#desktop tunglr prompted it for me when mobile didn't

[shittyelfwriter]

So I did not liveblog the santa clauses eps 1 and 2 because frankly, there was a lot going on, but I am taking notes hindsight because I do be having a lot of thoughts! Keep in mind I did watch through twice with the Dani bean so we were in there, critically even. I will line break for potential spoilers, watch the eps first if you'd like to!

First of all, season 2 is not as bad as season 1 so far, to me. I could be biased simply because there is more lore, and I am in fact a slut for lore. Not that I like everything they're doing because no, not by a long shot. Most of the elf lore i actually am very ?? about. But it's interesting! It's world building, and it also gives me ideas of what I don't want to do in my own work! Thanks, guys! /srs

However, it does give you something to actual chew on rather than just throwing "the world is too modern/nobody cares about Christmas anymore if it's not commercial! blah blah blah" at you over and over again like season 1 did. The family dynamic is leaning away from using miscommunication as a plot device and we REJOICE at that, frankly.

They're bringing back legendaries, eventually and a little bit at a time. LOVE that. t*m all*n's humor continues to be the low point of any scene its in. Then again he's producing the whole show, so maybe that's why everything has just a touch of stank on it. Not the good kind. The out of touchness, if you will. I am glad to be seeing the homies again though, I would have shed an actual tear at seeing Cupid if they didn't immediately follow his being there with the most cringeworthy scene of the episode (and that's saying something.) I am waiting for Dani's rant about Cupid's lore because saying he can't have kids was a choice (but like I pointed out, can't isn't the same as doesn't. There could be a rule he may have broken, or what have you...just saying....side eyes Dite)

My main hope is that this doesn't just become a giant retcon of the parts of tsc2 and 3 that t*m all*n didn't like because he wasn't in charge of it.

Anyway, here are the rapid fire thoughts and such:

Scott being so perilously out of touch with his kids was getting old even in the first episode of this season ESPECIALLY after last season so I'm glad they seem to be dialing back on that in season 2 episode 2 at LEAST. I would like to see some emotional intelligence from t*m all*n even though it’s a reach, because the dad who is absent and unavailable card is played out! We get it, he overfocuses on his job! Damn)

Its kind of fun how they're definitely incorporating more kinds of magic in to the story, but if they're going the direction it seems with just making the North Pole the epicentre of the magical world I am. Not a fan on premise.

If they're just saying that magibeans favor uninhabited (by humans) spaces that makes sense but I hope they actually point that out? (this has nothing to do with the idea I am partial to of things running on magical ley lines that meet at the Poles but also criss cross at various places around the world giving magibeans hotspots to be and thrive away from prying human eyes. that's just a me theory)

(also side note unmentioned in the new eps but I want them to expound on why the South Pole is so bad according to this new lore since they were using it in a slash derogatory way last season)

If they want me to dislike Magnus Antas they're going to have to stop making him so funny. Also I did comment to Dani mid second watch that he could have been played by Jack Black and that would have gone incredibly hard. It would have

The existence of elf related clauses brings me GREAT JOY FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. ESPECIALLY with Betty saying how SPECIFIC THEY ARE WINK WONK NUDGE NUDGE (hands you a second (third?) business card that has the emissary clause on it)

I wish they weren't making Riley so annoying? Like I get they're teens and obnoxious in how they show affection and all but like. Its so….dated. Teenagers don't SAY omg, Disney. Gen Z teenagers aren't lacking this much behavioral awareness. What tf are you DOING

Also the idea of Scott being worried about Riley "telling" people about the Pole/the SoS is a bit LATE considering he just gave everyone magical snowglobes last season PLUS she's literally JUST ONE TEENAGER. WHO is going to listen girl. especially in the era of AI and deepfakes. even if she took VIDEO no one is believing her

The Roblox bit for the gen alpha kids was genuinely funny though. If there is anything I know about gen alpha is they fuck heavily with roblox and fortnite. Something something, skibbidy.

I love that Betty literally opened with "yeah if Carol takes over ELFS prepare to deal with the fact Gary is a total loaf and not good at his job" AND LO AND BEHOLD. These head elves are like prophets with how right they be in these movies and the show. Go figure, it's almost like they know how their workplace runs. IF ONLY SOMEONE WOULD STOP REMOVING THEM FROM SAID WORKPLACE--

Sandra being a witch is fun and fresh and again, I hope they know what they're doing with the "witches and other magibeans live at the Pole" shenanigans. I did watch the whole levitating things with La Befana scene and flash back to Elle and Jack training scenes in roe, which is a me thing but it did make me smile

If there is one positive takeaway from seasons 1 AND 2, it's that Betty and Noel beat out all your faves. I love the way that they are so damn much. talk about the blueprint

Oh, and the last thing to touch on: I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY CANONICALLY CUT UP ST. NICHOLAS' ROBES. BRO. You guys are up there chopping up a whole ass RELIC? for WHAT? A fugly VEST? This truly has my mind going in circles. Roeverse!bernard just sat up in bed in the dead of night in a cold sweat. Elle mumbles what's wrong? He says I just got a feeling something terrible is happening, but I don't know why or where. You're right, bman. What the fuck is this tbh. "Care about the tradition and history of Christmas" the show/t*m all*n says. YOU JUST CUT UP ST. NICK'S ROBES I'M NOT LISTENING TO SHIT YOU SAY MAN! HECK!

Annnnyway. That's all I've got for tonight, I'll add any other things come morning! Otherwise, see you all next week for episode 3 :D