#got s6e8

[atomicradiogirl]

raylan: there is only one thing [tying me to kentucky] you.

boyd: you wanna lean in for a kiss?

raylan: is that what you think this is? another one of your love stories?

boyd: oh well i do like happy endings.

[kradogsrats]

I've been kind of hesitant to voice this analysis/theory because honestly even I find it hella depressing, but... here goes.

At the end of s6e5: "Moonless Night," we have this kind of cryptic sequence with Viren:

Now, this isn't exactly subtle. It starts with a callback to Aaravos's "the human mage, already tainted by darkness and destined to play right into my hands," line (and a nice Callum > fake pearl > real pearl > Viren cut sequence) and ends with the kind of spider-and-fly imagery you bust out when you want the audience to really get the point. This sequence tells us in no uncertain terms, Aaravos will inevitably use Viren again... at least one more time.

I say it's cryptic because the eventual payoff is a lot more subtle, particularly since everything escalates so rapidly and is actually presented as a crazy, unexpected twist. Basically, there's no follow-up until s6e8: "We All Fall Down," where we have a highly specific series of events:

Sol Regem, under Phaaravos's direction, attacks Katolis

Viren decides to make the sacrifice of both doing dark magic again and losing his own life to protect the people from Sol Regem's fire

Viren successfully casts the spell and the people are protected

Phaaravos does this:

Once Viren has cast the spell (and is probably dying), Aaravos is pleased and ends Sol Regem's attack.

Aaravos needs three things to free himself: the pearl, the staff, and a sympathetic mage. He can't just possess Callum and free himself at the start of the season, because—whether that would work or not—he doesn't have the staff. He knows, however, that Viren is going back to Katolis, so he can influence Callum to switch the real and fake pearls. Then, when Viren arrives, the pearl and the staff are lined up... but Viren is no longer sympathetic (and possessing him wouldn't really do any good because like, come on... he's in prison).

The way that the attack on Katolis plays out gives him everything: the pearl and staff are abandoned in the chaos, leaving them free for Claudia. Viren, being dead, is also now unable to influence Claudia directly—not to mention that, despite what he told her in s6e1, he chose to do dark magic again.

There are several reasons that could be behind Phaaravos's smarmy little smirk there—either he's satisfied that the staff is in play and will be easily accessible to Claudia instead of buried under a castle's worth of rubble, or he's satisfied that Viren is going to die and that removes what could actually have been a very serious obstacle to Claudia's persistence, or... he's pleased that Viren has caved and done dark magic again, whether because that's leverage he can use with Claudia, or for a more insidious reason.

We can stop here, because "Aaravos uses Viren's loyalty to his family and Katolis to manipulate him to his death and to set up his daughter for digging herself deeper in aiding his own return" is honestly plenty of payoff as far as Aaravos "using" Viren a final time. BUT just to get a little tinfoil-hat, here:

How exactly are we supposed to understand the pearl got from the subterranean secret dark magic workspace to outside in the ground-level courtyard... except by Aaravos walking the dying Viren down there to bring it back out, then neatly arranging pearl, staff, and Dad's dead body in close proximity for Claudia's homecoming? Which is pretty fucking grim.

As a counterpoint, the one thing this series sometimes plays extremely fast and loose with is the space-time continuum: like, working out travel times? Good fucking luck—it takes exactly as long to get somewhere as the plot demands, regardless of distance, terrain, or mode of transportation. So "how did the pearl get into the courtyard" could just be one of those "how did Soren and Claudia get up the Cursed Caldera without Lujanne knowing"-situations where the answer is "it's fine, don't think about it."

Sure, the staff, pearl, and Viren's body are all suspiciously accessible, but we also don't have screentime for Terry and Claudia to do an extensive search of the rubble overlaid with sad music and intercut with flashbacks. Sometimes shit just has to be convenient so we can move along... but I'll probably still always kind of wonder.

[agentsamson]

I miss hunter. I have got to watch s2e3 s2e11 s3e3 s3e11 s3e12 s3e13 s4e1 s4e8 s4e10 s4e11 s4e15 s4e16 s5e1 s5e3 s5e5 s5e7 s6 special s6e1 s6e8 s7e3 s7e5 s7e7 s7e8 and the movie again

[purpleheartskies]

Johnny, Robby, and the "family" (s6 part 2)

Well, gotta say, I'm perplexed by s6 part 2. It seems like the writers are still just building out the story---or moreso, dragging it out---until the resolutions. Part 2 has left me with the curiosity of how Johnny and Robby's story will be resolved.

Since watching s1 and until watching s5, I'd wanted to see Johnny and Robby build a relationship onscreen. I know that's not going to happen now. There's just no screentime for it, if it were to happen. And, frankly, it's not something I care to see anymore because Johnny just doesn't deserve to keep Robby in his life anymore, especially since s5e1. I'm a huge believer in people (especially parents) treating other people (especially their own kids) right and showing them that they have value as a person. But, Johnny has never truly or openly shown Robby that he has value---though we're still being given hints that Johnny does love Robby. s5 escalated the abandonment and neglect to outright abuse (emotional, psychological, and physical), and I'm just not here for that and find Johnny irredeemable since s5 (whereas before I was open to his redemption).

I was also really sure that Johnny and Robby only would be endgame. In a way, this is still possible, though it would be dissatisfying regardless of how they do it now. (I'll touch on this later in the post.) After watching part 2, though, I'm really wondering if Johnny and Robby were ever meant to be an endgame at all.

Johnny and Miguel's conversations on the plane (s6e8)

I think it's interesting that this episode is called "Snakes on a plane". Only two of the characters were shown on a plane: Johnny and Miguel. So maybe this is an acknowledgement that they are still Cobras. Which, let's face it, they are. Joining Migagi-Do simply doesn't erase all the things they haven't taken accountability for or the fact that these two are still their version of Cobra Kai. I've also said before that Johnny's relationship with Miguel is part of Kreese's Cobra Kai legacy.

Their two conversations are quite interesting. The first is Miguel throwing Johnny's confession to Miguel in their s2e3 conversation back in Johnny's face. This is not surprising behavior from Miguel. Moreover, this situation has a similar context to that s2e3 scene: Miguel performed well in a tournament but Johnny was distracted or not happy because of Robby.

Miguel: "You were disregarding me all tournament. And you're making things worse right now. You'll probably make things worse at the hospital too. Like drinking in the parking lot when Robby was born. No wonder Robby's so messed up." Johnny: "Hey, man, that's a low blow. Don't bring Robby into this. I know you're upset you didn't get captain, but he won that fair and square. It's not my fault you choked." The flight attendant then came and asked Miguel if Johnny was bothering him (cause Johnny almost got into it with a first class "Johnny"-like passenger earlier) and if Miguel would like to change seats. Miguel said yes.

This really was a low blow. Johnny also hadn't done anything wrong to Miguel. Miguel is just controlling and entitled over Johnny's attention: how dare Johnny not pay attention to him only, despite how poorly the team was performing overall. I'm going to say it cause it is what it is. This is abusive to Johnny. Miguel brings up Johnny's failures with Robby and then insults Robby, calling him messed up because of those failures. Miguel wasn't just attacking Johnny. Miguel was also attacking Robby to attack Johnny. Using Johnny's weakness (Robby) and secrets against him and then cold shouldering him like that because Miguel's pissed at him for not running after him is a manipulation / abuse tactic. Codependent relationships are dysfunctional. Miguel can abuse Johnny as much as he wants, and Johnny will do what be can to appease Miguel, after Johnny's instinctual reactions.

This led into their next conversation:

Johnny: "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you more in Barcelona, all right. I saw you killing it out there, I didn't think you needed my support as much as Robby. He doesn't have what you have. He's not going to college next year. Sekai Taikai is the biggest thing he's got going for him. But I see how that made you feel. You're my son too. As for your mom, I'm really scared. I love her so much. I've tried my best to get myself together, be a good guy. Things like this happen, and it feels like I could lose everything all over again. The truth is, I don't know if she's gonna be okay. But, I can't think of the alternative. Alright?"

The fact that Miguel knows that Johnny abandoned Robby, has used that against Robby (school fight), and even used that against Johnny just earlier on the plane, but Miguel still wants to make sure that he is given what Robby has never gotten properly from Johnny is so entitled of Miguel and so on par for him. Miguel knows that Robby still doesn't get this from Johnny. I mean, Miguel is literally upset that he himself is not the center of Johnny's universe.

Miguel is not entitled to Johnny as a father, especially not over Robby,---no matter what!

This is like on prom night. Johnny expressed wanting to be a father to Robby. Johnny was literally piss drunk, and Miguel had scraped him off the floor. Look at the state of Johnny... and Miguel broke down and held this moment against Johnny? Seriously? Miguel trusted Johnny again, only after the apartment fight because Johnny let Miguel beat up Robby. Miguel hadn't even trusted Johnny after he had come down to Mexico to rescue Miguel. Miguel told Hawk and Demetri, after they got back from Mexico, that he's not going to let Robby being with Johnny get to him. Well... here we are again. Miguel is being his typical narcissistic asshole self to both Robby and Johnny because of Miguel's insecurity and entitlement wrt Robby being Johnny's son.

Johnny and Miguel's exchanges on the plane are a pattern that show how Johnny stays trapped in this relationship with Miguel at Robby's expense.

To me, the fact that these scenes fit so well with these other Johnny and Miguel scenes is incredibly interesting. Cause to me the question is why?

Why keep including these scenes if everything is "resolved" for the Johnny-Robby-Miguel situation, as many fans claim everything is?

Johnny and Miguel's conversations about their relationship status as "Father/Son" or "Student/Sensei" always revolve around Johnny's relationship with Robby, since Miguel found out that Johnny is Robby's father in s2e2/3. Even in s4e7, Miguel himself brought up Johnny's relationship with Robby when Johnny talked about not knowing how to be a father. In these conversations, including the s6e8 one, Johnny consoled Miguel, and himself, that Johnny will do better with Miguel, with it implied that Johnny will not do better with Robby.

Even now, Miguel is still stewing inside that Robby is Johnny's "real" son, and Miguel continues to take this out on both Johnny and Robby whenever Miguel feels insecure about it.

Part 2 has me still saying what I've been saying all along:

Why do the writers keep including scenes like this if this "family" is meant to last or if Johnny is already redeemed for failing Robby... while never actually giving us meaningful conversations between Johnny and Robby that explore their issues without Johnny being an emotionally immature asshole about it all?

Their conversation in s4e10 went seemingly well because Robby was blaming himself for screwing everything up and was not blaming Johnny for anything. When Johnny took blame on himself, it did mean something but it was about Robby's relationship with Daniel falling apart because of Johnny and not about their own lack of a relationship because of Johnny. And then, what happened right after that? Miguel ran off to Mexico, and Johnny psychologically and emotionally abused Robby, even abandoning him again (at a random bus stop in Mexico), in an extreme effort to get Miguel back.

Here, on the plane, Johnny did so much to try to talk to Miguel after Miguel ditched him for another seat. Yet, Johnny has never tried to talk to Robby and fix things with him in this way. Remember, in Mexico, Johnny literally dumped Robby at a random bus stop and went off after Miguel, instead of fixing things with Robby properly. This was also after Johnny had tricked, kidnapped, lied to, gaslit, and guilted Robby. In s5e8, Johnny got annoyed with Robby's fatherly advice comment and dismissed it. Back in s3, Johnny only went to the soup kitchen to talk to Robby because Bobby refused to apologize to Robby for Johnny. Johnny had no intention of going himself if Bobby had apologized for him. Johnny also never went back to try to fix things with Robby. Overall, Johnny never puts this amount of effort in to fix things with/for Robby. This has been consistent throughout the story.

This is all why I'm not mincing words in this post. Johnny and Miguel have a dysfunctional relationship in which Miguel has gaslit and guilted Johnny, that is manipulated him, before. Miguel's behavior with Johnny wrt Johnny not running after him all the time is inexcusable, regardless of the circumstance. Miguel is 17/18 now. Let's take off the kid gloves. He's becoming a grown ass man. According to many fans, Robby has to suck it up and let go of all the legitimate lifetime of trauma he has due to Johnny (which Robby actually does still need therapy for). Well, Miguel must suck it up and not feel entitled over Johnny like this because, frankly, Miguel's feelings of entitlement are his own problem. They're not Johnny's problem, nor Robby's problem. Meanwhile, making amends to Robby directly for failing him is Johnny's problem. A problem that Johnny has yet to solve and may never solve because he's too busy running after the Diazs---his "do over" family.

Like I've said before, the Diazs and the baby are plot devices meant to distract Johnny from his actual goal of making amends with Robby.

Johnny to Miguel in s4e7: "I took all that bullshit I felt from them, and I put that on Robby's life. I can never fix that. I don't want to make that mistake again." Of course, Johnny's talking about never making that mistake again by doing things right with Miguel because Johnny believes he can't fix anything with/for Robby. The Diazs have always been a "do-over" family for Johnny. Their purpose is not genuine but is for Johnny to use them to feel better for his past and present failures with Robby. This is all in the writing. Hence, Johnny's words in s6e8 as well: "I've tried my best to get myself together, be a good guy. Things like this happen, and it feels like I could lose everything all over again." Just like how, when he risked his own life for no reason at all in s5e10, he was also focused on everything he himself would lose.

Johnny's "do-over" "family"

Now, one thing that stuck out to me was that really important family stuff was going on, and Robby wasn't included. In fact, Robby was left behind, and he actually drank for the first time (which is... smh... another post that needs to be made). But, it really sticks out that, like the scenes in s6e5 where Johnny and Carmen feel the baby kicking and then Miguel comes in with his Stanford deferment news, Robby's not there.

The writers purposely exclude Robby from these heartfelt scenes of the family. In this episode, like in s6e5, both the baby plot device and Miguel got focus, but not Robby. Interesting... like in Carmen's dream in s5e4...

When Daniel found Johnny packing, Johnny told Daniel that he told Miguel but made no mention of Robby, and told Daniel to tell the others. Johnny seemed to have left Robby out. Later, when Robby asked Sam if she'd spoken to Miguel before he left, it made me wonder if Miguel had spoken to him either. It's possible that neither Johnny nor Miguel spoke to him before they left.

And when Carmen commented that the baby's big brother will win the world tournament, she only says "brother" singular. Yes, she's talking about Miguel, who is in the room, but this baby has two brothers competing in the tournament. Miguel is also not the brother who is the captain and would be competing in the final rounds.

Robby's existence was excluded from this situation completely.

This is one of many reasons I'm still saying that the whole blended "family" isn't meant to last. It will either be Johnny and Robby only in the end, because Johnny relationships with the Diazs are not healthy and are intentionally and explicitly built/written at Robby's expense. Or, it will be that Johnny and Robby won't have a relationship in the end and Johnny will live "happily", dysfunctionally ever after with the Diazs.

(Sidebar - It can actually be Johnny and Robby only in the end because this show has had its dark moments, and most recently Kwon died in front of everyone in a horrific way. And, the setup for something happening to the baby plot device (and maybe Carmen as well) is now there. I'm not saying I want this. I don't, for sure. I think if they go this route than they truly shouldn't have included the baby plot device at all. But given a lot of their decisions so far, they don't care about taking the moral or socially-acceptable approach to portraying serious topics---for example, intentionally framing Johnny's neglect and abuse of Robby, which benefits the Diazs, as wholesome and sympathetic is one of those things. At this point, I'd like to see no Johnny-Robby relationship in the end. Leave Johnny in his toxic relationships with the Diazs for all I care (though I do feel bad for Johnny cause he doesn't deserve to be stuck in dysfunctional relationships either) but get Robby away from these toxic people. That is how I want this story to go now.)

Anyway, leaving Robby out of these important family scenes, while also never giving him a scene with Johnny and Carmen in which they are, specifically Johnny is, focused on Robby's issues in a meaningful way is quite telling. The essay scene in s6e2 included Robby, but Robby was there (1) to point out that he was still being scapegoated for the school fight while the whole "family", including Johnny, were still going along with that, and (2) for Johnny to dismiss Robby after Robby brought up his struggles for his future. Then, a literal waterfall of shit rained down on Miguel's essay and this false "family".

Again, this all shows that Robby's place in the family is essentially non-existent. I mean, is it even surprising?

This "family" situation is meant to be another trauma that Johnny inflicts onto Robby.

Look at how the family was put together, or more specifically, how Robby was beaten into place by Johnny and Miguel, and then blinded-sided into people-pleasing because of the baby news. He's not a genuine part of this family, nor is he supposed to feel like he is, just like he's not being his genuine himself since that news.

In fact, I thought it was interesting that, in the locker room in s6e9, when Miguel said, "We're a family. All of us", Robby had a thoughtful expression and then stood and said, "Who are we?" and all the kids all said, "Miyagi-Do!"

Robby's family and home have always been Miyagi-Do.

Maybe this is one of a few reasons why he wasn't one of the "snakes on a plane".

Robby and Miguel

This "friendship" / "brotherhood" is one-sided. Keeping in mind that Miguel has never taken accountability with Robby and keeping in mind all of Miguel's other behavior towards Robby so far, nothing about Miguel's behavior in part 2 was surprising.

At first, Miguel's being a whiny bitch because he didn't get the captain spot and then Johnny was "disregarding him". He and everyone were blaming Robby and were upset with Robby for not having focus, even though he wasn't the only one doing poorly. Way to not be a supportive "friend" or "brother" but to be an unsupportive bully and asshole instead.

Then, after tearing Robby down, Miguel was only supportive of him after two things happened. That is, for two reasons: (1) Miguel got Johnny's confirmation again that Miguel will be Johnny's priority. Miguel was upset because he wasn't getting Johnny's attention the way he wanted---as his "son". So, as long as he got more attention than Robby, who actually does need Johnny's attention way more, Miguel was now happy with Johnny and hence happy with Robby. (2) Carmen made Miguel promise to win.

Miguel only became supportive of Robby after Johnny chose Miguel over Robby again. And the fact that he called Robby "messed up: shows Miguel's true feelings about Robby.

Miguel had called Robby "messed up" for no reason at all other than jealousy, just like Miguel had felt entitled to break Robby's arm for no reason at all in the school fight after Miguel attacked Robby for no reason other than jealousy.

Robby is still a punching bag for Miguel if not physically then verbally, and even when Robby's not present.

Again, this is all par for the course for Miguel. I'm not seeing anything different that hasn't always been there this whole time.

All of their history and Miguel's behavior up until s6e8 is why I doubt the intentions behind Miguel's "peptalk" with Robby in s6e9. Miguel wanted to win. He'd promised Carmen they would, so Miguel was now doing the opposite of what he had done before. Now he was supporting and telling him what he needed to hear in order for them to win.

In part 2, another rivalry was resolved in which both parties acknowledged their wrongs. In fact, Anthony even drank a laxative to make it up to Kenny and prove that he was truly sorry for what he had done in the past and for starting things, even though he hadn't been the one to put the laxative in Kenny's water.

In contrast, Miguel has never taken accountability with Robby for their rivalry that Miguel had started. Instead, even now, Miguel made sure that he is still Johnny's number one before Miguel started to support Robby again after (1) Miguel was bullying Robby for not having focus, and (2) insulting Robby as a way to attack Johnny.

The Johnny-loves-Robby hints

So, every season, there are hints, or I guess seeds, of Johnny's love for Robby.

Johnny is not codependent in his relationship with Robby, so Robby doesn't get the open "love" and "caring" that Miguel and Carmen get from Johnny.

This is really important to understand about Johnny's behavior/relationship with Robby.

Throughout part 2, we were shown the same hints of love that Johnny has for Robby, although they get no screentime together and Johnny has yet to makes amends and prove to Robby that Johnny is truly remorseful for what he has done to him. Johnny is still avoidant in this regard.

Although, to Robby, Johnny denied Robby's reality about his future, Johnny told Miguel that the tournament is all that Robby has for his future because he's not going to college. Again, Johnny's lack of actually trying to help Robby outside of training him for the tournament is glaring. He doesn't help Robby find alternatives to karate and also tells Robby a lie about his future prospects---it's a lie because Johnny himself doesn't believe that Robby has a future, not that this is actually true. Again, Robby just needs an adult to be there for him and to truly help him, which he doesn't have. For himself even, Johnny sees the tournament as his big shot. Also, in s6e6, at the sponsor's table, when the sponsor mentioned that winning dojos and champions are taken care of, Johnny asked "Like paying for college." He was very likely thinking about Miguel. Johnny doesn't believe that Robby can go to college, and in s6e2, Carmen told Johnny that he essentially needs to help pay for Miguel's college.

In the locker room in s6e7, Johnny's speech was a projection of his own failures onto the kids' possible futures. It's interesting that, as the kids walked out, Robby was the last one to leave. Johnny stepped towards Robby and said his name, but Robby said "Sorry, Dad" and left too. This was the closest we got to seeing Johnny try to have a conversation with Robby.

At least, we got a moment of Johnny defending Robby's win to Miguel, calling it fair and square.

Johnny also told Miguel to leave Robby out of their issues. At least that was Johnny's immediate reaction to Miguel's verbal attack on Robby. Later, after Miguel cold-shouldered Johnny, Johnny basically did put his relationship with Miguel above his relationship with Robby again. Also, although Johnny called Miguel "my son too", Johnny has been treating Miguel like more than his son, whereas Johnny still treats Robby like a stranger or a random student, for the most part.

Johnny is incapable of healthy relationships. He's caught between two extremes: He's codependent with the Diazs, while he neglects and abuses Robby. These relationships also aren't independent of each other. Johnny is still choosing Miguel/Diazs over Robby, as part 2 continues to show.

Regardless, Robby is and will always be an issue that Miguel has with Johnny in their relationship. Robby will always be an issue in their relationship, in general. Johnny uses Miguel to make up for his failures with Robby, and Miguel feels that he is more entitled to Johnny than Robby is.

Johnny did hug Robby after Robby's win against Kwon, which also knocked the Cobras out of the tournament (temporarily). So that was nice to see. But, it was just so quick and related to the tournament, so it wasn't a real focus, unlike Johnny's conversations with Miguel and Devon had been---Johnny's do-over kids.

During the brawl, Johnny frantically trying to get to Robby was something to note. Johnny wasn't able to get to him though.

There were also two small moments before this though that also stood out to me:

In s6e10, when Chozen said to Daniel and Johnny that Sam and Robby need their senseis and need their fathers, Johnny's expression was one of worry or self-reflection.

Johnny keeps failing to be there for Robby as he needs.

In fact, Johnny's not ready for this baby plot device either. When Carmen said that she's [the baby's] so luck to have him as a dad, he had the same reaction.

This was just a few hours after Miguel had called Robby "messed up" because of Johnny's behavior. Carmen and Miguel are aware of Johnny's flaws, yet never encourage him to get better.

At the baby shower in s6e3, just minutes before Carmen told Johnny that she can't wait for his daughter to meet him, Daniel commented to Johnny that he never only has one drink.

They all know Johnny's an alcoholic.

Johnny tells Miguel in s6e8, "I've tried my best to get myself together, be a good guy." This is simply not true. He doesn't want to improve a lot of his behaviors, his drinking being one of those things.

Sadly, in this episode Robby drank and got drunk for the first time, and he messed up (at least that's how he and Tory talked about it, though his conscious decisions that night beyond his decision to drink are unclear). It's so telling that Miguel literally commented about Johnny messing up things, including Robby, because of his alcoholism, and in this same episode, Robby had his first drink to cope with his problems. Robby's goal is to not become like Johnny, and this first drink is sadly a step down a path to become like Johnny. (Robby's part 2 stuff is definitely getting it's own post.)

The writers have made this Johnny-Robby-Diaz situation an "either/or" situation this whole time, and this situation is meant to cause Robby more trauma. They literally set up Johnny's decision in s1e4 as a "do over". All of Johnny and Miguel's heartfelt conversations about their own relationship are in the context of Johnny's failures with Robby, Miguel's belief in his entitlement of Johnny over Robby's, and Johnny using Miguel to feel better about his own failures with Robby. In s5, Johnny talked about the baby only in terms of Johnny's failures with Robby. Robby is treated in the writing as not a member of this "family", which given the circumstances in which he was forced into it, is telling.

I wonder what will happen between Johnny and Robby now. Like I said, I'd always believed that Johnny and Robby only would be endgame, but after part 2, I'm wondering if Johnny and Robby are meant to be endgame at all. Regardless, there is no setup that genuinely includes Robby in Johnny's "do-over" "family". Given all the setup, no ending for Johnny and Robby's relationship will be satisfying. I just hope that, by the end of the story, Robby is no longer stuck in this abusive situation.

Overall, I get people being upset about the story. I am too. But, I also see so much nuance in the story that I wonder where all this will lead. (Billy's answer to this interview question (at 4:36) is also interesting. While, Tanner's answer in this other interview (at 2:00) is interesting as well, though I don't like Tanner's lack of compassion for Robby. Maybe Tanner doesn't get that in canon Johnny hasn't changed his behavior with Robby.)

(As always, please don't comment or reblog with dismissive comments about the nuance in the story. The nuance is part of the story, and the story is exploring important topics like trauma, bullying, neglect, and dysfunctional relationships.)

[dystopiandramaqueen]

THT S6E8

All men bad!

Oh! ALL men bad.

Got it.

[raayllum]

Just did a TDP rewatch and I got backhanded with a new parallel, but I'm not sure if it's been brought up before or not. So now I'm sharing it with you because I feel like you'll appreciate it

In S2E6, Viren splits off from the group to save the Queens of Duren. When the group reaches the border, Sarai has a moment of realisation and goes back for Viren because:

"Without him to perform the spell, the heart is worthless, and this was all for nothing!"

Sarai died that day because Viren had to live. Only he could save the people with a dark magic spell that specifically used a heart

And then we have S6E8, where Viren chose to die because only he could save the people with another dark magic spell that specifically used a heart

Yess!! also thank you for thinking of me omg that's so sweet, i'm always here for discussing parallels

I have a half outlined / written meta sitting in my drafts right now about Viren in S6 and how much 6x08 is a culmination of like, Everything, for him as a character, and one of my favourite things about it is how his death/sacrifice operates in context with all of his known past history. I do think that the callbacks to Hearts of Cinder (when he lost Soren, and the interplay there - which also reminds me of how Soren & Rayla in 2x07 vs 4x05 with dragons) and 6x06 with Lissa / treating family members as spell parts were the most... not obvious, but the most direct perhaps, in how 6x08 addresses both of those threads?

Which is to say the one that continually impresses me is how much 6x08 is also directly in conversation with the Magma Titan arc in season two.

There's everything with "this is for Katolis," and sacrificing yourself < other people ("it should've been me"), and saving people, and a monster's heart. A human heart. Aah. It's all so good!

[acewriter]

A Fist Full of Datas (TNG s6e8)

I finally got to see a famous episode of TNG and it's probably my favorite of the entire series right now.

Worf takes his son Alexander on an "Ancient West" adventure simulation during a test with Data that goes wrong. Suddenly, there are actual stakes involved in order to save Alexander.

It's one of those episodes that has Brent Spiner playing not only Data, but about 5 or 6 other people. It's the most I've seen him act in a single episode. And he does it with panache (a word I never get to use).

I know that one of the writers from DS9 is on here and I've seen at least one post on this episode. So I was super excited to see this episode. And boy howdy did it ever deliver!

But now it feels like a canon event for Worf, as I know he's about to transfer from the USS Enterprise to Deep Space 9. I don't know why, and I don't know when this happens (just that it happens in s6 I'm pretty sure). But it now feels like a taste of what's to come when he is transferred.

The show has been good up until now. A few episodes here and there were duds, but that's to be expected. This?! Peak TNG for me.

I can't wait to start DS9!

[pumnion]

Hey

Anybody got pics of the Dragon Hunter bases?

Like, any and all of them would be greatly appreciated but mostly for Johann's base in s6e8?

Or perhaps somewhere I can find the source materials to screanshot?

[maximuswolf]

Love Island USA S6E8 Recoupling Song!

Love Island USA S6E8, Recoupling Song! I’ve tried finding this song before and I’m wondering if it’s a cover, unreleased song, or small song on youtube???Time Stamp on Love Island USA (Season 6, Episode 8) is 50:42.The lyrics are “The journey of the heart’s a wild thing…We swore nothing could tear us apart.”These two lyrics and melody have me hooked but I can’t find it. Have looked on the pl@ylist and tried Shazaming and Googling but have no luck.This song is so beautiful, I need to have it on repeat!!Now I’m thinking it may have been an original but there’s got to be a recording somewhere. Submitted January 30, 2025 at 10:39PM by bisousra https://ift.tt/fdGEMyJ via /r/Music

[novaksupremacy]

The Veiled Law of Affection- Chapter 9

Chapter 9 involves the events surrounding S6E8 "Doubt" Angsty fluffy chapter, typically SVU case talk. Setting up some background for the next two-ish chapters.

Pairing: Casey Novak x Olivia Benson

Word Count: 7301

by PKJ @novaksupremacy

Read Part 8

“Benson.” Liv whispered as she picked up her phone. She glanced at the clock it was a little after midnight. “I’ll be there soon, Cap.”

She glanced over and saw that Casey was still fast asleep, the moonlight coming through the curtains dancing across her face. Liv smiled to herself, her chest swelling with deep adoration for her girlfriend. She wanted to reach out and caress her bare shoulders, but the redhead looked so peaceful, and she figured it best to let her sleep, she’d come back to kiss her before she left. The brunette threw on some clothes and quietly tiptoed into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. She was standing in the kitchen, halfway through the cup, when she heard shuffling as a sleepy Casey emerged wearing only her light blue button up from the night before.

“Babe?” the ADA tried to rub her eyes to adjust too room, “Its midnight,” she was about to ask Liv what she was doing up when the realization hit, “You got called in didn’t you?” she sighed.

The brunette nodded, “Yeah baby I did, I’m sorry I was trying not to wake you. I was going to come back in and kiss you before I left.” She took another sip of her coffee, still trying to wake up.

Casey walked over to her and wrapped her arms around the detective’s waist and laid her head against her shoulder. “Maybe we need to start staying downtown at your place when you’re on call? I hate the thought of you have to go back down that way by yourself in the middle of the night all the time.”

Liv shook her head, “Case, you’re much more attached to your apartment than I am mine, and my stuff is here. Isn’t that why you gave me a key? Plus, we have more space here for the two of us and word on the street is you have the best walk-in shower in town.” Liv giggled.

Casey pretended to be hurt, “Oh yeah? Just how many showers are you getting into on the Upper West side Olivia?” she laughed softly as she kissed her.

“Just yours beautiful, just yours. Besides,” she turned to face her fully, her hands sliding under the redhead’s shirt gently caressing her stomach and sides, and pulled her in for a kiss, “I carry a badge and a gun, I can protect myself.”

Casey kissed her back and hung from her lips for a brief moment, “Your gun will not protect you from your worried girlfriend. I can drive you?” She gave her another peck.

Liv shook her head in protest. “No baby, go back to sleep, I got this.”

 “Let me know when you’re safe?”

The brunette pulled her girlfriend tighter and inhaled deep.

“Liv? Uhm, what are you doing?” the prosecutor chortled, “You okay baby?”

“I’m just taking you in,” Liv said muffled into Casey’s neck, “So I can carry you with me all day, how you feel, how your shampoo smells, your perfume,” she rattled off.

The redhead took Liv’s hands and guided them lower down her back, “Hey now Detective, don’t forget my perfect ass.” She chuckled.

Benson kissed her tenderly, “I could never. Miss you already.” The two women separated as the brooding cop headed out the door, “and your perfect ass.” She winked and headed out to the street in hopes of catching a cab.

*****

Stabler and Liv jumped out of cabs almost one behind the other. Elliot noticing what direction Liv came from smirked as he greeted her, “You’ve practically moved in with her, haven’t you?”

The brunette couldn’t help but blush, “I still have my apartment but yes, we spend more time there unless it’s too late by the time we leave McMullen’s. Her place is bigger, and I like that she wants me in her space, it feels safe.”

“I get that, especially considering your environment growing up. I’m happy for you guys Liv, really, I am.” He gave her a quick nudge as they walked up to the uni.

“What’ve we got,” Benson smiled at her partner and then turned her attention to the officer.

“Name’s Myra Dennings Grad Student at City Arts,” the officer read from his notepad as they walked over towards the victim. “Got into a hassle with a cabbie, we tried to calm it down, she suddenly outcries about a rape.”

“She know who did it?” Liv asked?

“She wouldn’t say.” The officer shook his head. “Really freaked out when we asked, figured I’d better call you.”

The brunette put a hand on the officer’s shoulder, “Thank you.” Her and Stabler parted ways with the uniformed officer and greeted Myra who was sitting in the back of the ambulance.

“Hi, I’m Detective Stabler, this is my partner Detective Benson. Can you tell us what happened?” Elliot offered.

The young woman looked at them for a moment before mustering up enough energy to say, “I can’t.”

“We’re gonna get you to the hospital, I’ll ride.” she said softly as she took the victims hand and nodded to her partner.

Elliot turned back towards the uni, “Anyone see where she came from?’

“Cabbie said she was staggering down the street.” The officer pointed behind him.

Elliot nodded, “Okay, let’s start a canvas, huh?”

Another uniformed officer approached, “Detective?”

“Yeah?”

 “This guy says he saw what happened” the uni pointed to a dark-haired man standing to the side of him.

 “Well, I didn’t exactly see it. I heard the commotion, I looked out and I saw the ambulance. I live up there, third floor.” He pointed up at the apartments.

“What’s your name sir?” Elliot said with a concerned tone.

“Ron Polikoff. I, uh, I know Myra. Is she okay?”

“She says she was raped. Know anything about that Mr. Polikoff.” Stabler said flatly trying to gage a reaction.

Ron nodded, “She’s going to say I did it.”

 *****

“We’re here,” Liv says to half sleeping Myra, “We’re gonna be inside in no time.”

Myra wept, “Please can I just go home?”

Liv frowned and tried to soothe the young woman, “You’ve come this far Myra, don’t give up now.”

The woman started to panic, “Where’s my portfolio?”

“Right here on the end of the gurney and we’re gonna take good care of it.” The brunette detective picked it up so that she could see.

“My prints got thrown all over the street when the taxi driver took off, you must think I’m such a loser.” Myra mumbled.

Liv shook her head in protest, “No, I think you’re scared and upset which you have every right to be after what just happened to you.”

Just then Elliot pulled up in the sedan with Mr. Polikoff. Myra spotted them immediately and became visibly tense. “Oh my god, please don’t let him see me.”

“We won’t,” Liv said looking incredulously in Stabler’s direction. “Keep moving, guys. Keep moving.” She ordered as they wheeled the gurney into the Emergency Department.

Ron watched as they disappeared behind the sliding doors and turned to Elliot, “Was that Myra?”

“Follow me.” the detective said with a raised eyebrow.

“Where are we going,” the man asked as Elliot brought him around to a side entrance.

“Medical Examiner’s office.”

“We’re not going to the morgue, are we?” the suspect said, seeming uneasy being led down the darkened corridor.

Elliot faked a small smile, “It’s right next door.”

Liv and Myra headed down the dimly lit hall towards an exam room.

“Is Ron going to be arrested?” Myra inquired.

 “My partner is talking to him.” The detective squeezed her hand.

“What happens now?” The young woman asked, her voice was shaky and exhausted.

*****

Liv came back out into the hallway looking for Elliot. He stepped back from the vending machine and greeted her by the swinging doors, “How’s Myra?”

“This girl had it pretty tough.” The brunette folded her arms and sighed.

“The way he tells it she was looking for rough sex.” Stabler shrugged.

Liv rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, that’s what they all say.” She scoffed, readjusting the large box in her arms.

“Well, sometimes it’s true.” Elliot said in an attempt to play devil’s advocate.

Almost flat out ignoring his statement, “I need to voucher this rape kit at the lab where’s the sector car?”

Her partner took his cell phone out of his pocket, “Tell you what I’ll call the 2-9 wait with her till they get here.”

“You sure?” Liv asked, propping the box up against her hip. Elliot nodded. “Thanks El, night.”

The nurse led Myra out through the double doors where she was greeted by Elliot, “Hi Myra, I’m Detective Stabler. We spoke earlier. I’m sorry to have to tell you this but the sector car is at least another hour away. The was some sort of pile up on the FDR.

“I’m so tired” the young woman sat down on the bench and whined.

“I’ll take ya home.” Elliot looked down empathetically at Myra and sighed.

“Thank you.” She managed to give him a weak smile and stood up.

*****

Liv quietly hung her jacket and keys up and chained the door behind her. She didn’t even have the energy to change back into her PJs, she just stripped and threw her clothes over the chair and walked into the bedroom. She leaned in the doorway, “God she’s gorgeous.” she thought to herself before crawling into bed as quietly as possible.

“Liv?” Casey mumbled as she rolled over.

“Yeah, honey it’s me, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No, it’s okay,” She pulled the brunette close and wrapped her arms around her and pulled her closer. She spooned her, cupping her breast and nuzzling into the crook of the detective’s neck. “While I’m very glad you’re home, remind me to give you a key to my office in case you’re too tired to come all the way back uptown. I know you tell me not to, but I worry.”  She kissed the brunette on her bare shoulder.

Liv rolled over to face her, “I could do that, sure,” she brushed the strands of hair out of Casey’s face, “but I missed you.”

“I,” The younger woman stared at her girlfriend with puppy eyes for what felt like forever, the words stuck in her throat. She feigned a yawn and played it off as still being half asleep, “missed you too babe.” She brought her hand to the brunette’s face, tracing her lips with her fingertips and then planting a soft kiss on them.

*****

Liv led Myra into the conference room as Elliot followed behind them.

“What’s this about, have you arrested Ron?” she asked, sitting down at the table.

“We’ve questioned him.” Elliot came around to the other side of the table.

Liv shut the door and came around as well, “Myra did you have sex with anyone besides Ron Polikoff yesterday?

“No why are you asking me that?” Myra snapped, sounding almost disgusted.

Elliot tilted his head, “Prelim lab result on your teddy, there was semen from two men on it.”

Myra’s face changed, she became wary. “Is this some trick to see if I’m lying?”

Liv sighed, “No but you need to tell us.”

Myra stands up and walks towards the window. “I already told you I didn’t have sex with anyone but Ron Polikoff that night and it wasn’t sex it was rape.”

Casey stood on the other side of the glass, listening, arms folded. Captain Cragen stood next to her, hands in his pockets. “Sooner we get the DNA from the rape kit the better, I can’t draft the complaint unless I know what she’s hiding and why.” She turned around to gather her things.

Cragen turned towards her “Maybe she’s just embarrassed about having sex with two men in one day.

The redhead turned back over her shoulder, “Well she better get over it, the two samples are enough to get her sexual history admitted.”

Cragen’s assistant rapped on the door and opened it slightly, popping her head in. “Captain, Donna Emmett wants to see you.”

Emmett pushed past the woman and entered the room. “And I do see him thank you. Gangs all here, complainant too.” She knocked on the glass which rustled the captain enough to close the blinds.

Cragen shot daggers at her, “How can I help you?”

The defense lawyer set her briefcase down, “I understand your detectives entertained a client of mine last night, Ron Polikoff.” She pulled some paperwork out of it.

Casey twisted her face “here we go” she thought to herself as she watched Emmett.

“He volunteered for a suspect exam.”

 “Something I would’ve strongly discouraged had I been consulted. Is the DA’s office planning to file charges?” the lawyer inquired.

“We’re discussing that right now.” Casey spat.

Emmet stepped to her, “Discuss this. A list of Ms. Denning’s numerous sexual partners.” She said and handed her the papers she pulled from her bag.

Casey took the sheet and looked it over, “I don’t know how you got this, but it’s irrelevant.” She tilted her head to the side condescendingly.

“Ms. Dennings truthfulness or lack of it is a matter of public record…” the defense attorney rebuked and rattled off a list of Myra’s past indiscretions with the law. “Let me know when you drop the case.” She snagged her briefcase and stormed out.

Casey frowned and bit her lip. “Better look at the list.”

Liv moved closer, “So Ron Polikoff wants to play dirty.”

Elliot folded his arms, “How did she get those names so fast?”

Captain Cragen joined in, “Good question. Send Myra Home and get to those people before Emmett does.” He nodded and dismissed the squad.

Liv squinted, “First name on the list is Justin Wexler.”

Casey caught up with Liv as she headed to grab some things out of her locker. “Hey.”

“Hey babe,” the brunette turned her head. “You okay.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just wanted to tell you to be safe.” Shrugged trying to play it cool.

The detective looked around quickly and then leaned in to kiss Casey. She put her hand to the ADA’s chest and smiled against her lips as she could feel the outline of the chain she gave her under the collar of her shirt.

“I never take it off.” The redhead said and hugged Liv tightly before walking away.

*****

Justin was pulling a large painting out and moving it across the room when Liv and Elliot got there. “Yeah, I know Myra. I’m going out with her.”

“So, you’re her boyfriend?” Stabler quizzed.

“Isn’t that what going out means?” He laid the canvas he was carrying against the wall.

“Can you tell us when the last time you had sex with Myra was?” Liv asked, her arms folded across her chest.

“Sure” the young blonde man scoffed, “if you can tell me when you last got laid.”

“4AM this morning. Now answer the question.” she said without batting an eye.

Elliot did a double take and looked at Liv surprised, she wasn’t really known for being that forward. He couldn’t tell if she was being sardonic or if she was serious. “Where were you last night?”  He turned his attention back to Wexler.

Justin turned his back and started mixing paints, “Here with two friends. We watched the Knicks get their asses kicked till about eleven and then I went to bed. Why, what’s going on? Is Myra in trouble?” He was starting to look concerned.

“She may have been raped.” Liv offered up.

Justins head shot up. He tossed the rag in his hand down and walked towards his coffee press, “Is there anything I can do?”

“Yeah,” Liv pressed, “Tell us when the last time you had sex with Myra was?”

“Uhh, three nights ago.” He poured some of the coffee into a to-go cup, the kind you get at the bodega.

“Do you remember what she was wearing?” Liv continued questioning.

“Some…slinky lace thing? Black?” He sipped from the cup and leaned back against the wall.

“A teddy?”

“Wait a minute?” the blonde walked towards them, “is she accusing me?!”

“We just need a DNA sample to exclude you,” Elliot replied.

Justin furrowed his brow, and his face became angry, “Has she been sleeping around? It’s Ron Polikoff, isn’t it? I knew she would cheat on me with that fraud!”

Elliot tilted his head, “Why would you say that?”

“Because she can’t stop talking about him!” the student took his fresh coffee and dumped it out onto the floor and spit into the empty cup, “There’s your DNA, pass it on to Myra when you’re done.”

*****

“Wait so just like that? He just hocked into the cup and handed it to you guys?” Casey couldn’t stop laughing, her arm draped over Liv who was laying against her on the sofa. “So, what did you say?’

Liv mindlessly stroked her girlfriend’s hand with her fingertips, “I told him we have a protocol, and it involved a cheek swab not an americano.”  They both giggled and the brunette sat up and turned towards Casey.

The redhead cocked her head to the side. “What’s wrong?”

The detective sighed, “Nothing is wrong honey, but I guess we should talk about this? We’ve never really had this talk and with this case going on I guess we should?”

Casey looked at her in confusion, “What talk is that? We talk about everything.”

Liv took her hand, “You’re right we do, but between this case and how I almost screwed things up for us with my past encounter, even though I thought we could get away with never talking about it—maybe we need to have the past partners talk?”  She grabbed her girlfriend’s hand between her own, “Let me start by saying I trust you completely.” She brought the redhead’s palm up to her face and kissed it, “Lets just get this out of the way. That way none of our old partners can show up unexpectedly to bite us in the ass again or try to come between us.” She brought her gaze back up to Casey who was smiling at her.

“Okay, we can do that.” She took her free hand and brushed it against Liv’s face and then ran her fingers through the brunette’s hair.

“Yeah? Okay, so you knew about the encounter with Jeffrey York, there was another detective when I first started at SVU. His name was Brian. Then there was a guy when I was in high school, and two girlfriends in college. Most recently I had a girlfriend for about two years and then there was you, and now there is just you.” She smiled, mouth half open waiting for Casey to respond.

The redhead took both of Liv’s hands and brought them up flat against her own, interlacing their fingers, “Well,” she started and then huffed, “Suddenly I’m very nervous.”

Liv’s face dropped, “C’mon Case it can’t be that bad?”

Casey grimaced and shrugged as she ran her thumbs over the back of Liv’s hands.

“Ten? Twenty?” Liv asked.

The ADA dropped her head laughing, “Woah there, Detective, you’re going in the wrong direction.” She took a deep breath, “Well there were a few people I casually dated in college but we never—rounded all the bases? So to speak. I had one serious relationship with a guy in Law School, but he was kind of traditional and wanted to wait. So, Olivia Benson, when I say it’s just you. I mean to say, it’s only ever really been just you.”

The brunette was taken aback, not expecting this to be the way the discussion went by any means, “Case, come on be serious, I’m not judging.”

“Olivia, I’m not joking.” A single laugh came out her mouth as she stared back at her girlfriend.

“Casey there is absolutely no way you are that good at—what you do, especially that first night together, all the things you said, that we’ve done—if you’d never done it before.” Liv looked at her incredulously, almost annoyed.

“Well Liv, I do have all the same equipment so I didn’t really need an instruction manual, it’s easy to judge someone’s wants and needs by their body language and facial expressions, you should know that.” She started getting defensive, “And like I said I’d fooled around before I’d just never actually gotten naked with anyone, felt intimacy like that with anyone.” Her eyes got watery.

The brunette’s face softened as she realized her girlfriend was telling the truth, “Case,” she tilted her head, “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Casey laughed, wiping tears, “Why so I could embarrass myself in front of the most beautiful woman in New York? So you could’ve left me riding in that cab back uptown, alone? Wondering?”

Liv smiled and wiped her thumb under Casey’s eyes, drying tears. “Hey, I know you didn’t know me well enough back then,” she said softly, “but I think you know me well enough now to know that I wanted to be with you, and I still would have wanted to be with you had you told me and that was still what you wanted.” She stopped for a second, “That’s why you paused.”

“What?” Casey asked furrowing her brow. “I paused?”

“You paused and your hand was shaking, “Is that nerves, Counselor.” Casey I’m sorry I didn’t pick up on it, I would have made things more special for you.” She stared deep into the redhead’s green eyes.

“That’s the thing Liv, I didn’t want it to be a production. I felt my need for you in my body from the moment we met, even if you were a little harsh,” she raised her eyebrow and smirked. “I wanted it to be real, and it was. That’s what made it special, it brought us here.” She brought her hands back up, cupping Liv’s face. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more, and you have made me feel so special and so safe every day since.”

“Tell her. For G-d’s sake Olivia, tell her you fucking love her. Tell her she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you and that you LOVE HER. Do it. Tell her.” “Okay, I guess I can’t argue with that Counselor.” Coward. She kissed Casey with a strong passion before retreating slightly. “But you were so smooth?” They both laughed.

“Baby, if you knew how many times I practiced what I would say, how I would say it, what I would do should the right woman come along.  The rest was easy, from the minute we got to the bar and started talking, everything just felt so natural. I didn’t even have to think about it.” She kissed the brunette and pulled her down on top of her, wrapping her body around her.

“And now?” Liv whispered.

“And now it’s all I think about.” Casey whispered back, capturing her girlfriend’s lips again and pulling her tight to her body.

*****

Liv and Casey sat at the table upstairs in the precinct that overlooked the squad room going over the evidence of the case for trial. It wasn’t long before Elliot joined them. Liv couldn’t put her finger on it but there was something off about him. He seemed—angry.

“So, Warner said that the other DNA sample on Myra’s teddy is indeed Justin Wexler’s.” Liv said handing the ADA the medical report.

“Good.” Casey nodded in approval, “I don’t think that’s gonna hurt us with the jury too much.”

Elliot scoffed, “The fact she wore sexy, silk, underwear to Polikoff’s sure will.” He leaned forward onto the table. Casey matched his stare and then looked back at Liv.

“That’s not an invitation for rape,” the brunette quipped back.

“Maybe she didn’t even see it as rape until he told her to leave.” Elliot was staring Liv down at this point.

The ADA felt like she was at a tennis match watching words fly back and forth, she pressed her hand to her girlfriend’s thigh knowing she was about to blow a gasket.

“Elliot.” Liv said flatly staring back at him.

“Guys,” the redhead said shakily standing up from the table, “I can’t prosecute this, until you agree. Call me when you get on the same page.” She grabbed her briefcase and leaned down to kiss her detective on the cheek before walking away.

Liv followed Elliot downstairs, “What is your problem with Myra.”

“She’s neurotic!” he barked. “Look, she chased after a guy whose life was falling apart.”

“So that gives him the right to force her to have sex?” the brunette was shouting now.

“She was the one who wanted to have sex,” he pointed, his finger nearing Liv’s face.

She stepped to him, “Really did she want to be strangled too?”

“Some people do.” He nodded. They continued to circle each other shouting in the middle of the bullpen until they heard their names being shouted from across the room.

“My office,” Cragen waved them in. “I believe you know Ms. Scarry, she now represents Myra Dennings.”

“Are you just looking for reasons not to bring charges,” the attorney scoffed, her arms folded, glaring at Elliot.

Cragen stepped in, “This case won’t be easy, we don’t want it to fall apart.”

“Or maybe you do,” Scarry uttered, “to hide the fact that detective Stabler harassed my client.”

“Excuse me?” Stable asked, visibly confused. “The only time I physically touched her was to stop her from falling down the stairs.”

The lawyer scoffed, “Or maybe you used that as an excuse to cop a feel.”

The captain snarled, “That’s enough, counselor. In twelve years, there has never been a complaint against this man.”

“Men change,” the women rebuked, “especially when their wives file for legal separation. I want Detective Stabler off this case, and I want SVU to do its job.”

Elliot stormed out of the room. Liv shocked at what she just heard come out of Scarry’s mouth chased after him into the bullpen. “Elliot, Elliot stop! Hey!” She gently grabbed his shoulder, “What’s going on?”

“I touched her in an inappropriate manner didn’t you hear?” he mocked sarcastically.

“I don’t believe that!” the brunette scrunched up her face in concern, “Forget that, what’s going on at home?”

“Nothing,” Stabler grabbed his jacket and continued to storm out.

“Hey, would you talk to me?” Liv called after him.

He stopped in his tracks, turned on his heel and walked back towards her, “Kathy left me.” He stated flatly before turning back around and walking out. 

*****

“I don’t know what to do Casey sighed as her and Donnelly walked the hall to her office. “Only Ron and Myra really know what went on in that room.”

“What do the forensics show?” Liz cocked her head to the side.

“Well,” Casey stated, “evidence indicates rape but Myra’s behavior before and after was pretty erratic.”

Donnelly nodded, “So her credibility is an issue.”

Casey sighed in agreeance, “yeah.”

“What’s SVU’s position?” Liz queried as they rounded the corner.

“Divided.” The redhead said with frustration.

Liz huffed, “That explains why Scarry threatened to go to the media if they don’t make an arrest.”

“So, I just wait.” Casey exhaled.

The older woman shook her head, “Skip the arrest. Bring an “X” indictment before the grand jury. Present the evidence and let the jurors decide whether there’s a case.” She smirked.

*****

“Detective Benson,” Casey probed as she practiced her questioning of Liv for the grand jury.

“Mmm yes Counselor?” Liv smirked, wetting her lips, and then biting down on it, spreading her knees slightly as she stared starry-eyed at her girlfriend.

“C’mon babe, be serious.” The ADA giggled, she swatted the brunette’s leg with the file in her hand, “We need to go over this!”

“I’m trying but watching you litigate is very sexy. You’re getting me all hot and bothered pacing around in that Daddy way that you do.” She grabbed Casey and pulled her down into her lap and kissed her.

The redhead squealed as she fell back on to Liv, giggling as she put her hand to her girlfriend’s face and kissed her back. “You’re gonna give me a swollen head, but if you’re good and help me, I promise to give you more than my ego later.” She leaned in for another kiss, running her fingers down the brunette’s face. She let out a soft moan as her expression softened. “C’mon baby girl, help me out and I’ll take you to Forlini’s for lunch.” She playfully slapped Liv’s leg and stood back up.

“Detective Benson,” the ADA put on her serious face, “on what do you base your opinion Myra Denning was raped?”

Liv took a deep breath trying to center herself, “Myra’s behavior was consistent with someone who was sexually assaulted. She had all the symptoms of PTSD.”

“Can you elaborate?” The prosecutor postured.

“It’s like when a war veteran hits the floor after a car backfires. Myra suffered an event so traumatic for her that her body was actually waiting for another assault.”

“So,” the redhead walked around and sat on the desk next to Liv, “she interpreted Detective Stabler’s gesture as an attack.” She wanted so badly to jump the brunette’s bones right here, right now but she knew they had to focus, and she also knew her door wasn’t locked.

“Well, her body did. I touched her in the hospital just to reassure her and she flinched as if I’d hit her.”

Casey didn’t mean to smile but she watched her girlfriend talk in her “professional voice” moving her hands back and forth as she did, “You know, you have a little bit of that ‘energy’ too babe. It’s very attractive.” Liv smirked as the two leaned towards each other with the intention of a kiss until they heard some shuffling. The women jumped and broke apart as the office door came flying open and Scarry and Myra barged in. Casey thanked herself for remembering the door was unlocked before deciding to get overly handsy with Liv. That definitely would have caused some type of conflict-of-interest situation.

*****

After Ms. Dennings and her lawyer barged into Casey’s office, the ADA and detective learned that Myra had been receiving some very threatening hateful emails anonymously. Liv and Elliot take what they learned down to Morales in TARU who was able to trace it back to the college where Polikoff works. However, upon arriving they find that it wasn’t Ron sending the emails at all it was his sixteen-year-old daughter who was distraught over her father being fired and her mother suing for custody. Once in interrogation she quickly confesses to Liv and Ron seems to blame himself for her getting wrapped up in the incident.

Elliot and Cragen watched from the other side of the glass. Stabler huffed as he turned away, “Man he’s smart. He comes forward. He says, “I did it.” And we all think he’s a stand-up guy.”

Cragen looked in on Polikoff and then back at Elliot, “Maybe that’s what he is?”

“He just manipulated the hell out of his daughter, and he’s manipulating the hell out of us.” As he finished his sentence Liv popped up in the doorway, but he also was too busy ranting to notice, “The first time we saw him he said, “She’s gonna say I raped her.” He nodded his head in anger. “This guy is good.”

“So now you don’t believe him?” Liv questioned from her place in the doorway and walked towards Stabler.

Casey wasn’t far behind her and popped her head in the door, “Grand jury came back. They just voted to indict Ron Polikoff.” She said, one hand on the door frame, the other on the handle, leaning into the doorway.

“Does Myra know?” the brunette asked turning her attention to the prosecutor.

“I’m on my way to tell her now,” Casey stated, “Do you wanna come?” She already knew the answer but at least the formality looked good in front of the rest of the squad.

The detective shot the captain a look and then rushed out the door after Casey.

Casey took long strides around to the passenger side and opened the car door, motioning for her lover to get in. Once Liv had gotten in the redhead shut the door and jogged back around, sliding into the driver’s seat.

Liv stared as her girlfriend drove them away from the precinct.

“What?” Casey smiled, she checked her sideview mirror to change lanes, and caught Liv staring.

The brunette grinned back, “Nothing, I just. I don’t think we’ve ever actually been in a car together.” She mused.

The ADA scrunched her face, “We take cabs together all the time, in fact we took a cab to my apartment on our first date, you know, right before you seduced me.” She smirked.

The detective laughed, “Oh? Is that how you remember it Counselor? I still remember your body pressed against my back in that pool bar.” She bit her lip, savoring the memory thinking back to after the cab ride, in the elevator of Casey’s building. “What I meant was, your car, with you driving.”

Casey thought about it for a moment, her brow furrowed, deep in thought, “You know you’re right. I always offer to drive you in the middle of the night, but you always protest and tell me to go back to bed, and then other than that we take the train or a cab.” She thought about it for another second and then looked at Liv over her sunglasses, “Why? Is my driving that bad?”

Liv’s eyes sparkled as she continued to watch her girlfriend palm the wheel, “No, not at all Case. Your particular driving—style,” She waved her palm in a circular motion in the redhead’s direction, “is very, very sexy.” She studied Casey’s left leg up on the seat, one hand on the wheel.

The prosecutor took her right hand off the gear shift and placed it on the brunette’s thigh. “Oh yeah, you think so baby?”

“Mhmm, oh yeah. Very.” The detective put her hand over Casey’s and ran her fingers back and forth.

“So,” Casey intertwined her fingers with Olivia’s and brought Liv’s hand to her lips and pressing them against it softly. “I hate to put a damper on this conversation, but have you and Elliot made up yet?”

“I don’t know Case,” Liv sighed, “I guess I can see his point, but it was just so unlike him not to believe the victim. And then this whole thing with Kathy? And he didn’t tell me? Or you? It’s just off.” Liv shook her head, “Even if he didn’t want to tell me, you’re like his sister, why would he keep that bottled up?”

“Well,” Casey sighed, “If there’s anything I know about my brother from another mother, is that he’s like a pressure cooker. He holds everything in until he explodes, on a perp, at the batting range, maybe on Kathy? Maybe he just didn’t know what to say? I’m really not sure why men do half the things they do,” She kissed the brunette’s hand again, “which is why it’s a good thing I’m dating you.”

Liv smiled adoringly at her girlfriend, “You’re right. I guess I can see some of why he might identify with Polikoff. The threat of his ex taking his kid away probably struck a nerve with everything going on. I don’t know how I would feel if it were me.”

The redhead’s ears perked up, “Me either,” she kept her eyes straight ahead on the road trying to make herself seem aloof, “Is that something you ever think about?” she inquired.

“Is what something I think about?” Liv tilted her head.

“Having kids, is it something you think about?” Casey asked as they got onto the Williamsburg Bridge. “Like do you want them?”

The detective blushed, “I…uh yeah, I’ve thought about it. I think one day I would like to, yeah.” She paused for what felt like five minutes but was actually more like twenty seconds, “You?”

“I think so, yeah,” She bit her lip shyly, “I’ve thought about it here and there.” She smiled.

This time Liv was the one who pulled Casey’s hand to her lips, “Well,” she kissed her knuckles, one by one, “seems like we’re on the same page then.”

“It would seem that way, Detective,” the redhead raised her brow and pursed her lips teasingly. “I mean effectively we could just steal one of Elliot’s, he has a whole bunch. He won’t notice.”

“We cannot steal a child, Counselor.” Liv guffawed.

“Well not if you and El never make up, then no we can’t.” Casey laughed and grabbed the brunette’s thigh playfully. “Maybe we can practice when we get home.” She squeezed tighter and ran her fingers up her girlfriend’s inner thigh, stroking back and forth.

“Practice stealing a baby?” Liv grinned.

“Practice making one,” Casey chuckled, “sorry it sounded sexier in my head.” She shook her head and blushed.

*****

Liv and Casey climbed the stairs to Myra’s fifth floor walkup.

“Aren’t you glad my building has that elevator?” the redhead giggled.

Liv nodded as she knocked on the door, “For many, many reasons, Counselor.” She waited for a response.

Casey breathed a heavy sigh, “Not in.”

Liv shrugged, “Maybe she’s on campus?”

The pair nodded and began to descend back down the staircase. The made it about halfway down the first set of stairs when an Angry man flew between them and began to bang irately on Myra’s door.

“Answer the door! Open up, damn it!” He pounded on the door repeatedly.

Casey gave Liv a concerned look and they turned around. “Sir, calm down.” Liv said, trying to de-escalate. “She’s not home.” They turned back again to head out.

“She had better be!” He protested, “there’s water pouring through my bathroom ceiling!” Liv and Casey looked at each other nervously and then bolted up the stairs to the door. The man just kept yelling, “Damn kids stay up all night, sleep all day!”

Liv grabbed him, moving him to the side, and away from the door. “Sir, get out of the way.” She shouted and braced herself against the door frame, kicking in the door. She ran into the apartment yelling out for Myra, Casey following close behind. The brunette spotted the overflowing bathtub with an unconscious Myra. “Case, over here! I got a pulse.”

                The redhead followed the sound of the detective’s voice and pulled out her cellphone to call 911. “I need an ambulance!” Casey said into the phone reciting Myra’s address to the dispatch.

                The detective picked up an empty prescription bottle off the floor, “Sleeping pills.” She looked at Casey.

                “Attempted suicide. Drug overdose.” The ADA relayed to the dispatcher. She kept her eyes fixed on the brunette as she held Myra’s head up and her airway clear until the ambulance got there.

****

                Elliot jumped off the elevator at the hospital and walked across the waiting room, “How’s Myra?” He queried.

                Liv took a deep breath, “She’s okay.” She paced around him, “You know I should’ve seen how depressed she was. I should’ve done something.” She hung her head and put her hands on her hips.

                “Well, you did exactly what she wanted.” Her partner stated flatly.

                She looked at Elliot confused, “What are you talking about?”

                “How long did it take you and Casey to get to Brooklyn?” he asked, putting his hands in his pockets.

                The brunette scrunched her forehead, “Forty-five minutes, maybe?”

                “After you left, Myra called.” Elliot arched his back, stretching. “She wanted to know about the grand jury decision. Munch told her that Polikoff had been indicted.” His voice softened. “And that you were on your way to go see her.”

                The brunette’s face dropped as what Elliot said registered, “She knew that I was coming.”  

*****

“So, you’re the victim here?” Casey reiterated Polikoff’s previous statement as she approached the witness stand.

“That’s right.” The defendant answered quietly.

The prosecutor placed a picture up on the easel to the side of him. “Do you recognize this photo?”

“No.”

“These are blow ups of the contusions on Myra’s arms. Who did this to her?” The fiery attorney motioned to the photo.

“I did. But Myra asked me to.” He protested.

“And this?” She brought her hand up to the next picture, “Did you do this too?” she articulated.

“Do you have any pictures of my bruises, my bite marks?” Polikoff scoffed.

The judge scolded him, “Answer the questions Mr. Polikoff.”

“Did you make these marks?” Casey reiterated.

“Yes,” Polikoff gritted, “Myra told me too and when I wouldn’t, she scratched me so hard that she drew blood.”

“You’re what? A little taller than me? Six foot-four? Two hundred pounds? Myra Denning is maybe a hundred and fifteen?” The lilt in her voice elevating slightly. “You still want to claim that you’re the victim here?” She leaned over him in the witness box.

“Yes.”

“Because a woman forced you to have sex with her?” Casey asked with skepticism.

“No,” Polikoff retorted, “because its my picture in the paper, not hers. My daughter had to change schools, my wife is suing for sole custody. I’ve lost my job. My life is in shambles and all I can do is say. I did not rape her.” He was getting increasingly upset and frustrated as he spoke. “I did NOT rape her.”

****

“What do you think?” Liv asked back at the squad room as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

“I don’t know,” Stabler shook his head. “Glad I’m not on that jury.” He poured some milk into Liv’s cup for her.

“Guess we agree on something,” the brunette looked at her partner giving him a small grin. She shook her head as she headed back to her desk, “I saw this scared, angry woman. Maybe I jumped the gun.”

Elliot followed, “Look, maybe I didn’t give Myra a fair shake. When I saw Polikoff and his daughter—Wednesday nights and every other weekend? That got to me.”

“Elliot,” the female detective’s face got somber as she put her cup down and stepped to him, “What happened with you and Kathy?”

He looked down and shrugged, “The job—makes me kind of hard to live with.”

“She should try working with you,” Liv jested, “Hey why don’t you come to Casey’s later and have dinner with us,” Liv suggested, trying not to look too concerned. “We can get takeout or one of us can cook? Play cards and have a drink?”

Elliot smiled weakly, “Another time Liv, I promise. I’ll be okay. Tell Case I’ll see her at practice.”

The captain walked out of his office, “Novak called. Closing arguments”

*****

Casey stood up; her tone was fierce as she walked towards the jury box. “Believe me, rape is still hard to prosecute, and it is still a nightmare for the victims. Ms. Denning has had to endure three separate, sexual humiliations. Her teacher, a man she admired, raped her. In the hospital she had to strip naked, she was poked, prodded, and then scraped, so the police could gather evidence. And then finally,” she waved her hand towards the witness stand and faced the jury dead on, “she sat here and relived every sordid, painful detail. Her sex life dissected. Her psychological traumas exposed. Her entire motive called into question. So, ask yourselves.” She stepped towards the box, her sullen green eyes staring at them, “Why would she put herself through hell if she wasn’t telling the truth.”

Read Part 10

[seistira]

Me: Sandor Clegane is one of the most candid characters ever to exist

Sandor: -removes the boots from a man as he's dying and hanging by a noose and measures his foot to the bottom of it-

Me: so pure

[kieu-tou]

it’s great that this casqueens friendship conflict is being shown in such an honest and candid way - fights are difficult, but you can come back from them even stronger, with greater understanding and empathy for the other person. everyone in this situation, but especially ava and fatou, deserves & needs to be given compassion, and no one should be vilified. everything is more complex than it seems. this all feels like a part of a big theme in this season overall - communication and confrontation; learning to extend understanding and compassion, but also setting boundaries & not letting people ‘walk over you’. this is the first actually good and complex representation for skamverse’s ‘everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about’.

focusing on ava and fatou specifically... yes, ava had a go at fatou & wrongly judged her for being distant & forgetful - but ava has no way to know about what’s REALLY going on with fatou, bcos fatou struggles to open up and always plays things down when ava asks her if she’s okay. ava has every right to set boundaries & be upset about having to manage everything (including mailin’s feelings & her white fragility), or being excluded from a hangout - she shouldn’t ever be put in that position. yes, fatou messed up and can’t fully show up for her friends rn - but she’s likely struggling with adhd/dyscalculia which are negatively affecting every part of her life right now, including relationships, and she feels like everything is crumbling down. she’s too ashamed to talk about it, and when she tries to stand up for herself, she’s overlooked. these are not excuses for everything, but compassionate explanations that give a lot of room for growth in the future. resolving this conflict will teach the cashqueens to be more aware & understanding of one another, more intentional in their friendship, more conscious of the tensions that might come up.

[omnisexualodo]

brent spiner mustve had so much fun filming a fistful of datas

[impressions-of-downton]

George is my favorite Crawley.

[thesilversage]

Sorry for disappearing y’all but I got my boyfriend into orphan black and I watched like six seasons of GOT so at least I was productive!!! also my absolutely ancient dean winchester fanmix started getting notes again so that’s a bleak reminder of my past fun