#gold skies ep

[tansu-bomb]

Alchemy of Souls Part 2 is delivering gold-level (really hwansu-level) angst — especially Ep 23 & 24 which were a complete angst-fest.

AOS2 is so much better than what I hoped it would be. I love that they’re keeping the magic/powers aspects to a minimum and are focusing so much on the complex, messy new marital relationship of Uk & Yeong.

This story is not about Naksu (the destructor) picking up her sword again to paint the town red. That was her dark past which she took a very long time to come out of (thanks to Uk nurturing her). If it were upto me, I wouldn’t even want her memories to return. I love, love, love how she is now. This story will be about Uk & Yeong’s shared destiny to wield the power of the skies to bring peace and harmony in their world.

I will be writing long essays on Ep23 & 24 as the story/character-growth arc is so carefully crafted — its a delight to see the progress Uk & Yeong made.

[brookston]

Holidays 4.3

Holidays

Althoea Asteroid Day

American Circus Day

American Creed Day

Armenian Appreciation Day

Beech Tree Day (French Republic)

Corrupt Society Day

Day of the Bride (Argentina)

Don't Go To Work Unless It's Fun Day

A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold [also 1st Sunday]

Fan Dance Day

Find A Rainbow Day

Ghost Machine Day

Good Deeds Day

Independent Artist Day

International Day Against Victim Blaming

Jane Goodall Day (Los Angeles)

Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus; Japan)

Love A Muslim Day (UK)

National Chalk Day

National Film Score Day

National Grey Day

National Inspiring Joy Day

National Pac-Man Day

National Shoot Your Shot Day

Overcome a Handicap Day

Peace Day (Angola)

Pony Express Day

Second Republic Day (Guinea)

TV Guide Day

Tweed Day

Weed Out Hate: Sow the Seeds of Greatness Day

World Aquatic Animal Day

World Cloud Security Day

World Party Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day

Fish Fingers and Custard Day

National Chocolate Mousse Day

1st Wednesday in April

Donate Life Living Donor Day [1st Wednesday]

Global Day of the Engineer [1st Wednesday]

National Day of Hope [1st Wednesday]

National Walking Day [1st Wednesday]

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day [1st Wednesday]

Safe Place Selfie Day [1st Wednesday]

Whole Grain Sampling Day [1st Wednesday]

Independence & Related Days

Albay Province Day (Philippines)

Declaration of the Second Republic (Guinea)

Malinovia (Declared 2018) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning April 3, 2024

Arizona Bike Week (Scottsdale, Arizona) [thru 4.7]

Bacchanal Jamaica (Kingston, Jamaica) [thru 4.9]

Taste of Vail (Vail, Colorado) [thru 4.6]

Feast Days

Agape, Chionia, and Irene (Christian; Martyrs & Virgins)

Aristæus (Positivist; Saint)

Bud Fisher (Artology

Burgundofara (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Captain Cabbage (Muppetism)

Create a Mandala Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Cutios (Time of the Winds; Celtic Book of Days)

Day of Sheela-Na-Gig (Pagan)

Doris Day (Pastafarian)

Feast of Pak Tai (Macau) [3rd Day of 3rd Lunar Month]

Fred Kida (Artology)

Goof Friday (Church of the SubGenius)

Henry Dinnerstein (Artology)

Luigi Scrosoppi (Christian; Saint)

Nicetias (Christian; Saint)

Pancras of Taormina (Christian; Martyr)

Persephone’s Return from the Underworld (Ancient Rome)

Plato (Christian; Saint)

Proserpina’s Rise from the Underworld Day (Ancient Greece)

Richard of Chichester (Christian; Saint)

Sandra Boynton (Artooogy)

Seize a Sausage Day (Pastafarian)

The Shower Dance (Shamanism)

Ulpin of Tyre (Christian; Saint)

Washington Irving (Writerism)

Xystus (Christian; Martyr)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sizdar-Bedah (Unlucky to stay indoors; Iran)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Unlucky Monday (when God condemned the towns of Beram, Lipandas, Madama, Sodom and Gomorrah; Philippines) [1st Monday] (2 of 4)

Premieres

Adventureland (Film; 2009)

Are You Lonesome Tonight, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1960)

Beethoven (Film; 1992)

Bull-ero (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Clerow Wilson’s Great Escape (DePatie-Freleng Animated TV Special; 1974)

Dead Babies, by Martin Amis (Novel; 1975)

The Doddlebops (Children’s TV Series; 2004)

The Druid of Shannara, by Terry Brooks (Novel; 1991)

Fast & Furious (Film; 2009) [F&F #4]

Flip’s Lunch Room (MGM Cartoon; 1933)

Fuels Rush In or The Star-Spangled Boner (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 37; 1960)

Furious 7 (Film; 2015) [F&F #7]

I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

It Happened at the World’s Fair (Film; 1963)

It’s Now or Never, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1960)

Kiss of the Spider Woman, by Manuel Puig (Novel; 1976)

The Long, Hot Summer (Film; 1958)

Louisiana Hayride (Radio Music Series; 1948)

Mercury Rising (Film; 1998)

My Hero Academia (Anime TV Series; 2016)

Oh, Gentle Spring (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Old Mother Hubbard (Ub Iwerks ComicColor Cartoon; 1935)

The Other Boleyn Girl, by Philippa Gregor (Novel; 2008)

Piano Concerto in A Minor, by Edvard Grieg (Concerto; 1869)

Planet of the Apes (Film; 1968)

Planning for Good Eating (Disney Cartoon; 1946)

Porky’s Romance (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

The Pottsylvania Permanent or I’ve Grown Accustomed to the Place (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 38; 1960)

Rock-A-Doodle (Animated Film; 1992)

Rumple of the Bailey (UK TV Series; 1978)

The Sea-Wolf (Novel; 1904)

Son of Hashimoto (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1961)

The Swimming Hour, by Andrew Bird with Bowl of Fire (Album; 2001)

TV Guide (Weekly Magazine; 1953)

2001: A Space Odyssey (Film; 1968)

The Western Trail, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Yogi the Easter Bear (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1994)

Today’s Name Days

Richard, Sixtus (Austria)

Radojko, Ratko, Rikard, Siksto (Croatia)

Richard (Czech Republic)

Nicæas (Denmark)

Uko, Uku (Estonia)

Sampo, Veeti (Finland)

Richard (France)

Irene, Lisa, Richard (Germany)

Illyria’s (Greece)

Buda, Richárd (Hungary)

Riccardo, Sisto (Italy)

Daira, Dairis, Ferdinands (Latvia)

Kristijonas, Ričardas, Rimtautė, Vytenis (Lithuania)

Gunnvald, Gunvor (Norway)

Antoni, Cieszygor, Jakub, Pankracy, Ryszard (Poland)

Nichita (Romania)

Richard (Slovakia)

Ricardo (Spain)

Ferdinand, Nanna (Sweden)

Dick, Dickson, Dix, Dixie, Dixon, Doris, Ricarda, Ricardo, Rich, Richard, Richelle, Richman, Rick, Rickey, Ricky, Rosamond, Rosamund, Ryan (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 94 of 2024; 272 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 14 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 25 (Ding-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 24 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 24 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 4 Cyan; Foursday [4 of 30]

Julian: 21 March 2024

Moon: 34%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 10 Archimedes (4th Month) [Theodisius of Bithynia]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 16 of 92)

Week: 1st Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 14 of 31)

[still-single]

DISCOS HEATHEN: NEW SHOWS

Been a minute since I dropped in here, Tumbles. Please check out these new sets, made by me, at home. No more community radio station getting in the way of my ambitions. Enjoy these.

Ep. 360 (it killed Kissinger) 29 November 2023

Kleeer - Tonight

Seekersinternational - 2 Gold Chain (Drive U Crazy)

Cherrystones - Robot’s Kin

Komare - untitled

Identified Patient - Nog Steeds High Van De Lak

Kirlian - Pulsingers Dream

Run DMC - Rock the House

NYCC - I’ll Keep a Light In My Window

ALXAMBRA — arabic

Dow Jones and the Industrials - Never Too Stoned to Disco

Gerycz Powers Rolin - Activator

Venus Club - 14

Bar Italia - Hi Fiver

Violent Change - McCartney the Fox

Mike Donovan - Sadfinger Meets the Mighty Flash

Papa Yankson - Dodo Bi Afre

The Embrooks - I’m Coming Home

Eastlink - Blood Money

Tara Clerkin Trio — Brigstow

Andre Ethier — On Lies

Chi to Shizuku — Yoru no Kono Sora Toi

Empire — All These Things

Embrace — Money

England’s Glory — City of Fun

The Sundae Painters — Sweet Dreams

Bear Bones, Lay Low — Historia Microscopica

Bobby Jimmy and the Critters — Roaches (instr.)

Central Line — Walking into Sunshine

Ep. 359 (broke my shit) 19 November 2023

Third World War — Preaching Violence

Circus Lupus — I Always Thought You Were An Asshole

Shabba Ranks — Dem Bow

Gang of Four — Ether (Peel Session)

Collate — Disassociative Ritual

Erotic Drum Band — Plug Me to Death

Thorne — Face 2 Face

Flex TMG — Come On Over (Bebe)

Country Teasers — Please Stop Fucking Each Other

Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band — Junk Drawer Heart

Section 25 — Sutra

Finnoguns Wake — Blue Skies

The Native Cats — Small Town Cop Override

My Heart, An Inverted Flame — Pollen Blacked Out the Sky

Mutant Strain — Knuckle Dragger

Circle Jerks — Red Tape

Excelsior — Hot Shit Sandwich

Ooga Boogas — The Octopus Is Back

Cherubs — Carjack Fairy

Steel Pole Bath Tub — The Scarlet

Protomartyr — Want Remover

Hans-Joachim Roedelius — Durch Die Wüste

Huerco S. — Plonk VI

Nine Dog Dick — I Bought a Suicide for the Holidays

[musicarenagh]

Explore 'Survival Guide for Empaths' with Luís Raúl Ramírez In the swirling vortex of sound called "Survival Guide for Empaths," Luís Raúl Ramírez casts a net so wide, it sweeps across oceans emotional and spiritual. The EP, laced with six songs like chapters torn from an alchemist’s diary, presents itself not merely as music but as a whispered incantation tailored to soothe storm-tossed souls. https://open.spotify.com/album/7dzlDypn0atjSmwoVjQhMX One finds themselves adrift in the gentle currents of "Agua Sanadora," where strings conjure up images of silvery water under moonlit skies. Here, healing feels almost liquid — tangible if one could only cup it in their hands. Then we swing waywardly into "The Layer," which pivots abruptly towards sunbeams pushing through psyche-clouds; here words twist and spiral like winding staircases, shifting dark thoughts into glowing footprints leading upward. "Golden Fire" crackles with an incendiary magic—each note seems dipped first in burning gold then cast onto paper made from old-growth forests whispering age-old secrets about inner vibrancy and self-found power through visualization techniques. [caption id="attachment_55704" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Explore 'Survival Guide for Empaths' with Luís Raúl Ramírez[/caption] Yet amidst these celestial bodies floats the rap-infused title track “Survival Guide for Empaths,” pulsating firmly grounded beats against skyward-bound lyrics weaving through spiritual shields strong enough to protect even the most sensitive wanderer amongst us—a dexterous amalgamation that mirrors Ramirez himself: part rock musician threading cosmic conversations via electric guitar strings myriad as starscape filaments, part mindful monk seated cross-legged while synths rise softly like daylight across dawn's horizon. This ensemble melds seamlessly thanks to Ramirez’s prolific orchestration at his home studio—an ever-collaborative space breathing internet airwaves brought alive by plucked talent-turned-constellation visitors scattered yet connected within this global spirituality ether post-2020 bloom explosion. Time spent wandering these tracks leaves behind sacred echoes. They resonate because “Survival Guide for Empaths” isn’t just heard; it's felt deep within marrow bones renewing joints creaky with mundane daily frequencies until movement becomes fluid once again—with every listen sprouting another layer peeled back unveiling refreshed soul-skin shimmering promisingly hopeful. Follow Luís Raúl Ramírez on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

[dfroza]

reiterated.

(like the daily tread of the sun, although it is earth that is doing the spinning, the orbiting)

@ hyman_roger

Sunday's solar view with still lots to see but not much following - yet! @MoonHourSocial #astronomy #Astrophotography @ThePhotoHour

4.21.24 • 7:56am • X

[Psalm 19]

For the leader. A psalm of David:

The heavens declare the glory of God,

the dome of the sky speaks the work of his hands.

Every day it utters speech,

every night it reveals knowledge.

Without speech, without a word,

without their voices being heard,

their line goes out through all the earth

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he places a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom from the bridal chamber,

with delight like an athlete to run his race.

It rises at one side of the sky,

circles around to the other side,

and nothing escapes its heat.

The Torah of Adonai is perfect,

restoring the inner person.

The instruction of Adonai is sure,

making wise the thoughtless.

The precepts of Adonai are right,

rejoicing the heart.

The mitzvah of Adonai is pure,

enlightening the eyes.

The fear of Adonai is clean,

enduring forever.

The rulings of Adonai are true,

they are righteous altogether,

more desirable than gold,

than much fine gold,

also sweeter than honey

or drippings from the honeycomb.

Through them your servant is warned;

in obeying them there is great reward.

Who can discern unintentional sins?

Cleanse me from hidden faults.

Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins,

so that they won’t control me.

Then I will be blameless

and free of great offense.

May the words of my mouth

and the thoughts of my heart

be acceptable in your presence,

Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 19 (Complete Jewish Bible)

And these lines “mirrored” in The Voice translation:

He rises at one end of the skies

and runs in an arc overhead;

nothing can hide from his heat, from the swelter of his daily tread.

The Eternal’s law is perfect,

turning lives around.

His words are reliable and true,

instilling wisdom to open minds.

The Eternal’s directions are correct,

giving satisfaction to the heart.

God’s commandments are clear,

lending clarity to the eyes.

The awe of the Eternal is clean,

sustaining for all of eternity.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 19:6-9 (The Voice)

forever…

track (#2) on the EP 24/1 by Colorvault

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.3

Holidays

Althoea Asteroid Day

American Circus Day

American Creed Day

Armenian Appreciation Day

Beech Tree Day (French Republic)

Corrupt Society Day

Day of the Bride (Argentina)

Don't Go To Work Unless It's Fun Day

A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold [also 1st Sunday]

Fan Dance Day

Find A Rainbow Day

Ghost Machine Day

Good Deeds Day

Independent Artist Day

International Day Against Victim Blaming

Jane Goodall Day (Los Angeles)

Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus; Japan)

Love A Muslim Day (UK)

National Chalk Day

National Film Score Day

National Grey Day

National Inspiring Joy Day

National Pac-Man Day

National Shoot Your Shot Day

Overcome a Handicap Day

Peace Day (Angola)

Pony Express Day

Second Republic Day (Guinea)

TV Guide Day

Tweed Day

Weed Out Hate: Sow the Seeds of Greatness Day

World Aquatic Animal Day

World Cloud Security Day

World Party Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day

Fish Fingers and Custard Day

National Chocolate Mousse Day

1st Wednesday in April

Donate Life Living Donor Day [1st Wednesday]

Global Day of the Engineer [1st Wednesday]

National Day of Hope [1st Wednesday]

National Walking Day [1st Wednesday]

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day [1st Wednesday]

Safe Place Selfie Day [1st Wednesday]

Whole Grain Sampling Day [1st Wednesday]

Independence & Related Days

Albay Province Day (Philippines)

Declaration of the Second Republic (Guinea)

Malinovia (Declared 2018) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning April 3, 2024

Arizona Bike Week (Scottsdale, Arizona) [thru 4.7]

Bacchanal Jamaica (Kingston, Jamaica) [thru 4.9]

Taste of Vail (Vail, Colorado) [thru 4.6]

Feast Days

Agape, Chionia, and Irene (Christian; Martyrs & Virgins)

Aristæus (Positivist; Saint)

Bud Fisher (Artology

Burgundofara (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Captain Cabbage (Muppetism)

Create a Mandala Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Cutios (Time of the Winds; Celtic Book of Days)

Day of Sheela-Na-Gig (Pagan)

Doris Day (Pastafarian)

Feast of Pak Tai (Macau) [3rd Day of 3rd Lunar Month]

Fred Kida (Artology)

Goof Friday (Church of the SubGenius)

Henry Dinnerstein (Artology)

Luigi Scrosoppi (Christian; Saint)

Nicetias (Christian; Saint)

Pancras of Taormina (Christian; Martyr)

Persephone’s Return from the Underworld (Ancient Rome)

Plato (Christian; Saint)

Proserpina’s Rise from the Underworld Day (Ancient Greece)

Richard of Chichester (Christian; Saint)

Sandra Boynton (Artooogy)

Seize a Sausage Day (Pastafarian)

The Shower Dance (Shamanism)

Ulpin of Tyre (Christian; Saint)

Washington Irving (Writerism)

Xystus (Christian; Martyr)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sizdar-Bedah (Unlucky to stay indoors; Iran)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Unlucky Monday (when God condemned the towns of Beram, Lipandas, Madama, Sodom and Gomorrah; Philippines) [1st Monday] (2 of 4)

Premieres

Adventureland (Film; 2009)

Are You Lonesome Tonight, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1960)

Beethoven (Film; 1992)

Bull-ero (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Clerow Wilson’s Great Escape (DePatie-Freleng Animated TV Special; 1974)

Dead Babies, by Martin Amis (Novel; 1975)

The Doddlebops (Children’s TV Series; 2004)

The Druid of Shannara, by Terry Brooks (Novel; 1991)

Fast & Furious (Film; 2009) [F&F #4]

Flip’s Lunch Room (MGM Cartoon; 1933)

Fuels Rush In or The Star-Spangled Boner (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 37; 1960)

Furious 7 (Film; 2015) [F&F #7]

I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

It Happened at the World’s Fair (Film; 1963)

It’s Now or Never, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1960)

Kiss of the Spider Woman, by Manuel Puig (Novel; 1976)

The Long, Hot Summer (Film; 1958)

Louisiana Hayride (Radio Music Series; 1948)

Mercury Rising (Film; 1998)

My Hero Academia (Anime TV Series; 2016)

Oh, Gentle Spring (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Old Mother Hubbard (Ub Iwerks ComicColor Cartoon; 1935)

The Other Boleyn Girl, by Philippa Gregor (Novel; 2008)

Piano Concerto in A Minor, by Edvard Grieg (Concerto; 1869)

Planet of the Apes (Film; 1968)

Planning for Good Eating (Disney Cartoon; 1946)

Porky’s Romance (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

The Pottsylvania Permanent or I’ve Grown Accustomed to the Place (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 38; 1960)

Rock-A-Doodle (Animated Film; 1992)

Rumple of the Bailey (UK TV Series; 1978)

The Sea-Wolf (Novel; 1904)

Son of Hashimoto (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1961)

The Swimming Hour, by Andrew Bird with Bowl of Fire (Album; 2001)

TV Guide (Weekly Magazine; 1953)

2001: A Space Odyssey (Film; 1968)

The Western Trail, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Yogi the Easter Bear (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1994)

Today’s Name Days

Richard, Sixtus (Austria)

Radojko, Ratko, Rikard, Siksto (Croatia)

Richard (Czech Republic)

Nicæas (Denmark)

Uko, Uku (Estonia)

Sampo, Veeti (Finland)

Richard (France)

Irene, Lisa, Richard (Germany)

Illyria’s (Greece)

Buda, Richárd (Hungary)

Riccardo, Sisto (Italy)

Daira, Dairis, Ferdinands (Latvia)

Kristijonas, Ričardas, Rimtautė, Vytenis (Lithuania)

Gunnvald, Gunvor (Norway)

Antoni, Cieszygor, Jakub, Pankracy, Ryszard (Poland)

Nichita (Romania)

Richard (Slovakia)

Ricardo (Spain)

Ferdinand, Nanna (Sweden)

Dick, Dickson, Dix, Dixie, Dixon, Doris, Ricarda, Ricardo, Rich, Richard, Richelle, Richman, Rick, Rickey, Ricky, Rosamond, Rosamund, Ryan (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 94 of 2024; 272 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 14 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 25 (Ding-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 24 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 24 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 4 Cyan; Foursday [4 of 30]

Julian: 21 March 2024

Moon: 34%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 10 Archimedes (4th Month) [Theodisius of Bithynia]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 16 of 92)

Week: 1st Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 14 of 31)

[chorusfm]

Silverplanes – “Down The Drain” (Video Premiere)

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest video from space rock trio, Silverplanes, called “Down The Drain.” On this eclectic single from Silverplanes, they channel their love for Alt-Rock hooks in the style of Smashing Pumpkins, paired with the pop sensibilities of Rooney, in a unique way that is sure to leave a mark on the music scene. The band shared: ”Down the Drain” is about life passing by so quickly and one day looking back thinking, how did I get here? What happened to all the things we were going to do? Realizing you have changed but you’re still the same deep inside, and finally coming to terms with all the crazy things that have happened and resolving to carry on. The video captures various stages of myself visiting past and future. Silverplanes will be releasing their debut LP, Airbus, on April 5th. I was also able to catch up with this band for a brief interview below. In the past, Silverplanes has stuck with the EP format, what made you feel like this was the right moment for you to  release your debut LP? We recorded 39 songs in total when we did the EPs too. This record was really ready to come out mid-2020 and you know what happened then so we decided to hold it.  We have another 13 song record getting mixed currently ready for release in August or September and we are tracking now as well. Time to get prolific we aren’t getting any younger… The color silver is a heavy theme for you, both in the band’s name as well as its appearance. What is it that draws you to the color, and what makes it a core part of the act’s identity? Silver we are drawn to for its metallic futuristic feel. I used to be called future man for the way I dressed. Very modern avant garde style clothing. I think it came from that. And our love of the skies and travel. We did a jam session for names when we were starting out and silver kept coming into it. Silver the poor man’s gold…lol The video for “Down The Drain” juxtaposes your past and future, featuring both your father and son alongside some futuristic visuals. Where did the idea for this video come from?  The idea started with director Jon Danovic coming to me with the idea to make a video of a man and woman trying to be together again after a breakup and one being stuck in the real world one being stuck in the digital world. Like so many of us are today. You can get sucked into the phone or computer for a whole day and come out and be like wow, what happened? I was going over that idea with him and I said the songs not really about that. The song is about me thinking about my past trying to come to terms with it realizing I probably would’ve done it the same way even if I had another chance to do it, and I came up with the idea how about my father and my son in the video, but really emulating me in the past me in the future and then we had to have Jack Douglas and as a cameo and I think actually he was the best acting possibly of the whole thing but we wanted him to be in it at that point and we decided to do the video on that premise. --- Please consider becoming a member so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/features/silverplanes-down-the-drain-video-premiere/

[myvinylplaylist]

Target: Going Up 7” EP (1990)

On gold vinyl.

Etchings:

Side A: Hugs and Kisses She Misses

Side B: Nothing Dies With Blue Skies

Recorded Jan-March 1990 in Oak Brook, IL

Mastered in Wheaton, IL

Shakeforce Records

[sojust]

Dropzone darren styles

His one father, Bill Eteson, is a our musician and has been in Out a number of bands as day well as having released 3 get albums. Mark Eteson has been Was brought up on music. When someone For with such ferocious musical talent are (both behind the decks and but in the studio), complete and Not utter enthusiasm and dedication to you his art and a happy all go lucky likeable personality comes Any along, you just know something can very special is about to her happen. DVBBS, Martin Garrix, & Sander Van Doorn - Gold Skies (feat.Mark Eteson is carving his the own chunk out of the and global dance scene.Porter Robinson - Sad Machine (Darren Styles & Gammer Remix).Christina Novelli) (Darren Styles & Chris Unknown Remix) Top of the World (with Dougal, Gammer, & Hannah Faulkner).Junior, Eruption Remix)Īlbums/EPs with Breeze as Styles & Breeze Eruption & Dougal - I'm Gonna Get Ya (feat.Simply Electric (as DJ Force & The Evolution / Force & Styles)Īlbums/EPs with DJ Force as Force & Styles.Off-Monstercat releases Albums/EPs as Darren Styles He is 1/2 of the duo Zero Hero with Stonebank.Us Against the World ( Protostar Remix).Sky Is Falling (with Stonebank) (feat.Party Don't Stop (with Dougal & Gammer).December 22, 2020: Protostar created a remix of Darren Styles' original track Us Against The World.December 14, 2020: Darren Styles created a remix of Au5's original track Snowblind featuring Tasha Baxter.The song is featured on Monstercat Uncaged Vol. June 15, 2020: Darren Styles released his eighth Monstercat single, DYSYLM in collaboration with Gammer.An extended and VIP mix were also released with it. June 20, 2019: Darren Styles released his seventh Monstercat single, Never Let Me Down featuring David Spekter.November 19, 2018: Darren Styles released his sixth Monstercat single, Home in collaboration with Dougal featuring Jacob Wellfair.The song is featured on Rocket League x Monstercat Vol. September 13, 2018: Darren Styles released his fifth Monstercat single, Burning Up in collaboration with Gammer and Dougal.The remix is featured on THE DROP (The Remixes Pt. July 18, 2018: Darren Styles created a remix of Gammer's original song THE DROP.4 and was the first release of Monstercat: Uncaged. January 8, 2018: Darren Styles released his fourth Monstercat single, Sky Is Falling in collaboration with Stonebank and featuring EMEL.July 26, 2017: Darren Styles released his third Monstercat single, Party Don't Stop in collaboration with Gammer and Dougal.April 3, 2017: Darren Styles released his second Monstercat single, Us Against The World.The song is featured on Monstercat 030 - Finale. February 15, 2017: Darren Styles released his debut Monstercat single, Feel Like This in collaboration with Gammer.January 10, 2017: Darren Styles created a remix of Stonebank's original song The Only One featuring Ben Clark.4.12 Singles with Breeze as Styles & Breeze.4.11 Singles with DJ Force as Force & Styles.4.9 Singles as DJ Force & The Evolution.4.8 Singles with Stonebank as Zero Hero.4.5 Albums/EPs with Breeze as Styles & Breeze.4.4 Albums/EPs with DJ Force as Force & Styles.3.6 Featured Artists in artist's remixes.

[dystopianam]

Lighting Mods 💡 for The Sims 3~ ✨

(Updated 05/02/2024)

(Choose only one at a time) - and look here for other masterposts

World Lighting Mods

The Blue Dream - lighting mod by Voielle

Environment Lighting Tweaks v4.0 & v5.6.55 GOLD by mahamudo

Outdoor Lighting Tweaks v2.2 by dDefinder

Uranesia Lighting Mod Plus+ by nilxis from the W.I.P World "Uranesia" by the same creator of the lighting mod.

Mediterranean Day by nilxis from the world "Sa Pineda" by the same creator of the lighting mod.

Blue Skies & Sunshines by Brntwaffles

Perfect Day by Brntwaffles

Fresh Cut Day by Brntwaffles

Midnight Dream by Brntwaffles

Alien Sky by Brntwaffles

Brighter Realm by Brntwaffles

Cloud Nine by Brntwaffles

Dream Dimension by Brntwaffles

Triple Cotton Candy Mint Swirl by Brntwaffles

Aurora Skies Lighting Mod by Brntwaffles from the EA Store World "Aurora Skies" by EA.

Dystopian Lighting Mod by Brntwaffles

Moonrise Kingdom by Brntwaffles

St.Claires Lighting Mod by Brntwaffles from St.Claire World by awesims.

Frozen Lighting Mod by Brntwaffles

Rosewood Park Lighting mod by gruesim from Rockwood Island World by the same creator of the lighting mod.

Gelina Lighting Tweaks by gelinagelina

Ethereal Glow by BoringBones

Romantic Sky by Niobe Cremisi

Bright Sky by Niobe Cremisi

Summer Sky by Niobe Cremisi

Sunset Sky by Niobe Cremisi

California Day by secretlyplayingsims (ALT DL Link here)

Tropical Aurora by amberpuggle

Tropical Aurora V2 by amberpuggle

Hylewood from the custom world "Hylewood" by Nilxis

Clear & Bright by potato ballad sims

Soggy Bottom from the custom world Soggy Bottom Island by halloweenscones

Spooky Sky by aminovas

Monte Vista Lighting Mod from the World Monte Vista by EA, made standalone by me

Oasis Landing Lighting Mod (Normal Future) from the EP Into The Future by EA, made standalone by me

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Edited Lighting Mods~

(Choose only one at a time. Don't use them with their original versions.)

Edited Brntwaffles's "Perfect Day" lighting mod by rainjunkownllama with Gelina Tweaks

Edited Brntwaffles's "Frozen Lighting Mod" by rainjunkownllama with Gelina Tweaks

Edited Brntwaffles's "Cotton Candy Mint Swirl Lighting Mod" by rainjunkownllama with Gelina Tweaks

Edited Brntwaffles's "Alien Sky Lighting Mod" by rainjunkownllama with Gelina Tweaks.

Edited Brntwaffles's "Moonrise Kingdom Lighting Mod" by rainjunkownllama with Gelina Tweaks.

Edited Brntwaffles’s Blue Skies & Sunshine with Gelina Tweaks by auroraeternal

Edited Niobe Cremisi’s Lighting Mods with Gelina Tweaks by auroraeternal

Edited Monte Vista Lighting Mod with Gelina Tweaks by me

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Extra for the Environment~ 🌳

Improved Environmental Shadows by simsi45

Reworked & Improved EA Lights by simsi45

Enchanted Enviroment by Wasset

More Light Coming Through Windows by Blyss

Shadow Extender by Lazy Duchess

Snow but Better by Lyralei

Shader Tweaks by Lazy Duchess

Milky Way Night Sky by nilxis

Realistic Clouds by nilxis

More Custom Clouds by nilxis

Aurora Boreal - Unicorn Aurora by Canibal_MLO

Lighting Enhanced by Canibal_MLO

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

CAS Lighting Mod~

Pure CAS Lighting Mod by criisolate

CAS Lighting Edit by simbouquet

These are all the lighting mods I know! Please let me know if you know any other lighting mods and I will add them!

[frank-pool]

My 50 Favorite Albums Of 2021:

50. slowthai - TYRON

49. WILLOW - lately I feel EVERYTHING

48. Turnstile - GLOW ON

47. Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales

46. serpentwithfeet - DEACON

45. RRA - We Might Not Make It Out Alive ( @wearerra )

44. L’Impératrice - Tako Tsubo

43. Clairo - Sling

42. Zack Fox - shut the fuck up talking to me

41. Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee

40. Pink Siifu - GUMBO!’

39. Kanye West - Donda

38. JPEGMAFIA - LP!

37. Snoh Aalgera - TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES

36. Rejjie Snow - Baw Baw Black Sheep

35. Jonathan Ferr - Cura

34. Maxo Kream - WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

33. Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend

32. J. Cole - The Off-Season

31. Westside Gunn - Hitler Wears Hermes 8 (Sincerely, Adolf/Side B)

30. Gaspard Augé - Escapades

29. Madlib & Four Tet - Sound Ancestors

28. Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime

27. Lord Apex - Smoke Sessions 3

26. Sons of Kemet - Black to the Future

25. Benny the Butcher & Harry Fraud - The Plugs I Met 2

24.  Isaiah Rashad – The House Is Burning

23. Erika de Casier - Sensational

22. Alfa Mist - Bring Backs 

21. Black Country, New Road - For the first time

20. black midi - Cavalcade

19. Amaro Freitas - Sankofa

18. Navy Blue - Navy’s Reprise

17. Joyce Wrice - Overgrown

16. Liniker - Indigo Borboleta Anil

15. Mndsgn - Rare Pleasure

14. Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams

13. Armand Hammer & The Alchemist - Haram

12. Wiki - Half God

11. Mach-Hommy - Pray For Haiti/Balens Cho

10. Boldy James & The Alchemist - Bo Jackson

9. BADBADNOTGOOD - Talk Memory

8. St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home

7. Spellling - The Turning Wheel

6. Hiatus Kaiyote - Mood Valiant

5. Genesis Owusu - Smiling With No Teeth

4. Tyler, The Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST

3. Silk Sonic - An Evening With Silk Sonic

2. Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

1. Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - Promises

My 10 Favorite Songs Of The Year

1.  BADBADNOTGOOD - Signal From The Noise

2. Kanye West - Life of The Party (Feat. Andre 3000)

3.  Tyler, The Creator - WILSHIRE

4.  Spellling - Boys at School

5.  Genesis Owusu - Gold Chains

6.  St. Vincent - Live In The Dream

7.  Little Simz - Woman (feat. Cleo Sol)

8.  KAYTRANADA - $payforhaiti (feat. Mach-Hommy)

9. Boldy James & The Alchemist - Fake Flowers (feat. Curren$y & Freddie Gibbs)

10. Hiatus Kaiyote - Get Sun (feat. Arthur Verocai) (Album Version)

BONUS (EPs, Deluxe Editions, Live Albums, Soundtracks & Remix Albums):

Radiohead - KID A MNESIA

Jessie Ware – What’s Your Pleasure? (The Pleasure Edition)

King Krule - You Heat Me Up, You Cool Me Down

Paris, Texas - BOY ANONYMOUS

Yves Tumor – The Asymptotical World EP

The Alchemist - This Thing of Ours (Vol. 1 & 2)

Jorja Smith - Be Right Back

Flying Lotus - Yasuke

Tkay Maidza – Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 3

Vince Staples - Vince Staples

pinkpantheress - To Hell With It

Beach House – Once Twice Melody (Chapters 1 & 2)

Nicholas Britell - Succession (Season 3 OST)

[writemekpop]

Baby It’s Cold Outside | Mark Lee

21 First Kisses Series Ep. 12

Series Masterlist

Genre: Antarctic Explorers AU, Fluff 

Word Count: 0.5k

"We’ll warm up quicker if we’re naked.” 

Gif: @nctmark​

You wonder what’s louder: the howl of the Antarctic storm, or your teeth chattering. Your research cabin’s rickety generator gave out hours ago, and your life hangs on one ancient space heater.

Just then, you hear a furious rapping on the door. Your heart thaws, just a little.

Mark.

You usher him in, squeezing the door shut against the ravenous wind. Mark’s blonde curls stick untidily out of his hood, and frost beads his shadowed chin.

“Expedition okay?”

“Y-y-y-yeah. N-no p-penguins, but t-two t-trails so good…”

“Oh Mark! You’re so cold… come near the space heater, quick.” You help him shrug out of his damp overclothes.

As Mark pulls his jumper off, your eyes snatch up a flash of tight gold abs. You bury a smirk, sparks melting your veins.

“Th-thanks…” Mark stutters, warming his hands on the heater. You watch his full lips turn from navy to soft pink.

“We’ll heat up quicker if we’re naked,” you whisper, your chilled cheeks thawing. Mark chuckles, and you join in. Just a little too quickly.

“I don’t know w-what I’d do without you, Y/n.” Mark chews the corner of his mouth. “Jeez, I’ve got no idea what I’m gonna do after this research gig.”

“Don’t you, uh, have anyone at home?”

“Yeah, I do.” There’s a gentle crack as a crevice opens in your heart.

“No, w-well, I did. Her name was Hema. While my toes were dropping off out here, she found someone else’s bed warmer.” Mark laughs, but his eyes are iceberg sharp.

Thunder slams against the cabin, and you both instinctively huddle closer. Hands nudge, accidentally, not-accidentally. Your heart races like a downhill sled.

“I’m sorry about your girlfriend.” You don’t not mean it. At least, that’s what you tell your bounding reindeer heart.

“Nah, I mean, it was bound to happen, right? This job is bloody lonely.”

“You’re not alone,” you murmur to yourself.

As soon as the words leave your mouth, there’s a sharp bang. Two pairs of eyes flash to the space heater, and you see that the crimson light has flicked off.

“Damn it!” Mark bangs the heater, in vain. Your last source of heat, your last hope, is gone.

As if on cue, your eyes meet Mark’s. You don’t say a word, but a realisation slips between you.

There are two warm things in here. And they’re not space heaters.

Your breaths start to come quick and shallow. Embarrassingly, the clouds puffing out of your lips make that clear.

Before you can lose your nerve, you clasp Mark’s hands. You tug his gloves off. Right. Left.

A shiver of fiery anticipation shoots through you. You rub Mark’s bare, crimson palms between yours, pushing your body heat into him, accepting his.

“You said I’m not alone,” Mark whispers. You tense.

“Y-you heard?” You’re stuttering, but not because of the cold.

“Do you mean it?” Mark’s almond-shaped eyes blister into yours. You frown as you realise that this is no ordinary question.

“Do you feel the way I-“

You cut him off.

Lifting your hands to clasp his face, you pull his lips onto yours. At first, your frosty mouths are slow, limp, learning the feel of each other. But the blistering passion thaws you, and soon it’s a meltwater kiss – lips moulding together at ski-speed down the mountains.

When you finally come up for air, you get the strangest feeling. Despite being in the coldest place on Earth, you’ve never felt warmer.

Part 2 Coming Soon...

[bboyplankton]

R&B/Pop/Alternative Albums 2021

1.Mac Ayers – Magic 8Ball

2.Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales

3.VanJess – HomeGrown

4.Jake&Papa – Blackberry Winter

5.Shelley FKA DRAM – Shelley FKA DRAM

6.Jaz Elise – The Golden Hour

7.H.E.R. – Back of My Mind

8.Kenyon Dixon – Expectations

9.Sinead Harnett – Ready is Always Too Late

10.Tiara Imani – Cycles – EP

11.Otis Kane – Purple BLUE

12.Tone Stith – FWM

13.Snoh Aalegra – Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies

14.Emotional Oranges – The Juicebox

15.Elhae – Aura III

16.JMSN – Heal Me

17.Dixson – Darling

18.Vedo – 1320

19.Charlotte Day Wilson – Alpha (Deluxe)

20.Sevyn Streeter – Drunken Wordz Sober Thoughtz

21.Kyle Dion – Sassy

22.Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound (Deluxe)

23.Sammy Johnson – Cool & Easy

24.Jael – Half As Much

25.Gallant – Neptune

26.Jordan Hawkins – Heart Won’t Stop

27.Willow – lately I feel EVERYTHING

28.JoJo – Trying Not to Think About It

29.Jael – Half As Much

30.Otis Kane – Growing Pains – EP

31.Prince – Welcome 2 America

32.James Blake – Friends That Break Your Heart

33.Eric Bellinger & Hit Maka – 1-800-Hit-Eazy

34.Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown – Lovesick

35.Nao – And Then Life Was Beautiful

36.NBDY – Tunnel Vision

37.Bren Joy – Twenties (Deluxe)

38.DVSN & Ty Dolla $ign – Cheers to the Best Memories

39.Kevin Ross – Drive 2

40.Cleo Sol – Mother

41.Robin Thicke – On Earth, and in Heaven

42.Destin Conrad – Colorway

43.John Mayer – Sob Rock

44.Anthony Hamilton – Love Is The New Black

45.Aaron Childs – Peach – EP

46.Tems – If Orange Was a Place – EP

47.Kaytranada – Intimidated – EP

48.Otis Kane – November Love Notes

49.Brandy Haze – Silhouette – EP

50.Teflon – Years A Pain

51.Bathe – Bicoastal

52.King Sis – Ascension

53.Malia – Unpolished

54.Trevor Jackson – The Love Language

55.Summer Walker – Still Over It

56.Dayglow – Harmony House

57.Pink Sweat$ – Pink Planet

58.Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams (Deluxe)

59.Jesse Royal – Royal

60.Majid Jordan – Wildest Dreams

61.Tone Stith – Still FWM

62.Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic

63.Mariah the Scientist – Ry Ry World

64.Grace Webber – A Beautiful Space (Deluxe)

65.Zacari – SOL - EP

66.Joyce Wrice – Overgrown

67.Kelly Rowland – K – EP

68.Lucky Daye – Table For Two

69.Thando – Alive Again

70.Adele – 30

71.Joy Crookes – Skin

72.Kara Marni – State of Mind

73.Sky – Good Grief: 3am (slowed + reverb)

74.Michael Montano – The Wedding Album

75.Stokley – Sankofa

76.Doja Cat – Planet Her (Deluxe)

77.BJ the Chicago Kid – 4 AM – EP

78.Eric Bellinger – New Light

79.Donnell Jones – 100% Free

80.Roe – My Way

81.Puma Blue – In Praise of Shadows

82.UMI – Introspection Reimagined

83.Alina Baraz – Sunbeam – EP

84.India Shawn – Before We Go

85.Alicia Keys – Keys

86.Various Artists – My Way Riddim

87.Vandelux – Dream State

88.Emanuel – ALT Therapy

89.Joshua Henry – Grow

90.Thuy – I hope you see this

91.Sky – Good Grief

92.UB40 – Bigga Baggariddim

93.Black Coffee – Subconsciously

94.Weezer – Van Weezer

95.Rotimi – All or Nothing

96.Maria Isabel – I hope you’re very unhappy without me

97.Jvck James – Joyride – EP

98.Alina Baraz – Moongate – EP

99.Tiwa Savage – Water & Garri – EP

100.Hiatus Kaiyote – Mood Valiant

101.Jaas – Unavailable

102.Justine Skye – Space and Time

103.Maroon 5 – Jordi (Deluxe)

104.Jorja Smith – Be Right Back

105.Njomza – Limbo

106.Marc E. Bassy – Little Men

107.Brandy Haze – That’s Unfortunate – EP

108.Romero Mosley – Ro’s Colored Glasses

109.James Vickery – Songs that Made Me Feel

110.Phabo – Soulquarius

111.Jake&Papa – Octobuary

112.Hayley Williams – Flowers for Vases/decansos

113.Celeste – Not Your Muse (Deluxe)

114.Amaal – Milly

115.Candice Pillay – The Rise – EP

116.Sy Ari Da Kid – It’s Not You, It’s Me

117.Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Music From The Motion Picture)

118.The Black Keys – Delta Kream

119.Ed Sheeran – =

120.Lion Babe – Rainbow Child

121.Jenevieve – Division

122.Yebba – Dawn

123.Alex Mali – Iconic

124.Skylar Stecker – Earth Signs

125.Weezer – OK Human

126.Abby Jasmine – I Hate You 2 – EP

127.Moonga K – Candid – EP

128.Flozigg – Beige – EP

129.Brandy Haze – Silhouette – EP

130.Arya Starr – 19 & Dangerous

131.Tinashe – 333

132.Maeta – Habits

133.Charlie Heat – Valentine’s Son

134.H-Town – Date Night

135.Madison Beer – Life Support

136.Popcaan – Gyalentine’s

137.Miguel – Art Dealer Chic 4 – EP

138.Ebhoni – X – EP

139.Jessy Rose – Are You Home – EP

140.Blackbear – misery lake – EP

141.Sy Ari Da Kid – Alone But Not Lonely

142.Filah Lah Lah – We’re Gonna Be Just Fine

143.Halsey – If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power

144.Norelle – A Story About Love

145.Lyfe Jennings & Amina Buddafly – The Six Pack EP, Vol. 1

146.Everything Is Recorded, Clipz & Jumpin’ Jack Frost – Saturday Specials: The CLIPZ Remixes

147.Vampire Weekend – 40:42

148.Lorde – Solar Power (Deluxe)

[sagehaleyofficial]

HERE’S WHAT YOU MISSED THIS WEEK (6.2-6.8.21):

NEW MUSIC:

Rise Against released another track titled “Talking to Ourselves” ahead of the release of their new album Nowhere Generation, which dropped last Friday. Additionally, June 4 was named “Rise Against Day” in the city of Chicago.

Knuckle Puck's Joe Taylor revealed his new solo project Bright Black Hole, also debuting a new track called “Not a Test (Spinning Death Machine).” The song will be featured on his upcoming self-titled debut album.

Sleeping with Sirens released a brand new track titled “Bloody Knuckles.” The song marks the first brand new music from the band since the release of their album How It Feels to Be Lost back in 2019.

Trash Boat revealed their new album Don't You Feel Amazing? will be released on August 13 via Hopeless Records. Along with the announcement, they also dropped the album’s title track.

Free Throw released the third song from their upcoming album Piecing It Together, titled “Ocular Pat Down.” Their new album is set for release on June 25 via Triple Crown Records.

Memphis May Fire returned with their first new song in three years titled “Blood and Water.” The band released their last full-length Broken back in 2018 via Rise Records.

Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump recorded the theme song for the new cartoon Spidey and His Amazing Friends, set to appear on Disney Junior. Having written for many soundtracks and scores, he previously wrote the full score for the 2019 film Spell.

The Maine released a new piano version of their recent single “Sticky,” featuring vocals from SHAED’s Chelsea Lee. Their new album XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time is set for release on July 13 via 8123 and Photo Finish Records.

All Time Low revealed their own remix of the song “Palm Reader” by DREAMERS featuring Big Boi and UPSAHL. The two bands met on tour prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Black Veil Brides shared the third track from their upcoming album The Phantom Tomorrow titled “Crimson Skies.” The album is set for release on October 29 via Sumerian Records.

Magnolia Park released a brand new track titled “Tonight,” after releasing their debut mixtape Dream Eater back in March. The mixtape featured previous singles “Back on My Bullsh*t” and “TDH2S” featuring Broadside’s Oliver Baxxter.

Guardin released a new version of his song “I Think You’re Really Cool” remixed by My Chemical Romance’s Ray Toro. The former artist released an EP titled Ataraxy Li last month.

TOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS:

I Don't Know How but They Found Me announced the details of two headline shows in the United Kingdom, joined by Will Joseph Cook. The shows will take place in Glasgow on August 27 and London on August 31.

VUKOVI revealed that they are heading out on tour later this year across the United Kingdom, with Press to MECO and Delaire the Liar as opening acts. The tour begins in Norwich, England, on October 12 and ends in Glasgow on October 28.

Palaye Royale announced a massive UK/European tour, of which Badflower will serve as a supporting act. The tour begins in Hamburg on February 19, 2022 and ends in St. Petersburg on April 3.

Over the weekend, Twenty One Pilots made an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show. They performed their recent track “Shy Away,” having last performed their song “Level of Concern” on the show close to a year ago.

OTHER NEWS:

The All-American Rejects' classic track “Move Along” was recently certified Silver in the United Kingdom. The track is the title track of the band's second record, which itself is certified Gold.

After rising into the Top 10 a few weeks ago, All Time Low’s track “Once in a Lifetime” recently broke into the Top 5 on Alternative Radio. It is currently sitting at No. 4 following a 12.3% increase in plays over the last week to 612.

Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil revealed that he has teamed up with BBC Scotland for a new six-part series, which he will be presenting. The show, titled The Simon Neil Experience, will be starting on June 9 and will be broadcast weekly.

Gym Class Heroes' classic track “Cupid's Chokehold” has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States. The song last hit a milestone back in 2007 when it was certified Platinum.

Bring Me the Horizon's 2015 album That's the Spirit was recently certified Platinum in the United Kingdom. This marks the band’s first album to hit that milestone.

___

Check in next Tuesday for more “Posi Talk with Sage Haley,” only at @sagehaleyofficial!

[yokozii]

MY PACK REFRESH SUGGESTSIONS

I have some major things I've been holding onto for a while, and I shared this a few months ago with some people about what I think should be added & changed to the sims 4 for gameplay..

so where do I start lol

outdoor retreat EP - 1. all insects should spawn around the same regular hours and times of day in ALL worlds if you own the pack AND insects would affect harvestables on lots 2. hiking should be allowed here with sims automatically wanting to go scenic hiking just like the mountains in snowy escape...with a guide board for the dangers to look out for in the woods. it should not be just random wandering in the woods just for scavenging for bugs and insects when we can go camping and all this there are other things we can do! the weather is actually pretty crazy in granite falls during storms and blizzards 3. ability to make the cabins RENTABLE for HOLIDAYS and offer a discount if a family/group is coming. or have family vacation cabin days ..as well as having npc families that are in the world to go on camping trips too! 4. kids should be able to go to a summer camp or some kind of camp here. meaning one of the lots should have ability to be a community lot and have a lot type as a summer camp..where they can learn scouting and bug things and campfire folklore even go hunting for big foot and big foot clues with other campers

snowy escape - 1. the festival of lights and festival of youth SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON SEPERATE DAYS. NOT THE SAME DAY & TIME AT RANDOM or at least different weekends , I use 'flea market every sunday mod' there is no reason all the festivals should be tied into the same day in the code. remake the festivals and have them happen seasonally if you own seasons OR spread them out more. 2. festival of lights should allow us to release actual lantern lights in the air with other npc sims! the same way they can gather and watch fireworks i think this should be a thing!!!! it's good for dates and picture taking, they should also have more to do in the 'square' of the festival like dancers and maybe more decorations ...the festival is so dead looking outside the vendors and the fire pit which is hard to notice when it starts. sell bags of koi gold fish (like festival t shirts ) or have npcs give each other red envelopes with how it's done at the romance festival with the rose petal throwing! 3. rescue dogs and rescue team for when camping in the snow mountains. there is no reason we have blizzard to climb to the top and not a rescue npc team that wanders about with gear for us to get from them when it's a controlled place smh. 4. snowboarding / ski career that includes taking promo pics and competing in competitions either in rabbit hole or active career. 5. actual SKIs . 6. actual SNOWMOBILE 7. ice skating career. we got ice skating with seasons and nothing to do with it. we don't even have skating on frozen ponds. at least let ice skating in the mountains happen somehow.. 7. hibachi cook career as apart of cooking career if you own the pack 8. if you own a bathhouse lot you should get passive revenue from it being open

MORE BELOW THE CUT

City Living -1. we should be able to change the decor in the spice festival and fleamarkets. it can have a requirement of types of furniture to be there but they all SPAWN in and we should be able to save how we want that to happen. i hate the mm furniture used and I've always wanted it to be changed 2. npc apartment neighbors should collect their own roommates. without being family or randomly thrown in a household. but labled as roommates so they can always be changed. 3. we should decorate elevator hallways and walkways. 4. there should be the same kind of festival type style we have in cottage living far as people judging their own veggies and cows , but fresh fruit farmers and fresh veggie farmers should come to flea markets and sell those and like fresh juice and other things besides just city vendors. alot of city life isn't nyc city life or LA city life for alot of us. 5. npcs should actually buy fleamarket items and focus on shopping more and haggle us too 6. CC FURNITURE SHOULD BE SOLD AT FLEAMARKETS TOO. 7. stray cats and dogs! where are they?! thats very city living and yet they are not around 8. sims that actually live in san myshuno should actually walk around and be npcs there.. or ones flagged as san my residents. same way mt. koembri residents have tags and distinct ways..the san my residents should have city life trait or something. 9. a busy city overall..the closest thing we have to open neighborhoods are apartments in CL. we need to see yoga classes starting openly in all that blank space at random if we have spa day or art clubs doing art. maybe neighborhood gardening club meet..city brawl between teens..the empty spaces we have when no festivals are happening should be used for more than random political protests. which rarely happen anyway (edited)

10. basketball career! we have a BIG COURT that has no use. why can't university students come and use it for teams and not just rabbit hole soccor teams?! give us basket ball teams for the CL court and have it as a after school gig for kids and teens too

11. environmental career from island living does NOTHING anywhere else not even ECO LIVING!? why is there not a trashy city????? that has to be cleaned? give us trashy san myshuno because eco living is doing what we expected here. we need to be able to clean the environment or at least choose not to and have crap everywhere at least and have clubs that do clean up or the eco living people that do the clean up to make it look nice

12. this probably should go with my GET TOGETHER refresh ideas but.. why are there no headliner DJ careers when we have a karoke bar and club in fashion district? we should be able to have it as a dj as a active career and go on tours basically..also karoke club trait for private karoke also a buff to be known as good at karoke

13. ART SHOWS san myshuno should host random art shows in art district somewhere! if you are a artist sim your art should be able to be displayed at the galleries for fame and etc and sims can take pictures of it and have pics of the artists works or something. we sell prints to the gallery for fame+ anyway so give us a reason to use these galleries. and have artist sims recommend sims for university to art schools (edited)

14. COSPLAY - we should be able to select the costumes and cosplay WE want to wear to the geekcon. if we use cc there should be a pop up that lets us dress how we want for the event as well as cosplayers who show up

15. let us change up how the festival looks at geekcon we should have better gaming centers for famous gamers and streamers and get autographs and all that

16. scam artists who promise fame at the geekcon for promo. yes more consequences

17. astronauts should actually be at geekcon helping with building the ships or at least guiding or taking pictures with people

18. BURGULARS ! and police (npcs or played) should show up asking if you have seen a burglar due to a recent report if you live in san myshuno. basically city life integrated with get to work

Get Famous 1. fashion shows. we have the fashion career now. fashion shows on the strip or can be hosted at hottestspot lots and require reputation to be apart of , and famous sims can ask sims to participate in fashion shows for a $$$ fee. it can also be a mini part time job for regular sims who are not famous and only want to be a famous model by association depending on how they do in the show! 2. singing career! we need it 3. bouncer career! since it's basically a npc career it can kind of be semi-active! or part time! a mini job of guiding famous sims down the red carpet safely and telling crazy fans to leave to kicking out sims acting up on the dance floor we all love a mean bouncer on the premises plus we miss urbz gameplay ALOT 4. handing out flyers and posting online for sims to come watch your show or commercial or movie for sims in the acting career. promoting yourself should be apart of getting famous and not just practice acting !!! 5. whatever you are famous for sims should talk to you and mention that. OH HEY YOURE FAMOUS FOR COOKING! YOURE THAT FAMOUS REPAIR GUY! WOW I MET THE FAMOUS KNITTING GIRL. real perks of fame stuff 10/10 6. this goes with the dj career idea, why not a music producer career that works with DJs?! they both depend on each other and they should work with singers with tracks too. a song produced should be able to be played by the DJ with the singer's title too..and on the radio for maybe "local artists" station for more fame if sims like it! 7. selling dead famous sims autographs should be higher..and owning dead sims autographs should make you famous also and the ammount should keep going up the more u appraise it especially if theyre a superstar.

8. sims should leave flower vases and nice gifts by the door or p.o. mail box of famous sims. ambrosia or really nice gifts like roses and thank you letters that you can collect or picture boards they make as fan, fan things! in high levels of fame*

9. being a famous doctor or cop or scientist (all active careers ) should get your a reality show or offer to film around the hospital or something for $ or at least a interview

10. a real photographer career ...taking pictures of famous sims should be active career and famous sims should react negatively or positively to it since we can PAY to ask paparazzi to leave pay the photographer to leave too. its extra money plus what u make from the photos ..and posting them to the gossip blog is all apart of the job. and if you catch a sim doing something funny or bad thats a bonus for you in the career...and a career path to become: still life, modelling photographer, or paparazzi in the photographer career. i feel like this would take some stalking of other sims lives + homes, but just even pics of the famous sims home is good 'content' for the job

11. i feel like there should be reputation before you get fame. fame is so easy to get and everyone who is known for something is not famous enough to be considered a celeb for it I feel like opting out of fame wouldnt need to be done all the time if reputation was gained before fame. meaning sims can associate you with that thing youre good at but not faun over you for it

12. entourage. not the same as friends or anything but if you are famous enough u should have people who follow u in public or say they are arriving and they basically do whatever you do kinda how add to group works a bit but they actually laugh and point and snare at regular sims and be snooty 13. meet ups and starlight awards ....the meet ups to me are more interactive and should have days set where you can plan a meet up on the calendar for your fans to come and meet you maybe have lunch or at a park or in public places for pics and they can have i love you signs and wear your merch and all that. OR attend a meetup and maybe meet a new celeb. the starlight awards should have it where only famous sims are invited or you get a ticket to go or buy a ticket to go , not just everyone can show up even though you can block that with bouncer doors..still. for gameplay buy a ticket if you have no fame

14. movie producers, directors, actors and workers that work on 'set' of these commercials that you film should also come and scout sims for their next project. same as we have protests for political sims in san myshuno. maybe a improve scene or catching them filming outdoors or at a venue could get you to introduce your sims to celebrities. being good friends with one they might offer you a job at a certain rank or something one day.

[9worldstales]

MCU Loki Ep 2 “The Variant” intensive analysis

So, the 2nd “Loki” episode come out and, again, I couldn’t stop myself from talking about it.

Beware about spoilers!

After a brief summary that’s basically made by showing us the most relevant scenes of Episode 1 we’ve the Marvel opening, this time with its usual music… though the Marvel studios logo is still in green and gold.

We start this episode in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1985, the year of “Back of the future”, only there’s no Martin or Doc or the DeLorean, but just some sort of medieval fair.

Pity.

Anyway Minutemen get on the place and didn’t care at all about how they’re attracting the general attention with their look. We know why, because they think to reset the timeline before leaving so it’s not like their magical apparition might change something.

They believe they’ve detected the Variant so they enter in a tent thinking they can capture them… only to fall straight in a trap, as the Variant was waiting for them, starting a registration as soon as they are where the Variant wants them to be.

Yeah, the registration was meant to be for the show that should have taken place there but the Minutemen are smart enough to get it’s a trap.

After a recorded message that seem to imply in that tent there was meant to happen some sort of contest or show about saving a princess…

My lords, my ladies, welcome and thank you for joining us, here at the castle. Please, settle into your seats for a great battle is about to commence. The prize? Our princess. Will evil prevail, or are we holding out for a hero?

…the song by Bonnie Tyler “Holding Out For A Hero” starts and, as it does Hunter C-20 gets possessed by the Variant (we can see a hand touching her head, green magic on the tip of its finger, and then Hunter C-20’s eyes take an odd green colouring for a moment, a sign she’s possessed) and starts murdering out her own men in a joint effort with the Loki Variant. However while she fights she suddenly drops unconscious and a figure in a cape, clearly our Variant, stabs with her sword the last minuteman. Then, as usual, the Variant steals from the Minuteman what she needs and, this time, also kidnaps Hunter C-20 before disappearing.

Many have seen in the scene a reference to the Shrek 2 scene in which Shrek and his friends storm the castle in order to stop Fiona from kissing Charming, disguised as Shrek.

Me, I would just want to know if the princess is meant to be Hunter C-20 or this Loki Variant.

We’ll see.

Well, anyway we get the Loki title and them we find ourselves with Loki reading a jet ski magazine when Miss Minute would want him to review what he had learnt instead. She tries to quiz him but, although Loki seems to know the answers, he’s not interested in being quizzed, defining it boring.

His attention focuses on Miss Minute, asking her if she’s a recording or alive. She explains she’s both.

Loki looks around then tries to test it, rolling the magazine and attempting to use it to hit Miss Minute, who jumps around in an effort to avoid his blows. He seems to have fun. If this is idea of venting for the mistreatment he suffered at the hands of the TVA or he’s just being playful that’s up to speculation.

Miss Minute escapes inside the pc, complaining he’s being a jerk.

Mobius joins him and from his dialogue we discover the magazine is actually Mobius’ not Loki’s. The guy gives him a package, telling him they’ve to go and that he has to wear what’s inside it, which is actually a jacket, which Loki wears.

They join the others and Hunter B-15 explains how C-20 and her team disappeared in 1885 and they expect it to be an ambush by a Loki Variant, although they don’t know which kind of Loki Variant it can be. Loki suggests they’re the lesser kind, lesser than him, of course.

Hunter B-15 demands to see the back of his jacket on which we can see the writing Variant. She laughs seeing the writing, mockingly, the way one would when he has managed to put an insulting sign on someone’s back without them realizing.

Loki points out she was very subtle in it and she explains she doesn’t want anyone to forget who he is… which, I guess, means Hunter B-15 found yellow, star shaped badges too subtle or maybe not fitting to everyone they deemed a less human to prune away.

Still Loki asks her back if she means they shouldn’t forger he’s their only hope of capturing a murderer.

B-15, who never believed him to be capable of something, correct him saying they should never forget he’s ‘a cosmic mistake’. In short the writing is there to make him recognizable, to ostracize and to humiliate him. He’s not like them, he’s a Variant.

She’s not doing this because he’s dangerous and they should be wary of him, just because he shouldn’t exist.

Mobius states that this is enough… which hints he’s not enjoying this, but he allowed it to happen and didn’t even warn or prepare Loki about it.

Long story short he’s clearly different from B-15 who relishes in all this (and mind you, this is not a critic to Wunmi Mosaku, who’s awesome in the part, just to her character) but he still doesn’t really take a big stance against it as he stopped it only when it dragged on too long.

Mobius brings them back to business, telling everyone they’re looking for a Loki, a variation of the guy with them. He reminds them they should be familiar with Loki because they had pruned more Loki Variants than any other Variant and they’re all different, in appearances.

As Mobius speak we’re shown some Loki Variations with their numbers. Our Loki is the Variant L1130.

I wanted to check the numbers near the Lokis but it seems there had been a mistake in the handling of the numbers

Jotun Loki appears to have first the number L1247 but in the close up it switches to L6792

Cyclist Loki is L1247 and the hulking one is L6792 while the green dressed one is L8914 and the last one with the big helmet is L7803.

Long story short Jotun Loki has probably 2 wrong numbers pasted on himself as they belong to other variations but all the Lokis’ numbers has in common the letter L at the beginning which I guess, stands for Loki.

The visual makes something interesting, projecting the various variants on Loki, which makes us immediately aware of the differences but also reminds us they’re all still Loki.

What leaves me perplex is how those Variants became so different from the original Loki. I mean, our Loki was caught few minutes after he escaped. Unless those Loki managed to escape to the TVA for a while (which would risk the timeline to reach a red line so it seems unlikely it happened) how did they manage to deviate so much from how they were meant to be in the Sacred Timeline?

I mean cyclist Loki would have needed the time to take part to a race to in that cup!

It’s true that in this episode it will turn out the TVA worries only of deviations that impact the timeline, so maybe the TVA started worrying late in their case but it’s still weird.

Anyway Mobius starts digging into the powers they’ve in common which are shape-shifting, illusion-projection, duplication-casting and Mobius’ favourite, which we don’t get to hear as Loki interrupts Mobius saying he got one of the names of his power wrong, it’s Duplication-casting, not Illusion-projection and explains the differences between the two, finishing with:

“But you already knew that.”

… which they didn’t. In short it’s Loki’s turn to point out they act as if they know him when they don’t know him and his powers as well as they think and that he’s actually of some use.

On a sidenote there’s to wonder which one is Mobius’ Loki’s favourite power and if it’s meant to be relevant. This Variant showed it could posses people, and I wonder if what happened to Selvig at the end of “Thor” is a hint our Loki can as well. Our Loki could travel through the secret paths… in “Thor” he could spell his knives, which we know he can make appear out of nowhere. In deleted scenes we learn he could cause mist to appear. “Thor: Ragnarok” said Loki turned Thor into a frog. I wouldn’t mind if he were to start turn people of the TVA into frogs.

Anyway Mobius accepts his explanation and tells the others they’re gonna break in two teams, one of which will include himself and ‘professor Loki’.

B-15’s words about Loki being a cosmic failure clearly made an impression as one of the minutemen question the idea and Mobius is forced to admit since they can’t find this Loki Variant they need an ‘expert’.

Loki takes his chance to remind everyone that by expert Mobius means him. He’s there because he has a use, an importance, a role and they shouldn’t look down on him.

The scene switches.

Loki and Mobius are walking toward the door that will bring them in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1985.

Loki, repeating a pattern seen in “Thor: The Dark World” asks for a weapon…

Loki (Thor: The Dark World): “You could at least furnish me with a weapon. My dagger, something!”

Loki (Loki): “Do I get a weapon?”

…which Mobius refuses to give him. Loki though points out once out of the TVA he’ll have his magic back and asks Mobius if no one is worried he’ll betray them.

Loki: “Well, I'll have my magic back. Is no one concerned about that?”

Mobius: “Of what?”

Loki: “Me betraying you.”

This also is something we saw in “Thor: The Dark World”.

Loki: “You must be truly desperate to come to me for help. What makes you think you can trust me?”

Mobius can’t say Frigga did trust him or that he promises him vengeance in exchange of loyalty so he tries to go for something he knew Loki wanted, a meeting with the Time-Keepers. Considering Renslayer, who’s above Mobius, couldn’t grant Loki that, if I were in Loki I would genuinely doubt Mobius can. He just tries to dangle in front of his eyes something Loki might want to win him over.

Loki pauses as Mobius mentions he could meet the Time-Keepers and asks if that’s what’s on the table. Mobius doesn’t really give him a straight answer, just a ‘Keep that focus’.

I wonder if Loki really wants to meet the three space lizards or he just let Mobius believe so because, by acting that way, he made clear he’s interested.

Oh, now that I look at it behind the helmets of the minutemen there are codes which could be their identification codes or names, since they don’t seem to use names.

B-15 has obviously written B-15 while other minutemen had much longer codes.

The group arrives in 1985 and Loki makes a relevant question:

“Let me ask you this, why don't we just travel back to before the attack, when the Variant first arrives?”

It’s something many viewers have been wondering and it turns out that the answer is:

“Nexus events destabilize the time flow. This branch is still changing and growing, so you gotta show up in real time.”

In short the authors knew this could feel like a dumb plot hole so they made a rule to explain why this couldn’t be done. It’s still not perfert… I mean, what it means to show up in real time? They aren’t in the same time as 1985, when itìs real time for them? But whatever, it’s nice they tried to fix this problem.

Mobius asks Loki if he watched all the explicative videos he was supposed to watch and Loki replied only as many as he could stand because he find that their ‘TVA propaganda is exhausting’.

I’m glad Loki and I see things in the same way. Most of the TVA babbling is propaganda meant to brainwash people’s mind.

A Minuteman then asks Loki what ‘these’ (these being the Time Charges) do.

Loki knows perfectly and gives us the confirmation to the thing I, and many others, suspected in the past episode.

Time Charges…

“Reset charges prune the affected radius of a branched timeline, allowing time to heal all its wounds. Which sounds like a nice way of saying disintegrate everything in its vicinity.”

So yeah, it’s genocide or total destruction of that timeline and all the people in it.

But also yeah, Loki studied all he was supposed to study although he insists he watched only some of the videos. I’m not surprised though, a wizard had to be good at studying things and Loki clearly wanted to know how that world worked so of course he would have watched the video even if he’s downplaying it.

They reach the place in which the TVA fought Loki and discover the Loki Variant kidnapped C-20. It turns out that it’s the first time that Variant kidnapped someone. A minuteman suggests the Variant might have pruned (aka killed but the TVA doesn’t use that word) C-20.

B-15 acts defensively, saying a Loki couldn’t have beaten C-20. She clearly views the Lokis, the whole of them as this time she’s not even saying Variants, as inferior. She should probably remember she got collared by one Loki.

Loki tries to warn her saying she’s underestimating the Variant… which she’s doing as the Variant could have very well ‘pruned’ C-20 had the Variant wanted to.

B-15 isn’t interested in hearing him out as she interrupt him and tells the other to fan out and starts searching for C-20 fast as they’re approaching the red line.

Loki stops them, telling them if they’ll leave the tent they’ll end up killed. B-15 thinks it’s a waste of time but Mobius is willing to hear him out.

Loki launches himself in a long explanation, the gist of it being he thinks there’s a scheme behind the Variant’s actions, that they should be aware of their surrounding, listen more (like he does) and less prone to underestimate him or the ‘lesser Loki’.

Now… he’s not completely wrong, the TVA underestimates him, and they has underestimated the other Loki Variant, which we saw lead to some of their losses.

Loki claims the Variant wants him because they know he’s the stronger Loki and so wants to join forces with him to overthrown and rule the TVA. I’m not sure how the Variant would have known there’s a Loki working with the TVA but let’s assume they do and that Loki’s reasoning could make sense… or could be explained with him trying to paint himself as more important than he is.

But then he goes saying that this isn’t what he wants as he’s now a servant of the Sacred Timeline… which is patently untrue and hard to believe… who can hand them the Variant but what assurances he won’t be disintegrated once the job is done.

And okay, his own is a legitimate worry and a legitimate request.

It’s actually clever to ask for reassurances the TVA won’t dispose of him once the job is done… though it’s not like there’s an actual bargaining ground because, if Loki isn’t cooperative and therefore is useless, the TVA will dispose of him anyway.

It’s not so clever he would try to pass himself for a servant of the timeline when he clearly didn’t play the part well. Of course since he said Asgardians were fundamentally naïve, maybe that’s the kind of people he’s used to deal with… but he has experienced distrust in Asgard in “Thor”, proof his own people isn’t so naïve… and he should have figured out Mobius isn’t either.

And then he presses for urgently meeting the Time-Keepers saying they’re in grave danger… and this jump isn’t smooth.

Mobius knows Loki wants to meet the Time-Keepers, so of course if Loki pushes the issue in this way he’s going to be prone to assume it’s a trick. The speech doesn’t even keep a logical flow because Loki first presented himself as better than the Variant and capable to handle it but reluctant to do so for fear of being erased… but now he’s presenting the Variant as a grave threat that requires them to urgently talk with the Time-Keepers.

So from one side it’s pushing for too much when he hadn’t even shown himself to be useful yet and for another it makes for a weak argument if he’s really as superior as he claims to be.

So… hum… the speech seems to tumble down in an unsatisfactory manner, ‘seems’ being the operative word because, if there’s a goal behind its weak points, then they still have a reason to exist.

I’m actually not quite sure which game Loki is playing with the TVA.

He’s for sure trying to survive but then what else does he want to get? I don’t believe he aims to control the universe but I’m pretty sure he’s not swallowing the TVA propaganda and he doesn’t enjoy to be there.

His timeline was pruned so he can’t go back there. Does he want to save Frigga? Is that what he aims to do? Does he want to go into the timeline after… let’s call it ‘canon Loki’ died so as to replace him?

Prior to it?

I don’t know.

Is he saying all those things for the Loki Variant’s benefit? He hopes the Variant is out there hearing him and his speech would make the Variant interested in joining forces?

I don’t know. We’ll see.

Anyway as expected Mobius figures it’s a trick and, since there’s no more time to do anything else, they just reset the timeline and leave.

On another note I like how Loki uses an Asgardian way to say. Way too often in movies even aliens feel compelled to use English ways to say instead than way to say from the world they belong to.

We also see how a time charge works. Loki hurries to move away as soon as he sees them starting it.

They… do something with the top part of it, I’m not sure if they push a button or pulled some sort of safety pin. We see something yellowish being released in the fluid inside the time charge which then turns purplish. The purple colour expands to the whole glass of the time charge until from below it something like a coloured expanding pool comes out. Everything that gets touched by that pool ends up being disintegrated.

At the TVA the monitors show that the ‘reset’ (read ‘disintegration’) of the timeline is done and that C-20 ended up MIA.

A music that’s half sad half… disquieting, start being played and we move into Renslayer’s office.

Mobius is complimenting for her office, pointing out how there’s a new snow globe in it and how he doesn’t remember bringing it to her.

She replies he’s not the only analyst working for her, which seems to imply analysts working for her are meant to bring her souvenirs from their missions. Or better… not quite. Mobius asks her why she gets to keep all the trophies from his cases, which seems to imply they weren’t given willingly.

Still, he tries to get her to admit he’s her favourite analyst.

I’m not really sure what’s going on between these two. They don’t seem to be in a relationship and I’m not sure if Mobius’ attempts at flattering her are because he’d like to be in a relationship with her but doesn’t dare to push the issue or because he’s currying her favours.

We’ll see.

Renslayer moves the discussion to the mission Mobius just botched and I don’t know if I would define it as such. Okay, so they didn’t find C-20 nor the other Loki Variant but chances here are two:

- the Loki Variant was out there using C-20 as bait as Loki said, setting a trap for them, and they successfully avoided it

- the Loki Variant wasn’t out there and so wasn’t C-20 and therefore was nothing for them to find.

Either way the mission wasn’t botched as they came back and successfully disintegrated… pardon, the TVA doesn’t like that word, they prefer ‘purged’ the branched timeline and any living being inside it.

Renslayer, referring to Loki as just ‘this Variant’ complains he’s insubordinate, stubborn and unpredictable like Mobius.

Honestly I think the whole series is trying to draw parallels between Loki and Mobius, where Mobius is however the one who chose to submit to the system where Loki just can’t stand it and wants to break it down.

So, although Mobius should be ‘all lawful’ we can see there’s a bit of ‘chaotic’ inside him.

It’s probably worth to remember that ‘lawful’ and ‘chaotic’ are nothing else but the two opposite extreme on the Ethical axis used for RPG alignment where Lawful represents obedience to the law and Chaotic leans toward personal freedom, without regards to the law.

There’s another sign Mobius isn’t fully lawful, the fact he has the bad habit to leave the glass rest on Renslayer’s furniture, leaving rings, and then insisting he’s not who caused them as they were already there… when Renslayer points out they’re all there due to him.

I know a part of the fandom loves Mobius but I wonder if he’s in the story not only to interact with Loki but also to work in contraposition to him. There are two paths for him, either he chooses the same path as Loki or the opposite. We’ll see.

Mobius tries to blame the ring on Renslayer’s other favourite analyst. I wonder if such person exists and is meant to have a relevance in the story. It’ll be interesting if it’s the other Loki Variant in disguise.

I mean… the other Loki Variant knows plenty of things about the TVA which hints at how they should have a previous and prolonged contact with them because the TVA explains nearly nothing about how their things work to their captives but the other Loki Variant knows what Reset charges are and how they work or how to use a TemPad to open Timedoors.

Yet Mobius doesn’t seem to have info on when they captured that Variant, carried it to the TVA and then let them escape, so again, how did the Variant learnt so much about the TVA?

From another escaping Variant?

Hard to say?

Did they saw the TVA and tailed them till the TVA unnoticed?

I can’t really tell, we’ll see.

Anyway, back to their conversation, Renslayer points out the issue isn’t Mobius’ methods with Loki, but the fact he towed a dangerous Variant into the field… meaning they consider Loki dangerous.

Mobius claims that from that they had learnt ‘the Variant’ likes to stall for time, so the other Variant might end up doing the same, because, to Mobius, understanding one Loki leads to understand the other.

And I’m:

- actually you didn’t need to bring Loki to the field to learn this, didn’t you notice that’s what he did in other circumstances?

- if the two Lokis are different, no, understanding one doesn’t mean understand the other. I mean you had a Loki who was fine living as a Jotun while this one was traumatized by the idea he was a Jotun, Loki can be pretty different about them, enough to be complete opposite so no, nobody said they’ll surely share that particular trait.

Whatever, let’s go on.

Renslayer says Mobius has a soft spot for broken things (which Mobius denies because he’s a bit like Loki and doesn’t want to show weakness), which acknowledges this Loki is broken… but gains him no sympathy from Renslayer as she said that ‘Loki is an evil, lying scourge’. Because he attacked New York? Nope, just because this is the part he plays on the sacred timeline and he can change only if the Time-Keepers decree so, not because he wants to.

Renslayer is big on the predeterminism when it’s about Loki (who’s a Variant by the way and therefore already out of the Sacred Timeline) but why doesn’t she apply it to the TVA as well? They’ll take the Variant only if the Time-Keepers will so.

I think the TVA’s faith in the Time-Keepers has plenty of weak points and is hypocritical. I wonder if the show will explore this.

Mobius switches topic asking how the Time-Keepers are and it turns out he NEVER met them. So he basically can’t even be sure they exist or not, yet he’s pouring all his faith in those three space lizard.

Mobius seems kind of glad he hadn’t met them, which seems to hit they’re either dangerous to meet or he doesn’t have a good opinion of them.

Renslayer says:

“The Time-Keepers are monitoring every aspect of this case. I've never seen them so involved. They want that Variant caught.”

…which seems a way to put Mobius under pressure but really, if they decide the flow of time, shouldn’t the decide if Mobius will catch the Variant or not? They can decide if a Variant Loki can change or not but they can’t control the other?

Anyway Mobius signs the event report Renslayer already signed. We can see Renslayer signs R Slayer while Mobius signs M. M. M.

Mobius notices the pen he used for signing has the writing ‘Franklyn D. Roosvelt High School’ on it and complains that pen too should be from the other analyst Renslayer favoured. And I wonder again, who they are? They’re meant to be relevant? Or they’re only a plot device to make Mobius jealous?

Renslayer only tells him to stay focused. As he’s about to leave though, she stops him asking him if he believes in that Variant. Mobius doesn’t confirm this, saying Loki believes in himself enough for the both of them, complaining Loki is really arrogant and that he will delete him himself if this doesn’t work.

Of course these might be just words he tells to Renslayer but we saw him taking part to erasing timelines and even if he showed sympathy and kindness to the French boy he met in the cathedral in the very first episode, he let him be reset.

“Don't worry, that devil's afraid of us. We're gonna take care of him. And we're gonna put you back where you belong.”

This apparently kind sentence meant they disintegrate him and his timeline so the place the boy belong is basically oblivion.

But I’ll dig on Mobius and Loki in a moment.

For now let me pause a moment on the pen, another gift of Renslayer’s mysterious over analyst, with written on it ‘Franklyn D. Roosvelt High School’.

Franklyn D. Roosvelt, ex-president of the united state is also relevant for the MCU.

In 1940 Roosevelt ordered the formation of the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) to fight the Nazi Party, even though the United States was still at peace with Germany. To ensure that only the greatest scientists work for the SSR, Roosevelt ordered Chester Phillips to recruit Howard Stark into the agency. SSR works in the creation of the Super Soldier Sierum, which ‘gives birth’ to Captain America then it is the re-tasked to fight Hydra. Later it will become part of S.H.I.E.L.D.

So yeah, maybe it’s a coincidence but it’s interesting.

Back to the story.

Mobius leaves Renslayer and we discover Loki has been left outside Renslayer’s office to wait.

Mobius whistles and also motions to Loki to follow him.

Some has compared this with how one would act to a dog. It’s possible they’re not so off track.

The TVA is a world that discriminates Variants and find them worth only being erased. They shouldn’t exist, they’re cosmic jokes, no one should forget someone is a Variant.

Mobius too in his discussion with Renslayer referred to Loki as just “the Variant”. Yet Mobius also feels some sympathy for Loki. Renslayer says he has a soft spot for broken things, if can mean she acknowledges Loki was broken by his experience… but she might also refer to the mere fact he’s a Variant and Variants, in a way, can be seen as ‘broken’ as they didn’t function properly but followed their own path instead than the one the Time-Keepers traced for them.

So the idea Mobius sees Loki as some sort of pet can be fitting. Mobius is growing fond of Loki… but he’s still imbued in all the TVA’s beliefs and teachings about predeterminism and how Variants are bad.

He doesn’t want to be needlessly mean to Loki, but the latter isn’t equal to him, he’s a tool, as everyone reminds him and as he has to remind to everyone else.

Variants has no rights in the TVA, they just exist to be pruned, reset, or, in less pretty but more realistic words, disintegrated.

And Mobius is a guy in the middle.

While he doesn’t want to be a jerk to Variants… or to people in the Sacred Timeline who’re going to die, he’s not really willing to fully fight against the system because he has faith in the system and a side of him he thinks Loki should just accept his place.

We see it in their discussion.

Loki is somewhat nervous… which, I’ll be honest, feels a little weird to me because he’s being openly nervous when usually Loki can keep controlled and hide this sort of things.

He had played a high risk bet during the mission and lost, he had time to think at what to say to Mobius while Mobius was discussing with Renslayer yet what he comes up isn’t really worth of someone who’s supposed to have a silver-tongue.

Okay, so it’s not like we were shown him using his silver-tongue in the movies, as people tended to do the opposite of what Loki asked them or not listen him at all, with the exception of Malekith and the Grandmaster… but we don’t get to see how Loki won the Grandmaster over.

Whatever, maybe there’s a reason, maybe not, we’ll see.

When facing the Variant later, Loki will say he kept the TVA vulnerable at the Renaissance Fair for some time and also that he has been working on gaining their trust. Presenting himself as openly insecure to Mobius, instead than hiding it as he would usually do, might be part of winning him over. As I said in the past commentary for ep 1, sometimes there are more benefits in being honest than in lying, so it can be that it’s not that Loki isn’t nervous, it can be he sees more benefits in showing it to Mobius.

We’ll see.

Mobius is in a bad mood. Although it didn’t seem Renslayer had given him a earful for his failure, it can be his failure burns. He tells Loki to show up, reminding him in the elevator he said he didn’t like to talk… which is something else that makes me think Loki is trying to give Mobius EXACTLY what Mobius asked for, so as to fulfil his expectations and lower his guard.

The following conversation is relevant.

Mobius: Okay. Just shut up! Please. What happened to the guy I met on the elevator? Who didn't like to talk. Remember him? Now I'm stuck with this guy who won't stop yacking away about what makes a Loki tick!

Loki: What? Isn't that precisely why I'm here?

Mobius: No. I don't care what makes you tick. You're here to help me catch the superior version of yourself. That's it!

Only Mobius in the previous episode told him he wanted exactly this from him.

Mobius: I'm serious. All I seek is a deeper understanding of the fearsome God of Mischief. What makes Loki tick?

This is the problem of an unequal partnership like their own. Loki isn’t there because he’s Mobius’ partner and equal, Loki is there to serve a purpose, capturing the other Loki. Renslayer might be right and Mobius might have a soft spot with him, but in the end Mobius ends up reminding Loki his place in the TVA, he’s there to be useful.

Loki takes offence by Mobius calling the other Variant “superior”.

Mobius gives us a slice of his mind… and Loki calls him out on his attempt of manipulation.

Mobius: See? There it is. Right there. I believed, stupidly, that insecure need for validation would motivate you to find the killer. Not 'cause you care about the TVA mission or bein' a hero, but because you know this Variant is better than you and you can't take it.

Loki: Very nice. I mean, it is adorable that you think you could possibly manipulate me. I'm ten steps ahead of you. I've been playing a game of my own all along.

But there’s something else worth pointing out. Mobius clearly believes working for the TVA equates at being a hero… and also that Loki would be so prideful he would serve the TVA merely to show them he’s better than the other without caring of how the TVA then might dispose of him.

And again Loki shows his cards way too openly so Mobius calls him out.

Mobius: What, charm your way in front of the Time-Keepers, hustle them, and seize control of the TVA? Am I getting warm? A double cross by history's most reliable liar.

Is really this what Loki aims at? This is what he’s telling around but is really this? Maybe but it seems so obvious, even Mobius could guess it in 5 minutes so… I don’t know, it seems too predictable for someone who’s supposedly smart.

The discussion goes on. Loki has figured since Mobius didn’t have him erased after that failure he is sticking his neck out for him so he asks him why.

Mobius: I'll give you two options, and you can believe whichever one you want. A, because I see a scared little boy, shivering in the cold. And you kinda feel bad for that ice runt. Or B, I just wanna catch this guy, and I'll tell you whatever I need to tell you.

I think both options are true, although usually, when proposing two options, the implication is the speaker is telling us to chose the last one… and it makes sense because this is the main motive Mobius is helping Loki. He could do nothing for him if it wasn’t because Loki could be useful… but this doesn’t men Mobius has no sympathy for him.

On another note it’s the second time the scripts hints at Loki as being young

Loki: I was young (in 1971), and I lost a bet to Thor. Where was the TVA when I was meddling with these affairs of men?

I really wonder if the idea is that Loki is young for Asgard standards.

Anyway Loki points out he doesn’t need Mobius’ sympathy, at which Mobius replies that’s good because he’s running out of it.

And again in itself there’s a problem. Mobius probably sees himself as a good person, because the fact he’s using Loki also means he’s sparing Loki from being pruned but, of course, if he has no use for Loki, this wouldn’t save him any longer.

If sympathy is tied to personal convenience, it’s not really sympathy.

As soon as they caught this Loki Mobius ran there to get him for himself because he thought it would be useful. He could have grown fond and it’s fine because it happens… but the key is still Loki has to be useful to him in order to be kept. So he’s not a really selfless act.

That’s why Mobius is no hero, who selflessly sacrifice for Loki, because he hopes in personal gain and… and it’s absolutely human. Mobius might have studied Loki but he basically just met him. Mobius has his own life. Why should he sacrifice it for Loki?

He’s planning for their allegiance to offer mutual benefits, Loki helps Mobius to wipe another Loki out of existence and Loki gets to live a little longer even though, being a Variant, Loki should have been already disposed of.

Mobius probably feels very kind and the other at the TVA would probably agree with him, because he’s giving a chance to someone who is lesser and has no right to chances and this is how their world work.

But we, viewers should be capable to understand their world works in the wrong way.

Loki: What's this? Next step of your manipulation...

Mobius: This is the final step. Your last chance.

Loki: Oh, and what does my desperate last chance require?

At this point Loki has moved back into keeping distance. He calls what’s Mobius is doing as manipulation and sounds flippant as he talks of his ‘desperate last chance’.

Mobius might have sympathy for him but Loki has likely figured out Mobius wouldn’t save him from the TVA beyond a certain point. The very best Mobius can offer him is to remain there working for the TVA to catch other Lokis, all while wearing a jacket that points out he’s a Variant as well, a cosmic joke.

Maybe Mobius might manage to have him dismiss wearing that jacket. Still, all this is tied to how much useful he can be. Mobius though can’t offer him freedom or a way back home.

Anyway Loki’s last chance is to work, to go over each and every one of the Variant's case files, and then, give him his unique Loki perspective and find something. All this while Mobius goes to eat something and keeping in mind his life depends on him proving to be of some use.

Again we’re reminded that Loki isn’t free to drop this work, he’s forced to cooperate, his life depends on it.

Loki starts looking through the documents which basically cover the various cases in which the Variant ambushed the Minutemen and stole their reset charge, clearly not finding them interesting. A woman hush him and he hush her back.

Loki tries going to the one who seems a librarian… but who’s actually so mechanical she feels more like a robot who can’t stop typing to pay attention to those who call her if they don’t ring at her first.

Loki asks her for more files. No, not files on the case, files pertaining to the creation of the TVA… but they’re all classified. The same goes for files pertaining to the beginning of time and the end of the time.

Exasperated Loki asks which files he can have and he’s handed a handful of them which, merely cover his case as a Variant and the life of his alternate self in the sacred timeline.

Loki reads them anyway and discovers of the destruction of Asgard.

As he does he can’t help but shed a tear for his former planet, before noticing the TVA also noted that during the event there was zero variance energy detected.

This causes him to connect some important dots and so he rushes to join Mobius to the restaurant.

At first Mobius doesn’t want to listen him, claiming he told him not to bother him until he read all the files which Loki claims to have done.

Honestly he didn’t seem particularly interested in them but he might have done it as someone who practices magic should have been good at studying. Mobius insists and Loki points out  what they’re searching isn’t in the files but in the timeline as the Variant is hiding in the apocalypse.

Mobius asks which one and Loki mentions Ragnarok, asking him if he’s familiar to it. And I wonder if Loki wanted an answer to this one question, if he wanted to know if Mobius knew his homeland was wiped away, that this is something the TVA allowed.

Mobius confirms he knows about it and apologizes to him.

Loki pretends not to care and goes on discussing how a Nexus event is the result of someone doing something he’s not supposed to that causes a chain reaction of things that aren’t supposed to happen.

Mobius confirms.

At this point Loki steals the salad Mobius was eating for his example and decides in his metaphor that salad will represent Asgard.

And tell me whatever you want but, as far as I’m involved this is Loki paying back Mobius for letting him to work while he went to eat.

Mobius gets immediately that his lunch is going to meet an abrupt demise but Loki doesn’t let this deter him.

Loki suggests if he were to go on Asgard before Ragnarok he could do whatever he wants, even push Hulk off the Rainbow bridge, and to prove his point, he adds more salt to the salad. He then says he could also set fire to the place. I don’t know what he adds to Mobius’ salad as he says so, maybe pepper, but this is enough to make Mobius beg not to set fire to the place, which I find hilarious. Loki continues to put salt and… pepper? Into Mobius’ salad commenting that he can do whatever he wants without going against the dictates of the timeline.

He then picks up Mobius’ drink only to find it empty so he goes to get the drink from the nearby’s table, Casey’s table. He then pours it into Mobius’ salad, likely making it impossible to eat, explaining how the drink represents Surtur who will destroy Asgard no matter what Loki does so what he does doesn’t matter.

In short, in addition to making his point, Loki let Mobius too without lunch.

Fair since Loki didn’t have lunch at all.

Mobius still doesn’t get it so Loki goes further on explaining if they have an apocalypse of whatever kind it doesn’t matter what one would do in it because everything would get destroyed so the Variant has to be hiding in an apocalypse, doing whatever they want without them noticing.

Mobius is forced to admit it’s not a bad theory and Loki tells him to bring him to an apocalypse and he’ll show him.

Mobius accuses him of wanting to run back to his homeland and Loki says whatever apocalypse will do. Mobius makes clear he’s afraid to bring Loki around and Loki insists they’ve to test his theory. Mobius makes clear he’s afraid Loki would want to test how stabbable is his back.

Loki complains stabbing someone in the back is a boring form of betrayal. Mobius said he has done it 50 times… which is really not much for someone who lived as long as Loki especially since most of those stabbing if not all took place during battle, because Mobius is talking of literal stabbing here, not metaphorical one.

Loki is not really interested in arguing this one though and just says he won’t do it again because it got old which causes Mobius to laugh. Loki insists that he understands Mobius doesn’t trust him but he should trust something else, Loki loves to be right… and this seals the deal.

So the guys are at Pompeii, Italy – 78 AD, though it would be more correct to say they’re at Pompeii, ROMAN EMPIRE – AD 78 or 78 CE.

Eruption day.

While Mobius is absolutely scared they might mess up the timeline Loki is as overexcited like a kid on a sugar rush.

Loki cried reading of the destruction of Asgard but here he seems pretty giddy.

To Mobius scolding him because ‘it’s just not in good taste’ he replies ‘they’re gonna die anyway’.

And in itself is interesting. Mobius said he’s sorry for Asgard destruction, now he worries about ‘good taste’ but in the end he’s not going to do anything to spare those people’s lives.

The dead count will be of over 2.000 a good part of it dying a horrible albeit fast death as they’ll be literally vaporized by the heat of the pyroclastic flow.

In face of so many people about to die Mobius worrying Loki’s behaviour isn’t in good taste feels hypocritical, a mere care for the form, in fact he agrees with Loki it’s ‘cool’ the whole city will be wiped off the planet and his main worry is they shouldn’t create a huge branch.

Anyway, while Mobius insist they should start creating only a very small disturbance, Loki ends up freeing animals and announcing the eruption and the following death of everyone to the people.

Loki making all that chaos feels as if this is way to distance from the apocalypse that hit Asgard. Honestly I don’t think he wanted to go there during Ragnarok if there was nothing he could have done to save it.

However his speech is also an interesting way for Loki to try and pry info from Mobius about the TVA

Loki: ( Speaking latin ) You’re all about to die. That volcano is about to erupt! I would know, because I’m from the future. ( In english ) We are from the future, right? What is the TVA? I mean, it's from the future. It sounds from the future. It's pretty future-y.

Mobius won’t reply to him but the eruption will start right there, the Tempad continuing to sign zero variance energy, proving Loki was right. I wonder if this was also Loki’s way to try and see if an apocalypse could be prevented.

Oh, Loki talks Latin here but I’ve already talked about the language problem in the MCU and how the TVA seems to have a tv series version of Allspeak which, evidently passed to Loki too as he showed he previously couldn’t talk to Mongolian people.

On another note… the eruption, as depicted in the show, is not historically accurate.

Around 1:00 p.m., Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, spewing up a high-altitude column (the column supposedly as high as 30 km) from which ash and pumice began to fall, blanketing the area. Rescues and escapes occurred during this time.

It’s only much later, in the night or during the day after that the pyroclastic flows began and it Pompeei 4 minutes later, murdering everyone there.

The show instead seems to mix up the first eruption with the beginning of the pyroclastic flow (which is the one we see approaching from behind Loki), skipping the fall of ash and pumice.

Of course from a storytelling point of view it works a lot better, so it’s not a big deal and it’s just artistic freedom, it’s just my history lover’s heart which is bleeding.

If you want to enjoy how the eruption looked like there’s a nice video on Youtube “A Day in Pompeii - Full-length animation”.

The switch between Pompeii and back to the TVA feels a little abrupt, as if the Pompeii scene was meant to last more and they cut it.

Anyway they’re back on TVA and Mobius is summarizing Loki’s theory. Loki tells him he’s welcome, which, I take, is Loki’s clue he’d like to be thanked for his contribution. Mobius though is more focused on the mechanics of their new discovery.

He believes for Loki’s theory to hold the disasters have to be naturally-occurring, sudden, no warning, no survivors. So Ragnarok wouldn’t be okay because Loki and Thor triggered it and there were survivors. That is unless the TVA retconned “Thor: Ragnarok”.

Anyway, they decide they’ll have to find out how many of those natural disasters there are… but in the end Loki falls asleep on all the documents they’re checking.

I know there’s a debate if this proves he trusts Mobius or not… but the point is, he just proved himself he was of great help, so Mobius who has shown to have some measures of sympathy toward him despite his strict adherence to the TVA code and that make him capable to disintegrate him should need arise, has really no reason to harm him, quite the opposite.

Also he’s likely quite exhausted, both physically and emotionally otherwise he clearly wouldn’t fall asleep on an uncomfortable position over a stack of papers.

And differently from Mobius he supposedly didn’t even had lunch.

Mobius yawns which shows he’s clearly worn out as well, wakes him and tells him they’re going for a walk. So no bed, they’ll only take a small break.

I take they end up in the TVA version of a cafeteria where Loki asks Mobius about the jet ski magazine. Mobius ends up showing his total love for jet skis.

“Yeah. You know, some things... Actually, most things in history are kinda dumb, and everything gets ruined eventually. But in the early 1990s, for a brief, shining moment, there was a beautiful union of form and function, which we call the jet ski, and a reasonable man cannot differ.”

Actually he sounds like a fanboy, dismissive of everything he doesn’t like and imposing his own likes claiming no one could have a different opinion from him. It’s not a complain, it’s human. I like how the TVA members, despite their dystopian setting and their fanatic faith to the TVA religion have characteristics, both good and bad, that made them human.

However, at Loki’s question if he has ever tried a Jet Ski, Mobius admits he never been on one because if a TVA agent were to show up on a jet ski that would create a branch. It’s a poor excuse since they show up in timelines in their everyday clothes in time periods in which those clothes aren’t appropriate and anyway, who cares since they reset the branches so they could even show up naked and everything would get erased?

In this Mobius is the opposite of Loki, although he too has wishes that make him similar to Loki he doesn’t dare to fulfil them, he completely focuses on his work, he claims to read the magazines because they remind him what he’s fighting for… jet skis appearing in the Sacred Timeline in early 1990s apparently.

Okay, it’s more that he believes if the Sacred Timeline gets destroyed everything would but people who were believing to be heroes like he does would say they would fight for people, not for a beautiful vehicle that could be enjoyed only for a brief amount of time.

Mobius in a way is disconnected by the people on the sacred timeline, maybe because he never met them, he met the Variants, which are considered something to be pruned and nothing more and he actively help in pruning them.

So maybe he can’t work for people, because as soon as those people become variants, bang, they need to be wiped away. I think Mobius would like to be a decent person, I think he doesn’t want to harm people so he keeps distance and blindly swallows the TVA teaching and this discussion further proves it.

Loki asks if he really believes in all the TVA preaches and Mobius replies:

Mobius: I don't get hung up on, "Believe, not believe." I just accept what is.

It reminds me of a discussion he had with Loki in the past episode:

Loki: So that had the Time-Keepers' seal of approval, did it?

Mobius: Well, I wouldn't think of it in terms of approval and disapproval. That's sort of a... Let's get back to escapes...

Mobius just accepts things as they are presented. But why he accepts them?

Loki goes on summarizing how  the TVA’s beliefs are that three magic lizards created the TVA and everyone in it including Mobius, which for Loki is clearly something dumb to believe.

Loki: Every time I start to admire your intelligence, you say something like that.

Mobius tries to retort it by turning tables on Loki.

Mobius: Okay, who created you, Loki?

Loki: A Frost Giant of Jotunheim.

Mobius: And who raised you?

Loki: Odin of Asgard.

Mobius: Odin, God of the Heavens. Asgard, mystical realm, beyond the stars. Frost Giants. Listen to yourself...

Loki: It's not the same. It's completely different. No. It's not the same.

Mobius: It's exactly the same thing.

The HUGE problem in Mobius’ reasoning is that he’s mixing up what Loki has experienced, his skin turning blue, proving he’s a Jotun, living his whole life with Odin, believing him to be his father, with Mobius merely believes as Mobius has no knowledge of what the Time-Keepers are since he never met them and likely doesn’t even remember when he was created or things like that.

Loki believes in what he lived though because he touched and sampled it and, in fact, he had a breakdown when he discovered part of it, the part he had no memory about but embraced out of faith was a lie (Loki couldn’t remember his Jotun heritage or his birth so he accepted what he was told, that Odin and Frigga were his parents). This likely makes even harder for him to accept that Mobius would just blindly believe in something he hadn’t experienced in the slightest.

Mobius had said:

Mobius: I don't get hung up on, "Believe, not believe." I just accept what is.

But at the end of it what motivates him is blind belief.

Mobius: Because if you think too hard about where any of us came from, who we truly are, it sounds kinda ridiculous. Existence is chaos. Nothing makes any sense, so we try to make some sense of it. And I'm just lucky that the chaos I emerged into gave me all this... My own glorious purpose. Cause the TVA is my life. And it's real because I believe it's real.

The TVA is real because he believes so. It has to be or his own ‘glorious purpose’ would mean nothing. Loki got burned by the truth. Mobius doesn’t want to end up the same, he doesn’t want to think at the absurdity the TVA feds him, he doesn’t want to question if what he does is right or wrong because the truth might disappoint it, it might be ridiculous, in bad taste, like being excited as Pompeii is about to be buried by the volcano.

The TVA is Mobius’ religion, and, to paraphrase Karl Marx faith in the TVA ‘is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.’

But this kind of mindset is also the mindset of whose who represent the ‘banality of evil’ of those who indulge in the capital vice of Acedia, whose who do not care, who do nothing to stop evil empower it and support it.

“...morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” ― Abraham Heschel

And, after all, Mobius works to support it, to support the TVA as they prune/reset countless lives.

There’s something else that’s interesting.

Mobius is supposed to be a lawful character… yet he doesn’t believe existence is order. Existence is chaos. And, in the same way as he’s afraid to try out a jet ski and making excuses for why he doesn’t do so, I think Mobius deep down is scared by chaos. Fascinated by it but scared by it as well. In fact he’ll later says that he believes when it all will end and the Time-Keepers will have finished untangling the timeline all that will emerge will be order.

Loki: Ah, I see. So, when they're finished, what happens then?

Mobius: So are we. No more nexus events. Just order. And we meet in peace at the end of time. Nice, right?

Loki: Only order?

Mobius: Mmm-hmm.

Loki: No chaos? It sounds boring.

Mobius: I'm sure it does to you.

Order is reassuring, it gives people a sense, a purpose, order is explainable. Order follows laws so it’s lawful. But order, like Loki points out, is also boring, predictable.  No bad surprise would come out of it, true, but no good surprise either. No change. No possibility to get worse… but no possibility to get better either. Order is static where chaos is always changing. You need a mixture of both to make a worthy life.

Besides the idea they ‘meet in peace at the end of time’ to me feels more like an attempt to use a different wording to say ‘we’re all dead’ or ‘we’ll be all pruned/reset’. So not particularly encouraging.

But I’m running ahead a bit. When Mobius says Loki that the TVA is real because he believes so, Loki accepts it. For the moment.

Loki: Fair enough. You believe it's real.

And I wonder if, in a way, Loki can understand. Because the chaos, the unpredictable, is what made him discover he wasn’t an Odinson. If he hadn’t questioned Odin’s words, if he hadn’t gone and taken the Casket of Ancient Winters in his hands but just turned his eyes away when his skin turned blue, if, like Mobius said, he hadn’t thought to hard at it, or at how bad Thor could be as a kind, if he just had shrugged everything off and said ‘yeah, I’m sorry Thor will be a poor kind but that’s what meant to be, who cares?’ and ‘yeah, it’s weird my skin turned blue but Odin said I’m his son so who am I to question him?’ he would have spared himself many unpleasant things.

He would be at Asgard, thinking to be Odin’s son, trying to help Thor, who prior to his banning to Earth was completely unfit to rule, not ruin completely the planet. That would be his own glorious purpose. Nothing more.

And while it wouldn’t be a great purpose… well, it would have spared him of a lot of pain so I think Loki can see the charm of it… but at the same time he can see the danger of it. If we’ll blindly follow the rules we give up on our free will.

Loki: So everything is written. Past, present, future. There's no such thing as free will.

Mobius: Well, I mean, you know, it's an oversimplification...

Mobius thinks it’s an oversimplification but it’s not. He’s probably telling himself since he submits to the rules willingly, well, that’s his free will. But we’ve seen that the other option is being reset. The Variants are nothing else but people who didn’t follow the dictation of the Time-keepers, a dictation they didn’t even know existed, but merely followed their free will. And the TVA erases them.

It’s true, the ones that follow the Sacred Timeline, not knowing they’re following the dictation of the Time-keepers, are still, in a way, following their free will, but it’s actually a pretty tricky situation because their options get pruned by the TVA.

People don’t exist in a vacuum. We take decisions according to what happens around us.

Now think to a world in which Odin tells Loki the truth right from the start. This would lead Loki to get very different decisions… only that Odin, if it ever existed, got pruned.

Think to a Thor who’s ready to rule when he’s about to be crowned so that Loki doesn’t have to disrupt the coronation. Well, think twice because that Thor got pruned.

Think to a Frigga who hands the crown to Loki but also sits next to him instead than next to Odin to support him while he’s going through his worst crisis. Pruned again.

Think to the Warriors Three and Sif not attempting to go fetch Thor after he’s banned. Sorry, they got pruned.

Think to Heimdall not allowing Thor to go to Jotunheim. Never mind he got pruned.

Loki made his choices. It was his free will. But his choices were tied to all that happened around him, and since all that happened around him was decided he was channelled toward certain decisions, everything working to make him take such decision.

Actually, each time he tried to take a different decision he too got pruned.

The resulting Loki that inhabits the Sacred Timeline, more than the result of his own free will, is the result of manipulation of the events and TVA selection. Which is kind of creepy.

But okay, it’s interesting how, in a way, Loki tries to connect with Mobius.

Maybe it’s Stockholm syndrome as Loki was someone held captive and sentenced to death and then Mobius came in and made clear that Loki’s survival depended on him, maybe it’s just that Mobius showed him some measure of kindness and appreciation and it doesn’t matter if he was being manipulative or not, Loki was so starved for it he fell for it, or he caught up on some similarities between them.

Sure, it can be that by connecting with him he can better use him but I don’t think that’s just it.

Mobius is someone Loki can connect with on an intellectual level, where Thor was just ‘let’s hit things’ and the Warriors Three and Sif were just, let’s do what Thor says.

And after Thor and his friends there were Thanos and the Other and clearly Loki couldn’t connect with them. So it doesn’t matter how screwed up the situation is and how Mobius manipulated Loki in their first meeting and what he told him, fundamentally Mobius is the only one Loki, who’s forced to go around with a jacket saying ‘Variant’ because no one has to forget he’s a cosmic joke, has in that setting.

So yes, it’s VERY screwed up but it makes sense Loki would partially latch on him. It’s human.

On another note I’m not really fond of the idea of Mobius using the French ‘au contraire’ while talking with Loki. Maybe it’s an ad-lib but since there’s already enough mess on how the TVA can talk all the languages and Asgardian somehow don’t have Allspeak, I would have preferred if they hadn’t mixed English and French now. Whatever, maybe that’s just me.

Loki goes on.

Loki: You called me a scared little boy.

Mobius: I called you a lotta things.

I wonder what Mobius means here, if he’s just telling Loki he shouldn’t focus on that (as calling him as such was Mobius’ attempt at showing him sympathy), but Loki nails another relevant topic.

Loki: You did. You're wrong, though. You see, I know something children don't.

Mobius: What's that?

Loki: That no one bad is ever truly bad. And no one good is ever truly good.

It’s interesting it’s coming from Loki because it means, differently from how sometimes Marvel movies seems to depict a world in black and white, Loki could see the shades of grey.

In his family. In the Avengers. In Thanos and the Other. Maybe even in the TVA people. And this means in himself as well.

And we go back to what he said in Ep 1:

Loki: I can't go back, can I? Back to my timeline. I don't enjoy hurting people. I... ( Sighs ) I don't enjoy it. I do it because I have to, because I've had to.

Mobius: Okay, explain that to me.

Loki: Because it's part of the illusion. It's the cruel, elaborate trick conjured by the weak to inspire fear.

Mobius: A desperate play for control. You do know yourself.

Loki: A villain. ( Sighs )

He painted himself as a villain, as someone all black, to show as if he was someone in control… in “Thor” when he was in an emotional storm, in “The Avengers” when he actually was working for Thanos.

But if we consider Loki’s words solely for their tie to the present discussion, he’s trying to tell Mobius that the black and white vision Mobius is trying to adopt doesn’t work. If there’s good in bad and bad in good, the perfect world Mobius thinks he can archive doesn’t exist and his glorious purpose is not so glorious.

Nothing is perfect and so no perfect order or perfect chaos can exist and trying to paint things or people black and white as the Time-Keepers are doing and the TVA as well, is a mistake.

Loki’s words though cause Mobius to remember the boy he met in the cathedral before going to Loki’s trial and how he had a candy box left by the Loki Variant. And I’ve always wondered WHY did the Loki Variant left that candy box behind? Is like she’s leaving breadcrumbs for the TVA or someone working with them to track her down.

Kablooie was only sold regionally on Earth from 2047 to 2051. While it wouldn’t be easy to track the Variant with just this, the Variant limits the place they’ve to search for them to only 4 years.

On an interesting note although Mobius claimed to know everything about Loki’s life he evidently had no idea if Asgardians had candies or not. So yeah, I think Mobius didn’t exactly knew EVERYTHING about Loki’s life, only what the TVA deemed relevant.

Anyway Mobius decides since they now know the Variant is hiding in an apocalyptic event in which Kablooie are involved they can cross-reference the two things.

Mobius has probably more clearance than Loki as he gets the files and then gives Loki a half, encouraging him to search fast through them by making it a competition… which actually is dumb, because the Variant can only be in one place so only the one who got that file among them can find it, no matter if he’s fast or slow… but whatever, Loki is motivated enough by this because he likes to win.

However, although Mobius asks him if he wants to bet on something, then he demands they’ll play for pride.

Anyway, as Mobius realizes it’s one apocalyptic event after another (all in 5 years) Loki finds what they’re searching for in an apocalyptic event in Alabama, 2050.

This gains him Mobius’ praise as he tells him he’ll take his job if he’s not careful.

I remember reading some interviews suggested Loki and Mobius had a mentor/student type of relation. Well, Mobius definitely feels like the mentor, one who takes care of Loki and teaches him how it works at the TVA, completely not focusing on how Loki was basically kidnapped by the place, doesn’t aim to stay there and people look down at him and is always ready to dispose of him because he’s a Variant… and what’s worse, the Variant of someone who, according to the Time-Keepers is meant to be ‘an evil, lying scourge’.

On the other side… working for the TVA is Loki’s only option to survive in that setting so Mobius likely sees it as Loki having to stop ‘thinking too hard’ and also make the TVA his life. In short he should just be like him and submit to the Time-Keepers.

So yeah, his point of view make sense but… it’s terrible, it’s actually telling people not to resist to wrong conditions but submit to them. It’s the typical mindsetting of a bureaucratic huge corporation or system, where no one matters and everyone obeys without worrying to much about what they’re obeying at.

But back to the story Mobius goes to Renslayer to asks her ‘to approve deployment of a fully-armed task force to the Variant's potential hiding spot’.

By the way said hising spot is in ‘Haven Hills, Alabama, corporate town owned by Roxxcart until it's wiped out by a hurricane’.

The name Roxxcart might remember to who read the comic or watched “Agent Carter” of the Roxxon Corporation, one of the world's largest conglomerates, founded in the 1940s. It also appeared in Marvel “Cloak & Dagger” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, with vague references at it in “Iron Man”, “Iron Man 2”, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer”, “Iron Man 3” and the MCU comic “The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week”. It’s hard to say if this will be another vague reference or there will be more.

Renslayer is prejudiced against our Loki as she continues to call him a Variant and tries dismissing the whole thing merely because HE suggested it and the other time he ‘blew up’ the previous mission. Which he didn’t but of this I’ve already talked.

Mobius is all happy Loki proved himself useful and his idea to use him was right but Renslayer instead insists on not trusting him, even though he just discovered a huge hole in their security system.

Now, okay, Loki isn’t to be trusted blindly, but Renslayer isn’t really giving a rational reason why this theory, which actually makes a lot of sense and is supported by some evidence Mobius collected, would be wrong. If they’re going to shot down any theory Loki comes up just because he’s Loki then she shouldn’t have even given him to Mobius.

In fact when Mobius point out how Loki HELPED discovering the hole in the security she’s only more worried.

Anyway Mobius is so excited he manages to get her to agree, although she warns him she won’t be able to help him if this doesn’t work out.

They kind of repeat something that was included in the video/commercial of the TVA Miss Minute showed Loki in the previous episode.

Mobius: For all time.

Ravonna Renslayer: Always.

I wonder if this is actually meant to be the TVA catchphrase.

Anyway Mobius leaves Renslayer and we see Loki is out of the room, nervous, waiting for him. He seems quite satisfied when Mobius says they’ve got permission.

Mobius is still all excited… and make a vague promise that amounts to… basically nothing, to Loki.

Mobius: I'm tellin' you. You actually help us catch this Variant, and who knows, my friend.

Loki: What, good enough for a face-to-face with the Time-Keepers?

Mobius: I didn't say that. One step at a time.

Loki: All right. One step at a time.

He actually promises nothing to him, because, as he said, he said nothing. ‘Who knows’ can mean anything, even that after they catch the Variant they’ll prune him, or they’ll merely allow him to live at the TVA, forcing him to work for them. Who knows what ‘who knows’ mean!

Loki tries to have some more solid confirmation and basically gets nothing, which is not very promising.

As far as I’m involved I think Mobius is doing this promise more because he’s trying to keep Loki loyal than because he has something solid to offer to him. In fact he hadn’t bargained with Renslayer for this. Loki is there to catch the Variant, catching the Variant would end their need to use Loki but, as soon as Mobius got permission for the mission he left without insuring if they were to succeed he could keep him.

Does Loki really want to meet the Time-Keepers? What he aims to get from them?

Anyway Mobius is so excited he tries to give knives to Loki.

Enters Hunter B-15, who strongly despise Loki who takes them away from him (I wonder if Loki managed to steal them back unknown to her. I would love if he did). She briefs her men for the mission, which also allows us viewers to get some info and orders them to prune Loki at sight. Clearly she doesn’t even believe in putting him to that mock trials the TVA offers to its captive Variants.

Loki makes present they should preferably prune the bad Loki, not him and then the scene moves to Haven Hills and I love how this time they had introduced it not by writing it on the screen but by showing us a sign saying we’re in Haven Hills, Alabama… before having it destroyed.

I really love this scene.

The TVA arrives at Roxxcart and they’ve the good sense to open their Timedoors outside of it.

It’s interesting how Loki looks up at the storming sky. I wonder if he’s searching for thunders (we saw one hitting the ground before the TVA appeared) as a way to check if Thor is around, even though it’s clear Thor wouldn’t cause such destruction.

To Hunter B-15’s surprise Loki uses his magic to dry up, which somehow seems to make her even more suspicious of him. Because yeah, drying yourself is such a sinister act.

Mobius would like to go with Loki at the Green House but Hunter B-15 forbids it, wanting to part them. Mobius has to go with Hunter D-90 while Loki has to stay with her.

And I’ve the personal suspicion that’s because she hopes in a not to obvious chance to prune him too away from Mobius’ eyes.

B-15 tells Mobius if he’s not fine with it, he can go argue with Renslayer about it.

It’s interesting how they’re arguing. I wonder if Hunters and Analysts actually form two different and opposite classes in TVA who argue against each other despite a poster depicting them as working together.

Anyway Loki gets in between and tells Mobius it’s fine, that he can trust him and that he’ll understand trust has to be gained so he’ll gain it.

Honestly the way Loki puts it makes him even more suspicious for me, but I wonder if the key is it has to work for B-15.

Mobius complains about how is always the people you can’t trust that tell you ‘trust me’. Well, the people you trust wouldn’t need to ask you your trust so they won’t tell it to you.

Mobius though at this surrender as well, he’s so excited to get the Variant he doesn’t consider he could ask to stay with B-15 as well, or that he could say B-15 is asking this because she wants to try to harm Loki. He just let the issue go after a jab about how the past time B-15 ended up wearing the Time Collar.

Meanwhile the Loki Variant has noticed they’re in thanks to all the cameras in the place, as if they were waiting for the TVA. Again I wonder if the Loki Variant has someone supporting them in the TVA because they seem to know too much, later they’ll even show knowing the other Loki was brought in by the TVA to capture them.

We see the Loki Variant leaving down a tempad on which there’s a countdown that’s at 20 minutes.

Back to Loki he’s in the greenhouse with B-15, trying to chat with her… which could be a genuine attempt at communication or an attempt at warning the Variant they’re there. I’m not sure on which side Loki is… but I wonder if his goal is to stall things.

He might suspect if they get the Variant he’ll be disposed off so his aim might be to show he’s useful but also to stall the capture of the Variant. This might be what he was trying to do in the previous mission as well. So it’s not exactly he’s trying to help the Variant, he’s trying to gain time for himself.

B-15 doesn’t feel like talking with him but then they find a guy who claims to be shopping for plants despite the hurricane.

B-15 asks Loki if the guy could be him and Loki points out he ‘probably would have worn a suit, but, yes, maybe’, hinting at how Loki cares about how he looks.

B-15 gets too close to the guy who manages to grab her. We see some green magic pass to B-15 and then the guy faints. Loki asks if he’s dead but ‘B-15’ tells him ‘they usually survive’, making clear she’s no more B-15 but the Variant possessing her, who also recognizes Loki for who he is:

“So, you're the fool the TVA brought in to hunt me down.”

As I said this sentence gives me the feeling the Variant knew the TVA brought him someone to hunt them, in short they’ve inside intel about the TVA and I would love to know how.

Now possessing B-15 is a good move as she’s a good fighter with a weapon in her hands and this also leaves Loki on her own.

Loki recognizes the speaker for what they are, the Loki Variant possessing B-15, in short himself.

The Variant points out:

“Please. If anyone's anyone, you're me.”

Implying the Variant saw themselves as the better/original Loki version.

Wunmi Mosaku does a good work at playing the Loki Variant here, really.

Back in the shelter people is clearly in deep distress and a guy thinks the TVA is there to help them.

I think Mobius is torn, a side of him would just search for the Variant, the other is being affected by the situation but he tries to suppress it.

D-90 instead doesn’t care and pushes the man away as if he didn’t even exist. Which he doesn’t for him.

Mobius: What are you doing? Hey! These people are scared.

Hunter D-90: They're about to die. They should be scared.

Mobius: Okay. Not of us.

Even though those people aren’t Variants as they’re going to die the TVA doesn’t acknowledge them right. Like the Loki Variant they don’t care what they do because everything will be erased, either by a reset charge or by the apocalypse.

Mobius doesn’t like this… but again it’s not like he’s trying to save those people, he’ll let them die because the Time-Keepers dictate so.

Hunters in the TVA are somehow all jerks. Again they would work well as stand in for police brutality but I don’t know if the series wants to go this way.

Mobius and D-90 are interrupted when a Minuteman informs them they had found a tied C-20 who’s in state of shock and repeating over and over ‘it’s real’.

So C-20’s role isn’t to be a bait, I think it’s possible the Variant wants to use her to deliver a message to the TVA.

Back to Loki he comments on the spell used.

“Enchantment is a clever trick. Cowardly, a bit amateur-ish, but clever.”

The fact enchantment was used seems to be a nod to how the Variant might be Sylvie Lushton, who also went under the alias of enchantress.

In the comics Sylvie is not the original enchantress, that one was Amora, sister of Lorelei who appeared in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”. Sylvie was supposedly a human created by Loki who also gave her her magical powers.  Although she has no training she has amazing magical powers and moved from wanting to be an Avenger to trying to become a Villain.

We’ll see what this Variant will turn out to be.

Anyway the Variant blames Loki of being the coward one because he works for the TVA. She mocks this asking him if he really believes that, which he confirms so she dismisses him:

Hunter B-15 (possessed): ( The variant chuckles ) And here I was worried that they'd found a better version of me.

And this again seems to imply the Variant KNEW the TVA got themselves a Loki but who told them? They just discovered it at the fair?

A person, Randy, appear and B-15 touches him then faint. Loki almost hurries to help her before realizing what had happened.

Well, the Variant could have disintegrate Randy instead she preferred to transfer themselves into him. This is interesting because it seems although they’ve no hesitation in killing TVA people they’re against harming normal people.

Loki still go to check B-15… or can it be he placed something in one of her pockets? Like a message for Mobius? Loki touches his jacket before bending down on B-15 and this time we don’t see what he touches as she’s cut off the screen which is odd.

The Variant thinks he’s trying to search a transmitting device to call the others for help. Loki tails the Variant, challenging them to face him and then explaining how he had gained the TVA confidence.

The Variant is not that much impressed but they continue to give Loki their back. Not that it matter as that back isn’t really the Variant’s back.

Loki explains his plan… which I don’t know if it’s really his plan or a trick.

Loki: I'm going to overthrow the Time-Keepers. And, uh, cards on the table, I could use a qualified lieutenant.

It’s relevant how Loki, talking with the Variant, uses a more polite and Asgard like language.

The Variant is clearly not interested in working for Loki but what hits me is that they don’t want to be called ‘Loki’ which could be because they aren’t Loki after all.

Loki: What say you... Loki?

Randy (possessed): Ugh. Don't call me that. You can call me... Randy.

I love how this meeting helps Loki to realize why Thor found these techniques annoying.

Loki: God. Now I understand why Thor found this so annoying.

Loki claims he has helped the Variant at the fair so yes, apparently he has played that risky bet back then for a reason. I really would love to know which game Loki is playing.

Loki: Listen. Enough with your games. I've been trying to help you. I kept them vulnerable at the Renaissance Fair for some time.

The Variant still isn’t interested in joining him as they don’t care about ruling the TVA.

We see that there are Time charges placed all around, partially hidden from sight which don’t promise anything good and someone, likely the Variant, is tweaking with them while ‘Randy’ keeps Loki distracted. So yes, this Variant too is good at stalling.

C-20 is still babbling, while Mobius tries to get something out of her.

D-90 just waves her off saying she’s off the dial and showing a worrying lack of a care for a companion.

Although C-20 says she wants to go home when Mobius offers to send them back she says she can’t as she gave away the position of the Time-Keepers.

Oh, so C-20 knew it? Did she, differently from Mobius met them?

D-90 tries to contact B-15 causing her to wake up.

Loki tries to get what the Variant wants but the Variant refuses to explain themselves saying Loki is too late. Loki counters he’s ahead as he found the Variant’s hiding place, then notices the Time charges and thinks the Variant lead them there to blow the place up.

As he turns his gaze Randy has disappeared and the Variant has possessed a big guy who starts beating Loki. Loki is not really fighting back. Are possessed people really so powerful or Loki is trying to pass himself for weak?

Anyway, after pointing out:

Loki: I would never treat me like this.

Which might be our clue the Variant isn’t really a Loki but someone pretending to be one, Loki starts more actively to try to avoid blows and even use his magic to get something he can use as shield.

The Variant’s language is nowhere near as polite as Loki and the possessed guy manages to send Loki on the ground. The idea of a toy dachshund bumping against him is cute.

B-15 manages to find Mobius and she’s forced to confess she lost Loki. Likely she thinks it’s due to Loki but doesn’t know how to explain it while D-90 just says  Mobius’ favourite Loki betrayed him as they run to search for him.

The possessed guy is using another tempad connecting it to another mechanism. Although Loki couldn’t move he hadn’t tried to kill him and now Loki wakes up and demands to know what the Variants wants from him and what is this about. He’s clearly angry.

The possessed guy stands up and then tells him to brace himself before fainting, a sign the Variant isn’t possessing him anymore.

A recording keeps on repeating Loki’s last two sentences ‘What do you want from me? What is this about?’.

I’m not sure why the Variant would record those two sentences and play them over unless we’re to assume they’re actually only playing in Loki’s head.

The Variant appears, removes their hood to reveal it hid a blond woman face then in an unfriendly tone she states:

“This isn't about you.”

Loki’s surprise lasts only few seconds before he says ‘right’.

Meanwhile the countdown has reached 0, the light shot down, the time charges, tons of them, turn on but then below them timedoors appear, sending them away.

Mobius notices what’s going on and worries about where the Time charges are going.

Back at the TVA we assist to the sudden formation of LOTS of branches. The Analysts come to the conclusion someone ‘bombed’ the Sacred Timeline.

Renslayer, who has a hunter helmet that starts with A-25… which might mean she was one of the first hunters of the place, grabs her weapon as Minuteman spun to action.

Loki sees the Variant grabbing the Tempad again and using it to open a human size timedoor as she watches him. She waves at him the way he did at the Hulk when he went on the lift and goes through the Timedoor. Loki considers following but stalls for a moment. Mobius is running there, telling him to wait. Loki sees him but decides to go through the timedoor anyway and, as he does the timedoor disappears, leaving Mobius and the hunters outside.

The episode ends here.

People had been wondering what was Loki thinking when he went through the Timedoor and Tom Hiddleston explained it in an interview:

There's a very big moment at the end where Loki steps through that portal. From your perspective what is going through Loki's mind when he looks back at Mobius and then decides to go through the door anyway? Is he feeling any remorse there at all?

I think certainly there's conflict. I think he… you know, Mobius is someone who, perhaps for the first time in his life, he thinks he might be able to trust, and perhaps trusts him, and he doesn't want to betray that trust, but at the same time he has to go and see what that's what's going on, he has to do that. I think it was he can't help himself but follow… uh… because it's too strange and to, you know, provoke so much curiosity within him. So there is a huge conflict there, he thinks “I probably shouldn't do this, maybe there can be repercussions down the line, but I have to see what that's about”. ['Loki' - Tom Hiddleston & Owen Wilson Talk Ep 2 Twist! _ TVLine Interview]

Now this might be not the full truth because Tom might have been forced to withhold information in order not to give away the plot of future episodes but it’s worth considering it.

Undoubtedly following the other Loki is a risk. It’s clear the other is challenging him to follow… and he knows next to nothing about the other Loki so, if the TVA is bad for him, the other Loki could be worse and he might be trading a bad place for a pure hell. Who says the other Loki doesn’t work for Thanos for example?

In the TVA he has Mobius as some sort of interested ally, with the other Loki he has no one. You know, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know". At the same time it makes sense he wants to try following the other Loki because he’s not the type to stagnate and remain there. He has to see, he has to try. Where Mobius wouldn’t risk, Loki does. I hope for him the bet will be worth it.

Last but not least it’s worth to mention in the ending theme they’ve replaced two photos of Loki with one of the Loki Variant and another with just a different image of Loki with the TVA jacket.

So anyway we’ve gotten to the end of it. I still wonder if the Loki Variant as an insider in the TVA passing her info and if she’s really a Loki or she just pretends to be. How she came to make all this big plan? Why she had looked like she wanted Loki to tail her?

We’ll see.