#and what an EXCELLENT gifset

[fippydarkpaw]

Rite here rite now but everytime they zoom on sodos hands the movie gets faster

[hopesallwegotleft]

Jason's expressions during and immediately after Joey's attack I'm very 🥺🥺🥺 about this

[dani-luminae]

Mara, God of Beasts!!!!!

*shows a hilariously low-budget giant snake puppet*

[camgirlkaminari]

hey my friends and i are watching the bnha musical where kurogiri is basically shiggy's vape pen but with glowing eyes (in real he's a smoke machine we think) and we were wondering what flavour vape he is? i thought you would know the answer to this.

ok so first of all, SO glad you came to me with this. this is so important. initially, my first impulse was to say OBVIOUSLY since he is purble, he must taste like grape. but then i was like no that's too obvious. too simple. perhaps he is blackberry. or funnier, watermelon breeze. or whatever. but I can't choose there's so many hilarious flavors he could be. my man is the reanimated corpse of a seventeen year old who is in charge of a bunch of unhinged 20 somethings, perhaps he is whatever Slapple Menthol™ must be. or, considering this is shiggy smoking this man, perhaps he is a clove situation: no tobacco, all spice (all the sigma males smoke clove.) eventually, defeated, i had to consult my crack team of scientists (goof chat) on this matter and it was very much a consensus:

he purble. so he taste like

[uraichievents]

UraIchi Week 2024

Monday, July 1st, 2024 - Sunday, July 7th, 2024

AO3 Collection

Full Prompts List Submitted This Year

(Click images to enlarge. Alt text under the cut.)

What is UraIchi Week?

It’s a week-long fanworks event to promote the Urahara Kisuke x Kurosaki Ichigo ship. There’s no sign-up, it’s just for fun, and everybody can participate. Completed works and wips are both acceptable, and any type of fanwork (fanfic, fanart, gifsets, etc.) is welcome. NSFW and/or potentially trigger-y content is allowed, although please remember to tag your works properly.

The ship itself can be written romantically or platonically, as lovers or friends or even enemies, so long as it stars these two characters together in some way. Poly ships are also fine so long as Ichigo and Kisuke are still the focus of the fanwork. And crossovers and fusions are also allowed even if it isn’t one of the given prompts for the event. Basically, anything goes, and the only criteria is that it has to be UraIchi-centric.

Posting:

UraIchi Week is hosted here on Tumblr and on AO3. For posts on Tumblr, remember to ping @uraichievents and tag #UraIchi Week 2024. For AO3, you can add your work(s) to the collection linked up above. You are also welcome to join the UraIchi Discord server if you haven’t already and come and talk about what you’re working on!

Themes:

July 1st, Day 1: i've met you before / i'll meet you again / this is the first time we've met.. right?

Time Travel / Dimension Travel

Identity Porn / Hidden Identities

“I've suffered from traumatic dreams of my past lives since I was a child, and I'm just now realizing that coming up to a beautiful stranger who looks like someone I've seen die a thousand times in a thousand different ways at a bar and asking if we've met before sounds a lot like a come-on haha no wait come back that doesn't mean I'm not desperately attracted to you please kiss me again” AU

July 2nd, Day 2: It's fact that killable problems are not real problems.

Murder Husbands

Ichigo is Deadpool / unbreakable / any other accidentally immortal being who is really kind of annoyed about it (because it’s boring, and he’s still young enough to be within his lifespan, but it sure takes the fun out of fighting).

All the times Ichigo died, he ACTUALLY died, he just came back. Every time he comes back, he comes back Wronger.

July 3rd, Day 3: Things I Should've Told You / Things I Don't Tell Anyone Else

The skeletons in your closet are about to overflow. Would you like me to tidy it up?

Ichigo is experimenting with self-expression, a hobby, etc., making up for lost time as a regular teenager. Urahara is always the first one (sometimes only one) to see or hear about a new idea.

“The person I trust most is you.”

July 4th, Day 4: Sword and Shield

I am yours to command, use me as you please.

Shiba!Ichigo and Second Division!Kisuke

Summoner/Mage AU: Paired summons who are good apart but unmatched together.

July 5th, Day 5: That One is Mine

Hollow Instincts / Feral Protective

Possessive!Kisuke: He stepped aside for Sui-Feng because Yoruichi was always master first and friend second and love interest never, and because Yoruichi wanted her in a way she's never wanted him. But Ichigo is different, and everyone soon realizes that when Kisuke truly wants something, he always gets it in the end.

“Death can’t have you. You’re mine.”

July 6th, Day 6: Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Some are born, some are made, and some decide being a monster's pretty fucking cool.

Visored!Urahara Kisuke AU / Vasto Lorde!Kurosaki Ichigo AU

“Ichigo forges a friendship with his Hollow in the Shattered Shaft” AU

vs. Gotei 13 AU: Ichigo time travels back from a future where he was chained to the throne as the next Soul King by the Shinigami.

July 7th, Day 7: Creator’s Choice!

As always, the above prompts are all optional, and you’re free to come with your own ideas. You can also find an excel sheet with all the prompts submitted this year linked up above, so feel free to look through that if you want, and you can also make a copy for yourself.

And that’s it! We’re looking forward to what everyone comes up with!

[woodswallow]

What are the Paulchard kisses that makes you squeal the most? Mine are LA 23sep22, Mexico 4oct22 and Brussel 5aug23! 🤍

Ooh, thank you so much for this beautiful ask! :D *cracks knuckles* Great timing, because I just recently went through all their old kisses...

Also impossible to only name one, very hard to narrow it down to three as you did (excellent selection by the way ;) - so I'll cut it down to four :D

Definitely on the list is one of their very early kisses from 6th July 2019 (Milton Keynes, UK, GIFs by @mrsfitzgerald):

This is everything: Cute, funny, a bit clumsy - and it still makes me squeal. It looks so unusual how fast Richard approaches Paul, also - with his forhead first?! Like he wants to do a headboink and then decides last minute for a kiss?! Paul seems a bit confused as well. And then both of them bringing their chin forward to kiss, that movement looks so sensual. Aaand of course, THE huge bonus here - Schneider in the back *sigh* The light highlighting him, he's watching - and the the smile?! This made my fantasy run wild. I love all three so much and this was a gift from heaven.

Another very, very important kiss is this one from Belgium 3rd August 2022 (GIFset by mrsfitzgerald):

I knooow that it's slowed down, nevertheless all expressions we see here are real. And look at that 5th GIF. Look at it. How soft Richard places his hand on that beautiful neck. How Richards bright smile slowly fades and for a brief moment shows this expression of...bittersweet longing? Passion? How he averts his gaze from Pauls eyes to his lips is just so...is this even real? And Richards face afterwards - he's beaming with joy! Pure bliss. I've watched this so many times and still sigh heavily.

Then this one here (Bern, 17th June 2023):

My heart is overflowing with love everytime I see it - because I have the feeling that Pauls heart actually in that moment is overflowing with love. This was totally unscripted, and it shows. It was a spontaneous reaction from Paul, feeling that Richard needed some sort of support (the "well, it is what it is" - gesture or Richard after the kiss kind of confirms this to me). It's a consoling gesture to me, because Paul is also caressing his shoulder and even came back again to caress him again. This kiss is SO unexpected, so hinest and real - and special because Paul took both hands to cup Richards head. Such a warm, caring loving gesture. Also there are snippets that show Richards expression - and it's soo lovely to see his expression change from "I'm totally cool" to a blank "??!" to that heartmelting smile. Also this has such a special place in my heart because I saw it live from second row and I screamed SO loud that everyone around was probably deaf afterwards. The two concerts in Bern were an absolute blast, first row the next day - mindblowing. And that kiss made my heart burst and still does <3

And then: YES, I totally have to agree - that last kiss in Mexico 4th October 2022 will forever live rent-free in my head.

This is a real kiss. So full of emotions, it could be THE goodbye kiss in a romantic movie when the couple has to seperate.

First, there's fun, playing around. Then the kiss, full of passion - and suddenly...grief. Pain. Sadness. I once did a lengthy analysis of this kiss (#kiss analysis ... you guys know this by now maybe ^^;). Richard definitely fights for composure here and it's ...god, when I think about it, it makes me so weak. It's surely because he realizes the tour is over and not because he will lose Paul - he doesn't lose him of course, he's his bandmate. But seeing his expression and how tight he hugs Paul and how tight Paul hugs back - good god, this doesn't only pull my heartstrings, it shredds them.

Best kiss ever, I tell you. Can only be topped by a french kiss!

Little bonus (not Paulchard, but also makes me squeal :D

(Brussel, Day 3 2024)

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Judith Anderson (Rebecca, Laura)— ICONIC portrayal of unhinged lesbian Mrs. Danvers!!! So intense and striking an actress whatever she was in.

Charlotte Greenwood (Oklahoma, Parlor, Bedroom & Bath)— Six foot tall QUEEN, super funny, and she was excellent alongside Buster Keaton.

This is round 1 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Charlotte Greenwood:

Charlotte + Buster gifset

More Charlotte + Buster

Charlotte dress gifset

Charlotte in Oklahoma!

she's tall and funny as hell, what more can you ask for!!! + she did a movie with short king buster keaton and their height difference is so sexyyyy

Judith Anderson:

[thefatedthoughtofyou]

Eddie Laughs At Steve

Saw THIS gifset and had another idea!!! Thanks for the insp @robinsteve ! Your gifset is so lovely!!!

Eddie always laughs at Steve. Steve isn't even trying to be funny. But Eddie will laugh. And sometimes it is jokes. But a lot of the times its the questions he asks, or the way he says things, or the way he makes sports analogies to kids who play dnd. Eddie laughs. Not always a big laugh, but sometimes. When Steve intentionally tells jokes, Eddie ALWAYS laughs. The loudest.

But it's the other laughs that start nagging at Steve. Especially the ones after he asks questions that make the kids roll their eyes at him. Eddie will chuckle, or snort, but after the laughs, whatever variation comes out of him, he will always ALWAYS answer Steve's question. In a nice way. In ways that Steve can understand.

They were behind the group once, all of them walking ahead and ignoring Steve's question and Eddie had used a goddamn baseball analogy to explain something and Steve had gaped at him. Eddie just smiled, winked, and jogged ahead to join the others. Steve was floored, but his question was also answered.

But they're alone one day when Steve asks him a question, maybe about music. About metal. And Eddie snorts, but immediately turns to Steve to answer him but Steve’s mouth is faster and he says,

"why do you do that?" And he sounds... hurt? Maybe a little. Eddie frowns, squints his eyes, had he done something?

"Why do i do what?" He shrugs, really not sure what Steve is talking about. His little laughs are just a reflex at this point, just a side effect of Steve. But Steve goes red, his fingers worrying at the knee of his jeans and he says,

"you laugh at me." His voice quiet. Eddie's frown deepens, he takes a few steps and sits down next to Steve, looking out the window.

"I laugh at you?" He asks, his eyes watching a bird peck at the telephone pole in the lot outside.

"Yeah." Is all he gets from Steve. He turns to look at him.

"When... when do i laugh at you? Aside from when you tell those excellent dad jokes?" Eddie is seriously asking, but he smiles and bumps Steve's shoulder with the tease, trying to get that sad look off his face. And it works, Steve smiles, shakes his head, but then he looks up at Eddie, all serious again.

"All the time. You laugh all the time. You laughed just now when i asked that question. Is it-" steve takes a sharp breath, looks away again, his hands in his lap.

"Is it cuz they're stupid questions?" The look on his face when he looks back at Eddie sobers him entirely. The look says Steve knows Eddie's answer already. That he KNOWS he asks stupid questions. And it breaks Eddie's heart a little, because it couldn't be anymore NOT that reason. But Eddie can't make a joke right now. Doesnt want Steve to think he's teasing. So he shakes his head slowly,  looking right at Steve.

"No. It's not cuz they're stupid questions. They're not. I like your questions. Like that you think to ask them at all. Means you got things going on up here." He taps his finger twice against Steve's temple, gently.

"But they're not funny questions." Steve frowns, sighs deeply. Eddie melts a little, he's got that confused face happening that Eddie can't get enough of.

"Do you want me to be truthful. Like... overly truthful? Like... you may not wanna hang out with me anymore... truthful?" Eddie rubs at the back his neck, watches the gears in Steve's head start moving slowly.

"Well... i can't really think of anything that would make me not wanna hang out with you. Unless you're about to be an asshole and tell me you lied about them being stupid questions." He grimaces a little.

"They're not stupid questions." Eddie reaffirms, frowning at Steve for saying it again. Steve nods.

"Okay... then yeah. Be overly truthful." He shrugs but his eyes are locked on Eddie's face, his fingers all tangled together in his lap, he looks nervous. Eddie nods, bites his lip, takes a deep breath.

"It's because i like you. I like being around you. I like your voice, it's nice. But yeah it's just- just that. It's just you. I enjoy you being near me so when you talk, and when you make jokes, or you ask questions. Questions no one else is asking, mind you!" He points seriously at Steve, gets a warm feeling when Steve blushes and glances into his lap.

"So yeah its just, i like the way your brain works. You see different angles.  And i dont know. Ive always kinda been a different angle kinda guy." Eddie shrugs. Steve bites his lip and then frowns.

"Why would that make me not wanna hang out with you?" Because of course Eddie had said that, and then not gone OVER on the sharing... apparently. Was all that something guys normally said to each other? He shook his head, hiding in a curtain of his hair. He shrugged again.

"Dunno. Didn't think you'd want me liking you that much... or um... that WAY?" and there it is, he's hit the overshare now, Steve's eyes widen.

"Oh." He says, his back straightening, like he's been shocked.

"Yeah. Sorry. I shouldn't have said-"

"No! I-" Eddie's eyes landing on Steve's face steal his words. Eddie widens his eyes, nods for Steve to continue. He huffs a laugh and rubs at the back of his neck.

"I just- So i was talking to Robin about it. You laughing at me. And she said it might be... because you like me. But i mean i never- i never thought you'd actually like me back. Im definitely not your type." Steve laughs again, shakes his head. Eddie is on his feet instantly, his hands flailing as he turns to look at Steve, his big doe eyes even wider in suprise at Eddie's sudden movements.

"Im sorry lemme just rewind that for a second. Did you say... like you back?" Steve just nods, his suprise giving way to a sickening fondness that Eddie has somehow just fucking NOT NOTICED this whole time. Eddie drops his hands to his sides with a huff.

"Well fuck." He breathes, his fingers twitch at his sides as Steve smiles up at him, gets to his feets slowly and moves to stand in front of Eddie.

"I mean, we could definitely work up to that, yeah." Steve presses his lips together when Eddie groans and covers his face with hands, his arms moving further after he rubs at his face to cover his head. His shoulders are shaking, he's hiding giggles in his arms but what Steve can see of his neck is bright red.

Steve laughs too, pulls at Eddie's arms and hands until he can move in. He wraps his arms around Eddie and holds him close, nuzzles into his shoulder, deeper into the hug as Eddie grabs at him, pulling at his sweater to get him closer, he's still giggling, right into Steve's neck now and it's the best fucking thing. Steve rubs his back, hands moving slowly and says,

"sorry. I couldn't resist" the snort that leaves Eddie before he tumbles into another fit of giggles as Steve holds him close is the best sound Steve's ever heard.

[sourceblogcentral]

It's always a shame when you put hours of effort into a gifset, only for it to get 60 notes. And now, as people are reblogging less and less, the success of your gifset relies even more on using tags effectively to expose it to the maximum number of people possible.

Of course, at the end of the day, you should create for you, not notes, but that doesn't stop it from hurting. So, without further ado:

Guide to Tagging Gifsets

There are three main categories of tag, which I'll explain one at a time: fandom tags, sourceblog tags, and user tags. But it's key to remember only the first 20 tags are searched for; tags after that are irrelevant. So make sure every tag counts. It's also a good idea to visit a tag before you use it; if there's hardly any posts in that tag, it's probably not worth including.

Fandom (edit) Tags

Tags relevant to each fandom. I'll use Marvel as an example:

#tvedit, #filmedit, #[genre]edit, eg. #scifiedit

#[fandom]edit, eg. #marveledit, #mcuedit. Sometimes uses an abbrievation, particularly if the name of the fandom is quite long

#[show/tv]edit, eg. #infinitywaredit, #wandavisionedit. Only relevant if the fandom had multiple pieces of media.

#[character]edit, eg. #natasharomanoffedit. Mainly applicable to larger fandoms.

#[ship]edit, eg. #sambuckyedit. Mainly applicable to larger fandoms.

#[actor]edit. Note that this is sometimes the full name, sometimes first-initial-followed-by-surname. Check the tags to find the relevant one.

There are, of course, other types, but these are the main ones. It's a good idea to use these ones before tracked tags, as it makes it easier for people to find the content they're looking for.

Sourceblog Tags

A sourceblog is a blog dedicated to one fandom/character/genre etc, usually run by multiple people. Their main purpose is collecting every relevant post for whatever it's dedicated to, in one place for easy access.

They usually have names including 'source', 'daily', 'gifs', or 'edits'

Most sourceblogs have a tracked tag, often the name of the blog, and may also track the main edit tag. In that case, you may not need to bother tagging the sourceblog as well.

However, many sourceblogs go inactive, and so it's a good idea when tagging one for the first time to have a quick look in the archive and see if they're active. Just note that most sourceblogs don't use a tag such as 'thanks for tagging' to indicate they're reblogging from the tracked tag.

Sourceblogs usually have a lot of followers, all interested in whatever the blog's dedicated to, and therefore it's an excellent idea to tag any relevant ones.

You can search our blog to find relevant source blogs and their tracked tags.

User Tags

These are not always exclusive to edits, so pay attention to what people say they'd like to be tagged in. You can usually find people's tracked tag in their blog description, pinned post or about page.

I'd like to highlight - don't be afraid to tag people in your gifs! Most people love to be tagged. Although be aware it is common courtesy to only tag people that you follow/are mutuals with.

Most user tags are either #user[x] or the blog's url. Most people state what they do/don't like being tagged in, but if they don't, just go by what they reblog.

Just be aware of gifmakers that you follow, so that the next time you make a post, you can check their blog and see if it is appropriate to tag them

Usertags are best to use after fandom and sourceblog tags, to fill it all the way up to 20 tags, personal blogs are not dedicated to one thing only (usually), and therefore a lower proportion of followers will be in that fandom.

Finally, it's also good to use non-edit tags: for the fandom, character and ship. This means it's easy for people looking in the tags to find content.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! And if you run a sourceblog we haven't yet added to our directly, please send us the url of the blog and we'll add it right away.

Good luck & have fun with your giffing!

[medievalandfantasymelee]

THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE

QUALIFYING ROUND: 136th Tilt

Uhtred of Bebbanburg, The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) VS. Robin Hood, Robin of Sherwood (1984)

Propaganda

Uhtred of Bebbanburg, The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Portrayed by: Alexander Dreymon

“He's your quintessential fantasy hero, the embodiment of rugged hotness! What's more, he's a complex, flawed character - courageous, smart and trustworthy but also arrogant, impulsive and stubborn, which makes him more realistic and adds to his overall appeal. He's far from perfect, but good at heart, someone you could trust with your life. And look at his blue eyes :) What's not to like?”

Robin Hood, Robin of Sherwood (1984) Portrayed by: Michael Praed

“Perhaps no one ought to be able to carry off an '80s haircut of that sheer exuberance, and YET. Dark eyes you could drown in, cheekbones that could cut glass, and the right amount of mischief and vulnerability for an excellent Robin Hood. This is to say nothing of the long, dexterous fingers that I have definitely spent too much time thinking about. Anyway! He is lithe, beautiful, a little bit rakish, absolutely devastatingly hot.”

Additional Propaganda Under the Cut

Additional Propaganda

For Uhtred of Bebbanburg:

"If you want a textbook example of a hot medieval guy, Uhtred is IT. Alexander Dreymon is like, flawless from head to foot; gorgeous icy blue eyes, long lashes etc. and on top of all that Uhtred is just, such a likeable character. Short tempered? Sure, but humorous, just, fair-minded and loyal as well."

[Gifset]

[Gifset]

For Robin Hood:

“Amazingly great hair for someone living in a forest as an outlaw (but we're not complaining), and with eyes as green as a forest glade, this slim, fey Robin was a Saxon peasant who was ready to be a figurehead for the people of England who needed hope to endure under their Norman overlords. He accepted the role of the forest god Herne the Hunter and a legend was born.”

[stood-onthecliffside]

Hello friend, it’s been quite some time. Enjoy the prompts below, feel free to tag as many people as you want!

Tag someone you’d love to experience Surprise Songs with live and tell me what songs you want to hear

Tag someone to dance with during the Eras Tour 1989 Set

Tag someone you’d fly across the world to see Taylor with

Tag someone to listen to Taylor’s next album for the first time with

Tag someone that would come up with an excellent Debut Set for Taylor

Tag someone to do the Fearless guitar spin with

Tag someone who makes beautiful art for Tumblr (art of any kind, graphics, drawings, gifsets, etc)

Tag someone to meet Taylor with

Tag someone to have a sleepover with

I will be back soon! 

Signed… BlogRecAnon

I HAVE MISSED YOU SM BESTIE! hope you're doing well <3

Tag someone you’d love to experience Surprise Songs with live and tell me what songs you want to hear: honestly all my hoaxers but if i had to choose @damndorothea @sunflowervolum-6 @iwantsweetrevenge for dont you x hoax x peter, and this is me trying.

Tag someone to dance with during the Eras Tour 1989 Set: @1989tv @jewishrizahawkeye @biawstenknight @pubwegf @solongllondon pack those dancing shoes y'all

Tag someone you’d fly across the world to see Taylor with @sunflowervolum-6 @anywherethesedays @sadgirlautumn @itolduthings @noproof-youjustknow

Tag someone to listen to Taylor’s next album for the first time with: @ofthemessyoumade @pengillys @cryptidspacewitch @tolerateit @ithk

@hope-ur-ok @ofbetterbodies @taylortruther @likeadevils @itolduthings

Tag someone that would come up with an excellent Debut Set for Taylor: @coldasyou and @heystephen

Tag someone to do the Fearless guitar spin with: @thenighttrain @knuckles-bloody-for-me @myvirtuesuncounted @daenerys-targaryen

Tag someone who makes beautiful art for Tumblr (art of any kind, graphics, drawings, gifsets, etc): there are so many! honestly such a talented bunch @clarabowmp3 @hope-ur-ok @ofthirtynine @cellphonehippie

@tolerateit @itolduthings @cowboyslikeme @ciwyw2 @bymine

@tayloralison @bougainvilea @mcheung @reputayswift @didnt-hear-cold-as-you-live

@shortnsweetgf @finnickodaiir @ofthemessyoumade @cruellesummer etc etc (tumblr is so weird it won’t let me @ without space 😒)

Tag someone to meet Taylor with: this is such a loaded question help! @sunflowervolum-6 @hozierswift

Tag someone to have a sleepover with: everyone!!!!!

[graveyarrdshift]

Hello friend, it’s been quite some time. Enjoy the prompts below, feel free to tag as many people as you want!

Tag someone you’d love to experience Surprise Songs with live and tell me what songs you want to hear

Tag someone to dance with during the Eras Tour 1989 Set

Tag someone you’d fly across the world to see Taylor with

Tag someone to listen to Taylor’s next album for the first time with

Tag someone that would come up with an excellent Debut Set for Taylor

Tag someone to do the Fearless guitar spin with

Tag someone who makes beautiful art for Tumblr (art of any kind, graphics, drawings, gifsets, etc)

Tag someone to meet Taylor with

Tag someone to have a sleepover with

I will be back soon! 

Signed… BlogRecAnon

HIII!

Surprise songs: @this-love-is-delicate @theheartofmine @cryptidspacewitch

1989 set: @melonkka @allherfckinlives I'd choose wtny and ciwyw!

Taylor's next album: @parisbytaylorswift @mrsbertinelli @viridesence @coffeeisaritual

Fly and see: @sluttycaseyjones @armanicaesar @danifart

Debit set: all my mutuals!

Fearless spin: @theone @rocketsaurus

Beautiful edits: @thegreatimpersonator @tolerateit @hitsdifferents @astrariums

Meeting Taylor: @redwidow616 @stillgotscars @jadedpoets

Sleepover: @melonkka

[diaz911]

Was looking at an excellent gifset by @bilosan and noticed that Eddie wore green every time he broke up with someone.

Break up with Ana

Break up with Kim

Told the team he was leaving the 118

Well, we know he's wearing green in at least one scene in the finale and Ryan said Eddie is going to be "isolated" at the end of the season.

So here's the question: is it a break-up with Marisol, leaving the team again, or Chris goes to Texas? No matter what all signs point to Eddie breaking away from something in the finale.

[abrahamvanhelsings]

if you would ever like to elaborate further on the mountain dog/hunting dog joplittle dynamic you mentioned in the tags of that “Blanky about to lose his leg” gifset…. inquiring minds are simply piqued 👀

hi sorry that this took me. FOREVER. i didn't have time to answer the ask at first then i did it halfway and didn't have time again and i promise you this ask has been hounding me (hah hah) since the day it appeared in my inbox but i never seemed to be able to make the time to reply to it asfjdfjfd anyway! here it is now :')

ok im basing the idea of hunting dog = jopson and mountain/working dog = little on their respective personalities, the way they seem to think and how they react to specific circumstances. and slightly on their physiques as presented in the series but that's of minor importance. ofc both of them are loyal and listen well to superiors - to one man in particular, which is fairly common among dog breeds as well (i.e. whoever trained them), so that's not necessarily distinctive, but it does ofc make them dog-coded in general. but there are many many ways in which to be dog-coded and they're very different abt it so!

why i think jopson is more hunting dog coded is bc he is extremely competent, but quietly so, not noticeable until it becomes necessary. he's very skilled at providing specific information about the crew and the general goings-on around terror to crozier, and he becomes more focused in highly tense situations - in fact these are moments where he specifically stands out for how well-suited he seems to the task. and he is not aggressive, but there is definitely a sharpness to him that he can and does direct to those who threaten him or crozier first and foremost.

and all that really does remind me of hunting dogs - a good hunting dog is extremely well-trained, knows exactly what he is supposed to do, listens to commands, and stays at his master's side. im thinking especially of pointing dogs, i.e. dogs that point a hunter in the direction of prey that they have sensed:

these are of course very precarious situations wherein a hunter relies on his dog to steer him, and if hunter or dog make a wrong sound or movement, they may alert prey to their presence. there's a a correspondence here between dogs trained for these moments of focus to jopson, who is crozier's silent aid but also excels in such tense situations, and who is decisive, swift and capable. and i think it's really funny that being 'birdy' is a wanted trait in these dog types, bc 'i've shot smaller hawks than you' the comparison literally writes itself. also, pointers/setters tend to be lean dogs, which i think coincides well with jopson's natural elegance and grace

edward on the other hand is supposed to be sturdy, good-natured and broadly dependable. he appears increasingly anxious in the series, but that is because he is shouldering a lot of responsibility throughout it all. he'll take the insults and he'll take the extra tasks and he'll do it with barely a complaint. in fact it makes me think of the fact that dogs treated badly can come to exhibit traits that are not desirable in the breed at all. imo edward in ep 1 displays what i would call the desirable traits of, say, the bernese mountain dog, but events and crozier change that very rapidly.

you can fuck up any dog if you treat it badly for long enough, and edward is an abused dog to me.

id also say that edward is generally amiable, though he will make a point when he feels it is absolutely necessary, and he does have an innate want to protect what or whom he finds important, though he is seldom if ever very aggressive about it. he has an intense feeling of responsibility for the crew and the expedition as a whole, set against his feelings of loyalty towards crozier, who he wants to please almost at any cost as well. and then of course he also has a large family.

'search and rescue work'. yeah. and then of course mountain dogs are generally of a sturdy build. obviously matthew mcnulty is no absolute unit but by god the series tried their hardest to make edward appear like a well-built countryside boy. and by god does he try to carry every burden ever on those shoulders, like a dog pulling a cart bc that's what it was trained to do and it was enjoyable once. and he seems practically immune to scurvy and fares well in the cold, which, again, very mountain dog of him.

additionally, newfoundlands (neptune!) aren't mountain dogs, but they're big, sturdy, excellent swimmers, and therefore often used for rescue, so that's also a breed i associate with ned.

[mizgnomer]

Hi, two questions about your excellent "Josh the Werewolf" story post: 1) where does the name "Josh" come from? and 2) What's the source of those 'behind the scenes' GIFs? I don't recognize them from the DWC entry for that episode. Thanks!

Hello Anon!

The [ Josh the Werewolf ] story is a great one. I'm glad you enjoyed my post about it!

Your first question made me realize that David never actually mentions Josh's name in the gifset. Josh was the name of the actor/stunt-performer who was wearing the tight bodysuit. He gets mentioned my name a fair bit in the original(?) Doctor Who Confidential episode as they talk about how they did the werewolf. The 2nd part of your question made me go on a bit of a hunt. I originally posted that gifset in 2018, and in the years since then I don't 100% remember which videos I used, however the BBC Three logo on the gifs led me to believe it must have been Confidential episodes, because they all have the logo. I went back and watched a bit of my copy so can confirm the Josh stuff is in there. However, when I looked online to see if there was an easy link I could include, I found a version of the Confidential episode on youtube [ here ] - but it is missing most of the section where 3D supervisor Chris Petts talks about Josh and how they used him in those scenes as a werewolf stand-in! It's missing roughly 3-4 minutes from the full runtime (so it's also not the "cutdown"/15-20 minute version that was released on some DVDs either). How interesting - but annoying! Poor Josh!

I hope that helps, and I'm glad you like the werewolf post. Cheers!

[anndramarama]

I feel like the scene in this is gifset by @guzhuangheaven is where Lin Chen officially, consciously crossed over.

To what mindset, I'm not quite sure, but he has avoided that last bit of conscious introspection for a long time, but now the threat to Changsu is not something that Changsu with all his powers can defend against in the moment, and the threat isn't Changsu's deteriorating health, which Lin Chen is at turns empowered to battle directly and helpless to change at all.

Lin Chen knows that the battle against the poison was lost a long time ago, as part of a past he can't change, and the fact of that moves like a leviathan in Lin Chen's psyche, making him more unhinged and eccentric every year.

So if he has a chance to pick up a sword and defend Changsu in a direct and visceral way, he's going to take that chance, all appearances of neutrality be damned.

(He would take any chance to do it, too; he would feed himself dangerous drugs or transform into a mythical creature, or spin the roulette wheel of time to save the person he loves.)

Think about the way he delivered his diagnosis and treatment plan to Nie Feng and Xia Dong (and Changsu and Mu Nihaung). He was flippant and direct and rude, a bit too much like an actor on a stage, because there was no way he could be even a little bit himself, or behave in a way that was closer to normal (think about how Yan daifu might have summarized their options for contrast).

He couldn't be somber because Changsu depends on him to be anything but (the one time when he did start to show his true feelings MCS literally broke down and cried).

He couldn't show too much compassion because Changsu reads that as pity, and Lin Chen knows that MCS carries that heavy burden every time he interacts with Mu Nihaung.

He can't be too enthusiastic about Nie Feng's rather excellent prognosis because Changsu chose the other path, the one that had the treatment that was worse than death and would make his life miserable and comparatively short, and dwelling on that forsaken possibility can only lead to despair.

So with his choices so limited Lin Chen plays up his eccentricities, his supposed medical objectivity and curiosity, and no one can see the man behind the curtain. He might as well be a disembodied voice during that diagnosis dialogue, because Lin Chen is present but largely unseen by everyone except MCS, who can only metaphorically look at his shadow during moments like this -- and MCS can only look at it sidelong, in denial, and in strict control of himself.

Which is a good thing, because sometimes Lin Chen is internally screaming and enraged, and already furious with a grief that burns too bright for the few human eyes that are tuned in enough to see him clearly.

Lin Chen had long ago stopped speaking to Changsu in absolutes. Changsu is going to die. Soon, tomorrow, a month from now, two months, three? No one knows. Lin Chen doesn't know, he can only make predictions and wait.

He would rather not make predictions. He would rather not be asked, thank you. Leave Lin Chen alone. Let him brew medicines and banter with MCS and drink, and wait for the sun to come up on one more day where his friend is alive to drink the medicine, tease him, and see another sunrise.

Now back to the same remarkable gifset I referenced above. OP captioned it "Lin Chen and Fei Liu worrying about Mei Changsu: a full time occupation. Look at Fei Liu," and I owe OP big time because, yes, let's look at Fei Liu, and let's talk about Fei Liu and Lin Chen.

We see and we're told that they don't get along. Lin Chen is a bit of a dick to Fei Liu even though he seems fond of him too: he teases Fei Liu, tries to play with him mostly unsuccessfully, and seems to use him as a distraction to help play up his (Lin Chen's) eccentric behavior. I think there was also a comment about Fei Liu wanting to avoid Lin Chen because Lin Chen makes him (Fei Liu) drink medicine, but I'm not super clear on that.

We see that they "don't get along," and if anything this amuses MCS. Fei Liu comes to MCS for help, asks to be saved, and MCS helps Fei Liu. Because MCS can do that, it doesn't require physical strength, only that he plays the role of the "good dad" according to the established dynamic in their family of three.

So we're told that Lin Chen and Fei Liu don't get along for all the reasons above, but we also see that they're a really good team when it's necessary. There's the scene where they're chasing Qin Banruo, for instance. Later, Fei Liu sits across from Lin Chen while he makes Changsu's medicine and talks about their upcoming tour of jianghu, and they both agree that it doesn't matter where they are as long as the three of them are together. (Yeah.)

That's quite a contrast to the scene in the gifset, where Lin Chen is anxious, and possibly feeling helpless, and definitely contemplating violence.

And where's Fei Liu in that scene? He's shut down, head on the wall, inert.

This is the same position he's in when MCS is ill sometimes, or he's upset about something. Because we are supposed to understand that while Fei Liu can't quite articulate what he's feeling, and is mentally still a VERY young child, he does react immediately to situations and has an intuitive understanding about what's going on around him, particularly with regard to MCS.

So, how does Fei Liu feel about Lin Chen, and more specifically why does he seem to dread his presence in previous scenes, to the point that he captures and is going to kill the pigeon sent to summon Lin Chen?

My guess is that Fei Liu sees right through Lin Chen. He knows what Lin Chen is feeling under all the bluster and weirdness, and he knows that the dark feeling coming from his other parent affects MCS too.

However we read their relationship, Lin Chen and Changsu are very, very close; they live with each other off and on and love each other deeply; they understand each other better than almost everyone else around them; they rescued a child and parent that child together. Their little trio is intimately connected by time, experience, trauma, and pain.

Lin Chen and Changsu both playact that all is well but they can't fool Fei Liu, especially when they are together.

So it makes sense that Fei Liu would want to keep them apart as MCS gets sicker and that dark feeling grows, because it's scary. They're Fei Liu's world and that world is breaking down continually, weirdly, unpredictably.

He wants them to stay in their corners, thank you, because he's afraid of how it feels when they're together.

But back to that gifset:

At the start of this post I theorized that Lin Chen crossed over from even paying lip service to neutrality, but where else did he cross over? From ongoing anger to something like acceptance of MCS's inevitable death, in a way that would allow him to prioritize Fei Liu in the moment?

Or did he move on from anger to full-on Denial?

Because after that scene Fei Liu is pretty much at ease in Lin Chen's presence, and part of the reason for this (long, sorry) post was to try to understand why.

If he's moved on to Acceptance, good for Lin Chen. He might have a chance at good mental health in the near-ish future (think five years post-canon, and that might be a generous estimate).

But if he crossed over into Denial and it's strong enough to fool Fei Liu? I think Lin Chen's long term future might be a lot darker than one would expect from the always-sunny, temperamental, eccentric jianghu doctor.