#and i really really cannot wait to see her back in promotional stuff for season 3

[simplykorra]

endless alba 30/∞

[lovelylogans]

spring cleaning

there’s a pack rat in the family. who it is will not surprise you.

part of the wyliwf verse.

warnings: food mentions, alcohol mentions, general messiness, jokes about hoarding

pairings: patton/virgil, offscreen logan/roman

word count: 2,412

notes: hi! this is just a quick little fic as i beta and finish off the next chapter of debutante. this is based off the gilmore girls season three episode twelve “lorelai out of water” cold open. takes place the spring after the main storyline, after alliance but before debutante.

⁂

virgil’s phone buzzes at 10:13 am on a sunny spring sunday. he pauses just after he drops off the brunch plates for mrs. torres, babette, and east side tilly, digging around in his back pocket to squint at his recent texts.

logan sanders: Please help.

any other time, this kind of text would probably send anxiety flooding his veins like ice water. as he’s been warned, sure, he’s a little anxious that he’s misreading the situation, but he shakes that aside and snorts.

“called it,” he mutters under his breath, before he wipes his hands on his apron and types out christ, you’re folding easy this year. is that a new record?

a brief pause. then, No, the record was twenty-four minutes. To be fair, that took place when I was ten years old, we were moving into the house, and you were already going to be involved, so I perhaps I should propose that does not count against my spring cleaning record.

ah, that’s right. god, helping patton move had kind of been a nightmare. helping anyone move is a bit of a nightmare, but with patton there’s a whole new layer of shenanigans.

Another buzz. Also, I need this to be hastened along. I have a Socratic seminar in English tomorrow, and though we have settled on a tentative truce I refuse to let Dee achieve the highest grade in the class.

he shoots back i’ll be there asap.

“jean,” he calls to the counter, but jean, having been warned as well, waves him off.

“i got it, at least he waited till the we hit the between-masses lull.”

“you’re the best,” he says, hanging up his apron and ignoring mrs. torres’ hoots about his arms—he's like ninety percent sure she’s spiking her own orange juice so she can have a screwdriver with her pancakes but he hasn’t caught her with a flask in hand yet—and heads out the door.

the citizens of sideshire are fully soaking in the pleasure of a sunny spring day—it’s one of those days, where the weather’s warming up slowly, but there’s sure to be more cold snaps before they fully settle into spring, so lots of people are taking advantage of it. families are sprawled with picnic blankets in the grassy town square. the “long-haired freak” (taylor’s nickname, not his. virgil’s pretty sure his name is dave, but also, he’s not totally sure his name is dave, and as such usually avoids any complications by saying “hey, man,” whenever virgil sees him) is out hawking fruits and vegetables from his garden. lots of people are out on walks, some with earbuds or headphones on, some calling out jolly greetings to other people taking advantage of a blue sky and temperatures that are soaring above freezing.

“hey, virgil.”

“hey, felix,” virgil says, craning his neck to catch sight of—well, he guesses felix and riley are technically his tenants? but that always feels weird to say—his neighboring business owners. felix is busy making sure a promotional poster’s taped to the window. “how’re things?”

“ah, y’know, y’know,” felix says, waving their hands around. “weather’s warming up, so we’re getting into busy season. guess people want to be able to flaunt new ink in the warmer weather, y’know?”

“hey, speaking of—” virgil says.

“oh, yeah,” felix says, scratching at the half of their head that was once shaved bald but is now growing in stubbly. “you wanna have riley do one this time? they can draw up some sketches for you, if you want. or i can, if you want, but it might be a minute ‘cause i’m all hands on deck for this massive full-back piece.”

“nah, riley’ll be cool, it’s been a minute since they’ve done one for me,” virgil says. “i’ll drop by later with some reference photos, ideas and stuff.”

“i’ll make sure they’re refreshed on what your style is before the consultation,” felix says. “appreciate the business.”

“appreciate you and your spouse taking over this empty shop so taylor didn’t get a chance to,” virgil returns, as he usually does whenever felix or their riley thanks him for something. he’s really awkward about accepting gratitude, he’s working on that with emile and patton.

“god, could you imagine taylor next door,” felix says with a theatric shudder. “bad enough he runs half the town.”

“i’ll call tomorrow to make the appointment?”

felix flashes him a thumbs up, and virgil raises a hand in farewell as he continues on his way.

he ends up pushing his sleeves up to his elbows as he walks to the sanders’ house, occasionally saying hey to other residents of sideshire, or tilting his face up to the sun. 

this winter’s been brutal, even worse than it usually is for the northeast, with absurd amounts of blizzards and ice. on the days where it wasn’t shoveling ridiculous amounts of snow on the whole town, the sky had been gray and overcast, and what little sun there was could barely stream weakly through the clouds. 

but now, the sun sinks softly into his exposed skin, warming him without overheating him thanks to the breeze, carrying the sweet scent of tentatively blooming flowers planted by particularly audacious gardeners.

it is a perfect, lovely spring day. 

by the time he gets to the cheerful yellow clapboard house, he’s taken enough deep, calming breaths to ensure that he is a calming presence. he ascends the stairs of the wraparound porch—oh, huh, looks like patton or logan’s making an attempt at being a gardener, that looks like mountain mint—and knocks lightly on the front door.

“please come in,” logan shouts, sounding exasperated, and virgil obligingly pushes the door open.

he toes off his shoes, even as he overhears patton’s voice, cajoling.

“hug-a-world! c’mon, you’ve gotta remember your hug-a-world!”

hug-a-world, virgil mouths to himself, before it comes back to him in sudden, vivid technicolor and he rounds the corner.

and, sure enough, surrounded by the detritus of the sanders home, patton and logan sit in a hastily-cleared space in the middle of their living room, patton holding a stuffed ball tight to his chest.

“of course i remember the hug-a-world,” logan says, still with that tone of exasperation, but lessened now at the sight of a beloved childhood toy. 

“you can’t make me throw away your hug-a-world,” patton declares viciously, which would almost be believably threatening if he were not clutching a stuffed ball made to look like a globe to his chest, and if his curly hair was not sticking up in a configuration that virgil thinks of as chaotically unruly, and if he were not wearing a pink-and-blue sweater he usually busts out around easter, and if someone did not know patton as a person. “you learned all seven of your continents on hug-a-world!”

see, without fail, almost every year patton gets suckered into the whole concept of the spring clean. and, without fail, logan or virgil will try to point out that he does this every year, and patton insists no, really, this time for sure he’ll get rid of some of the clutter around this house, it’s about time!, and then he gets sidetracked getting attached to objects he finds that he suddenly cannot bear to get rid of, despite the fact that said objects have typically been buried away in a dark closet all the rest of the year.

which means that logan and virgil sit with him and try to point that out, and patton wavers, before he decides to keep or donate or trash it, and it seems like it’s going okay, until the next thing he touches turns out to be another thing that he suddenly cannot bear to give up.

it’s gotten a little better since that time they introduced the marie kondo method, but also, that much worse, because of course he insists that everything sparks joy! 

but this is way more mess than usual. there are cardboard boxes and piles of clothes and bits and bobs that are in piles that come up to his ribs. virgil squints it at it suspiciously.

“attic,” logan says wearily, in explanation. “he got boxes out of the attic.”

oh, shit, the attic. god, that thing is stuffed to the brim with boxes, no wonder the living room looks like someone upended the odds-and-ends drawer for a giant into the house.

“but—c’mon,” patton says, in that same sweetly coaxing tone that usually makes them all throw up their hands and leave the rest of this spring cleaning mess for next year’s spring clean. he holds out the hug-a-world to logan. “hold it. marie says so.”

“marie does not realize that she has a special case with my hoarder of a father and therefore should customize the approach of sparks joy, because you have too wide a definition,” logan says, but he reaches out and takes the hug-a-world with both hands anyways.

virgil examines logan holding it, thinking suddenly of a much tinier logan with a gap in his front teeth holding the same toy in the same way, though the fabric had been much more vibrant shades of blue and green then. there had been a solid stretch of time that the hug-a-world had been the toy that logan had hugged falling asleep, back in the poolhouse. he’d taken the hug-a-world to the diner and to school and all around the inn and to the princes’ apartment and back again.

a side of logan’s mouth twitches up, and then, as if suddenly conscious of it, he forces the corners of his mouth to turn down as he stares at it.

“remember?” patton repeats, staring at logan and the hug-a-world fondly. “we used to take turns to squeeze it as tight as we could and then wherever our pinkies would end up, that’s where we were going to go together when you grew up.”

“yes,” logan says, and then loses the fight against his mouth, because it twitches up into a smile again. “many a trip to uzbekistan was planned that way.”

“look!” patton says, pointing and tilting his head. “that’s canada, then, where’d your other one get you?”

logan moves his other pinky in order to squint at the faded fabric. “i believe that’s cambodia. possibly vietnam, i was rather splitting the border.” 

“why not both?” patton says pragmatically, or as pragmatically as he can sound planning a potential trip based off hugging a ball. 

logan hesitates, holding the ball.

“look,” patton says. “hey, how about virgil helps clean it up, and the hug-a-world can live in your room?”

logan chews at the inside of his lip.

“if it sparks joy,” patton sing-songs.

logan heaves a sigh.

“the hug-a-world will live in my room, then,” he says, before looking to virgil. “we’ve started a pile for you right here,” and pats a pile of what mostly looks like clothes that can be either repaired, repurposed, or sneakily donated.

virgil takes a breath, and says, “i’ll crack open a window and put on some music, then. patton, you take your allergy medicine today?”

patton tilts his head to think about it.

“that’s a no,” virgil says. “i’ll grab it on the way. water, snacks? we’re gonna be here for a while.”

“are we?” logan says doubtfully, twisting to look at him.

“we are finishing spring clean this year!” patton insists. “i mean it this time!”

logan arches his eyebrows at virgil, and virgil mouths play along, and logan sighs before he turns back to the pile, pulling out an old jacket at random.

“i have never seen you wear this. it should be donated.”

“that was from raf, we can’t just toss it!” patton cries out in dismay, and virgil heads for the kitchen.

he fills up three glasses of water, chops up some celery and apples, fills up three mini ramekins with peanut butter, and sets it all on a tray, along with the round white pill that patton takes for his allergies. 

he plugs in his phone and scrolls to a roman-made playlist, lowering the volume so that they’ll be able to hear each other, and proceeds to make his meandering way around the piles of Stuff as best he can without knocking anything over.

on his way, he moves to crack open the windows of the living room, allowing the floral-scented air to waft into the messy room, to hear the chirping of the birds under patton and logan’s debating.

he pushes aside a pile of old books on the coffee table and sets the tray down, mostly ignored as logan manages to triumph and tosses the jacket into a box labeled DONATE.

virgil settles down next to his pile, sitting in criss-cross-applesauce, and gosh all of the clutter of patton and logan’s lives looms over them like a mountain at this angle. 

“okay,” virgil says encouragingly. “good, that’s good! raf’s old jacket will probably make some other teenager very happy to have it.”

patton sighs, staring after the jacket. “yeah, i guess.”

“this is good,” virgil says stubbornly, before tugging at a piece of fabric sticking out at random and unearthing a blanket.

“oh, i was wondering where that got off to!” patton says, delighted. 

“i thought that got lost in the moving shuffle,” virgil agrees, because the last time he saw this he was pretty sure it was tossed over the back of their rented apartment couch.

“so this blanket has not been washed in at least six years,” logan says.

“well, that can be fixed!” patton points out. “i say keep.”

“we’re never going to finish,” logan groans.

“of course we’re gonna finish!” patton says.

“yeah, logan,” virgil says unconvincingly. “listen to your dad.” 

patton beams at him, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek; logan rolls his eyes, before he turns his attention to the blanket.

“so, you claim keep for your room,” logan says. “you already have so many blankets.”

“well, we can always use more blankets!” patton points out. “worse comes to worse, we’ll put it in the linen closet.”

logan tilts his head, before he sighs, and places it in a pile of other fabrics that they seem to have decided to keep.

“all right, fine,” he says, then fishes out another piece of fabric. “next item—”

“look how fast we settled that!” patton says brightly.

“pretty fast,” virgil agrees dutifully.

“we’ll totally finish spring clean this year,” patton says confidently.

(they do not finish spring clean this year.)

[popculturebuffet]

Lilo and Stitch Crossovers: “Morpholomew” (American Dragon Long): Stop Trying to Make Am Drag a Thing (Commisson Done For WeirdKev27)

Hello all you happy people! And welcome to a brand new retrospective/story arc/thing from yours truly, comissoned directly by WeirdKev27. If you’d like to comission your own review or set of reviews like this one, it’s 5 bucks. Just contact me via my ask box or direct messages on this very blog or my discord technicolormuk#6550.

With Shadow Into Light in the books, Kev decided he wanted to comission something not duck related and a bit smaller as a buffer before the next big arc, ALL of three arcs from season 2 of Ducktales, and decided to go with something he suggested to be a while back as a possible future retrospective: The Lilo and Stitch Crossover episodes! 

That’s right for the next three weeks, with TWO reviews this week since I had a spot open up and Kev paid for this one in full and way in advance, we’ll be taking a trip to Hawaii to visit everyone’s faviorte little girl, her best friend/pet/killing machine as they try to find homes for his 625 cousins. 

I loved Lilo and Stitch when I was a kid: Disney admitely got their hooks in me on that one with their cool prequel comics in disney adventures. These comics set up the movie, showing Jumba creating Stitch and the events leading up to both getting captured. The movie did not disapoint with cool character designs, a drop dead gorgeous recreation of Hawaii, and a really heartfelt, heartbreaking and heartpumping story of loss, family, and ving rahmes voicing one of the few heroic child services workers i’ve seen in a medium, a refreshing change of pace. The film is a masterpiece and I really do need to watch it again sometime. 

Given the series was a huge hit and that thsi was before the big lull in the late 2000′s and early 2010′s where Disney refused to make any tv shows based on their movies, a series followed, given a lead in by the direct to video movie Stitch.

The movie set up the basic premise; 624 capsules containing Jumba’s previous experiments, cousins as Stitch calls them, ended up raining over Kauai, awakening when dropped into water or any other liquid. Lilo and Stitch, with help from Jumba, his live in boyfriend Pleakley, her tought but fair sister Nani, and her boyfriend David, who dosen’t show up as much as i’d like but is my boy so he gets a mention here. But anyways our heroes try to reform the various engines of distructoin who all have unique powers and find them their one place they truly belong. 

So yes the show was a Mons-type show clearly captalizing off pokemon.. but the slice of life setting as opposed to the shonen style of most shows following in pokemon’s wake, gave it it’s own unique feel: while our heroes did fight, it was more about shenanigans, adventures and what not with these unique creatures and the purpose is very heartflet: Lilo simply wants to give these guys the same kind of love and support she’s given Stitch and a chance to do good. 

Opposing them is Gantu, the shark bounty hunter from the first film who, now out of a job, is working for Dr. Hamstervile, an imprisoned sceintest and a character I really don’t like that much as he’s not funny or a genuine threat or both and feels like a waste of time. Thankfully he’s not the focus and Gantu is instead partnered with 625, my faviorite Lilo and Stitch character. 625, as the name suggests, is stitch’s immediate prototype.. but unlike Stitch is too lazy and peaceful to be a real threat and isn’t even really a villian despite being on Gantu’s side. He’s busy making samwitches, his calling to the point when he gets a name in the finale movie it’s naturally Ruben, and snarking at gantu. He’s sadly not in this one but hopefully it’s JUST this one. 

As you can tell I liked this show a LOT at the time. I haven’t watched it since, mostly because disney scarely replayed it after it’s run, but it was vibrant, fun and intresting and a nicely laidback and creative take. The fact I came into the franchise with the comics and thus 625, who was introduced there in fact, and had a hunger to know more about the other experiments certainly helped. It was great fun. 

But while I grew up with the show and the four shows it teamed up with, i’ve never seen these episodes before these reviews. I wondered why for years as I caught the tail end of the kim possible one and saw images ocasionally, but never saw them. 

Turns out it’s because in general Season 2 got screwed over. While Season 1 was pushed out the door fast and aired at a rapid pace Season 2.. was portioned out over several years, and the Recess crossover one, the last one aired and the last one i’ll be covering never even got to Disney channel, only airing on ABC kids, DIsney’s saturday morning block at the time I rarely watched. I did watch it’s predecessor one saturday morning though. Good stuff. 

Since I couldn’t find any making of stuff for why these episodes happened, my best guess is DIsney wanted some cross promotion, and the shows used were chosen because they were the most popular at the time and honestly all 4 represent some of disney’s best, with Recess being in heavy reruns at the time, hence i’ts conclusion despite the show being finished before Lilo And Stitch the movie came out, let alone the series. 

So yeah i’m taking this ride for the first time.. but I was happy to. While Kev pays for a lot of my work, I still have to accept the idea.. and this was a great one. It allows me to cover 5 amazing series and gage how much people would want to see reviews of said series on this blog in one fell swoop.

So to kick us off we have American Dragon: Jake Long, a series I waited forever to come to Disney + as I loved it at the time, badly need to rewatch it (Been busy ), and find it genuinely great: It’s a great teen superhero story about the magical protector of new york, with a charming lead, a great setting and horrifcally great villians in the violently racist magic creature hunting huntsclan.. and their top agent who happens to be jake’s love intrest Rose. It’s really excellent and i’m glad it’s now widely avaliable for all to see. I will say ahead that all four shows in this crossover arc are excellent, and were fine choices for this. 

So what happens when an action comedy about a hip hop teenage dragon meets a slice of life show about aliens? Find out under the cut. 

So we open at a fancy hotel where Lilo’s bringing lunch to her sister Nani when she runs into.. Keoni Jameson. 

The second I remembered this kid all the hate just came flooding back, coursing through my veigns. Just pure liquid hatred for this little perosnalitiless little punk. Keoni is Lilo’s crush and local “stupid white audience stand in”. He has no real personality other than “generic cool kid” and “likes skating”, and just sucks the air out of the room anytime he’s in an episode. Keoni is part of a recurring problem in cartoons across the ages, one that’s slowly going away: the bland love intrest. Intorducing a character whose only traits are being cool for the lead to fawn over with usually no intent of either getting the two togehter or just ending it. IT’s annoying, it was in a good chunk of my childhood, I wish it’d stop. I cannot tell you how many shows used this trope. There were exceptions, American Dragon Jake Long actually used it well by not only making Rose a fleshed out character..  but making her jake’s nemisis in their other lives, and thus making things increidbly difficult on both once the truth comes out, with Jake grappling with if he can trust her or not and Rose grappling with the slow relization eveyrthing she was taught her whole life was wrong.

And again I have seen GOOD storylines using this as a tool: Dipper and Wendy ended with her having been aware teh whole time, but simply not knowing how to let him down given the age gap, and Regular Show rebounded the best from it: it turned the stop and start relatoinshpi of Mordecai and Margret’s relationship into a character flaw for him, openly explored it.. and ended up having him work past it and actually date her for a bit. Before she moved away, he got an even better love interest, then they destoryed the relationship in the worst way posisble and I wil lbe getting to that at some point. Some point. 

So yeah even at the time it was done better, hindsight haas only made it worse and it made watching the first few minutes tough because I had to keep pasuing because I hate him so damn much. He just adds NOTHING to the show and is a blank yanwing void from which no good came out of and I was terrified he’d be in the rest of the episode. Thankfully while he drives the plot he’s only in this scene.. but it’s still one more scene than both 625 and Pleakly got. yeah both are missing, as is nani. 

I did uncover one fun fact that made things a bit easier though: The crew ALSO hated Keoni. No really. Disney forced the character on them as they wanted an audience surrogate, and this abomination is what popped out. They DID NOT want him here and likely only used him as mcuh as they did because Disney forced it on them. And Disney would NOT learn from this as Star Vs got saddled with Alphonso and Ferguson soley because of network mandate. The two aren’t TERRIBLE characters but they aren’t great and feel as tacked on as they were. And part of this does fall on the crew: you CAN twist a stupid mandate like this to work well: Joe Murray was asked to add “A female character with a hook”, as in some sort of dumb gimmick to Rocko. He used those words, meant to create a superfical girl power cardboard cutout.. and created the wonderful Dr. Hutchenson, a bright cheery doctor, the series best sidecharacter.. and someone with a hook hand. But I won’t go too hard on them: they probably didn’t have as much room to manuver and the fact Keoni was sitll being shoved into episodes in season 2 tells me they likely had a set number of episodes he had to show up. I’m suprised they didn’t demand they have characters ask “Where’s Keonie?” any time he wasn’t in an episode. He was unecessary and it comes across with a massive chunk of unforutnate implications: that they didn’t think a series with a mostly hawaiann cast would work, that they wanted at least one other “nice” white character to offset myrtle instead of having the only major white character be a bully and antagonist, and that they thought tehir mostly white audience coudln’t enjoy a series without a white character, which as someone who was in the target demo at the time, I call bullshit on. As I said I hated him then, I hate him now and his involvement is the worst aspect of this episode. 

So after Lilo fawns over him for a bit we find out this chonk of wood’s purpose in the episode: to set up the plot. There’s a massive Skate Competition coming to town with the prize being a really cool skateboard.  This plot point itself.. I don’t mind. Jake is a skater, it’s part of his character and one of the things he loves doing in what minsicule spare time he has. And while it was a common trope at the time having a character skateboard really dosen’t harm most works. We’ve gotten great characters like Jake, Jackie Lynn Thomas, Branwen and Ronnie Anne Santiago out of it, and it feels like natural parts of the character, and frankly An Extremley Goofy Movie wouldn’t be NEARLY as awesome without having skateboarding bizzarley attached to the plot via the college x-games. Granted somtimes you get Rocket Power out of the deal but that’s the price you pay for the good stuff. I only regret it’s involved because Keoni has to be there and I had to pause multiple times to get through his scene. He’s just a sampler platter of terrible decisions made in 2000′s cartoons and he irritates me more than this guy. 

And anyone whose read my Loud House reviews can tell you that is a high bar to clear. 

So naturally Lilo wants to enter the Hawiann X-Games to get the board for Keoni. Though I will give the writers credit for having Stitch voice their thoughts and the audiences thoughts by having him take Keoni’s picture and throw it in the garbage. Where he belongs. 

Lilo’s not great at it as they practice.. and said practice naturally ends up waking up a new experiment, 316.. who i’m just going to go ahead and call Morpholomew. Stitch eventually catches him though like many of the experiments he’s not actively malevelolent and is easy enough to get home. 

Jumba gets to his schitck of breaking down what the experiment of the week does: In this case Morpholomew is  a shapeshifter though he has a VERY intresting twist on those powers: while he can naturally morph himself into anything he’s seen or has a picture of, he can do the same to anyone he touches. It dosen’t effect their voices, but otherwise it’s a perfect recreation. 

So Lilo instead of finding him a home right away.. decides to wait until after the compettition because we need him for the plot. 

So at the Skateboard Competittion Lilo tries to enter, but finds she’s too young.. but since she has a picture of Keoni, which is a nice way to use her photo hobby from the movie for plot reasons and thus dosen’t feel like an ass pull. Why Keoni’s not in town to skate is as his dad left because it’d be too crowded.. even though the event is at the resort he owns. 

So while Lilo commits identtity theft, our guest star appears. He’s cool, he’s hot like a frozen son, he’s young and fast he’s the chosen one, people i’m not braggin, i’ts the American Dragon. Jake is here for two reasons: the first is that Grandpa Long got reports of magical creatures out in the open, so naturally they need to look into that. It’s a clever way to get him, along with Grandpa, Fu, Trixie and Spud, over to Hawaii. The Dragon Council would defintely be suspcious hearing about this, and my guess to why they hadn’t sent another dragon over is they simply dont’ have one on the islands. As for why the Huntsclan didn’t get involved in any way, it’s simply too public for them.  With the magical community in new york, they don’t have to worry about exposure because neither side wants it, so neither side can out the other. Here with a bunch of creatures out in the open it runs the risk of the Hunstclan being dragged into the light.. and given the populace dosne’t care about the “magical creatures” alongside them, it would make them look like the monsters they are. 

Spud and Trixie tagging along also makes sense besides “they needed them for the plot”: While they’d obviously want to come to Hawaii, the skate competition is likely Jake’s cover for why he’s there, as well as one for why it’s just him and grandpa going with a couple of his friends so they don’t have to deal with manuvering around jake’s dad. That sad them never TELLING jake’s Dad is it’s own can of worms as it feels cruel, made things harder for jake and there was no real reason not to. At worst he’d want Jake to stop for his own saftey but given ther’es an active threat in  the huntsclan for the first season and a half, NOT helping people would be the right thing and I feel he’s a sensible enough man to understand eventually. 

And it’s stuff like this that already makes this crossover really work for me: they don’t really have to strain to get Jake over there or tell the audience heavily, the blanks fill in themslves. Or I am but that’s because it’s my job and I love doin it. 

So everyone goes off to their corners; Jake to do a few practice runs, Foo Dog to bet on his friend because of course, Trixie and Spud to go to the beach (even though Spud’s terrified of sharks so I question why Trixie needs him for this), and in a delightfully adorable subplot, finds a lady to woo: local fruit stand vendoer and crankly old lady Mrs. Hasagawa. 

I am here for this subplot: While Grandpa not focusing on the mission is weird for him that’s the entire point.. and their just really cute together. He’s smitten with her entirely because he sees her chewing out one of the people running the contest for making her sign too small. And he performs one hell of a romantic gesture by, while everyone’s back is turned, using his dragon fire to make an add for her on the skate ramp itself, and they have a lovely montage of their time together.. which also weirdly includes grandpa using his dragon fire on stage inf ront of everyone which makes no sense for his charcter but is so cute and does feature david I really don’t care. The writers of Lilo and Stitch probably weren’t deeply familiar with the show and likely just wanted a fun gag. Could be wrong there but it’s cute. He continues to act grossly out of character by trying to avoid going home at the end.. but again I find it simply because he’s in love, they have genuine chemstiry and I like to think they stayed in touch and he retired out there at some point once Jake was old enough to handle things himself. This may not be a ship I expected to support going in but I will die for it going out. 

So back to the main plot, Lilo uses Keoni’s body to imitate him which... she’s only loosely called out on and realizes is bad by the end only because she gets stuck in another body. And that’s not even getting into the fact she BREAKS UP WITH KEONI’S GIRLFRIEND. Yes really.. she just does that to get her out of the way. She comes around and realizes she was wrong and tries to fix it which would be fine.. if hte episode didn’t try to cop it out by revealing “Oh she’s not his girlfriend, she’s just someone who keeps telling people that”. It just feels lazy and dumb and a way to keep Lilo’s crush on Keoni for reasons I DO. NOT. GET. But the identity theft is just brushed aside by everyone: Keoni never finds out, and Jake just brushes it off. The real issue is more her trying to bribe keoni into likng her which while something kids need to learn is not the only thing she did wrong here. It feels like they didn’t think all the implications out here and it hampers the episode

Speaking of which as Gantu captures Jake, he sees him transform into dragon mode and assumes he’s the experiment, Jake’s charactization is pretty shallow.  And why yes it DOES feel weird writing sentences about a character with the same name thank you for asking. I wasn’t expecting a deep character piece or anything: This is a guest spot, the writers here are not the same normal ones for American Dragon. That’s fine. The problem.. is that they clearly did not get Jake. Grandpa being partly out of character is half the joke, Trixie actually gets a really nice moment towards the end, and Spud.. is eh. But out of them Jake just feels like a basic character description: He likes hip hop, he likes skateboards, he calls himself Am Drag despite that sounding like a good name for a drag act but a terrible name to shorten your title, he fights.. that’s it. 

While jake is all of that in the main series, he’s also a kind young man who while sometimes irresponsible does the right thing when the chips are down.  He’s someone weighed down by a responsiblity he didn’t ask for, often makes his life more difficult and often finds himself in trouble because his mother and grandfather won’t bother to tell his dad he’s a dragon. Yes that part still bothers me, and I don’t see why we couldn’t just have a superhero show where both parents know. But regardless this just dosen’t feel like Jake , like they just watched the intro and that was it. Jake feels more like a plot device in his own crossover. 

That being said there is some good stuff: The minute Jake realizes some Sci Fi stuff is going on instead of hte normal magic stuff he tells him “The am drag’s show isn’t about sci fi” a nice meta bit and then breaks out. Meanwhile Lilo takes on his form.. and ends up stuck after badly botching her run again, as Gantu finds the real shapeshifter. 

We get the best stretch of the episode from here though: Lilo awkardly tries to play jake and like jake we get a nice meta nod to how diffrent their show is as she’s worried about his belief in magical creatures.. and is startled out of her charade when Foo Dog talks, a really nice bit especially since it’s tame compared to the weirdness he deals with. Spud and Trixie have questions... only for Jake to show up and his agressive behavior leads to the best bit of the episode: Jake Vs Stitch. The catlyst is understandable: jake has no idea why Lilo’s taken his identity and Sttich is just protecting his best friend from harm. The animation is fluid, the fight is fun and quick and uses both’s powers stellarl. Whle “two heroes get into a misunderstanding and then fight” is a well worn cliche at this point, it’s moments like this that show why: you get to see two heroes who in this case never have interacted before or sense, duke it out, why each is special and it’s fun to watch. 

Lilo breaks it up, and admits to the whole thing.. including the whole give Keani the board stuff. While Jake and Spud, being awkard with girls and a loveable moron don’t see the problem with that Trixie gets a moment to shine. As far as I can remember she really didn’t get much on the show proper so it was a nice suprise to see her mentor lilo her, telling her trying to give someone gifts to love you is not okay, she should just be herself all that good stuff. It’s a nice character stuff and tha’ts the kind of character interaction this episode needed more of. 

With the misunderstandings washed away our heroes team up and storm gantu’s ship leading to another great sequence as Stitch rides on Jake’s back while the two keep him busy and Lilo gets turned back, Trixie complimenting her dress “Thanks I have 10 just like it at home”. It’s such a sweet and genuine moment” They head back out and gantu semeingly grabs morpholmew from where they hide.. only to find out when he gets back it’s spud, our adorable little blob monster transforming Gantu into a bunny and our heroes leaving. How does Gantu get out of being a bunny?

But it’s a nice enough gag. So we end the episode. We get another nice gag as grandpa had himself and his lady transformed to try and avoid going home, and Jake is fine with having lost out on the board what matters is he made a friend. Sadly we did not get a followup in ADJL., but spud does name our experiment, Morpholomew. 

We end on Morph getting his home: a costume shop where he gets paid in fried chicken, he was shown to enjoy it throughtout the episode and changes people into things. It’s a nice little button to the episode and one of the funnest parts of the show was figuring out where the experiment would end up at the end. 

Final Thoughts:

This episode is a really mixed bag. There is some good character interactions, two tremendous fight scens and Trixie gets a chance to shine for once if only for a scene or two, and the clashing genres end up making for some great jokes> The shows do go well together as while Lilo and Stitch is more laid back both have slice of life elements. And hasgawa X Grandpa is just oto cute for words. 

The episode is held back by Jake and Lilo’s lackluster characterizatons: Jake is simply the theme song as a character, which in theory is awesome because that theme song slaps but in practice is pretty lame, and Lilo is selfish and irresponsible even for her in a way that dosen’t feel at all convincing. It drags down what’s otherwise a fun crossover and Morpholomew is truly a unique and wonderful experiment. Still if you like either show it’s worth a watch even if you have to suffer through Keoni for it. It’s worth it.. I just wish it was better and hopefully the next 3 will keep the good parts but take out the bad. Granted this was produced last so I could be wrong, but here’s hoping.  Oh this episode also featured Miranda Cosgrove as the girl who claims to be Keoni’s girlfriend. This is also Keoni’s last episode meaning I do NOT have to worry about accidently running into him. Thank fucking christ. 

Next Time On American Dragon Jake Long: Jake’s dad drags him and his friends on a camping trip and Jake ends up encountering the Jersey Devil. Now all they need is a sexy lady devil cake to lure it out... what it worked for the Cake Boss. And yes that happened, Allison Pregler did an episode on that episode. Check it out. 

Next Time On Lilo and Stitch Crossovers: It’s the family, the family, proud familllyyy as the Prouds take a vacation at Peakly and Jumbas bed but not breakfast and we get some kind of squirrel demon for our experiment of the week. We also get Wizard Kelly appearing...

See you at the next rainbow. 

[howtosingit]

I haven't had a chance to fully dive into all the goodies last nights video has produced.. nor have I had a chance to read all your thoughts which you know I crave love . I was dumb and watched 3 911 episodes last night ignoring my ig notification that ronen had shared anything so then I had to go to bed bc of work and work has been crqzy. But anyways I just wanted to hear some of your thoughts and say Tarlos officially fried my brain and I really want to write in the spare time I don't have bc of work 🙈🙊 their soft smiles, kisses, possibly meeting the fam, their date (and let's be honest Carlos was hot as fuck sauntering up to the bar announcing he was tks boyfriend... you know someone got laid that night) sorry not sorry 🙈

Anyways hit me with your thoughts when you're free if you want ❤

LISTEN, LAUREN. I am always up to share my thoughts because they never end and they just keep coming and I have to unleash them somehow or I will definitely explode.

My brain was just like, ALL CAPS SCREAMING, for about 7 hours yesterday, so I’ll leave you to explore that hot mess on my blog if you want. 😅 But, in the time since, I’ve seen a lot of discourse and stuff about the moments that we’ve seen, so I’m going to use this ask as an opportunity to weigh in on everything under the cut...

FIRST, CAN I JUST SAY that at the moment that I am writing this post, we are still trending at #5 and we’ve been in the 4-7 range for at least the past, like, IDK, 18-20 hours maybe?! I LOVE THIS FANDOM AND HOW WE LOSE OUR SHIT AT THE SMALLEST THINGS

Okay, so let me go through this thing and comment on the parts, and then give some general thoughts below:

LOVE that this is a promo entirely about the LGBTQIA+ characters and characters of color. Not exactly surprised that they still tried to put as much Rob Lowe in it as possible (that’s Fox/the writers’ M.O. it seems - to squeeze Rob/Owen in whether he fits or not). Some of his comments were a little awkward, I thought (referring to Paul’s trans storyline as “stuff” makes me go 😬), but whatever. He’s not the point of all of this, so that’s the last I’m going to talk about him.

TOMMY VEGA. I AM READY TO STAN. I love Gina Torres, I already love how much heart and soul she is giving just in these quick peeks, I cannot wait to see her in action!

Also let me use this moment to say that while it’s obvious I’m not getting my Grace + Carlos friendship (that’s fine if it stays in fandom, I’ll live), I’m SO GLAD that her and Tommy are gonna be friends! One promo mentioned that Judd has known Tommy before, so it would not surprise me if they’ve been friends for awhile. LOVE THAT.

SPECULATION: This gives me a good time to just throw out a theory that I’ve been thinking about... We know Owen and Gwen are hosting Tommy at their place for a backyard dinner. I assume her husband may be there as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Judd and Grace are there too. 

I ALSO would not be surprised if this is when one of the nights at Carlos’s place happens, like a parallel of the two dinner parties. That at least keeps every main character involved in both locations. We shall see though.

So this gathering at the firehouse seems like it’s going to be a pretty big scene, probably for episode 1. I think everyone’s gathered so that Owen can announce he’s in remission (we’ll hear him tell TK first, which is the hug that they share earlier in the trailer, I think). 

But this gathering also includes a Tommy/Grace moment, a Tarlos moment, the others doing other things kind of moments. It’ll serve the same purpose as a lot of the season 1 bar scenes, and I’m so glad they’ve moved those to the firehouse. I want that place to really start feeling like a home this year. 

(I want all of the locations to feel a little more grounded and special, if I’m being honest. Like, I’m SO GLAD that Carlos’s place is going to be a key location this season.)

There are now two instances of Carlos being next to Gwen (standing next to her while Owen makes an announcement and now sitting next to her at the table), so we better get some dialogue between them or I WILL BE SO UPSET. I WANT GWEN TO STAN CARLOS AS MUCH AS I DO.

EVERYONE IS SO CUTE IN THIS SCENE OKAY

TARLOS TARLOS TARLOS TARLOS

Like, WTF is TK’s face in this moment?! He looks so shy and bashful but also so happy and mushy and soft and in love. And then the way that Carlos softens because of how soft TK look?!?! WHAT IS GOING ON?!?! WHY AM I CRYING.

Seriously, I have to know what they’re talking about though to make TK fucking melt like that. 

Emergency stuff blah blah blah

TARLOS KISS TARLOS KISS TARLOS KISS TARLOS KISS

IT’S SO FUCKING CASUAL AND PERFECT AND NATURAL AND LITERALLY JUST LIKE A “I came over to grab this food from you but since I’m here I might as well grab a kiss because I can’t help myself”

AND LIKE... Carlos just leans right into it?!?!?!? like it’s something that they do all the time?!?!?! WTF I LOVE THEM

Mateo watches this kiss and kind of looks like he was talking to Carlos, TK, or both of them, so I love that they’re like in the middle of conversation but still like “wait let me kiss my bf because he’s close by and so hot and I love him” SCREAMING

ALSO LET ME BE THIRSTY BUT CARLOS’S SHOULDERS AND BACK?!?!?! TK’S FUCKING ARMS?!?! I’M SO DAMN GAY

Speaking of arms: this rando bartender at the wrestling match (so Covid doesn’t last long on Lone Star, I’m assuming like 2 episodes maybe?) -- I love that they tried to put him in a tight shirt and make him look like a possible threat or something and I’m just like 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

IT’S LIKE THEY’VE NEVER SEEN CARLOS REYES BEFORE

AND THEN THE FUCKING GREEK GOD HIMSELF SAUNTERS UP WEARING A TIGHT FUCKING POLO - CHEST OUT, ARMS JACKED, HANDS IN HIS POCKETS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO HIS DICK AND I’M JUST SCREAMING AT THIS POINT

BOYFRIEND 

BOYFRIEND

BOYFRIEND

But, like, seriously, there is no comparison. Carlos is fucking Hercules over here and this no-name wannabe boyband member could be a sand-colored rock for all I care. 

YOU CANNOT COMPETE WITH CARLOS REYES, DON’T EVEN TRY IT

I do feel like these two clips (the calendar line and then Carlos’s line) are spliced together but they might not be back-to-back, and I would love to see how TK responds to the flirting before Carlos comes over

HIS FACE IS KILLING ME THOUGH WHEN CARLOS COMES UP

BLESS RONEN

I feel like I *think* I know what he’s thinking, but I also feel like I don’t. Certainly, the scene seems to end with them both smiling and happy, but I wonder if there will be a conversation about jealousy or something?! IDK BUT THEY’RE DEFINITELY GONNA TALK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY SAY.

Someone posted how happy TK is going to be to have a boyfriend who is committed enough to him to be jealous, unlike Alex who didn’t care and cheated on him. I certainly think this could be a great moment for them to establish what this new relationship means for them, and I’m excited to see what they writers have planned.

I JUST LOVE CARLOS REYES THOUGH OKAY I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

How many times is Fox gonna use that clip of him holding his gun though? We get it, he raises his gun. I’ve seen it like 7 times at this point. 

I’m not complaining, really. I’ll take his face where I can get it.

LOVING the Marjan clips

LOVING the Grace/Judd clips

LOVING the Paul clips

I LOVE ALL OF MY FAVES

CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THEM DEVELOP THIS YEAR

Hearing Rafa talk about using his voice and speaking for his community just slaughters my heart, I love this man so fucking much and I’m so happy to be discovering him at the start of his career because he is going to go on to do big things and make the world a better place with his positivity and light and love and I’m so excited to follow him on that journey I just love him okay

ALSO THE MAN LOOKS SO FUCKING GOOD WHAT ARE THOSE ARMS I WANT TO DIE

THE FARMER’S MARKET SCENE

Are they shopping for food for the dinner party they’re hosting?! Maybe!

WE MEET SOME OF CARLOS’S PEOPLE

There is so much speculation surrounding who these two people could be, and I’ve heard some super interesting theories about Carlos’s backstory.

I’m gonna be basic though and stick with the fact that I think they’re his parents.

AND IF THEY ARE HIS PARENTS, THEY SEEM SO HAPPY TO MEET TK.

His dad/the man, like, shakes TK’s hand with so much gusto, a giant smile on his face

And Carlos smiles as he hugs his mom/the woman, and she’s smiling too

THEY ALL JUST SEEM SO HAPPY

I CAN’T BELIEVE WE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE AVOIDING THE HOMOPHOBIC PARENTS STORYLINE COMPLETELY

Y’ALL DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT TRAUMA

I mean, I don’t know for sure, we’re going to have to wait for the episode. But god, do I hope for it with every fiber of my being. I want their trauma, if they have to have it, to be separate from their sexuality. They’ve done so well with TK so far, I want the same for Carlos. Let the story be fresh, let it be different, LET US HAVE DIVERSE GAY STORYLINES.

Y’ALL THE TEAM HANGING OUT AT CARLOS’S PLACE

I CANNOT

I’LL NEVER BE OVER IT

HE’S PART OF THE CREW. HE’S PART OF THE FAMILY.

IT’S EVERYTHING THAT I COULD EVER WANT FOR HIM OKAY

I’M SO FUCKING HAPPY

THEY ARE SO HAPPY

WE ARE ALL SO HAPPY

I’M CRYING

I’M DEAD

LOL that was a lot but so was this promo.

Now, some somewhat sobering thoughts...

We all know season 1 had a real diversity and inclusion problem, we’ve seen the numbers. We also know that during the promotion for season 1, we ALSO got a diversity promo focusing on the LGBTQIA+ characters and the characters of color. I love that Fox wants to highlight the incredibly talented actors and characters that they have, but all of it means nothing if they are still tokens on the show. 

I have full faith that season 2 will be better, that some of the justified anger and frustration made it back to the writers and they internalized it and then make some real changes. However, because we did get a diversity promo last year, I have to remain a little cautious. This promo doesn’t really mean anything and if, somehow, season 2 goes the way season 1 did, it will be another instance of Fox using the characters of color to draw people in without actually giving them screentime and development. Which is a HUGE PROBLEM. So... I’m very excited and very hopeful, but also slightly wary.

Similarly, I’ve seen people say that they’re worried that, while there is so much Tarlos in this promo, this might be all the Tarlos we get this season. I don’t share the same concern, but like the diversity issue, I understand where that comes from. There was a lot of Tarlos in season 1′s promos and, as we now know, they got screentime in episodes 1-3 and then virtually nothing until episode 10. 

I kind of lost track of the filming schedule, but I think before they went on the holiday/extended hiatus, they filmed the first 5-6 episodes? Maybe? And we know that we’re getting 14 total this season, which means it’s possible that they haven’t even filmed half of them. 

I think the footage that we got in this promo is from, like, 3 or 4 episodes max. Definitely episodes 1 and 2, maybe 4, possibly 5. The crossover is episode 3 and I am still expecting to barely see Carlos in it - I just think it’s going to be very fire heavy one, especially with the members of the 118 coming in to steal screentime. He could be in one scene, maybe? Idk, I’m just not expecting a lot from that episode. 

And sure, we could get a lot of Tarlos at the beginning and then nothing for a whole string of episodes, but that also just doesn’t seem possible with the way they’ve restructured the relationship dynamics. Like, it really does seem like Carlos is going to be a part of the family this year, so I think it will be easier to include him and harder to delete him entirely. (Please let him at least appear in every single episode, I don’t want to be so fucking angry like last year.)

Also, if all of these scenes stay in the episodes, we are getting AT LEAST 4 Tarlos conversations - the firehouse, the wrestling match, the farmer’s market, the flirting by the truck - and other scenes of them being in the same space as part of a group. I’m sure there will be even more that we’re just not seeing. I’m very optimistic for this season and for the Tarlos content, and I really don’t think we’ll see the front-loaded imbalance that we saw last season. I think when they get back to filming the later episodes, there will be a good amount of Tarlos content in those, too!

I will say, though, that I am worried we’ve just seen the only kiss that they’ll share in the first 5 or so episodes. I’m just so used to network TV placing a limit on gay kisses, and Idk how much that has really changed in recent years. I truly love this kiss, and I hope there are more, but I would not be surprised if we end the season having only gotten like 2-3. (PLEASE LET ME BE WRONG.)

ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS UNTIL WE FIND OUT FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fizzingwizard]

Episode 27! It’s a transitional episode and I have Thoughts but nothing major really happens until the very last second :P

Cap of the day!

You know what they saw about the megane shine... next season’s villain is Jou-senpai!!! you heard it here first!

More below!

GAWD I LOVE JOU

no but SERIOUSLY... so glad to have the rest of the team back. They really do make EVERYTHING better. Taichi and Yamato, yeah they’re cool, I love them, but they just don’t carry the show by themselves. And in a similar vein, the rest of the team needs Taichi and Yamato too. Otherwise they have no reason to be all dramatic and show off their cool sides.

(other than Koushirou of course who was just born Cool but it’s the kind of cool most people don’t recognize until you literally own the entire world Koushirou’s three steps from becoming Seto Kaiba except NICE)

ok back to business... last week we left off with the team finally reuniting and bringing Hikari along. For some reason the two groups both decide to stand in a straight line like two baseball teams about to shake hands. Leomon’s team still looks fricking ridiculous

Sooo jury’s out on how Taichi’s gonna react to Hikari! Yamato’s been so chill with having Takeru around, I started to wonder if we’re gonna see super over protective big bro Taichi instead this time! But for the most part he’s just surprised that she’s not surprised by the Digimon.

Hikari is creepy. lol. She’s very much the “cute little sister” type and this episode, at least, we didn’t see any kind of initiative from her, which is to be expected, I mean give the kid some time to adjust. We don’t see a lot of personality though either... I guess we can say she likes cute things, and she’s pretty darn calm... I don’t really like her voice though. It’s a perfectly fine little girl voice, but she always sounds like she’s about to doze off...

Obligatory “cutest couple” pic

The group then basically recaps what’s been happening in the human world recently. Which is all pretty important stuff. But for some reason Taichi and Yamato don’t fill them in on what they’ve gone through?? They have to explain Takeru and Patamon because well there’s a surprise but then they’re like “oh yeah Patamon’s the holy Digimon” and I’m like WHOA. DUDES. IT’S THE HOLY DIGIMON. THE THING Y’ALL RISKED YOUR NECKS FOR. Shouldn’t there be a little more interest, both in the telling and the hearing?? XD

Koushirou’s most excited to update their digivices.

Taichi: Why so blue, Agumon?

Agumon: I shouldn’t have had so many Hawaiian blue energy drinks... but how else did they expect me to fight non stop

Koushirou even has handy dandy charts and images to illustrate. He’s going to get hired somewhere and immediately promoted to CEO, by the CEO.

Patamon: “Hi! I’m the Holy Digimon! Bow before me!”

Jou introduces himself to Takeru and Hikari as the “leader” and tries to convert them to his religion (No-play-only-study-ism) to make them his first acolytes when he inevitably becomes the season’s true final villain. But Gomamon’s all over it.

Gomamon: “You can’t have acolytes until you master maniacal laughter, Jou, didn’t you read ‘Villainy for Dummies’ like I told you to??”

Agumon adorably walks right up to Hikari and asks her if she’s okay and if she feels scared. Hikari says “Agumon’s cute!” Taichi’s face is like “cute? cute?? he’s a dinosaur! dinosaurs are cool!” but he wisely says nothing because you cannot argue with girls about what we think is cute you just cannot

Then Hikari notices something even cuter! Patamon!

Hikari: So cute! I want ten!

Takeru: Sorry, he’s one of a kind and mine!

Hikari: *looks at him* So cute! I want ten!

Takeru: Wait... of me?

Hikari: (u3u)~♥ ﾁｭ

Takeru: (o///o)~♥

love at first sight???? lol

In a nod to the original series, we get a scene of Taichi asking Hikari if she has a Digivice and her being like “oh that thing, I filled it with catnip and gave it to Miko”

Taichi: No digivice! Well I guess this means there’s no way she’s a Chosen Child like us!

Agumon: Infallible logic

Meaning the Zurumon are on the move! this time to FREAKING NASA

Taichi: *most unimpressed voice possible NASA??

I thought hey, it’ll be fine, we’ll just have to fight some more... but

Nasa: *launches a rocket*

The internet:

it’s all just variations of people oh-no-ing in Japanese. A little further down someone just writes “Explosion” in English lol

Due to the weirdness in the digital world that is affecting the human world, a bunch of waterspouts appear in the ocean. Eldradimon’s like “oh bother”

he protec!

Mimi and Palmon rush to comfort each other with a hug.

Jou... immediately gets seasick.

Gomamon: So how’s that maniacal laughter coming along?

Jou: DON’T MAKE ME OPEN MY MOUTH

Awwwww. Point of interest.... Koushirou is barely larger than Hikari x’D

Leomon, for some reason, decides now we must part. He doesn’t think these kids can survive this storm and offers to protect them as they escape. The kids are powerful against evil monsters but weak to weather lol. I’m sure the actual logic in no way was “Now that the rest of the team is back from their pointless stint in the human world we no longer need Leomon to play back-up”

They don’t agree without an argument, but Leomon insists, because he believes the Chosen Children have other important things they are meant to do. We get a cool scene of everyone making their escapes. Sora takes Mimi with her

Taichi and Hikari join Koushirou

And Yamato and Takeru “join” Jou (but really Yamato’s the one calling the shots because Jou’s busy struggling not to pee his pants)

It’s just in the nick of time... before a giant whirlpool seemingly sucks Leomon and Eldradimon into the sea.

Taichi: Oh my god did they just DIE??

Kabuterimon: Don’t look back!

Taichi: I know... we have to respect their sacrifice...

Kabuterimon: Well, that and you might be scarred to see Leomon’s reenactment of Ariel at the bottom of Ursula’s whirlpool

Taichi: huh

(look I think I’m funny and that’s what counts)

Getting all split up like this made me think they were gonna end up split up for reals, but the team manages to stay together for now.

They arrive at a new continent covered in weird spikes! Yamato picks up his digivice like a walkie-talkie and says one word: “Taichi”

it amuses me that he could only bring himself to say “Yagami” for a good while in the beginning but then he finally started saying “Taichi” and now he just can’t stop!!

Anyway he’s alerting the others to the fact that some? of the spikes on the island are actually Tortomon about to attack them. Before going to join Greymon’s attack, Taichi flings Hikari at Koushirou “HERE PROTECT MY SISTER SINCE YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO”

jk but seriously... why does Taichi need to be all up in the action? Until now I thought it was something they all had to do to help their partners, because they usually ride on them during battle, but this episode seemed to suggest that Taichi goes out of his way to do it even more than is maybe necessary. Which doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, but xD

Reason #1229345894 why the team is better when they’re all together: Mimi is hilarious and SORA HAS A GOSH DARN PERSONALITY. She DOES, folks. We hardly got to see it recently -____- this episode at least lets her react to the others. Ugggh. Irony of ironies, Sora needs more love.

It’s a stampede! Simba! NOOOOO!

Sooo... the battle with the Tortomon goes pretty well but then this guy called Groundramon or something appears and uh... starts to eat them... like it’s pretty visceral y’all o_o le eugh

Taichi is shocked and recalls last episode when he saw Seadramon power up and evolve after eating Ebidramon. He does not choose to mention the time he was eaten by Devimon. EH IT’LL BE FINE I’M SURE THAT WASN’T IMPORTANT ANYWAY

Greymon: Don’t get eaten.

Garurumon: lol same to you

The Agumon/Gabumon bromance is honestly one of the best things about this season. Not that we get a ton of it, but when we do we do I always feel like “yes, that’s Digimon, that’s it right there”

The Digimon rev up to face off with their cannibal and Groundramon quickly decides Ikakkakumon looks the most nutritious. He probably has lots of blubber and meat on him so I guess I’d go for Ikkakumon first too

Ikkakumon: Don’t eat me!

Jou: Wait don’t! He was teaching me how to be cool!!!

Taichi: Eat him! Eat him Groundramon! I can’t let Jou be the cool one!

Yamato: Are you two fighting to see who can reach peak villain status first?

Taichi/Jou: I’m naturally competitive

ka-boom!

Our heroes are blown back by. Takeru quickly runs to check on his big brother who seems to smack his head on a rock...

Yamato: It’s cool. I’m cool. The definition of cool. Ishida Yamato. That’s me.

Sora: Oh no, I think he’s got a concussion.

Takeru: No, that’s how oniichan is on a normal day.

The team starts to feel overwhelmed! That’s when a fire ignites in Taichi’s eyes and he announces the next siege!

Yamato: Taichi...

no but okay what even IS this moment. The episode goes out of its way to show us Yamato reacting to Taichi not giving up. This is a Thing. I don’t know what he’s feeling here - impressed? Happy that Taichi’s able to bring everyone together when they’re feeling defeated? Or is he also recalling how that same desire to never fail almost got him killed and his partner transformed into an evil evolution a few episodes ago?

So like I keep saying I don’t see why we had to split up the team for so long, and for now I stand by that. But one thing’s clear: the show wanted only Yamato around to witness what happened to Taichi. (I mean, Takeru was there too, but he’s a baby xP) And even Yamato doesn’t know everything - we don’t know how much he was actually conscious for. But I feel like, if there was any point to the separation at all, that was it. I hope so anyway. I like the idea of Yamato grappling with how to know when Taichi’s going too far while at the same time really valuing the way Taichi’s able to push them to victory.

Turns out Taichi’s new plan is... even bigger guns!

Pointed directly into Groundramon’s mouth!

Yamato: This is madness.

Taichi: No! This! Is! DIGIMON ADVENTURE:!!!!

Everyone attacks poor Groundramon in the mouth x’D im crying

The combined attacks seem to overload Groundramon and then MetalGreymon launches missiles down his throat, which cause these internal explosions. Uh, gross... like if there’s any time Jou should be puking it’s now

we won by being even more violent than normal! yay us!

Not that this means we get a break because Darknightmon chooses now to make his dramatic return!

They get blown back again

... but I love how adorably protective the big brothers are whenever it happens <3

Yamato and Taichi finally remember they never told the others much about what they’ve been up to recently, other than “we found the holy Digimon.” Now they add “and we found Darknightmon too.” Wow what a level of detail.

I honestly... expected Darknightmon to be interested in Hikari instead of Takeru xP It was a little too predictable so I was glad when he seems to go right for Takeru and Patamon after all.

Patamon, who’s recent hobby has been watching musicals, begins to sing:

Don’t ever kick a dog

because he’s just a pup!

You’d better run for cover

when the pup grows up!

Taichi: Uhh did he not see the part where Gavroche dies??

Yamato: He fell asleep before we got that far.

Angemon!!

Honestly... as a fan of 99 Adventure, Angemon there was SUCH a dramatic thing and... this isn’t. I know, I know, it’s a different show, we do things different in 2020... I just remember the excitement I felt about Angemon’s first apperance though. But, to be fair, although it takes a long time before his second appearance, once it happens Patamon always evolves to Angemon without all the fanfare and it’s just a normal evolution. So... yeah, this all makes sense xP

At least we end on a cliffhanger! What’s gonna happen?? Tune in next week!

So I guess I wasn’t that off about the team splitting up again, I was just wrong about when... next week it looks like they’ll be separated, which, although we just got everyone back together, I’m not upset about as long as each group gets focus. Now that they’re back in the digital world, there’s potential for stuff to happen. But it depends on the groups as well. I do sort of expect this is mainly a “put Taichi and Hikari” on their own maneuver.

Oh, was right about Darknightmon going for Hikari after all xP

My guess is... Angemon’s gonna fight but just not have recovered enough to stay in that form for long, and somehow that results in everyone separating... we’ll see. More importantly...

NANIMON!!!

My relationship with this guy is love-hate! I love to hate him x’D So I’m glad he’s back! Still want to see Piximon and Whamon the most but I’ll take it!

[annakie]

Am I once again posting about the Voyager Relaunch Novels?  Yes.  Yes I am.

I am re-reading the Post-Endgame Voyager Relaunch novels and marathoned reading The Eternal Tide over the last two nights and all I have to say is Janeway and Chakotay love each other so much, I was literally sobbing through about six sections of the second half of that book.  

The Kirsten Beyer books are SO GOOD.  And as I’m re-reading them I love how she handles every single one of the Voyager characters but especially Chakotay.  I feel like she understands Chakotay and gives him everything the writers of Voyager never quite grasped about his character in seven seasons.  Full Circle is such a powerful story of his love and his grief, and the rest of the crew’s love for him (especially Tom, B’lanna, Harry and Sev-- wow his friendship with Seven is so awesome throughout the Beyer books, everything it should have been in the show and not what we got in Endgame.  The support they have for each other without forcing a cringey relationship back onto them adds so much to BOTH of their characters.  Hey this paragraph went way off the rails but I don’t care.)

Anyway I really love the plots of each of these books, I love how they handle EVERY character (well, I miss Tuvok -- at some point I’m gonna get to the Titan novels) and the new characters are pretty great (oh man Cambridge is a fave, and so much better than the new consular that was introduced in the Spirit Walk books.  Loved Eden, love Farkas.)

I made a post a few days ago about how Chakotay is the whole “upstanding, solid, good guy” archetype that some people dare to call “boring” I’ve previously talked at length in a post about Mass Effect about how that’s just... my favorite kind of character.  And Chakotay is just... so that.  It also made me realize that the Janeway / Chakotay dynamic is also very similar to a Shepard / Kaidan dynamic (powerful commanding officer of her own ship woman character, solid, good, honorable mature right-hand man first officer (or close to it) male character and maybe that’s why they’re both two of my favorite ships.

Anwyay here’s some spoilery thoughts about The Eternal Tide.

Chakotay telling Seven about his relationship with Janeway evolving before she died, and how he doesn’t think he’ll ever love any other woman!

Confirmation that Chakotay was thinking about proposing when they were supposed to met in Venice!??!  What!?

Janeway thinking about Chakotay right after her resurrection and how deeply she feels for him and wondering about how her death affected him!  Also I kind of love that Chakotay DIDN’T come to her mind when deciding whether to return to life or not?  This was her decision and making it about A Man I think would have made it feel less about her and how she knew she would be taking responsibility for The Multiverse, which is what it absolutely should have been about.  Realizing what her death would have done to him basically the second she was alive again... that part was so well written.  I loved it.  Her relationship shouldn’t become the basis of who she is -- but it adds to her.

Their... reunion... scene... almost being ruined by Q... Chakotay’s utter shock and disbelief and the description of him slowly beginning to have his heart open up to the possibility, him inching closer to her as she’s thinking that maybe she’s made a mistake and understands just how deeply her death hurt him... that.... entire... SCENE.  (Actually about once a year I dig that book and Full Circle out just to read their getting together / reunion scenes.)

Getting Seven’s reaction to Janeway was also very, very good.  I wish they hadn’t cut past the scene where the rest of the Voyager staff sees her for the first time but we did get a little taste of it.

Um okay and then Janeway tells Chakotay she loves him for the first time and he says it back, naturally but like, this is as Chakotay was preparing to go on a suicide mission?  SOBBING.  They didn’t even get a day together, but at least they got to say goodbye this time.

Janeway forcing herself not to think about Chakotay’s death because things just got so much more dire.

Yes they won, but Janeway all alone on the battle bridge and she can’t even bring herself to contact Voyager yet because she just needs time to mourn Chakotay for a few seconds and takes a few seconds, a few breaths, a few moments... and then... OMG.... Chakotay is returned by Godson Q just before his death and they’re so happy... I CANNOT.

THE EPILOGUE where they’re in bed and had spent every possible moment together and so casual and free and happy together... it’s everything we ever wanted for seven seasons and seven more books.

--

Oh I started this post now almost a week ago and now I’m a few books forward and hey am I now going to talk about Protectors?  Yes, yes I am.

J/C don’t get to spend a lot of time together in this book.  Janeway gets sent back to the Alpha Quadrant to undergo counseling and evaluation which, tbh, is totally valid considering she DIED A VIOLENT HORRIBLE DEATH and then WAS DEAD FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS and then you know RESURRECTED AND IMMEDIATELY HAD TO SAVE THE MULTIVERSE oh yeah not to mention WAS REUNITED WITH THEN HAD TO TELL CHAKOTAY GOODBYE FOREVER A FEW HOURS LATER then oh wait THE MAN SHE LOVES WAS ALSO BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEAD (or the brink of death, whatever.)

There’s a short and sweet goodbye scene then for the bulk of the book Janeway is back on Earth going to counseling (which, that second counseling scene was so great, and seeing her slow down and enjoy life with her mother was so great, and um also that scene with her and Picard?  Wow.  Just Wow.  Also I can’t wait to go back and read some TNG books because I need to see JL/B actually get together.)  And the entire time she’s just like... not even doubting her relationship with Chakotay even a little.  She thinks of him and is excited to be reunited but every time it’s like “the man I love” “The person I plan on spending the rest of my life with” and even “the love of my life.”  WOW.  Just Wow.  Chakotay worries a bit but never doubts.

Oh and then she basically tells her commanding officer “yeah um, thanks but I absolutely have no plans on curbing my relationship with Chakotay to make you feel more comfortable.  Also JL/B and Riker/Troi are all married so fuck you?”  She does agree to keep separate quarters on another ship which is like.. fine... whatever.  But also her going “Yes he’s my subordinate but we’re not going to let that affect our working relationship, we’re adults.” Fuck. Yeah.  Montgomery asks if they’re gonna get married and Janeway is all “IDK, probably? We’ll let you know.”

And B’Elanna asks Chakotay the same thing and his answer is also basically “Yeah at some point, we haven’t talked about it yet but yeah we’re spending the rest of our lives together now stop prodding me.”

Their reunion when she returns doesn’t go as planned and it’s a teensy bit worrisome at the end but with notes of positivity.

--

OK I’m only about 1/3rd into Acts of Contrition but I got to a part last night that made me put the book down for a minute and thank Kirsten Beyer out loud.

J/C finally get to spend some time alone several days after she makes it back to the fleet in the Delta Quadrant.  They have a brief discussion about The Plot, then Chakotay is like “Know what?  We’ll talk about The Plot Stuff tomorrow in the briefing.  Let’s instead talk about us.”  And then he stands up for what he wants!  And Janeway listens, and they talk, and agree!  And then Chakotay is like “Okay, now I really want to hear about what happened to you back on Earth for all those weeks!”  So... literally they just... sit and talk for several hours like, I don’t know, real people would?  There’s no drama!  And they both affirm their commitment to each other and their relationship!

It’s just... it’s... so good?  Their relationship is so solid!  They LOVE EACH OTHER and it’s based on their solid friendship (something else they actually say out loud!) and they talk to each other and there’s no like drama for drama’s sake about their relationship so far and it’s like, better than even any fanfic I’ve ever read (and there’s some great fic out there for these two) because nearly every other character is also getting their screentime and character development (minus Tuvok -- who’s off with Riker and Troi on the Titan and Neelix isn’t around much -- though he’s spoken of and we see him a bit when they visit New Talax).  Also it’s... beta canon.  No matter what, this is real and accepted beta canon.

I have been going back and listening to all the episodes of the Literary Trek podcast episodes about these books, and for Eternal Tide and Protectors Beyer herself was on the podcast and listening to her talk about Chakotay and Janeway both individually and as a couple her love for them both is clear, she loves the show and knows what she’s doing and is allowed to do it, and her writing is so damn good.  One of the hosts of the podcast has said in several episodes that he used to really dislike Chakotay as he was in the show and now book Chakotay is one of his favorite characters.  And honestly? I do love show Chakotay but book Chakotay is... everything show Chakotay should have been.  But he’s also been through hell and back and I love how Beyer used that experience -- and now Janeway’s resurrection experience -- to advance them BOTH individually and how that’s affected them as a couple now that they actually get to be that.

There’s so much other good in these books.  Tom and B’Elanna’s storyline and the way she writes them and their marriage... I could write so much about it.  Harry gets better characterization!  A plotline!  A promotion!  A love interest that may actually work out?!!? We’ll see.  And SEVEN. Wow. So much happens with Seven and it’s so great, I love her so much and Book Seven is again, even better.

Two more books have come out since the last time I read the series and the final book comes out next month, I can’t wait to see all the great moments Beyer has coming up for them.  It also makes me twice as happy that Beyer is so involved with Picard. It’s so clear the love she has for these two and I can’t imagine J/C not still being Alpha canon with her involved.

[raymondebidochonlifechoices]

What is not a good look on a writer (aka I read Ted’s interview and here are some points I’d like to make)

1. Being inarticulate. What a long-winded and convoluted way to say why you do not touch the subject of trauma in Riverdale (which by the way, I agree that you shouldn’t). You could have summed it all up in one line, like your interviewer did “there’s a sensitivity that needs to be had with those sort of tellings that might not necessarily fit into the genre of what Riverdale is”. Was it that difficult?

2. Contradiction. “you could do a lot of this stuff you would do with a therapist, with a friend. So, Archie can help Jughead deal with stuff. Jughead can help Archie deal with stuff. Toni can force Cheryl to face some trauma”. Yeah, that would be interesting, especially since the showrunners and writers talk so much about these supposed friendships. Riverdale didnt’t do friendships or -let’s be real- consequences though for 4 seasons. What changed? Don’t get me wrong: I don’t doubt for a second that the writers may give us f.e. Jughead helping Archie even post 4x17. I’m just wondering why friendship and consequences suddenly fit the bizarro -as Ted calls it- Riverdale universe suddenly? Am I to believe that in season 5 you will explore the friendships (or, rather, their mending) just like 4 did? Oh, wait, RAS said it would, but it didn’t …

On the same note, I’m finding it really hard to reconcile a writer who says “Because that’s the whole point! You get people together, you break them up, you get them back together, you introduce someone else. “ with a writer who proclaims himself a history buff and writer??

3. Selling your inconsistencies as (someone else’s) exceptional talent. I do understand the role of Extra!Cheryl in the show. I even enjoy her *sometimes*, but saying that Madeleine Petsch makes the “lines that in someone else’s voice might be insulting or devastatingly cruel ... fun and somehow she gets away with it” … Dude, some of them ARE insulting and devastatingly cruel. Cheryl gets away with it because you, Ted, think it’s funny. The audience have actually mixed feelings about her behaviour.

4. Lying. “But Roberto, his instinct is to show the repercussions of the mystery being solved.” Didn’t RAS say in an interview that it was someone else (maybe Berlanti?) that told him to solve the mystery in the penultimate episode of season 1 and show the repercussions in the last one?

By the way, I actually haven’t seen the episode, but I was under the impression that it was Betty who kissed Archie? Why is Ted saying “So, if Archie kisses Betty in an impulsive moment after the traumatic year that all of them have had, well, that’s a human reaction”?

5. Whining. About the evil fans you baited and made fun of. By the way, your biggest funbase is not “the subset of the subset” of shippers. As evidenced by *your* backpedaling while promoting the last two episodes of season 4.

Also I cannot keep thinking that the interviewer is calling Ted out? He waxes poetic about RAS and she goes “I love that little love letter”, then when he says how he supposedly keeps away from the shippers ‘cause they’re crazy, she goes “there’s so many showrunners, specifically on the CW, that shy away from any mentions of ships or relationships on social media. You guys, however, are really good about kind of playing to your audience with that which is wonderful to see.”.

Which brings us to, should I trust anything ted says? Well no. He starts with “Oh no, it’ll be all three episodes.” and that “we already wrote all the episodes that will make up the beginning of season five” only to conclude “I don’t know what is going to happen now. I mean, there’s a lot of stuff that has been changing on a daily level. There’s stuff that has changed even in the last couple of weeks”. Yeah, we already figured that out, by the way you started backpedaling and promoting bughead like crazy …

Coolcoolcoolcoolcoolcoolcool ...

[rae0fsunsh1ne]

Tagged by the lovely @thatblondeperson 💖

rules: list ten songs you’ve been listening to a lot lately and tag ten people

These are in no particular order,

1. Heavy - Orla Gartland : this song frigging breaks my heart, it’s so raw and honest and simple lyrics that hit close to home. The line “I’ll never see that dog again” could honestly make me cry.

2. Simmer - Hayley Williams : ooooh boy this song is a jam. It’s angry and experimental and cinematic and clearly so so personal. It’s such a cool venture into something solo for her. I’ve loved Paramore since my teen years, and always adored and admired Hayley. I cannot wait to see where her music goes from here.

3. What a Man Gotta Do - Jonas Brothers : a friggin BOP. I love the Grease vibes, a little allusion to the Handjive. I loved their new album. I’m so stoked that the boys are back!

4. Into The Unknown - Panic! At The Disco : a Disney song done by one of my favourite artists? Uhhh, hell yeah. I love both the movie version and this one. Although I will admit, I didn’t totally love Frozen 2....... but this song is just so fun to belt out!

5. Stana - Flight of the Conchords : This song is a whole story and it is funny as hell. I’ve recently rekindled my love for FotC and watched their (not so new, but new to me) special, Live in London, and this song was a notable highlight. Sometimes it gets stuck in my head, sometimes I just need a little laugh. I love their New Zealander humour.

6. Straight to Hell - Lovecraft and Sabrina Spellman : okay this song is just silly but it’s also a bop. I have no idea why they chose to make a song and music video to promote the new season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but whatever it’s fun. It makes me wanna...... dance dance dance into the dark 🎶

7. Prom Dress - mxmtoon : I don’t remember how I came across this girl, she’s adorable. I found her on YouTube at some point. She’s quite young but her songs are still pretty relatable. I mean “I’d be the prom queen of crying was a contest”?? So good.

8. I’ll Follow the Sun - The Beatles : I’ve been listening to The Beatles a lot lately for some reason, and this song just hits my feelings. It’s so simple and pretty, and also really nostalgic for me. I don’t know what else to say, it’s a classic.

9. Lose You - Noah Gundersen : this mans voice and his music always get me. Always so honest and beautiful. This song feels a little more mainstream than some of his stuff, but god it’s gorgeous. And the acoustic version kills me. At his concert a couple of months ago I bought a shirt that said “I listened to Noah Gundersen and all I got were these stupid feelings” and like...... yeah. That sums up the past 8 or so years of my life since I discovered his music.

10. (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again - Elton John and Taron Egerton : what can I say, I’m goddamn Taron/Rocketman trash. This song is so fun and empowering, and I love playing it over the speakers at work after the store closes and bopping around while I mop the floor. This song should win all the awards. I’m salty about it.

@losinglara @phantomphoebe @kostimograftrish @lunalovelyandgood @yayponies @punkrockinchairs @edgefeather if any of y’all are up for it and idk whoever else wants to do it I guess lmao

[serenagaywaterford]

As always I completely agree with everything you have said so far, you're a gift truly. A few more thoughts if that's cool: Wild idea, how about instead of having Serena go back to Gilead at its bullshitiest, she just doesn't do anything, if they don't want her to move to the good side just yet. Wild, I know. And why won't they just let the show change into handmaids' tale. So many opportunities. It doesn't have to be all about June. There's very little that can be made all about June

(Part 2 oops) made all about June at this point. But man I was cracking up. Man I am cracking up. That post where you were joking 'how's Serena is Serena okay' etc. actually became a reality in this ep. You're obsessed Junie. Honestly if I didn't know the context I would've thought June was Serena's crazy stalker :P How does fred has so much power again? I thought he was demoted? Surely he wouldn't be allowed to make this big of a deal about a single child. Oh wait I just accused tht

           (Part 3 omg) of making sense. "Are you pumped dear?" This show   should consider itself a comedy based on Lydia alone. Also Rita missed June awww! How nice was it to see Rita smile??? I kept thinking Fred has more chemistry with Winslow than with any other woman on the show and then That happened. Just go for it Fred, and then Serena and June can go for it too mhm. It's pretty ridiculous that we're halfway through the season and NOTHING has happened. I would've thought we'd be done with Nichole            

            (Part 4 I need to stop Jesus) stuff at this point but nope it's only properly starting now. If only Serena weren't just so stupid. So, so, so stupid. It would be absolutely wonderful if she were playing a long game but let's be real, she most likely isn't. She's just dumb. WHEN IS ALMA COMING BACK (sorry for the spam :DD)             

----------------

firstly, the tags on your replies made me die lol. RELATABLE to real life and everything else constantly. (”oops > omg > i need stop jesus” -- welcome to my life.) you are the true gift!!! :DDD x

i love that wild idea! like, i don’t see the need really to have her go deep bullshit either. like just DO NOTHING. it’s just as bad lbr. but the show seems to think june needs an enemy to directly fight one-on-one. for some reason. i guess they don’t trust that their audience can handle a more abstract evil... or it’s too boring to actually have the men liek fred (who are unquestionably evil) be direct antagonists to june? that gotta make it some catfight. but since it’s the soapmaid’s tale, let’s all sit back and watch serena go Full Bullshit Evil and try kill june for no reason. (that last bit is just a guess lmao)

“ why won't they just let the show change into handmaids' tale. So many opportunities. It doesn't have to be all about June.”

this is a very good question and one that i hear people respond with by saying, “but the book is all june’s pov!!!!” as if that fucking makes a difference. the book also ended where s1 ended. so moot point. this is no longer atwood’s book. they have so many stories they could tell, even with existing characters. i just cannot abide what they’ve done to moira. she’s basically nonexistent. and they’ve dropped emily’s story like a sack of hot potatoes instead of just you know, pulling it along every episode with a little more development. i was afraid emily would suffer The Moira Treatment, and it seems to be coming true. Moira is literally just Luke’s Sassy Sidekick / Gay BFF. how progressive! Moira is a man’s accessory!! and okay, they’re not handmaids anymore, but what about Janine and Alma? Even Ofmatthew. We finally got a little insight into her last week and she’s gone again! Have we even seen any of June’s other Handmaid pals? At all?

“ You're obsessed Junie.”

LMAO! IKR! I was like “Oh, here she goes AGAIN with Mrs. Waterford this, Mrs Waterford that!” Like you can’t even pretend. I get that she’s convinced herself that Serena is her One True Hope (moron) but pestering Lawrence or Fred or whomever (i can’t recall) about Serena is not at all subtle.

I don’t..... I don’t even get where Fred suddenly gets his power from again. He was demoted. And yet he can just set up film sets and do propo videos, and spend all these resources etc etc.... for what? Like it doesn’t even make SENSE. June’s voiceover was all about how they don’t admit these things even happen but here they are shouting to the world “Hey! Our military and police suck! There’s a resistance pocket! People can escape even with babies!!!” gimme a break. and i sorta get why Fred got promoted by the end of 3x06 -- cos Commander Winslow wants a piece of that brown-nosing Waterford tush. ha. serves Fred right to be sexually harassed at work. (WHAT I DON`T UNDERSTAND is why Fred isn`t already a high commander?! Like he was one of the Original 4 SOJ that invented Gilead. Why weren’t Pryce, Lawrence, Waterford, or Putnam NOT High Commanders already???? It was their baby; you think they’d immediate get top dog spot.) But like you said, that’s asking this show to make sense. And it doesn’t care about silly stuff that. it’s clear they just invented this High Commander stuff without really thinking about continuity too carefully.)

“would've thought we'd be done with Nichole”

honestly, that’s what I expected too. I thought for sure it would only take up maybe the first third of the season. then that would get settled and we’d be focusing on this alleged amazing resistance and June: The Ultimate Rebel that we’ve heard so much about lmao... but where is it? it looks pretty sketchy from the two seconds we’ve been given lol. I really didn’t think they’d DRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGGGG serena’s regret out THIS long. and like you said, it’s only really got started! yikes. i don’t mind a slow burn at all, but i’m also not an incredibly patient person when it comes to being bombarded with depressing, miserable characters for 6 weeks. (okay 4 technically).who have not really done much of anything at all except mope, stare into the camera, and give ~inspirational voiceovers. man 3x01 was so promising......

Really, i’d bet my dog on the fact Serena is NOT playing the long game. two weeks ago, i wouldn’t have been so sure. but nah. she’s not secretly on june’s side or interested in being part of the resistance or saving anybody but herself. she’s just a dumbass who can’t see past her own pain cos she has no support system at all. i suspect, and i’m just guessing here, that phone from tuello will come in handy at some point--but not for anything except her saving her own skin. she’s gonna fuck up really badly and then need to be bailed out before gilead/june gets her and kills her lol. i personally think....unfortunately, we’ve seen the last of june and serena having any sort of trust or even mildly positive relationship. it’s gonna be pure conflict from now on. and that fucking sucks. so, i shall live in fanfic world where things aren’t so fucking bleak and depressing.

WHEN IS ALMA COMING BACK???? WHEN!!!

[keepseaveyweird]

Request: OKAY BB HERE'S MY IDEA: you’re an actress on Riverdale and you’re dating Jack and he’s just so supportive and you’re doing lots of behind the scenes stuff on Instagram and the fans don’t know y’all are dating but Camila (or Lili, whichever you want. Maybe even Madelaine) post something ab y’all without thinking and the fans go crazy and it’s super cute. :))) sorry if that’s a lot haha

A/N: Okay so I don’t watch Riverdale and don’t really know the actors in it very well, but I tried to get Lilli right? Idk this one was a struggle for me but I’m glad you sent it cause I’m always wanting to get better! I also tweaked the request a bit, so I hope that’s alright :)

The set hustled as producers, actors and make-up artists sprinted around getting ready to film the next scene. This upcoming season was a big deal, and the audience has never been bigger. With lots of media attention from not only fans but tabloids as well, the pressure was on.

You sat in your dressing room, dolled up in makeup and your next outfit as you posed for Jack, who was taking pictures for yours and Riverdale’s instagram. He handed you back your phone, letting you look and begin editing them, preparing for your next post in order to promote the show.

“Babe, these look so good! You should leave the band and take up photography,” you joked, earning a grin from him.

“Very funny,” Jack mocked, “but thanks, love, it’s not my skills making you look good though, it’s just you,” he winked. Suddenly the door swung open, revealing Lilli recording the conversation on her phone, a smile on her face.

“What are you doing?” you asked her as she rewatched the video while laughing.

“You guys are so cute it’s gross,” Lilli smiled, saving it to her phone.

“Thanks Lil’s!” Jack beamed, “but you can’t post that, our relationship is still private.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll save it for when the world knows,” she laughed as she walked out.

Jack looked down to you, confusion written on his face. All you could do was shrug before picking up your script and practicing lines with your boyfriend.

It was a week later, and you had a red carpet event to help kick-off the new season of Riverdale and you were ready to walk it alone, the world still not aware that you were, in fact, dating Jack Avery. Jack hung back in the car as he gave you a quick kiss on the lips before you stepped out, the camera’s immediately starting to flash as you posed with a soft smile.

It was normal to get questions yelled at you from paparazzi, it was in the job description.

Who are you wearing? Who dies at the end of the season? Any special secrets to spill about your castmates?

And you were trained not to answer them, trained to ignore them. It was easy, but for some reason you thought you heard Jack and the other boy’s names pop up. You tried your best to ignore it, pretend you didn’t hear it, because maybe you didn’t, it could’ve been in your head.

At least that’s what you told yourself until you reached the lady from TMZ, who was ready to conduct your short red carpet- interview.

“y/n! How are you doing tonight?” The lady asked, putting a hand on your shoulder.

“I’m doing great! I’m very excited to be here and for the new season to premiere,” you told her using your fake interview voice.

“And we are too!” she exclaimed, looking to fans lined up behind the cameras who screamed in agreement.

“So y/n, you have to tell me. Are the rumors true?” She asked, putting her mic up to your lips. You couldn’t help but stare in confusion, not a clue of what she was referencing.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I know what you’re talking about?” you crinkled your eyebrows.

“Is it true you’re dating the Why Don’t We member, Jack Avery?” The lady rephrased the question, and your whole world just stopped.

It wasn’t because you were embarrassed of Jack, or of his friends or of his music or anything like that. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to be seen with him, in fact, it was quite the opposite; you wanted to show him off to the world. But it was still new, only a couple months and the two of you didn’t want your careers getting in the way of what you had.

“I- uh… who told you that?” you asked, curious as to who spilled. You knew it wasn’t Lilli, she was both of your number one fans and wouldn’t hurt a fly. You wondered if it was Cole, who slipped up in an interview while making some sort of stupid joke, or if Camila accidently mentioned his name while talking about behind the scenes because Jack was there almost as much as you.

“Well y/n? You did!” The woman exclaimed.

“I what?”

She pulled a picture up on her phone, letting you take a peek. It was your Instagram page, the picture Jack took of you the other week when Lilli interrupted. In the back was a mirror, and though you weren’t quite dumb enough to post a picture with Jack’s full body in the background, you did manage to miss a big tuft of noodles peeking from the corner. Noodles that are quite iconic, and cannot be passed on as anyone else, which is a dangerous game when trying to keep your relationship quiet.

You knew you couldn’t deny the rumor, couldn’t say it wasn’t him. You couldn’t do that to Jack who you knew was watching on his phone, most likely just as stressed out as you in the back seat of the SUV.

“Well I guess the truth is out,” you shrugged with a slight smile, actually excited the news was out. It meant no more hiding, no more constant night ins. Jack could hold your hand while walking down the street and you could kiss his cheek while out in town. You two could publicly show affection for one another, something you didn’t realize you missed until then.

The lady did a giddy little dance before turning to face the camera with a smirk, proud to say she was the one to confirm the relationship over anyone else. After multiple questions about Jack and the rest of the band, you made your way inside to do a viewing of the first episode of the new season before heading back to your apartment where your boyfriend was waiting on the couch.

As you opened the door, Jack sat on the couch, turned to face you with a giant smile.

“So? The truth is out baby,” he stated, holding open his arms for you to climb into.

“I’m so sorry, I’m such an idiot, I can’t believe I didn’t see your stupid hair.” You sighed, laying your head on his chest.

“You don’t have to apologize, it was probably time we went public anyways,” he said kissing your temple, “and my hair is not stupid.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, ruffling his hair around as he scrunched his nose, “whatever… noodle boy.”

Suddenly your phone went off and you saw Lilli was calling, in which you picked up.

“Hello?”

“Can I post the video I took last week now, the world needs it!” She yelled through the line. You silently rolled your eyes.

“Whatever,” you told her, hanging up before you could hear her squeal. You tossed your phone onto the coffee table, only to cuddle up to Jack, as you had much to celebrate about.

[basicshadowhuntersstuff]

This roundup covers February 1 - February 12 featuring Shadowhunters news, updates, sneak peeks, and behind the scenes. All the stuff you need to stay up to date.

Official Promotion

3x11 Sneak Peeks: Simon’s mark has become his curse.

Official Trailers: YouTube, Twitter

Blooper Reel: Part 1 of 3 of the Season 3A Blooper Reel.

Harry (Magnus) and Matt (Alec) play the newlywed game.

Shadowhunters is arriving on Itunes and Apple TV in February

Making lunges look easy. @WainwrightAE behind the scenes of #Shadowhunters season 3B. [1]

Yes, @arosende took this beauty. Yes, this is from season 3B. Behind the scenes with our dear @JadeHassoune. #Shadowhunters

Time to ring the bell. Behind the scenes of #Shadowhunters season 3B

The ladies of #Shadowhunters are as stunning as ever at the #FreeformTCA. 

.@HarryShumJr and @IsaiahMustafa looking good at the #FreeformTCA. #Shadowhunters

What could Luke be looking at? Behind the scenes of #Shadowhunters Season 3B.

You’d never guess. Behind the scenes of #Shadowhunters 3B.

Caption this. Behind the scenes of #Shadowhunters season 3B

Shadowhunters 3B Trailer Reactions

TV Guide (article): Hi, Hello, Who the hell is getting married inShadowhunters Season 3

Hypable (article): ‘Shadowhunters’ 3B trailer is here and we are not emotionally prepared to handle it

The Workprint (article): The ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3B trailer is finally here

TV Insider (article): ‘Shadowhunters’ Trailer: Season 3B returns with Malec, Sizzy, & ‘New’ Jonathan (video)

Pure Fandom (article): ‘Shadowhunters’ 3B trailer: Sizzy, Malec, and  Dark Clary take center stage

Pride (article): Malec is back in new trailer for the final season of Shadowhunters

TV Line (article): Shadowhunters Season 3B trailer: Scary Clary, ‘Sizzy action, [Spoiler]’s wedding and more in final episodes

Entertainment Weekly (article): Shadowhunters final season trailer promises a wedding and a new Clary

Cosmopolitan (article): Everything to know about ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3B and finale event

GLAAD (article): The GLAAD wrap: ‘Shadowhunters’ trailer, ‘The L Word’ returns, and more!

Digital Spy (article): Shadowhunters trailer teases Clary’s rebirth and a wedding in the final episodes

Hidden Remote (article): The complete breakdown of the Shadowhunters season 3B trailer

TV Guide (article): Shadowhunters Season 3B: Everything we know so far

Girlfriend (article): ‘Shadowhunters’ just dropped their season 3B and trailer

The Geekiary (article): Netflix trailer for Shadowhunters season 3B should be the official trailer, honestly

Anna Hopkins (Lilith) and Luke Baines (Jonathan) tweeted responses to fan comments about the 3B trailer

Luke Baines (Jonathan) tweeted “Personally, I think this is sweet. Could’ve been a couple inches lower and then we’d really be even” in response to a fan comment.

Matt Hastings (Executive Producer) was excited to share the 3B trailer with fans

Bryan Q. Miller (Writer) tweeted: “#Shadowhunters 3B has everything. Neck wounds. Glamping in the subway. Elite dog people. A zamboni. Zeke Russo.”

Isaiah Mustafa (Luke) responded to Bryan Q Miller’s (writer) tweet about 3B with his own teases: “Don’t forget about the window love, cheap motel and takeout from Tina’s Tacos”

Todd Slavkin (Showrunner) responded to our question about a mysterious character in the 3B trailer This badass gentleman was one of the many prisoners who escaped from the Gard in 3x09 during Valentine’s attempted breakout. This storyline plays a big part in 3B #alittleteaseneverhurtanyone #moretocome #shadowhunters

Shadowhunters in the News

3x11 Spoiler-Free Previews: FANdemonium, TV Fanatic, ScreenSpy.

TV Spielfilm (article): Shadowhunters: Fan groups could save the series even before the dismissal.

Hypable (article): 5 things ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3B should do that might be controversial.

The Series Regulars (article): ‘Shadowhunters’: The fight for Jace Herondale in 3A.

TV Line (interview): Anna Hopkins teases Shadowhunters’ end (and Lilith’s Revenge?), revisits her roles on Arrow, Defiance, and more

Pure Fandom (article): #ShadowhuntersPosterChallenge Part 6: A visit to the downworld.

Digital Spy (article): Shadowhunters star thinks fans will feel “a sense of contentment” with finale.

Netflix Life (article): Netflix should STILL save Shadowhunters.

TV Guide (article):  Shadowhunters’ Harry Shum Jr. Had to Coach Matthew Daddario Through That Malec Dance Scene.

Hidden Remote (article): Shadowhunters Season 3B: Malec dancing confirmed to happen TWICE.

The Series Regulars (interview): Exclusive Interview: Getting Pumped With ‘Shadowhunters’ Trainer, Nuno De Salles!

Pure Fandom (interview):  EXCLUSIVE: Katherine McNamara talks ‘Shadowhunters’ and ‘Arrow’.

Fansided (article):  Everything we need to watch out for in Shadowhunters season 3B.

The Series Regulars (Interview): ‘Shadowhunters:’ How 3A shaped our papa wolf Luke Garroway.

TV Insider (photos): ‘Shadowhunters’ stars Harry Shum Jr., Kat McNamara, & more in the TCA 2019 studio (photos)

Pure Fandom (article): #ShadowhuntersPosterChallenge Part 8: Fan art of Team Evil.

The Series Regulars (article): How fandom changed me: Fans speak out on the importance of fandom

Hidden Remote (article): Shadowhunters season 3B: Raphael and Isabelle help SImon destroy the Mark of Cain.

Hypable (article): ‘Shadowhunters’ 3B sneak peak: Maia and Simon try to reconnect.

Matt Carter (article): Shadowhunters season 3 episode 11 video: Why is Simon hiding away?.

TV Insider (article): Check out the hilarious ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 bloopers (video).

Entertainment Weekly (article): Meet Mia Smoak! ‘Arrow’ Star Katherine McNamara dishes on playing Oliver and Felicity’s daughter (exclusive).

Glitter Magazine (interview): Interview: Kat McNamara Dishes on Her New Role on CW’s ‘Arrow’

Entertainment Tonight (interview):  Katherine McNamara Talks ‘Arrow’ Fan Theories on Who She’s Really Playing (Exclusive)

Find Your Inner Geek (interview): FYIG chats with actor Jade Hassoune

#SaveShadowhunters

Fans paid for billboards in Los Angeles California leading up to the premier of Shadowhunters 3B. Here are some highlights:

@BoomBitchesHQ collaborated with Film Daily for the design teasers and final design reveal

Kat (Clary) & Luke Baines (Jonathan Morganstern) visited one of the billboards at launch!

TV Guide shared a photo of Kat (Clary) & Luke (Jonathan) at the first billboard.

Hidden Remote shared a photo of the first billboard

@BoomBitchesHQ revealed the second billboard location and information.

A fan visits the second billboard and shares pictures.

Freeform TCA 2019

Freeform held their panels for the Television Critics Association. Some of the main cast showed up to walk the red carpet and do interviews.

Kat (Clary) shared a photo:  Finding my inner Viking dragon princess thanks to @MaartenPhoto …  #TCA2019 #shadowhunters

Jim Halterman shared a photo with Harry (Magnus) and Isaiah (Luke) from the Freeform TCA. [2]

TV Insider shared a photo of Kat (Clary) on Instagram:  Look who showed up to our #TCA19 video suite! #Shadowhunters star @kat.mcnamaratold us so much juicy stuff about the upcoming episodes. Interview coming soon in the coming weeks on tvinsider.com.

Getty Images shared photos of Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkinfrom the Freeform TCA.

Harry (Magnus) shared his TCA outfit on Instagram:  The brilliant @iheartmaarten behind the 📷 for the ABC/Freeform TCA’s @tvguide Styled by @lauraschuffman Suit: @stile_latino Grooming by @andreapezzillo

Twitter & Social Media

Basic Shadowhunters Stuff releases the eighth #SHTVFlockToUnlock polariod with Jade Hassoune (Meliorn): Consequences.

Basic Shadowhunters Stuff releases the ninth #SHTVFlockToUnlock polariod with Sydney Meyer (Helen Blackthorn): Test of loyalty.

ShumDario News releases the tenth #SHTVFlockToUnlock polariod with Isaiah (Luke): Loss.

Jade Hassoune (Meliorn) shared a photo of his Seelie themed coffee cup wishing fans good morning.

Kat McNamara (Clary) shared a map by @Malecficlibrary of everywhere #Shadowhunters was tweeted in the 24 hours after the 3B trailer was released.

Kat McNamara (Clary) responded to a tweet by Anna Hopkins (Lilith) commenting on Clary’s look in the 3B trailer.

Matt Hastings (Executive producer) answered a fan question on Twitter: Do you have 3 words to describe Malec?

Brian Hui (makeup artist) tweeted: When shows collide! Parallel Dom’s fight for my affection! @DomSherwood1 @Mi55Tipper

Stefanie Terzo (crew member) shared a BTS video on Instagram of a scene from season 2x08 of Magnus’ magic.

Jack Yang (Asmodeus) tweeted Something wicked this way comes in 3B. None of you are prepared #Shadowhunters #Asmodeus #Edom

Brian Hui (makeup artist) shared a video of the cast playing around between takes on set

Kat McNamara (Clary) is featured on the cover of the February issue of The Daily Shuffle Magazine

Javier Munoz (Lorenzo Rey) tweeted a video:  Given I still cannot sleep & am a friggin’ nerd/dork…here is me in my trailer on set for ⁦@ShadowhuntersTV⁩ for my very first day as Lorenzo Rey. #LorenzoRey #BTS (Y’all are the best)

Todd Slavkin (showrunner) tweeted:  A BTS blooper in words: when we saw directors cut our jaws were on the floor. @MatthewDaddario crushes the dance in ways you can only imagine and keeps up with Harry every step of the way #ajoytowatch #3b #threesixteen #shadowhunters

Darren Swimmer (showrunner) tweeted:  .@MatthewDaddario can cut a rug. @lindsayjoane, if Matt were on Dancing with the Stars he would be hard to beat. Spoiler alert - that episode will not be the last time you see Alec dance.

Jack Yang (Asmodeus) shared a photo on Instagram:  Passing the time waiting for Shadowhunters 3B. Schadenfreude is best this time of year we will let it ripen on the vine for a bit longer 😈 #shadowhunters#asmodeus #teamedom #youarenotready [3]

Brian Hui (makeup artist) wished Dom (Jace) a happy birthday with a fun photoshopped photo.

Ariana Williams (Madzie) wished Dom (Jace) a happy birthday and shared a photo of the two of them.

Jade Hassoune (Meliorn) announced that he has been nominated for the Audience Choice Award at the Canadian Screen Awards.

Lola Flanery (Young Seelie Queen) shared her favorite throwback Shadowhunters moment:  That time I played a game

ShumDario News shared their  #EXCLUSIVEFRIDAY photo of Matt(Alec).

Kat (Clary) shared a photo and wished Chai Hansen (Jordan Kyle) a happy birthday. [4]

Anna Hopkins (Lilith) responded to a fan comment regarding 3A bloopers

Matt Hastings (Executive Producer) shared two photos of Kat (Clary) and Luke Baines (Jonathon) in Paris with the captions What would you do for love? With @Kat_McNamara & @LukeBaines #Shadowhunters #Paris;and One more with @Kat_McNamara & @LukeBaines. #bloodisthickerthanwater #Shadowhunters #3B #Paris.

Brian Hui (Makeup artist) shared a BTS photo of Dom (Jace) from 3B

Todd Slavkin (Showrunner) responded to a fan question regarding Clace teasers for 3x22

Arianna Williams (Madzie) wished Isaiah (Luke) a Happy Birthday

Javier Munoz (Lorenzo Rey) posted a BTS photo of himself from 3B on his Instagram

Brian Hui (makeup artist) posted a photo of himself and Kat (Clary) between takes on set

Brian Hui (makeup artist) posted a short video of Javier Munoz (Lorenzo Rey) during filming of 3B

Kat (Clary) shared a photo of her and Anna Hopkins (Lilith) dancing on set to wish Anna Happy birthday

Other News

Business Wire (article): Panda Express presents experiential pop up house of fortune; a Lunar New Year experience

Harry (Magnus) took part in the Panda Express pop up and shared good wishes celebrating the  Lunar New Year.

JustJaredJr (article): Angela Sarafyan & Harry Shum Jr step out for ACE Eddie Awards 2019

Kat (Clary) tweeted: Tomorrow @CW_Arrow #Arrow150 Keep a sharp lookout because you may just see a certain camo clad blonde haired bad ass make an appearance…#BlackStar

Art Directors Guild (photo) tweeted @HarryShumJr joined us last night at the #ADGawards! What a beautiful night with beautiful people. #HarryShumJr #ADG800

People Magazine (article); Harry Shum Jr reveals which lessons he wants his daughter to take from Crazy Rich Asians

Jade Hassoune (Meliorn) was announced as the first guest at the Dark Shade Con in Brussels

Isaiah Mustafa (Luke) was announced as a guest at the 2019 WellyGeddon convention

Just Jared Jr (article): Jamie King joins Katherine McNamara & Kaitlyn Dever at InStyle’s  Badass Women event

[fuck-customers]

Do you not know how cards work?

This is a long one, and was originally sent through a messenging app to a friend so apologies for any weird formatting/tense inconsistencies in the first place. This happened Jan 2 at Coals.

Line is slow, there's me and another girl on register. Other girl gets a customer so when the next one comes I tell her I'm open; she said that other girl has the rest of her stuff but then she gets it and comes over to me. Her entire purchase is: chocolate covered nuts (3$), Barbie gift wrap (4$), and some boys' levis (47$ or whatever). The levis and candy are excluded from %age off coupons but rewards and other store cash coupons will work. She didn't have any when I asked, so I told her the total would be 58.49, since we also have literally 1 coupon that works in stores rn, and everything else is online only--i knew this bc I checked retailmenot and the app today before work, and have been telling people all day.

So the lady asks if we have any coupons, I tell her: Yes, we have one for x of y amount of intimate wear and the other ones are online only. She tells me she's going to check RMN "not that she doesn't believe me--oh wait I guess i don't" or something similar but kinda joking in that specific assholy way.

I tell her no problem there's no line take your time the reception is kinda bad so it'll give me time to bag you up. She loads RMN, sees that there's online only offers, then looks at the 2 in store ones which are 1) a weird 10% off for egift cards or something or 2) a promotional %age discount for opening a store credit card...which would not work on the anything except the $4 giftwrap, and the lady already has a store credit card so shes ineligible.

So then she looks at her total and asks me if there's really nothing out there and I'm like "unfortunately not", but then she remembers she just did a return and got a credit of about 33$ back to her card, and asks if she can use that.

I tell her sure, it'll just go on your card and show up as different items/transactions but itll just be the difference (like $26) that goes on her statement. I then ask if her rewards account is attached to the store card, she wasn't sure so I told her to go ahead and swipe bc of how the computer works, it wasnt, I asked for her phone number and found the rewards account. I then told her "okay, total is 58.49,"  which she approved so I hit total, then OKed the amount--which is the last part where I'm able to cancel anything, but we've passed that and the computer is now telling me to ask her to sign the pin pad and I cannot cancel.

Lady then asks: did you apply my credit, and I'm thinking you know how a card works you're like 50.

I tell her "it'll show up as a return of 33$ and then this transaction of 58.49$, so it'll be about 26$ leftover that actually goes into your owed balance." She again asks why her credit didn't show her and i explain again. And again. And another time. I'm halfway tempted to advance some receipt tape to actually write out an example of what it'll look like but again, she's like 50 she should know what it looks like and how it works.

Luckily there's still not really a line so the one or two groups that come up, the other girl handles, but I'm anticipating a small rush, so I tell the Lady "hey, at this point there's nothing I can do because the computer will not allow me to cancel anything. If you don't want to put the 58.49 on your store card, please sign the pad and I can call a manager over to do a void after since it's a store card and you can pay another way. While she's here, she can probably explain the statement thing better than I can." The explanation part is a complete and total lie because she's just going to say the same exact thing I did but it's a manager so.

(I explained how the system works to my friend later: anything with a symbol cannot take % off coupons, and if theres a wrong price, a manager has to do an override. The levis were the correct price so there was literally nothing I could do even if I wanted to help her.)

The manager comes over & asks whats up, and I explain the "credit" situation, and have the receipt ready in case Lady wants to do a void after. Immediately after, the lady tells her, with a Pleasantly Grouchy expression, "She's (me) being a grouch." Keep in mind I've actually been nothing but pleasant and have never gotten a Bad customer comment since I started working in september--occasionally I'm tired but I'm still nice.

Manager then tells her "Since you used your store card, the return went back to that and put 33$ back to your availavle balance, so the 58.49 will even out and the rest will come off." As in, what I told Lady at least 5 times. Manager had to explain it again, and she literally said "it's like a debit card where it'll show deposits and withdrawals with a little minus sign"

Lady asks, "weren't they supposed to give me some thing?"

Manager: "returns are issued back to the original form of payment, so if you had used some thing else, they wouldve given you a merchandise credit", at this point Manager picks up a previously used one as an example and shows it to her. Afaik, MCs are if someone paid cash or with gift card, and store cash coupons get merchandise credit cash coupons. Everything else goes back to the card or credit card.

Manager then walks away to organize some stuffed animals up front, but is still nearby, because customer has been mollified, and I hand her her bag and I'm doing the end of transaction process: circle savings, survey, name.

Anyways the last bit is:

Right as I'm about to do the receipt stuff, Lady tells me, with that same pleasantly grouchy look, "So i guess the moral of the story is to always ask for merchandise credit."

I kinda just smiled because she honestly did not listen to the manager because RETURNS DON'T WORK THAT WAY.

(I forgot to mention that the manager looked at the printer like she wanted to draw out how the statement would look as well)

But the funny paet was after she left my manager came back (she was like 3 feet away) and I told her "I told her the exact same thing you said."

The manager had a weird look on her face then just said "...it's math. She probably doesn't pay the bill anyway."

Then i told her that Lady said I was being a grouch (honestly just wanted to clear it up and make sure it wasn't going to affect me bc i had just asked to stay on after the season) and Manager said that she just blocked it out bc she thought Lady was talking about her so that was good lol

Semirelated: the district manager knows me by name. I didn't recognize her when she came in earlier  and was paying at anothet register, but she was using the app and couldn't apply a coupon so I told her, the same manager from above, and the cashier "unfortunately that one is online only," and the manager came around and told me I did a good job.

tldr: Customer, a lady who is at least 50 years old, does not understand how cards work. She did a return on her store card, tries to get credit for a purchase, gives me a hard time about us not having any coupons. I call a manager over and between the two of us, we've explained how a card works at least 10 times. Lady lies and accuses me of being a grouch to my manager in an attempt to get a discount, over what would be $26 to her. 30 minutes earlier, the district manager and the same manager noted that I was helpful and nice.

[itsteaveetime]

An AU where the Wonka kids aren't completely messed up from the tour and go on to live decent and somewhat fulfilling lives.

[Prompt meme: drop a prompt in my inbox, get a one-shot/drabble]

((Thanks for this prompt, anon!  Sorry it took so long.))

He can feel someone’s eyes on him.  The man seated next to him is giving him a very long look.  And this isn’t really that kind of bar.

“Didn’t you used to be Mike Teavee?” The man asks, shaking his finger like someone has tried and failed to pull a fast one on him.

It’s going to be one of those conversations.

Mike Teavee turns on his stool and gives the man a close-lipped but not unfriendly smile.

“I like to think I still am,” the twenty-seven year old says.

The man laughs, like they always do, and it only grates a little.

“Man, that Wonka contest,” the man says, shaking his head, and Mike lets him go on, because that’s all people really want, and it’s not like he doesn’t have the time.  “I spent an entire month’s allowance on Wonka bars.  Can you imagine doing something like that now?”

“Not really,” Mike replies, chuckling politely, even though he never spent a single penny in the first place.

“Still,” the man says, pointing at him again.  “You got to see inside.  You lived the dream.” 

“I definitely lived it,” Mike agrees.  “It was a trip.”

“Lucky sonuvagun,” the man says.  “Oh, and hey, my little nephew?  He loves your games.”

By which, Mike has learned over the years, the man means: he has no nephew and is speaking of himself, but is too embarrassed to admit he still games in his thirties.

“Lemme buy you drink,” the man offers.

Mike waves him off.

“Thanks, I don’t drink,” he says.  And then, because he can feel the question of why he is in a bar at all start to form in the man’s mind.  “I’m here meeting some friends.  But: it’s always great to hear people are enjoying my stuff.  I gotta go; nice meeting you though.”

He gives the man a firm but distinctly final handshake, and moves toward a back corner where he has spotted her lurking.

“I think you did not even roll your eyes at this one,” she says, her Russian accent slightly more muted than it was at twelve.  “I am impressed.”

“Prozac,” Mike insists.

Veruca laughs, and it doesn’t grate at all.  The slender young woman is wrapped in a scarf he thinks might be longer than she is tall, a slouchy sweater, leggings, and well-worn over-sized boots.  This seems to be one of the default uniforms of all off-duty ballerinas (and some models).  Her blond hair is pulled up into a tidy bun.  His own hair, by comparison, is a spiked quiff that is a mess by design.

“It’s good to see you,” he tells her.

“Hug me, you idiot,” she demands flatly.

He does.  When he pulls back, a meaty hand lands on his shoulder.  He turns to face its owner.

Augustus Gloop looms over him.  Augustus Gloop looms over almost everyone.  A growth spurt at fifteen that Mike cannot help but envy eventually left the German six feet and six inches tall.  It thinned him out somewhat as well, and although he will never not be big-boned, Gloop is no longer as wide as he is high.  He retains soft edges, a rounded stomach, a slightly ruddy complexion, and a warm friendly face.

“Hallo Michael.”

Like Mike, Augustus has long since lost his high pitched prepubescent voice, but he has retained more of his German accent than Veruca has.  He has also retained his blond hair, but it no longer looks like it was placed under a bowl to be cut.  In a flannel shirt and hoodie that his mother did not knit for once, Gloop looks pretty cool.

Mike lets the German envelop him in a nearly rib crushing bear hug that momentarily lifts him off his feet.  Once released, he goes immediately for Gus’ messenger bag, crouching down, because Gus wears the bag low on his hip, and running a hand over the soft leather.

“This is one of yours, right?” Mike asks.

The German nods.

“Goat leather.  Mother had gotten more orders for them, so she had sent me more hides.”

Sewing, apparently, runs in Gloops’ blood as much as sausages do.

“I have made a batch,” Augustus continues, “and that same shop downtown will take them.  But also there is a crafting fair that maybe I will go to if I have the days off at the restaurant to-…”

“Shut up and take my money,” Mike says.

Augustus laughs.

“Michael, you know I never charge you.  In black, you will want it?” Gus guesses correctly, because Mike remains somewhat predictable about certain things, and Mike is already imagining studding the strap of such a glorious beast as Gloop embraces Veruca somewhat more gently.

“Do we wait for her?” the blond woman asks, more or less rhetorically.

Mike shakes his head.

“We all know she’s gonna be late,” he says.

They head through a door and down a flight of stairs few people know about.  A girl at the bottom recognizes Gus from restaurant circles and ushers them into an intimate space where they take a seat in a comfortable booth with privacy curtains.  Gus is only still a rising star on the chef’s circuit, but it’s funny how small New York actually is.

It’s funny, how they all ended up in New York, at least, for the time being.

(It’s funny that they are here at all.)

Well.  Not that funny.  Each of them walked out of Wonka’s factory exactly as they walked in.  It was their parents who were altered (although also: not physically).  

No magic spells, no potions: just as the Candy Man promised, but one thing Wonka certainly was, was an illusionist.  And he had seen immediately who needed to be shown the error of their ways, and few things are as motivating to a parent as the idea of their child in peril.

“I was barely in the chocolate,” Augustus had been the first to explain, the first time they all reunited.  “I fell through a bottom.  I was not in a pipe at all.  It was, I think, a doll to look like me.  The falling in was still startling.”

“Yeah, the bloating was not fun,” Violet had said.  “But those Oompa guys gave me some antacid and it went away.  I got no idea what my dad thought was me that exploded, or what he medically thinks is inside of people, but, uh, thanks for groovin’ on a bop while y’all thought I was dying.”

“Also doll,” Veruca had told them.  “How could I call for my pappa with my head removed?“

“…V.R.,” Mike had reluctantly admitted.  “I thought I seriously got shrunk and teleported inside the internet, but then it went black and I was just down a trap door with a V.R. headset on.  I was kinda bummed, honestly.  But on the plus side: I did get a eight inch remote control replica of myself.  That was pretty awesome.”

And they had all watched as their parents had reacted to their apparent untimely demises.  Had realized the peril their parenting (or lack their of) had placed their children in.

(It had taken Mike slightly longer to realize that his mother had not really been happy about the idea of him being shrunk; that the idea of seeing something like that done to her son and not being able to do anything about it had actually driven his mother temporarily insane, which is probably the strongest and most negative reaction it is possible to have.  But he had gotten there.)

After the factory, things had been…different.  

None of them had been punished (because none of them had been truly to blame), but all of their parents had certainly changed their tunes.

And somehow it hadn’t been so difficult to get used to after all.

They sit around a table now, well adjusted young men and women.  Or: woman, at the moment.

Augustus Gloop has been making a steady name for himself as a gourmet chef.  He is working under a celebrity at the moment, producing the epic tasting menu’s the Swiss establishment is known for, but he has headed his own pop-up’s and food carts to great success and reviews.

Veruca Salt is currently a soloist at ABT, after training and dancing at the Bolshoi and the Vaganova.  They have all seen her perform: she is generous with her comp tickets.  She is also undeniably talented.  There have been rumors circling that she may be promoted to principal next season.

Mike Teavee designs video games.  Because of course he does.  Immensely popular games that require strategy, and critical thinking as much as hand-eye coordination.  Some of them have won awards for serving educational purposes.  These games, along with several well-received apps have left him unexpectedly wealthy.  His first apartment is in San Francisco, but he likes the vibe and the weather in New York so much so that he has a residence in the city as well. 

And Violet Beauregard is always late.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” She says, breathlessly, as she joins them.  “A thing.  But you all know.  I don’t even gotta tell you.”  

Violet is a celebrity hair and make-up artist.  She made her name on YouTube, but she’s as legitimately trained as Veruca and Augustus are.  She’s in high demand from both companies and clients.

She frowns at Mike’s hair.

“What happened to the blue?” She pouts.

Mike runs his hand carefully over his ‘do.  

“It faded really fast and I didn’t wanna rebleach,” he explains.  “It’s fine.”

“I know you’re punk rock as all hell, but seriously: let me do it,” Violet insists.  “I will do it in yo’ bathroom sink for the sake of your authenticity if I gotta.”

He eventually agrees.

“Your mothers are having the good time,” Veruca says, with a smirk.

Both Mike and Augustus freeze, because it is their mothers she is talking about.  Mrs. Teavee and Mrs. Gloop have long since struck up an unexpected single lady friendship and enjoy taking vacations together.  They are currently on an Italian river cruise making the most of Italy, Italian food, and Italian men in a photograph that is burned in both Mike and Gus’ mind that neither of them are sure they were meant to receive and both are afraid to ask about.

“Yes,” Augustus says, smiling a little more rigidly than usual.  “…jah.”  

“Did she drop a new post on Instagram?” Violet asks Veruca.

“I will never get over the fact that you follow my mom on Instagram,” Mike says.

In her retirement, Ethel has joined Instagram.  Instagram is very about her retro aesthetic.  She has been interviewed for ‘Racked’.

“She is crushing it,” Violet tells him.  “Did you teach her hashtags?”

He maybe guided her in her hashtagging.

“Annnnnnyway,” Mike says, changing the subject and turning towards Veruca.  “How’s what’s-his-face?”

“We do not speak his name,” Veruca hisses.  “Ballerinos!  все мужчины сосать.  All men!”

She looks pointedly at Gus and Mike, who know better than to argue with her.

“Yeah, speaking of,” Violet says.  “No more 3am Teavee specials?”

“What is this?” Gus asks.

“I kept getting these late night texts from him, and I’m all jazzed because I think Teavee’s got some serious tea for me that can NOT wait and instead I get bull.  What was the last one?” Violet asks, while scrolling through her phone.  She stops and reads:

“‘Treasures in disguise as monsters’.  What in the Dungeons and Dragons is that supposed to mean?”

Mike has buried his face in his hands, but he’s laughing behind them.

“It was the Ambien again, I swear,” he swears.  “I got off it.  At least I didn’t buy any more non-refundable plane tickets to Shanghai.”

“That was fun, though,” Augustus points out.

“Yeah, it was,” Mike admits.

Off of Paxil, it turns out Mike likes to eat.  Like, a lot.  And still has the metabolism to mostly deal with it.  Gus had been very willing to join him on a tasting trip through Shanghai, lest the tickets go to waste.  The trip had left both with fond memories of Ci Fan Tuan, and You Dunzi, as well as up a pants size, but that’s what vacations in your twenties are for.

Gus, Violet, and Veruca order and then sip cocktails.  Mike sticks to ginger ale and truffle fries.  He has never had a problem with alcohol, because he has never let himself have one, and he knows himself (and his family history) well enough to know that he too easily could. 

Things are too good to wreck like that, you know?

He checks his phone.

“Hey, it’s time,” he says.

The others put their drinks aside, and Mike…unfolds his phone.  The palm sized device becomes twice its size, then three, until it is a twenty-inch tablet with an extendable stand that Mike places in the middle of the table, and then taps on.

An app connects.  A screen pops up.  A hand reaches through the screen.  They all help Charlie Bucket until he is sitting in the booth with them.

Bucket is thin, for a chocolatier.  He is only a little taller than Mike, who is short.  He has the same boyish grin he had back when he and his family had nothing.

Mike refolds his device, until it looks like just a phone again.  He spends the rest of the evening wedged comfortably between Gus and Violet.  Plans are vaguely made for another trip like Shanghai, and more concretely for a sort of pub crawl that consists of, instead of drinking, eating dollar slices of pizza until they have located the best one.  Veruca refuses to take part, but will still come along.  Charlie cannot make it: he has a factory to run, but they promise to send him a winning slice.

It’s just one of many good days in a more than decent life.

[i-heart-scully]

OK i need to talk about all of my Halt and Catch Fire feelings, so SERIOUS SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT BEWARE

First of all I just watched the Inside Halt and Catch Fire clip for last night’s episode and Kerry Bishé says this about Gordon’s death scene: “The way that we visualize Gordon’s actual death is so lyrical and beautiful. It’s his life flashing before his eyes but his life is different versions of Donna throughout time” AND THEN SHE ALMOST STARTS TO CRY AND NOW IM CRYING AGAIN AKDFBAS;KFHJA;DSLFGJASF

But seriously, as sad as I am, they did a beautiful job. I also was absolutely expecting this to happen, but not this episode because i came across all of the episode descriptions like a month ago and hey check out next week’s: 

“Cameron helps Donna pack up; Bos makes his famous chili; Joe helps Haley recover a memorable keepsake; Gordon and Donna fight.”

Clearly whatever fight that is referring to is not a current one, fuck you AMC. 

Also, considering how much I love Donna/Cameron, surprisingly I think my favorite part of the episode were the scenes with Donna and Joe??????? First of all, thank god Donna is back to being herself. I missed her. Donna and Joe’s dynamic is so interesting to me because they have interacted the least and they never liked each other, but Donna has been the “villain” this season when Joe usually is. It was nice to see them both becoming aware of that fact and start to accept and understand each other, it will be interesting to see what their scenes are like from here on out (which is only 3 episodes *sobbing*)

Also, Donna yelling at Joe about how he won and she has nobody broke my goddamn heart. I’ve felt that way all season and to hear her say it out loud just uhhhg. At least that will change now. I wonder if it would have changed if Gordon hadn’t died :((((((

Ok well this is sufficiently long already, so time for Donna/Cam stuff, which I was excited about while watching but is really underwhelming compared to everything else now. 

“WHAT’S UP WITH YOU AND DONNA EMERSON?” -Same, Alexa. Same. I lost my mind a little bit during that scene. And between that and Cam mentioning to Joe that she was concerned about Donna because she didn’t seem like herself, is pointing towards Cam being in a place where she can talk to Donna again (although now she definitely will with Gordon’s death *more sobbing*). They will probably end up working together also, with Alex’s comment about Donna pushing Cam out of her comfort zone and Donna not actually seeming that happy about the managing partner promotion. 

Donna actually beating Cam’s game!!!!! I want to know how long it has been since she started playing. Like how many hours has she spent sitting in front of that computer thinking about Cam???? I can’t. I hope they talk about it next ep. 

Speaking of next ep, hooo boy it’s going to be sad but I also cannot wait for this scene: 

That’s definitely Donna’s sweater in the second pic. Can’t wait to die. And then die again the next day when I go to the NYCC X-Files panel. Good luck @myself

[carrickbender]

Hi I'm Geoff, here's 7 because it's Sunday.....

-So this week was a serious mess. We fished on monday, delivered and got ice on Tuesday, did bait up on wednesday, fished thursday....... and that's when I got hurt. Lemme preface this- I'm ok. I'm not missing any essential body parts, and I will be fine. So lemme set the stage- we left at around midnight because my boss was (is) antsy about getting his fish caught before he has heart surgery next month. So he says yeah, we are going to go to (insert place name here) in the AM, I'll pick you up around midnight. Now, the other deckhand and I know how to read the weather map and use weather software, and we know it's going to be borderline miserable/f-ing awful weather in the am, getting worse in the afternoon. We are AK guys, and if we say it's gonna suck, it's not nice for anybody. So fine, get picked up, cast off, do a few chores, NAP, then we get up around 5 to get ready and he says, "I'm sorry guys, I messed up, looks like it's going to blow 35 tomorrow, so it's just today for these fish". We already knew this, and we have him a pep talk because he's such a nice guy, honest about pay, that I hate seeing him get down. Got our gear in the water, and it was getting nasty. Had a bite, relaxed a bit, got the deck ready for the ensuing malay, and started to haul our first set back. And it kept getting worse, but there was gear in the water. So we got it hauled, 1300lbs of beautiful white bellied halibut. So far, so good. As we were in building seas, my boss looks at us and says, "this really is not my style of fishing". 2 thoughts popped into my head- 1. I've fished with him for 6 years, and he always gets the weather wrong a lot. So of course it's his style; and 2. There's thst scene from the hangover 2 where there in the elevator and somebody says, "does everything always end up in a standoff with you Chow?", to which he replies, "of course it does! I'm an international criminal, I met my wife at one of these things!". If only my boss would have see that..... so my injury? Oh yeah, sorry. Remember that bit from wide world of sports, where the announcer says, "and the agony of defeat!", and the skier pretty much kills himself and half of China wiping out a ski jump? So my big ass is pretty stable on deck, but combine being in a 10 ft trough and the deck being slick from herring and other fish oil, and I fell. I tried catching myself, but it did the splits, banging my right knee on the rail and I felt two rips in my thigh muscle and a pop in my lower back. Scarry part? I couldn't get up. I manouvered myself onto the bin boards, sat on top of them, and then I realized I couldn't stand up, and all I could say, and I'm quoting here, was: FUCKSHITASSBALLSPISS, because that's is what you say when you hurt, right? I hobbled like an old man into the cabin, got my raingear off, but I was done for the day(and unbenownst to me, the season). I could barely move. I propped myself up, and thank God my other deck mate is a rock star because I was done. I could barely walk, let alone anything else. They finished hauling gear a bit later, and my boss told me it was some of the worst crap he'd ever fished, but they got it done. And he felt horrible about me pretty much being cut down on deck. We hobbled back to towne, and it was so crappy we couldn't do more than 4 knots because we were pounding into the waves so hard. Got in at 2, and the next day I went to see a doctor. No breaks, but SEVERE sprains, and he put the kibosh on fishing for 2 weeks. Which, I understand. It's sunday, and I can't even bend over to pull up my pants effectively without being in pain. It's going to take time...... - I'm headed back to Washington on Wednesday to get started on getting my summer in order. But most importantly, family stuff. Mom is still ill, but after 2 cancer scares, that has been ruled out. Dad had his heart restarted in a pharmacologically way the other day to try and fix a rhythm issue, and it failed. This was time number 3, so being a retired medical person, he makes a joke about it. "Probably need a new wiring harness, check the points, and make sure the battery terminals are making good contact". My dad, turning cardiology into working on his El Camino. So, I think I need to stick around close this summer. Mom's will be good once she gets the damn puss pocket out(plus she's headed to Canada for the summer), but dad doesn't get this idea of taking it easy. So, one of his offspring has to help where my stepmom cant. - music- I have so much going on here. Too much. All over washington state. That being said, I hate dealing with managers and promoters who are only out for themselves. Why can't the business be kinder to musicians? Oh, and speaking of being kind to one another, how many of this tribe of followers are musicians who have a band shirt? Because I'd love to trade! I'm having some made up when I get back, and would love to swap one of ours for yours! @voxtacular, wanna be the first? - Speaking of music, Chris Cornell......I Honestly dont know what to say. I feel fortunate that I grew up in the northwest where the music known as grunge was "born"(more like sprang forth, like Athena from Zeus). Mind you, I grew up in Spokane, Seattle's developmentally delayed and much more socially conservative sister across the state, so we didn't have many places like the sit and spin, the ok hotel, the crocodile cafe to see soundgarden or mother love bone on any given weekend. But there was one place , the big dipper, that welcomed everybody. My introduction to the big dipper was as a 16 year old kid, whose 17 year old lead singer booked our group, the midnight poets, to a Sunday night gig supporting a group called seeking the elephant. They had this "green room" where all of the musicians hung out before they played, and it was expected that the musicians would sign their names on the walls. Fugazi, mother love bone, and a little seattle band called soundgarden were amongst the ones I remember. My band didn't last, but what did last is the memory of those bands playing a serious dive like the big dipper. Paying dues. As the "seattle sound" got bigger, I got to see Nirvana, Candlebox, Stone Temple pilots, Alice in Chains, The Melvins, Pearl Jam....but I never got to see soundgarden. I put fishing before a life, and I made a poor choice. Because while you can buy stuff, you cannot buy moments. And the number of moments in my life that are attached to either a audioslave, a soundgarden, or a Chris Cornell song are staggering. For A folkie, yeah. So stay tuned for a cover tomorrow. :-) -Speaking of summer, I've been talking to my non blood cousin who is like a little sister and we are planning a meet and greet in Montana this summer with her man and babies (!), her not brother brother (my actual cousin) and his small tribe, and my people. I'm so excited to even start to pull this off. Huckleberries, I'll bring salmon, music, their kids, family.....fingers crossed, I need this. -So because I'm going to be in the close proximity of both of my parents, I'm probs going to wait on a tug job till November to really give it a go. I'm going to do my first bit of necessary school right when I get back, then do flagger training so I can work till everything gets resolved with folks/music stuff gets done, and hopefully, I can come back up for 3 weeks in August to go pink salmon fishing here. Fingers crossed, this summer could be really amaxing..... -But enough of my crap! Seriously, I just want y'all to know that you guys are really great. I love reading about your lives, your triumphs over adversity (because you all are pretty tough and amazing people), your funny stuff, amazing playlists.....and sometimes I go a bit crazy with the hearts, and I'll admit it. But my theory is this- I'd rather you know that somebody appreciates you for who you are, where you are, instead of feeling alone. I've listened to my mom tell me how alone she is for the last month, and I just want y'all to know you are appreciated like bacon and tacos..... and that includes you too @tacosandsweettea (ps-that made her laugh. Hope it did you too!) Take care, and stay tuned!

[attract-mode-collective]

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Mega Man X Super Mario Vs. Cut Man Or Bowser

The Instagram video above is courtesy of masskutt and is from last year’s Famicase exhibit, which I featured in the Super Attractive Club newsletter #5. Or so I thought it was from the My Famicase Exhibition 2016.

Upon closer inspection, it’s actually a best of-type event, one that touched upon all the previous exhibits, leading up to the 2016 installment that immediately followed. If you zoom in, you’ll notice the different dates on the posters on the wall…

And once again, this particular set-up is what inspired me to do something similar, for the Tetris block party this past fall…

In addition to having fake game cartridges to look at, there were fake games that you actually play as well. Including something that starred Perfume?

Though the highlight, imho, was the Mega Man X Super Mario mashup, as seen in action at the very top…

Bonus pic time: masskutt is primarily involved in music (he’s one of the organizers of Fami Mode, if I’m not mistaken), and am assuming this is a shot of KPLECRAFT’s set-up that masskutt took while hanging out once…

And, um, yeah… the latest issue of the Super Attractive Club newsletter is kinda overdue isn’t it? Sorry about that, though once again, it’s just been insanely busy. But it’s coming soon, along with a fresh batch of Game Culture Snapshots, and most importantly, the shirt that was teased last time!

Yet if you can’t wait until then, because you simply need something to wear for the new spring season right here/right now, and also you’ve purchased everything available in the Super Attractive Club shop, may I recommend Sony’s modest yet very much awesome line of Parappa The Rapper apparel? Such as…

A pair of shirts also popped up over at Cotton Bureau quite recently that may be of interest to some. Here’s something for all the Sonic fans out there…

And if you’re a proud Switch owner, why not tell the whole word with this…

The thing, I prefer apparel that’s related to video games, yet which doesn’t scream “HEY EVERYONE, I LIKE VIDEO GAMES!!!” But sometimes making such a bold announcement is necessary, which is why I want this hat (via oldgamemags)…

Back to the subject of Famicoms and music; remember Family Continue? Well, here’s their latest jam…

For perhaps obvious reasons, I’m always interested in how elements of video game culture, particularly the stuff that’s very much rooted in Japan, is presented elsewhere. So on that note, HYPER JAPAN (“the UK's biggest J-culture event”) just announced guests is TORIENA. Which means the perfect chance to show off her artist bio pic, which I dig for obvious reasons once again…

Please enjoy these various pics of Japanese game composers, courtesy of videogamesdensetsu. First we have Alph Lyra (Capcom’s house band), Gamadelic (Data East’s house band), S.S.T. Band (Segas house band) and Zuntata (Taito’s house band) at the Game Music Festival 1992…

Next is Shinsekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan, aka SNK’s sound team…

Some additional pics of Zuntata…

Harumi Fujita, who did Ghosts'n Goblins, with a few other Capcom sound specialists…

And Haruomi Hosono, of Yellow Magic Orchestra fame, who produced the ground breaking album Video Game Music, alongside Masanobu Endō, the creator of Xevious…

Also please enjoy this commercial for the aforementioned album…

I’m always pleased whenever anyone points out the original of Dhalsim, from Street Fighter 2, which is from Master of the Flying Guillotine (via videogamesdensetsu once again)…

So I’m a pretty huge fan of Touhou Project, which has a very strong connection with fan art, as anyone familiar with the games may know already. Which I used to dig, but grew tired of over time. Though these pieces by jothelion is the first instance of me giving a rat’s ass in a very long time…

I also dig his take on Mother/Earthbound, a series that I don’t even really care for (sorry everyone)…

Whenever new hardware arrives, like the Nintendo Switch in this case, I often find myself revisiting hardware that is all of a sudden considered “old news”. And not just because I’m playing Breath of the Wild on the Wii U.

I also just realized that I’ve once fired up Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, despite it being included in the New 3DS I got on day one. Though I mostly am motivated to give it a shot due to this LSD: Dream Emulator inspired digs (courtesy of pilotshades)…

Time to check in and see what My Life in Gaming has been up to. And their latest video concerns two different mediums that were both at their apex in the late 80s/early 90s: video games and home video…

The latest super obscure Japanese game that I wish I could play but cannot, due to that pesky language barrier, is Gourmet Battle Quiz Ryohrioh Cooking. I learned of its existence from obscurevideogames and basically I’m sold on anything that’s remotely Iron Chef-like. A brief taste…

Which Sonic related gif do you prefer? This one, of Sonic Blast Man: Real Puncher (via obscurevideogames once again)…

Or this one, from Sonic Adventure 2, of Big the Cat doing… something in the back ground (via sonicthehedgeblog)…

Back to the topic of obscurity, as well as Parappa; I recently came across this flyer for an shmup I had never heard of before (via the shmups Tumblr, naturally), which honestly doesn’t look all that special..

But the name caught my attention, enough for me to investigate, and I came across this listing in the PC Engine Software Bible. Turns out, it’s the first video game that Masaya Matsuura worked on! The author of the description also note…

“I actually bought a copy of this game when last I was in Tokyo, and presented it to Matsuura at his office during an informal interview. He was incredibly surprised to see the game, as he'd lost the original copy of the track, and ripped the disc on the spot in order to get it back! Pretty nifty. Honestly though, I only played it for about 30 minutes. It's really quite ok, but is way more interesting for its history than anything else.”

Anyhow, the name Metamor Jupiter would make a KILLER band name, would it not?

Sticking with flyers, which do you prefer? The one, for Rush’n Attack, featuring a very happy mom (via thevideogameartarchive)…

Or this one, for a BattleTech center, featuring a very happy cowboy (via vgjunk)…

Apparently, back in the day, SNK ran an organization called Nakoruru & Terry Club (the former is from Samurai Shodown and the latter from Fatal Fury, for those not in the know), which was a non-profit that was “established to support the healthy development of young people”. This included getting kids involved in team sports and being environmentally aware, according to fightersmegamix, which also has a link to the now defunct site.…

Not sure why news of this makes me so happy, but it does!

And here’s something else that makes me happy, though instead of explaining it myself, am just going to quote pancakepax…

"esports is so powerful they will agree to use a sponsored player’s fursona in place of the actual player’s photo for promotional material”

That sure is one funky way to highlight a bad URL (via hitoshura.demon-server)…

Please enjoy this combination of Kirby and… the Illuminati? The Freemasons? Or simply insert your fave clandestine assortment of old white guys (via thewaragainstgiygas)…

And finally, here we have my next project; to create my own Genesis Mini Classic…