#episode: the acid queen

[piperslovebot]

ED & JH's reactions to Kelso getting Brooke pregnant.

That '70s Show (1998–2006) • S6E4 “Acid Queen” dir. David Trainer

[donutwatches]

MHA 2.13 - Time to Pick Some Names - part 2

Because I didn’t have enough character names to remember already. Let’s add a dozen new names to remember. Ha. 

I do not know what I was expecting, but it was not this, lol. I love our french disco dancing queen. He said, I’m not going to have a measly hero name, I am going to have a FULL sentence!

Oh man, I wish Midnight would let her keep the Alien Queen name. That is way more fitting than Pinky. She should at least have a name connected to acid. Pinky is a lazy name. Like, she’s pink, big whoop. 

Who is Crimson? I guess this is a pro that our Kirishima looks up to. Red Riot might be my favorite out of the kids hero names. 

Kaminari is the last character I would expect to drop a Hemingway reference. Even though the joke about him is always that he is brainless, isn’t this proof that he has some smarts? 

Wow, Earphone never lets him breath, huh. Such school girl crush behavior. 

I am guessing that he wants distance from the Todoroki name because of his butthole father. I like it! Simple, but it feels like he is being himself. 

THIS IS THE CUTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. I WILL NEVER RECOVER.

I feel like we already got that Deku would be Midoriya’s hero name since season 1, but it still feels like a full circle moment. I love the idea of him taking a name that was an insult and flipping it into something uplifting. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Why is he like this? I swear. It is great that he changed it from “King” to “Lord” as if the issue with the name was the status title and not, you know, the murder part. 

Hmmm, so this mysterious mustard yellow cloaked man is All Might’s teacher. I hope he is a better teacher than All Might because Deku needs some help. 

Nooooooooooooo! So ominous! It is wrong to see Iida with vengeance in his eyes like this. Talk to your friends! Please don’t go out on your own and get your self hurt! I just know nothing good can come out of this. Nerd rage should never be fooked with! 

Click here for episode 14

Click here for the master list.

[tiredsurvivoronmain]

WIP of Xeno!Wesker lost in the sauce

In the early stages he was in control but as the mutation progressed the xenomorph biology and instinct starts to take over. He begins to hear the other xenomorphs and the Queen on the station that are being kept in captivity and has episodes of intense dissociation and anxiety. He eventually loses his sight and is replaced by the senses of a xenomorph; he 'sees' through electrical impulses, vibrations and pheromones given off by other lifeforms. His hair turns platinum blond as he mutates, blood becomes slightly acidic and his tongue starts to grow teeth. Insomnia, heightened aggression, loss of appetite, difficulty speaking and recognising people are other symptoms he suffers with.

While Chris and Carlos are doing their best to keep him under control, Birkin and Luis are trying to find a way to undo what Wesker has done.

[danjaley]

Das Leben der Hochgräfin Gritta von Rattenzuhausbeiuns

My favourite book in elementary school (and I still like it today)

In my last book post I wrote that I first heard of Anne of Green Gables when the girl who bullied me in elementary school presented it as her favourite book. So I thought I might show you the book I held my presentation about.

Das Leben der Hochgräfin Gritta von Rattenzuhausbeiuns (The Life of Gritta, High Countess of Ratsareathomewithus) is a fairy-tale-novel by Gisela von Arnim. It was written in the 1840s but only rediscovered and published in the 20th century. It was adapted as a screenplay and simplified children's book by GDR author Christa Kożik. This was the version I read aged eight and loved to pieces. I also saw the film once, but I didn't love it as much as the book. It has some very good songs, I remember.

The story is about Gritta, a girl countess who lives with her father, an inventor, at their run-down castle some time in the 18th century. She loves to read and she's friends with the Queen of the rats which populate the castle in abundance. One day a runaway spoiled noblewoman takes refuge with them and Gritta's father falls head over heels in love with her. They marry and Gritta is sent to a horrid convent school. There she discovers a plot: Young girls are sent to the convent. Once they're there, the nuns find ways to grab their inheritance and keep the girls locked away. This was the fate her stepmother ran away from. Together with ten of her friends Gritta escapes from the convent.

Here the two versions take slightly different paths. In the modern one, the girls live at an abandoned farm for one summer until they return to their homes. Gritta proceeds to the capital city, where she finds her family again. They've lost their remaining money and have gone to sell an invention to the king: A catapult throne that will save him in case of revolution. A twist that you rarely meet and I really loved: Poverty and the birth of a son have turned Gritta's spoiled stepmother into quite a responsible and likeable person and she apologizes for her behaviour. Gritta had already met the king's son while she was on the run. He smuggles her into the palace of his naive and gluttonous father. There she reveals to him the doings of the corrupt royal advisor, who is also at the bottom of the convent's plot.

While this was a quick summary of the simplified version, the original runs absolutely wild. After the girls escape the convent, they go on an adventurous journey, which becomes increasingly fantastical. Some episodes seem prototypical of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. Finally they get shipwrecked and build up a new life. But their "lonely island" is in fact a valley near the capital. Here the story in which Gritta reunites with her family and saves the kingdom comes back in. In the end the girls set up an alternative convent according to their own rules. Except for Gritta, who in this version actually marries the prince and refurbishes the kingdom, but of course stays their friend.

I think if I'd read this as a child I would have loved that the focus stays on Gritta's girl-gang. They have so many more adventures here. I always thought the modernized story dismissed them too quickly. Not sure what I would have made of the fanciful nature of their adventures. One of my favourite characters today is Wildebeere (Wildberry), one of the girls, who starts out as a botanist, but is later adopted by wood-elves and becomes a sort of forest spirit. And I'd certainly have struggled with the over-the-top 19th century language. Though that makes up the poetry of it.

I've kinda outgrown the modernized version today. As a historian I can't help noticing the GDR mindframe. Indeed the original was written before the 1848 revolution and pokes some acid fun at absolutist monarchy, aristocracy and the church. That's the most likely reason it wasn't published. But the adaptation presents the messages rather bluntly - to children who don't have the foggiest idea what were the problems in 1848.

On a related note, I feel today that the modern book made Gritta a bit too sassy. She's much more gentle in the old one and as so often this clashes in scenes where she's supposed to be insecure. Some scenes actually get funnier with her acting all demure, like the one where she locks the king in a cupboard. Also, I'm all for the concept of becoming an independent spirit through reading. But as a book-historian I can tell that you don't become a cheeky kid by reading a library full of 18th-century books.

What also fascinates me today is the story how Gritta was rediscovered in the archives in the 20th century. The manuscript had been scattered over several bequests and wrongly attributed to Gisela's famous mother Bettine von Arnim. I kinda envy the guy who pieced it together. But I should be content with my lot, because that's exactly the sort of thing I'm doing in my PhD project right now.

Actually this book relates to the McCarrics in two very peculiar ways: For one thing, Gisela von Arnim was the great-granddaughter of Sophie von la Roche, after whom I named Marianne's family.

Then, according to my mother, my first two stories ever were two endless nonsensical serials I always updated her on, aged around three. The first was called The Lady of the Rats' Castle. Sadly I don't remember anything about it and my mother says it didn't have any rememberable plot. Possibly she bought me Gritta because of it.

The other was called The very Elegant Scottish Girl. I remember I started this one because I loved my red tartan skirt and my father had told me that in Scotland everyone is always dressed in tartan, even the men! So I thought this country must be the epicentre of nobility and elegance. I just love that these two titles still reflect my literary activities to the present day.

[sanjiafterhours]

Fishman island arc thoughts

Just finished fishman arc and here are some ramblings

important episodes for the one piece Lore : 569, 570

concepts that i think would be relevant later on as i keep watching the rest of the arcs :

Joyboy (Neptune says The ship Noah was supposed to have some connection with joyboy, who lived during the 100 year blank gap in history, around 800 years ago, [epi 569])

the true purpose of Noah the ship and who did the sea kings refer to when they said they need that person's help to repair it?

Robin saying the fishman island having poneglyph that contains content from the 100 year blank gap in history

Luffy being able to hear the sea kings (just like Roger was able to)

Some questions I've been pondering about that might be relevant as i go through the rest of the series but might be absolute circus shoes :

Luffy & Shirahoshi : Shirahoshi is the queen of the sea kings and there was a legend that a man will come and help her unlock her ability to communicate with the sea kings (which Luffy did). And they form a good friendship. So is the joyboy and the mermaid princess story like a foreshadowing of the bond between Luffy and shirahoshi?

Noah and the fishmen : there is a shot of noah the ship with otohime's grave. i wonder if noah the ship, has any connection with being a bridge in the whole humans and fishmen friendship development (like how otohime was)

Kraken : Surume (kraken) is a mythological creature brought from the North pole by hordy and it was said that surume has a brother there. I wonder if we'll get to see surume or that brother in the future.

Uranus : so there are 3 ancient weapons, Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus. Pluton is a ship made in Water 7, Poseidon is a mermaid (Shirahoshi) from the fishman island, and uranus is still unknown (up until fishman arc). Since the weapon named Poseidon (shirahoshi) is related to the sea like the original god was, will Uranus have any relation with sky/weather/skypiea like the original greek god uranus?

Things I'm looking forward to :

fuck akainu he is a rotten bastard anyway I'm excited to see what aokiji would do now, since he seemed to have 0.2 ounces of morals and decorum with how he has handled Robin twice (in Ohara when she was a kid and during the water 7 party).

The introduction to another of the yonkos/4 emperors is interesting. Big mom sounds like a psychward patient, is shanks the only normal one among the 4 yonkos? Big mom is a cannibal with stomach acid for saliva????? and she has a daughter(?)/sister(?)/person in her court(?) with 3 fucking eyes?

luffy's jolly roger is getting the reputation of being able to claim a territory? OMG my babygirl im so proud of him. Would love to see him becoming more of a badbitch claiming territories

Luffy keeping his promise to shirahoshi to take her to a stroll in a forest above the sea was cute and would love to see it.

Luffy's outfit game has really changed during this season, let's see what happens in the future

Let's go punk hazard!

[that-sarcastic-writer]

So are we gonna see rhaenyra take kings landing this season orrrrr are they gonna drag it out until next season and the finale is just gonna be back and forth of nothing for an hour? Daemon is still hallucinating (tho I did enjoy the bit with the lords of the Riverlands), he hasn't even left harrenhal let alone reconciled with rhaenyra. Aemond has no intentions of taking harrenhal yet. So how are they supposed to take kings landing in the finale. Unless they do push it until s3 and then I'm gonna be annoyed because the only major events that happened were B&C, aemond toasting aegon, rhaenys my beloved queen who never was dying and maybe the claiming of the riderless dragons. Not even Daemons acid trip on Luigis mansion is keeping me entertained. I don't mean to come off as one of those hate watchers but truly it feels like they've barely moved in 5 episodes. They don't necessarily need s1 time skipping to advance. But the pacing does seem a bit slower than last seasons and like not much has happened. Which bums me because we most likely won't get s3 until maybe late 2025 (since theres no strike that may postpone production) or early 2026, and worst case scenario we don't get a new season until summer of 2026. 8 episodes is definitely not enough. They easily could've had 2 or 3 episodes of moving the story along for the finale. But I guess we won't know until next Sunday. I hope I'm not disappointed with the finale.

[psychicdamaged]

Goofy lil review of tlovm s2e1-3 bc i totally didn’t forget it premiered today today bc of my crippling insomnia

-i made it 3.5 minutes before i started to tear up

-the way they showed a kid being killed. no blood but he’s dead. they aint messing around fr

-vax seeing the raven queen i fucking SCREAMED

-the gore and blood. they really didn’t half ass it.

-keyleth being the primary focus of the frame when they see raishan and vex when they see thordak

-seeing the absolute devastation of emon. fire and acid rain everywhere.

-i thought they’d spare us the vax and injured gil scene. i was wrong.

-the broom. the cards??? THE BELT

-“lock the gates” LMAO and for what that was cute

-scanlan and vex banter my beloved

-really thought someone was gonna get cut in half by the portal

-WIFE CASS WIFE CASS 🥰

-“no i can take care of him”

-blatant raishan is blantant raishan lmafo

-scanlan vs vm its fine its fine its fine

-vm being able to see that they made a difference in whitestone 🥲

-dragon animations and voice acting SO GOOD

-music banging as always

-destroyed emon augh holy shit

-VASSELHIEM!

-wondering for the first time if scanlan is going to be cut out of the title sequence when he leaves

-BIDET

-vax seeinG THE RAVEN QUEEN AAAAAA

-ANOTHER BITCH WITH GREEN EYES

-vax and vex being wanted how iconic of them

-i really like the way they compressed things and combined stories. so well done.

-earthbreaker groon music rad as hell

-WHY HELLO KASH

-ZHARA !!!!

-zhara and vex flirting arguing

-sphinx rad as fuck

-she really read them for flilth

-“no one will live long enough to see you achieve [your aramente]” OW FUCK OW

-“nobody cares about you” OWWWWW FUCK

-“fuck dignity” THATS MY GIRL THOSE ARE MY HEROES

-fuck the vestiges pls i just. i just. want them to be ok.

-dont even talk to me about the raven queens armor.

-VICTOR MY BELOVED !!!!!!!! you crazy bitch. I love you much.

-kash and keyleth my horribly awkward loves

-purvan hehehe

-HAPPY LIL BEARDED GROG

-do not go far from me. let me die.

-baby vax and vex. let me die.

-i hate this fucking tomb i hate it i hate it i hate it

-so happy to get more trinket!!

-wait vax and vex are separated. in the sunken tomb. wait. wait no.

-“I’ll save you” GIRLFRIENDS

-fish orgy made me fucking snort

-hahahahaha watch out for traps! ahaha!

-NOOOOOOOOO VAX DONT GO INTO A PIT ALONE WHILE VEX AND EVERYONE ELSE FUCK AROUND UPSTAIRS

-the flashbacks are so good. and so.

-vex dying with her brother’s name on her lips. in a burst of raven fragbers

-their screams and yells. professional voice actors indeed.

-THE MUSIC

-the light literally leaving vex’s eyes and the next shots of vax and his eyes.

-do not go far from me. reprise and the original.

-closing out the episode with vax’s sobs. oh my god.

[mintywolf]

A Long Road Home - Page 55 Author Notes

Page 55

I remember Laudna’s original Form of Dread in the first episode catching my attention because of the mourning veil and the theatrically monstrous rendition of a grieving widow. It’s an image that was popularized by Queen Victoria, who famously remained in mourning over the death of her husband for the rest of her life, with such dedication that her elaborate ceremony of mourning and all of its prescribed accoutrements, the centerpiece of which was the distinctive black crepe weeping veil, became the social standard for all bereaved women of the era. (It also set the tone for the Victorians’ general interest in death and the macabre, laying the foundation for the classic goth aesthetic).

And well, there is one widow in Exandrian history who is on that level of extra.

I had the idea of incorporating all of Delilah’s accumulated How Do You Want To Do Thises (stabbed and dropped in acid, shot through the eye with a gun and beheaded, shot through the underside of her jaw and out through her cheek with an arrow) in the Form of Dread but it ended up being too much confusing detail under the veil. (She does still have stitches over her heart because the one wound she never recovered from was the death of Sylas u.u)

My original draft of this predated any physical appearance of Delilah in Campaign 3 so I had her shadow looking like she did in my early art of her where she had the pale green smoke from her left eye socket to represent her pact with Vecna but the Whispered One hasn’t been referenced enough in C3 for that to be a clear visual reference for people not familiar with C1, so I dropped it. (Kind of a shame though because it was a cool visual.)

[ericmicael]

A small comparison between Anna and Elsa's romantic lives:

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Anna + Hans

Elsa + Marisol

The first time Elsa and Marisol met had such an impact on the fandom that it was because of this meeting that the theory that the Snow Queen is a lesbian became popular and created #GiveElsaAGirlfriend.

THE ROYAL GIRL FALLS IN LOVE LATER WHILE THE CHARACTER WHO ACTS AS A GUIDE TO HER AND IS A FAN OF LEATHER AND REINDEER FALLS IN LOVE FIRST

Anna + Kristoff

Elsa + Honeymaren

The feelings between Elsa and Honeymaren are not official yet, but considering "Disney Magic Kingdoms" it seems that Honeymaren really has feelings for Elsa, and maybe Elsa needs to go on a trip with Honeymaren to make the romance official.... Could this be the reason Disney is avoiding the Northuldras?

ENEMIES TO LOVERS

Anna + Hans

Elsa + Disa

This is the most complicated one. Anna + Hans is actually a "lovers to enemies", but I think it still counts for the comparison.

Elsa + Disa is the most obvious. Although Disa has a certain interest in Elsa from the beginning, their relationship is full of acidic comments and distrust, especially on Elsa's part. But in the final episodes of the podcast things start to get more interesting, like the moment Elsa creates a telescope for Disa, remembering when the black woman said that when she was a child, the way they agree to meet before Elsa returns to Enchanted florest. And especially Disa asking Elsa out on a date... a friends date... I think. And the ending where Anna makes Elsa's presence a special surprise for Disa.... If Elsa and Honeymaren aren't canon at this point I bet something happened between Elsa and Disa.

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 80

Wait ... who is this? Are you being SUPERVISED at last, Samuel? Oh ... ah, I see ... yeah, this is gonna be a good one, clearly. XD Lie indeed! Yeah ... oh, THAT'S true? You really should be ashamed, Riegel ...

But seriously, that was one of his best skits to date ...

Sam (to Laura): "How come YOU get two?" Ashley: "Cuz she's the Merch Queen!" Laura (bright and innocent): "I had nothing to do with it."

So, final test, then ... where's this gonna go? And who will be the impostors in this game of ...

AMONG US?!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaah, it's decided BY CARD?!!! This is indeed a recipe for disaster. They're ALREADY all getting so worked up while Matt is clearly LOVING IT ...

One at a time now ... FURTHER panic ... glorious ... LOL

BATTLEMAP!!! Cue more clunky Sam plugs for Wizzkids!

Travis already thinks Marisha questioning Matt's mechanics is a sign she's a doppleganger trying to throw everybody off ...

And ROLL INITIATIVE?!!! Oh ... oh, that is interesting ...

Orym starts and Laura IMMEDIATELY starts probing at him ...

Matt: "This trust exercise is already going GREAT!!!"

At least Fearne seems to be Fearne, apparently ... XD

Liam: "Plant pubes." Matt instantly gives him a SCATHING look ...

Aaaaah! Angry bramble attack! Crap! Fearne, no! Hurt AND restrained!

Taliesin, as always, is already thinking FIVE MOVES AHEAD ... meanwhile Ashton to the rescue. And he Rages!

Some crazy quantum Barbarian craziness ensues! Taliesin loves it, he never gets to use Time. And now he has A PLAN ...

Laudna: "I love you, no matter WHAT form you're in." Imogen: "I feel SO SURE you're a doppleganger now."

Imogen Misty Steps to a specific tree, starts searching under it ... CRAP Investigation roll, Laura ...

FCG goes and heals Fearne ... Laura: "You wouldn't heal anybody yet!" Meanwhile he searches for signs of magic ... you're IN THE FEYWILD, SAMUEL!!!

Illusory vines? Hmmmm ...

Still wolfed out, Chetney clicks his Boots of Haste and immediately damn near runs himself into another angry bramble patch, barely dodges it ... oh, he runs RIGHT INTO a patch of purple flowers that spray him with FUCKING ACID!!! And then again JUST escapes another briar patch ...

Pate cannot tell Laudna if she's the real Laudna ... okay then ...

Sam: "What you looking for, Travis?" Travis: "Sweat?" Ashley: "All you're gonna find is conditioner." Laura: "He's SUCH AN ASSHOLE!!!"

Laudna has FOUND the thingie! Already ... impressive ...

Orym tries to get a true clue out of Fearne, but she can't remember. Orym: "I ... still think it's you!"

Ashley: "Is it my turn?" Matt: "Just about." Liam: "You have NEVER been this enthusiastic to go before."

Scorching Ray? Go Fearne ... torch those brambles! Ah, crap ... and now she's created a burning obstacle ... yeah ... Fearne: "Yeah, um ... I didn't really think that through."

Ashton is clearly gonna do something RECKLESS ... Hyper Rage? Whoa ... I HAVE TO see what THIS does ... Nat20? Nice ... he grabs a branch and BOOKS IT for the pool ...

Earthwalk? Cool ... and that's it ... oh, invisible barrier? Hmmmm ... ah! More purple flowers! Crap! Acid ... and the branches lose hit points TOO?!!! Shit! So close to going SO BAD ...

Imogen hops onto the wall and casts Detect Thoughts ... a LOUD STATICKY BUZZ?!!! Yeah, saw that coming ... uses a Sorcery point to get that slot back ... then she asks Fearne if she's real ...

Ashley has to TEXT IF SHE'S A DOPPLEGANGER to Matt and then he's going to ROLL FOR HER?!!! Bloody hell ...

FCG goes towards them now ... now he's looking for creatures ... hmmm ... oh, I see, he casts Speak With Animals. Asks the critters what's safe to interact with.

Oh, that is CREEPY ... Liam: "How does a squirrel know the word 'dubious'?"

And now he's being shadowed by a load of Lovecraftian squirrels ...

Grim Psychometry! Okay ... will THAT work in this? Chetney tries it ... good roll ... ah, a history lesson ... is there ANY actual point to that?

Matt, what are you doing? Some freaky little Fey thing is coming RIGHT AT Laudna! Going for her branch! Ah ... Ashton to the rescue! Crap, they didn't work ... and it's gone, along with her branch! Balls ...

Laudna sends Pate after it ... Laudna Spiderclimbs up and goes after it too ... get him, Pate! She channels Shocking Grasp through him go fet the thing ... ah, but it will also kill the branch! Oof ... what to do, then?

Pate is now WRESTLING with this thing while they wait for Chetney ... meanwhile Laudna does another Wither and Bloom ...

Orym jumps through the flames to go after it too ... shoots a vine to grab the branch! Also asks Laudna a personal question ... close enough! Hmmm ...

Just a regular owl ... oh NO!!! NO IT REALLY IS NOT A REGULAR OWL!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Oh, so IS FCG actually made of metal right now? Can't tell. THAT was a pointless exercise, clearly.

Ashton goes to try and rescue FCG from the Owl Thing ... another Hyper Rage, jumps and attacks the thing with the hammer ... Reckless! 24 to hit ... 19 points of damage! Okay, Letters is loose again! Meanwhile Ashton runs right past a bramble and just dodges it in time, gives it a swat on the way ...

Imogen casts Fly on herself and goes at the Owl Thing, casts Shocking Grasp on it! ZAP!!! Oh, and she just ANNIHILATES it ...

FCG casts Owl's Wisdom on himself, asks Fearne if he can trust her ... again, it's inconclusive ... hmmmmm ...

Chetney tries to get to the first Thing, claws at it ... go feral on it, Wolfman! Oh ... that's just messy ... then he goes and swipes at a random tree ... and that was ALSO pointless ...

Spiderclimb, Laudna! Yeah ... more Wither and Bloom ... then she sends Pate to see if FCG is squishy ...

Oh gods ... Pate: "Geronimo!" He dive-bombs Letters ... who just DODGES ... yup ...

Orym goes rummaging with his RIDICULOUS perception ... and BARELY avoids disturbing another wasp's nest ... eep ...

Fearne casts Speak With Plants ... Matt goes crazy with his miming and voice work now with the plants ... oh, they're just TRAUMATISED seeing their "friends" burning ...

And now she's been attacked by brambles again ... oh dear ... well THAT didn't work ...

Ashton comes back and attacks the bramble patch after making sure it's really her ... and she's free. Okay then ... now he takes a swing at the arch and just DESTROYS the ruin. Hmmmm ...

Imogen uses a Sorcery point to supercharge her Inflict Wounds ... oh, Nat20! Okay ... bye bye plants ... and she has a branch! Nice.

FCG asks Imogen to drop the twig if she trusts him ... hmmmm ... oh, this is getting complicated now ... calm down, people!

Liam: "Did some ex high-school boyfriend just get a random text saying 'They're onto me'?"

And now FCG is being grappled by brambles ... oh, is he bleeding? Hmmmm ...

Chetney climbs the tree ... wait, some of the tree ISN'T REAL? What the eff? Oh, there's a hidden hole ... oh, A BRANCH!!! Yeah ... now he tries a reckless jump to the next platform ... Nice! Yeah ...

Laudna sends Pate after FCG ... she looks through his eyes ... Nat20 ... Whispers! More plugs from Sam! So IS HE bleeding?

She stays put and stays on guard now ...

Orym just up and dodges mor brambles, lands next to Chetney, asks if he really is his dad. XD

Fearne holds Hold Person while waiting by the pool ...

Leaving FCG trapped, Ashton goes past another patch to reach Fearne, and his Rage ends. Hmmmm ... then does a long range nerve check on Orym ... oh, more texting ... no way to know ... and now Ashton's holding an attack too ...

Imogen comes down to the pool, close to Orym, and holds her action ...

FCG takes more damage staying where he is, casts Divination to see if Orym is one of the dopplegangers ... the Changebringer answers ... oh, and Sam gets a Whispers too! Hmmmm ...

Ashley sneezes and SAM tells her to stop it! LOL

Chetney does a smell check on Orym ... more Whispers! Dear gods ... he takes the branch out of the Bag of Holding ...

Laudna unleashes her Hound of Ill Omen ... oh boy ... sends ot between Orym and Imogen ... oh boy again ... and now SHE'S holding her action too ... Infestation? Hmmm ... potential bee chaos if things go bad, then ...

Count of three then ...

Orym uses the Monocle of True Essence ... oh, that's actually really smart! Go for it, wee man! He casts Detect Magic through it ... Insight Check with Advantage, then ... 22! Okay ... more Whispers! Blimey ... he pulls out the branch again ...

Fearne drops Hold Person ... now she's playing peacemaker ...

Ashton goes to rescue FCG while burning a Rage ... takes a swing at the brambles ... oh yes, that's it ... crash! POW! And Letters is free ...

FCG casts Cure Wounds on himself, then rolls round to the group.

Okay ... moment of truth?

Laudna puts away her bees ... everybody puts their branches in at once ... oh, there we go. And ... oh, so that's it? So what happened, then?

Oh, so they're all back in the Ligament Manor! Okay then ... oh, it was all a dream? Crazy ... and now to BREAK!!!

Well yeah, they did learn a bunch from that ...

Back to Nzna Morri being super creepy ... and FCG and Fearne really did get hurt. Hmmmm ...

Ashton has a revelation. None of it is news, though ... just a wake-up call ... hmmmm ... I mean they are all a hot mess ...

Oh, so they're, like, naturally unassuming because they're underwhelming? Is that the idea? Not sure what to make of that.

Oh, drinks! Yay! Peepers ... not so much ...

Trust. Trust is good.

Again with Fearne taking the Shard ... oh, so they're rethinking this, then? And now it's gotten a bit smutty ... hmmm ...

Wait ... are they gonna do this NOW?!!! No ... short rest? Might be wise ...

Oh yeah, give her the fancy fire ring.

Ah, so this new stick thing increases spell abilities? Cool. That could be very helpful.

Oh, so we are doing this. Hmmmm ... go outside? Up to the garden, then. Okay ... everybody follows her up ...

Yeah, this ain't gonna go wrong or anything, is it? Fuck ...

Right ... preparations, then ... Enhance Ability? Bear's Endurance? Oh, that sounds helpful ...

Ooh, Bompers? Hello, weird beasty ... and Sweetpea! Yay ... and Doctor Nesbitt ...

Fearne pops Mister out too ... okay ...

FCG performs a Sympathetic Binding on her too ... also Orym gives her the Potion of Heroism? Okay then ... AND a Death Ward? Wow ... that's probably gonna do it, then ...

Laudna gets as far away from Chetney as she can, then Imogen just hugs her and shields her so she won't get compelled by Delilah to go for the Shard ...

So fucking nervous right now ...

And now the Shard is out ... here we go ...

Not now, Delilah! Oh shit ... Laudna has to make a Wisdom Save ... oh thank fuck ...

It's starting! Oh shit ... yup, the burning damage starts already ... hmmm ... yeah, this sounds uncomfortable ... ouch ... another 12 points ... argh ...

Yeah, it's ALREADY getting hairy ... lucky the Concentration Saves are good ... oh ... is this actually going more smoothly than it did with Ashton? It's still painful and hairy though ... znd now Ashton's giving up some of HIS health to her ...

Oh yes, it really DOES look like it's working ... but it's STILL hurting even so ...

And now apparently this us turning into a metaphor for birth trauma ... I mean OF COURSE it is ...

Apparently now her heart is turning into an actual genuine STAR ... I mean that is SO COOL even if it is terrifying ...

Wait ... are they being spied on? Crap ...

Holy fuck she is just going full on fucking Phoenix Force right now, ain't she? This is getting pretty awesome ...

Whoa ... weird vision? Hmmm ... is that a potential problem?

Yes! Keep up with the healing magic, FCG! Wait, if he does that again he's gonna go BERSERK?!!! Fuck ... oh, and it's actually happening ...

Oh thank fuck ... Nice save, guys!

FCG: "I'll fucking kill you!" Aaaaaaaaaaah!

Wait ... is Fearne becoming tuned into the Elemental Plane of Fire? Fascinating ...

Fearne is now reaching her Ultimate Form and it is MAGNIFICENT ...

Whoa ... that is VERY CLOSE to her bottom.ing out on health, though ... oh yes, Laudna, nice save! Wither and Bloom on the garden, then ...

Oooh ... Balrog Fearne, intriguing image ...

Last round? Okay then ... last chance to help her, guys ...

Oh shit, those poor bastards trapped in the garden, that is just ... unfortunate ... O.O

Fearne is now getting a visitation from some kind of elemental god thing? Hmmmm ... snd she's being ACCEPTED AS AN EQUAL? Wow ...

She BARELY squeaks through with what health she has ... and looks like THAT is the final burst, then ... EVERYBODY takes damage from that one ...

Oh okay then ... looks like that might be it, then ...

ASHLEY GETS A CARD!!! WHAT DOES IT SAY?!!! TELL US!!!

She's alive, and she's TRANSFORMED ... dhe looks INCREDIBLE ...

And now FCG is LOOSE ... Orym tries to ward him off ... oh, this is getting messy ...

For the love of the gods please just QUIT with this shit, guys ... and now he's attacking Orym ... bloody hell ... with the saw? Crap ...

Oh thank fuck ... he's back ...

So Fearne is HOT but she doesn't hurt to touch ... that is pretty cool. And she's still very flammable ... fascinating.

Wait ... this is, like, a specific FORM she can assume? Oh, that's do cool ... Fearne Calloway, eldritch magic girl!

Awwww ... yeah, Mister just LOVES this ...

That's a good point ... what FOES this mean for Ashton's Shard? They try it out ... oh wow, it actually WORKS, Ashton's new power reactivates ... oh yeah, these two are just two halves if a whole, clearly ...

And now Ashton's having the exact same kind of trip as Fearne did, but for Earth instead of Fire. Znd now he's found HIS Ultimate Form too ...

OH MY GOD suddenly HE is whole too ... AND HE GETS HIS OWN CARD!!! AWESOME!!!

Oh, so he can MERGE with stone now? That is pretty sweet ...

Can Fearne do cool stuff too, now?

They go downstairs to check out what they can do ... and now I can almost SENSE Matt preparing to wind down the episode ...

YES!!! HE IS!!! I knew it ... that is indeed it for tonight ... okay ...

Well, I definitely look forward to seeing what THIS is gonna lead to ... I guess we'll find out next week.

Indeed, IS IT Thursday yet?

[avnasace]

as much as i thoroughly enjoy seeing olivia cooke on my screen, the alicent plots this episode were like, entirely unnecessary right?

anyone with eyes saw the matching wounds last episode, and we know she's losing power and spiralling a bit. it really just felt like they felt it was needed to tell us that, when we were already shown it.

what we dont know is whats going on with the northmen, baela, rhaena, helaena(!!!), even criston and gwayne etc.

they could be doing so much more with them, but instead we get alicent camping scenes, long small team green council meetings and a seasons worth of dragged out daemon acid trip dreams.

obviously this season had to be slower now that we are in one set time period instead of jumping decades like season one, but still its frustrating, it still feels like we arent diving into the characters and their relationships enough, and its very obvious which characters are liked more and less by the producers.

the silver linings for me have really been any scene with jace, rhaenyra and baela (and my queen rhaenys).

[sapphire-writes]

Alicent having a panic attack that she’s completely lost all sway as Queen Dowager and any power in court is SO GOOD. Man.. I wonder who could have foreseen this?! Aemond absolutely ready to rule and poor Helaena.. Oh I’m ready to watch him rule YES

I’m gonna go shower off Daemon’s acid trips. Uckers…

I loved Alicent’s scenes this episode they were definitely a highlight for me!!

[padawansuggest]

Watching this latest episode as an enthusiastic Alice in Wonderland fan????? Anyone who hated the white queen’s city is on my shitlist. They DESERVE to be ruled over ditzy Jack Black and Lizzo. Can we plz drop the ‘omfg this episode was like it was on acid’ bruh stooooooop they were having the time of their lives planning silly little garden parties and babysitting adorable little aliens that come through and honoring them with silly little keys to the city and knoghthoods before they go. This is why we need a Jedi show cause this would be the type of shit they would deal with every third planet and I’m just so happy would could get Grogu a knighthood before his dad is too old to see it thanks. I loved their silly little planet and their silly little city I would go to war for them to have more garden parties. Everything was amazing perfect and I would die for any of them, even the apologies to the duchess at the end saying that out of anyone, he was sorry to disappoint her the most. That’s totally AIW/Land of Oz style right there and I’m so obsessed with them. A silly little apology for a silly Lady of the land. She deserves her garden parties. I loved this episode with all my heart and soul. Din is leaning into the silly and using ultra silly rules to get rid of the silly cursed sword that he got on accident and I agree with that too. Din threw a fissy fit cause he wasn’t allowed to fight all droids so one of them fought him lol he deserves that too. Everyone here was having the silliest time of their lives and is that not the goal of Star Wars??? I think it was a lovely time. 10/10 I would move there and ask for an audience with Duchess and tell her ‘yeah I just think this is the vibe my life should be going at’ and she’d totally agree and throw me a party in my name I just know it she astral projected to tell me herself.

[thestupidhelmet]

how do you decide which parts of the show you consider long established canon and which parts you disregard?

Character consistency.

Character consistency means a character's personality is established, as well as what choices they'd make given certain circumstances, perhaps over a few episodes. Then that personality, with all its complexities and emotional conflicts, is reconfirmed and developed through many episodes. I'll use Hyde as my example.

In "Prom Night" (1x19), the core of Hyde's character gets a complete overhaul. Before that episode, he's essentially used as a villainous foil to show how good Eric is (for Donna) in comparison. Hyde is selfish during that arc, boundary-invading, manipulative, and deluded. The creators of T7S admitted in interviews that they had no idea at the start of the series who the character of Hyde is beyond pothead conspiracy nut.

Then "Prom Night" depicts Hyde as someone who's led by compassion and a need to protect the vulnerable, even if the vulnerable is someone whose personality he doesn't like. Hyde recognizes the pain Jackie is in from Kelso's cheating (with Pam Macy), despite what might or might not be fake tears. Despite his plans to skip Prom, he puts his discomfort and emotional sense of safety aside to help Jackie.

Established in many episodes prior, Hyde has little money. Yet he rents a tuxedo and buys a corsage for Jackie so that she can have a proper prom. He dances with her, even though he hates dancing. He also has his picture taken with her at the dance and makes fun of Pam Macy to try to make Jackie feel better.

The most revealing moment about this new version of Hyde is that he gets Jackie and Kelso back together. From "That '70s Pilot' (1x01) and through most episodes before "Prom Night," Hyde is consistently telling Kelso to dump Jackie and that he's sick of her presence. But he puts his own wishes and feelings aside, again, so that Jackie -- someone he supposedly hates -- and Kelso can be happy.

Thus, Hyde's self-sacrificing, compassionate, protector-of-the-vulnerable core is established. It's reconfirmed, strengthened, and deepened in many episodes, not just with Jackie but other characters, as well.

Another part of Hyde's characterization is established in conjunction with and connected to the above is that he doesn't want other people to know his true motivations for being self-sacrificing and helping other people. His own heart is vulnerable, having been wounded by his parents, and he's protective of it. So he often deflects and gives falsely selfish and/or devious reasons for his unselfish choices.

Hyde consistently puts his own desires and needs aside for Jackie, when they're not in a romantic relationship and when they are. I've written a lot of metas on this subject, and here is a selection of them:

STEVEN HYDE: COMMITTED TO JACKIE BURKHART, THOUGH IT SOMETIMES MAKES HIM THINK HE SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO THE NUTHOUSE (an essay in fourteen parts).

Hyde’s Compassion Toward Jackie: When It Becomes Personal

Hyde’s Attitude Toward Jackie in “Baby Fever” (3x07) Doesn’t Conflict with His Attitude Toward Her in “Jackie Bags Hyde” (3x08)

Why Hyde Abandons His Ice Cream to get Jackie a Vogue Magazine in “The Acid Queen” (6x04)

Self-Sacrifice and Selfishness: Hyde's Treatment of Jackie in "On With the Show" (7x16) Compared to His Behavior Toward Jackie in Seasons 5 and 6 After He Betrays Her by Sleeping with the Nurse

"Winter" (7x11) is a prime example of an episode I don't consider canon, at least where Hyde's behavior toward Jackie is concerned. Hyde promises Jackie to go with her to the Ladies of Point Place Christmas party but on the day refuses to go. Their exchange about his reversal is as follows:

JACKIE: Oh, hey, Steven, don't forget about the Ladies of Point Place party tonight.

HYDE: Oh, yeah, I forgot. I can't go. Something more important came up.

JACKIE: But you promised you'd go.

HYDE: Jackie if I promised, I clearly wasn't listening, which you should have known, so this is your fault.

I don't know who this Hyde is, but it's not the one from "Prom Night" in season 1 through season 6. Hyde's attitude toward Jackie is utterly dismissive and disrespectful. Unfortunately, some precedent for this attitude exists, but that occurs in the beginning of season 6, long after his core personality is established and reconfirmed in many episodes.

The consistently-written Hyde is willing to make himself uncomfortable and even unsafe for friends and relative strangers -- but particularly for Jackie. In "Winter," he can't be bothered to join her for a few hours at a stuffy party. He'd rather play with toys, which is understandable, but it's not a choice real!Hyde (or canon!Hyde) would make. He'd suck it up, keep his promise, and go to the party.

[castletown-cafe]

Castletown Café Episode 22: Gamer’s Delight

Berdly, the annoying bluebird, wants to work with Queen, the main antagonist of Chapter 2. Understandably, Queen can’t stand him, and runs or hides whenever she hears him approach. One of Berdly’s attempts to get her attention is to tempt her with some pie that he calls a “Gamer’s Delight”, which shares the same sprite as Queen’s Battery Acid Pie that she offers to Noelle. Berdly claims to have baked it himself, but did he really just steal a battery acid pie and claimed it was a “Gamer’s Delight”? We may never know. Another thing we may never know is what a Gamer’s Delight even is.

Many fans believe a Gamer’s Delight would be a pie flavored like Mountain Dew and Doritos. Yuck! Or even include those as ingredients: Dorito chip crust with Mountain Dew filling. Personally, it sounds very unappetizing to me, so I took a different approach and made a different kind of pie: pizza!

I’ve heard it said that pizza is the ultimate gamer food. Or at least it was before Mountain Dew and Doritos took over. But those are just snacks! Why not have a pizza loaded with fresh, nutritious toppings? Caramelized red onion, bell pepper, spinach...okay, children probably won’t find that very appealing, but it can be delicious served this way, with the pepper and onion having been cooked and seasoned juuuuuuuuust right. Before being added as pizza toppings, the onion and pepper are cooked with garlic over the stovetop until noodly, with a squeeze of lemon juice to add to the flavor. Add salt and pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasonings as you cook it in olive oil, and you got yourself a lovely layer of pre-cooked veggies for your pizza. The top layer of spinach is added toward the last 5 minutes of baking the pizza, so it resembles the sprite a little more. As much as it can, anyway.

You can use either pre-made crust and pizza sauce or you can make your own. Doing it yourself will be healthier and taste better, however, it will also take much longer, which is why it’s easier to go with pre-made. Either way, it’s sure to be delicious.

GAMER’S DELIGHT:

1 pre-baked pizza crust

About 1/2 cup pizza sauce

1/2 red onion, chopped

A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp or less of Italian seasoning

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pepperoni, real or plant-based

1 & 1/2 cup spinach, stemmed and chopped

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Slice a lemon into wedges. You’ll only need one wedge, so save the rest to use for whatever you’d like.

Wash and chop onion and pepper into thin strips and mince garlic. Grate Parmesan cheese and set aside.

Heat olive oil on medium heat and begin cooking the onion and bell pepper. Add garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until soft and noodly. Remove from heat.

Place pre-baked crust on pizza pan and spread pizza sauce over it. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Add pepperoni and top with the cooked onion and bell pepper.

Bake for 10 minutes while chopping up spinach. Remove pizza from oven after 10 minutes, top with the spinach, and return it to the oven and bake again for another 5 minutes.

Remove from oven one final time, slice up, and enjoy.

[palior]

Awards 2023 : TV Shows

Third and last category: TV Shows that I’ve watched at least one complete season of this year.

Apocalypse Won Award - The Last of Us - Season 1 Episode 3 "Long, Long Time"

Still crying over those strawberries.

These Gays Award - The White Lotus - Seasons 1 & 2

And the world finally knew the greatness of Jennifer Coolidge *dolphin sounds*

Royalty But With Heart Award - Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story - Mini-Serie

The Queen and King of Hearts in a surprisingly touching tale. Personally, there's not enough free space under my bed to hide from the heavens.

Best Performance Award - Foundation - Laura Birn - Season 2 Episode 10 "Creation Myths"

Give her all the awards ! Her portrayal of Lady Demerzel inner turmoil is the biggest reason to watch this show.

Best Queer Show Award - Our Flag Means Death - Season 2

Glory to Calypso !

Warm Blanket Award - Hearstopper - Season 2

Dark clouds are on the horizon but that won't prevent Charlie, Nick & co from being one of the best feel good show around right now.

This Is An Insult Award - Secret Invasion - Season 1

NOTHING in this show works. The spy stuff is not suspenseful, the action is laughable, Fury is bored from start to finish and nothing carries over in the MCU. Let's all forget that this thing ever happened.

Awkward Goodbye Award - The Witcher - Henry Cavill - Season 3

At least we still have Yennefer to stan for.

Could Have Ended Better Award - Ted Lasso - Season 3

Compared to how excellent the two previous seasons were, this final one is such a mixed bag. So many storylines lead to absolutely nothing while others were so weird, and I'm not a fan of how it ended (but damn was Jamie hot this season). So long Richmond, you've been (mostly) great !

Best Goodbye Award - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Season 5

Midge + Suzie = OTP <3

Best Audio Serie Award - Third Eye - Season 1

For her first foray in the audio serie format, Felicia Day rocks it out of the park with a heartfelt story of a Chosen One who failed to save the world of magic and had to live with the consequences. Impeccable sound mixing and vfx with a stellar cast. Give it a listen, you wont regret it.

Best WTF Award - Mrs. Davis - Season 1

The story of a nun who has a vendetta with an AI that controls the world. The script is on acid half the time and worth it. Also, hot Jesus.

Best Comedy Award - Abbott Elementary - Season 2/What We Do in the Shadows - Season 5

Again this year, the two funniest comedies with the most heart win the award. Special mention to Guillermo finally realizing that becoming a vampire is not really for him.

Best TV Show Award - Scavengers Reign - Season 1

A show that makes you feel like you are reading a Mobius album. Gorgeous to look at, within a vibrant world with the most hostile and fascinating fauna I've seen in a long time. Topped with touching and interesting characters. Can't wait for season 2.