#death mark 2 fan cast

[cynical-sprite]

Fan Casting for 'Spirit Hunter: Death Mark' series

-Dean Fujioka as Masamune Kujou/Kazuo Yashiki

-Yutaka Takenouchi as Shuuji Daimon

-Takeru Satoh as Satoru Mashita

-Keiko Kitagawa as Madoka Hiroo

-Yukie Nakama as Saya Kujou

-Kanna Hashimoto as Moe Watanabe

-Hisako Manda as Towako Yasuoka

-Kento Yamazaki as Shou Nagashima

-Ayaka Ōhashi as Ai Kashiwagi

[daytaker]

The Gang’s Search History

Lucifer

Best Demonus vintage

Lucifer

Lucifer Morningstar

Royal Academy of Diavolo

Solomon pacts with demons

Celestial Realm

Celestial Realm Devildom

Celestial Realm Devildom relations

Diavolo

How to get bite marks off of marble

How to get burn marks off of marble

Netflix and chill meaning

Symptoms of illness in humans

Seasonal depression

Mammon

casinos near me

human world casinos

usd grimm conversion rate

hand stuck in toSter

hottest demons in devildom ranking updated

fastest way to earn money

yen grimm conversion rate

human breathing sounds weird??

sctethocscope

vet for humans?

[MC] cute

[MC] hot

can yuo access human world internet from devildom

whats the deep web

[MC] winkin

mammogram

euro grimm conversion rate

Leviathan

summer 2024 anime lineup

hana ruri

help i’ve been reincarnated as my crush’s pet fish season 2

thirty seven reasons why i’m (not) in love with my cousin’s babysitter

hana ruri fanart

what does it mean if i have a dream about a cute anime girl chasing me (i'm scared in the dream)?

heart pounding zombie wizard love story dlc

death cult warrior honor code ost

hana ruri tunes

how old is hana ruri canon

tale of seven lords deep dive

shovel symbolism

Satan

cats

persian cat

persian kitten litter

bloodletting curse

cursed artifact auction

cat cafe

cat

cats on camera

how to cause blood hemorrhages with minor injuries

comfort cat video

black cat

viability of septinfermium curse when cast through social media posts

disguising a cursed letter

cat

abyssinian cat

siamese cat

how to humiliate a narcissist

devildom review recommended novels

bastet

cat

kitten compilation video

Asmodeus

asmodeus

asmodeus demon

asmodeus angel

best toner for sensitive skin

best cream for under eyes

asmo party

asmodeus devilgram

human body temperature

why does my brother

asmodeus fan art

latex body suit but make it fashion

asmodeus fan blog

asmodeus cute

princes of the underworld fan cam

asmodeus hot

[MC] cute

asmodeus [MC]

ego death of rejection

asmodeus scandal

asmodeus fandom

Beelzebub

hamburger

cheeseburger

cheeseburger human world

order pizza

everything bagel

ham

buffet near me

chocolate sculpture

chili cheese dog

best food festivals

best street food devildom

Belphegor

calming music

counting sheep

sloth

sloth cute

sloth endangered

sloth conservation

grief counseling

lucifer

cow and sheep together

telepathy

am i telepathic with my twin quiz

Diavolo

Top angels in the Celestial Realm updated ranking

stress migraines

Netflix and chill meaning

numa numa song

Tutorial Rick Astley "Never Gonna Give You Up" dance

Lower back pain relief tips

How to convince an employee to take a vacation

matching best friends forever attire

Zodiac of the day

Stress relief for busy people

Barbatos

rat trap

quality rat trap

exterminator

inflicting deep psychological terror in rats

how to kill rats quickly

tailor made white gloves

dead rat

Solomon

recipe for chicken cacciatore

romantic date spots in hell

why won't my friends let me use the kitchen

Tale of the Seven Lords

ethical love potion

quality demonus

rate my soul

Simeon

Search for the best tea spots in the Devildom please. Thank you

Single parent support website, please. Thanks

How do I tell my friend his cooking is dangerous and he needs to stop? Thank you.

How do I tell my friend his cooking is dangerous without hurting his feelings? Sorry, thanks.

Show me Tale of the Seven Lords fan art please. Thank you

How to disable inappropriate content showing up through my search? Thank you.

What does WiFi mean? Thank you

Please tell me what dingus means? Thank you

Show me Tale of the Seven Lords goodreads, thanks

How do I access the Internet without WiFi? Thank you

Luke

cheesecake recipe

croissant baking tips

how to impress your superiors

how to look taller

creme brulle

tiramisu recipe

human dietary restrictions

how to make your cookies look better

food art

[cina-full-moon-xanadium]

With the franchise continuing to grow in popularity, I thought I'd give a rundown for new fans of the earliest fist-fighting, bike-riding lone hero Kamen Riders that they might not be too familiar with compared to the modern shows.

Kamen Rider #1

Made with specific intentions in mind about the nature of violence in humanity, the first Kamen Rider often struggled with a distancing of sorts from his humanity that his superpowers gave him; focusing most frequently on the terrible harm he was now able to visit upon his opponents. Conceptualized as the lone hero with these powers, the bug-themed #1 didn't have a 'secondary rider' of sorts to help him out; instead being assisted most frequently by a professional officer who also acted as his liaison with the police. Another well-liked supporting cast member was an older 'uncle' figure who let the main hero stay at his shop. At the conclusion of the series, Rider 1 decided to leave Japan to journey abroad. Kamen Rider #1's show was very popular with children to the degree that, while not intended, it naturally spawned an indirect sequel series and eventually a whole slew of shows that continues to this day.

Kamen Rider #2

While Kamen Rider #1 was not conceived as having any successors, events behind the scenes incited the production of a replacement hero in Kamen Rider #2 who would take over from #1 over the next year. Very similar in design and origins to his predecessor with the same bug design basis and often mixed up with him, this new Kamen Rider was a quirky jokester type of character compared to the typical 'hero' type kids could look up to that #1 was; and often confounded his supporting cast with all the strange things he'd say and do. Rather than dwell on his personal tragedy of what he'd lost, #2 as a character preferred to focus on his own personal hobbies and interests; only going out to battle the enemies when called. #2 notably marked the introduction of a teamup of multiple Kamen Riders at once, though he fought with derivations of #1's suit rather than the original. While not as well remembered as the original Kamen Rider, #2 still laid the groundwork for many elements that the franchise stays true to today.

Kamen Rider V3

As the first departure from #1 and #2's basic setting and storytelling with a very different design, Kamen Rider V3 obviously had some big shoes to fill -- but almost instantly he was a hit, easily becoming one of the most popular Kamen Rider series of his era. While previously glimpsed with #2's occasional scuffles, V3 notably was the first Kamen Rider series to have fellow Kamen Riders fighting with each other; not out of misunderstanding, but out of genuine moral conflict. While some of this would be resolved, multiple Kamen Riders end up dying in this season, and arguably this rivalry is what most influences the typical Main Rider/Secondary Rider relationships to this day.

Riderman

While many Riders feature their transformation belt magically appear out of nowhere, the fourth Kamen Rider notably had a more 'realistic' transformation that required the hero to physically put on his gear. Arguably weaker than many other Kamen Riders due to having a limited powerset derived from now-outdated science, Riderman in his series was characterized largely by a distrust of everyone around him due to his coloured past; naturally leading to many of the show's most memorable character conflicts and fights. This Kamen Rider has an interesting relationship with death, with the ending of the show and post-series media seemingly unable to decide if he's alive or not.

Kamen Rider X

Plagued by rewrites and completely different directions in the first and second half of the show, the first Kamen Rider to constantly carry his weapon with him has nonetheless remained quite popular with fans of the era; in no small part due to the tantalizing relationship he has with a black and red rival he makes early on. While the show would eventually move on from this element, X as a character is informed by the tragedy of losing his father and the hero complex this event forced upon him.

Kamen Rider Amazon

A very sharp change in direction from the more technological Riders that came before him, Amazon in many respects does not feel like part of the Kamen Rider series as much as it does an original series very much doing its own thing -- and one that has garnered its own small fanbase. Amazon featured multiple forested fights and pit the main hero against animalistic beasts rather than what you might expect from a usual Tokusatsu monster. Amazon is frequently followed around by a young boy fascinated by the new world of possibilities the hero has introduced him to, and the relationship between Amazon and this boy is one of the highlights of the series.

Kamen Rider Stronger

This red rhinoceros beetle Rider is a cult favourite among fans for its infectiously confident main hero who makes speeches about the heavens as he charms his way out of just about any situation. This series brought the classic theming back in a big way, with all the main heroes being based on a different type of bug. This series may surprise modern Kamen Rider fans for Stronger only having a single upgrade form, not even having a single other one between his base form and final. Unfortunately, this series failed to be the jab-in-the-arm of popularity the producers wanted it to be; with the Super Sentai series that same year arguably overshadowing it.

(inspired by this twitter thread)

[dangerliesbeforeyou]

ok so ive been rewatching psychoville and saw on the wikipedia that there were a bunch of websites made for the series (they were all written by reece and steve btw) which i've been looking through cos they are genuinely SO fucking funny & also just amazingly creative lol!

anyway i know people in the fandom probs already know about this (since the show came out literally 15 years ago pfft) but i thought i'd share some of my fav bits (but honestly would just recommend just checking them out if you haven't i have been crying with laughter for literally hours lol)

i will say that a lot of the media (videos, games, etc) no longer work on the archived sites rip but i'm sure people have uploaded some of the stuff (vids especially) to yt or other places lol

so a) i love that we get some background stuff on jelly and 2) 'captain CRACKERS' bernie clifton's dressing room reference question mark ??????? (ofc bcdr was AFTER this but i know love the idea that mr jelly trained under len pfft)

what that red raw stump do though 👀 (sorry pfffft)

mr jolly's website wasn't that interesting soz tho i did like him comparing being a doctor to being a clown lol

the comment about fag bears did make me wheeze i'm afraid lol i also loved the blurry photos of lomax's commodities lol (kinda reminded me of the bit in tlog w/ that terrible old photographer guy lol)

when i tell you i DIED with laughter at the 'now known as hull' bit like u just know reece wrote that bit pfft

not really a funny thing but this poem written by david honestly kinda breaks my heart lol... i think it also a lot of additional context to david's guilt when he thought he'd killed his father(faver) because perhaps he felt guilty about NOT feeling guilty you get me? like, it felt to me that when maureen told david it was SHE who killed her husband, it didn't feel like he was mad at her for doing it, but more that she kept the fact from him. it's about... the mutual oedipus-coded obsession with one another that couldn't even be destroyed in death and in this essay i will....

ghoul_lass23 is just like me but about tumblr lol fr

nothing feels more cursed than the phrases 'the river minge has burst its banks', 'crying creamy tears' and 'fleshy rapunzel' (which i've just noticed they misspelt lol... don't think that was intentional lol?) so if i had to read this so do you <3

the way that i kinda wish this actually existed tho pfft... also, it does kinda remind me of that video where jenny nicholson talked about that insane reality show 'opposite worlds' lol

'cross between seven and glee' is honestly sending me pfft

also on this part there was a script from stinkfinger (which is a show mentioned on the show) which sounded suspiciously like a reference to tlc lol

the less said about swastknickers the better

(will say i did nearly piss myself laughing at the nazi section of the hoity toity website lol which wasn't a sentence i thought i'd type today lol)

i just love these kinds of jokes pfft

also the whole biography sections of each of the pantomime cast are fab lol tho i AM kinda pissed they made debbie from yeovil and yet didn't give her a west country accent lol!!! (i guess they thought it'd be a bit much w/ joy being bristolian but i'm still mad about it lol)

also i know people have probably already pointed this out but i do find it funny that brian in the in9 episode last night of the proms is a closeted gay guy who likes watching drag was probably a reference to brian in this show that was a drag queen like... is anything these guys do NOT a reference??? u know those gaylor fans who obsessively look for clues in her songs about her apparent secret sexuality? all i'm saying is that i think they'd really like the extended reece shearsmith & steve pemberton universe pfft

all three of these made me cry with laughter lol

ohh this is interesting lol so obviously they suspected that some people might be all 'um why didn't the sprinklers go off during the fire at ravenhill? plot hole much!' so they wrote this into one of the websites so they could be like SEE! WE'RE ONE STEP AHEAD OF YOU DUMBASSES lol

both the jeremy kyle reference (remember when that was a thing? yikes... my mum used to watch his show CONSTANTLY...) and nurse kenshington's thoughts on david and maureen are interesting lol.. also there's a reference to the serial killer top trumps in this bit lol! (do people still play top trumps?? man i LOVED top trumps lol...)

the entire sunnyvale care home section is so fucking funny (both the website AND in the show lol mrs wren/mrs ladybird face is unironically probably my favourite character on the entire show) these were just some of my fav gags lol...

ok but why is this the SECOND reference to a guy punching a child who was apparently looking at his dick lol!??!! did this happen to one of you ??!!?!? reece did you punch a child ??!???!?!??

&&&& that's it lol

there were a few websites i didn't spend long on or generally weren't that interesting (coughmidgetgemscough) but honestly? i was really captivated with just how funny and well put together all these sites were! you can tell they had a lot of fun making it and i'm sure fans at the time LOVED being able to have this semi-interactive element of the show lol

there was just something so wonderfully late 00's about these websites lol i genuinely don't think i've laughed this much at anything in literal months and all of this is just solidifies that psychoville is a criminally under-appreciated masterpiece lol

[tima7fa]

On A Colder Night Of The Year

A Young Boy Encounters A Fearsome Creature

A yuji and sukuna fan-fiction because there isn't enough about those two and I want to forget about the Mangas storyline. (First fan-fiction go easy on me guys.)

_______________________________________

"Heed my warning, Brat. Should I find you, I'll eat you. Is that clear?"

___________________________________________

Yuji discovered the village ablaze, the agonized shrieks sending chills down his spine. Blood and the acrid stench of charred flesh assaulted his senses - it was all too much to bear.

He had merely been fetching water from the nearby stream, as the villagers had instructed. It was not uncommon for them to send him on such errands, even in the biting cold of winter. They would cast him out whenever the opportunity arose. The bucket of water slipped from his grasp as he gazed upon the raging inferno before him.

Monster, freak, four-eyed, bastard child - he had heard it all before.

Yuji had been found by an elderly woman in the village one wintry night. She had taken him in and cared for him, and he had not been so reviled back then. At least when the peculiar markings upon his face were not prominent enough to inspire fear in the villagers. But now they had darkened into rich, crescent shapes. He knew not the reason for their existence. The kindly old woman who had sheltered him passed away on a cold winter's eve.

That was when the villagers' disdain for him had intensified. They no longer concealed their contempt. He did not mind, for at least he received sustenance and water in exchange for his labor. Even if the cramped cow shed in which he slept was less than ideal, it sufficed. Even if it reeked of waste, it was enough. Even if it was bitterly frigid in winter, it was sufficient for his needs.

Yuji felt a strange warmth for the first time since the old woman's demise - the cause being the conflagration consuming the village that had so despised him. Inexplicably, he found comfort in this heat, a peculiar sensation of solace.

But Yuji's attention was soon diverted by large footprints in the snow, accompanied by fresh blood. It was a captivating sight, for reasons he could not fathom. He followed the trail, though he should not have.

A four-armed being was feasting upon a woman he had once known from the village. It was perched upon a nearby hill, towering over the 7-year-old boy even in its seated posture. Its face was buried in the woman's flesh. Yuji stared at the severed head, eyes wide and mouth agape, the woman's tears dried but her blood still glistening upon her cheek.

Her kimono and undergarments were rent asunder, strewn across the snow. Yuji's gaze drifted to the four-armed entity. Its hair was the same peach hue as his own. He had never before encountered another possessing such distinct features, but this creature was surely no human.

"Brat. Do you have a death wish?"

A rough, deep voice sent shivers through him. The being was now regarding him, its face smeared with blood, a mask-like tattoo adorning half its visage. Most unsettling of all were its four crimson eyes.

"You should be fleeing by now," the entity growled, seemingly irked by Yuji's lack of response. "Since I am in a charitable mood today, I shall grant you ten seconds. Should I find you, I'll eat you. Understand?"

"Start running."

1

2

But Yuji remained frozen, captivated by the being's eyes. He felt the uncomfortable, rapid beating of his heart.

5

6

7

"You possess remarkable courage, Brat." the entity purred, amused, resting its upper elbows upon its thighs and cradling its cheek in its hand.

The entity regarded him intently, puzzled by the child's lack of movement. Was the boy not afraid? No, his trembling limbs and ragged breathing betrayed his terror. The child wore a simple, short kimono that left his arms and most of his legs exposed, his pinkish skin likely a result of the cold.

Something about the boy's unwavering gaze irked the being - normally, the child would be cowering on the ground, begging for mercy. "Time's up. Come here, since you seem so eager to be devoured." the curse huffed, gesturing with a long, bony finger. The being sighed, finding the situation rather tedious; a chase tonight might have been mildly entertaining, but this seemed less than promising.

"I won." The boy spoke,

"Hmm..?"

"I... didn't hide, so you technically didn't find me. I won," the child spoke up in a small, hoarse voice.

Sukuna stared at the boy, wide-eyed. Did this child truly outsmart him? He let out a booming laugh, genuinely amused and entertained by the young one's insight. "Alright, brat, I'll let you live. However, you must choose your fate: come with me to my shrine, or wander the streets and try to survive on your own. But if I find you again, I won't spare you, so choose wisely."

"Your shrine... does it have a condition?" Yuji asked suspiciously. Sukuna's grin widened as he tossed the woman's heart at the child's feet. "Eat that heart," he commanded.

The boy's brow furrowed, his lips pursing in distaste. "No, thank you," he replied, turning and fleeing.

Sukuna scoffed, wondering how long the child's frail body would last in the harsh elements. He picked up the heart, taking a bite and savoring the flavor. "Humans are foolish for not appreciating this," he muttered, heading in the opposite direction from the retreating boy.

___________________________________________

Migrating from one village to another was a common occurrence for Yuji, as was scavenging for sustenance from refuse like a wild animal. Being shunned and mistreated by the villagers, who labeled him a monster, had become his unfortunate norm.

The arrival of winter brought with it a new set of challenges. As people ventured out less frequently, Yuji feared he may not survive the harsh season. Huddled in an abandoned alleyway, he trembled, his body tightly embraced against the relentless snow that blanketed the streets.

It was then that Yuji heard whispers of a troubling rumor spreading through the village. A being known as "Sukuna Ryomen" had allegedly set fire to a neighboring settlement. Recalling the entity that had feasted upon the woman's body, Yuji realized this was likely the same malevolent force.

"That peach-haired child is probably the reason Sukuna has been burning down village after village," the villagers speculated. "We're next, but at least Sukuna doesn't strike the same place twice in a week."

Yuji paid little heed to their words, for he had made up his mind. He steeled himself and set out, his bare feet aching as he trudged through the snow, determined to find Sukuna's shrine, which he presumed rested atop a hill or mountain.

After much arduous travel, Yuji found himself standing before a disturbing structure. The shrine was a twisted, demonic perversion of a traditional Buddhist sanctuary, with horns protruding from the roof and human skulls hanging from its eaves. The entrance was a gaping, tooth-filled maw.

"This... looks like utter rubbish," Yuji muttered, yet he mustered the courage to knock on the large, red door. When it finally opened, a white-haired monk appraised him with a look of disdain.

"What brings you here, child?" the person inquired.

"I... Sukuna Ryomen. I wish to meet with it," Yuji responded, stumbling over the name.

The white-haired individual raised a brow. "It?" he repeated. "Well, Master Sukuna is currently out hunting, but I can venture a guess as to why you've come. You seek to work for Master Sukuna in exchange for shelter and sustenance, don't you?" With that, he ushered Yuji inside.

Yuji hesitated, realizing that if he were to enter the shrine now, he may very well be met with Sukuna's return, finding him and a swift, fatal end. "No, I can't... I'll wait for him outside," he said, shaking his head and stepping away from the entrance.

"Are you sure? It's still snowing," the white-haired individual warned.

"Yes," Yuji replied with determination, and retreated to a nearby tree to await Sukuna's arrival. He knew his current situation was pathetic, clinging to the faint hope of survival, but he was not yet ready to accept his demise. When Sukuna finally returned, holding the remnants of a human in his grasp and still consuming it, Yuji's body froze once more, and he cursed his own weakness.

Summoning his courage, Yuji reached out and grasped Sukuna's bloodstained hakama, his gaze fixed on the crimson droplets falling into the snow - a familiar sight. His breathing became ragged as that all-too-recognizable voice spoke.

"The hell?" Sukuna uttered, and Yuji's grip tightened on the fabric.

"I... won," the boy said, his voice broken.

Sukuna looked down at the child, recognizing the familiar peach-colored hair and similar features. He tossed the body aside with disinterest and seized Yuji's kimono from behind, lifting the boy to face him. Yuji's condition had clearly deteriorated since their last encounter; his body was covered in bruises, and he had grown thinner, still wearing the same plain kimono and bare-footed.

"You tryna dig your own grave, brat?" Sukuna huffed, brushing the stray strands of hair from Yuji's face, now longer than before.

"No... You said if you found me, you'd kill me. But I was the one to find you, so I won," Yuji replied, flinching as Sukuna's blood-stained finger traced his face.

"Ah, I see you still got that attitude from before, huh?" Sukuna mused, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Alright, what do you want, brat?"

Sukuna's eyes then focused on the unusual markings on Yuji's face, which resembled another pair of eyes. How intriguing, he thought.

"I want to work for you."

Sukuna scoffed dismissively. "With that frail body of yours, you'd barely get any work done. And I already have plenty of servants - you won't be of any use to me." His grip tightened slightly around Yuji's small hand.

Undeterred, Yuji pleaded desperately, "I can be of use to you! Please, take me in. I'll do anything."

Sukuna hummed contemplatively. "Anything, huh? Alright." He opened the door to the shrine, and the white-haired individual bowed reverently at Sukuna's arrival. The monk seemed surprised to see Sukuna holding the child close.

"Uraume, did you prepare my bath?" Sukuna asked, striding down the corridor towards the bathroom.

"Yes, my lord," Uraume replied.

"Prepare clothes for the brat."

The interior was opulently adorned with fine wood and gilded accents. Sukuna entered the bathroom, guiding Yuji along. "Why am I here?" the boy marveled.

"Take your clothes off and get in," Sukuna commanded, and Yuji complied.

Once in the bathtub, Yuji found himself submerged up to half his face, dwarfed by the oversized tub. He gripped the edges, trying to maintain his balance and avoid drowning. Sukuna then joined him in the tub, and Yuji was surprised.

"You too?" he asked.

"This was prepared for me, of course I'd take a bath," Sukuna huffed, eyeing Yuji's tight grip on the tub.

"Come here," Sukuna said, motioning to his lap. Yuji was hesitant at first, but slowly made his way over. Sukuna pulled the boy onto his muscular thigh, eliciting a small yelp from Yuji, who reflexively wrapped his arms around Sukuna's arm.

Sukuna then took Yuji's wrist, forming an O with his thumb and forefinger. "Tsk, your wrist isn't even covering half the circle," he muttered. "How old are you?"

Yuji looked up at Sukuna, his eyes following the movement of Sukuna's fingers as they glided across his wrist. "I'm eight," he answered, surprised by the curse's surprisingly gentle touch - a stark contrast to the thousands of innocents he had killed with those same hands.

Sukuna scoffed. "Eight? No child of eight years is this small. Brat, you look no older than five." He released Yuji's wrist and grabbed a nearby bowl and fine comb, scooping some bathwater. "Close your eyes," he instructed.

"I'll give you time to prove your usefulness to me," Sukuna said. "You have time until you get some meat on your bones. If you fail to prove how useful you are to me, I'll eat you, brat." Yuji simply nodded in response.

Sukuna let the water flow down the child's head, and Yuji gasped letting some enter his mouth. "The water tastes...good," he murmured. Sukuna raised a brow and began combing through Yuji's hair, untangling the knots.

"That's because it's milk and rose water," Sukuna hummed, surprised by the softness of the boy's hair, given his apparent life on the streets.

"Don't drink it, or do you want to get the blood and dirt from our bodies in your mouth." Sukuna warned. Yuji immediately spat it out, wiping his tongue.

"If you want, I could always give you blood to drink - tastes amazing, if you ask me," Sukuna grinned.

"No, thank you." Yuji replied in a small voice, wincing slightly as Sukuna ruffled his hair. Sukuna put the comb away and scooped more water, this time Yuji kept his mouth tightly shut.

Sukuna then reached for a towel, dampening it in the water and gently gliding it across Yuji's body. The curse couldn't help but see a resemblance to a small, stray kitten, and he scoffed at the thought. Sukuna noticed the little whimpers Yuji let out at certain parts of his body, likely due to bruises, and he applied an even gentler touch with the towel.

Sukuna took notice of the lighter color of Yuji's peach-colored hair, now that dirt was no more. The child turned his head to look at the curse. "You're shining, brat," Sukuna remarked.

"Can I do the same to you?" Yuji asked eagerly.

Sukuna looked at him with disinterest. "What will you even manage with those small hands?"

"I can do it!" Yuji insisted. Sukuna shrugged and handed the boy the comb. Yuji held it carefully, not wanting to lose it.

He looked up at Sukuna, realizing that with his height, he couldn't reach the curse's head. "Could you come down?" Yuji asked awkwardly.

"Excuse me?" Sukuna raised a brow.

"Sorry... I can't reach your head," Yuji apologized, looking down.

"I don't go down for anyone, brat."

Suddenly, Yuji found himself lifted onto Sukuna's shoulders, his arms hugging the curse's face tightly.

"Are you trying to suffocate me?" Sukuna grumbled, his voice muffled as he lightly nibbled on Yuji's arm.

"Ah, sorry," Yuji quickly retreated his arm, his eyes now fixed on the bowl, wondering how he was supposed to use it from up here.

"Uh, Mister... could you give me some water?" Yuji requested.

"Mister? Don't call me that," Sukuna scolded, scooping water into the bowl and handing it to the child.

"Thank you," Yuji murmured, taking the bowl.

"Close your eyes," Yuji said, mirroring Sukuna's earlier actions. The curse grinned.

"I'm doing all the work here, brat. What kind of service is this?" Sukuna taunted as Yuji let the water flow through his hair, feeling the comb gently run through it.

"Sorry... when I get taller, I won't need to be put on your shoulders," Yuji said, handing the bowl back to Sukuna.

That is if he survived that long.

Yuji then began combing through Sukuna's hair, surprising the curse with his skill. It felt almost like a massage.

"Hmm, maybe you're not so bad after all," Sukuna mused. "What's your name?"

"Yuji."

"Just Yuji?"

"Just Yuji..."

"Hmm."

[rainbowchaox]

What I want in Death Mark 3 (VERY DELUSIONAL)

1) I want Mashita and Yashiki to be the only ones to return. (Maybe Daimon but that’s my bias). Death mark 2 was fun but the cast was too big and I know the fans would love to have Yashiki and Mashita back.

2) I want them to met the cast of NG. Primarily Kijima so we can fully have him be lowkey adopted by Mashita and Yashiki and team up to deal with spirits. Better yet if Kijima is convinced they are romantically together.

3) Mashita and Yashiki should be the main victims of the fan disservice. We been asking this for years.

4) Have Mashita be in serious danger for a case so Yashiki has to save him. (Again make Mashita be in the fan disservice. We are begging you.) We care so much about their relationship and about Mashita.

5) There’s a trend of what the spirits are based on. I recommend going the full queer horror aspect. We had some queer horror storylines with Hanahiko and Hanako of the toliet. (Better yet if we get some concrete like confirmation that Mashita and Yashiki are some sort of queer if not they are legit together).

6) I personally want that fanon idea of Mashita slowly like moving into the Kujo Mansion like a feral cat. By the end he is full on roommates with Yashiki.

7) I would kill for like a social links system to bond you with whatever characters. And has one of the social links scene is Yashiki and Mashita drinking.

8) More growth on like Yashiki spirtual sensitivity. I was sorta thinking having ghostly visions and having to point and click certain areas for clues or connect information. I like to call it Spiritual Investigation.

9. I want Mashita to get possessed and he is so angry that he forces the spirit to leave his body.

10. I personally want a ghost that is based on a leech. Because I’m terrified of them.

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

05/28-29/2024 Daily OFMD BTS

TLDR; Rhys Darby; Samba Schutte BTS; Nathan Foad; Vico Ortiz; Dominic Burgess; Tell Tale Awards; Upcoming Fuckeries; Watch party reminders; Schadenfreude; Fan Spotlight; MerMay; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Tonight's Taika.

== Rhys Darby ==

To 29 And Beyond is coming up fast and our dear Captain wanted to remind everyone that he'll be there! For tickets and more info, visit To29AndBeyond.com

Source: Rhys Darby's IG Stories

== Samba Schutte ==

More Season 2 BTS from the man who deserves all the things -- Samba Schutte!

Video 1: Roach Bobbing for Plums

Video 2: Fang + Samba Dance

== Nathan Foad ==

Source: Nathan Foad's Instagram Stories

== VIco Ortiz ==

Vico is going to be back at Them Fatale price this June 21st!

Source: Them Fatale's Instagram

Vico also wanted to send out the following resources for those looking to help with the situation in Gaza. Operation Olive Branch

Source: Vico Ortiz' Instagram Stories

== Dominic Burgess ==

Our precious Jeffrey Fettering is out and about in Los Angelos visiting the Queen Mary!

Source: Dominic Burgess' Twitter

= Reminder to Vote =

Our dear crewmates over at @saveofmdcrewmates put together a helpful guide for the Tell-Tale TV Awards! They've listed the queer shows related to OFMD in someway and are reminding us you can vote up to 3 times per category! Vote here.

Source: SaveOFMD Crew Instagram

More Under The Cut! Long Post is Long

== Watch Party Reminders ==

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Dates: May 28-31 Times: 3:30 pm PT / 6:30pm ET / 11:30 pm BST Need access? We're doing a WP on the RhysDarbyFaction Discord server, feel free to hit me up on tumblr @gentlebeardsbarngrill or @ aspirantabby42 on Twitter for access.

== Upcoming Fuckeries ==

As you all have seen around, there's a fuckery planned for June 3rd! Which is approaching fast! Our friend @patchworkpiratebear made a nice graphic to remind us. Mark the date on your calendars if you want to join the fuckery!

Source: PatchworkPirateBear's Tumblr

== Schadenfreude ==

Just a nice ending to the day. June 3rd's shareholders meeting is coming fast WBD.

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Cast Cards =

More Cast cards tonight! Thank you @melvisik! The first, George Maunsell is listed as "Valet" in 'Calypso's Birthday' and Zach Douglas "is "Roderick," aka the Bluecoat rudely reading the love letter meant for Ed"

Source: @melvisik's Twitter

== Mermay ==

= Snejpowa =

Our friendly neighbourhood @snejpowa is back with another MerMay prompt, this time featuring the Republic of Pirates! I have to say, the Instagram liked by is a nice touch :P.

Day 29: Republic of Pirates

= Blueberreads =

Our fantastic friend @blueberreads has done it again with a Stede portrait this time! I am blown away by the detail of the hair and shirt. Just lovely!

Day 29: Republic of Pirates

= Eros The Artist =

Our darling @erostheartist has another Mermay submission for us-- to learn more about this prompt visit the link below! Day 24: Murder's a Natural Cause

= Spencer Does Artt =

Another Mermay day for @ SpencerDoesArtt on instagram! This time Day 29 is Republic of Pirates and they were kind enough to give us our favorite folks all gathered around.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by spencer (@spencerdoesartt)

= Stjernegaupe =

More lovely vector art from @stjernegaupe for mermay! Ricky almost looks innocent in that first one! (Almost)

Day 13: Road to Moscow

Day 14: Orange

Day 15: Blind Man's Cove

Day 16: Kraken

== Love Notes ==

Hey lovelies. It's Wednesday here which means we're half way through the week. I hope it's treated you kindly. We could all use a little extra kindness these days. I'm not sure the following statements are going to make much sense, so apologies if not.

Tonight I wanted to mention a few things about changes. Sometimes change is something we can predict, and sometimes it hits us without warning.

Sometimes change makes things better for us and sometimes it can make things worse.

Sometimes change is the hardest thing in the world to do, and yet somehow the most important.

Change could be anything, a change in routine, in friends, in location, in attitude, in jobs, in weather, in boundaries-- it can be so very many things. Sometimes, the places we are, the people we're with, the jobs we have, the patterns we practice just aren't going to suit us forever. We as human beings are ever changing, ever evolving, ever moving. Situations and life styles we may have embraced previously may no longer serve us, and you know what?

That's okay.

Chang is part of the fun and wonder of life. Every day we learn new things about ourselves, and in doing so we evolve. This is a good thing, lovelies, you dont have to hate or love the things that came before or the things that come after-- you can look at where you are, where you want to be and where you've been and appreciate what came with those changes. Maybe you were in a terrible situation before, and now you're only in a mildly better one. Maybe you're worse off than before, but because of that you know exactly what you need/want to become.

Change can be a scary, unpredictable catalyst, but it can also be a very important tool that helps us reach the places we want to go. Sometimes changes take us back rather than forward, and sometimes they jump us ahead eons. Both are valid, and both are part of this life, and experiences we need to have. Don't be afraid of change lovelies, there's always more around the corner. It'll work itself out-- I know it will, because I know you're strong enough to brave it. You are so very wonderful and lovely the way you are, and you'll be wonderful and lovely when you're something new. Don't forget that. Rest up, new day tomorrow as always. I'm so glad you're still here with us.

== Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika ==

Tonight's theme is Floor Antics! Gifs courtesy of the brilliant @mxmollusca and @soapbubbles511!

[rhysdarbinizedarby]

Our Flag Means Death Season 2: Exclusive First Look

Vanity Fair joins Stede, Blackbeard, and the rest of the cast on set in New Zealand for an exclusive early look at the second season, debuting on Max in October.

BY SARAH CATHERALL (AUGUST 24, 2023)

Only the fans of Our Flag Means Death can determine whether they’ll be satisfied with the show’s second season, which debuts on Max in October. But if you ask Fernando Frias, who directed three of the season’s episodes, he sounds pretty confident: “If my life depended on saying whether it’s yes or no, I would say yes.’’

It’s December 8, 2022, and the principal actors on Our Flag Means Death as well as the 800-plus extras and crew members have three days left of their three-month shoot for season two. Things are starting to get emotional. “You’ve been the most amazing crew I’ve ever worked with,” says one actor as he wraps his final scene. Frias says it’s like leaving “a long summer camp,” adding, “it’s like a family.”

Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

The series created by David Jenkins was a surprise breakout hit when it debuted in the spring of 2022, building a fiercely devoted fan base with its silly yet emotional deadpan, and defiantly queer take on the adventures of real 18th-century pirates. Everyone involved in Our Flag Means Death is eager to preserve the surprises in store for season two, which kicks off with gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and softhearted bad boy Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) ruefully separated after finally realizing their love for each other at the end of season one.

It’s “going to be unexpected and surprising, but also very pleasurable and satisfying for those who like the show,” promises executive producer Garrett Basch. It “doesn’t follow the expected route,” teases Con O’Neill, who plays Blackbeard’s devoted enforcer, Izzy. All that means is we’re not at liberty to share too much about what happened on set that day, which included emotional conversations, new cast members, banter with the Kiwi crew, and some seriously killer costumes.

But these exclusive new images give a hint of what is in store. There are fresh faces—Minnie Driver will guest-star as the real-life Irish pirate Anne Bonny, and Ruibo Qian joins the cast as the mysterious merchant Susan—and a lot of New Zealand actors and locations, now that the production has decamped across the Pacific.

“The viewers will see the scope of their world has expanded based on the fact we’re able to get to these amazing locations within a short travel time,” says executive producer Antoine Douaihy. “You will notice a marked difference between the two seasons in terms of the scope and the scale.’’

Minnie Driver joins the cast this season as Anne Bonny. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

There will be plenty of familiar faces too, of course. On set that day in Kumeu, New Zealand, a rural area about 20 miles outside of Auckland, are Waititi and Darby along their fellow returning cast members O’Neill, Vico Ortiz (Jim), Kristian Nairn (Wee John), Joel Fry (Frenchie), Matthew Maher (Black Pete), Leslie Jones (Spanish Jackie), Samson Kayo (Oluwande), Ewen Bremner (Nathaniel Buttons), Samba Schutte (Roach), and more. New onboard are two Kiwi actors, Madeleine Sami (most recently of the Australian mystery-comedy Deadloch), and Samoan-born Anapela Polataivao. And there’s one returning figure impossible to miss on the soundstage: The Revenge, the stately ship that Blackbeard—a.k.a. Ed—commandeered at the end of season one. In real life it was carefully transported across the Pacific Ocean from the show’s original Los Angeles soundstages.

The Revenge is vast and impressive, much larger in real life than it appears onscreen. But it’s not the only stunning scenery in store. There are around 50 sets involved in the production of season two, including the 30-acre forest behind the Kumeu Film Studio, Piha Beach, and the wild, black-sand Bethells Beach.

Waititi, who also executive produces the series, was part of the push to film season two in his native New Zealand. “Taika is an extraordinary talent and what’s really great about him with his international success is he’s remained very committed to New Zealand and very loyal to our industry,” says Annie Murray, the CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission. “The beauty of filming in New Zealand is that you can find incredible varied locations within a very short driving distance. [And] when you get to those locations you can turn your camera in any direction.’’

Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet, filming at New Zealand’s Bethells Beach. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

The scope of the season is very evident back on set, as well. There’s a whole other pirate ship in addition to The Revenge, plus sets for a floating market, Stede’s cabin (empty when we visit), and the Republic of Pirates first glimpsed in season one. Behind the scenes it’s a maze of wardrobe, wig rooms, and dressing rooms. In another facility, props are stacked on shelves, ready to be taken away to storage as soon as filming wraps—vases, plates, antique furniture, and piles of mannequins replicating dead bodies which were used in one of the battle scenes.

Costume designer Gypsy Taylor joined the production this season and has designed hundreds of costumes, checking with everyone on set that day to make sure everything is in place before cameras roll. Taylor says each of the principals have six to eight looks in this season, and that every item—every leather belt, wig, bit of jewelry, even a mermaid tail—has been made by her 60-strong workshop. The costumes this season have a “Mad Max, ‘streets of New York’ feel,” says Taylor. “David Jenkins was keen to give the series a cool rock-and-roll vibe…so we had these rock-and-roll elements with an 18th-century twist.’’ As is evidenced in the image below, even Stede’s crew winds up with some unexpected new looks over the course of the season.

Wherever it is these Revenge crew members have found themselves, there’s something that surprised them. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

Two armies are part of the action in season two, all of them needing elaborate costumes—around 150 Chinese pirates and a fleet of 100 navy officers. Even the breeches are in studded black leather, and punkified. Says Taylor, “The theory behind their costumes is they would’ve stolen from other pirates…. Although our Wee John has started to become quite the seamstress, so he’s knitting this season.’’ True enough: Nairn is wearing what looks like a hand-knit sweater on set that day.

Wee John isn’t the only pirate getting into crafts. Nancy Hennah, who has managed the hair and makeup for both seasons, points to Blackbeard’s wig—made in London—and tattoos as Waititi works on set. With 14 tattoos on his right arm and 10 on the left, plus plenty of scars, he needs at least an hour in the makeup chair. “Taika wanted most of the tattoos to look like he’d done them himself,” Hennah says. “Like on slow days on the boat when there’s nothing much to do, they sit around and give each other tattoos.”

She gives a hint of a storm in one episode: “One of the hardest days here in makeup was when they were caught in a storm on the back of the boat. [The cast] were saturated for a whole day, which caused havoc with things like tattoos and hair, wigs and beards.’’

Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, who begins the season with a broken heart. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

By mid afternoon, Con O’Neill is taking a break in his trailer. He pulls his slim, leather trousered legs up to a corner seat. A candle blazes on the kitchen bench as the veteran actor talks about the physical endurance required during the shoot. “It’s been frantic,’’ he says. His signature gray hair barely moves, frozen by the team of hair stylists who arrived on set around sunrise. (All interviews with actors in this story took place before the SAG-AFTRA strike). 

Izzy “goes on a remarkable journey” this season, says O’Neill. “He understands what love is and whom he’s in love with.’’ On a series featuring a variety of joyful queer relationships—not just Stede and Blackbeard, but Black Pete and Lucius (Nathan Foad), Jim and Oluwande, and Spanish Jackie and her many husbands—Izzy’s unyieldingly straitlaced devotion makes him an odd man out. By the end of season one many fans speculated that Izzy was driven by something at the intersection of love and obsession. This season, according to O’Neill, Izzy gets even deeper into that dynamic. “Physically it’s been quite demanding, and also emotionally it’s been quite demanding to be playing a man enraged by unrequited love, who’s basically a hopeless romantic, and to be able to play all that and also remember that this is fundamentally a comedy.’’

Though the show is often warm and fuzzy when it comes to feelings—one of Stede’s mottos in season one is that when faced with challenges, “we talk it through as a crew”—Izzy represents the darker, more violent side of pirate life, which the show doesn’t shy away from either. “What I love about this show is it does allow itself to swing between the two,” O’Neill says. “We’re almost operatic in our darkness at times, and then we swing back to the sweetness of the simplicity of the love of our two guys. It’s been challenging just to get the tone right.”

“We’ve gone further this season than we did last season with those tones,” he continues. “So sometimes it’s quite interesting to remind yourself that you have to take your foot out of the tragedy—literally, your foot—and put it back into the comedy.”

With a season behind them to build the dynamics between the characters and the actors alike, on set there’s been “a lot more spontaneity and script revisions based on what’s happening day-to-day,” says Douaihy. “The cast are so comfortable with one another and their characters, that they move through it naturally.’’

Leslie Jones as Spanish Jackie and Taika Waititi as Ed a.k.a. Blackbeard. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

The way O’Neill puts it, they’ve also built trust with Jenkins, their showrunner, to follow some bigger swings. “I don’t think David Jenkins is ever going to follow an expected route. I’d hate to drive in a car with him.” Thinking of the fans who will greet the series when the show returns in October, O’Neill continues, “I think they’re going to appreciate what [Jenkins] wants. Season two does stick to the original premise that we created in season one, which is take it on to other levels.’’

One character leveling up in a major way this season is Jim, the quiet badass (there are knives involved) played by the nonbinary actor and activist Vico Ortiz. “Jim really evolves in season two,” they say. “They’re a bit more chatty and a bit more conversational…. Most of the first season you see Jim in disguise, hiding, but in this one you see them a bit more [thinking,] Oh, this is my chosen family, and I feel good. There’s a bit more zaniness and a bit more softness.’’

Like O’Neill and several other castmates, Oritz had attended their share of fan events by the time season two began filming, and the entire cast and crew returned to the high seas with a strong sense that their show had taken on a life of its own. “It’s so beautiful to see that people are finding community within the fan base. It’s about creating spaces where we feel safe and seen, and it’s so great to see that so many people watch the show and feel validated in their experiences, whatever that may be,” says Ortiz. “A lot of people that watch the show are like, “Yeah, I’m a guy and it’s good to see all these dudes being vulnerable.’ We can just shake up [ideas about gender].’’

Ruibo Qian joins the cast this season as Susan, a merchant with secrets of her own. COURTESY OF NICOLA DOVE/MAX.

Basch admits the fan following surprised some of the team, “but it made a lot of sense” too. After years of television shows and movies that built up the potential of queer romance only to stop short, Basch thinks the fervor for Our Flag Means Death “says that shows in the mainstream aren’t delivering that promise or that setup, and we have. That’s really why the fans have gone wild for it.”

That promise, it’s safe to say, is kept in season two, and then some. On set that day in December, for example, there was a major romantic moment between two key characters. But we’d risk Ed Teach’s wrath if we told you any more.

Source: Vanity Fair

[lightofraye]

Wales Comic Con (Part Two)

This may be the second and last, unless something else occurs to me and I go "Oh damn I forgot about this." As it is, I'm impressed at my ability to torture myself and endure listening to Danneel's awful, awful voice. Can someone please tell her to get vocal lessons?

(Part One is here.)

First, a shout out to my daughter for her input and helping me know where to look for anything of note! So... her thoughts are in green, mine are in red.

First 29 minutes, Danneel demeans Jensen 7 times. Interrupts him 3. Jensen is praised only for his looks 2 times.

- 1:40 Mark’s greeting to the audience is hilarious.

- 2:58 The whole time Danneel is talking, Jensen is barely looking at her.

- 3:44 Jensen realizes just how HIGH the auditorium is and hears someone shout something like “Love you Jensen!” And he goes “I love you too.” He also takes the time to be appreciative that Kurt got invited to the convention.

- 6:20 Jensen is asked about which deaths was the hardest, and he definitely quipped that Dean’s hit him the hardest. Then it was cleared up: Which of Dean’s deaths hit him the hardest? He jokes “Death by taco.” (Mystery Spot!) As Jensen is explaining this to Kurt, Danneel… does not look happy. She’s just stone-faced. Oh she smiles here and there, but she’s not liking the spotlight off her. And I cracked up when Samantha starts pretending to throw a fit because, hi, Mary’s death?! Jensen laughs and points out “Let’s go with the one that jumpstarted the whole show!”

- 8:40 Ah. The lives’ question! Which life would the cast want—Sam’s or Dean’s? Danneel picks Sam. Jensen is surprised! Mark jokes “This is going to be a fun weekend!” Jensen: “Do tell.” Danneel explains that Sam is the nicest guy! Jensen: “I mean she’s not wrong.” A fan tries to cover Danneel’s ass by saying it’s because she would get to hang out with Jensen/Dean all the time. Danneel tried to pretend to agree by saying “Didn’t I say that?” No, no you didn’t.

- 9:53 Kurt’s answer. He started… uh, okay. He started by saying he’s hated Jensen in the past. Goes on about Jensen’s hair, about how it’s the best hair he’s ever seen in his life. Oh dear. Jensen’s… definitely uncomfortable. Then says something about Jensen’s jaw. The audience is howling. Kurt tells them to calm down. Danneel’s smug now. I can’t quite catch what Jensen’s saying, but it sounded like he owed Kurt for the compliment, thus comes out Danneel’s “I already paid him.”

- 11:40 (Danneel looks bored here. My gods.) DJ’s answer about being Ellen made me laugh. “She works at a bar!” Samantha looked like she had a laugh out of that. Then Jensen’s joke to Kurt about cushiest schedule.

- 11:57 Jensen’s joke to Kurt about cushiest schedule. Danneel interrupts about “Oh so you wanted to be Sister Jo!” Jensen’s laugh did not sound authentic here. Danneel didn’t like it, judging from how she kept shoving at his shoulder and he refused to look at her. DJ is fidgety and uncomfortable here. Hmm. Jensen’s answer: “Two people—Rowena or Crowley.” He feels they’re so interesting. Being bad but playing for the good guys. And he threw in Soldier Boy, haha! “See what I did there? I wove that back to me, somehow!” More bored Danneel looks. MY GOD WOMAN, it’s your HUSBAND.

- 14:00 As Kurt and Mark are talking about characters, Danneel pulls this “God I’m bored” look. I wanna shake her. Kurt also picked Crowley. Mark loved it!

- 15:17 Mark talks about being Crowley, then points to Jensen about a conversation of sorts they had on a plane once. He talks about how to love Supernatural is to love the Winchester brothers. There was no way around that. YES! Thank you, Mark! (Also his story about his poor stunt double had me laughing.)

- 18:00 Samantha’s answer, haha! “I would like to have been God.”

- 18:20 Ah. Danneel’s bullshit answer about auditioning for any female role. We know you lied, woman! Stop it! Oof. Jensen’s like “Uhm. Yeah.” Hiding his face, hiding his expression. He’s leaning away from her. (Ohh. Samantha intrigues me. She’s all “But it was the perfect role for you.” She’s not sincere. Nope.)

- 19:14 Ah. Danneel’s thing about working with a great actor. Jensen was trying for modesty “Okay, all right!” Then she shoots out with “Mark Pellegrino.” Jensen’s smile is forced and he isn’t looking at her. That stung. And she laughs, patting him hard on the shoulder. Well, a pat/shove and Jensen’s refusing to look at her. Jensen plays off her comment by saying “See, I did you a favor.” In regards to her not getting any role until Sister Jo. He plays along with her lie. Oh Jensen…. He made that dig about himself. And she doesn’t reassure him. Not one bit.

- 20:00 Oh! The supernatural question. Good lord, DJ went off on a spiel. I’m… intrigued. Is he hyper?

- 21:25 Jensen has this “Oh god.” Danneel is smug and amused. Uh oh. I think they’re about to go into the haunted mansion thing again. Yep. I was right. And Danneel keeps interrupting him. Good lord woman, let him talk.Jensen is more practical. (Ditto.) Apparently Danneel will believe anything and everything. That’s… not a good thing, actually. Also, DJ, stop kissing her ass.

- 23:47 Did she… yep. Danneel turned a divining rod into a sexual innuendo. Jensen just keeps avoiding looking at her. She tries to correct herself and just keeps making it worse. Again, she keeps shoving at Jensen’s shoulder. What is with her and that? Mark tries to interrupt about how it’s 15 years of conditioning regarding Jensen. He hears about something haunted and his first thought is to go to the trunk of the car to deal with it.

- 24:45 Ah. The basement story. Danneel interrupts him again—stop doing that and let him talk! And he’s plenty fun—watch him with Jared!First, I wanna know—what’s in the basement that they didn’t have room for in that gigantic house? I mean, seriously. Unless that’s where he’s been living, separate from the rest of the family. It is big enough…. Andddd…. She interrupts him again. Sure, sure, people life, but he’s exasperated by it. He manages to finish the story and yeah, it’s funny.

- 26:13 Ugh. Kurt. No. They’re not cute. Sigh.

- 31:10 HAHA! A fan had a question for Jensen and Mark playfully throws his arms in the air. I’m not 100% sure what the question was—sounded like it was about languages. Jensen quipped he was glad it was mainly Jared who had to do Latin, Sign Language, Lucifer, Soulless, “give it to the big kid”. Haha. “He’s such a nerd.” Ha! Jared or Sam, Jensen? Oh! Jared took Latin in school?! That’s cool! Jensen notes the writers must’ve found out and kept giving more of it to Jared. Jensen said it made him appreciate Jared’s skillset more. Then they segued into DJ and Jensen having to tap dance and the story is making me laugh!

- 35:35 Okay. Now I see why my daughter is critical. But I also understand. Sign language is hard. I grew up with it; I’m fluent in it. I was tested once and was measured at Advanced Intermediate, which is almost natural fluency. (It was for an interpreter job; I had to be certified at language level.) And even then I still don’t know all the signs! I’d have to ask my uncle—who is deaf—and go “What sign is for this word?” So I get it. It’s not easy.

- 38:26 Okay. Stop. I have to say this. Why is Danneel there?! She was in 5 episodes, admitted she didn’t watch the show at all (she lied about knowing Castiel’s lines, etc, for cryin’ out loud!), and so all she can do is just sit there, keep wiggling that damned foot of her, fuss with her fake-ass hair, and nod, as if she knew anything at all!

- 38:59 Okay. I’m cackling at how DJ goes “Don’t make up answers. They already know it!”

- 40:11 Right there, Danneel touches Jensen’s knee. He actually purposefully moves away. Interesting….

- 40:23 Mark: “I remember you singing ‘I’m too sexy for my shirt’. That was phenomenal.” Jensen: “I’ve washed that from my mind.” Haha! And yes, Mark is right. If you hear “Carry On”… something awesome is about to happen.

- 42:10 Last fan question. For Jensen. Mark and Kurt threw their hands in the air. I’m sorry, I laughed. It’s about what it was like switching from Dean to Soldier Boy. We know this is a fib answer. Jensen begins about how Kripke told him to not to do Dean. Jensen’s flabbergasted, because, yeah, he’s spent 15 years being Dean. And I love how he just plays Kripke going, flippantly, “Yeah. Pretty much.” on dropping Dean.

- 43:40 I had to make a separate time stamp for this. Jensen was trying to give a compliment to Danneel (why? She doesn’t deserve it) and Danneel barks into the microphone: “Water!” As though pretending to be Jensen being ‘Dean’ at home. Then she ‘cutely’ adds: “Go get your own water!” Jensen looks away, completely. Jensen: “No, that’s just me acting like an actor.” Yeah, he laughs… but that’s not a real laugh, not the way he gets with Jared or even JDM. It’s not funny at all. And I don’t buy Danneel “helped” him at all. Maybe record, as someone had to hold the damned camera, but it was Kripke who critiqued. Not Danneel. She can’t act her way out of a paper bag.

- 44:00 Kripke giving him the compliment as not seeing Dean in Soldier Boy.

- 45:00 Here Jensen actually asked Mark, Sam, and Kurt their process on being different characters. Kurt follows with an excellent compliment for Jensen about how he was always excellent, always cared, which was a part of the reason why the show lasted so long. Jensen’s deeply moved by this. I’m just in my feels here, y’all.

- 46:58 Now Mark’s compliment. “The lack of self-aggrandizement is—is empirical. It’s absolute. If you want to tell a story, which you do, which all of you do. I’ve watched all of you work. You want to tell a story, that supersedes ‘I want to look cool’. ‘I want to look cool’ is where you go back to the same. It’s when you go ‘how do I go tell the story’ and when that question just goes ‘how do I tell the story ‘that everything changes. And that’s down to the writing and down to the want and the love of the story and the love of what you want to convey. And I’ve been so lucky in my career that I’ve had so many things been given to me and or even written for me which is mind-blowing to me. Going ‘oh my god what do they want from me’ and I know Soldier Boy is like that for you because I’ve watched it. And there’s nary a spot of Dean in that. There’s no… it’s new. It’s something. It’s different. It’s a fully fledged character. And that’s what I expect from you anyway. You know what I mean? It’s what I expect from you. Because you want to tell the story. You know? That’s what I think difference is between the stuff that we like as fans—it’s made with passion, it’s made with love, it’s made with heart. It’s doesn’t always succeed. It isn’t always brilliant. But it’s made with an honesty to itself. As long as we honor that honesty to itself then we as fans, we as lovers, we can truly embrace it and go yeah, there’s something there for me. And that’s the greatest gift we get.” Jensen is truly honored by the compliment. It’s obvious. He doesn’t get compliments a lot at all… damn.

- Danneel is enjoying the attention she receives until 2:42 when Jensen is greeting the fans. She is side-eyeing him with extreme animosity as though he just sole away her spotlight.

- 5:08 Bobby’s death; Danneel interrupts when Jensen starts to answer.

- 9:29 Kurt begins to uplift and praise Jensen… but only for his looks. (???) This causes extreme discomfort for Jensen.

- 9:40 Danneel responds with a dig: “I already paid him.”

- 10:55 Danneel demeans Jensen after he asks “Do we pick characters on how interesting they are or characters who have the cushiest schedule on the planet?” and in doing so, she smacks his shoulder and laughs, “I’m kidding!”

-11:18 Just as Jensen states that he would rather play Rowena or Crowley, Danneel makes a less than pleased expression. Kurt is confused because—Jensen is “The Pretty Boy”. He can’t be “Interesting”. Mark is understanding and DJ is maintaining at least some modicum of professional intrigue.

-12: 04 Finally a dig at Danneel, a way of lightly defending himself in the form of playful banter. There is, unfortunately, a knowing look from DJ.

- 17:17 “I would have done any female role on Supernatural”. --Jensen is mentally calling her a liar while she is putting him down in front of an entire audience. Jensen is looking down in shame and astonishment at the hubris.

- 18:15 “I got to work with a great actor”—proceeds to embarrass Jensen again.

- 21:23 After Jensen discussed the possibility of there being something supernatural or beyond our understanding, Danneel proceeds to interject with her take in a more competitive tune. DJ kisses her ass. The two tell the haunted house story at 21:53.

- 23:13 Danneel demeans him.

- 24:41 “Must have been the air conditioning.” Demeans him.

- 33:04 Jensen critical: Lacks the capability to empathized or acknowledge that ASL may be vital as an actor for long term career path. (Note from Raye: This is my daughter's thoughts. Not mine. Respect it.)

- 42:30 Danneel would have to tell me (Jensen) to stop playing Dean at home… Jensen proceeds to rock back and forth apprehensively as Danneel makes fun of him in what again is a demeaning behavior in the form of witty banter.

-45: 35 Jensen’s acting is finally encouraged and praised by Kurt, and Mark, as opposed to his looks.

--

I... honestly, y'all? I don't see the chemistry. The banter? Nope. That's not bantering. Maybe a touch of it toward the end when she actually isn't putting him down. And I know I'm not the only one who saw it.

Not one compliment. Not from his "wife". It had to come from Mark, who praised him beautifully, at the end.

This was Comic Con Wales, 2024.

[duelbraids]

Death Rattle Dazzle Plot EXPLAINED (not clickbait)

Other title ideas: So None of the Picwick Triplets Did It?, Theatre Professional Unravels the Plot of In-Universe Musical for No Reason.

This is a list of my thoughts about the plot of the in universe musical Death Rattle Dazzle from Hulu's Only Murders in the Building. This will contain no spoilers for the plot of the show proper, or the mystery, but will spoil all the songs written and theorize about their placement in an actual, two act musical. It'll also reference a few of the gags from the final episode, and this metafiction article by Playbill, which was done in collaboration with OMITB. Maxine's in universe review is bloody funny, and it contains a Playbill, which reveals some plot details about the original play. This practically is fan fiction, I will admit, but its fun, damn it, and I did my research!

Death Rattle Dazzle has the distinction of being the adaption of what is called a "classic play" by Oliver (who, despite his kookiness, is clearly well versed in theatre.) Maxine's review says that "Anyone with more culture than a vanilla yogurt has probably encountered the play in some form—if not by starring in it at the local elementary school, then in the form of a spoof on television, in film, or by Cate Blanchett opening the Tonys in 2012." This is hilarious, basically making the play a straight play version of Little Shop of Horrors. Everyone's done it, especially regional or amateur companies.*

*By amateur, I do not mean bad or unpolished. Many local, amateur companies put on fantastic plays. I simply mean the definition of amateur used in theatre: unpaid.

To me, that means Death Rattle must be old enough to be in the public domain, or was willed to be public domain after the playwright's death, et cetera. We also meet the original director of the play in 3.10, though all we know is that his version was "Weirder." This adaptation element mostly comes up in the aesthetic changes from straight play to musical, because we do not see much of the original play. However it's clear to me that Oliver knows his chops, and knows how to reference original material (keeping 'Creature of the Night' as Act One's opener to replace the opening monologue, for instance.)

Now, I want to write a mock up of the plot, and then justify my decisions. I also had the idea to name random songs to fill out a 12 song tracklist - pretty short for a 2 Act Play, but I'm just doing this part for fun. Maybe they're the songs on the cast album. Made up songs are going to marked in Red.

Players The Detective The Nanny The Constable The Godmother The Father The Boatman The Pickwick Triplets Chorus

Act One

The Detective introduces the audience to the situation at hand - a murder that is driving him to madness. (Creature of the Night) The plot follows the Detective as he and the Constable begin to try and unravel the crime. The Constable admits he has had trouble keeping law and order, thus calling in the Detective. (Private Dick) The Chorus has a song about their own suspicions, including wondering about the parentage of the children (Is It You?) The investigative duo, along with the Chorus, lay out the details of the crime, woman murdered, only her triplets in the room, found tossed from the cliff with a rattle down her throat. (Death Rattle, DAZZLE!) We see more into the mental state of the Detective, who clearly is manic about this case. They go to interview The Godmother, who tells them about her final day with her best friend, casting blame on the "Children's Father," then the Nanny (Last Light / Only Duty) This leads into the Nanny at the top of the lighthouse, closing out the act as she expresses her devotion to the triplets. (Look for the Light)

Act Two

The Chorus brings us back in, summarizing the events of Act One using crab mating as a metaphor (Entr'acte / Nova Scotia Nightfall) The Father is questioned by the Detective, who reveals he knows the children are not his own, because he had been sleeping with the Godmother, not his own wife. However, he could not have killed her, as he was at his post all night, and his wife was inside. (Private Dick Reprise) The Boatman, who had been lurking since the beginning, is finally cornered by the Constable, and reveals that he not only ferried someone over the night of the murder, but couldn't see their face. (Deadest Night) Then, the Boatman tells the Constable that he saw no one enter or leave the lighthouse, which is where the Mother was killed. This leads to the Constable realizing he may have to charge one of the Pickwick Triplets to restore order to his island. He locks himself in the lighthouse, and tries to solve the crime. (Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?) As the Detective enters with a copied key, the Constable realizes it must be he who murdered the Mother. The Detective admits this, though doesn't reveal why. (Confrontation, Dear Constable) The Nanny finds the Constable dead against the rocks, and challenges the Detective. He reveals that he is the father of the children, as well as confessing his guilt. The Nanny pushes him to his death, in order to protect herself. (For The Sake of a Child)

Okay, Justification Time.

The original play is described as "Agatha Christie" like, so casting suspicion on every character is basically a must. The actual placement of songs is based on how they were shown in the show, along with my own knowledge of theatre. Creature of the Night is a quintessential opening number: we start with our main character, before introducing every major character as they enter the stage. Look for the Light is a clear reference to Memory. A lullaby-like song to end the first act, the emotional core of the musical. Thus, similar to Cats, I structured the show to be mostly ensemble, framed by the two investigators. Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It? made me immediately think of plot twist patter songs ( ala Your Fault ) that come in at the 11th hour. And, of course, ending on that spoken For the Sake of a Child is the right level of dramatic.

While some of the plot in between the lines is inferred from the show, a lot of it comes from that metafiction article I mentioned - there's a Playbill with descriptions of the characters, and dear god, did it give me a goldmine of ideas. Seriously, I highly recommend that article. Marketing that's actually fun and engages the viewer in the show? Wow, who could've thunk it.

My original mock up included more people dying, but decided to cut that, since we have no evidence for that aside from the Nanny referring to the Detective "Serial Killing" which could have been about him killing the Constable, since we know he dies. If you want to know, they would've been: The Godmother murdered at the end of Act One, then the Father murdered in Private Dick Reprise, though not revealed until Confrontation, Dear Constable. BTW, that song is basically the only one with any basis in the show's script, as we hear a confrontation between the Detective and the Constable as cross talk near the end of 3.10.

Some scattered thoughts:

Both Private Dick and Only Duty are songs that I expect would have Ironic Echoes later in the show. Private Dick originally introducing the charming Detective in a mostly positive light, and then in the second act, used to insinuate that the Father knows the Detective used his, uh, private dick elsewhere. Only Duty, meanwhile, would be used by the Godmother to say that a Nanny's love is only because it's her paid duty, as opposed to the Mother or Godmother, and of course, later we have A nanny's only duty is to the children.

Finally, I had to include a reference that crab people breeding bit they couldn't drop in the show, lol. In my head it's a dream ballet during the entr'acte, each of the crabs wearing the character's they represent headpiece, and of course, three eggs.

EDIT: I can't believe I didn't mention this, but I believe the motive of the Detective to be a simple matter of custody; he wants the triplets, and got into a fight with the Mother when he tried to take them, leading to him murdering her. Then, he returns to the island when called by the Constable, and plans to either kill everyone in his way of getting the triplets, or to accuse someone other than him, to get out of trouble.

[thecrownnetflixuk]

Fond Farewells Mark the End of an Era for The Crown.

Pt 2 of Season 6 Accedes to the Next Generation – But Reigns Most Triumphant Saluting Its Sovereign.

Review & gifs by L.L @The Crown TV

I wasn't sure what to expect from the final 6 preview episodes of The Crown. Part 1 gifted us with a season-defining performance from Elizabeth Debicki, but such intense focus on the tragedy of Diana and Dodi's deaths was heavy-going. How to move forward?

Not many TV shows stick the landing, but I believe The Crown does, mostly by putting Queen Elizabeth front and centre. In four different ways! But Part 2 takes a while to forge ahead and reign triumphant.

Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy make shy William and swotty Kate believable as a young couple who meet at university – or earlier, as per a flashback with (not Ghost!) Diana. I still found it hard to invest in their will-they-won't-they relationship (we already know they do.) 

Instead, it’s sisters Elizabeth and Margaret who have long been the emotional heart of this show; at every stage of their lives.

Former Oscar-nominee Lesley Manville (alongside Queen Imelda Staunton) is truly magnificent in Ep 8 as Princess Margaret, though it's painful watching this vibrant lady struggle as her health worsens.

Memories of the 1940's are a delight. However, I wish we'd seen more of wide-eyed teen Lilibet let loose (Viola Prettejohn) and carefree Marg (Beau Gadsdon) before older Margaret says her final goodbye.

Staunton saves her best for last, bringing dry humour, vulnerability as well as leadership to Ep 10. The 70+ min epic finale 'Sleep, Dearie Sleep' has its shaky moments, but beautifully completes Queen Elizabeth's story when it counts, bringing near-perfect closure. That alone elevates Season 6 beyond Season 5.

Warning - MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. This is my final *EVER* review (might be extra long!)

S6 is NOW ON NETFLIX - WATCH THE EPISODES before reading.

Images: courtesy of Netflix

Starting with less good news; the first couple of episodes of Part 2 were my least favourite. Ep 5, 'Willsmania', feels transitional, and a little stuck in the past. Following his mother's death, Prince William (Ed McVey; taking over from younger actor Rufus Kampa) turns inward as he struggles to cope with public attention and grief.

It's an understandable reaction to losing a parent, but Part 1 already spent nearly half a season on Dodi and Diana. It felt like we grieved in real time. As a result, whenever the subject of Diana crops up again in Part 2, it tends to weigh down both pace and narrative.

Ep 6 brings a welcome change of topic. This being The Crown, I'm sure there are critics poised to be offended by Queen Elizabeth's nightmare about Prime Minister Tony Blair being crowned king, but to me, his 'coronation' was hilarious, as was the choir boy singing Blair's cheesy Labour pop anthem.

It felt like deliberate tongue-in-cheek humour, an absurd reminder why monarchy might still be better than populist elected leaders.

I really wanted this episode to work, but it didn't go anywhere, and themes like tradition-vs-modernity were covered more effectively in episodes such as 'Marionettes.' Bertie Carvel has Tony Blair's voice down but suffers from comparisons with Michael Sheen, who was uncanny as the Prime Minister in 3 earlier Peter Morgan projects.

^ PM Tony Blair. The Women's Institute weren't fans of his grandstanding.

The Crown: The Next Generation fully arrives during Ep's 7, 9 & 10. Some will love it. Those who prefer more historical episodes with broader scope may be disappointed, as the show follows William and Kate through University life in the early 2000's.

The newcomers do bring fresh energy to the show. It helps that they cast Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy, who make a sweet couple as Will and Kate, even if William sometimes comes across as petulant.

Unlike Ed McVey as William, Luther Ford doesn't bear much physical resemblance to Prince Harry, other than red hair. Ford does however put in a good performance as Harry becomes increasingly reckless.

The Crown doesn't hide either Harry or William's bad behaviour. The brothers seem to get on well at the start, but it later seems like they're more at odds. Underneath a lot – a LOT – of boozing, both boys appear quietly screwed-up over their mother's death. Neither of them seem to enjoy playing happy families with Charles, either.

The show mostly concentrates on William and Kate, but there aren't many episodes left to develop a genuine romance. They have potential, but it feels fairly surface level. Suddenly, they rush to move into a house share together when we've barely seen them kiss. They (and we) needed more screen time to really get to know each other.

There's a bigger issue here with Kate's mother, Carole Middleton (Eve Best.) Pushy parent Carole is keen to play matchmaker between her 'commoner' daughter and the young eligible Prince, keeping tabs on William. Carole isn't as conniving, but ... didn't we just watch a similar storyline with Mohamed Al-Fayed/Dodi/Diana in Part 1?

^ Kate 'n' Will. Her Mum would frame this picture.

Ep 8 'Ritz' plays like a standalone film. Margaret's final story is touching, but upsetting, at times; I was a fan of Diana, yet sobbed as much for Margaret as the credits rolled, even though her eventual death isn't shown. In fact, her final goodbye is sensitively done and stands as a fitting tribute to the princess, as well as to the Queen.

Lesley Manville makes Margaret's predicament so real as her health slowly breaks down. She bounces back from one stroke, then another hits. How awful too for Elizabeth to watch a much-loved sister deteriorate, though it was wonderful to see Lilibet read Margaret a bedtime story. It brought out the warmer side of Staunton's Queen.

The scene where Margaret scalds her feet in the bath is genuinely horrifying. I've suffered from ill health and loss of control myself and this was so much worse. I could feel her pain. That poor woman.

Human moments are where The Crown excels; through this episode, this working-class lass from a council house could somehow relate to a Princess in a palace. Peter Morgan has surely done more to humanise the royal family than any P.R team ever could.

^ Fans of Margaret (and Lesley Manville) prepare yourselves for her sad final journey.

Onto the big reveal: when I mentioned at the start there are FOUR ways Queen Elizabeth appears – this is what I meant:-

^ Newcomer Viola Prettejohn plays teenage Princess Elizabeth.

^ & there's Olivia Colman & Claire Foy alongside older Queen Imelda Staunton.

Satisfyingly, all 3 of The Crown's leading ladies return to close the show. Olivia Colman and Claire Foy each have an additional scene, too (I won't spoil the entire finale, as it covers a lot of ground in over 70 mins, but Olivia and Claire aren't back as 'ghosts.')

As we get older, the ghosts who speak loudest are our own; the former versions of us we berate ourselves with. Not everyone may warm to the Queen (sort of) talking to herself, but personally, I was thrilled to see these talented actors on screen together.

Foy's scene with Staunton is particularly effective, as the younger Queen gives her older self an old-fashioned dutiful talking to. It's somehow also credible that they're aspects of the same person.

It reminded me of Peter Morgan’s 2013 (extraordinary) play, ‘The Audience', which inspired this series, and included scenes where Helen Mirren shared the stage with young Elizabeth. That play is also why this theatre-fan started watching The Crown to begin with, and later went on to create this website.

When Ep 10 finished playing, my Netflix returned itself to Season 1. 60 episodes over 7 years! I will miss the grand scale of The Crown, but appreciate the legacy which remains. Now feels like the right time for this story to end. A full-circle moment in more ways than one.

**Majestic thanks for reading, and to every person who has liked, reblogged, messaged, supported The Crown TV for all these years.

💎♕You each deserve a Crown of your own!♕💎**

N.B: These are my humble opinions at this point in time. No offence is intended. Agreement = lovely; not compulsory. Disagreement = happens; kindly coexist. Ta!

[legendary-defender-of-fandoms]

Hazbin Hotel - COULD Adam Come Back As A Sinner?

(Note - this is NOT meant to pressure anyone on Hazbin Hotel to include or exclude Adam from future seasons. DO NOT USE THIS TO HARASS ANYONE INTO DOING ANYTHING WITH ADAM!!!!! BE BETTER THAN THE VOLTRON FANBASE!!!!!!! These are just all the points that could support or disprove Adam returning next season, compiled by a very bored person who’s suffering from a terrible case of Alex Brightman brainrot.)

Evidence supporting Adam being gone forever:

Perma-death has been established many times in Helluva Boss & Hazbin Hotel.

We see Adam’s dead body on screen. He doesn’t get dragged away to an uncertain fate, or die off-screen - we get to watch Niffty put lots of new holes in his vital organs (or where his vital organs would be if he still had any - how exactly DOES Angel physiology work?)

Adam was stabbed many times with Angelic Steel, which is supposed to be the ultimate weapon & guarantees perma-death. Maybe. It’s Kryptonite for Princes of Hell & puts down imps & demons, and is the only substance that harms angels.

Adam’s very much a Baby’s First Boss Fight. The practice baddy the heroes defeat in the first season before facing more nuanced, terrifying threats in future seasons. Like Zhao in Avatar the Last Airbender, or Nightmare Moon in My Little Pony. And next season promises to do some interesting stuff with Lute, Sera, and possibly Lilith as primary antagonists.

Adam’s kind of the worst. He has his fans, don’t get me wrong, and there’s something intriguing about such a major asshole. But I wonder how many folks like Adam for Adam, and how many like Adam because Alex Brightman’s having a ton of fun voicing him.

Evidence supporting Adam’s return as a Sinner

Dramatic Irony. Adam spent all of Season 1 dumping on Hell & its citizens, made his mark as the leader of the Exorcists, and has a whole villain song about how “Hell is Forever.” Imagine how he would feel to find himself trapped in Hell with all the other Sinners.

While perma-death DOES exist in Helluva Boss & Hazbin Hotel, the folks who HAVE died were demons, imps, Hell Hounds, angels, and sinners who made no effort to redeem themselves prior to biting it. The majority of which were never human and, presumably, never had souls. But Adam was a human - The FIRST Human, as he’s always bragging, and therefore has a soul. Just as Sir Pentious’s sacrifice led to his soul being redeemed enough to get him into Heaven, maybe Adam being killed by Niffty for all of HIS sins would land his soul in Hell to think about everything he’s done.

If Sir Pentious is going to be in Season 2, it means Alex Brightman will still be part of the cast. So if he’s recording for Pentious & background vocals, it’s not TOO big of a lift to have him record for Adam.

We haven’t had proper introductions to Lilith or Eve yet. It might be interesting to see how they interact with their first husband. Watching Lucifer heckle Adam before beating the crap out of him was entertaining - I’m kind of curious to see what Adam’s exes have to say about him.

If a Sinner getting into Heaven would shake things up, imagine how much chaos would ensue if folks found out they could be cast out of Heaven for being hypocritical jerks.

[blackmoonlightexpress]

Easter Eggs from Till the End of the Moon🎁(Part 1)

Now that everyone's had a chance to watch and rewatch, here's a list of easter eggs or hidden details from the show that I jotted down. A lot of spoilers below, obviously.

Throwaway lines that foreshadowed the end:

(1) At the end of ep 1, Susu asks her servant what is Tantai Jin (TTJ)'s Achilles Heel, and Chuntao responds it is Ye Xiwu (YXW). We all think this is funny because YXW is a bullying wife, but this is actually foreshadowing for the ending (Susu is TTJ's Achilles Heel after all)

(2) Pang Yizhi seems like a joke but is actually right on critical things:

When he first meets TTJ, he predicts that TTJ would be rich and powerful, which Susu thought was indication that Xiaoyou Sect’s standards have declined. Pang is actually correct as TTJ did end up reuniting the Jing and Sheng kingdoms.

In episode 6, he predicts the person who will unite the kingdoms and bring lasting peace is in his presence (Xiao Lin & Ye Qingyu). Everyone assumes he is referring to Xiao Lin, who is in line to be king, but in fact it is Ye Qingyu who takes over from TTJ in ruling for 500 years

In episode 8, he predicts that YXW would come into contact with water and the danger would be resolved. This ends up being true as YXW survives jumping ship. He then says YXW might even become queen of the Jing kingdom, which did end up happening.

(3) In episode 7, Ye Xiwu's dad was so excited that Ye Qingyu stayed overnight at a lady's place that he says he would accept this daughter-in-law even if she were a "widow or even a demon". Pianran is in fact a fox demon who's had a previous lover.

(4) In episode 19, when Pianran gives YXW the suggestion that she should cook for TTJ, she joking wishes that TTJ would be poisoned by YXW. He was indeed poisoned by YXW later.

(5) The entire sequence in the festival where YXW is chosen to play the goddess and TTJ is chosen to play the demon god is foreshadowing for what happens in the end. The demon god willingly allows the goddess to kill him. In fact, there's a fan theory that the "ancient tale" is left by the prophets as instructions for what must happen in the end.

Connections between the Dream Arc and the rest of the Story:

(6) Time God Jize says to Sangjiu that they have a special connection, a connection that "you [TTJ] know, she [LSS] knows, but Sangjiu and Mingye do not know", hinting he is aware that she is Susu is playing Sangjiu and that she would experience the dream of wisdom (Bo're Dream).

(7) Chuhuang also says she feels a strange sense of familiarity with Sangjiu. Susu is actually her daughter. She doesn't know because, unlike Jize, she doesn't have prophetic powers.

(8) You can think of the ancient gods continuing to fight a proxy war 10,000 years later through the next generation of characters:

Jize waits in the Abyss for 10,000 years to tell Susu the prophecy i.e. how to defeat the demon god and pass on the Mirror of the Past. He also leaves behind his student Pang Yizhi to provide continued guidance in his holographic form.

Mingye leaves his dream behind to educate the reincarnated demon god. He lures TTJ in, recognizing who he is as he's seen the Ancient Demon God without his mask on.

Chuhuang leaves behind her daughter LSS, the last goddess on earth and only person who can defeat the demon god. Upon her death she becomes the Chongyu harp, LSS's godly weapon, which is able to harm the Demon God as we see in Episode 1.

(9) TTJ didn't trust Dimian because he's the only one aware that he betrayed the Ancient Demon God

(10) The little boy that Jize pushes off the podium is Pang Yizhi (as indicated by the birth mark on his hand.) That explains why Pang has prophetic powers and helps move the story forward even in his virtual form - he's a student of the Time God

(11) The drama very clearly explains what happens to the three weapons of the Demon God after the ADG falls 10,000 years ago:

During the fight, the God-Piercing Bow (屠神弩) is cast into the Weak Sea by Mingye. 10,000 years later, it is absorbed by TTJ while searching for YXW’s soul

The Marrow Cleansing Seal (洗髓印) creates the Buzhao Mountains and was later collected by Mingye, who tries to repurpose it into a tool that can cleanse Sangjiu’s demon bone into an immortal bone. After Sangjiu dies, he uses his remaining powers to lock it under the water mirror in the Upper Immortal Realm. It remains there for 10,000 years until Siying attempts to steal it.

The Heaven-slaying Sword (斩天剑) is stolen by Dimian to stab the ADG in the back. It later resurfaces when a power-hungry Dimian uses it to kill Susu's adoptive father and steal LSS’s extracted demon bone

(12) Mingye and Li Susu experience mirroring life events: They both lose their sight, give up their immortal bone, become a True God, kill the Demon God, and lose the love of their lives at the end of their story.

Special Relationships between Objects and Characters:

(13) TTJ has a special connection with the Dragonheart Shield (护心鳞) – it comes from Mingye and is later refined by Cang Jiumin:

The Dragonheart Shield originally comes from the dragon scale protecting Mingye’s heart, which he gave up in order to retrieve the Marrow Cleansing Seal at the Buzhao Mountain, hence it was left with the Xiaoyao Sect. This happens 10,000 years ago in Mingye’s dream

The Shield is then offered as a wedding gift to Xiao Lin (perhaps to protect him from future events?) from the Xiaoyao Sect. (This is its first appearance to the audience.) XL then gifted it to TTJ as a gesture of goodwill in order to secure protection for Ye Bingtang.

The Shield protects TTJ from YXW's three final nails, suggesting some protection from Mingye and his faith that TTJ is still salvageable

After TTJ disappears, it was safeguarded by Ye Qingyu (as masked Jin emperor) for 500 years. In the draft screenplay, Cang Jiumin and Li Susu were supposed to collect it from YQY (that was why they had to fight the nightmare demon - YQY wasn't willing to give it up because the demon was impersonating Pianran).

CJM then distils the shield’s powers to form a protective boundary for the cultivation world and was given the shield for safekeeping

Later it's suggested he left a fragment of himself in the Shield. Some fan theories state that he would eventually be able to take physical form after years healing in the Shield

(14) Similarly, LSS has a connection with the Jade of Doom (倾世之玉) – it is created by Sangjiu and later absorbed by YXW, connecting and symbolizing tragedy in the two characters

The Jade of Death is created by Sangjiu with the fallen bodies of the Snake Clan in order to resurrect her family. As this is a violation of natural order, SJ invites a divine trial of purple thunders, which she does not pass, even with Mingye’s immortal bone, due to her lack of a physical body.

The Jade is then left at the bottom of the Mo River, which is later collected by YXW when she falls into the river. YXW has a dialogue with the jade’s unseen creator. The jade is later absorbed by YXW to divert it away from TTJ and prevent him from gaining its powers but suffering a cursed fate

Later YXW uses the Jade in her body to rapidly cultivate an immortal bone, which she successful swaps with TTJ’s demon bone, giving him cultivation powers. This also attracts purple thunders that serves as YXW’s divine trial, which she passes and travels back to 500 years later as LSS

(15) Similarly, the Ice Crystal Casket (冰晶盏) has a connection with TTJ, Xiao Lin, and Ye Bingchang – it is used twice to resurrect XL using powers of TTJ and YBC, symbolizing rebirth and redress:

It is first created by Mingye from a 10,000 year old ice crystal guarded by the Snake Clan (Tianhuan’s clan) in order to resurrect the Clam Clan, specifically Sangyou. Sangjiu breaks the box in front of Mingye and says she will find another way to resurrect her brother

After Xiao Lin dies, Pang Yizhi repairs it to resurrect XT, using TTJ’s blood and YBC’s tears as ingredients to rebuild him into a new character, GZJW.

(16) LSS uses the Mirror of the Past (过去镜), a sacred object safeguarded by the Xiaoyao Sect, to travel back 500 years, which is where she meets the Time God Jize. When Jize dies, his powers form the Mirror of the Past, which LSS collects and entrusts with Pang Yizhi to be brought back to Xiaoyao Sect for safekeeping, thus completing the time loop.

[yeyinde]

Haha, I also spoil myself intentionally, but for the plot of movies, tv shows, and games I’m not super invested in. If I accidentally spoil myself (especially if I learn a character dies) I’ll cope by telling myself “I don’t know how/when it happened though”

Anyways Major Character Death!!

I’m SO disappointed in them killing off Soap and especially in how they did it! No buildup or anything! To me it was disrespectful to the character and to Neil Ellice. And then the 141 don’t even say anything and it cuts to them spreading his ashes with a simple goodbye! They could have at least made them a little more upset 🥲 also I hate how abruptly the game ended. Makarov gets away, but no mention to that at the end.

I had also initially requested what would become infinity in the palm of your hand (eternity in an hour) as a way to “cope” with 2009 Soap’s death because it’s always been on the back of my mind for years (weird, I know). But now after playing the new MW3 campaign I look like boo boo the fool because of who went and got killed off 😭 now every time I go back to reread it, it will be painful knowing what’s in store for reader for their current reincarnation of Soap.

Tldr I’m kinda not okay with MW3.

From what I've seen, it feels like they pulled it out of a hat. All names went in, but his (amongst others) came out. And I guess it's safe because he died in the OG, so the backlash can easily be deflected from within their own community when other fans come to their defence over this choice. But idk.

I agree with everything you said. It doesn't make any sense. It's jarring and misplaced, and canonically pointless. I'm not against character death. Grief is a powerful thing. But I just hate when it's so contrived and needless. It was definitely done for shock value over plot/character growth and I think they were trying to re-create the massive storm that happened when OG Soap died because they know they don't have much else going for them. It just massively missed the mark because: a) Price and Gaz had no tangible in-game relationship with Soap the same way Ghost did; and b) what does his death really amount to in the end? Nothing. It feels cobbled together and poorly thought out. It's sad when Portal 2 has better writing than your whole remake combined. Honestly, it's kind of impressive how little thought they put into this. I'm getting flash backs to DGG's Halloween.

If it's any consolation, the mythology I based the reincarnation off of in infinity would essentially just be neverending. An ouroboros. The events would happen much the same way. A knock on the door. Spiral of grief. A bog. A deal. Restart. So, you'd just wake up again and live life until whatever the old you made a deal with decides it's time to collect. You're forever stuck in a loop with your soulmate until you get it right.

The rest is just how I kinda wish it went, but this was getting very long because I have more thoughts on this than I anticipated lmao 😅

Personally, I think it would have been much more interesting if they brought in a new passel of characters and slowly chipped off the main cast in a series of horrible decisions that slowly begin to feel hollow and empty. That leave you, the player, feeling emotionally gutted with each new chapter because the choices previously are absolutely impacting the way they move forward, but they're too deep into their own revenge fantasy to see it until the very end when it's too late. Give me actions have consequences and every choice you make is directly responsible for someone's death. The realities of war. And what happens when you give a group of people the power to play god in countries they know nothing about. It would have matched the gritty tone they tried to go for with the trailers and actually served as an interesting conversation about war and how we tend to deify the military when they're just men with too much power in their hands. Instead, we have a death that means nothing. That arguably happened much too early in the series so the payoff is solely meant for clicks and reaction channels. Pointless.

And Makarov. A Russian Ultra Nationalist. I feel like that title alone says everything for me, and yet. They still somehow managed to give a Russian War Criminal so many wins. I'm just so irritated by it all.

[mysteriouslybluepirate]

Just did a rewatch of OFMD S2 Eps 6/7 and: (Yes, it DEFINITELY got better)

*All pacing issues and some cast being in scenes when others aren't is the fault of the studios being cheap and not the writers/creators. :) Flying the cast to New Zealand + housing them for filming meant some crew just couldn't be there (Fang, Roach, Olu) or mostly written out (Buttons, Swede).

The reason this season feels *weird* is just that. It is not the fault of the actors or any of the workers in New Zealand who got jobs because they were the cheaper, nonunion, option.

I was mainly mad due to some pacing things that, after I thought about it, I don't think *I* was ready for them to make jokes about, if that makes sense. Izzy is such a personal character for me that some of the stuff they joke about just...hits.

*While the show kind of blowing off Izzy's repressed feelings for Ed did originally piss me off (the 'jealous' comment from Ed in ep 7 especially), reframing the scenes as Izzy letting himself mourn this and seeing how easily he lets Ed go does make me happy. He will love Ed. That's just a fact. But he is not his relationship with Ed he is defined by what he does with it. Yes, they can joke about it. Izzy has probably defined their relationship as something that just can't happen. Either by thinking Ed could never love him or that Ed never cared. Izzy knew Ed's attention was always fleeting and MAYBE that's some BS way we can say eps 5, 6, and 7 happened within a few days of each other. Because...if Izzy is just repressing everything again. I swear. This show will not give me the polycule I want.

*Stede and Izzy work so fucking well as friends. Like. Izzy knows how Stede will use the bar as validation and is READY to fight for him. Stede knows Izzy will stand to fight with him. The way Izzy looks so DONE when Stede starts to fight? Izzy just lost Ed god damn it. That, and the thigh grab will be in my head forever... stizzy fans also win.

*Imagine having sex with the only person you've ever loved and they ditch the next day. Add that to Stede's own insecurities and it's like the writers had a checklist on how to break Stede Bonnet.

*Ed is leaving a manic period (started maybe ep 2), and entering a depressive period in episode 6 where he remembers 'oh yeah, I fucking hate pirating'.

*Both Stede and Ed want very different things in life and this conflict was always going to happen. But at the begining of ep 6 we see Ed replaying the abuse he's caused/experienced. He's mentally framing himself as a hazard. Stede enjoys the life Ed is desperately running from. This is why Izzy is so quick to grab Stede I think. To help him understand that Ed is just...a complicated man.

*Izzy was right about Ed needing to give Stede some time to sit with the death of Ned Low. Ed barging in allowed Stede to put his negative feelings into something positive, not fully allowing him to process his actions. Ed then uses their first time as an excuse to run away.

*Izzy is hot in both episodes :) End note. But for me, the reason the Drag scene felt weird on first watch is just that I can't read half the cast's face soemtimes. Its a me thing. On this rewatch I noticed them cheering and generally being more supportive, lol.

*I wish we got to see Izzy putting the drag makeup on. Even just a line of concealer. Putting on the character he'd embody for the night. Drag is such a practice of self realizion and community. I wish we got to see Izzy staring at himself, applying the mark on his face that he clearly loves so much.

*The concept of Ned Low- A vicious torture-focused pirate, sadly was handled like a minor inconvenience, and... while I like the masochism joke from Izzy, and the implications for Stede's arc, he felt weird and out of place. Like. Instead of tying Low's bad management to something like the Navy, why not the Kraken? The stuff was there for it. Show how shitty working on a ship that prioritizes violence is, and mirror it with Ed's growth.

*I love the ship design for Ep 6 so much.

*The Ed&Izzy apology still bugs me but I have hope Izzy and Ed will talk it out a bit more after talks with some of the lovelies online

*I love the crew but acknowledge that this season has shafted a lot of stories. Clearly, the writers did what they could.

*Izzy's 'love interest' this season is clearly just the 'community/self' and finding comfort in humanity again...its so GOOD.

*Izzy casually making sex jokes is so weird. Like a coworker you've known for a few years that finally starts talking shit with you on the job. It feels weird to me now, but I also write him like this? So it's a lot of wires crossing in my mind. Like...he FUCKS!

*Same with Izzy smiling. It feels wrong in the best way. Again, I wish we had ONE MORE episode of Izzy being in the middle of healing, but this more self-realized Izzy is lovely to watch.

*They changed the gender of the song Izzy sings so he's singing about a man. I will not be normal about this.

*I'm so happy I caught Izzy's hand being that FUCKING HIGH on Stede's inner leg first watch. It's changed me. Izzy really said 'When the dogs are away the cats are out to play' and POUNCED.

*I didn't catch Izzy pointedly calling Stede captain until I saw it online and now I love it. Stede adopted the stray cat and god damn he'll stay loyal until the day he dies.

*Spoilers for the teaser: If the series Ends and Izzy is in solitary confinement/Izzy is locked away from the others I will scream

*"Hiya, Boys" I LOVE HIM. Izzy confidently grinning and being a prick is my favorite.

*izzy loving Ed enough to let him go is just....so tragic and good. Especially since we know Ed just tried to hold izzy closer in s1

[kverything-official]

7 Korean Dramas that Faced Netizens’ Backlash

Korean Dramas are not only a purpose of entertainment to us fans but those are a mode of escapism from daily life blues. Most of the time Korean dramas are fun and fulfilling, sometimes, though, they are disappointing, and sometimes they face some kind of complicated and mixed reactions. On rare occasions Korean dramas face huge backlash from the netizens. 

In Korean Drama history there are more than one drama to be canceled or cut short due to the unbound backlash that those faced. And today I am going to offer you 7 of those Korean dramas, which were either canceled or cut short due to netizen’s backlash. 

So, without wasting any more time, let’s get into the list!

10 Korean Dramas that were cut short or canceled

1. Wolf (2006)

In the 2006 Korean drama Wolf, Eric Mun, a beloved figure in the Korean entertainment scene, was originally cast to portray Bae Dae-chul. The storyline revolved around a romantic rivalry between Bae Dae-chul and Han Ji-soo, played by Han Ji Min, both vying for the affection of Yoon Sung-mo, portrayed by Uhm Tae Woong.

The production of Wolf was progressing smoothly until an unfortunate incident occurred during filming. Both lead actors, Mun and Uhm, suffered injuries when they were accidentally struck by a stunt car. This unforeseen setback forced an immediate halt in production. 

Initially, there was optimism that filming would resume once Mun and Uhm recovered from their injuries. However, as time passed, a series of postponements ensued, eventually leading to the regrettable decision to cancel the entire project.

The incident not only impacted the physical well-being of the two actors but also dealt a significant blow to the momentum and continuity of the production. The cancellation left fans disappointed, as they were eagerly anticipating the resolution of the complex love triangle that had been unfolding. 

Despite the setback, the legacy of Wolf endures as a testament to the unpredictable challenges that can arise in the world of television production, where even the most carefully planned projects can be derailed by unforeseen circumstances.

2. A Beautiful Mind (2016)

A modern reinterpretation of the timeless Frankenstein narrative, 2016 Korean drama Beautiful Mind centered around Lee Young-oh, impeccably portrayed by Jang Hyuk, a neurosurgeon renowned for his technical prowess but severely lacking in empathy. The plot unfolded within the confines of a hospital, where Lee Young-oh found himself entangled in the perplexing enigma of unexplained deaths.

Originally slated for a 16-episode run, the fantastical Korean drama faced an abrupt truncation, concluding prematurely at the 14th episode mark. The decision to curtail its run was prompted by subpar viewership ratings that failed to meet expectations. 

Despite its initial promise, the show grappled with dwindling audience engagement, reflected in its highest Nielsen Korea rating of 4.7% during the third episode. Unfortunately, this peak was short-lived, as subsequent episodes witnessed a gradual decline in viewership, culminating in a modest 2.8% rating for its penultimate showing.

The untimely demise of the series left its narrative threads dangling, and the abbreviated episode count disappointed both fans and critics who had anticipated a more extensive exploration of the intriguing storyline. 

In the fickle landscape of television, where audience reception plays a pivotal role, the fate of this modern Frankenstein adaptation serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of viewer preferences and the challenging terrain that TV productions navigate.

Read More