#but season 8 9 & 11 are genuinely terrible

[sebsdaniel]

Finally watching the final two seasons of Skam France and S11 is genuinely the worst one yet💀

[butterflydm]

wot rewatch: 1x1 - leavetaking

Rewatching as prep for season two! These are going to be pretty spoiler-heavy for the books (will note how far) and kinda live-bloggy - I'm briefly pausing to note down thoughts but won't be writing out entire paragraphs. Just little notes as I go on.

Spoilers for the entire first season and some s2 spoilers plus through maybe The Dragon Reborn in the books. Maybe only The Great Hunt.

1. Fascinating how Liandrin's perspective on men and the One Power is the reverse of the truth. It's not men who make the Power filthy but the Power that makes men go wrong (because of the taint). I do think she genuinely believes what she's saying here though.

2. We get a lot of info from Moiraine and Lan here: we know there's an active prophecy, we know that the Dragon can channel, we know they should be 20 years old. We also see Moiraine's doubts and her wishful thinking both at play: she doubts/tests various parts of the prophecy but does not let herself believe he was gentled before he could ever be found.

3. The rumors in/out of the Two Rivers are interesting to think about - it sounds like the idea of ta'veren must be fairly widely known -- given that we know in TGH that at least one of Moiraine's eyes-and-ears is Tuatha'an, I wonder if the group of Tuatha'an near the Two Rivers that Egwene & Perrin run into (with Ila & Aram) is also the group that has Moiraine's spy, in the show canon. EDIT: we know from TDR about her spy, not TGH, lol

4. I am So Interested in whether or not s2 will get into the emotional details of Egwene not braiding her hair anymore.

5. It kinda feels like the show went more hardcore egalitarian for the Two Rivers than the books did -- we never hear anything about the mayor or village council and the women's circle is a rite of passage for womanhood as opposed to being a governing body.

6. Wolves! ❤

7. Some people apparently took Rand calling past-him a sap as him being... a Chad now? Very strange. He's obviously not being serious (and he brings Egwene a berry in this very episode).

8. The scene with the three boys is so good for establishing them as friends but also showing Mat is not supernaturally lucky here, and we see Rand and Perrin's concern and affection.

9. Enter our Mysterious Wanderers. It's a great dramatic entrance for our very Dramatic pair. Moiraine taking a good look around trying to clock all the twenty year olds.

10. So we get introduced to all the celebration and joy first... and then after Moiraine's intro, we get into the various emotional turmoils each of our younger cast are facing:

a. Perrin's marriage is somewhat troubled.

b. Mat's parents have created a troubled family life for him and his two sisters and he is basically the one raising his sisters even while having to deal with his drunk mom telling him he's a terrible person.

c. Rand and Egwene's relationship breaks up as they realize for the first time that they have grown into having incompatible life goals (a problem that will not go away even after their individual situations completely change).

Despite the idyllic scenery, the emotional undercurrents in the village are complex.

11. First we have Moiraine specifying that they need two beds and then we get the lovely non-sexual bath scene with Lan and Moiraine. I love how much we get to see Moiraine & Lan being platonic companions.

12. I like that Egwene and Rand truly care deeply about each other but that doesn't make their lives compatible.

13. Love how we go from the whistling background sound over the Fade to Fain actually whistling.

14. The next morning, we get Mat pawning the stolen bracelet -- this helps sets up why he steals the dagger later; Mat has an incentive to need money that isn't about being greedy. But then we also see in the later scene that his friends very much want to help him. And Mat shows deep emotional intelligence and concern with Rand as well.

15. Nynaeve gets knocked out as a Dragon candidate right away, due to being too old to be the prophecy baby. Sadly, in the process of figuring that out, Moiraine burns a bridge with Nynaeve (who already wasn't inclined to trust her).

16. The Wisdom cleaning the sacred pool fits very well with Nynaeve becoming a "servant of all" aka Aes Sedai (just like Egwene surrendering to the river is a mirror of surrendering to saidar). But also the Wisdom is really the only 'leader' that we get introduced to in the Two Rivers in the show.

17. I am very curious about if the issue of the Old Wisdom comes up again when Nynaeve is in the White Tower. Nynaeve does seem aware here that Listening To The Wind is connected to the One Power.

18. Again, I love how the Rand, Mat, Perrin friendship feels substantial here and not just because they're all the same age so they hang around together.

19. Love getting the themes here of rebirth and how the reincarnation aspect of the lore feels present in people's everyday lives.

20. Nynaeve being separate from all the other villagers so they can't see her pain. My heart!

21. Now that we've set up Life As It Is, it's time to break it so that the main story can start. Lan brings the news about the Fade & Trollocs and Moiraine confirms that she doesn't know which of the four kiddos is The One (a good thing, as it turns out).

22. Some good character work during the fight:

a. Nynaeve trying to protect and heal her people.

b. Fain just sauntering off without a care.

c. Mat going back into danger to save his sisters.

d. Perrin doing something to make him terrified of the violence inside hinsrlf.

e. We see that there's more to Rand's dad than meets the eye.

f. Rand defeats the Trolloc but at a cost (his dad getting horribly injured).

g. Egwene & Nynaeve both willing to fight back, even when they just have belt knives.

h. Once Moiraine and Lan are able to turn the fight (and we get some lovely choreography of then working as a team and seeing how Warders aid their Aes Sedai), the villagers take heart and really together against the Shadowspawn.

23. Overall just a good job showing how traumatic an attack like this would be.

24. Anyway, it felt clear to me that part of the reason our kiddos don't argue much with Moiraine after the battle is because they're all pretty shocked and traumatized. None of them have ever experienced anything like this!

25. I hope the implied flashback for Moiraine & Siuan in s2 has us getting the prophecy onscreen but it was still cool to hear Moiraine telling them about it here.

26. There's a great shot here of Moiraine facing Egwene and Rand and we see all three of them in shades of blue. Meanwhile, when we swap to Perrin and Mat, Mat has a tiny stripe of blue but the two of them are more earth-tones. Channelers vs non-channelers? Rand puts on an earth-tone coat as they leave - because he's going to be in denial?

27. Right now, Moiraine is saying they need to get to the protection of the White Tower (meaning Siuan and her attempts to ready the Tower). And that's a wrap on episode one!

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Season 3 Rewatch Drabbles: 3x2 Lost Girl

Summary:  A series of 100-500 word drabbles to accompany my    rewatch of season 3 of Once Upon a Time.  There will be a drabble–either a deleted scene, a “fix it” fic or a character musing for each episode of the season.  Focus will be on Emma, Henry, the Charmings and Killian–with an emphasis on Captain Swan’s epic love story.

Word Count: 556

Other Chapters: (1) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27) (28)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Debrief and impromptu strategy meeting complete, the group gradually started to disperse.

It had been a long day–or days, or, who even knew how time worked in this stupid place with no sun?--from waking to the sounds of the lost boys crying, to her run in with Pan and his games, to the Lost Boys’ ambush to her very emotional conversation with Mary Margaret–with her mother–it felt like they hadn’t had a moment of peace all day.

Emma wanted a friend, an ally, someone she could lean on, who would back her up without trying to fix her.

And so she stayed behind with Hook while everyone else left to set up camp.  He got her.  He knew what she needed, whether that was an encouraging word, some space to let her process, or even a bit of harmless flirtation.

Who would have thought Captain Hook would turn out to be the person she turned to when she just needed to be herself?

“Excellent show of patience, Love,” he said softly, reaching into his pocket, “and that’s what defeats a nasty little boy.” 

“I certainly hope so…” she rolled her eyes goodnaturedly as he produced his flask, uncorked it and offered it to her. “Is rum your solution to everything?”

“It certainly doesn’t hurt,” he quipped.

 Emma watched as he took a long drag from the flask, thinking back to the last time they’d shared a drink together back on his ship.  He’d given her just what she needed then too–encouragement after Rumplestiltskin questioned her abilities, a keepsake of Neal’s, and a chance for the two of them to decompress and share memories of the man they’d both known and cared for.  He just got it.

When he offered her the flask again, this time she took it, taking a quick drink, appreciating the smooth burn of the alcohol. 

“So just how did you unlock the map?” 

She shrugged, simply answering. “I did what Pan asked.”

“Just who are you, Swan?” he asked, giving her an opening, a chance to unburden herself of what he had to know was a very emotional process.

But she’d already had the conversation with Mary Margaret. She’d already made herself vulnerable and bared her deepest pain.  No way was she going there again tonight.

No, deep conversation wasn’t what she needed.  Better to hide behind a little flirtation.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she purred.

He didn’t respond with the innuendo she was looking for, didn’t even give her that look she refused to admit made her squirm in the most pleasant of ways.  No, for a long moment he remained silent, and then he turned toward her, his eyes sincere, completely genuine.

“Perhaps I would.”

Emma’s heart pounded as the fear crept in.  This was too much, too much.  He was too much.  The flirtatious, innuendo driven pirate she could handle, but this good man who seemed to genuinely care for her?

Nope.  A girl could get lost in those intense blue eyes and forget just what a terrible idea it was to let yourself fall for someone.

Captain Hook was fun, but Killian Jones was terrifying.

And so she did what she always did. She ran. Maybe she didn’t need a friend and ally after all.  Maybe all she needed was herself.

It was safer that way.

NEXT CHAPTER-->

[zalrb]

I MUST REALLY LOVE MY FOLLOWERS - BRIDGETON 3.01 review

1. "Dearest gentle reader, did you miss me?" Me:

2. I'm not doing this recap.

3. I maintain that Nicola should be Belle in the next live action we'll eventually do.

4. Idk man, Kathony just feel SO unnatural.

5. MINI MOUSE MAN NEXT TO BIGGER MOUSE MAN

6. Who will be the prize of the season? And it's Colin?

7. All of these women are gorgeous and all of these men are like basic white bread. I -

8. I'm upset because this is supposed to do something for me

and it's resolutely not.

9. Oh please. Francesca looks like every other woman there.

10. Prudence is probably the only character I somewhat like. I think. She's the terrible one, right?

11. I might like that family the most because they're the schemers. They're actually DOING QUASI-INTERESRTING THINGS.

12. Colin is a fuck boy without fuck boy good looks. Please stop it.

13. And I'm not saying he's ugly. I am saying he's plain.

14. This is my problem with Bridgerton. It SHOULD be fun. And it's punishing.

15. Where the fuck is Edwina? I DON'T CARE ABOUT KATE.

16. They should shock us all and have Edwina come back and just murder everyone like Carrie.

17. Leave her alone, Colin.

18. I know the point of this season is Polin but I already know she deserves better.

19. GIVE ME MORE OF THE BICKERING SISTERS. They're terrible. I'm interested.

20. "Well that's your fault for marrying men without title!" But Prudence's man is one of the, like, two most good looking of them all, so you know.

21. OOOOOOOH IS PENELOPE GONNA WEAR LAVENDER NOW? THE COLOUR OF LOOOOOOOOVE.

22. Considering that I barely pay attention to this show, did Penelope do like irreparable damage to Eloise and her family for this fallout to be as serious as it's meant to be?

23. That's a genuine question.

24. This Kanthony love scene is ... awkward.

25. Kanthony? Kathony? Whichever. Whatever.

26. And even when he goes down on her I'm like idk, Outlander would like a word.

Someone is BANGING ON THE DOOR and Jamie does not stop until Claire orgasms, so.

27. So Penelope is basically "draw me like one of your French girls, Jack" but with clothes.

28. The one thing Bridgerton had going for it was the music and I'm not hearing any classical renditions of pop songs. What is the POINT?

29. This ball looks like every other ball in this show.

30. Oh, there's the music. abcdefu is a good choice for her, I do have to say the music choices are at least better than TSITP. She SHOULD be talking to Colin as it plays though.

31. I'm not sure why I hate him, I just do.

32. If she enjoys embroidery let her enjoy embroidery, Eloise. Don't "not like OTHER girls" them please. Jesus.

33. "D-do you all like to read?" I get it, Pen.

34. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. NOW. Isn't Francesca meant to have a chaperone? Isn't there a dance card or something? Aren't there RULES?

35. I'M ONLY 30 MINUTES IN?

36. Original Mouse Man, what are you doing? Aren't you a viscount with responsibilities?

37. "I expected conversation, I did not expect to be inspected--" then you weren't prepared at all for this. This is the ERA for that, should you not KNOW? WHAT?

38. Everything is muted and dramatic at the same time.

39. Oh, Kathony in another scene. Are they going to try and have sex?

40. Yes.

41. "I've already spent YEARS taking care of Edwina" I mean, did you?

42. "So why don't we put ourselves first for once?" I MEAN, DIDN'T YOU?

43. BRO, WHERE IS YOUR SISTER?

44. "We have our lives to be viscount and viscountess" man, pull a Downton Abbey and kill him.

45. "Think of the balls as..." You should've had this conversation BEFORE the ball.

46. "It pains me to see you upset." "Then perhaps you should not have come." Ha.

47. "and what I have learned is charmed can be taught" which is funny because Colin isn't charming no matter how much the show tries to convince me he is.

48. I suppose it's better than watching Theo James.

49. AND HE WILL FALL FOR HER DURING THE LESSONS.

50. The handshake is supposed to be a Moment and it's interesting because it's called attention to and yet also breezed by at the exact same time.

51. LOL what she wrote was SO TAME especially for a MAN in THIS society? "Is this new character the real him or is it a ploy for attention?" DAS IT??? Please be serious.

52. oooh drama, if he finds out who Lady Whistledown is, he'll destroy her life. It's just hard to think there are stakes when it's ... Colin.

DONE.

[gothicbarbie]

BL'S I'm Watching (August 2023)

In order of my enjoyment!

1. Only Friends - Breath of fresh air! It's messy, it's sexy, it's entertaining... it's got a lot of pairings I love seeing together. I like that it's just a more mature BL. Yes, the high heat is great, but it's about these characters feeling comfortable with their sexuality. I want more!

2. My Personal Weatherman - Always enjoy JBL's and high heat ones are even better because imo they always feel more realistic. The plot of this is a bit strange but the chemistry is great and I want to see where it all goes.

3. Hidden Agenda - Joongdunk are just so adorable. Besides the fact that they are just the most attractive pairing to look at, they have clearly gotten even more comfortable around one another. I like that the plot is going in a different direction than I expected. It's not the most amazing BL I've ever seen but I'm enjoying it.

4. Love Class 2 - I was busy last week so I am behind on episodes but I did enjoy the start of the show. A tad confusing on first watch but it made sense in the rewatch. An interesting plot with 3 different pairings to root for, so it's a fun watch. There are a few elements I don't care for but it's not too bad.

5. Dangerous Romance - A bit of a sketchy start and I can't stand bullies, but I am happy that Chimon and Perth get a chance to shine and I wanted more of them. Let's see where it goes.

6. Minato's Laundry 2 - Still a great show. Lots of cute moments. I think season 1 was better and Minato is irritating me quite a bit with his insecurities and pulling away. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me personally but I still like the show and will finish it out.

7. Stay By My Side - Not Taiwan's best, and the main pairing is a bit awkward in their kissing imo but I still the show is very fun and they are cute.

8. Laws of Attraction - Interesting-ish plot. A few pairings to root for. There is def. some boring parts and issues I have with the show but I am still liking it.

9. Be Mine Superstar - I find the plot of this one pretty boring TBH but I freaking love JaFirst. It's not their best series and I find Ja's character pretty awkward. But it's watchable.

10. The Wedding Plan - This plot is weird. Don't get the fake marriage or why the main guy can't be honest. I think the chemistry is alright but not overwhelming. I am not fully invested but its a short series and I wanna see how it goes.

11. Jun and Jun - ehhhh idk about this one guys. I can't get into it. I wanted to, but office romances aren't for me, and I think this one is especially boring. I like the chemistry between the main two but I find a lot of their moments a bit uncomfortable and there is a lack of consent in a lot of areas. Not Korea's best.

12. Stay Still- Not even sure what I am watching but its so short so I'm just kinda skimming.

On Hold:

1. I Feel You Linger in the Air

2. Lost in Translation

Tried the pilots of these and they felt very slow so I had to put them on hold for now and may come back to them later or if I hear good things about them.

Recently Finished:

1. Stay With Me - For anyone with doubts, this is definitely a BL. Some sweet kisses (though not on the lips) and lots of flirting and innuendo. A terrible ending but it'll apparently get a season 2, so I'll hold out. I genuinely loved this series!

2. Sing My Crush - Not big on musical plots and I found the storyline here a bit boring and like I'd seen it before, but it was okay. The main couple was very cute. Didn't love it as much as everyone else, but it was still good and worth the watch

EXTRAS:

Advance Bravely - Not currently airing. It's also I think technically a bromance but there are def. suggestive moments and scenes and I find the chemistry really good an entertaining so I'm enjoying it.

Catch Me Baby - Not currently airing. Only watched 1 ep and had to skim it, I found it very weird. I'm only really watching for Net/James.

[mass-convergence]

Have to say: “Saturday” is my favorite episode of the newer Criminal Minds seasons (so far - I’m still catching up and literally just watched “Saturday”)

Mainly because … (and list under the cut because it was longer than I thought it would be)

1) I’m just imagining that this is a normal weekend for the BAU crew. Something tells me they don’t ever have a weekend like everyone else does. Minor chaos has to happen somewhere.

2) Emily drinking several glasses of wine and eating donuts - living her best life tbh … but she can’t seem to catch a break even on her day off.

3) Garcia going all in on catching the stalker because she knows what it’s like (and I would like to give Garcia a hug)

4) Reid being challenged by his therapist to have a normal, non-work related conversation with someone outside of work.

5) actually just that entire first few minutes with Reid in his therapy session. As someone who has near zero physical social interaction with people outside of my work: I can hard relate.

6) Tara’s “Make Rock Not War” shirt. I need it.

7) JJ and Tara being awesome together

8) literally all of JJ’s reactions to what was on that streamer dude’s phone. JJ’s expressions are the absolute best and AJ Cook just nails it every time.

9) Emily tasking Tara with getting that conspiracy theorist neighbor to go away and drop the lawsuit and Tara accomplishing that in like ten minutes.

10) Idk that random FBI agent who was babysitting the conspiracy theorist neighbor was kinda cute and I wish to know more about the agents who work in the BAU office but aren’t on the dream team.

11) Look I never really shipped JJ and Reid and idk that whole subplot at the end of the last season and the beginning of this one seemed somewhat forced in my opinion. But I do like seeing JJ looking genuinely happy that Reid may be finding someone and I do like their dynamic as close friends. I would very much like to see Reid happy, the guy’s been through enough.

Point 11 kind of sent me into a thought spiral of JJ and her dynamic with Emily in the recent seasons I’ve watched (haven’t seen Evolution yet). That turned into a very long ramble that I’m just gonna shove onto another post before this becomes the length of a novel. So stay tuned for that little analysis brought about by sleep deprivation and what’s left of my adderall dose.

Special mentions to Rossi being in dad mode and helping Simmons out. Whatever the fuck dynamic is going on between Penelope and Luke - I don’t know how exactly I feel about it but it’s kind of fun to watch.

It was just a fun, light hearted episode where no one dies or is in mortal danger. The stakes weren’t terribly high except for the girl who was being stalked by proxy which - yeah god that’s gotta fuck someone up. But the unsub didn’t like kidnap her and hold her (or her ex who he was really stalking) hostage which I’m glad for. I’m glad it was resolved peacefully and the unsub was just a loser who probably was too much of a coward to do physical violence. Thank god my apartment is either carpet or tile. No floorboards to hide under.

Anyway … yeah so I liked the episode.

[blurglesmurfklaine]

Hi hey hello Aly please can you rank the new directions according to how well they would do at preparing a holiday meal? I'm thinking like cooking a turkey or ham or something, all the different sides, dessert, etc etc.

HI BELLA MY BELOVED YES OFC I CAN DO THAT!!!! I'm only going to do like. OG New Directions, so like the mains from s1-2 lol

Coming in dead last at #13, we have: Rachel Berry! Girl can't cook. There is canonical evidence to support this from the season four thanksgiving episodes so I rest my case.

Next up, Finn Hudson at #12! Truthfully i think he would just be so overwhelmed by all of it and fall apart. I DO think he would make a FANTASTIC assistant though

Next, at #11: Mercedes Jones: I think she can probably follow a recipe better than Rachel, but she is a doordash girlie just like me fr i know this to be true in MY SOUL. Miss "What is this?" "Toilet brush." does not know how to make things from scratch but i fully support her love for tater tots <3

The #10 slot goes to Brittany S. Pierce! It's not that I think she can't cook. I think she would cook some of the most OUTRAGEOUS things really really well. I'm talking the shepherd's pie trifle thing from Friends except ON PURPOSE. The most heinous shit and she would genuinely like it but it's objectively terrible

First one to reach single digits at the #9 slot, we've got Puck. Lost a few spots bc he'd probably put weed in the desserts without telling anyone

#8 goes to Michael Chang! I just feel like he can follow instructions. Might not be perfect, but edible and not spiked with any illegal substances.

Up with the #7 spot is Artie Abrams! Being someone who is wheelchair bound, I feel like he prides himself on being self sufficient and learning basic cooking skills is something he'd take the time to learn. I don't think it would be gourmet or anything, but i do think it would give tasty comfort food

Coming in at #6 I put, and this might be controversial, Santana Lopez! Listen. One thing about mexicans is that we know how to cook. Something just happens and i truly believe it's in out genes but one day you just sort of wake up and realize that you don't burn your hand flipping tortillas on the grill, and i feel like those skills would translate really well to a christmas/thanksgiving dinner--especially all the traditional mexican holiday dishes? i think she'd secretly take a lot of comfort in making those for her found family

Breaching the top 5 at #5 is Tina Cohen-Chang! I feel like she's done it a couple of times with her own family and probably helped out in the kitchen growing up, just to be helpful. Generally, she seems pretty competent too so there's that

#4 goes to my beloved Sam Evans. My man practically had to raise his siblings, there is not a doubt in my mind that he already HAS made a whole ass holiday meal with what he could and it probably came out fucking delicious too! It Just Makes Sense!!

Alright up in the #3 slot is yet another one of my faves, the puppetmaster himself, Blaine Devon Anderson! Cooking pancakes for his fiance in the morning?? HIs love language is acts of service and you just know he'd love all the compliments and then brush them off like "Oh it really was nothing" but this man THRIIIIIIIVES on the love of his peers!!! Of course he's gonna cook for them!

Our runner up, taking her place firmly at the #2 slot is the Queen of McKinley, the one, the only Quinn Fabray! This one also Just Makes Sense. She was primed from a young age to basically be a trophy wife. Which. Hate that for her but I wouldn't doubt her mom had her prepping the sides at like, age ten. Her parents def would trot her skills out like a trick pony and show off how well she can "provide" for a future husband or some shit like that. Anyway, i like to think she uses these skills to make holiday dinners for those who don't have anywhere else to go <3

AND TAKING OUR TOP SPOT HERE IS LITERALLY THE MOST CHARACTER EVER: Kurt Hummel!!!!! This is literally canon. You can disagree with me on this, but you'd be wrong, His body is LITERALLY a rum chocolate souffle--if he doesn't warm it up, it doesn't rise. He makes tar-tar for housewarming parties for his future stepbrother. He planned a whole ass wedding. He realy can do it all I'm so obsessed with his little freak ass <333

THANKS SO MUCH FOR SENDING THIS!!!! I put... way too much thought into it, but i had SUCH a blast!!! <3333

they evicted my teeth. pls send me asks while i recover <3

[deepbutdazzlingdarkness]

I think @kennyomegasweave tagged me in this OTP meme like...months ago? And I just found it half-finished in my drafts and decided to actually get it done.

1. What ship were you completely obsessed with when you were a teenager, but now you don't care anymore? 20s, not my teens, but I used to be utterly obsessed with Jack/Kent from Check Please and now, IDEK what happened. I still love them, but I have old fic I saved and never read and can't bring myself to care anymore. IDK it makes me sad.

2. Which ship would you consider your first one? Hmm probably Betsy/Joe from the Betsy Tacy series or Anne/Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables? My first ships when I actually got into fandom were Sawyer/Kate and Sara/Grissom from CSI.

3. Your first fanfic belonged to which couple? Magnus/Alec!!! I never thought I would write fic and then I watched season 1 of Shadowhunters and banged out (lol) 7 fics and almost 30k of porn in less than 2 months in 2016. They all have an insane number of hits (like. the highest has 54,878 hits and the lowest has 15,836 hits.........) and I still get kudos on them almost every day, it's wild.

4. Do you remember the first couple you saw a fanart over? Genuinely no idea, but the first one in my fan art tag is Katniss/Peeta from 2012 <3

5. Did you ever get into ship discourse? My first instinct whenever I see someone talk about something I don't like is to mute/block, so perhaps not actively, but I'm sure I have at some point.

6. Did you used to have any no-otp or have it currently? LOL. Yes. I still fucking HATE Jack/Kate from Lost and always will. Also Dan/Blair from Gossip Girl. Lately...I'm such a multi-shipper but I gotta say Kate/Anthony from Bridgerton bc I've genuinely had to restrain myself from bitching about how much I hate them SO many times since s3 came out lol.

7. Who were the couple in the last fanfic you read? I finished a rewatch of Beyond Evil last night so I've been rereading some of my old bookmarks bc I've read almost everything that's out there 😔. Shout out to the masterpiece simple & clean by whir.

8. Currently, do you have any OTPs? So many!!! Taemin/Kai is still my #1, but also Juwon/Dongsik from Beyond Evil, PatPran from Bad Buddy (it took me several episodes to actually get into the show but once I did I cried...so much over them and how much they love each other LOL), KunTen from WayV, Louis/Lestat...I feel kinda bad that I don't have a major current f/f OTP but I'm literally checking my kpop tags multiple times a week for rule 63 fic and most of my current WIPs are rule 63 f/f so there's that. (Two KunTen including what hopefully is gonna be a long one, plus a Jigyu I started yesterday for a fest that I'm hoping I'll be able to get done - not because of the length, but because I've never written Seventeen before)

9. Is there any couple that, to this day, you are extremely mad about not getting together? So many??? I feel like I have to say Dean/Cas.......Lee/Kara never really got together so them for sure. Sawyer/Kate from Lost even though I 100% choose to believe they got together post-canon pre-flash-sideways. Oh my god I'm looking through my "forever bitter" tag and it's a lot of Cooper/Audrey from Twin Peaks as I expected, but I forgot about Mini/Franky from Skins. and ABSOLUTELY THEM. Everything about series 5 was terrible but that especially.

10. Is there any ship you used to dislike but now you think they are kind of interesting? IDK I feel like I don't usually change my mind like that. I wouldn't go as far as saying "kind of interesting" but I guess I don't hate Bree/Roger from Outlander AS much on the show as I did in the books lol.

11. Do you have any ship that, in the past, was considered normal but now you would be cancelled over? Hmm...Cesare/Lucrezia maybe? If not them almost definitely Norma/Dylan from Bates Motel LOL.

12. What was your favorite crack ship? I was gonna say I couldn't remember any that truly fit this definition, but then I remembered the Kent Parson/Claude Giroux series #dirtbags and that was great. Actually no my real answer is Syd/Richie from The Bear. Now *I* don't think it's a crackship but they have that vibe.

13. Who is the couple you read more fanfics of? Here's a side by side view of my most bookmarked ships vs the tags I have saved rn on my front page. Unfortunately you can only have 20 but I think it's a pretty good representation. (Other than the ENHA ship, where I legit don't know anything about them or frankly even what they look like, but that tag produces so much incredible unhinged porn that I read canon-blind.)

14. What most of your ships usually have in common? I feel like I have several different ~types, but: friends to lovers, I LOVE bicker-y couples, age gap relationships, especially when one of them is a mentor-ish figure, and power dynamics in general.

15. What do you absolutely hate in a ship? Nice Guy characters, whether they're a guy or a girl. The OG example is Xander (duh) and Chloe from Smallville but you also see it with characters like Sol on My Stand In...there's def more things I hate but that's one of most major ones for me.

[fallloverfic]

Thoughts on Solo Leveling Episode 17: This Is What We're Trained to Do

The fifth episode of season 2 was pretty good! Spoilery thoughts for the anime, novel, and manhwa below:

I have few thoughts on the interaction with Cha Haein other than it was funny she had to do a boob inspection of Sung Jinwoo (this episode is really the Boobening, to be honest). I always thought the smelling power was very stupid, particularly since no other S-rank Hunter has a weird power-sensing ability (they all just seem to see each other's power). I know Haein is meant to be like Specially Powerful, but it's just... weird. That you made your female lead have that particular power. But hey, if Haein has to run around in the stupid manhwa booby costume, I guess the episode's emphasis on Jinwoo's massive chest is equality on some level? (He does look very good)

Choi Jongin on the hunt for Jinwoo info :3

I do genuinely love that these people like Jinwoo. Jinwoo's nostalgia for his days as an E-rank are... on some level nice, I guess? But also most of those people were terrible to him on most levels? It's literally just because of Lee Joohee that he survived. And that's not how this goes in the novel:

“Unlike yesterday, the other hunters greeted Jinwoo with warm gazes and waves. The excavation team needed every hand they could get, so a skilled colleague was always welcome. The other miners looked happy to see Jinwoo again.

This feels…strange.

Since becoming an E rank, Jinwoo had grown accustomed to getting a cold reception, so being welcomed for the first time was bewildering to him. Still, their genuine reactions felt good.” - Volume 3, Chapter 3: The Paragon of the Excavation Team (Yen Press/Ize Press English translation)

He's literally pointing out he was treated like crap as an E-rank. Yes, he's come around to Song Chiyul and Kim Sangshik, on some level, and he liked Joohee, but this was a manhwa change I always found very weird. I get the manhwa changes (and now anime changes) are meant to make us feel more sympathetic to these characters, but it's... It's very weird.

Another husband appears for Jinwoo. Jinwoo's bosses are like "oh no, his harem is growing ever faster!!"

Having just caught up with Solo Leveling: Arise, apparently the unnamed healer is Han Se-Mi? I'm not sure why her hair and eyes are pink in the game and am incredibly frustrated they trashed her functional manhwa outfit for the garbage in the game, but... not surprised.

I cannot overemphasize how much I hate Gina's battle costume with every fiber of my being. You've got literal tanked up guys, and the women in bathing suits and maid outfits. It is so stupid. Lee Bora's isn't as bad, but it's still bad. I remember seeing the team assembled for the first time in the manhwa, which is where these characters were first introduced (they don't exist in the novel, nor did the investigation with Choi Jongin happen in the manhwa), and cringing.

In the usual "what did the adaptations change" bit, a lot of this episode was changed for the manhwa. The only named team member in the novel was Son Kihoon. The female healer existed and did the same things, but Gina and Lee Bora didn't exist. No one notices what Jinwoo did. And Lee Bora isn't even named in the manhwa. These aren't bad changes, in concept: I actually thought it was dumb no one noticed what novel!Jinwoo did, at all. And I like that more female characters were added. Dubu could have given the female characters actual clothes, is all (at least pants would have been nice). And actual character names. And Solo Leveling: Arise could have given Gina a last name.

Kihoon got some nice fighting animation! And ballerina!Jinwoo was great XD I bet no one noticed those decapitations at all! So subtle!

This was a really nice shot of Jinwoo.

Looking forward to Episode 18! And Fang :D

Season 1: Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12

Season 2: Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 15, Episode 16, Episode 17 (you are here)

[aaronmaurer]

TV I Liked in 2024

Every year I reflect on the pop culture I enjoyed and put it in some sort of order.

2024 was a year of some great TV and plenty of “mid” TV (you know: perfectly serviceable/proficient, often with a great cast or significant A-Lister attached, but at the end of the day, not really doing much of anything except existing). I recognize that things hit differently for people (i.e. Shogun didn’t really transcend being just a handsome TV product for me beyond a couple excellent performances, although I see its cultural value), but I ultimately found a lot of what I watched to be mostly white noise (or is that TV static?). So the things that stood out shone all the brighter.

14. Echo (Disney+)

2024 may have been a (much needed) reset year for Marvel Studios, but its live-action television offerings are both solid. Echo spins off from Hawkeye by taking the title character back to her roots in Oklahoma as she grapples with her past traumas and Native heritage. Centering a deaf, female POC amputee, the show offers powerful representation, and despite some apparent behind-the-scenes retooling that compressed its initial episode order (mostly felt in occasional rushed stretches toward the end) it works quite well as a character piece and extension of the more “street-level” Marvel world.

13. Girls5eva: Season 3 (Netflix)

The too-short third (and sadly, now final) season of this resurrected comedic masterpiece (after its prior Peacock cancellation) finds the Girls on tour, in just about all the worst places you could imagine to try and mount a buzzy comeback. The goofball energy and mile-a-minute joke pace remain intact, producing a strong and fitting—if premature—send-off.

12. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2 (Amazon Prime)

The second season of Amazon’s LOTR without LOTR series probably won’t convert any skeptics, as it is nowhere near as compelling as the first outing overall, sadly. An intriguing premiere gives way to a kind of listless, murky middle (the episode lengths are unnecessarily lengthy); that said, the final 2 installments really stick the landing. It remains one of the most utterly gorgeous productions on television.

11. Conan O’Brien Must Go: Season 1 (Max)

Conan O’Brien’s welcome return to TV screens this year may only have lasted an initial 4 episodes, but he hasn’t missed a beat as his zany and irreverent brand of humor – plus genuine curiosity – pay comedic dividends in this new travel show. Not terribly different in form than his prior Conan Without Borders travel specials, Must Go does involve a conceit of Conan surprising local fans in the countries he visits which adds another level of local flavor and (relative) authenticity to the proceedings.

10. The Diplomat: Season 2 (Netflix)

Coming off a stellar cliffhanger, the second season of this terrific Keri Russell-starrer offers plenty more political intrigue and, well, diplomacy. The show manages to walk a fine line of making a somewhat dry subject engaging and compelling without tipping over into melodrama or implausibility, thanks to both its smart scripts and strong performances.

9. Agatha All Along (Disney+)

Essentially a spin-off sequel to WandaVision, Agatha All Along isn’t quite as singular but still offers a lot of fun genre riffs and compelling performances as Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness and her makeshift coven journey down the Witches’ Road.

8. Disclaimer* (AppleTV+)

There is no shortage of limited series based on novels kicking around various streaming services these days, and most of them are content to be the equivalent of breezy beach reads with handsome casts and heightened melodrama. Leave it to writer/director Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Gravity, Roma) to simultaneously elevate and comment on the genre with his adaptation of Reneé Knight’s novel of the same. What initially appears to be another cleanly appointed domestic drama full of titillating buried secrets gradually reveals itself to be much more, touching on perspective, revisionism, power dynamics, trust and trauma. Cuaron’s use of long shots remains unparalleled and his employ of varied filmmaking techniques throughout the series instills appropriate tension and intrigue before all the dominoes fall.

7. The Bear: Season 3 (Hulu)

While not The Bear’s strongest outing thus far (perhaps inevitable in that it’s essentially half a season with no real resolution to any arcs), Season 3 still manages to display artistry and humanism that stand apart from the rest of the television landscape. High points include the Malickian visual poetry of the premiere and the Tina-centric flashback “Napkins,” and when those are among your apexes it seems unreasonable to complain about anything.

6. True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

I didn’t follow HBO’s anthology series past its original incarnation, but an infusion of fresh creative talent with Issa López taking the reins make Night Country worth a visit. This tale finds Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as policewomen forming an uneasy alliance to investigate a bewildering (supernatural?) occurrence at an Alaskan research station and its possible ties to the murder of a native female activist. The efficient 6-part series doesn’t overstay its welcome and offers plenty of indelibly haunting images and dream logic appropriate to a setting without daylight.

5. What We Do In The Shadows: Season 6 (FX)

For its final outing, WWDITS continues its unimpeachable streak as one of the most consistently hilarious and outrageous comedies on TV. An appropriately meta and self-referential series finale cements its status as an all-timer.

4. Bad Monkey: Season 1 (AppleTV+)

I’ve never read any Carl Hiaasen so I can’t say whether or not this adaptation of his novel is faithful. I can say I found Bill Lawrence’s production to be an enjoyably dark comedic adventure buoyed by another of his signature great casts, led by Vince Vaughn in his most winning performance in years. Reminiscent of something from Elmore Leonard in the best way.

3. Shrinking: Season 2 (AppleTV+)

I quite liked the first season of Shrinking — it made my list last year — but Season 2 is a gift: warm, engaging and deeply moving. Harrison Ford remains an unexpected comic delight, Jessica Williams continues to be a great hang and co-creator Brett Goldstein shines in a powerful new role, but it is Jason Segal who provides the heartbeat of the show as his strong comedic chops deftly make way for a deep well of dramatic vulnerability.

2. A Man On The Inside: Season 1 (Netflix)

I shouldn’t have doubted a new collaboration between The Good Place creator Michael Schur and star Ted Danson, but initial descriptions of A Man On The Inside (widower goes undercover at a retirement community to try and solve a theft) sounded a little too gimmicky for my taste. I’m so glad I decided to give it a shot anyway because I was treated to one of the most beautifully humane and touching shows of the year. Danson excels in another standout performance and the supporting cast, especially the seniors, are uniformly terrific.

1. Ripley (Netflix)

Steven Zaillian’s adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley may initially sound redundant, what with the highly-regarded Anthony Minghella film in existence, yet it quickly establishes its own hypnotic rhythms. My favorite series of the year features stunningly composed black and white cinematography that both alienates and enthralls. There’s a queasy thrill in watching Andrew Scott’s opportunistic sociopath commit his crimes; you almost root for him to succeed, yet does that make you accomplice to deceit, theft & murder? The Caravaggio references are icing on the cake. While a limited series for now, there is hope that perhaps Zaillian and Scott might return for future adaptations of other Ripley novels, a prospect I am fully in favor of.

[omegatheunknown]

F1 Affinity Grid, 2024

last year

Curiously, though the driver lineup is entirely unchanged from the end of last season, my whims continue to mutate.

Podium Places 1. Fernando Alonso (↑) -- Please, fickle fates, let Nando win a race before he rides off into the sunset. Self-identified villain or not, his undeniable pluck and wiliness persist and his character is now one of a 1 of 1 legend.

2. Alex Albon (↑) -- Williams remains a safe place for Alex, the car looks poor, his competition is below par, he just needs to gut out points and keep smiling. Bit concerned if a good run of form might put him in position to be put back in the fire at Red Bull, then again what if he ends up with George at Merc? Regardless, I want Alex to get everything he wants.

3. Lewis Hamilton (-) -- Well, he asked for this. LH is waiting for next year all year, but then again, aren't we all... I do, however, hope for a surprise breakthrough, even as he runs out his term for Merc.

4. Valtteri Bottas (↓) -- Clearly the mothballed Sauber operation gave him nothing to work with last year but I also struggle to remember even one instance of him outdriving the sled. The bright green car is fun, if unpromising. Bottas remains a fun personality and a surprise appearance in the top of the field would make me quite happy. 5. Yuki Tsunoda (↑) -- Make or break, Yuki lately looks like he'll make. Knowledge that he has to keep Danny Ric at bay looked to have done wonders for his focus over the back half of last season. A podium result would be delightful.

6. Oscar Piastri (↑) -- Oh, this kid's smooth. Pushed Lando as a rookie, which is not nothing.

7. Pierre Gasly (↓) -- Alpine was bad last year and looks... significantly worse this year. This, I'm afraid, will age Pierre and his youthful exuberance irrevocably.

8. Sergio Perez (↓) -- Aw, Checo. Terribly challenging year to try and root for the guy, he just... constantly failed to turn it up, rose to very few of the challenges thrown down... but he did finish 2nd, which, for all the grief, is the first time the bulls have finished 1-2, which I might suggest is indicative of the long term climate for their 2nd drivers.

Mid-field

9. Kevin Magnussen (↓) -- The kinder, gentler, mellower K-Mag continues to do what he do, which is qualify well and hope his Haas doesn't fucking die mid-race.

10. Zhou Guanyu (↓) -- Honestly, probably a better driver than Bottas at this point but it's hard to tell, think Valtteri's spent his spell with not-sauber trying to cope with a car that sucks to drive, whereas Zhou's been making do.

11. Nico Hulkenberg (↓) -- Copy and paste from K-Mag, still the best pair of drivers Haas has had (oh, that's a funny phrase) in ever, but to what end? Consistency in car not designed for race length races.

12. Esteban Ocon (↓) -- Did not, in the end, create much fun drama paired with Pierre, because it's easier to get along when there's little competition to be had. Could be a long quiet season.

13. Max Verstappen (↑) -- SuperMax continues his slow climb in my personal esteem (I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear this,) he's just been so... consistent, and absent any challenge, sort of zen, reaching for a sort of pure mechanical athleticism mixed with unerring drive for further perfection. Gotta respect that. It's not the band I hate, it's the fans.

14. Charles LeClerc (↑) -- I don't want to feel bad for a rich, handsome Ferrari driver with the kind of life of leisure that allows the globe trotting Monegasque a vocation as a dilettante beat-maker... but his luck is so bad. So so bad.

15. Daniel Ricciardo (n/r) -- Oh, silly me. How could I forget. I have genuinely enjoyed Danny, he's the undisputed driver-side star of DtS. I just don't think he's... well, prove me wrong, Danny.

Backmarkers for my affection

16. Logan Sargeant (↓) -- Okay. Fair points -- he's green. Paired with Alex, he looks poor, Alex looks good. I do more or less hope he shows something this year, it's time to prove it.

17. Lando Norris (--) -- Still not really for me. He's maturing, he's putting up results. I just would not be surprised if Lando was a flat-earther or moon landing denier based on something he saw on tik-tok.

18. George Russell (--) -- I simply do not care for his demeanour.

19. Carlos Sainz, Jr (--) -- Do I feel bad that Lewis is taking his spot? No. No I do not. Feels cruel of me, but...

20. Lance Stroll (--) -- I will try to be nicer to Lance Stroll. Has he learned to check his mirrors before slamming into the side of or slamming his side into someone? Not as of yet.

[lovestuckyhatemarvel]

Oh hello, episode 4. Let’s see if you have more memorable things than the first three episodes did.

1.) It’s hard for Max to see that Billy is wrong ‘cause he’s always a kind of a jerk.

2.) I love Max telling El about comic books, especially Wonder Woman.

3.) I forgot how crazy the old woman is acting when they take her away in an ambulance.

4.) I can’t remember if Heather survives this season, but she’s gonna need a lot of therapy if she does survive and does remember it, because leaving her begging, sobbing parents in a basement to be possessed isn’t something you really get over.

5.) Real shitty of the mindflayer for making people be awake for the possession. Like c’mon.

6.) Why is Hopper not in a hospital?

7.) The boys are terrible at communication.

8.) Robin has a plan and took all the tips.

9.) I had thought that Heather’s dad looked familiar and had already forgotten until I saw him again that he’s the douchebag head of the paper.

10.) Is Mrs. Driscoll actually a paranoid schizophrenic or were they just having this man be weird?

11.) Nancy and Jonathan got fired.

12.) We gotta get El on a roller coaster.

13.) Learning about hosts for the Mind Flayer.

14.) Larry is a terrible liar. You’d think a politician would be a better liar. Actually scratch that, that makes sense.

15.) It is very hard to blackmail someone who has blackmail on you too.

16.) “Don’t give me that dead daughter sob story, because I just don’t care.” Shocked Hopper only broke his nose and not killed him.

17.) Ohhhhh. I forgot Hopper threatens to chop the man’s finger off with a cigar cutter.

18.) “Oliver Twist routine” Nancy really is classist. Also if Ted Wheeler really did make 6 figures in the 1980s, they really really were well off.

19.) Dustin is like Gumbo.

20.) I didn’t know Billy even owned a shirt. Did the Mind Flayer have to go shopping?

21.) ‘Boys only’? You’re being dumb, Mike.

22.) Having Erica be a huge fan of capitalism sucks. Bare minimum I need someone to have her eventually grow out of this immature phase and be like, “yeah, no, that was stupid. Capitalism sucks.” Because kids, capitalism sucks. It hurts everyone but the ultra rich.

23.) I forgot the mayor keeps the papers in his ugly house.

24.) I really do like to see Hopper outside of his work uniform. I also like to see JOyce putting stuff together.

25.) Aw, Nancy actually went to her mom.

26.) Like this is really a surface level reading of feminism to think ‘I am a woman and therefore damn the fallout and consequences because I am woman, hear me roar’ is the end all to be all. Like I love Nancy and Karen talking and loving each other but she did still blow up Jonathan’s spot and refer to him talking about his economic circumstances as ‘Oliver twist routine’. Like that was fucked up.

27.) I forgot how genuinely worried Max was about Billy. She really really hoped it wasn’t Billy that was the new host.

28.) Operation Child Endangerment is a great name, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, Erica.

29.) You’d think a guy like a mayor would have handcuff keys by his bed.

30.) Steve is so fucking worried up until Erica walks through those doors.

31.) The wild thing is I’ve thought Billy’s actor, Dacre, is attractive in other things, but I do not think he’s attractive at all as Billy. Like both because of the hair and the attitude. He’s just terminally unfuckable to me. And it’s one of the many reasons I hate Steve/Billy. I also hate Eddie/Billy.

32.) Billy hit the back wall hard enough to break tiles. Either that or they’re shitty tiles.

33.) Fun fact, HIPAA didn’t exist until the 90s so the only thing stopping Nancy from just being a concerned neighbor getting answers would be hospital policy and how willing to talk the front desk woman is.

34.) “If you die, I die.” “…Okay.”

35.) I forgot that the fucking elevator plummets like it’s a goddamn roller coaster ride.

36.) I had blocked out Billy sobbing in the sauna and saying ‘he made me do it’ entirely.

37.) Max is so sad and so worried about Max.

38.) if Will didn’t have Spidey senses, Max would have gotten stabbed with broken tile and sauna glass.

39.) I forgot Billy gets pinned to the wall with weights and it keeps cutting back to Mrs. Driscoll looking horrifying.

40.) I also forgot that Billy’s body is forced to choke El. Also that Mike is the one who takes a bat to possessed Billy to save her.

41.) And then Billy got thrown through a brick wall before getting up and walking off.

42.) There’s so many people in that abandoned factory.

[pack-the-pack]

Fuck it imma do it:

*This list does not include the shows I've dropped. Only the ones I finished and or am currently watching.

• Love by chance (Thai) Good!

• Until we meet again (Thai) 7/10 enjoyed the flashbacks a lot but the reincarnation couple was very boring.

• 2gether (Thai) 3/10 Didn't like it.

• We best love: No.1 for you (Taiwanese) 8/10 Very good, love me skme classic enemies-to friends-to lovers trope. Didn't like the beginning of the second season tho, so I didn't even bother watching it oop.

• Young Royals (Swedish) 3/10 meh. Technically not a Drama I know, but I'll just lump it together cause there's just 2 western "dramas" I've watched.

• Wish you (Korean) 2/10 Boring. So. Very. Boring.

• Semantic Error (Korean) 8/10. Just that fucking kiss. I cannot. No more dead fish kisses, may the Gods be hailed! Korea do better and make more like this one please.

• Bad Buddy (Thai) 10/10 GOAT. Perfection. Utter, flawless perfection, no need to say anything else.

• Enchanté (Thai) 2/10 Terrible easily the worse one so far.

• Sotus (Thai) okay 7/10, maybe 8. Liked it but the clichés kind of held it back for me. Tried reading the novel, but it was very bad and I couldn't actually read it. Still a classic tho.

• Sotus S (Thai) 8/10. Better than Sotus in my opinion, mostly because Arthit is very cute looking and behaving through most of it. Still lack of kissies in my humble opinion.

• I Told Sunset About You + Last Twilight in Phuket (Thai) 8/10, I liked Bas more than that bitch Tae. Sorry but this one is just kind of overrated for me y'all. I can honestly say that there's better in this list. Maybe not cinematographically speaking, because hands down this one is a masterpiece in that aspect. But man.... Do I fucking hate Tae 😂 Hence why I haven't watched I Promised You The Moon.

• Cherry Magic (Japanese) 9/10. would have been a 10 if it actually had a kiss. Just lots of fun. The acting is amazing for a Japanese drama (I said what I said). Adachi is just so funny to watch and he's just straight up adorable.

• Papa and Daddy - season 1 (Taiwanese) 5/10 it's okay-ish. Season 2's change of actor was a bit upsetting tho :(( I liked the original actor so much. I hope it was just a career choice and not because of something tragic tho...

• Old Fashioned Cupcake (Japanese) 8/10 really enjoyed it. Ending was so abrupt tho :(( wanted more of it.

• Kieta Hatsukoi (Japanese) 5/10 cute but could use some work. Honestly don't see that much chemestry in the main couple (I said what I sait pt.2).

• Mr. Unlucky has no choice but to kiss! (Japanese) 4/10 it starts great but it also ends abruptly and loses momentum. Wish there was more of it.

• Senpai, this can't be love (Japanese) 7/10 very cute, but there was a lack of romance and once again ended way too early.

• Cherry Blossoms after Winter (Korean) 7/10 really loved it and we all know it's more of a 6 than a 7, but my bias is strong for this one because it just caters to so many of my basic bitch cliché needs.

• Eien no Kino (Japanese - on going) So far I'd say it's a 6/10 though. I'm enjoying it, but not THAT much.

• Cherry Magic Movie (Japanese) 5/10 Dissapointing beyond words... That clownery of a "kiss" I... Just don't talk to me about this fucking movie.

• Heartstopper (English) 8/10. Very sweet, very cute, heartwarming, and Nick Nelson has my heart. Waiting at the edge of my sit for season 2.

• Choco Milk Shake (Korean) 7/10 the missed opportunity of that poly realtionship kills me every time.

• My School President (Thai) 9/10 so far. And honestly that may be a runner up to take Bad Buddy's spot as my favourite, it all depends on how it goes and how it ends because we're still on episode 11. But honestly so cute, so heartwarming and genuine. I love it beyond words.

• Moonlight Chicken (Thai) 8/10 I'm shook honestly. Didn't expect the stupid named one to be this good. Also didn't expect to like this main couple so much given I dropped ATOATS because I didn't like their chemestry on screen. Came for GeminiForth, stayed for the amazing directing and plot. Would recommend.

Should I post the list of BL dramas I've watched (with the score and brief one line reviews) and let people make me questions about it? A/B/O related or not? Cause honestly I just love these shoes so much, they make my day brighter and they make me forget about my problems a little every day, and I'd just like to talk to more people about it.

[originalwinnercheesecake]

My Personal Ranking of the CBS ghosts season 1.

 Okay so I gave CBS ghosts a chance about a year ago when I kept seeing the trailer and thought it sounded like a cool idea. Honesty I am big fan. Yes the first 3-4 epsidoes drag some, yes even after it picks up its cliche sometimes. But the show isn’t going for some fantastical, new original, no one has seen before. Its a American reboot of an already existing British comedy (I have not seen BBC, I do not have the streaming service it is on), that’s goal is just have colorful characters, make it’s audience laugh, and have the occasional really deep/sweet moments sprinkled into the comedy. For those goals I would say it succeeds. I laugh at most episodes, and a lot of the sweet moments (Alberta telling Issac about her father, Jay pulling out all the stops to for Sam during their homemade prom) hit. As for the characters I wanted to do a ranking list for them all through season 1, but never got around to it. With season 2 about to start I am telling myself that I cannot watch an episode until I do this. From the bottom up. slight spoilers may be below for anyone who hasn’t finished season 1

12.) Elias Woodstone: I do not like him as a person, or as a villain. I can generally “like a villain as a villain” when they are written to be very good at being bad.But Elias was bad in a way that was not funny, it was disgusting. When he learned what happened to people he walked through, he did it them on purpose. I am glad he is in Hell

11.) Stephanie: The cliche bratty teen, mean girl.I kinda understand why; she died on what was supposed to be this really magical night, and never got to finish growing up. Feeling sorry for her is not the same thing as liking her though. Her needing to sleep 364 days a year also kinda turns the lights out on most stores and development she can receive.

10.) Flower: Flower has felt human to me exactly once. When she talked about Basketball, how she played it a lot as a living and was really knowledgeable about it, but because she is a women who grew up in the 40′s-50′s before dying in the 60′s no one took her talent or knowledge seriously. Other than that one time I have found her completely unfunny, and to just be a collection of every annoying pot-head and stupid hippy cliche I have seen in every other sitcom and cartoon to contain potheads and hippies. I do not blame her actress. Of the main casts of ghosts, Flower and Sass get the least screen time, Maybe with more time the actress and could get more of a handle on flower and make her better. Maybe.

9.) Nigel Chessum: Okay let me make it clear I do not dislike Nigel. I think he and Issac are cute. The reason he is so low is that in season 1 he shows up so little we do not learn anything about him more than “Cute British guy next door”. I fully expect to move him up on this list once we see more of him in season 2.

8.) Nancy: Nancy was in 3-4 episodes last season, with 1-2 minor appearance and 2 bigger ones. I did not like the way she treated Pete in her first big appearance (how she kept embarrassing him and then threatened him). But by the next episode she really grew on me , and I love that her and Pete become real friends once she is able to help him to start standing up for himself. Also I am glad that she has not been forgotten about in season 2. Here’s to hoping she will make no less than 4 appearances this season too.

7.) Pete Martino: Pete is a nice guy, and I don’t mean that as in a “nice guy” (Yet,. Please don’t tun him into one later down the road), I mean that as in he is a genuinely nice guy. I love his bromance with Jay, and I am rooting form him and Alberta to eventually get together... While I like most of his stories I just do not think his whole boy scout schimick is as funny as some of the other characters.

6.) Trevor Lefkowitz: If I say “suit wearing playboy who works a sleazy uper-class wall street type job in NY,but is actually a real bro and a not completely terrible person” am I talking about Trevor or Barney Stinson. Well if I said that “the comedy of them is Legend-wait for it-dairy” I would be talking about Barney Stinson. If I said “You know what? They are kinda cool” I would be talking about Trevor Lefkowitz. Trevor is a pretty funny, kinda cool character. But he is written so much like a Stinson knock-off, and no one is ever gonna top Neil Patrick Harris’s performance as Barney in regards to that particular genera of playboy.

4-5, 4&5?) Hetty Woodstone & Issac Higgentoot: Do not make me chose between these two besties. My opinions on them are largely similar. I think both characters faltered some in the beginning of the show when the writers and actors were not sure completely how to portray them. But that once the characters were understood they hit it out in almost every episode. I also think these two had some of the best exploration/development out of everyone in season 1. I loved watching Hetty re-examine her life and beliefs, and become more of a modern day feminist, while still maintaining the elegance and class from her time. Issac is the first time I have seen a closeted queer character in a sitcom be in control of deciding when they want to publicly express that part of their identity, and up until they decided to them not being ready was written as being a fair reason to wait, that other character respected. It should be portrayed that way every time, but for the sake of drama it isn't. It was nice to see here.

3.) Thorfinn: The big, burly, scared up guy with a questionable past...is actually a big softie and adores small children and animals. This is one Cliche that I absolutely love and am here for. It doesn’t hurt either that Thor is absolutely hilarious. He had to be in my top three.

2.) Sassappis .Sass is in my opinion the funniest ghost out of them all. I love his dry wit and cynical humor, and I have since all the way back in episode 4, when he pretended to be an accountant who died at a Halloween party (and was totally convincing at it for a second). The reason he is second is that he was just criminally absent and underused in season 1. More Sasappis in season 2.

Da da da daa

1.) Alberta Haynes: Can we give a round of applause to Danielle Pinnock? Is it any wonder I put Alberta as the top when this actress has brought A level game to her character since the beginning and with each thing we learn about Alberta, Danielle’s acting has only gone up. Alberta is loud, she is sassy, she is boss, and powerful, You really feel her sadness when talking about how racism kept her father down in his career, and she feels like she let him down because it affected hers as well. You feel for her again when she tells Pete that when alive she always chose bad guys because maybe deep down she thought that she didn’t deserve to be with a good man, and now she thinks she missed every chance.

Alberta killed at season 1 and there is so much they can still do with her in season 2. Give me more backstory, work on solving her murder, work on getting her and Pete together (they are a slow burn right?), with her connection to Alexa put her in charge of music stations at the B&B, she would be good at it.

That’s my feelings on the Ghosts for season 1. IF you want my feelings on the livings. Farnsby neighbors are annoying. the construction guy Mark is alright. I like Jay as a main better than Sam, because he has more of a range of emotions happy/sad/excited/concerned/mad, while Sam’s type-A personality seems to means she always has to act perky and almost always has to be enthusiastic.

[sakura-83]

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

Season 2 Episode 3: The True Seeing Is Within

1. I haven’t done one of these is so long

2. The opening will always be so good I hardly ever skip it unless I’m binging the show

3. Anne’s handwriting

4. Sometimes when Anne stares at things in shock and they get really close to her face she looks like a frog in a cute way

5. Consistent close ups on her mouth as she talks

6. Tripping Nate’s trap without even realizing what’s going on

7. “Not an adventure, per say-“

8. Anne promising to be calm and then running out the door yelling

9. Matthew and Marilla making decisions on the farm together

10. Aunt Josephine forcing the Barrys to bring Anne

11. I always thought the borders took the gun as they were fleeing the house but they actually stole it far in advance woah

12. I actually feel really bad for Dunlop. Nate is just a bad person, Jonesy genuinely likes the town and the cuthberts despite lying to them and wants to stay where he feels at home

13. You can’t hide anything from Marilla apparently

14. Clever cover up from Nate as to why he was in Anne’s room

15. I hate Nate but boy he’s a good actor and manipulator

16. Minnie May shoving her face against the window

17. Anne nearly out-logicing Mr Barry about the finances of gold

18. “Mr Barry doesn’t usually discuss our finances. Today’s your lucky day Anne.”

19. Minnie May is a terrible little child I love her

20. Poor poor Jerry

21. Jerry’s family is catholic

22. Back when people hated the French not as a joke

23. Despite being terrified of these men, Jerry never once gives in to them. He removes himself from the situation as swiftly as possible but never once lets them get their way

24. Jerry and Anne just go up in the barn and cry why is the barn a popular crying spot

25. Jerry still has guilt for losing that money even months later, blaming himself for the cuthberts financial hardship even though they probably would’ve needed borders regardless

26. “You didn’t do anything wrong, my son.”

27. I always find it really interesting seeing the progression from Marilla refusing to even talk to Jerry to him being part of the family, another child of theirs even though he also has his own family

28. Marilla and Matthew can communicate so much through so little spoken words

29. Aunt Josephine!!!!! And her definitely gay butler

30. “It’s a letter sir. The one we’ve just discussed. At length. Moments ago.”

31. The girls spelling so Minnie May can’t understand them

32. The watch and brooch together in the pawn shop window

33. “Something that doesn’t bore me to tears! This velvet has absolutely no drape.” Me in the fabric store too tbh

34. “This feels like a cat! Meow!”

35. When Mrs Barry is upset with her husband she just starts redecorating???

36. Malcolm Frost is quite the interesting side character. He’s only there for a brief few minutes in one episode of one season, but you get a sense of his entire story in that short time without them really having to explain all of it to you. He also gives Anne a half filled journal, something that will no doubt influence her in her ventures. He’s one of those people that will always be significant in her life despite barely doing anything

37. The girls have been told so many lies that they’ve gaslighted themselves into believing it

38. 1 ton of gold reaps 40 cents. 2000 pounds accumulated from small traces in the soil is only enough to buy 2 dozen eggs despite the digging cost being several hundred DOLLARS

39. “But we don’t buy our eggs, we have chickens.” A 40 cent turnover for hundreds of dollars in digging is already a terrible deal but this line shows just how truly useless it would be to a farming town

40. Anne finally putting the pieces together

41. “Who have you been listening to recently. Everyone around here? Or that person in here. Hmm?” “I’m a child, Mr. Frost.” “Poppycock. Children are pure instinct. You should’ve trusted yourself.”

42. “Take notes as you explore your life.”

43. Anne is so bewilderingly strange that she manages to make even the most cynical of people feel a little better about the world

44. Minnie May and the officer saying bye to each other feels like improve it’s so natural and funny

45. “Public house” aka pub aka bar

46. Elizabeth Barry threatens their friendship part 354656465

47. The way they have dried herbs hanging upside down in sprigs instead of stored in bottles is pretty interesting

48. Mr Dunlop making a pie for Anne, genuinely excited for her to come back

49. The way the audio feels underwater when Anne is in a panicked daze, her own heartbeat louder than those around her

50. Anne being concerning quiet, tipping them off that she knows

51. The pie falling, any ‘friendship’ with the borders destroyed

52. “I believe you Anne.” More development from episode 1 where Marilla assumed every word out of her mouth was a lie

53. The grifters escaping in broad daylight, yet Matthew and Jerry are so busy working they don’t even notice

54. Matthew letting Jerry go home to his family early

55. Jerry’s little smile when he finds out the borders are leaving

56. Anne snd Marilla can’t even communicate properly, but getting up when tied like that requires the two people to really work together and they’re still able to get up and outside

57. Using the farm bell to get Matthew’s attention

58. Matthew checking for the gun and Marilla’s first thought being Anne’s safety when it’s discovered stolen

59. Jerry accidentally crossing paths with them again, finally realizing who they are

60. Jerry standing up to fight them again. He doesn’t win this time either, but he did charge at Nate head on this time and he also stalled their progress in escaping, leading to the capture of Mr Dunlop. He didn’t win, but he did stand up for himself and that’s what character development is all about

61. “I never liked you.”

62. Dunlop demanding all the money or threatening to shoot Nate, all on the grounds of him turning the cuthberts against him. Despite being a liar, he’s still terribly lonely and wanted a place to call home making him a very sympathetic villain

63. Anne’s apron getting discarded in the woods like it’s trash

64. “They liked me. Everyone, they liked me!”

65. “There is no me and you! Am taking the money, and I’m gonna buy a house with land somewhere beautiful!”

66. “At least this time I tried to stop them.” “You’re a good lad Jerry, well done.”

67. William realizing just how much trouble he’s put his family in by not listening to those around him

68. Matthew taking Jerry home

69. Packing up all the things Nate left behind

70. Anne genuinely telling Jerry what he did was brave and hugging him, and then walking away stiffly as if she didn’t just do that. She bullies him a lot but when we he’s in actual danger she does really care, and considering they had the gun, they could’ve done a lot worse to Jerry than knock him out

71. Despite being bitter about Nate, she’s still going to learn from both his book and this experience and

72. “All we can do is our best Marilla. Regardless of what we know or don’t know. I believe there’s always a bit of good in every situation, even a bad one. I think it builds character!”

73. Gilbert getting the letter about the gold AFTER this whole fiasco I’d painful irony

[toomanyfandomsstuff]

Thanks for the tag!! :)

1. Are you named after anyone? Kind of but not really. It’s complicated and I don’t feel like explaining it soooo…

2. When’s the last time you cried? Actually yesterday but it was cause I was dying my hair and I guess one of the chemicals just didn’t agree with me cause my eyes started burning and I had to go sit in my backyard away from the smell :) so I guess my well ventilated area wasn’t really that well ventilated

3. Do you have any kids? Ha nope I’m good. I enjoy babysitting now and then, but I don’t think I would be a very good parent. Who knows maybe I’ll change my mind but that’s not my problem right now

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Yeah…but people don’t pick up on it all the time so if I ever come across as mean I promise it’s not intentional

5. What sports do you play/ have you played? When I was in pre school and early elementary school I did a tap/ballet class and then gymnastics and then taekwondo and then golf and then aerial gymnastics and then one season of volleyball and now colorguard which takes up a lot of my time so I had to stop doing aerial gymnastics about a year ago which I was really sad about but I think that guard is like the first sport that I have actually been able to say I genuinely enjoy. (Btw a lot of theese overlap with each other haha but I am genuinely terrible at most sports)

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people? Probobally clothes, like if you’re wearing something that catches my attention like fun patterns or cool shoes or if you have bright colored hair etc.

7. What’s your eye color? Blue :)

8. Scary movies or happy endings? Scary movies. I don’t really like super gory stuff and I 100% do not do clowns but I do really enjoy kind of mystery/dystopian/suspenseful stories

9. Any special talents? really like to make art and I like to think I’m pretty good at it. I did really well in an art competition last year and people tend to be pretty impressed by my art but that’s also cause most of those people are related to me haha

10. Where were you born? *Sighs* Texas (look I’m not super excited about it either)

11. What are your hobbies? I like to make things. Crochet, paper mache at the moment, write, draw, paint, make jewelry, etc. and most of the time I’m also watching a show/movie/listening to music or a podcast at the same time. Ooh and I also love to read but don’t get a lot of time to cause colorguard practice takes up a lot of my time so I listen to a lot of audiobooks.

12. Do you have any pets? Yep :) I have two dogs, a nine year old Rhodesian ridgeback named Layla and a two year old beagle named bean

13. How tall are you? 5’4

14. Favorite subject in school? Does art count? I’m taking ceramics next year so either that or floral design (yes that is an actual class) will probably be my favorite classes next year :)

15. Dream job? I genuinely have no clue, but I hope I get to make things. like I hope I get to sew and draw and make jewelry and art forever whether it’s my job or just a hobby. I do know that I never want a job where I have to sit at a desk all day though but who knows haha

No pressure to respond cause I too forever to respond haha @yes-17-15 @fiddler-sticks @nocturnalnewsiestrash @try-cry-why-try @sunnythebunny2 @potatoknitsmysteriouscoinkidink @when-that-soup-hits

15 Questions 15 Mutuals

Tagged by @emozionidinchiostro ages ago

1. Are you named after anyone? My dad wanted to give me his little sister's name as a middle name, and I did have it on some early pediatric reports when I was a baby, but it's not on any actual official document, so technically I do not have a middle name, even though my parents convinced me I did. I mentioned my unofficial middle name to some friends at school when I was around 12 or something, and it became my nickname forever. Everyone called me that. The friends I've kept in touch from back then still call me that. Even my mom has me saved under that name on her phone. But it's, like, only 3 people now. // tl;dr: kinda.

2. When was the last time you cried? I can't remember to be honest. This might come as a surprise to you guys but I'm not a big crier. I'm just sad and whiny.

3. Do you have kids? No and I don't want any.

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot? I don't think so?

5. What sports do you play/have played? NONE, I suck at sports and have always hated playing them. I mean, I've tried a few but never for any significant amount of time.

6. What's the first thing you notice about people? Whether they're nice/friendly, I guess. If someone is kind to me I will fall in love with them. I love kind people.

7. What's your eye color? Dark brown. I-almost-can't-make-out-your-pupil kind of brown.

8. Scary movies or happy endings? Neither? Happy endings if I have to choose, but I like drama. (I mean, comedy too, big fan. But sometimes you just want to watch a film that makes you think about the human condition and despair, you know?)

9. Any special talents? Misplacing things. Forgetting about events in the recent past. Petting cats.

10. Where were you born? Italy.

11. What are your hobbies? Not doing a lot these days to be honest :( Fannish activities (fanfic writing and the like). I'm in a funky pop-rock choir which I attend semi-regularly. I have attempted to learn Spanish at various points in my life and failed miserably, not always for reasons within my control (I enrolled on a Spanish course organised by the local library a while ago, and the teacher quit after my first term. He had been there for years. But I think the main issue is that after studying Russian for 5 years at uni, I look at Spanish and think, "surely it won't be that hard". And then I just... don't study it. I think I can learn it by osmosis or something, just by virtue of being Italian. Which doesn't fucking work).

12. Do you have pets? Not currently. I had a cat. I shall have one again some day.

13. How tall are you? About 168 cm.

14. Favorite subject in school? Italian Lit always, and in later years (high school) Latin and English Lit. At uni — I think English phonetics & phonology, weirdly enough; also pragmatics and anything related to sociolinguistics.

15. Dream job? Something to do with creative writing, in an ideal world. Or even "just writing", but not the kind that makes me want to kms (don't ask). Copywriter or radio scriptwriter both sound cool.

No pressure tagging: @nevergonnasaygoodbi @sapphicdragonlord @ayebydan @marki9 @yeetthedragon @valsansretovr @groundbreakingdot872 @vi-visected @crunchy-soup222 @fuckyeahsnackables

(ETA: sorry it's not 15 people and it's not even all mutuals, which I think was the point of the game, but *turns around and starts running away*)