#but erasing alec's sexuality is too much

[livia-dovehallow]

Tlh feels so disconnected from the other series. It ignores so many things established already, it's like it's in its own universe. For example:

- We know Cecily's father was an alcoholic and yet none of the adults noticed Matthew's problem.

- Cecily is very active and a fighter but in tlh she's like a stay at home mom and just takes care of Alexander.

- How is it that everyone is so accepting of all the lgbt characters. Like I know shadowhunters don't follow the same social rules as mundanes do but at this point in history being gay is illegal. LIKE YOU COULD GO TO JAIL. And you're telling nobody had a problem. I feel it really undermines Alec's story. He being the first gay consul is a big deal, his fight for himself and his identity is huge and here it's like it's not even a problem for someone being gay. I know history not always improves, so you could say that people got more homophobic with time, but how. How did we go from this generation to the Circle. Like let's pretend Alexander is the Lightwood ancestor, it means Robert is his grandkid, and we know Robert's father was awful. Are you telling me Alexander, Cecily and Gabriel's child, raised a person so badly? Like how? There's no connection.

- Also, how is it so easy for Anna and Ari, and possibly Thomas and Alastair, to adopt a child. Again, it was a huge deal for Alec and Magnus to adopt Max and Rafael, but for the tlh people is this easy?

- Also, we know Alex is the first gay openly gay consul, so should we assume Charles didn't get to be consul? Or he did get to be consul and the historians erased his sexuality?

SECOND TO LAST BULLET IS A MODERATE SPOILER TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT FINISHED CHAIN OF THORNS BUT IT DIDNT MAKE SENSE TO ME TO COPY THIS ALL OVER WHEN IT'S AT THE BOTTOM SO I HOPE YOU SEE THIS WARNING OKAY SORRY

I have seen this sentiment a lot and I do agree with it. Alone (entirely detached from the rest of TSC and ignoring the fact that these characters are the children of my beloved TID characters), it's an all right series. But knowing that it is a TSC book, you're right. Ignores so many established things.

I just try to think of some of the more historically-inaccurate items as intentionally inaccurate so that TLH feels more welcoming and a better version of history than we know truly happened. However, that disconnects from TMI, as we know, because of how much prejudice Alec faced being gay. If TLH truly connected to all established events, I don't think Alec would have been so scared and felt so threatened.

(And, no, I don't think Charles ever became Consul but that's another story entirely).

Given that we know TLH familes are the ancestors of the TMI families (or most of them, at least), it just doesn't connect well. Obviously, big things could have happened between TLH and TMI that made the Lightwoods go back to being assholes for a generation (don't get me started on that either because Gideon and Gabriel would be so disappointed in them).

I get not wanting to feel tied to the family tree to create the TLH story, but CC should have stuck to what she had already established in a main series. Side books I think have more leeway of being retconned or adjusted, but not a main series, especially not the one that started it all.

So yeah, I can overlook historical inaccuracy to a pretty far extent, but stay consistent in your storytelling among the 4/5 published main series, at least. You wrote yourself into that corner; figure it out. Sigh.

TLH would have made a better series if it had been written as an NA series rather than YA and wasn't confined to a trilogy.

Cecily being reduced to a housewife angers me too much to even address it in this already long post but suffice it to say that I ignore that part of canon because Cecily Herondale-Lightwood is not a fucking housewife ksjflkjs

[malecshappiness]

[X]

[theancienttombsoftime]

Legends upon legends have been told through times and generations of children and people alike of a deity like no other who once blessed these very lands. They were beloved, and many prayed to them until they no longer could have a story fated for good. Yet the story doesn't even have an ending, as the deity simply vanished decades ago.

You're a deity—well, you used to be one.

You’ve been with humanity since the very beginning of existence. You’ve seen kingdoms rise and fall, torn by war, bloodshed, and greed, it was all-consuming. Many prayed to you for guidance in these times of madness and decay.

The rules of a deity were simple do not interfere with mortal affairs, do not change the tides of fate, and do not step down into the mortal realm. 

But alas, you would break these rules. You stepped down into the forbidden realm of the mortals to bring forth a new era of peace. Yet, these are crimes even as an elder deity, such as yourself, could not escape punishment.

The other deities would watch your deeds with disgust. As they saw not peace but imbalance. The mortals had grown too dependent on you, thus disrupting the natural order they seemed necessary. By intervening, you robbed the mortals of their struggles, their conflicts, and the growth that came from their hardships. In the eyes of your fellow deities, this was not kindness, but sin.

Convinced you are a threat to the balance of the world, they decided you would no longer exist amongst them. You were trialed like an outsider, and your punishment was just as severe as your actions: sealed away for eternity, your name erased from history itself, your actions forgotten. Only a few mortals would whisper of your name, telling stories of the deity who dared to bring peace into the world.

But now, another decade has passed. You have awakened.

Customize your Deity—gender, pronouns, sexuality, appearance, personality.

Reclaim your rightful position as a deity again or just retire (hopefully you can peacefully).

Get revenge on those who sealed you away, or don't

Romance, befriend, or make enemies

Get the mortal experience.

Reclaim your lost power.

And more.

Alec, God of Weather (He/Him | Old)(Warrior)

"It's been a while, and somehow you stay the same as always, but if there's ever a chance you'll look at me the same again, I'll take it again, friend."

Alec is a strong and powerful God, that would be the case if he actually used his powers, which he doesn't. Once known as your closest ally, now a distant stranger. Alec stands at 6'4" with short wavy blonde hair, a powerful build, bronze skin, amber eyes, and is a lazy charmer. A player, if you saw one, Alec is a lover of all things alcoholic, a bit carefree at times, and all too lazy. With strange coping mechanisms, he flirts with almost anything that breathes. He can always never take anything seriously and always seems to run away from his godly duties or too much responsibility.

Martha, Adventurer Elf (she/her | 150) (Rogue)

"Yer a strong one, aren’t ya? I like ya! Let’s be mates, eh? There’s a bit o’ mystery ‘bout ya, and I’ve a feelin’ you’re no ordinary adventurer."

An adventurer you can't seem to get rid of after you had a chance encounter with her during a life-and-death situation in an underground abandoned labyrinth. Martha is 5'6" with olive skin and a strong build, long curly red hair, and sparking blue eyes. Martha is a lover of all adventure and danger it's her calling. She's a wild animal, jokester, and outgoing. She'll be the first one to run into danger without thinking, though she tends to be very unlucky.

Ash, Noble Human (They/them | 24) (Mage)

"A deity are you now? Why don't you bring the very sky down with such words since you believe yourself so cable of such foolishness."

A ruthless, self-centered noble with clean as their middle name. Anyone who isn't as intelligent as them is simply inferior. Ash is 5'5" with pale skin, a lean build, and shoulder-length straight black hair with some dark green eyes. Ash is very closed off and prefers to keep to themselves, finding others around them annoying pests clearly unworthy of their time.

Cory, Baker Angel (M/F/NB | 31)(Cleric)

"Ah, I've seem to have forgotten my staff again.. but no worries, haha. I brought a spare somewhere if I can find it."

Cory is a gentle and loving person—one of the kindest you've met so far. Maybe a bit too kind? Cory male is 5'7". Female Cory is 5'5". None binary Cory is 5'6". Cory has a soft build with flowing purple hair and gold eyes. Cory is too kind and trusting, leading them to be easily taken advantage of. They tend to forgetful and somehow accident-prone but are always willing to befriend anyone, even their enemies.

Brook, Merchant Human (M/F/NB | 27)(Barbarian)

"I talk money. Ever heard of that? If not, get out of my face and stop trying to negotiate. I got prices for a reason you decaying festering flesh-lump."

Oh brook Rude and short-tempered and way too straightforward, some wonder how they're still in business. Brook male is 6'1. Female Brook is 5'9". None binary Brook is 5'8". Brook has long, coily brown hair and brown skin with gray eyes and a buff build. They talk business being one to not back down from a fight regardless of size. Brook doesn't fear anybody they like to take their own side of the argument, and if you don't agree with them, well they couldn't care less, really.

Demo: Here

Author Notes

This project was left a couple years ago and is now back in full swing. Expect updates and hopefully a new planned-out schedule so I can organize everything. This might have more RPG themes and fantasy.

This is my first time writing an IF so any and all tips are welcome and appreciated.

This game is rated 16+ because of: violence, blood and death, corpses, body horror, rude language, and explicit depictions of gore.

[beclynn-herondale]

hi!

hope you are well ❤ and i hope it's fine if i talk about robert adopting jace!

since this is totally related to robert's homophobic behaviour i'll have to mention it, take this as a trigger/content warning to anyone who may need it! (you probably know a lot about it already but i guess many people don't actually understand robert's side, and not sure if i even need to say it, but everything next is canon or based in canon information, i'm not making up anything) so here's my analysis:

so first i'll mention the basics: robert adopted jace (as jonathan wayland, michael's child) because of what he did to michael in the past. what exactly does that mean? he was trying to compensate what he did to michael. and how this compensation works? helping michael after his death?

something kinda obvious i guess is that robert felt miserable most of the time, for multiple reasons combined. one of them being his intense self-loathing/none self-steem, also caused for multiple reasons. for most of his life robert was ashamed for.. existing, basically, i mean he really was extremely ashamed of himself in general. another reason, more specifical, was michael. i won't explain the effects of a dead parabatai to a shadowhunter, but in was mentioned in later books how the life-death separation of robert and michael devastaded both of them, and that's just the parabatai part. along with their other complications, it was all very harmful, and robert is shown getting triggered under mention of michael.

now there's something one needs to understand so they can understand 1) robert's self-loathing over michael and 2) robert hoped adopting michael's son would "redeem"/"forgive" him?

see, on robert's opinion, homophobia is unforgivable. really.

nobody ever lectured or told him this. that's his actual opinion on homophobia. and that was his opinion on the matter years before alec was born or any shadowhunter close to robert cared about it. when robert was a 80's teenager, he thought it was unforgivable, and he kept thinking that through the years. this is important 'cause it's a impression of mine that a lot of people think robert was actually anti gay people and then changed his beliefs for alec's sake, and this is absolutely incorrect. robert knew that discriminating people for their sexuality was wrong — and he hated himself for doing it to michael (and afterwards to alec, but then it was mostly a misunderstanding)

said that, we know michael was something like a ugly open wound in robert. because, as i mentioned, they missed each other, and robert had to cope with the fact that he was horrible to michael and he knew what he did was horrible, and he just had to live thinking of himself as trash. michael was a extremely sensive topic and thinking about him hurt too much. that's how alec and isabelle ended up taking many years to find out robert had a parabatai, because robert never even mentioned michael. they only found out who michael was because of jace's adoption.

now i'm getting close to the point. robert didn't want anything to ever remind him of michael, because it hurt too much (that was the main reason he didn't react well to alec's relationship with magnus!!!!! his children took a decade to find out michael even existed!!!!). and that's why i can't agree with the idea that robert only adopted jace to feel better with himself.

obviously valentine can't really be trusted as a source of information, but he was probably who best knew robert after michael, and his entire plan relied on robert taking jace in for michael. now, according to him, he knew robert would do that for michael. and how could him be so sure? robert had to actually fight maryse to adopt jace, and valentine trusted he would do it over michael. valentine thought very low of robert, so that's really something.

if robert only wanted to feel better about himself, adopting jace wouldn't make any sense to him, first because, well, robert's self-loathing is deeper than that (and he would know it better than anyone), but i know people in pain don't always act logical and robert is a great example of this so, second, as i showed, michael is a big emotional trigger to robert and he gets very upset about. we don't know how much and how often robert and maryse got agressive with each other, but their fights about adopting michael's child envolved a lot of shouting, and this is not the only context we see robert getting upset over michael.

(as if this wasn't evidence enough, in the wicked ones we are directly informed that all of robert agressive and permanently triggered and dangerous vibes are nothing more than hurt over michael. that's really something)

if thinking of michael was so triggering to robert at the point he hurts people - and people he love (maryse, alec) over it, how adopting michael's son and taking care of him with his presence as a permanent reminder of michael (and that michael was gone) would make robert feel better with himself? and, even more: he wouldn't expect jace to look like michael, as he did expect. if he was thinking mostly about himself, he would be satisfied finding out jace's looks don't remind him of michael, but instead he was awkward and got worried about how jace was feeling.

so what was this about? robert says he was trying to compensate for what he did, as according to cassie, "awkwardly and painfully trying to convey that he loved michael." and yeah, doing something good to michael would make robert feel better, because he loved michael and doing good things to michael makes sense to him. robert never expected what he did to michael to be forgiven, but he did want to demonstrate that he loved michael and that he could be better than that - better than what he had done - for the people he loved.

that was a ride, sorry any mistakes (not native english speaker) and i hope you like these observations, since i understood you liked my last robert analysis

xoxo, thank you for your attention 💓

Hello again, flower

I'm hanging in there 😎

Sorry it took me a bit to answer

I actually got a new perspective on Robert from this. And I love the way you explained this. I don't have too much to add, but a little.

I do agree that he wasn't as homophobic as some might think. He was afraid of what other people would think, and in which case, did end up kind of being that way.

I think if Robert hadn't been so afraid of what people would have said, (I do think the trauma he had with the rune played part in this. As he didn't want to have something else people felt he should be ashamed of), I think he would have actually accepted Michael. It was a very complicated situation and it was cringe a little to, but there's so much to unpack there. And I do believe there's always at least two sides to a story. We know he was a little homophobic with Alec, but he acknowledged it and started changing his ways, which is all you can ask for in this case. I appreciate him trying to change and be better, as I am a sucker for redemption and growth and change. Sometimes change is all that can be done. It won't erase the hurt that was caused but it does mean there won't be anymore hurt done, and I think that's what matters.

Also, the stuff with Jace I very much agree with. but I think it also left Jace feeling like the only reason they took him in was because they thought he was Michael's son, we know that isn't actually true and they love Jace for Jace. I think itleft Jace struggling a little bit though. But in TDA it kinda seemed like him and Robert had somewhat of an improved relationship, as Jace said that Robert had mellowed out a lot since he had become a grandfather, and he wasn't so bad. I do think Robert was fond of his children he just didn't express it openly with them. We do however see him doing it with his grandchildren, everytime he called Max, his M & M, I thought it was precious.

And I fully believe he apologized to Michael in the afterlife and they are hanging out, and taking care of Max. I also believe he tells the other Circle members there about TMI Gang. Mostly about his kids.

This is also a stretch but I think they Robert and Jace could have bonded over their experiences with runes. Jace didn't have the same experience as Robert, but we Valentine marked Jace early, and marking Nephilim children early gives them terrible nightmares. I think there could have been an understanding between them. But we know neither of them like to talk about their trauma. And definitely don't like to talk about their feelings lol.

Hope you are well 💛🧡

[liron-ao3]

"Are you okay?" Magnus asks as he brushes the warm, wet cloth over Alec's stomach.

"Um, sure. I'm fine."

Magnus knits his brow together. That wasn't exactly the reaction he had expected from his boyfriend who just lost his virginity to him.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Alec chuckles nervously. "You're the one with the 17.000 exes. I doubt that you do sex wrong."

Magnus grabs Alec's chin, tenderly pushing until his boyfriend meets his eyes. "Everyone likes different things. So if you didn't like something we or I did, you need to tell me."

"It's nothing."

Magnus breathes out a sigh. Alec is such a bad liar.

The warlock plays back the time since Alec stood in his hallway, kissing him with clear intent. Magnus had taken the lead tonight, checked in frequently. Alec had reacted beautifully to his ministrations, his whole body so responsive, and the sounds he had made—better than many a porn star.

Magnus' mind gets stuck at that thought. Alec had been giggling in the beginning, giddy with anticipation. The mood had been back after their short cat eyes interruption. Then, when Magnus had started to undress him further and had pressed kisses to his skin, Alec had become quiet. But Magnus had checked in again and met Alec's smiling face.

After that, it was pretty clear that Alec was enjoying himself. Or wasn't he?

Dread spreads in Magnus' chest. This had been the most meaningful sex for him in a very long time and—Fuck!

Magnus' heart is racing, threatening to burst into a thousand pieces. "Alec, didn't you enjoy it?"

Alec looks away again, a blush spreading on his cheeks. His lips, slightly swollen from being kissed in passion, part and close several times before he gives up trying to form words.

"Why didn't you say something?" Magnus' words are soft, not judging. But they only thinly veil the turmoil churning through his chest.

"I—I thought it would come. With time." Alec bites his lip. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to ruin it for you."

"You should never do anything that doesn't feel right, Alec. I'm so sorry that I didn't realise. I'm so sorry. What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You don't look like nothing, Alec."

Alec licks his lip and sits up against the headboard. He pulls one of the crumpled sheets over his lap. He doesn't know what's wrong with him.

This was the next logical step. He loves Magnus even if he hasn't said it out loud yet. He loves kissing and cuddling his boyfriend. For him, Magnus is the most beautiful man alive. He wanted this. That's how it goes, right?

But when they got naked, something shifted. His body reacted to every touch. His cock filled, his hips twitched of their own accord, goosebumps ran over his skin wherever Magnus touched him. But when he should have felt arousal he felt—nothing.

He had never been one to masturbate much. The porn he had watched was arousing, though. Shouldn't he have felt at least the same when Magnus touched him? The man made him come for heaven's sake, with talented fingers and a very skilled mouth. What is wrong with him!?

"It was just different than what I expected. That's all."

Magnus' frown is growing deeper.

"Can we just cuddle and go to sleep? It's been a long day," Alec pleads.

Magnus opens his mouth to protest, but he closes it again. If he knows something about Alec, then, that he sometimes needs time to think and afterwards, talking is way easier.

They shuffle around a little with Magnus' head ending up tucked under Alec's chin. Both lie awake for a long while, pondering what this might mean for their relationship.

***

"What scares you?"

Magnus feels the urge to laugh and cry at the same time. How can Alec ask him that? Doesn't he know?

He has to look up at the ceiling when he rips his chest wide open, handing his heart to Alec on a silver platter.

Magnus looks at their entwined hands on his stomach. "What happened last night, Alec? Where did I go wrong?"

Alec's hand stiffens a little in his hold. "You did nothing wrong."

"But you didn't enjoy it, right?"

Alec's breath gets caught in his throat. The sound makes Magnus' heart clench painfully.

"It wasn't bad."

Magnus bites the inside of his lower lip. "But it wasn't good either?"

"It was—weird. Like an out-of-body experience. My body liked what you did, but it felt—" Alec takes his time to find the right word. "Neutral."

Magnus lets out the breath that got stuck in his airways. At least he did nothing Alec disliked. Thank Lucifer for little mercies.

"Okay. That can happen. Not everyone enjoys sex. That's absolutely fine." Magnus tries to keep his emotions out of his voice. Alec needs him now. His own turmoil can be dealt with later.

Alec's eyes flicker through the room. "How is that fine? Everybody wants sex."

Magnus rolls on his side. "That's not true. Some do experience sexual desire and attraction, some don't, and others only under certain circumstances."

"But I wanted it. I wanted you. I want you." Alec's voice sounds desperate, fear lacing the words.

Magnus studies Alec's features, the frown creasing his beautiful face, the way he bites the inside of his cheek.

"When you pictured us having sex—what did you imagine?"

Alec blushes a deep red. "I–I imagined us kissing. You on top, your weight on me. I imagined how you'd sound, how you'd look when you come."

Magnus hums. "And how did I come? What were we doing?"

Alec's eyes blink several times. "I jerked you off."

"Okay. And what did I do with you?"

Alec looks at him, thinking hard, but he comes back blank. "Nothing."

"Did you come in your fantasy?"

Alec shakes his head.

Magnus licks his lips. "What arouses you?" Alec answers with a frown. "I mean, what do you think of when you masturbate?"

"I don't usually do." The frown grows deeper.

"Is that a religious thing?"

Alec chuckles. "No. I just don't feel like it most of the time."

Magnus smiles at him. "Then you're probably asexual, Alexander."

"I'm gay," he protests.

Magnus squeezes his hand. "One thing doesn't erase the other, darling. You can be a homoromantic man and never want to touch a dick in your lifetime."

Alec bites his lip. "I want to touch yours."

Magnus chuckles. "You can be ace and want to touch your boyfriend's cock."

Alec screws his face. "That doesn't sound right."

"Okay. Close your eyes, Alexander."

"What?"

"Do you trust me?"

Alec gives him a are you kidding me look and closes his eyes.

"Okay. Imagine us in bed, both fully dressed. We're kissing. I'm lying on top of you. Is that okay?"

Alec nods.

"What if I ground down, rubbed my erection against your body? Would that be okay, too?"

"I guess. I liked feeling that you wanted me."

Magnus grins. "I wanted you very much."

A proud smile tugs on Alec's lips. Magnus smirks at his beautiful boyfriend.

"Okay. Now imagine us naked in the same position."

Alec's brow knits together. "I like the touch of your skin, your caresses. But your cock is a bit too much as it slides against me." Alec opens his eyes, cautiously scanning Magnus' face.

"That's alright, Alexander. We just try to find out where your boundaries are. Do you want to continue?"

Alec nods.

"Alright then. What about what I did last night. Did you like my mouth on you?"

Alec's eyes flutter shut, his cheeks burning crimson now. "You're very skilled."

"Why, thank you. But that isn't an answer, is it?"

Alec shakes his head. "I prefer your lips on my mouth." He winces as he says it.

"I suppose my fingers weren't welcome either?"

Alec sighs. "Look, I know this is weird. I'm sure I'll get used to it."

Magnus breathes out a sigh and sits up. "I don't want to do things for you to get used to. If you're not enjoying it, it's useless. I'm doing them for you. Not for me."

"Magnus."

"Alec. If you don't enjoy sex, then this is the end of the discussion."

Alec scrambles up, eyes wide in fear, tears already filling the brim. "No, please, I can learn to enjoy it. Please. I want you."

"Shh," Magnus soothes him. "I'm not breaking up with you. See, that's what I meant when I said I was worried about rushing it. Sex changes things. But relationships are so much more than sex. I want you, in any way, I can have you."

"But you—"

"—screwed around in the past? Yes. But what we have, Alexander, is so much more. The last days were the best of my life. I'd be content if we just stayed that way for eternity. You make me really happy. And I have two healthy hands and even magic if I should need release."

Alec blows out a breath. "That won't be necessary. I mean—I want to." He sighs.

"What do you want?"

"I want to make you feel good—sexually." Alec couldn't explain it if he tried to. But pleasuring Magnus was strangely satisfying, to know that he touched him right, that he made him lose control. That even after so many lovers, his name fell from Magnus' lips when he came all over his stomach.

"You don't have to."

Alec cups Magnus' cheek and runs his thumb over the smooth skin. "You looked so beautiful when you came."

Guilt washes over Magnus' skin. He had been so lost in his own pleasure. He hadn't seen Alec come. Did he even come? He had assumed because his dick had been soft when he came out on the other side of his climax.

"I'm so sorry, Alexander."

Alec rolls his eyes. "I liked it."

"You did?"

"Yes. I want to see you like this again. Wanna make you come."

Magnus' cock twitches at the prospect. "If you really want to, I'm sure we can make this work. But I mean it. We'll never have to do any of that ever again."

Alec cocks an eyebrow. "And you could live with that?"

"Oh, Alexander." He kisses him softly and slips on top of him, mindful to keep the duvet between them. "I have everything I need."

Alec runs his fingers through Magnus' hair. "I'm sorry that I'm broken. You clearly are an incredible lover."

"You're not broken, darling. You're just you. And I'm happy to have you."

[aion-rsa]

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer Review – Richard Ramirez Docuseries Speaks Plainly

https://ift.tt/3bvDDPw

Netflix dives into one of the most horrifying cases of multiple murders with its eyes wide open in Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. The documentary is told from the perspective of the investigators at the heart of the case, particularly a veteran homicide detective and his young, enthusiastic partner. They had nothing going into the case, and when they did dig out the clues, they often lost what they had because of its newsworthiness. The series works because it treats the audience the same way as the cops were treated: infuriatingly.

Every clue, setback, and recalculation in Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is satisfyingly frustrating. We all know the story by now, so director Tiller Russell can leisurely fill in the plot. We don’t even get the name of the serial killer until the end of the third episode. It’s not in the title, and if the detectives don’t know it, the series won’t disclose it. This is an internal affair, and early disclosures to the media contaminate clues like dancing on a crime scene in a pair of size 12 Avia sneakers.

The four-part series opens in a hot and happy Los Angeles, filled with glossy tinsel and hair metal. The city hosted the Olympics in 1984, and the Lakers were international superstars. Archival weather reports continually update a sweltering heat wave, and the citizens cool off leisurely and diversely. But not after dark, where the bulk of the docu-series is set. That is LA Noir. The same kind of darkness that crept into the headlines when the Black Dahlia murder struck, but more similar to the Manson Family killings. 

One bad boy, who will later be described as having incredible sex appeal, rips the nightlife apart. At the time, though, all anyone knows about him is he has bad teeth, smells like a goat, and loves AC/DC. Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer captures the mid-eighties period well, with archival TV news and clips of then-current shows. When the events turn creepy, Max Headroom is playing on a black and white TV in the distance, almost out of focus.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Gil Carrillo and renowned homicide cop Frank Salerno are great storytellers whose obvious gravitas centers the documentary. There is one other standout from law enforcement. San Francisco Police Department homicide Inspector Frank Falzon actually breaks down what it’s like to be goaded into punching a possible witness. He completely explains the forces which lead him to do it. The frustration, the horrid images of the case which flashed into his mind. The disgust he felt at the actual details. Carrillo has a similar incident, convinced of a suspect who fits too perfectly only to be told “He’s a freak, but not your freak.” But his defining moment probably comes when he can’t bear to even listen to a discussion of putting a child who had been sexually assaulted on the stand to testify.

Even though we know how it ends, the limited docu-series captures the race against the clock tension of the summer of 1985. Initially tagged “The Walk-In Killer” and “The Valley Intruder” by the press, the satanic beast prowling Los Angeles came to be known as “The Night Stalker.” His crimes seemed disconnected because the victims were so varied. Serial killers usually have a specific type of victim. The Night Stalker’s crimes appeared to be random. “There was no pattern,” a detective bemoans in an interview.

The detectives get blowback from inside and out. We hear about an important theory being laughed out of a meeting. Investigators have to deal with cops in different districts not sharing information, as multiple jurisdictions spark “a pissing match between Type A dudes.” The investigators don’t only have to deal with the media blowing the case. They get the information from a politician who releases details which tip off the suspect.  Many of these details have never been told. 

We also get to hear Laurel Erickson and Paul Skolnick, the journalists who covered the story from the beginning, explain why they were so eager for details, and where they drew the line. Like the Hillside Strangler, who had recently been caught by Salerno’s homicide team, the Night Stalker was a once-in-a-lifetime case. Not only to the press, police and politicians, but to the community, which ultimately plays the most emotionally satisfying part in the documentary. When the suspect is caught in East Los Angeles, he tells the arresting officers “Thank God you came.”

The mystery unfolds through first-person interviews with victims who lived through the attacks, some of whom were allowed to survive. One woman remembers being dropped off at a gas station to call someone to take her home after the killer had sexually assaulted her in a dingy room. She was a child when that happened, one of the youngest of the Night Stalker’s victims. They ranged in age from six to 82; were men, women and children; some affluent, others poor; and of a mix of races. Anyone could be the next victim. The persistent updates on the heatwave accentuate this, because in a town under siege no one can sleep with their windows open. After Charles Manson had been caught, the people in Los Angeles didn’t feel the need to lock their doors, the documentary asserts. Now residents barred their windows.

Read more

Books

The Last Book on the Left Takes on the Grim History of Serial Killers

By Alec Bojalad

Movies

Crazy, Not Insane Doc Studies Serial Killers’ Minds on HBO

By Tony Sokol

The assailant also varied his weaponry, using knives, hammers, tire irons, and a .22 caliber pistol. The savage specter takes on an almost occult status when the investigators find pentagrams drawn and carved on walls, and occasionally on victims. The killer gouged the eyes out of one woman. He used thumb cuffs, which comes as a visual surprise to the detective recounting it. He relives that one moment of discovery with both a personal revulsion and a cop’s curiosity. He still hasn’t gotten his head around it, and it’s only one detail. Like an Avia sneaker, size 11 and a half, the only one shipped to Los Angeles since the company was founded.

There have been several features on the notorious killer at the center of Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. Chris Fisher’s film Nightstalker (2002), Ulli Lommel’s Nighstalker from 2009, and Megan Griffiths’ The Night Stalker (2016). His story was dramatized in the 1989 TV movie Manhunt: Search for the Night Stalker. Zach Villa played Ramirez on American Horror Story: 1984. Director Russell, whose father worked in the Dallas DA’s office, grew up in courthouses, jails and police precincts.He keeps his focus steadily on the investigators and the victims.

Russell presents the evidence plainly. Emotionally, he wants to present the feel that anyone in the horrific footage could have been a viewer or someone they know. He never treats the victims like statistics. We get personal stories, like one told by a granddaughter remembering how she preferred a grandma who did cartwheels over any necklace heirloom which could be bequeathed. The documentary occasionally lets the camera wander around recreated footage too long, and takes leisurely pauses of action with only music over grim background sets to amplify the atmosphere. We also get the occasional emotion-cam closeup, with a frozen face willing a testimony into a camera wordlessly.

The first glimmer of a name the documentary provides for the suspect is Richard Mena, who is being treated for an impacted tooth. Richard Ramirez actually doesn’t get much screen time. We get a very curt statement on why he turned out the way he did. “All the things that could poison a child were part of his life,” a detective explains. The only detail is a recollection of how Ramirez was tied to a cross in a cemetery overnight as a reprimand from his religious father. Ramirez explains himself throughout, although without credit until we learn the quotes and affirmations come from a recorded interview the Night Stalker gave from prison. But we never learn how Satan was “a stabilizing force in his life,” which prompted “a motivational charge.”

The documentary explores the killer-groupie phenomenon, but it is from the amazed and uncomprehending reactions of the investigating officers, and the families of the victims. They don’t get it. The journalists who covered it have never seen anything like it. It proves everything about the case is unprecedented.  We see Ramirez, upon sentencing, tell the families, as well as the judge, jurors and investigating officers: “You don’t understand me. You are not expected to. You are not capable of it. I am beyond your experience.” The doc cuts his last lines, “I will be avenged. Lucifer dwells in us all.” What replaces it is a snippet of Ramirez requesting a promise that his recorded interviews be erased after his death.

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is a satisfyingly exhaustive account of the investigation into the Richard Ramirez murder-and-assault-spree. But know it is limited to the crimes and the cities they were committed in. Los Angeles is a bigger character in the documentary than Ramirez. The docu-series isn’t about him. It’s about what he did, and the people he did it to. Survivors describe his very presence in the court as “evil,” and the documentary resolutely chalks the case up as a triumph for good. By following the timelines so deliberately, Russell lays out the arc of a perfect detective story. That being said, I could have watched two more installments on the villain and collateral damage.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer streams on Netflix on Jan. 13.

The post Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer Review – Richard Ramirez Docuseries Speaks Plainly appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[judgement-free-sideblog]

Blood, tears and sea breeze.

Warnings: ANGST, mental health issues, graphic depictions of violence, blood, cursing, mentions of sexual assault, mentions of sex, substance abuse.

Summary: The not so peaceful town of Broadchurch face dead again, while Alec Hardy continues his journey to redemption will this school teacher be the key to solve the mystery or just another victim of the ever watching evilness that seems to reside in the town.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 2: It was a nice ring.

The little house was as Harford had said, a few minutes down the dirty road, it was a nice two bedroom, kitchen and living room cottage painted in a light yellow almost beige color, with a nice trail of white stones in the back that marked the direction to the beach, it looked just like the place a sweet kindergarten teacher should live, except for the dead man in the living room.

Jonathan Norbury's body was facing up over a puddle of his own blood, with multiple wounds on his arms and shoulders, those were extended at both sides of his head. Around him multiple broken objects were scattered in the room, a broken lamp and the landline phone were completely bashed out and there were stains of blood all around the wood floor, they were small and they both immediately thought of Y/N and it was more clear how she end up with all that blood on her.

SOCO Brian Young came out of Y/N clean kitchen and give Miller a candid Hi, only a polite nod to Hardy. This was going to be a difficult case he could anticipate, but since he and DS Miller had started a relationship he was aware of how much she cared about her job and was not planning to get in the middle, his only concern however was the amount of time she had to spend with Shit-face, even when he was not an insecure man, he was sure they have had a thing going on at some point but she refused to talk about it.

"This is gonna be a nasty one" He said finally once DI Hardy finished looking at the body. "We would have to wait for the coroner to clear it but I'm sure your guy didn't die here"

"Yeah I think so too" Alec said not entirely happy to give him the reason "Place is to clean except around him, anything interesting?"

"Partial prints coming from the beach, no blood stains neither in the wall or the furniture except for that table, like if someone had touched the victim and then make it as a support to stand up, and the victim had this on his hand" He said showing them a bag of evidence with a crushed piece of gold with a diamond in the middle "It seems to me it was a ring or some sort of earring".

"It was a ring" Said Ellie picking a picture from the countertop, an Engagement announcement picture with Y/N and Jonathan proudly showing off the jewel "It was a nice ring, someone must be pretty pissed with him to crush it like that. Thanks Brian" She said and walked out with miller who was already in the back door "What do you think?" She said after a couple minutes of silence.

"He is like 6'2" He said simply.

"I know, a man that large could easily defend himself from a woman of her complexion" She concur, the woman was not tiny but the victim was in extremely well physical shape so that seemed unlikely "Maybe she drugged him?"

"And carried him alone until here with no traces?" He asked more to himself, since he had the same thought before "Back in the road Hartford said she kept screaming Someone help him, why would she do that if she kill him?"

"Guilt? In any case we had to interview her now and wait until the coroner says what happened to this guy" She said and they surrounded the house to get back at the road, and walked the distance Y/N had walked, when they found her she was shoeless but they had found bloody footprints leaving the property and then is when Miller saw it "Look this is definitely hers" She said picking up a sport shoe from the dirt and putting it in a evidence bag, they definitely hadn't see it the first time.

"There's something else over here" Hardy said already on one knee lighting with his phone a side of the road, "It's a letter" He said showing her a piece of paper with a bloodstain in it "Apparently he was leaving her".

Dear Y/N, you know how much I despise long explanations, that's why I will be brief, by the time you read this letter I'll will no longer be at Broadchurch.

I leave it at your place so you can find it when you come home from work. I just want to warn you that I'm not coming back.

I didn't came to London to fix the details of the wedding, I'm actually escaping from you, this whole idea of getting married is no longer what I want. Being with you has become a burden more than a pleasure, and if I have to be perfectly honest I met someone else.

She is wonderful and sweet, and makes me feel things you never will, and I'm getting tired to being afraid of you, and what could happen to you, so I am sorry; but it's for the best.

I have confidence that if I go like this now and I simply don't come back you will erase me from your memory...

"Well he was not so nice after all" Ellie said reading the letter. "But here, look. The date he write here is from 5 days ago, if he had already leave what is he doing here?" She said looking again for more details in the letter.

"Being afraid of you... Seems a bit too easy isn't?" He said taking back the letter and putting it in another evidence bag. "Almost too easy, he breaks up with her and she ends things with him quite literally".

"DI Hardy!" The young voice of DC Harford call in their direction at the exit of the dirty road "DS Miller" She add quietly once she saw her, it never cease to impress Alec how afraid of Ellie she acted sometimes "The woman, Y/L/N, she fainted during the examination, she hadn't said much apart from the screams but we finished collecting evidence and they are moving her to the station for questioning"

"How did she faint?" Asked Miller, and even when it was a suspect she felt sorry for the girl.

"She had a medical bracelet, the ones that said if you are allergic or things like that, hers says she has absence crisis"

"She was probably dead scared" Alec said making both women look at him "Dasy had a convulsion when she was little, nothing serious but they tested her for all kinds of stuff and Tess and I learned some things about it" He started explaining himself more quickly than they could follow "Some kids space out completely, is rare in adults, but an anxiety crisis can trigger it"

"So then I hardly imagine her picking up a knife and fighting her fiance to death" Ellie said now believing more than ever she couldn't do it.

"That's what I thought, specially since she is not capable to drive or do simple things" Harford said and take out a small notebook "A woman call to her phone, it was in her pocket, she said she was supposed to give her a ride from work to go the train station to pick up her fiance but she wasn't there and she went alone to pick up the guy but he didn't show up, I ask her to go to the station as well"

"Nice work" said Miller with a smile and she only nodded but a spark of gratitude hide in her eyes, and Ellie give Hardy a meaningful look immediately after.

"Sure, Miller and I will take Y/N, you can interrogate the other one" He said calmly, and Katie did her best to hide her excitement.

"Sure, thanks sir. I'll meet you there" she said and started walking fast to her car.

"Oh Christmas is early this year" Ellie tease him but she also believed in Harford, her past mistakes were now longer forgotten and she was becoming a good detective.

"Shut up Miller" He simply said and they walked again to her car "Let's go meet our suspect".

I'm loving writing this, I think this works better in short chapters but that means there will be a lot of them. Please comment and ask me anything, even if you don't like it, I appreciate criticism.

[enkelimagnus]

🔥 about relationships in SH bc I'm emo and I really like reading about your thoughts/opinions.

Okay this is going to be a BIG answer because, I dunno what you mean by “relationships”

Romantic Relationships

When it comes to romantic relationships on the show, I find them relatively nice. If you forget that from 1x01 to 3x22 (year later not included) there’s maybe 3 months, and that as a result, Magnus and Alec got married 2 months into their relationship, Clary and Jace have dated for a month, and Simon and Izzy 3 days, of course. 

The romances are interesting. Though some parts are badly written (in season 3, every thing that Malec has a couple gains is done through Magnus as a person losing something), I find Malec especially very interesting. Clace has also a good dynamic, with a true development from Jace’s character, which is very interesting to see. And the third ship I’d say is probably in the top three writing wise: Saia. Saia is amazing, for some of the same reasons that Malec and Clace are, actually. Saia, Clace and Malec all have one interesting in common. Healing. 

Jace, Clary, Simon, Maia, Magnus and Alec all have an healing journey as they go through their relationship. They all grow, and heal old traumas and pains, and I find it very beautiful and comforting to me. Victims of abuse like Jace, Maia and Magnus finding trust and love and support and being able to open themselves to vulnerability again? That’s GORGEOUS. 

Family dynamics

I enjoy the family dynamics a lot too. Especially the Lightwoods. Though the Luke/Clary bond is amazing, it is often the only plot that Luke gets: something to do with saving Clary’s ass. And I find that sad. Luke tends to be only Clary’s dad, not his own character. 

You can have characters who put family first without it becoming their only personality trait. Because who is Luke if not someone’s dad? Maryse gets to have this growth, this enormous change in the way she portrays herself and the way she loves her children. Luke doesn’t get that. And you can probably peg this more on racism/people not knowing what to do with Luke, but it’s sad. 

As said before, I love the Lightwoods. I love the dynamic between Jace, Izzy and Alec, and the way Maryse, Max and Robert add to the trio. I find the maturing and the changes in that family the most interesting. And Izzy going from a daddy’s girl to a mommy’s girl is the best. 

Had it not been this outrageously incestuous, I would have enjoyed the Jonathan/Clary dynamic so much! I think there was a lot of wasted potential with Clary there, with the reasons behind her going dark. It’s a little too “the demon made me do it”. Too magic based, no matter what she says in 3x20. 

And of course the Asmodeus/Magnus relationship is GREAT. It’s one of the best and most fascinating parent/child relationships on this show, at least to me. There is such a history between those two, and a deep deep resemblance. it is BELIEVABLE that Asmodeus is Magnus’ son. 

They have a way of carrying themselves, a theatricality that is just similar. I love the way they move, and talk. Magnus gets some of that slow, deliberate diction sometimes, and I LOVE it. I love the feeling you get that Asmodeus raised Magnus. And I also love the enormous differences between them. It’s so GOOD. 

Ships (gonna go with canon ones here)

Malec

Obviously gotta start with Malec. The show wasn’t originally made for them. The show became theirs though, so easily. There’s gravity in that ship, and depth, and this sense of history-making. Not only in TV, but in the Shadow World. 

It’s far from perfect. Magnus gets the short end of the stick so very often, and the writing glosses over Alec’s flaws so often that it feels like they are actively trying to erase them. 

I very much dislike the way they went with Malec in season 3, even in 3A. It was just not what I wanted for them. Magnus losing his title, his magic, his home, all for Alec... this isn’t what i wanted. It’s what I got. 

And I got some very nice things with this. This building of them as a couple that happened, of them knowing each other’s habits and wearing each other’s clothing, and the wonderful, sweet domesticity of them. 

They are a ship that manages to be both extremely dramatic and extremely domestic at the same time. And it’s so nice to see, how complex it is. 

Also, like... Alec’s immortal. I’m not having it any other way. He deserves that. 

Clace

I don’t like Clace. I don’t think I ever have, and I don’t think I ever will. My dislike for Clace was born out of dislike for Jace, mostly, then was fueled by the way Clace fans tend to act.

I do get why it’s a good ship. I do get how nice it is for Jace to be able to be okay. Do I think it’s rushed? yes, of course it is, Jace deserves therapy but... yeah. 

Sizzy

Sizzy was built on friendship chemistry, addiction, and blaming Maia for taking care of her mental health. It was built out of nowhere in season 3, because the writers thought they needed to satisfy those who wanted to see them bang. I guess they are both hot and close enough to being white that it’s sexy. 

Simon/Maureen

Could have been very cute. That’s all? 

Meliorn/Izzy

In my top 3 Izzy ships. There is an understanding and comfort between these two, a deep caring, and just something that could have been so genuinely beautiful had it been given any chance at all. 

Climon

Cuter than Clace. They were sweet together, and honestly, I could have seen it become a real interesting ship had they been developed after the cute stage. These two share history, they share memories and interests, but they have this big break, when Simon became a vampire. It would have just been wonderful to truly see that history go further. 

Too bad it fell to both antisemitic tropes and the love triangle. 

Jocelyn/Luke

I don’t see the appeal to them? I think they don’t have much romantic chemistry at all. 

Izzy/Raphael

Canon them? Bad, worse than bad. It was horrible. Just something that was wrong on a lot of levels. 

I think it could be super interesting completely in another context. Especially in regards to Raphael being asexual and Izzy being a character known for being very sexual. 

Saia

Saia is just.... everything Sizzy wishes it was. It’s healthy, it’s sweet, it’s built on mutual understanding and trust. it’s built on two people finding each other. it’s built on two people who understand the other’s experience. Traumatic events and fear, anger and pain. it’s built on people who have the tools to build a future together. 

Saia is the kind of relationship you can see going far. They fit perfectly. They are different enough that it’s not like dating a copy of yourself. They are sweet, and fun, and they care about each other and RESPECT each other, and I love that about them. 

Saia is comfortable. It’s the kind of love that’s just... wholesome. That seems to be built from steady foundations. 

(yes I’m ignoring the hellfire that is 3B). 

Marcian

Luke and Maryse. What can I say? These two kinda came out of nowhere but... it works. Luke appreciates Maryse for everything that she is. Strong, smart and beautiful. Something I think Robert didn’t appreciate enough. 

And Maryse trusts Luke. She cares about him. They went through similar things, they have shared past and shared regrets. I love that about them. That they get to build what they deserved to have in the first place. 

Heline

I don’t get it. The only reason they are together is because they were written to. They seem to have 0 stuff in common. But I guess I would know more if they were more than blank slates with “science one” and “combat one” written on them. 

aaaaand. think I’m done. 

[takaraphoenix]

Review: 3x19 - Aku Cinta Kamu

On Magnus and Alec:

Okay, but like... Asmodeus did have to have physical contact with Magnus to steal it, he needs contact to return it. So, how exactly had Alec planned all of this? If Asmodeus hadn't escaped?

And while yes, Magnus' magic is back, also no, Magnus' father is back.

And damn is it dramatic that Magnus immediately goes to unlock locks instead of, you know... trying to talk to Alec again and win him back or get to the bottom of this? Like, he doesn't... find it odd that immediately after Alec breaks up with him, his dad is suddenly there...?? And then wanting his memories erased? Like, seriously, this is just... fucking ridiculous, he doesn't even try to get to the bottom of this, huh...? I know it's meant to make you feel... something I guess... but all I can do is roll my eyes at just how fucking ridiculous and over-dramatic it is. He didn’t even do this when Camille broke his heart and left him literally emotionally crippled for decades?? (SERIOUSLY Asmodeus comes as the fucking voice of reason here? Because yes, pain = bad, but pain = strength too. He should know this.)

And, you know what would have helped: More of the cute, nice moments in the show, instead of 95% of Ma/ec interactions being their miscommunication and fighting. A bit more of a balanced diet instead of putting the cute stuff into flashbacks...??

On Clary, Jace  and Jonathan:

...Give Kat more villain roles. She is so... weak in her goodie-two-shoes roles to be honest, like seriously not very convincing, but somehow she plays the villainous parts so much better??

Undercover Jace is adorable.

I'm glad Jonathan and Jace finally get to properly play off each other and in case you didn't know, I am trash for my faves being threatened and I like reading that as sexual tension. Damn was there a lot of sexual tension this episode!

“Once he trusts you, he's like a puppy. All he wants is love”... you know that that describes Jace 100% more than Jonathan, right? Right?

...Drugged!Jace is something I... I need to work with. I need to include non-consensually drugged Jace for some whump and hurt/comfort?? My poor confused puppy??

Also, have we like completely forgotten the parabatai-bond exists? Just, asking out of interest. Alec got the alert, he didn't feel Jace getting knocked out? For a while there, they portrayed the parabatai-bond like they'd feel when the other had a fucking paper-cut – seriously Jace cutting his hand in Idris, Alec having sex, they were closely connected. Now, they... barely get screen time together to even talk, much less that they seem to share a sacred bond like that?? Now, Jace is literally on drugs but it doesn't affect Alec at all?? Does the bond exist or not, what are its limits?

I really enjoy their dynamic though. Not in a “dream team1!!” way, but they play off each other really well, they don't play it stiff, it's really actually engaging and interesting to follow them. HOW WILL THIS ONLY BE A ONE EPISODE THING DAMN IT. I would have preferred this dynamic for like, you know, the whole damn season?

On Luke, Simon and Isabelle:

I always enjoyed their dynamic. They work well as a team, I like how they get shit done. I'm still dubious on the whole “and now, two days after breaking up with Maia, he'll tab that”, but oh well that is this show's pacing so whatever.

Still wondering just how brilliant Isabelle is? Like, creating new stuff to break the bond between Clary and Jonathan? It doesn't require a team of specialized scientists. Just one (1) Isabelle. I really do wonder if she is a genius, or just a plot device at this point, to be honest. (Seriously, she is apparently also a blacksmith now who can make swords. She just does... what needs to be done.)

NERD ISABELLE IS ADORABLE. I love her.

It's nice Luke is helping them out though. Even though I'm unsure what exactly he is doing. And I'd like an update on his life. Did the praetor get him back his position as a cop? How does it work because once everybody distrusts you for whatever they accused him of, I can't imagine they're gonna welcome him back with a hug?

On Raphael, Maia and Jordan: WHERE IS LUKE?? Yes, he is not “part of the pack” anymore, but uh, the pack is fucking dead?? Like, Maia and Jordan are literally the only survivors. Maia, Jordan, Luke and Bat could just start up their own pack, what would Luke's banishment even matter?

And didn't the show try to sell us on Luke seeing Maia like a daughter too? Because I sure as shit would check on my daughter after she nearly dies and loses her pack...?

It... I... It's nice Raphael went to Maia and Jordan and their conversation. I'm still irritated that Raphael didn't go to Magnus and talk to him, but I know I'm not getting what I want.

And... like... I feel as though there would not have been a right way to handle the Heavenly Fire for the Shadowhunters, huh? Now, they're the bad guys for destroying the cure. If they had kept it, they would have been accused of trying to continue with the non-consensual turning to humans...?

TL;DR:

The Ma/ec was... far too dramatic on Magnus’ part and startingly entirely absent on Alec’s part

LOVED the evil trio. Want more of them. Great interactions

Isabelle is slowly evolving into a deus ex machina type character

they’re still not doing the minor characters, including Luke and Maia because you can call them “main characters” all you want in promotion if you don’t treat them that way it means little, rather dirty but what else is new

Overall, I actually enjoyed the episode though

[ketzwrites]

REWATCH 101: “THE MORTAL CUP”

Written by Ed Decter | Directed by McG 

Here are my thoughts on the very first episode of Shadowhunters. I think I might keep this format for the following episodes. 

Also, this rewatch will be random and sporadic. So, there’s that. Enjoy!

GENERAL NOTES

Jace bumps into Clary – not very professional, Jace: you’re invisible, not intangible. More importantly, though, Clary has the sight!

Clary introduces herself to examiners who are almost as unwelcome to her as the audience is. We learn about her drawing skills and that she sees weird symbols and demons around. Again, Clary has the sight!

Oh, yeah. Dot runs an antique shop. Also, hello there, Mortal Cup.

Are Clary and Maureen friends? Or is Maureen friends with Simon, who is friends with Clary? I need to know to evaluate how gratuitous this exposition conversation about Clary’s family history is.

Clary unintentionally draws an angelic rune. Because Clary has the sight! I cannot stress this enough.

Too bad Jace didn’t notice the angelic rune on the van. That could’ve been interesting. But, guys, Jace says it! Clary has the sight!!

Jace has a rather intimate approach to interrogating a Shax Demon. Weird take, but okay, Ed Decter. I guess Alec is… jealous? Mildly bored? Uncomfortable? I’m uncomfortable.

Why does Izzy refer to Alec as “my” brother and not “our” brother, I’ll never know. She refers to Jace as her “brother in every way” in the next episode, so there’s that.

Great scene where Izzy is forcing Alec’s suspicion to be based on jealousy while Alec corrects her and says it’s caution. We know he won the argument because he got the last word.

First “all the legends are true”!! Immediately followed by “we’re shadowhunters”, which is not a legend, but okay. 

we learn she’s been out for two days when Simon calls. This is important because it will be the longest episode timeline wise in this entire show.

Oh, this is the first time I notice the shadow passing behind Simon at 34:46. Cool.

Clary has been drawing runes without knowing about them because, you got it, Clary has the sight!

Is this “choose your path” scene with Jace and Simon pulling Clary to literal opposite directions a lot on the nose? Yes. Do I like it? Kind of. Also, here is the theme of the episode, kids. Clary’s two conflicting halves pulling her apart. She has to choose one or she’ll break.

THE GOOD

That whole teaser is great. A nice and functional introduction to the shadowhunters, the existence of demons, and to the fact that Clary is different than your regular mundane girl. Zero exposition is done by dialogue. Effective and compelling.

Clary and Simon's friendship is the sweetest. 

Luke’s terse response about Jocelyn creates some believability later on when he tells the Circle members he doesn’t care about the Frays. Same thing with Luke’s running out of patience with Jocelyn’s lies to Clary.

The dynamic between Clary and Dot is endearing. I’m buying their affection to one another and Dot being worried about what is waiting for Clary now that Jocelyn finally decided to stop gaslighting her own daughter.

“Mom, we’ve had the Talk. I’m good.” Even in the pilot, Clary is shown to be in charge of her own sexuality. Well done, show.

Good for Magnus for pointing out that erasing Clary’s memories won’t protect her. Also, good for the character of Magnus for going along with it anyway. Let’s hope this exchange between Magnus and Jocelyn gets referenced later on.

The entire re-introduction dynamic between Alec and Izzy, Izzy and Jace, Alec and Jace is absolute gold. It humanizes these three suspicious-looking superpowered people we saw in the teaser. Too bad we don’t get a little reaction from Jace to Alec’s snarky “platinum”. But we do get amazing characterization through their dialogue: Alec doesn’t care for mundanes and is the cynical one, Izzy has something to do with science and is the fun one, Jace doesn’t care about the rules and is the soldier-minded one.

Clary checking out Simon when he’s shirtless is there for a reason and I’ll never stop pointing it out.

Clary is a feminist icon and so she tries to help the “girl’ about to be attacked by the crazy dude with the glowing sword. After that, we get a great fight sequence where we infer that the Lightwoods are expert fighters, Alec and Jace act like Parabatai, Izzy kicks ass, and Clary yells and freaks out like the untrained eighteen-year-old she is.

Valentine mercilessly killing that mouthy Circle Member for insulting Jocelyn both works to establish how dangerous Valentine is and to show that his experiments are crazy.

THE BAD

Clary’ unawareness about Simon’s crush on her would be less annoying if she didn’t use such a flirty tone when praising his intelligence. Same thing with “That’s how I know it’s cool” and “You do not tattoo my neck. That creepy.” Whoever told Kat McNamara to use this pretentious sexy tone of voice was wrong. Clary sounds much better when she’s being sassy instead of flirty.

Honestly, “demonic murders” isn’t subtle at all. But aren’t the demons draining mundane blood artistically inclined? Who’d thought they would leave their dead mundane victims looking like a perfume ad?

No, Maureen. A single mother raising her only daughter by herself isn’t suspicious. It’s 2016, get on with the- Oh, wait. Jocelyn just took out a seraph blade and activated it for no reason at all besides being an act break. This level of needless drama requires a sensible third party. I take it back.

So, why exactly can’t Simon hear Jace? People will hear Clary’s phone ringing in a couple of episodes, so why is Jace’s voice inaudible now?

There is no in-context reason for the Circle Members not to mention Jocelyn’s marriage to Valentine as they try to recruit her back. Other than keeping that information hidden from the viewers, that is. But I guess it’s convenient that they don’t mention that in this private conversation.

Why would Valentine’s base be in Chernobyl? I get that they force warlocks to work for them. But still, why? Because it’s evil?

THE INTERESTING

The focus on the missing biscotti is a little heavy-handed, but it consists mostly in a visual-only plot point, so that’s good. 

It’s curious that Jocelyn introduces the Shadow World to Clary using a stele. That will eventually be Clary’s greatest weapon as a shadowhunter. She even uses it to stab a demon, her greatest move as a shadowhunter.

Simon singing “Forever Young” will always be a good foreshadowing. Also, this is the start of the show’s good use of Alberto’s musical talents.

The Circle Members recognize Jocelyn in Clary. Too bad they didn’t have Kat McNamara playing young-Jocelyn in the flashbacks. Give her some bangs and maybe a different tone of red. Kat can do a very good badass and it would highlight the differences between Clary and her mother at her age.

Clary spills out her MO in the first episode. “I’m not interested in being a part of your supernatural fight club. I just want to find my mom. The rest of it – whatever it is – all that I care about is finding my mother.” The warnings were all there and we missed it.

[purple-haired-faerie]

Sexuality erasure in TSC

Lesbian:

Aline Penhallow

Anna Lightwood (Also Gender-fluid)

Gay:

Alec Lightwood

Ty Blackthorn (suspected)

Bisexual:

Magnus Bane

Michael Wayland

Mark Blackthorn

Kieran Hunter

Helen Blackthorn

Gwyn Ap Nudd

Meliorn

Pretty much all the faeries

Pan sexual

Lily Chen

Kit Herondale (suspected)

Demi-sexual

Julian Blackthorn

Asexual

Raphael Santiago (Also Aromantic)

Transgender

Diana Wrayburn

These are all the confirmed LGBT characters in the books, with two we strongly suspected to be LGBT because of stuff written in the books. I think we can all accept that erasing their sexuality and gender is wrong and unacceptable, so shipping Jace with Aline, who is a confirmed Lesbian and subsequently only interested in girls or shipping Clary with Alec, who is confirmed gay and subsequently only interested in guys is wrong. (Interested in this context in a romantic way)

Also, ignoring people’s gender identity is also not Ok. Diana is a confirmed male to female Trans, and Anna is confirmed to be genderfluid. It’s part of who they are, and we can all accept that erasing theses attributes is wrong. I’m not saying that their gender and sexuality is wrong, not at all. That’s what I love about Cassie, she gives us LGBT characters but doesn’t make their character evolve around their sexuality or gender identity. Nor is it a case where there is one line about their gender and sexuality and it is then subsequently forgotten about and we are all asking why it was even worth mentioning in the first place.

But here’s the thing. I’ve talked about this before and got really hated for it, to the point I genuinely considered deleting my blog, so I am trying to word my thoughts better, and hope we can have a civilized conversation without people blowing things out of proportion. I totally get there isn’t nearly enough LGBTQ+ representation in the media which absolutely is not ok, and needs to change. I’m not denying that. At all.

Heterosexuality is a sexuality. Yes it’s the sexuality of the majority but enforcing it on everyone and ignoring anything else isn’t ok. Making an LGBT character straight and subsequently erasing their sexuality, like the examples I gave with Alec and Aline earlier is not ok. But what also isn’t OK is ignoring that a person is straight. Shipping Jace with Alec isn’t ok, because although you are keeping Alec gay, you are erasing Jace’s heterosexuality. It’s still ignoring someone’s sexuality even if it is the norm.

I’ve seen this a lot in the TSC fandom (and I know it happens in other fandoms as well) when you have a set of friends or parabatai, and that bond between them gets ignored in order to make them a couple. I get why it’s done, to give more same-sex couples and representation, but I also think it’s important to show really strong friendships. These too, can’t be ignored. I get why some people chose to ship Simon and Clary and ignore their parabatai bond as Simon’s has been in love with Clary and they did briefly date, but that relationship died a death and they went onto date other people. And given the Jemma are in some sort of relationship, that’s why their parabatai bond gets ignored in favor of shipping.

But for every other parabatai bond and a lot of friendships between the same gender, they get shipped together, regardless of whether both characters are attracted to the same gender or not, and if it’s even implied in the books or not. Their heterosexuality is ignored in favor of a same sex relationship. I know some people use the line that at least one of the characters is LGBT then that makes the relationship ok (like in my example of Jace and Alec or why people ship Michael and Robert because Michael is bisexual) but I don’t think it is.

I know there will be an argument of “Oh well this character often states that people the same gender are attractive in some way” or “well they’ve said that they love their friend (of the same gender) so that clearly shows they aren’t straight” well maybe it does. But it’s not solid proof. I’ve said “I love you” to friends in a platonic way, because I value their friendship and not because I have any romantic feelings towards them. Likewise I might state another girl is attractive but I am not attracted to them. Yes i am bi, and am attracted to girls, but I know that does not mean everyone does it. We can appreciate someones looks without their being any sort of romantic feeling or attraction there.

And then there is the topic of gender. I don’t think it has happened a lot if at all lately but I do know it has happened: gender-bending characters. I honestly don’t know why it happens. Because you what to make a ship work so you change their gender? Maybe you just prefer them as the opposite gender? I don’t know but it certainly seems to me at least a bit insulting to those whose gender is a real problem for them, as they feel like they belong to the opposite. I might be wrong on that point but gender-bending really does not sit well with me at all.

My point is this: ignoring anyone's sexuality, LGBT or not, is not OK. Nor is ignoring someone’s gender and gender bending them. Am I going to get hate for this? Most probably. Is it going to blow out of proportion? Most probably. Is it going to get manipuated so that some people make it seem like I'm homophobic? Most probably. Am I asking for hate by saying this? No! But I'm not going to pretend I won't get it.

[requicms]

◈ FOR ALL OF OUR BOYS (((:

Send a ◈ for a first kiss between our muses.

COREY & PARKER:

        The date had gone much better than anticipated. Well, to be fair, Parker wasn’t sure if it could even be called that. It wasn’t like he had walked up to Corey in the hallway and asked him out -- he was pretty sure the other would have panicked and ran away then, and he couldn’t have the tiny progress he made with the other interaction by interaction destroyed like that. He was stubborn, that was the only thing that still kept him going when he had already wondered plenty of times if all of this would really lead to something. But when Corey agreed to hang out with him Friday afternoon, he had been ecstatic. 

          It had been nothing special. Again, Parker didn’t want to scare the other off. It had just been them hanging out, two normal teenagers on a normal Friday night. Except, inside of him, he felt anything but normal. It had been a hot day, and after just relaxing in the park, talking and playing some pretend football, they’d taken a walk along a river. Further and further away from where people were crowded together, enjoying the heavy summer air. 

            He could feel a drop of sweat trickle down his spine, despite the fact that it had already gotten dark and colder -- it wasn’t cold enough to not feel like his clothes were sticking to him like a second skin. Parker had to admit, he could imagine feeling better and more attractive when being around someone he liked, but he was trying to make the best of it. He’d just made some stupid joke, words he’d already forgotten again -- completely erased, as he was enamored by Corey laughing. God, he didn’t think it was possible, but the other boy was so fucking handsome when he laughed about his own stupid joke.

            Parker didn’t really think about it. He hadn’t planned it, either. And he was certain if he was unlucky, he could ruin everything with the move he made next. But Corey’s laugh was intoxicating, tempting, and before he knew what was happening he had bridged the distance between them, had pushed the other up against the tree he’d been leaning against, and crashed their lips together in a passionate kiss. 

               Parker had kissed plenty of boys, all kinds of them, in plenty of locations. But none of it could quite compare to the way his chest exploded the moment his lips first touched Corey’s. He’d been dreaming of this since he first lay eyes on the new kid in the hallway, since first exchanging words with Corey. He’d heard it plenty of times -- he wasn’t gay. But in that moment, Parker took his chance and hoped that maybe, just maybe, this would turn out fine. Because how could something that felt so good, become something bad? 

                He only pulled away when his lungs were screaming for air, his cheeks burning a bright crimson red, and he bit down onto his bottom lip as he let his hands fall from Corey’s face. He took a step back, inhaling a deep breath, giving the other some space after basically pressing him into the tree. “Sorry,” he managed to get out a bit breathlessly. “But I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you.”

FINN & JUDE:

              Training turned out to go much longer than planned that afternoon. As boys yelled each other on the field, the clock kept ticking, and by the time they called it off, the early evening hours had already passed. Apparently there was some big party happening, and the showers had emptied much quicker than Finn noticed. Considering he wouldn’t be allowed to go to the party anyway, he was in no rush. He could only strain his father’s new rules so much, and seeing as he had attended two parties the weekend before, he knew there was no chance in hell his father would let him leave again this weekend. 

             Hot water engulfed his body, and relaxed his tense muscles. He had to admit, he showered much longer than he usually did, and by the time he wrapped a towel around his hips and dried off his hair, he expected to return to an empty changing room. But he did not. As he stepped into the changing rooms, he caught sight of a guy with dark hair, tying his shoelaces so excruciatingly slowly, Finn almost wanted to laugh about it. “Haven’t you gone with the others?”, he questioned, but didn’t really expect a reply. They had never exchanged much more than a few words in the past. He wasn’t even sure if he remembered his name correctly. It was Jude, wasn’t it? 

                 Meaningless words were exchanged between them as he changed, though Finn couldn’t help but notice that Jude was long ready to go, and yet stayed behind to talk to him. Suddenly, there was a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of his stomach. A certain nervousness. He had to tie his shoelaces three times because he fucked it up every single time, too confused by the boy who decided to spend him company while he got dressed. “If you’re going to the party, you should go. I’m not going,” he eventually stated, afraid that Jude was staying behind so they could go together. But as Finn leaned against the wall, the other said something along the lines that he wasn’t interested in going with the others. Surely, he had only imagined that? 

                  His cheeks felt hot, and his breathing caught in his throat as he watched the other move in closer. And closer. Until they were leaning against the wall next to each other, mere inches left between them. It had been a while since Finn was this close with a boy last. He was always cautious, always afraid the wrong person might see him. But here they were completely alone. The only sound filling the room was that of their breathing -- Finn’s getting caught in his throat once more as he realized Jude was leaning in closer. And closer. He bridged inch by inch, almost infuriatingly slowly. Thoughts were racing through Finn’s head, and he tried his hardest to prepare himself for what was going to happen. But in the end, nothing could prepare him for it. Finn hadn’t kissed many boys in his life yet, but every time it was another painful reminder of the fact that he was indeed right about his sexuality. It was never a relieving thought, but his heard always jumped right out of his chest. His hands shot up, curling into the fabric of Jude’s shirt as he pulled him closer. The other was only a few inches taller than him, but Finn felt fragile and weak next to him, melting into a puddle on the floor as they kissed. He forgot how to breathe, how to think, how to do anything other than press his lips to Jude’s over and over again. 

                  It was the ringing of his phone that eventually caused him to pull back, breathless and a little confused. He hurried over to his bag, picking up his phone to assure his father that he was on his way home. But his heart was lost in that changing room, with the boy with the messy dark hair.

ALEC & SAWYER:

           There was nothing better in the world than celebrating a victory. At least not many things could compete to the pure euphoria and happiness cursing through Alec’s body. It had been one of many wins as part of the high school’s football team, but it had been one of their biggest and best wins yet, and the party at one of his teammate’s houses was incomparable to anything he had witnessed yet. He was pretty sure there were people jumping naked into the pool outside. There were people making out, throwing up, and dancing everywhere. The place was packed, and it was hard to be able to push through the people left and right. Everywhere there were people wanting to congratulate him, and therefore his journey to the bathroom took him a small eternity.

              By the time he arrived he was almost exhausted, and felt as if he had pretty much sobered up as well. He pushed the door shut behind him, and leaned against it to breathe deeply. Someone clearing their throat caused him to jump slightly only moments later though. Apparently the bathroom had been preoccupied, judging from the blonde guy sitting next to the bath tub. “Sorry. I thought no one’s in here,” Alec said, recognizing Sawyer from his class. How could he not? He’d be lying if he said the boy hadn’t captured his heart, slowly but surely. Yet he was never sure if there really was anything between them. There had been a few touches that seemed inappropriate for boys their age that were just friends, and a few times their lips had almost met. But nothing ever really happened, and he’d heard from plenty of people that Sawyer was straight. 

             He was a little bit too smitten to just leave the bathroom again at this chance though. Instead he moved over to the bath tub after a moment of hesitation, and slid down onto the ground next to him. Leaning his back against the bath tub, his knee accidentally bumped against the other’s thigh. But there was no sign that that was absolutely forbidden, and so after dropping some stupidly unimportant remarks about the party going on around them, he let his knee slowly rest against the other’s thigh once more. 

              The mixed signals Sawyer sent his way were confusing at best, even for a boy who was as confirmed and open about his sexuality as Alec had been since his fifteenth birthday. Sometimes he wondered if maybe Sawyer himself didn’t really know what he wanted. His head tilted to the side slightly, dark curls falling into his eyes as he looked at Sawyer. Someone banged against the bathroom door, but Alec didn’t even flinch. He couldn’t care less about whoever wanted to get inside the bathroom -- he’d successfully locked the door, and was in no mood to get up from his spot on the floor. Seconds later screeching laughter passed the door, and someone downstairs turned the volume of the music up even further. All of that hardly registered in his brain though. 

                What did register was the way the tip of his nose brushed against Sawyer’s. The way the other’s warm breath brushed over his cheek. He was moving slowly, giving the blonde plenty of time to pull away if he didn’t want this. But Sawyer made no move, stayed perfectly still, and let Alec move closer. Their lips brushed slightly together, but Alec waited a few more seconds before he went in for the real kiss. And God, it was a good kiss. He could feel a hand curl into the fabric of his shirt, and he accidentally let a moan slip from his lips that was muffled by their kiss. 

                But as quickly as the situation had presented itself, it was over again too. The hand that had pulled him closer suddenly shoved him back. His head hit uncomfortably hard against the rink of the bath tub, and suddenly Sawyer was on his feet. The bathroom door banged open -- and Alec was alone. Even more confused than he’d been before.

[flower-of-the-desert]

i'm part agree with nonny, jalec and malec is a writing issue. in my view, jace was supposed to be alec 1st crush. this crush was important bc alec discovers his own sexuality. this fact doesn't deny alec's love for magnus . but for some reasons that I've never understand, this plot was very lazy. clary was the one to said it but jalec never get any resolution. alec never lets his feelings out so there is still a weird tension with jalec and now malec is done but too fast.

Oh yes, there are absolutely a lot of issues with the writing of both relationships. Everything you’ve pointed out is pretty much how I see it too.

Canon likes to pretend that Alec’s feelings for Jace suddenly went poof at the start of s02. Fandom, on the other hand, likes to pretend his feelings were never real in the first place. Both ideas are, as you can imagine, bullshit.

I think you have hit the nail on the head in regards to Alec’s feelings towards Jace being left unresolved as part of the reason why there is still tension there even though he’s supposedly happily in love with Magnus. The writers really did a big disservice to Alec’s character and his relationship with Jace by simply pretending like all of s01 didnt happen. S01!Alec was in love with Jace. It took Clary like 2 days after meeting these people to see it. Izzy knew ever since they were kids. Magnus knew. Hell, even Jace came to realise it at some point. Jace was definitely Alec’s first crush AND first love. But then suddenly s02 starts and Alec is all about going on dates and acting like a possessive ass over Izzy and whatnot and every other word out of his mouth is brother. Mmkay.

But with scenes like the training scene in 2x11 or the recent scenes in 3A, it’s glaringly obvious that the chemistry and tension is still there between those two and no amount of pretending is gonna make that go away. It just makes for bad and inconsistent writing.

I get they were (probably?) trying to establish m@lec as the main romantic relationship for Alec but like you said, Alec’s feelings for Jace dont mean he would somehow love Magnus less. The writers could have allowed Alec to organically grow out of his feelings for Jace and fall for Magnus instead. They didnt need to try to erase Jalec as a romantic relationship and never address these feelings between them. They didnt need to pretend Alec never loved Jace romantically ever. By doing that but then also still using Jalec as a source of narrative drama and tension they achieved what - again I’m only assuming this was the intention, I dont know what’s going on in the writers’ heads - they were trying to avoid: creating the impression that there’s some competition between Alec’s relationships in terms of who he loves the most (and the answer being Jace)… then again, given the 3x08 scene with the Owl which explicitly canonically puts Magnus vs Jace as romantic partners for Alec, maybe they werent trying to avoid it at all.

And when you have all of this compared with the issues m@lec as a couple has on their own… yeah, the picture becomes quite clear.

[ladyhindsight]

Yeah, apples and oranges, really. And I get what you mean. No one at 17 could be considered adult, by any law, if the age of majority is at least 18. And to be honest, I’m not sure either because I’ll do well enough talking shit about books but not when it comes to talking about laws. And like I said previously, there is something to be said about the fact that people have to cite laws in an attempt to erase the predatory aspect of the relationship. And I know their relationship was legal, it’s been stated many times by now, but that is when the other issues kick in and why—despite the legality—the relationship is seen predatory. It’s how their relationship was built and framed, the maturity of the characters and the lack thereof, the lack of experience versus abundance of it, the inequality, the power imbalance, the toxicity of how issues were dealt with—all that. I don’t think there was a single thing done right with them.

It’s pretty tiring that we have to go over these things because, like you said earlier there, Clare could’ve just not written it like that. I’ve had many ideas what Alec could’ve been as a character instead of this insecure and naïve boy with an inferiority complex. Just to preface the in-coming blabber, Alec is a bit less than two years older than Jace. During City of Bones, Jace had turned 16 that January, 2007, and Alec was about to turn 18. Clary turned 16. Alec could’ve easily been 20 or 21, and Jace 18 (meaning they’d become parabatai when Alec was 18 and Jace 15-16, like it matters when their parabatai bond was nonexistent anyway). Clary and Simon 17-18.

Alec could’ve been more of a big brother type of character, the sound of reason but who has no control over his younger siblings. He could’ve been the serious caretaker that didn’t like Jace and Isabelle’s reckless behavior and held it as his responsibility to constantly roll his eyes and look after them anyway. The conflict between him and Jace could’ve been about how Alec doesn’t seem to keep Jace as his equal even though they are parabatai, and instead Alec treats him more like a kid brother than a warrior partner. Anything else but the whole I-love-Jace-I-am-jealous-of-Clary bullshit where Clare undermined everything about Alec’s character and made it about Jace and how amazing Clary is in comparison.

He would’ve had killed demons already, be part of the Conclave, hold a respectable position as his mother was the head of the Institute, and Jace and Isabelle could be annoyed that they sometimes feel inferior because Alec was already such an adult and they weren’t, and that’s why they’d make fun of him. Jace and Isabelle wouldn’t have to lose their character at all, it’s just that Alec should’ve been a lot more, not just an angsty emo boy whose story was just about his sexuality and a toxic relationship to older man. He should’ve been already strong and sure of his footing and place in the world despite the fact that he was still in the closet. Alec could’ve been so stern and deadpan to the point where it would’ve actually made sense that EVEN ALEC would express sympathy for Magnus when he blurts out his whole backstory.

But that would also mean that Alec (and preferably Isabelle too) were more included in the story, not just Jace and Clary, and took more active part as supporting character. It would’ve meant that Alec wasn’t this insecure boy who is more of a doormat to Jace and Jace’s problems, because all of that affects how Alec is then perceived in his relationship to Magnus. And when we go beyond the first three books and Alec becomes even more immature and stupid, it just makes already a questionable and harmful situation so much worse.

Because Alec is made to be all that, because he is also just shy of 18 when they start dating, it’s an amalgamation of things done completely and utterly so off the mark that here we are. Then again, all of this would’ve required that the author was more thoughtful, empathetic, and aware, which just isn’t the case and never was. This would’ve also required that the side characters were well developed and that everyone’s world didn’t focus on Jace and catering to him and his needs.

I totally went on a tangent here, I know, and probably a pointless one too, but one can dream. 🤡

Boy oh boy, I discovered your blog in at a really weird time, eh? I asked the most random thing about Simon and then realized there's a whole Discourse going on 🙈🙈🙈

I'm sorry but I'm just laughing at that anon throwing a tantrum to defend CC 😂😂😂

Firs they accuse others of spreading "LIES!" but then say "Alec was an adult!"

Lmao no, he wasn't? Age of consent doesn't mean you're an adult. Alec was still a minor until he turned 18 (in the State of NY, yes?)

Anon, it's good that you cite the law in the US for those who don't know it (I'm Italian), but saying that other people are spreading lies and then lying yourself is just 😂😅

I honestly don't know if Malec is legally pedophilia or not. As someone mentioned, sexual offences against minors would be considered pedophilic by the legal system no matter the specific age of the victim, and the adult would be considered a pedophilic sex offender. I don't know how age of consent factors in this 🤷🏽‍♀️ because we are talking about offences and not consensual acts anyway. So I believe that even if you're over the age of consent, an offence would be considered pedophilic?

I don't know.

Legal terms are used so arbitrarily and in such a different way than common use, that it's too confusing for me lol

What I do know is that it's disgraceful that CC's writing causes these issues to arise in the first place🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

Is it that hard to write a YA where pedophilia and predatory behavior (and incest!) are NEVER an issue and fandom doesn't have to bring them up? Is it, CC?!

You don't have to publish this, your blog is already so full of this stuff lol I just think it's funny how CC fans will spin facts to support their own arguments no matter what, even contradicting themselves in the process 😂😂

Welcome, even in the middle of on-going discourses. 😵‍💫

How I've understood it, minor is a term that is applied in context of different laws so minor in some case wouldn’t mean minor in some other. Like minor in context of age of consent would be someone below the age that is set in the law of the country, and a minor in context of alcohol laws would be someone under the minimum age to legally consume alcohol, again depending on the country, and so on.

Either way, you’ve pointed out the very core of this issue, or any issue surrounding the series for that matter:

What I do know is that it's disgraceful that CC's writing causes these issues to arise in the first place

This is really it. We can keep on going, cite the law to understand it better, forever keep talking about why these problems are problems in the first place, when in the end it all comes down to this: shitty writing, shitty world-building, shitty thinking, and even shittier execution.

[caspinn]

Repeating Apologies - Chapter 8

Summary: The Winchesters have found the next Indigo in Greece. They try to find out what kind of Indigo this one is, but get in deep trouble before figuring it out. Will this Indigo be Dean’s soulmate? Will she be able to cure him from the Mark Of Cain? 

Warnings: Violence

Note: Sorry it took this long to post the next chapter. I had a major setback as my new laptop got stolen and after that I got another setback as I noticed OneDrive accidentally erased a few chapters... So, yeah, that’s life I guess :)

When Eryn wanted to answer, Sam suddenly felt his phone buzz in the pocket of his pants. He jumped up and walked away, mumbling his apologies. Once he read the name on his phone, he quickly answered it.

“Hello, Charlie?”

“Hi, Sam! How are you guys doing?” her cheery voice asked. Sam smiled and scratched his head.

“Well, we already found two Indigos,” he revealed, but he wasn’t really sure if the second one wanted to leave her creepy Vampire-family-clan to help Dean.

“That’s great news!” Charlie called out.

“Yeah, so, did you just call for an update? Or…I mean you sure have the right to call, you can always call and-“

“Yeah, yeah Sam, I kinda called because of the loneliness and the silence in this ginormous bunker. Oh, and I decoded some stuff from The Book Of The Damned by using some of Rowena’s notes.” She said it like she had done the dishes, as if decoding that stuff wasn’t hard at all.

“Wow, okay…what did you find?” Sam could hear Charlie ruffle trough some pages.

“Sooo…It’s not much, but I found out that the soulmate should be able to take the Mark over from him with some kind of complicated spell.” Crap.

“Okay, but then the Soulmate has the Mark and we still don’t get permanently rid of it,” Sam stated, remembering how Dean had explained that Cain had simply passed it on, as well.

Suddenly Charlie sounded dead serious. “Hmm, well, I can almost assure you that getting rid of that thing permanently will carry some kind of dark consequence. I didn’t fully translate that part yet so I don’t know how we'll be able to do that, but there’s only one word that I managed to translate already and it seems to be important because I see it coming back in almost all of the sentences.”

“What word is that?” Sam had a bad feeling about it.

“Dark,” Charlie revealed. The hunter sighed and rubbed in his eyes while trying to shake that bad feeling off. When he finished the conversation, he turned around to walk back to the others and saw Eryn, standing in the grass, a bit further from Dean, Cas and Valo, talking to Echo and two, Sam guessed, other Vampires. The three guys were sitting on the gravel, keeping an eye on Eryn.

“What happened? Did she tell what kind of Indigo she is?” Cas shook his head.

“No, at the same moment as you started calling, Echo walked in with her two companions. They needed Eryn to discuss something,” the Angel explained.

“News from Charlie?” Dean asked, getting straight to business. Sam nodded and without hesitation he started explaining everything that Charlie had told him.

When Eryn walked back to the guys, they could hear her yell: “Don’t forget anyone. You have their addresses and missions!”

“What’s happening?” Valo asked curiously.

“I’m having a meeting, I assigned Echo to come to me because you guys didn’t seem like a threat, so she didn’t have to guard me anymore.” Sam hadn’t even noticed that someone was guarding Eryn…Echo must have had a great hiding place.

“What kind of meeting?” Castiel asked, curiously but also cautiously.

“Well, Castiel, this situation needs to be discussed with my family, right? I can’t just leave them!”

Dean scratched his chin. “But are you planning on helping us?” he asked roughly.

“I am, but I need to be sure that my family can survive without me,” Eryn revealed. Dean nodded and Sam could see in his brother’s eyes that he wasn’t looking forward to be part of a big meeting with a whole clan of Vampires, even if their diet is human-free. Sam knew that he needed to keep an eye on Dean when the clan was coming together, so his eyes made contact with Cas’. The Angel nodded, so he understood that he needed to guard Dean too.

One hour and a half later the piece of stadium beyond the tunnel, where the guys met Eryn, was filled with about thirty Vampires. They showed up from all dark corners of the dawn. Dean acted as if he was relaxed, but even Valo noticed the Winchester’s nervousness.

“Calm down,” he whispered to Dean. Sam’s elder brother looked at Valo, he hadn't even noticed his own tense behavior, and tried to act better as if he was calm.

Eryn started talking and while she was speaking, she looked like the most relaxed and playful person ever. At the same time, she still sounded like a leader. With her straight back, loud voice and confident movements, she proved she had everything under control. Did Sam dream that the woman only a few hours ago said that she’d deserve to die?

“Dear friends and family! You must be asking yourself why I organized such a big meeting? Well, yesterday we, and with we I mean our dear Echo, discovered American hunters in Greece and she followed them and lead them to me. You know who these hunters were? Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you: THE WINCHESTERS!” She laughed loudly while she made big hand gestures to the two brothers. The Vampires held their breath.

Sam noticed that they didn't really share Eryn's cheer, after all, they were still monsters in the same room with hunters.

“Now, these four pretty faces asked me to join them on a mission. A mission that would stop a whole lot of killings!” She took Dean’s hand and pulled him more to the front. Dean was smart and calm enough to follow her.

“Now,” she said while stroking Dean’s jawline, Sam just kept watching with his mouth a bit open from surprise. “What do you guys think?” she asked her clan without pulling her hand away from Dean. Dean glared at her dangerously, but that only made her smile wider. It somehow gave Sam the feeling that this woman could be extremely powered and fearless.

Someone took a step forward to talk. It was a bald man with a muscular body. “Will you return?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”Eryn answered honestly. When the next person, a woman, took a step forward, Dean tried to go a bit backwards with anyone noticing it. The woman asked her question.

“Who will lead us?” when Eryn took Dean’s hand, quick and silent, no clan-member noticed.

“I’ll announce that as soon as we are sure of my departure. Who thinks this mission isn’t strong enough for me to leave?” While some hands were raising and the Vampires were whispering to each other to discuss the subject, Eryn turned to Dean and whispered in his ear. When she was done, Dean looked a bit grumpy and nodded. Eryn let his hand go and Dean stayed by her side the rest of the meeting. Sam was curious what she told him…

“I count…thirteen votes for me to stay. This is the minority, so I’m sorry, my dear family, but I’ll be going with the Winchesters. I honestly think you made the right decision.” She scraped her throat. “I decided to make two next leaders, being my own blood and the eldest Vampire. My nephew, who, we all know, is like a brother to me and the Vampire who looks like a teenager, but is hundreds years older than the most of us. Alec and Echo, come to me!”

Sam looked shockingly at Echo. She was hundreds years old?! How was that even possible? But then again, he had learned by now not to ask too many questions.

When Alec came closer, Sam noticed that he was a Vampire too. It made the Winchester think about what could’ve happened to Eryn’s family…but as far as he knew, they could still be living… or not… . Eryn gave a little speech and took goodbye of the clan she cared for, for many years.

“I know, for sure, that these two people will be as good leaders as I was. Alec and Echo, do you guys promise to only do what is right and correct and to do no unnecessary harm, to make sure the whole family stays bound by this rule?”

Alec nodded and spoke softly: “Promise.” Echo yelled loud and clear: “I promise!”

“Please, never hesitate to call me when in need. I hope this isn’t farewell, so I say goodbye!” Eryn kissed the cheeks of Echo and Alec, to say goodbye. The other Vampires walked to the front, towards Eryn, to say goodbye, hug her and kiss her cheeks.

This time, Eryn let Dean escape to Sam, Cas and Valo. Castiel immediately asked Dean what Eryn had whispered in his ear.

“She said that I was the mascot of the whole meeting,” he mumbled bitterly.

“Why?” Sam asked curiously. How did she manage to let Dean stay like a well-trained dog?

“She told me that even vegetarian Vampires like to stare at a good looking piece of meat. She needed me to look pretty and to be adored. Vampires apparently happen to be extremely sexually active.” For a second, Sam just stared at his brother, then he started laughing. Dean looked with a sour face at the guy making fun of him.

“That sounds like a nice compliment,” Castiel said innocently. Valo grinned widely, but his grin suddenly faded when he felt Eryn pulling his arm this time. She pulled him to the clan of Vampires. It was his turn to look pretty and this time, the Vampires were a whole lot closer than they were with Dean.

‘Save me’ Valo mouthed. This time Dean laughed his ass off, as if Valo was his friend. Maybe they’ll get to be friends, after some time, Sam thought. Valo was someone who was able to stay calm, well, calmer than Dean. Like me, Sam thought. Maybe that was exactly what Dean needed in a soulmate.

Or maybe Valo wasn’t Deans soulmate at all.

“Let’s leave now, while the clan isn’t noticing it,” Eryn said a few hours later when she walked back to the guys to release Valo. The Vampires were drinking and talking to each other. Sam understood her, she doesn’t want a too dramatic goodbye.

“I’ll go home to pack my stuff. When do you think the next plane flies to Belgium?”

“Well, Greece and Belgium are pretty close to each other, so probably tomorrow. I’ll check it and I'll let you kn-“

Suddenly Sam heard gunshots from everywhere. Everything suddenly went to slow motion. Sam looked behind him and saw the Vampires falling down and blood flying around. He saw a lot of fire and smelled the stink of burning flesh. Sam’s brain managed to muffle the screams to the background.

Sam felt someone pulling his arm, it was Dean to get Sam out of his trance. Dean signed to Valo and Valo started running, followed by Castiel, who made sure the Indigo wouldn’t get shot. When Sam tried to make Eryn move, she just kept staring at the bloodbath in front of her, so he just lifted her from the ground and threw her over his shoulder and sprinted.

Eryn wrestled herself loose again and when she looked at Sam, he could see her left eye was bright blue and her right eye was unnatural black, like Valo’s eyes were when he had argued with Dean next to the Parthenon. Sam knew that he mustn’t stare at her eyes for too long. When Eryn turned and ran to the fight, Sam yelled at her, but she didn’t look back. Sam turned his head and saw the others disappear through the tunnel.

Sam couldn’t leave Eryn to die so he ran into the smoke too. He tried to stay low and searched for the Indigo.

“Oh, you must be Eryn,” Sam heard someone say with a strong British accent on his voice. He tried to figure out which way he had to go and found, after tumbling over some bodies, Eryn standing in front of a man in some sort of suit?! From somewhere under the skirt, she grabbed a pretty long knife (witch was kind of impressive to hide under a skirt). Hadn’t Dean said that he saw someone get killed by a knife in one of the visions he had during his reading with the psychic-grannies?

Sam didn’t get the time to think about it. The British guy in the suit was talking to the phone, totally not impressed by Eryn.

“We found one Indigo, mister Davies,” He put the phone away and looked at the Indigo. Then he took his gun and said:“Please put the knife away, miss.”

When she started sprinting towards him, he shot at her hand, seemingly missing on purpose so she would drop her knife. Sam stayed down and searched his pockets. Shit, he didn’t have a gun with him! Eryn smirked and stared at the man. The man apparently got some sort of memo because he didn’t look her in the eyes.

She kept staring at him. Would her eyes make him feel emotionally empty too, or? Suddenly Eryn noticed Sam, she blinked a few times and went back to staring at the man.

Sam had a plan. It was the least waterproof plan ever, but he had one.

He silently crawled to the back of the man. He heard the sound of a helicopter coming closer. The man laughed.

“The British Men of Letters wants to thank you for your cooperation, miss Eryn,” the guy said, and as the words were spoken Sam jumped on his back. He knocked the guy to his knees and held his face towards Eryn, but before she had the chance to come closer and look him in the eyes, he quickly turned back to Sam, fought through the Winchester’s grip. Then, Sam heard a bang and suddenly felt a deep pain in his shoulder. There was a wound pounding while he was quickly loosing blood. His eyesight went blurry while he was struggling with this British Man of Letters.

Out of the blue, another pair of hands held the British guy too. Sam blinked and tried to see who was helping him. The British man got pounded in the face by someone strong and extremely angry. Sam looked at the face of his helper; Dean. The Brit lost his gun and because of Dean’s strength, he looked Eryn right in her eyes.

Her blue eye started to glow more and more until the light was too bright, while her black eye started crying black tears. She came closer, the man started to scream as if she was torturing him. He tried to close his eyes, but he was stuck, he couldn’t let go of her eyes anymore. The Brit kept screaming and even started to gargle and made weird noises out of pain. He tried to scratch Deans arms to break free, but Dean didn’t even loosen his grip when he started to bleed.

When the man stopped moving, Dean let go of him. For a second, Sam wasn't sure if Dean would keep on using his fists against the lifeless body in blind rage because of the Mark. It almost seemed like Dean was going to do that. Until he blinked and shook his head.

Then he ran to Eryn, grabbed her hand and hurried to Sam. Dean grabbed his brother’s side to help him balance and started running. When Sam was going to fall or go unconscious, Dean dragged Sam further while mumbling to Sam to hold on and to not give up.

The sound of the helicopter was getting louder and louder when they finally ran through the tunnel and to the car where Valo and Cas were stressfully waiting. Dean helped his brother to sit down in the car, the elder Winchester was shaking, but tried to look calm for his hurt little brother.

Sam quickly glanced at Eryn’s eyes and saw they were back to normal.

So Eryn didn’t make shields with her powers.

No.

She could torture people by just looking at them.

Then everything went black.

[i-just-like-commenting]

Star Wars rewatch,part 1: Episode IV, A New Hope

I’d planned to write this last week, but life got busy, so instead it’s my last little May the Fourth celebration! I’m also updating my project from my initial plan; I’ve heard the animated series The Clone Wars praised so much as connective tissue between episodes II and III that I’m going to try to watch as much of it as keeps my interest (it’s available on Netflix). My schedule is thus now:

IV (May) V (May) II (June) Clone Wars (June-September) III (October) VI (October) VII (November)

General Impressions, or the Movie on Its Own

Well, Star Wars: A New Hope holds up pretty well after all these years. I was first exposed to the franchise through Muppet Babies (no, really) and I can’t remember how old I was exactly when I saw all the movies; maybe 7 or 8? It’s an engaging and exciting adventure story with likable characters and a lot of world-building that manages to be immersive without being overwhelming.

That said, the technology hasn’t aged well – by which I mean the depiction of computers, not the special effects. They have big keys spaced far apart, with tiny screens. Oh, and at some point in the future we decided the best way to transmit files was manually? And copying files erases them? I suppose perhaps they were being jammed for the former, and trying to keep up the flimsy pretense of being neutral for the latter. Still, it’s all very seventies in terms of its computer technology.

There’s also no way this movie would be rated PG today, not with the charred corpses of Owen and Beru, or that severed arm in a pool of blood in the cantina.

The Special Edition Stuff

I definitely remember seeing the Special Editions when they came out in 1997 (I was 13 at the time). Seeing the films on the big screen, especially that opening as the Star Destroyer first appears, was amazing. But even then, I knew there were changes that did not work.

Twenty years later, it’s easy to see how much Lucas overestimated the quality of CGI at the time. Machines and things left blurry in the background tend to look pretty good, but living organisms, especially if they are close to the camera, do not blend well with the background at all and look horribly out of place. Comparing it to, say, Maz Kanata in Force Awakens and you can see how technology has come a long way. Besides, a lot of the additions are completely unnecessary. A few droids floating around with the Stormtroopers? A few aliens in the background? They work. But having things walk between the characters and the camera is disorienting and serves no purpose. Mos Eisley doesn’t look bustling, it looks like they set the shot up poorly.

Nothing is worse than the Jabba the Hutt scene, which left the audience I was back then completely cold. It is truly terrible, and you can tell that Jabba wasn’t initially supposed to look like what he did. (Side note: has anyone confirmed if the design of Hutts was completely ripped off from the Regul? Because I think they were.) It breaks up the flow of Luke and Ben’s transition to the Falcon, and having Han make a deal with Jabba rather than being on the run after murdering one of his minions (“We’re a little rushed”) meshes better with him being on bounty hunters’ hit lists in the sequel.

That said, I do like Biggs having a short scene with Luke to give a little more impact to his death, though I wish there was even more.

Continuity, Part 1: Relation to the Original Trilogy

I know Lucas made a lot of changes as the trilogy went on, but I can easily believe that he had two things planned from the start. The first is that Han and Leia were going to end up together. While Luke has an obvious crush on Leia, and she’s fond of him, the banter between her and Han is more typical “romantic interest” writing. It’s also obvious that, for all of their hostility (he resents her class status, she resents his feigned mercenary attitude) they take a liking to each other pretty quickly. Han’s “Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her” is absolutely real, as is Leia’s admiration of his courage (as he leads what could be a suicide charge, something he mocked Luke for earlier). Given that she isn’t as despondent over Han leaving as Luke is, and her remark that “I knew there was more to you than money,” it’s safe to say that her “I wonder if he really cares about anything. Or anybody,” was more an attempt at goading him into action than sincere dismissal of his character. Plus that wink. 😘

I played a little game of adding “married in the future” to a lot of their snarky lines, including Han telling Leia to “Get on top of it!” in the garbage chute. It made me giggle. I am so immature.

The other plot development that complements this film nicely is Darth Vader being Luke’s father. Alec Guinness’ acting, the way he won’t meet Luke’s eyes, gives a strong impression that he’s hiding details from him – which it turns out he was. And of course the conversation between Beru and Owen becomes all that more sinister in retrospect:

Aunt Beru: Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He has too much of his father in him. Uncle Owen: That's what I'm afraid of.

The first time through, Owen comes across as simply a worrywart, concerned that Luke will die the way his father did if he ever sets foot off the farm. But if he knew that Anakin Skywalker had gone to the Dark Side, was one of the worst villains the galaxy, well yeah, he’d be very afraid that Luke resembled his father and want to shelter him from any chance of learning of the Force.

Continuity, Part 2: Relation to the Prequel Trilogy

That said, the relationship between Owen, Beru, Anakin, and Obi-Wan would make a lot more sense if Owen wasn’t Anakin’s step-sibling who he met only once. The convoluted connection between Luke and his aunt and uncle in the prequel undercuts everything in this film. How can Beru be an expert on Anakin’s character? Why is Owen resentful of Obi-Wan taking Anakin away if he only met him long after he became a Jedi?

If I’d been writing the prequels, I’d have made Beru be Anakin’s decade-older sister (allowing them to preserve his miraculous birth if they really wanted to go that way) and Owen her boyfriend who wants to buy her freedom and treats Ani like his little brother. Beru would be close to Anakin and Owen would have been around when Anakin left. It would raise the emotional stakes of them losing Anakin to the Dark Side a lot, too. Though maybe this is something Clone Wars tried to fix? I guess I’ll see.

After rewatching this film, I do actually buy that R2D2 secretly knew everything that was going on, while C3PO had his memory wiped. There are gaps in C3PO’s memories (he’s been in “several” battles, “I think”) and R2 obviously knows who Ben is, and again there’s a bit of an exchange between them like Obi-Wan suspects something is up.

There is one thing that the prequels do explain – why is Vader so hesitant when fighting Ben if he’s such a powerful Jedi? Well, he knows how it ended last time (with him having severed limbs at the edge of a pool of lava) and he’s being cautious.

Continuity, Part 3: Relation to the New Films

“If the Rebels have obtained a complete technical reading of this station, it is possible, however unlikely, they might find a weakness and exploit it.” And thus an entire movie was born. I don’t think I needed to have this “plot hole” filled in, but it worked out into a pretty good story, even if I desperately wanted more time to get to know the characters (who are pretty flat).

Obviously there are parallels between A New Hope and The Force Awakens, though not as much as people like to claim. TFA borrows from all the original films, and it’s impossible to draw direct parallels between the characters. Sure, Rey is an obvious fill-in for Luke, and Kylo Ren for Darth Vader, but Vader never captured and tortured Luke; they don’t even meet in this movie, which was probably according to Ben’s plan, separating himself from the group and luring Vader away from encountering his son. Beyond that, parallels start to break down. Person who sends off plans and gets caught by the villains? Leia and Poe. Only Leia wasn’t the one to destroy the Death Star…Duo who wind up stumbling on to the hero after being separated wandering in the desert? R2D2/C3PO and BB8/Finn, but C3PO didn’t defect from the enemy forces and free Leia at the start of the film, nor was he Luke’s love interest. Han is Han I suppose and Leia is General Dordana, and maybe Maz is Ben…? There’s a lot more originality to TFA than people want to give it credit for.

Conclusion: Bring on the Droid Revolution

DROIDS ARE SLAVES. That was the big gut-punch of watching it this time around. Like, how did I not see how horribly mistreated they are? They’re sold on market, wear restraining bolts, can have their memories wiped at their owner’s whim, or even “deactivated,” a fate C3PO clearly fears as much as a human would death. The cantina owner is bigoted against them, declaring that “We don’t serve their kind” and throwing them out of his establishment. Even C3PO’s attitude reflects a life of slavery: “We seem to be made to suffer, it’s our lot in life.”

Everything about droids is coded for them being an oppressed underclass, yet this has never come up in the films, ever. Are we supposed to be cool with it because they’re machines? They’re obviously sentient, though, and meant to be sympathetic. We spend a lot of time with R2 and C3PO before we even meet Luke, and them splitting up accomplished nothing other than character development.

They’re also obviously capable of emotion as well as intellect. I wasn’t joking when I said R2 and C3PO are the purest ship, they really are. C3PO is a classic tsundere character, claiming he doesn’t care about R2 right up until his counterpart is injured in battle, when he offers to sacrifice his own parts to save him. Seriously, I suspect “counterpart” is just droid for “life partner.” It may not be sexual (they’re gonadless robots for crying out loud) but it is true love, and I now ship it.