#cat grant's trash throne

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Green Kitty Cat

Le Request: some Remus and c!Thomas hurt/comfort. Thomas hugs Remus, and because the rat boi is repressed and a bit touch-starved, he kinda has a breakdown while Thomathy hugs him. I mean, this boy is sobbing and clinging to Thommy Salami, and he just isn't sure if this is real or some cruel dream. Maybe it's like Thomas accepting Remus for who he is, including his part in being Creativity? Perhaps a dash of abandonment issues from the Octo Boy 'cause yeah, haha. – oatmeal-stans-the-trash-rat

Read on Ao3

Warnings: abandonment issues

Pairings: gen

Word Count: 1720

It’s a strange thing, honestly, having movie nights with several different parts of yourself that happen to be color-coordinated, but all in all, it’s actually not the weirdest thing that could have happened tonight.

The movie ended about half an hour ago, and the Sides had sunk back into the Mindscape to do whatever it is they do when they’re not helping Thomas work through something.

Read: arguing.

Who knows, maybe they argue during their free time as well, but from the sounds of it, there’s a fair amount of adventuring that happens that they don’t deign to share with Thomas. Which is…probably overall a good thing. If he knew every square inch of what happened in his mind all the time, he’d probably go insane. As Janus was fond of saying, it isn’t the mind’s job to figure itself out. No matter how much Logan wants it to be.

He winces slightly at the memory of that conversation. It had ended up with the rest of them awkwardly watching as Logan and Janus traded barbs and counterpoints. Remus even made popcorn for all of them.

Thomas frowns. Speaking of Remus…

Had it been his imagination—heh—or had Remus seemed…a little off tonight? Sure, trying to gauge what Remus’s ‘normal’ was is a challenge in and of itself, but there hadn’t been any spectacularly disgusting or violent things happening tonight. He’d even come wearing pajamas: these green and black fuzzy socks, Spirited Away sleep pants, and a plain black T-shirt. Granted, the shirt had been stained with what Thomas is going to assume is paint, but he’d just sat in the corner of the room quietly while the movie played. Thomas had snuck glances at him every now and then, just to make sure he was still, you know, watching the movie and not plotting to eviscerate Patton’s stuffed animal with a screwdriver again, but every time, he was just sitting there. Very quietly.

It was…unsettling.

Not in the way Remus is normally unsettling, not in the way Remus likes to be unsettling, but he was just…so still. So quiet. So normal.

So something’s wrong.

Was it the movie? They’d picked a pretty unobjectionable one, even by Patton’s standards, and it wasn’t like it was particularly violent or anything. There were snacks, there were drinks, there were blankets and pillows and everything. Hell, Janus made himself a throne of them until Roman picked up the ‘arm’ and it dissolved into a heap. A smile comes to his face at the memory of the two of them playfully fighting over the pillow before Logan snatched it for himself.

That’s right…Logan and Patton had sat next to each other, Virgil sprawled across the floor between them. Roman had perched on the corner of the couch. Janus sat at the base so he could lean against it. Thomas had sat sort of in the middle of everyone, and Remus…

Remus had been alone.

Did…is that what he’d wanted? Did he want to be all by himself? Maybe, but that doesn’t sound particularly like Remus, so maybe…

He’s jolted out of his thoughts as he walks into the bedroom. On the far side of the bed, beneath the lamp, a shadow stretches out from the foot. It looks like a rock, sort of, a boulder that someone put on the floor. He frowns, taking a step closer, only for his eyes to widen as he hears the soft noises.

Ah.

Oh, dear.

“Remus,” he calls quietly, and the sobs choke off, “Remus, buddy, you okay over there?”

Remus’s shadow twitches. Thomas waits by the door, not willing to move, until he sees part of it that must be Remus’s head moving slowly back and forth.

“Can I come over there?”

He waits a little longer, just until the shadow nods, and he walks over to crouch by the bed. He peers over and his chest clenches at the sight of Remus there, still in his pajamas, contorted into a ball so tight he wonders if it doesn’t hurt. Then, of course, he wonders if that’s the point. That it hurts.

“Hey,” he says, trying to make his voice as non-threatening as possible, “what’s going on, buddy? What can I do?”

Remus sniffles and shakes his head. Thomas eases his way properly onto the floor and holds out and hand. Remus eyes it like it’s going to bite him.

“I’m not gonna hurt you. I promise. Just…I’m here, okay? If you need someone to be here, I’m right here.”

”You won’t stay.”

“What do you mean?”

“You won’t stay,” Remus repeats in that thin, reedy voice, “you never stay. No one does.”

“I’ll stay,” he says, “I’m bout going anywhere, see?”

Remus just shakes his head. “No. You won’t. No one ever wants to stay with me.”

The way he spits it out, like it’s the vilest curse he can think of, makes Thomas scoot a little closer. “Why doesn’t anyone stay?”

“Because I’m too much. I’m too gross. I’m too—I’m too—“ he scrubs a hand under his nose. “I’m too me.”

Before Thomas can say anything, he barks out a laugh, cruel and humorless.

“And when I wake up this is gonna hurt so fucking much.”

Thomas frowns. “What do you mean, when you wake up?”

“This is a dream, dumbass,” Remus mutters, “so yeah, when I wake up, you’ll be gone.”

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, no.

“Remus,” Thomas says very softly, as though he’s talking to a skittish animal, “you’re not dreaming.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You’re not,” he says again, “you’re in my room. You’re awake. I’m really here.”

“No, you’re not. Thomas can’t come into the Mindscape.”

“We’re not in the Mindscape.” Remus raises his head to glare doubtfully out at him with one eye. “Check.”

Remus does…something, which is good because Thomas really was just hoping there was some way to check, but then his eyes are widening and he’s scrambling back like Thomas is going to strike him.

“Shit, shit, fuck, I’m sorry, I thought—I’ll go, I’ll go—“

“Whoa, whoa, hey, hey.” Thomas reaches out for him. “Don’t do that, it’s okay, I’m not mad, see? Just—take a second, you’re okay. Okay? Everything’s okay.”

Remus, still panting like he’s run a hundred miles, stares at him with wide eyes. Thomas moves slowly towards him, trying not to block him in and crowd him against the bed, until he can take him by the shoulder. An honest-to-God whimper comes out of Remus and he quickly shushes it. His eyes are still giant, his breathing still choppy.

“Hey,” he says, still speaking softly, “can I give you a cuddle?”

Remus just stares at him.

“Do you want a cuddle?” When another one of those soft little needy noises comes out, he leans forward and scoops Remus into his arms. “There, how’s that?”

Poor Remus is shuddering and shaking like a cat that’s just come in from the freezing rain. Thomas rubs his back, rocking him back and forth, as Remus clings to his shoulders and whimpers into the crook of his neck. Closing his eyes, he tries to focus on breathing deep and even, inhaling and exhaling, creating a gentle guide for Remus to follow. It takes a few tries. Alright, many tries. But eventually, Remus starts to follow with hitching, unsteady breaths.

”Hey, buddy,” Thomas says quietly, “you wanna move to the bed? It might be more comfortable than the floor.”

Remus nods, but makes no move to get up off his lap. Thomas takes a quick breath, hopes those workouts he did…however long ago still have some impact, and lifts Remus up as best he can to deposit him on the bed.

“I’m not leaving,” he says, hushing the frightened keen, “I’m just moving so I can pull the covers down, okay? Come get underneath the blankets, that’s gonna feel better, okay? Come on, there you go…”

It really is like herding a feral cat, he thinks as he coaxes a wide-eyed Remus into the bed, a fuzzy, green, man-shaped cat.

He’s also not sure he would’ve ever described Remus as ‘cute’ before, but seeing him like this now, with the covers pulled up to his chin and his little hands peeping out from underneath, he thinks it might not be the worst word to describe him. Of course, he’s still mostly worried about what made Remus into this, so he quickly turns off the big lights and gets under the covers, letting Remus latch back onto him like a kitten afraid of the dad. Again, surprisingly cute.

“What’s going on,” he asks softly, running his fingers through Remus’s hair, “can you tell me?”

Remus shakes his head, burying his head into the crook of his shoulder. Thomas tangles his fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck.

“You just feeling a little lonely?” A nod and he lets out a sympathetic noise, pulling Remus closer. “You can stay with me, if you want. I can help. I won’t leave.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, Remus, you can stay. Do you want—I know Roman’s your usual cuddle buddy, I can see if he—“

“No,” Remus mumbles, “this…this is good.”

Thomas chuckles, ruffling Remus’s hair. “Alright, then. You wanna try and get some sleep?”

“Yeah.”

Thomas closes his eyes, Remus snuggling into him. The two of them begin to drift slowly off to sleep, and he has a dream about a small black cat in an alleyway, in a cardboard box, eagerly looking for someone to take him home.

He dreams he gets the cat a little green collar and as many pillows to tear apart as its little claws can handle, and wakes up smiling to the echoes of its joyful yelps.

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[reactingtosomething]

Reacting to Supergirl: “Resist”

Cat Grant Has Never Sat in an Alley in Her Fabulous Life

The Setup: Kris and Miri love Supergirl. And all of us here at Reacting to Something believe in being critical of the media you love. Expect plenty of both those things in our gif-iest Reaction yet (#sorrynotsorry it’s NOT OUR FAULT they cast people with THESE FACES).

As always, post-chat annotations are in italics, and you can click on our names up here to get a sense of where we’re coming from as both writers and reactors.

KRIS: Ready whenever you are

MIRI: Ready!

KRIS: It’s a little fresher for you (but I’m hopping back through it now) -- first impressions?

MIRI: FEELINGS

many of them

I watched the last two eps back to back, so I’m probably going to mix up what happened when a bit

I like it

*liked

I liked getting to see Cat Grant again, obviously

KRIS: Yes

MIRI: I’m glad the payoff for President Lynda Carter being an alien wasn’t She’s a Secret Bad Guy!!

KRIS: “At least tell me you’re still a Democrat”

MIRI: Hahahahah

Shall we get right into the politics?

KRIS: We’ll definitely have to find a gif or photoset of Cat’s stoner recollections

MIRI: YES

KRIS: Sure let’s do it

MIRI: Overall I liked them

I don’t know if Supergirl always hits the marks on some of their political statements

KRIS: Cat’s big return speech was a little rough for me

MIRI: Such as the accidentally painful “Can’t believe anyone voted for the other guy” line right after the election

And the whole Girl Power speech in the pilot

I very much agree about the return speech

BUT overall I thought it worked this time

KRIS: It was silly in a gender essentialist way, though I guess I do buy that from Cat

MIRI: Agreed

And I think you were the one to point out early last season that some of the  reason the feminism is so bite sized consumable may be for the benefit of a younger audience, which I think should be considered

The whole ‘we will get this done because that’s what we do’ thing worked for me, and the line about the Future is Female t-shirt

KRIS: For me there was an unfortunate (and I’m sure completely unintentional) Trump parallel when Cat was like “I can talk down these celebrities so I bet we can also make peace between our warring peoples”

MIRI: Shit, that’s a good/gross point

Didn’t even think about that

Unfortunate

Cat’s later speech that was sooo clearly anti Trump tickled me. 

KRIS: Although again I guess I could buy that sort of thing from Cat

I did like that one

MIRI: How did you feel about the episode title?

M: I knew I’d screw up which ep we were talking about at some point--I meant “Nevertheless She Persisted” when I asked this question. Kris responded as if I had asked about the episode we were actually discussing at the time, “Resist.”

KRIS: Hmm

Let’s say I found it on-brand

Didn’t hate it

MIRI: Say more

KRIS: Wouldn’t have missed it if they’d gone less on-the-nose, but it’s a look Supergirl can pull off

MIRI: I’d agree with both points

KRIS: (Watching Cat’s first speech now and I do like her criticizing Rhea’s tiara)

(felt the right kind of Cat pettiness)

MIRI: I think I’m inclined to be a little generous with their political attempts because I know somewhat where Melissa Benoist’s opinions fall

KRIS: I do wonder how anyone on Air Force One expected that call to end?

MIRI: Which is not really a fair way to judge things, but oh well

KRIS: The look on Cat’s face when Rhea cuts off the call does not say “I planned for this”

MIRI: Yeah, there was no good outcome there, and I don’t entirely buy that they thought there would be

Also, the show kind of glosses over the presumed deaths of everyone else on that plane

KRIS: Yeah, in a world where Supergirl had a higher budget I would have loved a version of the Iron Man 3 rescue, which is my favorite superhero set piece of the last decade

K: Maybe ever. For me the only other real contender is the space shuttle/airplane rescue in Superman Returns. But what’s so great about IM3 is the group effort. They get to help save each other! Tony needs them as much as they need him! Plus those are real skydivers! Doing a real skydive!

MIRI: Exactly

KRIS: But anyway yeah, on balance I’m pretty good with our network superhero dramas going political

I don’t think you’re caught up on SHIELD but I’m sure you’ve heard their last arc this season was great on many levels

MIRI: Yeah, I think it’s working more than it isn’t

I actually haven’t heard much about it! Can you give me the broad strokes?

AGENTS OF SHIELD SPOILERS BEGIN HERE

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KRIS: Most All of the regulars get stuck in a really really advanced VR simulation where Melinda May never killed the Inhuman girl in Bahrain

MIRI: Whoa 

KRIS: which results in a horrific Stateside massacre, and the rise of Hydra in place of SHIELD

Only Daisy and Jemma go in in their right minds, and they have to win everyone over

K: May and Fitz are both in Hydra leadership and it’s very upsetting

M: WHAT???!?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

MIRI: Noo we have too many Nazis in real life, I don’t want any more fictional ones

KRIS: The Inhumans are used as a rough parallel for immigration

MIRI: (at least Shield admits that they are Nazis)

Oh, that sounds effective

KRIS: Yeah, there’s a part where Coulson (as a brainwashed schoolteacher) corrects a student by saying “but Hydra’s been around for centuries, they can’t be Nazis”

and later Jemma tells that kid “They’re all Nazis, every single one of them, don’t let anyone tell you different”

MIRI: 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

KRIS: There’s also a Plausible Redemption of Grant Ward (to borrow one of your hashtags) because the simulation’s version was trained by Victoria Hand instead of Garrett

.

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AGENTS OF SHIELD SPOILERS END HERE

Anyway back to Supergirl

Sorry readers

We like all of the superhero things

MIRI: Sorry not sorry

Wonder Woman reaction coming soon!

KRIS: You know who’s great? Katie McGrath.

MIRI: Katie McGrath is excellent!

I really liked her an Chris Wood (this is Mon-El’s name, yes??) playing off each other

KRIS: Yeah, that was fun

K: They’re such an interesting pair. I suspect Wood works harder than most of us can tell, but it can often seem like all he's asked to do is just kind of show up and be Charming. Whereas McGrath is like, so clearly Such a Good Actor -- one of the very best on the show, I think -- without the performance feeling like #ACTING. And she can really work a close-up. She almost doesn’t need dialogue to convey everything Lena thinks and feels. Some of this is that Lena’s a much richer character than Mon-El, and some of it is that dialogue has never been a particular strength of this show anyway, but still. Damn.

MIRI: And she does nobly wounded SO well

KRIS: Excellent description

I also enjoyed that Lena and Mon-El had no interpersonal baggage

MIRI: Agreed

KRIS: We’re suckers for mutual respect and affection, contra lots of our screenwriting training

MIRI: hahahahahahhaa

That is very true

Ok, I liked the Lena and Mama Luthor stuff

KRIS: But this scene I’m watching now of Alex being the Good Soldier is a good way to give the A-story a conflict between two of our leads

Oh yeah, that honestly worked better than I might’ve expected

MIRI: And I have to admit that I like that it’s not a dude with father issues. Dear everyone: if you just have women in your stories you can reuse so much crap and have it feel fresh! Same with queer people and POC!

Yes, let’s talk more about Alex!

And not just because I love Alex

KRIS: Alex jumping off a balcony

MIRI: I do love Alex

YEs!

I love that they have a plan for that

Her hesitating to use the weapon was very well played

KRIS: I think we agree with the rough critical consensus that Alex has been the highlight of the season

MIRI: Accurate

Chyler Leigh and her eyes can pull off just about anything

KRIS: I’ve been really impressed with how both Alex and Kara have had arcs involving their rebellions against authority and/or rules that end with them being something other than just The Loose Cannon Who Is Correct

K: You’ll learn a lot about My Least Favorite Tropes today, dear reader

Alex’s poor interrogation techniques

Alex’s blind trust of her father

They weren’t just played as “Alex is Right, Root for Alex!”

which I would have expected in the season 1 version of this show

MIRI: very true, and too rare in a lot of superhero/law enforcement media

KRIS: Or most network shows

YES

MIRI: Sidebar: Alex’s interrogation techniques are Extreme Violence and sharing hamburgers with no in between

Which is not ok

KRIS: (I’ve also enjoyed this about Skye/Daisy over the years but again I digress)

MIRI: But is also great and so her

KRIS: Yeah

I guess it’s worked in part because J’onn has been so well established as Space Dad

MIRI: I ❤️ Space Dad!

KRIS: Basically every conflict between series regulars ends up being pretty fair-handed because they’ve given everyone space to develop

MIRI: Yes, it was a nicely plotted last ep (or last 2 eps)

KRIS: And not fair-handed in a False Middle Road kind of way, but in an Everyone Means Well kind of way even if one of them is more wrong than the other

K: Caroline Siede has written a lot this season about both the virtues and the drawbacks of how Supergirl has fleshed out its non-Kara characters. What I was trying to get at here was that J’onn, for example, because he’s gotten B-stories and even an A-story or two of his own, is immediately easy to empathize with even when he does something like disguise himself as Alex’s dad to bait her into admitting her willingness to defy her orders. (He was right, incidentally, and like Allison Shoemaker I feel strongly that he should not have apologized.) Maggie in “Alex” is another strong example of someone other than Kara or Alex getting to be right for most of the episode. Even Snapper, in “Exodus,” though that was less about affection for the character and more about the writers generally being better at these dynamics, I think, than Arrow or especially The Flash.

MIRI: I am (obviously) all fluttery over Alex and Maggie getting engaged, but the real world cynic in me is a little concerned that they have not known each other long enough for this. Thoughts?

KRIS: I don’t know yet either. It’s also hard to compartmentalize the metatextual knowledge that Floriana Lima is only a recurring guest next year (I guess they originally only planned for Maggie to be around for one season? so she was already looking for other gigs)

MIRI: Ahhhhh I didn’t know that

Awkward

KRIS: I’m hoping that means a low-conflict buildup to the wedding, as opposed to a protracted breakup arc

MIRI: BITE YOUR TONGUE

Don’t even put that possibility out there, Miranda

M: Upon reflection, I don’t actually know if Alex and Maggie need to be endgame (DON’T AT ME, TUMBLR). I have a lot of emotional attachment to Alex’s coming out arc, which I refused to believe they were actually going for (until it was basically stated outright) out of sheer self defense. I have been burned by queerbaiting before. An unfortunate factor of the lack of queer relationships on screen is that those that exist carry more weight than the average story arc, which can limit storytelling.

MIRI: We have not yet discussed Superman

KRIS: Let’s stay on Cat for awhile

MIRI: Ok

KRIS: Mostly because I’m watching this alley pep talk scene

MIRI: Are you just straight up rewatching the ep as we talk?

KRIS: skipped around a little, paused a little

MIRI: Ok

What are your thoughts on the alley pep talk scene?

KRIS: On a superficial level I like how well it works even with this very not-Cat staging

MIRI: Cat Grant has never sat in an alley in her fabulous life

(Although she was a stoner in college. Who knows? She contains multitudes)

KRIS: And I guess it’s deliberate-ish given her story about the yurt

Cat Grant Has Learned What Really Matters

MIRI: I did like that performance from Flockhart

KRIS: which is a mini-arc that I think works surprisingly well for having sat out so much of the season

MIRI: I am always pleasantly surprised when shows are able to use external circumstances (like shooting schedules and being in Vancouver) to good effect

When the show moved to the CW it also moved to Vancouver. Flockhart was not willing to move out for such a large portion of the year, thus her reduced episode count.

KRIS: I’m often ambivalent about Ethics Lessons in stuff like this

With Cat concluding here that Kara isn’t selfish to potentially put love over saving the world

BUT

MIRI: I think Kara more than most needs to hear that

KRIS: that Kara’s solution of working with Cadmus is then a compromise of an earlier moral hardline position complicates that beat for me -- which I would normally find a little lazy -- in a really good and interesting way

I guess that’s true

MIRI: I mean she still needs to save the world, like that’s definitely the right thing to do

But I think she needs to hear that wishing she didn’t have to do the right thing doesn’t make her less good

KRIS: Yeah, that’s interesting

I think I’ve subconsciously or not so subconsciously continued to have a low bar in my head for a lot of Supergirl’s storytelling

K: I wish this sounded less mean. Thematics in particular are what I tend not to have high expectations for, almost entirely because of heavy-handed Cat writing in the first third or so of season 1. But this season has generally been more solid in this respect, especially toward the end of Kara’s reporter arc.

M: As Kris stated at the top, we can be and often are critical of the things we love.

So I didn’t immediately expect Kara to find a Third Way

MIRI: ...it’s fairly merited

Although I think this season was less of a roller coaster than the first

KRIS: yeah, the highs weren’t as high but it was arguably more consistently solid

oh man I just accidentally clicked RIGHT to “Just be faster than me”

which is maybe the best line of the episode

MIRI: Nooooooo emotions!

Yes!

I think that’s where you see the core Danvers sisters relationship of this episode. They’re both going to do the right thing no matter how much it hurts them

But Kara has to make it

There’s no other option for Alex

M: Sister relationships will always be my kryptonite. (#sorrynotsorry for that one)

KRIS: I like the idea here that Alex, even though she hasn’t been the MOST rigorously professional this season, is trying to do what J’onn would do

And to an earlier point you made, I think this works better than it would have with a white (or I guess in J’onn’s case “white”) man authority figure

MIRI: Alex is definitely a true believer, in J’onn if not always in the DEO

KRIS: and I think this is true of J’onn’s general role in the cast as the Voice of Reason

MIRI: Good point!

KRIS: Like that’s such a Male Character archetype

But it doesn’t feel lazy here

MIRI: He can be paternal without being patriarchal, if that makes sense?

KRIS: Yeah, well put

Watching Cat’s Resist Speech now

Love Lena and Mon-El watching it

MIRI: Is that the anti-Trump one?

KRIS: yeah

MIRI: Hold on, I’m going to find it and watch too

KRIS: Katie McGrath does such good face acting

early-middle act 5

MIRI: bless you ❤️ 

KRIS: Fan mileage may vary but I think this speech works MUCH better than Kara’s speech at the end of season 1

MIRI: Ughhhh still watching commercials

Refresh my memory on that speech?

KRIS: I think it was a generally Hope-themed speech?

I mean I thought it was good

But it’s right on that edge of unreasonably optimistic earnestness

And on the page I think Cat’s speech here could be really self-congratulatory and valedictory but because it’s Cat, it’s got an edge to it that makes it feel ... not that way?

K: Still not sure how best to put this. I think it’s that even though her words lean toward “Go Get Em, Plucky Underdogs” (which is really not a theme I love, despite being a Star Wars fan), her tone is more “No One Gets to Sit This Out, So Get Your Shit Together”

MIRI: The Cat speech is post Rooftop battle, right?

Oh, how did you feel about the Kryptonite in the blood thing?

KRIS: Oh I’m still in Resist

It interrupts Rhea’s wedding ceremony

MIRI: ohhhh I thought you said act 5?

KRIS: Yeah

MIRI: The rooftop fight is the top of 5

KRIS: 5 in Nevertheless She Persisted

Cat’s speech is in Resist

MIRI: Ohhhhhhh I’m an idiot

I thought you were describing as the Resist speech, like it is about resisting

KRIS: I’ll look for Kara’s season 1 speech while you get there

MIRI: I forgot that the episode is called Resist

KRIS: Oh I did mean it that way, so you were not wrong

MIRI: hahahahahahahahaaaaa

M: I honestly just pinballed between both episodes in my head this whole time and it is thanks to Kris that any of this makes any sense.

KRIS: Okay so the conceit of Kara’s speech in the season 1 finale is that her appeal to everyone’s better angels, and the Power of Love, gets through Myriad and un-brainwashes everyone

K: Fucking Myriad

MIRI: Ohhhhhhh right

KRIS: in combination with the S taking over everyone’s screens

MIRI: Yeah, that’s conceptually a bit shlocky for me

KRIS: (which does work really well for Winn and James)

MIRI: I buy it in the personal cases

KRIS: they have these little flashback montages

MIRI: Not as much for the general public

KRIS: right

MIRI: But Melissa Benoist can sell a lot

KRIS: Child Kara Flashbacks always work on me

Red-Faced is not a good episode but it has a GREAT ending

MIRI: Whaaat?

You hate the children, though!

KRIS: I KNOW

MIRI: hahahahahaa

M: I think I care more about this than Kris, but I want to clarify that Kris does not hate children. He doesn’t super love them, though.

Mostly unrelated story: the first time Kris held our friend Karisa’s baby he was very uncomfortable and the baby cried. But then the next time, Kris was dramatically more comfortable. When asked why, he explained that he had realized that a baby human isn’t much smaller or more fragile than a puppy, and he had held puppies before.

KRIS: I guess Kara with Alura, specifically

as opposed to Growing Up on Earth flashbacks

MIRI: Right, that makes sense

KRIS: So obviously a big part of the reason Cat’s speech works so well is that it’s specific to a real-world moment

MIRI: I do like the idea that Kara lost more than Kal-El did (in some ways) because she can remember what she lost

Ok I’m almost to the Cat speech

KRIS: yeah

MIRI: I do love Cat’s “I can see his eyes” thing re: James/Guardian

KRIS: Which sets up that long-awaited Of Course She Knows payoff at the end of Nevertheless She Persisted

MIRI: Of course

I have gotten to the resist speech

KRIS: cool

MIRI: It is in no way subtle and I love that about it

They use Winn as an audience surrogate pretty effectively throughout. I like that

KRIS: Yes

I also love that Cat’s delivery stays sardonic and casual for 90 percent of the speech

MIRI: Yes!

KRIS: And she goes big for a second -- Not In My House -- but then she ends on a very Cat note

And I think a version of this speech delivered by Kara might’ve been just a touch heavy-handed for me

I mean I totally would have bought it, but I would have cringed a little too

I don’t know if I’m making much sense here

MIRI: Oh, definitely

No, I’m totally with you

Sometimes the pure Belief that Melissa Benoist pulls off so well is what we need, especially with all the Dark and Gritty out there

But sometimes things are so crap that you need a slightly more believable version

That’s a little darker and a little more lived in, but still belief

And that’s what Cat gives there

KRIS: Yeah

MIRI: It works both for the show and the state of the world

KRIS: Okay this Mon-El fight scene -- it’s not showy or anything but I love Lena’s blocking

Or I guess the way it’s shot to always focus on Mon-El but we still see what Lena’s doing

MIRI: Wait, where/when are we talking now?

KRIS: A little after the speech

in the hallway

MIRI: Oh, I paused to talk, so I’ll find it now

Lillian Luthor is such a bitch

KRIS: ha

MIRI: Yessss I love that little fight scene 

She’s just so practical

Ok, I genuinely do want to talk about Superman at some point

KRIS: Okay I think I’m done with Resist now

MIRI: Wait, real quick--Lena hacking the ship with her tiara is great

Find our Reaction to the season finale, “Nevertheless, She Persisted,” here. 

Coming soon: Wonder Woman.

[syraxfire]

cat be sitting on s2

[iraniq]

All the Time

Fandom: Star Wars

* characters belong to Disney * * Millicent the cat belongs to Pablo Hidalgo *

p.s. i started writin is as a joke, from a fun conversation with my bff/sis, but now is huge, and I am posting this xD

Staring: Me as the main persona + bonus guest star in chapter 2

----------------------------------------------------

chapter 1 

Being in an arranged marriage was bad enough already, meaning whatever was left of our royal side was gone long time ago... I was gonna marry a politician to prevent ongoing civil war to turn into a slaughter of my people.

He was middle aged, fat, nasty man... Rotting in his soul... But that was the way! I was doing this for my people. I had accepted my fate... Till that day came...

The big ship in the sky... They reminded me of the Stardestroyers from the past, but weren't. That was the First Order. They had come.

Me, as an owner of the title "princess" only by the respect for my family, had to be there at the first meeting. So was my betrothed. Such an abhorrent creature.

We only saw an elderly man with gray hair, pissed at the world, a younger one walking behind him, obviously displeased with us all, and several white armored ones. Dora, my maid, yelled almost falling to her knees. The Sun Child!

She came from a small moon nearby our planet, where ginger people were considered emissaries of God.

It has been 4 days since we saw them again. The big ship was in the sky, only smaller ones come and go, and most of our politicians were in the big city hall, negotiating.

Tonight our new "friends" were invited to celebrate the Last Summer Day. We celebrated the last days of the summer sun as life giving, now the sun would be an observer, old saying goes, if you wish upon the midday sun and the sunset is orange red, your wish will be granted.

Dora's people came, over floating not as usual for the Sun, but to see the ginger commander. Who wasn't fond of the attention, or the people at all, and after the required toasts left for good.

I tried not to pay much attention to them. Their presence made me uneasy, and quite anxious.

The next day at lunch, my parents were asked to meet with our guests. Dora was way too odd, holding my hand all day, when I finally asked her what's all about she explained.

-       You don't know my Lady, yesterday morning the First Order generals were finally getting your planet to sign with them, the politicians and the royals agreed. But last night when drunk your husband...

-       He is not my husband! - I protested and got off the couch. Dora cleared her throat and continued.

-       He got killed.

-       What?

-       Yes, what I heard was, that he said something, disrespectful, or offending, and they killed him.

-       That's...

-       I am so sorry my Lady... - Dora offered me a hug.

-       That's amazing! - I yelled. - I don't have to marry that gross old man now! - I clapped my hands, but Dora's face was still sad.

-       What is it? What do you know?

-       You will instead, marry the General...

I said nothing. Just ran off.

Cried all night, with no luck. My faith has just gotten worse. Married to the nasty politician I was gonna be still home and respected by my people.... There on that ship, where I assume I'd be taken. I would be just a girl, they took, as a bonus to the contract they just made.

Two days later, that I spend trying not to cry, because I had to maintain a happy face for the wedding, as my social status required, my heart was beyond broken. I knew what kind of a person the politician was, was told how to maintain his anger outbursts, knew when to not engage a conversation at all. Even knew what his favorite dish was. Now, this unknown General, might be anyone, and by the looks of him, he will totally be cruel one.

Dora had requested to come with me after I go to the ship. She was 7 years older than me, and was my maid, and a dear friend since I was a child. She refused to leave my side. So at least I'd have her!

The old caste throne room was decorated in silver, and the autumn blooming roses on the walls gave it a magical touch. I could barely see my yet another horrible future husband. Standing there in the distance, too military still, with hands behind his back and with these ridiculous pointy eared hats. I looked away, at my feet, of fear of tears.

When I arrived in front of him, he cleared his throat and through the bridal veil I saw he removed his leather gloves. He had these small gentle hands. The shock I felt, when upon raising my veil, I saw the ginger one standing in front of me. That caught me so off guard I actually smiled. He awkwardly mimicked me, and the wedding began. After the ceremony, we were at the old castle's garden halls to party.

I was too anxious around all people congratulating me, I was happy my already husband wasn't the old grandpa, but I still married a monster.

I excused myself and left in the gardens.

-       May I join you? - carrot boy said, I nodded.

We waked in awkward silence for a while, then he spoke.

-       I heard you planted most of the flowers here. - I nodded - Unusual for a princess.

-       I am a princess only by respect, the last royal was my grandfather. We were still called such in his honor. Also I like gardening.

-       They look good.

-       Thank you.

-       If I may ask, why is half the castle in ruins?

-       You missed that info?

-       We came to your plant with a work proposal, asking why the caste of the royal family is mostly ruins, didn't seemed as a nice conversation starter.

-       True... – I smiled, but hurried to look away, so carrot boy won’t see me – The previous royals, not of our bloodline I'd like to note, were like slave owners, cruel and greedy. There was a civil war, they were killed. Half the population moved several cities south, made parliament and all, here monarchy stayed, and my granddad was a benevolent king. Now we are the face and the parliament rules. The castle is destroyed since back then. I was trying to make it look better with the flowers and all.

-       Why is there an ongoing civil war then?

-       Well … - I cleared my throat – Our people don’t care about the nature, polute a lot, this affects the South, they tried to reason, but not much happened.

-       Now? After you did not marry anyone from the South, what will happen?

-       I don’t know … - I looked away, I wasn’t ready to think about that now, I married a monster, and might not even managed to change a thing.

-       You plant the ivy roses...

-       Yes.

He nodded and that was as much as we spoke. He seemed to be way too prepared on that matter. I am guessing their work proposal involved a history lesson too.

Same night, we slept in the far sides of the huge bed. The only moment he touched me was when we were supposed to kiss, and we did, was so awkward, and when he helped me unbuttoning my dress. The rest of the time his hands were in gloves and he barely touched anything. I imagine the ships must be sterile. Otherwise they all will die of fly in days.

Early next morning my luggage was loaded in one of the shuttles and we left. The ship would be in the orbit of my planet several more hours, but I already missed home.

As I got the rather good surprise, I ain't wifing the old pervert rapist, carrot boy was quite pretty I can't lie, he was also a General and the ship that we would be in, was his to command. Dora was 2 steps behind me, as usual, my faithful shadow. I made her swear to me not to react on him, so she could stay. General Hux, as his name was, didn't want any attention at all. He was perfectionist workaholic, by his attitude towards me, I was guessing he wasn't ask consent about that marriage also. So I might be safe, as career was more important for him, than a family.

As we boarded the big cruiser and the shuttle door barely open I heard him speak over the door asking reports. One big silver solider and 2 white ones started talking one after another. They walked towards somewhere.

Me and Dora were escorted to his room and were noted not to walk around the ship on our own.

One pleasant surprise was that the carrot general had a carrot cat, big and fluffy. Her collar said "Millicent" and I befriended her rather fast. Dora almost fainted when I trashed his room, opening every drawer.

-       Who folds their socks?

-       My Lady... - she sat at the big leather canapé, and the cat jumped in her lap, asking attention.

-       He is my husband now, I ain't doing anything wrong, also I just look... The OCD will smell it if I touch something, anyway. Do you want me to spray me one of his perfumes?

Dora almost fainted, my remark and the knock on the door finished her. My presence was asked. I let her in the room. She was too startled to go. So I was walked by the white armor.

I met my husband in a rather larger corridor. He nodded, so did I. No ridiculous pointy ear hat anymore. That's better. His hair was crazy carrot, slicked back, even his eyebrows were orange and his eyelashes. The light was going through and from a specific angle looked like they were glowing. Now I know why Dora's people adore them so much.

I had seen a ginger person once, I was 10 and wasn't allowed to stay in.

A sudden loud thud was heard, the door on our right opened and a person walked out. A girl. Tall, skinny, long blond hair, wavy at the ends, emerald long green dress and black leather cape...ish thingy. She muttered something angrily and vanished.

After her another person went out. Definitely male, although he had a mask on his face. Large dressed all in black with a cape. General Hux introduced him as Lord Ren.

But who was the girl? Maybe, I wasn't the only one forced into marriage. Maybe, she could be my friend after all!

------------------------------------------------

@diyunho @lovermrjokerr @darthjokerisyourfather

[ghostofbambifanfiction]

Can you be more specific on why you like Arya and Sansa? So many people like Arya for being strong and fierce, but for some reasons so many hate Sansa for what she was like in the earlier seasons. Can you give specific instances why you like both of them? And why not Daenerys? Thanks! (I'm just really curious, please indulge me :) )

I’m going to talk about Dany first (and I’m sticking to the show here, though I have read the books, but they’re never getting finished, let’s be real), and then I'll put my thoughts on Sansa and Arya in another post (hey, you asked, so I’m delivering) because otherwise this will go on forever and it’s cleaner this way. Putting a ‘read more’ here because this is long (lol I’m at work I should be working)

To preface, I would not dislike Daenerys as much as I do if she didn’t want to be queen. I’ll touch on this when I talk about Arya, but I appreciate characters who have the self-awareness required to know who and what they are. Since Daenerys does want to rule Westeros, I have so many issues.

I also think the eighth season is going to see her turning on most of the people she’s currently allied with and I think the catalyst for that is the discovery that Jon is the legitimate child of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and therefore his claim to the throne supersedes hers. I’ll gladly admit that I’m wrong if I am, but right now I don’t think I am. Here’s why.

1) She is an ineffective ruler

After Dany liberated the slave cities of Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen, she stayed to rule and did a terrible job of it. Nobody in particular was better off, the majority of the slaves she freed were homeless and scraping for food in mess halls, and she killed elders who had spoken out against slavery without even listening to what any of them had to say. She has the mind for conquering, not for ruling.

(side note: why does she even want to be queen? It’s something she just seemed to jump on in season two without ever reasoning it out, and from there on in it’s like an obsession that has grown inside her. Now she says she wants to make the world a better place but she hasn’t the skills to do it. It should be enough for her to liberate oppressed societies and allow somebody qualified to fix them. But it’s not.)

The truth is, Meereen saw no real improvement until after Dany skipped town on Drogon, because Tyrion had the idea to replace the slave trade with actual trade. He made changes that impacted the city’s economy and allowed its residents to start supporting themselves, so of course, the slavers attacked just as Dany came back, at which point her bright idea was to decimate an entire armada when she needed ships. Tyrion had to talk her out of it. Which brings me to her next point.

2) She requires constant babysitting

It’s ironic to me that Tyrion told Cersei that “the difference” between Cersei and Daenerys is that Dany knows herself well enough to hire advisors who tell her not to do dumb, impulsive things, firstly because that is such a low bar, Tyrion! There are people out there (Sansa) who do not require that kind of monitoring! Secondly because Cersei is far more self-aware than Dany.

Cersei knows that the things she does are bad and does them anyway because fuck it, she knows she wants power for power’s sake. Dany has such a narrow view of justice that actually thinks she’s being righteous when she burns people to death (more on that later) and that is the most dangerous mindset a leader can have. Compare that, if you will, to Sansa, who quite sensibly told Arya that chopping off heads might feel good but that’s not the way to make people work together. Jorah, Tyrion and Jon have all had to speak out against Dany’s more violent predilections and she’s fast running out of people she wants to listen to. She and Tyrion are certainly hanging on by a thread. Which brings me to my next point.

3) She mistreats her own Hand

The relationship between Dany and Tyrion absolutely reeks of Aerys and Tywin, their respective fathers, who were the best of friends until Aerys’ jealousy and paranoia forced them to opposite sides of a bloody war. Dany is all too happy to take credit for Tyrion’s best ideas when they work (and he is happy to let her) but as soon as one of his plans go wrong she whirls on him and berates him like he’s a piece of trash. Everything’s his fault when a plan goes wrong.

When he brought up the matter of the succession she accused him of plotting her death with his brother, which not only is batshit insane but proves that Daenerys gives far less of a shit about the future of Westeros than she claims to, because if she cared that much, she’d care about planning to carry on the legacy she wants to build. She can’t seem to forgive Tyrion for the heinous crime of…loving his siblings? Trying to broker the most peaceful end to the war? Not wanting his brother to die?

Honestly, her treatment of Tyrion is one of the most telling aspects of her character and I am aghast that nobody seems to be talking about it.

4) Like all of the maddest Targaryens before her, she gets off on burning people

This one isn’t subtle at all. Sorry to drop the intellectual veneer for a moment but she fucking loves that shit. It doesn’t bother her a whit to watch people scream as they’re being burned alive. She takes pleasure in burning people, you can see the satisfaction on her face, and a good leader should never take pleasure in something like that.

(FYI people like to mention how Sansa smiled when Ramsay’s dogs ate him when I make this point and to that I blow a raspberry. That was her personal moment of justice against her rapist and abuser, not the lord of some house who wouldn’t submit to her, there is no fair comparison)

Dany was smiling like a satisfied cat when she burned down the temple of the Dosh Khaleen and killed everybody inside it, which was something she did to seize power, by the way. She didn’t do it to stick it to a bunch of misogynists, though I’m sure that was an added bonus. She did the exact same thing Cersei did to the Sept of Baelor and for the exact same reasons, yet only one of them is painted as a villain by the viewing public even though you can argue that Cersei was also sticking it to misogynists when she killed the High Sparrow. The only reason for that is that Dany was given humble origins while the narrative told us that Cersei was bad from the very beginning.

Theon is still beating himself up for killing and burning those two farm boys — as he should. Stannis burned his daughter and everyone was horrified. Jon was so repulsed to watch Mance Rayder burn that he defied Stannis and shot him in the heart. How many times is the show going to have to tell us that burning people alive is a terrible act of evil before people stop cheering Dany on for it? When Ned Stark was Lord of Winterfell, he understood and felt the weight of executing a man. Jon feels the weight of it, too, as we’ve seen on a couple of occasions. Sansa clearly thought long and hard about executing Petyr — that’s what her moment of reflection on the battlements was meant to show us. Dany just… doesn’t care. I think she cared a bit when she had Daario execute Mossador, but I can’t think of any other occasion where she has been directly responsible for a death and been remotely bothered by it.

So. yes.

I think the reason a lot of people – and in particular a lot of women – support Daenerys is because she has a girl power narrative. She does have a girl power narrative, it’s true, but that is not a good enough reason to support a character who on so many occasions has proven herself to be unqualified for the job she wants, not to mention bordering on dangerously unhinged and increasingly paranoid. In that sense I think her season 1 narrative was genius, because her origins and the way in which she started to gain power (as well as her gender) has granted her a kind of automatic forgiveness for behaviours that several male characters – and Cersei, most importantly, because she also has a girl power narrative (and she and Dany are two peas in a pod) but the show told us she was a baddie from episode one – would be dragged through the mud for. And I’m sorry, but it’s not good enough for me. I’m not going to support a powerful female character just because she’s a powerful female character who did some good things once. Powerful women can be good or bad.

Some other points re: Daenerys

The dragons are weapons of mass destruction and need to be killed. They’re nukes with wings. She’s burned her own people with those monsters because fire doesn’t fucking differentiate. Sorry not sorry.

The Targaryens are literally GRRM’s interpretation of the Aryan race. It’s practically in their name.

“I have tried to make it explicit in the novels that the dragons are destructive forces, and Dany has found that out as the tried to rule the city of Meereen and be queen there. She has the power to destroy, she can wipe out entire cities, and we certainly see that in Fire and Blood, we see the dragons wiping out entire armies, wiping out towns and cities, destroying them, but that doesn’t necessarily enable you to rule – it just enables you to destroy.” – George R R Martin, folks.

One of the show’s directors, Jack Bender, made a reference to Hitler when talking about her. He said we should be “horrified” by her. No shit, Jack. No shit.

“Do you wonder if the gods ever get lonely?” Just… this line. Get a grip, woman.

[cohen-stark]

Thank you @moonfell44 for tagging me in this! I like this type of stuff :)

Rules: Tag 9 people you’d like to get to know better.

Top 10 songs(/pieces) I can’t stop listening to:

Ughh so I haven’t listened to a lot music lately??? just the same playlists on Spotify lol

In no particular order:

1.- Bloodstream - Stateless (it gives me A LOT OF Sansaery vibes so)

2.- Queen of Peace - Florence + The Machine (QUEEN IN THE NORTH ANYONE???)

3.- Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe - Kendrick Lamar (my song to go whenever I’m high lol)

4.- Memo - Years & Years

5.- Good Form - Nicki Minaj feat Lil Wayne (it’s the memes.. yeap the memes)

6.- Sleep To Dream - Fiona Apple

7.- High Horse - Kacey Musgraves (I’m loving her)

8.- What Am I Here For - Jade Bird (POSIE IS DESTROYING MY LIFE)

9.- All Night - Beyoncé 

10.- Que No Salga La Luna - ROSALÍA 

Bonus Track: Game of Thrones: Season 8 soundtrack. The season was AWFUL I know but Ramin Djawadi is amazing.

Favorite color(s): I always say black and red but honestly I don’t know anymore lol

Favorite ships:

* Brittana (Glee). They are the ship that I will always love the most. The Glee days were I N S A N E, tears, fights, angry tweets, stupid break ups, Santana leaving for NYC, Britt dating Sam, Heather saying stupid shit, Naya dating Big Sean??, Heather getting pregnant, MORE FIGHTS, Ryan Murphy saying that his favorite thing was “drinking wine and avoiding Brittana tweets”, MORE TEARS, sweet lady kisses, HEYA, uffffffff the good old days.

* Sansaery (Game of Thrones). The reason I made this blog in the first place. Being sucked into the little fandom in 2013, SEASON 3 and all those scenes. Falling in love with Natalie Dormer (AGAIN), Sophie tweeting about her crush on Nat, saying that Margaery should be Sansa’s girlfriend, yeap good years those were (2013-2014) I know they weren’t/never will be canon and Margaery is dead??but who cares? They’re my queens and I will love them forever. It doesn’t matter if it’s been years somehow I always come back to them.

* Petramos (Jane the Virgin). Yael Grobglas and Rosario Dawson playing a couple. Do I need to say more? The chemistry they have? Finally I can see older women on my tv screen being completely in love with each other and THEY ARE NOT AFRAID OF KISSING EACH OTHER WITH OPEN MOUTHS. Now things are rocky BUT FUCK YOU JENNIE FOR THIS ENTIRE SEASON OF BAD WRITING, BYE. 

* Supercat (Supergirl). Ok so what’s that show again???? This ship has a special part of my heart for SO MANY reasons *sighs* but mostly because I will give my life for Cat Grant! and to be honest I’m a huge fan of Carol (yeah sue me!!!!! boo hooo) so I was destined to fall in love with them. Plus first season?? it was heaven where ONLY Supercat and Alex/Astra shippers existed and everything was beautiful, can we go back to that???

* Posie (Legacies). It’s been like 2 weeks since I started watching this show and I SHIP THEM SO HARD THAT I’M SCARED. SCARED. All that teenage angst it’s too delicious. Josie Salztman belongs to Penelope Park and that’s it.

* Hollstein (Carmilla). It was a BIG THING back in the day. Broody Vampire and Cinnamon Roll :). Elise and Natasha should date (yeap I’m still not over that topic lol)

* Sleeping Warrior (OUAT). Mulan and Aurora were the superior ship, the material was there, they just needed TO BE CANON.

* Spuffy (Buffy The Vampire Slayer). DON’T @ ME, I’m trash... I KNOW.

* Barney/Robin (HIMYM). THEY WERE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER, EVERYBODY KNEW/KNOWS THAT AND TED MOSBY SUCKS

I think I had more ships along the years but I’m old and I forget things lol but those are always with me so yeah.

Lipstick or chapstick: Lipstick, I’m kind of obsessed with them at the moment hahaha

Last Movie: Melancholia from Lars Von Trier

Currently Reading: All the Posie fics I can find in AO3 lmao does this mean books? haha King Kong Theory by Virginie Despentes... controversial feminism I know. 

Tagging: NO NEED TO ANSWER  BUT I NEEDED TO TAG PEOPLE BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE A LOSER 

@nonnyfcknawesome93 @expressivite @hell-much @enjoythefreakshowpeople @the-bisexual-from-hell @thekiksrocks101 @toma2 @freaking-isadorkable and i guess this henelope binch lover @lesbianreginageorge

[bughead-fic-request]

I would like to thank @leaalda for making these amazing banners.

This is an effort to spread the word about all fan fiction writers in our little fandom. If you would like to be featured or nominate a writer, please contact me. Please reblog this post if you can and check out some of @lessoleilscouchants work!

1. First things first, if someone wanted to read your stories where can they find them.

I’m singsongsung on AO3. My older work is available on Livejournal at ampersandstars.

2. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a twenty-something PhD candidate specializing in American Gothic lit. I’m an east coast Canadian living in a city and I really miss the beach. I take weekly ballet classes, I have a Starbucks addiction, I’m impatiently awaiting Tana French’s next novel, and my current favourite podcast is “With Friends Like These.” Like any good millennial, I treat my cat like she’s my child and enjoy avocado. I hope to one day get my act together and write a novel.

3. What do you never leave home without?

My phone, because I am a predictable citizen of the twenty-first century.

4. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Definitely a night owl. Very much not a morning person.

5. If you could live in any fictional world which one would you choose and why?

I really struggled to come up with an answer for this one. I guess the world of Harry Potter, circa now, so that I could just do some magic and not have to worry about Voldemort.

6. Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met.

Noam Chomsky, I guess?

7. What are some of your favorite movies/TV?

I’m into Game of Thrones, Westworld, Mr. Robot, The Americans, Brooklyn 99, and of course, Riverdale. My favourite movie is The Sound of Music.

8. What are some of your favorite bands/musicians?

Lana del Rey, July Talk, The Lumineers, Fleetwood Mac, and I’m currently loving old-school Beyoncé.

9. Favorite Books?

I have so many! The His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, Light in August by William Faulkner, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Caucasia by Danzy Senna, The Likeness by Tana French, The End of Everything by Megan Abbott, and about a hundred others.

10. Favorite Food?

Strawberries.

11. Biggest pet peeve?

People who don’t respect the fact that the left side of the escalator is for walking.

12. What did you want to be when you were little? What do you want to be now?

I wanted to be a ballerina. Now, I generally say I want to be a professor, but in truth I’d like to be a trophy wife with 12 dogs who spends her days writing in front of a window that looks out onto the ocean.

13. What are your biggest fears? Do you have any strange fears?

I’m scared of being trapped in one place. I’m fine with spaces of any size as long as there’s an exit available. If there isn’t one, I get panicky – airplanes are an excellent example of this.  I’m also terrified of raccoons and their creepy little humanoid hands. They’re not trash pandas, okay. They’re little devils.

14. When you are on your deathbed what would be the one you’d regret not doing?

I really regret letting my imposter syndrome prevent me from applying for grants. It was stupid of me, and it could have an impact on my future, but I can’t change it now.

Okay… lets talk about your writing!

15. Which is your favorite of the fics you've written for the Bughead fandom?

Probably “(my youth ain’t) tangled up in bad decisions” just because it’s been such a blast to write.

16. Which was the hardest to write, in terms of plot?

Thus far, “fragile little flame,” because I keep wanting to put Betty in situations so unrealistic that I can’t expect people to suspend their disbelief re: White House internships to that extent.

17. How do you come up with the ideas for you fic(s)? Do you people watch? Listen to music? Get inspired by TV/movies?

Music, almost always, though two fics I currently have in the works (including “fragile little flame”) were inspired by prompts. Movie/TV plot AUs are also fun, but I haven’t written any of those for Bughead yet.

18. Idea that you always wanted to write but could never make work?

There used to be this MTV show about students at a performing arts school called Taking the Stage, and I have, for years, wanted to write a fic based on that show. I tried to write a Gossip Girl one, and now (unsurprisingly) I want to write a Riverdale one, but the plot just never seems to work for me.

19. Least favorite plot point/chapter/moment you’ve written?

I didn’t love writing Polly and Jason’s wedding in “(my youth ain’t)…” The wedding was important to the plot and the progression of Betty’s feelings, but I felt like it kept dragging and I still kind of have “urrrghhhh” feelings toward that chapter.

20. Favorite plot point/chapter/moment you’ve written?

The end of chapter 4 of “we were both young (when i first saw you)”:

And then Betty begins to cry, great big breathless sobs in her chest, making strangled sounds that wrench at his heart. Archie unlocks the truck and Jughead opens Betty’s door, leaning into the car to put his arms around her. “Shh, I know,” he murmurs, holding her tightly. He puts his hand against the back of Betty’s head. “It’s okay, baby, I know.”

Archie has never, in his life, heard Jughead use a term of endearment before, not even sarcastically, but he supposes he’s also never, in his life, driven Betty across town in the darkness with the mark of her mother’s slap on her cheek and blood in the middle of her palms.

This was such an important moment for Betty, Jughead, and Archie, and I’m proud of the way it turned out. Even though I was in charge of Archie’s character development, given that I was writing the fic, I was still sort of proud of him, somehow? It’s a moment in which all three of them really have to grow up – and they do.

21.Favorite character to write?

Cheryl! Cheryl is so, so fun to write. But Betty is my favourite character if I’m choosing a PoV to write from.

22. Favorite line or lines of dialogue that you've written?

I don’t think dialogue’s my strength, but I’m fond of this exchange from chapter 2 of “(my youth ain’t)…”:

Veronica narrows her eyes, inspecting Betty for a moment before she turns her gaze to Jughead. “You look secretive.” He’s concentrating on his computer again, editing photos, and he doesn’t look up when he says, “That’s just my face.”

And this one from chapter 4 of “we were both young”:

“Yeah,” she says quietly. “He gives me something that I need, Arch. I don’t have the words for it.” Trying to keep his voice light, Archie says, “I remember you saying something about love.” “It’s more than that,” Betty says. Last year’s dead leaves, hidden under the snow for so long, dance along the sidewalk in the wind. “I’m not perfect. I’m actually… kind of a disaster. And it’s like… it’s like, that part of me, I can give it to him.” She sighs. “Does that make any sense?” Archie shrugs. “I hear love’s not supposed to.”

23. Best comment/review you’ve ever received?

There was a line in “(my youth ain’t) tangled up in bad decisions” that had a certain meaning I wanted to get across, but I worried that it was too subtle. I hemmed and hawed about it before finally deciding not to clarify it, since I generally try pretty hard to “show not tell.” It ended up not being super obvious, and none of the initial comments mentioned it – and then the next day one comment pointed it out, and I was so happy I may have shed a tear.

24. How do you handle bad reviews or comments?

I’ve never received a constructively critical review or comment, but I’d definitely welcome those. For ‘bad’ comments that are just rude, I delete ’em.

25. If you could change anything in any of your stories, what would it be?

All the fic I wrote in my youth could certainly use some help. Like, for the love of god, 2008!me, stop referring to eyes as ‘orbs’ in every third paragraph.

26. What is your favorite story you’ve ever written? Any fandom?

I think it has to be a tie between “make up words to songs you used to know,” a Gossip Girl Serena/Nate, Serena/Tripp fic and “give me a second, i (i need to get my story straight,” a Hunger Games Cato/Clove fic. 

27. What are you reading right now? Both fan fiction and general fiction?

Fanfiction: pretty obsessed with @stillscape “for the life of me” and “all the road we have to walk,” and also “heart rise above” by @onceuponamirror.

Literary fiction: currently rereading Little Sister Death by William Gay.

Fiction: Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica.

28. Do you have an advice for writers that want to get into this fandom but might be scared?

Just do it! Honestly. I dove into this fandom blind and I haven’t regretted it for a moment. If you have a fic in your head, write it down so you can stop musing over dialogue in the shower. Post it, and adopt a que sera sera attitude about whatever happens next.  

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

If Lena knew Cat Grant [a 2x21 AU ficlet]

Lena knows Cat Grant. She remembers the day they met, when Cat Grant had agreed to personally interview Lena following the recent tabloid photos of her leaving a club with her date. Were it any one else, the world wouldn’t have cared, but she was a Luthor, and her date was the French ambassador’s daughter.

Gay. It was all anyone wanted to ask about, until Cat Grant arrived. Cat asked about her education, now nearing its end with a doctorate in biomedical engineering. Cat asked about her plans, and whether or not she intended to follow into the family business. Cat was most excited to hear that she would be looking elsewhere first. In fact, she had her eye on a joint venture with a friend of a friend, chasing the golden goose of curing cancer.

Cat didn’t laugh, didn’t ridicule her hopefulness or naivety like her parents did. She didn’t warn that she would be wasting her potential, like Lex had. She’d only pursed her lips and continued scribbling notes, and asking pointed questions to fill in the blanks of her understanding. Cat spent hours with Lena that day, and it wasn’t until Cat started packing up that Lena realized she hadn’t mentioned Vivienne at all.

“Aren’t you going to ask?” Lena blurted, her cheeks flushing.

“Why?” Cat returned, arching a cool eyebrow. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Lena did, but not to a reporter. Just someone who would share in her excitement for new love, and the rush of realizing her sexuality. In the end, Lena shook her head.

“Who or what you do in bed is no one’s business but your own. If you want to address it publicly, do. If you don’t, then tell them to fuck off.” Cat eyed her. “That Luthor reputation works on more than just pompous old businessmen.”

Lena had laughed then, a startled sound that rolled into true mirth. Cat had smiled at her, and passed her a business card. “After this interview goes to print, I wouldn’t mind following your exploits. I’d like to hear from you, if you ever want to talk.”

“Thank you, Miss Grant,” Lena murmured. She searched the reporter’s gaze for a hidden agenda, and found none.

“Cat,” came the succinct correction.

“Cat,” Lena echoed. Cat pulled out her sunglasses, and let them dangle from one hand as she turned back for one last address.

“Lena, you have the intelligence, ability and power to change the world,” Cat told her, looking her dead in the eye. “Don’t waste it.”

Lena hears that same message now, piping into the throne room of an alien battleship, once again the calm in the storm of her life threatening to implode.

“Cat,” she breathes, as though Cat could hear her, all the way on the surface below. Rhea turns on her, eyes flashing.

“You know this insufferable woman?”

Lena almost smiles, recognizing that Cat had gotten under the skin of yet another despot. “Of course,” she returns lightly, her face a mask of innocence. “She’s the Queen of All Media.”

The barb has the intended effect when Rhea’s cheeks flush in a rage, eyes darkening. Lena does smile then, channeling every ounce of Luthor into a cold smirk to chill even the mightiest of tyrants. She takes pleasure from the way Rhea’s eyes widen a fraction, how a new understanding clicks into place behind her gaze. Rhea thinks she knows Lena… but she’s never met a Luthor.

“Fight,” Cat urges her, staring at her through an alien monitor. “Resist.” Change the world.

“Get them out of my sight,” Rhea barks. Mon-el responds to it immediately, turning in an instant to file out of the room without prompting. Lena lingers, holding Rhea’s gaze until a guard prods her sharply with his staff. Even then, her chin is high as she’s escorted from the chamber.

In the corridor beyond, Lena moves abreast of Mon-el, nudging him slightly. “Supergirl is on her way. We need a plan.”

He blinks at her, and she can’t tell whether he’s stupid, or if he thinks she is. “How could you possibly know Supergirl is coming?”

“Because that,” she mutters, tilting her head back towards the throne room, “was a distraction.”

---

Supergirl's team has set up base in the alien bar she's been to exactly once. It rattles her a bit to see the tactical gear, and the monitors too high tech to be at home in a dive bar. But then her eyes land on Cat, already dodging crates and bodies to get to her. Lena closes the distance with a sigh of relief, wrapping her arms around the older woman tightly.

Cat squeezes her too, rubbing her back slightly before pulling away. "I'm happy to see you're okay, Lena," she tells her softly. Her fingers play with the ends of Lena's long hair, still down around her shoulders.

"My angel of mercy," Lena returns, only half joking. "Your message came in the knick of time."

"But not soon enough to save you from that outfit." Cat draws back a little further to scan her head to toe. "Red is definitely your color sweetheart, but that dress is just a little too space vampire."

Supergirl edges up to them, hands propped on her hips. "I didn't realize you knew each other."

"I interviewed Miss Luthor years ago, on the cusp of her adult career," Cat responds. "We've  kept in touch." She eyes Supergirl sharply, even as her hand affectionately rubs Lena's arm. "You choose your best friends well, Supergirl."

Lena flushes in spite of herself. Kara makes eye contact with Lena briefly, but looks away before Lena can think of a way to tell her she knows her secret, and that she isn't angry.

"I know," Supergirl agrees.

Cat's hand still hasn't left Lena's elbow, and the easy contact is an eye-opening counterpoint to her mother's distant reunion on board the ship. In all the time it took to work their way through the ship, and then wait for a lift from the fortress, Lillian hadn't once reached out to comfort her. Lena feels her mother's glower now, and forces herself not to pull away.

You should be more grateful, a voice whispers in Lena's mind. It sounds like her mother, who has said the exact same thing so many times, whenever Lena came close to losing her temper in an number of arguments. This time, "we took you in" is replaced with "she came for you", and its not that Lena is ungrateful. In fact she's shocked her mother would even breath the same air as Supergirl period, let alone do it for her of all people.

But Cat gathers her up and starts herding her towards the bathroom. "Let's get you freshened up," she says. "Winslow, find Miss Luthor some clothes, will you?"

"No, really, its fine," Lena starts, "they have better things to do--"

"If they want to save the world, they're going to need you to do it. They'll find clothes."

Twenty minutes and one set of black BDUs shoved under the door later, Lena's face is clean, and the dress bundled into the trash bin.  The boots they gave her are too big, and her trousers threaten to slip off her hips, but without that stupid cage around her chest she can breathe again. Cat hands her a hair tie with a sly grin, and Lena smiles in return.

"All right," she says, scraping her hair into a functional ponytail. "Let's save the world."

[supergirlspurgatory]

I did a thing, and I live blogged Supergirl, 2.21

Oh we’re opening the first shot with Lena in a bed, this feels a lot like queer baiting.

You know, I really like Terri Hatcher pre-Rhea, now I want to punch a bitch.

This doesn’t seem like a better way.

I really appreciate that we get Maggie in the second scene.

Also, I’m loving that Alex still has her kick-ass alien gun.

My girlfriend says Alex runs weird, but you know what? I think it’s hot.

Also, I totally new Supergirl was going to catch Alex, I sort of just want to watch her jump out of the building over and over again.

Mon-el, your mommy sucks.

There are already pyramids in Egypt Rhea, we don’t need more.

Your elite sound sucky.

Oh, Katie McGrath isn’t credited as a guest star this week, it just says Katie McGrath. Score for my girl.

I think Rhea just announce Mon-el and Rhea getting married to Mon-el….

Op, there it is.

Save space dad please.

Alien bar is the new DEO, I’m into that.

Rhea took your girlfriend Kara, you should be more upset.

ugh. Lillian Luthor, just kill her.

Like I know she’s here to help, but can’t we just kill her and get it over with?

Lillian you don’t deserve their help.

Okay, to be fair, Lillian isn’t wrong. Doesn’t make me hate her any less.

That’s right Kara, call that bitch out.

How does she know so much about Alien tech. I mean she’s an alien hater, shouldn’t she discount their tech..

Agent Danvers, I don’t think you’re making a mistake.

Lillian, I don’t believe for a second that you love Lena, you’ve only been a jerk to her this whole time.

So you just want to take over National City, not the whole country, that’s confusing.

President Marsden, we all know you’re an alien and pretty sure you’re only opposed to this because you want to take over the earth.

That’s right, we don’t negotiate with terrorists.

CAT MOTHERFRICKIN GRANT!!!!! I’m so fucking happy right now.

That’s right, she is the queen.

Got I love her so much.

Kanye and Taylor Swift huh Cat?

Rhea if you think you can command Cat Grant, you’re kidding yourself.

Kara go save your original BAE!!!!!!

OHHHHH THERE IT IS!

She’s doing the iconic superman carry, bridal style….QUIT QUEER BAITING ME CW!!!!

Is President Marsden dead though?

Oh….she’s okay, and an Alien….I mean we all knew that, but didn’t see it coming like that.

CAT MOTHERFRICKEN GRANT, the queen of all media and the queen of one-liners.

CAT HUGGED WINN…..

That is out of character, but I’m into it.

Let’s just explain the DEO real quick.

DC with the Dhali-Llama huh?

ET in a bathrobe….hahahahah

Yes, Winn she is an Alien.

She comes in peace…hahahah I’m not sure I believe that.

Uhm, Cat, quit being so gay. “Darling, I love you just the way you are, scales and all.”

GAYYYYY

Lets hear it from the back, GAAAYYY.

This is all so gay.

Why is the former secretary of state calling you CAT, this doesn’t make any sense.

That’s right, ALEX IS MOTHERFUCKING IN CHARGE.

This seems a little harsh Olivia.

WE HAVE TO SAVE LENA!

SAVE LENA FIRST…..

Anything else is unacceptable.

You know who doesn’t look thrilled about getting married?

LENA fucking LUTHOR.

That right Lena, no getting married and no have babies.

WHAT YOU CAN’T UNWILLINGLY GIVE LENA A CHILD.

RHEA YOU ARE FUCKED.

Of course there is a Luthor family Children’s Hospital.

SHE IS A GOOD PERSON.

A REAL GOOD PERSON.

LEAVE HER ALONE.

Rhea, this is blackmail.

No Lena, Kara is coming to save you.

Also, what the heck is that dress you’re wearing RHEA?

That’s right Kara, you gotta hold out for Lena and mash potato.

No Alex, don’t do it!

It’s time for a pep talk right?

YUP!

Cat, that’s a trash throne.

You still look good,

but trash throne non the less.

Tell her about your undying love for Lena

Oh that’s right, she is your best friend.

If I must be queer baited, at least you’re giving me best friend.

No, Kara, you aren’t selfish, you just have a big heart.

Awww Cat, I talk to Siri some times too.

Yeah Cat, yurts suck.

But it does sound happy there.

Aww human connection, that’s why you hugged Winn.

How sweet of you.

Oh Cat, you inspire me.

And I love you.

I wish I could ply like Kara.

I agree Cat…SOOOOO COOL!

I have mixed feeling about this team up Kara, but I guess I’ll accept it this time.

Alex, calm down.

also….like where did Maggie go? She was only there for like 30 seconds?

Of course she’s up to the challenge. She loves Lena with her whole heart.

Queen of distraction?

Queen of all media?

More like Queen of my heart.

Friendly reminder, Kara isn’t into killing people, evil or otherwise.

That’s right Alex, you would save your girl, and Kara is going to save hers.

Don’t worry Alex, she’ll be fast. Don’t cry babe, it’s going to be okay. There’s a whole next season, Kara has to live.

That’s a good question.

Ugh, Lillian, Lena could never hate Kara.

That does though. HOT.

I am not impressed with this wedding.

Yeah, I won’t want to hold hands either.

Is it legal for her to officiate a wedding?

Doesn’t seem legal.

Just cross your finger behind your back, and I’m sure it won’t count.

Free weight and sweat are gross.

Cat, claim you office back.

SAGE!!! Haha.

Jame is Hiding?

Kara is a coward?

LIES WINSLOW. LIES.

Oh look, she’s punching her way in.

That’s a big HVAC system.

OH sexy girlfriends, saving the world.

I’m into it.

Rhea, I feel like this is sort of droning on.

Also, they definitely are not each other’s star.

Kara is both of their stars.

Yeah Cat, I’m afraid too.

Oh look, they hacked the Daximatie’s hologram…

Go you.

That’s right Cat, you are a message of hope.

NOT IN MY HOUSE.

Gosh, I like her so much.

That’s right, you are in the wrong town.

Should have gone to Gotham.

Oh excellent, they aren’t married.

Dodged a bullet there.

She just called him R2 like R2-D2

That’s right babe, you punch everyone.

Oh, Lena’s got a gun.

I’m into this…like it’s hot, super hot.

Kara needs to move faster.

Oh look, she’s going to Macgyver it.

Oh Lena, your mommy came, I don’t know if you should be that happy about it though.

And they left Kara and Mon-el behind.

Lillian, you’re a bitch.

I hate you.

ALEX NOOOOOO!

This whole episode is an emotional rollercoaster that I cannot handle.

Oh, is this where they’re going to Leave Mon-el behind?

Because I can get behind that.

Punch your mommy Lena. Just do it.

Oh yes, you’re going to be okay.

Kara is going to be okay.

NOOOOOO! Kara don’t stay.

Think about Lena.

You love Lena.

Okay, so I’m not into Mon-el/Kara, but I’m into her being a hero. Because she is a fucking hero.

Cat, this is not the time to be nonchalant.

Lead dust, that’s smart.

James, you’re such a Hero.

Hahah, she knew!

She totally knows that Kara is Supergirl too.

ALEX, do NOT SHOOT THAT CANON!!!!!

SHE IS YOUR BABY SISTER.

YOU LOVE HER.

DON’T KILL HER.

Kara, you are so touching. With your heroics and your speeches.

Rhea. I don’t like you.

Kara, just punch her.

Get off the fucking ship.

And now we can’t use the canon.

Well that sucks.

But it looked like heat vision took it out.

Was that Clark?

Fuck.

How did they take over Superman.

And now I have to wait a whole fucking week??

[riovidalll]

Cat Grant on her trash throne omg

[myshipsokdontouch]

THE TRASH THRONE IS SYMBOLISM OF S2 CAT IS GIVING HER ADVICE... CATS GOING TO TELL HER TO IGNORE S2 AND SAVE LENA AND GO DOWN ON HER IMMEDIATELY SUPERCORP CONFIRMED

CAT GRANT IS SUPERCORP’S BIGGEST STAN SHE LITERALLY STEERS THE SHIP

[avalxnce]

Cat grant on the trash throne. Living

[epistolizer]

Hit & Run Commentary #124

Joe Biden insists that the only thing making his history of tactile constituent interactions wrong now yet appropriate at the time are changing social norms.  So what he is saying is that such behavior and even much worse will be perfectly acceptable when America falls to Islamist radicals because of the failure to crack down at the border because of similar multiculturalist drivel.  If one wants to hold that Biden’s actions are always wrong, one can only appeal to an absolute and transcendent morality, the only legitimate of which is found in traditional Christianity.  

Pundit Matt Bai warns in a column titled “Stephen Miller Stokes Trump’s Nationalist Vision”. So would he prefer an internationalist alternative? That would mean America’s future would not necessarily be determined by those holding to traditionalist conceptions of human freedom and constitutional liberty.  Rather, just as much say would be granted to those that value perpetuation of the regulatory bureaucracy at the expense of the individual and even to some thinking that those not holding to particular conceptions of God or even notions of dress deemed acceptable by anyone with a lick of common sense should be eliminated in the most brutal ways imaginable.  

Did those now tossing a fit that Turning Point USA  functionary Candace Owens allegedly glossed over Hitler’s atrocities get similarly jacked out of shape over a Chairman Mao ornament adorning a White House Christmas tree during the Obama regime?  Unlike anyone connected with the decoration of that particular sprig of Yuletide foliage, Candace Owens is a private citizen. Mao killed more than Hitler. Or are Chinese lives not as valuable as Jewish ones? Do those outraged at Candace Owens get as worked up when they see youth inspired to advance the cause of world Bolshevism often at the behest of their tenured pedagogues wear Che Guevara shirts?  For that particular figure was quite explicit in regards to his disgust for Black people.  

If migrants from beyond America’s borders only enhance the nation and, contrary to what President Trump insists, are not criminals but only truly remarkable people of robust health, why are the advocates of open borders and sanctuary cities less than enthusiastic about the opportunity the President is allowing these jurisdictions to add this diversity to their own regional distinctiveness? Interesting how when it is the backyards of radical multiculturalists on the line that they become as territorial as any member of the Tea Party or Minuteman movements. 

If the undocumenteds are not wanted in sanctuary cities, isn't that proof these jurisdictions are not in a warped fashion about the well being of the migrants but rather about the virtue signalling of the subversives undermining border security in this fashion?  

Did any of those now bellyaching how criticism of Lady Mao  (aka Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) leads to an uptick in death threats ever come out with as much righteous indignation in opposition to the Antifia insurgents that insinuated bodily harm to the wife of Tucker Carlson while pounding on the family’s door?  

President Trump is reportedly not too pleased that Fox News held a town hall with Bernie Sanders.  Though the President is allied with a number of pundits on the network, he does not deserve so much influence over that particular media outlet so as to determine programming content.  If anything, Fox News and Senator Sanders are to be commended for sharing a willingness to appear in the same venue despite profound ideological differences.  

In detailing the origins of the Islamist front group CAIR, Representative Ilhan Omar said the organization “was founded after 9/11 because they recognized some people did something, and that all us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.” To remind people exactly what that something was, the New York Post graciously published an edition with a cover photo of the jetliner flying into one of the World Trade Center towers. For this act of responsible and accurate journalism, the newspaper has been accused of “dangerous incitement”. So if it is now unacceptable to reference documented events for fear that such might instigate hatred against Muslims, does that mean Black History Month should be similarly downplayed since a significant reason for that commemoration is to agitate animosity against Whites?  

If a medication for excessive underarm perspiration is advertised as also causing urinary retention, inability to regulate body temperature, and blurred vision, I think I’ll just settle for the sweaty armpits.  

If Donald Trump legitimately wrote off nearly a billion dollars in losses, isn’t this an instance of “Don’t hate the player, hate the game”? Shouldn’t even greater ire be directed towards the legislators and regulators that set up such system in the first place?  

Too bad PETA is not as concerned about lowering the euthanasia rates in their shelters as they are about expunging the English language of phrases such as “opening a can of worms” or “letting the cat out of the bag”.  

One can understand conservatives standing against transgenders infiltrating women’s sports. But how are these Fox News pundits jacked out of shape over these types getting business set asides intended for women much different than Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson begging for Affirmative Action and assorted handouts for minorities? If true to their convictions, shouldn’t they oppose someone being granted a beneficence for an occupation where it does not matter whether you’re   reproductive orifice is an outie or an innie? By insisting that women should be the beneficiaries of these sorts of programs, isn’t that an admission that women are not as good at business as men? If the response is that private corporations should be allowed to lavish benefits upon whomever they please, do these voices then intend to advocate similar set asides be lavished solely upon men or at that point do they intend to rampage in the street?  

Nancy Pelosi is outraged that President Trump believes merit should play a key role in immigration decisions. The Speaker countered that, throughout American history, most immigrants did not arrive with merit. But neither were they lavished with extravagant government handouts and benefits for simply arriving here. Many were even denied entrance for failing to comply with explicit health guidelines.  

Lady Mao, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, laments that the Alabama abortion law forces a woman to be pregnant against her consent. How is that different than child support laws which make men pay against their consent?  

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pitched a fit that Game Of Thrones was obviously written by men because the ultimate victor apparently wasn’t a women. Interesting you heard no complaints from her about the gratuitous unnecessary sex scenes for which the drama is infamous that do not likely comply with MeToo rigors regarding consent and disparities of gender power or assorted related drivel.  

Regarding those that do not want the women that get abortions punished. Do they intend to similarly coddle fathers delinquent in meeting their child support obligations?  At least those neglected kids are still alive.  

Given that the debt is on the verge of surpassing the entire worth of the U.S. economy, irrespective of party, where exactly are the funds for infrastructure investment supposed to come from?

Migrant hordes are being released by literal busloads into American cities. That’s certainly a much more effective policy upholding national security than a wall built around the border.  

It was said in a sermon that perhaps an individual does not have wealth because God cannot trust you with it.  This means wealth might cause an individual to fall into sin. Relatedly, could it also be said that God does not want certain churches to increase in terms of attendance numbers because such could similarly go to the head of a particular pastor or congregation?

In manipulative propaganda disguised as a razor blade commercial, a transgendered is admonished that shaving is about confidence.  Actually, shaving is nothing more than the removal of facial hair to comply with grooming standards imposed as social norms either by employers and members of the opposite sex or preferences of individual appearance and comfort.  

Regarding steak and cheese Hot Pockets advertised as "high protein" as if the customer is being done a favor. Aren't steak and cheese high protein to begin with?  

If humor is to be devoid of racial reference as epitomized by the tolerancemonger outrage now directed towards the cinematic classic “Blazing Saddles”, where is the sustained ongoing protest against the Comedy Central series “The New Negroes”?  

Regarding the presidential contenders jacked out of shape about Biden working with segregationists in the past.  Are they as outraged over their supporters that wear Che apparel or Representative Omar’s links to radical jihadists?  

In Taylor Swift’s propaganda video in favor of the Equality Act, those opposing her endorsement of wanton licentiousness are depicted as unenlightened hayseeds and trailer park trash.  Islamists take an even harderline stance against the acts of carnality depicted in the video. An activist number go far beyond touting protest signs to commit what Westerns would consider unconventional forms of capital punishment such as the tossing of the accused off multistory buildings .  As such, does this naive minstrel intend to produce a video ridiculing those of this additional religious persuasion that wear distinctive apparel such as burkas, hijabs or keffiyehs?  

By Frederick Meekins