#bc i dont have the editing skill (nor the time) to make that happen

[racetrackmybeloved]

ok but imagine: if jeremy jordan had done the 92sies dance break in livesies santa fe

you're welcome (im sorry)

[millionsknives]

phantom thoughts:

julia udine was a fantastic christine. really strong vocally, a courageous and compassionate and really solid leading lady. she starts out clueless and scared and grows into a capable and resolute person, even though she’s clearly damaged and still scared. i loved how her ‘wishing you were somehow here again’ came across as a rallying point for the character instead of just a lament. (hoped we would get to see emilie kouatchou in the role, since she was on the posters and promotional material, but alas)

ben crawford’s phantom was good, but unusual. he has weird diction where he tightens his vowels (instead of loosening them like most singers) which was a little distracting, but it wasn’t bad by any means. he played the role more like a straight-up villain which was exciting, considering my favorite and most-watched versions of the phantom are the softer/childish/sympathetic portrayals (we are hugh panaro stans first and people second) the only downside to this bad-guy take is that his change of heart during the final lair seems somewhat abrupt because of his prior villainy, but it was a fun change of pace to have an a-hole phantom. i wish he would have gone with a softer portrayal at times though because he was really really good in the quiet and tender moments!

he also did that thing where he doesnt know what to do with his hands any time he’s around christine, like he wants to touch her but isnt allowed to, ESPECIALLY when she kisses him (and i love it)

let me talk about my favorite ben crawford phantom moment now: the first high note in ‘music of the night’ (the high A♭ on soar). i was in shock bc i always hear vocalists go into falsetto or head voice on just that note and i was fully expecting to hear that little break/switch in the voice on soar but he sang it in full chest voice, and it still sounded gentle and floaty and ethereal.

as an aside, assuming ben stays on until february, i love that the role is bookended by two crawfords

paul adam schaefer was a solid raoul, no complaints. it sounds dismissive when i say it, but i mean it in the best way possible since raoul isnt as nuanced of a role compared to the phantom and christine. there wasnt anything that stood out as particularly different or extraordinary about his performance, nor anything negative. he was good and i liked him 👍

im just in awe of the sheer magnitude of the production. no expense spared. entire setpieces and props used only for five minutes and never seen again. the ensemble is massive and the costumes sumptuous and there’s always something else happening on stage (ballet chorus practicing during angel of music, stagehands running around ‘backstage’, etc) it’s so immersive. not to mention the chandelier 👁️👄👁️. and the pyrotechnics. and the hanging angel sculpture. and th

jaw on the mf floor when the curtain came up on the masquerade. the giant staircase, the entire ensemble in these insane costumes, the fake people on the ends of the rows. i could watch it twelve times and notice something new every time. they really dont make theatre like they used to

the two opera managers (nehal joshi as andre and craig bennett as firmin) almost stole the show. their comedic timing was impeccable and they both were able to inject humor into lines that i’ve seen otherwise played straight by other actors. & one of them is big and tall and the other is shorter and small, so theyve got that big/small comedy duo thing to add to the humor

emma thought meg sang a little flat when she wasn’t in harmony, but i didn’t hear it (emma is a much better vocalist than i am though, so i’ll just take her word for it)

raquel suarez groen as carlotta was just *chef kiss* she’s one of my favorite roles in the musical for the sheer skill required for such an underrated role

i still have no idea how he disappears through that chair at the end.

and finally, here’s me at da majestic, 9 years in the making :3

edit: i also bought this cool pin

[thevoidcannotbefilled]

Its been a while and I dont remember it well, what happened with the w359 finale?

Ooof okay. To you and the other anon here’s my answer. I’m not blind myself, so if I say something out of line, please tell me and I’ll make correction. But here we go: 

Dr. Miranda Pryce was introduced in the final season as one of the main big bad villains of the show. She’s an AI specialized who created Hera, who we already know put the thought of “You’re Not Good Enough” in her head in order to control her. As we hear more of her, we learn that 1) she has a habit of punishing/abusing AIs in order to control them, even revels in it, and 2) she is willing and for the fun of it, used her technological abilities in order to essentially turn the crew on her ship into brain-dead soldiers, not quite dead but only living bc of her machines like human puppets. She also uses said technology to 1) torture information out of Eiffel’s brain and 2) turn everyone else into puppets. 

Overall the impression we get of her: She is a scientist who uses technology in order to control people in whatever means necessary because she finds the ability to control and change people both satisfying and amusing. 

Now, I set this background up to 1) remembering what happened in W359 and 2) the impression we get of this character. She is not sympathetic nor is she trying to be. And that’s fine! You don’t need those type of characters all the time, especially since W359 is FULL of characters that join our side after realizing they’re being used or help the team in one way or another because of sympathy. 

But then, we’re also told that she has cybernetic eyes. And at one point, she losing full sight in them after they were destroyed in an explosion that Eiffel caused. I won’t analyze up to this point how Pryce’s blindness was treated in universe. Again, I’m not an expert and there would be a lot of more subtle nuances I would be missing if I tried to analyze the writing. The only questionable part is having a blind villain when no other character other than arguably Hera are disabled. But also, again, I’m won’t make a fuss for the writing up to that point. 

HOWEVER WE GET TO THE FINALE AND OH BOY. 

The finale starts with a speech from Pryce. Summed up? Pryce was a blind orphan girl who was treated badly because she was blind and was creepy for making “dolls”. She then was recruited by Cutler in order to make AIs and eventually, get the technology to copy people and to change humanity in a way that in their eyes is “better”. IE: turning people into perfect puppets for them to control. 

Okay, lot to unpack there: 

1) In the speech Pryce repeatedly calls herself broken. In fact, describing herself as a “broken girl” when she was picked up by Cutler. Yes, the speech wasn’t literal and was meant to be like she was telling a story, but that doesn’t mean that it makes it any less ableist. No, it does not matter if the blind character is the only who is calling herself broken, 1) there are no other blind characters to counter that, 2) none of our heroes countered her, and 3) may I remind you she is 100% a villain. This means “I was blind and treated awfully for it. I wanted to change the world bc I was mad about I was treated and then went full dictator on things with less power than me” is one of our VILLAIN’S backstory. Idk if they were trying to have some humanity in her or what, but it does not work. This character is too far gone to make sympathetic especially in your finale episode. And if they weren’t trying to make her sympathetic, they were straight up saying, “This character felt so broken by how she was treated and her blindness that she used her skills in order to manipulate and hurt others for my own gain”. That just straight up demonizes blind people. It’s bad writing at best and straight up ableist at worst. 

2) This one is more subtle, but the general idea of technology being used to make people’s lives better, especially enhancements to the body being framed in a negative light has ableist elements in it. Because you know, technology isn’t the issue, it’s what people use technology for that’s the issue. For example, there’s a scene where Pryce is working on her eyes while someone else is in the room. The other person found the idea of talking to her while she didn’t have both eyes in unsettling. Ergo, the message is “cybernetic eyes are creepy”. In reality, technology that can be used to replace body parts, especially tricky things like eyes is so good!!! It shouldn’t be required to have, of course, (Some blind folks don’t mind being blind and people should always have control in regards to what happens to their body if it only affects their body!!!) but having the choice to repair your vision if you’d like is AMAZING. But the show sort of frames any sort of technology as invasive and inhumane. Another example, only the main villains have body modifications. Cutler made enhancements to his body to make it faster and stronger (which makes sense in character), but also with it, the implication that having body modifications makes him less humane. 

There’s a running theme in the show that humanity is a choice, a messy choice with messy lives, but one you make. With that, while the villains are human, they lose their humanity by not caring about others. Which good!!! Excellent theming!!! But, in Wolf 359, the villains also make body modifications to themselves, and only the villains. This builds on the long and tired trope of things like canes, braces, artificial limbs, and other similar things are a sign of villainy or inhumanity, as if adding these elements to yourself modifies your humanity. Which, just isn’t the case. This is especially strange in this series because we have an AI main character who struggles with being treated as human because she’s an AI, but definitely sees herself  and wants others to treat her as a person.

This is especially disappointing because the villains’ plan is to reshape people and make them “better”. Cutler’s plan is to turn humanity into mindless puppets for them to control. It’s a natural conclusion from “being utterly disposable when necessary” to “you’re being kept around because you’re useful” to “you’re useful, but we don’t care about your humanity, so we’re taking away all your humanity to control you”. You didn’t need the other stuff with the blindness and the implication that body enhancements at all to make this point. 

So, I won’t go on for longer, but TLDR: Wolf359′s finale has a blind character not only call herself broken but also has her be one of the main villains. A villain who doesn’t care for other’s boundaries and repeatedly uses her technological skills to modify others without permission. There are also undertones within the series that physical modification in general is creepy and invasive without nuance.  This could have easily been avoided within the narrative because most of this was added either within the final season or within the finale itself. That’s why parts of the final season and especially the finale are ableist. 

(If I’m overstepping, please tell me, and I’ll reblog additions/edit the post as necessary. This is meant to be an explanation because I got a few anons about it). 

[misterbitches]

idk what im saying here so and none of it makes sense and im depressed

god i really hate the nickname hank i don't understand why he chose that i don't hate it hate it i like it because it's a cute cat name and i love our Working Class King Hank Hill but just as a name-name esp on a non-white person who is also not an animal i'm like but why thoughhhhhhhhhh. it's so american? lmao do canadians even have the name hank? i don't know i just hate the way it sounds. whatever that wasn't the point.

he's only 24 (just turned!) and afaik aaron lai and the girl who plays xiao qian (yao mi) are 29 i would be really like overwhelmed if i were younger and greener (like he is) but they dont do a bad job at all and si qi (idk his name my b) his actor is 22 so he's not great but he's okay and that's a big difference.

there's some major issues in the show but the most fucking annoying thing the one that very few people complain about in terms of the story is. the. EDITING. THE EDITING. thsi has been my biggest peeve and it's not even totally about the functionning of the story.

but my point with pointing that out (sry adhd) is that the acting is really...not a huge issue at all. this is what happens when there's competency at least; i'm not thinking about their acting skills/level when i watch so it's good. not enough to blow me out o fthe water but enough for me to be able to watch and not be taken out of the story (the editing OTOH DOES THAT)

so hes young and i like him i mean theyre all young but he's like younger younger lmao (im 29 ok i am a Mom jk no im not thank god) idk i saw interviews with him and he seems to have fun with acting (which is a good thing it seems liek they had fun adn DING DING DING DING) and takes it in stride, something he wants to do. at first i thought he was gonna be so bad idk why but he wasnt.

i reallllyyyyy hope they all get to continue on their careers with whatever they want. get to be in some good tv and movies and stick to their guns. and amy (cheng luo) continues to be the best and hot and cute and make god music ok!

also christ man not that having unproblematic* writing is equivalent to good content—if you write something "problematic" it has to fit, make sense, have us into the story. i'm talking specifically about the medium of tv/films/visual art but that's anything so having like no rape wouldnt mean good content it would just mean that um we're normal humans—but this is like a pretty decent example of a show that treats them like human beings and live sort of in the real world and not in gratuitous fetishization or obsession with patriarchy to support the couple. and the girls are....people. friends. girlfriends. workers. sisters. etc.

comparative to like tharntype which fails on every level or things like 2gether which are a drag or hm...history! so many fucking weird things there (most comparable to like crosing the line i think is this one. but with way better music jesus but CTL is def a best) and just bad acting, plot, editing, etc but this is like what if those shows had competent humans behind it and perhaps too much time and decent acting because this is their career and what they want?

i've realized for BLIH i'm trying to pin down fandom psyche but why even bother cos it's all dumb capitalist bs. maybe bc the show has things that are ahead of the others in this genre (which is why this genre's moniker 'bl' isssss sooo constricting but this is for another essay "the diff between bl and queer media" that i will not go into it's too complicated and silly) that people are like ok but go above and beyond but i think what they're presenting is pretty truthful to what they want to say? if that makes sense. they seem to know the jokes about the pacing etc but it's not like they retroactively take it back. to me it seems that there's abit of a confidence in the cast/crew team that comes with maturity and dedication to a craft (although that there video editor...) like they consistently know what they want and are going to do it. but idk if that's true.

*this is too vague of a term and i hate when fandom uses the phrasing bc it's not specific, specified, nor attacking the issue but i'm just using it for brevity and ykwim

[hoonface]

TAGGY GAMES #2

TAGGED BY @s-lay-ing thank you so much!! I had fun doing this <3 <3 Will tag... @healinghoshi (vicky pls dont tell me youre stressing too much TT-TT) @wonuthewhale (i will still tag you in these even though you dont do them >:D) @jisoosmeoli (CARMENNN) @vitaminniedk (vivienne!!) @jisoominghao JELLY WHERE ARE YOU TT-TT PLEASE TELL ME YOURE DOING OKAY <3 

Alright then, here we go: 

8 questions tag 😈

So you have to answer the questions that the person who tagged you made & then you have to come up with your own questions, as simple as that 😁

I ACTUALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHICH QUESTIONS I’M MEANT TO DO AND WHAT I’M NOT MEANT TO SO… YOLO (I’m so cringey I apologise)

1. what’s your favorite bridge in a song? (i know this is so difficult but i thought narrowing it to the bridge might help?? but back 2 u’s is honestly so good)

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A BRIDGE IS EDUCATE ME

2. how many spoons can you balance on your face? (photo evidence is optional)

Nothing is tearing me away from the computer and this music that is coming from my headphones which is connected to my computer.

3. the ingredients you would put in your ideal smoothie are….

…the basics? Strawberry, milk, honey and such?

4. what was the defining moment that made your ult bias your bias?

Jihoon? It just kind of happened. It felt like he kind of just biased wrecked me way too much… I still have bias wreckers, definitely, but at the end of the day its always Jihoon that I love the most, and I think that’s the defining moment.

5. would you change your eye color if you could? if so what color? (it can be natural or not have fun w it lol)

…tbh I think I’m fine with this, I can’t imagine myself with anything else.

6. what are your favorite physical and personality traits of your top bias(es)? (alternatively just your fave picture of our bias if you can’t pick actually just include your fave picture bc why not)

JIHOON

Physical? His arms? Like what? No? What? Happened? Why? Is he suddenly?

Personality? He is kinda like tsundere but you can really tell he loves his members. He’s always so humble, despite being so amazing and I just love him. A tough exterior covering a soft and caring Jihoon <3

Choi Seungcheol

Physical: …his body in general? I mean like if you watch him dance in Mansae, his legs move in a really satisfying way (why do I feel like I’m saying something wrong) but like his arms are really nice too?

Personality: I just. This boy. He’s so incredibly hardworking and he clearly loves his members and takes care of them like he’s their father, he’s always so humble and selfless. Always thinks of others before himself <3

7. do you have a go-to video to make you laugh/cheer you up?

Honestly, just SVT in general. Their videos always make me feel better <3

8. end w your favorite quote/emoji/emoticon(ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

Loving you is a blessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AGAIN, DO I DO THESE? I’m sorry if I’m not meant to but here goes nothing:

1. If you could have any idols hairstyle past or present whose would you choose?

…isn’t it like a no brainer? YoON JEONGHAN’S LONG HAIR.

2. If you could take your bias group or just your bias and put them into another universe i.e. wizarding world or similar what world would you but them in? And why?

………………………………………………………………………………………?

3. Fave idol outfit? doesn’t have to be your bias just any outfit you’ve liked! Provide pictures if you want!

The time SEVENTEEN WAS AT SBS GAYO DAEJUKCHAE? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS CALLED BUT THE PRINCE OUTFITS WERE SO DAMN NICE OH MY GOD  

4. Favorite fancam? Im a fancam ho I need recs plx.

Oooooh, I had a whole google document of this and now I have no idea where it went…uhhh… there are definitely some that I love….. . . … … . .THE FANCAM OF CHEOL AND HOSH TALKING TO THE KID I AM D E A D

5. What are your favorite girl group non title songs, if you don’t have any what are your favorite gg mvs?

I don’t listen to girl groups that much? Please don’t take offense, I promise I have nothing against girl groups, but when I do listen to them they’re mostly title tracks.

Favorite video: … no idea

6. If you could create your own group drawing from all other groups regardless of companies who would you choose and what would there concept be?

…the disadvantages of being only SVT biased, you have no idea how to answer this question XD

7. so you are going to a music festival and in this dream world you get to decide all the ppl/groups that are going to be there, who would you choose? It doesn’t just have to be Kpop!

LOL I CAN’T ANSWER THIS EITHER I’M NOT MULTIFANDOM XDD

8. If you could have any talent in the world what would you want it to be? I would want to be in anyway musically inclined rip me tbh.

The talent to be good at everything :DDDD

———————————–

Now, my questions:

1_ Thoughts on paying for a hitouch?

I’m not that sure tbh, what exactly is a hitouch? Do I get to talk to them?

2_ Now, if your favorite group/artist (kpop or not) chooses you to go on stage to perform with them…do you think you could do a great job?

Hell no. I have no performing skills whatsoever.

3_ (CHOREOGRAPHY WISE) Adore u or Shining Diamond? Mansae or Rock? Pretty u or Chuck? Boom Boom or Smile Flower doesn’t have a choreo so Highlight? Don’t wanna cry or Crazy In Love?

Adore U, Mansae, Pretty U, Smile Flower, Don’t Wanna Cry.

4_ Is there a song you absolutely adore from an artist/group you don’t really stan/like?

EXO CBX’S HEY MAMA OH MY GODDDD I’M STILL ADDICTED

5_ Name your Top 10 non title kpop songs 🎶 (songs that aren’t the main single nor the second song they tend to promote along the main one)

I have no idea.

6_ if you’ve had your first job already: what’s the very first thing you bought with your first paycheck? If you haven’t had a job yet, what’s the most meaningful item you own?

I can’t exactly say I own my family and friends, but that’s what I’m saying.

7_ Have you ever tried to do something you’ve seen on social media? (Recipes, make up tutorials, a viral challenge, a DIY etc) if so, what have you attempted to do?

No XD

8_ Right now at this very exact moment the three leaders of Seventeen go to wherever you are w/ a camera crew and all that jazz to say you were chosen to participate with them and one friend of your choice in a new edition of OFD (in your country obvi). Now: where did they find you? Which friend would you pick (can be from anywhere)? and if you had to pick between the three units, which one would you join? (😜😜😜)

Where did they find me? …at my house? Is that strange? I would pick my best friend probably, she loves Seventeen too. What IS THAT LAST QUESTION OH MY GODDDD ……………………………………… .       . . . bu-buT TT-TT vocal unit it is~

Bonus question bc ¯\_(ツ)_/¯: is there a movie you consider is beyond underrated? I need movie recommendations 😁

I don’t watch movies a lot XD but I personally think Pitch Perfect 1 didn’t really meet my expectations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Questions game:

I’ve done this before but I’ll leave this here for the people I’ve tagged~

Rules: Answer the questions in a new post and tag some blogs you would like to get to know better!

• Name:

• Height:

• Ultimate bias:

• Nicknames:

• Zodiac sign:

• Favourite fruit:

• Favourite season:

• Favourite colour:

• Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?:

• Favourite animals:

• Last TV show I watched:

• Dream trip:

• Last movie I watched:

• Number of blankets you sleep with:

• Song stuck in my head:

• What kind of stuff do you post?:

• Last thing you googled:  

• Side-blog:

• Following:

• When did you make this blog: main blog?

• Do you get asks regularly:

• Why did you choose your URL:

• Average hours of sleep: