#casey narrates the show; so we get a lot of insight into her

[irish-urn]

LWD: “Grade Point Average”

Okay, so I keep trying to give Emily the benefit of the doubt, and I know as a teenager, she would be VERY concerned about her reputation; but she’s far more concerned about her reputation (especially seeing how Casey hangs around her) than Casey’s problems, and that... bugs me.

EMILY. “It is. ...not hard at all!” EMILY. Gosh, I hope you improve. I am having vivid flashbacks to the way the girls in my MIDDLE SCHOOL treated me. We parted ways in high school; I was much happier and better off; BUT OH MY GOSH, EMILY. YOU ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE AT ALL. IT’S LIP-SERVICE; someone get her off my screen before I scream.

(I know, I know: she’s 15 and everything is about fitting in and being cool or at least flying under the radar, but come ON.)

“You speak English, don’t you?” / “Very goodly.” DEREK YOU ARE SO WITTY, I LOVE YOUR SMART MOUTH.

George’s description of Derek failing Grade One just sounds like a young boy with ADHD, honestly. And, I mean, I think it’s semi-confirmed canon that Derek’s birthday is in the late fall, right? (I HC it in early November) which means he really should haven’t started school until he was almost 6 anyways... Like. I know people whose birthdays are in September/October who didn’t start school for another year, because you are developing so so fast at that point in your life that a couple of months makes for a WORLD of difference.

Honestly, they shouldn’t make fun. I know it’s 2005 and such, but... 6 year old Derek sounds like an energetic, clever child with ADHD who is younger than everyone else in his class.

The more I see of George, the more I understand Derek.

Lizzie and Casey’s talk about being lame to change yourself, and how being a teenager is complicated is REAL TALK. Poor girls.

So, Nora is more aware than George that they are failing as parents — although she doesn’t word it that way. I feel like George thinks that as long as his kids are alive, healthy, and functioning, he’s done a good job as a parents, which... Yikes.

PAUL. I ADORE YOU.

Also: Casey is an overachiever even when it comes to underachieving. You ridiculous girl; what a nutcase (said with extreme fondness).

Them working together is going to be a disaster. I am super looking forward to it (also, also: Sam knows Derek way too well and it made me grin like a maniac.)

MARTI PURPOSELY MESSING UP THE ANIMAL SOUNDS IS THE BEST PRANK DEREK HAS EVER PULLED AND HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW IT.

Girly-girl Case suits her so much better than slacker-chic (and vice versa for Derek. I love it).

Derek, you pretend to be so cool and to not care about anything, but you’re so human with so many emotions. You are freaking out — and also rather betrayed by Casey using your slacker-tendencies to her advantage... And yet, not fighting her on this, because you know you made your own bed. So now... You harass Edwin. Poor, innocent Edwin.

THEY’RE DOING A PROJECT ON PERCY AND MARY SHELLEY???? THE MARRIED ROMANTIC WRITERS. DUDE. DUUUUUUUUDE.

(hey, didja know that Percy and Mary first did it on her mother’s gravesite? That’s pretty insane, huh. And that they ran away to France and then Switzerland together, all the while he was married to another woman? Their lives were insane.)

GEORGE. GEORGE. When your son comes to you for help — because that’s what Derek was DOING when he brought up his English class!!! — you don’t tell him that failure isn’t an option, YOU HELP HIM. HE NEEDS HELP. HELP HIM.

I HAVE EMOTIONS.

HE DEFENDED HER. THOSE JERKS WERE GONNA CALL HER A GRUB, AND DEREK SHUT THEM DOWN.

I mean, I know, I KNOW that Casey is the hero here, I know that she’s the one who saved Derek, but that’s not OOC for her. I think she wants to make nice with Derek, but Derek won’t let her. But Derek needs a 90, is honest with her, and she goes to work as a grub; and Derek could have just been quiet and smug and relieved; AND HE SPOKE UP AND SHUT THEM DOWN AND I’M SO PROUD OF HIM. I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS RIGHT NOW.

“Derek’s wrong about a lot of things.” ...you know, George. When I was in my fifth year of university, I was writing a thesis for my English degree. I had a lot of trouble with the passive tense; and my professor/supervisor snapped at me, “How can you be in your fifth year of English and not know what the passive tense is?”

And I said, in one of the bravest moments of my life, “If I don’t understand the passive tense after all this time, that’s your failing as a teacher, not mine as a student.”

She shut up. She sat back. She took five minutes to teach me the passive tense; I understand it perfectly by the time her explanation was complete (no one had ever broken it down for me; they just assumed I knew it). I took back my draft, re-did it in the active tense, and the paper got accepted with just a couple more tweaks.

And hearing George say that; say, “Derek’s wrong about a lot of things.” ...George. If Derek is wrong about a lot of things, that’s your failure as a parent, not his as a son.

[hg-world-india]

Dragon Age 4 coming in 2023

Yes, Dragon Age 4 is finally happening and we may have some information and details of the same. Read ahead to know more.

This may come as a sigh of relief for EA fantasy RPG series fans who have been waiting for the new Dragon Age game to drop since the conclusion of Dragon Age: Inquisition in 2014.

The return of this game has been one of the most secretive gossips that have been going around the gaming industry for several years now. Fans had already gathered that the fantasy series was anything from over after finishing the 2014 Dragon Age. Since then, the developers and publishers had been quite tight-lipped about the new game hitting our consoles.

However here we are to give you some juicy and exciting news about your favourite game, Dragon Age 4.

After assessing several interviews and Twitter interactions from both the EA and BioWare, there have been huge speculations that the new game can surprise its fan with a whole new multiplayer angle, dumping BioWare single-player streak in the series.

About the Dragon Age 4 release date:

There has been a lot of rumours and talks about a potential release date for the much-awaited instalment of the popular game, Dragon Age. According to a report by Kotaku, the game that has been under development had to see a delay as the team working on the same were pulled back to focus and work on other BioWare’s projects most probably the Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda.

However, the development of Dragon Age 4 started again some time in 2017. In August 2020, Casey Hudson quoted the game was still in ‘early production’. Followed by some small mentions at the EA’s October 2019 earnings call. Though fans got almost nothing out of this information, CFO Blake Jorgensen suggested that the game can be launched after fiscal 2022. He also made it clear that it is just a tentative guess and that such announcements are not made years in advance.

About the new Dragon Age 4 teaser trailer:

Shown during the Game Awards 2020, the new teaser trailer did little to satiate the growing eagerness among the fans. Although we still don’t have the official title that the game will go by, one thing we can be sure of by seeing the trailer is the game graphics are something to look forward to. The colour settings and honestly everything in the trailer was visually so appealing that it seemed like the game is finally ready to move on from its Fereldon roots that appeared way too grimy sometimes.

The trailer also confirmed a few other things like the return of a recurring character dwarven archer Varric Tethras who has been seen in both Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Another thing we are sure of is that a new protagonist will be picked up for the new instalment like every other one.

Multiplayer or not?

As mentioned above, there has been a lot of speculation about the game being multiplayer since early 2018. However, all such plans were scrapped by the developing house after the launch of their sci-fi thriller Anthem in 2019.

The poor reception of Anthem led to a unanimous decision of Dragon Age 4 ditching almost all multiplayer elements.

Well, we still don’t have clear confirmation of the same, but we can quite confidently say Dragon Age 4 will not be solely an online-only game. Which also makes a lot of sense. Although BioWare has drabbled in multiplayer gameplay with Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Inquisition having multiplayer modes which were surprisingly decent as well, the main focus of their storylines was the single-player element.

The expected setting of the game

The gaming studio has confirmed that the game will finally enter Tevinter. For years we have been moving forward with several clues and assumptions collected from the ending of the Inquisition, the famous collection of short stories known as the Tevinter Nights and through several game development reports since 2019 that Tevinter can be the possible setting for the next instalment in the series.

It was cleared by BioWare in their history book where towards the end it spoke about Tevinter that is to follow up Inquisition.

Throughout the series there have been several mentions of Tevinter, however, it was never fully explored. We have also seen a lot of party members coming from there but nothing was mentioned in detail. We got a super cool glimpse of the same in the trailer launched by the studios last year where Minrathous the capital of Tevinter was shown. And from what little was shown we can easily gather that it is going to be one hell of a ride to explore the land of the mages.

Despite all this, we also think the game will take us to several more locations including the underground.  We mean come on; a dragon adventure is incomplete without a visit to the underground.

Companion characters

Honestly, we can’t be sure who would end up taking a part in the companion group and be set for the adventures that lie in this series instalment. They can be a former character returning or straight-up new characters. However, we do have a brief idea as to who can show up in the game. Some of the characters we think can grace us with their presence are:

Varric Thethras could be one character appearing again after having appeared in both the Dragon Age 2 and Inquisition. Everyone’s favourite storyteller was seen narrating the second official trailer. Also, he has a history of being a party member two instalments in a row. However, we can’t be sure if he would reprise his role as one of the party members or would just appear as an advisor.

The next character, we think we will be seeing on the screen will be Solas. Yes, you read that right, Dread Wolf himself would be returning in the series not as a party member though (because you know the Dread Wolf stuff). Also, he was seen in the first trailer so let’s say it is safe to say he will be back with his greater struggles with Thedas.

Much like Solas, Flemeth the god or eleven legends, some of the many names she goes by, seems to have an underlying part in the overall plat of the game. So, we could be seeing her as well.

Fenris, Dorian Pavus, Alistair, Leliana are some of the other characters that can make a comeback in Dragon Age 4.

Apart from all these, we do have some teasers, trailers, concept designs and photos etc to satiate our eagerness for the game. It is still early and since the developers are all keeping it quite under covers it is difficult to get more out. However, we hope we were able to tune up your excitement level for Dragon Age 4 with this blog.

Make sure to follow Hg World, for all the new and happening insights on the latest developments and news in the gaming world. What’s more, is our close association with games, consoles and gaming, in general, making us a reliable force for you to lean and trust in.

Stay tuned for more updates!

[caitlinneely]

Mean Girls musical opening night thoughts

SPOILERS AHEAD Y’ALL

Saw the Mean Girls musical premiere last night. I talked to Nell Benjamin AND got a photo with Barrett Wilbert Weed so I’m feeling good. Also saw Lorne Michaels, Casey Nicholaw, and, apparently, Tina Fey was watching as well.

Thoughts in no particular order:

 Yes, Barrett Wilbert Weed is amazing and she has blonde/black hair. I enjoyed her portrayal of Janice, and the realization she comes to by the end of the show.

Most of the characters have more development compared to the movie.

As much as I adore Lindsay Lohan in the movie, Erika Henningsen is so damn charming as Cady. She brings more nuance to the character.

Kate Rockwell has a gorgeous voice and is absolutely hilarious as Karen. She gets more development in the musical, and I like the direction they take her. Instead of going for the weather gag, they present Karen as much more insightful than she appears. She’s not book smart, though, and is still presented as dumb.

Had some problems with Regina. I don’t think it’s necessarily Taylor’s portrayal of her, but, rather, the writing. Regina felt flat in the 1st act compared to the other characters. Either needs to be more terrifying or needs bigger moments where the audience gets to know about her outside of the mean girl stereotype. She comes together by the end of the 2nd act, thankfully, and feels pretty fleshed out.

Also love Ashley’s portrayal of Gretchen. She gets a kickass song in the 1st Act, and her relationship with Regina is presented as very desperate and co-dependent (yes, even more so than in the movie).

Aaron has a bigger backstory than in the movie. The show doesn’t spend too much time on it but it helps flesh out his character.

Kerry Butler is freaking amazing. All three characters she played were so different and there were a few people in the audience who had no idea it was the same actress.

Grey Hensen as Damien is absolutely hilarious. One of my favorites.

Janice/Damien are pseudo-narrators. They pop in a few times throughout the show to set the scene, give context, and provide some narrative relief to the audience.

Couple of spots where I was reminded of Heathers. The big one being when the Plastics are first introduced (reminiscent of the scene in “Beautiful”). And maybe the party scenes.

I felt the parallels between Janice and Cady A LOT more in the musical. There’s a beautiful part towards the end of the mall scene where Janice is standing above Cady as the stage changes to Regina’s bedroom. Janice senses the danger of encouraging Cady to be “friends” with Regina and, for me, she felt very protective of Cady in that moment (even though the characters aren’t directly interacting in this particular scene).

Lots of lines from the movie.

Quite a few references to other musicals. During the lunchroom scene, half of the cast on stage were wearing shirts from different Broadway shows.

Shoutout to Jonalyn Saxer and Riza Takahashi in the ensemble. They killed it.

The ending was very feel good and hit hard on feminism/social media/high school drama. I enjoyed the themes.

1st act dragged in some parts. Wouldn’t be surprised if they cut one or two songs. 2nd act was great.

Lighting design and choreography were on point.

Book and lyrics were on point, mostly, and will be amazing with some tweaks and revisions.

Shoutout to the audience as well. We had a lot of fun and so many people dressed up for Halloween. Songs:

This is not an OFFICIAL song list. There are no songs/numbers listed in the program. All titles presented are simply guesses on my part, which I had a lot of fun doing. Yep, this is what happens when a writer is also a musical theatre nerd.

Act 1

Song about Cady in Africa/moving to Chicago - Starts with Janice/Damien, moves to Cady, and then to the entire cast.

Here’s Where You Belong - Damien singing about the lunchroom cliques (LOVE) Stupid With Love - Cady in math class (great)

Apex Predator - Janice/Cady/entire cast (mall scene)

What’s Wrong With Me - Gretchen in Regina’s bedroom scene (great)

Stupid with Love reprise - Cady

I Can Be - Karen before and during Halloween party (great)

When You Were Mine or Till Someone Gets Hurt - Aaron/Regina at Halloween party (I don’t think this song knows what it wants to be)

Revenge Party - Janice/Cady/Damien/ensemble (goes through how they ruin Regina’s life)

Stupid With Love again - Aaron/Cady talking about Regina

Justice - Taking down Regina and Cady becoming the leader (the “you can’t sit with us” scene)

Act 2

Bossed Up - Cady/ensemble about her transformation into the Plastics’ leader

Stay With Mother - Regina/her mother (I liked this but wouldn’t be surprised if it was cut) Whose House Is This - ensemble (party scene at Cady’s house)

More Is Always Better or More - Cady/Aaron

We’ll be Fine - Janice after she finds out Cady lied about not being able to go to her art show (very short).

Watch the World Burn - Regina plotting against Cady with the burn book. Moves into girl fight scene (liked Regina’s parts)

I’d Rather Be Me or Raise Your Right Finger - Janice after the confessions/meeting scene (AHHHHH, my favorite number by far).

Justice reprise - Cady

Do Your Thing - Mathletes scenes

Here - Prom scene