#anyway i hate 5x07

[kissme-withyour-cherrylipstick]

Insane parallel

Merlin 1x05 Lancelot and 5x07 A Lesson in Vengeance

Thanks @godmerlin for bringing this to my attention

[fluffypotatey]

Honestly, LMK turns the plot on its head so often that I've never voiced this due to the Macaque hate club, but legit. What if Wukong killed Macky trying to save him because as we've seen with MK, he can use that amount of force, that same line, trying to keep someone from certain doom, so why not an out of control monkey with hijacked powers? Macky just. doesn't remember. but that might even be plot relevant since Wukong also doesn't remember things, supposedly. *stares at Nine.* He might've never done anything to Tripitaka and friends, I mean, current Macky has never even SAID anything about hating those guys, heck. He out right SAYS the Monk was good for Wukong and he was allegedly killed AFTER the journey, even if the friendship ties between them never ended afterwards, I honestly struggle to see Macky even being angry enough to want to "save" Wukong as he never did before to just.....be so crazy about it to the point Wukong needs to kill him over it. He'd stand down, he WOULD listen to reason, right? Unless if something else was going on? There'd have to be some other trigger for him to just go off like that, as for all these memories. I bet the "he" Nines was talking about could have been the Demon King of Confusion. You can really make up some fun new powers there, the guy's the first villain ever in JTTW, it's kind of poetic, and also. "Demon KING." Sure, good foe for the Monkey King. They can give him the LBD treatment in raising the prestige.

What if Wukong killed Macky trying to save him[…]?

this has, honestly, been my own theory for what went down since i started lmk. like i knew they would be vague about Wukong and Mackoach’s circumstance because, you know, Wukong did a murder in jttw and this is a kid show intended for an audience of 8-10 year olds. and that kind of topic is a doozy to do right in media (Western media especially).

anyway, by s3, i was under the impression that Macky assumed Wukong killed him final blow style, but Wukong actually left him incapacitated enough for him to admit defeat (and maybe, possibly leaving him for dead, oblivious to the fact that Mac might be too weak to use his shadow powers) because of how much lmk utilizes unreliable narratives. but then, watching Wukong’s and MK’s fight really solidified that original theory of mine. when Mackintosh frees Wukong from his memories in 5x07 (also jfc Wukong literally spent a whole season trapped in his memories and has to do it all over again, my poor babygirl ;-; he’s exhausted!!!!) Wukong looks horrified.

STOP MAKING HIM RELIVE HIS PAST HE ISNT OVER IT AT ALL AND HOLDS TO MUCH GUILT AND REGRET (pls continue!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏 put him through the ringer!!!!! make him snap por favor 🥺🥺🥺🥺)

ahem. AnYwAY!

clearly, that fight is considered one of Wukong’s deepest and darkest memories (which were what the 100-eyed Demon was looking for. because he likes the good tea like me frfr) and doesn’t like looking back at. in a way, it makes sense with how much distance he placed between himself and Macody in 1x09 (almost….indifferent one might say 👀 or trying to act apathetic about it which comes off annoyed…..ain’t that interesting?)

but yeah. good food for thought :3

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

gotham time feat. special guest Phoebe

what's up everybody, time for a special liveblog featuring the cat who I'm currently babysitting and subjecting to my awful taste in television!

last time I was babysitting Phoebe and made her watch Gotham with me she tried to smother herself to death in the couch, so I really can't wait to see what she thinks of season 5.

Gotham 5x07

I am actually going to stay mad about how stupid it is that Barbara somehow knows she's pregnant like a week, tops, after she and Jim had sex

the passage of time in this season is in shambles. like it's never been a particularly solid timeline, we are infamously NOT running a tight ship over here on Gotham, but come on

whatever compliment sandwich: sweet young David Mazouz really mastered the Bruce Wayne tendency to stand hunched over a series of maps looking stoic and haunted in a black turtleneck

this episode just casually drops that Bruce's parents were murdered on June 27th and I'm so glad that I'm watching this episode today (June 24th) instead of three days from now because I probably would have been so unnerved seeing the real date reflected back at me from this show that I'd like. I don't know. start believing in angel numbers and crystal healing or something.

Barbara asking Lee to be her obstetrician is actually like. insane 4d chess flirting. yes I still think they should hook up I don't care they've both done worse (Jim)

is Lee even qualified to be an obstetrician.

anyway I don't believe for a second Barbara wouldn't abort that thang for the love of god the city is a smoking crater

this is what happened when Oswald hoards all the Plan B (a joke exclusively for @dykerory and I)

Cameron Monaghan's Jeremiah look is so fugly but that purple (???) lip is kind of cunt cunt serve

once again begging for literally any information on how old the Valeska twins are supposed to be as Jeremiah becomes more and more of a yandere to our little teen Bruce. for those of you just joining us Jeremiah is played by a mid-twenties Monaghan but is old enough to have had a very successful career in architecture prior to becoming basically the Joker, so. truly anyone's guess.

in conclusion: why is he obsessed with this teenager.

sorry maybe I should clarify that the main Bruce plot of this episode is tht Jeremiah has kidnapped and brainwashed a.) Alfred and b.) two randos who have been given plastic surgery to look like Thomas and Martha so that he can force Bruce to relive the night they were murdered BUT with Jeremiah there this time because he's upset that he wasn't there for one of the most important nights of Bruce's life. they're currently having dinner in the Wayne Manor kitchen while Jeremiah breathes heavily at Bruce about how intimate this is.

what I'm saying is that this would all be deeply and upsettingly erotic were one participant not almost certainly too young to vote

like I said the timeline is SO funky and they're so careful to never tell you how old Bruce and Selina are but David Mazouz is 22 RIGHT NOW four years after the series ended. so.

"I've realized if we can't be friends then we can be connected in... other ways" Jeremiah I'm calling the cops

JERVIS IS ALIVE ???

how were the first six episodes so nothing and then this episode has literally everything happening all at the same time

okay so Wayne Manor just got blown to kingdom come

they literally have Ecco zipping around fighting on roller skates... you wanna be Harley soooo bad

honestly love to see the #growth of Oswald not immediately offering to suck off anyone who helps him anymore. Alfred just saved this little bitch's life and Oswald promptly told him to go fuck himself, which rules extra hard because you all know I hate Alfred

man this part in the movie theater is like that part of Joker War in the movie theater if Joker War didn't fucking suck

wanting to kill Bruce's father figure and going after Jim instead of Alfred is so disrespectful jesus christ

also god there's never been a Leslie Thompkins who is LESS of a mother to Bruce get out of here

wait oh my god Selina had a whole thing last episode about how much she hates herself for being too selfish to help when she (at 12 years old) saw Bruce's parents get murdered but she's going to come in now to help him stop Jeremiah from recreating that night with Jim and Lee... I see the vision I GET IT

this is like a freshman level plot to thread the needle on but that's really impressive for Gotham

oh my god Jeremiah fell in a vat at Ace Chemicals that's crazy. I'm sure that'll stick he's definitely dead.

they even managed to cram the Riddler in this episode jesus christ. pengriddler are fighting about Oswald homosexually naming his dog after Ed if you were curious. Oswald would like it to be noted that this was a compliment because he's VERY fond of that dog.

left off on Pengriddler deciding to make nice again and then promptly cuts to Oswald leading Ed into his house... this close to inventing m/m sex in the Gotham universe if Barbara hadn't interrupted

the Riddler has like 9263 unpleasant and unnerving traits but being able to look at a woman who's three days pregnant and instantly clock that she's expecting just rocketed to the top of the list

honestly. honestly. Emmy for Cory Michael Smith's delivery of "it's a submarine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯."

Barbara can't... kill people anymore... because she's pregnant... okay...

if we don't get the rogues throwing a baby shower literally what's the point of anything. this will all be for nothing.

genuinely thank god I'm only doing the one episode tonight this is SO LONG

[kinetic-elaboration]

September 19: AHS 5x07 Flickers

So the streak of hey this season is better than I remembered comes to an end.

This episode was a real slog for me, honestly. I’m sure there are a lot of people to whom it would appeal a lot: the sexy threesome, the 1920s silent-movie style footage, the crack-y idea that the director of Nosferatu turned Rudolph Valentino and his wife into vampires and now they’re loose on c.2015 L.A. But it just doesn’t work for me. I don’t know why. I just… don’t care about any of these characters at all.

Getting all my faves center stage the last episode or two meant that this episode was inevitable, but still, 40 minutes entirely of Detective John, March, and the Countess was just really grim for me. The Countess actually is growing on me, and I would say Gaga carried this episode pretty much single-handedly. But what interests me is more the facets of her character, as I mentioned last time, the cruelty and selfishness in the same personality as the kindness and seduction. I don’t care so much about her backstory, which in my opinion is pretty thin and filled with some very standard story beats (naïve girl is seduced by stardom and stars, loses herself in grief, becomes monstrous) and oh-so-coincidental tie-ins with previously separate characters like March. Like it’s supposed to be deeper than it is.

I will say that the modern-day dinner between her and March was probably the best scene in the episode, this like bizarre exes-but-they’re-creatures little glamorous power play or whatever. I mean again she is carrying it because March is just so boring and so silly (Just a hobo!! Like what the absolute fuck) but the scene as a whole I enjoyed.

I’ll also give the whole concept some credit for just being so over the top, campy, and crack-y. Like if you’re not watching AHS for vampire-Valentino, why are you watching it?

I also thought the concept of them stuck for nearly a hundred years in a walled off hotel room, immortal and hidden, had a sort of visceral Twilight-Zone-style horror that was quite cool.

And it’s interesting to see Finn Witrock re-used as a different character. I mean is Tristan way better? Yes. But the idea that we’re seeing the same face on the Countess’s first and greatest love as on her most recent love makes the idea of her sudden attraction to him look a little different. Was she drawn to a similarity? Or is that just a red herring? We know she switches between lovers often (often in context of her lifespan) and that she is fickle about them, that they all have expirations and so that was Dom’s. And she certainly felt no sorrow about randomly killing him. Would she have done the same to Rudi had they stayed together? Gotten bored of him too? Overpowered and ended him? Is that what the re-casting hints at?

Compare all this to the Detective John stuff and it’s brilliant. I just can’t stand him. What a bore. I think one of the reasons I remember Hotel so poorly is that it saddled itself with not one, but two serial killers—like March OR Detective John The Commandment Killer would be bad enough but I have to deal with BOTH? And Detective John doesn’t even have anyone to play off of except a vampire girl whose presence in the… psych ward? prison? was never really explained—and who I legit thought might have been a hallucination except for the vampire backstory. I don’t know. I don’t care. That extremely long, slow, weird conversation between them was obviously supposed to be mysterious and fraught with meaning but the only thing I could think was that if you’re going to pace a scene this slow, it better be as part of Mr. Robot, the only show I’ve ever seen that does slow-and-hallucinatory-and-dark with any degree of skill.

Anyway. I’m not hating this re-watch even though the quality of the season varies a lot depending on which story and character is at the forefront. We’re at the point in the season when everything is starting to feel really random, like they don’t really know what to do with the story lines they started so they’re just throwing out random ideas, and maybe that’s an unfair characterization—they always needed to explain the Countess’s connection to the hotel, and she’s talked about her one great love before so obviously he needed to be revealed—but it still feels like nothing’s really moving forward and things are making less, rather than more, sense. But, that’s kind of how this show works.

[thekimspoblog]

MFs seriously out here saying A DROPPED PLOT POINT ABOUT ICE CREAM is symbolism that the story was "neatly wrapped up".

Y'know, Stanley Kubrick, it gets to a point where making your audience look for GREEN OBJECTS in a black and white scene isn't auteur and clever anymore. It's just fuckin stupid. Try-hard and insulting, to be more precise. Ice cream of any flavor is one of life's little niceties, and you need the job so you can afford the nice things, but having the job paradoxically keeps you away from the nice things you wanted. That part's pretty easy to interpret- among other reasons, because that's what HALF the symbolism amounts to.

But he likes mint because "GREEN = MONEY"? I dunno man; that doesn't sit right with me. Can't it just be because Jimmy is fun and spontaneous so of course he likes exciting flavors? Can't "green/mint = youth and springtime"? CAN'T IT BE BECAUSE GREEN IS ONE OF THE FEW COLORS OF ICE CREAM WHICH IS BOTH POPULAR AND VISUALLY INTERESTING TO FILM??? I don't mind how much style-over-substance this show is, but it's starting to piss me off when they won't just own it already. Like... look me in the eye and tell me that if Jimmy's favorite flavor had been strawberry, the showrunners wouldn't be pulling something out of their ass about how "PINK/RED = BLOOD". Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, y'know? Don't get me started on how Kim telling Jimmy to leave the mint off her sundae is weak-ass foreshadowing when homegirl looks dead into the camera 2 minutes later and says she's willing to scam for money even if she knows it might blow up in her face.

Don't get me wrong! I might be bitching, but I am glad, @kingoftieland that you post these. Even if every new Fun Fact just further convinces me that the writers somehow failed reading comprehension for their own show. And/Or are sometimes just overthinking it… And/Or they wrote a ton of smutty Breaking Bad fanfiction and are trying to pass it off as something deeper than it is. AND STOP SAYING "EVERYTHING IS WRAPPED UP!" Saying a thing doesn't automatically make it true. You spent 5 seasons explaining in excruciating detail how and why the modern justice system is fundamentally broken and then buttoned it with a rushed morality play about the "bad guy" improving himself by obeying the Law.

👏🏻Your Analysis 👏🏻 Did Not Support 👏🏻 Your Conclusion. 👏🏻 You Have 👏🏻 To Try 👏🏻 Again! 👏🏻

Jimmy asks for ice-cream because he still sees himself as a winner in this situation. We see him eating ice cream later, implying he is correct in this belief. We see him still being called "Saul" and being treated with respect in prison, so thematically he still gets the ice cream. We weren't expecting another mention of the mint-chip, so why would we be suspicious of its absence? It's not like they went out of their way to specify that only kind he can access inside ADX was vanilla. And even if they did... who cares?! No green; wow, very symbolism. Much deepness! Not to mention "The Game" is basically just capitalism, so unless you're suggesting Jimmy stay in prison because at least that gets him a roof over his head and three meals a day, I don't really see how "staying out of it" is a viable option. People kinda need money to live, remember?

But Buddy! Are you SURE you want to open the show up to interpretations based on what we AREN'T seeing? Because I hate to break it to you, but there were way bigger dropped plot points than prison ice cream sandwiches! By this logic, I can string together: Shirley Hartland from (4x09), Lois and Bobby from (5x01), an offhand comment from Huell in (5x07), the two scenes with Kim's mom in (5x06) and (6x06), and the unnamed CFLA client in (6x13), and from this draw the conclusion that Kim had an abortion sometime off screen, probably around June of 2004. I mean I'm going to interpret those dropped plot points as all tied together anyway, because that's what I choose. But my point is how am I crazy or grasping at straws for reading that kind of stuff into the story, when THIS is level of moon logic the show's creators want us to read into the cinematography! I don't normally do this... but fuck it! I'm playing the Death of the Author card. You guys can have your characters and plot back when you can prove you have any clue what you're doing with them.

Why does Saul really want that MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ice cream? 🍦

[sneakyboymerlin]

The way that season 5 butchered everyone else’s characterization in order to make Arthur look better by comparison so that they wouldn’t have to put in the work of developing his character into an actually better person… at the expense of everyone and everything else in the show… nothing but hate for season 5 in my house

[unproduciblesmackdown]

preemptive F for me if we go into this (certainly briefer than last time) between-season break with the Winston Likes(tm) Rian thread still totally up in the air

[chasingfictions]

Ok i haven’t watched btvs in years but i miss spuffy do you have an episode list for all spuffy interactions

dilfjdjfdslkjfdskljfljkdsflkjls .kjfjkdsjklflkjdsflj insane question hi anon . i mean they interact for most of the show but im prepared to go insane here hi .

also if u want simply a compilation of every single spuffy moment ever , youtube user claireice has you covered . would also recommend @smellingwormholes my beloved's spuffy videos . gold standard of content

anyway here are all their episodes n a top moment of mine from each hi . you enabled me for this. we're in a fight. pls know what u've done to me.

2x03 "school hard" 'do we really need weapons for this' INTRICATE RITUALS

2x06 "halloween" -- it's spike being really normal about her 'baby likes to play' . like okay slut <3

2x07 "lie to me" -- my personal calculations show that based on the 1998 flashback in fool for love this is actually when he starts to fall in love with her . my brainworms are very powerful

2x10 "what's my line part 2" -- MUTUAL

2x13 "surprise" - the act of them standing with their respective lovers which will later be turned on its head in the finale . UMM. the REVERSALS.

2x14 "innocence" /made me sick to my stomach seeing you be the slayers lapdog/ lmao that did not age well

2x17 "passion" um. technically in the same room.

2x22 "becoming part 2" TEEHEEEEEE

3x08 "lovers walk" OR SPIKE FOR SOME REASON . pin HIM by the throat onto the kitchen counter

4x03 "harsh light of day" SORT OF A DOUBLE DATE. spuffy is a romcom this episode proves it. theyre serving when harry met sally

4x07 "the initiative" I KNOW A LOT OF GUYS WHO'D LIKE TO GET THEIR HANDS ON HER. @yoursummerfrost voice dru ducks what if the slayer got a giant taser. wouldnt that be fucked up

4x08 "pangs" YOU MADE A BEAR. theyre best friends

4x09 "something blue" . THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT .

4x11 "doomed" spike sitting on the armchair behind buffy this counts . spike standing too close to her in the high school . he said proximity he said 14 year old with a crush who doesnt know how to make a move so they r just . Staring n Hovering.

4x12 "a new man" DONT KNOW WHY SHE DIDNT COME . SAY GOODBYE. SHED A FEW TEARS.

4x13 "the i in team" he stands up and stares when she enters the room. victorianism jumping out

4x14 "goodbye iowa" no really buffy . why Is he here.

4x16 "who are you?" spike said hahahaha UNLESS . spike said i hate you that said if u wanted to fuck i am There in One Second No Jokes Please . Please..

4x17 "superstar" . hair touch. ummmm.

4x18 "where the wild things are" . he gets so close 2 saving her life . also spuffy fanfic trope where spuffy are the ones who get the sex ghosts makes this a spuffy episode by proxy .

4x19 "new moon rising" spike said all season HEY NOBODY SEND ME BACK TO THE INITIATIVE CAVES I SWEAR 2 GOD. adam said hey can u go back in with buffy. spike said TEHEEEE . spike said ok i will stand so close to her i will make sure of it. see 14 year old with a crush energy from above.

4x10: "the yoko factor" he spends the whole episode talking about her. inch resting.

4x21 "primeval" tiny interaction but it counts . they Look At Each Other Regard Each Other In The Little Initiative Control Room.

4x22 "restless" xander's dream counts .

5x02 "real me" I WAS TELLING YOU THE TRUTH I KNOW

5x03: "the replacement" . what does he think he's doing with that mannequin before the love reveal. WHAT.

5x04 "out of my mind" IF THAT'S WHAT I WANTED THEN I'D BE DATING SPIKE

5x05 "no place like home" . William.

5x06 "family" . james marsters face in training room teehee.

5x07 "fool for love" spicy Buffalo Wings I'm Feeling Peckish. <3333 ;)))) ;0000

5x08 "shadow" IVE KNOWN SINCE LAST NIGHT

5x09 "listening to fear" @summers-pratt voice . close up of hands confirms movie will turn gay.

5x10 "into the woods" they walk together i cant stress it enough. team power.

5x11 "triangle" HELLO BUFFY

5x12 "checkpoint" BE FUNNY IF THEY DID

5x13 "blood ties" buffy said ummmmm would you mind if i just..... confided in you and treated you as a coparent and confidant would you just

5x14 "crush" what else does buffy say about me you sleep during the day is this a date all that's left is you and a dead shell . moment where they look @ drusilla together in the cave. i think Thoughts About It

5x15 "i was made to love you" . hot tight little body pink lighting tongue out

5x17 "forever" . this counts. SHE WAS DECENT. spike loves his mother in law

5x18 "intervention". ON THE MOUTH

5x19 "tough love" me a few months ago voice . so wyd. scenario.

5x20 "spiral" SWORD CATCH. romance high romance.

5x21 "the weight of the world" little shake shake .

5x22 "the gift" oh. ohhhhh, i tried to pick a moment and then i had to lie down

6x01 "bargaining, part i" SHE'LL NEVER BE EXACTLY

6x02 "bargaining, part ii" this also counts.

6x03 "after life" MARRIAGE. they get married here. spuffy marriage plot.

6x04 "flooded" WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FINANCES

6x05 "life serial" . date :)

6x06 "all the way" buffy shows up to ask him on a date :)

6x07 "once more with feeling" UMMMMMM

6x08 "tabula rasa" aYOU WERE THE ONE I LOOOVED . stay away from randy

6x09 "smashed" oh idk i dont think they interact in this one :)

6x10 "wrecked" stay im stuck here sun's out

6x11 "gone" . buffy's a great mum :)

6x12 "doublemeat palace" . i can get money

6x13 "dead things" IF YOU WANT I COULD--

6x14 "older and far away" when she escorts him out of the room :)) he's her date :)

6x15 "as you were" tell me you LOVE ME TELL ME YOU WANT ME. you know what i am youve always known

6x16 "hells bells". this dress is radioactive.

6x17 "normal again" PUT SOME ICE ON THE BACK OF HER NECK. SHE LIKES THAT

6x18 "entropy" . didnt take long did it.

6x19 "seeing red" . in all seriousness we've said everything that needs to be said here elsewhere and i think this episode should never have been made as it was. that said looking at its place in the season n its function in the larger soul arc , i think the conversation leading up to That Scene and also the 'things change if you make em' bit have a lot of Content that is worth chewing over

6x20 "villains" clem crypt moment

6x22 "grave" MAKE ME WHAT I WAS SO BUFFY CAN GET WHAT SHE DESERVES

7x01 "lessons" . face touch.

7x02 "beneath you" WHY DOES A MAN DO WHAT HE MUSNT FOR HER TO BE HERS

7x03 "same time same place". .... you went away youve been gone since....

7x04 "help" STAY HERE AND HELP ME BE QUIET. I THINK IT'S WORSE WHEN IM HERE.

7x05 "selfless" basement scene i will weep

7x06 "him" BAZOOKA WRESTLING

7x07 "conversations with dead people" 'he did love me. i didnt wanna be loved.' UM

7x08 "sleeper" 'i know' UM.

7x09 "never leave me" . I BELIEVE IN YOU SPIKE

7x10 "bring on the night" ummm i just think it's not a COINCIDENCE that when buffy is at her lowest and most ragged and desperate it's when her shadowself confidante boytoy is kidnapped n underground .

7x11 "showtime" . the eye contact . dont talk to me.

7x12 "potential" MOM AND DAD SAID IT'S TIME FOR SLAYER SCHOOL

7x13 "the killer in me" I KNEW IT. GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY.

7x14 "first date" hallway.

7x15 "get it done" . i want the spike that's dangerou.s the spike that tried to kill me when we met.

7x16 "storyteller". when they come into the room together :) "someone has to agree with me. Spike????"

7x17 "lies my parents told me" that's her SPOUSE.

7x18 "dirty girls" . jealous buffy said this is My Vampire.

7x19 "empty places" they said ummmm if u separate me from my lover i will riot.

7x20 "touched" . IVE SEEN YOUR KINDNESS AND YOUR STRENGHT IVE SEEN THE BEST AND THE WORST OF YOU.

7x21 "end of days" . I JUST TOLD YOU IT DID.

7x22 "chosen" hey fellas what if you spent what you assumed to be your last three nights on earth with your soulmate . wht if 'i love you'. what if total shadow self reconcilation. what if fire hands. ummm. FELLAS.

anon i hope youre happy now that youve killed me <3

[spaghettificationandpretzels]

The Reaper and the Death Angel Part 51

Looks like I'm back on track, I'm very happy with this chapter.

Series Masterlist

Part 50

Contains: Angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, drug driving, injury to a child, follow the plot of 5x07-5x08 loosely

7.7K words

Comment if you want to be tagged/removed or follow #the reaper and the death angel.

Gemma loses the last bit of good will.

Gemma didn't know why she was in that hotel room or why she decided to spend the night with a man she didn't know, what she did know was that having her car stolen after getting black out drunk was going to mean that she would be back to not being alone to spend time with Abel again.

She wondered what Nero would say, things were going well with him but they had never had a conversation about getting serious, but she called him anyway, hoping he would understand, hoping he wouldn't tell Jax what had just happened.

****

"What is it?"

Jax was making a ruckus throwing on his clothes, "That was Nero, Gemma's had her car stolen, at a no tell motel."

You rubbed the sleep out of your eyes, "I guess she's not better, was she with someone?"

Jax shrugged, "no idea, I'm about to find out."

You climbed out of bed, "I'll head into the lab early, maybe get a post or two done and then I'll come home and pack. Go easy on her Jax, she's going through a lot."

Jax huffed, "she has been given chance after chance to pull her shit together, this has to stop before she gets someone hurt."

You nodded, "see how she is when you get there, is she's sober she can have Abel while we leave, if not, Wendy can take him and she doesn't get another chance until all this shit with Clay is over and done with."

Jax sighed then walked up to where you were sitting on the end of the bed and leaned down to kiss you, "alright, but if she's still drunk she's done."

You nodded, "that's fair. I Love you Jax, please be safe."

"Love you too darlin."

****

Gemma's heart dropped when she heard the bikes, she could see the look on Jax's face as they walked up to her with Nero in tow, Bobby and Tig went off to talk to the manager while the other went to speak to Gemma. When they got within speaking distance, Gemma leaned in close to Nero to talk to him, "if I wanted them to come I would have called them."

Jax did his best to stay calm, "what the hell happened?"

"I cashed here last night and someone stole my Caddy."

Jax wasn't buying it, "someone?" He went looking around the hotel room and returned with a bottle of white liquid "since when do you drink banana vodka?"

Nero was kinda as they stood around her waiting for the truth, "what happened?"

"I woke up to take a piss and he stole my wallet and my SVU. I don't remember his name."

Jax tried to suppress his disgust, "Jesus Christ, who are you."

She walked away upset, Nero going to comfort her, "this is why I called you, because I don't need that shit."

Jax took a deep breath and walked up to Nero, "I'm sorry you got pulled into this, she's a Goddamn train wreck."

"She still your mother ese, respect that. You know, she's caught between a husband she hates and a kid she thinks hate her. Women like your mum, Jax, they don't do so good without family. Hmm, go easy." Nero left to take a call and Tig and Bobby came back with nothing, but when Nero hung up he had a determined look on his face.

"My guys found the Escalade, and the dude is still there." With one last glance at his mother, Jax left.

****

"Y/n said I'm not allowed to let you go back to work."

Ima's hands were on her hips, there was no way Sam was going to win this, "come on baby, you know I'll be alright."

Ima rolled her eyes, "no, we need to start planning the nursery anyway."

Sam smiled, "alright beautiful but only because I know you're more loyal to my sister than me and you'd call her if I went to work."

Ima smiled, "damn right I would."

****

"Ahhhh, y/n, Clay Morrow is at the door for you, do you want me to let him in?"

You rubbed your face, "yeah, walk him in please, and don't go anywhere, he won't be here for long." Travis escorted Clay in and sat down watching him while he tried to speak to you.

"What do you want?"

He shrugged, "Juice is here with your intern, I thought I'd tell you what you needed to hear rather than sit in the van."

You shook your head, "why do you still have to O2? You're breathing fine."

He huffed, "doc says I still need it for a little while. Does he need to be here?"

You waved your hand, "yes, now hurry up and say what you need to say so I can get on with my life."

"I know you're not going to take this well but I also know you can listen to reason. Jax can't run this Club, in the last few months your brother has been shot and Charming is at risk, you need to tell him to step down." You kept your face neutral despite the urge to shoot him in the head.

"You really think I have that much pull over him? And let's be honest Mr Morrow, we both know that this isn't on Jax. He's done more for the Club and for Charming since he's taken over than you had in twenty years. Now kindy fuck off, before you put your foot in it and I start looking at your motivations a bit closer."

You turned to Travis, "get rid of him, please."

Travis stood up to his full height, "with pleasure, you want me to bar him from now on?"

You shook your head, "don't make it any harder on Juice, he can sit outside and wait for me to come out if he wants to talk from now on." Clay walked out and Travis looked at you through his peripheral vision, smiling as you shook the recorder by your side, Clay was getting worried and it was showing.

****

Jax felt a strange anger when he found out what Gemma's one night stand did for a living, you would probably tell him that he was a sociopath who didn't care and felt nothing for the women he hurt but your calming voice in his head did little to quell the building rage as he got on his bike the chase after the man.

As the bikes gained on the torn apart car, Jax thought about what he was going to do to the man when he caught him, he didn't have to think for too long because he was jumping out of the car and shooting at them before running away into a patch of bush by the side of the road. Jax was on his in seconds, throwing his fists into the man's face while Chibs tried to pull him away.

"I'm good, let me crack this piece of shit."

Nero stood next to Chibs to block the man from Jax's view, "you want to be on the five o'clock news. Take what's yours. Let's get out of here."

Jax did his best to reign in his rage as he stalked up to the man, "I should kill you for what you did to my mother."

He got a bit of sick satisfaction at the fear in the man's eyes, "that makes sense. But you're not going to do that right?"

"Not today. Check his pockets." Chibs went through them and handed the money to Jax, the man's protest going unheard. He walked off in a huffed, Nero threatening him one last time before they mounted their bikes and drove off.

****

"Jax's has got to go, I don't care how you do it but get rid of him. He's leaving tonight to spend some time at the cabin with his bitch, do it then."

Gogo swallowed, "you want us to take him out?"

Clay shook his head, "nah, hire someone from the outside, make it look like a beef. I have another job for you three."

Clay sounded so angry, "what?" Franky didn't know where this was going, only that Clay was going off the rails.

"I need to to scare my old lady, she drives home the same way every night, she needs to know that pimp can't look after her like I can."

Greg's eyes went wide, "so what, you want us to run her off the road?"

Clay shook his head, "I didn't say that, just give her a reason to think that Jax can't keep Charming safe."

"Fine, but this better get you back at the head of the table, we can't just off Jax and get away with it without you running things, especially is y/n gets in the Club's ear."

Clay felt his blood pressure rise, "don't worry, once the little prince is dead, you can get rid if her too."

****

"Hello my love, to what do owe I your call?"

Jax chuckled, "my mum was sober when we got there, we got her car back too. I think she should be alright to take Abel."

You rubbed your face, "ok, I have a few more things to do here then I'll be done."

Jax sounded tired, "I'm going to have Tig go up with you, make sure you're safe."

You sighed, "alright, I can look after myself but I know it will ease your worry so I'll agree. I'll air the place out and make dinner, how long before you get there?"

"About two hours after you, thank you for being so patient."

You smiled, "I love you Jackson."

You could hear the smirk in his voice, "I love you too darlin."

****

Jax watched Gemma head into the office after talking to Nero, he took a deep breath and followed her, sitting down on the couch and readying himself for the oncoming conversation. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you."

Jax waved his hand, "It's ok. You and y/n, she's really trying mum."

Gemma nodded, "I know. I know she is, if I was her I wouldn't let me anywhere near Abel." Jax was a little shocked at her self awareness.

"What's going on with you mum?"

Gemma's face fell, "when my Thomas died, I did the worse thing a mother could do, I made you make up for the love he couldn't give me anymore. I'm sorry Jackson, I'm sorry that I've always been too much."

Jax ran his hands over his hair, "when he died, I felt so bad."

Gemma did her best to comfort him, "I know baby."

Jax shook his head, "it wasn't because he was dead, it was because I'd have you all to myself. I knew how wrong that was"

When Jax, filled with shame at his jealousy of your relationship with Sam brought this up to you, you hugged him and told him it wasn't his fault that he felt like Gemma didn't have love enough for both of them. At first, he was offended that you had suggested something so horrible but the more he thought about it, the more he realised that growing up, he felt like his mother didn't have space in her heart for everyone.

"I love you mum, and we're going to get through all of this, I promise." Jax stood up and pulled his mother into his arms for a hug, Jax didn't know what to do, all he knew was that things needed to change.

****

"You all packed?"

You nodded, "I just got to get the cool stuff in the cooler, you're staying for dinner at the cabin right?"

Tig smiled, "you want me there?"

You nodded again, "I do, I realise that you and I have serious fundamental issues but we can't let them stew. I have yet to make up my mind about you, which has never happened before, so I'm trying to like you, not only for Jax and the Club but so there's no bad blood between us."

"I don't know what to say."

You took a deep breath, "don't say anything, just deal with your personality problems that got us to this place originally."

Tig knew what you were talking about, you thought he was a coward and in many ways, you were right, "I'm trying."

You smiled, "I know, that's why we're having this conversation."

You looked around, "alright, I'm ready to go."

You handed Tig the cooler, "right on time, I'll text Jax before we leave." You nodded, "how did today go?"

Tig shrugged, "we got Gemma's car back and Clay didn't make a scene, I think we got off easy."

You sigh, "yeah, has Clay stirred the pot about these home invasions? I know he's been sowing the seeds of doubt."

"Yeah, he has. Why do you ask?"

You thought for a moment before giving an honest answer, "because he's the only one who has anything to gain from them. Not only does it make Jax look weak and unable to lead but it makes Charming look unsafe without him at the head of the table."

Tig went pale, "he's behind this?"

He huffed, "shit, who's doing the dirty work?"

You titled your head, "who's been absent every time something goes wrong?"

"The nomads, do you have proof?"

You nodded, "bootprints, fingerprints and a bug in his house. Would you like to hear him admit everything?"

Tig blinked, "who else knows?"

You smiled sadly at his tone, "Jax, Sam, Opie, Bobby and Happy, Clay sent the Nomads to Happy's house to go after his mum and aunt."

Tig swallowed, "Sam?"

You nodded, "Greg pulled the trigger."

"Why are you telling me this now?"

Your smile turned a little nasty, "because I needed to know if you were involved before I was alone with you, far away from help. Don't worry, you passed."

He snorted, "gee thanks. Let me guess, you want me to act like I know nothing?"

You nodded, "unless you want to run a foul of the CIA."

"I hear you."

****

Gemma knew she shouldn't be smoking before she took Abel home, but after her conversation with Jax she couldn't calm down. Stopping by Unser's and talking to him had helped a lot but the last few days had made everything so much worse, between getting her car stolen and Clay trying to worm his way back into her life, she felt lost. Nevertheless, she stamped out her joint and headed T-M to bring Abel back home with her, grateful she had been given more time with him even after last night.

When Gemma got to T-M, Abel jumped into her arms and hugged her, "grandma, I missed you."

Gemma pressed a kiss to his little cheek, "I miss you too, are you ready to go?" Abel nodded, and Gemme buckled him in, driving off with the radio blaring. Had she been sober, she might has picked up on the dark van following her.

As she drove down the road, she grew tired, the loud music barely keeping her awake. It was the sound of a horn blaring that shook her eyes open, the van came up fast and almost bumped the back of the car, the wheels screeching as her car shifted. She managed to right the car before the next wave came, and then another, then the van pulled away. Just as she thought it was over, the van was back and this time, she didn't have to reflexes to correct the swerve.

The tree came fast and hard, then there was nothing.

****

"You might as well come inside and help me sort this place out."

Tig didn't look impressed, "Tragger, I'm not a child, no one's going to come up on us without me hearing it, and let's be honest, I'll be protecting you."

Tig shook his head with a smile, "you're kind of mean."

You huffed, "am I lying?"

He rolled his eyes, "no, but it makes me feel inadequate."

You handed Tig and knife and slid him the cutting board, "good for you, please chop the carrots."

He did as you asked, "what are you making?"

You washed your hands and turned on the oven, "baked skin on chicken breast with veggies."

Tig licked his lips, "yum, I'm glad I said yes to your invite."

Before you could say more, your mobile rang. It was a fast conversation, "we need to leave right now. Jax and the guys have just been attacked on their way here." You and Tig raced out of the cabin, when he got to his bike, you practically pulled him away, "is that thing bullet proof?" He didn't answer as he climbed into the passenger seat and you drove off.

It didn't take long for you to get to the scene. Jax and Chibs were by the road, their bikes nowhere to be seen. You ran up to them and grabbed Jax's face in your hands, "what the hell happened?"

Jax looked so angry, "are either of you hurt? Let me check you." You ran your hands over Jax then Chibs, then Jax was putting and hand on your upper back and leading you into the bushes.

"A van came out of nowhere and someone started shooting, we managed to down this guy before the van drove off."

Tig turned to you and you gave him a knowing look, "he's black?"

You nodded, "yeah, my guess is someone's getting worried we're on to them and wants to throw us off."

Chibs blinked, "why am I getting the feeling that I've been left out of the loop."

You took a deep breath, "load the body into the truck, Jax can explain to you what I just told Tig."

Jax glanced at you, "I've called the others, Bobby's on his way."

You shook your head, "we have a problem, the shells on the road are for cop killers, they were planning on killing both of you." It didn't take long for the four of you to return to the cabin, Jax downloading Chibs from the front seat while Chibs and Tig sat in the back.

When they got the body inside, you all stood around the corpse, "check his tats."

They pulled up his sleeves, "a few prisons tats, Black Nation."

You nodded, "we need to get an ID." Before you could go outside to get the fingerprint scanner, Jax was producing a fire axe. With two violent swings, the stranger's hands were off his body.

"What are you doing Jackson?"

He puffed on his cigarette, "take one to Pope, have him ID the prints. I want affiliations, who he works for, everything."

You threw your hands up in the air, "I'm going to get an ID now so we don't have to send hands to anyone."

You left to get the kit and your laptop from the car while the others waited, "who's the other one for?"

Jax glared at the body, "Unser. Same request" You returned and knelt by the body.

"Why Unser?"

Boddy huffed, "because if he's working with Clay he'll lie about it."

You shook your head and pressed a dismember hand to the screen, "Charles Turner, pretty standard rap sheet, more time inside than out."

Before you could say more, Hale's ringtone pulled you away, "I'm sorry, I need to take this." You could tell something was wrong by the way Hale sounded, his voice was shaking and there were sirens screaming in the background. It was like your brain was stuck in mud, car crash, Abel badly hurt.

You came racing out, the body on the floor still there but out of your mind, "we have to go."

Jax knew something was wrong, he had never heard that tone in your voice, "what happened?"

You were already at the door, "it's my baby."

****

Jax wanted to throw up, after getting authorisation from Hale to travel under lights and sirens you slammed on the gas and drove like a mad woman, all Jax could do was hold on while you worked the old mustang like a high performance race car. "Did he say anything else?"

You shook your head as you ran the red light, "there was no paint on the back of the car and Gemma said someone was trying to hit her. I have a very bad feeling Jax."

"What?"

You took a deep breath, you were close to St Thomas but it felt like a million miles away, "Clay wouldn't put her at risk and he wouldn't risk breaking her heart by killing Abel, if he's ordered this, he would have told them not to hurt her."

Jax was catching up slowly, "so the only reason she would have crashed is because she wasn't sober."

Your eyes never left the road, "we're about to find out."

Sam and Ima were already at the hospital when you go there, Sam putting a hand on your face to slow your racing mind, Ima had clearly been crying, "I've already signed to consent papers, the surgeons are looking after him now. You can go through and be there if you want."

You rubbed your face, "go, it's alright." Seconds later, a nurse was coming to take to you and Jax back to the cardiac OR.

Abel was already out when you got there, Jax watching from behind the glass while he shifted from foot to foot, "Jesus, how long does this take?"

You took a deep breath, "they run the wire from his femoral artery up to his heart, thirty minutes at most if this is the fix."

Jax's eyes went wide, "and if it isn't?"

You shook your head, "we'll know soon." You looked at the monitor, "it looks like it's working, it's going to be ok my love."

"Like this kid hasn't been through enough shit."

Jax wouldn't stop moving, "this is on Gemma, if she was drunk or high I swear to God Jax."

Jax turned to you, his expression becoming angry, "I know, I know."

You grabbed Jax's hand as they went to deliver the shock and Jax felt you relax, "it worked, he's fine." Jax pulled you into his arms, resting his cheek on the top of your head, "we should go check on Gemma, they need to stitch him up, we don't need to see that."

On the way to the room, you stopped by a nurses cart and looked around, Jax slowing to watch you as you swiped a syringe, "what are you doing?"

You huffed, "testing a theory."

Clay was waiting when you got to the room, "fuck off."

He didn't move, "if you don't get the fuck out of this room right now you'll be happy you're in a hospital." The noise was waking Gemma, so you stepped closer to Clay, "I don't want to traumatise her anymore, get out." Maybe it was the expression on your face or the way Jax was standing behind you but Clay got up and left with a glare.

When Clay was out of view, you screwed the syringe into her IV and drew some blood before capping it and dropping it into your pocket. Gemma woke up soon after, looking around with worry. "Abel?"

You swallowed, "is in the peds ward. He had an irregular heartbeat due to the crash and needed a Cardiac Catheterisation, he's fine now."

That didn't ease her worry, "he was bleeding." you were trying to be gentle but Jax wasn't having it.

"What happened, were you drunk?"

Gemma looked at you and you crossed your arms over your chest, "there was no paint on the car Gem and you're a good driver, being run off the road in a car your size isn't that easy."

She shook her head, "no, I almost got away but a truck came out of nowhere just after the van pulled off, I was too busy pulling away from the van to see it."

"Jesus Christ, did you get a look at them?"

She blinked, "the van was dark brown, that's all I could see."

You pulled Gemma into a hug, all your worries forgotten, "I'm so glad you were the one driving, all Abel had was a cut on his head, that's where the blood came from, he's ok."

You saw her relax, "when can I see him?"

You smiled softly, "he's still asleep but you can see him when he wakes up." She smiled, "thank you."

"I'm just happy you're both ok." Before you could say more, Unser arrived.

Jax left to talk to him while you headed to Abel's room. In the hallway, you met up with Holt, who had come for moral support, "how's your boy?"

You shrugged, "he's fine. I need a favour."

Holt nodded, "anything."

You reached into your pocket, "test this blood for me, I need to know if there's anything in it."

Holt's eyes went wide, "you think Abel's grandmother was under the influence?"

"I don't know, but I want to find out."

****

Sam and Ima had wandered into Abel's room before you, "you guys doing alright?"

Ima wiped her face, "these guys have to go."

You had never heard her so angry, "I know, we're working on it, you didn't answer my question."

Sam sighed, "we're alright, the baby too, it's just been a long few weeks."

"You should go home and rest, the last thing we need is you back here because of an infection."

Sam shook his head, "I'll stay until Abel wakes up." You didn't argue, instead you pulled up a chair and waited for Jax to return.

Bobby walked in soon after, "Jax went to see Pope, Unser came through, we can trust him."

You sighed, "we better settle in, it's going to be a long day."

Just as you were getting comfortable, Wendy arrived, "what happened?"

You shrugged, "looks like road rage, Hale thinks it was random."

You readied yourself for a fight, "but Abel and Gemma are ok?"

You nodded, "fine, if you think you can…."

She cut you off, "I'm not going to use this against you, you've let me into Abel's life, the last thing I want to do is hurt that by pulling something at a time like this."

You were taken aback, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to that."

She waved her hand, "it's understandable, I came back into Abel's life when things were rough for you. I just want to be here with him."

You swallowed, "stay for as long as you like, I'm not sure when he's going to wake up."

She nodded, "where's Jax?"

You looked at Sam, "Club business, Gemma managed to get a look at the van, he's gone looking for it."

She huffed, "let's hope he gets to him before Hale does."

****

"The hand belonged to Charles Truner, Tyler's LaRoy's number two, he has the info on all his known associates. How's your boy?"

Jax shrugged, "alive."

Pope smiled, "and your old lady."

Jax huffed, "out for blood, she's not going to rest until these people are dead."

Pope nodded, "if someone went after my daughter, I want the same thing. The CIA are very nervous Jackson, they want to know if I'm still on board even with your… internal issues."

"Are you?"

Jax chose to ignore that Pope was aware of the Nomads, "of course, they assured me that their asset was dealing with the matter, I'm guessing that's still your future wife?"

Jax nodded, "yeah, I'm not happy she's had to jump back in, neither is she but the work's got to be done"

Pope chuckled and the tone changed, "August will help you if you need men, we don't want people who go after small children and elderly women in out ranks Jackson, you have free reign to deal with this how you see fit."

Jax heard the message loud and clear, get rid of them.

****

"I told you to scare her, not run her off the road. How did you not know Abel was in the back?"

Greg rubbed his aching face, "she was already all over the place when we pulled up on her, it's not our fault she was on something."

Clay shook his head, "that bitch isn't going to think that, she's going to boil us all alive if she finds out were the ones behind the attack."

Gogo huffed, "I don't know Clay, she seems harmless to me."

Clay's face turned cruel, "that's what everyone thinks. She's a fucking viper, if you piss her off, you'll be dead before you know what hit you."

Franky wasn't worried, "you said it yourself Clay, once Jax is gone, she's next."

****

Nero walked into Gemma's room, Chucky leaving with a smile. When they were alone, she started to cry, "hey, it's gonna be alright."

She shook her head, "I was stoned driving Abel. I lied about a truck, I couldn't swing the car around fast enough. I thought I'd be alright, I drive high all the time. I just didn't want to miss my chance with them."

"It's going to be ok baby, it's ok."

Gemma knew he was lying, "no, it's not. y/n isn't going to care, if I had been sober, I would have gotten away from the van, she'd know that."

Nero sighed, "she's a good girl, I'm sure she'll understand."

Gemma swallowed, "no she won't, she's been telling everyone to watch their backs, it was worse than getting her child hurt, I couldn't protect him because I was high, she and Jax are never going to forgive me if they find out."

"That will come back Gemma, you know how that shit works, you got to get in front of it. Tell them the truth."

A knock from Chucky broke the conversation, then Clay was rounding the corner and walking through the door. "I need to step out, my bowels very loose in situations like this."

Nero smiled, "well on that note. I'll check in on you."

Clay followed Nero, "I'll walk you out." Clay has grown bold since the crash, "whatever it is between you and my wife, it's over."

"Maybe we should let her make that call."

Clay shook his head, "I know you and Jax are tight and the Club appreciates your pussy salvation but make no mistake, you get in my way with Gemma, I'll kill you."

Nero didn't flinch, "don't worry, mano, I don't make mistakes, not like you."

****

Abel was still asleep when Holt came back from the lab, you waved him inside and he sat down, handing you an envelope, "where's Jax?

You shrugged, "finding the guys that tried to kill him and Chibs, what did you find?"

His face told you what you needed to know, "I went back to the scene, the only tire tracks were from Gemma's car and the van, and I had Angela look at CCVT on the road, no trucks entered any of the exits to the highway at the time of the crash. She lied, to what extent isn't for me to say, your answer is in there."

He patted your leg, "I'm sorry, I've bought in one of your backups, take as much time off as you need."

Without another word, he left. Sam clenched his jaw, "I'm gonna see what's going on out there."

He got up and left, taking his rage with him, "are you going to look at the tox screen?" Sam wasn't the only one who sounded angry, Ima wasn't happy with her and you could understand why.

"When Jax gets back."

Ima grabbed your hand, "if she was on something, I'm not letting her near my baby, ever."

"I know, I don't blame you."

****

Jax felt lost, sure he had got the guy who tried to kill him and Chibs but it left him with more questions than answers, either Gemma lied and there was no van or worse, the Nomads went after his family themselves. At least they had Franky on the hook, Jax just had to find a way to explain everything to you, without you going over the Club's head and killing them yourself.

****

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

Clay huffed, "I hate hospitals."

Juice nodded, you had sent him back to the Clubhouse for that very reason. "I can't find anything on anyone, I asked around, The Mayans are doing some digging but I think we're still in the dark."

Clay knew something was going on, "anything you need to tell me." Juice shook his head, "no, why?"

Clay smiled, Juice's tone told him he was on the right track, "well, Roosevelt was pressing you pretty hard when we got out."

Juice shrugged, "yeah, I guess."

"Why just you?"

Juice was getting worried, "I don't know."

Clay's voice got higher, he was trying to seem like he wasn't digging, "I think you do."

Juice huffed, "he's just an asshole cop."

Clay shoved Juice down as he went to stand up, "what's he know Juice?"

Juice felt his heart race, "nothing."

Clay wasn't buying it, "don't lie to me."

Juice swallowed, "I'm not."

Clay leaned in close, "hey, you can tell me the truth son."

"Please Clay, I can't."

Got you.

"You've got no choice. Tell me Juice."

Juice took a deep breath, "my father, he's black. Roosevelt tried to use him to get me to rat but…"

Clay smiled, "but y/n already knew and lied for you."

Juice nodded, "yeah. She told me she'd take it to her grave."

Clay felt like rubbing his hands together, he had Juice right where he wanted him, "I'm the one who set the Nomads in motion."

Juice wasn't shocked, "what happens now?"

Clay smiled, "you keep my secret, I keep yours." Juice nodded, the moment Clay was gone, he was going right to you.

****

"You should take your wife home."

Sam shook his head softly, Ima had fallen asleep against his shoulder hours ago, "nah, she's getting this weird pregnant lady strength, I'm worried she'd kill me."

Jax huffed, "yeah, I can see her doing that. Has Abel been awake?"

Sam shook his head, "for like a minute an hour ago. y/n just went to take a call, she'll be back in a bi…. speak of the devil, are you ears burning?" You rolled your eyes as you walked in and kissed Jax's cheek.

"Did you get the guys?"

Jax nodded, "only the ones that went after us, my guess is the Nomads were the ones that went after Gemma."

The envelope was burning a hole in your pocket, "Jax, I have something to tell you and you're not going to like it."

Jax crossed his arms over his chest, "what?"

You took a deep breath, "there was no sign of a truck Jax, the only treads that were there were Gemma's car and van's, traffic cameras show the roads in and out of the highway were free of trucks too."

You reached into your pocket, "I have the drug test, I figure we ask Gemma once more before we open it."

Jax looked at the white paper in your hand, "Sam, take Ima home, she doesn't need to stress if this goes wrong, and neither do you. The last thing we need is you popping a stitch."

Sam smiled sadly, "sure brother, call us when Abel's up and we'll come back." When Sam woke Ima, he didn't give her the chance to protest before he was taking her home.

"Thank you for that."

Jax swallowed, "you're not the only one worried about the stress on Ima and her baby y/n, let's not talk about it anymore."

Jax sat you down, his eyes still on the paper in your hand, "you wanna look?"

Jax huffed, "not really."

You handed it to him, "we don't have to but Jax, if she can't protect Abel because she's using drugs, we can't let her near him."

Jax rubbed his face, "I know."

Before he could say more, Juice came in looking like he had seen a ghost, "what's wrong Juicy?"

"I need to talk to you, alone."

Jax's eyebrows rose, "it's alright my love, I'll be back soon." You got up and followed Juice into a quiet hallway, "what's going on Juice?"

Juice was almost hyperventilating, "Clay knows about the black thing."

You did your best not to react, "he's not going to tell anyone Juice, he won't get anything out of it."

Juice was still panicked, "he's given you an assurance, hasn't he?"

He nodded, "let me guess, he's behind the Nomads?"

Juice's eyes went wide, "yeah, how did you know?"

You smiled, "I've been lying, the bootprints were a match to Greg and I have fingerprints on the shells from the bullets that hit Sam. Jax, Opie, Bobby, Happy, Chibs and Sam already know all the details, we're telling people as we need to. I'm still working on Galen so we can't risk this getting out."

Juice relaxed, "what do I do?"

You smiled, "you come clean Juice, if it goes wrong, then I can get you out of the country and with a new identity in hours. Then I'm talking Abel and leaving his father because there is no way I will let my child be raised by a racist."

Juice blinked, "you would really leave Jax over this?"

You nodded, "in a heartbeat. Now let me make some calls and then we're going to put this to bed."

Ten minutes later, you were returning to Juice with a smile, "it's all set, if shit goes wrong, I have a plane waiting to take you to where ever you want to go. You ready?"

Juice gave a nod, "alright how do you want to do this?"

Juice took a deep breath, "can I get Chibs here?"

You smiled, "sure, how about we do it at my place, a little later, that way no one's worrying about Abel?"

Juice nodded, "that sounds good, what are you going to tell Jax?"

You shrugged, "that you need to tell him something later on and he better be ok about it if he ever wants to see me again."

He stopped you, "maybe it can wait until tomorrow? I don't want make things worse."

You nodded, "of course, you wanna come in and spend some time with Abel?"

Juice shook his head, "nah, it will just make things harder."

****

"Mummy, my head hurts."

You shot up off Jax's shoulder, almost knocking him in the head on the up, "hey little man, I'll go get a nurse to have a look." You ran out of the room and came back in record time, Jax having climbed into bed next to him.

The nurse cleaned his cut and gave him some pain meds, "you feeling a bit better now?"

Abel nodded and rubbed his face, "yes." You waved Jax over and lay down opposite to Jax so Abel was in the middle, "is grandma ok?"

Jax smiled, "yeah, little man, she's ok. Do you remember anything?"

Abel nodded, "grandma's car went funny, then she hit something."

"Did you see a big truck in front of you?"

Abel shook his head, "no, there was a big car behind us."

You looked at Jax, "we need to look at those results Jackson."

He took a deep breath, "just a little bit longer, I want to enjoy the peace while it lasts."

****

When you left the room to get coffee, the Nomads were standing around, if you didn't know any better, you'd think they felt guilty, "have you found anything?"

Franky shook his head, "nah, but we're still looking. We're gonna find the guys that went after your family."

You smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, "thank you for everything, you've been such a help to Jax and the Club."

The looks they shared made it clear that you had lulled them into a false sense of security, it wouldn't be long now they made another slip up.

****

"That's your fourth coffee, you doing ok?"

You rubbed your face, "my head's acting up, I'll be alright."

Jax made a face, "go home, Abel's going to be asleep most of the night anyway."

You shook your head, "we need to talk to Gemma first."

The envelope was still in your pocket, "I know, do you think she lied about that too?"

You shrugged, "for as much as Holt tries to be stonefaced, he loves Abel, his reaction pretty much told me what's in it."

Jax nodded, "yeah, I know, he called me to apologise."

You huffed, "he's a good man, despite the fact that he thinks we show too much affection towards each other in public."

Jax chuckled, "because he shakes Kevin's hand when they meet up for lunch."

You giggled, "yeah. Don't knock it, that could be us in ten years."

Jax shook his head, "I can't wait."

Knock Knock

It was Nero, Jax got up and let him in, "what's going on man?"

Nero swallowed, "can I talk you outside for a minute?" Jax left with a nod, his hand lingering on your cheek. They walked to an empty hallway and Nero stopped, "Gemma lied about the truck coming at her."

Jax snarled, "I know."

Nero's face remained calm, "what are you going to do."

Jax huffed, "she almost killed my kid."

"So what pres, you're gonna beat the shit out of your mother, hasn't that been done enough by your family."

Jax shook his head, walking away in a rage, "she's your problem now."

Jax returned and the conversation turned back to the tox screen but as you reached into your pocket, Gemma walked in, "maybe we ask her first."

Jax stood up, his face going hard, "are you going to tell her gonna tell her or am I."

Gemma stopped in her tracks, "I love him so much."

You stood up and walked next to Jax, reaching into your pocket, "this is a drug screen, I don't want to have to get my answers from this."

She glared at you, "you ran a drug test on me?"

"Yes, I did, there were no treads from a truck Gemma, and there was no paint on your car, there has to be a reason you lost control."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "why haven't you opened it?"

You huffed, "because I want to give you the chance to come clean." Jax stepped closer, putting himself between her and Abel.

"There was no truck, I was driving high and couldn't right the car after the van pulled away. I just didn't want to miss my chance with Abel." Rage, all you felt was white hot rage, you understood what Frank meant when he told you there's no anger on earth like the anger you feel to someone who hurts your child.

"I'll be back in a moment." You walked out, heading right towards the guys, "can someone please take the gun off my hip."

You raised your arms and Chibs walked over, lifting your shirt and taking the gun out of its holster, "why?"

You took a deep breath, "because Gemma was high when she got into the car with Abel and I don't want to do anything I might regret." You walked back into the room, your shirt over your belt showing the missing gun, a brief look of fear coming over Jax's face.

"I love you Gemma, I really do but you're done, you don't call, see or come near my child until you can be trusted to keep them safe. Driving high is one unforgivable thing, but driving high while our enemies are hunting us is another. You've done more than just get into the car when you shouldn't have, you've failed to protect my child when I handed him over to you for just that."

She stood there, her eyes growing wet, "Jax can get your key and we'll be changing the alarm codes, you won't be getting a new one for a very long time. You should stay away from me until you've got whatever's going on in your head sorted because I don't trust myself around you right now. Now please, get out of my sight."

Jax relaxed when she left, "thank you for not killing her."

His eyes were still stuck on your empty holster, "had we not been in public, I would have."

****

You and Jax left the hospital late, having left Opie and Kip to stay with Abel. As you climbed out of the shower and crawled into Jax's open arms, you took a deep breath to drop the next bomb, "Juice and Chibs will be here in the morning, Juice has some things he needs to talk to you about."

Jax's eyebrows furrowed, "it's not my place to say anything Jax, just leave it be until the morning."

Jax sighed, "do you ever regret moving here?"

You shook your head, "not for a single second, this will all work itself out Jax. Let your mum get over Clay and get her shit together, maybe spending some time away with Nero will get her back to her old self."

Jax huffed, "how are you so forgiving."

You smiled sadly, "because she's your mother and you love her, I want nothing more than to put a bullet in her brain but I love her too and killing her would just cause more pain. I won't stay angry at her forever, I just need time so I don't look at her and see my father's face staring back at me."

Jax huffed, "I would have let you shoot her."

You nodded, "I know, that's why I got rid of the gun."

Jax swallowed, "how long before we can bring Clay and the Nomads to the table?"

You shrugged, "Galen in back in two days, I'll know after that. Vance has already greenlit him, once the Irish are squared away he's even more of a dead man than he is now. As for the Nomads, they have no idea we're onto them."

Jax went to reply, but Ima was knocking on the door. You invited her in and she sat in the bed next to you, "I have an idea, can I talk to you in private?"

Jax didn't protest, waving his hand as you went to leave the room with Ima in tow, "don't get up, I need a drink anyway."

Jax left, shutting the door on his way out, "what's your idea?"

She smiled, "you're not going to like it, but I think it's going to end things."

Part 52

[herefortheships]

I just rewatched BTVS episode 5x07 “Fool for love” and AH! All the emotions! This is where the Spuffy starts to get real 😭😭😭 

I know it gets a weird one-sided messed up phase this season, but we can all agree Spuffy is the OTP. No Bangel hate from me btw, I love Bangel too at the start of the show, it’s just that Spuffy is the endgame and it’s my favorite by far because of all the development and yeah the major feels. I just love all the build up. All the emotions! Honestly Spike is just such a deep layered character, and James did a wonderful job playing him. And the chemistry between Buffy and Spike is off the charts. I feel like they made each other grow and learn more about themselves and they just altered each other permanently. Spuffy was just so intense.

I hate how Buffy ends, tbh. Should have been open-ended so we could draw our conclusions of what happened after. Like, close off the main plot but allow the characters to continue a life beyond the events of the show. Except kill off Kennedy... Nonsense character... and leave her dead tbh I hate that character with a passion.  I’m sure Spike would love Buffy until the very end and then leave this life right after her, whether she dies of old age or in the battle field. 

I wish Joss Whedon wouldn’t have killed off any of the main cast in the end tbh, that was unnecessary. And then we don’t even get a chance to grieve the characters because the show ends. I know Spike returns in Angel, but does Buffy know? And then we don’t know if they ever meet again. (Do they?? I haven’t watched Angel ever; I only know a few things because my mom watched it years ago. lol). I know they meet again in the main story comics, though, but I wish we could have gotten something more in the show. Tbh, giving Buffy that rando love interest in the final season was so darn unnecessary. That season could have explored so much MORE with Spuffy... I feel like they SO needed more time together. The main couple and the screentime together was not nearly enough for a final season... I know they had a lot to heal from after season 6, but especially because of that we needed more...

 Anyway, random rant. Sorry. I still have strong feelings about this show and especially about Spuffy. I hadn’t watched BTVS in 5 years, except for random little rewatches of seasons 1, 2, and 6.

[ellelans]

Ok so I finished rewatching 5A-it was time since I felt emotionally detached enough for a rewatch and we are at this point of hiatus where its probably wise to take a step back from fandom but anyways...I had mixed feelings about 5A and I finally made my peace.

Binge-watching is very different from week to week especially since you know whats going to happen and what to expect and you already processed most of it.Took me some time to actually go back and rewatch because I wasn’t ready as I had all kinds of mixed emotions about 5A.Show is changing and evolving into something different and new and probably even more exciting,but first part was hits and misses.Luckily more hits because 911 is brilliant and it was great to  experience eddieana breakup again,my heart broke again for Maddie (was I the only one who at some point forgot she even was in 5a?it felt like that anyways) and then again for Chim in 504.I can’t wait for them to get back and for Chim figure things out with Buck (they are family they have to).

And then we got 5x06 and that hostage situation and honestly Eddie arriving to a conclusion to leave 118 in 5x10?Is the most Eddie thing to do ever and I already knew that of course,but I never before watched both episodes in one day so it hits differently. This time I was watching Buck closely the whole time and again nothing new but noone is gonna struggle with Eddie’s decision than Buck - Eddie will deal with it until he comes back to 118 (and noone doubts that he will),but Buck will take it hard.I hope that we are getting Buckley Diaz family time out of that and finally on a way for some serious talking.

One of the reasons I wanted to rewatch was to confirm to myself that I wasn’t bitter about some things for nothing and nope nothing really changed.I still absolutely hate Athena’s storyline in first episodes until it was resolved with Harry finally coming home in 5x07.I skipped mst of the scenes tbh.Then it gets better and I am able to let go enough to cry over emotional episode that is 5X08 and Michael and David leaving and by the end of the season I am once again doing ok with Grant-Nash family.

The word ‘’repellent’’ comes to mind every time TayKay is onscreen and I am still furious over them giving her so much screen time with a sob background story.I know she is a filler,they needed all the side characters to cover up for 3 mains leaving and yes BT is a part of Buck’s journey that is hopefully coming to end soon (I have no doubt that this relationship will be over,its just the ‘soon’ part I am not sure about)-but watching it play out again made me tired and even more bored than before.And I am absolutely NOT KIDDING when I am saying this but I did rewatch ‘Ghost Story’ and she had more chemistry with Lou Ransone in a few scenes than with Buck in entire 5A.I can dislike BT all I want for Buck reasons,but honestly my biggest problem with them is that I am bored out of my mind,there was way too much of them in 5A and TayKay as a character is just useless. She contributes nothing to general storyline (she is just a part of Buck’s) while wasting entire scenes and as much as I love Buck...I can’t find an ounce of sympathy in me for his gf in 5x09 or care about anything she does or says. The only good thing about it all is that once you’re rewatching and processing you can’t help but applaud the writers for carefully crafting a relationship that is pretending to be something that its not and when BT goes boom noone will be surprised because all the signs that its not working are already in place.

And the most important part of the season so far-Eddie Diaz.After everything that he have been through,all his traumas,shooting and recovery,panic attacks and breaking off a relationship,changes at work,being taken hostage at the gun point and having to deal with distraught Chris who is handling (or not) his own traumas over Eddie’s shooting-Eddie makes a decision that will change the show even more.It was also interesting how Chris was sort of a Chekov’s gun in 5x01 when he was the one who mentioned that Eddie got shot and how in 5x10 that gun went off! I am always impressed with writers for planting foreshadowing here and there and they didn’t disappoint at all.

We have a little over a month till 5B and I couldn’t be more excited! All the changes we experienced in 5A,with show getting darker,grittier and more dramatic will continue imo but we have so much more to expect now.I have no idea what they are planning for Eddie and can’t wait to see where they are taking him,Maddie and Chim are coming back,hopefully Hen will get a more exciting storyline,Buck will be free again and the most important-what is gonna happen with Buck and Eddie now?! You know me I am a diehard buddie stan who believes we are heading for canon buddie (again with all the signs in place already) but WHEN?!!I WANT CLUES,I am even more invested now after a rewatch and I wasn’t sure that’s even possible! 

In conclusion - I am so.ready. for 5B now and its great I had a time out from rl so I could just sit and rewatch.I needed it and I am glad I finally made peace with 5A.

[caribbean-ace]

Station 19 5x07 is back folks and better than ever! After a 3 week hiatus we’re now on the road to some interesting stuff happening. Something came up and i couldn’t catch the episode live BUT i’ve decided to stay a little late to watch it. As usual spoiler alert so let’s hit it:

1. I’m so excited omg i can’t even. Now, onto the stuff happening here: badass firefighters + someone hug Jack please :( + someone hug Vic pls :( + lmao Travis ass is hurting + “your better half” YES + ugh the guys at 23 + Duval is just gonna suck it up? + poor Andy she’s being tortured by working there + Travic is the cutest + BRO WHAT I WAS NOT WAITING THAT AND I KNEW IT HAPPENED + “we’re making a baby” when she says it like that it sounds hot + i can’t i can’t i can’t Carina Deluca will kill me + i dislike Dean’s parents so much

2. Can they have Pru? They are such good parents they should raise her + Bailey is one of the best characters of the Grey’s Anatomy ‘verse by far + oh so this is how they mess up the bathroom + Jack is walking a very delicate line, i hope he gets help + now we know where Travis got his temper + i hope Andy makes them run Maya’s drills😂 + that actually looks therapeutic + i’m scared for them

3. OH MY GOD NO SHIRTS + THE FINGER BITE CARINA + MAYA’S BACK AND EVERYTHING WHAT I NEED HELP + it’s hard to switch from the horny scene to this sad scene😭 + oh Sullivan… well i just hope this doesn’t affect Ruiz and Hughes relationship + imagine Ben and Miranda being in love with baby Pru and just giving her all their love😭 yayyy they are fighting for her😭 hopefully they get to keep her😍

4. Maddox is going to do something stupid i sense it + i hate they are so defensive for no reason + i get they are hurt but they just disrespect Dean at every turn + go off Bailey! You’re right + Duval is going to learn the hard way her lesson just to play it cool with the “boys”

5. They are so drunk it’s just borderline dangerous + oh boy we’re back with these two horny wives😂 + Carina mocking Maya is the best + i am so distracted by the minimun clothing that is going on here + the look of adoration from Maya to Carina😍😍😍 + i’m crying😭😭😭 they are so in love it hurts + oh chocolate and sex don’t mix that good, infections are real dude💀 + come on andy you can do this! + Travis’ mom is so perfect let’s protect her at all costs

6. Oh my lord please don’t make this a thing don’t + we don’t need more messy love triangles + on the other hand marina has been having mindblowing sex for the last two days + ohhh andy paralleling maya in season 3 + go andy! I love how she finally placed Maddox where he needed to be + ohhhhh noooooo😭😭😭😭 baby Pru already knows she’s so pretty i can’t even😭 + ah marina picking up donors😭 + poor Travis his family deserves better + andy is looking hella fine working out + i dislike Sullivan because he’s only having an angle all the time + oh that came out earlier than expected + for whatever reason i thought he was going to find out some other way.

Anyways that is the end of my rambling while watching the episode! Good comeback from those three weeks, for the marina scenes i’d say it was worth it every second, finally we have them in scenes that feel more intimate (in the physical aspect because they do have that emotional intimacy). Dealing with the angst and the battle that will follow for Pru’s custody is going to be hard plus Dean’s best friends dealing with his loss it can be too much. I don’t even want to think too much about Jack and Vic, maybe it would stay as a slip up and nothing more. Good for Andy and stepping up like her father taught her, Maya and Captain Herrera would be so proud of her now🥲 and last but not least Travis’ family dealing with all those feelings and resentment, it’s hard to someone like Travis’ father to think that being gay it’s wrong only to discover that you happen to be gay too, rejecting your family for something that you thought it was “bad” or “evil”. It’s pretty hard to just forgive someone and pretend it never happened, they just need to own their mistakes and try to move on as slow as they can.

Banger episode i’m so ready for next week’s episode, i’m treating this one as a early birthday gift so i enjoyed plenty, i hope you have enjoyed too!

[shirtlesssammy]

5x07: The Curious Case of Dean Winchester

A woman sits at home reading tabloid news. Her husband rushes in and doesn’t even greet her as he runs for the bathroom. Once there, he quickly transforms into an old man, and dies. 

The CDC is on the case! Sam and Dean check out the victim -and he does not look like he was born in 1984. Dean calls Bobby to give him the heads up on the case. Dean then asks Bobby how he’s doing, but Bobby isn’t one for emotions.

The brothers then go to interview the wife of another missing man. Dean sneaks off to rifle through the man’s things and finds a receipt to Madame Liu’s Golden Palace. Bingo. 

When Dean and Sam go to investigate the hotel of fun, they don’t find the old man they’re expecting, but a much younger man. 

They almost don’t realize that he’s who they're looking for but Sam notices he has the same tattoo on his arm and Dean had to confirm by looking under the sheets. Oh Dean. Dean also tells the guy he looks great. 

Cliff begs the brothers to not tell his wife. They want to know what his story is. He tells them it’s poker --chips are for years of your life. He won big. The guy running the game is an Irish man named Patrick and he moves around from bar to bar. 

On the phone, Bobby confirms that there’s a lot of lore on this. Sam and Dean split up to find the guy. Bobby grabs his keys. 

Dean stops at a bar and tries talking up the bartender. The bartender tells him where to go with a little bribe. Dean heads to where the game is played, only to run into Bobby. Dean asks Bobby what he’s doing there. Bobby played the game, and lost. BOBBY. 

Dean storms off to find the (man)witch. Dean threatens him with a gun (pre-witch killing bullet days make me laugh --like that isn’t a threat, Dean!) but Patrick tells Dean that if he wants to get Bobby’s years back (WHICH HE DIDN’T HAVE ANYWAY UGH UGH UGH) he’ll have to play for them. 

Dean bets 50 years. He cashes out Bobby’s 25 right away, and Bobby returns to normal. Dean needs to win them back. 

Sam gets back to the motel with food to find an old man there. Well, not really --it’s Dean! They exchange fun barbs about what Dean looks like as an old man while Dean digs into his burger. Bobby pops in and Sam gets to watch a live recreation of Grumpy Old Men, which he’s enjoying IMMENSELY. 

Dean continues to chastise Bobby for being so reckless. Bobby tells Dean he doesn’t understand. Dean then collapses into a chair with heart attack pains. Bobby tells him it’s acid reflux and he’ll “have to put down the cheeseburger.” The struggle is real, Dean. 

They need to head out and win back the 50 years for Dean. As they’re leaving, the housekeeper arrives and finds old man Dean cute as a button. Your charms are worthless, Dean --and Sam and Bobby are delighted. 

They track Patrick, who steals a car, and heads to a high rise apartment building. When he leaves again, they head inside. The elevator is out of service so Sam and Dean head up the stairs alone. Dean’s near exhaustion by the second floor.

 Sam (and eventually Dean) find Patrick’s apartment and break in. There are a lot of unattended candles burning --stressing me out. 

They find a safe but Dean can’t focus on the numbers, lol. Sam breaks it though and they find coins inside. A woman finds them and asks what they're doing (so the candles weren’t unattended, whew.) 

Also, she’s a witch, and Patrick is also there and tells them they can gladly take the chips --they’re just chips. Patrick tells them they’ll have to play if they want the years. 

He won’t play Dean though --he’s not a murderer. They leave, but Patrick gives Sam a parting gift BY CLAPPING.

Sam “Why Do I Get All the Venereal Diseases” Winchester wants to play the poker game. “When you get to be our age,” Dean tells Sam condescendingly as they try to talk him out of it. 

“You’re thirty, Dean!” Sam retorts. Cracks me up EVERY TIME. 

Bobby follows the Winchester playbook by offering to play again - this time for Dean. He argues that it’s worth risking his life. That way, he misses out on the apocalypse. Also, we’re reminded that Bobby hates his paralysis and thinks he’s useless. “I’m old...I’m broke down. I ain't a hunter no more. I'm useless.” I tell Bobby that his role was lore and manning the phones for most of the series so far and ANYWAY he ain’t useless. 

Lia greets them at their motel. 

She offers them “the most powerful reversal spell you ever laid your eyes on.” First of all, love the confidence! She tells them that it’ll undo all of Patrick’s spellwork - including her artificial youth. She mysteriously fondles a heart locket at her throat, but I’m sure it isn’t important. 

Patrick plays another game of poker. He’s got a pair of kings, but he folds so the old man he’s playing can live to see his grandchild’s bat mitzvah. Sam enters and remarks on Patrick’s kindness. Then he deals in. 

Meanwhile, Bobby and Dean grouse at each other over a grave. Dean’s OLD and he does not LIKE IT. Bobby has ZERO SYMPATHY. 

For Shadow Puppet Theatre Science:

Sam faces down Patrick, ignoring the gambler’s strategic talk. While Lia distracts Patrick during a break in the game, Sam heads outside and hands Dean Patrick’s toothpick for a little witch DNA. Dean and Bobby do the spell and Dean gets ready to shed several decades. Dean’s “old man” actor continues to delight me. 

Back at the gambler’s den, Patrick taunts Sam with a toothpick. Sam stole the wrong one...no DNA. Patrick tries to force-choke Sam in retaliation.

Lia begs Patrick to stop and confesses that she gave the Winchesters the spell. As for her reasons? Well, she fondles the locket meaningfully. They keep playing. 

Bobby and Dean race to save Sam - they’ve got to get some DNA before the spell will work. At Patrick’s place, Dean tries to find some trace of hair, spit, whatever he can find. Back at the gambling table, Sam places his final bet.

Patrick folds, only to discover that Sam’s bluffing. He tells Sam that Dean’s on the verge of death. (In Patrick’s place, Dean clutches his chest dramatically.) Patrick notes that imperiling Dean turns Sam’s brain into an emotional slush pit. Sam shoves all his chips into the pot. It’s time to end the game. 

Dean rattles out his final breaths as the game wraps up. It looks like Patrick wins, and Lia starts to cry. “For a witch, you're so nice,” Sam notes. “it's actually kind of creepy.” SAM! Don’t be rude. (Can’t wait ‘til you become Witch!Sam.) Sam pauses for dramatic effect and...I remind him that his brother is still dying? He reveals his cards. Sam won!

Dean runs out of the building, leaping with joy at the return of his youth. 

Patrick and Lia sit together. She opens her locket to reveal her daughter...dead from extreme old age and buried long ago. Lia is tired of seemingly eternal youth. She puts in all her chips and they finish the game. They share an emotional farewell as she ages in front of Patrick. 

Back at the motel, Sam “The Clap” Winchester heads out to get a booster shot. Dean apologizes to Bobby for being so hard on him. “You’re not useless, Bobby.”

“You don’t stop being a soldier ‘cause you got wounded in battle. Bottom line is, you’re family. I can’t do this without you.” Dean targets Bobby with his MOST EMOTIONAL FACE and tells him he can’t check out early. Dean needs him. 

Bobby promises, thanks Dean for the sentiment, and then growls about needing to drop the emotional talk before they start growing “lady parts.” SIGH. Dean drops a burger, having learned for one episode to avoid cholesterol. They head out into the sunshine. I marinate in the emotion, until I realize that they never defeated Patrick? Have a nice life, I guess, ManWitch!

Boris: I absolutely adore this episode every time I watch it. I think we praise the actors who play the younger version of Dean so much, but I almost never consciously think about whether that’s a version of Dean or another actor playing Dean ---this actor seamlessly became Dean to me. Magic! Maybe because Dean’s already an old man. I love the case--I love Patrick--I love the look into Bobby’s struggle.

Benjamin Quotin’:

I'm just weepin' in my Haagen-Dazs. Idjit

Look at me! My junk's rustier than yours! You hear me bellyaching?

Pound it up your ass, ironsides

 Want to read more? Check out our Recap Archive!

[jerepars]

Hey, I’m your previous anon who said that, even though I love reading them regardless, sometimes I don’t always agree with your thoughts (with the HARD exception of Kote). I’m back to tell you I agree with all your 5x08 reactions. It seems like I waited a week to watch a very half assed romance plot of underdeveloped side characters and I felt no emotion. In season 3, when the prospect of Kote was first hinted at I was actually excited, thinking they’d provide a bit of comic relief and act as a foil to the greatness that is Jeresa. Now, both characters bore me and I really don’t understand the writers’ infatuation. I’m watching a show where Teresa is heroine, and yet I actually MISS her. I feel like she barely gets any screen time that doesn’t just feel superficial and surface level. She’s had so many losses (Tony, George etc...) that the writers could have taken advantage of and created a bit of poignancy. I know it’s an action show, but it’s just too much. I feel underwhelmed. Anyway, hopefully we get some quality Jeresa time next episode. I hate being the shipper that only watches a show for my ship, but honestly there’s not much else driving this show anymore.

Hello anon! Back again? Shall we make this a weekly thing now that there are only two episodes left? Lol.

A major thing that's irked me about this season is that it seems so much focus is put on the action without strengthening the storylines due to the lack of critical interactions between the characters. I think part of what makes it disappointing is that we have gotten the action alongside important interactions on this show before. In my opinion, most of the scenes that have been long (*cough* Kote scenes *cough*) eat into time that could be better used in meaningful conversations. And I don't just mean Jeresa either. For example, regardless of how annoying I find Pote, Teresa's relationship with him is very important. I would have liked to see more of them.

Much of the season has felt like the Kote show to me and I can't help but resent that. I think I wouldn't mind it in doses. Maybe if it remained as the sideshow and wasn't being force-fed to me as the main show it wouldn't bother me so much. At times, it does seem like Teresa's appearances are surface level, like you said. In my opinion we've only gotten glimpses into what Teresa is dealing with mentally and emotionally...whereas I would have liked to see a deep dive. Like I said earlier, I want the story to be strengthened, and Teresa's story especially! But every time we get close, it's gotten brushed off and we're moving on.

From my perspective, the writers have done the story a disservice by not having a major Jeresa moment around 5x06 or 5x07. And I don't say that just because I wanted more Jeresa action. It didn't have to be them banging or even kissing at all. But a conversation or confrontation or something. Because this is still supposed to be about Teresa's journey. And whether the writers or the anti-Jeresa crowd like it or not, James is part of that journey. The lack of transition, the lack of building--beyond it being dissatisfying, there's so much missing.

I want to end this on a positive note rather than just airing out a bunch of my complaints so I'll leave you with this: it does seem (fingers crossed) that we will get to see Teresa save herself. That's always been an important sticking point for me, so I look forward to it if and when it happens.

Thanks for the ask!

[idreamofmcdanno]

5x07: Ina Paha-Where Steve is waterboard

I can’t stand this (in anyway) I have a fear of drowning (as that is how I died in my past life) and just watching this is pure torture (for me) and for Steve.

I hate that Wo-Fat would so this.

[kuiinncedes]

heyy Jeanne 💕 rank these crackships/friendships or whatever you want to call them

Sam and Marley

Kurt and Sam

Puck and Kurt

Tina and Ryder

Brittany and Marley

Brittany and Puck

Blaine and Brittany

thanks for the ask!! <3

kurt and sam - HEVANS SUPREMACY !! deserved more of their friendshipppppp and i wouldn’t have minded some midgame hevans lowkey and i won’t get into that now lol and like!! they lived together!!!! we should have gotten more of their friendship!!!!!!!! anyway

sam and marley - the only scene i can think of is the one in 4x01 so idk if they had more lol but that was a sweet scene

puck and kurt - i think they had a good friendship but idk how much of what i’m thinking of is canon lmao i think they had a lot of potential and it made for some great fics and fanon puckurt

tina and ryder - ugh i hate ryder but they have some cute background moments i guess (she’s playing his drums in 5x07 which is really cute ngl) and it’s tina so i don’t think i can put this lower lol i just wish i liked ryder more/at all bc they could be a cute friendship/crackship but no tina deserves way better <3

blaine and brittany - idk they had some cute moments, not that attached to their friendship tho haha

brittany and marley - also can’t remember how much they had in canon lmao but tell him was fun

brittany and puck - i cannot remember any interactions between them lmao so yeah and i don’t particularly love either of them lsdkhfj