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aurelion-cerulean · 2 years ago

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We all know that S5 is going to be going back to its roots. It's supposed to emulate S1 from what we have been told.

But what does that actually look like?

I think three big things:

Run Times and Episode Count

There has been debate on the number being either 8 or 9 (1&3 were 8, 2&4 were 9). I considered 10 as a new rounded number to finish it off, but then I realized that 8+9+8+9+8=42.

If you’re new here, 42 is the secret to the universe in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe. It’s big sci-fi nerd stuff. So I can’t pass up this opportunity. Also the first season is 8 episodes, and since they are trying to return to that Season 1 vibe, this would make sense to me.

Also. 42 is divisible by 7, and 7 is tied to Will. If Will is the MC for season 5, then this just helps strengthen the choice.

Averaging at 86 min per ep, S4 was a monster. If we take out eps 7,8,&9 (1.5 roughly, 1.5hr, 2.5hr), the average is a beautiful 73min per episode. S1 was 50min on average. Better yet, S2 and S3 were also about 55min on average. If we look at run times alone. S4 says that it's 9 episodes but if we compare the average times... S4 when compared to S1 has (roughly) 6 episodes worth of content. So S4 is like 15 episodes in a trench coat trying to pass itself off as 9.

Goodness.

We know that they, the creators, want the episodes to be shorter (possible if everything is in Hawkins and no new information really has to be established). We also know that the last episode is going to be 2hrs, or so they say, as the grand finale. I really don’t think that they will be able to drop down to 50 min again. Regardless of the information they need to include. After the spectacle of S4, they need to GO BIG. And I don't just mean the two hour finale.

I suspect that this season is going to be brilliant in cinematography, horror, and effects. It's going to make you sit on the edge of your seat in awe. AND it has to be a good story ending.

I think that the average episode time will be 60min + the 2hr finale. It lets them drop down in time, and gives them the room for the spectacle. It also doesn't highlight just how much of a monster S4 was in terms of time. IDK but having that season as this big outlier in time per ep, feels strange. IDK if they care, but I wouldn't want one of my seasons to stick out like a sore thumb like that.

2. Return to the Small Town Horror

Now, this show has been scary the entire way through. We've had monsters and unknowns, but in some way it hasn't felt the same as S1. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this, but I knew, going into S4, that El would save the day. The question was about how. Not so much if or who. I also knew that the main cast would live.

Both of these things need to be established early on as NOPEs in order to really make S5 scary. We need to really feel that the characters can die (not just us panicking out here on social media thinking it, because they said no new characters). We also need to see that El can't just simply power up and we'll be good. She tried and failed. But she wasn't ready. So she powers up again. She still needs to fail. Why? Because we expect her to win and this time that's not how it works. (I have a whole thing on Defeating Vecna specifically, and the thematics of the Upside Down, that explain that I think this will be more of a rejection of ideologies.)

This season is going to need to feel close, crawl-up-your-skin-breath-on-the-back-of-your-neck scary. It's going to need to replicate the S1, "what the heck is going on?" And the, "No! The Monster! It's right there," scary. Now, how do we do that when we already have all the cards on the table? I have a few ideas of how they can achieve that (but I need to double check S1 first).

3. Single Narrative Focus

Note that this ties into point 2.

In S1 it was "find Will." Well, Nancy was off doing her Nancy thing, but for the others it was Find Will. By S4 we had: get Hopper, Find El, Figure out Vecna (and that's simplifying it). And really, in S2 and S3 we slowly turned this way from the single narrative to this complex narrative. It was an evolution outwards as the world expanded, and it's not bad, but we did get a lot.

However, now everyone is back in Hawkins. The return to the single narrative is EASY. They're all in Hawkins. The villain is Vecna. There are no if-ands-or-buts about it. We know who he is, why he is, how he is, and where he is. All the questions? Answered.

The issue is this: now what?

Everyone is together. How do we split them up when they know that's the wrong choice? Reasonably speaking, there is no reason for them to do this. They don't need to investigate (they know the villain). They don't need to figure out where he is (there is a whole cloud over Hawkins). They are already unified as a group, physically.

Note that I say physically. I've said this before. I will say it again. They are not unified mentally. Will? Used El as a proxy for his feelings. Mike and El? On the rocks. Νancy and Jonathan? Haven't spoken to each other about their issues. Dustin just saw Eddie die. Max is in a coma. Lucas watched that happen. Joyce and Hopper just arrived but they don't really know what's going on. Murray is Murray. Steve just dropped that infobomb in Nancy's hands and was like "deal with this as you will." Robin is probably the only one chill.

They are the furthest from unified as a group, mentally, as they could be. It's for this reason that I actually think that the focus of this season will not be "destroy Vecna" but rather "unify." With Vecna being the embodiment of rejection, isolation, and fear (see my Upside Down write up), the only way to combat that is to face their demons and come together as a group mentally too. Fighting separately for the same goal is not good enough. Not for this fight.

It's really funny because in most of the seasons I'll yell at the screen like "JUST TALK." Because if they just shared information lol. So many issues would be solved. Guess what? S4 Vecna squad does that. Nancy still does go off on her own to follow up on a lead, but ultimately, they do talk about everything. From the beginning, they are unified front in that regard. Things are working right, but they still fail because it's not the whole group.

Big horror trope? Person who goes off alone dies? Good thing our main cast hasn't done that before and almost died... very strange that it is a theme of this show too. Almost like, they shouldn't be operating solo, or running off on their own. Almost like they need to be unified every single season for things to work in the end. And just maybe. Maybe. This season, they need to see eye to eye and face their demons and support each other as they do that. IDK. Maybe that's a reach.

Sarcasm aside, I think that S5 will be about them coming together and solving the problem as a full team, but that also means that people are going to have to face themselves and their personal internal struggles. And with Vecna's reach pretty much everywhere, I wouldn't be surprised that we get more visions by the others, seeing things and then having to face their emotions regarding those things. AND then getting the support of the group, as they do so. They don't have to get over the feelings, but they will see that they're not alone and that they don't have to face it alone. That they don't have to be scared alone. (How many times do I need to repeat alone? Vecna is the embodiment of acting solo. In order to defeat his ideology, they can't do what he does.)

I think they'll be split up again, but not by their own choice. Something will happen, probably due to miscommunication, and then the party is split and has to come back together. They will do so, and whatever things they were hiding will be said, because they can't risk not saying it. They can't risk not facing it. Not when the big bad is on the horizon and there might not be another chance.

But at the end of the day, the monster is no longer in the dark and no longer hiding in the scary place. It is where everyone can see and they have to face it openly. (If that's not the biggest symbolism HERE I AM neon light. IDK what is.)

Now this, in my mind, can be done through the horror tropes (see point 2) and fear. Visions, monsters, etc. Getting them to talk and understand each other. I need to think about this a lot more to really see how I think it could be done, but there is a good possibility of this with pacing, tension, lighting, and music.

These are the three things I think we can expect from that return to S1 comment by the creators. I'll be back later with a better idea of the horror tropes and how they might be used to make things scary this season when we already know what lurks in the dark. Or, if someone else wants to... Tag me! I want to see!

#stranger things season 5 theory #stranger things theory #stranger things #returning to season 1 is going to be a logistical nightmare when you've made it this big #i am not envious #byler #byler theory

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mermaidsirennikita · 3 years ago

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Do you think Netflix being in disarray will effect Bridgerton at all?

I saw a lot of tweets being like “Netflix is going under because they produce crap like Bridgerton” - idk anything about economics but I don’t think the show is the issue? It’s a success. Isn’t Shonda kinda helping keep their lights on atp? If anything investing in romance was a smart move, right? They also have Virgin River which is a moderate hit. But I know Netflix and other streamers tend to cancel after 2 seasons because that’s when casts can renegotiate their contracts, and Bridgerton is now at S3, though the show obviously isn’t liable to being cancelled. I just wonder if the cast will get raises now or not.

Bridgerton is also expensive to make (~$10M/ep per the WSJ) - I wonder if they’d tighten the purse strings at all. S2 already looked less expensive than S1 imo, specifically the production design. The grandeur wasn’t at the same level.

Lol yeeeeah people don't... get what's happening here. Now, I don't know if Bridgerton is getting them new subscribers--that's the thing. The conventional wisdom has always been that Netflix benefits most from shows that gain them subscribers. While they've more recently (like other streamers) been reporting how many households watched X show, how many minutes and hours were watched, that's ultimately a show of strength more than anything, because what gets them money is people paying for the platform. I don't think Bridgerton turned anyone off of Netflix lmao. Like, I doubt there are many people out there who went "you renewed Bridgerton, I shall cut off my subscription". That's really the only direct way Bridgerton could *hurt* the platform. Conventional wisdom would be that if lots of people are watching this show, chances are that lots of people are subscribing to watch this show, but only Netflix can divine whether or not the show is adding subscribers. The platform losing subscribers doesn't connect to Bridgerton, imo.

I don't even think the loss of subscribers really connects to... most of the content Netflix produces. Like, we can bitch about the quality of the content Netflix produces all we want, but ultimately many of the buzziest shows and movies of the year are often linked to Netflix. It doesn't matter if they're super high quality. They still go viral.

The loss is more likely, imo, linked to the rising fees--if Netflix isn't your favorite streamer and they bump up costs, you cut Netflix before you cut anything else. That has to do with the appeal of the content, right? But if Netflix had been able to keep their fees *down* I think that people would've passively kept it. Additionally, I don't think the discussion of a crackdown on password sharing helps them in that sense. Like. I'm difficult to piss off, but that pisses even me off. I'd honestly take Netflix with ads without blinking, but a Netflix where I can share my password? Is another issue. So I imagine even the discussion of that has some subscribers dropping off. It's not that there isn't good content on there, but is it good enough to put up with the bullshit, is the question.

The thing is that while Bridgerton isn't cheap, there are shows that are a lot more expensive with bigger names that are not bringing in as many viewers. The Witcher has Henry Cavill, who can demand a fat paycheck, plus tons of special effects--and that show has obviously done well, but I actually don't know that it expanded on its viewing hours? If it did, I didn't see it. Then you have The Crown, which at one point was the most expensive Netflix show ever--eye-catching names every season, amazing costumes and production values. That shit's not cheap, but then again The Crown gets them that awards shine they want and season 4 was the buzziest season yet. You have shows like The Umbrella Academy, which has higher-profile performers (most of the people on Bridgerton are really not well known, or weren't when they joined the show, which I think helps it in terms of budget) special effects aaaaaaaand what has to be the biggest music budget ever because that shit has iconic banger after iconic banger. While it gets numbers, I don't think it's as big as Bridgerton.

Here's the thing. You can see how Netflix has pivoted a few times since it began streaming. In the early days of Netflix, everything got renewed and it got renewed... kind of more than it deserved to be, lol. Remember Hemlock Grove? Hemlock Grove got THREE SEASONS, and it didn't even look *cheap*. Gradually, they realized that there was a diminishing return in terms of subscribers as shows went on, and they started cutting them off at the knees (plus, as you mentioned, come time for contract renegotiations the bill would rise). Then Netflix got bad press for "cancelling everything" (which... tbh, is kind of overblown--I've had a couple shows get cancelled by Netflix, but I honestly think a lot of what they cancel would have been cancelled by anyone else too; they just make a lot of content and therefore cancel a lot of content, so it seems bigger than it is). You start seeing Netflix give premature renewals (The Witcher got a s3 renewal months before s2 dropped), double renewals like what Bridgerton got when s3 and s4 were greenlit so fast. Imo this was done for many reasons but in part to give viewers the impression that they could invest in these shows, and they weren't gonna drop off unexpectedly.

Imo, what Netflix needs to do is just like.... narrow its scope. They have good content, they just also have a lot of bullshit that nobody watches that they're wasting money on. I think it's smart to pick up shows and movies that otherwise wouldn't be easily accessible internationally, basically acting as a distributor/point of access and not the main man behind the mirror.

I think they also need look at who is keeping the lights on. The audience for Bridgerton s2 (at least in that first week) was like... 76% female. I believe it was fairly evenly spread across racial/ethnic demographics, but it was 76% female. I would bet that this is not the only very successful Netflix show that has skewed heavily female. Streamers, movie studios, networks have always been afraid of investing in the female audience, but like... women show up lmao. Women buy shit. Women are incredibly intense in terms of fandom--I would argue that there are more women engaging intensely in fandom than there are men in this day and age. Like, sure, you've got the superhero bros and the Star Wars bros but there are plenty of women in those fandoms as well and many big fandoms that have been driven largely by women besides. I think it's easier for women to engage in both sides of fandom with less shame--a dude might get shit for being into Bridgerton (I mean, not really, I know many men who watch it lmao but I think for many fannish men this is the insecurity that they worry about) but a woman can watch The Witcher and be super into it and she might get shit for it from some dudes but like... To be real? I think women are so used to getting shit from men in fannish spaces that we kind of... shake it off more easily.

I'm biased, but to me this would indicate that Netflix needs to invest in more quality woman-centric content. And of course, this would include romance lmao. You can actually make a good romance (especially if it involves... actual sex and romance and less ensemble) fairly cheaply. Even historical romance doesn't have to be something you break the bank on, nobody cares *that* much about how it looks. Look at all those BBC costume dramas that recycled the same costumes over and over. I'd like for it to look nice, but that's not the point. Hire hot people nobody knows who are good actors and will take a smaller paycheck. Go to town.

Idk, there are a loooot of reasons why Netflix has gotten here (see: the lack of diversity across the content they invest in, generally, as well) but I don't think you can say a show that has gotten lots of eyeballs is the *issue* even if I can't say for sure how much it's *helping*. Only they know what is actively gaining subscribers, not just viewers.

#bridgerton

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kinetic-elaboration · 4 years ago

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July 9: Star Trek 1x05 The Enemy Within

Today’s ep: The Enemy Within. Overall this is a good ep, but I don’t know that I entirely agree with its thesis, and some parts of it are so uncomfortable that they mess with my general enjoyment.

Kirk, being encouraging of his crew: “That will make a good specimen.” I like how it’s just one line but there’s such confidence about him. They have to remind you of his normal self fast because he’s split for 99% of the episode.

Sulu: “That’s nippy.” I love Sulu.

So they just find an alien dog on the planet and decide to steal it? Lol your fav is problematic Enterprise crew.

(Like how they just never explained why they sent the dog up by itself later lol.)

I forgot that it was the ore that messed with the transporter. That’s a cool idea; makes sense. Alien ore gets in your system now weird stuff happens.

Evil Kirk appears and no one sees him--that’s why you don’t leave the transporter room unattended like Kirk said!!

Honestly imagine how wild seeing this when it first aired and not knowing much about Star Trek would be. Weird new sci fi show’s been on for a month and suddenly there are two Captains!! What!?!?

Even the way Evil!Kirk touches the ship is lascivious.

Bones is a good doctor. He really does have a good bedside manner; I don’t feel like people remember this about him enough.

He also keeps brandy in sickbay lol.

This scene with gratuitously shirtless Kirk and distracted Spock... it doesn’t look anything less like a porno in context honestly. I know Spock is supposed to be distracted because he’s hearing information that doesn’t make sense but Kirk is just so obviously turning on the flirt face (aka his usual face with Spock) and he’s shirtless so... the distraction is real and multi-faceted.

Ooh, Janice is an artist! I love her little rotating mirror thing.

This scene is so terrible. Really upsets me. Surely they could have found some way to portray ‘pure selfish id’ without going immediately to sexual assault.

Evil!Kirk wears so much eye makeup.

It’s interesting to me that Good!Kirk is so obviously not the real Kirk either, right from the moment he steps off the transporter. (Not to be that person again but Shatner is a better actor than people give him credit for being.)

Spock will save the day! I know that Rand calls for him because he’s First Officer but it’s still interesting that she goes for that name over, like, security.

Evil!Kirk is also where Kirk keeps all his dramatic tendencies.

I feel so bad for Janice in this scene. “What was I supposed to do? He’s the Captain.” Anyway this is why this is still a problem.

That dog omg.

“Set phasers to stun.”

“The search party is to capture you.” Yeah, that’s hard to explain. “Hey, crew, we’re going to play a little game of hide and seek. I’ll hide first.”

Man this conversation between Kirk and Spock. Leadership is one of my favorite themes in ST and Kirk is probably my favorite fictional leader of all time okay so this means a lot to me. “You don’t have the right to be vulnerable in the eyes of the crew.”

Spock is honestly just so on Kirk’s side, at every single moment. He believes him, trusts him, knows who he is, is loyal to him, is honest with him, knows how to handle him, how to care for him.

Spock likes the dog. He likes animals, in general.

The phaser vocab is so different this early on. “Base cycle.”

Good thing Kirk has makeup readily available to cover up his scratches.

My mom suggested transporting some blankets to the planet. But what if they split into evil blankets!! (Interesting that inanimate objects DO split too though.)

I feel like Kirk tried to do a Vulcan nerve pinch there lol.

“If I’m to be the Captain, I’ve got to act like one.” Immediately goes to a shot of his evil self climbing on equipment.

Spock: I always have a point.”

Spock listing out Kirk’s good qualities: his intellect, compassion, love, tenderness. Telling, lol. A lot of synonyms for how much he loves and admires Kirk. Kirk appreciation hour.

“If I seem insensitive to what you’re going through, Captain, understand: it’s the way I am.” I love this line, it’s perfect, because it has two meanings: how I am is unemotional, which causes me to seem insensitive; but also: I go through what you’re going through all the time, it’s how I am.

“Lower us down a pot of hot coffee or some rice wine.”

Poor Kirk, so many struggles, not enough snuggles.

There’s no way people could live through those temperatures in those clothes and not die. Sulu calling for room service. I love him. (Why did they drop his sense of humor in the movies???)

“A thoughtless, brutal animal... yet it’s me.”

I have a lot of mixed feelings about the main thesis of this ep. But. I do love that Kirk’s courage is in his good side.

And so much compassion....”Don’t hurt him. Don’t hurt my evil side.”

Poor animal. Goes through such a confusing experience. Then dies.

Second Officer Spock. I’ve seen people make a big deal out of this but it’s pretty obvious to me this is supposed to mean “Second in command.” As in Kirk is the “First Officer” as the Captain and Spock is second. He behaves in all ways as the second in command, right down to making that log entry at all.

The AOS verse should have rebooted this ep instead of Space Seed (I say every single episode). I mean, STID had as a theme “Kirk learning what it means to command.” That could be tied in! Also can you imagine, two CPines? Two??

Half alien Spock.

Jim’s compassion is paralyzing him.

Aaaand we’re back on the creepy train with Evil!Kirk.

Evil!Kirk doesn’t care about the crew at all. He can make decisions fast because he only cares about himself, so there’s always an easy answer.

Of course he and everyone else looks to Spock as the authority on Kirks.

Evil!Kirk knows he’s not the dominant one here, that re-combining with Good!Kirk means a certain ‘death’ or at least... being sent back to the depths.

Spock at the transporter as if this were even his department lol.

“I’ve seen a part of myself no man should ever see.”

That flirty face he gives Spock though oml. Get a room.

Ugh Spock’s last comment was so ragingly inappropriate. Hate it. But also, read it as an expression of his own extreme jealousy because he’s definitely a jealous person. Just put through the ‘sexist 60s man’ dialogue-writer translator.

So again, I like the idea of this ep and a lot of the details but the details I don’t like are......hard to ignore.

I liked that the bad side was dramatic, selfish, confused, entitled, and it made sense that he was violent and even lustful. And I liked that Kirk had such a hard time seeing that part of himself and acknowledging it. And I do think it's a good lesson/message that we need to understand our own worst impulses and that those impulses are part of us and maybe even tied to parts of us that we need. But the implication that everyone's a little rapey and that the events of this episode necessarily mean Janice has to work for someone she knows is inappropriately lustful toward her just... are really hard for me to entirely get over.

Honestly her reaction just really makes me so sad. And it annoys me that no one stands up for her, no one says that the Captain was wrong and she didn’t deserve that treatment, “imposter” or no. I guess that's what bothers me more than that Evil!Kirk went immediately to assault, b/c the idea IS that he is lustful, violent, and completely selfish. He cares about himself, his survival, his ship, what he owns, what he deserves. Maybe it is natural he would let the power go to his head and seek out someone who he knows he could manipulate easily into giving him something he wants. Maybe it's no different in a way from stranding the crew on the planet. But no one says "hey, that's wrong what he did. You're entitled to respect from the Captain." And I wish someone had.

I recognize this was made in 1966 and I do generally give ST credit within the context within which it was made, but I am a 2020 viewer and the ep certainly hits home given, you know, everything, so... just some thoughts.

Anyway, another thing I was thinking about during the ep was that I feel like I forget that Spock has two "warring halves" b/c he's half human. Because before he put it that way, I was thinking about how the war in him is between his natural Vulcan emotions and his Vulcan teachings. But now I wonder if the whole "Vulcans are super emotional" thing might actually be quite late in the canon, and initially they were intended to be naturally "emotionless.” But basically I don’t actually know how I headcanon the human and Vulcan halves of him interacting... You’d think I would lol but my take in haicg was really... pretty focused on the Vulcanness of him. I guess I thought of the human half as more of a cultural thing because physically, emotionally, psychologically, and physiologically he appears to be primarily Vulcan.

Talking about this more with my mom, it’s making more sense to me... it is cultural and it’s about expectations. He wants to “honor his father’s teachings” and be Vulcan. But he has a whole half, a whole side of his family, with different teachings and beliefs--what to do with them? When he’s around Vulcans, they are obsessed with his human side. When he’s around humans, they see him as fully Vulcan--which is much easier for him and why he seeks them out imo--but it also is a constant ignoring of part of him he feels guilty for ignoring. When McCoy tells him to be more emotional, does a part of him wonder if he should? For his mom? But then... Vulcans don’t choose to be logical for fun. It’s for safety, it’s for survival. So how can he do anything else but follow his father? Who he also doesn’t speak to for 20 years and has a super complicated relationship with! So it’s difficult.

Anyway. That was an emotionally intense experience for this human person. The next ep is Mudd’s Women, one of the weaker S1 offerings, but still a classic as per usual.

#the year 2020 #2020: star trek #2020: fandom thoughts #star trek tos

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lnevada · 7 years ago

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The Ultimate Fandom Watch List - TV Show Edition

*For those who just don’t know where to start

Disclaimer: This is a limited list of (30) Fandoms (each a television show, excluding two YouTube original series & one adult cartoon). I’m personally apart of most of the Fandoms and can speak on their behalf. Any of the shows that I’m not familiar with have been recommended to me by friends or are series that the general internet space seems to be fascinated with. For every Fandom you enter, exit, take part in, or interact with in anyway there are dozens of others that are similar that you may also greatly enjoy or wish to join. I would encourage all to search beyond this list for shows or Fandoms that best suit you. There is no limit to the number of Fandoms that one can be a part of.

As for the Fandoms listed below, they have been organized in such a way as to highlight the amount of content currently released, the total run time for said content, and how long it would take the average, though dedicated, person to consume and experience the content in a well-organized and highly efficient manner. The number of episodes for each show are currently up to date as of 3/16/18 and the known release dates for any continuing series have been mentioned. Each season has been rounded to the nearest half-minute, minute, half-hour, or hour, respectively. They have been rounded in such a way as to highlight the absolute longest amount of time it would take to complete a single season and an entire series on its own, though the rounding does not necessarily account for time in which episodes are paused, rewound, or interrupted in any way.

It is recommended that all episodes be watched in secluded areas with lights turned off and met with as few distractions in the room or surrounding area as possible (i.e. quiet food, few or no people in the room, no music or background noises of any kind). But because this list is rather lengthy and would take two or three times as long to complete in such a manner (for those who wish to follow any, multiple parts, or even the entirety of this list), or worse never be completed at all, it is recommended that headphones are used when watching content outside of chosen secluded areas and done when not trying to accomplish other tasks as to get the most immersive experience from each show as possible.

——————————————————————————————-

Fandoms:

Game of Thrones – (Total run time: 3,784 mins or 63.5 hrs)

S1: 10 episodes (567 mins)

S2: 10 episodes (549 mins)

S3: 10 episodes (558 mins)

S4: 10 episodes (545 mins)

S5: 10 episodes (563 mins)

S6: 10 episodes (562 mins)

S7: 7 episodes (440 mins)

S8: 6 episodes

Total number of Episodes: 73

The finale (8th) season is scheduled to air in 2019 (Don’t miss out!)

American Horror Story – (Total run time: 3,858 mins or 64.5 hrs)

S1: 12 episodes (520 mins)

S2: 13 episodes (550 mins)

S3: 13 episodes (583 mins)

S4: 13 episodes (644 mins)

S5: 12 episodes (639 mins)

S6: 10 episodes (407 mins)

S7: 11 episodes (515 mins)

Total number of episodes: 84

Season 8 is scheduled to begin September 2018

Bates Motel – (Total run time: 2,141 mins or 36 hrs)

S1: 417 mins

S2: 431 mins

S3: 428 mins

S4: 433 mins

S5: 432 mins

Total number of shows: 50

10 Episodes per season. Each episode is about 45 mins long.

This series is complete

Supernatural – (Total run time: 12,067 mins or 201.5 hrs)

S1: 22 episodes (1,059 mins)

S2: 22 episodes (1,066 mins)

S3: 16 episodes (772 mins)

S4: 22 episodes (1,007 mins)

S5: 22 episodes (1,284 mins)

S6: 22 episodes (1,065 mins)

S7: 23 episodes (975mins)

S8: 23 episodes (980 mins)

S9: 23 episodes (965 mins)

S10: 23 episodes (973 mins)

S11: 23 episodes (961 mins)

S12: 23 episodes (960 mins)

S13: 23 episodes

Total number of episodes: 287

Season 13 is currently airing and will conclude in 2018

This series is renewed for a 14th season

The Walking Dead – (Total run time: 4,472 mins or 74.5 hrs)

S1: 6 episodes (291 mins)

S2: 13 episodes (579 mins)

S3: 16 episodes (687 mins)

S4: 16 episodes (675 mins)

S5: 16 episodes (696 mins)

S6: 16 episodes (750 mins)

S7: 16 episodes (794 mins)

S8: 16 episodes

Total number of episodes: 114

Season 8 is currently airing and will conclude April 28th

Season 9 is scheduled to begin October of 2018

Fear the Walking Dead – (Total run time: 1,637 mins or 27.5 hrs)

S1: 6 episodes (302 mins)

S2: 15 episodes (653 mins)

S3: 16 episodes (682 mins)

Total number of episodes: 37

Season 4 is scheduled to air April 2018

Orange is the New Black – (Total run time: 3,765 mins or 63 hrs)

S1: 729 mins

S2: 779 mins

S3: 766 mins

S4: 766 mins

S5: 725 mins

Total number of episodes: 65

13 Episodes in each season

Season 6 is scheduled to air in 2018

Sherlock – (Total run time: 1,122 mins or 19 hrs)

S1: 265 mins or 4.5 hrs

S2: 265 mins or 4.5 hrs

S3: 326 mins or 5.5 hrs (Includes one special; same run time as regular eps.)

S4: 266 mins or 4.5 hrs

Total number of episodes: 13

3 episodes per season (Not including the special).

Each episode is about a 1 ½ hrs long.

*It is unknown if the higher powers in charge of the series have decided to continue this show with a 5th season or not. Welcome to the Sherlock Hiatus. *

Doctor Who (2005 -present) – (Total run time: 6,530 mins or 109 hrs)

S1: 13 episodes (585 mins)

S2: 13 episodes (585 mins)

S3: 13 episodes (590 mins)

S4: 13 episodes (579 mins)

S5: 13 episodes (611 mins)

S6: 13 episodes (602 mins)

S7: 14 episodes (648 mins)

S8: 12 episodes (589 mins)

S9: 13 episodes (633 mins)

S10: 12 episodes (554 mins)

8 Specials which each premiere on Christmas Day before the new season (554 mins total; about an hour each)

Total number of episodes: 137

Season 11 is scheduled to air in 2018

Z Nation – (Total run time: 2,379 mins or 40 hrs)

S1: 13 episodes (553 mins)

S2: 15 episodes (643 mins)

S3: 15 episodes (634 mins)

S4: 13 episodes (549 mins)

Total number of episodes: 56

This series has been renewed for a 5th season

Animal Kingdom – (Total run time: 1,132 mins or 19 hrs)

S1: 10 episodes (498 mins)

S2: 13 episodes (634 mins)

Total number of episodes: 23

Season 3 is scheduled to air in 2018

This is Us – (Total run time: 1,548 mins or 26 hrs)

S1: 772 mins

S2: 776 mins

Total number of episodes: 36

18 Episodes per season

Season 3 is scheduled to air in 2018

Rick & Morty – (Total run time: 699 mins or 12 hrs)

S1: 11 episodes (247 mins)

S2: 10 episodes (230 mins)

S3: 10 episodes (222 mins)

Total number of episodes: 31

True Blood – (Total run time: 4,351 mins or 72.5 hrs)

S1: 12 episodes (639 mins)

S2: 12 episodes (645 mins)

S3: 12 episodes (656 mins)

S4: 12 episodes (654 mins)

S5: 12 episodes (640 mins)

S6: 10 episodes (552 mins)

S7: 10 episodes (565 mins)

Total number of episodes: 80

This series is complete

The Handmaid’s Tale – (Total run time: 513 mins or 8.5 hrs)

S1: 10 episodes (513 mins)

Total number of episodes: 10

Season 2 is scheduled to air April 2018 (Don’t miss out!)

Shameless – (Total run time: 5,094 mins or 85 hrs)

S1: 581 mins

S2: 623 mins

S3: 653 mins

S4: 638 mins

S5: 650 mins

S6: 650 mins

S7: 656 mins

S8: 643 mins

Total number of episodes: 96

12 Episodes in each season

This show has been renewed for a 9th season

Sons of Anarchy – (Total run time: 5,051 mins or 84 hrs)

S1: 686 mins

S2: 742 mins

S3: 667 mins

S4: 647 mins

S5: 668 mins

S6: 821 mins

S7: 820 mins

Total number of episodes: 92

About 13 episodes per season

This series is complete

Stranger Things – (Total run time: 859 mins or 14.5 hrs)

S1: 8 episodes (395 mins)

S2: 9 episodes (464 mins)

Total number of episodes: 17 episodes

Season 3 is scheduled to air in 2019

Breaking Bad – (Total run time: 2,971 mins or 50 hrs)

S1: 7 episodes (346 mins)

S2: 13 episodes (611 mins)

S3: 13 episodes (611 mins)

S4: 13 episodes (627 mins)

S5: 16 episodes (776 mins)

Total number of episodes: 62

This series is complete

The Grande Tour – (Total run time: 1,484 mins or 25 hrs)

S1: 13 episodes (782 mins)

S2: 11 episodes (702 mins)

Total number of episodes: 24

This series is renewed for a 3rd season

Jessica Jones – (Total run time: 1,348 mins or 22.5 hrs)

S1: 673 mins

S2: 675 mins

Total number of episodes: 26

13 Episodes per season

Luke Cage – (Total run time: 706 mins or 12 hours)

S1: 706 mins

Total number of episodes: 26

13 Episodes per season

Season 2 is scheduled to air in 2018

Daredevil – (Total run time: 1,411 mins or 24 hrs)

S1: 707 mins

S2: 704 mins

Total number of episodes: 26

13 Episodes per season

Season 3 is scheduled to air in 2018

The Defenders – (Total run time: 398 mins or 7 hrs)

S1: 398 mins

Total number of episodes: 8

This miniseries is complete

The Punisher – (Total run time: 688 mins or 11.5 hrs)

S1: 688 mins

Total number of episodes: 13

This series has been renewed for a 2nd season

Girls – (Total run time: 1,769 mins or 29.5 hrs)

S1: 287 mins

S2: 295 mins

S3: 342 mins

S4: 270 mins

S5: 279 mins

S6: 296 mins

Total number of episodes: 62

10 episodes per season (except for season 3 which has 12 episodes).

This 30 min comedy, drama series is complete

Good Mythical Morning – (Total run time: 16,651 mins or 277.5 hrs)

S1: 129 episodes (1,580 mins)

S2: 83 episodes (1,048 mins)

S3: 60 episodes (764 mins)

S4: 76 episodes (1,358 mins)

S5: 125 episodes (1,358 mins)

S6: 113 episodes (1,505 mins)

S7: 136 episodes (1,692 mins)

S8: 101 episodes (1,339 mins)

S9: 116 episodes (1,502 mins)

S10: 106 episodes (1,411.5 mins), (Includes one 22 min special)

S11: 111 episodes (1,415.5 mins)

S12: 192 episodes (1,678 mins)

Total number of episodes: 1,294

Season 13 is currently airing & will conclude in the summer of 2018

Season 14 will begin in the fall of 2018

*Season 12 onwards sees a format shift from 1 episode a day to 3 (15 mins or less) episodes a day. This series is on YouTube 5 days a week and followed by a sort of “after show” on GMMore. This means there is a total of 20 new episodes every week during the newest seasons.*

Buddy System – (Total run time: 322 mins or 5.5 hours)

S1: 9 episodes (132 mins)

S2: 8 episodes (190 mins)

Total number of episodes: 17

Queer as Folk – (Total run time: 3,979 mins or 66.5 hrs)

S1: 22 episodes (1,056 mins)

S2: 20 episodes (952 mins)

S3: 14 episodes (661 mins)

S4: 14 episodes (714 mins)

S5: 13 episodes (596 mins)

Total number of episodes: 83

This series is complete

OZ – (Total run time: 3,217 mins or 54 hrs)

S1: 450 mins

S2: 468 mins

S3: 461 mins

S4: 878 mins

S5: 461 mins

S6: 499 mins

Total number of episodes: 56

8 Episodes per season (except for season 5 which has 16 episodes)

This series is complete

___________________________________________________

Total run time: 95,946 mins. (1,605 hrs.)

Total number of Episodes: 2,998

Total days to Complete: 27 days or less

*The schedule options below can be used to complete any of the shows listed on their own. With that being said, the list is also organized for what I believe to be the best way to watch and experience the entire list (from shortest to longest series) and by similar content (if you like one show you might enjoy the ones above or below it). It is recommended that the Marvel shows be watched in the order they appear in. It is recommended that you watch TWD before FTWD & (some) GMM before Buddy System.*

Suggested Watch Schedule:

The Handmaid’s Tale – Based on hour long eps)

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 5 days)

· 5 eps per day (will complete in 2 days)

Animal Kingdom – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 12 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 6 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

This is Us – Based on 45 min eps (some may be longer)

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 18 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 9 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 6 days)

Sherlock – Based on hour and a half long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 7 days)

· 1 season (3 eps) per day (will complete in 5 days)

Rick & Morty – Based on 30 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 16 days)

· 5 eps per day (will complete in 7 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 6 days)

· 10 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

Stranger Things – Based on 50 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 10 days)

· 5 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

The Grand Tour – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 12 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 6 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

Jessica Jones – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 13 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 7 days)

Luke Cage – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 13 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 7 days)

Daredevil – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 12 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 6 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

The Defenders – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 2 days)

· Watch all at once!

The Punisher – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 7 days)

· 3 eps per day (will complete in 5 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 4 days)

GOT – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 37 days)

· 5 eps per day (will complete in 15 days)

TWD – Based on 45 min eps (many surpass 45 mins)

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 57 days)

· 3 eps per day (will complete in 38 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 19 days)

FTWD – Based on 45 min eps (some may be longer)

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 19 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 10 days)

Z Nation – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 28 days)

· 3 eps per day (will complete in 19 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 10 days)

Breaking Bad – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 31 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 11 days)

Shameless – Based on hour long eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 48 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 24 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 16 days)

· 8 eps per day (will complete in 12 days)

SOA – Based on 45 min eps (some may be longer)

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 46 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 23 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 16 days)

True Blood – Based on 45 min episodes

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 40 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 20 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 14 days)

· 8 eps per day (will complete in 10 days)

AHS – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 42 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 21 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 14 days)

· 8 eps per day (will complete in 11 days)

Bates Motel – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 25 days)

· 5 eps per day (will complete in 10 days)

· 10 eps per day (will complete in 5 days)

SPN – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 144 days; Seems like a lot, doesn’t it?)

· 3 eps per day (will complete in 96 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 72 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 48 days; That’s better)

· 10 eps per day (will complete in 29 days; That’s what I’m talking about!)

Doctor Who – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 69 days)

· 3 eps per day (will complete in 46 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 35 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 23 days)

OINB – Based on 45 min eps (some may be longer)

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 33 days)

· 5 eps per day (will complete in 13 days)

Girls – Based on 30 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 31 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 16 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 11 days)

· 10 eps per day (will complete in 7 days)

QAF – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 42 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 21 days)

OZ – Based on 45 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 28 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 14 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 10 days)

GMM – Based on 15 min videos

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 647 days; As if!)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 324 days; I guess a year isn’t as bad)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 216; You’re getting warmer…)

· 8 eps per day (will complete in 162; Alright, enough kids’ stuff)

· 10 eps per day (will complete in 130)

· 20 eps per day (will complete in 64 days; Now we’re talking)

· 25 eps per day (will complete in 51 days; How dedicated are you?)

Buddy System – Based on 25 min eps

· 2 eps per day (will complete in 9 days)

· 4 eps per day (will complete in 5 days)

· 6 eps per day (will complete in 3 days)

· 1 season per day (will complete in 2 days)

*(If “2 eps per day” schedule is followed, you will complete the entire watch list in 1,499 days or less – by summer of 2022.

If “Max eps per day” schedule is followed consistently and accordingly, you will complete the entire schedule in 328 days or less - by February 2019)*

{This watch list does not include movie or book Fandoms and does no take into consideration work hours, school hours, work/school functions, travel times, vacations, power outages, or any sort of natural disasters [which may disrupt, in-convince, or hinder the completion of this schedule] or sick days, holidays, or weekend days [in which you may surpass the quota for a given day or catch up on lost minutes/hours/episodes]}

!WARNING! ~ The undertaking of this schedule may result in: intense bingeing sessions, anxiety relating to the maintenance of the schedule [use this as encouragement, not a hinderance], loss of sleep, loss of hours or days, dehydration, weight-gain, weight-loss, loss of family time or other social interactions, the development of characteristics taken from favored characters or actors, emotional trauma, emotional scaring, desensitization to human emotion, sexual situations or gore, anxiety, antisocial tendencies or behavior, and may lead to further Fandom involvement.

~ Please consult your physician to know if you are healthy enough to undergo the partaking of this or parts of this schedule. To lose the hours of sleep or physical activity that will be required in order to maintain the recommended schedule. Do Not watch the shows in order to follow or catch up with the schedule while operating heavy machinery or while driving unless you are able to multitask or completely absorb the content without physically looking at a screen. Do Not watch shows at school or work unless you are willing to lose your phone if caught, surpass your data plan, or get behind on mild work. Do Not watch shows in place of extreme or important items, deadlines, tests/projects, or events at school or work. ~Please consult your advisor with any further questions or concerns as well as necessary altercations that need to be made to the suggested schedule in order to allow for a comfortable and enjoyable completion of this watch list.

2 notes · View notes

aspiestvmusings · 8 years ago

Text

QUINTIS/HAPPY IN S3 & FANDOM THOUGHTS:

Here are more thoughts on the fandom issues with Quintis/Happy and S3 of Scorpion. One complaint at a time, I look at each of the most mentioned issue, and write my thoughts

PS. Skip this post if you’re on mobile, and if you get tired after first paragraph...when seeing long babbling posts. This is a novel-length posts. Divided into five parts. Separated with cute gifs added in between. Each super-long part focusing on one of the Quintis fandoms main “complaints” about Happy/Quintis and s3. This post focuses only on the romance part, not on the general quality of the writing, and other issues. As everyone knows... I agree.. just like most network shows, this show has flaws, big ones, but those are topic of different posts, not this one

Let’s start with some Quintis cuteness - the top-of-the-head kiss

THE FANDOMS MAIN “CONCERNS” & MY THOUGHTS:

1. WHAT KIND OF A CANON TV COUPLE DOES NOT KISS ON SCREEN FOR HALF A SEASON? WHY MAKE A TV SHIP CANON IF YOU’RE NOT GONNA SHOW THEM BEING COUPLE-Y..REGULARLY...ON SCREEN?

um... most? It might not be to the liking of tv fandoms, and it might not be something shippers like or understand or accept, but this is how things are often done in network tv. And it might not be the best way to tell a story, but network shows follow certain formulas, and certain “guidelines” and tv writers & network execs believe in certain ways of storytelling (and just like fandom has a right to say their way is better, the writers have the right to think their way is better)

Anyone watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Enjoying the canon Peraltiago in season 4 and think it’s well written and represented on screen? How about remembering where we were a year ago and what happened in early season 3...just after B99 got Jake/Amy together in the s2 finale/s3 opener? That’s right - no on screen kisses after the “get together kisses” in 3x01...until the Christmas episode 3x10. And after that only one more kiss in s3, in ep 3x13...and then nothing until s4... episode 4x03. Only after that have the on screen smooches become a regular thing. A season after the ship got canon.

Same with on screen cute moments... which were pretty much missing/lacking in the first half on s3...according to B99 fans. I wrote a reply to to the B99/Peraltiago fandom back in 2015 about the complaint “what kind of a tv shows does not show their canon couple smooch & be romantic on screen for half a season” HERE (I’ve made it available for all to read) and it can be used, basically word-to-word for Scorpion/Quintis this year.

So...if even the shows and ships that are praised for their greatness do it, then why expect anything more from shows that aren’t as praised? And perhaps it’s wise to wait it out? Most shows do focus on other things for a bit after the ships are made canon... as usually the get together moment means there’s been more heavier focus on those two characters/the one ship, and the show wants to balance that out a bit, focusing on other characters, and stories for a bit after that... but usually the on screen moments “return” after a bit.

Whether the lack of on screen kisses and affection is deliberate for Quintis (in which case there is a storyline coming...) or unintentional (there just isn’t time to add those scenes, as they are not crucial to the plot, and unless it gives something - like marks the ships get together moment, tv shows that focus on the cases/work do not simply add romantic moments for the cuteness of it...) we will know when we continue watching season 3.

The fandom, just like Toby, might need more (more attaboys, more on-screen moments) and feel a bit neglected and unappreciated (by their fiancee, by the writers/show), but perhaps it is going somewhere? It’s possible that there is a purpose behind the things the fandom “feels” - the “coldness” from Happy, the “missing cuteness”... it is possible that all this is foreshadowing, and leading to some angsty arc... coming later in s3... as another bump before the wedding... It’s possible. But not certain. We won’t know for a bit.

2. WHY CAN HAPPY BE NICE AND FRIENDLY AND CONSIDERATE TOWARDS WALTER AND SLY, HER FRIENDS, BUT NOT TOBY, HER BOYFRIEND, AND FIANCEE?

umm... she is confortable with friends, and geniuses like herself. She knows how to be a friend, and its something familiar to her. She has always been good at being Tobys, Walt’s, Sly’s friend. The difference IMO comes from the emotional connection. But when Sly or Walt do something that annoys her, she will act accordingly... she will voice her opinion...etc (as seen in previous seasons).

It only feels so to the fans that she is more open with her friends Sly (3x11) and Walt (3x05) than her fiancee (Toby) in season 3. She actually isn’t. The fact that she does not act “romantically” during work hours (and we have not seen them off work this season) does not equal to no couples behaviour at all. And since she isn’t “hostile” towards him 24/7... and only during scenes which are meant to have a certain tone and purpose (babbling, sweet talk at work...etc that are always met with annoyance or death glare by her), then that does not translate to me that she is hostile towards him. I see all the behaviours as “believable” for any given scene/moment/situation.

It might not be liked by fans, but this is in character for her. Because she has certain flaws, and characteristics, and behavioural issues... and her remaining a bit “closed off”, and still asking for more “space” and for him to accept that she is not an open book, and she cannot give him as much affection as he’d ideally like, is in character. So are the “talking hands” (2x18, 3x08). No one is saying it is a positive behaviour, but it is part of her characteristic.

This most likely comes from the fact that fans expect the character to act according to some idea about how a person in a relationship should act, and what is the correct way to be in a relationship, and how one should behave towards ones boyfriend/fiancee/husband.. and that includes the idea that getting together with someone automatically means you have to become “part of the duo" as opposed to remaining yourself. When the key is actually for both to remain themselves and combine their flaws and strenghts. Somehow a person is expected to become the ideal version of a person in love and in a romantic relationship, abandoning their personality overnight - so the closed-off, bad-ass character with anger issues and bad at relationships and any kind of deeper emotional connection (remember: she has no experience, because her whole life all her families and SOs have let her down and that has left her with deep wounds.) is expected to become the ideal girlfriend, who throws “iloveyou-s” and kisses around 24/7...when that just cannot happen. She won’t miraculously transform to a cute, lovey-dovey girlfriend, who suddenly wants more PDA and less space... right away.

(PS. Toby, and his wounds, and his changes for the relationship are not the topic here, but they are also valid)

No, she has not actually been less friendly towards Toby. Because they are a couple, and closer in several ways, she feels more “free” to be more “herself” around him, too. But her looks towards Toby in 3x05, 3x08 etc are not annoyance or anger or hostility, as some see them, these looks are her "soft looks” for him.

And the show is more than just about the two main couples (about Quintis), and the friendships and team are very important, so of course they will also focus on those. And Happy/Sly and Happy/Walt (two most alike, due to their low EQ, etc) are important relationships, so of course there will be scenes every now and then...a few times per season, where those friendships are highlighted. But to assume that because they had one great conversation - for the benefit of showing also other relationships within the team - and the friendships - that this takes away from Quintis, is .. a bit silly IMO.

Happy can be friends with Walt and Sly, and at the same time be in love with Toby, her fiancee. Even if she doesn’t show it as often and in ways as fandom wishes. There was heavy focus on Quintis throughout second part of s2 (and also early S3 with the pregnancy plot), with the journey throughout s1 and s2 culminating with extra heavy focus on their romance mid-S2. Why not let other relationships, and storylines be on focus, too, for a bit?

Just like the 2x12 Sly/Happy pep-talk was for Happy’s benefit, the 3x11 Sly/Happy talk is similar...now for Sly’s benefit. And none of those friendship sweet moments take away from the Quintis romance plot.

Happy was annoyed, and snappy at Toby also in 2x11, 2x12, 2x13... if we look very hard... even if those eps included also the shippery moments, but the typical Happy was also present. And no, if you have an issue with her behaviour, you should have it regardless of other factors, so if you’re saying the behaviour is acceptable if there only would be also cute romance scenes, then you don’t have an issue with her behaviour, but simply just use this as an excuse to wish for more shippery scenes

3. WHY HAS HAPPY REGRESSED? IN SEASON 1 & 2 SHE WAS ABLE TO GIVE TOBY POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND AFFECTION WHEN THEY WEREN’T YET TOGETHER, BUT SHE CANNOT IN S3 WHEN THEY ARE TOGETHER AND ARE ENGAGED?

um.... yes, we saw several scenes with Happy and Toby “cute” moments on screen. Their friendship, their banter, their teamwork... and in many cases (1x11, 1x22, 2x11, 2x13) we saw her comfort him, hug him.. initiate the moment and physical contact. But... if we look as closely at the s1 & s2 moments as we look at the s3 moments, we see that many of the moments had the same issues that the curent ones have.

She has not regressed. She is going back to her old behaviour...in a way, yes. Returning to her comfort zone. But that is part of her EQ development...IMO. Her behaviour to me seems very believable for her character/person... considering her issues, and the situation...and everything. Just like Toby makes puns when he’s uncomfortable, Happy let’s her anger take over... a bit. No, it is not “healthy”, but these characters are the opposite of examples of “healthy” characters and behaviour. They are by their nature flawed, and their “shortcomings” are the very essence of this show. And of course it would be favourable if she’d stop “talking with her hands” and so on, but I realize that it will take time...

To me the difference comes only from two things - the fandoms expectation of her suddenly becoming more affectionate and less like herself just because she is in a relationship with him. And the fact that the s1-s2 moments were shown on screen as part of the get together journey (how each of Toby’ s talks or acts - giving her her adoptive file, all the “love” speeches) broke down her walls, and how she did respond to those moments... that were all part of getting her to make the step and not be afraid of commitment and connecting with someone (1x02 speech). But now that storyline/part of their journey is done. She trusts him enough to be open and vulnerable. But now the focus has shifted ta bit.

So... for me what seems like regression to some is actually her being out of her comfort zone. (she is doing that...for him...with the Elf costume per agreement with Sly, and the big wedding, etc) She might have gotten to a level where she let him in, and isn’t afraid of connection, but that doesn't mean she is good at it. It seems to me that she doesn’t know how to handle the emotional connection, this deep connection they have. She obviously has never been deeply in love before, or trusted anyone on this level before.

She is still giving him the same responses as in prior seasons. She just seems to be protective of “their thing”, and because of several reasons keeping the relationship outside of work (notice how in 308 they stop discussing their personal things - wedding plans - the second others enter? They clearly have decided to keep the two things separate) She is still giving him feedback, only instead of the prior...connecting via hugging a friend, or comfort hug in early stages of relationship (2x17), the connection they now share is more on emotional level. They talk (3x06 end), they are working on establishing an emotional level connection, and hence the looks and words are not accompanied with hugs and pats on the shoulder etc.

Remember the 2x17 opening scene talk (I have everything I want/you’re smothering me with the texts etc) end scene hug (hugging bunny tight) which was accompanied by the same unhappy/grumpy Happy. She does what she always does - tells him to take it down a notch, because he is going overboard with the romance and talk too much or invades her privacy too much...

Remember the 2x04 dollhouse scene? She accepted the gift, but still “threatened” him with a promise to throw wrenches at him if he gets something wrong? Remember the 2x20 sweet talk to which she responded with a death glare and reminding him that they have an agreement to not use nicknames at workplace. Remember 2x16 where they acted completely “normal” (with no hints of being a couple... that were evident on screen), yet were revealed to be together...at the end of the episode?

Remember 3x01 when her “I’m in love with you” speech was accompanied with "annoying tone” and before and after this she seemed “hostile”? Remember in all the other times in all the other episodes, where he went “overboard” with the romantic stuff or the “comments” and she replied with a death glare or annoying tone/comment or a slap or... similarly?

Remember that after 1x20 she seemed especially “annoyed” with him? Remember that after 2x17 she seemed especially annoyed with him? Remember how after 2x24-3x07 she seemed especially annoyed? Now try to find the similarity between these episodes/times. First: the failed date which in her mind equals him letting her down. The other time - his overboard love confessions and “smothering” her with his love. (yes, it is cute and all, but he as a brilliant behaviorist knows that she is the type of person, who needs space...), and the last time - the huge secret marriage - fake pregnancy emotional story, plus her realization of the deepness of her feelings for him. When her feelings get very strong, when there are deep feelings involved, and when there are very emotional events or moments in her life, she “closes off” a bit, and/or starts being “snappy” or "acting weird” (reading Quincy’s book in 213)

Just like Walter she cannot handle this kind of emotional connection very well yet. And just like Walt she gets uncomfortable when it comes to feelings. It was one things with Toby, when they were “just friends” and it is one things with “the team” (her friends), but it is a different level of emotions with Toby, her bf/fiancee now...

So... is it a stretch to think that while she was able to give him those moments (that she was simply friendly, without being “hostile”...as the fandom puts it) was because it was more of her comfort-zone? In 1x16 we heard her say to him that she needs time and he needs to be patient, in 2x04 we heard her dad repeat that and tell Toby to let her get there on her own without being “rushed”. And while they are together, this is still new to her, and foreign territory, and while her low EQ wasn’t as ″visible” in friend zone, it is now in fiancee zone.

Back then they were just friends, and there was no deep emotional connection. She felt more “free” and “at home” then, and it was easy to simply respond to her friend, and hug him as a thank you, and be silly and share looks and high5 him, and simply good around as friends...as their moments were rare, and those few were the times when she gave him affection (as friend). Whilst now their lives are entwined more, and she is aware of the need to respond more, and more accordingly

(she knows he needs more positive reinforcement, and she sometimes notices the moments...but she isn’t as good at reading people yet, so since he does not let her know that this is the moment, she misses the subtle cues... not because she doesn’t care, but because she doesn’t recognize them... but she does notice at times...like at the end of 3x11...and her way of making sure he gets his attaboys is provide him with a recording on her voice saying it...so when she misses the cues... in 90% of the time, he will still hear them, and in the otehr 10% of the time when she picks up on the cues..she says it herself...in person.)

remember... what the characters say and think isn’t always the whole truth. Like Happy saying that she cannot give Toby the positive reinforcement as much as he wants to because it’s not in her nature. When it is. Her words and signs of affection/appreciation might be rare, but they are real. When she says or does something, she really means it. Toby has just got to remember that. And remember her low EQ...as he knows very well that the transition from “robot” to “caring wife” is not fast or easy.

We know from 3x04 that Happy also believes that her parents did not want her, and did not want to spend time with her, their child. When that is just her perception of the things, not the actual truth. As we know her mom died, so she did not get the chance to wait for her outside of school, and as much as her dad wanted to, he could not do it alone and genuinely thought that she would have a better life with some other family..instead of the alcoholic he had become due to grief etc... But Happy sees it differently.

Perhaps the same applies here to the 3x11 talk? Perhaps Toby should appreciate the attaboys she gives more? Perhaps if he loves her, he should accept her as she is, and give her the space she needs, and the time she needs to catch up with him... on the EQ level and all? Perhaps it should not be only her who should work on her EQ and give him more of what he needs (affection, attaboys)..if she loves him...to show her care and appreciation? Perhaps he, too, should do something - and let her have her space and time, and not sweet talk to her at work, and respect her boundaries... if he really loves her... to show her his care and appreciation? OR... Perhaps it should not be about one or the other “giving” more and showing their affection/care more, but both of them doing it... a little, and merging the two and both trying to respect that the other is doing things differently, and be more accepting of that other way?

The difference I see is the emotional connection. And for Happy it might be just too much to give him more signs of affection... because previously their lives were not entwined, they just spent time together as friends...at times, but since Xmas 2015/NewYears 2016 things changed and they spend a lot of time together, so for her it might be/seem more than enough to show him her appreciation at home, and not bring it to work much? As we have not seen them in domestic moments in s3 (due to lack of time, because there were so many arcs and so much story to tell...there was no time to put up the apartment set... just for a few scenes...)...but the moment we had an outside-work scene, we got cuddling...in 3x11... even if they weren't smiling and cheerful. But perhaps this has no importance? Or perhaps it has a purpose?

Maybe this is leading to a moment like 2x18...where she confronted him about her issues - his gambling and how that make she feel, and why it is not good. Perhaps they need another moment like that, where he let’s her know how her lack of attaboys make him feel, and how he needs her to tr more (and is willing to teach/guide her)? Or perhaps this is all just leading to a moment, where all the things they possibly have not discussed... off screen... like the secret marriage and the false pregnancy...and their feelings about those events... make them both feel? The sadness, upset, grief, anger... that they have about those...things? Perhaps the “distance” is intentional, and part of a set-up for that kind of a storyline? It’s possible. Though not certain. If it were, then the scenes served an excellent purpose.

The 1x12 “thank you for the Christmas gift” hug and the 2x11 “winter dance invitation to cheer him up” were both special moments. And no, she has not always responded with being “friendly”. Most of their moments are threaded with him being characteristically himself (puppy dog, wanting to show his love all the time) and her being characteristically herself (tough girl with anger issues and very private nature, plus low EQ)

But if you looks at all the past episodes with the same keen eye as you do with current, then she is always telling him to “shut up”, focus, not babble, not be romantic at work (2x17, 2x20). The few times when she has let her guard down in public (1x10 and 2x19 sleeping on his shoulder, 3x11 fireplace cuddling) have been special moments, and served a purpose. They’ve been tired and it’s been a difficult or tiresome case/day...

Also... she has been able to, is and will be able to give him “positive reinforcement” (remember: Toby wanted her to say “you’re doing a great job, fiancee”...not have her kiss and hug him for everything he is doing...with the wedding planning etc...) She might feel and think she isn’t doing enough, and he might feel and think so, too. But she has...in her own way.

Just like her giving him his winter dance in 2x11, and the pep talk in 1x11 about Sly, and all the other moments, had certain purpose...for a particular storyline, so do the s3 scenes. The 3x11 scenes were a lot about her emotional growth, and about her noticing the subtle cues, and saying that she noticed and knows he needs more than she can give. As cute as the s1-s2 moments were, there was no indication of her getting his subtle cues then, or attempts from her to try more...for him - it was always more about her, and physical attraction... But while she cannot give him as much as he’d like and as much as she’d like to ... yet... she has a solution.

It was not about being romantic in the sense of thanking each other with a hug or sharing a Christmas kiss, but it was and is more about her emotional development, and how she wanted to give him a perfect Christmas, just like he wanted to give her one. It was about her going so far out of her confort zone, and dressing up as elf...just to get him a special gift. But she knows that while she can put on any costume or take any role (fiancee), she is, and will always...in some form, remain the same person...the grumpy Happy.

The purpose of the 3x11 scenes were not to provide the fandom with what is considered christmas-sy in traditional sense. The purpose was to show that she is making progress. Because while her gift to him in s1 was very good (a hat to replace the one he lost..because he loves his hat,,,even if she hates it), it was casual, and she did not plan it for days.

Her words about how she is not able to give him the positive reinforcement because it’s not in her nature does not mean she doesn’t cant to or isn’t trying. It’s about her acknowledging that she has shortcomings in this area. She is aware of them, and yet because she doesn’t know how to be anyone but the grumpy Happy with low EQ, she tells him that for now she can only give him attaboys sometimes...and he has to accept that, and be patient, and appreciate the quality, not want the quantity... It does not really mean she won’t in the future....or that she isn’t gonna keep giving him attaboys..when she thinks its the right moment.

4. WHAT A LAME CHRISTMAS GIFT - HOW CAN HAPPY GIVE HER LOVING BF & FUTURE HUBBY SUCH A LAME AND NOT MEANINGFUL GIFT, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE WENT ALL OUT TO MAKE THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL TO HER?

um... they both made efforts to make the Christmas/Holidays special for the other. Toby tried to give Happy the perfect Christmas so that she’d be less grumpy, and more happy. Happy tried to give Toby the gift she thought he needed - the attaboys. (they tried to give the other one the christmas & christmas gift they thought the other one wanted...but perhaps i’s not about a perfect christmas/gift, but just about caring...and wanting the best for the otehr one...even if things don’ go as planned, and gifts gets “ruined”...)

The keyfob might not be romantic in nature, and classically romantic gift, but it does not always have to be flowers, jewelery, and other “classic couples gifts” that are meaningful and most appreciated. And it did make him smile, so it was not meaningless..

The fact that she went so off her comfort zone - dressing up as Elf to get that gift. The fact that she planned this, and included Sly’s help...just to keep it a surprise. Just the fact that she notices things, and knew he’s read her if she made it herself, and the fact that she noticed a moment, when he wanted the positive feedback... is positive.

The gift is very them. It is a gadget, it is made of metal, it is also a “machine” (it includes her voice recorded and “put” inside the keyfob) It is also something small and silly, and fun... and Toby is fun. She is all about making gadgets and about metal, he is all about fun and goofy. This present represents that.

But also..why a keyfob? Why not some other random gadget? Why did the writers make it a keyfob? Perhaps a clue about an upcoming “move together plot? Because it could’ve been any random thing, but the show made it to be a keyring. I might be incorrect, but I do not think this was random. I do think it was a small hint.

The gift is also very considerate, because she knows and acknowledges her shortcomings in noticing the moments, when she should say "attaboy”. Her logical solution - since she cannot read the cues, always, but it helps him hear her say it - provide him with an alternative option, so with a push of a button he can hear her say it, and get what he needs. No, it does not take away from the fact that she should also give him the positive feedback in person, but until she is able to read the cues better, and recognize all the moments better, and give him as much attaboys as he needs, this is the solution.

No, until they were together, he did not “ask” for constant attaboys, and she did not feel the need to provide them either... regularly. They weren’t together yet and they didn’t depend on giving and receiving “something” from the other, because their relationship just hadn’t gotten to current level yet...

Also... her other gift - promise to keep the elf costume (no refunds, remember?!) was also her considering his wishes, and preferences and needs. The things she does for him might not be as “big” as the things he does, and not seen as “romantic” by the fandom as some traditional romantic things, but they are very important. Her agreement for the big wedding - because that is what he wants and what makes him happy. Her agreement to keep the elf costume because she knows he appreciates her in costumes. Her acknowledging his need for more attaboys and her awkward attempt to provide them...in her unique way... doing all these little things...because she knows this is what he likes and prefers, is important. It shows that she cares and wants to make him happy, and allow him to have his way... in some things.

(but when she agrees to one thing his way - the big wedding, she is not letting him also get a smooch at work, because after one thing his way, it’s one thing her way...in 308)

She is constantly doing things for him..in her own small and unique way. She is getting better at the EQ and relationship thing, and noticing his needs, and agreeing to do things his way...just because she knows this is what he prefers and likes. He allows her to have the “no PDA or sweet talk at work” thing, she allows him to have his dream of a big wedding, and her in costumes..” They are both trying to consider the others wishes.

And no, it’s not insignificant. And no, it is not OOC, or regression. This is very believable... for a character like Happy. As she does "put on her shield” when she is out of her comfort zone (and despite coming a long way, and having fallen in love with him, and being more open and all... in the past year...after getting together with him she is still the same person with the same characteristics) so her being seemingly more distant and cold is believable reaction and can easily be explained by the change in their relationship, the deep emotional connection (that is new, and uncharted territory for her) and the shift in their dynamic...

5. THE WRITERS/THIS SHOW SHOULD TAKE NOTES FROM OTHER SHOWS AND HOW OTHER SHOWS WRITE THEIR COUPLES!

Here are some of the examples fans use an examples (I am listing the ones I am familiar with & hence can comment)

5.1 NCISLA & DENSI

Yes, in the last few seasons (s7 & 8) there has been more of what the fandom prefers - more on screen moments, more development, more everything (despite the fact that because of Dani’s RL pregnancy changed some plans between s5 and s8). But the issues that fans have with Quintis & Happy currently are the same as Densi fans had earlier.

Kensi and Happy are quite similar - they’re both bad-ass female characters, with some "anger” issues, and they both like talking with hands, and both had/have a habit of smacking/punching their love interest when their goofy “boyfriend” acts silly or just needs to shut up and focus. Kensi used to “puch” Deeks a lot.. also in the early stages of their “canon” relationship - s5-s6, and the fandom had issues with that (especially the work related 5x10 punch)

Also.. after Densi was made canon - both after 5x09 (when they were forced apart due to the storyline created to accommodate Dani’s maternity leave) and after 6x11 when they went all in, the show did not at first show many of their moments on screen. Due to several reasons.

Kensi, just like Happy, is very private, and she had the same “rule” - no relationship stuff at work. Kensi also is not good with talking about “their thing” and was very closed off and a lot of what we’re seeing now with happy/Quintis is similar to what happened with Densi/Kensi a few seasons back. (Yes, NCISLA might have shown a bit more of the “talks” between the characters...on screen... and Scorpion has not done that as much... but the characters and the ship issues are similar. As the ships are also similar - bad-ass “tough” girl and goofy jokester “puppy dog” guy... who both have deep scars...)

If someone says that Densi is a good example, I think - since Happy punching Toby (playfully, though a bit too hard), because it has been established that this is part of her character and this is how bad-ass females with anger issues and psychological childhood wounds are written - is seen as bad, and Kensi’s exact behaviour is forgotten, then the same fans, who do not approve Happy’s punches either have a short memory (don’t remember how Densi was written, and how Kensi acted before letting Deeks in/until early stages of relationship...) or think that the punches/behaviour is acceptable as long as there are also cute on screen shippery moments, should ask themselves why they feel so. Both options are not good IMO.

Yes, Densi in s8 as they’re written now...is a shipper dream...pretty much (even though some don’t still understand some things, and see Kensi’s recovery plot and “rejecting Deeks proposal” as her being not nice to him, when that is very typical... for that kind of a situation... a person who sees themselves as strong bad-ass not wanting their loved one see them at their weak point and all that...aka the PTSD storyline that this show is currently doing...and that the fandom wanted for so long... and now when the show is doing it fandom doesn’t like it..). But remember their first fight, her “playful punches” aka how they were written in the beginning?

Perhaps Quintis will be like that in a few seasons...after all the drama is done and explored by the writers (we still have ways to go, and they can use Happy low EQ, the secret marriage plot and how that hurt Toby, Toby’s gambling resurfacing, their different “fire & ice” natures for more drama before the happily every after wedding and getting to the place where Densi is now.)

Perhaps, as differently as fandoms see it, writers should be allowed to explore some plots, and angst..before getting the characters to the happily ever after place. Perhaps compare the early stages of the ships not the early stage one one ship and the later stage of another? Perhaps that would help? Especially with Densi/Quintis, because there are so many similarities... because Kensi and Happy have the same core personality and issues.. pretty much.

5.2. B99 & PERALTIAGO

Yes, we have gotten more of the relationship stuff in s4, but after the ship was made canon in the s2 finale/s3 opener, the show put them on the background. And the shows lead couple did not ahve any on-screen kisses for 9 episodes after they were made canon (2x23, 3x01...then 3x10 Xmas), and they had very little romantic moments on screen in general.

The issues Quintis fans have with the s3 lack of on-screen affection are exactly like Peraltiago fans had a year ago. A reply I wrote for Jake/Amy (first half of s3) in 2015 can be used...word-to-word for Toby/Happy in s3. The fandom complaints are exactly the same, and the way the ships were shown on screen...after getting together...are extremely similar.

Yes, for the things shown on screen, and how the ship is written, B99 and Jake/Amy are a great example. There was tension, and drama, and one-pining-for-the-other while the other was dating someone else, and then the same plot reversed. But it was done in a cool way. (Then again, so was Quintis, cause both Jake/Amy and Toby/Happy were made canon in s2 of their shows, but due to Scorpion being more of a drama, as opposed to B99 an comedy, the Quintis plots have been more “dramatic” and "angsty”. But neither ship was dragged out for too long.)

5.3 CASTLE & CASKETT

This is a different story, because this is not an ensemble show in the sense as "Scorpion” is, and the whole premise/idea of the show is the love story between the two leads - so because of that there is more focus on their romance, and more shown on screen. As the love story of how Castle and his muse Beckett get together, is the central story of the show, whilst Scorpion is about the cases, and Quintis is just the secondary couple on the show.

Caskett has a lot of on screen scenes, and there were lots of on-screen kisses, and lots of bedroom scenes, and domestic moments, because the loft was a permanent set, and they are the lead couple of the show, and the shows focus was their love story. Hence the bigger, constant focus, and lot of shippery scenes. Even when fandom had issues with lots of things about the show, and the arcs, and the relationship, too.

The fandom might only remember the positive, and see the ship as a good example, but some of the issues Quintis fans have are similar to some of the issues Caskett fans had. Because just like in every fandom, there were also fans, who said that the writers are ruining Castle/Caskett.

The complaints between s2 - s4... when the characters had the timing wrong, and when one was ready, the other was dating someone else (love triangles = fandom enemies). The complaints in s4 and after s5, when the ship was made canon in the s4 finale... were a lot about how Beckett treats Castle badly. Yet another bad-ass female character who the fandom thinks is using and mistreating her so-in-love-with-her puppy-dog boyfriend/fiance/husband. With all the storylines when she kept him in the dark... up until s8 and the “separation” plot.

The fandom hated Kate and her behaviour, because she hurt Castle... and the fandom did not want him to “take her back” and simply forgive her, because she hurt him, and she needs to suffer for that.... the usual fandom reaction to every show, when the bad-ass female character does something that the fandom sees as not showing enough appreciation to the male character, who is so in love with her...

It is much-used idea on tv shows. Almost every show that has a couple with a closed-off, bad-ass, independent female character & sweet, loving, goofy, fun, loves-her-more-than-life male character does this. The woman keeps being herself, and not turn into the “guy” - meaning in the fandoms opinion they do not give as much as the guy, and don’t put as much into the relationship as the guy, and don’t show their love as much... and seem cold, and uncaring, and do things that one shouldn’t do to their SO (keep secrets, etc). And usually the fandoms side with the male character, because... you just have to appreciate the guy in love, who is so romantic, and sweet... and you must act the same way in return... because he deserves it...

When the whole point is... that the female characters has scars/wounds, and trust issues, and other issues, and is closed off, and the whole point is that it takes time for them to soften up, and become “romantic” in the same way (but not ever getting to the same level as the guy, because each character must stay also true to their nature..on tv... a bit)

THE END

Let’s end with some Quintis hotness - the kisses:

...brought to you by Team Quintis!

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