#hes a very intricate and complex character with FLAWS

[mizmatched]

The way the pjo fandom treats nico diangelo makes me want to slam my face into a wall

[agnese11212]

Why do you like husk so much.

Husk: A Symphony of Complexity and Warmth

he literally stands out, not just for his visual appeal, but for the depth he adds to the narrative. A character that exudes an enigmatic charm. With his expressive eyes and distinctive attire, he captures the hearts of many.

Husk is like a book waiting to be read - every episode reveals another chapter of his intricate story. His struggles are relatable; they mirror the trials we all face, making him a character that viewers can not only enjoy but also connect with on a profound level.

His fur, painted with hues of brown and adorned with patterns that tell tales of his journey, is reminiscent of autumn – warm and inviting yet filled with the mystery of change. The red band around his eyes isn’t just an accessory; it’s a window into his soul – passionate and fiery.

Every movement Husk makes is poetry in motion; there’s grace in his ruggedness and elegance in his strength. He’s not just viewed as a character on screen but as an entity that lives and breathes amongst us - touching our lives with his unspoken words and unexpressed emotions.

Though Husk may have a rugged exterior, beneath it lies a heart rich with layers of complexity and warmth. He’s not perfect - but it’s in those imperfections where true beauty lies. Each flaw tells a story of survival, resilience, and undying spirit.

In one episode in specific, you can see him try to bring the best out of Angel, because Charlie told him to, but it's like he also kinda went there on his own accord because he knows people are at their most emotional when broken down and his trying to bring out his real self, Anthony, and not Angel with his fake personality behind his act as a pornstar which is very interesting

after they had that intimacy, you can see Husk most of the time near Anthony in some way and he does so many things for him you won't even notice, like pour him a drink when he didn't even ask for one, smile in his direction, its amazing.

In the end, Husk is more than just a character in a show. He’s a testament to the human spirit, a symbol of resilience, and a beacon of hope. He’s a character that is perfect in his imperfections, loveable in his gruffness, and relatable in his struggles. He is, indeed, a pookie bear.

[blackcurrantsworld]

If the story of Harry Potter had been written for adults, it should have been written from Snape's POV or at least have been Snape centric simply because his character was the simgle most complex and layered and oh so very intricate to navigate in depth. His backstory, his flaws, his ambitions, his mistakes and repentance, his reasons, his personality as a whole, and of course, the fact that he was a double agent and and antihero.

It would have been a fantastic read to see him juggling everything, and also, would have given us a better insight into his relationships with people, past and present.

Somebody write a damn fanfiction for this please 😭

[miraamio]

The two faced spectre and his poor guise of duplicity

jujutsu kaisen as a manga is very carefully curated to lay some of the key themes out. For characters like Gojo, and Geto, it takes a painstaking amount of care to carefully lay out the intricate details and nuances of both their characters and their relationships and the inherent symbolism in it. Something as such would convince you that Jujutsu kaisen is very generous with its explanation of themes to its readers. However, I think this act of laying bare the key details is what really tricks the readers and convinces them into believing Sukuna is a standard, evil character. With no real motives or purpose, just simple need for violence.

Sukuna’s curation, by far, consists of the most intricately picked out details that intentionally create a barrier between him, the reader and the characters he interacts with. He belongs to an ancient era, much of what he speaks is often lost in translation to the sorcerers and curses of the current era. You may find a lot of Japanese speakers/readers break down multiple panels of Sukuna’s speech bubbles and more often than not, his speech bubbles dissect to give us a deeper, more complex dialogue which neither the reader nor the listening character will grasp at first. This barrier of language is intentional to create an air of mystery and confusion on both ends, it tricks the readers and the characters in verse into believing Sukuna as a being is shallow enough to simply fight for the hell of it.

A very essential part of Sukuna’s character is his curiosity. He is curious, at his very core. He is curious to test someone’s limits, to see how far can someone really go, how far can they be pushed? He is curious about human food (cue to him trying and disliking popcorn) His curiosity is a very significant cause that steers him into battles. He treats every opponent differently, he praises some, he belittles some, he encourages some. It’s his way of understanding and testing the true limits of his opponents. He praises Jogo, Kashimo, he asks Higuruma to heal himself, he acknowledges Gojo when the narrative itself brushes past his death. His candidness in every character interaction during a battle is what makes him raw and hard to stomach beyond the surface level.

Sukuna is both similar to, and different than gojo. In a way they're perfect anti parallels to one another. In their shared loneliness and dehumanisation, they find a common ground. Yet it is also what differentiates them. Gojo's isolation renders him impenetrable by those around him, so he becomes a pillar that ensures the security of the jujutsu society, despite acknowledging its flaws, his existence on the mounted platform makes him shoulder the burden of being a beacon that needs to guide his students in order to bring about a change. However, Sukuna's loneliness is a trait that had been engraved into his being from his time in the womb itself as a taboo child. So his isolation as the strongest only strengthens his beliefs of living as he chooses to. Which is why there is a stark contrast in the two panels between Gojo and Sukuna wherein both are titled as the honoured ones.

Sukuna is a very refined character. He recites haiku in midst of his battles, he knows poetry, he knows the language of flowers and knows archery. He praises the moon during his fight with Jogo whilst simultaneously belittling him.

Sukuna’s character often comes with an air of duplicity. It’s not greatly intended on his part but rather something that is reinforced by Gege. Its a very funny way to trick your readers into doing their homework for their characters.

He is a man rooted to his principles and beliefs, a lot of his practices reflect the traditions of his time. But him being grounded to his principles doesn’t really equate to him being moral. He lives the way he wishes to, he fights and destroys and pushes everyone to their limits, his beliefs are limited but stay unshaken.

For a character like Sukuna, who is a product of neglect, and someone who’s very existence is reduced to a title alone, his isolation from human sentiments is very understandable. He was a taboo child, someone who’s very existence stems from negativity cannot understand the concept of “love” so he rejects Yorozu. Sukuna is a character who was robbed off the very chance to be human, he lived and died as the “two faced spectre,” and the effect of this dehumanisation reflects itself in the final chapter. He dies in Yuji’s hands calling himself a “curse,” yet when confronted by Mahito he expresses his true feelings of both fear and regret.

His confrontation with Mahito was extremely fitting for his character because throughout the story, Sukuna, sticking to his beliefs, lives the way he wishes to. He partakes in all heinous acts and stoops low enough to deceive and kill when necessary. When he fights Yorozu, in megumi’s body, he tells her she can do anything she wishes to if she defeats him upon being questioned for marriage. This really grounds Sukuna’s belief of loss and defeat to be equivalent to death itself. He cares not for what Yorozu does to him if he is defeated because a defeat to him, is shameful enough to be considered death itself.

Which is why the only time he directly confronts Mahito, and through him the very narrative itself, is after his defeat. He loses so he finally let’s go of his arrogance. And we find out who Sukuna really has been all along.

[unnecessaryheadache]

Some character analysis today...ish. not really, but this has been on my mind for a while.

Did Snape deserve to get bullied/made fun of?

Every time someone says he deserved it, it leaves a very odd feeling in my stomach because I relate to him (younger and older) a lot. I used to be like him. I wasn't put through abuse or anything, and I have a nice family, but I mean, the bullying and saying stuff and doing that have made me lose friendships.

I've noticed that whenever someone says that, it's always somehow aimed at HP!Snape and his actions, and it doesn't make sense to me. Why is a child ~ teenager being blamed for the things he hasn't done yet? I don't really know when the Marauders started to get so serious about targeting Snape, but I do remember their first year on the train when Snape was being teased for his nose and robes (I think).

So it was going on for a while, right?

And with the whole pantsing thing, ugh, it's hard to get a clear input on that. For, one side says it is not SA, and another side says it is; I don't know which side is safe to pick.

Then, he calls Lily a mudblood, and the more I reread the page, the less sure of myself I become.

So what's up with him, anyway?

Severus shows a few examples of BPD, but that's just speculation, really. Also, I'm just a kid with a love of psychology and physiology, so I don't think I'll be very correct with this. (I honestly think he's very very depressed as an adult)

It's obvious that he's emotionally unstable as an adult (I don't think he ever had a responsible adult figure to help him navigate his emotions), Idealization and Devaluation (he idolized Lily and resented James HEAVILY, so much that it sank into Harry, so maybe he sees people in extremes), fear of abandonment (like when he was following Lily around, trying to frantically apologize until she finally told him to cut it out, and he left), he's acted very impulsively many times throughout his life (that includes becoming a DE).

While Snape had some positive relationships, like his friendship with Lily Evans, he didn't seem to have a consistently supportive adult figure in his life. His father was abusive, and his mother seemed unable to protect him, maybe because she was too weak from the constant hatred or she saw her son just as horrible as her husband.

While some might argue Dumbledore offered guidance, their relationship was complex and often strained. Other teachers like McGonagall seemed to have a professional distance from him.

It's worth noting that the absence of a consistently supportive adult figure could have contributed to Snape's struggles and the development of some of his less healthy coping mechanisms. No, not even Narcissa and Lucius are good examples. They were all in for the Death Eater thing.

Imma dig a little deeper ova here

Severus Snape is a notably intricate and contentious character, shaped by a challenging past and the choices he makes throughout his life. He excels in Occlumency, is an expert Potions Master, and possesses formidable magical skills. However, beneath this impressive exterior lies a deeply flawed individual. Let's delve into a more detailed analysis!

Strengths include:

Snape is exceptionally intelligent and talented in potions, defense against the dark arts, and Occlumency. He possesses a sharp mind and a deep understanding of magic.

Dedication and Loyalty (in his own way): Severus Snape’s loyalties are intricate and can be seen as ambiguous at times, yet he exhibits a profound sense of dedication. His enduring love for Lily Evans significantly influences his decisions, persisting even after her passing. Additionally, his unwavering commitment to Dumbledore’s plan, despite facing considerable personal sacrifices, exemplifies a unique form of loyalty. This loyalty seems to stem from a mixture of regret and a quest for redemption. While some may interpret his actions as somewhat self-serving, this perspective is certainly understandable.

Throughout his life, Snape faces considerable adversity, beginning with his abusive childhood and continuing with the ever-present danger of being uncovered as a double agent. As a result, he cultivates strong self-preservation skills that prove crucial for his survival.

Weaknesses:

Snape carries deep-seated bitterness and resentment stemming from his childhood, his bullying at Hogwarts, and the loss of Lily. This negativity poisons his relationships and colors his interactions with others, particularly Harry Potter.

Severus Snape grapples with the challenge of forgiving himself for past mistakes, especially concerning his involvement in Lily's death. This ongoing struggle with self-forgiveness influences his negative emotions and can sometimes lead to a harsher demeanor with Harry. While this context does not justify his actions or words toward many of his students, it provides insight into the underlying reasons for his behavior.

Snape consistently suppresses his emotions, which results in volatile outbursts of anger and biting sarcasm. He redirects his unresolved feelings onto Harry, making him an easy target for the deep-seated resentment he holds toward James Potter.

Cruelty and Bullying: Snape's own experiences with bullying seem to have instilled in him a tendency to bully others, particularly Neville Longbottom. He appears to enjoy wielding power over vulnerable students, mirroring the behavior of his own tormentors.

Snape’s actions frequently navigate the murky waters between good and evil. Though he ultimately aligns himself against Voldemort, his methods are frequently shrouded in ambiguity, raising moral questions at every turn. His motivations are intricately woven, revealing a character riddled with contradictions. Operating within a moral gray area, Snape embodies the complexity of human nature, making him a deeply flawed yet profoundly relatable figure.

Motivations:

Snape's love for Lily is the central driving force behind his actions. Her death fuels his desire for redemption and his commitment to protecting Harry.

Snape is haunted by his past mistakes and the choices that led to Lily's death. His actions can be interpreted as an attempt to atone for his sins.

Snape's challenging upbringing and experiences of mistreatment likely fuel his intense longing for belonging and acceptance. He pursues this need through his connection with Dumbledore and by taking on the role of a spy.

Over alllllll

Snape's personality is a complex tapestry woven from trauma, love, loss, and regret. He is a deeply flawed character, capable of both great cruelty and surprising acts of bravery. His struggles with forgiveness, emotional expression, and his own past make him a compelling and ultimately tragic figure. He is not simply good or evil, but a nuanced character whose actions are driven by a complex interplay of motivations and experiences.

[butterfrogmantis]

I'VE BEEN PROMISING THESE FUCKERS SINCE AUGUST AND I'VE FINALLY DONE IT HERE'S THE VILLAIN NYMPH I'VE HAD IN MY HEAD FOR LIKE 4-5 MONTHS NOW

Nymph kingdoms tend to be segregated via area and species – nymphs themselves are a complex and intricate species, and there’s no true way to classify them all since flying, water, flower, sand and ground nymphs all exist, as well as many other species. But for the purposes of these character’s we’re looking at the kingdom of the water nymphs situated in the cursed land aka home and surrounding forest of the smurfs, also including the forbidden forest and a little beyond.

Whilst Merfolk of the ocean also operate within seperate kingdoms including Atlantica, nymphs have their own territories and laws. Queen Kailani of the ocean nymphs was bethroathed to a forest nymph at a young age in order to settle a dispute between the territories inbetween the sea and land. Their union was a fairly happy one as far as royal engagements go, and after some years they produced their first heir - a beautiful lake nymph they named Laguna, destined to be the future queen. As far as peace between the forest and ocean kingdoms was going, everything was peaceful, and after some time the Queen was pregnant again.

The king died during her pregnancy. And whilst there was a period of mourning, the entire kingdom was eager and excited for the birth of his surviving heir, with rumours and bets on her potential beauty and whether it would match that of her sister's. So when the royal announcer proclaimed that the younger princess has been born with dominian as a swamp nymph … there was a lot of silence over the kingdom that day. Swamp nymphs are … grungy, and common and … totally not fitting the aesthetic of the beautiful ocean, lake and forest kingdoms that blossomed with bright colours and wonderful scents. Never the less, she was their princess and the nymphs had to accept that.

Years passed. Kailani attempted to include both of her daughters in regular princess duties but however much her family treated with her existence with a sort of grim reluctance, Helodia was no fool to the whispers and taunts behind her back from the servants and kingdom folk. "Who is the queen kidding, that beautiful ballgown has no place on a swamp nymph" and so forth. It was perhaps a flaw in Kailani to pretend these comments weren't being made and refused to acknowledge or address them ever, instead just trying to shove her youngest into the lime light over and over again despite her protests.

Laguna was marginally better. She at least would try and approach the issues with Helodia after the facts, but any sort of push back and Laguna would give up, even call her sister selfish and ungrateful. Perhaps if they'd tried harder Helodia's fate would not have been so sealed.

Helodia did have one friend she trusted. A young Smurfling she had met whilst hiding on her birthday from the castle seamstress after deliberately ripping her new gown. The young Smurfling Sorcerer sympathised with her issues, being already groomed in a way to become the next leader of his own village, and having the weight of expecatation to be 'perfect' as a leader felt very similar to Helodia, and she thought him on her side. When the pressures of leadership got too much for them, they'd both sneak out and meet up. Sorcerer would show off the powerful magic he was only just learning to control. Helodia would demonstrate her control over water, and the swamp specific powers she had which includes an ability to connect better with Bog Goblins - an otherwise fierce and terrifying cousin species of the sapient goblins.

Years pass some more, talk of Laguna's coronation is coming up and whether the queen will pass over the crown during her lifetime or not. During this time Helodia and Laguna fight again, with Laguna once again accusing her sister of selfishness for always staying out of the spotlight and hiding from her responsibilities as a royal and leaving 100% of the stress and hard work onto her. Helodia accuses her sister of never caring about the bullying and bigotry she faces and flees to find Sorcerer again.

To her surprise, Sorcerer sides with her sister - Sorcerer has been through rigorous training to control his unstable magic as well as being constantly trained to become the next Smurf leader. He knows the stresses, and knows how much Helodia used to shut everyone out as a kid even on the few times she admitted Laguna had tried to reach out (but gave up when Helodia put up walls) he feels Helodia is too harsh and is in the wrong here and doesn't understand the pressure of leadership because it's never been assumed she'll get any.

Helodia is PISSED. The ONE person she thought she trusted has, in her mind, sided with the enemy. She thought she and Sorcerer were alike all these years but now she thinks he's more like her sister, Sorcerer has the pressure of needing to be perfect sure, but he's loved and appreciated by his village all the same.

Helodia won't ever be loved by her people. And if she can't be loved by them, she might as well be feared.

That's the turning point.

In truth, Helodia's main conflict is with her own people. With her mother and sister, and especially every stupid citizen that ever judged her for things outside of her control like her god damn BIRTH. If Laguna is so stressed about becoming queen then why not just … take that responsibility off her, huh? Why not take the crown by force and force the people to love or fear her, as long as she has the power over them Helodia no longer cares.

Smurf Village was never Helodia's issue before. But she does hold a grudge against her once friend Sorcerer.

And when he and the others try and stand against her on the side of Laguna.

Well. Then they're just in the way.

Kailani, Laguna and Helodia are mine

Baby/Sorcerer originally belongs to The Smurfs, adapted by me

[addictedtostorytelling]

I've been thinking about starting Vikings after seeing some of your gifs/reblogs and was wondering if you could say a few words on why you enjoy the series? I really enjoyed your analysis and writing on CSI, especially on GSR, Sara and Catherine!

hi, anon! thank you for your kind words! i’m so glad you enjoy my csi writings.

as for vikings: vikings isn’t a perfect show—the quality of the writing is inconsistent, particularly in the later seasons—but it is highly entertaining and does a couple of things really, really well. one of the show’s greatest strengths is how much “humans have always been humans” serves as its unspoken thesis statement. while vikings is definitely not always 100% historically accurate—not only does it fudge with everything from costumery choices to timelines, but it also often veers off into the territory of myth and legend, going more for magical realism than realism straight up—it does still depict a world vastly culturally different from the modern one.

more on that point below. still, within this “vastly different world,” so much remains intimately familiar, from the intricate interpersonal relationships to human conditions such as addiction, jealousy, mental illness, infertility, divorce, estrangement, sibling rivalry, infidelity, trauma response, heartbreak, faith crises, grieving, etc. this commitment to showing the relatable humanity of the characters feeds in to another one of the show’s strengths, which is how delightfully complex the characters themselves are. each one of them has their own motivations, biases, and flaws, and because of the nature of the show’s timeline—which spans decades/generations—their character arcs tend to take place across multiple seasons, sometimes building for years in-universe before their eventual culminations. among the main characters, they each have their own rich interior lives, with thoughts and feelings and impulses which come across very clearly to us as viewers whether they are explicitly expressed or else only telegraphed by actions. every one of the main ensemble members has something they desperately want but most often cannot have or at least cannot have easily. every one at some point hamstrings themselves (oftentimes more than once). they are frequently at cross-purposes with one another. they are also frequently forced into strange alliances with one another by virtue of common interests. again, due to the timeframe of the show, the cycles they are caught up in play out over the course of generations. while not all of the characters are likable, even the unlikable ones tend to be interesting because they are always in some kind of narrative motion, machinating and making moves even when they’re not visible on screen. in particular, ragnar lothbrok makes for a fascinating original protagonist because, in addition to being a great warrior, he is so thoroughly cerebral. it's obvious there is always much more going on inside of his head than he ever fully speaks aloud. he has charisma in spades, but he also has some extremely self-sabotaging tendencies. he's mythic, but he’s also human. he makes for a highly intriguing watch.

yet another (related) thing the show does well is its approach to depicting premodern worldviews. while, as stated, the show is not without its anachronisms and inaccuracies, it does a fantastic job of showing the way its characters—being from the time periods, cultures, geographic locations, religious backgrounds, etc. they are—would think. so often, historical fiction will get its aesthetics right but the basic mindsets of its characters wrong, and especially in the way where it will impose modern (and more particularly “modern western christian”) morals and ethics onto characters who never would or could even conduct themselves by those standards, to the point where all of a sudden you have a greek hero from the epic cycle or a han period imperial soldier acting as if he had been raised in the american suburbs, attending protestant sunday school, receiving an extensive liberal arts education steeped in western post-enlightenment philosophy, going regularly to therapy, participating in capitalism, being terminally online on his iphone, etc. not so with vikings. despite the timeless humanity the show depicts, its characters are not modern people simply “dressed up” in ancient clothing; they feel legitimately premodern in their cognition, with base assumptions, daily experiences, knowledge sets, and ethics wholly dissimilar to any which might be familiar to us in the twenty-first century. unlike sometimes is the case on other historical fiction shows, the characters don’t get to magically invent medical treatments still hundreds of years off from them! they die of common and/or minor illnesses, injuries, and even allergies which would be imminently treatable for us, no matter how resourceful or powerful they may be as characters otherwise. if they’re from illiterate/oral language learning cultures, then their communication reflects as much. they pass along information through storytelling and folk sayings (and often use speech peppered with kennings and epithets, appropriate to the norse spoken poetic traditions of which they are a part), having no expectation their knowledge can outlast the moment unless they verbally transmit it to others. they ignore written documents they may encounter while interacting with literate cultures and peoples. the show also, fwiw, tries to depict language differences where possible—so, for example, the viking characters don’t all just automatically understand west saxon dialect old english when they travel to england for the first time; there is an actual learning curve for ragnar to pick up some vocabulary (and then another one for him to learn grammar and develop conversational fluency), and for a while, he is the only viking who is able to communicate with the enemy at all. the show will also occasionally have the characters speak medieval languages, as well, so you will hear examples of old norse, old english, old low franconian, vulgar latin, etc. blended in alongside the otherwise modern english dialogue, which is eminently cool.

if the characters aren’t christians, then they don’t behave like they are. the concept of sin is unknown to them, as is the idea of a centralized religious authority. they are concerned with destiny, seek seer’s prophecies to predict their futures, see the hands of the gods in their daily experiences, view magic as a matter of fact and prime force in their lives, conceptualize their world based on myth and legends, and devotedly participate in their own rites and rituals (including human sacrifice), etc. they don’t balk at some forms of violence in the same way christians might do. they also don’t view their relationships with others in the same ways, either. and even those who are christians—hello, athelstan!—are medieval christians, who don’t adhere to many of the same philosophical beliefs as post-enlightenment christians. overall, the show does a very nice job showing not only is the past “another country,” but it’s also an entirely different mindset. the show also has just some really standout individual scenes and episodes over its run, of the type that have permanently burned themselves into my brain (in a good way).

not only is it visually/aesthetically gorgeous, but it also doesn’t shy away from depicting raw emotion or making grand metaphorical gestures, which makes for some truly stunning images and wonderful character turns over the years. there are epic battles, breathtaking deaths, gut-wrenching character moments, and impressive instances of storytelling spread across the six seasons. while, like i said, there is also sometimes dreck, particularly after s3—including, on occasion, some really head-scratchingly “why the hell would the writers do that?” bad character beats, plus some fairly racist and sexist treatments of certain characters and cultures from the show’s writers (outside of the period-accurate racism and sexism of the times)—there is a lot of good and even great stuff in-between/throughout. i first started watching the show myself because i randomly channel-flipped onto a scene which, even though i lacked any wider narrative context for it, absolutely knocked me over with the tenderness and intimacy it depicted between two old friends parting for perhaps the last time. that scene stayed in my head (and heart) for years until i finally picked up the series myself, at which point i was able to confirm it was even more deeply affecting with the narrative context in place. there are, happily, many more equally impactful scenes/episodes from throughout the course of the series. there's also just a lot of stuff that checks particular storytelling boxes that really appeal to me personally. fate vs. free will themes? ✔ awesome callback scenes and narrative echoes (sometimes years after the fact)? ✔ raw declarations of all kinds of love: romantic, familial, friendly, religious, etc.? ✔ many different flavors of womanhood among the female characters (and even within individual characters themselves)? ✔ explorations of grief? ✔ fierce found family loyalties? ✔ complicated, intense parent-child dynamics? ✔ this ↓ exact trope done to heart-twisting perfection? ✔

also, just the entire character of lagertha, who interests me in about a thousand different ways. now, all of the above said, i should probably close out by offering a few warnings, should you require them. if you are at all squeamish, you should know vikings is incredibly violent—much more so than csi—and frequently depicts heinous injuries and deaths on screen, including acts of torture. it also does not shy away from showing sexual assault and domestic abuse, both perpetrated against main characters and by them. major character death is a fairly frequent occurrence, as is child character death, including by infanticide. you should also know the show probably won’t appeal to you if you prefer protagonists to be “morally pure” (particularly by modern standards), as nearly all of the main characters are murderers, rapists, and slavers. you should also know—as mentioned above—the show does shit the bed on how it depicts almost all nonwhite, nonwestern cultures the vikings come into contact with. the anglo-saxons and the franks they handle fine enough, but when it comes to the handful of chinese, arab, and mi’kmaq people the main characters encounter, the writers, on a doylist level, resort to a lot of orientalist and otherwise racist tropes and stereotypes. should you require any additional information or want specific trigger warnings for anything, please let me know, and i'll be happy to provide more details. anyway. long story long, i guess my final thoughts on vikings are these: the show definitely won’t be for everyone, and, like i said, it most definitely isn’t without its flaws, but i personally find a lot of it very enjoyable and recommend it to you if you have an interest in seeing fascinating, complicated, messy human stories play out in a well-rendered (though not necessarily historically accurate) middle ages norse setting.

[inaconstantstateofchange]

Alrighty, your tags in the 'anti-blorbo friends' post intrigued me, so... hook line and sinker. Personally, I am kind of an 'anything goes' fan, I don't mind people disliking stuff about BG3 - or liking it a bit too much, either. I like all the companions, but I do see their flaws and critique can be fun. That's what a piece of media is for, no? For us to dissect and tear apart. So! Tear it freely, mate. Give me your Gale hot takes.

Excellent, all according to keikaku (translator's note: keikaku means plan). Sorry I love that joke.

Thank you so much for the ask! O(∩_∩)O

Okay, Gale hot takes, with the caveat that, in general, I just personally find his whole everything very off-putting, so I am very neutral-edging-to-negative toward him, but can still appreciate the complexity of his character in an objective sense.

This hot take/critique kind of overlaps with issues I have with a lot of the fandom interpretations of the characters: it feels like a lot of the fandom needs to woobify the characters and/or reduce them down to the most simplified version of themself to appreciate them.

Gale is a character who will approve of good actions in general terms, but the moment there is a chance to do something new, something heretofore untried, some advancement in knowledge or power, no matter what the terms of it, you have his attention. And that's really interesting! It's fucked up as all hell, but it's interesting. And this is something I see pushed under the rug and outright denied or left unexplored in most cases, because it requires confronting that all your faves are complex and "problematic", yes even that one.

This one is tangential to Gale, but also relates to the broader lore and world. I think there's a lot fucked up about Forgotten Realms lore (obviously), but it is also so vast and intricate and Larian put so much work in aligning with it as much as possible with the narrative of BG3, allowing you to extrapolate pretty consistently based on that. I've noticed a tendency by a lot of fans to engage with the world and its lore as though they've been isekai'd into it or something, not considering what would actually affect philosophy and perspective and "human" (as it were) experience in a world that worked like Faerûn does. For example, I recently saw someone arguing that the way Halsin handles Kagha after he is rescued is "unrealistic" and the player should be able to tell him that he needs to pick a stronger option. In my opinion this completely ignores the way that druids and druid groves function very differently from a lot of other communities in Faerûn. The majority of druids tend toward True Neutral in terms of alignment, live and let live unless nature is affected in some way. Halsin is honestly a bit of a rarity for verging so far toward Neutral Good. Additionally, because of their focus on nature and natural patterns, of course they would have different perspectives on punishment and rehabilitation.

Another way this presents itself very commonly is in how people conceptualize the system of gods/theology in Faerûn. Most people do not have any real experience conceptualizing a polytheistic worldview in practice, let alone one where the existence of those gods is an undeniable material fact, rather than a belief, and it shows. They hold the gods simultaneously to the standards of humans (which they are not), and the monotheistic conglomerate Christian God (which they are also not). Once again, the system of deity and interaction with it in FR lore is so fucked up, but for complex and interesting reasons I rarely see anyone exploring.

(The above is also the reason I think a lot of people underestimate the power of the archdevils and the Hells compared to the gods, but that is another discussion.)

This comes back to Gale in my hottest of hot takes: I really wish people would stop throwing around the "Gale was groomed, Mystra is a groomer" thing. I think it hyper-simplifies the actual tragedy of his story and the one Larian was trying to tell to an absurd degree, and I don't believe it even does any favors in terms of raising awareness of important issues. Based on FR lore and timeline, Mystra has only been back in existence as a goddess for at absolute maximum thirteen years prior to the start of BG3, and at minimum five, so unless you headcanon Gale to be 30 or younger (which seems decidedly unlikely based on everything else presented in the narrative), their time together was when he was an actual adult.

Am I saying there was no power dynamic problem there? No, ofc I am not. God/Human relationships are famously tragedies and cautionary tales. There is always an inherent disconnect between the two beings. You'll notice a trend, but yes, I do think that the most interestingly fucked up parts of that story are ignored in favor of the most basic and banal.

Mystra is a greater god, having dominion over magic as an entire concept. That means the scale of her power and existence are unfathomably vast, and so alien from human existence that to bridge it would be the work of thousands of lifetimes. At the same time, there are parts of her that used to be human, grafted onto her godhood. That's incredibly fucked up in such an eldritch way, you know?

Final hot take: Gale is a wizard's wizard™, a crime punishable by death. In this essay I will-

[missamyshay]

what gravitated you towards peter & mj, what is about their relationship and characters that make you want to write them so often?

also i literally love everything that you write i didn’t think it was possible to love everything someone posts but here we are 🤭

Oooooo Anon, you have made The Ultimate Mistake of asking me The Perfect Question. I hope you have time on your hands…

Let’s start with Peter.

This might seem like a detour (I promise it isn’t), but I grew up watching Dr Who (if you’ve never seen/heard of it a quick Google search would be fun—it’s a very weird, very English show). And a lot of the same things I love about The Doctor are the same things I love about Peter Parker. There’s something so captivating about following the journey of this person who is at once both an invaluable hero and an absolute menace to society lol. A person who creates half of the problems that they solve and who is completely unhinged and often reckless but is also the one person you’d want around in a dire situation. A person who has probably seen a little too much, lived through a little too much, and still somehow has the ability to possess all the whimsy of a child and such a lust for life. A person who is so deliciously flawed. I love the undercurrent of grief that sets the foundation for what these characters choose to do with their lives, but also the abounding message that There Is Always Hope.

Although I have my issues with Far From Home as a story, it contains, in my opinion, one of the best Spider-Man moments across all the movies: in which he gets hit by a high speed train, wakes up in the middle of nowhere…and just fucking walks it off 🤣 That’s peak main character energy and such a great example of what makes him so freakin’ annoying (awesome).

And now, to the beloved MJ Watson.

MJ, in my humble opinion, is canonically Built Different. Being beside Peter Parker is simultaneously the safest place and the most dangerous place to be all at once. It’s both the most fun and most frustrating place to be. And MJ navigates that with such finesse. She’s her own person who forges her own path (many different ones) and doesn’t let Peter consume or dwarf her. She has a complex and intricate life of her own, and yet is still able to find enough space in her heart to love, unconditionally, this guy who is not just one person but two people in one. I think she’s one of the few people who understand the entirety of what it means to be Peter Parker, and that’s a really big thing.

I think there’s a reason why writers—both in the comics and in fan fiction—can’t seem to keep them apart. As evidenced by their history across the comics—the inevitable tragedy of them, the loss, the suffering, the reconciliation, the passion—they’re two characters who are destined to orbit each other forever.

As for why I write them—

It’s something I only really started doing in the last couple of years. I’m definitely not a veteran here lol. For a long time I was just a reader, mainly because I didn’t think I had the capacity to take on these characters and stories that are so well loved—especially when there are so many other people who do it so much better than I ever could. I read some of the comics growing up (but have to admit that I was more interested in the art than the plots at the time), and like many readers rediscovered my love of the characters through their few iterations on film. These films, and many of the fics I’ve read over the years, have led me back to the comics I grew up with and perhaps didn’t appreciate as well as I should have. So, in short (but actually quite long), me writing them is me showing appreciation for them. For the complexities of the characters as they were created, BUT also the possibilities of seeing them in new lights informed by my own experiences and writerly whims.

I’m sure this is a hell of a lot more than you bargained for, dear Anon, but if you made it to the end of this near-nonsensical ramble, then thank you very much for your time lol.

And thank you, so much, for reading my work, and loving my work. You have no idea how much it means to me. ����🏾

[redrascal1]

Okay, yet another quote from the JCF, but this one actually sums up an attitude I will never be able to understand:

LFL seeing Adam Driver’s Solo Boy as the “true” male lead 

Finn fans are constantly wanting to know why so many of us see Ben/Kylo as such.

It's because it was the Skywalker Saga.....and he was the last one.

For all DLF's eagerness to push forward with new characters and leave Lucas's legacy behind, the entire nine film saga was about the Skywalkers. It began with Shmi, mother of Anakin, and ended with Ben, her great grandson.

DLF made a fatal mistake in 'villainising' Ben Solo - and also, if they wanted us to forget him, hiring a fine, twice Oscar nominated actor to play him plus giving him a tortured, conflicting soul. As a result of this, they created an antagonist that was far more interesting than their lead character.

Compare Rey - especially in TROS - to Kylo. She is nowhere near as compelling, and their eagerness to show her as so superior ( because she's female and they are anxious to show they aren't sexist), only makes her irritating.

Finn meanwhile, who his fans argue was the 'rightful' male lead, is even less compelling,being little more than comic relief.

The big flaw with the characters of both Rey AND Finn is that they are far too good to be true.

Look at their history.

Rey was sold into slavery at four. She spent the next fifteen years scraping an existence salvaging scrap in return for third rate food rations. Someone like this would grow up with a lot of anger in her. But, instead Disney decided to make her into a 'paragon of virtue' rather than the damaged person she should have been. TFA at least showed her very understandable capacity for darkness, but sadly the following films - even TLJ, which I love - didn't develop this further. At the end of the film it would have been a powerhouse twist if Rey had accepted Ben's hand and joined the FO, believing she could have a positive influence on him. Instead, she flounced off to a Resistance she hardly knew because it was the 'right thing to do'. From there we go to TROS, where Rey is essentially allowed to do what she wants without any consequences.

She faces and conquers her 'dark side' in five minutes - unlike Luke, who took several years, and very nearly fell at the end - only being forcibly reminded that he was on the cusp of becoming exactly like his father stopped him.

She accidentally kills Chewie with Force lightning - only to find out, that 'oh, it's ok, he's on another ship'.

She almost kills Kylo by stabbing him with his own lightsabre while he's unarmed - but they decide to give her healing powers (never canon in the films, and rightly so), so she can get away with that as well.

In short, Rey never really gets to challenge her own capacity for darkness and as such, never fulfils her real potential as a complex and intricate character.

Then we get Finn.

Okay, now why should I mention the tv adaptation of Halo along with SW?

Because this series features a character who shows just what Finn should have been.

Pablo Schreiber's MasterChief (aka John) is exactly like the stormtroopers in the SWST. He was abducted as a young boy, and brainswashed, genetically engineered, and trained to do one thing - kill for the organisation that kidnapped him. Like Finn, MasterChief has an 'epiphany' (in his case, coming into contact with an alien artefact), and it compels him to turn against his conditioning and seek a new life, and a new purpose.

But the big difference is.....unlike Finn, MasterChief has killed. He has served his time as a ruthless assassin, and thus his journey isn't just to gain his freedom, but to regain his humanity.

And he has to earn this.

If Finn had been depicted as such, he would have been an amazing character. Instead, he is a 'virgin soldier' who never shed blood before Jakku. People can argue that DLF, after all, are 'for children'. But, SW has always had a 'dark' edge to it.

Han Solo shot first and I refuse to accept anything else. In ESB, Luke loses his hand - gruesome - and we see Han being tortured. In ANH we see the agonised, burned skeletons of Luke's aunt and uncle. And ROTS....the darkest film of all.....ends with Obi Wan, our hero, dismembering Anakin and leaving him to die in agony.

In DLF's Rogue 1, Cassian Andor is seen shooting an innocent man because he would spill secrets of the Resistance if allowed to live.

SW can do 'dark'....it doesn't have to be X rated, of course, but it can do it. And if they had taken this direction with Finn and Rey...what interesting characters they could have been.

Once again, the ST is so full of failed opportunities it breaks my heart.

And as a footnote....Kylo's backstory and his 'grooming' by Snoke should never have been left for supplementary material.

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Quickie Reviews

American Symphony

Musician Jon Batiste attempts to compose a symphony as his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, undergoes cancer treatment. 

"American Symphony" harbors the potential for a remarkable documentary, but its scattered focus and contrived elements weigh it down, preventing its full potential from shining through. The film grapples with conflicting narratives—juggling between Jon Batiste's artistic fervor and the poignant moments of his wife's perspective from a hospital bed. This lack of cohesion hampers the documentary's ability to delve deeply into either storyline. While the cinematography boasts beauty, it inadvertently contributes to the sense of artificiality and staged sequences within the documentary. Although pockets of genuine emotion surface, much of the film feels manufactured, impeding the audience's connection to the authenticity of the moments depicted. Overall, "American Symphony" falls short of expectations. Despite its glimpses of raw emotion, the disjointed focus and artificiality detract from what could have been a compelling exploration of profound human experiences.

My Rating: C+ 

The Color Purple

A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and one woman's journey to independence. 

As I've mentioned before, musical films don't quite resonate with me. "The Color Purple" unfortunately fell victim to this personal struggle of mine. While it might be a treat for musical enthusiasts, every time a musical sequence unfolded, it pulled me out of the film's narrative. None of the musical numbers seemed to stick, and they often clashed tonally with the unfolding events on screen. However, despite my disconnect with the musical aspect, I must commend the outstanding performances delivered on screen. Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, and Danielle Brooks all delivered remarkable performances deserving of significant accolades. Their contributions elevated the film, showcasing their immense talent and dedication. "The Color Purple" left me admiring the performances while lamenting my own limitations in fully embracing movie musicals. It's a reminder that perhaps my lack of affinity for musicals might have hindered my appreciation for what others might find to be a captivating experience.

My Rating: B-

The Holdovers

An instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. 

The writer's block has been very strong with The Holdovers, but I have finally gotten my words together after nearly 3 months. 

There is nothing more warming than seeing a bunch of lonely people bonding together over the holidays. This warmth is perfectly encapsulated in The Holdovers. The Holdovers is a symphony of raw emotions and intricate human connections woven into the fabric of the holiday season. Set against a backdrop of vulnerability and fractured past, this tale unfolds like a beautifully written novel. As our broken characters slowly bond during the icy winter of the New England holiday season, The Holdovers embraces the imperfections of its characters. Portraying their brokenness not as a flaw but as a mosaic of the human condition. Through their compassion and solidarity, they lift each other up with their fragile, yet healing human spirit. It's a beautiful love letter to the beauty of embracing our vulnerabilities and finding strength in the unlikeliest of connections. 

The performances in The Holdovers are nothing short of a masterclass in emotive storytelling. Each actor embodies their character's vulnerability and solidarity with such depth and authenticity that it feels as though you’re peering directly into their souls. Paul Giamatti has not been this good in years. He is a tour de force in this character performance. Giamatti brings a complexity that is both haunting and heartrending. His portrayal of vulnerability and inner turmoil with such raw authenticity is deeply resonating. With each expression and subtle shift in demeanor, Giamatti captures the essence of his character that is burdened by the weight of his path as he tries to lift up the future generation. Dominic Sessa makes his film debut in The Holdovers, yet you can not tell it in his performance. For his breakout role, he perfectly portrays the emotional rollercoaster of being a teenager stranded during the holidays. His moments of vulnerability and teenage rebellion are captivating as it is raw. I can’t wait to see what the future lies ahead for him.  Da’Vine Joy Randolph's performance is a revelation. She masterfully navigates her character through numerous layers of grief and resilience. She has a commanding and endearing on-screen presence that perfectly balances with the performances of Giamatti and Sessa. This ensemble is sure to get showered in Oscar nominations. 

The Holdovers is an emotional journey that leaves an enduring imprint on the soul. With stellar performances, poignant storytelling, and an exploration of the human spirit amidst vulnerability and resilience, this cinematic gem transcends the screen. 

My Rating: A

Saltburn

Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family's estate, for a summer never to be forgotten. 

Saltburn had many scenes that were not on my bingo card for 2023. 

In her latest daring creation, "Saltburn," Academy Award Winner Emerald Fennell plunges us into a world of opulence, extravagance, covetousness, and deceit. This audacious feature blurs the lines where rawness meets the unconventional, offering a provocative cinematic journey. Brace yourself, though, as "Saltburn" isn't your run-of-the-mill film—it's a twisted, gut-churning spectacle that might not sit well with everyone. It's a daring plunge into the abyss of the human psyche, a narrative that revels in its unsettling nature. But for those who revel in the unconventional and relish the unconventional chaos (like me), "Saltburn" might just become an adored and cherished experience.

While "Saltburn" grapples with its twisted narrative, it struggles to untangle itself from a convoluted storyline lacking coherence and strong character development. Yet, within this messy concoction, there's an undeniable sense of amusement that persists. It's a chaotic whirlwind that, despite its flaws, manages to retain a certain allure. However, what truly captivates this labyrinthine plot is the thematic depth it carries. Emerald Fennell orchestrates a tale submerged in themes of excess, envy, and unbridled ambition. Her unapologetic direction exposes the murky waters of human desires, unveiling the lengths individuals go to in pursuit of wealth and comfort. It's more than a mere "eat-the-rich" narrative; it's a profound commentary on the sacrifices one is willing to make for affluence. Fennell's artistry shines as she refines her directorial style, seamlessly weaving sound and cinematography to enhance the film's impact. Despite the narrative messiness, her adeptness at storytelling and the nuanced exploration of themes elevate the film beyond its tangled web of a plot.

Although the characters may lack some depth, the acting ensemble truly shines in this production. Barry Keoghan continues to showcase his ascent as one of Hollywood’s top emerging actors, delivering a chilling portrayal of Oliver Quick. His character’s blend of pathetic vulnerability and hidden malevolence creates a memorizing performance that captures attention.  Jacob Elordi's portrayal is intriguingly captivating, balancing charisma with a quietly elitist aura that will mesmerize the audience.  Moreover, Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant command attention with their uproarious portrayals of the chaotic and disconnected world of the elites, delivering moments of genuine hilarity.

"Saltburn" is a cinematic enigma, a whirlwind of chaos and audacity that leaves an indelible mark on the viewer. While the film grapples with its narrative complexities, its thematic depth and unflinching exploration of human desires linger in the mind long after the credits roll. Emerald Fennell's daring direction, though occasionally obscured by the film's turbulence, unveils a profound commentary on ambition and excess. It's a film that challenges, provokes, and intrigues, inviting audiences to wade into its murky waters. Despite its imperfections, "Saltburn" stands as a testament to the power of storytelling that both disturbs and captivates, leaving a lasting impression on those willing to navigate its captivating, albeit tempestuous, narrative journey.

My Rating: B+

The Iron Claw

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 80s. 

While wrestling isn't my forte, growing up in Texas acquainted me with the Von Erich brothers. I knew of their ‘“curse” but I did not expect this family to have such a tragic history. Writer and director, Sean Durkin dives into the harrowing tale of the Von Erick brothers, unearthing the tragic narrative that transcends the realm of wrestling lore. Here Derkin peels back the layers of generational trauma, painting a poignant picture of a family haunted by the weight of their legacy. Yet amidst this despair, a glimmer of hope emerges—a poignant testament to the power of brotherly love and the resilience to break free from the shackles of that very trauma.

Durkin delicately and compassionately guides us through the turbulent history of the Von Erich brothers, unflinchingly exposing the trauma and immense pressure imposed by Fritz Von Erich on his sons, living vicariously through their accomplishments. The film doesn't shy away from portraying the relentless demands Fritz imposed on his boys, pushing them to their limits to fulfill his own unattained ambitions. Despite enduring this abuse, the resilient bond between the brothers stands as a powerful testament to solidarity and endurance in the face of paternal tyranny. However, the strength of brotherly love has its limits. The narrative unfolds tragically, depicting a series of devastating events from su*cides to heartbreaking illnesses that tears this family apart. As the patriarch is forced to confront his own actions, the remaining son courageously breaks free from the chains of his father's influence. "The Iron Claw" paints a heartrending portrait of human struggles, the repercussions of fame, and the haunting inheritance of generational trauma. Yet, amidst this turmoil, it poignantly illustrates how resilience can emerge even from the darkest and most trying circumstances.

Zac Efron delivers an astounding portrayal of Kevin Von Erich, marking a career-defining performance. His depiction of the lone surviving brother is deeply haunting, showcasing an incredible depth of emotion and sorrow communicated through silent yet profoundly impactful expressions. Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons deliver equally poignant performances, conveying immense trauma and shame with the quiet intensity of their eyes, a mesmerizing display of acting prowess. Holt McCalleny impeccably embodies the toxic patriarch, Fritz Von Erich, exuding a perfectly calibrated harmful demeanor that fits the role flawlessly. On the other hand, Lily James' performance radiates hope, serving as the epitome of resilience in the narrative.

The narrative ventures beyond the confines of wrestling, delving into the tragic tale of the Von Erich family. Poignant performances paint a vivid tapestry of suffering and strength under the weight of paternal oppression. In moments of heart-wrenching sorrow and unwavering fraternal bond, the film unravels a complex story interwoven with resilience rising from profound darkness. "The Iron Claw" deserves recognition from the Academy. Alongside its compelling storytelling, the wrestling scenes are a spectacle, flawlessly capturing the fervor of early '80s wrestling.

My Rating: A-

[goodbookblogger]

Long live the King.

Stephen King, a name synonymous with horror and suspense, has a unique ability to captivate readers in a world of uncanny tales and spine-chilling narratives. His books possess an undeniable allure, drawing readers in with their hauntingly vivid descriptions, complex characters, and intricate plots. As a devoted reader, I find myself irresistibly drawn to King's works for several compelling reasons.

First and foremost, King's unparalleled storytelling mastery keeps me entranced from the very beginning. His knack for building suspense, creating richly detailed settings, and weaving intricate storylines is truly unmatched. Each page turns effortlessly, leaving me eager to uncover what unfolds next.

Moreover, King's characters are incredibly well-crafted and relatable. Their flaws, strengths, and internal struggles make them feel genuine and human. Whether it's the heroic perseverance of characters facing supernatural horrors or the dark secrets hidden within seemingly ordinary lives, King's characters resonate on a profound level.

Additionally, King's ability to blend the supernatural with the everyday is nothing short of genius. He seamlessly integrates the extraordinary into the ordinary, making the terrifying seem plausible and deeply unsettling. This skillful interplay enhances the immersion, making the reading experience all the more enthralling.

Furthermore, King's commentary on the human condition, fears, and society's dark corners adds a thought-provoking layer to his stories. His works often delve into complex themes like fear, addiction, and the power of redemption, leaving readers reflecting long after the last page. I'm not alone in this fascination. A quick search online will review countless lists of books that people have read and overwhelmingly recommend.

In conclusion, Stephen King's books are an irresistible magnet for readers seeking a thrilling journey into the unknown. His unique style, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes continue to captivate and leave an indelible mark on the literary world.

(list source: Book Frenzi)

[tonydaddingham]

hi there! i'm so sorry to bother you, and apologize for how obnoxious this probably sounds, but i am genuinely curious: do you actually like crowley as a character and his relationship with aziraphale? from reading a number of your posts, it seems like there isn't a single thing you find redeemable about crowley and it seems like there's isn't any merit you can find to his love for and relationship to aziraphale. i'm just wondering if i'm reading that wrong, which i totally could be. this of course isn't to say characters can't be toxic and we can't still like them, but some of these points really confuse me because it just seems like you're purposely injecting toxicity into each and every single aspect of his relationship and his character which just sometimes seems reductive and removing any nuance or complexity from him/his relationship to aziraphale. or you liken him to his abuser (aka heaven) in how he treats aziraphale. i just don't understand, especially when you analyze aziraphale in a completely different fashion, even in instances where he directly treats crowley as heaven does in how he refers to him/demons/hell.

hi anon!!!✨ oh gosh no, not bothering me at all, and it's a completely valid question!

i utterly adore crowley! please - and anyone else reading that is asking the same question - don't think i don't! i think not only is he a really fantastic character and utterly likeable, but he's so complex and intricately written... i honestly and completely love him!!!💕

but what you (general) have to understand is that i see these characters - aziraphale too - as just that. very, very complex characters with hundreds of complimentary and opposing facets, and are equally questionable as they are lovable. i find their relationship as romantic and poetic as i do (sometimes) toxic and reductive. they might be supernatural beings, but the story is also (to me) an examination on human condition, and being human is messy!!!

what i suspect - and i mean this kindly - is that you might be reading only a handful of posts/ask responses that deliberately look at crowley specifically in a critical light. and i think it possibly stands out because actually, i personally don't think a lot of people do view crowley critically. perhaps that's a bias in my part - in fact, definitely is! but unfortunately i think the fandom is relatively one-sided in this respect. talking about asks specifically, i dont really get a lot regarding aziraphale (although id love to, if that would give me an opportunity to parse out where aziraphale is equally questionable!) so im not as vocal in my critique of him. but it's not because i think crowley is the only one of the duo with flaws and that displays problematic behaviour.

furthermore, please remember that you are only seeing snapshots of individual aspects where i critique crowley; what i mean by that is that there isn't a single instance (unless i did a mighty multi-thousand word dissertation!) where i could talk about all of my observations of crowley's character. if i did, i promise you there would be a hefty amount of good things about crowley that i could discuss.

i will also say that whilst i appreciate how it must come across, i don't purposely inject anything anywhere - i don't do it out of any nastiness or vindictiveness. i consider myself a relatively experienced adult, with a good degree of objective emotional maturity, that has had quite a bit of practice in examining human behaviour (job) and analysing different patterns and characteristics (also job). if i call out toxicity, it's because i see toxicity. if i call out horrible or hurtful behaviour, it's because i see horrible or hurtful behaviour. that doesn't mean i hate any character (if anything, it endears me to them more because - gasp! - they're not perfect and actually very relatable!). it also does not mean that i expect anyone to agree with me, not at all, but i deserve - same as anyone - to offer an interpretation that whilst may not be agreeable, is objectively just as valid.

my analysis (or critique, whichever) is my own opinion, interpretation, and perspective. it is not necessarily right or wrong, and whilst i may joke about it, i don't think i have ever categorically stated or alluded to the fact that i must be right, and every other interpretation is wrong. if everyone had the same opinion and saw crowley - and aziraphale for that matter - as completely flawless, or at least we all interpreted them in the same way... well, it'd be utterly boring, right?

all i aim to do is offer an alternative perspective on these characters and their relationship, maybe something that others might not have considered. the general reaction to them and their relationship is positive, and maybe offering a different take on that, for some people, might be interesting. if they're not interested, or disagree, all they have to do is scroll on, or challenge me the way you have - respectfully and eloquently! discussion and conflicting interpretation is good; it offers different perspectives and experiences, and maybe offers some the opportunity to step back from loving a character (as they should, they're so lovable!), and instead look at them objectively, and ask questions. personally, i don't think there's anything wrong with that✨

[song-of-oots]

#sabine has had an interesting development alongside rich burlew's own development as a writer#the very start with all the sexism it was like... hnngh maybe stop with all the ''whore'' and ''bitch''#(although haley can absolutely keep ''sneak attack bitch!'')#but as you get to see more of her she becomes far more interesting and yeah her relationship with nale is...#i was gonna say ''ethical non-monogany'' but ''ethical'' is not. not really a great word to describe an Evil succubus who sacrifices people#also to the point about nale's shock - i always read it as shocked at the *timing*#like it's not ''you've had sex with (presumably) four different people?!''#it's ''how did you manage to fuck four people in like three hours?!''#i do want to see her come up before the ending although i'm not really sure in what context she would#she is working for the ifcc so it's possible that when they reappear she will too#regardless to my original point#sabine is a great example of how burlew has grown as a writer and how the characters have become far more complex over the years#i keep trying to tell people - yes there's a lot of casual sexism and homophobia at the start but it was 2003 and that was normal!#it gets better! burlew gets so much better! he even calls himself out on it in a later strip!#these tags have gotten out of hand sorry but i have Feelings about oots and this fandom is like twelve people and a cat (and a dinosaur)#someone scream about oots with me!

@andromeda3116 these tags are raising some very interesting points so I hope you don't mind me reblogging them. I've actually been meaning to respond to this for ages, but then got ludicrously busy.

The slurs Haley throws at Sabine in the early strips didn't bother me so much initially not because I agree with them (I never have), but because I don't like all female protagonists to be heavily sanitised and overly perfect, and unfortunately it is quite possible for women to also perpetuate misogyny. Also my general policy on this sort of thing is to judge the work on its overall messaging, rather than the actions of one specific character. It would have bothered me a lot more if I'd felt that the comic was trying to portray Haley's language as justified, rather than a plausible character flaw - and I think Rich has confirmed that's basically all he intended by it. Having said that, I'm extremely glad that he also made the choice to have Haley move on from that. Not only is there a dearth of female characters in the early part of the story, Haley was the only prominent heroine, and it takes a few hundred strips until we see her with a sustained positive relationship with other women. I can certainly see why many people felt that it's really less than ideal to have your principal female protagonist throwing around that kind of language, particularly in those circumstances (so-called realistic flaws be damned).

This is actually a really good example for why I love Order of the Stick so much in spite of and in some ways because of its flaws - because you get to see that development as a writer, not only in terms of the deeper characterisation, more intricate plot etc. but also in how Rich Burlew grapples with moral/social issues and puts an increasing amount of thought into what messages his work is conveying. No person or piece of work is perfect but progress is possible. It's good to have a concrete demonstration of that.

Another example is the very conscious decision to stop sexualising all his female characters (I don't mind female characters being in sexual situations, but if the vast majority are fulfilling some romantic/sexual function and the men aren't? It's incredibly tiresome). It's so refreshing for an author to just say upfront: "my bad, I'll try to do better in future" and take it seriously, without feeling the need to get defensive and come up with loads of dubious justifications.

Separate point: I think it's pretty likely Sabine will return (for the first time ever in the new art style!) as she's still involved in whatever the IFCC is up to. It'll be very interesting to see how Nale's death has affected her.

A bunch of reasons why I have a soft spot for Sabine:

1) I like her understated comradery with Vaarsuvius.

2) Her interaction with Miko was comedy gold.

3) I hugely enjoy the way she keeps getting used to subvert traditional narratives around women’s attitudes to romance/sex (the revelation in strip 394 that she’s mad that Nale was trying to kill Haley, rather than sleep with her; strip 794 “women like me swoon for a hero, but that’s only because deep down, we think we can change them.”)

4) She may be a self-confessed “incarnation of illicit sex”, but the story isn’t usually interested in condemning her for her sexual proclivities (except for those occasions where she uses vengeful murder as an aphrodisiac, which: fair). The moral condemnation implied by the narrative is generally in reference to all of the aforementioned murder and also literally working for the forces of evil.

5) I also really like Sabine and Nale’s relationship. This isn’t because I’m particularly fond of Nale (I’m really not) but I do think it gives them both a bit of depth. I also like the fact that a non-monogamous relationship is treated as pretty non-sensational and valid (even if it did initially come as quite a shock to Nale; casually announcing you’ve had sex 4 times while off on a business trip and you don’t care who he sleeps with is probably not the best way of handling such things in real life). Anyway, if anything they are closer than ever in Blood Runs in the Family (despite a little insecurity on Nale’s part regarding Sabine’s attraction to Elan and all those edgy “good boys”). The occasionally-sleeping-with-other-people thing doesn’t actually disrupt their emotional bond at all. And basically, as a polyamorous person, it is pretty refreshing to see non-monogamy depicted in a way that doesn’t try to imply it is inherently inferior, and in the context of a relationship that is actually quite healthy (even if the rest of their behavior isn’t).

6) She helped V to thwart Tarquin, which is kind of covered in point 1, but I think it deserves a separate bullet point and quite probably it’s own separate post one day simply because I love the significance of this narratively. (In fact I hope she has a hand in Tarquin’s eventual downfall, though that doesn’t seem overly likely.)

7) She’s hot. (My husband suggested I add this one, and on consideration I realised it probably is a contributory factor so I agreed).

[twopoppies]

I don't want you to feel like I am pressuring you, that is definitely not my intention. I know you have been busy lately, but I was wondering if you've forgotten about the protective Louis fic rec? Or if you simply have not come around to it yet? (Either way it's okay!) Again thank you so much for the incredible master list you've made, honestly many of my fav fics lately have been found through your lists - so grateful. Sending you lots of love!!!!

Hi darling. I'm so, so sorry. I just so rarely find time to make fic recs these days. But I've wanted to do this one for a while, so thank you for nudging me. I'm sure I have even more than these, but this rec was getting super long. We love protective Louis!

Golden by Shaylea (E, 128K) I loved this author‘s last fic, and somehow, they managed to write another captivating story that’s so immersed in the country it takes place in. I was sucked in right from the start and really like how they write complex, flawed characters that you still root and cheer for. It’s a bit neat in its conclusion, but I think it’s very much worth a read.

The Serpent and the Lion by louiseparker (E, 212K) Despite the fact that I have zero interest in Harry Potter, I was pulled into this immediately and read all 200+K in two days. The author does a wonderful job of creating a nuanced OT5 friendship, writes great dialogue, and draws a intricate picture of life at Hogwartz. Most of all, I loved the use of flashbacks to tell the story, the deeply layered characterization of Harry, and how wonderfully he and Louis fit together and brought out the best in each other. I’m so happy I found this one.

Even on My Worst Days by @homosociallyyours (E, 22K) Soft, tender, warm and so well written. This author really captures the reality of chronic illness without ever making Harry seem helpless or a victim. Louis is just so loving and understanding in all of the best ways.

Ever Since I Tried Your Way by flowercrownfemme / @lesbianiconharrystyles (E, 26K) I loved everything about this fic, from the setting to the characterizations to the slow way Harry discovers himself and how Louis supports everything about him. It’s just beautifully written and wonderfully moving.

Shake Me Down by AGreatPerhaps12 (NR, 209K) this fic will run you through the wringer, but it’s really a great read. I really like the way the author took the boys from enemies to friends to boyfriends, and how we got to see how protective and supportive Louis becomes towards Harry.

Keep Me Closer by zanni_scaramouche / @zanniscaramouche (T, 18K) This so tender and thoughtful and just... delicate. I wish I'd stopped to copy down some of the beautiful prose, but I didn't want to stop reading! The author smoothly wove in their backstories and I loved how viscerally they described the character’s physical reactions to each other. It’s just a beautiful piece of writing.

into the joy I’m sailing by @hereforlou (E, 5K) This fic is so tender and soft and sexy. The whole idea behind the fic was just something that felt very real and so fully realized. (link is to a download)

Wear It Like A Crown by zarah5 (E, 141K) One of my favorites from one of my favorite authors. Really unique storyline, complex characters, great smut, great pacing. Link is to a download.

When you say you love me, know I love you more by darkofthenights / @jimmytfallon (E, 2.4K) This is such a sweet and lovely fic. The author paints a tender picture of insecurity and intimacy and acceptance.

My Lights Stay Up, But Your City Sleeps by PearlyDewdrops (E, 108K)  Featuring lots of pining, really well done internal monologue from Louis, and excellent smut. It also has some really lovely writing that I felt captured the pain of mental illness/anxiety very well.

Literally Making Love by Brooklyn_Babylon / @twopoppies (E, 30K) this one is mine, so here’s the summary:

Holding up one of the android’s eyes to the workshop’s windows, he smiled as the light picked up the gold flecks in the pale green of his irises. Louis had always paid attention to even the tiniest details.

–

All Louis intended to do was rescue someone in need from loneliness. He had no idea it would be himself.

we should open up (before it’s all too much) by @disgruntledkittenface (M, 43K) This was just a really unique and beautiful story about loss, grief, and learning how to open up to someone.

of the divine by @thedevilinmybrain (Mixed ratings, 2-part series, 104K) Oh my god. This series. I cried buckets. It’s so beautifully written. The sex scenes are so tender and sexy, but in such a pure way. Their relationship is so good… you can totally feel how much they love each other, the climactic scene OH MY GOD so intense. It’s also got great zouis friendship and a very sweet narry friendship. Tender punk Louis and guardian angel Harry. Read it.

strawberry milk series by wankerville (E, 158K 3-part series) Read the tags, this fic isn’t for everyone, but if you get past that this one is very soft and gentle Louis caring for his boy as Harry learns to heal himself.

Lambing Season by @helloamhere (E, 25K) This is beautiful little emotional hurt/comfort fic and it’s one of my favorites. If you’ve ever wanted to leave your shitty work environment, escape to an idyllic countryside, and find love along the way, read this one.

Here in The Afterglow by fondleeds (NR, 87K) This author just blows me away each time they share something. There’s such an incredible sense of being immersed in the world they create. This one is so moving and painful and, ultimately, joyous.

Until You Remember by Throwthemflowers / @hazzabeeforlou (E, 21K) This fic is just beautiful and full of tenderness and it made me cry.

Take Your Time by @laynefaire (T, 12K) This is actually a 4-part series, but I haven’t gotten to read the other 3 parts yet. This one, though, is sweet and soft and a perfectly romantic Christmas fic.

Soul of the Sea by vurdoc (E, 33K) A gothic romance set in a small Scottish village. Mysterious, melancholy, tender, and such a pleasure to read.

In Dreams by dolce_piccante (M, 24K) This actually might be my favorite of this author’s fics, although I know it’s definitely not the most popular. It’s just soft and romantic and sweet and I’m a sucker for tender tattoo artist Louis winning over slightly uptight Harry.

Pretty Boy by iwillpaintasongforlou (E, 33K) Ok, I read this way back in 2014, so my memory is very hazy. But I really liked it back then. Read the tags.

Don’t Let the Tide Come and Take Me by kiwikero (M, 29K) Harry is vulnerable in a very real sense in this beautifully written and emotional fic. I loved how unique the story was.

Everything You Do by jishler / @snowjosh (E, 7K) The author explores gender struggles in way that is incredibly tender and emotional, while still writing a super sexy fic. Loved this one.

Fertile Ground by SirTrancelot (E, 3K) This author explores gender and body acceptance in a way I haven’t seen done much in this fandom, and their writing is so moving. Like, every line packs a punch. This one, in particular, is such a moving portrait of Harry’s struggles with how others see him and how he sees himself, and Louis’ support as they figure it out together.

Take from me my lace (and lipstick too heavy for summer) by metal_eye / @metal-eye (M, 2K) Don’t ask me how this author fits so much beauty and so much depth into so few words. But they do it every time. Read their fics. And go yell and them about how beautiful everything they write is.

a prayer for which no words exist by Eliane (M, 34K) Gorgeous, deep, layered writing that really makes you slow down and think. At times this fic felt like a metaphor for the war these boys had been through IRL. Normally a dystopian fic with no smut would not be something I’d even bother reading, but I’m really glad I did.

Both Showing Hearts by kiwikero (E, 114K) This author is always a pleasure to read –– I just find their fics really satisfying. This one is sweet and full of Harry figuring himself out and The two of them supporting each other along the way.

After Midnight by zarah5 (T, 4K) I always love this author and this one is a lovely tribute to sweet, gentle, protective Louis and a first date with Harry.

in this dress by cabinbythesea (NR, 5K) Godddd…this one is really, really so gritty and sexy. I really loved the push and pull flirting Harry does in this one. And of course, I can’t resist a fic with Harry in a dress inspired by the Lights Up director’s cut. Side note, there’s some steamy smut, even though it’s NR.

And last... the one you mentioned:

Young & Beautiful by velvetoscar (M, 227K) This is one of the OG “classics” in this fandom and I know there are people who don’t love it, but I’m not one of them. LOL! I love Harry’s character, in particular, in this one – I guess I’m a sucker for the tortured creative soul who needs someone to see him for who he really is. But seriously, this author writes beautifully, and they create such a vivid portrait of the setting and the characters in this one.