#best guest

[svu-bracket]

finals (round 11)

THE TOP TWO ACTORS IN THIS POLL WILL MOVE ON TO THE FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND NEXT WEEK!

descriptions under the cut

judith light -> appeared in 25 episodes over 9 seasons as bureau-chief-turned-judge, elizabeth donnelly. famous hater of the girls (alex cabot + casey novak). also famously almost died in zebras. last time we see her is in season 12, behave with jennifer love hewitt.

ellen burstyn -> appeared in the season 10 episode, swing. elliot's mama. recurs on organized crime.

andre braugher -> appeared in six episodes over 3 seasons as defense attorney bayard ellis. when he came around the squad knew they fucked it. Liv did call him to represent simon and his wife when they got busted with weed (child's welfare).

[vengeancevixen]

Fun at Mike’s wedding!

[theonyxranger]

I understand

[dumpster-fire-sapphic-failgirl]

One thing about Laura Bailey:

She respects consent. Not just physically. But emotional consent too. She might make the most adorable blurbo every, one specifically aimed at romancing a character, but if the player isn’t into it she gives them plenty of room to back out. (based on C2 and C3, I haven’t seen C1)

Winning isn’t kissing the other player and having them accept it. Winning is having them kiss your character and mean it.

—————

Side note, I gotta acknowledge how cute Laura’s “I know, I’m sorry!” response to Marisha’s “I made a dead lady who was unromanceable!” statement

it means that their session zero involved Laura sitting there as Marisha described their friendship and closeness and was thinking the whole time “I’m gonna make a Sapphic that is going to Pine So Hard”

And honestly I think she, as a player, would have been delighted to play the heartbreak of being rejected. To take that leap and fall flat? BAFTA award winning actress Laura Bailey not making something amazing out of that? No fuckin way.

[vaguely-concerned]

it probably says something either sad or deeply unfortunate about me as a person, but I'm darkly amused to see some people react to the reveal of the ultimate permeability of souls in tlt as a triumphant thing -- the "you can't take 'loved' away!!!" side of it all -- when my first reaction was such an immediate wave of 'oh, oh so this is why this series is horror, I truly understand now' distress haha. ngl the final confirmation of the self not being inviolable in the deepest way freaks me the fuck out far more than any moment of body horror in the series has managed. (these two elements are of course the two sides of one thematic coin; it's about the horror of our bodies and minds and selves not being inviolable things, and about the effect of violence on them on so many different levels. violence psychological and interpersonal, physical, subtextually sexual, emotional, medical, political, a whole unlovely smörgåsbord of indignity and violation a person can be exposed to, and on a broader scale the spectrum of violence colonialism wields). The world and other people being capable of leaving indelible marks on us for good or ill through their presence in our lives is of course a pretty self-evident demonstrable truth in the real world, but somehow having it be proven metaphysically just uh. Fucks me up! 

It also drives home to me just how perfectly Muir has captured the dilemma at the heart of human connection and intimacy: the fact that the thing that gives us life and meaning is also capable of harming us so deeply. the same thing that can be so beautiful — even in a bittersweet, violently transformative form like with the creation of Paul — when done mutually and consensually and compassionately, is the same process that means someone like John can touch someone else's soul and 'after he's put his fingers on something, you'll never find anyone else's fingerprints on it; too much noise'. I think the text itself — the whole series, because to me this is what it is ultimately about, this tension between individuation/self vs. love/connection/enmeshment — is far more ambivalent in its treatment of it than saying it’s inherently a good thing or inherently a bad thing. The only thing it says for sure is that it is always a thing, that thinking you’re ever getting away from it is the height of futility, and that through being alive (or even through being dead lol) it is something you have to engage with in some way no matter what. Contact with other people is deeply necessary — without it we sicken and die. it can be the most beautiful and meaningful thing in a human life, and the most unspeakably horrific. All of these people are searching for some way to be whole, whether in total self-contained sufficiency on their own or in melding with someone else as their ‘other half’, and stumbling around in the dark they reach for each other and score deep wounds into the thing they’re trying to touch even when they don’t mean to. Taken to horrific extremes with the form of lyctorhood John guided his disciples to when they were ‘children — playing in the reflections of stars in a pool of water, thinking it was space’, because while people hurt each other all the time with differing levels of intentionality behind it, what John did was deliberate. It weaponizes the misapprehension of what closeness must be and destroys everyone involved in the process… and all because it leaves John the one sun their ruined lives have left to orbit around, because that’s the closest thing his soul will allow to connection. He doesn’t understand that to truly touch something you have to truly let it touch you back, and then wonders why he’s never satisfied.   

‘The horrors of love’ has been memed to death, I know, but… yeah. That is what it is, isn’t it.

[yuurionviktor]

Tried to make her as sickly looking as I physically can

[thecooler]

UM... HEEHEE (starts crying)

[gabelew]

I found some ancient gaddison sketches that i don't think i ever posted on twitter so,,, there you go. enjoy the girl.

just like she enjoys them girls (✿ꈍ‿ꈍ)

[myrtlethabitch]

i dont care what anyone says, when Rashawn Scott said:

"That's not fair. That's not fair. That's not fair at all. She just poured her heart out to us for the first time in forever, why would you say that to her? That's horrible Mama. I don't like that at all, I really don't,"

i was emotionally punched in the gut more than any dimension 20 moment aired thus far.

her performance in that whole episode made me feel more than any TV show or movie that I've seen. give her all the praise! give her all the awards! give her all the roles!

[svu-bracket]

playoffs (round 5)

descriptions under the cut

ludacris -> appeared in two episodes, venom and screwed as ken's (fin's son) half brother. he does some crazy shit but is found not guilty, fin and ken disown him after.

robin williams -> appeared in the season 9 episode authority. plays a man who pretends to be a police officer and gets another person to commit sexual assault by talking him into it on the phone.

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[hollis-art]

hoo boy! guess who's a guest on the muppet show :D !!

[updatingranboo]

ranboo in moonzy’s insta story 💕

[inkskinned]

i hate how commodity and capitalism has ruined so much storytelling . i hate how sequels and prequels and whatever else all ring like merch sales; i hate that i as an author have to include any social media following i have as a marketable trait; i hate that everything feels like a xerox of a copy of a dream of a memory.

i hate that my nostalgia has been turned into profit. i hate that companies fear consumer backlash so no real commentary may be made; i hate that companies care more about quantity over quality. i hate that so many artists and creators are being overworked to the point of complete collapse rather than being allowed to tell the story their way. i hate that every point of representation has to be fought for. i hate it i want us all to go back to living in a cave .

when you sit with friends over a bonfire and the night is getting long and people start telling this slow, almost hypnotic story - in this quiet voice, like they don't expect you to listen while they say the most fucked up shit you've ever heard - that is storytelling. who cares if the punchline is car hand hook door. storytelling has always been about community, about us all sitting in the dark, choosing to fill the silence while the last embers are dying. we forgot that storytelling is spellwork. hallucinating together, our breaths held, waiting for the ending we already knew was coming.

[purpleangiie]

[Damian got hurt badly during a battle, Jon visited him at the Manor and fell sleep on a chair next to Damian's bed, his head resting on the bed and Damian's hand on his.]

Dick: "Aw, look how cute they are!"

Jason, sarcastic: "Adorable."

Steph: "A perfect case of puppy love!"

Tim: "Yeah, who would've guessed that?"

Dick: "Hey, do you remember your teenage crush?"

Jason: "Which one?"

Tim: "Ugh, don't make me remember it."

Steph: "Such fun times!"

Dick, grinning proudly: "I ended up marrying mine!"

Jason: "Yeah well, I could have too if I didn’t di–"

*Everyone sighs*

Tim: "Please, just save it." *to Dick* "You think they'll end up getting married?"

Dick: *shrugs with a smile*

Steph: *nods confidently*

Jason, scoffing: "You really think the brat will get married?"

Damian, who was awake the entire time, just resting with his eyes closed: "I certainly will, Todd. And I guarantee your name won't be on the guest list."

[luxaofhesperides]

For the ghostlights drabbles!! Slow dancing + aged up? Maybe it’s their wedding, maybe they’re just having a slow night, maybe it’s an all-Wayne’s-must-show-up gala event and Danny tagged along but I’m just thinkin like. Older Danny and Duke so in love with each other everything else just. Fades away

Danny’s been fidgeting all day. 

He can’t help it, being so full of restless energy that he has to keep moving somehow. It’s enough to be noticeable, and though Duke gave him a curious look, he didn’t push when Danny insisted he was fine. 

It’s just that he’s hyper-aware of the small box tucked away in his pocket. And judging by the excited, gleeful looks on the other Bats faces when he had lunch with them, they are also aware of his plans to propose. He just hopes Duke doesn’t have his suspicions so he can surprise his boyfriend properly.

Throughout their walk through Robinson Park, as Duke had wanted for their weekly date, Danny keeps brushing his hand against his pocket, thoughts drifting as he wonders when he should ask, how everyone would react, how difficult wedding planning would be…

“Seriously, are you okay?” Duke asks, pulling Danny to the side where a few trees hide them from view. “You’ve been distracted all day.”

“Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine. Really.”

“Sweetheart, you know you can tell me anything.”

Danny looks at him, takes in the sincerity of his words, the softness in his gaze, and smiles. He can’t help but pull Duke closer by his collar, leaning down a bit to kiss him. “I know,” he whispers against Duke’s lips. “I promise everything’s fine.”

“What’s on your mind?”

“It’s a secret,” Danny says, a giddy grin spreading across his face. “But I’ll tell you soon. Very, very soon.”

Duke looks into his eyes, gauging how honest he’s being, then nods. “Alright. Take all the time you need, honey. I can wait forever for you.” He presses a kiss to the corner of Danny’s mouth, then pulls away, taking hold of Danny’s hand. “Ready to head back home?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.” Danny squeezes Duke’s hand and follows after him as he begins walking, wondering how he got so lucky with the sweetest, bravest, most considerate person to be his boyfriend. And more, hopefully. He really wants to keep Duke forever. He wants Duke to keep him, too.

He considers proposing right then and there, too full of nerves to survive keeping it secret for another few hours, but the park isn’t empty and he knows Duke wants something more private. So he lets Duke lead them home, their steps falling in sync as they make their way to the streets. 

Gotham is as busy as ever, full of noise and people as everyone goes about their day, trying to get from this place to that. But with Duke, everything feels quiet, as if the rest of the world can’t touch them when they’re together. He rarely ever feels so comfortable in silence, but like in most matters, Duke is the exception.

Danny swings their hands between them as they walk the few blocks to their apartment, heart filled with so much love he doesn’t know what to do with himself. So much has changed over the years; Danny is barely recognizable as the fourteen year old who just had a lab accident and took on the responsibility of protecting Amity Park. He was smaller, then, and struggling to figure out a way forward when everything seemed determined to ruin him. 

At some points, he didn’t think he had much a future at all. His parents had found out that he was Phantom, and rather than attacking him, they were heartbroken to know that he had died so young and they never noticed. His parents have never stopped seeing him as a dead kid since, always grieving him and too guilty to really see who he is now. He hopes inviting them to the wedding won’t be a mistake, because he does want them there so they can see how happy he is. 

He can hardly believe that it’s been nearly eight years since he met Duke. They had gotten together after being friends for a year, working together to handle any ghosts who needed help or were causing trouble in Gotham, and helped each other through college and getting their first jobs. 

Duke has been with him for most of his happiest memories. He had been by his side through so many milestones and and quiet moments. 

If there’s a life for him without Duke, he doesn’t want to live it.

So overwhelmed by his feelings, Danny can’t help but cling to Duke, wrapping him up in a hug as soon as they step into the elevator of their apartment building. Duke doesn’t ask any questions, just holds him gently and helps walk him to their door, making sure he doesn’t trip. 

Danny hears the key slide into the lock. The door opens a moment later, and then Duke is slipping out of his arms, kneeling to help Danny out of his shoes at the entryway. 

It’s little things like this that make Danny feel like his heart is going to burst. Duke loves in such quiet, gentle actions. 

“I’m going to go change real quick,” Duke says as he takes off his own shoes. “What do you want for dinner?”

“We have garlic soy sauce pasta in the freezer.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be back in a minute.”

He heads off to their bedroom, already stripping out of his shirt to change into more comfortable clothing, which tends to be either sweatpants or pajamas. Danny goes to the kitchen, pulling the pasta bag out of the freeze and setting it on the counter to thaw a bit. 

He bites his lip, thinking, then pulls out his phone and texts Barbara.

caspar: hey babs, are there any cameras in our apartment that you can hack?

big brother: Only at the front door and windows. Why?

caspar: can you hack my phone and record a video for me? i’m going to propose to duke tonight

big brother: Danny! Yes of course I can!! 

caspar: thanks babs :) pls also send it out to everyone else tomorrow so we can have a quiet night in

big brother: You got it Danny. Can’t wait to share the news!! Go ahead and get your phone in a good place and I’ll be ready to start recording.

Danny sends her a quick thumbs up emoji, then glances around to find the perfect spot that wouldn’t look too suspicious. He settles on the dining table, which looks into the kitchen. The island isn’t in the way, thankfully, so as long as Danny stays in front of the counters that are in the camera’s sight, he should be able to get a good video of the proposal to send to everyone. 

Besides, he knows Duke loves collecting memories like these in every way he can. And while Danny considered asking Tim to stalk them with his camera to get good proposal photos, that would have meant proposing outside to ensure he got a good shot and Duke has never been into public proposals. 

He’s just set his phone up when Duke reappears, wearing gray sweatpants and a large dark blue sweater, knit by Jason a few years ago. 

He looks so soft and comfortable that Danny can’t be blamed for falling onto Duke for another hug, burying his face in his shoulder. 

“Hey, there, honey,” Duke laughs. “You sure you’re feeling alright? You’ve been really clingy today. Not that I mind, or anything.”

Danny nods. “I just really love you.”

Duke kisses his temple, and Danny can feel his smile against his skin. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

“Dance with me?”

“Alright.”

They start to sway softly together, just moving side to side, then Duke brings out his phone to play a few quiet songs from one of their many playlists. He recognizes the song as coming from their ‘heart to heart’ playlist, because they very much are that cheesy couple that make playlists for each other and for every occasion. This one is for quiet nights together, full of soft love songs and ballads. 

With music to guide them, they start moving more, pulling apart to properly dance. They twirl in small circles, still swaying slowly as they dance, just happy to be together. 

Danny sinks into the comfort of this quiet joy, slow dancing in the kitchen with Duke for a few songs. He’s already looking forward to dancing together at their wedding.

Duke pulls up his hand to lead Danny in a spin, and Danny returns the favor.

Just as Duke begins to turn back around, Danny takes out the ring box from his pocket with his free hand and drops to one knee.

Duke completes his spin, smiling softly, then freezes when he sees Danny kneeling. 

“Duke,” Danny begins, and then Duke lets out a startled laugh, grinning wildly.

“Wait!” he says, “Wait, I can’t believe this. Do not move, Danny, I swear—” And then he’s turning and rushing away. Danny watches him, confused and just a little hurt, wondering what’s going on as he watches Duke move a few knick knacks on their shelf aside. He hides something in his hands, then returns to Danny and also drops to one knee.

He opens his hands to reveal a ring box. “I was going to propose later tonight,” he says, laughter in his voice, “But you beat me to it!”

Danny grins, elated, all but tackles Duke in a hug. “Oh my God,” he laughs, “I love you so much. More than anything.”

“I love you so, so much. Give me my ring, I can’t wait to marry you.”

Smiling so hard it hurts, Danny slips the ring onto Duke’s finger. Duke does the same for him, then lifts Danny’s hand to place a kiss against his knuckles. “I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

“And I’ll love you beyond the rest of mine.”

He cups the back of Duke’s neck and kisses him sweetly. It doesn’t last long when neither of them can stop smiling, laughing together breathlessly.

“Come on,” Duke says, pulling Danny up to his feet. “I want to practice for our wedding dance.”

And Danny follows his lead, falling back into step with him, twirling slowly through the kitchen. He already can’t wait to be married to Duke.

. . .

[send me ghostlights prompts!]