#ep6 was devastating

[takeachillpilljungkook]

Reality was so bad Great went right ahead and made his own fanfic

[arcanegifs]

Arcanegifs' Arcane Season 2 (2024) Character Poll: Isha ↳ “Ever since you dropped into my life, it's like I put on glasses. Except I can't tell whether everything's blurry or clear.”

[rainydropz]

The time is right, your perfume fills my head

The stars go red, and, oh, the night's so blue

And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid

Like "I love you"

Something Stupid by Frank Sinatra

[lilyharvord]

I am once again playing Jedi Fallen Order and I am once again blissfully happy to be playing a very fun game, but also FURIOUS that I gotta watch some red headed boy with sassy lil comebacks running around with a double bladed lightsaber with a little droid on his shoulder and know that he is NOT in fact, Ben Skywalker. 😤

[taohun]

louis please watch your tone while talking about claudia i do not like this

[rootspiral]

Agatha All Along deep dive: episode 9 part 1

(Wandavision entries: [1][2][3])

(AAA entries: ep1 [1][2][3][4] ep2 [1][2][3][4] ep3 [1][2][3] ep4 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][+1] ep5 [1][2][3][4][5] ep6 [1][2][3] ep7 [1][2][3][4][5][6] ep8 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] ep9 [1][2][3][4][5][6])

wow this is another difficult one to go through. okay. okay.

it's been 57 years since we saw agatha kill her mother and the salemites - agatha should now be around 74, 75. how many of those years has she spent with rio? even if they met right away, that is a comparatively short time considering their long lives (rio's especially) and the almost 300 years they stayed separated afterwards.

the first thing we notice about the scene: just how damn green it is.

the forest and the river - rio, nature, is everywhere.

we're not told why agatha is running, but the obvious answer is that she is running from rio. she's in her shift, she was probably in their bed in the little cabin in the woods going through labor. and then rio told her that nicky was going to be stillborn and, in typical agatha fashion, she bolted, she tried to buy time, to bargain, to outrun the inevitable. but nature is all around, engulfing her. trying to escape is futile.

I so appreciate how bloody this scene is but I can't watch it, it's too much. she's run as far as she could, but the baby is coming now. she bites on a lemon and pushes. no family, no coven, no midwife. the one person in her corner, rio, has betrayed her.

that shot of rio so small between the trees, and yet the same exact color as the leaves? both one tiny person and the very essence of nature everywhere? I've got chills.

rio has brought her orchid so you know how serious the situation is. and I believe the costume department called this a shepherdess outfit? she chose this gentle look to guide nicky's little innocent soul to the other side.

you need to look at plaza's acting closely in this scene because while agatha's pain is on full display, raw and open, rio is keeping her pain close to her chest, she has no other choice. she swallows, she shakes her head ever so slightly. agatha is shaking her head too, completely and utterly devastated.

Rio walks closer, strong determined steps that don't match how difficult she's finding it to speak. her face contracts with pain before she smooths it back in a neutral expression. she shrugs a little, so small and apologetic. remember how formidable she was with alice, how clear she made it look that there was no escape? she can't quite bring herself to do that here.

you know by now what it means when agatha clutches her chest like that. you've seen her poor heart.

she licks her lips, she straighten up, vicious, ready to go into battle, ready to bite and hurt and beg and do everything, everything in her power to save nicky. we get this scene at the very end, when we know agatha and rio and their dynamic so intimately, and it's so easy to read what's happening. agatha will never go down with dignity, she'll fight till her last breath.

rio gives the tiniest of nods, she takes a deep breath. she knows agatha so well, she didn't expect anything less. while agatha is all over the place, rio is so still. her eyes are huge, and there's one stubborn tear that she's not allowing to fall. this has always been their dynamic - agatha's pain is too overwhelming, it engulfs all, there's no containing it. rio has to be strong and wise for the two of them.

this is rio losing her wife and child in one tragic swoop. this is rio being cast as the villain that took nicky's life.

this is futile. we can't fight Death.

oh, but she will try. she's been trying since we've known her. since she killed that poor dog to see if wanda could do something about it.

Death makes her decision.

not only does the grim reaper refuses to reap a soul. for the first time in all of history, she actively uses her magic to stop someone from dying. it goes against everything she stands for, and it's ultimately useless, because not even the power of the greatest Green Witch can heal nicky, she can only delay the inevitable. but she does it anyway, because she loves agatha too much. even if she knows perfectly well that she's just lost her forever.

rio is apparently impassible, but look closer: her nostrils are flaring, her jaw is trembling. if rio can't kill, by logic she can't generate life either. not that she's not able to - she's not allowed to, because she needs to be impartial. because if she lets herself fall in love with someone, it might just happen that their child will be stillborn in 18th century nowhere, massachusetts and Death might not be able to be selfless and impartial about it.

and then bye bye, sacred balance.

who the fuck came up with this story? and made it about lesbians, too? was it you, jac? I don't know if I want to kiss you or scream at you.

agatha doesn't recognize the world-shattering decision, the unprecedented sacrifice rio has just made for her. she can only think about nicky. how much time has she won? a day? a month? ten years? not knowing is torture.

and look, this is agatha, selfish to her very core. but can you blame her? can you feel anything but infinite pity and understanding for her at this moment? who is even to blame here? agatha, a mother begging for her child's life? rio going against every law and everything she believes in to give her beloveds one fleeting moment of reprieve?

there is no one to blame, not even nature - it has no concept of tragedy. (now that I think about it, agatha is the only person in history who could ever made nature feel.)

you did it, agatha, you made Death go away. you made your choice. it's you and nicky now.

oh god, kathryn, don't make that face. it's too much.

I spoke no spell, I said no incantation, you were made from scratch. the utter beauty that is agatha, the witch killer, the master of spells and craft, creating a baby (almost) the old fashioned way - the magic of life that no spell could ever improve.

this is agatha claiming nicky as hers. not rio's, only hers. she sought to have him for arguably selfish but deeply human reasons: because she needed to prove her mother wrong. because she wanted someone who would love her unquestioningly, unconditionally. because she was so, so lonely, and rio alone couldn't fill the chasm in her heart. she wanted her coven to grow from two to three, but looks like it's coven two again: her whole happiness is once again tied to only one person.

the little feetsies!

this shot, dear lord. green leaves and water taking over.

this entry was a lot. I need a hug.

go to episode 9 part 2

[boozasaur]

The Story of Pearl Girl Whump List

WHUMPEE: Yan Zi Jing played by Liu Yu Ning, Zheng Zhi Heng played by Tang Zhen Chao

Where to Watch: Netflix, Youku

Genre: Historical, romance, business, revenge

Synopsis: After escaping a brutal pearl farm, Duan Wu, a skilled diver, meets merchant Yan Zi Jing and noble Zhang Jin Ran. Joining Yan's caravan, she gets drawn into the glittering world of jewels, while uncovering secrets about her past. Along the way, she faces betrayal and loss but stays determined to uncover the truth. Renamed Su Mu Zhe, she starts her own business, "Clear Mind," and teams up with Zhang to right an old wrong. In the end, Su Mu Zhe thrives at the Jewel Exhibition, inspiring women to take control of their destinies.

Yan Zi Jing

Ep1- none

Ep2- flashback to family being killed, emotional, coughing, asked if old illness is acting up

Ep3- flashbacks to family being killed, emotional

Ep4- none

Ep5- emotional moment

Ep6- none

Ep7- emotional remembering fathers death

Ep8- emotional

Ep9- arrested for murder, in prison, reminded to take his medicine

Ep10- none

Ep11- flashbacks to family dying

Ep12- none

Ep13- angry dealing with enemy, finds out sister died, devastated, tries to kill him, held back by his men, crying, falls to his knees, comforted ; drinking, told to stop in case his old illness comes back, emotional drinking with FL, emotional telling FL about shared past ; crying alone

Ep14-none

Ep15- given poisoned wine, coughing blood, given medicine, mentions being poisoned many times in the past and that body was at its limit ; coughing, appears weak, FL concerned for him, coughing, coughing, tells FL he was poisoned, in pain ; condition worsened, laying in bed, feverish, weak, FL tending to him, tells FL about being held by bandits for 8 years, flashback to past beaten as captive, in pain ; missing

Ep16- tied up in poisonous water, weak, in pain, helped out, collapses to knees, fighting, kicked, protects FL, falls and spits blood, saved by KJ, gives antidote to FL, helped to walk, weak ; in bed asleep, wakes up, weak, tended to

Ep17- treated for illness, told medicine can only suppress not cure

Ep18- flashbacks, cool fight, dr who could save him was killed, dazed, emotional, ambushed, cut on arm, cut across stomach, shot in chest with arrow, cut across back, stumbling, shot in leg, crawling, trying to get to FL, shot in back, unconscious, carried away, drug on stretcher, flashback escaping bandits cut on back drug by noose around his neck coughing

Ep19- unconscious being tended to, wakes up weak, tries to sit up coughing, in pain, covered in wounds KJ worried for him ; recovering in cave, emotional, coughing, appears weak

Ep20- emotional crying confronting FL, grabs knife, hand bleeding

Ep21-24- none

Ep25- coughing blood, chest pain, unsteady, falls to his knees, asks Kang Ju how long he has to live ; coughing ; coughing, chest pain, taking medicine

Ep26- none

Ep27- none

Ep28- none

Ep29- in a trap, locked in burning building, fighting, shot through shoulder, coughing blood, weak, carried away, barely conscious, helped to walk, unconscious, sweating, in pain, wound tended to ; unconscious, FL finds out truth about desert; wakes up, shoulder pain, winces, helped go sit up ; yelling at KJ, shoulder pain; goes to shrine to honor convoy members

Ep30- shoulder pain ; stretching, shoulder pain ; coughing ; given medicine

Ep31- wincing, shoulder pain ; emotional moment with FL

Ep32- none

Ep33- hand tremors, dizzy, blurry vision ; head pain, wincing, telling KJ he’s been having blurry vision

Ep34-none

Ep35- talking about past

Ep36- emotional thinking about death

Ep37- tough fight against Li Kui, shocked to find out its old friend, flashback to family death and torture as child, crying, fighting, coughing blood, collapses to his knees, struggling, asleep in bed, wakes up weak, blurry vision, says poison keeps acting up

Ep38- emotional moment with FL

Ep39- dizzy, blurry vision, holding FL arm as guide; Zhang Jinran finds out Yan Zijing is poisoned; unsteady on his feet, helped to walk, head pain, blurry vision, argues with KJ, stumbles standing up, holding head ; confronts old friend, refuses antidote, unsteady, coughing, leaning on wall, says its too late for antidote, body is beyond saving, hugs ZJ, coughing, walking unsteady; eye pain, unsteady ; chest pain, blurry vision, breathing heavy, extreme pain, crying ; in pain, has to lean on cart, chest pain

Ep40- coughing, weak, KJ mentions body is getting weaker by the day, FL says hes losing weight ; coughing ; emotional, family cleared, emotional finding out FL is already aware of poison ; coughing, emotional, FL begs him not to leave

Zheng Zhi Heng

Ep29- finds out truth about ML

Ep32- restrained, caned, wincing ; walking with support, limping and wincing in pain

Ep33- still recovering, helped to sit up

Ep35- on the run, confronting father, stabbed through chest with spear, spitting blood, passes out, wakes up, very weak, heavy lidded eyes, tries to pull spear out, pulls body off spear, collapses, dragging himself over to lover, begging her to leave him, helped to walk, collapses, coughing blood, throws lover into well to save her, burning beam falls on him, dies; being mourned

[scrumptiousstuffs]

“Once we are done with Ruerat, we are free to date” - Bison

(Look at these boys, smiling as they think about their respective faen)

And the contrast by the end of the episode:

Sheer devastation and heartbreak 💔 while also thinking about their faen

The Heart Killers EP6

[akkpipitphattana]

there are so many things that are so so devastating about the way ben died. like it’s the way in ep5 he was begging them not to kill him and then in ep6 begging for nat to kill him. the way he looked so excited when he saw nat with the knife. the way he laid himself down like a lamb to the slaughter. the way he thanked her. the way she looked him in the eyes the whole time, cause it’s what he asked for the first time and what she wanted when she was thought she was gonna die. how she stayed with him til the sun was all the way up, til he took his last breath. how it parallels nat’s own death in the adult timeline - killed by someone she loved and that loved her while looking them in the eyes as she took her last breath. how nat accidentally killed her biological father and then had to kill ben, who was like a father figure to her. it’s just so much, it’s too much

[arhapsodyofwords]

About the "two" Claudias

I was watching a yt video where the creator was asking questions about plot holes in season 2 of Interview With the Vampire. One of the "plot holes" in question being Claudia's inconsistent characterization between seasons 1 and 2 (having nothing to do with the actress change, but instead inconsistencies in the writing). The major difference being that Claudia was a ruthless and conniving vampire at the end of season 1, but cowed and vulnerable in season 2.

I don't completely agree with the premise that Claudia's characterization is inconsistent, I think a lot of the changes were natural responses to the trauma she experienced at the end of the first season, as well as the trauma she endured in Europe during the war. I don't deny that the difference can be a little jarring especially when binge-watching the show, and it got me started down the path of trying to figure out why she changed like this. (This is all just my interpretation by the way!)

Someone commented that maybe Claudia was inconsistent because memories are inconsistent, and I like this idea. I think Louis' memories of Claudia while narrating the planning and death of Lestat could have been influenced by Louis' feelings about the whole situation. Louis deeply loved Claudia, but I do think that he had some resentments towards her specifically because of Lestat's "murder," resentments that he pushed deep down. The feelings did bubble up though; like when he put his hands on her for the first and only time when she tried burning Lestat's body, or when he had Dreamstat call Claudia a mistake. Even when he yells at her about choosing the coven over him, a blow he would've felt after following Claudia to Europe and then realizing he wasn't companion enough for her ("sit in your choices, sister!" projection much?). I'm not trying to take Claudia's rapaciousness (in a good way) away from her, but it's possible that Louis described her being as predatory as he did because of this subconscious resentment.

Mostly though, I think that Claudia is depressed and lost in season 2 because she started to realize that Lestat was probably right. Claudia and Louis spent miserable years during the war not being able to find any other vampires except for Daciana, who immediately immolated herself, leaving Claudia devastated. When Lestat told Claudia and Louis about Magnus throwing himself into the fire, Claudia refused to believe him (s1, ep6). Watching Daciana do the same thing probably had Claudia remembering what Lestat said; if he wasn't lying about Magnus then maybe he wasn't lying about European vampires rejecting her.

She was happy when she found the coven in Paris, but then was immediately hurt by them too, literally the moment she joined them. Making her play a child night after night, being referred to as a bird. Possibly recalling what Lestat said about the European vampires viciousness? Lestat: "If you find them [other vampires], which you won't, they would shred you to strips, because you are built like a bird..." (s1, ep5) Santiago: "You'll be their little birdy for the next 50 years." (s2, ep3)

Lestat was correct about Europe and it's vampires and I think this shook her.

Claudia was also very hurt and angry at Louis too. Louis chose Lestat over her again, because by not burning Lestat's body, Louis left open the possibility that Lestat could take his revenge on her. She was stuck in Europe with the man who betrayed her and she had no choice but to stay with him because she still loved him, she just knew that he would never put her first. I think that Claudia also picked up on Louis' resentment towards her, at least in his extreme grief for Lestat, and this would have made her feel terrible. This is why she was so desperate to join and stay in the coven despite their abuse.

In short, Claudia's confidence was completely destroyed by Louis' betrayal, her inability to find community for a decade after leaving New Orleans, and by realizing that her evil Dad was kind of right.

(and this is why finding Madeleine was the best thing that happened to Claudia but well...)

[murfpersonalblog]

IWTV S2 OST - Hella Spoilery

Daniel Hart woke up and chose violence, I see. (Link)

I don't wanna hear any of the tracks until I actually see the episodes they're in--the emotional impact will hit so much harder that way. But the titles alone have me like 👀👀👀

Ep1: What Can the Damned Really Say to the Damned?

We were already devastated by the strings in Ep1, such beautiful tracks, and my favorite scene in S2 so far, as Louis just cried his eyes out over knowing his baby girl could dream. It was such a perfect nod to Merrick, and Louis thanking her for showing him Claudia's diaries.

EMMY. 👏 WHEN? 👏

Ep2: Do You Know What It Means to be Loved By Death?

These definitely look like they're going in episode order--this is all Theatre stuff we've seen bits of in the teasers. I'm unsure about Ep3 & Ep4 though; I'm just going off of my hunches ATM?

Ep3: No Pain | Ep4: I Want You More Than Anything in the World

WOAH. 😲

I see you Mr. Gentleman Death, but hold on a sec--

Welp, it's official, Tale of the Body Thief is definitely cooking; the Raglan James leaks weren't lying! I am SO happy! And terrified!

If they're going by the order in the books, not the teaser/promo, then rule #4 is about Lestat, and "killing your own kind."

I have no idea why this track is way at the bottom of the playlist

But I suspect it's also related to this episode, and whatever goes down with the Coven/Theatre vs Claudia & Louis.

We were told in a recent review that "I Don't Like Windows When They're Closed" is the song Claudia performs as Baby LouLou; I am SO excited for this! It's gonna be WEIRD, I can feel it. 👶🏾🎼

These tracks are way at the bottom of the playlist and IDKY, but it's obvs Claudia as Baby LouLou, and that's just French for "I Don't Like Windows...."

Ep5: Don't Be Afraid, Just Start the Tape

The backstory we've all been waiting for! ^0^

And they already warned us that Ep5 was gonna be effing NUTS, so I imagine Armand will tell his story to DANIEL--in SanFran????

Ep6: Like the Light by which God Made the World Before He Made Light | Ep7: I Could Not Prevent It

👀👀👀☀️🔥💀🔥🎭🔥⚰️⚰️⚰️🔥💀🍿

Who TF is Francis? Francis of Assssi? XD

PLEASE let this be Lestat's POV when he first got to NOLA--I wanna know why he went there, and where he was BEFORE! Was he asleep? Is he STILL asleep in 2022?!

👀👀👀☀️🔥💀🔥🎭🔥⚰️⚰️⚰️🔥💀🍿

PLEASE let this be Louis discovering the Fire Gift as he lights those mofos up! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

The Garden of Satan is giving me Children of Satan/Darkness vibes--maybe this is about Nicki ALSO dying in a fire? 👀 Jfc this is too much.

Ep8: Unannounced Mystery Title

I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and assume the PLETHORA of songs left on this list are from Ep8, cuz I literally have zero context for it--all we know is that it will supposedly segue into S3 TVL.

The crooner is back! But will it be REAL Lestat? in 2022? Rockstar!Lestat!? Flashbacks to 1900s!Loustat? Or more DreamStat?

Yeah, I got nuthin.

Lestat mentioned Le Bucheron before about dogs vs lambs--

--so I'm wondering if this has anything to do with Les feeling like he's still being "herded" by lesser vampires?

Or perhaps GREATER vampires (Armand.... Magnus.... TWMBK?)

This is all giving me heavy TVL vibes!

HOWEVER--

"Followed Closely By My Madness" could be for Nicki, but we all know it could also be referring to LOUIS, a la Merrick. ☀️💀🔥⚰️👀

I am SO STOKED for this season, they better stop playing with me!

[pigglepiephi]

As I’m anticipating angst in the upcoming episode of Miseinen, I’ve decided to use catching up on Your Sky as a buffer…

Monday evening: Your Sky EP 1 - 2

Tuesday morning: Miseinen EP 6

Tuesday evening: Your Sky EP 3 - 4

I need Your Sky to act like slices of fluffy, soft bread, and create an emotional support sandwich to the devastating filling that I fear Miseinen EP6 will be!

[thatgirl4815]

Addiction

For as emotionally devastating as it was, the end of Ep6 actually seems like a turning point in the narrative as far as Ray's plot--more specifically, his relationship with Mew. Up to this point, we've witnessed Ray's struggles with moving on from Mew, and we know his attachment runs so deep because it developed at an especially bleak point in Ray's life.

It's this line that cuts so deep for me because we know that this isn't true, but Ray doesn't want to lose Mew. He can't. Every time he says he's okay with how things are, it sounds like a desperate effort to convince himself. Ray has no choice but to accept this, because even though he hasn't technically lost Mew, Mew doesn't run after him this time. It's not Mew who shows up to talk Ray down.

There's an interesting mirror between these two scenes. One is full of anger, the other is full of despair. But they're both overflowing with pain. Pain that Ray doesn't know how to deal with, so it pours out in self-destructive ways.

Mew is understandably taken aback by Ray's behavior, frustrated by everything he's learned--in that way, it makes sense that he doesn't chase after Ray. But Sand is insulted by Ray just like everybody else, and he runs after him. Unlike when Mew saved Ray, Ray is making it intentionally difficult to save him. He's shoved every insult at Sand, in addition to physically shoving him down, and Sand still chases him.

We know Ray is addicted to alcohol, and I think he's also developed an addiction to the hope of being loved by Mew. But now the concept of addiction plays such a big role in Ray’s plot because it’s what’s keeping him alive, just as much as it’s destroying him. If Ray doesn't drink, he’s left to face all the self-loathing and despair welling up inside. If Ray does drink, he either drinks himself to a state of danger, or he lashes out at those around him. Ray is walking a dangerous line, drifting between wanting to live and wanting to die.

We know that Sand is going to be Ray's addiction. Which, in my mind, marks the second arc of his transition from Mew to Sand. The last time we saw him contemplate his emergency contact, he was sitting in the bathtub, the same bathtub he tried to commit suicide in 2 years ago. In Ep7, he’s in the bathtub—only this time he’s with his new emergency contact.

In equating Ray's relationship with alcohol to his relationship with Sand: there's a dependency, sure. It's a distraction from his pain. But the destructive element comes in the need to sabotage that relationship...because Ray doesn't think he deserves it? Because the thought of being loved is desirable, just as much as it is terrifying?

[ironandglass]

Thoughts and feels after Arcane s2 ep6

I'm still processing episode 6. I'm really in my feelings about this. They had like 0.5 seconds of peace before the shitstorm landed and when it did it was so brutal and devastating.

I love the theme of peace being the justification for violence because it's nailed home again and again. Also the more relatable aspect of family creating a sense of hope but also vulnerability. Prevuously in s1 I couldn't relate to Vander or Silco putting the girls first out of love. But now seeing Jinx develop this love for her adopted kid, Isha, tied in with the young Silco and Vander flashbacks, I can suddenly understand where all 3 of them are coming from now much more. It gives so much more depth to s1 like dang that next s1 rewatch is gonna all the more richer for this.

The people who are trying to do good and live in peace are just getting obliterated by the ones who's peace was disturbed and didn't get therapy so now the hurt people disturb others peace to try and bring back their own missing piece of peace like it's not just an endless cycle of trauma and suffering. So stupid and rude and so historically and accurately human.

Really worried about Viktor and so sad he genuinely had a good thing going, so scary for all those people how they collapsed to the ground and screamed. It's so brutal because we don't know what Jayce knows, so he is just presented to us as an unhinged maniac murderer. But if you know the lore you know the hexcore is part of something

Fuck Caitlyn tbh, sure she helps but it's way too little too late.

I also wish we saw more of Echo through this and more about his colony and the impacts they have been suffering in more detail. I know they can only do so much but it would have been neat.

I'm gonna muse over all this more while laying sideways in the foetal position.

[blmpff]

I FEEL YOU LINGER IN THE AIR (2023)

Jom is devastated when he learns that his boyfriend is about to get married, and following this heartbreak he gets into a car accident. But fate has a different plan as he finds himself magically transported to Chiang Mai in the 1920s, assuming the role of a servant to the affluent young master Yai.

-> favorite shots per episode:

EP1 - EP2 - EP3 - EP4 - EP5 - EP6 - EP7 - EP8 - EP9 - EP10 - EP11 - EP12

-> favorite scenes per episode:

EP1 - EP2 - EP4 - EP5 - EP6 - EP7 - EP8 - EP9 - EP10 - EP11 - EP12

-> extra:

trailer - favorites shots and scene opening credits edit opening credits & corresponding shots from the series handHANDShands ep5 speakeasy from SBS parallel? ep6 handsHANDShands ep8 possible CW/TW assault ep8

[rootspiral]

Agatha All Along deep dive: episode 1 part 4

(Wandavision entries: [1][2][3])

(AAA entries: ep1 [1][2][3][4] ep2 [1][2][3][4] ep3 [1][2][3] ep4 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][+1] ep5 [1][2][3][4][5] ep6 [1][2][3] ep7 [1][2][3][4][5][6] ep8 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] ep9 [1][2][3][4][5][6])

well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of my own actions

do you think it took Rio a long time to choose her revenge dress? did she agonize over every detail? I picture her process like, okay I need an outfit that says fuck you (threatening) but also fuck you (horny) and fuck me (very horny) and then circle all the way back to FUCK YOU THOUGH (VERY threatening)

as to why Rio goes from super soft to *that* - I see it as the equivalent of the TV trope where someone almost dies and their loved one is very concerned, but as soon as there's no danger they slap them around the head and call them a fucking idiot. this is Rio's WELCOME HOME, CHEATER moment (Agatha has been kiiiind of been cheating death, lbr)

this is the best way rio could choose to approach agatha too, and not only because it lets her express all that pent up anger. what would be the alternative? sit Agatha down and have a honest chat? Rio knows her too well, she knows it would be simply too much. Agatha *is* more comfortable with big bombastic scenes, with violence that is a lot like foreplay. Rio is looking out for her right now, she is making it as easier for Agatha as she can, while also not letting her get away with her bullshit any longer.

one little sentence, so many ways to read it

only physically. she's not letting you in. not anymore. you'll have to save her from herself kicking and screaming. dear god she's actually honestly crying. this is a WHOLE fucking deal. and it's also the first time she sees Rio while knowing WHO rio is. she's feeling all the feelings

girls. GIRLS. how am I supposed to take decent screenshots if you keep flinging each other at walls. keep STILL! (look at the furniture btw, isn't it a bit curved? I think they're still using a fisheye lens. reality is still shifting. almost as if we're in the presence of an otherworldly being)

oh the metaphor of it. sometimes you just have to reach out and connect, even if you get hurt in the process.

BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN SHIELDING FOR SO LONG TO HIDE FROM PAIN. OH MY GOD. did a 2000s emo kid write this

every other MCU fight wishes it were this perfect storm of hot and emotionally devastating

Rio cannot physically kill Agatha, it's not allowed, she's only the collector. So what is she trying to do, exactly? Has Agatha really been cheating death for so long that Rio has no choice but to bring her in? Or is she not here to collect at all and this is just her way to get back at her ex (and possibly win her back)? I adore both options, they're tragic in different ways.

time to bullshit! time to bolt! time to get to that escape route! this is what Agatha does best. anything but face the truth

funny how agatha usually has no problem looking undignified. it's almost like this is not the point at all. so let's review: wanda has stripped agatha of the powers that have been keeping her hidden from rio. rio comes over to confront her - and not kill her, she wouldn't be allowed anyway. she does it in a way that agatha would find less scary than having a mature convo. still, agatha has to face things she's been escaping for so long and it's simply too horrifying, too overwhelming. the fact that she's joking around so much (while her future conversations with rio will be sad, soft, dramatic) tells you just how scared and how miserable she is. She's begging rio to stop, because even fighting and flirting, which is their comfort zone, is proving too much. And what does rio do? She listens and goes away. only temporary, she won't let her off the hook now that she has found her. but she's still willing to go at Agatha's pace.

aubrey plaza I would die for your evil little face

can I just say that agatha trying to flirt right now is devastating? she is at the end of her rope. she does NOT want rio to stay, doesn't trust herself around her in so many ways. but she knows how much rio wants her and just... she tries to manipulate her with flirting. it's a desperate gamble, completely undignified, completely in character for agatha. she offers herself to rio, but only physically. when what they had was infinitely more than that, it was beautiful, it was sacred.

and rio... forgives her. she laughs another one of her little soft laughs and lowers the blade. plaza is so good here, the way she says "okay, agatha," is a perfect blend of resentment and tenderness. she knows agatha better than anyone ever had or ever will. she knows why she does everything she does. and she follows her lead. one last time.

agatha's relief. she's trembling, deflated but still on her guard. she looks completely traumatized. the masterpiece that this scene is: you feel smart when you realize that they're flirting rather than fighting. when it finally dawns on you the real weight of their encounter... it's too late.

"by the way there's a bunch of scary witches after you and I totally want them to kill you, that's why I'm telling you exactly who they are and when they're coming"

agatha tries with all her might to believe that rio is heartless. because anger is easier than sadness.

we're leaning, we're leaning, we're leaning!

rio licking agatha's wound to heal it perfectly encapsulates her feelings: anger, horniness, and infinite tenderness. what a power move. rio was the one in control this whole scene, and it wrecked agatha.

"te veo" (I'm gonna go scream in a pillow)

she's gone, honey, she's gone. breathe.

Billy walking on the two of them having sex would have been less awkward than this

she was a BIT preoccupied, kid

and episode 1 is in the bag!

next stop: IT'S LILIA TIME

go to episode 2 part 1