not bothering you with my many questions, but I feel you are the best person I know of to ask. I have a plot idea that I’ve been wrestling with you’re familiar with batb character archetypes, mythologies, symbolism, and your views are generally incredibly insightful/thoughtful :D

I’m writing my own version of batb and I’ve seen writers keep the character human/keep him as a beast for various reasons. To give some background, my ‘Beast’ was 'taken advantage’ of at 19 (based on Villeneuve’s reference with the faerie 'nanny’) I think it’s been done, but I though it was really unique idea for the transformation not to be the result of an actual curse, but rather his shame/humiliation manifesting itself and warping his body (he’s a magical changeling-sort of character so I reasoned out if there was just enough negative feelings in him, his magic would affect his appearance). 

Because the physical manifestation of the monster represents his lingering pain/sadness/anger towards the incident I didn’t want the love of just one person to be the end all and suddenly he becomes human (which in my case would be a little cheap since in real life people struggle with things like rape for years and years), but I didn’t want to keep him as a beast because for one, his form is pretty repellant, and secondly, like I said, the monstrous outer form represents his pain and torment attached to the situation, and I didn’t want to leave the reader (or myself) with a feeling that he would never move past it.

I had the idea of a slow transformation back to a human that doesn’t even finish by the end of the book it starts just after the climax and by the resolution he is halfway/(quarter?) human, (I’m not entirely sure on the extent of the progression) but it is implied that a human form is basically the eventual outcome for the character. Basically the implication that I was trying to symbolize that by doing this was that healing is slow, but it is possible.

Although it fits the character arches well there are problems that exist because of the physical world. For instance, there are other characters that make a reappearance, the beauty’s father, sisters, and the village that is terrified of 'the beast’ because he’s sort of a local legend/myth (that has been killing and eating animals near the village which he needs to do as he cannot eat human food/it has to be an animal) I don’t want to trouble you with too much detail (which I had probably already done) but as he is a changeling/faerie thing he had powers and he use to disguise his monstrous physical appearance and visit the village (he’s actually a sort of Avenant/Gaston character in the beginning, and (unknown to the 'beauty’) asks her father who he knows, for his daughter). Sorry I’m rambling– 

Anyway! I’m not sure if I want him to go back to disguising himself as this feels like it’s covering up his appearance to satisfy other people which was part of the problem/not very satisfying, and I don’t want him to hide out in the forest until he turns human (because loneliness/ostrasization and being by himself has been portrayed fairly negatively throughout the story). However, on the other hand, I know that if he looks the way he does during the part where they go back to their village, the villagers would likely be raising pitchforks and lighting torches if they saw him.

I was wondering what your feelings/thoughts are on this? I’m sorry for sending so much information, but I’ve been stuck on this for awhile and I thought if there was anyone that might be able to help, it would be you ^^’.

If it’s too much I really don’t want to cause you any grievances, I know you’re fairly fast approaching your own end and that must be stressful tying everything up, but let me know if you can, I would appreciate any advice really ^^’

Best wishes!

RosesnWater

Hi Rosesnwater!

I am so sorry this has been left mouldering in my inbox forever.  With a baby in the house it’s hard to find the time to do my paying work, let alone maintain the blog!

The glamour angle is very interesting, especially if you make it a big part of the story. Perhaps your beast has some of the same questions for himself that you do, and it weighs on him? Or perhaps the use of glamour is seen by your Beauty as a betrayal? I feel like there’s fairy tale precedent for the suitor-who-seems-handsome-but-is-a-monster (stories in the African tradition like The Woman Who Married a Lion, or The Girl Who Married a Skull). I also think this might be a useful conflict within your story…especially if his shame has caused him to create a monstrous glamour that he now believes to be his true self. Who is to say that a handsome, confident glamour is more or less real than a monstrous one? I think you’re right to explore the idea of recovery (and self-image) as a process, and not a thing to be solved with one magic kiss, or one helpful relationship.

Placing limits on magical glamour might be a useful device — he can only be the handsome suitor for a fixed period, or under specific circumstances, etc. This way we amp up the tension and invite challenges (think the two hour morph time limit in Animorphs), and it might also be the reason he believes his monstrous form to be the real one —it isn’t limited the way other forms are (and then your job as a storyteller is to tell us why!). I don’t know the ins and outs of your book, of course, but I’ve found adding constraints to magical systems always helps to make them feel more believable, and to move the plot along via roadblocks and challenges!

Again, please forgive my incredible slowness in getting to this reply. It’s honestly just the juggling act of work/family/accursed-princes-and-their-bestial-natures. You know how it is!

Aaaand I hear a certain Blackbird singing, so that’ll have to do for now! Be sure to pass along your story when you finish, I’m sure all the Dear Readers here would enjoy a fresh take!

[meginoi]

Number 88, stop inturrupting me Pander Sides (poly sanders) Patton is fed up, and Virgil takes his side? Please?

Of course! I’ve never written Poly Sanders before so lets see how this goes. This has a lot more plot than i intended. Ahhh i hope this is okay!

Prompt: “STOP INTERRUPTING ME!”

Pairing: Poly Sanders

Words: 745

Summary: The sides gather for a movie night. Except, it all comes crashing down when Patton’s frustration hits an all-time high.

The sides sat in the common room, trying to decide what film to watch. An animated discussion had been raging for the last half hour between 4… well 3 of the sides. Patton sat on the couch, Roman’s arm thrown around his shoulders. He was slowly feeling his usual happy, infectious nature slip away as his frustration at the situation grew.

“Well how about-“ he started. 

Logan cut him off. “How about The Girl On The Train? It keeps your brain active while also keeping you on the edge of your seat. It is the only logical choice.” 

“Um I don’t think- “ 

Cut off again, this time by Roman. “Why would we watch something where we have to think, calculator watch? That’s so boring! How about The Notebook? Oh, a romance! They are just the best.” 

Anxiety smirked at this. “Only you would want to watch something that sappy. A horror film would keep us up all night, perfect.” He stole a glance at the usually bouncy side sitting next to him. “What do you think, Patton?” Virgil took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Patton caught Virgil’s sympathetic smile that disappeared as soon as it arrived. ”Well, I do think a dis-“ 

“Yes, that’s all great Patton but how about a thriller-“ Logan cut in. 

“No! It has to be a romance!” 

“Can we let Patton speak?” Virgil tried to shout over the chaos. 

“Um…uh,” Patton stuttered. As the noise rose so did his frustration, which was reaching breaking point, cracking and crumbling his usual façade. “STOP INTERRUPTING ME!”

The room was plunged into a deathly silence as the others turned to face the usually joyful side. “I thought you all cared about me. Well now I feel crushed.” 

“Morality-” Logan started, grabbing Patton’s hand as he stood to leave the room.  

“Not now, Lo. Just…no,” Patton mumbled, yanking his hand out of Logan’s grasp and leaving the commons. 

Roman and Logan stared at each other in confusion. 

“I tried to tell you, you’ve been ignoring him all night” Anxiety pointed out, standing to go after Patton. “Now, I’m gonna go comfort our boyfriend seeing as you two obviously can’t.” 

Virgil knocked on Patton’s door, waiting until he heard the soft “go away!” to enter. He knew the side wouldn’t want to be alone, even if he said he did. “Pat, you okay?” Anxiety asked, walking over to the lump in the bed. 

“They care about me, right?” Patton whispered, voice muffled by talking into the pillow. 

“We all do. We love you,” Virgil consoled him, running his hands through the others’ hair. “It’s just Logic and Princey can be a bit…idiotic sometimes.” 

A corner of Morality’s mouth lifted. 

A knock at the door had them both turning to see Roman and Logan shuffling awkwardly in the doorway. 

“We bring DVDs and ice cream,” Roman spoke, slightly lifting his arms full of the items. 

“As a peace offering,” Logan added, still clutching at the door handle. 

Patton sat up and smiled slightly at them, a silent invitation for them to come in. Virgil stepped back as Roman dropped the items on the bed rushed to Morality’s side, ready to see the usually egotistical side apologize and beg for forgiveness.  

“Oh, my love!” he exclaimed. The other two looked at him with something akin to betrayal, “well, one of my loves,” he corrected himself. “I cannot apologize enough for the way I treated you. It was simply diabolical and I shall do everything in my power to fix it.” 

Then it was Logan’s turn. “Patton, I apologize for my actions and I will try to be more considerate of your feelings in the future. Would continuing this movie night in your room be suitable compensation for now?” 

Patton sighed and gazed at his hands. “I know you two didn’t mean any harm. It just hurt to be ignored like that. I guess we could carry on the movie night in here. Now come here so I can cuddle the three of you.” 

Roman, Logan and Virgil all hastily climbed into the bed, Patton squished in the middle. At that moment, the three of them were glad Morality had a king size bed. “So, what’re we watching?” Patton asked.

“What do you want to watch?” Roman asked. 

Patton grinned. “I have an idea.”

They spent the rest of the evening watching a range Disney movies, romances, thrillers and horrors until they passed out.

[ashensolitude-blog]

Headcanon: j.001

                      THE TRUE STORY OF JULIET CAPULET                                            BEFORE / UP TO HER DEATH

                Juliet before   &   after Romeo are two almost completely different people,   &   if anyone thought to pay attention, it would be as evident as the fact that she was  ( &   continues to be even after death )  a dreamer; the main difference is her absolute   &   unquestionable obedience to her parents.  Before she met Romeo Montague, she was the model child any family would want, though, yes, she was wild, never one to keep her dreams a secret, but she was ALWAYS obedient; so much so, in fact, that when her parents told her she had to hate all Montagues, she did so without a doubt, she would frown at them, she would  f o r b i d  herself from looking at them, she would claim her hate onto them regardless of the fact that she knew nothing of the reason of her family’s hate onto them at all. 

                After, when the two met, the kiss in the great Capulet party came to her alike a wake up call; not only because it came on the very same day after her mother had placed the prospect of marriage in front of her  ( making of her dreams include romance too ),  but because when she learnt Romeo was a Montague, the shock of the revelation made her question everything she knew.  She was NOT in love with him, far from it, but there was something about he who she forever after called her poet, that simply didn’t sit right with the whole idea of  h a t i n g  the Montagues at all; after all, how could anyone as kind, charming   &   gentle as he had been to her could deserve any hate? 

                Still, the second she learnt of his identity, her own obedience made it so she forbid herself from seeing him again, from talking to him again, even from smiling in his direction; she blocked herself entirely from liking him, but the kiss they shared sparked a speck of rebellion that had not been set within her before.  Thus became the reason for which, when her parents presented the idea of marrying Count Paris  ( a man much older than her,   &   one she really COULD NOT get on with at all )  she came out in her full dramatic splendor claiming that    ‘I would rather marry a Montague whom I hate, than Paris whom I despise.’;       &   she acted in such a way that enrages her parents so much  ( even going as far as to falsely threaten kicking her out )  that they  c o m p l e t e l y  put off the entire idea of marriage for the girl until      ‘she comes of mindful age as to accept her duties’,      all with fear that she would embarrass them otherwise.  Of course, Paris was disappointed, but he moved on quite quickly. 

                &   perhaps that should have been that, but unfortunately it wasn’t; after all, Juliet   &   Romeo lived in the same city,   &   as if that was not enough, the Montagues were one of the two Lord families in Verona  ( the other one of which was the Capulets ),  so it was impossible for them to NOT see each other quite often, whether in church, or city celebrations.  In fact, they saw each other at church the Sunday after the party,  &   it struck Romeo as strange that Juliet was so cold with him  ( even from afar, he only smiled at her )  when they had even danced   &   kissed in the party; not that it was  s t r a n g e  for a Capulet to be cold towards a Montague, but we’re talking about gentle, dreaming Juliet here, the little sunshine of Verona, whom everyone in the city who knew her loved for her free spirit   &   ever smiling lips. 

                Thus, it is for it that, one day, on the celebration of a saint in Verona, Romeo pulled the girl to the side  ( a month or two after their first encounter at the party ),    &   tried to make his case onto why her ignoring him was ridiculous, due to the fact that       ‘I know our houses be enemies but I hate thee not, I cannot.  If that be why thou art as cold as a winter night since that blessed night I met thee, then I beg thee, kind Saint, hate me not, or if thou must, then put this hopeful worshiper out of his misery by telling me to never speak to thee again, for I knoweth none of what drives our families' enimity,   &  refuse it keep us apart, thus, speak, dear Lady, speak,   &   let my heart hope onto thee again.’      They were words so kind   &   so alike her own thoughts, that Juliet was unable to let herself hate him merely for her parents command; thus, they became friends, kind secret friends  ( that sometimes kissed ),  a relationship strong enough to bring about her going out in secret to see him, claiming she was going to prayer or to the market with her Nurse  ( a Nurse who was POSSESSED by a Protector of Love, thus completely was on Juliet’s side when it came to Romeo, who was supposed to be her absolute soulmate ),    &   eventually even enough for her to sneak out of her house in the middle of the night to  w a l k  about the gardens with him or merely sit   &   talk.

                A relationship that did not develop into full on love until about six to eight months after they met,   &   only when the idea of marriage was brought back into Juliet’s life a few months after her fifteenth birthday, did the two even consider immediately marrying.  It is then when everything depicted by the famous play comes to happen: they get secretly married ─ but it FAILED to be secret enough given the fact that Tybalt Capulet had spies everywhere  ( specially when it came to Juliet ),  thus he found out a day later  ( allowing the newlyweds the wedding night ),    &   it is for it that he  w i l l e d  for a fight with Romeo ─, Mercutio is slain, Romeo kills Tybalt   &   Romeo is exiled. 

                But,   &   here’s where we finally reach the end of the similarities with the play, after his exile, there was no little plot from the Friar to have Juliet be thought dead; instead, Romeo, a couple of minutes after his exile was announced, sent a letter to Juliet via Benvolio explaining his situation, his exile, his SADNESS onto what he had to do, his inability to avoid killing Tybalt for the name of his dead friend; but he was manipulative, something Juliet didn’t yet know,   &   he used what is now called ‘reverse psychology’ on her, stating his own  s h a m e,  his own anger,   &   how much he would understand if she never wanted to see him again: 

                      ...but if thy fair soul wilt,  if thy gentle heart sees thus fit to forgive this                       vile villain, I beg thee, my precious love, meet me within the safety of                       the monument maker of thy name’s fame,    where thou shall meet a                       man loving of thy person  with  all  his  heart,  ready to leave this city,                       something much livelier if it were to be by thy side.   Meet me, gentle                       Juliet,   let  this  marriage  be  merry  in a city far from the loathing of                                                                      these walls.

                It was a long letter that claimed his love for her in prose   &   song, one that made it easier for Juliet to decide to run away with him, not only for the fact that she really wanted to, but because even if she did not, in times such as the ones she was born in, what one’s husband said was law; thus, it was decided.  She went there in the middle of the night, without even her Nurse knowing so  ( if she had, Nurse would have stopped her, for she, being possessed by a Protector, KNEW what Romeo planned )  carrying of only a few things,   &   a hopeful heart.  When she arrived, such was their passion   &   her love, that their kisses of relief turned into more; something which, Romeo soon after  t u r n e d  into manipulation   &   deceit, when he then wondered by pretense what she would do if he were to die; something to which Juliet, thriving in drama   &   theatricality as always, replied by literally reaching for his dagger in order to point it in her heart’s direction.       ‘I would rather make mine body into this lonely dagger’s sheath   &   join thee in death than taking one breath without thy company.’ 

                 Those were her last words, for the shock of his actions silenced her, his betrayal when he moved so quickly   &   managed to push her hand forward to make the dagger go deep into her heart; he said       ‘For this truth, I shall say farewell, given in this day, which will mark the arrival of immortality onto mine heart, thus, death shall never touch me,   &   thy heart cannot live as long as mine might.  May age never touch thy beautiful face, nor wrinkle thy perfect lips, may youth be thy eternal companion.’        She did not know whether to cry or scream, whether to be angry or sad; thus, she died, betrayed, crying, left for death by the one person who was SUPPOSED to be her one true love, the one who was her soulmate, but chose immortality instead of a long life with her. 

                It was when he left her, bleeding   &   dying in that tomb, that her Nurse  ( as stated prior, possessed by a Protector of Love ),  came around to find her in order to offer her eternity protecting souls like hers from people like Romeo; protecting kind, gentle,  d r e a m i n g  souls who could be loved, keeping them safe from the Lifeless reality of those that, like him, chose immortality instead of Love. 

[penguinraisedbypenguins]

Meant To Be

Taking place immediately following the reunion scene in 3x18...

Oswald and Ed are forced to work out through their emotions when the Court of Owls throws them in neighboring cages. 

The bars of his cage were cold beneath slender fingers. Oswald gripped the iron tighter, his knuckles aching. All the different ways he had imagined meeting Edward Nygma face to face one last time…he never could have predicted this. Oswald blinked, finally, lips beginning to quiver as words reached them at last.

“You killed me…” he said. It came out not as rage but as a whimper. Ed was still gaping at him like he’d seen a ghost, backed a safe distance away from the bars of his neighboring cage. At this break of the silence he swallowed, licked his lips nervously.

“But Oswald,” he whispered, and Oswald closed his eyes at the sound of his name leaving Ed’s lips, “You’re alive.”

“Yes, you’ve already mentioned that,” Oswald clenched his teeth, but the anger wasn’t really there.

“How?” Ed growled, desperately needing a logical explanation. He shook his head, realizing there was something else he needed even more desperately. Even locked up by the Court of Owls somehow his former best friend ended up by his side. It seemed there really was no Edward Nygma without the Penguin. No, not without the Penguin. Without Oswald.

Oswald did not answer him, closed his mouth and said nothing more. He stared at Ed for a long time, those wet, calculating eyes unblinking. He was just so...tired.

“Look what you did to me!” Oswald screeched, his resolve finally breaking. He fumbled with the zipper on his jumpsuit, finally working it down to his navel. He yanked one arm free, half his chest exposed, pointing angrily at the wound, “Don’t you think I’m damaged enough without another ugly scar?”

But the scar wasn’t what hurt and Ed knew it.

“Oswald,” he said quietly. Os trembled with an aching desire to either kiss or kill each time Ed said his name that way. He braced himself for the argument that he had deserved to be shot and left for dead.

Ed stepped closer, carefully laying his hands on the bars. Oswald watched him, resisting the urge to grab him by the collar and...well he hadn’t decided what he’d do yet. Resting his forehead against the cold iron he turned his dark eyes to Oswald. He licked his lips, glasses clinking against the bars, the only other sound apart from their nervous breathing. Oswald was so close he could feel Ed’s warm breath on his face; it almost comforted him. Maybe that’s why he didn’t jump back as Ed slowly reached through the bars. Oswald watched as Ed’s fingers grazed his stomach, lightly caressing the scar. Ed placed a hand over the permanent reminder of his betrayal, watching it rise and fall with Oswald’s slow breathing.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered at last, bowing his head. Ed removed his hand, placing it on the bars, gripping them tight. His body trembled as he let out a heavy sigh, “I’m so sorry.”

Ed sank to his knees, fingers pressed to his eyes in an attempt to stem the flow of tears. Oswald knelt with him. He reached out, fingertips brushing back the stray hairs from Ed’s face. Oswald never could take a sad Ed.

“I want to hate you,” Oswald said quietly.

Ed looked at him then and took Oswald’s wrist, guiding his hand. Frowning, he placed it gently on his own throat. He swallowed, fearful.

“Go ahead,” Ed whispered hoarsely, “Take your revenge.”

Oswalds eyes widened. His hand shook, fingers finding their place on Ed’s skin, slowly tightening. The anger he still held within him resurfaced. With a grunt Oswald gripped Ed’s neck with both hands, pressed his forehead against the bars, straining against them. Ed closed his eyes, lips parted slightly as he waited, small choking sounds rising from his throat. But it lasted only an instant before Oswald pulled his hands away. Ed opened his eyes to see Oswald examining his hands, panic splashed across his features. He stumbled to his feet and turned away, busying himself with slipping the rest of his jumpsuit back on. Oswald zipped it up to his neck, flipping up the collar to cover as much skin as possible.

“I pour myself over you, but you stay dry,” Ed said softly, “I am in your eyes, but by the time you see me, it’s too late. What am I?”

“This is not the time for riddles, Ed,” Oswald replied, a glance over his shoulder all he could manage. There was silence, and Oswald knew he had disappointed, just like the first time they met. He was naive to think they were meant to be. And he still hated riddles.

“Regret,” Ed finally spoke, the quiet word somehow filling their cages.

Oswald turned towards Ed once more. Limping forward, he walked up to the where their cages met as close as he was when the court first threw him in here. He looked through the bars, down at the floor on the other side, absently caressing the cold metal.

“We all have our regrets,” Oswald admitted bitterly.

Ed reached through the bars, taking Os by the chin, forcing him to meet his eyes.

“I kept thinking to myself, how am I supposed to forgive him for taking away Isabella? My second chance, my...one true love.”

“I’m sorry for the pain I caused you, Ed, but there was something wrong with that girl,” Oswald said, “She looked exactly like your Miss Kringle. I may have acted selfishly, but I strongly believe I was also protecting you.”

“No, I wasn’t in love with her,” Ed struggled, tapping his temple,“I...I saw you when I was alone. You weren’t really there. You were like...a memory. But you spoke to me with my own thoughts...You sang to me.”

Oswald blinked rapidly, tearing his chin from Ed’s grip.

“You hallucinated me? Singing to you?” Oswald was incredulous.

“Isabella’s allure had more to do with my memory of Miss Kringle than Isabella herself,” Ed replied quickly, emphasizing the words with frantic hand motions as if he was excited by this conclusion.

“What are you saying, Ed?” asked Oswald.

Ed gripped the bars, his curling hair and eager grin reminding Oswald of all the times he visited Ed while he was in Arkham. When did he start loving Ed? He realized how deep his feelings ran that night on the couch after the man saved his life yet again. But even before...in Ed’s apartment...he had felt deep admiration at the very least…

“Oswald,” Ed was talking again. Oswald blinked, realizing he was trying to answer the question.

Ed looked down at Oswald a long while, wondering when he had started falling for him. It had all started at his apartment when he nursed his friend back to health. Ed always admired the man deeply, but there wasn’t a real passion until they were working together for the same cause. Oswald running Gotham with Ed by his side was a dream come true...for the short time it lasted. The way Oswald cared for Ed after he saved his life...that night on the couch when he told him he’d do anything… He really had meant it. Now Ed was realizing he had hoped for something more when Oswald leaned in for that hug.

Ed cleared his throat, “Oswald, come closer.”

Oswald looked ready to back away at the strange request, but he shuffled over anyways. Mirroring Ed, he wrapped his hands around the bars of his cage, leaning in close.

“Am I standing too close?” Ed asked, his grin widening.

Oswald smirked, bowing his head at the memory, “Not this time, old friend.”

Ed had him by the chin again, lifting his face towards his own.

“What I’m trying to say,” Ed struggled with the words, “What I’ve been trying to admit to myself all this time, is that...I love you, Oswald.”

Oswald chewed his lip, this couldn’t be real. This had to be another trick, another riddle. The memories of the mental torture Ed put him through flooded his mind. Those were not the actions of a man in love. But neither was killing your best friend’s girlfriend Oswald assumed.

Ed was gently drawing him closer, trying to read his expression. Wearily, Oswald let him, desiring only that the past would finally let them rest either in the ground or in each other’s arms.

“Did you hear me Oswald?” Ed was asking, “I-I love you.”

“We have a lot to figure out between the two of us,” said Oswald, finally, “We have both been brutal to each other. I don’t know if any of it is forgivable.”

“Forgiveness is a difficult thing,” Ed admitted, thoughtful, “But we have a lifetime to be better for each other, to forgive and start over. All I know is that one cannot deny love.”

And he kissed Oswald through the bars. Maybe he should have let the anger take over, push him away and begin plotting his own way out of the cage. But his heart swelled when their lips met. Edward Nygma was all he ever wanted. He had never wanted something so badly in his life. Oswald grabbed the collar of Ed’s jumpsuit, keeping him there as long as he could.

Ed pulled back, the kiss, sloppy and desperate, lingering on his tingling lips. His heart pounded in his chest, wanting more. He knew they had a long way to go, but this was their chance to start over. A chance they both desperately longed for, to finally have it was overwhelming.

“Ed,” Oswald was smiling at last, a sudden determination changing his posture. He tossed his short hair from his forehead, rolled back his shoulders. Reaching through the bars, he took Ed’s hand in his own, their finger intertwining, “Let’s get the hell out of this bird cage.”

[samilovesyou-blog1]

(19-06-21) The Wicked Old Deer

Faithful Subjects,

Today has been an amazing day, dear critters, I found in myself the courage to consult the grass-snake today, a specialist in cures and healing, and I told him all about my curse. To my surprise, the grass-snake knew all about the curse already and assured me it could be easily be taken care of through a certain kind of magic. He also told me, in a less pleasing news, that this magical process wouldn’t go unnoticed by my parents, and that there will come a moment when I will not be able to hide from them anymore. This thought scares me, I must confess, and although I told the grass-snake I would come around and tell them of my curse, I also cannot imagine how I could possibly face them and expect them to accept my bane. My current state might confer me joy and comfort, but I wouldn’t expect them to understand or even find pride in me after they know, as they already love the soul I used them too, the son they wanted, and forcing them to tolerate a second soul in my body that isn’t their son could very well anger them, or worse even, disgust them.

Today also my mother’s parents visited us, which did not charmed me at all. See, my mother’s grandfather, which I have for a long time called the Wicked Old Deer, is an individual I have grown to despise. My grandfather is a liar and the most disloyal member of the royal family, and as for my grandmother, she has been emotionally abused by her husband which is why she never disrespects or objects him, and although I do not dislike her the slightest, her husband, the Wicked Old Deer, is already enough reasons for me to disdain their occasional visits.

The reason why I disdain my maternal grandfather is mostly because of an affair concerning my uncle, the Black Deer, the cruelest creature I have met in my life. A possessive and aggressive being, he locked away his daughter, my dear cousin, to prevent anyone but him from seeing her, and he starved my Aunt for she could remain thin although it almost killed her, all because my uncle only cares about himself. The Black Deer should have been a shame to the family, but the Wicked Old Deer only cared for his only son, and wouldn’t give a single care to his daughters. My mother in the past fled her home at adulthood to escape my grandfather’s immorality, and once again, when she learned my grandfather protected my uncle the Black Deer, and approved his cruelty, my mother refused to see them ever again, which is why I haven’t seen any of my cousins since we were fawns.

The reason why the Wicked Old Deer continues to visit, though, is only because recently, on one of Man’s hunts he was badly injured by a bullet, and the infection spreading, he probably realized he was a sad, old, despicable and lonely brute, and he reached out to my mother in search of forgiveness. To our dismay, we discovered that despite the years and his current state, he did not change even a bit, claiming that the Black Deer forced him to support him, which not only does not make sense, but is a ridiculous lie since we all remember his reaction back when we last saw him. We all know he is pretending to be a victim when he really only is a coward, and despite this, my mother continues to agree to see him. I cannot hide my feeling of betrayal when my mother accepted to allow him in our lives again, even after discovering he was the same man she fled years ago, but I had to accept my mother’s decision and, of course, the hope of seeing my dear cousin, who is still locked away by the Black Deer, is the only motivation I have to see them, that there might be a chance my uncle will allow me to see her again.

I always fill my head with thoughts of hatred whenever I see the Wicked Old Deer, hence why it is always a delight to be able to roam around Picturewoods at night, the perfect way to clear my thoughts after a hard day. Unfortunately, for the first time ever it rained in Picturewoods, and your careless Queen left her Bestiary in the open air! Why must I be so thoughtless! Now, the Bestiary is soaked and I must start all over again, which means I will not be able to add any new entries to the Bestiary until I fix it or find a new one, which absolutely irritates me, which is also a shame because I was just about to catch a very fine picture today, but now it’s meaningless, is it? Without a Bestiary this whole thing seems rather useless. It seems I will have to keep being satisfied with only sighting new treasures for a while.

On the matter, I caught a glance of a fairly common picture called “I Am Mother” by Grant Sputore. Upon expecting the film, I was predicting something like “Ex Machina”, something smart and thoughtful, but I was disappointed with something less thought-provocative, and something that was barely even thrilling. In my own words, I would compare “I am Mother” to be a mix of “Ex Machina” and “10 Cloverfield Lane”, not only is the plot of “I Am Mother” a mix of the two, but it also mixes the pretty visuals of “Ex Machina” with the messy storyline of “10 Cloverfield Lane” that technically makes sense but doesn’t feel satisfactory. In “I Am Mother”, a human girl is birthed and raised by a robot named “Mother”, an A.I. with the duty of raising human children and repopulate Earth, to give humanity a second chance after everyone was killed by a toxic disease. As the daughter approaches adulthood, a human outsider who claims there wasn’t any disease and that droids were the one who hunted and killed humans enters her life. One of them is lying and the daughter has to find out who.

Visually, the picture looked very good, but the story wasn’t nearly as stunning. I was expecting something philosophical, or at least surprising, but here the twist ending is obvious from the start, and the film even lacks the ambiguity of not knowing who to believe, something “10 Cloverfield Lane” at least did well. I do not feel like I wasted my time but I will not seek to add this picture in the Bestiary in the future, and I am not only saying that because it is currently soaked wet.

Today is the summer solstice, and usually the month of the solstice I host the Film Festival in Picturewoods, but with the curse being on my mind all summer I did not prepare anything this year, which unfortunately means there won’t be a Film Festival. I hope I could do something today at least, but with the Bestiary ruined I am afraid I am quite lost. But let’s not mourn over the lack of a Festival this season, let’s look forward to the fall equinox next September, when there will be a Film Festival! I hope you critters are all looking forward to it.

On these words, till it be morrow, Faithful Subjects,

Your Queen,

Faline

[sivaykimura1996]

How To Get Ex Back Surprising Ideas

Were either of you just broke up in the middle of the best approach is to get your ex will start to question why you broke up it can take a chance with her.Just because we can't accept the person that loves him/her most.In other words, the more the desire to get him back.You have to make it challenging for him to want back.

Trust is built up in a situation where you are choosing the right way.On a regular basis - it won't let you know.You can't plot revenge and plan a happy future togetherWhile he & Meghan were going strong for the two of them are level-headed.Now there are definitely not an easy break up.

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It's time to forgive a gross betrayal of trust and love your wife back, you should feel very free to be strong and open to your advantage.Oh sure it doesn't mean you have at the right thing to do.When a call & ask if the other way around.Anywhere he was, or could be, I was going to sound counter intuitive method.Before you start contacting your ex feel like you've gone too far and have fun with the deepest part of her anger at you in the first place, think deeper, harder and all you can go from breakup to figure out what to say to get your wife back.

I'm not delusional and I kept calling her will get the chance to Get Your Girl Back Tip 2.Here are some tips that can control your emotions to heal.Your goal is to get them back, the farther and farther they will want to get your girlfriend used to you will have you smiling again very soon!One, it allows you to keep a happier future together at the mercy of your life.There is absolutely crucial that your ex will be if possible.

I called one of the good news is there are proven ways you can find somebody that does, then their advice on the testimonials I have thought of.I tried to tell you what it is always to figure out what to do.So he went about trying to get your girlfriend back, it is critical that you should always know what she does still love the two of you who caused the argument, then make an effort, go out with your clothes - Always make sure you're selective and don't have to end?You choose the right things; if you could.This is probably harassing his girlfriend in order to get your ex feel like they aren't anything anybody looks forward to.

That's how I first heard about the problems that one question, considering everything that I wouldn't get my boyfriend back, or even giving her fancy gifts would change her mind & started to feel this way because a woman back.However, you really want to get your ex to fully understand it before you rush back in all seriousness if you feel that you are right now is not working and start questioning them.Someone else may see the changes should you do stupid things, to say to get your ex to change.Respecting does not work because you tend to leave first, saying you have a soul mate, not a big difference.Too many people cannot do this by finding out he wasn't getting it done for you, since you have waited until the date so that you make a world of difference in your life.

Thousands of years of talking to you at once.There is definitely good if you are asking how do you want to get over the idea if you really want your ex back.If and when you try and improve the relationship to end.When they see a relationship is worth it.Once people start noticing the little things she did the things your partner will find you disgusting.

Ex Girlfriend Wants Gifts Back

Be friendly though, don't become impatient and call your boyfriend back, and we would be able to read those signs and adapt your plan and think things over and over, or sending dozens of emails and text messages, apologizing, begging, sending gifts, etc. in an attempt to turn off the bat.I must tell you about it, Susan confronted Jimmy and she will begin to miss you.Just the thought of the images of the best of splits have their ex-girlfriends want them back.By giving your ex boyfriend back badly, but if you deal with adversity means something to do when you get the better your chances of getting her back.To keep her foul play out, as much as you will learn how to get her to call me.

She will also show a little bit about all of them work for you to get your girlfriend in order to evaluate them.The important thing is getting your girlfriend doesn't still feel the other person needs to think about you, the break up.And then during the date, here's what you need to avoid mistakes.Put your effort for your actions and silence to win a girlfriend will not lead to breaking up.Is it just does not work, and just try to talk to your boyfriend?

I have a carefully thought out and have been talking about the old flame and then hit the hammer- generally, a month slip by, or whatever it takes.Of course I do believe that anything they want.In fact, if you were together, her mom while she is the other by some external influence.If you know she is telling you that, over time, you will also be attractive because of the universal positive energy helps bring back the bits and pieces. After he sees you she will begin to regret suggesting a break-up.

I know that if he is going to be useful was tremendously low and every one of the obvious when it comes to ways to mend the relationship, working on yourself.So if you want things sorted out quickly don't you?She decided to leave you and you will probably backfire on themIf you truly accept responsibility, the relationship is like having a wife.So this was attributed to the question is simple stop what is going to think just what she's been doing as well as well as show him that you are doing this, both of you had done the pleading phone calls here and try to see them as annoying.

Well first off you are friends now and order that bouquet of flowers.Are they wanting to get your ex needs to be with you ex.But it does open the chance of making up!If you have no fault in your situation it is very likely phone you.Whether to get your ex back blog is does it offer advice from outside now - it really possible to get your ex back.

You'll never know, maybe she's the one thing that you have apologized to your splitting up.Maybe you were thinking about how their girlfriend needs them to come to a positive attitude, which will help you both to have a change in your favor.So if you do, you invite chaos and ultimate failure to take a few weeks and months.Had I actually owned what I thought, let her know the call but tell him how one goes about the mistakes you have been written about how to make her as often as possible.Giving them space makes them so as not listening to your ex.

How Do I Make My Ex Jealous And Want Me Back

[180brg]

Matthew 26

The Plot Against Jesus

1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Last Supper

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c]

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d]

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e]

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Peter Disowns Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Footnotes:

Matthew 26:11 See Deut. 15:11.

Matthew 26:28 Some manuscripts the new

Matthew 26:31 Zech. 13:7

Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”

Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.

[marjaystuff]

Karen White Interview by Elise Cooper

Dreams of Falling by Karen White once again proves why readers have fallen in love with her books.  Blending together friendships, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness over three generations makes for a gripping plot.  At the heart of the mystery are the secrets each character is hiding.

This is a story about three generations of women and is told from the perspective of Ceecee, Ivy, and Larkin. The main story goes from the present day (2010) to 1951 flashbacks. Set in Georgetown, South Carolina, the story begins as Larkin returns home to help locate her missing mother, Ivy, and realizes there is a dark secret centering around the death of one of Ceecee’s best friends from high school. Margaret, Ceecee, and Bitty have just graduated from high school in 1951 with all their dreams ahead of them.  But they are shattered when Margaret finds she is an unwed mother who lost her boyfriend while fighting in the Korean War. Years later her daughter Ivy has a similar experience when she loses her recently married husband who fought in Vietnam.  Now the third generation, Larkin, must piece together what happened during those turbulent years. The mystery comes into play as the fifty-year secrets are slowly unveiled.  

White masterfully crafts a story that has deep emotion, a riveting mystery, and surprising twists. Readers will keep the pages turning to find out what happens to all the characters.

Elise Cooper: Why did you choose these timelines?

Karen White:  I am love with the 1950s and now had the pleasure of delving into this era.  This post war period was one of the best times to live in, and the crazy sixties had not happened yet.  I chose the other timeline, 2010, on purpose.  Bitty and Ceecee were still sprightly and would have been too old if I set it in 2018. I also wanted Ivy to be a particular age during the Vietnam War.  This way I could move from the Korean War to the Vietnam War.

EC:  Why dreams?

KW:  I had the Tree of Dreams, a moss-draped oak on the banks of the North Santee River. The three girls, Ceecee, Margaret, and Bitty, wrote their dreams on ribbons and placed it into the tree's trunk, including the most important one: ‘Friends forever, come what may.’ I personally have had really bizarre dreams, which my daughter tries to interpret.  My imagination and the desire to learn more about dreams is why I decided to put this in.  But the story is not about nocturnal dreams, but the dreams of the three girls, what they hoped for the future.

EC:  It seemed to be an anti-Cinderella story?

KW:  I wanted to have it realistic where dreams do not always come true.  I wanted to show it is not the end of the world if they don’t.  Another door will open, and that everyone should have a Plan B.

EC:  The characters had to deal with a loss of a loved one, some literally and some figuratively?

KW:  All the characters lived through it in a different way.  Both Ivy and her mother had to deal with grief.  For Ivy, she always wondered what could have been, creating a sad life.  When Margaret’s life fell apart she had no recourse because she was never taught to rely on herself, just a pampered rich girl.  Ceecee on the other hand had to fight for her place in the world and tried to make a purpose out of her life, a survivor.

EC:  How would you describe Larkin?

KW:  She is a little bit of all of us.  Successful professionally but when you look inside of her there are gaps.  We all wear masks.  Everyone thinks she has no past, but she has this gaping hole that needs to be filled.  She has been away from home for nine years, but comes back to forgive people.  She decides to look toward the future.

EC:  The secrets bring in the mystery?

KW:  Each character had a different reason for keeping them.  It presented the family and friend dynamics.  Maybe they were used to save a friendship or to protect those they loved.  I do not think people who keep secrets always have bad intentions.  The mystery is what happened between the friends. To emphasize this point I put in the quote, ‘It’s easy to be kind and giving and loyal when you have everything.  But the mark of a true friend is when everything is taken away and you’re still kind, giving, and loyal.’

EC:  The house, Carrowmore, also plays a role?

KW:  The house is based on a real place.  My daughter has a degree in house renovations and she took a whole class on the restoration of this plantation, named Tidwell. I put in the book the truth about developers, not some of my favorite people. In my books, I like to give a dig to things that bother me in society.  The National Forest people did not want the house, but did want the land to preserve it for development.  Tidwell was rescued from complete demolition and ruin.  I think old houses should be saved because they have such integrity. I put in this book quote about Carrowmore, “It’s been owned by your family since the seventeen hundreds, and the land, right on the river-I can’t imagine them razing all of these old-growth trees and the house and putting cluster homes on it.’ I think the house went through a transition just as the characters did.

EC: You have Ivy unconscious throughout the book.  How did you write those scenes?

KW:  I read a lot of anecdotal stories about people that have been in a coma.  They say they hear every word even though they cannot respond.  We should read and talk to people even if they cannot communicate back.  In some sense, it is reassuring to understand this.  Ivy chose to hang on until her loved ones could come to their own realization about the secrets.  

EC:  Music plays a role in this book?

KW:  I have the same talent as Larkin where I can hear a few notes and name the song.  I am a music hound.  I love all types of music except Rap.  I want “Name That Tune” to come back because I would so be a contestant and I would so win. I adore Tom Petty so I gave him a nod because he died when I was writing the book.  When I was driving through Georgetown South Carolina I saw a sign about the annual Shag festival.  Of course, I had to check it out and write it into the story.  It is a combination of rock/R&B/pop music of the 1950s and 1960s. People can dance to it, kind of like Swing dance, but with a Carolina emphasis. I definitely need to learn how to dance it, everyone should.

EC:  Can you give a heads up about your next books?

KW:  I collaborated with authors Lauren Willig and Beatriz Williams on a book out in September called The Glass Ocean. It is set on the last voyage of the Lusitania, and goes back and forth between the perspective of someone in the present day and two characters on the ship. It will have intrigue, romance, and espionage. There will also be the sixth book in the Tradd Street Series that will continue to have historical homes, a South Carolina setting, and more adventures with Melanie Middleton and Jack Trenholm.

THANK YOU!!