#and she even has a hero to support by her side as equals~~~~~~~

[deus-ex-mona]

tbvh idk how could anyone think hiyori’s calling anyone other than nagisa her hero, when she has already called him a hero in the past

[sunshine-tattoo]

Stuff for HB season 3

m&m relationship arc

while I think that ultimately they will keep the baby, millie and moxxie have a lot of stuff to work on first.

they married young and without knowing much about each other like their pasts. especially moxxie hiding his mob background.

this is their time for the relationship to evolve past the lovey-dovey gooey phase and enter something a bit more serious and with more depth.

they seem to be entering this already since they were able to voice some of their complaints about each other (moxxie watches too many musicals, millie snores, etc) during the sinsmas play fight.

but there will definitely be some angst and serious writing for them.

millie especially will be working on her dismissal of human lives as expendable in her role as an assassin.

perhaps there is a scene where she can't bring herself to kill a pregnant person/ someone with a new baby because she is going to be a mother herself.

octavia learns about what is expected of her as a goetia/ stolas's past

we as the audience have known from the beginning that stolas was forced from a young age to be what was expected of him and to marry/ produce an heir out of obligation.

but I think via has no idea about any of it.

stolas hide it from her because he wanted his child to grow up happy and carefree, without the crushing responsibilities he felt.

now that stella and Andy are in charge I have a feeling that they will be demanding a lot more of her, especially if Andy is looking to punish her for embarrassing him during the sinsmas fight.

honestly to hold on to his own power, he may try to marry her off.

this will allow via to understand how lucky and unique her life has been and how hard stolas worked to protect her.

im also thinking that loona will have a hand paw in this process too.

loona is a neutral party in the family messiness because 1) she is an adult and 2) she is adopted.

via is smart enough to know that loona won't automatically take blitz's side and if she does it must be for a good reason.

stolas unlearning his rich privileges

we have seen a bit of this during the month montage before Sinsmas but it was a lot of stolas being in shock/ feeling sorry for himself.

but stolas really must learn that even tho he had a miserable childhood and immense responsibilities, he also had WAY more of literally everything.

and that in order his level of power to exist, the rest of the hellborn (imps especially) must live in abject poverty.

Imp revolution

despite hellborn not liking stolas, blitz clearly is becoming a folk hero and his actions are leading to revolt.

this may be a season 4 thing, but I think that hell is headed for full on class warfare.

the hellborn will fight against the goetia and demand equal rights and maybe even democracy.

Ozzie and Bee will no doubt be involved because they have hellborn lovers and have always been supportive of the lower classes.

but the rest of the Sins will either be staunchly against or just uninterested.

barbie wire arc

we definitely need a resolution to her hatred of blitz and blaming him for the fire.

her seeing everyone praise blitz for his heroics will lead to a big confrontation about everything.

Anybody got other ideas? :)

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Last post you talked about your ideal version of canon, I was wondering could you share it with us? If not, that's ok

Oh man, I could go on about my dream version of canon for ages! I've talked about various aspects of it on here with stuff like my "sugar" posts on Nino and Alya, but the broad strokes are:

Serialized story where it's basically one large narrative told in chunks

A true teams setup where Adrien, Marinette, Alya, and Nino feel like this amazing, tight friend group who grows into a found family as they get older, giving platonic and romantic love more equal billing

No guardian order, just have it be a single-person role that gets passed on from person to person

Kagami and Luka in supporting roles that have nothing to do with being love interests

Sympathetic Gabriel who feels like a truly tragic figure, but who does NOT get redeemed

Emilie gets an actual character

No sentinonsense

Revised miracle box that is way smaller and that has strong lore

The Agreste's aquiring the miraculous is far more morally complex, makes sense, and was not done for explicitly selfish reasons

Reverse the love square right from the start and never have the crushes flip

I've talked about all of these things on here, but the one thing that I've only briefly touched on is my love of a reverse square setup. I am passionate about that one, so let's take a moment to talk about why since it's probably going to be the most interesting to read.

I don't hate the canon setup for the crushes, but also I don't think that they're the ideal crushes. When it comes to romance stories, you want to design your love interests around each other. You want them to feel special and like they bring something unique to the table. Canon doesn't really give us that. There's nothing all that special about Adrien that makes him feel like the person that Marinette would be drawn to above all others. Same goes for Chat Noir and Ladybug, but we'll get to them in a second.

What is Marinette's biggest struggle? Her role as Ladybug.

Who is her main support in that role for most of the show? Chat Noir.

Who is her main support on the civilian side even before the reveal? Alya.

So why is Marinette's crush on Adrien and not Chat Noir? I don't know. It's the lesser setup by far and that goes beyond just the logic elements of who it makes the most sense for her to fall in love with. A lot of Marinette's worst behavior actually feels justified in a reverse crush setup, allowing you to write her without major changes to her character.

For example, Marinette keeping a chest of gifts for Adrien is kind of pathetic. She's friends with Adrien and she gives her friends gifts all the time, why can't she give him gifts, too? Reverse the crushes and suddenly this behavior makes perfect sense. Marinette isn't storing up gifts because of overblown fears of rejection. She's storing up gifts for legitimate fears about how her partner will explain these random gifts, thereby risking his identity, meaning that she has a sold argument for waiting until the time is right (post reveal) to give them to him.

There's also the legitimate fear that confessing her love could ruin their dynamic and put Paris at risk. Keeping her feelings to herself is now an act of self-sacrifice and not just an act of nerves. Basically everything about Marinette's hesitance just makes so much more sense if it's on the hero side.

But what about Adrien? How does this fix him?

I love the idea of our male romantic lead falling for our female lead because she's bold and brave, but it honestly doesn't fit Adrien's character. He is surrounded by powerful, confrontational women. Nathalie, Chloe, Kagami, Amilie, Audrey, and Tomoe are all no-nonsense women who get what they want. This means that Ladybug doesn't bring something unique to his life. She fits the standard mold. Adrien falling in love with her after she talks down Hawkmoth doesn't feel like the right choice for his character because it doesn't feel like something he'd be wildly impressed by.

Meanwhile, Marinette is shown to be a generally wonderful friend. She cares about others and will do what she can to make them feel welcome and accepted. That's a much more unique thing for Adrien to experience. Think about the umbrella scenes and imagine if it was Marinette apologizing. Marinette owning that she treated him poorly and asking his forgiveness. How often do you think Adrien gets moments like that? Doesn't it make more sense for something like that to make his heart flutter?

We see Marinette doing things like making banners to celebrate her friends (Timebreaker) and making sure everyone feels included (Reflekta). Imagine her giving Adrien that kind of treatment because it's just who Marinette is. She shows up to his fencing matches to cheer him on. Brings him his favorite snacks as a treat just because, surrounding this poor boy in honest, genuine love and support. Add in respect, too, and he'd be a goner because those are the things that he's not getting anywhere else! The things that make Marinette unique.

This brings us to our new civilian dynamic. In canon, it's Marinette failing to confess in ever more spectacular ways as Alya tries and fails to help. In a reverse crush setup where everyone is friends without gender barriers, it's things like Adrien coming up with his canon confessions and then watching Alya and Nino react with genuine horror because, dude, you're going to give her a panic attack! No! Bad kitty! Stop that! No confessions until you come up with a plan that we approve of and read at least five books of dating advice because holy shit did homeschooling do you dirty in this area!

Then, while Adrien is working to learn how dating works, he learns that Marinette is in love with Chat Noir and, oh no! He thinks she's into his public persona, totally unaware that she knows the real Chat Noir and loves his dorky self. So he tries to emulate his sexy alter ego while Nino and Alya suffer and Marinette is just generally confused because she doesn't think of Chat Noir like that, so she doesn't even notice what Adrien is doing.

This also adds a nice mitigating factor to Adrien's unwillingness to give up even though it's pretty clear that Marinette isn't interested in his civilian self. If he knows that she loves him, then his persistence is less concerning and more comedic. It's not that he can't take a no, it's that he honestly knows with 100% certainty that the answer is NOT no because she's told him that to his face. He just needs her to realize that the guy she's in love with is right here, ready and willing!

The potential for comedy is just so much more broad and so much less mean spirited because Marinette has none of Adrien's reserved nature, so her friends would totally know about her massive "celebrity crush". Adrien comes over for school projects and just stares longingly at her Chat Noir posters, wishing he could tell her his secret, but knowing that he can't.

In my world, that is so much more fun than canon's setup where Marinette has no reason to hope. I also wouldn't draw the crushes out anywhere near as long as canon did. I like getting couples together in the mid-game. It's a nice early plot to hook you in, but defeating the villain is the end game, so we don't need to draw the romance out that long. Romance isn't that special. It's not all that different from an arc about two characters becoming friends.

That's far from the only major change I'd make to shape canon into my ideal version, but it is the probably the change that I love the most. It's also the change that requires the least context to explain, so there you go!

[longing-for-rain]

Do you think Bryke are creepy for saying that they love the trope of the kid having a crush on the babysitter and that this was the major inspiration for the dynamic behind Kataang? I know Kataang shippers are always denying that they ever had a sibling bond but it's basically canon.

Absolutely. It’s very creepy, not just from the motherly undertones it brings, but the overall dynamic.

I think it’s very fitting for Katara and Aang because the dynamic between them was never equal. Katara was always in a position where Aang depended on her emotionally the way a child depends on a mother or big sister. I actually found the moment where she and Sokka hug him and promise “we’re your family now” very sweet—and making this romantic just ruins it.

As for the babysitter-crush trope being explicitly encouraged by the creators, let’s unpack this. What is a babysitter? It’s a job where an older kid has obligation to look after a younger kid. The younger kid is dependent on the older kid. The younger kid receives emotional support and care from the older kid that is not reciprocated. We see this very clearly between Katara and Aang; she is constantly acting as his support system while he never does the same in return. I mean, he wasn’t even there with her when she confronted her greatest trauma; he just sat there spitting out insultingly moralizing comments.

This is just another example of the maturity gap in heterosexual relationships being glorified, honestly. Immature men are idealized as “cute” and “nice guys” even though their immaturity often serves as an excuse to avoid reciprocating the energy and hard work put into the relationship by the woman. It’s draining to be a woman in that situation. Because it is so close to a mother/child dynamic.

One final note is that the “babysitter crush” inspiration solidifies the one-sided nature of it. It’s not an uncommon trope, and a key feature of it is a little kid getting googly eyes for an older girl who just isn’t thinking about him that way.

Her lack of interest is framed as an obstacle for the male protagonist to overcome rather than a boundary to be respected. It’s simply expected of her that she’ll eventually “see the light” and give him a chance if he’s a good enough hero, wins against the Bad Guy, etc. It’s appealing to a young male audience because it gives them the idea that if they work hard enough, that hot older girl they fantasize about will finally notice them. That’s exactly what kataang is.

[rogueslove]

Relationship Profile: Rogue and Gambit

A brief history: they met when he was relatively new to the team and she had just rejoined the team after her extensive time in the Savage Land and Muir Island. There was immediate chemistry between the two southerners, but it was hampered by her lack of control over her powers and distrust and his untrustworthiness. Because of these problems they were on and off for many years, but through much of it they remained close friends even when they were not officially together. When Rogue finally had control over her powers, she wanted to experience life and relationships beyond him, which he supported. Once she had done that, they reconnected once again and we're married. They have been married for several years with no serious issues coming between them.

Why Rogue likes Gambit: The Cajun is undoubtedly a smooth-talking, handsome devil, who made her swoon when he first came into her life. Remy became more romantic and sincere as time went on. While his checkered past was often a hindrance to their relationship, Rogue saw that he was trying to be a better man, which resonated with her. He is an incredibly supportive partner and her best friend.

Why Gambit likes Rogue: Her flirty, fun nature initially drew Remy to Rogue. The fact that she had become a true hero despite her villainous start gave him hope for himself and he found himself wanting to be worthy of her, and thus becoming a better person. It is a combination of her inner strength, resilient spirit, loyalty, and kindness, that makes her attractive to him.

Why it works: they both started out on the wrong side of the wall, but they are both constantly trying to redeem themselves and help the world around them. They both have a very fun-loving side in opposition to the serious situations they often find themselves in. Over the years, they have come clean to one another about their pasts and their own complicated feelings, so they are able to share true intimacy. They share similar goals, hopes, and joys. So far, their marriage has been one of two equally independent yet loving supportive people.

Where there are issues: Gambit finds himself half in the world of heroes and half in the world of thieves. He tries to straddle both worlds, but this may cause serious problems in the future, as it has in the past.  He also has had issues with honesty, which has been a source of contention between the two several times. When Rogue is placed in a leadership position, as she is currently, she can have a difficult time of it and lash out.

[batbabydamian]

so, Batman #147… rambling about the difference in how Zdarsky portrays the two current Robins

this is a fantastic run for Tim, and very much written like a return to form of what plenty consider the best dynamic duo, but even more so "the best Robin". once Damian's introduced in this run, Zdarsky really makes sure you still know that lol

1. "We don't need anyone else" VS "I need my family"

#147 clearly exemplifies the contrast, so i'll go through it first. Damian, having fallen for Zurr's lie and accepted him as the real Bruce, goes so far as to say in the very first page "We don't need anyone else." it's cold colors, machinery, and hollow declarations of "father and son" for these two.

towards the ending, Tim has deduced where the real Bruce is hiding and brings him food expecting Bruce's knack for self-neglect. it's all warmth, sunshine, and mutual understanding - also a cute back and forth of "Batman and Robin" between them. on top of this, where Damian isolates Batman & Robin from family, Tim is the one to remind Bruce about "helping each other." Bruce heartily agrees with "I need my family" for a weighty end.

along with this parallel, from #138 Tim makes it clear that even in opposition, he's only ever trying to help Bruce. Damian was still on the wrong side with Zurr-induced-Bruce here at the time too 😭

2. Tim's independence as both a hero and partner

Tim is written as the ideal Robin to Bruce's Batman, and has made Robin its own independent hero on equal footing rather than a sidekick - it's made in statements by both Tim and Bruce, and through the entire narrative. he takes initiative and tries to foresee what would ultimately help Bruce. beyond being great partners, there's many bits showing their emotional connection ("i'm scared of being lost, but i'm more scared of losing you, Bruce" hit me like a bag of bricks). tbh this almost could be a Batman and Robin run lol

added the first panel from #126 of Tim declaring he's his own hero outside of Bruce, proven plenty especially in his backups in #131-134!! the other panels are a few highlights from #128, #130, and #135 of the partnership between Tim and Bruce

granted it's Zurr, but Damian is mostly seen following orders and given pensive looking panels when there's something concerning. While Tim continued to represent Batman's ideals during his own solo quest to find Bruce, Damian doesn't question or take action against "Bruce's" sudden shift in ethics

Batman #134 Backup - Tim showing support toward Toyman VS Batman #146 - Zurr and Damian confront Harley as she pleads about her change of heart

another kiinda parallel in #147 is Bruce acknowledging Tim's hard work to become Robin compared to Damian who's out here going Batman and Robin/Father and Son. i don't think it's an intended parallel but just the state of continuing to show Tim in a better light - Tim put in the effort "to become the second-best Robin" while Damian is Robin because..."son." supposedly less effort on his part too, because LOA.

second pic is from Batman/Catwoman The Gotham War: Scorched Earth, felt fitting to add since Tim mentions needing to "know everything" in both. and the humble brag. which ofc Tim believes Dick is the best!! but also. jic we didn't know Tim is the best current Robin sdfgh

3. Damian's blind loyalty as "Bruce's son"

there's a weight to the Robin title when regarding Tim, whereas Damian's "Robin" role is excess and counterintuitive. he's delegated to desperate sidekick to Bruce, as well as becoming an obstacle to the family. being Robin only seems significant to Damian in how it ties himself to his father, and his single Robin quality is a loyalty that's been written to an extreme fault. the only positive angle i could see this in is Zdarsky aiming to put Damian in a sympathetic light in how far Damian was willing to fall to stay by his father's side, hence, fooled by that nightmare story/confession. the problem with this is that we have not seen a single emotional connection between the two in this run, so why should we care about that relationship.

also, Damian constantly bringing up his position as Bruce's son just makes him look entitled? since Bruce rightfully expressed his claim of having the others as his sons too (with the unfortunate exclusion of his daughter)! so it's like a "lol you're not that special" vibe when looking at it from the outside?? ykw concerning #138, Damian saying "You're the one trying to destroy my father" also could have been in contrast to Tim saying "We'll help our dad" at the end.

Zdarsky seems to believe the only meaningful part of Damian being Robin is he's the son of Bruce, and not a single nod to any noble aspect Damian's achieved beyond that. we're constantly reminded of Tim's greatest hits as Robin, from taking on the mantle to pull Bruce out of darkness (#135, #138), mastermind a whole takedown (Gotham War: Scorched Earth), and always being on the same wavelength with Bruce etc. the entire run sings Tim's praise, and it's deserved!! my problem is how it's in stark contrast to Damian's portrayal of being the other Robin who's only special because he believes he's the greatest son and wants to be at Bruce's side.

so all this to say, if your fav is Tim YOU'RE EATING WELL!! personally as a chronic enjoyer of things, this has been an entertaining run! as a chronic enjoyer of Damian, it's definitely not for many of his fans at this point in time.

i did like this part!! his grin!!

[acourtofthought]

Being told I'm crazy for believing in the possibility of Elucien when there is nothing to support their ship will never get old.

You're telling me that the typical fantasy book scenario of a female fighting her destiny, a destiny which includes a male who broke free of magical shackles to be by her side is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who was willing to play the game of the High Lady of the Night Court just to make sure she was safe is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who was willing to fight his way across Courts without his magic and enter into the unknown lands of the most powerful High Lord in all of Prythian to see her is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who was devastated to see the depressed state Elain was in, who could not stop from thinking of ways to try to help her, is that not a valid reason to believe in their potential?.

A male who believed in her visions enough to risk his life (once again for her, how many times has it been now?) to travel on his own to the continent to try to find Vassa and bring back an army to help them win the war is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who ran from the shore covered in the blood of others to make sure she was safe after the war is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who the author had meet her father (the ONLY male love interest to do so) to know that he was a good man is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who made sure to give Elain credit for the KILLING BLOW that stopped the King of Hybern is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who was honored at her invite to come back to Velaris is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who never once got angry at Elain after he moved to Velaris and saw she was still struggling with the loss of Graysen and her human life. Where she pulled away from him because of it.

A male who has remained loyal to her and only her ever since their bond snapped, who looks at her and only her with longing after two years is not a reason to believe in their potential?

A male who thinks she is the most beautiful female he'd ever seen is not a reason to believe in their potential?

A male who is as at home in nature as is she is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who tries to avoid violence as does she is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

A male who is as good at talking to others as she is is not a valid reason to believe in their potential?

"But Elain does not want him!"

And Elizabeth did not want Darcy.

And Claire did not want Jamie.

Am I supposed to honestly believe their current state means things can't turn around in their own book?

Nothing is a guarantee but some need to stop acting clueless, like the reluctant lovers trope hasn't been done before many times over and ended with a HEA for the couple.

Lucien, an extremely important and intelligent side character since book 1 was not written by SJM to be "the nice guy friend not taking the hint that his mate wants to reject their bond so he continues sticking around even though it makes her uncomfortable."

Lucien, future High Lord of Prythian, was written by SJM to be the hero of the story who gets the girl because of his complete and utter devotion to her, who has been nothing but sheer perfection as Elain's mate and her equal in every way.

[stromuprisahat]

Honestly,I'm kinda baffled with the whole "Alina made Aleksander feel like a human" thing. She never seemed to care much about him,nor about his flaws or vulnerabilities(other than his Death Scene,of course). Or maybe I'm biased due to finding Alina obnoxious and way too bland to be getting all the attention she gets(Genya switched sides for someone who never even stood up for her,Nikolai offered a place alongside him even after she lost her powers). Alina still deserves better than Malware's toxic ass,tho. It's just that the author painted Alina in a much more heroic light than she ever deserved,IMO.

Feeling aren't rational and sometimes they're stirred by people, who did nothing to "earn" such magnitude. Aleksander was in love with her potential and the novelty of meeting someone, who could become his equal, opposing him. He felt "human" as in like a person with their own wants and needs, instead of a personification of his goal.

Genya's betrayal will never make sense to me, unless she's much more ruthless than the narrative wants us to believe, and intentionally switched sides, ensuring a place under Alina's protection as the Darkling's victim (for which I would applaud, and so would likely the man, who had to almost cut his own leg off to support his story).

Nikolai... well, Nikolai's simply weak and afraid. Alina was the only remaining person alive, who was able to control the creatures he partly became, so his offer was likely grasping at straws. Unlucky for him, Alina rarely had empathy to waste on others even before she was severely mutilated herself.

I understand the frustration about the unfairness of it all. Alina doesn't do anything to deserve the reverence she's offered, she doesn't change a single thing about Ravkan situation, and actively makes matters worse for Grisha, yet she seems to be worshiped as some sort of the main Saint post-trilogy.

Her story isn't about an unlikely hero, but a passive figurehead, who has immense power thrust upon them, only to lose the physical part of it and throw away the rest.

[girl4music]

Never been one for “Happily ever after - The End.”

Always been one for hard work and a continuation.

But getting both together really doesn’t hurt because while it still might be a happy ending, it’s not the end. There’s more to come for them. More to happen. More challenges, more conflicts, more rocky road, more compromises and likely more sacrifices. Hard work.

Love is always hard work so I always go for the ships that represent hard work. Enduring through the drama and chaos together and coming out stronger because of it. It’s a constant retesting of their love. There is no such thing as “happily ever after”. It’s a fantasy. And even in a supernatural/fantasy storytelling, I still much prefer ships that represent the hard work. That walk through a storm and come out the other side dishevelled and stained but standing - and hand in hand. That’s far more romantic to me than any “happily ever after” ever will be because what it shows me is that their love is based on a constant devotion towards each other and not on any kind of reward that can be had in being with each other. That even if no happiness was possible for them, these two people will still stick by each other. That’s what love is. To still be around for them - totally devoted to them - even when there’s no happy end because if the happy end is all you’re there for, you’re not actually in love with them. You’re in love with an ideal of them. An ideal life with them. But that ideal life may never come to fruition. Yet, they’re still there by your side regardless.

Waverly and Nicole really go through a storm together and all the while they’re clinging to each other tightly shielding each other from the oncoming debree. They get to see the sun eventually and that’s great. But they know that that’s not what love’s all about at all. They know love is hard work and that it will always be. That’s what I’m here to watch. Not happily ever after because that’s not a real thing and I’m glad that it’s not because it’s not interesting. It doesn’t say anything about love other than that it’s an ideal to fantasize and obsess over. But the person you picture yourself in this ideal life with is right there with you now and you’ve got to decide what matters more.

That’s what WayHaught represents as a WLW ship.

Hard work with how their love keeps building and evolving through everything that they go through together - be it negative or positive - because what they’re devoted to is each other. Their love is not based on an ideal of what they could be or can get to. It’s there regardless whether they happily end or not. And all ships that represent this are worth shipping.

I mean just look at all my other OTPs. None of them represent idealism. All of them represent hard work. And none of them got a happy ending like WayHaught did. None of them end up happily married in the end. But then again - what WayHaught’s tying of the knot represents is not a representation of happily ever after. It’s a statement of commitment and compromise and equality. It’s a way of expressing and attesting to one another that the love they have for and devotion they have to each other will not make them ignore their responsibilities and obligations as Guardians to Purgatory and the Ghost River Triangle. As Waverly told Jolene. She can be a wife AND a hero and she will be and Nicole has to allow her the agency of being both. Likewise, Waverly has to allow Nicole the agency to take on the supernatural alone as the Angel’s Shield. They both have to put aside their worries and anxieties and fears of losing one another to allow this. And their vows to each other are a promising of that which is why I find their endgame so damn powerful. Because it represents trust and faith and respect and support and all the things a marital partnership should do but rarely ever is in TV art/entertainment sadly.

I cannot wait for ‘Vengeance’ to see for myself where the narratives for these 2 incredible individual female main characters leads from where they were left off because there is so much we do not know about them. What I would really want to see is how much they’re upholding their vows in their next adventure together. How much they’ve truly allowed each other all the agency of being both domestic AND heroic partners. ‘Cause vows are just words. I want to see the actions. I want to see the proof that they are truly as equals now and neither of them are being overbearing worrywarts because they truly know what each other are capable of and understand that their individual strength and power is necessary to fighting for the greater good.

That’s all I really want to see in this next adventure. The evidence that they’re truly equal forces in love and life and they don’t try step on each other’s toes because there’s nothing more unromantic to me than lovers that don’t let each other be all that they can be out of some nonsensical excuse of “protecting” them. And what you’re really doing when you subject someone to a “love story” of “Happily ever after - The End.” is you’re making them feel incapable and therefore, unworthy, of achieving an ideal of true love when an ideal of true love is not, never has been and never will be true love because hard work is the truth.

You know, I got into WayHaught long after everyone else did. After the hype of watching and shipping them died down. And I don’t regret that fact because I feel like I would have looked at them with negative preconceived notions if I was introduced to them at the same time as everyone else was. If I was watching them at the time they were a pop culture topic, I would have had my “they’re just a trend and nothing more” glasses on when watching their scenes together. So I’m quite happy that I discovered them when I did. At a time when virtually no one else was talking about them because everyone had moved on.

But now with the news of the return of them through the ‘Vengeance’ Tubi movie - I can join in the hype of shipping them and I will feel really authentic in doing so because I know that I do sincerely view them as a significant ship that teaches a real meaning of LOVE and it’s not just some pop culture fad everyone is obsessed with because it’s cool to obsess over them. There’s depth there. There’s substance. There’s truth. Because it always make me feel really odd when everyone seems to get it but I don’t and vice versa. But as I said - if you look at every single one of my OTPs or favourite ships - all of them are the same as far as what they represent as a ship. It’s hard work and constant devotion to each other because of hardship. It’s not any kind of idealistic version of what “love” is. It’s not happily ever after. It’s not whirlwind romances. It’s not even “true love” as a concept like in all those favoured childhood fairytale stories. It’s hard work. That’s what I choose to watch and ship and it’s what I always will if I even care about any TV love story at all.

[bnhaobservation]

Changing society even MORE in BNHA for a real PLUS ULTRA

So in my past post “Changing society in BNHA” I theorized that the change watching Midoriya fight was meant to bring in the society, was making it aware they should help their Heroes instead than just watching them. So far it still seems an idea that holds.

We see that the common folks as well as the U.A. first grades are all willing to help Heroes and are looking at the future optimistically and pro-active. They don’t want anymore just to be coddled by Heroes but helps them bringing them food, helping them to rebuild things.

But I wonder if this is really how it’s meant to end.

Midoriya wanted to stop the circle of hate, but until outcasts live, the circle of hate will never be broken.

Until people can’t accept everyone isn’t born equal and that’s fine, there will be another Heteromorph that gets abused and will become another Spinner, there will be another kid whose father won’t accept he like Heroes and that’ll be abused until he’ll snap and then someone else will take advantage of him and he’ll become Shigaraki Tomura, there’ll be another kid with parents that rejects and try to suppress his quirk and that will become Toga Himiko, there’ll be another kid ignored and neglected by his parents who’ll come to think they don’t want him who will become Dabi, there will be a nice man who, due to an incident, will become a homeless unable to find work until he’ll resort to use his Quirk to steal who’ll become Twice, there will be someone who’ll think Heroes just gain too much money while ignoring those who’re poor who’ll become Mr. Compress and so on.

And it was made clear that they can’t stop all this because they don’t really have that many Heroes and the refusal to stop and turn sides of Shuuichi, Tomura, Himiko, Touya, Jin and Atsuhiro in the story proves that when people are pushed too far it’s hard to save them, it might as well be too late, they’re just too disillusioned, I mean, even Himiko who regretted hurting Ochako and was touched by her words in the end chose death over living in the world in which Heroes would win because she knew that world wasn’t for her and Touya’s family reached out for him too late when his condition deteriorated too much, as for Hawks’ offer of helping Jin it came too late and at the price of abandoning the people who had been faster to help and welcome Jin.

Heroes were too late, they let things deteriorate too much, beyond the breaking point.

And they’ll continue deteriorating because Heroes more often than not step in solely when the problem is too big, when a person has turned to crime as the answer because they believes all the other ways had been cut from them (we’ll discuss in another post if this is true or not, for the sake of this post just let’s leave it as ‘they believed there was no other way’ and end it here).

Society has no plan to correct its shortcoming, Shuuichi’s book about Shigaraki Tomura is going to work like the old Destro’s book, it’s going to encourage people who’re oppressed by society to destroy it because there’s no way out. They might have kept Shuuichi alive but they didn’t save him. Tomura was his friend, now Shuuichi is alone, angry and desperate, plagued by guilt because he didn’t step in and saved his friend. It’s not just he’ll be jailed, it’s he still thinks this society wouldn’t accept him and for him there’s no way out to live if not destroying it.

So now what?

We’ll wait for the new Re-Shigaraki and Re-Re-Destro?

Well, there’s still a thing that Midoriya and Co. can do.

Chap. 428 brings up how Uraraka wants to suppress her feelings of pain for failing to save Himiko but can’t, mirroring how Himiko just couldn’t suppress her own feelings. The difference will be in how she’ll have her friends (or just Midoriya) supporting her. It also brings up how Midoriya, despite being considered a Hero for murdering Shigaraki actually feels bad for doing it. Fundamentally he hears a boy telling him that he inspired him by murdering the person Midoriya wanted to save, Shuuichi’s friend, by becoming an unwilling murderer. Midoriya feels bad but, same as Uraraka, he’s bottling it up inside himself.

People had been asking for the permission to interview class A. Aizawa refused.

However if it’ll be Midoriya and Uraraka who’ll take part to an interview and won’t just say the usual ‘oh, Villains need to fear Heroes, now we’re here, we’ll crush them’ but will talk about how Tenko and Himiko wouldn’t have turned into Villains if someone had helped them first. Shouji could help explaining how hard Heteromorph life still is outside the city, Shouto could explain the importance he had for him that Midoriya reached out for him to help him change his mindsetting and so on.

If we want to involve the adults, Hawks too could give an extra talk of how Jin was a good person and if they had helped him FIRST he wouldn't have turned into a Villain, Aizawa and Hizashi could talk of who previously was Kurogiri and how a side of him never died even if he was turned into a Nomu and All Might and Gran Torino might join to explain how they regretted they failed to protect Shimura's family.

Because really, it’s easy to criticize Tomura once he turned into a Villain, once he became a terrible person… but originally he was just a little kid who wanted to become a Hero and if people had helped him he wouldn’t have turned into a Villain and the point of understanding the root of this isn’t just to turn Tomura's story into a ‘sob story’ and feel bad for him, for the rest of the league, to give them a pass, it’s to stop the same mistakes from repeating. If society doesn’t learn anything from the tragedy of Shigaraki Tomura, that tragedy will repeat. Again, and again, and again.

So I wonder if this will be the next step in BNHA.

Class A using the League’s tragedies not to save the League’s members, it’s too late for that, Tomura, Himiko and Jin are dead, Touya is going to die too and Shuuichi’s life is likely going to be shortened by how he has more than one Quirk, saving the League can’t be anymore done… but others can be saved… if society learns from the League’s tragedies and help people not to become the next League, they will be saved and society will become the horde of ‘heroes’ the world need.

After all one didn’t need to be a Hero to save the League’s members BEFORE they become Villains, it was enough they were given a little of human warmth and care, the story proves it over and over that this is enough to save people.

But well, again this is just food for thoughts, we still have two chapters to see where BNHA is heading, if mystery guy will need to be saved by a titular Hero or if a common folk will be inspired by Heroes to extend a helping hand and SAVE HIM before he’ll turn into a Villain…. Or better, save him from turning into a Villain. For now we can only wait and see.

[raxistaicho]

Something I feel is key to any discussion about why Jeralt might have acted so severely when it comes to Rhea is his personal experience with the woman, what he thinks of her, what he feels he owes her, and what she did for him that she didn't do for others, including Sitri.

In the first support with Rhea we learn from her personally that Jeralt would likely describe her as "frightening" and that she sincerely doubts Jeralt would ever call her "incredible." She's also hurt by the truth that he never mentioned her. Jeralt himself wrote that he thought the world of Rhea, but there is also significant evidence to suggest that Rhea is not close with anyone but Byleth. Catherine's jealousy of Byleth, Rhea's admission of lonliness, and Archbishop Rhea's event in Fire Emblem Heroes all speak to intentional personal isolation. Jeralt was probably about as close to Rhea as Catherine was. They don't actually know her, just her authority, strength, and how she saved them. (Faerghus born. You do as your leader tells you and dedicate yourself to them fully.)

300+ years by Rhea's side. Garreg Mach has existed for nearly 1000 years. Sitri is attempt 11 at creating a vessel for the Goddess. (12 is a significant number in this game, as it also relates to the Nemesis having 11 Elites, 10 known and 1 secret, Edelgard having 11 siblings, 10 known and 1 step sibling, and putting Byleth at 13th for the vessels, which breaks the trend, but still maintains associations with the Olympians, bad luck, betrayal, and the Death tarot card indicating a need for change just like with Sylvain.) Thematic trivia aside, even at 1 vessel every 100 years, Jeralt was witness to 3 attempts, possibly 4 (Sitri) at using Sothis' Crest Stone to create a vessel.

We don't know too much about the others, whether their lives were akin to Sitri's or if they died at birth, or even if they lived full lives. Two of those options, and assuming Rhea got better at making vessels over time, means Jeralt likely met some of them. This was, as stated by Rhea, her mission after all. That and keeping Fodlan at peace so she could bring Sothis back to it.

Jeralt doesn't seem the kind to really give a shit about the arcane or experimentation in general. I doubt he knows what the hell has been happening the whole time he's been alongside Rhea. He just knows that she is something very powerful. He warns Byleth not to trust her, and granted this is right after returning to Garreg Mach after running away because he doesn't trust her, it's equally important to recognise why Jeralt went back after all this time. He knows he doesn't have a choice. Alois found him and clocked that he has a child. That guy has a big mouth and Rhea would absolutely find out. Refusing her isn't something within his power to do or he wouldn't have stolen away into the night in the first place.

He doesn't really object to what the Church is doing, he did it for long enough, but he knows that he's outclassed by Rhea and doesn't have the power to refuse her. That's why he faked Byleth's death and informed Rhea before leaving instead of just taking the kid and running. (We know Jeralt doesn't leave until after the fire has been quelled because he is the one to tell her the news of Byleth's death.) She would have stopped them.

So what DOES Jeralt know about Rhea and her experimentation?

Well, a big thing is that Jeralt is very aware that he should be dead. That he died in a battle as a young man saving Rhea from death.

Rhea says that Jeralt was mortally wounded, and we don't know enough about what (pure) Nabatean blood can actually do to a person to say either way if a person needs to be alive for the resurrection to work, but the Elites and Nemesis were definitely dead if that helps confuse matters. (I mention pure Nabatean blood to disqualify Seteth, Flayn, and Seteth's brothers. We know for a fact that Rhea is directly related to Sothis, but neither Seteth, his brothers, or Flayn state a definite relationship to Rhea like they do with each other, or state a direct relationship to Sothis as Rhea does.)

Jeralt feels like he owes his life to Rhea right up until the events with Sitri and Byleth. She did save him after all and Faerghus goes a long way to instill ideas of eternal loyalty to a ruler/leader.

He knows, personally and for a fact that Rhea can bring people back from near death. Mortally wounded. Something seen as beyond exceptional in a world where 1hp is fixed up with healing magic no problem and Miracle exists. It also gave him a Major Crest. Something Jeralt doesn't seem as very keen on mentioning and definitely didn't make him start acting like one of the Goddess' chosen. He likely knew something was up even then, but not what it was.

Coupled with 300 years of working alongside a woman who also doesn't age, perpetuates a history of Crests being granted by the Goddess, which contradicts his lived experience, and the knowledge that Rhea is essentially an arbiter on who lives and who dies even from wounds so fatal that Faith magic was a lacking intervention. He's probably asking himself...

Why is Sitri dead?

What the hell could have happened in there that the Archbishop of over 300 years, the Goddess' most dedicated servant couldn't use Faith magic to prevent? What happened in there that was so severe the method Rhea used to save him all those years ago wasn't viable? Why didn't Rhea save his wife? He's been her Captain for several centuries! Sitri was akin to a daughter to Rhea! (Something very uncommon.) What profane thing could have stopped *her* from getting her way?

Then there's the matter of Byleth's heartbeat, how they don't cry, how they don't emote or fuss, or anything at all. Not to mention the fact that Byleth might possibly have a scar over their chest.

What does "traded her life for" *actually* mean? He doesn't know about the Crest Stone, but he knows Rhea can do *something* to save a life. But why would that be necessary? The line sounds like the death in childbirth was the exchange, but that shouldn't have killed someone in Rhea's care. Not according to all the information he has.

She has to have done something. He doesn't know what it is, but Rhea made the choice to exchange Sitri's life for Byleth's and now she's covetous of the child, telling Jeralt not to worry and having them watched.

Jeralt mentioning how Rhea reacted to Byleth's death is also telling.

"Lady Rhea was in a state over the news."

Lady Rhea wasn't in a state over Aelfric's death, or Jeralt's. I expect she wasn't in a state over Sitri's not because she doesn't care about her as much as she does Byleth, but due to the circumstances of Sitri's death, it was a request out of love.

So if Rhea is known to be hard to crack, and Jeralt believes her to be terrifying, and Rhea believes Jeralt should think she's terrifying, what other "states" does Rhea have? It must have been significant for Jeralt to be shaken and Rhea to understand that reaction even from someone who thought the world of her. It's probably nothing as severe as turning into the Immaculate One. But Rhea just lost access to her mother's Crest Stone. *The* thing she needs to bring Sothis back. The reason she's doing all of this! Echoes of "give it back" ring in my mind. She definitely did well to not degenerate right then. Possibly because Byleth's body would still be in Garreg Mach, and then later when she realised the deception, out there in the world guarded by the man who kept her safe for 300 years and loved his child enough to fake their death. The same man who cared for Sitri. Rhea would have needed to wait for Byleth to grow up anyway, and she, Jeralt and Byleth have nothing but time.

Back to Jeralt specifically. The veritable necromancer in his life didn't save his wife during a childbirth, seems to want to keep Byleth close, which can't be because they're Sitri's child otherwise, why not just save Sitri, y'know? So Sitri needed to die and Byleth is even stranger than their mother was.

Sitri also didn't emote to anyone but Jeralt (Crest of Seiros), but Byleth isn't emoting even for him. (*Heavy bias* but the trigger for Byleth was probably the proximity of another Crest of Flames.) So his child is even stranger than their mother, maybe even in the same way as the other vessels he incidentally met over the years.

Really the only conclusion Jeralt can draw is that Rhea did something to Byleth and Sitri. Traded their lives. Something beyond healing magic or whatever thing Rhea did to him. Something immense, beyond even the baseline be already has for her capable of granting an extended life and Crest. Something that might have been the reason Sitri could never leave the monastery. She was unwell, but Jeralt is a very capable man. Byleth seemed healthy, but the Church didn't seem willing to let them go.

It's not at all a stretch, even with the little Jeralt actually knows, to assume Rhea did something profound.

Not divine. At least not in any way she advertises.

Did she swap their souls? Something like that?

Did he find it strange later in life that Byleth didn't manifest his Crest of Seiros? Even if he didn't buy into the Goddess blessing, he must know through sheer exposure that Crests are inherited and that the further the bloodlines get from those originally "blessed" the likelihood goes down. As someone personally "blessed" with a Major Crest, Byleth not having one is an oddity itself.

Maybe that's what kept him away.

Jeralt didn't just leave. He stayed away. He stayed away for two decades, making the choice not to return every time he thought about it.

This wasn't just about whatever Rhea did, it was also about what Rhea might have done to Byleth, trapping them in Garreg Mach like she did to their mother, his wife.

And he was right. He saw the writing on the wall perfectly. Rhea actually giving such a shit about Byleth's "death" confirmed it in his mind. Rhea did something forbidden (confirmed by Seteth in FEH) and his child was the subject. He's even still fearful and that's why he lies to Rhea at first. "This is not Sitri's child. I know you care about them being Sitri's child. This isn't about me." Is basically what he's saying.

Make whatever excuses you will, but Rhea wasn't not going to try and have Sothis brought out in Byleth just because they stayed at the Monastery.

Imagine if Rhea had been the one to hear Byleth was dreaming of the war with Nemesis?

That kid is never ever leaving those halls. Jeralt be damned.

I think Rhea is a fantastic character, she's amazing, third only to Byleth and Edelgard in my mind. But don't for one second think her intention isn't Sothis first, Byleth second. That's why we went to the Holy Tomb.

Jeralt wasn't irrational. Rhea isn't suddenly "right" because the ritual with the throne didn't work. We actually don't even know if that's the case or if Sothis just beat Rhea to the punch and gave herself up to Byleth before the reverse was made to happen.

Her intention to have Sothis overtake Byleth was the thing Jeralt was detecting. The feasibility of that act is secondary to Rhea's sudden possible human sacrifice of the woman he loved. If someone looks like they're going to murder you, you don't say "let's see how this plays out." You take precautions, and his theory was validated enough by Rhea's reaction to Byleth's faked death and was enough to keep him away every day afterwards.

If the ritual at the Holy Tomb had worked, killing Jeralt might have been the Slither's most colossal fuck up, because he might have been the only person besides Edelgard to have enough knowledge to even think about intervening.

Bonus Jeralt theory. Jeralt doesn't align with any nation anymore. He doesn't wear any of their colours. However, the closest match is the Alliance. Why? Well, Jeralt was born over 300 years ago and served the Faerghus military, however, his homeland very well might have been one of the ones that broke off into the Alliance after he had already joined Rhea.

Since he then goes on to live in Remire, Jeralt could be one of the only characters to have relevant ties to all three nations.

The separation of his homeland from the Kingdom might also has served to make him disinterested in the idea of sovereignty or the idea that Fodlan even has nations worth mentioning since they can just *change* whenever. Again, something we see happen in the game itself as Fodlan reunifies in what would have been his lifespan had Kronya not cut it... long? Either way, it explains why he does not care where he was from or bother to explain anything to Byleth, it's all immaterial if you live long enough. (Which also reflects Rhea's view of Fodlan.)

(Apologies for writing you another novel. I hope you don't mind, I'm incapable of brevity. I just think the idea Jeralt overreacted with the amount of context he had about Rhea's abilities, especially since he was 100% correct, is silly. Also the Crest of Seiros is The High Priestess and that's all about trusting your intuition, which is what he did, and he dies soon after he second-guesses his decision. Theming!)

Nah, don't worry, that was all very interesting! :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts and analysis!

[zinzabee]

Working on the concepts for each of the kids' nimpo abilities, and the first up is everyone's favorite boy, Baxter! Naturally, since he is the son of Raphael, his nimpo is directly tied to, and heavily influenced by, his emotions. But what happens when he grows up without any powers until he's a teen, because he's more emotionally stunted than the others?

Baxter is a very happy, enthusiastic kid who is equally protective of his siblings and cousins. He's always there to offer a shoulder to cry on or lend a hand with any task. Everyone looks up to him, as he is the oldest in the next generation, and is kind of the ringleader of the pack (though, just like Raph, this is a responsibility he shoulders but does not exactly want)

However, as he gets older, some of his family start to notice that something is a bit off... The way in which he handles stressful situations as a teen comes of a bit forced. He is sensitive, just like his dad, but where Raph is an open book, Baxter has the "conceal, don't feel" mentality (which he actually gets from his mama, Sharron). He will not tell you right away if things bother him, and usually covers up his discomfort/sadness/anger with a smile, or a pivot in the conversation or activity. This can make him seem a bit insincere at times, because he's almost too happy & smiley ALL of the time.

This irregular behavior becomes more and more apparent as things go wrong in his life as he grows up. Bad friendships, bullying at school, home life struggles...not to mention your dad being a big hero that gets injured and almost dies a few times! Baxter seems to just brush these bad situations & traumatic events off with strange ease.

It's because of this inability to properly cope with heavy emotions and trauma that Baxter does not tap into his nimpo powers until much older. And that fact, in and of itself, is a source of underlying stress for him. How can the firstborn son of the strongest ninja hero not have any powers?? His little brother, Tyson, can start using them within the first year of being born! And even Hannah eventually gains powers once she gets her closure with her past/origins. So both younger siblings get their powers before he does, and while he is genuinely happy for them, it does eat at him on the inside.

His breaking point comes when he about 15-16, and discovers that his girlfriend from school has cheated on him. Baxter is a hopeless romantic, and this revelation did nothing but break his big heart, and drive home that sense of not being good enough. The results are explosive. Literally.

Since he repressed his emotions for so long, when he finally does have his moment of weakness, his powers erupt out of control in the most destructive ways possible. It's now revealed that the main core of his powers are fire & ice. Red for heat, and teal for cold, as those are the colors associated with his parents, and the two waring sides of his emotional state; the urge to free his deepest, true feelings at any given moment OR to continue to contain these feelings and compartmentalize them.

But once the door is opened, metaphorically speaking, it runs rampant no matter how hard he tries. Baxter actually spends a lot of his late teenhood feeling miserable as he struggles to train his nimpo and come to terms with the consequences of his actions that lead to it being blocked. Lots of therapy and love/support from family is needed. He starts being more vocal when angry or upset the instant the emotion hits him. Snaps, then instantly apologizes and beats himself up about it, you know?

He is in his mid-20s by the time he feels he has full control over his nimpo abilities, and feels like he's healed from the years of holding everything inside all the time.

[zahri-melitor]

Okay, as I finish the era-defining runs on Robin, Nightwing, Birds of Prey and Batgirl that 2009 closed out, I had a solid think about who I really enjoyed writing these, because that’s like over 580 issues of material, annuals, minis and one shots included.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Tim’s Robin series:

Look we have to acknowledge Chuck Dixon. Nobody was doing it (writing 2/3 of the entire Bat office material simultaneously) like Dixon, for almost a decade. To ignore the impact of Dixon on Tim and Tim’s comics is to miss the foundation almost everything else is built upon. Love him or hate him, he’s all about the supporting casts and environments. Special shout outs to Robin I, Robin III, Robin #33, Robin #34, Robin #49-52 (look it contains Shiva), Brotherhood of the Fist, and Robin #67, among many others.

Adam Beechen. Gonna call it. This was a solid entertaining run. It also contains Bruce parenting Tim, which you know what? We all needed this. We DESERVED this. (Unfortunately the run is marred by Evil!Cass but there isn’t a single perfect run anywhere in Tim’s books). It has Robin #156. It has Robin #163.

Bill Willingham, #132-141. Yes, I am very specifically restricting this to a small chunk of Willingham, but this bit was genuinely interestingly written and contains the best material for Tim in Bludhaven.

I cannot be normal about Robin #183, thanks Fabian Nicieza. It’s just. Beautiful. Read Robin I, Robin #50-52, and Robin #183 back to back to back. I have, and clearly so did FabNic as he wrote it. This is what long form storytelling and callbacks are about. This is how you tie off a series after 18 years of material.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Birds of Prey:

Gail Simone. GAIL SIMONE. Queen. She turned the perfect pair (Babs and Dinah) into a trio (Babs, Dinah and Helena) and she gave the Barbara & Helena relationship the desperately needed work it deserved to progress it from a tangled bilateral deep dislike to allies to best friends. (I also loved them despising each other. Because the reasons on both sides were so meaty. But the progression of moving past that was equally good).

Chuck Dixon. Do you need inadvertently very queer stories about 007!Dinah and her handler, Barbara? Do you need Dick/Babs in your life? Do you want the queerest art anyone has ever drawn for Babs, probably drawn specifically as a fuck you to Chuck Dixon (Birds of Prey #21 my beloved)? You want Chuck Dixon.

They let some other people write this for fills but we all know it wasn’t the same.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Nightwing:

Peter Tomasi. There’s absolutely no question. The run respects Dick as the adult hero with connections across the community. It gives a Dick who has grown up enough to not just instinctively push assistance from Bruce away. It’s full of continuity nods. (I have to SCREAM about Dick catching the falling baby at the end of Freefall. Tomasi taking the falling/missed catches imagery and transforming it by: giving Dick the hobby of skydiving; AND letting Dick make the catch that haunts his nightmares? It’s a beautiful reframe)

Hello again, Chuck. Frequently heavy handed, repetitive in how much Dick wants his independence, but also full of Babs/Dick, teamwork, Dick & Tim moments, a properly rounded out supporting cast, and the origin of Dick’s escrima sticks. He wouldn’t be the same hero today without his now iconic weapons.

If I were going to nominate a third, I GUESS I’d pick out a few parts of Devin Grayson’s run, actually, and I give you #75-#83ish, #100, and #107-111. #75-#83 gives you the most interesting part of the Chief Redhorn downfall story and Blockbuster trying to take Dick’s life apart before everyone starts dying (and contains stand out issues #76 – Amy Rohrbach’s house being blown up – and #81 – Dick in hospital, Cass taking on Slade), #100 just does a lot of interesting retrospective work with Dick (even as it cements in Grayson’s Romani canon, and whether or not that’s good in your opinion is up to you), and I actually quite enjoyed the mob arc of #107-111? It’s silly, but also it’s not the worst way Dick’s ever punished himself.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Batgirl:

Kelley Puckett. Next question?

Oh you want me to elaborate? Puckett created our girl who can take on anyone and win. He made her vulnerable. He gave her her aesthetic. He developed her complex relationship with both David Cain and with Shiva. He gave her speech and friends and the vulnerability to desperately want to protect people and learn. Cass isn’t Cass without Puckett’s work.

Probably Dylan Horrocks? Horrocks is very good with emotional moments for Cass. He wrote the ‘loyalty to the Bat’ scene and ‘Soul’ and also the argument with Babs over reading, which I’m sorry, is still one of those moments in Batgirl that takes my breath away because it’s so in character for both Babs and Cass, even as it hurts.

[racke7]

BNHA's Societal Problems

I genuinely really like BNHA's world-building. But with how much fanfic I've been reading, I feel like I've come to an awkward conclusion in regards to it.

The Big Problem of BNHA isn't "evil bad guy". It's "society needs to change".

This isn't much of a conclusion (lots of people will agree with me on this point), but the problem with the Big Problem is that it can't really be solved.

Or rather, it can't be solved by having someone "punch a Bad Guy" or "do something inspiring" or "reveal scandals". These things can help, but they can't actually solve the Problem.

The Big Problem can only really be solved by a boring politician, doing boring-politics stuff with regulations and legal precedents.

Deregulate quirk-usage.

Not in the sense of "anyone can do whatever the fuck they want" (the Meta Liberation Front's ideology), but as in "if you have rocket-feet and you want to run around in traffic, you at least need a goddamn moped-license".

Because, despite what a lot of people might assume (especially in these days of AI-scraping), we have laws and regulations for a shitton of fucking things.

Uraraka wants to work in construction and lift heavy items? She needs to take a basic exam for lifting things with construction-cranes, because dangerous things can happen when heavy objects fall. Uraraka wants to send things flying up into the stratosphere? She'd likely need some level of a drone-license (because she will be interacting with "air-space"). And if shit happens? She can still be held legally accountable for her actions. Because that's life.

Will this solve everything for everyone? No. Obviously, a lot of people would still get screwed over either by their quirks or by people reacting to those quirks. But it would give the government a solid legal framework for regulating quirks in a way that is safe and reasonable for a society to do.

(And as the MLF proves, "doing whatever you want" is not really feasible in a society that doesn't effectively have a "slave class" attached to it, for things to be done to.)

Dismantle the Pro Hero Industry

Some Pro Heroes would likely not be happy about being turned into cops. But with the reasonable "we will give you an appropriate license for your continued work"-attachment, a lot of those would likely either split off entirely from the industry, or go into things like rescue-work, private investigations, or even outright just "being idols".

There are a LOT of different jobs out there, and considering how many Pro Heroes already have multiple jobs (Present Mic has three), it's not so strange to imagine that a lot of those Pro Heroes might simply abandon their role as "Pro Hero" and become whatever else they were splitting their time with.

And "legal enforcement" shouldn't really be in the hands of private citizens, because that's how lynch-mobs happen.

The Problem with the solution for the Big Problem

It can't be fucking done.

See, it effectively requires popular support, which it can't have because this is part of BNHA-culture and so would require massive public upheaval (because "everything works just fine as is").

It also requires a politician who doesn't care that suggesting these things is basically akin to suggesting that "the FBI needs to be dismantled" (with an equal chance of them being found dead), despite how they likely have "good friends" in positions of power over there (otherwise they would never have made it that high, politically).

Not to mention how any Villain-attacks during this is likely to swing public-support into the direction of whichever side promises to "protect citizens" from violence (which is what the Pro Hero Industry's whole fucking PR-machine is all about).

So... it's basically a bunch of semi-impossible hurdles, stacked on top of each other.

And it's a series about punching the shit out of the Evil Bad Guy, so trying to swing the story into that minefield of a mess? Good luck.

[mydysfunctionalvampirefamily]

Miles makes a good point, but poor Britta, this girl is getting anxiety problems worse than Neil! She's stretched so thin already.

Britta feeling like she is guilty of killing Pendragon! Baby girl, let me hug you so tight!

Also Pendragon being surprised is so funny, also it's because he is convinced he is the smartest/coniving/inportant person in any room.

Also yes they need to be allies not tools, exactly!!!

I mean I do see why Pendragon wanted the mass diablerie thing, but also I am with Johnny.

"he got the chance to be a hero and he didn't take it" so good.

Britta defending Pendragon, oh sweet girl.

I see something in him but I can't lie to you and tell you he sees you as people -> Britta this is a fucking red flag!

Then you must convince them. Damn Miles that is a tall ask!!!

Noooo NOOOOO no more breaking up the gang!

Is Miles actually becoming more human in all of this??? What is happening? You don't wanna use pendragon?? I get why Wynn gets very upset at that. Poor Wynn.

"You're drunk on him, Britta." wooof Wynn, true but still savage.

Neil trying to comfort Britta, he's such a sweet boy, even if he is a clumsy in execution.

Wynn sinking into the earth to try and escape her thoughts and feelings.

Neil coming after her though. (also Miles sending him after her again after he had stopped him first). Pressing his face and body into the grass to talk to her.

She said the places where they are 😭😭

She doesn't even want to say his name so the others won't know. 😭

Neil is doing a good job at the emotional support, I'm proud of my little anxious boy.

You know with his anxiousness and awkwardness and just einzelgangerness you would almost forget just how much Neil loves the coterie and Wynn especially.

Neil wants to use his "genie's wish" to cut Wynn's strings. 😭 That's love.

Ohh damn Wynn, 'they're playing to play a game with me, and you're one of them now.'

Joey isn't important to her 😭😭😭😭 at least she still knows it should be important.

He wants to care about the things she does until she can again. 😭

No! Not her first actual tears in this conversation at the thought of tasking Miles with caring for chaps. WOOOOF blood bonds, man. Fuck.

Miles having his eyes on the ball. Trying to convince Britta that she could try.

Wow wow, Britta please backtrack! This is not at all the direction I want this to go in. At all!

"that's an option, but it is your choice." Miles!!! Stop her!! Yes! Be more insistent that there are other ways!

Miles saying Wynn is allowed to be mad especially at him. Damn right, but also 😭.

This was a good talk between Miles and Britta. Much more equal than they usually have, the social strategists.

Uhoh! They can see who she is bloodbonded to?

Them hugging 😭

Aww look at all his badges!!! He's such a good lil ventrue!

FESTER IS ALIVE!!!! so... Now Fester and Neil can kiss, right? Just once? It would make him so happy!

Johnny, you better be careful, Wynn will bite your head off.

Lmaooo so Britta has to go tell pendragon they need a bull to go space out for a couple hours? 😂 Please let's see that conversation. That's wild.

I totally get Johnny resigning from the camarilla after this, but they all need to go. Miles needs him! They all need him. Just go full anarch dude!

Britta asking for a hug and Miles saying yes without any exasperation or unwillingness!

OH MY GOD!!! I had not recognised she had Miles's pillow to hug to her.

ANOTHER FUCKING BLOODBOND!!!!

Miles just not arguing it, as soon as Wynn says she needs it he just does it.

Also reciprocal bloodbond. 👀 What does that mean?

I do get Johnny's weird look, because Miles is not necessarily the logical one to talk to her, if you don't know her bloodbond to Miles.

Also side note I found the perfect way to describe the vibes I get of Pieterzoon (yes it is only after his death that I realise I have been writing his name wrong all this time. A fucking Dutch name and I still write it wrong!) and how pathetic he is and I wanted to share since I probably won't get another chance to: He's the kind of guy that is so eager during sex but comes after like a minute, then cries and asks if it was as good for you as it was for him, and then promptly falls asleep.

[my-mt-heart]

Some quarters on social media seem to believe very strongly that Caryl canon is coming. I want to believe them, but I see how AMC has clamped down on any promotion that features Melissa and how ten pictures of Norman are posted when someone dares to post a photo with Melissa. The title of the spin-off has a tiny subtitle for Carol which gets left out when reporters mention the show. To me, that looks like bad signs. It doesn’t look like Norman is our “ship captain” or even pro-caryl. When he likes stuff on IG, he does it to manipulate Carylers. We accept any little thing so they don’t give us anything more. Especially because people keep talking about how “we feast.” That’s not feasting. It’s Stockholm syndrome.

If Melissa isn’t featured alongside Norman in the credits, like the other women in the spin-offs, we should read that as a sign for what it is. Norman will never accept a shared spotlight. Canon means equality because they’re one unit, not a hapless hero and his sidekick. Norman wanted a showrunner who hadn’t watched the flagship! I think that’s because he didn’t want the writers to fall in love with Carol and her character development. There’s no urge to follow through on the “romantically coded beats” if the writers don’t know they exist. Regardless of what we think Melissa wants, Norman has shown us, again and again, that he is not on our side.

He used to mention Caryl in the early days, but something changed. Maybe what he was venting about in that podcast, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just that Diane is the jealous type and McReedus has insane chemistry, so he doesn’t want Caryl for that reason. I think canon is the real reason he “got rid of” Angela Kang. Say what you will about the Leah arc and her writing, but when you look at season 10, she was herding everyone towards canon. The Reaper arc screamed of Gimple and Kang even said that he rolled up his sleeves and got involved in season 11, so I think her plan for Leah was different and leading to explicit canon.

If promotion for The Book of Carol consists of Norman and other white men speaking for her and hyping things about the show that have nothing to do with Carol, please people, see that for the stubborn attempt to hold on to control that it is. These guys aren’t making a show for us, their core audience or even because they’re passionate about the story. It’s about keeping talented people out, so they can continue to remain employed.

Caryl canon in TBOC is very important for both Carol's and Daryl's stories and for gaining back fans' trust, so it's good if we keep reminding AMC what our standards are as opposed to celebrating crumbs they think they can make us accept i.e. at least Carol is alive, at least Daryl didn't get together with anyone else, at least Daryl and Carol are alone. What's also important is seeing Carol and Melissa promoted for what they are: invaluable leaders in this franchise. You are absolutely right that, so far, what AMC is showing us instead is that they allow insecure men to punish talented women and gaslight fans who threaten their vision. That's not a show I can support. I admire Carol and Melissa because they rise above everyone who puts them down. I love Caryl because they represent the light at the end of the tunnel. Gimple, Nicotero, and Zabel are 100% NOT on our side and never will be, but I need AMC and Norman to show me that they are. I need the marketing strategy to change starting this weekend and I need the show's leadership to change starting with a female showrunner who will treat Daryl and Carol, Melissa, and their fans with respect. I know you brought up a lot more to unpack, but I'll leave it there for now.

Side note: No one will be able to hold me back if Norman and Melissa aren't equally billed.