#but 35 episodes always feels like such a Commitment

[rj-anderson]

Really enjoying how this reblog has broken containment and is being reblogged by people who have never watched c-dramas and have no clue what Love Between Fairy and Devil is. Pretty things because pretty, why not?

LOVE BETWEEN FAIRY AND DEVIL + faceless

[onlymurdersinthebuildingreblogs]

Only Murders In the Building Season Four Finale Thoughts While Watching

WARNING SPOILERS FOR ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING SEASON THREE FINALE AND SEASON FOUR!!!!!! INCLUDING THE KILLER! AVOID IF YOU ARE NOT THAT FAR INTO THE SERIES, IF YOU AREN'T YOU BETTER, IT IS SO GOOD!

Note: I lost track of the day of the week and didn't realize the episode had aired until I was in bed.

Pre-Watching:

I wonder if the plot holes Sazz had found were unrelated to her murderer, Marshall/Rex. Set up for the next season.

I hope Theo appears, I really like his character. I also think he's good for Mabel.

I'd also like to see Lucy. I really liked her character.

Watching:

1:07-1:27 -- Oh, so they have filmed for Brazzos!? At least, Sazz got some more time with Charles.

1:16 -- "TAP IN!"

1:27 -- Isn't Sazz a little too old for stunts like that? Jane Lynch is 64 years old.

1:46 -- Osteoporosis! That sounds like a disease. Is that a disease!? (One Google Search Later) Google: "Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens bones, making them more likely to break. Osteoporosis occurs when the body breaks down more bone than it replaces, causing bones to become less dense and more porous. This makes bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures, even from minor bumps or falls. Osteoporosis is often called a 'silent disease' because people may not notice any symptoms until they break a bone. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of broken bones in older people and postmenopausal women." Me: YEAH, APPARENTLY SHE IS! "MINOR BUMPS OR FALLS"!? SHE JUST DID A FLIP AND JUMPED FROM A STORY-TALL BUILDING! "I'M GOOD"!? DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT!?

2:10 -- "Hey, Sazz, you okay!?" Aw, at least, Charles is making sure she's okay, even if she's kind of lying to him. She's making sure he's okay.

3:06-3:14 -- Not related but accent letter choices, why can't they have that on laptop keyboards, instead you have to know like shortcuts and then some laptops don't have those shortcut buttons. Like my old laptop had a numeric keypad so if I wanted to do the em dash, I would hold "alt" then push 0151, but my new laptop keyboard doesn't, so I can't make that dash and I use it more than you think. Look at the lazy double dashes, I've put.

3:18-3:27: "Every time we solve a murder that's when the next body drops. It's like when one murder door closes, someone we know either gets stabbed, poisoned, or shot." I guess that's kind of true? Jan stabbed herself and then poisoned you. "Glitter Guy" attacked Mabel and she stabbed him like the awesome girl she is. (I would say bad*** but I don't like to curse. So what's the age-appropriate way to say that?) Charles pretended to be stabbed by Alice. I don't actually think that happened last season though. There was when Donna poisoned Ben and nearly killed him and then Cliff pushed him down. I guess, Cliff nearly committed suicide. Also he already killed Glen.

3:28-3:35 -- "Why would you say that? You know my wedding is tomorrow. Loretta's on her way now, here to the murder building." That didn't occur to you when you picked this place as the place your wedding would take place at? Your podcast is called "Only Murders in the Building".

4:02 -- It's always kind of annoying when the villain is like "do this or I'll kill you" like they're not going to do that anyways.

4:15 -- Oh, I'm so hoping Mabel beats him up! She is not the kind of woman you want to mess with!

7:02-7:27 -- They're gonna go on the ledge. I don't like height so I don't think this is going to go well for Charles.

7:47 -- Oh! Nope! Nope! Too high! Too high!

10:20 -- I know the feeling! Every time I'm on a high place, I feel like I'm tipping forwards. Ever since when I was around eight, when I was on top of a lighthouse, looking down over the railing and my brother picked me up to take a picture without telling me and I suddenly felt like I was somehow falling over the ledge and I started panicking and he had to put me down before he dropped.

10:54 -- "Are you on this ledge, because I'm moving to New Zealand?"

11:52 -- And now they're dancing on a thin ledge several stories up.

11:55 -- How is no one seeing them? I once sat on the window sill of a second story building and apparently someone called the cops because of that!?

12:22-12:45 -- Marshall, you're doing a terrible job at being causal. You're switching accents from southern to Scottish.

12:49 -- Vince and Rudy are barley doing a better job. "Whatever you have is what we're looking for."

18:46 -- "I'm gonna fly to New York to see Charles make his Broadway debut." Aw. I never actually considered the though that she had seen the play.

22:05 -- Oh, she knew Charles would find him!

23:07 -- Jan to the rescue!? Didn't see that coming! I thought it'd be Rudy or Vince.

28:40 -- Finally, Will comes back! And oh, Dickie, I didn't expect to see you, I forgot about him.

32:07 -- Is Uma going to be the next victim?

32:14-32:54 -- Season five set up?

32:32 -- What did Nicky have to do with the building?

32:54 -- Oh, Sophia's going to be the next body, isn't she?

34:32 -- There's blood coming out of the water fountain's mouth.

34:48 -- LESTER!?

35:10 -- "72 emergencies ahead of you" Are you kidding me!? No wonder podcasters are the only ones who seem to be able to catch killers!

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, February 18

WARREN: She won't feel a thing. Just do it. Fast. (on screen) Cut her deep. Cut her quick. It'll be over before she knows what hit her. ANDREW: What if she squeals? WARREN: Uh, better go for her throat first. ANDREW: Babe 2: Pig in the City was really underrated. WARREN: Don't think about Babe. ANDREW: Right. WARREN: You're Conan. You're the destroyer. It's you against nature. You're the hunter, you're primal, you live off the land. You're Andrew. Everyone knows you. You play by your own rules. It's kill or be killed. ANDREW: That'll do, pig!

~~Buffy Season 7 Episode #131: "Never Leave Me"~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for a new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Being Honest (Buffy/Spike, G) by acekoomboom

I Almost Do (Buffy/Spike, G) by acekoomboom

[Chaptered Fiction]

Animal I Have Become Ch. 11 (Buffy/Spike, E) by CheekyKitten

The Choice To Stay Ch. 26 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Spikelover4ever

Never Bet Against the Slayer Ch. 5 (COMPLETE) (Ensemble, T) by JayeMaru

Sending My Love from The Other Side of the Apocalypse Ch. 8 (Buffy/Spike, E) by cawthraven

This Is How We Say Goodbye (It's How We Say Goodnight) Ch. 5/8 (Buffy/Spike, E) by bunniesarebad

Love is Loss Ch. 4/5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by patriciatepes

Aegis Ch. 51 (Xander, T, multiple xovers) by dogbertcarroll, Narsil

The Buffy Chronicles: Life After Sunnydale Ch. 35/40 (Buffy/Spike, E) by sweetmelodykiss

По ком звонят колокола Ch. 2 (COMPLETE) (Buffy/Angel, E, Russian Language) by B_E_S

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Lindsey & Lilah by psicheanima

Artwork: Vampire Willow by cocohayu

Artwork: Buffy & Faith by sideartblog999

Artwork: Drusilla by x66r9u

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer S05E22: 'The Gift' by Passion of the Nerd

[Reviews & Recaps]

Family (BTVS 5.06) by buffster

Dear Boy (ATS 2.05) by buffster

Untouched (ATS 2.04) by buffster

PODCAST: An Update from Mel and Sean by The Sunnydale Diaries

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday, February 18 - Promotion Day by fic-promptly

[Fandom Discussions]

thinking about being a watcher as a metaphor for trying conform yourself into being straight by cripplestein

so much of BTVS is just about punishing Buffy for being a physically strong woman by trisockatops

I am always bemused when people try to insist that the only way to analyse or explain the early seasons of Buffy is in light of things that are ‘revealed’ about Slayer lore in the show’s final season. by coraniaid

Weird that all the posts on here about Cordelia Chase having always been a flawless advocate for and defender of women everywhere seem to focus on a handful of scenes from Buffy’s third season and then move on to Angel. by coraniaid

You know Xander’s “I love you speech” would have 100% more powerful if delivered bu Buffy by bluehairedboyfriend

Finally got to that** scene in Seeing Red upon my rewatch by bluehairedboyfriend

Jenny was possessed by a creature that had killed multiple other people. by jannacalendar

yet another buffy au i’ve been thinking about. by xaeyrnofnbe

Buffyverse headcannon:spike is still farsighted but refuses to wear glasses by angelic-chu, xaeyrnofnbe

I know that Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been over for more than twenty years. by coraniaid

i just realised why i dislike shanshu-ed spike plots!!! by kpchrs

Sorry don’t mind me just thinking about the simple fact of Faith has a nickname for Buffy that’s just hers. by fictiongods

i think it’s kind of crazy that people generally seem to think faith is like… at all confident in her queerness, regardless of if they think she’s bi or a lesbian by btvs3x21

obviously i don’t like spike buffy attempted rape scene for many reasons but i do kind of like the abstract idea that spike has committed a transgression so severe that it forecloses any possibility of buffy ever loving him by lesbianmarrow

btvs 7x04 is such a stellar episode. by lesbianmarrow

I found the golf course scene so scary in particular (in regards to the ted episode of buffy) by lesbianboyfriend

When I was a kid and I saw the complete Buffy show, I loved Bangel. But I immediately loved Spuffy better when it happened. by darklinaforever

i don’t blame people for not knowing all the intricacies of the behind-the-scenes workings of buffy & angel by moistvonlipwig

the heavy lifting the angelus vs. angel name change does to absolve him of his actions by nicollekidman

God I am getting UNBELIEVABLY sick of the people who when the discussion of “who is the best partner for buffy” comes up and they’re like “obviously it’s faith” or “no actually WILLOW is the best partner” by raisedbythetv89

Still thinking about how for a whole season buffy was completely rebuking spike’s affections and then ... by annyankers

gotta say i don’t think i’m enthused by the spike and buffy relationship being compared to doing drugs by therealannabellee

i do think it’s crazy that faith gets excited by buffy punching her in the face by btvs3x21

the thing about faith becoming a vampire by lesbianmarrow

random trans lesbian spike headcanons by tenderjock

Was that actually Cassie talking to Willow? by Difficult_Writing865

DO Y’ALL ENJOY CONNOR ? by boo__00

was it Drusilla's idea to use Acathla to suck the world into hell? by voldy1989

season 4: Soulless by hatchbackkk

If it was possible, do you think Buffy would have taken Angel's place like she did with Dawn? by cleverlynamedgrl

In Season 1 Episode 7 we get our first look at Angel's place by loki2002

My main issue with Season 4… by AmbitiousOutside7498

Alyson Hannigan and Emma Caulfield having fun behind the scenes with James C. Leary by AdSpecialist6598

What are some instances where you think a character is being too hard on themselves? by FaveStore_Citadel

Buffyverse Angel Comics by Mystic_Journey33

Spike!! by polaris_beyond

YAHF by Andro801

Spitballing for the sequel. by kevco185

Why can only women be slayers? by Mountain-Fox-2123

What’s the most annoying goof? by SprayMassive5623

a question for fans of s5 by mrpeepawss

What's something you're unwilling to accept? by PristineSituation498

When you started College - was your experience similar to Buffy's? by jdpm1991

Fred’s professor by hatchbackkk

Was there a better way to integrate Buffy back into Sunnydale High? by primal_slayer

Buffy will be Joyce's age in the sequel by Hellmouthgaurdian

Harmony is a Goddess - If we need to see anyone in the Buffy sequel it's her!! by jdpm1991

Buffy season 7 soundtrack by No-Hunter-9845

four seasons in…..los angeles…..the city of angels……because his name is ANGEL……oh my god by tomatocreamsauce

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[empty-dream]

Like, it was foreshadowed little by little since the beginning:

The execution Rafal sees in episode 1 is a public one. Even Draka later on mentions that public execution is a form of entertainment for the public. But Nowak always executes the heliocentrism heretics in private at night.

During the scholars discussion session, Jolenta overhears that the Arabian heretics have started to revise Greek Astronomy (I assume it's Ptolemy model, the one that Count Piast says is the model mankind believes in at the time). The fact that the the activities of so-called-heretics from the Middle East are discussed in a faraway country in Europe kinda gives a clue that out there, learning different concepts of universe like heliocentrism isn't as persecuted as here.

It was mentioned that the bishop (Antoni's father) studied astronomy yet for some reason, became especially hostile towards heliocentrism. You can say so because Nowak tells Simon and Lev that fastest way to climb the ladder in inquisition carrer is to chase after heretics related to heliocentrism, signaling that the bishop is in favor for the elimination of the concept.

It was also mentioned that for whatever reason, Nowak who was a former mercenary, was recruited as an inquisitor. It does raise suspicions on why on earth the church employs a man with shady past to do a shady business.

"Neither of you will be known to history."

That is such a powerful title and ruthless condemnation. There was no proof that Nowak executed those heretics. No proof why they were called heretics in the first place. Everything was kept classified, and Antoni was about to burn them all.

The whole event makes it sound like Nowak didn't kill anyone. But he did. He remembered all their names. His own daughter, to his knowledge, was executed for the same reason too (not knowing that she actually survived and died much latter, this time with him having a part in it, for exactly the same reason). His life is haunted by the boy who committed suicide in front of him 35 years ago and has been in shambles for the last 25 years.

And now he would carry on that guilt of torturing and executing people without anyone judging him. In some cases, especially to those who has a working sense of righteousness and moral, guilt born from crimes that face no punishment can be more destructive overtime.

But the worst part is, it alarmingly sounds like Nowak has been killing people for absolutely no reason at all.

Idk man, how does it feel like having the root of your decades long of dedication that turns into your bloody sin, your lifelong rudge and your raison d'etre be concluded with "well actually it was just a misunderstanding" or "it was just one man's personal vendetta towards a science concept" ?

At this point, I can't help but feel sorry for Nowak.

Also, more meta is there are critics saying "Hey this isn't accurate to the real event." "Heliocentrism wasn't persecuted this much." By throwing this, Uoto-sensei essentially says "Well it really wasn't. For what it is worth, this is man-made fiction." What a mad lad.

Orb episode 22 really pulls a uno reverse that is so calm yet so intense that besides the usual "absolute cinema" remark, I don't know what else to say or even feel

[ladyloveandjustice]

Fall 2022 Anime Overview: Five Anime!

I’ve done a lengthier review of Mobile Suit Gundam:The Witch from Mercury you can read here and now it’s time to tackle the five other anime I watched last season!

There’s some anime I chose to save for later, like Bocchi the Rock! (which I’m watching now and enjoying) and Raven of the Inner Palace, though I’ve heard great things about it and it’s a rare shoujosei adaptation so definitely go check it out! I might do a review of that when I do get to watch it, since it’s been overlooked this season with so many heavy hitters.

But onto what I did watch!

Akiba Maid War

This jaw-dropping genre pastiche takes the tropes of yakuza cinema and applies them to early 2000′s maid cafes in Akihabara locked in bloody war. Young Nagomi dreams of working in a maid cafe, only to find when she goes to work for the Oinky-Doink cafe (yes, they’re pig themed) that the cafe is heavily in debt and rival maid cafes are gunning to take it down. She’s protected by the deadly 35 year-old maid Ranko, who has a dark past.

Akiba Maid War is wild from start to finish. It starts up with shootout where Ranko kills a ton of maids perfectly timed to a cutesy maid cafe music performance and doesn’t let up from there. There’s a side-splitting bloody baseball episode, a deadly boxing match, and more. The comedy is endlessly entertaining- the way the maids continue to use their stupid animal puns even as they engage in yakuza style violence kills me- but it also has quite a few dark twists in line with its inspiration. This a show that could have easily come off as making fun of conventional femininity or indulged in tons of fanservice, but it doesn’t do either of those things. It’s just women in ridiculous outfits fighting each other and getting into ridiculous situations. It’s just utterly committed to its bit in a way that’s admirable.

I wouldn’t saw this a show with many big themes- though there’s the expected “can we stop the cycle of violence” one that comes up later. But there are some smaller things it’s very consistent about, and one of them is the message that if you want to be a cute, you are, and fuck anyone who says otherwise. Ranko is 35 (later 36) and is also utterly terrifying with a deep voice, but she repeatedly states that age has nothing to do with being cute or a maid, and when rival maids shit-talk her for being older than them they’re always framed as villains and shut down. The series coda especially hammers in it’s message of ‘women in their 30s are cute and can be whatever they want’. This shouldn’t be notable, but anime is well known for acting like any woman over 22 is a hideous old...maid, so it’s actually pretty refreshing. Ranko is fantastic.

If you can stomach exaggerated violence (I would call it an anime that revels in gore and the violence is cartoonish half the time, but lots of folks get shot), I definitely recommend this one. It’s a fun (and occasionally heartbreaking) ride. Definitely in my top 5 for the year.

Chainsaw Man

After being exploited by the yakuza ,the teenaged Denji gains the ability to turn into a ‘chainsaw devil” and is recruited by a shady government organization. He’s told that if he doesn’t work for them to kill other devils, he’ll be killed himself. Denji’s perfectly happy with this, because after a hard life he’s only interested in a warm bed, three meals a day, and his dream of touching a boob. Teamed up with a blood-crazed demon girl and babysat by a tired veteran demon hunter, Denji doesn’t realize the ominous machinations closing in on him...

I enjoyed this anime, and it inspired me to read the manga, which I enjoyed even more. It’s a fun time full of monsters and weirdos and there are themes of being exploited by your workplace and all that good stuff. But I’m not going to count it among my favorites, because honestly, the early Chainsaw Man material isn’t the strongest. Though a good deal of it is needed to build up what the manga does later, a lot of it feels meandering.

Denji is also a bit repetitively horny in the early chapter/episodes (though he at least hops the bar-in-hell most horny anime boys don’t manage to slither over and doesn’t violate consent). Unlike most horny anime guys, his immature attitude is a little understandable as he grew up isolated from other people with little education, this is all new to him. He does develop as a character (shocking twist, I know) as he slowly gains more of an understanding of how to approach the idea of sex in a way that works for him. But it takes 5 episodes to get him on that track. I don’t blame the anime for this like most. They definitely added a few sequences to stretch things out, but it does adapt roughly three chapters per episode, which isn’t a bad pace (and is pretty much needed to fit the first arcs into a 12 episode space). And if they cut anything out, fans would be throwing an even bigger fit than they already are. (It’s very funny to see the same fans that complain about the slow pacing turn around and complain about a small sequence cut out of the second episode. WHICH IS IT GUYS, THEY CAN’T DO BOTH).

I think Chainsaw Man fans need to acknowledge the early material just isn’t as as good as the later stuff, and being able to binge-read it in manga form just helps. The anime can’t do much about that, and it’s clearly a cinematic all-star production, with lovingly animated new ending credits and songs for each individual episode, so I don’t have a lot of sympathy for complaining fans when I had to endure Sailor Moon Crystal and a million yuri adaptations kneecapped by production woes. It’s a good anime doing what it can with the material it has, y’all try having real anime problems for once.

Rant aside, Chainsaw Man has a lot of good action, and importantly to me, a fun range of fucked up women. It’s also the rare anime that plays into the horror of an adult woman grooming a teenage boy. The anime does a good job of throwing up the red flags for Makima, yet she’s so good at what she does you almost fall for her alongside Denji. There’s also the loveable, feral demon-girl Power, who hits a lot of my adoration buttons. I do love that for once, the guy and girl teen leads of a shonen manga are truly just buddies, she and Denji have a fun vitriolic friendship. Because of the themes of the story,  there’s an unlikely confluence most of the women Denji meets manipulating him by offering sexual favors, which is unfortunate if you read into it. But I honestly just think the author just likes terrible women, which hey, same. Overall, the anime got me to read the manga, and now that I’ve devoured it all, I’ll be happy to consume next season at whatever pace it goes. I just hope those unfortunate animators at Mappa get some rest.

Do it Yourself!

Teenager Yua Serufu (yes that’s a pun and it is bought up) is separated by the best friend who gets into a fancy tech school. Yua is endlessly clumsy, but when she runs into a cool girl, she becomes interested in joining the Do It Yourself! club and do some carpentry and crafting. The club quickly grows, but can Yua lure her estranged bff into the fold?

This is just a cute show with cute animation about girls working with power tools. It’s relaxing and sweet and there’s not much else to say about it. It’s set five minutes into the future, but it did handle it’s themes of tech vs analogue well, with the ultimate message being “now that we have all this cool tech, we should focus on doing what we want, like working with our hands”, which is nice in these troubled times. The characters are very archetypal- Yua’s friend is a sympathetic tsundere, there’s a girl who says ‘nya’ a lot, etc. It’s a little noticeable that the American exchange student is way more fleshed out than the South-Asian one (we don’t even get her country of origin stated in the show) and there’s a weird moment with the little robot watching the girls bathing. Other than that, not much to warn for. It’s a sweet show, but it likely won’t set your world on fire.

Spy x Family Season 2

More Spy x Family, and it continues to be a lot of fun! I enjoyed season 1 a  lot, but unfortunately this season covers some of the weaker material in the manga, where the story seemed to be spinning its wheels with a lot of one shots. Because of how the seasons are separated, it’s also incredibly noticeable how underutilized Yor (assassin mom) is in this one and how little we know about her job. Honestly, I don’t think that’s entirely down to sexism or anything, I wonder if the writer was just struggling with how to make readers root for Yor hunting down and killing a man- it’s a pretty big ask for that to be the main focus of an arc in a family-friendly comedy. But fortunately, he does eventually figure it out, and there’s a good Yor arc full of strong material coming up right where this season cuts off, so look forward to that.

For some reason, they also cut out one of my favorite sidestory chapters with Yor. Considering that they adapted all the other sidestories and even added material this season, I wonder if they’re just saving it for the next one? They better be. Anyway, Anya’s still great, there’s a cute dog, it’s still a fun anime, but not as strong as the first season. Fortunately, there’s good stuff coming up.

Mob Psycho 100 Season 3

It’s the final season of Mob Psycho! This is a quieter season than Season 2, but the show’s themes of identity and accepting oneself remain strong. Episode 6 made me emotional about a character I’d never had any emotions about before, there’s a cute little mini-arc focusing on everyone’s favorite weird alien-obsessed girl and the finale is a perfect cap on both Mob and Reigen’s development. It’s a beautiful culmination of all the growth we’ve seen in the  relationship that’s the heart of the show. I appreciated that, as small as they were, we got some glimpses of the real, grounded girl that exists behind Mob’s idolization of his crush Tsubomi. It was a nice touch that she lost her sparkly anime eyes and she got plainer ones like the other characters as it was impressed on us she doesn’t exist on a pedestal. It’s just all around solid material. I’ll miss this show a lot.

[gillianthecat]

Walking up and down the stairs is exhausting right now.

Fahlanruk – episode 8

Ok, we're getting philosophical now. Whose voice is this?

I appreciate that Fah experiences all of his feelings in the shower. The actor did well on the body sculpting.

My favorite disaster child. You don't need to start this out by lying about Fah's game. Oh baby. Someone else stepped in to take care of him while you were gone pretending to be cool. Oh baby. You silly lying liar.

Is this the girl Tap went on one date with and then failed to hook up with before? If so, bold of him to call her to take care of him after that. Also she must really like him if she's willing to come help. Honey, I like you, but go focus your attention on someone more available please.

These goodbyes are cute. (So was Fah's and Sher's from the last episode). I love it when people don't want to leave each other, but things are too new for them to say it exactly, so they're just sweet and fumbling and reluctant.

Stalker BLs have got me trained: I fully expected that to be a box of photos of Gear. Instead it's just a product placement 😂 And barely a placement, more like they just interrupted the show for an ad that happens to star one of the actors.

The Significance of the Two Toothbrushes strikes again!

Is she going to check the closet too? Yes, she's checking the closet too.

All these BL boys are the neatest college students ever. I can guarantee you that my beloved disaster child's room would not be anywhere near that organized if he didn't have a set designer doing it for him. Perhaps the Ping & Tap labels; my boy does have a crush after all. But there would also be clothes strewn everywhere.

Oh shit 😂 She caught you sleeping in the café, disaster child. And she caught you lying about the tennis game 😂 The question is, what is she going to do with all this information? Is she going to look at this mess of codependency and decide it's not worth her time and go off and find some other cute boys to kiss? Or is she going to double down and become an interfering, manipulative faen fatale? Given the track record of this show I suspect the latter, but I can always hope.

Wait. Is this Mark's apartment from Love Mechanics (the second one)? The furniture is different, but the kitchen area and the shelf by the door look familiar. @callipigio, do you recognize it (visible around 10:35)? Should it get added to the list? Or maybe it's just a standard look for cheap modern apartments in Thailand. I'd have to look at Love Mechanics to check.

$25 Ping is drinking morosely alone.

Oh look. I owe myself $25 💳

Is that Rabitat shirt also from First's brand?

My babies 🥺

Also, I haven't said this yet, but I really like Ping's grey plaid pants.

My babies. Trying so hard to take care of each other and not get in each other's way 🥺

Was there always a voiceover? I don't remember it from previous episodes. Anyways, it's unnecessary, the actors and script are already conveying everything.

Ping. Oh my baby. Oh Ping.

Tap's pajama game is excellent.

Ooh, finally the tables turn and Fah is giving someone else relationship advice.

I think that every time Fah claims to be committed I'm just waiting for the inevitable moment that he grows bored or cheats or something. So I'm like Sher, apparently. I mean, presumably they end up together eventually but we do see Sher sobbing in the title montage every week, so clearly Fah's going to do something to break his heart at some point. All that is to say, it's hard for me to get excited about his expressions of devotion.

Also, I want to be happy for Pai to be shooting his shot with the campus hottie, but he's being such a creep about the whole thing that I can't 😕

Oh my god this fake ass injury and this fight 🙄😂 But who is this other tall super protective dude? Lol, for once Pink and I are on the same wavelength. Who is he? Not the mysterious Apo?

Ah, no. A "Charles" who knows Sher's twin. Lol, it's their half-brother. Thank goodness. It was either a relative or a whole new melodramatic plotline, and we don't need any new melodrama.

Speaking of which, where is Tam's amnesiac stalker ex? We haven't seen him in a while.

Sher, don't be so mean to poor Gear. Do make Fah jealous though, it's good for him.

Yay Prince! Set your boundaries. Don't start something with Gear if he's going to be jealous of your friendships. Also I like your blue shirt.

I would also say that Sher needs to set boundaries with a jealous possessive Fah, for the same reason. Except I like seeing Fah unhappy. Something about him just kinda makes me want to torture him. But also Fah, not cool, not cool at all.

Oh yeah Fah you fully deserved that slap.

And don't push Sher! He's got a injured ankle! I've returned from my brief vacation to Tolerating-Fah-land and am back in Loathing-Fah-ville. Get a grip dude. And wipe that pathetic look off your face, this is all on you.

Gossip about Fah that's actually relevant to their work and not just invasive nosiness? I'm honestly shocked.

Wait. Why is Charles there?

Oh Ping. My baby. You make me sad when you cry. At least you have a beautiful setting in which to be sad. It's probably good for them to have this rupture to move them to something beyond this pining stuckness, but it's so hard for both my boys. 50 missed calls 😢

Oh Tap. You are sad and confused both.

Oh god, everyone's heartbroken. We're having a cry-off. Prince, your tears make me sad too.

Fah. What the fuck. Are you doing. Is this an intentional thing to "get back at" Sher and try and make him jealous? Are you just living in your own head, oblivious to the people around you. I continue to not understand your brain.

Oh Sher. How I wish Fah was worthy of you risking your heart.

Wait. So no answer to the who is Apo question? It seemed like such a dramatic cliffhanger last episode I was sure they were going somewhere with that. Will we ever find out? Will the amnesiac stalker ex reappear? Only four more episodes to fit it all in.

Oh wait, looks like Apo at least will show up next week. And Fah is going to the creepy over invested girl for relationship advice? Eh 🤷🏻‍♀️

[dirtpie39]

Oshi no ko episode 1

15 mins in thoughts:

- I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't uncomfortable... That doctor has a major issue ngl.

- Ai being 16 and pregnant is so f**king heartbreaking and I know it's supposed to be but still... 🙁

- The doctor dying like that was painfully avoidable... He just had to play hero huh?

- Also thanks to spoilers I already know what happens to Ai eventually so there's a higher chance I won't end up crying at her you know what scene

30 mins in thoughts:

- I’m still creeped out by the doctor now baby’s thoughts but whatever cause the twin sister is now just as bad if not worse then him.

- I knew the stalker would still be around but sweet Jesus... He's proven to be even worse with his talk of “having been tricked”. 🤢

- The twins pretending to be gods is priceless lol... And the producer's wife is a f**king nutcase tbh. I get her point I really do but still... VERY icky.

45 mins in thoughts:

- “After all, Sarina’s not my name anymore” OOF... I feel like that's gonna cause something yucky later tbh

- Oooooo the shot at 35:55 matches the pic I used for this post. And I used it exactly because it's so damn cool looking!!!

- The director really gave his business card to a kid... lol. But I suppose that will come in handy in the future.

- Also that's kinda clever of Ai ngl... To pretend the work she was doing for that minor role is something like being in a music video.

60 mins in thoughts:

- the twins reaction to what the other child actor said (50:35) had me ROLLING ya’ll... lmao

- “Even without any acting, you're plenty creepy already” damnnnnn that's a little harsh LOL

- Awww now I feel bad for that other child actor... 🥺 (52:54)

- I must say... Excluding some of the girl twins' creepiness towards Ai... I do feel a lot of sympathy for her now after seeing a bit more of her as Sarina.

81 mins in thoughts:

- the small bit with Ruby basically accepting that she can move/dance freely now as Ruby and is NOT Sarina anymore was very sweet ngl... (1:00:17)

- “On a whim, I decided to contact the guy I’d broken up with” FAMOUS LAST WORDS YA’ll

- “I have no memory of ever loving someone or being loved” ummm OWWW?? (1:04:49)

- “You went and had kids even though you're an idol” oh my f**king God ya’ll... Someone, please tell me spoilers that this loser dies too (1:08:16)

- (1:12:43) I didn't cry like I said and I didn't tear up either... But I wanted to so much ya’ll. That scene was so well done... When the little stars she always had in her eyes faded out (cause symbolism and all) I felt my heart sink. Such a tragedy ngl... But hey at least she got to see adulthood I guess 😓

- that evil f**king stalker committed suicide cause of the guilt he felt (1:13:28)... Honestly, I don't know what I would've done if I were him in that instance where Ai was talking to him directly about the truth. He had a kill count of 2 and all... Both-ish of which didn't deserve to die... Not at all.

- the art at 1:18:21 looks so damn cool... And I'm excited to maybe see “dark ruby” as tiktok is calling it anyways

- “Would you consider raising me?” LOL what a question (1:18:51)

One final thought for episode one of Oshi no Ko:

I really love this series so far even after just the first (long) episode. Series that come off as happy, fluffy things then turn out to be dark are so f**king awesome ya’ll. This is my first idol anime with that kinda thing going on. I've seen it with sports anime (ex: stars align-ish and Hanebado) and a couple other types of anime.

[enpr-ss]

Episode 35: A classic trope of playing a dangerous game. Water for a teapot usually takes about 10 minutes to boil, maybe longer since it's over fire? Maybe they both learned how to throw their drinks. I wonder if the numbers mean anything? And Sakujun's trying to get on Seiran's nerves by constantly bringing up his prince background. And even though Sakujun's emoting more, it feels manipulative and fake. While Seiran's blankness feels like determination and focus. I KNEW THE INCENSE WAS SUS! The addictive part is an interesting dimension though. Wait so teen Sakujun incited his grandfather to murder Enjun's son and daughter in law, and his mother and grandmother to buy the incense that gets rid of their husbands?! I'm so confused. And finally a villain that doesn't just admit to crimes! Lol Sakujun with the 13-year-old rationalizing of wanting the world to be fairly distributed in things that are just inherently subjective. Relatable though. A very middle-schooler's black and white morality. He doesn't really care to understand, but having an explanation would be nice. Seiran thinks he's greedy LOL. Seiran wins this round because he knows Shuurei better! And he was hers FIRST. Ha. And by not being like Sakujun. "I'm her 2nd most favorite!" "Why are you bragging about that?" And Seiran gets to gloat about his top 2 people. He's so smug about it too. "You're horrible, as usual." "Coming from you?" Sakujun's even examining his nails. And now all the head leaning on hands makes sense. He drank the poison and is feeling the effects! A sexual innuendo? But is it for the audience to suspect that he knows what Meisho did to Seiran (if Meisho did anything to Seiran)? "I'll have you let me win this bet." Seiran twisting in the knife even more huh? Why not just wait for the poison? Wants a clean death rather than a fate worse than death? Satisfaction in violence? Kansho for the official and sentimentality? The "as always" repetition is making me think that perhaps Sakujun has interacted with Seiran multiple times and played around with him. He was with the Murderous Blades to alleviate his boredom after all. And poison death games seem to be a thing he's used to. The angled frames them both sinisterly. HE POISONED ALL OF THEM?? Then how did they avoid it? Ah the pre-game antidote. Oh mithradatism on his part? So that's why he can hold his alcohol? So bored that he wouldn't mind dying? Stereotypical. Pejorative from Seiran? And yet again, he succumbed to poison while trying to fight a scheming Sa. Their twirly blades, the juggling, and hair! This is what a fight scene should be if you can't commit to realism. OH SO THE NON-POISON WAS IN THE ALCOHOL CONTENT! Seiran's just drunk LOL. So worried about the obvious threat that he didn't account for the wine itself. What a targeted insult. How symbolic. And also clever on the story's part to acknowledge that physical assertion would hasten the effects of intoxication. Also Seiran heavy drinker / immune to intoxication from court? Or just royal bloodline? Or yet another horrible thing from Meisho? Oh was that Sakujun saying that? Or Seiran imagining that because of Enjun's final words in the room? And why didn't he kill Seiran?

So much for Seiran’s cold badass scene with Sai Shou. He did nothing to prevent or push Sakujun toward his death. But he thinks he did because only the audience knows. And his continued edgy habits + overprotectiveness over Shuurei will just hurt her more, as she blames herself without having the context of the poisoned drinking game.

THEY WERE JUST EATING FOOD WHILE WAITING TO BE EVACUATED?!!?! NOBLES. Ugh idiot ball for the plot.

Opposite of the moonlight garden, also with water, when Ryuuki confessed to her. A liar to the end. Returned the hairpin too late as well. So his hair did get more wavy after Shuurei did it. And she refused to enable his self-destructive habits, nor play his games! She did right by herself instead of capitulating. And he only has himself to blame. So if she makes Gan Lu for him, then he can live as an important person to her. If not, then he just dies because life isn't worth it, but his death can achieve his goals of forcing her to remember him via trauma? And he's used to this line of thinking because of his psychopathic anti-boredom habits? And the weak gamble was the hairpin / Kokujun? Or the Gan Lu gambit? Literally killed him with kindness? And the calm analysis of the hearing being the last to go when dying, and so requesting the erhu? All his thoughts are still about himself and his wants, not really about giving her the truth that she would prefer, or her wants. He can only get Gan Lu if he uses tricks, and even then, it won't work because she's principled and kind. Literally dying and still refusing to communicate clearly. Yet another instance of her giving dignity to the dying! She tells him what she's going to do, but still respects his wants even it goes against what she thinks is best and good. Because healthcare and right to die and sacrifice and informed consent, I imagine, are topics she feels strongly about, due to her mother. Bloodied kiss, another classic trope! And even when he tries, he still fails by making her not smile (quite the opposite), and she taking on the guilt for his death. Because such tactics don't work out!! yay narrative punishment for redemption in death for bad boy stereotypes. EVEN MORE PUNISHMENT LET'S GOOO!!! SLAP THAT BITCH YOU ABSOLUTELY DESERVE TO SHUUREI!!! EVEN IN HIS DYING MOMENTS. ESPECIALLY THEN. Same as Eigetsu refusing Kokujun's parting message. Wait he never called her by Shuurei either? Waiting for her to capitulate first? Ah the opposite of Enjun. Shuurei will be the only one who's ever defeated him. Looks like he did love her, and gained an understanding of it through loving her. Although a lot of his regrets were still about not having enough of her, and only like 2 of actually giving something back to her. And even then, it's still about himself. And even though he's born on a moonless night and is proud of it, he still wonders where the moon is.

Oh yeah symbolism in how Ryuuki was afraid of the dark. I did think the timing and framing and wording was suggestive but I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE THIS EXPLICIT. AND HILARIOUS. "Thanks. Also, rate me out of your other lovers?" What's wrong with him. And so the differences between Ryuuki, Sakujun, and Seiran are shown! Unfortunately, Ryuuki has the most healthy emotional state of them all. He understands limits and boundaries. And can communicate his appreciation and affection, if it's a bit overwhelming occasionally. And he can empathize with others too! Rip Sakujun you're the unevolved version of both Ryuuki and Seiran. And looks like being greedy is part of the royal blood.

Kouyuu deserves a promotion and a raise for not murdering them on their weirdly fruity horrible camping trip from hell and back. Shuuei why are you being so fruity?

YEAH BOYS WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? And ugh the anime for making that weirdly too close. Omg she cared more about his life and his wishes than the hairpin! He loses every promise and regret and intention! Literally has no one to blame but himself. DESERVED!!!

Also, why did Sakujun agree to play the game with Seiran? He thought it would be an easy way to get rid of a hindrance? Pettiness? Then why leave him alive? Drive a wedge between Shuurei and Seiran? In a way, Seiran’s suicide note insult for Sakujun was right.

Upon further examination of gifsets, I realize that after the first kiss, when he’s looking to gauge her reaction, every kiss thereafter, he closes his eyes. Whereas Shuurei keeps hers open every time. I need to check the times when Ryuuki kissed her but I’m pretty sure she closes her eyes a few times. Although I do make fun of her for letting herself be pushed around, Shuurei sticks to her principles beyond all normal expectations. She won’t enjoy the forced kisses, she won’t brew Gan Lu, and she won’t accept half-assed confessions and deathbed redemptions. Seiran did underestimate her ethical perseverance (I mean that’s Seiran for you.) Which makes me ponder why would Shuurei be less uptight about that, considering how much of a sheltered and she seems to be. Same with the possibility of her being coerced to have sex. She asks for non sex work at a brothel at a young age, and has been working for them for years and taken under Kouchou’s wing. She has the same relatively mild protests / reservations about it, keeps allowing herself to be in such situations to not lose an advance, even with Ryuuki as well. Which lends me to think that she’s had prior experience before, with a perspective that it’s not that big of a deal. AKA KOGARU / KOUCHOU BACKSTORY DEVELOPMENT YEAH!!!!

Episode 20 and the start of the Sa Province arc!

Not really sure how I feel about narrative still focusing more on the politics rather than on Shuurei’s struggles as a woman initiate. The majority of the past few episodes just setting up the reveal and the complexity of her clan and so on. Still just a pawn in palace politics. No different from Eigetsu; their reports and hard work was barely plot relevant and could be taken out with no changes. Hopefully this arc will center on her interactions and struggles and growth more. And Ensei paving the way for her feels right but also weird.

Also I sense an arc for Seiran. He can’t bounce between granary guard and interior warrior anymore. He has to deal with his past and with being himself rather than just a loyal vassal.

Omg baby sword fighting!!! So cute. And nice of Advisor So to indulge them so.

IS THAT WHAT THE ROYAL FAMILY LOOKED LIKE? Not even one from each clan? Interesting hair colors and clothing styles. White hair from dad lightened the rest from their mothers. Oh so Ryuuki got their father’s eyes. I want to know so much more about the previous royal family. Also Sakujun? What’s he doing here??? I thought the flowers were for his mother, yet another whose life revolved around their child and died in summer. Guess I was very wrong.

Okay so 12 when got given sword, presumably same age when exiled. It’s been about 9 years since the succession crisis. So Seiran wasn’t lying about his age when Advisor So asked. Around 20 at the start of the series? Unless Shouka found him later.

Right Ran Clan just wanted to protect Seien from others of course.

EXILED TO SA??? Come on. Wait 14 years since exile? So 26 years old currently? And was lowering his age about 4 years when Advisor So asked? So almost 1 year between assassins and Shouka. And 5 years after exile for the succession crisis. This timeline does actually work. From late Jan to early winter (so Nov? Oct?).

9 years ago, right before succession crisis, Senka got real sick and then civil war. And Advisor Shou followed Senka’s will that struggle will bring up the great and kill off the corrupt / weak. No good emperor, no country. Yikes. Even the palace burned? Drought, floods, plague and famine? Mandate of Heaven much?

Omg Shuurei chasing the poor chicken…

WAIT ADVISOR SHOU JUST WAITED UNTIL RYUUKI PASSED THE VIBE CHECK AND THEN SWOOPED IN??? And the eldest prince was exiled too??? Ensei was right. It went the way Senka and Shou wanted. WAIT THIS FUCKER WAS STILL ALIVE UP TO 2 YEARS AGO??? I mean yes from the start it was stated that Ryuuki was crowned recently but omg.

SEIRAN'S SO VASSAL AND BROTHER CODED WHO IS ACTUALLY SHIPPING THEM!!!! His brother and loyalty and ambition complexes are so much more deranged than just romantic love with Shuurei omg. And he views Shoukan as another mother as well. Summer vs Winter!

This is definitely Seiran and Shuurei's arc now. Previously it was Hong Clan and Ryuuki's circle, now it's their turn.

[liesoverthec]

I don't know if you've paid any attention to this but do you know the official ages of the main characters? You've always paid attention to little details so i feel like you'd be the right person to ask this to.

Hi anon! ❤️ I’m SO SO sorry this took so long!

I appreciate you thinking of me for this - I have in fact paid attention to this 😂 I know about the general age of some characters, and I know within a year of others (depending on when their birthday is they may have aged up already!)

Bobby - 54. He says in the pilot that he’s 50 years old, and so you figure he’s at least 54 by now, if not 55 if his birthday was between January (when the pilot aired) and now!

Athena - mid 50s. In Athena Begins, I feel like it’s safe to assume she’s around 22 or 23, since she’s in law school but not close to finishing (and I really don’t think she took a gap year), and that was 1989, so she was *probably* born around 1966-67. Which would put her around 54-55 right now, which fits with how old Bobby is!

Hen - 41. She says in Future Tense that she joined med school at 40 (if she’s not rounding for dramatics). Since she got into med school last year in the s3 finale, I’d say 41 now. If she did just say 40 bc it was easy, I’d still say she’s between 39-42 now, bc she’d have to be close in age to 40 to round so automatically like that imo. But at this point I’m going with a simple 41.

Chim - Late 30s to early, early 40s. Chim is one of the two I really don’t have a good idea on. Chimney Begins is set in 2005, and he’s at least 21, since we see him drinking beer in that episode. So he was born sometime before 1984, which would make him 36 right now if he was exactly 21 then, but I think he’s a little older than that, since he’s been working in the bar for a while before the fire. I can’t remember any other details that would give him a more specific age, so if someone does and can provide them I would love to add them! Personally I’d say 39-40, bc I think he’s a little older than Maddie but not by much. I can say however that he has a March birthday! EDIT - thanks to the wonderful @shannon-diaz who remembered that we see Chim’s birthday on his license in 2x10 (you can see the pic provided in the notes!) HOWEVER! I want to make a disclaimer (which I would like to emphasize is not me trying to argue against the lovely Ann at all, she’s absolutely right about this, I just wanna say this) - they have already been changing Chim’s birthday since then, since the license says 10/20/1977 and they’ve since moved his birthday to March. So it’s absolutely possible that they’ve decided to change his age as well. BUT! At the point this was shown, they’d already committed to Madney becoming a thing, so it’s likely they thought about how old Maddie and Chim were in relation to one another. What I don’t know is if they thought about Maddie’s age before then, or if they put it off until they had to during the Daniel arc. All of this is to say - right now, as of end of s4, the best info we have says Chim is 44. But I could also absolutely see the writers pulling a switcharoo on the poor props crew and changing his age, since they’ve already discarded the birth date. So I say, go forth and know that Chim is 44! But also please don’t get mad at me if that information changes in the future 😂

Buck - 29. During the entire Buck Begins arc, they say multiple times that the family has been hiding a secret from him for 29 years, etc etc. In the Valentine’s Day ep in s1, Abby says Buck is 26. And in Kids Today (the opener to s3) Maddie specifically mentions he’s 28. So I’m most sure about Buck, out of everyone, esp since Oliver himself is 29. I think he’s the character where they’re sticking closest to the actor’s actual age.

Maddie - around 37. We know Maddie was 9 when Daniel died (Chim says she made the promise to not talk about Daniel when she was 9). Since Daniel died a little over a year after Buck was born, that puts Maddie around 8 at the time Buck was born, making her 37 to Buck’s 29 as of right now. Also, in ep 4 of s4, her mom mentions her being a “high risk pregnancy” since she’s over 35, but specifically does not say she’s over 40. So 37 or 38 for her. (Side note - Maddie is older than Daniel by between 1.5 to 2 years, since she says Daniel died when he was 7.) like I said, I’m most positive about Buck’s age but Maddie’s is a close second.

Eddie - early 30s? I also have no idea about him. My personal best guess would be 33, since that’s how old Ryan Guzman is now, and they’ve never in my recollection said anything to indicate a different age for him! (Same thing here as goes for Chim - if anyone can remember something let me know!) Note - I’ve been thinking on this a while and I actually feel pretty good about 31-33. We know Chris was born in 2011, so he’s turning 10 sometime soon, and that would make Eddie somewhere between 21-23 when he was born, which I feel fits with a timeline of him taking time to work with his dad after high school, and then joining the army, doing basic, and getting deployed all in time to get leave for Christopher’s birth.

And there’s all 7 mains! I’m going to link this in a bullet point in the next character details post, so if anyone wants to add information for Chim or Eddie (preferably with an episode number and/or scene so that I can verify it), I’ll edit this post and give you credit, so that way when I link this post, people will be able to see it all in one place, and the edits w credit will be in the tag for everyone to see!

Also all of these ages are as of right now, end of s4. If you want to write future fic or fic for a past season you’ll want to add or subtract years accordingly!

Thanks for the question, anon - putting together the “age puzzle” is like my favorite kind of challenge!

🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

[rogueninja]

Thoughts on 20min Vs 45min Vs 60min episodes?

lmaooo i love this question!!

to me the 20-24 minutes is the perfect episode time. so easily digestible. an entire little arc in a bite sized piece. you can watch an episode in the morning or before bed or during lunch and like barely any time has passed! anime has perfected this i feel.

whether the episode is 45 mins or an hour, there’s not much difference between those to me. if the show is good with good pacing and an engaging story, i hardly notice that the episodes are so long. tho it does make it a greater undertaking/commitment if i decide to watch an episode. and if the pacing is particularly slow or the story is boring, i can really feel it.

what i actually hate is when a show is like 35 minutes. like what is that. it’s not enough time to breathe but too much time to have a tight story. disney+ shows do this a lot. i’ve always suspected it was because they don’t want to pay for a full 45 min-1 hr episode. and the other annoying thing is how wildly inconsistent it is between episodes. some are 30 mins others are 50. please pick one. the other end of this is when episodes are like 1.5+ hrs. i’m sorry that’s not an episode that is a movie. why am i watching 8 movies in a row. netflix is especially guilty of this with stranger things. why was the new season SO LONG like it had no reason to be. it ended up resulting in so much unnecessary cruft and absolutely none of the story felt tight because it was allowed to be as long as it wanted with no one restricting them. not only that but nothing about it is actually episodic, it’s just one long movie that’s meant to be binged. it feels like streaming is ruining tv in this sense bc there are no restrictions when imo restrictions force you to decide what’s necessary, think outside the box, and breeds creativity. tv for years perfected the art of the 24 minute of 45 minute episode but now people are just doing whatever they want and it’s the wild west out here!

[wankingbank]

Millionaire dating secrets: How to get a Wealthy man to Marry you

Everyone wants money, no matter what they tell you. More so for the ladies. It’s a big pain to date a broke man, unless you are making him your project, something you might regret very soon. I am a man and I know it, when you are broke your spirits are down and a woman is the last thing in your mind. A man’s most important thing is his mission, what he really feels like doing and seldom will that be a woman. It must be something greater than just mere companionship.

Getting a rich man when everybody is looking for one can be a bit difficult. There is no shortage of beautiful, good women looking for that knight in shining armor. To land the rich dude who live in the leafy suburbs and drives a Maybach might require some few skills on your part to make you stand out.

Be realistic, love is not money If all you are looking for in a guy is money, you are better off robbing him

If there is no love, no romance, no spark in the relationship, you are wasting your time. A man who has so many girls swooning over him for his assets can spot a gold digger a mile off. He might just play on, use and dump you. Be honest about your feelings otherwise work hard in school, get an MBA and make it big on yourself. Pamper him rotten Most rich men are used to being treated like royalty. Some actually crave it. If he can’t get good treatment from you, he will get it from someone else, it’s just a matter of time and more dates. Show respect for him and his property. Money doesn’t grow on trees, you work hard for it. You share it with people who deserve it, not conceited girls who think their cheap lipstick can buy their way into a millionaires mansion. Do not suck up to them either, just treat them plain good, not overdoing it, not stooping too low. Middle is the way!

Forget about commitment Men hate commitment, especially when it’s forced on us. All we do is to achieve freedom. If you are only interested in knowing where the relationship is going instead of paying attention to the relationship, being in the present always, you can’t win. Be indispensable to him and he will be the one going on one knee, the way it’s supposed to be. Have some respect for yourself Just because he is rich and you are not, doesn’t make you a doormat. Don’t make yourself one. It’s good to have a girl laughing at your jokes, if they are funny, if they are not, you just have low self esteem. If you are just kissing up to a rich dude it will show up. He won’t want you then. We only pursue that which retreats from us. It’s a universal law of attraction. Set high standards for yourself and stick to them. Learn some of the thing he loves doing Most rich men are highly intelligent, a good conversation would do and thats not about the latest episode of La Fuerza.  Read topics that interest him widely so you don’t come off as blonde.

Be realistic, you might not just be made for the millionaires and their lifestyle Most women have a window period of around 15years when their sexuality is at it’s peak and they can land a great guy. After 35, chances are that you won’t be attractive as you were at 20. Don’t chase the elusive millionaires forever, you might end up old, bitter and all alone. Evaluate your looks, brains and personality to gauge whether you can really make it. If you can’t, don’t despair, we all have to tone down our ambitions at some point.

Hang out with the rich Hang out in areas where the rich usually frequent. It might burn a hole in your pocket, or just save a damsel in distress. All you have to do is try!

SMS hook up to +254784389794. Hook up charges apply. Serious people only.

[organic-guacamole]

episode 210 here we go

awww seb doing the intro

congratulations to milky white and her baby chocolate milk😌

seb is so funny

but seriously, clean up that milk fast or else it will smell so bad in there....

was that Lauryn just randomly doing cartwheels? idk any theatre kids irl but that seems like it's a common thing...

is it just me or has ms Jenn been getting more harsh to Ricky and Seb mainly-

like what did they do to her

no because I actually snorted with laughter at the "you came back" WHAT IS THAT VOICE-

AND THE MASK OMG

yeah so my throat hurts now

I'm dying over here

KOURTNEY'S FACE

SAME GIRL SAME

Ricky's fake death got the whole place in tears /s

he looks like an asthmatic walrus

Seb's on piano, I love

we all know if he was the beast we'd all actually be crying✋

ok but I listen to Julia's version of home on Spotify when I want to cry-

right so gimme a second

is Ricky scratching his face.....while he's dying?

"belle i-" *flop*

round of applause to Ashlyn for trying to make Ricky's earthworm seizure look less.... yknow

Kourtney's just dying there

WAIT IS THAT NATALIE

did she really just disappear for 9 episodes just to come back and stare dramatically into the camera

WAIT SCRATCH THAT SHES HERE TO MURDER ASHLYN AND RICKY

oh so Ricky's wearing a gay shirt now too

so that's the real reason why Rini broke up, see y'all next season when Gini and caswen become canon /j

wait that was a long intro scene-

what was that look Carlos-

TALK TO MY BOY OR ELSE

carlos' run is so funny to me

therapist Ashlyn to the rescue

"that is...super" son you good?

ms Jenn call Benjamin, he would willingly put his loved ones on a rocket and blast them into Venus for you....

maybe

"I don't want you kids to be disappointed" girl you do realise you're the one that's most invested in this?

"a smooth opening night" wasn't there just 1 show though-

like their opening night was closing night too

"I think I was Troy at one point" PLEASE THATS THE MOST ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE SEASON 1 FINALE

me Jenn looks like a serial killer during that clap and I'm lowkey scared for zacky

"I have notes"

oo if you're taking suggestions, lemme get my list

"mother is freaking out" uhhhhhh

right....'mother"

"is everyone sitting down?"

*looks around awkwardly*

*big red slowly sits*

"no..."

please seb was the only one sitting-

does that mean Carlos looked at Seb as soon as he walked in and assumed that everyone else was sitting too or am I a seblos clown🤡

"is this about the transformation"

WOW MAYBE OT IS RICKY

WOW HES A DETECTIVE FOR FIGURING THAT OUT SO QUICK🤩

YO WHY IS NATALIE HERE-

she just shows up when it's convenient? is she gonna be at the sleepover too?

Seb's heavy swallow after Carlos shouts at him makes me so sad

"I never learned how to lie but I figure if I keep my mouth closed, I can't tell the truth" *nods and smiles at Nini when she asks*

why are they casually standing up all over the pizza shop, just sit at a big table and talk instead of blocking passageways and blocking off at least 6 tables-

"how about I invite myself" WHY DO PEOPLE ALWAYS FEEL THE NEED TO INVITE THEMSELVES TO ASHLYN'S HOUSE-

YOU CAN ASK BUT JUST FORCE YOUR WAY IN?

so Cash Caswell has a bigger house than... Dennis Caswell.... who would've thought

ah yes there's the good old EJ 1.0

Nini: "boys vs girls"

Gina: *looks devastated and glances longingly at EJ*

way to be inconspicuous

"but north high should be" *cracks her knuckles in the most uncomfortable way*

good for Ashlyn for getting more confident though

oo bossy big red

"i get bossy around the power tools"

is that why Ashlyn was holding up the drill in episode 8 orrrr 🤠

oh

Lily, leave him alone please

she's literally not blinking, is that what makes her creepy?

the diss at big red and his face afterwards is priceless

isn't that similar to what Gina's mom said to her in season 1? hmmmm

but seriously please don't try to redeem lily, let us have a character to hate, or to love because they're evil.

not everyone's a good guy.

"im not liked here and I don't know what to do"

let antoine finish his salad and it'll fix everything

"hug emoji" *gags*

y'all realize Lily's literally 14?

why is she calling a 16/17 year old from another school for personal advice-

"he gets weird around tools"

I shouldn't be laughing so hard

"deja vu maybe?" awkward silence

I'm dying here I love EJ so so so so much

"where's seb"

*cuts to seb being held hostage hoping that they'd notice he's missing and go look for him*

"don't ask"

"oh ok"

"100% real faux fur" as you should queen

sponsored by target

Kourtney is singlehandedly saving the entire show.

Seb making finger guns make me happier than it should

why is this kinda making me want to have a co-ed sleepover with my non-existent theatre friends

YES YOU DO NEED TO TALK/SING TO SEB CARLOS THANK YOU FOR KNOWING THAT

wait what-

you haven't talked to him all WEEK-

Carlos are you stupid /hj

Benjamin is so adorable I can't

he turned around to come back for her instead of going home. you're "what do you want Jenn🙄X act isn't fooling anyone Benjamin 🙃

10101

1+4+16= 21st?

they placed 21st?

or do I just not remember how to convert to base ten

GIRL DON'T BE RUDE TO HIM, HE'S GONNA SAVE YALL

no ms Jenn, the kids are not eccentric 35 year olds.

aww sebby

is he thinking that Carlos is only with him cuz he's the only other openly gay guy at school-

son you are a perfect little bean don't put yourself down

yes they all ship portwell as they should.

they'll be throwing risotto at the wedding.

not the chocolates. stop there are no chocolates. please stop I'm dying.

Gina you don't have to explain yourself to her

it was a misunderstanding and it's in the past

why is Ashlyn still laughing-

exactly it wasn't a big deal please just move on Nini

Kourtney really be out here saving everything

WHY IS ASHLYN STILL LAUGHING

why do I feel like when Gina finally told Ash about it, she didn't think it was that funny but wanted to feel included in the inside joke so now she brings it up randomly to show that she's in on it....I totally don't do that...

"idk, the farmer type" oh son...

Ashlyn and big red are just spilling the secrets back and forth huh?

OOO EJ AND GINA SITTING IN A TREE K-I-S-S-I-

cmon guys don't look at me like that-

"she is the best" and "we're buddies" don't sound right together

"pretty boy" "sweet boy" best ways to describe EJ

I love him.

and aw he's scared of rejection so he'll hold back just to keep her happy and not awkward how sweet

is Ricky wondering if letting her go(literally his song from last episode) was the best thing he did for Nini because he doesn't feel like it now? hmmm this is getting good

why is everyone so invested in Kourtney and Howie's relationship

PACK UP THE LAZY RICKY THING

oh yes Benji, that's exactly what she's doing

she couldn't follow her dream or whatever so now she's using the kids to gain some of the success she craves. why else would she have that massive hsm poster with her name on it in huge letters in her office.

just casually grab his hand with both your hands and stare at him creepily 🥰

ship jennzzara y'all

the first bump was a missed opportunity to do the baymax "falalala" as a reference to the fact that they watched big hero six while committing arson✋

wait so big red and EJ just left Ricky in the basement and now Ricky invited Carlos when they're supposed to be at the stage?

help no Ricky looks like he's about to tell Carlos he likes him (I know it's about writing the song for seb but still, look at his body language and tell me it doesn't look like that)

Ricky is so mature about this, he really just wants Nini to be happy even though he's hurting-

baby you deserve love, maybe Nini isn't the one for you but don't say you don't deserve it

why does he keep adding bro to the end like he doesn't know how to address Carlos

PLEASE CARLOS HAVING TO ADDRESS THE BRO THING

"let's write a song when we have like 45 minutes to get to the place and help our friends possibly win $50000 at the show in 2 weeks"

"can you hit a high C?"

"that's like the bottom of my range"

why am I laughing

this is so cool to see friendship interactions that we don't normally get to see

Nini why are you being like this-

Gina did nothing wrong??

I saw that, EJ and Gina being the only ones going in the same direction👀

right so obviously Kourtney's waiting until after the menkies to get back with Howie just in case he really is just using her as a way in to east high... obviously... right?

CARLOS

OK ITS COMING GET READY YALL

Why is portwell so awkward all of a sudden

OMG EJ

OMG GINA SAY YES or not, do what you want.

the way she doubts that EJ would genuinely ask so she has to make sure it's not Ashlyn behind it

OH

THE "NOT THAT I KNOW OF"

LIKE WHAT GINA SAID TO JACK ABOUT EJ BEING HER BOYFRIEND

GUYS THEY'RE SOULMATES

I want risotto now please

THEY'RE SO SWEET AND ADORABLY AWKWARD ITS LIKEEK LITTLE KIDS

OOOOOOO what is this place that seblos is in, looks fancy....and secluded

oh wait no Ricky's just standing there

wait is it the bomb shelter

it looks so good what

HSKAGSJAGAJAGWISGSKAUASBWKSVAIWBAISBQKSHIQBWOABWOABDOQBZIQBAIAQBSIWBQISVQKSIANSGOQBSAISBKASBKWBAIABQOSBBSJAHAJAVAJSBAJHSKAHSJAHAJAJAAJAHHHHHHHH

@youranxiousnerd ARE YOU OK?

CUZ IM NOT OK

LOOK AT SEBBY'S FACE

LOOK AT HOW ADORABLE IT IS

THE LYRICS ARE KILLING ME

SEBLOS IS KILLING ME

I AM DEAD

PLEASE SEND HELP

I like to imagine that Frankie and Joe practiced this in their apartment and just had a blast with it.

or maybe that Frankie practiced in secret like what Joe did for the climb

OH THE SUITS

THATS WHERE THAT CLIP IN THE PROMO WAS FROM

AWWW SEBBY'S SO CUTE

HE'S A LITTLE MARSHMALLOW

they're still so awkward with the dance I cant

let's appreciate Frankie's voice though

this episode really was made just for the seblos and portwell stans and you gotta love it

BIG RED GET OUT

WHY DOES HE ALWAYS DO THIS

Seb's little "yeah" IS ADORABLE

you can't tell me that wouldn't have been the best time for them to say I love you....IF FREAKIN BIG RED WASN'T THERE

ok but wait Ricky needs more hugs like that, look at his face

the boy needs love

"bro" please don't let Ricky and Carlos go back to not talking because their friendship is amazing

EJ laughing at Ricky sounding like a cat coughing up a furball is so funny to me

RICKY'S FLOP GETS ME EVERYTIME

I knew it was too good to be true

ok so Ricky's dead, next in line please

this episode was so short but I love it so much. this is what I signed up for for season 2✋

[sakura-83]

Things from Anne with an e that I feel like writing down

Season 1 Episode 7: Wherever You Are Is My Home

⚠️WARNING!!!⚠️ this episode not only talks about suicidal thoughts but also a character trying to commit such acts, of you are sensitive to this I suggest you just skip this post or at least skip #75-77

1. Anne calling it comforting that no two snowflakes are alike, as well as calling snow a sign of gods forgiveness as he blankets the dead world in a beautiful frost

2. Josie gossiping about her while she’s RIGHT THERE

3. Her and moody just talking

4. “And I love Christmas, don’t you?” “I don’t know, but I plan to.” “Did you not have Christmas at the orphanage?” “There wasn’t much to it really. I’m not sure why Father Christmas wasn’t able to stop there, maybe the matron scared him off.”

5. “Do you at least know if they’re going to keep you?” “Keep me!?”

6. Anne trying to sing with the others but the other voices quickly fading out as she panics and rushes home

7. “They’re not going to send you back, you’re in the Bible and everything!”

8. Marilla has every right to be angry that Matthew rushed their home without even discussing it

9. “I knew you’d lose your head-“ “Oh, I oughta smack yours right off your shoulders!”

10. Matthew is prone to heart attacks, the very same thing causing his death in the books

11. “He’s had an episode of the heart” just a funny way to say heart attack, sort of long winded

12. Marilla not understanding the complex math because she had to leave school when she was young

13. Anne helping her with it because she’s top of her class

14. “Not keeping you? You’re a Cuthbert, for better or for worse! No getting out of it now.”

15. The awful bank not relenting on the payback schedule despite the fact that Matthew cannot work. Corporations are cruel and ungiving despite the human struggles and needs of its clients and it hurts. I know the bank invested that money and they need it back but Matthew was indisposed by a tragic event and to not only not extent but to SHORTEN the payback schedule is just unfeeling

16. Marilla putting out an ad to the mainland to take in borders

17. The terrifying idea that you must sell everything you have in order to survive

18. Marilla being desperate yet still too prideful to accept charity

19. The fact that it not only effects the family but also Jerry, as they can’t afford to pay him. It puts him out of a job and lowers his families income

20. A reoccurring theme I love in this show is the idea that the characters will give up their belongings, no matter how sentimental, in the name of family. Matthew selling his dead brothers watch, Marilla selling her grandmothers brooch, Anne selling the dress of her dreams, all because no matter how important these items are, they are just things. That family is more important, so even though it pains you to have to give those things up, you do it in the name of love for others

21. “Theyre just things.”

22. Anne feeling sorrow and yet being excited to stay at aunt Josephine’s

23. Despite being told she can keep the dress, Anne insists on selling it back because it’s a family effort

24. Anne being exited for a solo adventure and then getting stuck with jerry

25. Jerry has to be there to get money Anne his family is hungry :(

26. “I don’t actually need your help.” “When’s the last time you drove a sleigh? Auctioned a horse? Let’s go.”

27. Diana giving her things to sell as well

28. Jerry knows how to drive a sleigh?????

29. “It’s not so bad to ask for help sometimes, y’know?” “If I needed help I would say so.” “No you wouldn’t.” “Yes, I would.” “Wouldn’t.” “Would! Times infinity.” “What???”

30. Jerry singing in French

31. “No singing. I mean it. I’m serious, Jerry! This is an important journey! I WILL KILL YOU WITH MY BEAR HANDS!”

32. Jerry grinning as she gets madder

33. Anne bring mystified by the dress shop

34. “I’m here to return a dress.” Is something wrong with it?” “Not a thing.” “Do you not like it?” “It is my very favorite thing that I have ever possessed in life. But I need to return it to help my family.” “You’re Anne, Matthew’s Anne!” “I am! How nice it is to hear it said that way.”

35. Anne being upbeat until Jeannie asks what’s wrong and then ask just breaks down

36. Poor Jerry waiting outside in the snow for her

37. Either Matthew spent some much money on Anne’s dress or Jeannie gave her extra, or both

38. “Did Matthew really spend this much?..” “You’re worth a lot to him.”

39. “I hate to say goodbye…” “😏 I won’t be so long~” “To the HORSE, Jerry. Why are you so annoying.”

40. “You’re a good horse Birdie, try to remember that. Someone will be very lucky to have you.”

41. Birdie really is a beautiful horse though

42. Anne’s little “my parents are spies” act she uses on the pawn broker

43. The pawn broker is so understandable rude because of his profession, it makes him equally annoying and funny

44. “What a piece of work you are.”

45. Anne is so good at making up stories on the spot

46. “If you can’t afford it I completely understand.”

47. I love how snide remarks of “being a good Christian” are frequent and effective insults in the 1800’s

48. Poor Jerry doesn’t just get beaten up and robbed, he gets brutally beaten by two grown men and there’s nothing he can do despite that being… his last paycheck. That was the last income he was going to give his family and he’s so ashamed of himself that he keeps apologizing for it despite most of the money being his. He apologizes to Anne, to Matthew, it bothers him for months to come

49. Gilbert’s back!!

50. “Still seems unreal. Even though I just sold all our… everything.”

51. “He’s a good man.” “I love him with all my heart. I don’t know what if do if…”

52. Them arguing over not arguing

53. Anne apologizing

54. “Anyway…” “Anyway..”

55. I genuinely didn’t realize that the men who beat up Jerry are the same men that took in borders at green gables, I got the same face blindness as Jerry himself

56. “I’ve missed you.” “Yeah?” “At school, theres.. no one to compete with.” “”You want to spell out a few words for old times sake?” “How about… truce?”

57. Jerry thinking Gilbert was going to hurt Anne and take her money and immediately jumping in to stop him despite swaying on his feet

58. When Anne asks him if he’s okay he immediately starts apologizing about the money

59. “I don’t like the city.”

60. “Just take care of yourself, and come home someday.”

61. Anne and Gilbert staring at each other quietly

62. “This is a palace, not a house.”

63. Jerry assuming that they’ll make him sleep in the stable instead of inside the massive house

64. “I’ll look after belle.”

65. “This city is rife with ruffians!”

66. Aunt Josephine insisting on helping

67. Matthew lamenting his own life, talking of how his life insurance will give them a sizable sum and how he drags them down despite them needing him

68. “Anne loves you, you have to remember that.” “But her future…” “Which do you think she would choose, this house or you?”

69. Jerry bring terrified to stay in a room by himself because he’s always had his family around him

70. Anne making room for him only for him to sleep upside down

71. “Don’t worry, I don’t kick like my sisters.” “Yeah, you’d better not.”

72. “Everything will be alright. It’ll be alright..”

73. Aunt Josephine helping by paying for Jerry to work at Green Gables, as well as giving Anne books

74. “We’ve been together all these years, thick or thin, so don’t think I’ll put up with you slipping away now. Anne will be home today, and she’ll be very happy to see you.”

75. Matthew trying to kill himself because the life insurance would pay off the debt he caused

76. Jeannie happening to show up and find Matthew with the gun just in time as he tries to hide what he’s almost done from her, realizing what he’s done

77. The way they stress how his passing would effect Anne the most because of what they mean to each other, that she will suffer without him despite what he’s trying to do

78. “Don’t ever get old…” “Too late for that.”

79. “You would’ve left us that way!? Left me?..”

80. “Give it back. I won’t take charity.” “But.. love isn’t charity.” “I won’t take it.” “Nay I ask why not?” “We will not be pitied! I don’t want people thinking we can’t fend for ourselves.” “Well at the moment we can’t, and I’d sure give my last bit of strength or my last dollar to help a friend. Then I know that friend would feel grateful and loved above all else. And I do. I feel very grateful to have such a dear friend as Miss Barry. Sometimes you just have to let people love you Marilla.”

81. Anne selling her cleaning services to make steady income

82. “We’re rich, aren’t we Matthew?”

83. Jerry carving a star for the Christmas tree!!!!!!

84. Anne’s friends coming to sing carols at their house

85. Anne helping Matthew walk outside

86. Not Nate :(

87. Nathaniel, the bane of my existence

[vanishingpod]

okay this is going to be a wild request but asking is free yknow.. so due to the setting i am not going to listen to season two it would make me too anxious. i loved season one and i had a blast with it. but heres the thing. i follow this blog and thus know about griffswallop happening and i wanted to ask if i can get the ep and time stamp when that reveal happens. i hear theres a kiss? hope this isnt rude thank you very much

This is not rude at all, and totally understandable! This is why we have content warnings, etc, we don't want anyone to have a bad time, and we are very aware this is a particularly loaded time/setting. To avoid giving out too much detail--Season 3, when it eventually comes out, will likely be quite different and we don't see ourselves returning to this particular historical moment in this same head-on way, as there will be a time jump. So even if you do fully sit this season out, Conrad and Rudyard will be returning for that one which may be better for you!

That being said, there are a few options for you to check out that plotline without having to deep dive into the heavier parts of the historical time/place.

If you'd like to go this particular avenue, we do have transcripts available for all the episodes on our website, so you can always cross-check those before listening to any parts that I'm about to timestamp.

TIMESTAMPS AND THEREFORE SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

Ok, so: Griffswallop! Most of this plot happens in episodes 3-5. Up to there they're pretty much still at their same dynamic as S1 but this time it's fully mutual that they hate each other.

There is an extended montage sequence very tonally/structurally similar to the sequence at the end of 1x03 with Conrad and Phoebe where, over the course of one night, Conrad and Rudyard do fall in love, and this happens in 2x03. They do not kiss here, but they intend to and come extremely close before being interrupted. The timestamps on that within the episode are 15:58-24:07. I do recommend stopping at that point, as the scene after that involves elements and moments that could be anxiety-inducing. If you'd like to just listen to the actual montage, by itself, we have it up on Soundcloud here. All you'd be missing with that is the slight lead-in scene setting up the fact that they have to write this play in a night, and that yes they don't like each other but they'll work together.

(Note that the play they are writing is related to the time and place, so if you're tentative about that, I'd definitely recommend checking out the transcript first to pre-screen most of these. In the montage it remains incredibly vague but still.)

They have another interaction in Episode 4 where there is conflict between them on their relationship status. Augie basically sabotages things by telling Conrad that Rudyard won't commit to him (7:24-14:50). Then Conrad immediately spirals and what you need to know is basically they end up on the outs, with Conrad unsure of Rudyard's commitment to pursuing what is happening between them--these scenes follow immediately but are interrupted midway by another scene that involves a character who is a Nazi, so you may want to skip those.

The actual kiss happens in Episode 5. The scene timestamps are 34:11-37:00. This takes place during the climax of the show they've been working on--because of their fight, Rudyard has forgotten his lines completely, and that's where we find him. He goes off book, gives a speech to Conrad on the fly about how he feels, and they kiss. There is one use of the name "Adolph Hitler" at 36:35 to vaguely keep the guise of the show up, but they kiss as themselves and are not in danger in this moment. It's a win for them both.

The ending scene is merely a scene of all the characters considering leaving and going their separate ways, but ultimately deciding to stay together. Rudyard decides to stay with Conrad. This is relatively free of the larger context of the setting, and is mostly focused on the Christmas of it all. Timestamp on that is 49:11-55:03, if you're interested.

I hope that helps--let me know if you need anything more specific than that. Again, please feel free to check the transcripts if you're feeling at all hesitant!

[higuchimon]

[fanfic] Begin The Future

From the first moment, as their souls began to become one, Yubel became aware of what Juudai felt and knew and believed.  They'd already known a great deal about their past - now they knew him as he was now.  Not that their love would ever falter, but they knew him - knew all that they'd missed in the years between their exile into space and this moment.  Tears spilled down their cheeks as the two of them became one - part of them regretted all the harm caused, knowing now the meaning of love that went beyond pain and suffering.  Part of them could not quite be upset by it, because it had brought about this moment, this perfect fusion of the two of them.

What they'd done before, through the vessel of Martin Kanou, hadn't been anywhere on this level.  That had been forced, ham-handed, clumsy, and could be easily broken.  This was nothing of the sort - this was forever.  It came from both the power of Super Fusion and their own commitment to one another. 

Juudai loved them.  Juudai had always loved them.  What he hadn't known until now was that the love existed or why it had existed.  Now that he knew, he loved them all over again, just as it had been in the old days.  While he did care for Johan - and Yubel could feel that as well - it was a different kind than what he felt for them.  But, Yubel thought as the two of them blended into one another, perhaps there would be room one day for Johan.  They would need time to learn to live with one another like this, to manage the future they would have together.  But once that was done - it was something they would have to work out together.  They had a great deal to work out together. 

A future with Juudai - Yubel could hardly believe it.  For ages they'd feared that it would never be.  Yet it would happen - it was happening right now, the beginnings at least.  They would be together forever, and nothing would change that.  Through everything, the love that had begun so long ago had prevailed.  There would be a great deal to make up for, in one form or another, but it would be done. 

And Yubel looked forward to every single moment of it.

The End

Notes: I love writing about that moment. It makes me sniffle every time I watch it.

[jonsa101]

Helen Sharpe: A Deep Dive Into Her Wants and Needs What it Means For Sharpwin in Season 3

I feel like in more ways than one this week’s episode revealed so much about where Helen is at mentally after the worse of the pandemic but also solidifies where Sharpwin is heading this season. We finally got a first look at Helen and Cassian’s relationship and also learned a little bit more about her family. I’m so glad they incorporated Freema’s Iranian heritage in the show and I can’t wait until we get an introduction to her Ghanian side as well. Helen having a Ghanian mom is literally chef’s kiss and as a fellow Nigerian, I know west african mama’s don’t play so I hope we get to see her on screen. As for Cassian and Helen I loved the fact that he was able to truly support her in her time of need but the chemistry is severely lacking for me. I usually don’t mind seeing HeIen with someone else because it’s usually fun and entertaining and I obviously know who her endgame is. Panthaki and Helen where hot and fun to watch. I just feel like the showrunners hyped Cassian up to be this edgy, “bad boy,” arrogant type who’s supposed to give Max a run for his money but I’m not seeing that at all! The chemistry is just flat y’all. It’s just not giving what they said it was supposed to give... 

Anyway, despite the lack of chemistry, Cassian is playing a role that we honestly haven’t seen from Max yet. He’s truly being there for her and doing his part to support her in her time of need. In Max and Helen’s relationship it has always been the other way around with Helen supporting him. He has never truly stepped up to meet or even think about her needs. Not really anyway. Furthermore, in the midst of her vulnerability, Helen revealed that she feels like “she keeps running out of time.” These two aspects of this episode are so important because it tells me two things.

1. Helen is clearly at a breaking point and desperately wants to make her relationship work with Cassian because she feels like she’s “running out of time” in every area of her life.

2. Max has too and unequivocally will meet Helen’s needs in more ways than one this season.

From everything we know so far about Helen this is how I would summarize her. Helen is a beautiful and incredibly talented doctor who cares deeply about her patients and wants to be respected for more than just being a “celebrity doctor.” She was previously engaged and lost her finance suddenly to a brain aneurysm. She desperately wants a child and is considered “geriatric” because she’s over the age of 35 and in the midst of her fertility journey she realizes that she doesn’t want to raise a child on her own. Ultimately she actually wants love and a family. Being vulnerable has never come easy to her in any of her relationships, romantic or otherwise and there are so many things about her life that we still don’t know yet. 

So based off what we know, when Helen says she feels like “she keeps running out of time” there’s depth to that statement and we have to assume that when she said that she was referring to EVERY aspect of her life. In a sense she ran out of time with her fiancé Mohammad when he passed unexpectedly and though she isn’t “old” Helen no doubt also feels like she’s running out of time to have a baby and a family of her own. These are two things that Helen wants more than anything else in the world and the fact that it hasn’t happened yet is clearly getting to her. Professionally, I feel like Helen is at a place in her life where she’s content and is learning how to balance putting her patients first while also upholding her press commitments. In her personal life it’s a whole different story and I definitely think Helen is spiraling. The ripple of effects of the pandemic are definitely still affecting her and in a sense Cassian is more like a means to an end to help her feel like her personal life is “on track.” Even Helen herself said that “I don’t want to make excuses anymore about you” to Cassian which clearly indicates that she has her doubts about him and the relationship  but she’s going to jump in anyway because she doesn’t want to waste/run out of time!

I know a lot of people think that Sharpwin probably won’t come into fruition until season 4 or season 5 but I could not disagree more. To me, Helen’s fear of things running out of time in her life and or feeling like she’s had missed windows of opportunities is the BIGGEST INDICATOR that Sharpwin is about to come to fruition RAPIDLY! The writing is on the wall! She is not trying to wait for anything or anybody. She’s seen the worst of the pandemic, she knows first hand how life is so fleeting and how quickly things can change and she’s had ample amount of time to reflect on what she wants and needs in her life. She hasn’t truly dealt with her trauma but she is jumping all in for her sanity. 

For Max and Helen, this is a make it or break it season for them where they decide if they want to be together or not. The will they won’t they stage has long passed because it no longer make sense in the storyline for either of them to still be confused about what they want especially after the worst of the pandemic. They clearly have feelings for each other and are in love. It was indicated in season 1 and damn near established in season 2. After a year in a pandemic where they saw thousands of people die a day and so many people have had time to reflect on their lives, for them to come out of that still dragging their feet and being indecisive about who they love and what they want is not a realistic storyline. It could have worked if the pandemic never happened but it did and the pandemic changed everything for everyone. 

So with that said this brings me to Max. Cassian is here for one purpose and that is to ignite Max into action. Helen last season has practically already put her feelings on the line with her declaration of “Everything I’ve done I’ve done for you” and a year later Max hasn’t done shit about it. For the past two seasons she has been his support system and this season he needs to step up and be hers. This is the season where Max needs to go above and beyond for her like she has done for him countless times in the past. Time is clearly of the essence, especially for Helen and he needs to get his shit together quickly. I personally feel like he’s going to supersede her expectations and then some and his actions to me just scream that he’s preparing for a new chapter. He’s already told her he’s trying to build something better for her and Luna, he’s moved out Georgia’s things and at Helen’s encouragement, brought Luna home. The only thing left that he needs is a partner and clearly Helen is his partner!

Also there’s a level of emotional support that we haven’t seen Max give to Helen and I think we saw this play out as well with Georgia. Max has a tendency to be caught up in his own world a lot of the time and sometimes he’s not really present with the people he cares about. I think this season Max is going to become more self aware of that and actually be there for Helen when she needs him the most.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts what I see for Sharpwin this season! Here’s to hoping these things actually come to past. Let me know what you think is in store for Sharpwin in season 3!