#did i say anything new here?

[hinamie]

so just know, I'm healing / even though it don't feel like it

insp

[cherryblossomfaewilds]

"i don't believe in god otacon so you're the only one to whom i can pray" hideo kojima set this in front of everyone's eyes in the year of our lord 2008 i can barely believe mgs4 is real

[ch1zzie]

The original in the bottom

Plus the picture I mainly drew but decided to draw the rest for funny

[galacticlamps]

ok I have A Lot of thoughts about the staircase confession (well really about Edwin's whole character arc, but all roads lead to rome) but for now I just wanna say that, yes, I was bracing myself for something to go terribly wrong when I first watched it, and yes, part of me was initially worried its placement might be an uncharacteristically foolish choice made in the name of Drama or Pacing or Making a Compelling Episode of Television but at the expense of narrative sense--

But I wanna say that having taken all that into account, and watched it play out, and sat with it - and honestly become rather transfixed by it - I really think it's a beautifully crafted moment and truly the only way that arc could've arrived at such a satisfying conclusion.

And if I had to pinpoint why I not only buy it but also have come to really treasure it, I'd have to put it down to the fact that it genuinely is a confession, and nothing else.

That moment is an announcement of what Edwin has come to understand about himself, but because it takes the form of a character admitting romantic feelings for such a close friend, I think it can be very easy, when writing that kind of thing, to imbue it with other elements like a plea or a request or even the start of a new relationship that, intentionally or not, would change the shape of the moment and can quickly overshadow what a huge deal the telling is all on its own. But that's not the case here. Since it is only a confession, unaccompanied by anything else, and since we see afterward how it was enough, evidently, to fix the strangeness that had grown between him & Charles, we're forced to understand that it was never Edwin's feelings that were actually making things difficult for him - it was not being able to tell Charles about them. 'Terrified' as he's been of this, Edwin learns that his feelings don't need to either disappear completely or be totally reciprocated in order for him to be able to return to the peace, stability, and security of the relationship with which he defines his existence - and the scale of that relief a) tells us a hell of a lot about Edwin as a character and b) totally justifies the way his declaration just bursts out of him at what would otherwise be such a poorly chosen moment, in my opinion.

Whether or not they are or ever could be reciprocated, Edwin's feelings are definitively proven not to be the problem here - only his potential choice to bottle it up - his repression - is. And where that repression had once been mainly involuntary, a product of what he'd been through, now that he's got this new awareness of himself, if he still fails to admit what he's found either to himself or to the one person he's so unambiguously close with, then that repression will be by his own choice and actions.

And he won't do that. Among other things, he's coming into this scene having just (unknowingly) absolved the soul of his own school bully and accidental killer by pointing out a fact that is every bit as central to his self-discovery as anything about his sexuality or his attraction to Charles is: the idea that "If you punish yourself, everywhere becomes Hell"

So narratively speaking, of course it makes sense that Edwin literally cannot get out of Hell until he stops punishing himself - and right now, the thing that's torturing him is something he has control over. It's not who he is or what he feels, but what he chooses to do with those feelings that's hurting him, and he's even already made the conscious choice to tell Charles about them, he was just interrupted. But now that they're back together and he's literally in the middle of an attempt to escape Hell, there is absolutely no way he can so much as stop for breath without telling Charles the truth. Even the stopping for breath is so loaded - because they're ghosts, they don't need to breathe, but also they're in Hell, so the one thing they can feel is pain, however nonsensical. And Edwin certainly is in pain. But whether he knows what he's about to do or not when he says he 'just needs a tick,' a breather is absolutely not what's gonna give him enough relief to keep climbing - it's fixing that other hurt, though, that will.

Like everything else in that scene, there's a lot of layers to him promising Charles "You don't have to feel the same way, I just needed you to know" - but I don't think that means it isn't also true on a surface level. It's the act of telling Charles that matters so much more than whatever follows it, and while that might have gone unnoticed if anything else major had happened in the same conversation, now we're forced to acknowledge its staggering and singular importance for what it is. The moment is well-earned and properly built up to, but until we see it happen in all its wonderful simplicity, and we see the aftermath (or lack thereof, even), we couldn't properly anticipate how much of a weight off Edwin's shoulders merely getting to share the truth with Charles was going to be, why he couldn't wait for a better, safer opportunity before giving in to that desire, or how badly he needed to say it and nothing else - and I really, really love the weight that act of just being honest, seen, and known is given in their story/relationship.

[luck-of-the-drawings]

[<==PREV PAGES] [NEXT PAGE==>(not out yet.wait a year.or maybe more.imagine.]

saw alot of comments on prev pages; saying 'i HATE that mean teacher! im gonna FIGHT HIM!!' & i LOVE the energy!! it WOULD be nice. to have that catharsis. but the story of young tidestrider is Not one of catharsis. it is a story of being so small and so special and sucking so bad.

[puhpandas]

I miss u fnaf fandom I miss people having new interesting stuff to talk about like we did with SB and ruin and a large alive fanart and fanfic community and not ok this game had no comprehensible plot and this games plot was already revealed 2 years ago and its still like 6 months or more until it comes out

[nachosncheezies]

In defense of late-canon x files (including the revivals)

I was thinking about this poll after I commented on it, and I kinda want to be brave and say more.

Short answer to the poll's question before I go any further: If you're a new fan and a sensitive sort who thinks you'll struggle with your blorbos Really Going Through It and you really need a happy ending, I suggest you stop at the end of season 8. Do not pass go, do not look at spoilers. Disregard this post entirely, close the internet, and go look at something that makes you happy. (Also fuck every part of society that characterizes sensitivity as inherently weak and bad and some kind of personal failing, you are valid.)

That said, "quality" as a concept is entirely subjective, and the question of whether or not there's a decline in quality for any story is wholly subjective, too. In the case of x files? I'm not convinced there is a decline. I am going to be upfront that I haven't yet watched past season 8, though I am almost completely spoiled on events after that - and the reason I haven't watched yet is not because of how I know events are going to unfold, but simply because I don't want it to end!!! Ohh, the tension between "I CAN'T WAIT!!!" and "Nooo don't be over D:"

When I first came to txf fandom on tumblr and gradually became spoiled about what happens in late canon though, I was often left uncomfortable and tbh kinda queasy about it. As I said in my comment on the poll, the hate for especially the revival and IWTB, or to a lesser extent even seasons 8 & 9, is very well documented. But! There are other takes to be found here on tumblr if you figure out where to look, and my feelings have changed!

The thing is, I have yet to find myself in any fandom where there isn't a vocal subset of fans who dislike the story after a certain point. I am not joking when I say that no one hates the things they love as passionately as sci-fi and fantasy fans. In my experience, it often hinges on the extent to which a viewer has strong notions on where they would like the characters to end up. In particular with series where shipping is a dominant component for the bulk of a fandom, I have almost universally found that there comes some turning point in the story where "let them be happy you cowards" is the dominant view, and things that compromise the attainment of a degree of romantic stability and/or domesticity are, to many fans, annoying at best and despicable at worst. But! As one tagset on the linked poll said:

and I think for any fandom, that last tag especially is so so so important. (I think that's harder for people watching a weekly series live, bc you have so much time to analyze and speculate and dream before the next breadcrumb drops, but I digress.)

So why am I saying this and how do I apply it to x files? Well, I eventually found that there are also a subset of fans who find redeeming things right up to the very end and actually quite like the whole thing! The things that I had seen people rage and ventpost so much about honestly never quite sounded to me as "out of character" or "untrue to the story" etc as those same ventposts made them sound. And I've discovered I'm not the only one who felt that way. Do I love that the spooky squad had to go through all of those things? No, those poor guys D: Life is hard and they have been through so much trauma. But do those events and their choices make sense to me in light of everything that came before? Yes! And I honestly can't wait to see them fight to overcome those things, breaking, healing, always learning, always growing, always getting better.

So if you're wondering "where does it go wrong"... well, I'm a completionist, as many people who've answered that post are, but also my personal opinion is that I don't think it does go wrong. If you're new and interested in exploring why I've gone from "vaguely queasy" to "excited" about the whole thing, or want to maybe balance out the impressions you're getting about the later seasons before deciding whether or not you want to see the whole thing, I'll put a few blog names in the comments.

Final admission: even once I started feeling a little more confident in the possibility that "actually ok maybe I'm not crazy, maybe this all kind of is in character and does make sense", there was one big plot point that I was NOT looking forward to and I thought I would never be comfortable about. In hindsight, I think my discomfort came from the negative responses being SO seemingly universal that I hadn't stopped to let myself truly consider other possible interpretations on that point. (I mean my initial instinct when I first read about it was, why are we mad about this?? CSM is literally the most unreliable narrator in history???? it's obviously fake news?????? this must be either a fever dream someone's having or it's a misdirection ploy against whatever shadowy forces might still be lurking?????????????? but for whatever reason I guess I had halfway written that off.) Happily, just last month there's a new post-s11 novel out, and although reviews for the book as a whole are mixed, it seems to have laid the groundwork for resolving that plot issue in a way I think most fans would be broadly happy with. If you're interested in being spoiled about that and seeing how, I recommend searching #perihelion on @agent-troi who liveblogged reading it with receipts, scroll back chronological-style to the first post on the subject and see how it unfolded. (And never forget that Dana Katherine Scully is the queen of denial as a coping mechanism lol)

Everyone's mileage will vary. Each person can feel however they want! But for anyone new, I wanted you to know that the very many ventposts you might be seeing are not all there is to this show or its fandom. Some of us love it despite - or even because of - all the things that went "wrong". I think we just don't talk about it as much.

[grapecaseschoices]

Will probably contain criticism of Andy, fandom vs canon interpretations so ignore if you’re sensitive to these things. 

I think it’s really funny that Andy’s highest rated character (or second, if you go with the first results) is Darcy. I never would have thought it – because at the core, they are NOT the same character. In any interpretation. There is, for very much better and for worse, a sincerity Darcy (especially fanon Darcy) has that I don’t think Andy has … or rather not sincerity (as I am often reminded, words do mean things) but a genuineness. Andy can play sincere (maybe that’s why Stefan Salvatore rates so high. Honestly surprised he doesn’t rate higher, but then again … I’m willing to bet where I believe Stefan matches Andy differs from what either is rated for) but I don’t think he has it at the heart of him any more. At least not as ardently it is for someone like Darcy.

But linearly, via their outlines (at first glance), they are quite very similar. It never would have hit me. It’s so funny to me. 

They both present as stalwart, accomplished men -- and they are. They’re both reclusive, in a sense. Both unapologetically loyal to a select few. They keep things close to the chest. They take their responsibilities very seriously. They have a certain ... strictness in their presentation. Just not in how they’re both together style-wise (though there is that) but like they’re both very aware of how their presence can be interpreted and it matters to how they react, it influences how they react (though for Darcy he draws back while Andy he uses it). 

I feel a lot of Andy’s beats, especially earlier on - which is interesting to me - refined and/or self-disciplined (descriptors used for at least two of them) men who have a great responsibilities on their shoulders. I don’t know the Downton Abby dudes well (but I remember the lord and Charlie vaguely) and I don’t know Vito at all, but I do recall that each have a sort of ... weightiness to them. Which is very flattering to think my writing (or at least my view, and other’s view, of Andy) shows that enough for some random quiz to pick up on it. 

Mace Windu, Alfred Pennyworth, Li Shang, Darcy -- Andy. All hard-working, stoic, serious, competent men. And I like the idea - or how I’m choosing to interpret that - these rate higher because these are aspects of Andy people see first. Particularly, I know when I was doing a uquiz for twc!Andy, I believe I chose the options of people thinking/seeing him as trustworthy. A steady (stalwart!) member of society. 

Just like Darcy’s presence is meant to elevate the area around -- wherever he is, the same is probably seen for Detective Yasar (I can’t speak for other Andy’s. He didn’t do shit in Autumn Grove unless forced). And I like that. I honestly spent a lot of time thinking on how I HOPE people read Andy but not a lot of the effect of that interpertation in a grander scale (well, outside rich white women thinking he is a charming landscaper with a nice ass in AG), outside of maybe how it might benefit him.  This is a point to consider in future writing. 

After all that though, the commonalities end. And I think as the list goes lower, I think the characters are more like who Andy is internally (well not entirely lmao, because Andy would rather die than have anything in common with Patrick Star. Though I will say teen Andy was probably that needy) even though the external approach is different. 

The characters are more cunning and perceptive (sorry Darce), more sincerely insincere, more charming than Darcy. And that’s Andy. He didn’t get hit with that mid-70s charm stat on TWC for nothing (and believe me that 20% in Strategy for Exile was hard-earned  😤)! 

Like, I made a joke about Andy and Tuxedo Mask and that “but you didn’t even do anything”. But that mysterious, resourceful, fashionable (lol), charismatic, secretive dude who is there at the nick of time and gone just as quickly? That is Mr. Erkan Yasar at his peak. 

I was more excited for Andy getting Nick Fury and Leroy Jethro Gibbs over Darcy (though Darcy STILL tickles me pink), for a reason. Even they rate so much lower than Darcy. As a friend pointed out, Andy would THINK  "That's a stupid-ass decision. I'm going to ignore it." as he proceeds to stare at you flatly for a brief moment before doing JUST that.

They’re more blunt to Andy’s smoother-tongue, more hammer (AT TIMES) to Andy’s precision scapel ... However, there is a calculated awareness they have about the world, that I hope - I try - to apply to Andy. They can read people so well and both can manuever (in different ways) people quite well both because of that as well because a certain attracting energy they have. I don’t see the latter as Andy but the former definitely is. Also, honestly given how highly both rate for confidential they didn’t make it higher on the list. Another huge thing they have in common with Andy: will take certain things to the grave also has done shitty things in the name of love and duty.

Other characters I feel should have rated higher for Andy: Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders (or based off what I know of him), Rupert Giles (though he did the first time I took it and I do wonder what changed), Chrisjen Avasarala from the Expanse (again, based off what I know of her), and Jessica Pearson from Suits. 

Outline-wise, Andy is more similar to Darcy and Charlie (from Downton) but internally? Yeah. 

As much as I do feel - choose to read it as - the rating of the list says something about Andy, I’m really interested to know why each character was placed a certain way. Like, what about Stefan Salvatore clicked with Andy (and I was right, how the list views Stefan is not at all how I view Stefan ALSO their view is nothing like Andy so I wonder why they rate so high for 82% similarity). I know a lot of it is percentages -- for why Jessica rate where she did and Darcy where he did (I think I didn’t place Andy as enough of a rich dominant Alpha wedrew lmao Jessica Pearson the wattapad male hero). It would also be - I can’t believe I’m saying this - to see a chart or graph match up for more than his top #1 pair up. At least give me top 20, lol. 

tl;dr:  reserved, rich dude with strong attachments. clearly someone who can be authoritative / good in control (ray holt, nick fury) and also cunning (again see above).

I retook this quiz for Andy (because I was NOT happy with my results!) with @quaxorascal providing the outsider POV (ie, who is familiar with him but is not … me). And this is better. I’m at least familiar with more these characters.

To be fair not much changed with the first three in comparison, so clearly I need to watch the Godfather and finish season 1 of Downton Abby.

[dykedvonte]

why do you hate Joshua Graham or Honest Hearts so much?

This DLC and character represents a bigger issue with fandom spaces I have but particularly fallout fandom in general.

Fallout tends to tackle a lot of topics controversial and not. The first two games it’s heavy cause they are the most satirical and direct with how anti-war, nationalism and etc… they are. 3 loses this as it’s very clear once you play or learn about all the games that Todd and a bunch of guys at Bethesda just liked the 50s post apocalyptic aesthetic and refuse to actually critique the ideals of the time period like the earlier titles.

New Vegas is the game that really gets back into it a degree it almost seems like it’s taking too much on. There are things done exceedingly well while other things are done horribly wrong . I’ve made posts about it before and plan to make a big series of posts (it’s a lot of writing) but my biggest gripe is with Honest Hearts and all the gross and white savior esque depictions it has of indigenous peoples. The entirety if FNV does not do the injustices faced by indigenous people correctly on any count. My two biggest complaints are with the Khans and the tribes in Zion but I’ll talk about the former on a different post.

Both characters of Daniel and Joshua are the most accurate depiction of white saviors I’ve seen and I hate how the DLC tries to justify and defend them. The DLC treats Joshua like this man who has repented for his past actions when he is just retracing his steps after his cruelty bit him in the ass. He was one of the worst parts of the Legion and it is all but explicitly stated that if you don’t force him to be non-violent he will turn the tribes of Zion into the legion 2.0. The Dead Horses and the Sorrows are horribly infantilized by both Daniel and Joshua who both use them for self serving purposes guised by religious duty. The White Legs are the horrible stereotype of violent and savage indigenous and I personally think a lot of their interlinking with Ulysses, his hair and Ulysses character in general are distasteful and very telling of how BIPOC or POC where involved.

But outside of the game it’s the weird obsession people have with these characters ideologies and trying to make them seem more interesting/philosophical than they are. Tumblr is an echo chamber and many fans of Fallout are not the people on this site. Many people are not educated in the issues these characters convey and how poorly they do or used these characters as a poor introduction for their takes. Contrary to what a lot of people believe in, fallout has a prediomeny white cis male fanbase. More importantly a large portion of the fanbase is white.

You can joke how FNV made you trans or see the numbers on post/fics or diverse headcanons but these are kiddy numbers compared to the millions that consume the franchise and aren’t in those more aware spaces or don’t engage in the spaces the same way someone like me does/has to. Their views shape a lot more than people realize and it’s exhausting to be in a space where people don’t correct the more subtle yet toxic aspects of it but also adopt them into some weird quirky view point on the characters or issues. Some people don’t realize and some people don’t care.

My main issue is just the idolizing of these sort of thing in this fandom space and people try to acts like a game like fallout whose tagline is “War never changes” and has never had a game not revolve around political or militaristic factions issues isn’t that deep or doesn’t relate to real issues. I think it’s mainly caused by how over powered you can become and how you can strong arm your way past these learning moments as majority of people who play this game do play it as a power fantasy where they can do so as they please (which of course, go ahead it’s fun) but never take in parallels or lessons in the story as if it was just another first person shooter.

Also like another personal gripe is Cazadores spawn like hell whenever I’m there and I have not found a mod that works to mod them out so I have to play Indigenous Racism the DLC while getting jumped by giant wasps WHILE helping Mormons. Like I cannot catch a break.

[celtrist]

Why does Vassago already have merch, we haven't even met him yet

[uygfiug]

!! NEW CAT !!

[mumblesplash]

man i’ve had pretty serious art block before in the past but it was always more a lack of inspiration/irl stuff draining all my energy, currently Not having art block but getting hit by my first bout EVER of feeling like i just straight up can’t make anything that’s good enough and oh my god how do people deal with this

[winepresswrath]

i am going to wind up on team #justiceforarmand but it's going to be so situational. justice for armand specifically during the period of time louis is all "oooh who needs labels." a very different kind of justice for armand on matters pertaining to claudia.

[peachviz]

“Tenderness and Passion are the only weapons which will save man from self-destruction” -D.H. Lawrence

The Order of Death

[sskk-manifesto]

Next time we should just skip over ep 3 and do a chapters 84-87 reread

[faaun]

pls i need to provide updates