#he's very interested in the harmonica

[angelparadox]

"i've never played the harmonica before," he says, taking a look at the instrument that Jamie is holding. they don't reach out to grab it, because that would be rude, but he's definitely interested in it as they look it over. "i should introduce some of its sound to my music. i think every song could use a little harmonica, if i'm ta be honest."

@tophatz liked for a starter

[marlynnofmany]

Secondhand Solutions

Mur gave me a smug look, curling and uncurling one tentacle like a yo-yo. “Told you it was a waste of credits,” he said.

I sighed. “If those human ships were here, it wouldn’t be. This stuff is prime Earth nostalgia.” The small pile of items on the hoversled had seemed so full of promise when I’d bought it at our last stop: cat posters, harmonicas, and a dozen packs of googly eyes.

“Pity we’re far from Earth,” Mur said.

“Yeah,” I agreed, eyeing the locals of this alien marketplace. Lots of scales and exoskeletons. Not many hands that would appreciate the softness of a cat’s fur, and very few mouthparts that would be able to do much with a harmonica. The merchant I’d gotten the stuff from had been a Heatseeker all too happy to unload her stock of cut-rate human nonsense. These folks would likely have similar opinions. I said, “At least it doesn’t expire.”

Mur straightened the individually-boxed harmonicas. “And it shouldn’t take up too much space in your quarters until we meet up with more humans eventually. The captain won’t want to hang around here waiting for them to show up.”

“True,” I admitted. It was gossip from our last stop that had told me they’d be here now. I should have known better than to trust it.

“Well, back to the ship,” Mur announced. “Maybe you can cheer yourself up by decorating your quarters with eyeballs.”

I had to smile at that. “Maybe.” He was already walking back to where we’d parked, on the far side of an over-cultivated garden area. I towed the hoversled after him.

Then I caught sight of some locals who’d run afoul of multiple birdlike beasties, and an idea started to form.

The locals, a half-dozen Heatseekers whose scales ranged from red to pale yellow, were trying to eat a nice lunch at the dining section of the garden. The squawking bird-things, which were half-lizardy with speckled brown feathers and wide beaks, had apparently claimed the bushes for their own. They were contesting this claim by spitting at the Heatseekers every time their backs were turned. These looked like pretty gross spitballs, impressive for birds.

It occurred to me that I’d seen those feathery characters all over the place here. A look behind confirmed it; they lurked in nearly every tree I could see. And judging by the way the locals were abandoning this picnic table, they were a known hazard.

They still only spat at fleeing enemies, hiding or freezing in place when pinned by eye contact.

And that was my idea. “Hey Mur,” I said. “I’ll bet you one shanty sung on a table that I can sell some of these googly eyes right now.”

He stopped and looked around, full of skepticism. “To who?”

“Do you take the bet?”

“Ah, sure. There’s no way anyone here is interested.”

“You say that now,” I said, grabbing a pack and waving down one of the hurrying locals. “But you don’t know how we deal with tigers and magpies.”

“With what?”

I didn’t answer, busy as I was explaining to the local that the false eyes were adhesive, and would give the impression of eye contact from both directions. They were just as interested as I’d thought they’d be.

After a demonstration, during which I strolled through the picnic area and didn’t get a single spitball on me, the birds were unsettled and the locals were more than happy to buy everything I had.

This was a new colony town, you see, and no one had come up with a good solution for the annoying fauna that came with the territory. But these folks were prepared to make everyone’s day.

They certainly made mine. That was five times as much as I’d paid for the stuff in the first place. And they didn’t even want the posters and harmonicas.

I waved goodbye, but they weren’t paying attention, so I turned my grin on Mur instead. He had draped a tentacle around his pointy squid head in exasperation.

“I knew I shouldn’t have taken the bet,” he declared. “But I was so sure it was pointless.”

“And I am sure that whichever song you choose to regale us with at dinnertime will be delightful,” I said, tugging the hovercart around the bushes. The birds watched me carefully, noting the eyes still stuck to my hair, and leaving us both alone. “If it’s a song I know, maybe I can play a backup melody with a harmonica.”

~~~

The ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book. More to come! And I am currently drafting a sequel!

[zoropookie]

SWEET MELODY

☆ characters — balladeer and the cult

wanderer: the main vocalist and guitarist of the group, 'balladeer and the cult', usually shortened to balladeer or the balladeers. it used to just be a garage band when they were in high school, until aether's sister got them a contract under teyvat entertainment. him and his band blew up on tiktok just recently because she got them a gig to perform on saturday night live. 'murder on the dance floor' by sophie-ellis bextor was their choice, and a week later, teenage girls were flooding all their socials demanding a tour. it was a shitstorm, even for him, having never been good with attention.

venti: background vocals and keyboardist for the band, but he usually alternates depending on the song. he was ironically a recent addition to their band, as they needed someone else who was able to keep up with their hectic schedule. he auditioned with a harmonica, two mora in his name, and a dream. lumine felt bad for him for a little bit before realizing he was actually really good.

xiao: the bassist and sometimes background vocals for the band. for some reason, their fans was always very comfortable simping for xiao in particular. mainly because he doesn't say anything to protest it, he just ignores the comments and goes about his day. but then they started getting really feral? to the point where the ceo had to make a statement discouraging inappropriate comments regarding their artists. safe to say, he and scaramouche were the golden boys.

heizou: drummer for the band. he initially wanted to go to college, but that plan never stuck with him. he started causing a lot of trouble when he met wanderer. but he realized that he was indebted to him when wanderer took the fall for him when he crashed into another vehicle one night, and he got off clean from the entertainment staff. he knew he owed it to him to stick by his side, even though he wasn't the nicest person to be around.

aether: he was background vocals that slowly turned into second guitarist. he was one of the first people in the band, having even been there for all of the logo changes they went through. he wasn't good at guitar at first, so he offered minimal, but wanderer was willing to teach him. he's actually a pretty good teacher, even though sometimes he walked out when he lost his patience. he never yelled at him, though, so there was that.

lumine: manager and agent for balladeer and the cult. she saw a lot of potential in them when she was in high school and watched their practices after school. she immediately knew what profession she was going to pursue, and that kickstarted her majoring in communications. she was technically only fit for public relations, but she wouldn't accept anyone else being their manager except for her. so she kind of paid teyvat entertainment to get them in, but you can't tell anyone.

prev ☆ masterlist ☆ next

THERE ARE not many things that can sway your interest ever since the "accident", but in spite of that, you pushed forward. you are now the owner of the biggest bakery chain in your city, consistently seeing couples and catering to them as such. you've been a big host at weddings, events for celebrities, and even a big support for your friends and family. you've even earned yourself a niche following as well by how sweet you are to everybody around you. but, even with your kindness, you don't have a particular spark that keeps you going anymore these days. that is until one of your employees starts suggesting you write love letters to customers who request your services. at first you thought it was a horrible idea that could easily turn into trouble, but that was until you were tasked with writing one to your own (very very famous) ex-boyfriend.

taglist ☆ — @seternic @chemiru @coquettemaiden @1kio0o @emiixuu

@agaygothicmushroom @yomishen @jingyuan-wife-real @toruscorpse @whoooismkeee

@sketcheeee @st4r4ngel @mi2ukis @scaradooche @lightyagamifan

@pwushizz @alatusorrow @eutopiastar @magica-ren @slu7

@vamxpi @theyluvkatt @kyon-cherri @suzydarling @mimi3lover

@auroratumbles @vxcmx @yourfavoritefreakyhan @kunimylovee

@czerwka @little-honey-the-third @featuredtofu

[welcometololaland]

FERAL SHOW NOTES - LONE STAR S 5 X 02

vin diesel reference 2 seconds in we didn't come to play!!!!! (that kid is no vin diesel, but he is spiderman how the fuck he get up there)

the ring light is not looking at home in such a wholesome scene

SPUR OF THE MOMENT PROPOSAL YASSS THIS SHOW KNOWS THEIR FORTE

what is a bear claw donut carlos nevermind you've sold me on it (this man could sell me cleaning supplies I would spend big)

"it's a lot easier to get things in than get things out" OOP-

lmao tommy vs tiktok it's giving me thoughts

my dad used to play the harmonica I can never look at him again

nancy is a fucking girls girl we love to see it MWAH

owen "avoidance king" strand

heart broken for a hot minute i deluded myself into thinking i would hear sierra's voice 😭

role reversal from 3 x 18 with wyatt trying to get his dad a job help

"a train just derailed" great job by that lady very succinct

choking on a sanga so relatable it happens fam

i'm fear we only have 15 min left are you gonna cliffhanger me rashad 😔😒

getting outta a situation because I got a bad vibe captain strand is so me

not to be weird about it, but nancy looks like a good kisser (i'm being weird about it)

I love this show I love this show I love this show (I can't watch any of the medical stuff 💀💀💀💀💀💀)

this newslady is annoying is she owen's new love interest

MAYDAY marjan in slowmo

WOW that would have been an expensive shot 🤑

yee haw can't wait for next week's cowboys in SESSION

cc: my co-watcher @rmd-writes

[saywhatjessie]

And The Microphone Smells Like A Beer

Written for the @housemdanniversary exchange! 2.7k [Ao3] Gift for @island-ofthelost. Enjoy!

Wilson heard House’s lopsided gait approaching his office and immediately picked up a random file. He didn’t look up when the door flew open, the sound of House’s steps pausing in the doorway.

“What’s this?”

“Hmm?” Wilson said, looking up even though he knew what House would be holding. He looked at the box, anyway. It was wrapped in newspaper. A Lady Gaga article was facing up. “A present,” he answered, pretending to turn his attention back to the file.

“Presents are wrapped in shiny paper,” House said. “This is garbage.”

“I’m recycling,” he said. “You can open it before deciding it’s garbage.”

“You just told me you were recycling.”

“The paper, not the present,” Wilson rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to open it.”

House scoffed, tossing the box carelessly on Wilson’s desk. He collapsed with a grunt in the opposite chair. “You don’t want me to open it?” 

Wilson shrugged, moving his eyes back over the file he was holding like he wasn’t at all interested in this conversation. “Makes no difference to me.”

“Oh no, of course not,” House said, hooking one leg on the corner of the desk and using his hands to pull his bad leg over it. “You just got me a present and wrapped it all up because you don’t care if I open it.”

Wilson put down the file, playing up his exasperation as he looked at House. “I saw it. I thought you could use it. The wrapping, I admit, was an indulgence.” He waved vaguely at the wrapped box as if he could wipe away the transgression. “But, honestly, throw it out if you want, it doesn’t matter.”

House made a disbelieving noise before snatching the box back off of Wilson’t desk and tearing at the paper. Wilson very carefully hid his smile.

House managed to get the device out of the box without identifying it, holding it up to his face in complete confusion. 

“Is this some kind of kinky metal bit gag?”

Wilson huffed a laugh. “Do you see any kind of tightening mechanism? Shitty ineffective gag.”

House hummed, putting it over his head. Once the bar rested in front of his mouth, he figured it out.

“Oh,” he groaned, whipping it back off. “A harmonica harness?”

Wilson grinned. “So I guess it is kind of a gag, in a way.”

House scoffed, holding up the harness with disgust. “This is the dorkiest thing you could have possibly given me.”

“It’s useful,” Wilson insisted. “I’ve seen you play and you always have to take one hand off the piano to play the harmonica. Don’t you want to keep your treble hand in play?”

“‘Georgie On My Mind’ doesn’t need treble during the harmonica portion.”

“But what if I wanted you to play ‘Piano Man’?”

“I refuse to play ‘Piano Man’.”

Wilson shook his head, amused, and held up his hands in defeat. “Fine. You don’t have to use it.”

“I wasn’t going to use it.”

“Good,” Wilson smiled.

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

  House came into work with the harmonica holder around his neck, his harmonica strapped in and ready.

Wilson heard him before he saw him, standing at the nurse’s station at the clinic and glancing over the file of his next patient. He heard House coming, as he usually did, but in symphony with the usual three beat footsteps was a discordant heeee and hoooo timed with each of House’s breaths.

Wilson looked over at him, amused to see House dressed as he usually was in his sneakers, jeans, and blazer over band-tee combo, but with the shiny new harmonica harness around his neck.

“You’re looking dorky today,” Wilson greeted him.

House played a sort of ‘womp womp’ on the harmonica before pulling his mouth away and grinning.”This has made being annoying so much more efficient. I don’t even need hands.”

Wilson nodded, noting that House’s hands were otherwise occupied with his cane and a takeaway coffee. He never usually stopped for coffee on his way in. He probably wanted to test out how annoying he could be before he hard launched the harness at the hospital..

“Very efficient,” Wilson agreed, stealing House’s coffee while he was being too pleased with himself to notice. “Are you angling for something from Cuddy or is this just your usual pursuit of chaos?”

“I was going for ���make you regret giving me this,’ but now I’m thinking I should have saved it. Do you think Cuddy would cut my clinic hours?”

Wilson sipped House’s coffee and shrugged. “Probably not just for this. It’s pretty benign, for you.”

House finally noticed Wilson stole his coffee and snatched it back. Wilson just smirked. “This is just the first phase of my irritating scheme,” House assured him, taking a spiteful sip of his own coffee. It was still too hot and Wilson enjoyed watching him pretend not to wince. “I’ve got more tricks up my sleeve.”

“I would never doubt that,” Wilson said. He tapped his clinic file on the counter then smacked House on the arm with it. “See you at lunch.”

  The next few hours passed with Wilson treating patients and people coming up to tell him about House’s latest shenanigans. And then lunch passed with House telling Wilson about his shenanigans and Wilson acting like it was the first time he was hearing them.

He laughed around a bite of his reuben. “And she just never acknowledged you?”

“She let me follow them down eight hallways. The rich donor or whatever looked back at me a lot. Which is normal! I was playing every step she took! But Cuddy pretended like she didn’t hear anything.” He grinned admiringly, stealing a chip from Wilson’s tray. “Cold-blooded bitch.”

“She probably only walked that much because she knew it would hurt you,” Wilson noted.

“Probably.” House sighed, the air blowing through his still-mounted harmonica and producing a soft note. “I will have to become even more disruptive.”

“Good God, man,” Wilson said dramatically, pausing with his drink halfway to his mouth. “A disruption? You go too far!”

“I will disrupt, I will agitate, might even do some light discombobulating.”

“Please no disturbances or I fear I may faint.”

House smirked, picking up the other half of Wilson’s sandwich and taking a bite. Some sauerkraut leaked out and dripped on his harmonica.

“That’s gonna taste like that forever, now,” Wilson commented, lightly.

House grimaced, wiping it off with his thumb before sucking it into his mouth. “I eat a reuben every day. My mouth always tastes like sauerkraut.”

Wilson hummed, allowing the hyperbole. House had other harmonicas.

  Wilson’s afternoon was back-to-back patient consults, so he wasn’t privy to what disruptions House was executing. It didn’t escalate enough that anyone from House’s team saw fit to interrupt him, so it couldn’t have been that bad.

This was all but confirmed when Wilson came home to the condo that evening and House was pouting on the couch. House would take issue with the word “pouting” and it might look more like brooding or scheming to the casual observer but Wilson was a connoisseur. Sitting slumped on the couch, legs spread, idly twirling his cane in one hand was peak House pouting behavior.

“Wow,” Wilson started, tossing his keys in the bowl. He heaved a huge breath of relief as he shrugged off his jacket. “I had such a relaxing afternoon. No commotions, kerfuffles, not even a brouhaha.”

House scowled. “Shut up, you sound like a middle school vocab quiz.”

“No, seriously,” Wilson said, setting his briefcase on a kitchen island chair. “I got so much work done! My patients were comfortable, my office was orderly. Peace and love on planet earth.”

“I’m gonna piss in your desk drawer.”

“That would still only be half as annoying as you said you were going to be.”

House groaned, stilling his cane and bringing it up to butt against his forehead. “I got a case. Got distracted. It’s surprisingly interesting. But not as interesting as how much Thirteen and Chase seem to care about it.”

“So, what, you forgot to be annoying?”

“No, of course I was annoying,” House said, rolling his eyes. “It was just localized to my team. Who are practically immune.” He blew out a breath. “I could try again tomorrow but I’ll still be working on the case.”

Wilson hummed, cracking a beer and bringing another one to the couch for House. House took it, leaning a little to the side so Wilson could sit next to him. “Maybe I can bring it back later. Save it for a better time.”

Wilson scoffed, making himself comfortable. “You just got on my case for recycling.”

“It wouldn’t be recycling, it would be a callback. Self-referential humor.”

“Cliche. Not usually your style.”

“You’re right, I need way more bullhorns and whipped cream.”

“How about this,” Wilson said, leaning more of his weight against House. “You already know what’s wrong with the patient, right?”

House swiveled his head, waffling. “I have theories.”

“You know,” Wilson repeated, rolling his eyes. “You’re just playing with your food so you can watch whatever’s happening with Thirteen and Chase.”

House just took a sip of his beer, not confirming nor denying.

“I bet you you can’t last a whole day only communicating through the harmonica,” Wilson said.

House scoffed but in an interested way.

Wilson smirked. “You can still do your DDX on the whiteboard, but you can’t write or text or type or whatever to say words, you have to speak with your music.”

House rolled his eyes but took another sip of his beer, consideringly.

Wilson waited, settling back into the couch and taking a sip of his own beer.

And of course House answered how he knew he would: “You’re on.”

Wilson let himself into the Diagnostics outer office the next morning, greeting the fellows who were already there and helping himself to their coffee set up. The patient must have been stable because no one was panicking and Taub and Foreman were bickering about something outside the case. He let himself dawdle, hiding House’s mug in a lower cabinet and brewing a fresh pot. He didn’t mind waiting. Actually, waiting was kind of the point.

He was pouring himself a fresh cup in the mug that used to be Cameron’s when the ducklings all sat up a little straighter, catching the sound of House’s approach just moments before Wilson.

Not that it was hard to miss. He was breathing into the harmonica as he walked again.

Wilson smiled down at his mug as he stirred his cream in, turning and resting his ass against the counter to watch the show.

House opened the glass door, the harmonica making a kind of “hello” shaped sound as he entered.

“Oh good, we’re still doing this,” Thirteen sighed, turning back to her file.

“Patient’s responding to treatment but started presenting a rash on her pelvis,” Chase reported, unbothered.

House dropped his backpack and cane at his seat, making another sound on the harmonica that could really only be interpreted as a joke about syphilis.

“STI panel was clean,” Foreman answered. “And she’s not allergic to what we’ve given her. Which makes it a new symptom.”

House played a chord in reluctant agreement, limping over to the whiteboard and uncapping his marker.

Wilson wanted to ask him if the rash changed the diagnosis House had already come up with, but he wasn’t about to give the game away. Not when the team didn’t seem to realize what was happening yet.

House added “pelvic rash” to the list of symptoms and then “blurry vision” right below it.

“The patient hasn’t complained of blurry vision,” Taub said.

“Well, she does wear glasses,” Thirteen said.

“And she’s worn glasses since she was 10, why would this only now be a symptom?”

“She probably does need glasses, but if her vision got blurrier, she might just think she needs to change her prescription, not that it’s a new symptom.”

House played a delighted note and pointed at Thirteen.

“There’s no reason to think she has blurry vision,” Foreman argued.

“Unless you think you know what it is,” Chase said, talking to House.

House shrugged and made an ‘I don’t know’ kind of sound. Foreman sighed.

“It doesn’t hurt to check her eyes,” Thirteen offered.

House played a loud bleat of agreement. Then he pointed at Chase, pointed at Taub, played a little trill and pointed out the door.

Chase sighed, getting up, “Fine, we’ll go do an eye test.”

“We’re wasting our time,” Foreman argued.

House played a sarcastic little riff that probably amounted to ‘the patient’s not presently dying, just do the damn test,’ and Foreman scoffed and let Chase and Taub leave.

“What are we supposed to do?” Thirteen asked.

“I can answer that,” Wilson said, standing straight from his slouch.

House narrowed his eyes and played an agitated eight count. Wilson rolled his eyes at him. “You would say that.”

Thirteen looked between them, her eyes lighting with mischief. “I’m assuming we don’t think it’s cancer and you’re here about the harmonica.”

“I am,” Wilson said. “And it’s extremely telling that no one even asked about it this morning.”

Foreman shrugged. “He was messing with it all day yesterday.”

“Yes, but he hasn’t spoken.”

Wilson watched as Foreman and Thirteen blinked, looked at each other, looked at House, and smiled.

“Do you have to talk through the harmonica?” Thirteen guessed.

“Did you lose a bet or is this the bet?” Foreman asked.

“This is the bet. And I need you both to tell me if he cheats.”

House made a discordant sound of outrage, gesturing some mean stuff to Wilson.

“No typing or texting or writing stuff to communicate. The white board is fine and he can gesture,” Wilson told them, grinning at House over his coffee. “Just for today.”

“Done,” Thirteen agreed, immediately. “So do we just tail him all day or…”

“No, I'm sure there’s something doctor-y he needs you to do,” Wilson said, making his way to the door. “And while I’d love to watch him attempt to explain whatever that is, I should get back to work. Have fun, House!”

House flipped him off as he left and Wilson let himself cackle down the hallway.

  House lost, of course he lost, but Wilson had fun watching him try.

As usually happened, the case got complicated, and House couldn’t resist telling his team why they were idiots. He did make it through most of the day, though, so Wilson couldn’t gloat about his victory too much.

He could, however, hold House hostage in his victory, back at House’s old apartment, and make him play for him.

“This is humiliating,” House said, playing the opening keys to “Piano Man” on his own piano. “I’m better than this. You’re better than this.”

“Silence, music man, or there will be no bread for your jar.”

House rolled his eyes but leaned forward to play the opening harmonica. Wilson raised his beer in praise.

He sang along with House on the choruses but let House sing the verses, enjoying his rough baritone giving the song a jazzier sound. He pushed his way onto the piano bench with House, forcing House to sway with him. House shot him annoyed looks but didn’t falter on the music, even smiling at Wilson when he held up his beer to be a microphone.

House played out the song with the harmonica and piano chords at the same time and Wison went in with raucous applause.

“You’re a dork,” House told him, but his eyes were soft. He took off the harmonica harness and laid it gently on the piano. “And a terrible winner. You could have made me do this at an actual piano bar. Or at the hospital. You didn’t even take a video.”

“Why should other people get to hear you play?” Wilson said, leaning his body into House. “They didn’t win a bet. They didn’t get you a good present.”

“This is not a good present.”

“You love it.”

“I do not.”

“Yes you do – you love it and you love me.”

House sighed, bringing his arm around Wilson’s waist. “You got me there.”

Wilson hummed, leaning in to kiss House. House kissed him back hard and they very quickly got carried away.

Wilson could not be blamed: that harmonica had been hogging House’s mouth for days.

[i-am-minty-fresh]

Fuck it, everyone’s autistic.

Luffy’s got the bug special interest and zero personal space.

Zoro’s got soundproof headphones, loud noises and that’s it for him.

Nami’s a physical texture woman clothes gotta be made of very specific feels or it’s wraps for our lady in orange.

Sanji’s got a strict schedule he must abide by and food has to taste the same every. Single. Time. Or he’s gotta remake it.

Usopp’s one of those understimulated autists. Bright colors, loud music, harsh feels, his factory has to be far away from everyone else.

Chopper’s dropping extremely detailed medical knowledge that would, to any other crew, come off as unnerving (him and law talk for hours)

Robin’s had to learn to mask but bright light will knock this lady the fuck out. I’m talking stage 8 migraines.

Franky’s got some anthropomorphic tendencies. You ask him and everything he’s ever made comes with their own personality traits and backstories.

Brook’s got the schedule like Sanji but mostly can’t read a room for shit. Asking people questions that shouldn’t be asked, interrupting conversations, playing music out of the blue.

Jimbei’s got comfort objects and fidget toys. His favorite is the movable wire thing, helps him focus.

Whenever they go into town, Franky carries a backpack with:

Luffy’s worn out encyclopedia of beetles, a charger for Zoro’s earbuds, a soft sweater if everything gets too much for Nami, Sanji’s schedule so they stay on track, a rubix cube with every square having a different texture for Usopp, Chopper’s personal medical notebook in case he learns anything new he needs to add, some gigga powerful sunglasses for Robin, some little metal toys for Franky, a harmonica for Brook, and a plastic snake for Jimbei.

This is my headcanon and as an Autistic person I will guard it with my life. I might update if I feel like giving more detail.

[nyx-thedragon]

Newsies thoughts part 3

so I just finished watching Newsies 1992 for the fourth time, and noted down a bunch of things I noticed or thoughts I had. I didn't do this the third time I watched bc that one was with my brother and I wanted to focus on the movie and talking and joking with him lol.

anyway, I noted down a lot of things, so prepare for a long post. (these are in order of when I thought of them, and I'm typing them from my notes app so enjoy my train of thought/how my brain thinks)

1- shoutout to Mr Kloppman for taking care of the boys

2- what's the story behind the lady that comes in singing about her son in "Carrying the Banner"? she fucking slays, but I'm very confused about it

3- they're literally just a bunch of teenage boys who've been dealt an awful hand in life but try their best to keep everyone's morale up and stay positive (me realizing how sad the reality of the newsboys is)

4- all the older newsies taking care of and helping the little ones I love them so bad

5- you can tell how close the newsies are with each other I love it. family for real

6- why does Les carry a wooden sword almost the whole movie?

7- "this is my brother David. he's older" "oh, no kiddin'"

8- love love love how all the newsies just adopt David and Les into the group immediately

9- Pulitzer needs a magnifying glass to read the big-ass headline lmao

10- Seitz lowkey seems to kinda be on the newsies' side

11- why does the crowd boo when the old guy is holding up the "round 58" sign? (during the scene where there's a boxing match going on)

12- Les and Davey immediately follow Jack in running from Snyder even though they've never been in trouble with the law

13- Davey stops Les from putting his head in the horse mask thing (?) (when they're in Medda's theatre)

14- Jack just staring at Davey while Medda coos over Les

15- genuinely Jack did not need to pull Davey by his tie. he could've grabbed his shoulder, but no. had to pick the gayest option

16- Davey inviting Jack to his house after just meeting him literally like not even 12 hours ago. and then inviting him to stay the night?? down bad behavior for real. and he seems so nervous to introduce him to his parents too ??

17- Sarah Jacobs please give me a chance please please please

18- ngl the scenes with Jack and Sarah are a little bit like,,,cringe?? idk they just don't feel right idk if they have enough chemistry for Sarah to realistically be Jack's love interest

19- bro just casually steals a horse and no one goes after him ??? (during Santa Fe)

20- the stupid fucking calculation thing Pulitzer does with his arms omg it's so funny for no reason

21- Kid Blink either doesn't see or just doesn't care that one of the Delanceys is mocking him

22- Jack puts his hand like right next to Davey's face and then slowly moves it away lol (when Jack is asking Davey what he should say to the other newsies when first planning the strike)

23- Davey staring longingly at Jack while he's up writing "strike" on the board

24- "i need some of those...what do you call 'em?" "whatever you want!" (from a random newsie in the crowd, love whoever that was)

25- Spot Conlon hears Davey say one sentence and is like 'yeah this guy never shuts up once you get him going, i can tell' (hence "walking mouth")

26- who is the newsie that just appears behind Jack while they're in Brooklyn talking to Spot??

27- Mush and Davey friendship i love you so

28- where does Race get a harmonica from for "Seize The Day"?

29- love all the littles standing on the statue pedestal during "Seize The Day"

30- Jack and Davey jump up on the statue pedestal and start kicking each other. playing footsie, boys?

oh dear lord i did not realize i noted down this much holy shit

31- Davey immediately looking for Les when the cops show up

32- the Refuge needs better security at the gate cuz how did newsies sneak in TWICE

33- they had time to choreograph a whole dance routine bro (the little seize the day reprise thing)

34- "everyone remain calm" "let's soak 'em for Crutchie!"

35- Davey gets pulled away by someone in the crowd while trying to help Jack (during the big scene when they get ambushed by the police at the distribution place)

36- why are half of the Brooklyn guys grown ass men?? and they're intimidated enough by Spot Conlon to let him be the leader? man i love Spot Conlon he's so cool

37- Spot and Kid Blink lowkey friendship love it

38- Dutchy being horizontal for the picture

39- the workers at the restaurant just watching the chaos of "King of New York"

40- i hate Snyder's face. it makes me uncomfy

41- Sarah Jacobs, how is your hair perfect right after waking up tell me your secrets

42- if they wanted the Jack and Sarah love interest story to actually work better, they should've fit more scenes of them talking

43- nah cuz actually wdym Jack's "real" name is Francis?? he doesn't look like a Francis at all (this is just me being baffled that he could be named Francis, of all things)

44- who is letting Kid Blink hang off the fucking balcony bro he is nawt gonna land on his feet

45- Race and Blink being Medda's #1 hype men <3

oh my fucking god i'm so sorry this is so long i apologize profusely. if you've made it this far, go get a little treat for yourself

46- Jack and Davey are so grabby with each other when Davey is warning Jack about Snyder

47- Medda i love you !!! (tried to fight off the police to defend Race. "he's just a child")

48- how are the newsies losing the fight against the police? there's like a thousand of them and not as many of the police (or at least it seems there's a lot less police)

49- Denton trying to get to Jack when he's captured by the police

50- Race trying to gamble with the judge, he's so unserious

51- the look Jack gives Davey when Snyder starts telling the truth about Jack (his real name, his dad not being out West)

52- i keep accidentally mixing up Specs and Dutchy lol. probably cuz they both wear glasses (i feel so bad for this omg i'm so sorry Specs and Dutchy)

53- no yeah, security at the gate of the Refuge is awful. 6 boys snuck in at once !!

54- why did Pulitzer tell Jack to shut up and listen THREE TIMES when he wasn't even talking ???

55- Davey was just standing in the courtyard outside Pulitzer's, how did no one see him?? he wasn't even hiding, dude

56- Mush shows up to get the "Newsies Banner" papers twice - once by himself and again with Kid Blink

57- "can you read? read that" (Race making sure the kids will be able to read the paper love him for that)

58- Race and Les's little friendship moment is cute ("when the distribution bell starts ringin', will we hear it?" "nah")

59- Race's reaction to Roosevelt is funny. "Roosevelt!?" (bro is shocked)

60- Denton hanging out with Les while Davey gets his papes

61- Race cheering when Jack kisses Sarah. "Jackie boy!"

whew oh dear lord I am so so so sorry for this being so fucking long. I didn't even realize I had noted down so many things I feel bad for making folks have to read this whole thing if they want to see all my thoughts. maybe I should split this in half and have two posts instead of this long one?? idk let me know what you think. also, if I got the names wrong for any newsies, please let me know I'm still learning lol.

uh yeah, this post is over now. stay hydrated, get some rest, and stay cool

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x01 - The Inheritor of Courage / Enter Flamedramon

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Three years ago, eight children were kidnapped and trafficked into the weirdest summer vacation of their lives. An adventure filled with war, death, friendship, and a lot more poop than you might reasonably have expected.

Then they had to go home and just pick their lives back up like none of that happened.

We open on the photo that the children took on their last day in the Digital World. Takeru kicks us off with a very brief recap.

Takeru: It was a summer I'll never forget. Three years have passed since then....

Brief slides show us where they all are now. Three years means we're looking at an age range of 13 for Mimi and Koushiro, 14 for Taichi, Yamato, and Sora, and 15 for Jou. The three of them have entered middle school, with Jou once again in his final year and needing to start thinking about high school.

Taichi's slide just shows him in his school uniform, ready to go. Yamato's reveals that his musical interest with his harmonica has evolved into forming a band, which is already giving concerts. He's up on center stage as lead singer and guitarist.

While the original lets the slides speak for themselves, the dub has T.K. narrate them.

T.K.: We've sure grown up a lot since that summer in the Digital World! (Tai shot) T.K.: Tai's in high school. (Matt shot) T.K.: My brother Matt's trying to be a rock star!

I didn't have a lot to say about Taichi's shot and neither did the dub. He's there. He is. Also present. It's Taichi. You know Taichi. He's being Taichi.

You may notice that T.K. said Tai's in high school. So we need to talk about that for a moment.

There's a cultural difference here. American high school lasts four years, with students from ages 14 to 18 in attendance. It's also compulsory.

Japanese high school lasts three years, with students from ages 15 to 18 in attendance. However, it's optional. Compulsory education ends with 9th grade, which is the final year of middle school instead of the first year of high school. It's not unreasonable that a 14-year-old would be in 9th grade, as 14-15 is the age range for that grade. Therefore, middle school in Japan, high school in the U.S.

He is in Japan, so he should still be in middle school even so, but. Y'know. Localizing so American kids will understand.

The more glaring issue is that Tai is in 8th grade right now, not 9th. Taichi was in 5th grade three years ago. So this is just wrong? Tai being in high school is just factually wrong with no cultural context affecting it.

We haven't even hit the opening credits. We're six seconds in, and we're already off to a start, aren't we? T.K. had only one thing he could even think of to say about that shot of Tai and it was wrong. XD

Sora's still athletic, but it seems she's changed from soccer to tennis.

The reason for that shift is, to my understanding, only explained in a Drama CD for the series. It's kind of a compromise. Toshiko actually has a history with tennis, so it's an athletic activity that they can play together as mother and daughter.

Koushiro is in 7th grade right now, so he's entering middle school for the first time. That's why his shot shows him trying on his new school uniform for the very first time, while his parents look on with pride and joy in their eyes.

Mimi, I guess, had so much fun in Hawaii that she's taken up piracy on the high seas.

I don't. Actually. Know why she's reintroduced like this. That is not going to be the character design for her when she appears in the show proper.

In the dub:

(Sora shot) T.K.: Sora's become quite a tennis player. (Izzy shot) T.K.: Izzy's in high school too! (Mimi shot) T.K.: Mimi and her folks moved to New York!

SPOILERS, T.K.!!! FUCK!!!

Also, Izzy's in high school too!? I mean, I guess that's fair. If anybody skipped a few grades, it'd be Joe. But if a second person did it, Izzy's a solid bet.

Jou remains hard at work as ever. He's going to have a whole new set of entrance exams next spring to prepare for. Assuming he decides he wants to go to high school once compulsory education ends.

Which he will. Obviously. It's actually super rare for kids to skip out on high school. It's allowed, but rare. But even if it wasn't, Jou's in this for the long haul. He's aiming to become a doctor.

Hikari, I guess needing a new neck dangly to replace the whistle she gave Tailmon, has taken up photography.

Takeru doesn't get a "Where are they now?" slide. It's fine. We'll be seeing him in a moment. Instead, we move into the new OP, which is every bit as spoilery as the ones from the previous series. Not only are all of the Partner Digimon for the new protagonists we haven't even met yet shown, but so is all of their forms in the new evolution type that's going to be introduced.

The new main villain also appears, both masked and unmasked. So that's fun.

In the dub:

(Joe slide) T.K.: And Joe's still studying to be a doctor. (Kari slide) T.K.: But for Kari and I, it's just the beginning....

So that's where our kids are at right now! In other news, slavery.

Gazimon: RUN!!! IT'S THE DIGIMON KAISER!!!

The Digimon Kaiser, a child dressed in bad guy shades and a cape, stands in front of a huge blast obelisk. Cracking his whip, he sends out black rings levitating across the landscape, reminiscent of the Black Gears that Devimon used to distribute.

These rings blanket the region, seizing every Digimon they can find. We see various and Gazimon and Gotsumon taken by the Kaiser, as well as one Unimon.

One ring goes for Tailmon, who is also among the group. The Holy Ring on her tail glows, deflecting the ring and saving her. But before she has time to breathe, Unimon emerges from the bushes, now under the Kaiser's control, and fires a Holy Shot from their mouth.

In the dub:

Gazimon: Run for your lives! It's the evil Digimon Emperor!

Like many of the proper nouns, "Kaiser" is the actual word in the original and not a translation of a Japanese word. The word is borrowed from German, and means "emperor".

The dub opted to translate it to Digimon Emperor, which sounds more natural to say in English.

Gatomon gets an extra line here when her Holy Ring deflects the black ring.

Gatomon: That was close!

I'm sure she's fine. Meanwhile, in the human world, we find Takeru finishing breakfast in the kitchen of his mom's apartment.

Takeru: Gochisousama [Thank you for the delicious meal.]!

In Japan, it's customary to say いただきます Itadakimasu at the start of a meal and ごちそうさま Gochisousama at the end of a meal. If you've been listening to undubbed anime, you're probably more familiar with the former than the latter. It's much more common to write scenes with meals beginning than ending.

Once he's finished up, Takeru takes his dishes to the kitchen. Cutting to Natsuko's office where she's hard at work, we can hear the clink of him setting his dishes in the sink.

Natsuko: I'm sorry I can't go with you on your first day of school, but I have to get this manuscript turned in by the end of the day. Takeru: (walks by doorway) That's okay. I can go by myself. (Takeru steps out the front) Takeru: Ittekimasu [I am leaving but will return]!

Another customary phrase, said when leaving a place you spend time in regularly. Basically means "I am leaving this place but with intent to return again."

Takeru makes for the elevator, which opens to reveal two children from a higher floor also making their way down. A girl with purple hair and glasses and a short boy with brown hair. They were smiling a moment ago, but when the door suddenly opens, they both look surprised and confused.

Purple: Huh? Takeru: Good morning! Purple: (uncertain) ...good morning. Takeru: I just moved into these apartments. My name is Takaishi Takeru, fifth grade. It's nice to meet you!

An interesting note about these apartments: Takeru describes them as マンション manshon as opposed to アパート apaato. Both of these mean "apartments", but a manshon is much more upscale and high-quality than an apaato. For a single mother, Natsuko seems to be doing pretty well for herself.

Once Takeru introduces himself, the hesitancy subsides and the purple girl happily returns the gesture.

Purple: I'm Inoue Miyako, sixth grade. It's written like the "Kyo" from Kyoto but read "Miyako". This is Iori. Iori: I'm Hida Iori, third grade. I am very honored to meet you.

Iori bows politely to Takeru. It seems we have another little Koushiro here.

Takeru: Same to you.

Takeru joins them on the elevator, and together the three children set out for school.

Real quick, what Miyako's talking about: Because there are three different written languages in Japanese, knowing how someone spells their name can be just as important as what their name literally is. Miyako specifies how her name is spelled because it uses an uncommon reading of a particular kanji.

Her name is 井ノ上 Inoue 京 Miyako. The "spelled like Kyoto" is referencing the fact that 京都 Kyoto uses the same kanji, but pronounces it differently. Because... kanji have multiple readings and pronunciations. That's just how it is. Japanese is really hard.

In the dub, it's Nancy who kicks off T.K.'s departure.

Nancy: (offscreen) You're gonna be late for school, T.K.! Hurry up and finish your breakfast! T.K.: New school, new apartment... but the same old lumpy oatmeal. (calls out) I'm done, Mom! I'm leaving! Nancy: Sorry I can't drive you to school on your first day but I have to write this article before the deadline. It's all about the historical significance of toilet paper. Hmmm.... T.K.: It's okay. I'll walk. (T.K. steps out the front) T.K.: See you later! (T.K. runs into the other two on the elevator) Purple: Huh? T.K.: How's it going? Purple: Fine, thank you. T.K.: Great! My name's T.K. and my mom and I just moved into this building. I'm in seventh grade, class A. Nice to meet you! Purple: Oh, hi! My name is Yolei. Would you like to walk to school with us? It takes exactly 12.3 minutes and that's if there's no wind. It will be fun! Oh, and this is Cody. Cody: Welcome to the building, T.K. Come on! We don't want to be late on our first day. (Cody bows politely) T.K.: Let's do it!

No idea why Cody's bowing. Nothing he said warrants a bow.

So, we have our new character names. Miyako is Yolei, which is a pretty obscure Hebrew name. I've only ever heard it in connection with this show. Terri-Lei O'Malley, one of the key people who worked on the dub, wanted Miyako to have "lei" in her name like she does and so I guess they went looking for something that would fit that criteria.

O'Malley is the same person who named Salamon after her pet cat and was then disappointed that Salamon inexplicably turned out to be a puppy.

I'm guessing they picked "Cody" because the lip flaps for it are close enough to "Iori" to make sense.

With T.K. being in seventh grade all of a sudden, it seems the plan is to quietly add an extra two years to the timeskip and hope nobody notices. That explains "high school" for Tai and Izzy.

Takeru heads to school with his new friends.

Iori: Hey, Miyako-san? Could you please come over after school to fix our computer? Miyako: Sure. For your mom's ohagi. Iori: Okay! I'll email her later. Miyako: Ehehe, bingo!

Get used to hearing "Bingo!" from Miyako. It's her favorite word.

Ohagi is a Japanese dessert. They're sweet rice balls covered in a bean paste.

As the kids approach their elementary school, Takeru suddenly spots Taichi on the soccer field? What?

Takeru: Taichi-san?

But his eyes are playing tricks on him, as it's a different boy with spiky hair and goggles. The boy goes for the ball but just winds up eating dirt, leaving the ball sailing towards Takeru. Takeru snatches it out of the air easily enough.

Soccer Boy: Sorry, sorry. Takeru: ... Soccer Boy: Hm?

Takeru tosses him the ball.

Takeru: Cool goggles! Soccer Boy: ...eh...? Other Player: (offscreen) Hey, Daisuke! What are you doing!?

That seems to snap him out of it. Daisuke turns and kicks the ball, rejoining the soccer game.

Takeru: Daisuke, huh? Right, Taichi-san's in middle school now.

And interesting note about Daisuke's name is that Takeru was half-right. Daisuke's name is written 大輔 Daisuke. It means "Great Savior", foreshadowing his role in the series. But its first letter is also very close to that of 太一 Taichi, which means "Exceptional one". That or "Thick one".

Daisuke is also close in pronunciation to 大好き daisuki, who is how you tell someone that you have very strong feelings of affection for them. It basically means "I like you a lot", but in a way that can be used either romantically or platonically. Which... is also foreshadowing some things.

Motomiya Daisuke was very well named. Name-wise, he is to the 02 cast what "Light of the Eight Gods" Yagami Hikari was to the original cast.

In the dub:

Cody: Hey Yolei, can you come over after school and fix my computer again? Yolei: Only if your mom makes those brownies I love. Cody: I'll send an email and ask if she'll make a batch right away. Yolei: It's a deal. Perfecto! T.K.: Huh? (T.K. thinks he sees Tai) T.K.: Tai? ...I'm seeing things. Player: Here you go, Davis! (The ball goes T.K.'s way, which he catches) Players: (various shouting) Come on, man! / What are you doing!? Davis: Thanks! Great catch. T.K.: ... Davis: Huh? (T.K. suddenly tosses him the ball) T.K.: You look familiar! Must be the goggles. Davis: Whuh? Player: Hey, Davis! You're holding up the game! Davis: Huh!? (Davis kicks the ball and returns to the game) T.K.: What am I thinking!? That can't be Tai! He's a much better soccer player than that kid!

T.K. decides to end on a burn rather than reaffirming what grade Tai's in.

Changing ohagi to brownies is a pretty solid localization choice.

Moving right along, it's time to get to class. We find Daisuke entering classroom 5-A, where Hikari's unpacking her things.

Daisuke: Ehehe, I'm in the same class as Hikari-chan again! Hikari: It's good to see you again. Daisuke: Just now, some guy said my goggles looked cool. I have no idea who he was. Hikari: Hmm?

It's a quick snippet of dialogue to establish that Daisuke and Hikari have been classmates for a while.

Before that can continue, we quickly cut to the Digital World, which is still being menaced by those black rings. Agumon falls hard on the ground, crying out.

Agumon: Taichi! TAICHIIIIIIIIIII!!!

His cry seems to get through. A brief shot of Taichi in his school uniform shows his Digivice activating, sending out a distress message in red print.

Back in Hikari's class, the teacher has an announcement to make.

Teacher: Let me introduce you to a new classmate (nakama) for this semester. Come in. (Takeru enters; Davis looks up, surprised) Teacher: This is Takaishi Takeru-kun. Takeru: I'm Takaishi Takeru. Nice to meet you. Daisuke: Him...? Teacher: There's a seat next to Yagami.

Takeru obliges, sitting beside Hikari. They instantly hit it off for reasons that are obvious to the audience but perplexing for Daisuke.

Takeru: Long time, no see. Hikari: Heh. You sure grew up! Daisuke: (watching them chat, thinking) What's with this guy!? How can he just hit it off with Hikari-chan like that!? Takeru: (unintelligible due to Daisuke narrating over him) Hikari: (cracks up laughing)

Daisuke has no idea what these two have been through together.

In the dub:

Davis: Alright, what luck! You're in my class again, Kari! Kari: I wouldn't call that luck. Davis: Hey, the weirdest thing just happened. This new kid said I reminded him of someone. Probably thinks I'm a movie star. Kari: Hmm? (Meanwhile, in the DIgital World) Agumon: (falls) Tai, help! TAIIIIIIIIIIII!!! (Human world) Tai: Huh? (Back to Class 5-A) Teacher: I'm Mr. Hamasaki. I'll be your teacher and I'd like you all to welcome a new student. (T.K. enters. Davis looks up, surprised) Davis: Hm? Whoa! T.K.: It's nice to meet you. I'm T.K. Davis: It's that kid! Hamasaki: Please take a seat next to the girl with the... camera around her neck. (T.K. sits by Kari) T.K.: Together again! Kari: Just like old times! Davis: (watching them chat, thinking) That kid's trying to make a move on my girl! T.K.: Our teacher looks like Ogremon! Kari: (cracks up laughing)

A few things here. Davis's final line is a lot more possessive than Daisuke's. Daisuke is bewildered that this random boy can walk into the room and suddenly be best buddies with Hikari the instant he sits down. There's a hint of jealousy but he never goes beyond "What the hell am I watching?" Davis is going full jealous stalker, claiming ownership of Kari as if they were a couple.

It's not clear what Kari means by "I wouldn't call that luck" but it sounds like a passive-aggressive jab at Davis's expense. Which, given the creepy possessiveness he demonstrates in his final line, makes a lot of sense. Hikari is nothing but pleasant and happy to see Daisuke again.

I don't know why Mr. Hamasaki pauses suddenly before saying the word "camera".

I'm not sure that the dub lines really convey that T.K. and Kari haven't seen each other in years.

Back in the Digital World, Tentomon, Piyomon, and Patamon all flee from an attacking Snimon.

The Snimon has one of those black rings around their waist, so we know who they're working for. Also, New Series Who Dis.

Narrator: Snimon. A cruel and terrifying Adult-stage Digimon who resembles a praying mantis. Their special attack Shadow Sickle can slice anything to pieces with incredible speed.

Objectively better rundown than the one we got in the original series. It's the same, except the original rundown only said Snimon's attack was Shadow Sickle, without explaining anything about what the move does. So this is the same but more.

As soon as the narrator finishes explaining, Snimon's Shadow Sickle projectiles slash Piyomon and Tentomon out of the sky. Patamon takes cover on the branch of a tree, trying to hide.

Patamon: Piyomon! Tentomon!

They could really use their Partners about now.

In the dub, Tentomon takes up his usual role giving the diegetic rundown.

Tentomon: (rundown) Hurry! Don't let Snimon catch us! This praying mantis Digimon can cut through anything with his Twin Sickles attack! (Snimon slashes Biyomon and Tentomon out of the air) Patamon: Oh no! Biyomon! Tentomon!

Tentomon doesn't mention that Snimon is cruel and vicious, but that hardly matters when they're under control of one of those rings anyway.

He does a much better job with the diegetic rundown than Phantomon did way back when; That guy just made a punny quip about how the children will be the praying mantis's "prey".

Good news, their Partners are here! Well, one of them.

Taichi: Agumon!

Taichi sprints to Agumon's side, trying to help him.

Agumon: Taichi! Taichi: Evolve, Agumon!

Taichi holds out his Digivice. However, the device doesn't react.

Agumon: I can't... I can't evolve, Taichi. Taichi: Why!? Why can't you evolve!?

Watching from his control room, the Digimon Kaiser chuckles to himself.

Kaiser: Muhuhuhu... It's useless. That area is already mine. You will never be able to evolve.

In his hand, he's holding something that looks similar to a Digivice, yet is distinctly different.

With no other option, Taichi joins Patamon and Agumon in fleeing from Snimon. Tailmon emerges in their path.

Tailmon: This way!

Tailmon leads them to a cave. Once they're tucked inside, Taichi takes out another device we've never seen before, this one somewhat resembling a Nintendo DS, and uses it to send a message.

Taichi: Please, anyone, come and help us.

Already we're seeing how much has changed in the last three years. Not only is Taichi able to come and go from the Digital World, but the children also have portable devices of unclear origin that they can use to communicate with each other.

In the dub:

Tai: Agumon! Agumon: Tai! You're here! Tai: You've got to Digivolve! (Digivice won't react) Agumon: That's why I need your help, Tai. I can't Digivolve! Tai: Did you forget how!? It's just like riding a bicycle! Now start pedaling and Digivolve! (Cut to Emperor's control room) Emperor: Hmhmhmhmhmhm... It's no use. As long as I have the Black Digivice, there's no way they can Digivolve. Ahahahahahaha! (Tai joins the others in fleeing Snimon) Gatomon: Move your tails! (Everyone hides in a cave) Tai: (sending message) We're gonna need more help. I'd better contact the others.

Tai ignores the fact that his Digivice isn't activating and blames Agumon instead.

The Digimon Emperor name-drops the Black Digivice. The Kaiser just shows it to us. Also, it's Dark Digivice, not Black Digivice. They'll call it Dark Digivice at other points in the episode, so this is just a consistency error.

Back in the human world, Miyako's in the computer clubroom when an alert sounds on the PC.

Miyako: Oh no, an email for Izumi-senpai! But he's already graduated...

The message is from Yagami Taichi, addressed to "Everyone", with the subject line "Emergency!". The text reads, "Everyone come to the Digital World. Something is happening."

Miyako has no idea what to do with this.

Miyako: What is this? I'm pretty sure there's a Yagami in 5th grade....

Out front, Takeru is retrieving his outdoor shoes from the getabako while catching up with Hikari. These are special cupboards at the entrances to schools where you can swap between your outdoor shoes and your indoor shoes.

Hikari: Have you finished unpacking your luggage? Takeru: Well, yeah... Mostly.... Daisuke: (runs up) Hey, you! Hikari: It's not "Hey, you". It's "Takeru-kun". Daisuke: You, Takeru! What sort of relationship do you have with Hikari-chan!? Takeru: Huh? What's this all of a sudden? Ahaha! You're funny, Daisuke! Daisuke: (angrier) I'm not funny at all!

Daisuke is being very rude with his language. Not only does he blow off the honorific that Hikari tells him to use, but he keeps saying addressing Takeru as お前 omae.

It's not the worst second-person pronoun. It's pretty standard. But you should always use second-person pronouns with care, because in a lot of situations, they can come across rude or inappropriate. The verbal equivalent of pointing your finger at someone.

Daisuke wants to come off rude and inappropriate, so he's doing a lot of verbal finger-pointing on purpose right now.

Of course, for Takeru, Daisuke's outrage is water off a duck's back.

Before this can go any further, Miyako arrives.

Miyako: Ah, there! Takeru: Oh, Miyako-san!

She approaches Hikari with a printout of the questionable email.

Miyako: You're Yagami Hikari-san, right? Hikari: Yes, that's right. Miyako: (shows her the printout) Do you know a Yagami Taichi? Hikari: (reads; gasps) Onii-chan!

With Daisuke in two, Takeru and Hikari follow Miyako back to the computer club. On their way, they run into Koushiro coming up the stairs; An unexpected sight, seeing as he graduated last year.

Miyako: Ah! Izumi-senpai! Koushiro: Miyako-kun, may I please use the computer in the clubroom? Miyako: (ecstatic) Of course! Of course! I'm so glad you're visiting us, even after you graduated! Takeru: Koushiro-san! Hikari: We got an email from Onii-chan. Koushiro: (surprised) Takeru-kun! Hikari-san!

Strongly implied that Miyako looks up to Izumi-senpai because he was in charge of the computer club until his graduation. Also, on that note, gonna have to get used to the words "Izumi-senpai". My, how the kids have grown.

In the dub:

Yolei: Huh? "Come to the Digital World right away; The Digimon need our help!" Must be a link to an online game. Let's see who sent it. "Tai Kamiya". Hey! There's a girl in the seventh grade with the same last name! This email's probably hers.

The original specifically mentions that the email was sent to Koushiro. But apparently Tai's email had no intended recipient?

Kari: So, T.K., how does your mom like the new apartment? T.K.: She hasn't seen it yet. She's been on the computer the whole time! Davis: (runs up) Hey, buddy! Kari: His name is not "buddy". It's "T.K." Davis: Alright T.J. or J.V. or whatever it is! How do you know Kari!? T.K.: Huh? How do I know her? Ahahahaha! I get it, you're jealous of me! Davis: (angrier) I'm not jealous of anybody!

It's unclear in the original whether T.K. is actually oblivious to Daisuke's jealousy or is intentionally playing it off. Takeru, meanwhile, directly antagonizes Davis.

The "T.J. or J.V. or whatever" seems to be an attempt to capture the rudeness of Daisuke's verbal finger-pointing. Davis's unwillingness to say T.K.'s name properly will continue to be a thing.

Love the "Nancy hasn't actually seen the new apartment yet" crack. XD That got me.

Yolei: Hey! T.K.: Oh, hi, Yolei! (Yolei approaches Kari) Yolei: You're Kari Kamiya, aren't you? Kari: Yeah, that's right. Why do you ask? Yolei: (shows her the printout) Well, are you related to Tai? He sent this email. Kari: (reads it) My brother needs us! (They race to the computer club and run into Izzy) Yolei: Izzy! Izzy: Hey, Yolei. I'm glad I found you. I need to use the computer room right away. Yolei: (gasp) You mean the legendary former computer club president is actually looking for me!? I'm honored! T.K.: What's up, Izzy? Kari: Tai sent us an urgent email. Izzy: Yeah, I know! I got one too!

It's weird that Yolei acts like they're meeting each other for the first time. Was she not in computer club before this year?

The English dialogue also scrubs out both mentions of Koushiro having graduated.

The younger kids join Koushiro in the computer clubroom.

Takeru, Hikari, and Miyako are all neutral about Koushiro being here but Daisuke in the back is slack-jawed. He has no idea what's going on right now.

Koushiro: I got the email too, but when I tried to reply, my battery died. This place is closer to my middle school than going home would be.

A shot of Koushiro's bag shows a similar email device to the one Taichi was using. From the computer, Koushiro sends Taichi a return email:

"Message received. I'll find a Gate and head over there as soon as possible. Takeru-kun and Hikari-san are with me as well."

Taichi: A reply! It's Koushiro! Hikari and Takeru are there too! Agumon: (from offscreen) TAICHI!!! GET OVER HERE, TAICHI!!!

While Taichi goes to find out what that's all about, we return to computer club.

Miyako: Hey, so where is the Digital World? Is that a new theme park? Takeru & Hikari: .... Daisuke: I think I heard Taichi-senpai talking about some... Digimon thing? Takeru: You know Taichi-san? Hikari: They were senpai and kouhai in soccer club.

I think most of us understand what a senpai is. It's a senior mentor figure that you look up to and learn from. Kouhai is the opposite side of that coin; The junior who respects and learns from the senpai.

Also, the words "Taichi-senpai" are hitting me even harder than "Koushiro-senpai". Dear sweet Digital Jesusmon, Taichi has a kouhai.

In seriousness, there's some interesting subtleties about how well Daisuke and Hikari know each other. They've been classmates for at least one other school year before this one, clearly on friendly terms, and also Daisuke is her brother's kouhai. He's clearly working himself up to formally asking her out, and you can see why he'd already feel like this was a sure thing before Takeru suddenly and confusingly entered the picture.

Koushiro remains hard at work at the computer. As Hikari explains about soccer club, we can hear something activate at the computer. But then an alert siren starts playing in the background as the conversation continues.

Miyako: So what is it? What's a Digimon? Iori: Miyako-saaaaan! (appears in doorway) Are you going to fix my computer? Miyako: Oh, that's right.

Suddenly, the computer makes a more pleasant chime and the alert goes away.

Koushiro: Thought so. The Gate is open.

In the dub:

Izzy: I was just about to send Tai an answer when the battery ran out on my computer! I knew I should have recharged it after I played trigonometry trivia on the internet last night but boy, talk about fun! (Izzy sends email) Tai: It's from Izzy! He's got Kari and T.K. with him! Agumon: (from offscreen) TAI!!! COME QUICK!!! (Back to computer club) Yolei: What's the Digital World? Is that a new amusement park? I bet they have some great rides! Davis: I heard about it from Tai once. He said there were a lot of "Digimon" there. Whatever they are.... T.K.: You know Tai? Kari: They play on the same soccer team. Yolei: Hey, guys! I've got an idea! Let's all go to the Digital World! Cody: Yolei, weren't you coming over? (appears in doorway) Remember, you were gonna fix my computer. Yolei: Oh, sorry, I forgot. Izzy: If Tai's there, the Gate to the Digital World's open.

As usual, details buried in sound effects do not carry over to the dub. The alert siren doesn't sound in this version, nor do we hear the sudden chime of it activating.

Kari's kind of screwed with her explanation of Davis and Tai's relationship because Americans don't have an equivalent to the clear-cut social roles of senpai and kouhai. We're a much more informal society. She tries her best, but accidentally makes it sound like they're still playing soccer together.

Back in the cave, Taichi finds what Agumon was so startled about.

A mysterious egg-shaped object is sitting in the cave with a blade sticking out of it, as well as a familiar-looking symbol.

Taichi: This is.... Agumon: Is that the Crest of Courage? Tailmon: It seems like it's been here for a long time....

Taichi approaches the mystery object.

Taichi: That's definitely the Crest of Courage, but....

Taichi tries to pick up the object, causing it to suddenly glow with a bright orange light that fills the room. Then the glow recedes and three smaller orange lights levitate into the air in front of him.

Taichi: What the...!?

The orange lights offer no explanation. They simply fly off through a hole in the cave ceiling and vanish.

In the dub:

Agumon: Look at that! Tai: That's weird. It's got the Crest of Courage on it. Is it an egg? Agumon: I never saw an egg with a spike in it. Gatomon: It must have been rough on the chicken that laid that thing. Tai: Let's have a closer look at this thing. (Tai activates the egg and conjures the three lights) Tai: They look like fireflies! (The lights shoot off into the sky) Tai: Really fast ones!

The mystique's a bit lost in all this quipping. That said, goddammit, Gatomon. XD That got me.

Back in the human world, Miyako leaves computer club with Iori.

Miyako: (mutters) I'm still curious, though....

Back in computer club, Takeru, Hikari, and Koushiro have their Digivices out and are ready to jump across realities. Daisuke, however, is making a fuss over being left behind.

Daisuke: Let me come with you! Taichi-senpai's in a pinch, right? Takeru: That won't be possible. It's not an easy place for just anyone to go to.

Daisuke glowers at the Digivice in Takeru's hand.

Daisuke: Even if it's impossible, I'm going anyway! So--

Before he can finish, the three lights erupt from the computer screen. Though they're not longer all orange. One red light, one blue light, and one yellow light emerge. The blue one shoots into Daisuke's hands while the red and yellow travel down the hall, finding their way to Miyako and Iori.

Daisuke holds out the device that's appeared in his hands. It's similar to the one the Digimon Kaiser has, but blue instead of black.

Daisuke: W-What is this!? Takeru: A Digivice!? Hikari: (looks down at her Digivice) But it's different from ours....

That's because it's the latest model, COMING SOON TO A TOY STORE NEAR YOU!!! Sorry, kids, but Homeostasis is trying to run a business here. Wait 'til you find out about the planned obsolescence.

In the dub:

Cody: You did promise. Yolei: I know.... (Back in the clubroom) Izzy: We're going back to the Digital World! Prodigious! Davis: I'm going with you! T.K.: That's impossible. Not just anybody can go, you know. You need a Digivice. Davis: Rrrrgh... Listen, T.C., if you can go, so can I! (Digivices shoot out to Davis, Yolei, and Cody) Davis: What's this!? T.K.: A Digivice! Kari: It's a different model than the ones we have.

A subtle note for Davis. In the original, Daisuke exclaims that he's going to the Digital World even if it's impossible. This demonstrates how he's inherited Taichi's pigheaded stubbornness and determination.

Taichi needs help and Daisuke is chomping at the bit to come to his rescue. He's going to do this, even if the arbitrary metaphysical rules of Chosen Children and Digimon Partnerships say he can't.

It's exactly the sort of thing Taichi would say in his position. It's also. Kind of. What 02 is about, thematically. Like, this is setting the stage for 02's entire thesis.

Davis's line in the dub is just him again expressing his jealousy of T.K. He's mad that T.K. gets to go and he doesn't, and refuses to accept the implication that this means he's inferior to T.K.

So, Daisuke's new Digivice is weird. Koushiro returns his attention to the Gate on the computer screen.

Koushiro: The Gate opened on this monitor.... Takeru: Then let's get to the Digital World right away! Hikari: We need to hurry and help Onii-chan! Daisuke: (holds out Digivice) I'm going too. I can go with this? Koushiro: That should be right... That is, if that really is a Digivice.

Daisuke stares at his device, uncertain. Then, out of nowhere, Hikari thrusts her Digivice at the computer screen.

Hikari: I'm going!

The screen glows with light, pulling Hikari through the Gate.

Takeru: Me too!

Takeru does the same, vanishing through the computer to cross realities. Daisuke is left dumbstruck with Koushiro in the computer clubroom.

Koushiro: What are you going to do, Daisuke-kun? Daisuke: ... (Daisuke shakes off the shock) Daisuke: I can go too!

Daisuke repeats Takeru and Hikari's motions, thrusting his Digivice towards the computer screen. As before, it glows with light and absorbs him into the Digital World.

In the dub:

Izzy: Huh... We'd better go now while the Gate to the Digital World is still open. T.K.: Yeah, but how long will it stay open for? Izzy: Hm.... Kari: I don't care! I'm going to help my brother! Davis: (holds out Digivice) Hey, can I get Donkey Madness on this thing? Izzy: It's not a game! If the Digital World sent you a Digivice, then there's a reason and you should take it seriously! Kari: I'm not waiting any longer! (Kari crosses over) T.K.: I'm with you! (T.K. crosses over) Davis: (dumbstruck) ... Izzy: It's your turn. Unless you're scared. Davis: ... (Davis shakes off the shock) Davis: I'm there! (Davis crosses over)

And we need to talk about Daisuke again. Once again, he's made more... dipshit. He's made into more of a dipshit. For Daisuke, this scene sees him once again assert his determination and self-motivation to visit this new world and help Taichi. But in the dub, Izzy bullies him into enlistment.

"That Digivice means you're one of us now! Get the fuck in there, you coward!"

There are. Reasons. Why nobody likes Davis, but Daisuke doesn't get nearly as much flak.

But before Koushiro can make the jump, Miyako comes screeching to a stop in front of the door.

Miyako: IZUMI-SENPAI!!! Koushiro: (frantically hides his Digivice) Ehehehe.... Miyako: WHAT WAS THE LIGHT JUST NOW!?!? Koushiro: Oh, what ever could that have been, ahahaha....

Koushiro is no better at lying now than he was three years ago.

Without Koushiro, the three kids cross over. They land in a forest of the Digital World.

Daisuke: This is the Digital World?

He touches his arm, only to be startled when he feels the fabric of his jacket. It is not what he was wearing when he crossed over.

Daisuke: Ehh!? My clothes changed!?

Yep. A new feature of this Totally Not A Magical Girl show is that the new henshin artifacts cause magical costume changes. I guess Homeostasis was feeling spicy when designing them.

Oddly, neither Hikari nor Takeru comment on this. Takeru opens his mouth as if to say something, but he does not.

While the three kids begin their journey, the Digimon Kaiser watches them from his control room.

Kaiser: Coming into my garden without permission... These people don't have any manners, do they?

And cut to commercial. The Digimon Kaiser knows we're here, but we don't know he's even a thing that exists.

In the dub:

Yolei: WHOA!!! (Yolei screeches to a halt) Yolei: What's going on in here!? Izzy: (frantically hides his Digivice) Uhhhh, nothing! Yolei: Hey Izzy, what was that light!? Izzy: Uh, the computer must need a new screensaver, ehehe....

As utterly nonsensical as that retort is, it's still better than Koushiro's "Oh yeah, weird, huh?"

Davis: Whoa! My first time being downloaded... Pretty cool.... So, this is the Digital World, huh? (Davis discovers his new outfit) Davis: Whoa! This place comes with a new wardrobe! (Meanwhile, the Digimon Emperor is watching) Emperor: (menacing) Hmph! Looks like we have some visitors in my garden. And they weren't even on the guest list....

A little more bantery but basically the same.

Setting out into the Digital World, Hikari uses her Digivice's radar function to track Taichi's Digivice. She and Takeru lead the way, while Daisuke lags behind gawking at this strange new environment.

Daisuke: So this is the Digital World, huh? It's not that different from our wor-- Oh?

Daisuke stops in his tracks, staring at the bizarre sight of a vending machine sitting out in the woods in the middle of nowhere.

Daisuke: What is this doing he-- WAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!

Following in Mimi's footsteps, Daisuke approaches the vending machine only for Numemon to suddenly spill out of it and swarm him.

Takeru: Ahahahaha!!! Hikari: Ehehehe.... Daisuke: IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!

Fortunately for Daisuke, these Numemon seem to just be in a goofy mood and do not drown him in a poop flurry. They go on their merry way and leave him relatively unharassed.

Once Daisuke's back on his feet, the trio gets back on the trail.

Daisuke: So those things were Digimon? Hikari: There are all kinds. Some are cuter! Takeru: And some are scarier!

The way these two dingdongs are bouncing off of each other with wordplay doesn't translate perfectly. The Japanese words for cute and scary are 可愛い kawaii and 怖い kowai respectively. So their lines, Romanized, are:

Hikari: Motto kawaii no mo! Takeru: Motto kowai no mo ne!

Which is fun.

In the dub:

Kari: It's over this way. Davis: This place doesn't seem so scary. The way Tai put it, there were monsters everywhere. ...huh!? (Vending machine) Davis: Hey guys, check it out. There's a vending machine. I am a little thirsty. Huh. (Davis falls for the Numemon trap) Davis: AAAAAAAAAUGH!!! T.K.: Ahahahaha! Kari: Hehehe... Davis: (sarcastic) Ha ha. Very funny! (The Numemon depart) Davis: So were those things Digimon? Kari: Yep. There's tons of other ones too. A lot cuter than those. T.K.: And a lot scarier ones too! Davis: ...do they all come out of vending machines?

The dub adds quite a bit to Davis's lines but it's good stuff. I like the idea that Tai talks openly about his experiences in the Digital World. Like. Why wouldn't he? We all saw the other world appear in the sky and then a rift tear open in time and space, right? There are not enough Men in Black in the world to Flashy Thing that away.

Similarly, Davis's closing line is a valid question for someone with his limited experience to ask.

While the younger kids are tracking Taichi, Taichi is tracking them with Agumon, Patamon, and Tailmon in tow. The two groups meet in the middle.

Taichi: We're close-- Patamon: Ah! TAKERU!!! Takeru: Patamon!

Leaving Taichi behind, Patamon flies straight into Takeru's arms. Daisuke has a minor panic attack behind him, but Takeru and Hikari are thrilled to see their Digimon again.

Takeru: Long time no see! Hahahaha! Taichi: Guys! You came to help! Daisuke: Taichi-senpai! You're safe! Taichi: (stunned) Eh!? ...W...Why is Daisuke here!?

One of these people wasn't on the guest list. Though this did happen because Taichi fucked with that artifact so he really has no one to blame but himself.

Tailmon's turn! She leaps into Hikari's arms.

Tailmon: Hikari! Hikari: Tailmon!

Hugging her Partner, Hikari suddenly realizes that Tailmon's Holy Ring is now missing from her tail.

Hikari: What happened?

Flashing back to the start of the episode, Unimon's shot hits Tailmon dead-on and slams her against a tree. Unimon approaches, rearing up on their hind legs to stomp on her. Tailmon rolls away to safety, but her tail doesn't make it in time. The ring stops Unimon from crushing her tail and allows her to escape, but she loses the ring in the process.

When we return, we're now in the cave with the mysterious Courage artifact, where Tailmon finishes her story.

Tailmon: Somehow, I was able to escape. That human who calls himself Digimon Kaiser is brainwashing the Digimon.

In the dub:

Tai: They're real close by... There! Patamon: T.K.!!! T.K.: Patamon! (Patamon flies into T.K.'s arms) T.K.: Boy, am I glad to see you! Hahahaha!

Minor note: In the original, Taichi's looking down at his Digivice when Patamon suddenly senses Takeru nearby and flies off. Taichi then sprints off and follows Patamon to the others.

In the dub, Tai seems to be the first to spot them. This is despite the fact that he's looking down at his Digivice, and that he has to turn a corner in order to reach them in his next shot.

Tai: Hi, guys! I'm glad you all made it! Davis: Tai! I told those guys you'd be alright! Tai: Uh... Davis? What are you doing here!?

As with the departure scene, we really don't get the sense of how sincerely worried Daisuke was for Taichi-senpai from Davis's flippant dialogue.

Gatomon: KARI!!! Kari: Hahahaha! Gatomon! (Kari notices the missing accessory) Kari: Huh!? Your tail ring.... Tell me what happened.

The flashback proceeds with no dialogue, as in the original. Except for Unimon calling Horn Blaster when firing his shots.

Gatomon: One day, this bossy human appeared and began making Digimon into his slaves. He said, "I am the Digimon Emperor!" I heard we're all gonna have to punch a timeclock too.

Oh, shit. Quick, Gatomon! Unionize! It's your only hope now!

Gatomon neglects to mention that the Digimon being enslaved are under mind control. But we've seen the effects of those black rings for ourselves so we can make the connection.

As Tailmon finishes her story, the others have questions.

Takeru: A human? There's other humans here besides us? Tailmon: Yeah. He had a different kind of Digivice than the one Hikari has. Takeru: Is that....

Takeru and Hikari both look at Daisuke. It takes him a moment realize what they're waiting for, but then he fishes his alternate model of Digivice out of his pocket.

Daisuke: Like this? Tailmon: That's it! It was just like that! Daisuke: But this just flew out of the computer a couple minutes ago!

Daisuke, kinda panicking, backs up a few steps from the rest of the group. Implicitly, he seems to be worried that he just self-incriminated as the Digimon Kaiser.

Taichi, however, begins putting the pieces together.

Taichi: (thinking) That was one of the three lights that flew out of here. Daisuke has it... Does that mean... Daisuke is a new Chosen Child?

Meanwhile, back in the human world, Koushiro has to face the wrath of a Miyako who is not convinced by his poor lies.

Miyako: Where did everyone go? Koushiro: T-They all went home! Miyako: Liar! You're definitely hiding something, Izumi-senpai! What is the Digital World!? What is a Digimon!? Koushiro: Well, it's just-- Miyako: What is this!?

Miyako holds out her Digivice for Koushiro to see.

Koushiro: Why do you have this? Miyako: Iori has one too. Iori: (in the hall, on the phone) Yes, there's been a small change of plans. No, I'll come get the ohagi you worked so hard on.

So that makes four new Digivices that are now in play, but only three came out of the artifact. The Digimon Kaiser's came from somewhere else.

In the dub:

T.K.: Another human!? You mean that someone else comes here besides us!? There goes the neighborhood... Gatomon: Yeah. And he's got this strange new Dark Digivice that makes us unable to Digivolve. T.K.: (to Davis) Show her yours. Davis: Huh!? (Davis fishes his Digivice out of his pocket) Davis: Like this one? Gatomon: That's it! You work for the Digimon Emperor! Davis: WHAT!?!? I don't work for anybody! Besides, mine's not dark! I just got this thing when it came out of the computer! Tai: (thinking) So that's what came out of the egg when I picked it up: Three new Digivices! But why did Davis get one? What's his purpose in the Digital World? And more importantly, who got the other two Digivices?

Tailmon says nothing about a Dark Digivice or the Digivice making them unable to evolve. (Yet.) Only that there's a human menacing them with the same Digivice that Daisuke has.

The mention of the Dark Digivice makes it hard to buy that Davis could be the guy. He even points out that his Digivice is the wrong one, and the others seem to agree given that Gatomon only accuses him of "working for" the Emperor. The implied accusation is that Davis is him.

As a result, Gatomon's accusation comes out of left field. We already agree that Davis's Digivice is not the one that the Emperor has. So. What are we doing here, then?

Yolei: Where did everyone disappear to, Izzy!? Izzy: I-I told you already, Yolei! They went home! Yolei: I'm not letting you off the hook that easy! I know you're hiding something from me, Izzy! Now what is the Digital World and what exactly are Digimon!? Izzy: I-I don't know what you're talking about! Yolei: (holds up Digivice) Then what do you call this!? Izzy: (gasp) Where'd you get that? Yolei: Cody's got one as well. Cody: (in the hall, on the phone) No, Yolei's not coming over. We have to stay after school for computer club. But since you made the brownies, I'll come home and pick them up first.

Solid.

Back in the Digital World, discussion of the Kaiser continues.

Tailmon: That Digivice seems to be the reason that we can't evolve! Taichi: So that's what it is. Agumon: If only I could evolve, I'd mess him up!

Unbeknownst to the group, one of those black rings floats through the cave, making its way inside with them.

Tailmon: Because I lost my Holy Ring, my power's been cut in half. Patamon: And we got separated from Piyomon, Tentomon, and the others. Hikari: (furious) A human who's hunting Digimon!? Becoming king of Digimon!? That's ridiculous!

Tailmon losing half of her power is the in-universe justification for why she, a Digimon who is naturally Adult-stage, is now on the same level as Patamon, Agumon, and the rest. For story balance reasons, this is a nerf.

In the dub:

Gatomon: The Dark Digivice is draining our power and making us all as weak as newborn kittens! Tai: That's why you couldn't Digivolve! Agumon: Yeah! If I could Digivolve, he wouldn't stand a chance! Gatomon: The Digimon Emperor uses these powerful Dark Rings to control the Digimon. Patamon: Yeah, that's right! And once the ring captures you, you're enslaved for life! Gatomon: These collars do everything but get rid of fleas. Kari: (furious) Digimon Emperor! I'm gonna slap a Dark Ring on him!

They stay on-script until Gatomon's second line, then deviate to exposit about the Dark Rings. Fortunately, Izzy wasn't able to make the trip so the dub-exclusive exposition is, at least, fairly accurate.

Meanwhile, in his control room, the Digimon Kaiser is watching all of this unfold.

Kaiser: Hmhmhmhm! So you say. But this is just a game, and I can't stand rude trash who don't even know how to have fun.

He would get along well with Pinocchimon. The Digimon Kaiser is an antagonist who has aged very well, in this modern day of toxic gamers dunking on each other out of spite.

The Kaiser raises his finger and a set of buttons appears in the air in front of him.

Kaiser: I'll delete you.

He presses a button, pulling up an image of Monochromon.

Kaiser: Go, Monochromon!

Elsewhere in his base, he has a variety of captured Digimon crammed inside of tiny cells. A light shines inside Monochromon's cell and the ceiling opens. A platform raises Monochromon up into the world above, to carry out the Kaiser's wishes.

Every time I see the Digimon Kaiser's operation, I can't help but think he's a deliberate Shots Fired at monster-taming games like Pokemon, Dragon Warrior Monsters, or some of Digimon's own games. Our Chosen Children have raised their Virtual Pets with love and care, while this guy's out here playing Gotta Catch 'em All.

He wants to be the very best, like no one ever was.

In the dub, the Emperor responds to Kari saying she'll slap a Dark Ring on him.

Emperor: Hmhmhmhmhmhm... Oh, you think so, do you? Well, this is just a game to me. And I'm afraid that if you can't play by my rules, I'm just going to have to disqualify you. (Emperor brings up the console) Emperor: Hmm, who will destroy you. Eenie meenie miney mon! (beep) Attack, Monochromon!

This is an example of why foreknowledge of the series is useful during translation. When the Emperor says "This is all just a game to me," that's how the dub team interpreted the line "This is just a game". They're playing it for aloof condescension. Which, in a vacuum, is a reasonable interpretation. It sounds like evil banter. That is something a villain might say.

But no, he means that literally. The Kaiser thinks he's playing an immersive video game. He's not being dismissive of the situation; He's watching the kids talk about how mad they are at him and going, "What a bunch of salty tryhards! They're mad that I'm winning."

Back in the cave, the kids study the Courage artifact again.

Takeru: That... Isn't it the Crest of Courage? Taichi: Yeah, and it's really heavy.

Not taking Taichi's word for it, the others decide to try their luck picking it up. Takeru makes the first attempt but, despite his best efforts, he can't lift it.

Takeru: It's true! Hikari: Even though it's so small? (Hikari tries and fails as well.) Hikari: What is going on!? It doesn't even budge! Daisuke: I can handle a little thing like that!

Daisuke steps up to take his turn. He steels himself, squares his stance, and squats down to grip the artifact. Preparing himself for the ordeal, he musters his strength. Then he lifts.

It comes up so easily that he knocks himself over and falls on his ass.

Daisuke: WAUGH!!! Atatatat... Ugh, what the hell!? It's practically weightless! Taichi: (stunned) ...Daisuke....

Okay but Hikari loosened it up for him.

The dub slips a commercial break in here between the release of Monochromon and return to the cave. We return on quips.

T.K.: Looks like a deflated beach ball! No wonder; It's got a spike through it! Tai: Yeah. Plus, it's heavier than my mom's meatloaf! (T.K. tries to lift it and fails) T.K.: It won't budge! Kari: Move aside; This is a woman's job. (Kari tries and fails as well.) Kari: Urrrrrgh.... T.K.: Too bad we don't have a woman here to help! Davis: Guys, I pump iron all the time! Let me do it! (Davis pops it off, no problem, and falls on his ass) Davis: Whoa! ...what did I tell ya? Light as a feather. You guys need to work out a little more. Tai: There's a problem!

Dub T.K. in here delivering a "Sora will remember that"-worthy dig at Kari. Rude. Also, given that he has the same spindly little limbs as the rest of the cast, I find Davis's claims suspect.

I don't like that the dub cut the funny bit where Daisuke falling on his ass both hurt and pissed him off. I do, however, like the flippancy with which he dismisses the others' strength, blissfully unaware that this is a Thor's Hammer situation.

Taichi marveling at Daisuke's accomplishment is changed out to Tai noticing our next development.

Beneath where the artifact had been sitting is a hole in the ground. Orange light pours out of the hole and a figure slowly takes shape inside of it.

The figure is a Digimon, who throws himself at Daisuke with a familiar enthusiasm.

Digimon: Hooray! You did it! You did it! You moved the Digimental! I'm V-mon! What do they call you? Daisuke: D... Daisuke....

So already we see some differences between V-mon and a traditional Partner Digimon. He wasn't... programmed or what have you with Daisuke's personal metadata like the Partners were, and consequently isn't able to recognize Daisuke on sight.

Going into his rundown, V-mon is a Child-stage Free-attribute Small Dragon Digimon. The Free attribute means this Digimon does not fit into the Vaccine/Data/Virus triangle. It's something from outside that standard. Babies are typically Free attribute, but it's unusual for an older Digimon to be, and further hints that something's off about this Partnership.

V-mon debuted right here in the anime, but this isn't the first we've heard of such a creature. Nature Guardians featured the Adult Digimon V-dramon and Perfect evolution AeroV-dramon as Vaccine evolutionary paths for Piyomon, alongside Birdramon and Garudamon.

V-mon is clearly meant to be associated with those forms - Though, surprisingly, they will not be his evolutions in the series.

Narrator: V-mon! A naughty and mischievous Small Dragon-type Digimon, but with a strong sense of justice. He defeats his enemies with his special attack, a powerful headbutt called V-mon Head.

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel for things to name attacks.

V-mon: It's great to meet you, Daisuke! I've been waiting for you for a long time! Daisuke: Eh? Waiting for me? V-mon: Yeah! I've been waiting for the child who could move the Digimental of Courage! Taichi: (thinking) Digimental of Courage? If Daisuke moved it, then that means--

Taichi doesn't get to complete that thought, because suddenly the cave shakes. The Kaiser's fury has arrived.

Like most proper nouns, the word Digimental comes straight out of the Katakana デジメンタル Dejimentaru and is not a translation of anything. It's a composite of the brand's "Digi" with "elemental".

In the games and V-Pets they feature in, a Digimental can be used to imbue a Digimon with the power from the associated Crest. In theory, any Digimon that can use a Digimental could have a Courage form and a Purity form and a Hope form etc. etc. using one of these.

But the show character-locks them like the Crests which kinda defeats the purpose, and modern games have more or less done away with Digimental evolutions that don't feature in the show. Unfortunate, because they're one of the coolest ideas in the franchise.

The franchise didn't commit to them so now they're just a gimmick, adding extra steps to unlock a handful of Digimon that won't be very useful in late-game stuff anyway.

In the dub:

Digimon: Yahoo! Free at last! Free at last! You moved the Digi-Egg. My name is Veemon, but you can just call me Veemon! Davis: ...hi, I'm Davis.... Agumon: (rundown) I've heard of Veemon! Supposedly, he's a fun-loving adventure-seeking little Digimon that brings you good luck! But I thought he was just a legend! Veemon: Nope, I'm real, alright! And I've been waiting a very long time to meetcha, Davis! Davis: Uh, I think you've got the wrong guy. Veemon: Nope, you're the one alright! Because you're the only one who was able to move the Digi-Egg of Courage. Tai: (thinking) That's right! Even though I have the Crest of Courage, I couldn't move the Digi-Egg. But Davis could....

Hard to do a diegetic rundown for a Digimon that no one's ever met before, but Agumon throwing in "I thought he was a legend!" helps cover that. Though his explanation of V-mon being a mischievous prankster but with a strong moral fiber leaves much to be desired.

"Brings you good luck"? Agumon, what the fuck? In his defense, he's just reciting legends so maybe some details have shifted over eons of Telephone Game. XD

The more glaring issue is that they refer to Digimentals as Digi-Eggs. This is despite the fact that Digitama are already Digi-Eggs. Using the same terminology for both conflates things in a way that was very confusing to my childhood brain.

Uh-oh, out of time! The cave shakes violently.

Taichi: W-WAUGH!!! Daisuke: What the-- An earthquake!? Takeru: No! Up there!

Takeru points up through the little hole in the ceiling, where the Kaiser's Monochromon has arrived. It forces its way through, breaking the hole open further to grant it passage.

Monochromon: RRRRAAAAAAAAGH!!! Daisuke: WAHHHHHHHH!!! IT'S A MONSTER!!! Hikari: That's a Digimon too. Takeru: It's Monochromon!

As in the first series, Monochromon is an Adult-stage Data-attribute Ankylosaur Digimon. Fun fact, the Japanese word for ankylosaur is 鎧竜 gairyuu which translates literally to "Armored Dragon".

Narrator: Monochromon. An Adult-stage Digimon whose horn and shell are as hard as diamonds. Their special attack is an intensely hot fireball called Volcano Strike.

The original rundown mentioned that Monochromon is docile, but attacks relentlessly until their enemy is defeated if angered. This one foregoes that information in favor of explaining that they shoot fireballs.

Makes sense. Under the effects of the black ring, Monochromon's behavioral patterns aren't as important as they were on File Island. The fireball is more situationally relevant right now.

In the dub:

Tai: AUGH!!! Davis: What's that, an earthquake!? T.K.: No! Look up there! (Monochromon breaks through) Monochromon: RRRRAAAAAAAAGH!!! Davis: IT'S A MONSTEEEEEEEER!!! Kari: No, that's a Digimon! T.K.: Monochromon! T.K.: (rundown) Monochromon! His shell is harder than diamonds! His attack, Volcanic Strike, sends out millions of fireballs!

It does not. T.K. is embellishing to freak out Davis and that's very rude of him.

I do like using the veteran kids to deliver the diegetic rundowns, but I don't know why you would have him say this. We're going to see Monochromon use Volcanic Strike five seconds from now.

The Digimon give their best attempts at resisting Monochromon.

And by best attempt, I mean Patamon and Agumon fire off shots that glance harmlessly off Monochromon's diamond hide. Monochromon closes their eyes, braces themself, and tanks their shots without flinching. Meanwhile, Tailmon hangs back and provides moral support.

After weathering their attacks, Monochromon opens their mouth and prepares its Volcano Strike. Which would, y'know, be really bad in a confined space like this.

Takeru: That won't work! Run for it! (flees) Hikari: (flees) Taichi: DAISUKE!!! (flees)

Taichi's voice shakes Daisuke out of his shocked Freeze reaction and he joins the others in Flight. As the kids make it into the tunnel, Monochromon lets off Volcano Strike. The fire explodes at the entrance to the room, but the kids are already on their way down the tunnel.

V-mon: Daisuke, what are you doing!? Quick, you have to find your Courage! Daisuke: What are you on about!?

Monochromon races down the tunnel, nearly catching Daisuke and V-mon, but they emerge from the tunnel into daylight ahead.

As usual, the dub has Monochromon call Volcanic Strike as he shoots, even though this is a non-verbal Digimon.

Monochromon: VOLCANIC STRIKE!!! T.K.: Come on, let's go! (flees) Kari: Ah!!! (flees) Tai: Davis! (flees) (Davis shakes out of it and runs too) Veemon: Davis, hurry up and open the Digi-Egg! Davis: I don't know what you're talking about!

Neither of V-mon/Veemon's comments are super helpful.

Daisuke exits the cave, reaching the top of a hill, but Monochromon doesn't follow him out.

Daisuke: Huh? What happened? Taichi: (at the bottom) Daisuke! Over here!

Taichi tries to warn Daisuke to keep going, but only winds up distracting him. From inside the cave, Monochromon fires off another Volcano Strike.

V-mon: DAISUKE!!!

V-mon tackles Daisuke, shoving him down the hill as the fireball shoots past. Somehow, it then descends the hill so it can keep going at the lower ground level, and nearly hits Hikari too.

Daisuke survives the fall, just a bit roughed up, but his goggles shatter when he lands.

V-mon: Are you okay, Daisuke!? Daisuke: Yeah... Thanks.... V-mon: Daisuke, if you'd just find your courage... if you'd just say "Digimental Up"....

Yeah, the Not Magical Girls now have henshin phrases to go with their activation tools. It's definitely not Magical Girls though!

Taichi runs over to Daisuke.

Taichi: Daisuke! Are you okay? Daisuke: Y-Yes.... V-mon: Say "Digimental Up" and I'll be able to evolve! Taichi: What did you say!?

"Digimental Up" is English. Well, as English as the made-up nonsense word "Digimental" can be. But the "Up" is the English word.

Agumon emerges from the woods, along with Takeru and Patamon.

Agumon: TAICHIIIIII!!! Takeru: Hikari-chan's leg!

A short distance away, Hikari's seated on the ground, rubbing her ankle.

Tailmon: Hikari.... Hikari: It's just a little twisted.

Ah, the twisted ankle. A classic debilitating injury for female characters specifically in order to justify while they'll be helpless and vulnerable for a while. We see a lot of that one in media.

Suddenly, Monochromon lunges. Bounding off the cliff, they hurdle the boys and go straight for Hikari. Fortunately, I guess they leap straight into a time vortex left behind by Apocalymon 'cause it's gonna take them a full minute to land that jump.

Hikari: (terrified gasp) V-mon: Hurry! Taichi: Daisuke! Daisuke: Hikari-chan...!

Daisuke stands up, whips the broken goggles off his head, and throws them to the ground.

Daisuke: I'll try it. Taichi: ... Daisuke: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

In the dub:

Davis: That was close! Tai: Davis! Get down here! (Fireball. Veemon says nothing and pushes Davis down the hill) Veemon: Davis, tell me: What hurts? Davis: Everything but my earlobes. Veemon: You control the Digi-Egg of Courage! You've got to use your courage to open it up! (Tai emerges from the woods) Tai: Davis, get up! It's not safe! Davis: Uggggh... Okay.... Veemon: I can Digivolve if you open the egg, but you have to have courage to do it! Tai: It's worth a try! (T.K., Agumon, and Patamon emerge from the woods) Agumon: TAIIIIIIII!!! T.K.: We've gotta get out of here! (Cut to Kari) Gatomon: Kari? Kari: I can't move my ankle! Tai: We're sitting ducks here! (Monochromon lunges) Kari: (gasp) Veemon: Davis! Tai: Have courage! Davis: Kari's in trouble! (Davis stands up and discards his goggles) Davis: You want courage!? I'll show you courage! Digi-Armor Energize!

"Digi-Armor Energize" is the dub's version of "Digimental Up", but it's a little awkward because nobody told Davis how to do this. All he's been told is to open the egg with his courage, with no practical instruction on the procedure.

V-mon, ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Typically, a Digimon evolution only has them give their name at the finish, but Armor Evolutions get titles. This one is Blazing Courage Fladramon. Fladramon's evolution also gives us our first listen of "Break Up", the new "Show Me Your Brave Heart".

Fladramon introduces himself by bringing Monochromon down with a headbutt.

Taichi: He evolved!? Takeru: ... Hikari: ... Daisuke: Amazing!

Fladramon is an Armor-stage Free-attribute Dragon Man Digimon. The Armor stage exists outside the typical level-up hierarchy. Armor Digimon are typically treated as being on the same level as Adult Digimon, though some are far beyond.

Narrator: Fladramon. An Armor-stage Digimon who evolved from V-mon with the Digimental of Courage. Its special attack is Fire Rocket, which wraps its body in flames to pulverize its enemy. Kaiser: (control room) Armor Evolution, huh? The power from my Dark Digivice should have prevented him from evolving. Hm... They're pretty good, aren't they?

Demonstrating exactly how good they are, Fladramon stops Monochromon's charge and then hoists the colossal creature into a suplex.

The dub calls him Flamedramon, the Fire of Courage.

Tai: Armor Digivolve!? T.K.: ... Kari: Huh!? Davis: Whoa! What's that!? Flamedramon: (rundown) I am Flamedramon. As Veemon, I used the Digi-Egg of Courage to Armor Digivolve. My Fire Rocket attack will charbroil the enemy like a well-done steak. Emperor: Armor Digivolve, huh? Against the power of my Dark Digivice, they shouldn't be able to Digivolve at all. Hmm... They're more resourceful than I thought....

As Monochromon charges, the dub starts up Run Around, the replacement song for Hey Digimon which is honestly much better than Hey Digimon. Kind of a banger. They got the sound right for Badass Fuck 'em Up Song this time.

Monochromon may be down, but they're not defenseless.

As Fladramon tries to close distance, Monochromon lets off consecutive shots of Volcano Strike to keep him at bay. Fladramon stays on approach, punching the attacks out of his way.

Monochromon rises and charges, slamming their head into Fladramon and flipping him up into the air. Fladramon recovers in the air, powering up Fire Rocket and engulfing himself in flames.

Tailmon: Aim for that black ring!

As requested, Fladramon slams a blazing headbutt into the ring. It shatters, releasing Monochromon.

With the enemy defeated, Fladramon reverts. The energy from his armor goes into Daisuke's Digivice, then shoots over into a portable communication device in his pocket similar to the ones that Taichi and Koushiro have. Raising further questions about where these devices came from.

Daisuke takes it out of his pocket and flips it open, seeing the egg-shaped Digimental now stored on his screen. Meanwhile, V-mon returns to his base form and Hikari pets the previously rampaging Monochromon.

Hikari: You're okay now.

Now that the peril is over, her Convenient Damselizing Injury has recovered just fine.

In the dub:

Gatomon: Barbecue that Dark Ring, Flamedramon! (Flamedramon frees Monochromon and reverts, giving Davis his new gear) Kari: (petpet, cooing) That's a good Monochromon.

Small change: Tailmon directing Fladramon where to attack is now Gatomon cheering on the attack Flamedramon was already lining up. Remember that V-mon just got here and has zero context for why this Monochromon is attacking them. So far as he knows, this is just a brawl with some asshole who wants to fight.

Returning to the Digimon Kaiser's control room, a small caterpillar Digimon crawls in unnoticed.

Kaiser: It looks like I'll have to play seriously against you guys. Digimon: Ken-chan....

Takeru and Hikari see Monochromon off on their way. Hikari waves goodbye.

Takeru: To turn such a docile Digimon into a ferocious minion....

V-mon shakes hands with Daisuke.

V-mon: One more time, it's nice to meet you, Daisuke. Daisuke: Yeah! Taichi: (approaches) That was amazing! Armor Evolution! Agumon: We can't evolve, but your power could defeat the Digimon Kaiser! V-mon: Yeah! Leave it to me!

The dub puts its final commercial break here, and then we return to the Emperor's control room.

Digimon: You summoned me, oh evil emperor? Emperor: I believe that we've found ourselves a worthy foe at last. Digimon: Great! Just one question... What's a foe?

This is completely wrong. The Kaiser doesn't acknowledge the caterpillar's presence, and he certainly isn't going out of his way to interact with him. At the same time, the Digimon demonstrates a close connection by addressing the Kaiser by his real name, while in the dub he simply banters with the Emperor as an evil minion to an evil overlord.

Dub team has completely misjudged the relationship here.

Kari: Goodbye, Monochromon! Don't forget to write! T.K.: I can't believe the Digimon Emperor can turn such a nice Digimon into such a nasty creature!

This part's solid.

Veemon: Nice workin' with ya, Davis! Let's do it again sometime. Davis: Great! Tai: Hey guys! That Armor Digivolving was pretty cool! Agumon: Even though the rest of us can't Digivolve, I know that you new guys will be able to defeat the Digimon Emperor with no problem! Veemon: Yeah, leave it to me.

Also solid.

It's at this point that Taichi comes to a fateful decision.

Taichi: Daisuke, you really are a new Chosen Child. From now on, you will protect the Digital World.

He takes off his goggles and hands them over to Daisuke.

Taichi: Here. These are my goggles. Use them.

I mean, the mini telescope would probably be a lot more useful but sure. Thanks. Daisuke dons the goggles, accepting his role as Taichi's successor.

Hikari: They suit you, don't they? Daisuke: Eh? (smiling) You think so?

Once that's settled, they notice that the sun's going down.

Patamon: We should be safe now. Takeru: Eh? Why's that? Tailmon: The Digimon Kaiser doesn't come out at night.

It's almost like he has a bedtime schedule or something.

In the dub:

Tai: Davis, I think you were really brave back there in that battle but I noticed that you broke your goggles. And, as we all know, the leader of the DigiDestined just wouldn't look right without them. So here, I want you to have mine. (Davis puts on Tai's goggles) Davis: Wow... Kari: They look real cute! Davis: (embarrassed) Haha....

"The leader of the DigiDestined"? It's his first day, Tai. What the fuck.

In the original, he's just being inducted as "one of us now" but the dub goes full-on "Meet the new boss, everybody!"

Kari's line changes from a meta commentary on how Daisuke fits the role of the Taichi character to just. Flirting. I guess.

Patamon: Good! The sun's going down! Now we can relax. T.K.: Why's that? Gatomon: The Digimon Emperor never appears at night.

Straight translation.

Well, if it's getting late, we should probably get going too.

Agumon: Hey, Taichi, don't you have to be heading home soon? Taichi: Oh, that's right. I hope the Gate hasn't closed yet. (to Daisuke and the others) Where did you guys come from?

The kids lead the way back to their access point. Along the way, they can hear Iori and Miyako with Koushiro on the other side of the Gate.

Miyako: Aww... You're so late, Iori.... Iori: I couldn't help it. I had to go get the ohagi. Koushiro: This ohagi is delicious!

As the kids approach, we finally see what the Gate looks like on this side: It's a little TV displaying the human world from the connected monitor.

The trio back in the human world are taking their sweet time, enjoying their sugary confections from what appear to be takeout boxes.

Miyako: Ahhh, that was so good! So, should we get going? Koushiro: Eh? To where? Miyako: (points at the screen) Isn't that obvious? The Digital Wor--EUGH!?!?

Glancing at the screen, Miyako realizes that Daisuke, Takeru, Hikari, and Taichi are all visible in the Gate's little viewing window.

Daisuke: Hey! It's me! It's Daisuke!

The Gate activates. The children turn into light and are absorbed by the TV in the Digital World, making the return trip back to the human world. They explode out of the computer monitor, landing in a heap on top of Koushiro, Miyako, and Iori.

Agumon: @_@ It just sucked them in....

From here, we close out on the Digimon Kaiser, alone in his command center.

Narrator: And so Daisuke and the others returned to the real world. But who is this Digimon Kaiser who appeared all of a sudden? Now, a new adventure was about to begin.

Lot of unanswered questions hanging in the wake of these events.

In the dub:

Agumon: Excuse me, Tai, but it is getting late! Don't you guys need to go home soon? Tai: We sure do, but I'm not even sure if we can get home. (to Davis and the others) Be careful. Never stay too long. (They head back to the Gate) Yolei: Hey Izzy, Cody's back. Can we go to the Digital World now? Izzy: The Gate might close. It's not safe. Cody: But at least I got the brownies! Izzy: Mmmm, this is the best thing I've ever tasted! Yolei: Hey, what does it mean when the light on that thing goes on? Izzy: What thing? Yolei: That thing on the computer. I just saw the light go on--WAHHHHH!!!! (Yolei sees the others inside and freaks) Davis: HEY!!! Guys, let me in! It's Davis! (Davis and the others warp through the Gate) Agumon: ...you don't see that every day.... (dogpile in the human world) Izzy: GET OFF!!! YOU'RE CRUSHING MY BROWNIES!!! (Digimon Emperor) Emperor: Mhmhmhmhm.... Narrator: While Davis and the others have returned to the real world, the Digimon Emperor was planning his next attack. Can the DigiDestined stop him? A new adventure has just begun on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

Dub seems more interested in fighting the Emperor than figuring out his identity but this is pretty solid. Though Yolei gets an actual "No" from Izzy about going to the Digital World; It's funnier in the original, where Iori's ohagi errand has eaten up their entire window of opportunity and now it's just too late.

Assessment: We are off on a new adventure and you can already feel how different things are going to be this time around. We get to go home at night! We can just pop into the Digital World for a plot and then fuck right off.

Just from that alone, there's some "I had to fight Digimon uphill in the snow both ways! Kids these days!"

This episode is mainly an introduction to the new status quo. New villain, new circumstances, new protagonists. We'll be getting to know Miyako and Iori better in episodes to come, but Daisuke gets a lot of focus for this one.

[rhapsodynew]

#everything you need to know about rock

David Gilmour. (part 1)

Wild Jokers: A Career before Pink Floyd

David Jon Gilmour was born on March 6, 1946 in Cambridge, England. His parents encouraged his interest in music and in '54 he acquired the single 'Rock Around the Clock' by Bill Haley [Bill Haley and The Comets].

David: "I'm not sure if 'Rock Around the Clock' was the first record I bought, but it was definitely one of the first."

'Heartbreak Hotel' and 'Jailhouse Rock' Elvis [Elvis Presley] and 'Bye Bye Love' The Everly Brothers drew his attention to the guitar.

David: "I liked the Everleys. When I was 13, I borrowed a Tatay Spanish guitar with nylon strings from a guy next door. They gave it to him, but he had no hearing, and he didn't need it. I never got it back." I started playing, and my parents were delighted. We had a musical family — my parents sang, my brother played the flute and my sister played the violin. They bought me a Pete Seeger Teaches Guitar tutorial with a set of records for it."

Rado Bob Klose, future member of The Tea Set, an early incarnation of Pink Floyd]:

"We listened to Radio Luxembourg. Let's hear a song and think, 'How do I play it?'. I remember David playing 'Walk Don't Run' The Ventures, as soon as I heard it."

David also liked Leadbelly], Sony Terry], Brownie McGhee], Howlin' Wolf], Hank Marvin, lead guitarist of The Shadows], and later, he discovered Bob Dylan], whose record his parents brought from America.

David: "I was interested in a wide range — from blues to folk and pop music. Hank Marvin with elements of Dylan Leonard Cohen] and Leonard Bernstein]. Also Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie]."

At the age of 11, David met Roger 'Syd' Barrett, the future guitarist/vocalist of Pink Floyd and Roger Waters, the future bassist/vocalist of Pink Floyd, who went to school next door.

Rosemary Breen, Sid's sister]: "In '61, Clive Welham, the future drummer of Jokers Wild] brought Gilmore to a jam session at Sid's house. They played 'Twenty Flight Rock' Eddie Cochran] and immediately became friends. David came to us often, he and his brother had a lot in common. He was quiet, shy, laconic, but very charming."

In '63, he began studying modern languages at the College of Arts and Technology. He did not complete the course, but learned to speak French fluently. He and Barrett, who studied there, played guitars and harmonicas between lectures.

David: "We played Bo Diddley and 'Come On' The Rolling Stones, The Beatles songs, various blues. We could also play The Shadows instrumentals like 'Apache' for hours."

Stephen Pyle, Gilmore's classmate]: "I've never seen him without a guitar."

At the end of '62, Gilmore became a member of the local band The Ramblers, which included John Gordon, rhythm guitarist] and Clive Welham.

Clive: "We were a semi-professional band, but David was just amazing. A year before that, he didn't play so well, but he worked a lot on technique."

Rick Wills, bassist, future member of Jokers Wild; later worked with Peter Frampton], Roxy Music, Small Faces, David Gilmour, Foreigner and Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Jones Gang, etc.:

"I often met Dave at the music store. Sometimes we wouldn't leave without playing all the guitars that were there. But Dave sometimes seemed arrogant to me. He had this expression on his face: 'I know everything.'"

At the same time, Gilmore was performing with another local band, The Newcomers (July -October '63).

Ken Waterson, vocalist of The Newcomers:

"David had a beat—up Burns guitar and a lousy amp, but even then one thing was clear - he was good."

Gilmore's next band was Jokers Wild * in '64 with Dave Altham vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist and saxophonist], John 'Willie' Wilson, drummer, later worked with Syd Barrett, Al Stewart], Cochise, Quiver, the Sutherland Brothers, David Gilmore, Pink Floyd, etc], Tony Sainty, bassist], who was sometimes replaced by either Rick Wills or David's brother, Peter Gilmour].

Dave Oltham: "We were told about this guy, and we went to see him in a pub on Newmarket Road. The band was about nothing at all, but he played well. I would say emphatically. We asked him to play with us and he agreed."

Their strong point was the vocal harmonies of all five members.

David: "We were quite popular because we played modern dance music, which is what people wanted to hear back then."

Clive: "Wilson Pickett's hit] 'The Midnight Hour' ('65) was his best vocal number and David played a brilliant solo in it on his fiery Hofner Club 60 flame timber] The girls were delighted."

Dave Oltham: "David could listen to a song four or five times and then play it, note by note."

In August '65, Gilmore and Barrett played 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' and 'Help' The Beatles on acoustic guitars on the streets of Saint Tropez.

David: "I hitchhiked to the south of France, and Sid came with a friend ** in his Land Rover. I joined them at the campsite where they lived. I remember we went to play in Saint Tropez one day, for fun, and we were arrested for playing without permission. They were released on the promise to get out of the city immediately. We had a great time."

Around the same time, both Gilmore and Barrett, in Cambridge, first tried LSD, hashish and 'magic' mushrooms. David hadn't even smoked marijuana before.

David: "It was a very deep experience."

There was not enough money and Gilmore then took on any job; he delivered wine, sold hot dogs, shipped sheet iron and even worked a couple of times as a model for Varsity magazine.

John Gordon: "Dave always looked more sophisticated than Sid [Barrett]. He looked like a college student from America; white Levi's and all that. The girls liked him."

Christine Smith, at that time a 17-year-old fan of Jokers Wild]: "All the girls were crazy about him. We called him Adonis." ***

In '65, Jokers Wild self-financed the recording of their only album and single 'Don't Ask Me (What I Say)'/'Why Do Fools Fall in Love'. 50 copies of the single and 50 copies of the album were printed. ****

David: "We recorded covers from our live set."

1. Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Frankie Lymon/Herman Santiago/ Jimmy Merchant) 1:51 (hit by American band Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers '56; cover based on the Beach Boys'64 version)

2. Walk Like a Man (Bob Crewe/Bob Gaudio) 2:14 (hit by the American band The Four Seasons '63)

3. Don't Ask Me (What I Say) (Paul Jones) 2:55 (song from the album by the British band Manfred Mann 'The Five Faces of Manfred Mann' '64)

4. Big Girls Don't Cry (Bob Crewe/Bob Gaudio) 2:19 (hit The Four Seasons '62)

5. Beautiful Delilah (Chuck Berry) 2:03 (Chuck Berry song '58; cover based on The Kinks'64 version)

"It was an act of vanity. We went to London and recorded 5 songs at the Regent Sound Studio on Denmark Street, without having the slightest idea what we were doing. We had fans in Cambridge and then we sold them to them. I still have a master tape lying around somewhere."

The band's popularity on the local scene grew, they opened concerts by Animals and Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, The Paramounts (an early incarnation of Procol Harum, performed and jammed with Paul Simon and The Tea Set, later known as Pink Floyd. Some sources claim that at some stage Dick Parry also played in the band [Dick Parry, saxophonist who later worked with Pink Floyd, The Who, Quiver, Paice Ashton Lord, David Gilmore, etc.)

To be continued...

From books: Comfortably Numb the Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake, Da Capo Press, 2008; Pink Floyd: The Early Years by Barry Miles, Omnibus Press, 2011 interviews with Gilmore, Oltham, Brin and Wills]

[sparkliest-bard-bracket]

Congratulations to ✨FREDDIE MERCURY✨ for being crowned the ✨SPARKLIEST BARD✨ in all the land!!!!

🎶HE. IS. THE CHAMPION. 🎶

Over the course of this bracket, he has faced off against many worthy bards, including an inter-dimensional storyteller, multiple irl musical artists, an immortal musically talented war criminal, and a muppet, and he proved himself to be the most sparkliest of them all.

Excellent singing, excellent piano playing, excellent songwriting, excellent fashion sense, and overall ~glamour~, Freddie Mercury has it all. Here are some of my favorite of Freddie's bardly moments, and feel free to reblog and add your own to celebrate our Bardly Champion!:

And to honor Freddie Mercury's wonderful legacy, I present my favorite Bohemian Rhapsody video ever -- he didn't even need to be alive to have a concert!:

And while we celebrate and throw a Queen-themed party for our Champion of Bards, do not forget to give a round of applause to all of the incredible bards who participated in this bardly showdown!! You can find all of their names and fandoms, along with the full completed bracket under the cut :D

That's all from me for now, folks!! I may make a poll for 3rd place if people are interested, and if people are very enthusiastic, I might make a round 2: fictional characters only! Lemme know if you'd be interested in either of those things, and thank you oh so much for your support through this whole bracket, and have a wonderful day all you fantastic bards and bard fans!!!

Complete Bracket in image format:

And the names and fandoms of all of our bards from the whole bracket!:

Jareth the Goblin King (Labyrinth)

David Bowie (Real Life)

Thom Merrilin (Wheel of Time)

Gurney Halleck (Dune)

The Bard/Kiwi (Wandersong)

Daeron (The Silmarillion)

Callie Cuttlefish (Splatoon)

Finrod (The Silmarillion)

Apollo/Lester Papadopoulos (The Trials of Apollo)

Apollo (Greek Mythology)

Bill Cypher (Gravity Falls)

Chong (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Max Rebo (Star Wars)

Edgin Darvis (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves)

Dimentio (Super Paper Mario)

Will Scarlet (Robin Hood)

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (The Muppets)

Link (The Legend of Zelda)

Katalina (Tabletop Time)

Starling Birdsong (Realm of the Elderlings)

Orpheus (Greek Mythology)

“Weird Al” Yankovic (Real Life)

Dave BruBot/The Major Player (Toontown: Corporate Clash)

Carrie Wilson (Julie and the Phantoms)

Kvothe (The Kingkiller Chronicle)

Elan (Order of the Stick)

Raz'ul, Son of Daz'ul (BomBARDed)

Edward Chris von Muir (Final Fantasy IV)

Binary Bard (Poptropica)

Christian (Moulin Rouge)

The Bard (Shovel Knight)

Fflewddur Fflam (The Chronicles of Prydain)

Man with the Harmonica (Once Upon a Time in the West)

Kyoami/The Fool (Ran/King Lear)

Diedrich Knickerbocker (Headless: A Sleepy Hollow Story)

Hannah Montana (Hannah Montana)

Bard the Bowman (The Hobbit)

Leliana (Dragon Age)

Sprig Plantar (Amphibia)

Lucifer Morningstar (Lucifer)

Neil Banging Out the Tunes (Tumblr)

The Muses (Disney Hercules)

Robinton (Pern)

Thistle/Sissel (Delicious in Dungeon)

Loquatius Seelie (Critical Role)

Cicero (Skyrim)

Michael Jackson (Real Life)

Oli/TheOrionSound (Empires SMP)

Megamind (Megamind)

The Onceler (The Lorax)

Mettaton (Undertale)

Gamzee Makara (Homestuck)

William Shakespeare (Real Life)

William Shakespeare (Something Rotten)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Classicaloid)

William Shamspeare (Ace Attorney)

Marceline the Vampire Queen (Adventure Time)

Brook (One Piece)

Gerard Way (Real Life)

Sea Hawk (She-Ra and the Princess of Power)

Snufkin (Moomin)

Frank Sinatra (Real Life)

Lias "Cliff" Bluestone (Discworld)

Rick Astley (Real Life)

Alan-a-Dale (Robin Hood)

Essi Daven (The Witcher)

Lúthien Tinúviel (The Silmarillion)

Stefen (The Heralds of Valdemar)

Roman Sanders (Sanders Sides)

Remus Sanders (Sanders Sides)

Bard (Crypt of the Necrodancer)

Kass (Legend of Zelda/Breath of the Wild)

Steven Universe (Steven Universe)

Glenn Close (Dungeons & Daddies)

Miss Piggy (The Muppets)

Nydas Okiro (Critical Role)

Charlie Pace (Lost)

Dob the Half-Orc Bard (Oxventure)

Kitagra (Kings of the Wyld)

Kaylie Shorthalt (Critical Role)

Father Gabriel (The Mission)

Gabrielle the Battling Bard (Xena: The Warrior Princess)

Haer'Dalis (Baldur's Gate)

Tsukasa Tenma (Project Sekai: Colorful Stage!)

Tom Bombadil (The Lord of the Rings)

Sylvando (Dragon Quest 11)

Steve McKenzie/Jester (Galavant)

Gieve (The Heroic Legend of Arslan)

Jaskier/Dandelion (The Witcher)

Kubo (Kubo and the Two Strings)

Guiliastes/Gui (1/2 Prince)

Rocky (Lackadaisy)

Asmodean (Wheel of Time)

Neil Cicierega/Lemon Demon (Real Life)

Kermit the Bard (Tales of Tinkerdee)

The Pied Piper (The Pied Piper of Hamelin)

Venti (Genshin Impact)

Sir Robin's Minstrels (Monty Python and the Holy Grail)

Oscar Wilde (Rusty Quill Gaming)

Franz Liszt (Classicaloid)

Eddie Munson (Stranger Things)

Puss in Boots (Shrek)

Freddie Mercury (Real Life)

Hoid/Wit (Cosmere)

Noise (Roleslaying with Roman)

The Amazing Devil (Real Life)

Klavier Gavin (Ace Attorney)

Rickety Stitch (Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo)

Ron Stampler (Dungeons & Daddies)

Thancred Waters (Final Fantasy XIV)

Raine Whispers (The Owl House)

Jack Black (Real Life)

Scanlan Shorthalt (Critical Role)

Éile (The Witcher: Blood Origin)

Hap Gladheart (Realm of the Elderlings)

Alastair Nobledrifter (Saving Throw - DnD Podcast)

Maglor (The Silmarillion)

Bill & Ted (Bill & Ted)

DJ Cadence (Club Penguin)

Imp Y Celyn (Discworld)

Bard Otter (The Last Dragonlord)

Yara of Nowhere, the Wandering Bard (A Practical Guide to Evil)

Dorian Storm (Critical Role)

Maria von Trapp (The Sound of Music)

Demyx (Kingdom Hearts)

Hisirdoux "Douxie" Casperan (Tales of Arcadia: Wizards)

Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)

BMO (Adventure Time)

[homestuckreplay]

TITLE DROP MOMENT !!!!

(pages 82 + 307)

Today's page HIT, because there's nothing I love more than when stories have patterns and structures, and getting the Rose/Act 2 equivalent of the title card in act 1 is a great example of that. The flash animations aren't beat for beat identical, but they hit almost all the same moments - main character gazing at the sky despite obstruction (beaglepuss, blinding rain), view of what they see in the sky, slow zoom out as main character gets smaller and smaller, exterior shot of character's house.

Rose's flash feels a little more complex and detailed with its storm and meteorite effects and increased shading on the clouds and house, which is probably the author getting more confident with the medium. John gets to see the 'Homestuck' pixel clouds in the sky - which I do think are literally there, because they're not depicted as a computer interface the way every other abstraction is - while Rose doesn't. It could be obscured by clouds, but as the word has been so specifically and uniquely associated with John (despite Rose also being stuck at home) I think that's something that's specifically above his house, just for him.

Wind skims the voids keeping neighbors apart, as if grazing the hollow of a cut reed, or say, a plundered mailbox. A familiar note is produced. It's the one Desolation plays to keep its instrument in tune. (p.82)

Somewhere a zealous god threads these strings between the clouds and the earth, preparing for a symphony it fears impossible to play. And so it threads on, and on, delaying the raise of the conductor's baton. (p.307)

The music imagery in these descriptions and in the act titles is very compelling, especially combined with John and Rose both being gifted musicians. If I'm not mistaken, a piano can be made with reeds that are struck when the keys are pressed, while a violin has strings - so their paragraphs refer to their chosen instruments.

They also fit together really nicely. From Wikipedia:

In some choral works, the conductor may signal to a pianist or organist to play a note or chord so that the choir members can determine their starting notes. Then the conductor gives one or more preparatory beats to commence the music...The beat of the music is typically indicated with the conductor's right hand, with or without a baton.

So the 'note desolation plays' is the one the pianist plays to determine starting notes, and the 'raise of the conductor's baton' is the preparatory beat. John, the piano player, is coded as Desolation, not just someone who is experiencing depression but is actually embodying it, while I think there's an argument for Rose as either the conductor or the zealous god threading the strings? I'm interested in if there will be a moment that feels like the currently delayed 'raise of the conductor's baton' for the story, because if it wasn't the meteor impact at the end of act 1, then what could it be?

I also can't wait for an act 3 equivalent of this. If John successfully convinces TG to be Rose's server player, maybe TG will get his own atmospheric musings and role to play in the symphony. Then again, as far as we know he's not a talented instrumentalist, he's a shitty rapper, so maybe the vibe will be completely different. (As for GG in act 4, I think they play the harmonica).

what does it mean when the characters gaze up at the sky

Rose and John both have misattributed quotes on their pages - Rose's claims to be Charles Barkley, but is actually T.S. Eliot (easy mistake). Both their quotes have strong nature imagery - John's mentions wind and flame, Rose's, plants and rain - and both quotes relate to life/death or proliferation/destruction dichotomies, as well as intense emotions - John's mentions passion and Rose's, desire. Could be some Themes being snuck in here.

There's also a lot of Themes in John and Rose gazing up at their respective skies. It feels like them fully comprehending their situations for the first time, a moment of clarity where they're literally opening their eyes, and seeing a world much bigger and fuller than the ones inside their house. The sky is a vast expanse of unknowns, something not easily traversable by humans without mechanical aids, it's where the gods and the heavens are rumored to be and, for some people, the place they'd like their souls to go after death. Gazing open eyed into the weight of all that at once while the end of the world looms overhead is definitely powerful.

As such, I like that this page came out by itself, and I get to sit with it for a day. Page 82 was quickly followed up by 'Leave a surprise for the mailman' which, firstly, we all need to respect our mail carriers, but secondly is a huge tone shift. That's not bad in itself but I'm glad for the comic to let itself be earnest for a moment before that happens.

I haven't double checked, but this might be our first zoom out on Rose's house, and it's even wilder than I imagined? Entire floors held up on stilts, windows as wide as the walls, a giant waterfall in the basement, three or four different wings plus the observatory tower, and a fucking platform with no safety rails leading across the rocky cliffs? This place is not safe for kids and it definitely isn't up to any kind of code. No wonder Rose expected John to walk across such a narrow bridge to retrieve his dad's PDA. She literally does that every day on the way to school. Also, her mom doesn't have a car despite living in a rural area, and the mausoleum is SO far from the house. What, is someone scared of being haunted by the ghost of a dead cat?

[becki-here]

Guys do you think the Once-ler can play other instruments besides the guitar?

Bc it seems for me that he tried a lot of different instruments but he could afford only guitar plus it's not that difficult to learn and I believe he truly loves its sound.

But I want to think that he plays something like a melodica too?? Because it's harmonica with keyboard, what can be better? It sounds suitable for him, just look at this.

He could play some folk songs with it or his own silly melodies, just like with guitar. But he also could play it when he feels like express his feelings through this. I can imagine how he just sits on his bed or chair to look in the window, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time, randomly pressing accords or playing arpeggio in some minor key. He makes the melodica sound heavy and a little wistful, playing some simple slow motif.

I know it's all VERY contrived but I guess it's just an interesting topic to think and come up with headcanons.

[2demondogs]

You, Covered in Spring | Hosea/Dutch

Tags: Drabble, fluff, young VanDerMatthews, drunk foolery Word Count: 753 A/N: Hosea seems like a piano guy. Finding GIFs is fucking hard bee tee dub dubs.

The small piano is old, although it is new to the saloon. Hosea had struck up an unfortunate conversation with the barkeep on the matter; it sobered him painfully from the comfortable buzz he'd been drifting on for the last hour.

He was tipsy, didn't give a damn who Shelby is and what his Pa sold the thing for; he just wanted to play the godblessed piano.

Fingers feeling as rusty as the key levers beneath the top, the extra shot of whiskey is the only thing staving off a rather uncharacteristic anxiety. 

Dutch went to the restroom, and Hosea supposes he'd gotten lost around the staircase, considering it's been a half hour with no sign of that brand-spanking-new, gaudy purple vest of his. It fits him nicely, so nicely — he cracks his knuckles as he slides onto the bench, shakes his hands free of the moderate ache it sparks in his joints — his neck warms at the thought of how it hugs his ribcage like a second skin.

Dutch knows how fine he looks, is especially aware of it as drunk as he was when Hosea last saw him. He doesn't worry he'll bed someone else; he doesn't really mind, so long as he gets a piece.

The cringe as he presses a key is hard to fight off — it is loud, and makes a few saloon-goers turn their heads. Thankfully, it's dim inside, and they can't see the burn of his neck; it's less excusable by drink than the flush on his cheeks, and for some reason the shame in his skill seems shameful in and of itself.

Closing his eyes, he lets his hands wander, feel. The gentler he presses the keys, the louder they seem, and he punches them instead, perhaps too rough. He readjusts when the ivory hits the wood too loud, too many times.

Soon, muscle memory has taken over his fingers and his mind. Clementine was the first song he'd learned all the way through, decades ago in his very first theatre group — they needed an organ-grinder, so to speak, and at the time he was the least convincing face they had on deck.

Late-teenaged Hosea was fine with that. He liked learning, although he would've preferred to learn how to lie with his eyes.

Eyes that must be glazed over, now, unwatching of the wall in front of him and instead seeing in his mind the cluttered costume closets of that backstage and the young, bright faces of the fresh adults he'd somehow found himself scowling between; he wishes, at times, he'd been a little—

"Thou art lost 'n' gon' for'ver."

Hosea nearly jumps out of his skin, overwhelmed with the saloon coming back into shape around him. That gaudy purple vest is by the piano, and he skips a note in his surprise; really, he should've seen Dutch standing just at the edge of his vision, but it's his voice that shocks him more.

He's never heard him sing, he realizes. Hosea is not a musician, not truly, and he does not play guitar or harmonica at their campfires. Neither does Dutch. The only music he ever seems interested in is wordless, or operas.

Now that he thinks of it, he'd pay good money to hear Dutch try to belt out one of those.

His voice is rich with alcohol and smoother than usual. They meet eyes, Dutch grinning broad around the words of a song not worth a smile; herring boxes with-out topses. He's gotten another drink, leans himself on the top of the piano as if it is belongs to him and Hosea is his paid entertainment — though the look in his eyes would suggest he were paid for something quite different.

Hosea returns his gaze to the keys; drove she ducklings to the water. Now that he's focusing, although not very well given that he cannot pay too intense an attention without fumbling the notes and rhythym, he hears other, very slurred voices join Dutch's. Fell in' the foamin' brine, ruby lips above th' wah-ter.

His own partner's words are sloshing some, his voice cracking handsomely around every few lines. How Hosea loves his crackling timbre, how it makes him sound his age for once instead of tired and dreadful like himself.

It loosens his collar, and he smiles wide when Dutch holds his glass to his mouth — wine, not his choice, but it burns pleasantly and the bitterness offsets just how sweet he feels meeting Dutch's crinkled, drink-bleary eyes.

[myargalargan]

Hello everyone! I am back on my overanalyzing bullshit with the third installment of my episode-by-episode analysis of Bridgerton’s season 3 Classical music soundtrack! 

Here is the very short playlist of Classical pieces used in episode 3, in the order they appear in the show:

Schubert’s String Quartet No. 13 in A Minor, D 804, Op. 29, No. 1 “Rosamunde”: IV. Allegro moderato

Mozart’s String Quartet No. 15 in D Minor, K. 420: I. Allegro moderato

Joseph Lanner’s Abendstern Walzer in G Major, Op. 180

But rest assured, the relatively small number of pieces used in this episode has not stopped me from reading too much into things! And I have decided that this episode and its soundtrack are all about desire, and the game we play with ourselves trying to cover up our desires with decorum. And that starts with the piece that plays as Benedict and Tilley introduce themselves to each other at the Innovations Ball, the fourth movement of Schubert’s String Quartet No. 13. 

When I first started reading about this movement, I initially latched onto something a couple articles mentioned about the influence of folk music on this piece. Apparently Schubert’s usage of grace notes in this movement is reminiscent of traditional Hungarian or Andalusian music—specifically Romani music—and because the piece plays during this flirtatious romantic encounter, I thought maybe there’s something here about the exotic appeal of the music mirroring the exotic appeal of the surprising Lady Arnold. 

But the more I listened to the music, the more I started to notice something completely different. Something a bit more primal. This piece of music? Sounds like breathing.

There’s something about the jerky rhythm and close harmonies of the opening lines—a motif that’s repeated throughout the piece—that brings to mind the back-and-forth inhale-exhale of discordant harmonica playing, or the labored heaving of a bellows. There are other moments of sharply syncopated rhythms, especially those where the musical line jumps upward suddenly in pitch, that sound like stuttered gasps. Right in the middle of the piece, the opening theme repeats, but not until after a couple false starts, as if we’re stopping every few measures to catch our breath. And I can’t help but think of Colin shooting out of his bed after his dream of ravishing Penelope, panting. Or Penelope practically hyperventilating after nearly getting run down by the hot air balloon because she’s too distracted looking at Colin’s arms. Or the two of them, gaping at each other open-mouthed and speechless after Colin approaches her at the ball. 

This episode plays around with the idea of our “innate animal impulse” and “the battle between man and nature,” as Lady Whistledown so eloquently puts it, in several ways…

There is, of course, Colin’s carnal and involuntary dream, which he tries unsuccessfully to repress. And Penelope’s paralyzing lust that ends up quite literally putting her in direct confrontation with man’s innovation. Then there’s Debling himself, othered by his peers for rejecting what the rest of society thinks of as a natural instinct to eat meat. Even the Feathington side plot has an element of this theme, with Varley and Portia attempting to use a potion to impose their will (man) onto the sex of Prudence and Philippa’s babies (nature). 

But let’s revisit Benedict and Tilley for a moment. As they are formally introduced to one another, Schubert’s heaving breath of a quartet plays in the background, and it is during this scene that a clear mutual attraction is established. In fact, Tilley admits openly that her attraction to Benedict is rooted in something rather base and animalistic: watching Benedict while he, as he puts it, “tugged on a rope.” Immediately after this scene, we get another very interesting dichotomy and source of tension about what is “natural”: during Benedict and Tilley’s dance scene, Tilley turns Benedict around, reversing them so that she’s in the leading position. It’s clear Benedict is a little befuddled by this at first, but after a moment he smiles and allows himself to give in to the moment and to his desire. Which is, of course, just the beginning of Benedict opening up to his desires in all sorts of other ways as the season progresses. Compare this to Colin who despite being extremely desirous of Penelope at this moment is still holding himself back. (And similarly with Penelope, also clearly desirous of Colin but still convincing herself that she needs to seek a practical match elsewhere.) In the battle between man and nature, Benedict has let nature win; Colin is still embroiled in conflict.

The Benedict-Tilley dance scene transitions then to Will Mondrich and his bar. This is only a short interlude, but it’s yet another example of this battle playing out—the Mondriches, thinking they have the freedom to do whatever they want, to do what comes naturally to them, but finding that they are still bound by societal obligations that feel anything but. It’s also the scene where the next piece on our playlist, the first movement of Mozart’s String Quartet No. 15, is introduced. It starts while Will is being told that “everything has limits” and carries us into the next scene, which I think is a really cool musically narrative way to connect the Mondriches’ conflict around desire to Colin’s. Because what’s the next scene, during which our Mozart quartet features prominently? Colin’s bravery speech. 

I absolutely love the use of this Mozart quartet for this scene. The music itself is dark, it’s dramatic. Full of heavy chromaticism (usage of notes that do not occur naturally in the key), falling octaves and semitones (which sound a bit like plaintive wailing), and pulsing repeated eighth notes (like a quickened heartbeat), one reviewer described this piece as being “perhaps the most intense quartet in general before Beethoven.” Like the earlier Schubert string quartet, this piece is in a minor key, but unlike the Schubert, Mozart’s is one of only two of his twenty-three string quartets written in minor, which I think emphasizes the purposefulness of this selection. And the broodiness of the music underscores the moment perfectly… 

Colin is surrounded by ladies who are all fawning over his heroics with the hot air balloon earlier that day, but he’s thinking only of Penelope. Yet he cannot go to her. Decorum demands it. Penelope herself asked for distance. But he’s unable to resist completely. Mid-conversation with the other ladies, he seeks her out in the crowd, drawn inexorably and irrevocably to her, and when at last he finds her, their eyes meet across the room. Sound muffles, hearts pound. He wants her. He pulled on that damn rope for her. And yet she is one of the only women in the entire room not following him around like a feral groupie. Not only that, but after his little speech, which is also essentially for her benefit, she turns away from him. And worst of all, she’s turning away from him to go to another man! Cue the plaintive wailing.

As soon as Penelope leaves, Colin can no longer stand to engage in social posturing, and he excuses himself. The quartet ends as Penelope approaches Debling, and then we get a very raw, honest, and brave confession from Penelope about her true self. Notably, this speech is accompanied in the background only by the low murmuring chatter of the other guests at the ball—no music. Until Debling says, “I do not wish to court someone exactly like myself,” at which point the last piece on our playlist, Lanner’s Abendstern Walzer (which translates to “Evening Star Waltz”), begins to play.

Musically, one thing I find interesting about the use of this piece along with the other two on episode 3’s playlist is the prevalent use of grace notes throughout the melody. Earlier I mentioned the “exotic” use of grace notes in the first piece, the Schubert string quartet; and although the Mozart quartet doesn’t make use of grace notes quite the same way, the usage of trills is constant. In trying to tie all these pieces to an overall theme of visceral desire, I've likened these musical ornamentations to a fluttering pulse. (Anyone else out there get heart palpitations? 😅) And I think this fits especially well given that the non-musical audio track is already playing around with heartbeats during Colin’s bravery speech.

But another thing I like about the use of the Abendstern Walzer here is simply that it’s a waltz. There’s only one other waltz on the season 3 soundtrack, in episode 6; otherwise the Classical soundtrack is made up primarily of string quartets. What makes the usage of a waltz so interesting? Well, much as it might seem like a kind of stuffy old-fashioned genre of dance nowadays, during the Regency period, the dance was regarded by many in high society as quite scandalous (something I actually first learned from @constitutionalweasleymonarchy 's fabulous Harry Potter Regency AU The Pride of Burrough House!) due to the closeness of the pose (holding each other by the waist?? *gasp*!!). 

Now, we’ve seen a lot of close dancing positions throughout the Bridgerton series, so I don’t think the dance itself is actually seen as indecent in this universe, but I do still like the idea of the waltz as a symbol of intimacy (and perhaps a bit of forbidden intimacy, at that). Especially because we hear it in a moment of growing intimacy for Debling and Penelope and Colin and Penelope. 

For Debling and Penelope, this moment is an explicit shift in their relationship—it’s clear now that Debling intends to court Penelope exclusively. The music starts up the moment he mentions courting, and plays as he hands the lemonade intended for Cressida to Penelope instead, the two of them looking smilingly into each other's eyes while they drink.    

For Colin and Penelope, this moment also marks an explicit shift—it’s the moment Colin has finally accepted that he wants more out of his relationship with Penelope. He’s been desperately desiring Penelope throughout the entire episode, but this moment is when he finally decides that he actually wants to do something about it. The waltz plays throughout his conversation with Violet about friendship being the foundation for great love, and ends abruptly after Violet says, “Because he gathered the courage to ask.” 

And yet, even as Colin appears to gather his courage, he still cannot take his own advice to be honest about his feelings and “do anything.” Even though he approaches Penelope head on, there’s still something in his way that causes him to hesitate. At first it’s something internal—whether he’s just too distracted by Penelope’s mouth to get the words out or there’s some lingering fear of rejection—and then it’s very much external, in the form of Debling taking Penelope’s hand to dance. Earlier I wrote: “In the battle between man and nature, Benedict has let nature win; Colin is still embroiled in conflict.” And we see that clearly in this moment. He ultimately lets some amount of pride and/or decorum get in his way. Much as one might declare the waltz forbidden in their dance hall because it’s too risque for polite society.

Thankfully, by the next episode, silly things like honoring proper social etiquette are no longer going to get in Colin’s way. 😉

Before I close out, I want to take a moment to appreciate what an abundant musical feast we get in just the last eight minutes of this episode. At the 43m mark, the Mozart quartet begins. Shortly after that piece ends, we get the Lanner Abendstern Walzer. Almost immediately after that piece ends, we have season 1 throwback “Call Me Simon” playing in the background as Colin approaches Penelope and Lady Whistledown’s voiceover about man vs. nature begins (which I also really, really love as a musical choice and wrote about here). This then fades directly into the Vitamin String Quartet cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” while Colin tearfully watches the love of his life dancing with another man (and, I may be wrong because I don’t know nearly enough about dance, but I think Penelope and Debling are actually dancing a waltz?? Someone who knows more than I do please let me know, though!), carrying us straight through to the devastating end credits smack at the 51m mark.   

It’s just…*chef’s kiss*! What a way to use music to tell a story. I’m obsessed with these last few moments of episode 3—this has definitely been one of my favorite installments in this analysis series (the other one I’m really super looking forward to writing is episode 7; I can’t wait) and I hope you enjoyed it, as well!

♥

Research for this post!

Schubert’s String Quartet No. 13: https://www.earsense.org/chamber-music/Franz-Schubert-String-Quartet-No-13-in-a-minor-Op-29-No-1-D-804-Rosamunde/

Schubert's String Quartet No. 13: https://www.allmusic.com/composition/string-quartet-no-13-in-a-minor-rosamunde-d-804-op-29-mc0002395237

Schubert's String Quartet No. 13: https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dw.asp?dc=W8413_67585

Schubert's String Quartet No. 13: https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dw.asp?dc=W1644_GBAJY1301017

Mozart's String Quartet No. 15: https://higherrevelations.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/endless-cycle-an-analysis-of-mozarts-string-quartet-no-15-in-d-minor-k421/

Mozart's String Quartet No. 15: https://www.earsense.org/chamber-music/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart-String-Quartet-No-15-in-d-minor-Op-10-No-2-K-421/

Lanner's Abendstern Walzer: https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.573552

Lanner's Abendstern Walzer: http://unravelingmusicalmyths.blogspot.com/2018/02/joseph-lanner-und-der-walzer-key-that.html

[awkwardchaosposts]

Icarus and his fool

Sherlock Holmes x Golden retriever!male reader (part 2)

TW: none

*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°

Stroh, Baroque,Electric. Sherlock didn't like change but he had found an interest in the new selection of violins.

He was busy admiring a certain classic edition when something startled him.

What on earth was that noise?

"You" his gaze narrowed. It's like you were some curse haunting him. A very cheerful curse he had to admit.

But that only made it worse. It was obnoxious. No one had a reason to be that happy.

"Hi" you greeted with excitement. Meeting a busy man like Sherlock once was a happy coincidence. Meeting him twice was a miracle.

"What's this?" he raised an eyebrow at the card you not so sneakily tried to get in his pocket.

"My business card. You never called me about that interview"

"I never intended to"

He moved around the shop only to be followed by you like some persistent pest. "Why not? You said you'd think about it"

"Perhaps I lied"

"Why?"

Unlike Sherlock you found this little chase game rather amusing,following him around the shop without complaint. Blissfully unaware that you were the sole reason for the man's grumpiness.

"I have an Iq of 230. Why would I punish my intelligent brain with an interview" he said as if it was the most dreadfully boring thing.

Sherlock's hands trailed over the spines of the record players that were proudly displayed in the middle of the shop on well kept shelves. Distracting himself as he waited for an insult,a comeback,just something that would prove you're not as idiotically pleasant as you seemed.

Instead he got an amused "Ok" and the most dreadful sound as you tried out an instrument you managed to get your hands on.

"What on earth are you doing?"

"I'm making music"

He scoffed. How dare you slander the name of music like that?

"I guess we should add the meaning of music to the list of things you seemingly don't understand"

Your grin made him confused in ways that made his blood boil. Sherlock liked being in control. He could predict everyone's moves and know everything about them with just one look. But you. You were another story.

"I'll be taking that" he took the harmonica from you just as you were about to resume playing it

Your excitement shone like the sun.

"You're going to buy it for me?"

"What? No. Absolutely not"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Will that be all?" the cashier asked after putting the harmonica and violin in one bag.

"Yes" he muttered,avoiding your giddy smile.

Weak. His mind degraded himself as he handed the young lady at the counter his debit card.

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[marimayscarlett]

They all said the band could continue depending of which member would leave. Rammstein sound is Paul, Flake and Oliver first, lyrics and voice, Till. I believe if Schneider or Richard left, the band could continue with new members. Most famous riffs are from Paul after all, and the slow songs are from Oliver. Many guitarists could do as much as a good job as Richard and I doubt the majority of the public would notice outside the fandom. From Flake himself : depend on who's leaving.

Hi 👋 (

Wow, ok, there's a lot to unpack here. I'll try to work my way through it. (This is long, and I don't expect anyone to really read this.) I have to admit, I was a little taken aback when I opened this ask. In my opinion, it is strange and quite presumptuous for an outsider and a person who has no part whatsoever in the creative process of this band, to presume to be able to assess who in the band is dispensable. Following the logic of your thought process, in the sense of "many guitarists could do as much as a good job as Richard", you are discrediting any creative input and output this man has ever done in Rammstein, Emigrate and any band he was in before. That seems pretty unfair to the founder of a band you seem to like. (And interesting that once again the criticism is aimed at Richard - this man gets that from fans quite often...). Schneider also seems to find no mercy in your eyes and seems replaceable to you.

What I'm missing in your overall thought process, which looks at the matter from a purely technical point of view, is the interpersonal relationship between the members, the creative influence on one another, the support, the exchange of ideas between them which brings up new ones - all these factors which play a role in making the music what it ist.

I also find the statement that the quiet songs are from member x and the riffs from member Y too simple. Rammstein always emphasize how much of a democratic system they are, it's well known how many influences go into the songs. Sure, many components of the songs come from ideas of the individual members, and yet I think your statement is too short-sighted, that's not how songwriting works at Rammstein (something Richard also had to learn). A few examples that show how diverse the influences in the creative processes of the songs are:

In the song 'Engel', a riff from the song 'Be up to know' by Orgasm Death Gimmick is used - Richard's old band.

The song 'Mutter' dates way back - a first instrumental version was found on a demo tape by Richard from 1994. He himself mentioned he wrote this song for a wedding.

The song 'Heirate mich' reuses a riff from the song 'Klaus Kinski' by the Magdalene Keibel Combo, Flake's and Paul's old duo. Another riff which dates back to this Combo is used in 'Herzeleid'.

A little example for the band's creative instrumental process in a song: In 'Los', Till plays the harmonica, Olli couldn't stand it, Paul liked it and fought hard for it. Schneider contributed a lot to the aesthetic of the song with his blues guitar skill.

For 'Du hast', Flake and Richard largely contributed - the song is build on synth sequence by Flake and a riff by Richard.

The musical idea from 'Mein Teil' comes from Paul.

'Wilder Wein' was written musically and lyrically by Till (to impress the ladies).

A big joint project of the band was 'Deutschland', based on a demo tape by Richard, who was thinking of his family when writing the song.

While this wonderful post (@namelessrammgirl sure has a way with words 🤍) today listed what each band member contributes to the band, I'd also like to let the guys speak for themselves on the subject of the band ending and leaving - as we all know this has been a recurring theme:

Richard doesn't totally believe that the band can function if one member leaves. However, he says that looking back at music history, something like this always works, but the old chemistry is no longer there. He is very open about the fact that he would be ready for something other than Rammstein and would try out new things. He also talks about a rule within the group that if one of them quits, they continue to participate financially - so the subject of leaving (not only for Richard, who has often entertained this idea) was probably a general topic in the band. [source]

"As long as we feel that the ship is still sailing and the port has not yet been reached, we will continue. But if we were to enter a port, I wouldn't be sad." This statement comes from Paul. "We haven't talked specifically about an end yet, but we are aware of the fact that Rammstein is a finite story, even if there is no plan for it yet." This statement is from Schneider. [source] Both make it clear that Rammstein will come to an end for them at some point, Paul also mentions in this interview that the untitled album contains "truly a lot of blood, sweat and tears, anger and stress", Richard mentions that his ideas, even though he got on really well with Paul, were criticized a lot - as you can see, things are always bubbling in this band. It's not a question of who can do what technically well, there's a lot of interpersonal stuff at play here, which makes the band uniquely successful and the work in it uniquely difficult.

So while we shouldn't look at everything through rose-tinted glasses, the potential issue of 'who leaves the band and how do they move on afterwards' should absolutely and only be a matter for the people involved. We as fans should, in fact, be happy and grateful that after 30 years, internal conflicts, accusations and a terrible year 2023, this band still manages to work together, give us tours and unique music. It's always easy to moan and make suggestions for improvement - but in my opinion, it's not at all helpful.