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thewhills · 6 years ago

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STARWARS.COM: “The Gathering,” in which young Jedi have to find their lightsaber crystals, and the depiction of lightsaber construction.

DAVE FILONI: “The Gathering” really, I think, was George’s effort to clarify the way he felt Jedi got their lightsabers, and he felt that it was something that happened when they were very young. He definitely threw us all a curve when told us that the crystals don’t have a color until the Jedi actually have them. And then I thought that that was really interesting. That’s one of those things that only comes from George, when you’re going to the mind of the Star Wars encyclopedia. It makes sense, because if an average person goes in that cave, there’s tons of ice and tons of crystals and you can’t tell the difference between them. It’s almost like a defense mechanism. But when a Jedi is in tune with one, the one that calls to them, they can find it. And then when they have it, it basically will make a blade when it’s bent a certain color. I thought that was one of the nice revelations there.

I also liked that it was a very spiritual thing. The threat in that cave is basically only what you take with you, which is exactly what Yoda tells Luke. It makes sense for these very young children.

It’s come up since then. I’ve been asked, “So what do Jedi do if they lose their lightsaber later?” Well, A) they’re not supposed to lose their lightsaber, but B) there are enough lightsabers that have gone from fallen Jedi over the many, many, many years, that they actually have lightsaber crystals at the Temple. So they don’t have to actually go all the way back out to Illum to get one, and because it’s a fallen Jedi they can actually use that crystal and it will work for them.

The whole attunement and everything is just a special moment for them as a child to get in tune with the Force. It’s not so much being in tune with your lightsaber. That’s a big thing that we all make a mistake on, is that we get very attached to our lightsabers. [Laughs] “Oh my gosh, I have to have one.” But remember, they’re Jedi. A lightsaber is just a thing. It’s not Excalibur, it’s not like an ultimately super-special thing. It is to us, because we make it a symbol when we watch the movie and Luke is given his father’s lightsaber. That lightsaber is a little more meaningful because it was his father’s. But you notice when Luke loses it…

STARWARS.COM: He doesn’t freak out.

DAVE FILONI: He doesn’t go on some journey down in Cloud City to go get his lightsaber, and he doesn’t even super-lament the fact that he lost his lightsaber. I mean, we were probably more upset as kids that he lost his lightsaber. [Laughs] All those things kind of came up in our telling of the tale of lightsabers, and George had a lot of thoughts about that. It all comes back to selfish versus selflessness. That’s always a key thing when dealing with Jedi and Sith, and I think that’s expressed in “The Gathering.” (x)

STARWARS.COM: That whole scene, where Maul is cradling Savage as he dies, and later when he’s begging for his life, he reminded me a lot of the Son from the Mortis arc.

DAVE FILONI: Oh, sure.

STARWARS.COM: Was that intentional? Or is it just that the Son represents the dark side and so there is going to be a correlation there?

DAVE FILONI: I think it’s all of the above. I think part of it is that Sam [Witwer] plays both of them, so there’s a natural resonance between the two characters. But part of the reason why, when it came down to it, that I wanted Sam to play Maul was because he had played the Son. And I wanted this concept, which is a very far-out concept, that there were echoes of everything that happened on Mortis happening throughout the show. And that Maul is an echo of the Son and some of the evil the Son was talking about which echoes in our galaxy. There were certain things that Sam and I did vocally that we wanted to be specifically like the Son. When we first find Maul, you can even hear Maul muttering some of the same dialogue that the Son actually says on Mortis. So there’s definitely a connection between those two characters, because they’re both connected to the dark side of the Force.

[…]

STARWARS.COM: When Maul came back, I thought, “This is foreshadowing for what’s going to happen to Anakin.” Right down to his mechanical legs. He keeps himself alive through hate and becomes this twisted thing. And I thought it was successful just on those grounds.

DAVE FILONI: Thanks. It’s a thing about Sith. They’re afraid to die. Fear attracts the fearful. Because for them it’s the end; if they die, it’s all over. There is nothing for them beyond their existence, because their power is all wrapped up in their life, in their existence. Once that’s gone, they believe they lose all their power and everything goes away. They don’t live on after death like Jedi learn to, eventually. Jedi believe you become part of the cosmic Force and your existence goes into that, but you don’t maintain your consciousness. That’s something that Qui-Gon learns, and that idea is developed and Yoda eventually learns it by communing with Qui-Gon, and then he passes it on. But that’s the big difference. There’s such a big fear of death because they try to hold onto life. And I think that’s why they’re willing to basically mutilate themselves and live these cybernetic half-human lives. Grievous is an echoing of that. They’re taken over by the machine and they’re subtracted from nature. And if having midi-chlorians in your blood is part of what makes you [feel] the Force, these are beings that are suddenly subtracted from that.

STARWARS.COM: I wanted to talk about Ahsoka. My feeling is, if it wasn’t clear before then it definitely is after the four-part finale, that she’s the main character of The Clone Wars. It’s really about her journey and her growth, and her leaving the Jedi Order symbolizes a lot about what the war has done to the Jedi. Was where she ends up at the end of Season Five always the intended path for her?

DAVE FILONI: [...] Her ultimate point is that the Jedi are aware of Anakin’s shortcomings. They’re not naive to it. Yoda, in particular, talks to Obi-Wan and they give him this Padawan, saying, “Knowing Anakin as we do, he will not want this girl to be around. He’ll resist it. But if and when she wins him over, he will bond with her like everything else he does. Like R2-D2, like Obi-Wan, like Padmé. But this girl will be different, because he’ll basically raise her. She’ll be trained by him, and he will see in the long run that she overcomes her fears and she becomes a Jedi, and she does not need him. But she respects him and they become equals, and Anakin needs to learn this so he can let go.” And Yoda knows this is critical for Anakin. If you look at her episodes, as early as when she rescues Plo Koon from the Malevolence, and she’s learning from Anakin how to disobey orders but still be creative within following orders. And then she has a big failing when she goes to Ryloth and all these pilots die, in a way, because of her error, and she has to overcome her fear that she’s going to let them down again. She’s learning. Then we see a big, critical episode arc where Anakin and Luminara kind of compare Padawans, Barriss and Ahsoka. And that arc, I think, really set an interesting tone for ourselves and for the fans. We were trying to illustrate the difference between the way Anakin is raising his Padawan, and how much he cares about her, and the way Luminara raises her Padawan. Not that Luminara is indifferent, but that Luminara is detached. It’s not that she doesn’t care, but she’s not attached to her emotionally.

And at the end of the day, one of the questions that I guess I pose is, is that really a good thing? Is Anakin’s way of being so compassionate wrong? Because on a certain level, you have to accept that the Jedi lose the Clone War. So there is something that they’re doing that’s wrong. There’s something they’re doing that doesn’t work and that the dark side is exploiting. If anything, it’s Luke’s overwhelming compassion and love for his father that in the end overthrows the Emperor because it’s something that he doesn’t understand. So as far back as Anakin, there is a seed of an idea of love and compassion, which admittedly in Attack of the Clones, the Jedi say they’re lacking because they’ve become arrogant and very sure of themselves. As Ahsoka gets older, her first big challenge comes when she’s abducted by Trandoshans and put an island [to be hunted for sport]. Anakin is put in a position where he can’t help her, and he obsesses over trying to find her, and there’s nothing he can do. But she survives anyway, and at the end of that she says, “I was only able to do this because of your teachings. Because the other Padawans I was with, boy, they were completely messed up. They were cracking.” So again we see this comparison of where Ahsoka is at because of Anakin, and where these other Padawans, which represent the other Jedi, are at. When you get to the finale [of that arc], once you see her pretty much taking on the role of a mentor and teaching these younglings to survive, you see Ahsoka doing more things on her own and you notice Anakin’s not around.

Then at the beginning of the last arc [of Season Five], she basically saves Anakin the way Anakin would’ve always saved her in the past. And Anakin’s unconscious, he’s like, “What happened?” She says, “I saved your life, don’t worry about it.” It’s fun and he laughs about it then, and he’s not embarrassed by it. They’re a team. So we get them to that moment and then we put a ton of pressure on it. And through the whole trial, Anakin is the only one that stays 100 percent in her court. I think Plo Koon stays 75-80 percent of the way in her court because he says, “I don’t believe she could’ve fallen so low.” In Obi-Wan we really see the Jedi because he is compromised. Obi-Wan doesn’t believe Ahsoka is guilty of these crimes, but he has a very hard time arguing politically that the Jedi Council shouldn’t do what they do to her. He trusts in the Force, which is what they love to say when they don’t know what they’re doing, and they expel her. He can’t argue the logic. He doesn’t like Tarkin’s logic [but he can’t argue] that they can’t try her within the Jedi because the public, which we show in this episode arc, who are losing faith in the Jedi, would cry foul ball. “How can you put her on trial? Of course you’ll find her innocent. She’s a Jedi and you’re a Jedi.” So they expose themselves, and we see how they’re exposed. All of these things that are wrapped up in Ahsoka’s story, which ultimately make her realize what the audience realizes. “I love the Jedi Order. They’re very important to me, I’ve always respected them. But there’s something wrong here, and I need to walk away from it to assess it.” It all feeds into Revenge of the Sith when the chancellor says, “The Jedi have just made an attempt on my life.” When you see these four episodes, I think you have a better understanding of how he gets away with all of that, because you see how compromised the Jedi Council is. And these episodes aren’t just meant to get Ahsoka on her way, but they’re meant to explain in more detail the scene [in Revenge of the Sith] where Yoda, Mace, and Ki-Adi-Mundi are discussing arresting the chancellor, and what a gamble that’s going to be for them. Because you see that to the average Coruscant citizen who’s not impressed with this war or the Jedi anymore, they’ll see it as treason. It’s probably the arc that connects to the movies the most and has the most impact. I think that’s why it works on so many levels for me and is one of my favorite arcs, because it’s such a companion piece to the films. (x)

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andromedaceline · 7 years ago

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Episode X111 & IX Thoughts

SPOILERS Star Wars episodes 7 & 8…..

.....potentially 9 too (if i’m right, lol)!

Here we go. Here are my thoughts on ep. XIII: The Last Jedi, and expectations/speculations for Star Wars ep. IX.

Sorry in advance for the extremely long post, but it’s how I roll, lol.

I had A LOT on my mind from this film, and this is my way of releasing all my thoughts from my brain. But I hope you read and enjoy. (Or fight me on some stuff, it’s cool, I like a good debate and I don’t bite.)

Also, please know this is ALL just opinion/speculation. I could totally be wrong, and I’m willing to accept that when ep IX rolls around next year. But it’s fun to just guess at this point, because I really love where these films have gone and potentially where they could go.

So without further ado.....

Luke: I loved Luke’s character arc. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Just my opinion, but I do. It was wonderful to see this character have some nuance. I never understood the “He’s not my Luke” criticisms. Rian “O Captain, My Captain!” Johnson is getting a lot of unnecessary heat for this Luke plot, and it’s ridiculous. I mean, if you’re gonna do the blame game, don’t blame Rian for Luke, blame JJ Abrams. JJ was the one who had the “Luke vanished to an island” scene of The Force Awakens. In fact the ENTIRE plot driving the Force Awakens was just to find Luke Skywalker, who had been in exile and out of contact with his loved ones for many years. What the hell was Rian supposed to do with that? Have Luke on Ahch-To on a 10 year vacation? Sipping green titty milk Mah Tai’s and catching a tan with the frog folk? C’mon. He had to give him a valid reason to disappear and not be there for Leia or Han the way he did. A reason that helped serve the plot and characters overall, otherwise, nothing in TFA would make sense.

Two main reasons fans were upset with Luke’s character arc was because he thought about killing Ben Solo and he just gave up hope in general, deserting Han & Leia. They believe that dear old saint Luke would never do such things. Well, I got news for you, Luke is just as messed up as we are. Perhaps even more so, considering his lineage. He’s not perfect, and despite what people CHOOSE to believe, he’s never had a track record proving so.

First, his weak moment with Ben was NOT out of character. Let’s take the end of Return of the Jedi for example. Yes, he helped redeem his father, Darth Vader, by showing mercy; Yes, he did not give in to the emperor’s temptations; Yes, he resisted the dark side. BUT that was only 2 seconds AFTER he was in a complete rage, giving in to the emperor’s temptations, turning to the dark side and wailing on dear old Daddy Darkness with his lightsaber.

He’s had plenty “trips” to the dark side like that in the OG films. How is it unbelievable that he would have yet another moment of weakness with Ben?

And honestly, who could blame him? His family’s all fucked up by the dark side, again! I’m sure when he saw the amount of darkness in Ben, he was probably sick and tired of this shit. Who want’s to deal with Darth Vader 2.0? You think that shit was easy the first time? I think not. Now, I’m not saying he was RIGHT, at all, but I can understand one baby moment of weakness under the circumstances. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Besides, it was just a MOMENT, and he regretted it instantly.

Nevertheless, in that moment he wrongly assumed how far gone Ben was, and also in that lapse of judgement, forgot that he’s his nephew. Even though it was for a second, even though he stopped himself, it was too late, and that moment had severe and lasting consequences.

Unfortunately, Luke became too pre-occupied with his failure with Ben and the Jedi’s failure as a whole with keeping the balance, which eventually lead to his crisis of faith. What Luke never realized is that these “moments” or “dark trips” happen to the best of us and will KEEP happening no matter what. It’s not just about resisting the dark side once, passing the test, then the Force saying “Welp, you passed! You’re off the hook forever.” NO. He will ALWAYS be tempted and tested by the dark side, because it’s apart of every living being. That’s something the Jedi never fully understood. Their MO was to resist and defeat the dark side at all costs. But there’s no “defeating” it and there is no training to “resist” it, at least not permanently. It will aways come back and manifest itself in ways we can never expect. No matter how hard we try we will not always win the fight against it, whether it be an external entity or darkness within ourselves. And that’s life. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ These are the breaks. But it’s what you do AFTER that failure that defines you. It’s how you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and what you learn from those “moments” that count.

Likewise, it wasn’t just that he gave up hope, and ran for the hills, deserting those he loved most. He was ASHAMED of what he had done. He was ashamed to face Leia and Han. Think about it. They entrusted him with their son, and he, for a split moment, thought about KILLING him, thus resulting in this kid joining the dark side to wreak havoc across the galaxy. How do you explain that to your family? How can you justify your ROLE in that without disappointing and letting them down? You a great Jedi Master. You can’t. In ROTJ, he was able to face Vader immediately, because there was no shame with Vader, he didn’t CREATE Vader. But he created Kylo Ren. He created the very thing they were all trying to prevent. He betrayed his family, and Luke just couldn’t face them after that.

So instead, what did he do? He isolated himself on the island. He probably didn't know what happened to Han and Leia, because he didn't WANT to know, one reason he may have cut himself off from the Force. To free himself of any additional guilt by witnessing the pain his actions caused them. I don't think he saw it as "abandoning" them, more like he was doing them a favor. He thought since he caused it, he should just stay out of it before things got worse. It’s all a symptom of his self-shame and self-hatred. They’re better off without me. Something people who struggle with suicide and depression tend to think (And there’s theories that he was on the cliff, on the verge of suicide, the exact moment Rey showed up with the saber). Self-shame is extremely difficult to get over. Especially when you have your failures on a loop in your brain, with no one there to help you through it. It can be very debilitating. It's not so simple to bounce back from, even for a great, all powerful Jedi Master like Luke (He's human too, remember?).

Nevertheless, Luke’s greatest accomplishment in the OT was that no matter how gone he was, he could always pull himself back to the light. TLJ was just a continuation of that very same thing. Luke showed that no matter who you are, old/young, master/student, you are never above making mistakes, never above learning from them, and it’s never too late to make things right.

Crait: The scenes on Crait were so heartfelt and redeeming, and some of my most favorite Star Wars moments to date. I had tears the second Luke and Leia were reunited. That was such a beautiful moment to see the beloved twins back together, especially knowing that it will be for the last time. Just slightly off topic, but there’s a reason Rian Johnson and the team decided NOT to kill off Leia earlier in the film (Per complaints that he should have, since the great Carrie Fisher died IRL). He said in an interview with Slashfilm, it was because doing so would not only be disrespectful to Carrie’s final performance, but it would also mean doing away with her scenes on Crait and her last moment with Luke. It just wasn’t worth it. They had already shot TLJ before she died, and so they decided to keep her complete performance in it as a testament to Leia/Carrie’s legacy and her final performance in a Star Wars film. I thought it was a brilliant decision, and all those who though they should have just “killed her off” because it would be more convenient are horrible and can suck it. Anyway.....

The finale with Luke confronting Ben out in the Crait “parking” lot (IMO) was nothing short of stellar. Not just because of the visuals (which were amazing, btw), but because of the act itself and what it meant to Ben and Luke’s overall character development. Forgiving yourself is very difficult, but going to face the one you hurt the most to ask for forgiveness is just as hard, if not MORE. To admit you’re wrong, and that you made a mistake. Setting aside your ego and fear, and doing what’s right by that person you hurt. It’s very VERY brave. Even more brave then storming in, saber in hand, ready to duel. I think many will underestimate just how powerful that scene on Crait really was between them.

It was about closure, not winning.

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear, Luke was NOT there to have a showdown with the First Order, and he was NOT there to have a epic lightsaber battle with Kylo Ren. Sorry (not sorry) if you were expecting that, but as cool and flashy as those battles are, in the long run it would have undermined everything meant to happen between these two characters. Besides, Luke couldn’t even if he tried (he’s an old man who hasn’t touched a lightsaber in many years, remember?). He was there to say his peace to Ben (while buying time for the Resistance to escape). He was finally confronting he’s demons (or Demon) and letting go of the guilt he carried for all those years so he could find peace.

He also knew he needed to help Ben find his peace as well by releasing the anger and aggression that’s been festering in him since that fateful night. He needed to help rid him of his motivation to be angry, which was fueling most of his power in the dark side. Hence why he did the Force projection, and was not physically there (the projection which was just as deadly for him as him being there in person). Allowing Ben to vent, while absolving him any guilt of actually killing him. Luke knew this was his cross to bear, his mess to clean up, so he sacrificed himself to save not only what was left of the Resistance and his beloved sister, but also his nephew, Ben Solo (who’s still in there people!).

When someone is repentant and acknowledges your pain, it’s very hard to stay mad at them. It’s damn near impossible. You may still feel upset, but you can’t really HATE that person in the same way. It’s the MOST disarming thing he could have done to Kylo in that moment. Not a Jedi lightsaber beat down. Not a stern master to student lecture. Not even a plea for him to stop being an asshole. Simply… I’m sorry. (”I failed you, Ben.”) It’s a very effective weapon. One that is too often underused. After that, Kylo Ren will have nothing to fuel his rage. No more anger. No more hate. He has NO ONE left from his past to “kill”, and therefore, has no reason to stay on the dark side. It will (hopefully) lead him to his path of redemption.

With that, the legacy of Luke Skywalker will live on. (”Peace and purpose”)

So, what? His character got a little muddy, and they decided to emphasizes that Luke Skywalker is a human freaking being, instead of a Jedi God. Does it really effect who he is as a character? As the protagonist for the story as a whole? Or is it just your OWN personal view on who and what Luke Skywalker SHOULD be that got damaged. Believe me when I say, JJ and the gang could give two fucks about your personal feelings on who Luke should be. They’re in it to tell a meaningful story. They are NOT in it to keep your precious fantasizes of Luke Skywalker pristine and perfect. This is not our parents Star Wars anymore, it’s for a new generation, with a completely new direction for it’s characters. Not all change is for the worst.

In episode IX, I think Luke will end up “haunting” Ben as a Force Ghost (“See ya around, kid”). I’m thinking he will be to Ben, what Rafiki was to Simba, giving him guidance, but not hand holding, out of the darkness. I think he will also visit with Rey, and help her on her journey as a Jedi (or non Jedi). I’m sure her path will not be without bumps either, and she could use his wisdom as well. He can help point them both in the right direction (like… toward each other...)

Long story short, he’ll be back for sure (yayyyy!). So all the nay sayers complaining that they wasted Luke and killed him off unceremoniously need to just hold their wad. Story’s not over yet! He still has a vital role to play in episode IX.

Snoke: Seriously, who the fuck cares about Snoke! Matter fact, good riddance. I don’t care how powerful he is, why the hell do we need yet ANOTHER old, decrepit, dark side emperor? WHY? That’s boooooooring and done already. All you Snoke lovers need to make like Elsa and.....

Seriously, rewatch The Force Awakens (TFA), this time with zero expectations about Snoke. He’s in it for like 7 minutes tops, and he’s just a hologram, A HOLOGRAM, nothing else! There’s no grand gesture of his “great” power or interesting Dark Side philosophy to set him apart. All he’s doing is sitting on the thrown telling the FO what to do. He was all smoke and mirrors, he was never meant to be anything more that that. Evidence by the fact that they didn’t say ANYTHING more about him, his past or power. This introduction was similarly done like the Emperor in the OT (no backstory), because it was NEVER about him. But low and behold, to my pleasant surprise, Snoke was just a ruse. THANK GOD!

I thought the throne room scene was phenomenal! A brilliant way to progress Kylo’s plot, get him OUT of Snoke’s shadow, and turn him into the sexy, mind-fucking badass we all knew he could be!!

Seriously! Did you guys NOT see what happened? That big, bad, all-powerful emperor you all are whining about was just beaten at his OWN game by the most powerful Skywalker in the Galaxy! If that’s not epic, I don’t know what is. Plus, the scene that followed (Praetorian Guard fight) was one of the best lightsaber battles in the entire history of Star Wars!

I MEAN, C’MON! Ya’ll worried about Snoke?? Seriously?? Some even trying to say he’s still ALIVE?? How Sway? HOW? The MF’s dead! Fuck him!

LOOK AT THESE TWO BADASSES RIGHT HERE! They OWNED that shit!

Ughhhhh, (*banging fists on laptop in frustration) just crazy! Crazy it’s not getting the credit it deserves, smh. *sigh..... But…I digress….

Main Villain: Now, we are all supposed to assume that Kylo Ren is the new Big Daddy Supreme of the Galaxy and the main villain for the entirety of episode IX. And he may very well be (in fact, some are certain of it).

But...C’MON ya’ll ……

We all know Ben is not, I repeat, NOT going to stay on the dark side. Let that marinate.

I know, this is still theory/speculation. I’m willing to accept that the story can take a different turn in ep IX, but honestly at this point, it’s pretty (fucking) obvious the direction they are going. Besides, the dude is literally coming apart at the seams....

Behold your Supreme Leader!

LOOK AT HIS FACE WHEN HE LOOKS UP AT REY AT THE END OF TLJ!!

Those are the saddest puppy dog eyes if I’ve ever seen! I’m sorry, but that does not an evil Supreme Leader make. No way. He’s gonna crack, but more on that later.

So, for speculation sake, who’s left if Kylo Ren is, say, redeemed half way through ep IX? I agree there needs to be a back up “big and bad”, someone or something to rise as the main antagonist. If that’s the case, then I suspect that someone was right under our nose the whole time:

General Armie “Red Headed Step Child” Hux

WARNING: DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS MF!

Just...don’t. He’s got something up his sleeve and could have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in ep IX. In his backstory, it’s already confirmed he’s a conniving, backstabbing little bastard and his facial expression at the end of TLJ speaks VOLUMES to the treachery he has in store for Kylo Ren (especially since it’s already established in TFA that they hate each other’s guts). And let’s not forget he was about to SHOOT him while he was laying unconscious in the Throne Room! (Like I said, DO NOT sleep on the dude).

All of that shows this is not the demeanor of a man who plans follow suite and bow down to pissy little Kylo Ren for very long. Nor be subject to anymore abuse and humiliation at the hands of another Force user. He may have been the butt of many jokes in TLJ, but I think that was on purpose. So we, the audience, don’t see it coming either. However, I think he would make for a very different and interesting Star Wars villain. A non-force user who is a cunning and intelligent military strategist; looking to rule the galaxy with an iron fist without all the “Force” religious spectacle. For Kylo, this is personal. But for Hux this is business, and he could give zero fucks about the Force, the Resistance, Rey, or Kylo’s bullshit drama. He has cause to be way more ruthless and terrifying than Kylo could ever be at this point, because he has NO conflict within him about what he’s supposed to be doing or who he is.

Of course in Ep IX, I don’t know how he would get the best of Kylo (given his Force powers), but honestly, I don’t think it would be very hard. Especially if Kylo’s too busy broken and dancing with his own demons to notice a coup. For one thing, if Hux did wanna try it he would have the full support of the FO, hands down. The First Order gots no love for Kylo Ren. None. And lets not forget, Hux pretty much ran the show their anyway. Who gave all the tyrannical speeches, who came up with all the strategies, who “oversaw preparations”, and did all the leg work? What the hell did Kylo do for the FO except walk around menacingly and throw temper tantrums? Now that Snoke is gone, he has no real backing or reason to be there.

Besides, you seriously think they’re all gonna sit around taking turns getting choked out by this asshole?

Hell no! Let’s face it, Kylo’s days as Supreme Leader are numbered. Hux is coming for that shit. Perhaps Hux will also get backing/form an alliance with the Knights of Ren (who could turn against Kylo if it’s found out that he killed Snoke). They could be crucial in helping Hux with his coup (since Phasma’s gone). That could put Kylo in peril, forcing Rey to come to his aid, resulting in an epic battle together against the Knights. Like the Praetorian Guard on steroids with much higher stakes! YAS! YASS! YASSSS!!! If done right, and it could be totally EPIC!!! Again, I know, just a theory, but Hux could very well be the much needed “wild card” villain for the final episode.

Ooor …..OR 🙄…..Kylo will have no more light in him, he will remain the Supreme Leader, the FO will follow suite, and Rey and the gang will need to figure out a way to take them out….. *shrug,....*yarn,.... and……

My money’s on Armie Hux! ;)

Resistance: All of the Resistance characters (Especially Poe/Finn) learned a valuable lesson in TLJ: Nobody wins when the family feuds.

The Resistance main conflict was that it was impatient, faithless, and reckless. None of the young rebels were not thinking of any long, efficient goals (*cough *Poe). As soon as Leia was gone, shit fell apart. But… that ended up being a blessing in disguise, a much needed wake up call for all. (*cough *especially Poe! *cough *cough)

With regards to the Resistance, IMO, Rian was basically asking ALL of us:

Why should we even CARE about them?

Everyone’s running to be a Jedi, because Jedi are cool, but no one’s running to be a Resistance X-Wing Pilot, or a military strategist, or a mechanic, or even a General, who has to carry the awful burden of sending people off to die in what seems like a pointless war.

Who is willing to do the necessary, and at times, unceremonious work of a real Resistance leader? Who could make the sacrifices that Leia made over the years for the Rebels and now, the Resistance? Who could make the tough decisions she made? Who will eventually carry on the “spark” when she’s gone?

Flashy heroics look nice and occasionally save the day, but more often than not, they have consequences.

That’s why Leia was so upset with Poe in the beginning of TLJ.

“Dead heroes, no leaders”

She was thinking of the future of the Resistance and how dim it was looking at that moment. There won’t BE a Resistance left if their entire bombing fleet is destroyed trying to take down just ONE Dreadnaught, especially when the First Order have many others at their disposal. The Resistance does not have those resources. They’re a small group of rag tag individuals with very little political or financial backing. They simply cannot afford that type of reckless heroism.

In TLJ, heroism does not equal leadership. Especially if heroism is out of stroking your ego, and not thinking of what’s best for the team in the long run. Poe defied orders and did what HE thought was best, not just out of saving the Resistance, but also because he wanted to one-up Holdo, who hurt his precious manhood when she kicked him out. He wasn’t willing to trust that there was someone anyone else in the Resistance who had the same devotion like him and Leia. How could he be expected to lead, if he thinks that way about his own team?

A lot, and I mean, A LOT of people died because of their half-baked codebreaker plan. They fucked up big time, Poe more than anyone. One of my gripes with the film (despite my love, I do have a few gripes, it’s not perfect), is that I wish they would have lingered on Poe’s arc a little more, and really hit home just how badly he fucked up. I wish they showed just a moment of realization wash over his face that through this Finn/Rose stunt, he’s indirectly responsible for killing over half the Resistance (actual people!). All because he wanted to take matters in his own hands and show Holdo who’s boss. Bone-fucking-head (I love him, but he’s a bonehead). Poe had to learn there’s a difference between reckless heroism and patient leadership. In ep IX, with Leia gone, the events in ep XIII were important so his character could mature and become the LEADER (and not just the pilot) the Resistance needs in the end. A leader who trusts and looks out for the best interest of the entire team.

I think if you look at the male Resistance character plots in TLJ (Finn//Rose, Poe/Holdo/Leia), they all learned valuable lessons from their female counter parts regarding how to effectively lead a team and how to find the will to fight. They needed to make mistakes, learn valuable lessons from them, and discover what it truly means to be in the Resistance. We all did for that matter. We needed to be reminded that it’s not just the Jedi who are responsible for the well being of the galaxy. Episode XIII showed that despite best efforts or intentions, things don’t always work out for our heroes, and half-baked plans may sometimes win the battle, but they do not win the war.

Also, they needed to understand that in war there’s a level of commitment that goes beyond: We’re fighting for the “good” guys just because they’re “good”. TLJ showed that “good vs evil” view of the society is severely outdated, and doesn’t work in modern times of war. Especially in this war, where good and evil are subjective, and both sides can get down and dirty. What then should the Resistance stand for? What separates them from the First Order?

TLJ’s answer to this is simple: F A M I L Y. This is not some robotic group of soldiers blindly following orders. They are not out to divide and conquer. They are a family. And family looks out for each other, family cares, family trusts each other, family will never leave someone behind or sell out. Family LOVES.

“I saved you…you big dummy. That’s how we’re going to win. Not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love!“

TLJ helped this new generation of Resistance fighters to find their purpose to carry on the “spark” and fight together for a cause greater than their own: To save the Galaxy and all the people they love in it.

I think by ep IX, some time will have past since XIII. Giving time for them to lick their wounds and help their numbers strengthen and grow. I think they will come back at the FO stronger than ever (hopefully the allies will pick up the damn phone this time and help), and there will be a battle, an epic battle, the FINAL battle. AND they’ll be ready. Poe, Finn, Rose, Chewy, everyone will take Leia’s wisdom, her legacy, her “spark” and lead this group to victory. They will be the new “Rebels” with a cause fighting to keep hope alive in the galaxy! Hoo-rah!

Kylo and Rey: Ahhhh, yes. FINALLY. The infamous Reylo. Their scenes were my absolute favorite part of this movie (TLJ). In fact my third viewing was just so I could see Reylo again. They’re two halves of the same coin. Two halves of the same PROTAGONIST (per the All Mighty Rian). “Darkness rises and Light to met it.” I’m down. Here for it.

For those who think this union is unrealistic or came out of nowhere, you are sadly mistaken and were not paying attention in TFA (I would know, because I was that same person at one point ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ). There were clues EVERY. DAMN. WHERE. It’s been going on since their very first meeting and has been building ever since.

I know a lot of hate over Reylo is because people see their relationship as “abusive”. He kidnapped her, he violated her mind, he fought her in the forest, he put her down and said hurtful things, etc. True, but when it comes down to it, really, it’s just a difference in opinion and subjective viewing of their scenes. Nevertheless, though, for the most part, it’s pretty clear in all of those scenes (through specific non-verbal cues) that the creators did not intend their interactions to be harmful or abusive at all.

First, most of those negative interactions were due to protocol Kylo was obligated to follow within the FO, so of course initially he does horrible things to her, because, he’s apart of a shitty organization that treats their prisoners like crap. Kylo is their master interrogator because all he has to do is look in their mind to find the answers he wants. This is what he’s use too. However he treats Rey differently from the jump. I can go on forever listing all the ways he’s does this in TFA, so for now if you’re still clueless, I suggest re-watching the scenes where he interrogates Poe and compare it to the way he interrogates Rey. Pay attention to lighting, dialogue, acting/facial expressions, music, etc. Like I said, the clues are all there, you just have to be openminded and look beyond the surface. They’re showing, NOT telling.

Also, one thing to remember regarding Rey, is that she’s not this feeble minded, weak Pollyanna character for him to kick around and dominate. She’s his equal, in every sense of the word. From the very beginning, she’s had him shook ("...WHAT girl?). As his power grows in the Force, so does hers. Going back to abusive relationship troves, normally there’s an imbalance of power between the said abusive couple. It’s one or the other who has more, and the abuser will use that power to manipulate and control the other for their own personal gain, whether it’s physically or mentally, and they’re able to maintain that control. But that’s not the case for Rey and Kylo. In the interrogation scene, Rey blocks him and invades his mind right back, Rey bests him in the forest, Rey says some nasty things back to him, and he just takes it. His infatuation with Rey grew because he was fascinated by the connection they shared in the beginning, and the fact that she was his EQUAL in the Force. You can’t dominate someone who’s on the same level as you. That’s ultimately why he ASKED, and not demanded, her to JOIN him (“...Please?”). He knew couldn’t or dominate her or force her in to joining him, and besides, he doesn’t want to. He wants her to rule with him as equals. He respects her more than anyone, because she’s the only person in the galaxy who knows in some capacity what he’s going through. Just the way he LOOKS at her, it’s clear this is not someone he’s looking to manipulate or control.

Their interactions are not meant to be taken as abusive, simple. There’s no ulterior motive here. Ben’s not putting one over her. They are both learning about each other and themselves, and that sort of development takes time. Clearly they still have a ways to go, but at this point, they are at least starting to meet each other half way and see each other as more than just enemies.

Now whether you want to ship them (I do! I do!) or not, you can’t deny there’s a very special and unique connection between them. Their Force Connection scenes were phenomenal; dripping with tension, honesty, emotion, and intimacy. Those scenes went way deeper than the cheesy one dimensional “boy likes girl” romances that we’ve seen in the previous films. They shared parts of themselves you only share with an intimate lover or, at the very least, a very, very close friend. That builds a way more meaningful relationship than any sex or kiss scene ever could. Not to mention the fact that they are supposed to be enemies makes them all the more interesting to watch.

What I love most about how they are handling this connection is that they’re not loading on the sap (IMO). They’re not overly selling this as a love story, which is important fan base wise (I’m sure they don’t want another Attack of the Clones backlash). I think that’s why most people missed it (I did) on the first viewing of both films. Plus, and sorry, playing devil’s advocate for a moment Reylos, there is a small possibility that there is NO love story, just a very strong, platonic “connection”(I believe there’s an obvious romance, but I’m keeping an open mind).

Either way, they’re letting the audience figure it out for themselves with subtle, but meaningful moments. Like I said, they’re showing, not telling. Way more fun to watch and decipher, then being spoon fed that this is “love” via exposition or cheesy dialogue. And NO it’s not over between them. Not by a long shot. They wouldn’t have spent all of TFA and TLJ setting this “connection” between them for them to not at least work together some way in the final film.

Honestly, I think Antis, and some Reylos for that matter, get too hung up on the romance part of their relationship, and fail see the bigger picture. The bigger picture (or endgame) here is NOT their romance (no matter how good or bad depending on how you see it). The bigger picture is bringing balance to the Force. That’s it! That’s the goal of the new series. Hell, that’s the goal of the entire Star Wars Saga. Bring balance to the Force. So if you are having trouble with the idea of a romance between them, just remember, ship or not, this is why their connection is so important. This is why there spending time fleshing out these characters and their relationship with each other. Otherwise, if you’re like me, already chilling at the Reylo finish line waiting for the rest of these slow pokes to catch up to the obvious, then you know the agony of having to wait TWO years for ep IX, to see officially how Reylo plays out. But honestly, I think we’re in good hands. They have not disappointed thus far. (In JJ We Trust)

Ben’s Redemption: I understand Ben/Kylo’s story can go either way at this point, but I feel, and have ALWAYS felt (even before I shipped Reylo), that this whole trilogy has been setting up a Ben Solo redemption. It’s crystal, and it’s ultimately what won his character over for me in the beginning.

At first I thought Kylo was just this whiny little bitch, who they were trying so hard to make scary. I was like THIS guy? THIS is our new villain?? Seriously. I was appalled. But then after, I realized what his character could mean for the story. That yes, YES, he IS a whiny little bitch, but for a reason. He’s a spoiled brat. He’s no different than the Beast in Act I of Beauty and the Beast. He’s trying to be big and bad, but he can’t. He’s failing, horribly, at being pure evil because he’s simply…. not. He��s fighting his inner light, going against his true nature, and it’s KILLING him. He’s a flawed, conflicted, hurt individual who’s just lonely and looking for a place to belong. If he could only see the error of his ways and sincerely atone for this crimes, that would be an amazing character arc and breathe fresh life into the franchise. From that moment on I was sold on Kylo Ren, and rooting for his redemption.

However, redemption is not easy and cannot be given. It’s something entirely up to the redeemed to acquire. No one can save Ben from the dark side, but himself. I think the Rey door close scene symbolizes that. She realized he still has a long way to go. And that’s fine, what’s the purpose of a having a trilogy if not to give time to develop the characters, give them obstacles, make mistakes, skid their knee, etc. Makes for a better story and we learn along with them. Plus, this gives us more to look forward too in the next episode. But rest assured (if in the cards), Ben’s redemption is coming. His roosters will come home to roost BIG TIME in ep IX. This will be what we’ve all been waiting for. The much deserved, long overdue, knee buckling, ugly cry reckoning of Mr. Ben “Chewbacca” Solo.

Ben’s greatest enemy in ep IX, will (likely) not be Rey, the Resistance, or Hux, it will be himself. Without the anger fueling him anymore, he will have nothing left to deal with but the pain. At which point, he will need to stop running, confront his past, and accept responsibility for what he’s done. In ep IX, I think we will see him struggle with his conflict more. than. EVER. When the full weight of his actions hits, when he realizes he’s committed acts that he can never take back, he will suffer, and suffer greatly. But he needs to go through it. Every. Agonizing. Step. It’s the only way to heal. Tough love, baby. He may get some help/emotional support, from those who still love and care for him (Rey, Ghost Luke, maybe Leia, some how), but they can only do so much. He will need to suck it up, pull himself out of the darkness and face the consequences of his actions.

Now I’m not saying he deserves to die. No, I want Ben alive and well by the end of this, in fact that’s all I want, even more than a romance with Rey. However, I do feel he should pay back some debt to society. I know most Reylos like to avoid this subject, because it’s too painful to think of Ben going through any more suffering than he already has. But the fact of the matter is, Ben didn’t just steal, kidnap, torture, or hurt people’s feelings. He didn’t kill out of self-defense, on accident, and they weren’t just soldiers or “casualties of war”.

He straight up MURDERED people.

He may have been messed up by the dark side and Snoke, but he still knowingly killed innocent, unarmed people. The Jedi students, Lor San Tekka, the villagers on Jakku, and of course, Han Solo. We as the audience (and Rey) know why Ben is what he is or why he did what he did, but the other characters/the galaxy as a whole don’t, and they only know him as Kylo Ren. To me it would be a cheap and unrealistic ending if they just gloss over that, and have everyone just pat him on the back and say “Oh don’t worry about it, Kylo, all is forgiven”.

Again, not saying death is the answer, maybe they can find a non lethal way to resolve it, but he needs to atone for those deaths somehow. In fact I think it’s a vital part of the redemption process. It’s called taking responsibility for your actions. Some actions have consequences, whether we want them to or not. Ben should not be exempt from that just because we want him to have a happy ending with Rey. He fucked up and he needs to own that. Plus, there’s nothing to say he won’t still have a happy ending even if he is punished/atones. I just don’t think he should come out of this completely scott free. Now If and how this happens, like I said, I don’t know. And, hey, if you disagree, that’s fine.

If he is successfully redeemed, though, I am looking forward to (possible) scenes where he will have to awkwardly face those he once called his enemy. Those he hurt and tortured. Like Finn, Poe, and Chewy. (ESPECIALLY CHEWY) I’m very interested to see how Chewbacca handles Ben. I’m assuming he’s like an uncle to him given he was Han’s BFF. I think that would be a huge moment. Especially since Leia will not be in ep IX (at least not physically) for Ben to face. Chewy’s the only one of the old gang left to atone to for Han, Luke, and Leia. (Unless they bring back Billie D, but I doubt that at this point. May be too distracting)

Still in the end, the main burning question is left for Ben: Will he live to tell the tale?

Redeemed or not, they could very well kill him off just to make all the fans butt hurt about Han and Luke happy. Like I said before, I would hate if he’s killed but honestly I don’t think they will. I mean this is Disney after all. I doubt they’ll end the Skywalker saga on a sour note. Plus, how will his death really benefit the story? What lesson could we learn from that? Like Vader’s death, it seems like an easy way out to me. He didn’t have to physically atone for all the crimes he committed or face the people he hurt. I want Ben to LIVE so he can be there to teach the next generation about his experiences. To pay it forward and lead by example. To help stop the cycle of light vs dark. I like the theory that this new trilogy is a reversal of how the prequels ended up. Anakin’s journey from Light to Dark, will now finish with his grandson’s journey from Dark to Light. To restore Balance. Now, in order for that to happen and for all this to come full circle: Ben Solo must LIVE, and Kylo Ren must DIE.

If and how that plays out, again, we’ll have to see.

Rey: Rey, on the other hand, his EQUAL half. His missing half. The half he’s been longing for and searching for in the darkness. She will be on her own path of self-discovery in ep IX.

What I loved most about Rey’s story in TLJ was that this was her coming-of-age story. Our girl Rey had a lot of growing up to do, and boy did she grow. I mean look at her from TFA to the TLJ:

She went from a scruffy, fearful little scavenger to a mature, determined Jedi Warrior. AND our girl looked straight GORGEOUS when she rolled up to Snoke’s ship, ok? Her hair was down, she had some makeup on, she came in her Jedi best. She was ready to rock! AGAIN, our boy Kylo, didn’t know what hit him…

(Look at allll that conflict. Do I take her to Snoke or fuck the shit out of her in this elevator? Decisions…decisions…LOL j/k)

Rey looked like a warrior princess coming to save her prince from the evil sorcerer. Which in a way, she DID. Kylo would’ve never had the balls to kill Snoke on his own. She gave him that motivation. Gave him hope that there’s still hope. Unfortunately, they had very different perspectives on where that hope could lead. I think when Kylo asked her to join him and “let the past die”, she realized then that she would need to stand on her own two feet. These so-called “heroes” are all preoccupied with their own selfish bullshit, and no one’s focusing on helping those truly in need. She realized then that she can’t depend on Luke, her parents, or even Ben now for answers. It’s all up to her. She’s the last hope. It was a very important development for her. She like everyone else in this story needed to make a CHOICE for what path they wanted to go on. And she made hers in that moment. The path of love and compassion for OTHERS.

Now, the path she chose is a difficult path, an uncertain path. A path guaranteed to be filled with disappointment and heart ache, because people can and will be shitty more often than not. But the fact that she chose it regardless, speaks volumes to her character. (Wonder Woman, anyone?) However, Ben can’t quite understand why she would choose it. She doesn’t owe the Resistance anything, and yes, her parents threw her away like garbage. Why wouldn’t she want the easy way out like him? Why wouldn’t she want the path that would lead her (in his eyes) to the only person in the whole galaxy who gives a damn about her and would never abandon her? (”You’re nobody. But not to me.”)

Simple: She’s not a sell out, dude. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ He underestimated her loyalty to the Resistance, a group that, yes, she just met, but who are nonetheless her family. No matter how much others have “wronged her”, she is not willing take her anger out on those who are innocent. Even if it means ending all of the fighting and ruling the galaxy with sexy Kylo.

Rey has feelings for Ben, for sure, (otherwise she wouldn’t have traveled across the galaxy, gift wrapping herself to the enemy, to try and save him, just... no.), but she could see in that moment he’s still set in his selfish ways, and still set on a path she cannot follow. (”Please don’t go this way, Ben.”) She can’t force him, beg him, or fight him to change now; but she can SHOW him change through her actions. Her brave defiance shows that having a soft heart in a cruel world is NOT weakness. By choosing this path, her conscious is clear and there is NO conflict with in her. Her moral compass is strong and her convictions are uncompromising.

As I said in ep. IX, Rey will be on her own path to self discovery. I think she will study the Jedi text, remember all her conversations with Luke about how the Jedi must “end”, and figure out for herself what that means. Understand that neither the Jedi nor the Sith got it right. No one entity can own all of the Light or all of the Dark. Per Luke, no one owns the Force, but also realize what he didn’t, which is not one side can balance it without the other either. Being the last living “Jedi”, she will need to decide how she wants to carry on their legacy or even if she should carry it on at all.

The End: I think in the end, Rey, together (hopefully) with Ben, will find some middle ground to great battle of light and dark. But it HAS to be both her and Ben who do it together. The Light and the Dark personified. Together, to fight off Hux, the FO, Knights of Ren, or whoever else tries to fuck up the balance.

If the Praetorian Guard scene taught us anything, it’s that these two are fucking MAGIC when working together. We have to see more scenes like that! (Please OH PLEASSSE have more scenes like that, JJ!!) Together they will achieve balance, because they ARE the balance (whether you ship them or not).

They are what was intended.

When it’s all said and done, though, I don’t think there will be the same old “Jedi Order” we knew from the previous movies. I think if Yoda’s scene in TLJ taught us anything it’s that it’s the Jedi are the ones who need to clean house first. The Jedi were great and noble, but very, very flawed (especially in the prequels). They let politics and their own self-righteousness get in the way of bringing true balance to the Force. Likewise, it goes without saying, that the Sith’s evil, deadly, and tyrannical ways didn’t do anyone any good either. I think through Rey and Ben the Jedi and Sith will evolve into something else, something more up-to-date and more evened out. Maybe drop the whole “order” part and have something for ALL who wish to learn the ways of the Force, both Light and Dark. Balance comes from understanding both sides, and not fearing them. Understand that both sides are in us all, and learning the fundamentals of how to keep that balance within one self. No matter if you have zero midichlorians or were conceived by the Force its self. Everyone can learn about it. It’s not exclusive to just Jedi or Sith. I think that’s a great way to end it all on a high note.

Let old things “die”, as Ben said, but honor it with love, peace, appreciation, and understanding (per Rey). Take the lessons, the good with the bad, and grow beyond.

That’s the Skywalker Legacy.

Peace and Purpose.

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mytherapistthinksimfunny · 5 years ago

Text

2019: Who the Hell is Grace Michaud?

By Grace Michaud

Last night at dinner, while my Dad was talking about his frat boy days, I chimed in with: “That’s like in Buffy when they go to the frat house where they’re all sacrificing girls to a Lizard God thing, and then Buffy goes and kills it.” My parents just stared at me, quite used to these completely useless facts about a 20-year-old show these past 2 months. My mother finally sighed, looked at me, and said: “Grace, when I was going through a rough time, all I did was watch 90210. I was so obsessed that I would try and fit it into every conversation I could. That’s what you remind me of right now.” I couldn’t think of a witty response. I’ve always been obsessed with some piece of pop culture. It’s when I feel most like Grace Michaud. Now my mom is throwing some cold water over me.

It was like whenever I’m so engrossed in something, whether it be binge watching a show, reading, or going down a rabbit hole of Star Wars memes, I look to the left of my bed at my mirror. I just stare at myself, realizing, “oh shit, that’s me.” It’s like I’m seeing myself for the first time in a long time, an old friend who I haven’t seen since school days. I just stare. I look so different to whatever I was thinking about. I’m not Buffy, I’m not Sarah Michelle Gellar. That’s when reality sinks in, that this is my face. I can’t change my face, not really. But who is underneath that face? Suddenly I’m Mulan and I’m wondering: “Who is that girl I see?”

Then I make my chin go super deep towards my chest so I look like a monster. Then I get back to googling “James Marsters in 2000.”

I’m not a vampire slayer, or a hacker, a radio psychiatrist, or even a woman who has the ability to seduce a hot priest.

I’m Grace Michaud. 25, single, living in a small room in Brooklyn with no steady job. Most of my friends live in other cities. Those were just facts, but who the hell was I? Why was I only seeing the bad parts of myself, why was I comparing myself to other people, and why was I letting my depression get the better of me?

This month, after the fourth time of sleeping till 3 in the afternoon, I knew I had to admit it to myself what I was avoiding. I was alone, and I was unhappy.

Now before you start grimacing and thinking “oh this is going to get uncomfortable,” remember this is supposed to be a HUMOR BLOG for God’s sake. No, me being alone is not something I’m trying to say to get sympathy out of you. What I’m trying to say is it was just me for most of the year, and I had to deal with that. Every decision had to come through me. All my problems? Only I could fix.

I’ve been on my own before, I’ve always been an independent person. I’ve travelled to foreign countries by myself. I go to concerts alone, bars alone, I really don’t let anything stop me if I don’t have someone to come with me.

But now, me being alone seemed a bit more frustrating. I spent most of my Fridays and Saturdays binge watching Frasier. It seemed like every time I had a date set up, he would flake on me. I just kept finding myself alone a lot, not even meaning to. I had an apartment, with no regular income to keep me at ease.

Alone alone alone, nothing was coming anymore, the future was just there and I was in the open water with nothing to look forward to. When I go to my parents for the weekend they sometimes have to tell me to shut up because I just unload all of my talking onto them. I’m not even saying anything remotely interesting (because like I said, nothing has happened) but the act of talking aloud just feels so good.

Being alone and broke did push me to go out and find an income to survive. I bit the bullet and decided that being a babysitter was my best option, since it was what I was best at and flexible with my freelance schedule. Sure enough the best boy I met all year was a 2-year-old kid who loved the Beatles and the A-train and told me my farts were musical. My best friend became a toddler who was Eloise at the Plaza reincarnated. Sometimes that was the most socializing I got was hanging out with toddlers who couldn’t even hold a conversation.

Every boy I dated this year flaked on me and once it happened three times in a row. In the new Little Women, Jo rants to her mom that even though she left for New York, she is tired of feeling alone. Sure, she had pursued her dreams, but she was lonely. That maybe she should have just married Laurie because she “wants to be loved.” God, how many times this year had I done that? All year I was holding onto men, men who I didn’t have feelings for or who didn’t treat me well, because I was so scared of not being loved. I was scared that if I didn’t accept a boy showing some sort of affection to me, I would never get this affection again. This weakness made me be in relationships that weren’t healthy, and always, always, set me up for disappointment.

I’ve been rejected from my dream satire site twice. I’ve been on a lot of job interviews and the rejection has filled me with tears. Because it was just me, I was dependent on me. No one else was going to make anything happen. There were so many times this year where I didn’t even leave the apartment and the only social interaction I had was me talking to the TV. I obsessively watched TV this year like my life depended on it. I fell in love with some great television shows. I think I watched Fleabag over 15 times. I’ve lost count. I watched Mr. Robot and when I finished I started it again, and even took a trip on a cold March afternoon to walk the pier of Coney Island. Then came Frasier which I watched non-stop, and then of course my latest obsession, Buffy the Vampire Slayer which has given me more excitement and emotions than anything else this year. To end the year we got Rise of Skywalker which propelled me to sitting around in my PJs watching Star Wars and lusting after Adam Driver.

Holy crap, my mother was right.

But I wouldn’t call this pathetic. I just call this life. I didn’t choose to be alone, it just happened. At first I was extremely angry. I felt embarrassed. A loser. I felt like I was 15 again, a freshman in high school. I was in a new place and I felt inferior to all the mature upperclassmen, I was the one who didn’t make the soccer team and watched as my friends went off to be friends with the older soccer players and make out with junior boys. I felt like a loser in a city where you literally have the whole world at your fingertips.

I told my therapist as much that I felt like this was such a waste of a year. She told me that wasn’t true and listed something that made it not. I did get to go to Portland and Boston to see my friends. I did get a few really good gigs that paid well and were cool. I did meet some boys this year. My little brother and I got to see Vampire Weekend. I got to reconnect with some old friends and even got to take care of a dog. I stayed in touch with work friends and bonded over it.

And yes, I was alone. But I needed it. I needed to look at myself in the mirror and figure out who the hell adult me was. I had gone through a crisis of this when I was in my high school depression years, and in a way I repeated that ten years later.

It was needed. I needed to be alone because of the type of person I am. Other people don’t change me directly. It’s me. I was entirely on my own on this one. No one could make me happy except myself. Of course I wanted a job and I wanted a boyfriend. I wanted to be social and go out every Friday night at a cool bar. But I wasn’t ready. And I think the universe was trying to tell me that. Kind of rude for it to tell me that by having me throw up after one tequila shot, making me realize “oh maybe I should stop worrying about being social for social sake...” but still.

I had to realize that it’s my fault. Learning that I’m the only one who can fix things. I was forcing myself to blame myself for everything. I know I shouldn’t be hard on myself but frankly it has to be done. I had to stop comparing myself to others, stop feeling sorry for myself.

Like Rey in The Last Jedi, I had to confront that it was just me.

To continue with the theme of Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, after Jo rants to her mother, her mother then asks about Laurie: “But do you love him?” Her mother went on to explain that Jo has to love back. Sure she wants to be loved, but it’s not the same as being in love. Maybe that’s why every guy kept flaking on me, because the universe was telling me that I wasn’t ready, wasn’t ready for anyone right now. I’m not going to say it, the dreaded “I have to date myself!” But I guess I did really need to learn how to love myself.

I’m not writing this for sympathy. I’m not saying: “Oh boo hoo I’m so lonely! Someone fix it!” That’s not what I’m saying at all. The part about feeling sorry for yourself is over, because again, it’s only yourself who can forgive yourself. The universe wanted this. Wanted me to be alone so I could get back to being Grace Michaud again. It’s just a fact of the matter, not a tragedy. Maybe one day it’ll happen to you. All I’m saying is, sometimes you do need to be alone and when you are, you have to force yourself to talk to yourself.

And figure out who the hell Grace Michaud is.

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dweemeister · 7 years ago

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Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Here is a confession: my only prior viewing history about college comedies includes a grand total of three films that I have seen in their entirety. Those films are Legally Blonde (2001), Monsters University (2013), and 22 Jump Street (2014). The “Slobs v. Snobs” comedic subgenre is also a weakness of mine, as their plots test my patience for both slobs and snobs. Combine these two, and you have a movie beyond my experience, but one that I found entertaining and wittier than expected – despite deep concerns by the rampant comedic misogyny that became more explicit in the 1980s that also appears. Jeff Kanew directed Revenge of the Nerds: the third and final episode of this prequel trilogy as it chronicles the final stages of the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader, the devastation of the Jedi Order, and the dissolution of the Galactic Republic for the Galactic Empire.

Apologies. That’s the wrong movie. Gosh, I can’t wait for Star Wars fans to hound me this December.

Armed with thick-rimmed glasses and pocket protectors, best friends and nerds Lewis Skolnick (Robert Carradine) and Gilbert Lowe (Anthony Edwards) are entering Adams College as computer science majors. Soon after they have moved into their dorm room, the boys – along with the other nerds inhabiting that building – are forced out by the college football team and must stay in the gymnasium. Tensions between the nerds and the football team increase to the point where Stan Gable (Ted McGinley) – the school’s starting quarterback and head of the Alpha Beta fraternity (which many of the football players are members of) – denies the nerds’ application to create a fraternity and their requests for remedial justice against Alpha Beta harassment. The nerds will then seek sanction from black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda (the frat president is played by Bernie Casey) – imagine if a blaxploitation movie dropped into a raunchy, largely white college comedy for several scenes – and will eventually receive their fraternity commission. The Tri-Lambs and Alpha Beta essentially go to war for the rest of the film. Nerdy sorority Omega Mu allies with the Tri-Lambs; sorority Pi Delta Pi assists the Alpha Betas.

Other Tri-Lamb members include Poindexter (Timothy Busfield), Wormser (Andrew Cassese), Booger (Curtis Armstrong), Lamar (Larry B. Scott), and Takashi (Brian Tochi). Notable Alpha Betas include Burke (Matt Salinger) and Ogre (Donald Gibb); notable Pi Delta Pis include Betty Childs (Julie Montgomery) and Judy (Michelle Meyrink). John Goodman is the football coach and James Cromwell is Lewis’ father, who drives his son and Gilbert to Adams.

If the nerds and jocks in this film weren’t as exaggerated as they are, this might be the subject of a documentary given the United States’ reflexive, masturbatory obsession for American football where the football players can do whatever, whenever they want. There is nothing groundbreaking about the depiction of the nerds and the jocks in Revenge of the Nerds, but what is remarkable about how Steve Zacharias and Jeff Buhai’s screenplay develops the nerds is that it betrays its only message: accepting others for who they are, that difference in interests and appearance is to be celebrated, and that tolerance and compassion for others is to be valued over a person’s external superficialities. The film’s sympathetic approach to the nerds in the film’s opening half is commendable; the abuse they suffer allows us to laugh – in joy, sometimes in confusion – when they are being themselves. But for near-identical reasons I find The Breakfast Club (1985) to be hypocritical, Revenge of the Nerds breaks its central idea and makes a mockery of it several times. Most everything that is shown about the Alpha Beta and Pi Delta Pi members is irredeemable – hazing based on humiliation, superiority complexes, excessive alcohol and drug consumption, and an obsession with physical and sexual prowess as a means to organize the fraternity/sorority hierarchy. The basis of the nerds’ revenge is not staying true to who they are, although they use their brainpower to figure out how their scheme will work. By the film’s conclusion, the nerds’ personalities become identical to the jocks’ – actively seeking out to humiliate their opponents, treating women as sexual playthings, and valuing their hedonism over everything else. I imagine Lewis’ father to be heartbroken if he heard about this; but given the rules set forth in Revenge of the Nerds, maybe not.

This is a comedy – a college comedy, some might emphasize – meant to entertain and skewer the jocks and their girlfriends for their behavior. But comedy is often double-edged, as it is here, and I could not bring myself to laugh as the nerds began to emulate. Maybe I do not know enough about comedies, but I tend to think the best comedies that attempt a message (that excludes pure farce, like 1980′s Airplane!) should hold steady to what they are trying to espouse as there is a moral responsibility that exists in that space. Message comedies often subscribe to a rule usually associated with journalism: to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. As the nerds become relentless in their revenge, the film resorts to racial stereotypes and misogyny as supporting plot devices. For all the hilarious pratfalls of the combat between the Tri-Lambs and Alpha Beta and the end-of-film festival’s events, these depictions overshadow Revenge of the Nerds’ intents.

According to British film critic Robert Ager, a DVD commentary interview including actor Curtis Armstrong had him claim that, in this film, “nerd” can stand in for any group of people being oppressed. What Armstrong and Ager fail to note, however, is that this statement is less applicable for Revenge of the Nerds’ black and Asian characters and rooted in decades of Hollywood history.

Larry B. Scott’s Lamar is obviously gay, presenting himself as an aberration to the rigidly heterosexual jocks. But Lamar is employed as comic relief in times when the Tri-Lambs wherever the film needs him to be. The queer black male is a stock character from blaxploitation – a subgenre of exploitation film which catered to African-American audiences and emerged in the early 1970s; blaxploitation films have been acclaimed by some as portraying more empowered black characters, but have also been criticized for reinforcing damaging stereotypes. Lamar’s queerness, if we are to look at him with a blaxploitation lens, is decontextualized by Revenge of the Nerds, as the stock queer black male – as seen in Shaft (1972) and Blacula (1972) – is usually employed to challenge black masculine norms (it can be comical or otherwise), that there is more than one way to be “authentically” masculine as a black man. Lamar is indeed a nerd, but what he could represent – as a black queer man – is erased, though I will admit that the performance he gives near the film’s end is one of the most positive depictions of a gay rapper I have seen. Additionally, the depiction of the Lambda Lambda Lambda administration – recall that it is a black fraternity – is of stoic men whose appearances are bookended by the expected funk music and cultural insensitivities by the largely white kids trying to form a Tri-Lamb chapter at Adams.

The filmmakers never even try with Japanese student Takashi (Brian Tochi), rendering him overly polite to those insulting and assaulting him, mixing up or simply dropping L’s and R’s in his speech, and being completely dense to everything surrounding him. We have been here too many fucking times before. If the filmmakers’ intentions were to expose the follies of these stereotypes by replicating them and showcasing their absurdities, the final product has too many mixed messages for me to take such a claim seriously. From Revenge of the Nerds’ nerd-jock dichotomy with nothing in between, the nerds’ adoption of the jocks’ behavior, and their portrayal of black and Asian characters, this almost drowns out the numerous clever verbal and sight gags there are.

And this is not even beginning to touch upon how this film treats its women characters. From the panty raid scene to the nerds’ installation of a camera to watch females undress in the supposed privacy of their bathrooms (a young elementary school-age kid is depicted watching these scenes and enjoying them) and bedrooms to a rape-by-deception/false identity (because as long as the fornicating is mind-blowing, the sex is totally okay, and the girl will fall for your dick, right?), there is nothing salvageable about how Revenge of the Nerds treats its women. Rape is a punchline and that – call me a prude all you want – is indefensible (Revenge of the Nerds would not be the first or last film to do this).

Made with money 20th Century Fox earned with Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge of the Nerds spawned three sequels – the later two being television movies – despite the fact Fox executives were expecting a modest box office intake (and thus left the production alone without much administrative interference). The film was shot on the campus of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson. The young cast – though some were certainly no longer the usual age for an undergraduate student – had a brilliant time shooting the movie, despite their initial reservations about playing such obvious nerds or loathsome jocks and cheerleaders. A Greek life-like atmosphere surrounded the set, and the stars found themselves partying with the university’s students when shooting was completed for the day.

Without the film’s surprisingly thoughtful portrayal of the nerds in the opening third of the film, the score that appears below might otherwise have been much lower. Without some pretty shocking or dirty lines from Lewis, Gilbert, and especially Goober, I might have liked this film a lot less than I do now (yes, this review has been scathing, but there are elements I appreciated). Yet all of that racially insensitive writing and misogyny is something that this film could all too easily could have gone without.

My rating: 5/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found here.

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beingmad2017-blog · 8 years ago

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Spreading the No longer-So-Proper News And Message

New Post has been published on https://beingmad.org/spreading-the-no-longer-so-proper-news-and-message/

Spreading the No longer-So-Proper News And Message

Part 1: Any other Gospel?

The influence of the occult upon our normal lives is awesome. An African missionary from the Mandinka tribe of West Africa, once requested a congregation a question just like that requested by means of the Apostle Paul of the Galatians. His 11-minute email messages , spoken in the mid-nineties, I will still keep in mind, as he shouted the query: “You silly People… Who has bewitched you?!”

The premise of his longer email messages changed into that, proper use of here inside the Corrector’ U.S. Of A., everywhere he regarded, he could come across the occult have an impact on. Whether it was via the media, advertisements, from the “alternative religions,” even from the pulpits of well-which means Christian ministers, what this guy became detecting was something Aside from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Crystals, guided imagery, recuperation meditation, Christian Technology, Kabbalah, Mormonism…Why has “Christian The us” so eagerly standard these ideas that, at their root, are so opposite to that which might be taken into consideration orthodox? Why are such a lot of things Other than biblical principles being sought out to meet the wishes of folks who declare to be Christians?

In 2 Corinthians, 11th bankruptcy, the Apostle warned that some could come preaching “Another Jesus” and “a one-of-a-kind gospel.” He wrote, “…as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” There are three styles of doctrine spoken of in the New Testament: the doctrine of guy, the doctrine of devils and the doctrine of Christ (and of God). Personally, I contend that Bible illiteracy is The idea for this continual weakening of Orthodox Christianity. One instance of this can be observed in the wide variety of Southern Baptists who’re joining the Mormon Church. Consistent with the Arizona Latter-day Sentinel, April 2, 1988, “…an average of 282 individuals in their church joins the LDS church each week. Coincidentally, the (sic) common Southern Baptist congregation has 283 participants, this means that the Baptists lose 52 congregations each yr to the Mormons.

Although a collection might also point out the call ‘Jesus’ and season their verbal exchange with spiritual-sounding, familiar Christianese, Not all that glitters is gold. As an example, those who worship The Sacred Mushroom (No, I’m Not kidding) seek advice from a mushroom as ‘Jesus’ so, based upon Romans 10:9-10 (…If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the lifeless, thou shalt be stored. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.) they bear in mind themselves to be “saved.” a few honestly believe this and have positioned their faith in a fungus.

We must ask ourselves simply WHO this Jesus is every time that call is spoken. Is he Lucifer’s brother? The archangel Michael? An Ascended grasp? A trifling prophet? A fungus? Or is the ‘Jesus’ to whom they refer the Lord of all Creation that He claimed to be? You see Jesus of Nazareth turned into both a liar, a lunatic, or surely Lord of all… The way WE have to see Him as well.

Element 2: The FARCE is with us!

After the primary Superstar Wars movie, Christian bumper stickers got here out mentioning that the “Pressure” was with us. Wondering the Superstar Wars film turned into a Christian allegory, many assumed this “Force” being mentioned in the film become the Holy Spirit. Of path, as we all recognize, the Holy Spirit is not a Force, however, the 0.33 Character of the triune God that we worship.

proper?

No longer In step with a 2001 survey with the aid of the Barna Group which stated that 61% of Americans believed the Holy Spirit to be An insignificant symbol of God’s presence as opposed to a residing entity. Scripture really reveals that the Holy Spirit has a motive – to empower folks who accept as true within Christ for the advancing of His State – in addition to non-public man or woman tendencies. But, I wonder at how many Christians, ministers protected, talk over with Him merely as “it” – If they well knew Him at all. simply as fantastic, 60% of adults consider Satan is merely an image of evil. But, 81% people agree with angels exist and have an impact on human beings’ lives.

What is most startling approximately the Celebrity Wars phenomenon isn’t always the advent of Yet Every other movie, but the actual ways in which people around the arena seem like forming a religion out of the aspect. The Anglican Digest mentioned that the first college to train Jedi – named for the Jedi Knights from the collection – changed into lately opened in Romania. Publications on the Superstar Wars Academy encompass the perfect use of lightsaber swords and training on how to speak Wookiee.

The BBC mentioned (2002) that at the least 70,000 human beings in Australia wrote in “Jedi” as their reaction beneath the class of faith on the last census form. Hard-middle fans of the movies had been seeking to have Jedi declared a professional religion across the English-speak international for years now.

The same situation befell in New Zealand of their census of 2001. Similarly, greater than 390,000 human beings in England declared themselves Jedi in their census of the equal year – a surprisingly wide variety when you recollect that simplest 260,000 people in England declared themselves to be Jewish! There are numerous Internet campaigns happening now that inspire electorate in the U.S. To petition for Jedi as a reputable religion on the following U.S. Census form.

Celebrity Wars creator, George Lucas, once stated: “I put the Pressure into the film with a purpose to attempt to awaken a sure form of spirituality in younger human beings — more a notion of God than a perception in any specific religious system. I wanted to make it so that young people would begin to ask questions about the thriller.”

nicely, it backfired, George. In a Time mag interview, Lucas downplayed any nonsecular implications approximately his series, however then went on to confess to the use of “the Pressure” as an illustration of God and the Darkish Facet warrior, Darth Vader, as a metaphor for the evil that exists inside us all. How unique is that from pronouncing all human beings are born in sin and want the assist of “God” to save them? Sounds quite spiritual, does it Not?

Unfortunately, only a few proponents of this Jedi religion have noticed that their new “religion” is very elitist and best a completely few of the Celebrity Wars characters are authorized to obtain any enjoy the Force, that being best the ones noted in the collection as Jedi Knights. A long way from being literally a ‘life-Pressure’ that may be harnessed by way of the underclasses and oppressed, it may only be utilized by a delegated few High Priests.

The Holy Spirit is so entitled to one very particular, apparent purpose: to distinguish Him from EVIL spirits, deceiving devils which are continuously at work in our midst, killing, stealing and destroying even folks that call themselves ‘Christian.’ The Holy Spirit empowers us. He convicts us of sin AND of our righteousness. He comforts, exhorts, edifies and confirms. He’s a consistent Trainer and reminds us of all that Jesus taught (so examine what Jesus taught). He is the exact equal Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and He desires to absorb residence in absolutely everyone who believes that Jesus is who He stated He is.

Jesus despatched Him. So, He’s manifestly all properly ever want! He’s no mere Force, but wherein Devil and his minions are concerned, He will make YOU a Pressure to be reckoned with.

Component three: The Kabbalah Kraze

The ultra-modern today’s religion is the Kabbalah. Pop singer Madonna has reportedly donated tens of millions to the purpose. Other well-known followers consist of comedian Roseann Barr, actress Demi Moore and lots of others. In modern day occult revolution wherein every dimension of the occult is being explored, there has been a revived interest in Kabbalah amongst both Jew and Gentile.

Although its Jewish origin makes it precise, Kabbalah is still basically an occultic exercise and is hence incompatible with the Judeo-Christian faiths. Its Pantheistic theology teaches that every one fact springs directly from God’s very own essence. Even supposing one believes that those “emanations” from God’s essence have “long past through a descent of ten spheres on four exclusive tiers” – whatever Which means – the conclusion is inescapable that even he who’s on the bottom degree is still of 1 essence with God; and hence, ultimately, that person IS God. This is a concept that is incompatible with the Biblical concept God, who created the world out of not anything, No longer out of Himself. In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew phrase for “create” is “bara,” referring to something popping out of not anything. This verse debunks Pantheism, the perception that God is within the Creation and IS the Introduction. God isn’t always the tree, the rock, the building or the air. Yet, Pantheism holds that God permeates the whole lot, and, consequently, IS all.

Pantheism is not particular to the practitioners of Kabbalah. I as soon as debated a believer in Pantheism and requested him if God was in the ones chicken droppings at the rock wall before us. I trust I heard his intellectual wheels come to a screeching halt for a second. “Come now,” I said, urging him Now not to check his brain at the door, “your ideas are either actually real at all times or they aren’t true in any respect.” By the way, he was a member of a neighborhood mainline Christian denomination. Pantheism is being embraced with the aid of many Christians. The concept is, basically, that most effective the nonsecular measurement exists. some Pantheistic religions consist of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Pantheism also forms The premise for Transcendental Meditation and some components of recent Age mysticism.

This should No longer be careworn with the idea of God’s omnipresence. God IS omnipresent. He is everywhere without delay. David stated, “…If I ascend up into heaven, thou (God) artwork there: if I make my mattress in hell, behold, thou art there,” (Psalm 139: eight). however, god isn’t the created world. In truth, He’s completely Outside to the created international. Worship belongs to the writer, Now, not His Creation. Paul tells us in Romans 1:25 that there could be those “Who modified the reality of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature extra than the author….”

God is related to the world as a sculptor is related to his sculpture, or I’m related to this email messages on my laptop display screen right now. The sculptor isn’t the sculpture. The writer is not the writing. The sculpture and the writing are productions. They’re produced by the only that creates, and what one creates, can be created once more. Possibly it will be one-of-a-kind or it is able to be higher.

God created everything just by means of talking it into lifestyles. It changed into Now not hard. He is God, you understand. “Let there be mild and there has been mild”. Poof! “Permit the waters to bring about and they brought forth, Allow the earth bring forth and it introduced forth” (Genesis 1:20,24). Poof! God changed into No longer positioned to a check to make the universe. some say, “Mankind become a greater tough product!” God fashioned Adam out of the dirt of the ground; we must No longer were TOO hard. Like a dust pie perhaps. Poof! He took a rib from Adam’s Aspect, spoke a word, and became it into a woman. Poof! That turned into Not Tough for God. This complete Advent changed into Not any such wonderful manufacturing in which God become worried. To us, it’s miles absolutely unfathomable. With only a little phrase, it all got here to be, or at the least, got commenced. It becomes really smooth for the author. Genesis 1:31 declares that in six days – Even though a day is as a thousand years in God’s economy – it all got here to be, certainly via His spoken phrases.

Imagine having that kind of an all-powerful creator God coping with our measly, temporal problems! He Desires to manage our lives in this equal way, but we need to Supply them to Him.

Element four: If it’s damaged, Permit’s repair it

North The united states is the only continent on the earth wherein the Church isn’t always developing, no matter a 2002 Barna survey revealing that 85% of us self-pick out as Christians. The exodus from American church buildings has reached biblical proportions. people are leaving organized church buildings at a charge of fifty-three,000 per week in Europe and North America mixed (the U.S. misplaced 57,500 inside the whole Vietnam Conflict, to position that range in attitude). As a whole, Christians lose 7, six hundred an afternoon to Different religions or irreligion. In line with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the need for new church buildings is more than it’s ever been as evidenced by the church-to-populace ratios over the last century. As an example, in 1900, there have been 27 church buildings, of multiple denominations, in keeping with 10,000 human beings. These days there are 12 church buildings according to 10,000 humans. Meanwhile, 8 churches near their doors permanently each day; almost 3,000 annually.

The mind boggles concerning the trendy in American Church information. For instance, the quantity of ministers who no longer agree with in the infallibility of Scripture is startling: eighty-five% of the Presbyterian United states of America pastors stated NO; 85% of the Methodist pastors said NO; 85% of the Episcopal pastors stated NO; 55% of the Baptist pastors said NO; forty-five% of the Catholic Monks stated NO.

A whopping forty-two% of USA citizens trust Jesus devoted sins. Whereas Jesus directed us to “cross and make disciples,” only16% of American Christians are concerned in a discipleship procedure of frequent assembly with a group or character for a religious increase. The Internet is the best mass medium whose target market proportion has grown throughout the past decade. The share of the populace the usage of the Internet as a nonsecular useful resource has increased by way of two-thirds in view that 1998. Consistent with the Barna Institution, “Our studies continue to show that human beings are using the Christian media to offer elements of ministry that aren’t effectively furnished to them with the aid of their nearby church.” He defined, “For a few people, these media supplement their church revel in. For others, an aggregate of those media paperwork a sizeable portion of their faith revels in….”

Church leaders have to start strategizing properly about now! Yes, the times They’re a-changing’. The Church have to wisely adapt and reach the masses in which They may be, however we ought to cautiously filter out the whole lot we read and hear through the lessons of Jesus Christ. Recollect the sensible counsel of Paul: “Watch out lest any man spoils you via philosophy and useless deceit, after the culture of men, after the rudiments of the sector, and No longer after Christ,” Colossians 2:8. Lamentably, plenty of this modern-day religious smorgasbord, consisting of the new Millenium’s hybrid faiths – Even though they will well be signs and symptoms of the apostasy of the cease times – are certainly something much less than the unpaid invoices of the Church at huge.

Selah.

Take this opportunity to fee this email messages below and e-mail it to friends and circle of relatives. This may growth the proper use of a possibility of performing on more search engines like google, thereby increasing the percentages of human beings being helped. Thank you!

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giveuselife-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Spreading the No longer-So-Proper News And Message

New Post has been published on https://giveuselife.org/spreading-the-no-longer-so-proper-news-and-message/

Spreading the No longer-So-Proper News And Message

Part 1: Any other Gospel?

Element 2: The FARCE is with us!

proper?

Jesus despatched Him. So, He’s manifestly all properly ever want! He’s no mere Force, but wherein Devil and his minions are concerned, He will make YOU a Pressure to be reckoned with.

Component three: The Kabbalah Kraze

Imagine having that kind of an all-powerful creator God coping with our measly, temporal problems! He Desires to manage our lives in this equal way, but we need to Supply them to Him.

Element four: If it’s damaged, Permit’s repair it

Selah.

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